23 Feb 2025, 10:52
Forced Teamwork
Spoken: #610000 Clothes: School Uniform
Wednesday - Bad weather
The rain was accompanied by wind, whistling through the leaves outside the Herbology Greenhouse. There was the garden area of Hogwarts. Magical plants and herbs grew out of the boxes, from the ceiling, and between the stone-paved ground. The smell of earth was always present. In the middle stood wooden tables lined up in rows, which were still dirty from the last students. For each table, there was a pot and a sack, lurking out from a wooden crate. There was nothing more Eldred could see at first. Together with the other students who had arrived earliest to the classroom, he walked down the two stone steps into the Greenhouse. He carefully placed his feet only where he didn’t see anything brown or green growing.
On this Wednesday, the sky was as gray as dust bunnies. The dreadful weather perfectly reflected Eldred’s sour mood. He hated Herbology. The smell of wet earth alone made shivers run down his spine and gathered as an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach area. Whilst he wasn’t one to pay especially close attention to cleanliness, the boy didn’t like mud or being bitten by any slow-growing stupid plant.
It was the first day of Herbology class, and he already knew he would try to avoid this as often as possible. He briefly glanced at several pots of Dittany herbs that stood at the end of the greenhouse, displaying different stages of growth, before the murmuring of the other students drew his attention to the black, freestanding board. Only now did he notice that Professor Toussaint-Fleischer was not in the room. Instead, a three-page list hung on the board. The headin aboveg, written in chalk, read "The Assignment:"
┌───────── ∘°❉°∘ ─────────┐
𝒲ℯ𝓁𝒸ℴ𝓂ℯ!
𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓃𝓉 "ℋℴ𝓃𝓀𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝒟𝒶𝒻𝒻ℴ𝒹𝒾𝓁"
𝓇ℴℴ𝓉𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝓅𝒶𝒾𝓇𝓈 ℴ𝒻 𝟤. 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝓎ℴ𝓊𝓇 𝓊𝓉ℯ𝓃𝓈𝒾𝓁𝓈
𝒶𝓇ℯ ℴ𝓃 𝓎ℴ𝓊𝓇 𝓉𝒶𝒷𝓁ℯ𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓌ℴℴ𝒹ℯ𝓃 𝒸𝓇𝒶𝓉ℯ𝓈.
𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝓈ℯ𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓎ℴ𝓊𝓇 𝓉ℯ𝒶𝓂𝓈 𝒶𝓇ℯ
ℴ𝓃 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓈. 𝒢ℴℴ𝒹 𝓁𝓊𝒸𝓀, 𝒶𝓃𝒹
ℐ'𝓁𝓁 𝓈ℯℯ 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝓃ℯ𝓍𝓉 𝓌ℯℯ𝓀!
└───────── °∘❉∘° ─────────┘
Eldred grimaced. He tried to keep it under control, but the thought of digging through soil irritated him. For a brief moment, he hoped he'd get a good partner—someone who could handle the whole thing on their own. What did Honking Daffodil roots even look like?
The boy quickly squeezed between the students to catch a glimpse of the list. Table No. 5, with a Sebastian Drake. Maybe Drake, like Mandrake? In his childish wisdom, he turned around and walked straight to Table No. 5. He imagined how Sebastian Man-Drake would save his ass and keep Eldred's fingernails clean.
Once he arrived at the table, he briefly checked if it really was No. 5. The number was indeed engraved on a silver, rusted plate on one corner of the table.
Sebastian Man-Drake, he repeated inwardly. His mood instantly improved as the child imagined the person might actually look like a Mandrake. The idea was just too funny, and it forced his mouth into a smile. Now he was almost expecting a wrinkled face with a screeching voice to join his team.
Interaction: - -Mentioned: @Sebastian Drake
Last edited by Eldred Grayswell on 23 Feb 2025, 23:17, edited 1 time in total.
23 Feb 2025, 15:40
Forced Teamwork
It was the first wednesday of the school year and their first Herbology class. One of the few subjects that Sebastian was actually looking forward to. He loved beautiful flowers, as well as being outside in the sun. The Californian-born boy had spent most of his childhood out in the on the long stretched of sandy beaches in the area of San Francisco. Today, however, the weather frankly sucked. The English weather was in general a downgrade from what he was used to, and he feared it would only get worse when autumn arrived. Luckily they were safe from the rain inside the greenhouse, where the air was mildly humid and smelled of earth and unknown plants, the sound of rain thudding against the glass above them. He took a deep breath with a smile, finding the smell weirdly appealing.
