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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 21, 2009 20:34:54 GMT -5
In response to your concern regarding Michael... That was what Dare was here for, that and nothing else. It was the only reason he'd sent back an owl agreeing to meet Kane. He was going to get his arguments lined up, and Kane would tell him how else he could help Michael relax. Ten minutes, fifteen tops. Dare knocked.
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Post by Kane Garrett on May 21, 2009 20:50:33 GMT -5
Kane was at the door shortly, as always, and a smile curved his lips at seeing that it was who he'd been expecting. "Come on in, Alasdair," he said. "Can I call you Dare?" It was so much easier to talk to someone if there wasn't that formality taking up half the room. Kane gestured to the chairs facing the desk, then went around to sit in his own.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 21, 2009 21:57:59 GMT -5
Dare nodded, only looking up at Kane from behind his fringe when both of them were sitting. He chewed on his lip ring a moment before breaking the silence. His silence, at least. "So, like, you said you had some kind of solution, right? About helping Michael?" He sat slumped back in the chair, wondering what solution was so good that the counselor had sent him a letter about it.
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Post by Kane Garrett on May 22, 2009 13:06:37 GMT -5
"I may have a solution," Kane corrected, subtly taking in Dare's posture. Last time he'd been tense, but obviously determined to reach his goal. He seemed just as determined this time, but far more withdrawn. "It's not a quick fix and it probably won't be easy, but it'll help out in the long run. Do you think about the long run much?"
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 22, 2009 13:45:36 GMT -5
Dare's brows drew together, but he didn't throw out an argument. He'd listen first, then decide if it was worth his time to stay when he could be out with Michael. "Yes," he answered, annoyance in his voice. "Every day." He and Michael had plans, too. They were going to stay in Diagon Alley at least until Dare graduated, and probably longer since they both liked London so much. Michael was going to apply for Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Dare was going to figure out how to sell his art.
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Post by Kane Garrett on May 22, 2009 13:49:06 GMT -5
Kane knew the likelihood that any teenager knew what the long run really entailed, but he accepted Dare's answer. At least it was an opening into topic and Dare had declared an interest in long-term goals. Kane inclined his head a bit. "First, it'd be helpful if you could give me an idea how things stand between both of you right now, what your life in particular is like. Everything you say is confidential, so go ahead and be detailed."
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 22, 2009 14:26:19 GMT -5
Dare looked around for a clock, but couldn't find one and his watch was in his bag. He wished he had it on. This was already taking too long and the man had just asked him for a story instead of telling him about that long-term solution. "We're happy, but we're busy," he replied. Be detailed. "How much detail do you need to tell me your solution?"
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Post by Kane Garrett on May 22, 2009 16:09:05 GMT -5
Kane tried again. "I'll be able to give you better information if you can give me... a typical day. Tell me what a typical day is like, from waking to falling asleep. From your point of view. I'll try to tell you where you might be able to cut down on some stress for both of you. Your level of stress, even if it's low, could affect Michael if he's sensitive to it."
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 22, 2009 16:17:04 GMT -5
Michael was pretty sensitive lately. "I don't have any stress going on, but whatever," he said. He was happy, except for realizing he was probably trapped here for a while whether he liked it or not. He wondered what Michael was doing, and it took him a moment or so to remember what he was supposed to be talking about, and why. For Michael. He gave a somewhat impatient sigh.
"We wake up in the morning and get dressed, and Michael takes the dog out while I make breakfast. Then we go to school. I've got Charms, Ancient Runes and Divination I'm doing decently in, Potions," he said, his jaw tensing slightly with the word, "and Transfiguration that's practically a blow-off class. I'll get an O in that. I have lunch with Michael, and after school I go to work. I listen to music and do my homework, then go home and walk Elouai, make dinner, and hang out with Michael til bedtime. That's it, no major stress."
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Post by Kane Garrett on May 22, 2009 16:20:46 GMT -5
"Sounds like a pretty set routine," Kane observed. "Do you like routine? Or do you ever do something different?" It didn't sound like there was much time to do anything differently, if his day consisted almost entirely of school and work.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 22, 2009 16:24:38 GMT -5
Dare looked at Kane from behind his fringe. "I don't have much of a choice," he said, the words a bit sharper than he'd meant them. He chewed on his lip ring again before speaking. "Friday after work we usually go out, so that's fun." It was major quality time, as was the time they spent together once they got home. "Saturday he's got the shop open. Sometimes I'll play with the dog, take her to the park, or do homework, or sit in the shop with him. Sunday we stay home or take the dog out. It's not like we have a schedule or anything."
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Post by Kane Garrett on May 22, 2009 20:40:06 GMT -5
"It can be close enough if you feel trapped by it. I don't mean to imply that there's anything lacking, but tell me, if you could change something about your routine, or just throw it out completely, would you? Just hypothetically." Dare didn't even seem to be refusing to answer as much as stepping around the questions as much as he could.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 22, 2009 20:44:40 GMT -5
"Well, yeah," Dare said, "but everyone would. I mean, people have to work, they don't want to. And no one but the Ravenclaws want to go to school. It's not like we can all just drop out and stop working, it doesn't work like that." There wasn't anything that could be changed. This was a ridiculous conversation. Dare was painfully close to standing up and leaving.
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Post by Kane Garrett on May 22, 2009 23:05:54 GMT -5
"Some people like their work," Kane pointed out. "Sometimes it takes a while to find what you want to do, and I speak from experience. When you find it, it's not so much of a chore." Kane couldn't talk about his first job choice in detail, but if counseling was part of it at all, it certainly wasn't a paid part.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on May 22, 2009 23:19:36 GMT -5
"I know what I want to do," Dare said, "but I don't know how to get people to buy art, so it doesn't matter. We need money now, not whenever I can talk someone into paying for a portrait." Some day was so far away... "Is that enough? Can you tell me about the solution you had or something?" The longer he was here, the more he doubted there was a solution at all.
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