A Joke For You PV Flash H. Finished

As the days ticked closer to the end of the school year, Flash's fear and anxiety had been replaced by resigned acceptance. It wasn't the most conventional route to take for overcoming adversity, but he had learned the hard way that he wasn't going to find happiness by forcing it, or by bottling up the things that were weighing on him as though the lack of oxygen would snuff them out. His troubles were his, and no one else was going to deal with them or save him. Even if he didn't have the strength to face them, he had people who would support him whenever he needed it. Instead of moping in the courtyard reading depressing poetry, he was basking in the sunlight, taking a short bit of time to do nothing at all.

This final week was perhaps the most peaceful of the entire year, and he only hoped it would carry on through to the next one. He idly watched others as they chatted with their friends, thought about Adlai and how nice it would be to run into her again. Then again, he wasn't feeling particularly talkative. If he did, he would have messaged one of his close friends to spend the afternoon with him. He was connected, popular, perhaps even admired by many around the school.

It was surprise then when his attention was drawn by the throat clearing of a relative stranger. Looking up at him from his seated position, he looked to be about the same age, vaguely recognizable. Flash quickly looked him over, noting the obvious jar with an obvious label. Joke jar... a baffling prospect. Before more could be inferred, he spoke, announcing their lack of familiarity and grinning madly. Flash would make eye contact but refuse to emote until he understood the situation, simply waiting for him to continue. He'd maintain a blank, contemplative look as the boy stumbled through an explanation, even admonishing himself afterwards.

A few thoughts had time to jog through Flash's brain as he took in the information that was given to him. Flash had been chosen at random, this boy was testing out newly forged creative material, and wanted feedback. It wasn't a hard concept to grasp, though recent events would make Flash suspicious of anyone's motives for approaching him. He wouldn't simply accept things at face value, everything was up for brutal scrutiny. Still, the basic concept was not objectionable, he could use a laugh.

"That's alright. Go ahead." He said encouragingly, forgoing introductions.

If he didn't know who Flash was, then it didn't matter. He'd be polite unless given a reason not to be, and now that he knew this joke jar existed, he was deftly curious to know the caliber of jokes within it. Chances were, he would not have chosen Flash as his audience if he knew him well. High standards were the only ones Flash had time for.

Wolf Pin
Interacting with @Flash Holmwood || Hex code:#A0A9B8 || Mentions: N/A

Nice, it was all Alec could think as he encouraged to go on. An improvement. He didn't necessarily think anyone was going to reject him, because who could reject a joke? That and a chance for the young Gryffindor to make a fool of himself, it depended on who you met. It didn't matter if either was the case, the criticism of such an amazing jar could be very valid. Just you know, walking up to another person without some sort of tagline for the jar was not happening. The tagline would take forever to create if he wanted it perfect.

Maybe he needed to stick parchment around the insides of the jar to add a sense of mystery. White! Wait no, the sun could shine and the shadows of the papers would be prominent against it. Black. Yeah, it would make sure it blocked it out, maybe a dark green. The dark blues of the world had always given him trouble and dark reds were usually light enough to do what white did.

Alec's face seemed satisfied enough with Flash's answer as well, the smile that had come didn't falter. Alec twisted off the cap of the jar before pulling out a slip of paper. Silently reading it before looking up. His face flashed a look of almost- surprise. Before returning to normal. It was an interesting thing how these jokes ended up in there the way they did. A lot of it had to do with catering to his own friends rather than random strangers.

“Replacing the strings of instruments are always hard. I don't play an instrument myself, definitely not a stringed one. But I've found out recently some people like to try to do it themselves. It usually won't turn out so good because a lot of these people try but aren't skilled at it. And there's the whole deal of tuning it after as well. So what's the difference between an untuned guitar and a secure sound?”

The ramble was made up on the spot, but those always seemed to be a them with comedians. This joke was an original, the idea had come from complaint from friends and some reading.

“One is a wrong string, the other is a strong ring” Alec's smile seemed to be to himself. “I'm still working on the wording for that joke.” Alec gently made haste to put that piece of paper in the side pocket of his messenger bag. It sounded better in his head, need more work. He sealed the jar back up before rubbing the back of his neck. “Too bad I didn't reinvent the fake sales pitch for it also, then it would've been something new to go along with this.”

Flash waited patiently, his posture more relaxed than attentive as he continued to lounge. The boy made a face when the slip he drew was read, and started talking. A statement, almost like a conversation. Flash watched him carefully as he spoke, quiet anticipation of 'where this was going' evident in the way he barely moved a muscle. He finally asked a question that played like the traditional set-up to a joke that he was expecting.

