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 Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:00 pm
It was the early afternoon. The sky was lined with strings of bright white marshmallow clouds. They pocked the sky and created art unlike any on Earth. Behind them, they spread across a baby blue canvas that seemed to stretch into eternity. It was lit by the glowing yellow sun that gave an edge to all the clouds. For a moment, they looked to have gold linings that led the way to dreams.
This was all well and good, but the British student didn't care much about this at all. Instead, he clutched a note in his hand. The paper was white, and crumpling around the edges. Nat's forehead resembled the paper. His whole face was pale, and his brows furrowed and his forehead wrinkled. The Headmaster had requested to see him. He was nearly positive that Aussie punk had said something, but it really wasn't his style, was it? No. He definitely seemed like the sort to take care of things personally.
So what was it? Why had the ultimate force of direction of the school asked to see him? He wasn't even an official student of either department yet. He'd caused no problems. Made no breakthroughs. He hadn't broken anything. And he wasn't smarter than all the other kids. So what did he want with him?
These thoughts took up his mind until he found himself standing in front of the office. He felt like a prisoner awaiting judgment. Would he be executed? Was he to be spared? Spare the rod, spoil the child. Perhaps, perhaps not. He calmed these thoughts, put on a poker face perfect for the most important man around. His face was the epitome of smiles and manners. He clutched the note tighter, and noticed the large door was ajar.
Still, he had manners to uphold, and he knocked. Curiosity promoted him to poke his head partly in, chocolate brown strands falling into his poison green eyes. "Headmaster sir?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:31 pm
The Headmaster was dressed in his normal regalia, sans his jacket. He wore a clean white dress shirt beneath a grey pinstriped vest and similarly colored tie, clean monocle familiarly pressed over his eye. One hand was in the pocket of his slacks, the other holding papers to which his attention was fixated upon. He had called in one of his students for a small test, not that the student in question would know. That would ruin the fun, wouldn't it?
Norman turned his head as he heard the polite knock, a smile crossing his features and taking years off his appearance. "Mr. Jacobson, I've been expecting you. Please, come in." He motioned in to his office, using the movement to put the papers back on his desk. The older man partially sat upon his desk, smile intact as he considered the youth. One of the first real promising ones to come to his school, one he had been watching.
"Mr. Jacobson - might I call you Nathaniel? - thank you for coming. I have a task for you, if you're willing. It's a personal request, nothing tricky I assure you, but it's a thing I think you'd be capable of."
Was he toying with the student? Not really. He'd heard from various teachers and his application that Nat favored cooking and experimentation. This was, for all intents and purposes, a check up on the quiet boy, but for said purpose it would come across as something else. There was a portable stove against the far wall, possibly hidden by the open door, but fully visible once inside. The rest would be explained upon the boy's reaction.
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:29 pm
Gingerly, light of step, the boy walked in. His back was straight, his eyes bright and proud, but not too proud so that he'd seem arrogant. He was respectful of the other, and easily pushed back more strands from his eyes to seem more appealing. He certainly did not want to look like a disheveled mess in front of this important man. And yet, he was still nervous. There was no reason to be called down... and yet... and yet. The Headmaster was asking for something from him.
He gave Headmaster Prinwaltz and brilliant smile and then nodded partially as he came all the way up to the desk, now only a few feet away. Without thinking, he easily nodded again to the Headmaster's request to call him Nathaniel. Being called that by someone so important made him sort of proud. He still was just a boy after all.
"A task?" he replied curiously in a brightly polite voice. "I would be honored to assist you, Headmaster sir." And he meant it too.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:40 pm
Norman smiled, inclining his head. "A simple task, truthfully, hardly worth your effort but one I hope you'll enjoy." He pushed himself off the desk, walking towards the makeshift oven and motioning towards it. "I've been told you have a knack for cooking, and it so happens one of my favorite treats is cookies."
