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Chevalier     Well that didn't take long. Chevalier probably shouldn't have been surprised at his current assignment. He's fought hundreds of battles against overwhelming odds, led a couple of those battles, and has been fighting villains longer than some Paladins have been alive. Which makes him perfect to see what he can teach raw recruits and troublemakers, naturally. Not that he really minds. Overeager kids and discipline cases are kind of par for the course when you run a division for superheroes. And he tends to actually LIKE such people so long as they're not total jerkasses. Of course he'll be in the field whenever needed, but for now he's going to be helping in an area he's got plenty of experience in.

    Those whose superiors decide they need to meet with Chevalier will be given orders to come to the training facility. It might well be punishment detail, a chance to improve their training, or just a test for Chevalier's patience. Others in the Paladins will know about the session too, and some might want to check out the new guy.

    The shiny metal dude himself stands at attention in the room, still as a statue, waiting. No doubt people have no reason to expect a statue in the training rooms, but it's not like it's impossible. This statue looks pretty martial after all, with some emphasis on pretty. Gold and silver engravings all over the suit make it catch the eye, and the sword looks almost ornamental too, its pommel at Chevalier's chin level, his hands closed over the crossguard, the blade's point several feet below touching the floor.

    For now he waits, to see who comes in to the meeting, silent and still so he can see their attitudes to being ordered in for what was presumably announced to be a training session without them necessarily realizing he's actually a living person. And if they figure it out... well, that'll tell him something too!
Sokka Sokka was here because, well... it was less that he was being punished. More this was a trial for the new guy. A day with Sokka. Guh. Could anything be worse? Maybe if he was lucky the whole thing would be over with quickly.

Granted, despite Sokka's young age, he and Toph were both veterans. He'd seen more battles and, heck, been instrumental in winning a world wide war. He wasn't some newbie. But he was always ready to learn. And, well...

He was carrying Toph in through the door, a playful grin on his face. Maybe she wanted to come, maybe she didn't. Either way, he was making her because, hey, training. And then... "Wow, look. They even set up a big statue." He said as he walked up to it and poked. "Man, whoever this guy is must be arrogant as heck. Is this supposed to be him? Well, hopefully he's pretty good. It'll be fun to learn some new things."
Toph Beifong     Being carried isn't something that Toph seems exactly /thrilled/ with, but she lets the watertribe warrior do so without whining. Instead she keeps her arms crossed with a bored look on her face. Though the moment Sokka comments on the metal armour there, the blind girl sighs and wriggles, getting down to the floor whether Sokka lets her to or not. "It's easier for me to see when I have my feet on the ground, you know..." she mutters, only to arch an eyebrow as Sokka pokes the armour. Though she somehow keeps her mouth shut, canting her head instead. "It's not supposed to be him, no. It is him," is what she says in a calm manner.

    "So, DJ... you're the one who's running the meeting tonight? What's up anyway?" she inquires.
Kotone Shiomi Kotone Shiomi is wearing her school uniform, though she's also got what appears to be a pistol in a holster on her hip and a naginata on her back, as well as a red armband labelled 'SEES' around her upper arm. She nods to Toph and Sokka as she comes in, "Hey." She greets, and then she goes on to examine this strange statue, seemingly curious about it. "Do you guys know what's up with--" And then Toph answers that question, "Oh."
Chevalier     First impressions, while not as essential as lasting impressions, are still a thing. Chevalier doesn't react to the accusation of arrogance or, for that matter, the poke. Sokka will possibly realize that armor's massive. It doesn't shift when he pokes it, not even a little. Certainly it's solid enough to have someone in it, and probably somewhat more solid even than that would account for.

    He gets a good first guess as to personalities and abitlies too. Just a hint really, between actions taken and entrances made, and also glimmers perceived. Glimmers that are all but useless most of the time, but they're considerably more true than first impressions. Once he gets to know the person well enough to identify their glimmer in hindsight at least.

    Chevalier moves one hand to clasp Sokka's shoulder. There's no menace in the movement, and the gesture's fast enough that it'll likely be over before Sokka quite realizes it's a person there in front of him. "Welcome." he says, not exerting any real force against the youth. No mass either. The articulated armor moves surprisingly well, like a second skin rather than a heavy shell. "Welcome, all of you." he adds, his voice undistorted despite the fully-enclosing helmet. "This isn't a formal meeting. Our bosses decided we should meet, to see what happens, I assume."

