Frayed threads (open)

[Bailey Oleander]

Her head tilted slightly at the counter viewpoint, nodding slowly at the idea that violence was a part of every day life on a basic level. In a way, it was true. There was no way to cut it out completely, but she could do her part to keep it at a minimum. The mention of a stress drew her focus to her hands, slowly untwining her fingers. Bailey cringed internally at the idea, but it wasn't a bad one. Part of the hope, after all, was to be able to help others with what she learned here.

"I'll remember, though I'd like to keep my decision for now." Handicap it was, it seemed, but she looked confident in her choice as she raised her head up to look at him again.

"This is a step towards improving and moving forward. I plan to head home once I've learned what I can. What about you? Did you plan to stay when you first came here?"

[Mathew Amtrum]

He nodded slightly, he would not press her further on testing herself. She had made her choice and forcing the issue would not benefit him or her. Much like aimless violence, it would be a waste of energy and time. Two things he did not like to waste. The small nod would shift into the shaking of his head at her second question however, he had never intended to stay at Cabal.

"No, I do not plan to stay. Though I also lack a home to return to. Other than here that is."

In a way, this was the closest thing he'd had to a home in probably as long as the young woman he was speaking to had been alive. The war had taken a lot of things from a lot of people, it shouldn't shock anyone to hear that he too had lost things in the war. For all his strength and power he was still but a human. And some things were bigger than any one man. But then again, sometimes it only took one man to take down the giant. A David against a Goliath.

"I believe I would be a poor soldier in this army."

[Bailey Oleander]

"I'm sorry." She tried to imagine what it would be like to call this place home, to have no other place to go back to. She didn't know if the place he came from even existed today, or if it was metaphorical. So much had changed, but those changes were stories to her. Tales of what had been, things and people to learn from, but from a time where she hadn't been born or was too young to remember. Bu despite the past, she could go back and know where she was going. There were free spirits, but the way he described home made her think Eric was the type who would prefer having roots.

"I suppose this place is better than nothing. It's somewhere familiar." She remained where she was, shifting to face Eric as he did the same. He had her focus now, interest beyond just polite conversation, though she tried not to pry too far. It was almost a dance, learning where a door might be, but not pressing unless the other opened it from the other side.

"Why do you say that?" Not all were soldiers, she knew, but it seemed Eric had thought on this for a while, or perhaps had decided a long time ago.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"You should never apologize for something that is not your fault."

He'd lost his home a long time ago, it was in the past and dwelling on it and feeling sorry for himself was pointless. No one he ever cared for would want to see him like that, and he would hate to become that. He also didn't desire the sympathy of anyone else, loss was a common factor linking everyone together. Sympathy for it just rang hollow to his ears.

"Because soldiers trust in their leaders to have further sight than they do over a situation and to follow orders trusting in that. I do not trust in that, and follow my own orders."

[Bailey Oleander]

She accepted Eric's dismissal in silence, letting him speak his thoughts. She'd never lost home, not in the way he described, and it seemed he had learned to accept the loss and learn about himself from it. When he elaborated on his reasons why he would not be a good soldier, she nodded.

"That makes sense." She wondered about her own path here, what it might be like if she were to join as a more permanent resident. To take on that extra responsibility. To trust orders so blindly that you didn't question them.

"I suppose it's a good thing I'm not either, then. Trust is one thing, but I don't know if I could follow anyone blindly." To take action without thought was like asking her to breathe in water instead of air.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"So you consider yourself a leader then?"

He'd ask, straightening his back as he looked down at her. Gauging her reaction as well as her words. The way he saw the world everyone was either a follower or a leader. Everyone followed something, an ideal, a philosophy, a government of sorts. Most people followed all three to a degree, even leaders. The difference between the two came from the fact that leaders were bold enough to speak up and out, most people wanted firm direction. And while there was nothing wrong with that, on a personal level he had a habit of rebelling against such figures.

[Bailey Oleander]

"What?" She sputtered a laugh and shook her head. Did she really come across as the type to be a leader? Shaking her head, Bailey ran through her hair with a quiet sigh.

"I mean, in the right situation? Sure. I know what I'm good at and I know what I'm...not so great at." She grimaced, her hand falling to her side as she looked up at him.

"But either way, I'm not one to follow blindly, Expecting me not to think for myself or to follow orders without question? You'd be better off teaching cats to fly."

[Rhona Hall]

Rhona was coming out of a classroom and with swift feet she was asked to hand off something left behind. She had only just seen its owner leave in a near daze. Obviously in her own thoughts and while it would not be the first time Rhona noticed her she never decided to exchange a word as they walked different paths. She only then caught the tail in of her conversation with a fellow.

"Now who would make you do that in a world like this? I mean sure... power, riches, and such influence the weaker of men, but bottom line I believe that Loyalty is the strength of a leader. If you have to question that at any point, why follow them?" She Never thought it could be plainer but besides that, she realized she opened her mouth without anyone really asking her opinion. "Ah... this is yours, you left it behind." She'd reach it out for Bailey.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"No offense intended, but that sounds like a non-answer. Someone can lead something without being a leader. They are just poorly equipped for the job. A leader is decisive and confident in themselves. They do not waste time doubting their choices and they inspire those serving with them, giving them clearly communicated expectations and holding people accountable to those expectations."

