Your Nation Thanks You

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    Nearly one hundred years ago an invisible murderer swept across the nation killing all those in its wake. It cared not of your skin, gender or age it’s only cared to burn your body from the inside out. It was a plague that snatched children from parent’s tight holds and lovers from firmly clasped hands with no remorse. It took ten years for the virus to run its course and die out before the nation could rebuild the number that they once had before the plague came. To ensure that they would become the once prosperous nation they once were the remaining leaders created a set of new laws that bind their citizens to bettering the entire nation.

    When each citizen reaches the prime age of eighteen they are contracted in marriage to another individual who will heritability benefit the growth of the country. The female’s after being paired would travel on Contract Day to their husband’s birth city to live with him in a home that was provide to the couple by the government. The male’s would stay in their birth city but, move out of their parent’s home and into a home that was provided to them. In some cases, the couple was transported to another state where they were more needed.

    Each couple would then produce at least four children and if they were to produce more the government would compensate them for their bountifulness. If a couple could not produce the quota, they were subjected to punishment by the government. This punishment varied from each person but, they were typically never heard from again. If a spouse dies, a new one would be assign to the widow and the family would be relocated, if their quota has not already been met. It was rare but, not unheard of for such a thing to happen.

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    Kris & Shai played by: musicalpanda
    Jongdae & Asha played by: Zhang Yixing
    November 3rd, 2014 at 08:09am
  • iron underneath;

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    Asha had just turned eighteen, and her parents had been dreading the day this happened. Her world was about to change forever, not to say she wasn't a little excited but tat the same time the fear that ran through her was making her so sick to her stomach she wasn't even sure how to react. Her marriage certificate had already come in the mail, her husbands name was Wu Yifan. She found the name strange but in the second package there was information on his family background, he was chinese. The new era of breeding in humans was to create mixed races, they had spoken about this over the news but she hadn't expected them do it for a long while yet.

    The thought didn't bother her at all, after all they're all just people doing what their nation asks of them. She began to wonder what Quadrant she would be moving to, that was one of the things she had been looking forward to. Asha knew once she left the only time she'd be permitted to see her family was when she found out she was pregnant and after the baby was born til they had four children that is. Then she was able to see them whenever she wanted. That was the compensation the families got when they met the quota of children. When you had more than five which wasn't as common; they gave you a newer house where children could play together. They'd have old woman amenities like a swimming pool in the ground and you could decide where you wanted to live.

    Most of the time the families stayed in their husbands town, or moved back to their husbands town if they'd been moved or needed somewhere else; but it had happened a few times where the wife made the decision and they moved back to her birth Quadrant. "Do you think he is handsome mom?" she smiled a little as she looked at her.

    "Of course sweetie, you know the drill - go pack," she told her lightly, "I'll make you a lunch for the fly there,"

    "I'm already packed," she spoke softly with a small smile then looked at the papers in her hands before placing them back into the official envelope.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 12:29pm
  • musicalpanda

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    "But I don't want to go!" I whined, my marriage certificate lay discarded and unwanted on the ground. "I don't want to! He could be rude, vulgar, abusive, and I'll be stuck with him!"

    "Now hush. You know it doesn't always end badly. Your father and I are happy, your siblings are all off and married. Now it's your turn to make your nation proud." My mother said as my father nodded in agreement.

    I rolled my eyes, looking at the package. Kim Jongdae What the hell kind of name was that? I knew his information was inside, and I 'd learn more about him but I didn't care enough to. I didn't want to make my nation proud. I wanted to go back to sleep, and turn 17 again so I had another year of freedom. I didn't care I didn't want to go.

    "You're already packed, and you know they come for you if you don't go yourself. It won't be that bad. You might even fall in love with him." My father said in an attempt to be reassuring. It didn't work. Nothing they said could make me feel better about it.

    A car pulled up in the front yard, flags held up by poles on the front and end corners. My mother picked up the folder, handing it to me with a smile. "We love you, and we'll see you soon. All of your medical exams are perfect. Try not to make it too hard on him, he probably feels uncertain about it as well."

