17 Aug 2020, 11:29
The Marks That Bind Us
Place: Hogsmeade Station -> Carriage Ride to the gates of the Hogwarts School Castle
Date: Septempber 1st, 2020
Time: Evening; First night back at Hogwarts
Even as he got off the now somewhat-familiar train at the somewhat-familiar station, Jack was able to recognize the first differences between his first year at Hogwarts and his second year before they even reached the school. Although first years were herded toward the boats meant to cross the dark waters of the Black Lake to the castle, the rest of the students ended up being shown to what appeared to be several carriages of a sort.
Jack hardly remembered seeing the carriages the previous year since he had been too occupied with taming his fears of the lake's mysterious inhabitants and other unknown secrets. Indeed, even now, he almost felt as if the boats were some sort of hazing ritual that new Hogwarts students had to brave (along with, perhaps, gaining the approval of the Giant Squid in the lake).
That method of getting to the castle by way of water still made him warier than the strange, horseless carriages that, other than seeming old-fashioned, appeared pretty safe and relatively normal. Sure, perhaps they may have lacked a means to power them as well as coachmen to drive or steer them. But otherwise, Jack couldn't see anything nearly as alarming about them as having to cross the vast lake in a flimsy little vessel that could capsize any moment with no telling what surrounded or lay beneath.
With an inward sigh of relief, the Welsh boy turned to wait for Ruka to follow him out of their train car. As he waited, hazel eyes eagerly scanned the groups of new second years such as himself while they began to flow out of the Hogwarts Express. There was at least one face he hadn't seen on the train that he was determined to see again as soon as possible; at least one peer he hoped to speak to in private along with his new older brother.
"Anything about the carriages we should know about, Ruka, or are they as preferrable to the boats and the Giant Squid as they look?" he asked with a playful voice. It occurred to him then that Ruka must not have known how to swim when he'd first been made to cross the lake as a first year. Jack might have thought he'd been terrified and almost felt sorry for him.
However, since he remembered that very same Gryffindor had been convinced by a 'friend' of his to go into the lake to search for sea creatures in the middle of the night past curfew, he knew better than to worry. Ruka had probably dealt with worse enough situations by then not to have been daunted by what the unknown inhabitants of a lake could want with him or a meager fear of drowning. Jack shook his head and sneered just thinking about it.
@Ruka Tân & @Flash Holmwood
PC: Jack Burnett | iNPC: Ginyami Midorimori
18 Aug 2020, 10:45
The Marks That Bind Us
@Jack Burnett @Flash Holmwood
After spending his summer without struggling for his survival with daily hard work and the bare minimum of food, Ruka had thought that returning to Hogwarts would feel less exciting somehow, but getting off the train, closely following his new brother, he could still feel the same rush he had experienced the first time he had set foot onto that platform. Despite the fact that he was going to miss all the big and little things that made spending summer with a proper family so special, there was something about returning back to a magic school that just never lost its novelty.
Following his brother’s gaze across the crowd of students, Ruka stepped up to stop next to him, slapping a hand on the Slytherin’s shoulder. “Looking for Flash?” he asked, a teasing grin tugging the corners of his mouth upwards. He was aware that Jack had something to talk about that was going to involve all three of them so he wasn’t surprised to see the other boy’s eyes moving in search for something - or rather someone - familiar. With a little bounce in his step, Ruka tugged Jack further to the side where they could have a better view of everyone passing by to get onto a carriage without standing in the middle of the way.
Shuffling around to lean against a tree, Ruka was satisfied that from their position it was easy to observe everyone getting off the train while the people on the way to the carriages would have to actually look around to spot them.
Hearing Jack’s voice refocused Ruka’s attention on the other boy, a small smile on his face as he shrugged his shoulders. “Definitely preferable,” he confirmed. Ruka didn’t exactly mind taking the boats to cross the lake, but after his experience with the Giant Squid he would choose staying on solid ground instead any day.
