“Any plans for after work?” Octavia Rossi asked as she stepped through the automatic doors of her shitty corporate job. She ran her fingers through long, flowing red hair that she spent all morning straightening. Something that she strongly disliked, but because of the nature of her work, she had to look her best. Even if precious time was spent doing it.

“Nah, nothing too grand. Just gonna head to Scipio’s after work. They have some mean brews there.” The man who walked alongside her nodded sagely as they both walked across the large open foyer. His face was handsome, yet weary with time as it slowly crept up on him. Though he was only in his late twenties, he had already developed some grey in his face and his neatly trimmed hair.

Dozens of people were already arriving in the hours before the sun rose, no doubt trying to avoid the cruel onslaught of morning traffic. The opening salvo of dawn crept in through the glass doors of the building, gently lighting up the ostentatious display of wealth only a multi-million dollar company could afford.

A thin smile crossed the woman’s face as she brushed a few strands of her crimson red hair that fell just over her dark brown eyes. “Ah, I was thinking about that. But I don’t think I can handle another night of drinking with you, Derrick.”

“Blah. It’s not that bad. Trust me, when I was younger and working in restaurants, I drank like a man in the desert.” The man chuckled as he ran his hands across his stubble.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. You say that a lot, old man.” She teased him as she took long strides towards the elevator door, her black dress pants flowing easily as she moved.

The banter was a pretty normal part of the day, and has been a pretty habitual thing since she started here five years ago, which made her just shy of twenty-six now. Oh, how the years have passed her by. It wasn’t all bad, though. She made good money and had a lofty spot as a project manager for a few years now. A position that she earned through her own blood, sweat, and tears. She was always striving to be better than yesterday. It was a curse, as much as it was a blessing that she learned from her dear parents.

It’s what helped her climb the corporate ladder, and what got her top marks in college. It was a mindset tattooed on her bones from her dear parents as a parting gift. Excellence is not attained through inaction. That’s what her father taught her. Even now, after all these years, she could remember his face as he hounded her every step of the way, pushing her further and harder.

“What can I say? I’m a man of simple taste.” Derrick mused as he glanced around the lobby. The distant sight of the elevators neared as they both walked in tandem. Octavia’s steps were lithe but filled with purpose, his were loose, and relaxed. Both are opposing, yet the same, unified, as this was the same ritual they have done together every morning and night for the last few years.

“Hardly a man, yet very simple.” The woman’s red lips swept upwards into a small smile as the sounds of her high heels clicking against stone faded as she crossed over to the carpet. Polished marble and granite adorned the walls and ceilings, as well as countless portraits that displayed greener pastures frozen in time. Easily dozens of people were already here, gathering around the six elevator doors.

“You wound me, truly.” A faux frown crossed his handsome face, causing his skin to wrinkle around his ocean blue eyes. It was a look that could rival that of a hurt puppy.

“Boo hoo.” She winked as she neared the elevator. The ambiance of multiple conversations filled the air in a constant, dizzying murmur. One that was too loud for this early in the morning. Thankfully, the lingering effects of coffee cut through most of that annoyance. Though it was only going to last a few more hours until she could get to the second cup.

Silence fell between the two friends as they waited patiently for the elevator to arrive. Seconds ticked by, almost painfully slow. “Oh, hey Octavia, and Derrick. How are you two this morning?” A familiar voice cut through the ambiance, causing the woman to glance at the new arrival.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

It was their mutual friend, Julia who they took under their wing when she joined the company roughly a year and a half ago. She was a shorter girl, easily a meter and a half tall. Her long black hair was tied up in a low ponytail, dangling over a black sports jacket that she had yet to take off.

“Good. Just another day.” She threw a cheerful smile towards the woman. Julia was always a beam of positivity in an otherwise dreary corporate environment. The easiest thing to equate her too was like a golden retriever with infectious energy. One that kept Octavia from growing frustrated with the constant ineptitude displayed by a vast majority of her coworkers.

“Oh, you know, I’m here.” The man replied with as much energy as a sloth as he shrugged. He wasn’t much of a person in the early mornings.

“I see! How are your reports coming? We have a big meeting today, after all.” Julia shifted her plain black purse to the front and rifled through it for something.

“Already done, with the team budget accounted for. The team should finish before next week’s deadline with the rate we are moving.” Octavia shrugged as she pulled her attention back to the front. It was light work for her, after all. Her team’s morale was high, and their productivity even higher. Because she wouldn’t suffer from the general inefficiency that plagued this company. Granted, there were still issues here and there, but what team didn’t have problems?

“I finished mine a few days ago.” Derrick shrugged again before he ran his calloused fingers through his short trimmed hair.

“Ugh, I wish I was as good as you guys. I’m a little behind myself, but hopefully I can finish it before noon.” Julia pouted as she pulled out two tubes of generic chapstick, handing one over to Octavia.

"Don’t worry, you’ll get there. It took us a bit to learn time management.” The red-headed woman consoled her as she took the spare chapstick. Using the polished metal near the elevator door, she applied it and glanced at her makeup as she did so. It wasn’t anything extreme. Just enough to make her eyes pop and emphasize her sharp features and narrow nose. If it wasn’t for trying to look nice at this place, she wouldn’t wear makeup at all.

Julia nodded as she slid her chapstick back into her oversized bag. Derrick, luckily, said little as he stared at the elevator door. As much as he liked to downplay it, his long nights of drinking were catching up to him.

The elevator opened with a soft ding, and the harsh white lighting spilled into the dimly lit foyer. As one, everyone rushed into the elevator, packed like sardines. Octavia pushed in near the opening, and quickly adjusted her maroon blouse. Just another day, and hopefully a quick one, so that she could go home and catch up on some sleep.

She waited patiently while everyone selected their destinations, and when she saw her chance, she hit the button for the fourth floor. As the door shut, the elevator jerked slightly before it traveled upwards.

“Is it too late to go home?” Derrick broke the strangely silent elevator ride, eliciting a few chuckles.

“Yeah, we just missed the exit.” Another voice called from the back. Someone that Octavia recognized as Tony from IT. He wasn’t someone who she interacted with a large amount, but he was a pretty chill guy from what she knew.

A short time later, the elevator came to a halt and with a soft ding; the door opened. A large handful of people exited, leaving the elevator a bit more sparse.

Mentally, Octavia whistled to herself as she struggled with the rising feelings of annoyance. Honestly, she just wanted to go home and crawl into bed. This place was getting on her nerves more and more. It felt like every second that she was here; the walls were closing in and choking the air out of her lungs. This job was stifling. Yes, it paid well, yes it was such a rare opportunity, but now, it was just getting old. Either she moved up the ladder this year, or she was going to quit. That much was certain.

Another ding reminded her she was on the second floor. Another step closer to her exit. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to steady her nerves. Another ding sounded, and Octavia took another deep breath. She pumped herself up mentally. As much as she didn’t want to be here, her emotions had to be kept in check.

The final ding heralded her arrival to her floor, and a sigh escaped her lips as she opened her eyes, but the light of the fourth floor did not greet her. All she saw was the snow white words that floated in the darkness.

Welcome! Your world has passed into the multiverse! Please stand by as you are taken to the tutorial zone.