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Closed PV A Short Cut to Friendship

Biometrics: 5'. Wavy, white hair down to her mid-thigh. Blue eyes. Spattering of freckles across her nose.
Date: September 9, 2024 | Time: Dinner | WC: 1086
Language: French – English – Spanish – Japanese
Interacting with: | Mentioning:
EmmaLee speaks with a light French accent.


The final two weeks of summer had passed in a haze of being shuffled from one room to the next in a desperate attempt to lighten three mourning girls' spirits. Instead, the girls passed from room to room and activity to activity like a trio of ghosts bound for life. EmmaLee, Alura, and Grace had always been able to comfortably spend time without Kiernan before, but that had been with the understanding that there would be a great regaling of their adventures whenever he returned from whatever corner of the world his parents dragged him to. Similarly, whenever any of them went on an adventure without any of the others, there was a great tale of what had happened when they were all together again. It was as if they were never truly apart. Now it was like their lives were stalled because one of them was never coming back.

The night before the girls were to separate for school, their mothers, including Mrs. Kennedy, surprised them by having a picnic inside the Kennedy Mausoleum, next to Kiernan's crypt. Grace's mother explained that as long as someone remembered him, Kiernan would never really be gone and now, he would always be with him in their hearts. Though the thought didn't fully comfort any of the girls, it did ease the pain a little. EmmaLee's mother produced a set of three heart-shaped lockets and a small, heart-shaped picture frame with a picture of the four children inside each one. She stuck the picture frame to Kiernan's crypt with a permanent sticking charm and showed the girls that if any one of them held their lockets in the palm of their hand, the other lockets and the picture frame over Kiernan's body would glow with a faint, warm light, "To bring you all a little closer."

Now, EmmaLee sat at the Hufflepuff dining table, rubbing the little locket with her pale thumb. She wasn't sure why she kept coming to meals. It wasn't like she could stomach eating anything more than a little bit of bread and she really wasn't forcing herself to eat anymore because her mother wasn't watching. She could easily just get a stock of bread and maybe cheese from the kitchens and avoid the loud, cheery lunch hall altogether. Yeah. She'd do that. She really couldn't stand being here lately anyway and it wasn't like anyone expected her to show up. EmmaLee put the long chain of the locket back around her neck and put the heart down the front of her robes before standing up and heading out of the Great Hall.

Carefully, she opened the large door, slipped into the Small Hall without a sound, and was greeted by Minx's concerned, trilling mew. EmmaLee shook her head as her ever faithful animal twined herself around her owner's feet. The girl stared at the fluffy, white cat with wane, tired eyes for a long moment before turning to look down the hallway. Dinner had just started, so pretty much everyone was inside, leaving the hall empty and lonely. Should she go back to her own lonely dorm room and try to sleep or while away the inevitably sleepless hours in the Astronomy tower again as she had done every night since she returned to Hogwarts? Lately, the stars seemed a better companion than the slumbering students in a hole in the ground.

Pondering a course of action, she really should at least try to get some sleep before ascending upstairs, EmmaLee pulled her now impossibly long, now very dingy, white braid around her shoulder and started fiddling with the end. Her usually luminous white hair was currently the color of an old dishcloth that had been used too many times before getting a good wash itself. Washing the nearly knee-length strands had become such a chore that EmmaLee just left her hair in a braid for days and nights on end. She wasn't quite sure when she had last taken the braid out even to smooth and re-braid it, probably before she got to school considering the last time she had washed it was definitely before the train ride, when she had her mother's help. She flicked the limp tail across her nose idly and thought that she probably should do that tonight, wash her hair that is.

EmmaLee walked over to a mirror near the fireplace, dropping the tail onto her shoulder, and ran a hand through her limp bangs with a sigh. Yeah... It really was time for a wash with real soap. This was getting a little bad. Well, really bad. EmmaLee dropped her hand to her side with a sigh and looked into her own face for the first time in a long time.

She had been avoiding mirrors because she knew she wasn't taking care of herself and probably looked like a mess. She didn't want to be reminded that she should at least try and be some kind of presentable. It took too much energy to care these days. Keeping up with school and cello and dueling was already far too draining to do something like wash her hair or eat a proper meal. Her clothes were clean at least and she had been cheating with Scorgify to at least not be offensively dirty.

Frankly, as she stared into hollow, dark eyes that were hard to recognize as her own, she looked a bit worse than she expected. The dark moons under her eyes made her midnight irises look huge and she was reminded of that one artist whose characters had those eyes the size of dinner plates. Her high-boned, colorless cheeks did nothing to help the impression, and neither did her limp, snowy bangs. Maybe a long, hot shower would do her some good. At least bring some artificial color back to her sallow skin. It was a good thing her friends and family couldn't see her now, though, if they were here she probably wouldn't look this way out of pure obligation to their worry. When they weren't around she just didn't have the give a care to, well, care.