“The horses don’t really like apples,” he added as an after thought in response to Jack asking if there was anything they should know about the carriages. He knew as much, had tried to feed an apple to one of the black winged creatures last year, only to be regarded with an offended look and a reluctant nibble. “They’ll eat them but it’s clearly not their favourite. I haven’t figured out what they like yet.” There was an apple in one of the pockets of his cloak so maybe he could demonstrate that discovery. Or maybe he was going to find a particularly health-oriented horse this year.
Either way, there was not much else to say about the carriage ride; it wasn’t like Ruka really had much to compare it to anyway. “It’s quicker than going on the boats,” he mused, though that much was probably a given considering the first years usually arrived after everyone else was already seated in the Great Hall. “And smoother. No risk of drowning.” That was the big advantage of going by carriage; There was no Lake to accidentally fall into, even if one for some reason decided to jump out of it on the way to the Castle.
Letting his eyes drift across the crowd of students, Ruka crossed his arms across his chest, sighing to drown out the noise of his rumbling stomach. “Hope he’ll get off the train soon,” he said in regards to Flash, pulling the apple out of his cloak to muster it with a pensive look. “I’m starving.” Not something he would have usually claimed about the oncomings of appetite, but he had certainly been spoiled with food over the summer. “The sooner we get to dinner the better.”
~Hell is other people~ - Jean Paul Sartre
Stamina: 7 ~ Evasion: 10 ~ Strength: 4 ~ Wisdom: 14 ~ Arcane Power: 6 ~ Accuracy: 9
18 Aug 2020, 17:31
The Marks That Bind Us
Leaving the last segment of the train with Willow, Opeila, and Sylvain, Flash was in far better spirits than he had been getting on. Once he was surrounded by his friends, many of the scratching worries had slowly been silenced. He felt grateful that despite the rocky start, middle, and end of the year he had, there were still people he met along the way who seemed to enjoy his company. Even if it was temporary, his heart swelled to be a part of it. He hated to imagine what his train ride would have been like if he had been unsuccessful in making any kind of impression on his peers. If he had been alone again… well, thankfully he didn’t have to think about that.
A smile on his face, the good mood he was in didn’t deter him from scanning Hogsmeade Station for anything out of the ordinary. His first year was not only one of burgeoning influence and friendship, but of immense danger. Now, he was more keenly aware of the potential threats on his life than ever. He felt like his entire world hung on a single flimsy thread, ready to cleanly snap at the slightest mishandling. Instead of his searching eyes finding foes, they instead settled on the returned gaze of one Jack Burnett. He couldn’t pretend he didn’t relish having his eyes upon him, there wasn’t much that Flash liked more than being sought out… wanted.
Burnett was tucked away to the side of the crowds that were shuffling off in several directions, the first years being shepherded by the groundskeeper to the boats, while the rest were meandering to the carriages described in their second year instructions. Flash himself was being drawn in by the expectant face of the redhead, joined as usual by his new brother… Ruka. He was looking at Flash too, handling an apple idly as he leaned against a tree, cloaked in the shade and the inauspiciousness of his presence.
They’re both… looking right at me... While there was nothing inherently strange about people you knew looking for you after time away, the two of them were a special case. They were both different than most people, and Flash’s relationship with them was a strange one. Strange, but not bad… probably. In fact, its strangeness was oddly alluring, often feeling himself drawn to them both time and time again. It didn’t matter if the attraction was a good idea or not, it was nearly inescapable at that point, as Flash had long ago given up on questioning it.
Not exactly wanting to ‘ditch’ the group he had arrived with, Flash wasn’t sure whether they had intended to draw his attention or not. He didn’t want to be impolite. Instead of moving from the spot, he just raised his eyebrows in confusion. What is it?
@Jack Burnett @Ruka Tân
A smile on his face, the good mood he was in didn’t deter him from scanning Hogsmeade Station for anything out of the ordinary. His first year was not only one of burgeoning influence and friendship, but of immense danger. Now, he was more keenly aware of the potential threats on his life than ever. He felt like his entire world hung on a single flimsy thread, ready to cleanly snap at the slightest mishandling. Instead of his searching eyes finding foes, they instead settled on the returned gaze of one Jack Burnett. He couldn’t pretend he didn’t relish having his eyes upon him, there wasn’t much that Flash liked more than being sought out… wanted.
