A time away (Jayden)

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Christian was in the leaky Cauldren. He was skipping school again cause he already knew it all plus it was just review for tests next week and he was already tired of it. Why would he want to study when he already knew it. He was passing the classes with 'Exceeds Expectations' so it wasn't really horrible anyway which he was pleased about. His Aunt and Uncle could care less since they didn't take the time to know about him or even care about his grades in school.

He ordered a butterbeer and some food, though he had a lot of gold in his vault since his parents died and because of that he inherited a lot of it because of that. He sat playing with his food and wanted some company, man or woman it didn't matter, he wanted a friend.

OOC: Sorry kinda short.

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OOC: Tis fine. ^^

He was always told that it was bad that bartenders usually knew him not only by his order, but by his name. And he wouldn't argue with the logic. He wasn't even from around the area, and people in the Leaky Cauldron knew who he was. For Jayden, that was just the way things worked. He supposed that was the way they always would be. So it was no surprise when the bartender slid him a firewhiskey the instant he sat down. He slid some galleons in return and glanced at the person who he'd sat next to.

The boy couldn't have been older than fifteen or sixteen. A student from the local Wizarding school. Hogwarts, wasn't it? In any case, he looked like he should still be at the school, considering it was currently school hours. He took the first sip of his firewhiskey, savoring the taste as it lingered on his tongue. Only when he swallowed it all down did he speak. "Shouldn't you be in class?" he asked.

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Christian’s hair was spiked in the back making the hair in the back look almost black cause of the jell. His hair was in a style that was called the pixie cut which he liked but was debating if he wanted to cute one side off and let the other grow out to that hair style. Probably not but it was a thought wasn’t it? He was here to think without having classes interrupt his thinking or people asking him to many questions since he preferred to have the quiet of his own mind in order to achieve things. Plus today he could wear what he wanted too. He was wearing his favorite black jeans, black tshirt, combat boots that went all the way up to his knee, his favorite watch with the green face and the Celtic design ring.

He began playing with his lip ring and not even realizing it he started to make sure the three small hoops in both ears were in and the one in his nose. He looked around the bar and clicked his bare bell against his teeth though not hard enough to break them but it was out of habit that he always had sometimes it was hard for him not to. He also started to stroke the tattoo on his face on both of his face, vines that covered down to his chin and he started playing with his food when the other man sat down next to him. He was finicky about people, especially men, he had many issues with them. Especially older men then himself, after all it was his Uncle's doing that did that to him.

Christian hardly looked over at the other man he was trying not to panic then again, how could he not panic with him being so jumpy. He took a bite of his food and began thinking of what he should do next. Should he do a little shopping while he was here? Didn't seem so wrong to shop when he was so near wizarding shops that held what he needed to get for school. Plus he was out of Ink and parchment and he wanted to get another book on dark arts while he was here anyway.

"Depends. Though I should but I am skipping. Tired of it. Sorta a renegade." christian said looking at the other man as he spoke his words. Plus he was hoping that this guy wouldn't bring him back to the school.

OOC: Yeah I have so much of a muse for him but then....don't know why its not here. Weirdness.

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Jayden noticed how the other didn't look over at him right away. He couldn't help but wonder why, but supposed it was none of his business. Everyone had their own battles to fight, their own demons to conquer. He knew a little about those. The difference was he'd traveled across the ocean in a feeble attempt to escape them. "Well, I won't tell if you won't," he replied, sipping his firewhiskey again. The alcohol tasted good as it ran across his tongue. He'd always heard it was an acquired taste, and he definitely had a taste for it.

"I skipped a bit myself when I was your age," he added. Though, probably for different reasons. He and his brother had just been those kind of students. The ones who passed by the skin of their teeth because they would rather hang around the Quidditch field and do things they shouldn't be doing. "A renegade?" he asked, "What are you leaving behind?"

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Christian couldn't help but continue to pick at his food without any thought on the matter what so ever because his mind was elsewhere and he was thinking of all the times he was abused and that others, older men, bothered him a lot. Others wouldn't be surprised and they would understand that things like this was only natural and that it shouldn't be shunned. He was, however, the other didn't ask why he didn't look over at him right away, he just wasn't up for answering that, at least not now as a matter of fact. The reason why he was there was to escape the horrors of his past so he wouldn't have to sit there at the school and remember vividly but that didn't stop the memories from going through his mind regardless of where he was.

"Thank you." he said gently as he actually tried another bite and he started numbing himself so that it would become easier to get away from the fear he had. He picked up his own Butter beer taking a swallow and placed it back down.

