kane iona is one of the three people who can waltz around the anunnaki building in this manner. the card holder clipped on his waist is perhaps unnecessary as the security personnel all around stand up straight at the sight of him, enact their best to be picture perfect, eyes staring at the walls, anywhere but the man himself. it is not as if kane would speak to them directly save for a directive or two, though there are stories that echo between the marble walls of the building, of how people get mysteriously fired for the smallest of reasons, for looking at a shareholder the wrong way, or wearing their shirt with a button missing, or wearing a tie in the wrong shade of blue.
his expression is impartial, guarded, and neutral all at once. intimidation exudes from him nonetheless as the sound of his dress shoes reverberates through the large halls. he is in his dark suit, one that is rumored to be the only attire he wears, at least in public. it's part of the image, his publicist says, to radiate professionalism, honesty, integrity, and all that. it's also easy to wear basically the same fucking thing every day. if one looked at his walk-in closet, they would be surprised by how many shades of blue, black, grey, and maroon there can be in the world, but there are hundreds โย all tailored perfectly to his size, with matching accessories, ties, and shoes, ready to go. it's a materialistic, superficial world, and the image of kane iona is carefully constructed.
so is millicent's โ which brings him to the content of the interview he had watched, the one that he thinks can be heard through the door of the cfo's office. she had handled it wellโย of course she had, it had been her expertise all along, it was her who thought him how to hold himself in public these days. times were ever-changing, so were the latest trends, whims, and wishes of the public. many called him an old man, playing a game he should have quit ages ago โย but he has been proving time and time again how wrong they all are. on the topic of millicent's interview, the tone of mr. schott had rubbed him off the wrong way as he had listened: how convenient would it be for him to suddenly switch sides โย and kane had more than enough resources and people to sway people's minds with a snap of his finger. it would be handled in due time, with delicate care, in a situation far removed from them. he was sure the next time, the man's tone would hold support for her in the place of the previous maliceโย undoubtedly through his own 'change of heart'- no other reason.
it is surprising to find the door open as he walks inside, expression shifting into something more relaxed when she enters his line of sight. a tilt of his head, a ghost of a smile playing on the corner of lips. "is that the way you greet your father ?" a 'tsk' falls from his mouth, though it is clear he jests. his feet take him to the bar first, and he fills his glass with macallan before sauntering to her desk, sitting on one of the chairs across her. it is rare these days that he treats himself to his vices, alcohol being the primary one. it is unhealthy after all, though if he cannot enjoy a glass every once in a while, with his god-daughter nonetheless, then there is no use to all of this power and wealth.
the notion of his beauty sleep pulls a laugh out of him, eyes meeting hers as he takes a long sip of the drink. "i am sure i can manage." though she is not far off the mark: sleep is tied to health in ways many people ignore, kane is very careful about his time resting, the rem cycles, the perfect amount of sleep to make sure he is on his best the day after. but forgetting all of that, he is here for another purpose. call it an instinct, a hunch, or a father's intuition, he feels as if something is wrong. "i am here for something else." the words hang in the air, inquisitive eyes search her face. god, she looks so much like malvina, the memory of her ( and what he has done ), almost makes him avoid her gaze. the keyword being almost โย he continues to meet her eyes. "is everything... alright with you?"