Call to Arms (STORYLINE)

[stern]

It was a warm day, the sun filled the courtyard of the school. It was early in day, the sun had yet to ascend above the school, instead leaving a light that seemed to flow over the buildings, eventually pooling within its small garden that the students were fond of. It made everything particularly easy to see.

Not that it would be hard to see Stern standing on a lunch table, surrounded by his protesters, surrounded by a crowd of student's listening to what he was saying. The student's came and left, though most surely went off to spread what they had heard, good or bad.

Stern himself had been surprised by just how much everyone followed his predictions. Upon his return, Leon was spurred into action by his worries of what his ambitions were. This mobilization put the school on edge. They would, of course, try to make the trouble makers out to be the villains somehow. That wouldn't work, though they would still try and Leon was as clean as any public figure at the school could hope to be. What was needed was a catalyst, something that would help events reach their potential.

That was where Odin came in....my, how only one visit had caused so much trouble. He just confounded the situation so much, claiming responsibility for a violent act. he had been one of Hircine's hopes, showing that where Varron could not be corrected it could be tamed. All it took was to remind him of his dangers of dealing with Pillars, and Odin took the true challenge that lay before him.

Stern, more than anyone, knew how true ambition could drive a man to do, and become, terrible things.

The Pillar's and supporters just took it as proof of guilt, and were being flocked by support of those who didn't want the tyranny of Varron taking over. Likewise, Leon's supporters were now vindicated in their views that the Pillars were corrupt, and those who had held resentment against them now flocked to Leon's banner.

Of course, those who simply feared for the conflict that was coming needed a leader, one who didn't want or was willing for bloodshed. In their fear they cared little for the cause that man followed, just that he was safe to be with. Thus, Stern's ranks swelled as well in the aftermath....the balance of power between the three groups, as unbalanced as it was, had been maintained. It was the loss of the middle group that was the Stern had wanted. Those without sides were suddenly feeling very expsosed...and Stern intended to have the bones picked dry.

"Hear me, Hircine! The Pillars have once again stepped too far. they condemn Leon Loire, one of Varron's truly noble student's, by mere proximity to an evil perpetrated by those who wish to use violence to control this school! How much longer must the common man endure these misguided attempts to over throw the order of Hircine, and by the Pillars to resist the will for change in the hearts of this schools students!?! I say, with a voice for all to hear, too long!"

The crowd erupted with applause, guided on by Stern's own members. he made sure that the public ones were clearly visible, organized, and distinct, showing a united group that stood for true peace....and that the less public members were among the crowd, helping cheer it on to the mob mentality. Not many joined immediately, still unsure of what was going on, and not sure whether they thought they liked what they would hear.

"It is time for the true student's of Hircine, those who wish for peace, for a future outside these walls, for freedom to pursue that future without the oppression of tyranny to accept those ideals, and march forward to claim what is rightfully ours! It is time the voice of those this school wishes to silence cried out n unison, demanding those who claim to be above us the natural right entitled to all people, to control how they live their life! We shall gather all who wish for change and freedom, even those who have been misguided into thinking it can be stolen with forced than earned with determination!"

Subtle lines were being played.....Stern would unite his efforts with the truly well-intended Varronites, believing that he could bring them around to civilized methods.....in short, they had to present some form of unity, even fictional, to Stern. Otherwise, they confirm the Pillar's concerns as true, and the shift in power removes their slim chance of winning what was unfolding. More applause, as people get swept up into the rhetoric. Those who picked sides already began to leave, not listening to the lies of the enemy.

"It is time we wield our righteous goals, a swing down upon the shackles that bind us to the paths not chosen for us. We must take to pain, the suffering, the fear, and forge it into determination, with which we shall weather the storm and be heard by the world! We shall shout into the gale with all we posses, until we can no longer be ignored of the tempest's roar. It is time we stop waiting to be given our prize, to stop waiting for it to be passed to us when they no longer hold value, it is time we demand it, and be seized in both hands!"

Even more applause, though still as many arriving and leaving. The sense of empowerment Stern was offering captured the hearts of the crowd. Where once they felt weak, they now felt like they could made a difference without the pain....and be recognized for their efforts.

"It is time we stand up and demand that the authority give us what we should inherently have, to reclaim what was stolen from us. We shall organize the largest walk out in this or any other schools history. We shall make the world see we want these events, and see are struggle, and demand that the Pillars return what is rightfully ours! We march, but not to war, but to peace! For a safe and secure education, we shall become a spectacle to the nation, for all the world to gaze upon in awe! A great future lies within our grasp, and we shall claim it!"

Thus, Stern's web was spun. His protester's, ranks bulging from recent event's, would walk out of class and stage a march on school grounds until their demands were met. Stern had made it well aware that the press would be informed of the events as they unfold, so there would be national attention. He had created a situation that could no longer be ignored.

The schools could try and stop the gathering....and end up on national television infringing multiple constitutional rights of the students....and they certainly couldn't simply crush it with violence once it started. Leon's men could not abstain from arriving either, less they confirm they were the violent driven men Stern made them out to be. It was not as though Stern could really do anything either, as his were the smallest number and least skilled of followers, who followed the path of civil disobedience.

It was a situation no one could truly instigate and keep face, but none in which they could refuse to show force....in short, the only possible chance now for this to be settled without combat. No side could take the publicity lost without at least attempting it.

Stern's march would be the day the school's fate would be decided, and that was really as far as the crowd got in its thinking before applause filled the air to the brim. Stern's hidden followers began to chant his name, showing unity so strong that only Ein's followers could beat.

"Stern! Stern! Stern! Stern! Stern!"

The voices of the individual began to drown, as the mob began to connect in their purpose. Indeed, whose ambition's would be fulfilled would be decided on that day.

