Good News? (OPEN to Black Knights)

[Touya Sakamoto]

Could things have gone any better? Honestly?

That single thought reverberated through Touya’s head as he sat alone in something of a spare room, his eyes gazing off into space and his expression completely blank as he traversed the terrain of his mind’s workings. Since the moment he had joined the Black Knights, he’d absolutely abhorred performing violent acts toward civilians, and had avoided it whenever possible. However, a soldier must follow the chain of command; he had always taken all commands to heart and performed as though his very soul was linked to the massacres he participated in. In a way this made him an absolutely stunning example for the kind of warrior Zero needed under his command, one willing to go above and beyond expectations not because they long to fulfill a deep-rooted aspiration in their heart, but because their commander’s will is their own. Touya despised himself at times, for being what he was, for being a murderer. And yet Britannia deserved what they received from him…divine justice passed down their leader, the man some consider to be a god on earth. He would be an extension of Zero’s will…for Touya Sakamoto had died with his mother.

He’d been called in for a meeting with the higher-ups. Assuming that this was standard protocol to root out those who might be unworthy for a certain mission, or a process for judging troop morale, Touya hadn’t thought anything of it. However, once there he realized things were far more interesting than they’d seemed at first. They spoke to him of how he had been an excellent soldier since the time of his childhood. How he had exceeded what they expected of the standard Black Knight time and time again. How his ability to spur on his fellow soldiers was remarkable, and how his loyalty seemed unquestionable, as he had never once questioned an order or been reported by a fellow knight for misconduct. It felt good to hear such praises showered down upon him…to be honest, Touya thought for a moment that perhaps he was making his mother proud…perhaps this was the right thing to do, whether it be for revenge or merely out of a longing for freedom. He nodded his head after each statement, his expression attentive as he merely stared at the speaker before responding with his usual nod. Finally, they asked him what he thought of this assessment. Thinking for a few seconds to himself, he opened his mouth and spoke in carefully planned tones.

”I believe that any success I have had is merely a result of fine training, and a loyalty that should be unquestionable in any soldier. Were I to fail in these virtues, it would be a failure in my very being, not merely the absence of excellence.”

A few members of the staff nodded their heads as they considered his response, and Touya reverted to his passive mode, waiting for them to reveal to him their reasoning for calling him here. He thought perhaps his response had seemed a bit too damning of failure, but frankly this was what he believed. He did what he did because that is what it truly means to be a Black Knight. Any who fail to meet this criteria are not ordinary soldiers, but below average. He worked each day to improve the morale of his comrades because it made the men feel powerful, invincible, like they were fighting for a cause that could not be shaken. He needed no such motivation. He did as he was told, and that gave his life meaning. He was the picture of loyalty, and he would always be loyal to his superior officers, giving his honest opinion only when requested.

Finally, he was informed by Sakura Shizuka that he had been promoted to Chief of Staff for his accomplishments. He raised an eyebrow ever so slightly before bringing it to its original position, not wanting to seem overly pleased with such a promotion. He had not been expecting this, but…he could not say that he was not feeling particularly joyous at the prospect of directing the tactical forces of the Black Knights, rather than being a mere grunt. This would give him more sway to spread his ideals of what a soldier should be, who they should follow, how they should act, and other such topics. Along with that, he may be able to influence more than merely one squad with his words, and raise troop morale further. Perhaps that was the logic behind this promotion…putting him in a position of power might create a more effective fighting force as Touya persuaded the men to fight harder, keep going, always following their orders.

Sakura Shizuka…to be honest, Touya knew very little about this woman personally. He’d never been very interested in her, considering that next to Zero, her position seemed to be insignificant. Still, she was a ranking officer, and most certainly his superior in any situation. He would follow her just as soon as he would follow Zero…and he had, during their leader’s long absence. Still, he wondered just how the minds of his superiors worked occasionally…how they thought, what they longed for, what their motivation for action was. Perhaps some of their reasons were similar to his own. As he gazed at Sakura momentarily, he wondered what her motivation was…and if her will could hold a candle to his own.

