Severance
Date: 01 September 2025
Time: Morning/Early Afternoon
Location: Hogwarts Express
The train journey from Ewell to London was one Livia knew well, despite her mother's appreciation for apparition. On the days when she went into the city with her father for his work, she had often been granted a taste of the trains. London fit her like a second sleeve—hanging a bit too long, too heavy, on her skinny arms, but something breathable and well-loved all the same. It was where her cousin lived, anyway, and where her father worked, and that was all that mattered.
However, this time, they were heading into London not for Séamus's work, nor to visit relatives, nor to attend a pure-blood gathering, but rather for the commencement of Livia's schooling journey. The novelty of it caused London to seem hotter in the early September air, made the passersby seem all the louder. Even Livia's feet hung in the air for extra-long before coming down when she walked, as if even her body rebelled against this strange change to routine.
Sweaty people of all shapes and sizes filled the station, ensuring that Livia's mother, Natela, hugged her brother, Julian, close while guiding the children to where Séamus was waiting at the platform. Her lips moved, but any sound coming from them was lost to the aggressive buzz of chatter from the Muggle travellers. Even Julian shrank into himself, and Livia found her arm reaching towards him; however, she pulled it back after a stern glance from her mother.
The part about running into a wall went by rather quickly. One moment, Livia was on one side of it, and the next, she was on the other. Julian seemed far more surprised; he let out a high-pitched squeak and buried his face in Natela's side. Livia glanced over at them and forced her lips into a straight, neutral line.
Her father was waving closer to the edge of the platform, her trunk next to him. The smile on his face was one she could easily mirror, having seen it daily for eleven years; her cheeks ached with the unfamiliar effort, but she had been told it was polite to return the emotions that were given. As such, she pushed past her brother and mother in order to hug her father, the tension in her shoulders lessening as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.
'Be safe, be yourself, love. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.' His voice, while stern, carried a soft weight that made Livia pull him closer, if only for a moment, before her mother tugged on her arm and the strings of decorum yanked her away once again.
She almost lifted her trunk, but paused at the last moment to glance at her father, then at Julian. 'I do love you both.' She nodded as if affirming her own statement, her gaze blank despite a polite, friendly smile on her lips. 'Papa, please continue our most recent reading while I am away. I will do the same.' Then, Julian. Oh, her sweet, sweet, Julian. Her smile widened; her gaze brightened, if only slightly. 'Julenka. Моё солнышко. I will write weekly.' She then levied an even, blank stare at her mother. 'Mother. Please do remember how he likes his sandwiches—small, cut in triangles? That way they are easier to bite?'
Natela rolled her dark eyes but nodded nonetheless. She gestured towards the trunk, still on the platform's ground, and then at the train, where students had long since been hurrying up. 'You're ready?'
Livia nodded. Saying no more, she hefted her trunk from the ground with a small grunt, quickly biting her lip to ensure no more noises left her lips. By the time she had entered the train, pink dusted her cheeks along with small beads of sweat. Some of her hair had escaped its chignon and had fallen in her face; the sensation caused her to grit her teeth and walk faster. She shouldered open the door to the first compartment with an empty seat that she could find, and she nearly threw the trunk onto a seat, finally letting out a quiet gasp.
Only then did she properly acknowledge the other person in the compartment. The other child seemed to be a girl, rather shorter than Livia, with a far more unkempt nature. Livia kept her expression free of emotion as she adjusted her trunk's location on the seat, all while keeping her gaze on the other girl. Her fashion—hardly typical for a pure-blood, so likely not one. However, she clearly had to be magical, or else she would not be here. Livia then began to properly observe the compartment—it was generously sized, and the seats were comfortable enough even if not luxurious; the window stretched out along the far wall, and Livia imagined they would be able to witness the beauty of rural Britain as the train chugged on.
With that in mind, she turned back to the girl and offered her usual polite—even if altogether insincere—smile, this time ensuring at least some facet of the expression was reflected in her upturned, emerald-green eyes. She extended her right arm towards the girl. 'I assume this compartment is still free?' Livia raised an eyebrow to punctuate the question, still maintaining the smile. 'I'm Livia, by the way—Livia Machavariani, incoming first year, to be exact. And you are?'
