@bottled-void
uhh. hey. am i. in the way?

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@bottled-void
uhh. hey. am i. in the way?
A black cat crossed the Director’s path.
It walked a few paces back, trailing the shadow sewn to her heels. Unbothered, it seemed, by how long it spent unnoticed. And when the Director’s attention finally fell on the feline, it paused. Offered an eye-crinkling grin that belied an inkling of sentience. It padded up to the woman and craned its neck. A bronze tag glistened as it dangled from the collar- ‘Calcifer’. And tucked in its collar was a rolled letter addressed to Kat Hawke herself.
The feline stayed long enough to see the letter in the Director’s hands before taking its leave.
Director, Development on your request is progressing apace. The first trial will be ready for testing within the next week or two should I receive a few necessary reagents. If you could please provide a sample of Gromsblood and Lichbloom, preferably in the plant’s entirety, I would be most appreciative. Best Wishes, M. Park
As she made her way around the outskirts of the city, Kat paid no heed to the feline that trailed behind her, its persistent presence becoming increasingly bothersome by the minute. After nearly an hour of this unwanted companionship, the Director let out an exasperated sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. Without hesitation, she turned on her heel to confront the creature, determined to put an end to its incessant following.
"Fuckin' wot?!" She snapped as her gaze pinned the cat to the cobblestone, the rolled letter coming to attention shortly after.
With a scowl etched on her face, she observed the furry creature saunter away as soon as the Director received the letter. Without wasting any time, she unfurled the letter and scanned through its contents, her eyes darting back and forth as she absorbed every word.
"Gromsblood and Lichbloom," Kat muttered to herself. "Off-continent plants, of course. Fortunately, I know someone who can procure these harder t'find things. No fuckin' number is listed. Does she want just one? Three? Five?"
She let out a frustrated sigh and folded the letter in half before putting it in her pocket. "She'll get her fuckin' plants an' plenty of 'em...," she muttered.
[@maxparkhurst]
To Rattle the Chains
Kat stood upon the stone outcrop, the gentle breeze rustling her hair as she gazed out over the serene park. Her eyes drifted across the vast open space, listening to the one-eyed alchemist below as she collect a bowl of soup from a street vendor just below her perch. Their gaze meeting for a brief moment in silent understanding.
With a covered bowl in her hand, Max respectfully approached her, acknowledging her position. "Director," Max spoke as she settled on the stone, holding the bowl carefully in her lap.
Kat's attention turned towards the bowl in the alchemist's lap, her curiosity piqued. "Is the soup for actual consumption, or some sort o' experimentation?"
"I don't play with my food," Max scoffed, tapping the lip of the bowl. "Augustine is watching the shop this evening. Thought I'd fetch him something."
"How kind 'n sisterly." The Director muttered, feigning interest.
Max clicked her tongue in jest, "I do try," she replied, turning towards the promenade below. "Business or pleasure, Director?" the alchemist asked with a smile, gesturing to the people below.
A curt snort forced through the Director's nostrils as her lips flattened at the corners. "As much as I love jokes about pleasure everyone seems t'make... Do I ev'a make an appearance in public for anything other than business, Miss Parkhurst?"
"Suppose not." Max hummed in agreement. "You'll have to excuse me, Director, if I so wish to cushion your professional demeanor with a bit of light-hearted banter."
A faint smirk curled the edge of Kat's lips, "Th' absolute audacity," she muttered before scanning the area. "A quick word, however, is my business here. I'll try not t'bend your ear for too long. Wouldn' want the soup t'go cold."
Max nodded understandingly, "Certainly not. Cold soup makes for a terrible meal," she quipped, raising a brow. "You have my attention. Unless you'd prefer a more quiet place to speak business?"
Shifting her attention fully toward the alchemist, the Director gave her a knowing stare. "When do I eva enjoy public crowds or the noise?"
"Fair enough," Max chuckled, rising to her feet with the bowl held securely. "Lead the way, then."
Kat motioned vaguely as she turned on her heel, leading Max to a quieter spot for their discussion. Choosing the longer route to ensure none were tailing, the two made small talk on the newly re-opened shop that the Parkhurst siblings had acquired. Whether or not the Director truly cared was uncertain, but the long walk to the far corner of the graveyard in silence would have been less than ideal.
Navigating beneath the vine-covered trellises, she approach one which held a tub of water and a handful of fish. Gloved hands rested upon the weathered rim as she stared down into her reflection in the water. Sinister thoughts and whispers of self-loathing began to stir in the deepest recesses of the Director's mind.