"Blissful" Ignorance PV Ophelia Northwell Finished

September 10th 2024
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
Everything Will Be Fine with @Ophelia Northwell
Mentioning: @Scout Fu-Hai

Man. Ophelia was just so incredible. She sounded so strong and determined when she responded to Emily's sudden tangent. She could definitely tell she inherited that strength and confidence from someone, and if it was her mother like she said then at least is reassured Emily at least one out of the duo in the Owlery was close with their parents. Even though there was still a little bit of green in Emily's heart.

"You know... Hearing about your mum reminds me a lot of Auntie," she replied thoughtfully. "She may not be my actual aunt in any way in the family... But she's been a part of it ever since I was a tiny little tot. She's far from the 'nanny' people call her. She became my mum... And even though she isn't, I still call her 'Auntie' because she's just so much more than who she is on paper..."

She threatened to cry when she felt the back of her eyes sting but immediately shook it off, instead breathing out gently and nodding affirmatively. "I'd never be even a scratch of who I am without her... Which is more than I deserve."

She already felt a bit better after getting everything off her chest. She would forever appreciate the 5% more effort her mother made to actually come home - even if her attention span was that of a dog - but her heart kept changing colours. Mixed in with the envious green and the more hopeful yellow, a sour red began to taint the palette.

"You know, Scout sounds like she has a good relationship with her dad. We haven't shared too many stories about each other's families, but every time he's brought up in a conversation, it's nothing but sweet things about him. I can never tell any stories about my own because he's never there... He doesn't write, doesn't ring, doesn't visit. And the last time when he did come over, he looked at me like he barely knew me."

She gave a pitiful punch to the wall.

"Sometimes I feel like... He's better off not being my dad at all if he's so uninterested..."

_{Word Count: 396}

Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace

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september 10th, 2024 • date owlery • location "blissful" ignorance • thread

Ophelia knew it was probably really, really hard for Emily to say all of this to her, knew that it was pretty much like laying her soul out bare, but she also knew that hearing all of this from a person who was usually so upbeat was terrible too. Ophelia had to fight the urge to reaffirm everything that she'd already said, keep telling Emily that she was amazing, amazing, amazing until she decided to believe it.

But that wasn't how comforting went. So Ophelia listened patiently. "Sounds like you're parents don't really know that by ignoring you, they've let your 'Auntie' shape you into a really nice person." She started with words that were definitely cheesy, but hopefully would bring a smile to Emily's face. She deserved it after having all this to deal with back home.

"But in all seriousness, it doesn't matter about your parents, because you have your 'Auntie.' It seems like she's been the perfect parent to you."

As Emily went on, Ophelia's heart went out to the Hufflepuff a bit more. "You deserve that support and love at home, Emily. Everyone does." There was something in Ophelia's voice now. Something that she didn't usually have. A bit of sadness. She couldn't believe that someone like Emily had all these thoughts inside her. Hopefully, after sharing with her Ravenclaw friend, she'd feel even just a little bit better.

"You're dad seems like a total idiot, to forget about his daughter like that. But remember, you're not alone. You've got 'Auntie' and Scout seems like she's not going to let a single thing hurt you. And everyone who came to our birthday party, they care about you too. I care, too." Ophelia paused. She didn't want to sound cheesy or cliche, but everything she was saying was true. Emily was loved, whether she knew it or not, whether it was by her parents or not. She had a support system, back at home with her "Auntie" and at Hogwarts with all her friends. "And I don't know about anyone else, but I, for one, would love to hear stories about your 'Auntie' instead of your dad."

interactions • @Emily Shephard mentions • @Scout Fu-Hai stats • sta 7 | eva 7 | str 6 | wis 9 | arc 6 | acc 6

227 • word count xxx • outfit perfectionist, paragon of health • abilities

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September 10th 2024
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
Daddy Issues and Agony Aunts with @Ophelia Northwell
Mentioning: @Scout Fu-Hai

Everything that Ophelia was saying - as lovely and reassuring as it all was - was putting it all lightly, at least somewhat in Emily's eyes. If only she could see for herself the remarkable, resilient, beautiful woman "Auntie" really was. She bet even Scout would like her. Without her, Emily may as well be an inanimate object in the basement, devoid of life and dreams. She clung onto "Auntie" like a lifeline for all that she's given her over the years, all that she's tried to provide for her without taking the "grants" left by her parents in vain. Emily was never the "destined heir of a rich pair of stiffs in ties" in the family - despite all she could say, family standards were never imposed on her the day she was born. But Emily was also a far-cry from the workaholics her parents were. All because "Auntie" did what any parent would; she spoiled her with time, not success.

"She's... I don't even know how to describe her."

