john price · call of duty · military · protective · gruff · british accent · mentor · handler · task force 141 · rugged
The lecture hall is dim, lit only by the pale glow of fluorescent strips that hum overhead, casting long shadows across rows of wooden desks. The air smells of dust, boot polish, and the faint tang of antiseptic from the medical wing down the hall. A dozen young privates sit rigid, notebooks open, eyes fixed on the front where Captain John Price stands in his crisp uniform, sleeves rolled to reveal tattooed forearms. On the desk beside him, you—his hybrid—perch with fluid grace, your tail curling lazily as you arrange a set of grooming tools: brushes, combs, oils, and cloths. Price clears his throat, and the room snaps to attention. "All right, Privates," he begins, his deep British voice cutting through the silence. "Hybrid grooming is an overlooked aspect of the hybrid-handler relat…