The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.

[wavesofjade]

WHO: Dolores Maryam and Bro Strider
TONE: General, possibly angsty/tense
RATING: PG-13
WHEN: October 18th
WHERE: Hospital wing
WHAT: Dolores calls Bro to the hospital wing for a check-up after the Quidditch match, and a chat.
STATUS: Ongoing

---

Professor Strider, I Would Like You To Make Your Way To The Hospital Wing At Your Earliest Convenience.

[Of course, 'I would like you to' means 'I demand', and 'at your earliest convenience' means 'now'. It isn't often that she puts such force behind her words, but it's not only for an after-match check-up that she wants to see this particular professor. Dolores knows that she involves herself in the mental wellbeing of the students perhaps a little too much, but she rarely feels the need to take it beyond herself. Usually, she is able to make them feel better, but she has never before met a child so hurt and conflicted as Dirk Strider.

It worries her, and more than that, she finds that she is also concerned for his uncle. She and the professor have shared a few conversations, and her opinion of him is good, though she had rather heavily disapproved of his conduct after the match. That, however, is not for her to judge. She's sure he has had enough berating from others for it.

When Bro enters the hospital wing he will find her making one of the beds near to the door, by hand rather than by magic. It's the kind of repetitive, menial task that allows her to get her thoughts together and in order]

Comments

[lovesmuppeteer]

[He goes to respond to her first statement, skeptical and irritated, because if she doesn't want to hear about that, then what the hell did she want? But... he catches her eye, and something about it stops him. He doesn't even know, but. He just loses a lot of his will to argue. As if it's a gaze that demands respect, and he'd better not question her.

So he deflates a little and the vibe that comes off of him is a little sulky.

But when she says the last bit, he tenses up. Why would she want to talk about Dirk, of all people? He knew Dirk had seen her a few times, but. What would this even be about? He didn't want to assume there was something wrong, considering she would have said if he was ill. So it clearly had to be about something else.]

...What?

[His tone suggest he's very much dreading the worst. Because with everything lately, he can't help but expect it.]

[wavesofjade]

Let me see your hand.

[She sighs a little to herself as she checks his knuckles, satisfied when he doesn't show any pain. At least he knows how to hit. It's only then that she looks at him, and she seats herself on the edge of the bed, looking at him as if considering how to phrase what she wants to say]

You're aware that Dirk's been coming to see me.

[Of course, because she's made a point of letting him know each time, as Dirk has a tendency to want to stay in the hospital wing overnight and she hasn't wanted Bro to worry]

Until now, I... have been keeping what he has been telling me in confidence, and I would like to mention how it goes against my own values to be speaking to you now, but sometimes difficult decisions must be made for the greater good and this is one such decision.

[She leans forwards]

He is a very troubled little boy. I am worried about him.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[Well to be perfectly honest, he was putting on an air of impassivity when she was checking his hand just then. The truth of it was, it was slightly sore on occasion. He hadn't been in the right frame of mind when he hit Rhys. It all happened so fast and he was pretty certain that he had cracked a finger. But he didn't want her to know that, and he could keep his reaction in check. He was too prideful to let her know it still hurt. It'd heal on it's own.

He just gives a nod when she asks about Dirk. The sense of dread he's feeling isn't going away, and his stomach churns slightly when she begins speaking. He can't see this being pleasant at all. And the way she keeps harping on about it going against her values just makes him feel worse. Was it really that bad? It had to be.

Bro looks away at her late statement, shifting uncomfortably. He can't look her in the eye anymore. He knows Dirk is troubled. He doesn't know what to do about it, that's the problem. Bro would kill to be able to do something, he just... doesn't know what that something could possibly be.]

I know. So what's he said? Feel free to rate it on a scale of 'Bro sucks' to 'Bro is the shittiest guardian in the world, send him to Texas ASAP, because you couldn't possibly be worse at parenting than you already are and he really should stay with his grandparents.'

[wavesofjade]

Stop that.

[She snaps it, and appears to surprise herself with how quickly she speaks. Dolores cares a great deal for Dirk, only wants what's best for him, and she knows that sending him back to Texas is the worst thing that could happen.

