Pick Up The Pieces - Jaxon

[berkley appleyard]

He had no idea what set it off but his anxious mind was going haywire. He kept on seeing flashes on things in his mind's eye but he had no idea what it was all about. Thinking that some fresh air would be great he got the leash out and whistled for Jax. The Labrador the bounded up and Berk scratched his ears affectionately and watched as his back leg tapped along with the rhythm of the scratch. He clipped on the lead and grabbing his coat headed out into the cool autumn night.



The moment he stepped outside he breathed in the air. It fresh and cool and made him smile. Autumn was always a favourite season of his and it more than anything reminded him of his school days at Hogwarts which in a way he was reliving now that he was back, though as a teacher. Finding a tree he sat down under it and unclipping the lead let Jax run off. The dog would not go that far after all. Crossing his legs he and sitting up right he closed his eyes deciding that maybe a bit of meditation would be a good way to calm his jangling nerves and clear up the images invading his mind.

Tag: jaxon jacoby

[jaxon jacoby]

The cool, autumn night air felt good against his skin as he walked with his two wolf companions, Hati and Sköll, his hair free and hanging just past his shoulders. He'd had a few people ask him why didn't he cut it to a more manageable length to which he would always reply that what was manageable for him may not be for others and that it would stay how he preferred it. Besides, it gave him a more rugged appearance. He was dressed in a pair of well worn jeans, a grayish colored t-shirt with his favorite earthen brown corduroy vest over it, and his more than well worn, dragonhide boots.

Jaxon walked the grounds, more or less to make sure that everything was okay and that no one was here that wasn't supposed to be here. He knew that he didn't have to do that.....that it wasn't part of his job description, but he felt it necessary to protect the students and his fellow professors. He'd been that way when he worked with his mother for a little while. Ever protective over her, and he guessed that it was just some innate desire to keep others safe as well.

Jaxon's steps slowed when he noticed Hati and Sköll sniffing the air and looking around; he also began looking around, noticing someone sitting beneath a tree not too far away, a canine playing and bouncing not too far away from them, apparently their companion. Wanting to see who it was, Jaxon began to walk in their direction, recognizing the ginger-hued hair as he got closer - Berkley Appleyard, fellow Hogwarts Alumnus and the professor of Charms.

"Hey Berk," he greeted the other warmly, a soft smile on his face. He approached, but didn't sit, deciding that he would wait for the other to ask him to join him before rudely intruding. "How are you this evening?" he asked. There was a certain warmth in the timbre of Jaxon's voice, sort of like the warmth of a hug that is gentle and comforting.

Tag: berkley appleyard

[berkley appleyard]

Meditation was not something that came easy to him. It was something that had been suggested and instructed on how to do by various psychologist and psychiatrists that he had been sent to while still a child. His father had decided, after a while, that the anxiety, panic attacks and even the visions and predictions that Berk made, despite the benefit that he had gotten out of it, were not normal and after doctor's assessments have be sent to. Well-meaning as they were the meditation and medication never really helped him all much but then some of his issues were magical in nature and naturally none of their techniques would have worked.

The breeze ruffled his hair and he could hear the faint sounds of Jax as he romped around the grounds. There were owls hooting and other night birds and creatures coming out for the nightly hunts. Behind his eyes the images still flashed and he was able to recognise several of the people in the images. Students and other Professors at the school, the Minster for Magic and well known officials though he still had no idea what it all meant. His mother popped up every now and again but he had more of an idea of that was about. He would have to go and see her shortly and he knew that she was not long for this world.

The sound of footsteps and his name being spoken and Berk slowly opened his eyes and blinked a couple of times trying to get rid of the fog and the last image of a centaur with a bow raised up with the arrow pointed towards him from his gaze. He raised his head and blinked again his blue eyes focused on the man standing above him. As his eyes focused he couldn't help but smile as he saw his friend and colleague Jaxon standing above him. Standing up and brushing off the dirt and leaves from his jeans he held to his friend.

"Hi Jaxon," he said grinning slightly. "A little edgy actually. Hoping the night air with clear the head but doesn't seem to be working all that much."


Over Jaxon's shoulder he saw two wolves pad over to his own dog and he eyed them suspiciously and the relaxed remembering that Jaxon had wolves as pets. His face then went beet red as he looked from Jaxon to his own dog

[jaxon jacoby]

---

---

Jaxon continued to smile as he watched Berkley stand up and brush himself off. However, as Berkley answered his question as to how he was, his smile faded a little, and he began to wonder what had his friend on edge.

"Anything I can do to help?" he asked as he gently rested his hand on Berkley's shoulder. He gave a gentle squeeze, gazing at his colleague with concern in his dark eyes, his hair falling over his shoulders and framing his face, shadowing it from the moonlight from above.