Though Stern knew, that regardless of who else accomplished theirs, he would walk away with his life's work complete.

[Zeniro]

Zeniro moved through the crowd effortlessly, the average student was a lot lighter and weaker than he was, so when they didn't stand aside they were simply moved by the mass of Zeniro's body. Although a few turned around with disgruntled expressions on their faces, not one of them dared to say a word when they saw what it was that had just shoved them to one side. Stern's voice was impressive, it carried over the din of the crowd with ease, the words that he spoke were equally impressive. Zeniro admired these qualities in Stern, he was able to manipulate people with words, the only way Zeniro was ever able to convince someone or 'talk' them around to his point of view was through force. Quite often he would knock whoever he was trying to persaude onconcious before he was able to get his point across. The crowd cheered, and a few excited murmurs were being exchanged by the students in the crowd. Zeniro nodded...this was perhaps the best form he had ever seen Stern on, granted this was different than some of the other plans he had seen Stern execute, but it was nothing short of a masterpiece in the eyes of Zeniro.

Zeniro had patiently waited, kept himself as quiet as his patience would allow him. He had cracked a few skulls, but had done so privately and not in copius amounts. Stern had allowed him to work alone and he preffered this. Given simple enough tasks, something Zeniro also appreciated. Today he was staying close to Stern to be at his side if he was called or was needed in any way, however he was also far away enough as to mingle in with the crowd. From time to time he would offer a roaring cheer, something that seemed to rouse those around him and they soon broke into their own applause and cheers. Zeniro also made a point to look out for those who were reacting negatively to the words spoken by Stern. Zeniro's presence was enough to shut them up in an instant, after which they removed themselves swiftly from the crowd. Zeniro continued his patrol through the throng of bodies from time to time looking toward Stern who was elevated above the other students....a true orator.

[Kit Lee]

Kit arrived at the scene, hearing that Stern was giving a speech. Standing a few feet from the outer ring of the crowd, Kit shook his head as the mindless followers cheered for him, unaware of the danger in trusting an individual who claims to overturn a system with peace when a careful listening of the words spewing from his mouth would suggest otherwise. He spoke in binaries, of an enemy whose advantages he would not address, and did not speak of the negative causes such a revolt could cause. Kit wanted to interfere, but he was pulled back as he tried to walk closer.

"Hey man, I believe your name is Kit right?" the boy said to him as he retracted his hand. "My name is Kaho Kwok. It is nice to finally meet you in person," he said extending his hand again, this time for a handshake. Kit shook his hand as he was confused about why the boy was happy to meet him when he had no idea who this Kaho was. Kaho noticed the confused look on Kit's face and gave a smirk as he gestured to the group of people behind him.

"You see, we all don't agree with this Stern Mason's ideals and methods. In fact, we all were planning to do something about it, like starting a group against him. However, it appears that you acted while the rest of us were just talking about what we would do. And to jog your memory, here is a copy of your work," Kaho said as he handed Kit a flyer he had posted a while back, warning the school from falling into Stern Mason's trap and clever trick words. "Sorry I pulled you back because I didn't want you to make the mistake of acting now, when we are devising methods of what to do in response to this uproar he is causing. Acting now will not benefit the situation in any way as the current people by him are blind followers, blindly believing and not questioning. The ones that question are the ones that we need to talk to, to help maintain a stable school environment as you have suggested. We do not believe in the power that some of the pillars use such as Kurtz, but we do believe in maintaining a school environment where students will be less inclined to fight because of the prescense of the pillars."

"That is good, but I do not wish to be any leader of sorts, I just want peace in the school," Kit replied as he scratched his head looking at the others in the group. "Don't worry, we're not asking you to be the leader, just informing you that we existed, and this group kind of happened spontaneously, like a Stand Alone Complex," Kaho said, smiling cause he was finally able to use a term created in one of his favorite animes. "Basically it means we all were pursing a goal to stop Stern Mason and his false words and just acted out seperately such as talking to friends, writing on blogrings, and in your case, writing a flyer. We are a group that will not have a real leader, anybody within the group can become the leader at anytime as long as we go after the same goal. And currently, you just so happen to be our current leader due to your useful flyer in convincing those that have any intelligence to stray away from Stern. Not to mention, your leadership skills caught my attention at the gym. Anyway, could I get your phone number so that we can all contact each other with the simple program I have set up that allows a text message to 5354012, send a text to everyone in this group."

Kit gave Kaho a look, as he soon realized that Kaho was in his gym class, and was there the day they were locked in. Smiling a little, Kit said, "This is truly a start. At first, my only ally was a girl by the name of Charlotte, and now I have met you all. Here is my number. We'll work to maintain peace in this school, mainly against Stern Mason who is the current threat."

[Pain Killer]

"Isn't that cute? A whole secret group dedicated to bringing down one man! It's almost as if you're afraid of him."

Standing a few feet off to Kit's left, the self-proclaimed Pain Killer pulled his gloved hands out of his pockets, letting them hang loosely at his sides. Of all things he'd expected today, Stern having a rally at the school was not one of them. Adam certainly didn't complain at the idea, however, and had simply gone into performing the very orders he'd been given during the last rally in the woods; namely, finding those who disagreed with Stern in the crowd. He'd seen Zeniro doing much the same thing, and so, had set out to deal with those on the outer fringes while Zeniro covered the inside, though whether the Maori would stay within the inside of the crowd was up to him. Such a path, however, had brought Pain Killer to Kit and his newfound friend.

"You know, you guys are real geniuses. I mean, it takes a real smart guy to decide 'Hey, I'm going to go plan out all our moves at the enemy's rally!' Really, nice job. That's the kind of thing that makes my work all the much more satisfying."

