The New Toppat (Curtisson)

1: Carol Insists

"Boss. It's okay, you'll be fine. The Toppat clan is here to catch you whenever you fall, sir. They're always here for you."

Sven narrowed his eyes and swept all the paperwork off his desk with a snarl. He slammed his hands down on the desk and snapped his head up to face the Toppat, vainly trying to reassure him. 

"Everything is not fine! The government's after us, and I don't have a clue what to do about it!" he shouted. "The Toppat clan might be here for me, but the government is too!"

The Toppat narrowed their eyes and sighed, shaking their head and waving their black hair. "And we'll wield them off, boss-"

"Carol, get out of here if you can't help me!" Sven snapped.

"I'm trying! You're not letting me!" Carol protested. 

"You're trying to tell me everything's fine when even you know that you might die tomorrow!" Sven hissed. "We might all die tomorrow! The Toppat clan is history! We've always been one step ahead of the government, but not two! We're doomed, Carol! Stop telling me we're not!"

"But we aren't," Carol growled. "With you as our leader, I'm positive that we'll be okay. You're one of the best and most loyal Toppats I've ever known! I'm sure that you'll pull us through."

"I can't handle this, Carol! It's too much! They're expecting so much of me! I can't turn into an epic leader like Reginald Copperbottom overnight!" He groaned and slammed his head on the desk, wincing as they collided.

"And getting a concussion won't help," Carol contradicted coolly. "The only way to help is to try, Sven, and that's all you're doing. I'm positive that the Toppat clan isn't over. All you can do is try and ask for help." They walked forward and touched his desk softly. "And you're only doing one."

"Asking for help is weak, Carol," Sven growled.

"Asking for help is smart," Carol corrected. "In this case, it's the smartest thing you can do. One of the only things, at this point." 

Sven was silent.

"Go interact with your clan." Carol forcefully pulled the Swede up, out of his seat, and pushed him a couple feet before he stopped.

"I need to do paperwork, Carol," he argued.

"That wasn't a choice, Sven." Carol slammed the door to his office. 

"CAROL! CAROL CROSS!" Sven shrieked, pounding on the door. It didn't open. He sighed and turned, giving the door a last kick before trudging along the hallways of the airship.