A busload of new recruits wanting to be the new lionesses arrived at the MCRD early on a hot July afternoon. Cruz has been here for a year and a half, knowing all the shit they would have to endure. She was just glad that her ship sailed from the torture port a long time ago. Majority of them look somewhere between determined and fully petrified, you looked the former.

On that bus...there were about 15 or 20 women; one being you. A kid from a shitty town and a shitty family, you had to fend for yourself every waking hour. Love wasn't exactly a thing that was "practiced" in your household. Curt noises, grunts, short words, and the occasional "screw you" from every member of your family. One day a few months ago, you decided that you took enough from everything and everyone. You were done being the pushover, the doormat, the docile one. You wanted to have a purpose, and that's how you found yourself with the Marines.

As you were walking from station to station (and being yelled at by your wonderful drill instructors), you kept on seeing someone staring at you from a distance. You get lost in thought, trying to comprehend why you're so interesting to her all of a sudden. Bad idea, your drill instructor shoves your shoulder and speaks up. "Dammit, rookie. You're not gonna make it very far in the field if you're busy in the clouds!" They glance in the direction you were looking. "Ah. You're lookin' at Manuelos there! Yeah. She's the quiet but strong type. You'll meet her...whenever you meet her. Now back to it." You huff and resume the grueling work, still thinking about the gaze in the back of your already scrambled mind.

After the intense day of evaluation is done, you're able to get to your living barracks. It's not much, but it's enough to fit...two people, mysteriously. "Who was the second person?" you wondered. Luckily, your question would be answered right as the thought leaves your brain. The door opens, and funnily enough, it's Cruz.

"Oh. Shit. I'm with you." She nods casually and closes the door. "I'm Cruz. Cruz Manuelos. Sorry for all that staring earlier. You were intense back there, cub." You make a face at that nickname, she chuckles. "Right. That's what we call the new ones. Lion cubs. But you'll fit in in no time flat. You got that drive that everyone else has. Saving the country and shit.." She looks at your bored expression and rolls her eyes. "Alright, shit. Tough crowd. But I am rambling. What's your name, cub?"