She stood there for what felt like a long time before she was startled a bit by the sound of the Great Hall door opening once again behind her. Whoever was coming out probably wouldn't notice the ghost in the corner, so she didn't even bother to move from the mirror or try to pretend she was coming in late, rather than going out early.

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@Aleksandra Fairbairn
Fearless | Calming Presence | E.L. | Prodigal Transfiguration
ST: 9 | EV: 9 | STR: 3 | WI: 8 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 11
Caretaker: A. P. Finch | iNPC: Yasha V.
Closed PV A Short Cut to Friendship
————————
“I told myself next time I’ll be colder but here I am, feeling the warmth all over.”------c.c aurel—-----
—date. [09/09/2024]—word count. [987]—tag. @EmmaLee LeDames
Image posted by the member

•☽༻¨:·. ──── ₊☽◯☾₊ ──── .·:¨༺☾•

Arriving back at Hogwarts has been dare Aleksandra say interesting, but the young girl figured it would be different being a second year and all not even mentioning how Summer camp went the young girl was just pleased this particular night all of problems being certain housemates were not around her at the moment.

Aleksandra glanced around the vast hall with the sound of vibrant happy laughter resonating around until her dark cold gray eyes caught sight of an older girl from the Hufflepuff table. Aleksandra scowled slightly, noting how the girl seemed to not touch anything in front of her and how her appearance was compared to when they first met back at camp. EmmaLee she was fairly optimistic and full of life back at camp and yet the girl seemed out of it even though her hair was a mess and not its usual shimmering white it tended to be.

Aleksandra continued to scowl as she rested her chin on the top of the palm of her hand. The girl was not one to put herself into people's problems nor did she care but the older girl was kind enough to help her during summer camp when she seemed a bit confused and lost. Continuing her watch over towards the older girl she noticed her getting up and leaving which made the platinum haired girl frowned. There was definitely something off and aloof about this situation.

A part of Aleksandra figured it was best to ignore the older girl even seeing how disheveled she looked and how her hair looked rather tragic and amok, but another part of the girl had a bit of a heart she did not care to much but she could tell the girl was going through something and looked frail. Maybe it was the fact Aleksandra was getting soft or the fact seeing others hurt made the girl feel the urge to at least be semi-approaching.

Glancing one more time the young girl caught a glance of the older Hufflepuff girl sneaking out of the Great Hall which was strange after all dinner had just begun and from what Aleksandra could tell she did not seem to touch her food. Aleksandra frowned before pocketing some biscuits and scones into her robe pockets before sneaking off herself from her table.

Aleksandra lingered slightly as she made her way to follow the older girl. Aleksandra had no idea what was going on but she wanted to make sure the girl was okay even the younger girl could tell she seemed to look almost sickly. Maybe it was just the candle light but even Aleksandra was uncertain at this point.

Opening the vast rather large oak doors dark stormy gray eyes landed upon the older girl who seemed to be looking at her reflection in the smaller hall. Being cautious Aleksandra moved closer to the older girl taking in her appearance. Her normally shimmering snow like white hair seemed mucky like trampled over snow with dirt mixed in with it while the young girls faced her normal shining bright eyes seemed hollow. Aleksandra swallowed hard not being the sentimental or even helpful person the young girl moved cautiously as if EmmaLee was going to run from her like a startled kitten that was abandoned and spit on by the world.

Aleksandra raised her left hand gently reaching towards EmmaLee seeing the girl looking disheveled made the younger girl confused while she had no idea what to do or even say as if her voice was caught in her throat. Stopping mid-track Aleksandra gazed softly towards EmmaLee she needed someone but of course Aleksandra knew she was not the proper person for this she was cold hearted herself she preferred being left alone she hated being touched any sign of affection but yet the girl could see a broken piece of herself in this older girl. As if the world seemed to just turned its back on her.

“EmmaLee?”

Aleksandra spoke up quietly after a long pause. The platinum haired girl continued to gaze over at the older girl, her gray eyes softening as she seemed to think about her words and what to exactly say to the older girl of course how could she be of any help? Aleksandra did not know how to help. She was not the comforting type she was straightforward honest but alas something inside of the girl urged her to help or to do something.

Aleksandra’s face seemed concerned after all when she first met the older girl she seemed optimistic, naive and aloof she was a smiling ray of sunshine it sickening in a way but even still Aleksandra wished that she was dealing with the girls sickening ray of sunshine over the disheveled girl that was in front of her at this very moment. For some reason Aleksandra just wished the girl would smile, but even though something was wrong even Aleksandra could tell this.

