Unexpected Gratitude pv: J.Burnett Fin

It might have been tough to spot a kid in a tree from the ground when one wasn't thinking to look up. However, it was much easier when one was at eye-level with said kid. Jack had been out flying around on his broom for some fresh air when he noticed a familiar noiret lounging peacefully on a thick branch.

He smiled, remembering the time he had first met Hanako who had been in a tree then, too. The human pinata. Still smiling, he patted the pocket of his robes to check for something before swooping in to draw up alongside the tree branch. He had been looking for his fellow Slytherin for a while after their tea party detention but hadn't been able to catch up with him until now.

Jack lay across his broom much like Hanako draped across his bough and leaned forward onto his stomach, resting his chin atop his broom handle. It was a little tricky to balance, but eventually, he managed by keeping his legs firmly wrapped around the broom shaft. Then he carefully reached out a hand to tap the Japanese boy on the nose. "Oh, Tone," he called in a gentle, sing-songy voice. "Are you awake?"

@Hanako Tone

Whether it was fortunate or not, Hanako was indeed awake. Enough to know someone had invaded his very peaceful space. Like ok universe, of course, you’d never grant Hana what he wants. At this point, he better stop hoping for things to go his way before he jinxed himself. At first, he made no indications that he was aware of the newcomer with eyes that remained closed. Perhaps they would be bored of looking at his cute face and go away?

And then they bopped his nose. "Oh, Tone, Are you awake?". Why o’ great universe why. They must’ve thought it was humorous to bring the one person Hanako wanted to avoid today. Trying to refrain from screaming at Burnett’s face, he was not able to pretend to sleep any longer. Not with the very audible sigh that escaped him.

Hanako blinked his eyes open and there he sees Jack Burnett in all his sigh-inducing glory. For multiple reasons, Hanako looked far from pleased. An expression that didn’t really suit his face and made him look like a pouting child than anything, but it was the best he could do for now. Especially when the option of knocking Burnett off his broom was out of the question.

“And..? I find it hard to believe you’ll leave me in peace even if I am asleep” his words came out devoid of its usual playfulness. It contrasted with Jack’s earlier greeting. Unnerved by his own bitter tone, Hanako attempted to show his usual grin though it ended up being a bit weak. “What? Ran out of tissue rolls today~?”

If you're uncomfortable with someone, the worst thing you could do is show that. However difficult it was, Hanako could at least try.

Interacting:
@Jack Burnett

Mentioning:

At Hanako's sigh, Jack laughed lightly and watched him open his eyes. "You know I wouldn't be able to resist messing with you if you really were asleep," he answered fondly. "But I'm not here for that today. I've been trying to find you to give you something for a while now, but for someone who lives in the same dorm as me, you're pretty difficult to get
a hold of."

He snorted at the Japanese boy's question about tissue rolls and shook his head. Jack reached over to playfully shove Hanako, though not so hard he would fall out of the tree. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a poker or gambling chip.

Smiling a little awkwardly, he held it out for Hanako to take. "It's a favor token. For you," he explained. "Ever since you lent me your jacket during that Valentine's Tea Party when my clothes got all burned up, I've been meaning to pay you back. I mean, you'll get your jacket back too, of course. But I really appreciate you letting me borrow back then." He sneered. "Even if it was supposedly only to spare your precious pet the sight of me half naked."

He held up his index finger with his other hand. "Just to be clear, this token is meant to be used whenever you want me to grant you a favor equal to the favor you gave me and it has to be something we both agree upon. Sound fair?"

@Hanako Tone

Hanako couldn’t help but roll his eyes at Jack explaining how difficult it was to catch up with him. “Ah, gee I wonder why. It’s not like one of us was under amortentia, saying and doing embarrassing things to the other and would rather be cursed than relive it again” At some point his sentence became completely mumbled, barely audible for even Jack to hear. The more he grumbled about it, the more he realized how much he actually doesn’t want to bring that dilemma up. Especially when it seems that he’s the only one that was truly bothered by the whole event. Ah, gee I wonder why. It’s not like one of us was under amortentia, saying n doing embarrassing things to the other and would rather be cursed than relive it again

Burnett was surprisingly...chill about it? It hasn’t even been a week since Hanako was forcibly head over heels for the boy. Sure, Jack had experienced it himself but drunk-on-love-potion Burnett was rather sweet. While drunk-on-love-potion Hanako needed relationship therapy asap. Not to mention it was the second time Hanako ‘fell’ for the same guy. The first time was hard enough to forget. The 2nd time? He was immensely jealous by how oddly unaffected Burnett was about the ordeal.

Maybe he didn’t see it as much of an issue as Hanako did. Could he perhaps…liked it?

