Executive Power

... [He licked his suddenly chapped lips.] I teach Business Foundations...

...and I lead the Future Business Leaders of Unova.

[His eyes concentrated on the floor.] It's...surprising to see you here, Ariana.

#warfareandwisdom

musesbyamatsu

executiveransu started following you.

Well, look at that, you’re here too.

How are you doing these days, Proton?

[He gave a few insecure nods.]

...Good. I'm good. [There was something caught in the back of his throat.]

Ahem. And ...you?

#warfareandwisdom

#Oh no....

Ahn~

who are you

“Ah, ah. No need to become animalistic.” He glanced at his wristwatch before looking directly at Proton, his face a little more amused.

“Busy…hm, good to know. So long as you haven’t allowed for too much slack—that’s a lesson that can be applied to the classroom as well. But you knew that already, I presume. I can’t imagine you leading a lax classroom.”

Archer leaned over to the desk before him and helped himself to some of Proton’s desk supplies. He wouldn’t mind. Taking a pen in hand, he printed his contact information on a blank card and handed it to his coworker. In three lines he wrote his current faux-surname—Mires—his address on the next, and a phone number.

“Listen, if you’re interested in contacting me you have my permission to call, visit. I don’t care. We can discuss work,” he paused, standing up. “Business, what have you.”

“Oh, also, do remember to update my mobile number in your phone. I seem to have misfortune with cell phones, so my number changes from time to time.” Which was a lie.

“It was a pleasure. We will keep in touch.”

He walked to the exit, his hand resting on the doorknob before he left.

“Can I help you with anything else, sir?”

#sorry sorry #dont call me pisspot you buttcrust

Proton shut his mouth and shook his head.

"No."

“Is that so? Nothing at all?” The faint smile on Archer’s face shifted into a slightly disappointed frown. “I wonder, Proton, how much you’ve wasted away during those idle years…now, that’s a pity. I’ve already seen good talent go to waste, but I wasn’t expecting it from someone as devoted as you.”

He clicked his tongue in distaste, recalling Petrel’s lack of vigor when he had confronted him.

“No matter, you’re here now.” Archer’s eyes drifted around the office, not in search of anything in particular; he wanted to avoid Proton’s face. It wasn’t pleasing him very much. “I’ve kept myself quite busy. Travelled across the regions, all but Hoenn, along with doing some private research for a side project.”

Again, he didn’t let Proton speak. He didn’t have to. Archer predicted his interest the moment he gave him a reaction.

“…It’s a personal business venture, if you will. Perhaps, if you were willing to make use of those lazy hands of yours, you could assist me. Is that something you’re interested in? Or are you happy to see me for another reason?

In that case, I’ll change the subject. Tell me, what classes are you teaching? Have you constructed your curriculum yet?”

#(sometimes i think this is my personal blog and well))e #the butt is back

He could literally feel Archer's disappointment through his clothes. With pursed lips, he straightened his back and kept his arm's straight beside himself.

It was exacting, just how Archer made him want to do more- the extra mile. He desperately wanted to impress. He saw Archer's eyes mindlessly scan his room and he wanted to clean the shelves a bit, tidy up his desk, vacuum the floors.

but his browed furrowed at Archer's question.

"Ah...Right. I'll be teaching business in addition to leading the business club and baseball team." He kept his eyes on Archer, not wanting to miss a change in reaction.

"...and I do have everything in order. I've been teaching for some time before you arrived, Archer." An irritated growl escaped himself.

"...That aside, I have been keeping busy. I haven't been sitting around, Archer."

#wow late and dumb sorry

Actually, man, sorry 'bout this but some personal stuff came up so I'm gonna be away until this weekend and .. no offense, but I wouldn't want anyone stayin' at my place if I'm not there. Maybe Archer can let you crash at his place.

Right. Ok.

“Ah, it’s good to see some things haven’t changed.” Archer’s pleasant tone took a slight drop. Not everyone had kept constant over the years; he expected at least some aspects to remain the same—bonds left in tact, personalities fairly unaltered. Perhaps at the core, loyalties unforgotten.

He was mistaken about one of them, but Archer knew just how Proton would react. Ah, there we go, his spirits picked up at the sight of his old subordinate, the cruel executive attempting to restrain his elation. He took a seat in front of Proton’s desk, a hand going to his chin as he pieced his words together.

“How misfortunate, just as one of our old comrades leave, you return.” He paused for a breath, not long enough for the other to speak. “No matter, it can’t be helped. Tell me, what have you been up to? Surely nothing too flashy.”

"Flashy? No. I-" He grabbed for his chair, thinking it was behind him but awkwardly missed. Flustered, he pulled his chair over to his desk and sat.

It was so odd. Why was Archer a teacher? Would it be too optimistic to think that he had an ulterior motive for being here?

"Nothing. I've been up to nothing actually." Stupid. What else was there to say? Should he tell him that he had been waiting almost two years to find the smallest trace of Rocket activity? Or that he had been floating in limbo until he found this school? haha no

"And you, Archer?"

executiveransu started following you

Well! Look who we have here! If it wasn’t a sight for sore eyes—

If your eyes were sore from staring at a glaring monitor, trying to track down the location of your former coworkers because once you learned that he’d departed not long after you arrived at a prestigious boarding school renowned in the region, not only for its pupils but for its steep tuition, with the task of teaching and the ulterior motives known to no one, not a soul, not even his closest companion (who had also left him at the school with nary a moment’s notice)—

“Well! Look who we have here.”

Archer’s collected voice cooled the area around him, dispersing any pretense of the typical awkward welcoming. He’d taken the initiative to enter Proton’s office, a new one, barren of any personalization, and stood by the door. Upright. Delighted. His face was without a smile, but you could hear one in his tone.

“And how have you been, sir? Have you assumed a new moniker, or would Proton suffice?”

Proton's head jerked up at the sound of a familiar voice.

Actually no the pit of his stomach rose to his throat, the short hairs on the back of his neck and arms rose, his back suddenly got really warm, his palms got sweaty, his throat dry, his peni

He stood on his feet.

"Archer."

His voice came out more collected than he had expected it to. A smile spread over his face. It was really Archer. Still, it was a bit strange to see him here, on a high school campus. He wasn't in his usual uniform either, but he still had that half-smile. Nonetheless, Proton couldn't help but feel delighted.

"Proton. It's still Proton."

#gomen

While enrolling for classes, you know what I was told?

… I can do whatever I please, sir! You’re an adult, stop preying on me and act like one.

Cheeky. You can meet me after school on the diamond for your detention.

You have softball for a reason. I'd like to see a girl pitch better than our ace.

While enrolling for classes, you know what I was told?

HMPH!! [Puffs out cheeks] You’re so mean, you know that? Meanie!

Are you tearing up? Really?

If I'm not mistaken you're a senior.

Act like it.

#what a joke

While enrolling for classes, you know what I was told?

Women couldn’t sign up for baseball! What a joke! I think we academy kids should like, totally ban together and do something about this! Softball isn’t quite enough. What do you all say?!

longpleatsandpigtails-blog

No actually, females aren't allowed on the baseball team.

#dont try your luck

“Yeah—no.” Kris didn’t intend to let Proton in her room anytime soon. “Don’t be so sure.”

Her face cringed a little when he mentioned Lucas. What was she supposed to do, tell him the truth? That initially, being with the younger boy helped her forget about his absence, dulled the aching pain in her stomach whenever she was alone? That would just music to his ears, wouldn’t it!

Instead, Kris settled on a different portion of the truth.

“I like him. He’s sweet and he treats me well.” She paused. “He treats me better than you did, so…”