2 Jul 2019, 05:50
Workin' on Empty
Ziba gave a small hum in acknowledgement at Casper's comment. Hogwarts was nothing like Muggle school but she knew the point he was trying to make. It was odd - she wasn't normally one to back down from a challenge, but her first year learning magic was stumping her harder than she anticipated. Instead of experiencing exciting new thrills every day, she was learning words and names that were completely foreign to her and it was overwhelming. Doubt had slowly edged its way into her mind and it bothered Ziba that she didn't know how to shake the feeling off.
She heard Casper hesitantly ask about her schooling back home and paused for a moment, thinking about life before magic. "I did," she answered simply at first before giving a wry chuckle, "and I was worse then than I am now. I found out I was witch when I was seven but even before that, I always had this feeling that there was more to my life than grammar and multiplication tables and geography. So school just wasn't that important to me."
She remembered the first time she went to class after the truth about her magical ancestry had been revealed. It was like stepping into an old world, a faint recognition of a past life lingering in her mind but quickly fading until it was nothing but dust and ruins. It didn't matter anymore. After realizing she was a witch and had been one all along, it was impossible for her to think about anything else. "I dunno if you were raised around Muggles too," she said, "or what you know about Muggle school, but once you find out that you can learn how to use magic in a far-off castle, everything else seems dull and meaningless. And all I wanted to do was get here right away and finally live the life I was meant to live."
Ziba sighed. "But now I'm actually here and I've seen what it takes and how far behind I am and I just..." she trailed off, suddenly aware of how pathetic she was sounding. Poor Casper had asked a simple question and all she did was whine and lament. She stretched her legs in front of her and tried to lean back on the tree as casually as possible. "Nevermind," she said, giving a little shrug in a poor attempt at being nonchalant. "It's nothing. Anyway, it's fine now because I have you to help me with potions, right?" She smiled at Casper next to her and nudged him with her elbow before looking back out at the lake, hoping he didn't notice the sadness in her eyes.
2 Jul 2019, 08:01
Workin' on Empty
As he listened to her talk about her schooling, Casper found it rather odd that she had a harder time before than she did now. But then again, her situation must have been difficult to deal with. Finding out you were magical and then having to go back to school like it was nothing? That must have been frustrating. He smiled back at her as she nudged him but found himself ruminating over her words.
"I guess I know what you mean. I understand where you're coming from at least," He raked a hand through his hair, thoughtfully, "I suppose it was a little different for me. I always knew I was a wizard and I was raised by a witch, so I kind of just got used to muggle life. I don't know I guess their whole lifestyle just seemed interesting to me."
He couldn't remember what he was trying to say by that, trying to regain his train of thought, "What I mean is you've got to accept that part of your life as well as this one. And I think if you realize that even though you may be new to this side of your life, magic and whatever, it's just going to take time until you really feel like you know everything."
Casper hoped he was making sense and wasn't just giving blind advice where it wasn't needed. He shrank against the tree, briefly wishing he were back up in the branches.
"I guess I know what you mean. I understand where you're coming from at least," He raked a hand through his hair, thoughtfully, "I suppose it was a little different for me. I always knew I was a wizard and I was raised by a witch, so I kind of just got used to muggle life. I don't know I guess their whole lifestyle just seemed interesting to me."
He couldn't remember what he was trying to say by that, trying to regain his train of thought, "What I mean is you've got to accept that part of your life as well as this one. And I think if you realize that even though you may be new to this side of your life, magic and whatever, it's just going to take time until you really feel like you know everything."
Casper hoped he was making sense and wasn't just giving blind advice where it wasn't needed. He shrank against the tree, briefly wishing he were back up in the branches.
Stamina 5 | Evasion 10 | Strength 2 | Wisdom 6 | Arcane Power 9 | Accuracy 8
4 Jul 2019, 03:56
Workin' on Empty
Ziba was content to move on from her little walk down memory lane. She wasn't one to hang onto any negativity. Yet, a part of her was grateful for Casper's reassuring words about her situation. He spoke thoughtfully and genuinely, and she appreciated him giving her advice. And, unfortunately, he was right. It was going to take time for her to get used to everything. It was only her first year, after all. She was just going to have to be more patient with herself.
"Grass is always greener and all that, right?" she said. "I always forget that you lot find muggle things fascinating. There's a whole class on things that I've known my whole life but some have never even seen or heard of before." How naive of her to think she was alone in her frustrations at being out of her comfort zone. She was going to change that.
Talking about Muggle Studies made her realize something. Turning to Casper, she asked, "I dunno how much of muggle life you grew up with or how well you're doing in Muggle Studies, but if you have any questions or need help with anything, lemme know! I can help. It's the least I can do, since you helped me with Potions and all." She paused and looked up in thought. "Although I accidentally fell asleep in the last lecture so I don't think I have any notes... it gets pretty boring hearing Professor Galim talk about cars for hours."