The majority of the other Gryffindors were already there when Sebastian blessed them all with his arrival, as he had a tendency to be fashionably late to everything. In this case, he'd been busy entertaining a group of giggling second year girls, who'd claimed they recognized him from somewhere. Well, duh--- His dad was famous(in the muggle world)! Though he suspected it was merely a reason to talk to him, which he didn't mind in the slightest. But alas, he was late.
Everyone seemed to have teamed up around the tables of daffodils--- not ordinary daffodils. These flowers made weird honking sounds sporadically across the greenhouse, which he supposed was the reason they were considered magical in the first place. How peculiar... and potentially annoying.
Sebastian read the note on the board about their assignment, as well as the seating arrangements. He was supposed to be at table five with a boy named Eldred. It sounded too old for a first year student, but maybe it was a common name in the magical world? It didn't really matter in the end, though, Sebastian thought and went to find table five. It wasn't that difficult, since there was only one table that missed a student.
The boy he assumed must be Eldred wasn't old at all, but he had a kind of old-money elegant look about him. Haughty, Sebastian concluded, but didn't let it intimidate him. He'd melted the coldest of hearts and his dad's most bitchy girlfriends. And to be honest, he wasn't that great at reading the room anyway.
"Hi!" Sebastian greeted him with a friendly smile and put down his school bag supplies on the empty chair. "Hope you didn't have to wait for too long," he apologized, not because he was actually sorry, but because it was the polite thing to say.
The majority of the other Gryffindors were already there when Sebastian blessed them all with his arrival, as he had a tendency to be fashionably late to everything. In this case, he'd been busy entertaining a group of giggling second year girls, who'd claimed they recognized him from somewhere. Well, duh--- His dad was famous(in the muggle world)! Though he suspected it was merely a reason to talk to him, which he didn't mind in the slightest. But alas, he was late.
Everyone seemed to have teamed up around the tables of daffodils--- not ordinary daffodils. These flowers made weird honking sounds sporadically across the greenhouse, which he supposed was the reason they were considered magical in the first place. How peculiar... and potentially annoying.
Sebastian read the note on the board about their assignment, as well as the seating arrangements. He was supposed to be at table five with a boy named Eldred. It sounded too old for a first year student, but maybe it was a common name in the magical world? It didn't really matter in the end, though, Sebastian thought and went to find table five. It wasn't that difficult, since there was only one table that missed a student.
The boy he assumed must be Eldred wasn't old at all, but he had a kind of old-money elegant look about him. Haughty, Sebastian concluded, but didn't let it intimidate him. He'd melted the coldest of hearts and his dad's most bitchy girlfriends. And to be honest, he wasn't that great at reading the room anyway.
"Hi!" Sebastian greeted him with a friendly smile and put down his school bag supplies on the empty chair. "Hope you didn't have to wait for too long," he apologized, not because he was actually sorry, but because it was the polite thing to say.
@Eldred Grayswell
Matisse Montfort | Beauxbatons
23 Feb 2025, 16:13
Forced Teamwork
Spoken: #610000 Clothes: School Uniform
While Eldred had been waiting, he was carefully observing his surroundings. The yellow flowers in the middle occasionally honked and drowned the chatter in the room. Momentarily, the other students had begun to closely examine it, and he decided to do the same. His hand had landed directly in the wooden box.
He rummaged through the items and tried to create some sort of order on the table. First, he slipped on a pair of protective gloves and then placed the contents of the box onto the tabletop. Two small pots, a bag of soil, a small bucket for collecting water, and the daffodil roots in another little bag appeared, and were spread out on the work surface.
It was only then that he really noticed that the room had filled up, and his hoped-for mandrake Savior still hadn’t shown up. Eldred furrowed his brow, confused, and stared blankly at the empty spot next to him. If no one showed up, then he'd have to get his hands dirty in the mud after all. Great.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, another student appeared. He was wearing a Gryffindor uniform, and from the direction he was walking, Eldred guessed that he was the hoped-for rescue of his mud-hating hands.
