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Entering in the barnyard, you are greeted with the rows of gated stables. Those who have been in "The Stables" previously will first notice the absence of being first greeted by Winged Horses. Where could they be? Why they've just been moved even further down towards the opposite open double-doors for easier access. Instead of fully cleaned out stables before you however, you see new creature inhabitants. Some familiar-looking from earlier classes and outdoor playpens, some not so familiar-looking.. Nearby the stables you see the wall with pink-glittered gloves and apron by the refilling tray of food. It looks fairly cozy otherwise around here now.
SPOILER!!: Assigned Stables
Flobberworms:
- Hairy & Lucy
- Matilda
Augureys: - Eddy
- Susie
Fairies:
- Tails & Tinker, Fairy & Bell | Owner(s): Angel & Aubrey Valentine (Harry174 & PhoenixStar)
- One girl fairy (rainbow wings with a purple dot) | Owner(s): Ezekiel Rogers (Hera)
- Two fairies |Owner(s): Benjamin Atreyu (Holmesian Feline)
- Two fairies (charmed electric punk haired) | Owner(s): Puck Greyvson (Optimist)
- Zelda & Lily | Owner(s): Sophie Brown (feeheeheeny)
- One fairy with dimples | Owner(s): Gabriel Banner (Govoni) & Zahra Kettleburn (Mad Eye Touz)
- Fred, Duffy & Snooki | Owner(s): Eden McGee (kayquilz) & Layla Ackerly (Lottiepot)
- Violet (purple wings) & Trinny (pink wings); (Gold-tinted hair) | Owner(s): Beverly Wayne (Deezers)
- Skye (shorter hair, taller) & Lisa | Owner(s): Grayson Whitlock (hermionesclone)
- Justin (longer blue wings) & Tinkerbelle (pink wings) | Owner(s): Kace Lecium (Expecto-Penguin)
- ( One transparent wings) & ( One taller, multi-coloured wings) | Owner(s): Aditya Rehman (FearlessLeader19)
- Cordelia (tallest girl), Puck, Tink (largest wings) & Spyro (purple and smallest) | Owner(s): Tobias Fuller-Thompson (Felixir)
- Two fairies | Owner(s): Lux Carrington (Squishy) - Trout (silver wings), Eggplant (purple wings) | Donated by: Alexa Cambridge (DaniDiNardo)
- Berry (blue wings), Salmon (pink wings) | Owner(s): Dima Toussaint (lemon)
Once again, Toby's default reaction was to go straight to defensive.
"No," he said, with feeling, and fighting the urge to fidget around where he stood. "I was just checking... in case you didn't... want to." Awk. They'd just been over that, after all. Toby decided not to look right at him this time. "Sorry." He thought about explaining why he kept asking but... no. No, no. Shutting up altogether was probably the wisest course of action.
No? No. No right? Right. That seemed to be the conclusion. Probably the most definite one he'd gotten all day.
Still it was an "uh huh" that slipped out ungracefully as he took his hand back. Realizing how that might sound, Sabel followed it up with a quick "good".
Shrugging his shoulders, Sabel started into the yard outside the creature enclosures. "Nothing to apologize for."
He debated starting them off right here and now, but truth be told he wasn't sure if the kid was up to it. Ready to dive into things so quickly, so he asked another question. "Where do you think you need, or want, help?"
__________________
I've got a fire for a heart._________________________________________________
I'm not scared of the dark._________________________________________ _______________________________________You've never seen it look so easy.
No? No. No right? Right. That seemed to be the conclusion. Probably the most definite one he'd gotten all day.
Still it was an "uh huh" that slipped out ungracefully as he took his hand back. Realizing how that might sound, Sabel followed it up with a quick "good".
Shrugging his shoulders, Sabel started into the yard outside the creature enclosures. "Nothing to apologize for."
He debated starting them off right here and now, but truth be told he wasn't sure if the kid was up to it. Ready to dive into things so quickly, so he asked another question. "Where do you think you need, or want, help?"
