<span style="color: #00BF00"><span style="font-weight: bold">“They posted it during second period, I was watchin’.”</span></span>Motto whispered as they stood at parade rest outside the headmaster’s door.<span style="color: #00BF00"><span style="font-weight: bold">“Your name was on the top of the list.  I think that means you’r---“</span></span><br/><br/>He snapped to attention as the door slid open and waited for the command to enter.  It didn’t come right away however, and the two cadets would endure an awkward moment of silence until the retired two-star admiral appeared.  He seemed to be absorbed in the papers he held as he walked into view.  Looking up at the pair, he grunted “come in” before focusing on the documents once more.  Motto’s prompt obedience may or may not have resulted in a collision with his best friend in the admiral’s door way, as it didn’t accommodate for the two to enter simultaneously.  Inside, Motto shoot Nevile a curious glance as if to ask, “What’s up with the headmaster?”<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="https://i.imgur.com/LuIoSzD.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/>“So.”  The old man’s back was to them as he face his wall of memorabilia.  “Let’s get down to it, shall we?”  He turned with a wide, fatherly smile and gripped the back of his chair with both hands.  “You’ve done well boys.  At ease.”  Motto reluctantly loosened his stiff poise and blinked a few times.  He broke corridor protocol and ignored an instructor..how was that remotely ok?  The admiral continued in a rather jovial tone while crossing the room to clamp Nevile’s shoulder in a clearly proud gesture.  “It’s been a long time since one of our own has proven worthy, let alone two.”  The door slid shut and the lights dimmed.<br/><br/>“You didn’t make the Graize rangers.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00"><span style="font-weight: bold">“But Sir…”</span></span>Motto’s confusion was evident as he did his best to address the headmaster with respect.<span style="color: #00BF00"><span style="font-weight: bold">“..I saw our names.  I even had another cadet read ‘em out loud to me to make sure I wasn’t seein’ things.”</span></span><br/><br/>Laughing, the admiral returned to his desk.  “Yes yes, your names are on the list.  It’s standard procedure for BlackGaurd recruits.”<br/><br/>There was a meaningful pause before Motto stammered,<span style="color: #00BF00"><span style="font-weight: bold">“The..<span style="font-style: italic">Empirer’s</span> BlackGaurd?  Sir?”</span></span>