Treasure Hunt: Courage, Strength and Magic

[Jared Park]

continued from
TREASURE HUNT!

When Jordan blatantly called him ‘dumb’, Jared could’ve sworn he was all but set to get down and dirty with the boy. No one has called him ‘dumb’ before. Not his siblings, not his friends. The boy only knew him for like, half an hour or so, what gives him the right to call him something as harsh as that? He felt himself tearing up but told himself to keep it all in; it would just give the bratty Campbell relative something to prod him with.

So out of respect for Josef, who he feels is just as uncomfortable with the boy (or with the situation rather) as he is, he simply sent the kid one last glare and turned to the window as the man drove across town.

That is, until Jordan exclaimed about solving the clue and gloated about it (at least to Jared anyway).

Turning slightly to take a peek, he heard a small I told you so ring through his head when he saw the smug grin on the boy’s face. Oh how he wishes he could wipe it off, or at least smash it to the ground. Then he saw the finger. What the hell was he doing anyway?

And so Jared did the only logical thing he could think of. He bit it. Bit it hard. Clamped on it until the boy yelped in pain. Held it tightly so that it’ll be sure to leave a mark. That’ll teach the boy not to mess with him.

“Apologize?! “ exclaimed the boy, giving the man a confused look, “He was the one who started it!” So much for being a Canadian who supposedly said sorry for everything. “I’m ok with walking. Or in not finishing the whole thing. God knows how I can’t stand to be with the brat any longer anyway.”

Just imagine if Jared has a period. Yikes.

[Jordan Scholl]

It was a simple game. Everyone knew the rules. "I'm not touching you, I'm not touching you!" But then this guy, this guy, had to go and muff up everything.

"OW!" Jordan screamed when Jared bit him. "Get off me! What's wrong with you? Are you crazy or something? It's a good thing we're going to the hospital. I bet I need a rabies shot or something."

Then, clutching his finger to his chest, he turned to Josef. "He bit me!" he exclaimed. "I think we should kick him out of the car."

He was really hungry, and that tempted him to apologize just so he could go get food, but if Jared wasn't going to, he wasn't going to. He'd just look weak.

"What am I supposed to apologize for? I wasn't even doing anything, just figuring out the clue. He's just sore because he couldn't think of it himself. But that's okay, because I'm not talking to him anymore. You can tell Jared that it's fine if he wants to quit, because we don't want to hang out with him either."

Except that if Jared left, Jordan would be alone with a strange older man. And that probably wouldn't fly very well, even if the activity did have the Ginny stamp of approval. Which meant he would have to get out of the car, too, and then he'd probably have to end up walking back into town with Jared, so he wouldn't get away from him anyway. Either way, they were likely to be stuck together.

Realizing this, Jordan reluctantly turned to Jared. "Truce?" he said with a frown. "So we can finish this thing and get back to school?" He didn't like to think of himself as a quitter. Leaving now just felt...wrong. And he was willing to swallow his pride to have a shot at winning. "Sorry I...uh..." What was he apologizing for again? Was it the finger thing? No, Jared had been upset before that... "Sorry for, um. For being annoying." That should cover it, whatever it was. Though he couldn't exactly promise to never do it again, seeing as he wasn't even sure what he was apologizing for. "Can we just go get the clue now?"

[Josef Muller]

Josef didn’t immediately say anything to either of the two young men who were in the car with him. After Jared had bit Jordan, he may or may not have hit his head against the steering wheel. He would claim that he was just “resting” it against the wheel, but the fact was that he wasn’t looking at them at the time when they started arguing.

No, he decided. Kids were not ever going to be part of his life, not if this was an example of what they were like. When (well, more like if) he ever had another relationship, he was going to make it very clear. Adopting was off the table.

At least, adopting teenagers. That was definitely entirely out of the question. But instead of saying any of this aloud, he took several deep breaths and made himself relax. Right. He could and would manage to do this.

“Yes,” he said, leaning back in his chair and staring at the ceiling of the car for one very long moment before turning around to stare right at them. “Jared, you will apologize for biting Jordan and for insulting him. Jordan, you will apologize for insulting Jared. And if anything more happens between the two of you, I will be driving you both straight back to Hammel. Are we clear? This is a game, and competition between you two will not help either of you win. Am I quite clear?”

