Maes Mordechai (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
anatomizes) wrote2014-05-02 12:05 am
anatomizes) wrote2014-05-02 12:05 am
Waking the Dead 2.0 || August 12, 2063 || Friday || Seth's Rest
[Seth's Rest is definitely NOT your typical Zangyaku power base, but that's probably been obvious from the get go. The people around here are different too, and the fresh recruits definitely need some, ah, guidance.
Good thing you're here, Hounds.]
OOC Notes:
+ Going to have open threads for Maes and Alistair if you want to bug them, but this post is generally for the shenanigans that you guys had planned based on Robb Kearney's orders for the Hounds!
+ Ping me if you need details on stuff. ♥
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As for those juniors... the ones who have been singled out are glancing around with expressions that pretty much say "huh okay whatever" and stepping forward.
The ones who bowed are straightening up, and assessing the situation. The others look notably nervous.]
Just paint the picture for any individuals you may want to detail.:) I shall respond accordingly.
No condescension. No irritation.
He starts at one end of the line and makes his way to the other. As he does so, he stands before each one, as if examining something. He spends at least a good ten seconds on each; looking up at those taller than him, towering over those shorter, staring those about his height straight in the eye. No showing of being impressed, and yet no tension in his shoulders that may give the impression of arrogance.
As he goes along, he adjusts their armor (slightly firmly), he dusts dirt or lint they may have missed on their shoulders with calculated sweeps, adjusts guns and knives at their belts (minutely for some, a bit more noticeably for others not as disciplined as their batchmates) into optimal positioning for drawing, closing clasps of gun/knife holsters left unlocked. Once or twice he's drawn a loose blade or gun and examined their weight and balance, as well as how they're maintained, before putting them deftly back into their sheathes.
He's making sure they know he's sizing them up.
He steps away when he's done and unholsters Gintoki from his back, holding him on one end in a firm but relaxed grip. He lowers him to the ground and walks around them, dragging him as he goes along. ]
I have been briefed about all of you. [ A measured beat ] I have browsed through your dossiers. [ He taps a cigarette out of his pack nimbly, pulls it out with his mouth, puts away the pack and lights up with his other free hand ] You are the creme de la creme [ There is emphasis, ever so slightly ] of your Hunter schools. [ Gintoki still dragging along as he makes his way around and behind them ] Top 1% who have opted to gun for a spot in Zangyaku. [ Emphasis made on the name of the Conspiracy ]
You are good. But to be perfectly honest with you and without splitting hairs, [ Another measured beat ] you have not impressed the Magistrate, [ He stops at the point where he began dragging Gintoki. ] for one reason or another.
[ And now, if they look, they will see it. Brigade has drawn a circle 20 yards in circumference around them all, courteous, wary and hotshot alike. ]
I am not the Magistrate and I have only met you now. [ He taps the ash from his cigarette as he looks back at all of them pointedly ] Aside from that, it is in my nature to give the benefit of the doubt and see only the good in people. [ A slow drag as he taps the dirt from Gintoki on his thigh, with a respectful pat on the face of the shield ]
We in Zangyaku [ A pause ] respect strength. But not only of force of arms [ A longer pause as he looks each of the hotshots in the eye ] but also that of character.
[ He takes a long, relaxed drag of his cigarette, enjoying it thoroughly with eyes closed as he puffs the smoke out. When he looks at them again, his features are relaxed as always, but his eyes are dead serious. ]
As of this moment, none of you [ Addressing them all ] are Zangyaku. You do not enjoy the presumption in favor of a Brother or Sister's strength which is theirs by right of their personal mettle.
[ A pause ] You are lucky that I'm assigned to train you, and not any of my stricter Siblings. Because, as I said earlier, I will give you the benefit of the doubt.
[ That circle is cut in deep in the ground. Cleanly. It may have seemed that Brig was just dragging Gintoki, but he was in fact working with his partner the former Searing Wind Dragon Lord to draw that circle geometrically perfect. Force was applied in proper measure. He cut that dirt up at least 5 inches deep. ]
Will do if an interesting idea comes up!
