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XanaSnape · 12-31-2009, 11:13 PM

Please do not post here until the Professor has invited you in. Please use the office doorway thread to knock and gain admittance to the Professor's office.

The warm interior of Professor Kazimeriz's office is simply lit with a candlelight chandelier. While it is well organized and fastidiously tidy, the floor to ceiling mahogany shelves are overflowing with thick, ancient books and curiosities that the professor has collected during nearly a century of travels. The walls are decorated with tribal masks and other oddities as well as moving photographs of distant lands and distant people. Several photos are of the professor himself, posing with various wizards, witches, hobgoblins, werewolves, vampires and other magical beings.

At the center of the office is a large mahogany desk with a deeply cushioned leather chair behind it. On the desk are a few artifacts, including a glass-encased hand of glory. There is also a quill, blotter and a photograph of a much younger Professor Kazimeriz with a woman and small child.

At the back of the room there is a large, locked, wood and glass enclosed curio cabinet which contains a variety of objects. Each object has a note card describing the object and the curse placed on it. To the right of the cabinet, there is a brass bell dangling from a wrought iron hook. In this area, there is also a fastidious workspace featuring a triple-locked glass cabinet housing potions ingredients. On the counter you will find an array of potions-making equipment: phials, alembics, stills,and of course several cauldrons in various states of steaming and brewing. The bookshelves are jammed with many ancient texts: An anonymous treatise on the Philosophers' stone, An hundred aphorisms containing the whole body of magic from Ms. Sloane 1321, Basil Valentine's Triumphal Chariot of Antimony, Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage, Moste Potente Potions, Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, Compleat Potions by Horace Slughorn, and many others.

Comfortable, overstuffed chairs and sofas are positioned within the office near the fireplace sitting area and across from the professor's desk. The smell of tea and warm sugar cookies lingers in the air, mingling with the scent of the burning pine log in the fireplace and the occasional wafting scent of whatever happens to be brewing at the moment.

When you are invited in, please make yourself comfortable.

Felixir · 02-22-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Kazimeriz burst out laughing. His surprisingly pleasant tenor voice filled the air, calm and amused. "Well, no one could accuse you of being overly diplomatic, Upstead. And how little you know of me, to accuse me of hating those who are different!" He gestured to his wall, which was filled with pictures of Kazimeriz throughout his long life. In many he was posed with a woman, but in the vast majority he could be seen with dragons, a vampire, a transformed werewolf, holding a kappa, arm in arm with a goblin, and in many other unusual pairings.

"Does these photos reflect the life of a man who shuns those who are different? Think about it, Upstead. I shall say it again... I do not hate any of my students, and I do not as you say, 'have it in for you' or anyone else. But if this feeling of persecution is accurate and is indeed a pattern you are seeing in your life, it is because you are approaching your interpersonal relationships in the same aggressive, combative manner over and over again? Or perhaps you misinterpret your professors as 'picking on you' when they are in fact attempting to instill in you a sense of discipline and self-control when faced with adversity, so that when you do come across one who truly 'has it in for you', you will have the knowledge and personal tools to defend yourself while showing appropriate restraint. Perhaps we are, in fact, trying to help guide you down the path toward your true potential as a wizard and a gentleman. And make no mistake about it: You have potential. To neglect that potential would be a waste. And I loathe waste."

He eyed the boy, then sipped his tea. "Or, perhaps I am just an old man with nothing else to do than to play at my hobby of bullying small children. After all.. what did I ever do, outside of teaching?" He smirked, indicating that there was more to him than Jake Upstead possibly knew.

The way Kazi suddenly laughed made Jake jump in his seat. He'd been expecting the man to respond in that infuriatingly stoic manner. Even now, Jake would put money on the fact that he'd be totally apathetic about what he'd said to the guy. But Jake wasn't expecting to have insulted him; he'd just been speaking his mind.

Looking over at the pictures on the wall, Jake leaned closer to try and see, eventually getting up on his chair on his knees and leeeeeeaning...

Ahhh, there we are.

"Coooool," the boy muttered, understanding the man's point immediately. He took a good long look at the pictures, and finally leant back again to sit on the chair properly. "But I duhh-don't get why I-..."

He trailed off as Kazi spoke on. Jake sat and frowned in concentration, staring at the desk. What he was going to say was that he didn't understand why Kazi hated him if it wasn't for being different. But he kind of got it, now.

"I d-don't sssuppose there's any puhh-point asking whuhh-why you expppect the wuhh-worst from me thuhh-then?" he asked, thinking mainly about the potions lesson when he had been the first one Kazi thought could have wrecked the classroom. Jake smiled wanly; he kind of had a vague idea.

"Okay," he replied, holding up his hands as in surrender. "People t-t-tend not to luhh-like me because I app-approach things oddly. I ssspeak my muhh-mind and don't think. I'm im-impulsive. You are nuhh-not one of thhhese p-people... I g-get that." Sigh. A guy has to know when to admit he was wrong. "B-but you ccccan't really blame mme for thhh-thinking it."

Could you?

