SnitchSeeker.com - View Single Post

Zoe · 06-07-2026, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidnie

The laugh caught Collin’s attention, and Jordan’s next words held it. His curiosity was immediately piqued by the tone in which the man mentioned research. Collin nodded once, encouraging him to continue, before returning to his food. He was even able to finish said food while Jordan spoke, so the other man no longer needed to worry. And Collin could return to his latte.

He found himself leaning forward slightly, forearms on the edge of the table as Jordan spoke. Collin wasn’t much of a plant guy himself, but he could understand the interest. And the importance. It was when Jordan started to tell him about his personal projects, though, that Collin’s lips split into a grin. “Have you ever tested how far it can shoot the seed pods?” He asked before he could stop himself. Because that would be the first thing he did in that scenario.

He couldn’t shift the smile off his face if he tried. It was one of his more unprofessional traits, even on the job - he showed his emotions nearly all the time. And although there was maybe a part of him that wanted to remain mysterious in this particular instance… he couldn’t, and ended up chuckling again when Jordan mentioned an owl fleet.

“It’s the power, you know?” He responded without preamble. Though, the smile returned quickly. This time, his gaze dropped to Jordan’s hand on his mug briefly before he continued.[b] “No, I mean, it was never really the goal.”[b] He paused. Was there ever really a goal? “Looking back, it fits right on track though.” He ran a hand through his hair, self-conscious. “I’ve worked in… a few fields, I guess you could say. Mainly zoology and food service.” He didn’t often have occasion to discuss his credentials or career pathway, and he was painfully aware of how odd it was. Not nearly as interesting as herbological research.

So, he continued. “I was a manager at a cafe in university. Worked at the Scamander Zoo for a bit, a few times. Studied magizoology and communications. So… naturally, Owl Post Shopkeeper and Alley Proprieter.” He ended with a flourish of his hand not holding his coffee mug.

Jordan's grin appeared almost immediately at the question. "Oh, we tested that," he said, leaning back in his chair without a hint of shame. "Several times. The current record is about ten feet. Fifteen if you count the one that ricocheted off a greenhouse wall and nearly took out my right eye." His eyes brightened with amusement. "In the interest of scientific accuracy, of course."

The flourish of Collin's hand pulled Jordan's attention back, and he found himself smiling again as the other man explained his path to the Owl Post. It wasn't what he'd expected, which somehow made perfect sense.

"See, now that's a much better answer than 'I've always dreamed of sorting owl deliveries,'" he said, his gaze lingering on Collin for a moment longer than was strictly necessary. "There's actual character development in that version."

The thing was, the career path sounded disjointed when listed out loud—café manager, zoology, communications, zoo work, shopkeeper, proprietor—but somehow it didn't feel disjointed when attached to him. It felt like someone who'd followed opportunities as they came.

"Honestly, it tracks," Jordan admitted, the words escaping before he had entirely considered them. A faint warmth crept into his expression, though he didn't look away. "Animal-facing enough for zoology. People-facing enough for hospitality." His mouth curved. "And you've managed to keep me talking about weaponized plants, which suggests you picked up a thing or two from the communications side." The teasing softened the compliment, but not entirely.

"Besides," he added knowingly, "most career paths go through a few stages of metamorphosis before they become what they're supposed to be."

Jordan took another sip of his espresso, discovering belatedly that it had finally cooled to a reasonable temperature.

06-07-2026, 04:17 PM	#202 (permalink)
Zoe Forum Manager Honeydukes Mod Quibbler Mod Werewolf Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 64,916 Hogwarts RPG Name: Ariel Scamander Gryffindor Seventh Year Hogwarts RPG Name: Freya Snakebark Slytherin Sixth Year Hogwarts RPG Name: Miguel Rosales Hufflepuff Second Year Hogwarts RPG Name: Rajan Patil Ravenclaw Sixth Year Ministry Department Head: Franklin Paton Law Enforcement Ministry Department Head: Almer Toots Transportation x8 x8	Bathes in Maple Syrup \| Dancing Lobster \| Moy Pomidor \| Seneca's Beard \| That Is So Fetch! Quote: Originally Posted by squidnie The laugh caught Collin’s attention, and Jordan’s next words held it. His curiosity was immediately piqued by the tone in which the man mentioned research. Collin nodded once, encouraging him to continue, before returning to his food. He was even able to finish said food while Jordan spoke, so the other man no longer needed to worry. And Collin could return to his latte. He found himself leaning forward slightly, forearms on the edge of the table as Jordan spoke. Collin wasn’t much of a plant guy himself, but he could understand the interest. And the importance. It was when Jordan started to tell him about his personal projects, though, that Collin’s lips split into a grin. “Have you ever tested how far it can shoot the seed pods?” He asked before he could stop himself. Because that would be the first thing he did in that scenario. He couldn’t shift the smile off his face if he tried. It was one of his more unprofessional traits, even on the job - he showed his emotions nearly all the time. And although there was maybe a part of him that wanted to remain mysterious in this particular instance… he couldn’t, and ended up chuckling again when Jordan mentioned an owl fleet. “It’s the power, you know?” He responded without preamble. Though, the smile returned quickly. This time, his gaze dropped to Jordan’s hand on his mug briefly before he continued.[b] “No, I mean, it was never really the goal.”[b] He paused. Was there ever really a goal? “Looking back, it fits right on track though.” He ran a hand through his hair, self-conscious. “I’ve worked in… a few fields, I guess you could say. Mainly zoology and food service.” He didn’t often have occasion to discuss his credentials or career pathway, and he was painfully aware of how odd it was. Not nearly as interesting as herbological research. So, he continued. “I was a manager at a cafe in university. Worked at the Scamander Zoo for a bit, a few times. Studied magizoology and communications. So… naturally, Owl Post Shopkeeper and Alley Proprieter.” He ended with a flourish of his hand not holding his coffee mug. Jordan's grin appeared almost immediately at the question. "Oh, we tested that," he said, leaning back in his chair without a hint of shame. "Several times. The current record is about ten feet. Fifteen if you count the one that ricocheted off a greenhouse wall and nearly took out my right eye." His eyes brightened with amusement. "In the interest of scientific accuracy, of course." The flourish of Collin's hand pulled Jordan's attention back, and he found himself smiling again as the other man explained his path to the Owl Post. It wasn't what he'd expected, which somehow made perfect sense. "See, now that's a much better answer than 'I've always dreamed of sorting owl deliveries,'" he said, his gaze lingering on Collin for a moment longer than was strictly necessary. "There's actual character development in that version." The thing was, the career path sounded disjointed when listed out loud—café manager, zoology, communications, zoo work, shopkeeper, proprietor—but somehow it didn't feel disjointed when attached to him. It felt like someone who'd followed opportunities as they came. "Honestly, it tracks," Jordan admitted, the words escaping before he had entirely considered them. A faint warmth crept into his expression, though he didn't look away. "Animal-facing enough for zoology. People-facing enough for hospitality." His mouth curved. "And you've managed to keep me talking about weaponized plants, which suggests you picked up a thing or two from the communications side." The teasing softened the compliment, but not entirely. "Besides," he added knowingly, "most career paths go through a few stages of metamorphosis before they become what they're supposed to be." Jordan took another sip of his espresso, discovering belatedly that it had finally cooled to a reasonable temperature. __________________