Snapping out of the replay of recent events he had been trapped in, Touya rubbed his eyes and looked about the room. Nothing here really...which suited his current needs perfectly. Yes, he supposed being alone would help him decide what he would do with this new-found promotion…how he could affect those around him. He weighed the situation carefully to himself, mulling over the thoughts ricocheting about his brain.

Well, on the one hand, he wouldn’t be performing acts against civilians personally anymore. He would no longer be taking up arms and killing who he might consider innocent bystanders. His heart warmed at the thought, until he realized the counterpoint. With this promotion, he was now the one to orchestrate the chaos, rather than simply carry it out.

He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. This would keep him up tonight…

[vierre]

(ooc: Just a real short one to say hello)

A sharp knock came at the door, which then promptly opened to reveal Vierre’s lean frame standing at the entrance way, casual, informal, and relaxed. His eyes dragged across the mostly empty room, from wall to wall. “Hmm,” came the Captain’s first response. “This is the new office, I take it? It could definitely use a little… something. Good lord definitely some colour. Be warned that a room as drab as this will corrode your soul in time.” He waved his right hand nonchalantly at the décor, or the barren lack thereof.

“Touya Sakamoto is it? I’ve been told congratulations are in order for your promotion to Chief of Staff. I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced.” Vierre stepped forward and offered his hand. He knew of the man, and was aware he was a veteran with the Black Knights, but never had the opportunity to work directly with him. He was certain the semi-recognition was mutual. It was a large organization after all, and there was always a constant stream of varied tasks to be accomplished in different places by the many arms of the Black Knights. He did not even see the other Division Captains on a regular basis, let alone the multitude of soldiers under their command. “Vierre DeMara. Captain of the First Division. I’m sure we must have crossed paths on occasion.”

[Touya Sakamoto]

Glancing up at the man who identified himself as the Captain of the First Division, Touya quickly looked him up and down, examining him out of pure curiosity. So, this was Vierre DeMara…he’d heard of this man, naturally, but had never thought about wanting to actually meet him. In fact, from what he heard of DeMara, he was the kind of man Touya despised. Risk takers, the kind that would ignore common strategy in favor of a gamble that could either win them a victory or send them to defeat. He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. This was the kind of man he would need to deal with, however, with his new position. It was his responsibility to let all members of the Black Knights know, no matter their position, that an order is an order, and there is no room on the battlefield for an ego. Vierre was a veteran, but frankly, so was Touya. He opened his mouth and spoke to the man in level tones, introducing himself.

”That’s right, I’m Touya; Touya Sakamoto, as you’ve already pointed out. I don’t believe we’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting face to face. After all, I’m not the kind of man who looks for honor or glory on the battlefield. I do my job, and I follow orders. Because of this, you’ve probably heard no fantastic tales of my exploits, though I’ve had more success than most.”

Touya honestly wondered if Vierre were truly going to respect him appropriately in regards to his rank. After all, as Chief of Staff, it was Touya’s duty to plan out battles tactically and aid in the deployment of troops. However, DeMara had been Captain of the First Division long before Touya had even thought about promotion. In this regard, Vierre might see him as a newcomer rather than a veteran, and take his suggestions far less seriously…this would be a problem if it were to ever come to pass. This thought striking him, Touya decided it was best to get the topic out of the way here and now, rather than allowing it to continue any further and make him restless.

”While I realize you have been Captain long before I was appointed Chief of Staff, I certainly hope you’ll still be willing to listen to what I say and follow directions accordingly. I guarantee you, I will win battles for both Zero and the Black Knights, but first I need men who will lend me their ears, and trust me to lead them to victory when I can. Will there be a problem between us?”

