24 Sep 2024, 02:59
Belonging To Our Roots
September 24th 2024
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
@Oliver Armani and @Colin McCoire (If you're interested!)
OOC Notes: Did you think I was kidding when I wanted to do another thread with yous
Ahhhh...
Nothing was more bliss than this. Being able to curl up against a tree and inhale the scents of aging bark and wisening wood. Emily's form was pressed up close to the tree's body, almost expecting to be embraced by its twisting arms, the way one would cradle their beloved. A parent's love was... Questionable in the Shephard household but if Emily had any faith at all, it had and always would go to the forces of nature.
The animals were fed and the flowers were watered. Emily now decided to take the time to speak to her dear friends, the trees. She already shook hands and hugged them all. Now all she wanted was to sit by their sides and bask in the autumn shower. It took a bit of resisting to pry her own fingers off the tree so she could sit by its base and look up through the shroud of leaves above her, glimmers of sunlight and patches of life peppered between the branches.
Her rose and clear quartz stones were in either side of her hands. Her back lazily against the tree and her eyes closing over sleepily, she meditated, the sounds and smells of greenery infecting her being. Upturned grass and fallen leaves invaded her nose while her lungs were filled with the cool air brought on by the changing seasons.
No letters. No clues. No Casey - no offence to him at all. No stranger danger in the Forbidden Forest. No chasing tall tales and scary stories about monsters kidnapping and possessing the students at Hogwarts. Just her. And the trees. And her stones. And the vibrant life around her.
She wished more of her days were like this. She made a mental note to intigrate this into her routine. She felt like she was floating. This must be what freedom feels like. She felt like she could astral project right out of her body. That's how limitless she felt. It was incredible.
Nature's child had found her peace. And it. Was. Beautiful.
Mm...
Word Count: 391
Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast|Cat's Grace
Last edited by Emily Shephard on 24 Sep 2024, 19:01, edited 1 time in total.
Trust Yourself - Love Yourself - Be Yourself
iNPC = Casey Stone
24 Sep 2024, 03:26
Belonging To Our Roots
|
|
|
The first month. It was, just about as well as it could be. That first day seemed to curse him, making each day after almost as bad. His talk with Aaron had not be helpful, and he still had yet to answer any of his parents letters. He felt like a dragon might as well have been perched on his shoulders. His parents were sure something was up by now, they said so in the last letter. And Oliver would have almost no choice but to lie now.
The month had been nothing but worry and stress, and constant studying even though there was no real need for it. What Oliver wanted right now, was some quiet. To not think much at all about school, or family, or his house. Just to relax for a moment, as if he were back home. He had heard in passing that the Hogwarts grounds were the best place to do that.
He already set the Library and Study Hall as places to well, study. So he had many doubts that he would relax much there, the Common Room right now was also a place he was avoiding as much as he could. So the grounds it was. So far Oliver had yet to really go outside of the castle.
And he was regretting it quite a bit right now. It was just a beautiful as he thought it would be, Ollie made a mental note to himself to come out and paint it sometime. There was sure to be a lot of inspiration. The air had a slight chill, nothing he couldn't handle. It was perfect really. Now, just to find the spot.
He walked around for a while, so long in fact his legs started to hurt. Just looking for a spot with not a whole lot of people, but also just enough to were he wouldn't look like he was trying to isolate himself. Even if part of him was. It was about prestation, and relaxation. Then he saw her.
She looked like she was half asleep. That sure was relaxed. It was a little amusing. Perhaps, yes. Maybe. Oliver walked up to her, and didn't try to touch her. That was much to, much. So he settled on clearing his throat, hoping to get her attention. If she was relaxing, as it looked. He thought it might help him as well. "Sorry, do you mind if I join you?" He didn't recognize her, so naturally he assumed she was older then him. And also not his his house. Thankfully. He didn't need any more reminders.
24 Sep 2024, 22:41
Belonging To Our Roots
September 24th 2024
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
@Oliver Armani and @Colin McCoire (If you're interested!)
When in a trance like this, anything that wasn't the voice of a songbird, the pad of an animal's footsteps or the sway of the creaking trees in the grounds would be lucky even by a smidge if they penetrated Emily's meditated state. One could yell in her ear and she still wouldn't budge. So Emily was surprised she was able to register the sounds of a young boy addressing her while she remained cross-legged on the ground.