Now to move closer. He makes a point, though, to remain out of sight.
On the end of the operatives, the handful that had bowed were dipping there heads in understanding. There's no shame on their faces, no anger. The general majority is uneasy, and shuffle just a bit - none of them, however, speak.
The ones Brigade ended up singling out, though... some of those guys look a little pissed. Just a little. They're trying to hide it, but they're kids. And their worth has just been questioned.]
Perception dots, go! Sun Tzu, G.I. Joe, go!
Young. Strong. Proud. Probably told everyday that they were amazing, astonishing, superior. Possibly not having ever truly being broken, since no one of their level has ever matched them.
They're trying to hide it, but he sees it. Had it not been for Hawke and the HECATON's Titans' beating the crap out of him over a century ago back in training, he might have grown into that same youthful righteousness, and never grown out of it. Had he, let's say. been made for the NAZIs instead, he would've been far worse.
Good people shaped him. He hopes he can be that kind of good person to these kids as well. Even if it requires heavy words and heavy hands. ]
I am not telling you these things because I want to shame you. [ A beat ] I am not telling you these things because I want to anger you.
[ Flatly. A pause and a drag of his cigarette. ]
I am telling you these because they are the facts. I am telling you these because you need to know them. And when you know, you know half the battle. You can respond accordingly.
[ Eye-to-eye with each of them, so they know that it's for all of them. So they understand that he's focused on them and this isn't just some job ]
Admission of who you are, what you are, and where you are is hard. But it is necessary for self-improvement.
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The route Brigade chooses to take, however, is harder because you always have to be able to put your money where your mouth is, or know when to be silent.
There's a sullen air settling over that particular troupe now, and an air of nervousness over the others. They don't know what will happen anymore; they've lost the parameters for it.
Ball's in your court, soldier.]
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Too nice of a guy to instantly go crazy Drill Sergeant. But not entirely lacking in understanding the need for such. Just that it's not his immediate go to.
He has noted the sullen air from the hotshots. He has noticed the building tension in the others.
Good cop face first always. Hard cop after. He's never liked beating people down. But he knows that there are times when actions speak louder than words. ]
I've said my peace and apprised you of where you stand. Any questions? [ Those last words are addressed calmly to everyone in general. The next words are said sternly however ] Even those which are vehement. Particularly from the ones who are obviously unhappy with what I've brought to their attention. [ Sternly and very much for the sullen troupe. ]
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In the meantime, Maes is going to kill his cigarette and go for another one. It's a lovely day.]
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Speak.
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That one's clearly trying to be the leader, the spokesperson for an interest group that is willing to let him handle things for them. It's the pragmatic thing to do, and lets the rest of them cover their asses.
He is also clearly not Japanese, or had any previous connections to or familiarity with Zangyaku. If he did, he wouldn't have even bothered asking like that.]
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Brig takes a drag of his cigarette and shakes his head as he puffs out the smoke. He walks up to the young man and stands face-to-face with him.
Definitely a tick.
Oh, Jack, if you could see me now. He thinks of an old Titan member before his words come out. Jack was always the hardass. His voice is raised (but he isn't shouting) so that everyone else can hear him, particularly this one who will be taking the full booming of Brig's voice.
Yes, that question got to Brig's patience. Drill Sergeant on. ]
Are you deaf, boy, or just braindead? Were you not listening to me this whole time or were you too busy whining and pouting in your head like a four-year-old brat? I gave my reasons. Do I need to repeat them for your hard, empty head?
[ Brig looks at him straight in the eye, but his words are addressing all of them ]
When I gave you all permission to ask questions, they did not include stupid ones. Am I clear? [ He glances at all of them from where he's standing in front of the loudmouth hotshot ] Or does anyone else want to open their mouths and insert my Pandoran shield into it?
