30 Sep 2019, 02:13
Round Trip
Private to @River Fetcher
Date: 1 September 2019
Time: Roughly 8 in the morning
Location: Platform 9 3/4 --> Hogwarts Express
Another year at home. Just the sound of that sounded appealing; it sounded like music in the midst of all the loud talking noises. Koko walked alongside her adoptive father, Victor Wreath, and her adopted brother, Holmes Wreath, as they carried all of her school supplies to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Holmes brushed a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair, looking flustered. He would be going to Hogwarts in one year if he received his acceptance letter. Koko certainly hoped that he would, mostly because she was sure that Charlie would receive his after he had made their dishwasher explode. Did Charlie go by Charlie LeBlanc now? Would he live near Vienna? Questions flooded Koko's mind, but she kept her face up confidently. Or at least, she looked confident. She may have been a little bit nervous, but she did not look the part.
Her feet were clad in heeled sandals. She wore acid-washed denim shorts and a loose coral-coloured blouse. In other words, she could pass for a Muggle. So could her family - Victor always wore Muggle clothing and actually encouraged his children to do the same, which was something that Rosalie had despised. Koko enjoyed it, however - she had no inclination of any sorts to wear her school robes outside of Wizarding London. Especially not in beachy Los Angeles. Koko's skin was now sun-tanned, and her hair, which had already been quite pale, was now a shade lighter and slightly more golden. She looked like a stereotypical California girl through and through.
The heels of her shoes clipped on the ground as she took a brisk walk, something that she had kept from her time as a Londoner. No matter where she was, she would walk at a fast clip, and she could blame it all on being born and raised in London. Of course, her brisk pace could be very useful in Los Angeles, but the people in her neighbourhood seemed more... relaxed, and less busy.
The platform was drenched in smoke from the trains, and it also reeked with the stench of two sweaty drunkards lounging nearby. Koko knew that she didn't miss the trains. Her, Victor, and Holmes had taken an aeroplane to London, an odd Muggle contraption that could fly in the air somewhat like a broomstick. Except that it could carry like three hundred people. It was like an air train.
Koko looked the brick wall in front of her steadily where its eyes would be. She had done this before; she could do this again. She looked back behind her, her golden eyes meeting Victor's dark brown ones, and he nodded. Go on. Koko took a deep breath, and with that breath, she pushed the cart she carried in front of her through the wall, following right behind it. Jax was in a carrier in the cart, and he was sitting up, his blue eyes wide. He seemed agitated. "You'll be fine, good boy," Koko whispered to him, the largeness of the platform making her feel dwarfed. She'd hardly grown over the summer, not even a centimetre - barely half an inch in American terms. She now stood at a lanky five-foot-one-and-a-half inch height. Koko knew that she was taller than a lot of kids her age, but-
She stumbled as Holmes ran past her. She had stalled in front of the wall, and she was now noticing that people would swarm around her with slightly disgusted looks on their faces - and some older boys had disgusting looks on their faces as they gazed at the girl. Ugh. She did not want to get hit on in any way, shape, or form by those cootie-carrying monsters. Koko glared at them, muttered a few rude words under her breath, and walked on, following Holmes and Victor to the train. She hoped she wouldn't need help loading all of her supplies. Koko grinned, racing after them, all thoughts of weird boys forgotten. "Holmes, wait up!" Her voice - and Holmes' - was turning into an odd mix of an accent even though she'd only lived in America for a few months. Perhaps it was because she wanted to talk a little more 'normal' and mimic an American accent; she didn't know. But now it sounded slightly more like those actresses in movies and less like all of her old friends and family.
The train was already there, gleaming a magnificent scarlet in the light coming in from the skylight panelling. Koko raised a slightly tanned hand to her forehead to try and shield her eyes from the blinding light. Wow. This was amazing. A year ago, it had rained. Now it was sunny and perfect. Koko's smile never faltered once as she hugged Victor goodbye and gave Holmes an awkward arm pat. "Goodbye," she told them breathlessly, "I'll see you during the winter holidays. Don't forget to owl me!"
