Whispers by the Lake pv| M. Lancaster Finished

Date: 25.10.2024 __Time: 18:00 __Music: "La Vie En Rose"

The corridors had been so crowded and felt so loud that day. Usually that doesn't bother her that much, usually she just walks through the laughs and chatter and banter and all types of chaos around her like if it wasn't there, like a background soundtrack of a normal life at a school full with of lively young students, the sounds were as part of Hogwarts as the countless old stones that built it. But today, today it felt too much. The state of numbness she usually managed to put herself into when her senses start to become overwhelming, was failing her, and all the inches of her being were begging her to find a place of silence a place where she could take a break from all that commotion and take a deep breath.

First, she thought about going to Jun and asking if she would like to go with her to the Great Lake, but she remembered the amount of homework she had to do and assumed that Jun would face the same gargantuan amount of work and so she decided it was best to go alone, not wanting to be the cause of Jun being struggling later to finish them, one average student was enough for the Mochizuki family to have to deal with. So instead of going to the library, Meyra went to her dorm, grabbed her guitar and then walked towards the Great Lake shore.

By this time, in the late afternoon, the sun was almost setting. Its rays began to disappear, spreading a beautiful, warm orange glow across the landscape. The soft wind was cold but not unpleasant, it was as if a gentle touch on her face dispelling her worries and giving her the comfort she sought. It was like hugging an old friend as she held the guitar in her lap and began to caress its strings, bringing to life the warm notes that spread in a spiral, carried away by the autumn breeze. Her voice started as a whisper, then turned into a timid crescendo, mixing its tenderness with the sound of her guitar. Meyra always loved to play and sing, but she was used to have it just for her, while sitting alone on her room, it was something she was not ready to share with anyone else and at Hogwarts it was really hard, if not impossible, to find a place that she could call only her own.

"That is quite the voice you have, Miss...it would be a shame to keep such a gift hidden". Someone said behind her, and her heart almost jumped out of her chest as she immediately stopped her song with a loud, completely out of tune note, her fingers crossed all the strings as she, startled, quickly stood up and turned towards the voice. "I...I..." She stuttered, her heart racing, heat spreading from her cheeks to her ears and her eyes threatening to water. Her instincts told her to run away, hide and never leave the first hole she would find..."I...was just..." She said in a weak voice, her mind racing to help her find an escape, "Thank you." She ended up saying with a small, quick bow. A gesture that ended up being a little awkward, no helping at all with her cause.

She took a deep breath and loosened her grip on her guitar as she felt her hands starting to ache from how tightly she had been holding it, "I'm sorry, I..." She started again, "I'm not used to having spectators while singing. You surprised me." She explained, giving a small smile, "I'm Meyra. Lancaster. Meyra Lancaster, I mean." She told the other girl with a nervous laugh. "Oh Merlin, please spare me..." She thought with despair, how would she got out of there? Would it even be possible to never cross ways with that girl again? "Please Merlin don't let her tell anyone..."

_{Banner by Miss Elena Clark}

Date & Time: 2024.10.25, 18:00 | Interacting: @Meyra Lancaster | Note: Thoughts, Speech, Meyra |

Nabi raised an eyebrow as the shy singer suddenly paused her singing. Still sitting on the tree branch she tilted her head slightly, observing the girl grip her guitar slightly as she stuttered and appeared to be on the verge of tears, hm...I did not say anything rude, you are quite the odd one. If the girl did end up bursting into tears, Nabi would let her be, she has never been one to display such empathy to an inconsolable person, much more so when she does not understand the reason for their tears. She remained quiet as she let the girl find her words, perhaps I caused her brain to malfunction...

As the young girl finally managed to say two words without stuttering, Nabi's eyes followed her sudden quick bow. She hummed and nodded slightly in response, most definitely an odd one, "There is no need to thank me, Miss". Nabi watched the girl give her an awkward smile while apologizing, Merlin...is everyone here a mess?, "It is alright". Giving a slight nod in acknowledgment to the girl's introduction, she calmly climbed off the branch she was sitting on, landing on her feet with a soft thud, she straightened herself up before looking at the girl once more. hm...she is slightly shorter than what she appeared to be

Nabi hummed in thought for a moment, "My name is Nabi Park", she walked around Meyra, studying her intently. Noting Meyra's tense posture, her eyebrow raised slightly, "You seem... nervous, Miss Lancaster". She clicked her tongue once in slight amusement, invisible to the untrained eye, So you are one of those, hm? who find themselves uncomfortable in my presence...

Nabi calmly stops in front of Meyra and looks at her, expressionless.
"Afraid I may tell another soul, Miss Lancaster?"

Date: 25.10.2024 __Time: 18:00 __Music: "La Vie En Rose"

A predator... that's how Mey would describe the elegant, dark-haired girl who looked down at her from the branch where she sat. Her expression was blank, emotionless, but her cold gray eyes were scanning her, like if she was able to read her soul through them. Meyra gulped, once, twice...then she remembered who she was, that she was no fearful prey. She refused to be and be perceived as a frightened little bunny. She was the wolf. And besides that... she was a Mochizuki, and her mother would feel extremely disappointed at her if she knew her daughter was being all stuttering and trembling thing over such a trivial event as being caught singing and playing her guitar. She was caught by surprise, yes...she didn't like it, no...she would have preferred to be left alone, yes! Most definitely yes! But...but whoever that girl was, now Meyra had to live with the fact that she knew, that she heard her and was nothing that could change that.

