Study, Eat, Sleep, Repeat PV A. Gray

15 Nov 2025, 00:56

@open

Outfit

Taliesin wasn't sure how long she'd been staring at her notes for her History of Magic class, but it was long enough she could feel her eyes sting from the strain as she rubbed at them with the heels of her hands and huff before picking her quill back up and poising it to keep going. Her world had narrowed quickly after the start of the year until the majority of her time outside of class had been restricted to the library, her dorm, the rehearsal room and the Great Hall to quickly grab something to eat before she'd run off to the library again.

Letters from home were few and far between, most being whatever work Madame sent that she'd have to complete and the following critiques, and whatever criticism would also follow from her mother about whatever it was she chose to nitpick that week. Letters from Nanny updating her on life at the estate were warmer, filled with questions about what Taliesin had been up to along with little encouragements to not waste her whole first year hidden behind dusty books. Though she still hadn't figured out how in the world she was suppose to manage that when there was no other time to do anything else but study. After all, end of term exams would happen soon, and she really didn't want to spend her entire Christmas holiday listening to Madame and her mother fussing about her academic failures.

Her tried gaze fitted around at the papers and books that were all but strewed around the little table she'd commandeered for herself. Soon she'd have to pack it all up again, just to move her set up to her bed in the dorms to try to get in a couple more hours of work before curfew. After all, she really needed to review the History of Magic lessons from this week. That was becoming her worst class, quickly.

The snake pressed her lips in a tight line, unsure if the overwhelming amount of unfinished work she was mentally listing off made her want to throw up or cry.

Ultimately, she settled for simply dropping her head down on the table with a soft thump. There was no way anyone could possible keep up with this much homework and still have time to do things or make friends. There was no way.

Last edited by Taliesin Annwyn on 30 Nov 2025, 02:24, edited 1 time in total.

"The girl who carried her last name like a burden..."

15 Nov 2025, 01:13

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Interacting with: @Taliesin Annwyn
Mentioning: N/A
Date: N/A Word Count: 409

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✽ Avery walked to the library. A place she had grown quite fond of over the past year and it was one of many places she went to study. The scent of old books and the feeling of security as she wrapped herself in the stories found within calmed her constantly working mind. Life had been hard. She had constantly had to manage schoolwork, her Quidditch practice, her friends, and on top of it all, her family's own problems. It was overwhelming at times. Most of the time, actually.

There were no empty tables. Each table had at least one person or a group around a table. Without wanting to intrude on any study groups, Avery noticed a table more secluded than the others with whom Avery thought was a first year with her head down on the table. A book lay before her as if it was forgotten. Maybe Avery could help, or at least share the table.

"Hey, do you mind if I sit, and are you okay? Do you need help with anything?" Avery asked as she recognized the History of Magic textbook that was lying in front of the girl.

Avery remembered that class. She had greatly enjoyed it and had no idea why other people had said it was boring. She had always been interested in learning history, but getting to dive deeper into the history of the magical world opened a new door for her. A door she had never expected would open.

As Avery awaited the girl's response, she took a quick glance around the room to get an idea of where else she could go if the girl wished to be alone. She found an area nearby that seemed quiet enough though it wasn't as good as a table. Avery didn't mind. As long as she had a chance to catch up on some reading at some point that day, she would be happy. Though, helping others was even better. She was always satisfied when she was able to help someone.

That reminded her of last year when she had to help Tracey who had been in her second year at the time. Together they had puzzled out Tracey's homework like a scavenger hunt. Avery had had a great time doing it and wished to see her friend again, but she hadn't seen Tracey in a while. She just hoped her friend was doing well wherever she was hiding in the castle.
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Credit: Mylo Atkins

Avery Gray	Be the change you wish to see	Dylan Astor
Avery's Creations	in the world.	Dylan's Electric Creations

15 Nov 2025, 03:13

@Avery Gray

Outfit

Taliesin nearly didn't register that the new voice talking was actually addressing her. Almost cartoonishly, her head popped up, eyes flickering to the older girl before finally fully processing what was being said, "Huh? Oh! Yes! I-I mean, no, I don't mind if you sit; yes, I'm fine." she rushed to say, her face burning as she scrambled to gather her work in a more orderly fashion to give space to the other.