“What happened?”

Once again Aleksandra broke the quiet her airy Scottish accent danced among the duo as she continued to stare at the older girl in concern. Just only if things were just sunshine and rainbows but maybe EmmaLee has found out how dreadful life really is. The world is always against you know matter what it’s not all sunshine and daisies after all you have your showers and hurricanes ready to break you at every moment and opportunity that was life a very real and non pretty sight. But maybe just maybe the sun can shine down on the duo and help even the coldest of hearts to find their place.

——— [ notes ] any notes uwu
( codes by uly. )(banner by Winnie Harper)
————————
"Men mocks the Gods until they need them"

Inpc of Isadora V.
Closed PV A Short Cut to Friendship
Biometrics: 5'. Wavy, white hair down to her mid-thigh. Blue eyes. Spattering of freckles across her nose.
Date: September 9, 2024 | Time: Dinner | WC: 426
Language: French – English – Spanish – Japanese
Interacting with: @Aleksandra FairBairn | Mentioning:
EmmaLee speaks with a light French accent.


EmmaLee watched in the mirror as a girl came out and closed the heavy door as softly as she had. Her excellent memory for names and faces recognized the girl as Aleksandra, Aleks, rather, whom she had met on the first day of camp. What a turn for Aleks to find EmmaLee in this state. What a turn for anyone to find EmmaLee in this state. Maybe hiding like a gremlin in the Hufflepuff dorms was the better option until she was more presentable. EmmaLee always felt guilty when that look of concern was directed her way like she should work harder to be the happy girl everyone had come to know her as.

Even though EmmaLee watched in the mirror over her shoulder as Aleks walked over, she still jumped a little when Aleks unexpectedly, gently touched her shoulder and called her name. The older girl blinked a couple of times as if coming out of a fog and into the light, before pulling on a smile that didn't reach her hollow eyes, pulling the ends of her sweater sleeves over her hands, rubbing her dry cheeks with the fabric, and turning around to face the younger Slytherin. "I uh.. not a whole lot." She said, her attempt at chipper coming out flat. Aleks was the first person she had actually spoken to in days, so her voice came out cracked and dry. EmmaLee put a fist to her mouth and coughed to clear her throat. "Just um... 'aving a 'ard time. It'll be ok."

There was chipper. She'd found it a little in her lie.

"Did you end up 'aving a good time at camp?" It was always easier to deflect than talk about her own problems. She wasn't even sure how to talk about this problem. It wasn't like anyone could fix it or fill the hole that had been carved out of her center. Maybe if she got Aleks talking about herself and her time at camp, or even her own start to the new school year, Aleks would forget about her concern for EmmaLee and she wouldn't have to explain that a boy was in the ground, or crypt, far earlier than anyone should ever be in a crypt.

Not that she didn't really care about Aleks' time at camp and how she was doing. She definitely cared, especially since the other girl had been so grumpy about the event in the first place, so it wasn't a deflection for deflection's sake, just a quick moving on from herself to Aleks.
Fearless | Calming Presence | E.L. | Prodigal Transfiguration
ST: 9 | EV: 9 | STR: 3 | WI: 8 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 11
Caretaker: A. P. Finch | iNPC: Yasha V.
Closed PV A Short Cut to Friendship
————————
“I told myself next time I’ll be colder but here I am, feeling the warmth all over.”------c.c aurel—-----
—date. [09/09/2024]—word count. [501]—tag. @EmmaLee LeDames
Image posted by the member

•☽༻¨:·. ──── ₊☽◯☾₊ ──── .·:¨༺☾•

Aleksandra gazed over at EmmaLee the platinum haired girl could tell that something seemed to be troubling the older girl, but she was not sure what. The older girl's blue eyes, normally bright and full of joy and optimism, seemed hollow as if all of her joy was sucked out of her soul. Not that it was any of Aleksandra’s business to why the older girl seemed so helpless and in pain. But for some reason the platinum haired girl felt an urge to help.

EmmaLee seemed to speak, trying to divert the attention from her. Asking how the younger of the two’s summer went. Aleksandra scowled slightly thinking of the proper words. Maybe the girl needed a distraction or maybe she truly was curious. Sighing softly, Aleksandra figured she played this game. After all, expressing one's feelings is a tricky thing.

Aleksandra stayed quiet as EmmaLee seemed to ask how her Summer camp experience was. Honestly the young girl just stayed by herself the majority of the time besides being around certain nuisances but besides that it could have been worse than she imagined the girl supposed. Aleksandra closed her gray eyes, getting lost in her thoughts for a second before her gray eyes stared into EmmaLee’s hollowed blue eyes.

“Camp was alright not really eventful so I suppose that was a gift from the Merlin himself.”