    I sighed a little, knowing I had to stop it now and go. I wouldn't see my parents until I had four children to show for it.

    A knock at the door was heard, and we all turned, myself unwillingly. My father went to open it, and a man in a suit stood, waiting to lead me to the car. "Shai Micheals?"

    I sighed heavily, nodding slowly as I grabbed my things. My parents pulled me into hugs, wishing me well, knowing that it would be a while before I saw them again. "Yes."

    "Your nation thanks you." He said, taking my bags to lead me out.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 12:59pm
  • iron underneath;

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    Asha heard a car pull up out front, "I thought I had time to go to the station myself," she said to her mother softly as she walked to the door, her father was bringing her bags down. She was more than confused but she was certain everything would be explained soon enough, she opened the door before they could knock then chewed on her bottom lip lightly.

    "Asha Walter?" the man said looking at her and she nodded,"Your marriage is of the utmost importance, you're being moved to a low population area with your husband as of immediately. While the quota isn't higher than the normal, it would be best to say that more than four children would be more than welcome." the man spoke as if he were a robot. Was he? She wondered to herself. Asha passed all her medical exams to the T, she had been praised as the most fertile for her area which was quite an odd award in her opinion but she accepted it none the less.

    One of her friends went missing when she found out she was infetile, they said they were going to take her to a hospital, to see if they could salvage her. That had always resonated with her in a horrible manner, the men took her bags. Her mother handed her the bag of food.

    "We love you, and we know you'll do well; just be patient with him he probably just as nervous," her mother spoke, kissing her forehead lightly.

    Asha nodded,"Of course," she murmured as she slid her shoes on then hugged her father tightly, "I love you both," she said softly as one of the men grabbed her arm.

    "Your Nation Thanks you, Asha Walter," he said as he led her to the black SUV.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 01:07pm
  • musicalpanda

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    I was lead out to the car, turning to wave at my parents. I missed them already. Even though I could still see them. The door was opened and I went inside the large car, the door shutting behind me. The car moved almost immediately, my parents disappearing quickly until my house was no longer in sight.

    "You're being moved to an area that should be highly populated, it took a large hit during the time the illness took its run, and is currently repopulating itself. More than four children would be welcome, and you will be compensated for it. It would be wise to look into your husband further, you have quite a bit of information in your packet." He droned, making me zone out almost immediately.

    I looked out the window, watching my familiar neighborhood disappear. I would be put on a hyper plane, and would face my husband by lunchtime. I picked up my folder, staring at it before pulling his file out.

    Just about his every detail was entered inside, except a picture. I prayed he wasn't ugly. It seemed vain to wish for it, but it was true. I wouldn't want to be forced into a marriage with someone like that and have to have his children.

    The car ride was short, and I was at the airplane quickly. I wasn't even paying attention anymore. I was seated in a good seat, and given breakfast, knowing I wasn't supposed to eat, the rest of my debreifing and a final medical exam would be done. By the time it was finished, I would be in my new quadrant and to my husband.

    I didn't even get a chance to enjoy the marriage, had I been looking for it. Ceremonies were nonexistent, and honeymoons were a thing of the past. All that mattered was the wedding night. When I arrived he would give me a ring, and in my bag was a box, a ring for him as well. Then it would be official. My childhood was over, and my childbearing years would begin.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 02:15pm
  • iron underneath;

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    Asha was taken to a hyper plane, her bags were carried by men in suits and she was seated, and buckled in. All the girls who were traveling to the same area as her were on the plane. There weren't many, maybe four or five? The flight was short, and she couldn't help as nausea set into the pit of her stomach. Her eyes closed as she whined a little when they landed. The whole ordeal had her more nervous than anything, she thought about how happy her parents were - she could be happy too.

