29 Mar 2020, 04:05
Bread, a Squid and Mischief
Mentioning @Dustin McNamara
Somewhere in the world, there was a book of things that you shouldn't do. If Riona were to find that book and read it, attempting to befriend the Giant Squid would probably be on the first page. But she didn't have that book, and she hadn't read it, and so befriending the Giant Squid was exactly what she was trying to do.
The Gryffindor girl had heard whispered rumours of the Giant Squid when the first years crossed the Lake. Dangerous and scary were among the words used to describe this cephalopod, but an idea had started to take shape in her mind. And as her family very well knew, once an idea was in her head, there was no convincing her otherwise.
At the first opportunity available to her, Riona had snuck into the kitchens with the intent of stealing some bread. She had been met with house elves that had practically thrown loaves of every kind of bread into her arms. Which isn't stealing at all, she had reassured herself, pretending that she hadn't been planning on theft. Now, she stood on the banks of the Great Lake, seemingly alone and surrounded by the stolen bread graciously accepted gift of bread.
The Giant Squid had to like at least one type of bread, right? She knew that ducks ate all kinds of bread, but a Squid... Well, either way, she would try. She picked up a slice of rye bread and threw it as far as she could into the water.
Somewhere in the world, there was a book of things that you shouldn't do. If Riona were to find that book and read it, attempting to befriend the Giant Squid would probably be on the first page. But she didn't have that book, and she hadn't read it, and so befriending the Giant Squid was exactly what she was trying to do.
The Gryffindor girl had heard whispered rumours of the Giant Squid when the first years crossed the Lake. Dangerous and scary were among the words used to describe this cephalopod, but an idea had started to take shape in her mind. And as her family very well knew, once an idea was in her head, there was no convincing her otherwise.
At the first opportunity available to her, Riona had snuck into the kitchens with the intent of stealing some bread. She had been met with house elves that had practically thrown loaves of every kind of bread into her arms. Which isn't stealing at all, she had reassured herself, pretending that she hadn't been planning on theft. Now, she stood on the banks of the Great Lake, seemingly alone and surrounded by the stolen bread graciously accepted gift of bread.
The Giant Squid had to like at least one type of bread, right? She knew that ducks ate all kinds of bread, but a Squid... Well, either way, she would try. She picked up a slice of rye bread and threw it as far as she could into the water.
Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, will not be cake.
29 Mar 2020, 18:41
Bread, a Squid and Mischief
”Ow. Ow. Ow” Dustin groaned aloud as he gingerly walked the Hogwarts grounds, unsure about his destination, but told he had to stretch his leg as much as possible. He had been an idiot. Now he had to deal with the consequences. A dull ache throbbed in his left leg. ”It could’ve been much worse.” He mumbled to himself. ”Jumping out a second floor window was not my finest moment.” Dustin thought, though he couldn’t keep the grin from his face. ”Dmitri’s spell would’ve slowed me though. There is so much I can do with magic. I need to learn more.”
The ache in his leg was already subsiding, though whether that was the healing magic (more likely) or Dustin’s resilience, the first year didn’t know. Surveying his surroundings and trying to figure out where was next in his tour of Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest was somewhere even he didn't have the audacity to visit yet. The Quidditch pitch would've been no fun (he lacked a broom). He decided to head toward the lake, it's cool breeze drew Dustin toward it’s murky shores.
Ambling down the slight hill towards its waters, Dustin’s limp grew less pronounced with each step. Spotting only one other student slightly ahead of him, Dustin wondered what she was doing that she walked with such purpose toward the lake. He decided to follow her, curiosity getting the better of him.
By the time he reached the banks he could move easily again. He got a better look at the girl as she reached down to pick up something that she’d brought with her. She was a redhead, and looked to be about his age. He watched as she picked something up (was that bread?) and threw it far into the lake.
Well! If he wasn’t nosy and interested before he certainly was now! His curiosity always getting the better of him, he called out to the girl.