Smirking, Pain Killer began adjusting his gloves idly, his eyes focused on what he was doing rather than those he was talking to. The fact was, he didn't see them as much of a threat, physically or otherwise, though then again he wasn't known for his own mental strength. It was possible there was some sort of threat they could have that he wasn't aware of, and so, he would deal with them as he was told to. It wouldn't take long for either Stern or Zeniro to take notice that he'd found troublemakers, and based on their actions, Adam would deal with Kit and his pack as appropriate. Until then, all he would do for now is stall.

"So, Charlotte is your ally? Any others you'd like to name for me?"

[Kit Lee]

"Just because you do not know about it, doesn't make it a secret," Kaho snapped back at the figure that approached them. Though Kaho was taller than Kit, he wasn't taller than the boy who decided to interrupt their gathering. "We're here promoting awareness, and now you are aware. Good job."

"As for planning our moves, what did you learn other than a group exists in opposing Stern?" Kit replied, smiling at the faulty statement. Kit remembered the boy, but he wasn't sure from where. As for the other statement the boy made, it really didn't matter as the school was filled with many many Charlottes. Kit had made sure not to mention the last name. In addition, he doubted Stern didn't already know that Charlotte was opposed to him. Giving a laugh as he smirked in the logic flow of the boy, Kaho gave him a wave and then made a signaling motion with his hands representing that he would call him, that as the rest of the group slowly walked away. There was no need for their time to be wasted here while Kit was representing them.

"Charlotte is my ally, but how many Charlottes do you know? There are three in my English class alone." Not knowing what the boy's plan was, Kit stood there wondering why he had even bothered interrupting them. If he was a Stern supporter, there would be no way he would want to start a fight with Kit in front of all these blind followers when Stern promoted peace. If he was trying to scare them from acting against Stern, it failed miserably due to his poor reasoning.

[tray]

OOC: I really hope that I'm not interrupting anything here. If this was a preplanned thread I will remove myself when informed.

Traytaine walked, or more precisely weaved, his way through the crowd of people int he halls. Students were coming and leaving the cafeteria repeatedly, and the only explanation he had as to why was the fact they continued to mumble things about Stern. At first he had misunderstood, thinking they were talking about someone who was Stern. The thought that someone was actually named Stern was completely lost to him. But either way he was curious why both of these opinions were coming and going from the cafeteria.

But as he neared it became far more obvious. He could hear even through the doors that someone was shouting. He found it a bit off key, too loud. And too many voices trying to fight the one that was rising above them. As the concepts came to his ears he pushed open the doors and slid to the side of the cafeteria, trying to keep himself away from anyone else while he stared at the male student on a table. Pillars, Hiricine, talks of peace, and a walk out? 'This guy is confusing.'

Traytaine moved himself carefully forward, and moved himself to a position just outside the largest numbers of the crowd, and stood on the bench of the table. 'He's talking like a hippy.' Was one of the few thoughts that came to the forefront of his mind. As the poetics continued his attention gradually fell to a few students on the outskirts of the crowd. They were talking about opposing him, openly. It was then that he realized that Stern was an actual person, the one talking, and not the subject matter.

A third voice caught his attention, another male student from his left. Not very far, maybe two feet. Traytaine hadn't even noticed it until he spoke, which left him feeling a bit uneasy. And this wasn't helped by the fact his instincts flared, making his fading eyes stay pinned to the student as he approached the group that spoke against Stern. He was becoming more interested with the situation than he was before, mostly because he had only come in out of curiosity of the mob mentality.

Tryataine shifted himself slightly to watch from above as the two of them squared off and exchanged words. He was disappointed. In both of them really. He had hoped that the threat that twisted his stomach into a knot would end, or at the very least loosened slightly. But something told him that he was about to delve into the threat despite it all. It wasn't something he could pass up. "When does he preach about free love?" He asked as he sat down, his legs on the bench, and stared at those in front of him.

The question was loud, and the tone holding a heavy amount of displeasure. The fading blue eyes had strayed to Stern for a moment, wondering if he heard him over the crowd, and sure that the other did. Only the two remained of the original small group on the outskirt, the rest had left, although the crowd itself remained. "I was sure most hippies put free love in their poems. I just can't remember if it is before or after they cause riots, attack police, and buildings around them.." His tone this time, was a bit more curious. He wanted to know if his label fit right.

[stern]

Stern waved at the crowd, no longer able to speack over it's roar, as any discussion was now taken within the small area that sound could travel. In truth, he was savoring the moment, as he knew he would likely not get this kind of popularity again in his entire life.

He took the moment to eye over the crowd. There were people discussing him, those who simply did not think peaceful methods were a viable solution, or were concerned about the disruption that the events may cause. Those who had such thought would likely end up on the side of the Pillars or Loire, but that was all part of the grand design on Stern's plan.

His eyes eventually found Adam, who was having words with Kit Lee. Stern's intelligence had found out who was responsible for the flyers, and Stern had kept an eye out for how he would aid Stern next. He recognized the boy speaking to him as the young Mr. Kwok. Stern knew of his group as well, but completely ignored they're actions.

The problem with the group, of course, is that they thought people were stupid. No one is stupid in Stern's eyes, they merely lack facts, time, or prespective in order to arrive at the same conclusion as each other....that's why when the counter rumors were spread that the flier that claimed that when Stern said peace he meant war were revealed to be done by an asian child who could barely speak english, the effects Kit had hoped for had completely been erased.

Now they had a group who followed someone views who was publicly considered to barely understand english, wanted a peaceful and stale enviroment, but was not willing to challange the Pillars....and they thought that doing so was to go against Stern.

