[center][color=lightblue][h3][b]Now[/b]
Oakridge Campus - WARG Administration Office
11:30 AM[/h3][/color][/center]

Eric gave Rui a glance from above his glasses, then immediately returned to his book. He'd grown used to her annoyances over the years and frankly it was less annoying more exasperating, really. The events of the previous night had been an exercise in tolerance for him; he had Ramuh to thank for defending his pristine shirt from ever getting wet by her attempts to spill drinks on him. Every time she did, the offending liquids bounced harmlessly off Ramuh and landed on the floor, mostly onto her shoes. Granted she'd been way too drunk to notice, and that was just how he liked it. Even now, as Rui teased his growling stomach with the promise of strong coffee and one of those delicious granola bars, he felt Ramuh gently crackle over his chest, invisible mostly save for a few orange sparks that spat from his buttons.

Then Alabaster showed up and spared him the thought of actually responding. As the lanky young man tousled Rui's hair, he was shortly followed by Kade. The threat of more suit staining went unnoticed, though Ramuh flared at the young woman's words. Eric merely glanced down at his chest, shook his head and muttered under his breath. 

[color=lightblue]"It's not worth pursuing, old man."[/color]

As the temperamental spirit settled down, Olivia showed, prim and proper though barefoot, as he idly noted. Her platform pumps were grasped in one hand and she appeared slightly flustered but otherwise alright. He surmised that waking up this morning had been rough on her, so he snapped his book closed and returned it to his inner jacket pocket, turning his attention to her. 

[color=lightblue]"Olivia. You look like you need something to drink. A strong coffee perhaps."[/color]

Of course, at that moment headmaster Cid appeared from within the office. Rui immediately snapped to attention, thankfully, but out of the corner of his eye he noticed her glance towards him, her hands gently tensing around the coffee cup and granola bars. Expecting her to move, he merely turned towards her and opened his hands and, true enough, she bolted forward and deposited the cup and bars straight into his waiting hands. With a smirk and a nod, Eric took breakfast and handed Olivia a bar and the cup, in one smooth motion of course, as was his norm.

[color=lightblue]"There you are, Olivia. Coffee, strong and bitter, and an energy bar. I know lunch is around the corner but this should tide you over until then."[/color]

He knew his instinctual abilities infuriated Rui to no end. Just as she annoyed him, so he would anger her.

Meanwhile Olivia was busy giving Cid a big warm hug, so he waited. He and the headmaster were on good terms, though they spoke rarely for the most part. He stood straighter and gave the old man a warm smile as greeting.

[color=lightblue]"Morning, Headmaster. Cheerful, as always, hm?"[/color]

"Always, Eric. But you should learn to relax, dressing so proper like that so early in the day."

He smiled and bowed his head in mild embarrassment. 

[color=lightblue]"Headmaster, you should know by now I always dress like this. I don't have anything else, except for those shirts the others gave me on my birthday last year."[/color]

Cid grinned and clapped him on the shoulder.

"So serious! Lighten up, Eric!"

With a chuckle he returned the grin and shook his head.

[color=lightblue]"I'll try, Headmaster. I'll try."[/color]

He muttered a soft thanks as he entered the old man's office, choosing to stand to one side of the door as the rest filed in slowly.