ROYALTY
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Academy Staff
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Chilly
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Post by Eduard Winkler on Oct 5, 2024 21:17:33 GMT -7
EDUARD A. WINKLER Panacea academy, british columbia, canadA Eduard wasn’t sure how it came up in conversation. To this day he couldn’t remember. But one of the English teachers who’d made it a habit to talk at him whenever she saw him cleaning the Hallway had brought up how her students were now reading the classic novel “Fahrenheit 451” and how it was hard to get these young students to focus and blah blah blah… Why she’d mentioned that to him, he wasn’t sure. He was just there to sweep. And why he engaged with her, he equally wasn’t sure. But somehow he brought up the fact that that book was one of his favorites, and how he had a copy from high school that had seen better days…
…And she brought up how there was an English teacher here at the school that actually bound books, and that maybe she’d be able to make it new. The other teacher told him about Irene Delacroix, and which classroom was hers and to maybe make a stop by and ask her about it!
Of course Eduard wasn’t a particularly sociable guy, and he didn’t go out of his way to bother Ms. Delacroix, but the more he thought about it, the more he couldn’t get the idea out of his mind. The book was an important high school memory, and though Eduard also wasn’t particularly sentimental, the thought of getting his book fixed did indeed sound tantalizing.
But talking to Mrs. Delacroix? That was the bigger hurdle. She was a fine woman. On more than one occasion, he’d found himself somewhat in awe of how the woman still managed to look so clean and fashionable, despite her age. The way she carried herself and her looks also struck him. Even the way she interacted with her students made her seem a lot taller than she was. She lived in the light out of Eduard’s reach, and though they knew each other informally, they’d really only exchanged a few words here and there.
He felt like an odd creature as he walked towards her classroom after school that day, his small novel tucked neatly under his arm. It felt even weirder to knock on her classroom door, before he pushed it open slowly, peeking inside to see the woman in question sitting at desk, working on something. Whether it was grading papers or something else, he wasn’t sure.
But he braved onwards, moving towards the woman, and cleared his throat quietly.
“Hello ma’am,” he started, feeling almost ashamed at how he immediately made it awkward, “I have a book here…” He pulled it out from under his arms and held it out towards her to look at.
“I heard you have some kind of interest in binding books? I could pay you… if you think you could maybe work some magic on this old book of mine.”
He glanced over at what she was wearing. Immaculately placed neat clothing. Clean. Befitting a teacher. He immediately felt embarrassed over what he’d shown up to her in. Paint stained thick blue jeans, covered with splotches of various greasy chemicals that he’d used to clean up the messes in the school, and a faded zip-up hooded sweatshirt with… more stains on it.
It was totally rare for him to feel this way. So why now? Everyone at the school knew his work...
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Academy Staff
played by
Rae
❝
I suppose, in a way, you might have a point.
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Post by Irene Delacroix on Oct 8, 2024 17:16:30 GMT -7
you're riding high in april, shot down in may; but I know i'm gonna change that tune; when i'm back on top in June
There was nothing Irene wanted more than a good tumbler of scotch and time alone with her books as the day came to a close. These kids were already running her ragged, and the school year had just started. She'd been up against sleepers, skippers, arguers—the whole bag. But she held out hope that she could get at least some of them into shape by year’s end.
"God, it's going to be a long year..." The woman thought with a sigh, drooping her head down to look at the stack of papers on her desk. She had them organized already into groups, starting with pretty-good; fine; and then god-awful. Unfortunately, the stack of god-awful assignments made up half of the work ahead of her.
"What were those teachers last year doing?" Irene made a mental note to give a have a word with the junior English teacher. Too often, teachers ignored the tough students and focused on the "good ones." but what was the point of that? No wonder they don't feel the need to try, it's been handed to them the past three years!
Irene felt like she had a responsibility to make sure every student got the opportunity to learn, "whether they like it or not." She nodded to herself at the thought, reaching for the first paper from the "god-awful" pile. Best to work her way up. At least she'd end the afternoon on a positive note.
She's was about 5 assignments in before she heard the gentle knock on the door. Irene looked up just as Eduard walked in, brushing away a few strands of hair from her face with a smile. They had only spoken, cordially, a few times, but he always seemed rather busy. Irene hated to disturb anyone when they were working, she knew how annoying it could be. Although his interruption didn't seem to irritate her at all.
"Ah! Mr. Winkler, what can I help you with?" Her voice was soft, gentle, and she reached up to straighten her collar. As he spoke, she nodded along, eyeing the book he held in his hands. Irene took it from him gently, carefully running her hand over the cover and turning to look at the spine.
It was faded, but she could still see the title, and the pages at least seemed to be in good order. It definitely had seen better days, but seemed to be well read. Fahrenheit 451 wasn't what Irene would expect from Mr. Winkler, but she appreciated that he knew good literature. It was a favorite of hers as well. "This is a good one, it's scary how books from 70 years from can ring just as true, maybe even more so, now."
The woman immediately took notice of his demeanor, she didn't remember him being nervous with anyone else. Was her reputation that bad? Was she coming off as mean to other staff members? "I should probably be extra nice to him."
“I heard you have some kind of interest in binding books? I could pay you… if you think you could maybe work some magic on this old book of mine.”
Irene blinked, but then offered a smile. "Of course, I'd love to!" She wasn't aware word of her hobby had spread, although she could bet top dollar it was that sophomore English teacher. That woman sure had a mouth on her, she'd talk anyone's ear off. "No need to pay me, Mr. Winkler, I'm happy to help any enjoyer of fine literature." She looked down at it again, letting out a small hum.
