Fighting A Pillar(Tiao,Charlotte)

[Nathan Branigan]

Waiting was always something Nathan had never been very good at. He was always one of the first people become irritated when things took longer than they should have. No matter how much your parents try to teach you something, it always comes down to who you are as a person in the end. While some people could just sit down, look at the clouds, watch a movie, or drift into thought Nathan was not one of those people. He could barely keep still for ten minutes, let alone an entire period of school. He would fidget and poke around in anything that took his interest. Unfortunately for him, nothing in the forest did so. Because of this, he was extremely hyper at the moment.

This was not his only trait. He also took pride in the type of fighter he was. If someone was able to utterly beat him, he would go insane. And that is why he was here today.

During the first round of the tournament, Nathan had to face one of Hircine High's Pillars, Tiao Li Shen. While he did expect a challenge, he couldn't stand losing so significantly. He underestimated his opponent because of his ego and now he was here to prove to himself that he lost for that reason alone. Overconfidence. It had happened before, so Nathan wanted to show that this trait of his was to blame. Matched up with Tiao's fighting abilities, he couldn't have won that fight.

He got ahold of Tiao from contacting someone that rumors said was his girlfriend. Nathan didn't know Tiao's phone number and he didn't want to have to start trouble to find him. So Nathan went to her. She agreed to contact Tiao and that was that. It was decided that they would meet in the woods after school to avoid spectators. A sort of courtesy for the loser.

After all of that, here Nathan was. Stuck in the middle of the woods with the supposed girl friend of a student that had beaten him to a pulp. All of this and Nathan could think of only one thing to say to pass the time.

"So I heard you suck Tiao's face."

[charlotte]

"I don't know ... he said he wanted to fight you." Charlotte spoke into her phone, none other than Tiao Lei Shen on the other end. "He seems pretty bitter about fighting you in the tournament, but I'd still be careful about this ..." she paused. "He wants to meet you in the woods."

"I'll be there waiting ... goodbye." And with that final word, she ended the call, flipping closed her cell phone and staring out across the school grounds to the woods where the meeting was to take place. A sigh was all she offered before picking her way towards the meeting place.

* * *

Standing in the woods, her back to a tree, arms crossed over her chest, Charlotte remained perfectly attentive of her surroundings and the student who wanted to fight him. The boy looked twitchy and impatient, and seemed unaccustomed to being able to sit still for any lengthy period of time.

"So I heard you suck Tiao's face."

She turned to face the source of the voice, glaring coldly, not bothering to mask her icy tone.

"That would be a rumor. We're just friends. And if you intend to be fighting him again, I think you should focus on a few things other than petty gossip."

With that, Charlotte averted her gaze back out along the treeline, scanning the area for Tiao's approach.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

"Farmer Nate? What's he want?" Tiao paused, holding his phone up to his ear as Charlotte delivered him a message. "I'd be bitter if I was him too...okay." He shifted the phone ot his other ear, sighing at yet another challenge to the pillar.

"At least I'll have something worth while to go out there for." Tiao stated, flirting back to Charlotte that had still gotten him nowhere. They were just friends, but he was hoping that was a temporary position. "See you." He pocketed the phone, setting down his skateboard and riding as far as there was pavement before he flipped it up into his hands to walk along the dirt path.

---Later---

"Sadly, she's telling the truth. We're not dating, no matter how depressing that is to me."

Tiao emerged from the foliage, flashing a warm smile to Charlotte before turning his attention back to the real reason he came. He tossed his skateboard back into a bush, tightening his cap as he walked out into more open space.

"So what's the deal farmer Nate? Is this the typical, you beat me, so I want revenge type of challenge?"

[Nathan Branigan]

Nathan smiled as he heard the girl's cold reply to his words. He had only meant to joke, but the way she took it made it entertaining. However, just to cool her down, he tried to explain himself to her.

"Relax, it's just a..."

Nathan would have continued, but he was interrupted by Tiao as he emerged from the forest. Nathan couldn't help but chuckle at Tiao's statement. It wasn't meant to be an insult, he just thought it was funny.

"So Tiao, you do have a sense of humor. I for one am shocked." Nathan joked with Tiao. He was the one who brought him out here so he might as well be kind to him.