5 Jul 2019, 03:31
Workin' on Empty
Casper felt a grateful smile light up his face as Ziba offered to help. He could tell she meant well, but felt bad that he'd have to confess the truth. "Thanks, but I guess I was pretty much raised around muggles. I went to school and everything," He gestured with his hands nonchalantly. It obviously wasn't the most interesting time in his life but it was... normal. Normal was good.
"I just don't think muggle stuff is as lame most people do," He shrugged, fiddling with a blade of grass he plucked. "Plus, it comes with the added bonus that you could probably tell someone who doesn't know anything about muggles some crazy stuff and they'll probably believe you? Like, I just want to tell a pureblood how dangerous a toaster is and then watch them freak out when the bread pops out." A mischievous glint crossed his eye. The logic of it wasn't all there. For starters, he was fairly sure there wasn't a single toaster in the whole castle.
"At least Muggle Studies is one less class to worry about, y'know?" He did have to admit, he really could do with less knowledge about microwave ovens and refrigerators.
"I just don't think muggle stuff is as lame most people do," He shrugged, fiddling with a blade of grass he plucked. "Plus, it comes with the added bonus that you could probably tell someone who doesn't know anything about muggles some crazy stuff and they'll probably believe you? Like, I just want to tell a pureblood how dangerous a toaster is and then watch them freak out when the bread pops out." A mischievous glint crossed his eye. The logic of it wasn't all there. For starters, he was fairly sure there wasn't a single toaster in the whole castle.
"At least Muggle Studies is one less class to worry about, y'know?" He did have to admit, he really could do with less knowledge about microwave ovens and refrigerators.
Stamina 5 | Evasion 10 | Strength 2 | Wisdom 6 | Arcane Power 9 | Accuracy 8
9 Jul 2019, 05:26
Workin' on Empty
Ziba's enthusiasm deflated a little bit when Casper turned down her offer, but she supposed there wasn't much she could do for him. "Well," she began, "I'll think of something."
She snickered at Casper's confession of mischief. It made her glad to know the boy had a sense of humor about these kinds of things. "I may or may not have pranked someone about that already," she admitted. "Well, it was more of an accident. I'd changed my mum's ringtone a couple days before the Hogwarts Express was supposed to leave, just so while I was gone she'd hear a song that would remind her of me. The day they dropped me off, her phone rang at top volume in King's Cross and a pair of witches nearly jumped five feet in the air." She paused to giggle at the memory, wishing there was a way to relieve the moment and see the shock on the ladies' faces. "I guess they weren't expecting to hear The Beach Boys blasting that early in the morning."
It still bothered Ziba that she couldn't repay Casper for his kindness this afternoon. There must be something he needed that she could help with, right? "What about your other classes?" she insisted. "Do you need your broomstick waxed? Your owl fed? A crush you want me to deliver a message to? Anything!"
11 Jul 2019, 06:04
Workin' on Empty
Imagining the witches' look of shock, Casper chuckled a bit to himself. To be fair, he would probably be just as surprised at a loud noise other than the trains in the station. Tuning back into what Ziba was saying, he laughed even harder at the idea of himself having a crush on anyone, hiding his smile in his fist.
"Ah... well," Her offers to help drew a slight crinkle in his brow. He wasn't necessarily put off by her civility but just didn't understand why it mattered so much. He supposed he just didn't usually expect anything in return, "I mean... Like you said, we can partner up in class if there's some project we have to do. I don't know if I'd trust anyone else in that class to do their share of work."
Group projects were always a chore. It was partly Casper's own fault as he ended up doing all of the work in the end, not trusting anyone else to do anything correctly. But Ziba at least seemed to care about getting a good grade, which was more than he could say about most people.
"And maybe if I do end up needing help in my other classes, I'll go bug you," he shrugged, "Merlin knows History of Magic is boring enough."
"Ah... well," Her offers to help drew a slight crinkle in his brow. He wasn't necessarily put off by her civility but just didn't understand why it mattered so much. He supposed he just didn't usually expect anything in return, "I mean... Like you said, we can partner up in class if there's some project we have to do. I don't know if I'd trust anyone else in that class to do their share of work."
Group projects were always a chore. It was partly Casper's own fault as he ended up doing all of the work in the end, not trusting anyone else to do anything correctly. But Ziba at least seemed to care about getting a good grade, which was more than he could say about most people.
"And maybe if I do end up needing help in my other classes, I'll go bug you," he shrugged, "Merlin knows History of Magic is boring enough."
Stamina 5 | Evasion 10 | Strength 2 | Wisdom 6 | Arcane Power 9 | Accuracy 8
16 Jul 2019, 04:47
Workin' on Empty
The idea of paying back Casper by being his Potions partner seemed unfair to Ziba, and the idea alone almost made her wince in embarrassment. "Uhh did you not just see how much I was struggling with that homework?" she asked incredulously. "Think it's safe to say that I'd be more of a pest than a partner." However, so far, Casper didn't seem too enthusiastic about the idea of receiving any kind of reward for helping her. She briefly wondered why, as it was curious that a boy his age wouldn't jump at the age of getting something for basically free. Yet, in the end, it wasn't really her business, so she decided to let it go. For now.
