Mourned Sight PV Cass Ito, Iris Athanasiuo Closed

Interactions: @Matthew Campbell | @Mention Mentions:

Date: 1st September Location: Carriages

Outfit: x

- Mourned sight -

Today had been a wonderful day. They were back at school (which was only on the list because there was no classes today), had seen their friends, had made some new friends (though those new friends might not exactly agree) and now they were almost at the feast. Feasts were very nice, because it meant that they could finally play the wonderful game of guess-this-kids-house that all the older years were always talking about. Which was them now! They were an older year! Just not really a taller year. But they would grow! Soon they would tower over all of hogwarts. Soon. But for now, the crowds coming off the train still pushed their tiny frame about, and managed to separate them from the group of people they had been annoying on the train. Oh well, they would just have to find some other victims friends to sit with on the carriage ride.

Last year they had got to see the castle by boat, and miraculously managed to make it across the lake without deciding to go for a swim or do something equally stupid. Their father had told them that the upper years were transported by carriages, and conversations they heard from the crowd confirmed this information. They doubted that the carriages would be as cool as the boats, but maybe they went at like top speed or something. Maybe they would get to drive! That would be sooo cool. They were totally great at driving carriages! Although it wasn't something they had attempted before. But how hard could it be?

All alone among students that were mostly much taller, they were starting to wish this would all hurry up. Bouncing around on their feet, they shoved their way closer to the front. It was time to get this carriage ride over with. Once they could see the carriages however, they brightened up a bit. Like most things at Hogwarts, they looked impressive enough. Running over to find a good one before all of them were taken and they were left with a probably still equally good one, they stopped dead in their tracks. Cass could blend in with a crowd pretty easily. They were average enough height for their age (a bit on the short side), and their messy dark hair and green eyes weren't uncommon around the castle. What made them recognisable from a distance was how they carried themselves.

They were the type of person who was never still. If they weren't running at full speed towards their next stupid idea, they were fidgeting with their wand, or tapping their foot. They were always doing some small motion relentlessly, like they had an energy that they could never quite burn. Quiet wasn't a word that could be used to describe them either. Certainly not one that any of their teachers would use. Cass was loud, and full of energy, and always smiling. They had a way of dragging everyone around them into their cheerful, reckless chaos. No one got to be sad for long around Cass. Cass was certainly never sad. They were perfectly fine thanks. Better than fine! They had everything that they needed and it was enough, it was more than enough, even if there was a big hole inside them that was slowly eating at them if they stood still or thought for to long, but it was fine, and they were happy even, because they had their friends and their family was fine again and everything was fine.

It was the not-horses that had caused the 12 year old to retreat to some distant land inside their head. A lifetime of living in the magical world had taught them that some subjects were more interesting than others, and magical creatures were high enough on that list. Better than history. Body moving automatically, they started to move again, with a smile back on their face. They look normal. They looked fine. They looked anywhere but at the not-horses. Of course, they didn't know what they were. They couldn't even see them. The not-horses weren't there, and they weren't standing to attention with their big dark leathery wings and they weren't nuzzling some second year with their reptilian heads. The slytherin must just really like the air. There was absolutely nothing there for him to pat.

They refused to think about why they could see the not-horses, because there was nothing there to see. Walking like a normal person doing normal things and opening normal doors, they pulled themself inside the carriage. They took a seat and leaned their head against the window and waited, calm and peaceful and still happy and there was nothing pulling the carriages.

Permission received via owl to join!

This was her return.

As if by some fate, grueling as it may have been, Iris was finally back on Scottish soil. She felt it in the way the air brushed against her skin, in the smell of the mountains that stood waiting to greet her. It should have felt like coming home, the stitching of Ravenclaw still neatly placed upon her chest. But it wasn’t. Not yet.

Instead, it was merely her turn to take upon the carriages. A late ordeal, but one that presented itself nonetheless. The idea twisted something deep within her, a silent reminder of all she’d lost. Not just Emelie, but that version of herself who had been granted the liberty of death’s hand. As now, she could see them. Black as night, their bony bodies standing just inches away; wings folded against their sides like something ancient.

