#of the semester at the very first timeslot because dottore teaches a class there and celeste is there as a teaching assistant

[screamingcrows]

Modern AU prof!Dottore x postdoc!Celeste - short first meeting under cut but it got too long for me to leave on dash without cut so hdgjkasdhg

"Twenty minutes early for the morning lecture," the man by the lectern shook his head, unusually crimson eyes barely sparing Celeste a glance, "take a seat and be quiet. And don't expect any goodwill from kissing ass."

Celeste crossed her arms, taking a deep breath to not snap at the man who had to be her new boss first thing in the morning. Keeping her expression carefully neutral, she ventured into the auditorium, relishing the evident frustration from the older man when she turned to him and not the seats.

"What a pleasure to meet you physically at last," she reached out a gloved hand, undeterred by his indifference, "we spoke on call, remember? I couldn't get my webcam to work for the interview?"

She almost wanted to grin as recognition flashed through the man's, Zandik's, eyes.

"You are Dr. Beauregard?" The question was laced with not quite condescension, but close enough that Celeste retracted her hand before he continued, "You barely look old enough to be starting a PhD and yet you're claiming to be the new postdoc? Very funny, now stop interrupting my preparations and take a damned seat miss."

This time, there was no amount of deep breaths that could have prevented Celeste from hissing, reaching forward and slamming his computer shut. "Listen here and listen well, you have exactly one minute to apologise or I swear I will have every student of yours filing complaints about this course by the end of the semester."

His wry chuckle caught her off-guard, "Dr. Dottore, and the pleasure is all mine." Celeste glared as his demeanor changed in an instant, his lips quirking up in a dangerous smile, "I believe we will make an excellent team."