"What?" He'd answer, not wasting time.

Then, the punchline, and an earnest smile. Flash was completely silent for a moment as he played it back in his head again from the start. After that delay, the stranger continued to stumble on about the wording. Slowly, a small smile started to tug at the corners of his mouth, forced to grow beyond what the joke likely deserved from a failed attempt to keep it contained. Then, a scoff of a laugh as Flash drew his hand up over his mouth to cover it.

"It's very corny." Flash said, clear amusement in his tone as he fought to keep from giggling. "I guess that's one way to make people laugh."

Not that he was ashamed of laughing, but he was used to having very high standards. He didn't want to betray them by laughing at something so simple, but he couldn't argue with results. The other boy seemed stuck in his own self-assessment though, critiquing everything before Flash even had a chance to. Flash didn't normally deal with these self-conscious types, he sought out friendships and connections with confident, assertive people. Trying to talk through someone's' insecurities could be tiresome, though the irony of that impatience would be lost on him for the moment.

"Sales pitch? Is that what you were saying before the joke?" Flash asked, finally feeling some sort of clarity to what felt like pointless banter. "It didn't feel cohesive. If you're going to build up to it, it shouldn't just be anything. It should be fundamental to understanding the joke, or it's just filler."

Flash's composure would have returned by then, though his expression would be slightly softer. He didn't know anything about humor, perhaps he was the wrong person to ask, but he did know a lot about communication. Whether his advice would be of any use, he couldn't say, but the stakes for getting it wrong were so low as to be infinitesimal.

"Would you like to try another one?" He asked next.

Wolf Pin
Interacting with @Flash Holmwood || Hex code:#A0A9B8

To keep focused on what he was doing Alec had to bite back a full-on grin. The stranger's reactions seemed calculated, waiting patiently till the punch line came. The other had smiled and Alec stopped himself so he wouldn't smile more than he had been. Serious, Alec you have to be serious. To be taken seriously you must look serious because this is perusing the market for information, be serious Alec, you have to. The smile was key it had done something.

Alec would nod as Flash began to speak.“My comedy is corny. Slightly sophisticated dad-jokes. It's an easy punchline and delivery to be able to earn a smile or two out of the deal.” Alec explained, he was only starting to take comedy seriously. Alec enjoyed writing and being able to play on words. It was often used as a device, or tool to cheer others up. Alec hadn't been graced with a specialty in dealing with hard conversations, jokes had been his way through it. Developed more as his second year was soon coming to a close. A step up from a non-socially adept first-year.

Alec was put at ease and felt under less pressure when fair criticism was given. He'd chosen the right person. “I'll take that advice in mind as it was build-up but not my sales pitch. Explanation of the jokes would be better than just rambling to get to the point of it. There's a way I could have gone with that better.” Alec said in agreement before adding, “for the sales pitch thing, It's a mix of me making fun of salesmen and how they present revolutionary products.” Wizard salesmen and their antics were something to behold. Alec wondered if they were aware how bothersome they could be, even if the trying to get you to buy a product voice was funny. Maybe they should try puns, puns just Slytherin to any conversation.

Maybe improv comedy was the way to go, without the jar. Alec just had to figure out how that all worked. He might need a book to study the ways of comedy at the rate he'd been going. Alec pulled another slip out of the jar. The setup was similar to the other, next time he needed to cheat for a complete one-liner. The next joke didn't head for straight appeal for an audience like the one Alec had assumed the stranger was. Easily explainable if you knew words were a thing. It fit summer coming around. The setting scene could do Alec some good. “What do you get when you cross a choice with a meal on a nice day?” It was small, but Alec liked it. He made sure to keep direct eye contact as well, not looking at the slip of paper after one look and reading it.

“A pick-nic” Unsurprisingly the situation felt like it was Alec trying his best not to smile at his jokes. They were sophisticated or all that clever, perhaps the simpleness of it was what mattered. Alec couldn't help but wonder how amusing it was for this stranger to watch the other try to not grin surely the world's largest grin.

When the boy admitted himself that he was being corny on purpose, Flash's face changed from amusement to playful admonishment. He had not met too many people who were out looking to get eyes rolls, a lot of the kinds of people he spent time with were imminently concerned with their image being clean and enviable. Not that he believed a good image was everything, it just surprised him. He would have to change his perspective to acknowledge his joke style. Was it really effective if one was trying to get any laugh they could, and not the best laugh they are capable of getting?

Alec seemed to take his critique in stride though, even asking questions of his own. It certainly was an odd evening, not only did he not know this boy, but he seemed to place some kind of value on his opinion and be taking this joke business earnestly. Flash was the last person to discourage someone from following their passion, even if that passion was silly one-liners.

