@mer.aisava; video

[secretarialhand]

[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.

Comments

[secretarialhand]

Reports, thankfully, were less of a problem to retrieve than receipts. Less mundane, we suppose, and those who work here seem very involved in their studies. It is quite admirable to watch.

[For all that it's a bit flattering, it's also quite genuine.]

We were told that part of why we were hired is due to our familiarity with magic but lack of talent with it. Less of a distraction, we are told, from those mundane things, though we would hardly call them mundane.

[dothelokimotion]

[ That is odd. ]

Do you not have magic then?

[secretarialhand]

Where we come from, magic is not a thing to be had but a thing to be done. There are those that have an aptitude for it, and they train at the Mazan'theileian. While we find magic admirable, we were never inclined to pursue it and did not have the talent for it.

[dothelokimotion]

[ The principle hasn't changed much then. Loki purses his lips. ]

But you know how it works?

[secretarialhand]

To some extent. We are no maza and could never claim to be, but we know as much as any layman.

[Which is to say, not very much. Just enough to not be unnerved by it, or disbelieve it.]

We hear that you are quite a powerful maza.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Not good enough to keep yourself from Thanos, but Loki ruthlessly buries it. Instead he gives a curt nod. ]

I have been studying magic for scores of years. Some power is to be expected.

[secretarialhand]

[Ah, still irritated. Something certainly lies beneath the surface, though Csevet could not hope to ascertain what it is from just Loki's expression.]

To be sure.

[A pause, slightly uncertain this time.]

We also hear that you have been on this moon for some time, and at the Gramarye for just as long?

[dothelokimotion]

A little over a year by mortal standards. I have been with Gramarye since the beginning.

[secretarialhand]

Mortal? If it is not impolite to ask, does that mean you are not mortal?

[That is certainly intriguing!]

[dothelokimotion]

[ A beat. ]

I am not. At least not in the sense of many here with short-lived lifespans.

[secretarialhand]

[For a long few moments, he's quiet, uncertain how to respond.]

We apologize, we are not certain whether we should congratulate you on your luck or empathize with your plight.

[It's quiet, a little more genuine, and less light and teasing. Then he brushes that off and exhales, lifting his brows.]

Were we to have questions about where things are and who the best people to connect with are, would we be able to rely on you for advice? We are not accustomed to being wrong-footed.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki blinks, surprised by that sentiment. Most people don't usually say how sorry they are to hear he's not mortal, after all. He touches his neck idly, his expression unreadable, but not harsh, the corners of his lips and eyes soft. ]

You may. You are part of Gramarye now. You can rely on my protection in regards to that.

[secretarialhand]

[Though he may not wish to admit it, Csevet has heard and read enough wonder tales to know that immortality is not, perhaps, something that everyone would wish to obtain. It seems that his words have struck a chord, as well, with how Loki touches his neck, the way his expression changes to something softer, warmer.

When he's offered protection, Csevet gives a slight smile, and ducks his head.]

We are exceptionally grateful for that, Mer Loki, though we imagine we would not face too much danger in our position.

[A beat, and then, smile widening just a touch.]

Unless some of the researchers decide to take our requests most unkindly.

[dothelokimotion]

If they do, send them my way.

[ He still has his ways. ]

[secretarialhand]

[His eyes are warm when he responds.]

We certainly will, Mer Loki. It is a relief to have an ally here.

[dothelokimotion]

[ An ally. Him? What a weird thing to say. ]

I'm sure you will make plenty.

[secretarialhand]

[Perhaps a little of the attitude instilled in him from living for years in the Untheileneise Court has bled through in that comment.]

We certainly hope so. We admit to feeling somewhat at a disadvantage, though not ill-used, as we are not familiar with the computers and other machines, nor do we have the network of companions we did at home. Still, we will manage, as we always have.

[dothelokimotion]

You are not alone in that. It takes time but they are not difficult to use, merely different.

Anyone can manage. But one needs to adapt to succeed.

[secretarialhand]

True. We must admit that beyond use of computers, this job is quite well suited to us, though we are perhaps not as happy with it as we were with our job in the Ethuveraz.

Yes, this much we deeply understand, as we have had much call to adapt in our lifetime.

[dothelokimotion]

Oh? Why is that?

[ What trouble could an elf have? ]

[secretarialhand]

[His brows raise slightly, but he smiles just a little.]

We were a courier before we became Secretary for the Emperor. Much of a courier's time is spent traveling to the many corners of the Ethuveraz, and couriers are seen as...unsavoury to say the least. Promiscuous and wanton. So we have had to adapt to many unfortunate situations in our time.

[dothelokimotion]

[ ah. courtly politics. he misses that, sometimes. ]

The courts always tend to be unfortunate in their dealings.

[secretarialhand]

Certainly something that holds true in the Untheileneise Court. Thankfully, our talent for adaptation has aided us in the court as well as when we were a courier.

[dothelokimotion]

[ his lip curls slightly. ]

It is a skill you have to possess or you're doomed for failure.

[secretarialhand]

In truth, it is one of the most valuable skills, along with learning to listen to what happens around us, and remaining composed even under duress.