”Hey!” He walked over, stopping a few feet away. ”Are you...throwing bread in the water?” His tone one of interest, and a light smile on his face. ”Was breakfast that bad? Or do you have a mermaid friend? Can I meet them?”
The ache in his leg was already subsiding, though whether that was the healing magic (more likely) or Dustin’s resilience, the first year didn’t know. Surveying his surroundings and trying to figure out where was next in his tour of Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest was somewhere even he didn't have the audacity to visit yet. The Quidditch pitch would've been no fun (he lacked a broom). He decided to head toward the lake, it's cool breeze drew Dustin toward it’s murky shores.
Ambling down the slight hill towards its waters, Dustin’s limp grew less pronounced with each step. Spotting only one other student slightly ahead of him, Dustin wondered what she was doing that she walked with such purpose toward the lake. He decided to follow her, curiosity getting the better of him.
By the time he reached the banks he could move easily again. He got a better look at the girl as she reached down to pick up something that she’d brought with her. She was a redhead, and looked to be about his age. He watched as she picked something up (was that bread?) and threw it far into the lake.
Well! If he wasn’t nosy and interested before he certainly was now! His curiosity always getting the better of him, he called out to the girl.
”Hey!” He walked over, stopping a few feet away. ”Are you...throwing bread in the water?” His tone one of interest, and a light smile on his face. ”Was breakfast that bad? Or do you have a mermaid friend? Can I meet them?”
Always forward.
30 Mar 2020, 03:49
Bread, a Squid and Mischief
Riona turned around quickly, startled at the voice. Her eyes met with those of a boy similarly aged, and she relaxed slightly, seeing his smile and hearing the curious note in his voice. "Oh, hey, um, it's... not what it looks like.""Hey!"
She shrugged, glancing at the Lake, where her slice of bread bobbed on the waves. "Alright, it's exactly what it looks like. Pretty much, yeah.""Are you...throwing bread in the water?"
Laughing, she picked up another slice of bread and threw it out into the Lake. "A mermaid friend?" Another piece. Pick up. Throw. Splash. "I wish. There's actually a Giant Squid that lives in this Lake. And, since I don't have the best of luck with making human friends, I thought what the heck, I'll try and be friends with the Giant Squid." Pick up. Throw. Splash.”Was breakfast that bad? Or do you have a mermaid friend? Can I meet them?”
That part about how she found it hard to make friends--that was true, but she didn't know why she was telling this random boy that. She "subtly" looked him over, trying to a get a judge for his character in the way that Sherlock Holmes did. Oh yeah, that's right, I forgot--I'm not Sherlock and I can't do that. Even without uber-deduction skills, Riona could tell that he was definitely a potential friend. Now, to not scare him away.
"Riona Murphy, by the way. That's my name." She extended a hand, realised she was holding bread in that hand, and hurriedly held forth her other hand instead.
Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, will not be cake.
30 Mar 2020, 20:16
Bread, a Squid and Mischief
And just like that, Dustin knew he'd found a friend. It wasn't the bread she continued to chuck into the lake, which doubtlessly had required planning or shenanigans to get. Nor was it the ease with which she boldly proclaimed what her goal was with no fear of judgement. No, it was the fact that she had heard of the giant squid and her first thought was apparently to make friends with it.”A mermaid friend? I wish. There's actually a Giant Squid that lives in this Lake. And, since I don't have the best of luck with making human friends, I thought what the heck, I'll try and be friends with the Giant Squid."
Dustin found himself speechless. What an idea! Why hadn't he known about the squid? What other mysteries was Hogwarts hiding! "Whoever this girl is, I need to keep her around. I can tell she's the right kind of person!" Dustin thought.
Dustin realized she was looking at him with an appraising look in her eye. Someone else may have been self-conscious, may have acted differently knowing they were being judged. Dustin wasn't like that. He wouldn't hide his being impressed, nor his interested in what she was doing.