"Well, not everyone has the same experience with salesmen. In fact, I am not sure I have any." For a rich kid like Flash, his retainer was the one who had to go through the headache of actually purchasing things.

The boy continued, Flash's head now resting on his hand in attention. He asked his set-up question with no build-up this time. A choice and a meal? What did that even mean? "What?" And then the punchline, the 'pick-nic'. Flash's features would remain unchanged, except the slightest hint of confusion. How did one cross a choice with anything? What did crossing even mean in this context, like mixing them together? How could you mix a concept with a material thing? No laughter or hint of a smile would be earned by that one.

"I... hmm." Flash furrowed his brow in thought. "That's a bit of a reach, isn't it? You wanted the punchline, but the joke doesn't justify it. It should at least make some sense..."

Flash's gaze had gone from the Gryffindor to a million miles away, the hand on his chin rubbing thoughtfully. "Such as... why is a choice being crossed with something? It's confusing. It should be easy to get the point if it's supposed to be a simple joke." Flash closed his eyes for a moment, perhaps he might have been able to laugh at himself if he realized how much effort he was putting into scrutinizing this simple word play. "For example... 'what do you get when you want to eat out, but no one wants to choose the meal'? Or... maybe not that, but... do you know what I mean?"

Flash opened his eyes again, sighing. He wasn't the type to just say jokes, so everything he thought of felt weird to say. Being intentionally humorous... it took some guts to put oneself out like that. He felt bad for not laughing when the boy had clearly thought it was a dead ringer, but the last thing he'd do was pretend it was great to protect his feelings.

Wolf Pin
Interacting with @Flash Holmwood || Hex code:#A0A9B8

It was only the beginning, the sales pitch obviously didn't have the correct target audience. Alec was glad for that, one thing he wasn't really ready to accept criticism for just yet was his sales pitch. It was a lot of fun for the slightly immature thirteen-year-old to make products that very not useful to the general population sound revolutionary. It wasn't even just the joke jar, sometimes Alec would just pretend he was selling his damaged ink and quills. It reminded of his announcer voice and that odd muggle slide Alec thought was funny. He'd seen the neighborhood children doing it for some sort of game where you hit a ball. Alec hadn't been allowed to go out and play it, he was satisfied enough with it to just watch from his window. He knew that even if he'd been able to get out there he wouldn't have known how to play. Duelling was a sport Alec could enjoy, he still had yet to get into the quidditch hype. Alec didn't like that possibility that you could fall off a broom, he wasn't so fond of the heights in the air in general.

Alec was still caught up in his own things, happy about the joke as the stranger began to offer some fair critique. Alec had to put away his smile though he still wanted too because it was time to be serious again. He gave the stranger a questioning look as they explained the joke doesn't justify the punchline, and overall didn't make sense. He waited too comment till there other went on explaining why they thought this. Alec thought the joke was extremely simple, a simple person could only make simple jokes. The stranger said it was confusing. It took Alec a long moment, the help of the stranger included, giving out an... Okay example. The stranger made it obvious they weren't the world's best comedian either.

Alec understood these factors, he still liked the joke. It was being kept in the jar. That was fair he'd concluded. The joke wasn't meant to be over-analyzed, but it was not being completely over-analyzed if it was confusing. Not for all audiences, a new variation would be needed, Alec was keeping this slip personally. The least he could do with it was randomly owl the slip to a friend with no context. That specific sort of confusion would be funny.

Alec cocked his head to the side as he watched the stranger's thinking face before he laughed. “You really are taking this seriously.” Alec commented, he smiled, while the smile wasn't the gigantic grin Alec had from being cheeky with his jokes there was something behind it. Alec appreciated the fact the stranger was taking it seriously, and offering valid critique. Alec was going to ignore some of it, salesmen pitch was always going to be a thing. Alec just needed the correct target audience. Actually what made Alec more confused with that was there were multiple books Alec had happened upon where the acts of salesmen were spoken of. It may have been more familiar to the thirteen-year-old because of personal circumstances. The point was. there were things he had to keep in mind now, and other things he would do away with for critique on.

Alec reached to put this slip of paper in the side pocket of his messenger bag, before setting his joke jar to the side by his bag. “There's a chance I may need to stick to some by the book guaranteed jokes until I get to the hang of making my own. It's usually been situational things, up till-” Alec paused thinking back, “-April. Still getting the hang of walking up to random strangers and asking for their thoughts.” It had gone better than Alec had expected, he'd received someone fair, fate was kind to Alec. Especially when Alec seemed to be disturbing the stranger's peace, or attempt at peace on a nice day like this. Adding as well how kindly the critique had been approached, with an example as well.

