From Familiar Beginnings
September 4 ~ After Class
At last it was the end of classes for the day. Structured classes with different classmates and different professors for each class was quite the nightmare for Tabitha to get a hang of. Her childhood had been spent around the same people and classes were always taken at home with no distracting peers or different teaching styles from her tutors. This was a mess of navigating the atmosphere and rigidity of each different classroom and learning that the behavior expected in one was not tolerated by the other. By the end of the day each day so far, Tabitha had been left wrung out and exhausted.
Today was no different. She strode through the hallway to head back to drop her bag off in her dorm before gallivanting off to wherever her evening took her. Her clothes were neat and unstained and her hair was still up in the neat ponytail she had put it in this morning, ringlets pouring down over her shoulders in the way she had planned, but she somehow still seemed disheveled. No doubt it was the faint hint of dark rings around her eyes that truly gave it away, despite her pleasant expression.
It was a bit of a social misfortune that she hadn't get met enough people to have someone to walk with as she strode down the corridors. Many of the seemingly well-known upperclassmen walked in duos or trios or even groups. It wasn't unheard of for a popular student to walk alone, but it did make Tabitha feel obscured. Which was entirely the opposite of her plan.
So instead of wallowing in self-pity and further worsening her lonesome state, Tabitha kept her eyes up and looked around at the students around her. She glanced around to see if anyone seemed particularly approachable and unminding if she stepped in line with them and introduced herself.
Her mastermind plan to meet more people was thwarted, however, as she had to take a doubletake at a boy a bit further down the hall than herself. There was a faint familiarity that she couldn't quite pinpoint, but it was enough to pique her curiosity. Tabitha quickened her pace to attempt to approach the boy, or better yet, have him notice her, so she didn't seem off-putting or desperate. If she got a better look, she would hopefully fully recognize him and her problem of walking alone would be solved.
@Nicholas Lazarus
From Familiar Beginnings
The truth was, while Nicholas had met a few different students his age since the moment he arrived the school - obviously, he was in a dormitory full of boys his age and older so it was utterly impossible to be truly alone for long in there - He hadn't yet made many true 'friends'.
Sure, the students he met would wave at him when they pass him, and sometimes even talk to him as they sat down for breakfast or dinner, but for most of his day to day, Nick was alone.
So it was no surprise to find the boy sitting down on the bench by himself, with a pile of little paper swans and frogs all over his lap, and another one on the works in his hands. Despite his pureblood status, Nick was a huge fan of the muggle art of origami, and that's what filled his time most of the days before and after each class.
He didn't notice the girl that had approached, but if he had seen her, he would have recognized her from the many meetings his father had dragged him along for. They hadn't shared more than a couple of awkward greetings, he was sure.
@Tabitha Murrey
Sure, the students he met would wave at him when they pass him, and sometimes even talk to him as they sat down for breakfast or dinner, but for most of his day to day, Nick was alone.
So it was no surprise to find the boy sitting down on the bench by himself, with a pile of little paper swans and frogs all over his lap, and another one on the works in his hands. Despite his pureblood status, Nick was a huge fan of the muggle art of origami, and that's what filled his time most of the days before and after each class.
He didn't notice the girl that had approached, but if he had seen her, he would have recognized her from the many meetings his father had dragged him along for. They hadn't shared more than a couple of awkward greetings, he was sure.
@Tabitha Murrey
Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 5|Wisdom: 5|Arcane Power: 6|Accuracy: 6
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Perfectionist
From Familiar Beginnings
The boy who had grabbed Tabitha's attention, despite the fact that she vaguely recognized him, also caught her attention for what he was doing. People often sat at the benches lining the hallways, but not many of them sat there covered in small paper animals. It took her more than a moment to recognize that he must have made the creatures by hand-- at least, she had to assume that, currently, the small paper he was working with wasn't yet animal in shape. It did resemble the others in the color and size of the paper, so he must have made them.
She approached with a wave. Unsure if he had realized that she was, indeed, approaching him. In a moment, she recognized him. One of the boys from galas. If she remembered right, he was one who was equally reluctant at introductions and hovered around a parent for the required small talk. As far as she recalled, they had never properly spoken aside from an exchange of names.
Speaking of names, she couldn't quite pin his. Last name could be, perhaps, Luz-something? Liz? Laz? Her mother would shake her head if she knew how few names Tabitha remembered after a night. Usually only two or three. And there were always more than two or three people at each event.