After what the rest of what Kazi said, Jake scrunched his nose. "I huhh-hate lessons on dddiscipline ssself-control. It's... I nnnever used to..." Jake stopped and leaned forwards. "When I wuhh-was expelled from my pppprimary school, even bbbefore that, nobody tttried teaching me that ssstuff. There was nuhh-no point. I ddddidn't respond." To, like, anything. It was why he never really learnt the basics of reading and writing. "My real mmmother... she dddidn't really care. I didn't hhhave any of that... Makes it sssso much huhh-harder now." Even though he'd been adopted and things were getting better, he was at school for nine months of the year; it wasn't fair.

Just as Jake was about to dwell on that, he thought of the Kazi!Age thing. "I dddidn't say you never duhh-did anything super interesting," he corrected. "I muhh-mean, you bbblatantly have-" Here, Jake gestured to the wall with the photos. "Order of Muhh-merlin and everythhhuh-thing. I'm jjust saying... nuhh-now..."

Hmmm...

"I duhh-don't think you'd even bbbeat me in a race down huhh-half a cccorridor. Or a thuhh-thumb war. No offence, like." Hmmm... Jake didn't actually know about the thumb war. "Buhh-but it's irre-... irreve-... i-rre-le-vant." Stupid word. "I... underssstand now thuhh-that..."

SIGH! Nevermind...

"Why ARE you ssso... evil?" Jake suddenly asked. "Ffffuh-for wwant of a better wwword."

Zoom · 02-22-2010, 11:00 PM

Nicoletta smiled, grabbed her bag and left the office as quietly as humanly possible. Besides being scared out of her wits, she thought it had gone pretty well. Hopefully she wouldn't be in there again.

XanaSnape · 02-24-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

The way Kazi suddenly laughed made Jake jump in his seat. He'd been expecting the man to respond in that infuriatingly stoic manner. Even now, Jake would put money on the fact that he'd be totally apathetic about what he'd said to the guy. But Jake wasn't expecting to have insulted him; he'd just been speaking his mind.

Looking over at the pictures on the wall, Jake leaned closer to try and see, eventually getting up on his chair on his knees and leeeeeeaning...

Ahhh, there we are.

"Coooool," the boy muttered, understanding the man's point immediately. He took a good long look at the pictures, and finally leant back again to sit on the chair properly. "But I duhh-don't get why I-..."

He trailed off as Kazi spoke on. Jake sat and frowned in concentration, staring at the desk. What he was going to say was that he didn't understand why Kazi hated him if it wasn't for being different. But he kind of got it, now.

"I d-don't sssuppose there's any puhh-point asking whuhh-why you expppect the wuhh-worst from me thuhh-then?" he asked, thinking mainly about the potions lesson when he had been the first one Kazi thought could have wrecked the classroom. Jake smiled wanly; he kind of had a vague idea.

"Okay," he replied, holding up his hands as in surrender. "People t-t-tend not to luhh-like me because I app-approach things oddly. I ssspeak my muhh-mind and don't think. I'm im-impulsive. You are nuhh-not one of thhhese p-people... I g-get that." Sigh. A guy has to know when to admit he was wrong. "B-but you ccccan't really blame mme for thhh-thinking it."

Could you?

After what the rest of what Kazi said, Jake scrunched his nose. "I huhh-hate lessons on dddiscipline ssself-control. It's... I nnnever used to..." Jake stopped and leaned forwards. "When I wuhh-was expelled from my pppprimary school, even bbbefore that, nobody tttried teaching me that ssstuff. There was nuhh-no point. I ddddidn't respond." To, like, anything. It was why he never really learnt the basics of reading and writing. "My real mmmother... she dddidn't really care. I didn't hhhave any of that... Makes it sssso much huhh-harder now." Even though he'd been adopted and things were getting better, he was at school for nine months of the year; it wasn't fair.

Just as Jake was about to dwell on that, he thought of the Kazi!Age thing. "I dddidn't say you never duhh-did anything super interesting," he corrected. "I muhh-mean, you bbblatantly have-" Here, Jake gestured to the wall with the photos. "Order of Muhh-merlin and everythhhuh-thing. I'm jjust saying... nuhh-now..."

Hmmm...

"I duhh-don't think you'd even bbbeat me in a race down huhh-half a cccorridor. Or a thuhh-thumb war. No offence, like." Hmmm... Jake didn't actually know about the thumb war. "Buhh-but it's irre-... irreve-... i-rre-le-vant." Stupid word. "I... underssstand now thuhh-that..."

SIGH! Nevermind...

"Why ARE you ssso... evil?" Jake suddenly asked. "Ffffuh-for wwant of a better wwword."

Kazimeriz smirked. "'Evil'... is a matter of perspective, Mr. Upstead." He was quiet for a moment, mulling something over, then a small hint of a smile appeared on the old man's face. "Oh, but the things you comment on are entirely relevant to your situation. And with that in mind... I challenge you to a 'thumb war.' His dark eyes met with Upstead's, glittering with amusement.

Felixir · 02-24-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Kazimeriz smirked. "'Evil'... is a matter of perspective, Mr. Upstead." He was quiet for a moment, mulling something over, then a small hint of a smile appeared on the old man's face. "Oh, but the things you comment on are entirely relevant to your situation. And with that in mind... I challenge you to a 'thumb war.' His dark eyes met with Upstead's, glittering with amusement.

