The Chinese Pillar (Tiao)

[jellar]

"Wretched Varronite!"

"Screw you, dirty Hircinian!"

It was just after school and Jellar had been on his way home when his ears picked up these very words. His eyes followed his ears and he saw a large Hircinian talking down to a Varronite, who was also rather large. Both standing at least 6 foot 2, they began shouting insults to each other. A crowd began to form and it was only a matter of time before they broke into a physical fight. No one from the crowd seemed to want to do anything about it. With a quick scan, Jellar saw that there were no Watchmen in the crowd that he could remember, and decided that it was his duty to step in.

In the midst of all of the shouting of the two large students and the whispering of the crowd around, Jellar's voice would ring sharply into everyone's ears. However, the two that this voice was directed to would notice it indefinitely.

"Stop fighting" were the words, spoking firmly and sternly.

The two turned to him, the Varronite recognizing him as a fellow Varronite but still showing little respect for Jellar's actions. The Hircinian only grew angrier, shouting more Varronite-based insults towards Jellar. They were disregarded and attention turned to Jellar himself. The Hircinian grew angry enough to throw his fist toward's Jellar.

'As expected,' Jellar thought, tilting his head to the right and letting the Hircinian's fist miss Jellar by inches. With that, Jellar stepped forward and pushed backwards on the Hircinian's back with his left arm while keeping his leg out. The momentum of the Hircinian's attack along with Jellar's push would have the poor Hircinian trip over Jellar's leg. However, the push was not forceful, so the Hircinian would easily be able to catch his fall, and he did. The point was made; Jellar was far stronger and he wanted them to stop fighting. The Hircinian bit his lip hard and sucked up his pride and walked away, the crowd dispersing behind him. The Varronite seemed satisfied enough and left as well.

Sighing, Jellar picked up his back pack. He was now on his way home after this event, satisfied that he had done the will of the Watchmen.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

"Interesting."

Tiao Lei Shen, the first pillar appointed by the school captain, stated plainly as he emerged from the dispersing crowd. He walked towards the man who had broken up the fight, hands in his pockets to show he meant know harm to him, not yet at least.

Moving his eyes around the courtyard, they settled back on Jellar as he moved in closer, sizing the man up with his gaze. The man was a little smaller than himself and had shown that he was capable of handling himself. The best part? He was chinese.

Tiao took great pride in his race, and despite a decent amount of asians on the west coast, it was still a good thing to see one with a backbone who could fight if necessary.

"If you hadn't broken that up, I would have to do some head busting right about now. So thanks for that, I didn't have to bloody my hands for another petty brawl."

Tiao nodded with a smirk, taking another step forward and pulling his right hand out of his pocket to shake the other man's.

"Tiao Lei Shen," He paused, giving adequate time for Jellar to reply. "Your movements...would I be wrong to assume you have trained in Tai Chi Chuan or another in the art of our ancestors?"

[jellar]

Jellar took note of the crowd dispersing, and yet he also took note of a man approaching him. Words came from his mouth; they obviously commanded a high level of authority, although showing friendly intentions as his hands were in his pockets. Although he seemed well acquainted with fighting based on his response and his physique, Jellar noted that he was Chinese. This man was well on Jellar's good side to begin with, and he didn't even know his name, although he did know in the next few seconds.

After an introduction, Jellar took the offered hand that came from the man's pockets and grasped it firmly after giving his own name. "Jellar Feint," he said. He noted that the name given by this man was the name of a pillar. The pillar was taller than Jellar, but not by far. Once Jellar was finished with his growth spurt, his height would not be below this man's height at all.

Tiao continued their started conversation. Leaving out the idea of going home, Jellar decided it would be a good idea to become acquainted with the pillar. He did not seem to have hostile intentions, and unless they were to come about, Jellar did not have to worry at all. Approving of Tiao's friendliness, Jellar replied.

"No, you would not be wrong," he said, noting the Chuan that Tiao had spoken. It was clear that his origins were in the mainland China, not Hong Kong, Macau, or Canton, where Jellar was from. It was a shame that no one else in the school seemed to know the least bit of Cantonese, even if they were Chinese. "I have trained in Tai Chi, like you said."

'This guy probably practices some traditional martial art as well. Any idiot could assume that just based on the clothing he's wearing, but I don't think I'll get into that. Let's just confirm that this guy is a pillar first.'

