Fes leaned over the front counter just for a moment as he looked at Rune, calm and content as always. The faerie could walk into any room and demand attention without a single word. Maybe it was the way he walked with such unhurried, certain steps, each slow stride like punctuated statements as he moved. Like watching a stag silently move to drink at a riverbank close enough to touch. It was natural and silent. It was elegant.<br/><br/>It was absolutely irritating. Fes had to scowl and shout to be seen, but Rune simply had to exist. The worst part about it was the ease. He was so genuine, kind, and unbothered by the chaos around him. It always made Fes question his sour mood. The nerve of this guy! He let out a sigh and allowed the smile pulling at the corners of his mouth to succeed.<br/><br/>"Morning old-timer" the homunculus said in a low voice.<br/><br/>"Long-time no see" he joked before standing up straight. The front door jingled as another person walked in and Fes gave them a friendly greeting. Before he could get back to chatting with Rune, already three people had lined up to buy something. The woman at the front of the line had purchased a great deal, both in quantity and size. A large print book with a scenic view on the cover, simply titled "France", Four black and yellow paperback instructional books about disparate skills, a large drawing pad, two full-sized boxed buddha boards, A reading light, three physiology textbooks and a large wooden square chest. The man chuckled as he rung up the items.<br/><br/>"You uhh, you find everything you need by chance?" he said as looked up at her, she gave him a chuckle<br/><br/>"I was looking for a little elf that could Christmas shop for me but I think I'll be fine,"<br/><br/>Fes gave Rune a sideways glance in between scanning and bagging items "ah, just sold the last one" Fes remarked regretfully "You shopping for a doctor?" he said holding up a textbook before placing it in a bag.<br/><br/>"ah- no, just getting ahead of the curve. Classes start soon and I wanted to have my textbooks before a bunch of other responsibilities start piling up and it slips my mind."<br/><br/>Fes nodded along but couldn't help but let his mind wander a bit as he thought about what it must be like to be a college student. Didn't people get tired of sitting in big rooms listening to talks about life instead of living it? Maybe that's what life is about for people in the city nowadays. Still... he couldn't say he wasn't curious to see how school had changed.<br/><br/>With a nod along and a few quick exchanges. The short line disappeared as quickly as it was formed. The homunculus swiped a hand through his hair before looking over at Rune.<br/><br/>"hmm. Good thing I'm such a capable clerk. Lucius is gonna have to move to a less mentally taxing task after I cave in his neanderthal brow"  the frown had returned in an instant. The homunculus leaned over the counter. An expression more akin to a pout than rage showed on his face and words rushed out of him as if he had no control over them.<br/>"Did that clown tell you he went home?" he spoke conspiratorially, as if he'd dropped some serious gossip "because the first I heard of it was hmmm... fifteen minutes ago?" his hands were little balled fists pressed into the counter. He turned to look out of the window and shake his head in dramatic frustration. Except instead of shaking, his head went completely still. In fact, his entire body had gone stiff.<br/><br/>"Uhh, hey Rune?" he said in a small, almost concerned voice "Could you look out the window for a second?"<br/><br/>The server kid was shouting at a mess of frizz dressed in mismatched colors right out front. If the scene wasn't so absurd, Fes might've gone out to scold the boy.