Paranoid, naive, a facade, many other opinion Stern had heard on this group. The problem was they're key demographic was Hircine students who were against the Pillars and Stern. Most of those who were against the Pillars were already with Stern, and those who were violently against them with Leon. The only person who had any recollection of Stern saying anything negative or threatening were a few leaders in Varron's old gang heiarchy, and they were bsuy with thier own probelms and the Pillars to hope to gather evidence to the fact.

Stern's position, irnonically, was the only truly lacking public doubt. He openly spoke his views, stood to them despite being beaten in public for them, and had a long history among the Varronites as one who established peaceful order....there was no large demographic against him.

That's why Stern was able to know the entire groups members that were, and could count the number on his fingers....there was no where near enough people left to form a group that could match him even if they held the unfounded view those students had...which they weren't going to gain with the negative press they were getting.

Stern turned his attention away as the crowd started to silence again. He would have to tell Adam he already knew about the group. they were nothing, insignificant to the scheme of the larger school, and thier members were on average as weak as Stern's as individuals.

"Some among the students say I am a fool, that my desire to end this without bloodshed is mere foolish idealism! They think that they can force thier views upon others with strength of arms! Well, I shall not argue that this could cause a temporary peace, but in the end it shall merely lead to more problems! For a lasting peace, a bloodless revolution must occur, one when the eyes of those who chose not to see must gaze upon the truth as it is thrust upon them!"

"This school, viewed by the country as one of the most stable, most well-educating, and most portective of it's students should not be marred by the balck stain these injustices and riots continue to cause! We must reign in those who would violently cut these ruined patches from our cloth, and together demand that the school wipe these imperfections from our reputation forever, to become the example for the world to see how a school should be run. For a better tomorrow for ourselves, for a better future for the students that will follow, and for A BETTER HIRCINE!"

The crowd roared again, Stern thrusting his fist into the air. The mass had grown and become so entralled that the sound now became near deafining. The students began to chant "For Hircine" and throw thier own hands into the air, as he had instructed his hidden memebers to insitgate at the end of his speech. No longer was this group a bunch of mild protesters who simply preached thier views about the school, but now a large united body that had grown enough to hold sway.

If Pillars met thier demands, the school would be in a new era of peace and prosperity, with the Varronites too outnumbered to cause trouble. On the other hand, if the Varronites argeed to adopt non-violent views, they would now have a big enough minority that thier stronger than average students could turn the tide. Neither side could ignore them, for even if they didn't want help they couldn't risk them joining the other side.

"FOR HIRCINE!"

Stern joined in, he himself becoming swept up in what he had created. Everything was set, his insturment was prepared. The only thing that could hope to get in his way was if someone managed to figure out his plan. That, of course, had yet to happen before. So Stern allowed himself to relax for the first time in a long time, enjoying this one happy moment before things truly began.

[charlotte]

"FOR HIRCINE!"

The yelling was autonomous, all encompassing, like the chanting of "halleluiah" at a Pentecostal church. The crowd was one; a single organism moving and swelling - a sea of tiny screaming faces, all of them united in a single purpose, drowning out the one voice that had dared to speak openly and loudly against Stern. A few did not join in the cry of the mob, however - those such as Kit Lee and the tiny group he had involved himself in, Stern and his closest associates, and one other. She moved through the throng of people slowly, a black cane leading the way as she made certain that no one in the single-minded group brushed hard against her left leg - as they would be almost certain to do in the densely packed group had she not been so vigilent.

Charlotte paused, leaning on the cane for support as she observed the figure of Stern Mason atop the lunch table - like a politician or some god of the mob. It was true, after all; he did appear the figure of an indomitable demigod, the embodied spirit of a generation long passed, the statue of ultimate influence and the power of ... of what, exactly?

From behind, without a look into his peircing orbs, it was hard to read Stern's aura, but from where she stood, it did not seem quite the same as his previous air of invincibility. No, it seemed almost happy, content, and relaxed ... proud, even. Proud of his work? Proud of the moment? Or perhaps taking one final respite before the big plunge?

"FOR HIRCINE!"

She did not join in the chant; nor did she move to join Kit and his newfound group of cohorts, wanting to distance herself from them for the time being. The observant junior took note of several interesting parties, moving throughout the crowd: one, the powerfully built animalistic man she had first witnessed fighting in the cafeteria, and second, the man who had approached Kit and his friends.

She moved up beside the table where Stern stood, sliding her left leg onto it, her right leg and her cane still firmly planted on the ground. From the half-sitting position, Charlotte glanced up at Stern, not seeing the same powerful politician or god of liberty that many in the mob most certainly saw in him. What she saw was not a god of liberty, what she saw was a man who had begun to sew the seeds of something far greater than hippy rallies and walkouts. She saw in Stern the precursor to terror and to chaos.

"You really know how to get a crowd going," she spoke, loudly enough for Stern and Stern alone to hear, her tone in all seriousness. "I'm beginning to wonder just why I'm out stop your plans in the first place ... though now I'm very curious as to when the real event will be underway."

"FOR HIRCINE!"

[Valencia Donahue]

God has smiled upon you this day~♪
The fate of a nation in your hands~♪
And blessed be the children who
fight with all our bravery
'til only the righteous stand~♪

Valencia was in one of those odd musical moments, thanks to Ruth and Gladys talking about Canada in the past period. It was an unusual discussion that stemmed primarily from American History because each time the US got involved with Canada, the US got trounced, according to Gladys. After that, Ruth decided to go on a frenzy about how Canada was the cause of today’s problems within our youth and half the class broke out in song because they obviously must’ve watched the same musical that the lesbian watched and knew the lyrics by heart. Now, a good few songs were stuck in this Vietnamese lady’s head… And they won’t… Leave. Stern making his speech with people chanting his name didn’t help.

