Divination IC Open Professor's Office

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Sereia's Calming Presence is in effect

Sereia couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as Archer requested coffee; it wasn't generally a good idea to drink coffee as young as he was. Yes, she kept a few packets of instant coffee in her drawer, but she wasn't entirely comfortable letting him have it. Her parents had always told her to keep away from coffee until she was maybe fifteen or sixteen; Archer looked nowhere near there.

She took a cup from her shelves; normally, they would be with the house elves in the kitchen, but they'd gotten tired of her asking for so many whenever she had to do tasseography, so they let her keep a few in her office. "I don't drink coffee often, so hot water it'll be."

Sereia poured the water from her thermos into the cup and handed it to him. The mention of the Grim Reaper caught her ear. Had Archer been a close friend, she might've been straightforward and said yes. But she caught herself in time before it could come out. Children deserved a little optimism, even if fate wouldn't allow it.

"Well, it depends on a few things. Where in the cup did you see the Grim Reaper? Was it closer to the handle or right at the bottom of your cup?" She hummed. "I like to see Death as a sign of rebirth, new beginnings, so it's very positive. But there are times when it can be... for real."

Sereia was no Trelawney; she sincerely hoped it wasn't Archer ending up at the other edge of the Reaper's scythe, but such a distinct symbol could not be ignored.

In honesty, Professor Clarimont need not have told him the answer, for the truth he so desired was as clear as the mountain in her name. Yet the naïve juvenile was not accustomed to the saying of "better terrible truths than kind lies" and therefore he was all too eager to play into the kind lie she had set up for him, nodding with fervency as he said, 'Rebirth, new beginnings... there are certainly things in my life I would like to see begun anew. It is a romantic notion to entertain.' Shaking his head, he continued, voice dipping into a comfortingly familiar tone of mere scientific analysis, 'However, I am afraid I have forgotten where the leaves appeared. Perhaps you could inform me on what each position entails?' But as the professor's voice pivoted in tone, so did Archer's heart and hopes, false beliefs he had allowed himself to play up shattering. 'Who, at least? How would one go about knowing who it was in reference to?' Maman and Papa could not have endured the grief of losing their son, but Archer more so... he would not know how to live.

'Thank you,' No matter what answer she would give, Archer would say finally, seemingly only out of obligatory politeness, as he took a final sip of the hot water before straightening himself and standing up. 'For your time, the water, and the answers.' His tone was tight, voice drawn taut at the words, but reason for such had nothing in relation to the well mannered demeanour he attempted to uphold despite the unsettling answers the professor had provided. Tipping his head as he made his retreat, the Scottish boy would allow the phrase to mark the end of his explorations into such... superstitions, as he would have liked to believe.

Perhaps ignorance was bliss, but in his soul and in his blood, Archer could not bear ignorance. Of course, then again, truth was not the most pleasant of gentlemen.

But there are times when it can be... for real.

@Sereia Clairmont, Archer exists unless stopped.

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Sereia's Calming Presence is in effect

"Of course!" Sereia took off the cap of her thermos bottle and brought it in front of them. "Pretend this side is where the handle of a cup is. That's our twelve o'clock, and then read clockwise to the bottom. The closer it is to the handle, the closer in time it'll be. If it's closer to the bottom, then you won't expect it for a long while."

As she screwed the cap back onto the bottle, she considered the question. "Generally... the residue left by the tea leaves pertains to the drinker. Anyone else can interpret them, but they're specific to the person..." The words fell off her tongue, then. Already dooming a child to their death, are we? Sereia didn't quite know what to say next.

Archer saved her from saying more. She gave him a polite nod. "It's no worries. Don't be so down about what you've seen. I always tell my students to take whatever they read with a grain of salt. But if you do have any more questions, my office is always open."

With one last smile, she took his cup and threw a quick cleaning charm into it. It would need a bit more love and care than just a quick rinse; perhaps a house elf would stop by the floor later and she could ask them to take it.

(She would need to check in on Archer sometime, likely in the next year or two.)

THE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN

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❂《 ⌜ September 8, 2024 ▎ Sometime in the Morning ⌟

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Raizel doesn’t usually do this, visiting professors… oh no. Aside from her Charms professor, there is a part of her that’s finding it hard to trust any others after that horrible experience with one of them. An unfair treatment with no chance of even correcting it for she had found out about what happened too late. No actions were taken, heck, they probably didn’t think anything was wrong and if she says anything about it, she doubts they’ll take her seriously.

Until she met Sereia Clairmont. She wanted to clear her head that time, flying from the Quidditch Training Pitch and down towards the frozen Great Lake despite knowing how dangerous and how it is against the rule to fly anywhere else aside from the training grounds. Unfortunately, Sereia caught her. Then again, it was more of a blessing. Sereia listened to her when she talked about her problems, and didn't brush it off as nothing. The Divination professor might not know it but that had eased a part of her aching heart, like a lot.