Time: Morning/Early Afternoon
Location: Hogwarts Express
Roleplaying as Livia Machavariani
Sta: 2 | Eva: 10 | Str: 0 | Wis: 7 | Arc: 8 | Acc: 8
terrible presence
Sta: 2 | Eva: 10 | Str: 0 | Wis: 7 | Arc: 8 | Acc: 8
terrible presence
The train journey from Ewell to London was one Livia knew well, despite her mother's appreciation for apparition. On the days when she went into the city with her father for his work, she had often been granted a taste of the trains. London fit her like a second sleeve—hanging a bit too long, too heavy, on her skinny arms, but something breathable and well-loved all the same. It was where her cousin lived, anyway, and where her father worked, and that was all that mattered.
However, this time, they were heading into London not for Séamus's work, nor to visit relatives, nor to attend a pure-blood gathering, but rather for the commencement of Livia's schooling journey. The novelty of it caused London to seem hotter in the early September air, made the passersby seem all the louder. Even Livia's feet hung in the air for extra-long before coming down when she walked, as if even her body rebelled against this strange change to routine.
Sweaty people of all shapes and sizes filled the station, ensuring that Livia's mother, Natela, hugged her brother, Julian, close while guiding the children to where Séamus was waiting at the platform. Her lips moved, but any sound coming from them was lost to the aggressive buzz of chatter from the Muggle travellers. Even Julian shrank into himself, and Livia found her arm reaching towards him; however, she pulled it back after a stern glance from her mother.
The part about running into a wall went by rather quickly. One moment, Livia was on one side of it, and the next, she was on the other. Julian seemed far more surprised; he let out a high-pitched squeak and buried his face in Natela's side. Livia glanced over at them and forced her lips into a straight, neutral line.
Her father was waving closer to the edge of the platform, her trunk next to him. The smile on his face was one she could easily mirror, having seen it daily for eleven years; her cheeks ached with the unfamiliar effort, but she had been told it was polite to return the emotions that were given. As such, she pushed past her brother and mother in order to hug her father, the tension in her shoulders lessening as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.
'Be safe, be yourself, love. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.' His voice, while stern, carried a soft weight that made Livia pull him closer, if only for a moment, before her mother tugged on her arm and the strings of decorum yanked her away once again.
She almost lifted her trunk, but paused at the last moment to glance at her father, then at Julian. 'I do love you both.' She nodded as if affirming her own statement, her gaze blank despite a polite, friendly smile on her lips. 'Papa, please continue our most recent reading while I am away. I will do the same.' Then, Julian. Oh, her sweet, sweet, Julian. Her smile widened; her gaze brightened, if only slightly. 'Julenka. Моё солнышко. I will write weekly.' She then levied an even, blank stare at her mother. 'Mother. Please do remember how he likes his sandwiches—small, cut in triangles? That way they are easier to bite?'
Natela rolled her dark eyes but nodded nonetheless. She gestured towards the trunk, still on the platform's ground, and then at the train, where students had long since been hurrying up. 'You're ready?'
Livia nodded. Saying no more, she hefted her trunk from the ground with a small grunt, quickly biting her lip to ensure no more noises left her lips. By the time she had entered the train, pink dusted her cheeks along with small beads of sweat. Some of her hair had escaped its chignon and had fallen in her face; the sensation caused her to grit her teeth and walk faster. She shouldered open the door to the first compartment with an empty seat that she could find, and she nearly threw the trunk onto a seat, finally letting out a quiet gasp.
Only then did she properly acknowledge the other person in the compartment. The other child seemed to be a girl, rather shorter than Livia, with a far more unkempt nature. Livia kept her expression free of emotion as she adjusted her trunk's location on the seat, all while keeping her gaze on the other girl. Her fashion—hardly typical for a pure-blood, so likely not one. However, she clearly had to be magical, or else she would not be here. Livia then began to properly observe the compartment—it was generously sized, and the seats were comfortable enough even if not luxurious; the window stretched out along the far wall, and Livia imagined they would be able to witness the beauty of rural Britain as the train chugged on.
