COUNSELING? YEAH, OKAY! (TAG: AYDEN)

[mooshi]

Liam sat at his new desk in his own office in the main office of Midnight Harbour. This was definitely not his idea of a fun job. Today was his first day actually working as the guidance counselor which was the job his father along with the rest of the council thought would be perfect for him to obtain. It was a good way to slip into the slayer’s life. But he would have rather done janitorial work than this. Sitting in an office trying to decipher the crazy minds of bratty teenagers. It was bad enough that he had to deal with a slayer his brother’s age who he actually had still not met. But that made sense. He was still fairly new to the town. He and Holden had only been there a short time so far and although it was a slayer town with a horrible death rate, the people weren’t so bad. Well, the secretary right down the hall from him was an exception. He’d have to steer clear of her. She was getting rather clingy, and if he was going to stick around here, he didn’t want to have to bring attention to himself by being very mean to this woman.

As if the Powers That Be were reading his mind, the head of the nerdy looking secretary peeked into his office with the usual goofy grin on her face. “Mr. Keller, your first appointment is here for the day. Should I send him in?” She winked at him yet again. Ugh bloody hell. He cleared his throat deciding the best thing would be to not make any eye contact with her. He figured she would get the hint when he made the snarky comment about how he wouldn’t be stopping by to visit her at any time during his stay here at Midnight Harbour High. Or she did get the hint but clearly didn’t care. ”Yes, Miss Brinley. You can let him in.”

The secretary giggled and flipped her hair as she headed back to her desk he assumed. Liam took the small solitary moment to prepare himself. He fidgeted with a few things on his desk positioning them in a more organized manner. He wanted to make sure he was at least slightly professional here. How else would he pull this off? His schooling had given him techniques to follow when actually counseling someone, but it was probably much different once a session was actually taking place. He did need some sort of notebook to work with just in case he did need to jot down a few notes. Liam stood up making his way to the cabinet by the only window in his room. He reached in grabbing a notebook and making his way back to the desk. He was too busy looking at the notebook to actually plant himself in the desk chair properly. When his bum touched the edge of the chair, it rolled backwards on him. The notebook went up in the air, and Liam went down. ”Son of a bitch!” Liam yelled as he pushed himself up completely irritated now by his idiocy. So much for being professional. For someone who believed he knew how to do everything perfectly, he was definitely not showing it at all.

[Ayden Wolfe]

Suddenly, because he was deemed as 'causing trouble' by helping an innocent boy from being beaten and bloodied by a school bully. It was sad how authorities never took his opinion into view or anything, but he had come to expect it really. That was the problem with authority, they only listened to one side of the spectum and it was always the side that benefitted them the most, or the only side that they actually heard. It was the same as his sister's watcher, she only saw one side of things. Sure, she was a nice enough lady for an old British tea-drinker, but she only saw the side which benefitted her and the council. She didn't truly connect with his sister and when she suspected that there was something suspicious going on between the two of them, she was more keen on rushing off to tell the watcher's council than she was to actually understand the situation at hand.

He was let into the guidance counsellor's office by a nice lady, and he walked in, seeing a man in there and placed his hands in his pockets and stared him down. "So you're the guidance counsellor, aye? Here I was expecting some old, rugged person with a fake eye or something. Definantly didn't expect this." He smirked softly as he stood there, continuing to look over at the man, who he was suprised to see in the posistion he was in. Was someone that young even able to be a academic or guidance counsellor? Hey, he couldn't really judge, he had only been at this school a couple of days, maybe they did things differently around here. Except they appeared to be really different, he thought.

He walked in and sat at a chair opposite the man's desk and glanced around the room with a look of boredom. He then faced the man again. "Look, I know you're just doing your job and all, but I really don't have to be here. So if your not fussed, I can just go and you can just give me all 'ticks' or something on your little clipboard of yours or something. You try and help someone and suddenly you are deemed as the next trouble maker." He chuckled softly, sitting back in the chair, hoping the man would just agree and cut this session short, for his and his own sake.

