Whose Side Am I On? (OPEN)

[traitorous]

Many rumors had been flying around the school about different factions vying for power, control, or stability. Each of these groups seemed to have different motives and different ways to achieve their goals, but Grey didn't exactly know where he fit in in all of it. He had been in the school for a few months now, but for the most part he just laid low and stayed in the shadows. The only person that he could really consider a friend was his roommate, and he really hadn't seen him much lately anyway. It seemed that transfering to this school was not such a good idea after all. His grandfather got what he wanted because Grey hadn't been in any fights or joined any ruff crowds at all, but it didn't make Grey feel any better as he thought about it.

He sat on the ledge of the rooftop and skimmed over the school grounds. Everything seemed so normal to him, people walking around and hanging with their friends and just having a good time. This was on of the days that Grey didn't have his usually upbeat demeaner about him. His grin had faded from his face as he thought about how boring his life had been so far at Hircine. He needed something to liven it up, but he just couldn't think of what he could do. "Should I join the Pillars and try and help this school out?... Or should I join one of the other groups in or around the school that are trying to change things?... Will somebody just give me a sign or something!" He knew full well that he was talking to himself, but it didn't matter. He needed answers, and he needed them now.

[Martin Tome]

Martin sat back on the roof, it wasn't long until he noticed he wasn't alone, normally Martin would get up and say "hi!" but he had worked late last night and needed a nap. It was a dull, uneventful day, Martin's hair clouded his sight but he didn't bother pushing it away. He took out a smoke and put it in his mouth, but didn't light it. He knew that down below in the school, it was chaos, if he wanted to be entertained he should have gone down there, but he was too lazy to.

'Heh, and here I am sad that I'm bored.'

He began to close his eyes to sleep when suddenly the other person began to talk.

"Should I join the Pillars and try and help this school out?... Or should I join one of the other groups in or around the school that are trying to change things?... Will somebody just give me a sign or something!"

Martin cocked an eyebrow. The guy wasn't talking to him, that much he was sure of, he was pretty sure the guy didn't even notice him. He thought about what the guy said. Martin grinned.

'Poor guy, lost in the world of Hircine.'

But the boy had a point. What side? Martin decided that he should make himself known, he wasn't going to get any sleep today, that much was certain. So he jumped down from his hiding spot.

"Thats a good question, which side to join I mean."

Martin walked toward the boy. He smiled.

" 'Sup, my name's Martin. I don't mean to intrude but I heard your question, you are asking for a sign, do you expect the clouds to open and tell you which side will bring you what you want, or something like that?"

[traitorous]

As Grey sat on the ledge of the rooftops, he heard some shuffling from up above. It was to big to be just a bird or rat so he got on his guard without actually showing it. Then he heard a slight thud behind him, immediately followed by the voice of a fellow student. He had stated that the question about which side to choose was a good one, but Grey stayed with his back to the kid. Then the kid began to talk again, stating that his name was Martin. He almost mockingly asked Grey if he was looking for some sort of sign like parting clouds or something like that, and that's when Grey finally acknowledged Martin's presence. He slowly pushed himself up to his feet and turned to face Martin, and when he did so his mood slowly changed.

His old grin was back, but why it was back was not evident. Was he back to his old fun-loving self, or was he trying to hide an inner anger that was slowly coming out? Those questions would soon be answered. Grey looked at the much smaller and somewhat younger student and realized that if something were to start he would most likely have the advantage. Other than being both cocky and arrogant, Grey knew that he had a nice amount of experience in fighting. But right now he would just wait to see how things worked out. "I'm not going to wait for the clouds to part because that just means that the sun is coming out. It doesn't help me with my questions, and from what I can tell you won't be able to either."

[Martin Tome]

The boy only began to notice him when he said his name. He looked him up and down. He was allot bigger than him, and also a little older.

"I'm not going to wait for the clouds to part because that just means that the sun is coming out. It doesn't help me with my questions, and from what I can tell you won't be able to either."

'Sheesh, another hostility... OK, be cool Martin, you aren't here to fight.'

He shrugged.

"Well, you asked the question... but why do you need a side? Do you have something to gain from it?"

[traitorous]

Martin seemed a little surprised by Grey's words, but quickly shruged it off. Grey usually wasn't such a hostile guy, but after spending as much time in Hircine as he had without a purpose he had lost some of his cool. Martin then plainly asked why Grey needed a side. The question was something that Grey had to think about for a little bit. He didn't know why he wanted to join a specific side, but he didn't want his life in Hircine to be so boring anymore.

"Why do I want to pick a side you ask? I think its because I'm sick of the same old things happening. I don't know about you but I need some action in my life. Without it I'm just another ex-gang memberwithout a place in the world."

