Edwin recognized Thurvishar, of course. It was difficult not to recognize him by his height alone, though Edwin had also been paying especial attention ever since he’d been given his name in regards to magical research at the DOA. He’d not spoken to him yet, at least, nothing more than the usual, brief bits of conversation that might happen between a librarian and a patron. He was determined today, however, to speak with him properly. He’d meant to ask about the DOA on several occasions now, though each time had never quite worked out.
“Good afternoon, Mr. D’lorus,” Edwin greeted him at the checkout desk. “Did you find everything you were looking for?”
Thurvishar tucked a dusty tome entitled “The Generall Historie of the Valmaris Family” beneath his black-clad arm, approximately a million miles away. At the greeting, he looked up and smiled automatically. When he registered the familiar face, the smile grew less perfunctory and more genuine. “I did, thank you Mr. Courcey. This will do nicely.”
He’d been spending a lot of time in the library as of late. Habits, of course, and now he had thrown himself into his work and research as a way to not spend too much time being down about Regina’s exit. Thurvishar was well-used to compartmentalizing, but it didn’t mean he particularly enjoyed it.
“I’ve got an inclination to study the magics separating the fae from the rest of Vallo,” he explained as he passed the book over, “to better understand the magical anomaly that occurred a few months before.”
Edwin took the book, resisted the urge to thumb through the pages – if he tried reading through every book he didn’t recognize that someone tried to check out, he’d never get any actual work done – and signed it out.
“You mean the Sphere?” Edwin asked. It was the only instance of Vallo magic and the fae he could recall of late, but then, he was hardly what one would consider in the know. “I was told that you do magical research for the Department of Outlander Affairs?”
Thurvishar nodded, accepted the book, and put it in the leather satchel. It looked heavy, full as it was with other books, notes, pens, and various magical paraphernalia. “The very one. I’ve been studying dimensions since I’ve arrived here. It initially started as a side-interest, but seeing how Vallo pulls in something foreign nearly every week, it became a necessity.”
He gazed at Edwin, composed, friendly despite the blackness of his eyes. “I am Head of Magical Research, yes. I’ve been in that position for nearly a year now.” Which seemed difficult to believe at this point.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you some questions in that regard,” Edwin asked. “I don’t suppose there’s any chance you have time now? I could brew us a cup of tea in the breakroom if you’d like.”
“I’m always available for tea and magic talk,” Thurvishar said mildly, and gestured to Edwin. “Lead the way.”
He’d been in the employee section of the Library once or twice before, but still: Thurvishar looked around with appreciation. It didn’t matter how many amazing and well-stocked libraries he’d seen in his life; he was always pleased to see more of them. He took a seat at the table, his posture straight, and he regarded Edwin with curiosity. “What’s on your mind?”
Edwin took a moment to put the kettle on and to prepare the teabags for a couple cups of tea, taking advantage of the moment to get his thoughts in order before he took his seat across from Thurvishar.
“Back in my own world, there was very little magical research being done in English, certainly nothing new was being done, or if it was, the knowledge wasn’t made publicly accessible. It has, however, always been a passion of mine. And now I find myself here, in this world, where there are entire institutes of learning dedicated to the magical arts, and government funded positions, and it is, honestly, more than I could have ever dreamed of back home. That is to say, I would like to know what’s required of me to apply for a research position in the Department of Magic.”
Ah. Thurvishar had a notion what sort of conversation this was going to be, and settled in accordingly. “It’s a diverse department,” he said after a moment, “which isn’t surprising given how different everyone’s magic is. Mine is a developed skill, a result of rigorous study. Many of the other employees have abilities due to their birthright, or genetics.” He thought of Gansey, then. “Some are merely interested in the academics of magic. Some are extremely powerful, and some possess little talent of their own. Where do you fall, if you don’t mind my asking?”
He racked his brain for what he knew of the man. Polite to a fault, always. Hadn’t a cottage of his arrived recently? And of course he knew his way around a library.
“I’ve little power myself,” Edwin admitted, and managed to keep most of the bitterness from his voice. He’d had his entire life to come to terms with it, and while he often wished he could do more, he’d learned to grow content with what he was capable of. “I’ve always enjoyed the study of the thing though, and I’ve worked out a few of my own spells as well. Little things, mostly, that don’t require much magic.”