Wait a moment, he didn’t look anything like a Mandrake!
The name didn’t fit at all. A feeling tightenedhis lungs and heart, which the 12-year-old categorized naively as disappointment. The other boy didn’t seem like the type who would enjoy getting his hands dirty. He was too handsome for that.
In response to the friendly smile and greeting, Eldred returned a polite and welcoming smile - at least as best as he could muster, being in the greenhouse.
“Hey! I almost thought you weren’t going to show up,” Eldred replied. He brushed his brown hair from his forehead and added with a feigned relaxed sigh, “Everyone has already unpacked. I thought I’d take a look in the box... May I ask why you are this late?” Eldred examined Sebastian’s face more closely, now that he was standing nearby.
He tried to look kind and open minded, smiling once more. However, the scent of the wet dirt, made it look like a pissed of and tortured expression.
Interaction:@Sebastian Drake -Mentioned:-
23 Feb 2025, 16:39
Forced Teamwork
Sebastian could have sworn that something akin to disappointment gad flashed through the boys' eyes when he saw him. That couldn't be possible. Disappointed and Sebastian had never been used in the same sentence. Ever. He must simply have see wrong. Or maybe he was just not very interested in daffodils. The ones on their tables honked loudly just then, prompting him to cover his ears until they were silent again. Okay, that was really fucking annoying. No wonder he was in a bad mood! Before Sebastian had flashed him a smile, that was.
"I mean, if I knew we would be forced to listen to that, I wouldn't have." He joked, nodding to the pots in front of them, thought there was some truth to it. Eldred had already picked out a pair of gloves and placed out some of the supplies on the table. "Oh, nice. Thanks." Less work for him, but Sebastian still decided to help him unload the rest that was left inside the box. But first, putting on his own pair of gloves before he got his hands dirty.
Eldred looked at him closely, almost as if he examined him, with a smile that looked kind of forced. Normally he didn't mind people staring at him, but it was like he was holding back pain, or something. Sebastian gave him a questioning glance, raising his brows. He knew there wasn't anything on his face that could prompt such a reaction, he wouldn't have left his dorm looking anything less than fabulous.
"Are you alright? You look... kind of tense." After all, he didn't want to accidentally offend him.
As to why he was late, he wondered if he really was interested to know, or just was a control freak. Sebastian shrugged, "Oh, I was just being held preoccupied. Girls, you know," knowingly, assuming the other boy knew exactly what he meant. I mean, he was good looking, so why wouldn't he know? Swooning girls was after all not a foreign concept to Seb.
"I mean, if I knew we would be forced to listen to that, I wouldn't have." He joked, nodding to the pots in front of them, thought there was some truth to it. Eldred had already picked out a pair of gloves and placed out some of the supplies on the table. "Oh, nice. Thanks." Less work for him, but Sebastian still decided to help him unload the rest that was left inside the box. But first, putting on his own pair of gloves before he got his hands dirty.
Eldred looked at him closely, almost as if he examined him, with a smile that looked kind of forced. Normally he didn't mind people staring at him, but it was like he was holding back pain, or something. Sebastian gave him a questioning glance, raising his brows. He knew there wasn't anything on his face that could prompt such a reaction, he wouldn't have left his dorm looking anything less than fabulous.
"Are you alright? You look... kind of tense." After all, he didn't want to accidentally offend him.
As to why he was late, he wondered if he really was interested to know, or just was a control freak. Sebastian shrugged, "Oh, I was just being held preoccupied. Girls, you know," knowingly, assuming the other boy knew exactly what he meant. I mean, he was good looking, so why wouldn't he know? Swooning girls was after all not a foreign concept to Seb.
Matisse Montfort | Beauxbatons
23 Feb 2025, 16:57
Forced Teamwork
Spoken: #610000 Clothes: School Uniform
Eldred shrugged when the honking blasted in his ear from the side. His face briefly contorted. After the noise stopped and Sebastian continued speaking, he forced himself to relax again.
It didn’t do anyone any good if he took out his bad mood on Man-Drake. He could understand Sebastian‘s comment about not coming if he knew what today was about. Eldred almost had a genuine smile for itit, but then he realized what this implied —Eldred would have been alone on his team!