The thought was so horrid that Hanako could barely react to the playful shove. Oh boy, he wasn’t sleepy anymore that's for certain. With his faint memories of the ordeal, Hana was fairly certain Burnett showed clear discomfort. Maybe after the party, Burnett had a change of heart? Did Hana’s cringy comments, immense jealousy, and flirty winks suddenly attractive to him? EW. Even Burnett deserved better standards. But the more he thought about it the more it made sense.

Then, what was he doing here for? For what reason did he seek Hana out? He saw Jack put his hands in his pocket as if he were reaching for something and Hana fought off the urge to fall out of the tree himself at that moment.

It couldn’t be a .. a proposal ring!? One, ew, this was so not the right setting to do that. Two, EW were people these forward these days??? He understood some purebloods tend to have fiancee at a very young age, but wasn’t Burnett a muggle-born? Was he that enticed by drunk-on-love-potion Hanako to do this? Third, EW ITS BURNETT NOOOOWAYYY-

“Hey hey waiiiiittttttt we’re just basically kids, and like you're not my type at all so you better not-”

Jack pulled out a gambling chip that is - for sure - not romantic in the slightest.

“Oh.. Oh thank god. Yea, that's much better” His shoulders slumped in relief. He was so happy Burnett didn’t confess his love that he wasn’t that embarrassed he even thought of such a thing. Oh well, it’s his loss.

While he listened to the explanation intently, he was too suspicious to pick up the chip at first.

“I have no idea if I should laugh, or take you seriously…”. A DIY gambling chip with a cute fox on it to remind himself that he owed someone? The dedication to not be in debt was admirable. Though, wasn’t this a bit too much? All Hana did was sacrifice one jacket, he hardly saw that as something worthy of being repaid. Despite this, he didn’t seem so against the idea. Who would pass up the opportunity to make Burnett do something he wouldn’t normally do?

“Can I ask questions? Or is that considered a favor already and I need to return this back already”. He had plenty of unanswered curiosities about the gambling chip that still rested in Burnett’s hand. Most simply because he had never actually seen someone do such a thing. If Hana were to accept it, he should at least understand it fully.

“This isn’t some genie in the lamp sort of thing, is it? You’re not going to twist my words and try to fulfill my request without actually fulfilling it?” Among all his questions, this had to be the most crucial one. “If this is like that, then you’d have better luck repaying me by leaving me to my nap that you oh so politely interrupted”.

Interacting:
@Jack Burnett


Mentioning:
n/a

When Hanako began to mumble a response - something about amortentia - Jack huffed a breath of amusement through his nose. Was that really why Hanako had been avoiding him so much the past few days? Because he was embarrassed about how he had acted under the influence of amortentia?

"Aw, come on. You know I wouldn't hold anything you did while under that love potion against you. You weren't in your right mind, after all. I had to suffer with it, too, so I know how it felt. Don't give it a second thought," he urged, reaching out to lightly and good-naturedly punch Hanako in the arm. "I thought you might have been avoiding people because of how the butler detention went down. That was a nasty attack you went through."

As he had moved to fetch something out of his pocket, Hanako began talking about how they were just kids and how he wasn't Hanako's type at all. Jack resisted the urge to burst out laughing, wondering what on Earth could have been going on in that brain of Hana's. Finally, though, he was able to bring out his favor token and explain what it was for. The Japanese boy's obvious relief almost made Jack want to start laughing all over again.

"Hey, I don't give these out to just anybody for any reason," Jack assured his peer when Hana said he had no idea if he should laugh or take Jack seriously. But then he asked if he could ask questions or if that would be considered a favor.

"No, ask all the questions you like," Jack answered with a chuckle. "It's hard to know what to use the favor for if you don't know the terms. So go ahead. Did you already have something in mind?"

He blinked when he was asked if it was some 'genie in the lamp' sort of thing, but then really did laugh aloud when Hanako explained what he meant - the twisting of words in terms. He supposed he deserved being asked that question. "No, I want to make sure you're satisfied too, or that would defeat the purpose of paying you back," the redhead laughed. "But if you really just want to spend that favor on returning to your nap, that could be arranged..." He winked and made a move as if preparing to leave.

@Hanako Tone

Was he really being assured by Burnett, of all people? The absurdity of being on the receiving end of it showed on Hanako’s face for a few seconds. Clearly, that sort of response was unexpected. Being laughed at, being told he was being over-dramatic- now that's what he expected. In the end, he concluded that the only reason Burnett did so is that he was under the same misfortune as Hanako as well. He couldn’t help but sympathize with the situation. With that in mind, it was easier to digest his words without feeling like they had hidden motivation.

"I thought you might have been avoiding people because of how the butler detention went down. That was a nasty attack you went through."

