Chapter Text
The blonde woman escorting you quickened her pace. The clack of your shoes reverberated around you. You were surrounded by marble. Mahogany doors punctuated it on the walls, on and on down the absurd corridor. So much luxury, and so little sound.
You knew you were being brought to an interview, but you knew nothing about the position. You’d hoped for some hint, anything, but without even a glimpse of the staff, and nothing to go on from the entrance beyond the name “Mori Corporation” you stayed puzzled.
Once a few more minutes passed, Higuchi made an abrupt stop, gesturing with her thumb to the door on your right, not bothering to face you when she spoke.
“I’ll be leaving you here. I have business to attend to. Mr. Mori’s expecting you, so go right ahead. Introduce yourself properly. Don’t make me regret this.”
She entered the room she’d pointed at so quickly that you couldn’t get a peek in. She clicked it shut behind her.
The door ahead was the most imposing yet. The frame had ornamental hand carvings. The rich varnish seemed it had never been touched, let alone knocked on. This, and all the oddities of the day, made you hesitate before rapping it twice and standing rigid again.
“Enter.”
An older man sat straight ahead, more seated in a throne than what you’d call an office chair. Wearing white gloves, his fingers laced in front of his face, he spoke once more.
“So, you’re Higuchi’s little discovery.”
It couldn’t be a brothel. Money laundering, maybe? Any number of nefarious rationales for Mr. Mori’s line of business sparked through your mind, jumbling together but passing in an instant. Your survival instinct told you to respond quickly.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mori. Ms. Higuchi mentioned you might have an open position I’d be suited to. I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me.” You gave a deep bow from your hips, more out of fear than reverence.
“Yes. And what do you think you could bring to the organization? Any… special skills?”
“Well… it’s easier to show you really, sir.”
“Intriguing. Proceed.”
You shot up, almost duck-walking towards his obscenely wide desk. Side-stepping around it to stand by his side you stopped, with your palm outstretched, and winced silently.
“You’ll need to, um, put your cheek here, sir.” You pointed to your palm, and Mori raised an eyebrow.
“You do realize what will happen if you’re deceiving me.”
“Honestly, sir, not a clue. But I can assume it’d be… unpleasant.”
“You catch on quickly. Proceed.”
Contact.
The room around you was replaced by nothing. Absolute nothing. Opening your eyes slowly, the white endlessness didn’t sting as much as it had the first time. Still, it took a moment to sharpen your focus on Mori, now standing out of obligation. He rubbed his thumb and index finger over his scraggy stubble.
“Fascinating,” he whispered. “How long can you sustain this space?”
“Dunno.” you blurted out, honestly. “I’ve never really pushed it. Eh! Sorry, I have never tried to estimate that, sir!” It sounded like you were addressing him as a drill sergeant, still unsure how formal to be after Higuchi’s warning.
Mori hastened up to you now, still straining to spot anything in the distance.
“And what of our bodies?” He still didn’t make eye contact.
“I’ve been told it’s like we’re sleeping. Unless someone breaks our contact, we should just stay here until I get us to leave.”
“Like the Guild…” Mori mumbled.
“Guild, sir?” More questions.
“Huh? Never you mind, dear. Now, if you would, return us.”
“Sure.”
He startled awake, back in his office. Palming random papers on his desk, mouth open and curling into a disconcerting grin, he met your gaze.
“When can you start?”