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 Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:56 pm
Wraith was rather satisfied with the current pace of recruit advancement. Coupled with what he'd learned during the aptitude test with Asmadai, it finally felt like they were getting somewhere. The world was still a mess, but it felt less so with the sense of purpose newly imbued upon Wraith and thus the entire organization.
He didn't know if Lai was just timid or if he was restrained. It could have been either, and Wraith didn't know Lai well. He couldn't even recall any missions that the man had been on...
A quick check in Lai's thin, rust red folder confirmed this. He had not completed any missions; however, he had gone to retrieve Einar when that man had recklessly tried to kill himself by running off to Europe. Lokiari had been the one to come to Wraith concerning Lai's promotion and ensured him the Russian man was ready.
Well, he'd be the judge of that, Wraith thought, as he sat in the little office in the training facility and waited for Lai to make his appearance.
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:14 pm
During the past few months since the incident in Poland Lai had been scarcely seen by the other members of LOTUS. During the period of time in which Einar was unable to have visitors he was right outside the medical wing or else lurking nearby, doing what he could to even catch a glimpse inside, though he was quickly dispatched by Shee or Lokiari when either of them caught sight of the brown-haired Russian. When visitors were finally allowed, it was no surprise that Lai was at Einar's bed every day, unwillingly to leave his side.
Lai frequently cat napped in his hospital chair or doubled over with his head on the mattress, since the events came back to haunt him in what dreams he had, but it helped little. The Russian avoided places of high activity and the kitchen all together. His hands had started shaking uncontrollably after he dropped the rifle and since hadn't stopped, only lessened somewhat. The idea of picking up a knife after knowing what he used the ones he "borrowed" for? Inconceivable. And even if he wanted to, the shaking wouldn't allow him to hold one for long. He didn't want to be questioned or pressured for details of what happened either, so the Russian had become a ghost in the facility, avoiding everyone or speaking very little and getting away fast when approached.
But today was different. He had found the notice tacked on his door a few days prior, which stated his aptitude test was planned for today at three. At first he had been confused. He had only been at LOTUS less than a year and hadn't done anything that outstanding to warrant this, had he? Still, the words were clear. It was his test and he was to show up at the office inside the training facility promptly at the time given. Which he was on his way to now after visiting Einar, showering, and forcing both halves of an English muffin down into his stomach, which was tightened and very unwilling to accept the food thanks to a case of the pre-test jitters.
The feeling hadn't lessened as he walked from the kitchens to the training facility and now he was here. No turning back now. Lai paused outside the doors that led into the large room, glancing at his faint reflection in one of the windows. Despite the lack of sleep there was very little in the way of shadows or bags under his eyes. His face wasn't pale, rather flushed actually, and his posture was that of an alert man. He was a little thin thanks to stress, but then again always had been, so that wasn't outstanding or terrifically noticeable either.
As he watched he could feel the nerves of meeting with Miss Shee's elder brother, whom he had heard was a tough customer, acting up and beginning to mingle with the adrenaline of going into the unknown and taking a test that would grade his worth and ability to rank up. He could hear one of the wall clocks clicking behind him as he continued to look at himself.
Time is not in motion anymore and yet there it goes. He pulled himself away from the window glass, looking down at his now normal wardrobe of Russian clothing from his time. He looked presentable, professional, and above all, ready. With a quick reach into his pocket to brush against the hair tie he had brought along (one of the things he had heard once through the grapevine about this meeting was a physical exam of some sort), the Russian pulled open the door and strode into the facility.
That straight posture kept up until he was about half way across the room, which is when his uncertainties came flooding in. Lai folded in on himself a little, pausing just a couple feet from the office door. He bit his lip and forced himself to straighten up again. Having Wraith open the door and see the Russian recruit acting timid would not help his marks on this exam at all. With another sharp bite down Lai swallowed his mounting fear, took the steps forward, and politely knocked on the door.
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:35 pm
A knock rang clearly throughout the small office. There were no other sounds to interfere with it, from Wraith's side of the door, and he curtly called out. "Come in."
Wraith realized he should be keeping his thoughts on Lai. But that was not at all what was occurring. Others, unbidden, invaded his mind. There was Maita... unheard of since that day. He had tried so hard to find the man, but it was as if he had vanished. It was, among other things, the cause of a twinge of guilt in Wraith's stomach. The Peruvian man had been like no one else. They had kept him at a distance, suspicious, yet Maita had given them all he had; all his knowledge, intelligence and support. And it was this that had led to his abduction.
