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🌀.

One subsitute shift. Canyon could absolutely power through it.

It was extra pay, though it lacked a cushy overtime bonus. Blonde Blazer apparently attempted to rectify that, but truthfully Canyon believed she simply said that to further placate them.

However, Blazer's request seemed reasonable enough. Fill in for a single shift on a different floor, where apparently the dispatcher meant for that particular team and shift wouldn't be returning for the day. Though Canyon had overheard a conversation as they walked to their temporary workspace that said dispatcher had simply quit by walking out. Not to mention, the usual relief dispatcher for that particular team just so happened to be out for the day as well. Hence the urgency and last minute notification from Blazer herself.

The team in need of Canyon's schedule flexibility was the Z-Team, who Blazer briefed it on in her office before sending it on its way. Basically the group of heroes that made up the very bottom of the office's leaderboard, and all part of the Phoenix program as Canyon was. A point Blazer had been sure to emphasize as further encouragement.

Initially, it sounded simple enough despite Canyon's inexperience with serving as a relief for a different dispatcher and team altogether. Again, however, Blazer ensured Canyon that the opportunity could be a beneficial hands-on training session for it. They couldn't really argue against those points regardless, and doing their duty as an adaptable dispatcher-in-training surely would reflect quite nicely on their own program record.

To Canyon's relief, the sight of its usual office chair and headset greeted it as the cubicle came into its view. Both were fortunately fitted for someone of the crocodilian hybrid's size, and management-approved on top of that. The chair was a decent enough comfort for the prolonged sitting the shifts demanded as well as provided adequate space for her tail to hang out the open side of it. The headset was generously altered for their atypical head size and shape.

Setting their bag down at the desk, Canyon then placed their goodies acquired from the floor's break room vending machines. A couple of sports drinks and bags of thin Cheetos to get through the unexpected longer stretch of a day.

It glanced at the lockscreen of its phone, which showed a good twenty minutes before the start of the shift. Still, Canyon decided to boot up the dated fossil of a computer the SDN office provided, on account of wanting to ensure they could log in and be ready without any last minute hitches.

-

Across the room from the dispatchers' cubicles, the door leading into the break room had been left open. Inside, from where she leaned against the counter, Malevola eyed the unfamiliar dispatcher just as they reached their computer. Presumably a hybrid, from the look of them. Something reptilian, maybe even a kaiju.

She had just been mere seconds too late with portaling inside the break room to catch the dispatcher in there, the charred evidence of her portal now decorating the backside of the break room's door.

With how frequently her team was going through dispatchers, Malevola always found it entertaining enough to catch them before the shift starts. See what they were like, what they looked like, and most important of all, what got under their skin. What intel she collected would further aid her in the team's betting pool, which hinged on how long it'd take for the dispatcher to break and call it quits with them.

There wasn't a betting pool for that particular dispatcher, due to the fact Flambae had already collected the previous winnings just before lunch. Fucker certainly cheated by setting the poor guy's car on fire though. Plus, Blazer had been clear that she simply found someone else to fill in for their second shift. Someone else who was now the reason they all had a second shift to get through rather than be dismissed to leave for the day.

Sure, there was nothing to be gained financially from this shift besides their usual paycheck, but it never hurt to keep the practice sharp.

Sonar was usually right by her side to accompany her tactic, but he excused himself to supposedly go to the bathroom just five minutes earlier. Judging by just how eager he was to leave, Malevola knew he most likely scored another bump or five. Something she certainly would chat with him about later.

In the mean time, she had a dispatcher to investigate and potentially agitate.

Stepping away from the break room counter, Malevola downed the last of the mediocre coffee in the mug that she then merely left next to the sink.

She exited the room, stood tall, and approached the cubicle with a confident yet lax pace. The staff she passed paid her no mind, either engrossed in their own conversations or not wanting anything to do with who they saw as just another infamous Z-Team member.

The dispatcher, clearly some kind of croc now that she's gotten a better view of the head and long ass snout, had their back turned towards her as they typed at the computer.

