Horror Stories By Candlelight PV Cottage Chaos Cabin

February 12th 2025
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
@Scout Fu-Hai - @Ava Winchect - @Colin McCoire - @Jun Mayumi Mochizuki - @Meyra Lancaster - Cursa McCoire - Casey Stone

Emily never expected Casey to be so open about this whole thing. Of course, for some time she suspected that he couldn't give a flying toss anymore, but even at that... Nick was Casey's bread and butter, his backbone, the person he cared about the most that he would move Heaven and earth if it meant getting him back. There was once a time Casey determinedly claimed that no one else could understand the pain of not knowing if someone you loved was alive or dead while they were missing, yet Casey has gone and opened his heart regardless of his grief falling flat amongst the ears of those who were still somewhat strangers to him.

Scout brought up a point that Emily was thinking too similarly. She looked at Casey as they awaited his answer. To suddenly have a werewolf or vampire brother... Even if the chances were a million to one worst case scenario... Casey had to be prepared for it. Emily frowned when he didn't answer instantly.

"Well... If it is of any comfort, werewolves and dhampirs are lovely people. Despite the genes, they sport more human than anyone gives them credit for." Heck, Casey was sitting two spots down away from a dhampir... Scout! If only he knew... With all they've been able to patch up together, the sudden reveal of her being part vampire wouldn't revolt him. Or would it?

But of course, Emily was also aware that she was instinctively more empathetic of such people than anyone else she's met. Maybe the odd one or two, but they couldn't rival her heart for them. Casey had his heart closed off for so long, she couldn't see him being ready for such a change. He might even think Scout was lying to him all this time. Not that she was! There was just a crucial bit of information that she was withholding, for better or for worse.

Emily nudged Casey's arm in a supportive manner, even if it only roused a small grunt of acknowledgement from him. Better than nothing!

Suddenly Emily yawned, covering her mouth as fatigue suddenly overcame her. "Oh my... Sorry, I don't know where that came from." She attempted to laugh it off before she yawned again. She felt Casey's concerned eyes on her.

"You're tired."

Emily nodded, finding it impossible to disagree. Indeed she was. For good reason that Casey was well aware of by now, due to the back and forth of their recent letters together. Emily didn't even have to look at him. She knew he was looking down at her finger. While it didn't look aggravated, nor have the accompanying voiced been bothering her as of late, she still had weird, lucid dreams of liminal spaces and empty rooms. The ending of them was always the same. Alone and done for. A sad ending which always had Emily wake up in tears.

"It doesn't matter how much I settle in the beginning, I always..." Another tired yawn escaped her. Emily sighed. Even having conversations was proving troublesome with her lack of sleep. I'm starting to have trouble remembering when exactly was the last time I slept well."

"You're just burnt out," Casey replied. "The mind can only take so much before it causes the rest of the body to crash. What you're feelin' is wearin' you down and therefore makin' you sleep infrequently."

Emily moaned. He was right. If only something would chew her finger off, then maybe this whole thing would stop. A gritty alternative... But what else was Emily supposed to do? She would sleep soundly before it would be cut off by some horrible dream, let alone the voices that distorted her mind and reality.

Just then, a chirp from outside slipped into the room and not long after, Tavra flew in through the open window by the door. She zoomed in, careening over Colin's head and dive bombing across the table before crash landing into Scout's lap. Casey's evidence papers all slid to one side of the table, some of them falling onto the floor.

Emily blinked, marginally more awake now that Tavra unironically woke her up with her spectacle in juvenile flying. She exhaled before reaching over to lift Tavra off of Scout, scratching the owl's fluffy little noggin.

"We need to work on your landing, sweetpea..." she said, more of a mental note than anything. She saw a letter tucked into Tavra's talons and took it off her. The letter was addressed to her, her name written in handwriting Emily was very familiar with.

She smiled. It was from "Auntie".

She opened it up and inside was a letter, along with a small shiny black stone.

"Oh! I've been looking forever for this one!" Emily said. Black tourmaline!"

She felt a few confused faces zero in on her.

"Black tourmaline is a crystal that's said to contain healing properties and can cleanse and strengthen one's soul," she explained. "I already have plenty of stones that are used for healing, protection and cleansing... But this is meant to be one of the most powerful of healing stones, since it has the ability to do all three!"

She grinned as she felt the smooth skin of the stone in her fingertips. She held onto it tightly as she read the letter.

My dear child,

From the looks that Tavra has been giving whenever she delivers me your routinely letters, I'm beginning to believe that something is wrong. While I know you couldn't come home this February because of your excitement to go to France, that won't stop me from continuing to be your wise councillor.

Your letters indicate no distress, but my darling Emily, words are only one form of communication. The others are eyes - which Tavra has been beautifully demonstrating with your letters - and silence.

Silence more often than not indicates something afoot. I dare say that's the only thing your parents have confidently taught you simply by being absent from your day to day life. The thing "afoot" with them is that they're your parents, but they are not parenting you. That being said, I will spare you the conventional "talk to me" speech.

