I see horses
She wasn't supposed to be here. That much had been evident since the start of the year. Walking around these rococo walls felt anything but right for a dark-skinned girl from the 19th arrondissement. And yet, the months had passed and the seasons changed as they would have done if she'd never left Paris, or if her parents had never left the Ivory Coast. Surely then, none of this 'magic' business would ever have occurred.
All this time, and she still felt uncomfortable with it. Even the wood of her wand felt uncomfortable and foreign in her palms. Looking down at it, she questioned the physics of how it was even capable of performing these great spells, nevermind the things older students or competent duellists were able to achieve. It probably didn't help that she'd yet to connect with any of her peers.
In fact, perhaps the only creature she'd come to enjoy spending time with with the Abraxans. They were perhaps the most ordinary looking animals around, if you didn't count the wings. Back in the city, she'd never spent time with horses. Perhaps the closest thing she knew were the stray cats that sometimes came knocking by the door. But she'd take any ounce of familiarity. It wasn't that she disliked magic, but rather that she couldn't help but feel other.
Somehow, out here amongst the gentle breathing and playful neighs of the Abraxans, she could find a little peace. Her hand reached up to pet one cautiously. In that second, there was that flash—an instant where it could have bucked—and flash back and it was quiet again as her fingertips brushed against the hairs on the Abraxan's face in a moment of understanding. Her breath slowed as she felt seen by the creature in a way she did not by her peers. So absorbed was she that she would not notice any approach.
@Célestine de la Croix-Valmer
Last edited by Akerrah Koné on 6 Aug 2025, 22:26, edited 1 time in total.
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I see horses
Célestine finished with everything she planned to do and was thinking what to do next. She realized she needed to go out. Sitting whole day in the office, even though it was comfortable, was not the best idea.
Time passed since the tragedy, but she still felt sad any time she thought about it. She didn't understand it. Couldn't relate to the hatred. Célestine learned to hide her talent to speak with snakes. But it wasn't that hard as for some other races. And what was hurting even more was the image of burning Abraxans. Now, what did they do to deserve all that? Just were in the wrong place.
She sighed and stood up. Célestine knew where she would spend some time and so she moved to the stables. She liked the castle and surrounding area, but she thought there were some things that could be changed. Perhaps, she could do something during the summer.
As she entered the stables, she thought she could see someone standing near one of the Abraxans. It wasn't advised to pet them without anyone watching, but something about this student made Célestine stay quiet for a moment. When she spoke, her voice was filled with care and there was no annoyance or angriness. I see they don't mind you petting them. That's good, otherwise it could be painful.
She came closer and gave some attention to the Abraxans near her. Is something bothering you? I can listen if you want. She smiled softly. Someone will come soon to feed the animals, but for now they could spend some time here. Comfortable and quiet place was a good one now. It felt peaceful and she hoped that the girl in front of her could be not scared to talk to her here.
@Akerrah Koné
La seule limite est celle que vous vous posez
| Linda Ramirez - PC | Kaya Rose Bennett - first iNPC | Ryusei Ishikawa - new iNPC |
The only limit is the one you set for yourself.
I see horses
The soft warm air that escaped the Abraxan's nostrils and flew gently into her palm created a connection between girl and creature that soothed her soul. Her memories were of Paris with its limestone buildings and high balconies, but she knew about Yamoussoukro and the surrounding areas. She knew about how antelope roamed free across the plains with an elegance and ease. How she wanted that. Closing her eyes, she just stood there for a moment: horse and girl.
"I see they don't mind you petting them. That's good, otherwise it could be painful."
Her eyes flit open as she heard a voice and withdrew her hand. Turning her head, her cheeks went flush. "Désolé, Madame," she said, "I did not see you there." In fact, she hadn't expected to see anyone, least of all the Headmistress. In truth, she did not very much about Professor de la Croix-Valmer, other than her appointment was relatively recent. Still, she was wary of her as she was of most instructors. Her experience of muggle school had not been a particularly pleasant one and, so far, magical school wasn't all that much better.
