perfect (marcus/marvel/open)

[grace]

Really, this couldn't have been a more perfect job.

Grace had been anxious about the idea at first, though now that she had taken the position she couldn't have loved it any more. She didn't have to deal with people, she just needed to tend to the animals. She got paid for it, and it gave her something to do with summer days that might otherwise be spent doing nothing. Grace currently found herself performing routine grooming of the rats, smoothing their short, shiny coats, cleaning their ears, et cetera. She was currently tending to a particularly sleek black male, who was quite friendly and playful, even for the standards of this breed.

If she were to assign him a name she probably would call him Nigel, though Grace never spoke when she was at work. There were always people around, her boss, her coworkers and customers were constantly circulating through the shop, which might make her tense, though the animals she cared for always helped her to stay calm. Nigel affectionately rubbed his head against her hand when she placed him back into the cage with the other rats and she smiled before picking up another male, this one albino- he was pure white with little pink feet and beady red eyes.

Grace smiled as she picked up the small, enchanted brush they used on the rats and began smoothing his fur. He flopped lazily in the palm of her hand, half-cosing his eyes, obviously enjoying the attention. Grace smiled, though it faded away quickly when she heard the sound of footsteps. Cautiously, she peered over her shoulder at...