Things were mostly quiet within the University halls. A large percentage of the student population was off celebrating the holiday week with friends and family. Only a few remained, their noses crammed into books for the upcoming semester finals that would occur prior to the Winter’s Veil break. Arrens strolled down the halls, ensuring classrooms were properly locked before heading to his newly-purchased abode outside the gates of Ironforge.

Walking past the Theology room, Arrens spotted Brother Theodious Forgebuilder. The surly dwarf was packing a few personal items in his bag, the moldy, unlit cigar clamped tightly in his mouth. Arrens entered the room and asked, “Brother Theo? I was curious what plans you had for Pilgrim’s Bounty this year.” His back turned to the professor, Theo made no indication that he had heard the headmaster in the first place. Arrens was never certain if it was Brother Theo being disrespectful or if he had simply not heard him. The dwarf had, in fact, lost his hearing in his right side, the horrid scar of an explosion marring the dwarf’s face.

Arrens tapped him gently on the shoulder. “Brother Theo?”

The dwarf whipped around, the cigar nearly flying out of his mouth. “Och! Wha’ the feck do ye think yer doin’ sneakin’ up oan me li’ tha’? Are ye tryin’ ta give me a feckin’ heart attack? Shite!” He clutched his chest to drive the point home. “Fer feck’s sake, ye git! ‘m an ol’ man! Ye dinnae be sneakin’ up oan me!”

Softly, Arrens apologized. “I am sorry, Brother Theo. I was merely wondering what you had planned for Pilgrim’s Bounty. It would seem my plans have…fallen through for the day.”

The dwarf scowled at him. “‘re ye tryin’ ta get me ta come with ye, ye poofter?! I’ll ‘ave none a tha’!”

Arrens shook his head in consternation. “No, no. I was curious if you’d be willing to lend a hand at the orphanage. Matron Nightengale could no doubt use a hand.”

“Matron Nigh’engale? Oi! Tha’ bonneh lass could use a good shaggin’, tha’s wha’ she could use,” Theo said before shaking his head vigorously. “Nae, nae! ‘ve go’ plans already! I cannae go aroun’ some wee snot-nosed brats ta be servin’ turkey an’ stuffin’! ‘m a feckin’ priest, ye git! Nae some feckin’ food service attendan’!”

The headmaster shook his head again. He found he did this a lot when he spoke to Brother Theodious. “Brother Theo, Pilgrim’s Bounty is a time of giving thanks. Thanks for being fortunate enough to have family and friends that care about us. Thanks for having a roof over our heads and proper clothing on our backs. It is also to be a time of giving, particularly to the poor souls that aren’t fortunate enough to have what we are blessed with. Poor souls like those children whose families are no longer with us.”

“Ye think I dinnae know this, ye git?! O’ course I do! An’ I plan on celebratin’ in exactly tha’ same way! Bu’ nae wi’ th’ likes o’ ye!” Theo explained, his eyes glazing over and looking off into the distance. ”I plan on findin’ me a right bonneh lass wha’s feelin’ lonely, get ‘er good an’ liquored up on some fine dwarven ale an’…” He trailed off before looking hard at Arrens. “Nae like ye know wha’ I’m talkin’ abou’, ye poofter!”

Dragging a weary hand across his face, Arrens knew it was a lost cause. “Very well, Brother Theo. Be well and have a happy Pilgrim’s Bounty.”

Throwing the last of his personal items in his bag, Theo marched out of the classroom and said, “Ye too, ye feckin’ git!”