The Perk - Monday Morning

[alwaysonguard]

After taking care of a few things at the shop. Dwight had headed over to The Perk to get something energized to drink. A double shot extra large mocha mint coffee would do right? The barista seemed convinced and Dwight was willing to trust her recommendation.

And so as he waited for the caffeinated monstrosity he watched the few people coming and going through the window. He might have also been making a mental note to get some flavor shots himself for back at the shop. But shhhhhh. Don't tell the barista!

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[chef_chocobro]

Although Shane finally seemed comfortable with the idea that Ignis was not going to be disappearing again as suddenly and randomly as he'd arrived, it was still with a waddling goose in tow that Ignis entered the coffee shop that morning. By now, too, this was a familiar excersion, a path taken with ease and confidence and the assurance of knowing precicely where he was going. Through the door, to the counter, with only a brief moment to have to discern if there were other bodies in line before him.

Then, coffee in hand, goose trailing behind, he moved to his favored table, sparing a moment to determine whether or not it was occupied before pulling out his chair, settling into it, and sipping his coffee as he began the process of not people watching as it was people listening. Everything from every day sounds of the mundane, to snippets of conversation, not necessarily to hear what was being said so much as simply whether or not the voice saying it was familiar.

It had become quite the habit over the last week and change, one he rather enjoyed, although, admittedly, mostly because it was something to do that wasn't just merely reaquainting himself with the lay of the land.

[alwaysonguard]

"Hey Ignis," Dwight said after a moment, his own coffee in hand. His gaze drifted to the goose for a moment. "Take it Shane is still a goose huh? Seems to be a rash of those animal transformations happening again around here," he said with a small grin that hopefully carried over in his tone.

[chef_chocobro]

Ignis nodded his greeting in the general direction of Dwight's voice, which was one that, thankfully, didn't require too long of a process to categorize and recognize, and he gave a little bit of a sigh at the commentary in general. "I can't say I've taken notice of many others," he admitted. "I've been plenty preoccupied with just the one."

Especially in addition to everything else he was dealing with at the moment, such as...well...just being back at all.

He gave his own, somewhat tense small smile back. "But how have you been, Dwight? Hopefully free of any unexpected animal care duties yourself?"

[alwaysonguard]

"Can't complain. No unexpected animal guests for a while thankfully." He was still finding rabbit fur under the bed and dresser as a matter of fact!

"Hopefully things get back to normal soon for you two." As normal as anything on the island could be... and as normal as anything could be with Goose involved. "You been settling back in alright?"

[chef_chocobro]

Perhaps some day in the future, then, they could have a discussion on which was the more persistent of gifts: unexpected rabbit fur or perpetual goose down...

The strain remained in Ignis' polite smile, the strain of someone who had rather given up on the concept of normal, but tried their best not to begrudge anyone else for feeling otherwise.

"As well as can be expected," he said congenially. "It's been an adjustment, but not a terribly unpleasant one. I do find myself often wanting for something more to do around here, but I'm sure I'll find something with which to occupy my time here soon enough."

[alwaysonguard]

"Have you thought about teaching again?" Dwight offered after a moment's thought. "The kids are decent and I have it on good authority you are not a half-bad teacher yourself."

[chef_chocobro]

"It certainly has crossed my mind," Ignis admitted, sipping his coffee, and a bit loathed to admit that such considerations had not been without their...barriers. There were a handful of options he was currently exploring, but further options were a bit...limited for him now. "I have always enjoyed teaching..."

And keeping regular office hours had been a particular pleasure, for several reasons.

"And it's not too much longer until a new semester," he noted. "Besides, if I recall, the final month of the year makes it a point to ensure none of us are bored in the interim."

[alwaysonguard]

"Aye, the island usually doesn't let people be bored for too long," Dwight said with a reluctant sigh. "I'm sure there will be some excitement coming along before the next semester starts. We'll be wishing it was quiet and boring again in no time." Because you had already gone ahead and jinxed everyone Ignis, might as well go all in!

[chef_chocobro]

Ah, yes. It was certain Ignis who jinxed them, and not at all just a regular thing that happened on the island regardless of what anyone actually said or did...

Not to mention the sheer frequency at which the island's eccentricates was a topic of conversation in general around here as if it were merely a discussion of the weather...

"And," Ignis gave the hand not holding his cup a vague wave, "like clockwork, no doubt, it will be quiet and boring once more, and we'll all be talking about wishing for a bit more excitement all over again. In a way, it's almost comforting to know that some things truly don't change..."