Just how he’d wanted to spend an afternoon—separating bickering kids. Joy.

[Jared Park]

For a moment there, Jared decided he’d hold on to his newfound ego and stay firm. That he won’t apologize to Jordan, even if it was rather evident that what he did was way out of line. Jordan apologized anyway, he already won. No need to make Mr. Smartypants (how mature really) feel any better.

But then his stomach started rumbling. Not too loud, but it droned out long enough for everyone in the car to hear it. He would’ve preferred keeping his stern and angry face, had it not been replaced almost immediately by a flushed and embarrassed expression.

“T-truce,” he said reluctantly, feeling the gaze Mr. Muller was giving him burn right through that thick skull of his, “No more biting. At least until we finish this and win.” He just added the last part because his ego’s whispering quite loudly; the chances of him biting the boy ever again is rather slim, considering how the situation turned for the worse with such a simple act. “I-I’m sorry too. For b-biting you. And being a b-bully. I think.” His gaze never met Jordan’s, and for the next few minutes it probably won’t, but he tried to be as civil as he can at the moment and promptly extended his right arm for a handshake. “I don’t have rabies.”

After all that’s done, he turned to Josef and nervously said, “S-sorry Josef. W-won’t happen a-again.” He took a couple more deep breaths, involuntarily fumbling on his fingers as he continued, “C-can we s-stop by the B-burger King store before we go to the h-hospital though? I’m k-kind of h-hungry.” Requests after just making the man as angry as ever. Surprising really.

[Jordan Scholl]

Jordan smirked just a bit when he heard Jared's stomach go off. He was hungry himself, but at least it wasn't so obvious that he was forced to give in based on the demands of his stomach. But he accepted the older boy's apology with a small nod, though he didn't look the guy exactly in the eye. He was still determined to check for rabies when he got to the hospital, though. Just in case.

"I still think it might be smarter to go to the hospital first, pick up the clue, then go sit down and eat." But not wanting to get chucked out of the car or yelled at again, he sat quietly. "But, you know. Whatever you think is best."

When they arrived at their destination, Jordan hopped out of the car quickly and stretched. He was excited once again and they were starting to go on the right track. And, in addition, he was going to get fast food, which he hadn't had in ages. Only that school cafeteria food, which was better than average cafeterias but still nothing compared to the greasy goodness of Burger King.

"Okay," he said once they had gotten both clue and food and were looking at trying to find the next place. "What do you guys think? The first part seems confusing, but the second part sounds all religiousy and stuff. I just can't tell if the beginning is important." If he were to guess, he would say church, but he didn't want to get yelled at again, either for being a know-it-all or for just talking all the time. So he chose not to say anything.

[OOC: Sorry, guys, just trying to move it along a bit more. Feel free to have things happen in any order you choose. I think Josef gets final call here.]

[Josef Muller]

Josef relaxed as Jared finally apologized, then glanced back at Jordan and Jared as they spoke. Good. They didn’t seem to like each other any better, but at least they were getting along again. Or hiding their anger. He was appreciative of that. If they could just make it through this whole thing, he’d be a happy camper. He hadn’t thought when he’d signed up for this he’d be playing mediator. Or a babysitter, to be more accurate. Oh well.

“Food first,” he said promptly, making an executive decision. And since he was the eldest person in the car and the driver, it really was executive. “I think we’ll all think better with food in our stomachs.” That way, perhaps both of them would be happier with the food in their stomach and possibly even more energy. That was too much to hope for, probably, but Josef could try to be an optimist. Maybe.

Once they were fed (except him, who really didn’t like Burger King) and had made it to the hospital, he let the boys collect the clue, and then read it over their shoulder thoughtfully. He glanced over at Jordan as he thought, then nodded slowly.

“Church sounds right,” he said with a shrug. “Perhaps Catholic? Sacred altar sounds Catholic…” but like he would know. He wasn’t very religious at all. “Jared?” He looked over at the other boy. “What do you think?”

((No problem! Hope you don't mind switching the order. Josef hopes feeding the hungry beasts will help. I was thinking to keep the thread here until we make it to Kali's?))

