csevet aisava (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
secretarialhand) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
riverview2018-08-07 05:28 pm
secretarialhand) wrote in riverview2018-08-07 05:28 pm
@mer.aisava; video
[When the video feed turns on, it shows a pale young elven man with an extremely calm demeanor, sitting at a desk made of heavy, dark wood, and anyone who's been to Gramarye Magic Research will recognize that wallpaper. His hands are folded neatly in front of himself, and he's dressed in a simple blue tunic, pierced ears lifted, alert and attentive.
Lifting his chin slightly, he pins the camera with a serious expression.]
Our name is Csevet Aisava, and we have recently been placed in charge of administrative tasks at Gramarye Magic Research.
[A pause.]
It is clear that whoever preceded us in this position was far more invested in research than paperwork. We would like to request that any in the employ of the Research Center please turn in copies of all necessary receipts and reports since...
[Another pause, and he lifts a hand to shift a paper into better view.]
...January first.
They may be left at our desk, or submitted by mail or electronically.
[That last word sounds awkward, as if he's only said it a handful of times in his life and doesn't entirely understand what it means. Csevet hates not entirely understanding things, and there's an undercurrent of that as well, his ears pulling back against his head a little.]
Our thanks.
Lifting his chin slightly, he pins the camera with a serious expression.]
Our name is Csevet Aisava, and we have recently been placed in charge of administrative tasks at Gramarye Magic Research.
[A pause.]
It is clear that whoever preceded us in this position was far more invested in research than paperwork. We would like to request that any in the employ of the Research Center please turn in copies of all necessary receipts and reports since...
[Another pause, and he lifts a hand to shift a paper into better view.]
...January first.
They may be left at our desk, or submitted by mail or electronically.
[That last word sounds awkward, as if he's only said it a handful of times in his life and doesn't entirely understand what it means. Csevet hates not entirely understanding things, and there's an undercurrent of that as well, his ears pulling back against his head a little.]
Our thanks.
permavideo
We take that to mean you haven't kept them.
[It's said in a particularly bland, mild tone of voice. A slight pause while he rearranges himself in the seat, leaning in, lifting his fingers to press against his mouth. Well. Dorian certainly is as charming as he's heard.]
We were lead to believe that with magic, anything is possible in this place.
permavideo
[ Oh, it's possible he's more charming than he's heard, but he's also an obstinate ass sometimes. Had you also heard that? Pity. ]
Magic is a gift unlike any other, it's true, but it isn't miraculous. While I do know a method in which time could be reversed and I could retrieve these records you seek, the cost is far too great to satisfy a secretarial curiosity. It may well be in your best interests to simply report your predecessor had poor organizational skills and that, going forward, you will strive for a bit more tidiness. Wouldn't you agree?
no subject
Far from a secretarial curiosity, though we imagine it in poor taste to speak of it as such to the secretary himself, we are endeavoring to make sure that this place has not sunken into bankruptcy this past year. Records have simply not been kept and the state of affairs is...
[A pause.]
It is unbecoming of us to complain. We do apologize.
no subject
...as what? The administrative assistant's assistant?
[ He pauses, though. ]
Your manner of speech, though. You wouldn't happen to hail from the same world as Maia, the erstwhile Emperor of...whatever place he was the emperor of, would you?
no subject
Not just the financials, but all matters administrative. It is similar to our position before we arrived here.
[And a pause. Administrative assistant's assistant? Csevet visibly bristles, just a touch, and he makes a scoffing noise, glancing away from the device.]
We are no assistant. The proper name for our position is Administrative Coordinator.
[But the bristle softens significantly when Maia's name is mentioned, and Csevet's shoulders square, his chin lifts slightly.]
We are, in fact, from the Ethuveraz, where His Serenity is still Emperor, and shall be such again when we return.
no subject
[ If it's someone in charge of administration, his assessment still stands, after all. ]
"His Serenity". You know, most reserve the "Royal" we for use only by royals. It supposedly denotes their importance. I find it interesting seemingly everyone from your world, or at least your nation, uses it. Tell me, as Emperor, how many places as "His Serenity" conquered to solidify his empire, or is it an empire in name only?
no subject
We report our findings on finances to the Board of Directors, but with regard to administrative tasks, we report only to ourselves.
[A soft exhalation at that last couple of comments, his cheeks flushing, though not with pleasure or amusement, but rather anger, well-suppressed.]
Though we have heard some refer to the 'Royal we' in reference to the way we speak, we have never heard of it until we arrived here. This manner of speaking is called the formal first, and is used by everyone within the Untheileneise Court, or while speaking to anyone within the Court. To use anything other than the formal first would be presumptive and in poor taste, Mer Pavus.
[A pause, as he considers that last question.]
His Serenity has been Emperor for less than a year, and we suspect he is not the sort of Emperor to conquer in war, but rather build alliances through understanding.
no subject
[ Never let it be said that Dorian cannot be a brat when someone gets their hackles up. ]
Oh, my, and here I thought the courts of the Imperium were pretentious. And certainly, as there are an entire two of you in residence here, we should all acclimate to your cultural affectations, yes? I respect in your lands it "presumptive" and "in poor taste", but is it not also diplomatic when arriving in a new land to learn the traits and customs therein? If it is not, I really am a piss poor Ambassador.
[ And all is spoken with a pleasant smile, very diplomatic, really. ]
no subject
[Well, there we are. Being called a secretary isn't exactly an insult where Csevet comes from.]
We beg pardon, Mer Pavus, but we did not intend to imply that others should take on this manner of speaking, simply that we would perceive ourselves as impolite were we to stop. Serenity has suggested we make effort to adapt to the culture of this place even through wording, but such habit is difficult to break, when a lack of formality seems to us to imply...intimacy...that we had not intended to offer.
no subject
[Secretary to the Court is still a secretary.]
You've rather missed the point, but it's hardly important. I'll be sure to report expenditures heretofore in a timely fashion.
no subject
We enjoy our profession a great deal, Mer Pavus, and fail to see shame in it. As for your point, since we are apparently quite dense and incapable of understanding your meaning, please state it more clearly so we may grasp the wisdom of it.
[Is that snide? Oh yes. It's very snide.]
no subject
[He nods.]
As for your profession, yay you, I suppose? Enjoying it does seem preferable to its being a drudgery, after all, and someone has to do it.
[Just...not me. That's what we have Laetan for...I'm not a plebeian.]
no subject
We believe, Mer Pavus, that listening to one speak in a slightly different way is less difficult a task than altering the way in which one speaks, and so we would appreciate any effort of understanding while we adjusment.
[A pause, his eyes on the screen.]
However, we feel no need to make uncomfortable adjustments for the comfort of those who would trivialize our position, our customs, and our Emperor.
no subject
[He doesn't sound annoyed, though, and instead laughs.]
To each his own, I suppose. May all of you have a delightful day.