"Really? Sometimes it helps to get away from everything in order to think properly or just to escape. Its hard to find a way to get whatever out in order to survive. Although, it has it issues and sometimes it can never work no matter how hard you try in order to escape because no matter where you go, it will always find you." he said finally taking a good look at the other beside him.

"Yes, in some way shape or form, even if Renegade isn't the right word for it, its very similar to how I am feeling. Leaving behind what was done and getting my own revenge in do time or just let Karma play out what it needs to be played out. Christian, by the way, I am Christian Gaunt." he said.

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Jayden watched the other cautiously now, not quite sure why he was reacting the way he was. He couldn't deny that he was curious. But he was naturally social, too, so he decided it was best not to ask. Some things were better left unasked, weren't they? "Aye," he said, the cup of firewhiskey firmly between his hands, "No need to thank me. Wouldn't want ya getting in trouble or anything, right?" he said with a small smile as he glanced at the boy again. Jayden was far from the type who would risk getting anyone in trouble. He firmly believed everyone's business was their own. That wouldn't stop his curiosity, of course, but that was another thing in its entirety.

"Yeah," he said, smirking as he held the glass to his lips again, "Really. Though, not quite for those reasons. Not sure any of us were thinking properly," He looked at the boy curiously then, wondering what he was going on about. There had to be something he was leaving out, but Jayden wasn't going to pry. Not yet, anyway. "It sounds like you definitely have something to run from," he said instead, "Maybe you should run further," It was probably a dumb thing to suggest, but he allowed the words to be spoken, anyway. "Sounds like you might have a good reason to seek revenge," he suggested before the other introduced himself. "I'm Jayden. But you can call me Jay."

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He was no longer really hungry but then again, he hardly ever ate a thing when he was at school and he needed something to sustain him till he got back to the school. He kept his mouth shut about his past, he never told anyone anything what his uncle did to him and the fact his aunt really never knew about the sexual abuse just the Physical and emotional abuse. He was always told that if he ever told anyone he would be killed and that no one would care enough about him to even care that he died.

"I guess so. Though it wouldn't surprise me since I am used to punishment or even trouble it wouldn't be anything new to me though the detention is better then the stuff I receive at home." Christian said then stiffened, he had said to much if his uncle found out he would get hurt more and that would be most likely during the Summer holidays.

"Sometimes out of fear or whatever reason we don't attend we are never thinking properly ever. Then again, we all do it for our own ways." christian said taking another sip of the butter beer.

"Sometimes I think running away is not solving the issue and that I shouldn't run away from my problems but then again if I don't attempt there would be nothing to live for. I could but have to finish what I started first. Depends if I should but I will when I can. It's nice to meet you Jay." Christian said with a small smirk.

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"Used to punishment, eh?" Jayden asked, single eyebrow raised in curiosity. He hadn't picked up on what the words meant. For a moment, he wondered if Christian was some kind of trouble maker. He didn't look like one. Then again, trouble makers didn't always look like trouble makers. "I can't imagine anything being worse than a magical schools detention," he said aloud, taking a long swig of firewhiskey, "You must come from a strict home?" The last thought was more of a question than a statement, as he was still clueless as to what the other's words truly meant.

He chuckled. Well, the reason they hadn't been thinking properly had more to do with the firewhiskey they'd sneak. But he left that part out. "I guess you're right," he said, "We all have our own reasons. And maybe running away isn't a solution, but, it does help," he was quiet a moment, wondering if he truly believed that. Had it helped him? Not quite. Since leaving his home in Canada, it seemed he only grew angrier and angrier. Until his outbursts had become a near daily occurrence. But he chose to foolishly believe it had helped. "It's nice to meet you, too, Christian," he replied.

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Christian nodded though not getting into it very much, though he still had the new bruises and cuts and gashes from the last time his uncle decided to attack him when he was there for vacation during summer since during the easter holiday he stayed to study. The last time he was at his Aunt's and uncle's was during christmas holiday and he still carried the wounds because what they did the wounds didn't close up right so making it hard to heal. Christian looked at the other man's expression curious at what he thought.

"Many can't till they feel the punishment made by others, other then the school they don't realize what is behind closed doors either at offices, work places, homes. Doesn't matter where it is they don't get to see it." he said and nodded at the strict home.

