sortinghat_logs | Dragged you down below

WHO: Rhys and Kurloz
TONE: Surreal, disturbing
RATING: Up to R, possibly, for violent imagery
WHEN: March 1st
WHERE: Rhys's office, Kurloz's head
WHAT: Rhys wants to introduce his protege/son to a particularly disturbing form of magic
STATUS: Ongoing

Rhys sat opposite his son in his office, as they had done weekly since he'd first approached the boy. It was time for the next step. The thing that could bind the boy to him, no matter where his mother took him, no matter what happened later. The thing that could open Kurloz's mind to a whole realm of possibilities previously unavailable to him.

"I think you're ready, m'bach," Rhys told the boy. "It's time for your first test."

(OOC: This was posted in the wrong comm, responses there are c&p'ed to here so it could be moved to the right one.)

Kurloz perked at that, looking eager and leaning forward slightly in his chair. The quill on the table between them began scribbling:

what is it being, sir?

"We've talked of your dreams, and taking control, and you've had some success there. I want to see for myself what you can do, and how you respond to certain ... scenarios," Rhys explained, steepling his fingers. "I'd like to come into your dreams tonight, if you'll allow me."

Kurloz's eyes widened and for a moment he looked mildly conflicted.

it's not a nice place in there.

"Lad, I've lived through two wizarding wars. I believe I can manage in a teenager's head, no matter how dark, and if you wish me to continue teaching you, I have to know certain things," Rhys said, gently.

The student fidgeted some more, needing a moment to consider it. This wasn't just his sketchbook with a few dark drawings, this was t heart of it all, the centre of his mind that he often shied away from with horror.

But, as Rhys said, if the man had survived two wizarding wars...

Mutely, Kurloz nodded, dusky skin a bit pale but eyes determined.

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Skin clammy with cold sweat, Kurloz lifted his head and stared at Rhys, eyes still a bit wild as his hand shot out and flattened over the professor's abdomen. It wasn't to push the man away, no, it was to make sure this was reality and that Rhys' torso wasn't going to fall away under his hand in a mess of cut up flesh and blood.

Rhys paused, then lowered himself to his knees next to the prostrate boy. He undid the buttons on his robe and opened it, so Kurloz could see the the skin of his chest. Tattoos covered some of it, ornate black designs with splashed of color, but very faint scar lines could be seen under the hair on the un-decorated skin. Without magic, they'd have been much thicker, but the healers had managed to reduce them to something considerably less horrific than they might have been.

Without thinking Kurloz moved his hand over the exposed flesh, delicate artist's fingers feeling out the scars easily. He could clearly see the younger Rhys' chest as it had been when cut to ribbons, almost superimposed over the adult's body, and had to fight back another wave of nausea. Sweat beaded on his temples for a moment and then he realised he was touching his professor without permission on his chest and quickly snatched his hand back, signing "sorry" with embarrassment and lowering his head.

"It's all right. I wouldn't have shown you if I minded." Rhys reached out, setting two fingers lightly under Kurloz's chin so he could tip the boy's head back up. He wished he could reach out, embrace the child the way a father should when his son was in pain, distressed, but it wasn't his place. Not yet.

"I was sick for a very long time," he said solemnly, looking into Kurloz's eyes. "It took me years to put myself back together from that, to become a whole person again. I don't want to see that happen to you. I know why you're mistrustful, why you're angry, but I don't do the things I have lightly, or without understanding. I misjudged your readiness for what occurred, and for that I apologize. But this isn't a process that can be put off indefinitely."

He leaned in, so that they were very close, and said, in a soft, solemn, and yet warm voice, "I only want you to be well, my child. Well and strong, as I know you can be."

It was ironic that Rhys didn't do what he wanted then, since in that instant all that Kurloz wanted was a hug to feel comforted. Still, he kept still and obediently looked up into Rhys' eyes. He felt raw and exposed which shouldn't have been the case considering he'd just seen Rhys' memory, not vice versa, but it had clearly been an ordeal for the both of them to some extent.

When Rhys leaned in and used that gentle voice, Kurloz nodded mutely, squeezing his eyes shut because they felt like they might be watering and he didn't want to show more of his weakness to the professor. He didn't realise he was leaning in just a bit closer towards Rhys, but at least he wasn't drawing away.

When Rhys saw the boy swaying in, he gave in a little and wrapped one long arm around Kurloz's shoulders, gently rubbed his hand along his son's spine. "You'll be all right, m'bach. I would not allow harm to come to you, you're my ... responsibility. Trust me."

Kurloz ducked his head, nodding again and just accepting the adult's words. He was still a bit sore about the nightmare incident, but he did trust Rhys, probably more so after bearing witness to the man's past.

Rhys remained that way for a moment, then rose up, helping the boy to his feet. "We will talk more on this. But for now, I'll give you time to think, to decide if this is what you still want to do."

And if it looks as though Kurloz is turning away from this path ... well. There are ways to ensure he comes back to Rhys.

Again came the quiet nod as Kurloz adjusted his clothing and gathered his things. He looked embarrassed as he stood fidgeting for a moment, glancing up at Rhys' face before looking away again.

He slowly waved to sign "good bye" and turned away, closing the door near silently behind him.

Dragged you down below

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