(from the personal diary of Simon D. Vassail, Personal Assistant to Professor C. )<br/><br/>Call me Simon.<br/><br/>That is not my name, but through some quirk of my present employer's humor, that is the name to which I am most inclined to give answer.  Circumstances do not permit a full disclosure of events, but nonetheless some attempt must be made to record matters for posterity.  I beg the indulgence of whomsoever should read these pages, for I can hardly be as candid as honesty might demand.  In time my reasons shall become clear.  For much the same reasons I am forced to take a pseudonym for a time.  For these and other sins of omission, I cry your pardon, gentle reader.<br/><br/>Of my childhood, the less said the better, although I am technically from Scotland, having been raised in the Cheviot Mountains and in the Border country.  At present, my business has brought me to London...or, rather, my employ under the Professor has brought me to London.  My own business would take me very much elsewhere, but I digress.<br/><br/>I am a most striking figure, especially among humans.  I am taller and more slender of build than they, and my cat-like eyes, bright scarlet hair, and pointed ears cause more than a few to mistake me for some elf-kin.  I cannot find it in myself to correct the error, since it works to my favor so often.  I suppose that there are those, especially the fairer sex, who would regard me as attractive.  That my choices of sartorial expression are so limited cannot help but reinforce this bland withdrawal to comfortable anonymity.<br/><br/>While a lengthy narrative of my early life would be boring if not incomprehensible, I am a man of letters and, if I say so myself, an accomplished scholar.  This is yet another thing which it galls me to disguise by playing the part of a serving-man to my present patron, but more than once I have surreptitiously amused myself by aiding his studies.  It was in my school days that I acquired my fascination with chess...and such is the nature of my personal collection.  I remain only an indifferent player, to my shame, but it is the many variations of expression and craftsmanship I admire rather than the game in and of itself.<br/><br/>Of virtues, I have patience, diligence, and sufficient discretion to serve in my present capacity.  My greatest vice is, naturally, the arrogance and inflated sense of self-worth that any of my kind are prone to developing.  Only greater age brings a calmer sort of wisdom, and not even that to most.  This place has been humbling.  I cannot indulge in most of my favorite activities, save the rebuilding of my collection, and too many of those unfortunate factors that make life so terribly tedious are to be found here.<br/><br/>My present collection is paltry, but I found the most intricate set on an Asian theme not long after I entered the employ of Professor C, who kindly permitted me an advance on my pay that I might acquire it.  He seems puzzled by my collection, but has not yet questioned me further.  We have an understanding on the matter, you see, and even if we did not my personal circumstances enforce discretion.<br/><br/>There are those, known and unknown, who would not be so understanding as he.  It is these blackguards who force my silence on so many interesting matters...forgive me, but self-preservation is still paramount even for one such as I.  Fortune smiles, however, in the Professor's other clients and assistants, many of whom I have taken as allies.  Those who hunt me also compete with the good Professor, and these others seem to share his dislike of their methods.  It is not quite the same as my old association with the Baron N. and the Captain and that delightful half-Sioux scout with her companion wolf, but it is enough.<br/><br/>Being so hotly pursued before entering the Professor's household, I have had little or no time to concern myself with greater plans, nor an interest in seeking a mate.  While the first is bound to change, I am less certain of the second. I do not shirk the company of women, but I cannot in good conscience consider such matters at this time.  The Professor's needs outrank mine, and greater ambitions require greater resources.<br/><br/>To help him conduct his greater work, I have a few minor things that might be placed at my disposal.  First, there is my finely devloped Physique.  While not immediately apparent, I am still in fine form even considering my earlier travails.  Like all my kind, I am Perceptive and skilled in the ways of Sorcery (not, of course, that I am given to demonstrating!  For that, like my other talents, would be a beacon in the dark to those who hunt me!).  As the Professor's Valet, I have made a fine study of the Social Graces required and, although I am constantly found at fault in so many things, I am still Educated enough to hold my own.  Given enough preparation, I can hold my own in matters of the mind.  Of all these, however, I have one overwhelming weakness--I am utterly without resources beyond the pay granted me by the Professor.  Without him, I should be far worse off than I am now.<br/><br/>And thus, dear reader, I excuse myself for now.  My employer calls.  I shall continue this as my schedule permits.