With that, she stepped onto the magnificent train, pulling her belongings along. The floor was carpeted just as it had been the last time, but the train was already less stuffy. That was probably because air conditioning would need to be running in early September as it was still quite warm. Koko strolled the middle aisle of the train, searching for the perfect compartment to begin her perfect year. She'd survived the year before, learned some lessons, and she was sure that no one would bother her again.
Koko thought of the pink badge that had been mailed to her, and right then was the moment that her smile began to fade. She would be one of them this year. She would enforce the rules, causing pain and hatred throughout the entire school. Maybe that would make her feel more confident. Koko didn't know. All she did know was that she would be working with her enemy.
Either way, she was glad that she would not be trampled over this year. Perhaps younger years would look at her with wonder or hope. But there was always the off-chance that they would look at her with fear - and Koko didn't think that she wanted that at all. She sighed as she opened the door to a compartment, looking dejected. Her usually bright amber eyes were dull compared to how lively they had appeared earlier. Her usually flawless skin had lost a bit of the blush. Her usually full hair now seemed to stick to her frame. To think that merely thinking could do this to her.
Koko dropped her things in one seat and sat down next to it. She waited. Maybe someone would join her and they could converse about their hopes and dreams for the upcoming year. This year... Koko finally smiled as she made a silent vow to herself. This year would be well worth the wait it had taken.
[pc] koko riddle · 'pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.'
'it always starts and ends with birds.' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
3 Oct 2019, 02:02
Round Trip
Time is short, but River remembers every time she cried, every time she felt hurt, and every time she felt like nothing. So she put on a fake personality, happy all the time, smile plastered on her face. Not exactly fake, but not completely real, she never grew up with kind loving parents and was never taught how to love. She tried hard every day sharing her feelings with others, teaching them, and having fun with them, but this only got her abandoned, for the 2nd time in her life.
The old gray ford pulled to a stop. Mr. Miller, the orphanage owner, called her name, River blinked twice, snapping out of her thoughts. Mr. Miller smiled with his eyes as he said, "It's time to go". His face was wrinkled with age and sadness, River almost wanted to stay and hug him. She looked down past her white ruffly strapped shirt and at the jean shorts she had had since River was 10 years old. Then she looked at Mr. Miller with her big purple eyes as she felt her long blonde hair on her neck. River smiled a genuine smile, one nobody would ever forget. Mr.Miller opened his door walked over to River's and opened hers.
River wanted to run and cry into his shoulder, but she simply got out of her ripped seat and walked towards the stairs of King's Cross. A steamy smell filled her nostrils, a hot but somehow calming smell. Mr. Miller smiled at her and handed her her trunk. The leather wrap around the handle comforted River so she squeezed it tightly. He motioned towards the train station as River looked at him confused.
" Aren't you coming with me" she asked. The orphanage owner simply shook his head, " No, I'm sorry dear, but this is a challenge you need to complete on your own".
A single teardrop fell down River's face, as she silently vowed to never disappoint her new friends. River smiled and walked up the staircase of King's Cross to begin her journey of magic.
As soon as River pulled open the door, even more of a smoky smell drifted into her nose, making her hold back a cough. A much as River wanted to go home, she knew it was her destiny to become a witch. So she walked past the many boarding stations until she came across two-pillars labeled boarding station 9 & 10.
She had read many books about Hogwarts ever since she had gotten her letter, and River's knowledge of platform 9 3/4 was no different. River took a deep sigh with trunk in hand and walked into the platform in between 9 & 10 with her eyes closed.
River gasped and opened her eyes as she felt magic racing through her veins. Before stood a beautiful red train that she knew as the Hogwarts Express. River felt her face morph into a smile as she climbed aboard the magnificent train.
The carpet was a neat organized red that River wanted to so desperately bend over and touch. She kept walking past the small compartments looking for one that didn't have many people and that felt right. She wanted to begin her year starting with a wonderful new friend, and maybe some good advice. Finally, River found a compartment with only one person inside, so she pulled back the door, and studied her new friend.