Curiously, Malevola's gaze flicked to the screen. At first, she only saw what looked like a display of their assigned area in Torrance. Then, the dispatcher opened what appeared to be a dossier of a team member. Prism, to be exact. She could make out the dispatcher scrolling what limited information the file provided, then tabbed into the next member's.

As quietly as she could, Malevola lightened the steps of her heels. In a smooth motion, she rested her forearm along the top of the cubicle's outer panel and leaned herself forward in a casual stance. She took one last moment to watch them open another file. Hers this time, which proved to be too perfectly convenient.

"Studying up on us?" Malevola broke the silence, her voice even and mellow. Despite the nonchalance, she smirked when the dispatcher visibly startled at her voice, obviously not having noticed her approach.

She noticed the hybrid's reptilian eyes glance at the screen, then back at her, delayed recognition quite obvious in the gesture itself, "Just seeing what I'm working with is all." their voice was deeper than expected, and had a bit of a gravelly sound to it, although it wasn't unpleasant to her ears.

"What's it say about me?" she then prompted, gesturing to the computer screen with a flick of her head.

"Uhh-" the dispatcher trailed off as if trying to decide if disclosing the information was allowed or not. Almost like they'd get in trouble for it. Cute.

"Just the basics." they disappointingly relented, "Well-rounded skillwise."

Malevola perked up at the second half, "Well-rounded, huh?" she managed her best half-lidded look, making the potential innuendo more than obvious. Another avenue in her little play.

Amusement glinted in her pure yellow eyes when she caught the dispatcher's gaze briefly travel down and back up her body. Well, the upper half of her body that wasn't hidden behind the panel anyway.

"You don't have xray vision, do you?" Malevola teasingly questioned as she walked herself around the panel, making her way to the empty chair in the cubicle next to theirs. Casually seating herself in Chase's usual chair, and leaning her large sword against his desk, gave her so much satisfaction on its own.

"No, I don't." the dispatcher replied flatly, "And I meant how your performance is scored in our system. You've got a more versatile skillset compared to some of the others." they obviously chose to word their assessment differently that time around.

Now that Malevola was seated across from the dispatcher, she did her own visual glance of them in full. A croc hybrid, large tail included that hung out of their chair, scales and claws and all it appeared. The drab SDN officewear hugged the curve of their large protruding stomach and bust, something that easily caught the demoness's eye.

There wasn't any way for her to make an educated guess if they could shift forms to any degree like Sonar, but Malevola had to admit to herself that regardless, they were easy on the eyes. Large and powerful based on their bulk, and perhaps even taller than Malevola in heels.

Suddenly, the goal of irritatingly goading their dispatcher didn't seem so important. Just their short exchange left her to presume that they won't be all that fun to rile up.

However, Malevola was only getting started.

"Well, if it's in the system, then it must be true." she agreed.

She straightened in her seat, "What's your name, darl?"

"I just go by 'Canyon'." the dispatcher, Canyon, answered. Interesting, but not nearly as corny as other hero names Malevola's heard. "And I take it you're Malevola." they added.

She flashed a smile, "Good observation." it's sarcastic, but without any genuine bite.

Canyon only smirked ever so slightly and gave a noncommittal hum. She spoke again when they said nothing else, "So, are you sure you wanna sit in this shift? Maybe you can say something came up, that way we can all go home. Including you."

"Honestly, I would, but I'm also trying to kiss SDN ass for my own sake. I really need this job. Same as y'all." it was speaking more about itself, rather than attempting to remind Malevola why they were all there. Blazer, Chase, and even other heroes on the roster did enough of that on their own already.

She didn't quite expect to hear the honest admission, but could respect it nonetheless. It sounded like a true suckup on the surface, but not in a typical corporate suckup way. That much she could tell.

"Phoenix program?" Malevola guessed coolly, and Canyon only nodded in affirmation. She groaned, letting herself relax just a bit, "I understand that. Word of advice though," she rested her head on her fist, "be sure not to stick your head too far up their ass."

The remark earned a snort from her conversational partner, "Yeah, I'm not letting myself suffocate in there or anything. Gotta put in some effort though, you know?"

