094 - MORE VOICE

[major_west]

Well. Free at last. After a week in Level 0, I find that peace and quiet is rather tiresome. If you need me, I'll be around, stretching my legs.

[OOC: SPAM AT WILL, I'm bored.]

Comments

[roseoftime.livejournal.com]

[She nods. She's well aware she has a long road ahead of her.]

Thank you for your help with him. You seem to understand him, and that's incredibly important.

[major-west.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.
[He's not really sure if he understands Charlie that well, but he does hope that Rose will make some headway, if only because she seems to be a Warden who genuinely cares]

Ah-- I suppose. He reminds me of some people from back home.

[roseoftime.livejournal.com]

Some people? Plural? Blimey, can't imagine dealing with a whole bunch of Charlies...

[major-west.livejournal.com]

[He laughs a little]

Not quite as prone to flying off the handle, perhaps, but you get used to men like that in my position.

[roseoftime.livejournal.com]

How do you handle them? Is it just the knowledge that you could kick their arses that keep them in line?

[major-west.livejournal.com]

No, not at all. In fact, I'm fairly certain that if they'd wanted to, they could have overpowered me.

[After all, Major or not, West was only one man amongst a group of unruly, hopeless lads.]

Part of it is the inherent structure of our military-- in training, you are taught to listen to your superiors, regardless of your personal feelings. Another part is simply confidence and presence. If you make a sound decision and carry yourself as though you do not question or second-guess yourself, they, in turn, will not be as likely to question you.

[He shrugs a little]

And, naturally, establishing a sense of camaraderie strengthens loyalty. It's one thing to follow a man because you're meant to; it's quite another when you see him as one of your own and understand that he has your health and safety and happiness as his priority. [He smiles] But you mustn't cross the line between camaraderie and pandering; otherwise, they'll believe they can walk all over you.

[And what he doesn't mention, of course, is the occasional need to maintain order by making a quick, brutal example of dissenters and threats]

[roseoftime.livejournal.com]

[She is listening intensely, nodding, clearly taking mental notes. Maybe this will help her with Charlie... ]