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Post by Keith Evans on Sept 5, 2011 16:31:48 GMT -5
Keith shrugged and looked away. "You've got yourself together better than people twice our age," he said. "I know you were annoyed when I said there wasn't much past getting this job that I had thought about, you should teach a class or something." Career counselors were things, right? At his school they had simply talked to the heads of their houses.
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Post by Rowan Trace on Sept 5, 2011 16:42:15 GMT -5
"It just seemed like a waste," Rowan said. "You're talented, do your work with what seems like casual ease, for the most part, and you're more passionate about it and about teaching than most. Hogwarts needs people like you, and I was more disappointed at the loss of potential and... and the apathy. You've got an edge on communicating with students and the other staff because you're so personable and I thought with all that passion, you would want more."
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Post by Keith Evans on Sept 5, 2011 17:17:59 GMT -5
"Well, some people do better in lower levels," Keith reasoned. "Sometimes approaching a head of house or headmaster is more daunting than just a professor. My goals only ever reached to being professor. I really have no urge to work in administration. I can do good where I am." It was easier to explain when he wasn't worried about recently annoying Rowan.
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Post by Rowan Trace on Sept 5, 2011 17:32:45 GMT -5
And Keith had made an excellent point, one which silenced Rowan for some moments as he pondered it. He had always gone directly to whatever source was most likely to get him the desired results, but he knew he was atypical, that the vast majority seemed to be guided by something different, if they were guided at all.
He'd thought before that it was a lack of ambition that had Keith wanting nothing more than a professor's position, but with reasoning behind it rather than, I just never thought about it, it made much more sense. Especially with what he already knew about Keith. Part of the man's draw was that he was so easygoing, so approachable, but yes, taking on a greater position, though it would bring more power, would also create a gulf. Perhaps Keith's wording was what had thown him, because the bottom line was that it made sense.
"Yes, you're right," Rowan said at last. "I still think you could do well in administration, but one of your strengths really is your accessibility. I hadn't thought of it that way before."
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Post by Keith Evans on Sept 5, 2011 17:48:37 GMT -5
Keith smiled when Rowan so easily accepted his words. "Who knows what might happen in the future, but for now, I think I'm good." Maybe after establishing himself as an approachable professor it would be easier to transition into a higher position and keep the same accessibility. "I'm not organized enough to get to the top, though."
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Post by Rowan Trace on Sept 5, 2011 18:24:09 GMT -5
Rowan didn't argue with that. Keith, as he was, definitely wasn't that organized, but it was a moot point. He'd been convinced. "You asked me once if my goal was to become Minister of Magic, and I said no for a similar reason. It's the actual position of Headmaster that appeals to me, a different sort of politics and the ability to effect change at a different level. I could change my goals in another fifty years, but right now that isn't what I want in my future."
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Post by Keith Evans on Sept 5, 2011 18:33:47 GMT -5
"Fifty years is definitely too far ahead to think of," Keith said. "I'm content thinking a weekend ahead, for the most part." Of course he planned out the basic structure for his classes, but he had that already figured out, it was no longer a constant process, other than a revision or addition here and there throughout the year.
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Post by Rowan Trace on Sept 5, 2011 18:52:50 GMT -5
"There we'll have to agree to disagree," Rowan said. Yes, when he was out at a rave or a club he was living for the moment, but it was the exception to the rule. He liked the security of knowing what to expect out of life, and that whatever happened, he'd earned it.
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Post by Keith Evans on Sept 5, 2011 19:02:13 GMT -5
"Probably a good idea," Keith said, nodding. It would be too easy to start in on a fight, but he didn't want to, and if they wanted this to work, they would just have to stop and accept some things. "Speaking of, what are the plans for this weekend? Did you tell them I was coming?" he asked.
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Post by Rowan Trace on Sept 5, 2011 19:22:36 GMT -5
"Of course," Rowan answered. He was fairly certain he'd already answered that, but went on anyway. "It should just be a small party, but there's really no telling. Debs's kids will be with their father for the weekend, so small doesn't necessarily mean quiet." And considering the hostess, there might be some behavior he wanted nothing to do with. He nearly sighed at the thought.
"I wouldn't be overly offended if you'd rather be friends this weekend. It might make things easier." Then he wouldn't have to care what Keith was doing, or with whom, Keith could do what he wanted, and he wouldn't have to admit anything to his friends.
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Post by Keith Evans on Sept 5, 2011 19:26:38 GMT -5
"It might make things easier once, but changing everything around again will just make it all more complicated," Keith said. "I think it's complicated enough as it is without adding another level." It was the closest they had gotten to talking about them so far, and Keith really didn't want extra complications when it was already on edge from the summer.
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Post by Rowan Trace on Sept 5, 2011 19:54:47 GMT -5
"You weren't happy," Rowan pointed out. "There's very little difference at this point, isn't there? Maybe you'll find someone more... able to meet your needs." It certainly wasn't him, and though he admired Keith's tenacity and determination to try, he remembered their arguments at Warlock Sands all too well. "I'm not capable of doing those things."
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Post by Keith Evans on Sept 5, 2011 20:03:40 GMT -5
Keith picked a foot up and propped it on the edge of his chair, pulling his knee to his chest as he thought. He thought of something Dare had said that he had considered even before. Did he really want to bring it up already? "I was happy being with you," he said. "I just...what if...there was a way for you to have a hand in it without actually doing anything?" The words came slowly, and it was only after they were all out of his mouth that he looked up at Rowan.
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Post by Rowan Trace on Sept 5, 2011 20:29:54 GMT -5
Rowan looked steadily at Keith, wondering what it was that had him looking so unsettled. "I said I'd help out," he reminded. He'd draw the line at anything he was uncomfortable with, but had intended to push his own boundaries wherever possible, simply for the experience. Keith had yet to cross more than his emotional boundaries. "I've wondered when you would suggest something."
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Post by Keith Evans on Sept 5, 2011 20:37:45 GMT -5
Keith was uncomfortable suggesting things to Rowan, considering Rowan was the least experienced guy he had ever been with, but Rowan being so calm about things made him think again. "I just don't want to push or anything," he said. He didn't want to take a chance of ruining things. "But there's this thing um..." He explained the basic idea of it, wondering if Rowan would understand the point at all.
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