Duck on a pond...

[Deleted]

“Look over there… that’s him right?”
“He should have stayed gone.”
“We should go kick his ass.”
“… he ain’t worth it.”
“Fuckin’ traitor.”

Just some of the whispers and bits of quiet conversation that found their way to Saint’s ears as he walked through the halls between classes. Along with the comments came glares and glances of contempt, all of which he noticed, none of which really phased him much. Sadly, he was getting used to the whole experience. Eventually the student body president arrived at his locker, which had been vandalized… yet again, by some student who thought little of him. The door was dented and spray-painted with a red X, there was also a small poorly made doll with nails that went through the arms and legs into a wood cross, like the crucifix, also two needles had been placed through the eyes. It was the most violent effigy Saint had seen yet but he couldn’t help but be impressed that someone went through that much work. With a sigh, he took the small object down and tossed it into a nearby trash can.

It was another lunch period where Saint would scurry about the school looking for somewhere to be left alone. The roof would be have students no doubt, as would the courtyard. Besides the various classroom hallways there wasn’t a place to be alone… other than the pool. So that is where the pillar headed. He dumped his book bag underneath the bench in the locker room and changed his attire from his black slacks, dark blue collared shirt and dress shoes, to a simple pair of red swimming trunks. Of course he kept his cross on, the chain was small enough that it would not slip over his head whilst he was swimming. With his normal clothes locked safely away the in locker, Saint made his way out to the empty pool area with his towel, which he tossed on one of the beaches near the pool.

The student body president made his way up to the middle diving board and proceed to dive off, nothing especially, just a simple dive. Once beneath the water’s surface, he began to swim his laps in the same fashion as Olympic swimmers. Was Saint a good swimmer? Yes, enough to get by, maybe even take a life guard position somewhere… but that was unlikely. Arm over arm, he just focused strictly on the mechanics of his style and the dulled sound of water splashing and swishing past that came through his ear plugs. Everything else on his mind, the students despite him, the accompanying feeling of being alone, the fact that his mother had multi-organ cancer and was going to die soon, everything that weighed heavily, or even the lighter stuff, was washed away by the sound. At least for the moment he was at peace… After a few laps back and forth, he paused his swimming and began to float in the middle of the pool, his green eyes locked on the roof. Saint steadied his breathing, having picked up from the physical exertion, and slowly shut his eyes to focus on the sound again…

[Jyo]

"It's not easy being shunned and treated lowly for simply not being around is it?' Asked a smooth calm voice. It wasn't particularly loud. But loud enough to be heard even through the earplugs.

Jyo stood at the end of the pool. He had a towl thrown over his shoulders and a pair of dark blue swimming trunks on. His long red hair was still dripping wet revealing he had just gotten out of the pool. he had been about to leave when he noticed who it was that he gotten into the pool. A person he had very much wanted to meet. The last pillar on his list. One that had been scorned through talk in the halls. Jyo had more or less put the entire story together and felt for the guy. he had been in a similar position before.

Unlike many who sought out pillars Jyo had no intention of a fight or any hostilities. Simply by being a pillar Saint had become somone Jyo needed to meet. Like it or not the guy was a key figure in the school scroned by his peers or not. Jyo needed to know all the key figures. he needed to know who he could count on when he went against Asiv and whould would be in the way.

[Deleted]

The sound of a man’s voice reached Saint’s ears causing him to abandon his floating to see where, and who, it came from. As his eyes fell upon the figure of a senior standing out of the pool nearby, he removed one of the plugs and slipped it into a small pocket in his trunks. When the pillar had come in he had hadn’t noticed anyone, but he was so focused on just getting into the water so he let everything just slip away it was quite easy for him to miss someone. Steadying himself for a moment in the water, he tried to gauge what this senior had in mind or what he was planning by appearances… which was harder since he was only in a swimming suit, not actual clothes. It was all he had to gone on anyway, no one told him anything about what was going on at school. Nevertheless Saint did respond… kind of…

“I didn’t see you there…”

Commence evasion tactics!