With that in mind, she turned back to the girl and offered her usual polite—even if altogether insincere—smile, this time ensuring at least some facet of the expression was reflected in her upturned, emerald-green eyes. She extended her right arm towards the girl. 'I assume this compartment is still free?' Livia raised an eyebrow to punctuate the question, still maintaining the smile. 'I'm Livia, by the way—Livia Machavariani, incoming first year, to be exact. And you are?'
@ottilie thompson
Моё солнышко — 'My sunshine'
permission acquired to describe ottilie being in the compartment.
permission acquired to describe ottilie being in the compartment.
Last edited by Livia Machavariani on 15 Jul 2025, 03:57, edited 1 time in total.
| [staff] jessamine lancaster even you cannot conquer the sun. | marina alacrán [inpc] her hair is kinda wild and free. |
Severance
Interactions: @Livia Machavariani
Mentions:Date: 1st September
Location: Hogwarts ExpressOutfit: x
- Severance -
Three stories up, at precisely seven thirty am in a cheap London hotel, Bree Thompson was panicking. Sending your daughter off to boarding school for the first time was a big occasion normally, but sending her off into an unknown world of magic that you knew nothing about made it that much more an occasion for stress. As her mother threw around clothing options and despaired at how much she had managed to get muddy, Ottilie was beginning to get the tiniest bit excited. Yes, she was very much still terrified, but in the past few days she had seen and done so many things that she thought only existed in fair tales, and all she had done was go shopping. This school seemed a lot better than going back to doing boring old math at her old one, and she was sure that she couldn't be the only one completely new to all this magic stuff.
The young girls excitement however, was not shared by her mother, who just wanted her to sit still so that she could plait her hair. Her blond hair eventually (after much struggle) was done up into two braids, and she was wearing her best un-muddied shirt and trousers. All of her new belongings had been packed up into bags, although the cauldron hadn't fit, much to the despair of her mother. Driving down to kings cross was an uneventful affair, although sitting in the car gave Ottilie's stomach time to twist itself up into messy nervous-excited knots. The radio blasted cherry, out of date, pop music as she wondered what would happen if they missed her train. Thank god they were on time, because she realised she had no idea where this school actually was. Hopefully there would be someone waiting at the other end to direct her, because otherwise she would be getting her education from either wild wolves or wild rats, depending on how rural this station was.
In no time at all, they were pulling up outside Kings Cross Station. She felt like it was a bit too soon, if you asked her. Where did the car ride go? Still, she smiled at her mother as she helped her grab her bags. She watched her mother grasp on to the letter they had received like it was a rope and she was drowning at sea, and jokingly pretended to bite it. Her mother laughed and made a joke about her not biting her new classmates, and then they were at the... wall. A wall which was most certainly not a train, or at the very least not like any other train she had ever seen. "Alright darling, this bit is a bit strange" her mother said "You have to well... run through a wall". After looking at her mother to confirm that she wasn't joking, she just shrugged. She had ran multiples things into walls (although not on purpose) before, how could a trolley be any different?
Besides, it wasn't like she had much choice. If this was some sort of test to determine which students were brave (and stupid) enough to be able to attend, she wasn't about to fail it in front of her mother after all she had done to get her there. Turning around and stretching up on her tip toes to give her mother a goodbye hug, she ran at the wall like she was being chased. A few passerbys turned and looked at her strangely, and she almost took out a pigeon, but onwards she ran. Her brain knew, of course, that it couldn't really be a proper wall. Her body however, knew that it was about to crash into a wall. Her eyes squeezed shut without her telling them to, then opened again when they didn't feel the distinct crash of brick to trolley contact. "Woah" she said. Woah felt like the only word to describe it.
