Watch your step!

“Good grief, it’s really pouring something fierce out there, huh? You sure you should go out in that weather?” A concerned senior citizen peeking out the window of an apartment complex lobby winced, then looked up— with no exaggeration— towards a giant of a man, who was just putting on an appropriately sized black and green raincoat. “Yeeup, I’ll be a’right, don’cha worry, been needin’ to buy a few things anyhow.” The giant fella was none other than Desmond, he had the day off work today so it would be beneficial to get shopping out of the way now rather than later.

Picking up what would be a comically large umbrella to anyone else, Desmond gracefully slipped out the front door of the building and was on his way down to the shops just around the corner. There were a few people rushing around getting things done, but Desmond was patient, taking in the atmosphere.

Desmond rounded the corner and could see the shopping centre, but with his height advantage he saw something that would need his more immediate attention— someone was about to trip over and lose what they were carrying!

Reacting instantly, Desmond closed his umbrella then tossed it up and over as he launched forward and above everyone else with a sizzling pop; in just enough time, Desmond would reach the person that tripped to catch them before grabbing the stuff that flew out of their grip out of the air with one hand. With his reach he grabbed his own umbrella as it finally caught up to him, and opened it immediately above himself and the person that tripped. “Phew-wee!” Desmond chuckled, he didn’t think that he would manage that but adrenaline was really something! “Are you a'right?” He asked, finally getting a look at who he just assisted.

Glad to have been of assistance, Desmond simply gave a bright little smile to the Majin. If she needed any assistance in standing again, he would offer, but it looked like she would be fine doing so herself. “Oh, uh, it’s—” It wasn’t really that big of a save was it? Desmond realistically had no idea, he was surprised she had bowed to him for one thing. As far as he knew he just stopped someone from tasting the wet pavement. “— uhm, yeah I haven’t a clue, ma’am. Just doin’ what I reckoned was the right thing to do.” Still, he was glad to have stepped in, and if this really saved her day then that’s what it did!

“Me? Yeah, I’m a’right, no need to be worrying about that. Been flying around like that since I was a lil’ tater tot.” As far as ‘lil tater tots’ went, he was probably one of the biggest. His outfit was fine though, and it would take a quick inspection to see that was the case. “First day of a new job huh? Well, we should get you there quickly— bein’ early would give a good first impression! Where d’you need to go?” There was no need for repaying the favor, but Desmond decided to be a little bit corny about it since she asked. “Y’can pay me back by having a great day at your new job, how’s that sound?”

Desmond blinked, only slightly confused. Did he say something funny? Anyway, Desmond handed over the stuff he had saved from a watery puddle based end back to the Majin. The stack of stuff was impressive, but it would be risky to carry it in the way she was doing it. “Well hey, I know a few people that can teach ya’, myself included if you’d like.” Desmond smiled and rummaged around in one of his pockets, bringing out a pretty big waterproof bag. “I reckon your supplies could do with some protection from the elements though. I was gonna use this for some shopping but that can wait, I can always just go grab another. Here.” He smiled, offering the waterproof carrying bag to the Majin.

Curious about the supplies now that he had a moment to actually look at what they were, Desmond had a guess as to what the Majin wanted these things for, but her answer in the end gave the big fella a surprise. “Oh, for real? Whaaat, no way, I’m a professor there too; the name’s Desmond Soma! I teach sciences mostly— particularly biology at all age levels. You must be the new home economics and arts teacher then, yeah?”

Desmond blushed a little, this lady was very bubbly and nice. “Well, uh, hey, far be it from me to argue with a professional on the matter.” He blurted out before clearing his throat, now more focused on the fact she just suddenly grabbed one of his hands. “Er— well, I could fly you there, i-if you’re okay with that? We’d needa secure your stuff first though.” Once he was sure that the supplies were safe and that the Majin was also okay with being flown over to Orange Star Academy, Desmond would offer to pick her up and rocket off towards the school which would get them there in just a few short minutes.

“Wha— a t-tab?” Desmond couldn’t help but chuckle, this lady was going on about him being a sweetheart but she should hear herself talking! Still, she was interested in the offer of being tutored in the art of flight. Incidentally, Desmond had taught quite a few people that skill in his time, so he was no stranger to giving people pointers. “Well, I can absolutely assure you that it is quite amazing, it’s a different perspective to what many might be used to, and that can be a great eye opener.”

Glad to have provided something for the Majin to secure her supplies in, Desmond gave a little salute. “Maybe I didn’t have to, but it doesn’t change that I want to help~!”