[mooshi]

Liam shook his head as he bent down to get the notebook that had completely flown out of his hands. As his hand angrily gripped the damn thing, he heard a male voice in the direction of the door. Just brilliant! How much did he see? When Liam stood all the way up, his eyes met the kid’s in front of his desk as he finished explaining what he really expected the guidance counselor to look like. The boy’s eyes never left his. Not once. It was actually rather interesting how confrontational this boy seemed to be even if he wasn’t intentionally trying to size Liam up. Liam chuckled tossing the notepad onto the table. ”Negative on the fake eyeball, but I am indeed the new guidance counselor.” Liam knew it was because of his age that the boy questioned him which actually made a fair amount of sense. Liam was only twenty-eight. But his way of getting the job was completely valid. He did in fact have his certificate for this, not that it meant much to him really. Helping to save people from the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness he could live with. Helping to save people from problems like emotions and feelings that are clearly unimportant? Not really his problem. But it sort of had to be for the time being. So, if talking to this boy was the only remotely unsatisfying thing he had to do today, Liam would be fine dealing with that.

Liam pulled the desk chair to the back of his knees making sure to look behind him when he did as he sat down slowly into the chair. He knew he probably looked like an idiot doing that, but it was better than possibly falling on his arse again and this boy witnessing it. It was bad enough he almost witnessed it the first time. Liam glanced over at the boy who was now sitting down across from him. ”So, what can I do you for?” Liam asked casually but immediately wished he didn’t. That wasn’t the right thing to say at all. It would probably make the kid feel depersonalized. But if it did, the boy did not at all show it as he continued on speaking to Liam.

Liam could tell he didn’t want to be there, which was understandable. He didn’t want to either. But he listened and did his job. ”You’re right. You don’t have to be here. But sometimes it is good to try everything once. Am I right? And clipboards are for therapists, and I am definitely not a therapist.” Liam nodded down at the notepad.”And notepads? Dreadful things. I refuse to use them either.” He didn’t have to write anything down anyways especially on paper that should be labeled MAY CAUSE PAIN IN ASS (literally). It was probably best to log things, but if you knew Liam, you would understand that any type of organization was so not his thing. ”A trouble maker? That is such a vague combination of words. How did you exactly help this person?”

[Ayden Wolfe]

He leaned back in the chair slightly with a sigh as the man spoke. "Well the therapist part is yet to be determined. I wouldn't put it past this place just yet." He maintained the same expression on his face as he eyed the other man softly. He could be a therapist for all he knew, especially if the principal had read into his past record as much as he said he would. Ayden wasn't mental, he knew he didn't need therapy of the sorts, but that old honcho of a principal might. He didn't know him, nor did he know his situation or anything like that. He wouldn't understand, and like this guy, if they knew anything about who he was or what he did, they would probably shit bricks or something. And then run off and send him to some kind of asylum, which wouldn't exactly make 'fighting evil' very possible, even though he was inclined against it anyway.

He shrugged softly. "Yeah, well, people make assumptions of you based on your past. See, I had a few 'experiences' at my previous school, which apparently won't be let down. This guy was getting attacked by some wanabe tough guy. He wanted to stop this guy, I stopped him. And here we are," he finished with a slight smirk as he placed his hands behind his head, continuing to lean back in the chair, not even sure where things would escalate from here. Maybe this guidance counsellor, as he liked to be called, would see his view. And maybe he wouldn't; either way, he wasn't the slightest bit concerned. After all, he didn't want to be here, and the quicker they could get this over with, the better for everyone.

[/size]

[mooshi]

Liam nodded to Ayden's comment about therapists at the high school. He was pretty sure that a real therapist in a high school was not allowed, but that could just be his British mind confusing his new found American ways. Liam didn't respond as Ayden actually began to speak to him about issues of relevance. There wasn't one thing that Liam didn't agree with that Ayden was saying. People always made assumptions from the past actions and experiences of others. That was one of the reasons that lying to everyone he ever came in contact with that wasn't part of the council was the only way to ensure that his true life was hidden. And what do you say to someone who did exactly what you would have done but ridiculously got punished for it? Well, he could always just say what was on his mind. Did it really matter if the kid thought Liam was just saying certain things to show that he was on his side? Probably not. Ayden didn't seem to want to be there or have a care in the world about what Liam may be saying to him. Liam sighed shaking his head. "Try to do the right thing, maybe not the appropriate thing, but the right thing, and then you get the short end of the stick. Not a favorable outcome huh? What's the punishment....well besides having to see me because i know, i know. That is punishment enough right?" He chuckled.

[Ayden Wolfe]

He noticed this man trying to be funny, but he really wasn't the humor that apparently Liam was. He sat there, forcing a brief smile as he looked around the room in sheer boredom, in many ways, counting down the time until he would be able to go and attempt to enjoy himself. Was he counting minutes, hours? He wasn't even sure what the standard procedure was for these kind of meetings, but he was sure because of his past history, he would be in the hours category. Hopefully not. He was hoping to run into Holden or something, at least then he would have a familiar face who he would be able to spend the day with. And then there was the whole being lost thing, he needed a tour guide. Beats trying to figure out the map, which he didn't conveniently have either.

