Calling em’ out (Pillars 1 or more)

[Gabriel Seran]

Waking up was troublesome, it was still dark out when Gabriel shifted the shudders and rolled off of the comfortable bed that’d cradled him earlier that night. He was stiff and needed a jog or something to stimulate him if even for just a short while. Breakfast had been just as disappointing as the night, a lot of hype and at the end of the table just something pleasing to the eyes. He was testy and groaning and full of lackluster spirit. He suddenly had a twitch in the back of his head urging him to do something completely stupid. Was it the male gene that screwed him over from the start, most likely but it needed to be appeased.

He floored the gas on his car, zooming towards the school too fast to be healthy. A wide sadistic grin on his face amused at this stunt. A lighter in hand and the insationable need for fire. Or that’s what his subconscious was telling him. He was rational and competent of thought at least to the extent of what the fire’s purpose was. It was a symbol of his retaliation, he was making a suicide attempt on his own to piss off the pillars and hopefully gain support amongst others looking for a side. Stupid as it was it had a certain charm to it at least in his head, however much sleep he’d lost.

At the school grounds he was more than happy to find it empty and devoid of life. It took him but ten minutes to write the words, CALLING ALL PILLARS, in lighter fluid. From there he covered his tracks walking to the top floor of an overhang to watch as the student’s arrived for their classes later that morning. Ten, fifteen minutes later and what had looked to be the entire student body had arrived at the premises. And in a flip of his wrist the match was off dropping unto the line of fluid setting the front lawn ablaze.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Mathew Amtrum, Student Body President and Earth Dragon was the first on the scene. He was actually in the area when it happened. Close enough to hear the whooshing sound as the message lit up. Mathew, along with a fair amount of other students stared at the message, though unlike the masses who were struck with awe and chattering Mathew simply let an amused smile cross his lips. He focused his Qi in to his hands feeling the power course through his hands, the tingling sensation. The person wasn't far.

Mathew clapped his hands, sending out a loud blast of sound designed to effect the inner ear of those around him and knock their balance off. He didn't know the vandal was on the overhang, he was simply looking for a way to get everyone's attention. Though if he had known he would have done the same thing, since the loss of balance very well could send the kid falling down in to his own message. Now THAT would be funny.

Providing that the vandal did not fall in the humorous and convenient way in to Mathew's view he would simply speak up, knowing that the person was nearby if it just lit up now.

"Not bad, a bit flashy and over the top but it works. Still your technique needs work. This is far to slow for a challenge unless you luck out and one happens to be here. Also challenging the pillars without us knowing who you are is also a bit ineffective. I give you a B on your creativity but the planning gets a D minus." Said as he shook his head. Mathew was a pro when it came to challenges, after all he had a long career as a troublemaker. Though he was putting that behind him, well sort of.

[Matrim Gallagher]

"Not bad, a bit flashy and over the top but it works. Still your technique needs work. This is far to slow for a challenge unless you luck out and one happens to be here. Also challenging the pillars without us knowing who you are is also a bit ineffective. I give you a B on your creativity but the planning gets a D minus."

"I don't know about that," Matrim said leaning over with the cigarette in his mouth. He lit it off of the lawn and stood back up. He had one of his arms in a sling, the other one he used to remove the cigarette after inhaling, "Saves me the trouble of getting the lighter out of my pocket, so maybe he planned on helping a fellow out with a light."

Matrim wondered what the challenge was. Even with two broken arms he couldn't help but wonder, "Of course, you've got to wonder what kind of challenger doesn't leave a calling card. Could have at least left initials like Daredevil."

Matrim began looking around, smoking the rest of the cigarette. When he was finished he would drop it, stomp it, and put his arm in the sling, making both arms crossed in front of his chest.

[Gabriel Seran]

Gabriel watched curiously from the dangerous overhang, only a nudge away from sight, if he were to stand it would be fairly obvious where he was but at this point he was unsure of what his next move was. It was all planned out earlier but this certain spurt seemed to be out of just pure instinct, a moments delay would have left him wondering. A loud clap shock his eardrums loosening his perception of balance, he stumbled awkwardly forward before over exerting himself from behind, stumbling into the wall which he grasped with the tips of his fingers attaining a shaky grasp at it. His figure however dangled forward giving away his position now standing at a slant, feet and arm still attached at the building’s end. To anyone below who didn’t see his stumble it may look rather cool but he was fairly embarrassed about the moment he’d been startled.