It was about time that she gave the professor a proper visit and she did say that she will take up her offer to visit her at some time in the future. That time was now. But just as she arrived, she froze. What would she even say to her? ‘Professor, hi, thanks for not getting me detention last time, I came to hang out as I said before.’ That was… horrible, horrible enough to make Raizel ruffle her hair before fixing it up and just knocking on the door before taking a peek inside to see if the professor is in. If not… well… time for some flying practice.

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⌜ Promised Visit ⌟ | ⌜ WC: 286/200 ⌟
««««« Dialogue | #800000

INVENTORY

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STATS AND ABILITIES STA: 6 | EVA: 8 | STR: 3 | WIS: 10 | ARC: 8 | ACC: 10 Prod. Charms | Perfectionist | Fearless EFFECTS NONE

Action I swear, I'm behaving...

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Sereia's Calming Presence is in effect

Unlike most days, Sereia had just gone for a run and come back about an hour before she had a visitor. It was refreshing to come back and see the grounds just as well-kept as it had been before the break. It was also nice to take a sunrise run by the lake again. Sure, the River Thames and the canals had been a sight, but nothing ever compared to the open expanse of water as sunlight and sky reflected right off it. She would need to appreciate it before winter came around again.

Her hair was still damp, so she tied it into a loose braid; they would become waves tomorrow as they dried. She had barely a moment once that was done to sort her materials before the knock came on the door. Sereia raised an eyebrow. She wasn't expecting people this early, especially since it was Sunday. "One moment!"

Sereia scooped up all her writing utensils and papers into their respective piles. Gods, she had to clean this one day; it wasn't sustainable to keep living like this. Organised mess or not, it wouldn't be a surprise if she injured herself from slipping over a dropped pencil.

Once the table was somewhat clear, she walked towards the door and opened it. "Thank you for waiting- Raizel! Good morning! Come inside. Would you like something to drink?"

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❂《 ⌜ September 8, 2024 ▎ Sometime in the Morning ⌟

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To her surprise, someone answered. If she were to be honest, she was expecting for Sereia to be busy with the school year just starting yet here she is, welcoming her into her office without any second thoughts and even offering her a drink. “Good morning, professor, sorry for the intrusion.” she said to Sereia, managing to muster a bit of energy to show a small smile. It was only polite to greet someone with a smile.

“A drink seems nice, thank you.” She accepted her drink offer before continuing on. “Hope I wasn’t interrupting your work if you were working.” There is a reason why Professors somewhat only exist inside their respective classrooms or offices and it’s mostly school work or at least, that’s what Raizel knows. “Just wanted to say… Thank you for not giving me detention, back in the lake.” She told her what she wanted to say first before it slipped out of her mind and Sereia deserves it. “And I’m really sorry for how I acted.”

She will admit, her attitude towards her at the beginning of that encounter wasn’t exactly what she could call… proper. She was in a bad mood and let that annoyance get to her, taking it out on Sereia who doesn’t even have anything to do with it.

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⌜ The Promised Visit ⌟ | ⌜ WC: 218/200 ⌟
««««« Dialogue | #800000

INVENTORY

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STATS AND ABILITIES STA: 6 | EVA: 8 | STR: 3 | WIS: 10 | ARC: 8 | ACC: 10 Prod. Charms | Perfectionist | Fearless EFFECTS NONE

Action I swear, I'm behaving...

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Sereia's Calming Presence is in effect

"It's no worries! I always said my office was open to you, didn't I?" Sereia chuckled. "Right, would you like tea or some hot water? I don't keep anything sweet on me, unfortunately, but hot water is good for your body!"

Drinking hot water wasn't something Sereia had grown up with. It was more of a thing her boyfriend had made a habit. It was part of his culture, after all. Sereia did notice her health improve slightly, though she couldn't tell too much since she also exercised. Both of them could have had an effect on her health.

Sereia hummed. "Sometimes, we just need some leniency to push us in the right direction. It happens, especially when you're young." She smiled. "How can I help you, today? Homework, maybe? We learnt a lot this week."

They'd started off the year almost setting the place on fire which, okay, it was bound to happen considering she hadn't given them hot water for their tea. Raizel had been perceptive enough to catch her friend from doing so. The rest of the week had gone swimmingly after that, much to Sereia's relief. She didn't need any more fires any time soon.

She doubted Raizel was struggling with the homework given her performance in class. Plus, the first week was always the easiest. "Or... something unrelated? Are you having any troubles?"

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❂《 ⌜ September 8, 2024 ▎ Sometime in the Morning ⌟

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Between a hot tea and hot water, tea would definitely be the pick. Why people would drink hot water, she doesn’t know. Maybe she’s just too young to understand the healthy benefits of drinking hot water. It’s just hot water, no flavor, just hot water. That would be something she will keep in mind and try out later on though. “Tea, professor and thank you again.” the young Gryffindor responded.

