As Ivory sat working on deciding who to appoint as the new supervisor, making notes on each candidate, slowly dismissing the weakest links in the group, she was constantly reminded of Theo's presence. Especially since he, for some reason, kept randomly giggling to himself… and every time she turned her attention back to him, he would stop and pretend to be hard at work.
There was only so many times she could take it before speaking up "I know that it is apparently a natural impulse of yours, but must you giggle like a 6 year old girl continuously? For it is rather detracting, and I would like spend sometime outside, away from this god forsaken office before I go to sleep this evening" she inquired
"I'm sorry m'dear, but I find myself getting distracted by just how adorable your little thoughtful frown is" Theo chuckled as he looked up from his work, his eyes shining with mirth.
Helena chuckled as she tried her best to keep working, and not comment on the situation…
Ivory blushed slightly, before throwing a balled up piece of paper at his head, which bounced off and oddly enough landed in the bin.
"Either you have a good arm or I have a particularly bouncy head…" Theo mused with a grin, thoroughly enjoying himself.
"Would you please just let me finish my work before I find out the duck tape I suspect is hiding somewhere in my desk?" she grumbled
"I know you would never do that to me, honey~ for one I'm too cute to hurt~ and two you love me too much~" he giggled before wrinkling his nose and sticking out his tongue at her.
"It must be something along those lines; most don't even get that warning, like that incident with Mr Spears a couple years back" Helena interjected thoughtfully
"Gee thanks Hel" Ivory grumbled "that was hardly my fault, since it seems his comprehension is purely selective, I told the whole section that I did not wish to be disturbed, he choose to ignore that and come in none the less, so I merely duck taped him to my door with a 'do no disturb' sign hung round his neck."
Theo burst out laughing, almost falling out of his chair... "How cruel you are, Kimi~" he giggled wiping his eye,
"Oh believe me, that was pretty tame for me..."
His laughter slowly died away and his expression sobered up "We've all done things that we aren't proud of m'dear, it's just a matter of admitting up to them and moving on, taking from our mistakes and trying to learn from them"
Ivory nodded "No one is perfect, but then again we are not living in a perfect world so it not necessary to be. Life is what you make of it, learning to look past one another's imperfections and just get on with the hand you are dealt." she concurred looking back down at her work
"Exactly, so there is no point dwelling on our past mistakes, my love, let's just hope that we don't repeat them" he mused thoughtfully, before leaning back on the chair and knotting his long fingers together "So what are exactly are you doing to create such a amusing little frown to decorate your face?"
"I'm trying to sort through potential candidates for the now open supervisor position"
Theo gave her a curious look before getting up, picking up his chair and coming to sit by her side "Would you like so assistance? For there is only so much of that tediously dull paperwork I can take in one sitting, so I could use a break."
"Sure, if you want to help, I'm sure a second set of opinions would be helpful"
"Naturally~" he grinned shuffling closer to her "So how many potential candidates are there?"
"Seven, but three of them can be counted out immediately due to their lack of the necessary requirements, having show little development over their time working in this department." Ivory started pointing out the 3 files that had been pushed to the corner of the desk "The numbers are yet again diminished at closer inspection, since in my professional opinion, this candidate doesn't have the necessary emotion capabilities needed for such a position."
"May I have a look?" Theo asked, holding out a hand for the file, trying his best to remain dignified even though seeing Ivory in manager mode was quite something... he was torn between getting very, and somewhat patronizingly, proud or laughing himself off the chair at how adorable her being serious was.
"Sure" Ivory nodded before handing him the file
He quickly skimmed the file, finding Ivory was quite right, it had been reported that the female in question had countlessly given poor judgements after getting too emotionally involved in the individuals cinematic record.
"After excluding her, the choices are far more tight... these three are all fairness qualified, but they have a diverse range of strengths, and naturally would bring very different things to the role." Ivory mused as she spread the last 3 files in front on her "Right first we have Miss Ferguson, the youngest of the candidates, she's known to be quite the character, with a warm and bubbly personality and excellent people skills. Although she has a somewhat over enthusiastic approach to things, when it comes to business she has a very level head, and tends makes genuine and good decisions. Then we have Mister Spencer, who is known to be a very bold and sometimes brash individual, with a sharp mind and a knack for being able to think on his feet. He likes to do things his own way, which is far enough in some situation, initiative can be very important, but he has been known to discard orders because of it, and is bound to be problematic in the long run. And Finally we have Mister Crane, or William 2.0 as most around here have not so fondly nicknamed him. From that, you can most likely gather he is never going to be voted the personality of the year award, he is a lot like the original, very business minded, stern and no nonsense. My biggest issue with this finally one is that he shows very little interest in his fellow reapers, so even if he is necessarily qualified my better judgement is tell me that it may be for the best to take him out of the equation."Ivory explained, pointing out the according file as she went through them,
"I would say to follow your better judgement on the last one, no matter how qualified he is, if he lacks even the most basic people skills he will not do well in any type of leadership role." Theo stated picking up the last file and putting it aside "Right now we are down to two, I would personally go with that first one, from what you tell me she has potential, even if she is a little immature, you'll find that most will grow into roles, and with the right encouragement she will develop into a decent leader over time."