Grey's fists were clenched at the continuing thought of having nothing to live for. He hadn't even fought once in his whole time being in Hircine, and his body kept telling him to just start something already. He held himself back, however, because as of now the kid hadn't done anything to trigger a fight. If Martin didn't do something soon to prove that there was a place for Grey then he may soon be in over his head.

[Martin Tome]

Martin listened to the boy. He was an ex-gang member.

'Must be tough not having anything left.'

Why do I want to pick a side you ask? I think its because I'm sick of the same old things happening. I don't know about you but I need some action in my life. Without it I'm just another ex-gang memberwithout a place in the world."

Martin stopped and thought about this for a second. He did have a point, things where getting really boring around Hircine lately. It seemed to Martin that it was like he was trapped in a revolving door, It would just keep spinning and spinning and he would be trapped in it for life.

"So, you just don't want to keep living without anything to live for? If thats the reason, why do you need a sign? The way I see it, you can fight for the school, or for another person's ambitions. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like the other groups just follow their leader, but they don't have a reason to."

[traitorous]

The only thing that would have really given away Grey's inner anger at the present time was the intensity in his eyes. His body was now relazed and his fists were unclenched as he listened to the kids words. His grin grew larger as he said that all of the other groups just seemed to be following their leaders ambitions, and not fighting for their own reasons. 'This kid really doesn't understand what its like to follow someone's ideals does he?' Was what Grey thought as he walked closer to Martin he stopped only a few feet away from the kid and looked at him with a large grin on his face.

"You must be in the same little predicament that I'm in, aren't you? Not having anything or anyone to fight for, just wandering around this school like any normal old kid. Its pretty damn pathetic if you ask me. I need a sign so that I know which side of this school is truly worthy of my help. I don't care if I end up helping this school or taking it down, it all depends on the person that I take the orders from. You seem to be somewhat of a loner since, from what you said, you think its bad to follow someone elses ambition. Unless you have your own ambition, then why not help someone until you find your own?"

Grey knew that the kid didn't want to get into a fight, and so he let all of his thoughts about fighting fade into the back of his mind. The only thing Grey really wanted was a leader to follow into battle like back in the good old days, even though he was betrayed by his old gang. 'If this kid has any ambitions than perhaps I can lend my strength to him for the time being. Its always better than just sitting around eating potato chips in my room/'

(OOC: Sorry for the delay man. Been busy with a few other things in both RL and on the comp so yeah. Lets keep this going now.)

[Martin Tome]

Martin went on listening, the guy made sense. Martin had his ambitions. He just did not want to get himself tied up in another person's.

"You must be in the same little predicament that I'm in, aren't you? Not having anything or anyone to fight for, just wandering around this school like any normal old kid. Its pretty damn pathetic if you ask me. I need a sign so that I know which side of this school is truly worthy of my help.

Martin felt a heat of anger for a second, but it quickly died down. He began to laugh.

"It is pretty damn pathetic, its extremely pathetic. I have my own ambitions, I once let another person's ambition get in the way of my own, and something really bad happened. If I follow my ambition, I will need help, so yeah, you are damn right I'm in a predicament, I need help, but no matter who I get help from, I'm going to get myself knee deep into another persons ambitions, and problems, and that how my whole problem started to begin with!"

Martin clenched his fist, in anger, anger at himself, for starting this mess, he was getting pissed in a conversation he had started! He took a deep breath and calmed down.

"I have a reason to do what I do, but the person I'm doing it for, can't be helped until I get help, but if I get help, I will want to know who I'm getting it from, and how they are, I cant get into anything that can get in the way of my own ambition, or I will have to stop, what is getting in my way. So yeah, its pathetic, but it's what I have to do until I find the right person."

[J.T.]

(OOC- Sorry for the intrusion. The people I usually post with have gone inactive, so i figured I mind as well meet new people. ;D)

'How strange life is these days.' Joey thought to himself as he climbed the stairs to the roof. Lately his mind had been in a hundred places at once, what with his effort to adjust to a perfectly legitimate lifestyle. The straight life wasn't easy for someone who at one point thought of brutal beatings and high stake robberies as an everyday part of his agenda.

'I don't know how long I can hold this in.' he thought. Overtime he had started to feel the need to do wrong come crawling back into his head and he wasn't exactly sure how to handle it. He had been able to constrain himself easily enough with these slight urges, but he feared that what seemed like a small, unimportant thought may soon consume him like it had done in the past.

"You'll be fine." he mumbled, hoping to reassure himself. "Your out of the Hand now, there's nothing but yourself tempting you do those things anymore."

