[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

could poss wrap in the next tag or so, w them being Businessy?

[portalling]

“Yeah.” How much can you trust the Circles to actually do what they said they would? Strange won’t name that particular mistrust aloud, but it likely already goes unsaid.

And they’ve gotten off-track, but it’s easy to do with each other: he’s always interested enough to pick Julius’ brain, to get his perspective on the local history and politics and mage issues.

Fingers tapping on the pile of paperwork, Strange eventually veers them back. “Is there anything you’d specifically like from me as Head Healer, apart from what we’ve already covered? The only other thing on my mind is that sometime in the new year, I’ll be doing a survey to update our medical records. Find out if there’s any special circumstances or conditions I need to account for, officially list allergies so someone doesn’t die if the kitchens cook something with peanuts in, etc.”

places a bow to make room for new things

[overharrowed]

He smiles a bit, as if to acknowledge how far they'd wandered. "I think we've made a good start. The survey sounds like a good idea. Let me know how things go with the templars, and I'll keep you updated with my progress on your list. I expect I'll set up office hours soon, but in the meantime, if you think a standing meeting could be helpful, I'm open to that. Or if you'd rather just reach out when you think something merits my attention, I trust your judgment."

Stephen's hands are likely to be full (more than Julius knows, in fact), and it seems best to Julius to start things as a collaboration, rather than an attempt to flex his new authority.