[ Josh tries to keep how grateful he feels over what Lia says off his face -- he manages; just about. There is also the familiar itch to light up a cigarette, but he ignores that and focuses instead on the Kaiser's quiet reiteration that he is at the head of the blade and is therefore still the one charged with the responsibility of making the calls where his team is concered; for good or for ill.
He needs a moment. This one hasn't felt particularly effective in the leadership role given recent events, and it's not a feeling he can abide by, especially since this has hit him in a way that has him standing before his direct superior with the urge to apologize because she shouldn't have to deal with the two people he listed as his second and his third. Not like this.
He's also yet to make heads or tails over why those two exchanges feel like a direct violation of his trust, which was implicit -- or was supposed to be. If both Yulia or Stan felt that they couldn't even check in with him before bringing their issues directly to the ( as Brig would likely put it ) top brass, what did that say then, about him and his ability to manage his own people? ]
I'll speak with them, [ he reiterates softly. ] And I will make it clear that I am a hundred percent behind this move for a break and if they have issues with that, it is not their place to bother you with them, ma'am. That is what I am here for. If they are unclear about why we are being taken off the field, I will offer them that clarity to the best of my abilities.
[ A pause then, because he needs to shelve what he is feeling towards his two recalcitrant blademates aside to recenter himself. ]
On another note, Ma'am Delacroix. I realize that the appropriate response to a "thank you" is "you're welcome," but if you don't mind me saying so -- I would like to apologize for calling the Blade King to assist in this most recent engagement.
[ Another breath, at that. ] I didn't want him out there. Not so soon, not given how Tohru Fukuzawa's condition was at the time.
But he is one of Kaz's Seven, and we have named him our unofficial Seventh.
[ His voice drops a fraction. ] Hikaru would have hated sitting on the sidelines for a second time.
no subject
He needs a moment. This one hasn't felt particularly effective in the leadership role given recent events, and it's not a feeling he can abide by, especially since this has hit him in a way that has him standing before his direct superior with the urge to apologize because she shouldn't have to deal with the two people he listed as his second and his third. Not like this.
He's also yet to make heads or tails over why those two exchanges feel like a direct violation of his trust, which was implicit -- or was supposed to be. If both Yulia or Stan felt that they couldn't even check in with him before bringing their issues directly to the ( as Brig would likely put it ) top brass, what did that say then, about him and his ability to manage his own people? ]
I'll speak with them, [ he reiterates softly. ] And I will make it clear that I am a hundred percent behind this move for a break and if they have issues with that, it is not their place to bother you with them, ma'am. That is what I am here for. If they are unclear about why we are being taken off the field, I will offer them that clarity to the best of my abilities.
[ A pause then, because he needs to shelve what he is feeling towards his two recalcitrant blademates aside to recenter himself. ]
On another note, Ma'am Delacroix. I realize that the appropriate response to a "thank you" is "you're welcome," but if you don't mind me saying so -- I would like to apologize for calling the Blade King to assist in this most recent engagement.
[ Another breath, at that. ] I didn't want him out there. Not so soon, not given how Tohru Fukuzawa's condition was at the time.
But he is one of Kaz's Seven, and we have named him our unofficial Seventh.
[ His voice drops a fraction. ] Hikaru would have hated sitting on the sidelines for a second time.