Not one to turn others way, she welcomed him to his side without opening her eyes, instead giving a gentle acknowledging nudge of her head to let him know she heard him. Her voice was soft and ethereal, a small contrast from her typical bright and grounded tone. "Sit where you like..."
She heard some movement and again, without taking a peep from her closed eyes, she assumed he took a spot nearby where she resumed talking. "It's peaceful isn't it? Just the sounds of the lake nearby and the trees above you... Heh... Any longer and I might be put to sleep."
Even now her hands were loosening their grip around her healing stones which began to gently slip out of her palm, threatening to fall into her lap. However, Emily was still too far at ease to start caring now. All she cared for was the company the environment was giving her... And her new acquaintance.
"So... What's your name?"
Word Count: 274
Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace
Trust Yourself - Love Yourself - Be Yourself
iNPC = Casey Stone
25 Sep 2024, 01:57
Belonging To Our Roots
|
|
|
Maybe Oliver choose the wrong stranger to sit next to. It looked like she was meditating(?) He really couldn't tell, But she had said yes when he asked to sit. So that was good enough for him, he didn't know her at all well enough to decide if he should run while he had the chance, so he sat down back against the tree with her. Taking notice of what he guessed to be crystals in her hands.
Her voice, was almost to calm for the boy. "Er- thanks, I appreciate it." He said to her. Trying to sound at least a little bit nice, proving hard. As she wouldn't even look at him. He looked out on the grounds, and nodded at what she had said.
"It really is." It was peaceful, Oliver couldn't help but let out a small huff of a laugh. She sounded like she was going to fall asleep. Her voice seemed really airy, and well, relaxed. Perhaps he was wrong, and this was the right person. She looked like she knew how to relax. He could hear the sounds the lake lapping against the sand, and the slight ruffle of tree leaves.
He relaxed back against the tree, taking in the atmosphere. "Oliver, Oliver Armani." Always that when asked. First name, then first name and his last name. How he had done it for years, started doing it after he heard his dad do it once. Thought it sounded 'fancy'. "And you are?" He asked Turing his head to look at her, so he would for sure be able to get her name the first time. And not have to ask her to repeat herself.
28 Sep 2024, 18:34
Belonging To Our Roots
September 24th 2024
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
Magic in Meditation with @Oliver Armani
Emily couldn't help the tiny amused smirk that crept onto her expression. She could hear the confusion - and perhaps the slightest lace of impatience - in the boy's tone as he took a spot close by. Emily remained tranquil in her little space. No aware that she had company, she allowed herself to wake up a little bit though not too much to completely check herself out of the little zone she was able to fall into in the first place.
"Oliver Armani..." She repeated his name gently as if testing it out for herself before her smile widened. "Nice to meet you. I'm Emily... Emily Shephard."
Another beat of silence washed over them, no doubt Oliver taking that moment for himself to gauge what the heck Emily was doing. Meanwhile, Emily was still spiritually swept away by the breeze of calmness whilst simultaneously being planted in the stillness of peace as she surrounded herself with the trees about the Grounds.
However the silence was enough to make Emily crack under the weight and she giggled. "Heh... I'm not used to sounding so at peace like this. I guess I must be in a good mood today or something...! Hopefully you don't think I'm unusual or off-putting, or anything...!"
She moved about and curled up a little to present a more relaxed and informal position. Now more awake, she got a look at her new acquaintance. A young boy, perhaps young enough to be a first year. That probably explained the uncertain tone he was giving her.
"Don't worry, I don't bite...!"
Word Count: 295
Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace
Trust Yourself - Love Yourself - Be Yourself
iNPC = Casey Stone
14 Oct 2024, 19:25
Belonging To Our Roots
|
|
|
So, Her name was Emily Shephard. He was trying to find the right words to use here. In other situations he would have said 'pleasure to met you Emily.' or 'Emily, nice to met you.' Something like that. Though he wasn't sure if that really fit here. This girl seemed, well odd. Not in a super bad way, more so a confusing way. There were a few kinds of odd in Oliver's book. The annoying class clown odd, the ones that tried to joke around and interrupt class. Then the just plain weird ones, the ones that said and did stuff with no rhyme or reason. Like toddlers. A few other ones that were in sub categories.