The smile faded, replaced by a calm face that struggled to form a neutral expression. When asked if he was okay, the boy simply replied,
"I don't like the smell here." Then he turned to the table and looked at Sebastian only, because the final explanation was given.
Girls? That's why he's late? Because of girls!?
“No, I don't know. What do you mean?” Eldred asked with forced politeness. “Just because you look okay, doesn’t mean you can be late because of some random girls…”
he commented, feeling like the biggest liar. Sebastian definitely didn’t just look okay.
Eldred reached for one of the pots and pulled it over to his side. His hand lingered on the sharp clay edge and the fingers tensed.
Interaction:@Sebastian Drake -Mentioned:-
23 Feb 2025, 17:24
Forced Teamwork
The smell of wet soil perhaps wasn't the best smell in the whole world, but he was a bit surprised that that was the reason Eldred seemed so pained. I mean, it really wasn't that bad, was it? Even if you didn't like it, you could just ignore it. Sebastian knew better than to say that though, so he simply gave his own opinion.
"Oh, really? I think it's kind of nice... in a down-to-earthy way." Sebastian commented casually, breathing in the smell once more for good measure. "You don't like to spend time in gardens? No favorite flower or something?" He himself had several, and had decorated his side of the dorm accordingly. It wasn't very popular among the rest of the boys who looked at them oddly, but no one had the audacity to tell him to remove them. Not that it was any of their business, and as long as no one mentioned it, he really didn't give a fuck about what they thought. But peonies was his absolute favorite. They were just so pretty; pink, full and they smelled nice too.
Apparently he couldn't relate to being swarmed by girls. Sebastian opened his mouth to explain, but was left stunned when the boy referred to him as simply okay looking. It would take more than that to deflate Sebastian's ego and confidence, which was virtually impossible, but it still bemused him--- and frankly pissed him off--- that Elded tried.... I don't know, to humble him? Had he seen him? No one could tell him that he wasn't the prettiest person in this room, if not the whole school! Yes, he thought that highly of himself. For good reason, he thought.
It actually made him laugh. Loudly. He stared at Eldred in disbelief. He must be fucking with him. "Don't be jealous." Was the first thing that came to mind, it really was the only explanation, though not specifying if he thought he was jealous of him or the girls. The way he said it made it sound like he was somewhat flattered.
"I didn't mean to be late, they just kept asking questions and it would be rude to just leave. Any other burning questions before we do this assignment?"
@Eldred Grayswell
"Oh, really? I think it's kind of nice... in a down-to-earthy way." Sebastian commented casually, breathing in the smell once more for good measure. "You don't like to spend time in gardens? No favorite flower or something?" He himself had several, and had decorated his side of the dorm accordingly. It wasn't very popular among the rest of the boys who looked at them oddly, but no one had the audacity to tell him to remove them. Not that it was any of their business, and as long as no one mentioned it, he really didn't give a fuck about what they thought. But peonies was his absolute favorite. They were just so pretty; pink, full and they smelled nice too.
Apparently he couldn't relate to being swarmed by girls. Sebastian opened his mouth to explain, but was left stunned when the boy referred to him as simply okay looking. It would take more than that to deflate Sebastian's ego and confidence, which was virtually impossible, but it still bemused him--- and frankly pissed him off--- that Elded tried.... I don't know, to humble him? Had he seen him? No one could tell him that he wasn't the prettiest person in this room, if not the whole school! Yes, he thought that highly of himself. For good reason, he thought.
It actually made him laugh. Loudly. He stared at Eldred in disbelief. He must be fucking with him. "Don't be jealous." Was the first thing that came to mind, it really was the only explanation, though not specifying if he thought he was jealous of him or the girls. The way he said it made it sound like he was somewhat flattered.
"I didn't mean to be late, they just kept asking questions and it would be rude to just leave. Any other burning questions before we do this assignment?"