[Jared Park]

If the recent events are any indication, hunger probably is the reason why Jared (if not Jordan also) was just so violent lately. Or at least, it magnified the boy’s rage and made it erupt in rather explosive proportions (at least by the two relatively timid boys’ standards). A grumbling stomach does have a tendency to make one very cranky. (Cobalt and Dylan are probably almost always very hungry then).

Once he got his food, Jared resigned to focusing all his energies in enjoying the said treat and let his two teammates go wherever (he didn’t really expect Josef to pay for their food, so he’s eternally grateful). He just followed them around the hospital blindly, knowing nothing about how they stumbled upon the clue. He was so captivated by the burger that if Josef didn’t call him, he might not realize that they’re already a few feet from him and he could’ve been left behind already.

“Say what? Oh the clue? Err?” He quickly came over and took a glance at the clue. While he was clueless as to which the number nine referred to (or if it was even significant at that) since he wasn’t a Catholic, he could say that with the words ‘sacred’, ‘altar’ and ‘heaven’, it seemed fairly obvious. “The church seemed just about right,” he nodded in agreement. If it wasn’t there, he could always direct them to the evangelical church he attends to (or at least tries to attend to) every Sunday. “We’re going to the other side of town now? How fun,” chuckled the boy.

Why can’t the first clue be as straight forward as this one?

[Jordan Scholl]

Jordan greatly enjoyed his burger and was in a much better frame of mind by the time the next clue came around.

He'd rushed into the hospital and up to the front desk, where a polite nurse gave him a look and asked if he was here for an emergency or to visit someone. Upon informing her that he was looking for a clue, she'd simply handed over a neat envelope which he had promptly ripped open and read over.

He was still a little concerned that he might be missing something with the 9's--he was a Catholic, he'd even attended a Catholic school, and if it was part of the religion shouldn't he know it by now? But the other two seemed to agree with his first instinct, and it was the only thing that made sense.

"Right, church." He should have just gone with his instincts again, but at least they were all in agreement again now. "Okay, the main Catholic church is down over on the other side of town, on Hill Street."

Jared still appeared to be in top sarcastic form. At least things wouldn't be dull again. Silently he wished that the first clue had been this easy and they hadn't argued as much. He really did not need more enemies at Hammel.

"Let's just hope it's not supposed to be the chapel or something, or that it's the wrong church. That would suck."

[ooc: That was fine, rearranging things. And we can still leave this thread here, I think. Easier than hopping between threads.]

[Josef Muller]

This was a little more equal footing for everyone. Both of the boys were fed—and it was amazing how that seemed to improve their tempers (but perhaps not surprising considering how hungry HE had been as a teenager)—and none of them really had any idea what the clue was supposed to lead to. And it was nice that Jared was going along with Jordan’s suggestion this time. He could only hope that didn’t go away if they proved to be wrong. He really, really didn’t want the bickering to start again.

Actually, Jared seemed to be quite…cheerful now. Maybe there was hope. Although the sudden change in the boy’s mood also made Josef wonder if there had been something in that burger... oh well. He wasn’t going to complain. “Hill Street,” he mused to himself. He thought he knew where that was. “Well, if you know where it is, Jordan, you’ll have to direct me if I start going in the wrong direction. I guess we’ll head in that direction then.” And he shrugged and made his way out to the car.

It went…relatively smoothly. Josef couldn’t afford a GPS and so was mostly relying on his own rusty memories and Jordan’s and Jared’s directions. Not a good idea, he knew, but he was just very happy that it was a small town and that he didn’t get into accidents for some of the rather interesting driving maneuvers he pulled off. They arrived in one piece, and he got out of the car, clearing his throat.

“Right,” he mumbled. “Shall we go inside and fetch the clue, then?”

((Hey guys! Hope it’s okay that I moved them to the church. If not, just let me know and I’ll fix it…))

[Jared Park]

Once it was decided that their next destination was their little neighborhood’s Catholic Church, Jared happily led their ragtag team outside, happily skipping along the hospital floor until they reached Josef’s car. (That burger may have had something in it really). “There’s a difference?” he asked when his archnemesis Jordan said something about a chapel instead of a church, “Aren’t they all the same structure you Catholics go to? Much like a temple versus a mosque versus a church?”

