7-129: Illuminator – Oliver’s Office
Dicard nods as Oliver speaks, and the anger seems to flow out of him.
He gives a little roll of his eyes, possibly the most human Oliver has seen him.
“I had lunch with Mallory myself, just a social catch up; she’s easy to talk to. Nanny went lizard-shit at me. It’s not appropriate for me to repeat what she said but, it wasn’t complimentary. She and Mallory clearly don’t get on.”
He looks Oliver in the eyes, “this is my first high-tier project. I need this to work. Nanny and Frederick have a bigger agenda, and I’m not cleared for all of it, but we’re an important part.”
He gestures to Oliver’s task bar.
“You especially, are an important part. As well as … other things … she said, Nanny expressed concerns that Mallory might try and steal you away to work on her stuff, and that we couldn’t permit that.”
Oliver walks back to start sipping on his coffee.
“As I expected, Nanny is rather easy to read. Her “grandmother” routine is a facade to keep people in check. It’s not like she’s very subtle about it. I think you might deserve better treatment, even if this is your first project. Not to mention, from what I observe, ambition seems to be a way to make your way up in the vizierate world. But that’s not my place, I suppose.
Oliver will follow Dicard’s gesture with his gaze. “Well, I’m not going anywhere. Nanny, by all means, is not keeping me here. Frederick… has a little sway with me. I have no issues working with you. But I’m very interested in this Argyle character, much more than I am about aliens. At the moment, I’m here because I want to be.”
He pauses. “How’s the space sickness? Easier on larger vessels?”