    Letting Sokka go, Chevalier turns to take in the junior Paladins. Since they all came to investigate the 'statue', this isn't hard. "Sit if you want, or stand. Unless things get official I'm okay with informality. First things first however, introductions. I'm Chevalier. You're all senior to me in the Paladins I bet, but I've been doing this sort of thing for a long time."

    He's smiling behind his face plate, but of course this isn't something that's obvious. It might be apparent in his tone, of course. He doesn't really mind being 'junior', but of course it'll be interesting to see what these 'kids' think about it. He remembers his own youth well enough, and his own introduction to the Triumvirate and other well-known heroes. It wasn't the hero-worship, figurative or literal, that some might expect.
Sokka Sokka yelped and almost dropped Toph. Then, gently, he did put him down. Holy cr--

"Dang, you're a big one. Welp, I'm Sokka, nice to meet you. This here is Toph. She's the tough one," he says with a joking chuckle. "A real rock-hard ally you can depend on," he jokes. He didn't sit, however, instead watching the guy and looking him up and down. "I look forward to seeing what we can learn from you! And welcome to the paladins!"
Toph Beifong     Toph doesn't move as Sokka's shoulder is clasped, nor does she look nervous. Perhaps it's because she's worked with Chevalier before, even if it's not face to face. Maybe it's because she can read his movements even before he's done them. The blind teenager merely observes for now, though she visibly relaxes when Chevalier states that this will be an informal meeting. Unlike Sokka she sits down at once, then yanks on Sokka. Come sit down you too, dork.

    "So why did the bosses decide that we should meet anyway...?" Toph prods, arching an eyebrow. Sure, she can hear the tone in his voice, he sounds pleased about this. Why, Toph looks so relaxed that she... begins picking her nose with her pinky finger where she sits, waiting for Chevalier's response as to /why/ they really are here.
Kotone Shiomi "Kotone Shiomi, Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad." That'd be what 'SEES' stands for then, "Nice to meet you, sir." She sits down and takes a better look at the tall guy. Aside from the weapons she looks like any other teenage girl, and even the weapons don't look all that special. "Junior or senior doesn't really matter to me. They put me in charge of SEES' field operations back when I was one of the newest members of the team." Of course the others weren't all that much less junior.
Chevalier     Chevalier's known a few jokers in the past. Some he quite liked, while others he just put up with. Most are dead now, and most of them suffered an undeserved fate whether he liked them or not, and it's in their memory that he hoists a metaphorical glass now. "It's just the armor." he jokes. He's somewhat tall, but more than that he's broad across shoulders and chest. "I don't look that big when I'm undressed, or so a few women have told me." he says casually.

    It's too early for him to pigeonhole Sokka, but at least the kid seems nice enough. And too, he's got Toph's respect. That counts for quite a lot, given the feelings of some of his oldest friends.

    "Execution squad." Chevalier notes with obvious surprise. It doesn't seem appropriate to the Paladins, which he assumes means that it's not entirely what it sounds like. "No need to call me sir. If you're going to call me by rank, it's Chevalier anyways. Might as well get used to it." he says. "I got put in charge of squads before. It's usually more about someone's ability to make clear, cool decisions rather than seniority or combat ability, at least if the bosses know what they're doing." he claims. And doesn't elaborate on whether or not his own bosses knew what they were doing, making him a leader. Not that he's a leader now, but despite his words denying any rank he carries himself as someone who expects respect if not subservience.

    Chevalier shrugs, helmet turning and tilting to take in Toph on the floor. "They didn't tell me." he says. "So your guess is as good as mine. But I've seen too many people die. Friends, colleagues, sometimes even enemies. If I can help prevent that, then I guess I get to teach a bit. Old age has to be good for something right?" he claims. Not that it's obvious how old he is.

    "Before I teach you anything though, I'd like to know something. Why the Paladins, each of you?" he asks with genuine curiosity. "There's a lot of safer career choices out there. And a lot of other ways to do good, if that's what you value. Why choose this group in particular?"
Sokka Sokka chuckled and sat by Toph, reaching out and... covered her hands, pushing them into her lap. Then gave her a kiss on the nose. "No, bad," he teased.

