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Somehow, the lack of proper response didn't surprise him. He did glance at the bleeding man on the desk, and, after mentally warring with himself, sighed.

"I'll volunteer too, then."

The hourglass stopped.

Click.

"Mark." The Death lead stared down at his assistant. "What are you doing."

"Uhhhhh," The Death assistant replied helpfully, placing the unfastened bracelet into his pocket, "Well I saw there were five volunteers and, you know, and also this thing, you know like, this uh, Taym's wristband is unstable like, yeah, technology things and didn't want it you know, blowing up the room or you know-"

- "Take him and get the <********> out of my sight. If this happens again, I don't care what lenience I have more than generously applied to you, you will be made a clear example of next time in front of every single Hunter on this island and not even the whole ******** island will be able to save you."

"Yes- yes sir," Mark emphasized, nodding a few times, nodding a few more, dragging Taym by his feet, and then when he was sure he was out of side, pulling out Runic bandages. The door closed behind them with a small thud.

"Now, the five volunteers. It must be nice taking consequences for a someone who will never return the favour. You will carry the wristbands for an entire month where you will serve on probation. Missions on duty will be waived as long as I or my assistant are notified. Any missions otherwise off Island will cause the bracelet to be activated and and as we have someone in this division who specializes in weapon tablet retrieval, I'm sure they can report as well each and every cause of death." He leaned over. "As Taym is responsible for your sacrifice, he can also accept responsibility. If at any point he apologies, directly, to me, then I will consider waiving your suspension time." It was odd for Caelius to give exceptions, but for those who know the Death lead better it wasn't more an exception as it was that he hadn't quite had his fill with the insubordinate trainee.

"Before I dismiss the rest of you, I will repeat myself again. You do not deserve anything. All of you expect things to happen without accomplishing them yourself, and several of you work outside accomplishments without consequence. I expect my rules to be followed, and I expect you to work professionally and not repeatedly ******** up for no goddamned reason. I want results, and I want them reported to me. Anyone seen subverting simple instructions will be considered as a possible danger, and as the leading supervisor regarding the Ourboros situation, it would be a shame to identify anyone here as having potential traits of insubordination. Everyone is susceptible, no matter how uninformed you think you are, and if you consider yourself above a Hunter, then you will be treated as such."

There was a long awkward moment of silence. "You are all dismissed. I want results from your assignment as soon as ******** possible."

There was a small sense of sadness at seeing the whole play of one trainee dragging others into a possible death grip. It was leverage. Perhaps they didn't see it as such, but Solia did. They all now had a certain amount of leverage over each other, the threat of death, even if it would mean their own, was still something of a leverage, and one that she couldn't dismiss, nor, as she thought about it, readily and willingly subject herself to.
She'd changed.
It was a sobering realization to have as she sat in the back of the room, her notes looking more and more like a childish mess rather than actual notes. She'd wasted her time. While some info had been worth it, the bulk of the info was that they were now being tested for their usefulness. To see who would progress and who would not. Solia wanted to progress though for her it was a matter of is one way was better than another. Difficulties, she had them in such ways of decision making.

It was odd to now see those she considered friends possible traitors, parts of a mission report to come, people she had to know watch and observe. Solia was direct in things often than not. Direct in dealing with her questions, mouth opening to on occasion devour her foot whole. She was already on the wrong foot. She was on ice skates over one inch ice with no idea how to even go forward with this. Looking back at her notes, then at those in the room, she just stood and left.
[exit]

He had changed, yes. More aware of other's feelings, less reckless, but willing to sacrifice himself for a complete stranger? He was not that charitable. It was bad enough they had to spy on other hunters and potential allies, as well as have their leave revoked because their "incompetence", as put in the Death lead's words, but to handicap himself from even more missions, risking death and losing Chester once again? That was something he had no intention of putting himself through.

And so he had sat, silent, wondering what naive unsung hero would be willing to even consider such a thing, but he had never thought...
... no, he should have known. Gale was always selfless, as seen from having to put up with his stupidity on more than one occasion, even when he had endangered him and Stormy more than once. And yet, still...

Part of him wanted to tell him to reconsider, tell him not to do something so rash in a vain attempt to save some poor sap who was probably going to be on the receiving end of Caelius' scythe anyways. But he was not Gale. He was a nobody, and he only hoped that the hunter knew what he was doing.
And then... almost immediately after, Wilson.

Not long after, 5 volunteered, and as the bleeding hunter was dragged out, Jake sat silently as Caelius went over the terms. Well, a month wasn't too...
He flinched at the mention of weapon tablet retrieval, and despite himself, couldn't stop the wide-eyed stare directed towards the death lead. Was that why...

Gritting his teeth, he clenched his fist, unable to stop the anger welling up inside. This wasn't what he had asked for. He didn't... ask for any of this...
As soon as they were dismissed, he stood up, frowning at Gale.

"Please. Don't do anything stupid."
With that, he left, not looking back once.

[ Exit ]