[This thing he's gotten himself into is, and this is no exaggeration, the absolutely best thing that ever could have happened to his career. Dangerous? Oh, yes. Of course it is. He'd be stupid not to realize how many people Jack's killed over the past, what, like two weeks? That alone ought to tip him off, never mind his reputation. But if you can get past that (and Rhys is so confident that he alone can get past that, because he's smart), well. Apprentice to the sorcerer in the land has its perks.
Like: the networking. Like: the insanely detailed and enormously competent library Jack has amassed. Like: he literally gets to study the master at work. Like, think anything about his morals you want, but at the end of the day, the guy is successful, and that's what matters. Plus, well . . . sure, maybe there's a bit of a crush situation going on here, but you know what, that's fine. Plenty of people have a crush on their heroes. Fewer get to work with them, but like, again, it's not like Rhys ever set out to be like other people. At least it isn't utterly unreturned: not a crush, maybe, but Jack clearly has been looking at him. Not overwhelmingly, not to the point of discomfort, but . . . looking, here and there. It's not as if Rhys hasn't encouraged it, all form-fitting leggings beneath his robes (which are, of course, all perfectly tailored to fit his frame). It's good. It's flattering.
It's going to get him ahead.
It's been four weeks. And now Jack wants to see the fruits of his labor . . .
The important thing, Rhys knows, is to impress him. That above all else is vital. Any act of audacity can be excused if it's impressive; a fumbling pass and a few light-up tricks aren't going to cut it. He's got a few things planned, clever tricks that range from cheeky to ambitious, but first . . .
A bow, short and swift, as he takes in the open bottle of wine.]
I have a few things ready, if you wanted to leap right in . . .
[Not that he does, exactly, but he'll let Jack dictate the beats of this meeting.]
[Jack chuckles as he looks up at Rhys, an amused little glint in his mismatched eyes. He gestures to the chair on the other side of his desk - not as nice as his, but still nice.]
Relax, sit down a minute. What's the hurry?
[He wants an honest assessment here, he doesn't want the guy screwing up because he's nervous or something like that. He wants to see what Rhys can really do, now that he's had a month's worth of a real education.]
[The hurry is that his nerves are threatening to eat him alive, actually, if you want to know the truth. He isn't showing it, he's not some amateur, but god, he wants this to go well. But better to take his cues from Jack, and so he takes a seat. One long, lanky leg encased in leather crosses over the other, his back arching as he sits up straight.]
The hurry? Not much. It's just—
[Play it cool. Be confident, but not arrogant. Charming, not cocky. He offers Jack a little smile.]
I just have something that I think is really going to impress you. I've been working on it for weeks.
[But he isn't rushing just yet. Instead, he glances at the wine.]
If you have cups, I can pour.
[It's not that he's so opposed to sharing a glass or two with Jack, after all.]
[Jack nods to a low table by a window, there's a selection of glasses and liquor set out. But not before giving an appreciative glance at Rhys' legs.]
So you got something impressive, huh? Been working hard? We like to see that! Too many assholes out there want all the perks of magic without all the work. Get all pissed off when it's actually friggin hard to master.
[Part of why Jack so very rarely bothers to teach anyone anything, let alone take on an apprentice.]
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Like: the networking. Like: the insanely detailed and enormously competent library Jack has amassed. Like: he literally gets to study the master at work. Like, think anything about his morals you want, but at the end of the day, the guy is successful, and that's what matters. Plus, well . . . sure, maybe there's a bit of a crush situation going on here, but you know what, that's fine. Plenty of people have a crush on their heroes. Fewer get to work with them, but like, again, it's not like Rhys ever set out to be like other people. At least it isn't utterly unreturned: not a crush, maybe, but Jack clearly has been looking at him. Not overwhelmingly, not to the point of discomfort, but . . . looking, here and there. It's not as if Rhys hasn't encouraged it, all form-fitting leggings beneath his robes (which are, of course, all perfectly tailored to fit his frame). It's good. It's flattering.
It's going to get him ahead.
It's been four weeks. And now Jack wants to see the fruits of his labor . . .
The important thing, Rhys knows, is to impress him. That above all else is vital. Any act of audacity can be excused if it's impressive; a fumbling pass and a few light-up tricks aren't going to cut it. He's got a few things planned, clever tricks that range from cheeky to ambitious, but first . . .
A bow, short and swift, as he takes in the open bottle of wine.]
I have a few things ready, if you wanted to leap right in . . .
[Not that he does, exactly, but he'll let Jack dictate the beats of this meeting.]
no subject
[Jack chuckles as he looks up at Rhys, an amused little glint in his mismatched eyes. He gestures to the chair on the other side of his desk - not as nice as his, but still nice.]
Relax, sit down a minute. What's the hurry?
[He wants an honest assessment here, he doesn't want the guy screwing up because he's nervous or something like that. He wants to see what Rhys can really do, now that he's had a month's worth of a real education.]
no subject
The hurry? Not much. It's just—
[Play it cool. Be confident, but not arrogant. Charming, not cocky. He offers Jack a little smile.]
I just have something that I think is really going to impress you. I've been working on it for weeks.
[But he isn't rushing just yet. Instead, he glances at the wine.]
If you have cups, I can pour.
[It's not that he's so opposed to sharing a glass or two with Jack, after all.]
no subject
[Jack nods to a low table by a window, there's a selection of glasses and liquor set out. But not before giving an appreciative glance at Rhys' legs.]
So you got something impressive, huh? Been working hard? We like to see that! Too many assholes out there want all the perks of magic without all the work. Get all pissed off when it's actually friggin hard to master.
[Part of why Jack so very rarely bothers to teach anyone anything, let alone take on an apprentice.]