By stating the obvious Saint was basically avoiding the conversation that his counterpart seemed to be trying to insight through his rhetorical question. He didn’t want to talk about what was going on at school all that much in period, never mind speaking about it with someone he barely knew. However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t say anything, there were things to said, questions to asked… that sort of thing. Side stroking himself across the pool Saint kept his eyes on the senior, out of slight suspicion but more so that it was the politest thing to do when speaking with someone.

“We’ve never met before so… who might you be exactly?”

[Jyo]

"You simply didn't look in the right spot." Jyo said with a small smile as he reached down into the bag he left by the pool and pulled out a loose shirt and put it on to cover the scars that criss-crossed his entire torso. he didn't like showing old wounds mostly from the fight he recived them in.

"And yes we have never met. Most unfortubnatly as I've been eager to meet all the pillars. I'm Jyo Mashima. A transfere as of a few months back. I'm someone who's not to thrilled with what Asiv is up to and I've been meeting all the key figures in the school. Being a pillar that does include you." he said.

[Deleted]

A small laugh escaped Saint at Jyo’s comment, clever enough. As Jyo went about retrieving something from his back, the student body president started to backstroke in a small circle, not really concerned about his own scars. Those scars of abuse had always been there from what he could remember as had his disfigured toes, after a while he just got used to having them. He started make his way to the nearest ladder out of the pool as Jyo introduced himself and made it clear that he already knew who Saint was. That made things slightly easier since it would allow the pillar to forgo introducing himself. As he stepped out of the pool, the water dripping off his frame, his gaze shifted to the senior again as he replied.

“I would have to disagree on your analysis of me being a ‘key’ player in this school. I have no information on this school’s inner workings nor any real influence over the student body… despite what my title may suggest. In truth, I am ‘key’ in the fact of the title I possess and nothing more… take that away and I am just another outcast on the edge of the student hierarchy.”

As Saint finished his little speech about what he considered to be a more accurate measure of his part in this school, he shrugged lightly. It wasn’t news and in fact, he actually enjoyed the solitude for the most part, take away the comments for the peanut galleries and it was a pretty peaceful existence. But there was one question that had arisen…

“What about are you referring to when you say you aren’t thrilled about what Asiv has been up to?”

[Jyo]

"I disagree. You are a pillar Saint Zacharia. Active and informed or not you are a key player simply because of your position. Being a pillar you are one of the foundations of the stability of this school. but I'm not here to argue that point." Jyo said in response in a very buisnesslike and professional tone.

"Due to my purpose of seeking you out I see no reason not to tell you about what Asiv is up to. It's not pleasent." He said and took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again.
"Asiv has aquired a new drug called Brimstone and has started testing it on students. So far only two and one of them has broken free of it. But the other I know nothing of. He seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. But this presents a problem. The drug is in the form of a drink and is called Brimstone. Think of it as a super steriod but with other effects. It enhances every physical asept ofa a person. but also their perception of things around them and there ability to think. Unlike other drugs it won't kill you. But thats not the problem with it. The problem is the withdrawl effects that I have experianced firsthand. And I know that only the most strong-willed people can break from it's hold. Most students don't have that will. He might start using it on them. Imagine if you would Asiv having a private army of enhanced students. Eventually it could be devastating." he said then paused for a second.

"Dispite all that the drug isn't my primary concern even though it unsettels me. My problem is that it is allowing a company called Rama corp. into our school. I come from #499 which was run by Rama corp. Kazuma Kazahana who is the head of the company is a man who would swoop down on this school and then it will become an even darker place than it already is. Mor than I think you could imagine. I can't allow that to happen to another school. Zacharia. Even if the students shun you. You are a pillar. A voice of authority in this school. I need to know if I can count on your support if not your help. Belive me. I need to stop Asiv. #259 cannot fall to the same fate as #499. If it happens I fear Kazuma's influence will spread and the corporal punishment system we have as corrupt as it is will seem like the days in nursery school. You can play a role in all of this. I have heard of your abilities. Though you may not be the best around you still have skill and if for some reason you opposed me there could be problems. I need to know if I at least can count of your support if not direct assitance." He said.

