𝚛𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚝𝚖𝚊𝚗

Taryn hummed and nodded before chuckling. "I've always thought that the British do their tea perfectly so no complaints here." she grinned over at him. She listened as he continued to speak about his summer plans. "May I ask this daring question? Which one do you like more? Teaching or the library?"

“Well, thank you. That’s a major compliment,” Oliver chuckled. “The kids in my class think it is funny for some reason,” he said, scratching his head slightly. “But preteens tend to think either everything is funny or everything is unfunny, so I’m taking it as a good thing!” he laughed softly. “Oh, that’s a good question… well? Both have their ups and downs. I’ve grown quite fond of teaching because talking to the kids and hearing them express themselves about different books always excites me. As does reading what they have to say,” he smiled.

"Oh. Sure. Haven't had much chance to sit down myself either, honestly," said Dominic with a light laugh, quite quickly taking up the offer. His attention did move to the picture books a moment, a smile creeping over his features; Cat had grown out of them down, but it brought back good memories of a time not so long ago. "Day's going good," he responded. "Definitely got busier once we hit lunch. How about yours?"

Oliver nodded his head and chuckled. "Mmm, yeah, it's been consistently busy. You arrived at the right time!" he said. "A lot of kids looking through the books and everything. But I am happy we got a nice flow! I did see some of my students too, which was nice. They were excited to take a look,"

Absolutely. Although I do feel like with the kids out of school for the summer, the community center ends up busier, so sometimes I work longer hours, but... more fun programs to oversee, too, so there's that. That should be fun, I can't wait to see what you come up with! I'm hoping we have good weather for it and it ends up being a good time.

Summer does get pretty busy too. Kids are out and about, doing so many different things, hanging out at the beach. I really do love it. I had a lot of fun last summer here as well. So far, the weather has been really nice. I'm also looking forward to more walks and exploring more of the town. Merrock always has a surprise or two, doesn't it?

"You can be a homebody and a nature lover at the same time!" she assured him with a warm smile, "plus, you can always go outside and read under a shade tree or in the park or something, which is basically combining the best of both worlds, yeah?" And sometimes the change of pace and fresh air made even the most normal, mundane tasks a little easier and a little more fun, too. Sometimes Ashleigh found herself doing paperwork for the program outside on the roof of her boat, instead of at the table inside. It was just a needed change of scenery. "As long as you have your feet in the stirrups and your hands on the reins, you'll do fine. I've seen very clumsy kids handle riding like a pro!" And that was the truth. Sometimes it just took a little encouragement from a good teacher to make sure that they knew what they were doing, and Ashleigh liked to think that she was a good teacher. "If you do become an expert in all things Merrock by the end of this summer, then I am fulling expecting you to teach me your ways, just so you know. You'll be my teacher."

That was my thought, too!" Oliver agreed, nodding. "Reading a book under the shade of a big oak tree? That sounds like a good time to me, honestly," he smiled. He could do that. He used to do that during his time in university in Seattle. There were a lot of trees and spots to just do some work, read through a new book or just relax. Merrock had a few spots around the parks where he could indulge in some quiet time as well. "That's what I tell everyone! I may be clumsy and klutzy as they come and I trip over my own dog on a good day, but I can handle myself when I go out riding. Funny how that works, huh?" he laughed quietly. A shy grin appeared on his face. "I will do my best. Once I figure it out, I'll be sure that you're the first person to know,"

For: @oliverxsutton Location: Spring Fling, Library Tent

Oliver had spent most of the morning sorting out the display in the tent and organizing brochures for the library. He felt like it would be a good idea to post the programs offered through spring and summer. Lizzie had been napping in the corner. He adjusted his glasses and smiled when Dominic spoke up. "Thank you," he said, in slight surprise at the kind gesture. "Would you like to sit?" he asked, taking a seat at the table himself and moving aside some of the picture books piled up. "How has your day been going?"

