Strings connecting us all pv | finished

The silence often felt unbearable. But other times, it was appreciated. This time, it only felt natural and correct to stay silent as heck. But she shouldn’t have been talking so much. Then why was she? For once, she let her instinct take some control. It was situations like this when instinct was the only thing that would prevail. It was something that could be seen if you focused on either side. Eugenia began trusting Val. Over and over again. But it was no one-sided thing. This was mutual. Mutual trust. A trust she yearned to earn from someone, and give to them.

They both told secrets. She said hers and he said his own. There was no fear on who to trust anymore. There weren’t that many options either. The Greek trusted few people like this. Ifigenia, for one. Then, she’d trust Abbey, the girl who was like her little sister inside Hogwarts. Lately though, she didn’t know whom to trust. She hadn’t talked with Ruby in a great while, then many other people seemed like acquaintances, not like friends. Maybe she could trust Emily, the girl whose paper she had found and her friend Casey. But still, she didn’t really know who to trust. And to whom this would just seem like a stupid little burden.

The boy’s paper white face was like the mirror of his emotions. It was clear that he trusted others easily. He had to awful masks to shed. He might have looked like a sweet and innocent person, but as she talked more, it was like going through a knitted piece of clothing. You had to go straight through all his layers. And as the Greek made her way down, she saw he actually had contacts. And he knew how to use them. He was no idiot. He was cunning, and only showed certain truths to people whom he trusted. He looked defensive of people. Val always wanted to help. Those were things manipulative people fed on.

But Eugenia’s wish wasn’t to manipulate. Even if she had masks and layers, she was just cunning. The Hufflepuff remembered the Sorting Ceremony. When the hat had said that it saw traits of every house inside her. That her thoughts had layers. It probably was no simple job. It took over 5 minutes to decide.

Historically, Hufflepuff was the house of the “miscellaneous”, those that weren’t good enough to go in another house. But Eugenia was there because she didn’t fit strictly in another house. And like layers of strings, all those traits began unraveling, shining through.

But she wants the only one seeing it.For, when she looked into Valentin’s eyes, she saw what he was trying to do. He was trying to see through her, he saw what she truly was and felt. But Eugenia didn’t care. Because now, there was no need to hide her strengths. They were vulnerable to each other, and she’d let him see all these things on her mind. The pain, the anxiety, all the uncertainties. He’d see that she could bear through. Just like that. There was no need for wishing. She knew she had to do things. And for the first time she had chosen to take initiative, it felt like she had shown it to the right person.

She didn’t feel as if she was being pierced through by his eyes. She felt like he was giving her an invitation to shed those layers and show her thoughts. And she accepted gladly.

As he spoke, there was no touch of irony or arrogance. It felt like she could tell him this. But the words were truly unexpected. She never thoughts she’d hear them from anyone. You do? You really do? I mean, thanks for the help and encouragement and all, I’m just not necessarily used to this thing. Having my opinions accepted, it feels wrong and right at the same time. She was used to the absence of the sugar coating that his eyes revealed. But now, her only thought was whether this was actually what he thought. Because she had seen lies before. On the other hand though, it felt simple, genuine. Like she could trust it. And see that he’s right. If only it wasn’t just her thoughts…

Thank you. And I mean it. I appreciate this immensely. Don’t get the wrong idea. Val’s lightning-quick movements were hard to follow occasionally. So, when he pulled out the quill, Eugenia really needed to know what he was going to write. As soon as the paper was turned to face her, Eugenia read the address all over multiple times. She was sure she had it in her mind when she answered. I won’t. There is no reason to. You can destroy the paper if you want to keep it secret. No sooner had she said those words, and the paper was destroyed. Eugenia was half-impressed by his spell casting. She figured, he must be over 17, otherwise he wouldn’t have been allowed to do that. Then, he must be mature enough, she thought.

Eugenia listed carefully as he spoke, marking his every word. Then, if it is not safe, then I shall not go there yet. She then gave a small sigh, that had nothing to do with Val, but her little sister. For a second, she turned and gave her a signature wink: “I’ll explain things to you later”. Ifigenia gave a smile in turn,and continued looking at her, trying to understand all the things she could. I don’t believe I’ll need anything else. I might floo myself back to England so that I can return to Hogwarts, but I’ve got that covered myself. She smiled quietly. All she wanted was for something to be normal… Not that anything would ever be normal…

Val’s words were certainly a small surprise, but not one she didn’t know how to handle. I think he has, with another man. Something has happened though. I don’t know if it is between them, or just life being the unfair life it is. But not much information on that really. She nodded in agreement as he spoke, the subtle, actual truth o f what had happened being kept a well guarded secret. She knew very well exactly what had happened, because she had eavesdropped late at night and heard a conversation between her parents on that issue. But it was confidential, she recognised that fact, so without being told, she would keep it a secret.

