[psl] Casper Severance AU

[notorpheus]

Mark had barely had time to absorb the news that Mr. Milchick has been fired before he gets the notice that his new boss, Dr. Darling, is calling him into his office. It makes sense, being the MDR department head, but he'd never quite gotten used to being in the role with all the things going on in the office lately. What are the Lumon board thinking, switching things up so drastically so suddenly? They'd barely gotten used to Mr. Milchick being in charge since Ms. Cobel left.

Mark isn't sure, but it certainly can't be good.

He sighs a little and stands, practically ignoring the comment Dylan makes—afterwards he can't even remember what he'd said—and goes down the long hall toward Mr. Casper's office.

The hallway is as long as it always is, but somehow this time it seems longer.

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[readytosee]

"Oh yes!" Darling stands and reaches across his desk to offer his hand, smiling brightly. Although unlike his predecessor, his smile does seem to reach his eyes. "Mark, so glad to meet you, apologies for the last minute meeting.

I just wanted to introduce myself formally, since we'll be working together more closely now. Dr. Casper Darling, formerly of O&D."

[notorpheus]

Mark's not quite used to this kind of thing. Mr. Milchick was willing to smile, but it came out at the most unsettling of times. And Ms. Cobel, of course, rarely did. He pauses for a moment before taking Dr. Darling's outstretched hand and shaking it.

"Mark S.," he replies, though of course Dr. Darling already knows that. "I've been in MDR for two years."

[readytosee]

"Is there another Mark I need to be aware of? Kidding, it's a small team, I know. But please, come sit," he says, shaking Mark's hand firmly and then gesturing to the two chairs in front of his desk.

He sits, as well, flipping through a few files on his desk before landing on the right one. Mark S., there he is. "I just wanted to chat a little, catch up, see how things were running. I know there have been a few upsets lately, and I want this transition to be as smooth as possible."

[notorpheus]

"You could say that," he agrees, taking a seat. "I didn't get a chance to get used to my previous department head being gone before I had to move onto taking his place and training Helly."

This man is very different from Ms. Cobel, that's for sure. He's not sure Ms. Cobel had ever smiled at him when she was head of the severed floor. It makes meeting Dr. Darling kind of unnerving.