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It's more than enough to get the rest of his group to forget about trying to be brats. On the end of the other people in the troupe, the smart ones (because Maes is now sure that they're the smart ones) have kept their expressions carefully schooled - it's probably because they take no interest in being part of any of this, since they're around to learn. Some of the others are looking relieved, and shooting the brats looks of open disapproval. They learn fast.
A hand is going up from the smart ones. From the look on her face, she has considered her options and believes her question will be worth Brigade's while. If it isn't, she also looks like she'd be willing to take shit from him if she's wrong.]
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He notes the girl raising her hand and his features are back to being flat. No favoritism, no bias. Benefit of the doubt given, but respect and fondness (which may be shown after the session) will be earned. He nods at her. ]
Speak.
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The question was asked out of genuine curiosity, from the looks of it. She isn't challenging his authority: he has long won her respect simply by being in the position he's in.
A few of the others in her group are looking curious as well.]
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No shame in that since I don't believe there's much on me. I only joined the Vigil as of late. Even if it had been otherwise, I've never been a fan of popularity. Just another good soldier.
[ He puts out his cigarette, even though it is only nearly done. ]
Still, thank you for asking. I'm Brigade "Roland" Stevenson. Member of the War Hounds. Netsach: 5th Circle Hunter. Methuselah: Auditor. Zangyaku: Senshi, Eda Oni-Tsukai, Juhi Nami. 122-year-old Promethean.
[ All is said flatly. No boasting. Just facts. The next words however have trace kindness ]
By the end of this day's class, I hope to know you all by name as well.
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Good. Knowing one's place was essential in Zangyaku. Only then could one be allowed to break molds whenever it suited the situation.
"Thank you, sir." She glances around at some of her companions, who all nod in return. "We are ready."
There's a bit of shuffling from the rest. Seems like they're good to go too.]
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I'll admit now that my expertise is unarmed combat and weaponry. For firearms, I defer to my Blademates Brianna Lopez and Kaz Zobel de Ayala; they're much better shots than I am.
Everyone pair up and select a spot within the circle I made.
[ He lights up a cigarette and remembers the first day he met Kalika Shinta ]
We'll skip conditioning cause I expect you all to be in good form, being at the top of your class. We start with weapons and move to empty hands after.
I want to see you all try your best to kill each other but not do so. [ He looks at them all pointedly ] Mastery is not complete without having full control of your faculties. The hand that kills should be able to stop itself at the very last moment.
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Now Maes is going to choose this time to approach. Coming up from behind you and clapping you on the shoulder.]
Top of the morning to you, Brigade.
[No, you did not hear him coming.]
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But years of training and, more recently, constant exposure to individuals like Hikaru Shinta, Elias Tagabigay, and a whole bunch of other people in the Vigil who can sneak up on him like god-only-knows make it nothing new to him.
Also, he thanks very much the existence of Autonomic Control. Wouldn't look good to look jumpy in front of the students. He knows though that Maes felt that tiny, automatic defensive tension with the urge to turn around quickly before his Transmutation kicked in as usual. He turns his head normally. ]
Good morning, sir. I was just busy with the new candidates. [ Brig's mind has already raced through the possibilities. Maybe Maes just woke up and saw him. Maybe Maes had been there the whole time. Nothing wrong with it though. This was Seth's Rest and he Godhand Mordechai. He could go where he pleased. ]
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Heh.]
Were you now? And how do they look?
[Easy as ever, as he's turning a suitably curious eye towards the kids in front of them. As if he hasn't been observing them all from a distance.]
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[Unless Brigade had another motivation for running through the basics of the style again...?]
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[ Brigade looks over the candidates who are now busy trying to kill each other. He's happy to see that no major injuries have occurred and that they are in fact as skilled as top grads should be ]
But I want to see how they fight each other now that I think they have a clearer headspace. [ He's eye-ing the hotshots ] There were some chinks in character that needed some verbal hammering. With those out of the way, I think I'll be able to see their real mettle now.
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[That could be very, very subjective.]
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The thought that they're perfect warriors who have little left to learn, sir, and how because of that they choose not to be receptive. It stagnates learning and growth.
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There is that. Any other "chinks"?
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