<div class="floatright">(http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/2526/3954818922b6d4062f68.jpg)</div><br/>Tia had spent years now going through the process, the various training exercises that would be necessary in her vocation.  She'd worked hard for her position, wanting to prove herself, to dedicate her life and to make sure that she could stop what happened to her from happening to others as well.  Somehow, now that she'd gotten through the tests and proven herself in the eyes of Orpheus, it just didn't seem as real to her.  She wasn't quite sure why; maybe because she hadn't actually done anything yet.  Perhaps she could celebrate after taking down her first monster.<br/><br/>Although she winced when the sharp burns removed her fingerprints, she didn't make a sound, freezing her breath in her lungs in a move ingrained into her to maintain silence.  Likewise she accepted the tuxedo and slipped off to change, but once alone, she savored the chance to run her hands under cold water to numb the throbbing pain.<br/><br/>Once in uniform, she came out to meet the others, but she kept silent for the time being.  What exactly did one say at these occasions?  Words failed her once again.  It wasn't that she reduced communication to meaningless chatter, as a few of her trainers had guessed, but simply that she never seemed to have the right words for the situation.  Someone else always seemed to speak up and find words; even when they were dead wrong, it was a chance to correct them but also a springboard to explanation.<br/><br/>It was so much easier when there was something else to talk about, something to discuss that wasn't blindingly obvious to everyone involved.  Should she ask about combat specialties?  They would probably discuss that in detail once everyone was ready.  Movie and book preferences?  Not during company time.  Names?  People didn't want to give out their real names, and introducing yourself with a code name is just going to be embarrassing anyway.<br/><br/>"Hi."  She gave her teammates a faint smile to be, immediately kicking herself with embarrassment behind a timid smile.