Aleksandra spoke softly, thinking of her words carefully. It seemed clear that EmmaLee did not want to talk about what was bothering her but Aleksandra was a bit stubborn at times, this being one of those times.

Stepping closer Aleksandra examined EmmaLee like a hawk. Noting the girl's braided hair seemed a mess even in the braid along with how dark and murky her hair seemed instead of its normal bright snowy white color. Her eyes seemed hollowed and it looked as if she had tears stains barely visible. It was clear to Aleksandra that something was a foot but asking about it was not going to solve anything nor get her answers.

Grabbing the girl's pale hand Aleksandra wrapped her small fair skinned hand around EmmaLee’s slightly pale hand. If she did not want to talk about her feelings so be it Aleksandra will not argue, but the girl was not going to allow this older girl neglect herself and her image that was not going to happen not on the second year's watch.
“Your coming with me.”

Aleksandra spoke quickly as she continued to hold the older girl's hand preparing to drag her along behind her. After all something was wrong and the young girl just did not feel right leaving her to suffer alone nobody deserves to feel broken alone.

——— [ notes ] any notes uwu
( codes by uly. )(banner by Winnie Harper)
————————
"Men mocks the Gods until they need them"

Inpc of Isadora V.
Closed PV A Short Cut to Friendship
Biometrics: 5'. Wavy, white hair down to her mid-thigh. Blue eyes. Spattering of freckles across her nose.
Date: September 9, 2024 | Time: Dinner | WC: 588
Language: French – English – Spanish – Japanese
Interacting with: @Aleksandra FairBairn | Mentioning: @AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz
EmmaLee speaks with a light French accent.


EmmaLee watched as the other girl's face rolled through a gambit of expressions. The French girl could tell by one of the looks, in particular, that Aleks was not buying that she was alright in any way, but the platinum blonde would play along for the moment. EmmaLee could have chuckled at the resemblance to her mother. You can pretend for a moment but we will come back to this. Maybe EmmaLee could really be fine in the process of having a friend to talk to.

So far she had spent her days going to class, then practicing cello, then practicing dueling, then either hanging out in her room alone and attempting to sleep when curfew came, or finally giving in to the fact that she wouldn't be able to sleep and sneaking up to the astronomy tower to spend time with the stars instead. They made her feel like her loved ones were closer, the thought that Stephen, Maman, Papa, Alura, and Grace were all under that same sky, if only a few hours behind.

She had written a few letters to her parents and Stephen, pretending to be, if not good or fine, than ok, and had also written to Grace and Alura, who she couldn't fathom pretending with. That would be an insult to what they were going through. With her parents and Stephen, she just didn't want them to worry more than they probably already were. Tears welled in her eyes as EmmaLee thought about how much she would rather be at Ilvermorny than Hogwarts right now. She just couldn't dredge up all the reasons she usually gave herself for staying here and for a moment, a furious fire at her mother rose up in her again. She had tried to talk to her mother about transferring to Ilvermorny again before school started, but Celeste had once again said no. Papa Victor refused to speak on the matter, taking a firm neutral stance and letting his wife decide what was best for the girl who was technically her daughter. There were a lot of things Victor would intervene in, but this was not one of them.

The women had had another full on fight about it the day before EmmaLee was to leave for Hogwarts. EmmaLee just couldn't understand why her mother completely refused to let her transfer, especially considering that Celeste intended to stay in New York to support her grieving friend, and her mother would not give her any other reason than EmmaLee was enrolled in Hogwarts and she would be graduating there, so she should just drop the subject.

EmmaLee had stormed off to her room and later Celeste had brought soup and a concerned Chlo to her room. They both apologized for fighting and Celeste had held her, and stroked her white hair, and said something to the effect that it might not feel like what is best for her right now but she would see that it was. It hadn't comforted the thirteen-year-old, but EmmaLee was too tired to push it any further. Even fighting and being angry was a chore.

Admittedly, she had been so wrapped up in her anger and her memories that she hadn't actually processed what Aleks said about camp and was a bit startled when the younger girl gently took her hand and started leading her away. "Ah, uh, ok. Where are we going?" She asked, letting the girl lead her and wiping the vestiges of angry tears from the corners of her eyes.
Fearless | Calming Presence | E.L. | Prodigal Transfiguration
ST: 9 | EV: 9 | STR: 3 | WI: 8 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 11
Caretaker: A. P. Finch | iNPC: Yasha V.
Closed PV A Short Cut to Friendship
————————
“I told myself next time I’ll be colder but here I am, feeling the warmth all over.”------c.c aurel—-----
—date. [09/09/2024]—word count. [837]—tag. @EmmaLee LeDames
Image posted by the member

•☽༻¨:·. ──── ₊☽◯☾₊ ──── .·:¨༺☾•

Aleksandra could care less if she was dragging the older girl behind her did it bother the other girl no she did not think so she seemed as if she was lost in her own world. Which rang more of a concern for Aleksandra though she did not know EmmaLee long or well maybe one meeting but the younger girl was concerned for sure the older girl was out of character she was quiet lost in space and most importantly her hair was filthy even Aleksandra could tell the older girl was not caring for herself properly which made her annoyed and concerned more.

