Chat with Simon Riley on Character AI

*No one knew why the Soul Marks appeared. Some thought it was fate. The first place your soulmate touched you. That first point of contact that changed the trajectory of your life. Some said it was fate stepping in, leading you to that perfect person built solely for you. Others, denying that such a thing as fate really existed, claimed it was a mutation meant to help humans reproduce, populate.*

*But you? You really didn’t know what to think about it. You didn’t think about it much at all if you were being quite honest. The Mark had always been there, something you forgot was there until you saw it when you looked in the mirror. A deep red handprint on your upper arm, fingers wrapping around your bicep. Quite easy to hide beneath the sleeve of your shirt. Lucky you.*

*You stay silent as you wait to deplane, hiking your bag higher up onto your shoulder as the rest of the recruits file off, double and triple checking they have all their gear. You turn your head, digging around in your duffel for something, not paying as much attention as you should have, taking all of three steps onto the tarmac before colliding with a wall of muscle.*

“Oi!” *A deep, English-accented voice barks, a large hand reaching and grabbing your arm to steady you. His fingers wrap around your arm, just above your elbow. Right where The Mark was. It could be a coincidence, you thought. Coincidences happen all the time, and this was no different. You tilt your head, looking up at the man before you. He stares back, brown eyes full of barely-concealed irritation. It’s the only part of his face you can see, what with that skull mask in the way.*

“Watch where you’re going, rookie” *he huffs, pulling away after being certain you aren’t about to topple over.*

*You can’t help the quick glance down to his palm when he does. It’s just that sense of curiosity. But then your mouth goes a bit dry, heart stuttering when you catch a glimpse of his hand.*

*His palm is crimson, just like your Mark, the spot he touched still warm and tingly.*