Tall, sharp, and grey, the building of Vesper Vectors is an intimidating sight for most. A paragon of business success, true charity, and balance. Unlike the neighboring structures, there are not windows at every opportunity, but that isn't to say it lacks them completely. Instead, it shows that the building cares about both privacy and health.
No employee will be lacking natural light, and none shall feel exposed.
The clouds make it stand out, now for matching where other skyscrapers are out of place. On sunny days, it is the opposite.
He smiles as he walks in, laden with bags. His shopping, albeit quick, has resulted in too much being brought back.
Whatever. He can share with others. He likes sharing.
Inside the building, there are several areas full of plants. Little green spaces, planters filled and stuffed with carefully tended flowers and bushes and other ornamental flora. Nearly every corner has one, softening the harsh grey and black and fluorescent lighting. The main focus, of course, is still the front desk, controlling access in and out.
"Back so soon?" Sherry asks, smiling at him as he passes. He laughs, because that much is clear. She laughs, too, probably making note that he's back again.
He needs to focus on getting her some better snacks and drinks. Out of all the receptionists or secretaries or whatever they're called, Sherry spends the most time at the company, constantly making sure that things are in the correct places. If it wasn't for there only being a few weeks until Mr Mosen's retirement, she'd already be promoted.
As is, he's pretty sure she's gotten a few raises in the meantime.
~
The elevator lets him off at his floor, only for him to be ambushed.
Bags stolen, hands on his shoulders, pushed straight to the sofa next to the zen garden Max asked for.
He doesn't know why people like them, since it's still sand, and sand is annoying little grains, but if it helps, it's provided. Same reason for the herbs in the kitchen windows, the punching bag in the corner, and the many journals provided for himself.
Vesper Vectors takes good care of its employees. Always has, always will.
"So, why am I being kidnapped?"
"Oh, shush, you haven't even left the building, it's not kidnapping yet." Pearl shoves him into sitting, settling beside him. "We have to break some news to you."
He'd have made it back to the elevator the next second if Max wasn't waiting to help push him back down. Having his team ganging up on him isn't fun. Mostly because he can't win.
"Chill, man, it's just a little hiccup, okay? You'll be fine."
He bonks Mat's shoulder, just to be contrary.
The other laughs, rolling around to settle near their knees. Len moves to join them, having finished putting away the various bags. Len seems almost as upset as he is.
"Okay, I'll just tell you, alright?" Pearl draws the focus back to herself, hands spread peacefully. "We got word they've assigned you interns."
"...to train?!"
He leaps up, mostly so it's more dramatic when he grabs and shakes the woman by her shoulders.
"Are you kidding me?! I can barely keep the plants alive, let alone a bunch of interns! I don't care how smart they are, they're green and won't know when to listen! How am I meant to teach a bunch of kids what to do?!"
...
Three seconds later, everyone is laughing at him. He growls at them, shoving Max so the man rolls backwards. How dare they!
"C'mon, man, it ain't that bad! All you need to do is take them on a couple of easy contracts, teach them the basics, and shove them back at the big dogs, right?"
He sighs at that. Yeah, technically, he can just shove them right back.
"That's not the issue, though. I take difficult contracts. I hate doing the easy ones, and now I have to babysit? Not to mention how little I remember about teaching people. I'll mess them up, mentally or skill-wise!"
"Tussle." He quiets. He knows that tone.
Pearl holds his hands, guiding him back into his seat. Her expression is open, all round face and wide eyes and gentle smile. If there was a person who could fit any image of motherly, it's her.
"You can do this, Tussle. Just imagine that, one day, you can point at people just as crazy as you and say you taught them everything they know. Or you can just blame Max."
"Hey!"
That does startle a laugh out of Tussle, because he's stressed, stressed on a day that was going so well just moments prior. He'd been enjoying the light that wasn't too strong, the quick trip but plentiful snacks, the way the building and the people within are so well-attuned it's difficult to tell which came first.
Now he's just worried.
"I guess," he concedes, because if he doesn't... Well, might as well try.