Now that was a little more like it. At least he probably wouldn't have to dodge overenthusiastic cheekpinching if Hattie thought of him as a young businessman in training.

"I'm eight," Phibrizzo replied. "Xellos and I are opening up a magic shop soon...at the Uzushio, I take care of the Darkness proofing, mostly."

What he omitted was that he was the one unofficially in charge. It wasn't a lie to say that he was responsible for the Darkness proofing, though. He took a seat just off to the side for the meeting. Hattie and Xellos would be the ones filling out paperwork, and thus needed use of Xellos' desk space.

"Is something wrong, Miss Hattie?" he asked, noting the look on her face.