Her eyes widened, this girl was beautiful. She had long blonde hair with amber eyes that were just stunning. She was nicely tanned wearing a coral shirt and acid-washed shorts. She looked a River as if she had expected her to come in the second she stepped on the train. She had the classic California girl look on her, as she looked at River confidently.
River regained her not-quite-fake smile and put her trunk under the seat in front of the girl. River sat down and look at her newfound friend. She stuck her hand out and said, "Hello, my name is River Fetcher, it's a pleasure to meet you".
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The old gray ford pulled to a stop. Mr. Miller, the orphanage owner, called her name, River blinked twice, snapping out of her thoughts. Mr. Miller smiled with his eyes as he said, "It's time to go". His face was wrinkled with age and sadness, River almost wanted to stay and hug him. She looked down past her white ruffly strapped shirt and at the jean shorts she had had since River was 10 years old. Then she looked at Mr. Miller with her big purple eyes as she felt her long blonde hair on her neck. River smiled a genuine smile, one nobody would ever forget. Mr.Miller opened his door walked over to River's and opened hers.
River wanted to run and cry into his shoulder, but she simply got out of her ripped seat and walked towards the stairs of King's Cross. A steamy smell filled her nostrils, a hot but somehow calming smell. Mr. Miller smiled at her and handed her her trunk. The leather wrap around the handle comforted River so she squeezed it tightly. He motioned towards the train station as River looked at him confused.
" Aren't you coming with me" she asked. The orphanage owner simply shook his head, " No, I'm sorry dear, but this is a challenge you need to complete on your own".
A single teardrop fell down River's face, as she silently vowed to never disappoint her new friends. River smiled and walked up the staircase of King's Cross to begin her journey of magic.
As soon as River pulled open the door, even more of a smoky smell drifted into her nose, making her hold back a cough. A much as River wanted to go home, she knew it was her destiny to become a witch. So she walked past the many boarding stations until she came across two-pillars labeled boarding station 9 & 10.
She had read many books about Hogwarts ever since she had gotten her letter, and River's knowledge of platform 9 3/4 was no different. River took a deep sigh with trunk in hand and walked into the platform in between 9 & 10 with her eyes closed.
River gasped and opened her eyes as she felt magic racing through her veins. Before stood a beautiful red train that she knew as the Hogwarts Express. River felt her face morph into a smile as she climbed aboard the magnificent train.
The carpet was a neat organized red that River wanted to so desperately bend over and touch. She kept walking past the small compartments looking for one that didn't have many people and that felt right. She wanted to begin her year starting with a wonderful new friend, and maybe some good advice. Finally, River found a compartment with only one person inside, so she pulled back the door, and studied her new friend.
Her eyes widened, this girl was beautiful. She had long blonde hair with amber eyes that were just stunning. She was nicely tanned wearing a coral shirt and acid-washed shorts. She looked a River as if she had expected her to come in the second she stepped on the train. She had the classic California girl look on her, as she looked at River confidently.
River regained her not-quite-fake smile and put her trunk under the seat in front of the girl. River sat down and look at her newfound friend. She stuck her hand out and said, "Hello, my name is River Fetcher, it's a pleasure to meet you".
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River Fetcher
3 Oct 2019, 02:32
Round Trip
Footsteps. They were light, which meant that they belonged to a child near Koko's age, probably a female since the bone structure would have to be light and thin - but male children could also have light bones. Koko's head snapped up; she glanced up through her eyelashes, her lips quirking. She heard a voice. Yes, her suspicions had been right, she decided as she analysed the girl from her slightly-slouched position. She had become much more relaxed over the summer, and she was beginning to believe that that was a good thing.
A girl was sitting in front of her, caramel-coloured hair and amethyst eyes upon her person. Her skin was not quite as pale as Koko's was at this time, and her lips were much fuller. She didn't look ugly at all. In fact, she was quite pretty. Koko had come to see a lot in material beauty as of recent, and she didn't think that was a bad thing at all. Material beauty could get you a long way in life, she thought, especially if you used it correctly. Not all people would use it correctly, but Koko knew she was pretty, even if it wasn't in the way she wanted to be. Koko would use her beauty for the good of others rather than to manipulate them. Or so she hoped.
