8 Jul 2019, 03:05
A Scenic Reverie
"Thank you. I like it. You look normal."
Jay was entirely uncertain how to feel about Kaegen's response. Normal? He thought. Am I supposed to say thank you? What does that even mean?
Amidst his floundering thoughts, he persisted to hold his hand out to the boy, simply refusing to believe that both of these strangers would utterly reject the friendly offering of his hand.
When it became unmistakably clear that his hand was destined to remain in solitude, he decided to fill the empty space by using his other hand to give himself a high-five.
Supposing he should muster a reply to Kaegen's... comment, he determined to try and lighten the somber mood of the conversation.
"Thank you kindly for that generous compliment, my friend, but if you were to bother yourself with asking those who know me, I think you would discover that they find me a rather "odd" part of life."
Just because the conversation had taken a rather strange turn didn't mean that he couldn't thoroughly enjoy himself.
A certain amount of that enjoyment was whisked out of him, however, as Kaegen addressed River with the same question as before and she deemed it worthy of a true reply.
Jay was genuinely happy to learn a bit about River, as he probably would have gotten to ask about some of these things eventually anyway; happy, that is, until she got to the little part about "My mum’s a Vampire."
At first, he harbored a hopeful certainty that she was actually joking about that part of her story, but upon further study of her totally straight face, as well as the reality that there was a distinct lack of merriment surrounding the group, he remembered that the whole point of Hogwarts was "magic."
Though his parents had told him stories about Hogwarts, they had never mentioned vampires or what they did, so he really had no clue what danger a half-vampire posed.
Must have been quite a first kiss for her dad, he thought numbly.
Glancing between the two, the light from the sun nearly gone by now, he couldn't help but ponder the possibility that he was about to die. And yet, he refused to flee. Neither of them had shown him any indication of violence, and he was just too stubborn to leave before he got to know them better. Besides, if they wanted to kill him, it was almost certainly too late to escape anyway.
"So..." he began, slightly hesitant, speaking to River. "What's your mom like?
He was going to get to know her one way or another, and if he survived, maybe he would have a half-vampire for a friend, and this really would be the best start to a new school ever.
Jay was entirely uncertain how to feel about Kaegen's response. Normal? He thought. Am I supposed to say thank you? What does that even mean?
Amidst his floundering thoughts, he persisted to hold his hand out to the boy, simply refusing to believe that both of these strangers would utterly reject the friendly offering of his hand.
When it became unmistakably clear that his hand was destined to remain in solitude, he decided to fill the empty space by using his other hand to give himself a high-five.
Supposing he should muster a reply to Kaegen's... comment, he determined to try and lighten the somber mood of the conversation.
"Thank you kindly for that generous compliment, my friend, but if you were to bother yourself with asking those who know me, I think you would discover that they find me a rather "odd" part of life."
Just because the conversation had taken a rather strange turn didn't mean that he couldn't thoroughly enjoy himself.
A certain amount of that enjoyment was whisked out of him, however, as Kaegen addressed River with the same question as before and she deemed it worthy of a true reply.
Jay was genuinely happy to learn a bit about River, as he probably would have gotten to ask about some of these things eventually anyway; happy, that is, until she got to the little part about "My mum’s a Vampire."
At first, he harbored a hopeful certainty that she was actually joking about that part of her story, but upon further study of her totally straight face, as well as the reality that there was a distinct lack of merriment surrounding the group, he remembered that the whole point of Hogwarts was "magic."
Though his parents had told him stories about Hogwarts, they had never mentioned vampires or what they did, so he really had no clue what danger a half-vampire posed.
Must have been quite a first kiss for her dad, he thought numbly.
Glancing between the two, the light from the sun nearly gone by now, he couldn't help but ponder the possibility that he was about to die. And yet, he refused to flee. Neither of them had shown him any indication of violence, and he was just too stubborn to leave before he got to know them better. Besides, if they wanted to kill him, it was almost certainly too late to escape anyway.
"So..." he began, slightly hesitant, speaking to River. "What's your mom like?
He was going to get to know her one way or another, and if he survived, maybe he would have a half-vampire for a friend, and this really would be the best start to a new school ever.
~No complaints when life is swell~
8 Jul 2019, 09:03
A Scenic Reverie
Another dhampir? No visible expression change occurred on the little boy's dirty, greyish pasty white face. It would have been surprising to him if he had actually believed her. He was half vampire, that was why he was different. He still belonged somewhere, he belonged with his kind, they were just rare. And probably didn't want him around. But the fact of the matter was that he shared a race with others who looked somewhat like him.