Burnett was tucked away to the side of the crowds that were shuffling off in several directions, the first years being shepherded by the groundskeeper to the boats, while the rest were meandering to the carriages described in their second year instructions. Flash himself was being drawn in by the expectant face of the redhead, joined as usual by his new brother… Ruka. He was looking at Flash too, handling an apple idly as he leaned against a tree, cloaked in the shade and the inauspiciousness of his presence.
They’re both… looking right at me... While there was nothing inherently strange about people you knew looking for you after time away, the two of them were a special case. They were both different than most people, and Flash’s relationship with them was a strange one. Strange, but not bad… probably. In fact, its strangeness was oddly alluring, often feeling himself drawn to them both time and time again. It didn’t matter if the attraction was a good idea or not, it was nearly inescapable at that point, as Flash had long ago given up on questioning it.
Not exactly wanting to ‘ditch’ the group he had arrived with, Flash wasn’t sure whether they had intended to draw his attention or not. He didn’t want to be impolite. Instead of moving from the spot, he just raised his eyebrows in confusion. What is it?
@Jack Burnett @Ruka Tân
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
2 Feb 2021, 08:26
The Marks That Bind Us
Ruka's first question was barely registered and therefore went unanswered. Even the Gryffindor's firm tugging of Jack off to one side was responded to with half-hearted compliance until the younger boy registered what the older was trying to do and why. Even when he turned his head to smile and nod in acknowledgment and gratitude, it was still largely half-hearted. His mind was still mostly occupied attempting to spot a particular blue-eyed brunet among the other students. At last, his eyes caught on the dorm mate in question. However, as soon as they did, they narrowed.
Flash was there, alright. He met Jack's eyes almost the same moment his met Flash's. The main reason the redheaded Slytherin hadn't spotted him sooner, he thought, was because others were blocking him from view. Others, Jack realized, he had not been seeking out, but who he recognized nevertheless. Willow Anderson the Hufflepuff with her death sentences and being Flash's supposed sister. Opeila Seilun, their fellow Slytherin, who clung to Flash as if her life depended on it and indulged in all he had to offer as the 'perfect friend'. And was that...that one Ravenclaw from the embroidery errand and Kensington Gardens, Sylvain Indarys? When had he gotten so chummy with Flash?
Jack thought back to the embroidery Sylvain had been working on and chatting about regarding his friends when they had first met. Had Flash been meant to be one of the figures he'd attempted to portray? Not that it mattered now. Nothing really mattered now except getting Flash away from them.
While the Welsh boy was seeing red and inwardly seething, he vaguely reflected that his Irish counterpart had previously been saying something about horses and them not really liking apples. He glanced toward what he had presumed were horseless carriages last year when he'd caught a glimpse of them, but now he wondered why he'd thought that when there were such enormous, menacing, black, bat-winged dragon-horse things hitched to each and every one of the carriages. Were those the horses Ruka had been prattling on about? Surely they hadn't been there before...
He shook his head to clear it. No, he couldn't afford to lose focus now. Ruka had commented he was starving and Jack, in a sudden bout of inexplicable irritation, snapped, "If the horses don't like apples and you're 'starving', eat it yourself. You're going to need your hands free in a second anyway. We're going to abduct Holmwood from the sorry band of shallow second-year students he's somehow managed to land himself with on the train."
And, certain Ruka knew already or would instantly pick up on what he had in mind, the muggleborn Slytherin marched toward Flash and his raised brows with a savage grin.
Target acquired.
As he did so, however, the thoughts of what plan he had in mind for Flash - fueled by what he refused to acknowledge as indignant rage, boiling jealousy, nor single-minded possession - gave way to something else. It was a familiar voice from a few months prior echoing just six words.
'I just could not let go.'
Thick brows narrowing in hostile determination, though, Jack could not ignore the sight of the other kids surrounding his dorm mate in favor of those words. Perhaps Flash's expression even suggested he even wanted to be whisked away from his then-current company and was likely just too polite to know how to excuse himself. Right...that was it.