Jaxon saw Berkley's gaze go past him and looked over his shoulder to see Hati and Skӧll approaching Berkley's dog Jax. He couldn't help but smile at what the other had named his dog, finding it cute. He watched as the two wolves began to frolic and play with Berkley's dog, a chuckle rumbling in his chest as he watched them play. He then turned his attention back to Berkley, that same concern still in his eyes.

---

---

TAGGED: berkley appleyard

---

---

[berkley appleyard]

Running his hand down his face as if to wipe away the images and fatigue Berk shook his head and smiled a little. He wasn't sure if he had ever told Jaxon about his visions at all. He didn't like to talk about them after all as he saw them as nothing but trouble in both what they foretold and in his general state of mind. He appreciate the concern that he was showing however.


"I don't think so," he said, a touch of wariness in his voice. The site of the Centaur however made him think of Jaxon and his role as Care of Magical Creatures Professor and he wondered if he was on good terms with the Centaurs of the Forbidden Forest. It might however be a more caretaker thing than a Care of Magical Creatures thing but it didn't hurt to ask. "Are you on good terms with the Centaurs of the forest by any chance?"
He watched his Labrador play with the wolves and chuckled along with Jaxon.

"I named him after you. Jax I mean. When I got him there was just something about him that reminded me of you and that is why I named him Jax."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jaxon jacoby]

---

---

Jaxon was observant......very observant; every movement and even the wariness in Berkley's tone gave away to him that not everything was okay with his colleague, and with it being Berkley - someone that Jaxon had found he'd come to care for a lot - he was determined to get to the bottom of it; he didn't like seeing those he cared about in such distress.

"Okay, but if you need anything, I'm here for you. For anything....." he said, his voice trailing off at Berkley's question about him being on good terms with the centaurs that dwelled in the Forbidden Forest. Jaxon tilted his head a little, a few strands falling across his face a little, catching slightly in some of the hair of his beard which he realized was due for some trimming. It wasn't horribly bad yet, but he liked to keep it well maintained.

"I am. I have conversed with them on occasion, and I have given them no cause to dislike me in any way," he said reassuringly. He wanted to ask why, but Berkley already seemed a bit shaken, so Jaxon didn't push, but he was still very concerned, because it felt like there was something that Berkley wasn't telling him.

Jaxon watched the canines play together as if they'd been friends all their lives. He heard what Berkley said about naming his dog, and Jaxon couldn't help the warm feeling that swelled within him, and it showed in the smile that spread across his lips and in the warm hum of contentment that rumbled in his chest. He then looked at Berkley again.

"I was going to head back to my cabin. Wanna join me for a bit? I have some firewhiskey which may just take that edge off and help you relax. I'll even walk you back to the castle when you're ready to come back," he offered. Jaxon had built his own cozy little cabin on the edge of the forest, something that reminded him of his childhood home, and it was just more comfortable to him than being cooped up in the stone walls of the castle.

---

---

TAGGED: berkley appleyard

---

---

[berkley appleyard]

All the while as he talked the images kept on flashing. It was kind of making him feel dizzy as he was not sure if he should concentrating on his friend and dog or the images that came and went. The image of the centaur kept showing up and he no idea what it meant. He, of course, knew that centaurs were very insightful beasts, as they classified themselves, and very proud and territorial. He wondered if they would be able to interpret what he was seeing.

Jaxon's offer of heading back to his cabin was a good one. The offer of the firewhiskey even better. Maybe it would clear the fuzz and at the very least it would help him sleep. Firewhiskey always had that effect on him. Give him ale, mead or just a good straight out muggle beer and he could drink it to the cows come home. Firewhiskey or any kind of whiskey, bourbon or rum seemed to sap his energy

"Sounds good," he said whistling for Jax wondering if he should tell him about the visions and see if he could make out anything in the jumble.

Tag:@jaxon

[jaxon jacoby]

---

---

Jaxon couldn't help but keep his eyes on his friend as they kept talking; he knew that something was off, but he just couldn't put his finger on what it was, and Berkley didn't seem to be too eager to open up about it just yet. However, Jaxon was a patient man, and he didn't mind waiting; anything for a friend.

He smiled as Berkley accepted his invitation, watching as the other's dog bounded towards them, his own wolves right behind him. He then offered Berkley his hand to lead the way. Jaxon wasn't exactly why he'd offered his hand to the other, but he had just the same, and he stood there, waiting to see if the other would actually take it or not.

---

---

TAGGED: berkley appleyard

---

---

[berkley appleyard]

He was definitely feeling dizzy. The images kept on repeating over and over again. The Minister, the students, the professors, the centaur and his mother. He just wanted to know that it was all about. He couldn't really understand what his mother had to do with it. The others he could to a point they were all connected but his mother's only connection was to him and she was also dying. Maybe it was because she was dying that was the key.

