High Standards

[Alex]

Alex beamed at his new SIC. She seemed utterly confused at first, but appreciative all the same. "I'm glad and I promise to do my best, but I still can't help but wonder. Why me? I know there are others that have been in the guild a much longer time."

"Why you? Because you're the opposite of me on all the key points." He allowed himself a small chuckle. "See, where I'm quick to decide, you take the time to think it through. Sometimes. But same as me. You've definitely got patience- more than I have, by far. You know the guild well, they know you, and you have a great advantage over other shifters, being so active on the wharf. All-in-all, everything that I was looking for. Not to mention that, obviously, I trust you,"

Alex cast a furtive glance at the bird, who seemed to have turned her attention from the two humans in front of her. Gave up on pissing him off, it seemed? Well, she looked like she was searching for something...a way out, maybe? As glad as he'd be when she finally left, his mind nagged on the knowledge that he would be letting a potential Thief go. His indecision wavered for a moment, before he decided that maybe he'd approach the hawk and ask it.

[.: T O K I :.]

"Why you? Because you're the opposite of me on all the key points." Both friends chuckled at that, yet it was very true. "See, where I'm quick to decide, you take the time to think it through. Sometimes. But same as me. You've definitely got patience-more than I have, by far. You know the guild well, they know you, and you have a great advantage over other shifters, being so active on the wharf. All-in-all, everything that I was looking for. Not to mention that, obviously, I trust you."

Amber slightly nodded with her hand rubbing her chin. She got the gist of it, and most of it was technically true. She was a lot more patient than Alex, but then again, who wasn't? Possibly his family, I mean, he did have to get it from somewhere. Amber didn't know about thinking things through all the time, though she did try to. And yes, the advantage. That was pretty big, but she had grown up there. She knew almost every human, animal, and shifter by looks-though not all by name, yet.

Amber self-consciously nodded to herself, she was good now. It wouldn't feel right to take it on her own, but as long as she had a good reason it would work fine. A bored voice bounced off the walls, breaking her train of thought, "You know I still think it's a bit funny place to meet, don't you?" Amber titled her head to see who was talking and wouldn't you know-it was that girl. I think her name was Caela...

She was now sitting calmly on a pile of boxes. Of course, not the ones she flew into before. Amber bit her lip to stop from laughing. She wasn't sure whether she was angry for hiding, humored for trying to act it off, or just plain confused. Why did she shift back? Did she forget something? Ask something? Lonely? Curious? Spy? Amber dismissed the idea, it was almost clear that she wasn't an Assassin.

Amber lightly shook her head at the comment, "How is it funny? You were the one who came down just to see what was down here." Amber lightly touched the idea that maybe she didn't, but the thought passed her mind. It was quit true actually. Alex and Amber knew no one was down here and decided to talk where no one would listen. They just didn't know that Caela would be down here too.

[Alex]

Alex cast the hawk another bored stare when he noticed a sudden activity out of the corner of his eye, and was prepared to shrug it off and continue ignoring the pesky bird. However, on a second glance, he was left nearly speechless. His jaw literally hung open and he snapped it shut, a strong mixture of confusion and shock sparking in his eyes.

C-Caela was a hawk shifter?! Well, it had KIND of been obvious before, but...to see it with his own eyes!

He gaped and pointed, speechless, unintentionally being comical. His head turned from the newly-appeared girl, to Amber, almost expectantly, then back to Caela without changing expressions. Making his resolve, Alex pivoted on his heel and stood, his weight mainly on one leg. He gestured to Caela with one hand.

"So you saw ME shift into a fox, but didn't tell me that you could shift, either? Well, I guess it explains your obvious lack of....surprise, concern, disgust ,-take your pick- back then, at school that one time,"

But still! Caela...the witty girl who countered his remarks with equal sarcasm. The hawk who purposefully tried to piss him off: he had been pretty sure, but that was the thing that should have made it the most obvious! He allowed himself a laugh. "I would have never guessed you were a hawk, though I guess I can see how it makes sense," he said, tilting his head slightly to the side as if regarding her in a new light.

[.: T O K I :.]

((Y'all left me a lot of things to write about. ))

Amber chuckled when she read Alex's surprised expression as did Caela it seemed. She'd seen him surprised, but never really have is mouth open that shocked and she found it quiet funny. He weakly pointed at her, "So you saw me shift into a fox, but didn't tell me that you could shift, either? Well, I guess it explains your obvious lack of... surprise, concern, disgust,-take your pick- back then, at school that one time."

