6 Unicorn Street; Thank Goodness it's Tuesday! Morning, 12/21.

[special_rabbit]

Amaya had woken up and got dressed and prepared with a heavy reluctance to face yet another Friday, but it didn't take her long at all to realize that this morning was, finally different.

Mostly due to the fact that Dwight was still there sleeping on her couch.

Really, now, that's the day they managed to get out of the loop with finally, huh? It couldn't have just been the one where they'd both gotten shot?

But he had oh so handwavily because the last few days have been straight up dumpster fires still showed up yesterday, despite finally being filled in by Miguel about what had been happening, and at that point, Amaya, too, had realized that maybe just being honest about everything was the best route (and, hey, it had only taken her four days!). And even though there was a good chance that there'd be some progress in the whole thing when the infiltration team hit up that island, maybe it would be better if they both just stayed put, they could maybe get some planning and work done in the shop and then she could make some tea and he could come hang out with the lobsters.

There'd been quite a bit of awkwardness--even arguing!-- about it, at first, mostly on account of the whole getting shot that one time part of it, but at least just spending time in the apartment was better than just shoving Dwight in the closet again--not that it had apparently done much good! At least until they were sure the infiltration had succeeded, and, if not, well, then, they'd just reset yet again, and she'd make sure to text him immediately after waking up again to not even bother!

And, of course, was there a part of her who knew that there was a good chance the excursion would be successful? Maybe. But she wasn't going to think about that.

She was, instead, mostly going to try to see if she could slip pass the sleeping lout on her couch to get to the kitchen and make her coffee, as quiet and stealthy as could be (which, to be fair, were not usually her strong suits), and then hopefully slip down to the shop before he woke up and get starting on some work that might actually stick now that things were clearly back to normal (time-wise, anyway! There was nothing normal about this situation!) to help avoid at least that particular bit of awkwardness.

[[ for the oh-so-shamelessly modded and handwaved houseguest, please! ]]

Comments

[special_rabbit]

"The peppers were particularly nice, weren't they?" asked Amaya, her face lighting up a little for the chance to talk about it. Not unlike when she talked about her weapons, but it was a different, softer kind of pride....perhaps to go along with the softer sort of talent. "They came in great this year, though I think I might need to do something a little different with the tomatoes. We kind of lucked out with the one you used there, but I've been having to toss more of them than I've been able to use. The eggs, now," she smirked a bit at what she thought was a truly hilarious joke over here, "those I did have to get from the store."

[alwaysonguard]

"could always build you a little coupe or something out back for you to have your chickens if you really wanted" Dwight offered. Military buddy of mine said he raised chickens and pigeons in the city. Evidently they had a coupe built on the top of their apartment complex for the birds.". Dwight gave Amaya a grin. "I'm sure we could figure something out here easily."

[special_rabbit]

"Not much room out back except for the alley," Amaya pointed out, "though I think they used to have chickens at some point on the roof of the animal shelter. The plants keep me busy enough as it is, and besides....what would the lobsters think?"

If Dwight's introduction to Dave and Diane thus far was any indication, the answer to that question would be 'not much at all, really.'

[alwaysonguard]

"True... true... D & D would probably stage a hostle take over if any other critters tried to move in" Dwight acknowledged with a nod. "Thinking about it... the island as a whole really isn't conducive to farm-life. I mean other than the school grounds there's not a lot of open space... and I'm not sure i would trust the students with farming chores..." he added with a general handwave.

[special_rabbit]

"Oh, you'd be surprised," said Amaya, amiacably, with a little glance around the room. "They're mighty resourceful, those kids. I think I told you at some point, they helped built this place you're sitting in right now. And I had at least one student who was a farmer; I'd have trusted him with any of those kinds of tasks easily enough...

"And now," she added, with a glance toward the plants in the window overlooking Unicorn Street, "you've got me wondering if maybe I should teach a course on gardening one of these semesters. Not exactly farming, and definitely not my usual line of lessons, but it could be a bit interesting, get a little more horticultural appreciation around here!"

[alwaysonguard]

Two thoughts were running through Dwight's head at that moment. And both found their way out of his mouth as he mulled things over for a moment.

"Kinda wish some of those kids were around now" he said giving another appreciative look around the very impressive setup Amaya had. "Lord knows I could use that kind of innovation and elbow grease over at my own place." It really was quite bone bare basic and boring still.

