Demoted

 During the weekend he alternated between the gym and some bars. While running on a treadmill he overheard other gym members talking about a new surplus of humans coming to live in the outskirts of the city. Ivaylo's nightmare got even worse. Why was this happening? Weren't the Beastmen happy the way it always was?

Well, Ivaylo had to come up with something to be able to cope with that filthy addition to the workspace. He had a clear plan in his mind, so he will keep calm, also his distance, and only talk with those creatures if necessary and mainly work-related.


Monday rolled around and he was sitting at his office with a slight hangover. He should try to reduce his alcohol intake. He can handle it better than other Beastman types but still... sometimes he goes too overboard with it and loses himself.

The Chairman called in for the staff to get into the big conference room for a meeting. Everybody sat down to watch how he welcomed and introduced the new human employees.  Ivaylo rather stood near the entrance with folded arms watching that whole charade. Murmur filled the huge hall. Ivaylo took a deep breath. That damn day came...

He saw real humans in person for the first time since his childhood. What's more, they will have to work near his office and he will be responsible for them... incoming headache.

Both females were just plain normal-looking. One had black hair and the other blond with some highlights. The guy... just some slim dude a little bit on the nerdy side. They all were timid. Who wouldn't be? In a building full of animal-looking humanoid creatures. What's more all predators. Also, the size difference was huge.

The Chairman found some staff who will show them around and teach them their ways around the office. Ivaylo disappeared as first into his own office. He literally imprisoned himself, just to avoid crossing paths with humans. He sat there the whole day and didn't even go to a bathroom break nor eat. Tasks were handed to them through his secretary. At least one advantage.

Ivaylo returned home completely drained of energy. This stunt of the chairman didn't really help his mental health. Did he do that on purpose? He knew what kind of opinion Ivaylo had... Maybe he tries to stop his promotion? No... that can't be... pushing his nails deep into his wounds.

He avoided the humans successfully until Friday... He got caught off guard by one of the females. Specifically the one with black hair. He looked down at her since their size differences were a little bigger. Ivaylo felt nauseous but kept his composure.

She sure had a crush on him and tried to "befriend" her boss. What he didn't know, she had been gushing over him for the past several days, ever since she saw him for the first time. She did her "homework" and bought a bottle of an expensive Scottish whisky. Ivaylo narrowed his gaze on her. Internally he panicked and screamed on the outside she was met with a cold glare.

"Please, return to your position and focus on the task you have been given..." He turned with his back towards her but got stopped by her grabbing his jacket with her filthy small hands. How dare she! Probably he will burn that expensive item tonight. "Boss! Please, at least accept my gift to you." She played a shy little girl.

Very cunning of her despite that, he brushed her hand off and escaped back to his office. Ivaylo was disgusted and got dizzy. He rested for a while... The secretary abruptly interrupted his headache session. Ivaylo was called into the chairman's office...

The Tigerman was writing down something while Ivaylo stood in front of the desk waiting for the chairman's attention. The scribbling sound stopped. "I heard you had a little quarrel with the new female staff..." Ivaylo frowned. "Beg me pardon, if you call a quarrel not to accept alcohol which is by the way inapppropriate to bring to work and telling her to do her job... then yes I admit."

The chairman leaned on one of his paws. "Are you telling the truth?" He looked at the monitor analyzing it. "Good, I believe you... this time. But I ask you to be more social with our new employees." Ivaylo bowed to show his respect and left the room.

That little... she tattled on him! He knew humans couldn't be trusted! He will be even more cautious from now on. As he was passing by their desk he didn't even look in their direction. Ivaylo was praying for this day to end.



The sun finally began to set. He was walking down the corridor as he crossed paths with the human male. He rather ignored him and was about to walk past him. Suddenly he hear him scream and fall far to the ground. What the hell?!  Ivaylo turned after the thud sound.

The man scrambled to his knees. "I am sorry, please DON'T KILL ME! DON'T KILL ME!" Ivaylo just stood there baffled. Suddenly other Beastmen emerged from all over the place who still were at work. Even the Chairman who was on his way home came out of the elevator confused.

He had no clue, what to make out of this situation but for sure he needed to confront them both. He glared at Ivaylo who was still bewildered but shook it off. "You two... follow me!" The Chairman let them tell him their story separately and then both together.

It didn't add up. The human claimed that Ivaylo attacked him and Ivaylo on the other hand said he was just passing by as he heard the thud and turned around. The worst about that whole thing was, that the cameras didn't capture what really happened. That incident was in a blind spot... Only how the human fell to the ground was seen on the monitor.

The tiger boss sighed heavily. He sent the human away and kept only Ivaylo. "Are you sure, you telling me the truth?" He glared at Ivaylo who still kept his cool. He trusted his boss and his reputation.

The Chairman massaged the temples of his forehead. "I can't oversee this incident... during the day there was already a problem. I also am aware of your opinion and stance about humans... but I have no other choice but to give you some vacation and do a thorough investigation..."

The workaholic Ivaylo couldn't believe what he heard. For the first time, he acted out of the character. "What is going on with you BOSS?! How can you trust those vile creatures?!" He spread his arms in disbelief. That outburst infuriated the Tiger man. "ENOUGH! I changed my mind! You will be demoted and stacked away to the outskirts of one of our branches for the time being... till it's solved!"