"Th-thank you," he answered the lady, awkwardly standing off to the side as he waited to be let in.? He didn't know how much time had passed, which felt like forever and a day, but finally he was told that he was free to proceed, so he stepped forward as the door slid open and then closed behind him with a soft "whoosh."? Inside was Chord, the man that had first recruited him into the folds of his company, who had just previously took on a more serious tone and told them exactly what he thought of their failure, no holds barred, now appeared to be quite friendly and unassuming.? Nervous was putting it mildly.

"Hello, sir...thank you for letting me come in," he started, taking a short bow much like he did with Raine.? When he looked back, Chord was still smiling at him.? "I wanted to talk to you about what happened, now that I've had a little bit of time to think about it."? Putting his hands behind his back, he let out a sigh, to try and calm himself, diverting his eyes.

"I..may have been too rash with what I said back at the classroom.? Having realized that we all failed and the frustration that came with it, and the flurry of emotions that came after, I think, made some of us regret our actions.? I know I certainly have..it's just..it's just that.."? Kites breathed out, willing his heart to stop trying to break through his rib cage.? Come on, man, remember what Raine said.? Be confident, tell it like it is.? Can't really fail any more than you already have, right?

"When you first recruited me, I was very eager to prove myself.? I still am, but what I wasn't prepared for was this onslaught of both logic and emotion.? Never have I had someone affect me so much that it's muddled my brain, stirred up my heart and made me act like a love sick...like a love sick puppy," he said, biting his lip.? "I mean, it's not Gen's fault at all...I hope you don't hold that against him...what I'm trying to say is..."? Steeling his resolve, he looked back up, straight into Chord's eyes, trying to summon up whatever bit of courage he had in that moment.

"What I'm trying to say is that I want to do better, sir.? I came to Port Vega for a reason.? To find myself, to prove that I was worthy of existing, to find that inner strength to protect those who could not do so...? You've given me that chance and instead of taking it seriously, I decided to chase someone else's tail and completely disrespected what you were trying to achieve.? For that, I take full responsibility...and whatever may come with it, but..? But, I don't want to give up here!? If I just accept this outcome and not fight for what could be, then I would not only be letting myself down, I feel that I would be letting you down even more than I already have."

"Please, don't give up on me yet, sir.? I want to stay...I want to keep working towards that goal and prove to you that I'm worth my salt.? If you are willing to give me that second chance, I promise that I would not let you down, sir."

Once finished, he breathed out again, letting off steam and all the nervousness that ensued.? He bowed again at the waist, having said everything that he wanted to say and waited to hear what Chord thought about it all.? The wait felt excruciating to him, but he made no indication that he was antsy...at least, he hoped.

[Chord]

Chord listened quietly, thoughtfully as Kites spoke. As young man made his case, Chord found he smiled at the chasing tail reference.?

He nodded before he began. “Thank you Kites for coming and saying all you said. That take courage to admit your shortcomings. However I want to correct a few notions if you don’t mind.”

Chord stood then and cross to sit on the edge of his desk so he could look the man in the eyes.

“First you didn’t fail the other day. No one did. No one expected perfection. ?The purpose of Yesterday’s exercise was not to produce a win or success, it was to assess skill and aptitude. That was achieved. So do not look at yesterday as you failed.

“I appreciate what you said about what happened between you and Gen. I can understand why all of you became enamored with each other. The newness and adrenaline will indeed do that. I can see now that you understand that there is a time and a place. Again, I appreciate the growth.

“And since you were so frank and earnest with me, let me be with you. I never gave up on any of you. You all have enormous potential. However being here in my office now it’s just lip service. Have you sat down and done some real introspection? Are you prepared to be professional? Do you think you can? If Gen does not return are you still dedicated to the process or are you more loyal to the friendships and relationships you are making?

As I said this morning. You are welcome to continue to live here but only full commitment to the process and the program will re-start your training.?

It’s easy to say all this now, but what about when in the moment. Do you remain logical, are you receptive to growth, to continue to own your responsibility to your own progress, to the team’s, to what you signed up for? Can you stand independently against your friends? can you see the big picture through your anger? Can you effectively work with people you don’t like? Have you thought about things beyond your self Kites??

Look Kites, I like you. I recruited you personally because I know you got the goods. If you want to continue we want you to continue. Because I know you are going to be great. But make sure you understand completely what you are gettin into and make sure you are okay with the expectations that will be placed on you.”