Hatching a Plan for a Trio's Journey PV Closed

Alexander walked with a slight spring in his step as he walked out of the castle. Slung around his back was his school bag. Aida had proposed to discuss some kind of road trip. Possibly involving horses.

He was both quite nervous and eager at the prospect. On the one hand, a road trip on horses across the country could not help but appeal to the small adventurous part any person had. Though he could not help but think a little about the logistics involved. How would they get shelter every day? How would they acquire food, etc.

In his bag, Alexander currently had a big map of Britain he had gotten from muggle London. As well as a pencil, eraser and ruler. He did not have one of the British railway network but he was quite sure they could at least create a route they could follow with it.

Whilst he walked his mind was filled with visions of a group of three travelling across the countryside as heroes of old, or like the fellowship of the ring. Going on a great and epic quest. Though Alexander had no idea on where they would go to yet. The only place he could think of was perhaps some old battlefields. Like the site of the battle of Stamford bridge.
He would need to learn about if if they were to go there, but he had read before how a single Viking berserker managed to delay the entire English army by himself. Before getting pierced by a spear and being slain.

Even with his mind dreaming about adventure Alexander noticed a familiar albino girl standing at the edge of the lake. Next to what seemed to be a relatively smooth rock.
As he approached Alexander waved in Aida's direction "Hi Aida"

When they were within about 5 meters of each other Alexander would speak with a small smile on his face. "So I heard you were organizing a mighty quest wicked white witch of the west."

Aida heard the pattern of footfall she knew to be Alexander's, and she turned to greet him with a huge smile. "Alexander, hi." She gestured at the smooth rock on the lake shore as to invite him to sit on it and be comfortable. Mentioning something about Dealla probably having an early class, Aida suggested that they start with brainstorming ideas for the trip while they waited.

"So I heard you were organizing a mighty quest wicked white witch of the west," said Alexander.

“Bwa ha ha ha….” laughed Aida with as much of a maniacal tone as she could summon. It was probably best described as a cute attempt. “Indeed, and the journey would include going back West with me – to see my secret base, the gorge, the old-growth forest. I figured if you could help us get on the train to Fort Williams I could talk to some people I know there and borrow some horses. The first thing I wanted to discuss with you are our objectives during the quest, and after that some logistics.” Aida looked over Alexander with curiosity glowing in her eyes. “What is your quest, oh forlorn wizard castaway?” Her wry grin was lined with a sad edge and she gave him some time to reply before continuing on.

“For me, I’m afraid I may be forgetting the shape of my sacred cave. I go there, you know, in my head. When I feel claustrophobic or too afraid, I close my eyes and pretend I’m there. I remember the different shapes, textures, and smells… and its memory helps me gather my strength. Lately, though, my memory is hazy... I feel like I’m losing my connection to my homeland. I feel like I could be blown away by a high wind and just fly over the whole world, forgetting where I came from and having no allegiance, no center, no roots. If I forget my cave then it feels like I will lose some precious magic it has given me, so I want to restore that memory and connection. If we can learn something about my parents, too, I would like that… but that part may be more difficult. Apparently everything about them is some big secret.” Alexander was probably used to Aida’s bluntness by now, but it would have still been striking how open she was about her innermost thoughts. She was looking across the lake now at the mist rising along its edge, and she sighed. Looking back at Alexander with her troubled violet eyes, though, he could see there were still things she had not had the opportunity to tell him. Dangerous things, perhaps.

Right before she had entered the Forbidden Forest, Aida had been going downright insane from her internal struggles. Even though she had regained some stability now, if someone observant took the time to watch Aida for any real length of time they would be able to tell that there was a whole world of struggle still going on inside.

"I don't have much in the way of money, but I know some people and I can make us a lot of things if given the materials. I could make a big tent, for example..." Aida's voice trailed off and she sat down on a lakeside stone, smaller than the one she had offered Alexander and a bit more jagged.

Mentions: @Alexander Varellion, @Dealla Prince

Interacting with: @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood

Alexander went to sit on the large smooth rock. Though he had to shift his but a few time to make sure he sat comfortably. Though it was mostly smooth it was not completely and so it took a few seconds to truly sit well.

Whilst he was doing this Alexander got a small smile as he saw Aida laughing dramatically. Aida had seen that occasionally since the kitchen incident, a small smile. Though they were now far rarer than they had been before and no large smiles had been seen at all.

He then said in an almost deadpan voice. "You probably need to improve your evil laugh" before once more gaining an upward twist of his lips.

Then he seemed to think for a moment as Aida spoke about using the train and using horses. He thought for a moment before slowly responding. "It sounds interesting. Though there is the problem that I don't know how to ride a horse. However, I have used the train before. Though it was mostly Dutch trains and I am pretty sure they are a bit different around here. "

He would then consider what his quest would be. What did he want to see, what did he want to do. Alexander was not entirely sure, he had not been up in Scotland before or done much research about it before going to Hogwarts. He tapped his fingers against the rock for a moment before speaking once more.
"I suppose that my quest is to see the monuments and sites of yore. To see the sites of great battle and sites of majesty."

