12 Jul 2021, 03:00
The Making of a Cupid
as Hadrian Zuheir@Andrew Vance
as Jayden Holt
as Amaya Haddock
Most of her classmates were tuckered out from the round-the-clock celebration of the Blossom Ball, hosted by Hogwarts and its faculty members. Perhaps Amaya would have been there to accompany her classmates except there was one crucial rumor that'd been drifting around. Despite the couple of dresses still laying in her bewitched suitcase, she hadn't gotten gone to the Blossom Ball yesterday night. The academy had an atrocious reputation when it came to its special events. Awful things always happened and she didn't want to jeopardize her wellbeing. As much as she would have loved to prance around in her tangerine-tinted dress yesterday, she took the time to work on her makeup. It wasn't near perfect, but she was actually being sensible for once.
Wrapped inside the comforters on her bed, she couldn't believe her ears. She had made the right call staying out of the drama that appeared with the Ball. Rumors of Greek Gods and Goddess filled her ears, she couldn't help but give her two cents about the trials. Regret tugged at her mind, maybe she should have gone... or not. Poisoned, spiked, corrupted, they were all different words with similar meanings. Some collapsed into a surge of uncontrollable violence, others anxiety. Regardless, she wouldn't be drinking any of the orange juice served at breakfast. Or any liquids on the Scottish grounds for that matter.
Amaya flung the sheets off her petite frame and put on her outfit of the day; a blue midi gown embellished with a white botanical print. Her flats were charmed white to resemble the pattern, though once originally black. Who needs another pair of shoes? She decided to let her natural appearance show, the freckles on her face more apparent than the rumpled curls of her trimmed hair, but there was nothing to do about that. She could still hear rumors regarding the Ball being broadcasted. She didn't know what to trust... so she assumed all of it was authentic information. Fear Of Missing Out was a real thing. A part of her still wanted to show off the radiant orange dress... even if it was a tad revealing. She had spent her own money on it, but perhaps she could use it next year. If she went, that is.
Instead of lounging inside the cabins, the girl made her way outside, a heatwave greeting her in the face. Hunched over picking harebells on the side of the cabin, rumors of the Greek Gods met her ears. The wildflowers were souvenirs to return to her siblings in Minnesota. This obviously wasn't going to be her last time in Scotland, but she couldn't find anything better to do. Maybe she could make the bluebells native in her homeland, but that was a lot of work and her memory could never preserve a plant. Humming the opening song to the Frozen sequel [X], she accumulated the bulbs in her arms, collecting a small bouquet. They were all corresponding in color, but there was no such thing as too much.
The Native American girl was saturated in sunlight, her skin tone highlighting the remnant blush she forgot to remove from yesterday. There wasn't a cloud in sight, but there were no worries from Amaya. The fiery sun gleaming above her struggled to tan her skin; the girl was heavy with her SPF cream. Sunscreen was a vital component for her routine.
It was quite strange being thousands of miles away from home, or in other words, from Ilvermorny. It was her first time traveling outside of the country, the feeling was exhilarating. Sure, she was protected from her mother's presence inside the school's walls, but now, her calls and texts couldn't reach Amaya without a charge, and who knew how long it would take for her owl to travel across the ocean. She was liberated from her clutch until she returned back home for the summer. Her mother never trusted magic, and from what Amaya had heard today, she was right to.
~ Emmaline Louise Milanes ~
Stamina » 9 || Evasion » 9 || Strength » 10 || Wisdom » 7 || Arc Power » 2 || Accuracy » 14
Poison Resistance || Binding Mark || Prodigal Transfig. Learner || The Muggle Condition
Stamina » 9 || Evasion » 9 || Strength » 10 || Wisdom » 7 || Arc Power » 2 || Accuracy » 14
Poison Resistance || Binding Mark || Prodigal Transfig. Learner || The Muggle Condition
Jayden Holt
17 Jul 2022, 08:39
The Making of a Cupid
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"Hadrian!" A rough shout would pierce the ambient birdsong, followed by the woodpecker drum of a fist pounding against a plank of wood, disrupting the peace of an otherwise beautiful and relaxing morning. Whoever answered the incessant banging would be met with a girl barring the entryway, nose up to the cabin door where she stood. Ignoring the peeved look on her face, her state of appearance was a bit...wilted. Jayden was perfectly aware that she wasn't looking too hot. Traces of sparkly eyeshadow and lip gloss smudged across her face from when she had groggily wiped the crust from her eyes and drool from her lips, sprawled across her bed a few minutes earlier. Disheveled curls from her mermaid braid half-unraveled, untangling the silver waterfall of a massive gem piece out of her hair. The sickly sweet smell of an hours' old expired spritz of floral perfume mixed with sweat, clinging to her pillow and the same peach-colored dress she wore from last night. And a pair of fuzzy white bunny slippers – not hers, but one of her cabinmates' (she'd give them back later) – more comfortable than the silver flats she tossed off upon rolling out of bed, haphazardly slipping on whatever shoe was in her path as she stormed out of her cabin. Undeterred by passerby stares, her laser focus bent on sniffing out her quarry, making a beeline for Hadrian's cabin. He couldn't hide from her!