The platform itself was a relatively ordinary affair, it was the people on it that made it so strange. Everywhere, obvious signs of magic were present for all to see. Parents in colourful robes said goodbye to their kids, some as young as her and others much older. Cages in trolleys contained owls of all breeds and colours, and cats, and toads, and mostly any animal you could think of. She stood there with her mouth open for what felt like hours, until an elderly lady cleared her throat and she scampered out of the way, murmuring apologies. Train. She just needed to get on the train. Which was also pretty magical if you asked her, although it didn't have wings or breathe fire or anything too outrageous. There was just a quiet aura about it, a imposing presence. Snapping herself out of her thoughts, she pushed her trolley forward.
The train itself was divided into compartments with comfy looking seats in them, and racks above for luggage that she struggled to reach to shove her bags in. A handy bit of chair parkour helped a lot though, and she took a seat. Just in time as well, as a girl had just walked in and Tilly didn't think seeing someone climbing all over the chairs was a brilliant first impression. Sitting up straighter and trying to look like she was magical and belonged there, she smiled at the other girl. "Yeah, it's just me" she said. "I'm Ottilie, Ottilie Thompson, but everyone calls me Tilly" she wondered if that was a formal enough introduction "I'm a first year as well, by the way".
Severance
Date: 01 September 2025
Time: Morning/Early Afternoon
Location: Hogwarts Express
That the other girl did not seem fully settled was the first thing that occurred to Livia, outside of the child's general unkempt nature. However, the other child did straighten up—she thus almost magically grew both in height and in confidence. The sight caused Livia's chin to lift in an appreciative nod all while she finally sat, ensuring she did not plop into the seat but rather gently settled into it next to her trunk.
She would nod again when hearing Tilly's name. It was not one she had heard before. She would shake Tilly's hand if the other girl would let her, and then she would sit with ramrod-straight posture, still unable to focus on Tilly in favour of taking in the plush, comfortable compartment. Nonetheless, she still murmured a distracted, 'It's a pleasure.'
It was not long before the train's whistle sounded once, twice, and then the wheels began to turn. The sound caused the compartment's wall to vibrate; Livia's lips began to curve upwards as she placed the back of her hand against the window and watched the station go by. She scanned the still-remaining crowd of people for the familiar shapes of her mother, brother and father but saw none of them waving at her, unlike the families of many of the other students. She let out a small, likely unnoticeable sigh, and turned back to Tilly with her hands folded in her lap.
'Do you have a specific house you are hoping for?' Livia asked as the train began to move out underneath the partly-cloudy sky. Sunlight shone in through the large window next to her, causing her to glance at the window and smile faintly once again. The gentle hum of the train's movement helped relax her usually-tense muscles, but despite that, she still remained seated with her shoulders pressed against the plush back of the seat, her spine still straight.
Still staring out the window, she opened her mouth minutely before her etiquette returned to her and she did her best to make eye contact with Tilly. The lack of spoken words almost put her on the edge of her seat, except she folded her hands and stuck them in her lap so that she would not move. Her fingers pressed tightly against one another, her knuckles whitening as she stood, still as a statue atop a sepulchre, her stare sharp as the blade of a sabre as she attempted to puzzle out what to say, what to do—she had never been in a train compartment with anyone aside from her family, let alone a peer.
Finally, the words nearly forced themselves out of her. She deftly avoided stammering, although the gravelly undertone to her voice would hint at her uncertainty. 'My father told me they have a sweets trolley on the train.' She clasped her hands tighter. 'My mother always disliked the moving chocolate frogs, but I think I would be rather interested in seeing them. I wonder if they would behave like a real pet frog... do you like sweets?'
Once the dam of quietness had been broken, only a well-timed sharp look from her mother could force her to hush. The heel of her shoe tapped against the ground, adding to the noise of the train's engine and wheels against the rails, as she finally moved her hands to rest on the seat of the chair, only just stopping herself from scooting forward. 'Oh! I didn't ask, but where are you from? Was it difficult for you to get to King's Cross? I know my journey was rather short, but... well, if yours was too lengthy and you don't want to be bored during the train journey, I can always talk to you.'
