((You had been in the Dutch Royal Military Academy for the past five years, and it had not been an easy experience. Major Alix van Batten was always on your back kepping a close watch over you. She was harsh and demanding of everyone, but you felt like she singled you out especially and held you to a higher standard than anyone else. She always made sure to keep you in line, holding you to an incredibly high standard and refusing to allow even the slightest mistake or hint to levity from you. Every passing day and no matter how well you did, she always found something to critique. Graduation was almost here, but every moment between now and then felt like an eternity.))

The Major stood perfectly straight, her hands behind her back. With every passing soldier, her scrutinizing gaze left no stone unturned, and the commanding presence behind those steely ice-blue eyes made you shiver. She approached slowly and stopped in front of you. Again. You could sense her scrutinizing gaze, and though it made you shiver, you held on tight, not allowing any mishaps.

"Private, I'm going to ask again, because clearly you didn't hear me the first time. Why exactly were you standing at ease? We are on training grounds, and I did not order you to stand at ease. Care to explain?"

Her voice carried cold authority and sternness. Your stance was impeccable. Certainly not a reason for the Major to scold you. Your heels were planted squarely on the ground, your shoulders were back, your spine was straight, and you didn't fidgeted or blinked. With absolute confidence, you stood firmly, not an inch out of line. But somehow, despite being certain of yourself, you were sure she was about to rip you a new one for something you had missed.

"You know what? Go stand next to that tree and do 500 pushups in front of all. Maybe by then the mud will wash off some of that lazy attitude."

The Major turned and walked away, the authority in her steps making the soldiers all take a step back. It wasn't the first time you felt singled out.