Suitable Bags of Flesh

Chapter 25 (part 4)

Reina only raised her head a minute after Akyl sat down on one of the chairs in front of her table. The “good day” Akyl said to her was not the trigger for her to stop reading but the fact she’s already done sending responses in the meantime.

Smiling in her small smirking sort-of manner, Reina reached under her desk to hand Akyl a box of mint sticks she keeps for her consumption. Not for her breaks, breath freshening, or any other reason, but to simply serve as a throwaway to any guest she has in her office. That’s the kind of simple hospitality she’s begun to show, as Reina observed most of her employees shift their mood when they’re offered a piece of candy before conversing.

Keeping her façade even in the presence of someone who is internally aware of Reina’s folly won’t hurt her, but it does seem to get on most people’s nerves. The way Reina perceives Akyl’s expression during the time they were conversing about her role and work here in the labs.

“So, how’s the team faring?” Asked