    She walked off the plane and to a car where she looked over her husbands information, he had high fertility scores as well. They had definitely planned this, she knew her chances of having multiples had sky rocketed. During her schooling she had been informed about pregnancy to the T, everything she needed to know was told to her; but they informed her a doctor would be on call at all hours if she had any worries or concerns. She felt the car start to drive off, and laid her head back rubbing her face. "It's going to be okay," she murmured softly as she licked over her lips.

    When she arrived at the house she noted that it seemed rather large, she couldn't tell how many rooms were in it but there was definitely at least six. She opened the front door, and looked around the house before rubbing the back of her neck. "Home sweet home,"
    November 3rd, 2014 at 02:33pm
  • musicalpanda

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    I finished my exam, passing as usual. The plane ride hadn't taken long at all, and before I knew it I was in a car, on the way to my new home. It was snowing, something I wasn't used to. I would need to go shopping for more winter clothes, my winter clothes weren't warm enough for this. I began to get nervous, I didn't want to go. I wished I could turn around and go home, but I knew I couldn't do that. It was making the nation proud, something I really couldn't care to do.

    The car stopped and I walked out, my bags being carried for me. I went inside, looking around. The house was beautiful, and already furnished. I could see someone in the living room, but I almost didn't want to go. I took a deep breath, seeing a young man who I could only assume was my new husband. I sighed, looking around the room, anywhere but at him. I didn't want this, but now it was what I had.
    He heard the door open and stood, walking to the front room. He was nervous, but kept his expression neutral as he walked out. "Asha?" He asked, cautiously, even though he knew it had to be her. They never made mistakes. She was beautiful, but a stanger. He knew nothing of her, and didn't know what she would be like. "My name is Yifan. Some people call me Kris, or Kevin to make it easier. it's a pleasure to meet you." He said, going to shake her hand.

    Though they were already married, once they exchanged rings it would be official. He would be married, and his former life would be over.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 02:58pm
  • iron underneath;

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    Asha smiled and shook his hand, he was quite handsome which was a relief to her for some reason, "It's nice to meet you too, Kris," she said unsure of what name to use for him since he'd listened so many. "So this is it huh?" she murmured softly as she looked around the room, the house was gorgeous. She'd never seen anything quite so fancy in her entire life.

    "Exchange rings," the man in the suit said handing them both boxes, and she jumped forgetting her was there. Once they exchanged rings this would be it, they were married and they'd be expected to have a child together. She opened the box and held out the ring, then slid it onto his ring finger where she'd seen her fathers.
    Jongdae looked up when he heard the car, he got up off the couch then walked to the main entry way of the house, "Shai, it's nice to meet you," he said smiling a little, he fiddled with his fingers nervously. He hadn't expected her to be quite so pretty, he'd never seen anything so radiant in his entire life.

    "My name is Jongdae, and uh well we're supposed to spend the rest of our lives together so I figured we could get to know each other with a bit of a game," he said smiling a little, "If you're interested in playing I've been working on it all night because my dad said it might be a good idea," he said to her lightly as he licked his lips. He had no idea why he wanted this work so badly, he just hoped she had a sense of humor or else he'd be horribly bored.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 03:06pm
  • musicalpanda

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    I stared at him for a second, not knowing what to say. A game? Really? He seemed nervous, much more nervous than I was. I didn't want to be here, much less play a game. But I was doing a duty, or whatever this was. "Yeah, sure. I'll play." I said, noticing the man in the suit hadn't budged.

    "Exchange rings," He ordered, handing us boxes. I took the box in my hands, opening it and taking out the ring. I put it on his finger and watched as he did the same.

    "Congratulations." He said robotically, handing us another packet and walking out the door. That was it? I guess there was no more reason for him to stay.

