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*frowns*

Who's getting a beating?

Tonight?

*checks the book*

Appleyard for cheek, Bullard for talking, Dennett for being 'a terrible impertinent nuisance' and Watkins for 'not heating up his fagmaster's potted shrimps to the correct temperature'

*blinks*

His fa...what?

And this involves you, how?

Edited 2008-01-14 23:11 (UTC)

His fagmaster. The older boy he acts as fag (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fagging) for.

I am one of the prefects for my house; it is my duty to punish the younger boys.

Ah.

*sits down*

Sounds like a pretty heavy responsibility. Why don't you tell me how you feel about that?

Edited 2008-01-15 00:30 (UTC)

What is this affection of yours for talking about feelings?

*takes a deep breath and counts to ten*

*shrugs*

Just seems like an awful lot of responsibility to put on a kid, making him do a thing like that. You must have some feelings about it one way or the other.

*raises an eyebrow*

Don't you?

...

It's not something I enjoy. But it needs to be done.

*nods and sighs*

Don't get me wrong, I'm not crazy about this whole beatings thing, but...I guess if that's the way things are in your school, then that's the way things are. It's your duty and you have to do it.

I know how important duty is to you, Crispin. And I also know you've got a conscience. Those boys are gonna be a lot better off taking it from you than taking it from some other boy who just enjoys beating the hell out of someone smaller than him.

You've got to do it, so do your best. No more, no less.

Edited 2008-01-15 01:07 (UTC)

*nods* Yes. Indeed. I have realized this. I have always been of the mind that the prefect is assuming a paternal role when punishing younger boys. So I try to do it as my father did to me.

~~But sometimes, I do enjoy it regardless.~~

*raises his eyebrows slightly* They do not so such in American schools?

*nods, his eyes solemn*

He pretty strict, your father?

~~Yeah. I can see how you might.~~

Yeah. Some do.

I would not say so. He never used a cane or paddle on us. But he is certainly not lax. As a child, I prefered him to the cook, who doled out punishment in his absence. *grimaces*

Mostly, I think it is fair. But I believe Eton is overly harsh.

*nods again, slightly relieved*

That's good. Except about the cook. I don't think I would have liked that, either.

It does seem harsh, yeah. *sighs* Traditions like that are so deeply rooted, it's just about impossible to change them. So you do what you can within the rules. You're a good kid, Crispin, and I know you'll do the right thing. Maybe that paternal thing, like you said...maybe you can really help some of these kids stay out of trouble.

She is a champion ear boxer.

Thank you, Anson. Jolly nice of you to say, as you don't seem acquainted with the cane yourself.

*rueful smile*

I got the strap.

Those canes...they look like they really hurt. It must be tough, getting hit with one of those.

On the hands? They do that here as well.

They bally well do hurt! You bleed and have welts for days. I don't recommend it.

Honestly though, I think the strap is worse because you have to watch it come. It is hard not to flinch and pull away.

Well...not exactly.

I couldn't see it coming, in the position I was in, but I could sure as hell hear it.

*arches an eyebrow*

You've been caned? Don't take this the wrong way, kid, but I'm having a hard time picturing you breaking the rules.

Egads, man. I couldn't imagine getting that there. That's what they do to prisoners, How horrible.

*scoffs*

You heard what were caning those boys tonight over, didn't you? After nearly three years here, I'm surprised I still have anything left to sit on.

It's a ghastly affair. Sometime you know you’re set to get one so you sit all day in dread of it, but sometime you don’t know until the time comes. The prefects run round the halls of the house, running the canes along the sideboards to make this ominous mechanized rattling sound. If they start near your room, you know you’re safe, but if you hear them start far, far away, there’s nothing to do but cling to your pillow and try to think of what you could have done. I mean, you’ve literally gone to bed at this point, you’re tucked in with your pajamas on and the door flies open and the call comes.

‘YOU’RE WANTED IN THE LIBRARY IN THREE MINUTES.’

You go down and they make you stand wait outside for ages and ages and ages. Then finally the Head Boy calls you in and the ghastly ritual begins. You’re asked a slew of questions to which there is no satisfactory response and you’re sent out again for more waiting. When you’re called back in, you’re told they’ve thought it over and they’ll just have to give you a beating, there’s nothing to be done for it. You bend over a chair, in front of everyone and they bally lay into you!

*eyes widen, not just at the sheer cruelty of it but at the fact that he's just heard Crispin speak continuously for over two minutes*

*low whistle*

Jeeezus. That's pretty harsh.

*fidgets, partly because he doesn't like to think of someone doing that to Crispin and partly because ~~he kind of does, a little~~ of other reasons*

You must've been awful scared, the first time.

Yes, of course. I had never gotten a beating like that. At home, I'd get it with the slipper or the belt, but never with anything like the cane.

It was especially awful, since I neglected to say thank you afterwards and earned myself another.

*mouth drops open*

They even make you say thank you?

Jeez. And I thought I went to a tough school.

Indeed it does. Using the right tool for the job is tough sometimes.

ooc don't worry, he isn't hitting on Crispin. Too young for him, but he does see the truth in the young man's words

Edited 2008-01-15 00:54 (UTC)

*folds his hands behind his back respectfully as he looks up at the man*

Good evening, sir.

We use rattan canes, sir. I have been told that the movement of my arm should be similar to the one employed when beating a carpet, but it seems that I don't have the knack for it.

*nods - pleased at such respect and good manners*

Maybe perhaps, you should practice beating on said carpets if and when you get the chance. Build up a little strength so even if your technique is off, you can still make sure that your charges are suitably pained and repentant.

I mean no impertinence sir, but honestly, I am quite relived that I no longer have the duty of beating carpets. It is not an activity I seek to take up again.

Honestly sir, they seem penitent enough after. But have been told the end result must be the drawing blood, which I doubt the necessity of.

I perceived no impertinence, young man. You are merely speaking the truth of your opinion. That is always something to take pride in.

Are these your superiors who wish for this blood?

Yes, sir.

They are more my peers than my superiors, sir. But they have be doing it longer than I and they say that's the way it's done. I certainly remember there being blood when I have been so unfortunate as to be on the receiving end.

Been there myself as a youth though not through schools.

Still, discipline seems to have done all right by you. You seem a proper young man bearing the responsibilities as well as you must.

Oh? *stops himself from saying anything more, lest he end up being too forward*

Thank you, sir. That means very much to me. If only my parents could have been here to hear you say that.

Definitely. I still have the scars. *stiff smile almost proud of the fact*

I am sure they always knew you would turn out just right.

Oh. *purses his lips* That sounds terribly severe, sir, especially for a young person.

Oh, of course, sir, they raised me well. But they wish for me to be excellent rather than simply just right.

But they do serve as reminders and really, I did survive, so I feel I am much better for them.

I don't see how you cannot be excellent in no time at all, if you continue on the path that you are on.

A unique attitude, but a useful one, sir.

Thank you, sir. Of course, I have neglected my manners in speaking to you. Lord Fitzroy, sir. A pleasure to meet you.

Thank you Lord Fitzroy and my name is Marius Sulla.