Thestrals.

They were everything her aunt had once described, back when the world felt far more kind. It were as if she could recall her voice, laced with warmth and wisdom one wouldn't ever find in a textbook. Humanity. How she could even imagine the argument; that the creatures that stood before her had not been just a sign of death, but something more. Yet standing here, Iris felt little of that. There was no beauty, no voice to advocate for their existence. Only the cold, blistering reminder of what it meant to lose someone.

She wasn't alone, of course. Plenty had witnessed the uproot cause that granted them sight, but none seemed to linger like she did, eyes tracing every ribbed curve. Apart from one boy, that is, who had taken the liberty of approaching one all on his own. Iris watched silently, as if living vicariously through the way he grazed its face. How bold, she thought, to touch something that knew death so intimately.

It should have unsettled her, though instead only left a lingering feeling of awe. Careful footsteps weaved their way through the damp grass, placing her just a few steps behind the daunting beasts. Should she say anything or simply hop into the carriage, that she didn't know. Turning her gaze away from the sight, finding a seat felt like the only logical answer, leaving her to be met with yet another new face. "You don't mind if I join, do you?"

Permission to join granted via owl.

@Matthew Campbell @Cass Ito

In that tender moment it was like a clock that had been paused on his heart began to tick once more, like there was some kind of release of a pain he hardly even knew was there. No, not a release but an understanding. Whatever this being was it knew what lay within him, it knew his deepest pains and darkest tragedies but it did not look upon him with despair or pity, simply with that understanding.

Typically in these moments of silent it meant the young Slytherin had lost himself to the confines of his own mind, a prison that often shackled threateningly around his psyche. Yet whether by the aid of the creature or by the strange comfort of the moment he found himself more perceptive oft the world than he had ever been. So much so that in the corner of his vision he saw racing towards the carriage he stood before a small Slytherin who's entire being seemingly bustled with energy. Yet it was not the rabid quality of his stature that drew his eyes away from the creature that still framed his tender touch but the very opposite. For as the student got closer they suddenly bore their gaze upon him and froze deathly still as if they had seen a ghost, as if he himself was a ghost. Stare suddenly avoidant and sporadic the fellow Slytherins eyes seemed to reach for anywhere except for Matthew and the horses and upon landing on the carriages they proceeded in a forced manner to load themselves in. Despite plastering on a face of devout happiness the entire notion had baffled the boy.

Peculiar interactions in Hogwarts had become a regularity of life, rarely did he ever have an interaction with a student that wasn't brimmed with some kind of perplexation or insanity and especially when those students were from his own house. A house that had shared very little kindness towards him his previous year. Still a confusion lingered as to what had made the second year so stupefied. Resting his gaze back upon his dark friend he smiled gently towards the creature and whispered in a small voice "I don't think people should be scared of you, you're all beautiful." Matthew had no clue if the creature could understand human language but he hoped that in the reflection of those ethereal sparkling eyes that it had understood him.

A moment so precious should be held as long as possible and he did tracing the lines of the creatures face with his hand as gently as he could. In moments like this he sought the artistic streak of his father more than anything, what it would be to capture such haunting beauty in art, what would the muggle world think if they saw such a creature? Would it terrify them or would they marvel at its mournful presence like he. Would a drawing have any hope at mirroring the soulful way they eased him just from their glinting gaze regardless of the artist's talent. Staring longingly into the pupil-less hollows he felt it impossible and mourned for those who would not be healed by their knowing sight.

Just as he was readying himself to board another student entered his field of vision this one, a Ravenclaw with olive skin and frame similarly as short as the first. For a fraction of a second the girl seemed to linger her body battling with a decision of whether to turn and face him or reach for the carriage. Yet before he could even speak her mind had decided and chosen in favour against him. No doubt he was committing some cardinal sin that had once again painted him the perfect portrait of a mindless muggleborn who had no right being here but those binds no longer held any purchase over him. Locking eyes one final time with the creature, he considered to be far friendlier than the student body. he bowed like before and slowly moved his head towards the creature placing it against its own just as his father did for him every night as a child.