Koko was still quite sceptical about how she would address this girl, but she sensed that a proper introduction would be best. The haughty smirk on her lips shifted into what looked a lot like a real smile - and may have been - as she said, "Koko Riddle. The pleasure is all mine," while accepting the handshake. She hoped that this River girl wouldn't judge her accent too badly - she sounded like a fake. She took her hand back, coughing into her arm as her cheeks reddened just a bit. Wonderful. Now her embarrassment was showing.
Koko leaned back with a sigh, the back of her head hitting the tip of the chair. She was steadily growing taller, and now she was almost as tall as Rosalie... A lot of centimetres to go... Koko's ponytail, situated high on her head, was making it difficult to maintain her position against the chair, but she would manage. After all, looks would be everything. Yes, what you were like on the inside mattered, but you needed to make a good impression first. So...
Koko sat up straight. "I think it's rather nice in here, don't you? Which year will it be for you - First or Second? You don't look like a third year." Her offhand comment, the final one, was when she gave up on trying to sound proper and British. Eh. Who cared if her voice sounded like a West Coast American mixed with a Londoner? It would be highly improper to speak that way in London, though of as weird, thought of as uncommon, but were they in London? No. They were not.
She was free.
[pc] koko riddle · 'pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.'
'it always starts and ends with birds.' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
3 Oct 2019, 03:18
Round Trip
River blinked twice, this girl seemed to get more amazing by the minute. Of course, she isn't just girl anymore, Koko Riddle, what an odd name. Of course, River Fetcher isn't exactly a normal name either. She curled her brows slightly deep in thought as she begins to wonder, about the pink badge on Koko's trunk. It looked lovely, something River could only wish to have, but she would never steal it from Koko, heaven-sakes they had only just met.
Another thing, Koko's accent. It sounds like a cross between British-like and American. River doesn't mind though, it only shows personality, which makes her like this girl even more.
She had never been good at judging the beauty of others, nevermind herself but the bone-structure is stunning on this girl. Koko's eyes show fierceness like a lioness but protection as if caring for cubs, River admired that.
River unfurrowed her eyebrows and responded to the girl's question.
"Why yes, I suppose it is quite lovely here, I'm only first year but I assume you already guessed that by my size".
River was 5'1 or so, but still, at night she felt her bones stretching, growing, the pain was almost unbearable, but somehow she was always able to walk in the morning. Just another reason to call her a freak. Surprisingly this girl looked about the same height as her, maybe a first year as well but River wasn't quite sure. Maybe the pink badge is something only second years get?
" I wonder what year she's in?" River said aloud, quickly realizing her mistake.
River waved both her hands in front of the face as she said " Oh, sorry! Did I say that aloud?"
River's eyes were crinkled in disgust, foolish girl, foolish mistake. She wanted to pound her head on the slide-able door for being so stupid. River couldn't look Koko in the eyes anymore, so she looked at her badge instead.
" If you don't mind me asking," River asked in a quiet voice, eyes still glued to the badge, " What does that pink badge stand for?"
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Another thing, Koko's accent. It sounds like a cross between British-like and American. River doesn't mind though, it only shows personality, which makes her like this girl even more.
She had never been good at judging the beauty of others, nevermind herself but the bone-structure is stunning on this girl. Koko's eyes show fierceness like a lioness but protection as if caring for cubs, River admired that.
River unfurrowed her eyebrows and responded to the girl's question.
"Why yes, I suppose it is quite lovely here, I'm only first year but I assume you already guessed that by my size".
River was 5'1 or so, but still, at night she felt her bones stretching, growing, the pain was almost unbearable, but somehow she was always able to walk in the morning. Just another reason to call her a freak. Surprisingly this girl looked about the same height as her, maybe a first year as well but River wasn't quite sure. Maybe the pink badge is something only second years get?
" I wonder what year she's in?" River said aloud, quickly realizing her mistake.
River waved both her hands in front of the face as she said " Oh, sorry! Did I say that aloud?"