Rather blunt, he supposed, but Vierre had been a soldier for a long time. If he were going to get offended at such a comment, he would have dropped the profession years ago. After all, being a soldier does not only mean having skills in regards to destruction and conquest. It means having a level of competence that is lost on most civilians, and being able to deal with the harsh reality of this world. Touya might try to avoid thinking of his past, but that does not mean he won’t accept what had happened to him. His mother was dead…and it was Britannia’s fault, at that. This gave him the will to dominate as a member of the Black Knights, and a will to do all that was necessary. Once more his mind came back to the topic of motivation, just as it had with Sakura Shizuka, and he wondered just what Vierre’s reasons for being here were. Putting the topic out of his mind, however, he supposed it was not a good idea to linger on thoughts such as that while in the midst of a conversation.

While awaiting Vierre’s response, Touya took the time to stretch and help relieve a bit of the tension that had been plaguing him as of recently. This did not mean that he got up onto his feet and began to touch his toes, but a mere flexing of the body’s main muscles helped do the trick, and any feelings of restlessness that Touya may have possessed vanished suddenly. It was probably a good thing that he was talking to a man that was so pivitol on the battlefield. Developing relationships with other soldiers was as important as anything, though he wouldn’t say that he’d made any good friends since being here. Others had been open to it, inviting him to join them for certain things and making small talk with him, but Touya was apparently too drab for such things. What excited him the most was the prospect of victory, and the way his success could bring about big things for the Black Knights. Victory often came at an unsavory price, such as a few innocent casualties, but he’d learned to tune feelings of guilt out in favor of the pride he felt when Zero congratulated them on a job well done. That man was simply amazing…and what was even more amazing was how a figure could stretch from the fall of the original Britannian caste system to the present day, remaining ever the same as if the Black Knights were the bridge between two eras.

They were a beacon of hope for all who have been oppressed by Britannia, around the globe. They proved that it was possible to fight against this superpower, both under the original Zero and their new leader. In all honesty, it seemed as though their leader were not only incredible, but also immortal. Perhaps this was the same man who had led the Black Knights to victory all those years ago. Touya almost smirked at the idea, as he knew there were many who felt this way. He was not so rash as to believe in something so impossible as immortality, but it was clear that their leader had at least borrowed his ideals from the original incarnation of Zero. This alone was enough to lead Touya to respect the way two eras might come together.

After all, reform came in all shapes and sizes. Their activities might go down as heroic, or villainous, depending on their success against Britannia…

[vierre]

Vierre raised an eyebrow, ever so slightly, a move barely noticeable. This was not the response he was particularly expecting for his goodwill. Or perhaps more accurately, this was not the sort of response he was hoping to receive. He was not oblivious though, and was completely aware that there were those within the ranks of the Black Knights that would not and did not approve of him. First because of his boisterous personality. Second, and far more foolishly, because he was by heritage the enemy. It was without a doubt a disadvantage when meeting the men and women he had chosen to fight beside. He would be the first to admit that.

”That’s right, I’m Touya; Touya Sakamoto, as you’ve already pointed out. I don’t believe we’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting face to face. After all, I’m not the kind of man who looks for honor or glory on the battlefield. I do my job, and I follow orders. Because of this, you’ve probably heard no fantastic tales of my exploits, though I’ve had more success than most.”

Was that a not-so-subtle suggestion? Perhaps even a little defensive, especially for a first impression. Vierre thought back on his words, attempting to give the man the benefit of the doubt. However, he was fairly certain he had not insinuated any kind of lack of success. After all, the Commander had approved of the promotion, suggesting that he had earned her trust one way or another. Still, Vierre failed to see the relevancy of making a specific point about doing one's job, especially when the man was facing a new job and a new set of responsibilities. The fact was that everyone was expected to do their respective job, regardless of their place in the organization. He hoped it was not true that power corrupted absolutely. Now that would be a truly tragic tale.

