<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #00BF00">“Yeah.”</span></span>Motto looked up from his own glass.  It was a good thing Nev was there to keep him afloat, whether or not he realized it.  Their lives were about to change, and for Motto it was sorely needed.  In a matter of time, he’d be free from his aunt and it seemed too good to be true.  She was convinced he would never amount to anything and this past year at the academy had been rocky.  His grades were slipping and Motto had begun to lose hope.  His Aunt’s predictions seemed to loom over him, and things had gotten strange the last time he was on holiday.  The Rangers offered an escape.  If he worked hard enough, he might not have to return to that place.  These things played through the cadet’s mind as he sat in silent shock in their apartment.  It was a brief lapse into gloomy reverie, and thankfully Nev was there to shake him out of it.<br/><br/>A boyish grin spread on his face, and brownish eyes met with impossibly blue ones.<span style="color: #00BF00"><span style="font-weight: bold">“I know.  It’s happening, Nev.  We’re really gonna be somethin’.”</span></span>He reached out to tousle the other’s hair and laughed.<span style="color: #00BF00"><span style="font-weight: bold">"I heard that they don’t wear uniforms except for like royal ..uh..appearances?  But even then it’s the Ranger dress reds.  I don’t know if it’s true or not.  So cool!  Oh hey..”</span></span>He nudged Neville playfully in the midsection while leaning in.<span style="color: #00BF00"><span style="font-weight: bold">“..I think that Rangers aren’t allowed to have girlfriends.  Looks like we’re gonna have to start turning down all those girls!”</span></span>Motto hadn’t had a girl his entire life, and he still hadn’t lived down that time he asked the most popular cadet to the ball.  Many upperclassmen still called him Dodo.  His laughter died down and the raven sat upright with a new realization.<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="https://i.imgur.com/BsneYBY.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00"><span style="font-weight: bold">“Nev you gotta help me with classes.  I don’t have a chance without ya.  None of the tutors will take me anymore, Nev.”</span></span>Grabbing the other’s shirt, Motto shook his friend a little to emphasize things.<span style="color: #00BF00"><span style="font-weight: bold">“I know it’s a pain in the ass, Nev.  I know it’s the last thing ya need on your plate, but I’m beggin’ ya.  I’d give ya my right arm if I didn’t need it for the Ran—the BlackGaurd! HA HA!  Nev!  We’re gonna be THE EMPERER’S EYES!”</span></span>Despite the fact that the physical requirements for the Rangers were so difficult they were considered unethical by other military factions, Motto was confident he would pass.  It was the book element that scared the shit out of him.