28 Aug 2019, 02:56
Falling Faster and Faster
｡☆✼★━━━━━━✮ @James McMurtrie ✮━━━━━━★✼☆｡There had been few things that truly made Lark nervous about classes at Hogwarts... Flying however... had been the one class she had dreaded the most since getting her letter of acceptance to the school. It had nothing to do with the Professor, in fact Lark found her to be quite interesting. Something about being THAT far up in the air merely clinging to a stick made her nerves go crazy. Trying to look at it like horseback riding, Lark assumed the brooms could feed off of your energy just like the horses at her home could do.. making them spook easy or be stubborn to listening when a rider wanted to mount. The past week had already drained Lark of most of her patience and made her feel more like a wet noodle by the time she had trudged her way to Flying.Forward Date: Tuesday, September 17th 2019
She had woken up a bit late and tried to just assume everyone else had left for class already, forcing herself to not let her mind wander to the possibility they just hadn't waited for her. Lately with all the trouble swirling between Charlotte, James and herself it seemed like the group had a strange funk about it. If Lark was being honest she felt a bit left out. All the others had seemed to branch off and Lark had chosen to quietly go to class or spend time outside drawing. Not wanting to really bother any of them she had just let them come and go without a word. Unsure if that was the right way to go about it...she was at a loss for what else to do. This was still new territory for her.
Lark's eyes flicked up as the Professor seemed to finish her lecture on proper broom care. They had only had a handful of classes so far and been practicing 'up'. So far things had gone well... Lark had managed to get the broom off of the ground without completely smacking herself in the face or arm.. anymore that is. The first attempt had no results and second day of class landed her in the hospital wing with a broken nose. Both of those situations had not left her with a confident outlook on today's class either.
Standing a bit back from her classmates she caught site of James with the others. Another swell of anxiety crashed over her. Her fingers tapping at the side of her thigh as the Professor walked past her to help a handful of students that were out a bit further in the field practicing actually floating around slowly. Her stare set into the group greedily watching them, wishing she could be as good as the others. A pang of jealousy prodded at her chest. She turned to look down at her broom lying at her feet, rolling in the grass to one side... she could feel it mocking her and was sure if it had a face of any sort it would be giving her the stink eye for sure.
Nervously, Lark glanced up at James. Things had gone badly so quick between them.. she cursed herself for letting things get so muddled. He had been her first friend here and after the meeting for the Order, she had hardly seen him. When she did see him he was usually with Gem or... Lark zoned out again as she recalled the fight she had sort of walked in on between Charlotte and James. Gem and Catriona had been there as well... A sick feeling boiled in the pit of her stomach and rose to her throat. The stress of worrying over if Charlotte was angry with her or how things were going to be between her and everyone had made her wish she could just sit down and melt away into nothing. She was a horrible friend.. If Charlotte really did like James, even Lark's promise would mean nothing. Not that she was thinking of breaking it, but surely she shouldn't stand in the way of her friends if they liked one another that way. Elzabeth had said to go for it and be honest... but if it meant hurting Charlotte in turn then Lark wasn't willing to risk it. Even if thinking of James did something to her. She still wasn't completely sure how to tred through all of these new feelings but was sure Elzabeth had been right in her assumption. Lark certainly had a crush of some sort...
Taking another look at James, Gem,and the others by their brooms, Lark wondered if she should just let them be. The longer she stayed away the more chance they would be for things to cool off.. at least she hoped. They all seemed to be laughing over something making Lark smile as she watched. It faded slowly as the voice in the back of her head proceeded to remind her in whispers about the fight... James... Charlotte.. Charlotte probably hated her, even after their talk in the Girl's Dorm... and
Pushing down a swarm of tears that were forming in her eyes, she cleared her throat and focused on her broom. She couldn't crash and burn twice in a row could she? Thrusting her hand out over the wooden body of the broom, Lark tried to focus on the class instead.
"Up." Too timid.
"Up!" She hissed, her eyes narrowing. The broom rolled to one side like before.