"Tiao Lei Shen," Jellar said, repeating the name while addressing him at the same time, "If I'm not mistaken, you're one of the pillars of this school, aren't you?" By this time, it should have been far more than obvious that Jellar was a Varronite. Whether Tiao would hold action against Jellar because of his status would deeply affect how Jellar thought of the man. The words that he spoke would only confirm that he was a Varronite, as a student body should indeed know their pillars, and saying 'this school' would be more than enough for anyone to find out Jellar's Varronite status.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

Tiao had been right on his guess of the man's style. It wasn't too hard for a seasoned martial artist to guess though, as Tai Chi was a safe bet with the way he maneuvered himself. Jellar had moved with elegant grace and fluidity, carrying with him a soft strength hidden by gentleness. That was shown in his redirection of the man.

The pillar however, he was completely on the other side. The Northern Shoalin Tiger was fierce, striking hard and fast, showing its strength by baring its teeth and claws as it ripped through flesh and cracked bone.

When Jellar spoke again, Tiao breathed out a mixture of a chuckle and snicker. It wasn't meant to be rude, but it was just a great surprise to the pillar.

"So you didn't know huh?" Tiao smirked as he brought his gaze back up to face Jellar.

"Transfer student. Let me guess...Varron? Well, I got to be honest with you. That surprises the hell out of me. From what I've seen, Varron has all been punks wanting recognition or mere violence and the occasional idealist who doesn't stop talking out his ass." Tiao grinned, shaking his head in disbelief before looking back up to Jellar as he slid his right hand back in his pocket.

"But you don't seem to be either. A Varronite that breaks up fights. Thats new to me, but I'd be lying if I say I'm not liking that idea."

[jellar]

'Here it is...' Jellar thought as Tiao recognized Jellar was from Varron. He waited and listened to the response, half expecting it to be a negative and degrading one, but he liked what he heard. Tiao had not simply shoved Jellar in with the herd of stereotypical punks that fight. Maybe it was because Jellar was a fellow Chinese, but that mattered not. As long as he gave the ability to make exceptions to that stereotype, it was alright. However, Jellar did think of Leon when he brought up the 'occasional idealist who doesn't stop talking about his ass.' That brought a small laugh from Jellar as he indeed noted Leon's attributes to his philosphy and things like that.

"Cool," Jellar said, his response to Tiao's words. He was feeling that he could get along with Tiao now, and now he might have held a position to voice his input should a fight come up between Tiao and a major Varronite figure. It might be necessary, as his Watchmen duty obligated him to break up fights. However, that was in the future. The present was to worry about first, and Jellar thought it might be a good idea to bring about his history to sort of explain his ideals.

"Well, if you grow up in the slums of Hong Kong, you get tired of gangs and thugs that think they're all that, and eventually you get sick of senseless fighting. Sure, fighting may be necessary, but only if there is a reason. Senseless fighting isn't my thing."

[Tiao Lei Shen]

If Tiao had known Jellar was a Varronite from the start, he probably would not have been so welcoming. Jellar had gotten on Tiao's good side right away, breaking up a fight and being a fellow chinese martial artist only helped. Hircinian or Varronite, Tiao liked Jellar, and he was definately different than the standard Varronite.

Jellar had seemed unsure of Tiao's reaction at first, but once he spoke he seemed to relax. Whether he knew it or not, Tiao had just become a little more open minded towards Varronites, but not too much.

"Agreed. Its not like I haven't had my fair share of senseless fighting, but I've found my reason now. So tell me Jellar, are you the only one in Varron who has any sense of reason?"

[jellar]

Jellar let out a small chuckle at Tiao's question. Whether he was being sarcastic or not, Jellar could not tell, but he found it amusing regardless. It was nice to have a casual conversation with someone. He truly hadn't had one for a long time with anyone other than his dad. His loner personality contributed to that. Making note to answer, Jellar responded to Tiao's question.

"There has to be a few of them, here or there," Jellar responded, sounding sarcastic. But in truth, he wasn't actually being sarcacstic. The good majority of Varronites did not fight for any particular reason, much less have any reason at all. He had heard and known some major figures like Leon, but in truth, a good number of those higher figures were more conceited than they thought they were. Sure, Jellar could name a couple with a good sense of reason, like Maverik, but there were little in all.