But I do want you to know that I'm forever proud of you. You've always been a good kid. I've taught you some things, the rest you have managed to discover for yourself. Being able to hold your hand as you navigate two weird worlds at the same time fills me with unbridled joy. At such a young age, you've become independent. Though you're not a woman just yet! Revel in your youth once in a while! Don't tackle the world all at once. Experience it through the eyes of a 13 year old.

You can hide in your silence but you cannot get stronger if you don't embrace flaws with your eyes open. Balance is a process. Love both sides or yourself. Neglect one, and you'll have doomed the other. You are sunrise and sunset. Day and night. Good and flawed. But my child, you're also strong and you must realise that.

This stone will teach you that lesson in my absence. You are my girl, Emily... My precious ward, but forever the best of your family.

Matthew sends his best wishes. You can thank him for finding the stone! He's got a good eye for things like that. We'll both see you soon. Until then, be brave my girl. And be well.

Auntie

Tears. Hot tears. Feel-good tears. Happy tears. They were running down Emily's cheeks. They ran over her smiling lips, pooling at the curve of her chin and splishing onto her hand. She snuggled Tavra when she came to comfort her. She wept silently and she buried a cheek into Tavra's fluffy head.

The voices were nowhere to be heard, like they had been banished away. Her finger felt normal for the first time in a while. The relief Emily felt to know that somehow, amidst her current state, she was perfect.

A weight shifted in her. She felt tired again. Before long, she slumped gently against Casey.

"Auntie" had always sung her lullabies when she was a little girl to send her off to sleep. It would appear even at 13, lullabies could ail even the most dreaded curses.

Emily smiled softly in her sudden sleep. A silent thank you to the woman that had unwittingly sent her into a sleep she had been wanting for so long.

_{Word Count: 1411}

Casey's post is coming soon (maybe in a day or two )

Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace

Roleplaying as Casey Stone from Ilvermorny

February 12th 2025
Speech: Bold #257379
Thoughts: Bold Italics
@Scout Fu-Hai - @Ava Winchect - @Colin McCoire - @Jun Mayumi Mochizuki - @Meyra Lancaster - Cursa McCoire - Emily Shephard

"Would you still be looking for your brother like this if he weren't human anymore?"

Scout had made it sound like that possibility was set in stone. Casey stared off into space as he thought about it. Half-beings looked human... Most of the time. They sounded human... Most of the time. They acted human... Most of the time. But Nick was a born and bred human being the entire time Casey knew him.

The matter was trivial. "Yes" should've been the obvious answer. Nick was his flesh and blood. But would it still be enough to make up for a hypothetical pad of fur or set of fangs, or otherwise?

Casey couldn't answer. He was ashamed for even thinking he couldn't accept that. Emily didn't miss a beat when she noticed his prolonged silence. Casey didn't have to be reminded that magical creatures, in any quantity, were capable of being just as "human" as he himself. Still, he felt obligated to take her opinion into consideration.

"Yeah, I know..."

He heard a few stifled yawns from his Huffie friend and turned to face her. He searched her face, taking note of her bloodshot eyes and the dark circles underneath them. "You're tired," he said bluntly. He knew he caught her out when she didn't protest.

"I'm starting to have trouble remembering when exactly was the last time I slept well."

"You're just burnt out. The mind can only take so much before it causes the rest of the body to crash. What you're feelin' is wearin' you down and therefore makin' you sleep infrequently."

He glanced down at her finger. He could see her trying to hide the small mark that was there. Every letter he had gotten from her in the last month, he could feel the tiredness in her handwriting. It was as obvious as her anxiety in their overseas conversations. Now he was seeing it first hand with her just sitting there next to him. He found it amazing how she was able to run around with all the energy she had the day before.

His attention was instantly drawn to the open window beside the main door when Emily's owl Tavra flew in, making an over the top entrance as she tumbled across the table and landing in a tangled mess of feathers and flapping in Scout's lap. He stretched over as he tried to catch some of the evidence that were flapped away by Tavra's shenanigans, the rest floating to the floor.

"Good Christ, Tav..." he sighed.

He watched Emily gingerly pluck Tavra off Scout's lap and take the letter she came to deliver. Leaning over, he saw the small crystal that fell out - black tourmaline as Emily announced - and the letter she began to read silently for herself.

Casey in the meantime tidied up some of the evidence that spilled over the table, piling some of it to one side while he reached down to the floor to collect the rest. Watching Tavra as he emerged back from under the table, he smirked amusingly.

"I suppose now's a good time for a break, huh."

Then he suddenly got a look at Emily's face. She was crying. But she didn't look like she was upset or desolate. Not when she was smiling the way that she was. He lightly took her shoulder. "Em... Y'alright...? You good...?"

He got no answer, though if her expression told him anything, she was just fine. He felt it as he tenderly held onto her arm. Whatever was written on that letter must have completely changed whatever was on Emily's mind for her to become relaxed, both physically and mentally. The tears were just the by-product.

