The Inquisitor relaxed as he leaned back on the bench, the chaplain being a few seats further and a row closer to the Altar. "You have fought for the Deathwatch in two missions already and I was able to see your strength and faith in person. So I was wondering if you would be ready to join the Deathwatch...." He looked serious right into the eyes of the Chaplain. "Permanently."
*sometimes before / after the talk with Stevanus* Krauz had approached Tsu'had one of his days training in the facilty of the Hammer of Faith. "Salamander!" He greeted him, after he was done with his Training Session. "Before you ask, no I have not come to train with you, rather... I was curious if you would be ready to try quite a custom weapon." The Inquisitor walked up to him, holding a rare but well-known weapon. "This is a Power Flail, as worn by only a few Adeptus Astartes. Since you seem to be quite efficient in melee combat and very strong of physiology, mixed with your preference of a shield which you ordered quite a time ago... I was thinking that this would be more suitable." OOC: Something among these lines: http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/_...hammer40k/images/6/6c/DA_Deathwing_Knight.jpg http://31.media.tumblr.com/67617190cfd0be0930345fd6cf5052e5/tumblr_mt60j0KQSB1spwux8o1_500.jpg
"Thank you Inquisitior, I will try to put it to good use." Tsu'had returns to training with the power flail, getting use to the new weapon.
The Inquisitor took the Thunderhammer of Tsu'had in return as he handed the Power Flail. "A masterpiece... I assume Argos' work?" Krauz asked additionally, swinging it slightly with his both hands, feeling the power running within. "I will make sure it will be well stored until you will decide which weapon you wear to battle." And with that he took off to make sure the Masterpiece of a Thunderhammer would be well protected and stored.
Over the next few days, Shin Zhu repeated his routine of training in the practice area, in his little corner away from others with his wooden swords. However, there seems to be a renewed determination and quiet fire in his eyes. While the Ronin still pauses to take his time to converse with others who come by to speak to him, he no longer initiate these conversations, so focus he is in his movements and strikes that he seems almost oblivious to others during the height of his training. When he's not practicing his sword skill, he remains in his room to study calligraphy and mediate on previous battles, both those including him directly or he had witnessed. There is also a stack of data slates in otherwise extremely organized room containing the videos of every major engagement of notable foes and great warriors of the imperium in the last few centuries.
Noctis stayed in his quarters over the next few days, never leaving. He sat in silence going over his memories of the previous mission. Taking note of his failures and what he could have done better. The battles with Ahriman replayed over and over in his mind. His thoughts drifted to Taldeer on occasion. He wasn't fast enough, strong enough, and others paid for it.
Between the Conversations with Stevanus and Tsu'had he also had visited the Ronin in his private chambers, just as intended during their private after action report. They were both sitting on their knees on opposite sides of the small table. "The lifestyle of the Ronins are quite unique, as Inquisitor of the Ordo Xenos you might be able to imagine how I have to analyze so many different cultures and ways how to live and so on." He smiled warm, letting his Tea cool down itself as it was fresh brewed for him by Shin Zhu.
Stevanus was struck with the presented offer. "Inquisitor, I...I don't know what to say..." he said. Chaplain watched the windows of the small monastery, each inscribed with murals of different Primarch. Visage of Sanguinius seemed to stare at Flesh Tearer and he sighed. "You never asked why I joined the Deathwatch in the first place" continued Stevanus. "but as you said, in this place we are being watched by the Emperor and his Sons. So I guess it is a good time to tell you the truth Krauz, since you are, after all, my brother now." "You see, the background story you have been provided by my Chapter superiors, in a lack of a better word, is a lie. All of it. I haven't embarked on no holy quest of seeking redemption, no, the truth is much different. My Chapter..." his eyes fixed on his gnarled hands, "they decided to get rid of me". Stevanus looked at the Inquisitor and smiled "You are probably wondering what kind of crime deserves that severe punishment. But I don't think Seth, or any Flesh Tearer would ever tell you, even if their life depends on it". "My Chapter, as you probably know from the reputation that precedes them, is famed for their slaughters and violent behavior. They embrace genetic flaws that our Primarch bestowed upon his children and consider them a blessing. Some Marines more, some less. But I was one of the worst. During two centuries of service in the assault squad of 2nd company, I have known nothing but mindless butchering. I killed and killed, not caring much for my or any other life. On numerous occasions I even charged allied lines