Reducio
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minus the silver flats & hairpiece
Fragments of the ball surfaced to memory. Running through mud... Lots of running... The Trials. The music. The party... Drinking punch -- *gasp* -- The punch! Hadrian. She nearly growled the name in ire, remembering the cup of punch Hadrian handed to her. One of the last clear images, raising the glass to her lips, before things went south in a blur. The paranoia that consumed her, believing Hadrian had poisoned her drink, had lulled her to sleep in a drunken stupor (that plus a sugar coma from the dozen desserts she wolfed down), fantasy intermingling with reality as she awoke. Head in a groggy cloud, nearly panicking at her own amnesia, too exhausted to recall much of anything before collapsing into bed last night. Come to the party, they said. It'll be fun, they said.
So she would pay him a visit, demanding an audience with the heir of Zuheir, wand gripped in her right hand while pounding on the door with the other. "Hadrian! I know it was you!" She shouted. Irrational fear still lingered, fuming within. First he tried getting all buddy-buddy with her last night, after ghosting her for so many months. NOW he was spiking her drinks?! So much for friendship! So much for trust! "Also, THANK YOU for not apologizing, for not talking to me all this time! And not telling me what was up! If you really wanted to get rid of me, all you had to do was ASK!" What started out as comical rant, huffing and puffing as her squabbles with Hadrian had always been, shortly turned into something more heartfelt. A flash of hurt in her eyes as she unloaded the weight off her chest. Lofty rich pure-bloods and their superficialities; she wouldn't assume Hadrian to consider her as his bestest, super closest of friends, but she had thought that...maybe their time together might've counted for something. For him to confide in her. Just a little. Rather than give her the cold shoulder for the past eight months.
28 Jul 2022, 16:43
The Making of a Cupid
Hadrian! The bed creaked as the waking Wampus turned towards the flooding rays of the early morning sun through the cabin's windows. Last night, an outdoor party that was lit by the warm glowing ambers of firepits, was quite an event to remember. Not because of the activities planned nor the food, but the girl. Jayden. Like running outland with her head full of delusions, yelling, screaming, and crying. Jayden was rarely ever frightened but within those hazel eyes last night was fear - and that scared him, and Hadrian, like Jayden rarely ever got scared.
How impetuous he'd been who thought it would be an amusing idea to pour his friend a drink - only after witnessing the change in the behaviour of those around who already lifted a cup of the same liquid to their lips. No, but it wasn't his fault, he never noticed anything wrong with the punch, he was only being kind to his dear friend. Yet, he knew Jayden would not believe a word now that she was already at the door, pounding incessantly.
Still, it was barely a few minutes since he was seized away from his slumber that he had no time to find a shirt before answering the door. Only to find the witch armed at the ready and a scowl on her face. With feigned weariness, he drawled, "What do you want, Wolf? Let me have a cup of coffee before you start screaming at me." The nickname was not entirely fitting with her pink getup and the bunnies that were her feet.
Jayden was out for blood. Yesterday was the first time Hadrian said a word to her six... twelve... fifteen months - for good reason of course. He was going to get to her soon... eventually... after the pureblood politics and arrangements were out of the way, which in truth, likely would never be. Hadrian was still a boy, a teenager with an ego too big to swallow, and drawing out an apology would be a feat. "Look, Jay..." An arm rested on her shoulder. "He'll tell you what happened," Pointing across the field. Absolutely no one.
As soon as there was an opening, the Zuheir dashed.
How impetuous he'd been who thought it would be an amusing idea to pour his friend a drink - only after witnessing the change in the behaviour of those around who already lifted a cup of the same liquid to their lips. No, but it wasn't his fault, he never noticed anything wrong with the punch, he was only being kind to his dear friend. Yet, he knew Jayden would not believe a word now that she was already at the door, pounding incessantly.