"Nope. I've got it cover. Aaaaall covered." she assured with a bit of a singsong lilt to her tone, which might've been more convincing if her frazzled-ness wasn't on full display. Nervous hands started and stopped their motions repeatedly as she tried to decide what could be put to the side and what she still needed for the task at hand. Half wild eyes flitting over her haphazard piles of work. She really needed to pull together a better system for organizing her notes and actual homework.

Eventually she just began pooling what she could recognize as what into simple, neater piles that even she had to admit made no sense. It was fine. She would organize them back again tonight before bed. It would just have to be a Later-Taliesin problem, "Sorry, I have a terrible habit of just taking over whatever space I can find." she muttered anxiously, shifting the last of her things out of the way so the other would have proper space.

The snake smoothed a bit of fallen hair out of her face, the claw clip originally keeping it in place having started to come loose, flopping lazily over as if it was also exhausted from a long day's work, "I swear, I've gone through more miles of parchment in notes then it would take to walk from here to London." she said, offering a nervous smile to the other girl before turning her gaze back to her book, quickly realizing she wasn't sure where she'd left off as she flipped a page and and forth again trying to recall her place.

"The girl who carried her last name like a burden..."

17 Nov 2025, 20:23

Interacting with: @Taliesin Annwyn
Mentioning: N/A
Date: N/A Word Count: 306

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✽ Avery smiled as she sat down. Not minding at all about the disorganized mess the girl had mentioned as she watched the girl collect her things. "Don't worry about it. I've done the same thing many times in the past." Avery laughed lightly at herself. Sometimes she could be the most organized person in the world, and other times? Well, other times it would look as if a tornado had ripped through her world. Though Avery had never actually seen a tornado, she had heard of the devastating effects they could have. Especially in America.

"Trust me. I'll be lucky if I don't end up mixing up my History of Magic notes with my Herbology considering how this week's been going so far." Avery smiled. Hoping to at least lighten the mood a little. Making jokes wasn't her strongest trait. She was a lot better at listening to people and laughing at jokes.

"Anyway, I'm Avery. And you?" Avery asked as she began to pull her own homework out of her bag. She didn't have much to do for the next day, but it was always nice to have a head start and get everything done so she could enjoy the rest of her evening and not have to study or write a large essay over the importance of a war of whatever she was studying in her classes.

Avery pulled out her Herbology notes from her earlier class that morning. She didn't have much left of her assignment as she always tried to do it in her free time if she had any in that class. Though with her Herbology buddy, Joseph, it on occasion wasn't easy getting assignments done as well as enjoying her time joking around with him. Ever since their broom race, they had always had fun reminding each other of it.
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Credit: Mylo Atkins

Avery Gray	Be the change you wish to see	Dylan Astor
Avery's Creations	in the world.	Dylan's Electric Creations

21 Nov 2025, 04:30

@Avery Gray

Outfit

It was a small comfort to know that she wasn't the only one who struggled to keep everything straight and organized. It seemed like an unsung trait in her house was a lean towards perfectionism. Everyone around her seemed to know exactly what they were doing while she was floundering and trying to keep her head above water. Logically, she knew it wasn't possible that everyone was as put together as they seemed, but she did envy their ability to hide their messiness so well.

The snake gave a slightly breathless chuckle, "I know exactly what you mean." she smiled before closing her book and giving up for the time being as she scrubbed at her face and leaned back in her chair. Honestly, it seemed like the stream of information she was expected to memorize never ended. How in the world did anyone make it to graduation with all of their sanity in tact??

"Anyway, I'm Avery. And you?"

"I'm Taliesin Annwyn, The Walking Disaster of Slytherin." she announced jokingly with a half hearted smile, "I'm sure the pleasure is all mine." shoving away her History of Magic, she quickly replaced it with her Potions book. Maybe if she worked on something she was actually decent at, she might at least be less frazzled in appearance when she had an audience.

Warm eyes flickered over to the work the other girl was setting up for herself before going back to her own task of sifting through parchment trying to find her notes for Potions, "Do you like Herbology?" she wondered aloud, "Much more fun, I think, then History of Magic. I don't have a head for dates and events. Plants just come as they are. They don't require speculation and interpretation to make sense."

"The girl who carried her last name like a burden..."