Toby retracted his own hand too, shoving it in his pocket along with his other one, which he had by now stopped biting the fingernails of. He watched Dakest for a moment, then followed his gaze out into the yard, before letting out an involuntary sigh that he found himself thinking Piers would be quite proud of. He had learnt from the best.
But thinking about Piers made him miss home immensely, and so Toby instantly drew his thoughts back and tried to focus on something else. Unable to keep his hands still, he withdrew them from his pockets again, crossed them over his chest, let them hang by his sides. Eventually he ended up getting his wand from its holster and twirling it around and around his fingers, smiling idly, while his free hand went back to his pockets.
"Hm?" He turned his head a little as though he were about to look at Dakest when the man spoke, but he kept his eyes fixed firmly on the yard outside. "... I dunno." The truth of the matter was that he'd only been half paying attention. He had ideas, but suddenly anything he wanted to say didn't sound quite up to par. "I think... I agree with whatever you think."
__________________
Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
Toby retracted his own hand too, shoving it in his pocket along with his other one, which he had by now stopped biting the fingernails of. He watched Dakest for a moment, then followed his gaze out into the yard, before letting out an involuntary sigh that he found himself thinking Piers would be quite proud of. He had learnt from the best.
But thinking about Piers made him miss home immensely, and so Toby instantly drew his thoughts back and tried to focus on something else. Unable to keep his hands still, he withdrew them from his pockets again, crossed them over his chest, let them hang by his sides. Eventually he ended up getting his wand from its holster and twirling it around and around his fingers, smiling idly, while his free hand went back to his pockets.
"Hm?" He turned his head a little as though he were about to look at Dakest when the man spoke, but he kept his eyes fixed firmly on the yard outside. "... I dunno." The truth of the matter was that he'd only been half paying attention. He had ideas, but suddenly anything he wanted to say didn't sound quite up to par. "I think... I agree with whatever you think."
Very slowly, he was starting to understand the sentiments that Tate and Damien had had towards him when he had been Toby's age. And not the admiration or hopeful kind.
It took all his effort not to drag his hand down his face in a sigh of frustration. Which, unfortunately meant that he couldn't quite keep a hold on his tongue. "I think, you need to start learning to have, and speak, your own opinion." Old habits died hard.
Sabel looked at the boy from the corner of his eye. "Regardless, of the consequences." He'd seen how big of a hit the boy could take from a single reprimand.
__________________
I've got a fire for a heart._________________________________________________
I'm not scared of the dark._________________________________________ _______________________________________You've never seen it look so easy.
Very slowly, he was starting to understand the sentiments that Tate and Damien had had towards him when he had been Toby's age. And not the admiration or hopeful kind.
It took all his effort not to drag his hand down his face in a sigh of frustration. Which, unfortunately meant that he couldn't quite keep a hold on his tongue. "I think, you need to start learning to have, and speak, your own opinion." Old habits died hard.
Sabel looked at the boy from the corner of his eye. "Regardless, of the consequences." He'd seen how big of a hit the boy could take from a single reprimand.
Toby's wand had gone back into its holster again; he could not quite decide what to do with his hands any more than he could command them to stop moving entirely. There were a few more moments where he went between folding his arms, keeping his hands in his pockets, or fidgeting with his own fingers. By the time Dakest had finished speaking, Toby had zipped his jacket all the way up so that it covered his mouth and the bottom half of his face, and shoved his hands back in his pockets.
The Hufflepuff remained quiet for another moment, maybe two, thinking about everything and nothing, eyes still directed out onto the grounds. Fear of the consequences. That... that was definitely a thing.
Toby eventually spoke, tilting his head up just a little so that his voice wasn't so muffled at least. "I just prefer agreeing with people." A small shrug accompanied his words, which were spoken surprisingly carefully for a boy whose mouth often said what it wanted while his brain desperately tried to catch up. "Unless it's really super important that I don't."
