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Tweak says, "Go on. Blow Gabe's trumpet."

Rafe used to be a scalleywag (redensign) wrote in st_margarets,
@ 2016-09-13 15:26:00

Entry tags:

character: james weatherby, character: rafe farrowe, location: pegasus dorm

Thread: Many Meetings
WHO: Rafe Farrowe and James Weatherby XIV
WHEN: Monday afternoon, 4:20 sharp
WHERE: Rafe's Office, Pegasus Dorms

Rafe would've been a fool if he thought all Pegasus were the same, but sometimes it surprised him how starkly different they were. The elf girl, Felicity, was polite, but Rafe could tell she didn't like being encouraged to participate with her house. He would work with her on it. He knew she was an elf and there was a solidarity they had. Elves tended to stick together, and she'd spent her Thursday evening in town exploring it with the Rubinharts. One of the twins, he was informed, was her betrothed. He knew he could be a bit old fashioned, but sometimes he was surprised by how close to traditions some cultures were. One of the perks of being a vampire, he supposed.

Speaking of vampires, it was 4:19 and Felicity had left a minute or so before. After the initial frostiness, she seemed to relax a little but not enough to really be receptive to what he implied. No matter, he had another figure showing up soon, and one he had to assert some authority to put into place. While James was a Weatherby, he was still just a student of the school, and also a member of the house. The name Weatherby may impress many outside and even inside the school walls, but ultimately he was a student who Rafe would treat the same as others. No special treatment or coddling. Everyone else had to meet at their time, and so did he. Whether he liked it or thought it fair or not.

The clock in the office ticked softly, and finally the door opened just as the second hand reached the twelve and the time became 4:20. Right on the dot.

"James, take a seat, please," he said as he rose from his chair. He motioned to the now empty chair before his desk.

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night_rhythm
2016-09-15 04:49 pm UTC (link)

James had not arrived sharply at 4:20 in order to appease Mr. Farrowe. On the contrary, he had come on time as requested to prove that he, a Weatherby, could uphold his end of the agreement, even if he didn't want to be there. Even if thought the meeting was a pointless waste of time with possible ulterior motives on the part of the good old history teacher.

Everyone had skeletons in their closets, but Mr. Farrowe's had proven to be just as dull as the man himself was in person. Perhaps had he still been a pirate, there might be something to use on him, but now Mr. Farrowe was just another teacher. Just another vampire. True, not quite the spectacular failure others had been that James encountered at the school, but not very interesting, nevertheless. The world had need of rule abiding level headed blanks, James supposed. At least he was pretty to look at.

"I'd rather stand." He nodded at Mr. Farrowe and clasped his hands behind his back. "I'll make this easy for you. Everything is going fine. I have had no troubles. My summer was splendid. My studies are off to a wonderful start. What else did you want to see me about?"

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redensign
2016-09-18 07:49 pm UTC (link)

This sort of behavior grew old quickly, but Rafe refused to let his weariness for the Weatherby show. Instead he seemed to show absolute patience, "And the support group?" he prompted. He was seated again, having done so as James dictated his answers. No troubles for him, a splendid summer, studies going well, etc. etc. etc. All very informative but only on the surface. Getting James to divulge any details as to what made the summer splendid would require a great deal of coaxing that Rafe wasn't sure he could manage. James was already annoyed enough at being here.

"I know you run it more or less on your own," he commented, "but we do have a large influx of new faces arriving. Some from rather troubled backgrounds. I know you've expressed a discouragement of certain individuals before, so I wonder if there are any in particular you want me to take note of that you feel may not fit the group."

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night_rhythm
2016-09-20 07:21 pm UTC (link)

"Believe me, I'm well aware of the influx of new vampires and their various levels of troubled backgrounds." James suppressed the urge to roll his eyes impatiently. Did Mr. Farrowe really think he was this obtuse? To miss the fact that the new semester signaled a new influx of vampires? Naturally, James and his coven had stretched out their fingers and investigated them, vetted them, as it were. They had to be careful these days on who they let in.

"We have already worked to receive all the new arrivals and extended the invitation to join us, should they decide to take it. None so far are of any huge concern. But if you like, I'll let you know if trouble arises and I have need of you." James sniffed. "Anything else?"

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redensign
2016-09-25 10:46 pm UTC (link)

"Were they all visited in the shower then?" Rafe asked, watching James carefully to see how the fangling reacted to the question. Granted it wasn't something he intended to address in this way, but James's tone was a little trying for the older vampire, and since they were on the subject of inviting new vampires to the support group, it was probably a good time to talk about it.