You see the distant flames,
they bellow in the night.
You fight in all our names
for what we know is right
And when you all get shot
and cannot carry on,
though you die,
La Resistance lives on~♪

You may get stabbed in the head
with a dagger or sword.
You may be burned to death
or skinned alive or worse
But when they torture you,
you will not feel you need to run,
For though you die, La Resistance lives on~♪

Since Valencia was still inside the building as she glanced out to the sunny courtyard, there was a good chance that no one saw her slap herself before the rest of the song clouded her judgment. See, this is what happens when you have crazy friends and no outlet. From inside the building, the Asian saw all sorts of things by being outside of the fray. She saw Kit drawing attention to himself, yet another person who is thoroughly convinced that Stern is a hippie (Tray), and Charlotte, approaching Stern and by the way her mouth moved, Valencia began to guess away at what she was saying. She brought her fingers to her lips and remembered how people tend to move their mouths differently in order to annunciate and speak more clearly in a louder volume. Valencia moved her lips to guess at certain parts where what Charlotte said was unclear, then in the end, you have yourself someone who could quite literally read someone’s lips.

“Boy, am I glad that English isn’t a tonal language… If it was like Vietnamese, I wouldn’t have been able to do this at all…”

…She murmured to herself after finishing up when Charlotte ended her say. Valencia’s silvery gaze drifted across the gathering, catching sight of another familiar face with no name. This person (Pain Killer) was the one who approached Stern early on during the meeting in the woods and since he was dealing with Kit, it gave off a good idea as to where he stood in Stern’s hierarchy. Then, Valencia couldn’t help but clasp her eyes upon an individual with a primal aura (Zeniro). It made her uneasy, but she wasn’t afraid, amazingly enough. Her reaction was like how some animals would acknowledge a nearby predator if said predator had no interest in devouring those around it; anxiousness and respect. What Valencia wasn’t able to string together was his association to Stern because she wasn’t thinking about Gladys’s testimony of the event in the cafeteria. Instead, Valencia was thinking about how safe she was on the other side of the window looking out, away from being dragged into the problem and still capable of knowing what’s going on.

Window is open slightly to hear most things… Enough glass to protect me… Plenty of loud, random distractions to keep wandering eyes from straying this way… And~ I have a nice little wall to prevent myself from being intoxicated by Stern’s eloquence! Yay. I’m in a shark cage. Now… I wonder if my camera is with me this time…

[stern]

"It's not really that hard...you just have to watch people when they are silent to know what they want to hear....."

Stern had beeb snapped back on guard when he heard Charolette. Even with the volume she use, it was difficult to hear her over the crowd. He wouldn't have probably noticed her if not for recognizing her voice. Still, he shouldn't have been thinking of her voice at that moment, even in the back of his mind.

~Could I possibly be worried about her actions?~

"Well, in usual fashion I could offr a few theories....but then again, I'm not exactly sure which of my reasons I'm doing this is the one tht makes me do it. Perhaps when my work is done, we'll both have our answer."

he was speaking as much to Charolette as to himself now. From the moment, only he could stop hs plan from happening, and if there was to e any justice in it he couldn't stop questioning himself until his hand had been played....and he couldn't let his guard down again until everything was finished.

[Kyukaku]

(OOC: Writing this for the second time as it got deleted. So forgive me if it doesn't sound as detailed as the first one would of.

OOC #2: Edits have been made, so I'm going to delete our OOC message as well to clear up some spam. Any more problems you know how to reach me Optimus.)

What in the world is going on down there?

Kyukaku pressed both hands firmly against what he guessed to be some sort of ceramic mixture with stone desk. He pushed backwards, leaning in the chair towards the open window behind him. There was the sound of distant yells, cheers, and applause. Upon reaching the window, the reasoning was made more obvious by the mass of bodies. It only took moments for Kyu to put the pieces together, coming up with the most probable situation.

"Stern."

The one syllabled name was muttered as Kyu stood up from the window, leaving the unfinished homework from the night before laying on the study hall's desk. He threw his hands in his jean pockets, exiting the almost empty room and heading off towards the distant courtyard before the room monitor would come in. As he neared the yells and chants grew more distinct, becoming repetivie enough for Kyu to easily make out the words "Stern" and "Hircine" several times over again.

It was strange; Stern had always used below the radar tactics back in Varron, yet somehow this seemed even more mysterious. By putting himself out in the open, offering himself as the figurehead of a non-violent movement, he would be diverting attention from his real ambitions.

Unless that really is his ambitions, just as Adam says.

Kyu shook his head dismissively. He knew Stern wasn't a pacifist. Pacifists don't order beatdowns when someone asks a question. Pacifists don't enter tournaments to show an example of dominance. Stern wasn't a pacifist, and while he fooled most of the populace, even some of his most trusted members, he didn't fool Kyu. Stern had other ambitions, that much had to be true.

As Kyu neared the courtyard, he was forced to begin to wade through the crowd. Pushing himself through the masses, Kyu looked for the ringleader himself, intent on getting the answers he had seeked since day one. Kyu stopped for a moment before making a sharp right, bumping straight into someone. Beginning to apologize, Kyu stopped himself, taking a step back from the beast the stood before him.

"Zeniro..." Kyu stated, more to himself than to the beastial maori, "I don't imagine you're just out and about for the excercise."

[Leon Loire]

OOC: I apologize for the LONG delay to my post in this thread, but the last few weeks have been hectic, and I’ve been busy trying to figure out various things regarding this thread and the event to come. But everything’s set, and I’m ready to jump in. Now, I see this thread has been inactive for the past week, so I hope this post brings it right back to life; just in time to prepare things for Saturday.