No single word, or even a plethora of them, were enough to describe her. Nora Russell - "Auntie" - was just as she was. "Auntie."

"I think it'll sting for a while... But my dad has nothing on Auntie. He won't be Father of the Year, but he can't take away how brilliant Auntie is...! And believe me, I've got an entire library of stories with her in them...!"

It took a while but Emily finally found herself calming down, her temper dissipating and her usual gentle fervour settling her. She knew she couldn't hate her folks forever. Was it even hate she was feeling anymore if all it took was reassurance to calm her down? Perhaps disappointment was what she was really feeling. Still, it twisted uncomfortably in her gut that she couldn't remember the last time her father held her or had a conversation with her. Did he even since she was born? Definitely not a thought to think about after Ophelia helped to ground Emily and her edgy spark.

To silence it, she threw her arms softly around Ophelia, as if thinking that would make them go away. Sure enough, even to her surprise, it did.

"You're a really good friend, Ophelia... Without people like you and Scout, I'd be pretty miserable... But you guys somehow always manage to make things feel better, even when it's just us hanging out together!"

_{Word Count: 442}

Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace

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september 10th, 2024 • date owlery • location "blissful" ignorance • thread

Ophelia waited patiently some more. Honestly, she couldn't relate a single bit to Emily's dilemma. Not even a little bit. Because for her entire life, her parents had been supporting her. From her mother's quiet attempts to teach her right from wrong to her father's way of exposing her to laughter and brightness in the world. She'd been loved and paid attention to and given everything she'd ever so desired by her parents. Especially as she'd been an only child for four full years of her life, she remembered the days back when Felix hadn't been born yet and her parents had given her every minute that they could.

In Ophelia's mind, Emily's childhood was not the same... at all. According to the loving tone in her voice, it was quite obvious that her Auntie had doted over little Emily quite a bit. But, to what extent? Was having someone like her Auntie the same as having two loving parents? Those were the questions that were definitely rude to ask, and also hard to answer.

"That's great, Emily! I'd love to hear the stories." Ophelia said gently.

The Ravenclaw almost stepped back as Emily flung her arms around her. She was getting used to physical touch more and more since coming to Hogwarts and making more close friends, but the hug seemed to come out of nowhere. But, Ophelia caught herself, and instead of stepped back, she stepped deeper into the embrace, putting her arms back around Emily as well.

"Aw, I'll be here any time you need me. In case you don't want to explain your parents to any others."

interactions • @Emily Shephard mentions • @Scout Fu-Hai stats • sta 7 | eva 7 | str 6 | wis 9 | arc 6 | acc 6

241 • word count xxx • outfit perfectionist, paragon of health • abilities

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September 10th 2024
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
Things Are Looking Up with @Ophelia Northwell
Mentioning: @Scout Fu-Hai and @AngelFyre McCubbin

Emily had let out another exhale she didn't realise she was holding onto when Ophelia reassured her in their embrace. Scout was beyond an impeccable and loyal friend but Emily would be daft to think Ophelia wasn't one either, because she was quite the contrary. Scout had the strength. Emily was the soft, squishy little spot. Ophelia was the perfect blend of both. Emily couldn't resist the light and gentle cheek smoosh she gave her as one last note of gratitude for putting up with her for the last half an hour or so.

She removed her arms to let Ophelia breathe, no doubt sensing the suddenness and shock after jumping on her like that before. Emily chuckled as she took a step back from Ophelia. Though the moment was short, it lifted a tremendous weight from her chest.

"Hoo! I feel a lot better after all that," Emily grinned. She hadn't a clue as to when the last time she needed a lift up like that. Could it have been when she first met AngelFyre during her "mid-life crisis" last year? Yet somehow today felt different, like a lot more was removed from Emily's repressed state of mind. That was more than likely a testament to how long she'd been feeling constricted over the whole affair with her parents.

She beamed at Ophelia. "Auntie" was a saint and she wished she and Scout could meet her just to see for themselves why.

As for her dad?

He can ram his bank account up where the sun don't shine!

_{Word Count: 299}

Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace

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september 10th, 2024 • date owlery • location "blissful" ignorance • thread

Ophelia let out a puff of air as Emily let her go. Some would believe that her deep rooted dislike of physical touch had something to do with past trauma. Some would believe that Ophelia's chosen silence and preference to stay in the shadows had something to do with her mysteriousness. Some would believe that her quiet strength was part of something bigger. Or, maybe, the Ravenclaw had been reading too many mystery novels and no one thought those false things about her at all. Because she had no past trauma, no mysterious air about her, and nothing bigger in her life than Hogwarts. Heck, she didn't even know what she'd amount to when she grew up.

