Ikenna had not yet decided whether to let this man call him by solely his first name, last name, or neither. He returned the polite nod with a friendly smile, but remained quiet as the Muggle Studies professor took a seat.

Then Ethan looked his way and it seemed it was Ikenna's turn to address the room. Time to break the ice, was that the saying?

"Zan," the dark man spoke aloud, his eyes lighting on Ethan's. "I suppose that comes from your middle name, Alexander?"

He looked over the edge of this teacup with a mildly curious expression, waiting for a response from Truebridge before he turned his head toward Zookara. "What about you, Jeremy - if I may call you that. Any interesting...nicknames? I myself have several, but that is to be expected with a more...exotic name.

Naturally. The topic at hand was merely a conversation starter, not intended to ruffle anyone's feathers. Of course, it was not one of the usual dry topics most adults stuck to but Ikenna was not...usual.