New Faces, New Stories
.
| ๐ช๐ผ ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ช๐พ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐พ๐ต ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ท๐ช๐ฝ๐พ๐ป๐ฎ, ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฏ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ช | 355 :word count |
โโ
โโThe summer campgrounds were already beginning to feel like their own little world. It was her first time at Hogwarts and she wasn't even going to the school. In September Latoya would be starting her first year at her own school Tenลซsa. Latoya had spent most of the morning wandering around and taking everything in. There was something exciting about being surrounded by students from different schools especially when everyone had their own stories and traditions and little differences. She found herself wondering how many of them had travelled from places which she'd only ever heard about in books.
Latoya eventually wandered away from the busier areas of the campgrounds and carried a small sketchbook beneath one arm. She'd been hoping to find somewhere peaceful enough to draw preferably somewhere with a good view of the surrounding grounds or perhaps somewhere where she could admire the nature around her. By growing up in Fiji she has become fascinated by nature and enjoys being near it. Her attention was caught by a quieter spot a little farther away. At this spot she could hear the rustling of leaves and the occasional sounds of voices form the main camp.
However when she got there she noticed that someone else was already there which caused her to slow down and glance toward the boy before she offered him a friendly smile. "Hi," she greeted as she shifted her sketchbook beneath her arm. "Do you mind if I sit here?" She waited for his response before she settled nearby and left enough space between them so then she wouldn't be intruding. She simply looked around and took in the scenery for a few moments. "This place is really pretty," she eventually said as her gaze wandered toward the trees. "I've never been to a summer camp like this before."
She then opened her sketchbook and flipped past a few pages that were filled with drawings of birds and flowers and various creatures before finding a blank page. "I'm Latoya, by the way." She looked over at him again and her curiosity got the better of her. "What's your name?"
โโ
โโ |
[ sta ] 5 | [ eva ] 3 | [ str ] 2 | [ wis ] 8 | [ arc ] 7 | [ acc ] 5
๐๐๐ซ๐ญ-๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ | ability | ability | ability | ability | ability | ability |
.
coded by Marigold Wesley
Latoya โข Tenลซsa | Diana โข Ravenclaw
Like the tide, I always find my way home.
Come visit ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
Like the tide, I always find my way home.
Come visit ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
New Faces, New Stories
Alfie liked being the center attention. He'd never been what one would call popular, but the
elation he felt whenever he earned any tangible proof of his own exceptionalism had only made him yearn for more validation. This meant he had tried to throw himself into the new social setting and schmooze for all he was worth. He was friendly and outgoing, he smiled a lot, flattered a lot, was polite to a fault, and nodded in all the right places. In short, he'd done everything he could think of to present himself as the sort of person that anyone in their right mind would want to be friends with. Frankly, it was a hell of a lot of work, and at the halfway mark of his camp experience Alfie felt he very little to show for it. As far as could tell not a single person of all the many people he'd met considered him now as anything more than an acquaintance. It was frustrating, especially as Alfie was presenting himself exactly like the sort of person that he would want to be friends with himself.
He felt exhausted and demoralized, and while he told himself that he liked being surrounded by people and activities, the reality was that it was only in solitary moments of reflection such as the one he found himself currently that he felt truly himself. He knew that a bit of downtime would renew his vigor and motivation. Then he could throw himself back into the fray, smiling and flattering as if his life (and more importantly his reputation) depended on it.
This was not to say that he was idle as he rested. As he sat in his natural bower, with his back leaning comfortably against a massive tree trunk, he was deeply absorbed in studying his notes. Over the last fortnight, he had made a list of everyone he'd met with his observations and insights and proposed strategies for what would best win them over. He also had a list of facts in another section, or a least what he thought to be facts. In between, he'd inserted glosses as new information was acquired, or questions thought of. The sad truth was that for every fact he'd learned there had been countless related questions. Alfie was convinced that if wizards had internet he could have found the answers to most with nobody being the wiser to his mugglish ignorance. Instead, he had to engage people in adjacent topics that he thought might encourage them to elaborate without making it obvious to them that he knew next to nothing about anything. It would be easier to just ask directly of course but that defeated the purpose of reinventing himself as remarkable. He could hardly be popular if he wasn't also exceptional and until he'd figured out how to do that he'd have to just go on with the charade. Thus more study, more deception, and more networking. It was no wonder he needed a rest.
As Alfie reread he thought of yet another question that hadn't occurred to him before. He wrote this in small letters between the lines and when that proved to not be enough room he turned the book, continuing sideways down the margin. He was in the midst of this writing when a faint rustling of footsteps alerted him that he was no longer alone.