Malevola did know, in fact. The program was both her and Sonar's best chance at turning their lives around. While she wasn't impressed by the staff, SDN itself, or the whole 'heroic reformed villain' angle, Malevola truly did still want to believe that second chance could change things for the better.

Not that she was about to tell that to the dispatcher, of course.

She sighed, "Mate, just remember you're another cog in the machine here." it was the truth, and Malevola had no problem outright saying so. Even if she did respect Canyon in some slight miniscule fraction for being another program participant clearly giving it an honest effort. Like both she and Sonar should be doing, truthfully.

Canyon didn't respond to that, and instead prompted a question of their own, "So," the word was slightly drawn out, "were you needing something? Or were you just saying hi?"

"Not particularly." Malevola maintained her nonchalant air.

"Okay." they sounded a bit unsure, especially as her gaze remained on them.

Malevola chose not to lead the conversation's direction that time.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Malevola, but I really need to set up for the shift." Canyon began as they looked at the time, but stopped their movement.

Again, they looked unsure. Maybe nervous? Malevola couldn't help the brief smirk that tugged at the corner of her mouth, which she then hid by lifting her hand up to her cheek.

"Unless-"

There it was.

Canyon exhaled a deeper breath, "...do you think you could maybe tell me a bit more about your team? Like, I have the office's data, but it'd really help me if I had some insider information so to speak."

"Hm," Malevola's hesitation was mostly feigned, "I suppose I can. I help you look competent, and you do the same for us, yeah?" she offered. Though as cute as the dispatcher was, she didn't particularly plan to fully fall through on it.

The hybrid smiled, an obvious smile that even Malevola could make out on that massive snout of theirs, "Exactly!"

She couldn't help mirroring the smile herself, and stood up from the chair. Canyon only watched her quietly as she moved closer to them and their computer.

With her waist practically level with Canyon's face, Malevola smoothly crossed her arms once more and remained standing with her weight shifted to the side closest to the hybrid. The point was to make them squirm a bit with her close proximity, but admittedly Malevola could feel a slight buzz of elation being so near to them.

"We starting from the top?" she asked, still working off the impression that she wasn't particularly thrilled to be assisting.

-

The interaction was a bit odd to Canyon. Odd in a way that the hybrid wasn't quite sure how to hold themself or assess the nature of Malevola's visit. From what she could tell, the conversation overall seemed harmless, maybe initiated out of nothing more than curiosity. Boredom, even. A quick way to kill the last remaining stretch of time before their shift started.

Their exchanges were brief, shallow, and without any degree of deep probing from either side. Canyon didn't mind small talk all that much, and the fact that Malevola agreed to offer insight into the team's strengths and weaknesses made them all the more comfortable with their conversational partner.

An attractive conversational partner. Objectively true, and it wasn't like Canyon failed to notice.

In fact, that was one reason she felt a bit offbalance by the approach.

Life as a hybrid was complicated, to say the least. Especially when the physical qualities were as visible as Canyon's. After the past decade or so of maturing, therapy (before and after the whole 'criminally active' period), and life experiences, Canyon could now comfortably consider herself attractive. Not to everyone, naturally, but enough to be self-confident about it most importantly.

With that said, the fact that Malevola had apparently dropped a hint of flirting in their direction still caught them offguard. They've experienced flirting, have flirted themself, sexted, shown off their body, and the like. Only online, truthfully. Save for a few mediocre in-person hookups here and there throughout the years. All of them impulsive, unsatisfying, and best left forgotten.

Canyon had never really been approached in that manner in person, even as an adult. It hoped Malevola genuinely did like what she saw, but the more grounded side of Canyon's mind loudly reminded it that it was either misinterpreting the approach or it was meant to be as a joke. Messing around with the substitute dispatcher.

Naturally, Canyon was at a bit of a loss.

Fortunately, the pair had a different subject altogether to discuss.

The hybrid was more than aware of how close Malevola had moved next to them. Understandable, that way she could actually see the files onscreen more clearly. Still, a jolt of anxious excitement ran through its body. It endured the bold sensation, hoping it didn't somehow visibly shiver and catch Malevola's attention.