He felt himself sway and grabbing out he as if to steady himself he ended up grabbing onto the hand that Jaxon was holding out. He didn't think much of it as he and Jaxon were friends and neither of them had shown an interest in the other in anything other than friendship.

"Thank you," Berkley said his voice a little hoarse as they made their way to Jaxon's cabin.

Tag: jaxon jacoby

[jaxon jacoby]

---

---

Jaxon noticed the way that Berkley swayed a little when he took his offered hand; this made him worry about his friend, and he held to the hand that Berkley had given him and stayed close as they walked to his cabin, his wolves and Berkley's dog following along behind them. The hoarsely spoken thank you also raised Jaxon's suspicions. He hoped his friend was okay.

"It's no problem. You look like you need to relax anyway," he replied, looking over at Berkley and giving him a warm smile. It surprised Jaxon that he'd become so caring and close to Berkley. Before, it had never really been anything more than a friendship, and Jaxon had never had feelings like this for a guy before. It scared him a little, and he'd tried to distance himself from the feelings without distancing himself from Berkley. He just couldn't shake the feelings though, something he'd determined had developed over time and not just overnight. He'd wanted to talk to the other about it, but he knew that right now - with the way that Berkley was acting - would not be a good time to do so.

It wasn't long before they arrived at his cabin. It was a wonderfully cozy spot on the edge of the grounds between the castle and the Forbidden Forest. To one side, there was an enclosure, two horses sleeping within, and to the other side, a garden spot that was lush with a winter crop, hardy plants that could withstand the cold. Jaxon pushed the door open, holding it open for Berkley to go in then followed in behind him. There was a warm fire stoked in the large, stone fireplace, and a pot hung on a hook just to the left of the fire, the smell of some sort of stew rising from it. Hati and Sköll made their way over to the hearth stretching then circling twice before laying down on a fur that Jaxon had used for their bed; Jax was more than welcome to join them if he wanted.

"Take a seat, and I'll grab the firewhiskey," he said. "Would you like something to eat?" he asked as he moved to grab two cups and a bottle of firewhiskey from the cupboard over the sink.

---

---

TAGGED: berkley appleyard

---

---

[berkley appleyard]

Berk stumbled as Jaxon lead them to his cabin by the Forest. His head was still a jumble of images though some different ones were making a push. Full moons and werewolves and other people that he was sure there were more than meets the eye. A few of them he recognised as students and just people that he knew in general magical life but some of them he did not and wasn't sure that he want to either whether they were in his head or not.



"That's what the fresh air was supposed to do," he said trying to return the smile to his friend though it was not easy as a woman on the back of the winged horse and holding a sword popped into his head. He was sure that his smile looked more confused than warm. Was he now seeing images from the past or from long forgotten movies that he may have watched with his mother or maybe his father when he was around? A witch wouldn't be that stupid to be flying on a horse in this day and age especially holding a sword.



They had arrived at the cabin and Berk stumbled through it and dropped down into one of the chairs close to the fire. He watched as the wolves curled up in front of the fire and watched as Jax looked towards them and then to him and then back at the wolves. Jax padded over and instead of taking a spot with a wolves came over and sat next to him placing his head on his knee and looking up at him with worry in his eyes. Berk gave him a weak smile and patted his head.



"No," he mumbled, "I am fine for now but maybe later. If the fire whiskey doesn't put me to sleep it will make me hungry. If I don't fall asleep in this chair you might have to escort me back to the castle."



Rubbing his eyes Berkley sighed. Opening he looked to his friend the weary showing in his eyes. He was going to have explain himself. He had been lucky in a sense that his behaviours never really needed to be explained all that much while he had been at school. Sure he made the odd prediction or two especially when it came to Quidditch matches or other games that may have bene played and maybe even test results or teenage bets and stuff but they were relatively safe and most of them his friends, housemate and classmates just considered to be lucky guesses. They were lucky but they were never guesses. Sighing once more he looked down at his shoes.



"I guess you probably noticed that there is something up with me tonight?"

Tag: jaxon jacoby

[jaxon jacoby]

---

---

Jaxon kept ever watchful over Berkley as they made their way to the cabin, definitely noticing how off he seemed, and this only concerned him even more. He hoped that his dear friend would be okay. He looked over, watching as the Charms professor sat down in one of the chairs by the fire. His two wolves were now fast asleep by the fire, and he watched as Jax laid his head on Berkley's knee.

Finishing pouring the firewhiskey, Jaxon came over and sat down in a chair that sat across from his colleague, handing a cup to him and keeping one for himself, setting the bottle on the floor next to his chair. This was definitely a night that was going to call for more than one cup of alcohol. He wanted to know what was going on with Berkley that had him so off kilter tonight. As the other brought it up as if knowing what Jaxon was thinking, he looked up from his cup, taking a sip then nodding.

