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“Not at all.”[break][break]

With a sweep of his hand, Enzo ushers jayden cross on and leads the way to his office. “I have a cabinet there as well, if you’d still like a drink.”[break][break]

It’s been a tedious day, so he himself will be having a stiff scotch. Something he moves to the far corner to pour as he lets them into the study. He’s curious, of course. It’s not often that he’s called on by the admin by this point. His mentoring days are long over.[break][break]

And when he turns back toward the younger man to find that familiar sharpness in his eyes, Enzo smiles wolfishly. Though fleeting as he lifts his glass to drink.[break][break]

A project. He catches the drift immediately.[break][break]

“And what is this project of yours? Namely, how is it that I can help you?”

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“Oh. well, of course. I would want to see your handiwork, and its obvious success.”[break][break]

He was careful in saying so, careful to make it about her rather than the fact that he attended nearly every formal event held at the Nimbus. It would have been nice, when he was starting out the same as her, to have had someone older encourage his more obvious skills.[break][break]

And apparently, he cared enough to do that for Yumi. Even if she didn’t, or claimed to not, need it. Ach, it seemed he was going soft in the center of his chest. How unseemly and un-cutthroat of him.[break][break]

“Right on it! We’ll have a meeting and presentation panel as soon as you’re prepared.” It wasn’t a surprise for her to have leapt on the opportunity, nor to see the sharpness there. It was the clever thing, the smart thing. If he was going to have a protege, it was for the better that she was quick and kept up.[break][break]

“We’re not at work, so in this case, Enzo is fine,” he remarked with a laugh, crooked smile hanging on his mouth as he followed. “As it happens, I’ve brought something for you as well.”[break][break]

From the inner pocket of his suit coat, he produced a long, thin box. Sleek and dark, secured with a dark red ribbon.

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Enzo nodded at the bartender as his own gravedigger was handed over, exchanging it for a tip of folded bills. He didn’t immediately drink, instead glancing sidelong back to Yumi before turning to her fully.[break][break]

“It certainly seems you enjoyed yourself,” he remarked as she gushed, his smile hooking up crookedly, “If your review was good, I suppose I’ll have to take time away from work to attend if there’s another in the future.”[break][break]

While she searched for the photos she wanted, he took a tentative sip. His nose immediately wrinkled, though not wholly in distaste. Yeah, this was definitely something he would have chugged like juice when he was, say…twenty-one.[break][break]

He would still drink it now too, however. Though probably just the one.[break][break]

Enzo leaned back slightly as she shoved the phone out (a very dad-like movement,) before focusing on the photos. “Ah, you look stunning.
A fine choice.” His lips twisted in a smirk, “But I’m quite sure you already knew that.”[break][break]

“Of course I know the play,” he agreed with a nod, “You might be onto something. Who knows— perhaps if you put together a project plan, it might be an event you are assigned to oversee and coordinate.” Not a lightly offered suggestion.[break][break]

He stared down at the bright contents in his glass, “I don’t disagree. I prefer smokier tones, myself. But this sees to be more suited to this location, I figure.”

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Cassius greets Lada with a nose touch in return, his devil-point tail swishing back and forth in pleased recognition of the umbreon. He used to be a more brutal, lethal beast (not unlike Enzo himself.)[break][break]

But time and age has softened him up considerably. Still a force to be reckoned with, but only when that force is required of him. Uncanny, really.[break][break]

His own smile is casual and comfortable, perhaps a touch warm for the younger man who’d he’d once mentored in enforcing a time or two. But that was years and years ago, and now jayden cross has surpassed him in rank and station.[break][break]

It is commendable, deserving of respect. But the old habit of his nickname dies hard, so at least Jayden seems accepting of it.[break][break]

“As I saw on the day’s agenda,” he agrees with a short nod, only for his brow to lift in interest, “I do, in fact.” A swift look at his watch confirms it.[break][break]

“Would you prefer to meet at the bar, or my office?”

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Meetings are not an uncommon occurrence on the main floor of The Nimbus. In fact, many meeting rooms are designated for the exact purpose. There are back rooms as well. More discreet for the shadier dealings that don’t look as formal as the endeavors conducted by the likes of Wyndon Pharmaceutical.[break][break]

Enzo does as he normally might— mills about the busier halls when he is not in meetings of his own, or holed up in his office with paperwork. His appearance provides a sense of availability for his patrons— an essential visage if he aims to continue any successes. Especially in the face of strained economy now that the barrier around the region has fallen.[break][break]

He is just making his way back to his office, his houndoom loping alongside of him, when a familiar voice snags his attention.[break][break]

It’s odd being called uncle by someone who isn’t a six year-old Miu, let alone by someone only a handful of years younger than him. But jayden cross has nearly always called him uncle. It’s a bit endearing under the oddity.[break][break]

“Ah, Little Cross,” the smile on his face is a relaxed one. The nickname not at all barbed or insulting. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

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“After you,” he murmured with a sweep of his hand, though Yumi hardly needed the prompting. It was a forthrightness he appreciated, the gesture drawing a smirk across his lips as he listened in.[break][break]

“Never heard of it,” he said with a loose shrug. Though it did sound a hell of a lot like something he might’ve had when he was in his early twenties. “First time for everything.”[break][break]

The latter phrase was directed at the bartender with a casually polite smile. “You’re right, I wasn’t there. Which is a bit unfortunate. I think I might’ve enjoyed it quite a bit.” He used to harp Kosei Kiryu when they were younger for not taking the time to balance work and rest and play.[break][break]

And yet now, he’d somehow become more of a workaholic. Often too reluctant to leave the Nimbus for long. He simply needed someone he actually trusted to place longer term care in their hands.[break][break]

He said none of that, however. His only explanation was given as the gravedigger was handed to him, and he tipped his glass in her direction with an amused scoff.[break][break]

“Ain’t no rest for the wicked, or so it goes.”