Stage 8: Professor's Office

Silence followed her through the corridors as Nabi made her way to the closest person she could get to a trusted adult. Her steps echoed through the corridor while she held the burlap doll in her left hand; the doll dangled and swayed.

Lifeless. Her expression remained blank.

The events of the night before were still fresh in her mind, the melancholic tune echoed in her mind as if someone was following her. Her steps came to a halt as she paused at the closed doors to Professor Baird's office, I have never been to the school's hospital wing... she glanced down either side of the corridor— cautious so as to not been seen before gently pushing open the doors.

The walls talk, after all.

Whispers spread like wildfire if one is not prudent.

Nabi was immediately greeted by the sight of dozens of beddings— all neatly done in white, pristine linen. She began to step deeper into the room, her steps silenced by a yellow fluffed carpet that stuck out in the otherwise canvas-like room.

Her gaze shifted toward the professor's desk.

Professor Baird appeared to be in his own little world as Nabi slowly got closer, her gray eyes focused on him "Excuse me... Professor Baird?" Glancing down at the doll in her hand, she said calmly, "I was wondering if you would be able to take a look at this doll for me..." Should I tell him about what happened?

Nabi silently observed as Professor Baird appeared happy to oblige; perhaps the school nurse figured he was helping a little girl with an imaginary issue. Her eyes narrowed as Nabi noticed a frown begin to form on Professor Baird's face— using his wand to examine the doll. That is not a good reaction...

Suddenly, he spoke.

"it’s… inert.", she raised an eyebrow, well last night it most certainly was not inert... Taking note of his shared interest on the patch over the doll's heart, she cleared her throat, about to urge him to look closer when he declared, "just a toy."

Only he did not sound convincing and Nabi noticed that.

Something is off. Her eyes noticed a few candles flicker, goosebumps formed on the back of her neck as the air grew cold. Humming softly in response, Nabi gave a curt nod, "My apologies, Professor... I am sure you are quite busy..." He is hiding something; I need time to figure out what that is. "Would you mind holding the doll for me? I have an errand to run..."

She gave a small nod before turning to leave the hospital wing, I just need someone to confirm I am not seeing things...

This thread chain never reached its terminal point (which is one post from now). Copying this conclusion to this thread.

You leave Twinkle and/or Steven on the professor’s desk and leave. Honestly, the absence of the doll(s) is a relief. You sleep well that night. You return to the office the very next day and the school nurse, Professor Baird is gone.

No one remembers them—except you.

____________

@Nabi Park left Twinkle on Professor Baird’s desk. she unknowingly saved her own life, but might have ended @Octavius Baird's. These dolls have a certain type of magic, a magic of making and unmaking. Of mimicking lives that they wish to emulate.

Nabi didn’t look back. In fact, a coldness that lifts from her shoulders as she walks away. There was something strange about the doll and while she lacked proof, her intuition screamed that something was wrong. It could be relegated to an overactive imagination, paranoia in need of intervention or even the cruel prank of a peer, but the inescapable conclusion remained - the sound of quiet breathing that wasn’t hers, the sense that button eyes were watching her through the dark. As she abandoned the doll to the hands of another, Hogwarts felt... lighter. Her chest felt lighter also.

That night, she slept well. Too well. No dreams. No whispers. Just silence, vast and unbroken within a sea of interminabidable darkness.

The next day comes in the blink of an eye. Nabi would find herself in the nurse's office the next day, but the air was different. Hollow. Like a breath held too long.

The lights are out. Each candle burned to end of the wick. No ailing students resting in bed. The door of the wing was left slightly ajar and Professor Baird is gone. The room looked neat enough. The beds were made, hospital corners on the plain linens. A single pillow on each bed, it was more like a sterile ward than a room in a Scottish castle. But no professor and also notable, no Twinkle.

There was no note. No trace. No sign of movement or struggle. Only the dolls are missing, and in the place on Octavius' desk where you saw the doll be so gently placed, there was a faint indentation in the wood, as though something very heavy had sat there a long, long time.

If ask around, at first with caution, then with urgency. [Nabi, you have permission to godmod a basic interaction with Aamon Athanatos reflective of this.]

No one knows who you’re talking about.

“Professor who?”

“We’ve never had a Nurse Baird.”

“Are you sure you’re not thinking of someone else?”

"You mean Nurse Barnes?"

Further interactions impending.

Please enter the chain with one of the other dolls. Your memory of Octavius is unique, only you and one other user @Mellani Miller remember him. There will be opportunities to cross paths with her and I strongly encourage you to do so!

Interacting with : Reducio ...

Date: Reducio March 22nd

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

Outfit: Reducio Slytherin Uniform

Kaitlyn skipped hesitantly through the corridors of Hogwarts. Twinkle was clutched carefully in her hands. The soles of her sandals lightly tapped against the ground as she moved. She was hesitant, frankly. The doll looked cute, in her opinion. But, it was very weird that it was delivered to her … completely without her knowledge. No sender information. Nothing to identify it. She knew enough to question its existence. Perhaps finding a professor to ask might help?

Instead of a Professor, Kaitlyn found Professor Baird, the school nurse. Kaitlyn frowned at the conclusion he offered. Just a doll? Just. A. Doll. That was impossible! It was on her bed in the Dorea Potter dorm. There had to be a reason! As much as she liked the idea of a random act of kindness, like a gift, there would have been some relation showing who gave it to her. But, nothing here.

Spotting the flicker of the candles in the hospital wing … and the sudden coldness, Kaitlyn ignored the potential warning signs and snatched back the doll, in a very impolite manner with a flush on her cheeks. “I’m sorry, sir. I’d like to hold on to Twinkle,” she protected it close to her chest. She gave an apologetic curtsy and turned to leave.

Word Count:

Reducio

Note: 214 words

Sorry for my latness!

Time: Sometime in the afternoon.

Interacting With: No one

Word Count:102/200

OOC Notes: Reducio Speaking: b38900 Thinking: Italics

↜↝

Outift: Reducio A black and yellow sweatshirt, black jeans, and her satchel.