29 Mar 2020, 16:36
Sun and Salinger
Open to anyone who would like to interact!
Today, however, she wasn't setting out to make friends. Sure, she would love to meet someone as she walked the grounds, but it wasn't priority to her just yet. For now, she was heading to the grounds to enjoy the sun, and work on her first Muggle Novel, Catcher In the Rye. She had seen this in a storefront on her way to Diagon Alley, and had begged her parents to let her get it. She didn't know what had drawn her to it, but, instinctively, she knew she had to have it. When beginning to read it, she had been mesmerized by the life Holden led... it seemed both so ordinary, yet so... magical, for lack of a better term. She couldn't imagine what a life would be like without being surrounded by spells and magical artifacts, yet here this character was, who represented not only the population of Muggles, but her peers, who may not have had wizards or witches for parents.
This kind of mystery was just what Lennox felt she needed. This unknown, it called out to her, in a way she hadn't experienced before. Sure, she would study Muggles while at Hogwarts, but this raw, muggle living envigorated her. She was eager to open the book up again as she walked the grounds, which had been relatively busy with students also trying to soak up the good weather. She made it a point to wave and smile at those she passed, maybe exchanging a nicety or two. Being friendly nonetheless.
Lennox eventually came to terms with the fact she may have to sit in closer proximity to people than she would have originally preferred, but didn't mind too much. She sat in a small opening on the grassy fields, in between a few people that had already occupied the area, trying her best not to disturb anyone who was trying to work or enjoy some kind of hobby. After getting comfortable, she opened the book, once again submerging herself into the world of Holden Caulfield, and what his life was like.
This time, however, the book could not hold her attention. Whether it was because she herself was distracted, or if it was because she could hear people shouting in the distance, she wasn't sure. She simply decided to close the book, opting instead to watch the white puffs of clouds move through the sky, or observe those who had chosen to use the good weather to start different outdoor games.
It was in these moments where Lennox thought, maybe today would have been a good day to try and make friends. She wasn't necessarily jealous of those around her that were mingling with peers, but found herself feeling some kind of envy. However, she knew, all good things would come in time.
Lennox could never help but feel overjoyed when she saw the sun rays peek through the windows of her dormitory. They almost beckoned her to leave her usually study spots of the Common Room or Library, and venture out to the grounds, whether to study or to simply watch as life at Hogwarts moved around her. It's not that she was not apt to talk to people, that wasn't it. She simply enjoyed seeing people interact with each other, see what behavior changes, or what brought people together. It sounded weird when she thought about it too much, but this was an activity Lennox had indulged in when home, since her parents had not really allowed her to interact with others much. So, her window became a looking glass that she could peer into, thinking of the days when she would be able to make friends and hang with them.Sunday afternoon
Today, however, she wasn't setting out to make friends. Sure, she would love to meet someone as she walked the grounds, but it wasn't priority to her just yet. For now, she was heading to the grounds to enjoy the sun, and work on her first Muggle Novel, Catcher In the Rye. She had seen this in a storefront on her way to Diagon Alley, and had begged her parents to let her get it. She didn't know what had drawn her to it, but, instinctively, she knew she had to have it. When beginning to read it, she had been mesmerized by the life Holden led... it seemed both so ordinary, yet so... magical, for lack of a better term. She couldn't imagine what a life would be like without being surrounded by spells and magical artifacts, yet here this character was, who represented not only the population of Muggles, but her peers, who may not have had wizards or witches for parents.
This kind of mystery was just what Lennox felt she needed. This unknown, it called out to her, in a way she hadn't experienced before. Sure, she would study Muggles while at Hogwarts, but this raw, muggle living envigorated her. She was eager to open the book up again as she walked the grounds, which had been relatively busy with students also trying to soak up the good weather. She made it a point to wave and smile at those she passed, maybe exchanging a nicety or two. Being friendly nonetheless.
Lennox eventually came to terms with the fact she may have to sit in closer proximity to people than she would have originally preferred, but didn't mind too much. She sat in a small opening on the grassy fields, in between a few people that had already occupied the area, trying her best not to disturb anyone who was trying to work or enjoy some kind of hobby. After getting comfortable, she opened the book, once again submerging herself into the world of Holden Caulfield, and what his life was like.