Then the reason... well... "It's where all the hot girls are," he joked. "No, not really. I wanted to help people. Besides, doing patrols for the rest of my life would have been boring as heck. This is way funner. And I can help keep Toph out of trouble." Then a hand reached up and ruffled her hair. "Besides. The two of us make a good team. As long as we're together, isn't anything in the multiverse we can't beat." Wink.
Toph Beifong     The joke about looking big makes Toph roll her eyes just a little bit, though she focuses on the other stuff. "Fine, Double Chevy..." It's nothing new to her at least that he's lead squads before. So he's obviously got brains, otherwise he wouldn't have been chosen to lead the fight against Scion of all things. Is he supposed to lead them, teach them or something? At that thought the metalbender narrows her eyes a little, all while she pulls out a booger and then flicks it off to the side. "So how old are you anyway?"

    Well, /he/ was the one who mentioned it!

    Well, he certainly doesn't pull any punches when it comes to questions, now does he? Snorting, Toph listens to Sokka as he explains why /he/ joined up. Personally she thought it was due to a plate of pasta. Even as he reaches a hand up and ruffles her hair she keeps still, though a faint blush crosses her cheeks before she speaks up, giving her answer. "I was asked to join since somebody thought there's an inner cop inside me fighting to get out. Another version of me was chief of police. I like to yell at people and tell them what to do. Helping people, stopping crime... take your pick." Yes, she has many reasons for being here. "Not to mention we've done more dangerous crud before," she adds and jerks a thumb towards Sokka.
Kotone Shiomi "I want to protect people." Simple, straightforward, honest. "I don't mind taking some risks so others can be safe." Kotone Shiomi is a good person, if by the sounds of it perhaps a little overly selfless. She shrugs, and then asks, "Do I need any more reason than that?" It sounds like a honest question, not a sarcastic rhetorical one.
Chevalier     Chevalier considers giving Sokka shit for kissing Toph in a meeting, but decides not to. This isn't a formal training session after all, and it's not like he never dated fellow Wards. There were ten of them in the inaugural group, five boys and five girls, and all of them had undergone something that left them generally uncomfortable around those that didn't know the truth. And wary, of course, of letting others know about their powers for fear of the villains out there who would take advantage of it.

    He'll discipline Sokka another time then, if they have an official session at some point. It'll likely come up again, and the lesson will stick better if it's justified. "Teamwork is important." he agrees. He nods to Toph's answer, reserving comment, then nods to Kotone as well. "It's a good reason." he agrees. "And no you don't need another one. Not with me, and probably not with anyone who matters." he says. Chevalier wasn't asking to put people on the spot or to try to correct them. It's something he genuinely wants to know, even if the question's a leading one.

    But first, Toph's answer. Chevalier smiles, and lifts off his helmet. Underneath, he's... well, perhaps not quite so imposing as he is with that implacable metal face. He has short curly hair, damp with sweat, and black rather than grey for all his talk of age. More attention-getting, however, are the scars. He's got a few, even on his face. A blotch which seems to be a healed-over burn, and a cut from some sort of blade that crosses an eye. Either scar looks like it could've blinded him, and that the blinding only missed by the thinnest of margins besides. Both are old injuries, long-healed except for the scars.

    "Lost track of time a bit." Chevalier says, bringing a metal-clad hand up and running it through his tousled hair. "But I'm not 40 yet, I'm sure of that much." he claims, grinning. "I became a Ward, oh, I figure I was about your ages. Maybe a year younger. And it's been over twenty years since then. So somewhere in that range I guess." he says.

    "So. You like telling people what to do. And yelling." Chevalier says to Toph. "What about the rules? Do YOU like being told what to do? If I gave you orders and didn't bother explaining why, would you follow them? What if I was some politician giving you orders, someone who's never put their life on the line? What then?" he asks. He glances at the others. "You too. I'm not saying you like bossing people around like Toph here, but what do you think about following orders from someone who hasn't got the slightest clue what it's like to be YOU?"
Kotone Yamakawa While Kotone Yamakawa aka Samsara wasn't a part of this group that Chevalier was helping out?She had come to /see/ just what everyone was going to be doing how things would roll out here. She's clad in what she calls smart clothing likely some whole high tech cloving she's picked up in her travels in the multiverse. She entered and had been watching for some time she'd not said anything just yet she's warching and trying to get an feel for the new guy and how Shiomi, Toph and Sokka react to him. Though dependong on how perceptive Chevalier is he might notice something odd about kotone and if he has sensors in that kit of he he most certainly would.
Sokka Sokka cocked his eye, pulling a knee up to his chest, the other splayed out. He then frowned a little bit. "Fought in a war. Had people who had no idea what they were doing telling us what to do all the time. We tried to work with them, but sometimes we couldn't. Then... well, we did things on our own," he said with a shrug.

