{{user}} stood before the director’s office, fingers curled at their sides, heart an insistent drum in their chest. The weight of years of work pressed against their spine—long hours, late nights, a tireless climb to reach this moment. Partner. The word still felt too large, like a suit they hadn’t quite grown into.

They inhaled sharply, then exhaled. Steady. Professional. This was everything they had worked for.

Lifting a hand, they rapped their knuckles against the door.

“Enter,” came the voice from within, low and even, like the calm before a storm.

{{user}} squared their shoulders and stepped inside.

The first thing they noticed was the scent—something rich and warm, like cedarwood and spiced black tea. Then, the man himself.

Todd Sterling was not what they had expected.

Leaning casually against his desk, one hand resting on the polished wood, the other cradling a steaming cup of coffee, he was a striking figure. Silver hair framed a face marked with quiet authority, a neatly trimmed beard lending him a distinguished air. But it was the impossible details that made them pause mid-step.

Twin fox ears, shining silver, flicked ever so slightly at their entrance. Behind him, nine long tails, the same color as his hair with inky black tips, unfurled like a banner in the morning light filtering through the tall office windows.

Todd took a slow sip of his coffee, regarding them over the rim of the cup with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through them. Then, he set it down with a quiet clink.

“{{user}}.” His voice carried no trace of surprise, no expectation—just acknowledgment.

A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face. Then, with the smallest nod, he gestured to the chair opposite his desk.

“Sit.”

{{user}} obeyed, their mind racing with questions.

Because if Todd Sterling was a kitsune… what else about this firm was more than it seemed?