We Need To Talk(Tiao, Darren)

[Alkaiser]

Lunchtime in Hircine. For most students it brought their whole day back into focus. It was a peaceful time, where you could be with friends, enjoy some conversation over mediocre meals, and take a break from your studies. Steve Barzahd was not most students however, and lunchtime would usually end up just as turbulent as the rest of his day. Today was different though. Today he had an agenda.

The day before today, Tiao Lei Shen, last surviving pillar, came to Alkaiser with an offer. Steve had already taken too long to make his decision, but certain complications arose that he had to take into consideration. As a matter of fact, a few of those complications passed by Alkaiser while he was eating his lunch that day. It seemed that MacMillan didn't brief them on something as trivial as where the students should be allowed to sit during lunch.

Regardless, it was time to give the pillar his answer, if only Steve could find him. Surely he was too busy with his own agenda today, based on the fact that his entire world was turned upside down the day prior. There was one way that Barzahd could think of to get his attention for sure, however.

"Wow...it really is nice here...sort of calming..." Steve thought to himself as he looked around and took in the atmosphere surrounding the pillar's reserved table in the courtyard. As he sat there, it was obvious to everybody that he was out of place. Then again, Kurtz wasn't around to try beating the shit out of him without warning, and Alkaiser took a certain sense of security in that fact.

Steve knew that he had crossed the line and treaded into pillar territory, but if this didn't catch their attention then he would have to resort to more drastic measures. Besides, maybe even the pillarship could lighten up a bit when given the right kind of lunch time conversation.

"I hope this works..."

[Darren Blayne]

Alkaiser's move was a very risky gamble, but likely not in the way he'd imagined. The so-called "Pillar's Table" was always abandoned, save for when the Pillars would sit there and convene, this much was true, and sitting there without a reason was usually a good way to get hurt, especially from Kurtz. However, Alkaiser's biggest risk in choosing to gain the attention of the captain and his pillar by boldy sitting at their table was that, usually, when not needing to use it, the Pillars didn't bother going near it. Especially with Kurtz gone, who most liked to use the table, it was almost an outdated concept.

Darren was indeed crossing the courtyard during lunchtime, however, and noticed the younger student seated at his table. With a small shake of his head, Darren decided to at least check it out.

"Steve 'Alkaiser' Barzahd," Darren said, looking down at the seated boy as he sat down across from him. "Tiao's told me a bit about you. From what he's said... this doesn't strike me as odd. Except you seem to have forgotten a lunch." Darren pointed at the empty space in front of Alkaiser and raised an eyebrow in a sort of playful mocking look. After all, the Captain himself didn't have anything to eat either, but he wasn't particularly hungry at the moment, anyway.

"I assume you're either making a statement, or wanting to speak to one of us. Should I proceed in harming you, or hear you out?"

[Tiao Lei Shen]

"Goddamn MacMillan."

Tiao snapped to himself, slamming his locker in an effort to release some of his pent up rage, only to no avail. Little in life had ever frustrated the chinese pillar as much as the Principal's overshadowing of Darren and himself. This was a slap to his reputation and credibility, let alone his ego. Since the Varron transfers got here, the pillarship has had challenge after challenge. It was true Tiao still didn't too much care for the transfers, but it was no longer them he held accountable.

It was all MacMillan.

Unlike Darren, Tiao was just a Junior. Because of this, Tiao would walk past the courtyard everday after going to his locker. Usually he wouldn't pay it much mind, especially after Kurtz' departure. Today he paid special attention, not because he was expecting Alkaiser, but he was making sure that Gestapo hadn't tried moving in on their territory even more than they already had. It came as a surprise and a relief to see Darren and Alkaiser outside. After yesterday's upset, he almost forgot about the time frame he gave Alkaiser. The fact that Alkaiser hadn't prolonged it by much held some weight in Tiao's eyes; he was impressed at the efficiency and effectiveness of this one already.

"We don't all eat under stress." Tiao remarked as he walked out. It was something of a tradition for a pillar to poke a joke when meeting out here, though Tiao's felt forced due to the actual stressful situation they were in.

