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Post by ianharris on Sept 23, 2009 20:23:41 GMT -5
Ian didn't know how he'd ended up in the University classrooms section of Dunehelden. Truthfully, he'd been wandering for about an hour, trying to make sense of his rather screwed up life. Jonathan had given him a welcome reprieve from his endless torture - the other boy had said something about a brewing fight in the courtyard that he was rather keen to watch - and Ian had been using the temporary peace and quiet to think about things.
Mostly, he thought about Natalie, the girl who had become his closest friend during the last few days. It was a friendship that Ian cherished, and one that he'd grown to depend on for support. However, there was something tugging at Ian's heart - even though Jonathan claimed he didn't have one -, and that something was confusing him a lot.
Dare he take the next step in his friendship with Natalie? Dare he make it into something more? He had no idea how she felt about him, of course - women are notoriously hard to read, after all - and that was where the problem lay. If he said something, it might very well end the friendship... and Ian really liked spending time with Natalie.
Somehow, during these wanderings, Ian wound up outside a seemingly deserted classroom. Wanting to rest his legs for a moment, he ventured inside. However, it turned out that the classroom was not exactly empty of all occupants...
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 23, 2009 20:34:57 GMT -5
Vincent lifted his mug of coffee to his lips, his eyes sliding sideways at the sound of footsteps entering the room; he recognized Ian Harris immediately. Vincent lowered the mug without sipping from it, smiling and greeting the boy.
"Afternoon, Ian. Is there something I can help you with?"
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Post by ianharris on Sept 23, 2009 20:39:39 GMT -5
Ian immediately dropped his gaze to the floor. Vincent Hawk was the LAST person he should probably be talking to about this. He was, after all, Natalie's uncle, and had a tendency to be... overprotective. "Uh... nothing... um... sir..."
He started to back out of the room, but suddenly, a thought struck him. Vincent would actually be in the best position to answer Ian's burning questions. If he could just tell Vincent his problems without telling him who the girl was... "Actually, sir, I was... um... wondering if I could get another perspective on a... um... a personal... uh... relationship matter..."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 23, 2009 20:49:53 GMT -5
"A relationship...?" Vincent's eyebrows rose, and he leaned forward slightly in his seat, looking at Ian. "I see no reason why I can't help you with that. Pull up a seat," he invited.
Then, after a slight pause, he added, "You realize, of course, that if you're talking about Natalie or Ariel--though heaven forbid you should take an interest in my daughter, given your ages--the advice I give will change somewhat."
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Post by ianharris on Sept 24, 2009 15:08:13 GMT -5
"No, no." Ian said. "I'm not interested in your daughter." There was a slight pause. Shit. "Or your niece." Was that too late? This was probably not a good idea. "It's another girl... she's a year younger than me. I'd prefer to keep the name to myself. She and I... we've been friends for a while, and I don't know... I guess I find myself thinking about her in terms of... you know... a relationship. But I don't know how she feels about me, and if I let her know that I like her, it might ruin the friendship. Are you... uh... are you following?"
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 24, 2009 17:05:59 GMT -5
Vincent noticed the obvious pause, reading it perfectly along with Ian's halting explanation. He didn't have to step far to get to the conclusion that Natalie was indeed the object of Ian's affection. He kept his eyes on Ian, nodding in understanding.
"I follow you perfectly. I had the exact same problem when I was 'just friends' with the woman who eventually became my wife. Thankfully I was able to express my feelings for her; more importantly, she accepted and returned my feelings, and our relationship blossomed from then onward. I'm very glad of that fact, and of the time I had with Christine before she passed. But that's a story for another day.
"Sometimes," he went on, "it's best to go out on a limb and take the risk of telling your friend of your feelings for her, because it can and does sometimes work out for the better. Other times it can be especially deadly to a relationship, depending on things like how long you've known each other, for instance. How long would you say that is?"