She finally stopped chattering, but there was now colour in her cheeks and even a glimmer of something in her eyes—perhaps the reflection of the light outside the train window, but also perhaps a shred of something else. Her smile remained tight-lipped as she gazed at Tilly, but it was no longer so strained, although her cheeks still ached, and she wondered when it would be acceptable to lapse into her preferred neutrality.
As she sat, her stomach gave a twinge, and her smile faded abruptly, her green eyes widening as she broke eye contact and instead stared at the compartment's door. 'If I'm honest, I'm really rather famished. I hope they come by with the refreshments soon...'
Time: Morning/Early Afternoon
Location: Hogwarts Express
Roleplaying as Livia Machavariani
Sta: 2 | Eva: 10 | Str: 0 | Wis: 7 | Arc: 8 | Acc: 8
terrible presence
Sta: 2 | Eva: 10 | Str: 0 | Wis: 7 | Arc: 8 | Acc: 8
terrible presence
That the other girl did not seem fully settled was the first thing that occurred to Livia, outside of the child's general unkempt nature. However, the other child did straighten up—she thus almost magically grew both in height and in confidence. The sight caused Livia's chin to lift in an appreciative nod all while she finally sat, ensuring she did not plop into the seat but rather gently settled into it next to her trunk.
She would nod again when hearing Tilly's name. It was not one she had heard before. She would shake Tilly's hand if the other girl would let her, and then she would sit with ramrod-straight posture, still unable to focus on Tilly in favour of taking in the plush, comfortable compartment. Nonetheless, she still murmured a distracted, 'It's a pleasure.'
It was not long before the train's whistle sounded once, twice, and then the wheels began to turn. The sound caused the compartment's wall to vibrate; Livia's lips began to curve upwards as she placed the back of her hand against the window and watched the station go by. She scanned the still-remaining crowd of people for the familiar shapes of her mother, brother and father but saw none of them waving at her, unlike the families of many of the other students. She let out a small, likely unnoticeable sigh, and turned back to Tilly with her hands folded in her lap.
'Do you have a specific house you are hoping for?' Livia asked as the train began to move out underneath the partly-cloudy sky. Sunlight shone in through the large window next to her, causing her to glance at the window and smile faintly once again. The gentle hum of the train's movement helped relax her usually-tense muscles, but despite that, she still remained seated with her shoulders pressed against the plush back of the seat, her spine still straight.
Still staring out the window, she opened her mouth minutely before her etiquette returned to her and she did her best to make eye contact with Tilly. The lack of spoken words almost put her on the edge of her seat, except she folded her hands and stuck them in her lap so that she would not move. Her fingers pressed tightly against one another, her knuckles whitening as she stood, still as a statue atop a sepulchre, her stare sharp as the blade of a sabre as she attempted to puzzle out what to say, what to do—she had never been in a train compartment with anyone aside from her family, let alone a peer.
Finally, the words nearly forced themselves out of her. She deftly avoided stammering, although the gravelly undertone to her voice would hint at her uncertainty. 'My father told me they have a sweets trolley on the train.' She clasped her hands tighter. 'My mother always disliked the moving chocolate frogs, but I think I would be rather interested in seeing them. I wonder if they would behave like a real pet frog... do you like sweets?'
Once the dam of quietness had been broken, only a well-timed sharp look from her mother could force her to hush. The heel of her shoe tapped against the ground, adding to the noise of the train's engine and wheels against the rails, as she finally moved her hands to rest on the seat of the chair, only just stopping herself from scooting forward. 'Oh! I didn't ask, but where are you from? Was it difficult for you to get to King's Cross? I know my journey was rather short, but... well, if yours was too lengthy and you don't want to be bored during the train journey, I can always talk to you.'
She finally stopped chattering, but there was now colour in her cheeks and even a glimmer of something in her eyes—perhaps the reflection of the light outside the train window, but also perhaps a shred of something else. Her smile remained tight-lipped as she gazed at Tilly, but it was no longer so strained, although her cheeks still ached, and she wondered when it would be acceptable to lapse into her preferred neutrality.