He ducked his head back down so his face was half-hidden by his jacket again, back to thinking. It hadn't escaped Toby's notice that in insisting he'd preferred agreeing with others, he'd essentially disagreed with what Dakest was saying. It hurt his head, it honestly did.
This sort of confusion only seemed to come from talking with Dakest, though usually it stemmed from what the professor had said, rather than what Toby himself responded with. And yet he still really liked the guy, even though Dakest was very confusing, and had the uncanny ability to really hit a nerve from time to time. But he had Toby's trust, and the Hufflepuff was willing to agree with him on all the things... except a few teeeeeeeny tiny details, of course. But Toby could talk him round on those, he was positive.
__________________
Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
Toby's wand had gone back into its holster again; he could not quite decide what to do with his hands any more than he could command them to stop moving entirely. There were a few more moments where he went between folding his arms, keeping his hands in his pockets, or fidgeting with his own fingers. By the time Dakest had finished speaking, Toby had zipped his jacket all the way up so that it covered his mouth and the bottom half of his face, and shoved his hands back in his pockets.
The Hufflepuff remained quiet for another moment, maybe two, thinking about everything and nothing, eyes still directed out onto the grounds. Fear of the consequences. That... that was definitely a thing.
Toby eventually spoke, tilting his head up just a little so that his voice wasn't so muffled at least. "I just prefer agreeing with people." A small shrug accompanied his words, which were spoken surprisingly carefully for a boy whose mouth often said what it wanted while his brain desperately tried to catch up. "Unless it's really super important that I don't."
He ducked his head back down so his face was half-hidden by his jacket again, back to thinking. It hadn't escaped Toby's notice that in insisting he'd preferred agreeing with others, he'd essentially disagreed with what Dakest was saying. It hurt his head, it honestly did.
This sort of confusion only seemed to come from talking with Dakest, though usually it stemmed from what the professor had said, rather than what Toby himself responded with. And yet he still really liked the guy, even though Dakest was very confusing, and had the uncanny ability to really hit a nerve from time to time. But he had Toby's trust, and the Hufflepuff was willing to agree with him on all the things... except a few teeeeeeeny tiny details, of course. But Toby could talk him round on those, he was positive.
Sabel didn't miss the irony of what was happening here. In fact, it had him chuckling slightly with a shake of his head. Apparently, at this moment, it was super important that he didn't agree with the idea that he should have his own opinion. Which was, an opinion itself.
Tucking his hands back in his pockets, Sabel tilted his head back and watched a flock of birds dart overhead. "And what if, it's super important that you don't agree with someone, but by doing so you will put yourself or another person in danger?"
Because there was that too. That tricky place of using morality versus mortality.
And he was quite curious as to how the kid's mind worked on this one.
__________________
I've got a fire for a heart._________________________________________________
I'm not scared of the dark._________________________________________ _______________________________________You've never seen it look so easy.
Sabel didn't miss the irony of what was happening here. In fact, it had him chuckling slightly with a shake of his head. Apparently, at this moment, it was super important that he didn't agree with the idea that he should have his own opinion. Which was, an opinion itself.
Tucking his hands back in his pockets, Sabel tilted his head back and watched a flock of birds dart overhead. "And what if, it's super important that you don't agree with someone, but by doing so you will put yourself or another person in danger?"
Because there was that too. That tricky place of using morality versus mortality.
And he was quite curious as to how the kid's mind worked on this one.
The quiet, yet still audible, sound of laughter told the Hufflepuff that Dakest had noticed exactly what Toby had. At least, that was what he thought it meant. Either way, it occurred to Toby that it wasn't the first time he'd made the professor laugh without meaning to and it likely wouldn't be the last.
At the question, Toby suddenly became a little more animated. He turned to face Dakest better, looking right up at him now and freeing his mouth from the confines of his jacket so he could speak again.
