Understanding the System (Captain/Pillars)

[Gilsin]

The day had been an odd one. Once he was confronted by the Hircine student populace and another time he had confronted them. The first encounter lead to the beating of three of them and the second nearly lead to the beating of another. Still, there was small rays of intelligence in this new setting. Some that used their minds just as handily as they could use their bodies. In the first encounter he found afew of the schools elite. Not the typical arrogant louts that would abuse their powers, but decents with atleast passable minds. The second encounter revealed a student that didn't have the senseless anger and decided to make up his own mind.

It was an odd place, more complicated than Varron was. More shades of grey and unknowns that had to be learned of. What were the laws of the place and more importantly, could Ein align himself and become part of those laws?

The mind snapped back to reality, his eyes taking in the sight of the students moving about during one of their daily breaks. The masses were large and without too much in the way of fights. Ein caught glimpses of his Genaht attempting to fit in, there was a small duty he had to them to make such a transition easier. He still needed to know more about the place before he could make any such decisions.

Ein's form walked to the nearest student to him, a somewhat short male with a rich taste in clothes. Ein doubted the one would speak much but merely the information getting around would aid Ein greatly. His words were simple.

"Where might I meet one of your Pillars or perhaps your Captain?"

[king]

"Turning around would be a good start."

Behind the large figure stood Kurtz, who was for once at a place enitrely out of coincidence. There were actually many breaks during the day in which he didn't actually have to attend to fights or stop outbreaks of violence, though with the rising tension they were becoming less frequent. He remembered this one from an earlier encoutner, and he had tried to look friendly. Things hadn't gone well when Malakai had decided to make a scene. There were often those who became disinfranchised with thier position in society, and they more often than not blamed others rather than attempt upward mobility. Then again, if not for student like that Kurtz would not be needed as a Pillar.

"What would you like to see the Pillars about....if it's interesting enough I could get you a meeting with the rest of us."

[Gilsin]

Ein was somewhat startled by the sudden response, just as it seemed the person whom he had originally addressed was. The difference was the nameless student showed his slightly and Ein's face stone walled slightly before he turned slowly. There was some recognition when his eyes fell upon he man he remembered vaguely as Kurtz. It made some sense that he might be a pillar, but that was only from the very little Ein knew.

"I wish to know more of the laws of this place. How do you govern what is right and wrong and what is decided the punishments for such things? More, I should like to know through those questions how far off my position is."

Ein would keep his tone even, respectful and in an almost business like manner. Overall it might make him seem somewhat cold, but it also prevented him from truely insulting the one in the higher position of authority. Something he wasn't inclined to do at such a time.

[king]

Kurtz rubbed the back of his head as he thought about Ein's request. Kurtz often had this problem with blunt people, as though he was often one for showmanship and theatrics, he found those who clearly stated what they wanted to often be a bit vague.

"Well, I doubt your asking about the basic school rules, but in a wider sense I consider myself an expert of sorts."

Kurtz turned to watch another line of students, both to give them an example they could view better and to remove Ein from the rest of the students . This both would give them a sense of privacy and let it move more swiftly. It was this sort of uncncious behavior that really ruled the school, no matter how prideful the Pillars were otherwise.

"I guess putting in into Darwinian terms is a bit old fashioned, but the truth is very similar. It is the strongest students that rule all of the rest. While that does give us Pillars a bit of exceptions and special treatment, it is honestly more work than the rewards justify.

You see, the rules of this school are not decided by right and wrong really. Morality tends to just get students angry and excited, which just ends up causing more problems. We generally enforce the rules that are only necessary to maintain order. We honestly don't care about the personal motives around here, it's consequence we deal with mostly.This causes whatever small problems that instigate trouble to be dealt with before they cause more trouble for the larger group.

What is generally considered to be disrupting order is generally going against the authority of a matter. most minor offenses have such natural consequences as losing points from grades and the like. Open rebellion or the like are treated with harsher punishments. The goal is to establish the belief that causing no trouble will result in one being left alone.

Now this may seem a tad oppressive if one does not consider the benefits. While one may not like not being able to fight whoever they want on school grounds or skip class if they so choose to, it prevents others from having harm caused to them in the same manner. Since after the principle the most commanding authority figures are student Pillars, this also applies to teachers as well. They can do their jobs simply and without obstruction, while the students can expect any extremely harsh actions to result in Pillar interference for their sake."

