Beneath the Warm Tea
Date: 9/12/24
π½uth Fairchild exhaled softly, watching mist pour out of her lips. Boy, it sure was getting colder. Autumn, just like the start of her Hogwarts year, passed by in a rapid blur. Now winter had come, dissipating any sign of amber and rust coloured leaves, full-on spewing frozen, white, goodness.
The girl shivered under her scarf, rubbing her arms. She had just been to the owlery to finally, finally send off the wreathe she had made during the errands on the first of December to her family. Hopefully itβd get there before Christmas. Ruth was sure of it. Hogwarts wasnβt that far from Bath, was it? She hadnβt been keeping track of the time it took on the train, much less calculated how fast a school owl could fly.
Walking back down the steps of the owlery all the way down to the second floor had lessened the biting air to a far more comfortable one. Indeed, contrary to Summer, she quite liked it. Of course, though, a new cup of hot chocolate would help. Ruth grinned to herself. What was with her and hot chocolate anyways? Best lay off of them until Christmas Eve, else sheβd be gathering a hefty cough in no time.
For now, though, a crackling fireplace in the Hufflepuff common room sounded enticing. Striking up a slow Christmas carol, Ruth continued to whistle along to the bend, wondering if she should pop by the library to grab a book. Would be nice to curl up on the soft armchairs the school had providedβ
A whimper halted Ruthβs footsteps, the tune she had been singing subsiding. What was that? It seemed to come a few feet away from her, hidden by the corner. She took furtive steps, cautious as she heard conversation with each approach.
ββ¦Pleaseβ¦β
βNow, thatβs what you get for being a half-blood, wretch.β Ruth peered from the side, then froze.
An older lad, it seemed, his leg on top of a younger boyβs chest. She couldnβt depict the years they could have been in, one because the perpetratorβs face was looking away from Ruthβs and the otherβs was simply too battered and bruised. The older boy continued to speak, βWhy couldnβt your father settle for a witch? The minute he married your mother, he dropped lower than a Muggle-born could.β He sneered, digging his heel further, causing the younger to groan.
Ruthβs eyes widened at the sight, fury tempting her. Without hesitation, she strode forward, pulling the older boy aside (rather easily, since the guy had left his guard down, it seemed.) He took a stumble, then faced Ruth, at first shocked. When he realised who had challenged him, his frown took a turn.
The girl ignored his smirk, placing herself between the injured and the bully. Now that she could see him, Ruth realised he was surely her senior, looking as though he was possibly a third or fourth year. How could he? She would have thought they were old enough to control themselves from such idiocy.
βLeave the boy alone,β she said, levelly. The guyβs stature frightened her slightly, but it wasnβt that she was worried about.
She was in a wizarding world. Judging by the cruel remarks the boy had been making, he surely was a pure blood. He belong here, and she didnβt. Ruth, already with the short stature and balled fists, was at a crippling disadvantage.
The boy scoffed, stepping closer. βAnd who are you to say anything about that, little miss?β he asked, taking a long look at her clenched fists. Ruth continued to stare him down, anger stoking her further. She wouldnβt take bullies.
βWho am I? Just someone who doesnβt need pure blood to recognize the stain youβre leaving on it.β
Ruth watched the boy roar, making a leap for her. Swiftly, with the grace of a cat, she turned, manoeuvring out of the attack. As the boy took a look back, Ruthβs fist met his face.
Interacting with @Evpraksiya Vinogradova
OOC:ReducioNPC used.
Last edited by Ruth Fairchild on 27 Sep 2025, 22:32, edited 1 time in total.
ALMOST EVERYTHING πhe sun rises for everyone, not just those who chase it. |
Beneath the Warm Tea
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βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ 9. 12. 2024 | @Ruth Fairchild .... |
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Last edited by Evpraksiya Vinogradova on 26 May 2025, 06:20, edited 2 times in total.
