开云体育

(Kites)

Kites was none too happy to have reached his turn to speak.? As inviting as Chord tried to make it to get them to talk about yesterday, he was still butthurt about the way they all got scolded.? A very sick feeling welled in his stomach, like bile that was stuck in his throat, but he swallowed his bitterness down and stood up, causing the chair to scrape against the floor as he straightened out.? Bringing a fist to his face, he coughed to clear his pipes and then looked up, letting his hand drop back down to his side.? He hoped that he was able to fake enough confidence to not look like a coward.? In truth, he was quite nervous and a bit shaky.? It felt as if the whole world's attention was on him.

"I...agree with everyone's comments.? The bar was set impossibly high and to expect us to know what it is and act as if we have years of experience, is too much to ask of people who at this point have never met before nor were familiar with each other," he said, trying to keep the jitters out of his voice.? The last part was a bit of a lie.? As of last night, he and Gen had gotten wicked familiar with each other, something he had hoped that'd do more and more in the future.? But that was neither here nor there.? He stealthily nudged Gen's foot, his mouth threatening to curl into a smile but he held back with all his might.? "That being said, I too want to be here.? We all signed up for this and I'm pretty sure that none of us want to give up just because yesterday was a bust.? I hope that you won't give up on us either...*cough* That's all I want to say for now."? With that, he sat back down and dug into his food.? He wanted to reach for Gen under the table, to grab hold of his hand, but he refrained.? Better keep his own affectations to a minimum as he was sure that their slightest movements would be noticed by Chord's watchful eyes.

(Mia)

Mia had listened to Brandon’s apology then the other’s input of yesterday not being fair and what not.? She understood what Mr. Chord and Ms. Harrison were doing.? It seemed like it was her turn and she stood.??“Well, Mr. Chord and Ms. Harrison, I understood for the most part what you were trying to do yesterday.? We,” she gestured around the table, “did not seem to understand as a whole what was going on.? The first part with working through the different obstacles, that was understood and everyone worked as they were supposed to.? Individually at first, then as a team.? The second part with the robots just seemed a bit, too much at that time.? Granted, Brandon tried to tell us what to do and informed us of what he knew about the bots.? But then everyone tried to take things into their own hands more or less.? I did follow what Kat suggested, but until I became covered in wet mud, I didn’t realize the bots could read heat signatures.??As soon as I realized it was a losing battle and the one couldn’t find me, I decided the best course of action was to retreat.? Then Gen decided to send off some kind of screeching that was not conducive and more or less almost deafened us all.??All in all, yes, I understand that you all,” she looked at the team around the table, “felt it was overkill and too much.? So, did I, however, the team efforts that we had put in on the obstacle course was suddenly gone and everyone seemed to panic.? And that is what Mr. Chord and Ms. Harrison were doing.? They wanted to see what we would do in a sudden attack.? And well, we failed miserably.”?? With that she sat back down.

(Ireland, Chord, Harrison)

?When Mia was done speaking she wanted to clap and shout yes! Finally someone who got it. But even though that was her character, even though that’s how she felt saying that would have been totally out of line. So she remained quiet.?

?She also didn’t take her turn to speak “I was not in the room during the exercise so I don’t think it would add to the conversation for me to speak my thoughts on yesterday” she said softly.

?Which was true. She didn’t think anyone wanted to hear how she thought they were all sexed crazed teenagers who were squandering a mass opportunity.

?She wondered if Kat and Kites realized just how telling their behavior and innuendos were as they sat. It was a small conference room and they were all sitting at the same table. You would have to deaf and blind not see what was going on with them.

?Even Brandon. Did he really just send her a text while sitting there. Really dude? She was a bit surprised when she saw him looking down at something under the table and realized it was his phone when her phone vibrated against her back side.

God...this guy.

It made her wonder just how old everyone was. They all seemed so young and a bit immature...everyone but Mia. She actually seemed to be the most mature out of all of them...even her.. even more so than Brandon and he was older than all of them and had been with Chord the longest.

When everyone was finish speaking Chord’s deep thoughtful brown eyes meet Harrison’s across the table. Although the look the two shared was unreadable, it would be obvious in the room that the two shared a moment.?

After a beat, he nodded his head. And steepled his hands. “I just want you all to know that I appreciate what all of you have said here today.??Really I do. We asked you to speak up because we wanted to hear your thoughts on the matter. Find out where all of your heads are. Thank you all for sharing so freely. ?

“Mia is right.??In everything she said. I explained that very same sentiment after Gen’s expressed her feelings yesterday. Thank you Mia, for not just hearing me but for taking the time to understand me through whatever hurt feelings my unfiltered honesty may have caused.”?He nodded a soft smile to Mia.?

“With that being said, After yesterday and last night and today, Harrison and I have come to a decision.” He paused?

“We have decided to disband this program effective immediately.??We realize that what we want for this program, what we want to accomplish is not properly lining up with the thoughts, ideas, goals, values and interest in the way we would like.?Knowing this, having a full understanding of the current and potential conflict this clash would cause if we continued would not be conducive to the necessary team growth needed to form strong long lasting bonds of trust, camaraderie and confidence between you and I and Ms Harrison and that would just be unfair and cruel to all of you. Contrary to what some of you may think. Cruel is never what I aspire to be... with anyone.

