Dr. Spencer Reid (
doctoral) wrote in
cuddletalk2018-01-25 10:09 am
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video | un: s.reid
Hi. I'm... Dr. Spencer Reid. At home, I work with the FBI as a behavioral analyst, or profiler. I'm trying to figure out what to... do with myself here.
[ Reid is a thin, young-looking man with too-wide eyes and nearly shoulder-length unkempt hair. That combined with the cardigan, tie, and lightly patterned button-up makes him look extremely dated. It's not hard to believe him as a federal employee by clothes alone, although his age is constantly remarked upon.
He doesn't sound uncertain about addressing the wider audience of the network-- although he is, and especially about using technology this way-- but he does sound like he's choosing his words with care, enunciating clearly and with even, unhurried pacing. ]
If there's anyone that currently works for the local police, I'd like to speak with you regarding whether you think there's a use for my skills in that environment. I have done field work, but I wouldn't say it's my strong suit. Otherwise I'm considering taking up teaching at the university. I've been a TA for undergraduate classes before, although I think I'm better suited to leading graduate-level seminars. If anyone currently takes classes there, it would be helpful to hear about your experiences.
... I also noticed they're looking for librarians at the public library. Uh. I don't think that alone would keep me... sufficiently occupied, but. I could do it.
I'd like to optimize my time here by putting my skills wherever they're most needed. So I'm open to other suggestions. And-- looking for a physical therapist. And possibly an orthopedist. Thank you.
[ It cuts off abruptly. Reid can do public speaking, but it's far from his favorite past time. ]
[ Reid is a thin, young-looking man with too-wide eyes and nearly shoulder-length unkempt hair. That combined with the cardigan, tie, and lightly patterned button-up makes him look extremely dated. It's not hard to believe him as a federal employee by clothes alone, although his age is constantly remarked upon.
He doesn't sound uncertain about addressing the wider audience of the network-- although he is, and especially about using technology this way-- but he does sound like he's choosing his words with care, enunciating clearly and with even, unhurried pacing. ]
If there's anyone that currently works for the local police, I'd like to speak with you regarding whether you think there's a use for my skills in that environment. I have done field work, but I wouldn't say it's my strong suit. Otherwise I'm considering taking up teaching at the university. I've been a TA for undergraduate classes before, although I think I'm better suited to leading graduate-level seminars. If anyone currently takes classes there, it would be helpful to hear about your experiences.
... I also noticed they're looking for librarians at the public library. Uh. I don't think that alone would keep me... sufficiently occupied, but. I could do it.
I'd like to optimize my time here by putting my skills wherever they're most needed. So I'm open to other suggestions. And-- looking for a physical therapist. And possibly an orthopedist. Thank you.
[ It cuts off abruptly. Reid can do public speaking, but it's far from his favorite past time. ]
no subject
As it is, he has to swallow some questions about Brooklyn having warlocks, although he certainly won't forget to ask them later. Instead he says promptly, ] I'll come over right now, if that's alright. And... probably grill you on being High Warlock. [ Spencer smiles slightly to soften it. ]
no subject
[But now he smiles, reining himself in just a bit, because he's going to have company and he knows how he gets. He can be a little much, and he'll want to get to know Reid somewhat before he decides how much intensity he wants to inflict on him. Cadelle has been good for keeping him a little more sedate.]
Come over now, by all means.
no subject
He's over pretty quick, making good time with his cane and seeming comfortable with it and almost unencumbered. He always hides his injuries and it's been a few months already with this one. Reid knocks on his door with alacrity.
When it opens, he says, ] Hi. I brought pastries. [ That's an appropriate guest-gift. It also lets him hold up the bag in his free hand and offer it out rather than go through the shaking-hands song and dance, which he doesn't generally participate in and can get awkward. ]
no subject
Home sweet home, such as it is. Sit wherever you like, or the bookshelves are over there. [He gives Reid a quick, assessing once-over, then smiles and starts for the kitchen.] The ones on the top shelf are the oldest, but feel free. What kind of tea would you like? Or would you prefer something else? I normally offer cocktails, but if this is going to be a consultation, cocktails can wait.
no subject
Also, Reid has a bit of a sweet tooth. ]
Green tea is fine. [ Reid doesn't need a second invitation to look at books. He pauses long enough to pull his worn leather messenger bag over his head and leave it on an armchair, cane propped beside it, and then promptly turns to peer at all the book titles, scanning quickly. He doesn't necessarily gravitate toward the oldest, although it is a logical place to start. ]
You organized your books by chronology? [ he calls back, pulling one off the shelf when he spots something that looks basic or fundamental. Reid stands where he is, flips the book open to the first page, and starts a running a finger down the pages to track where he's reading. It takes about five seconds before he flips a page.
