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"No, they're never quite what you anticipate."

Especially when they aren't anticipated at all, at least by those on the receiving end.

"I hope it's a happy homecoming nonetheless?"

"The happiest, no doubt. Judith is pleased to be among our friends and loved ones again." He said with a warm smile for Rachel.

"You are looking much happier yourself, My Lady."

"I'm in a state that allows me far more cause to be, my Lord," she answers with a smile just as warm as his.

"And I-- and others, I'm certain-- are all the more overjoyed to have you and your family back among us again."

"Well, we can certainly hope they are happy to have us." He said with a laugh, leaning in to press his lips against Rachel's head.

"Now, what does a man have to do to learn what he's missed?"

She laughs softly, a quiet smile on her face at the familiar gesture.

"You'll have to come in for tea, I believe. There's quite a few tales to tell."

"Oh, tea is rather exciting," he said with a bright laugh before he offered her his arm.

"Wouldn't dream of saying no, Rachel. Shall we?"

"We shall," she agrees, taking his arm.

"I hear that Sade was made Queen after you, she'll be a good choice I think. A strong woman, but still gentle when it suits her." He always saw the best on people, or tried to. It wasn't always the easiest thing to do.

"Why would it be that way when it could be like disappearing down the rabbit hole instead?" Because it's weird lately, even for people used to the weird.

"I don't know...I've had enough of 'em to figure out most of them are about what you'd expect." A wry grin, "well, what I'd expect. You're a different matter."

And you're getting a very manly pat-on-the-back-hug-thing now, Ceiro.

She dips her head in a nod.

"Moving from Ace to Queen makes it easier, I think, than if someone had been appointed from Ten. She already understood some of the burden that comes with being a Royal." Not all, of course. It was impossible to know it all unless one had been there, "And since the people are already familiar with her I feel that made it-- easier. Less of a drastic change."

And considering the way in which she'd left the position, they'd needed a less drastic change.

"A bit Alice and Wonderland of you," he said with a laugh, "I should let you know...That I have been asked to take over as Dean of the School." He said with a smile. "I hope we'll be able to find an acceptable middle ground when it comes to working together."

"Well not all of us can be in and out all the time, dear. Now how about a drink in celebration?" Ceiro asked with a bright smile.

"We don't get that many all that often."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll even buy."

See, Ceiro? That's how much Johnny loves you.

"Planning on having a parade through the middle of Town?"

"No, Dexter's been wanting to retire a while," Alasdair said with a slight smile, "and I don't have any ambitions towards administration. We'll be happy to have you." He ran a hand through his hair and shrugged. "I don't think we should have any problems working together, Ceiro. I'm pretty easygoing."

Unless Shakespeare comes up, of course. Then...not quite so easygoing.

"It does have an advantage," he said with a laugh, settling her down in a chair before moving as if to make them some tea.

"Do you take your tea with milk?"

"Then we are off to a good start, aren't we?" He said with a laugh before smiling at Alasdair. "Come on, then, perhaps we could start to look over my plans for the curriculum?"

"A parade? Why would I plan to do that?" Ceiro asked, blinking at Johnny just a little. "I think a few drinks in the pub would be enough of a celebration. Parades are a bit over rated."

"I do, thank you."

And he's as much a gentleman as ever, she sees. Good to know that some good things don't change, although with him she never really expected they would.

Johnny laughs, "oh, I don't know, but I could see a few people thinking it would be an amazing idea."

But he's just as happy to lead Ceiro to whichever of the pubs is closest and buy that drink.

"So. How are you?"

Better, obviously, but was there anything else.

He'd pretty much had a free hand with the curriculum since he was twenty-one...which was enough to make him give Ceiro a long look. Why did he suspect that his days of teaching only obscure Shakespeare were coming to an end?

"Of course," he said. "About anything in particular?"