"C'mere..." he whispered. Wrapping her with his arm, he brought her in to lean into him, shifting his head slightly to let hers rest in the crook of his neck. It wasn't even a minute later before he felt her fall slack against him. He peeked down at her and saw her eyes closed. She was out cold. He chuckled quietly.

"Welp, there she goes... Burn out." He repositioned her until she was a little more comfortable, or at least whatever made sure that she wouldn't get a stiff neck snoozing against him with the way she was sitting. He invited Tavra onto his shoulder and gently pried the letter and stone out of her hands before she would drop them.

"Here. Someone take her for me. I'll carry her stuff over if someone can help me get her back to her bed," he said openly to the rest of the group.

"The gal deserves a decent night's sleep after a shit-show of a few weeks, right?"

_{Word Count: 834}

Stats: Stamina: 8 | Strength: 7 | Evasion: 7 | Wisdom: 6 | Arc Power: 6 | Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Fearless |Poison Resistance

Colin listened intently as Casey laid out all the evidence of the strange attack on his own family. He was about to ask a question when --- "YEEP!" One of the annoying twins --- Jun maybe? No! Meyra! --- decided to sneak up on him and give him a surprise! He turned towards the first year and narrowed his eyes. Her own glinted with mischief. Grr. Have to deal with that later.

"You are very easy to scare," she whispered with a smirk on her face.

Huh.

Colin glared. But Casey resumed his recounting the whole story. He turned his attention from Miss Most Annoying Danger Noodle Ever back to the papers scattered on the table. He reached over and turned them so he could read. There were reports. Mostly just bare facts, but the pictures spoke volumes. Casey called them "lazy slobs", the people who wrote the reports. No wonder. They all seemed pretty short.

Three died, two missing, two came back. Colin winced. "Two missing..." he whispered. Cursa pointed out Nick's name. Colin gathered that must be Casey's brother. His heart hurt for the younger boy. He knew very well what Casey must be going through. He'd spent his whole second year deceived into thinking that Liam was dead and buried, only to discover that his deepest heart had been right all along. Liam wasn't actually dead, only missing. He'd been snatched, of course, so there were differences in the stories, but still.

Colin had been blessed in that AngelFyre and Clair helped him solve the mystery, and of course dear Ciarán too! His heart swelled knowing that Emily was behind her friend's efforts to find his missing brother. She had a big heart, that girl. "Eyes of Sky," he whispered softly. Cursa shot him a queer look. Colin blushed slightly. "Shutitmccoire," he kicked Cursa's shin. Cursa snorted, trying hard not to laugh.

Just then, an owl flew in through one of the windows. Colin recognised it from the owlery, but didn't know whose it was. The silly thing crashed onto the table and scattered papers and photos in every direction! "Whoa! Watch yerself owliekins!" It crashed into Scout, and Colin thought at first, it must be her owl; but twas Emily that retrieved the bird and its attached letter.

There was a stone enclosed. Emily mentioned that it had healing powers. Colin thought that was sus, but maybe it was an enchanted stone? Emily read the letter. He noticed that she clutched the stone in her --- cursed --- hand. Colin wasn't sure who "Auntie" was, but her letter certainly sounded a lot like his own Seanmamó's letters. Full of ancient wisdom and encouragement. Colin was glad Emmi had someone like that in her family too!

Mind you, Colin wasn't so sure he'd read her letters aloud! She sometimes teased him when it came to girls!

Colin watched as tears rolled down Emily's face. She was smiling, though, so he knew at least she was happy. Then she tipped over and collapsed on Casey's shoulder. Colin and Cursa helped Casey with all the scattered papers. Emily was completely zonked out. Colin watched her sleep. She seemed peaceful. He knew that the last month or so had been really bad for her. He knew what she'd been into and what it can do to you.

Colin nodded when Casey asked for help getting Emily back into her bed. It had been a most interesting session around the table. Colin was left with many things to think about. He knelt down and scooped Emily up into his arms. Cursa raised his eyebrow. He smiled as her head rested on his shoulder. Her breathing was soft and gentle on his skin. He liked the feeling. It somehow felt right. Carrying Emily like this. "Come now lassie," he whispered softly. "Off to wander the byroads of Dreamland. I just pray your dreams will be joyful and not sorrowful."

Colin followed after Casey, back into the bedroom. Cursa was behind him. He could just tell his cousin was giving him the look. And undoubtedly Miss Easy To Scare would follow suit! She seemed just the type of kid who would give Colin a lifetime worth of grief! It was a mercy her twin was still sleeping! It was bad enough having a cousin poking fun that you liked a girl! But to have those two troublemakers --- and fellow werewolves! --- also poking fun at him! It was unbearable!

Colin got Emily back into her bunk at last and tucked in. He smiled. Colin leaned close towards Emily. He whispered, so that only her deepest heart could hear: "Dream peaceful, Eyes of Sky..."

