his mind was hardly wound by this morning's office interactions; however, the cyclic motions of fetching coffee, copying and collating reams of paperwork and manning the sick secretary's phonelines could, ostensibly be compressed to the utmost as coffee, copy, call.

it'd been weeks and the new intern was still not accustom to the awfully monotonous regime that was an errand boy. thank arceus, he now had a different routine that wasn't quite as lackluster: tea in lieu of coffee and to the boss man himself.

his enterance had been immaculate; a grace of habit, whatever this gentle ruse warranted. his gaze snaked around the room in tandem with his line of thinking. nice space. yet there was something reverant in the hunt of his eyes as they dragged along the decor and the man therein, the way they moved was a kind of charting. he's nice, too.

the tea was mirrored on a square tray with classic accoutrements: matching delft blue sugar bowl and milk-cream pitcher wreathed with fresh delights from mauville's bakery. not the usual fare, either. the new intern was trying to earn points, gain trust, make bank.

"it's damiano, sir." he says sweet as ---

"sugar?" he offers. slyer than foxes, softer than sin.

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-gengar"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-lapras"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-houndour"]

BARNABY FINCH

the distinct crinkle of disturbed fabric came from the rear of the room. positioned at either corner were two ornate pieces of furniture, embossed with decorative floral reliefs and accented in gold paint. what had looked liked chests or sideboards to the unobservant eye were actually elaborate beds, custom-made for barnaby's beloved companion pokémon. unfurling from their cushioned retreat were two nintales: one a kanto variant, the other alolan. both pokémon stretched luxuriously as they exited their beds, accentuating their lithe bodies and healthy coats. they were obviously much-loved and cared for.[break][break]

the pair approached their new guest coolly, eyeing him with an almost-human intelligence. these pokémon were larger than average (nearly five feet tall while sitting), bred using the best genetics money could buy. they were just as deadly as they were beautiful.[break][break]

and then their little noses scrunched as the smell of his offerings finally wafted their way, causing their aloof demeanors to melt away. the foxes pushed their snouts into his side, his arms, his hands. desperate for treats.[break][break]

"the girls seem to like you, damiano. that's rare." barnaby crossed his fingers together and leaned forward on his desk, smiling warmly at the scene before him. "fleur, odette. play nice, darlings." they backed off a bit, but still lingered nearby for any dropped delicacies.[break][break]

"anyway, yes. i'd adore a little sugar in my tea. i'm a sucker for anything sweet, you know." when damiano diverted his attention to preparing the tea, barnaby would not-so subtly look the intern up and down, thinking just how sweet he might taste.[break][break]

now, now. he thought to himself. maintain a modicum of professionalism.[break][break]

+ damiano eriani tbh your writing style is ~amazing~ and i'm in love with it

[attr="class","pokeclass"]