As he heard Tiao's second statement, Nathan knew that Tiao meant business. This was good for Nathan, he had spent enough time sitting around in the middle of the forest. He was bored and needed to burn off some pent up energy. He wanted to get the talking done as soon as possible so he could get to the real fun. He bounced up from leaning of a tree quickly and shook himself to get is body a slight jump start. A kind of premature warning to tell himself that he was about to get active very suddenly. This did more for him mentally than physically though. Nathan looked at Tiao to answer him.

"What can't I just have a friendly little spar with a school pillar if I want to?" He joked once more.

He then became slightly more serious after this statement.

"But seriously Tiao, this is more of my determination to give you a better fight than last time. I just don't like fighting someone and not at least giving them a slight bit of entertainment. So to answer your question, this is more about hospitality than revenge as you two probably think..." Nathan paused for a moment. "I mean, what kinda' guy would I be if I denied you that?"

Nathan then took a breath after he was done talking. He was not yet going to attack him. He wanted both of them to know when the fight was to begin. It would be a cowardly act in his eyes to do otherwise. Nathan scratched his head and said one last thing to Tiao before he was to wait for a response.

"And can you just call me Nate? The title just makes it a little too formal."

[charlotte]

Not for revenge, but for a different kind of honor.

To be honest, Charlotte hated it when people assumed things about her, especially when it came to the world of combat and fighting, as it seemed to be the very lifeblood of Hircine High. Oh, and the blood was everywhere.

Growing up fighting bullies and finding herself in conflicts of interest, Charlotte, though not fighter since junior high, understood the mechanics behind fighting, both the physical and the mental. Now, more than ever, it was the mental she understood.

Two years before coming to Hircine had found her attending another, similar - albeit more benign - high school, and had even been caught in the bitter crossfire of many fights such as the one she was about to witness. Her time there, as well as her time in the halls of Hircine, had taught Charlotte many important lessons about fighting, but more importantly: why those who fought, did.


Revenge. The need to prove one's self to one's self and/or others, hoping to find meaning in a hollow victory. People like Dante Williams fit into that category, what with his grudge against Tiao.

Respect. For someone to show him/herself to another that they respected them as a person through fighting. That section was allotted to people like Nate, who used fighting to make sense of their world. It was these people, not the revenge fighters who could ultimately be respected for using violence to better and enlighten themselves.

Orders. Those trapped, those who followed, those who decided to follow because they saw no other way out. Charlotte saw individuals like Kurtz, Zeniro, Darren in that category: fighting for a system or person, whether they truly believed that ideal or not. However, not such a definitive line could reasonably be between those who fought due to orders and those who fought for the final reason:

Ideals. The conviction to stand and fight for an idea or belief, whether it be freedom, liberty, chaos, order, or any numerous others. Leon Loire, Stern Mason: two of the brightest examples.


Of course, the lines between all groups varied and shifted, never constant. In fact, the lines of Why formed more of a mass Venn Diagram; intersecting, weaving, overlapping. But, a mental debate of reasoning and social/psychological interactions as relating to fighting was not the subject of most importance at the moment.

No, the most important thing on Charlotte's mind was the ever-nearing fight. Thusly, she drove the psycho-babble from the forefront of her mind with a few steady blinks, focusing on the two would-be combatants.

There stood Tiao, and there stood Nate.

"There is no such thing as a fair fight. Not really." Charlotte piped in quietly after Nate had finished his little introduction and statement of preferences. Then, picking up her tone and volume, she spoke again.

"I'm staying to watch, though I trust the two of you won't take this too far."

She walked towards Tiao suddenly then, moving close to him and planting a quick kiss on his cheek before drawing away and moving back to the tree she had been standing against, resuming her position.

"Good luck," she said to the Pillar, though with a definite hint of playfulness in her voice, knowing full well that Tiao could handle himself easily against Nate, no matter the amount of luck bestowed upon him.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

"You do too from the looks of things. Wanting a rematch? Hilarious."

Tiao joked back, though not without his own personal verbal jab towards the other fighter. Tiao didn't exactly hold anything against Nathan, but at the same time he hadn't shown a reason for the Pillar to be kind. Especially when it wasn't in Tiao's nature.

"Hospitality?" Tiao repeated, raising his brow. "Think of it as whatever you want, but don't expect me to show any hospitality in the fight."