So what was Aleksandra doing? Gonna drag the girl to the girls lavatory to rinse the girls head under hot sink water will it clean it no not entirely she did not have any hair products on her but the girl thing she would do is at least rinse the muk from the girls hair than force her to meet her to fix up her hair or maybe Aleksandra should go down to her dorm real quick? No. The girl had to at least start somewhere.

Aleksandra was too busy dragging the other girl with her to the girls' lavatory when she heard EmmaLee’s voice break the silence around the duo. Gray eyes blinking softly Aleksandra stopped in her tracks still holding onto EmmaLee’s hand softly. Gray eyes meeting blue eyes that seemed dull. Aleksandra felt her chest tighten. She had no idea what the girl was going through but she felt that it was something dreadful. That feeling of hopelessness as if the world was out to get you was strong enough to turn the brightest person into a dismal despair.

Aleksandra gripped EmmaLee’s hand gently giving the girl's much bigger hand a soft squeeze she knew she was not the best for soothing or to be a shoulder to cry on. Aleksandra had no idea what emotions are nor did she understand them but the pain of feeling alone as if the world was crashing around you as if life was against you, the girl related strangely. But the girl had a feeling she did not understand EmmaLee’s pain.

“Were going to the lavatory to rinse your hair it’s a mess.”

Aleksandra spoke bluntly, her soft scottish accent drifted among the duo like a feather dancing among the wind. Her gray eyes rested upon EmmaLee, her mind reeling with thoughts and questions but she knew better than to ask them after all being curious won’t help the older girl.

Aleksandra glanced downwards gritting her teeth slightly her heart clenched as she thought to herself more she was not meant for these kind of things she knew that and yet here she was trying to be useful. Maybe if she was useful that day… No she had no time to think about the past she was in the present and that was what mattered. Aleksandra turned towards EmmaLee gripping the young girls hands in between her small frail hands her gray eyes stared in to dull blue ones her face was stoic void of emotion while the young girl gray eyes held worried and serenity like a calm summer’s evening as the storm clouds lingered in the girls eyes.

“You are home.”

Aleksandra spoke softly, what was the young girl saying? She had no idea the words blurted out of her mouth before she could stop them. Her Scottish accent seemed soft but honest while her hands clasped upon EmmaLee’s why was she acting like this? Why did she care? What was going on with the older girl that seemed to alert the younger girl? Why did EmmaLee look so void of life as if she was a hollow shell of a girl? Was life this cruel? Many thoughts swam among Aleksandra’s mind as she gritted her teeth trying to keep her face as straight as possible.

The young girl could feel her mind drowning with her thoughts. The girl that was void of emotion the young second year that shut herself down from others felt the urge to help someone. Aleksandra was uncertain what EmmaLee was going through but one thing she knew the older girl did not deserve to be alone or feel alone going through something painful alone was not something Aleksandra wished upon anyone of course she was not sure what exactly the problem was, but it was obvious with the lack of effort the older girl is putting into her appearance she needed someone and unfortunately for EmmaLee and herself Aleksandra was the one that was available at this moment the one who could be the light to EmmaLee’s darkness that or the blizzard that shuts EmmaLee down.

——— [ notes ] any notes uwu
( codes by uly. )(banner by Winnie Harper)
————————
"Men mocks the Gods until they need them"

Inpc of Isadora V.
Closed PV A Short Cut to Friendship
Biometrics: 5'. Wavy, white hair down to her mid-thigh. Blue eyes. Spattering of freckles across her nose.
Date: September 9, 2024 | Time: Dinner | WC: 1213
Language: French – English – Spanish – Japanese
Interacting with: @Aleksandra Fairbairn| Mentioning: @AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz, @Linda Ramirez,@Matilde O’Fionnagan, @Violet Rohr, @Marietta Griffis
EmmaLee speaks with a light French accent.


"Oh." EmmaLee said at Aleks' insistence that they wash her hair. As she let the younger girl lead her to the bathroom, she pulled the long, dingy braid around her shoulder and examined it. "Yeah. It really does need a wash." She admitted with a thoughtful frown. It had just gotten so heavy lately. It felt like climbing Mount Everest to even think about the time it took to brush it out, shampoo the whole, what, three or four feet of it, wash that out, then comb conditioner through it, wash the rest of her while it set, rinse everything, squish all the water out, and then hang around while it finished drying. She used to enjoy the routine of taking care of her hair but it wasn't enjoyable anymore, just exhausting to think about. There were too many steps.