Alec reached to shake hands with the other. Alec may or may not have been hoping to get a name for the single purpose of more critique from this stranger later on down the road. “Alec Mason, year two-” Alec paused for a split second, he'd noticed people didn't take to hearing Gryffindor well out of Alec's mouth. He was coming to peace with being in the house he was in. Feeling like he belonged, but other's sometimes had qualms with his house. Plus Alec was sure this kid was a Gryffindor too so he-Just finish up words Alec your taking forever “-Gryffindor.” Alec went on after this, ending his words with, “do I get a name to a face?”

When the boy drew attention to Flash's seriousness, he opened his mouth as if to quickly defend himself, but a look at the Gryffindor's face made him feel less self-conscious. The unwelcome fear left as quickly as it came, the atmosphere remaining light and playful. The smile that had been there before his overactive introspection returned, along with a quiet satisfied hum. "I always do, unfortunately." 'Serious' was a word he had been ascribed to his face fairly often. In fact, he had also been accused of not knowing how to have fun. It wasn't as though he didn't try, it was just always something of an awkward endeavor. He felt more at home in planning meetings, investigations, and errands, where his seriousness was useful. Talking to his peers, he feared he came off as boring.

The boy put the joke jar away, theorizing on his next move towards this mysterious comedy career he seemed to be envisioning. The mention of April would uncharacteristically jar Flash's otherwise calm expression, though he'd attempt to downplay the physical reaction to the month. It had been, likely, the most wretched month of his life. It started with a discomfort in the pit of his stomach, then his eyes would fog over, as if looking at something distant. It was all still too fresh in his memory, the only way to move past it was to ignore it. Pretend it didn't happen. Flash would blink rapidly, returning to the present as quickly as he could manage. "Well... I think it's a valiant effort. I might not be your target audience though."

After that, he reached out his hand, giving introductions. Flash's smile grew wider, a small laugh trickling out at his trepidation at saying his house name. He didn't think there was any question that Alec was a Gryffindor, it was a house he had many friends in, in no small part due to preferring their straight-forward and honest nature. Flash stood up to deliver a proper, strong handshake. He had been taught how to shake hands properly, and at this point he had the practice behind him as well.

"Flash Holmwood." He would answer, one side of his smile growing. He rarely, if ever, stated more information about himself than explicitly asked for, but he felt the answer was due. "Second year Slytherin."

"To be honest, your approach worried me. Still, I'm glad you did." As long as the handshake went well, he'd sit back down again. He wasn't quite sure how he would spend his evening, though it would probably be studying or practicing. Never fun. "I can be your test subject, if you ever want to consult someone who is too serious."

Wolf Pin
Interacting with @Flash Holmwood || Hex code:#A0A9B8

The reason why people act or react the way they do is a mysterious thing. Alec could recount upon the many situations where people have said the most curious things. Like how ants would not one day overthrow humanity. What was that person thinking? Of course, they would eventually, their tiny, but there are so many to make it up that it wouldn't have even mattered the size. Their intelligence, possibly lacking, but with the amount, again, they could just make all of that up! That was a joke Alec didn't think that, even if he did feel bad for accidentally stepping on ants. It was an over absurdity to prove a point in his mind. Right, now moving onto the point before the detrimental effects of this come to Alec's head, maybe ants actually could and Alec never thought about it seriously. The point was it was rather curious as to why someone would ever say it was unfortunate to be serious. To take things seriously. Alec believed it to be respectable. He didn't understand the problem that was taking things seriously and being serious, should he have?

By the time the words had reached Alec he was far beyond that situation itself and in the middle of introductions. Alec had questions he didn't know how to ask. He was mostly wondering which situation this person had found it unfortunate in. Reflecting the only problems where being serious had ever been a problem was in some serious moments. Hence the jokes. Though it would do better to have the social skills to navigate the situation rather than joke his way around it. His eyes caught onto the person introspectively. They weren't at the very least going to tirade around when the situation called for something more. It would be out of place even for serious people and quite the endeavor, therefore it meant everything was well with being serious? He presumed so, he couldn't even take the questioning of the problems of being serious in a serious way. Alec thought it was funny that this was what he chose to spend his time thinking about. The minutes feeling like an eternity. What exactly was the chance he happened upon such an interesting, serious person like this anyway? Especially at Hogwarts, it was refreshing, to say the least.

