Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-5583506-20170721035105/@comment-5543592-20170723153033

"Why's he such a dick?" Vin blurted out as they left, just before Gait's hand seized his throat, choking him.

"That dick,"  Gait said with quiet, fierce passion, lowering his face to Vin's, "is the greatest man I've ever known.  He's seen more and be through more than any person should, and certainly more than most could take.  So next time, before you spit out garbage like that, you should mind your tongue, otherwise someone less generous than me is gonna take it from you."

Vin made a gagging noise, looking up at the Imperial with wide, frightened eyes.

"You get a pass 'cause you've had rough go of it, but you ever talk shit about the Guildmaster again, I won't hesitate to lay you out.  Do I make myself clear?" The words were delivered through gritted teeth.

Vin nodded rapidly, as best he could.

Gait released him, and Vin sucked wind, bent over his knees, glaring at the ground for fear of meeting the wolfman's eyes. "The Guild isn't here to coddle you.  You're not here to 'explore your potential' or 'control powers' or 'feel safe.'  It's here to turn you into a weapon for the defense of Tamriel, and to protect that same Tamriel from you simultaneously." Gait snapped his fingers, making Vin flinch. "Now no more lip, keep moving."

The door to the dorm--Gait called it the 'barracks'-- swung open, and in entered Vin and his escort.

Gait sized up the boys in the room, and found himself disappointed. Most of them looked weak or frail. More fodder.