13 — Routine My coffee was cold. I had just made it. The clock said otherwise.

  I got another fresh pot started. My fourth, not counting the one I let get cold. While I waited I collected the mugs from my desk and Daelus' desk. I had him get the door for me.

  The mugs were now clean and put away. My coffee was now fresh and piping hot. I took a sip and burned my tongue. At least I felt like I had. I knew this body couldn't actually be wounded. I knew for certain it could feel.

  I wasn't sure what actually happened inside of this body when I ate and drank. The bodily functions were part of the manifestation. I had learned that from Randall's notes. The entourage would sometimes go undercover for extended periods with the delegate’s rivals. It was all criminal empire stuff. (For some reason the Benefactors needed us to be involved with that too.) Jaegré had to pass among humans and much of that world did their business over food and drink so the delegate learned how to make the entourage able to eat and drink.

  And now I could.

  There was a knock on the doorframe. For a second my heart leaped. I had been hoping for another surprise visit from Delphiné.

  Instead, it was Johnathan. “Hello my dear girl! Is your master in?”

  I bristled, but kept calm. How many times had we asked him to– ”Please, call me Sheam, Johnathan. You'd not enjoy me omitting athan when saying your name so please don't omit my entire name.”

  Johnathan winced. “Terribly sorry, Sheam, yes. He's in then?”

  I nodded. I'd let Daelus field my other objection.

  Johnathan went inside. The two of them had spent some time apart after the “breakup” (as Johnathan called it) but the distance didn't st. A few months had gone by and now they–we–were simply dear friends. Aligned. In sync. All of it out in the open.

  Well. All except the one thing. We still had a conversation ahead of us. In my head it had become The Conversation.

  I switched over.

  Daelus gave a stern face. “Johnathan, you know I don't like it when you refer to me like that. I can hear you out there, you know. I'm her employer, not her master. Also, don't you know that's a title for children? If you must give me a title, try Magister.”

  “Magister Thresh. I like it!” Johnathan procimed, and promptly got down to business.

  I somehow didn't like it. The name felt wrong. Thresh. It wasn't mine. It sounded like I was still standing in a doorway. Like I couldn't take a step, just one step, to find out what was on the other side.

  I snapped out of it, miming pulling my thoughts out of my head and back onto my desk. At this point I could continue to speak with Johnathan and do my work without failing at either.

  I checked and verified that various contractors had been paid after constructing new dispys. I approved a schedule change for the ticketing clerk and reviewed a few resumes for new cleaning staff. We were getting more foot traffic and they seemed to bring in mud from all four continents.

  Daelus received a report of a new archeological dig on what had been thought to be a never-inhabited archipego. Jossimer would be displeased. The museum was supposed to accept what he provided. But I was intrigued and felt it fit the mandate so I–as Daelus at the time–asked Johnathan to get him the contact information of the researchers. They had found artifacts.

  The day was quiet after that, so Daelus went home early. I didn't even really need to stay still anymore while he walked home.

  Johnathan stuck his head in my office again. “Oh, you're still here?” I asked.

  “Oh no, I left and came back. Is your–is Magister Thresh out?”

  Good boy. “Yes, he's taken the afternoon off. What can I help you with?”

  “It's nothing, it's just… you know how Jossimer was going to–you know what, nevermind. I should discuss this with him alone. I'll see you ter, Sheam.”

  I wanted to tell him. I wanted to tell him right then and there. We were long overdue for The Conversation. It's ok, Johnathan, I'd tell him. I'm Daelus.

  But it didn't feel right doing it right now, like this.

  I needed Daelus to be present when I did it. We needed to say it together.

  And the correct words were, I'm Sheam.