Work Text:
Norman looked around his office from his seat at his desk, a slight frown on his face. As enlightening as the conference with Emma and Ray was, his thoughts were constantly drifting towards one specific part of the room. One part he would say had changed since his departure from the base.
Sinking his gaze down towards his desk, he silently chided himself for giving the smallest amount of thought over a measly change in the room’s appearance. This new information was crucial after all. He should have his undivided attention on the situation.
Just when he thought he had it all figured out, a new obstacle found it’s way to cut him off. How could he be so naive and not factor in the experiences of his friends after their escape from the plantation? He refused to linger on those pessimistic ideas. He would find his way around this snag eventually. He always did in the end.
Just as he started to believe his mind could focus again, the distraction took him again by the collar.
Surely he wasn’t the only one who noticed. Emma and Ray had been in the office before. But they didn’t ask him about it. So maybe he was the only one. How was he going to get any work done if he keeps getting distracted by the layout of the room of all things? The lives and future of every cattle child rested in his plans, after all. One slip in his thinking and they all might as well be dead.
He dropped his head into his arms that were crossed over the desk’s surface. His body still felt heavy from the trip, sleep desperately tugging at his eyelids. Maybe the exhaustion was finally taking over and causing his mind’s delusional wanderings. Even so, he couldn’t give in, there was just no time.
But maybe he could spare a few minutes.
Just before sleep could claim him and his restless mind, the sound of the door took hold of his attention. He jerked his head up from it’s resting place to see three of his confidants aligned at the far end of his office. Norman took a moment to observe his comrades. Though Vincent’s normally stone faced expression was hard to penetrate, one look at Cislo and Barbara could give him all the insight he needed instantly.
Easily read, like children.
Like Emma.
Assuming their eagerness from the results of the journey, as well the new developments that came from his impromptu meeting was too easy. So he indulged them, with the most reassuring smile he could muster through his fatigue.
“There’s no need for worry. Everything’s going be fine.”
He watched as the duo’s form’s relaxed and the tension disappeared. He continued on with his usual spiel.
“We’ll begin the briefing in a moment, but before that I have something I want to quickly address.”
With that, his calm words sparked a reaction of apprehension from the two. He specifically noted Barbara’s avoidance of eye contact as well as Cislo’s nervous fidgeting. Something must’ve occurred during his absence that they were hiding from him. Maybe it had to do with his new “distraction.” Despite the sudden change in behavior, Norman’s serene tone didn’t falter.
“This might sound strange, but do any of you know where this new table came from?”
Before he could examine a change in their behavior, Vincent quickly chimed,
“It’s a gift.”
A gift? Norman remembered to have received many odd gifts from the children at Gracefield, but a table was not one he recalled. He stayed silent to allow his attendee to explain his outburst.
“A gift for a successful outing and a step closer towards our goal of demon annihilation and total liberation.”
Beside him, Cislo and Barbara relaxed once more, nodding fervently at Vincent’s reasoning. From this, Norman gathered as much of the situation as he could without a straight answer.
Something happened to the table while he was out forming the alliance with Zazie. Something caused by either Cislo or Barbara. VIncent was present for the incident and decided to replace the table under the guise of a gift.
“Though I preferred the old table, I appreciate the thought.”
He’d rib them later for the real story, maybe even utilizing Isabella’s old interrogation tactics for extra effect.
It wasn’t the table itself that worried him, but why the table needed to be replaced to begin with. Though Cislo and Barbara were the more zealous two of his squad, they knew how to behave themselves while he was away. He then remembered how out of breath Emma and Ray were upon finding them standing in front of his office. They had obviously rushed over there to meet him, and their urgency proved that. He didn’t tell them about his departure from the start as to allow them comfort and ease as they regrouped. Dominic and Chris were gravely injured after all. Clearly that was the farthest from their mind, as their meeting contained urgent information that he regrets to have not listened to sooner. They must’ve come to his office the day of his departure to attempt to discuss their thoughts and feelings about the plan, only to meet Vincent, Cislo, and Barbara loitering in the office. He figured that word had spread over his sudden change in demeanor, eventually rousing the curiosity of the two of them, resulting in questioning of his childhood friends. Though it might’ve started out menial with talk of his childhood, full of good times and constant illness, it could’ve turned to talk of their current situation. One very sensitive to his trustees. Norman was certain that Ray was capable of assessing the situation and choose to stay reserved, but Emma… Oh no! She must’ve said something or looked a certain way that revealed her true feelings. Cislo or, okay it was probably Barbara that didn’t take that well and thus, damaged the table. This was all assumption of course, but it could explain the urgency conveyed from his friends. And Emma… Poor Em-
“Uh….Boss?”
The sound of Cislo’s confused tone jolted him from his thoughts. How long was he actually thinking about that table?
“Yes, excuse me. Let me divulge the recent developments I gathered from our newest companions.”
Enough distractions, it’s time to get back to work.
Work towards destroying this hell of a Neverland.