*Discontinued* No Longer

To Confuse a Goblin

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**Iliam Daggertear Simmons

Iliam returned to his office feeling confused. It was a most uncommon state for him to be in, and it made him uncomfortable. 

What was going on?

Usually, he understood all aspects of whatever situation he may find himself in. He was 116 years old, and had been the official manager of Gringotts for over fifty years now. 

He'd seen strange things, and had thought he could no longer be surprised by anything. Ghouls in all the women's bathrooms? No problem. Exploding pixie infestation on the third and fourth floors? Piece of cake. Poltergeist switching out all the quills for live pigeons? He wouldn't so much as bat an eye.

But met with Era White? Everything about the man confounded him. He was a wizard who strolled casual as could be through a secret goblin entrance, with a complete understanding of Falnock. He knew goblin customs and proper greetings, and had come in with a golden radial design on the back of his hand after encountering the soul silver.

The man then turns out to be the adopted son of the Thestral Queen, who doesn't even live on this dimensional plane. Iliam had never even heard of Era before today, but he came in casual as could be with an absurdly powerful magic affinity, along with power over life and death.

All information about him had been concealed on the identity sheet, or almost all, which meant that someone with incredible power was watching over him. Iliam knew that Era must be special, but he didn't know in what way. Rather, he knew many ways that Era was special, but he didn't know which were the most important or all of the ways.

It only heightened his confusion when the man started crying after magically transferring twenty three millions galleons in less than four minutes to the vault. They were no ordinary tears either.

At first, he'd thought they were glass, but quickly realized when one hit the floor it couldn't be. He then was utterly convinced that they were crystal, but that theory too had gone to dust when the light struck a drop in just the right way, revealing the truth.

They were diamond.

After transferring the money, the man had literally been glowing, yet somehow was still swathed in shadows like they were a second skin. It was eerie being around the man, and Iliam was certain that if he kept company with Era White often enough, he'd stop being able to distinguish the difference between reality and imaginary.

They still had yet to reach the best part though. Oh no. They weren't done yet. He goes off and transforms into a kitten, no explanations, no flashy light show. Just from one second to the next, man to fluffball. He was a decidedly adorable kitten, but still.

Sighing, Iliam sank onto his plush desk chair and settled the kitten on his lap. He wasn't sure why, but the cat didn't act at all like Era. It was like when he'd shifted forms, he'd also shifted personalities. 

The difference was so apparent that he felt comfortable treating the little beast like the kitten it appeared to be, stroking the soft fur beneath his fingers.

"Bell, can you bring a basket and a baby blanket? I have an unexpected kitten," Iliam said as soon as his assistant entered the room.

Ducking his head quickly, the goblin scuttled off to do as he was bid. Bell was great at following orders, and Iliam liked that he never had to repeat himself or suffer through answering pointless questions from the guy.

His full name was actually Adorianeskbelladona Sidewatch Callen, but literally no one ever called him that. Ever since he was young, his nickname had been Bell. Iliam was half sure the charm used to assist his mother through the birthing had gone wonky, and that was how his assistant had been cursed with such a name.

Iliam found himself idly stroking the impossibly soft kitten. It was very therapeutic, and helped to ease his racing thoughts. There was just a lot going on, and he was having to process far more than he was used to in a rather brief window of time.

The white star shone bright on the small furry black face of Era White, and yet again, Iliam found himself sighing. He seemed to be doing that a lot. Even when Era had shifted to a cat, he couldn't at all disguise his otherness. The white let off a glow of it's own, and was far to pure to be anything natural.

"What am I to do with you?" He asked the cat softly, not sure if he truly expected an answer or not.

The kitten didn't respond, instead favoring the notion of laying inert on his lap. Muggle cats didn't let goblins pet them, on account of their claws, and he had little contact with wizard cats seeing as how the race did so tend to disdain them.

Era though, Era was different. Even though the man was at least partially a wizard, Iliam hadn't been able to help himself from liking the man, and the feeling only got worse the more time he spent with Era.

He never spoke down to any of the goblins, and had actually learned Falnock and their customs. While aloud Iliam hesitated to, for, after all, he was a goblin and Era a wizard, in his mind, he saw Era as a friend and held a deep respect for him. Even with his very strange behaviors, the man had drawn Iliam right into thinking of him as more. He was just so. . . Good.

That wasn't the right word, he knew, but he could think of no other. Era was a genuinely decent seeming person.

"You certainly are one of a kind."

Bell came back not half a minute later, and set the requested basket on the floor beside his seat. A folded blanket had been neatly placed in the bottom.

Silently, Iliam held his hand out and waited until the basket was placed in it. He then moved it onto his desk, paying little heed to the papers scattered on it, and unfolded the blanket so he could arrange it into a nest.

Gently, he lowered the itten into the blanket nest and brought a fold over from the side so that only his small head could poke out. It was loosely done enough that it he so wished, he could burrow himself deeper if he got cold or worm his way out if he was uncomfortable.

In all honesty, Iliam had not the faintest idea as to what Era would do next. He had no notion as to how long he'd remain a cat, or even if he'd just get up and leave. After all, Era's official business at the bank was completed, and he didn't have anything to stay for unless he was planning to make a deposit today.

While Iliam might have no idea what Era was going to do next, he was unfortunately certain of his own schedule. In five minutes, he had a meeting with one of his biggest clients planned.

It was something he could under no circumstances miss, and he really ought to floo there now so that he'd not be late. Tardiness was not something his next client would respond well to.

He stood up and went over to his massive fireplace, only turning back at the last second. He had to say something to Era before departing.

"Bye Era. I truly hope to see you again soon. I have seen since you first came into my office that you have the power to change things for the better, and I cannot wait to be there when you do. You are unlike other wizards, and you view all persons as equal. You will either tear to world to shreds, or be savior for us all. Take strength in the support of others, and know we are waiting in the shadows cheering you on, even if you cannot see us. Good bye, and live well."

With that, Iliam Simmons took a handful of floo powder from the mantle, threw it into the air, clearly announced his destination, and left the office, and Era, behind.