The Sewn (Genaht members and hopefuls)

[pinefresh]

Pine had been going the last hour around the school lockers. He knew the locker numbers of most of the old Genaht members including Dirk and the Alkaiser. He was able to (with a little work) open each locker and leave a small surprise in them. When every member opened their locker they would find an armband. Not just any armband but the same black studded armband worn by the members back at Varron. Each one had a little string attached to it with a simple note.

Ol' Lipless is back and as such so are we. Meet be on the roof two days from today at 1600.

-The man of wood

Pine signed with a riddle. The older members might understand it but most would not. If they were true members of the gang, their curiosity would bring them to the rooftop in two days. If he were lucky they might even bring some hopefuls along.

TWO DAYS LATER ON THE ROOF

Pine sat on top of the concrete encasement that held the door to the roof. He was able to watch every member walk through the door before they even realized where he sat. Nothing could beat his vantage point. He was patiently waiting for the others to arrive. So far there was only a small group of students there. These were the more placid members of the gang that remained. Many of the more violent members were sent to Paragon or now follow Dirk. All that Pine knew was that he and Alkaiser were the last of the old violent elites from Varron. These men would take some molding and training before they were ever ready to fight against the students from Paragon.

Speaking of Paragon Pine even invited a few members from there, including Vince. Pine needed Vince here to help him get the ball rolling. With many of the main fighters in Paragon he needed more than just himself to train these people. He did invite Alkaiser here as well but had his doubts if he would show any support. Being the pseudo-captain right now meant that he needed to put the best interests of the school forward. Depending on how he saw the recreation of the gang would determine if he would help or hinder. Pine was here just to follow orders, bring them in and train them. That was all he needed to do. From there it would be up to himself, Ein, and Vince to determine how to best use them. The main objective however was to keep Paragon from waging war on Hircine.

Looking at his watch, Pine could see that he had 10 more minutes to wait. He just hoped that the main guests would show before that time was up. Pine's strong points were his tactical mind and his fists, talking was not something he was particularly good at. He would need the help if he were to sway most of these members.

[Alkaiser]

Alkaiser was somewhat puzzled by the note. Although it's meaning was vague, that wasn't necessarily what he was struggling with.

"Okay...Pine wants a Genaht reunion day-after-tomorrow. But..."[/i]

The real problem Steve had with said message was that he had left Genaht shortly before it's disbandment. He didn't know what more was left to be said to him. That little bit of intrigue was just enough to warrant his presence at the rally. What was the worst that could happen?

With that thought in mind, Barzahd stepped onto the roof, where he was greeted by several of his former comrades. It was nice getting to see them again, and he figured his support would be taken as a sign of good faith after the way things ended. Most of all, Steve wanted to see Ein again. Gilsin was a man that he respected, despite disagreeing with him on several occasions. Although there was little doubt that the man could make a comeback, he still needed to see to believe.

"Alright...lets get things started then."

[Vince]

Vince had made arrangements at Paragon for his leave. It was hard enough to convince his ragged men that they needed to be leaderless for the few hours and possibly the full day that this meeting was to be, most of them not believing that Ein was make a re-appearance. They had only afew trickle down rumors from Hircine, a place where the Network was firmly seated and could spread all the information or disinformation anyone wanted, for a price.

Still Vince was relatively sure Paragon wouldn't suddenly blow up in hid absence and left for the meeting grounds. He was leery of the whole ordeal, cautiously making his way through Hircine to the roof. He still wasn't entirely convinced himself that it wasn't a trap set by Dirk. Once he made it to the roof, sighting old friends and and remembered faces he relaxed for abit.

Vince would quickly begin greeting and chatting with the larger group of men that had arrived. Giving a swift nod and grin to Alkaiser and another more solemn one, almost a salute, to Pine once he was pointed out to be ontop of the roof access building.

Vince half wondered what became of Dirk, he wasn't the type to let something such as this happen too easily, and he had the manpower at his disposal to do something about it in most cases.

[pinefresh]

Pine checked his watch, it was time. As he looked down he saw both Vince and Steve had arrived. A mental sigh of relief crossed his face at seeing both. He waved back at Vince (who he knew through a few photos he was given) and at Alkaiser. Pine stood up and looked at the crowd who had now mostly turned to look at him. So many faces, so many people he knew and just as many he didn't. How many of these men and women would be willing to fight beside him? How many had already severed ties with the gang when it was disbanded? How many would willingly come back.

Pine banished the thoughts from his mind. He needed to focus on what was going on now, what Ein had asked him to do. He took a deep breath and spoke.

"Well how is everyone enjoying the little reunion I set up?" He asked with a smile before continuing.