His back was turned at this point as he approached the oven, and he couldn't help but smile. No doubt the youth was somewhat surprised by his offer, but he did have his reasons. "If you have the time, I'd like you to prepare some with me. Have a little time to chat with me." It was the latter part he was counting on to keep Nat in the office, not that he expected the student to scoff and flee at the mention of baking. He knew the young man had a sense of respect and consideration, and would not be so easily deterred.
"What do you say?" Norman turned his smile to Nat, indicating the ingredients already laid out by the oven.
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:35 am
Faithfully, Nathaniel watched the other walk towards the oven which he had not previously noticed. His eyes widened a little, pleasure sparkling in those bright green orbs. For a moment, he seemed blown away and the very idea went over his head. Never in his wildest dreams had he figured he would be invited to do such a thing. He'd been terrified of some kind of consequence, but found only a reward. It had been such a long time since he'd properly cooked anything. And although these were merely cookies, he could not help but long to enjoy making it. It had always been calming, the mindless task of droning onward in your work, thinking merely of the next step in time and nothing else. Not past nor future, just what was next.
In shock, he nodded a little, stepping towards the oven and the Headmaster. After another few moments, he'd closed the gap of the room and was standing only a foot away from the Headmaster and the oven. His eyes roamed over it, smiling slightly. It wasn't a facade, that smile. It was real and he looked back to the other with a brightened face, "Yes of course!"
Wincing a little as he heard the excitement in his own voice, he coughed a little and assumed a more respectable stance, still trying not to grin from ear to ear, "I mean... I would love to Headmaster. I truly would, thank you." And he bowed his head a little even, to prove it.
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:26 pm
He couldn't help but laugh at the young man's enthusiastic response; it made Norman feel better, that perhaps this young man still had some childish wonder in him. "You may call me Norman while you're here. If you're more comfortable with Headmaster, that's fine too. Whatever you'd like." A smile crinkled the corners of the man's eyes, a quiet chuckling accompanying it. He was pleased with the reaction.
Extending his hand towards the oven, he commented loftily, "Now, I have never made these from scratch so I'm afraid you'll have to take the lead. I'm used to the pre-packaged goods." His voice was almost mournful, as if it were truly a crime. "The mall isn't carrying the dough anymore - not enough supply and demand from just me, you see - so this old dog will need to learn some new tricks."
Norman chuckled again, moving behind Nathaniel at a respectful distance, looking over everything gathered. "I hope that will be enough to work with. We even have some foreign spice in there, although what we'd do with it is beyond me." The Headmaster was easily amused, and cheered by the prospect of fresh cookies. His office would smell delicious for days. "I am a basic cook, I can survive but sweets and pastries are a delicacy to my ability. If you don't mind my asking, Nathaniel, how'd you find an interest in cooking?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:21 pm
Already, the gears in that brown-haired head of the boy's were whirling. The Brit's mind was trying to get around everything that was happening. Naturally he knew a basic cookie dough recipe by heart, and he could even spruce it up with all these materials. He wondered if the other had a preference on the type of cookie though. It was funny how his mind could go from serious poisons to cooking recipes in only moments. First name basis with the Headmaster? Even if it was only in the confines of these walls, he couldn't help but stand a little straighter and let a very very slight flush crawl across his cheeks.
A part of him mentally checked off what he'd need and how much, and then rolled up his sleeves as he turned to the nearby sink and began to wash his hands. Not only did he have to set a good example, but as a lover of cooking he had to have cleanliness. You simply couldn't cook with bare hands. Who knew where they'd been? And so after he'd washed and dried them, he assessed the ingredients once more.
Then he looked at the Headmaster and smiled brightly, "It's a very easy recipe, Headmaster." First name allowed or not, he just didn't have the guts or the ability to betray proper manners. "This is plenty, I know a few secrets I can use..." and to this he laughed a little, as if he were a little kid again. Flushing, he stopped and looked away, pulling out the eggs he'd need from the carton.