@Eldred Grayswell
Matisse Montfort | Beauxbatons
23 Feb 2025, 17:49
Forced Teamwork
Spoken: #610000 Clothes: School Uniform
The boy stared at Sebastian intensly. His gray eyes darted from Sebastian's nose to his mouth, and then back up to his eyes. Somehow, he hadn't expected Man-Drake to say anything positive about the smell - with such a pretty face. "Maybe cow parsley or something" he answered confidently, though the word 'maybe' didn’t exactly radiate strength. He’d never really thought about flowers. His mother once told him that the white things that grow everywhere are called cow parsley, so that was the only decent answer that came to mind.
Years of eavesdropping on gossip, reading newspapers, and listening to his parents’ conversations had made Eldred an incredibly keen observer. He tried to study Sebastian's expression closely. The sudden loud laughter made his eyebrow rise. Was he laughing at him? Because he followed the rules and didn’t come late because of some girl?What the Merlin..!
Before Eldred felt compelled to reply, the comment about jealousy came. It felt like a punch to the gut, so much that it took him by complete surprise. Eldred couldn’t believe that the other boy came up with such an idea!
His grey eyes darkened slightly, and he subtly pulled the pot closer to his body. "Jealous..." he repeated, echoing the other boy. Then he leaned forward slightly and took a quick, deep breath. Eldred needed a moment to release the tension he felt the conversation hold, at least for him. He exhaled and reached for the sack where the two daffodil roots were waiting for them the entire time.
"Yes, I have a question. Why do you think I would be jealous of you? I don’t even know you... Now, are you getting the water, or should I?" With the last question, he tried to change the subject. He wasn’t sure if it would work, but he pointed to the small bucket anyway.
Interaction:@Sebastian Drake -Mentioned:-
23 Feb 2025, 18:35
Forced Teamwork
His comment seemed to have surprised the boy as much as being called 'okay' had surprised Sebastian. It was not appreciated: Eldreds eyes visibly darkened, clutching the pot of honking daffodil closer to his chest.
"Yes, you did sound jealous." Sebastian confirmed, his expression turning more smug by the second. Of course, he didn't have any proof that he actually was, but it was payback for insulting his appearance. Being average and okay was simply something he couldn't fathom, even if he didn't have that many opinions about others appearance. Unless they asked for it.
Sebastian had all but forgotten about the assignment at this point, the supplies laying forlorn on the table, untouched since he put on his protective gloves. Their little bickering had caused a few other students to turn their heads away from their daffodils to glance at them curiously, but Sebastian merely ignored it.
"I didn't say that you were jealous of me." His smirk widened at his own insinuation, though his eyes grew more doey and sweet. Though he didn't dare to clarify, that Eldred might be jealous because he had been talking to other people, worried that it would earn him a smack in the face. On one hand, he wasn't sure if the other boy would be offended or not if he had. And he also knew that it was not realistic. He was right: they didn't know each other until now. But still, the thought of the admittedly cute guy being jealous and fancying him would have pleased him a great deal.
"I'll get the water." He offered eventually, still feeling a bit smug after teasing the boy, and rose from his chair to fetch a bucket.
@Eldred Grayswell
"Yes, you did sound jealous." Sebastian confirmed, his expression turning more smug by the second. Of course, he didn't have any proof that he actually was, but it was payback for insulting his appearance. Being average and okay was simply something he couldn't fathom, even if he didn't have that many opinions about others appearance. Unless they asked for it.
Sebastian had all but forgotten about the assignment at this point, the supplies laying forlorn on the table, untouched since he put on his protective gloves. Their little bickering had caused a few other students to turn their heads away from their daffodils to glance at them curiously, but Sebastian merely ignored it.
"I didn't say that you were jealous of me." His smirk widened at his own insinuation, though his eyes grew more doey and sweet. Though he didn't dare to clarify, that Eldred might be jealous because he had been talking to other people, worried that it would earn him a smack in the face. On one hand, he wasn't sure if the other boy would be offended or not if he had. And he also knew that it was not realistic. He was right: they didn't know each other until now. But still, the thought of the admittedly cute guy being jealous and fancying him would have pleased him a great deal.
"I'll get the water." He offered eventually, still feeling a bit smug after teasing the boy, and rose from his chair to fetch a bucket.