"The truth his I brought you all here for a reason. That reason is simple, but to understand it I must let you know the history behind it. Four days ago I found Ein walking around the the school grounds, he was for whatever reason looking for Dirk. Upon questioning him I found out he had plans of reviving the gang here. For whatever reason he originally wanted Dirk to be the head. I do not know where Dirk is right now, I did invite him here, this meeting is for all members past and current not just some. I have fought Dirk and put my argument forward against having him lead the gang. In the end I won and he asked me to head the faction here. I refused and put forth another argument, one most of you might like. The reason also that Vince is here, this is also something he needs to here. Ein wants the gang brought back in two factions, one for Hircine and one for Paragon. The idea behind this is with two factions we can protect both schools and quell any unworthy factions trying to destroy peace. I am to be in charge here, Vince is to be in charge at Paragon, and Ein will look over both factions. He will not interfere in the governing of either faction unless needed and will only intervene if necessary." Pine said as he looked around the students around him. So many mixed expressions, so many questions, so little time to answer them all.

"However I cannot lead unless a few conditions are met. The first is that those of you willing to return will do so with me. The second is that the acting Captain, Steve here, a former member, will accept us. To protect the school we will need to make sure the Captain will not fight against our actions. The last is that the leader of the faction in Paragon is willing to work with and accept me."

Pine looked around the group his eyes stopping on both Steve and Vince as he waited for replies from both. Depending on their answers he would either be able to raise the gang here or would fail.

[Kyousuke]

Ketsren had no idea who the "man of wood" was, but he couldn't help but snicker at the sheer humor of it all. But as a member of Genaht, and having a connection with Kyousuke and Vincent he was required him to take it seriously. He had to think about how heavily armed he would go to the meeting, but that wasn't hard to fix up. A simple call to Kyousuke to have him at the school during the meeting and he was as safe as he was going to get.

He ended up showing up a little late, but he didn't make all that much noise because he was smaller and genetically built to slip into areas without too much fuss. The only thing that had him standing out was the scarf that was wrapped from his neck to his nose thanks to how cold it was on the roof. He was always cold, but that didn't mean that he would wear the same thing when it was actually colder, wearing an overcoat and heavy pants was comfortable.

It wasn't hard to guess who had shown up, and who the woodman was. Alkaiser and Vince were some of the more outstanding members of Genaht, although he had a hard time caring if Alkaiser was going to support anything they did or not. He had always been of the opinion that Genaht shouldn't care who else has positions of power, or those who opposed them, but it was more complicated when the obstacles were inside of the same gang.

"So Ein is unimportant unless moderation is needed, Dirk is strangely absent, and you are taking over half the overall role Ein held." Ketsren stepped out from behind Vince, looking small and frail in comparison. "I don't think it's paranoid to point out that it all seems kind of convenient to be handed all of this information in a single chunk of time without any real reason we should simply accept what you're say at face value."

[Vince]

"Ein will be here if you truely feel a member of Genaht would make such an arrogant power play, Okama."

Vince would give a small smirk to Kestren, wondering if the old nickname would still send the man into an indignant flutter. If it did it would only show how slowly men changed, or how quickly they turned into new people if it did little to bother him.

"You've my support Pine, and those of Genaht in Paragon that aren't in a hospital currently. Ein's been over afew things with me, though how far we go I don't know. He sees something coming."

Vince would shift slightly then. Looking about knowing that for the most part the small group that had gathered would be nodding slightly in agreement. The affirmation of Ein's impending arrival and Vince's approval giving them some morale in the situation. Though the Mouth himself was wondering about Dirk.

How and why Ein might want to use the man, and why he wasn't informed.

[pinefresh]

(OOC: Yeah so I'm just going to continue on and hopefully Alkaiser will jump in soon)

Why should what Pine said be taken at face value? The question held merit when it came to the members that did not know him. Pine purposely did not introduce himself just so the question would come up. He needed to know if there were any minds here that perhaps did not bother to do their research before coming. It would have only taken a quick question to one of the old vets to find out about Pine. This boy was not as well adapted as the others it seemed. At least he was the type to ask.

Pine's eyes shifted to the Vince as he challenged what the by said. His logic was infallible on the subject. In actuality had Pine been trying to usurp power from Ein he would be here to challenge it. Assuming he was able to beat Pine to the punch. Pine chose the moment after Vince spoke to address the boy.

"It is a fair question." Pine began. "As you have already gathered my name is Pine. Yes I'm named after a type of tree. As to why Ein put me in this position is simple. I held a similar one back at Varron when Ein was absent for a bit. I am one of the original members and the gangs first sub leader. I lead the gang in fights during the gang uprising at Varron. I fought wherever and whoever it was deemed necessary to do so. As for Dirk, he already knows what is going on. He might not be here but I'm sure many of his men are. What comes to pass here will be relayed to him and he will do what he feels is necessary. Though to his members, Ein would like you back here with us. As such you may return to the gang if you so choose."