The warm puff of breath that waded through his hair from the creatures nostrils was as soothing a gesture as any and if he had done something wrong it was worth it for this was the magic he sought in the world. The true magic that made the world seem light, how anyone couldn't see the creatures past their visage was beyond him, but no doubt by the end of the ride he was destined to find out. Drawing away from the creature and towards the carriage he smiled as he left its side comfort wrapping him in a warm embrace against the nights chill. Feeling lighter than he had in a long time he stepped up and cautiously asked not wanting to interrupt the two students, "Hope there's room for a third?"

Interactions: @Matthew Campbell | @Iris Athanasiuo Mentions:

Date: 1st September Location: Carriages

Outfit: x

- Mourned sight -

Cass hated sitting still. Or standing still. Or lying still. Or anywhere quiet. Cass did not like to think. Thinking was a big no no thank you very much. They didn't want to think about- they didn't want to think. A quality that was reflected in most of the stuff they got up to at school, and at home as well. They were relieved when a girl joined them in the carriage. Someone to talk to. Someone to break this horrible, terrible silence that left them floating somewhere far away from their body. "Of course" they said, with a grin "There's tons of room for more. You could fit like twelve people in here. We should try fitting twenty four". They grinned like a big announcement to the universe. A big "See? I'm fine". Perfectly okay. Better than okay. Elastic. Or whatever that big fancy word for happy was.

They were even more extra happy when a boy decided to join them. Great. Fantastic. Beaming. Positively spitty. Or whatever the saying was. "The more the merrier" they said to him. It was true. More voices sounded brilliant. It was like they heard their own voice from underwater. The light was doing strange things, and they felt like they were floating in space. No they didn't. They were perfectly fine! Having an awesome carriage ride back to the castle with their new friends. First step, find out the names of the new friends in question. It wasn't optional. They had signed up to friendship the second they hopped in the carriage.

"I'm Cass" they said to the duo. "Are you both second years? Or are you just really short?' they meant no offence to short people. Some might consider them one of those short people. That was absolutely not true at all though. They were very tall! They were like eight foot! And their father was like ten foot! And their mother was- and they were very tall and very okay and so okay and this was all awesome and brilliant and the carriages could leave now please.

There was something very peculiar about the small slytherin in front of him, they seemed almost impossibly erratic having just come off an eight hour train ride. Perhaps they had settled in for a nap during the ride and ended up now brimming with energy. Matthew surmised that that was the most likely of options thought still couldn't help but quirk an eyebrow upon their rambling about carriage sizes. Chuckling slightly as the young snake grinned an award winning smile he couldn't help but be drawn in to their infectiously positive energy.

Barely a moment had he sat down before the silence was filled once more as if it was some kind of death sentence for the student across from him to suffer it. Peculiar was certainly solidifying as a key factor of their description. Upon Cass' greeting he was about to introduce himself until the other snake began to infer upon their heights. Scoffing incredulously with playful taunt in his tone he said, "You aren't exactly a giant yourself Cass! But yes I am a second year, Matthew, it's nice to meet you both." Always a pillar of social anxiety Matthew was unsure whether to offer a handshake or wave and in the rush of indecisiveness ended up with a warbled mix of both jumbling his hands awkwardly.

The girl seemed to have gone quiet lost in her own thought and suddenly Matthew became very aware of how deeply uncomfortable silence was determining to never judge Cass on filling it again. Behind them the deathly horses still drew his eyes and eased his anxiety enough to tilt his mouth into a gentle smile. Turning back towards Cass he nodded his head towards the creatures and asked timidly hoping not to be mocked for his lack of knowledge, after all this was a Slytherin, "Hey, I don't suppose you know the name of the creatures pulling the cart. They're hauntingly beautiful don't you think." If Matthew was honest probably little few felt as he did but one persons opinion often had the power to change another's view so maybe he would get lucky. Not to mention how they both seemed to be of varying degrees of odd so perhaps they bore more in common than just a house.