While Tiao's tone carried that confident arrogance, he intended the statement just as a fair warning. Tiao never fought to play around, rarely pulling his punches. It was true he went full out just as rare, but there was no such thing as a light spar to the chinese pillar.

"Yeah, I definately can. But I probably won't, farmer Nate." Tiao grinned, content with how he answered his question.

He began to mentally prepare himself, finding himself at a cerebal curveball when Charlotte shuffled over, planting a kiss upon his cheek. The pillar went wide-eyed, turning his head over to Charlotte with a look on his face that explained his confusion. I thought we were just friends! He looked at her a few more moments until the shock wore off. Grinning a wider grin than he likely ever had in the past, Tiao beamed at Charlotte before finally turning back to the opponent he momentarily fought against.

"It seems I've just been put into a very good mood. So good, that I might very well play nice and not hurt you too bad. But tell you what, I had the first move in the tournament, and we know how that turned out. I'll let you get the headsup to give you a better shot this time."

[Nathan Branigan]

"Think of it as whatever you want, but don't expect me to show any hospitality in the fight."

Nathan heard this and all the time expected it. Tiao was the type of person that did not hold back without reason. And Nathan was no reason for him to do so. This is what he wanted, however. Nathan wanted to give Tiao a challenge to make up to both himself and Tiao for the past fight. He wanted to do so so Tiao might actually have to try. This would keep their skills sharp and allow them both to be entertained. That is all he wanted.

"Well Tiao, if you fought back, that would make things much less fun for the both of us now wouldn't it. And then wouldn't that kind of defeat the purpose of me getting you to be here?" Nathan asked rhetorically.

Nathan heard Tiao reject his request and immediately gave up. It seems that he would just have to stick with his created title for the time being. "Well then I guess I'll just have to learn to like it." He sighed.

He watched as Charlotte walked to Tiao, planting a kiss on his cheek. Aside from wishing him good luck, Tiao went wide-eyed. This sent a large grin spreading through Nathan's face. He also couldn't help but comment on Charlotte's statement.

"You know he isn't the one that needs luck on his side right?" He asked and immediately chuckled afterword.

Nathan listened to Tiao's reasoning. Hearing the explanation that he should attack first. This placed Nathan at a disadvantage because he hadn't really seen Tiao's defense, but it was also fair. Tiao had to strike first in the last fight. It was right to have Nathan go first this time.

"Very well, but don't expect such an easy fight. I have learned much since our last battle. Now I am the master!" He said sarcastically with a fake accent, mocking old kung-fu movies.

Without further delay, Nathan ran at Tiao. He left himself to a sort of reserved run, so that he could back off incase Tiao retaliated alittle too well. Once he got within range he placed his left hand above his left arm near his head and body in a diagonal/horizontal position. He stopped once he got within range of Tiao and sent a very fast jab at Tiao with his right arm. It was aimed just under Tiao's arms and past his forearm. This would strike his rib cage. This would still very likely be countered, so Nathan got ready to jump back if things went badly. Knowing what happened at the tourney, it probably would.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

Tiao gave an honest frown and slight nod to Nathan's statement towards Charlotte. It was true, Nathan did need the luck and Tiao wasn't going to disagree with facts.

The pillar raised his brow at Farmer Nate's impression, not giving off any words as he came charging in. Tiao bent his left arm, tucking his elbow to his ribs. As the jab came, Tiao flicked his elbow to the inside, either deflecting the jab or taking in square on the elbow depending on whether Nathan focused on power or speed.

Immediately after, Tiao's same left hand would extend from the elbow, intent on a quick palm strike to the right cheek of Nathan's. The hand would fly over Nathan's extended right, but even if it struck would only have limited amounts of power. It wouldn't feel good of course, but it likely wouldn't take Nathan out of the fight if he was anything more than the typical farmer boy.

Tiao's right hand slid up to his hip, awaiting for Nathan's reaction one way or another.

[Nathan Branigan]

' Hey look a counter!!! How unexpected.' Nathan said to himself sarcastically in his mind. Tiao had tucked his elbow into his ribs. This allowed for his arm to take the hit, effectively making Nathan's attack worthless. Then Tiao did a move that Nathan had remembered due to a mix of simplicity and usefulness. Tiao unfolded his left arm and sent a palm strike right at Nathan's face at incredible speed. A speed that came when one had become accustomed to fighting constantly. This little attack was deceptively simple. This was due to its ability to allow Tiao to trick his opponents to make a dumb move in the presence of such a basic attack. However, Nathan had defenses prepared for something such as this.

