How Best to Assist You
Jul 10, 2018 19:03:54 GMT -6
Post by Snick on Jul 10, 2018 19:03:54 GMT -6
Elizabeta knocked upon Mr. Llewellyn's door. Given she was to be his Aide once again this year, she wanted to talk to him before classes officially start. It would ensure she was prepared and ready to help in any capacity Mr. Llewellyn needed her to do. She found the former FBI man quite intriguing and enjoyed not only his class but the dueling club as well. She was quite good at it, better than most. Only a few students gave her a real challenge which she thrived on. One of them unfortunately graduated last year, which disappointed her. He was fun to duel and their skill was good enough they both ended up even on number of wins. Unfortunately they couldn't break that tie. Hopefully this year some of her other challenges practiced over the summer sufficiently to keep being a challenge for her. If not, dueling club may get rather boring.
Smirking she knew she will challenge Mr. Llewellyn again. He defeated her without any real contest but every few months she challenged him. Each time she fought with him, she learned a little more. Of course she realized he was always holding back, using the 'safe' spells they were restricted to in the Dueling club. Elizabeta will not consider her an accomplished dueler till she defeated him at least once.
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Ted's office door opened with a soft click, and as it drew open, Elizabeta could see the Defense teacher pinning a fresh newspaper clipping, that he'd obviously clipped from one of the mangled newspapers on his desk, to the cork bulletin board on his wall. The headline on the article read that a 78 year old man in Albany died from a blood transfusion.
"Good morning, Miss Nicoli." He said, studying the article and several others that he had pinned to his wall. They were on wildly differing subjects, and only Ted could really see a pattern between them if one existed. A hailstorm in Nebraska, a fire in a tenement in Harlem, peace negotiations initiated in Bosnia after several days of NATO air raids... There was no real pattern to them, and at various points in the day, articles would be taken down and replaced. "How might I help you today?"
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"Good morning Mr. Llewellyn." She said politely looking over at him as she spoke. "I thought I would check in since I am to be your Teacher's Aide again this school year, which pleases me greatly. I certainly enjoyed helping you last year and I am sure this year will be as enjoying for me. I felt we could get a head start on what specific tasks I am to assist with this year, in addition to the main duties I did last year."
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Ted barked out a harsh laugh at her words, and turned to look at her. Maybe she was mistaking him for her Legacy Advisor or something. "Careful, Miss Nicoli, if another student had heard you say such things, they would probably accuse you of sucking up." Sure, it was nice to be praised, and Elizabeta was an excellent student, but too much effusive praise, in Ted's book, was grounds for suspicion. It made him want to ask what it was she really wanted.
"If I'm to be honest, I hadn't planned far enough ahead to provide you any additional duties at present. I could always pile on more busywork, of course, but that would be an insult to your skills. However, if you're willing to take on more responsibilities, let me set you a task." Folding his arms behind his back, he turned to look at her fully. "In the basement of Novus Ordo Secolorum's legacy house, where their most secret rituals are held, there is a large circular rug that covers the center of the room. I would like for you to go in there, lift up the rug and take photos of any sigils or runes that lay underneath."
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Elizabeta frowned. Maybe she was being a bit too 'helpful' sounding but she found the man interesting if simply for the fact he was such a mystery. That and she suspected he knew far more about the dark arts and how to stand against them, then he's taught so far in his class. Not to mention his dueling skill.
When he asked her to take photos of the hidden sigils or runes underneath the rug in the ritual room she stared at him in a mix of surprise, of being insulted and anger. Was this some sort of test?
"Mr. Llewellyn I am sure if you want to know what lies beneath the rug in the basement of the Novus Ordo Secolorum's legacy House you can simply ask Mr. Glassman. I expect he will be more than willing to show you the room in question." She focused her attention completely on her DADA instructor, sensing he had a specific reason for asking her and she doubted it was just because it was the first thing that came to mind. Was he testing her to see if she was more loyal to her legacy than she was to him? Or was it possible he had already asked Mr. Glassman to see that room and for reasons of his own, Mr. Glassman refused. If that was so, why? then again Why did Mr. Llewellyn want to know if there were any runes there? It certainly made her all the more curious about the symbols of the basement in the Legacy House.