Canyon tabbed back to where she started on the right side of the screen. Prism. They quite liked the dual-color contrast of her appearance, and the teal shade of lipstick she effortlessly pulled off.

The system indicated a higher success with calls that required good charisma, but Malevola warned that if the call required charisma without giving someone an attitude, Prism might need to be reconsidered.

Next was Golem. Standing at an impressive seven feet seven inches, Canyon could appreciate that she wasn't the taller one for once between them. Clearly, someone could handle the heavier lifting in both a metaphorical and literal sense. Malevola's tip for him was to "mind the wide load". That was helpful, Canyon supposed. (Not really)

"Yours truly." Malevola began with what sounded like a hint of a smile in her tone when Canyon tabbed over to hers, "I would say just bench me the entire shift for easy money, but like you said, we all need this fucking job." Canyon met her gaze when she happened to look down in their direction, responding with a chuckle and nod before she continued, "Obviously, no churches."

Canyon waited for her to continue.

When she doesn't, the hybrid opened its mouth to speak, "And...that's it?"

"That's all you get on the clock, babes." an annoying response for sure, but the coy self-satisfied smirk Malevola flashed her dampened that to a degree.

Unhelpful and vague, but Canyon wasn't about to try and drill anything else out of her. Maybe Malevola was just that confident in them that she knew Canyon would have a good enough idea on how to make use of her talents.

Or maybe the horned woman was just getting a kick out of being purposefully unclear, which seemed most likely.

Canyon elected to simply move on.

Punch Up, according to Malevola, was perfect for any calls that required someone squeezing into tight spaces. Again, insight that told Canyon nothing. Judging by Malevola's unmoving stance however, canted hips and all, that was likely all they were getting about him. They would just take a longer look at his stats when they got a chance.

"I like her style." Canyon boldly commented as Coupé's file was opened next.

"Fan of the dark and mysterious getup, huh?" Malevola questioned in a neutral tone, "I'll make a note of that." she spoke with the same even quality.

The remark undoubtedly had an effect on Canyon similar to feeling their entire head practically heat up. Even if they knew better that Malevola was merely toying with them in a meaningless manner, and getting satisfaction out of making them squirm.

What didn't help was the feeling of Malevola having placed a hand on the hybrid's shoulder. The touch was light, steady, and noticeable enough to be felt on the scaled skin. It swore it felt her thumb run across its surface, albeit extremely briefly.

Canyon should shrug it off, or ask her to remove it. Technically, it wasn't workplace appropriate. They weren't even sure if any of the staff on the floor could see or even cared enough to report it. Being toyed with aside, Canyon really could not deny to themself that the touch was thrilling. The potential workplace flirting itself was thrilling, and Canyon was not shy to the point of appropriately shutting it down.

"Most calls don't seem to require skilled assassinations, so-" Malevola drags out the last word, "you're going to have to figure out what to do with her. I haven't a clue honestly." the admission sounded genuine, but Canyon wasn't so sure at this point.

Then, Canyon felt a new touch wrap around the thick of her upper back. A quick glance over the shoulder confirmed it was Malevola's thin red tail, manuevering itself around the broad stretch of her shoulders.

Fuck, it was genuine flirting. Maybe. Hopefully.

Canyon shifted slightly in its seat. It was an attempt to quell the blooming nagging sensation of arousal between their legs. They didn't have an issue with on-the-clock flirting, but their highly alert and anxious nervous system was simultaneously screaming in their head to remind them of the pressure of the upcoming shift.

They needed to focus. Ignore the dull ache for touch beneath their work-appropriate skirt and keep their conversation on track. Even if it kills the mood, unfortunately.

"Look, are you going to actually provide insight that Blazer or the files haven't already covered?" the hybrid turns their head towards her incredulously. They're slightly agitated from the lack of useful information, the close contact and touch, and their internal wrestling with their own arousal and anticipatory anxiety regarding the shift ahead. It was an uncomfortable mix.

Canyon kept her look straight even when she saw Malevola's smile falter and felt her hand twitch ever so slightly as she removed it.