23 Nov 2025, 14:14

Interacting with: @Taliesin Annwyn
Mentioning: N/A
Date: N/A Word Count: 365

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✽ Avery was glad that she had someone to relate to. She used to be an organized girl in her first year, but now? Well, now times have changed. After everything that had happened over the summer with her family, Avery had found that she became less and less organized as she balanced friends, homework, and family issues all at the same time. It was exhausting, but as long as she survived, she was good.

Avery knew that name. It was a Welsh name that was very familiar to her. Being Welsh herself, she had always loved hearing the different names of her people. Even one was unique and special to that specific person. "Wow. I love your name. You're Welsh, right?" Avery guessed the girl was, but she wanted to make sure. She had experienced times when people had a name from a specific country, but that person had never even stepped foot into that country. Those moments led to some awkward conversations.

Herbology. Avery thought for a moment. Herbology had been where she'd met one of her good friends Joseph for the first time. It was also where she'd enjoyed many a time working with unique plants and learning about diverse plant species. She had overall enjoyed learning of the different plants and how they thrived in their own habitats.

"Well, yeah. I guess you could say I like Herbology, but I would say my favorite class is most likely Transfiguration. What about you?"

Avery laughed when Taliesin mentioned History of Magic being not very fun. Avery agreed with that, though the information was very interesting. "I agree with that. I'm not much one for memorizing dates, but I do enjoy the historical content within. It's interesting to learn about what happened to witches and wizards in the past. Even if it can get a bit slow and boring. Maybe that's why I also like Herbology. Plants just have this aura that pulls me in and causes me to want to learn more about them" Avery smiled. She hadn't realized until that moment how much she really did like Herbology. This conversation alone made her eager for the next time she had the class.
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Credit: Mylo Atkins

Avery Gray	Be the change you wish to see	Dylan Astor
Avery's Creations	in the world.	Dylan's Electric Creations

24 Nov 2025, 03:32

@Avery Gray

Outfit

Taliesin sat a little straighter when the other recognized where her name was from, smiling a bit brighter, "Yes. I'm from the Isle of Anglesey! Beaumarise, specifically." she grinned, wondering if maybe the other was also from Wales if she recognized her name so quickly. She had yet to meet many other's that were from her own little corner of the world. She tried to recall if the other had said her own family name, but she hadn't thought so. That, or she'd been too caught up trying to pull herself together to have heard it.

The snake nodded along as Avery talked, the textbook and stack of notes in front of her completely forgotten in lieu of far more interesting and easy conversation, "Potions and Herbology." she informed when asked what her favorite classes had been so far. They both just made sense in her mind. They were firm and structured. Like she'd said, plants simply came as they were and required little to be interpreted. Then when they were used in potions, she liked how the same plants could be used for radically different things due to their properties. Beyond that, potions were precise and steady. You either did it correctly or you didn't. It was a level of pressure she was accustomed to, and it wasn't difficult to narrow her focus on the rhythm of the process. It gave her a similar feeling of satisfaction to playing a piece on the piano to perfect completion.

"I like the stories in History of Magic; I mean, I always love a good story. But the boring bits just make me want to take the longest nap ever recorded." she bemoaned, sitting back in her chair again, "There's so many boring bits in all my classes that just feel like nothing worth remembering. But everything in Herbology and Potions is practical and useful to remember. There's a reason for it all. Why do we need to know the trivial reasons why Sir Whoever spent 50 years developing whatever spell? We have the spell now, so let just learn it and move along." she yammered as she absentmindedly readjusted the clawclip in her hair; occasionally pausing the action to talk with whatever had she could spare in the moment. For all the patience she had for sitting in one place to focus on executing a perfect potion or pruning a plant, she had none for little else.

"The girl who carried her last name like a burden..."

30 Nov 2025, 00:26

Interacting with: @Taliesin Annwyn
Mentioning: N/A
Date: N/A Word Count: 612

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✽ Avery’s face lit up when she realized her theory was correct. Taliesin really was from Wales. Though she was in a part of Wales Avery didn’t know much about, it was still Wales! Her home and her country! She missed the beautiful mountains, the forest and its mysteries behind her grandparents’ house, the beautiful sunrises, all of it.

“That’s so cool! I’m from Swansea myself, but I haven’t lived there since I was three. Only visited. Though I’m not too familiar with your part of Wales. What’s it like there?” Avery hoped she wasn’t intruding, but she was curious! She wanted to know all she could about her home country so she would know where to visit when she finally moved back someday.