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Lifting himself up onto the balls of his feet, Ted let himself slowly rock back onto his heels, a move that was more fitting of a teenager than a man who was pushing sixty. "I'm sure I could just ask Howard for that." He said in a disinterested manner. Whether he was disinterested in Glassman, Elizabeta or the issue of the sigils under the rug was up for debate. "Perhaps this was all a test to determine the lengths you are willing to go to further your ambitions in the area of dueling. Or perhaps this was a test Howard devised, with my assistance, to determine your loyalty and discretion when you were forced to make a choice between mentors."
He turned back to his desk, picked up another article and pinned it to the board. It was about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame being opened in Cleveland. "It does put you in a rather awkward position, I must admit."
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Elizabeta narrowed her eyes. This was a test and Mr. Llewellyn certainly laid out the possibilities. Yet she could think of a couple more. They could both be testing her, or this was totally hypothetical, designed to rattle her. "It would really only be a choice between mentors, if the two mentors in question, were aligned against one another."
She studied the man's every movement, trying to figure out just where he was going with this rather.. unusual turn. Her mind was calculating which mentor, if she had to chose between the two, would benefit her in the long run? The Legacy houses weren't secret societies as far as the staff was concerned, would it even be a breach of her loyalties to do as Mr. Llewellyn asked? Then again she could simply go right up to Mr. Glassman and tell him exactly what Mr. Llewellyn requested and maybe gain his permission. Thus she will have both mentors assured of her loyalty. Too many what ifs really. In the end it will come down to which of the two could benefit her the most. The hard part, is figuring who could benefit her the most. In combat, Mr. Llewellyn certainly was a high contender, yet in magical research Mr. Glassman may be the better. But, there is also the influence both teachers have in the world outside the school, which would also play an important role. These thoughts ran through her mind as she watched Mr. Llewellyn attach another article upon the board.
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"That's an excellent point." Ted said calmly, not letting on either way what was going on inside his head. "Would it surprise you that Howard and I are drinking buddies on the weekends? We go to Tavern on the Gallows in Danvers on the weekend. The man plays a mean game of chess. He favors Rob Roys, and I prefer a whiskey; single malt, neat. We usually close the place down."
"You might say that it's a friendly rivalry." He mused. "If you're interested in making connections with all the right sort of people, Howard would be the one to help you." He said, almost as if reading her mind. "I, on the other hand... I'm an old G-man who's teaching defensive magic to high schoolers. And, according to more than a few people, I'm quite paranoid." He said this with a hint of a smile. Maybe he was enjoying this.
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"There is the old saying, 'keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer'. It really makes one wonder if an apparent friendly rivalry or even friendship hides a different purpose." Elizabeta said hypothetically, suddenly finding she was enjoying this conversation, this whole back and forth of possibilities that don't really answer anything. "As for paranoia, you can't be paranoid if somebody is out to get you. Given your past, what little of it I know of, its a strong possibility you have a reason to be."
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"And how do you know that someone is an enemy unless the Good Lord turns their ankles that we may know them by their limping?" Ted asked evasively. "You have many rivals in this school. Even in your own Legacy House. But do you have any enemies? Don't answer now, just mull it over, we'll return to it."
"I've offered you an assignment and you're balking at it. So, what if I offered you an incentive to do it?" He asked, moving to take a legal pad out of his desk and beginning to write on it. "This is a note to the Principal, stating that..." His usual rhythmic tones slowed as he spoke what he was writing out. "...That I believe your prodigious talents and skills to be wasted as my Aide. That I believe you would be better served in a position that allows you to express your compassionate and nurturing side..." Was there a hint of Irony as he said this? "...And I am therefore recommending that you be reassigned to help Miss Dewsnip with her Special Education classes."
He tapped the sheet of paper with his wand, and it folded itself neatly into a paper airplane. He then slipped it into an inner pocket of his coat. "In chess, this would be where I say, 'Check.'"
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"Did I say I would not do it?" Elizabeta hissed, her temper rising up at his blatant insult. Taking a deep breath she tamped it down. Now wasn't the time to let her temper get out of her control. She had worked hard to get this close to Mr. Llewellyn she wasn't going to blow it by telling him shove his note up his ass. No, he was right in one thing, he was far better an ally and mentor to her than most in this school. There was just..something about Mr. Glassman that appealed to her. She didn't want to burn her relationship with him either. Though other than Potions class and being the advisor to her Legacy, they didn't work as closely as she did with Mr. Llewelyn.