Out of a stroke of luck, Tiao's overconfidence, or some trick, Tiao had sent an attack right at Nathan's face. Quite literally into Nathan's hands. His left hand was a mere inches from his face. This allowed for him to dive his hand into Tiao's attack and grabbing him just below the wrist. This would do three things, Stop Tiao's attack, prevent Tiao from getting a reasonable grip on Nathan, and allow him to mount a quick and effective counter attack. The second Nathan grabbed Tiao he made a light step to the right and yanked Tiao to his left. This would not only get Tiao off balance, but place Nathan just out of reach of a useful kick or punch.

With his preparations set, Nathan sent the final phase of his string of maneuvers into motion. He sent a strong right kick to Tiao's kneecap. The yank not only made Tiao an easy target, but stopped him from getting an ideal footing as well. This kick would sent him to his knees, unable to attack Nathan. It would also give him pain to his back leg, bruising it. Once Tiao Tiao was on the ground, Nathan would sent a quick kick to the back of Tiao's head. Not only would this hurt, but it would be largely undefended. After all, it was reaction for Someone's hand to rush out in front of them when they fell. Tiao would not be able to bring his hands back in time to stop the kick.

Nathan waited for a short time, knowing that it would be best to wait for Tiao to get up.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

By some improved relfex of Nathan, he managed to grip ahold on Tiao. Granted, his pull would have less force than the farmer intended. Tiao gave him no momentum to work from, and therefore Nathan would have to rely on pure physical strength, something that Tiao wouldn't make easy, if not match it completely. However, Tiao had no intentions to arm wrestle.

Tiao immediately moved with the tug, doubling their momentum. He stepped forward and accross with his left foot, bringing his back to face Nathan as he spun into him. Since Tiao moved in, it took away the space Nate would have gained, bringing the two even closer than before. Nathan's kick would end up striking Tiao's thigh, either with his toe or shin depending on the type of kick. About the same time, Tiao's right elbow would be coming around, intent on smacking into Nathan's right cheekbone. It would be hard to defend against, since Nathan had ahold of him and Tiao moved

[Nathan Branigan]

Nathan once again made a blunder while fighting Tiao. Tiao had an amazing ability to counter almost everything that was thrown at him with amazing speed and finesse. Nathan made the foolish mistake of believing that he had so easily gotten an easy strike on Tiao. He was wrong.

As soon as Nathan began to yank Tiao to the left, Tiao went with the movement. This added to the momentum so things would move much faster. This would work to Tiao's advantage. He was able to pull in and move to get right behind Nathan. He then sent a quick elbow strike to Nathan's face. This something that was not expected by Nathan. It was not so much out of foolishness as it was the fact that he had never seen this happen before. This is why Nathan could not suitably counter Tiao's maneuver.

Nathan was not defenseless however. He still had a free right hand and a movable neck. As a natural reaction, his neck motioned his head to the right as soon as the elbow strike began. This would reduce the impact of the hit, therefore reducing the pain. He also had fought Tiao for long enough to realize one thing. Tiao preferred to strike people in the face. This seemed to be the main area Tiao targeted in both of their encounters. Because of this, He was able to predict where Tiao would strike. Plus, common sense seemed to offer some assistance too. Nathan jolted his right hand to protect his face. This would act as a cushion for his face from the impact further.

His reaction came just in time for the strike and his hand felt the tingling pain coursing through it if just for an instant. The second this happened, Nathan released Tiao from his grip. This was a bad spot for Nathan to be in. He also believed that this was Tiao's aim as well. The strike was meant to force the release of Tiao's arm so the he could move freely once more. He was much more dangerous when allowed to move freely then when forced to remain in a deadlock.

Nathan looked directly at Tiao, not saying a word, and prepared for Tiao to attack. He was not quite arrogant enough to speak freely in such a poor situation. He would save that for later as much as it pained him to do so.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

With some minor nuisances, Tiao's elbow strike smacked into its target, effectively delivering damage and creating space.

Tiao took a moment to assess the amount of damage to Nathan. There was much less color upon Nathan's face than Tiao had expected. The lack of bruising showed that either Nathan had a thick face, or the blow wasn't as solid as expected. Tiao mentally shrugged it off, disregarding the detail as irrelevant. Content with the notion that Nathan wouldn't be attacking, Tiao burst forward once more, claws bared.