It wasn't the same as being good at something and putting your name first on a paper. Or being told to 'lead' a group when you have no idea what you are doing. Leadership was more than a position one is put in, it's an attitude that a person has within them. It can be taught, but in his experience, the best leaders had the spark in them from the start.

He'd shift his attention to the new arrival. His eyes giving her a fleeting glance as he sized her up. Pretty and brash judging by the way she barged into their talk. He suspected that she was the headstrong type given that she invited herself into their conversation. As opposed to the meek one he had been speaking to privately just a moment before.

"I think you have misunderstood what we are talking about. We are not discussing ways to control the masses, but rather the traits of leaders and followers. Your answer speaks of one that has never had to work as part of something larger than yourself if the simple questioning of a leader is enough to decide to go against orders. It speaks of a belief that leadership is cultish devotion and unquestioning loyalty."

He stepped back to look at both women, his hands moving to absently adjust his collar.

"The question I would pose to you both is if you would follow orders that do not follow the course of action that you personally believe to be the correct way to resolve a situation? Would you trust that your commander has access to intelligence that you do not? If so would that not in fact make you feel like you are blindly following orders?"

He'd ask giving Bailey a pointed glance.

"And if not then why be here in the first place when you believe that you already have all of the answers?"

He'd shift his gaze over to the new arrival.

[Bailey Oleander]

He wasn't wrong. Eric's words had merit in them; for a moment, Bailey was able to consider them, but the conversation was interjected by someone else. A young blonde woman she'd seen not so long ago, though she didn't recall their name. Her gaze went to the book she carried with her, a red cover with no name or title on it. It felt for a moment like the reaper had come for her already, and she hastily took it with a quick smile.

“Thanks! I can't believe I forgot it.” She hastily slipped the book out of sight, letting her focus return to the conversation about leaders and followers. How someone could be one without the right tools, on the ideas and ideas that made them who they were and what it could mean.

“Its true, though.” She nodded at Eric, already shifting her weight and taking a step to the side to accommodate the new girl in their midst. “I may not known all the information that they might have.” But what if the orders went against what she believed and not the best course of action?

“I suppose it depends, not on trust but blind trust. I guess I would trust to a point, but if something feels wrong or doesn't' seem right, yes, I would speak up.” Her gaze went from Eric to the other blonde, curious to see what her own reaction would be. She had the stride and stance of someone who was confident in their own skin that was almost enviable.

[Rhona Hall]

"I have no arguments with this." She would simply say to the both of them. "My answer... Well certainly would have to be in the moment. You get a gut feeling looking in the eye of that someone." She patted her abs. She kind of walked into a highly philosophical and logical conversation when she was mostly an instinctual kind of person. Not primal or barbaric but she trusts in herself more than outright logic. Thinking about it too much makes time for second-guessing and that is doubt and no one has the time for that.

"I don't quite think that I am one to go "by the book" entirely as long as the job gets done and without damage or hindrance... it is a job well done. I'll not ignore a good plan but I am likely apart of these... masses some might try to control. But getting that gut feeling like something isn't right..." she scoffed. "I'll not take orders lying down.

She was quite acceptant of her lot as a soldier but should someone need to take charge she'd step up and lead when she should feel the need.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"Hmmm."

He'd press his lips together, but not press the conversation further. In his opinion, it felt like neither of them really knew where they stood. It sounded like guesses and contradictions to him. Gut feelings on whether or not they would follow an order. Certain situations where they are leaders. He shouldn't be surprised he supposed, they didn't have a lot of experience. How could they really know if they have not been in those situations?

He could only hope that he gave them something to think about. They would need to figure out their answers eventually, but odds were they would have a chance to do so before they got someone killed. And if not, well such moments either built character or destroyed it. It would be a test of another sort for the two young ladies.

[Bailey Oleander]

The other's answer made sense in its own way. Not concrete, but fluid and adapting. Judging by Eric's response, either they missed the mark or i twasn't an answer he was looking for.

"So you would say you're a leader, then?" It was relatively towards Eric, but either could answer.

[Rhona Hall]

Rhona felt she couldn't give much better of an answer given her experiences but it was a for sure answer none the less. And with Bailey's question, she turned to Eric. Not really sure who the fellow was but that hardly mattered. She wanted to hear what his answer would be.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"Yes."

He shrugged. It wasn't some big reveal. It wasn't some big thing to be proud of. He had the qualities that he felt made him a leader, and in the past, he'd had people follow him during the war and chaos that followed. Some lived, some died, but in the end, they fought and died for a common vision. His vision sure, but one they all came to share.

That is not to say that just anyone and everyone would follow him. His vision wasn't universal. And like anyone else, there were people that disagreed with him, some passionately so. But he couldn't and has never worried about them. There were people you will never be able to convince, those that don't want to be convinced, and those that are opposed to you in core belief structure. Wasting time trying to lead or convince those people was pointless, time was better spent working with what and who you had available and on hand. In his experiences, there was no bigger validator of people's trust in you than progress made.