Except for when he was very young, Will lived in the same place, went to a school from First Grade up until he graduated, and stayed at NYU for his undergrad and his master's. So it would be easy to say that he was a creature of habit, and part of the reason why he took the job out here in the first place. It was a chance for him to try something new, maybe even to be someone new - but regardless of what it might hold in store for him, he was happy for the change in scene. One thing that had stayed constant for him, however, was the familiarity and safety of a library. He was only a week into his job as the new full time librarian in Merrock and was feeling good about his adjustment into the role, knowing it would take time to feel like home. So when Oliver offered to go to lunch together, he happily accepted. He was excited about the opportunity to make new friends, especially when they liked books as much as Will. "It's really nice, actually. I feel like I haven't looked around too much, with unpacking and trying to get settled at the library, but it's very peaceful. A lot different from New York. How do you like it? Is there a favourite spot of yours around town?" Will asked before chuckling lightly, thumbing through the menu. "Not at all. I'm always happy for the help. Have you worked at other libraries before this one?"

"Unpacking is the worst part of it all. I remember having to haul everything across the country in my bags and then in separate shipment boxes, some of my clothes got lost along the way..." he shook his head with a smile. "But you made it! We've figured it out so far," Oliver chuckled. Being in Will's shoes just a little over a year ago, he knew it was hard to pack up and move to a new town, especially from a big city to a small place like Merrock. And making friends. And getting used to everything. The kids in his classes were teaching him a whole lot. He absolutely adored Merrock, and his job. Teaching in a significantly smaller classroom was good for his nerves. "Mawk Tales probably knows my order for now. Cobblestone and What's the Tea also see me nearly every other weekend," he chuckled. "Trust me... there's still so much to discover. I've been here a little over a year and I am sure that I haven't seen everything yet to really call myself an official local," he said, sitting back. "I worked in a couple of school libraries when I was in Seattle, helped run the second one at the school I was teaching at. But here with the general library, it feels much bigger. I do like it, though.

"Eventually, after they have a reasonable explanation. Typically... they just want answers. I guess it depends on the generation too," he hummed. He had always been taught to question things if they didn't make sense or if there felt like something was missing. "Well, if it helps, you're doing a great job. You know what you want and you got the information down to a tee it sounds like."

Letting out a relieved laugh when she noticed the dog at her feet, and realized she hadn't missed anything important, she nodded her head enthusiastically. "Well, I do normally smell pretty good, I can't blame her," she had sprayed a little perfume before heading out that morning, and Esther felt like she had finally showered off that musty smell that stuck with you while you were unpacking boxes and bags that had no reason what so ever to smell like that. Life. "You mean playing with the grasshopper like… befriending it, not eating it, right?" she looked over her shoulder towards the butterfly that was lifting in the air, off of the flowers it had been sitting on. "Although it looks like her potential best friend is heading for greener pastures, now. Guess she'll have to settle for me," she held her hand out for the dog to sniff while looking up at the man in front of her with a smile. "Did I hear you say her name was Liz?"

“I believe you!” Oliver grinned and laughed. He looked at Lizzie, who was wagging her tail and expectantly looking up between the two humans. He couldn't help but give his dog an amused look. She was always a friendly dog, loved people, loved attention and making new friends. Part of that had him thinking that one day her enthusiasm might get him into some trouble. "Befriending it, yes. She wanted to play, chase it around." He scratched his head, remember how many times he had been tugged in the opposite direction because Lizzie wanted to play with a squirrel she spotted halfway across the block. But he was glad that Essie seemed to be rather taken with Lizzie so far, which meant more happy tail-wagging. "Yes!" he bobbed his head in a nod. "Her namesake is Elizabeth Bennet,"

"Still, I'm sure your efforts are appreciated! Especially getting into the nitty-gritty of it all," She gave a nod, glad to see her fellow neighbors out and putting effort into the community garden. "Of course! Sweet or peach tea?" She took out two bottles, raising an inquisitive eyebrow as she offered them to him. "It's a good day! Looking forward to the warmer weather ahead, since I'm sure this is just a prelude. What about you?"

“I do my best!” Oliver chuckled and smiled. He looked over. “Oh, either sounds good. Do you have a preference? What do you recommend?” He asked curiously. He rubbed his hands together and nodded. “It’s been a good week so far. I’m very much looking forward to what else the town has to offer.

I can imagine it's a struggle! And then, of course, you're excited to have summer break, too, so you feel like a hypocrite telling them that they have to study and do homework when you're thinking about the beach, too, right? But I'm glad that you're keeping them in line and on task for the rest of the school year. Things have been good on my end, I've been helping with some organization for Spring Fling coming up, mostly.