"Did you make those?" Tabitha hoped to stall for time to remember his name by instead prompting a conversation instead. Her tone was a bit less formal than it would have been at other settings, but her smile was the same. She stood at the armrest of the bench, peering over at the scattered origami creations.
@Nicholas Lazarus
From Familiar Beginnings
As smooth and as graceful as a bag of rocks, Nick made quite the odd startled noise and almost jumped out of the bench when he was spoken to. The boy had been in his own universe inside his brain that he actually forgot he was in a corridor full of kids his age.
"Hi- Hello- Hi." He blurted out in quick succession before cleaning his throat and actually pulling himself together. "Hi!"
Then he stared at the girl for a few seconds, his big wide green eyes stared at hers for a few seconds, oh! He did know this girl! At least, he had seen her before that is. His father was notorious for wanting to drag Nick everywhere that could bring the boy 'connections' later in life, as if he wasn't just a 11 year old who didn't even knew his spells just yet.
Then he finally blinked and looked back down at his work, the dozens of paper animals spread across his lap, some already fallen on the floor, and one paper crane even flew across to the other side of the wall already, he was just making more of a mess for the poor cleaner.
"Oh this? yeah! I ... I made them! " He then grabbed one of the little horses he had already folded and let it sit on top of his palm. "Do you want this one? You can have it, I don't mind!"
"Hi- Hello- Hi." He blurted out in quick succession before cleaning his throat and actually pulling himself together. "Hi!"
Then he stared at the girl for a few seconds, his big wide green eyes stared at hers for a few seconds, oh! He did know this girl! At least, he had seen her before that is. His father was notorious for wanting to drag Nick everywhere that could bring the boy 'connections' later in life, as if he wasn't just a 11 year old who didn't even knew his spells just yet.
Then he finally blinked and looked back down at his work, the dozens of paper animals spread across his lap, some already fallen on the floor, and one paper crane even flew across to the other side of the wall already, he was just making more of a mess for the poor cleaner.
"Oh this? yeah! I ... I made them! " He then grabbed one of the little horses he had already folded and let it sit on top of his palm. "Do you want this one? You can have it, I don't mind!"
@Tabitha Murrey
Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 5|Wisdom: 5|Arcane Power: 6|Accuracy: 6
Ability 1| Ability 2| Ability 3| Ability 4| Ability 5
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Perfectionist
From Familiar Beginnings
Tabitha was immediately met with a wash of embarrassment as the boy nearly leapt to the ground as she spoke. She hadn't intended to catch him by surprise, but it seemed he had been rather engaged in his crafting. Her expression was clearly that one of apology as he stuttered out a quick greeting.
"Hello, sorry to startle you," Her words were punctuated with a quiet, practiced chuckle and an equally polite smile.
Now that he was fully facing her, she was certain this was the boy she had thought. At last it came to her, Lazarus. That was the family name at least. Tabitha couldn't quite recall the boy's first name, but at least she knew enough. Tabitha would have been proud of herself if someone else were there to give her accolade at successfully recalling at least one other family name. Even if it had taken hours of practice to get to this point. It was hard to find the use of memorizing names until Tabitha found herself face-to-face with the exact situation in which knowing names seemed to have importance.
As he reached to extend a hand with a horse sat on top of it, Tabitha tilted her head to the side, inspecting it. The sharp lines and bent angles did affirm what she initially thought: these creatures were made of paper. "These are incredibly intricate," Her appraisal, this time, seemed less practiced and more genuine. Though the words she spoke with seemed needlessly fancy.
When he offered the horse to Tabitha, her eyes lit up with excitement. She gently took it from his palm and brought it to her face to look at, "Really?" The last of her polite facade dropped at this point, a wider grin taking over, "Are you sure? They seem so. . . unique,"
@Nicholas Lazarus
From Familiar Beginnings
Nick seemed very pleased, in fact, he beamed. Like a little star that didn't fear it's own shine. Just the simple act of accepting his gift and praising his work was enough to get him so happy, to make his entire day just that much more brighter.
"Don't worry! I can make so many more of those! I have more parchment in my trunk up the tower so I can make those as many times as I want!" He said with a proud air, his chest puffed a little from it.
Then he looked back down, the massive collection sitting there for everyone and anyone to see, yet this girl seemed the first and only to have come to talk to him about it. Then he snapped his head right back up a bit embarrassed, well where are his manners? He hadn't introduced himself at all!