She extended him her left after realizing her right was full. Dustin took it."Riona Murphy, by the way. That's my name."
"Dustin McNamara." Dustin's grin overtook his features. Riona seemed fun, she had the energy of someone bold, like him. He found himself feeling braver just interacting with her. He glaced out over the lake, spotting the bread slowly soaking in the water and disappearing below the surface.
He looked back at Riona. "This is a fantastic idea! Have you seen it before? Is it big?" Dustin glanced at the bread she had with her, his eyes afire with excitement. "Where did you get the bread? Do you have any extra I could throw?" The ache in his leg had already been forgotten.
Not for a moment did Dustin consider that he didn't know any spells to protect himself from the squid.
Always forward.
31 Mar 2020, 05:50
Bread, a Squid and Mischief
He shook her hand, seemingly not caring that she had extended her left hand and not her right. Riona smiled as she watched a grin spread across his face. His eyes turned to the Lake for a moment, and then returned back to her."Dustin McNamara."
Woah. That's a lot of questions. Dustin was clearly an excitable character, and that was definitely a good thing, she thought. What adventures they could on together! But for now, this was the adventure--and questions had been asked. Questions need answers. And so she delivered."This is a fantastic idea! Have you seen it before? Is it big? Where did you get the bread? Do you have any extra I could throw?"
"Well, I personally haven't seen it yet, but my parents did when they were in school and apparently it's at least twenty feet long, so yes, very big. The bread," she continued, picking up a piece, "I... acquired from the kitchens." Instead of tossing the bread into the Lake, she offered it to Dustin. "Go on, throw it."
You said in your owl that I could describe Dustin throwing the bread, so.
He took the bread, and in one fluid movement he threw it out into the Lake, a lot further than Riona had been able to. It landed with a distant splash, barely audible. She turned to look at him, shock clearly visible on her face. "Nice throw."
Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, will not be cake.
31 Mar 2020, 19:58
Bread, a Squid and Mischief
Dustin loved the way she said 'acquired.' It implied so much, but gave away nothing. Riona was turning out to be quite the find! He made a mental note about her parents being Hogwarts grads, doubtless she would be a great source of information. His parents shared little of their Hogwarts experiences. Though, Dustin chalked that up to his only being interested in their stories a month prior to him leaving."Well, I personally haven't seen it yet, but my parents did when they were in school and apparently it's at least twenty feet long, so yes, very big. The bread, I... acquired from the kitchens."
Without another word Dustin took the bread and whipped it into the lake. He could see it splash into the water. He wondered how long it would take for the squid to appear. "Twenty feet? That's massive!" He thought."Go on, throw it."
Dustin looked back at her. "Oh, uh, thanks!" He shrugged. "I may be new to magic, but I've always enjoyed sports," he casually offered. Talking about himself and taking praise remained the only weakness in his boldness it seemed. He didn't know how to reply, so he quickly switched the topic back to the squid."Nice throw."
"Hopefully we'll be able to see him when he does appear! It's cool that your parents told you about him." Dustin offered excitedly, gazing out on to the lake. The boy sought any sign of a tentacle or a dark shape. Given the already murky waters however, he knew he would only believe it was the squid if he saw the former. "Or her!" He added.
The bread he'd thrown had long since disappeared below the waves. Dustin looked back at Riona, clearly enjoying himself. "So, Captain," he asked with mock seriousness, "Do we throw more? Or are there other tricks to learn?"
Always forward.
3 Apr 2020, 04:20
Bread, a Squid and Mischief
Oh, so he was a bit of an athlete, huh? Riona was a more of an inside person, having never run out of things to do under a roof. Still, the fact that he was sporty may prove useful for any of her future plots. No, not plots--adventures."Oh, uh, thanks! I may be new to magic, but I've always enjoyed sports."