For it could only be that. Wraith was sure it was Janus. Not directly; never directly. That was what made it so difficult to fix.
And then there was that girl and her brother. He almost felt an inexplicable bond with the man. But he couldn't endanger his own sister to help him. And what was a pirate to Wraith? Wraith had agreed to help the Captain for one reason and one reason only. That reason was currently hanging around the Captain's sinewy neck, buried under layers of decaying finery. When the man had made his demand, Wraith had initially scoffed. The pirate Captain would have no way of ensuring they held up their end of the bargain. He had just to say yes and rescind on their agreement as soon as they were out of sight. But then--
But then he had shown it to him. And Wraith had agreed immediately.
And what of that man of the snow? That was something that was more worth focusing on now. Maybe Lai could help him with that.
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:03 pm
Lai fidgeted for the brief moment before he heard Wraith say the words allowing him to enter the office. The Russian could feel his fingers twitching involuntarily and he balled both hands into fists, squeezing tight before loosening his grip enough to reach for the door handle. As he turned the knob Lai cleared his throat, already feeling hoarse though he had yet to encounter the man.
The door swung open easily and Lai followed through, a large breath to help keep that bubbling fear down where it belonged was taken in through his nose. As his blue-gray eyes first set on Wraith, all the lessons and drills of high society mannerisms and pleasantries from his childhood shuffled to the forefront of his mind and took their seat right next to his concern about the coming test. The Russian turned and made sure the door shut with a barely audible 'click' before facing Wraith again and taking two steps toward the desk and the empty chair that was facing said furniture.
"Good afternoon sir." Softly spoken, there didn't seem to be a need to raise his voice louder than that since the room was so small and he was only steps away. There was a small light of celebration in his head that went off at the fact he hadn't stuttered to start his sentence. Still, he hadn't the foggiest idea what to say, or do, next. Lai didn't eye the empty chair, just kept all his focus on the man across from him though he let his gaze wander once or twice to take in his surroundings. Best to wait to be offered a seat like a good guest rather than immediately take it without prompting from your host. Plus, the more he could learn about this room, the more likely he wouldn't make a fool of himself by accidentally tripping over something when he was finished and allowed to leave.
No furniture in the way other than the desk and the offered chair, and no rugs either, so I should not make too much of an idiot of myself in front of this man. We shall see. . .
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:16 pm
Wraith simply looked at the other man before he realized why he wasn't sitting. "Oh. Take a seat." He gestured impatiently at the empty chair. His father would have been disappointed in his lack of manners. No, Wraith mused; on second thought, his father would have approved of treating so-called "inferiors" the way they should be treated. He made a mental note to try to be nicer. Wraith thought that he didn't really mean to be rude; it was just that his mind was perpetually on other, more life-threatening things.
"Lai", he started, meeting Lai's gaze levelly, "why did you join LOTUS?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:51 pm
At the gesture and the words Lai moved toward the seat. He eased it out just enough for him to slip his thin frame in and sit. There was a faint squeal of chair on floor and the Russian winced but quickly covered it with another clearing of his throat.
"Thank you sir." He sat down but upright with his feet flat on the floor, folded his trembling hands in his lap and started to squeeze them together, though not as hard as he did outside just moments ago. Judging by the height of the desk top, he was sure Wraith could not see the action. As his superior spoke his name, he smiled faintly and nodded once as though acknowledging that yes, he was the person that the other man was addressing. When the question followed he made sure to pause and think on it, even though it was very straightforward.
"Well, when time broke for me I did not see the initial. . .Explosion?" His heavy Russian accent punctuated his words, and he ended that first statement with a question because he truly did not know how it happened. The Russian had taken ill and passed out that evening in nineteen twenty-six when the fabric of time shredded itself. He had only seen the effects the next morning, and even then at first it seemed like a sickness induced mirage when he looked out his hotel window.
"But when I finally did see what happened and got over the initial confusion, I knew that what had happened was not right. I heard about the organization, along with rumors of your goals, through whispers in Saint Petersburg and it sounded like the right idea, so I found my way here and joined because even though we are, in essence, learning from our pasts and futures, which is helping all of us from all spans of time learn more than we ever could have dreamed before, time has to be set right or else the entire world will be thrown out of order and into chaos even more than it already has."