Amber lifted her eyebrows at this, but didn't say anything. She briefly wondered what had happened, but ignored the thought as she realized it wasn't her business. Alex nervously laughed, though he didn't seem too into it, "I would have never guessed you were a hawk, though I guess I can see how it makes sense." He titled his head and carefully studied her in curiosity.

Amber titled her head too. She didn't really know what you were reflected on your personality. It made her wonder why she was a cat shifter. What she previously had known about cats was that they were quiet, liked company, and pretty independent. She could kind of see it, but Amber wasn't that quiet all the time. She changed her gaze to Caela and watched as she crossed her legs and got into a more comfortable position.

"Did I slap you around the face and not realize I did it, Alex?" Her voice dripped with hilarity at his expression and Amber couldn't help but smile at his expense. Suddenly she stood up and dusted herself off even though it seemed there was no dust.

"Well you were in such a hurry," she paused to laugh and roll her eyes, "To the point where-as I'm sure you realized-you even left your boxers behind." Her smile grew as if she were blackmailing him. Amber bit her lip to stop from burst out laughing. Amber wondered for a moment if he ever went back to get them, but she let it go. Alex was impatient, but he wasn't very forgetful.

She turned to Amber and shrugged as if it was nothing, "I suppose you know him better than I do. Does he always forget stuff like that?" Amber shook her head and spoke with a smile on her face, "Rarely." Amber wasn't quiet sure if she knew Alex better than she did considering they were in the same class and grade. Amber didn't even see him every day, though she did see in frequently.

Abruptly she turned to Amber again, "There's a bit of a difference between exploration and purposefully choosing here to meet, of all the places." Amber nodded, but opened her mouth to speak before she was interrupted, "But you bring up a point. It's not the most obvious place in the world so I suppose that makes it a good spot to meet up for... uh... important discussions?"

Her assumption soon changed to a question as it dawned on her that she didn't really know what they were there for yet. Amber grunted and wondered if she should tell her, but in the end it was Alex's choice. She made a mental note to remind her self to as Alex about the advantages about being Second in Command later.

[Alex]

The boy crossed his arms indignantly. "I forgot them once. Once." He cast Caela an accusatory glare, offering her a bit of a pout, then turned to Amber. "Thank you for siding with me."

And all at once, he became extremely uncomfortable. He was standing in the subway tunnels with his second in command, and a girl with whom he seemed to have an unspoken rivalry with. And Caela seemed to be making it purposefully hard on him. Why must she be so obnoxious? he asked himself with a sort of a sigh, shaking his head at her jests.

Making up his mind, Alex turned to Amber. "I think that since she's here, and she's a shifter with no guild, we might as well tell her about the whole...guild deal. Who knows? She might end up joining us. And if she doesn't, well then...she just won't, I guess. But we might as well inform her. I think that, as a Shifter, she has a right to know." The boy turned his head to look at Caela and raised his eyebrows, as if asking 'does that sound good to you?'

Although, knowing her, she'd probably make some issue out of it and end up making him look stupid. Somehow, someway, she would. But he didn't really know her all that well, did he? He'd met her once at school (an experience that went particularly badly for him), and other than that, they hadn't talked. So how well DID he know her? And how well could he trust her? Was she a reliable person to have in the Thieves? What about if she was reliable enough to be trusted with the knowledge that there were tons more Shifters in Shelpey? Or the guilds?

But one thing he knew he had to keep in mind: she was a shifter, whether he thought she was reliable or not. Any secret that involved the Shifters involved her, too. She wouldn't purposefully tell outsiders about them, because it would be endangering herself, too. That was one support he knew he could count on.

[Alex]

OOC|| BWAHAHAH! Posted!

[.: T O K I :.]

Amber softly smiled at him in response, but soon switched an amused smirk at Caela's comment. Just one time he says. She glanced around in silence, waiting for someone to say something. Nope. Not awkward at all. Again Alex turned back to Amber for another word, "I think that since she's here, and she's a shifter with no guild, we might as well tell her about the whole... guild deal. Who knows? She might end up joining us. And if she doesn't, well then... she just won't, I guess. But we might as well inform her. I think that, as a shifter, she has a right to know." He glanced back at the girl and Amber studied her.

