The cat is boss

[Professor Jinn]

The room was going to be fabulous, if Wish would just stop sitting on exactly what she needed. She had brought her stuff with her and not had a chance to unpack it until now. And now was also when Wish had decided she needed attention. One could not reason with a cat. Thus the first thing Robin had decided to set up was the cat tower that Wish had been so excited about.

Robin had taken Wish to the local pet store last weekend to get her a cat tower. She was kind of sick of the cat always using her as a perch. It made doing work incredibly hard. Thus, she had gotten Wish this awesome cat tower which she now had to assemble. It looked amazing in the store but it was now in like 30 pieces. They were now scattered all over the floor. The rest of her stuff sat in boxes nearby. How was she supposed to do this? Wish licked her chops in response.

[Professor Erroneous Hootford]

Erroneous turned the knob on the door and walked into his room for the year. He had lived in this Academy for several years, staying through the summer and holidays as well, and had changed room and roommate with every new school year without fail. This year was no different.

As he walked in, owl cage in hand, he saw a very large woman(woman?!) fighting with a cat tower, can mewing nearby. Hootford was a bit confused but decided not to question anything. Hootford began lugging his belongings into the room as he had just taken the time to move all of his belongings from the room he had stayed in over the summer. Among these belongings was a large trunk and a battered old briefcase. All his belongings were battered and worn but that was the way Hootford liked things.

Hootford eyed the cat once again and wondered if that cat would attempt to hurt his owl. That just would not do if it was the case. For now he would give the cat the benefit of the doubt. Instead he turned his attention to his new roommate. He held out his hand and said, Hello. I am Erroneous Hootford III. It's a pleasure to meet you. Who are you? He looked at the cat and than added, and who is your furry friend? Hootford felt he would enjoy this roommate quite a bit but only time could tell.

[Professor Jinn]

Robin looked over her shoulder as an elderly man walked in. He seemed quite sweet. Kind of like a grandpa, or a skinny Santa... minus the beard. She hoped he would be accepting of her.... differences. She did not feel like having another bad living situation. She already had too many of those. One had even tried to kill her using that dreadful Axe stuff she was allergic to. She continued to try to build this thing as he brought his stuff in. Wish watched him curiously.

When he addressed her she stood and shook his hand. "I'm Robin Jinn, no number. Nice to meet you as well." Wish walked over to meet the guest and she gestured "This is Wish. She is harmless I swear." She gasped. "I hope you are not allergic." She didn't know what she would do.

[Professor Erroneous Hootford]

Hootford chuckled a bit at the friendly cat as well as it's seemingly jumpy owner. He's a friendly little fellow isn't he. Hootford continued to pet the friendly feline as he answered Robin. No, I am quite pleased to say that I am not allergic to cats. I am actually quite fond of them. I am fond of most animals. May I ask one thing. Wish- you did say that is his name right- well Wish won't get a craving for Owl, will she?

Hootford couldn't help but be concerned. After all, his owl was his pet just as Robin's cat was her (his?) pet. Pets were like family and you wouldn't want family members to fight or maim right? His concerns were present but he pushed them to the back of his mind as he turned from his roommate to begin unpacking. He uncovered his owl cage and placed it on the top of the bureau before opening his trunk to begin emptying the contents.

After about two minutes silence, Hootford turned back to is roommate and looked at him once more. Something seemed odd about this woman but he couldn't figure out what. He also found it peculiar that his good old friend Yen Sid had changed his policy this year. Unless married or engaged, the faculty had always been treated like the students, separated by gender. In many years, Hootford had never had a woman as a roommate. He didn't mind but it was peculiar. But Yen Sid always seemed to know what he was doing and so Hootford would trust his judgement.

So, how long have you been a teacher? asked Hootford after another moment. Curiosity had often gotten the better of him and now was no different. He was being friendly but he had a right to know who he would be rooming with didn't he? He wasn't sure but he thought he was.

[Professor Jinn]

Robin smiled happily. "Oh no darlin, Wish wouldn't hurt a fly. She wouldn't... well wish of it." She clapped her hands excitedly and began to hang up clothes in her little closet. The dresses were all bright and dramatic. She quite liked them. Many were made by Robin herself.

She finished hanging things then looked at her roommate. He seemed like a nice enough fellow. A little like her grandpa, except less of the get off my lawn type like hers had been. She liked that this man hadn't even made a comment on her... well... self. Maybe he was a little out there too. She wouldn't put it past Mr. Yen Sid to do something like that.

She bit her lip. How long had she been teaching? She'd switched so many times it was hard to keep track. "Well a few years, A lady has to keep her secrets as to her age, you know?" She smiled trying to pass it off. "I've taught at a few schools around the country. How about you?" She was curious to hear of his exploits. "Got any stories?"

[Professor Erroneous Hootford]

Hootford was relieved to hear that the cat wouldn't be a threat to his owl. After all it just would not do for a cat to have a free swing at his owl but now he would not have to worry so much and could put his mind at ease a bit that leaving the two pets alone would not lead to feathers strewn on the floor. He shivered at the thought and then realized he had been asked another question.

Oh. Well I have been a teacher for more years than I can keep track of anymore. I taught largely in England and the lands under her majesty's rule. I've only been teaching in the states for a few years and only at the request of my old friend Yen Sid. I did miss him so and was quite surprised when I picked up my phone one night and heard his voice on the other end. Pleased, of course, but a bit surprised... and confused. But I was honored to be asked to join his school and I was getting on in years at my last place of learning. It was time for a new atmosphere, although I had never expected such a wintery place. It can be lovely but the chill can eat right through my bones mind you.

Hootford paused when he realized that he had been rambling a bit again. He had a tendency to ramble, especially when you got him talking about his past, and what a long past it was. He was being a bit rude babbling on. He knew better than this. My apologies. I am just chittering on like a little bird. I'd love to get to hear more about yourself.

Hootford trailed off for a moment as he fought with himself to try and find a polite way to ask if the woman really WAS a woman. Hootford did not want to offend or imply a bias or hatred. After all, he knew that the times had changed. In fact he had watched them change. But he would feel much better if he could put his mind at ease and know how he could proceed as far as privacy and modesty. And so, after a long moment of pondering and thinking, he finally spoke once more. Excuse me... and I don't mean to be rude... but you said your name is Robin. Robin is not a gender specific name if I remember correctly. I doubt Yen Sid would place me in a room with a woman, although he knows I can be quite polite and modest with them but... well are you a... are you a woman by birth or a woman by... other means?

Hootford blushed as he stumbled to the finish line of the sentence. He had given the question his best shot and now could only hope for the best and pray he had not insulted his new roommate. After all, she was so nice and he knew many people would dread being placed with the old coot. And so Hootford waited patiently, nerves written plainly on his face, as he waited for the response and the lecture that very well may accompany it.