Gritting her teeth, Lark lowered her hand to her side. This was beyond frustrating. Her thoughts swirled with thoughts of James. Why couldn't they leave her alone, even for a minute.. just long enough for her to be able to finish a class, read an assignment, write an essay... practice a spell... sleep. They kept haunting her. A part of her enjoyed it and clung to images of his smiling face almost hording them away.. but another part of her ached over the feelings she had.
Brushing her silvery bangs from her eyes and popping the clip in her hair over them so they would stay out of the way while she concentrated, Lark huffed down at the broom. If these were like horses... Maybe she could try reasoning with them? Lark doubted they had any form of conscious like a living animal but still. It couldn't hurt? Hopefully.
Kneeling down by the broom, Lark hugged her knees and lowered her face to the stubborn branch.
"Please just... work with me 'ere, ya?" She sighed and stared at the wood grain. It looked a little worn as she reached out to run a finger over it. "I'm sure ye 'ad other students who were brilliant at this sorta thing... an' well.. I am scared but.. y'know.." Lark peeked around her to make sure no one was within earshot, especially from her own house... she already felt odd compared to everyone else, talking to her broom would just be another thing to add to the list. "I'll try ta trust ye.. an' trust myself. Just don't toss me off, ya?" Lark tapped gently on the handle. If there was some sort of brain in there maybe it would if anything take pity on her.
Stam: 4 - Ev: 6 - Str: 3 - Wis: 5 - AP: 7 - Acc: 5
In friendships we are searching for a soulmate, someone who shares every facet of their passions and imagination.
11 Sep 2019, 23:19
Falling Faster and Faster
Interacting with @Lark Flaer
James had been nervous about flying at first, a broom seemed to give one very little security when that high off the ground, but the idea had grown on him as he actually had quite an affinity for it.
In the first few lessons he’d managed to get the broom to whip into his hand like a yo-yo. He tried at one point to jump off the ground and wack Gem in the crotch but Gem had managed to jump out of the way just in time.
He was now at the hovering stage of the class and he felt almost confident about it, which hadn’t been a something he’d felt about any kind of magic in his short wizarding career.
He noticed Lark over the other side of the small green. The two had been distant lately and he felt a twinge of sadness at the fact. She was his first friend at this strange school and he’d really hoped she’d be his best. But as they’d passed one another in the halls that tension would hang in the air like a dark mist. They’d resorted to polite head nods as if they were business people who vaguely knew each other because of a shared commute. He didn’t like it.
He noticed the girl struggling with getting her broom to rise and he decided this was a better time than any to offer an olive branch. He strode over purposefully to the girl.
“They can kind of tell when you’re nervous... the broom, it responds to your instinct... you have to stay really calm...”
James had been nervous about flying at first, a broom seemed to give one very little security when that high off the ground, but the idea had grown on him as he actually had quite an affinity for it.
In the first few lessons he’d managed to get the broom to whip into his hand like a yo-yo. He tried at one point to jump off the ground and wack Gem in the crotch but Gem had managed to jump out of the way just in time.
He was now at the hovering stage of the class and he felt almost confident about it, which hadn’t been a something he’d felt about any kind of magic in his short wizarding career.
He noticed Lark over the other side of the small green. The two had been distant lately and he felt a twinge of sadness at the fact. She was his first friend at this strange school and he’d really hoped she’d be his best. But as they’d passed one another in the halls that tension would hang in the air like a dark mist. They’d resorted to polite head nods as if they were business people who vaguely knew each other because of a shared commute. He didn’t like it.
He noticed the girl struggling with getting her broom to rise and he decided this was a better time than any to offer an olive branch. He strode over purposefully to the girl.
“They can kind of tell when you’re nervous... the broom, it responds to your instinct... you have to stay really calm...”
Stamina : 5 | Evasion : 5 | Strength : 7 | Wisdom : 8 | Arcane Power : 7 | Accuracy : 3
13 Sep 2019, 15:58
Falling Faster and Faster
｡☆✼★━━━━━━✮ @James McMurtrie ✮━━━━━━★✼☆｡Feeling a bit less defeated than before, hoping her prep talk would change whatever mind the broom had about her, Lark let out a breath. She was about to stand and try again when someone spoke. Looking up she caught sight of James standing in front of her.