Rafe certainly hoped that James had a very good excuse for it, and also for the shunning of Valentin that followed. It appeared that Valentin's rejection of James had meant it for the whole group. Or perhaps Valentin continued to misunderstand James's offer.

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night_rhythm
2016-09-27 01:26 pm UTC (link)

"What?" James frowned, brows furrowed. For all appearances it seemed he was genuinely confused and disturbed by the question, but inside, a switch had been flipped. Valentin, that pathetic little rat. James should've known he'd go cry to a teacher. Bad form. Then again, it shouldn't be a surprise. Valentin was weak and inexperienced, his many flaws serrating through him like swiss cheese. He was one who, like Benjamin, did not deserve the awesome power that came from being made a vampire.

James had no patience for vampires who didn't appreciate their gift. He especially detested those who feared it. If anything, this interview with Mr. Farrowe was affirmation that James had made the correct choice in removing Valentin from the coven. Expected or not, Valentin's betrayal was enlightening.

He waited, frowning at Mr. Farrowe, willing to hear his explanation for such a question despite already knowing its origin.

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redensign
2016-09-27 04:57 pm UTC (link)

"I think you should sit down and tell me what happened," Rafe said, though at this point he still had his doubts that James would sit down. The Weatherby had been taken by surprise, and so far Rafe only knew one side, but he needed to know the other. What went down that day and why there? Valentin had shared what happened but even then struggled to fully express.

Somehow, Rafe doubted that James would have that much difficulty in explaining himself. James was put together, and likely groomed to work well under pressure. The name Weatherby was known to many people. Those aware of his father and the Weatherbys holdings and influence, or simply from James and his presence in the media.

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night_rhythm
2016-09-27 10:34 pm UTC (link)

James' look of confusion gradually smoothed from his features. Mr. Farrowe knew, and James knew how he knew. More importantly, Mr. Farrowe knew that James knew to what he was referring. Continuing to pretend otherwise would be a waste of time. There was still a way to play this to his advantage, and since Valentin had already thrown the first punch, James would follow suit.

A sigh of exasperation that was almost sincere was released from his lungs and James sat heavily on the chair, rubbing his brow. "I was hoping he wouldn't try to smear my name like this. I thought he was different, a good person... but I should have known, shouldn't I?" James looked up at Mr. Farrowe with a half smile like someone might look at a person they were confiding a shared frustration with.

"I did approach Valentin in the restroom while he was showering. I was concerned for him after a very brief and dismissive conversation we had after he returned from Germany. I was also a bit hurt that he acted so coldly towards me. I know something happened to him while he was gone, and I thought, as leader of the support group, that I should try to reach out to him. What else is the support group for but to offer its support, yes?" James shook his head. He leaned back wearily.

"But he was so... defensive. So closed off. I understand that whatever happened to him, whomever he attacked," James' eyes narrowed slightly, "was his story to tell, but he's a friend of mine. We're in the same House, we're both in the same year, we're both vampires. I like to think that friends reach out to each other and press in times of need. I pressed. It's not something he would have done for me, clearly, were our situations reversed, but I pressed because I cared."

James shifted again, leaning forward to clasp his hands together, rub them against his thighs, summon emotion into his voice and avert his gaze from Mr. Farrowe. "He became increasingly agitated when I persisted in extending help. He said some... horrible things about me." James shook his head and looked down at the floor. "I'm sure you are aware of some of the things I struggle with because of what I am, the things I've done I can't undo, my brother..." James closed his eyes tightly and went quiet for a moment.

When he spoke again, his voice was strained. "Valentin doesn't know me. He doesn't want to know me. He sees what he sees on the surface, in the media, and he makes his judgement. They all do. But he had no right to callously called me a killer. There I was, offering my hand in friendship and brotherhood, and he spat in my face and told me in no uncertain terms that he wanted none of the group's help. And so..." James shrugged and pulled a cloth handkerchief from an inner pocket of his jacket to quickly wipe his eyes. He sniffed.

"It was with great hurt and sadness that I had to accept his rejection of help and withdraw. Whatever happened to Valentin changed him. I'd be afraid he'd unleash his vitriol on another member of the support group if I gave him another chance. He might judge them like he judged me and instead of supporting our universal struggle as vampires, turn his back and belittle other members of my group and I can't allow that. Some of them are on very thin lines of control and my group of their peers is their only safe haven from the judgement of the world. Valentin would mock them for having tasted human blood, as though it's a moral sin, and..." James straightened up, shoulders back and resolute. "And I will not sit back and let that happen. Valentin is your problem now. My group has washed our hands of him."