Thurvishar’s ability to read minds had long since been dampened by Vallo’s magic, but it didn’t take telepathy to hear Edwin’s tired frustration in his admittal to a lack of power. Thurvishar gave a nod, addressing that he’d heard it, and moved on: that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. In his world, everyone had some ability, but frequently it was barely enough for a half-hearted warming charm. He wasn’t a snob.
“An innovative mind is frequently more useful than sheer power, anyway,” he said, “especially here. Someone that examines data from all angles sees more, I think, than someone who can push their way through.” It was a lesson he’d learned himself. His problem had never been raw power, of course, but his frequent inability to deploy it, given his life-long tether to an evil sorcerer’s will. Thurishar didn’t mind “sneaky” or “detailed” in a person.
“What would you see your day-to-day like, in an ideal world?” he asked. “Would it be a side position? Or full-time?” Tya knew he had paperwork for days available, even with Sabrina’s ample help. But Thurvishar didn’t believe in throwing boring projects at people as a rule; he liked to take advantage of their natural inclinations - and the easiest way to get to the bottom of those was to ask.
Edwin suppressed the rush of pleasure at that. Very few people in his own world recognized the usefulness of innovation. If one had enough power to bulldoze their way through a problem, they usually did. He had, on occasion, crafted spells to be used by more powerful magicians than himself, but generally, most people had overlooked his abilities. Sometimes, recently, he wondered if that hadn’t been for the best.
“I couldn’t rightly say,” Edwin admitted. “Ideally, I’d still like to be able to work at the Library, if I could.”
It was an interesting problem to have. Edwin had never particularly minded his job as a civil servant back home. The work wasn’t unpleasant, and it had been made clear to him that he could never expect to get anything better with the amount of magic he possessed. But when he was younger, more idealistic, he’d dreamed of being a librarian proper – not just to his family’s private library – or a researcher. Anything that would pose an intellectual challenge.
And here he was, faced with the prospect of being able to work both of his dream jobs, and he found the choice impossible.
Thurvishar smiled, amused, but it lacked condescension. He certainly could understand the dazzle of possibility after having had none. “Give it some thought, and once you’ve got an idea of what sort of schedule would suit you, I can provide more specific advice. I can say, however, that I’ve enjoyed growing the department since I’ve taken on my position, and given the breadth of discipline and day-to-day needs, I wouldn’t be opposed to you seeking employment within the DOA. I can’t promise anything at present, but I don’t perceive any obstacle, either, if that is what you decide.” He took a sip of tea. “...if you do, I suggest you bring in your own snacks. The ones paid for by the organization aren’t nearly so tasty.”
Edwin should have felt more embarrassed by how ill-prepared he’d been by a question as simple as ‘what would you like your schedule to be,’ and he realized, belatedly, that some part of him had been certain that he’d be turned away without a second thought. Instead of embarrassment, he felt a sort of pleased relief.
“Yes, I suspect as much is true with every government,” Edwin remarked dryly, a hint of a smile on his lips. “But I’ll certainly be in touch. Is the Network the best way to reach you?”
“Yes, just message me and I’ll get back to you. You can drop by the office as well, but I may or may not be in depending upon the catastrophe of the moment.” Thurvishar’s voice was wry. “I think I’m supposed to give you my phone number, but I’m not even going to pretend to understand or like that monstrosity.” He set his teacup onto the saucer delicately.
“Thank you for the tea. Do you have any other questions for me?”
Edwin had no particular objection to telephones – in fact, he rather liked the idea. They were still a relatively new concept in Edwin’s days, certainly nothing like the handheld devices available here in Vallo, but they were a novel concept, and he’d been planning on having one installed in his mother’s room before he’d wound up here, so that he could call her from London whenever he wished, instead of relying on letter writing.
Then again, he didn’t particularly enjoy the idea that just anyone could call him whenever they wished, so he understood the reluctance toward them.
“No, nothing leaps to mind that I cannot ask if I get the job,” Edwin said, offering him a smile. “I’ll be certain to send you a message if any come to mind, however. Thank you for your time.”
Thurvishar gave a nod, and stood, all six-foot-whatever of him unfolding from the desk. “Please do. You’re welcome any time.” It wasn’t an invitation he gave to anyone - unfortunately, those that needed to be gotten rid of tended to be given Sabrina’s information (Sabrina, however, was very good at stonewalling when need be. Thurvishar had no idea how he’d functioned before her). “I’ll be taking my book and heading out, then. Tya keep you.”