@Emily Shephard | @Scout Fu-Hai | @Ava Winchect | @Jun Mayumi Mochizuki | @Meyra Lancaster | Casey Stone

Roleplaying as Casey Stone from Ilvermorny

February 12th 2025
Speech: Bold #257379
Thoughts: Bold Italics
@Scout Fu-Hai - @Ava Winchect - @Colin McCoire - Cursa McCoire - Emily Shephard

Casey watched as Colin picked his buddy up off the sofa, holding her close in his arms. No one suited the task better than him. Colin certainly looked and acted a lot more chivalrous than Casey did. More so when it came to Emily as Casey had observed throughout the day.

He leaned on the side of the door frame as he watched Colin set her back down into her bed. He had whispered something to her that Casey didn't quite catch, but the face he had gave away what Colin was thinking. Cursa had a reaction to tick off Colin and Casey curved a smile up one side of his mouth. He deposited Emily's letter and stone underneath her pillow before loping quietly over to his bag and extracting a small sheet of paper and a pen. He etched a few lines and signed it off, handing it gently to Tavra who remained perched at his side.

"Send that to Nora with my regards," he said, tickling her tummy.

Tavra, with a final snuggle into the crook of Casey's neck, flittered off his shoulder and took off back out of the room and out the open window, beginning her travels back to Belfast. Casey shifted his attention back to Emily and Colin. Emily snoozed, almost dead to the world around her while Colin watched over her.

Casey sat on the ground, his back resting against the end of Emily's bed.

"You're very good to her," he said admirably to the platinum-blonde-headed McCoire. "She thinks fondly of you. And Scout and her..." Casey pointed a finger to Ava Winchect, who remained blissfully passed out in her own bed.

"Y'all are friends, but Emily thinks you guys closer as family. She told me so herself in one of her letters. I dunno if y'all know that". It wasn't until he said it out loud that, that also applied to himself as well, something which made Casey fall shy under. He should know because Emily made that part clear to him too many a time in person. "The lady that sent that letter and stone over is the only person Emily has back home to lean on. I ain't gonna say too much about her folks because frankly, it ain't my business to tell... But they ain't 'round an a lot of the time, I'll say that much".

Casey always wondered if Emily ever seethed with jealousy or envy because of how different their family relationships were whenever they were brought up in conversations. Casey only had to worry about a missing brother. Emily was missing her parents and expressed sad curiosity if they ever missed her in turn. He would hardly blame her for looking to Scout and others for company, much less feel a better sense of "family" with them than with her own folks, even if no one could replace "Auntie" as the best of them all. It was a much healthier relationship than Mr. and Mrs Workaholic Parent, that's for sure.

"You and Scout know about it, don't you? The mark on her finger, I mean," he said, his voice lower. "Story goes she got it when someone asked her to give blood to a tree in the forest. Since then she's been hearin' whispers in her head, tauntin' her about her inner fears and insecurities, mockin' her dreams... She told me she'd wake up in a cold sweat, teary-eyed. Callin' for me and Scout. Callin' for you".

He looked back over to see Emily still fast asleep. "We spotted the bastard that started it at the tea party earlier today. Gideon, his name is". Casey narrowed a look to the floor as he pictured the unsettlingly saccharine face he had. Something oozed all kinds of wrong off Gideon, even when he hadn't done anything.

He faced Colin. "You know him? He's in your year so maybe you do. What's he like? How bad is he? Do I gotta kill him?"

He cracked a stiff knuckle. "Because if I find out he's been tormentin' Emily some more behind my back or anyone else in any other way, I just might".

_{Word Count: 653}

Stats: Stamina: 8 | Strength: 7 | Evasion: 7 | Wisdom: 6 | Arc Power: 6 | Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Fearless |Poison Resistance

Cursa made a little throbbing heart shape with his hands once Colin turned away from Emily. Colin glared and tried to kick his cousin's shin, but the American was quick to evade. Colin glared at Cursa whilst Casey was busy with the wayward owl. He crouched down on the floor, and Cursa sat down opposite. After a moment, Casey came back and joined them, sitting at the end of Emily's bunk.

"You're very good to her," Casey began.

"Yeah, he's a regular knight in no armour, Case!" Cursa interjected, giving Colin a wicked smile. Colin shook his head slowly. "Seriously Case, I think --- I think Colin is just good to everyone." Colin noticed the sudden change in expression. He wasn't teasing, was he? No, he was serious. "And no, I ain't kidding, Colin!"

"Y'all are friends, but Emily thinks you guys closer as family. She told me so herself in one of her letters. I dunno if y'all know that" Casey said.

Colin shook his head. His gaze flitted over towards Emily's sleeping form. "We met last year, but really, there's a lot I don't know about her," Colin said.

"Other way around, too I expect," quipped Cursa. "I'm sure your dates will be very interesting, Col! Won't be all smogging with this one will it?" Cursa whispered hoarsely.

"Snog--- Wait. What!? Shutitmccoire!" Colin blushed, the red rising up from his chest and turning his face as bright as any tomato. How had Cursa picked up on his fancying Emmi so quickly? Colin moaned inside. He hoped Casey wouldn't join in too. Fortunately, the younger boy changed the topic. He began speaking about Emily's family.