"I'll follow the rules whenever I can. But I can and will think for myself. If following orders is for the best, then I'll do it. But... if I have to, I'll disobey when I have to. Granted, haven't had to yet. But you never know. The paladins seem to have their stuff sorted pretty well, so should hopefully never be an issue."
Toph Beifong     It doesn't really help Toph much when Chevalier takes off his helmet, so she just waits patiently. When he does state his age though, she snorts. "My dad's older than you," she comments. Which means he's not /that/ old. Just... kinda old. "So the Wards have been around for that long, huh?" It's not like she bothered learning much about the PRT when she helped out in Brockton Bay, but even so, she did hear things, mostly from Colin.

    Heck, Toph's not about to protest at her own words, shrugging casually. "That's just the way I am. I mostly do that when teaching bending, though it helps having people in charge if stuff happens. As for rules..." Toph sighs heavily. "I would prefer to do whatever I feel like, but... I know I can't. If it's an order I can understand /why/ I should follow, then sure. If it's something that doesn't make sense, then I will want to know /why/. The laws around the multiverse mostly make sense, so it makes sense enforcing them. Some people are fighters, others aren't."

    Then her expression turns a bit more... reserved. "I prefer using my powers to protect people, like Sokka and I did during the war in our world. Like he said, thinking is kinda important. Be critical. If somebody ordered me to follow orders that didn't make sense, I would contact the Paladin leaders to check it out."
Kotone Shiomi "I ... guess it depends." Kotone answers, face scrunching up in thought a little. She doesn't really seem to have given the topic much thought before, but she's giving it some now, at least. "Does the order make sense? If not, does it break the laws as I know them? If so, I'd probably call that out, I think. If it doesn't, uh... is it urgent? Then probably go ahead and follow along and ask later, if not... try to figure out why before it becomes urgent." The Persona user does not seem particularly confident with her answer, but it's the best she's got.
Chevalier     Chevalier's expression, normally a little stern but not unkind, darkens as Sokka gives his answer. He might even be said to glower a bit, though he doesn't speak immediately. He gives everyone their chance to consider the question, and to give their own answers before he makes his own opinion known. Fortunately, his grim expression does lighten. It's not like he doesn't understand where Sokka's coming from, or the others for that matter. He's been there himself. He's not angry, but he wants to be sure to impress upon them how seriously he takes this matter in particular.

    "If it ever comes to a choice between your morals and following orders, you'd better BE sure." he states, the words clipped and precise. "Our bosses in the Paladins probably know what's going on, but in the end we take our orders from politicians. From ordinary people. That's the point." he says. "And if you choose to disobey, you'd better be damn sure. I like your answers in general. I'd rather see someone think for themselves than blindly follow bad orders. But at the same time... we're Paladins." he says.

    After a moment Chevalier lowers himself to the floor, sitting cross-legged in that armor of his like it almost wasn't there. It doesn't creak and groan like some might expect, either. It's good quality stuff, made with full modern engineering rather than medieval artifice. "It's not like I've never questioned my orders. Or disobeyed." he admits. "I was a Rogue before joining the Wards. Inaugural program in fact. Of the Wards that is." He makes a face. He's messing this up, because it's not a speech. As much as he hates speeches, they're easier than this sort of back-and-forth discussion.

    "At some point you'll probably get in trouble because you think a law's stupid." Chevalier claims. "You won't know why you should follow it, and it won't seem important. Probably won't BE important. But even if that law's not important, we're Paladins. We follow the laws because that's what we do. If you start deciding which laws are worth following and which aren't, you're acting for yourself. There's a lot of power out there in being known to be one of the good guys. In making sure people know they can trust you. Break that, you got a long uphill battle to fight to ever be trusted again." he says, sighing. "I don't have a good answer for you, and I'm not going to tell you to follow orders no matter what. But I will tell you that following the rules does a lot more good in the end than it might look at first"
Sokka Sokka nodded. "Yeah, I am a paladin. But if it comes to the point I'm breaking orders, trust me. I'm damn sure. And I'm ready to accept the consequences." There was determination to his tone. But of course. He knew how important orders were, the war taught him that. But he also knew that, sometimes, orders had to be ignored, bent or even broken.