Alec didn't comment on the rapid reaction to the month as he caught the very end of that reaction. Alec was never going to mention the existence of April again around this kid, he didn't mean to make him, upset? Alec couldn't really tell even what that reaction was, just that it didn't seem positive. So fake birthday, Alec could be older he didn't mind that. March 12th, a whole month older. Valiant effort, however, the words fell like blank reassurance, the third-year associated the word valiant with knights. It was an effort, not a brave one if he hadn't gone into the situation as little assured about this all going well as he did. Alec didn't try to mask his surprise about Flash giving out a laugh as Alec introduced himself as a Gryffindor. The other stood up at that point to give a proper handshake to Alec. Alec was glad he didn't have to end up reaching down so much. He was also glad someone here finally knew how to do a good handshake. See people didn't get it every time Alec introduced himself the way he did, but handshakes were important. Alec didn't know how to stress this manner more in his head than he already did. He had no explanation other than the fact that they just were important. Maybe there was science behind it... There was science in transfiguration therefore science was in anything.

Flash Holmwood... It worked, yet for a name like that he almost didn't expect a Slytherin. In reflection only seconds later, Alec really should have. Everybody he just so happened to meet randomly tended to be in Slytherin. The house was respectable out of the people he'd met in it. It felt like it was saying a lot when Alec concluded that most of the people he had closer relationships with were from Slytherin, slipping in a Hufflepuff. Alec still missed Clifton, maybe he needed to meet more Hufflepuffs. The only problem was actively seeking out people in certain houses usually doesn't turn out well. That and why are most of the girls in that house so scary?! Shockingly scary. As in I'm being scary to you but almost for a good reason scary. Alina was very intimidating. Um also those Hufflepuffs in one of his duels, they were so nice but so terrible. They practically beat him with positivity the nice good lucks did not at all lessen the blow of their spells. The worst part was he didn't know how to feel about that, was he supposed to be scared, or impressed?

Alec nodded as Flash spoke. “People don't expect to be approached as randomly as you were. Don't worry about the target audience, all audience is target audience when your approaching strangers. It helps me be more aware of what I need to adjust.” Alec watched as Flash sat back down, listening as he spoke again. This time Alec laughed, saying one is too much of anything was often to have a bad connotation with it, Alec took it that way. “No, I'm sure anybody could tell you that the ability you have to take things seriously is refreshing. It's respectable,” Alec took a moment to pause. “Taking something seriously takes effort whether or not your too serious. Someone has to care enough to go along with what you're saying and provide thoughtful and serious feedback.” Alec said, at least that was his take on it. Centering heavily on a situation like this with someone you've never met before. “I could just be heavily assuming so feel free to correct me. Besides that, I might just have to take you up on the offer, as long as you don't mind someone randomly walking up to you more. Do you frequent the courtyard often?” Alec asked, he was genuinely interested, Alec himself didn't come to the courtyard too often as to make enough of a clear answer about whether or not the other did, but the information would be useful. Alec felt as if the more shocking thing was the fact that he hadn't met this Slytherin until now. No time better than the present?

Alec seemed a little quieter when he wasn't performing. He made faces, reacted to Flash's words like he was listening, but he added little. It was fair, he had feedback to digest, as well as the interaction having naturally winded down. At the very least, he gave a good handshake, which couldn't be said for everyone. Humanity had already started to remove the social acceptability of real connection, physical touch. Luckily, Flash had friends that would hug him in greeting as well. Perhaps making connections and reaching out was what he ought to have been doing instead of sulking in the courtyard alone.

After that he did speak up, brushing off Flash's concern that he wouldn't be an accurate example to use. Flash would only nod, accepting Alec's point-of-view even though he still had some misgivings. He was more surprised when Alec began defending the virtue of seriousness. His light smile would diffuse as he paid attention to Alec's words. He was sure it was universal-- that kids his age were supposed to be silly and light-hearted, but of all people, the one who randomly approached him with a joke jar was the one telling him it was respectable. Perhaps there was a lot more to him than it seemed.

"Effort..." Flash repeated tentatively, his mind not yet grasping the perspective.

His silence gave way for Alec to say he might have been over-reaching, and to continue with plans to speak with him again. That was fine with Flash, as he wasn't sure he was ready to discuss the subject anyway. In essence, Alec was saying that he himself valued it, regardless of its inherent value. With that, Flash would feel a spark of acceptance he had not recieved from anyone else. The effort he put into things was very rarely seen or remarked on at all.

"Yes. Well... sort of. I like being outside." Flash continued, only somewhat distracted by his own train of thought. "Sometimes it is far too crowded. Please walk up to me any time you like, though, wherever that may be."

Flash gave another broad smile, as he really meant it. There was only so much joy in the world, and he wasn't too shy to grasp it when it was nearby.