Colin focused on Casey as he spoke. These were things he didn't yet know about the girl. He'd heard her talk about her aunt, of course, but he didn't know anything about her family. He thought it was sad that her parents weren't around much. He thought about his own family. Even with like twenty kids around all the time, his Da and Ma seemed to have time for them. Yes, things had been sour since last summer, but parents not being around was never something he'd experienced.

His heart broke for her.

Casey asked about the dark mark on her hand, and how they'd seen the boy that involved. Colin nodded. Cursa remained silent, clearly as interested in the reply as Casey must be. "Aye. I know." Colin shook his head slowly. "She's got a big heart, has dear Emmi. Maybe you know more about this than me, cos I don't really understand it. She's always on about magical creatures, right. I mean. Who doesn't like a niffler, right? But this lassie is always on about trying to understand dark creatures. Trying to see the good even monsters." Colin's mind circled around that particular term. It wasn't just swooping evils and dementors that were monsters, was it? Somewhere in the long list there were dhampirs and werewolves too...

Colin sighed. "She said that she was just trying to help the forest. I reckon I don't quite know what she meant by that." Cursa gave Colin a quizzical look. It dawned on Colin that neither boy would understand the reference. "The forest --- the Forbidden Forest --- it's home to all kinds of monsters and dark creatures. I mean! Not only dark creatures. There's Centaurs living there. But there're also acromantulas and all kinds of other creatures. Not sure if there any dragons, though. They say Mr Hagrid --- he was the gamekeeper like a hundred years ago --- brought in a lot of wayward dark creatures and gave them a home in the Forbidden Forest. Anyway. We're not allowed to go in there. Against the rules, right?"

"Well, naturally," Colin continued, "I've been in there loads of times. Tis a big place. Closer to the castle it's just like any other forest. But there are also dark places. I've heard the whispers in there." He stared into Casey's eyes. "Not ever creature you meet in there is one that lives there. Some are creatures you bring with you. I think they're stronger in the forest." Colin looked down at the wooden floor. "She told me about the Heart of the Forest. There's this ancient tree in there. Some man told her some bollocks about helping the forest by sacrificing her blood to the Heart of the Forest. Emmi's got a good heart, but I think she fell for a story."

Colin's fist clenched. "And yeah, I know who Gideon is. He's a shadow in the dark, that one."


"Wait," Cursa said. He scooted closer to Colin and Casey. "This isn't about that potion is it?" he asked. Colin's gaze focused on Cursa. He was about to say something, but Cursa cut him off. "Liam told me. He loves you so much Colin. That much is obvious. We had a good talk. I felt --- He treated me like you do. Like a brother. Anyway. He told me some of the bat shit things you do when on that potion."

"W---Bats? I don't do anything with bat shits, Cursa," Colin replied, but Cursa ignored him.

"Oh? No bat shit crazy? Tell me that you normally hop on that broom of yours, naked, mind, and fly around the lake in a snow storm?" Cursa appealed to Casey for sanity: "Honestly, Case, do normal kids fly their brooms naked in a snow storm? Or what about climbing a tall tree and jumping out of it, just you can see how long you can wait before casting arresto? Colin. That's bat shit crazy!"

"I --- It's fun?" Colin stammered.

"I dunno Colin. But I remember that name being mentioned. Gideon. And a --- certain piece of parchment --- regarding a certain potion." Cursa leaned in closer to Casey. "Liam --- that's Colin's brother. The Horned Serpent one! He said Colin was trying to make that horrible stuff."

"I never did," Colin said.

Cursa looked over at Colin. "Good. You scared the shit out of Liam. And he had me worried. But if that potion of yours, and this Gideon, and that girl, and this Heart of the Forest are all connected ..." Cursa nodded towards Emily.

"Aye. I think it's all connected. And no, I never made the potion. And I never will. She got into the stuff a while back. Actually, her whole House did. Someone left bottles of the stuff all around their Common Room." Colin shook his head. "And they just started drinking it! If you can believe that!"

Cursa snorted. "Yeah. Says the boy who found his own bottle in some dusty room in the castle, with his name on it no less, and thought it was a good idea to drink it?" He raised his eyebrow. "Daft."

Colin rolled his eyes. Clearly, well it had my name on it! wasn't going to be a good enough defense. "Whatevermccoire. Thing is, it was making them do all kinds of crazy things and there were visions and horrible dreams and voices and all that. Just like Emmi told ye, Casey. I actually found her lying out in the cold grass one day. She said everything was fluffy. I mean. Emily has a way with words, but --- fluffy? She even said me hair was fluffy!"

Colin let out a deep breath. His eyes darted between Cursa and Casey. "Once I saw her bottle, I knew what the stuff was. It made sense. I mean. I'm no stranger to shadowy whispers and all, even without the potion. But that stuff just makes it all the worse. Taunting. Inner fears. Insecurities. The voices are all that and more, I can tell you. A few of us got together to sort it out. AngelFyre --- you remember her, Cursa, she was me partner during the Potions Championship!"