Christian shrugged sometimes he wondered if he was right or if he wasn't then again he was more or less curious at what others thought rather then assuming and taking that assumption for granted. His parents, were decent and loving even to the filthy muggleborns but his Aunt and Uncle weren't thats what got him how his parents could love the muggle borns and his Uncle wasn't Ironic really. He was stuck, part of him hated the muggleborns and a part of him didn't he wasn't sure which one to listen to.

"We all do, yes. I have learned that but it could but then...running to what exactly though? I mean, we can't run for forever and the only chance we have is to face our fear or whatever we are running from and meet it head on. Though we have to fight for a purpose. I am not sure if I have it yet. Out of curiosity, what are you running away from?" he asked curiously.

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Jayden had grown up with an easy going parent. Sure, he'd only had one. And he hadn't lived in the safest of neighborhoods. But punishment was pretty much unheard of in his home. His mother seldom grounded her sons, abuse was unheard of entirely. He rarely considered the fact that other's might be going through abuse. He rarely thought about what abuse was at all. Maybe he should have, considering his temper, but he didn't. Whether he chose not to think about it, or just didn't realize how serious it really was was debatable. Whatever the case, he was having trouble reading between the lines of what Christian was saying to him.

That aside, he did genuinely care when other's were hurt. Heck, he often regretted what he himself had done hours later. He had a soft spot for most people, no matter how much he wished he didn't. "Maybe I'm one of those many," he said, sipping from his glass, "because I may be a bit confused at the moment," Jayden glanced at the other again. Well, that was a good question. To what? Jayden himself had wanted to run to a different family. And well, that hadn't exactly worked out for him. Yet. "No," he said, "I suppose we can't. But if you get far enough away from what it is you're running from, do you have to run forever? You'll have a purpose. You're young. I wouldn't worry much about finding it just yet. My brother says that often, you don't find your purpose. It finds you," At Christian's question, Jayden sighed and replied only with, "Grief."

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He fidgeted slightly and he knew that he was pushing his luck and that was the worst. He knew that he would get hit and that the abuse would get worse, that was what he knew would happen if he told anyone and he meant anyone and he was scared that his uncle would find out about this. He had to figure this out if it was the right thing or not but then, everything had a its goods and bads. Everything had reproduction the good and the bad and people had to deal with what they do because of it.

"Its all possible, though the problem with that is, in telling you, I may end up getting hurt more though telling you is not the issue its telling anyone thats the problem. Everyone is confused at one point or another." Christian said honestly.

"Sometimes I guess. No one has to run for forever but then again, isn't running from your problems kind of a weakness? I mean Standing up against what you are running from can be courageous but running from it that can be causing more problems." he said taking another bite of food and placed his fork down running his hands down his pants.

"I hope some day I will though I hope that one day what I stand for will be for some greater good. Your probably right though. Thats good advice though, that it finds you and that you shouldn't look for it. Well that's understandable, grief you can attempt to run from but the feeling will always be there regardless if we try to deny that we are not hiding or keeping it back." he said and he thought about that the hat was wrong in putting him in Slytherin because of his bloodline he was more a gryffindor then a slytherin at heart but oh well.

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"You've only confused me further, Christian," Jayden admitted, chuckling in part amusement, part confusion. He glanced at the other from the corner of his eye, sipping his drink as he thought about what the boy was saying. "I can't force you to tell me," he added carefully, words soft and sincere, "But if you want to, I won't stop you, either. I may be confused, but I have gathered that something or someone has hurt you. I'm smart enough to pick up on that much," He offered Christian a quick, genuine smile, before turning to face the bar again.

"It may be," he said, "Maybe facing them is better. But who among us would really face them if running was always an option? It's human nature to want to run. It's like instinct. Even when we know there are no escape routes, we subconsciously try to find one," he sighed, taking the final sip from his glass. Not even caring about how quickly he'd downed it. "And sometimes. Sometimes running is just as courageous."

He nodded. "Yeah, my brother is a wise man. He gives very good advice. His problem is that he very seldom follows it," he snickered, "Maybe you could be an auror. Or something even better than that. The world needs people who want to stand for some greater good. It has a shortage of them," he ordered another firewhiskey as Christian continued to speak, listening to his words as he threw more galleons down and thanked the bartender. "Maybe," he admitted, "But at least here, no one really knows who I am. So, I can get away from people asking if I'm okay, and what happened, and why. There's something comforting about being around people who don't know your past."