River's eyes were crinkled in disgust, foolish girl, foolish mistake. She wanted to pound her head on the slide-able door for being so stupid. River couldn't look Koko in the eyes anymore, so she looked at her badge instead.
" If you don't mind me asking," River asked in a quiet voice, eyes still glued to the badge, " What does that pink badge stand for?"
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River Fetcher
3 Oct 2019, 17:27
Round Trip
Koko nodded briskly when the girl confirmed being a First Year. Of course. That made sense; it was easy enough to guess, but it was nice to have confirmation. "That's wonderful, it's nice to meet someone who'll be enjoying their first year. It's wonderful at Hogwarts ." She offered a warm smile. Smiles were good. They helped to make others think that you were kind, that you could help them. And Koko could. Smiles would help her become more confident in that matter, she told herself.
She blinked when she noticed that River was eyeing her trunk. What could possibly be so interesting about it? Koko didn't know at all. Sure, her pink prefect badge was pinned onto it, but could that have caught this other girl's attention. Maybe, just maybe. Koko was about to ask what she was looking at - none too kindly - when she heard the other voice once more.
It was obviously something that she had not meant to say, and Koko smirked. "Yes, you did say that," she said softly, her voice high and cold once more. It would take quite some effort to melt this girl's icy exterior that she had regained. "Anyway," she began, a glint shining in her eyes, "I'll be starting my Second Year today." Her voice, though cold, was also coated with something... It sounded sweet. It was her form of trying to be kind when she really didn't know how she felt. Teenage - or near-teenage - emotions were so complex; there were so many hormones running around her body. It made her feel weird, as if she didn't have any clue what she was even thinking anymore. So she would just pretend.
River was no longer meeting Koko's eyes. Hm. Had Koko messed up on her illusion of perfection? She sat back. Koko wouldn't make it worse. She would wait until River seemed less upset before speaking again. After all, she couldn't stand to make more enemies, could she? No. She couldn't. She had been tempted to ask River what House she would like to be in, but she was afraid of the response. What if it was 'Not Slytherin'?
Finally, the younger girl spoke up. "Yes, the badge." Koko tilted her head to the side, deep in thought. "I am unsure whether to be proud of it or to be ashamed. I can bring many different thoughts and emotions upon people with it... I'm a prefect this year. A Prefect of Slytherin... By the way," the blonde added, changing the subject, "What House would you like to be in? I can assure you that Slytherin is hardly what people think it is." Yes, that was how she would say that. She needed to make this girl feel at home with whatever. That was how she needed to do this.
Sure, one could call her socially awkward. Even last year, she had had more enemies than friends. Koko was hoping to change that. Koko's gaze softened, her voice warmed a bit, and her lips quirked once again. "Besides, you'll get to eat in the Great Hall tonight, so it doesn't matter what House is chosen for you - you get to eat what's like an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet!"
[pc] koko riddle · 'pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.'
'it always starts and ends with birds.' · cyrus darsel [inpc]
3 Oct 2019, 22:50
Round Trip
River was not afraid of anything. And she sure as hell wasn't afraid of only a 2nd year with a cold voice. First of all the girl started with an oh-so fake smile. One that River had felt on her face millions of times. She slightly tilted her head to the left as grimaced at the sight that used to make her shattered her mirror. Then this girl talked in a cold high voice, that River realized this might have been one of her defenses for finding a weakling.
Smart plan, they shiver in their seats or show fear in their eyes, weak and pathetic. Not worthy of friendship. She had something like this, her voice was also her weapon. River would always soften her voice, making it sound kinder. She noticed that Koko had tried to soften her voice up as well. Of course, unlike Koko, River hasn't broken her sickening sweet voice for years. If she did though, the least you could say is that she didn't like you.
So Prefect of the year, huh? River was not intimidated and she vows to never be by this girl. And Slytherin, great, first friend she meets is apart of the house she dreams to get into. Hilarious, right?
This small, kind child wants to be apart of Slytherin, anyone would laugh, but River has never told anyone, not even Mr.Miller.
Everyone expects great things from her, but what if River didn't want to go along with everyone's expectations? How come they decided to decide what she wanted to do? River was sick of humanity, and all of the wrong things that had happened in her life, maybe that's why she decided that running away to Hogwarts was the best idea.
