18 Feb 2020, 22:57
Just Between You and Me
Insufferable. It’s no wonder he doesn’t want friends. No one would have him. It dawned on Flash at that point that he had made a mistake. He thought as long as no one knew about his association with Burnett, no one would think less of him. That wasn’t the warning he was supposed to be intuiting from what he heard. Any association whatsoever was a bad idea. Having his intelligence insulted should have been the final straw-- he should have just got up and said good day, but it was a matter of pride now.
”That’s it? As if I haven’t answered those questions already by now…” Flash’s temper only got more evident as blows were exchanged, his fists were tightly clenched and his shoulder rolled forward, tense. ”Do you need it in writing? Shall we draft an agreement and sign it in blood?”
Flash realized he was gritting his teeth, but he didn’t know what else to do to calm himself down. He needed a break from the whole ordeal, but he had committed to seeing it through. At this point he just wanted to be done with it, maybe go outside and run until he was exhausted. Run the emotion right out and put it back into the earth.
"I’ll repeat myself then. I asked you here because I didn’t want to be seen with you. I heard of you through your reputation-- which I’ve also already told you-- I asked a lot of people about the party, and more than a few of them said you could help me. That you were there, and that you knew things about people, that you’d be willing to talk for a price. They made it seem straight-forward, but I suppose that was my fault for thinking anything was easy.”
Flash sighed again, hoping it was the last time.
”And since you seem so desperate to hear me say it, my birth name is Demetrius Aelius Holmwood.” Flash wanted to punctuate it with a punch in his face, but he put on a fake smile instead. ”But everyone calls me Flash. Are you satisfied? I have better things I could be doing with my time.”
”That’s it? As if I haven’t answered those questions already by now…” Flash’s temper only got more evident as blows were exchanged, his fists were tightly clenched and his shoulder rolled forward, tense. ”Do you need it in writing? Shall we draft an agreement and sign it in blood?”
Flash realized he was gritting his teeth, but he didn’t know what else to do to calm himself down. He needed a break from the whole ordeal, but he had committed to seeing it through. At this point he just wanted to be done with it, maybe go outside and run until he was exhausted. Run the emotion right out and put it back into the earth.
"I’ll repeat myself then. I asked you here because I didn’t want to be seen with you. I heard of you through your reputation-- which I’ve also already told you-- I asked a lot of people about the party, and more than a few of them said you could help me. That you were there, and that you knew things about people, that you’d be willing to talk for a price. They made it seem straight-forward, but I suppose that was my fault for thinking anything was easy.”
Flash sighed again, hoping it was the last time.
”And since you seem so desperate to hear me say it, my birth name is Demetrius Aelius Holmwood.” Flash wanted to punctuate it with a punch in his face, but he put on a fake smile instead. ”But everyone calls me Flash. Are you satisfied? I have better things I could be doing with my time.”
For we dreamed a lot//And we schemed a lot//And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart
Sta: 9 ★Eva: 5 ★Str: 7 ★Wis: 15 ★AP: 3 ★Acc: 15
19 Feb 2020, 00:06
Just Between You and Me
@Flash Holmwood
It seemed that no matter what tactics Jack used - gentle, aggressive, or even baiting with an insult of intelligence - Flash was not budging on the amount of information he was willing to offer in exchange. Well...for the most part.
Jack had hoped the other Slytherin would have given details about what he'd heard Jack's reputation consisted of, exactly - good, bad, stupid, clever, etc. - but perhaps the boy had already forgotten or simply hadn't paid attention enough to commit it to memory beyond what he'd heard of Jack's involvement at the Tea event. Perhaps - and this was starting to seem more and more likely - that was the extent of what Flash had heard of him. There was also the possibility that Flash just simply didn't want to say what he'd heard, but Jack was becoming increasingly doubtful of that possibility.
It was curious that people at the party had told Flash that Jack could 'help' him, but perhaps they hadn't put it in those exact terms. Again, from the lack of information he was receiving from his housemate, it was quickly sounding like it was safe to presume that the 'how' of Flash knowing about him had not stemmed from anyone else aside from Flash's Valentine's Day Tea Party informants.
And if Flash's knowledge of Jack was really only limited to that event, then it could be surmised that all Flash knew of the redhead was what said people at the event had told him. Sure, there had been a few present at the time who had more vivid memories of Jack's deeds beyond his role in the tea party fiasco, but it sounded as though Flash hadn't yet met them. Otherwise, he would have been sure to know of things like Jack's dislike of making friends and the desperate actions he was willing to take in order to survive as a student free from positive connections with others.
