Respect for competence is tactical appreciation. Nothing more.
"Today's challenge involves teamwork," I tell her, settling into the reinforced chair across from hers. "Physical obstacles, communication exercises."
"So basically, manufactured opportunities for us to either bond dramatically or fail spectacularly on camera." She sips her coffee and winces. "Got it."
Her easy acceptance of the show's manipulation surprises me. Most humans seem willfully blind to such obvious strategic maneuvering.
"You understand their intent."
"I'm not naive, Korgan. I know what I signed up for." She meets my gaze directly. "The question is whether we play their game or find ways to make it work for us."
Intelligent. Adaptable. Willing to think strategically rather than emotionally.
"What do you propose?"
"We give them what they want, teamwork, chemistry, whatever, but we do it our way. On our terms." She breaks off another piece of croissant, examining its inferior structure. "They want a story? We'll give them one. Just not the story they're expecting."
I find myself leaning forward, genuinely intrigued by her tactical thinking. "Explain."
"Well, they're probably expecting either perfect cooperation that looks fake, or dramatic conflict that creates tension. What if we give them something else? Real partnership. Actual problem-solving." She gestures with the pastry. "You're obviously strong and strategically minded. I'm good at quick thinking and improvisation. Between us, we could probably dominate whatever obstacles they throw at us."
"And this serves your purposes how?"
"Competence is attractive. Teamwork is compelling television. If we can show genuine connection through shared success, it's better for both our images than manufactured drama." She pauses, then adds quietly, "Plus, I'd rather win than provide entertainment through failure."
Strategy and pride. Qualities I recognize and respect.
"An acceptable approach." I drain my coffee cup, planning our next moves. "What challenges do you anticipate?"
"Physical stuff you'll handle easily. Communication puzzles I can probably solve. The real challenge will be whatever curveball they throw to create dramatic tension." Her expression turns thoughtful. "They'll want to test our partnership somehow. Maybe put us in situations where helping each other requires sacrifice."
"What manner of sacrifice?"
"Could be anything. Making one of us choose between personal advancement and team success. Creating artificial time pressure that forces quick decisions. Or..." She hesitates.
"They might try to make us look foolish individually, so our partnership becomes about rescuing each other from embarrassment rather than genuine cooperation."
Something cold settles in my ribs. Yesterday's producer meeting takes on new significance. Their eagerness to createdramatic tensionthrough technical difficulties.
"You believe they would sabotage the competition?"
"I believe they would manufacture whatever storyline gets the best ratings." She stands, gathering her untouched breakfast. "The question is whether we let them."
I watch her walk away, noting the determined set of her shoulders, the way she navigates between tables with unconscious grace. She's not some naive human stumbling blindly through producer manipulation. She's a strategic thinker, fully aware of the forces trying to control her narrative.
Impressive. Also dangerous to my emotional equilibrium.
Because somewhere during our conversation, my tactical appreciation shifted into something more personal. The way she'd included me naturally in her planning, assumed our partnership without question. The quiet confidence in her voice when she'd said "between us, we could probably dominate whatever obstacles they throw at us."
Notyou could protect meorI'll try to keep up. Partnership. Equals working toward shared success.
When did I start wanting that?
I remain at the table, ostensibly finishing my coffee while actually observing the room's dynamics. Other contestants are forming temporary alliances based on obvious attraction or producer guidance. Calculated partnerships designed for maximum dramatic potential rather than actual compatibility.
Trinity sits with Maya, maybe for a visit. They're reviewing something on Trinity's phone, heads bent together in focused discussion. Probably strategizing, preparing for today's challenges with the same methodical approach Trinity had applied to evaluating the croissant.
Professional competence extending to all areas of her life. Consistent behavior patterns indicating reliable character.