His skin was chalk white, but not in the pretty porcelain way. His skin had splotched grey, it was thin and transparent and looked dead, sickly, like a drenched wonton wrapper someone had dried out and applied moisturizer to. It looked like it belonged on a corpse. His eyes had little rings of red and his fingernails were gross and long and stronger than anyone else's. He was skinny and haggard and terrifying.
That girl? Her skin was simply white, she looked like a hungry child who had never gotten enough sun, her hair was far from black. Nothing about her screamed corpse, nothing about her advertised her status as a predator, as a monster. She was not like him, not in the least bit.
"A vampire?"
She introduced herself as river. River was an easy name to remember, it was a thing. Like bay, bay was also easy. He didn't answer her when she asked if they had met, mostly because he couldn't remember but also because he was busy thinking. Was there a way that she was the same, but also different? Half-vampire, but not the same?
Bay had taken his statement as a compliment, which was odd. It hadn't been intended as a compliment, it had been intended as a statement of fact. He was normal, ordinary, one of the crowd. That wasn't really a compliment, was it? Well, it certainly wasn't an insult, maybe he just liked to blend in? Maybe the skin he was wearing was a disguise, assassins often used those. Yes, that was it. He had just complimented the man's disguise.
"Right, an odd part of life. I already figured out what you are, don't bother dropping hints. Your kind aren't uncommon"
He answered Bay's question himself, although it was directed at the girl. He figured he knew the answer, so why not be the one to respond?
"Her mom is weak. Too weak, barely even a monster."
His skin was chalk white, but not in the pretty porcelain way. His skin had splotched grey, it was thin and transparent and looked dead, sickly, like a drenched wonton wrapper someone had dried out and applied moisturizer to. It looked like it belonged on a corpse. His eyes had little rings of red and his fingernails were gross and long and stronger than anyone else's. He was skinny and haggard and terrifying.
That girl? Her skin was simply white, she looked like a hungry child who had never gotten enough sun, her hair was far from black. Nothing about her screamed corpse, nothing about her advertised her status as a predator, as a monster. She was not like him, not in the least bit.
"A vampire?"
She introduced herself as river. River was an easy name to remember, it was a thing. Like bay, bay was also easy. He didn't answer her when she asked if they had met, mostly because he couldn't remember but also because he was busy thinking. Was there a way that she was the same, but also different? Half-vampire, but not the same?
Bay had taken his statement as a compliment, which was odd. It hadn't been intended as a compliment, it had been intended as a statement of fact. He was normal, ordinary, one of the crowd. That wasn't really a compliment, was it? Well, it certainly wasn't an insult, maybe he just liked to blend in? Maybe the skin he was wearing was a disguise, assassins often used those. Yes, that was it. He had just complimented the man's disguise.
"Right, an odd part of life. I already figured out what you are, don't bother dropping hints. Your kind aren't uncommon"
He answered Bay's question himself, although it was directed at the girl. He figured he knew the answer, so why not be the one to respond?
"Her mom is weak. Too weak, barely even a monster."
Shade-Beacon, Master of the Castle of Avarice
8 Jul 2019, 13:26
A Scenic Reverie
[font=book antique][/font]
River turned to look at Jay, who were saying tomething, a question. Did River catch this question? Probably in her subconscious, but her mind didn't register it right away. She was looking at the boy, a very neutral expression on her face, arms again, folded across her chest and hair slowly covering parts of her face.
River's mind was used to drifting off, especially during the later hours of the day. Perhaps it was just the peace and quiet of the night that brought her thoughts to other places than reality, she foud it quite annoying though, as she'd snap back and find she'd missed out on parts of a conversation.
Catching reality's passing seconds again, River caught Kaegen talking of her mother. Her eyes quickly snapped to Deathmote, and watched him darkly. "My mum isn't weak", she said slowly, darkly.
She felt something sting her insides at the mention of her mother. River's family was a subject she usually stayed away from, not because she was ashamed of them, but because it reminded her of all those lingering, unanswered questions she'd been asking herself those past years. A defensive part of her was brought out, a voice in her head that would say they're still out there, they're not dead! All those people, they're lying to you, they want to make you vounerable, to hurt you. But you won't let them do that, you're not that weak! Then there was a part of her that said there was no hope. Nothing would bring them back, theyre dead, gone.
"I believe we might have different views of what weak means, but you're right about one thing. She's not a monster", River said, still looking at Kaegen with her cold gaze, "Still, that does not make her weak". Her voice was steady, though her insides were heating up with some strange feeling. Emotions, she was used to pushing away, and avoiding. Now, this boy had brought them back up, and it for sure, wasn't anything River appreciated.