"Not bad, a bit flashy and over the top but it works. Still your technique needs work. This is far too slow for a challenge unless you luck out and one happens to be here. Also challenging the pillars without us knowing who you are is also a bit ineffective. I give you a B on your creativity but the planning gets a D minus." Said the pillar as he shook his head.
Gabriel sighed from atop the window perch still overlooking the steady burning of what was left of the lawn, the grass would stay like that for a good while a hefty reminder to whomever looked unto it that would be provided all this went well.

"I don't know about that," another Pillar said leaning over with the cigarette in his mouth. He lit it off of the lawn and stood back up. He had one of his arms in a sling, the other one he used to remove the cigarette after inhaling, "Saves me the trouble of getting the lighter out of my pocket, so maybe he planned on helping a fellow out with a light."

"Of course, you've got to wonder what kind of challenger doesn't leave a calling card. Could have at least left initials like Daredevil."

Gabriel smirked a wide grin before he’d decide on making his appearance, funny weren’t they; humor comes easy when you’re at the top. He didn’t specifically know either of them, the one in the sling was the varsity captain that much he was sure. The other one however had to be either the media director or student body president. If he had to choose it’d be the later, being first to the scene and all. Was this the right chance to make an appearance? He wasn’t assured yet; Rem was right in one aspect he didn’t truly know the Pillars nor their strengths or weaknesses. Where he was wrong however is assuming Gabriel was insolent. This would most likely prove to be a suicide attempt, seeing as how it’d be two vs. one but its purpose and intent was to find a weakness. As of yet Gabriel could only play off of their pride, their assurance of victory, that was a weakness, never underestimate your foe.

“Of course because everyone here works towards your will Varsity captain!” Gabriel shouted from the rooftop with obvious sarcasm in his voice.

He was humored now, giving off the same cocky air they themselves would surely have, though it was a fake persona he had no illusions of grandeur, not now anyway.

“And you President, I can assure you that a fair share of planning went into this.” Yet again he was telling the truth but what would anyone suspect of him, probably making himself out to be a lunatic.

[Damien Kross, Jester]

Sigh... Not a goddamn day can go by without someone doing something foolish, stupid, or downright dangerous... But, there was a plus side to that- I got to report on it. Goddamn, being a Pillar was fun.

From a window facing the lawn- the newsletter's room to be precise- I watched this all unfold. My Qi, the ability to bend sound waves, allowed me to hear what they said to each other, even from my safe distance. With audio intact, and the video camera in my hands recording everything, this would make for quite the story...

Especially after I tinker with the details.

OoOoOo, devious.

Anything for publicity.

From this height, seeing me would be quite a task, unless he decided to actively scan the windows for some reason... So, until he tried, I would be the perfect little voyeur.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Mathew who had been scanning around to find the person responsible for this did see the boy stumble and catch himself. He couldn't help but smirk at that. He didn't know the kid, but that was a good sign. In Mathew's mind if he didn't know someone then they were unimportant. And if they were unimportant then it meant that there was no threat. Chalk it up to him being a cocky bastard, which he will more then gladly admit to, but it was just how he saw the world.

It was confirmed that the kid was the one that did it indeed when he started to yell at them. Defending himself saying that it was planned, out. Not to mention taking a shot at the Varsity Captain's ego. All Mathew would do was roll his eyes.

Once again focusing the Qi in to his hands he clapped them together causing another burst of sound as he flicked his hair out of his eyes. He didn't know if the kid was going to fall, but if he really did plan on this being a challenge, he might want to get down to their level. Otherwise he was just going to look like a coward.

"Alright kid I don't have all day. Lets get this over with, I don't feel like being late to class today." He said with a frown.

[Matrim Gallagher]

Matrim looked down to see that his cigarette fell from his lips when Mathew clapped the second time, "Hey you made me drop my cigarette......." He looked up at the kid, wondering what his plans were. He then turned to Mathew, "Wait you mean that wasn't just my ego, everyone really does work towards my will? I better go tell Reira, she seems to think shes the one wearing the pants in the engagement....."

Matrim looked up, "You're logic fails you, I slept on the couch last night......." It was a joke, but still, he felt like saying it. Mathew's Qi was interesting, he could do that palm thing to the body, and he could do this clap thing. Matrim was quite impressed, he only wondered where the other pillars were. Not that they needed them for anything, but Linda could probably use something to kill her boredom. And Jester should probably be taking pictures or something. "So whats this guys deal?"