Yes. It totally was.

...

And Kazi was EVIL!

Ish. He could be nice at times.

When Kazi spoke on, Jake shifted, feeling a little uncomfortable. What if the old man was FAKING the slow movement, and suddenly was able to SPRINT. Jake's little legs couldn't keep up with them loooooong ones.

And then...

"Fffffor real?" Jake asked, making eye contact, his own baby blues sparkling with childish excitement. He used to RULE at thumb wars, before he left his old muggle kid's school. Yeah... Jake had the sneaky tricks under his hat. He began to smile, feeling quite pleased with himself. "Nuhh-now?"

XanaSnape · 02-24-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

Yes. It totally was.

...

And Kazi was EVIL!

Ish. He could be nice at times.

When Kazi spoke on, Jake shifted, feeling a little uncomfortable. What if the old man was FAKING the slow movement, and suddenly was able to SPRINT. Jake's little legs couldn't keep up with them loooooong ones.

And then...

"Fffffor real?" Jake asked, making eye contact, his own baby blues sparkling with childish excitement. He used to RULE at thumb wars, before he left his old muggle kid's school. Yeah... Jake had the sneaky tricks under his hat. He began to smile, feeling quite pleased with himself. "Nuhh-now?"

Kazimeriz nodded, extending his arm across to Jake, thumb up, as though he intended to shake hands, ready to engage in Thumb War Battle. "If you are up to the challenge." He watched Upstead, clearly bemused.

Felixir · 02-24-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Kazimeriz nodded, extending his arm across to Jake, thumb up, as though he intended to shake hands, ready to engage in Thumb War Battle. "If you are up to the challenge." He watched Upstead, clearly bemused.

"Of c-c-course!" Jake beamed, shifting his chair forwards and getting up to kneel on it so he was on a better level to compete. Man! He got to have a thumb war with Kazi!

As though limbering up, Jake bent and flexed his fingers a little, before interlocking his fingers and pushing out his hands, palm out, so his fingers made a satisfying series of popping sounds. After a small massage of each palm, Jake saw an immediate problem. He was left-handed, and that was Kazi's right hand.

Ah well... it didn't matter.

Now wary, Jake extended his right hand with his fingers curved around slightly, ready to interlock his fingers with Kazi's. Meanwhile, he considered the chant.

ZOMG, SO FUN!

XanaSnape · 02-24-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

"Of c-c-course!" Jake beamed, shifting his chair forwards and getting up to kneel on it so he was on a better level to compete. Man! He got to have a thumb war with Kazi!

As though limbering up, Jake bent and flexed his fingers a little, before interlocking his fingers and pushing out his hands, palm out, so his fingers made a satisfying series of popping sounds. After a small massage of each palm, Jake saw an immediate problem. He was left-handed, and that was Kazi's right hand.

Ah well... it didn't matter.

Now wary, Jake extended his right hand with his fingers curved around slightly, ready to interlock his fingers with Kazi's. Meanwhile, he considered the chant.

ZOMG, SO FUN!

Kazimeriz locked hands with Upstead. His knuckles were arthritic and gnarled, his skin tissue-paper thin and liver spotted... but his grip was surprisingly firm.

"I leave it to you to start the contest." He held his thumb up, far from Upstead's reach, as he waited for the boy to count off the start of the game.

Felixir · 02-24-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Kazimeriz locked hands with Upstead. His knuckles were arthritic and gnarled, his skin tissue-paper thin and liver spotted... but his grip was surprisingly firm.

"I leave it to you to start the contest." He held his thumb up, far from Upstead's reach, as he waited for the boy to count off the start of the game.

Jake had absolutely no qualms about the way Kazi's hands looked or felt; he used to thumb war battle whatever the heck it was with 8 year olds. And they tended to often have ICKY hands.

However, the old man's grip was... well... Jake was a little shocked, but he hid it very well for once. And already he could tell, from the way they were starting, that this would probably be a stalemate-filled warrrrr.

"Okay," Jake replied brightly, and bent his thumb a little. It was, of course, the hand he used to use in thumb wars, because of the sheer number of right-handers. But that was years ago.

"One, t-two, three, fuhh-four," Jake began, doing the whole side to side thing. "I dddeclare a thumb wwwar." Wasn't there another bit? "Fffive, six, ssseven, eight, b-better keep your thumb ssstraight. Nnnine, ten, let's b-begin."

And with that, Jake began by hurriedly swiping his thumb across the space they called 'no man's land'.

The game is afoot!

XanaSnape · 02-24-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

Jake had absolutely no qualms about the way Kazi's hands looked or felt; he used to thumb war battle whatever the heck it was with 8 year olds. And they tended to often have ICKY hands.

However, the old man's grip was... well... Jake was a little shocked, but he hid it very well for once. And already he could tell, from the way they were starting, that this would probably be a stalemate-filled warrrrr.

"Okay," Jake replied brightly, and bent his thumb a little. It was, of course, the hand he used to use in thumb wars, because of the sheer number of right-handers. But that was years ago.