"How soon do you want the pictures?" She asked, her temper now under control so her voice was once more perfectly normal. She still had her several options left and one will be certain to serve her well in the long run. Besides she was curious to see if there was anything under the round rug in the basement of Novus Ordo Secolorum's Legacy house worth studying. If Mr. Llewellyn found they may be of interest, then they probably are. The symbols all had meanings, that much she knew.
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Ted reached into a different drawer of his desk and pulled out a small camera -- The sort of camera they used in spy movies. "Monday morning will suffice." He said, sizing her up with his gaze. Would she do it? Would she talk to her Legacy advisor and resort to some sort of chicanery? "You do realize that I am putting a great deal of trust in you, do you not, Miss Nicoli?"
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Elizabeta met his gaze, trying to work out his thoughts. There was a magical spell to allow one to read another's thoughts, something she read about, but definitely didn't know how to do. Not yet anyway. This task wasn't going to be an easy one, and knowing what was behind Mr. Llewellyn's blue eyes, what he was thinking, why he wanted to know what was under the rug...she had no idea but she certainly wished she did.
No matter what she decided to do, it all came down to whether betraying the secrets of her Legacy was worth the potential cost if she was caught. She could of course tell Mr. Grassman about Mr. Llewellyn's request but that had the potential of loosing Mr. Llewellyn's trust if he found out. She was quite certain by Monday, she could decide how best to handle this so she will gain the most, and still get the picture by Monday.
"I do realize the fact, Mr. Llewellyn and I am pleased you put that much trust in me. I won't let you down." She decided saying that much, would not be a deception. She didn't want to let him down. At this moment she felt he did have more to teach her outside of classes, than Mr. Glassman. yet there were secrets to Mr. Glassman too, what they are she had no idea...the man just oozed being the sort who had secrets. Maybe those secrets would be completely useless to her, but even those type of secrets could be useful, if for nothing more than blackmail. Petty but whatever works in the long run.
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Ted nodded succinctly and said, "Very good. I will speak to you more when you deliver the film." He then rose from his seat and pinned another article to the board, this one about 42 seniors dying in a nursing home from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a faulty water heater. He leaned against the edge of his desk, then, and studied the board as if trying to figure out if the stories were somehow connected, or just random events. In the years since he had left the FBI and lost many of his contacts that were "in the know," this was his only means of tracking covert magical activity bleeding over into the Muggle world, and some days he would stand and stare at these sorts of articles for hours.
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Elizabeta watched him a few minutes, always curious about what he seeks in the articles he continually pins up on his board. There were always muggle papers, always relating to some occurrence in the Muggle world but what interests him specifically about them she had yet to figure out. She was once again tempted to ask questions about his personal project but decided now wasn't the time.
"I will see you Monday morning Mr. Llewellyn." She said, pocketing the small camera then taking her leave.
Smirking she knew she will challenge Mr. Llewellyn again. He defeated her without any real contest but every few months she challenged him. Each time she fought with him, she learned a little more. Of course she realized he was always holding back, using the 'safe' spells they were restricted to in the Dueling club. Elizabeta will not consider her an accomplished dueler till she defeated him at least once.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ted's office door opened with a soft click, and as it drew open, Elizabeta could see the Defense teacher pinning a fresh newspaper clipping, that he'd obviously clipped from one of the mangled newspapers on his desk, to the cork bulletin board on his wall. The headline on the article read that a 78 year old man in Albany died from a blood transfusion.
"Good morning, Miss Nicoli." He said, studying the article and several others that he had pinned to his wall. They were on wildly differing subjects, and only Ted could really see a pattern between them if one existed. A hailstorm in Nebraska, a fire in a tenement in Harlem, peace negotiations initiated in Bosnia after several days of NATO air raids... There was no real pattern to them, and at various points in the day, articles would be taken down and replaced. "How might I help you today?"
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"Good morning Mr. Llewellyn." She said politely looking over at him as she spoke. "I thought I would check in since I am to be your Teacher's Aide again this school year, which pleases me greatly. I certainly enjoyed helping you last year and I am sure this year will be as enjoying for me. I felt we could get a head start on what specific tasks I am to assist with this year, in addition to the main duties I did last year."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ted barked out a harsh laugh at her words, and turned to look at her. Maybe she was mistaking him for her Legacy Advisor or something. "Careful, Miss Nicoli, if another student had heard you say such things, they would probably accuse you of sucking up." Sure, it was nice to be praised, and Elizabeta was an excellent student, but too much effusive praise, in Ted's book, was grounds for suspicion. It made him want to ask what it was she really wanted.
