Exit to the Right ??

David

When the room was once again silent, he continued to David, "The old Strategy Chair asked for your forgiveness. Nothing while in office became him like leaving it. He took his elimination like one who had prepared for this eventuality, and had considered that the possible gain would have been worth it. In the end, it was all for nothing." He turned away from David and to the room, trying to make eye contact with as many as possible of his peers. "Just a grim cautionary tale for all of us that it doesn't pay, to put our own interests above those of The Tortoises and its leader. To our leader and his wise decisions."

They all raised their glasses again. The toast on the team-leader was echoed from all sides. Hel had to hurry to keep all glasses filled as not few of the dignified Chairs downed the whole content at once, repeatedly. David accepted the chorus with some restrained nods and waves, meant to part the praise and reflect it on all present. He raised his glass and sipped some champagne, but when the pandemonium once more calmed down, he could be found resting pensively in his armchair.

He swirled his glass on the armrest and watched its content dance while he apologized, "One simply can't look into another person's head. I absolutely trusted the Strategy Chair. I would have sworn every oath that he was loyal." The door opened as if on cue. David looked up. All pain fell from him. He beamed as he rose to his feet. His hand rushed forward, inviting Boris who had come through the door, to step up to his side. "And here he is, the man of the hour. Gratitude and thanks are in place. Though, I am so much in your debt, Boris, we are far beyond that. While it might yet not be enough, let's say this is the beginning of a wonderful, long-lasting partnership."

The two men shook hands under the applause and knocking of the gathered Chairs. Hushed calls of 'Hail Boris' started, but died down as they were not picked up. The majority opted for another drink. Ed starred at Boris' hair and mumbled something that made his brother cough into his glass and earned him a stern look by David.

Boris didn't pick up on that. He was too busy deciding, whether to fawn or to throw his chest wide. Since he ended up doing the first in David's direction and the later for the room, his peculiar dance sent his flimsy-floppy-fluffy-flaxy hair flying as he declared, "As part of this team in the Game I have always considered service and loyalty my duty. When I am allowed to deliver, what I owe for being considered a member of this great group, it is payment enough. You, David," Boris acknowledged the team-leader with a raise of his glass that someone had thrusted into his hand, "accomplish your job that is putting your best tools to work where they can achieve the most. Our duties are to the team, its leader, its members, and our great nation, in which everyone does but what they should, by doing everything toward its growth and brilliance."

David nodded gravely his thanks, his eyes everywhere but on Boris' head. Boris crumpled shirt and ill-fitting jacket in the bold choice of sky-blue didn't meet his approval either. He ended up turned to the other man who had entered after Boris. Michael had trailed Boris to the head of the group, where David sat. David had no idea why Michael had been allowed into the room where the council met, but considered him in that second sent by the gods.

Before catching sight of Michael, he had even considered turning on this assistant girl, flitting around with her too short skirt and Doc Martin's boots. A distraction. But maybe she was the headquarters' attempt to sate this silly need for diversity. She looked slightly Asian, though her eyes were off. Who had this kind of lapis lazuli eyes? Her legs and ass were great though, and that had reminded him that it could be worse – some chick in a hijab or an old hag. Still, he would order HR to load headquarters' sanctum with proper English girls only from now on, and leave diversity for the ad campaigns.

He would get back at Ed, too, because of whom he couldn't have kept his business face a moment longer with Boris in front of him. Now, he was forced to acknowledge Michael's presence. "Michael, I was informed of your contributions to today's triumph, too, and think you no less deserving. Consider this meeting as the moment that I planted you. From now on, I will see it as my personal task to groom you, and to see to it that one day you'll be fully grown." Michael had always been a bit on the short side, so David's words brought about some snickers. "Though not yet on the council, I consider you from now on a partner very dear to my heart and vital to my plans."