[center][h2]Hunter's Workshop[/h2][/center]

"...Elizabeth Savage, [color=007236]Isaac Delinoire[/color], Warren Stern, Milo Granger, [color=ed1c24]Svenson Yorrick[/color], Altais Grauss, Julian Maloes, Djura Evereth and Catherine Nancy." All in all, 14 names. These composed 'The Short List', people at risk of turning into beasts. The criteria to be on this list were multiple and undeniably, some were political. What this meant for everyone on this list however, was that even suspicion of beasthood setting in during the next seven days was enough to warrant 'termination' by the Hunter of Hunters.

[i]Shen the Strangelander[/i]

Maria looked up from the list toward the masked figure in front of her and Gehrman, for they were the two in charge of this list. Once Laurence and Caryll placed their inputs, but now they were too busy elsewhere. Maria handed the list over to the crow feather covered man who looked at the names before carefully folding the piece of paper and walking to the fireplace, tossing it inside after having committed those names to memory. No need for such an embarrassing little piece of information to come in anyone's hands.

Maria liked... well, that might be too strong of a word for her, appreciated the man, his ruthless efficiency, his enthusiasm to serve. Then again it was why she had selected him specifically, despite everyone else in the Old Guard practically laughing at her when she did. "Any I should watch for in particular?" That voice. It shattered all the mystic and the serious of the scene just by its high pitch. It wasn't feminine or childish, it was just ridiculous with a slight wheezing behind it, seven words being all it took to screech your ears. It was the lot of poor Shen. In his youth in a distant land, Shen had received quite the trashing which had knocked his nose inside his face and crushed his wind pipes, straining his vocal cords. He was now impossibly ugly (one would guess, as he never let go of his mask for even a second when he's with people) and sounded like this. It comes without surprise that during this man's life, no one ever took him seriously, despite him becoming a renown killer as he himself said and as his skills prior to joining the hunters told.

He went all the way to Yharnam in the faint hope of being able to cure his condition. His wound had already 'healed' a long time ago however, and there was no use to be found in the blood to help him. He had joined the hunters because he had nothing better to do and quickly found himself to be a loner and an outcast. Still, he was extremely competent and had spent his prior life being a mankiller, not a beast hunter. A useful talent non the less. That was why Maria chose him. He didn't have sympathies toward anyone since people either showed contempt, amusement or pity toward him. He did not care about women and children because they were just personal reminders of the rejections and humiliations he had endured during any romantic endeavors. Yes, she needed someone who would kill, but who wasn't a psychopath that took enjoyment in it. Shen was shielded by his bitterness toward the world.

Maria had been the only woman he had probably spoken to that didn't even flinch at his voice, that didn't treat him any different. Or at least that didn't show it. Of course Maria had felt a hint of disgust, but it was like everything else for her now. Distant. Faint. And that made Shen completely infatuated with her despite never having a hint that she felt the same way. "Yes, Delinoire." There was a moment of silence. Delinoire? Not Savage? Still, Maria didn't allow him to voice any questions.

"And what about your apprentice, Odhran was it?" Being dragged from his thoughts, Shen looked up and nodded, preferring to use as few words as possible. "He'll kill those who lost themselves." Maria was well aware that Shen and his pupil actually didn't see eye to eye. As per her habit she had delegated the entire matter on Shen, leaving him to chose how to do things and who to recruit as long as she didn't hear of beastial hunters anymore. Thus far it was working but... It was Gehrman who raised his voice, rolling next to Maria in his wheelchair. "He's skillful, fine, but is he loyal, obedient?" Shen looked sown at Gehrman. "He is independent and he will do what he was formed to do." The old man on the wheelchair found himself frowning and gritting his teeth, knowing full well that meant that unlike Shen, Odhran might not 'kill on suspicions' members of the Short List. "I don't like this, wandering Hunters of Hunters with no oversight whatsoever..."

Funny how Gehrman was so objected against hiring new hunters but now doesn't like the idea of the people he dislikes so much risking needlessly their lives thought Maria. She walked to the small desk as Gehrman spoke, getting away from the men who followed her with their eyes. She sifted with one hand through a small pile of letters, requests to them. She had a tight schedule and... wait, what was that one?