Just the mention of the butler detention, Hanako cringed and slumped back further in the tree as if he wanted to be swallowed up by it. Stupid brain! Stop reminding him of the horrors he went through in that unjustified detention! He coughed a bit, depending on it to wash away the memories that now haunted his mind. “ Yea, no. I don’t recall. Whatever” he brushed it off with a huff, eager not to delve further. His arms almost being torn off and being attacked by screaming women and their heavy bags was nothing to fret about. It was the princely act he put on that may be the sole reason he wants to pretend he was possessed during that time and day. It was easier to pretend that was the case when no one reminded you of it.

After Jack allowed Hanako to ask any questions he liked, he hesitantly took the fox token out of Burnett’s hand and inspected it further. . "It's hard to know what to use the favor for if you don't know the terms. So go ahead. Did you already have something in mind?"

“ I’m not that eager to get rid of this thing just yet. This thing is cute. Even I have to admit it’s quite interesting”. Now that he knew this was not a joke, he could only wonder why. Why go this far to make sure help is repaid? Sure, Hanako may feel somewhat of the same discomfort of receiving help and having nothing to compensate them for it. But he wouldn’t go as far as making tokens and having a whole set of rules for how to use them.

Was Burnett just poor? That must be it. Hanako had no need for tokens because everything could be compensated with money. He had to admit Burnett’s way of exchanging favors is much more interesting.

"But if you really just want to spend that favor on returning to your nap, that could be arranged..."

Hanako hastily covered the token in his palm and clutched it near his chest. “ Forget it. I believe in my talent for driving people away. You’ll leave on your own accord” A small smile was shown on his face, different from his usual mocking ones. But it left as soon as it came. “ So, this token thing…”

“ What if I lost it? Would our memories of this chat be enough reliable if I wanted to use it, even without the token? "

“ Could I give it to someone else, or does that cost a token too “

“ What's the difference between just asking you to do stuff? You said it had to be something we both agreed on. If you’re alright with what you’re being asked to do, why need a token? What if I wanted you to serenade someone you dislike and let’s say you don’t agree to do it? Then the used token would be useless and I can’t make you embarrass yourself?”

“ One more, you mentioned it had to be of equal value to what I did for you. So.. letting you borrow my jacket, what could I use this token for with that sort of value? Examples would be helpful if you could think of some?”

That was quite a bit of questions, but if you wanted to use something, you need to know what you can and cannot do.

Interacting:
@Jack Burnett


Mentioning:
n/a

Jack tried not to smile when Hanako cringed at the mention of the butler detention and replied he 'didn't recall'. So it did bother him. As the Japanese boy clearly didn't want to dwell on the subject, however, the Welsh one quickly turned to the matter of the favor token and what Hanako could use it for. He chuckled softly when his dormmate called the token 'cute' and 'interesting', grinning and replying with a small, 'thank you'. Little did he realize what else was going through Hanako's head regarding his poverty.

He made a herculean effort not to burst into a new fit of laughter as the black-haired teen proclaimed that he 'believed in his talent for driving people away' and that Jack would leave on his own. "Alright, alright," he said, pushing himself back up into a sitting position on his broom. He wanted to be more alert as he listened to each of Hanako's questions.

"If you lost the token, we'd have to both remember what I gave it to you for in order for you to still use the favor. But yeah, technically you could use it even without the token. You just can't find the token later and try to use it again for the same favor you gave me." He counted off the questions Hanako asked on his fingers as his peer spoke, trying to answer them in order to make sure he didn't miss any.

"You can't give it to someone else unless giving it is the favor you want to use. But you can also just use the token for a favor for someone else if that's the goal." Jack had to admit he hadn't expected that one. He hadn't thought Hanako would have thought to give anything to someone else or to use a favor for someone else. He had some good questions.

"The difference between using a token and just asking me to do stuff is that if you're using a token, I won't say no unless it's an unreasonable request or I have a good reason not to do it. Sometimes I prefer to just settle our debt more than to deny you a favor, so I'll do something even if I don't like it. I just want to make sure it's worth the favor you gave me." He snickered, shaking his head. "Of course you would think of trying to make someone embarrass themselves as a favor..."

Leaning back thoughtfully as he held onto the broom handle with both hands, Jack listened to Hanako's final question. "You helped me without wanting anything in return. I'd say you could ask for pretty much anything you want. Even if it's wanting me to embarrass myself," Jack told Hanako with another smirk. "But I think you're smarter than to use it for something like that."

@Hanako Tone

While Jack answered every single one of his questions, Hana had his eyes on the token, twirling in between his fingers. It may have looked like he wasn’t paying attention. But apart from Jack’s unexpected skill in craftsmanship, he solely focused on Jack’s answers. Or at least as much as he could. ‘This token has some nice colours combinations’, Hanako admired in his head.

The first answer was understandable, and quite relieving. Perhaps Cu Sith finds this trinket of Jack’s interesting. There was no telling where it might turn up. His memory wasn't the best, but surely it would be enough to recall Jack owed him something. And no scheming and scamming Jack when it comes to using these tokens. Got it.

