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Post by Gilsin on Jan 30, 2007 6:58:33 GMT 1
There was some small doubt still in Ein's mind as he began walking to what he had found out to be the Pillar's table. It wasn't increasingly hard to determine once he thought about the placement and more importantly the stundent density was thinner. Things were most likely about to get interesting.
Ein's form approached the table steadily, keeping an eye on the movements of those around him. He wasn't sure if there was a small group of followers for each of the pillars, but there seemed the strong possibility and Ein had prepared for it. Four of the Genaht were stationed around the table, each in an obvious position. Ein wasn't about to sour relations by hiding anything and he doubted these people would scorn him for his caution, if anything it should be seen as a wise move.
As Ein arrived at the table he scanned the people present, he wouldn't speak, merely look each over in turn and nod curtly in greeting. He doubted there would be much need for him to talk aside from answering their questions and he wasn't about to throw in any needless chit chat.
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Post by king on Jan 30, 2007 9:22:50 GMT 1
(I shouldn't have assumed that you read the other thread...but no one sits at the pillars table but Pillars, and they only sit their when one of them decides to, the other seeing him and joining.) No big deal though, we can just assume they were at other tables.)
Kurtz followed up behind Ein as he saw him sit down. He joined him, and before anything could be said began to eat. He wanted to eat quickly, as it was still lunch and the time limit was often too brief to begin with without having other business.
Kurtz was the first to arrive, as he assumed he would. Unlike the others he had reason to believe someone would sit down soon. He had made a habit of checking the table each day before moving on. If he didn't, and one of the others appeared first, things could have become complicated. When the other saw him with the guest, they wouldn't immediately try and make an example out of them.
As such, Kurtz sat next to Ein and began to eat quickly, hoping to be finished before the others arrived.
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Post by Tiao Lei Shen on Jan 31, 2007 0:57:18 GMT 1
There was nothing like eating the same thing day in, day out. At least for Tiao. While most hated their usual diet, Tiao loved his fish, rice, and water. Sometimes he would throw in something else just to mix it up, but its basically what he lived on.
Tiao Lei Shen walked at a calm pace down the courtyard hallway. He came down this way everyday, even though it was a longer route to the cafeteria than he needed to take. But this way, he could glance out to the table outside to see if there was any business today. Good thing he did today, for Kurtz was out there along with five others, the middle man instantly recognized by Tiao from the files.
Ein Gilsin.
He was a Varronite, and Tiao already clenched his jaw in agitation. Tiao walked out the glass double doors and made his way over to the table, stepping in front of Kurtz before speaking to him. If Kurtz wasn't already here, who knows how thing would've gone down.
"Kurtz...what the hell is this?"
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Post by king on Jan 31, 2007 6:37:06 GMT 1
"I believe it's the commonly practiced, mid-day meal often reffered to as "lunch", but I could be mistaken."
Kurtz played on his natural wit once again to stall for time. Tiao had asked a vague question, not defining in any way this. Kurtz just abused it to swallow down the remains of his lunch. He had considered playing psychologist and lightening Ein's nervousness with "Obvioulsy a classic example of paranoia.", but felt the four men who appeared around the table would have not taken too kindly to it.
Tiao had noticed them too, as a single person would not have required the question. It was obvious who they were, and obvious they were watching. Everyone else didn't dare sit that closely to the table, and most tried thier hardest not to watch when someone did. Anyone making the concentrated to get away with looking was pratically asking for attention.
Kurtz continued shoveling food into his mouth, hoping Taio would get the same idea. They would be talking, and they wouldn't have to until Darren arrived, so it was best to eat now. His joke had probably sent the answer that Tiao needed the most though, that it wasn't a situation that required him to worry.
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Post by Gilsin on Jan 31, 2007 19:57:05 GMT 1
((Quick note: Ein never sat down at the table, he's would be standing next to it.))
Ein stood quietly, nodding to Kurtz as he sat. Eins eyes dashed over to the lead of his four men and gave a small motion of his hand. The man would nod and take afew steps back along with the other three. He had caught the hint Kurtz gave, but was still too cautious to let go of his defensive force entirely. Perhaps it was his merely his instincts developed in Varron, ones that he would likely never really let go of.
The second Pillar arrived and was obviously agitated. Ein frowned somewhat, it was a sad thing that they were not all as reasonable and thoughtful as Kurtz and Darren seemed to be. It was also something that almost made Ein rethink this opprotunity. Fortunately, he wasn't about to let one Pillar ruin the image of the rest and would merely look over the man then return his eyes to Kurtz.
Ein would smirk slightly at Kurtz's witty remark, but other than that woul simply stand quietly. Waiting for the rest to assemble.