Cursa blushed. "Heheh. Yeah, cute girl. I thought she was girlfriend..."

"Even she got an accidental nip of it and it turned her all daft! I think her boyfriend Simon was about the only Hufflepuff who didn't get any of it. Lucky him. Anyway, they helped me see what was going on. It all fits now. Gideon. The Heart of the Forest. The blood sacrifice. The mushrooms."

"Oh, Merlin, not the mushrooms again!" Cursa laughed.

"And the bones... It's all making sense. I don't know everything Emmi knows yet, but I'm certain this Gideon is the mastermind behind all this. He may not be responsible for the attack back last fall, but I'm sure he's involved in the potion attack this last month or so. Anyway, AngelFyre, Simon and Emmi --- just hearing what they've gone through, it just made me want to fight against this potion. I hadn't drunk any since like last September. But now, well, I wanted to utterly destroy it. Get rid of it. Twas with them that I thought of a way to destroy it. We'd learned the bombardment charm this year, and I thought, good timing! I've seen what that can do! And I reckoned, hitting the potion with that --- that would be the beginning of all our healing."

Colin's gaze turned towards Emily again, still sound asleep.

"You really look after her don't you, Colin? She seems like a nice girl. Smart to your daft, as Liam would say! Interesting how that girl got you to do something your own brother couldn't..."

Colin's eyes were still on Emily.

"Emmi," he whispered. Colin truly hoped that destroying the potion would be the catalyst that would heal her heart, as well as his. "Eyes of Sky..."

"Wh---What's that mean, Colin? Eyes of Sky?" Cursa asked.

Colin blushed. Deeply.

Cursa chuckled. "Oh! That! Go on, you can tell us!"

"I ---" Colin looked from one boy to the other. He smiled. "I---I think I've fallen in love with Emmi, Cursa," he said softly. His brain might have only thought it, but his heart could have told him plainly that this was true. "She's in my heart." Colin looked back over towards the girl. Hopefully she would become his girl, just as he would become her boy.

@Emily Shephard | @Scout Fu-Hai | @Ava Winchect | @Jun Mayumi Mochizuki | @Meyra Lancaster | Casey Stone

Roleplaying as Casey Stone from Ilvermorny

February 12th 2025
Speech: Bold #257379
Thoughts: Bold Italics
@Scout Fu-Hai - @Ava Winchect - @Colin McCoire - @Jun Mayumi Mochizuki - @Meyra Lancaster - Cursa McCoire - Emily Shephard

Casey found it quite sweet the way Colin was hovering close to Emily. She may have been absolutely exhausted to even notice a breath of his presence but that just made it all the more amusing for Casey - and Cursa, going by his teasing remarks - to watch. It didn't go unnoticed by Casey that his Hogwarts friend had a special talent for being a person magnet. She told him once that she wasn't looking to be popular or trying to get noticed. Not that Casey cared, let alone did it matter. Emily was a nice girl, nice enough for anyone to feel at ease just with her presence alone, something which he thought she wasn't aware of. She always seemed too busy being her bubbly self to realise it for herself.

Meyra came into the room shortly after the boys, after catching on to Casey's concern about this Gideon fella's involvement in the ordeal in question. "Don't speak so lightly about killing someone." she said to him. Casey pinched his nose.

"Not everyone can take a dry joke, can they..." he muttered quietly to himself before facing Meyra. "I ain't cold hearted to take vengeance like that, sweetheart, so you can relax. I'm just concerned, that's all. And as for the information, they're all reliable, from more or less reliable sources... And I say that because they're damn near impenetrable when it comes to interrogations. The fact I got these documents at all is a damn miracle. A lot of the people I talked to want to forget whatever it is that's happened to Nick and the victims affected. Had I'd not been his brother, I probably wouldn't have gotten all this stuff at all. I'm still a kid in their eyes, which I kinda am I guess... But I have a right to know what's goin' on."

Cursa then chimed in with something that poked Casey's memory back to the Potions Championship. Apparently Colin had a lick of something that he believed Gideon to be the mastermind behind, which linked to another ordeal. Emily hadn't spoken much to Casey about the suspicious juice she ingested a little while ago, but he could still piece together that it wasn't making Emily's current state of mind any less stressful. Thanks to Colin, Meyra and Cursa's input however, the situation finally sat at a level of grim that Casey can finally confidently say aloud that wasn't good for all involved.

"Ohh. I was wonderin' what you guys were yappin' on about back then. So what you're sayin' is that it's bad news. Great... We'll add it to the list. That means keepin' a more watchful eye on that Gideon fella. And Emily."

But that wasn't the only thing that surprised Casey.

"We met last year, but really, there's a lot I don't know about her," Colin had mentioned earlier. Casey raised an intrigued brow.

"Is that so? From the way she talks about you, I thought you guys went back a lot further." Casey reached for his blanket on his bed and placed it under him, getting comfortable as he sat on the floor with his legs stretched out.