There's a reason he'd brought pastries: Magnus let him at his books. ]
no subject
Only the oldest! Anything from before I was born goes on that top shelf, everything else is by magical subject matter. Or it's supposed to be, they were organized at home but I haven't taken the time to be quite as precise here. [He just summons one when he needs it, and he hadn't brought all his books, only a fraction of them, so it's much easier to know which book he needs.
Once the tea is steeping, Magnus reappears in the doorway just in time to watch Reid scan a page and turn it.] Oh, do you have one of those memories?
no subject
Yes... I have an eidetic memory, particularly for visual information. It's faster for me to read your books than have you explain it to me. [ He flips another page.
Reid has to almost forcibly pull himself away from the text to be polite, reluctantly looking up at his host and then finally having enough etiquette to look sheepish. He clears his throat. ] I just wish everyone came with libraries?
no subject
It would clear up a number of things, wouldn't it? [Magnus balances the tray on one hand as he gestures a few stray books off a table and back to their places on the bookshelves, then sets the tray down and pours.] In that case, I think I brought a copy of The Downworlders Guide with me, that will save you time. Anything in your tea? Sugar, milk, lemon, pear vodka?
no subject
Um. [ Tea. Right. ] Plain is fine. Thank you. Can you clarify what you mean by Downworlders? Are there Upworlders?
[ That is very Terry Pratchett in terminology, he thinks but doesn't say. ]
no subject
[Magnus passes Reid his cup of tea, plain as requested and brewed to perfection, and immediately flits over to the bookshelf to start looking for his copy.]
Downworlders are warlocks like myself, werewolves, vampires, Seelie, and Shadowhunters. Well, nephilim, but they like Shadowhunters. They hunt and fight demons, hence the rather dramatic name. ...I don't think I brought the guide after all, I'm sorry. I was in something of a hurry when I packed.
no subject
He accepts his tea, setting his book down, closed-- page number memorized, of course-- and takes a sip. ] Nephilim is a Christian term, [ he notes. ] I would imagine there's a lot of religious influence on terminology, or rather, that existing entities influenced religious thinking and theology throughout history. [ A moment later: ] It's okay, I'm sure you weren't planning on an interested party wanting to scour your bookshelves.
[ Another subtle note of self-deprecating humor. ]
no subject
His mission failed, Magnus perches on the back of the couch with his cup of tea, the better to give Reid access to all the shelves.]
Well, since I didn't bring the book... The terms did evolve around the beings. Shadowhunters have angel blood in them, it's where the nephilim stories first came from, and their magic is based in angelic runes that anyone without angel blood would go insane trying to use. I've seen that, it isn't pretty. Warlocks are half-demon, half-human. Vampires and werewolves are fairly close to the stories you've heard. Seelie are half-angel, half-demon. Very tricky. They can't lie, but I've never heard anyone weave words that well. All of the legends and warnings about elves and fairies come from the Seelie Court.
[Honestly this is much more fun than waiting around for his potions to finish stewing for the appropriate amount of time so he can add the next ingredients. There's a lot of freedom in being able to talk about these things to someone from a different world, and share things without risking the security of his own.]
no subject
So you're half-demon? [ he clarifies, looking interested and remarkably unalarmed. ] Can you clarify your usage of the word 'demon'-- and 'angel' for that matter? There's been many different representations throughout ecclesiastical history, and from non-Western religions.
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In fact, he dives for Reid's question eagerly, with some relief.]
Oh, well, it's all very Dante-esque where I'm from. Someone clearly tipped him off. The angels are angels, God's messengers, rarely ever seen on Earth, and there are Greater and lesser demons that come from various circles of Hell. The lesser are just horribly destructive nuisances, the Shadowhunters go after them.
no subject
Are they properly separate species with different genealogical lines, or is more similar to classical vampire stories where humans are 'turned into' something else?
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[The little sniff and roll of his eyes should be enough to elaborate on what that means. While Magnus himself is involved with a Shadowhunter at home, and Alec's sister Isabelle has been involved with vampires and Seelie, most Shadowhunters guard their precious bloodlines like they have gold running through their veins instead of diluted angel blood.]
Vampires and werewolves are turned from human. Or Shadowhunter. Usually. So we have a whole assortment of options.