A prolonged stay wasn’t in her plans though. She came here with only one thing in mind and that was to thank Sereia properly for what she did back in the lake and other than that, nothing. But, if she says that she’s leaving now and she had done whatever she had come here for would be rude, especially since the Divination Professor is so welcoming of her and she already accepted the tea offer. Questions were asked and it did somehow open up some possible topics that even Raizel wasn’t expecting.

Lessons, homework, so far, Raizel has been doing fine when it concerns them. Divination was something she wasn’t expecting to pick as an elective, her first choices were CoMC and Runes and that’s it. When it comes to her performance on the said subject, she thought she would be bad at it but it was rather average which is cool, even for a perfectionist like her. Not too low, not too high but that’s more on her interest as aside from the cracker jinx, there weren’t any other spells that she finds ‘useful’.

Topics, however, that’s a different story and certain ones had certainly left a mark. Their first lesson almost turned into a disaster, okay, maybe it was disastrous in its own ways considering what her friend ‘saw’ in his cup. “A lot yeah… we learned a lot.” she agreed as her gaze wandered from Sereia then around her office. “No, no troubles at all, professor. But speaking of lessons, it does make me wonder, about the whole… you know, foreseeing the future. If those are indeed what you’re destined to face.” The first lesson, if what she saw was right, had just told her how she would be facing trials and sufferings (the cross) and an uncertain path (wavy lines).

Not really a future that she wasn’t expecting considering what she had been through. Trials and sufferings indeed. “And if you can indeed forge your own future, change it, even if you’re destined for something else.” Why she asked that was a mystery to her. Perhaps it’s because of how her grandmother kept on saying it is impossible for someone like her to achieve a great future like her relatives because she’s a half-blood and everything that happened so far had made her believe it like it was her destiny to fail. If that is indeed the case, she wants to know if she could break out of it.

Realizing how that question sounded perhaps a bit… serious, the young Gryffindor quickly laughed it off to lighten up the mood and hide her troubled self. “Just curious, nothing serious.” she said with a grin on her face.

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INVENTORY

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STATS AND ABILITIES STA: 6 | EVA: 8 | STR: 3 | WIS: 10 | ARC: 8 | ACC: 10 Prod. Charms | Perfectionist | Fearless EFFECTS NONE

Action Ooooooh the futuuuuuuuuure

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Sereia's Calming Presence is in effect

Cup of tea prepared, Sereia handed it to the little Gryffindor and listened to her. She hummed as she considered Raizel's question. At first, she felt a sort of irritation; wasn't this the kind of question she always gave the answer to without even prompting it? But then Sereia reminded herself that this was Third year and it was only the first week of school. It was the kind of question she would've posed towards the middle of the year, maybe even the end.

"Well, the future's only the future if you don't change it," she said. A strange sense of déjà vu washed over her; she'd told Raizel this before, hadn't she? She shook her head. "We'll talk more about it in class as the year goes, but as a little treat for your curiosity: there's a reason why even Seers' predictions aren't 100% accurate. Once you know you can change it, then your future will be very different."

Sereia operated on positivity, but that didn't mean she had a bit of a reality check every now and then. "Or not, of course," Sereia chuckled. "Some people will choose to know and then let it play out as expected. Divination is all about the choices you make after fate has told you what you want and need to know."

She hummed. "You talked about having an unlucky streak last year. You've made changes to your life since then? I'm sure you won't be unlucky for long."

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❂《 ⌜ September 8, 2024 ▎ Sometime in the Morning ⌟

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That’s right, Sereia mentioned this before, about your pre-determined fates and right now, she wants to know how to break it. While she had been convinced of her life being nothing but strife, a part of her still wants to hope that it was breakable, that her fate is different and Sereia just gave her the answer that she probably needs. Well, basing it on what she had just told her, it could change, it could not, you could change it or let it be. That's a good enough answer for now.

“Then I’ll look forward to knowing more about it in the future.” A lesson to look forward to, that is, if she makes it, if she doesn’t fall victim to the same fate as her classmates, as her friends who had never returned. She let the information sink in as she drank what was served to her and she believes that it was time for her to go. She had bothered Sereia for too long now even though it might not seem like it but she figured the professor had better things to do than entertaining a student like paperworks perhaps?

“Can’t say that my unlucky streak has really ended. The school year is just beginning so I’ll see. Not having a great start though.” Academic things aside, things were a bit rough when it comes to her social connections as each passing year, she loses one or two and has been having a hard time forging new ones. “As for changes in life…” she paused and then shrugged. “Nothing much. Anyway, I think it’s time for me to go. Thanks for the tea professor, it was lovely. Hope you have a great day and guess… I’ll see you in class?” Raizel said with a sheepish grin, standing up and excusing herself.

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««««« Dialogue | #800000

INVENTORY

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STATS AND ABILITIES STA: 6 | EVA: 8 | STR: 3 | WIS: 10 | ARC: 8 | ACC: 10 Prod. Charms | Perfectionist | Fearless EFFECTS NONE

Action Leaving the thread, thanks for the RP.