After concluding all this, the redhead decided that Flash deserved a bit of his respect for having put up with his interrogation and verbal abuse for so long, now. By that point, many others students likely would have quickly given in to their more primal urges and negative emotions by giving Jack a punch to the face or simply walking away so as to avoid having to put up with him any longer. What the boy did next, however, boosted Jack's regard of the blue-eyed brunet a good deal more - so much that he had to take a moment before breaking into a renewed, admiring grin. Flash actually gave him his full name.
"Yes...I am," Jack answered honestly. "And yes, perhaps you could. But as gratitude for your honesty, please let me bestow upon you a few more bits of information I think may be vital to you in case you haven't already heard."
He pushed off the trophy case he'd been leaning on, seating himself beside Flash on the bench.
"There is a third-year Ravenclaw by the name of Vladimir Athanatos who set up a shop of sorts in the courtyard at the start of February. The goods he sells are identical to the ones found at the Honeydukes shop in Hogsmede, but Athanatos's are...how should I put this?...'special'."
Running an anxious hand through his hair, Jack continued. "He sells a card and three different kinds of sweets. Both the card he sells and its counterpart from Hogsmede have been dipped in Amortentia - supposedly the strongest love potion in the world. But while the normal card only smells like the potion, being exposed to Athanatos' card seems to actually subject one to the effects of the potion itself - though thankfully only for one day."
Staring down at his lap, the Slytherin looked somewhat disconcerted. "Athanatos only allows each student to purchase one thing from him, so I have yet to learn what the sweets he sells do. I've heard they have...drastically different effects than the card, though," he added with some uneasiness.
"Fortunately...I've also heard of a crazy second-year Gryffindor named Galton Lansdale who is greedy for Athanatos' candy. He's often found in the Small Hall offering to pay anyone who will sell him their candy from the Ravenclaw the same price of the candy in addition to three sickles. He'll only pay for the candy, though; not the card.
"I don't know if Lansdale will eat the candy in front of you for you to be able to see their effects, but...in all honesty, it might be best you don't. At the very least, it's a way to make an easy profit of three sickles while doing some investigating of your own."
Last edited by Jack Burnett on 19 Feb 2020, 03:48, edited 4 times in total.
PC: Jack Burnett | iNPC: Ginyami Midorimori
19 Feb 2020, 03:37
Just Between You and Me
The mood of the conversation flipped. Jack sat next to him on the bench, going on about extra information about the students as ‘gratitude for his honesty’. It was strange, though Flash didn’t want to complain and have the Burnett from a few moments ago reappear. The information was very interesting, if true, but Flash couldn’t shake the feeling he was being told about it for a reason. He didn’t know enough about Burnett to make a call about why he would do anything.
When he looked back at what that ‘information’ he gave could have meant to him, he couldn’t see anything important. Hearing his real name did little else besides raise his ire, so it wasn’t useful as blackmail, it was just pedantic and rude. It all felt useless and obvious, but that didn’t mean that was strictly true. His reputation was the only one that made sense, but how could someone who was spoken of the way he was possibly care about his reputation.
That must have been where he was wrong. Burnett did care, just not in the way Flash had expected him to. He didn’t care whether people liked him, he just wanted to know who said what. If it were true, and not just giving him too much credit, he had underestimated the threat he posed. The way he talked was surprising, not following any of the paths he expected the conversation to flow down. In fact, the conversation hadn’t flowed at all, it was more like a battle at sea.
It didn’t mean Flash respected him. He used words to get his way, just as Flash always had, but he used them like a loaded weapon, pointed at the temple. Flash’s oldest brother had taught him to have more dignity than that, though dignity may have been what made his words feel so powerless. He had already lost when he entered the conversation unprepared. He didn’t want to ever make that mistake again.
”Thank you for the unsolicited advice.” With the change in tempo, Flash was able to return to a mostly blank expression.
When he looked back at what that ‘information’ he gave could have meant to him, he couldn’t see anything important. Hearing his real name did little else besides raise his ire, so it wasn’t useful as blackmail, it was just pedantic and rude. It all felt useless and obvious, but that didn’t mean that was strictly true. His reputation was the only one that made sense, but how could someone who was spoken of the way he was possibly care about his reputation.
That must have been where he was wrong. Burnett did care, just not in the way Flash had expected him to. He didn’t care whether people liked him, he just wanted to know who said what. If it were true, and not just giving him too much credit, he had underestimated the threat he posed. The way he talked was surprising, not following any of the paths he expected the conversation to flow down. In fact, the conversation hadn’t flowed at all, it was more like a battle at sea.
