Conversations by the Coffee Pot (Emerald)

[Zebadiah Hayes]

Zeb tried not to steal the coffee from the staff lounge too much. Though technically it wasn't stealing, it always felt like that to him since he his own coffee supply on campus. Still there were days, like today, when he had to make an exception. Usually it was because he hadn't gotten a chance to re-stock his coffee supplies. Sometimes it was just because he really needed coffee and couldn't wait for a pot to brew so he stuck his head into the staff lounge to see if they had some without the wait.

Today was one of those days. He'd gotten woken up early when a fight broke out between two roommates. Some prank that had gotten out of hand. As soon as he'd settled that down he'd caught another student smoking in the stairwell (at least it was only cigarettes). He'd spent most of the morning putting out fires of one sort or another and now all he really wanted to was to dive into a vat of coffee.

He was just filling his mug when he heard the door of the lounge open. "Should I pour two mugs?" he asked, without looking up.

[Emerald Parker]

Emerald had a long night. She had planned out the most awesome lesson plan for the next couple of weeks for her students. The best part of her class! Mythology! Emerald was very very excited...and very very tired. Making sure not to wear heels today, she instead chose a nice pair of spring shoes that she decided she should wear before her toes would get frostbitten by the soon-coming Vermont cold.

And spring shoes means a spring dress. While it was very appropriate for teaching, the dress showed off her cleavage slightly more than she was used to, and Emerald wasn't sure how she felt about it. It made her feel really girly, pretty, and cheery, all things she was, but she wasn't sure if she liked showing herself off that much around her students. Oh well, one day wasn't going to hurt her or anybody else...

Going to the teacher lounge to get some coffee, Emerald adjusted her bag (opting to carry a slightly larger bag with everything that she needed than carry both a purse and a smaller bag for books) and opened the door to the teacher lounge to see someone already at the coffee pot. When he offered, she replied, "Oh, yes, definitely."

Setting her bag down near the door, she walked happily over to the coffee-making man, thrilled to have someone around this morning (and to be able to show off her new-ish dress to someone she won't feel guilty for seeing it). "Zebadiah, right?" For all her skills at memorization, names still weren't Emerald's strongest suit, especially with the number of faculty at the Institute.

[Zebadiah Hayes]

Zeb smiled at the woman when he looked up from pouring her coffee for her. "Yes...Miss Parker?" he added. Though he was pretty good at remembering names, he usually did better with student's information that his co-worker's. Though he realized he should probably spend more time with people his own age. His free time usually went to trying to catch up on paperwork...or sleep.

"Cream or sugar?" he asked as he started to pour a cup for himself. He continued to smile at the pretty lady. It wasn't often he got the chance to enjoy the company of one. Being surrounded by student most of the time, his job didn't room for much else.

"So how's your day going?" he asked, trying to rack his brain to remember which subject she taught. Science? No. Literature? Maybe? He really needed to pay more attention to his co-workers.

[Emerald Parker]

"Oh please, call me Emerald. Or Em. Or Emmy." Emerald still didn't like people her age calling her by her last name. Always made her feel like she was in trouble...or sick or something. Regardless. First names equals good, young, and fun. Though, that reminded Emerald, it was really awesome when everyone at school started calling her 'Doctor' after she got her PHD. These thoughts ended up plastering a big smile on her face that Zeb likely noticed.

"Yes cream, no sugar. Sugar in coffee makes my tongue feel like its turning inside out. Never liked its taste. Same issue with like those powdered donuts or sugar cookies." Taking a moment to adjust the shoulder of her dress, not wanting an accident, she added, "Oh, and don't get me started on sprinkles."

Walking over to her bag, she looked through it for a moment, looking for her lip gloss. After she had her coffee, she wanted to apply some fresh before her class. "Any trouble-making students lately?" Emerald couldn't always remember names well, but roles were much easier.

Gliding back over to where Zeb was, Emerald replied, "Oh, my day is great. Long night, but I'm super-excited for today. My class starts mythology and I have this awesome plan for it." Games, learning, and fun stories to read. Should be a great experience overall for everyone involved

[Zebadiah Hayes]

“Of course. Emerald it is,” he said with a smile and bow of his head. He could try to remember that in the future. And hope that she could forgive him if he didn’t. It was just habit, a well ingrained habit from his father, to address everyone as ‘Mr.’,’Mrs.’, or ‘Miss’.

Zeb didn’t take sugar, or cream, in his coffee. Then again he drank more coffee than most people drank water. Still he did enjoy powdered donuts now and then. The only problem with those was the mess they left all over his face and shirt. “Do you like any desserts?” he asked. After all everyone needed a little sweetness in their life.

“There are always trouble-making students,” Zeb said as he handed Emerald her coffee. He sighed and then laughed. “Of course without them I’d be out of a job.” Which wasn’t exactly true. There was more to it than stopping kids from smoking on the roof or setting their roommates belongings on fire. Though some days it didn’t feel like it.

He smiled. At her mood. Her smile. Her gliding about the room. Zeb often went through the day half asleep or in some sort of caffeine-induced haze. It was good to see someone so chipper and alive.

And finally the pieces clicked into place. History. He smiled wondering how'd he gotten there from mythology, but he'd also given up on figuring out how his mind worked. “I’ve always loved those stories. So much drama.” He laughed, hoping she understood that he meant all the epic-ness and also the teenage angsty-ness of it. Because seriously a lot of the time those gods acted worse than the students.

[Emerald Parker]

Emerald smiled at him, leaning slightly on the counter as she did so. Of course she liked desserts! Popsicles, shaved ice with that syrup (sno-cones, shaved ice, depends on the area), what else...Emerald put a finger to her lips, still not having spoken, as she was thinking through it all, "Oh, ice cream!" Emerald had a childish grin on her face, "Popsicles are fun too, but I haven't had one in a long time."

Emerald didn't really feel like adding that her dessert most of the time was alcohol, it wasn't very appropriate. Maybe when she knew him better. "I mean, you have to manage them, even if they aren't trouble," Emerald knew he'd still have a job. Who would take care of a room if a pipe burst or something? "Do you have to call maintenance if some girl's sink explodes or does someone else do that?"

The only reason that Emerald was anywhere close to graceful enough to be gliding and bouncy was due to her shoes. She commonly wore heels, and they practically killed her, but she'd wear them for appearance's sake. But these shoes were cute, they went with the dress, and she could relax her legs! Emerald nodded, "Mythology books are my TV. Why watch it when you can just imagine these gods and creatures and their squabbles. It can look however you can take the description to be. Wonderous or dark. Cool and uplifting...or dramatic and deep."

Emerald always got so excited about it, her smile very full on her face. "Imagine being one of those gods. A few dozen beings may hope to match your power but the whole world bows before whatever your powers affect. To be worshipped..." Emerald paused for a moment, "I...guess that's what some of you can feel, actually. Are you one?...a Meta, I mean?"