Alfie looked up, immediately on guard. He was disarmed by the appearance of the girl and by her greeting. She seemed--well, pleasant. It was not the sort of observation Alfie normally made. Normally he'd be sizing her up, assigning her to a category, and rating her relative usefulness to him and his goals. Instead his mind had gone blank and it took him a moment to remember to respond.
"No. No, not at all," he said mildly. He shook his head slightly as if clearing the cobwebs, and then added, โIโd be grateful for the company.โ It was a stock phrase, one of many that heโd taught himself to use, but this time it was it wasnโt actually a lie.
After a beat she made an observation about the scenery and as his attention was drawn to it he had to agree. โAye, it is. Very pretty. More trees than at home.โ Also a lot less sky, which at times had made him feel claustrophobic. Not at the moment though.
โI havenโt as well,โ he agreed about the camp. โNothing like this anyway.โ He considered making up a fantastic fake camping experience to impress her, or even to tell her the truth about the sort of day camp experiences heโd had as a much younger child. He dismissed both options.
โItโs been nice, yeah. The peopleโ And the cabinsโโ Yes, yes, all very nice. What is wrong with you? Alfieโs brain hissed. Come on! Youโre better than this!
Gratefully, she introduced herself and Alfie latched onto the girlโs name, his practiced charm reasserting itself once more. โLatoya. Lovely, that is. I donโt think Iโve ever met a Latoya from back home.โ Alfie wondered if she were foreign, before mentally chiding himself that everyone here was foreign. There hadnโt been a single Welsh voice among them.
โIโm Alfie. Alfie Wyn Owen. I'm from Wales. This is my first time here-- at Hogwarts, I mean.โ Pretty obvious, he would have thought. "I havenโt started classes yet. Iโll be a first year when they start in September.โ It was less than two weeks away. Alfie still felt like he knew next to nothing about what was to come.โ
โHow about you?โ he asked. I know you said youโve never been to a camp like this, but did you go to school here last year? You canโt be much older than a second year, right?โ It would have been difficult to guess with them both sitting, but Alfie thought she was smaller. โYou look about my age, is all.โ
elation he felt whenever he earned any tangible proof of his own exceptionalism had only made him yearn for more validation. This meant he had tried to throw himself into the new social setting and schmooze for all he was worth. He was friendly and outgoing, he smiled a lot, flattered a lot, was polite to a fault, and nodded in all the right places. In short, he'd done everything he could think of to present himself as the sort of person that anyone in their right mind would want to be friends with. Frankly, it was a hell of a lot of work, and at the halfway mark of his camp experience Alfie felt he very little to show for it. As far as could tell not a single person of all the many people he'd met considered him now as anything more than an acquaintance. It was frustrating, especially as Alfie was presenting himself exactly like the sort of person that he would want to be friends with himself.
He felt exhausted and demoralized, and while he told himself that he liked being surrounded by people and activities, the reality was that it was only in solitary moments of reflection such as the one he found himself currently that he felt truly himself. He knew that a bit of downtime would renew his vigor and motivation. Then he could throw himself back into the fray, smiling and flattering as if his life (and more importantly his reputation) depended on it.
This was not to say that he was idle as he rested. As he sat in his natural bower, with his back leaning comfortably against a massive tree trunk, he was deeply absorbed in studying his notes. Over the last fortnight, he had made a list of everyone he'd met with his observations and insights and proposed strategies for what would best win them over. He also had a list of facts in another section, or a least what he thought to be facts. In between, he'd inserted glosses as new information was acquired, or questions thought of. The sad truth was that for every fact he'd learned there had been countless related questions. Alfie was convinced that if wizards had internet he could have found the answers to most with nobody being the wiser to his mugglish ignorance. Instead, he had to engage people in adjacent topics that he thought might encourage them to elaborate without making it obvious to them that he knew next to nothing about anything. It would be easier to just ask directly of course but that defeated the purpose of reinventing himself as remarkable. He could hardly be popular if he wasn't also exceptional and until he'd figured out how to do that he'd have to just go on with the charade. Thus more study, more deception, and more networking. It was no wonder he needed a rest.
As Alfie reread he thought of yet another question that hadn't occurred to him before. He wrote this in small letters between the lines and when that proved to not be enough room he turned the book, continuing sideways down the margin. He was in the midst of this writing when a faint rustling of footsteps alerted him that he was no longer alone.
