*raises a eyebrow* May I offer a suggestion? Secretaries often help with that sort of work. You could hire someone.
[He laughs almost bitterly and takes a brief moment to glance up at her before returning his gaze to his papers.] I’m afraid I can’t trust many people to do the paperwork for the school that I run…they would have to a) be a mutant, or a human with a very high tolerance for the bizarre, and b) know the inner workings of the school as well as I do, and there are not many people who can say that for themselves. Given my powers and how the government would like to get their hands on me, I find it hard to really trust anyone, especially with matters concerning my school.
She shrugs. “I can’t speak to the second, but for the first requirement … I meet it. Lamely, I suppose, but I’m … a mutant.” She spreads her hands, studying the palms. “And a magician.” A little wry smile. “Trust me, my tolerance for the bizarre is pretty damn high. And you’re really overworked.”
“Overworked is my middle name; whoever says it’s Francis has obviously been to the bar recently.” Charles chuckled at his own joke before looking up at her again, looking this time much more serious. There was no way he could take in a secretary, much less one in the form of a young woman he barely knew. He would barely trust Raven or Hank to manage all the paperwork it took to run the school, not to mention the money that would go out for it. At the least, she deserved to know that.
“But I’m afraid I live to be overworked — the paperwork must be my responsibility; only I know where it comes from and what it says about which part of the school and where it goes once I’ve filled it out…while I appreciate the offer, there’s not much for anyone else to do about it.”
Her mouth worked, and she started to say something several times before giving it up as a bad job. “What can I do to earn your trust, even a little?” In a familiar gesture, she brushed the fingertips of one hand against her temple. “I can … taste … how stressed you are. I know I’m being a pest, but I just … I can’t not try. To help … ” Abruptly she swore. “This fucking language!”