Emily, she was in her own odd group. The ones that bothered Oliver least. The ones that where quiet-ish. Based on first impressions, Oliver put her in the airy type of odd. The one's seemed to connect with nature. Not in an obnoxious way. She seemed to be meditating, with crystals around her. So, nature connected odd it was.
By the time he got out of his thoughts, he figured to much time had passed to say anything at all. It felt awkward. The silence, was so loud. He wasn't sure what to say, or what to do. And was starting to wonder if he would be able to walk away and if Emily would notice it at all. Than, she started to talk again. Her words were more true then she might have thought. As it was a little off putting.
He must also have been in a good mood. "Ah, not at all. Nothing like that," He told her, trying to be at least a little nice. She hadn't done anything to make him be rude to her. Yet. Though he could be quite rude at times, so he's been told. Maybe she thought he was being rude by not talking much. Though the giggle she let out was making him question a lot. He couldn't get a read on what this girl might be thinking of him.
It was making his head hurt just trying to think about it. "I suppose I'm just," He paused, trying to find the right way to word this. "confused? Is all..." That was the nicest way he could think to word how he was feeling. He was trying to think of how to add on to that, when he saw Emily shifting around. He wasn't sure if he fully believed her when she told him she didn't bite.
"I would hope not." Another odd thing for her to say, what was she? Some kind of werewolf to be saying things like that? Though, Oliver gave her the benefit of the doubt. And that she meant is as a 'don't be scared of my weirdness' type thing and not. 'I won't turn you into a wolf beast.' Then, he found his words from earlier. "As I was saying, I'm afraid I don't understand how you seem to be so relaxed." That, that might be what he was trying to say. The best way he could have put it. Even if it still wasn't great.
16 Oct 2024, 02:23
Belonging To Our Roots
September 24th 2024
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
Magic in Meditation with @Oliver Armani
It hardly struck any surprise that Oliver - as Emily came to learn as the boy's name - was quite baffled by Emily's wistful stance. It actually still amazed Emily herself. She had a very small spiritual sense compared to the likes of "Auntie" or any other great self-proclaimed healer, but in that very moment as she sat there beneath the tree, tranquil as the world was for her... She was starting to dip her toe into just what it felt like to be in touch and intermingled with the hidden forces of nature.
"I guess I just had the urge to get in tune with my quieter side today," Emily responded, shifting to sit in a more casual position to make Oliver feel a bit more welcome, without the meditative intimidation.
"It's only been just under a month and already I'm feeling the weight of homework pressure and academic success... I think my body just decided to shut down without giving me the chance to notice." She chose to leave out the forest escapades and the magical being investigations for his sake. Too complicated and arguably divisive if she were to start now. As cliché as her excuse to him was, it wasn't too far off the mark either. Homework was long and tedious. Some things just never change.
"I quite like it here though. It helps me to relax, shake off any bad energy and just... breathe." She sat up to stretch her back out. "Only thing I wish I brought was a cushion or something... I sit here often but always seem ignorant of the fact that tree bark is quite uncomfortable...!" she laughed.
Word Count: 309
Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace
Trust Yourself - Love Yourself - Be Yourself
iNPC = Casey Stone
29 Oct 2024, 14:23
Belonging To Our Roots
|
|
|
So she wasn't always like this. That was what he was gathering. If she claimed this was her quitter side. He did notice her shifting to something more casual. Part of him hoped it wasn't for his sake. Then, her next words were a little out of the blue. Or felt that way. Yet.. He could feel for her. Sort of. Mostly. Give or take a few things. Oliver let out a small hum at her words. Thinking about them.
"I think I can understand that." He told her, to.. let her know she wasn't alone? It was a little weird, he didn't fully understand. But felt like he had to share something. "I'm in the wrong house." He stated plainly. If they were sharing what was stressing them out. Ok, so not the same thing. Quite far from really. He left out some things to. Just the fact his whole family was in Gryffindor, and he was almost tarnishing the family name by being in Slytherin. She didn't ask for his life story really. So he wouldn't share it.