She didn't nessecarily care that this boy had said his mother was weak, he was a total stranger. His words of her family held no meaning, no authorisation. It was her own thoughts, questions, feelings and confusion that was triggering her at this point. Still, she would become defensive, though not agressive, over herself, and her family.
Curiosity Killed the
| STA: 7 | EVA: 6 | STR: 4 | WIS: 10 | ARC: 6 | ACC: 7 | Dhampir & Perfectionist
8 Jul 2019, 21:27
A Scenic Reverie
Jay watched the other boy with interest as he seemed to process the information of River's mother being a vampire, though he seemed much less concerned about the fact than Jay was. Instead, he appeared thoughtful, disbelieving, perhaps? Maybe vampires were rare enough that no one around here would believe such a story.
"Right, an odd part of life. I already figured out what you are, don't bother dropping hints. Your kind aren't uncommon"
What a strange, confused guy, Jay thought. Of course, it may well be that I'm actually insane, and he's perfectly fine... Seems to fit. He didn't feel insane, though. But would a whacko ever actually feel insane?
And what "kind" did he mean? Maybe his kind was just a moron who really knew nothing about magic or vampires. In fact, perhaps by saying Jay was "normal," Kaegan simply meant that he was a normalcy as far as the rest of world was concerned, but the truth about Hogwarts was that people like Kaegan, being at least slightly off-kilter, were a regularity around here. Jay wasn't sure how to feel about that thought; but he knew one thing for sure: If most people at Hogwarts were like Kaegan, it was certainly going to be a beautifully interesting seven years.
Before River even had an opportunity to answer Jay's inquiry about her mother, Kaegan spoke up, words exiting his mouth that should never have been allowed out of their cage.
"Her mom is weak. Too weak, barely even a monster."
That did it. An indignant rage blustered its way through his veins in defiance of such a comment. If there was one thing that Jay could not accept, it was the blatant disrespect of one human being towards another, let alone another person's mother, who Jay assumed Kaegan had never even met, judging by River saying they had met once, and only briefly.
He waited, insides stewing angrily, as he allowed River to stand up for herself and her mother.
While the comment certainly seemed to anger the girl, Jay didn't feel as though she had summoned strong enough words in defense against Kaegen's comments.
Once she had finished speaking, he cut in.
"All right, Kaegan," he said, stepping slightly closer to the boy, voice tight with scarcely suppressed frustration. "I don't know where you were raised, or by who, but I think it's time you received a lesson about manners. How dare you treat her this way," he pointed a finger at River, "And how dare you say something like that about her mother, who you haven't even met, in all likelihood. Now, you'd better drop that topic, because I'm not going to stand for it, and I assure you she isn't, either."
Azure-colored fire filled the first-year's eyes as he faced Kaegan. He knew that Kaegan had spent some time at Hogwarts and could probably dispatch him with a single word and a flick of his wand. Heck, he didn't even know how River would react to his outburst, but frankly, he didn't give a flying leap. If there was one thing his parents had drilled into him over the years, it was not to stand idly by while such garbage was presented right in front of him.
"Right, an odd part of life. I already figured out what you are, don't bother dropping hints. Your kind aren't uncommon"
What a strange, confused guy, Jay thought. Of course, it may well be that I'm actually insane, and he's perfectly fine... Seems to fit. He didn't feel insane, though. But would a whacko ever actually feel insane?
And what "kind" did he mean? Maybe his kind was just a moron who really knew nothing about magic or vampires. In fact, perhaps by saying Jay was "normal," Kaegan simply meant that he was a normalcy as far as the rest of world was concerned, but the truth about Hogwarts was that people like Kaegan, being at least slightly off-kilter, were a regularity around here. Jay wasn't sure how to feel about that thought; but he knew one thing for sure: If most people at Hogwarts were like Kaegan, it was certainly going to be a beautifully interesting seven years.
Before River even had an opportunity to answer Jay's inquiry about her mother, Kaegan spoke up, words exiting his mouth that should never have been allowed out of their cage.
"Her mom is weak. Too weak, barely even a monster."
That did it. An indignant rage blustered its way through his veins in defiance of such a comment. If there was one thing that Jay could not accept, it was the blatant disrespect of one human being towards another, let alone another person's mother, who Jay assumed Kaegan had never even met, judging by River saying they had met once, and only briefly.
He waited, insides stewing angrily, as he allowed River to stand up for herself and her mother.
