With Great Power...

[OrochiGeese]

(Note: This RP follows one from UBL a little while ago)


*We fade into General Celes' office as she is sitting across from a concerned-looking Jean Carter.*

[Celes:] "Jean, you have no reason to be so anxious. I did not call you in to admonish you."

[Jean:] "It's just that...you sounded kinda angry on the phone."

[Celes:] "Yes but not with you. You were being manipulated and that is what angered me."

[Jean:] "How so?"

[Celes:] "Drake got Grant Thumb to rile you up. I heard it from Mr. Figaro -"

[Jean:] "Speaking of Mr. Figaro-"

[Celes:] "As I told you last time, you'll just have to trust us on that. You do trust us, right Jean?"

[Jean:] "Oh of course General! More then anyone here!"

[Celes:] "I hope we've given you reason to back that confidence up. Now, as I was saying: Figaro overheard Drake speaking with Holly. The main reason that you are now given power in UBL to make matches for Orochi-O's TV is so that they can test and ultimately corrupt you."

*A nauseated grimace appears on Jean's face*

[Celes:] "They will do this by making you angry so that you use your power to get even, rather then do the right thing. Eventually, if you were to continue down that path you would be no different then Holly."

*Jean tilts her head down and places it in her hands.*

[Celes:] "I know that upsets you but you aren't even remotely at that point. You made one decision and I am giving you the benefit of the doubt that you did it for the right reasons. But I'd like to hear from you as to exactly why your choice to book Grant vs. ... 'L' 'O' 'L' Cat was the right one."

*Jean manages a small giggle at Celes spelling out LOL.*

[Jean:] "I didn't do it so that LOLCat would hurt him."

[Celes:] "That's a good start."

[Jean:] "It's LOLCat, he'd never hurt someone! He's a nice kitty!"

[Celes:] "Just so I hear this directly from your mouth...he's not a real feline, correct?"

*Jean's eyes go wide*

[Jean:] "Yeeps, you think I'm bonkers!! I know he's human, that he only dresses and acts like a cat! But I like to pretend with him that he's a real kitty. He sells more T-shirts that way too, hee hee."

*Celes breathes a quick sigh of relief and smiles as Jean blushes again*

[Celes:] "Ok, proceed."

[Jean:] "That Thumb guy said that LOLCat didn't deserve his spot on the roster! And that upset me..."

[Celes:] "As did Thumb breaking your lunchbox-"

[Jean:] "But that's not why I made the match. I just wanted LOLCat to prove to Thumb that he's a great wrestler! I did it for the honor of LOLCat, not in any way to hurt or punish Thumb!"

[Celes:] "I am glad to hear that. It's completely legitimate to have two... 'people' wrestle when one doubts the others abilities. I just want you to understand what is going on here. If Holly and Drake succeed in making you book out of anger and the lust for revenge, then you will be thoroughly manipulated by them and anyone else when you take my place as OG-Joshi General."

[Jean:] "It won't happen cause I've learned from watching you-"

[Celes:] "Unfortunately Jean, that isn't enough. As even I have been caught off guard by them in the past. Had I not been baited by my dislike of Yoshida to put Juli Krieger up against Jakob Furis, I would have had the moral high ground in suspending Holly after her attack on Di..."

*Jean turns very pale and Celes grimaces for a second.*

[Celes:] "You get the point. It is not enough to only focus on doing what is right, you also can not give up your moral ground or else you fall and lose legitimacy. Ask your new friend Elwood Allen to confirm the cultural significance of this quote - 'With great power, comes great responsibility.' We can't use our power for vengeance or else we'll play right into their hands. This is a war we are fighting and even though we are winning, our own short term temptations can be held against us for their gains."

[Jean:] "And...you think we're winning? For real, right?"

[Celes:] "Simply follow the trail of gold. Visper Karr is our new Champion and that will not be changed anytime soon. She did it by concentrating on the task at hand and not getting wrapped up in a verbal or physical arms race with Holly. She trained, prepared, and focused. You saw the fire in her eyes this week. She is going to be Champion for a long time and will do it with the dignity the belt deserves. A new level of dignity that Visper has given to it in the way she won it and holds it now. Meanwhile, J*NiGHT continue to show virtue by their in ring and out of ring behavior and fought off two of the most dangerous wrestlers, the Dods. Jenna Stone impressed everyone at Renaissance, as did Alicia Gordon."

*Jean fidgets a bit which Celes picks up on.*

[Celes:] "Everyone makes mistakes, Jean. The virtue is in honing up to it, apologizing, and trying to move onto greater things. That is why Alicia Gordon and Holly are two very different individuals."

[Jean:] "It's not her...it's that I'm worried Drake is gonna try to manipulate me again. He and Geese said that I was being rewarded for my great work over the last year and since they were too busy with the end of the Battalion, that it was in my hands to take care of Orochi-O's TV. And now it turns out that whole thing was a lie just to use me? And make it easier for Holly to do what she wants when you leave?"

[Celes:] "I wouldn't say the whole thing was a lie. I do believe that they are too busy to worry about showcasing new talent as the Battalion draws to a close. However, they could have chosen some one else but went with you because of Holly's agenda. And make no mistake, it was Holly's plan to get them to do this, they just went along with it. Geese was amenable and Drake didn't dare challenge them about it."