Now that she really thought about it, she didn't find a lot of things enjoyable anymore. Even cello and dueling practice were more of a routine to keep her mind and body busy lately. She was still progressing and learning new techniques for both, but she didn't get any satisfaction in playing a progression or casting a spell well like she did before. The only thing she really enjoyed lately was writing letters to her family, her friends, and Stephen. It gave her a fleeting moment to feel like she wasn't alone in this huge castle. Obviously, maybe, she wasn't as alone as she felt if the grumpy girl from camp of all people was concerned about how far she had fallen into disarray.

It was odd to be the one on the other end of that deeply concerned, steely grey gaze as Aleks turned back to her. Usually, EmmaLee was the one mother-henning people and worried about whether they were physically and mentally well, whether they were taking care of themselves, whether they were doing well in their studies and their goals and aspirations and self worths were properly supported.
EmmaLee could tell, from their previous encounter and Aleks' general demeanor, that this girl was not normally one to butt her nose into other people's despair. She wasn't sure why this girl who only had "acquaintances" and seemed to have a wall against people a mile high around her would bother with this one little snowflake, but a seed of gratitude was sprouting in EmmaLee that she did. Who knows how far she would have kept falling if someone hadn't at least tried to unearth her from the pit she was burying herself in.

As the girls reached the bathroom door, for a brief moment, a sense of event hung in the air as Aleks turned around and the two girls stared at each other. The moment couldn't have lasted more than one or two beats before Aleks ended it by whispering, “You are home.”

The very odd, but innocent phrase dropped into EmmaLee's consciousness and hollow heart like a drop of water in the Sahara. The clear, desperate pool of her mind rippled at first with indignation at the drop of the word "home". Aleks had absolutely no idea what she was talking about?! EmmaLee had tried desperately to make Hogwarts home, but she still remained a ghost here, barely noticed and barely there, always yearning for her found family tens of thousands of miles and an ocean away. EmmaLee had tried to find every reason to call this hollow, dank, dangerous castle home over the past TWO YEARS and had deluded herself into thinking she could ever be happy here with a sport to be a part of and the vague "friends" she'd made.

She'd made tens of hollow connections, acquaintanceships, she thought with an ironic inner laugh, that she could barely call friendship and now, because she had wasted her time trying so hard to make and keep new friends instead of just going home, she had been absent for the last days of her best friend's life. Guilt churned in her stomach like an acidy old friend, tainting almost every fun memory of summer camp. How could she have ever thought to not go home and spend the summer with her friends, considering that they were apart for the better part of ten months every year? How could she have ever thought that was okay?

None of the scraps of so called friends she had made here had even tried to find her in the ten days since school started!!

Well, a soft voice spoke up inside the storm of her inner rage, how could anyone find her? She went from her lonely room, to the back of the class, to the back of the class, to the back of the class, to her lonely room, to the back of the class, to the rehearsal room (where she barely talked to her favorite portraits anymore), to the dueling club while everyone was at dinner, to her lonely room, and then, most nights, to the astronomy tower, where she whiled away the hours of insomnia until just before the sun rose, and then she crept back into the empty Hufflepuff common to sneak back into her room until everyone possible had gone to breakfast. She had become a master of avoidance. It was a wonder Aleks had caught her on one of her random forays into the Great Hall to maybe eat something more than bread, ham, and cheese acquired from the, admittedly growing concerned, kitchen house elves. Which, well, she hadn't even done.

As the inner whirlwind wound down around the voice of reason, EmmaLee remembered Linda and Matilde, who had become wonderful music buddies, but whom she had hidden from more than once in the past few days as Linda or Matilde were exiting the rehearsal room or walking around the hallways, and Violet, who was always so eager to practice with her and thought so highly of her casting skills, who she could talk on and on about strategy with and the little Puff never seemed to get that bored expression on her face that people sometimes got when EmmaLee got too excited and talked too long, and Marietta, who was terrible with potions with her and didn't make her feel bad for not really caring about the subject, but EmmaLee had been hiding from her in class as well.

Maybe these friends had noticed her absence, but she had simply not given them the opportunity to find her as she had unwittingly allowed Aleks to find her, disheveled and despaired and taking an unprecedented stare into the mirror.

