17
That evening after everyone had eaten and the deserts were being offered to those who still had a pocket of space after the glorious meal, Ianto rose and walked confidently to the podium.
"Hello my lovelies" he said as he stood and gripped the sides of the lectern.
"HELLO BOSS" came the roared reply as some shot from their seats and stood to attention.
"At ease, as you were men" Ianto said softly, smiling as they sat back down. "I would like to address something that has been brought to my attention before it gets noticed by all of you and we have a problem. I want to stress that it is not currently a problem at all so no need to be… stabby. OK? All is well. Stand down."
The place fell dead still, every single DD became like a statue as they stared at their beloved boss like he had just told them he had terminal cancer or something. The newbies looked around with confusion as even the children seemed poised to explode into little pieces of deathly doom.
"Some of you seem to think that I am not a good or fair leader. It has been requested that we… we…" Ianto stopped talking as he felt a giggle bubbling, swallowing thickly "… that we have an election to replace me as your leader so someone else gets a turn."
Laughter rang out as everyone enjoyed the joke and he waved his hands before calling out "Seriously. I mean it. I was really informed of this!"
The silence was complete, the only sound was a distant 'fuck off' from someone who clearly was overcome in the moment and forgot his training to be polite. Ianto smiled as he raised a hand like they were all rioting as he knew in their heads they were spitting death and mayhem in the name of the Devil "But it's OK. They explained that it takes a week of campaigning and then a vote to see who you all want to lead you. Sounds like too much during work and a lot of tedium so what I shall do is simply ask for a show of hands. Those of you who want me to step down as your leader so someone else, a standard human or someone with good morals can be appointed to sit in my chair…. Simply raise your hands."
Eight hands shot into the air at the high table of the newbies, those of lower standing looking at them with horror as some tried to move their chairs away as they clearly had become more in tune with the planet. Ianto wondered if he should have asked for affirmatives, not negatives as he saw several Dust Devils also move, but to surround the table like it was now a combatant.
Shit.
"OK, great. Thank you for your honesty. No harm, on foul. I am not offended or insulted, clearly this is what those of 'normal' places do. They do not know our ways, let's all sit back down, yes?" Ianto crooned as he watched blades glint, then disappear as the Dust Devils slowly backed way, only two children remaining by the neewbies to stare at them. Amilie and to Ianto's surprise her sister Anwen who had never been one to show any animosity before. She had Gwen's distinctive tooth gap which she was currently hissing through.
"Let's all take a moment to reflect. Our lives have been full of change and sacrifice. Bringing you all here, creating this place and allowing you all to be my family is one of my greatest achievements. I love you all" Ianto let them rampage, roar and stomp as fists thumped tables so hard a couple of them would need repairs. The Judoon DDs simply rose to stand like they were poised to do whatever was required. "I own this dirt, but I share it with you. Anyone with a complaint, suggestion or simply a comment is welcome to place it in the box now being placed by the doors there. All are welcome, positive or negative and there is no shame or repercussions for placing a note in there. I do like positive feedback as well as any whinging."
Soft laughter as everyone nodded and looked around for agreement.
"I will start a newsletter… well… I need some volunteers…. Ah" Ianto stopped talking as over fifty hands shot into the air "Work it out amongst yourselves and no blades. Those who want to work on it can. There will be announcements, upcoming events and such as well as couple of chosen comments from the comment box each month. I will write a little bit too, my thoughts of something that pleased me or amused me. The copies of the newsletter will be available to take away to read as well as a large poster sized copy on the wall. OK?"
Everyone cheered happily as the newbies shrank into their chairs and looked at one another with horror. That was close.
Ianto took his seat and then yelled "CHOCOLATE NOWWWWWWW"
"HOORAHHHHH"
Sorted.