She held out a hand to seal the deal, patiently waiting for Casper to shake it. It seemed fitting, though perhaps slightly awkward. But she was slowly learning not to care. "But if that works for you, then it works for me!"
"And you're welcome to come bug me any time," she laughed, "especially if you have any fun stories of Purebloods losing their minds over basic Muggle home goods." Ziba felt good to joke around about such things with another wizard who related to her background. It made her feel less like an outsider in the big school.
17 Jul 2019, 21:20
Workin' on Empty
Blinking at the offered handshake, realizing that perhaps it wasn't as weird as he thought it might be, he shook Ziba's hand with a slightly limp grip and a broad grin. Casper knew that the more strategic thing to do would be to ask for some sort of favor in return, maybe even an I.O.U. to save for later. But the real thing he needed was a friend, an acquaintance at least, but that was just too embarrassing to admit.
"Of course," He said, shrugging his shoulders to his ears, "And who knows, maybe you'll get a little bit better in potions by osmosis? Well... you certainly can't get any worse at least."
Another thought struck him, "Plus, while we're in class, you could help me figure out a way to prank the purebloods who sit at my table in the great hall. I don't know how much longer I can stand hearing them argue over whether or not a television and a painting are the same thing." He winced, remembering one time when the morning conversation over breakfast became so heated that a bowl of cereal was toppled over and milk and oats were spilled all over his robe.
"Of course," He said, shrugging his shoulders to his ears, "And who knows, maybe you'll get a little bit better in potions by osmosis? Well... you certainly can't get any worse at least."
Another thought struck him, "Plus, while we're in class, you could help me figure out a way to prank the purebloods who sit at my table in the great hall. I don't know how much longer I can stand hearing them argue over whether or not a television and a painting are the same thing." He winced, remembering one time when the morning conversation over breakfast became so heated that a bowl of cereal was toppled over and milk and oats were spilled all over his robe.
Stamina 5 | Evasion 10 | Strength 2 | Wisdom 6 | Arcane Power 9 | Accuracy 8
26 Jul 2019, 03:57
Workin' on Empty
Ziba patiently watched as Casper reached out to shake her hand. The whole afternoon, he'd been friendly enough though still a bit on the reserved side of things. So it pleased her greatly to see him shoot her a wide grin. Maybe he would be her friend after all.
It was Ziba's turn to blink at Casper's statement about her not getting any worse. She was momentarily stunned by his bluntness. But it didn't take long for her shock to wear off before she let out a loud cackle. "You're not wrong," she said, her eyes shining with glee at his joke. At least, she hoped he was joking. "Or else, we'd both be in trouble for the rest of the year."
When he mentioned pranking the purebloods from his house, Ziba's eyes widened slightly in excitement. Now, that sounded like a great idea. "So what I'm hearing is, we should be partners in potions, and in crime, yes? Because I think that's the best thing I've heard all day."
If she was being honest, she wasn't particularly known for being the biggest prankster. That didn't mean she lacked the enthusiasm for such an activity, especially when the targets were snooty little airheads that needed some humility to remember who they were.
"It's a shame we can't go to Hogsmeade until next year," Ziba said regretfully. "I heard there's an amazing joke shop in the village with tons of cool things. Cool pranking things."
2 Aug 2019, 00:57
Workin' on Empty
Casper couldn't even feign indifference to the idea of having a partner in crime. He'd always wanted to get into a crazy hijink or two and it all seemed a little more attainable with someone to help. Now that he thought about it - potions and pranks - there was probably some way to brew something to cause a little trouble, "That is one hundred percent a great idea."
The few friends he had before coming to Hogwarts were all known for their antics and he had learned a thing or two from them, but in terms of plotting schemes himself, he was fairly new. He only hoped this wouldn't blow up in his face.
"And yeah that's a pretty bogus rule. I mean, there's always Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley but I always wonder what more they have down in Hogsmeade." Checking around for any passing prefects or teachers, he leaned over, lowering his voice and covering his mouth with a hand, "Last I checked, they were selling fake Hogsmeade permission forms at Weasley's. I don't even know how that would work out but I've been saving up my galleons just to see if I can check it out."
The few friends he had before coming to Hogwarts were all known for their antics and he had learned a thing or two from them, but in terms of plotting schemes himself, he was fairly new. He only hoped this wouldn't blow up in his face.
"And yeah that's a pretty bogus rule. I mean, there's always Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley but I always wonder what more they have down in Hogsmeade." Checking around for any passing prefects or teachers, he leaned over, lowering his voice and covering his mouth with a hand, "Last I checked, they were selling fake Hogsmeade permission forms at Weasley's. I don't even know how that would work out but I've been saving up my galleons just to see if I can check it out."
Stamina 5 | Evasion 10 | Strength 2 | Wisdom 6 | Arcane Power 9 | Accuracy 8