Private Finished Allô and Welcome

Headphones snug over his ears, drowning him in the latest podcast of cursed artifacts of the occult; Chester's fingers danced away on the the keyboard, as he journal the latest item in question. Surrounded by towers of unopened boxes, the dorm was still for the most part as untouched as the day he arrived a week before. Save for a few daily essentials and one large plush purple duvet, it seemed quite obvious he was not in a hurry to unpack.

Lost to his own devices, it took a few moments for him to even realize he had a visitor. It was somewhat a surprise to say the least, after all, Chester rarely got actual visitors aside from his sister whom always called ahead.

Pulling the headphones from his head to his neck, he pushed himself from the desk rather noisily wincing at the sound of the wooden chair raking against the floor.

"Coming!" He called out.

Unlocking the door, his hand hesitated a moment on the knob as he took a deep breath and cracked the door open.

"He-Hello? Can I Help you? Oh! Brownies!" His nervous disposition vanished as his eyes flashed with a moment of delight.

Unfortunately, it twas but a moment before if faded back into hesitation and suspicion.

"For me? Why...who?" He studied her face a moment, She seemed very familiar on a number of levels before he relaxed and opened the door further.

"Oh Ms. Forestier... Home ec right? Uhmmm Our families know each other?" One hand still on the door, the other fidgeting at his side before warily raised it for the plate. "May I?"

Taking the plate, his eyes darted from the brownies to the teacher and the floor, reluctant for eye contact. Releasing the door to scratch his neck, he stepped aside.

"W-would you like to come in? Sorry it's uhh.... a bit of a mess..."

Unable to resist taking a hearty bite from one of the brownies as he let Ms. Forestier past, his face scrunched up at the taste of peacans.

Ugh peacans. He held a high distaste for them, but of course his family could never remember details like that.

Giving it a hard swallow, and setting the rest on one of the boxes with a strained smile, Chester returned his attention to the aforementioned story.

“I can’t imagine. No idea.” He muttered softly, not wanting to interrupt the flow before the punchline.

But it was worth it once the conclusion came to its rest, working a small chortled snort from him. Smirking ever so slightly as he leaned back against the boxes crossing his arms comfortably.

“I was wondering why the dorms were giving me a sweet tooth.” He mused, gaze drifting off a moment.

“I havn’t really unpacked since I know it’s only temporary... Lizzy said that Father was already getting a cottage ready for me. So.. didn’t think it was worth getting comfortable... otherwise I’d offer tea or something.” Shifting a bit uncomfortably, his arms dropped and raised several times seemingly not knowing what to do with them.

“S-sorry... I uhh... don’t have a lot of .. uhmm. Interesting st-stories... I uhh... don’t...” he glanced around all his hidden belongings. “Get out much...”

Turning back to Celeste, he scuffed his shoe on the floor. Glancing nervously up at her.

“So uhm.. did my mother ask you to check up on me?”

Rubbing his arm self consciously, it came to a rest above his elbow as his nails dug into his sleeve. Gritting his teeth as he glared at his computer on the desk he seethed.

"Figured." He muttered feeling instantly vexed. His mind racing angrily.

Concerned. Ha! Load of bull. Always getting someone else to check on me. Never having time to see for themselves. They just want reports. They don't give a Sh-—

Turning away and striding back towards the door, he suddenly felt claustrophobic and wanted to get out.

"Actually, its getting a bit stuffy in here. Are there any gardens or greenhouses around? I could use some air."

Locking the door behind them as he stepped aside for Celeste to lead the way, Chester felt that familiar exhaustion creeping up on him from every time he thought about his family.

“That’s great.” admittedly he could have said it with at least some enthusiasm. So he tried to correct it with some humor...

“Unlike most in my family, I actually prefer the sort of green that flowers.” A bit dry and bitter but at least he was trying.

"How about the gardens? It's a beautiful day today. Hardly any wind and the first flowers are starting to bud,"

Though still wrought with tension, Chester was sincerely looking forward to it, and left himself a bit vulnerable.

“Its been a while since I’ve gotten to garden. I’ve missed the feel of fresh soil and scent of blooms. Plants are just... such good company.”

Hesitating a moment as he glanced up at Celeste, he hoped he hadnt sounded too anti social or weird. He stammered on, waving his hands about in embarrassment.

“I-I’m just cooped up alot is all! I’ve t-taken online c-courses so long, I decided to do something more hands on! Horticulture, Agriculture, Natural medicinals, stuff like that! Ya know?”

Feeling a bit breathless he paused long enough to spy a water fountain and helped himself to a drink.

Turning his attention to the surrounding gardens, Chester felt his angry disposition at the world settle just a bit as he walked over to a plant, and gently brushed his fingers over it's leaves.

Celeste, returning promptly with a sprig of herb, he glanced up at her before reaching out to accept it. A smirk playing at his lips, he twirled it in his fingers playfully visibly relaxing in the gardens presence.

"I think I remember you now... I mean not that I didn't know you before. Obviously. But your family, their druids, right?" His hazy memory bringing clarity from the gesture.

"I think you gave me something similar first time we met." He recalled.

Crushing it as instructed he took a deep breath feeling his frustrations recede.

"It was like a company charity ball or summit, or something... Midsummer. Maybe five or six years ago? I had an anxiety attack and ran off to the gardens. You gave me something then too. " He smiled to himself recalling how pissed his parents were that he'd 'embarrassed' them.

"I appreciate it. Sorry for being a bit testy. I hate it when my parents seem to always keep tabs on me, but you seem more like Elizabeth. More sincere. " He scratched his cheek, still playing with the herb in the opposite hand,

"So... uhhh. Thanks..." Then he added more awkwardly, "uhm is it still more preferable I call you Ms. Forestier, or Celeste? Since your still my teacher and all...Probably be kinda weird otherwise."