The Perk, Thursday Afternoon

[apples_n_poetry]

Genesis was in a good mood.

He was stretched out in one of the comfier seats that the Perk had to offer, a coffee by his side and Loveless in his lap. Rather than reading, he was idly reviewing his notes for the various projects he’d chosen to involve himself in

Comments

[likesbigdogs]

Angeal had been working, you know, Genesis. Hard at work. Puppysitting.

Which made for interesting timing for that particular text message, yes.

Now, I know that isn't Loveless.

He had a few minutes while his student proved that he was learning nothing at all. He could most certainly spare a moment to reply to Genesis' text.

[apples_n_poetry]

"Not so much as I do in Midgar during poor seasons," he said, sipping his coffee. "But frustrating enough all the same."

Genesis snorted. "Am I supposed to feel sorry for Sephiroth?"

[likesbigdogs]

"I think the last thing Sephiroth wants is sympathy, my friend." Angeal nearly laughed aloud at the thought. "But then, I don't know if he's terribly fond of the recognition, either. Sephiroth is Sephiroth. There's really no saying, beyond that."

[apples_n_poetry]

"Tell him to keep in touch," Genesis said, "he's not returned my texts."

... Probably because they were nonsensical quotations unless you were Genesis.

[likesbigdogs]

Or, of course, unless you spoke fluent Genesis-ese. Angeal had a passing knowledge of the language, really. He'd been taking full immersion courses in it all the while he was growing up, after all.

"I'll give him a talking to," Angeal promised. And then, after another horribly uncoordinated smashing sound in the background? "Zack! Laps!"

"But Angeeeal!"

Puppies.

[apples_n_poetry]

"Oh my," Genesis murmured, amused. "Should I let you go so you might whack your puppy with some rolled up newspaper?"

Proper discipline was a must.

[likesbigdogs]

"Now, now, Genesis. When training a dog, positive reinforcement is far more effective."

Which explained the laps, truly.

"I'll let him run until it's time for his bowl of water and his afternoon nap."

[apples_n_poetry]

"And some kibble?" Genesis asked. "If he's been good?"

[likesbigdogs]

"Biscuits, Genesis. Biscuits are the treats, kibble is the food. I don't starve my puppies."

At least they weren't discussing the positives and negatives of keeping houseplants in one's quarters.

[apples_n_poetry]

Ah, but they'd done that often enough.

"And this," he said, "is why you're the one with the puppy."

A beat.

"Did I tell you I was teaching this semester?"

May the gods have mercy on his students' souls.

[likesbigdogs]

...

...

Forgive the silence, Genesis. Angeal was just taking a moment to say a quick prayer to whatever gods were listening, for just that reason.

"They let you near students, on that island?"

They were crazier there than Angeal had been led to believe.

[apples_n_poetry]

"Oh yes," he said lightly. "Hardly a difficulty with the paperwork at all. I thought it would be amusing."

... That was not a proper reason to teach, no.

[likesbigdogs]

There was another long pause. It was possible that Angeal was staring at the phone in abject horror between snippets of conversation, now.

"Do I dare ask what you'll be teaching?"

[apples_n_poetry]

Genesis' grinned tightly.

"Teamwork," he announced.

Smugly. Oh so smugly.

[likesbigdogs]

Oh, Genesis.

Oh, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis...

This was the sound of Angeal Hewley, laughing.

[apples_n_poetry]

He'd expected the laughter.

"When you're quite finished..."

But he sounded amused.