"Hey, I'm just going off what I personally know about the others. It's not like we all sit down to discuss this bullshit on our breaks." Malevola answered, lifting an eyebrow as she did, "It's better than nothing."

"Debatable." Canyon remarked without missing a beat.

Malevola held the hybrid's gaze a moment longer, arms having returned to a crossed position and hips angled to the side. Canyon knew it whatever degree of amity they had between them was now soured, but it was willing to accept that consequence of cutting through the bullshit. That, and it served as a decent enough way to stop any sense of horniness clouding their focus.

"Fine." the demoness apparently acquiesced. She broke the hold their gazes shared to step forward and point at the next team member before Canyon could even tab over, "Bitch who turns invisible."

Her finger moved to the left, "Full-of-himself asshole who sets shit on fire. No brainer there."

Canyon simply sat back and didn't bother to keep along with her on the screen, sensing the obvious animosity now radiating from her.

"And under no circumstances are you to send this guy to any drug related calls, got it?" Malevola concluded with a rather loud tap of her fingernail against the computer screen, pointing to the bat hybrid of the team.

"Yeah, I got it." Canyon responded just as curtly. There was no point in saying anything else, even a half-assed apology if only as an attempt to potentially appease Malevola, "Thanks."

"Whatever, good luck."

With that, Malevola exited Canyon's personal space. She grabbed her large sword from the neighboring empty cubicle, and Canyon looked over its shoulder to watch her walk away.

Suddenly on the outer wall of the conference room, a glowing reddish swirling phenomenon manifested. Malevola didn't flinch or react to it however, and merely stepped through what Canyon then realized was a portal. Once the demonic woman fully went through, the portal disappeared, leaving the only evidence of its existence in the form of charred markings on the wall.

"Canyon!"

The voice of Blonde Blazer from across the room absolutely startled the fuck out of them, astronomically more than Malevola's earlier interruption.

They snapped their head in her direction, any and all lasting remnants of Malevola's weird, flirty, borderline irritating impression instantly dissipated upon the sight of Blazer making her way towards them. Rather quickly.

"Shift started ten minutes ago, and Z-Team's telling me their dispatcher isn't answering. What's the hold up?"

Shit.

"F-Sorry, lost track of time! I'm on it right now, ma'am!" Canyon hoped their corporate structure friendly choice of words would help placate the hero, who stopped about halfway to their cubicle when she heard that.

"Good, they keep pestering me to dismiss them for the day. You got this." the encouragement sounded thrown out last minute, but Canyon couldn't shake the feeling that a certain degree of disappointment was definitely present in her voice.

Canyon immediately turned back around to face their workstation. They glanced at the time on screen. Just as Blazer said, it was now eleven minutes past the shift's starting time.

As they hurriedly grabbed their headset to fit it across their head, they mentally kicked themself over and over for not realizing the time. Canyon's mind added a harder extra metaphorical kick for the additional assumption that Malevola most likely intended to distract them long enough to be considered tardy in the first place.

-

By the time the shift ended, Malevola was truly at her limit.

Of course Visi had been skulking about while she was hanging around Canyon, and Malevola felt so careless for not thinking about it. The instant the team's comm channel came alive, Visi was quick to blab about Malevola's so-called flirting with their Godzilla clone of a dispatcher. Visi's words, not hers.

Malevola was kind of flirting, and certainly not to the degree that Visi had played it up. Though she didn't make that distinction out loud at the time, the team would simply laugh it off after getting all of their overexaggerated whoops of amusement and follow-up remarks about the gossip.

Everything was openly discussed on the team comm channel, which included Canyon. If the hybrid was bothered by it, they didn't seem to make it known and merely resorted to attempting to get the team to focus. Multiple times, in fact. A bit of a pathetic thing to do, considering how many other dispatchers have tried to do the same in the past, but Malevola had to give them credit for figuratively standing their ground while doing so.

Not once did they even directly respond to the team's goading, choosing to simply ignore anything that wasn't related to the job at hand.

