Liv walks amongst the high end suites just outside the Beta’s large spire, her hands buried in her pockets. It would be an insult to call this place “fancy”. It was more than that, a gaudy display of wealth and influence used for the sole purpose of elevating its inhabitants above the “poors” beneath. The floor was a deep maroon carpet, gold trim woven through it’s surface. The walls were made of a polished marble, small pillars spiraling up to hold the ceiling up. Paintings of the world before the Phenomenon are displayed prominently on the walls, the events spanning from the dawn of the A.D to contemporary works from just before the complete collapse of society. Doors are spaced far apart, each a mansion in of itself. No room is cheap for anyone short of a king.

  She wasn’t here to admire the architecture. She was on a mission, and she didn’t have the time to squander. She looks down on the paper, the words “Suite 13” displayed prominently on its surface. Florence had pointed her in the right direction, the two encountering each other on their way out. Liv had just planned to go to each of these fancy places, asking all the receptionists if her target lived there. If none of them said yes… Well, she would just have to start knocking on each door individually. Lucky for everyone involved, Florence was social enough to know where most top contenders lived.

  Liv stops just in front of the large suite, her hand poised to knock. The doors were a dark oak, thick and sturdily crafted with the express purpose of being expensive looking. She takes a deep breath, replaying exactly what she needed to say in her mind.

  “Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to train with me? Please and thank you.”

  That’s all she had to say. Nothing more, nothing less. She just needed to ask for the one thing and she’d be off to the races.

  Her knuckles rap against the door three times, the thick wood bucking under her powerful knocks. After a moment of silence, the door swings open, a familiar face there to greet her.

  Faraji metal frame stares down at her with a mixture of surprise and annoyance, his eyes narrowing in on her slightly nervous form.

  “Liv Boss.” He says, his voice fuzzy around the edges. “It’s… You’re here.” He stops himself, not quite in the mood to lie and say “it’s nice to see you”. “How do you know where I live?”

  “Florence.” She quickly says, her mouth thinking before her mind.

  He stares at her for another long moment before a sigh escapes his lips. "You and Florence are friends?” He questions.

  Liv turns the question around in her mind for a bit, considering it in its entirety. She didn't hate the guy, but she certainly wouldn't consider him a close friend of hers. She eventually shrugs, letting out a “Somethin’ like that.”

  “I see.” Faraji says, the information squirreling itself into his mind.

  “...Yeah.” Liv says, a soft whistle escaping her mouth. Faraji stares back at her, a defeated sound escaping his mouth.

  “I assume you want something from me.” He grunts, cutting to the chase of the conversation. “What is it? Or you simply come to insult me some more?”

  Liv winces, the memory of their fight replaying in her mind over and over. She didn’t regret her strategy, per se. She wouldn’t have won without it. She could feel shame over it, however. The two weren’t mutually exclusive.

  “Err… Nah.” She says slowly, her gauntleted hands coming to clasp at her chest. She just had to spit it out, that one phrase, and she'd be all ready. “I was just wonderin’ if ya wanted a quick scrap! Y’know… Trainin’? You 'n me!”

  Faraji tilts his head at her poor attempt at “casual”, one of his eyes cocking up. It was an approximation of an eyebrow cock, though he didn’t seem to have the visible facilities for that.

  “Is this some sort of game?” He questions. “Or do you believe this is some sort of way to steal my number one rank. If so, you should know that’s really not how that works. You have to perform well on missions to advance with your whole team, though I’ve heard from the grapevine that you and I are both close to our first advancement. Congratulations, by the way.” His voice is dry, more an instinct than anything resembling kindness.

  “Thanks.” Liv responds, a small frown cresting her face as she thinks of her team. In their current state… In her current state, she didn’t deserve to rank up. With a breath, she presses on, a spark of defiance shining in her eyes. “There ain’t no game. I wanna get better, but I ain’t gonna do that if I don’t have someone who can help me through this Synth stuff. Yer the best person I know for that… Cmon, please?”

  Faraji tilts his head the other direction, both eyes widening as she actively pleads for his help. “You… Want me to train with you? Like teacher and student?”

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  “Somethin’ like that would be nice, yeah!” Liv agrees readily, her head nodding in quick succession. “I reckon I’m gonna need more strength if I wanna keep goin’...” And to earn the respect of her team. He didn’t need to know she didn’t have that, though.

  “Well,” he starts, his metal finger plinking against his arm. “I have a bit of free time, but I planned to spend that time networking with a few of the other high ranking individuals in the Initiative. I also believe training you might damage the integrity of my own team seeing as I, alongside Kara, have something of a grudge against you.”