Flash was nothing like Victor had been to Vlad. He couldn't be. And he, Jack Burnett, was nothing like Vladimir Athanatos.
He was nothing like him at all.
@Ruka Burnett-Tân & @Flash Holmwood
PC: Jack Burnett | iNPC: Ginyami Midorimori
8 Apr 2021, 18:22
The Marks That Bind Us
Snatched up like a captive, Flash would meekly say goodbye to his friends from the ride back to be shuffled onto the carriage that would take them to the castle itself. Once inside, Ruka quickly jumped right back out, having left a lynx doll in the train that he had received from Burnett's parents. Going in the carriage ride just the two of them, Burnett and Flash begin to catch up, though it takes little to no time for feelings to be hurt. Flash avoids talking about his train ride, his summer, or anything about himself, and instead begins questioning Burnett about his relationship with Erin Ryan.OOC note: Because this thread is very old and Ruka is currently deactivated, Burnett and I wrote up a conversation that the two of them have in the carriage to Hogwarts, which will be provided at the end. This will be the final post, describing the basic canon elements of the thread.
The conversation quickly dissolves into unhappy silence as accusations are thrown and their relationship is not as clear as it had been the year before. Things have changed, and for whatever reason Flash has cut off open communication once again. Burnett is personally offended by Flash's sudden coldness, wondering whether anything he thought about their relationship was real. With no real answers or resolutions to either of their concerns, this would be the catalyst for what would end up being nearly an entire year of not speaking to one another anymore. Ironic after they had already decided to room together in the dorms.
Reducio
Flash is removed from Opeila, Sylvain, and Willow by Ruka and Burnett
Flash: Wh- uh- see you all later!
Once apart, the three are relatively alone.
Flash: What is it? [pause] That is… good to see you two again.
Jack: Is it? [frowns] You seemed to be perfectly fine just hanging around that bunch. Did you get all chummy with them over the summer? Enough to forget us? ^
Flash: Over the summer… [looks out, not at them] They were my friends before that…
Flash shakes his head, trying to remove the obstacle in his mind that is slowing him down
Flash: I could hardly forget you two either way, my brain doesn’t have a limited amount of spots for… people, you know.
Jack frowns, brow creasing as his eyes flicker back and forth across Flash's face, trying to read his expression
Jack: Right. [glances at the carriages] Friends. [turns to Ruka] Let's get into the carriages, shall we?
Jack seats himself beside Ruka and across from Flash in the carriage as they climb in
Jack: So...care to catch us up on what you've been chatting about with your...friends?
Flash: Catch you up? I can’t say I think you’ll find any of it that engaging. Some things we did over summer. Willow and Opeila got cats. Opeila’s cat is a right pest.
Flash shifts around, a bit uncomfortable at feeling on display for the two to scrutinize
Flash: What have you two been up to? You must have been chatting as well, right? Wasn’t Ruka going to live with you this summer?
Jack adopts a not-quite-pleasant smile at Flash’s comment he thought he/they wouldn’t find any of their chatter engaging
Jack: Yes…cats are nice.
Ruka: Oh, I forgot Spark! You two go on ahead.
Ruka gets out of the carriage before it starts moving, closes the door, and hurries away without a backward glance
Jack: Ru- [hesitates] Okay. Don’t miss dinner! [calls out through the window before turning back to Flash]
Jack: [clears his throat] Spark is, uh…the lynx plush we got him for his birthday when we went to the zoo. I guess he really likes lynxes. [stares down at his hands in his lap] On the train we mostly talked with this new first year who kept asking all these questions about Hogwarts. That’s all. We ended up with him because all the other compartments were full by the time my - our parents let us on the train after smothering us half to death. [glances up a little] Or else I - we would have looked for you.
Flash: [awkward, waves goodbye to Ruka] Got it. I see, so… Ruka’s been adopted. That’s good.
There’s a pause as Flash tries to think of what to say, presumably the carriage would start to move at this point.