”While I realize you have been Captain long before I was appointed Chief of Staff, I certainly hope you’ll still be willing to listen to what I say and follow directions accordingly. I guarantee you, I will win battles for both Zero and the Black Knights, but first I need men who will lend me their ears, and trust me to lead them to victory when I can. Will there be a problem between us?”

Vierre chuckled. Was that what this was all about? The air of a mild, but level-headed, pursuit of alpha dog status? ‘Benefit of the doubt’ became even more of an unspoken and internal mantra that Vierre repeatedly reminded himself of. He did not care for the frivolous posturing, but he could only assume Touya had more sense than that to actually mean it in such a vulgar way. Surely it was Vierre’s own fault anyway. For the sake of pleasantness he kept it strongly in mind that the other man clearly did not know him or his mannerisms very well. The other executive officers had the significant luxury of being used to it by now, and took it all quite easily in stride. After all, if their trust in Touya was well deserved, then their trust in him was equally valid.

"For a man who has no taste for so-called fantastic tales, you certainly are dramatic," commented Vierre, making a careful point to deliver it as a simple observation. "Now, I don't know who you believe me to be, but I hope you are not a man too caught up on something as ambivalent as a reputation. I assure you I can respect a person that conveys a cogent and salient message, but respect runs both ways, yes?” He paused. ”For the record, despite what you may have heard through some suspect grapevine, I also know what it means to be a soldier. You are free to look up my military record, or as much of it as could be obtained from the Britannian computer records. Or perhaps you already have and you're wary of the discharge? I wouldn't read too much into it. No one else does. All other words aside though, I tell you honestly that I have no problem with you. If there is to be a problem between us... well that is entirely up to you."

Vierre was equally blunt, but it was accompanied with a pleased smile. At the very least they both spoke the same sugar-free language, even if his own flare for word play was a bit more pronounced. He was also speaking an honest truth. Unless Touya proved to be completely incompetent in his new position, the working relationship would be just fine, and Vierre saw no reason at the moment to doubt the recently promoted officer. Everyone deserved a chance to deliver, and sometimes even two. "For future reference, I would recommend against selling yourself so aggressively. It comes off rather… unflattering. And so that we're all clear, that was a just a joke in good nature. If you wish to lodge a formal complaint with Sakura, well, I'm sure she would be absolutely delighted to see my name."

Vierre grinned, but it faded almost immediately as he grew serious. "To business," he stated flatly, the stern shift in tone, expression, and stance all monumentally different from a second prior. The First Division Captain placed a folder he had been carrying under his arm on Touya's desk. "Status report, First Division, including basic information on combat capabilities to bring you up to speed. "Between Burnlight's heavy weapons expertise and my own firearms specialties, you will not find a Division with better firepower in the Order. I have a few men and women proficient at close ranged melee combat, but it is not an overall Division focus." Vierre was intensely proud of the men and women serving in the First Division, though it was crucial for him as their captain to recognize that they were not perfect. While careful personnel assignment considerations were made to ensure the Divisions were well rounded, they still often leaned towards reflecting their captains. He knew Okure's Fifth Division contained a large number of incredibly skilled and knowledgeable medics, and he was willing to bet that anyone in Aoi's Second Division would cut him if he so much as looked at them the wrong way. Maybe he was wrong about that last part. He hoped he was wrong at any rate. "As with all other Divisions, as I'm sure you are aware, low equipment stores have been a recurring issue. Stocks are gradually improving, but there is still much room for improvement.”

[Touya Sakamoto]

Touya sighed slightly, rearing his head back to both stretch his neck and assume a position that he found to be rather comfortable. This man…Vierre. It was obvious that he had experience on the battlefield, and led his squadron effectively, Touya could not question that. However, he had a feeling that he and Vierre might clash interests at some point…and if they did, there was no question that the Captain would refuse to stand down to him, regardless of rank. Touya had been a foot soldier since the time he was just barely a young man, and yet this experience seemed to pale in comparison to any sort of Knightmare piloting skill, when looked at with an unreasonable eye. This was going to be one of the mountains he would need to climb as Chief of Staff; making sure that his fellow soldiers trusted him, and would follow his orders not because of a simple requirement, but because they wanted to follow him and knew that he could lead them onward to victory.