  Liv blinks. “Aight, I can understand Kara. But why are ya so damn mad at me?” She snaps. “I put Anthony on my team, and I reckon that'd make 'em mad, but I dunno what yer so mad 'bout. What? The fight? That's still got you pissy?"

  “Yes.” He growls, that note of rage he wore in their battle entering his voice once more. “I am still ‘pissy’ about that, as you so crudely put it.”

  “Well I’m sorry!” Liv lies lamely, her arms dramatically splaying out. “I’m sorry I insulted ya, okay? Are ya able to help me or not?”

  “Liar.” Faraji accurately snipes, disgust dripping, pooling in the contempt he regarded her in at all times. “You’re a horrid liar, even for a common swine. You can barely hide your own intent, your emotions on your sleeve like some sort of badge for all to see. You’re underhanded, crude, rash, and a boorish moron without a care in the world.” He takes a heavy step forward, his heavy form looking over her as he jabs a finger into her chest, sending her stumbling back a step. “The fact you got as far as you have is pure luck and instinct, but not much else. Your mastery over your ability is subpar at best, and your combative skills are poor to nonexistent.” His finger jabs into her sternum once more, sending her stumbling back another step. Those eyes stare at her, though he didn’t need a charge to be intimidating. The resentful way in which he looked at her was enough to intimidate her into silence. “But I think the worst thing of all is your inability to be an adult. You act like some sort of child with your manner of speech, an immature brat given power beyond power. Your ‘charm’, if you can even call it that, is just your horrible attempts at mimicking actual people. You're a fool first, easily the most incompetent person I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. You’re a caricature of what a person should be like, and I want nothing to do with you.”

  Liv stares up at him with defiant eyes, though she can feel something deep within her snap under the weight of his words. She doesn’t cry, though some clear sign of heartbreak shines in her eyes, something Faraji could see. He scoffs, glaring as he turns his heel.

  “Find a different teacher. I care not to see you ever-.”

  His steps are halted as a pair of hands wrap around his ankle. He sputters, his annoyance igniting into a full on rage. Did they have the nerve to grab him? What gave them the right to even touch him? He turns on his heel… Though, all his insults die on his lips as he sees Liv on the floor, kneeling.

  “Please.” She says simply, her head bowed deep. “Just teach me.”

  “What are you doing?” Faraji questions slowly.

  “Beggin’.”

  “...Begging?”

  “Beggin’.” She reiterates, her hands clasping above her head. “I’m showin’ ya I’m sorry.”

  “And this is supposed to sway my heart?” He says, not an iota of sympathy in his heart. “How?”

  “Cause I don’t got anythin’ to hide.” She says. “I said those things ‘cause I wanted to win. I dunno anythin’ ‘bout ya, and didn’t mean to make ya this mad. I can’t say I wouldn’t do it again if I went back in time, but I can say that… I’m awful sorry that I hurt ya. Honestly? I think the armor is kinda cool.”

  Faraji looks down on her for a moment, his brow twitching under his helm. He wanted to tell her to just go away, to get out of his face and never speak to him again… But he could tell she was telling the truth. He runs one of his large hands down the expanse of his head, softly cursing his weak heart.

  “Ffffffiine,” He growls slowly, drawing the sound out more than he needs. “I’ll train you if you stop groveling like a peasant. If anyone saw you, it would tarnish my reputation.”

  Liv raises her head quickly, a smile spreading across her face as she jumps to her feet, her hands clapping together. “I knew ya’d cave eventually! Trust me, I won’t make ya regret this-.”

  “Don’t thank me.” He interjects. “I’m only doing this because, despite how much I abhor you as a person, I’d be remiss in my duties if I allowed someone of your talent to go uncultivated. If a few hours out of my day can save hundreds of people, so be it.” His eyes harden, his finger jabbing into her sternum once more. This time, it isn’t hard enough to displace her, more a warning than anything else. “We are still not friends, barely allies. The only thing we share is a common goal and nothing more.”

  “Mhm!” Liv nods enthusiastically, her spirits already raising despite the harsh words. Faraji sputters, trying to muster up an insult; though, everything negative he had to say was already said. In the end, he sighs, walking back to his suite.

  “Let me enjoy a bit of peace before we start.” He says. “I’ll meet you in the third training room at eight p.m sharp. If you do not show, I will assume you have given up on training and I, in kind, will give up on training you.”

  Liv nods once more, her hand coming up in a mock salute. Faraji shakes his head, closing the door behind him, leaving Liv alone in the hall. She saunters off, a smile spread across her face. She would prove herself, would evolve past the person she was today, to become the Liv of tomorrow that could lead her team. She would show her team the depths of her knowledge, to have them compliment and praise her skill, to finally earn the respect she deserved. Not like training could be that hard.