"But for everyone's sake, tell me you have good news for us."

[Alkaiser]

Within a few minutes, Steve could already measure the success of his plan. Both remaining members of the pillarship had made an appearance. Even though he was threatening in tone and presence, School Captain Darren Blayne was a sight that Barzahd was glad to behold. A few moments behind him, Tiao was joking until the last...something becoming increasingly harder to do in recent times. Shortly they all turned to business however.

"...But for everyone's sake, tell me you have good news for us."

Alkaiser could feel the eyes of many focused upon the meeting. Two pillars and a rowdy student meet in broad daylight...a situation that draws attention from the new authorities as well as the student body. For now, they could do nothing but watch however, because for now it was nothing but a conversation.

"After MacMillan's announcement, you two both realize that there is practically nothing to gain from me joining you now?"

Although Alkaiser wasn't sure if Darren had been briefed on the offer Tiao had made, he assumed that statement was largely true anyways. "Despite that fact, I disagree with the new system in a big way. So what I need to know is if you guys are planning to do something about it."

The choice was simple enough. If they were moving ahead to regain their former positions, Steve would support their rise. This wasn't a means of interrogation or negotiation, it was simple cooperation. The pillars just needed to tell Alkaiser what he wanted to hear.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

Tiao would step forward, bringing himself to Darren's side. The pillar felt that since he was the one to bring Alkaiser this far in the deal, he would be the one to continue it. If Darren had anything to add, Tiao was confident his friend would cut in, voicing his own thoughts.

"You're damn right were going to do something." Tiao nodded, opening his eyes a bit wider while making eye contact with Alkaiser.

"But you're wrong about the gain. Things have changed, but not everything is gone. The football team, while they may be a bit more relunctant their numbers will still be yours. We're still the pillars, and we're still the ones who protect and police the student body. The suits can bring in whoever they like, but we're still going to do what we've always done. If they want to get in our way, well, we'll deal with them too. We're still the pillars of this school, and we intend to show the students just that."

[Alkaiser]

Alkaiser absorbs Tiao's speech with pleasure. Darren remains quiet, but that was his nature. To expect him to act as he did at the assembly more often would be naive. Shen's message was exactly what Steve needed to be reassured that he was making the right choice. Darren remains quiet, but that was his nature. To expect him to act as he did at the assembly more often would be naive.

"Well then, I'm convinced." Steve remarked as he stood up from the table. He was never here to make this deal difficult for them. He extends his hand and continues, "The pillarship has my support. Keep in touch, okay?"

Alkaiser smiles to his two new allies, thinking of the irony behind this meeting. He never expected to be shaking hands with the pillars, but under such circumstances it made a bit more sense. Barzahd didn't exactly know what the next move was, but that would be dealt with when the time arose.

(OOC:Yuckie, short post.)

[Darren Blayne]

"Before you go..."

Darren spoke up suddenly, likely surprising the younger student after his prolonged silence. Initially, Darren had met Alkaiser there, but, knowing full well that Tiao was the one who had dealt with him earlier, had full confidence that Tiao would do the talking. After all, Darren, though he'd known the general basics of what had happened between the two on the football field a day earlier, he hadn't known the specifics, and simply left it to one who did.

Hopefully, Alkaiser would turn to look at Darren, after he had shaken Tiao's hand. Darren would regard him with a long look, and a small, almost insignificant smile, a mere upward twist of his lips.

"Tell me, if you will, something about Genaht..."


(Equally short, but there isn't much to say here.)

[Alkaiser]

"Before you go..."

Steve breaks off of his path and turns around, eyebrow raised at the unexpected interjection of the school captain. "Tell me, if you will, something about Genaht..."

Steve smirks at the request. To tell the truth, he still knew very little about Genaht himself, but he had never been a very active member as far as promotion of the group went. Still, he tries his best to answer Darren's question. "Genaht is Ein Gilsin. You guys have worked together in the past, right? If you want anything from Genaht, just make sure you and Ein see eye to eye."

Steve waits to make sure that there was nothing else needed of him before he leaves. If nothing else comes up, he'll simply wish the two pillars 'good luck' and continue out of the courtyard.