Pattycakes
Junior Member
Carter's cards had been shown, Mark thought. It was time to assess the results. Mark's bluff had worked. He had played his cards correctly and was now reaping the pot. The pot? Carter's trust. Mark never had the intention of apologizing to Xavier. However, giving off the intention of him struggling to accept wrong-doing made him appear vulnerable to Carter. Truth be told, he could care less for Xavier's feelings on the matter or if the behavior was "team supportive" or not. He would have the same thing regardless. Yet, this single act of offering his plate on the platter had gained him more trust with Carter than anything else. Carter likely still had some doubts of Mark, straying away from stating the often spoken "I trust you." Yet, Carter had come close. Very close.
Mark was not the forgiving type. Xavier had a debt to pay. He had challenged Mark's spot at the table, a challenge which would not go without repercussions. Xavier, and the others on the team, needed to remember who was the alpha. Xavier had done well today in the eyes of the brass, offending both the Colonel and Carter. However, for the others to get the message the results would have to be much more...public. All Xavier would require is a prod in the right direction at the right time. Then, there would be little doubt as to who deserved a spot at the table. To poke, though, Mark would have to be careful lest he break the new trust between Carter and himself. It was a line which Mark would have to perilously navigate.
Mark maintained his expression, giving no signs of the bluff. "Yes sir. Understood sir. I'll make sure they're ready for tomorrow." Seeing that Carter was done with the conversation, Mark gestured towards the group and stated, "By your leave, sir," waiting for Carter's gesture before rejoining the group.
Mark was not the forgiving type. Xavier had a debt to pay. He had challenged Mark's spot at the table, a challenge which would not go without repercussions. Xavier, and the others on the team, needed to remember who was the alpha. Xavier had done well today in the eyes of the brass, offending both the Colonel and Carter. However, for the others to get the message the results would have to be much more...public. All Xavier would require is a prod in the right direction at the right time. Then, there would be little doubt as to who deserved a spot at the table. To poke, though, Mark would have to be careful lest he break the new trust between Carter and himself. It was a line which Mark would have to perilously navigate.
Mark maintained his expression, giving no signs of the bluff. "Yes sir. Understood sir. I'll make sure they're ready for tomorrow." Seeing that Carter was done with the conversation, Mark gestured towards the group and stated, "By your leave, sir," waiting for Carter's gesture before rejoining the group.
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