"Well, first off, one of those is impossible, 'cause danger doesn't apply to me." Just an FYI, a reminder, whatever. It didn't need explaining because it was a fact, plain as day (in Toby's mind, of course). The boy said it so bluntly and matter-of-factly, too, rather than boasting or anything like that. "And second," Toby went on. "If it put someone in danger, then it wouldn't be so super important, y'know?" He did not think that, to date, the opinions he'd spoken had endangered anyone, so it was a good system, so far.
__________________
Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
Originally Posted by Felixir;11774954[spoiler=Sabel!
The quiet, yet still audible, sound of laughter told the Hufflepuff that Dakest had noticed exactly what Toby had. At least, that was what he thought it meant. Either way, it occurred to Toby that it wasn't the first time he'd made the professor laugh without meaning to and it likely wouldn't be the last.
At the question, Toby suddenly became a little more animated. He turned to face Dakest better, looking right up at him now and freeing his mouth from the confines of his jacket so he could speak again.
"Well, first off, one of those is impossible, 'cause danger doesn't apply to me." Just an FYI, a reminder, whatever. It didn't need explaining because it was a fact, plain as day (in Toby's mind, of course). The boy said it so bluntly and matter-of-factly, too, rather than boasting or anything like that. "And second," Toby went on. "If it put someone in danger, then it wouldn't be so super important, y'know?" He did not think that, to date, the opinions he'd spoken had endangered anyone, so it was a good system, so far.
[/spoiler]
At first, Sabel thought he might have a discussion on his hands about the balancing act between morality and mortality. But, the kid's opinion on such matters hardly stirred his thoughts. They were locked on what had come before. On that simple, matter-of-fact statement.
"Danger doesn't apply to you. Really?" Turning, he faced the kid fully, all light of amusement gone from his eyes. It was replaced with a heavy consideration. "Do enlighten me as to how that is so."
__________________
I've got a fire for a heart._________________________________________________
I'm not scared of the dark._________________________________________ _______________________________________You've never seen it look so easy.
At first, Sabel thought he might have a discussion on his hands about the balancing act between morality and mortality. But, the kid's opinion on such matters hardly stirred his thoughts. They were locked on what had come before. On that simple, matter-of-fact statement.
"Danger doesn't apply to you. Really?" Turning, he faced the kid fully, all light of amusement gone from his eyes. It was replaced with a heavy consideration. "Do enlighten me as to how that is so."
Toby thought he noticed the change in Professor Dakest's eyes, though he couldn't rightly say exactly what that change was. Less happy, that's all he could think of to describe it. The mirth had disappeared from his face, and he may as well have just scowled at him, the way Toby inferred it. He tried not to think on it much.
So instead Toby focused on Dakest's words, and gave a little nod, to indicate that yes, really, it was true. He cast his eyes around for a moment, to see if there was some immediate way to show the professor, rather than just tell him. But, having the mind that he did, Toby was usually unable to see prospective danger in his surroundings unless it was pointed out to him. So he looked at Dakest once again and said simply, "I'm invincible." Sorta kinda. "I can't be killed, or really be hurt, so danger doesn't apply to me."
The theory was, of course, full of flaws. But as long as Toby didn't pay any mind to them, they simply weren't there; he was, after all, quite convinced.
__________________
Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
Toby thought he noticed the change in Professor Dakest's eyes, though he couldn't rightly say exactly what that change was. Less happy, that's all he could think of to describe it. The mirth had disappeared from his face, and he may as well have just scowled at him, the way Toby inferred it. He tried not to think on it much.
So instead Toby focused on Dakest's words, and gave a little nod, to indicate that yes, really, it was true. He cast his eyes around for a moment, to see if there was some immediate way to show the professor, rather than just tell him. But, having the mind that he did, Toby was usually unable to see prospective danger in his surroundings unless it was pointed out to him. So he looked at Dakest once again and said simply, "I'm invincible." Sorta kinda. "I can't be killed, or really be hurt, so danger doesn't apply to me."