This time, however, the book could not hold her attention. Whether it was because she herself was distracted, or if it was because she could hear people shouting in the distance, she wasn't sure. She simply decided to close the book, opting instead to watch the white puffs of clouds move through the sky, or observe those who had chosen to use the good weather to start different outdoor games.
It was in these moments where Lennox thought, maybe today would have been a good day to try and make friends. She wasn't necessarily jealous of those around her that were mingling with peers, but found herself feeling some kind of envy. However, she knew, all good things would come in time.
Reducio
Wasn't quite sure where I was going to go with this idea, and am not quite sure it worked out too well! However, I tried! Please feel free to respond in whatever way suits your fancy!
1 Apr 2020, 20:43
Sun and Salinger
For @Lennox Knightley, who should prepare for slow replies. But I cannot stay away from a Salinger reference.
When it broke about 10C it was time to have a picnic. It was such a rare thing to happen in Scotland, that children learned to take advantage of it quickly. Looking out the window of the Sycamore dorm in Ravenclaw tower, Ru could feel it: the beckoning warmth. This was a picnic day. But everyone seemed to have already evacuated the tower for the day. Moreover, being the middle of the term, there was a lot of schoolwork piling up. Ruthie could only think of her failing mark in Transfiguration that never seemed to improve.
But perhaps here was a way to address both? To enjoy and to do some work? With this double goal in mind, she prepared her satchel. Inside, she placed her Transfiguration text and notes (regrettably) as well as some Robert Lewis Stevenson. Research showed that putting your temptation in your environment made it all the worst, but the young eleven year old didn't know that. She just knew that in her heart, she really never wanted to do Transfiguration. What really did Transfiguration give us to gain? Wasn't it just an illusion? Her stronger subjects like Charms and Herbology were surely much more immediately useful to a young witch or wizard.
Still, gritting her teeth, she slung the bag over her right shoulder and started the decent down from Ravenclaw tower. As it was the weekend, she was dressed casually in baggy jeans and an over-sized brown cable sweater with a noticeable hole near the edge of the right sleeve. Sporty and spunky, she worse out her clothes often and with ease. But there was always the added the reality that being working class, she just never had new and shiny things. Her things, including her clothes, were recycled, cheaply sourced, or in many instances hand-made. She'd spent her first year embarrassed by this and still was, but she was coming to realize there was nothing she could do about it. People would either accept her for who she was or they wouldn't. Thankfully, she'd managed to find some close friends who did indeed accept her. They were perhaps the only thing keeping her at the school in recent months.
Despite her natural tendencies towards extroversion, she had in recent times become more accustomed to being alone. After the Ball, it was quite frankly the only way to be. She had lost the ability to talk to people, and she was dangerous. Lark had managed to talk her out of this circle of shame from the Ball, but that had been only the start of the healing process. Being alone had become a kind of survival art. It was about time it returned to a luxury--the ability of enjoying time alone in the natural space. Nowhere else did she ever feel at home except amongst the natural woodlands, forests, and water. Oh, yes, water: her favorite of nature's gifts.
So, when she stepped out onto the grounds and the sun billowed out onto her face, she cracked a smile. Even if she did end up being useful and working on Transfiguration, the moments in the sun would be worth it. There were a few people out, which was not surprising considering the weather. Ru sauntered along, moving her head along to see where there might be a good tree and a quiet time.
As she wandered through, she noticed a girl she thought she had seen in the common room now and again, but she could not place her. A great prefect she was, not to know her own peers. But what stuck her most about this young girl was the cover of the book she held in her hand. The Catcher in the Rye it read. It was one of those books she had seen on her parents' shelf at home--the shelf of really wonderful titles. "That one is quite good, isn't it?" she said pointing at the cover as she sat down nearby. Slowly, she started to bring out her own books, starting with their first year Transfiguration textbook. Either she'd learn something or make a new acquaintance. Both seemed worthwhile.
Ruth Iona Greer
Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 4 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 9 | Arcane Power: 6 | Accuracy: 6 | Ability: Sixth Sense
Frog Choir President | Ravenclaw Chaser
1 Apr 2020, 22:15
Sun and Salinger
As the sun continued to shine, more of Lennox's peers were drawn to the grounds, eager to soak up weather that was highly uncommon to see here. It had only been a few minutes before the book had once again beckoned her to open, and try again. She had gotten into a groove when she heard someone speaking to her. "Oh, yes, it's easily one of my favorites," she replied, looking over to the speaker, unbothered by the interruption. The speaker looked very familiar, Lennox knew she was a prefect, having seen her work in the common room here and there. But her name? That escaped her memory.