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βThe devil's voice is sweet to hearβ | xxx STA 7 β EVA 10 β STR 0 β WIS 8 β ARC 5 β ACC 10 LOVELY CREATURE |
Beneath the Warm Tea
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β It was hard to forget a girl like her.β
βBeneath the Warm Teaβ
π laugh sparked in the air as Ruth guffawed, awed at how the guy had somehow managed to tumble away, clutching his cheek that was beginning to bloom red. Ruth wasn't even that strong. How was it possible--?
Still, Ruth couldn't help but feel her lips curl in amusement, only briefly stopping when the larger boy came tromping back towards her, looming with his burly stature against her small one. "Woah...okay buddy," she chuckled, maintaining an eye contact that set her heart palpitating. Her fists remained clenched on either side, and she was ready to taunt-and-dodge a little more when a gasp caused her to whip around, facing a girl whose demeanour jarred into her familiarity.
Her fists loosened. It was hard to forget a girl like her. Ruth watched as Evpraksiya (how she remembered the name with no problem is a surprise) conversed with the boy, who she caught to have the family name Hallewell. Ah. Pure-blood business. Ruth turned away, interest faltering ever so slightly as she bent down beside the battered lad who had been eyeing them with a gaping mouth.
Ruth offered him a small smile and a hand, hoping he didn't notice the minute tremor. "Sorry about that," she apologised as though she was the one to blame "You should head to the Hospital Wing. Would you like me to take you?" The boy blinked at her, wide-eyed, but slowly shook his head. Muttering a thanks, he stumbled away as though he suddenly had energy renewed.
Well that was nice. Ruth glanced back to check how far the conversation was going, only to find the young Hallewell leaving Evpraksiya unscathed, storming off into the distance. Dang.
Admiration seeped into Ruth and she smiled at Evpraksiya openly, oblivious to how silly she probably looked gazing at her. As Evpraksiya turned to address her, Ruth blinked in surprise, almost fumbling as she stammered, "I-Ah, thanks. I guess it's just in my personality to help people." Ruth clenched her fists again, somewhat relishing the pain of digging her nails into the palm. "Bullies...aren't...Nice," she hesitated, wanting to look away, but continued to stare at Evpraksiya just as she continued to stare at Ruth.
She shifted on the spot uncomfortably. There was something strange about Evpraksiya, almost angelic but so wrong at the same time. Ruth had the instinct to bow down to her, though that was just plain ridiculous. Or was it?
Cheeks suddenly on fire, Ruth hesitated briefly, then extended her hand, then retracted it, then fumbled. Gah, what was she doing? Skipping to the pleasantries, Ruth said, "Thanks for helping me with the lad back there as well. I think I would have been pummelled real nicely if you hadn't come to my rescue." She laughed rather nervously, then coughed. "My...my name is Ruth Fairchild, in case you've forgotten."
Yikes. The Hufflepuff winced to herself, realising how terrible that was put together. "I-I mean..." Ah, gosh, so embarrassing, so embarrassing! Ruth hadn't meant any harm, only simply re-introducing herself. Assuming that Evpraksiya forgot-- Bollocks! "I mean...you've probably had many matters to attend to and names aren't on the top of your list," she attempted to reason with a Pureblood.
Ruth hadn't met too many Purebloods, she didnβt think. The ones she had were intimidating, with one having unwavering hatred for her. Ruth wasn't sure how different Evpraksiya was, and her delicacies proved it.