He then listened to Aida speak about her cave and about how she felt she was losing her connection and her memory being hazy. As she spoke of such objects Alexander's eyes became a bit wetter and he looked of forlorn into the distance.

Then when she mentioned her parents he looked up, curious. Though his vision was still a bit hazy from the half-formed tears. He then gulped a bit and spoke once more.

"I don't think we've talked about your parents before. And what do you mean when you say that there are big secrets around your parents? Don't you know what happened to them?" It felt a bit weird. Talking about such big stuff openly and casually like this. But he supposed that was Aida. She spoke whatever was on her mind.

And what was on her mind varied quite a bit. What was in his mind... well that was something he himself worried about quite a bit. Worried about enough that for now he was oblivious to Aida's personal internal struggle. Not helping like a friend should.

Alexander was silent for a few moments and spoke. "I can help a bit with the money to buy the materials. I get some money occasionally from my scholarship, side-services, and my parents." As he spoke the last part he was quiet once more and his eyes went wet again.

He looked down between his legs at the stone he was sitting on and muttered in a low and shaky voice. "My parents... I have not even talked to them yet since......."

"You probably need to improve your evil laugh," came Alexander, followed by a twist of his lips. Aida gave a half smile in reply and looked over at the far edge of the lake again. She nodded a little too solemnly, though Alexander’s humor had put a little light in her heart as it usually did.

“I’m sure the train station attendants can help us find our way. However, don’t expect a horse to tell you how to get in the saddle. Heh. Don’t worry, though; I can teach you how to ride and we’ll find you a nice gelding that is eager to please and likes to follow the horse in front of it. Then as you get better at it we can find you steeds with increasing amounts of spirit.”

As Aida listened to Alexander explain his quest she looked back over at him. ”A fine quest, to be sure,” she said genuinely. Then, as she explained her own quest Aida watched as Alexander appeared to grow sad. It hurt to see him pained as a result of her words, but it hurt worse that she did not understand why he was sad. She had to finish her explanation, however, as she had long ago decided to take down her inner castle walls around him. She was afraid she would hurt him some more, but she would not shelter him from the truth. For Aida the truth, however jagged, was always the most valuable gift. After all, it was what she had always wanted most of all. Just when Aida was about to ask what was bothering him, however, Alexander asked about her parents. Anyone who knew Aida would have noticed that she hated when questions went unanswered and that she always did her best to answer the questions of others with thought and care.

”I was afraid for a while that you didn’t want to be my friend anymore. I didn’t get a reply owl from you for a long time, but when it did come I noticed that it was postmarked for several days previous. I think it must have gotten lost in the mail somehow… but back then, I think I started losing it. There are so many things I wish I could tell you. Some of them are about my parents...” Aida shifted uncomfortably on the small rock. ”So much has been happening lately… how is there just not enough time?” Aida rolled her neck and seemed very agitated. “I’ll try to focus on your question. It started when I was sitting in the Great Hall and this big black owl delivered a battered letter to me.” Aida put her hand over the breast pocket of her coat, indicating that she was still carrying it with her, even after all this time. “The letter led me to the Ministry of Magic and various libraries where I learned that my parents were sentenced to prison in Azkaban. I don’t have any real memories of them… But I think the reason they were imprisoned is being covered up.” Aida rose to her feet and clenched her fists at her side. “I have to get stronger, Alexander. I have to become so strong. I… the things I’m up against…” Aida hissed with disgust and swiftly turned her head to the side. She hated that she was making this about her. This could not be the time to tell him everything, especially not about the recurring nightmares. She needed to know what was going on with Alexander. Damn her own problems to hell, she needed to know why things were so different with him now. With a growl, the pure white girl shoved herself back down onto the jagged rock.

Alexander had gotten sad when Aida had brought up losing her memory of her cave, and he seemed sad when he mentioned receiving money from his parents. Alexander had even said, "My parents... I have not even talked to them yet since......." He had trailed off. Did he not want her to know? Was he assuming she was not interested, or did she simply not have enough of his trust? Aida felt a pain in her gut. They had been through a lot together lately, and she had come to the lake excited about a new adventure for them… but there was something there that was not being said. It was like something was moving behind the boy and casting a shadow on him, or was the shadow from inside of him? The questions rained down in her mind like flaming meteors and her blood was running hot again. Aida looked Alexander deep in the eyes.


“Please, would you tell me what troubles you?” Aida’s words were very simple and she let her eyes convey the rest. “When have you last talked to your parents? Why?"

@Alexander Varellion

Mentions: @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood

Alexander looked downwards to the dried grass. His hands folded on each other as he looked at the individual grass strands and the various green and yellow strands. He twiddled his thumbs and his bottom lip trembled a little and his eyes were wet. A great pressure on his chest as he sat there.