Interactions: @Matthew Campbell Mentions:

Date: 1st September Location: Carriages

Outfit: x

- Mourned sight -

Cass was outraged. This boy had just sat down, in their carriage (It was theirs now. Them sitting in it was their legal documentation of ownership) and called them not a giant. Which was true, but that was beside the point. They puffed up, straightening up in an attempt to suddenly and miraculously gain extra height. "What are you talking about, I am so tall I eat clouds for fun because I can reach them" they claimed "The mere mortal Matthew doesn't get to talk". Matthew as a name was far too long though. What were his parents thinking? What if they need to scream "Run Matthew!" while evading their angry neighbours? It would take far too long. No, this boy was in desperate need of a nickname. Some of the nicknames Cass gave were longer than a persons actual name, but that was, once again, besides the point.

Nicknames took time though. The destined title of this Matthew would reveal itself one day, but this was not the day. Some tiny part of Cass's brain that got bullied by the rest of it into silence most of the time was grateful though. With every word out of his mouth, they felt the slightest bit more grounded in the here and now. Not that he deserved any gratitude for calling them short. When they saw him extend his hand for a handshake? Maybe? They extended theirs right back only for him to start doing a strange dance with his hands. Utterly confused, they did one of their own that started as a one person waltz and ended with finger guns. They grinned, although it was a very "what on earth is going on" grin.

He then proved his own weirdness by nodding at the empty ground in front of them that was so empty the most boring empty ground to exist. Cass had not seen doctor strange, but if they had they would have likened the feeling they had now to him getting pushed out of his body and floating nearby as a spirit. His words felt like a physical blow to their stomach but they just smiled and with blank eyes, in panic, said the wisest sentence they had ever uttered in their life. "Whats a creature". Their brain wasn't even around to notice the absurdness of it. When had the carriage been so interesting and so floaty?

Date: 1st September 2024

Oddness was one thing, in fact it was something Matthew was extraordinarily used to given that he spent the majority of his childhood within the confines of his head or the pages of fantasy novels. Matthew was no stranger to odd, but whatever this was it was decidedly different. Cass didn't just look confused by the question but physically ill, his eyes flitted away into themself and then they stumbled out some absurd words to follow. Matthew wasn't sure why the creature had his fellow student so perplexed but something twisted in Matthew's stomach telling him to stop pushing. A similar sensation often overtook his own body when people asked about his mother and if that was what Cass was experiencing he didn't want to hurt him any further.

Still, his disappointment would be clearly evident in his tone as a mousey voice quietly spoke out, "Oh eh right, yeah I'm probably just seeing things, I have a bit of an overactive imagination. You should probably do some research on creatures though given we start classes on them next year." Trying to be as polite as possible Matthew simply leaned back and stared off the side of the carriage watching as the town of Hogsmeade got further and further in the distance and the trees began to surround them. Hogwarts was somehow even more divine in the autumn months.

Every so often he couldn't help but stare at the horse-like creatures. How they so gracefully moved and the almost lifeless quality to them reminded him of stories of mythology. Horses had been inspiration for many famous creatures he once thought were mere works of literature and folklore yet now knew to be real. Had the creature in front of him not been as black as the night sky and had wings he might have hoped it were a selkie. Scottish mythology had always held a place in his heart for his own ancestry and the thought of meeting one, even if they were deemed evil and hostile, was something he wished for.

Everything about the magical world awestruck him constantly and he couldn't understand how anyone could ever feel differently. Sure the wizards and witches themselves could be awful, but the magic of the natural world was beyond anything he ever dreamed imaginable. Times like this he felt lucky to share in even a tiny fraction of it. Hoping that Cass might have calmed down by now he drifted his head lightly back to the kid and said with a growing smile, "So giant Cass, what's your favourite subject if creatures aren't your thing?".

Mentioning: @Cass Ito