Hearing the man’s claim that he was dramatic, Touya smiled a small amount, nodding his head slightly to himself. He wasn’t upset with the man for thinking that of him…and he was certain that the way he had worded the statements made them sound accusatory in nature rather than simply passive. However, although he had heard that Vierre could be something of a hothead on the battlefield, he wasn’t necessarily going to call the man out for something he hadn’t done under Touya’s charge. When Vierre made a mistake on the battlefield, in front of Sakamoto’s watchful gaze, he would bring it up to him, and would not mince his words. However, at the moment, he merely wished to weigh the Captain’s reaction to the statements, and decide if he had an ally or an obstacle in this man.

“For a man who has no taste for so-called fantastic tales, you certainly are dramatic. Now, I don't know who you believe me to be, but I hope you are not a man too caught up on something as ambivalent as a reputation. I assure you I can respect a person that conveys a cogent and salient message, but respect runs both ways, yes? For the record, despite what you may have heard through some suspect grapevine, I also know what it means to be a soldier. You are free to look up my military record, or as much of it as could be obtained from the Britannian computer records. Or perhaps you already have and you're wary of the discharge? I wouldn't read too much into it. No one else does. All other words aside though, I tell you honestly that I have no problem with you. If there is to be a problem between us... well that is entirely up to you.”

”Simmer down, Captain. I hold the utmost respect for you, in every sense of the word, and only wish to maintain a stable relationship between us. Your talent is what got you here, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do. If you make a mistake because of any so-called rumors, however…don’t think I’ll be so kind.”

Touya didn’t mean this in a threatening manner at all…in fact, if anything, his posture slackened as he spoke those last few words, tossing them to his comrade with ease. He could tell that Vierre was a man that valued his reputation, and would protect it from any who might tarnish it. This was good…he could trust that a man such as that would work to prove his worth on the battlefield to any who might look down upon him…and with the seed of doubt planted in his mind as to whether Touya actually respected him or not, the first battle would be something of a way for Vierre to show the Chief of Staff what he was capable of. Now, by seeming as though he were carelessly tossing him a bone by saying he respected him, and also claiming that if he messed up he would be reprimanded, he appealed once more to Vierre’s sense of confidence and self-worth. It might seem deceitful, but in the end, once Vierre fought his hardest and saw that Touya knew what he was doing, it would be all for the best.

"For future reference, I would recommend against selling yourself so aggressively. It comes off rather… unflattering. And so that we're all clear, that was a just a joke in good nature. If you wish to lodge a formal complaint with Sakura, well, I'm sure she would be absolutely delighted to see my name."

”I’ve no need to sell myself. You see, I’ve obviously already been sold to the higher ups…whether they be Zero, Sakura, or anyone else. If I wanted your approval, I’d simply show you what I could do in battle…which is exactly what I plan to do.”

Responding quickly to the man’s remark, Touya sat up once more, finished lounging for the time being. He was not at ease whatsoever in the current situation, however, he would exude confidence in every way possible, as such a mood would suit his needs and spur the men to either attempt to prove themselves to him, or to believe that he must have what it takes because of his attitude. Either way, it was a win-win situation, and Touya would take advantage of the general opinion of his fellow Knights. The man seemed to get straight to business after the small exchange…a trait Touya admired in any man, and he nodded slightly, smirking to himself as the man retrieved a folder and placed it on a nearby desk.

“Status report, First Division, including basic information on combat capabilities to bring you up to speed. "Between Burnlight's heavy weapons expertise and my own firearms specialties, you will not find a Division with better firepower in the Order. I have a few men and women proficient at close range melee combat, but it is not an overall Division focus. As with all other Divisions, as I'm sure you are aware, low equipment stores have been a recurring issue. Stocks are gradually improving, but there is still much room for improvement.”