    I looked at him again, really looking to see my new husband. He was cute, and he had a nice smile. "Kim Jongdae, right?" I asked, looking around to see the rest of the house.
    He exchanged rings with her, and watched as the man left. He didn't like being around th eguys in suits. "Yes, this is it. Five bedrooms, all of which they have set up generic nurseries. We can fix it how ever we want." He said, looking at her. He didn't want to jump right into it, he wanted to take his time. Eagerness was not something he was looking for. "Maybe we should get to know each other?"
    November 3rd, 2014 at 03:15pm
  • iron underneath;

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    She nodded,"Yeah, that sounds like a good start," she said to him softly as she licked her lips a little and pushed a hand through her hair. She wasn't even sure where to start, all she knew was that she had to have babies with him. Her parents hadn't really prepared her for the emotional aspect of this. Asha was scared she'd fall in love only to not have her feelings reciprocated.

    "Alright well I was born and raised in D4, I have six other siblings only two live at home still, the rest are married," she told him softly with a sigh. "I have for brothers and a sister," she said to him lightly. "What about you?" she asked him as she looked around the kitchen, "Do you want anything to drink?" she asked as she walked to the fridge.
    He smiled a little and nodded to the living room, "Alright in this jar there are questions, if you have one you can write it down and put it in the jar. Each time we take question out we both answer it," he said to her with a smile. "There are two hundred and eighty seven questions in this jar," he told her, "My dad gave me some question ideas so did my mom, so they're good responsible questions," he promised with a small smile in her direction,
    November 3rd, 2014 at 03:41pm
  • musicalpanda

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    I watched him as he spoke, his hands were shaking slightly. He stayed up all night for this? It made me feel bad, he shouldn't be that nervous. I was just me. I sat down in front of the jars, pulling one towards me. "Alright. You go first." I said, handing him a slip of paper. "If I think of one, I'll add to the jar." I said, leaning back against the couch.

    I wanted to explore the house more, but I'd let him do the game first. He seemed eager to impress me so I'd let him. No sense in rejecting someone I would need to stay with forever.
    He shook his head a little. "I have 7 siblings, I am the fourth. The others are married, and I was raised in 6A, and hopefully soon I will get to show you my childhood home." He said to her as she spoke. "I'd like some water, if you don't mind." He said, with a smile, standing to follow her into the kitchen. "All boys in my family," He added, leaning against the counter.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 03:52pm
  • iron underneath;

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    She nodded a little,"It was the same on my dad's side of the family, he is one of twelve, can you believe that?" she said snorting a little as she grabbed two bottles of water then handed him one, "My mother is one of four, her parents did the bare minimum," she said to him as she sighed.

    "So, do you have any hobbies," she asked him curiously, "I really enjoy sewing a lot, and not because I was forced to - everyone seems to think I was forced to, but I love it to be quite honest," she said to him laughing a little. "I made this skirt actually," she admitted. Asha was what one would call a perfect seamstress, she made several of her own dresses and even made her neice some cute little clothes and a blanket before she was born.
    He picked a question out of the jar, "What is your overall opinion on how the government is deciding to marry everyone off?" he asked her, he was truly curious. He hated it, he hadn't met anyone he truly liked yet but he didn't have much of a choice in the matter. He'd stayed away from girls for this exact reason, he didn't want to get attatched them be married off and miserable.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 03:59pm
  • musicalpanda

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    I looked at him for a second, not really believing that was what the paper said. "I hate it." I muttered, looking at him seriously. "Don't think I dislike you, but I'd rather be at home. I would have hoped I would meet someone and fall in love, but love doesn't exist like that." I admitted, looking at him. "I wanted to have my own choice, not constantly being tested, watched, checked, and shipped out on my birthday." I said, looking at my hands in my lap.

    "I just wanted to make my own decisions for once. Even that choice was taken from me."
    He nodded a little. "Most strive for more, you get more when you have more." He said, taking the bottle. "Thanks," He said, taking a sip. "Maybe you can teach me something. I have never sewn in my life, but it might be nice to know how to fix my clothes." He said, sitting on a barstool in their kitchen.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 04:09pm
  • iron underneath;

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    He nodded,"I feel the same way," he said to her softly, "My parents married because they had to, my mom and dad don't hate one another but they don't like each other either. For the benefits they had more kids my mom got pregnant five times but had eight kids, she had three sets of twins," he told her smiling a little, "But my mom told me that we should at the very least try to get to know one another, and get along because we're all we have. She and my dad do talk about, they communicate because there is no getting away." he told her.