Oliver nodded when she said she liked it here, Oliver looked around and could see why. The trees where nice, the breeze was nice to. Really made everything seem so small. He to let out a small huff of a laugh, not a full one. But it was an amused chuff. "You would think you would learn by now." He said with a shake of his head. He himself was a fast learner, and really was somewhat spoiled. He wouldn't tell anyone that though. If he wanted a pillow he would grab one himself, or just tell himself he was to good for the ground.
He took deep breath, he'd been worried and stressed for most of the month. He nervously bit his lip for a moment. "Do you think..." He paused. He almost never did this, never. Was always to good for it. Didn't admit when he needed help, and god forbid he ask for it. "You could show me, or I don't know teach?" He wasn't sure if he was wording this right at all. "me, How to relax like you are?" Emily seemed to be a sort of expert in it. Though she was weird, he wouldn't deny how he felt about her in those regards, if he could just take a break from it all. Maybe, just maybe, he could finally write to his parents.
29 Oct 2024, 22:15
Belonging To Our Roots
September 24th 2024
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
Magic in Meditation with @Oliver Armani
Oliver appeared to carry a bit of reservation but definitely wasn't shy to speak his thoughts, Emily observed. Clearly a young man that only spoke when something needed to be said, never lingering too long on a point of discussion and saying only things that he feels is of value. Emily could respect that no-nonsense feeling she got from him, and acknowledged it with her continuously friendly demeanour.
"Oh... You're in the wrong House?" That was quite a bizarre confession... Though perhaps more so a grievance on Emily's end rather than Oliver's, given how she's never heard of something like that before. She didn't know it was possible to be in the "wrong" House. "I never realised that was possible..."
Then Oliver remarked on Emily's meditation, to which she excitedly nodded in response. "Of course!" She scooted around to reveal a patch of grass that was flat and comfortable enough for Oliver to sit down on.
"First and foremost for trying to relax, is to pick a nice and comfy spot to snuggle down on!" she grinned. She reassumed her position from earlier, her legs crossed over once again as she relaxed her back and shoulders in her spot.
Word Count: 231
Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace
Trust Yourself - Love Yourself - Be Yourself
iNPC = Casey Stone
31 Oct 2024, 22:50
Belonging To Our Roots
|
|
|
He nodded when Emily said that, I wasn't supposed to be possible after all, 'the hat is always right' or whatever they say. 'Doesn't make mistakes.' It was all bull. The hat had been wrong, and had made a mistake. No mater what was said, or how things where meant to be. What was meant to be, was Oliver in Gryffindor. Nothing else. "Wrong house." He echoed her, and partly his words to. With yet another nod.
"My family was all Gryffindor." That would be all the context Emily would get from him. He was trying to keep his mind off of it after all. If he wasn't, well, he would more then likely rant on, and on about how much Slytherin sucks, The Armani legacy, all the reasons he was Gryffindor, and what not. Really if he got started, he may never stop. And again, he was trying to keep his mind off of it.
That was the reason he was so happy when Emily told him he would help her. Really shocked was the better and more accurate term. He followed her lead and scooted over to the patch of grass a little ways away from the tree. Sitting across from her. The way he was sitting was much like the girl in front of him, legs crossed in a crisscross manor, Though perhaps Oliver was a little more stiff then Emily. This was his first time trying this- meditation type thing. Or whatever is truly was.
He listed to her words, and put them in a list in his head. Though changed up the wording. As Oliver would not be caught dead using the wording 'snuggle down on'. But whatever. This was Emily's thing, she didn't have to help him. Yet she was. Out of the goodness of her heart. Great, Now Ollie would owe her a favor, that was probably the reason she agreed. Ollie still wasn't to sure. But it was to late now. He took a deep breath. "I think we have that step down." He told her, ready to move on to the next one.
Fearless - Oliver does not scare easily, not effected by terrible presence or unsettling aura
{ Stamina: 7 }{ Evasion: 5 }{ Strength: 10 }{ Wisdom: 3 }{ Arcane Power: 2 }{ Accuracy: 8 }
Interacting : @Emily Shephard |||| @n/a : Mentioning