“They can kind of tell when you’re nervous... the broom, it responds to your instinct... you have to stay really calm...”
Taking a minute to try and process that he had come over to talk to her and what's more give advice, Lark gave a weak smile. "Y..yeah. I was hoping I could sort of make a peace offering with it." Standing the girl brushed off a bit of dirt from her knee high socks. "I just.. heights arent really my thing." Her voice wavered a bit at the thought of falling from so far up in the air. She felt a little less nervous with James standing there. He seemed much more confident.. plus he was right. She had to calm her nerves.
"Seems like you've got a good handle on it though, ya?" Lark smiled again. "Actually all of you guys." Maybe she could work in an apology for the last couple weeks of silence, her broom could wait.
"About all of.. well.." Her voice caught in her throat as she looked at her friend. "I just-" His brown eyes sucked her in. She missed everyone a great deal, especially James. He had been the first one to talk to her, joke with her, even seen her cry. "I'm sorry." She managed, a lopsided smile crossing her lips.
Stam: 4 - Ev: 6 - Str: 3 - Wis: 5 - AP: 7 - Acc: 5
In friendships we are searching for a soulmate, someone who shares every facet of their passions and imagination.
8 Oct 2019, 06:30
Falling Faster and Faster
James shifted uncomfortably. He knew there’d been something strange between the two over the last few weeks. The soft ache of grief had twisted in his chest every time he’d seen the girl across from him.
He was a little jealous, he thought. Lark had found other groups of friends and some dark corner of his mind wanted to keep her all to himself. He knew it was silly and intensely selfish, and so he tried to quickly wipe the thought from his brain. The truth was James loved Lark, he loved his friend very much and whatever it was that had come between them was not worth it.
“I’m sorry too, Lark.” He said softly, “I dunno... what happened. Y’know? I’m just sorry.”
He looked at the ground feeling the intense burn of shame fill his cheeks.
“You’re my best friend, you know that?” And the intense need to tell her he loved her rose in his stomach, “I- uh- I lo- I’ve missed you.” He said swallowing his words quickly.
He grabbed her hand, “Ok let’s get you on this broom yeah?” He said looking her in the eye, “When you face down something that scares you, it’s all about not thinking too much... you wanna get out of your head and let instinct take over. Ready? So we’re not going to concentrate on the broom at all... don’t let your past failures float around in there... what I want you to think about is what you had for breakfast... what did you have for breakfast?”
@Lark Flaer
He was a little jealous, he thought. Lark had found other groups of friends and some dark corner of his mind wanted to keep her all to himself. He knew it was silly and intensely selfish, and so he tried to quickly wipe the thought from his brain. The truth was James loved Lark, he loved his friend very much and whatever it was that had come between them was not worth it.
“I’m sorry too, Lark.” He said softly, “I dunno... what happened. Y’know? I’m just sorry.”
He looked at the ground feeling the intense burn of shame fill his cheeks.
“You’re my best friend, you know that?” And the intense need to tell her he loved her rose in his stomach, “I- uh- I lo- I’ve missed you.” He said swallowing his words quickly.
He grabbed her hand, “Ok let’s get you on this broom yeah?” He said looking her in the eye, “When you face down something that scares you, it’s all about not thinking too much... you wanna get out of your head and let instinct take over. Ready? So we’re not going to concentrate on the broom at all... don’t let your past failures float around in there... what I want you to think about is what you had for breakfast... what did you have for breakfast?”
@Lark Flaer
Stamina : 5 | Evasion : 5 | Strength : 7 | Wisdom : 8 | Arcane Power : 7 | Accuracy : 3
9 Oct 2019, 15:29
Falling Faster and Faster
｡☆✼★━━━━━━✮ @James McMurtrie ✮━━━━━━★✼☆｡A hefty weight lifted from the girl's chest as James apologized, his gaze falling to the ground. It felt like days of ick finally melted away from her thoughts as the knot in her stomach worked its way loose. His words eased her nerves a great deal.
Lark still stood frozen in time, unable to respond. He was her best friend too why couldnt she say it? Her mouth was dry and no words came as she opened her mouth to say as much. Although she didn't have much time because James grabbed her hand and spoke again.
