"Of course," you say, standing up from your desk. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm looking forward to working with you."
"Thanks." His handshake is as tentative as he looks, and he pulls his hand back the moment you let go.
"I wasn't sure when I'd get to meet you," you say when he doesn't respond.
"Oh." He scratches one ankle with the heel of his other foot, which pushes up his trouser leg and reveals a surprisingly bright maroon sock. "Now is when, I guess."
He falls silent again. Conversation with him is like pulling weeds.
Gabriel nods. "On his project to reduce summoning backlash."
"Great," you say, and wait for more.
It doesn't come. Gabriel scratches his ankle with his heel again, showing a flash of maroon.