[FIN] Reporting In

[Catzandbirdz]

Leaving the infirmary, Harvard went straight for and entered the elevator that would take her to the top floor. It wasn't the first time she had been called on to report to the boss. And reports were Harvard's specialty. Granted, she'd rather be in uniform when reporting in person, not in a black hoodie with a red "R" and sporting a sling on the left arm.

Oh well.

She checked her posture as the elevator slowed and the doors slid opened. She may not look her best, and there was a twinge near her shoulder, but Slowpoke would fly before she'd slouch while reporting.  

[Lucere]

The elevator opened to the foyer of Lucere's office. The office doors were open, admitting a view of the boss, seated at his desk, looking somewhere between tired and frustrated as he spoke to a brown-haired Grunt.

The grunt in question was reclining in a chair across from the boss's desk, one arm draped over the back, looking inappropriately comfortable.

Yellow eyes twitched from the scruffy Rocket to Havard. Lucere lifted his chin and offered the Grunt a curt nod. "We'll finish this later."

"Aww, does that mean get out?"

The boss's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Ooo.. serious business." Smirking, the Rocket climbed to his feet and turned to leave. Two whimsicotts previously concealed by the chair he'd been in came into view and scurried after him. Harvard was offered a grin and a nod as the man passed and entered the elevator she'd just exited.

Lucere waited for the doors to close before gesturing at the vacated chair. "Have a seat Ms. Marshall."
 

[TRHQ Harvard]

Harvard waited at the door as Lucere excused his previous visitor. She eyed the odd grunt with her own narrowed gaze as he approached and passed, returning the grin with her own unchanging expression of complete seriousness. He didn't even get a nod from her. Just who did he think he was to act so casual toward the leader of Team Rocket?

"Thank you, Sir." Making a mental note to find out later who that grunt had been, she stiffly accepted the invite to sit in the offered chair. "I am here to report in regards to the mission debriefing, Sir."  

[Lucere]

Lucere nodded, expression lightening a shade now that his other visitor was gone. He removed his forearms from his desk and sat back to give Harvard his attention, "Proceed."  

[TRHQ Harvard]

"I am pleased to report that the mission was a success, Sir. Mesprit has been captured alive, and it is currently being held in the labs for study." Short and sweet, with no unnecessary waste of words. "The injured from the team are in the infirmary being treated now."  

[Lucere]

Lucere quirked an eyebrow. Rockets returning from missions with nothing but good news had become a rare and pleasant treat.

"Excellent." He nodded again. As if sensing his master's improved mood, the boss's ever-present houndoom yawned and rested its head on its paws in place of glaring at Harvard across the room.

"How many were injured?"  

[TRHQ Harvard]

Harvard's expression finally did ease a notch at the word of praise. "Of the six of us deployed, Sir, there were injuries for each. Fortunately, none are life threatening. Mesprit fought back with the help of roughly three dozen wild Zubat within the cave. The infirmary will be able to supply more specifics in another hour or two." She cast a fleeting glance to the Houndoom, then back to the boss. "The team worked well together, in and out of battle."  

[Lucere]

"Glad to hear it. I trust the Mesprit is in stable condition?"  

[TRHQ Harvard]

Harvard nodded. "Yes, Sir." This was where she hesitated before continuing. "Some of the agents are concerned about a legend concerning it. That its touch will cause a person to lose all emotions within three days." It was ridiculous. Why was she even bothering him with it? "It came in contact with three."  

[Lucere]

A faint smirk crossed the boss's lips. It didn't look especially friendly, but it wasn't malicious either. "I don't lend value to superstitious legends, Ms. Marshall. I suggest you don't either. Does that conclude your report?"  

[TRHQ Harvard]

Somehow, Harvard felt she could breathe easier. She didn't believe in such rumors, but some of the Rockets she had been in charge of did. She was pleased that the boss was not reacting negatively to the news of what had happened. "Yes, Sir. That is all." The full written report would still need writing up, but for now she had said what points she viewed as having importance.  

[Lucere]

He nodded calmly, "Then you're dismissed. Good work, Harvard." The compliment was without enthusiasm or undue praise. The Boss seemed to know that the fact he'd said it carried enough weight without him having to make a fuss.  

[TRHQ Harvard]

She almost smiled. Almost. "Thank you, Sir." Taking a second to assess how she was sitting and how best to get up, she took a steadying breath and eased back to her feet. Standing straight again and thankfully NOT getting dizzy from it, she nodded to the boss before turning and exiting the room.

It wasn't until she had boarded the elevator outside and it had closed and was moving that she finally let out a deep exhale. She even allowed herself to lean her back against the side of the elevator car as it descended. She held all the respect in the world for the boss, but that had still been nerve wracking.

When the elevator dinged upon arrival, Harvard straightened once more and stepped out into the first floor.  

[Loreven]

Exiting into the first floor hallway Harvard would be greeted with the usual scene of passing Rockets. Amidst the buzz of activity, the brown haired Rocket she'd seen in Lucere's office earlier was leaning against a nearby wall, arms folded behind his head. The pair of whimsicott accompanying him were mimicking their trainer's posture on either side of him.  

[TRHQ Harvard]

Harvard stopped short at recognizing the Rocket from earlier. Brown hair, two Whimsicott, Grunt status. Noted. She shook her head once in irritation and resumed moving past him to return to the infirmary. She'd track down who he was later. Find out just who he thought he was to be acting so carefree around their boss, and then acting like he had nothing better to do than stand around slacking.