As he reached the entrance to the rooftop and pushed it open, light flooded through the gloomy stairway. Walking out, Joey immediately noticed two students who, by their swagger, were having what seemed to be a passive aggressive conversation.

"Need a ref?" he asked the pair sarcastically, not leaving the doorway. Physical conflict with these two would cause problems in his good boy act and so he wanted an easy way out. But he wasn't about to let that get in the way of him being a smartass and so he held his ground.

[Martin Tome]

((OOC: sorry this is so short.))

Martin was startled by the person in the door way. He was so busy being mad that he hadn't even heard him come up.

"Need a ref?"

Martin jumped. He looked the boy up and down. He looked over to the newcomer, he wasn't completely back to his normal, smiling, self but he wasn't angry anymore.

"Nah, everyone's' cool. Just lost my temper there for a second."

Martin thought, he still had no idea what the first guy's name was and this guy was also a stranger.

"My name's Martin, I don't think we've met."

He looked back to the first guy.

"Hey, I'm sorry I got mad at you, I lost it there for a second. By the way, I didn't catch your name."

[traitorous]

Grey stood and kind of ignored most of what Martin had to say. He was explaining something about what his reasons for doing something were, but it went in one ear and out the other. Grey looked like he was paying attention, when in reality he was thinking of how to take the kid out. Life had indeed been boring and no one had challenged him to a fight, so Grey would have to make his own fun before he went completely insane.

As Martin finished there was a silence in the air that soon was broken by slight footsteps. Grey could hear them as clear as day, but it seemed that Martin wasn't so lucky. As the new arrival entered through the door and looked at the two, he wasn't noticed by Martin until he asked if they needed a ref. That's when he jumped and Grey grin grew even larger. 'This kid is going to open up my path to destiny.'

Martin looked over at the new guy and said that everything was cool, which he obviously wasn't aware that it wasn't. After that he had given the new guy his name and then looked back at Grey. He apologized for losing his cool and then asked for Grey's name, since he still hadn't told him. This was also ignored as Grey looked over at the new arrival with his signature grin now on his face. Now that Grey had finally gotten a new reason for life his grin would never leave his face.

"Ignore this stupid little kid!" Grey said as he nodded his head toward Martin. "You offered to be a referee for us and it would be rude if we didn't take that offer. You won't be watching an argument, however, you will watch as I beat the living shit out of this kid. No rules, no limitation, and no interferences on your part. This is exactly what I need to feel like I'm actually still alive. If you try and take this away from me I won't hesitate to take you out as well."

Then Grey looked over at Martin and his fists clenched once again. It was time to see what this kid really had, to see if he was even worthy to have him own ambitions. If he wasn't then Grey would make sure that his ambitions never came true. His right hand was brought up and folded out in front of his body. He then flicked his fingers toward himself tauntingly. "Lets see if you're worthy to have ambition, or just another no name that will never make it in this world. Oh and my name is Grey. Hopefully I'm not the last person you meet."

[Martin Tome]

Martin raised his eyebrow.

'Damn, this guy just wants to fight, crap, and here I was just thinking I could have a normal day today.'

Martin sighed. He rubbed his chin. He almost laughed out loud. This was just too much, who was it who had been asking for a sign for a side.

'What happened to that guy? He seemed almost friendly. Oh well, easy come easy go.'

Martin sighed again and looked at Grey. He smiled.

"Hah, what have you been smokin'? Tsk tsk, here I was thinking you didn't look like the hostile kind of guy. Stupid me."

He got into position. His legs bent, is left hand farther from him, his palm open. His other hand closer to his face in a fist. His side facing Grey.

"Who are you to say I can't have ambitions? Whatever, lets get this over with."

[J.T.]

"No rules?" Joey asked quizzingly. "Then what should stop me from interfering when I please?" As he asked this he sized up the two boys. Both considerably smaller than him, Joey was confident in his ability to pummel any one of them if he pleased. Despite this confidence, he figured he would rather play his part and watch a fight rather than be in one. He had his nice boy reputation to build, after all, and he wasn't about to tarnish it over this unless needed.

Without waiting for an answer to his previous question, which was meant to be rhetorical anyway, Joey continued. "Ok, I'll ref then. Lets say....last one still standing is the winner? No need to go farther than that for a feeling of self-worth, eh Grey?"

In his mind he scoffed at his last sentence. Who was he to preach self control? He recalled times that he had skinned people's dead bodies and hung them from trees back in Varron. He knew all too well the perks of finishing the job.

But he was different now. Crime still flowed through his veins like a poison, but he was in control. The sick man inside was at bay, at least for now.