"One, t-two, three, fuhh-four," Jake began, doing the whole side to side thing. "I dddeclare a thumb wwwar." Wasn't there another bit? "Fffive, six, ssseven, eight, b-better keep your thumb ssstraight. Nnnine, ten, let's b-begin."

And with that, Jake began by hurriedly swiping his thumb across the space they called 'no man's land'.

The game is afoot!

Kazimeriz grinned. The game was on. He watched for a moment as Upstead swished his thumb this way and that, and then lowered his thumb into an almost 'pinnable' position to make Upstead think he could trap his thumb for the 10-count...

Felixir · 02-24-2010, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Kazimeriz grinned. The game was on. He watched for a moment as Upstead swished his thumb this way and that, and then lowered his thumb into an almost 'pinnable' position to make Upstead think he could trap his thumb for the 10-count...

THERE IT WAS! That was Jakey's opening.

... Hmmmm...

At first, Jake did nothing. He kept his thumb poised up, the cogs in his mind turning as he worked out a strategy (yes, a strategy).

And then, with pretty good speed, Jake moved his thumb forwards and down, fully intending to do his little trick which involved pressing down onto the opponent's thumb with the tip of his own, and alot of pressure.

Sometimes, it made the thumb numb for a while.

So yeah, on Jake went... but if Kazi thought the boy was ignorant of the tricks in this game, he was mistaken. In the few seconds it took to make his move, Jake stayed ready to pull his thumb out of the way again.

XanaSnape · 02-24-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

THERE IT WAS! That was Jakey's opening.

... Hmmmm...

At first, Jake did nothing. He kept his thumb poised up, the cogs in his mind turning as he worked out a strategy (yes, a strategy).

And then, with pretty good speed, Jake moved his thumb forwards and down, fully intending to do his little trick which involved pressing down onto the opponent's thumb with the tip of his own, and alot of pressure.

Sometimes, it made the thumb numb for a while.

So yeah, on Jake went... but if Kazi thought the boy was ignorant of the tricks in this game, he was mistaken. In the few seconds it took to make his move, Jake stayed ready to pull his thumb out of the way again.

Kazimeriz smirked, allowing the boy to trap his thumb for just a moment.

And then, it was time to strike.

Defense!

The old wizard wordlessly made his own thumbs disappear, so Upstead would be trapping nothing. Nothing at all. He kept his grip on Jacob's hand though. Rules were rules, after all.

Counterattack!

He glanced at the small dish of thumbtacks on his desk blotter, and silently transfigured the thumbtacks into thumbs. He levitated them, shooting them lightning fast over to Upstead. The army of disembodied thumbs began poking and jabbing at Upstead from all directions in a full assault.

Well, after all, it was a Thumb War.

Felixir · 02-24-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Kazimeriz smirked, allowing the boy to trap his thumb for just a moment.

And then, it was time to strike.

Defense!

The old wizard wordlessly made his own thumbs disappear, so Upstead would be trapping nothing. Nothing at all. He kept his grip on Jacob's hand though. Rules were rules, after all.

Counterattack!

He glanced at the small dish of thumbtacks on his desk blotter, and silently transfigured the thumbtacks into thumbs. He levitated them, shooting them lightning fast over to Upstead. The army of disembodied thumbs began poking and jabbing at Upstead from all directions in a full assault.

Well, after all, it was a Thumb War.

BWAHAHAHAHA! Jake had him now!

The boy allowed a small smile to sliiiiide into his features and opened his mouth to start the 'I won thumb war' count.

But then-

"Huh?!"

Kazi's thumb DISAPPEARED! Like, GONE! Not even invisible! Jake felt his own thumb fall the little distance it had to go and, like lightening, he pulled it back up.

And THEN with all the jabbing and poking, Jake realised that Kazimeriz was... was he cheating? Well... he wasn't doing this the muggle way; that would show Jake to establish rules. Or to trust Kazi.

As he tried batting away the jabbing thumbs, Jake tucked the war!thumb back and out of the way, hidden behind Kaz's fingers, in case one of THESE thumbs tried to interfere. "Whuhh-whuhh-what are yyyou d-d-doing?" he stuttered, concentrating on making sure his eyes weren't jabbed.

XanaSnape · 02-24-2010, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

BWAHAHAHAHA! Jake had him now!

The boy allowed a small smile to sliiiiide into his features and opened his mouth to start the 'I won thumb war' count.

But then-

"Huh?!"

Kazi's thumb DISAPPEARED! Like, GONE! Not even invisible! Jake felt his own thumb fall the little distance it had to go and, like lightening, he pulled it back up.

And THEN with all the jabbing and poking, Jake realised that Kazimeriz was... was he cheating? Well... he wasn't doing this the muggle way; that would show Jake to establish rules. Or to trust Kazi.

As he tried batting away the jabbing thumbs, Jake tucked the war!thumb back and out of the way, hidden behind Kaz's fingers, in case one of THESE thumbs tried to interfere. "Whuhh-whuhh-what are yyyou d-d-doing?" he stuttered, concentrating on making sure his eyes weren't jabbed.