[Jean:] "So what are we gonna do?"

[Celes:] "To counteract their manipulation, I offer you the same privilege. Regardless of their intentions, it is time for you to start taking on experience with booking shows if you are going to be General soon."

[Jean:] "So...you mean..."

[Celes:] "If Drake is giving you the UBL side of Orochi-O's TV, I will give you the OG-Joshi side. It is easier to book an entire show cohesively then be given one half that may not compliment the other. The difference is that I trust your ability and moral stature to do the right thing with OG-Joshi matches. Make matches that the fans want to see. Make matches that allow each wrestler to do their best. Make matches that give you pride that OG-Joshi is moving forwards. Because one day, you will be the sole person to do this. And I want to know before I leave that you have some experience and confidence in doing it well."

*Jean's face goes through a gamut of emotions before settling on ecstatic*

[Jean:] "Wow...thank you SO much for the opportunity! Do I have to book Sandy Morton?"

[Celes:] "I'll leave that to your discretion. Meanwhile I'll have more time to take care of Amplitude and Voltage. Speaking of which, I do have to get back to organizing those shows."

*Jean goes to stand up but then sits back down again, to Celes' surprise.*

[Jean:] "Uh...just one thing? How did you know Thumb knocked over my lunchbox?"

*Celes thinks for a second then appears to settle on an explanation.*

[Celes:] "I know you don't want to discuss him but I must be honest. Mr. Kisiera told me."

*It's clear why Celes struggled with the decision as now Jean is blushing and looks uncomfortable.*

[Celes:] "He was looking for you after you ran out of Drake's office and figured you would be here. In fact, now that you bring it up, he did ask me to present you with this."

*Celes takes a lunchbox out of a drawer and gives it to Jean. Jean looks it over and is amazed.*

[Jean:] "You fixed it!?"

[Celes:] "He fixed it. He did it in front of me, in fact. To be honest, the way he did it was uncommon. I've never seen someone attempt, and fail, to use so many unrelated items in conjunction before eventually succeeding. The more peculiar thing is that he kept saying "that won't work" after every failed attempt as if he didn't realize the absurdity until it was unsuccessful. He also kept leaving the room and coming back with new objects that had no relation to the fixing of the lunchbox whatsoever, but kept talking to me as if something I said would cause the objects to suddenly be exactly what was necessary."

[Jean:] "How long did all that take?"

[Celes:] "Two hours. Luckily there was enough for us to discuss with him so that our time wasn't wasted."

[Jean:] "He really took that long to fix this? And what do you mean 'our'?"

[Celes:] "Mr. Clyde, Mr. Figaro, and myself. I wanted Mr. Figaro in to collaborate a story of Luke's regarding some of what happened at the Banquet. Namely, a quick chance meeting between himself and Kyle Walker that left Luke very upset for the duration of the evening."

[Jean:] "Well...you remember what I told you about how the night ended..."

[Celes:] "Which is why I mentioned it to Clyde and Figaro. And Figaro realized it was related to the earlier meeting. Jean, Luke wasn't distracted because of whatever feelings he may or may not have towards you, he was distracted because he is very concerned about the mindset and activities of Kyle Walker."

*Jean looks a bit annoyed*

[Jean:] "He was concerned about something all right..."

[Celes:] "And frankly, so are we. In fact, had Luke not been paying close attention to Kyle on account of their earlier meeting, he may have missed a crucial puzzle piece as to what Kyle may be doing...or not doing. The truth is, Jean, that Luke may have just stumbled onto something of absolute critical importance."

*Jean looks a bit embarrassed now*

[Celes:] "And of the type of importance that made Luke fixated on your safety."

*Jean looks very embarrassed now*

[Celes:] "I can not tell you how to act towards him. But I can say for sure that out of everyone at the Banquet, Luke had your well-being most in mind. From my own personal interpretation, had Kyle not been a distraction, your night would have ended in a more pleasing manner to both you and Luke. But as it stands now, I think you should recognize his great friendship to you, if nothing else. Especially in light of this."

*Celes hands over the lunch box to Jean who hugs it tightly.*

[Jean:] "I guess...I was a bit hard on him these last few weeks."

[Celes:] "You were understandably hurt. But now that you can at least understand the entirety and gravity of the situation, perhaps you can move past what happened and reconnect with him. That comes from my role as General...but also as a friend. You two are...enjoyable to watch together."

*Jean blushes very very red*

[Celes:] "Now, if we are done with the 'girl-talk', I believe we both have some work to do.'

*Jean stands up, gives a quick hug to the General and darts out of the room. We hear Mr. Clyde's voice.*

[Clyde:] "You'll have to keep an eye on her after telling her all that."

[Celes:] "I have confidence that she'll stay out of their way. I did not want to jeopardize our investigation but you remember what I've said to you before. As General, Jean will need trusted friends to give her strength. Losing Mr. Kisiera would not benefit her in the short or long run. We'll deal with the greater situation at hand, Jean is not a likely target for them anyway...yet."

[Clyde:] "Shoring up defense is probably the best strategy now until confirmation or action anyway."

[Celes:] "So is looking unaware. Which brings me to Voltage. Please get Figaro as we all need to talk."

*The scene fades out*