"Well, you already got the first and foremost thing about her, that being she lives and breathes nature and magical creatures. If you want, I can give ya a quick crash course on some of the other basics about her. For example, her favourite flower is hydrangea. Let's see... She's a big reader. I bet if you give her a book, she'll say she's either already read it or will devour it then and there instantly. To say she's clever that way would be underselling it. What else... Oh right! Remember that tourmaline stone? Well, she's got a lot of others like it. She keeps a few in her pockets at all times. She's kinda into that whole muggle spiritual healing and divination stuff. She gets that from Nora, the lady that looks after her. Speaking of, Emily calls her "Auntie" but they ain't related by blood or anythin' like that. Nora's just the nanny employed by her parents to look after her. I know, it's complicated and an easy misconception to make because of that... But Emily speaks the world of her if you ever ask about her. I guarantee you she'll talk your ear off about her."

Honestly, if you looked up Emily in the dictionary there was a whole lot more to say about her, Casey thought. In the end, Casey shrugged and smiled encouragingly. "As for the rest... Just ask her. She'd probably appreciate learnin' some more about you too. She seems to get pretty excited talkin' about stuff when people question her on things, as well as vice versa. In a way, that's kinda how we got to know every ounce about each other when we spoke properly to each other last summer."

Casey had never known someone as intimately as he did with Emily. The amount he knew about her almost rivalled his relationship with Nick, given that he and him were equally as close. Almost. He wondered if this is what Scout felt like to be her best friend, knowing the two of them were two halves of a perfect whole, friendship-wise.

He saw Colin trying to wrap his head around Emily's fascination for magical creatures. Casey shook his head. "I can't say I know why myself. I mean, there's magizoologist levels of interest and then there's Emily. I dunno. Maybe she's just a big animal lover. She's also Muggle-born, so maybe it stems from muggle fascination as well. Who knows really."

All Casey knew was that Emily delivered love and empathy in spades. "She means well though. Her moral compass is as clear as a crystal. Maybe she did fall for a story, but if she said she was doin' it to help the forest then that sentiment will have come first indefinitely. Did she ever tell ya she found a unicorn in the forest once? The best day of her life, she said, the day she told me. She also said it's a sign that there's always light in the dark. A sign of balance."

Casey pointed to Emily's bag. "I'll bet she packed her tarot deck with her. It's all about using our "dark" side to accept flaws and keep in touch with our inner selves to proceed in life. She's a bit of a fan of duality. That's what she's always sayin' about half-beings. They ain't monsters, she says. They just show different sides... Different "shades" of themselves that appear and disappear during the day and night. She feels a lot of empathy for them. She wants to see the world get better at acceptin' darkness so everyone can find balance, includin' half-beings. She doesn't want people seein' them as beasts."

Admittedly, since he wasn't super versed in the topic as Emily was, Casey still didn't understand an awful lot about it. Emily would be able to explain it much better than he ever could.

The whole time Casey was rambling on, Colin was still casting glances at Emily's sleeping form. She stirred a little before she shifted to one side of her bed. Casey smirked. Even in her sleep she was just an adorable ball of sunshine. Colin muttered something that Casey marginally picked up on, to which Cursa egged him to explain. Then the bombshell of all secrets was made known to those awake in the cabin.

"I---I think I've fallen in love with Emmi, Cursa... She's in my heart."

Meyra's first instinct was to nearly barf over the floor, retching in response. Casey could feel Scout boiling with exasperation at the revelation across the room from where she stood. As for Casey himself, he looked at Colin, stunned.

"Well shit."

Emily was lovely. Casey wouldn't deny that. In fact, he wouldn't be surprised if there was the odd crush or two that yearned for her affection. But to have it come from Colin of all people, in such an impromptu way... It took Casey a hot moment to even process it.

"Ease up there, Casanova," Casey said. "Let's just dial it back a sec and think about this... First off, and I know Red has made a joke or two about this already, but do you seriously think Emily is the snoggin' type? You and I both know she's too... fluffy for that." Casey looked back at Emily, who was curled under her duvet like a little chick in its nest. Yep. That proved that point.

His tone then got serious, but was soft. "And for another... Remember what I said earlier that she sees you guys as family? Well... She's dead serious in that. She treasures every waking moment she has with you. And Scout. And Winchect. And a smatherin' of other people she cares about. I ain't tryna speak for her or dash your hopes about this, but if I know Em, and I know I do... To have you as her friend is probably the most precious thing in the world to her right now. She probably doesn't want that to change in case it falls apart. She ain't touch-starved of affection but she doesn't want to risk it either for something as unbelievably unpredictable as teenage romance. Also, and I dunno if you've noticed, but she puts people ahead of herself, strivin' to be the best friend to people so that we don't see her as a dainty poppet. So while she's doin' that whilst tryin' to help magical creatures, animals and half-beings, what do you think she's not doing?"

He paused to give the room a moment to think before he continued. "She ain't givin' herself a lot of time to think about herself. She probably hasn't thought about havin' a crush, let alone a boyfriend."