[Gabriel Seran]

Another clap boomed out, shifting Gabriel’s balance on the wall. He was assured to fall, but the essence of this fight in his mind was image, show those watching that his side could win or lose with valor that not only would he send the image of good will towards the masses. In a slender motion Gabriel shimmied his way down the wall feeling the thud of the ground pound into his shins.

"Wait you mean that wasn't just my ego; everyone really does work towards my will? I better go tell Reira, she seems to think she’s the one wearing the pants in the engagement....."

Matrim looked up, "You're logic fails you, I slept on the couch last night......."
Gabriel smirked silently; if this guy was the jokester he was pretty funny, that added a few points in his book. At the very least he didn’t have any malcontent as the others had. Unless he was serious than Gabriel would enjoy taunting the moron. Of course he took it as a joke assuming he’d caught on to the sarcasm.

"Alright kid I don't have all day. Let’s get this over with, I don't feel like being late to class today."

Gabriel nodded as he was a good twenty feet away from the President, what was his name? Amtrum or something he’d only heard of his affiliation with the Reapers little bits and pieces though they lived up to him so far he had no reason to doubt. Gabriel couldn’t let his guard down this man would not give in to sympathy. Cold and devoid much like he was.

“All right, let’s get started.” He said nodding to both the Captain and President one after the other. In a flash he’d sprinted the short distance, a fist flying already though its trajectory changed in the last instant, first aimed at the face then towards the gut before Gabriel would sprint past using his speed to his advantage. On the first strike would be the President and if he were to get by him he’d return for a second strike at the Varsity Captain same strategy around.

[Mathew Amtrum]

Nice speed, lacks flair and he is predictible. To easy to read.... Chance of success against this kid. 93%.

Mathew was not a fighter that focused on speed, never had been and he likely never would be. He was fast true, but he was a lot tougher then he was fast. He found that the most effective way to win a fight wasn't to out maneuver your enemy but to let them strike and then counter attack. If you grapple a runner then they can't run. That was why Mathew trained his body to not only take a hit but also in how to read moves. He was actually pretty intelligent in a fight, despite what people thought. Add that to his natural instincts and street smarts and you had a very deadly fighter.

Mathew let the blow land against his stomach, a small grunt from impact was the only reward the boy would get. He was able to read him like a book, his moves were predictable and his body betrayed his movements. As soon as the fist collided with the Student Body President's body Mathew's right hand would grab the wrist of the fist that had hit him, that way the kid couldn't go after his crippled fellow pillar. His left hand would shoot out, his palm aiming to strike the kid in the side of the face. The palm wasn't what would hurt the most though, no his hands were still infused with his Qi which would allow him to use his quivering palm technique, one that if it hit would light up all the pain sensors in this kid's body making him feel excruciating pain for several seconds before it faded.

[Gabriel Seran]

*Thud* the strike had hit with the desired force as Gabriel heard the President grunt, his body was a bit ahead of the rest of him as it lead off but there was a snag, Gabriel’s palm was caught. He let out a short gasp of panic but recovered just as quickly as when he’d been hit. The restraint caused his body to shudder back and with his abs he brought his legs up into the back of the president’s head. Though he himself had received a deadly blow. His grasp came towards his face however the abrupt movement shifted the grasp around his throat collapsing Gabriel with a gushing gasp of air.

Head was clear though the only thing that mattered now was getting air in as the rest of his body shuddered from the blow. He hadn’t recalled being hit merely grasped by the palm, it was an intense pain that took some time to fade due to its hit on the vital region. Gabriel’s back was to the ground now, held up by the lapse in movement the shock of fear rolled inside him coiling like a snake. He didn’t let it show but it was there nonetheless as his body slowly recovered, jumping to his feet a bit overly dramatic, ready for the next blow.

[Matrim Gallagher]

Mathew's got this kid beat. But, I can't be left out of this fight......

Matrim was more into surprising people, and making them feel like idiots. This kid was fast, but he wasn't all that much faster in the great scheme of things. Mathew seemed to handle it, and judging by the kids reaction to what Mathew did, Mathew must have used that pain move. Matrim would have reacted right away, making his own charge. The kid jumping to his feet would meet an attempt to kick his chest part way up. Matrim was also in this fight.

If the right foot connected with the kids chest, Matrim would continue the kick down to push the kid back onto the ground, his right foot attempting to pin him down. He would do nothing more then drive his heel into the kid if this worked. He wasn't looking to beat the kid up horribly, only to end this fight as quickly as he could by pinning him. Of course, maybe the kid wouldn't just give up that easily.