While the comment certainly seemed to anger the girl, Jay didn't feel as though she had summoned strong enough words in defense against Kaegen's comments.
Once she had finished speaking, he cut in.
"All right, Kaegan," he said, stepping slightly closer to the boy, voice tight with scarcely suppressed frustration. "I don't know where you were raised, or by who, but I think it's time you received a lesson about manners. How dare you treat her this way," he pointed a finger at River, "And how dare you say something like that about her mother, who you haven't even met, in all likelihood. Now, you'd better drop that topic, because I'm not going to stand for it, and I assure you she isn't, either."
Azure-colored fire filled the first-year's eyes as he faced Kaegan. He knew that Kaegan had spent some time at Hogwarts and could probably dispatch him with a single word and a flick of his wand. Heck, he didn't even know how River would react to his outburst, but frankly, he didn't give a flying leap. If there was one thing his parents had drilled into him over the years, it was not to stand idly by while such garbage was presented right in front of him.
~No complaints when life is swell~
9 Jul 2019, 10:42
A Scenic Reverie
"Really? She wasn't?"
He clearly didn't believe the girls slowly spoken statement. If anything, her slow dark tone only further convinced him of his accuracy. Why would she slow down her speach if he hadn't struck somewhere close to home? The girl looked like any of the rest of thr students, she wasn't different, she was barely special. What kind of a vampire would have such a pathetic impact on their children?
"only reason I can't call her a monster is that if I did, the real monsters would become that much less scary. Look at yourself, can you really tell me that you're half vampire? Half monster?"
It wasn't about making people happy, or mad. The ravenclaw lacked the basic social skills required to really understand how to do either. What he was trying to accomplish was more of a testing of ideas. Was he right, could she challenge his claims, how far off was he, assuming he wasn't entirely on the mark.
It was about then when the boy started to pipe up, which was something kaegen failed to understand. He had only the vaguest of ideas on what a friend was, his version including much more of a soul bond battle brother type of arrangement. So that this boy, this assassin named bay started piping up in clear frustration, it was more than a bit baffling.
"Manners? Why should I bother following a script just to get the answers I'm looking for? Are... are you saying you'll fight me unless I stop? Honestly?"
Shadows started to grow longer, as the air temperature started to drastically drop. Kaegen could feel his gums starting to hurt, and for anyone with a sharp eye in the dark, it would have been evident that the twin pits of black that made up his pupils were no longer sitting still, but moving about, growing slowly as his body prepared itself for the upcoming battle.
He had fought before, he had won before. Bay was probably a trained assassin, but in the end, kaegen was going to survive. Live another day.
He clearly didn't believe the girls slowly spoken statement. If anything, her slow dark tone only further convinced him of his accuracy. Why would she slow down her speach if he hadn't struck somewhere close to home? The girl looked like any of the rest of thr students, she wasn't different, she was barely special. What kind of a vampire would have such a pathetic impact on their children?
"only reason I can't call her a monster is that if I did, the real monsters would become that much less scary. Look at yourself, can you really tell me that you're half vampire? Half monster?"
It wasn't about making people happy, or mad. The ravenclaw lacked the basic social skills required to really understand how to do either. What he was trying to accomplish was more of a testing of ideas. Was he right, could she challenge his claims, how far off was he, assuming he wasn't entirely on the mark.
It was about then when the boy started to pipe up, which was something kaegen failed to understand. He had only the vaguest of ideas on what a friend was, his version including much more of a soul bond battle brother type of arrangement. So that this boy, this assassin named bay started piping up in clear frustration, it was more than a bit baffling.
"Manners? Why should I bother following a script just to get the answers I'm looking for? Are... are you saying you'll fight me unless I stop? Honestly?"
Shadows started to grow longer, as the air temperature started to drastically drop. Kaegen could feel his gums starting to hurt, and for anyone with a sharp eye in the dark, it would have been evident that the twin pits of black that made up his pupils were no longer sitting still, but moving about, growing slowly as his body prepared itself for the upcoming battle.
He had fought before, he had won before. Bay was probably a trained assassin, but in the end, kaegen was going to survive. Live another day.
Shade-Beacon, Master of the Castle of Avarice
9 Jul 2019, 18:03
A Scenic Reverie
[font=book antique][/font]
River watched the boy's pale face. Apparently still sticking with his own beliefs of her mothers situation. That didn't change the truth, he could believe whatever he would like, and it wouldn't affect her family at all. River's head tilted slightly to the left, and one eyebrow raised carefully. She wondered what this boy thought this would do. Was there something he wanted to get from this, or was he almost just thinking, saying his opinions and beliefs out loud? River couldn't tell, this guy was difficult to read.