He looked at Colin firmly, albeit with good intentions at heart. "If I were you, I'd wait a bit before you start tryin' to serenade her. She has enough goin' on as it is at the minute, as well as content to have friends that care for her. And before you say it, no. I ain't tryna steal her from you. I mean, I care about her but even I know she's too good for me, even if I was interested."

His expression loosened. "So, do you think you can humour her for a while longer as her friend? But that doesn't mean you shouldn't discard what you feel for her. If anything, hang on to those feelings. I think it's great you feel that way about her, but let her figure herself out a bit before sayin' somethin' to her. Otherwise you'd be forcin' her to feel obligated to repay you in somethin' she probably doesn't know how to respond to. Do it for her..."

He smiled a little. "On a lighter note... You ain't got a bad taste in girls. I know Emily ain't known for lookin' for love, but you could've done a lot worse."

_{Word Count: 1845}

Stats: Stamina: 8 | Strength: 7 | Evasion: 7 | Wisdom: 6 | Arc Power: 6 | Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Fearless |Poison Resistance

february 12th, 2025		wednesday
wc: 800ish		dhampir | terrible presence
interacting with: everyone		mentioning: zyair~~

"Tavra!" Scout quietly exclaimed, carefully helping Emily get the owl up. "Jeez birdie, you can't keep crashing out here!" She murmured, giving the owl a(n attempt at a) stern look. Poor Tavra, Pebble had never had this much trouble trying to land!

When Emily had so suddenly fallen asleep, Scout couldn't help but trail behind Colin as he carried her to bed. Emily always looks so serene when she sleeps, the exhaustion of her friend's life taking a step back when her Hufflebuddy got to rest, it made Scout a little thankful that Emily could still find the time to rest. She was such a hard worker, definitely a Hufflepuff in mind and body. If only Scout could feel like she embodied the Gryffindor spirit half as well, maybe she'd feel a little more confident about every situation at hand. Especially a situation that reminded her just how much the world didn't accept her dhampirism.

Admittedly, Scout didn't know about Emily's little escapade in the forest, and she figured there was a good reason why Emily had kept it on the down low- she probably didn't want Scout to worry. A sigh escapes her, and she feels the knot in her stomach growing exponentially as the conversation quietly continues on. It makes Scout really quite sick to think of her best friend suffering in silence.

Alone... that was a fate that didn't quite fit Emily, was it?

If only Emily were awake right now, Scout would give her a good talking to! She didn't have to suffer through all of this alone, no matter how she thought of the situation! Emily had good friends who wanted to help her, and even if she had nobody else, she always had a Scoutie that she could rely on- no matter what! They were best friends forever, and that was a promise that Scout would never take lightly. Forever meant forever.

"Eugh, Colin, you are so gross!" She grumbled at his confession- yucky! Her precious Emily definitely didn't need some Casanova slobbering all over her! "Casey's right, by the way. If you try and pounce on Emily right now, you're just going to drive her away. Try and keep it to yourself for... I dunno, five minutes?"

Meyra's equal disgust makes Scout give her an agreeing nod, having a dream with Colin in it sounded... ew, gross, gross! She didn't even want to think about it! She'd much rather have a dream about everyone finding out about her dhampirism- wait... no, maybe she shouldn't speak so suddenly. But they were pretty comparable in Scout's ideology of 'bad', maybe a 9.8 compared to a 9.9 on the badness scale.

"And by the way, you shouldn't worry too much about Emily's family. She came over to my house over the break, and I totally think my parents would adopt her if given the chance. My ma and dad thought she was just the sweetest thing." Scout shrugs, "I think I'll give her parents the what-for one day. I always knew it was just her and Auntie Nora, but it just sank in when she was staying at my house over break." Her face sours, and she leans over to Casey, whispering to him, "I think if we're going to kill that Gideon guy, we could add a few more of Emily's enemies on the list."

She leaned back against one of the bed posts, sighing to herself. It had been such a long night, and she had learned so much information in the span of just a little while. Poor Emily... it was impossible to overestimate how much Scout did love her friend, even more now knowing what she was going through. It gave her some context for that letter Emily had sent earlier in the year, too. Scout could only hope that her words were enough for her friend. She wasn't like Zyair, who could pull magic words of comfort with ease... she had to really try to say the right thing, to portray what she meant with accuracy.

For a moment, all she could do is watch as Emily's chest rose and fell, fighting the urge to sniffle at just the thought of her friend suffering. "Oh, Emily..." she whispered, pushing herself off of the ground to kneel in front of her friends bed. It felt wrong to cry, so Scout wiped a tear before it could even threaten to form. "I really love you, Emi," she murmured, "I hope you're okay."

Before she turned back to sit against the bed once more, she pressed a gentle kiss to her friends forehead. It was really upsetting Scout, knowing that she couldn't do anymore than that. "Sorry." She apologetically whispered to the rest of the group, trying to even out her voice. "I hope she's okay. I really, really do."

@Emily Shephard @Colin McCoire @Meyra Lancaster