Public Reprimand

The secret to a good trap, was in the presentation. That was what Derek believed, and time and time again, that belief had been proven to be true. Even in everyday life that was true. The most dangerous plants looked good enough to touch. The scales of the most venomous snakes glinted in the sun, drawing victims closer.

And so it was that Derek started slow. He stood up, and just that simple act got him a round of applause, some of it more half-hearted than the rest. It was not difficult to locate the source of the lacklustre claps, but he chose to ignore it.

"Good afternoon, everyone, thank you for coming," Another round of applause and Derek had to swallow down his irritation. If they were half as loyal as their insistent clapping said they were, he would have been spared a lot of headaches.

Gritting his teeth, Derek swallowed down his irritation and smiled, glancing briefly at Emily for strength, he turned back to the room at large.