"What our silent friend is trying to say is that he didn't chose his pupil because he liked him personally or because he was especially devout, but because as a person, he is simply someone at peace with the idea of killing Hunters who have fallen to beasts and has the talent to do so. No more no less. Am I right, Shen?"  Said Maria, as she raised a letter from the pile. Shen nodded in gratitude that she'd have saved him the embarrassment of explaining himself with his voice.

"Good. Now leave us. Should the need come we can always train a professional assassin and split the roles..." Gehrman frowned like she had just said the dirtiest of word, not just implying murder but dropping 'assassin' right in the open. Shen bowed and took his leave in silence, getting his mind back on business. Business wasn't exactly thriving however, Hunters were tough to corruption but... he knew the real deal was in seven days time where it would be non-stop blood fueled overtime. He hoped his pupil would be ready to face his first Endless Night.

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Maria read the letter she had found and raised her eyebrows in surprise. That caused Gehrman to frown even more. No one in the Old Guard was ever surprised anymore. "What is this, what's wrong?" Her eyes kept moving until finally they closed. Ultimately, she ignored Gehrman's question.

"You can enter." 
"Wait until-"

Gehrman looked at Maria with disgust on his face. Him? Right now? Behind the door, Ludwig moved his knuckles away from the door in surprise. Had they heard him walk up to the door? Still, he opened up the door and stepped inside. A visibly annoyed Gehrman and an inexpressive doll-like Maria in front of him. Ludwig was about to excuse himself for his untimely arrival but Maria raised the letter in the air. "What is the meaning of this?" So she knew. Ludwig cleared his throat and placed his hands behind his back, standing at attention in front of his superiors. "Well Lady Maria, I thought it would be an excellent way heighten the moral and-"

Gehrman had no idea what was going on and turned toward Maria, leaving Ludwig to talk to himself in a corner. Ludwig knew Gehrman hated his guts but he didn't have to be such an ass about it! As for Maria, she merely disliked the lack of order and politeness. "Meaning of this, what is this 'this' exactly?" Maria handed over the letter and a frowning Gehrman went over it quickly. "[i]...increase morale... festival... the. nuns?! The Blood Saints! 'To organize pairings between the two groups, as I suggested to Mother Augustine, which she approved[/i] -UN-FUCKING-LIKELY- [i]she approved, to permeate the confinement of the saints and nuns and likewise encourage many hunters without parents or family out of their solitude-[/i] This is a load of... OF! Bullcrap!" Ludwig remained stoic and tried to place a few words in. "Mister Gehrman, it cannot be denied that-"

"NO! NONONONO! What is this, are we Yharnam's match makers now? How is taking away our Saints from the transfusion chair going to help us? How in the gods name having hunters of beasts think of women while they fight not hinder them!" Ludwig's figure got harder as he was loosing patience to. "Sir, this isn't in any way sexual, but I do believe humans need-" Gehrman could only place his hand on his face and laugh in derision. "Not sexual in any way says the self important prick who bedded half the impressionable women of the town!"

The bitter old fart would dare to bring his personal life into this?! Ludwig took a long and hard breath as he sneered at his old master, wondering if today would be the day he'd finally talk back to him, but decided to be the bigger man. "I see I was mistaken in my judgement. I'll take my leave and-"

"I think its a good idea."

Ludwig looked with surprise at Maria as Gehrman turned his head in complete incomprehension. "A good idea, this?!" Asked Gehrman. Maria raised a hand as to stop a potential rant from her wheelchair bound comrade. "IF we add a little something. I understand your concern for the well being of both our hunters and our saints and nuns. But I am also suspicious that not everyone, on either side of the fence would be so chaste. Nuns and Saints shan't be deflowered. Which is why I suggest chaperons."

Well, that seemed reasonable...

"Members of the Choir."

Ludwig felt his muscles tense at the mention of these elitist weirdos and Gehrman didn't seem at ease either. The old man spoke with hesitation. "I... doubt the Choir is the right choice for this." Maria shrugged. "I don't see why not. Seeing a bit of the city outside the ward would do them good as well. And I trust any members of the choir to remain pure of thoughts." Did they even know what the notion of sex even was? Gehrman wanted to scream no again but...

...The odds were against him and had been for a long time. Laurence... he didn't see Gehrman as the asset he once was, didn't trust his judgement anymore. If he refused the vote would be a stalemate and Maria would just go up to Laurence. "Fine. You can organize that little 'thing' of yours."

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