"My Aunt taught me. I found that mixing ingredients was the most enjoyable thing to keep my mind off ...other things..." he said, seeming to get slightly depressed. Then he smiled again, refusing to let a crack show. It didn't much matter that he'd picked it up as a refuge from reality did it? That he had begun cooking in order to ease the pain of his parent's death? Nor that his fascination in mixing things and wanting revenge had created his passion for poison. That wasn't vital to this conversation, was it?
((1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar (granulated or powdered
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. sifted all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder))
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:54 am
The older man watched the student prepare, smiling to himself as Nathaniel went into autopilot and began preparing the requested sweets. Dark blue eyes were as pleasant as could be, not at all betraying any thoughts of emotions besides his light smile as the youth went between simple hygeine procedure to talking about himself. "Oh I'm glad it's easy," he intoned, "maybe there'll be some hope for me yet if I can ever get around to doing it myself."
Norman moved next to Nat to observe, listening with a slight nod. "You have come a long way, haven't you." Of course the Headmaster knew the student's parents were gone; he had read the application, after all, and 'deceased' next to each name was a fair indication. "It does this old man good to see all our Saviors aren't completely numb to simple pleasures. I do appreciate it," he repeated kindly.
He knew not to bring up too sore of a memory, but he did acknowledge the loss and keep it in the forefront of his mind. Nathaniel's well being was the important part of this, and that was what he wanted to ensure. "Do you cook often in your free time? Oh my, that was presumptuous," he ammended, "do you have any free time of which to cook for yourself? That might be a better question."
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:23 pm
The smile seemed like a permanent etch of pain upon his heart. It was a lie, wasn't it? Nothing could keep his mind off their death. Nothing really mattered except that. He would have his revenge, no matter how he accomplished it. And yet, to tell this to the Headmaster didn't seem like such a smart ideas. So he would keep his thoughts to himself, he was sure his intentions could become clear soon enough. For now, he should enjoy this opportunity to chat with so important a man. As he did this, he was multi-tasking. Measuring out various amounts of butter and sugar. He'd already cracked the eggs in a bowl and was slowly sifting together the mixture of sugar and butter. Which would then get mixed with eggs, and then flour and baking powder and vanilla. And maybe a little few extras while he was at it.
He looked at the man for a moment, and then tilted his head, hands still mixing, "Forgive me if this sounds presumptuous, Headmaster, but I could teach you. It really isn't difficult at all." There was a happy tone to his words. Cooking really was one of his few enjoyments in this sorry existence he called life. And at the Headmaster's next few words, he remained relatively silent, taking in the compliments with quiet modesty. It was nice... to be appreciated for something. Not many people appreciated him for anything. In fact, most people thought he was a stuck up spoiled brat. What he didn't understand was why punks like them were any better.
Unfortunately, even though he could multi-task, he didn't have much time to dwell on these thoughts for the other had asked yet another question. Free time? He supposed he had some of that. When he wasn't studying or surrounding himself with books. But to cook for himself? No. For some reason, he just didn't do it. Whether it be from the lack of interest at the ingredients and supplies, or just the drive of his research, it just wasn't an option anymore. "Sadly," and he turned back to mixing the butter and sugar, finally adding them into the eggs, "I don't cook for myself often. I do have free time when I'm not doing research... but I just haven't been able to ... whip myself something up." He gave a small laugh, although it was sort of obvious he wasn't amused by his own joke. Not that he was even used to using jokes. So it rather ended up clashing with him and ended in failure anyway. Although he was proper, and had indeed come a long way, he still had such a long way to go.
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:07 am
A dark brow arched over his monocle, but Norman was smiling. He had expected some bitterness, perhaps even resentment for bringing up the student's family, but Nat seemed to be handling it well. The Headmaster had been mildly concerned that the wound was still open and festering; he was right, to a degree, but he'd have no way of knowing what really lay beneath that dark gaze and heavy mind.