"If I'm to be honest, I hadn't planned far enough ahead to provide you any additional duties at present. I could always pile on more busywork, of course, but that would be an insult to your skills. However, if you're willing to take on more responsibilities, let me set you a task." Folding his arms behind his back, he turned to look at her fully. "In the basement of Novus Ordo Secolorum's legacy house, where their most secret rituals are held, there is a large circular rug that covers the center of the room. I would like for you to go in there, lift up the rug and take photos of any sigils or runes that lay underneath."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeta frowned. Maybe she was being a bit too 'helpful' sounding but she found the man interesting if simply for the fact he was such a mystery. That and she suspected he knew far more about the dark arts and how to stand against them, then he's taught so far in his class. Not to mention his dueling skill.
When he asked her to take photos of the hidden sigils or runes underneath the rug in the ritual room she stared at him in a mix of surprise, of being insulted and anger. Was this some sort of test?
"Mr. Llewellyn I am sure if you want to know what lies beneath the rug in the basement of the Novus Ordo Secolorum's legacy House you can simply ask Mr. Glassman. I expect he will be more than willing to show you the room in question." She focused her attention completely on her DADA instructor, sensing he had a specific reason for asking her and she doubted it was just because it was the first thing that came to mind. Was he testing her to see if she was more loyal to her legacy than she was to him? Or was it possible he had already asked Mr. Glassman to see that room and for reasons of his own, Mr. Glassman refused. If that was so, why? then again Why did Mr. Llewellyn want to know if there were any runes there? It certainly made her all the more curious about the symbols of the basement in the Legacy House.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifting himself up onto the balls of his feet, Ted let himself slowly rock back onto his heels, a move that was more fitting of a teenager than a man who was pushing sixty. "I'm sure I could just ask Howard for that." He said in a disinterested manner. Whether he was disinterested in Glassman, Elizabeta or the issue of the sigils under the rug was up for debate. "Perhaps this was all a test to determine the lengths you are willing to go to further your ambitions in the area of dueling. Or perhaps this was a test Howard devised, with my assistance, to determine your loyalty and discretion when you were forced to make a choice between mentors."
He turned back to his desk, picked up another article and pinned it to the board. It was about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame being opened in Cleveland. "It does put you in a rather awkward position, I must admit."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeta narrowed her eyes. This was a test and Mr. Llewellyn certainly laid out the possibilities. Yet she could think of a couple more. They could both be testing her, or this was totally hypothetical, designed to rattle her. "It would really only be a choice between mentors, if the two mentors in question, were aligned against one another."
She studied the man's every movement, trying to figure out just where he was going with this rather.. unusual turn. Her mind was calculating which mentor, if she had to chose between the two, would benefit her in the long run? The Legacy houses weren't secret societies as far as the staff was concerned, would it even be a breach of her loyalties to do as Mr. Llewellyn asked? Then again she could simply go right up to Mr. Glassman and tell him exactly what Mr. Llewellyn requested and maybe gain his permission. Thus she will have both mentors assured of her loyalty. Too many what ifs really. In the end it will come down to which of the two could benefit her the most. The hard part, is figuring who could benefit her the most. In combat, Mr. Llewellyn certainly was a high contender, yet in magical research Mr. Glassman may be the better. But, there is also the influence both teachers have in the world outside the school, which would also play an important role. These thoughts ran through her mind as she watched Mr. Llewellyn attach another article upon the board.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"That's an excellent point." Ted said calmly, not letting on either way what was going on inside his head. "Would it surprise you that Howard and I are drinking buddies on the weekends? We go to Tavern on the Gallows in Danvers on the weekend. The man plays a mean game of chess. He favors Rob Roys, and I prefer a whiskey; single malt, neat. We usually close the place down."
"You might say that it's a friendly rivalry." He mused. "If you're interested in making connections with all the right sort of people, Howard would be the one to help you." He said, almost as if reading her mind. "I, on the other hand... I'm an old G-man who's teaching defensive magic to high schoolers. And, according to more than a few people, I'm quite paranoid." He said this with a hint of a smile. Maybe he was enjoying this.
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"There is the old saying, 'keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer'. It really makes one wonder if an apparent friendly rivalry or even friendship hides a different purpose." Elizabeta said hypothetically, suddenly finding she was enjoying this conversation, this whole back and forth of possibilities that don't really answer anything. "As for paranoia, you can't be paranoid if somebody is out to get you. Given your past, what little of it I know of, its a strong possibility you have a reason to be."