I am no seer Val. My intuition is as good as yours, although my assumptions may sometimes be correct. At this point, it is a matter of luck as much. But I think you’ll both survive this winter. If you have survived through Christmas, then I’m pretty sure you’ll make it through. But she saw the desperation in his eyes, the layers of pain unfolding. It felt wrong. So uncharacteristic of him. Val, are you okay? Did anything happen between you two? You look kind of sad when you speak of Nikolai? She looked at him quietly, an internal concern building up. Their demons were chasing them. Both hurt. And it was visible.

You’re welcome. I do too. She looked at him quietly, a quiet understanding that these bridges between them were only building on. I might do it in the future. I’ll see if I’ll be able to share. She didn’t want him to fell bad. Thank you. Truly. Valentin kept on speaking. Slowly, surprised.

Yes, Legilimency was a touchy issue. But not for Eugenia. She had experienced some the thought of her mind being read every day. They said her parents were Legilimens, although the girl didn’t know about that. But now, she wanted to keep secrets. So letting him practice on her could sound a bit foolish.

Yes Valentin. I’ve lived most of my life with people who could read my mind at any time, if I’m not mistaken and I just think they can do Legilimency. And now, I’m trying to keep my secrets. But you have earned my trust. This is why I offer to be a test subject. And no, my offers are not too kind, as you say. If my parents allow me, I might be able to give you some books we might have. I don’t know about the diaries, because they contain a damn big bunch of personal stuff, so they will hate it should I give them to anyone. But still. If anyone I trusted wanted to be a Legilimens, I’d make the offer. The issue with me is that I’m no person who trusts a lot of others. She smiled quietly, as before. This wasn’t just for him, or herself.

It was for both of them. They both wanted it. He wanted to be a Legilimens. She wanted to help. And learn Occulmency. But she knew it was too early. No second year was a good Occulmens. And she had pland for it. After finishing fifth year and OWLs, she’d go for it. Delve into the field of Mind Magic. It was what she wanted. And she’d get a taste of it. But a taste of the other side of the coin. She wanted to feel it. Feel the fact that the person opposite to her was the one reading her mind. But the satisfaction of actually wanting her mind to be read. Yes, this was what she wanted.

It’s not really that brave. It’s not that you’re a stranger. But then, what had the Sorting Hat said? “Your traits will blossom in the future, even if you don’t see them now. Hufflepuff is the best option for you. They are not focused on one trait. But in a general scale. So, HUFFLEPUFF”. Was this what it meant? Had Val seen something in her that she didn’t? Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe the hat was right. Maybe it wasn’t. But she liked where she was. And trusting the fact that a boy to whom broom riding seemed like a cheap thrill, judging by what she saw at the Summer Quiddich match against the IlverBeaux team, was telling this to her, this was a meaningful comment.

But then she thought another thing. He might see her secret. Her true heritage, the thing she wanted to keep a secret. But something felt fine. He said he’d treat it with respect. If he had such secrets too, he’d know how to treat it. And didn’t many people have secrets like this one? Maybe. But she felt she could trust him. And then, he trusted her. He said she had earned his trust. So she could. And she would. Thank you. I will too, I promise.

She felt a lump raise at her throat as she turned around and met her sister’s eyes. For this was something the girl had understood. But the eight-year-old smiled genuinely. And this was reassurance. She had done the right thing. Not another idiocy. She was right.

I say in the summer. Perhaps Summer Camp. So that we have time. No, so that you have time. I can wait as long as needed. Are you okay with that? Hopefully, by then, we’ll be free of these things that hurt us. Because if not, I don’t want to block your way to solving them by doing this. This is the last thing I want. We should both be free, not just me. She looked at him. “You’re an egoist” That was what the person in her nightmares had said. But she was not. She knew it. Ifigenia had proved it. And Val knew it.

And the world had to learn about it too.

OOC Info: I am giving Valentin’s author explicit permission to lightly godmod Eugenia, and the dNPC’s Ifigenia and Ariadne throughout this thread.
Pings: @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood as Valentin Schnell
I’m happy to help develop your plot too. As this comes to a close, I am making another thread for the New Year's events. I’ll curtesy tag you and Nikolai’s writer along the way, so that you know. And yes, we shall make good progress together!