As she sat, her stomach gave a twinge, and her smile faded abruptly, her green eyes widening as she broke eye contact and instead stared at the compartment's door. 'If I'm honest, I'm really rather famished. I hope they come by with the refreshments soon...'
@ottilie thompson
| [staff] jessamine lancaster even you cannot conquer the sun. | marina alacrán [inpc] her hair is kinda wild and free. |
Severance
Interactions: @Livia Machavariani
Mentions:Date: 1st September
Location: Hogwarts ExpressOutfit: x
- Severance -
At least her new compartmentmate was polite. She seemed nice enough, if a little cold. It was the first day of school though, which was more than a valid enough reason for anyone to be shy. Tilly intended to tackle it the way she did with everything else - Head on. She would find her place in this new world by sheer determination. When this train went in the opposite direction, it would have her on it, with lots of exciting stories to tell her mother. She would be able to say look mum, you didn't have any reason to worry after all. Her mother was probably on her way back home to Birmingham already. Hopefully she was driving safe and not worrying too much. She would have to write to her as soon as she got a chance at school, so that she could reassure her that she had arrived intact and the train hadn't crashed or anything. Assuming of course, that the train didn't crash. Not that she expected it to. It seemed like a pretty sturdy, nice train. It was very different from the muggle ones she was used to, much more old-fashioned and quality than the cheap seat covers and cramped spaces of Birmingham trains.
Turning her attention away from trains, she looked back at the girl across from her. Slightly surprised by her formality, she accepted the handshake. She didn't know anyone her age who shook hands with other people when they first met them. That was just teachers and adults. Somehow, this seemed stranger to her than the whole magic train. She was distracted from having to reply by the whistle of the train blowing, and then the compartment shuddering as the train drew away from the station. This was really it. She was really going to Hogwarts. There would be no turning back or changing her mind now. "I don't really know too much about them yet" she said in response "I think I'd be happy with any. Were you hoping for one?". Back at her old school, the houses had been named after animals and only became interesting on sports day. She had been in the house of the frog, which she secretly kind of hated but would never say anything because of house pride.
Far more interesting than houses though, was the mention of sweets. "Really?" she said "That would be so cool". She was glad she had thought ahead and changed her pocket money into the wizarding kind at the bank back in the alley. Normally her coins were carefully saved and spent only when she was really sure she wanted something (since they were far from abundant) but this counted as a special occasion. "Moving frogs?" she said, shocked "and of course I love sweets!". There were very few things she wouldn't eat (truth or dare games at her school mostly ended up with someone eating something slimy or wriggling or both), but sweets were most definitely a favourite. "Are you from London or somewhere nearby then?" she asked "I'm a bit far out, I live in Birmingham". The drive here had certainly been long. "I'm starving too" she grinned "And I would love to talk". It was nice to see her new friend relax a bit. She was starting to look a bit less well... constipated.
Severance
date: 1 september 2025
time: morning/early afternoon
location: hogwarts express
Livia tilted her head and nodded when Tilly admitted she didn't know much about the houses. Tilly's relative ignorance meant Livia had to simply smile to stave off the rude question—'Oh, are you a Muggle-born?'—and simply assume the other girl had been born to Squibs or perhaps was a half-blood with a horribly irresponsible wizarding parent. Surely a Muggle-born wouldn't have understood the importance of proper introductions, and Tilly had, so there was that, at least. 'Well, I suppose if your parents haven't told you much about them, you can at least think about what colour you'd prefer to wear when watching sports. I've always been told I look good in green, which would mean I should hope for Slytherin... although, to be honest, I think I would thrive in Ravenclaw—that's the blue one, the house meant for the wise.' She shrugged. 'I don't think I would like to be a Gryffindor; I hear they have a reputation for recklessness.'
Recklessness, of course, was a mortal sin, nearly neck-and-neck with imperfection and mediocrity in Livia's eyes. The relative coolness with which her tone glossed over the description of the lions' house would not betray this information, but perhaps Tilly would have been able to guess that from Livia's general demeanour—straight-backed, perhaps stiff even when speaking warmly, lacking the brashness of many of her peers.
