on the sudden impulse to voicetest

[credential]

Already you see that you are not the first to stand in the way; you will not be the last.

What we do is not a game for children to reach for with spoiled hands like yours. You will stand down. Now.

Comments

[xochipilli_cursed]

Or else... what?

[credential]

No. Ask a better question.

[sixthanimorph]

Just because someone looks like a child doesn't mean they are one.

[xochipilli_cursed]

Okay, who was the first?

[credential]

And children are no longer taught to think in the figurative.

I fear for the future.

[credential]

Better.

[ He doesn't elaborate any more, but have a small smile. ]

You learn quickly, at the least.

[xochipilli_cursed]

I'm sure knowing which of the two statements you make you want to be asked about the most is a good life skill.

Here's another. What makes you think you have any real say in your fate?

[sixthanimorph]

Who says I need someone to teach me how to think?

So I assumed you were being literal. It doesn't mean you need to talk to me like I'm an idiot.

[credential]

What makes you think one does not? Being observant is a good skill to have, you would be wrong to underestimate it in all its forms.

[credential]

Your assumptions on both counts are not only misled, but telling of your age.

[ Tsk, boy. ]

What did you think I meant?

[xochipilli_cursed]

Because if you ever think you have control of the situation, you're missing something behind the scenes. Some things are just beyond... well everyone.

[credential]

And you think I believe in having control of the situation, then?

[ kids these days, what does the new world feed them? ]

[sixthanimorph]

I'm not that young.

[ Old enough to mouth off, young enough to think he can get away with it. ]

I thought you were being literal. Talking about some spoiled kid somewhere. Was I even that far off the mark?

[credential]

[ one day your mouthing off might find you without tongue. fair warning. ]

Quite far, yes. You think of age as a number of years. It's a convenient means of counting, but it's hardly accurate.

How old are you?

[sixthanimorph]

So why even call whoever it is a child at all if it's so inaccurate?

[ Someone sounds like he thinks he's being very clever right about now. ]

I don't see how that's your business... but if you got to know, I'm sixteen.

[ Clever enough not to outright refuse the guy packing heavy firepower, at least. ]

tell me if this is okay, man

[credential]

Think. If not by numbers, then perhaps—

[ and without warning he's taking hold of the boy, twisting him around and to the ground without breaking stride. ]

By how old your mind and body presents itself. Now, up on your feet.

[xochipilli_cursed]

That or you think talking in a very stern voice will help. I can't really tell what you were going for with the...

[Lowers his voice and tries to sound gruff.]

"You will stand down. Now."

[Coughs, clears his throat then smirks.]

Unless, you think you have control of the situation, you just sound silly.

not a problem at all, someone needs to put him in his place every now and again

[sixthanimorph]

[ He never sees it coming, and it's too fast for him to do anything about. On his feet one minute, down on his face in the dirt the next. ]

AH! You asshole!

[ Scrambling to his feet, he balls his fists and takes a swing at the man's chest. It's an impulse attack, angry, without even the slightest bit of training behind it. ]

[credential]

[ you sound like you have a disease, but saying that would be mean. ah, well. ]

I believe it's called an imperative statement. They still teach those things in school, yes?

Your thoughts mark you as dull, little boy.

cool! thanks

[credential]

[ one minute he's helping stage a takeover, the next he's wasting his free time letting a young man make a prat out of himself. The curveballs life throws you, indeed.

he doesn't even have to move from where he's standing, catching the swinging arm with one hand and taking hold of the boy's nape with another, shoving him aside. ]

Slow. If you have time to call names, spare it for thinking.

[xochipilli_cursed]

[Yes, this man would hate to be mean, right? At least it doesn't kill Aaron's good mood.]

So, you're a people person. I can tell.

The inability to make small talk or hold a conversation with people other than yourself is a definite sign that you'll go far.

[credential]

[ being mean for the sake of meanness is a waste of will and karmic besides. the league of shadows teaches all sorts, but in the end they all bear the same mark - principled men who die for what they believe in, and who serve a cause larger than they are.

insulting a child serves him no purpose. ]

Do your people encourage this waste of words all the time? It seems pointless.

[sixthanimorph]

[ Instead of his punch connecting with the older man's chest, he finds himself getting shoved aside in less time than it takes to say his name.

He's been in a lot of fights, and he's been beaten, but never has he been so easily dismissed. He doesn't attack again, but it's clear he wants to. Badly. ]

Who the hell are you? No one from around here fights like that.

[credential]

My brothers call me Barsad.

[ dismissed - good choice of words. he would welcome an attack, if only because he appreciates the spirit behind this graceless attempt at fighting.

he offers his hand to shake. ]

You have my word that I'll not break your hand, in exchange for your name.

[xochipilli_cursed]

[Whereas where Aaron comes from, the world is ending. No time to worry about his own future, he doesn't have one. ]

My people don't do much teaching. It's more of toss you in the deep end and hope for the best.

Which is why I'm not sticking around to teach you about small talk. You'll just have to figure out that one on your own.