Chapter Text
The only thing Austin could care about right now was the strain between the seams of his suit. Occasions that required formality, let alone him actually being there came rarely to Austin. But alas, Yoshida had implored (forced) him to fill her spot in one of her many conferences — Ill-fitting as he was.
What Austin could infer was at least an interesting pitch to Blythe Tech. Something about.. bio-mechano innovation? Whatever it was, surely his wife could decipher the half-baked scrawls on his notepad. It wasn't his call for Blythe Tech to collaborate with this upstart. Austin's job was over the moment the conference was.
With the last presenter and their plight over with, the crowd followed suit a beat after Austin had strided out of his seat.
"—And don't forget to familiarize yourself with them." Yoshida's words suddenly wedged into his head, "We need potential networks, even if you don't think they'll be useful." Ugh.
So Austin awkwardly waded through the crowd. Brief introduction here, a practiced smile there.. It was enough pleasantries for him to silently swear to himself that he'd weasel his way out if Yoshida were to ask for this again. Respite from the stuffiness of organized business came in the glass displays tucked to the side of the conference room.
Austin crouched to take a good look. It was a decently sized terrarium, complete with an overhead – albeit dimmed – light. Layers of leaves pressed against the glass provided shade to a gravelled bottom, and an alcove made of rocks sat tucked in the very back. The company, Novus, as he now recalled, did say they specialized in most things biological. If he had to guess, this must've been the home of some lizard.
Austin took that guess back the moment he saw something pitch black and round rustle against the foliage. A tarantula, perhaps? But even if it was, tarantulas weren't as heavily furred as this thing.
He leaned closer. As he did, the creature sized him up with it's unevenly proportioned red eyes, swatting one of its four limbs at the shade Austin casted. Weird looking tarantula if he's ever seen one, but rather cute at that.
"Please stop breathing on the glass." A dry voice sighed behind Austin, leading him to straighten out his back.
As Austin turned his gaze, he was met with a man, thin and of slighter stature to his. He didn't seem entirely bothered by Austin's behavior toward Novus property, thus probably not important to the company itself, so what was the harm of letting loose a little?
"I'm just sayin' hi to the little guy," Austin puffed as he stepped away from the glass. As a result, the creature continually pawed in his direction. "Look, I think it wants me to come back."
"It doesn't want things the way humans do." The man didn't hesitate to respond this time. His voice tightened with a slight accent under his flurry of words, "If it did see you as approachable, it wouldn't be trying to claw at your reflection. All you've done is irritate it."
"Jeez." Austin took another step back, though that didn't stop the cold leer fixed on him. "You seem to know a lot, huh?"
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be a head researcher."
Ohh..
The man scowled at what Austin realized was probably a dumbfounded look on his face. "Ivan Skeld," He crossed his arms, "My title is a recent acquisition, but still, I am one of Novus' leaders nonetheless. I'm not one to make baseless assumptions, so if you would.."
Right. This was a networking event, or whatever.
"Austin," As was necessity, Austin held his hand out for a handshake. Which wasn't met at all as Ivan turned his attention back to the terrarium. There was an odd need to continually elaborate, at least enough for this researcher to return the attention in kind, just as any other person scrambling for connections should've in this meeting.
What should've been a boast about his inheritance staggered in Austin's throat. "Just.. actin' on my boss's behalf for this meeting."
"Mh," The noise that left Ivan was unbothered at most as he focused more on popping the top of the terrarium's lid off and sticking his hand into the display. With Austin no longer in the creature's vicinity, it had no trouble seeking out solace in the palm of Ivan's hand.
"So," Austin continually lingered, oblivious to Ivan's attempt to look busy, "What is that thing?"
A moment of controlled breath, and Ivan rounded his shoulders. "You're not one for reading, are you?" No one told Austin there was a sign explaining this thing. Ignoring the fact that it was pasted right on the glass display.
Ivan let the thing nestle into his sleeve as he straightened his arm out. "It has no official nomenclature, but my office has taken a habit of calling them Yoas. They were built from cultures of lecanicillium-"
"..Cillium? Kinda like penicillin?" Austin hummed.
"Penicillium," Ivan grated, "But you're right to make that connection. In layman's, Yoas were cultivated through mold and fungi."
Huh. This was actually interesting. Austin would be lying if he said he wasn't fascinated about a mold spore with legs. Tons of questions pricked at his mind, but most importantly.. "Why?"
"Multiple reasons. But I find breaking boundaries thought to be impossible as my utmost goal when given a project." Ivan's hand carefully cupped the Yoa as it began to poke out of his fingers, providing it needed shade. "Fascinating, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Honestly, Austin could only really focus on how funny looking it was over the supposed scientific marvel it was. "Can I have one?"
"No." Ivan's voice dropped back to its deadpan level.
"Aw. Can I hold it at least?"
The researcher's response included popping the lid open and sliding the Yoa back into its environment. "I don't want to be responsible when it inevitably bites you."
Oof. Just because Austin couldn't get some signals didn't mean he was all that bad. "How am I supposed to know what an angry mold spore looks like?"
"Well—"
"Ivan?" What would've been a long winded rant was cut short by a man approaching their way. His red eyes met with Austin's briefly, though Austin wasn't quite sure if he was looking at or past him. Whatever the case was, his footing was regained the moment Ivan held firmly at his sleeve. "Oh. A moment, if you would."
As the two exchanged mutterings, Austin chose to look back to the Yoa enclosure — carefully, god forbid he garners Ivan's ire — again. It settled in its alcove, just barely visible from the light that peeked through the foliage and onto its compact fur. Austin had played it for a joke, but come on, the idea of a mold spore pet was a great one.
"Well then," Ivan spoke as he linked arms with the other party. "I'm needed elsewhere."
"Austin, was it?" Had Ivan not called out to him, Austin wouldn't have picked his head up, "I hope you've learned something. Perhaps enough for you to put a good word in for Novus?"
"Uh," Austin scratched at his neck awkwardly. "Sure, if it means you'll keep makin' these mold spores."
"They multiply through asexual reproduction." Ivan corrected, even as he was being led away.
Huh. Not all conferences were boring, Austin figured.