Time to Eat the Doughnuts

"I do," Michael said. "And clearly Robert believes you have the potential to be a part of the elite squad he's building, or he would not have even considered you, much less hired you. There could be far worse people for you to mentor under in this world than Robert Lupin, and mentoring is what its going to take in order for you to become the man that you were destined to be.

"You know, I think you know that. I think you have a sense of who you want to be and that it is going to be a bit of a journey for you. If you're wise, you'll take advantage of the wisdom of the men around you who have already walked the path you now see before you. The older aurors that are working with you have a great deal to teach you, not just about catching dark wizards, but about life, love, friendship, and the things in this life that really matter.

"You'll find Robert has potential to act like the fiercest man you've ever met, but that ability to act intimidating is just a tool he uses, like any other. You may learn to develop some of that, if you choose. He can teach you how to duel effectively. He and Brian--and particularly Brian--can help you not only tone up muscles but also to build muscle and strength and endurance. Along with the mindset that you need to be an effective auror. Training is Brian's specialty--its what he does best. Consider yourself enrolled in bootcamp, because that's pretty much what it'll be. And none of us ever emerge from that the same as we went in."
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"I'm willing to learn the widest range of tools I can, for the uses I can. I could use them interchangeably or use them in tandem as long as the effects don't clash. I have a feeling that what I learn about life and love and such will help me in figuring out the psyche of the dark wizards that I might do battle with. I could use my knowledge of that psychology to my advantage, to make them unfit to battle without resorting to a dark spell. Without having to injure too badly, or kill. Though I could kill if I had to. But that's the thing, sometimes I think that I might be the only one beyond help. I don't know why, but I have some doubts, I second guess myself. I second guess whether I can do it or not. However, I'm sure that the men around me will help me quiet such ridiculous notions. Such ridiculous notions that I've been holding myself back because of", Daniel took a deep breath. He hardly breathed while speaking that large chunk. He was hardly used to this.

You seriously think you can do this? You're stupid, Daniel, y'know that? You put yourself in a perilous situation than you're already in. You put yourself up for disappointment. You'll surely fail whatever you attempt. For a supposedly humble man, you take bigger bites than you can swallow. Joshua was talking within him again. Making sure he didn't forget. Making sure that Daniel didn't forget that he was still under the mercy of his second personality. The one that was able to tap into his subconscious sometimes and bring forth negative feelings to be believed by his conscious so he'd stop trying. Why would Joshua wish to see himself fail, then accuse Daniel of the very same thing whilst denying that's what he wanted? One could see in his eyes the scared expression of Daniel, his good side, then his negative side Joshua fiercely berating him with propaganda that would make him stall in decisions. Never being able to trust himself was a huge issue with him. It was a horrid thing, and there was no way of stopping it, or was there? Perhaps the men that he trained with could help him there. But how could he explain it?

"Boot camp, eh? Well, surely no one would emerge from something that major the same again. However, parts of my personality will never change. No matter how hard they're put through the wash of life".

"Well, psychology is an important and often underrated part of the whole process, that's for sure," Michael said. "If you have a good understanding of that, then you could well end up being one of the most successful aurors. Human behavior, wizarding or not, is generally predictable. Muggles have a very sophisticated science about that called profiling, and they find it extremely useful in law enforcement. If you have an interest in psychology, you might consider exploring how they do that. Perhaps it would be interesting in the wizarding world as well.

"As for doubting yourself, well, sometimes its because of our lack of experience at something. And sometimes its because of the negative things we say to ourselves." Michael knew that it, somehow, was more than likely part of the latter. Daniel wasn't just shy. He was somehow choosing to withdraw from the rest of the world in some respects. Michael didn't know why. He did know, though, that Daniel was a lot more capable than he gave himself credit for. He noted Daniel's mention of parts of his personality. He wondered if he was hearing Daniel correctly or if he was reading into his words. He'd heard of it. Hell, he'd read about it, but he also heard it was extremely rare. But he wasn't sure if he was hearing him right. He didn't prejudge Daniel. Obviously Daniel had had to survive some extreme damage. So that, in Michael's mind, had the potential to make him more successful than the average man. Daniel knew how to survive.

"I think there may be a lot more going on in your thoughts than you talk about, isn't there, Lad?" Michael asked gently.

"Well, I do love a good head-poking. I do love a good analysis, so much so that I thought this would be important for this type of work. I wonder if there's any sort of way I can practice though". Look at you, Daniel, you silly stupid boy. You don't know the first thing about it! I can tell. Sure, you may have an interest, but you'd be better off turning tricks in the back of Knockturn Alley for 5 knuts a pop. You know you'd enjoy that, because I'd enjoy that. I'd enjoy all of the sexual encounters. What? You don't want that? You do, you filthy maggot, that's all you are. Don't deny it, you're only good to be an escort.

Daniel zoned out, it was almost if that inner dialogue between his good and evil self could be read upon his face. Something he didn't want. Something he certainly didn't like, but he stuck it out, it seemed. Or did he? "What are you talking about?" He looked around nervously, "I don't want to talk about it in front of a bunch of people. Is it okay to go somewheres more private to talk?" You wuss. No wonder Frank doesn't love you. No matter how hard you try, you'll always fail to impress. Frank's not coming back, and certainly he'd never look at you without laughing. You embarrassment. You're a joke!

Frank. Stanley. Two people that motivated him. He never knew Frank, except a couple months ago. Stanley was dead. He loved both of them, but he didn't know if Frank still loved him. Stan would've still loved him had he been alive. He missed them both so much.