From behind the desk, Kazimeriz's left hand flicked toward Upstead from in his wand pocket as his right still held firm to Upstead's... His thumb reappeared, but BOTH Jake's thumbs had mysteriously gone absent.

The disembodied thumbs continued to poke and prod at Upstead, trying to provide an effective distraction.

"Winning." Kazimeriz said with a victorious grin. He drew his fist out of his left pocket and opened it. Inside were Upstead's own thumbs.

"Got'cher thumbs... 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10. As I have your thumbs held hostage, I do believe victory is mine. Care to win them back?" Kazimeriz's evil grin widened and his dark eyes twinkled like a grandfather playing 'got your nose!' with an innocent toddler.

Felixir · 02-24-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

From behind the desk, Kazimeriz's left hand flicked toward Upstead from in his wand pocket as his right still held firm to Upstead's... His thumb reappeared, but BOTH Jake's thumbs had mysteriously gone absent.

The disembodied thumbs continued to poke and prod at Upstead, trying to provide an effective distraction.

"Winning." Kazimeriz said with a victorious grin. He drew his fist out of his left pocket and opened it. Inside were Upstead's own thumbs.

"Got'cher thumbs... 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10. As I have your thumbs held hostage, I do believe victory is mine. Care to win them back?" Kazimeriz's evil grin widened and his dark eyes twinkled like a grandfather playing 'got your nose!' with an innocent toddler.

WHATWHATWHAT?!

Jake was soooooo confused... he was being all beat up by thumbs and everything and HE DIDN'T LIKE IT!

The boy continued trying to bat away the evil little body parts until he heard Kazi speak again.

D'OH! Never EVER trust an adult.

Jake looked down into Kazi's palm to see a couple of very familiar thumbs. The one he recognised to be his left even had that little callus on it from his teeth when he sucked his thumb. The boy looked like a really little kid who had a sweetie dangled in front of him and yanked away when he tried to grab it.

Raising his left hand to his face, Jake opened his mouth to stick the non-existant thumb in. NOTHING!

"Huhhh-how dddo I do thuhh-that?" he asked, looking soooo sadly at his left hand, and then to his right, where his fingers were still clasped within Kazi's.

Kazi had his thumb back.

Pure. Evil.

XanaSnape · 02-24-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

WHATWHATWHAT?!

Jake was soooooo confused... he was being all beat up by thumbs and everything and HE DIDN'T LIKE IT!

The boy continued trying to bat away the evil little body parts until he heard Kazi speak again.

D'OH! Never EVER trust an adult.

Jake looked down into Kazi's palm to see a couple of very familiar thumbs. The one he recognised to be his left even had that little callus on it from his teeth when he sucked his thumb. The boy looked like a really little kid who had a sweetie dangled in front of him and yanked away when he tried to grab it.

Raising his left hand to his face, Jake opened his mouth to stick the non-existant thumb in. NOTHING!

"Huhhh-how dddo I do thuhh-that?" he asked, looking soooo sadly at his left hand, and then to his right, where his fingers were still clasped within Kazi's.

Kazi had his thumb back.

Pure. Evil.

Kazimeriz chuckled. "Do not be silly, boy. I removed them while you were distracted." He let go of the boy's hand, shifting the boy's thumbs to his right hand so he could reach for his wand. He stopped the thumbs from their poking (one of them crooked itself as if to 'wave goodbye' to Upstead) and returned them to his thumbtack dish. He then changed them back to thumbtacks once more. "Now then. Let us discuss why you lost. Thoughts?"

Felixir · 02-24-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Kazimeriz chuckled. "Do not be silly, boy. I removed them while you were distracted." He let go of the boy's hand, shifting the boy's thumbs to his right hand so he could reach for his wand. He stopped the thumbs from their poking (one of them crooked itself as if to 'wave goodbye' to Upstead) and returned them to his thumbtack dish. He then changed them back to thumbtacks once more. "Now then. Let us discuss why you lost. Thoughts?"

Jake simply could not help the miniscule pouted that became present on his lips. He looked dejectedly at his own thumbs, then to his alien looking hands, and then to the thumbs that were flying away.

Quite disappointed in himself, Jake sat back in the chair, back to staring at his hands again. "Yuhh-you can ddddo muhh-magic," he mumbled resentfully, turning his hands over a few times. "I c-c-can't."

Then, as if properly thinking about it, he looked back up at Kazi. "I un-un-underes-estimm-timmmmmuhh... un... d-duh... es... tttim... ate... id yuhh-you," he pointed out, having obvious trouble with that word.

Frowning, Jake went back to looking at his hands. He once again raised his left hand to his face, and this time put his lips over where his thumb used to be.

Siiiiigh. It just wasn't the same.

XanaSnape · 02-25-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

Jake simply could not help the miniscule pouted that became present on his lips. He looked dejectedly at his own thumbs, then to his alien looking hands, and then to the thumbs that were flying away.

Quite disappointed in himself, Jake sat back in the chair, back to staring at his hands again. "Yuhh-you can ddddo muhh-magic," he mumbled resentfully, turning his hands over a few times. "I c-c-can't."