Her brown eyes flit to the Abraxan and back, unsure if she should leave. Perhaps the horse might know? In many ways, animals seemed more trustworthy to her than their human counterparts.
It seemed like Madame sensed her trepidation as she queried if something was bothering her. Could she sense the loneliness from there? Just by the look her face? Akerrah hoped not to be that transparent, but at the same time at least someone was taking an interest—at least someone bothered to ask.
So, she figured she should answer, but answer how? With the truth? Biting her lip, she settled on, "Eh, bien, it is difficult. The school is so big, Madame, and everyone is so—"
Distant? Cliquey? Involved?
"—it's just all so new, je crois."
There, a half truth as she reached to pet the Abraxan again, wishing she could tell the truth of all of it, but it was too much. All this was too much.
@Célestine de la Croix-Valmer
Reducio
Désolé - Apologies
Eh, bien - Well
Je crois - I think
Eh, bien - Well
Je crois - I think
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I see horses
Célestine looked at the Abraxans and reached to pet the closest one. It's alright, but you should take care when petting them without supervision. You are not in trouble, so please don't be scared. I just don't want anything bad to happen. She replied softly to the girl's apology. In fact this student was lucky to be kind so the Abraxans connected in a good way with her. Otherwise she'd find this girl injured here.
The next spoken words ade Célestine distract from petting and give the student more attention. There was something more than was said, but she couldn't know what it was. However, for now this was enough. You find it hard to get used to this life and miss your home? We all are going through some things and new is always scaring. I grew up in France and was studying here when I was a student. But even then I missed my home. Don't know how hard it must be if someone is not used to living surrounded by magic. Don't worry, you can talk to me any time you are ready, I promise you I am not bad. She laughed softly after saying last sentence. A warm smile filled her face and made her eyes shine with care and friendliness. It looks like you like Abraxans. Do you want to help caring about them? Normally it's for older students, but you could help out a bit from time to time with little tasks. Later when you are older and if still interested, you could learn more about them.
@Akerrah Koné
La seule limite est celle que vous vous posez
| Linda Ramirez - PC | Kaya Rose Bennett - first iNPC | Ryusei Ishikawa - new iNPC |
The only limit is the one you set for yourself.
I see horses
She didn't want anything bad to happen. What a wonderfully simple way to see things. Akerrah didn't dare move. Too many times, her natural instincts gave her away. Even in her muggle life, she had felt disconnected from western tradition, that life where everything came easily.
Because things had never come easily. Perhaps that was why the Abraxans seemed so appealing. Theirs was a simple life: eat, sleep, and fly. Looking up at the sky momentarily, she wondered exactly how far they could go. Could they go to Africa?
"I would like that, yes, Madame," she said as the Headmistress offered her a chance to care for them. They were perhaps the one creature here that she felt comfortable with, and she felt confident she could care for them even in a small way. "I help take care of my father's taxi. We wash the car together and change the oil," she explained, hoping to show she could do this too. She may not know magic the way the others did, but she was responsible.
"I am from Paris," she said as if this would somehow relate to how Madame was from France, and so was likely most of the student body. She bit her lip as she looked up at the horses, unsure how to continue. Madame had said she was not bad, but that did not mean she was good. It did not mean she would understand. But Akerrah had little choice because, simply, no one else had tried to understand. So, chin up, she tried, "I do not miss it, exactly. It is not easy there. It is not easy here, too. Just different, more like. And I don't know; I see the other students and it all comes so easy to them." She let the words echo unsaid: the magic, the friendship, the way they could afford whatever magic couldn't conjure.
And then there was the other problem.
She hesitated a good twenty seconds before even considering adding it. "Do ever feel like you're losing time?" she added like a whisper, before pulling it back. "Never mind, it's silly." She didn't even know if she was describing it accurately. It was more like jumping forward a few seconds, or just a shiver that ran up her spine. It could just be the wind.
Speaking of which, a cool breeze passed over them, and she desperately wished it was instead the honking of an overworked taxi instead.