The older man smiled suddenly, touched by Nat's offer to teach him. "That's very considerate of you," he remarked thoughtfully, "and perhaps I shall take you up on that next time! As it is, I don't believe my current outfit is appropriate for such a fun task." He tugged thoughtfully on his vest, making a soft 'hmm'ing noise under his breath. "That is, if you're up for a next time? We should likely wait until we conclude this meeting first." He chuckled to himself, so easily excited by the idea of being taught how to make his favorite treat. Norman, with all his brilliance and quiet demeanor, still has his own quirks and weakness. How easy he could be exploited!
Brushing away his amusing thoughts mentally, he nodded thoughtfully at Nat's words, dark blue gaze shifting around as the student multi-tasked. Inwardly, he was measuring the youth's ability to touch on a delicate subject, to keep himself composed and do a task at the same time. Outwardly, he was simply admiring the ingredients as they were blended. Selfishly, he had to keep himself from trying to sample the batter as it was creamed. "Or, maybe next time we can plan a dinner! You can have your friends over or any teachers you'd prefer...have ourselves a small banquet amongst friends."
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 11:12 pm
Joy. Pain. Concern. They were all fleeting emotions. Emotions as lofty as the wind. They came and went as they pleased, leaving a bitter emptiness of nothing. Even happiness was painful when gone. And it always left. Such a thing never stayed and was all too rare, found primarily in moments of the most dire and particular sorts. For now, the was a gruesome internal conflict raging war beneath the chamber's of the young Brit's heart. It was a dutiful mind that kept him churning away at things, finally bringing all the batter together and mixing it into that would-be goop called dough. And this dutiful mind also allowed him to multi-task with small snippets of conversation.
The older man's laughter seemed to only spur on a smile and true giddy feeling. After all, he was only fourteen. Hardly a teenager, still very much a child, and yet so much was placed on him. Wasn't it okay to be a kid once in awhile? In the kitchen, amongst such high-ranking and pleasant company, he could not help but feel slightly blissful though aware of his would-be comparable situation. Letting the man finish before he was to speak, a once jovial reply turned sour and died on his lips.
Plan a dinner? Friends? Banquet? What were they celebrating? Something about the whole idea struck a chord. A nerve, if you would. It wasn't right. There was nothing to celebrate. Even this thing, what he was doing right now. It was pointless. He could be anywhere but this. Enjoying himself? Having a good time? This wasn't how things were, but he couldn't let these emotions take over right now. Struggling for a few moments, he lost himself to the task of stirring before giving a thoughtful answer, his voice slightly hard and far-less jovial than before: "I'm not quite sure that's appropriate, if you'll forgive me for thinking so. I'm sure my friend," and here he made it quite clear he had but one, "and any of the teachers, are rather busy. Perhaps it would be unwise to disturb them, even for a banquet."
And in his mind... especially for a banquet.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:49 pm
It was the delay in response that first prompted the man to know he'd struck something painful. Even a response about his family hadn't taken so long, so this...this was something he'd need to take a look into. Norman made a mental note to ask Ardanay if anything had come up that he'd known of. The Headmaster listened when the boy did speak, and while his smile didn't do so much as waver, his eyes took on a light hue of understanding.
"Appropriate," he repeated quietly, the single word something like a weight between them. There was more bitterness than he'd first anticipated. Would he chastize the boy? No, of course not. Unless Nat elaborated on his thought process, Norman was not one to assume nor pass judgement without knowing. He hadn't been in politics all this time for the fun of it; there was a careful manner of which all things were balanced, professional and personal.
