A note on a napkin.  Hell, even a request to speak somewhere more private, would have worked.  My flat's only a few blocks away, Sasha complained.

He shrugged effetely, leaning back in his seat while the salad was altogether abandoned in favour of coffee. Where's the drama in that? I have to be back at work soon so we don't have time anyway. Virgil was on Ministry hours right now and he knew Rosier was presently waiting on him to report back about Professor Lovecraft's invite. Not only was he going to have to report on that - he needed to tell Yavin about essentially inviting Sasha to level nine as part of the Space Chamber project. This was irregular.

Career day brochures? Really? Virgil raised a pale eyebrow, resisting the urge to shake his head. I hope you don't believe everything you read as the gospel truth. You're such a muggle, Schlawkward. Level nine is older than the Ministry itself. Ever read that anywhere?

For someone who had been ambivalent about joining Mysteries in the first place, he felt strangley defensive of Sasha's tone. Perhaps it was because Yavin had become department head and opened his eyes to the potential they had, the sheer impossibility of what was being done on their floor. And that tempting logic... what the other departments didn't know wouldn't hurt them.

You're not the first wix to think there's a useful connection between non-magical and magical sciences. Obviously. Virgil took the lid off his americano, lightly blowing on the glassy dark surface to cool it down. Sasha didn't have the hubris to think he was the first, surely. He just had an experience with wizarding society that made it seem awfully narrow.

The young Unspeakable bit his lip and glanced up to meet his old classmate in the eye. That's all I can say. You should look into things on Mysteries if you want your eyes opened. Virgil drank his coffee. Or not. Stay here and potter away in isolation.

With a slight sigh, Sasha accepted Virgil's explanation as confirmation that he could have taken a more subtle approach and resumed spearing the rest of his tomato.   

In all honestly, I didn't read past the pamphlet cover, Sasha admitted, with a slight smirk as he turned his attention to the folded egg.  I'd decided on university by then and I don't see the ministry making scheduling accommodations for class schedules.

Of course, he knew there were other wizards who recognized the value of interdisciplinary study.  I talked with Professor Tappy - Professor Trishna about the options at length.  And, I've connected with a few other ... students and faculty of a magical nature.  I don't want to give up my studies here, but I'm tired of approaching all of this one-sidedly.  Are you-

Sasha hesitated and watched Virgil, critically, across the table for a moment.  He mentally ticked off the checklist of the last half-hour's events, neither projecting nor concealing his thoughts from his counterpart.  Virgil and this Diana had been from Level 9, but they'd originally planned on Diana introducing them - except he had been from the right department.  Virgil had approached Dr. Lovecraft with the goal of being invited to a demonstration of ARTEMIS, which he'd achieved.  Now, in not so subtle terms, he was encouraging Sasha to look into Level 9. 

How would one go about looking into things on Mysteries? Sasha asked, arching an eyebrow and grinning slightly.  Is there an application or do I have to find the hidden oracle?

At last, the other wizard was thinking.

Virgil watched him carefully after he'd cut off in the middle of complaining about how difficult it had been to explore the magical and non-magical boundary without official guidance. In a way it made sense: Sasha like rules and regulations but the things he wanted to study did not have those structures outside of level nine or similar organisations. He'd been backed into his little corner in Cambridge.

            Is there an application or do I have to find the hidden oracle? he intoned.

The hidden oracle has found you! Virgil's voice was suddenly louder, echoing dramatically in his companion's mind, and he smiled. If you are genuinely interested, I'll send you an owl with a form. Fill it up, send it back, we'll get you in with Yavin, he's the only one who can approve of non-traditional visitors.

In his excitement (someone new to play with!) he had called the department head by his first name without meaning to. It was too easy to be casual about such things when it was just minds communicating with one another. Virgil drank his coffee and then set it down, the paper cup half full but clearly done.

He rose from his seat, reaching over to shake Sasha's hand. I need to run. We don't exactly have all the time in the world, not even with all the time turners in their Time Chamber. Virgil couldn't help being enlivened by the possibility of another person onboard. Things were getting interesting and sometimes he wanted more people to talk to, besides the Unspeakables.

The only time Sasha had ever really contemplated working for the Ministry of Magic was when he'd been interning with Johann in the Department if International Magical Cooperation.  At the time, he'd contemplated trying to get a position over in Europe - perhaps back home in Germany.  But, that had been a fleeting consideration and, by the time he'd started working towards A-Levels in earnest, he'd settled on the path to university. 

But, without really saying much of anything, Virgil had provided enough to be intriguing.  If, as the last half an hour suggested, Level 9 was involved with what was happening at the university, it was definitely worth investigating.  He'd already connected with several other wixes scattered throughout Cambridge, many of whom he was pointed to by Professor Trishna.  How many of them were actually involved with Level 9? 

And, peculiarly, there was something infectious about Virgil's enthusiasm. 

Send the form, Sasha confirmed, reaching out to take Virgil's hand.  I was starting to get bored with taking only four classes, anyway.  And, it'll give me more reasons to take a detour through Level 2.  Not that he really needed one; he was already quite adept at finding reasons.