10 Minute Tales

Jun 4

The walk to work was usually a cautious slog of slow, bag-holding progress. However, this time, she was so distracted by the dream that she hardly paid any mind to the dangers that might have been there. She calmed down as she rounded the final corner to her workplace, though. A towering monolith of glass and concrete, it was meant to be a glorious monument to progress and the future. To her, it was nothing but oppression, a prison she willingly entered. Her frustration had petered out, leaving nothing but a dull emptiness. Typical for her job. She entered the reception, fumbling for her access card. The receptionist waved her through, pressing a button on the counter that made the door click. She blinked, coming through.

"Good morning." She greeted, looking over in mild surprise. "I didn't think it was proper to let me in like that."

"Boss said to let every worker in today, said he had a major announcement." the receptionist explained, waving dismissively. Felicia couldn't help but sigh a little. He always dismissed her like that.

"It's probably about a product." She commented, putting her card back into her handbag. "He does get excited when he has something to release..."

"That's probably it, yeah." the receptionist shrugged. "See you around." the receptionist looked down. She sighed but moved on, heading for the elevator. At least when she settled into her work, it would provide a distraction.

-----

She had entered the building. The box at the back was taking her; I had no way to know where she would end up. I frowned and looked the building over. There wasn't a lick of magic, even from the target. I grunted, frustrated... until I saw the numbers over the box. They were counting up, regularly. Was it a way to see what floor she was on? I looked the building over. It certainly had the right number... some maths was all that was needed. When the numbers stopped, I was quick to figure out the floor and scoped her out again. Sure enough, there she was. She still looked annoyed, though. This wasn't like her. What was going on?

She walked over to her little cubicle and took a seat, sighing to herself. Here she was, the middle of hell. All she had to do was type at that computer for eight hours and she could leave. She noticed a note beside her keyboard, telling her the meeting was at ten o'clock. Only seven hours, then. She sighed as she opened the program and started her work. She would be there an awfully long time.

She stopped. She was working, then, and there was where she would be. Far from the window, at least, easy enough to hide from her. No sign of any Cinniúi influence, either. I glance around the rest of the floor. Her boss was preparing something, her colleagues were still entering the office and there was- oh. Oh, that was interesting. How was a werekin there without having a magic signature? I frowned, looking closer. It was definitely a werekin, and a high profile one too. How had I not heard of this? I held the talking crystal up, speaking aloud.

"White Mask. We might have a problem."

"What is it?"

"It's Kessler. He's here, he's in the office."

"The hell?"

"I wish I knew. Do the beasts have control?"

"I doubt it. What would they want with a Cinniúi victim?"

"I don't know, and I don't want to find out." I frowned, raising the scope again. "I didn't bring silvers. What do you propose?"

"Just keep an eye on the woman. We'll figure out what to do with Kessler later."

"Ma'am." I nod, lowering the crystal again. Kessler was in human disguise, but he couldn't hide his strength, how his muscles could barely be restrained by his suit. He kept glancing over at the woman. There was a definite link between this woman and Kessler's reappearance. I would find out what it was.

-----

Ten o'clock couldn't come sooner. She saved the spreadsheet she was on and stood up, locking the computer. She walked over to the meeting room and took a seat. She wasn't first, but there were only two of her colleagues and her boss already in. The boss noticed she had entered and walked over to her, grinning broadly.

"There's my girl!" he exclaimed loudly, beaming a smile as fake as the plant in the corner. Felicia blinked in quiet surprise at this greeting.

"Sir?"

"That suggestion you made? Seems like it'll work!" he grinned broader. Felicia smiled slightly.

"I'm glad for it, sir."

"Yeah, great, but there's a problem."

"Sir?"

"The board won't listen unless it looks like my idea."

"... so..."

"Don't make a peep for this meeting, same as you usually do, and I'll make sure you get a raise, mkay?" he grinned toothily. Felicia felt the same, sinking dread she had felt the last time he claimed responsibility. He would get much more money than the pittance of a raise, but she wouldn't really dare to deny him.

"... yes, sir..." she muttered. The boss grinned the broadest she'd seen him grin.

"Attagirl." and off he strode, talking to another employee. She sat there, fuming but unable to voice it. He was going to get the glory with something she had worked so hard on! Again! She breathed deeply, trying to keep herself calm. Why did this have to keep happening to her? More employees were entering now, the gentle lull of conversation getting louder. She would just have to bottle it up again.

What was that? I saw a flicker of some energy coming from her. Kessler must have sensed it, too. She wasn't a magic user of any variety, but she seemed to have some innate magic. A Bloodline? That was the only possibility. I had to report this in. I reached for the crystal... and Kessler stared at me, straight through the scope. The intensity of his glare, those terrifying, amber eyes, stilled my hand. I gulped, terrified. So he knew I was here after all. And he wanted to show me something. Show us something.