"I'm actually in-between projects at the moment, so it fits in quite well. Especially such a good book, it'll be hard for me not to read it as I'm binding it." Irene laughs, brushing her hair out of her face once again. The day truly had worn on her, she felt like everything she was wearing was out of place.
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Academy Staff
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Post by Eduard Winkler on Oct 21, 2024 9:06:04 GMT -7
EDUARD A. WINKLER Panacea academy, british columbia, canadA "No need to pay me, Mr. Winkler, I'm happy to help any enjoyer of fine literature."
No no! Eduard wanted to pay! Maybe if she insisted then he’d offer her a large tip…? Isn’t that what you were supposed to do for artistic types? Even more so when they offered their services for free? Eduard found his mind wandering as she continued conversing.
"I'm actually in-between projects at the moment, so it fits in quite well. Especially such a good book, it'll be hard for me not to read it as I'm binding it."
Just as he glanced up, she was pushing a strand of hair out of her face. And again, Eduard felt somewhat like an ungroomed creature, with his scraggly bangs in his face and his beard and mustache unkempt and getting far too long for their own good… He brushed his fingers through the hair that hung nearly into his eyes and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
Maybe that helped? He wasn’t sure.
“You can read it. In fact, maybe I’ll reread it as soon as I get it back.” It was true that it had been a while since he’d read it. It would’ve been nice to get reacquainted with the book, and even have someone who knew the inner workings of the thing to talk about it with, someone who had probably done more than a few classes on the thing, “I’ve always, even as a teen had a weak spot for it… because of the fireman theme and the book burning and stuff… I’ve always enjoyed reading books…”
Eduard didn’t notice it as he began to rock on the heels of his feet.
“...Even if I don’t seem like it. I was also a fireman for most of my working career, this janitor thing is pretty new…” Eduard motioned to himself as he made an excuse for his messy stained clothing, “I probably am not giving off the vibes of a fireman either, but my friends used to say that to me a lot also.”
And now he was babbling! Why couldn’t he just get it together!? He started backwards towards the door, trying to slowly get himself out of his self-inflicted awkwardness.
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Academy Staff
played by
Rae
❝
I suppose, in a way, you might have a point.
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Post by Irene Delacroix on Nov 4, 2024 20:47:37 GMT -7
you're riding high in april, shot down in may; but I know i'm gonna change that tune; when i'm back on top in June
Fidgety isn’t a word that Irene had heard typically associated with Eduard, but she picked up on his uneasiness. The woman wasn’t unaware of her stern reputation, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d ever caused him offense. That or the sophomore English teacher was in need of a talking to… “God, what could she have said about me?”
Still, he kept talking, which Irene took as a good sign. The fact that he continued fussing over his hair and clothes slowly made her realize it wasn’t about her. Hopefully. In fact it looked like he'd had a long, weary day, and suddenly she felt a little silly for feeling as if she was all out of sorts. “Being a janitor must be tough.” Especially with the kids around the academy.
“I probably am not giving off the vibes of a fireman either, but my friends used to say that to me a lot also.”
“I didn’t know that. I hate to say it but I’m oft out of the loop about my coworkers.” Irene said with a light laugh, “although, I wouldn’t say it’s entirely unexpected.” She couldn’t help the wry smile that spread across her face. While she didn’t know anything about his personal life, she had heard things over the years. How could anyone forget the mop incident? From the few things she’d heard he had a helpful streak despite his typical, gruff demeanor. A past career in public service would make sense.
“How about you re-read it when I get it back to you and we can have a spirited discussion, hm? It’s quite interesting to read it with a more modern lens, especially if it has been a while.” Irene’s eyes lit up, and she couldn’t help to sit a little straighter. “In fact-” She stopped herself mid-sentence, reigning in the urge to ramble.. “Well I suppose it can wait until I get it back to you.” She couldn’t help the English teacher kicking in, but it was nice to talk about books with an actual adult. Not some fresh-faced eighteen year old, but someone who had the life-experience for their opinions to be fully formed. “If I start now you’d be trapped here forever.”
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ROYALTY
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Academy Staff
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Post by Eduard Winkler on Nov 9, 2024 22:03:24 GMT -7
EDUARD A. WINKLER Panacea academy, british columbia, canadA It was nice that Irene took over the talking. Eduard had never been much of a talker himself, and listening to her speak made his fidgeting (and seemingly endless babbling) settle down a bit. She didn’t seem to mind that he looked like he just rolled out of painting a hamburger joint at least. But he should’ve figured she wouldn’t. Most of his worries were self-inflicted, and he knew that.
“I didn’t know that. I hate to say it but I’m oft out of the loop about my coworkers.” She stated, causing Eduard to glance up at her from under his moppy bangs. She continued on from there, and he was more than happy to keep listening, “....If I start now you’d be trapped here forever.”
“No, you can continue. I don’t mind.” He rather liked listening to her anyway, she seemed kind and genuinely interested in what she was talking about, “And… yeah. I’d say it's better to keep to yourself.” He moved away from the door and back towards her a bit, feeling a bit more at ease, “I hear too much gossip going around even though I’m just cleaning halls half the time. Can you believe some teachers think I’m “secretly nice” or something? Ridiculous, honestly.” Eduard wasn’t sure if Irene would pick up on his joke, he wasn’t nice at all! Adding to that, the older man wasn’t at all aware of how serious his face looked in spite of his joking. (Nor would he ever be.)
“Yeah. I’ll definitely have my notebook ready so we can have a discussion about the book. I appreciate you doing this.”
But for now he had work to do… and cats to feed. There wasn’t a lot of time for him to stay hanging around the classroom, chit chatting with Mrs. Delacroix. But definitely next time! She seemed like a kind person and he wanted to get to know her better.
“How long do you think it will take? I can give you my number so you can give me a call when it is ready.”
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