Of Lineage and Locomotives pv rafal ReOpened 15 Sept '25

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Image posted by the member
-. ──── . ۫ ꣑ৎ . ────
date. september 1, 2024
location. hogwarts express
interacting. @Rafal Devereux
outfit. black dress [x]
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Slender fingers beneath pale silk gloves wrapped around the cold metal railings, pausing for only a moment before the sharp click of heels resumed against the platform stones. Quicker and quicker it came, until an elegant and poised silhouette emerged from the barrier. She was a young woman, with honey blonde hair and eyes a dusty blue so piercing it seemed to cut through you like a knife on butter.

“Isabelle” The nickname crept behind her, one that felt like a taunt in itself. “We've discussed it before. Hogwarts may lack the... refinement of Durmstrang, but a Flores rises above the circumstances.” Circumstances. The word settled between them, tasting like months of unspoken tension.

Isa inclined her head, the movement so subtle it might have been mistaken for a trick of the light. “Whatever.” Her sarcasm slipped out by default, and she felt the barely perceptible tightening of her father's hands resting heavily on her shoulders; not that she really cared.

“I expect nothing but perfect behaviour from you, understood?” The man's disapproval had always been like a shadow that followed his daughter, never quite hurting yet impossible to escape.

“Yes father.”

Around them, parents could be seen hugging their children, some making jokes despite teary eyes. Her own mother’s kiss came only when the train’s whistle bellowed its final warning, a brush of lips against her cheek so distant and light it might as well be accidental. It was a pathetic attempt, really, but she supposed it would have been worse if they were wailing and crying like all the others. Slipping through corridors for an empty cabin to call her own , she wondered if her mother would cry at all if she had the chance.

Upon discovering an empty compartment, Isa quickly slipped in and settled herself by the window. Time was essence as she slammed the door shut to avoid any trespassers.It was through the glass that she could still, quite unfortunately, see the two Flores. Two perfectly stoic statues on the platform, you'd think they had no business being here at all.
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Last edited by Isa Flores on 15 Sep 2025, 15:51, edited 1 time in total.

If the moon smiled, she would resemble you.  
─── 𝚜𝚢𝚕𝚟𝚒𝚊 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚑

Of Lineage and Locomotives pv rafal ReOpened 15 Sept '25
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In the flesh, the Hogwarts Express certainly lived up to its reputation. With the bold red colouring and a distinctly magical feel evident even from the platform, Rafal was more than ready to go on board for the first page in this new chapter of his life. Sure, it was maybe a slight downer that his mother hadn't bothered to properly see him off, opting to only accompany him up to the barrier between the two worlds - but there was simply too much to look forward to.

It was just a shame that he hadn’t managed to get here a little earlier - the train's whistle was already bellowing its final warning, and Rafal just hoped there were still seats available. The train ride to Hogwarts played a vital role in his plans, and they were already thrown off from the unexpected tardiness.

Lugging his trunk up to the floor of the train turned out to be more of a task than he expected, but Rafal eventually managed it. Taking a deep breath, he set off down the corridor, luggage dragging behind him.

The first step was to find a compartment. Since it was pretty late, there were less options than he would have liked, but he had to make the most of it. Preferably not too crowded, but at least one or two fellow upcoming first years with whom he could make some sort of connection. Social bonds tended to be forged very quickly, and if he did not make the most out of this opportunity, it might soon be too late.

Disappointment for the first dozen or so, then on the thirteenth he stuck jackpot. A lone girl who seemed to be around his age was settled in an otherwise empty compartment. It wasn’t perfect but at this point, Rafal doubted he would find anything better.

The compartment door was shut, but he easily slid it open. "Uh, hey." He raised a hand in greeting, trying for a friendly smile. "Would you mind if I sat here?"
Interacting with @Isa Flores

All your blues like a mood ring changing colours

Of Lineage and Locomotives pv rafal ReOpened 15 Sept '25
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Image posted by the member
-. ──── . ۫ ꣑ৎ . ────
date. september 1, 2024
location. hogwarts express
interacting. @Rafal Devereux
outfit. black dress [x]
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. The door of the train compartment wheezed open in a poignant sort of way, and Isa’s attention was immediately snapped away from the window view. Normally, the girl would have retorted with a few sarcastic comments about privacy, but the barb died on her tongue. Strangely enough, she felt that it would be quite rude to do so, especially to the pretty boy that was standing in the doorway right now. Merlin's beard.