At the risk of sounding confrontational though (hence becoming a big headache for Josef once more), he did flash a wide, awkward and obviously forced grin as ate the last bite off his burger and threw its wrapper away.

Jared entered Josef’s car with still with that idiotic grin on his face and promptly buckled himself in. Which was a good thing, considering how wild unique the man’s driving became soon after. “Woah,” chuckled the boy – who’s still trying to catch his breath – as they finally stopped in front of the said church, “Is that what happens when you’re hungry? ‘Cause that was awesome.”

The boy was amazed at what he saw when they entered the quaint church. There was a mass going on when they arrived, so he quietly snuck to the sides while he waited for it to finish. “What’s that water dish for? A bird bath inside the church?” he asked in a whisper. Apologies for the obviously uncultured and rather ignorant fool.

ooc:
Crappy. I apologize. D;
- Jam

[Jordan Scholl]

"No, they're not all the same," Jordan said to Jared. "Every building is different, but a lot of the cathedrals are bigger. If we are supposed to have an altar, though, it probably is a cathedral. A lot of the chapels aren't specifically Catholic, more just...Christian, I think. So we're probably on the right track."

He could've gone off on a tangent about different buildings for worship, but he didn't think it was worth the argument. Jared's stupidity had been well established, no need to further humiliate him.

Jordan had to do a lot of pointing, in the end, and his directions weren't exactly the best. He'd only been to the cathedral in town a few times, yet every time he said "the big church with the bell tower" they still somehow ended up two blocks away on a one-way road going the wrong way. Jordan was glad they made it in one piece, and as he got out of the car he was silently wondering if he could walk to the school from here. He wasn't sure he wanted to have to go for another drive.

"Awesome?" he asked Jared. "You didn't get carsick from all that?"

Still, he felt better in the fresh air and quickly went up the stairs into the cathedral. At Jared's question, Jordan flashed the other boy a contemptuous look and walked up to the water basin. Without speaking he dipped his hand in the water and made the sign of the cross, bowing briefly at one of the back pews before walking inside.

He waited quietly at the back wall behind the final pews as the service ended. He followed along with the end of the service, but instead of leaving with the rest of the audience when everyone was done he made his way slowly forward to the altar.

Jordan had a quiet word with the priest, who smiled and pointed toward one of the women standing in the wings. With a nod, he went back to Josef and Jared. "She's got the clue. You guys want to go get it?"

They were in the right place. This wasn't so hard.

[Josef Muller]

Josef himself was wondering what the difference was between chapels and churches and cathedrals. Oh, he’d probably seen more than Jared had, but his family hadn’t been very religious, and Josef sometimes felt a little guilty for his simple lack of ever doing anything religious. Sometimes. But mostly, he tried not to think about it.

He was also slightly startled when Jared said that his driving—which was “hellish” to the cynic inside of him and simply “frightening” to his milder side—was “awesome.” He agreed with Jordan more on this one. He was the drivre and he was carsick.

“Jared,” he said in a fairly even voice, a marvel considering his pounding heart, “I never am going to drive like that again. If at all possible.” Because you never knew. He just really, really hoped not.

He followed Jordan in, a little behind Jared, but when the other boy threw back a contemptuous look at Jared’s question, he bent his head to murmur an explanation.

“It has holy water in it. It’s supposed to be for blessing people. Not a bird bath.” He smiled at him, then continued in, but not after dipping a finger into the water and making a quick cross. Not religious, but he did know the practices pretty well. It seemed to come with his power—the need to conduct the physical rituals he knew about.

When Jordan returned, he nodded slowly. “I’ll get it,” he said, and slipped away. He talked to the woman briefly, then returned, offering the clue to the boys. He’d already scanned it, and had a theory, but he wanted to see what they thought first.

And, hopefully, he wouldn’t regret that.

[Jared Park]

Surprising as it may have been, Jared took no offense at Jordan’s explanation of the differences in terminology. All in all, he was honestly curious about it. “Oh really? That’s…amazing,” he nodded with glee. His smile was surprisingly sincere; no contempt, no malice. I blame those Burger King burgers still.