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Post by ianharris on Sept 24, 2009 19:49:39 GMT -5
Ian's eyes widened slightly. This was not ending well. Perhaps he should have just gone and sought out Liam like he had planned. He couldn't lie, but it sounded weird to say "a few days"...
But, Natalie or not, he wanted Vincent to help him. Which he could only do by telling him the truth. "A week." He answered honestly, eyes down at the floor. "But we've spent a lot of time together. And she... she's perfect. She's like an angel sent to earth..."
Dammit, Ian. Shut up. You're getting mushy and sentimental. What would Jonathan say if he saw this? Come to think of it, he's probably watching through the door, having a bloody good laugh...
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 24, 2009 19:57:50 GMT -5
Vincent couldn't help but smile at Ian's sentimental description of Natalie. The poor boy was positively smitten. On the other hand, this presented a problem. Teenage infatuation did not often lead into solid relationships, and he didn't want either Ian or Natalie to be hurt because of misplaced emotions.
"Then I think," he replied, "that the best thing you can do at this point is to get to know Natalie first and foremost as a friend. Wait until you're comfortable in your friendship, and if you still feel that you want to make things deeper, then talk it over with her. But do NOT jump in before you've tested the waters, so to speak. Wade in slowly. Stay where your feet can touch the bottom without getting in over your head. Float awhile before you try to swim. Do you see what I'm getting at?"
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Post by ianharris on Sept 24, 2009 20:01:52 GMT -5
Ian's jaw dropped. Shit. Vincent's going to rip me apart now. "Uh... um... uh... yeah? I... I suppose that's what.. how did you know it was... never mind. Yes, I... suppose that's what I should... er... do..."
He raised his gaze to Vincent's chin. That was as far as it would go. "Thank you for the... um... the advice, Professor Hawk... and... um... can you... er... not tell Natalie about this?"
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 24, 2009 20:20:07 GMT -5
"Mum's the word," Vincent replied. "And one more thing..." He lowered his eyes to gaze into Ian's, making sure the boy was looking him in the eye and would stay that way.
"Above everything that I've just told you," he said slowly, "I beg you to treat Natalie with only the utmost care. That is, I want you to do everything in your power to make sure that she doesn't come to harm--particularly where your unruly magic is involved.
"Do you understand? Not just for her sake, but yours as well, you need to find a way to control the magic inside of you. You have no idea what you could be capable of, and what kind of consequences that would have. Every action creates an equal and opposing reaction. If the original action is strong enough, the opposing reaction could be... devastating."
He drew a slow breath. "I charge you, Ian Harris, to do everything in your power to get your magic under control and keep it that way. Untamed magic is dangerous, especially if it's contained inside a single body. I do not want you to be a danger to my niece. Am I clear?"
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Post by ianharris on Sept 24, 2009 20:33:49 GMT -5
Ian nodded. He forced his shaking eyeballs to raise up to where he was staring Vincent right in the face. Which was highly unusual for him. But he had to look at this man... after all, he hadn't snapped Ian's neck when Ian had expressed interest in Natalie. "Yes, sir. I'll do better than my best. Sir."
Ian stood. "Thank you, again. I'm going to... think now. Maybe go find... er... Natalie..." He turned and headed out the door, feeling a bit better about himself. Someone besides himself now knew about his feelings for Natalie, and he also was now aware that Vincent was not going to rip him to shreds for having a crush on Natalie.
At least, Vincent wasn't going to rip him to shreds yet.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 24, 2009 21:33:26 GMT -5
Vincent watched Ian go, and couldn't help but wonder just how much of a burden he'd placed on the boy. From what he had seen, Ian was a nervous wreck at the best of times, and adding to that the stress of trying to maintain a relationship with Natalie without hurting her, as well as trying to stay on Vincent's good side, would doubtless increase that nervousness exponentially. He took a sip of his coffee, resting his scarred face in one hand. Trying times were ahead, he was certain of it.
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