The second answer he paid slightly more attention to. So basically, it won’t be a good birthday gift itself. Fine by him. He wondered if Ileen would like to use this to embarrass Jack. Doesn’t seem very Ileen of her to do so. But if giving away the token was a favour itself, it’s best to keep it in his possession. For now.

The next question seemed to lift his mood a tiny bit, as he was seen reciprocating Jack’s snicker with a grin. “ What can I say? Something about seeing someone else embarrass themselves is a guilty pleasure of mine” Though he was usually the one embarrassing himself. But it certainly felt good to see someone else going through it. Sure he had improved in terms of uh.. 'personality' compared to the past years, but there are just some little things that are harder to change.

With the last question, it got Hana’s attention the most. Mainly because Jack called him smart. Which is- woah. Ego boosted, urge to not use the token to embarrass Jack increased. It turns out Hanako was susceptible to any sort of flattery. It would be easy to scam him with crappy products in the future. But once Jack’s were sunk into him, there was something that made him raise an eyebrow at the boy.

“Helped you without wanting anything in… return?” he slowly repeated as if there was something wrong with that sentence.

He was tempted to ask Jack to clarify . Certainly, it should mean that he thinks the thing he did to Burnett was too insignificant to even be repaid, right? Because if it meant Hanako did it out of the goodness of his own heart, there was an innate urge in him to deny it. So insignificant and yet suddenly crucial to know. The idea that he helped Burnett just because he could wasn’t aligning with the ideas he had of himself. Frankly, it didn't sit right. “One more question..” he started before leaning back onto the trunk, but his eyes are solely focused on Burnett.

“Wouldn’t your token system sorta …encourage people to help you?” He’d rather be knocked off this tree before asking what he wanted directly. Perhaps a bit of word twisting would be enough to get his answer. “ Do you just give these to anyone that helps you a bit? Should I start actively being extra nice to you to get more?~” he jested trying to sound as if he asked for jokes sake. Though it couldn’t be further from the truth. He was more than interested in seeing how Jack responded, that's for certain.

And by the rare case that Burnett trusted Hana didn't purposely help with an ulterior motive, what even gave him the idea to do so? They haven't had much interaction up to this point where Hana showed he was trustworthy. Even with Hana's reputation, most wouldn't put it pass him to do a little lying to get what he wants. Not an entirely baseless assumption of his character. What gave the other Slytherin the confidence Hana didn't know about this token thing all along? And was just playing dumb to get one for himself? And if Burnett truly did give this to anyone who helped him, then that sounds incredibly exhausting. Not to mention dumb. He could be easily exploited this way. That doesn't seem like a thing Burnett would allow, from what Hana knows about him. Was Hana wrong or was there more to Burnett he didn't realise before?

Interacting:
@Jack Burnett


Mentioning:
A wee bit of Ileennn Knight (who I wont be mentioning but I will send them a dm about it lol)

edit: added some internal thoughts about the absurdity of hana being genuine, for funsies.

"Are you sure it's a 'guilty' pleasure and not just a plain pleasure?" the redhead asked with amusement when Hanako mentioned seeing someone embarrass themselves was a guilty pleasure of his. "I can't see you feeling guilty over that. If you're making them embarrass themselves, though, I would think it would be more satisfying to trick them into it rather than being able to make them do it through a favor. And if you have the talent for driving people away, surely you have the talent to make people embarrass themselves without needing to force them to do it, right?"

When Hanako raised a brow at Jack and repeated his words, Jack froze, wondering if he had said something he shouldn't have. He didn't think he had. Unless he was wrong about saying Hanako didn't want anything in return because, technically, he'd wanted to spare his precious snake's eyes from the sight of Jack's burnt appearance at the tea party. Jack didn't think that counted, though, even if that was what Hanako had claimed to do it for. Did the Japanese boy just not like Jack implying that he had done something merely out of the kindness of his own heart?

Oops. That was probably it. After all, Jack wouldn't have taken that insinuation well if he'd been in Hanako's place. "Okay, so it wasn't exactly without wanting anything in return since you didn't want Cu Sith to see my burned clothes and scarred body. But you still did me a favor at the same time," Jack tried to amend.

He balked at being told Hanako had one more question, but he had said he could ask all the questions he liked.

When the question was asked, however, the Welsh boy was momentarily stunned. "No, that's...not what the system is for!" he retorted hurriedly, his face reddening. "I have this system so people won't expect me to do things for them for no reason like friends do. I only do things for people who have these tokens, so if someone knows I have these tokens and tries to 'help me a bit', then they won't be doing something for me to help me, they'd be doing it to gain a favor from me. So essentially, it'd be them doing it to help themselves. Does that make sense?" He hoped it did. He definitely didn't want Hanako getting any wrong ideas.

@Hanako Tone