*picture of jade

"Well to start, we need to get you both new outfits," Raine said as she examined me and Tristan like a cat watching a mouse.

"Won't that just make us stand out when we're trying to blend in? It'll make us seem more like outsiders," Tristan spoke up and I nodded in agreement.

In Havoc everyone blended in, there were close to no outsiders besides the Half Blood servants or drivers.

"It's all part of the plan. Do you really think Sky would trust Half Bloods to grow her food? No, there are Gen farmers who grow food for all of Havoc. We can go to Sky stating we have a farm related problem then get a private audience with her then BOOM! Lights out for President Sky and her ridiculous political beliefs and systems," Raine said with excitement and rushed to another room, returning with a huge chest filled with clothing.

I looked at her, confused, then she nodded to the chest.

"Is black the only color pants you guys have?" Tristan muttered as he searched through.

Rains shrugged, looked at the ceiling for a moment, then nodded, "Pretty much!"

Well I guess that did make things a bit easier. I grabbed a black pair of pants and put them aside. I pulled out a tan t shirt and a dark brown jacket and put those with the pants. Raine walked away and came back with a sword and two smaller daggers. She handed the sword to me and gave Tristan the two long daggers. Then she gave us the sheaths for them. I put the heavy sword in the sheath on my back and turned to Tristan, who was wearing black pants, a blue shirt, and a black jacket.

"And for the final touch," Raine said and drew six dots on my face from my nose to my forehead with charcoal.

Tristan got a line on each cheek and a dot on his nose.

"Are these really necessary?" Tristan asked.

"If they weren't why would I be drawing on your face?" Raine asked back.

Tristan shrugged, "who am I to question what you do or why."

Raine sighed, "around town here, they'll protect you. They are symbols of our little rebellion team or resistance down here. Black markings means warrior, white means leader. That's why I have white markings and the rest of you have black."

It felt odd being called a "warrior". Back home I was a student and a son but here a warrior? It also felt weird to carry around a weapon that could stab someone or cut their head off, it was a bit unsettling. For me at least, some things that are necessary may not always be comforting or normal.

"Now, for battle training." Raine smiled.

Oh no.