Chapter Text
The next morning, Bandit was up early again for class. This time he wasn’t wearing anything special, like a tie. He felt it would work better to be more casual. "Bloody hell. I forgot how taxing it was to get up early everyday for school. Daddy dropoff is so much easier compared to this." He groggily said as he was slightly tired. As he walked, he saw a familiar figure at the boss stop. Noticing this, he perked up slightly, speeding up his walk. "Eileen! Hey!" He called out to her. She turned from the sound of her name. Noticing him, she waved. He waved in return as he caught up to her. "It's so good to see you again!" He said gleefully to her.
"Bandit! It’s good to see you too." Eileen smiled, her tail wagging happily as she looked over at him. She patted the spot beside her as he sat down, eager to have another conversation with the blue heeler. "So… how was your first class? I know you were feeling rather blue the other day, and I was hoping you’d have a good first day." She said, fiddling with her purse the whole time.
"It was good. And it was more than just one class. It's the whole day teaching different students different things about archeology. I think I did well. Didn't have any annoying buggers making trouble so that's good. Got a little lost on campus, so I was a bit late for the first class but it wasn't anything major. I'd say I'm happy by it." He smiled, wagging his tail sitting beside her. He then yawned slightly. "I'm sorry. I'm a bit tired this morning. My girls kept me up with games last night. Said they wanted to make up for lost time since I come home late now. I can already see this teaching gig changing the dynamic at home. But it's what my boss wants me to do. And well… he signs my checks, so can't really say no." Bandit laughed to himself for the playfulness he told his joke. "How about you? How was your day yesterday?"
Eileen took a moment to think about her day, her eyes falling on his tail as she saw Bandit getting excited to listen to her speak. It made her feel rather special. "Well… I bought myself some groceries. I wanted to make a lasagna the other day, and it was quite delicious! Afterwards, I checked out a shop or two on my way back to the bus stop." Her voice didn’t falter as she spoke, her tail thumping against the back of the seat. "I checked in on my shop as well. There was this beautiful rose bouquet that I had gotten in recently, and I’m sure you’d love it."
Bandit smiled as he listened to her. She was simple, yet sweet. She didn't have a complicated life from what he could tell. He knew there was something before, based on her reaction to the kids question he asked yesterday. But he didn't want to intrude. If she opened up to him then by all means he would listen. Because that's what a friend would do. "I'm sure I would love them. Say I wanna know do you take the bus every morning? The way it sounds to me at least you don't even need to go to your shop so early in the morning. So I'm just curious if taking the bus at this time is like an everyday thing?" His head tilted slightly as he looked at her with curiosity. An eyebrow raised wondering about her from his questions.
"Well. The thing is… I just like getting out of the house during the day." She replied, shifting in her spot slightly. "It can get a bit lonely at home, so I like to spend some of the day being active. Whether it be walking outside, sitting at the park, or just browsing at a shop." Eileen didn’t mind these questions, really. She liked that Bandit was so interested in knowing about what she does. It was a nice departure from sitting alone at the bus stop without any company. Having a friend like him was, in a way, comforting. "You’re quite a curious dog, Bandit. Still have a lot to learn?" She teased, snickering to herself.
"Of course I am!" He grinned. "There's always something to learn in this world. Something to say or do or discover. It's important to keep learning and even more to pass down what we learn to the next generation. It's why it's fascinating to me, to be in archeology. To better understand what we were, we can better see what we can become. And with people every person has something to offer. I mean, I even learn things from my daughters, if you could believe it." Bandit chuckled thinking about that. "All of us have a story to tell. We just… need someone to listen…"
Eileen felt herself become speechless. The way he spoke was just so raw and genuine, like it came directly from the heart. It surprised her, more than anything. "I never thought of it like that… wow. You’re very wise, Bandit." She smiled at him. She hoped that she was being a good friend, and that he liked her. It was hard to tell with some dogs, but he was being very clear with how much he enjoyed her presence.
"I wouldn't be an archeologist if I wasn't." Bandit grinned with his eyes closed, showing all his teeth. His tail wagging ever so excitingly.
“It sounds like an interesting job, I’d say.” Eileen began to speak. “From what you were saying, it really had me hooked. I liked listening to it.” She looked down at her purse, fiddling with the clasp on it again.
Bandit looked at her, then playfully rolled his eyes. "Nah, this teaching gig has been the most interesting thing I've done in some time. Normally I'm at my computer typing a report or in a meeting. Maybe an in person presentation here or there, which can be difficult due to instincts. On rare occasions though I get sent outside the country to excavation sites. That's the exciting stuff. I get to dig up old bones from dinosaurs to our own ancestors, which later ends up helping us understand, or in extreme examples redefine not only our history, but the history of life on this planet. But most of the time I'm just bumming around at home." He chuckled at the thought. "But really being a teacher is new. It's got a learning curve certainly. But I'm trying."
“Well… I would say it’s still an interesting position. You’re doing something you love, and it helps people learn more about what makes our history so unique.” Eileen said, looking back at Bandit with a smile on her face. She couldn’t help but be interested. The way he spoke about his job made it that much more intriguing. “I’d be just as interested if I was a student in your class, most likely.” She snickered, giggling to herself about the prospect of being back in school. Those years were long behind her, but the memories were nice to reminisce about.
"Well then I'd say you'd be a top notch student." He chuckled. The bus arrived at that moment. Just like yesterday they entered and sat together in the back. "I believe I've rambled long enough. What about you? What adventure do you have planned for today Eileen?" Bandit asked, now focused on her.
Eileen took a moment to think about what she had planned, tapping her digits against her purse lightly as the bus began moving. "Well, I was thinking about going on a stroll. I might see if there’s anything nice to watch at the theater. Preferably something short. Then I’ll head to my shop, and spend the rest of the day there, most likely." She said, her tail wagging against the bus seat. "I know it’s not as exciting, but it’s enough for this old dog."
"Old dog?! Pshhh you're as young as your heart and mind is. It sounds, to me, plenty exciting for you." He waved her old dog comment off as he cheerfully smiled at her.
Her cheeks flushed red slightly, touched by what he said. It felt like it was rare to meet someone who had such a kind heart like his, which made this moment feel all the more sweet in comparison.
"I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun today." At that moment the bus stopped at his destination. "Be sure to tell me about it tomorrow. I'll see you then, Eileen." He gently patted her paw before getting up to leave.
"I’ll be sure to let you know! See you, Bandit!" Eileen smiled back at Bandit, waving goodbye to him as he went off on his way. The bus slowly began moving once more, and as it drove off into town, she took the time to think about her conversation with Bandit. He’s a bit silly, honestly. But it’s kind of endearing. He acts like an excitable puppy, and he’s so passionate about his job. She said to herself, looking back at the last thing he said to her before he left.
‘You’re as young as your heart and mind is.’ He might be right on that. She sighed, looking out the window as the town came into view. Today seemed like it was going to be a rather good day.