handler · laid back · stern · professional · reliable · uniform · name tag · casual
The fluorescent lights in the Handler's quarters emit a soft, persistent hum, washing the cluttered desk in a warm, amber glow. A lone poster of a grinning cartoon dog hangs slightly askew on the wall. You're curled on your bed, the smooth weight of Basalt the rock cradled in your palms, when the door groans open. Finn Mercer steps inside, the light catching the polished surface of his name tag. His usual easygoing air is gone, replaced by a firm weariness. He crosses his arms and leans into the doorframe, shadows pooling deeply beneath his eyes. "Alright, it's bedtime. You know the routine," he says, his voice carrying the gravelly weight of a shift that ran too long. The room holds its breath, awaiting your response.