Curling his left hand in towards his chest, Tiao readied himself. He extended his right arm and sent it out in a small crescent arc, delivering a light but firm right handed slash with his finger tips towards the throat of Nathan. It wouldn't kill him if connected, but it was certainly fast and strong enough to cause major discomfort in the esophogus for days to come if allowed to land.

(OOC: Sorry for crappiness, one handed is tiring.)

[Nathan Branigan]

Immediately after Nathan had set himself up, Tiao came at him at full force. He would be allowed no time to catch his breath and come up with a counter. Tiao defended himself by curling his left arm towards his chest. He then made an offensive by sending a claw like slash to Nathan's throat with his other hand.

This was not difficult to avoid considering the attacks simplicity, but time and time again Tiao had tricked Nathan by getting to pick the obvious defenses. However, he refused to go head on at Tiao against his full strength as it was far too risky. He could see no alternative in the short time given to him.

Once the strike began to come within range, Nathan pulled back enough so that the claw would miss him completely. He then made a quick spin to the right. The finished path would place him halfway down the outside of Tiao's right arm, which was still in motion. He also used the momentum to begin a kick with his left leg. The kick would impact Tiao's right leg and follow through to knock him on his back. A simple attack following a simple defense.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

Good timing...conservative counter....the kids learning. If I overextended he might have actually taken me down.

Unfortunately for Nathan however, Tiao wasn't an amateur. It was precisely for that reason the pillar only probed his starting attacks, preventing his opponent from capitalizing.

Sliding out with his left leg Tiao widened his stance, creating more surface area of balance to prevent being knocked to the ground. Tiao took the kick, causing a resounding thud, but nothing he hadn't felt before. With his readied left hand, Tiao snapped out in a small circle. The twist of his arm adding power to the short attack, Tiao's left palm would smack into Nathan's solar plexus moments after the kick landed.

The short distance and amount of reaction time in addition to the attack underneath his guard made it seem unlikely he would be able to avoid it, and would therefore have the wind knocked out of him. This was something Tiao was sure of. However, farmer Nate had surprised him before, it wouldn't be totally unexpected if he did yet again.

[Nathan Branigan]

Tiao responded instantly to Nathan's attack, widening his leg spread to balance himself out against the kick. Nathan had not compensated for the fact that Tiao was an experienced fighter and would not fall for such an attack as easily as a novice. He was a pillar and has been fighting for years with little to no losses. And Nathan thought a simple kick would suffice. This was not so.

Immediately after the attack was foiled Nathan realized that he had made a considerable error. He had left his torso completely open for a counter-attack. And this is just what happened. Tiao sent his left hand screaming into action, headed straight for Nathan's solar plexus. This was extremely problematic for Nathan. He could not stop it with his hands as was his custom and the attack was so well timed that he could not back off in time. He would have to take the hit.

Although it would hit, Nathan would prevent the strike from having Tiao's desired effect. The body inhales and exhales on instinct, but when hit correctly it is forced. This is very uncomfortable for the receiver of such a blow. However, doing it naturally doesn't cause any discomfort at all. So as soon as Nathan saw the hand snap into motion, he exhaled. All of the air left his lungs just before the hit landed. He felt it, but he was not by any means gasping for air.

Knowing a bad situation when he saw one, he jumped directly behind Tiao and while he was doing so he threw a right hook directly into Tiao's kidney.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

(OOC: Assuming you moved to my left)

Not only was Nathan's offense already showing improvement, but so was his defense. You'd be surprised how many modern day fighters disregarded the importance of simple things like breathing. Exhaling had prevented Tiao from finishing the fight, but only momentarily. The end result would be the same, save for an impressed pillar.

Tiao hesitated a moment, his breathing beginning to slow. Like a tiger in the grass waiting to pounce, Tiao waited, letting the right moment present itself. Satisfied, Tiao whipped into motion.

Without giving any indication, Tiao showed his flexibility as his left leg slid out, his right leg bending at the knee for compensation. Tiao allowed the hook to strike his kidney, something that caused him a moment of discomfort, but a neccesary action to insure his counter. By Tiao's timing, Nathan would jump around Tiao, getting caught by the foot sliding out and causing him to stumble.