"You two both seem to be ready. Why don't we get this little brawl started then?"

He leaned against the door to the stairway, folding his arms and smirking. He hoped for an entertaining match, and by Grey's attitude and Martin's martial arts stance, he was thinking that he was going to get one.

[Martin Tome]

No rules?" Joey asked quizzingly. "Then what should stop me from interfering when I please?"

Martin grinned.

"Your want to see a fair fight?"

Martin looked Grey over. He was allot bigger than Martin.

'Probably a power guy, He looks like he could seriously give a good punch. Great, just the kind of guys I suck against. Gonna have to wear him out. I almost feel bad about doing that, oh well, gotta do what I gotta do.'

Martin began to get himself completely ready. He narrowed his eyes at Grey, stood completely still, and changed his breathing, it was now very slow and soft.

"You two both seem to be ready. Why don't we get this little brawl started then?"

Martin's grin was gone.

"Anytime."

[traitorous]

Grey watched with joy evident in his face as Martin seemed to be in utter shock in the change in his attitude. He asked Grey what he had been smoking before saying that he didn't think that Grey was the hostile type. Grey let out another laugh at the kids comments and then watched as he got into some sort of fighting stance. The smile on his face just couldn't be contained as he broke out in laughter once again. 'So this kid is one of those dumb fucks that trains in an actual fighting style to defend himself? What a joke.'

After Martin had gotten into his 'Stance' he asked Grey who he was to say that he didn't have ambition. This time Grey controlled his laughter and just gave a more cocky smile at the kid. No use letting out all of the laughter that he had in a couple of minutes. Then the other guy said that if there were no rules then what would stop him from interfering. Grey simply looked at him with a smile. "Well I won't stop you, but I really only want to beat one person today. If that's alright with you?"

Of course Grey was acting cocky, that's the kind of person he was. He had always been that kind of person, and even when he was in over his head he acted the same way. Grey looked over at Martin as he said that the new guy probably wanted a fair fight. 'Too bad he won't be getting one either way.' Grey thought as he watched the kid look him up and down. Grey wondered what the kid was thinking. 'Well if he's going by my looks then he's probably thinking I'm just another brute. Better think again kid.'

The grin on Martin's face had completely disappeared, unlike Grey's that seemed to be ever growing with excitement. The kid simply said 'Anytime' and waited in his stance for Grey to attack. 'Damn pussies that can't be the ones to make the first move. Whatever, he can just stay in one spot as I beat the living shit out of him.' Instead of running right at the kid he let his entire body go loose, and his head hung down. He let out a few calm breaths because he knew that his excitement would surely make him breath as fast as he could.

Then with a simple scream of the word "DIE" he charged at the kid with alarming speed. It was time to start this fight that Grey had been waiting weeks for. He charged directly for the kid and when he was about five feet away he stopped and slid over the gravel until he was right next to the kid. As he was sliding, quite fast by the way, he ducked down and brought his right arm back to gather up power. Then, when he was about six inches away he would launch his right fist up and toward the kids solar plexus with an immense amount of force.

Whether this connected or not, Grey would then jump backward quickly and stand ready for any kind of counter attack that the kid had ready for him. His smile was still on his face as he thought about what the onlooker was thinking. 'Not just strong , but fast too.' Was all that Grey could think as he waited for Martin to either get situated after the attack or give up. Either way Grey wasn't going to stop the fight until this kid was where he wanted him to be. Where is that... I guess you'll have to wait and see.

[J.T.]

Joey huffed a laugh as Martin said "You want to see a fair fight?"

"Now where's the fun in that?" he asked plainly. Joey didn't know where Martin thought he was, all he knew was that this boy better wake up if he wanted to survive in Hircine. Then Grey decided to add his two cents and threaten Joey by saying he "only wants to beat one person today."

"I'm sorry, but underestimating me would be an absolutely awful mistake, Grey." He said firmly, sounding more careless than confident. He liked Grey out of these two so far. The boy's confidence and aggression reminded him of himself, not to mention the fact that he didn't have a set fighting style.

Just then, Grey yelled "DIE!" and came at Martin with impressive speed, aiming a punch at his opponent's side as he got in range. Joey wasn't especially awed, being a top notch athlete he was used to having and being around speed that at least matched Grey's. Despite this, he noted that this one wasn't to be underestimated either.

'Now lets see what this Martin has to offer.' he thought to himself. He feared that Grey would overlook the perks of having a fighting style and attack without thinking. Joey had been around and part of fighting for a long time. He had seen high level fighters be torn to pieces by opponents that damn near mastered their respective martial art. Experienced fighters with set fighting styles often knew the weak points of every type of opponent as well as attack in and out. If Grey didn't learn to appreciate this soon, Joey didn't know how long he would last.