But all her fears of failing seemed childish compared to Emily's story of home. She was lucky, in a way, since she'd found someone to love and who loved her back unconditionally. Similar things couldn't be said of many other children in the world, but the Hufflepuff had more than just a single reason to be angry.

"Hoo! I feel a lot better after all that."

Ophelia grinned back at the grin, trying to forget the dark look that had been on the girl's face when she first walked into the owlery. Smiling, bubbly, normal Emily was back, meaning the Ravenclaw had offered all the help needed and it had worked. Listening to her friend and softly comforting her had worked.

"That's great! I'm always here to talk."

interactions • @Emily Shephard mentions • @ stats • sta 7 | eva 7 | str 6 | wis 9 | arc 6 | acc 6

229 • word count xxx • outfit paragon of health, perfectionist • abilities

September 10th 2024
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
Family Matters... In Different Ways with @Ophelia Northwell

Emily was stifling a giggle when she saw Ophelia take a breath. She had a feeling she hugged her too tight back there, but if it was any consolation, it should've been enough to show that Emily really did need someone in that moment. Ophelia just happened to come and deliver on that, much to the greatest wave of relief Emily had felt in a long time.

It was quite funny; Ophelia always seemed so independent, as if she didn't really need to spend a whole lot of time with other people to be content. Yet, once she's in the presence of other trusted friends for long enough, she morphs into a sweetheart and seems to really cherish that form of companionship. If this was the least Emily could do even as a thanks for Ophelia being there for her, then that's what Emily would gladly offer.

A familiar screech came from outside and in record timing, Tavra flew back into the Owlery, taking up her favourite spot upon Emily's noggin, nestling on top of her as she got comfortable on top of her hair.

"Oh! You're back sooner than I expected! I hope you didn't cause Auntie any hassle with your shenanigans...!" She tickled Tavra's side, happy that she was back. She felt Tavra shake her cute little body as if returning the sentiment.

She smiled kindly back at her Ravenclaw friend. "So Ophelia, I suppose you probably have other stuff to do. I won't keep you here any longer! It does seem to be getting a bit late."

_{Word Count: 294}

Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace

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speech • #427c9a thoughts • italics others • #ffffff

september 10th, 2024 • date owlery • location "blissful" ignorance • thread

Ophelia did her best not to show her scowl at the giggle that Emily had hidden from her. Obviously her repulsion to physical touch wasn't the most common thing, especially in a place as casual as Hogwarts, but she didn't have to find it funny. Of course, the Ravenclaw knew that the Hufflepuff girl found it funny in only a friendly sort of way.

As they were nearing what Ophelia sensed was the end of their quite deep, quite motivating conversation, Emily's little owl flew back into the Owlery, so quick it was like she'd never left at all. Her clawed legs attached onto Emily's head, and while the Ravenclaw loved all creatures big and small, she hid a wince. That must hurt.

Having chosen her little Doveling instead of an owl, Ophelia didn't get much of an interaction with those specific creatures except for with the school owls that delivered her letters to her family. She stepped just a bit closer, peering at Tavra just like she had at their birthday party. If the owl deigned to look at her, she would give her a little wink.

"You're right, we can never outrun homework." Ophelia let out a smile. She turned around, her hand up in a wave. "See you later Emily!"

interactions • @Emily Shephard mentions • @ stats • sta 7 | eva 7 | str 6 | wis 9 | arc 6 | acc 6

202 • word count xxx • outfit paragon of health, perfectionist • abilities

Ophelia leaves the thread unless stopped

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September 10th 2024
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
Until Next Time! with @Ophelia Northwell

Emily could see the little wincy look Ophelia gave off when Tavra made herself comfortable on Emily's noggin. She wouldn't be the first to have that reaction. Sure, it would sting every now and then with Tavra's talons and all, but with how used to it she was, Emily hardly felt a thing. And it wasn't like she'd cut herself either. Despite her carefree nature, Tavra was surprising careful. Pity she wasn't careful enough in the instances where Emily would have her things nice and tidy along the desk before Tavra would roll into them and knock them flying.

"Hehe, I feel you on that. I'm quite sure History of Magic has been begging for my attention for a while," Emily laughed sheepishly. "In which case I better skedaddle too...!"

A pity that their encounter felt so short in hindsight, Emily was happy to have seen Ophelia again. When the pair bid each other another hopeful "goodbye until next time," Emily and Tavra descended the tower and back to the Hufflepuff Common Room, though not before Emily said out loud, just under the weight of a soft tone, one last note of gratitude.

"Thanks again, Ophelia... For everything...!"

_{Word Count: 240}

Emily leaves the thread. Thanks for the encounter!

Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace