He raises an eyebrow wryly, and there's a slight quirk of a smile.
You, not taking an opportunity to pontificate on some roundabout metaphor? I'm shocked.
Though I will say I'm looking forward to discussing the metafiction of this place with you more next time you come by. I don't often get the opportunity to actually use my degree.
Who was the audience for these matches, then? I understand there was a fae of some sort influencing Steven's decisions up until a point, but was there no oversight?
...At the very least, what he describes seems as if it should be in violation of some sort of rule.
[It wasn't as if Amaurotines didn't measure strength, but whatever was going on there would have certainly been caught in Amaurot. Of course they had creatures and creations that misbehaved now and then, but none could simply dominate their people.]
In Steven's case, it would have been for the entertainment of his own and other Lords.
[He should tread carefully here; Steven has actually been doing a good job of not telling anyone about his own Durance - even if Hythlodaeus knows about it from the other Changeling, it still stands on principle to explain it as minimally as possible. It's only safe to assume he knows more than he lets on, but not enough to not want confirmation from a secondary source.]
And Lords aren't particularly inclined to play fair. It's not uncommon for their Taken to die under their alleged care.
So I see. I understood before that it was a cruel circumstance, but not the extent. Well, he has agreed to study under me in an array of topics. One of these topics will be relearning his cognitive empathy to re-calibrate his moral compass. It seems to be troubling him. I am aware of his current outlets, and one of them does concern me as an impediment for his path to self-assured belonging in society as a whole.
To be clear, no one shared this specific piece of information with me— I merely know the difference between someone who has and has not worked alongside Emet-Selch. Steven has attempted to recruit me, and I am still making up my mind.
To make haste to my point, I would ask you if you feel Steven's work will provide him with difficulties in his study.
Steven's work provides him with a great deal of personal and professional satisfaction, and I strongly suggest you do nothing to interfere with it unless you want him as furious at you as he is at Solus.
[...wait he misread Hythlodaeus's text, he only noticed after he sent that. Attempted to recruit...?
Quite the contrary! Steven believes that he is in for a promotion if he can increase the staffing. Ah, I'm so sorry, I should provide just a little more context and speak clearly. I'll start with one point and move to the other.
"Solus" and I were classmates and coworkers for a time. I know the general look and disposition of those who have been forced to cooperate with him when he's in one of his moods. Steven has that disposition... And so have you. I understand that we might be coworkers soon.
In the meantime, before I can confirm any such theories myself, I am asking for your input. Do you feel his work has a negative impact on his cognitive empathy?
As I said, his work brings him joy. He finds it a good way to express himself on both physical and interpersonal levels. He gets satisfaction from operating within the company's direction. But I'm not a psychologist, and I'm not particularly inclined to make comments on his abilities and knowledge in regards to empathy.
If we're going to discuss being coworkers, though, [Because while he makes no secret of his job being data entry, if asked, no-one fucking knows it's for Team Rocket.] I'd be more comfortable with doing so in person.
Nonetheless. I feel that this is a subject of some delicacy, that I'd rather not have documented. I work with rather confidential information and I'd hate for something important to slip because someone happened to read one of our gear in a moment of lapsed guard.
Oh, I have bread in the oven and onions caramelizing. I live quite close to the radio tower, and it should only be a leisurely ten minute walk if you’re so eager. Solus is out and about, but I’m sure he’ll be home for dinner if you’d like to join us.
My, my! Well, Steven and I will be having lunch on Wednesday for sign practice at that very café. It would be useful to our purposes for you to deliver your insights directly.
Make yourself an engaging and well-informed expositor. It's much harder to be written out or killed off for plot reasons when you're a vital part of the narrative, I've personally found.
Steven's given me some informative miscellany on you, but your familiarity with the meta wasn't part of it. I only really picked it out as being you because I'm familiar with your particular cadence.
The postscript gets another faint edge of a smile.
P.S. The teleporting bouncy ball of doom is currently exercising what little restraint she has. Go for it.
[He doesn't like that Hythlodaeus keeps trying to get witnesses in on their meeting, but he supposes of anyone Steven is the more likely to not stop his endeavour.]
That sounds like it ought to work. I can ask to start work a bit later for it. I'll see you there, then.
Text: a few days after the whole Hythlodaeus drama
Do not presume aught about me. I would much rather this discussion be in person, if it's all the same to you. After all, I do not fear you.
Though, I suppose you might fear me, still. Nevertheless, I will leave the choice in your hands. My one act of charity, though you are scarcely so deserving.
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