The slightly tallest girl climbed off the branch and walked towards her. Nabi was her name, Nabi Park, and she walked in circles around Meyra like she was evaluating something, searching for something... Meyra slightly narrowed her gaze at the other girl. Nabi's voice came from behind her, stating that she looked nervous, her tone implying some veiled meaning that Meyra was not being able to grasp. "I wasn't expecting company..." Meyra muttered in a slightly flat tone of voice, her eyes kept looking at the landscape in front of her and her hold on her guitar tightened again, but now her embarrassment was slowly being replaced with irritation towards the other girl's behaviour.

"What the hell are you doing?" Meyra thought, but kept silent as the girl stood finally in front of her "Afraid I may tell another soul, Miss Lancaster?" Nabi finally asked. Again, her pretty face was empty of any emotion and Meyra was having difficulties in figuring out the real intentions of the girl's words and manners. Her nostrils flared, the only sign she gave of her change of mood, the threat did not went unnoticed even if said with such 'softness'. Meyra's hazel gaze hardened at the girl but her expression mirrored the one that was looking back at her, "You're telling me that you're unable to keep a secret Miss Park? Should I take you for such a petty soul?"

_{Banner by Miss Elena Clark}

Date & Time: 2024.10.25, 18:00 | Interacting: @Meyra Lancaster
| Note: Thoughts, Speech |

Nabi hummed in response as she observed Meyra's reaction to her, the way her defenses seemed to harden as the seconds ticked by. Not expecting company, hm? Not very wise are we, anyone could have interrupted..., she did not care if she made Meyra uncomfortable. Nabi observed her more closely, her grey eyes looking at the young girl indifferently.

A petty soul

That is what the young Lancaster called her, she hummed softly in thought still looking closely at her, completely ignoring Meyra's comment as if it meant nothing. Nabi's eyebrow raised slightly observing how easily angered the young brunette seemed to get, "Anger, such a powerful emotion... but you see in such a strength there is a weakness, a double-edged sword if you would...". Nabi tilted her head slightly in amusement, "You would be wise to remember that. There are those who would gladly use your strength against you." Her words lingered for a moment, genuine advice laced into the critique.

"The castle is not a place for the weak of mind, Miss Lancaster", others are just waiting for a sign of weakness.

With a curt hum and her gaze on Meyra, Nabi answered her previous question. "There is no use for pettiness, I do not benefit from your tears and laughter of others. It would just be a waste of my time." A waste of her time, she never did see the point of bringing someone down for a small laugh or two but secrets were far better. Nabi continued to observe her in thought, Would you be of use to me... you seem too emotional, too... unpredictable

"However..." her eyes narrowed, still contemplating if Meyra would be of use, something told her Meyra would be useful in the long run. "I could keep this...secret if you are so concerned". Before Meyra could answer, Nabi said expressionless, "Granted, you would owe me a favor..."

Every secret has its value. Some weigh more than others, depending on the owner of the secret. Nabi had always been fascinated by the lengths some would go to keep their secret.

How far was Miss Lancaster willing to go for hers?

Date: 25.10.2024 __Time: 18:00 __Music: "La Vie En Rose"

Meyra was starting to believe that the girl had no common sense of space and privacy. It wasn't enough to have walked around her, now she was standing there and looking even closer. She had completely ignored her question, her words seemed to have been nothing more than the gentle breeze, barely caressing her loose strands of silky dark hair. A soft huff of indignation escaped her lips as she looked back at the Slytherin girl with an expression somewhere between incredulity and offence. The things she said were unbelievable, what did she think she was? The next dark and wicked witch of the west? What was she playing at?

"Weak of…did she just call me weak of mind?" Meyra really took a moment to register the insult this time. Then a slow smile spread across her face, a smile, that wasn't at all a sign of amusement. It came fallowed of a soft laugh, that in addition was totally devoid of joy. Weak of mind... if Park had to deal with half of everything she's ever seen in her short life... if she had to endure her curse... she wouldn't be calling her weak of mind. Maybe a troubled and scattered mind that once a month turned into a beast... but never weak. "I wish I could see them try." Mey responded in a velvety voice, in a matter-of-fact way.

A waste of her time she said? Meyra slightly narrowed her eyes at Nabi. It was like listening to two different voices at the same time. One that was saying her literal words, and another silent one that seemed to be enveloping her sentences into something more distorted. The girl's expression looked like it had been rehearsed, the vacancy of feelings, as if she was playing with her words, as if she was used to have to resort to such things. Was she talking about herself instead? Did she herself learn by showing weakness? Or was she just mouthing out words that she was forced to internalise? It was difficult to say...but either way, one thing was certain, she was not sounding innocent.