It didn’t mean Flash respected him. He used words to get his way, just as Flash always had, but he used them like a loaded weapon, pointed at the temple. Flash’s oldest brother had taught him to have more dignity than that, though dignity may have been what made his words feel so powerless. He had already lost when he entered the conversation unprepared. He didn’t want to ever make that mistake again.
”Thank you for the unsolicited advice.” With the change in tempo, Flash was able to return to a mostly blank expression.
For we dreamed a lot//And we schemed a lot//And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart
Sta: 9 ★Eva: 5 ★Str: 7 ★Wis: 15 ★AP: 3 ★Acc: 15
19 Feb 2020, 05:57
Just Between You and Me
@Flash Holmwood
What had pleasantly surprised Jack so much about Flash revealing his name wasn't so much the actual knowledge of the name itself but the fact that the stubborn, prideful Slytherin had been willing to be flexible enough to indulge him while many people might have just kept their name to themselves out of spite. It was also a matter of principle - the fact that, since Flash knew his name, Jack only thought it fair he give his own.
Sure, a name might not have meant much to the blue-eyed boy aside from disliking the use of it. However, to a boy who read countless stories about names holding power over their owners (such as with the summoning of demons by their true names), names were a big deal. For Flash to have chosen to give Jack what he wanted to the best of his ability, regardless of how ridiculous it might have seemed to him, was what had earned Jack's respect. Especially when Flash had already received information (though not a lot) about the Valetnine's Day Tea Party he had wanted in the first place.
He'd had no reason to pay Jack the price asked for after that, particularly after having been insulted, but against Jack's wildest expectations, Flash still chose to. That was what had impressed the redhead the most; the display of Flash following his own moral code, which many Slytherin were said to have lacked.
At Flash's passionless words of gratitude, Jack laughed again. "Can you really say it wasn't solicited when it could be considered as something you 'ought to know'?" he teased, pushing off the bench and back on his feet. "Anyway...is that everything, Flash Gordon, or do you have anything else to say before I take my leave?"
PC: Jack Burnett | iNPC: Ginyami Midorimori
19 Feb 2020, 17:47
Just Between You and Me
At first Flash felt a wave of relief as Jack got up, motioning like he was prepared to leave. He was ready to get some fresh air, it had been too long and he felt more weary than he should have at that time of day. It was a strange encounter, and there was a lot to reflect on. Flash knew he had made several critical errors in his dealing with Burnett, and he intended to dig out the failings and improve them. He didn’t want to be batted around like a toy, it was humiliating.
But he wasn’t done. He had one last verbal smack to the face. Flash Gordon. Flash’s heart could have stopped, he might have blacked out the way he lost control of his voice.
”Y-y-you--?? But--??” Flash’s voice pitched, practically yelling. Blood rushed to his face as though his life depended on it. ”You’re incorrigible!”
He hadn’t anything to say, no defense. In fact, saying anything at all was his one last critical error for the day. He wasn’t particularly ashamed of his namesake, but it wasn’t something he ever expected to be confronted with, at least not from his young, modern peers. It was an insidious final blow, nothing nearby could save Flash from revealing that he was, indeed, a sci-fi comic book nerd, and Burnett was smiling.
Saving face at that point was unimaginable. His sister would always say that in defeat, one must be humble and honorable. In that spirit, Flash got up quietly and walked towards the exit to leave, stopping briefly to say his peace.
”That’s all, thank you.” It was a challenge to talk like a normal person with the frog in his throat. ”It’s been… thought-provoking.”
@Jack Burnett
But he wasn’t done. He had one last verbal smack to the face. Flash Gordon. Flash’s heart could have stopped, he might have blacked out the way he lost control of his voice.
”Y-y-you--?? But--??” Flash’s voice pitched, practically yelling. Blood rushed to his face as though his life depended on it. ”You’re incorrigible!”
He hadn’t anything to say, no defense. In fact, saying anything at all was his one last critical error for the day. He wasn’t particularly ashamed of his namesake, but it wasn’t something he ever expected to be confronted with, at least not from his young, modern peers. It was an insidious final blow, nothing nearby could save Flash from revealing that he was, indeed, a sci-fi comic book nerd, and Burnett was smiling.
Saving face at that point was unimaginable. His sister would always say that in defeat, one must be humble and honorable. In that spirit, Flash got up quietly and walked towards the exit to leave, stopping briefly to say his peace.
”That’s all, thank you.” It was a challenge to talk like a normal person with the frog in his throat. ”It’s been… thought-provoking.”