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"I am sorry for confusing you further, Jayden, its a bad habit of mine to do that and its contagious to do that too. I don't think about it, confusing people though. My life has been a big riddle that no one seems to care about or even try to help me figure it out since it is just as confusing as it had been since my parents died and even worse after I moved in with my Aunt and Uncle. I thank you however, for the generosity of just lending an ear where it counts. Someone has and they continue it." he said and froze again.

"It all depends on the person as well too but probably no one would stand up to them they would want to run away and escape the problems they are facing because of the fact that its a way to escape those that know. Yes its true that it is human nature but sometimes I wonder who all would want to fight or stand up for what they believe in. I would have to agree with you on that." he said finishing up his drink.

"Sometimes, its better to do as they say rather then what they do for their actions are not always what they say but its their advice that counts the most. I would but then again, I want to become Minister as well. I want to help everyone not just myself." he said and watched the other order another drink before speaking again himself and he spun the glass in his hand.

"Sometimes thats always the best thing. Going to a place where no one knows your past, who you are or what you have done, what matters is that you can start over again. hmm...never thought about it that way before." christian said.

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"Oh, pfft," Jayden said, teasing the other lightly, "No need to apologize. You may find that i"m easily confused sometimes. Probably has much to do with this firewhiskey and little to do with the person I'm speaking to," he said with a laugh, "I guess it is contagious, though," He sipped at his drink again, eyes on the other. He was watching him curiously, listening to him speak. "A riddle? Maybe it's not that no one cares," he suggested, "Maybe it's just that the right person hasn't cared yet. Well, taht sounds like a riddle if I've ever heard one."

He listened as Christian continued to speak, explaining why it was confusing. "I'm sorry about your parents," he said sincerely. He knew what loss felt like. He'd suffered his own loss in the past few years, hadn't he? And he hadn't been the same since. More temperamental, less in touch with reality, and more likely to lose his mind. "No need to thank me," he said, "Maybe there are some that would fight. If given the chance. But I do not doubt for a second that if their very being was on the line they, too, would run. If there was an escape route," Cynical? Maybe. But he didn't think about that at all as he tipped his glass to his lips again.

"Now you sound like my mother," he said chuckling, "Even now I can conjure images of her waggling her finger at me and saying Jay, it is better to do as I say than it is to do as I do. Humans. We are a hypocritical species. But I guess we only try to look out for one another," He looked at him curiously, "Minister, eh? High dreams. Hope you can get there. I wanted to be an auror one day. Well. You see how that turned out," on that note, another drink went down, "It was for me. I miss home. But I don't regret leaving for a second. Would you regret it?"

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"Oh come on, I think we can all get easily get confused, I do almost all the time. Maybe it does have to do wit the firewhiskey. Oh really?" he said teasing a little back which was also in his nature regardless of him being a Slytherin which he didn't mind but didn't like the house very much but did what he had to in order to continue forward to make a life for himself.

He frowned a little thinking again knowing what his life has become and knowing that he would eventually have to change it because in many ways he had to struggle. He wasn't allowed to take any money out of his vault except if his Aunt and Uncle give him the money from the Vault and he was not allowed to do anything else. He had suffered and he had to learn how to steal how to cheat and how to get money which he was not happy with though and that was thing he hated himself for what he had become.

"I guess it can be contagious. A life is always a riddle sometimes you just have to take one step at a time in order to finally know what your life is really meant to be. Maybe your right, maybe its not that no one didn't care its just depends on the right person. Yes, maybe." he said smiling again with a sparkle in his eyes.

"Thank you, your the only one who actually said that you were sorry though it wasn't your fault, at least its caring to my point of view. My Aunt and Uncle never said that to me, they didn't even acknowledge the fact that I was hurting. They could care less actually. No you should be thanked, but yes given the chance can you blame them for fighting back but yes I think if anyone was given a choice they would too." he said wishing that his parents would have ran when they had a chance but they stood their ground and fought back and he wondered why they didn't run, they had that option.

"Oh? Is that so? I am that bad? Well I don't doubt it then but she is right though to do as they say rather then what they do because they learned the hard way and they don't want you to make the same mistake. Well we are aren't we? well thats just proving a point. I guess so but then again it shouldn't be that bad we all need that someone to look out after and to look out for us." He said wishing he had his mother back who always took care of him and loved him.

"Yeah I know its high but at least I will get a chance to try. You could still try, whats actually stopping you from becoming an auror?" he asked looking at the other curiously.

"Well we all have our reasons, some may and some may not regret leaving. I wouldn't for a second regret leaving but thats from the house I am living at that I would escape from." he said honestly.