Melanie arrived at the address she had been given and in the absence of a doorbell knocked. She could hear someone shuffling towards the entrance and the door soon creaked loudly open. Melanie hadn't been sure who her new housemate would be but she certainly wasn't expecting the person who greeted her. A tall, much older man with long, flowing white hair and a well groomed beard that was nearly as lengthy ushered Melanie into her new residence. He looked her up and down for a moment "Oh yes! You should be perfect!" He decided enthusiastically "You must be Miss Jones. I'm Cecil!" As he shut the door behind him he waved his hand over the lock, which struck Melanie as a little odd.
"Please call me Mel" Melanie smiled politely "And I will certainly try and be the perfect housemate!" She looked around her new abode and was impressed. It was very old fashioned looking, though in a charming sort of way, but it was clean, well kept and absolutely huge. It seemed she had stumbled upon the bargain of the century.
"Housemate? No, the advertisement you accepted was to be my new assistant. Why did you think your bed and board is so cheap?" Cecil corrected her "My last assistant didn't work out so well. I must caution you not to drink anything I happen to leave lying around that isn't labelled."
"Noted" Melanie replied, confused already by this eccentric gentleman "Sorry, what do you mean by assistant? Assistant in what sense?"
"In whatever sense I need you to assist me" Cecil answered "Even though most talented wizard needs help after all!"
"You're a wizard?" Melanie repeated doubtfully. It had seemed pretty obvious that was the look the strange old man was going for but did he really believe he was one? Still she had no reason to hurt his feelings if this was the fantasy he was living in "Well. I'm certainly happy to help you if I can. You'll just have to let me know what you need me to do."
"Splendid!" Cecil, who really was exactly what he claimed to be, replied "I think you and I are going to get along fine Miss Jones. For today all I need you to do is relax and settle into your new home!"