"I'm Lennox, by the way." Hopefully they hadn't been formally introduced before, then it wouldn't be too awkward if she didn't know the other girl's name. If they had... well, she could deal with that embarrassment later. For now, she just hoped she could make a new acquaintance... that would be nice. She let out a small breath, running a hand through her hair. How she got herself all worked up over the smallest of things, Lennox would never know.
Unsure of whether or not to press further into a conversation, the young girl brushed over the seams on a patch she had sewn onto her jeans. It wasn't for repair purposes, more for fashion if she could even call it that. She had loved this blue paisley fabric she had found and thus had sewn it to a few different pairs of dark-wash jeans. Paired with a cream-colored sweater, she felt like the pairing had combined enough casual with a bit of chic, the way her mother had always taught her to dress. The only downfall might be grass stains, but she could live with a bit of green on her clothes.
Once she had gotten out of her head a bit, she glanced back over to the other girl and noticed her textbook. Transfiguration had been a hot and cold subject for her. She wasn't necessarily struggling with it, but it definitely wasn't one of her favorite subjects. The material sometimes seemed repetitive, though Lennox did understand how it was useful to some. "What do you think of it?" She gestured to the book as she spoke, wondering how others felt about the class. She knew the class was very polar for most.
"I'm Lennox, by the way." Hopefully they hadn't been formally introduced before, then it wouldn't be too awkward if she didn't know the other girl's name. If they had... well, she could deal with that embarrassment later. For now, she just hoped she could make a new acquaintance... that would be nice. She let out a small breath, running a hand through her hair. How she got herself all worked up over the smallest of things, Lennox would never know.
Unsure of whether or not to press further into a conversation, the young girl brushed over the seams on a patch she had sewn onto her jeans. It wasn't for repair purposes, more for fashion if she could even call it that. She had loved this blue paisley fabric she had found and thus had sewn it to a few different pairs of dark-wash jeans. Paired with a cream-colored sweater, she felt like the pairing had combined enough casual with a bit of chic, the way her mother had always taught her to dress. The only downfall might be grass stains, but she could live with a bit of green on her clothes.
Once she had gotten out of her head a bit, she glanced back over to the other girl and noticed her textbook. Transfiguration had been a hot and cold subject for her. She wasn't necessarily struggling with it, but it definitely wasn't one of her favorite subjects. The material sometimes seemed repetitive, though Lennox did understand how it was useful to some. "What do you think of it?" She gestured to the book as she spoke, wondering how others felt about the class. She knew the class was very polar for most.
7 Apr 2020, 15:44
Sun and Salinger
Favorite books say so much about a person Ruthie believed. Those who knew of her obsession with Robert Lewis Stevenson could probably infer so much about her. Salinger suggested a very relatable brain, one who might struggle with adolescence. Ruthie couldn't help but admire the book's reader. "You have excellent taste," she said with a smile. Books had always been a way to connect with others--just like that day Charlie saved her and her owl pellets in the Clocktower Courtyard--so perhaps this too was a burgeoning connection. "Great day to be out with a book, isn't it?" she commented, leaning back to take in the sun's warm as her curly blonde hair strewn towards the ground.
She got lucky when the other girl introduced herself first. After all, Ruthie's ability to meet people normally had been tested after the Ball. Still, she would try. "Ruth," she returned the favor with and extended hand and her legal name as this was still a person she didn't really know. "I think I've seen you around the Common Room," she asserted, hoping she was recalling correctly. It'd be embarrassing if she turned out to be in a completely different house.
As she pulled out her books, she noticed the other girl's casual attire. The sight of mended jeans made her smile. Secretly, she hoped it was a sign of an active lifestyle or a working-class income, or maybe even both. These two signature traits of her own she'd found somewhat lacking in her peers, not that she wanted to talk about money. She hated talking about money, probably because she didn't have any. One day she might as an adult. Some adults did.