Then, as if properly thinking about it, he looked back up at Kazi. "I un-un-underes-estimm-timmmmmuhh... un... d-duh... es... tttim... ate... id yuhh-you," he pointed out, having obvious trouble with that word.

Frowning, Jake went back to looking at his hands. He once again raised his left hand to his face, and this time put his lips over where his thumb used to be.

Siiiiigh. It just wasn't the same.

"Do not behave like a baby." Kazimeriz said rather sharply. "You are correct- you underestimated me and you did not set the rules of engagement. But you are also wrong-- you CAN do magic. You would not be admitted to this school if you could not." Kazimeriz shrugged, rattling the thumbs in his hand as though they were dice. "So now you sit there, with no thumbs. What are you going to do about it?" He looked at the boy, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Felixir · 02-25-2010, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

"Do not behave like a baby." Kazimeriz said rather sharply. "You are correct- you underestimated me and you did not set the rules of engagement. But you are also wrong-- you CAN do magic. You would not be admitted to this school if you could not." Kazimeriz shrugged, rattling the thumbs in his hand as though they were dice. "So now you sit there, with no thumbs. What are you going to do about it?" He looked at the boy, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Jake flinched as Kazi seemed to snap at him, and he frowned, pouting slightly. "I'm nnnnot behaving like a b-b-baby!" he replied, lips still on the side of his hand. He wanted his thumbs back!

Staring at Kazi's hand with dismay, Jake shrugged his shoulders. "I d-d-don't knuhh-know," he mumbled, moving his hand round to stick his pinky finger in his mouth. It would have to do for now as a substitute for sucking his thumb.

"I c-c-can't have a tthhhumb war ffffor them," he said darkly, surprised by his own injection of humour.

XanaSnape · 02-26-2010, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

Jake flinched as Kazi seemed to snap at him, and he frowned, pouting slightly. "I'm nnnnot behaving like a b-b-baby!" he replied, lips still on the side of his hand. He wanted his thumbs back!

Staring at Kazi's hand with dismay, Jake shrugged his shoulders. "I d-d-don't knuhh-know," he mumbled, moving his hand round to stick his pinky finger in his mouth. It would have to do for now as a substitute for sucking his thumb.

"I c-c-can't have a tthhhumb war ffffor them," he said darkly, surprised by his own injection of humour.

Kazimeriz chuckled. "I do not suppose you could, at that. Think on this: What if I were to keep them? What would you do about that?" The old man played with the thumbs in one hand, still shaking them like macabre dice.

One thing was certain. The boy had to earn them back. He was not getting off easily.

Felixir · 02-26-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Kazimeriz chuckled. "I do not suppose you could, at that. Think on this: What if I were to keep them? What would you do about that?" The old man played with the thumbs in one hand, still shaking them like macabre dice.

One thing was certain. The boy had to earn them back. He was not getting off easily.

Biting on his nails (he could no longer chew on his thumbnail), Jake considered the old man's words. What the heck was going on here? Jake was pretty sure this had started out as a harmless debate. He still had so much to ask the man.

"Errr..." he stalled for a moment, looking around the room as though to get some ideas. "I'd ssssssteal them. And fuhh-fuh-find someone to hhhelp put thhhuh-them back on."

Because he COULDN'T be without his thumbs, in his mind.

"Sssssir. I ggave you tuhh-two examples of ssssomething I'd wuhh-win at, and you ch-chose one and wwwon. You c-c-could give me a ch-ch-choice of two things that would bbbbe a challenge fffor me, and I puh-puh-puh-pick one."

He bit his lip, considering his response. It seemed really stupid now. "I d-d-don't know..." Jake finished, mumbling, and he stared down at his knees.

XanaSnape · 02-26-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

Biting on his nails (he could no longer chew on his thumbnail), Jake considered the old man's words. What the heck was going on here? Jake was pretty sure this had started out as a harmless debate. He still had so much to ask the man.

"Errr..." he stalled for a moment, looking around the room as though to get some ideas. "I'd ssssssteal them. And fuhh-fuh-find someone to hhhelp put thhhuh-them back on."

Because he COULDN'T be without his thumbs, in his mind.

"Sssssir. I ggave you tuhh-two examples of ssssomething I'd wuhh-win at, and you ch-chose one and wwwon. You c-c-could give me a ch-ch-choice of two things that would bbbbe a challenge fffor me, and I puh-puh-puh-pick one."

He bit his lip, considering his response. It seemed really stupid now. "I d-d-don't know..." Jake finished, mumbling, and he stared down at his knees.

Steal them? Kazimeriz raised an eyebrow. Then the boy presented an intriguing idea. "What I want from you, Upstead, is not to win a contest or a challenge, nor a game. What I want from you is self-discipline. I want to hear you take honest personal responsibility and to exhibit self control. With that in mind... " He placed the thumbs on the desk in front of Upstead.

"You will have back use of your thumbs, but with a caveat." He took out his wand and cast a spell on the thumbs. The glowed blue for a moment, then returned to their normal though disembodied appearance. "I will reattach them for your use, but you will know this: There are three things in this world which separate us from most animals-- critical thought, personal responsibility and opposable thumbs. Take away either of these and you might as well be a troll." Kazimeriz smirked. His eyes glittered with the possibility of THAT particular transfiguration.