Still, it was barely a few minutes since he was seized away from his slumber that he had no time to find a shirt before answering the door. Only to find the witch armed at the ready and a scowl on her face. With feigned weariness, he drawled, "What do you want, Wolf? Let me have a cup of coffee before you start screaming at me." The nickname was not entirely fitting with her pink getup and the bunnies that were her feet.
Jayden was out for blood. Yesterday was the first time Hadrian said a word to her six... twelve... fifteen months - for good reason of course. He was going to get to her soon... eventually... after the pureblood politics and arrangements were out of the way, which in truth, likely would never be. Hadrian was still a boy, a teenager with an ego too big to swallow, and drawing out an apology would be a feat. "Look, Jay..." An arm rested on her shoulder. "He'll tell you what happened," Pointing across the field. Absolutely no one.
As soon as there was an opening, the Zuheir dashed.
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“One can never be too careful,” STM — 5 | EVA — 19 | STR — 5 | WSD — 12 | ARC — 5 | ACC — 9 |
Lovely Creature — Evasive Manoeuvres — Monster Hunter — Terrible Presence
Jayden Holt
21 Aug 2022, 08:14
The Making of a Cupid
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The door swung open and she was met with a set of abs. Her hard gaze ever so slightly wavered at the sight of Hadrian's bare chest and fine, chiseled features. A twitch of annoyance, really, that fueled the girl's deepening blush. She was much too angry and frustrated at the moment to feel bashful. Those abs didn't have the same effect as they did before, when they had first met. Most of it was just hormones anyway. He was only a friend, she knew nothing more would ever come of it. They didn't quite click together in that way, none that she could foresee. And she wasn't a cheater. Even on a boyfriend Trevor imaginary. Still, Hadrian would lose the shirt, even just to tantalize her. But from the current mission at hand, Jayden's focus would not be swayed.
She half expected something more than Hadrian's usual disinterest, avoiding accountability for his actions. Fool me twice, shame on me. She shouldn't hope for him to change. After so many years, every earnest conversation (or rather lack of, from Hadrian) painted a clearer picture of where their friendship stood. Fun and games, that was all. None to be taken personally.
She'd take the bait, glancing at the direction he pointed. An empty field.
And then he took off.
"Hey!" She said sharply. The white bunnies flew off without resistance, kicked up behind her as she leapt into full sprint, bolting after Hadrian. Her thick soles and determination spurring her onward across the field, hot on her prey's heels. Long blades of grass hissed around, whipping at her legs as she tore through the verdant sea. Her tough hide could ignore and mend a few grass cuts. So long as she didn't step on any thorns or sharp rocks that would quickly put an end to her little chase. The only thing worse than physical pain would be humiliation in letting Hadrian get away without repercussion!
"Rictusempra!" She raised her wand. His tanned, naked back was just begging for it. And without a wand of his own to defend himself, Jayden was confident she had the upper hand to finally extract a confession out of him. A wide smile burst on her face, watching her target falter, enough for her to catch up and tackle Hadrian to the ground. Totally not romantic, to those who might stumble upon the two wrestling playfully in the grass.
"Apologize!" She laughed. Running had certainly helped release all that pent up energy and anger inside her. "Seriously, apologize!" Struggling to keep hold of her own wand against a much larger, stronger opponent as the spell wore off.
Reducio
minus the silver flats & hairpiece
minus the silver flats & hairpiece
26 Sep 2022, 13:52
The Making of a Cupid
Watch your back, that Hadrian did not as his legs took him across the field in an impressive dash. The assertive incantation of a spell compelled him to look over his shoulder - a mistake. There was no way he was to outrun the speed of Jayden's spell. Hit its mark the silver of light did, square between his bare shoulder blades.
Dammit.
The spell's effects was quick to follow first with a tingle sprouting from his back and intensifying tenfold by the second. The Wampus knew it was only futile to fight the spell, without a wand himself and the lioness closing in the distance between, he must as well have some fun. That was always it with Jayden, nothing serious - he forbade it.
Feeling the full harassment of the spell effects, he couldn't help but let out a roar of laughter. He could hear Jayden nearing with the frantic rustle of the bush and snap of twigs under. Gods have mercy. And just like that a moderate blow to the side, he was on the ground, the momentum heavy it sent them rolling down the small elevation. Yes, a shirtless guy and a pretty girl in a dress rolling about on the ground, nothing romantic.
