Perfect School

Paublo:

I was just as flustered as Kyra and called a goodbye to her as she went. I checked both sides of the hallway before entering my room again. I dressed quickly, cursing at myself for being so awkward. Soon enough I was dressed and hustling to practice.

Kira:

I waited in the room, dozing lightly by laying on one of the mats. Both trays had been set up for them when they came and I was the first one to arrive.

Andrew:

I offered Kira a thank you as I ate quickly, praying Jonah wouldn't make us do anything intensive.

Kyra:

I went over to Kira and sat close by. When Jonah entered the room my eyes narrowed slightly and I averted them to the mat between my knees.

I opened my eyes and sat up slowly as they came in, watching Andrew, Kyra, and Paublo when he came in. When finally Jonah came in I turned my attention to him, covering a yawn with my hand.

Jonah:

I gathered the four of them in a group after the boys had finished eating and lead them through an easy stretch/work-out meant to improve soreness from the previous day and energize them. After the brief work out I gathered them in a circle to praise them again and overview what we would be doing after the break was over. Kyra seemed annoyed but was trying to hide it.

“You've definitely done me proud.” I said in another round of praise to which Kyra exhaled and looked at the floor. “Do you have something you would like to say, Kyra?” I asked her calmly, looking right at her. She met my gaze and seemed unable to keep her cool.

“Yeah, Jonah, it's just that this team wasn’t yours when we won. It was Kira's. She's the one who got us to this point, not you. So it doesn't really matter if you're proud of us or not, we didn't do this for you.” She let out another breath but couldn't stop herself from going on. “In fact you're the reason we had to work so hard. You abandoned us. Not only that but you killed off one of our best members as well. You set us up for failure, and it was Kira who stepped up. Kira who picked up your slack. Kira who gave us no option but to succeed. Our winning the competition is a credit entirely to her, not you.” Her ample chest was heaving, and the emotion in her words as well as her face was quite clear. She was angry with me. She felt betrayed, and there was a bit of fear mixed in there as well. She wasn't wrong and it did make me feel bad for what I had done.

“You are right.” I told her, much to the surprise in her green eyes. “I owe you all an apology,” I looked each of them in the face. “I did let you down, but you stepped up to the challenge and greatly exceeded my expectations. Kira most of all.” I looked her in the eyes for a moment. Kyra looked like she was concentrating very hard on not boiling over, or bursting into tears. Her brother squeezed her hand.

“Paublo, Andrew, thank you, and great job today. You can go now, I need to speak with Kyra.” I told them. “Kira please stay.”

Kira:

I listened to the speech without comment. In fact I didn't even look up from where I was sitting on the mat until Kyra started to go into her rant. I could only blink as she seemed on the verge of tears over it all, and as to why I was being pulled into it. I had just done what was necessary.

When Jonah asked me to stay I simply shrugged and remained right where I was, one knee drawn up to my chest with my arms wrapped loosely around it.

Jonah:

Andrew was reluctant to leave his sister but I told him she would be joining him shortly and he left with a frown on his brow. I chose to take a seat on the mat, though Kyra still stood. I wanted Kira here because I knew Kyra was uneasy with me, and wouldn't want to be alone with the person she had witness killing her friend in this very gym. And that's what this was all about.

“Kyra, why don't you go ahead and say what you want to say to me.” I told her, sitting in a nonthreatening position on the floor. I rested my hands on my knees and watched the troubled girl.

“I don't trust you Jonah. And I don't respect you.” She said in agitation. She paced. “What you did was wrong. And don't give me that bullshit about it being self defense, everyone knows damn well that you did it on purpose. You provoked her, I know you did, you aren't the kind to make a show out of it unless it serves you. You planned the whole thing, right down to having Kira and I as witnesses.” Her anger was bleeding through her voice, but she didn't once raise it.

“I'm not saying Emily should still be here, I'm saying you killing her like that was wrong. You could have had her sent away. You could have handled it better. It didn't have to end in her death just because she cheated on you.” She was restless and unable to stand still, but when I shifted I could see her body tense and automatically ready into a defensive pose. It pleased me that her training effected her even when she was emotional.

“Kyra, you think I killed Emily because she cheated on me? Do you think I am that possessive?” Her eyes told me that was exactly what she thought. “Emily was a problem. She was uncroll able and irrational. She couldn't suppress her own emotions and constantly undermined Kira and therefore me. She was never going to make it in the real world due to her temper and personality. I simply removed the problem sooner. Her poor decisions were what gave me the out.” I explained to her, laying out how it was, I wouldn't lie to her now.

