The two men approached, looking concerned.
“This isn’t about blame,” Lex said. “But I want you to watch something. Majesty, can you and Cami demonstrate coordination for a moment?”
I blinked in surprise but recovered quickly. “Of course.”
Cami looked nervous as I guided her to stand beside Iris’s table. “We’re just going to show them something simple. Is that okay?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Stand here.” I positioned her in front of me. “Lex, you take her left side.”
Lex moved into position, and we created a triangle around Cami. Not touching her yet, just present.
“Watch,” I said to David and Harold. “Lex, I’m going to touch her right shoulder.”
“I’ll support her left hip,” he responded immediately.
I placed my hand on Cami’s shoulder, and simultaneously Lex’s hand settled on her hip. She swayed slightly between us, but we had her balanced.
“Now I’m shifting to her lower back,” I announced.
“I’ll move to her shoulder,” Lex said.
We transitioned smoothly, and I watched Cami’s eyes flutter closed as she relaxed into our touch.
“See the difference?” I asked David and Harold. “We’re communicating. Anticipating. Moving as a unit around her instead of as individuals accessing her.”
“She feels it too,” Lex added. “Don’t you, Cami?”
“Yes, Sir. I feel held. Safe. Like you’re both aware of me and each other.”
I stepped back, and Lex did too. Cami’s eyes opened, slightly dazed.
“That’s what Iris needs,” I said to the two men. “Coordination. Communication. Operating as partners, not competitors.”
“We didn’t even realize,” David said, looking stricken.
“That’s why we’re here,” Lex assured him. “To learn. Iris, do you want to try again with them, or would you rather process and practice later?”
“Later,” Iris said quietly. “I think I need to talk to them first.”
“Good instinct.” Lex helped her out of the restraints while I guided Cami back to our observation position.
She was breathing hard, her cheeks flushed. “That was intense.”
“Because it was. That’s what we do.” I squeezed her shoulder. “Come on, let’s keep observing.”
We moved through the rest of the demonstrations. Some were beautiful, showing real growth and integration of the week’s lessons. Others needed work, and we provided gentle feedback.
Near the end, we observed a triad that Eliana who was another student and Honey were monitoring. The three partners had excellent communication, checking in frequently, adjusting based on responses. It was a textbook example of healthy multi-partner play.
“They’re good,” Cami observed.
“They are.” Lex appeared beside us. “Been together six years. They’re here more to refine than to learn basics.”
By the time all the demonstrations were complete, it was after 6 p.m. We gathered everyone in the center of the Dungeon for a final debrief.
“What you all showed us today took courage,” I started. “Being vulnerable in front of others, trying new things, risking failure. That’s how we grow.”
