Change. (Kane/Jory)

[Jory Addison]

Jory was silent for a few long moments, picking his head up and putting his chin on his knees before he finally spoke. "I guess...I'm scared to go talk to him," he said. "I've not been able to keep any friends since I got here, because I either never ever see them again or they tell me I shouldn't let it hurt me. I haven't even seen my best friend from home in months, and she's in my house! If I can't even keep my best friend then how am I supposed to make it better with Markise or Quinn?"

[Kane Garrett]

"Some people believe there are reasons for everything," Kane said. "If that's you, then maybe it's your cue to strike out on your own, to decide what you want. Personally, I think you make your own life. If your best friend is having personal problems or home problems, all you can do is be there when she needs you. Maybe send her an owl.

Don't let yourself get too discouraged. We all go through difficult times, and when it seems like you've got no one, all you can do is find someone. You've taken the first step by coming to see me, it was an option, and one I hope you don't regret." He gave an encouraging smile, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners.

"All you can do is try. Don't take failures personally. You're worth a lot all on your own, and it can take time to find your feet. Take it one step at a time. Who could you talk to today if you wanted to? Who would be the least intimidating to talk to today?"

[Jory Addison]

"I don't have anyone to talk to," Jory said. "I thought I might, but then he just started freaking out whenever he touched me, like Lyric did. I couldn't deal with that again." And he was never going to let himself hope like he had with Jamie, only to have it crushed, again. He didn't think he could take another failed attempt at meeting someone new.

[Kane Garrett]

"Try Markise," Kane suggested. "It sounds like you had an argument, not like he cut you off forever. If I gave you a mission, would you think about trying it?"

[Jory Addison]

Jory shifted uncomfortably and let one foot drop down from the edge of the chair. "I don't know," he said, looking down at his knee. "I'm not good at talking to people." He could try, though, couldn't he? He couldn't really mess things up any worse than they already were. "I could try..." he said, voice full of doubt.

[Kane Garrett]

"That's all it takes, Jory. Just try, and if it doesn't work out, you tried. Where could you find him?"

[Jory Addison]

"He's in his shop in Hogsmeade after school," Jory said. He had been able to go apologize for fighting with Quinn, hadn't he? He could do it again, certainly he could. If he could just get up the guts to go down there. "That's where I usually see him. It was just luck meeting him the first time down by the lake."

[Kane Garrett]

"Then take a trip out to Hogsmeade after school today," Kane said. "Go to his shop. If you can talk to him, not necessarily about the fight, but just talk to him, it's a success. That's your mission."

[Jory Addison]

"Does it have to be today?" Jory asked. He would do it, he guessed, it didn't seem like he could get out of it. But he didn't want to have to do it on the same day he had such a stressful talk with Kane. It could always make him feel better, but he really wanted to hold off. "I have a lot of work I need to do." Though it wasn't entirely true, it was about the best he could think of.

[Kane Garrett]

"If you promise to do it tomorrow, will you?" Kane asked. "Realistically? It'll get harder the longer you put it off. Or you could write him a quick owl saying to expect you, make it a real commitment."

[Jory Addison]

Jory sighed heavily, but nodded. He could send an owl and find some time to head down to talk to Markise. "I'll send him an owl," he said finally. He didn't know when he would be able to get down to Hogsmeade, but he would do it, sometime. Hopefully it would be a quick, painless visit.