Practical Magic PV Jacob Thorley Closed

Interacting With: @Jacob Thorley
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Date: October 28th
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For a second the boys demeanour had seemed to shift slightly but he had responded well to Matthew's suggestion so it was probably nothing he told himself. The sense of danger returned as the boy agreed to not share the information, it would keep him safe just as much as it would endanger him. It had been decided now though, so there was no going back. However this ended, at the very least he was going to gain the practical experience he had been seeking for weeks. This was a chance to prove himself, and learn tricks from an Auror's son it was an invaluable resource he couldn't not pursue.

Then the inevitable question came, he knew there was only so long he could ignore the word that now hung in the air. The truth of it was so personal that he considered not telling him, so far he had only told those who proved themselves to be a true friend to him or when it had been completely necessary. On the other hand though if he wasn't forthcoming it would no doubt lead the boy to ask questions about him to others and that would expose everything.

Bolstering himself he fidgeted his hands with the book in front of him and calmy looking Jacob in the eyes, sensing for any ulterior motives he said "My mother actually died a long time ago sadly, I never really got a chance to know her very well other than through my father's memories." This was the first entirely truthful thing he had said the entire conversation. He may be willing to lie about the majority of his existence but that part of his life was too hard to ever deny, and so he simply begged that the boy wouldn't press any further on it. In revealing the truth his accent remained in his natural cadence that he had hid for the majority of the conversation.

Getting caught up in the memories of her like he always did he had to shake himself and readjust in his seat to continue their conversation. "What about your mother, she sounds like she rules with an iron fist! Where are your family from? I believe if I'm not mistaken you have a London accent, its an incredible city. Are you much fond of it, or does living there take away many of the pleasures of visiting?" Hoping the questions would be enough to distract the boy off himself, most people loved talking about themselves but their was something telling in Jacobs sharp features like he was all of a sudden analysing him. Matthew began to feel his collar tighten around his neck and heat rise from his body as he anxiously thought over anywhere he could have slipped up.

Interacting With: @Jacob Thorley
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Date: October 28th
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His accent. A minefield of expletives filled the boys mind as he realised what had tripped him up but that was only one of the reasons for the colourful language it had conjured. In one sentence he managed to drop to the lowest grade of Matthew's opinions. So much potential, such an interesting guy, and with such similar interests but now all permanently stained in his mind. It was a soul-crushing disappointment despite it being entirely predictable and if anything expected. Of course Jacob Thorley hated muggles, he was yet to meet a single Slytherin pureblood that didn't and truly he was doubtful they existed.

Prejudice was quite literally in the ethos of the house he thought remembering his lessons on Salazar Slytherin's beliefs. Still, it was not only disheartening to know the boys true feelings but also incredibly dangerous especially now that he was on to him. He could come clean and lose any chance of real duelling practice or continue to lie and lose any hope of surviving said duelling practice. It might have been a difficult decision mere minutes before but as it so often did in the presence of purists an angry defiance was filling him.

Emotional regulation was not one of his strengths, that had only gotten worse since coming to Hogwarts, it made his magic powerful but often at the expense of control. Mocking the boy inwardly but appearing nothing but understanding in his tone and mirroring Jacob's own disgust he said "Muggles, they really are everywhere aren't they. I'm glad at the very least you have a second home to escape to!" He was being petty but there seemed to be an intrinsic link between pureblood purists and money and it had not escaped his attention. Growing up as a poor muggle gave him double the reason to be looked down upon.

Matthew's face twisted in front of the boys eyes to a menacing smirk as he leaned back in his chair making sure to subtly pick up his wand as he did so just in case. His accent now came out in its full broadness as he sized up the boy in front of him, his face filled with a devilish glint. "Well the accent you see, I edit it a bit as you can now tell. Certain students claim to struggle to understand my less refined tones so it helps keep conversations smoother. I'm from Glasgow, not the capitol city but many would say it's the true capitol, plenty of muggles there too. he giggled to himself unsure if Jacob had fully caught on yet and simply waiting for the shoe to drop.

