The Quarterly DAWG Meeting

"Genie Blaine."

"Present!" Blaine said, right hand shooting up into the air. Wes sighed.

"Yes, we established that already during roll call, Blaine." Blaine continued to smile, completely unrepentant, which prompted Nick to laugh beside him.

Wes shot Nick a pointed glare that had the latter coughing into his fist before falling silent. "In any case," Wes continued, "I hear you have a new Master."

Blaine visibly perked up at this. "Yes! His name is Kurt Hummel, and he wanted me to get rid of paisley."

Trent sputtered in protest, hand automatically moving to the paisley handkerchief he kept in his left breast pocket. Blaine was quick to reassure him. "I managed to convince him otherwise though."

"Thank, Allah," Trent breathed out in relief and the tension in his shoulders eased. Meanwhile, Wes' left eye began to twitch involuntarily. Taking pity on his co-chairman, David chastised Blaine on his behalf. "Blaine, what have we said about influencing a Master's wishes?"

Blaine straightened, cleared his throat, and recited in rote, "Under no circumstances are Genies permitted to guide or manipulate the wishes of our Masters."

"However..." David prompted when Blaine stopped.

"However, Genies are permitted and strongly encouraged to interfere under the following two conditions and only these two conditions." Blaine pointed his right index finger into the air. "The first being the annihilation of the human race and/or the support of genocide. Animals are included, of course."

There were several approving nods and murmurs of consent throughout the room.

"Second, the..." Here Blaine faltered, his expression falling and he seemed unable to continue. A hand slid into his and when he glanced down, Nick squeezed it in support. Blaine shared a small smile with his friend before he inhaled a fortifying breath and said, "The...the abolishment of a cappella."

Cries of outrage filled the air.

"Who would dare?!"

"Blasphemy!"

"You mock us, sir!"

David side eyed Thad, who looked ready to pounce across the table and throttle Blaine for even mentioning it. Wes pounded his gavel to restore order. When the room settled once more (which took considerably longer than the last time the Dalton Academy Warbling Genies got riled up and that involved updating the PowerPoint presentation used to advocate a cappella), Wes said, "I trust you to abide by these rules, Genie Blaine. They are there for a reason."

Blaine nodded graciously, accepting the reprimand. "Of course." A beat passed. "Before we move on, I think it appropriate at this juncture to admit that I also likely convinced Kurt Hummel not to wish for world peace," Blaine stated eyes focused just over Wes' right shoulder. "But we all know how well that ever works out." Blaine bit his lip at the ensuing silence and chanced a glance at Wes and yep, his left eye was twitching again. Despite the fact that the majority of the room was in agreement with him, if their nods were any indication, the DAWG co-chairman didn't appear mollified in the least.

"It won't happen again," Blaine promised in a rush and then winced. "...probably."

Wes closed his eyes and sighed.