"I was apprenticed as a magician as a young age. That means I was taken in by my master to live in his house and he served as my guardian as well as teacher. Mr. Underwood and I didn't always get along, but I... cared a lot for Mrs. Underwood." He checks with Sheehan, just as someone unused to telling stories and wanting to make sure he's telling it right.
"Mrs. Underwood was very kind, even to the undeserving." He fixes his cuff again. "As the universe doesn't really care about that she was killed in a power play between people who didn't care anything about kindness." He waves a hand. "It's a long story, but I think the important part is that in the end, both Mr. and Mrs. Underwood were killed, but I managed to survive the fire."
"No, that's mostly just context for what came after." He looks at Sheehan. "Perhaps it's not correct to say Mrs. Underwood wasn't killed for her kindness. She was always kind to me, and my actions were part of what led to her death. I had underestimated the anger a certain politician would have at being embarrassed someone much younger than him."
That isn't something he would expect a twelve year old to anticipate. The fact that he's here means he's extraordinary in many ways, but twelve is still twelve.
"The man - his name was Simon Lovelace - was obviously far more powerful than me, both socially and personally. He was a respected politician, no one would've believed he was behind the murder of my guardian, even if I had more proof than being an eyewitness. So, I went to get proof." He thinks it over, but his journey to Heddleham Hall isn't important to the story. Nor is much detail on Lovelace's political ambitions required, not for this purpose.
"I'm afraid I wasn't able to sneak in completely unnoticed." He had managed to get into the hall itself, despite the distance, magical wards and suspicious mercenaries but he hadn't managed to totally manage to hide. He had been only twelve, he's grown since then. "Lovelace found me, but he also offered me... a position. Lovelace was planning a coup, and he'd need people with talent. He offered me a teacher who would help me reach my potential, and a future after that. He could tell that I was frustrated by the way Mr. Underwood held me back." In a moment of bleak, dark humor, "He had evidence of my talent."
Another nod and Sheehan sits back. "What did you tell him? What evidence did he have?" Not that he's looking to question or pick apart the story, but Sheehan does ask questions to gain true understanding, especially since that does seem to be his angle.
"Lovelace had seen me summon a high ranking djinn. That's something that many full magicians can struggle with, and I was still an apprentice." He doesn't quite shrug. "I told him he was an arrogant fool if he thought there was a chance I'd join him. He could've offered up the world and I'd refuse."
"Thank you." He takes the water with a slight smile. "I think Lovelace believed there was a 'I'd rather die' attached to my refusal. I killed him, instead. He had a moment to understand he'd lost everything." He takes a polite sip. "It turned out well for me. The Prime Minster showed his appreciation for not being murdered in a coup, and I took advantage of the gratitude while it was there. I went to Heddleham Hall seeking some sort of justice for the death of Mrs. Underwood, but I learned something very important."
Again, Sheehan isn't rattled, or he doesn't show it. He accepts what happened with a nod and takes a drink of his own. "What did you learn?" he wonders, as if that's not the obvious next step.
"To act first." He finishes his water, glancing at his watch. "It's time for my shift in the dining hall. Thank you, again. I think going through that memory helped."
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timeasmymeasure
Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 05:25 pm (UTC)"Alright. Go ahead." He'll let the boy lead.
Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 05:30 pm (UTC)"I was apprenticed as a magician as a young age. That means I was taken in by my master to live in his house and he served as my guardian as well as teacher. Mr. Underwood and I didn't always get along, but I... cared a lot for Mrs. Underwood." He checks with Sheehan, just as someone unused to telling stories and wanting to make sure he's telling it right.
Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 05:33 pm (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 05:36 pm (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 05:51 pm (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 05:57 pm (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 06:01 pm (UTC)"Alright. That helps, thank you. Was she part of the memory you wanted to talk through?"
Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 06:06 pm (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 06:11 pm (UTC)He gestures for him to continue.
Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 06:19 pm (UTC)"I knew it was dangerous, but I couldn't just leave. Does that make sense?" This time it's a question looking for some sort of response.
Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 06:23 pm (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-18 06:34 pm (UTC)"I'm afraid I wasn't able to sneak in completely unnoticed." He had managed to get into the hall itself, despite the distance, magical wards and suspicious mercenaries but he hadn't managed to totally manage to hide. He had been only twelve, he's grown since then. "Lovelace found me, but he also offered me... a position. Lovelace was planning a coup, and he'd need people with talent. He offered me a teacher who would help me reach my potential, and a future after that. He could tell that I was frustrated by the way Mr. Underwood held me back." In a moment of bleak, dark humor, "He had evidence of my talent."
Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-19 12:44 am (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-19 12:50 am (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-19 12:57 am (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-19 01:06 am (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-19 01:15 am (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-19 01:20 am (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-19 01:23 am (UTC)"I hope so. Feel free to return any time. I don't have anyone seeing me regularly at this time of the day."
Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-19 01:25 am (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-19 01:26 am (UTC)Re: at the counseling office
Date: 2024-01-19 01:29 am (UTC)