[OPEN-ISH] Sometimes I feel like my brain turns to leaves

[overharrowed]

WHO: Julius, Ellie, Strange, Barrow, Wysteria, Benedict, and anyone else who wants to tap in
WHAT: Julius has a new job
WHEN: Vaguely after the return from the Silent Plains
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: Feel free to tag in responding to the main text, or talk to me OOC if you'd like to hash out a bespoke starter.

When Julius realized he was the last dedicated project leader remaining, it had been clear to him that the position was likely to change or vanish in short order. The organization has contracted, and distinctions that were once useful have become redundant. It's not as if his knowledge from the project would be lost, or that he doesn't trust the new division heads. To the contrary, he's worked with Niehaus on red lyrium for years, and Derrica is among his nearest and dearest. They are sensible choices and that are also personally advantageous to him.

If a small part of his mind registers frustration at not swinging up the ladder himself, there's another part ready to point out all the reasons he wasn't the most strategic choice, many of which were the results of his own actions. It's fine.

Seneschal is unquestionably a position they need filled, and also one that requires trust. He's here because he's earned that. And he's willing to shelve his own ambitions (or at least turn them down a bit) in the name of a well-run, effective organization. It's not as if he isn't a practical man. But it's an adjustment. It certainly feels a bit like starting over, not least as he settles into a new office. He's not set official office hours yet, but he can be found sorting through a variety of books, papers, and correspondence more often than not for the first week or so.

Comments

[overharrowed]

"I can't promise the results, but I've always been rather handy with glyphs. I'm happy to take a look." He seems mildly cheered that the suggestion was met well. "And in the meantime, I'll make some notes for you about spells that might be useful. Perhaps we can schedule some time to experiment, before we move on to attempting a broader application."

[thereneverwas]

"Brilliant." Barrow smiles, a warm and genuine grin tinged with relief. Finally, someone smart and magical who isn't also terrifying. "My afternoons are usually pretty open, when I'm not fucking about with the fortifications."
But this also counts as fucking about, so there's license.

[overharrowed]

Julius smiles too, and if it's less broad, it's not without warmth. It's nice to feel like he can offer at least some immediate assistance. "I'm working out when my office hours will be, but I'm sure I can find time to coordinate with you. I might also mention it to Provost Niehaus; I know our Research division is busy, but it's the sort of problem that might interest them and might not otherwise come to their attention."

[thereneverwas]

"I'll do so, then," Barrow muses, "been meaning to bother them about a few things anyway." Viktor's not off the hook for his nebulous statement about whatever amazing thing they're working on, after all.

places a bow

[overharrowed]

"Excellent. Keep me posted, and I'll get back to you with the notes on glyphs. We'll see what we can do about the problem in lieu of pulling new personnel out of thin air." Or, considering rifters, until they pull them out of thin air. "I'll be in touch."