“Truly I do, Eugenia. You already show such great consideration and intelligence in a situation where most would cling to their parents’ coattails. Ifigenia is lucky to have you as her sister, and your motives are pure. You earned my support just by being who you are.”

Still, it was one thing to claim trust, but another to demonstrate it. As the conversation turned to the topic of Nikolai, the Greek girl pressed further into what was clearly a sensitive topic. At this point where Valentin seemed the most vulnerable, Eugenia would see just how much the captain was really willing to reciprocate.

Val, are you okay? Did anything happen between you two? You look kind of sad when you speak of Nikolai?

“Ahhh….” From the boy’s exhalation of pain Eugenia knew she hit the mark. Sinking down into the deep corner pocket of the couch, Valentin stared up at the ceiling for a long moment. “Yeah, something did happen. How do I describe it…” From beneath his shirt Valya drew out a silver locket on a chain and began to run the pendant’s surface over his lips as he thought. “You’ll remember that I fell into a coma before. It was at that time…” Pulling the locket back in front of him, the long-fingered boy wedged a fingernail between its two wings and pushed just enough to crack it open to the width of a pinhead. A whispering voice soon reached Eugenia’s ears, but if she wanted to know who it was she would have to come close enough to hold it next.

“I know it’s not quite right, but it felt like he ran away from home. One day he was there, and the next, gone.” Snapping the locket closed, Valentin’s expression asked Eugenia an unspoken question. As if silently issuing a dare, his gaze lingered half-closed but staring into hers. “We swore an oath to always share our battles with each other, taking up one another’s burdens, but when he departed he went alone. The note he left told me not to look for him. Then, when he returned to school he was on the brink of death.” Taking off the necklace and holding it out, Valentin let out a rattling sigh. “If you open this you will hear the voice of your dearest loved one. It is quite useful for people in denial, but I’d like for you to answer something for me. If you are not afraid, listen to what it says inside. You don’t have to tell me who it is if you don’t want. What I am asking, rather, is what you would do if that person did the same to you... swearing to share life's struggles and then leaving without you on some terribly dangerous mission.” If Eugenia took the locket, Val would melt back into the deep cracks in the sofa and close his eyes.

“The comas were what I did to myself when I didn’t listen to his note. I wouldn’t let him go and so I chased after him in the only way I could.” Though crossing his arms over his chest with a squeeze, the pain in his chest would not subside. “I don’t know if what I did saved him or if it was the wrong thing to do. I just want to be infinitely close to him, enough to know every nook and cranny of his soul. All I want is to live out the promise we sealed with our blood, sharing everything I am and that I have so that he will live out his fullest potential. I want… I want to love him forever, without limits. Now, though, I don’t know if my wish is alright. If he broke that oath, maybe he doesn’t want me anymore. Maybe he will leave again, and he is just here temporarily as he heals and prepares for some future I have no idea about. We were supposed to share everything and keep no secrets, but now I don’t know what he truly wants and I am… devastated.” The seeker’s tense hands crawled over his face as his breaths grew tight and jagged.

“The most important thing of all is for him to be free and happy. There is no question in my heart about this. I just… feel so utterly abandoned. You told me I deserve family but it doesn’t feel like it now. Not since he left. Sure, he came back to my house and is living there, but I don’t know if I am really his home anymore or what I did to ruin things or…” Scratching his fingers down his face, the boy sat up and leaned into his elbows atop his knees. Staring down at Ifigenia’s feet, the seeker was clearly trying to keep himself from bursting into tears. Surely the sisters already had enough stress to deal with right now.

“I know something has been broken in him since he came back. I’d give anything to to see inside him and understand and take my promised share of his pain, if only I felt welcome and wanted. Let’s say you and I succeed, and we figure out how legilimency works… but is it even right to ask Nikolai to share himself like that anymore? I don’t want to pressure or charm him into it. I’m not even sure if I deserve him. Maybe I’m not worthy of such a sacred bond with him. Why else would he break our pact unless I turned out to be not good enough? In that case, I should just let him go like he asked for in his letter. I’d do anything, give up anything for him, but where did I go wrong?”

If Eugenia had taken the locket and eventually tried to return it, Valentin would collect it into his left palm and hold it in a balled-up fist against his heart. The boy shook his head with a look of guilt and then returned his teary eyes to Eugenia. This was all supposed to be about helping her with the threat to her and Ifigenia’s life. Yet, the girl had asked Valentin directly and he was not about to hold back with reciprocating her trust.