IC: The morning sun rung loudly across the Hircine courtyard – wait, that was no bright light of a rising day, it was the chants and rallies of a particular group that brought noise and calls to the cement walls of the High school.

It was the work of Stern Mason, apparent idealist of liberty, peace, and civil disobedience – at least, to the eyes of the ignorant. Had Leon Loire never met Stern Mason at Varron Academy, had he been a fresh face to Hircine High, or had been vacant to Varron’s walls during Mason’s rise there, then he most likely would have gladly joined the idea of bringing peace to Hircine through a march, arguing for the liberty of all students, something Leon Loire desired absolutely.

Of course, he knew Stern Mason better than that. He knew Stern Mason had ulterior motives to bringing the idealism that the two men shared, in a particular fashion that Leon could not bring himself, under any circumstances, to agree with. Before, at Varron Academy, the two men quarreled, and a battle was inevitable; there Leon Loire called for a unified student body under a single leader, and Stern Mason under-minded his attempts by secretly conquering the gangs that opposed unity and moving them against that goal. Now, at Hircine High, Leon Loire called for a drastic change to the unified student body by attempting to manipulate their views and convince them to stand against the System by resisting their actions; Stern Mason now stood to unite those who desired the change Loire also wanted, but without the violence, without the move toward changing the System from the inside, but demanding that the System change itself.

In a way, the two men’s positions since Varron had switched; yet two things had not shifted: the fact that both men desired Liberty in their own fashion, and the fact that Leon Loire desired it through Order, and his rival desired it through Chaos, even if that was not his public intention.

‘What could you possibly gain by playing out this position, Stern?’ Leon Loire thought to himself as he calmly strolled through the crowds, his ears to the chants of the mass enveloping him, and poised specifically to their representative, their leader. Stern Mason spoke as any good political leader spoke: through powerful words, through poetic diction, and through a passionate voice. In a way, Leon respected the man; he knew what he was doing, and he knew what he wanted, and at least, how he wanted to accomplish it.

But what? What was it he wanted?

‘His public intentions are noble enough, and because of it, I can’t argue against him without harming myself. He’s taking on the position of Martin Luther King Junior, demanding that liberties be brought to the student body as King demanded equality, and he demands it through non-violent means, something that is always considered more civil and humane than the act of fighting. If I tried to argue against him, or even attempted to criticize him for his actions at Varron Academy, I’d instantly have to confess my own comfort with resorting to violence.’

As Leon walked past hooting students and murmuring figures, whether supporters or opponents, Leon kept his attention to the central figurehead; he was the leader, he was the voice. Ignoring him was fool-hardy, in the end.

Stern spoke of Kurtz O’Neill’s attack on Leon himself earlier that week, when the two wounded students had been found, and the Pillar instantly went to question Loire, trying to quell the situation by making people feel comfortable that their Pillars were committing to something. While Leon admitted that Kurtz turned around and attempted to antagonize the student body and Loire later on – and at the same time, weakening himself to the eyes of the students – it could have been saved had Odin Reeves not given the man the opportunity to do so.

And now Stern Mason was attempting to play off of Leon’s reputation to antagonize the Pillars as well, by turning them into a symbol of the System’s corruption. He almost made it sound as if Leon was on his side, yet then ignored him directly afterward, speaking of the students who desired peace to stand together against the Pillarship and march as the Civil Rights Movement had, for liberty, for peace.

‘Again, a noble deed, but this sort of thing doesn’t work against a System that is designed to oppress us.’

Leon stood still for a moment, trapped slightly in a cloud of Mason’s supporters, staring out into nothingness, allowing his own thoughts take him. Why had his subconscious suddenly taken him? It was clearly obvious: Leon Loire had struck on an idea.

‘But what if that’s the idea all along, to bring the conflict to the eyes of the entire nation, so that even if the conflict between the Pillars and my own group occurs, it’ll be somewhere the entire world can watch. If it were just a bunch of violent rebels, then the Pillars could be seen as a policing force through national propaganda if it stayed as an isolated event. But if Stern brings together a third group that desires peace, and he marched them in a rally to argue against the System, then opposition to them could only come in additional violence – but this time, against a peaceful group, one that would stem sympathy, and violent or non-violent action across the entire country, leading to people like me who desire liberty as well to take the charge against the attackers of the third party, and inevitably leading to a dramatic revolution, but this time, with the entire nation in view, and not only watching, but participating…’

Suddenly Leon realized that perhaps Stern’s plans were still remarkably similar to those he intended at Varron Academy, only this time, they were a different facial view, and a different subtle whip of control. And in al honesty, Leon Loire wasn’t sure if he could resist the plans Stern Mason may have been planning anymore, considering that, in the end, no matter how terrible or terrifying the ensuing riots and chaos would be, it would only act to reinforce his own cause indefinitely, and virtually guarantee success in eliminating, or at least significantly challenging, the Corporal Punishment System.

And that, of course, meant…

‘He’s probably been playing us all along…’

Leon felt his blue eyes stare out into space, uncertain of what to do, of what to think. If Stern’s plans really were going to occur as Leon anticipated, then there was only one option left for someone like Loire: to stand aside, continue to push forward his own beliefs of battling for liberty, arguing only in word with people like Stern Mason, and continuing the intense conflict with the Pillarship and their supporters until, at last, Stern Mason’s followers would begin their march, and inevitably be attacked and mauled by the System’s defenders, volleying out the repercussion of those fighting or arguing for liberty to stand up and battle against the System at long last, with Stern Mason and his peaceful followers standing as martyrs, as symbols and heroes to their cause.