After a couple moments thought he continued to add. "And I think that kind of class would be a perfect fit for you actually. And it's a class that would be well received and much needed I would think, what with all the focus these days on technology and digital this and smart-tech that...." he really wasn't a huge fan of technology if you couldn't tell. "It might do the kids some good to get back to nature a bit more!"

[special_rabbit]

"Maybe for the summer session, then," Amaya allowed, her faint smile llingering as she thought about it and, really, just sort of appreciated the support and the feedback. "If it doesn't work out, then at least I'm only commited to seven weeks rather than the full fifteen of a regular semester. And, really, just run a building class over the summer yourself! That's what I did here, and it turned out great. Obviously, had to hire out some of the more technical stuff, still, but I think it was a good experience for everyone involved."

[alwaysonguard]

"Good idea, with the summer class... though, I seriously doubt there would be an issues. But it would be a good way to get a feel for how the kids react to that kind of class" Dwight offered.

"And if I go that route with a home building class or something, I might be picking your brains a bit for idea or at least what to avoid this time around" he said with a grin. "I've held shop and woodworking classes but never anything more advanced than like a wooden plaque or something simple and fairly easy."

[special_rabbit]

"Yeah," Amaya couldn't help snorting a little, "too bad someone around here seems to have monopolized the market when it comes to shop classes."

But she obviously couldn't imagine who that could be!

She did teach other things, though! Just usually in the summer! And one math class that one time.

[alwaysonguard]

"Yeah, I wonder who in the world that could be?" Dwight said, barely keeping the broad smirk off his face.

"Will have to see how things go at that point. Kinda got to survive my first class before I start thinking about a second one to teach" he said with a somewhat somber nod.

[special_rabbit]

"Look," said Amaya, holding up her hands in defense as she leaned back in her chair, "if it works, it works, and me teaching shop class for the past..."

Her eyes rolled up a moment as she tried to count, and then regretted it.

"Ooof. Several years...apparently works...pretty well! So why change it? Although I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give someone else a chance...But what do you mean?" She leaned forward again now with intrgiue. "First class? You teaching in the spring and didn't tell me, Dwight?"

To be fair, Amaya, you were sort of stuck in a time loop for the better half of a week...

[alwaysonguard]

"Ah, must have slipped my mind" Dwight said rubbing the back of his head. "But yeah, figured I would give teaching a go, see how it went. See the kids and I survived it alright," he added with a chuckle. "Going to teach a PE/Health Class. Got Gladio teaming with me so I at least won't be going at this totally solo."

[special_rabbit]

"I'm doing Weaponry with Diaz again," Amaya offered with a faintly fond smile, "so looks like we've both doubled up. Can't say I've had much of a chance to get to know Gladio very well, though."

Which was a shame, really, considering his arms. And his Arms.

[alwaysonguard]

"Good. I think after recent events *ahem* we can all agree the island needs to be better prepared... For everything from mistletoe to shooty people in a time loop" Dwight said matter-of-factly. "Someone has to make sure we can protect ourselves. And I the two of you obviously make a good team when it comes to that."

[special_rabbit]

"Eh," said Amaya, with a broad grin and a wave of her hand as she leaned back in her chair, "you're just saying that because it's true. But Diaz and me, we go way back, and she's got a weapon collection that almost makes the weapons wall downstairs look sparse!"

[alwaysonguard]

"And when things work, why fix them, right?" Dwight said with a slight wink. "Sometimes people just click together and work better than they could have expected."

Did Dwight give Amaya a quick side glance before filling his cup with more coffee? Maybe. What if he did?

[special_rabbit]

You know what? Amaya was just going to blame that one on the fact that Dwight had just slept on her couch, and she was pretty sure that thing still probably had traces of fur clinging to it from that one time Seivarden was a cat. It was very logical that perhaps he was a bit allergic, or that a little bit might have just irritated that eye a little bit.

Forget those goggles; perhaps she should just get him an appointment with an eye doctor for Christmas.

"Maybe not fix 'em," she said, a little wary now regarding things like context and suggestion that were clearly not there, why would they be, "but there's always room for improvement. For example," she lifted her mug, "you improving my coffee by topping me off while you've got it, if you don't mind."

[alwaysonguard]

"Coming right up" Dwight said with a grin as he topped her off and then raised his mug to hers. "Here's to the ending of the year and to a better one ahead."

The year wasn't completely over yet, but it was winding down. And Dwight had a lot to think about. There was a lot to be thankful for a lot to look forward to for the year ahead. And sitting there in Amaya's kitchen he knew there were quite a few things he was very thankful for....