The End of the World As We Know It

[Giovanni Diamante]

September 20th
6:45 PM Rhydin Time
Caelum Manor, Outside of Rhydin City

The mahogany table was a chaotic mess of paperwork, energy drinks, and half eaten beignets. On one side, Gio slouched in his seat in the most uncharacteristic of manners. One elbow set to the arm of his chair, his fingertips propping his temple up as he watched the pink haired whirlwind across the table pouring through sheet after sheet.

“Gio… I don’t know how we’re going to manage IFL like this…” Claire mumbled for what had to have been the fourteenth time that evening. With a heavy thud, her elbows met the tabletop and she shoved her hands back through her hair until they tangled at the crown.

“Well. Go over the roster one more time and see what you can do,” Gio’s voice was gentle, an attempt at encouraging rather than scolding.

“I’ve gone over the roster over nine thousand times, Giovanni. I just don’t think it’s manageable. I… I think it might be time…” She faltered, unsure of herself. It got Gio to straighten in his seat.

“For…” He urged her to go on. She grabbed for a nearly empty Red Bull and tipped it back to finish it off.

“To split. Like we talked about,” Claire said softly, kneading her knuckles into the poor wood of the table.

“Claire, I hope you understand… Dirty, as we know it, will cease to be. Is that what you want?” Gio’s warning was firm, making sure this is how she wanted to proceed. Her eyes met his, vibrant aqua versus cool copper. After a pregnant silence, she nodded a single time.

“Yes. This is what I want. Make the call,” she said. There was no resignation, only determination lingering in her tone. To declare the conversation complete, she scooped the mess of papers into a haphazard pile and began collecting her empty cans. Giovanni watched her with a curious sort of fascination, she was such a case study in stubbornness after all. But a job is a job and finally he nodded as well.

“As you wish, Lady Light,” Gio acquiesced as he got to his feet, heading for the door.

“For the millionth time, Gio, just call me--,” she called, but he was already gone, the door shutting with a muted click, “...Claire.”

“Well, this’ll be interesting to explain at the next press event…”