A small rumble in Livia's stomach alerted her to the fact that she hadn't eaten since she'd had a cup of tea and a bit of fresh khachapuri early in the morning. The eggy cheese bread that she liked to make with her brother 'helping' her was a delicacy she would sorely miss; even thinking of it made her close her eyes and swallow to stave off the sudden craving. She hadn't even finished it because she usually didn't eat so early; at the very least, she hoped her family would leave the rest for Julian so that he could enjoy what she did not.
She stretched, reaching up to finally fix her hair—her nimble fingers deftly rearranged stray locks of hair into a carefully-twisted hairstyle, and she did not pause until nearly all of her hair was out of her face. The ordeal with her trunk had certainly left her worse for wear; she considered herself lucky she had not appeared more dishevelled after lugging the heavy object around. For a moment, she wondered if the other girl had received assistance from her parents with regard to her belongings, but she pushed that thought away and instead focused on the present.
Tilly's reaction to her comment about sweets nearly coaxed a small breath of laughter out of Livia; however, she instead exhaled quietly through her nose, nodding to affirm her earlier statement. 'Of course—I hear it's something of a statement here, something the students always look forward to. It only makes sense that we would want some sweets, too.' Livia adjusted how she was seated to slip off her coat. She neatly folded it atop her trunk, which rested next to her, but not before fishing through one of the pockets to pull out a dark plum-coloured velvet coin purse, fitted with gold-threaded embroidery in the form of a family crest equipped with trees, grapes and a bird that, to an untrained idea, would likely only be recognisable as a bird of prey. Livia opened it to fish out a few galleons—certainly enough for whatever sweets either of them might want to purchase. She glanced down to double-check the number of coins remaining in the bag, and after doing so, she glanced back up at Tilly. 'If you're as excited as I am for the sweets, consider it my treat.'
Livia kept the coins in her hand even as Tilly continued to talk; she remained ever-vigilant in case she might hear the squeaking wheels of the sweets trolley. Her thumb brushed over the face of one of the golden coins as she listened, and then she nodded. 'I'm from Ewell. It's in Surrey, but it's close enough to Greater London.' She elaborated largely because she was unsure of Tilly's degree of familiarity with areas outside of Birmingham. 'We didn't take the Floo because my little brother... well, he's scared of most things. Especially fire, strangely. I don't quite understand why lengthening the journey via a train was any better, but, you know, whatever parents say is whatever we shall do.'
There was a faint sound outside the compartment, and Livia rose, coins in hand. 'Apologies for the interruption, but I think that's the sweets trolley.'
Surely enough, there was a soft knock at the compartment door moments later. Livia offered Tilly a small, hopefully-encouraging nod before turning to the door and stepping back. The gentle shake of the train against the rails made her glance at the seat she had previously abandoned, but she decided standing would give her the best view of the selection of sweets, and therefore was the best option. This proved to be an adequate observation when the door opened and the sweets seller made themself known. Livia smiled at them, suddenly the picture of a posh, socially-conscious pureblood, and she pointed at the chocolate frogs, then the liquorice wands, then the pumpkin pasties. 'I'd like one of each of these, please. And a copy of the Daily Prophet.' She glanced back to Tilly. 'What would you like?'
time: morning/early afternoon
location: hogwarts express
roleplaying as livia machavariani
sta: 2 | eva: 10 | str: 0 | wis: 7 | arc: 8 | acc: 8
terrible presence
sta: 2 | eva: 10 | str: 0 | wis: 7 | arc: 8 | acc: 8
terrible presence
Livia tilted her head and nodded when Tilly admitted she didn't know much about the houses. Tilly's relative ignorance meant Livia had to simply smile to stave off the rude question—'Oh, are you a Muggle-born?'—and simply assume the other girl had been born to Squibs or perhaps was a half-blood with a horribly irresponsible wizarding parent. Surely a Muggle-born wouldn't have understood the importance of proper introductions, and Tilly had, so there was that, at least. 'Well, I suppose if your parents haven't told you much about them, you can at least think about what colour you'd prefer to wear when watching sports. I've always been told I look good in green, which would mean I should hope for Slytherin... although, to be honest, I think I would thrive in Ravenclaw—that's the blue one, the house meant for the wise.' She shrugged. 'I don't think I would like to be a Gryffindor; I hear they have a reputation for recklessness.'