"Well, I definitely noticed that something's got you off kilter tonight, Berk. And, to say that I'm concerned is a mild understatement. You're more than welcome to tell me about it if you want; you know I'm always here to listen if you need me. I've told you that before," he said, a timbre of concern in the softness of his deep voice. Someone had once told him that his voice had a calming, soothing quality to it; he wasn't sure how true this was since he never really listened to himself talk, but in this situation, he kept his voice as calm as he could, walking to keep Berkley calm and relaxed.

---

---

TAGGED: berkley appleyard

---

---

[berkley appleyard]

Berk sighed and took a sip of the liquid. The fire whiskey felt tingly as it went down his throat and pooled in his stomach and closing his eyes he took in the sensation for a moment before opening them and looking straight into Jaxon's eyes. He felt that this was a moment to be direct with his friend. He didn't like talking about this ability and very people knew that he had it. Only his mother and old Professor Sprout. It felt like he was about to admit to a deep dark secret that he had for a long time. He wondered if he would feel a lighter admitting this to someone else. Share the load so to speak.

"You know that I am muggleborn, right?" he asked, "They usually have a story or two about how their magic manifested. Usually a display of anger or fear would make them do something that they shouldn't be able to do or could be explained away in some way or another. Lights flashing or bursting, windows or glasses shattering. That kind of thing. Mine didn't happen that way."

He broke eye contact for a moment and took another sip of the whiskey and once again savouring it as it went down. He stroked Jax on the head for a moment before returning his gaze to Jaxon's.

"It might have made it easier if it did. If I accidently made things explode or found myself in places that I shouldn't be and didn't know how I got there my father might had left a lot earlier than he did instead of on my 11th birthday," he said a little anger in his voice. He had never showed anger towards his father for that. His emotions had always tended towards sadness not for him really but for his mother. "No, my magic had to come in visions and predicting things before they happen. Making my father happy because it made him popular with his constituents and a little more money in the pockets. It made him happy because I was popular at school because I was 'lucky', despite being an odd ball whose hair and clothes were always messy."

He closed his eyes and rubbed them a bit before opening them once more.

"Don't get me wrong. I love being a wizard and having magic I just hate being a Seer," he finally said. "That is why I have been acting so strange tonight. The jumble of images has been relentless and it has definitely made me off kilter. I just wish I could make some sense of it all."

He relaxed slightly and took another sip of the whiskey. Maybe unloading was the right thing to do. He just had to wait and see what his friend had to say about it all.

Tag - jaxon jacoby         

[jaxon jacoby]

---

---

Jaxon sat and listened to Berkley, nodding when he was asked if he knew that the other was a muggleborn; he'd known since about their third or fourth year in Hogwarts, so it really wasn't news to him. However, the fact that Berkley was a seer was news to Jaxon; he hadn't guessed that. He'd thought that all those predictions and such in school were just lucky guesses.....the same thing that everyone had seemed to presume.

Jaxon frowned a little. "Wow Berk.....I had no idea. I really wish you would have talked to me though. I've always seen myself as an understanding guy; I wouldn't have judged you at all. I mean, we went through most of our years of Hogwarts with me knowing that you were a muggleborn, but that never once made me want to stop being your friend, and I'm sure that it'll never change my opinion of you. I care about you Berkley, and I want nothing more than to be there for you when you need someone the most," he told the other, leaning up in his chair a little and propping his arm on his knee, gaze intent on his friend.

---

---

TAGGED: berkley appleyard

---

---

[berkley appleyard]

"You got it all wrong Jaxon, I never once thought that you were untrustworthy or anything. Being muggleborn is already hard enough. You have to deal with being an outsider to an extent as you know virtually nothing except the brief explanation given to you by the strange person at the front door who tells you what you are and that they are one too. You are taken to a strange street where you shop for items that you have no idea how to use or what to do with and then told to go to Kings Cross Station on the first of September and told to catch a train to God knows where," he said taking another sip of his drink. He closed his eyes and dropped his head so he was now looking at his boots.

"You know no-one at all and are not familiar with the ways of this world and you are looked down upon to a certain extent because of this. Imagine all that and also having this extra ability but don't know that it is extra or rare. I thought on that train that most of the kids had visions or made predictions like I did so I didn't think that it was necessary to make mention of it. It wasn't until a couple of months in that I found that it wasn't and I didn't want to stand out any more than I already did."

He lifted his head and looked Jaxon in the eyes. He was grateful that Jaxon was taking this well. It was not easy admitting something to someone that you have known most of your life. Gulped and ruffled his hair once more and smiled.

"Thank you for understanding Jaxon," he said with small smile."

Tag: jaxon jacoby
Note: Sorry for the delay