Flash: There was something I wanted to ask you about, actually. Perhaps this isn’t the best time, but… it’s been weighing on my mind. [Flash doesn’t continue, waiting for approval]
Jack: Yeah, our parents had been trying to get everything in order since before the end of the school year so we could take him home with us by the time he got off the train last June. [shrugs]
Jack looks up as the carriage starts to move and he listens to Flash mention wanting to talk about something
Jack: …Yeah? What is it? [tilts his head] Actually going to talk about yourself for once? Like what happened over your summer?
Flash: Uh… [averts eyes, ashamed] Well, it was over summer, actually. At the campgrounds, I talked to Erin Ryan. I had wanted to ask her about a few things. Mostly, I wanted to hear what she had to say about when the two of you met that hag. [Looks back at Burnett, a bit more sure after the momentum of the question started] She actually ended up having a very different account. She said you just happened to be there. That you kissed the hag [pause, unable to say it with a straight face], and uh… that you had been lying to her for months about who you were. I thought I’d better… hear your side again.
Jack frowns slightly at Flash’s change in expression, but listens with attentiveness. His own countenance goes pale with shock at the mention of Erin, then darkens steadily as the hag is brought up, but keeps quiet as Flash continues.
Jack: So not talking about yourself, then. [sighs and casts a stormy look] Fine. Have it your way. Tell me exactly where you think our stories differ, because it doesn’t sound all that different to me. I don’t know what you think she meant by me just ‘happening’ to be there. I showed up after seeing Thomas lure her and some other girl out on the grounds past curfew. And sure, the hag might have seemed like she was about to kiss me, but everyone knows what hags do to kids and it isn’t that. As far as lying to her…[raises his head to meet Flash’s gaze dead on] Do you really think I would do something like that?
Flash: [small scoff, frowning] She had no idea, she was suspicious of why you were there. As for the kiss, I already assumed… but either way, why are you getting so defensive? Are you saying I shouldn’t listen to her? I should just assume everything she’s saying is wrong? For someone who was dating her for a while, you sure seem to rely on people not believing her. Because… [Flash pauses, a bit caught up in the argument and needing to take a breath] because it sounds like you just want me to blindly believe you no matter what you say. Instead of taking even a second to explain yourself. [quite an unhappy expression] You think I have no reason at all to want to know more? I should be content to just disbelieve everything that paints you in a bad light?
Jack: Defensive? Me? [looks incredulous] You’re making assumptions. I was simply reminding that her story isn’t the only side there is to this. And I wasn’t… [hesitates, looking conflicted] What do you know about ‘dating’, anyhow? I’m not relying on people not believing her; I’m not relying on anything! I just thought – no. [shakes his head] …Nevermind. [glares] Why would I want you to believe me or anyone blindly? When have I ever asked that of you? I asked if you really thought I would do something like that and I meant it as a genuine question. But maybe your lack of a direct response is answer enough.
Jack looks out the window again, arms crossed over his chest while wearing a clouded expression
Jack: I would have thought you’d know better than to assume that all I had to say in public was all there was to my explanation. But if you would rather go to Erin for answers, I guess I was wrong. Strangers have less biased opinions than those close to you, I suppose. [mumbles] If we were ever even really that close to begin with… Naturally you’d want to talk to her about it before me.
Flash: I… what are you talking about?
Flash sighs, looking vexed, but takes a moment to calm down, since things quickly got heated. He rubs his forehead as a sign of frustration.
Flash: You said you were going to the Professors, I’d assumed… [stops himself] Well, I suppose that doesn’t matter, I’m asking you now. What happened between you and Erin?
Jack: What? What did you assume? [turns back to him sharply] If I went to the professors, then I couldn’t tell you about it, too? When you didn’t really talk at that dinner, I thought you weren’t interested. And then you didn’t want to risk going back to the room past curfew or I would have talked to you about it then and there where we couldn’t have been overheard. But no, goody-two-shoes Flash always has to do the ‘right thing’. Which, by your standards, means the thing most people expect and want from you. Isn’t that right? [glares] First, you tell me. [looks him straight in the eye] What do you think happened?