Alfie looked up, immediately on guard. He was disarmed by the appearance of the girl and by her greeting. She seemed--well, pleasant. It was not the sort of observation Alfie normally made. Normally he'd be sizing her up, assigning her to a category, and rating her relative usefulness to him and his goals. Instead his mind had gone blank and it took him a moment to remember to respond.
"No. No, not at all," he said mildly. He shook his head slightly as if clearing the cobwebs, and then added, โIโd be grateful for the company.โ It was a stock phrase, one of many that heโd taught himself to use, but this time it was it wasnโt actually a lie.
After a beat she made an observation about the scenery and as his attention was drawn to it he had to agree. โAye, it is. Very pretty. More trees than at home.โ Also a lot less sky, which at times had made him feel claustrophobic. Not at the moment though.
โI havenโt as well,โ he agreed about the camp. โNothing like this anyway.โ He considered making up a fantastic fake camping experience to impress her, or even to tell her the truth about the sort of day camp experiences heโd had as a much younger child. He dismissed both options.
โItโs been nice, yeah. The peopleโ And the cabinsโโ Yes, yes, all very nice. What is wrong with you? Alfieโs brain hissed. Come on! Youโre better than this!
Gratefully, she introduced herself and Alfie latched onto the girlโs name, his practiced charm reasserting itself once more. โLatoya. Lovely, that is. I donโt think Iโve ever met a Latoya from back home.โ Alfie wondered if she were foreign, before mentally chiding himself that everyone here was foreign. There hadnโt been a single Welsh voice among them.
โIโm Alfie. Alfie Wyn Owen. I'm from Wales. This is my first time here-- at Hogwarts, I mean.โ Pretty obvious, he would have thought. "I havenโt started classes yet. Iโll be a first year when they start in September.โ It was less than two weeks away. Alfie still felt like he knew next to nothing about what was to come.โ
โHow about you?โ he asked. I know you said youโve never been to a camp like this, but did you go to school here last year? You canโt be much older than a second year, right?โ It would have been difficult to guess with them both sitting, but Alfie thought she was smaller. โYou look about my age, is all.โ
New Faces, New Stories
.
| ๐ช๐ผ ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ช๐พ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐พ๐ต ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ท๐ช๐ฝ๐พ๐ป๐ฎ, ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฏ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ช | 332 :word count |
โโโโHer pencil still rested between her fingers as she listened to Alfie introduce himself. She smiled when he mentioned Wales before she glanced toward the trees which surrounded them. โMore trees than at home?โ she repeated with a small laugh. โI think you might be surprised by Fiji. There are so many trees there, especially around where I live. We have mangroves, forests, and lots of plants growing near the water.โ No wonder she grew to love the environment.
She looked down at her sketchbook before she shifted it slightly to reveal some of her drawings that she'd done earlier. โI really like drawing things from nature. Birds are my favorite to draw, but I like drawing all sorts of animals.โ Her expression brightened as she spoke. โThere are so many interesting ones around my home.โ
Latoya shook her head when Alfie asked if she'd attended Hogwarts the previous year. She wasn't a student at Hogwarts she was just there for the summer camp. โNo, this is my first year too! I'm from Fiji, so I'll be going to Tenลซsa in September.โ She paused before adding with a cheerful smile. โI'm really excited. I've never been to a school like this before.โ She laughed softly when he guessed her age correctly. โYou got it. I'm eleven.โ
Latoya looked back toward him and her curiosity immediately returned. โSo what's Wales like?โ she asked. โI've never been there. Is it very different from Fiji?โ She tilted her head slightly as she thought of another question. โAnd what is Hogwarts like? You've been here for camp, so you must have seen quite a bit of it already.โ Her eyes then flickered toward the grounds around them. โI think it would be exciting to go to school in a castle. Do you think you'll like it?โ She smiled and as she returned her attention to her sketchbook she was completely at ease. โI think it's nice that we both get to start somewhere new this year.โ
โโโโ |
[ sta ] 5 | [ eva ] 3 | [ str ] 2 | [ wis ] 8 | [ arc ] 7 | [ acc ] 5
๐๐๐ซ๐ญ-๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ | ability | ability | ability | ability | ability | ability |
.
coded by Marigold Wesley
Latoya โข Tenลซsa | Diana โข Ravenclaw
Like the tide, I always find my way home.
Come visit ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
Like the tide, I always find my way home.
Come visit ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
New Faces, New Stories
"Oh, don't get me wrong! Wales has plenty of trees," Alfie interjected. He didn't want her to think that his country was some sort of wasteland. "Just not so much where I live, and nothing like you're describing. Fiji sounds proper1 lush2!" He felt excited at the mention of Fiji, which although he knew next to nothing about it, gave him images of something thrillingly exotic, almost like a made up place in an adventure story.