The theory was, of course, full of flaws. But as long as Toby didn't pay any mind to them, they simply weren't there; he was, after all, quite convinced.
He was......invincible. Really?
That....was cute.
In an utterly childish and naive way. Unless, on the very small chance, Toby did have some ability to deflect all injury and death. They lived in a world with magic after all. Technically, anything was possible.
But Sabel had seen too much of the world to even give it a realistic shred of thought. One eyebrow arched high as he considered the boy in dragging silence. After a long minute he tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Then why are you always so afraid? A man who is invincible, should have nothing to fear. He should be above fear." And this kid, was very much grounded in it.
__________________
I've got a fire for a heart._________________________________________________
I'm not scared of the dark._________________________________________ _______________________________________You've never seen it look so easy.
In an utterly childish and naive way. Unless, on the very small chance, Toby did have some ability to deflect all injury and death. They lived in a world with magic after all. Technically, anything was possible.
But Sabel had seen too much of the world to even give it a realistic shred of thought. One eyebrow arched high as he considered the boy in dragging silence. After a long minute he tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Then why are you always so afraid? A man who is invincible, should have nothing to fear. He should be above fear." And this kid, was very much grounded in it.
Toby found himself squinting at the professor, unwittingly matching his narrow-eyed stare. Dakest had always struck him as the kind of person who would understand that fear didn't necessarily have anything to do with... all that. Death, and stuff.
But first, there was something more important to address.
"I am not always afraid," the boy said, bristling just a little and trying very hard to not start huffing like a tiny indignant baby dragon. "I'm never afraid. I don't do 'afraid', or anything like that. I don't." It was all lies, of course, but Toby said it with such conviction that he was easily able to convince himself of the matter right there and then. Dakest had just so openly said that; it was like being called out on every single negative emotion Toby had never had, it hurt, and his knee-jerk reaction was to deny the statement in its entirety. Toby folded his arms tight across his chest and turned away again, staring intensely out at the grounds instead. "And there's worse things to be afraid of; I thought you sounded like the kind of person who understood that." But now he thought about it, he supposed that if someone thought death and pain were the scariest things in the world, that was actually sort of... good. For them, and stuff.
Toby fixed his eyes on the ground now, automatically returning to that awful nail-biting habit of his as he began to almost shrink back into himself. He didn't often talk to anyone like that, much less a professor, and immediately he was regretting it, and getting lowkey upset with himself.
"I'm sorry. I don't..." Pause. "That was... I'm really sorry." Could he make fifty million apologies by the end of the day? He could sure try. "I... sorry."
Toby could've kicked himself. Idiot. Idiot.
__________________
Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
Toby found himself squinting at the professor, unwittingly matching his narrow-eyed stare. Dakest had always struck him as the kind of person who would understand that fear didn't necessarily have anything to do with... all that. Death, and stuff.
But first, there was something more important to address.
"I am not always afraid," the boy said, bristling just a little and trying very hard to not start huffing like a tiny indignant baby dragon. "I'm never afraid. I don't do 'afraid', or anything like that. I don't." It was all lies, of course, but Toby said it with such conviction that he was easily able to convince himself of the matter right there and then. Dakest had just so openly said that; it was like being called out on every single negative emotion Toby had never had, it hurt, and his knee-jerk reaction was to deny the statement in its entirety. Toby folded his arms tight across his chest and turned away again, staring intensely out at the grounds instead. "And there's worse things to be afraid of; I thought you sounded like the kind of person who understood that." But now he thought about it, he supposed that if someone thought death and pain were the scariest things in the world, that was actually sort of... good. For them, and stuff.
Toby fixed his eyes on the ground now, automatically returning to that awful nail-biting habit of his as he began to almost shrink back into himself. He didn't often talk to anyone like that, much less a professor, and immediately he was regretting it, and getting lowkey upset with himself.
"I'm sorry. I don't..." Pause. "That was... I'm really sorry." Could he make fifty million apologies by the end of the day? He could sure try. "I... sorry."