Ma and Da had actually been unwilling to share much information about Hogwarts. It'd be more fun if you discover Hogwarts' secrets for yourself, or something like that. It had taken a bit of bargaining on her part, but she had eventually gotten a lot of information from them to use for her... endeavours."Hopefully we'll be able to see him when he does appear! It's cool that your parents told you about him. Or her!"
Captain? Was that a Star Trek reference or something? She knew little about the franchise, but enough that the word captain made her instinctively think of it. "Well, Lieutenant McNamara," she began with a smile, deciding to play along with it. "For now we continue throwing bread into the water and hoping for the best, unless you have any better ideas. I don't really know how to summon Giant Squids.""So, Captain. Do we throw more? Or are there other tricks to learn?"
She picked up another piece of bread--lead by example--and attempted to throw it as far as Dustin Lieutenant McNamara had done. Of course, it fell short by quite some distance.
Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, will not be cake.
4 Apr 2020, 16:55
Bread, a Squid and Mischief
'Lieutenant. I quite like that.' Dustin thought to himself with amusement. He didn't know why he'd decided to call Riona 'Captain,' but then again he was never one to think before acting or speaking.
"That sounds like as good a plan as any to me!" Dustin declared, picking up another piece and following Riona's example. The bread skipped across the lake once before stopping and floating for a moment, half submerged. 'What could bring out a squid?' Dustin thought to himself. 'Is it food? A spell? Or maybe a smell?'
Thinking of smells, Dustin remembered the dungbombs he'd purchased at the Weasley shop when he was in Diagon Alley. He thought they might come in handy, though he had yet to use them. Maybe somewhere there were lots of people? Maybe during a class? Maybe Riona had an idea? He would definitely have to warm up to her more a bit first before asking. She didn't seem like the kind to tell on him, but he definitely wanted her to consider him a friend before asking any prank ideas he could seriously get in trouble for. Dustin threw his third piece of bread, subtly glancing over at Riona doing the same. 'She's actually quite pretty.' Dustin thought.
"So, your parents went to Hogwarts?" Dustin asked, bending over and grabbing another piece, his eyes on the horizon. "Are you the first in your family? Or do you have siblings?" Dustin lightly tossed the bread from hand to hand before throwing his fourth piece into the waves. He watched it land and brushed the crumbs off his hands. If the bread was going to work they should see the tentacles any time now. He looked back at Riona. "Oh and have you started classes yet? I think I like Transfigurations the best, how about you?
Dustin laughed as Riona picked up another piece of bread and threw it."For now we continue throwing bread into the water and hoping for the best, unless you have any better ideas. I don't really know how to summon Giant Squids."
"That sounds like as good a plan as any to me!" Dustin declared, picking up another piece and following Riona's example. The bread skipped across the lake once before stopping and floating for a moment, half submerged. 'What could bring out a squid?' Dustin thought to himself. 'Is it food? A spell? Or maybe a smell?'
Thinking of smells, Dustin remembered the dungbombs he'd purchased at the Weasley shop when he was in Diagon Alley. He thought they might come in handy, though he had yet to use them. Maybe somewhere there were lots of people? Maybe during a class? Maybe Riona had an idea? He would definitely have to warm up to her more a bit first before asking. She didn't seem like the kind to tell on him, but he definitely wanted her to consider him a friend before asking any prank ideas he could seriously get in trouble for. Dustin threw his third piece of bread, subtly glancing over at Riona doing the same. 'She's actually quite pretty.' Dustin thought.
"So, your parents went to Hogwarts?" Dustin asked, bending over and grabbing another piece, his eyes on the horizon. "Are you the first in your family? Or do you have siblings?" Dustin lightly tossed the bread from hand to hand before throwing his fourth piece into the waves. He watched it land and brushed the crumbs off his hands. If the bread was going to work they should see the tentacles any time now. He looked back at Riona. "Oh and have you started classes yet? I think I like Transfigurations the best, how about you?
Always forward.