Ironically, it was at this time that a student was carrying a drink across the courtyard. While this was happening, he happened to slam into a teacher, dropping it and covering his shoes. The teacher rose his hand to strike the student, sure that a class ring with a rather large stone would leave a lasting impression on the student. He quickly spotted Kurtz watching though, and simply proceeded to verbally berate the student.

"Basically, we repeat the law used outside the school walls, preparing the students who would otherwise become a detriment to society to become perfectly functional, successful people. We all sacrifice are liberties for the common good, with the consequences of disobedience keeping those who would ignore this agreement in order while they are here and having multiple source of authority with different interests keeping the system from going too far."

Kurtz turned back toward Ein now, expecting a few question to follow anything he said. Whether they would ask for clarification or if new questions rose to mind because of his new information Kurtz was not certain. He wasn't completely sure he had even answered the right question after all, he just chose to outline the general philosophy of Hircine order, hoping it would at least encourage Ein to reveal what exactly he wanted to know as he asked for specifics.

[Gilsin]

"You keep the ignorant in line with the rest of the sheep while essentially putting down the bolder ones that try to stray."

Ein nodded slightly, converting the long speech into a simpler form to show that he understood the general outline. The idea was somewhat similar to his own, the difference was that they didn't seem to be so harsh on their punishments. Perhaps that was better in this place, things were not so explosive. Not everyone was vying for dominance and making others fall in fights constantly.

"Your laws make sense, but their enforcement will be less than adequate should the other Varronites decide to attempt asserting dominace. You are outnumbered and unless you have some alternate source of information, you are blind as to the abilities of your opponents."

Ein's mind was racing at the possibilities as he spoke. He knew the points he was making. He was essentially speaking of "switching sides". It could be something that could mark him amoungst the other Varronites, but his words made sense. More importantly to keep such an order here, they were going to possibly need some outside help.

"The remaining question would be do you think my statements have any validity and would you be willing to accept such help?"

[king]

"To keep those who have no desire to fight from gaining it, you simply have to keep them in line, like you say. However, push them too hard and you'll push them out of line, not into. Our punishments scale with the threat, and those who still remember what happened to them. The reason we don't need to punish harshly is because the situation is kept under such management that strong displays are not needed until there is a serious imbalance, such as the Varron students arrival.

Then again, all it takes is to make a few example of people on both sides and we could easily win a war. Even if the Varron students rebelled, every student here will not falter. A few particularly foolish will, but the vast majority will fall in line, and most will help if ordered. The masses may have a short attention span, but they do have a surprisingly good memory.

That of course relies on whether the Varron students can actually organize that well. Your school fell due to its faction nature, and those old wounds have likely healed due to a new setting. How many among you doesn't want to fight anymore, doesn't want another stain on their records, would just like to get through highschool. Lets face it, there is little chance that Varron will unite against a common foe. If Varron could, would you really be talking to me like this?"

Kurtz seemed calm for what he was saying. The students at Varron were used to small skirmishes, seeing an opponent, measuring their odds, then fighting in one big finale. Hircine was different, a much bigger battlefield. Martial strength alone got one nothing here, controlling the masses did. You couldn't take one thing, you had to take everything, or you would end up with nothing. Taking in the big picture, Kurtz didn't need to know the details of the particular Varron students to win a war, Hircine had won through logistics alone.

"Though this line of discussion really has no relevance, as that is not going to happen. Varron won't likely be able to organize anything like that for some time, and we don't intend to fight a war if we don't have to. We plan to win before that happens....in that, you could prove quite useful."

[Gilsin]

Ein nodded slightly at the words. The man did have his points but it still seemed likely that some Varronites could still cause atleast a small bit of damage. The war coming into Ein's mind was one such thing that showed that it was possible for them to organize, but the time was so far passed that perhaps he was right.

Reguardless atleast they weren't so foolish as to simply dismiss the option, they wanted to keep the group from organizing to begin with. It made sense, breaking up the rebellion before it came to war. There were some thoughts though, that Ein might actually prefer the war....

"I wouldn't entirely underestimate them, then again it doesn't seem that you are. If you do wish to stomp out any sparks I would agree I could help. In more than a small way, as I have not come entirely alone here."