[Alkaiser]

Steve smiled as he looked down at the rooftop under his feet. He was not here as a member of Genaht, but instead as the acting captain. Once that was made clear by Pine, Steve assumed his role accordingly. His ears perked up, his eyes took in each familiar and unfamiliar face, and he began taking in each little bit of information that he could. Support of the captain was not something that could be given based on preconceived notions of trust. That kind of pull had to be earned.

"That being said," Alkaiser loudly interjected, "recognize that in choosing now to resurrect this group, each and every one of you will be under the microscope. I can't let your actions go unchecked, but if you do well in my eyes then you will be granted all of the freedom you need to operate within Hircine walls. "

After addressing the group as a whole, Barzahd looked back to the man of wood. He raises his eyebrows inquisitively, as if to silently ask if that was enough support on his part for now. It was true that Steve could use the help of Genaht mark II to gain him some more sway among the student body, but he couldn't put all of his faith in them just yet.

[Kyousuke]

Ketsren felt his expression sag into a frown when Vince openly jabbed at him with the old nick name he thought had gone unused long enough that it would be forgotten. No such luck, but he shouldn't have been surprised. If Vince had forgotten one would have to assume body snatcher counter measures were needed. He felt a brief rise of anger, but otherwise just tensed his jaw and glanced away from Vince.

Then Vince made the only cjoice he really had. If someone was going to misuse the name of Genaht then you would want to be viewed as someone that instantly accepted a role inside of the group to avoid suspicion, or you simply took the words at face value. Either way the choice was a simple and straight forward one.

So with a sign Ketsren reached inside of his overcoat and pulled out his Genaht symbol, clasping it into place on his forearm over the heavy layers he was wearing. "Okay, Genaht is active again. Should I assume that we are taking up the zero tolerance policy of the previous year?"

[pinefresh]

So now the Captain stated the obvious to the minds around. They all knew they would be watched. Pine got exactly what he expected out of Alkaiser, you play ball and we'll play ball. Pine was willing to accept that for now. He needed the support to gain members and fulfill Ein's plans. This would also allow him to move around and remove Dirk's men without much trouble. Pine nodded at Alkaiser as if to say 'that's all I needed' before addressing the next comment that came about.

Pine looked down at the boy that spoke out against him. He had slipped an arm band on over his clothes to show his support. At least he believed it was to show support. A eye would be kept on this student for a while. At least until Pine could figure out what his intentions were.

"Yes and no..." Pine began as he thought about what had happened last year with the riots. The fact was most members did not want to talk about it. The original idea against the watchers was to out do them at their own game. Genaht had failed at this. Revelation gained the support of the Pillars and waged war on all. Ein in the failure disbanded the gang. This was something Pine was not going to allow.

"We will be acting primarily as a security force here. That is Ein's wish. As it stands there are whispers of war between Hircine and Paragon. Before I came to Hircine there were already a few problems. Hircine does not have the fighters or the minds to adequetly defend itself. Many of the best fighters from here ended up at Paragon. As a result our first order of business will be to sharpen the mind and harden the body. We are few but at Varron we were dangerous. I'm sure some of you remember how I ran some training there?" Pine asked looking around.

Some of the older members smiled remembering the training camp in the woods. Many of the older fighters spent time there honing skills or training new members to become fighters. Dirk had called him warmind and he was not wrong doing so. For Pine his acceptance was a declaration of war by the gang. A war on all that threatened them and the school. From lowly unorganized rabble up to Revelation. All would fall before Genaht this time. He had the backing of the Captain and many in the network. Pine was going to exploit both for all they were worth.

"With the Captains permission I would like to start working hand in hand with the security forces of the school starting tomorrow. Training in combat arts will start in three days for the rest of you if you wish to follow. I would also like to ask if Vince would be able to send men to help me train and those that need some refresher training."

[Gilsin]

Ein would finally open the door as Pine finished his speech. He knew he was late at this point, but it couldn't have been helped, between working to move past the security of the school and afew minor attempts by the remnants of Dirk's group, there was little he could have done to arrive earlier than he had.

The large man would close the door behind him and take off the backpack that had been strapped to his back just moments prior, setting it down infront of him, pulling a cable from it and plugging it into the phone that was in his hands. He would press afew buttons and a synthesized voice would emanate from the backpack.

"Thank you for attending. For the few in doubt of Pine, his words are the will of Genaht. We are to rebuild and stop the coming ignorance. Such shall not be an easy task and one that has little hope for success. The two schools are being poised by those outside to destroy one another, that much can be seen and must be restrained."

Ein's eyes would watch the expressions of those around as the listened to his new false voice, amused by being able to watch more closely without the need to think about how his face looked or which word to say next.

Of course it did allow for other nagging thoughts, the most persistent being the idea that many of the former Genaht would not return and frighten off any potentials.