"I'm generally for savory, but I have noticed that when I want proper afternoon tea, a sweeter scone craving hits. I'll keep an eye out." The kind of scone that might have candied peel, or else dried fruits and be topped off with sweetened cream. A luxury by any stretch of the imagination, even back home when students and departments demanded too much of Waver's time.

"That's a pretty good average, really," Waver grinned. "And I'm sure thick winter coats helped make him appear even fluffier and help out with things."

Actually, a coat that fluffy must've felt good about now. It was still cold most days, and Waver envied having that kind of constant insulation.

"Oh, absolutely," Waver agreed. "Although I conceed that climbing is deeply individualized and not suited for this kind of rotation. But then--" he shrugged. "We'll see if it works at all. I could be wasting my time for all I know."

But at least it was a good challenge. Waver missed those.

"I can't say I've investigated the university there, but can you give me an estimate of the student population?" He was genuinely intrigued by the idea. "Apprenticeships are mostly left to family-teaching-family within my institution - and family is key, don't get me wrong. Usually our students have been going through that most of their lives. But there's a lot of value placed on coming out of the university as well. I'd call it a societal marker for the rich and well off, but the less well off kids do genuinely benefit."

He smiled quietly at the mention of practical lessons. "I find that those I've taught that have had practical lessons do better."