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ALMOST EVERYTHING πhe sun rises for everyone, not just those who chase it. |
Beneath the Warm Tea
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ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ @Ruth Fairchild | Lovely Creature In Effect |
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βThe devil's voice is sweet to hearβ | xxx STA 7 β EVA 10 β STR 0 β WIS 8 β ARC 5 β ACC 10 LOVELY CREATURE |
Beneath the Warm Tea
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βGosh, she wanted to squirm under Evpraksiyaβs gaze. β
βBeneath the Warm Teaβ
πs much as she loved reading and had grown up speaking, hearing, and listening to English all her life, Ruth found herself stumped by the words that Evpraksiya had uttered, sentences strung with a romanticism that Ruth would claim could rival Shakespeareβs. The Hufflepuff wasnβt entirely sure if she had ever heard of an eleven-year-old (twelve?) speak in such a manner. Her upbringing must have been intense. Despite flanking confusion and a smidge of stupidity, embarrassment and guilt for not understanding what the other had said at all, Ruth was drawn to the lilt in her speech. It was like listening to foreign musicβa melody so sweet, yet incoherent. βYes,β she replied anyway.
Gosh, she wanted to squirm under Evpraksiyaβs gaze. Ruth followed her Sacramento green eyes as they traced a fluid line down her figure. It was then did she felt slightly conscious of her appearance, and snagged a glance down at herself as well. Now that she looked at it properly, her shoes did need some polishing. Ruth cleared her throat and fixed her scarf, flicking the crimson end back over her shoulder.
Upon hearing Evpraksiya, Fairchild blinked once. Then twice more. You do? She thought to herself in silent wonder as she triedβfailedβto hide the surprise that flickered onto her face. A decent blush spread across her cheeks, and Ruth felt herself grow warm under the otherβs gaze. βThanks,β she mumbled, bashful. βI have been playing the instrument for a while. Iβ¦do wish we did too.β Although then, she had categorised it as wishful thinking.
Ruth had barely slid her hand back to rest at her sides when the startling, cold touch of Evpraksiyaβs fingers against her wrist startled her. She stifled a hitched gasp as she watched Evpraksiya stare down at her palm, a faint moue on her lips that reminded Ruth vaguely of a small mouse, only cuter, she supposed. She felt a tingling shiver creep up her arm as the Slytherin before her laced her delicate fingers with Ruthβs calloused ones. βYou must be flattering me,β she squeaked. βI donβt think my hands are all that flattering, as compared to yours.β This was true. Years of rowdy play in the gardens, fields, hills, and the occasional playground fight had given her hands a texture of sandpaper, stripped of smooth skin, as faint blisters traced themselves along the pads at the base of her fingers. Ruth sighed softly. βBut I suppose you are right. I should be more careful with my hands. Donβt worry, though!β She was quick to insist, βIβm fine. This doesnβt hurt one bit.β
At least, until Evpraksiya bundled her hand up with a handkerchief made of silk, the sudden, cooler temperature causing Ruth to flinch in surprise. βWow,β she breathed, stroking the hem with a sort of reverence. βThanks.β A cooling napkin, a coaxing reminder that the magical world was ambiguous, and there was still so much to discover and see. Man, if only muggles could have somehow discovered an object such as this! Ruth could imagine the swelling of her injuries dying down faster. βProper treatment?β she echoed after the other. What did that mean? She frowned at the girl. Were her injuries so bad she needed proper treatment-- whatever that was.
βItβs really not a big deal,β she attempted to reassure Evpraksiya once again. βIβ¦Iβm somewhat accustomed to minor scrapes and bumps like this. Itβll go away soon after.β Using her other hand, Ruth pressed the enchanted handkerchief gently against her palm, biting her lower lip to suppress the winces that threatened to bubble out of her throat. It really wasnβt that bad. She had faced far worse, yet under the proximity of Vinogradova, Ruth was oddly vulnerable. What was happening to her?
βYouβre really good with your words,β she blurted out, hoping itβd distract the other enough not to send her to the Hospital Wing. βThe way you managed to get the guy to stop just from talking. That was cool. I wish I had the skills to do that.β She grew fixated on her silk-wrapped palm, averting her gaze from Evpraksiyaβs serenity. βEven if I try, I somehow end up using my fists anyway.β
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ALMOST EVERYTHING πhe sun rises for everyone, not just those who chase it. |