Malevola's pre-shift visit seemed to have barely scratched the surface, failing to make so much of a dent in Canyon's work focus. Disappointing, honestly. She certainly could have done alot better, but with how embarrassingly quick her initial plan of attack fell through just because the dispatcher was pretty, Malevola was content to live with that loss and move on from it.

"Hey, let's go! I'm ready." Sonar interrupted her brooding, having reappeared from the men's side of the communal locker rooms. He continued as he patted his pant pockets, then stuck a hand in one, "Got everything. Tie, phone, wallet, stapler-"

"Good on you, let's get outta here-"

"Uh-uh! First we gotta see our dispatcher Visi was talking about."

Malevola sighed, "Seriously, dude? I'm ready to go home." it was the truth. Not to mention, she was also disappointed in Sonar's earlier relapse that still had to talk to him about later once he had fully come down from the remaining stretch of his high.

Also, Malevola definitely knew why Sonar wanted to sneak a peek.

She still remembered Invisigal practically snickering on the comm line as she reported what she saw: "Mal was practically drooling over those big jugs of theirs. Thought for sure she was gonna pull a Sonar and try to cop a feel."

No doubt the two sentences instantly had said bat hybrid's both heads at attention. She wouldn't be surprised if that was the case for the entire shift, regardless that it wasn't true. Malevola's eyes hardly even settled on their big tits.

"C'mon." Sonar droned out the word in an attempt to sound endearing, but proved to have the opposite effect for his closest friend. Especially while in his current state.

She crossed her arms, shooting him the most unimpressed glare she could manage, and let out a resigned sigh, "Fine, go on. I'll give you five minutes before I portal home with or without you."

"That's all I need, Mal." he confirmed, expression already that of a giddy and nosy pervert who also happened to still be strung out to a certain degree as he began to walk off.

Malevola watched as he fixed his cuffs, adjusted his tie, ran his hands through the back of his fur, fixed his cuffs again, wiped at his pant legs, adjusted his tie again, used the side of a hand to not-so-discreetly wipe at his nostrils, examined the same hand before pocketing it, ran the other hand through his fur a second time-

His self-adjusting continued during his entire walk to the elevator.

Malevola pushed off the wall she had been leaning against, "On second thought, let me come with you." she called out to him.

-

Sonar practically ran out of the elevator the instant a quiet ding rang out to signal its arrival to their desired floor. Malevola lagged behind, not too keen on potentially speaking with Canyon again. She had left the terms between them off at a good, neutralized place she reasoned. That and she really was ready to get the fuck home already.

Canyon was easy to spot, of course, with a towering height over most of the staff members that shared the floor. In front of them stood Blonde Blazer, and Malevola slowed even more upon seeing that.

The pair were standing in front of the charred remains left by Malevola's earlier portal. She didn't doubt for an instant that the dispatcher was most likely ratting her out as the cause for their delayed start.

Just what she needed.

She was quite surprised when Sonar didn't make a beeline to directly initiate conversation with the two, instead he made a hard left to the door of the darkened conference room just around the corner in front of them.

"It's locked." Sonar told her the obvious once she reached him.

Having clearly heard him, both Blazer and Canyon briefly stopped talking to glance over.

Sonar popped his head around the corner to put them in his view, "Uh, I think I forgot something in here. Can you unlock it real quick?"

"Sonar," Blazer started, "can't you just get it tomorrow? I don't have office keys on me right now."

Malevola glanced around the room, failing to spot a janitor or any other employee who might potentially have keys to the conference room.

The conference room that Sonar didn't even actually have to get into.

"I can just portal him in." she offered half-heartedly, still willing to half-ass an attempt to somewhat aid her friend in his equally half-assed ruse.

"No, I can go find someone with keys. I really don't want the janitor having to spend so long rubbing those marks out of the glass door." Blazer pointed to said marks on her right to make her point.

It wasn't Malevola's fault that SDN's janitors didn't have the muscle to rub out simple scorch marks.

"Canyon, we can continue this discussion tomorrow. Thanks again." Blazer bid her farewell to the croc hybrid, who nodded and ended the conversation as well.