"I'm Nicholas! Oh I mean... I'm Nick! Just... Just Nick! Or Nico, or Nicky or whatever you prefer!" The boy chuckled awkwardly, it was always a bit awkward to explain his name, Nicholas was a bit of a mouthful and he preferred to not have to heard it every single day he spends in this school.
@Tabitha Murrey
"Don't worry! I can make so many more of those! I have more parchment in my trunk up the tower so I can make those as many times as I want!" He said with a proud air, his chest puffed a little from it.
Then he looked back down, the massive collection sitting there for everyone and anyone to see, yet this girl seemed the first and only to have come to talk to him about it. Then he snapped his head right back up a bit embarrassed, well where are his manners? He hadn't introduced himself at all!
"I'm Nicholas! Oh I mean... I'm Nick! Just... Just Nick! Or Nico, or Nicky or whatever you prefer!" The boy chuckled awkwardly, it was always a bit awkward to explain his name, Nicholas was a bit of a mouthful and he preferred to not have to heard it every single day he spends in this school.
@Tabitha Murrey
Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 5|Wisdom: 5|Arcane Power: 6|Accuracy: 6
Ability 1| Ability 2| Ability 3| Ability 4| Ability 5
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Perfectionist
From Familiar Beginnings
Tabitha was pleased to see such a genuine reaction from him as he visibly brightened. Classes did seem to generate a lot of dull expressions so seeing that true joy caused her posture to ease slightly.
"Oh, good! I'm glad I'm not using your whole stock, then," She looked at the little creature, impressed. Her mind still struggled to comprehend the fact that a simple piece of paper was all it took to make this. In theory, that made sense, but in actuality, it was a bit difficult to comprehend. It was probably a Muggle art form given how practical it was, but there was certainly charm to it.
As he introduced himself, Tabitha's eyes lit up and she blurted out, "Oh, Nicholas Lazarus, that's right!" She finally put the pieces together on his identity. "Right, Nick, sorry," She corrected to what seemed to be his preferred nickname.
"I'm Tabitha Murrey, I knew I recognized you from something. One of the Winter Galas if I recall? But it may have been any event, as far as I know, they all blend together. But I definitely know I was introduced to you at some point," She quickly stopped rambling as soon as she realized she was. This version of Tabitha was far removed from how she was at events. She seemed a good deal more genuine and less poised in her posture and speech.
@Nicholas Lazarus
From Familiar Beginnings
"Oh! That's where I know you from!" He giggled, it seemed the girl was also having trouble remembering where they had met before, which was quite a relief for Nick, knowing he wasn't the only one.
"My father writes a lot of fancy potion books so he's always at those events, every once in a while he drags me to them." The boy then tapped the bench he was sitting on, scooting to the side so the girl had some space to sit down as well. "But hey! We're in the same house, what are the odds of that?" He pointed at his own tie then at hers with the biggest widest smile on his face,they were sharing the same colors of Ravenclaw.
Although, for anyone who ever met Nick could attest to the fact, this boy definitely didn't fit the stereotype for a Ravenclaw, he was no bookworm, nor did he have the air of sophisticated, intelligence that his own father proudly displayed. It was like a little colorful songbird was dropped on the nest of Ravens. "This is called Origami! It's a muggle art from Japan, my Godmother is Japanese and she brought me a bunch of muggle books about how to make them years ago! Now I'm pretty much a expert!"
@Tabitha Murrey
"My father writes a lot of fancy potion books so he's always at those events, every once in a while he drags me to them." The boy then tapped the bench he was sitting on, scooting to the side so the girl had some space to sit down as well. "But hey! We're in the same house, what are the odds of that?" He pointed at his own tie then at hers with the biggest widest smile on his face,they were sharing the same colors of Ravenclaw.
Although, for anyone who ever met Nick could attest to the fact, this boy definitely didn't fit the stereotype for a Ravenclaw, he was no bookworm, nor did he have the air of sophisticated, intelligence that his own father proudly displayed. It was like a little colorful songbird was dropped on the nest of Ravens. "This is called Origami! It's a muggle art from Japan, my Godmother is Japanese and she brought me a bunch of muggle books about how to make them years ago! Now I'm pretty much a expert!"
@Tabitha Murrey
Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 5|Wisdom: 5|Arcane Power: 6|Accuracy: 6
Ability 1| Ability 2| Ability 3| Ability 4| Ability 5
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Perfectionist
From Familiar Beginnings
Tabitha was thankful that Nicholas seemed to remember her as well. It certainly would have been awkward if he hadn't returned the recognition. Those events were always full of a bustle and too many names to keep ahold of, but some people, even her age, seemed to have perfect recollection for every name and family tree with facts abound. Tabitha, however, was not one of them. Usually there was a muttered whisper from someone in her family that reminded her what was important to know before she walked up to be introduced. In that way she seemed to know everyone, but in reality, it was far from that. And this interaction definitely ruined that carefully manicured approach to introductions.