“Maybe I should just try to reach him the normal way first. If we could travel somewhere peaceful it might help him heal. After I’ve given him a good environment I can then ask if he really has need of me anymore or if he just wants to be alone, or with…” Valentin’s voice choked up and it took a few seconds to regain enough composure to continue. “I don’t know where though. Some place far from where he got hurt. Maybe here, in Greece, is there something like that – a beautiful, warm, safe location where people go to find themselves again?” The light of hope flickered in the seeker’s purple eyes once more as his confidence came back in like a tide.

“However it turns out, I do want to follow the path of my ancestors. I want to practice legilimency, so please allow me to take you up on your offers with gratitude. Still, I have to warn you, Eugenia. If we really do this, touch minds, it might be dangerous for you. There is a lot of trauma inside of me and I’m new to legilimency. They don’t teach it to us in school – not even at Durmstrang. I don’t want to hurt you. I’d also like to get to know you this way, but only with your consent. Please help me use this to make you stronger – strong enough that you can achieve your greatest ambition. I don’t know where your future beckons, but I do want to be there for you as you figure it out. You don’t have to wait for summer if you need something from me, either. I don’t believe in exchanges.” Slipping the locket back over his neck, Valentin sat up straight again.

“Please just contact me if you ever feel the urge. Otherwise I’ll have some time to travel in February, over spring break, and in summer. If it’s urgent, though, forget the schedule. My people come first. You have been very kind to me, and I appreciate the compassion in your eyes. While I could just wave my hand and declare this the greatness of Greek hospitality, I see true goodness in you. Eugenia, you are special, and you will go far. It would simply be an honor if I can be of help along the way.”

Interacting with: @Eugenia Karageorgiadi
Mentioning: @Matthew Campbell (Nikolai Vol’ka)
Valentin will exit the thread with Eugenia whenever she is ready.
The locket in question is a silver "True Love's Locket" (official site item)

Without wanting to, Eugenia smiled at Valentin’s words. No, she’d never cling if it meant that she could possibly get caught among the turmoil. Really, she got her little brain working. And now, she’d do it again. And her parents had to accept such a carefully laid out plan. Thank you. Really, I mean it. Her smile was quiet, but not wide. She was slowly coming to the realisation that she could be trusted, and that all events would come down to escape. But give her a minute, please.

And now it was her turn to listen. And something did happen. Had she gone too deep? The locket did grab her attention. She wanted to go closer and hear the voice, but she did not. Keep at a firm distance so no one is uncomfortable. Yeah. You told me. She continued hearing once more. It doesn’t sound right. It’s not really right. If you swore to share your pain, then it is wrong to leave alone. And be on the brink of death? That’s totally… awful, I don’t really know how to phrase this.

I don’t know what I would have done. But I’d try to search for them. Because if I’m supposed to share my burdens with the other, and the opposite, then how can I ever leave them alone. A whisper threatened to come out, but she kept it in. I don’t want to be alone. I’m afraid of being alone. This was the only thought in her head. With a sigh, she took the locket and closed her eyes. It was her sister’s voice.

Undeniably. Honestly, whom else could it have been? It wasn’t like Eugenia was in some serious relationship or anything. It’s a good thing you want to love him. And I am pretty sure he does want to love you. He came back to you. No, she wasn’t the best at comforting with this things, because she was afraid she’d say the wrong little thing. But she still spoke. As if she goddamn had to. It felt like she did.

The Greek realised he was on the verge of crying. It was a good thing that he (probably) didn’t see the sharp look aimed at her sister. I’m pretty certain you are not the one who broke things. People change occasionally, and it might be connected to the reason he left. This might have been the thing that changed him, not you. You’re doing your best. And you do deserve a family Valentin, every person like you does. She looked at him intensely, as if she was the one trying to pierce his soul now. She’d also pat him on the shoulder for a second, and if he wished, she could give him a hug.

Even if physical contact wasn’t really her forté.

Still, the girl wasn’t used to seeing people so vulnerable in front of her. He was one of the few who trusted her enough to open up, this was the truth. Try to talk to him. And for a location? I don’t know, but you could go to some beach at Crete. I’m sure it’s great there. And he might have seen a spark in her eyes; this was a place connecting them through Ariadne. The reason they were talking now in the first place. If I need help, I won’t wait. And, just so that you know, I’ve got a lot of trauma too. It’s fine if I see some of your memories, as long as you are fine with this. And I’m still okay if you see some of my little secrets. I’d tell you eventually, maybe, either way.