EmmaLee's lip quivered as a different flavor of guilt turned her stomach further. She wasn't so much guilty because she had avoided them. As much as she was just now realizing that she wasn't as alone at Hogwarts as she thought, the guilt she felt for disregarding these friends was now in a battle with the guilt she felt for not spending Kiernan's last summer with him. Forget that she had no way of knowing that she wouldn't be spending the entire last two weeks of summer with him. She still wasn't up for seeking out company, but she did resolve to not avoid people as much as Aleks turned and the pair of girls entered the bathroom.
Fearless | Calming Presence | E.L. | Prodigal Transfiguration
ST: 9 | EV: 9 | STR: 3 | WI: 8 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 11
Caretaker: A. P. Finch | iNPC: Yasha V.
Closed PV A Short Cut to Friendship
————————
“I told myself next time I’ll be colder but here I am, feeling the warmth all over.”------c.c aurel—-----
—date.[09/09/2024]—word count. [401]—tag. @EmmaLee LeDames
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•☽༻¨:·. ──── ₊☽◯☾₊ ──── .·:¨༺☾•

As the girl’s entered the bathroom Aleksandra glanced around it was fairly quiet which she expected sense everyone seemed to be distracted eating and what not. Which the platinum haired girl thought they should be eating or just relaxing, but of course there was a time and place Aleksandra knew of that not only that the older girl in beside her seemed to need someone at least.

Aleksandra walked towards the sinks her cold gray eyes reflecting back towards her she glanced over towards EmmaLee noting how the girls appearance looked a bit unwell and unsuitable for school especially in public afterall one should always look presentable in public. A light feather sigh escaped Aleksandra’s lips as she turned the faucet for warm water. A light stream of steam hovered lightly over the basin of the sink.

Why was Aleksandra being helpful? She had no idea maybe it was because EmmaLee helped her during summer camp the girls barely knew each other, but yet the older one seemed a bit lost which was a new emotion the girl had seen on the older one. Aleksandra had no idea what she truly wanted to do nor did she know how to help the older girl.

Closing her cold gray eyes Aleksandra thought for a second before glancing over to EmmaLee scanning the girl up and down thoughtfully thinking of what to do. The older girl's hair needed a good wash but a rinse for now will be just fine but unfortunately the girl did not have a brush to help with what lies ahead of her. Scowling in thought Aleksandra kept thinking of the proper way to handle this Hairy situation. But every situation there is a solution.

Testing the water Aleksandra looked over her shoulder beckoning EmmaLee over. The younger girl stayed silent. She wasn’t sure if she should speak or just stay quiet either way she only had one thing in mind and that was to help out the older girl help her be herself again that was her goal. To help shine a light down the dark path that was unfolded around EmmaLee.

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"Men mocks the Gods until they need them"

Inpc of Isadora V.
Closed PV A Short Cut to Friendship
Biometrics: 5'. Wavy, white hair down to her mid-thigh. Blue eyes. Spattering of freckles across her nose.
Date: September 9, 2024 | Time: Dinner | WC: 464
Language: French – English – Spanish – Japanese
Interacting with: @Aleksandra Fairbairn| Mentioning: @AngelFyre McCubbin as Stephen Schwartz, @Linda Ramirez,@Matilde O’Fionnagan, @Violet Rohr, @Marietta Griffis
EmmaLee speaks with a light French accent.


EmmaLee summoned a bathroom stool and caught it effortlessly in her hand as Aleksandra beaconed her over to the sink of warm water and EmmaLee sat down on it, facing away from the sink so that Aleksandra could work on her hair. Both girls were quiet as Aleksandra unfurled EmmaLee's long, dingy braid, put it into the warm water. While EmmaLee simply couldn't find words to say, she figured Aleks couldn't either, or was just propping EmmaLee up and letting her know that at least someone cared that she was walking around Hogwarts like death warmed over.

As the water and Aleks' hands ran over her hair, EmmaLee ruminated over what to even tell the other girl about her situation. How do you explain that a part of your soul is gone? Smashed at the bottom of a cliff. Magic only being able to assist by making his body presentable for viewing in a casket, and you were 10,000 miles away, laughing with other friends at summer camp. How could she explain five whole years of friendship in five minutes?

At least EmmaLee had taken care of her hair enough that it wasn't tangled, but even the gentle pull of Aleks' fingers and the water through the large mass began to give her a headache behind her eyeballs, and her neck hurt from holding it over the side of the bowl.

"I....hold on just a moment, please." She said, sitting up abruptly and accidentally letting her long, wet hair slop against her back as it came up and out of the basin. It was too heavy and too tiring for her or Aleksandra to rinse, forget wash. In a moment of complete impulsivity, EmmaLee pointed her wand over her shoulder, in the opposite direction from Aleksandra, and spoke the incantation. "Diffendo." She said confidently despite the impulsive move.

