::Another Late Lunch::, open!

James came into the cafeteria for lunch late, pretty much like usual. Because of all of his duties, paperwork and students generally kept him in work at least an hour earlier and an hour later than most of the other professors. It was all part of the job description, though, and he loved every moment of it. His only lament was that he wasn’t teaching properly any more. Oh, if any of his staff were ill or had to be away, he would make time to look after and teach whatever class they needed him to teach, but it wasn’t as fun as when he was a full English Professor. In that sense, though, Gerry was more than capable, even if he had his terrible habit of smoking all the time. It just had to be the downside of having fire within him, though, and he wasn’t going to complain.

Lxyara walked alongside him, just as elegant as ever. Well, he would think so, wouldn’t he? She was literally his other half; the daemon looking up at him with what he knew was a gentle smile. Her form as an Ethiopian wolf was something a little different, but she truly was the embodiment of his soul. It all made perfect sense. “How about hurrying up and sitting where we usually sit, Jay?” she teased, her body rubbing against his leg and hip as she spoke to him.

“Oh, alright then. Come on,” he replied, smiling down at her. The pair carried on along, right up to the Professor’s special table, where he always sat right in the middle, so he could watch over everyone equally. The rest of the places switched around all the time, but James could be a little too involved to be moved. “I’m starving.”

“I know,” Lyxara sighed, rolling her eyes. “You need to get in here earlier, you know. There won’t be any chicken left.”

Reaching his chair, the headmaster sat, watching Lyxara quickly change her form to a beautiful magpie, now perched on his shoulder. Even as a bird, she still acted more canine. Dinner was served already, waiting for the man to get to the table, so he quickly tucked in. Every so often, though, he lifted his fork to his shoulder for Lyxara to pick at with her black beak. It wasn’t like his daemon needed to eat, but it was more out of habit than anything else, and she loved it.

Nodding to other professors at the table, there were still a few spaces around where he sat. Even though he had Lyxara there, it would be good to have some other form of company, too…

Heather blushed lightly, smiling as a few students chided her for being late for lunch. She was usually the first there, socialising with the students before the food came out, but today she had been so caught up in her painting that the time completely passed her by. Shaking her head and making a face down at Cuilwen when he pointed out that she had paint on her face as well as her hands, she waved at a couple students she would see later that day.

"You're getting sloppy," Cuilwen purred, trotting next to her as a large brown tabby. Heather felt it unnecessary to point out that he had yellow and green splotches in his fur, it would be good for him to be knocked down a peg, especially after that comment. Instead, she just nodded, brushing a curl from her face as she approached the staff table. "You should have listened to me," he continued on, oblivious to her disinterest as she pulled back the chair next to James, "I told you to clean up an hour ago, but you just had to get the lighting now..."

Heather took the chance to speak during Cuilwen's change into a sparrow, "Good afternoon, James, Lyxara." She smiled softly as she greeted the headmaster and his daemon, listening to Cuilwen, polite as ever, parrot the greeting. "How was your morning?" it was only polite conversation, really, but it was the only thing she could think of. She hadn't planned to stay for long, only grabbing a small bite to eat then returning to her work, but since James was here, well, that gave her a bit more incentive to stay.

"See that!" Cuilwen exclaimed, flitting between Heather and James, "He feeds his daemon. See!" He moved in, beak-to-nose with her, "What am I reduced to?!"

Heather cut him off, grabbing him, albeit gently, in her hand and pulling him down, "You, sir, are overdramatic and annoying." She spoke curtly in Welsh, her face stern, "Now behave. Or I will be forced to have you pose for my next piece."

When she released him, Cuilwen landed clumsily on the table. It was unusual that Heather threatened him sharply, though not unusual that she threatened him. It was more startling to him that she spoke entirely in Welsh. "Well, yes professor," he teased her back in Welsh, hoping to smooth the matter over. He didn't want to look bad in front of the headmaster, after all. Especially not the headmaster, knowing how Heather felt about the man.

“Look, Jay!” James’ glance passed over to where the magpie Lyxara was nodding her little feathered head, spotting Heather walking into the hall. It was good to see her: she was an old friend, after all. It was especially good to see her during lunch, considering that she was generally early and he was generally late. He couldn’t help but smile widely at the spots of paint all over the Professor that she had obviously missed. “Don’t say anything,” Lyxara warned, under her breath. “I know what you’re thinking!”

“Heather, Cuilwen. It’s good to see you, but I’m surprised to see you here so late.” Passing over the water jug for her, James automatically filled her glass for her, filling his at the same time. “And it’s just been a usual day. Paperwork, student affairs, realising I needed to eat…”

He was, of course, cut off when Cuilwen started ‘misbehaving’ and flitting around. Lyxara darted about James’ shoulders as they heard the Welsh spouting out of each of their mouths, the man and his daemon having no clue exactly what was said. Welsh, unfortunately, was not one of their strengths. “I’m sure that that’s daemon cruelty,” the headmaster then grinned. “We should report you, poor thing Cuilwen is!”

Heather was one of those people that James could tease easily, as he felt so relaxed around her. In fact, he could just totally be himself. She may not know everything about him, but that didn’t matter. Even some of his closest friends didn’t see what he was really like, in the end.

With his teasing comment, though, Lyxara nipped his shoulder through the fabric, chastising him silently. She could be just as forceful in her views as James was, making them a perfect couple. Well, they had to be, considering each was part of the other! “Sorry, I couldn’t help it,” he grinned. “It’s good to see you, though. It’s been too long.” Looking again at Lyxara, and then Cuilwen, James’ gaze lifted to Heather’s. “I have some news, anyway. I think I’m developing a third power.” He paused, leaning in to the woman, like it was some great secret. “I think I’m psychic.” Lyxara didn’t seem very pleased with this proclamation. “Like, I just know that you’ve been painting this morning, and I don’t know how! Using a lot of blue and green, yes?” Now, all he needed to see would be how long it took Heather to realise she had blue and green paint everywhere!