Kol was still in a daze as he sluggishly marched in with the other "recruits". His body ached, muscles sore and tender as if he really had been holding up the world, but he knew now that whatever happened in that void was merely a product of his own mind. When had he become so sadistic and downtrodden? Blinking slowly, he absently rubbed at his arms, as if to chase away the phantom pains, only to cease as a woman's voice rang through the dimly lit room. Looking up, he watched as the small Asian matron addressed them with a dramatic flair that sounded well practiced. Her voice was filled with pride as she spoke of life and death, of kinship, war, love and creativity that could all flourish or perish in the dusty building the Mediterranean man would now call... Home. The word seemed foreign, almost as foreign as the ideas of art and history... yet they all sent a warmth through his core, like soft creatures that curled up in his heart, familiar and safe- like something that had been lost for a very long time, now found again to be clutched close and tight.<br/><br/>This warmth increased the other sensation the mental trial had left- a feeling of weightlessness. He had shrugged off the burden he was born into... the release of tension left his head dizzy and his heart fluttering. Even the bag of his meager belongings felt feather-light on his shoulder. Slowly, a rare smile found its way to his lips. Even the gruff words of the next man's welcome did nothing to hold him down. Death no longer seemed to frighten him, as he would die a free man, fighting for what he could only call justice. This was what he never knew he was searching for, but had found.<br/><br/>After a short, though compassionate speech from the pastor, he followed the other recruits to their new living quarters. Choosing to stand to the side of the door, he waited and watched until each of them too select their bed first before claiming his own. He was at first surprised at the differences between them all. Large, small, light, dark, loud, silent, friendly and distrusting... all were seen in what he readily considered his new family. For some reason, he had never considered how different people could be while all still calling themselves human. He pondered for a moment on how such diverse creatures could be under such tyranny like that of the Leeches. Had humans always been like this?<br/><br/>Mentally shaking himself from his thoughts, he moved over to his bunk and let his bag, which was no more than a cloth sack that once held plaster, slide off his shoulder to the floor. Sitting down, he let his gaze wander over his new companions as they introduced themselves. Another slight smile crossed his features. It might have just been the rush of everything that had happened, but he gained an immediate liking to each of them. Once again he waited until everyone had spoken before offering his own name, deep baritone voice soft as it played through the room.<span style="font-weight: bold">"I am Kol."</span>he replied,<span style="font-weight: bold">"I am.. well, I was a construction grunt. Where did all of you come from?"</span>