Inktober 2019 6 - Husky
“It’s not fair!”
“Isn’t it?” His house mother replied.
He looked at his feet. It was no use arguing with her - she was pleased with news.
“You must understand, child. This designation is an honor. You will be doing a great service to society.”
“I don’t want to be a protector!” He raised his head, determination etched on his face. “I want to be a scholar. I want to study, and research, and discover.”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, but you’re simply not suited for it. I know you’ve been skipping meals and trying to change your body, but it didn’t work, my dear. You’re destined to be a protector, and you need to accept it.”
To his dismay, a small tear tracked down his cheek. He wouldn’t accept it, he wouldn’t! There had to be a way to change his fate. Maybe if he snuck out every morning and ran to his gen ed classes instead of taking the transport. Cut his calorie intake even further? That would be tough, and the house mother was already watching him closely.
She nodded and smiled. “Be proud, my boy. On this, your naming day, I name you Layland, a fine name for a protector.”
Layland. Even the name sounded thick.
The house mother had moved on to his housemate, who had reached his eighth year just as he had. “Now you, my child, have grown up lean and fragile. You have been designated a scholar, and I name you Keelan.”
The newly named Keelan coughed and nodded.
She turned back to Layland and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “The designations are clear. Just as my plain face designated me to be a house mother, your fate must be what your body says it will be. You cannot change it.”
His heart sank. There was no getting out of it - a protector he would be, and he would strive to do it well.
But he also decided that would not be all he was. No one said he COULDN’T pursue knowledge as well. He would be the first protector scholar. And no designation would stop him.