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Post by Tiao Lei Shen on Jan 31, 2007 23:05:20 GMT 1
Tiao glared at Kurtz until the gambler responded to him. Tiao clenched his jaw and gave a deeper glare to the man, but after a moment he sighed, looking down to the ground and back up giving Kurtz a smirk.
"You always gotta be a smartass, don't you?"
Tiao shook his head while chuckling under his breath, taking a seat next to Kurtz. After a moment of silence, Tiao whipped out his own lunch, beginning to eat his fish. After swallowing a bite, he looked back over to Kurtz, giving him a mischevious look.
"You know, if it wasn't for your good company, I would probably tear out your throat for being so secretive all the time. You know this hush hush stuff frustrates me."
He would of course say this all in good fun, Tiao knew Kurtz was an asset to the team and while he really did enjoy the man's company, he knew having Kurtz on the team took him away as a threat; and what a threat Kurtz could be if he chose so.
Tiao glanced at Ein, who still hadn't taken a seat yet. He probably felt uncomfortable, but he couldn't be blamed for that. Any lesser man would be so unnerved by the Pillars that they wouldn't even want to be in the same room with them. The fact that this one kept his demeanor so well said alot about his confidence, and his wits.
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Post by king on Feb 1, 2007 6:20:06 GMT 1
"Hmmmm, always being a smartass, constantly keeping things hush hush, it's as though I figured out every single button to press to annoy you. The true humor in all this is that I've seen you fight more than I've heard you talk."
This was a clear example of Kurtz's style of threaten by omission, by far his best skill as a Pillar. He was able to stop more threats to his position with that skill than any one could have hoped to accomplish with just fighting. All he did was set up a series of points, playing it off a whimsical, but making sure all those points could be interpreted in his favor. For example, his speech implied he knew exactly what to do despite seeing Tiao fight more than talk....though the hidden meaning was,of course, I know how you fight better than you personally.
In short, Kurtz instinct to protect his position kicked in between his joking with "Just go for my throat, and see how quickly you lose"
Kurtz rolled up his bag for his lunch and made the ever exaggerated toss into the distant garbage, complete with self-praising commentary and the nearly obligatory "and the crowd goes wild" upon succeeding. Kurtz then leaned in to the table and looked around.
"You know, I remember long ago when I was the one who was always late....."
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Post by Darren Blayne on Feb 6, 2007 6:33:44 GMT 1
A piece of buttered bread hanging out of his mouth, Darren casually ambled up to the table, wordless. His gaze slowly went from Kurtz, eating as per nothing unusual in the immediate vicinity was happening, Tiao, wondering what the hell was going on, again, as usual, and this new student, one that Darren had perceived at least once before, grim -faced, standing by the table, with four other men whose intents were all quite obvious. Not too many words had been spoken, except by Tiao, and this wasn't exactly headline-news, either.
Calmly taking a seat by Tiao, Darren grabbed the hanging piece of break and bit down, taking a bite and placing his lunchbox on the table. He opened it and removed its contents, revealing a grilled cheese sandwich and a bag of potato chips.
"It seems that we've all started, and some finished, lunch without me," Darren said with an eyebrow raised in mild humor, as he took another bite of his bread. Finally acknowledging the presence of the grim-looking fellow, Darren spoke to him personally.
"And what exactly is it that brings you to this particular table, out of all the others along the courtyard? With bodyguards, no less," Darren mentioned, eyeing each and every one separately before finishing the bread slice. He had given Ein his chance to speak, or to do whatever it was he wished to do here. What was finally left was for the student to take it.
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Post by king on Feb 6, 2007 6:54:27 GMT 1
"You know, I wouldn't be finished already if you were not so slow.....then again, I guess it's only natural that I stay one step ahead of you, at least."
No matter, the situation, be it dire or meaningless, there was always time to get on Darren's nerves. It was one of Kurtz's small pleasures in life, and he wasn't exactly going to turn down a chance to slip in a comment.
"Also, that is no way to speak to your fellow Pillar, even if you are Captain."
Kurtz intentionally slipped this comment in before Ein could answer, already knowing what Darren's actions would be from experience. He was always to the point, but unfortunately equally blunt to making his decisions. Kurtz dropping that bombshell out there, which was bold to make even if he was the one allowed to make such decisions, would attract some attention off Ein for the some time and show that he had at least one of them backing him. This would make whatever arguments tat followed easier for all involved.
Kurtz, however, stopped there. Darren and Tiao were also experienced with him, and knew that he had a reason behind any plan. They would, however, be naturally worried if Ein could live up to the standards the rest of them have set....afterall, Kurtz wasn't exactly the most stereotypical pillar ever. Now it was time for Ein to prove himself able to handle the attention of the position he wanted to all of the pillars.
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Post by Gilsin on Feb 6, 2007 16:16:27 GMT 1
"I'm interested in persuing a position that would give a small bit more order to this place. Perhaps more so to those that come from the same place that I do."