"So-- my little challenge to you is this: You will go about your life as normal. However, you will at all times utilize your aptitude for critical thought and self-discipline. No outbursts of uncontrolled emotion. No impulsive behavior. No misbehaving. You will stop blaming other people for events in your past- inattentive parent, poor teachings. You will instead accept that whatever obstacles you have faced in the past, you can control no day but today. Take personal responsibility for the man, the wizard that you hope to be and act upon that. If you do these things, you will not find yourself having to chase after your own runaway thumbs, for they have been charmed to run away from you with shame if you do not act like a proper gentleman who deserves their use." His livery old lips stretched in a victorious grin.

"Now... Why don't you put your thumbs back where they belong? Carpe diem, Mr. Upstead. Carpe diem."

Felixir · 02-26-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Steal them? Kazimeriz raised an eyebrow. Then the boy presented an intriguing idea. "What I want from you, Upstead, is not to win a contest or a challenge, nor a game. What I want from you is self-discipline. I want to hear you take honest personal responsibility and to exhibit self control. With that in mind... " He placed the thumbs on the desk in front of Upstead.

"You will have back use of your thumbs, but with a caveat." He took out his wand and cast a spell on the thumbs. The glowed blue for a moment, then returned to their normal though disembodied appearance. "I will reattach them for your use, but you will know this: There are three things in this world which separate us from most animals-- critical thought, personal responsibility and opposable thumbs. Take away either of these and you might as well be a troll." Kazimeriz smirked. His eyes glittered with the possibility of THAT particular transfiguration.

"So-- my little challenge to you is this: You will go about your life as normal. However, you will at all times utilize your aptitude for critical thought and self-discipline. No outbursts of uncontrolled emotion. No impulsive behavior. No misbehaving. You will stop blaming other people for events in your past- inattentive parent, poor teachings. You will instead accept that whatever obstacles you have faced in the past, you can control no day but today. Take personal responsibility for the man, the wizard that you hope to be and act upon that. If you do these things, you will not find yourself having to chase after your own runaway thumbs, for they have been charmed to run away from you with shame if you do not act like a proper gentleman who deserves their use." His livery old lips stretched in a victorious grin.

"Now... Why don't you put your thumbs back where they belong? Carpe diem, Mr. Upstead. Carpe diem."

Was it just him, or was Kazi using alot of really complicated words?

Jake just stared as Kazi spoke, and bit his lip yet again. Basically he had to be good. That was exactly what Jake was asking for help with, but yet it still seemed exceedingly unfair.

In actual fact, at the sight of the grin from Kazi, Jake wanted to say something in retort that would wipe the smile off his face.

But no. Biting his tongue for the time being, Jake reached for his thumbs and balanced them back on his hands, ready for them to be attatched, knowing to put the callused one on the left hand.

"Sssir," he said slowly, wondering quite how far this went. "How lllong will it luhh-last?" Jake changed track straight away. He'd wanted to ask whether sucking his thumb would count as being non-gentlemanly or whatever, since it was something he did when he was upset and stuff... but if the spell didn't include that, he might end up making it so.

Anyway... moving on.

"An'... my sssstutter? Would you huhh-help? An'... an' th-there was sssomething else."

He'd already decided not to bring up Tibi's detentions; that was none of his business and Jake KNEW he'd get angry when talking about that subject.

Jake was trying to change the subject, but he couldn't help but thunk about how often he'd be chasing his thumbs in the future.

XanaSnape · 02-26-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

Was it just him, or was Kazi using alot of really complicated words?

Jake just stared as Kazi spoke, and bit his lip yet again. Basically he had to be good. That was exactly what Jake was asking for help with, but yet it still seemed exceedingly unfair.

In actual fact, at the sight of the grin from Kazi, Jake wanted to say something in retort that would wipe the smile off his face.

But no. Biting his tongue for the time being, Jake reached for his thumbs and balanced them back on his hands, ready for them to be attatched, knowing to put the callused one on the left hand.

"Sssir," he said slowly, wondering quite how far this went. "How lllong will it luhh-last?" Jake changed track straight away. He'd wanted to ask whether sucking his thumb would count as being non-gentlemanly or whatever, since it was something he did when he was upset and stuff... but if the spell didn't include that, he might end up making it so.

Anyway... moving on.

"An'... my sssstutter? Would you huhh-help? An'... an' th-there was sssomething else."

He'd already decided not to bring up Tibi's detentions; that was none of his business and Jake KNEW he'd get angry when talking about that subject.

Jake was trying to change the subject, but he couldn't help but thunk about how often he'd be chasing his thumbs in the future.

"The effects will wear off when I remove the charm or when you are able to self-manage without a concerted daily effort-- when it becomes habit, in other words, to behave like a gentleman should." He sipped his tea, and flicked his wand carelessly. The thumbs reattached as if they had never been gone. There. Now they had a magical contract (of sorts) for Upstead to behave himself at all times... or suffer the penalties.