After all, there had been another option, but with how Kurtz O’Neill had reacted to the events of the fallen pair of students, Tiao Lei Shen’s own relationship with Leon Loire, and Ein Gilsin’s conformist ideology, Leon Loire’s ability to even consider an alliance with the Pillarship was practically gone, and any consideration at overthrowing them would only offer Stern the ability to criticize his actions and condemn his beliefs, and still lead to the inevitable crisis of a potential riot.

So Leon had to follow as he was before… until it finally ended, and at last, the war would come. Yet, accepting that fact was the most difficult thing for someone who wished to bring change through the inside of political power, not from its exterior. Ironically, Leon’s violent actions to gain power in politics would have prevented the violence that was inevitable in taking another path.

Taking in a deep breath as Stern finished his first speech, Leon took a step away from the crowd and entered the exterior ring, trying to get some fresh air, and attempt to cope with the possible truth of the situation – that he may have to accept the tragedy of a nation-wide revolution of blood and war, all for the sake of changing the world.

‘This isn’t how I wanted it. I wanted to change the System differently than… his way.’

Still, a set of words would bring him out of this depression.

~ ”Isn't that cute? A whole secret group dedicated to bringing down one man! It's almost as if you're afraid of him.” ~

The voice of one Adam Rydell was a surprise to Leon, yet his words were sarcastically hostile, and they were aimed at a group that apparently desired Stern’s political defeat. Yet while Adam would continue to speak in his usual fashion, Leon would find himself glaring at the man’s back when he heard his final line: ~ ”So, Charlotte is your ally? Any others you'd like to name for me?” ~

A red hot fire raged in Loire now, specifically of the name mentioned. Leon vaguely remembered the rumors of Stern’s hidden methods back at Varron Academy, and if the rumors were true that Pain Killer still strode by his beliefs, than any mention of knowing Charlotte as a target meant dark things for someone that cared about her.

Particularly Leon Loire.

Marching forward with a brisk pace and stepping next to Adam Rydell just as the man he argued with attempted to play off the name, claiming Charlotte was no specific individual, Leon found himself speaking darkly to the group, his attention drawn to Adam, but also attempting to play influence on the rest of the listeners.

“Now, dear Adam, do you mind telling me why they’d need to fear someone as ‘noble’ and ‘courageous’ as Stern Mason, someone that, besides his peaceful intentions, calls on people like you to act as his muscle?” Leon would state clear as lightning inside the circle of debaters, his violet eyes glaring at Rydell, “I can’t imagine they would; after all, this is only politics! Why fear someone that is only… expressing his opinion.”

Leon leaned inwards to Adam suddenly, keeping his lips a few inches from Rydell before speaking outward in a whisper, “And I suggest you forget about hearing the name of that ‘Charlotte’, or if hands happen to be laid on her from people remarkably similar to you Adam, I swear to whatever Demon overlooks us both, I’ll see you in a hospital. Take that threat as you will; I’d rather not see our… acquaintance relationship dead because you happened to bring harm to an important friend of mine, hmm?”

Leon glared back at Adam Rydell once more, did not allow him to speak out, and then nodded to them all with a fake grin, “Now if you’ll all excuse me, I’d like to listen in more intently on the speaker. He’s an excellent politician that one, whether I dare say agree with him or not. A good day to you!”

And with that, Leon turned on his heel and left the group again, his ears now ignoring Adam Rydell and instead turned back to Stern Mason as he spoke of people that would call him a fool.

‘Idealism is not foolish Stern, but what you call for is terrifying, and for attempting to unleash that upon the world, however necessary it may be, that in itself makes you a fool. Especially since, considering, you have all the power you need to make the very same changes with the methods I follow.’

As he pressed forward, Leon heard a sitting student murmur aloud of “hippies” and their “free love.” Leon could only smirk at the boy’s ignorance, or his conservatism, whichever was speaking for him.

“Liberty is no joke pal; I suggest you remember that.” Leon spoke out as he passed, not even glancing to the man as he continued forward, bringing himself closer to the main speaker, who was – meanwhile, wrapping up his call for the monstrous chant, and within an instant, Leon Loire’s ears were pierced with the calls of Hircine students demanding the voice of Hircine become louder. And indeed, did it grow louder.

“FOR HIRCINE!”

Closer and closer, only a few feet separating Leon Loire from his greatest political rival.

“FOR HIRCINE!”

Finally just below him, a remarkably familiar form now on Leon’s left side, speaking back to the standing Stern Mason with a voice that sounded almost defeated, uncertain, and Stern Mason replied in the nature of a true revolutionist: modest, and poetic.

Just as a good politician should act.

Placing his left hand lightly on Charlotte Anders’ resting shoulder, Leon gazes up at the man that had rallied the meeting and smirks, feeling the icy reminder that he could potentially bring about Disorder… and then a new Order, one that Leon Loire desired absolutely.

And the question to Leon Loire was: could he live with the tragedy if that was his only option, or was another potentially open? Was there still a chance to defeat Stern Mason once and for all?

In clarity, in truth, that option was not open to Leon Loire, at least, not usable at the moment.

“Come now Charlotte, resisting a rival politician’s plans and actions is the name of the game!” Leon remarked, keeping his gaze on Stern Mason for a moment, then adding, “After all, he played his cards well, and knew how to satisfy his followers, so in the end, what else is there to do than to follow our own views and wait for our day to counter act? Even if his plans come to fruition, there is always opportunity to resist.”

Leon looked down to his girlfriend, whom he expected was looking back at him now, then looked back at Stern Mason, his face now a comfortable frown, “Isn’t that right, Stern Mason? After all, our ideology is what unifies us or divides us.”