[king]

"I'm sure you don't...only the foolish try to bargain if they are lacking in value....and the bargain your trying to make isn't a foolish one. The way we're going to defeat this is not actually through violence, but through peace. Many of Varrons students would likely wish for a peaceful graduation if they can get it, but the tension is going to compromise that. the best way to end this before it begins is to demoralize the rebellion by taking as many Varron students into the fold as quickly as possible.

The records of you from Varron are rather odd....in that you are one of the few people of authority that does not have any particular enemies or rivals.....besides the ones most students of any decency are expected to have. This puts you in a very useful position, as your not isolated from any particular group....everyone finds merit in your opinions to think of them, not to immediately dismiss because of past grievances. This means if you given a position of authority, people are going to ask why you accept it."

Kurtz was outlining a small plan he had, and it would work well. Besides his own power from within the Varron students, Ein was also a powerful political figure. If placed correctly, he would become a beacon for many of the other high ranking Varron students. This meant he could make students ask "Is settling down in Hircine such a bad idea?", and every time a student asked that, Hircine gained a small victory.

"Tell me Ein, would you be interesting in representing your fellow Varronites as a Pillar of Hircine? If you are, I'm willing to help you make it a possibility."

[Gilsin]

Ein knew this was where the conversation was heading. It was such a tempting offer and one he had been weighing since he had decided to learn more about the area. But would it be one he could stand by? This school seemed to focus more on less violence, something Ein could certainly stunt in his own way but most likely not in a good one. Still they were making the offer...

"Very well, but I beleive the small precaution of a probationary period would be mutually beneficial. It would make it easy for me to back and perhaps more importantly for you to sever ties should you find that in your best interests."

Ein nodded once, his mind quickly racing over the details of his own words and accepting them. It could work very well, if all went well. There would be a certain sense of purpose that was lacking in him and more importantly it would elevate his Genaht and give them more control. Power was always a tempting offer to man, even to an odd one such as Ein.

[king]

"I think you fail to realize exactly what you being offered. Your not going to be given any particular power that is not for appearances sake until things settle down. Your a political move at this point, you'll being taking Pillar duties and given the few luxuries the masses associate with us with any certainity....but we're not exactly going to let a near stranger know our secrets until he himself is knee deep in them. You will keep your position when the dust settles...with all benefits and knowledge, but your going to have to make sure the position stays your until the Varron issue is calmed a degree."

Kurtz was being entirely serious, his tone reflecting despite his usually calm mannerisms. The truth was Pillar was just a title, one that had been usually given to students who had a fair degree of control to begin with. Kurt himself was only offered the job when it appeared that if he wasn't he would take everyone else authority by force. Ein had not acquired such standing yet, but he was being offered the chance to get it. If he did indeed survive the trail period, he would likely receive the backing he would need from his old school mates. If someone managed to take him, then they would assume his place and the dance would begin again. In the end, Ein was being given the offer because he seemed like the best choice socially.

At that point the bell rang, declaring the next set of classes were to begin soon. Kurtz began to walk away, but stopped to deliver a message over his shoulder.

"If you decide to take this, sit at the Pillar table in the courtyard. If the other Pillars can be convinced enough not to pummel you by the end of lunch, which with my backing is likely enough, your position will be made official by rumor alone."

Kurtz began to walk toward his next class. He wondered if Ein would take his offer, and whether his plan would work with anyone else if he didn't. He put such worries aside for the moment, as Ein himself hadn't seemed to decide one way or another whether he was interested or not. Kurtz told him there would be a trail period that he wanted though....he had neglected to mention the point that even if he didn't attempt the arrangement permanently he would likely accomplish his purpose before it was over.

[Gilsin]

"The appearance of power is enough for those who don't attempt to look past it. Which I'd imagine could be most of the student populace. Still, I understand your words, I am merely being cautious as I would hate to be detrimental to you or more likely myself."

Ein was begginning to wonder how much of a tool he would be to this group before he would be accepted as something more. It would certainly give rise to a bit of calm with one of the more noticeable members of the Varronites "switching sides" as it were, but would he be thrown out after it was all said and done?

The thoughts were troubling as the bell rang and the many doors began pushing open with the hurried footsteps and talking of many students pushing through the halls, still Ein got Kurtz's last message through the haze of noise.

He had already begun plunging himself into service of this new group, it seemed only fitting if he helped bring abit of order. There was hardly a reason not to press forward at this point. Ein's pace and measure of his walk showed his resolution, he would move forward and deeper into Hircine.