Flash: I- uh- [slightly panicked expression] Well, to be honest, I knew practically nothing about you two. She would flirt with you, you would get all embarrassed. It seemed like you liked her, as far as I could tell. But… well… the way your relationships work, I feel like there’s no way I could guess what kind of labyrinth you made of it just from looking. I think whatever it is… it’s probably a mess.
Jack: And yet you didn’t think to ask me. [contemptuous stare] This is the first I’ve even heard you were seriously interested in my dealings with Erin at all. Or even just Erin in general. Yet you go behind my back to talk to her about me instead of coming to me first. Not that I understand what interest or business it is to you or of yours, anyway. [scowls] You still didn’t answer my question, Holmwood. What. Did. You. Assume?
Flash: Wh… why would I come to you first? Why shouldn’t I talk to Erin? I don’t get it! She saw a hag, she could have known something important, why wouldn’t I talk to her? It wasn’t like I went to ask her about your relationship! Frankly, I don’t care! [clearly unsatisfied with his own answer, looking a bit cornered and uncomfortable] I assumed you had said all you were going to say. I might have been wrong, but… that doesn’t make talking to Erin wrong. Are you just upset because she told me something you didn’t want me to know?
Jack: Why would you come to me first? [looks livid for a moment] Oh, I don’t know, maybe because you heard me talk about encountering the hag first? Because I thought you might have been a smidge more comfortable talking to me than with a complete stranger? Because maybe, just maybe, I might have thought there was a tad more trust between you and me than there was between you and her?! [raises his chin to look down his nose at Flash, crossing his arms] Fine. Don’t answer my questions. But then don’t be casually presumptive enough to assume I’d just answer any of yours simply because you want me to. I’m not as wrapped around your finger as you might imagine like all your other doting minions and adoring fans. [looks out the window again, expression darker than ever] Think what you want. Because, clearly, it doesn’t matter what I think when you fill in all your own blanks one way or another. I thought the source of your information mattered to you; that you wouldn’t take another’s words for granted and jump to conclusions without hearing the whole story. But evidently it doesn’t and you do. [shakes his head] I can’t reason with a person like that.
Flash: Ah- I- [scoffs, also turning away]
Lapse into silence, as Flash can no longer keep his composure. He takes a few slow breaths, leans back in his seat.
Flash: Forget it then. I don’t have the energy to fight you right now.
Jack: You mean you don’t trust yourself to talk to me when you can’t control exactly what you’re going to say or how it’ll come off, much less the flow of the conversation. Don’t think I don’t know how calculating you are, Holmwood. I never needed Ruka to tell me that much. [volume lowers, still not looking at him] I just thought that maybe there might have been...more to you than that.
Flash: [bitterly] Sorry to let you down. In fact, sorry to have raised any expectations in the first place.
If not spoken to further, Flash would slump in his relaxed position, closing his eyes for the rest of the ride.
Flash: Wh- uh- see you all later!
Once apart, the three are relatively alone.
Flash: What is it? [pause] That is… good to see you two again.
Jack: Is it? [frowns] You seemed to be perfectly fine just hanging around that bunch. Did you get all chummy with them over the summer? Enough to forget us? ^
Flash: Over the summer… [looks out, not at them] They were my friends before that…
Flash shakes his head, trying to remove the obstacle in his mind that is slowing him down
Flash: I could hardly forget you two either way, my brain doesn’t have a limited amount of spots for… people, you know.
Jack frowns, brow creasing as his eyes flicker back and forth across Flash's face, trying to read his expression
Jack: Right. [glances at the carriages] Friends. [turns to Ruka] Let's get into the carriages, shall we?
Jack seats himself beside Ruka and across from Flash in the carriage as they climb in
Jack: So...care to catch us up on what you've been chatting about with your...friends?
Flash: Catch you up? I can’t say I think you’ll find any of it that engaging. Some things we did over summer. Willow and Opeila got cats. Opeila’s cat is a right pest.
Flash shifts around, a bit uncomfortable at feeling on display for the two to scrutinize
Flash: What have you two been up to? You must have been chatting as well, right? Wasn’t Ruka going to live with you this summer?