?“Thank you all for the time that you have given. I truly appreciate it. It was a pleasure to meet all of you. My door is always open if you should need anything.?

Please stay and have your fill of breakfast. Whatever is left you are welcome to take with you. The clothing that has been provided for you for this week is yours to keep if you want it. so is the food in the mini bars. A car will be provided to you within the hour to take you anywhere in the city you would like to go.?

Godspeed and Good Luck with you for you future endeavors. “

And with that he stood and moved towards where Harrison was sitting. She was about to speak, but Chord shook his head. And with that Harrison sighed softly and also stood.

Harrison nodded to the occupants of the table and moved to fall into step beside Chord. As she moved past Mia, she handed the young woman an envelope. Chord opened the door held it open so that she could pass through and then the two left.

Ireland looked up at Brandon. She was stunned but not at all surprised by what just happened.

"Wow. Wow. The three of you are just something else. And Brandon I am so disappointed in you.”

She said she was going to keep her thoughts to herself. Damn but she failed miserably with that one.

(Brandon)?

Brandon looked at his sister and she seemed to want to go all in.? “Thank you!”? Was all he said as he stood up and left the room.? He made his way to his room.? Seemed his actions had really created more of a problem than anything.? He was not a natural born leader, he had try to put forth more effort.? He didn’t trust himself to lead beyond his head or his inner turmoil or his penis.? Since his father, his sister and Harrison seemed to believe that is where he was leading from.?

He wasn’t but that was neither here nor there, he had caused the rest of the group to lose what could have been a golden opportunity for all of them and he had single handedly messed it up and Ireland was even more disappointed in him.? Which was fine.? He lived in that place recently what was one more person being disappointed with him.? Right now he just felt the need to get away.

Of all of them only Mia got the fact or stated that they had all failed to see the bigger picture.? All he could do was apologize for his part.

He went to see his father, the best or the most he could do was give the rest of the group a chance.? Ireland deserved to be here and she made it pretty clear she was a better leader than him.? He would leave the team if it would give the others a chance to be better without him.

(Kat)

Kat sat for a moment, not sure she heard what she heard. She understood what Chord and them were trying to do. The big picture as Mia had said but in her mind he took it a little to far. There were better ways to get tbe point across than the way Chord had tried. Still to just give up was not something she had thought he would have done.

?So when Chord and Harrison walked out, Kat honestly couldn't believe it. She looked to Brandon, who just stood up and left. This made her even more confused. Not sure what to do she looked to the others. "I'm heading up to my room. I'm going to collect my stuff and head back to my old place. There is room if you all want to crash for a while."?

? ?Kat stood and headed for the door. As she did she stopped and turned around. "I don't want to leave. This is the first time in my life that I have been around someone like me. I don't want to lose my friends."?

(Gen)

Gen nodded to what Kites said, happy to hear that the winged youth's sentiments mirrored his own. He wanted to give Kites a supportive kiss or hug when he sat back down, but contented himself with a smile and a playful shoulder nudge, not wanting to risk even more disapproval from Chord or anyone else.

He then listened to Mia say her piece, then glowered at the water controller as she sat down.? "I said I was sorry," he muttered, digging back into his food and stuffing his face angrily. "We can't _all_ be perfect."

The androgyne wasn't prepared though for what came next, nearly choking on his food when Chord announced that he was disbanding the project and that they were on their own as of this morning. Then Ireland seeming to echo him in blaming everyone but Mia for this.? And then Harrison handing an envelope to Mia as she and Chord left the room.

Gen felt sorry for Brandon as the man gave Ireland an injured look and a quiet "thank you" and then headed for the doors.? "It wasn't your fault!" he called out as the dejected man left the room, adding "Not all of it anyway" quietly to himself.

"Me too," Gen said when Kat announced her intentions. Impulsively, the androgyne got up and went to the cat girl and hugged her tightly.? "I don't want to lose you either," he said holding her close, his voice choking a bit with emotion.? "Not any of you," he went on, glancing back at Kites with longing. His expression glowered a bit when he added "Not even you two" looking at Mia and Ireland.

"The same goes for me too," he said finally, reluctantly releasing Kat and stepping back.? "I'm going back to my old place, and if anyone needs a place to stay, it's got plenty of room." He chewed his lip a bit, looking a little embarrassed.? "It doesn't have electricity or running water.? And you have to fly or swim or have a boat to get there. But it does have a great view of the harbor and the city skyline," he added, grinning weakly.? "Anyway, you're all welcome."

The androgyne hesitated, then walked up to Kites and hugged him impulsively.? "Come with me," he said softly, looking up into the taller youth's eyes.? "I'll take care of you. It won't be as fancy or comfortable as this place, but at least we won't have to worry about pleasing anyone else."

Tag: Kat, Gen, Kites, Mia, Ireland, Chord and Harrison, Brandon