@Jack Burnett
For we dreamed a lot//And we schemed a lot//And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart
Sta: 9 ★Eva: 5 ★Str: 7 ★Wis: 15 ★AP: 3 ★Acc: 15
19 Feb 2020, 21:18
Just Between You and Me
@Flash Holmwood
The redhead could almost feel the brunet's relief as he got up, appearing ready to leave. Luckily he managed to refrain from snickering or any other display of amusement. He certainly wanted to learn more about this kid and spend more time with him, but he guessed Flash wasn't going to make that easy for him if he thought Jack would have enjoyed it too much.
Perhaps he had shown off a little more than necessary today, especially for a first meeting. Normally, Jack preferred to allow people to underestimate him, but he hadn't been able to help himself much with this fellow Slytherin who had so obviously liked to think of himself as clever. It took one to know one, after all, and Jack could rarely refrain from revealing his true nature to a like-minded individual. Just like with Selim, it made him want the other boy to show him what he he could do; to compete. Maybe even outsmart Jack if he could, like Ruka had.
No, now was not the time to think of Ruka. The lion was probably better off now that he had other lions to keep him company and not sly, deceitful snakes. Forgetting him was not a possibility, but keeping him out of mind for the moment was, at least.
Anyway, the point was that maybe Flash might not have been able to best Jack this time, but the redhead knew that could easily change in the future. Especially now that the blue-eyed boy had a better idea of who he was dealing with.
Flash's incredibly flustered reaction to Jack's little name-tease seemed curiously disproportionate. That was the first time since he'd met the boy that the brunet had seemed so agitated. Had he unintentionally touched on some deeper insecurity, perhaps...?
What Jack knew of Flash Gordon was not much; no more than what he knew of other 1930's comics like The Phantom. The only reason he was aware of them at all was because the names stuck from when his father used to tell him about them. Todd Burnett was an avid reader of stories of all kinds, comics or otherwise, and his son admired him for it. Thus, it would never have occurred to Jack that Flash might have been embarrassed to be considered a comic book nerd of any kind.
Making a mental note to look up more about Flash Gordon later, he beamed proudly at the other first-year's proclamation. Ooh...big words. Impressive vocabulary there, Holmwood.
"Why, thank you!" Jack told his peer, making a flourishing gesture as he bowed theatrically. "I try. Don't know what's got your knickers in a twist, though; I can't imagine I'm the first to have called you that, if that's the name you insist on going by." He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I am curious as to why you chose that name, though. It's nothing like your birth ones. Do you not like Flash Gordon? Why, then? Do you aspire to be the fastest man alive?"
Though he had planned on making his way out, unfortunately for Flash, Jack's curiosity soon got the best of him. Also, he really enjoyed talking. At this rate, it seemed like Flash would end up leaving before Jack would. "Whatever the reason, I have to commend you for sticking to such a silly nickname. No matter how respectable or clever a lad you are, I'm sure you're going to have a tough time getting people to take you seriously. Good luck with that."
The redhead opened the door and held it for Flash, allowing the other Slytherin to go ahead of him, before hearing the polite young man thank him and make a final comment. It was enough to reawaken the mischievous glint in Jack's eyes.
"The pleasure was all mine, Flash," he answered pleasantly. "Speaking of 'thought-provoking' let me leave you with one more thing to ponder over." His grin hardly seemed able to fit on his face.
"When you gave me your real name, how did I know you were telling the truth instead of suspecting another lie?" Smirking slyly, he gave the other boy a moment to consider. "Maybe I paid better attention to the Sorting Ceremony than you thought."
How adorable, seeing his fellow snake all unsettled and riled up like this. Jack knew better than to think Flash would remain that way for long, however. He could tell the other Slytherin was adaptable and learned quickly, even from his mistakes. He kept a level head even when provoked and didn't allow his emotions to affect his reasoning too much - not like that silly, brutish Gryffindor, Rafael or his Ravenclaw boyfriend, Gem. In fact, Jack suspected that one of the few reasons he might have been able to best Flash this time was simply because he'd been underestimated - or, at the very least, Flash hadn't known what to expect from him.
Gone was that element of surprise now, though. The redhead may have acted as though he wanted to put the brunet in his place this time, but Jack wouldn't assume he'd be able to play with his fellow snake so easily a second time without Flash biting back. He knew better than to underestimate others no matter how harmless or stupid they might have seemed. Besides, despite how Jack had behaved, he'd seen that Flash was far from stupid.
It would be interesting to encounter him more later for sure. Still, for now, at least, Jack would enjoy teasing him while he still could.
"I look forward to seeing your contribution to the game, Holmwood - whether as a player or otherwise."
PC: Jack Burnett | iNPC: Ginyami Midorimori