Greg straightened his under shirt, staring into the reflective screen mirroring back his image. He fixed his belt for the hundredth time; the dark brown an odd contrast with the casual blue jeans, unfortunately his last choice. It shouldn’t bother him, he knew that deep down, but his stomach still twisted in an indecisive knot ready to take it off and change yet again.
Kato stepped over, a dress shirt hung limply over its arm. “Here, Master Gregory. If my data is still correct, I believe this is still within regulations.”
Greg glanced over the simple white shirt, letting out a whistling breath through his teeth. “That’s not quite the problem, Kato…”
The construct’s head snapped up. “You only have approximately an hour left to prepare before your meeting. I notice you’re a bit nervous; perhaps a cup of tea might help?”
“A bit nervous?” Greg scoffed, rolling his eyes as he turned back to the screen. “Maybe for graduation or Armand’s wedding, but this is the Board we’re talking about!” He took the offered shirt, anyway, holding it up to compare it. There was still something not quite right…
Greg ran a hand through his dark brown hair. “Please tell me we have a hairbrush around somewhere.”
“I can handle that, sir.” Kato stepped directly behind him, carefully touching both sides of his head. The stroking was actually rather soothing. “Do you have a particular style in mind?”
Greg let out a slight moan, his mind wandering for a moment. “Not like I just rolled out of bed, if possible.”
“Of course, sir.” Kato’s hands moved faster, moving Greg’s hair around till it finally stepped back. “There; I believe that is a current popular style.”
Greg tilted his head. His hair shaped shiny, smooth straight with a slight wave of bangs barely over his left eye. He hesitantly reached up, worried that a mere touch would disturb the look, but it stayed even after he dragged his fingers through it. “That’s… impressive.”
“It’s just what I’m here for.”
He let out a laugh. “I seriously doubt you’re here to fix hair.”
Kato bowed its head. “I do whatever is called of me, sir.”
Greg felt a chill through his spine. “Right…” He coughed, pulling on the dress shirt. It didn’t look that bad, actually. “That should be all. Thanks, Kato.”
“What about your transportation, sir?” Kato inquired, following him closely out of the room. It quickly fixed Greg’s collar and sleeves to be less crinkled.
Greg glared at the construct. “I was just planning on walking.” He stopped to rub the sleeve of one of Armand’s light jackets. It was slightly too small to fit him, a strange difference between him and his older brother. The fabric was a soothing soft blend; one of the few Armand could stand to wear. Greg sighed, glancing to the outer door. “It’s only, what, two, three miles away.”
Kato shook its head. “I’m sorry sir; I can’t allow you to endanger yourself as such. “
Greg let out a low growl. “I’m an Academy grad! I was top of my class! I can take care of myself!”
“It’s my duty to protect the Othellen family.” Kato took down a different coat, holding it out. “I’ve already sent for a car; it should be ready by the time we reach the lobby, sir.”
Greg reluctantly took the coat. “Is this… fitted? “
“I sent out for it two days ago; I do hope you don’t mind.”
He grimaced, slowly going over the past days in his mind. “I hadn’t even told anybody I was back…”
“I noticed your ID updated.” Kato bowed its head. “I apologize if it’s ill-suited, sir. I can return it if necessary.”
Greg closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He had hoped people had stopped caring. Deep down he knew quite a few still kept close track, but having that idea validated was far from comforting.
“Would you like some tea, sir?”
He rubbed at the growing migraine in his left temple. “Coffee.”
Kato let out a sound that might have been a sigh. “That isn’t really preferable with your-”
“I need coffee.” Greg turned to head into the kitchen, though he doubted there was enough time to do it himself. “Preferably dark roast, with nothing added.”
The construct reluctantly joined him, quickly setting up the necessary equipment, anyway. In only a couple seconds, Kato held out a freshly prepared travel cup. “Here you are, sir, but I really must insist…”
Greg ignored the protest, swinging the coat over his shoulder to more comfortably take the cup. He carefully took a sip expecting it to burn his tongue. It didn’t quite, though it was still hot. Greg grimaced, the taste a bit weird. Slightly metallic and not really right for a dark roast blend. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough time to fix it.
~~~~
Driving was looked down upon in the Division, due to pre-cohesion misconceptions that it could ever be made better for the environment. The official International Division stance was that it could only be used in extreme security circumstances, which usually meant those considered higher up could use it any time they wanted without bothering the Board about it, but anyone else had to go through a lengthy bothersome process that wasn’t worth it to begin with.
That was why, without any further protests, Greg sat in the back of his family’s car. For the higher up families in the Division image was always important; it was an unwritten rule. Unfortunately, he was already a mark against his family’s typically perfect image. Half Sendrian and an illegal natural born. And that was just him personally. Every little flaw; in his stance, the way he wore his clothes, how he acted, what he did was examined and reexamined just to be used against his family.
Greg sighed, tapping his foot anxiously as he stared out at the empty streets, the only people around giving the lone car a menacing glare as it past. It was a mistake to come back.
Music, music would help. He tapped the control panel hiding in the separation screen, navigating from memory alone to the device section. His ID was still there. Armand certainly seemed shocked, so it was hard to imagine him being so hopeful, and Angeline…
A shiver jumped through him. He’d done more than enough thinking about her at the hospital, she didn’t deserve any more than that.
Greg hesitated, rereading the list. “Kato.” His voice cracked a bit, but he decided it was best to push through. “How long has it been since this car was last used?”
“Last week, if my memory is correct.”
That was why, then. Terese’s ID was still there. Terese was Armand’s wife. Had been Armand’s first wife. It was hard to imagine the two of them getting a divorce, so the only option left…
“Is everything all right, Master Gregory?”
He winced. “Greg, Kato, my name is Greg.”
“Your ID does state-”
“I prefer to be called Greg!” He let out a swift breath between his teeth. “I’ve been telling you this since I was ten!”
“You were twelve.”
Greg groaned, leaning back in his seat. Of course Kato would remember something like that.
“If you’re wondering about Lady Terese’s profile still being there, I was waiting for Master Armand to tell me to purge it.”
“Lady?” Greg frowned crinkling his brow.
“Is that the wrong term?”
“No, I just… never heard you use that for anyone before.”
“Lady Terese found it rather fitting.”
Greg smiled. “It is.”
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