Kaegen spoke again, he did, in some strange way, make sense too. River didn't seem particularly vampire-like to those surrounding her. Usually, she'd pass with people thinking she was recovering from a simple case of the flu. This wasn't something she saw as a bad thing though.
River scoffed, and her eyebrows furrowed slightly, "I couldn't care less, if others can say I seem like a dhampir or not", she said, a small smirk on her lips. "I wouldn't personally want to be categorized as a monster, I won't let that side of my blood define who I am as a person", She added, with a confidet tone in her voice.
"All right, Kaegan,", Jay's voice spoke up, and River tured her eyes over to him. In the name of Merlin, what's coming now? River thought worryingly. She hoped this boy would not take this case any further than what was nessecary. It wasn't that big of a deal anyway...
River's eyes went slightly wider as Jay continued talking. He must be stupid or something, is he asking for a fight? River knew one thing about Kaegen, and it was that he wasn't afraid of a bit of violence. Or... a lot of violence, for that sake. And there was a large difference in age and experience here too. The red-head had to fight the urge to facepalm. She really didn't want anything to break out beacuse of this.
Still, River felt a sense of appreciation towards Jay. No one had really stood up for her like that, ever since she got to Hogwarts... Not before Hogwarts either. Even though they had just met, and barely knew each other, he still stepped in for what he thought was right. "Jay", River said warningly, "It's fine, Really". River was not a fighter at all, she was never one to be in the middle of action. Usually, she'd be the one observing from the sidelines, catcing as much as she could of whatever was to happen. Though, she hoped nothing like that would become the case on this evening.
Curiosity Killed the
| STA: 7 | EVA: 6 | STR: 4 | WIS: 10 | ARC: 6 | ACC: 7 | Dhampir & Perfectionist
10 Jul 2019, 06:10
A Scenic Reverie
Jay had vaguely registered in his mind that River called herself a Dhampir. Was that what a half-vampire was called? He figured it didn't particularly matter at this point, seeing as there were much more pressing matters to occupy his mind. He could ask about that later- that is, if his sorry backside survived this encounter.
"Manners?" Kaegen replied. "Why should I bother following a script just to get the answers I'm looking for?"
Jay wondered what kind of odd logic went on inside the other boy's brain; he certainly seemed to be missing a few bits and pieces of his mind.
"I never said anything about following a script," he said. "I only mean that you don't have to act like a jerk when going about asking a simple question."
Kaegen continued, "Are... are you saying you'll fight me unless I stop? Honestly?"
As he said it, the atmosphere around them seemed to change. The darkness appeared to grow deeper in front of Jay's eyes, and he suddenly felt as though the way he was dressed was awfully insufficient as the already cold temperature grew frigid. Taking a look at Kaegen now, the pale boy looked murderous, almost manic. All sense of security was whisked right out of Jay.
He briefly wondered how all this had happened. He was brand new to this place, and all he had wanted to do was take a pleasant stroll to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the area. How had his new, exciting home so quickly turned into his last? All because he had felt the need to stand up for a girl- a half-vampire he didn't even know.
"Jay," a voice penetrated his melancholy thoughts, a sound so much sweeter than he had ever hoped to hear again in his despair. "It's fine, Really"
A mixture of River's voice and the memory of what he had stood against to put himself in this position in the first place seemed to snap him out of the sort of horrified trance that his mind had momentarily locked into.
He shook his head, trying to clear it. What was going on? Those despairing thoughts were foreign, as if they weren't his own, but were caused by some unseen power. He studied Kaegen warily; there was something very strange about this kid, certainly more to him than met the eye.
But... he thought, failing to reply to River out loud, it's really not okay.
As had happened earlier - and happened quite often throughout his life, honestly - he heard the voice of his father, telling him, "If you're going to really stand up for something, you had better make sure that it's a cause you truly believe in, deep down to your soul. True conviction is willingness to die for those you love, and what you believe in."
Yes, it was true that he barely even knew River, but regardless of that, didn't every human being - or Dhampir - who was being mistreated deserve someone who would stand up for them? Jay believed they did, so he couldn't just sit on the sidelines and watch it happen.
Even still, he wasn't some buffoon who would needlessly throw away his life. He needed some way to calm Kaegen down.
"Of course I don't want to fight you, Kaegen," he tried, raising his hands in a gesture of peace and attempting to keep his voice steady. "There's no point in anyone getting hurt. I just want you to understand that it's not okay to treat anyone the way you're treating River. And frankly, it's a good way to not get any of the answers you're looking for. Most people aren't going to feel like complying with a person who insults their mom."