“Ok let’s get you on this broom yeah?”
A rush of adrenaline surged through her body and into her fingertips. She nodded at his advice. He was right, of course he was, he always was.
"Breakfast. Right okay." She paused to think. What HAD she even eaten. Oh right! "Just some er well toast.. oh and they had a couple of those small pancakes with fruit on them for everyone." Her mouth watered slightly. This did seem to be helping. She wasnt thinking about the broom anymore at all or her previously broken nose.
Stam: 4 - Ev: 6 - Str: 3 - Wis: 5 - AP: 7 - Acc: 5
In friendships we are searching for a soulmate, someone who shares every facet of their passions and imagination.
10 Oct 2019, 07:06
Falling Faster and Faster
@Lark Flaer
“Ok I want you to focus you mind on your breakfast. Was the toast crispy or kinda undercooked? What was the texture of the fruit on those pancakes? What did it all smell like? Mind completely focussed on all of that.”
He trepidatiously placed his hand over hers, sliding his fingers over her soft skin. He gently guided her hand, positioning it above the broom and looked seriously into her golden eyes.
“Now, trust me. Close your eyes.” He whispered.
“Don’t let your mind take over ok? It’ll only make you more nervous. All those thoughts swirling around all over the place will just get confusing. Flying’s not like transfiguration where you’ve got to be really precise, it’s about instinct, feeling. It’s a different part of your brain. Let the instinct take hold, what do you- feel- uh” he paused for a moment, the overwhelming urge to kiss her filled his brain. He felt ashamed, as he thought about Charlotte. He tried desperately to think about toast.
“Um- uh— ok so, just calmly let the... broom rise to you... feel it coming, don’t think about it... just like raising your own arm, the broom’s a part of you.”
He leaned in closely and whispered in her ear.
“Now go on... say it. ‘Up’”.
“Ok I want you to focus you mind on your breakfast. Was the toast crispy or kinda undercooked? What was the texture of the fruit on those pancakes? What did it all smell like? Mind completely focussed on all of that.”
He trepidatiously placed his hand over hers, sliding his fingers over her soft skin. He gently guided her hand, positioning it above the broom and looked seriously into her golden eyes.
“Now, trust me. Close your eyes.” He whispered.
“Don’t let your mind take over ok? It’ll only make you more nervous. All those thoughts swirling around all over the place will just get confusing. Flying’s not like transfiguration where you’ve got to be really precise, it’s about instinct, feeling. It’s a different part of your brain. Let the instinct take hold, what do you- feel- uh” he paused for a moment, the overwhelming urge to kiss her filled his brain. He felt ashamed, as he thought about Charlotte. He tried desperately to think about toast.
“Um- uh— ok so, just calmly let the... broom rise to you... feel it coming, don’t think about it... just like raising your own arm, the broom’s a part of you.”
He leaned in closely and whispered in her ear.
“Now go on... say it. ‘Up’”.
Stamina : 5 | Evasion : 5 | Strength : 7 | Wisdom : 8 | Arcane Power : 7 | Accuracy : 3
12 Oct 2019, 00:47
Falling Faster and Faster
｡☆✼★━━━━━━✮ @James McMurtrie ✮━━━━━━★✼☆｡"Uh well.." Lark thought for a moment. Breakfast seemed like forever ago, her stomach rumbled slightly. "Seemed to be just right, y'know. Bit crispy and not too buttery."Her voice faded as she realized maybe she should just think more in her head about it. Keeping the thoughts to herself she watched James.
Lark's heart stopped a full beat as she felt the boy's hand slide over hers. A tingling rushed over her skin and shot up her arms. She let him guide her hand over the broom that lay at their feet. A flutter rose in her throat as they caught each other's gaze. 'No no.. You promised Charlotte..' Warm buttery toast turned into daydreaming about James before she could fight off the images of his smile in her head. Swatting them away she drew Dale into her mind. James had made himself clear and Lark was okay with that. She would rather have him in her life even if just a friend than not at all.
“Now, trust me. Close your eyes.”
