LT relished the opportunity to speak to the Beta, not just because of his position, but because of his blood relation to him. Hammer was also his cousin; his uncle's sister married a Hammerthynn and his fascination with that part of his heritage completely enthralled him.
The Jamesons have always had a partnership with the Hammerthynns - marrying into the family centuries ago and serving as the Beta Protectors strategic allies. The two families have always had high positions within the pack, despite the separation the Hammerthynns preferred; they were always looked at in awe for their ability to serve the Alpha in the most honored of positions. LT spent his entire life watching the Hammerthynns; their quiet grace, stoic pride, and fierce strength. The Jamesons taught him pride, determination, and most of all love, but the Hammerthynns showed him raw strength in loyalty. LT watched Hammer with intense scrutiny and was just happy to be sitting near him.
'Of course,' he replied unnecessarily. They both knew that it wasn't a request but an order that the Beta meant, regardless of his casual (for him) demeanor. LT would do whatever his Beta asked and do it flawlessly.
'I need you to speak to Marthinus.'
LT nodded but he could not help the confused expression. Marthinus was Hammer's aipa, but he was beyond his year probation, as it were, and the Beta seemed to be steering the old man into the Pipers which admittedly confused him.
'I'll start his Piper training immediately.'
'No, that's not what I meant.'
LT was now openly confused and he waited for Hammer's explanation.
Eggs and talks (private)
Hammer had made it a point to have LT come and join him for breakfast AFTER he would be done with his own. Interruption during his somewhat ritualistic scrambled egg consumption had turned into a trend...one that he would see broken.
Pushing back on his ketchup smeared, very empty (even of egg crumbs) plate, Hammer permitted himself a smile as he rubbed his stomach. He had just put away a dozen eggs. Overdoing it with his normal fifteen would have made him giggly and right now he needed LT's full attention at the task at hand. He sat for no longer than a minute before his cousin's nephew joined him at this table.
LT was special to Brig, therefore he was special to Hammer by proxy. He understood why Brig took the boy under his wing when the fallout between his parents happened. A nine year old boy having lost his parents due to passionate violence needed somewhere to call home, lest be lost - having to fend for himself. Vigo, Hammer's own father and Beta, approved the guardianship publicly but privately held contempt for the Piper Commander for not letting the boy endure the suffering to make him harder. Hammer fought for Lothias to go to his Uncle and the ground lost to his own father was worth it to see Lothias as the Piper LT and someday Commander. LT's father would have been as proud as Hammer.
Narrowing his one good eye, he wiped his mouth, and threw the napkin on top of his plate. Slouching slightly in his seat, it signaled to LT that the discussion would be as casual. Despite that LT sat with his back ramrod straight and waited for him to speak.
'I need you to do something for me.'
Lothias LT Jameson
14 years ago
Iov Hammerthynn
14 years ago
Hammer looked up at LT, watching the confusion filter into his expression.
'I think his position within the Pipers will be slightly different than the rest of you. Let's face it, he's an old dog.'
The fact that LT did not laugh spoke volumes. Hammer hoped his reaction meant that his junior officer realized that Marthinus had more potential than just brute force. The virus had fully integrated into Marthinus' DNA rendering his body at least twenty years older and stronger. The pup went from looking like he was in his 60's to a very fit 40. His heart was strong, stronger than it had ever been, but what did not change was his experience with business and the vampire world. The man could easily build Stafford Enterprises into a billion dollar company inside of 5 years, so losing him to inexperienced combat would be a poor decision, to put it mildly.
'Marthinus knows he's being groomed as a new Piper, but his role has changed.' Hammer stopped. He could not pass up the opportunity to see if LT was evolving beyond his stripes. 'Do you know why?'
'I think his position within the Pipers will be slightly different than the rest of you. Let's face it, he's an old dog.'
The fact that LT did not laugh spoke volumes. Hammer hoped his reaction meant that his junior officer realized that Marthinus had more potential than just brute force. The virus had fully integrated into Marthinus' DNA rendering his body at least twenty years older and stronger. The pup went from looking like he was in his 60's to a very fit 40. His heart was strong, stronger than it had ever been, but what did not change was his experience with business and the vampire world. The man could easily build Stafford Enterprises into a billion dollar company inside of 5 years, so losing him to inexperienced combat would be a poor decision, to put it mildly.
'Marthinus knows he's being groomed as a new Piper, but his role has changed.' Hammer stopped. He could not pass up the opportunity to see if LT was evolving beyond his stripes. 'Do you know why?'
Lothias LT Jameson
14 years ago
'You want me to speak to him about his experience with the vampire world and how he could be a useful resource for the pack; to convince him to help his family. His new family.' LT paused and then continued when the Beta showed no clue as to if he was correct. The man didn't even blink. LT continued.
'Marthinus body and health have been restored, but it would be a waste to have him be anything but intelligence.'
LT had answered not two seconds after the Beta had asked why. He had already considered this line of action, but he did not think he'd be the one to tell Marthinus. That was the Commander's job; he'd be present, of course, but for the last ten years LT had always played on the support team, in control of the Pipers but not the inner workings of the command. It pleased him that Hammer was finally bringing him into the top hierarchy of command.
LT could not help but grin.
'Marthinus body and health have been restored, but it would be a waste to have him be anything but intelligence.'
LT had answered not two seconds after the Beta had asked why. He had already considered this line of action, but he did not think he'd be the one to tell Marthinus. That was the Commander's job; he'd be present, of course, but for the last ten years LT had always played on the support team, in control of the Pipers but not the inner workings of the command. It pleased him that Hammer was finally bringing him into the top hierarchy of command.
LT could not help but grin.
Iov Hammerthynn
14 years ago
Hammer's eyes narrowed as LT began to grin. He watched as LT realized that he too was being groomed for much more than he had been originally intended. The young man reminded him of Brig at his age, but maybe just a tad sharper. There was nothing wrong with being smug; knowing your destiny to greatness was created by your own hand.
He had only a few moments like this with his father and Vigo never once congratulated him on his ingenuity. Hammer was over 100 years old and not once had his father complimented him on an achievement. As far as Vigo was concerned, Hammer was just doing what he was bred for.
Pushing back from the table, Hammer and LT stood. 'Let me know how it goes.'
Hammer's large hand came down on LT's shoulder and then let it drop as he turned away from the table and exited the cafeteria.
He had only a few moments like this with his father and Vigo never once congratulated him on his ingenuity. Hammer was over 100 years old and not once had his father complimented him on an achievement. As far as Vigo was concerned, Hammer was just doing what he was bred for.
Pushing back from the table, Hammer and LT stood. 'Let me know how it goes.'
Hammer's large hand came down on LT's shoulder and then let it drop as he turned away from the table and exited the cafeteria.
Lothias LT Jameson
14 years ago
Hammer's hand came down on LT's shoulder and it felt like a side of beef. He did his best to hold his body rigid, but he was completely astonished at the accolade that the Beta had just bestowed on him. The beta's nickname wasn't just Hammer by abbreviation - the beta was The Hammer. To excel at your position was expected of you. There were no rewards, medals or ceremonies. But the fact that the Beta acknowledged it, and him, shocked the hell out of LT. He felt his chest swell with pride as the Beta dismissed him and walked away after asking for an update.
'Aye, sir.'
LT barely got the words out before he sat back down and tried to catch his breath.
((OOC - Hammer and LT out)))
'Aye, sir.'
LT barely got the words out before he sat back down and tried to catch his breath.
((OOC - Hammer and LT out)))