"Manners?" Kaegen replied. "Why should I bother following a script just to get the answers I'm looking for?"
Jay wondered what kind of odd logic went on inside the other boy's brain; he certainly seemed to be missing a few bits and pieces of his mind.
"I never said anything about following a script," he said. "I only mean that you don't have to act like a jerk when going about asking a simple question."
Kaegen continued, "Are... are you saying you'll fight me unless I stop? Honestly?"
As he said it, the atmosphere around them seemed to change. The darkness appeared to grow deeper in front of Jay's eyes, and he suddenly felt as though the way he was dressed was awfully insufficient as the already cold temperature grew frigid. Taking a look at Kaegen now, the pale boy looked murderous, almost manic. All sense of security was whisked right out of Jay.
He briefly wondered how all this had happened. He was brand new to this place, and all he had wanted to do was take a pleasant stroll to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the area. How had his new, exciting home so quickly turned into his last? All because he had felt the need to stand up for a girl- a half-vampire he didn't even know.
"Jay," a voice penetrated his melancholy thoughts, a sound so much sweeter than he had ever hoped to hear again in his despair. "It's fine, Really"
A mixture of River's voice and the memory of what he had stood against to put himself in this position in the first place seemed to snap him out of the sort of horrified trance that his mind had momentarily locked into.
He shook his head, trying to clear it. What was going on? Those despairing thoughts were foreign, as if they weren't his own, but were caused by some unseen power. He studied Kaegen warily; there was something very strange about this kid, certainly more to him than met the eye.
But... he thought, failing to reply to River out loud, it's really not okay.
As had happened earlier - and happened quite often throughout his life, honestly - he heard the voice of his father, telling him, "If you're going to really stand up for something, you had better make sure that it's a cause you truly believe in, deep down to your soul. True conviction is willingness to die for those you love, and what you believe in."
Yes, it was true that he barely even knew River, but regardless of that, didn't every human being - or Dhampir - who was being mistreated deserve someone who would stand up for them? Jay believed they did, so he couldn't just sit on the sidelines and watch it happen.
Even still, he wasn't some buffoon who would needlessly throw away his life. He needed some way to calm Kaegen down.
"Of course I don't want to fight you, Kaegen," he tried, raising his hands in a gesture of peace and attempting to keep his voice steady. "There's no point in anyone getting hurt. I just want you to understand that it's not okay to treat anyone the way you're treating River. And frankly, it's a good way to not get any of the answers you're looking for. Most people aren't going to feel like complying with a person who insults their mom."
~No complaints when life is swell~
10 Jul 2019, 07:39
A Scenic Reverie
"That's... sad."
Did she not want to be strong? Not want to rise above humanity, not want to kill those who wanted to kill her before they succeeded? She didn't want to be defined by her blood? What else was there? Blood was huge, ancestors gave you a name, they determined so much about you and your life, they gave you an identity, and the ability to find purpose. So why did she want to reject all that? Did she know something he didn't?
Kaegen was hard, almost impossible to get along with. His mind was so twisted that people simply couldn't mesh. A world of shadows and hurt and fear was the only one he knew, but there was light, and hope in the form of curiosity. That shining single virtue that pulled him back to sanity again and again. And now, he was curious. Not curious enough to calm down, he was still expecting a fight with the boy, but now he was slightly curious as to if the girl was dumb or smart.
"So are you just really stupid? Or do you know something."
The boy proceeded to say he had never said anything about a script, which was wrong. That's what manners was. A script.
"May I have that? Yes you may. A programmed question and response. Why should I pretend to not think her mother is weak if I do? Manners are set phrases that you say when prompted. That's called a script, and I'll choose to use it when I feel like it."
Kaegen's hands started to pull back into his sleeves, disappearing from sight, tucked away, reaching for something inside the sleeves wide expanse
"No, actually, it's fine to treat them this way. With honesty. Candidly. I, I am a Dhampir, a real, powerful Dhampir. People move when I walk, they fear me, because they should. I could barely tell that river is different. What does that say about her mother? The source of her difference?"
He was starting to get hoarse, his throat was hurting. He was talking too much, wasn't used to it. People were scared of him, they avoided him whenever possible, and with good reason. This was the good reason, the waves of chilling fear he produced, the lack of understanding that most people possessed. Kaegen was not a good person, there was no disputing that. He didn't even know very much about who or what he was.