[Deleted]

Silently Saint stood there listening to Jyo’s retort to his own analysis of his influence over the school population. The major difference being in t heir opinions of the title of pillar. Saint had always seen it as simply that… a title, nothing more nothing less. However Jyo seemed to believe it carried more wait than that, seeing as he was a senior, his insight would be more likely to be correct. But as Jyo had said, that wasn’t the reason for the meeting so the pillar would let that but of their disagreement flow into the lake of irrelevant items of discussion. The more pressing topic was what Asiv was up to…

Water slowly dripped from the student body president’s six two frame as he listened to Jyo’s speech intently. Drugs… an evil corporation… conspiracies… a virtual Armageddon. Sure everything sounded horrific at best but there were certain bits that Saint found to be off… If Brimstone had such a addictive power, how did two of three cases presented break free? Perhaps it was a statistical contortion of the sample size. Also why would Asiv want to do such a thing? Sure there had been riot here that failed but beside that the violence was relatively mild when compared to other schools… no need for an army that Saint saw. But of course, he had no idea what kind of man Asiv was exactly, only bits and pieces… even at that the pillar wouldn’t put it beyond the man to start such a thing. While thinking about all these questions and all the information just presented before him, the student body president made his way over to his way and began to dry his hair… not because he was done but simply for more comfort. With sigh he answered Jyo’s concern… though it wouldn’t be the answer the senior wanted.

“I understand you’re concern… however I happen to be more of a pacifist. I would rather not be involved in any kind of war if I can avoid it… diplomacy is far better. Violence only begets violence. But if you plan on waging an attack on Asiv because you believe it is right… good ahead. I will not stand in your way, however I will not readily help you either. I’m sorry. But let me ask you this… if you do rebel and remove Asiv from power what then? Won’t another, more sadistic, supervisor takes his place in order to quell these students? Hmm…”

[Jyo]

Jyo nodded in response to Zach's statment and question.
"Thats all I really ask is knowing that an authority figure won't stand against me. thank you." He said. he understood the student's concern if Jyo actually managed to remove Asiv. But that was one he already knew the answer to. he had faced it not once not twice but three times in his past.

"I have no plans to remove Asiv. Just stop this deal with Brimstone. I can't let Rama corp take over. And every moment it stays in commincation with this school the more likely they'll find I'm here. i'm not concerned with what they'll do to me but they'll swoop dwn and ruin this place because they know what effect that will have on me. However. If removing Asiv is needed I have learned that the evil you know is much better than the evil you don;t know." He said with a wry smile deviod of any amusment or pleasure.

[Deleted]

Saint left the towel draped over his head like a hat as he sat down on the bench. So he had been wrong in his assumption that Jyo would be displeased with the pillar’s lack of willingness to take action in a violent situation. He leaned back again the backrest on the bench, spreading his arms across it to relax his arms and give the muscles a rest. There was a sigh of relief that escaped him and his whole body when Jyo said that he wanted to avoid “dethroning” Asiv. At least Jyo didn’t want an all out riot like many other kids often wanted.

“Well… I’m glad that you do not have that plan Jyo. I would hate to see this school become so notorious for mass outbursts of violence that the staff is replaced with armed marines or some other kind of soldier. After all… if we wanted to be in a military school, we would have tried to enroll in one.”

The pillar smiled brightly at the end of his little joke. Whenever possible he liked to avoid conversations that were too serious in their nature and topics. And seeing as most of the serious nature of their dialogue was taken care of, from Saint’s point of view, anything else would be simple

[Jyo]

Inlike Zach Jyo found nothing funny about that last comment. He knew Zach didn;t mean anything by it but Jyo had seen things much worse than a military school.
"Belive me my friend soldiers walking around armed are nothing compared to what could come forth if Asiv keeps this up. You wouldn't much care to see what Kazuma Kazahana could bring to this place if Asiv keeps this up." Said Jyo grimly. He shook his head and looked back to Zach.
"Sorry. I know you didn;t mean anything by that. But I am trying to avoid a large scale riot. This is much more of a conversational battle. But as Asiv seems mentally unstable reasoning with him is proving highly difficult. Zach. You know this school better than me. I do need to know if there is anything you know that could help me in any way." He said.

