Who: Qrow and Vincent What: Meet n’ Greet at When: Recent Where: UC:Irvine Rating/Warnings Low Status: Complete
Qrow was pretty sure that his responsibilities as a tenured professor did not include greeting the new professors and teachers and making them feel “welcome”. Honestly, he was probably the last person to have that responsibility. He wasn’t a crotchety or otherwise unpleasant man (if he could help it), but he wasn’t what anyone would consider friendly either. He’d admit that was mostly on purpose on his part. And yet, somehow he’d been given the task to meet Vincent Griffith and extend a warm welcome from the staff and faculty of the University of California, Irvine. The guy wasn’t even in his department. What the fuck?
Though, it could be (and was) argued that philosophy and history often went hand-in-hand. And considering Qrow had somehow managed to avoid the last several meetings of the committees he had reluctantly agreed to be on, he was already on relatively thin ice. This seemed like an easy price to pay to keep on the board’s good side. So at about midday, Qrow made his way to the philosophy department where Vincent was supposed to be setting up his office.
It looked as though things were going well. Qrow knocked on the door frame. “Vincent, right?”
This was Vincent’s first time as a professor. He had always worked with non profits in the past. He came highly recommended by one of his professors from Oxford and was beyond passionate about philosophy. It was still a bit nerve wracking to begin teaching for the first time. Vincent spent the majority of his free time on the UCI campus. He wanted to get to know it, plus there was much to be done. He had to organize his office, decide which readings were most relevant, make syllabi. It was somewhat overwhelming but he was excited for it. The man could discuss philosophy for hours.
He was going over an outline for his philosophy and ethics class when there was a knock on the door. Vincent looked up to see a man at his door. “Yes,” Vincent replied. It was clear to him that this man was on the faculty, another professor maybe? Vincent just knew he wasn’t a student. “Come in,” he said standing up behind his desk to he could greet the man with a handshake.
Qrow had been given a little of Vincent’s history before being sent on his errand, so he wasn’t going in completely cold and blind. He knew the other man didn’t have any prior teaching experience and Qrow knew what that was like. He hadn’t had any experience either before starting at the college -- what was it now? Over ten years ago? Crap. Yang was right. He was old.
“I’m Qrow Branwen,” he introduced himself. He stepped into the office and offered his hand. “I’m over in the History Department. I was told we had some fresh blood over here, so I thought I’d come down and see how you were settling in.” He opted not to say that he was being made to come over and welcome Vincent aboard. Not a great way to make someone feel welcomed.
“Vincent Griffith,” Vincent replied shaking Qrow’s hand. Although the man obviously already knew that given that he had come looking for him. “Thanks,” Vincent added giving the man a small smile. “I don’t know too many people yet.” He wasn’t only new to the school but he was new to the county as well. Fresh from Paris. “It’s been a bit of an adjustment.” A whole knew culture really, even if he had grown up in the United States that was fifteen years ago. Not to mention California was pretty different than New Orleans, where he grew up, anyway.
As far as history went, Vincent knew quite a lot about that as well. Especially ancient Greece and Egypt. “Ah, history,” Vincent commented. The subject was rather broad. “What’s your focus?” There was a lot to cover after all. Not different periods throughout time, but also the regions.
“I teach pretty much whatever they want me to,” Qrow quipped with a grin. “But my main focus is European history. Bit of US History as well.” Qrow found it fascinating, actually. It was true what they said: history really did repeat itself, especially when people refused to pay attention to consequences of certain events.
“If you’re looking to meet people, you’re in the right place,” he added with a shrug. “UC has a huge faculty. I’m sure once word gets around -- and it does. Fast -- You’ll be gettin’ more people sticking their heads in your office wanting to say hi. Or hear stories about who you are and where you’re from.” He folded his arms loosely and leaned against one of the chairs. “What made you decide to come to California and teach here?”
Vincent found ancient history much more fascinating than US history. Not that it didn’t interest him as well, but he was all about how things began. Came into existence. “There is something about Europe,” Vincent commented. Both the history and just the culture in general. “I have lived there for the past fifteen years.”