He had thought about researching the topic, but thinking everything was going to kill you absorbed a lot of your time. And even now, now when his fear was slowly starting to recede, to turn in to cold hate, the hate born of someone who spent three years alone in a place they hate, in a place they are convinced is crawling with monsters.
Did she not want to be strong? Not want to rise above humanity, not want to kill those who wanted to kill her before they succeeded? She didn't want to be defined by her blood? What else was there? Blood was huge, ancestors gave you a name, they determined so much about you and your life, they gave you an identity, and the ability to find purpose. So why did she want to reject all that? Did she know something he didn't?
Kaegen was hard, almost impossible to get along with. His mind was so twisted that people simply couldn't mesh. A world of shadows and hurt and fear was the only one he knew, but there was light, and hope in the form of curiosity. That shining single virtue that pulled him back to sanity again and again. And now, he was curious. Not curious enough to calm down, he was still expecting a fight with the boy, but now he was slightly curious as to if the girl was dumb or smart.
"So are you just really stupid? Or do you know something."
The boy proceeded to say he had never said anything about a script, which was wrong. That's what manners was. A script.
"May I have that? Yes you may. A programmed question and response. Why should I pretend to not think her mother is weak if I do? Manners are set phrases that you say when prompted. That's called a script, and I'll choose to use it when I feel like it."
Kaegen's hands started to pull back into his sleeves, disappearing from sight, tucked away, reaching for something inside the sleeves wide expanse
"No, actually, it's fine to treat them this way. With honesty. Candidly. I, I am a Dhampir, a real, powerful Dhampir. People move when I walk, they fear me, because they should. I could barely tell that river is different. What does that say about her mother? The source of her difference?"
He was starting to get hoarse, his throat was hurting. He was talking too much, wasn't used to it. People were scared of him, they avoided him whenever possible, and with good reason. This was the good reason, the waves of chilling fear he produced, the lack of understanding that most people possessed. Kaegen was not a good person, there was no disputing that. He didn't even know very much about who or what he was.
He had thought about researching the topic, but thinking everything was going to kill you absorbed a lot of your time. And even now, now when his fear was slowly starting to recede, to turn in to cold hate, the hate born of someone who spent three years alone in a place they hate, in a place they are convinced is crawling with monsters.
Shade-Beacon, Master of the Castle of Avarice
10 Jul 2019, 18:56
A Scenic Reverie
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"I am not sure I know anything that would be of you interest Kaegen, but if you have anything in mind, all you need to do is ask", she said clearly, after Kagens question.
River could see that Jay didn't believe everything was as fine as she said it was. Apparently he wouldn't let the subject down, as he continued talking to Kaegen. She felt her body tense up slightly, defensive mechanisms were activating. She knew this Ravenclaw boy was unpredictable after hearing so much of the event in the abandoned toilets that one day. A blood-bath indeed. River had a pretty unsettling feeling that what Jay was saying, would not be taken well.
Sure enough, as she turned to look at Kaegen, she saw his eyes going dark, wild. It wasn't very easy to notice in the steadily growing darkess, but River had an eye for details. Kaegens face was overcast by a shadow that was still growing darker, and she noticed his hand reach into his sleeve. She had an idea of what would be coming if things didn't calm down any time soon.
River stepped slowly and defensively back a few steps. Not leaving the range of conversation, but still creating some space between her and the rest. Attempting her best to show she was not a threat, she stood, watching the two boys.
Agitating someone like Deathmote was not something River had any plans to do. She hoped his defensiveness was directed towards Jay. The red-gead looked over to the boy she had just stumbled upon this evening. He didn't seem particularly like a fighter, though, looks and first impressions could be deceiving.
Many people were good at coming off different than how they really were. People will often put on a cover, luring others in by seeming so very nice, building trust, relieving any suspicion, and then, they would stab. Stick the knife in where they knew it would hurt that specific person the most. Sometimes, that would even be in someone else, like thier family or friends. River knew all about those people, she'd met enough of them to stop letting others know where the knife would sting the most. Those people were everywhere, almost impossible to spot, blending into the crowd of normal people.
Deadly and silent killers.
The young ravenclaw listened to Kaegen talk of how he was a fright to others, of how he had so much power and how she did not. She had no intention of coming off frightening or different than those around her.
After all, one can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
River had figured that learning something of those people could come in handy at times. She had become good at putting on a friendly face to make people believe she cared. Making friends with people who could be used for her own gain. Most of the time, she wouldn't help someone out unless ther was something in it for her. River was never one to do the 'stabbing', but she was used to leaving people in the gutter to save her own skin.
