Castle Program

A heavy tension permeated the air. Despite having finished their handshake, neither had released their hold on the other. Maeve wore an enchanting, yet cold smile while Marcel's face contorted slightly. Not far from where they stood, two figures watched the confrontation unfold. Archie was seated, his chin resting atop his palm. He had lost his gentle smile, clearly bothered by the growing tension, however he knew better than to stand between two tigers baring their fangs.

He sighed. 

"Why are people so prone to quarrels?" 

Across from him, just a meter or two away from the epicenter of the tense atmosphere was a beautiful woman with short golden hair and light blue eyes. Her slender body was covered by the standard black uniform of the NSRA. She wore it without flaw beyond the lack of a tie. 

Compared to Archie's calm state, the beautiful woman was far more flustered. She hurriedly retrieved a small mirror from within her suit's jacket, it was circular in shape and of a plain silver color. Staring at its surface, her panicked face revealed itself. The moment she locked eyes with her reflection, she whispered at it. 

"Erica, come out and do something!" 

Her sweet voice reached the mirror, yet it failed to experience any changes. Normal as such a thing was, it appeared that the beautiful woman had not anticipated it to remain unaltered. The woman's delicate brows furrowed.

"Hey don't ignore me!" 

This time, her reflection did react to her words. It lost its mirroring frown and donned an exasperated bearing. Then her voice spread from behind its clear surface. 

"Relax, they won't fight… And even if they do, why ask me? It's your body, use it." 

With that, the woman's reflection returned to mimicking her current expression. 

Meanwhile, the culprits of the suffocating atmosphere remained indifferent to the worries of the two witnesses as Marcel broke the silence that hung between them. 

"Happy with that introduction? Or should I make a summary of my personal information to go along with it?"

He mocked. 

"The words were good. Hmm, but that tone of yours is sour on the ears. Why not try again but with a sweet flavor to your tongue this time?"

Marcel's lip twitched, then with stifled fury he spoke. 

"Missy, did your mother not teach you that an ugly personality will dispel all the good will a pretty face gives for free?" 

Maeve shrugged. 

"No, I don't recall such a lesson. Ah but she did say once that reciprocity is always a good practice."

Marcel raised a brow. 

"Missy… That word entails a beneficial exchange, what is the benefit of making me dislike you?" 

Maeve extinguished the coldness that lingered in her smile, turning it radiant. The sight was mesmerizing. 

"It's simple, from now on I know you will listen when I address you. That means you will gain some half-decent manners. Proper social etiquette and all that. A worthwhile exchange If you ask me." 

Marcel's sharp eyes narrowed. His anger was clear to see, yet in the end he did not act upon it. He sighed. 

"This is childish, are we done now? I'm sorry for my rudeness, I'll answer next time you address me. Just don't do it for something tedious like an introduction. It's a waste of energy." 

He did not wait for a response before releasing his grip on her hand, and reaching down for his fallen chair. Maeve did not agitate him further. Her anger over his disrespectful decorum had already faded with their exchange. Additionally, she had established herself firmly within his mind as a person capable of escalating a situation if left unpleased.

Just thinking of her new role brought forth a headache. 

Seeing as there was nothing more to be said, Maeve stepped aside and soon locked gazes with a pair of light blue eyes. She approached her with a neutral expression, no longer in a mood to force a fake smile. 

"Hello, I'm—" 

"Isabelle Nicoli! My name is Isabelle Nicoli! I'm an officer here, I love the color blue, I hate seafood, I don't like rock as a genre, and I live within the Triwing Area, Voxer street! I— I can answer any question that you have if that is not enough information!" 

Isabelle was startled, staring at Maeve with clear apprehension. Maeve, unfortunately, knew exactly what was the source of such a reaction. She sighed. 

"Um, no need. Nice to meet you Isabelle." 

Considering her state, Maeve did not linger and returned to her desk with a slight frown adorning her beautiful face. The moment she sat down, she felt Archie's gaze fall upon her. 

"Ms. Maeve, you are a woman of many sides it seems. Some more frightening than the others. Perhaps it would do you good to read the radiant gospel and gain guidance." 

Maeve stared at Archie then sighed once again. 

"Does it explain how one betters their image in front of others?" 

"Of course!"

Archie answered, then reached inside his pockets to retrieve a small gospel before handing it to her. Maeve took it absentmindedly, not even bothering to question if he carried such a thing with him everywhere he went just to give it away. 

She was simply too enthralled in self ridicule to care. She felt extremely disappointed with herself. On the one hand she established a hostile relationship with the relaxed tempered Marcel, and on the other she had frightened the delicate looking Isabelle. 

I need better social skills…

She could not help but picture the bubbly Cory Hudson. Maeve felt a seed of envy nestle within her heart. Eventually, she pushed her thoughts to the side and began exploring the NSRA networks. Gaining more detailed knowledge over the day's briefings. 

*****

The rest of the day flashed by quickly. Beyond finding their desks, a few support officers later arrived with their respective badges and weaponry. Considering that the purpose of their first day had been accomplished, the rookies were soon informed of their dismissal an hour before everyone else. 

That was how Maeve found herself back within the familiar scenery of her apartment. She did little beyond purchasing a premade meal upon her way home. She felt a simmering anticipation within her. After all, she could not go over the information Inspector Alina had given her regarding the special officers at work. 

Apart from Cory's sudden departure from the briefing room, Maeve had failed to notice anything that signalled an aberration was haunting Marcel, Isabelle, and Archie. Of course, she had no confirmation yet that they were the special officers, however it was almost a certainty when one pondered over their arrangement. 

Removing her black suit, Maeve prepared her tub and soon engulfed herself within it. As she felt the warm waters touch, Maeve's mind could not help but linger. 

"The Castle Program…" 

She murmured the three words that frequently invaded her thoughts. A part of her hoped that today she would have at last revealed a clue behind what they meant, yet no such thing occurred. 

She sighed… 

It was expected of course, after all it was her mother's discovery of The Castle Program which likely led to her death. Whatever it meant, Maeve was certain it was a secret that the NSRA desperately hoped to hide. 

No matter, this is just the start. I'll reach its meaning eventually. 

Thinking such, Maeve plunged her head into the warm water's embrace.