[Deleted]

It was obvious that Saint’s joke had not been received in the manner he had hoped for. Apparently this Kazahana was truly a sick person, beyond even what Jyo had mentioned. Sure the drug Brimstone was an awful thing but was it really bad enough to do all that alone… not likely. The pillar cast his gaze down in deliberation… was Asiv really that power hungry and stupid? Would he be willing to truly go far enough as to give this Rama a chance to take over the school? He started to zone out until the senior’s apology hit his ears and snapped him out of it. Of course, he simply smiled politely in reply as if it was no problem, which it wasn’t… everyone had there touchy subjects. With a deep breath the student body president though about the question posed when something that had always been a point of curiosity to him popped into his mind…

“Building four… the top floor… D. For some reason it has always been blocked off… I have no idea why but there is the slimmest chance that there is something of value to Asiv or your cause up there. If not well it would simply be an unused floor… To be honest I have always been curious about what is up there myself but I have never really set myself on going to find… worth a shot correct?”

[Jyo]

Jyo smile and nodded.
"Very correct. In my ecperiance something blocked off always means something of value is there. Even if it is simply a retreat of sorts it seems to hold some importance." jyo said looking thoughtful. His more calculating side was having to come to bear as he tried to find a way to stop Asiv without having to get rid of him. He knew the man would be catuious about confronting Jyo after their battle. But that didn't mean Asiv wasn't a threat to him if he went the wrong way about this.

"Thank you. You actually have provided more help than the other pillars or even the captain at this point. They don't seem thrilled with confronting Asiv in any way even to give me info." He said giving a faint rare smile. Jyo already liked this student. He wasn't going to join Jyo but already he had helped him out or at least tried to by letting him know something that might be of value.

[Deleted]

Saint sat there quietly as Jyo seemed to start debating what his next move would be, and frankly, as long as the senior stood by what he said, the pillar didn’t care what it was. Seeing as this man seemed like that kind of person any worry that may have reared its ugly head was cast asunder. He gave a simple smile and nod as if to say “you’re welcome” as Jyo thanked him. It wasn’t any problem since, as far as Saint knew, it could do no great harm that would cause the large scale conflict he wanted to avoid. However there was something else that worried the student body president slightly… if the other pillars and captain didn’t want to help, would they stand between Jyo and Asiv on Asiv’s side? Might Mitsuki ask Saint to stand with him… she was after all the closest thing he had to a friend right now is this school… something he couldn’t afford to lose.

“Well I do wish you luck in your endeavor, Jyo. I do believe that Asiv should be stopped from disturbing such a dangerous substance to the student body… however I should say I am not completely opposed to removing Asiv from office in such a situation… just make sure you have the evidence to give a just cause and try the police first. That is all I can ask… make violence at dire last resort.”

[Jyo]

Jyo nodded.
"Not to worry. I have already confronted Asiv physically. I doubt it's an experiance either of us want to repeat. In fact as soon as I can get him to get rid of brimstone and there is no threat of Rama corp getting near this place I'm done." He said with reassurance. Jyo was odd in being able to express different things like intimidation and encourament without any real facial expression. it was all in his bearing and tone.

"You watch yourself okay? Alot of students seem pretty upset with you. And I'm sure you can handle yourself but still. I'd hate to see a guy as good as you have something happen to him for simply not being around. I hope the next time we meet it can be a bit more of a pleasent conversation. Once again you have my thanks. I think I need to pay a little visit to that building now." He said and gave a small bow and walked off to the lockers and get dressed and then head to the place he had just been informed of. Instinct told him something was there. And his instinct was rarely wrong.