In a lofty voice, he finally replied, "As you wish." The Headmaster would not push the issue, not until he knew more. He certainly didn't expect Nat to volunteer any such information, so he would need to do some investigating with his teachers and Advisors. Norman did not regret calling this meeting for one second, no matter how the student may have felt about it; he wouldn't trade the time to know his students for anything. Even if the situation was hard...the saying goes, it's darkest before the dawn, and he could only hold onto that hope for his troubled pupil.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:14 pm
Of course it would dampen things. A response like that couldn't not. But Nathaniel was far too busy with his inner conflicts to really pay attention to any of the facial expressions of his Headmaster for clues. Playing games... cooking? Taking a break? Everyone had to do things like this once in awhile. That was why his aunt had always dragged him away from his books after so many hours. She insisted that it wasn't good for him to be doing research that long. But there seemed to be so much to study, formulate, and go over. And yet... and yet... hadn't he enjoyed sitting outside just as much? Looking at the sky? Or cooking up some dinner? He'd liked that too.
Had it been wrong then? Was he betraying his parent's memories by not working on revenge? His father would say he should study harder, he knew. But his mother... what would his mother think? She'd want him to enjoy himself. So was this wrong? No. This was a valuable moment of his time. Valuable to his life, to his everything. And he was worried now. What if he'd made a bad impression upon the Headmaster?
Looking up at him with his acid green eyes, the other didn't look disturbed, but he knew that perhaps he had indeed gone too far. And so he tried to smile, almost apologetically, even though he knew it probably wasn't very convincing after how serious he'd become. Of course he would get upset about these 'games'... he should've been working. His family wasn't a source of distress only because he'd spoken about his aunt. She wasn't dead, why should he be upset about her? It was his ...his mother... that was dead. His mother and his father.
Turning quickly back to the bowl, he removed the spoon from the mix and stepped back a little. "It needs time... to rise a little." And at this, he still couldn't bring himself to look back at the elder.
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:34 pm
The silence that followed between the two was deafening, although Norman's expression never wavered. He did not think ill of his pupil for it; he knew well that Nat was a teenager, and such was the age where things became muddled and more difficult to handle. As a Headmaster, he wanted to ensure that his students were receiving the best treatment available, with every resource possible to them; as a man, he wanted them to find peace, through means both agreeable and possible. He would not begrudge the youth his musings.
He wanted to make some analogy of growth to the cookie dough, but it was silly even to him. He tried anyway. "Most of us just need time to reach our potential," he tried to sound serious, but he mostly came off as being light-hearted and as silly as he thought. "No need to rush such delicate things. I'm certainly not going anywhere."
The Headmaster chuckled to himself, moving to the side to pick up the tray and bring it closer to Nat. He set it down by the ingredients, mindful not to knock anything over, and equally mindful not to glance over to Nat as much as he wanted to. Norman simply wanted to convey that things could continue on as they were, without such heavy musings and painful memories. While it had and had not been his intention to bring up the bad memories, it had never been his intention to hurt the young man.
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:03 pm
'Potential? Did cookie dough have potential?' Nat mused thoughtfully and then sighed. The Headmaster was probably trying to imply something else, something to repair everything and make it normal again. But things weren't that easy. Could never be so easy. Nathaniel could do this a hundred times. He could have this same exact conversation a million times, and it would never be easy, never be normal. He would simply have to ignore the true meaning and take it as literal as possible. There was no point in commenting on being told things like this.
Being told that he'd learn in time. Or he'd mature. Or it would make sense when 'he grew up'. None of that mattered. Time wouldn't change anything. But he wasn't impatient either. Delicate processes were just that, delicate. To rush them was nothing short of imbecilic. And the British lad was none of those things. So he simply smiled and gave a small polite laugh at the other's little analogy before moving to grease the pan a little. The skillful way he coated it suggested that he was easily absorbing himself back into the task of cooking; a task he utterly loved and enjoyed as much as his poison research.
Minutes passed, and he was still watching the dough, which seemed to be expanding in the bowl ever so slowly. However, the silence was becoming far too awkward and Nat was shifting on his feet. It felt like he was being watched, and moment's like this didn't bode well with him. It felt as if he was being analyzed a little too much, but unlike other people, he wasn't so social that he needed to fill silence with sound. Still... a little chat would be better. But what to say? There were still at least ten minutes before he could do anything with the dough that was useful.
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