"As for your stutter, there are potions and therapies that may help resolve or at least lessen the impediment. However, I should like to discuss this with Healer Ashford as it is more her area of expertise. If you like, I shall be happy to owl her and at the lady's convenience, we could meet with you and see what can be done." The man would take your thumb or tongue privileges, or curse you without batting an eye, but he wasn't inhumane. But it was a health issue, and so it was appropriate that a healer manage the case.

Besides, it was a good excuse to meet with Healer Ashford again... He might need to call on her again in his next class, so establishing a rapport seemed like a wise idea.

"What else did you wish to discuss with me today?"

Felixir · 02-26-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

"The effects will wear off when I remove the charm or when you are able to self-manage without a concerted daily effort-- when it becomes habit, in other words, to behave like a gentleman should." He sipped his tea, and flicked his wand carelessly. The thumbs reattached as if they had never been gone. There. Now they had a magical contract (of sorts) for Upstead to behave himself at all times... or suffer the penalties.

"As for your stutter, there are potions and therapies that may help resolve or at least lessen the impediment. However, I should like to discuss this with Healer Ashford as it is more her area of expertise. If you like, I shall be happy to owl her and at the lady's convenience, we could meet with you and see what can be done." The man would take your thumb or tongue privileges, or curse you without batting an eye, but he wasn't inhumane. But it was a health issue, and so it was appropriate that a healer manage the case.

Besides, it was a good excuse to meet with Healer Ashford again... He might need to call on her again in his next class, so establishing a rapport seemed like a wise idea.

"What else did you wish to discuss with me today?"

Jake wrinkled his nose and looked at his thumbs. Well... at least he had them back. Almost subconsciously, Jake raised his thumb to his mouth and chewed on the end of it; an old habit.

"The hhhhealer?" he asked nervously, remembering that encounter in Lawson's office with the woman. Plus... how many times had he visited the woman?

Still... "I'd lllike that very mmmuch if yuhh-you could ddo that for me ssssir."

Oh! Speaking of Lawson. "B-b-before I ffforget... that amulet you tttook off me last yyyear was gggiven to me by Lllawson. Cuhh-can I, err... hhave it back?" And then, realising what Kazi might interpret from that question, Jake went on hurriedly. "T-t-to return it. Nnnnot use it. If yyyou tuh-tuh-trust me, that is..."

And now to the final point. The most important.

"I... I errr... wwwwanted to ask fffor muh-more informmmation on thuhh-that pppotion thing from the lllesson. Where I asked... if a ppppregnant woman was to tttake it..." Dang! What was the thing called? It sounded like amortentia, but had the 'agg' in there somewhere. "And... like... dddo you think it's wwwworth me persuading my p-p-parents to get me ch-checked fffor... that thhhing you mmmentioned?"

XanaSnape · 02-26-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoerawrr

Jake wrinkled his nose and looked at his thumbs. Well... at least he had them back. Almost subconsciously, Jake raised his thumb to his mouth and chewed on the end of it; an old habit.

"The hhhhealer?" he asked nervously, remembering that encounter in Lawson's office with the woman. Plus... how many times had he visited the woman?

Still... "I'd lllike that very mmmuch if yuhh-you could ddo that for me ssssir."

Oh! Speaking of Lawson. "B-b-before I ffforget... that amulet you tttook off me last yyyear was gggiven to me by Lllawson. Cuhh-can I, err... hhave it back?" And then, realising what Kazi might interpret from that question, Jake went on hurriedly. "T-t-to return it. Nnnnot use it. If yyyou tuh-tuh-trust me, that is..."

And now to the final point. The most important.

"I... I errr... wwwwanted to ask fffor muh-more informmmation on thuhh-that pppotion thing from the lllesson. Where I asked... if a ppppregnant woman was to tttake it..." Dang! What was the thing called? It sounded like amortentia, but had the 'agg' in there somewhere. "And... like... dddo you think it's wwwworth me persuading my p-p-parents to get me ch-checked fffor... that thhhing you mmmentioned?"

Kazimeriz considered for a looooong moment. "Absolutely, I think it is worth getting an evaluation. It is possible that Healer Ashford might be able to make such an analysis, though I do not know the scope of her background so it may be something you would need to see a specialist for... someone with a strong background in latent potions damage analysis. I personally learned of disorder when in Auror training; one of our areas of study was applied potions and spell damage in psychological profiling and criminal behavior investigation. It is a fascinating disorder, as aggrotentia is a fascinating-- though dangerous-- potion. And if your mother was exposed to it either before or during her pregnancy, that latent damage could explain not only your difficulty mastering spellwork but also your conduct issues and even your speech impediment. Not that it would excuse you from working to overcome these issues, mind you. You are still responsible for your own choices, regardless of the obstacles you face in life."

He picked up his quill and began dashing off a note. "I will write Healer Ashford at once, and we can meet whenever it is convenient to you-- I will send my patronus to you or an owl when she is available."

"And Upstead?" He slid open a drawer and pulled out a small leather drawstring pouch which contained Lawson's amulet. He handed it to Upstead wordlessly.

"Take care to keep your self-control... and your thumbs " He met Upstead's eyes, as if to say I am trusting you. Do not disappoint me.

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