Jack adopts a not-quite-pleasant smile at Flash’s comment he thought he/they wouldn’t find any of their chatter engaging
Jack: Yes…cats are nice.
Ruka: Oh, I forgot Spark! You two go on ahead.
Ruka gets out of the carriage before it starts moving, closes the door, and hurries away without a backward glance
Jack: Ru- [hesitates] Okay. Don’t miss dinner! [calls out through the window before turning back to Flash]
Jack: [clears his throat] Spark is, uh…the lynx plush we got him for his birthday when we went to the zoo. I guess he really likes lynxes. [stares down at his hands in his lap] On the train we mostly talked with this new first year who kept asking all these questions about Hogwarts. That’s all. We ended up with him because all the other compartments were full by the time my - our parents let us on the train after smothering us half to death. [glances up a little] Or else I - we would have looked for you.
Flash: [awkward, waves goodbye to Ruka] Got it. I see, so… Ruka’s been adopted. That’s good.
There’s a pause as Flash tries to think of what to say, presumably the carriage would start to move at this point.
Flash: There was something I wanted to ask you about, actually. Perhaps this isn’t the best time, but… it’s been weighing on my mind. [Flash doesn’t continue, waiting for approval]
Jack: Yeah, our parents had been trying to get everything in order since before the end of the school year so we could take him home with us by the time he got off the train last June. [shrugs]
Jack looks up as the carriage starts to move and he listens to Flash mention wanting to talk about something
Jack: …Yeah? What is it? [tilts his head] Actually going to talk about yourself for once? Like what happened over your summer?
Flash: Uh… [averts eyes, ashamed] Well, it was over summer, actually. At the campgrounds, I talked to Erin Ryan. I had wanted to ask her about a few things. Mostly, I wanted to hear what she had to say about when the two of you met that hag. [Looks back at Burnett, a bit more sure after the momentum of the question started] She actually ended up having a very different account. She said you just happened to be there. That you kissed the hag [pause, unable to say it with a straight face], and uh… that you had been lying to her for months about who you were. I thought I’d better… hear your side again.
Jack frowns slightly at Flash’s change in expression, but listens with attentiveness. His own countenance goes pale with shock at the mention of Erin, then darkens steadily as the hag is brought up, but keeps quiet as Flash continues.
Jack: So not talking about yourself, then. [sighs and casts a stormy look] Fine. Have it your way. Tell me exactly where you think our stories differ, because it doesn’t sound all that different to me. I don’t know what you think she meant by me just ‘happening’ to be there. I showed up after seeing Thomas lure her and some other girl out on the grounds past curfew. And sure, the hag might have seemed like she was about to kiss me, but everyone knows what hags do to kids and it isn’t that. As far as lying to her…[raises his head to meet Flash’s gaze dead on] Do you really think I would do something like that?
Flash: [small scoff, frowning] She had no idea, she was suspicious of why you were there. As for the kiss, I already assumed… but either way, why are you getting so defensive? Are you saying I shouldn’t listen to her? I should just assume everything she’s saying is wrong? For someone who was dating her for a while, you sure seem to rely on people not believing her. Because… [Flash pauses, a bit caught up in the argument and needing to take a breath] because it sounds like you just want me to blindly believe you no matter what you say. Instead of taking even a second to explain yourself. [quite an unhappy expression] You think I have no reason at all to want to know more? I should be content to just disbelieve everything that paints you in a bad light?
Jack: Defensive? Me? [looks incredulous] You’re making assumptions. I was simply reminding that her story isn’t the only side there is to this. And I wasn’t… [hesitates, looking conflicted] What do you know about ‘dating’, anyhow? I’m not relying on people not believing her; I’m not relying on anything! I just thought – no. [shakes his head] …Nevermind. [glares] Why would I want you to believe me or anyone blindly? When have I ever asked that of you? I asked if you really thought I would do something like that and I meant it as a genuine question. But maybe your lack of a direct response is answer enough.