River had finally come up with her reply for this girl, who somehow made her feel safe from the outside world, the only thing she was scared of. It was as if someone had cast a Protego around both of them. This girl made her feel comforted, maybe just enough to crack her shield. River's shield is what hides her eyes true emotions from the world, just living a fake life.
The protective shield kept everyone from seeing her sadness and sorrow. But just maybe she could crack it slightly to show Koko what she truly felt, to help her understand. So she did.
Rivier closed her eyes, breaking her shield only a smudge, as she sighed and opened her eyes.
" Actually I'm really hoping to be in Slytherin this year, I've always been wanting to be apart of the house of the snake, I'm really excited for this year's sorting". River replied as her eyes crinkled and bled with sadness.
'Please,' she prayed,' Please understand my cry for help'.
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Smart plan, they shiver in their seats or show fear in their eyes, weak and pathetic. Not worthy of friendship. She had something like this, her voice was also her weapon. River would always soften her voice, making it sound kinder. She noticed that Koko had tried to soften her voice up as well. Of course, unlike Koko, River hasn't broken her sickening sweet voice for years. If she did though, the least you could say is that she didn't like you.
So Prefect of the year, huh? River was not intimidated and she vows to never be by this girl. And Slytherin, great, first friend she meets is apart of the house she dreams to get into. Hilarious, right?
This small, kind child wants to be apart of Slytherin, anyone would laugh, but River has never told anyone, not even Mr.Miller.
Everyone expects great things from her, but what if River didn't want to go along with everyone's expectations? How come they decided to decide what she wanted to do? River was sick of humanity, and all of the wrong things that had happened in her life, maybe that's why she decided that running away to Hogwarts was the best idea.
River had finally come up with her reply for this girl, who somehow made her feel safe from the outside world, the only thing she was scared of. It was as if someone had cast a Protego around both of them. This girl made her feel comforted, maybe just enough to crack her shield. River's shield is what hides her eyes true emotions from the world, just living a fake life.
The protective shield kept everyone from seeing her sadness and sorrow. But just maybe she could crack it slightly to show Koko what she truly felt, to help her understand. So she did.
Rivier closed her eyes, breaking her shield only a smudge, as she sighed and opened her eyes.
" Actually I'm really hoping to be in Slytherin this year, I've always been wanting to be apart of the house of the snake, I'm really excited for this year's sorting". River replied as her eyes crinkled and bled with sadness.
'Please,' she prayed,' Please understand my cry for help'.
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River Fetcher
7 Oct 2019, 15:02
Round Trip
Koko couldn't explain why she felt so terrible. Maybe it was the jerking of the train on the tracks, making her stomach lurch and spots swim in her gaze. Maybe it was the closeness of this girl. Or maybe it was all these feelings that made her stomach clench. Fear would never be one of them, she wouldn't allow it.
"Slytherin, eh?" She clicked her tongue. "We need more snakes." That was when it came to attention that the younger child had tears swimming in her eyes. Guilt immediately rushed over Koko, and no matter how much she tried to bat it away, her efforts were in vain. Koko's features softened, and she reached out a hand. "H-hey," she whispered, tripping over the word like she used to all the time. Shit, Koko thought, I did this. She'd been trying to make the other girl uncomfortable, but she had not wished to make her cry. A sharp exhale could be heard coming from Koko in an exasperated huff. "D-Don't cry!" Koko had tried to gloss over her words earlier, speaking as if there were a metronome backing her words, so that she wouldn't stammer and embarrass herself.
Her ears were red, and her cheeks were beginning to warm. "Look," she said, her voice low and going over the syllables in her sentence slowly, "I didn't mean to... do this." Koko grimaced. She was just that terrible at this. She could hardly speak without feeling more guilty. What was wrong with her?
Koko's hands twisted in her lap, showing her awkwardness. "I-" she faltered, "I've got a few chocolate frogs, would you like one?"
[pc] koko riddle · 'pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.'
'it always starts and ends with birds.' · cyrus darsel [inpc]