@Eldred Grayswell
Matisse Montfort | Beauxbatons
23 Feb 2025, 18:59
Forced Teamwork
Spoken: #610000 Clothes: School Uniform
The smug expression of the other person got directly under Eldred's skin. It stirred emotions that sent heat into his ears, turning them into a flushed color. Maybe it was shame or anger, but the boy wanted nothing more than to scream into his pillow and kick the wall with his bare feet.
How could someone be as arrogant as this boy? What was even more bewildering: how could someone be so full of themselves just because of their looks!? He was probably terrible at every subject and failed at the simplest tasks.
Eldred never wanted to be judgmental. He had firmly resolved to maintain a neutral stance and stay calm. He wanted to work on himself and become a perfectly polite and calm presence at Hogwarts. So far, that plan had wokred out, but this Sebastian Man-Drake with his pretty eyes was getting under his skin and irritated him beyond measure!
Did he think Eldred was jealous of the girls? Just the thought of it made Eldred briefly hold his breath, forbidding himself to answer it. Sebastian Drake didn’t deserve an answer. Eldred swore to himself that he wouldn’t explain himself.
Instead, he stared at him quietly with red ears. It was boiling inside the grayed eye boy, and that was definitely visible!
He saw out of the corner of his eye how the other students were looking at the two of them, observing what was going on. He didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of a reaction.
Maybe if they were in the dormitory or a more private part of the library—yes, there he would have snapped back at him, and surely hit back with something clever!
That’s what Eldred hoped for from himself, at least.
"Yeah. Go get it. I’ll open the bags" the boy finally growled between his teeth. At that, the red skin and heat also spread to his cheeks. Eldred forced his eyes off of Sebastian and grabbed roughly to the sag, pulling the strings to reveal the dirty inside.
Interaction:@Sebastian Drake -Mentioned:-
23 Feb 2025, 19:33
Forced Teamwork
It was so easy to embarrass this guy, Sebastian thought in fluttering amusement as he went to grab the bucket. Not out of spite or malice—really, there was no reason why it would be embarrassing to like Sebastian. He was perfect, after all. Though, he'd initially tried to get back at him for the insult, by suggesting he had multi-faced feelings. Aside from that, Sebastian wasn't a mean or vindictive person—usually. But after letting the interaction simmer for a moment, it was just... a bit cute? If that was the right word for it?
Still wearing a smile thinking about how his ears had flushed crimson at his words, that had been nothing more than playfully teasing in the end, he returned to the spot beside him. Eyeing him with interest to see if he had collected himself or is he was still all flustered.
The color on his cheeks seemed to have muted down a bit, now scrunched a bit in focus. Maybe because he was too busy trying to pour dirt inside the pot without getting all dirty himself. Another thing Sebastian found greatly amusing. Sebastian might not look it, but he had a green thumb and didn't mind the mess that came with re-potting plants and handling soil. He considered if he should just offer to do it himself since it would be quicker, but decided that he enjoyed watching for a bit more.
He leaned closer under pretense of just reaching for the roots, teasing once more with a gorgeous grin. "You know, you're wearing gloves, right?" The whole point of them was that he could dig in the soil without getting dirty. Eldred didn't seem to have gotten the memo yet.
"I can do it if you'd prefer. I don't mind getting dirty," Sebastian shrugged. "Like you clearly do."
@Eldred Grayswell
Still wearing a smile thinking about how his ears had flushed crimson at his words, that had been nothing more than playfully teasing in the end, he returned to the spot beside him. Eyeing him with interest to see if he had collected himself or is he was still all flustered.
The color on his cheeks seemed to have muted down a bit, now scrunched a bit in focus. Maybe because he was too busy trying to pour dirt inside the pot without getting all dirty himself. Another thing Sebastian found greatly amusing. Sebastian might not look it, but he had a green thumb and didn't mind the mess that came with re-potting plants and handling soil. He considered if he should just offer to do it himself since it would be quicker, but decided that he enjoyed watching for a bit more.
He leaned closer under pretense of just reaching for the roots, teasing once more with a gorgeous grin. "You know, you're wearing gloves, right?" The whole point of them was that he could dig in the soil without getting dirty. Eldred didn't seem to have gotten the memo yet.
"I can do it if you'd prefer. I don't mind getting dirty," Sebastian shrugged. "Like you clearly do."
@Eldred Grayswell
Matisse Montfort | Beauxbatons