"Get off me, woman!" With the spell still in torment, he hollered his distress in a fit of laughter. Hadrian was with no question, much stronger than Jayden, that to even allow her to overpower him in the first place was simply for their old-time jest. "Apologize? For what matter?" Hadrian dared to ask, knowing full well what that she was demanding him to repent for. By now, the spell had dissipated and Hadrian would push the girl off to the side with ease. Now gaining the advantage with brute strength, pinning her and her wanded arm to the ground.
As stubborn as ever, Hadrian would answer, "Whatever it is. No. Now, are we done? I'm hella hungry."
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“One can never be too careful,” STM — 5 | EVA — 19 | STR — 5 | WSD — 12 | ARC — 5 | ACC — 9 |
Lovely Creature — Evasive Manoeuvres — Monster Hunter — Terrible Presence
2 Oct 2022, 18:18
The Making of a Cupid
"Where the north wind," she sang to keep herself company, glistening in the premature sunlight. Picking blossoms to the rhythm of the song, Amaya added the foreign harebells to the collection swaddled in her arm. Although she was skeptical, hopefully, the flowers would regrow quickly. At this rate, the once-native flowers would soon be extinct, but these were magical grounds. Surely another one would sprout in its place, right? She hadn't paid enough attention in her Herbology class to know.
The course was pointless, but maybe not to her sister, who prided herself in refurbishing and keeping up their home garden back in the States. If only she could attend the same magical school Amaya did and get the same opportunities. She could hear her words now, "you're plucking them wrong, no you have to pull from the root." Ugh, whatever. In the midst of her closet crisis, she was fortunate to remember her little sister Autumn. Though a piece of her longed for her half-sibling, she didn't mind the added space between them. Her muggle life was... a lot, though a huge part of her. She was ready to throw it out for something new, something magical.
"Get off me woman!" A few of the bulbs soundlessly fell to the grass, startling the girl as she jolted up in the direction of the sound. Strangely, it seemed to be coming from in front of her. Left and right she looked until two figures came into her sights. Tossing and tumbling through the grass, she watched them both scream at each other. Siblings, right? She'd never seen lovers squabble that vigorously. Well... The student ran her eyes up and down the boy's figure. He was just begging to be noticed and that definitely wasn't her type. She carried enough beauty for herself and her future spouse, and she didn't enjoy the idea of other women sneaking peeks. Granted, Maya was a bit insecure.
The Pukwudgie blinked at the scene as if attempting to erase the pair from her memory. That would simply not work. Oh brother, she snickered at the scene, flowers hanging down in her right hand. So much for a peaceful morning.
Nothing more than a hopeless romantic, she approached the two, the blue dress swinging by her knees and her curls frizzing by the minute. Their words became more prominent with every step she took. The American couple was definitely arguing, and Maya was here for the rescue! She must've seen them somewhere around Ilvermorny. "Mmm, I think you should apologize. I mean, I don't know what you did," she admitted. "But it's usually the guy's fault, so here," she offered him the bulbs and nodded in the other girl's direction. "Apologize."
~ Emmaline Louise Milanes ~
Stamina » 9 || Evasion » 9 || Strength » 10 || Wisdom » 7 || Arc Power » 2 || Accuracy » 14
Poison Resistance || Binding Mark || Prodigal Transfig. Learner || The Muggle Condition
Stamina » 9 || Evasion » 9 || Strength » 10 || Wisdom » 7 || Arc Power » 2 || Accuracy » 14
Poison Resistance || Binding Mark || Prodigal Transfig. Learner || The Muggle Condition
Jayden Holt
12 Oct 2022, 22:49
The Making of a Cupid
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A farmhand like her would give a city slicker like him a run for his money in a wrestling match, but this was no real fight, nor was she on her home turf in Wyoming to defend her warrior honor. New York Jayden wouldn't be considered "ladylike" of her to win, so she let him (she'd argue, until the end of days). Yet after all she had done to avoid bruising his ego up to now, Hadrian still would not confess.
At his comment for food, Jayden laughed. Winded from the tussle, her chest heaved as she let her head fall back into the grass, gazing at the blue sky above. For a moment, basking in the sun rising over the hills. Though her body be trapped, pinned to the ground, her heart soared freely for the first time in a long time. Nothing but hills and mountains around, and an old friend beside her.
It was almost perfect. Almost as if she were home...
A voice drifted overhead and a shadow appeared in her periphery. Jayden jerked her head in the stranger's direction. A tan skinned girl with dark curly hair and a blue dress. A flash of surprise repressed with a twinkling smile from Jayden, content where she lied in the presence of a newcomer, though the arrival of a third was enough for the couple to be broken up, having their private moment intruded on.