"I could keep this...secret if you are so concerned", Park said, and Meyra raised her eyebrows in surprise and question. "So you really would waste your time for my tears if you could win something with it? That's it?" Meyra almost spat out the words. She slowly shook her head with judgement written all over her face, "What favor do you require, may I ask?" Mey ended up asking in a harsh tone, "That I don't tell the whole school how miserable you are?"

_{Banner by Mr. Prat Pass}

Date & Time: 2024.10.25, 18:17 | Interacting: @Meyra Lancaster
| Note: Thoughts, Speech, Mother |

Nabi continued to quietly observe how Meyra was negatively reacting to her, and the various emotions played across the young girl's face as she listened to Nabi speak. The smile that played along her face did not go unnoticed by Nabi who tilted her head slightly, amused by how quickly the young Lancaster's expression grew sour right after. She is like an open book... how weak of her to let words affect her so much.

She did not see why the young girl seemed offended by her comment, Nabi figured she was doing the young Lancaster a favor by pointing out something she deemed a flaw. A minor detail that could prove fatal if one wants to be strong, perhaps even in control. Nabi had seen how anger can be a foible as she remembered the problems her cousin would cause in their earlier years.

Recalling her mother's words each time her beloved cousin let her rage take over, 'Fool is the one who lets their emotions get the better of them. Each emotion is a card to be played against you, Nabi' She hummed in thought, Mother is right... I should never show my cards, Mrs. Park always had quite an interesting outlook on life but it was always something Nabi deemed useful.

Like her cousin, Miss Lancaster's expression reminded her to act the way her parents expected of her—perfect. No obstacle is to prevent her from remaining in control.

Nabi is the heiress, she is meant to act like one.

She noted Myera's surprise at her suggestion to keep her secret quiet. The young Meyra's tone amused Nabi, she knew some saw her way of thinking as rather...manipulative. Though she liked to see it as a simple business deal. An investment of sorts. You may be worth some of my time.

Nabi's blank expression never faltered, even as Meyra's words attempted to nip at her. Like steel for skin, she hummed before answering, "As I have previously said, I care not for your tears, Miss Lancaster. Perhaps the secret is worthless to me, I could discard it without a second thought..." Tilting her head slightly, a glint in her eyes, "But you see, Miss Lancaster, you are the one who puts a value upon the secret."

Why am I to let go now?

Her mother's words echoed in her mind as Nabi continued to observe Meyra, 'Learn that everything in this world has a price and work it to your favor'. Nabi continued to speak, "I am merely giving you an offer that would help us both, Miss Lancaster". She hummed softly in thought as she straightened up calmly, smoothing out her neat robe, "As for the favor..." Something about Meyra's pathetic attempt at making her feel perhaps like scum, amused her. Nabi had not heard someone speak to her in such a way and that only intrigued her.

"I do not care what the school thinks of me, Miss Lancaster. The favor would be a favor of my choosing when I see it fit." be it today, tomorrow, or a year from now.

I always come back for my favors.

Nabi raised an eyebrow, "Tell me, how much do you value your secret, Miss Lancaster?" Part of her wanted to see if Meyra would give in, and add value to what Nabi considered an insignificant thing. Another part of her wanted to see if Meyra would learn from what she told her, to understand impulsive emotions are an inconvenience.

That, this world is for those who can remain in control.

Date: 25.10.2024 __Time: 18:00 __Music: "La Vie En Rose"

_{Banner by Mr. Prat Pass}

Date & Time: 2024.10.25, 18:17 | Note: Thoughts, Speech, Mother, Meyra |

Oh...it appears she is not very bright, Nabi hummed faintly, silently observing the young Meyra. She had begun to think that Meyra's emotions blocked her mental capacity, Must I spell it out for her?

With a slight sigh, her patience began to wear thin. Nabi knew some would never understand how the world worked. Things are not black and white, good and bad. Morals bend at the will of the benefit, and everything has a price.

Sheep could roam mindlessly as long as there is grass, happy to live without a second thought. But Nabi was no sheep, following the herd without a second thought toward her end.

No.

On the other hand, the young Lancaster remained yet to be seen. As Meyra's annoyance grew, Nabi began to tune her out momentarily— waiting for Meyra to finish her indignant monologue. The snort emitted from the young brunette caused Nabi to raise an eyebrow, Foolish to find humor when you do not seem to understand something so simple... She remained unfazed as she watched Meyra look at her up and down, "Listen. Yes, I do prefer to keep my music to myself, I don't like to share it with others. But a secret to trade for a favour? With a person I don't know and...I definitely don't like."

With a slight shrug, Nabi hummed softly, her tone flat, "I do not see how being disliked would affect me, Miss Lancaster..." perhaps she is a sheep. Using her emotions rather than her brain... Tilting her head in thought she clicked her tongue, She may be useless to me... "I do however know when a deal is no longer on the table. Shame." Straightening herself up, I would have liked to see what she would do to keep her secret.

As she began to walk away, the wind carried her voice,

"Until we meet again, Miss Lancaster..."