"... I think it would be best to end our game, Ania. I'm sorry."
Jacob hefted himself to his feet and headed for the door without much fanfare or even glancing at Hadrian. After he opened the door though, he stood holding onto it, still. He sighed and then looked back at Ania. And only Ania.
"I don't know what you see him, hon. Maybe he is a nice guy. But I don't know how nice a guy could be if he'd be so willing to use his own powers to erase--No. Kill another person over an admittedly petty and juvenile squabble. I'll take my own share of blame for this ordeal, but I don't favor a child who thinks it is fun to steal, kill, or see others harmed. Of course he won't think so. But then again, his kind never see themselves as such. Have a good night, Ania."
And he left, quietly and defeated. He softly closed her dorm room door behind himself and walked down the hallway, intent on heading back to his own apartment with no detours. It had a been long, weird, and tiring day. Sure, he had left under terms that he himself would never have allowed with children of his own or when... confronting another person. But Jacob was drained, disappointed, ashamed, and embarrassed. He just wanted to get away. Hadrian could have his victory. Jacob had been gelded.
The walk home would be one abuzz with an interal conversation with himself what he just did, and what he had put himself through. It was a shameful act. The entire thing. From meeting her on the rooftop to leaving her dorm with his head high and his tail between his legs. He had let himself be his worst self in the worst way, even when he was trying to be a better man. Ania was too young, a student, obviously hurt in some ways, and in a relationship. Her boyfriend was the kind of obnoxious borderline-case that had everything in life to excuse his behavior, and no need to improve upon it. Jacob never had a chance.
He wasn't going to shed tears for this. Ania was never, at any point, in his grasp by any means. So there was no loss. It was his own fault he felt this way. He wore his heart of his sleeve, and his need for affection was so great that he would bend his own principles to let himself fall for any pretty girl with puppy eyes. He exposed himself and was burned for his foible. But he was also a grown man that had already been divorced. His heart had scarred enough to dull the pain and he would be back to normal in due time.
However, he could not decide if he would let himself give Ania her swim lessons anymore... No. He had to. He was obligated to at least give her that, even if it risked crossing paths with that boy again. She was passionate about those lessons, that much was true. As a teacher, it was his duty to teach those willing and eager to learn. It would just be... different. Ania could have all the fun she wanted during those lessons, but Jacob would essentially be a robot. No feeling. He couldn't trust himself to maintain an appropriate emotional distance from her, so he would give her none. From now on, she would be at arms' length.
Jacob hefted himself to his feet and headed for the door without much fanfare or even glancing at Hadrian. After he opened the door though, he stood holding onto it, still. He sighed and then looked back at Ania. And only Ania.
"I don't know what you see him, hon. Maybe he is a nice guy. But I don't know how nice a guy could be if he'd be so willing to use his own powers to erase--No. Kill another person over an admittedly petty and juvenile squabble. I'll take my own share of blame for this ordeal, but I don't favor a child who thinks it is fun to steal, kill, or see others harmed. Of course he won't think so. But then again, his kind never see themselves as such. Have a good night, Ania."
And he left, quietly and defeated. He softly closed her dorm room door behind himself and walked down the hallway, intent on heading back to his own apartment with no detours. It had a been long, weird, and tiring day. Sure, he had left under terms that he himself would never have allowed with children of his own or when... confronting another person. But Jacob was drained, disappointed, ashamed, and embarrassed. He just wanted to get away. Hadrian could have his victory. Jacob had been gelded.
The walk home would be one abuzz with an interal conversation with himself what he just did, and what he had put himself through. It was a shameful act. The entire thing. From meeting her on the rooftop to leaving her dorm with his head high and his tail between his legs. He had let himself be his worst self in the worst way, even when he was trying to be a better man. Ania was too young, a student, obviously hurt in some ways, and in a relationship. Her boyfriend was the kind of obnoxious borderline-case that had everything in life to excuse his behavior, and no need to improve upon it. Jacob never had a chance.
He wasn't going to shed tears for this. Ania was never, at any point, in his grasp by any means. So there was no loss. It was his own fault he felt this way. He wore his heart of his sleeve, and his need for affection was so great that he would bend his own principles to let himself fall for any pretty girl with puppy eyes. He exposed himself and was burned for his foible. But he was also a grown man that had already been divorced. His heart had scarred enough to dull the pain and he would be back to normal in due time.
However, he could not decide if he would let himself give Ania her swim lessons anymore... No. He had to. He was obligated to at least give her that, even if it risked crossing paths with that boy again. She was passionate about those lessons, that much was true. As a teacher, it was his duty to teach those willing and eager to learn. It would just be... different. Ania could have all the fun she wanted during those lessons, but Jacob would essentially be a robot. No feeling. He couldn't trust himself to maintain an appropriate emotional distance from her, so he would give her none. From now on, she would be at arms' length.