he still lives here... inside me

“I’m sure some of those skills would be useful here,” he agreed, nodding. He chuckled lightly at her description of college students. He hadn’t spent any time on the campus, though he’d observed that it was lovely from a distance. “It sounds like a challenge. I’m certain you would rise to the occasion.”

“I doubt making potions would be all that useful, but being able to patch up someone when they are wounded surely would come in handy,” she nodded.  “A challenge, yes, and one I am sure I could meet, but is it one worth the stress and exhaustion that seems to accompany it?  That I’m not too certain about.  I suppose it would not hurt to try though.”

“What sort of change would you make? As a means to an end, I’m certain you could manage school just fine.” He smiled. Djaq was clever and capable. Even if she wasn’t naturally disposed toward school, he was sure she would find a way to make it work.

“I was a decent medic and chemist back home.  Perhaps I could pursue something to do with science, maybe nursing.  I’m sure I have a lot to learn in this world,” she mused.  “I am just not sure I would do well in a university setting.  I have seen many an exhausted and stressed college student around town, and I’m not too sure I want to experience that.”

“I suppose I never considered it. I merely took the opportunities that were available to me at the time,” he admitted, tipping his head. He’d never had to consider his future much before. He was a prince; it was already laid out for him. He realized with Djaq’s questioning that he hadn’t truly believed he might be in Fableton forever because he hadn’t made any plans for that sort of future. Rolling with whatever happened was entirely his style, but maybe he ought to be thinking ahead a little more. “I never much had the disposition for school, but you are right. There are options.”

“I admit, I think I have been doing the same,” she realized.  She’d explored options in terms of recreation and lifestyle, but as for her professional life, she’d just decided to take the easiest opportunity.  She didn’t hate working with Robin and the boys, but it wasn’t exactly the best use of what she knew she was capable of.  “I’ve actually been thinking of making a change.  School’s been a possibility, but I never had any formal schooling,” she admitted.  “I’m sure there are more than I suggested, but you are certainly right.  There are options,” she agreed.

Teasing Kate was a regular activity for Cor at work, but he usually knew when to back off from truly irritating her. “Well, my friend recently suggested I become a zookeeper, but as Fableton doesn’t have a zoo.” He shrugged, chuckling.

“Perhaps you could start one.  Maybe a petting zoo.  It’ll be easier to run and I’m sure the animals involved would do better in the climate here in Fableton,” she pointed out.  “But there are other options.  There are the stables, and the animal shelter.  You could always go to the university and study to become a veterinarian.  I do not know if there is already one in town.”

“I doubt everything in any world makes perfect sense,” he mused. He chuckled at the comment and decided it would be best to keep that one to himself. He didn’t exactly fear Kate either, but he preferred not to be on the wrong side of her temper. “Not very much, no.”

“You make a good point there,” she agreed.  She was glad he saw her comment about his co-worker as a joke, as that had been her intention.  She had no quarrel with the woman, but surely even Kate couldn’t deny that she could be a bit rough around the edges.  “Have you considered finding work that involved animals?  Or some other kind of hobby that brought you in contact with them?”

“It doesn’t at all. I’m not sure how it got its name,” he agreed with a chuckle. “I suppose I like most wildlife. I used to be much… closer to it before I came here.” He smiled slightly. If by closer he meant more their size.

“Add it to the list of confusing things about this world,” she muttered to herself.  “Yes, I cannot imagine you are getting much exposure to wildlife working at the Forge.  Unless you count Kate, but don’t tell her I said that.”  Djaq wouldn’t say she feared the lady blacksmith, but she certainly respected her as one strong woman to another.

“The small, silvery fish are minnows. And that one there is a horseshoe crab. I’m not about the rest,” he admitted with a small shrug. He was more familiar with forest creatures than ocean ones, but he was learning.

“Horseshoe crab?  It doesn’t really look like a horseshoe,” she pointed out.  “What interests you about them?” she wondered, her attention shifting from the pools back to him.