20 Jun 2024, 00:52
Bull's Eye
It had been weeks since Mahlioz had been outside for something other than walking to Herbology. Weeks since they’d taken a break from their studies. They weren’t all that sure why - they knew they were only a second year, that studies didn’t matter too much just yet. But exams meant the end of the year, and the end of the year meant the move, and because Mahlioz couldn’t bear to think about the move for very long, she obsessed over her studies like her life depended on it. The summer was approaching so quickly. There were only five more days till she would be on the Hogwarts express. It was terrifying.
Time: ~14:00
Mentions: X
Thoughts
But exams were over now, and they needed to find a different way to distract themselves until they inevitably had to face reality. And on a magnificent day like this one, what better way to do so than archery? It was sunny, the lake was glistening, and it was hot. Very hot. Maybe a little too hot, but that was a later problem.
It had struck Mahlioz earlier that morning that it had also been weeks since she’d seen Qrow. In fact, more like months. They’d been acting weird all year, and though Mahlioz had been trying to figure out what was going on, after the winter holidays her own life got complicated and she forgot to keep checking on them. Obviously they still saw each other - they were dormmates after all - but it was rare they said more to each other than a “hi”. Especially when exam season started.
And Mahlioz missed them. It had been too long. So that morning she left a note on Qrow’s bed: “Do some archery with me? I’ll be on the grounds at 2”
There was no guarantee they’d come; they were busy too, of course. But Mahlioz could always hope. Maybe they could talk again. Maybe they could actually speak to each other about their struggles. They were friends.
It was two in the afternoon now, and Mahlioz was outside for something other than walking to Herbology. A bow in hand and a quiver of arrows on their back, they were setting up a target near the Forbidden Forest. Maybe Qrow would come. Maybe not. She’d see.
4 Jul 2024, 20:38
Bull's Eye
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ReducioInteracting with @Mahlioz Evethisawe
Qrow | #064107
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For a year that had begun at a snail's pace, the vastly approaching summer holidays had hit Qrowley Beithir like a tonne of hippogriffs. For the most part, the Beithir family would be retreating to their summer home in Egypt where, despite the noticeable absence of Qrow's late mother, the young Slytherin looked forward to days of lounging in the sun, a drastic contrast from the moggy heat of the British summer time. Of course, that would only last for a few weeks, before it was back to England, where Qrow and their family would be moving to the families first estate, nearer london, where Daemon had grown up.
That estate was smaller than the current, but it was much closer to London and after the renovations were finished would be much more homely too; at least in the family rooms.
There was also Xackary now.
The Slytherins' new younger brother was a cute kid; mildly irritating on occasion, but it was actually quite nice to have a sibling. The new house would be good for him, with the grounds being modified to be much more werewolf friendly, keeping him in and any wandering muggles out. Since the boy joined the family, they had made it their mission to write home almost everyday in order to make sure he was okay; they themselves had lost one parent, but they couldn't possibly imagine what losing both of them was like, especially at such a young age.
At only six years old, Xackary Beithir was already reading chapter books meant for children 2 years older than himself. He was developing quickly and while Qrow would occasionally have to define certain words in their letters, Xack could generally understand his older siblings' daily letters without much help.
It was not long after writing one of these letters, that Qrow decided to all but launch themselves onto their bed, only to come face to face, quite literally, with a note, the slightly sticky ink, causing the thing to attach itself to the Slytherins forehead as they sat up.
Scrawled across a small piece of parchment, written in what was very obviously Mahlioz's handwriting - now smudged from Qrows face - was
“Do some archery with me? I’ll be on the grounds at 2”
Part of them wanted nothing more than to ignore the note and go to sleep, having just finished their exams yesterday and having spent most of today running back and forth to give back borrowed books or packing up their belongings.
But…
Qrow missed Mahlioz. After this absolute disaster of a year, the metamorph desperately missed their friends, and with exams now finished they could no longer use their excuse of studying in order to avoid people and shut everyone out in their self-destructive way of dealing with everything that was happening within their own head. Of course, they shared a dorm, and despite it, it was rare they said more to each other than a “hi” in passing nowadays. Mahlioz had been in the library most days, Mell and Nora too, while Qrow preferred studying outside in the occasional Scottish sun or by the windows in the common area.
It had been far too long.
And so, that was how, at 02:13 in the afternoon, Qrow Beithir found themselves bounding down towards the grounds, a dark leather quiver on their back and their bow in hand.
“Mahl! Hey!”
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6 Aug 2024, 21:25
Bull's Eye
Mahlioz had let a good few arrows fly before she heard a voice behind her calling her name. Spinning around, a grin on their face, they waved at Qrow who was racing down through the grounds with their bow and arrows. They'd made it! They'd decided to come! "Hey Qrow!" she said back, still not able to stop grinning. "It's been forever!" A pause. "Well, not really, we see each other all the time, but - you know what I mean."
Time: ~14:00
Mentions: X
Thoughts
As Mahlioz sent another arrow toward the target, a memory resurfaced. The first day the two had met. It was almost two years ago now, but felt like so much more. Back when Mahlioz wasn't questioning their gender, wasn't afraid of the move, didn't know any spells, and most importantly, did not want to be a Slytherin. But the Sorting Hat didn't seem like it cared, because here she was in her green and black uniform (which was way too hot in this weather. They really had to change).
Two years ago, on the day Qrowley Beithir and Mahlioz Evethisawe had met, they had decided they would have to do archery together upon learning it was an interest of the both of theirs. Since then, they had explored the library for the first time, prepared for balls together, gone to a Halloween party, become dormmates, and... had not done archery a single time in the other's company.
It was about time, wasn't it?
Mahlioz put down their bow to go and get their arrows, scattered on the target. "Do you want a second target? I think I've got another one in my bag somewhere..." She returned to get friend and picked up her bow, nocking an arrow before turning to them. "So, uh... well. Do you want to talk about how you've been? How life is going, what's on your mind? If not that's okay, it's just been... you know, a while. And a lot of things have happened in that time to me, so I can only imagine what has happened in the life of a master chaos creator."