Chapter Text
There was nothing inherently wrong with the applicant, but something about him made the fuzz on the back of Edward’s green neck shudder.
Maybe it had to do with the applicant’s dress. He was wearing everything according to applicant standards, no variation or personality to him at all. A black suit nearly indistinguishable from the applicant’s dark skin.
It could also be from the earthy smell wafting from the applicant, as if he had just come from fertilizing a pot and rushed to the interview. Edward didn’t have any evidence of that, because of course the man was on time, not a bead of sweat trickling down his cheek.
Though, it could also be from the fact that the applicant barely stared in Edward’s direction. He kept staring at the plastic desk and metal filing cabinets in Edward’s office, the painting of Edward’s father on the wall behind Edward, rather than Edward himself.
“Your resume says your name is Ferdinand?” Edward asked the applicant, threading through the three-page, five hundred words, double-spaced resume the applicant had put together. Exactly to company standards, not a word over.
“Yes,” Ferdinand responded, his voice deep and gravelly, not something Edward would expect from this bland man. His voice seemed to hold whatever personality Ferdinand would not express.
“Okay. Well, your resume is perfectly to company standards,” Edward decided he would start with the facts, hopefully get this man to loosen up. “You graduated from Capillary Academy ten years back and have been working as a freelance fertilizer ever since, am I correct?”
“I’ve picked up the odd job here and there, but for the most part, that is correct.”
Edward sighed. Even the way the man spoke was boring. He wanted personality, flair, not some boring man who technically fit company standards. Ugh.
His superiors would probably have him hire the man anyway.
“What do you think are your strengths, Ferdinand?”
“I’m good at supporting others, helping them grow to their full potential.”
Edward sighed. “I mean something specific about you. Something that sets you apart from others.”
Ferdinand flinched. Visibly.
Is there really nothing special about him? Edward wondered. Is there really nothing that makes him different?
Edward, despite all his frustrations with this man, found himself intrigued. By the most boring person he had ever met. How ironic.
Ferdinand, after thinking for a while, said, “Specific.” He paused, something reminiscent of fear on his face. “Could you elaborate on-”
CRASH!
Edward jumped, steadying himself on the table. The floor vibrated.
CRASH!
Another bang sent Edward’s paper holder off his desk.
His eyes shot to Ferdinand, who was still as ever, the fear Edward had seen gone. “Keep calm,” Ferdinand mouthed to him.
Keep calm. Keep calm? Another boom hit, sending Edward’s papers flying everywhere. It was all he could do to not scream.
In the most controlled voice he could muster, Edward asked, “Do you have something to do with this?”
Ferdinand just shrugged, and pulled his hands into his lap. “It should be over soon anyway, I don’t know why it would matter.”
Edward narrowed his eyes. “What do you know about this, Ferdinand?” his voice was close to a growl.
CRASH!
And then the building exploded.