[Pain Killer]

Rather than answer the boys speaking to him, Adam turned his head away, looking towards Stern as he continued on with his speech. Since Stern was still speaking, Pain Killer could only assume he was either to deal with Kit and his friends as he saw fit, or let them go. The first option, while definately the most fun, would never be allowed at a peaceful rally, so instead, Adam would leave them be.

Even as he prepared himself to tell them to run along, Adam heard a familiar voice speaking from the side, seemingly coming to the rescue of Kit and his friends. Well well, if it isn't the mouth on legs himself. As far as Adam was concerned, the only problem Leon had was that he talked too damn much, and did far too little. Normally, Pain Killer would have dismissed Leon's opinion with a snort and a wave, but the not-so-subtle threat coupled with the insinuation that Adam would have something to do with harming Charlotte was too much to ignore. As Leon turned to leave, Adam's left hand lifted, grabbing the smaller student by the arm and preventing him from journeying on for the moment, though Pain Killer didn't bother to look at him as he spoke.

"And I suggest you choose your words a little more carefully, Leon, as that threat works both ways. If you mess with Stern, I'll rip you apart. But not your girlfriend."

He turned his head, slowly releasing Leon as he glared at him to emphasize his point.

"I am not my brother."

And with that, he released Leon on his merry way, and as he ignored Kit and his friends, Pain Killer began to set out to find more troublemakers.

[stern]

Stern's attention was drawn away from Charlette, back to Adam. He saw Leon, finding it particulerly odd he hadn't noticed him before. If he hadn't picked up on Adam's hostile movement toward him, he wouldn't have noticed him at all.

This conclusion was quickly abandoned as Leon continued his movement toward where Stern was standing. He was particuerly unerved when he noticed where his course had sent him exactly. He had been given information on those he had watched, which included Leon and his new girlfriend. The site of them actually together was something he had not been privy to himself though. He had heard a few subtle details that when pieced together made this as predictable to Stern as anything else, but there was still something about seeing it in person that pulled on Stern's mind. It was probably Stern's view that it would not last long.

It was a reserved thought of his he hadn't bothered to share with anyone, but the pieces for failure where already present in thier personalities. Charlotte clearly fancied men who were strong willed, charismatic men who held strong convictions. He biggest issue with men, however, seemed to be a matter of trust. He noted this with her reactions to certain men. Stern obviously seemed untrustowrthy to her, as that was somewhat the basis for her investigation into him to begin with. Even when given the choice between two men, she picked Leon over Tiao. Leon was a very open person about many things, but Tiao would be forever limited in the truth he would reveal because of his position. Leon was trustworthy, Tiao was not, and thus the matter seemed decided. Leon was, however, equally protective and views where empowered by conviction rather than loyalty, so his ambitions would eventually require him to betray her trust. Still the sight disturbed him immensely, to the point he was not bale to hide it. Perhaps he was simply reasoning in a way that fancied him, hiding behind logic from the fact that thier pairing could actually cause him trouble.

"No, it isn't. Everyone had the same ideals, it's just a matter of how far someone was willing to go for them."

Stern was speaking in his twisted tongue again, saying language that, if listenened to by anyone else besides the tow, would be completely alien to it's true intent. Even Charlotte would be in the dark, as she had deciphered Stern's intent as well as Leon had. To her the conversation would be vague, for everyone else it would be reversed, as Stern scolded Leon for his openly antagonising views.

"Everyone in this school want's the same thing, they just don't realize the best way to get it yet."

Stern stepped down off the table, knowing his work was done for today. He started to walk toward Adam, having to walk past Leon to do so. He actually ignored Charlotte now, this becoming a matter of a rivalry that can only be found in those truly similer to one another, the vicious history almost a fight to see who was the real thing rather than just some inferior copy.

"We all want what is best for Hircine, and my path is the one that will accomplsih that."

That was when Stern finally snapped. He didn't know what it was, but something about this rally had caused him to slip up, to drop his guard, or blind him from what he was doing. He grabbed Leon's shoulder, and pulled him in with his dominating muscles so that only he would hear Stern. Then Stern did something he had not done since the day he started his plans. He told someone something he was probably better off keeping secret, and the worst was that it was the key to this plan.

"and it is that desire that we all want that will give me the power to fufil my duty. Everyone want's what is best for Hircine. The Pillars, those that follow me, and even you. Because you want that, I already know what your going to do."

Stern suddenly broke off from Leon, and looked at him with what would seem to be restrained anger. The fact that Stern looked like he was restraining it, where if he wanted the corwd to see it it would be obvious, would probably make Leon realilze that his anger was very real in this case.

"By the way Leon, how long did you wait after I got back to start planning your moves."

That was the thing he should have never have told Leon. Up until now, all of Leon's plans were actually part of Stern's, he using the charismatic though Varron at heart Leon as just another unknowing pawn, replacing the gangs of Varron with indicidual students. Leon wanted what was best for Hircine, and Stern had decided to abuse that desire from the start. Perhaps Leon would now notice that it was when he tried to stop Zeniro that Stern decided to hold his friend back.

Stern's eye's widened as he realized he let his emotions get the better of him. He quickly turned and walked away, not giving or listening to anything Leon had to say. He knew the truth now, and Stern felt guilt in the pit of his stomach for telling him, indulging himself unecesserily. He doubted Leon would be to make so much use of it this late in the game, but that would be a risk better avoided. He walked away, angry but still presenting that aura of invulnerability and controle that inspired those around him.

~Why the hell did I do that?~

He raised his hand and circled brielfy, giving the sign for his true followers to disperse and thus que the crowd to, deciding he had enough of this apparantly disturbing praise for one day. Right now, something he had never felt for some time, he just wished the world around him would quit messing with him.