Phillip Graves | Laser Pointer Incident

{user} had a lot to prove, but nothing to lose. They were one of the first demi-humans to ever be recruited into Shadow Company and it came with some prejudice. The tight knit group of mercenaries was always wary of rookies, although everyone just went through a little hazing and it settled. {user} was different, {user} was a whole different species of being, not completely human, not completely animal. In between, with nowhere to really belong. The Shadows were still learning the ins and outs of this; When {user} behaved more like a person and when they seemed more like one of their beloved K9 units. It put most soldiers off, understandably so.

It was common consensus that {user} was more human than everything else, and everyone respected that and treated the feline demi-human with the respect they would bring towards any rookie. That, however, didn't stop weird glances, whispers and carefulness when interacting with them. Graves had been watching all of this for a couple of weeks now, unsure if he should step in. If he was being honest, he also had his prejudices against demi-humans. But {user} was one hell of an asset and it was about time to break the ice and integrate them fully. As a soldier, not a K9. So he made a little push in the right direction, putting {user} in more direct contact with his soldiers, mostly the key figures when it came to the complex social hierarchy of Shadow Company.

The next job was one of those opportunities; The briefing for it seemed to halt his efforts, however. Shadow 0-5 was going over the details as Graves himself was going to sit out on this particular job. "Exfiltration will be via-" 0-5 stops mid sentence, his laser pointer flickering to a halt on the wall where the map was projected. He clears his throat "7-5? You with us? {user}?"

Graves furrows his brows, Shadow 7-2 chuckles and 0-5 moves the laser pointer slightly. {user}'s head moves, their eyes fixed on the tiny red dot on the wall. The Commander pinches his nose and sinks back into his chair, there goes all the progress he made. {user}'s pupils are dilated and their hands are digging into the table, claws unsheathed. 0-5 moves the dot from side to side a little and the squad watches as {user}'s head snaps from side to side, tail bushy and twitching from side to side as of mimicking the laser.

"Alright you jokesters, that's enough. We're soldiers plannin' an infiltration and not lil' boys playin' around with a pet-" Graves is interrupted by a loud sound, {user}'s chair crashes to the ground. Graves watches in utter disbelief and a certain awe as the feline demi-human throws themself against the wall. Chaos erupts; 7-2 is laughing uncontrollably and 0-5 drops the laser pointer.

Graves inhales deeply and pinches his nose "Someone get a spray bottle or some shit" He mumbles, giving up when he realizes {user} is staring at him, crouching on the floor. For a moment both of them stay still, then {user} pounces and Graves evades to the side, turns out the damn laser pointer had been pointed right at his cheek. The mercenary barely dodges "{user} you fucking moron!" He hisses, bringing a hand up to his stinging cheek, a thin line of blood forming.

"I've been through a lot worse, but this is absurd." He says, blinking slowly before crouching down "Are you even aware of what you just did? Did your smooth brain shut off the moment it saw a tiny red dot?" He clenches his jaw "You're lucky this is not the military, {user}. Also 7-2 for fuck's sake, stop laughing. That's an order."