milliways_bar | (no subject)

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When Autor steps through the door today, his clothes remain the same: white pants, oversized gray sweater, and glasses. What changes are the ears. Not his, necessarily--those still remain human--but he sprouts fuzzy, gray, and pointed kitten ears on top of his head with a soft, "Oh!" The tail is also new, and telegraphs his body language as the tip curves upward in agitation.

"Really?" he calls up to the ceiling. "Come on!"

Experimentally, he brushes his fingers against one of his fuzzy new appendages--and tears his hand away, blushing. They point in different directions, moving independently of one another to show his ambivalence with the costume.

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"Indeed," Autor says, nodding. "Do the cards tell you how big of a change he'll be making?"

"Very big indeed, so far as I can tell. When I ask, I draw the Tower as the answer."

"I've only got passing familiarity with the Tarot," Autor says, his ears swiveling about. "What does the Tower signify aside from big changes?"

"Sometimes destructive change, or an ending. But sometimes liberation."

"I see," Autor says, his ears perking forward again. "So it's a tossup, really, what this new gentlemen will change things for you."

He nods. "I hope it does not signify destruction that can't be repaired. But it is out of my hands."

"What other cards have you drawn for this person?" Autor says, his tail wrapping around his hips. "And what do they mean?"

"The Magician. That signifies the person who will bring the change, and is only the name of the card... but in this case may be accurate even down to that. The Wheel of Fortune, meaning his station in life will change. The Hermit, which often comes up when I question them about Mr Norrell."

"It makes sense that Mr. Norrell would be the Hermit," Autor says, lacing his fingers together. His ears point straight up. "What will you do if this person is a true Magician?"

"It will depend on what he wants of us." He studies the cards. "If to learn, I will do all I can to smooth his way. But if it seems Mr Norrell needs protecting from him..."

"Indeed," Autor says, nodding. "Your first duty is to your master after all."

"And to English magic, of which Mr Norrell is the custodian just now. If this man means harm, I will stand in his way."

"I hope it doesn't come to that," Autor says, shaking his head. His ears lay flat against his skull. "Hopefully he'll come to learn, and hopefully Mr. Norrell will be receptive."

Childermass nods. "I think all he will have to do, if he is the right kind of gentleman, is to prove his ability and the will to use it for good."

"I hope you're right about that," Autor says, with a crooked smile. "It'd be awful if he had the talent and no will to use it for good means, but selfish ones."

"I have ways of my own", Childermass says quietly, "to stop him if he seems likely to do that. But I hope I will not need to."

"Hopefully not," Autor says, shaking his head. His tail curves downward, the tip twitching. "Best of luck managing this new gentlemen and Mr. Norrell. I have a feeling the latter doesn't respond to change well."

"He doesn't like it. Nor does he like other magicians much, but finding a true practical magician he can keep company with may change that."

He doesn't dream of raising himself to that status. He never has.

"And yet, you'll be dismissed if he finds out about your abilities?" Autor says, offering him a skeptical look. "Why do you think so?"

"I'm his servant", Childermass says flatly. "I could never be his pupil, let alone his equal."

"That's too bad," Autor says, furrowing his brow. His ears flatten against his head again. "You're hiding your talent right under his nose. If he were the least bit observant... Well. I wish you could become his equal."

"He has done more for me than most", he says fairly. "Allows me a great deal of latitude, where other gentlemen would expect their servants to dress and speak and behave exactly as they order."

"That's all well and good, but the way I see it you're being hamstrung," Autor says, pursing his lips. "I don't know how you can stand it. I certainly couldn't."

"I am a patient man", he says with a quick unamused smile. "And I must be where I am. I could have learned no magic else, and - I think he will need me."

"Fair enough," Autor says, shrugging. His ears twitch. "You are more patient than me, obviously. I hope you'll be there for him when he needs you--and that he'll be grateful to you as a master can be."