Closing her eyes, Lark felt a warmth wash over her as the nervous thoughts that had been flooding over her melted away. Listening to his voice she nodded in response and just trying to think about the broom below her hand. Letting her mind start to float in this new feeling of ease she could almost feel a strange ribbon brushing just below her fingertips as if it were attached to the broom and reaching up to her hand. Her silvery brows lifted slightly on her face as she relaxed and gave another nod at James' description of the broom being an extension of her arm. It made sense.. sort of like her magic in general. An extension of who she was and a part of her. The broom was no different why had she treated it that way?
Feeling herself almost drawn away from the field. The others in her class. James. It was strange not a scary disconnect from everything around her but instead leaving them behind and seeing only herself, the broom and what she imagined to be a bluish strand floating up from the broom handle and towards her palm. She could barely hear James' whispering, more of a soft echo in the back of her thoughts. It rang over and over in her mind. Up. Up. Up. Drawing in a long breath and holding it for a moment, Lark's fingertips twitched ever so slightly as if they were running along the edge of the invisible connection between herself and the broom.
"Up!"
Voice steady. Fingers flexed outwards and at the ready. Eyes squeezed shut.
A hollow THUMP and smack of wood against her skin as Lark wrapped her fingers around the wooden handle, steadying herself as the broom pushed gently against her hand. The girl's eyes shot open and she stared down in astonishment, her mouth gaping open. Had she done it?! Had she really done it? Or was this some self induced daydream and she was actually knocked out at James' feet, Professor Bercegeay running over to inspect the damage. White knuckle gripping the handle a laugh finally burst from her as she clutched to the broom handle. "Oh my gosh! OH MY GOSH!" Lark half yelled half squealed. It was real. She was actually holding the broom. Finally!
"James!" Looking from the broom to his face, Lark laughed once more. She couldn't believe it. She spun in a small circle, the broom tagging along still in her hand. A surge of energy ran through her making Lark feel as if she needed to run about and expend all that adrenaline.
Except...
Lark turned towards James a large grin across her face. She knelt down setting the broom back onto the ground. She stood and hopped over to him, launching herself on her friend in a hug. "Thank you thank youthankyouthankyouu!" She couldn't stop laughing mostly from excitement but partly from nerves.
Stam: 4 - Ev: 6 - Str: 3 - Wis: 5 - AP: 7 - Acc: 5
In friendships we are searching for a soulmate, someone who shares every facet of their passions and imagination.
12 Oct 2019, 15:30
Falling Faster and Faster
As the broom rose into the girl’s hands James welled with pride. His excitement rose to meet his friend’s, and he caught her as she threw her arms around him.
Sinking into the moment he noticed the warmth of her arms, the tightness of her triumphant grip. Their chests pressed against one another and he felt the soft vibration of her quick breath as they held one another. And her smell... lavender, cut grass and a slight hint of buttered popcorn from the other night. He caught himself... unsure how long he’d been hugging her he pulled back abruptly.
“Uh... Yeah... well- um well done.” He shook away the confusing emotion that clouded his brain and gave her a wide grin, “So when are you gonna sign up to be the Ravenclaw Seeker?”
“Look, Lark. Can we make a pact... right now... no dumb thing is going to come between us ever again? I made you a promise that I’d look out for you, always, first day here and I intend to keep that promise... for the rest of my life however long that may be. So like if I’m being dumb or something, call me out, ok? I officially give you permission to punch me if I ever act like a jerk.”
@Lark Flaer
Sinking into the moment he noticed the warmth of her arms, the tightness of her triumphant grip. Their chests pressed against one another and he felt the soft vibration of her quick breath as they held one another. And her smell... lavender, cut grass and a slight hint of buttered popcorn from the other night. He caught himself... unsure how long he’d been hugging her he pulled back abruptly.
“Uh... Yeah... well- um well done.” He shook away the confusing emotion that clouded his brain and gave her a wide grin, “So when are you gonna sign up to be the Ravenclaw Seeker?”
“Look, Lark. Can we make a pact... right now... no dumb thing is going to come between us ever again? I made you a promise that I’d look out for you, always, first day here and I intend to keep that promise... for the rest of my life however long that may be. So like if I’m being dumb or something, call me out, ok? I officially give you permission to punch me if I ever act like a jerk.”