So caught up in the infuriation of the boys comments he completely forgot about what they had just been discussing. Of course he had waited until right after Matthew bore his heart on his sleeve to show his true intentions. Anger seething within him for himself and for his mother he threw a rather spiteful closing remark towards the boy not that he was sure he'd even care, could purebloods feel or was their blood as cold and blue as the royalty they thought themselves to be, "While I appreciate your condolences, I doubt you'd have liked my mother very much. Guess I missed out on the joys of being around 'appropriate company'" The smirk leaving his face as an annoyance began to pierce through, his hazel eyes darkening.

Interacting With: @Jacob Thorley
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Date: October 28th
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'To be, or not to be, that is the question' the words of William Shakespeare filling the boys head as he changed them around to fit his dilemma To lie, or not to lie words echoing through his mind as he watched Jacob's own mind analyse him. It wouldn't be difficult after all, Jacob himself had made the assumption that he was a half-blood so why reveal anything at all. Better to let him believe in a lie than ruin any chance at a duel. Matthew sighed internally as he realised that once again he had let anger cloud his judgement.

There was a million ways this discussion could go wrong and he had to learn from his mistakes. It wasn't a time to be making an enemy out of someone who could easily overpower him, the boy had been raised by an auror after all and clearly knew far more advanced work than first year was equipping them with. So once again, choosing his words very carefully and letting the infuriation that had filled his face die down, he cleared his throat and said "That would be correct, I'm not sure how you feel about muggles but I'm told she was a brilliant woman so I tend to lose control of my emotions a little around the subject. My father, however, is certainly magical."

In all ways that really mattered it had clearly been a lie. Jacob had just specifically asked him to be honest and he had used word trickery to hide the truth. Matthew's father was many things, magical and gifted being true among them, the life he could capture with a brush was more magical than anything this world had shown him so far. But he was no wizard and that was a fact as clear as day. There was a gnawing sensation in him telling Matthew he was going to regret his choice more than he knew but once done it was impossible to change.

Doubling down he continued "If it makes you more comfortable, she had no input in my upbringing that was all my father." there was a sorrowful truth to the statement that was clear as day to anyone watching. In a desperate attempt to move the conversation along his mind began to work and leaning back trying to appear more casual than he felt he let himself catch his breath. Laughing slightly to cut the tension he asked "So how are you finding the accent? I'm sure you can no doubt now see my predicament" Matthew had observed a shock in the boy earlier and hoped it would be enough to stop him pushing the conversation and driving Matthew to lie more.

Interacting With: @Jacob Thorley
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Date: Saturday, October 28th
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"Why pretend to be something you're not?" the words rang deep in Matthew's ears piercingly as he momentarily got lost in them. He was sure that this was all going to end utterly disastrously but for the meantime at least Jacob seemed to be moving on from the line of questioning he was pursuing. Thankfully in doing so he returned to the real crux of their partnership, duelling. Having gotten so angry he almost forgot the very reason that they were speaking in the first place and determination refilled his mind. It was a high risk, high reward move and he was nothing if not a risk taker.

In a way he felt bad for Jacob, perhaps for all purebloods, so wrapped up in the idea that there is nothing but magic to the world that they neglect anything muggle as less than. As always it was a clear case that rather than purely hateful, most purebloods were simply ignorant from a lack of education. Matthew had to bite at his lip to stop himself from trying to defend them as it would lead them right back to the conversation they had just managed to veer from.

"I believe that our passion project as you call it will be entirely beneficial for both. Learning about defence in theory is hardly going to protect you in an actual duel or fight. The aim would be to take what we learn in class and from your father and actually experience it. How it is to feel that magic, how you can defend against it and manoeuvre out of its reach. We need practical learning especially if you hope to follow in your father's footsteps."

The longer their conversation went on the harder Jacob was becoming to read, he obviously mistrusted Matthew far more than he had when he thought he was a pureblood but he didn't need his trust as long as he had his help. There was very little ways someone of his station could gain access to pureblood knowledge and if it took manipulating Jacob to do it, it was a price he willingly paid. Deep in his stomach that feeling of worry began to fester deeper, he knew it was a bad idea but something within him willed him forward regardless. It was much too late to turn back now.

Goading the boy hoping to seal the deal and not have to worry about another barrage of questions coming his way he said, "If you're worried about getting hurt though I can always find someone else." a sly half smile gracing his lips as he spoke.