She wasn't entirely against the idea herself. Amber wasn't sure where she stood with this girl. Although she was older, Amber knew a lot more about things, yet in other areas she knew more than her too. Her humored hostility toward Alex was strange to say the least, though she seemed okay around Amber. Her eyes flicked between the two, trying to figure out what might have happened. What had caused the friction between them?

Now if she did join, the Thieves would gain a new member, but it's not like anyone just joined. Amber had hardly known her, though Alex seemed to know her somewhat. Though what was she good at? Would she even be useful? Amber didn't like... well, using people, but it would become problematic if a situation arise and Caela wouldn't be able to help, or not be there, or need something that the gang couldn't offer.

She wondered though, if she didn't join. Would she go to the Assassins? She had been interested in the gangs it seemed, would she be a problem later on? From their behavior, could Alex and Caela even get along? That would technically mean that Alex would be Caela's superior. Then again, so would Amber. She lightly chuckled at the thought. She sighed in all seriousness, could she be trusted?

From Amber's own perspective, it hadn't seemed like the two had got along well, though they did humor each other. That was a start. What if she was already in the Assassin's though? Amber decided to wait and see what Alex would decide, after all, it was her first job as a second in command. Hopefully she'd learn something from this mess.

As she finished her quick thoughts, Caela scoffed and titled her head in wonder. Amber mirrored her movement and waited for her to speak, "You know, I'd heard rumors about these funny little guilds." The girl paused to lean her weight on her hips, "Not that everybody in them was a shifter, mind you..." Amber blinked in confusion. Not everyone in the guild was a shifter? Amber thought for a brief moment. Maybe she just had misunderstood and Caela had meant she'd heard rumors about the guilds from people who weren't shifters?

"It's kind of funny, if you're not a part of one of these "guilds" and you haven't heard of them besides the rumors..." Amber nodded thoughtfully, she knew what it was like. That was just her not long ago, but then she was a little... ignorant and figured they were just regular gangs. She hadn't even tried to listen to any rumors. Gossip was just silly nonsense and unless you have proof it's most of the time, hardly worth knowing.

"Well it gets kinda lonely. Up until I saw you, Alex, I was really figuring I'd been the only one like me." Although the statement was directed at Amber's... friend, she responded anyway with an amused puff, "Ahh well, sorry 'bout that. You'll have to go somewhere else if you think like that because I can say, there are a whole lot more of us around here. No on knows why though, there just is. I don't even know if there's other shifters around this area except Shelpey Alley... I mean other places yeah, but around here...?" Amber side-glanced Alex, hoping he might know something more.

[Alex]

Alex regarded his new Second in Command as she paused for a while. She seemed lost in her thoughts, and he wondered what she was contemplating. A few times she cast glances at Caela and himself, and he amused himself by making faces at her when she looked absently in his direction. She didn't seem to notice, and if she did, she didn't seem to mind.

"I'd think that it should be easy to figure out that the guilds aren't just normal city gangs," Alex mused to the group. "Considering all the close calls we've had, I'm surprised that no one has started to suspect us."

OOC|| Fell museless.

[.: T O K I :.]

((Lol, Astar were you even finished with your post?))

The girl frowned at her comment, "Well my apologies, but I am somewhat, somewhat new to the neighborhood." Caela practically snorted at the mentioning, as if it were an insult. Amber raised her eyebrows to this, but said nothing. How could Amber really have known that she hadn't been here long? She scowled at the thought, but let it slide anyway. Alex would know if she were lying about anything, didn't they go to the same school?

"Considering all the close calls we've had, I'm surprised that no one has started to suspect us." Alex cut randomly in from his thoughts making Caela raise an eyebrow at him. Amber turned her head to him, waiting for Caela to finish speaking, "You know I do try and stay away from all things troublesome. Which is probably why I haven't heard that much." Amber nodded her head at her and turned back ready to say something, but stopped as she watched Caela.

The girl turned her nose up and rolled her eyes at them. "Yes, yes, okay. So we've all worked out I'm clearly blind and stupid and don't get out my house often enough to realize there's a bunch of shifters around. Moving swiftly on from that point, are you actually going to tell me anything about this guild of yours or not?" Amber scowled again, yet went back to a semi neutral-happy face, hoping that maybe she'd calm down.