and butchered them, where there were no enemies left. I was on the brink of loosing it completely on too many occasions..." Chaplain watched the marble floor, and servitors that were cleaning it in the background "And before you say, I was indeed examined, and High Chaplain found no taint. But my behavior worsened and during the mission on Stratix Luminae when we fought servants of the Plague God, I was cut off from my brothers and left behind. Thankfully I was saved by unlikely group of warriors that I have sworn oath not to speak off. You would have heard of them" he looked up at Krauz and smiled again. "Anyway, they too examined me, and found no taint either. They returned me to my Chapter, but advice was given that I should be promoted to a Chaplain, to focus more on faith and combat my inner nature..." Stevanus sighed. "But as you already suspect, nothing changed. Or should I say, it have turned on to worse. Firstly, it looked as if I was getting better, and my superiors relaxed. But then it changed during one vicious clash against Iron Warriors on Sombor VI. Other 2 chaplains that were in my task force died during landing and I inherited command of not one, but three of our Death squads. And on this assignment" Stevanus again looked at his hands "I lost control of my brothers and they turned on a Guard regiment that was supporting us." "They killed Guardsmen with no pity or remorse and I couldn't reach out to them. So I did the only thing I knew well. I pulled my axe, and killed every single one of them. 30 brothers died by my hand Inquisitor, that's blood you can't just wash away..." Chaplain stopped for a second, then continued with his confession. "Chapter Master just had enough. They locked me up in a tower with the rest of the lost and the damned, and I awaited my execution..." "First time in my life I was calm. I knew death would be final release, and it was proper punishment. But then, something extraordinary happened" he smiled as his gaze was shifted to mural of his Progenitor. "Call it a hallucination or a vision, but I could swear that he somehow reached to me. Sanguinius. I saw him, clear as I see you now Inquisitor. He watched me and pointed at a thing in my cell I haven't seen earlier. There was an altar there, with small wooden idol representing the Emperor. And I understood it, crazy as it sounds." "And for the first time in my life, I started praying. For my soul, for my Chapter, and all my friends that I have killed. And when Seth finally arrived, I had no fear or doubt. But instead of an axe to the neck, I was reassigned. Guess how it sounded to me that I would from now on be serving Deathwatch". Stevanus laughed and fixed Inquisitor with a hard glare. "So are you sure you want this kind of man to be around you and help you fight off enemies of Man, Krauz? Are you so sure?"
Shin Zhu sipped the hot tea from the cup he holds with both hands, seemingly not affected by its temperature. He looks up at the Inquisitor, "Yes, our way of life is not exactly what Primarch Guilliman had in mind when he wrote the excellent Codex Astartes. Yet this differences is often used as a cause for suspicion against my brothers back on Edo and serving under our banner. While we study intently and ceaselessly on the wisdom of the Codex, we do not, nay, cannot follow it as his sons do with such passion. This is perhaps due to our differing primarchs, but I believe it is more of the culture that separates us." He takes another sip of the hot liquid, "I hope the tea is not too strong, Inquisitor? I find teas that are richer have a better effect on clearing my mind."
Krauz said nothing during all the time, but could feel the pain of the Chaplain. "I understand your burden, and I am well taught about the Black Rage and the Red Thirst, Stevanus." The Inquisitor began, never looking away from the face of Stevanus. "You see, every Inquisitor comes to a point where he is made mentor, just like a Chief Librarian, Master of Sanctity, Seargent, and so on within a chapter. I received a fresh Acolyte when I was just promoted to Lord Inquisitor and gained this ship, the Hammer of Faith. My first mission I tried to teach that said Acolyte all I could, he was talented in combat and wisdom... He could have easily overcome me in efficiency once he would be done with his own course of learning. But I failed, I failed in protecting him from the horrors an Inquisitor must face on every mission. He became too obsessed with a Xenos species which in the end seemed to be not just aiding but actually praising the Chaos Gods. Instead of facing a primitive species, we faced a Xenos Chaos Cult. My acolyte fell victim to their practices and turned into a heretic himself.... I had to kill him with my own hands." He then took a deep breath, his eyes still strong and gazing upon Stevanus. "And you know what? I do not feel guilty about it, I knew it was necessary, and I would do it every day again. So yes, I am sure that I offer you to become a permanent member under my command and become the leader of this Kill-Team. You are the first man that was a true beacon of the Emperor's light I have seen during combat. And so you shall be the leader of the Kill-Team Lightbringer."