He sighed, before finally speaking. "No punishment, just recieved the whole 'be good, or else' words from the principal which I've only heard you know, a hundred times? The first time, it scares you, but after about the third time, you kinda get used to it and just brush it off." He slumped back in his chair, wondering how long this twenty-one questions thing would be going on for. He decided to shift the questions onto Liam, figuring what the heck, if he had to be here, he might as well make the most of the situation. If only he could interrogate Liam like he interrogated vampires! Unfortunately, he didn't need anymore occurances on his already shambled record here at Midnight Harbour High."So...Whats the next question, doc?" He smirked softly as he stared towards this man. If he had to explain his past and a little about him, he believed he might plunge a stake through his own heart. Painful, but clearly how he would feel.

[/size]

[mooshi]

It was clear that this boy did not at all find Liam’s sense of humor funny which actually did make quite a lot of sense. Not many people did. That never bothered him though. Some of the things Liam said were either uncalled for or were only understandable in Liam’s little world. Ayden seemed to take the place of Holden at the moment by looking at him with much judgment hidden with a forced smile. Hell, Holden would normally just bash him for what was said, but he was pretty sure Ayden was doing the same thing in his head right now. He’d much rather Ayden say something about it instead of just smile. The silence was unbearable.

”Ah yes, Mr. Wyndom. He is rather stern at times, I’d have to agree. Definitely terrifying. I heard they were hiring a new principal though probably due to his incompetence as the authority of this school.” Liam stopped short. Just lovely, Liam. Bashing the person who hired your ass in the first damn place. Father would be proud. He cleared his throat.”I…I mean that’s what I’ve heard in my first few days of working here. You’ll have to excuse me. I’m fairly new to Midnight Harbour as you are too if I recall correctly?” Liam quickly jumped at the question Ayden had asked him just to avert the conversation to something that wouldn’t possibly get him into the principal’s office himself. ”Now, how long have you been in Midnight Harbour? A few weeks then?”

[Ayden Wolfe]

He shrugged as Liam gave his description of the principal. They all appeared to be the same to him, so he really didn't notice anything which distinctly stood out about this one. But he could agree, he seemed strict, though Ayden was never phased too much by authority. Sure, it kept him in line, like restraining him from hitting any douchebags in the head, however he wasn't going to live his life abiding by every single rule every created. If that were the case, he wouldn't be creeping out of his window every night without his father knowing, and either going for midnight walks or fighting vampires. It wasn't his fault, you can't just be a law abiding vampire slayer, he believed it just wasn't possible. Half of the things he did, although for the benefit of the town, were probably deemed illegal. Oh well, he still kicked ass.

"Yeah," he responded to being new to this town. And he seemed to be enjoying it so far, at least more than he gave himself credit for. He didn't think he would like this fresh start in the beginning, leaving Miami and all, but the small town vibe seemed to be working out well for him anyway. But for how long that would last, that was another thing altogether. "Only a few days. Came just before school started, still unpacking now, kind of a drag," he smiled softly, though was wondering why Liam decided that he would talk about this kind of stuff, rather than about whatever it was academic counsellors were supposed to talk about..

"Here I was thinking we would be discussing my poor grades, inability of getting involved with trouble, but instead, we are discussing something completely unrelated. I figured this was foreign for you academic counsellors or something?" He asked, shrugging softly as he remained slouched back in the chair, still wondering how this whole session was going to unroll even further.

[/size]

[mooshi]

Liam raised both of his eyebrows and nodded. He was surprised at how new Ayden was to Midnight Harbour. If he would have read the very small file that was Ayden Wolfe instead of relying on the secretary’s few statements about the kid, he would have known that very pivotal information and saved himself from this tiny scene of humiliation. What a coincidence though that he and Ayden had both been this new to the town. It wasn’t weeks that Ayden had been there but in fact only days much like Liam.

But even if he had read the file on Ayden, it wouldn’t have given him much to go off of as far as what this kid was all about. A lot of students did believe that their whole life story was in the files that were given to academic counselors, which seemed to be Ayden’s case judging by his very sharp comment. Files were meant as an outline for only the past, and the information was so vague. ”Trying to get to know the person you are talking to is unheard of for counselors?” He asked with a slight chuckle. ”Wow, we definitely are frowned upon aren’t we?” Part of helping someone with their behavioral issues was done through getting to know the person which clearly Ayden was unaware of. ”I honestly know minimal information about students who come in here including yourself. They come in. I get to know them. We progress to more pressing issues. But since you already seem to know why you are in this little predicament, that makes my job easier so let’s get on with it shall we? So poor grades and the inability to stay out of trouble.” Liam leaned back in his desk chair staring at him. ”What would you suggest?” If Ayden knew so much about why he was there, surely he had a good way to fix the issues.