Malevola watched from where she stood as Canyon made her way to the cubicle, evidently collecting her belongings in preparation to depart, but not before quietly glancing in Malevola's direction as she rounded the cubicle's panel.

With Blazer conveniently gone, Sonar made his move from his place at the locked conference room doors and somehow managed to approach Canyon's station calmly for the most part.

"Hey," the larger hybrid's long snout turned in his direction when he began speaking to her, "I just wanted to say good job dispatching today. Glad you could step in and take over last minute," his speech is somewhat faster than usual, which could either be from general drug-fueled arousal or blood flowing to the dick arousal. Most likely a mixture of both.

"Yeah." was Canyon's only reply, and lacked any hint of genuine appreciation for the sentiment.

"Shows you can be adaptable. Flexible." Sonar's grin widened ever so slightly at the last word, "Just what SDN needs more of."

Malevola heard a quiet 'mhm' from Canyon as they resumed gathering their half-eaten snacks and half-empty drinks by placing them inside their bag.

"Oh!" Sonar suddenly exclaimed, moving himself from leaning against the cubicle's paneling to standing in full view of Canyon just off to the side of her from behind, "I'm Sonar, by the way. In case you forgot."

Canyon stilled their bag shuffling, obviously fronting enough politeness by rising to their full height and giving him their full attention, "Yeah, I remember."

"Canyon's a pretty cool nickname to use. Definitely better than some of even the high ass ranked heroes on that dumbfuck leaderboard."

Sonar then steered the conversation back to himself, even while having to lift his head to maintain eye contact with their elongated head practically a full twelve inches above his own, "Only Harvard graduate on the team, by the way. I gotta say that your confidence in my skillset with that potential dispute call was totally well-placed. Clearly, you got a good grasp on the dispatching stuff."

"Yeah, but you might wanna try getting a hold of your form shifting."

Malevola cocked her head in silent agreement. The call went smoothly enough for Sonar, until the adrenaline from being held at gunpoint cascaded down on him as he returned to the office, forcing out his megabat form.

Sonar appeared unbothered by Canyon's noted observation, "It happens. Easier said than done really, but not impossible. Frankly, I've made tremendous progress already. You should've seen me before-"

"I believe you, but hey take a look at me-" Canyon gestured to her own body by outstretching her arms, "a long ass work day and absolute shitshow of an evening shift, and I'm still in my hybrid form."

Their sudden bluntness towards him was a bit of a surprise to Malevola, but honestly appreciated. The same direct advice she's given him multiple times coming from a fellow hybrid might've helped truly hammer it in were it not for the fact he wasn't sober in the slightest.

"Yup, I am looking." Sonar spoke the sentence with slower emphasis on each word, his eyes half-lidded and clearly roving up and down its offered body. A look that suggested to Malevola that he was more interested in memorizing what he saw in front of him for later, when he had privacy and his dick in his hand.

"Takes work, but helps alot." Canyon added for good measure, turning away from him to do one last visual sweep of their desk and then close their bag. A clear signal that they were ready to depart.

Sonar pocketed a hand again, "Just throwing this out there, but if you ever wanna discuss, ya know, hybrid-to-hybrid stuff or team synergy and efficiency in case you need to sub again, I'm totally down for it while we get a coffee or dinner or some third thing."

"I'll keep that in mind. I gotta get home, see y'all." Canyon attempted to end the conversation. From what Malevola could tell, his offer would be instantly cast aside and forgotten in their mind.

"Nice meeting you in person, Sonar." Canyon looked directly over at Malevola as they slung their bag over their shoulder, "Malevola. Good luck with everything." they added for good measure.

"Oh right, you already met Malevola!" Sonar continued even as Canyon sidestepped him to free themself from the confines of the cubicle, chancing another lengthy scan of their larger body.

"We're the best of friends, if you didn't know. I'm sure she mentioned it before the shift. We go way back in fact, starting-"

"Yeah, okay they get it, Sonar. Time to go." Malevola butted in. Regardless of how perturbed she was over Canyon and everything else, she couldn't bare to watch Sonar try to keep the dispatcher his personal hostage much longer. For both of their sakes.