”I thank you for bringing this to my attention, any and all information regarding forces at our displosal will aid me. I ask that you continue to keep me in the loop about any changes, and appreciate the quick action in getting me these files. In regards to the capabilities of your men, I’m certain that I will not be disappointed on the battlefield, and am excited to see exactly what you have in store. However, regarding the low equipment stores, I ask that you please continue to trust in Zero, Sakura, and all of the ranking officers. While I’m certain you haven’t exactly been making note of such issues often, the fact of the matter is, we will work around such limitations. Your job, as Captain of the first Squadron, is to ensure that your men are up to battle, and keeping their spirits high as you lead them. The equipment will be a nonissue, and make sure your men know this.”

Touya gave a small smile of reassurance to Vierre, glancing up at him for a moment before once more returning to the files. In this case, he was being completely serious, and not acting in the slightest. He wanted Vierre on his side in all of this, and while he was attempting to don a guise of confidence, he also knew that such problems wouldn’t be a concern so long as they played their cards right…which they would.

”Zero’s plans, Sakura’s work, my tactics…none of these will rely upon us being better equipped than the Britannian forces. We play to our strengths, and as the Black Knights, we are the hand of justice that will smite such enemies as the Britannian Empire, regardless of our needs and their surplus. Understood?”

[vierre]

”I’ve no need to sell myself. You see, I’ve obviously already been sold to the higher ups…whether they be Zero, Sakura, or anyone else. If I wanted your approval, I’d simply show you what I could do in battle…which is exactly what I plan to do.”

Vierre placed a hand lightly to his forehead. He had even stated quite plainly that he was far from being serious. It could not have been any more explicit, short of a formal declaration drafted by a lawyer and copied in triplicate. He shook his head and smiled, but stayed silent on the matter. The man had enough to deal with, with the promotion. He could find his personality later, when all was running smoothly, which Touya seemed very intent on doing, much to his credit. Vierre hated bureaucrats who spouted hollow words void of action. Perhaps hatred was even an insufficient term for the contempt he held. He detested, reviled, and abhorred any man or woman that could live skittering from broken promise to broken promise. If his instincts were any sign at all, Touya held the conviction to actually act.

“The equipment will be a non-issue, and make sure your men know this.”

“That is very good to hear. I will most certainly pass the word on to the men and women. It will undoubtedly go far to relieving some of their concerns.” Having been on both sides of the war, Vierre held a perspective that most of the men and women under his command lacked. It was a common myth among many members of the Black Knights that the Britannian military was a superior equipped force. In truth, the conflict from a century ago took a devastating toll on the military forces of all factions involved. Technological research and development and the manufacturing capabilities were only beginning to recover. “I also look forward to holding you to your word. I sincerely hope you will not disappoint us,” he added with a confident grin, not showing any doubt. This would be where Touya would earn their faith, and prove that he was more than a man of hollowed out words.

“Now then,” said Vierre with a shrug and a step back towards the exit. “Do you have any further questions regarding the First Division? If not, I will take my leave.”

[Touya Sakamoto]

Touya examined the man’s reaction to his response, and felt slightly amused by his exasperated expression. Certainly, Sakamoto had understood that the Captain hadn’t been serious in his comment, but he was not the type to not respond to another’s statement, regardless. His sense of humor was not the greatest, and he grew tired of those who tried too hard to lighten the mood, especially in times such as these when things were as bleak as ever. However, he respected the fact that the man was not nervous in the slightest, and definitely looked forward to being able to place this piece in a strategic position on the board. Touya felt something in the man, something that would be essential to his plans for the Black Knight forces. The man’s pride and confidence would be a great asset, as he knew he held great skill within him. It was still to be seen whether this pride would border on hubris, but Touya wasn’t going to rush the feeling out process in this situation. In that moment, Touya knew that so long as his forces carried themselves with this kind of confidence, they would not lose to Britannia.

