Chapter Text
-...And that concludes my report on our current transferring progress. Though the original plan was to have finished two quarters by the third day, we managed to pass the goal with 20 extra plants being transferred.
-Mhm. Then keeping up with the pace, we might as well raise the quota from 50 to 60 plants rehoused per day, which will help us finish one day sooner if succeeded. Let's speed things up, and contact me for any trouble along the way.
-We’ll make sure of it, Director.
-Next, on the night shift duty. I believe everyone has checked their designated shifts already. Is there any problem you'd want to speak of?
-...
-I will take that as a no. Remember, if you're busy on certain days, you can try to ask if anyone is available to switch shifts. Now, the next thing is…
Every Section of Rhine Lab has its own weekly briefing. And for Ecology, the short meeting is normally scheduled on Thursday.
Might be strange to not have at the start or right before the weekend, but to Muelsyse’s logic, the one extra day before break is meant to give everyone some time to prepare for the following week, and to communicate between colleagues easier in person instead of having to rely on calls or messages.
Today, the Elf again takes the lead role in Ecology’s boardroom, with other members sitting around the conference table, like how it's always been.
…
…
…
…Well, perhaps not everything is as usual. Not today.
-...Okay, that's about all we have planned for next week. Does anyone have anything else they want to share?
-...
-...
-...
The answer is once again given in the form of silence. Muelsyse turns her attention to the one sitting right beside her.
A Liberi, the only one not wearing the Ecology’s outfit, currently playing with her tail in a bored expression, a crystal clear sign that she hasn't been paying any piece of mind to the whole meeting.
Noticing the awkward scene, the remaining participants can do nothing but brace themselves, trying to fend against the air that is getting more suffocating by the seconds.
How did things turn out like this? The woeful weep resounds inside the hearts of every member of the Ecology Section.
There was only one witness presented at the time of the incident. And according to testimony, by the time she entered the Greenhouse, Muelsyse and Ho’olheyak were already in a heated conversation, appearingly having some differences regarding the in-developing automatic plant care system, of which the Liberi is the proposer and project manager.
It was 6 in the morning at the time.
The fact that they are almost at the end of the afternoon shift, and the hostile mood has yet to be defused, means the situation is even more severe than anyone could have predicted.
-I’m always ready to be of help, Director. No need for you to stare at me that hard.
-...
The words spoken make everyone swallow, more so when everyone notices how Ho’olheyak isn't actually showing the warmest of faces either.
Under normal circumstances, the seat right next to the boss is one you should avoid at all costs, even if your boss is famously friendly and outgoing Muelsyse. Hence, ever since Ho’olheyak started participating in the meetings and has no problems claiming that seat for herself, it has been one big weight off the members of Ecology’s shoulders. The pair themselves seem to be interacting positively during those times before too, so there were no complaints about anything.
Right now, however, it's like they're sitting in the same room with two bombs whose fuses have been lit and can just blow at any moment now.
-I should be the one saying that. Based on what we've discussed this morning, the conclusion reached is that the current system needs a change of testing methods before we can enter the next phase. Do you have any objections to that decision?
-Of course not. You're the boss. How can I think about holding anything against you?
-Is that right? That attitude of yours sure tells me a different story, though.
The smile on Ho’olheyak’s face now no longer reaches her eyes. The act of her leaning back against the chair alone lets out a small tack that sounds like it just made another crack on the thin ice that is this entire situation.
-You’re just seeing it wrong, Director. And if not, maybe I am a bit tired after a long working day.
-...
Each second the pause went on is pure torture, like having the noose on your neck tightening more and more.
Until eventually, clearly unimpressed by the answer she's just received, the Elf lowers her voice.
-...So is this it, Ho’olheyak? This is how you want us to do it now?
…
…
A few members of Ecology instinctively bite down on their lips to prevent any unseemly sounds from escaping, while others grimace at those words.
They have never seen such anger appear on their Director’s face before.
Then again, they also haven't seen anyone who would dare to provoke her to such degrees.
Nevertheless, very much understanding her position, the Elf soon scratched her head and let out a heavy sigh.
-...Fine. “Tired” it is, then. In that case, you may go home early and rest. There isn't much left of the meeting anyway.
-My, how generous. And since we're already on this topic, might I request a few days off also, Director?
The audacity. Although, not like there's anyone here to tell the Liberi off. Everybody knows that. The only person capable of that would be Muelsyse, and the fact that the staring contest is at a stalemate till now shows that no towel will be thrown in any near future.
-You didn't even have a proper work schedule to begin with…But need I remind you, Ho’olheyak, Ecology isn't the only one you answer to now. A willy-nilly time off request like that wouldn't have flown under normal circumstances.
-I know that much, of course. But a certain CEO hasn't been paying any attention to me since forever, and there's nothing for me to do at Engineering right now.
-What do you mean by that?
-Oh, haven't you heard? Director Nasti has requested paid leave due to personal matters, so there's currently no one in the Engineering Section to report my work to.
Ho’olheyak tilts her head, hints of bitterness now appear on her brows.
-I did give my best talk possible, but Director Nasti was hard set on personally inspecting the process herself. Sounds like a big honour, but that just means I've basically been given forced time out till the end of the month. Considering this week alone, you're the second Director I've failed to reason with.
-...
Muelsyse gave the story a serious listen, eyes having long since stopped searching for any hints from the Liberi’s face, and instead turned to the giant tail that is curling around right under her.
-...You have till Monday. Any more, and the official time-off request form is on Rhine’s public database.
In the end, she fell back to her seat. The paper file was also dropped flat to the table uncharacteristically.
-Also, I am to receive reports about any new developments from you ASAP. All hours available.
-Don’t expect a pinky promise from me, Director. Who knows, maybe not getting any news from me would be the most positive outcome.
Not missing a single beat, Ho’olheyak stands up from the chair, and immediately begins making her exit out of the room
And by the time everyone can really process what she's saying, the Liberi is already one foot through the entrance, not a shred of hesitation shown before the sight of her is completely cut off behind the sliding door.
-...Now, if there's no more comments to ask, that will be all for today's meeting.
A weary announcement, though it's still enough to pull everyone back into the meeting setting, away from whatever the mess that just unfold was.
And under the conference table, a place completely out everyone's view,
The nails of the Elf’s fingers are firmly sinking into her own flesh.