As she cracked open the spine of her notebooks just in case she wanted to take notes while reading, her companion it seemed had noticed the dreadful textbook she had brought with her. The blonde's smile seemed to fade at the thought like a storm had encroached on these pristine grounds. "I hate it," she said bluntly, "It's my worst subject. Really worst." She didn't want to insert the word 'failing' into a conversation with someone she'd just met, but she'd still divulged a truth. Since that first lesson with the physics metaphor, Transfiguration was her nemesis.
"How are you doing in Transfiguration?" she queried, looking to get the spotlight off herself. Most people seemed to struggle, which had given Ruthie some comfort, but not everyone was that way. Some people might just be prodigal in the subject. In fact, it would be lovely to speak to that sort of person and find out what they were doing right.
For @Lennox Knightley
Ruth Iona Greer
Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 4 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 9 | Arcane Power: 6 | Accuracy: 6 | Ability: Sixth Sense
Frog Choir President | Ravenclaw Chaser
12 Apr 2020, 15:52
Sun and Salinger
Though it may be wrong to be pleased with someone’s displeasure, Lennox found herself relieved that Ruth was also someone that struggled with Transfiguration. The work assigned for that class was exactly what Lennox was out trying to avoid, considering herself quite rubbish with the subject herself. “I’m in the same place with it. It’s quite dreadful, honestly. I came out here to avoid the work, so props to you for bringing it along,” the girl responded, with a light laugh. Dreadful might have been a poor choice of words since it was in the grading system, and truthfully, she wasn’t doing too terribly, but Lennox had expectations for herself that she wasn’t meeting. The brunette was working hard to try and accept that she sometimes had to lower her own standards, but it was a process, to say the least.
“I believe I’ve seen you around the Common Room as well, you’re a Prefect, right?” Hoping that her memory was still on her side, Lennox was glad to know that at the very least, she wasn’t crazy in thinking she had seen the other Ravenclaw around before. As they spoke, her eyes traveled to the hole in Ruth’s sweater, and wondered if it had come from good use, or rather, purchased that way, something Lennox was guilty of doing.
It had been something she would feel guilty for, despite it being an odd thing to worry about. Her wealth status or lifestyle had nothing to do with her as her own person, but, quite literally, she hated wearing it around. With more confidence, Lennox would have probably gone straight to the Quidditch sign-ups and attempted to try out or get on a waitlist. Activity to her was something she enjoyed, but it wouldn’t show to those who had met her, as she had a more studious lifestyle at Hogwarts than she had engaged in previously.
“Anything you’re reading currently that you’d recommend? I’m tearing through this, so I’m hoping to get some titles lined up for when I inevitably finish.” Books were such a wonderful discussion piece, Lennox thought. Everyone had opinions on them, and there were millions in the world - you could think you’ve read every single one, and not even make a dent in the world’s library. This was one of the many reasons the girl loved to discuss literature, as everyone had their own personal view on the world’s library, living in shelves you may never get to see. Hearing their thoughts was a way to move throughout the library.
“I believe I’ve seen you around the Common Room as well, you’re a Prefect, right?” Hoping that her memory was still on her side, Lennox was glad to know that at the very least, she wasn’t crazy in thinking she had seen the other Ravenclaw around before. As they spoke, her eyes traveled to the hole in Ruth’s sweater, and wondered if it had come from good use, or rather, purchased that way, something Lennox was guilty of doing.
It had been something she would feel guilty for, despite it being an odd thing to worry about. Her wealth status or lifestyle had nothing to do with her as her own person, but, quite literally, she hated wearing it around. With more confidence, Lennox would have probably gone straight to the Quidditch sign-ups and attempted to try out or get on a waitlist. Activity to her was something she enjoyed, but it wouldn’t show to those who had met her, as she had a more studious lifestyle at Hogwarts than she had engaged in previously.
“Anything you’re reading currently that you’d recommend? I’m tearing through this, so I’m hoping to get some titles lined up for when I inevitably finish.” Books were such a wonderful discussion piece, Lennox thought. Everyone had opinions on them, and there were millions in the world - you could think you’ve read every single one, and not even make a dent in the world’s library. This was one of the many reasons the girl loved to discuss literature, as everyone had their own personal view on the world’s library, living in shelves you may never get to see. Hearing their thoughts was a way to move throughout the library.
For @Ruthie Greer