He spoke slowly, carefully, letting the words form into coherent sentences in his mind before he spoke them. Lai was sure Wraith might consider him slow because of that, maybe mark him down for it, but Lai wanted to make sure he didn't fumble on his answer. As he gave his answer and ended it, his pale gaze never left the other's.
Drop your eyes or look away, and you shall be perceived as weak and afraid, Cousin. Be a man - stare back.
Thank you Sasha.
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:47 am
Wraith nodded as the man spoke, giving his answer. He himself... remembered vividly what had happened when time broke. He imagined it was different for everyone, and this thought has been initially confirmed through conversation with Midori and Sebastien. There had been tiny pinpricks of light everywhere, as though crystals had been falling from the sky...
"And what do you hope to gain by joining LOTUS?" There was always some other reason. No one was noble-- or naive enough to just want to save the world.
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:22 pm
The next question caught him off guard. He wasn't expecting a question like that, but then again this man had never met him before, so this was probably just an interview for Wraith to get a feel for him. Lai hoped he was giving off a good impression so far.
"Well," He started, stopping there to just adjust himself in the seat and buy him a few seconds more of thought. What did he hope to gain by joining LOTUS, other than the obvious reason they all were there? The answer came to him once he settled back down. It was really the same reason he had left Tomsk to travel off to St. Petersburg after the fire. "What I hope to gain is a sense of purpose for myself. Before I came here, I was traveling around my home country, trying to find my identity. So I would have to say I hope to improve here. Better myself and my character."
He hoped to, over time, learn to come into himself as a man. Yes, he had been offhandedly taught how men of high class were supposed to act in his society, but Lai never considered himself one of them. Moving to Tomsk to be with his aunt and her family had shaken up those lessons, attempting to replace them with the social graces of the "common" folk, and that left the younger Lai confused. Back then he never had any real chances to go out and use any social skills, so it was harder for him when he was finally free of textbooks and tutors and it most likely still showed.
There was also the fact he was technically 'blowing in the wind'. No stable job or university schooling back home - he was listless in some sense. The Russian never thought he was destined for greatness, but Lai had the feelings he was supposed to be different in the way he acted and was perceived. Yes, he wanted to change himself, even a little. He wanted to be able to stand tall on his own, rather than meekly off to the side. He wanted to walk down the street without being ridiculed for his appearance, mannerisms, and all that. Had he changed any since he came to LOTUS? The Poland incident must have done something to him, but he wasn't certain yet. He hadn't given himself the chance to see.
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:44 pm
Wraith raised an eyebrow at the response. He hoped Lai had limited contact with Eknephias. "Fair enough. One last question for you." Wraith slid a sheet of paper in front of Lai, where it lay, crisp white against dark mahogany wood. Diplomatic Case Study - The Rwandan Genocide
In 1994, there was a mass killing of Tutsis, a Rwandan ethnic group, by Hutus, a different Rwandan ethnic group. It is estimated the death toll is between 800 000 and 1 000 000. The history of this conflict includes the Rwandan Civil War, which say a rise in Hutu Power, and the ideology that encompassed the paranoia of Tutsi enslavement of Hutus. This led to increasing ethnic tension, which led to the assassination of Juvenal Habyarimana, Hutu President of the People's Republic of Rwanda, thought to be an immediate cause of the genocide.
In the aftermath of the genocide, it is approximated that about two million Hutus, participants and bystanders, fled Rwanda, fearing Tutsi retaliation. "Now", Wraith began, "imagine some of these people fleeing the country learned about LOTUS. They determine that they would like to join LOTUS in order to ensure their safety. Imagine also that you are of higher rank than you are now, and put in charge of dealing with this issue. How would you deal with it? What would you tell them? What do you think about their joining LOTUS?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:49 pm
The way Wraith looked after Lai had finished giving his answer made the Russian nervous. What did he think of his answer? It was truthful, but did it seem weak or something? Lai wasn't in the position to ask questions and of course he wouldn't speak unless spoken to, let alone ask what the Indian man thought of his response. It wouldn't be proper.
"...Ah!" He took the paper as it came to a stop on his side of the desk. Lai reached into his pocket and withdrew a small case, placing his thin-frame glasses on his face one handed while the container remained on his knee. Not even two words in and his mind wiped with worry. 1994? That was years after his time broke. He had never really flipped through the history books in the library for his own country; let alone Rwanda, Africa. Involuntarily, a hand raised to his brow, brushing his bangs back from his forehead as though to better read the paper. Though he was not one to do so regularly, his lips moved silently as he read, startled that this situation would actually happen. A lot of questions came to mind as he finished, the most immediate ones worrying over what sort of questions he'd be asked. Yes, he was born into a political household, but the Russian never took an interest, possibly out of spite.
