Extracurricular (Jeremy Fox)

[Sebastian Quinn]

Extracurricular activities always look good on one's University application, hence the reason why Sebastian Quinn was sitting attentively at the desk of an empty classroom waiting patiently for his meeting with the school English teacher to begin.

Somnium Academy was seriously lacking in extracurricular activities. Sebastian had noted over the years attending that every group of club created by a student had a tendency to fall through within a month or so from their creation. This was not good at all for potential undergraduates.

Using his own initiative, Sebastian had organised a meeting with Mr Fox in hopes to bring about the subject of forming a debating society, with Sebastian as the chairman (of course). How wonderful that would look on his personal statement.

[Jeremy Fox]

Jerry had received a note earlier that day passed on by one of his colleagues, because he had not been at the teacher´s lounge the moment the kid who had written it, had been there. The name didn´t ring a bell, but that wasn´t too unlikely since the boy who had asked to meet him was a grade 13 student and he had not taught that grade yet, being a newbie at the school himself who had only been there for a couple of months this school year.

Lessons were over for today and Jerry unceremoniously shoved the note into the pocket of his jeans when he made his way towards his class room. He had left his bag at the teacher´s lounge and was curious what this was all about. Most likely some career advise he thought to himself and he liked the idea of someone being interested enough in the subject he taught to have career related questions about it. Or rather, that was the only reason he could imagine.

The door was open and when he stepped in, he saw a dark haired boy sitting there already. The face looked familiar even though he so far had not been able to match a name with it. "Sorry I´m a little late," he said with a small grin stepping in and closing the door behind him. "Sebastian Quinn, right?"

[Sebastian Quinn]

"Yes it is," Sebastian replied, standing up quickly he walked over to the teacher. He nodded politely and extended his hand out towards the older man. "Mr Fox, we haven't had the chance to meet during lesson time yet. I hope you'll enjoy working here at Somnium as much as I enjoy studying here."

Sebastian had learnt from a young age how important it was to schmooze when talking to faculty and other staff members. Being on good terms with the people who were marking your exams and essays was never a bad idea. There was no such thing as self respect when it came to doing better then your peers. After all who needs self respect as long as one had the respect of everybody else?

"Although you haven't been here long I was wondering whether you noticed the severe lack of extracurricular activities in this school?" Sebastian asked, adding, as a second thought, a smile. Without waiting for a reply from the teacher he carried on. "Because you see I was thinking Mr Fox, whether perhaps we could bring an end to all that by starting a Debating Society. It would be an absolutely wonderful way for students of all years to get to know one another, don't you think?"

[Jeremy Fox]

The kid seemed eager, Jerry noticed that right away. Speaking rather fast and concentrated and choosing a rather well developed and complicated way to express himself. He smirked inwardly, thinking back to his own school days when he had been this boy´s age - or no, rather a bit younger. People like him had been on their bully list. Well, things had changed.

He shook Sebastian´s hand and nodded with a smile, then he indicated for the student to sit down opposit his desk before he took a seat himself.
"Well, that sounds like a good idea, Sebastian." he said. There were always students who were interested in such activities, not the majority of them and most just for the reason of fun, but they were there. A debating club, as far as he knew, did not yet exist here. "Did you talk about this with some of your fellow students? Do you think there would be a big enough group of people interested in it?"

[Sebastian Quinn]

Fellow students? Sebastian pondered that question for a brief moment. He couldn't actually think of any fellow students worth telling about his ideas. Perhaps to Joselyn, as an off hand remark, but apart from that his mind drew blanks. He had even considered the possibility that no one would be interested in joining the society. But why would they not want to? It was a perfect addition to one's personal statement, Universities relished the whole extracurricular facet of an applicant's life. But of course Sebastian knew there were people unlike him, people he never really considered the future and what it entailed. Well never mind, it just made the competition easier for him. Still... a Debating Society couldn't really function without people present to debate with.

"Yes I've talked to a whole bunch of people about this idea," Sebastian lied. Lying wasn't a very difficult thing for him to do, the young man did it most every day. "Of course no actual... written agreement to participate though. I suggest putting up a notice of some sorts to advertise."

He smiled at the teacher. "I think we should encourage such interest in extracurricular activities in young people, don't you think Mr Fox? Otherwise they'd be gallivanting around doing a whole assortment of various unproductive things."

[Jeremy Fox]

Jerry had to remind himself not to raise an eyebrow at the boy´s choice of words. Gallivanting? That was an interesting way to express things.
He studied the kid as he listened, his previous impression becoming more solid. Yes, he did indeed look ambitious and the reasons to want to open a club like this could be anything from wanting to improve his chances on the college market to trying to get better grades. He ruled out the latter. Sebastian wasn´t even in his class. But whatever, why not?

He gave a slight smile as he leant back in his chair a little. "Well," he said, chuckling faintly. "while this is rather normal for young people such as yourself, I can see where you´re coming from. Things like debating societies and other extracurricular activities can be quite fun and also look nice if you want to go to college later. Do you have any plans in this direction already?" He would have bet his right foot that there would be a yes to that.

[Sebastian Quinn]

"Plans?" Sebastian repeated. Smiling slightly he made his way over to his school bag which had been placed neatly on one of the desks. He reached into one of the front pockets and produced a small notepad upon which was writ, in neat black ink, 'Notes For Debating Society'. No one could ever say that Sebastian didn't come prepared.

"Well," he began, dark eyes scanning along the lines. "I suggest announcing a notice..." Sebastian looked up at Mr Fox. "I can assist with that if you desire," he stated before returning back to his notes. "Second I think we should decide on a president of this society, which, I assume, would be the the leading member."

A lot of people would say Sebastian was being a smarmy git, and it would be true. But wasn't that the same for all politicians? After all it was a politician that Sebastian was destined to become, and it would all start at school, the earliest form of administration.

[Jeremy Fox]

Jerry´s lips curved into a very faint smirk, betraying some of his amusement but not giving it away to anyone but those who knew him well enough to be able to interpret such slight changes in his friendly behaviour. And I bet you already have an idea about who that president could be, don´t you? he thought to himself but didn´t say out loud.

"I was actually referring to whether you had plans for your future already." he clarified instead. "because I was wondering what gave you the idea of a debating society and whether that idea would be strong enough a motivator. If you think it might help you later that sounds like a good reason to me. Spice up your school credits and all. Many universities welcome that."