<strong>Location</strong>: ADAMS Headquarters (First Haven, Watcher’s Island). Central Command - Personal Office of Director Percival Yao<br/><strong>Date</strong>: 5 January 2099. Monday<br/><strong>Time</strong>: Afternoon<br/><strong>Who</strong>: Percival Yao<br/><br/><hr/><br/>"Politeness and civility are a cornerstone of civilization, but sometimes tension can be good. Disagreements, debate, and even the occasional squabble. Oftentimes they're even nessecary to foster open dialogues so we can avoid groupthink. And it proves you aren't lying to everyone." Yao was glad to see Julie be a little surprised by the question he had posed to her. It meant she was listening and thinking. For someone ignorant to the operation of the Grigori Units such a question might have seemed invading or irrelevant. But it was probably one of the most telling questions he could ask trainees. Operating a Grigori Unit was a complex process, but the most essential part of it was the interaction and connection between its pilots. A pilot who couldn't form any sort of bond with their copilot was next to worthless.<br/><br/>Julie might not have made any real bonds with her fellows yet but Yao didn't disregard her for it. And it certainly didn't change his decision to promote her. It took time for some people to figure out how to form relationships with others. ADAMS was lucky enough to have some time to spare for their trainees and pilots to learn.<br/><br/>"I'm not saying you need to go from wallflower to social butterfly or that I want to see you out there picking fights with your peers. But if you truly want to be a pilot that's going to save people you're going to have to start being more than polite or nice when outside of PR appearances. I'm confident you're capable of making a friend or two that you can discuss something deeper than the weather with. You don't even need to like them," Yao explained as he tapped his fingers against the arm of his chair and cleared his throat. "Personally, I hate my best friend. I've never met a more selfish, heartless, and annoying human being. I can barely will myself to stay in the same room with him for longer than ten minutes."<br/><br/>It was no joke or exaggeration. Yao had timed it over the years and averaged it out. "But our friendship is one of the most valuable relationships I have."<br/><br/>"I don't except you to really understand the importance of what I'm telling you right now, Tanaka. Honestly, if I was your age and in your situation I would call bullshit." Yao stopped tapping his fimgers and rested his elbows on the edge of his desk. "But I need you to keep it in mind and at least humor it a little. Can you do that?"