"Well no on said that, and I can't say it was really implied either..." Amber trailed off, counting how many times it really might have been implied, but she couldn't think of any really. It was a little distracted by what she would tell this girl about the guilds. It didn't seem they made a good impression on her, and she didn't want to accidentally send her to the Assassins either.

She contemplated for a moment before speaking, "Anyway, yes we were going to tell you about the guilds." She took a breath, "Let's see now, where to start..." Amber cupped a hand around her cheek, unsure how to start. They could start with letting her know about the rules. Or about the guilds? Amber hoped she knew about the rule... "Well first off, you probably know already, but just in case. There's a rule that's common around all shape shifters no matter what guild or where you come from, ironically it's known as The Golden Rule. I guess to keep hidden from... non shape shifters. Anyway the rule is not to show anyone your other form, unless you're absolutely certain that they are also shifters."

Amber paused, not wanting to offend her of not knowing, "You probably already know about it, but just to be sure since you said you're new and all." She still wasn't sure if she was new or not, but... it never hurt to remind someone. She dropped her hand from her face and instead clasp her hands behind her back like she normally did. "Now let's see..." Amber trailed off, not knowing what to say.

[Alex]

OOC|| Kind of. XD It's all good, though.

BIC||

The fox shifter cast Caela a glance as she mentioned that she was new to the neighborhood. His look was almost incredulous, but he shrugged and let it slide, not offering any more on the subject.

Alex was still watching Caela when she went on a short rant about not getting out of the house often. "Blind and stupid...?" He mused quietly to himself, mentally differing with her viewpoint. "Although, if you didn't notice, it could be because we do a good enough job hiding the fact. That's a bit of a reassurance," Alex had to admit that, at the moment, he was very worried about the guilds being caught by someone. It had never really crossed his mind as urgently as it did now. What if someone saw one of the shifters change forms? That would be the end of their lives as they knew them.

He watched Amber as she explained the Golden Rule to Caela, and felt a pang of sympathy for Amber. He could tell that she was trying her best not to accidentally offend Caela in any way. "I always thought that we had to tell it to every single new member so that IF they were caught for doing it -though, so far, no one has- they can't use the excuse 'but I didn't know!'" He added on, hoping that if there were any ruffled feathers, they were smoothed over now.

The trio in the tunnels were alerted to the rumble of another subway train coming down the tracks. Alex flinched as the lights suddenly lit up the room again, and he could barely keep from covering his ears with his hands as the deafening roar reverberated around the enclosed space.

Once the train had passed, he regained his composure and continued with explaining the guilds.

"So, in simple terms, the guilds are quite literally gangs. We've even got the police activity after us to prove it. But we're not centered around vandalism and crime, or whatever. Both guilds are centered around mainly having a group of shifters that you can communicate openly with, since obviously, you can't go waltzing around the town talking about this stuff. Each member is valuable to the guilds, and you're bound to make friends that you know you can trust above anyone else. These guys will be your second family: you'll be spending a lot of time with them and getting to know each other.

"There are two guilds: the Thieves, and the Assassins. There really aren't many huge differences between the two, but due to the simple fact that they're two separate entities, there are all sorts of feuds between the two. Maybe some of those are due to guild loyalty, or ideals...I don't really know. But there's always been hostility between the two.

"The Assassins are led by two rather...scary shifters. By scary, I mean intimidating, strict, and arrogant. I tend to think that they'd go a lot more violent route to get what they want, but it's bad to stereotype. The Thieves are led by no other than myself, and my just-appointed Second in Command, Amber. Actually, you're the first member to know, if you choose to join. That's why we were down here in the first place. Anyway, the Thieves are, in my biased opinion, a lot kinder and more considerate of the consequences. You could say that we tend to think things through a lot better than the Asses do.

"If you join either one of the guilds, most likely you'll be asked to fight in any skirmishes that you happen across, and try to defend our territory and members. We've also got a few guild secrets that we shouldn't let leak to the Assassins, so it also might be your responsibility to help keep those safe. Overall, a kind of loyalty pledge. No initiation processes. Hazing is against our rules, though the Asses probably have something like that set up over there.

"But yeah. That's...pretty much it. The rest of the information you'd learn isn't really available to anyone, so we would have to be sure that you were intent on sticking by our side before we inform you of... said information. So there you have it. A run-down of what guild life is like. Sound interesting so far?"

OOC|| Did I make up for that short post?