"Exactly what I was thinking... but I thought it was only right to give Mister Spencer the time of day, for he isn't a bad guy as a whole, he just has some bad habits, and a somewhat unethical approach to his missions."
"Maybe it would be a good idea to deal with these issues while they are still fresh in mind?" Helena interjected thoughtfully looking up from her work
"Excellent idea, Hel... and I know exactly who..." Ivory mused throughtfully before smiling softly "when you've got a free moment, could you find me Connor Reeds contact number please"
"You sure that's a good idea?"
Ivory just laughed "Oh believe me old Con-job is the perfect choice... plus if I'm not mistaken he still owes me a favour"
"Well alright, just let me finish this document I go hunt it down for you"
"Thanks Helena"
Helena, could you be a dear and go and make us some tea? I think it's about time we all had a break, and I don't about you pair but handling all this paperwork has made dead thirsty~" Theo mused
"Dear god man, I'd hate to think what you would do if you ever ran out of tea-" Ivory started just to have Theo's hand cover her mouth, muffling the rest of her sentence.
"Be do not even mentioned that frankly nightmarish situation... " Theo exclaimed over dramatically before placing his hand over his heart "my poor, little heart couldn't bear it..."
Helena chuckled "you'd probably start hyperventilating and need a lay down"
Ivory nipped his hand causing him to pull away quickly, "either that or just faint... so you would have to have a brown paper bag or a bucket of cold water with you just to even attempt such a thing"
"Hey, why am I getting ganged up on here?" Theo whined pouting slightly "and bad Ivory... not nice to bite~" he commanded flicking her nose
"I'll bite you again if you're not careful" Ivory warned rubbing her nose
"Anyway" Helena laughed, getting to her feet "I best go fetch the tea before this one, turns into a raisin, and I doubt that is a attractive trait in an partner. I'll leave you to your lovers quarrel" with that she left the room.
Theo didn't hesitate to climb onto Ivory's lap the minute Helena had disappeared from the room "So who's this Conner guy?" he asked, letting his head rest on the back of her chair either side her head
"Do I sense someone getting jealous?"
"No... I'm just curious, that's all" Theo justified with a somewhat see through nonchalant expression
"There is no need to be none the less, he's just a friend from my academy years, we meet in the training area, he was rather like me, you see, nothing special but determined to better himself, so we trained together and we've been friends ever since" Ivory explained
"Why did Helena seem so against contacting him?"
"Well, Connor has rather the reputation for being a tough nut, very strict and extremely sharp tongued... can come off as a bit of a bully at times."
"I see why she was concerned, not that I don't trust your judgement, but are you sure it is such a good idea?"
"Of course, I know Conner very well, and I think putting Greg into his company is exactly what he needs, to have some unquestionable leadership" she reasoned
"Well if your sure"
Ivory couldn't help but laugh at him, he was really rather adorable when he goes into concerned manager mode...
"What you laughing at, huh?"
"You, honey, just thinking how cute you are~"
"Just realising this? If so, that is rather depressing for you should know by now that I'm just plain adorable~" he chuckled softly before leaning in and softly kissing her lips.
Ivory wrapped her arms round his neck, returning the kiss "I am aware of that my big headed love, but I must admit that manager you is quite something else~"
"Hey I haven't got a big head..." he whined sticking out his bottom lip, "It's just how my hair sits~"
"Make all the excuse you want, fuzz ball, you are the only that just complimented yourself, like it should be common knowledge"
"Is it such a crime to want you to think I'm cute?"
"I already do, I was just saying that I'm liking the way you act in manager mode, it quite unlike your normal, crazy undertaker self. I really like being able to see this side in action" Ivory complimented softly stroking his cheek, watching as a light blush decorated his face.
"If we are making confessions, I feel it only necessary to say that I find myself extremely impressed with how you tackle being a manager... I'm proud of you m'dear~"
Which cued Ivory's turn to blush, her face burnt as the man she had idolized complimented her... for there was still part of her that saw him as she did back when she was in the academy. She hugged him close to her "you'll never know just how much it means to me to hear you say that, Theo..." she whispered warmly
"I mean it from the bottom of my heart, m'dear" he mused, hugging her back her back resting his head on her shoulder.