For a moment he considered giving Aida a fake smile and deflecting. Telling him that he had nothing to whine about as he knew his parents. But that would not be truthful. And after what Aida had helped him get through she did not deserve to be lied to. Or even hidden the truth from, even if it was not exactly a lie. He should not simply deflect from his own problems.

"I....I....." He then had a large gulp. His gullet visibly moving as he swallowed, his throat thick and viscous. Oh wait, no that was his nose. He then wiped away a small amount of mucus around his nose with the back of his hand. Then he pushed himself to speak.

"I... I haven't spoken to them since the, you know" Alexander said, eyes still downcast and wet. He muttered lowly "Sorry if I am focusing too much on myself."

He then sat there once more, quite uncomfortable on the rock. Then he spoke again. "I just....... I just don't know what to do......" Alexander now had small salty droplet slowly going down his face.

"Three years Aida..... I ...... I ....... I don't know what to do. What I am. Am I 13, am I 11. Both, neither ?" Alexander chest quakes as he sobbed a little. He sobbed heavily for about a minute before the sobs got light lower.

"2 years of my life at least. Just lost. And and and" His chest shook and Alexander felt a shiver around his body as he just felt tears keep going down his eyes. "And even worse, no one noticed. Not the Professors, not my classmates, not my parents, not even....... me "

He now looked to the forest, relatively straight and he could not help but talk. He almost didn't feel the emotion of sadness. He almost felt empty as his whole body just served as an outlet for all of the emotion that was pent up inside of him.

"and I don't know what friendships I made, what friendships I forgot. How many accomplishments have gone by with no effect."

Alexander then turned to Aida. Eyes full of tears. Completely vulnerable. Maybe just as much as during the kitchen incident.

"I...... I am afraid...... I....I..... I don't want to forget you as well."

"I... I haven't spoken to them since the, you know… Sorry if I am focusing too much on myself," said Alexander. Aida looked back at Alexander with what could objectively only be described as love in her eyes. She was grateful that he was focusing on himself, and humbled that he would expose such a vulnerable part of himself to her. She, who alienated all, was being given the precious gift of having the walls taken down, the masks discarded. It was what she had always wanted most, and what she strove day in and day out to give to those she cared for. Aida did not know what incident must have happened that preceded him not speaking to his parents, but she would let Alexander reveal that to her at his own pace.

"2 years of my life at least. Just lost. And and and … And even worse, no one noticed. Not the Professors, not my classmates, not my parents, not even....... me ," he continued. Aida listened without interrupting. "I...... I am afraid...... I....I..... I don't want to forget you as well." Giving them both a moment to breathe, Aida looked down at her hands. The ends of the sleeves had rolled up slightly, exposing just a little of some circular burn scars around her wrists. Alexander did not simply have scars, she thought. He had an actively open wound and she could feel the pain wafting off of him in waves.

“Alexander… I don’t know what caused you to lose your memories. I’m not sure if this was something you had chosen to do at the time, if it was done to you, or if it simply happened to you. However, if you wish to get your memories back, I promise I will help you as much as I can. Without knowing what did this to you, there is some risk that this could happen to you again, and that feels terrifying to me. It could happen to me, too. However, with all of my power, I will try to remember for you, from this day on. Then if it ever happens to you again, I will help you remember, if you would allow it. Do you want to remember those things?” said Aida, voice strong and reassuring. She would be the pillar she promised to Griffith that she would be... until the day she crumbled to dust.

“You know, for my people, the Celts… there are many sayings. One is a blessing, and it says: ‘May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten.’ However, I have always been an outcast, and here as well I will disagree. I would never want to forget anything, even if it was unpleasant. It would be like killing a part of myself. I want to see the truth of the world in its entirety, including the brutal and agonizing and twisted parts. I don’t know how anyone is supposed to make an intelligent decision without having all of the information available to them, even if it haunts them for the rest of their lives. However, for some, like in the proverb, there are people who would wish to erase a part of their memory, their existence, if they could. You are free in that you have a choice. If you choose to pursue your memories, I will be there. If you choose to forget, I will still be there for you. If someone did this to you, then they are depriving you of some of your freedom, and I will never forgive that.” Aida took a deep breath and watched a blood-red dragonfly skirting over the perimeter of the lake. Hunting. The water lay still and dark under the shadows of foliage lining this edge.

“There is one custom, though, that I do agree about… which says that when you feel the most lost, it may be best to go on a journey in order to find yourself. Celts have a culture of ‘rambling,’ or going on a journey like that. From what I understand this is common to other cultures as well, such as in aboriginal Australia – going on ‘walkabout.’ I hope that when we go on a journey we will find the things that we need to find. Together.”

Aida looked sweetly at Alexander, whose eyes were wet with tears, clearly wanting to give him a hug. However she remembered how he had wanted space before, in the kitchens, and so she had since decided she would remain on the precipice’s edge, within arm’s reach but not reaching, unless Alexander decided to close the distance. It was clear that Dealla was not coming, probably for some good reason, and so Aida rose to her feet.

“Let's go on a journey, together. Let's find what we're looking for."