Looking around, she felt oddly happy and confused as he spoke. He praised her, as if she had done something that big and great. But she hadn’t. She had just said that she would trust him. And that he could trust her. But, oh Eugenia, there is something remarkable about trust. Because if you trust the wrong person, you might as well be dead. But they had placed their trust in the correct person. Because if he opened up and she had done it too, then they could trust each other.

Looking straight into the amethyst orbs, the girl could only whisper. Ευχαριστώ. Πραγματικά. Thank you. Truly. She looked at him straight on. Her eyes had a sort of gratitude painted on them. She wasn’t used to hearing words of praise, and like the good girl she was, she’d accept it with dignity. As she had been taught.

Eugenia looked around, and then back at her sister. She then turned to Val. Hey, I know you might not be feeling all that good, but if you wish, I can show you a bit around the house. It’s not a bad one. I’m sure it’s nothing like your estate, but you’ll like it. If he wished, she’d get up and show him around. Otherwise, she could try to continue the conversation that they had made going. It was now all up to him.

OOC Info: I am giving Valentin’s author explicit permission to lightly godmod Eugenia, and the dNPC’s Ifigenia and Ariadne throughout this thread.
Pings: @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood as Valentin Schnell
Okay, after your post, we can end this thread. Expect me to post again in the New Year’s events, just a bit pestered with stuff again. And very sorry for the late reply.

As Eugenia weighed in about Valentin’s ethical dilemma, the boy bit his lip. She wasn’t just saying what he wanted to hear, right? He’d told her clearly that he never wanted to be spared the raw truth, and she would surely remember this. Well, he supposed, today was the day they were learning to trust each other and it wouldn’t do to doubt her now.

“Thanks Eugenia. I hope I did the right thing. All I ever wanted was to be closer to him, but there’s so much distance between us now that it’s killing me slowly.” Staring back into Eugenia’s intense gaze, Valentin let her look as deeply as she liked. Within the beauty of his enchanting purple eyes were two pitch black pupils, and the longer the girl looked, the colder she felt. Becoming aware of a motion somewhere in her subconscious, it was as if she had begun to glide forward on ice. It wasn’t the same as being around certain people at Hogwarts that simply felt terrible and unnerving. There was no animal instinct that told her to get away. Yet, the very act of peering into the dark circles seemed magnetic, like she was on a boat being drawn along on a current towards some mysterious core.

If Eugenia did not pull away but insisted on peering deeper, a shiver would wash over her. It wasn’t that the house was becoming chillier with a draft entering through some unstoppered crack. Rather, it was a truth in the boy’s eyes that beckoned her further… one more frigid and more immense than tundra. As compelling as a drum beat and as silent as outer space, something inside the champion’s depths called to her, whispering the name behind Eugenia’s name. Then, with the shock of a shattering plate, Valentin spoke.

“I will trust in your wisdom.”

Once Eugenia blinked, Valentin would lean back into the couch once more. She had seen something, a lacuna with the gravity of a wormhole that she would never forget. As the environment of her home filtered back into focus, the memory of her situation and the approach of New Year’s resurfaced. There was still much to do before the promised hour.

“Ευχαριστώ, Ευγενία.” “Thank you, Eugenia.” Valentin smiled warmly, and the almonds of his Tatar eyes crinkled at the corners with sincere affection. The chill was gone, for the house was comfortably heated. Indeed the boy had not thrown a single barrier in front of Eugenia throughout their entire time together. Despite what she had just seen, it was clear that everything she’d witnessed earlier was still true: he really cared for her and Ifigenia. If anything, the depth of his love and trust only felt more apparent now.

“Please do show me around the house. I have been sitting still for too long and it would be great to stretch my legs.”

Valentin stood up, grinning sweetly at Ifigenia before following Eugenia as she chose the next part of the estate to visit. During their following conversations he would ask more about places to see in Crete and where he might be able to secure some privacy for his blood brother’s recovery. At the end of their time together he would reassure her that he was fully committed to their plan, reiterating not to hesitate if ever she or her sister were in need.

Interacting with: @Eugenia Karageorgiadi
Mentioning: @Matthew Campbell (Nikolai Vol’ka)
Valentin exits the thread with Eugenia, accompanying her for a tour of the house.