Strategies of Isolation

[Sarias]

STRATEGIES OF ISOLATION

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Emotionally wrought-up, Acolyte Cathryn Valorin wrote an essay and published it only to edit it a few seconds later, deleting certain passages that only those of highest rank could see as "being removed".

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Spending time with the peers of my Acolyte batch gives me a lot of room to study their habits,
their perks and flaws as well as the way they treat one another.
Fully aware, we are honouring the pure blood even in the boundaries of our accommodations,
even if we sit in idle chattering together.

However, what happens when one Acolyte is being cast out socially out of the group? Let me draw you a picture.

An Acolyte. Arrogant. Presumptious. Smart-aleckey.
Flying high ever since a superior sees potential in him/her, completely placing the entire future and all the prospects onto one single card. Prancing around as if he/she would own the place, losing respect - even before those that are of pure blood.

Now I shall ask again - what happens if you decide to cast this Acolyte socially out of the group?

PREPARATIONS
Preparations are simple. Or so I thought.
Firstly, you observe which people are treated with the least respect.
The ones the Acolyte mocks or abuses the most. Then, you proceed to tell these people a few truths here...feed them another half-truths on a silver spoon there....All to gain sympathy. However, the sympathy has to be genuine since everything else would be palpable through the Force.

That being done - the keyword is dominance. But not so much that they feel oppressed. Give them a "choice" - if they are personally affected or giving the impression of freely choosing, then it increases sympathy and trust.
Be able to influence - but do not give a feeling that their word means nothing.

Implementation
Use the mimicry-effect to your advantage. Start to actively exclude your victim through verbal notifications that said Acolyte is not welcome. Include those of your clique and have them participate. Most of them will naturally find it enjoyable.

If the victim complaints or tries to attack you - ignore. Just continue with your social activities as before.
In an extreme case, try to hinder your victim from entering a room - the Archives or the toilets for example. Holding back information would be another valuable strategy.

Through spreading rumours, more people could pick up on it and join. Encircle the targeted person and destroy something of worth to the Acolyte - for example the garb or the saber. The other Acolytes should give each other an alibi but in most cases - would anyone even care?

Aftermath
The consequences are severe and majorly affecting the self-confidence of the targeted Acolyte. He/She will be left wondering for reasons of being excluded. The Acolyte will start to question his/her self-perception and even flee, voluntarily seeking distance out of shame or indisposition. Such psychoterror could in extremest case even cause for a lack of motivation and the development of mental illnesses. And it certainly teaches the Acolyte a lesson to never underestimate others!

Notes
So the next time someone believes he/she could play you like a fiddle or believes one can use you as a mere pawn - you know what to do.