“Now, then, Do you have any further questions regarding the First Division? If not, I will take my leave.”

In truth Touya could go on for quite a long time talking about his plans, and asking about the strengths and weaknesses of his division in detail. However, he felt as if this wasn’t the time, and he would instead like to observe for a small period of time before speaking with each of the Captains in regards to what he planned for them and their division. This man, Vierre DeMara, made the prospect of orchestrating victories for the Black Knights seem less daunting and all the more promising. Touya was confident in his own skill, but a leader is only as good as his subjects allow him to be. From this point on, Touya knew that doubting the skill of the Black Knights would be foolhardy, and he resolved to refrain from any such doubts in the future.

”At the moment, I have nothing further to ask. Thank you for the introduction, and I appreciate the update. Stay sharp, I’ll let you know what I have planned soon enough.” Touya was sure that this man did not mind the fact that he wouldn’t be telling him all of his plans right this moment, and he was also sure that the man did not need to be told to stay sharp, but it was a habit of his to reiterate important aspects of keeping cool and being successful to those around him, to make sure they didn’t forget and followed them. It might be somewhat aggravating, but Touya was not about to stop, seeing as it had never done him wrong in the past. Zero’s forces need a calm and collected man to guide them, not someone that was hot-headed and never took a step back from things to calm down. Touya fit that bill perfectly, seeing as he did not enjoy showing emotion to those around him, seeing it as a sign of weakness of some kind, and would rather keep to himself while telling the troops around him exactly what he expected of him. Although this Chief of Staff appointment was new to him, he had been considering how he would run things from the very moment he joined the Black Knights. Therefore, this promotion seemed to have been a long time coming, rather than something that was out of the blue.

In all honesty, Touya did not believe himself to necessarily be the best option for Zero’s Chief of Staff. There were plenty of men that would not hesitate to take an action that would cost the lives of civilians, and even their own troops, for the sake of a victory. Touya had found that although he was a skilled tactician, he always preferred to shy away from lethal action if at all possible. He wouldn’t let this stop him from winning as many battles as possible, but he also would not let his troops know this little tidbit of information about him. He didn’t need them doubting his resolve, and in the end they needed to trust him nearly as much as they needed to trust Zero, so they would follow his orders and be less likely to defect if things happened to get difficult for a short period of time. He would maintain a cool exterior, all the while making sure he was as charismatic as he had ever been. Turning his head once more to Vierre, his voice gained more of a light and understanding tone, as opposed to his previously harsh countenance. He needed this man on his side, and he admired the Captain’s confidence. He opened his mouth to speak once more:

”I’m relying on you. You’re the example that I want other knights to strive toward. You are to me what Sakura is to Zero. Please, keep that in mind.” Certainly, he was still getting a feel for the kind of man Vierre was, but if the Captain approved of him then he was all the more likely to support him, and as a new leader looking to prove himself to those under him, having the support of one of his subordinates was almost a necessity. Touya would stop worrying about this when they saw how he handled himself on the battlefield.

With that, he turned his attention once more to the status report, giving it the full capacity that his mind had to offer. He needed to know as much about every facet of these Divisions as he could, and there was no time to waste. There would be no honeymoon, no time of celebration for his newest promotion. It was time to get to work, and he would prove to everyone around him that he deserved this position, beyond a shadow of a doubt. Running through the advantages and disadvantages of this Division, he nodded his head slightly, transfixed in his analysis of this important asset.

[Touya Sakamoto]

-Topic Finished-

Touya Sakamoto: (4449 Words, Normal RP) 445 Exp, 445 Credits [0]
Vierra DeMara: (1724 Words, Normal RP) 183 Exp, 183 Credits [+10]

Topic will be moved, and changes will be added.