Before he could focus too much on those however, Wraith's voice speaking up suddenly made him flinch in his seat. Oh, right. He kept the paper in hand but raised his head to look the other man in the eye. Lai angled his chin down so he could look over the rims, lips pursing into a (hopefully) serious line and expression as he listened. It was...sort of political, the questions, and made him think, but the brown haired Russian was happy they weren't 'how would you have prevented this' or 'what sort of treaty could you suggest to both parties', stuff like that. As the questions stopped he read the paper again, getting a better feel for the situation and what he was asked. He imagined himself in the scenario, and again with a slowness to his words that would either tell the man opposite he was mentally slow or just cautious about how his responses came out, Lai began.
"Well," Again he started off with the word, another not coming to mind at the moment. "Given the situation they left, I could see why they would want to join. In its own right LOTUS is a sort of power in this world, hidden or secretive as it may be, and it does have the ability to protect when needed, I am sure." The hand that brushed his locks rose and rested on his chin - he was thinking hard. "While the organization's goals are to aid other countries, the chief one is to ultimately unify time and right what has happened. We have funds and resources, yes, but an influx of refugees - and quite possibly a large quantity at that - could suck those dry in a matter of months."
Not that he wouldn't want to give aid to people who have been horribly mistreated, but he was trying to be realistic. It could be hundreds of people, not just one or two, so adding them to the compound could cause a lot of strain on supplies, money, and space among other things, plus they might bring disease that could harm the current recruits and weaken the task force. But still...Being the kindhearted man he was, he couldn't just shake his head and point them to the road down the mountainside. What would he say?
"The first question is 'how would I deal with it', and I would say that, at first, I could not possibly let any of them into the compound; at least until there was some sort of medical exam done. Refugees from war torn countries - and third world ones at that - are at risk for a lot of disease, and that could potentially have negative effects on all of the recruits and on LOTUS as a whole." Doing a medical exam on hundreds of people would take up time, supplies, and manpower, but in the long run it would be better to do than suffer the possible consequences. "Food and some sort of shelter could be offered after, for a short time, but with a number that could be in the hundreds it would be difficult to do, I think. Plus, depending on the current government over in Rwanda, they could have negative views on us and send forces to attack for extending aid to these people.
"I would say to them that while we understand their situation, we could only offer shelter and such aid for a limited time only. Not because we don't want to help them, but because we can only support so many people here on what we have. I could, would, say that I would try what I could to see if there was some place else that could protect and house them, but stress that we can only do so much for them as a neutral party." He thought about his words, and nodded to himself. It sounded right. "This could cause an uproar, but LOTUS cannot put itself in such a volatile situation like that. Like I said before, I understand that they are looking for a place to go, since they cannot go back without risking death, but we have to remain neutral and keep our own in check."
Two questions down, one to go, and it wouldn't be too hard to answer.
"For the last question, again the ultimate goal for all of us here is to reunite time. The refugees are purely looking for safety. Those obviously conflict, so my thoughts on their reason for joining are not positive." The Russian frowned. He must sound somewhat cold hearted for what he was saying. "I would want to help, do not get me wrong sir, but there are more negatives than positives for this situation. I would do my best to find a suitable place for them to go and make them comfortable for the duration of their stay though." He could cook, he could sew, he had learned some medical things while caring for Einar, but Lai found he couldn't state anymore to those questions and fell silent. He watched Wraith in silence with his blue-gray eyes trained on the man, watching and waiting for whatever came next.
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Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:58 am
Wraith waited silently as the man produced a pair of eyeglasses and read over the case. He nodded slowly at Lai's first points in his argument; they could protect things, that was true. The protection was limited, but LOTUS had built up enough of a reputation for people to hesitate. And funds... Eknephias might have seemed rather useless, he thought ruefully, at least to the the recruits. But he and Thasios had brought with them the bulk of LOTUS' funding, a fact not well-publicized. Not that he wanted to publicize it.
He nodded again at the mention of a medical exam. Wraith had not thought too much about this aspect of the problem, and was intrigued that Lai had brought it up. He made a few notes as Lai continued. Political retaliation, check. Staying neutral, check. There it was. Lai had said exactly the right thing.