Avery nodded. She could see why the girl enjoyed Potions and Herbology the most. Each was unique in its own way. Especially with the teaching. Avery loves Herbology because she always learned something new. Whether it be a spell or a fact about a plant she’d grown up around, but didn’t know much about! Then there was Potions. Avery enjoyed it mainly for the different skills they learned. Avery had learned to focus hard and read directions carefully in that class. Otherwise? Well, things didn’t exactly turn out pretty. Sometimes those mistakes could be pretty dangerous.

“I can see why you like those classes. They have a very fundamental teaching structure that’s helped me learn a lot. Especially about focus.” Avery laughed. She had a tendency to focus too hard on something which could lead to problems, so learning to focus just enough was amazing.

Avery nodded in agreement as Taliesen spoke about History of Magic. It was true. The stories were very interesting, but who really did need to know the inventor to a spell and the background of how it was made when all you need to do was learn the spell and move on?

Avery remembered her favorite History of Magic class the year before. Out of all the classes she has taken, it was her favorite most interesting subject. It was tough, but knowing what happened to past witches helped Avery understand more about why she had to be careful about revealing her real identity to muggles.

The Salem Witch Trials. A cruel way to test many witches and even innocent people. Avery shivered at the thought of what had happened, but she loved listening to the story. It helped her understand her past roots and what happened to her people that caused the Statue of Secrecy to come in place. Though it had been hard for Avery not to tell her muggle friend who she really was, she was glad she never had the chance to. Who knew what her muggle friend would have done if she found out. If anything, Avery could have lost more than she had already lost.

“I completely understand. I mean, I love learning the history of past wars and events, but when it comes to the history of spells? Well, that’s where I’m lost. I’m with you. I’d rather just learn it instead of focusing on who created it because who knows if I even need that information as an auror in the future.” Avery leaned back slightly in her chair. Talking to Taliesen was nice. The two of them seemed to have enough in common to have a good conversation which Avery always enjoyed.

Avery pushed her book away. She wanted to focus on this conversation now. There would be a time to do homework later. It wasn’t every day that you found someone from your home country that had similar views of the classes at Hogwarts.
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Credit: Mylo Atkins

Avery Gray	Be the change you wish to see	Dylan Astor
Avery's Creations	in the world.	Dylan's Electric Creations

30 Nov 2025, 03:14

@Avery Gray

Outfit

It took about all of her self control not to bounce in her seat with excitement. Sure, Avery was from the opposite end of the country, but that didn't much matter. A countryman was a countryman and all that, "Its on the big island in the Northeast." she explained, "Its beautiful there. There's parts where you can see nothing but ocean for miles and miles. But we live further inland, back in the woods and away from town, but it only takes a few minutes to walk to the beach from the house." she rambled excitedly. She'd always been fond of the backdrop that was where she'd grown up. There was plenty she could complain about when it came to the estate, but there was no argument that everything around her supplied more than enough scope for a fertile imagination, "Where do you live now?"

The young snake wondered for a moment what Swansea might be like. It really was a shame that her family had moved away, she thought. Taliesin had never had a reason to go away from home much. Really, she'd only left the estate a few times to join her parents for various events or gatherings either in Cardiff, London or to visit her mother's family in France. Coming the longest she'd ever been away from home before, and her first time being gone from home without at least Nanny Morgan or Madame Daaé to keep on her trail.

"My tutors at home use to say I was the worst pupil they'd ever had when it came to focusing on work; except for my French and piano instructors." she mused, finally getting her clip in a place that felt secure, "I like the war stories and learning about events, but just the interesting bits, not the political bits that get all mucky and confusing." maybe one day, when she grew up and learned to better understand and interoperate all those mucky shades of nuance grey, those political bits might interest her more. But until then, it all felt like unimportant padding to easy to solve problems that adults use just as an excuse to be mad at other adults.

"You want to be an Auror?" she asked, a bit wide-eyed. There were some professions that at this point, Taliesin knew her parents never approved of. She was suppose to be the next heir to her family's name, and while she didn't really understand what all that meant yet, she knew it was important. That whatever she ultimately did with her life, personally and professionally, it had to fall in line with her parents' approval. Even if she wasn't sure what what vocations might even be on that list, she was pretty sure chasing down dark wizards in dingy allies would never meet approval. Even if it did sounds incredibly cool.

"The girl who carried her last name like a burden..."