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"And how do you know that someone is an enemy unless the Good Lord turns their ankles that we may know them by their limping?" Ted asked evasively. "You have many rivals in this school. Even in your own Legacy House. But do you have any enemies? Don't answer now, just mull it over, we'll return to it."
"I've offered you an assignment and you're balking at it. So, what if I offered you an incentive to do it?" He asked, moving to take a legal pad out of his desk and beginning to write on it. "This is a note to the Principal, stating that..." His usual rhythmic tones slowed as he spoke what he was writing out. "...That I believe your prodigious talents and skills to be wasted as my Aide. That I believe you would be better served in a position that allows you to express your compassionate and nurturing side..." Was there a hint of Irony as he said this? "...And I am therefore recommending that you be reassigned to help Miss Dewsnip with her Special Education classes."
He tapped the sheet of paper with his wand, and it folded itself neatly into a paper airplane. He then slipped it into an inner pocket of his coat. "In chess, this would be where I say, 'Check.'"
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"Did I say I would not do it?" Elizabeta hissed, her temper rising up at his blatant insult. Taking a deep breath she tamped it down. Now wasn't the time to let her temper get out of her control. She had worked hard to get this close to Mr. Llewellyn she wasn't going to blow it by telling him shove his note up his ass. No, he was right in one thing, he was far better an ally and mentor to her than most in this school. There was just..something about Mr. Glassman that appealed to her. She didn't want to burn her relationship with him either. Though other than Potions class and being the advisor to her Legacy, they didn't work as closely as she did with Mr. Llewelyn.
"How soon do you want the pictures?" She asked, her temper now under control so her voice was once more perfectly normal. She still had her several options left and one will be certain to serve her well in the long run. Besides she was curious to see if there was anything under the round rug in the basement of Novus Ordo Secolorum's Legacy house worth studying. If Mr. Llewellyn found they may be of interest, then they probably are. The symbols all had meanings, that much she knew.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ted reached into a different drawer of his desk and pulled out a small camera -- The sort of camera they used in spy movies. "Monday morning will suffice." He said, sizing her up with his gaze. Would she do it? Would she talk to her Legacy advisor and resort to some sort of chicanery? "You do realize that I am putting a great deal of trust in you, do you not, Miss Nicoli?"
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Elizabeta met his gaze, trying to work out his thoughts. There was a magical spell to allow one to read another's thoughts, something she read about, but definitely didn't know how to do. Not yet anyway. This task wasn't going to be an easy one, and knowing what was behind Mr. Llewellyn's blue eyes, what he was thinking, why he wanted to know what was under the rug...she had no idea but she certainly wished she did.
No matter what she decided to do, it all came down to whether betraying the secrets of her Legacy was worth the potential cost if she was caught. She could of course tell Mr. Grassman about Mr. Llewellyn's request but that had the potential of loosing Mr. Llewellyn's trust if he found out. She was quite certain by Monday, she could decide how best to handle this so she will gain the most, and still get the picture by Monday.
"I do realize the fact, Mr. Llewellyn and I am pleased you put that much trust in me. I won't let you down." She decided saying that much, would not be a deception. She didn't want to let him down. At this moment she felt he did have more to teach her outside of classes, than Mr. Glassman. yet there were secrets to Mr. Glassman too, what they are she had no idea...the man just oozed being the sort who had secrets. Maybe those secrets would be completely useless to her, but even those type of secrets could be useful, if for nothing more than blackmail. Petty but whatever works in the long run.
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Ted nodded succinctly and said, "Very good. I will speak to you more when you deliver the film." He then rose from his seat and pinned another article to the board, this one about 42 seniors dying in a nursing home from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a faulty water heater. He leaned against the edge of his desk, then, and studied the board as if trying to figure out if the stories were somehow connected, or just random events. In the years since he had left the FBI and lost many of his contacts that were "in the know," this was his only means of tracking covert magical activity bleeding over into the Muggle world, and some days he would stand and stare at these sorts of articles for hours.
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Elizabeta watched him a few minutes, always curious about what he seeks in the articles he continually pins up on his board. There were always muggle papers, always relating to some occurrence in the Muggle world but what interests him specifically about them she had yet to figure out. She was once again tempted to ask questions about his personal project but decided now wasn't the time.
"I will see you Monday morning Mr. Llewellyn." She said, pocketing the small camera then taking her leave.