Ein spoke directly to Darren, choosing to ignore Kurtz's words. He found it the best option, while he was putting it into their heads that Ein was to be the next Pillar, he was going to attempt to play the part. It wasn't a horrid plan, but it was hard to tell of success when you hardly knew anyone at the table.
"Forgive the intrusions of my men though. People do not always react well to me and it seems to apply more so here. If it is required they can be easily sent away."
Ein's eyes were still mostly settling on Darren, though he made note to look at each of the gathered individuals to make sure they were not left out. Of the three others assembled, Kurtz and Darren were the ones Ein thought would not object, Tiao still seemed to be on the fence...but he was a hard one to read as well.
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Post by Tiao Lei Shen on Feb 6, 2007 23:43:54 GMT 1
Tiao nodded to Darren as he sat, giving no other signs to acknowledge the man's presence. He might have said something, but Kurtz quickly responded to Darren, starting light but lashing out soon after.
A low growl rolled in Tiao's throat as he glared at Kurtz, though the only one who would be able to hear it for sure as Darren. It wasn't something he should of said, especially in front of an outsider. Tiao didn't say anything, for Darren would be able to deal for himself. Still, if it was anyone other than Kurtz, they would already be unconscious at this point.
Ein ignored Kurtz's words as he responded to Darren. It was a smart move; it showed Ein didn't plan to stick his nose where it didn't belong, and he knew when to ignore certain things. This one was smart at least, which made more sense as to why Kurtz seemed to be backing him.
"I don't know about the others, but I'm feeling a bit constricted. If you feel safe, I wouldn't mind having some more air to breath." Tiao asked surprisingly politely. He was feeling slightly claustrophobic right now, but even more so he was interested in Ein's reply. Depending on the man's response, Tiao would be able to see even more about this one, possibly gaining more confidence with Tiao if Ein played it right.
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Post by Gilsin on Feb 7, 2007 22:25:31 GMT 1
Ein's eyes studied the other pillar a few moments. From what little he knew, Tiao was the short fuse of the group. The most violent and certainly the most aggresive in finding Varronites that were doing wrongs. Real or imagined. It seemed almost odd that he was being polite, perhaps he was realizing the potential?
Ein gave it some thought for a few moments then nodded, his entire body would turn. Ein would face his back to the Pillar's, not out of disrespect, but of trust. Ein was putting himself in a vulnerable position while signalling his men to leave and go about their business. The four men would all show small signs of their disapproval.
He would then turn and face the men again. Ein would quiet for a second before speaking.
"I must say I agree, the air is much easier to breathe now."
Ein knew he was moving closer to acceptance, playing his cards correctly and gaining small bits of trust and influence with each of the members at the table. It wouldn't be long before the decision was beneficial and there was only really one more person to convince.
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Post by Darren Blayne on Feb 13, 2007 6:41:39 GMT 1
"The men are inconsequential," Darren spoke, first addressing the matter of the bodyguards, "but I will personally assure you that you shall come to no harm here amongst us, so long as your intention, as they seem to be, are not to cause that same harm."
As the bodyguards walked away, Darren further scrutinized the dark individual before him. From the way he spoke and acted, it was obvious, to Darren at least, that he was playing smart and walking on the side of caution in all of his manners. Like everyone else seemed to be at the moment, Darren also ignored Kurtz's jabs, long since finding them a necessary point to having the man around as a Pillar.
"It is interesting that you come to us like this. Few from your school have approached us personally with anything past blind rage or loyalty, take your pick. You seek to aid us, you say?"
Darren was silent a moment as he regarded Ein, taking a bite of his sandwich as he did so. Finally, after a long silence, the tension held within being almost tangible, with four more bites of Darren's sandwich gone erstwhile, the School Captain spoke again.
"Have a seat, Ein."
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Post by Gilsin on Feb 13, 2007 6:54:37 GMT 1
Ein's tension was certainly mounting to a certain degree, the fact that the majority of the decision was left up to one man was discomforting. When such things happened sometimes it wasn't neccessarily the qualifications that mattered, sometimes it was other external things.
He would listen intently to Blayne's words, understanding the small amount of Skeptisicim behind them. Of course it seemed highly likely that the Captain had read Ein's file, but just so, that might make the decision all the more odd. There was little doubt that such a file was an interesting read, perhaps not in the best of ways.
Still Ein stood stoicly. Waiting with almost no movement except for the strong gusts of wind that caused his body to sway ever so slightly. It seemed that Darren was drawing out his decision. It was hard to tell if he was genuinely thinking it over or simply being over dramatic, but the latter seemed unlikely. Finally he spoke
"Have a seat,Ein."
The tall man would sit with little pause, giving a nod and only one word. He might feel slightly awkward with nothing to eat but would wait till the rest were done reguardless.
"Danke."
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