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Post by Keith Evans on Aug 26, 2011 19:26:25 GMT -5
Keith raised his hands and looked away from Rowan. "I didn't mean anything by that," he said. "I don't want to give up going out anymore than anyone else." Students had to find out that some of the professors didn't simply hole up in the castle all the time, though, and they wouldn't see the difference, that was true. Not seeing the difference could cause problems, however.
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Post by Rowan Trace on Aug 26, 2011 20:05:28 GMT -5
"We don't need to stop going out," Rowan said, narrowing his brows slightly. "I don't know why that would have even occurred to you. The students don't need to be kept in the castle either, they just need to be disciplined for breaking curfew, skipping classes, coming to school drunk or on Muggle drugs, and refusing to do their work.
"While they're here, they're our responsibility. We, as adults, are our own responsibility. If we were unable to get to our classes on time, if we behaved as they do, we'd be fired, no questions asked. Our private lives have nothing to do with this unless we're unable to keep them private.
"The Blackwood-Hardts are unable to keep their lives private. Everything is open, and I know that you're friends with them, but they're the worst examples on staff. Even Chase cleaned up his act. If you want to be open about your vices, by all means, do so. That's your decision and you have every right to make it. I, however, keep mine quiet, and so I don't intend to worry about changing my behavior. As far as Hogwarts is concerned, I am a good example." Hypocrisy was an unfortunate fact of life, but Rowan knew that he was right.
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Post by Keith Evans on Aug 26, 2011 20:12:01 GMT -5
"I know you're a great example," Keith said. "I'm not going to argue with you, you don't have to get all defensive." He didn't like Rowan putting down Dare and Michael, but he also hadn't known them as long as Rowan had, he didn't know all the ins and outs of the school politics yet. The last thing he wanted right now was another argument, something that couldn't lead to any good.
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Post by Rowan Trace on Aug 26, 2011 20:24:21 GMT -5
"I'm just explaining my point," Rowan said. "You asked a question, and I answered it. It wasn't a simple yes or no, so I went into detail. You don't have to get defensive, either." Rowan hadn't been attacking anyone, but the answer wasn't the same for everyone.
In his opinion, he didn't need to change. He didn't need to stop going out or doing what he wanted outside school hours because, excepting one occasion in two years, he'd never spent a night outside the gates. He'd never missed a class or been unable to teach. He'd never been known to drink or party, and he kept himself under control and well-organized.
Not everyone was the same, however. Whenever the Blackwood-Hardts had some sort of problem or drama, everyone knew. There was no missing Michael's visits to Dare's classroom some months ago, nor Dare's mood changes. Why shouldn't the students think they could do the same with examples like that? Those two needed to set a better example, and if staying home accomplished that, then yes, they should do so. Keith mentioned them enough that Rowan had thought it necessary to extend his explanation to them as well. Since they had apparently been recruited.
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Post by Keith Evans on Aug 26, 2011 20:32:11 GMT -5
"Okay," Keith said. "I should probably tell you I'm going out this weekend. Matthew and some of the others from back home, probably Dare and Michael. You're welcome to come, if you want to." For some reason, he doubted Rowan would want to, but it wouldn't be a good start to run off to a club with a group without telling him. "If you don't, I understand."
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Post by Rowan Trace on Aug 26, 2011 20:43:30 GMT -5
"I already have plans this weekend," Rowan said, relieved that he had a valid reason not to go. He had attempted to broaden his professional social life at Warlock Sands, and it had been a failure. He wasn't ready, and he knew that quite well now. He had no right to dissuade Keith from spending time with whomever he chose, especially when he knew that they got along well, but he didn't need to push himself in the same direction.
"Next weekend there's supposed to be a party, though. My friends have been asking about you, and if you'd like to go, I'll gladly tell them that you'll be there." No amount of the colleagues speech had been able to shut them up, and though he couldn't understand their obsession with his and Keith's relationship, whatever that was, he couldn't stop them from obsessing.
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Post by Keith Evans on Aug 26, 2011 20:53:22 GMT -5
That made Keith smile. "Yeah, I'll go," he said. It was good to spend time apart, anyway, at least that was what he told himself. With him and Rowan it was probably the best policy. "I hope they haven't been giving you a really hard time." He didn't know why Rowan's friends had latched onto him, but it was probably something to do with just how odd it was for Rowan to have any kind of relationship, especially with a coworker.
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Post by Rowan Trace on Aug 26, 2011 21:16:30 GMT -5
"No more than I'd expected," Rowan said. Meaning, of course, that they were nearly unbearable at times, but that was his own punishment for introducing Keith in the first place. He closed his book at last and made his excuses. He was worn from the conversation, from the upheaval of everything he'd been building back into place, and wanted some time to recover. Whether or not Kane and a vial of calming potion would be involved was negligible.
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