It wasn't that Wraith was cold-hearted, so much as that he worried a great deal more about LOTUS than he did about other things. Wraith would never for one second have thought about letting in any such refugees into the LOTUS compound. Housing them somewhere else, though? That was exactly what he would have attempted to do. Lai was right; as much as it may have seemed like it to others, LOTUS was not a humanitarian organization. Wraith was satisfied with the answer he had received from the Russian man. The only thing that Lai had not picked up on was the possibility that some of the refugees may have been core instigators of the event, and the possibility of violent in-fighting among the refugees. Or maybe he had and not mentioned it, choosing to treat all the refugees the same. Whatever it was, it was a small thing.
"Good. The next portion of the test is physical in nature. What sort of combat do you believe you are the most well-trained or accustomed to?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:40 pm
All the nods Wraith gave as Lai spoke his reply made the Russian feel like he had done good. He relaxed in his seat, finally letting his shirt touch the chair's back rest. He felt like his answer had hit key areas of the questions, but like he thought before, he wouldn't outright ask Wraith. He enjoyed his momentary allowance of rest but as the man started to speak, Lai was back up in his alert posture, though the words that came out of Wraith's mouth made him want to sink down again.
A physical, combative exam.
He had heard rumors of such a thing, and so he was somewhat expecting it, but Lai had never been trained in any sort of combat. Yes his cousin back home had tried but that, to the Russian, was more like some kind of hazing ritual that had epically failed and left him battered and bruised. Still, he wasn't totally at a loss. What was he good at in a physical sense? Bicycling and cello came to mind, but he doubted Wraith would allow some sort of speed race or a music battle. Though the latter would have been pretty neat to do, in his mind.
". . ." He opened his mouth as though to speak, but closed it just as fast. Lai had learned to climb trees and fish from said cousin, but saints alive he hadn't done those in years. During the Poland mission he had fired a gun (and killed a man, much to his recurring horror) but that was definitely a one time only thing for him. By now he had most likely forgotten how to properly hold a rifle, let alone fire it, and he was sure his hands would start to shake violently with just a passing glance at one. He had to come up with something though and in thought, his right hand raised, sweeping the hair from his brow away from his eyes. As it happened, he could feel the indentation just under his eye from his archery accident months ago. Healed, but scarred from that incident, and he hadn't touched the bow since then. And yet...
"I have never been officially trained in combat sir, since during my time school studies took hold of the majority of my days, but I dabbled in archery once or twice as a child." He never hit the target then, but he had in the training facility with Einar. Once, and not the bulls eye, but good enough right? Still, he wouldn't mention that. "So I think I would be most accustomed to that, out of the things I do know."
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Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:39 pm
Wraith nodded. No need to call Thasios; Wraith was nowhere near as good as the Greek man was with a bow, but he was passable. Good enough to test Lai, anyways. He stood up, and opened the door. "Come out into the training area." Wraith exited first, ducking into another room and hauling out a large target. He brought out a simple recurve bow as well, holding it out for the Russian man.
"I hope you're good enough to not hit the wall. You'll have to pay for repairs." He wasn't serious, of course. LOTUS was fortunate enough to have a steady stream of income. But Wraith figured it couldn't hurt to instill some fear and desire to do well in the man.
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:26 am
At the command to get up and depart the room, Lai stood and followed Wraith out. He shut the office door behind him with a soft 'click' of the latch, watching and waiting as the Indian man set up the target. The Russian felt a small bubble of relief - that target was larger than the one he had fired at with Einar, so there would hopefully be less of a chance for him to miss. As the bow was offered he took it with a nod, inspecting the ends where the string looped over to check for any wears where the bowstring tied. He had gotten away with only a scar last time, if it happened again he might not be so lucky.
"Y-Yes sir." Wraith's voice made him look up and drop the bow to his side. When he had fired last his misses had gone into the floor, but given the seriousness of this test, he would make sure he did not miss; floor, wall, or otherwise. Plus, he didn't have too much for coin and no idea how much a wall repair would cost. Either way, the Russian was determined to do well.
"May I ask how many arrows we will be firing each, where our firing line is, and how this portion of the test will happen, sir?" Wraith didn't say before and the Russian wanted to see just how hard this part would become. Something in his mind made him think there would only be three or five arrows to each man, and the accumulated total of points scored would determine the winner. He had no idea how good his examiner was, but Lai was sure he would be better than fair.
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