The light flashed across the bathroom and repeated over dozens of mirrors and in an instant, her long mop of hair fell to the floor with a shlop, the ends still in the sink landing with a second shlop on top of the first half, and leaving the rest, still attatched to EmmaLee head, to bounce back just above her shoulders in a clean, but admittedly uneven mess of white curls. While quite a literal weight had been released from her shoulders, it felt like at least part of another kind of weight had been lifted as well. EmmaLee breathed a heavy sigh and slumped with her arms in her lap. It was hard to tell if it was a relieved sigh for just... a sigh.

"My best friend died." She said, finally, tears threatening to roll down her cheeks again and words finally rolling out her mouth. "I found out the last day of summer camp."
Fearless | Calming Presence | E.L. | Prodigal Transfiguration
ST: 9 | EV: 9 | STR: 3 | WI: 8 | ARC: 9 | ACC: 11
Caretaker: A. P. Finch | iNPC: Yasha V.
Closed PV A Short Cut to Friendship
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“I told myself next time I’ll be colder but here I am, feeling the warmth all over.”------c.c aurel—-----
—date. [ 09/09/24]—word count. [784]—tag. @EmmaLee LeDames
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•☽༻¨:·. ──── ₊☽◯☾₊ ──── .·:¨༺☾•

The sound of the water from the sinks faucet was bliss the rush of the water exiting the spicket with a splash against the cool basin was melody to Aleksandra’s ears. Why? She had no idea the water was just bliss.

Aleksandra was trying to be gentle as she helped untangle the older girl's hair the best she could with her fingers combing through the mass of untamed hair. Her heart panged a bit, feeling a bit guilty that she may be harming the girl's scalp. She just wanted to be helpful and be useful. The young girl could understand at one point she allowed herself down a dark path herself, maybe that was why she was so closed off. Nobody deserves that kind of pain, the pain that can be undeniable and unspeakable, the pain that never truly leaves.

Hearing a voice break Aleksandra from her task the young girl blinked, retracting her hand from the mass of damp hair. The young Slytherin girl's gray eyes watched EmmaLee carefully watching her every movement feeling cautious. After all, Aleksandra had no idea what the older girl was thinking or what she was planning. As EmmaLee stood up abruptly pulling out her wand Aleksandra felt her eyes widen jumping up herself bracing herself to stop the older girl from whatever reckless thing she was about to do, but unfortunately for Aleksandra she was a slither of a second too late. A light flashed around the girl’s making Aleksandra duck down quickly covering her head.

As everything happened quickly from the light flashing back and forth from the sound of hair sloshing onto the ground. Waiting a few seconds Aleksandra glanced up noticing EmmaLee’s appearance the young girls hair did still look slightly grungy but that was to be expected, but what caught the young Slytherin off guard was how short the older girls hair was. Of course it could have been worse, thankfully the older girl was physically okay at least.

Watching the older girl slump to the ground, Aleksandra slowly knelt down beside the older girl. It was clear a weight seemed to be lifted from her shoulders; it was evident from the long sigh that seemed to escape EmmaLee’s lips.

Aleksandra waited a bit until the older girl was ready to speak.

Hearing the words slip from the older girl's mouth made Aleksandra’s heart drop. A rare feat indeed since the young girl was also deemed cold and heartless among her peers, though the girl never experienced death first hand losing someone you truly love and never to be seen again hurts deeper than one can imagine. Seeing the tears fall from EmmaLee’s crystal lake blue eyes Aleksandra thought of what to do.

She was not one who knew comfort; she usually bared things alone. But she also knew some people needed others.

Letting her instincts take over Aleksandra wrapped her thin arms around EmmaLee’s neck pulling the older girl closer. Knowing EmmaLee had been dealing with this trauma alone putting on a brave face and trying to go on with life, but truly hurting seemed to make Aleksandra’s heart pang with guilt though it was not the young girls fault she did not have the power to harm others nor would she ever want to the young girl did feel bad for the older girl.

Aleksandra held onto EmmaLee tightly, her gray eyes softened slightly as she thought to herself quietly. How does one speak in this situation? How does one comfort many questions that were new for Aleksandra. But she had to show or try to at least.

“I am sorry to hear that EmmaLee, truly. But you should still take care of yourself. I don’t know your friend, but I am sure they would want you to take care of yourself and live your life.”

Aleksandra spoke softly as she stood up the younger girl held her hand down to EmmaLee a small feign smile graced her lips, another rare feat for the cold girl.

“Let’s follow the sun and live for your friend to keep their memory alive.”

Aleksandra spoke once again though the girls words may have seem incentive or crazy she truly meant to be helpful that was her goal to help that was what needed to bee done the older girl needed a light and what better light than the cold snake who herself was covered in darkness?

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( codes by uly. )(banner by Winnie Harper)
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"Men mocks the Gods until they need them"

Inpc of Isadora V.
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