@Célestine de la Croix-Valmer
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I see horses
Let's start then with washing them and brushing. Someone is coming soon to feed them as well, you could stay to help if it's interesting to you. She knew that the girl didn't trust her completely yet. It was expected. They were strangers and she was older and Headmistress. But she was glad the girl trusted her enough to stay.
Paris? Big city with no beauty like her hometown has. I am from Lyon. It's more beautiful and has more nature rather than buildings. Are you originally from France or you moved here? You can not answer if you don't want, it's okay. We have some students that are not from France. Life here is different from the life in other countries. I am originally from France, but I traveled a lot.
It's all new to you? You know, I will give you my own example. Even though I grew up in magic surrounding and in France, it was not easy to study here. Though from the side it looked like it was quite easy. If you have any difficulties with spells and potions, just keep trying, or don't be afraid to ask. You will be able to do it easily if you want. I could help you as well. I can't help you with getting friends, but you know, maybe you could connect with our CoMC club students. You could give it a try, otherwise there are so many schools in the world, surely somewhere there's someone who could be your friend. If it's all new, like magic itself, I honestly don't know when and if it becomes easier. But I would be happy to help you as best as I can. So what could I do to make it easier? Her voice was soft and caring. The sincere feeling that showed that Célestine really cared, rather than just ask to keep conversation going.
Losing time? Are you describing short visions of something that happens next second? I am aware of it, though personally I have another talent, so I didn't experience it. But I know a lot about it, so if you want, whenever you are ready, we can talk about it. She replied calmly. There was a bit of sadness in her eyes, but only for some seconds. Talented wizards were always in need of hiding it before the September. And even then it was hard to open up and trust the society. She knew it from school talks. No, it was not easy at all. Only now it was starting to get better and easier.
@Akerrah Koné
La seule limite est celle que vous vous posez
| Linda Ramirez - PC | Kaya Rose Bennett - first iNPC | Ryusei Ishikawa - new iNPC |
The only limit is the one you set for yourself.
I see horses
She nodded at the prospect of staying. Spending time—any time—with the Abraxans was peace from this strange magical world she'd found herself in. If she squinted, they might just be ordinary horses, and therefore something from the muggle world she knew. No, it was the muggle world she missed.
Perhaps Madame missed it too? She seemed to think very positively of the city she was from: Lyon. Akerrah had never been there herself, but she paid enough attention in civics to find it on a map. As she stroked the abraxan, Madame described it as a place full of nature, but still a city. Although she listened attentively, Akerrah couldn't help feeling like Madame's life story was very different from her own. "I was born in Paris, but my parents are not from here. They left the Ivory Coast during the civil war," she said, leaving to the imagination the fact that the move meant her father now drove a taxi at night. That, and the fact that her white peers had not exactly been accepting.
Madame seemed to spew all kinds of ideas. Maybe that was what was needed? If you had lots of problems, you needed a big net? Akerrah blinked as she tried to process each one. Unfortunately, they all coalesced into one big, fact question: "what could I do to make it easier?" Her mouth opened, but no words came out. However well-intended, Akerrah simply didn't know what she needed. She just knew she needed something.
She was still trying to figure out if she should ask where exactly—what did she call it? Creature Care?—that group met or if there was a 'no friends' club or if she had been walking around this whole year holding her wand incorrectly when she heard the most startlingly accurate description of her situation she'd ever heard before: "short visions of something that happens next second." Her eyes widened, big. Madam spoke so casually about it, and, yes, she knew about it. And, was that right? She'd called it a talent? Well, that couldn't be right.
Suddenly, all the sadness she'd felt in this moment was replaced with something else: confusion. "A talent?" she questioned, "Are we talking about the same thing? Because, ouais*, it is as you describe. But it more like, eh, a nightmare." Gripping her arm nervously and biting her lip, she gushed, "Madame, I think there is something wrong with me."
Maybe, it was time to see a physician about all these flashes.
@Célestine de la Croix-Valmer
*yeah
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