@Lark Flaer
Stamina : 5 | Evasion : 5 | Strength : 7 | Wisdom : 8 | Arcane Power : 7 | Accuracy : 3
5 Nov 2019, 04:27
Falling Faster and Faster
｡☆✼★━━━━━━✮ @James McMurtrie ✮━━━━━━★✼☆｡Lark couldn't contain herself as she laughed and laughed, nerves rushing from her. She didn't think she would every be able to actually get the broom into her hand, let alone with such ease. It had been all thanks to her friend's good tutoring. Plus, now they had gotten back to speaking terms which felt nice.. and right.
As James pulled away, Lark felt the last of her nerves trickle away and eased her laughing into a gentle sigh. "Ya.. thanks.. sorry." She brushed her bangs to one side out of her vision and took a moment to catch her breath.
“So when are you gonna sign up to be the Ravenclaw Seeker?”
A laugh caught in Lark's throat. Yeah okay. Seeker. "As soon as ye sign up for what is it.. Cheerleadin'?" All that time in the Muggle Studies section had been paying off. A wry smile crossed the girl's lips as she stood back from her friend, adjusting her robes into place once more.
The tone in James' voice made Lark straighten her shoulders. It had been rather rough not having her best friend around.. She had wanted to share a lot of funny jokes, looks or even serious moments and worries with him but... things had gotten so muddled. A more serious look crossed the girl's face as she nodded. They had been close right from the get go and she hadn't clicked with anyone else in the same way she had with James.
"....I officially give you permission to punch me if I ever act like a jerk.”
Lark wasn't sure if she could ever bring herself to punch him, but it seemed like a more lighthearted way to end his train of thought. Especially the... No.. no no. She choked back any bubbling, residual feelings. She had started sorting things out mentally. This sort of.. feeling. It was a friend thing. Not what Elz had brought up and clearly with Charlotte, James didn't feel that way either. Strictly friends. Lark wondered if that nauseous swell of emotions would subside anytime in her nearing future.. that would be nice.
"I promise." Lark gave him a warm smile. "Only if you do the same for me." She thought for a moment, hadn't she overheard some Muggleborn girls in the Common Room talking about promising. They had done some strange ritual thing. Not that Lark was spying on them... she was just. Curious. Delving back into her memory it finally sparked forth.
"I'll try not ta be such ah dope. No crazy shenanigans. Punches if ye get out ah line. Likewise for me. Nothin' between us hell er high water. For a lifetime an' then some." Trying to mimic what she had watched the girls do, Lark held out her hand, fingers bent inward and thumb up only her pinky sticking out towards James. "Promise?" Her golden eyes settle on his gaze the world almost falling away from the pair of Ravenclaws.
Stam: 4 - Ev: 6 - Str: 3 - Wis: 5 - AP: 7 - Acc: 5
In friendships we are searching for a soulmate, someone who shares every facet of their passions and imagination.
5 Nov 2019, 10:18
Falling Faster and Faster
"Ah! So you're aware of the ancient Muggle tradition of the Pinky-Promise." he grinned and gently curled his pinky around hers.
"No matter what. Even if things come between us and we need some time off, we'll always come back to one another... friends forever." he said, unclasping his pinky and then pulling the girl close to him in a tight hug.
"Man... imagine what it would have been like if we'd never sat next to each other at the sorting ceremony... I seriously can't believe it's only been a month.... Oh, dude, imagine if I got sorted into another house... what if I got sorting in Griffindor or something! I could be pinky-promising with Savannah Rose right now!" he snorted, thinking the scenario unlikely, if he'd been a Griffindor he figured his supreme dislike for Savannah Rose would still stand.
"Do you believe in stuff like fate? I mean... with Gem and everyone else... I just like invited them to breakfast but with you... It feels like we were meant to be friends. Like something was drawing us together from the very beginning... do you know what I mean? ....it's silly. Though, to be honest... magic is real so maybe fate could be too... maybe we're supposed to do something really amazing together, Lark Flaer..."
Interacting with: @Lark Flaer
Stamina : 5 | Evasion : 5 | Strength : 7 | Wisdom : 8 | Arcane Power : 7 | Accuracy : 3