Chapter Text
The morning did not go the way I had expected, well what had I expected? A call from my boss on my day off was strange, but what was even stranger was the knowledge that, I of all people had, been selected to work with The Acropolis Museum to put together a display for June. I should have known it was a possibility that I was the one chosen for the job, after all I was both a Greek citizen and British citizen. It was a great opportunity, and I could finally put my full degree to work.. but there were things that I was reminded of that I wished to forget. I had been meaning to get rid of the Greek passport for a while, but Aunt Penny wouldn't let me, she said that "Greece is the country you were born in, you shouldn't cast it aside, plus it is a wonderful place to retire." She didn't listen to me, not when I tried to argue that I had lived in Britain for nearly half my life, having moved there when I was twelve.
I sigh, sitting down at my desk, preparing to write an email to the mysterious junior coordinator at the Acropolis Museum. The specifics of the project we would be working on together, I was told, was going to be better provided by Mr. Pelion.
SENT// {March 1st 2015}-- 9:24 am BST
TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
Hello Mr. Pelion,
I hope you are having a pleasant day.
I write to you concerning the Ancient Greek (Love Lost to History and Prejudice) display that The British Museum has become a collaborator for. I was informed this morning that I would be the one coordinating the transportation of the artefacts in our care, but was informed on little else. I would like to make it clear that I very much appreciate the opportunity to work on such an interesting and educational display, but feel that the timing is quite abrupt and I was under prepared to take on such a large project. It would be very much appreciated if you could please provide more details and information regarding the display and its nature.
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this email.
Kind regards,
Patroclus Asker, collaborator at The British Museum.
I weigh my wording of the email, rewording and editing parts, doubt creeping through my mind. Was it too short? Was it too formal? Did I spell his name wrong? Did I spell my name wrong?
The meaningless and trivial worries seem to consume me until I finally call it quits, sending the email, much to my dismay. Trying to complete my other work felt meaningless as I was sure in my panicked state I would mess something up, only worsening the anxiety that consumed me.
Instead, I get up from the desk in my small at home office, starting my routine pacing around the medium sized room. The walls were lined floor to ceiling with dark oak book shelves, filled to the brim with text books and study material from my Uni days. My personal collection only took up a shelf and a half, filled with books from my childhood and the odd cheesy romance from my teens. A matching desk sat in the middle of room, facing the door, a window at my back. The office doubled as a reading room for when I needed a break from work. It was cozy, not ever very warm but just a little cold all year round, making it easier to relax most of the time. The sound of my slippers hitting the grey carpet seemed thunderous as the minutes passed, my heart racing. I knew that the fear was a bit ridiculous, but it was a side effect of the insomnia medication I took. I paced as the minutes passed by, my heart still racing, but my thoughts quieting. a good amount of time has passed, I realise looking at the clock that was positioned by the door. I tug on a strand of my bed-mangled hair, the brown wave slightly bouncing at the action.
My hear freezes as I look at my inbox.
Shit. He had replied. I mean of course he had replied, but I really was not prepared for any type of human interaction today.
REPLY// {March 1st}-- 9:38 am BST
RE TO: [email protected]
FROM: [email protected]
Hello Mr. Asker,
It is a pleasure to finally hear from you.
I am very sorry about the lack of information you received about this project! It would be my pleasure to run you through what is happening, although I do apologize if my wording does not make the most sense.
In June, here at the Acropolis Museum, we are hoping to create a display devoted to the Queer History that may have been forgotten or erased, specifically Greek legend and myth. We are hoping to involve a number of different aspects, including pottery and poetry, translations of text and possibly even some statues. We have been able to supply most of the artefacts ourselves, here at the Acropolis Museum, but would like to involve prices in the collection at The British Museum, which is where you come in! Thank you so much for agreeing to work with me, me and the rest of our team really do appreciate it!
Warm Regards,
Achilles Pelion, Junior Coordinator at the Acropolis Museum.
My heart skips a beat. His name. The context.
Achilles. As in Achilles, the Greek hero who had a lover named Patroclus.
I smack my palm against my face, dragging it down my sun kissed face. Damn it all.
What kind of cruel Gods rule this universe?