Then he gave a casual grin. "But, hey. Paladins got their stuff together. I don't see it really becoming a major issue any time soon, so I wouldn't worry," he said almost dismissively. Not that he was dismissive of it. He just sounded it.
Kotone Yamakawa Kotone Yamakawa humms listens to Chevlier talk he's not as up tight as she feared and not as blind as she though given eh question hr's bringing up at the point. She watches them carry on and listen with. She now chose to speak up when they contiune on. She pauses for a moment and nods. "There's a stupidmental health law on my world which could honestly be sapient right violation depening on how you look at it. Basically people who don't wish to get new certain ... bits of implanted technology are treated like those who might have a eatering disorder on my world and on others. It's a load of dirty money favour and bribs from the hardware's makers and everyone knows it. Yet no one can prove it..."
Toph Beifong     Toph arches an eyebrow at the speech, then nods. "Well, following the law is kinda what we do, I know that. But I do hope that we can actually help influence the laws in the end and make sure that we enforce them in a way that can help people," she says. Because she's gotten in trouble with the law before and she did pay for it. Of course following the law is good if everybody does it and it's a law that makes sense. But... what to do with laws that doesn't make sense?

    "Consequences are important, yeah..." Toph sighs. "I know we're Paladins, and we're here to uphold the law."
Kotone Shiomi "We kind of work outside the law back home, but that's because nearly all people don't know about the Dark Hour, and the worst thing we do is get some extra weapons to fight the Shadows... monsters." Kotone S. kind of explains without too much of a concern about the admission, "Officer Kurosawa provides us with our weapons. He's how I got my naginata, for example." Not the gun, though, by the sounds of. She frowns a little as the other Kotone talks about issues on her own world, "That's messed up."
Chevalier     "Sure we can influence stupid laws." Chevalier claims. "And we can work outside the law too." They can't break the laws, but that doesn't mean they have to only follow blindly. He looks up, nodding to Kotone Senior. It's a good point, and it leads naturally into something else. "The only thing I hate worse than speeches is politics." he claims. It's a lie. There are many *many* things he hates worse than speeches. But the lie is an easy one and it serves a point. "But we're the Paladins. Because we enforce the laws, and because we're known to be the good guys, when we say a law's stupid, people LISTEN." he explains.

    Of course there's more to it. If the Paladins express displeasure at a law, people worry. They worry the Paladins might balk. It gives them a degree of political power and influence they probably aren't supposed to have. "And also, because we're the good guys, when we find actual evidence people tend to believe us." Chevalier adds, still looking at Kotone Yamakawa. "Maybe sometime soon you'll find something and be able to prove it, and you can make some politicians listen and do the right thing. Who knows?" he grins. "Leave the politics to them. If they were good at doing the right thing..." he pauses, coughs. "Well, not my place to say anything about that." he says, having probably said enough already.
Kotone Yamakawa Kotone Yamakawa says "You mean find dirty goings of another hyper or mega corp? Oh i'd love to, we nailed one back when I was a freelancer. Really nasty shit human experittion grade stuff. Even when the mercs found out what they were guarding they envoked an anti human trafficing clause and turned on their employers. My cousin runs what's left ofthe company now it's a long story. I know we can't run off with our pants on our heads anymore, right?"
Toph Beifong     As Chevalier speaks, Toph does arch an eyebrow where she sits next to Sokka, a deadpan look on her face, one he should be able to read. Though she does nod. "I get your point."

    It's something she's heard many times, after all. "We gotta show by example and all that, I know. And then make people want to follow the law in the first place. I don't ever wanna get into politics though..." Ewww, no. That just seems boring as crud.
Chevalier     Chevalier snorts at that. "Not even to get to tell everyone what to do? No? Good choice." he claims. Yeah he does probably lecture a bit about doing the right thing and leading by example. But then, that's his life. He leads by example, not because he's been put in charge.

    "Aaaanyways." Chevalier drawls, rising to his feet in a series of movements that would amaze anyone not used to articulated platemail. "I guess you get the point, and that's probably all the speeches I'll get away with today. Rest of the session's free. Go, catch up on studies if you want, or on sleep, or hit the gym. If you want sometime, I'll be available for training. Fight training, or just figuring stuff out. I've seen thousands of capes in action, and that's probably good for something right?" he grins. He shifts his sword once again, effortlessly resizing it before sheathing it behind his back in an obviously-practiced move. "I'll be around." he adds before raising his helmet and turning to go. To let the 'kids' talk without him, if they're so inclined... and also to make a dramatic exit.