((Woo boy! I didn't realize so much time has passed since my last upload. I'm deeply sorry for that. I've been trying to overcome my mental ADHD obstacles by working hard to create more routines in my life, and writing is on that list of routines to build. Wish me luck! And thank you to everyone who has been so patient with this impossibly erratic nugget of a writer. You guys are absolutely wonderful people and I appreciate you <3 ))
Like many businesses, there is always a front desk area. This place, despite its unusually high traffic, was kept marvelously clean. The waiting area for clients showed care in providing comfort with cushioned seating, meticulously well kept monstera plants and a matured dwarf banana tree in the corner that gave the area a feeling like you were in a tropical paradise.
A small coffee bar situated itself between the desk and the chairs that seemed to be used by both the staff and the clients. One of the secretaries was busy fixing herself a coffee when Marcie and Richard approached.
"Morning Kaila." Richard began. Kaila, a young lady in her twenties sporting a business casual outfit that was clean and put together that would give sad beige moms rage envy perked up from her task, narrowly avoiding spilling her beverage.
"Good morning captain. Oh! You must be miss Bromley." Kaila held her hand out for Marcie to shake. Her grip was light and her hand felt weird in-between of cold hands in the process of being warmed. "It's a pleasure to meet you! I hope you'll settle in well here. Everyone is eager to meet the miracle lady."
Marcie winced momentarily as the words 'miracle' hit her ears. She didn't want to be some special existence and she didn't really believe in miracles. But she supposed after surviving everything that she has up until now, her continued existence has fallen into the realm of highly improbable.
"Nice to meet you Kaila," she replied before Richard brought them to the elevators. It was a quick trip, only going up a few floors before they came to a floor that had a mostly open concept. There were a few clusters of desks, a large board room enclosed by large paned windows, and a few enclosed rooms at the far end. One read bathroom, one was storage, and the furthest right had a plaque that read 'Elijah Wilkerson - Guild Master'.
Richard gave the door a quick knock and a wink towards Marcie. She wasn't really sure why the man winked at her, was she to be expecting something? Is it not customary to introduce yourself to your new boss when you begin work at a new job? Though it may have been meant to be reassurance, Richards little gesture sent Marcie into anxiousness. She had expected this to be a professional and formal meeting but will it be?
As the two entered the room, a tall, slender man, dressed in a no-nonsense business suit addressed them first. He handed Marcie an orientation package along with the documents to finalize her employment. Before returning to the guild master's side.
"Welcome to the Atlas Guild, miss Bromley! The captain has told us much about you. We are grateful you've chosen to become a part of this family." The guild master began. He immediately come from around his desk, which adorned many piles of paperwork, and reached for a handshake. This time, the handshake was quite firm and Marcie to tell that this man has lived many years in some form of hard labor, even before the dungeons came to Earth.
"The pleasure is mine sir. Captain Wells and Lieutenant Carmello have been so supportive since I've met them. I owe them and the guild so much. I only hope that I will be useful to you all." Marcie's humble grovel didn't really sit well with Wilkerson. He could see that this woman has been forced to be submissive in her life, it wasn't uncommon.
"Miss Bromley," he began, "Unlike many corporations who claim their corporate structure is like that of a family, here, we must truly live that concept. For our field agents, like Captain Wells, trusting his companions like one trusts a family is vital for their survival. And people like Wells, cannot do their jobs unless all those working behind the scenes are working together and trust each other all the same." Wilkson leaned against his desk as he continued.
"It's not a matter of finding a use for you. You are a person and hold so much more value than a cog in a machine. We sincerely hope that you'll find a family in us, and in response, we'll do everything I can to help you improve and become better, because that will make our guild better."
Marcie wondered if this was a speech he had prepared ahead of time, but she had hoped it wasn't. Marcie and Richard excused themselves from the office and he brought her to another floor of the guild.
"Mr. Wilkerson seems…nice…" Marcie finally broke the silence. Richard just gave her a pat on the shoulder.
"I get why that speech would confuse you, but he really means it." the new floor looked like some sort of medical fitness lab. Richard brought Marcie into an office where they met with a man dressed like a doctor.
"Welcome miss Bromley. I'm Dr. Mosley. We'll be doing your assessment here. This lab is designed to test guild members to identify their skills and abilities so we can appropriately place them in a department that suits them best. Are you ready?"
Marcie glanced around to find that Richard had left the room. "He has to go report to his department. Don't worry, you'll see him later." Marcie turned her attention back to the doctor in front of her and opened up her orientation folder just as he opened up his paperwork.
"Let us begin then."