Research is exactly where you should be. And the self-deprecating horseshit will get you no where, I can think of three things you could've answered me with from this conversation alone. I'll start: you're stubborn as a fucking mule.

( like knows like. just briefly, imagine this bitch and her mouth in the heart of the orlesian court, it was as difficult and ill-advised as you think. )

Research means you can work and learn at once, and stubborn means you'll keep going when lesser imbeciles would find it hard and give up because they aren't being patted on the bottom frequently enough. Don't leap immediately into the projects, I would say, but do take opportunities to go on field missions if you're able. Closing rifts always builds goodwill, but if you're no more enthusiastic about that than I am, no one will force it and there are less relentlessly full of demons things you can attach yourself to doing. Work alongside Thedosians as much as possible and mind what things they take for granted. You can't learn about people only by asking them questions.

Asking questions just teaches you how they prepare answers. Letting them talk sometimes gives them rope you can grasp for a hand up later, or choke them with.