[Ayden Wolfe]

He leant back in his chair, a soft smile piercing his expression as the man spoke. He obviously wasn't getting it. "No, but I just don't see how it has any relevance whatsoever to me or the reasons I'm here." Yeah, small talk was good, but he didn't want to be here in general, let alone having to drag this session along further than it needed to go in order for Liam to apparently do something out of the ordinary for an acamdemic counsellor. If this guy wanted small talk, go annoy one of the teachers who were his age and would want to listen to his British accent and talks of tea and bagels. He wasn't being harsh, he was just being honest. It wasn't like he had anywhere to be, but having to open up about why he was here and all that jazz wasn't his idea of a perfect afternoon.

The man asked what he would suggest, but he really wasn't sure. Apart from being forced to come here, if he knew what to suggest, why would he be here in the first place? "I wouldn't say I have an inability for staying out of trouble. I can't help it if trouble always finds me." Maybe if this man really knew what he was about and how easy it was for trouble to find him, he would understand. But since giving this man a life story on his deepest secret which could expose him as some freak wasn't in the cards for today, he would have to resort to not filling in the blanks on why he was this trouble magnet. And it wasn't like he was the sole reason for trouble in the past, he had gotten into fights with people yes, but usually that was over defending his sister or something along those lines. He did have his reasons, he didn't just get into fights for the sake of fighting, although it was fun beating up certain people.

But going back to what he would suggest to Liam about a resolution to his problems. "Well, someone to do the homework for me is always nice," he replied, not even caring whether this man caught onto his sarchastic humor. "As for the keeping out of trouble part, either send all the students to military to learn how to defend themselves...Or give me a 'don't mess with me' T-Shirt. Preferably in blue." He smirked softly as he looked on at the other man, not sure how he would take his humor of the whole situation. He didn't tend to frown upon things much, always making light of them. He was a gifted human fighting vampires and preventing all deaths and stuff. If you couldn't make light of things in that kind of situation, you never would be able to.

[/size]

[mooshi]

Liam hated that he actually had to be nice right now. Ayden wasn’t giving him too much attitude, but it was coming out as so, and it was just enough to piss him off. But the truth was that unlike other teens, Ayden was actually rather speaking honestly about his feelings and not just saying things to cover up what he was truly feeling. It was definitely a change from what he thought he’d get used to with students here at Midnight Harbour. But Ayden’s sarcastic tone was irritating him. Now he knew how Holden must feel when he decided to be sarcastic at times. It was fuckin’ annoying. If he didn’t want to come to Liam, why didn’t he just not come? Clearly he had no problem causing problems, so he would probably be used to the consequences of not showing up.

Liam couldn’t be mad at him for long though. No, the things Ayden was saying were fairly similar to quite a lot of the comments Liam would be pondering on but had to hold back from saying in front of say the principal or people here in Midnight Harbour, hell even people at the watchers’ council. The idea that trouble always seemed to find Ayden. Well, that was an excuse that Liam used during his whole childhood when he and Ana would get into things they probably shouldn’t have been getting into. The idea of someone doing Ayden’s homework making things a lot easier. That was definitely true! Homework was a distraction from all the craziness that surrounded the life of a watcher and a slayer. And then finally, the idea that kids should be sent to military camps to learn how to properly defend themselves. Liam couldn’t agree more. But agreeing with Ayden was not going to solve anything.

Liam took in a deep breath and then let it out. He had given up completely. Clearly he was unprepared for this job. Counseling? Counseling of all things? I’d rather have been the high school janitor.” Liam glanced up at Ayden who was sitting there with a smirk across his face. ”Alright, I give. You have definitely won this round, Ayden Wolfe. Get to class. Try not to get mixed up in any more trouble. I doubt the best thing for you is to be expelled from Midnight Harbour High. Just try to be nice to people. Maybe spend some time with the person you saved today. In the meantime, I’ll work on ordering that blue t-shirt.” He smiled. What else was he to do? He wondered if this was how it was going to be once he found his slayer. A bratty teenage mess who probably wouldn’t listen to him at all. Would he have to be the voice of reason with her as well? He hoped not because this role was hard enough with Holden let alone the students coming into his office.