This stranger in front of her, the one who had agitated Kaegen, held no value to River. She wasn't going to risk herself to attempt stopping a fight if it broke out. Sure, he had stood up for her, but reaching River's interest would take much more than that. It wasn't an easy task, earning River's interest or trust.
The young ravenclaw thought of what Kaegen had said of how he was a fright to others, of how he had so much power and how she did not. She had no intention of coming off frightening or different than those around her.
After all, one can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Once you've caught a fly, squashing it is an easy task.
Curiosity Killed the
| STA: 7 | EVA: 6 | STR: 4 | WIS: 10 | ARC: 6 | ACC: 7 | Dhampir & Perfectionist
10 Jul 2019, 23:37
A Scenic Reverie
Jay listened to Kaegen's description of "manners" and shook his head.
"Sure, there are a few set words and phrases that people are taught, like please and thank you," he replied. "But that's not all that manners are. It also includes using common courtesy, being polite instead of a rude oaf."
Now this encounter appeared to be taking an even stranger turn than before. Had he started a debate with this guy now? He didn't feel like having a discussion of that nature; all he wanted was for Kaegen to stop acting this way towards River.
"No, actually, it's fine to treat them this way. With honesty. Candidly. I, I am a Dhampir, a real, powerful Dhampir. People move when I walk, they fear me, because they should. I could barely tell that river is different. What does that say about her mother? The source of her difference?"
Jay ran a hand through his hair. Another Dhampir? The first two people he had really met at Hogwarts, and both were apparently half-vampires. Were there any regular people around here? He was feeling flustered, confused, and angry, but at least he felt like he was starting to understand why Kaegen had called him normal- his parents weren't monsters that you only heard of in stories; he was only human. Small, insignificant and utterly uninteresting, as far as Kaegen was concerned. Maybe River too. And yet, he found himself not caring about any of that. He had met plenty of regular human beings who were pompous and arrogant enough to believe such things, and he had never allowed them to bother him either. He knew he was more than what they made him out to be.
He noticed River take a few cautious steps away from the two boys, and he couldn't blame her in the slightest. It seemed like a dangerous prospect to get on Kaegen's bad side, which is exactly what Jay, being his exceptionally brilliant self, had done.
He almost exploded again as Kaegen continued to disrespect River, blatantly asking her if she was stupid in complete disregard of Jay's comments. He didn't care how terrifying the Dhampir was to others. He couldn't accept this type of behavior, and felt like punching the guy square on the nose, though he knew that such an action would most likely be suicide. He forced himself to stay still and keep his mouth shut for now, opting to wait and see what Kaegen would ask next in reply to River's comment. Although, he couldn't help but think, That's right- just ask, without insulting her entire bloodline.
"Sure, there are a few set words and phrases that people are taught, like please and thank you," he replied. "But that's not all that manners are. It also includes using common courtesy, being polite instead of a rude oaf."
Now this encounter appeared to be taking an even stranger turn than before. Had he started a debate with this guy now? He didn't feel like having a discussion of that nature; all he wanted was for Kaegen to stop acting this way towards River.
"No, actually, it's fine to treat them this way. With honesty. Candidly. I, I am a Dhampir, a real, powerful Dhampir. People move when I walk, they fear me, because they should. I could barely tell that river is different. What does that say about her mother? The source of her difference?"
Jay ran a hand through his hair. Another Dhampir? The first two people he had really met at Hogwarts, and both were apparently half-vampires. Were there any regular people around here? He was feeling flustered, confused, and angry, but at least he felt like he was starting to understand why Kaegen had called him normal- his parents weren't monsters that you only heard of in stories; he was only human. Small, insignificant and utterly uninteresting, as far as Kaegen was concerned. Maybe River too. And yet, he found himself not caring about any of that. He had met plenty of regular human beings who were pompous and arrogant enough to believe such things, and he had never allowed them to bother him either. He knew he was more than what they made him out to be.
He noticed River take a few cautious steps away from the two boys, and he couldn't blame her in the slightest. It seemed like a dangerous prospect to get on Kaegen's bad side, which is exactly what Jay, being his exceptionally brilliant self, had done.
He almost exploded again as Kaegen continued to disrespect River, blatantly asking her if she was stupid in complete disregard of Jay's comments. He didn't care how terrifying the Dhampir was to others. He couldn't accept this type of behavior, and felt like punching the guy square on the nose, though he knew that such an action would most likely be suicide. He forced himself to stay still and keep his mouth shut for now, opting to wait and see what Kaegen would ask next in reply to River's comment. Although, he couldn't help but think, That's right- just ask, without insulting her entire bloodline.
~No complaints when life is swell~