Being a CEO was a large responsibility. No matter how much TEAM ROCKET offered him, it was one he could not ignore. ANVIL was the foundation of his wealth and power, after all, and the culmination of everything he'd strived for as a youth. It was his life's work, and he would not endanger it needlessly.

That being said, Belial Stone was as eccentric and mercurial as one might expect from a Stone. Today he entered the headquarters far earlier than he usually did, garbed in a sharp navy suit with a green smoothie in one hand. A small LITTEN followed behind him dutifully, ignoring the occasional plea for attention from the office workers they passed.

When they strode down the hallway by the interview room, however, Belial came to a sudden stop upon hearing:

"I must admit, Mr. Lovato, your resume is impressive. The military experience is definitely a plus."

The door had been left ajar, so the man simply had to turn his head to look inside and set eyes on the interviewee. And, strangely enough, the sight of Sebastian Lavigne inspired a shark-toothed smile. He moves in without question.

"A-Ah! Mr. Stone, sir!" The interviewer stammers when he takes notice of his boss walking in. Sharply rising from his seat, the man then salutes. "I was just about to begin my interview with Mr. Lovato here... sir!" He adds, gesturing to Seb.

"No need for the formalities, Dave," Belial responds, walking around the desk as his Litten takes a sniff at Seb's pant leg. "I'll handle it from here. Give us the office, will you? Take a break, pal." He grins, patting the interviewer on his back and sending him shuffling outside.

Once the door closes, he takes his seat on the leather cushioned chair and sighs contently as he settles in. "My name is Belial Stone, I'm the CEO and co-founder of ANVIL Incorporated." He says, eyes set firmly on the man across from him. "I'll be the one conducting your interview today. How do you feel about that?"

A HAMMER FOR THE ANVIL
MISSION: EMPLOYMENT ACT I
Sebastian Lavigne

Despite being the black sheep of the STONE family, Belial isn't as rude or uncultured as some of his relatives might think. He takes the other man's hand when it is offered, shaking it firmly before sitting back in his employee's chair. A framed photo of Dave, his wife, and their two girls, catches his eye for a moment afterward. He casually sets it facedown before speaking.

"I'm sure this might seem a bit unconventional to you, but I find it important to involve myself in some of the day-to-day around here on occasion," He explains, folding his hands into a tent upon his lap. "Mr. Lovato, was it? As in crown prince Sebastian Lavigne himself?" He adds with a narrowed but playfully curious gaze.


His Litten, in the meantime, leaps up onto the desk with a single smooth motion and meows, asking for attention.

A HAMMER FOR THE ANVIL
MISSION: PUTTING ON A FRONT
Sebastian Lavigne