Seeing her smile brighten up, Desmond just smiled right back. “Right? Seriously, do we have some good luck or what?” Shortly after Desmond did, the Majin introduced herself as Ezpectra Patrona, insisting that simply calling her Patrona was just fine. “Y’don’t have to be so formal with me either, just call me Desmond outside of work, yeah?” Desmnd accepted Patrona’s offer of a handshake. She even had some questions within his realm of expertise for later. “Yep, that’s right— and I’ll be happy to help with that too. You can explain it in full later but might I ask which facet of biology has caught your interest?”

Patrona’s excitement was something amazing to behold, Desmond always appreciated colleagues that were so passionate about their realm of teaching. “I’ll be rightly honest with you; that sounds amazing, and I commend you for taking up the responsibility that comes with it all.” Desmond gave her a thumbs up, she seemed like she could handle it, but if she needed any further assistance he would likely be around most other days.

Either way, Patrona was perfectly fine with being transported to Orange Star Academy via Desmond’s ability to fly, and they arrived with plenty of time to spare just as Patrona said! Furthermore, she even said that she would prepare some sort of surprise treat after the school day ended if Desmond returned. “Oh?” He blinked, honestly kind of stunned. “Yanno what, I can’t say no to that.” He shrugged, guiding Patrona to the school’s entrance, which was handily under cover. “So I’ll leave you to it then, yeah? Also— before I head off, did you get extra green chalk? There’s a Majin kid in the kindergarten year, his name’s Plye, he, uh, likes to chomp on green stationary, chalk especially. See, he has lil’ magic power that can give items flavours based on the colour that said thing is, and he really loves green apples at the moment. Like, a lot. You know how some kids can be with chocolates? That’s him with those apples.”

Desmond gave a bit of a snorty laugh, Patrona really had a unique sort of flair to her. She was something of a natural at pep and humour that came with it. “Please, it’s a pleasure to meet you as well Patrona, make no mistake about that!” When it came to what Patrona had taken interest in under the field of biology, Desmond nodded in understanding. Studying rare species of many origins was something he had been doing ever since he was a boy, so he was obviously intrigued as to how these critters of Patrona’s fell under the category and why.

Her interest in that aside, her dream of opening her own business was precious as well as admirable! Especially when she intended to also keep her teaching job given she also wanted to help children follow their dreams too! “Really now? Now that’s wonderful! Given the chance, I’ll be your first customer too, you can quote me on that!”

Desmond nodded, he’d have more than enough time to finish up his shopping and perhaps check his notes for work the next day. “I’ll be sure to return to this exact spot precisely where I’m currently standing.” A big statement, fitting of the guy that said it. “I can assure you, I’m a master at perceptive calculation too, so I can totally do that.”

Seeing the frankly overwhelming amount of extra chalk, Desmond’s concerns were now at ease. “Gonna say it right now you might end up as his favorite teacher if you’ve got enough spare like that!” He couldn’t help but smile broadly, the kids in the younger year groups were gonna absolutely lose their minds when they met Patrona, Desmond was certain of it! “I reckon you’ll have fun with your classes, of course you’ll need a lot of energy to keep up with the youngsters but I don’t doubt you have more than enough to handle that!”

Desmond gave Patrona a little wave. “You’re welcome, Patrona! You go and set up your office and classroom, just do your best out there. I’ve not got any questions for you or anything like that, just confidence that you’ll do great!”

“Aye, that I do!” Desmond smiled, one of his teeth giving off a little sparkly glint as he gave a thumbs up as well. He had an undefined amount of time to figure out what he would like to order from a theoretical café it seemed, now that was a fun thought experiment; and going by context clues, it was safe to assume that all manner of sweets would be on the board as it were.

Desmond also joined in with a little bit of a laugh, was he really this funny? He never saw himself as much of a wordplay comedy kind of guy. “We’ll have to see then, won’t we?” Desmond agreed that having spare supplies was indeed good practice, he did much of the same thing— and he could obviously carry much much more than most people. “Anyway, I’m excited to hear about how everything ends up goin’!”

Happy to have assisted Patrona, Desmond smiled back once more. “I think I already have!” He returned a little wink of his own. “Though I’m sure it’ll continue to be as such!” Once Patrona had scurried off to work, Desmond flew into the air, there was still stuff he had to finish before coming back after all! Maybe he could work on a few jokes. People liked puns, right? Yeah he could absolutely work with that.