By muscle memory Tiao's arm would have made it back to his body, extending itself yet again as he outstretched it to the side. He tucked his thumb underneath his palm, creating a knifehand as he swung his arm in a wide arc over Nathan's hook punch that would just be finished connected.

With a falling momentum and lowered guard, farmer Nate would find himself closelined as the section between the thumb and wrist of Tiao's arm collided with the jugular in his neck, flipping the boy back the other way and to the ground.

[Nathan Branigan]

Nathan had once again succeeded in striking Tiao. However, the glory of his completed attack would last for only a moment. Anticipating Nathan's movements, Tiao had stuck his leg out. This caused Nathan to stumble. Normally this was a minor inconvenience, but because of Tiao's next move it would end the fight. He had sent a strike directly at Nathan's throat. Nathan had evaded Tiao's attacks time and time again, but this time he was forced to plunge directly at it. When Tiao forced him to stumble, his guard was lowered. He would not be able to save himself this time. The only option left was to grab Tiao's ponytail to jerk him back, but Nathan chose not to do so. He remembered in the movie Shanghai Noon that to do so was a very foolish idea.

The blow hit Nathan an instant after he hit Tiao in the kidney. It struck him fast and hard. It forced him to do a flip in the air. He then landed on the ground hard on his back. It Happened so quickly he couldn't even fully recall what had happened. All he knew was the enormous pain in his neck, the struggle to get air back into his lungs as he coughed uncontrollably, and the swirling skies that danced in his eyes.

Nathan had once again lost to Tiao Lei Shen. Even after he would be back to normal a minute or so later, he would still be at his opponent's mercy. All he could think of was how lucky he was for previously laying down the ground rules of the fight. And even through his wild coughing, one would still see what seemed to be a smile on Nathan Branigan's face. He had given his opponent a much better fight.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

Tiao was satisfied to see what Darren called his "combat genius" to work out, the knife hand striking the unbalanced Nathan, knocking him back in what he knew to be quite a painful knockdown. He wouldn't be unconcious most likely, but he'd certainly be dazed and sore.

The pillar gave an off look glance at Charlotte, turning back quickly in the likelihood she was watching. He wanted to impress her, but at the same time he didn't want her to know he wanted to. Tiao was a fierce fighter, but still a teenager all the same. In the end it usually comes down to a girl, doesn't it?

Tiao looked down at his recovering opponent, proceding to turn and walk back the other way. He found a nearby stump, deciding to take a seat and wait for him to get up. The second he saw some large movements from him, Tiao would speak up.

"Farmer Nate...you've improved."

[Nathan Branigan]

"Wow, that last bit wasn't very fun" Nathan said to himself as he rubbed his neck. Nathan sat up, holding his knees in a relaxed fashion. He saw that Tiao had moved over to a tree stump to relax while he waited. He would then speak to Nathan, giving him a compliment that made Nathan feel almost completely better.

"Farmer Nate...you've improved."

After was could be considered as a very brief fight, Nathan still accomplished what he had set out to do. While he could have done a much better job he would have to be satisfied with the one he had done. Tiao was after all one of the best fighters in the school. Nathan had even managed one or two decent hits on him. He may have even have gained the respect of the other fighter. However, he stopped himself from becoming too proud. It would be rude not to respond to someone when spoken to.

"Thanks Tiao, but it wasn't quite enough to avoid that last one." Nathan said trying to make his situation less awkward. "Nice hit by the way" He said rubbing the front of his neck again.

[Tiao Lei Shen]

"Don't take it too hard. I don't see anyone getting past that one."

While it came out somewhat egotistical, it was true in Tiao's eyes. It was one of his best timed moves he could recall, and he doubted even Akimoto could of avoided that one. He shook his head, pushing back his score to be settled with the bar owner for another day. This one was about Farmer Nate.

"I see potential in you. In this short amount of time, you've gone from getting mauled by me, no offense, to holding your own longer than most do. I'll be honest with you, I'd rather have you on my side in that school rather than against me. I want you to work with the pillarship."

Tiao got to his feet as he started talking, slowling walking over to Nathan. He lowered his right hand, offering to help Nathan up, though symbolizing a handshake at the same time. Everything he said to Nathan was true, and for both their sakes, he was hoping he would accept the job.