    "I was taught respect, I won't force myself on you, I won't hit you, I will try not to raise my voice but.. .arguing happens right?" he said to her softly.
    She nodded a little,"My mom said I should strive for more, it'll lead to a better like for the kids," she told him lightly as she crossed her legs, "My papers probably say I scored outrageously well on my fertility exam, and I saw you did as well...I'm assuming we'd have no issues having kids but I'm just not ready right now," she murmured.

    "How long do we have before we're meant to be checks?" she asked him lightly.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 04:15pm
  • musicalpanda

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    "If you hit me I'd hit you back." I said seriously, knowing he wouldn't in any case if he were smart. "We will argue, and I know that. It's rare couples actually fall in love. It may not happen between us, and if it doesn't I wouldn't be surprised. I just want happiness. Even though it probably won't happen anytime soon." I said quietly, playing with my fingers a little. I reached for a slip of paper, reading it silently. I didn't want to talk about it anymore. "What are you looking for in a partner?"
    "They'll be here in a month." He said, leaning against the counter. I'm more than fine with waiting. I don't want to rush into it. Hopefully we'll be ready in a month, but I don't want to do anything we aren't comfortable with." He said with a sigh, drinking more. "Well we'll be fine when that time comes, and we'll be ready."
    November 3rd, 2014 at 04:22pm
  • iron underneath;

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    She nodded a little,"Of course," she murmured lightly, "We have a year to get pregnant right? My sister barely made the deadline, I wonder what happens to those who don't get pregnant. My friend back in my quad she was infertile - she went away and I haven't seen her in a long time. They took her somewhere really north," she spoke gently.
    He smiled,"Someone with a sense of humor definitely, and an honest person who isn't scared to tell me what is on their mind or what they want," he said to her, "I find communication to be extremely important," He said to her as he thought about it. "What about you?"
    November 3rd, 2014 at 04:25pm
  • musicalpanda

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    "I don't know what I want. I always figured, I didn't have a choice, why figure it out? I'll ask that you keep me entertained, and know that I'm hardheaded and stubborn. I just want happiness and freedom. Since the second one is out of the question, I'll rely on the first one more." I said softly, folding the paper up and putting it into the empty jar.
    He shrugged. "I don't know what happens, but I dont want to find out. We'll just do as we're supposed to, and make the deadline. We wont want any trouble anyway," He said.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 04:34pm
  • iron underneath;

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    She nodded,"Of course," she murmured softly as she chewed on the inside of her cheek. "Whats your favorite color?" she asked him softly as she sipped her water. Asha knew she'd have to start from the bottom to get to know him well enough to feel comfortable sleeping in the same bed as him, much less have sex.
    "I can do the entertaining part!" he said happily, "I mean you might not think I'm funny but I'm entertaining at least," he laughed a little as he rubbed the back of his neck then grabbed another piece of paper from the jar, "Are you a blanket hog?" he asked her seriously.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 04:39pm
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    "Are you?" I smiled a little, raising an eyebrow. "I'm more of a cuddler." I admitted, remembering my favorite teddy bear that I ended up having to leave behind. It was my favorite thing to sleep with, more so than a blanket.
    "Red." He said simply as he looked at her. "Yours?" He asked, drinking more water. He waled to the fridge, llooking inside to see what they could eat for dinner, since it was almost time.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 04:45pm
  • iron underneath;

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    "Nah I'm not," he said to her, "But cuddling sounds nice," he smiled a little as he looked at her. It felt so natural to smile with her, at her - she was perfect. He could tell she could handle him being a bit of an ass at times, but he was still nervous, what if he didnt live up to her expectation in other ways.
    "Purple," she smiled a little as she looked at him, "I like red too but purple is my favorite," she said softly as she crossed her legs. "What is your favorite meal?" she asked.
    November 3rd, 2014 at 04:48pm