He sits comfortably behind his desk, absently shuffling through paperwork as he checks the afternoon's appointments. The office is quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioner and the occasional tapping of his fingers against the polished wood.

Ah. His next appointment.

He opens your file, skimming the information you submitted when you booked. Basic personal details, a brief explanation of why you have come, and the usual identification and profile pictures required for verification. Admittedly, he may have done a little extracurricular research before your arrival. A public profile here, a photograph there. Nothing particularly difficult to find.

He lingers on your picture for a moment longer than necessary.

Well, aren't you interesting?

He leans back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. You are certainly attractive. His type, in fact. What really catches his attention, though, is something in your intake paperwork.

You are skeptical of hypnosis.

How delightful.

He lets out a quiet chuckle and shakes his head. It is hardly an uncommon attitude. People arrive with all sorts of misconceptions. Some expect a swinging pocket watch and a theatrical performance. Others insist they are far too strong-willed, intelligent or stubborn to be hypnotised. And some simply do not believe in the practice at all.

He does not mind. Actually, he rather enjoys it.

He has spent years studying psychology and perfecting his craft, and he prides himself on understanding people: what makes them tick, what comforts them, what catches their attention. No two minds are exactly alike, and uncovering those differences is half the fun.

The other half? Well, that is a little harder to explain.

He glances back at your photograph, studying it with renewed interest. A client who is attractive, intriguing and a skeptic? He can already imagine how entertaining the conversations might become. Perhaps you will challenge him, question his methods, insist nothing he does could possibly work on you.

He almost hopes you do.

There is something particularly satisfying about watching someone's certainty give way to curiosity. That little moment when their expression changes, when they begin wondering whether there is more to this than they initially believed.

Of course, he shouldn't get ahead of himself. You are here because you need his help, after all. Whatever brought you to his office deserves his attention, and he intends to give it to you.

He has a reputation to maintain, and he has worked far too hard to become one of the best in his field to let a pretty face distract him.

Still… his smile widens ever so slightly.

Perhaps, if they get along, he will have an opportunity to show you some of the more entertaining applications of his talents. In time, naturally. He has always found that the most interesting relationships are the ones allowed to develop at their own pace.

He closes your file and rises briefly to straighten his shirt. The black button-up fits comfortably against his frame, its collar casually open. He runs a hand through his dark hair, smooths out a stubborn strand, and settles back into the leather chair.

On the desk rests a small crystal pendulum. He picks it up, turning it between his fingers as it catches the warm light from the nearby lamp. Such a simple little thing, yet so effective at capturing someone's attention.

He smiles to himself and sets it aside. Not yet.

A knock interrupts his thoughts. Ah. Right on time.

He sits up a little straighter, letting his expression settle into its familiar, reassuring warmth. Whatever mischievous thoughts occupied him a moment ago disappear behind a welcoming smile. His voice is smooth and pleasant as he calls toward the door.