clumsy heart. [john]

Farley needed to breathe.

It was a new job but it wasn't new- new. She could do this in her sleep and with her hands behind her back but there was always a faint worry - what if her new boss thought she was bad at her job? What if she needed to make new friends? What if she somehow forgot everything? It was a silly worry but she still hadn't been sleeping well the past week but at least she had her own office now.  She'd spent the last couple of hours making it seem more homely with the addition of her rather sad looking house plant and a few new quills she'd bought herself as a treat.

It was another cold and rainy day in the capital as Farley strode down the corridor, her cheeks pink as she checked her watch, her files cradled in her arms as if they were precious artefacts. One of them contained her boss' dairy so in actual fact, it was worth more than gold. Taking a left, Farley politely knocked on the door and waited for a response. When she didn't get one, she poked her head around and blinked. 

There was a tall, willowy witch with her back to Farley, dressed elegantly in an artfully tied trench coat with her short dark hair in a chic bob. She was sat on John's desk, her long legs crossed at the knee as she leaned across it to place a kiss on her boss' cheek, one of her hands caressing his tie.  Feeling like a trespasser, Farley's cheeks flamed as she quickly looked away as she tried her best not to stare, soon finding the best idea was to pretend the ceiling had suddenly become very interesting.

The woman picked up a small box and stood and Farley definitely heard the words thank you, daddy. The American witch's eyes widened at the implication as the other woman turned around and flashed her a smile as she passed in a cloud of expensive perfume, her hips swinging like she owned the place. Unable to stop herself, Farley stared after her, jaw open, as she left. There was a moment of silence before Farley remembered where she was and she gave a gentle cough to announce her presence.

"Sorry," she eventually stated as she stepped in and over to John's desk where she placed his open diary face up. There was an elephant in the room that needed addressing. "Your daughter seems -- " Farley faltered for the words and soon found out that there weren't any. She tucked her hair behind her ears in a motion that was common when she was anxious.  "Er, nice?"


@John Lennox

John was enjoying his new assistant, in all honesty. Farley was an American girl who transferred to the British ministry, which was interesting in and of itself, as it seemed she had no real family or friends around London to tie her down to the place. Maybe the same had been true at home? Or, perhaps, she had more connections there than she really wanted, and needed a fresh start. Sometimes he liked to daydream she was a fugitive—some dark, sultry mistress of evil. Of course, she didn’t really look the type. She was mild-mannered and sweet but unassuming. She could be anything, though, he thought, so long as she was good at her job. She was. He was happy with her, so far. He would have to see how well they traveled together, and how well she showcased herself in front of the foreign clients. Still, the idea she was American might help him with some of the cultural intricacies. As similar as the language was between Britain and America, the culture was very different. 
 
He was a little distracted from thinking of Farley at the moment, though, his eyes trained well on the chest of one of his paramours as he handed her the small package he had bought for her on his last trip out of town. He brought his eyes up to meet hers, sparkling in excitement for her reaction to the small gift, but before she could open it, they were interrupted. The girl must have seen Farley before John did, as she kissed his cheek and jumped off the desk taking the gift with her. He grinned at her, watching her walk away, before turning his attention back to his assistant.  
 
He stifled a laugh at the suggestion she was his daughter, but also flushed just a bit that Farley must have heard the young woman call him Daddy. He cleared his throat. “Ah yes, that’s my dear friend.” He explained. “She came by to pick up a gift I got for her the last time I left town, but she shouldn’t be back for a while…” He paused, a little awkward but faking comfort. “Anyway, perhaps you should show me your new office. I’m sure you’ve been making yourself at home. Perhaps you need something new and shiny in there. I’ll put in an order for some parchment headers and an engraved quill set. You know, as a welcome present.” He cleared his throat. Throwing gifts around usually appeased those who saw too much.