Recklessness, of course, was a mortal sin, nearly neck-and-neck with imperfection and mediocrity in Livia's eyes. The relative coolness with which her tone glossed over the description of the lions' house would not betray this information, but perhaps Tilly would have been able to guess that from Livia's general demeanour—straight-backed, perhaps stiff even when speaking warmly, lacking the brashness of many of her peers.
A small rumble in Livia's stomach alerted her to the fact that she hadn't eaten since she'd had a cup of tea and a bit of fresh khachapuri early in the morning. The eggy cheese bread that she liked to make with her brother 'helping' her was a delicacy she would sorely miss; even thinking of it made her close her eyes and swallow to stave off the sudden craving. She hadn't even finished it because she usually didn't eat so early; at the very least, she hoped her family would leave the rest for Julian so that he could enjoy what she did not.
She stretched, reaching up to finally fix her hair—her nimble fingers deftly rearranged stray locks of hair into a carefully-twisted hairstyle, and she did not pause until nearly all of her hair was out of her face. The ordeal with her trunk had certainly left her worse for wear; she considered herself lucky she had not appeared more dishevelled after lugging the heavy object around. For a moment, she wondered if the other girl had received assistance from her parents with regard to her belongings, but she pushed that thought away and instead focused on the present.
Tilly's reaction to her comment about sweets nearly coaxed a small breath of laughter out of Livia; however, she instead exhaled quietly through her nose, nodding to affirm her earlier statement. 'Of course—I hear it's something of a statement here, something the students always look forward to. It only makes sense that we would want some sweets, too.' Livia adjusted how she was seated to slip off her coat. She neatly folded it atop her trunk, which rested next to her, but not before fishing through one of the pockets to pull out a dark plum-coloured velvet coin purse, fitted with gold-threaded embroidery in the form of a family crest equipped with trees, grapes and a bird that, to an untrained idea, would likely only be recognisable as a bird of prey. Livia opened it to fish out a few galleons—certainly enough for whatever sweets either of them might want to purchase. She glanced down to double-check the number of coins remaining in the bag, and after doing so, she glanced back up at Tilly. 'If you're as excited as I am for the sweets, consider it my treat.'
Livia kept the coins in her hand even as Tilly continued to talk; she remained ever-vigilant in case she might hear the squeaking wheels of the sweets trolley. Her thumb brushed over the face of one of the golden coins as she listened, and then she nodded. 'I'm from Ewell. It's in Surrey, but it's close enough to Greater London.' She elaborated largely because she was unsure of Tilly's degree of familiarity with areas outside of Birmingham. 'We didn't take the Floo because my little brother... well, he's scared of most things. Especially fire, strangely. I don't quite understand why lengthening the journey via a train was any better, but, you know, whatever parents say is whatever we shall do.'
There was a faint sound outside the compartment, and Livia rose, coins in hand. 'Apologies for the interruption, but I think that's the sweets trolley.'
Surely enough, there was a soft knock at the compartment door moments later. Livia offered Tilly a small, hopefully-encouraging nod before turning to the door and stepping back. The gentle shake of the train against the rails made her glance at the seat she had previously abandoned, but she decided standing would give her the best view of the selection of sweets, and therefore was the best option. This proved to be an adequate observation when the door opened and the sweets seller made themself known. Livia smiled at them, suddenly the picture of a posh, socially-conscious pureblood, and she pointed at the chocolate frogs, then the liquorice wands, then the pumpkin pasties. 'I'd like one of each of these, please. And a copy of the Daily Prophet.' She glanced back to Tilly. 'What would you like?'
@ottilie thompson
OOC: Feel free to have Tilly accept or decline Livia's offer of buying sweets.
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