My words did anything but console her. Fury flashed in her eyes and she fixed a cold look on me that reminded me very much of Kira. It was not a look I had ever seen on Kyra's sweet face. “Is that supposed to make me feel better? Really? That is even worse. You knew what Emily was when you assembled the team. You knew what she was when you slept with her. Do you expect me to think you never thought it through to the end? Sooner or later you would have to get rid of her to protect yourself!

“I see what you are Jonah. You picked us to further your own selfish interests, and when our own interests conflict with yours then we are done, right? We aren't yours Jonah!” Her voice was definitely rising now. “We aren't expendable for your use. You don't get to control us! I'm not yours, Paublo isn't yours, Andrew isn't yours, Kira isn't yours! You don't have control what we do outside of your team, our lives aren't yours to control and neither are our deaths.” She was furious when she finally stopped.

I let her cool before I spoke again. “Kyra, you are welcome to quit. I don't need you, and I certainly don't wish to dictate how you deal with this situation, as long as it does not interfere with my practice sessions.” I told her coolly. Her return glare was challenging, she was thinking about it. She let out a heavy breath and looked away. “I don't have a problem with this team. I wish it was lead by someone else,” She glanced at Kira. “But I don't want to leave it. My issue is with you personally. I don't trust you, but I still wish to learn from you and I won't disrespect you during practice.” She said it very carefully, trying not to let her temper control her again. The disdain was still clear in her eyes, if nothing else.

“I understand, Kyra. I'm glad you decided to stay. I will do my best not to betray your trust again, and I am sorry for the distress I have caused you.” I told her sincerely. “You can go now.”

I listened intently but appeared to be impassive about their presence. Like gnats floating around my focus was almost entirely absorbed by the seam of the mat I sat on. My thumbnail dug into it, picking apart and drawing out the thick threads that held it together. I finally glanced up as Jonah admitted to the practice sessions.

"Kyra. Wait a moment. Perhaps it is best I explain something. Rules that Jonah is under and perhaps more of an explanation into my patron. This will not make anything better, nor will it likely make you happy. But I will say it anyway if you choose to stay and hear it." My gaze was focused on Jonah as I spoke before sliding up to Kyra.

I waited for the span of several long moments before nodding. She hadn't left and so I locked my eyes on her. "My patron is the one who set up the private practice sessions I do. This is the life I have been born too and the school is actually slower paced than what I have been brought up to do. So extra sessions were made so I could actually learn and grow."

I paused for only a breath before continuing, "Jonah impressed me enough for me to talk to my patron and have him join my sessions. But such things come with a price. Jonah was instructed that nothing should interfere with the lessons. What he could learn within our sessions is far more difficult and rewarding than what this school teaches. Emily interfered once. Jonah decided his time was better spent with her than coming to the lessons. And as such he was removed. We do not offer second chances easily, and obedience is everything to my Patron. He knew the rules, he broke them. And so he had to earn his right back. When he earned it again and progressed under our teachers my patron took over his tutorship entirely. I imagine Emily continued to interfere and he made his choice."

"The option exists for you, Andrew, and Paublo to also join in should you wish. After the competition it would not be a difficult thing to ask. The choice remains yours."

Kyra:

I looked them both over in distaste. “No thank you Kira. I don't believe I could pay the price for that, I could not abide by your rules.” I said coolly before leaving. What she said did nothing to change my feelings about Jonah. He wasn't someone I could trust. If my interests ever conflicted with his, I was sure he would choose the easiest route and do away with me. He would do the same for anyone who thwarted him. Nothing would stop his ambition, I hoped Kira was aware of that.

I only answered with a shrug. It was her choice and I could not fault her for it either. Instead I focused downwards at the mat again, picking at the seam once more. "Did that go as you expected it to Jonah?"

Jonah:

I sighed. “More or less.” I shrugged. I thought she would have cried, and I didn't expect as much hate from her. It seemed Kyra was stronger willed than I first thought, that was both good and bad for me. “I think she will come around.” I got to my feet and stretched. Kyra had been accurate in her assessment of me, that made me uncomfortable.

Another shrug was his answer as I pushed myself to my feet as well. "I am going to go lay down again unless you had more you wished to say?" I gave a slow stretch, arm across my chest as I stretched it.

Jonah:

I watched her stretch then shook my head.  “No Kira, get some rest.” I nodded to the door and waited until she was long gone before I returned to my own room.  

It was nice being back in my own space, even though the apartment had been nicer.  I pulled out my lap top and opened it.  Immediately there was a pop up announcing the winning totals.  

Kira placed first, that was no surprise to me.  Kyra placed second under her, out doing Dayo in nearly every category.  Despite her new found aversion to me, I was tremendously proud of her.  Even Andrew and Paublo had better scores than the last competition.  I, on the other hand, was dead last at the very bottom of the list with a zero in everything but academics.