Vincent wouldn’t say he was looking to meet people. But it would be nice to know more than three people in the area. “I’m not used to working with such a large staff.” The nonprofits he worked for had all been rather small. However he had continued his education, gaining multiple degrees for quite a few years after he left Oxford. He was at least used to campuses.
Just as Qrow asked his last question, one of the paintings Vincent had recently put on his office wall fell to the floor. He almost jumped at the sound, he didn’t scare easily but it was a bit startling. “It was time for a change,” Vincent answered simply as he went to pick the painting back up. “Right offer at the right time,” he continued not wanting to get into too much detail about it. His divorced wasn’t exactly his favorite subject. “How long have you been teaching here?”
Qrow looked at the painting wearily and straightened from the chair. He’d kind of hoped he’d have been able to get through this without any “accidents”, but that may have been too much to ask for. At least it was just a painting. Nothing seemed to have broken, thankfully.
Qrow turned his attention back to Vincent. “I’ve been here ten years? Fifteen?” Qrow shrugged. “Long enough to know what’s what around here. Where all the good coffee shops are -- the ones that don’t over charge for what’s basically milk and sugar. Emerald City right near campus is one. Great coffee.” Though Qrow may have been a bit biased considering the owner was basically his boss in the Dreams. “I also have a pretty good idea of who’s who on campus too.” As in who was worth talking to and who Vincent may want to avoid. All of it was important information and Qrow thrived on information.
Vincent merely leaned it back against the wall, leaving it on the floor for now. He would rehang it later. It would be rude to do so in the middle of a conversation. “Long enough to lose track I see,” Vincent cracked a smile as he retook his seat. “And you still like it here?” The fact that he was still a professor was certainly a good sign.
“I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet.” Emerald City that was. But on Qrow’s recommendation he was already making a mental note to. In fact. “Perhaps we could go there, while you share all your wisdom with me.” On the who to avoid and who was decent that was.
Qrow watched Vincent lean the painting against the wall. Good idea. There was no guarantee that if he hung it up again if it would stay. Reddish eyes moved from the painting back to Vincent and he couldn’t help but to crack a bit of a smile himself. “Yeah, I do. I enjoy teaching,” which had not been something he’d expected when he’d started. Back then it had been just a job. A legitimate and stable job to help support his nieces when they’d needed it most. It had taken a lot of hard work and Qrow had supported himself the only way he’d known how, but in the end it had all been worth it.
Qrow was a little hesitant on taking Vincent up on his offer to go to Emerald City. Again, he wasn’t in the habit of getting too close with his fellow faculty members (with one exception that seemed determined to become his friend despite what was good for him), but he had told Vincent that he had the knowledge that would help him through his first semester. It’d have been rude to put that out there and then take it back. He shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah, sure,” he said. “Whenever you got some free time while settling in, we’ll go get a cup of coffee and I’ll fill you in on all the good stuff.”
That was reassuring to hear. Not that Vincent was scared he wouldn’t enjoy it. Although he had always worked with children under eightteen in the past, he did enjoy helping to shape minds. No matter how big or little of a part he played in it. Teaching philosophy would just be on another level.
“Sounds good,” Vincent agreed. “I’m in the middle of an outline right now but perhaps in an hour?” Although he was getting the feeling that the other professor was regretting his offer already. It didn’t defer Vincent much. He’d win Qrow over.
Qrow glanced at his watch. He was a little behind in getting his lesson plans in order for his classes. The summer had not exactly been what he’d expected. It had been full of distractions. Weird distractions. Visions of another life, strange items appearing in his home and things happening all over the county had all kept him otherwise occupied.
As a result the last several days had been spent playing catch up. Long hours spent in his office. At least he’d had a good idea what the syllabi and general outline of his classes were going to follow. And he wasn’t teaching quite as many classes this semester as he’d had in the past. So, he could easily spare an afternoon and make the university's newest professor feel at home. “An hour works for me,” he said. “I have a little work I need to do as well. We can meet over at Emerald City.” He gave the cafe’s address and easy directions from campus.
“See you then,” Vincent replied before getting back to his work. Hopefully the other man would have as decent advice for him as he claimed to. But either way, he was already starting to like it here.