As Nick spoke, Tabitha nodded along, remembering as he explained. His father was a writer for potion books. That sounded right. The Lazarus'. She was careful, this time, to actually care to remember the fact. With her own growing fascination in the topic, it was certainly advantageous to know someone in the newest research and information compiling.
"My mother is in cosmetics and my father writes for some news outlets," Those were the words that Tabitha was trained to say. Her mothers' career in magical cosmetology was held in the same regard as estheticians-- sometimes spoken about in positive tones and sometimes others denied knowing her mother. Her father, however, had his enemies. Tabloids and gossip columns were quick to make enemies in the community when information was spread which wasn't meant to be spread. Though both were highly social jobs and fairly well-known, even if their faces weren't tied to people's knowledge of them. "We end up at a lot of events," Tabitha smiled, seeming to hold her parents in high regard, despite other's opinions of them.
Nick went on about being in Ravenclaw and Tabitha smiled and adjusted her clothes, making sure the fabric was laying right. "Who would have thought?" She smiled. "Did you expect to be sorted into Ravenclaw? I had no idea what to expect but I love the dorms,"
He went on about the paper creatures. Origami. Her attention was brought back to the horse carefully held in her hand and she nodded. "Interesting? Are they just folded paper? No spells to create them?" She seemed endlessly perplexed by the art form.
@Nicholas Lazarus
From Familiar Beginnings
Nick blinked as the girl explained more of her family, he couldn't even imagine how awful it would be to be dragged across every single event his father attended. Granted, his father wasn't nearly as social as his mother was, but the man had a well known name for himself in the intellectual community so invites weren't infrequent.
"My mom is a singer! Although she doesn't go to events very often, she's barely home." Something that did bother Nick, his mother's absence meant he was always, without escape, completely at the mercy of his stoic and cold father. "She always brings cool things from the places she visits though."
But then, at the question, Nick froze. Just froze. In a rather uncanny way he stared at the girl for quite a few seconds. Unfortunately, it was his habit to stare, he had big wide green eyes and he often forgot that in order to not scare people, he should be blinking.
He examined every single point of her face in a few seconds before he blinked back to reality and cleaned his throat, the question itself was a bit of a sore spot. "I... I suppose? My father was a Ravenclaw, and my mom was a Hufflepuff... She used to say I was a little bit of both. Like a Ravenpuff or a Huffleclaw..." But truth be told, he didn't exactly felt at home just yet, especially with the students he had already met. He was no bookworm, no intellectual know-it-all as the pattern in his dormitory seemed to be, nor was he as creative and friendly and social as the Hufflepuffs he had the pleasure of meeting. He simply didn't feel like he fit in either of the houses. "What... What about you? Do you like being a Ravenclaw?"
@Tabitha Murrey
"My mom is a singer! Although she doesn't go to events very often, she's barely home." Something that did bother Nick, his mother's absence meant he was always, without escape, completely at the mercy of his stoic and cold father. "She always brings cool things from the places she visits though."
But then, at the question, Nick froze. Just froze. In a rather uncanny way he stared at the girl for quite a few seconds. Unfortunately, it was his habit to stare, he had big wide green eyes and he often forgot that in order to not scare people, he should be blinking.
He examined every single point of her face in a few seconds before he blinked back to reality and cleaned his throat, the question itself was a bit of a sore spot. "I... I suppose? My father was a Ravenclaw, and my mom was a Hufflepuff... She used to say I was a little bit of both. Like a Ravenpuff or a Huffleclaw..." But truth be told, he didn't exactly felt at home just yet, especially with the students he had already met. He was no bookworm, no intellectual know-it-all as the pattern in his dormitory seemed to be, nor was he as creative and friendly and social as the Hufflepuffs he had the pleasure of meeting. He simply didn't feel like he fit in either of the houses. "What... What about you? Do you like being a Ravenclaw?"
@Tabitha Murrey
Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 5|Wisdom: 5|Arcane Power: 6|Accuracy: 6
Ability 1| Ability 2| Ability 3| Ability 4| Ability 5
Ability 1| Ability 2| Ability 3| Ability 4| Ability 5
Perfectionist