Toby could've kicked himself. Idiot. Idiot.
Sabel was quiet, watching the boy with a neutral expression. He was quickly learning that it was best to do so, to let the kid get everything out. Or, perhaps more accurately, bury everything within. The range of emotions, and flip-flop from one degree to another was almost startling. But more than that, it was concerning.
Letting out a breath, Sabel tucked his hands in his pockets and moved to stand beside Toby. His voice was quiet, gentle in its firmness. His gaze held the same intensity, but he didn't direct it at the kid, instead looking across the grounds to the castle. "Only one who understands being afraid, could make such a statement, let alone observation."
Did the kid see, the contradiction he had just brought up. Yet again?
It could have been laughable. Perhaps it should have been. They were both suddenly, too grim.
"Do you want to know what I think, Toby?" Probably not. He didn't really give enough time to let the question become anything other than rhetorical. "I think, you need to stop lying to yourself. Or trying to. Why you feel the need to convince yourself that you are above pain and fear, despite the obvious and contrary truth, are frankly none of my concern."
Curiosity did not grant rights where they didn't belong.
"I am concerned, however, of the mindset you have. Of this need to be perfect and flawless, in everything. It will do you no favors." Not now, not ever.
A slow breath left Sabel as he started forward, figuring perhaps now would be a good time to leave the kid alone with his thoughts. A few steps however, and he turned halfway, considering the creature building off to the side. "You're right though. There are worse things to be afraid of, than pain and death. And you want to know a secret?" His gaze finally tracked over to the boy. "I am afraid every, single day."
A Professor that couldn't do wandless magic, and felt fear every day. Normal things that would have been taken as simple, obvious truths. Except here. Except by Toby.
__________________
I've got a fire for a heart._________________________________________________
I'm not scared of the dark._________________________________________ _______________________________________You've never seen it look so easy.
Sabel was quiet, watching the boy with a neutral expression. He was quickly learning that it was best to do so, to let the kid get everything out. Or, perhaps more accurately, bury everything within. The range of emotions, and flip-flop from one degree to another was almost startling. But more than that, it was concerning.
Letting out a breath, Sabel tucked his hands in his pockets and moved to stand beside Toby. His voice was quiet, gentle in its firmness. His gaze held the same intensity, but he didn't direct it at the kid, instead looking across the grounds to the castle. "Only one who understands being afraid, could make such a statement, let alone observation."
Did the kid see, the contradiction he had just brought up. Yet again?
It could have been laughable. Perhaps it should have been. They were both suddenly, too grim.
"Do you want to know what I think, Toby?" Probably not. He didn't really give enough time to let the question become anything other than rhetorical. "I think, you need to stop lying to yourself. Or trying to. Why you feel the need to convince yourself that you are above pain and fear, despite the obvious and contrary truth, are frankly none of my concern."
Curiosity did not grant rights where they didn't belong.
"I am concerned, however, of the mindset you have. Of this need to be perfect and flawless, in everything. It will do you no favors." Not now, not ever.
A slow breath left Sabel as he started forward, figuring perhaps now would be a good time to leave the kid alone with his thoughts. A few steps however, and he turned halfway, considering the creature building off to the side. "You're right though. There are worse things to be afraid of, than pain and death. And you want to know a secret?" His gaze finally tracked over to the boy. "I am afraid every, single day."
A Professor that couldn't do wandless magic, and felt fear every day. Normal things that would have been taken as simple, obvious truths. Except here. Except by Toby.
As Dakest stepped closer, Toby found himself tensing up. Was he going to yell at him, or worse (... no, surely not), for being rude? Take a million bazillion points and then say he wasn't going to help him if he was going to be all ungrateful like that? Deliver some more uncomfortable home truths? It turned out to be the last one, which was perhaps the less immediately devastating option. Toby let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, but kept his eyes fixed on the ground
No, he didn't want to hear anymore, because he knew he wouldn't like it. But Dakest was talking regardless, and Toby listened in spite of himself.
