Chapter Text
In a well-kept room, a new and already exhausted researcher reports an experience to a brunette woman, his superior. The short hand of the clock is nearing a number, as the minute hand ticks closer to 12. They’ve been here for around an hour.
“So then, to summarize, nine floors, four or five other people, and around thirteen experiences of death. Anything else?”
“Yes. And, possible memetic effect maybe? There was this dream-like feeling that this was somewhat… normal, like this was how the interview was supposed to be.”
It really felt like that. Like a dream. But it wasn’t. He never woke up, nor did he even sleep. Every single time he felt his life slip away, the time he took another’s by his very own hands, and the time he gave up and abandoned the one that could’ve been him, that was him, they all felt so real.
“I’ll note that down. Is that all?”
“I… believe so.”
“Well, thank you for reporting the incident. I’ll investigate this as soon as I can, and since you’ll likely need to get evaluated for this I’ll make sure it’s Glass.”
He sighs of relief, like a heavy burden was pushed off his shoulders. She believed him. She didn’t brush it off as a nightmare or a hoax. She believed him . She’s taking him seriously. It was nice to feel like that for once. He has no idea who Glass is, but they sound like a good person.
Maybe taking this job wouldn’t be too bad.
“Thank you so much, ma’am.”
He stands up and prepares to leave, when the woman speaks again.
“And I’m really sorry you have to experience something like this, on your first day no less! The juniors already get stressed from knowing that they were protected from the knowledge of the anomalous, and you have to deal with whatever that was, too.”
He turns around and sees her smiling, as if she was genuinely worried about him. She's probably done this dance hundreds of times before. He smiles back.
“Er, it’s fine, I guess. At least I’m here in one piece, right?”
Retaining some form of professionality, she clasps her hands together to the side, leaning her head on them and looks at him somewhat unbelievably.
“Suuure. Just please don’t push yourself too hard. I can tell that you have a lot of potential here. You reported clearly and concisely, understood foreign concepts quicker than others would, and knew how to act under pressure in a dangerous situation. We need more people like you.”
“Ah… is that so? Is that not what was already expected of me-”
The woman stands up and extends her hand, with that ever so gentle smile.
“Don’t be too harsh on yourself, it’s your first day. Manon Vacher, as you can tell from the nameplate. Welcome aboard. It can be quite stressful at times, but it’s worth it in the end, seeing all the good you do.”
It’s so nice to find something comforting after the elevator. You reach out and accept her handshake.
“Happy to be able to work with you Manon. I’m-”