"Certainly," Michael said. "I have just the place. I'm renting a place in Hogsmeade. You don't mind, well, dogs, do you? Its a very unusual, er, dog." How the deuce did one explain Otto anyway? Magical sock eater? Um...furniture? He really did need to have a word with Robert about that. But for that matter, he needed to talk to Robert about most of the furniture. It was not at all what he had agreed with when he had rented the house, and he had had a sparring match again with that snarky hat rack. The thing had snatched his jacket and run up the stairs with it, taunting him all the way. Michael had taken to calling the foultempered hatrack Snidely. But Snidely was about to become firewood if he did it again.

"I don't mind anything, really. I know of much weirder things, much weirder things than dogs. Like, portals to a seemingly endless hell in someone's living room. That would be weird". Awkward. Daniel, you're too awkward for your own good. Just stop trying to charm people. Stop trying to charm everyone. You're not that great. You should never try and be charming as you're not charming. Daniel tried to drown Joshua out, drowning him out in some sort of fashion. "Who's gonna begin the apparation? Me or you?" Jeez, Daniel! Don't know that you suck yet? How much do I have to ride you before you give up? Just give up and sell your body in Knockturn alley. Give up. Give in. I'll never leave you alone until you do. You're nothing, and you know it.

"You can just come with me," He said. He rose, laid his hand on Daniel's shoulder and apparated them outside the stone cottage he was renting in Hogsmeade. "Come in," he said. "I'm renting the place from Robert. Well, from Khaat, technically." He unlocked the door and opened it and went in.

The large tapestry upholstered ottoman ran in circles and jumped about, barking, with one of Michael's socks hanging out of its mouth. Well, what it had for a mouth anyway. "I'm glad to see you too, Otto," Michael laughed. "Daniel, this is Otto. This is my...er...dog. Well, he thinks he's a cocker spaniel." He glanced up to see the hat rack peeking around the corner from the dining room, seeming to be looking for a hat on his head to swipe.

"Forget it, Snidely," Michael said dryly, "No hats today. Alright, you lot! Make some tea, and make it snappy." He snapped his fingers at the fireplace hearth and a fire sprang to life in it.

"The place is a bit quirky, but it isn't dangerous," Michael said. "Have a seat, Lad. The tea will be here in a bit." Michael took his jacket off, and Snidely sprang out of the dining room and snatched it up. Michael sighed, rolling his eyes. "That thing has an attitude."

Apparating was fun, not only for Daniel but for Joshua. That was something they agreed on. It wasn't often they'd agree on something like this. That was just as rare as Joshua shutting up. "Thanks, sir", he smiled. He saw the animated furniture. It was...different. Different, but not too much so. Daniel liked the idea of having animated furniture. It reminded him of a Disney movie.

"Well, it's nice to meet all the people here....and the dog. Your dog is absolutely charming. I wish I had one just like it. It'd make me so happy", Daniel smiled. Hey, dummy! Quit your admiration of the dang "dog" for once, will ya? It's bad enough we have a lazy mutt at home already. We don't need an over excited one too. Especially not something that's actually furniture. Stupid furniture.

He smiled at the hat rack, a smirk. Actually, that wasn't Daniel. Daniel silently disapproved of the hat rack, but Joshua seemed to smirk at it. That smirk played across his face. Yet he didn't know that it was. Didn't know that was happening. Didn't know Joshua might be taking over. It was definitely something he could never be aware of, even at a moment's notice. He sat down on a comfy chair and snuggled against the fabric. That was Joshua again, needy for any type of contact.

Michael was now suspecting things Daniel had alluded to. He had noticed the very subtle shift in the look in Daniel's eyes. It was very, very slight, but it was there. Michael was a keen observer in people. Daniel's body language had shifted. This was not the insecure young man who faced him in the bistro. The young man who had settled into the softness of the sofa was more confident. More self assured and, well, different. So, Daniel wasn't kidding. And, he had "left." There was someone new here, it seemed.

Michael settled into his wing chair comfortably and filled his pipe. "Well, I think its time we met, don't you?"he asked. Michael's style was to be right up front. Sometimes, for others, painfully so. "You know who I am. So, who are you?"

Michael recognized the sounds of tea being made in the kitchen. Well, he did trust the kettle and the mugs to do that much on their own. Make a meal? Well, probably not. But tea, they could manage. Before long, two mugs came floating into the room. One settled on the coffee table in front of Daniel and the other in front of Michael. Following the mugs, a small tray floated in with cream and sugar and spoons. "Help yourself," Michael offered.

"Joshua" He simply responded. "I'm Joshua, Daniel's gone away. He's gone to get his wuss medicine". The tea in front of Daniel looked quite appetizing, but to Joshua it wasn't. Tea wasn't Joshua's thing, that would be coffee. Coffee tasted the best with chocolate. He hesitated to take the tea in the mug, and he tasted it. This tea wasn't too bad, even drinkable. He suddenly loved it again. The tea seemed to bring him back. Joshua was repulsed by the foul liquid, but Daniel loved the taste of tea. It was excellent. Something he enjoyed.

He had already forgotten about Joshua. He had no idea that the alter had taken over at all. Had taken over and made him his slave for a while. He never knew when and how that happened without his consciousness catching on. Or perhaps that part of his brain was in on it all too. He had no idea. He was still settled into the couch, but less so. Settling in that far was a bit uncomfy for him, and the softness made him want to drift off and away. However, he did not allow himself that. He wouldn't until he was ready to do so.

"Whoa! A lot of time has passed since we were here". Conscious Daniel often experienced a time skip after one of his spells as Joshua, but only because Conscious Joshua totally occluded him.