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redensign
2016-10-04 07:45 pm UTC (link)

James provided a lot of information, and Rafe sat and listened, processing it. He remained neutral as James prompted questions such as to Valentin's character or the purpose behind a support group. He would approach this objectively as needed, though previous conversations with James did color the fangling in a manner that caused Rafe to have some degree of question. His name too often brought up in more serious affairs, such as with Benjamin Proctor's attack of Leon, or even Leon's violent behavior toward the vampire. Rafe did not want to buy into rumor alone, but often rumor had some semblance of truth in its origin.

Rafe let a moment of quiet settle in between them once James finished. The tears wiped away and the emotion shown. Rafe had no intention of not believing James, but he also could not allow Valentin to be so unfairly painted negatively that he became a pariah to the vampire population.

"James," he said, "I understand your concern for the protection of your group, yet I can somewhat see how Valentin may feel defensive, and even especially emotional. The extension of your offer, I would say, is not so much ill-timed, as it might have been ill-presented. The shower is not an appropriate place to address the issue or make an offer to join a support group. Valentin's acceptance of his vampiric nature has been stunted due to his misunderstanding of what it entails.

"I've already spoken with Valentin regarding his tone toward you, but I think more harm comes from denying him access to others who may also be struggling with similar issues. The support group is not an official group sponsored by the school, so I cannot force you to accept him in the group. However, it reflects poorly on the group and yourself for shutting him out."

Rafe held his hand up to show he still had more to say.

"In the same way, I cannot force Valentin to apologize for the way he addressed you, and his cruel words reflect just as poorly on him, even given his more recent history. Should this support group turn into something that isolates other vampires entirely, cutting them off from needed understanding and camaraderie, and using it as a way to teach vampires like Valentin of their misconceptions regarding other vampires, the school will intervene.

"Not everyone understands what being a vampire means, James. Some take more time to accept and adapt, and fully understand it. I'll have a word with Valentin about his behavior towards you, but no more support group invitations in the shower, and should he approach you in the future about joining the support group, consider using it as the chance to prove him wrong. Else he continues to live in ignorance. One doesn't need to be included in a group in order to rally others into promoting unfair judgments toward it."

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night_rhythm
2016-10-04 08:04 pm UTC (link)

James had been playing the power game all his life. He knew when he was on the losing side in a discussion like this. He knew when he had been outplayed by another opponent. In this case, his opponent was a babyfaced vampire who went crying to daddy. James could point out how unfair and biased Mr. Farrowe was being towards him, simply because he appeared to be more in control of his vampire side than Valentin, but the damage had already been done. Valentin had gotten to Mr. Farrowe first, and now Mr. Farrowe was an agent of that sniveling child.

Truly, James was at a disadvantage. He could put on the act, but when it came to following through with real emotions, Valentin was the more experienced of the pair of them. James could feel the weight on his shoulders, the pressure from his father and from his sire, all bearing down on him. And yes, even the vaguest mention of his dead brother, used in an effort to inspire some form of sympathy from Mr. Farrowe, had done its work on James to destabilize him.

He was not going to win this today.

And so, as he always did when he was being talked down to, lectured, and underestimated, he settled into a neutral expression. Eyes straight forward and unfocused, mouth relaxed, body still. When it was over, when Mr. Farrowe felt like perhaps he had made his point and the threat that came with it clear enough, James pulled himself out of that blank expression and smiled.

"Of course, Mr. Farrowe. I'll take your suggestions into consideration should Valentin approach me to ask to rejoin our group."

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redensign
2016-10-08 11:49 am UTC (link)

"Very well," Rafe said, "I'll speak with you soon about the vampire meeting. You should receive an email within the next hour to its date and location." Truthfully, he expected James to provide an excuse and tell him that he could no longer make it. No student enjoyed a lecture or a chiding of any kind, and he imagined James was like many other students in that respect. Teenagers sought autonomy at every opportunity, but when they learned the limitations and the consequences of it, they found it disappointing. Freedom was one thing, but one had to work within one's limits.

He said, "I've taken enough of your time. Thank you for coming." There were still five minutes left of their slot, but Rafe had little else to add. The vacant look turned into a smile wasn't lost on Rafe. There was still a lot to figure out about James, and so far Rafe knew that he spent a lot of time distancing him . Yet he knew that James needed to learn polite behavior and some reasoning weren't always going ot get him out of trouble.

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