Big mistake. He could feel himself getting more and more worked up, and couldn't make it stop. Nobody had ever... ever called Toby out like that before. Not Piers, not Javy. Soph had come closest, and that hadn't exactly ended well. But this was on a whole new level. And while he focused on keeping his breathing steady, Toby felt Dakest leave his side, and he couldn't quite tell if he felt relieved about it, or disappointed, or even a little rejected.
Then the professor spoke and Toby finally looked up. He hadn't meant to, but the mention of a secret had grabbed his attention, and now he looked at Dakest through far-too-shiny eyes.
... No. Toby wasn't listening to this. He wasn't hearing it. Professor Dakest had told him far too many things that he hadn't wanted to hear today, and Toby was at his limit.
The Hufflepuff brushed impatiently at his eyes and was quiet for just a moment longer, right back to staring at the ground, before he finally spoke, his tone dull. "Talk to you later, Professor Dakest."
And that... was that. Toby turned on the spot and stepped right back inside the creature housing, towards the animals who always made him feel better, and away from Professor Dakest. Another moment or two and he may well have just started openly crying right there in front of him. And that would have been unacceptable. Impossible, actually, because Toby didn't cry.
Of course he didn't.
__________________
Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You? You are Chocolate!
As Dakest stepped closer, Toby found himself tensing up. Was he going to yell at him, or worse (... no, surely not), for being rude? Take a million bazillion points and then say he wasn't going to help him if he was going to be all ungrateful like that? Deliver some more uncomfortable home truths? It turned out to be the last one, which was perhaps the less immediately devastating option. Toby let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, but kept his eyes fixed on the ground
No, he didn't want to hear anymore, because he knew he wouldn't like it. But Dakest was talking regardless, and Toby listened in spite of himself.
Big mistake. He could feel himself getting more and more worked up, and couldn't make it stop. Nobody had ever... ever called Toby out like that before. Not Piers, not Javy. Soph had come closest, and that hadn't exactly ended well. But this was on a whole new level. And while he focused on keeping his breathing steady, Toby felt Dakest leave his side, and he couldn't quite tell if he felt relieved about it, or disappointed, or even a little rejected.
Then the professor spoke and Toby finally looked up. He hadn't meant to, but the mention of a secret had grabbed his attention, and now he looked at Dakest through far-too-shiny eyes.
... No. Toby wasn't listening to this. He wasn't hearing it. Professor Dakest had told him far too many things that he hadn't wanted to hear today, and Toby was at his limit.
The Hufflepuff brushed impatiently at his eyes and was quiet for just a moment longer, right back to staring at the ground, before he finally spoke, his tone dull. "Talk to you later, Professor Dakest."
And that... was that. Toby turned on the spot and stepped right back inside the creature housing, towards the animals who always made him feel better, and away from Professor Dakest. Another moment or two and he may well have just started openly crying right there in front of him. And that would have been unacceptable. Impossible, actually, because Toby didn't cry.
Of course he didn't.
Had he hit a nerve? Or several? It seemed fairly obvious that he had. One too many perhaps?
There was a faint sense of guilt at seeing what he thought might be the workings of tears, but in the same thought he was arguing that it could well have been allergens or just try eyes. What it really boiled down to, however, was that the truth was the truth. And Toby needed to hear it, from someone. Even if he didn't like it.
Tucking his hands in his pockets, Sabel watched as the boy excused himself rather abruptly, with no further comment. He didn't even consider stopping him, trying to force him to talk things through. Sometimes, it was best to just let people be. Especially people that lit things on fire by way of impulsive anger. He was quite content with not becoming a walking torch.
Once the kid was out of sight, and obviously not coming back, Sabel turned himself and started towards the castle.
__________________
I've got a fire for a heart._________________________________________________
I'm not scared of the dark._________________________________________ _______________________________________You've never seen it look so easy.
Creature Housing 
x12 
x12
