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Post by Chase Firebrand on Mar 4, 2011 22:58:12 GMT -5
Chase glanced aside at Keith again, his eyes flickering sparks of crimson in annoyance. "Some think the school has been cursed since the Boat Party in 2006," he said. There was no use pretending otherwise; Hogwarts was under the public glare at all times. "Some professors have held positions for longer, but yes, many have decided they couldn't live up to the history of this school. This is not a job, it is a calling, and if you last two months, you'll do better than many." He continued down a side corridor, as though he hadn't thrown down both challenge and skepticism.
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Post by Keith Evans on Mar 4, 2011 23:11:14 GMT -5
"I'll last," Keith said. "I'll be here much longer than two months, unless I do something to warrant you getting rid of me." He wouldn't, he was sure of it. Pushing the boundaries wasn't exactly something he had done, at least not with any kind of regularity. Especially until he could safely feel like he wasn't 'the new guy' anymore, he would attempt to lay low.
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Mar 5, 2011 1:05:06 GMT -5
Chase arched a brow slightly, his skepticism lingering through that mediocre declaration of purpose. He withheld a smirk. The guy was oblivious, and there had been countless before him who had said the same thing mere weeks before they'd packed their bags.
"You'd have to talk to the Headmistress about that," Chase said after a moment. "I am neither the one who does the firing, nor the one who gives encouragement. I'll be honest with you," he said, stopping and turning to Keith. "You don't even register in my book, and you probably never will. You'll be better off that way, but you'll never last. Talk is cheap. Stay invisible and you may as well leave. We need someone willing to sacrifice for the sake of education, for the students, and for Hogwarts."
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Post by Eros d'Avonderre on Mar 5, 2011 18:19:25 GMT -5
Eros had nearly missed the newcomer in his wonder at the Deputy Headmaster being so far from his usual haunts. Of course, the other man was rather smaller, and appeared somewhat cornered at the moment. This was either a stern lecture to a troublesome 7th Year, or another unusually young professor, Herbology, if the rumors were correct. As he had only been out to assess the library, rather than to borrow from it, a diversion was not at all unwelcome. He paused to smooth down his robes and turned toward the pair.
"Headmaster," Eros said, approaching casually, "Might you spare me a moment of your time?" He looked aside at the other as though surprised to see him. "Oh, pardon me, it seems you have company." He immediately began his evaluation. The young man did appear to be more than seventeen or eighteen, but one could never be certain.
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Post by Keith Evans on Mar 5, 2011 18:34:56 GMT -5
Keith hadn't been quite sure how to respond to that and so was very glad when he was saved by the newcomer. "Keith Evans," he supplied, though he couldn't believe that he hadn't been seen. He assumed the man was another professor, he certainly didn't look or hold himself like a student would.
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Mar 5, 2011 21:00:30 GMT -5
Chase's eyes darkened at the interruption. He didn't much care for Eros, likely because they were parts of the same world and could see through one another enough to count. He put on a polite smile all the same.
"Eros, this is our new professor of Herbology," he said and, turning to Keith, made a light gesture. "Keith, our History of Magic professor, and Head of Ravenclaw, Eros d'Avonderre. If you would, send an owl to my office later." He wanted to continue where he'd left off.
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Post by Eros d'Avonderre on Mar 5, 2011 21:08:52 GMT -5
Eros returned Chase's smile with one of his own, a slight, ingenious curve of lips that spoke of friendly ease. "I shall certainly do so," he promised, then promptly ignored the subtle order he'd been given to vacate the area. He turned toward the newest professor, another youth, and certainly one with a pleasant visage. "I do hope you'll find it comfortable enough here," he said. "The staff and school aren't entirely as the Prophet paints us." He paused, then added, sotto voce, "Sometimes we're worse."
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Post by Keith Evans on Mar 5, 2011 21:22:06 GMT -5
Keith smiled at that, though he couldn't help but feel as though there was some underlying tension between the two men. "I'll certainly enjoy finding out just how right, or wrong, the Prophet has been," he said, giving a nod towards Eros. He didn't mind being interrupted, it was good to meet someone else already. He shifted his bag against his side, "How long have you been here?"
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Post by Eros d'Avonderre on Mar 5, 2011 23:26:27 GMT -5
Note: Following changes of posting order agreed to by all writers, via PM.
"Nearly two years," Eros said, and mentally paused at the admission. Dear God, he'd fallen into this pit just as the others had, and knowing that it was mental labor rather than menial wasn't much consolation. He suddenly desperately wanted to attend a ball and spend the night chasing eager daughters while avoiding more-eager mothers. "As for the Prophet," Eros went on, not skipping a beat, "I haven't had a bit of trouble with it." There had been that implication that there was more to his friendship with Michael than mere friendship, but it seemed not to have registered with the general populace. Of course, it had quickly been corrected with another bit about the Blackwood-Hardts being attached at the hips, or some such cliché. "Of course, keeping in good terms with Miss Alexander is recommended." |
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Mar 5, 2011 23:59:26 GMT -5
Chase only just withheld a snort. If only it were that easy. He wouldn't make a correction, however. Eros had likely read that mess of an interview after Emilian had allegedly scorned the woman, but he was lucky, not skilled. He simply hadn't done anything worth writing about, at least, not publicly.
"If you'll excuse me," Chase interrupted, "I have work to finish." And he didn't mind passing off the newest attempt at an Herbology professor to someone else. "Eros, drop me that owl, and Keith, nice meeting you." He escaped as quickly and smoothly as possible. Maybe he'd just visit Dru before lunch.
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Post by Keith Evans on Mar 6, 2011 0:06:09 GMT -5
Keith nodded toward the headmaster and once he was out of earshot he focused on Eros again and spoke softly. "He's a rather interesting character," he said. It was a different working environment here, that was something he could already tell. He didn't really mind the change, though, it was nice. "Not very confident in newbies, is he?"
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Post by Eros d'Avonderre on Mar 6, 2011 0:27:37 GMT -5
"Not really the social type at all," Eros said, "though he can be, when he wishes to." Yes, the Headmaster was one who knew quite well how to play the game, but didn't much care to play it. "Was a bit of trouble himself at Hogwarts some few years ago, if the stories are true. But that is neither here nor there. Tell me something of yourself, Keith. I find people fascinating, especially those able to bring a new perspective to all this."
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Post by Keith Evans on Mar 6, 2011 0:32:56 GMT -5
"What is there to tell?" Keith asked. "I'm from the south, that's where my school was, it was private, I worked there for a couple of years after I graduated. Now I'm here." His life in a nutshell. He had led a rather boring life up until now. "What do you want to know?" He had no fear in answering questions, but he wasn't going to monologue and spill everything out.
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Post by Eros d'Avonderre on Mar 6, 2011 14:52:16 GMT -5
"Oh, just anything," Eros said. "Perhaps why you chose Hogwarts, whether you left anyone or anything behind. For one who has been in the south of England for at least a decade, this must be quite a change."
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Post by Keith Evans on Mar 6, 2011 15:28:22 GMT -5
"I didn't leave anything behind at all. My father wasn't too pleased with the idea of me moving here, but that's his problem, who wouldn't want to work at the famous Hogwarts?" Keith was glad to be away from where he had lived his life until now. "It's nice to have the change, I never imagined myself staying there for the rest of my life."
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