Against one of us he might stand a better chance. Haven't seen him fight enough to tell. But against two pillars what's the point? He isn't a martyr. If anything he's only helping our cause for peace... so why is he doing this?

[Gabriel Seran]

(ooc: ok to get back started up again.)

Gabriel caught a foot in his gut. The crushing toil of the Varsity Captains boot in his chest stung, though not quite to the extent of the chokehold he’d been in. It was much like kicking someone when they were down. Just what he was hoping for… A sparkle glinted in his eye as he took the beating with that twinkle and a sadistic smile. He rolled off to the side evading further kicks.

Gabriel clutched his chest feeling his lungs still intact and same for the ribs though he was tired of breathing. Panting heavily he stood tall on his hind legs bearing his chest to the pillars. It was a sign of defiance, one of the last left.

“C’mon, I want to see more…” He smiled as a trail of blood trickled out from the corner of his lip.

[Linda Osako]

Linda arrived at school just in time to see Matrim boot some kid and .... OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooo FIRE!?!?!?

Linda ran over to the challenging blaze that read, CALLING ALL PILLARS. Oddly enough, since Linda had just arrived at the school she had not had time to go by her locker yet, so she still had her purse. Digging down into it she found a big marshmallow she had picked up from home. Normally Linda used these big marshmallows to fill up her morning hot chocolate, but today it would have a better use. Digging deeper into her purse she removed a small packet of gram crackers and half a Hershey chocolate bar.

If there was one thing Linda did enjoy, it was smores. The Student Captain looked around for something she could use to roast the large marshmallow. It did not take her long to find a stick, and fueled by her lust for sweets, Linda opened up the package and jammed her marshmallow onto the stick. She began to roast it over the fire, keeping it close to the flame but not too close so it wouldn't catch on fire. She liked her marshmallows gooey, not crispy.

[Mathew Amtrum]

OOC: I am not sure if Mathew got hit in the back of the head or not with Matrim jumping in when he did.... So just play it off either way I guess.

IC: Is this kid serious?

He had to ask himself when he say the kid get up again. Two Pillars against one punk kid. And Linda was on the scene too, meaning three Pillars potentially. And he still wanted to fight, in Mathew's mind there was only one reason. He wanted to be a martyr. He wanted to prove a point, and Mathew wasn't about to let that happen. Mathew hated to lose, and that was at anything. He wouldn't fall in to this trap.

"Linda, Matrim, lets go. This fight is over. I am not going to play a part in this game."

It was a joke, the challenge without leaving a name, the fact that he was still fighting. Unless he was just an idiot. Even the way he was fighting. He honestly didn't think fighting like that would beat a Pillar, let along multiple Pillars at once did he? If he was Mathew, then he would be doing this to make the Pillars look bad, himself look like a victim. That way he could draw sympathy and pity, Mathew had done the same move back in New York against the headmaster Clarke. He would be damned if that trick would work on him.

"Besides, we have to call the fire department to deal with this fire. Rules are rules." He said with a shrug as he turned his back to the boy, starting to walk away.

He was hoping Matrim and Linda would follow his lead. Of course there was always the chance that the kid would strike from behind, but if that was the case his Martyrdom scheme was over, and Mathew would be free to crush him. After all if the Pillars tried to show mercy and you attacked again, then you are just asking for it.

[Matrim Gallagher]

Matrim's foot connected and he was glad that it did. Something about hitting the boy released some of his anger for what had happened. Even though he wasn't terribly pissed, more like slightly perturbed. In any case, the fight was over rather quickly since Mathew spoke up, and damn it all if he didn't make a bunch of logical sense. Even if Matrim loved fighting, Mathew was right, they shouldn't give in to this guys mind games.

"Besides, we have to call the fire department to deal with this fire. Rules are rules."

Matrim walked over slowly, pulling his casted arms from their slings as he approached the boy. He would put his arms around the kid and hug him, "I forgive you," He would say if the hug went unchanged. If the kid was trying to be a martyr he would no doubt take a hit. But Matrim thought this way would definitely kill some fighting spirit. After this he would turn and walk away, putting his arms in his sling, "I'd be the one to call them except it's a little hard to put a phone to my ears.... maybe speaker phone?"

Matrim then realized he would have trouble pulling the phone out of his pocket, "Ehh.. maybe one of you guys should do it after all.... but you're right we need to get them here before the fire spreads to the sports fields."