The girl had obviously overheard them, clearly on Jayden's side as she handed Hadrian some flowers for him to apologize with. "Ha! Two against one." Jayden sat up, strands of grass sticking out of her hair and dress, and crossed her arms expectantly at Hadrian.
"This guy," she pointed out to other girl, "Who I thought was my friend, didn't bother talking to me for a whole year until yesterday last night, and he won't tell me why! Hmph. And I thought girls did that sort of thing. Mind games." She turned her nose up and away from Hadrian, pouting lightly in jest.
Reducio
minus silver flats & hairpiece
minus silver flats & hairpiece
3 Dec 2022, 14:02
The Making of a Cupid
Out of nowhere entered another from Ilvermorny. Both he and Jayden had been so caught up in their scuffle that they failed to notice this girl's entrance until she spoke up. Hadrian shifted, releasing Jayden from his restraining grasp and getting up on his feet, quite embarrassed they were caught. Okay, a couple rolling down the hill was something that didn't happen every day. He'd give it to her for having the guts to approach them.
Hadrian would glance up at the other girl. Her features were easy on the eyes, but neither he nor Jayden was too familiar with her; of course, he'd seen her face around in school somewhere. "Way to jump to conclusions." He remarked snarkily. Well, this girl wasn't wrong, although Hadrian might never admit to it. Nevertheless, Jayden was quick to support her claim, all of which were true. Now that Jayden said it out loud, Hadrian realised how bad he really was. A year? That couldn't be right... right?
Fine. Hadrian supposed he should apologise just as she demanded of him moments ago, and now the newcomer too. The boy would take the flower buds she offered that the brown-skinned girl just happened to have in hand. Taking Jayden's hand in his, Hadrian would get onto one knee. He'd extend the colourful flowers towards her. "Jayden, my sun and stars. I have forsaken you terribly. Will you forgive me for my treacherous deeds? And we can continue as we once were, riding through the hills of Wyoming, camping on the muddy grounds, or just having fun in the streets of New York." Dramatic much?
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“One can never be too careful,” STM — 5 | EVA — 19 | STR — 5 | WSD — 12 | ARC — 5 | ACC — 9 |
Lovely Creature — Evasive Manoeuvres — Monster Hunter — Terrible Presence
Jayden Holt
7 Feb 2023, 22:14
The Making of a Cupid
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She sighed, lightly rolling her eyes at Hadrian's choice of theatrics, propping a knee on the ground and her hand in his as if to propose to her. Here we go, again. Endearingly to her, the boy had no shame. He would go to whatever lengths to try and distract her from the subject at hand, the pressing 'why' of his absence from her life the past year or gods knew how long. Still, it was a flattering attempt. Jayden couldn't help but smile at the effort, despite knowing that that was what the Zuheir was good at. Talking. And what kind of girl could resist flowers, anyway?
"Oh Hadrian, moon of my life…" She swooned. A Muggle reference of questionable origin between the two pure-bloods. Her other hand clutched her chest in overwhelmed emotion. "Thou hast disappointed-est me so, for abandoning me, leaving mine-self to wonder-est if you-est cared-est not-est for our friendship...-est." She giggled, unable to keep a straight face at the sudden formality of it all, and her lack thereof. "Ahem," she cleared her throat to compose herself, inhaling suspensefully. "Of course we can, silly." She then took the bouquet and playfully bapped Hadrian on the head with it, smiling.
"But!" Her hand grabbed his shoulder. With a honeyed tone, she smiled, staring straight into Hadrian's eyes. "I still demand answers." Her grip solidified beneath her searing gaze. Lucky for Hadrian, saved by the bell, Jayden wouldn't press their private matter further, in front a stranger. But this wasn't over. She wouldn't soon forget to ask him about it, later. "Leaving things 'as we were', changes nothing." The heat vanished from her eyes, and she smiled sweetly, releasing his shoulder.
"Anyway, hi, nice to meet you." She turned with a friendly little wave at the other girl. "You from Ilvermorny? What's your name?" She stood up from the grass and patted her dress down. "I'm Jayden. This is Hadrian. Uh, what time is it? Is it lunchtime already?" Glancing at the sun, how high it was, she remembered her stomach, and Hadrian's previous mention about being hungry. She had slept in so late, she hadn't eaten breakfast, yet!
Reducio
minus silver flats & hairpiece
minus silver flats & hairpiece