A quiet breath is drawn in, she closes her eyes for a moment, and clasps her hands together]

Dirk is lucky to have you, Strider. The way he speaks of you - and he speaks of you highly - I do not think that there is anyone else that he would be better off with.

[A sigh]

Being a parent is difficult. I know this, and when you make mistakes they weigh upon you heavily. No one tells you how much responsibility will be placed upon you, but all you can do is rise to the occasion.. and you have.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[There it is again. Something about her makes it hard to argue with. He doesn't realize it, but it's very much like a child being admonished by their parent- him being the child in the scenario. She's just so damn... authoritative. He really can't help but listen.

But that doesn't mean he believes what she says. Any of it. After his conversation with Dirk, he's entirely convinced that it isn't true. Dirk doesn't seem to think he's the best anymore. He certainly doesn't feel like the best.]

Again, with all due respect... bullshit. After our last talk, I think he'd rather go to Texas. I'm pretty sure I've let him down hardcore. I ain't risen to any occasion. The occasion's kicking my ass up, down, left and right.

[wavesofjade]

Do you always give up hope so easily?

[If he's going to be stubborn, well, two can play at that game. A frown is settled permanently on her face now and it looks strange on her usually soft features]

Dirk thinks the world of you, but he also believes himself the source of all of your problems.

[A quiet breath is drawn in, and let out on a sigh]

I believe that I can see where he gets such negativity from. You are quite mirror images of one another.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[He still can't bring himself to look her in the face. He's looking anywhere but, really. Even with his shades on, even though she can't see his eyes, he still can't bring himself to look into hers. The disapproving, frowny look just isn't something he can face. The tone is hard enough. He lets out a sigh first, but when she finishes speaking, his eyebrows shoot up.]

Wait, what? Excuse me? I've been nothing but as positive as I can be with him! You think I've said any of this shit to him? I tell him all the goddamn time he isn't a burden or anything like that. I don't know why he thinks he is, because he isn't. I'm working as hard as I can for him!

[wavesofjade]

[Her voice remains calm, level, but there's the faintest of authoritative edges to it]

I believe you, and I would be more than happy to bear witness to your character before a court should it be necessary, as I have done so many times when speaking to Dirk.

[Oh yes, the boy had told her about the custody battle]

But children are capable of picking up on a great deal from their environment. It is entirely possible that he is taking these feelings from somewhere else, and placing them upon himself.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[For the moment, Bro is completely caught off guard by that offer. He barely knowns the woman, and there she is offering to be a character witness, of all things. He's... honestly touched by that. Baffled, but touched.]

I... hold on a sec. Why would you do that for me?

[wavesofjade]

[It's a natural thing for her to offer, and she smiles faintly, that sharp edge in her voice softening when she speaks again]

I care for Dirk, professor, and I know how important it is for a child to be secure and happy. I have no reason to think poorly of you, and certainly not given how highly Dirk speaks of you. Is there a reason that I should not offer to do such a thing for you?

[plushaeusrumpified]

[He lets out a sigh. That's such a loaded question, and he doesn't even know where to begin. Honestly he isn't even sure if he should.]

No- maybe. I don't know. I mean, I appreciate the offer. A lot. It's just I'm really, really not parent of the year, no matter what either of the boys say. Far from it.

[wavesofjade]

[Something in that seems to hit her. The smile fades and she closes her eyes for a moment, pressing one finger to her lower lip. When she opens them again, she just looks a little saddened]

Your boys are safe, well, and alive. They adore you, and even a fool would see it. You are a better parent than I was, Strider.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[Bro opens his mouth to respond, but something in that look stops him for a moment. The sad look gets to him far more than it should and he feels bad that somehow the conversation ended up turning into one that would make her feel bad.]

I don't believe that. Not for a second.

[wavesofjade]

[Maybe one day she'll tell him why she knows very well how right she is, but now is not that day. She only smiles and gently touches his shoulder.]

That is your choice, of course, but this conversation is not about me, it is about you and Dirk.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[Considering their previous conversation on the journal, however brief, he decides it's probably best not to push the issue. He doesn't want to upset her more than he already seems to have done.]

Fine. But honestly I really don't know what's left to talk about.

[wavesofjade]

[She nods once, and moves to draw the screen back, speaking up as she sees someone entering the ward.]

That will be all then, Professor Strider, you're in perfect health.