“Would you mind if I sat here?” the pretty boy had spoken, his voice as pleasant as his looks. He had a head of curly blonde hair and ocean blue eyes.

“Go ahead I guess.” she said, her tone uncharacteristically neutral.

Once the boy settled down in front of her, Isa’s hazel hues stared once again outside the landscape wordlessly, letting an awkward silence fall between them. She wasn't quite anxious about the Sorting Ceremony to be quite frank. Instead, Isa was certain that she might be sorted into Slytherin - or the very least - Ravenclaw. But what if she didn’t? Hufflepuff would be a death sentence to mediocrity in her family's eyes. Gryffindor would be worse: the foolish bravery she would never ask for.

The girl swallowed uncomfortably, her gaze once again resting on the boy again. His golden curls, which normally fell across his brow, bounced into his face whenever the train passed a particularly rough terrain. His eyes were the color of seafoam and celadon, framed by lashes a shade darker than his gilded hair.

Breaking the silence felt necessary. “First year too?” The girl asked, leaning back on the seat in a display of nonchalance. A slight, confident tilt of her chin accompanied her name. “Flores, Isabella Flores. From London.”
so sorry for the late response!!!
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If the moon smiled, she would resemble you.  
─── 𝚜𝚢𝚕𝚟𝚒𝚊 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚑

Of Lineage and Locomotives pv rafal ReOpened 15 Sept '25
Is it just him, or is there tension simmering within the confines of this compartment? Upon stowing away his luggage, Rafal falls unceremoniously into the seat opposite the girl, arranges himself to be comfortable. He glances over at his fellow occupant of the space, mentally assessing.

It is so subtle most may not notice, but Rafal cannot help but be aware of the air of apprehension that seems to have fallen, and one which was certainly not here before. It seems to have been synonymous with his own entrance. Almost involuntarily, he peers closer at the girl, curious. Honey-coloured hair, freckles, eyes a hazelly-green — if he had indeed met her before, Rafal likes to think he would have remembered.

Awkward silence follows, an unfortunate but not unforeseen development. Rafal decides to change that. He opens his mouth to speak, "Have w-” In a situation many may consider comical, it seems that his companion seems to have had the exact same idea, and the timing is impeccable. There is a confusing moment where they are talking over each other and neither can be heard, before Rafal decides he better shut his gob.

"No, you go ahead," he gestures for blondie to keep going, then leans forward slightly to listen. He nods keenly in response to her inquiry. "Why, yes, I am!" How lovely! A fellow first year, of all the people on the train! Rafal cannot help but grin. He holds out a hand. "Rafal Devereux. Charmed to meet you, Isabella."
Interacting with @Isa Flores

All your blues like a mood ring changing colours

Of Lineage and Locomotives pv rafal ReOpened 15 Sept '25
==
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Image posted by the member
-. ──── . ۫ ꣑ৎ . ────
date. september 1, 2024
location. hogwarts express
interacting. @Rafal Devereux
outfit. black dress [x]
=====
. Isa Flores wouldn't have taken any other boy so seriously, but the name 'Devereux' had some sort of nice ring that piqued her interest. As someone well-acquainted with the intricacies of pureblood lineage, she recognized it as a name of distinction. “What a lovely coincidence!” She exclaimed. It was indeed lovely, to sit across the charming pureblood boy and hold a conversation.

““Do you have a preference for which house you’d like to join?” she asked, pursing her lips in thought. Her hazel hues flickered to the window, watching fleeting landscapes slide by, a mesmerizing blur of green and gold. “Personally, I'd be thrilled to be a snake, but I suppose Ravenclaw could work as well.” Personally. Her father would surely frown over Ravenclaw. Sure, it at least meant intellect, but it would also risk branding one as a nerd, something she absolutely dreaded. As the boy answered her question, Isa would find herself nodding along to his words, provided that his view align with hers, of course.

“Oh, how impolite of me!” she added airily. It wasn't truly impolite though, isa thought. Were it anyone else, she would have easily brushed them off and returned to her musings, but the Devereux boy had intrigued her in ways she hadn’t anticipated. “What were you saying just now?” she inquired, and was thoroughly delighted to feel the tension in the compartment dissipate, replaced by a camaraderie that felt the most comforting.
so sorry for the late response!!!
==.

If the moon smiled, she would resemble you.  
─── 𝚜𝚢𝚕𝚟𝚒𝚊 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚑