Post by Cam Pyetr on Mar 5, 2023 17:30:01 GMT -5
Cam felt his shoulders relax in relief when Temperance clapped, not realizing he'd been tense about it until he saw the smile. It was always so difficult to recruit female staff from outside the facility; so many women came in with preconceived notions about what was "fair" and "proper" for witches. It was impossible to show someone the truth of the danger, to explain why the strict protocols and elaborate systems were necessary. Was a bridle a strange and discomforting device? Of course. But what of the risk of women running loose through society who could cast curses and wreak havoc on their friends and neighbors? The ability to wield magic was a gift, but it was also a curse, to the one who held the power and to those around her. Cam could see that Temperance understand the delicate balance of power and control; he saw it in the careful way she moved, the intentionality of her speech, the true care in her eyes when she spoke of helping people. He'd feared the Beldam might shock her, scare her away as it had so many others, but clapping energetically at her side, hope once again bloomed.
Still, better to not let her see how Level 4 prisoners were kept just yet. And she didn't need to know that there was a Level 5. Few of the staff members did, and even the entrance to the Level 4 cellar was hidden, the door kept under lock and key.
Temperance's words pulled Cam's thoughts away from the basement. He gave an encouraging nod at her remark.
"Lots of work, yes. I imagine that's where you will first get to plug into the schedule here, in our residents' treatment sessions. Level 1 patients, the young girls--training washouts and the like--only have sessions thrice a week, sometimes in groups. Levels 2 and 3 have daily sessions with a member of the treatment staff for their . . . therapy, we sometimes call it. You can look through some resident records and see if any strike you as good candidates to start with for your own research, or you can sit in on a few sessions and learn from the shadows, if you prefer."
He trailed off when he saw Leiser heading in their direction, the old man's beady eyes fixed on Temperance like a cat on a spider. The guard was holding the newly freed girl's arm, helping her stand, no doubt taking her back to her Level 2 room. Despite himself, Cam didn't like Leiser--the man was invaluable but off-putting in conversation. Bad impression for a first-time visitor.
Cam lifted a hand in a farewell wave, using his other to steer Temperance towards the door, once again not actually touching her but trying to herd her with his arm.
"We have a tour to take!" He called loudly at the old man. "Excellent work!"
To Temperance he said, more quietly, "I'll show you the grounds and more of the facility, if you're up for a bit of a walk. When did you say you could start?"
Still, better to not let her see how Level 4 prisoners were kept just yet. And she didn't need to know that there was a Level 5. Few of the staff members did, and even the entrance to the Level 4 cellar was hidden, the door kept under lock and key.
Temperance's words pulled Cam's thoughts away from the basement. He gave an encouraging nod at her remark.
"Lots of work, yes. I imagine that's where you will first get to plug into the schedule here, in our residents' treatment sessions. Level 1 patients, the young girls--training washouts and the like--only have sessions thrice a week, sometimes in groups. Levels 2 and 3 have daily sessions with a member of the treatment staff for their . . . therapy, we sometimes call it. You can look through some resident records and see if any strike you as good candidates to start with for your own research, or you can sit in on a few sessions and learn from the shadows, if you prefer."
He trailed off when he saw Leiser heading in their direction, the old man's beady eyes fixed on Temperance like a cat on a spider. The guard was holding the newly freed girl's arm, helping her stand, no doubt taking her back to her Level 2 room. Despite himself, Cam didn't like Leiser--the man was invaluable but off-putting in conversation. Bad impression for a first-time visitor.
Cam lifted a hand in a farewell wave, using his other to steer Temperance towards the door, once again not actually touching her but trying to herd her with his arm.
"We have a tour to take!" He called loudly at the old man. "Excellent work!"
To Temperance he said, more quietly, "I'll show you the grounds and more of the facility, if you're up for a bit of a walk. When did you say you could start?"