I think we’re all just ready for a long break, and the warmer weather to go along with it. But I do my best to keep everyone’s excitement at bay, to make things go as smoothly as possible because everyone just wants to finish up. I’m glad to hear it! I think we’re planning to do some projects with the library as well.

Taryn smiled and nodded. "Mmm, if I didn't love coffee so much, I would take on that Earl Grey tea with a vengance." Taryn had loved coffee since her first sip at her grandmother's house. She had tried so many different versions of coffee as well and she had her favorites down to a science. She chuckled at his teasing. "Oh yes. I'm such a tyrant. I always want perfection." While Taryn was a perfectionist, she tried to not push that trait on anyone else, especially her staff.

“Quite delicious, yes?” He asked with a smile. “And possibly very stereotypically British of me as well,” he chuckled. “But I will take it,” Oliver said. “Don’t worry, perfection is a good thing, I think,” he said, adjusting his glasses a bit. He was also a perfectionist and he could admit that much. Sometimes it did him good, being a teacher. It helped keep everything together and not falling apart. In the classroom, that was the goal.

"I'm an outdoors girl," she paused, letting out a laugh, "obviously. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I've never understood people who have such a strong aversion to being outside, enjoying the sunshine." Some people liked to be inside, in front of a screen, or with a book in hand, and Ashleigh knew that those things and those places had their time, sure, but… she loved getting dirty, loved riding, loved breaking a sweat by jogging or hiking or swimming. "Oh, please," she grinned, waving off his worries about being rusty, "riding a horse is kind of like riding a bike, you get right back on and it comes back like nothing happened." Then she paused, tilting her head to the side, "unless you're not good at bike riding, and then pretend that I said that." Feeling a warm smile touch her face when he talked about how much he loved the job, getting to meet people, she nodded her head, knowing she could relate quite a bit with the work that she did through the program. "I think, so far, that's been one of my favorite parts of Merrock. Just seeing how close everyone is, and getting the vibes that people know each other really well."

“Wouldn’t have guessed,” Oliver teased, giving her a lopsided grin. “Contrary to popular belief, I do enjoy the outdoors. I may seem like a homebody with my books and all that. But I do like being around nature.” He liked the quiet. Sometimes even in a library things were much too busy or loud. But nature gave him a reprieve from other people, just him and his dog was an easy peace. He nodded. “I never really thought of it that way, but we should think about putting it to the test. And then see how long it takes for me to lose my balance,” he smiled a bit more. “Well, with a bike, I admit I am not that great. I think the bike has more of an advantage there. I’m known to have two left feet,” he said and shrugged. He stuck his hands back into his pockets, looking over at her. “So far, I’ve loved it. There’s such a closeness that you can’t get in a big city. I’ve still got a lot to learn about this place, so it has been a bit of a process… but I am loving everything so far. And honestly, I can’t wait to get to know more people. Maybe even by the end of summer I’ll be more of an expert,” his smile grew into a grin.

WHO: essie & open!

Oliver rubbed his hands together as he walked. It wasn't so cold, but it was a nervous habit when he didn't know what to do with his hands. Downtown wasn't his usual place that he went to but it seemed like a good day to give it a go, just walk and see where his feet would take him. Lizzie was with him and she was happily enjoying her day out, sniffing everything she could see, and almost enthusiastically chasing after a squirrel. "Okay, Liz, where do you want to go next?" he asked her as she led him towards someone, sniffing at her feet. "Oh, sorry about her," he said apologetically, running a hand through her hair. "I think she likes you," he gave her a sheepish smile. "And probably spotted something that she wants to befriend. One time she tried to play with a grasshopper,"

Oliver bobbed his head in a nod. “That is a long time,” he said, and looked over the paper in his hand. “Is a lot? Small businesses make a huge difference,” he said. “Maybe they’re more curious first. Human nature is to question things. So it probably hasn’t really settled in for most yet.”

So, now that we're fairly barreling towards the end of the school year... do you noticed it with the kids in the classroom? I work with a few small groups at the community center, and almost every single student that I ask has a countdown going until summer vacation, down to the day. It seems like it's been a long school year!

They’re pretty excited. I do my best to keep everyone focused on this last part of the year, get their homework in. Give extra credit if needed. I think so far, everyone’s been on top of things, though so I don’t need to do a whole lot of extra work. But I always have a list of smaller projects just in case someone does want that chance to improve. It really has been a long school year! How are things going with you?