The status shouldn't have been important to me, but I couldn't deny the wound to my pride.  Kira was right, I was arrogant.

"See you later Jonah." I said with a final wave that was simply a toss of my hand. I didn't move very quickly, and generally ignored everyone until I pushed open the door to my room and flopped down onto the bed. I opened an eye to peer at the open door before sighing and letting myself drift off again.

Jonah:

The next day I woke up early and went to the gym in hopes of catching Kira there. I worked out for a couple hours and went to get breakfast but still no Kira, she was likely still recovering from the tournament.

Instead of taking a shower, I simply rinsed off the sweat and then went or a swim in the pool. The school was quiet with nearly all of the students gone on break. I felt like I was still in isolation, even with free run of the school.

I had finished packing instead of going to gym or breakfast. It was going to be nice to replace my tired and worn clothes and gear. And as I gazed at my bags I thought about what I was forgetting. I considered long and hard before inspiration struck me. Jonah. I was forgetting him. Oops.

With a slight shrug I went searching for him, taking the better part of ten minutes to find him. "Jonah. Get out. Pack. Now." I called to him with arms folded under my bust.

Jonah:

I pulled myself out of the pool and dripped all the way over to her. “Are we going somewhere?” I asked assuming as much by her words. The idea was exciting and I had a suspicion of the destination.

"Thirty minutes. Be ready, presentable, and packed out front. We are going home and if you are both lucky and good you can see our Patron." I looked over his chest for a moment before turning and going to the door. "Oh. Anything you bring has a chance to be taken away and replaced should it displease any of the higher ups and they wish you to have something else. If any of your things are important. Leave them."

Jonah:

I wasted no time in getting to my room and packing a small bag. I had nothing of sentimental value, so there was no worry of anything being replaced. What I packed was virtually the same to what I took on my last trip, with a bit more gear added in. I showered then and dressed in neatly in clothes I could easily move around in but were presentable.

I was out waiting for Kira in less than fifteen minutes, fully ready to go.

"Impressive." It wasn't really, but I was waiting with the driver who had hands on a pair of suitcases of mine. In addition I had a duffle bag over one shoulder, and a backpack dangling from the other. "Shall we?"

Without waiting for a reply I gestured for the driver to lead on to the car. He packed everything away for me while I settled in the backseat. "We are going to the airport where we will catch our jet and be in the air for five hours." I told Jonah absently.

Jonah:

The plane was smaller, but luxurious. It was interesting to have so much room to walk around in while we were up in the sky, though my favorite part remained watching the land below.

I turned to Kira after they had brought us lunch. “What should I know before we get there?” I asked her, thinking forward.

"Marie owns everything. The entire city. The buildings, the land, the people. Not everyone works for her, few even realize that someone owns everything. Even less know of Marie." I said while sipping from a glass of sparkling raspberry juice. I tilted the glass in a circle, letting the ice clink against the side of the glass. "No one is above Marie, and many believe themselves to be her right hand. The ones you should actually watch out for and show respect to are her head of finance. Her head of security as well. People will try to control you, but unless the phrase 'Marie wants' is used you are not required to do it if you choose not too."

I set down my glass and picked up my fork to push my rice pilaf around a moment, "But do that at your own risk. They might not actually use her name but have her desires in order. It is a game to everyone who comes under her. I think you will enjoy yourself. Just remember who is in charge and things should go well enough. If necessary take your cues from me or ask questions."

Jonah:

I nodded. “Let me know if I behave in a way I shouldn't, but I think I can adapt quickly.” I said with a smile. These past few weeks had been a time of rapid learning; about myself, the world I was entering, and the people within it. This trip would probably do the most to further my education, and I was especially looking forward to meeting Marie in person. She was someone I expected to learn a great deal from, and get a better grasp of the future I wanted for myself.

I nodded once then focused on finishing my meal. After the plate had been collected and my drink refilled I lounged on a couch and gazed out a window while the liquid swirled in my glass. "You will be seeing my life Jonah.". I remarked absently.

Jonah:

My eyes lit up but I responded in no other way, turning my head to watch out the window. Her comment brought up another idea. I would have more tools to unlock her after this. The only things unavailable to me would be what was locked away in her mind.

After our trip to Colorado she had reverted into herself again. But I had been able to loosen her up. We had grown closer, and I knew that was still in her somewhere. It would only require more effort on my part to dig it up again. This would not be the time for that project. I expected that Kira would be colder than I was used to. She wouldn't want Marie to think she was getting soft.

My focus was on draining my emotions away entirely, letting it all go and be buried deeply. I couldn't afford mistakes. Not with so many eyes. Having Jonah was dangerous, he was likely to lead me into such things. But I would handle it as it came. I simply had too. I only moved from my spot when we were told to buckle up for the descent.