Jack looks out the window again, arms crossed over his chest while wearing a clouded expression
Jack: I would have thought you’d know better than to assume that all I had to say in public was all there was to my explanation. But if you would rather go to Erin for answers, I guess I was wrong. Strangers have less biased opinions than those close to you, I suppose. [mumbles] If we were ever even really that close to begin with… Naturally you’d want to talk to her about it before me.
Flash: I… what are you talking about?
Flash sighs, looking vexed, but takes a moment to calm down, since things quickly got heated. He rubs his forehead as a sign of frustration.
Flash: You said you were going to the Professors, I’d assumed… [stops himself] Well, I suppose that doesn’t matter, I’m asking you now. What happened between you and Erin?
Jack: What? What did you assume? [turns back to him sharply] If I went to the professors, then I couldn’t tell you about it, too? When you didn’t really talk at that dinner, I thought you weren’t interested. And then you didn’t want to risk going back to the room past curfew or I would have talked to you about it then and there where we couldn’t have been overheard. But no, goody-two-shoes Flash always has to do the ‘right thing’. Which, by your standards, means the thing most people expect and want from you. Isn’t that right? [glares] First, you tell me. [looks him straight in the eye] What do you think happened?
Flash: I- uh- [slightly panicked expression] Well, to be honest, I knew practically nothing about you two. She would flirt with you, you would get all embarrassed. It seemed like you liked her, as far as I could tell. But… well… the way your relationships work, I feel like there’s no way I could guess what kind of labyrinth you made of it just from looking. I think whatever it is… it’s probably a mess.
Jack: And yet you didn’t think to ask me. [contemptuous stare] This is the first I’ve even heard you were seriously interested in my dealings with Erin at all. Or even just Erin in general. Yet you go behind my back to talk to her about me instead of coming to me first. Not that I understand what interest or business it is to you or of yours, anyway. [scowls] You still didn’t answer my question, Holmwood. What. Did. You. Assume?
Flash: Wh… why would I come to you first? Why shouldn’t I talk to Erin? I don’t get it! She saw a hag, she could have known something important, why wouldn’t I talk to her? It wasn’t like I went to ask her about your relationship! Frankly, I don’t care! [clearly unsatisfied with his own answer, looking a bit cornered and uncomfortable] I assumed you had said all you were going to say. I might have been wrong, but… that doesn’t make talking to Erin wrong. Are you just upset because she told me something you didn’t want me to know?
Jack: Why would you come to me first? [looks livid for a moment] Oh, I don’t know, maybe because you heard me talk about encountering the hag first? Because I thought you might have been a smidge more comfortable talking to me than with a complete stranger? Because maybe, just maybe, I might have thought there was a tad more trust between you and me than there was between you and her?! [raises his chin to look down his nose at Flash, crossing his arms] Fine. Don’t answer my questions. But then don’t be casually presumptive enough to assume I’d just answer any of yours simply because you want me to. I’m not as wrapped around your finger as you might imagine like all your other doting minions and adoring fans. [looks out the window again, expression darker than ever] Think what you want. Because, clearly, it doesn’t matter what I think when you fill in all your own blanks one way or another. I thought the source of your information mattered to you; that you wouldn’t take another’s words for granted and jump to conclusions without hearing the whole story. But evidently it doesn’t and you do. [shakes his head] I can’t reason with a person like that.
Flash: Ah- I- [scoffs, also turning away]
Lapse into silence, as Flash can no longer keep his composure. He takes a few slow breaths, leans back in his seat.
Flash: Forget it then. I don’t have the energy to fight you right now.
Jack: You mean you don’t trust yourself to talk to me when you can’t control exactly what you’re going to say or how it’ll come off, much less the flow of the conversation. Don’t think I don’t know how calculating you are, Holmwood. I never needed Ruka to tell me that much. [volume lowers, still not looking at him] I just thought that maybe there might have been...more to you than that.
Flash: [bitterly] Sorry to let you down. In fact, sorry to have raised any expectations in the first place.
If not spoken to further, Flash would slump in his relaxed position, closing his eyes for the rest of the ride.
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