[Martin Tome]

((OOC: sorry I'm so late. ._.))

"Now where's the fun in that?"

Martin laughed sarcastically.

"Only a joke, only a joke."

Now Martin began to concentrate again. Grey had shouted but Martin hadn't listened. Now Grey was charging at Martin, and he was charging fast.

'Wow, he's fast, oh well, this will be a good chance to see me go faster.'

Now Grey struck out, Martin could feel the force behind the blow before it even came completely out. Martin watched Grey's wrists, thats where he would strike, he would just have to get him there then he wouldn't make it out of here. Martin shot out his left hand at Grey's wrist. If he grabs the wrist he will pull it forward, in the direction, then side step and trip him with his right foot. If he didn't make the grab, he would continue moving in the same direction until he was out of the way, then kick at Grey's ribs.

[traitorous]

(OOC: Your move was slightly difficult for me to understand, so if anything doesn't make sense please let me know.)

Grey could hear the new guy say something about not underestimating something, but he was to focused on the fight at had to get the entirety of the message. Grey's attack shot quickly toward Martin's side, and then Martin decided to try and stop the oncoming attack with a simple grab of Grey's wrist. the grab would work, but the intention that Martin had would not. Martin obviously forgot one important thing when fighting Grey... He wasn't even close to as strong as Grey was. So even though Martin had grabbed Grey's wrist he would have enough time or power to divert the attack away from where it was intended.

So the attack would continue on toward his side and hit, bit it was slightly weaker than originally intended because of the wrist grab. After the attack Grey would twist his wrist and grab onto Martin's wrist, with a smart ass look on his face, and turn his body around completely while still holding his wrist. Once he had made the spin he pulled on Martin's arm so that it would be over his right shoulder and then continued pulling while twisting his body to the left. This motion was meant to help Grey bring Martin up over his shoulder and send him flying a little ways across the roof with a throw.

If Martin attempted to resist in throw his left arm would most likely get pulled or strained from the sheer force of Grew's twisting and pulling. If all went as planned Martin would be a good seven to ten feet away from him and he would wait for the kid to either get up or charge in for another attack. Martn may have been a quick little bugger, but building your body for pure speed isn't exactly the best thing to do. He would soon figure this out as his fight with Grey progressed further.

Now Grey struck out, Martin could feel the force behind the blow before it even came completely out. Martin watched Grey's wrists, thats where he would strike, he would just have to get him there then he wouldn't make it out of here. Martin shot out his left hand at Grey's wrist. If he grabs the wrist he will pull it forward, in the direction, then side step and trip him with his right foot. If he didn't make the grab, he would continue moving in the same direction until he was out of the way, then kick at Grey's ribs.

[Martin Tome]

((ooc: I was up all night, if this doesn't make sense blame me in all ways. ))

Martin had grabbed the wrist, but instead of Martin throwing him off balance, Grey had used the wrist grab to his advantage, now, some how, some way, Grey had hold of Martin's wrist and was about to launch him across the roof.

'I can use this as an advantage I'm sure of it.'

Martin decided that when he was thrown he would land on the ground then run at Grey, then he would purposely slide down before he had completely closed the space between them, then instead of punching he would duck down and try to get behind grey, then he would try to do a sweep on grey.

[J.T.]

(OOC- I THINK I get what you mean Martin.)

Joey's lips showed a slight smirk as he watched the fight progress. It was an amusing thing to watch two people who knew what they were doing go at it. Especially when he was in such a powerful position. At any moment in this fight Joey was fully capable of interfering and getting a cheap shot in at either one of the fighters.

But for now he was content with watching. He didn't want to just throw away the past month or so that he had spent trying to reform himself. If he was going to fight one of these two then it would come from provocation. At least...that was what he hoped for. There was no telling how strong the temptation to fight would be once blood began to appear in this fight. The texture and color of the substance was hypnotic to him. While trying to suppress his wild inner self the sight of blood was always highly persuasive in making Joey let himself go.

'I'm in control.' he assured himself, keeping his outside appearance looking cool and collected despite his inner struggle.

After collecting his thoughts, he directed his full attention back to the fight. Martin had attempted to deflect Grey's punch but was unsuccessful. The thought of Grey's superior strength giving him the ability to land his attacks without any real technique made Joey chuckle quietly.

This chuckle grew louder as Grey flung Martin over his shoulder and sent him flying several feet away. Just then Martin came at Grey with speed that was above average and slid to the ground, through Grey's legs.

'This should be interesting.' Joey thought, anxious to see what Martin had in store for his opponent.