“Well, no!” replied the boy, looking at Jordan as if such a thought was downright crazy, “Why would I anyway? Not my fault you have a weak stomach.” And the world’s back to normal again. “Please don’t throw up on me, ok?” He stuck his tongue out once again, hands on his hips as he followed the younger boy inside the church.

He didn’t know what was more frustrating – the fact that Josef vowed never to drive like that again or that he agreed with the brat. In the end he went with the latter; Jordan has been an enemy from the start after all and Josef’s all but a nice guy caught between two warring factions. “Why? It was awesome. Like I was in one of those Fast&Furious movies. (Which I don’t watch at a daily basis). Adrenaline for the win!” He did a fist pump, totally ignoring that he’s in a church and the mass is all but finished.

Jordan’s glare wasn’t missed and was immediately returned with a piercing stare of his own. “Why must that boy be so mean all the time?” he mumbled, thankful that Josef had the maturity to enlighten him.

He consciously tried to stop himself from showing any outward signs of boredom until the end of the service but found himself yawning once or twice. “She has them? That’s awesome. I can get it.” Anything to get away from Jordan is a good thing.

It’s not like Jordan’ll suddenly run past him just so he can have the glory of being the one to get the last clue right?

ooc:
Feel free to NPC Jared so that he'd be back already if needed. Or something. :3.
- Jam

[Jordan Scholl]

Jordan was glad to hear that Josef was planning to travel more reasonably in the future--it gave him the courage to think about getting back in the car at the end of this. "I won't throw up on you, Jared. At least not today." It was something to keep in mind, though. Vomiting on someone was disgusting and could be a very appropriate form of revenge.

He missed the comment about his mean attitude, which was probably for the better, as it would only have led to further arguments. And in a church, no less.

Jordan chose to wait and let the others go get the clue. The funniest part was, of course, that Josef had gone to get the clue while Jared had stayed behind to laugh at Jordan, which gave the older man enough time to reach the nun and return while Jared was still on his way out. As far as glory was concerned, Jordan wasn't worried about getting the clues, but far more interested in solving them. That was the only real point of the game.

So when he glanced over the note, he frowned hard. It didn't make much sense to him--it was quite a bit longer than the other riddles and that probably meant that some of it wasn't important. But he couldn't really identify what the actual important bits were. "I don't know," he said, looking at the second stanza for a moment. "The closest I can think of is pease porridge. You know, pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold...but that doesn't really make sense. But it's probably a food or something. Are we supposed to go back to the cafeteria?"

[Josef Muller]

Josef was quite impressed by how much better the boys were getting along. He hadn’t expected that to work out so…well. Just by feeding them, too. Adopting, he had decided, was still quite off the table. That had more to do with the fact that he was single and didn’t have much time to work something out with a kid, but it also didn’t help that Josef had seen the dreaded Teenager at his hungriest. He wondered if he’d been like that, and came to the glum conclusion of probably.

“Driving isn’t supposed to be like one of the Fast and Furious movies, Jared.” Although he’d admit he may or may not have driven that recklessly when he was younger. Or when he’d had William’s car. By God, the man may have been a complete as—bas—pain, but he had a brilliant taste in cars. That had definitely been a plus to the marriage. “It’s supposed to be safe. So no. No more driving like that.” He eyed Jordan at his “throw-up” comment, then Jared, but sighed and decided to dismiss it for now. So far they were getting along. He didn’t dare jeopardize the fragile peace.

“He’s not mean,” he said, because he was Josef and he liked thinking of the positives of (most) people. Besides, Jordan didn’t seem that bad. “He’s just very…focused.” And a little petty, he added to himself. But both of them were, so he wasn’t going to say anything whatsoever.

He’d returned when Jared was leaving, and his brows were climbing as he watched the boy pass him by. But if he wanted to do so…fine. He just offered an apologetic shrug when he returned, and turned his attention back to the clue.

“I don’t think porridge was discovered in Africa,” he said, a little doubtfully. “And it isn’t a necessity. Besides, it doesn’t give you much….energy….” Aha. He thought he had it. But, as usual, he’d let them toy with it a little more before offering a potential solution.