Thumped

Untitled Part 5

"No!" A hand slammed down on the table. Council meetings weren't often conducted in this manner. In fact, Tæcan Aloysius couldn't remember anyone ever showing much emotion during the laboriously drawn out assemblies. Then again, a request of this magnitude had never been discussed at length before.

Seated around him at a sizeable table were the other Tæcan's, Masters at the Theluan University. Ranging from pleasantly plump, to mousy and thin, to whatever Tæcan Retosa would be classified as, the 21 masters sat, arguing.

As the voices rose and the shouting began, Tæcan Aloysius examined each of them in turn, determining motivation. Tæcan Destrium' manipulating touch of his earlobe. Tæcan Hebona's gestural slip; nodding slightly yes, while saying no. And of course, Tæcan Retosa's ridiculous qualifying statement, "I'm only going to say this once..." All to distance themselves from the simple request.

This organization was originally built to help students find paths to their chosen God, then to educate them as long as they wanted. But no more. It had grown old, outdated. New ideas frightened these men, living in cushions. No wonder the students were broken and underdeveloped. The fault of the student is often found deeply embedded in the master, or so the great philosopher had Tekkan believed.

Had it been like this when he became Tæcan? No, not nearly this bad.

Continuing to ignore the bantering, he observed the contents of the room. The splendor had never disgusted him more than it did today.

TALK ABOUT THE ROOM. WHY ARE THE MEN FEELING LIKE THIS?

He turned his attention back to the argument. "- would come at a major cost to the university! Not to mention the extra burden that would be placed on us while Aloysius gallivants off with a pet project! I already teach four classes a term! I can't be expected to-"

"Enough." Ledera Bantling spoke, voice barely above a whisper. The room was silenced immediately. His fingers steepled into a pose every man in the room had grown used to. The handsome man looked at each of the council members in turn until he was satisfied that he would not be interrupted or questioned.

"I have listened to your pleas, your arguments, and your frustrations for the past half-turn of an hour. I have heard all the council has to say on the subject round and round as you each posture for position and complain about the workload. I like this plan no more than any of you. I am tempted to swat it down for no more purpose than to set precedent for denying any that follow. Yet, we have not allowed Tæcan Aloysius to defend himself, nor to present evidence in his favor."

Ledera Bantling gestured to Aloysius and nodded, giving his acquiescence to the shift in speaking power. "Gentlemen. We have a simple misunderstanding. I did not come here to deliberate, merely to inform you of my choice as a Tæcan of this university. There is nothing in our bylaws that prevents me from doing so."

"Following that logic, there would be nothing from stopping one of us from taking a sheep to bed!" Tæcan Retosa spit venomously.

Aloysius smiled broadly, "You may indulge in obscene bedding practices on your own time Retosa, but none of us need that bylaw to be put in place, much less enforced." The chamber dissolved into choked laughs at the slight, muffled by robed hands placed over mouths.

Ledera Bantling raised a hand, regaining speaking power as he looked around grim faced at the inappropriate display. "As overbearing as the metaphor is, Tæcan Retosa is correct Aloysius. We cannot just allow all actions outside the bylaws to commence. Following only behaviors laid out in the bylaws would lead to deliquescence."

Aloysius held his ground, "What I'm attempting to make clear is the futility of attempting to stop me. The only way would be to change the bylaws to reflect the attitudes of the council. It is the council's decision whether or not to-"

"Bah! We should vote on it right now!" Tæcan Retosa spat, interrupting Aloysius.

Another member of the council, Tæcan Spinoza, shifted uncomfortably and pushed his glasses higher onto the bridge of his nose before timidly saying, "I regret to inform you that since the members of the council were not made aware of any potential change to the bylaws prior to attending the meeting, we are unable to vote today."

Aloysius looked directly into Retosa's eyes and smirked. He said nothing. There was no need. Retosa knew he had set this up, knowing the outcome beforehand. They all knew. He only hoped he wasn't pushing them too far over the edge with his next request. Still staring into Retosa's eyes, he spoke, "I would also ask leave of three years and a day before a bylaw vote on this matter."

Retosa's eyes bulged. "How dare you come before this council, spout ridiculous nonsense and then ask for a reprieve of voting!" He was beginning to become wild, obviously pushed beyond what he could take. "You merely ask so you can do this again right before the end of the third year! We are not fools! We-"

He was cut off by Ledera Bantling as he stood abruptly. "Tæcan Retosa!" he bellowed the words louder than any had ever heard the soft-spoken man utter. "You will conduct yourself in a proper manner in this chamber or you will be removed from it. Permanently!" Retosa deflated visibly and sunk down into his voluminous chair. Ledera Bantling took a moment to cool, his placid mask reforming on his face. When he spoke it was with detached poise.

"As for you Aloysius; Retosa is correct in saying we are not fools. It is clear that you came to this meeting with a goal and you have achieved it. We will discuss the vote at another time. As for now, I think it best if we adjourn for today." He waved his hand at the door and they were opened by the serving staff. Retosa was up and gone, each of the council members filing out behind him, stepping carefully.

Aloysius remained behind, attempting to seem as though he was retying his robes. The Ledera sighed. "You really should work on your relationships with your fellow Tæcans," he said smoothly, arching an eyebrow.

"You are right of course, Ledera. Though, when I'll begin is flexible," he said, bowing slightly to cover his smile.

"You must understand that I can not allow the vote to freeze the bylaws." came the reply, suddenly leaden.

Aloysius knew. Men like the Ledera always wanted some form of victory when they gave something up in defeat. "I bow to your wisdom," he said, preparing to leave.

"One more thing." Aloysius was forced to turn back, looking at the Ledera. The man's eyes were hard. "If I am ever made the ignoramus in my council chamber again, it won't be Retosa that pays."

The message was explicit. Aloysius nodded, accepting the threat and filing it with the hundreds of others he'd received from the man.