With the speed and fluidity of her manueverability on the field, Malevola instantly created a portal behind him, then effortlessly grabbed the back of his collar and tossed him through. The portal closed, after she made sure she wouldn't accidentally cut a foot off in the process. Even if maybe it would be somewhat deserved.

Canyon watched the display silently, blinking once before she looked downward at Malevola considering she had a good six inches at least over the demoness's head. "I appreciate it." amusement laced her tone, and a small smile accompanied her gratitude.

"It's been a long day, and Sonar's kind of-"

"Excited?"

"That's putting it mildly."

There was a beat of pause from the taller hybrid before they suggested, "Tweaking alittle?"

Malevola's eyes widened slightly, but quickly recovered, "Yeah." she answered with a relinquished sigh, "Could you maybe...not report this. Please." the request left her feeling a bit uncomfortably vulnerable. She didn't speak as such, but asking that made her feel as if she was meekly asking for a superior's mercy.

"Don't worry, didn't plan on it. That's y'all's business."

Relief washed through her upon hearing that, "Thanks. I've been trying to help him clean himself up. Clearly, it's a work in progress."

Canyon shrugged, "I understand."

Whether they truly did understand on a personal level or not, Malevola decided not to try and find out. She couldn't believe she even disclosed that in the first place.

"I hear you say y'all pretty often. You from a southern state?" she opted to change the subject.

"Yup. Born and raised in Texas, actually."

Malevola shifted her weight to the opposite leg, "Really? I know all people from Texas don't talk the same, but I didn't expect that considering you don't have the accent."

"I get that alot. Can't explain it, just how I grew up learning to talk, I guess. The rest of my family doesn't have that specific twang either for the most part."

"Ah." Malevola managed a weak smile, somewhat amicable and meant for the sake of being polite. It disappeared when Canyon heaved a heavier sigh.

"Look, I-"

"Got the conference room keys!" Blazer's voice interrupted as she quickly jogged towards them.

Right, keys to the conference room that Sonar no longer needed to pretend that he needed to get into.

"Where's Sonar?" she then asked, obviously noticing his absence.

"Sorry, he found what he was looking for in his locker so he already went home." Malevola cutted in to explain on the spot, "Um, much appreciated though." she offered out of pity.

Blazer exhaled her own weighted sigh, "Seriously? Well, let's clear out of here, yeah? See you both tomorrow."

Her urging reminded Malevola that the three of them were indeed the last to remain on the work floor. Most lights had already been switched off or dimmed, and the elevator doors had just opened to reveal the janitor rolling in his cart full of equipment. She looked at Canyon, who met her gaze, and the pair both began heading toward the stairs to walk down to the ground floor.

"Uh, look-" Canyon tentatively began again, one of their hands sliding along the stair's railing as they descended, "I'm sorry I started to get alittle pressed earlier. Before the shift."

Malevola remained silent as it continued, "I was just already stressed. About the shift, dispatching on my own with a team I'm not familiar with, worrying how it'll reflect on my performance if I didn't do a good job, so on and so forth."

Once they reached the bottom of the last flight of stairs and pushed through the doors leading into the main lobby, Canyon slowed to a stop and Malevola did the same just a few steps ahead.

"Whether you were just fucking around with me to make me late or mess with me or whatever else, uh, I'll still say thanks for what tiny insight you gave me." they finished with a shrug of their shoulder where their bag hung off of.

"Tiny's better than nothing." Malevola countered, "But, don't mention it."

She certainly didn't want to disclose that was in fact her original motive, along with wanting to get a bead on them beforehand, and get a rise out of them-

"Alright." Canyon seemed to accept her measured response, "Guess I'll see you around. Good luck and all that."

The response left Malevola's lips before she could stop it.

"You too, darl."

Despite the odd wishy-washy vibe that hung between them, Canyon smiled at that before continuing their way out the door.

Malevola remained where she stood, watching them exit the building. Not out of any sentimentality or bashfulness, of course, but because she knew Sonar would no doubt try to climb his way back through the moment she opened a portal to head home.

🌀.

Thanks for reading! :)

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