He tried not to interrupt her though, because she seemed in the mood to share. He nodded when she talked about her interest in art and nature. Alfie knew it was useful to learn what someone cared about early on, even (or maybe even especially) when you didn't share those interests yourself. In this case, Alfie could relate to her attraction to birds and some specific sorts of animals if not to all of them.
He was pleased to find that they were the same age, but disappointed to hear that she would not be one of his classmates. Was he wasting time being nice to someone he'd never see again? Maybe, but possibly not. She's already brought up something about the magical world that he hadn't known. Hogwarts wasn't the only school for magic. It wasn't that surprising once you thought about it, but it had not occurred to Alfie until now. That might explain all the odd accents he'd been hearing. In any case, if he was never to see Latoya again after camp, it wouldn't hurt to be honest about his lack of information. If he revealed his ignorance she might be able to help, and he would not have to worry about her ruining his reputation at Hogwarts by blabbing about how dumb he was.
"Tenลซsa! That does sound exciting!" was what he actually said though. He knew nothing about Tenลซsa or what going to school there might entail, but he reasoned that if he were going to Fiji, or somewhere close by, he'd be excited too.
And then Latoya started asking questions, which Alfie liked. It gave him a chance to talk about himself without seeming like a total prat. "Well-- I expect Wales is very different, but you and I may have a few things in common. I live on an island too: Inys Mรดn. Inys means island in Welsh, you see. It's at the top of Wales. If you don't have a good map it looks like it's part of the mainland, because it's close, but it's a proper island like. And then west of that is a smaller island. My island: Ynys Gybi. It's part of Inys Mรดn, but also kind of not. Saint Cybi's Island really is an island, but so close that there's this bridge. The English name for Ynys Gybi is Holy Island. And me then, I'm from the biggest town on that island: Caergybi, Saint Cybi's fort. The English call it Holyhead.
"That's a long way of saying we're both islanders, but that may be where it ends. Holyhead is built up like, and I live close to the city center so it's buildings all around. But the island isn't so big that I can't ride my bike most anywhere. It's mostly rocks and sea cliffs, and oh-- we have our own mountain too. A little one, I won't lie. I can walk to the top myself, given time. And then, well, the sea is the main thing. We have mad views! There's beaches all around, but the water's proper cold even in summer. I have a wetsuit, so it's not so bad. Nothing like Fiji though, I'd wager."
Alfie paused, feeling like he'd under sold it. Ynys Gybi was beautiful and he was proud to be from there, but Holyhead was also kind of rubbish. Ferries and cruise ships were always docking in Holyhead, but they were mostly going somewhere else. Even when the people wanted to look around he thought they often were unimpressed. Alfie had lost track of the number of times some tourist had stopped him on the street asking where Holyhead Town Centre was, only to have to tell them: 'This is it. You're standing in it. This is as good as it gets.'
Alfie sighed and then forced a smile. "We probably don't have near the animals you do either, but there's grey seals, and porpoises, and more sea birds than you can count!" He nodded, reflectively, no longer having to force a positive expression. "I love it really,โ he said whistfully. โGood and bad. It's, wellโ Well, itโs magical." He chuckled, acknowledging his own corniness and the irony considering where they both were now.
"As for Hogwarts?" he paused, hovering between truth or fiction before making up his mind. "Haven't got a bloody clue!. My parents never went here. Only found out about it this summer." He shrugged. "Fact is, I don't know much about all this." He gestured vaguely in a way that might have meant the castle and grounds, or may have meant more. Magic. Wizards. The whole shebang.
"How 'bout you?" he asked. "Is this new new? Or have you always known?"
--------------------------------
He tried not to interrupt her though, because she seemed in the mood to share. He nodded when she talked about her interest in art and nature. Alfie knew it was useful to learn what someone cared about early on, even (or maybe even especially) when you didn't share those interests yourself. In this case, Alfie could relate to her attraction to birds and some specific sorts of animals if not to all of them.
He was pleased to find that they were the same age, but disappointed to hear that she would not be one of his classmates. Was he wasting time being nice to someone he'd never see again? Maybe, but possibly not. She's already brought up something about the magical world that he hadn't known. Hogwarts wasn't the only school for magic. It wasn't that surprising once you thought about it, but it had not occurred to Alfie until now. That might explain all the odd accents he'd been hearing. In any case, if he was never to see Latoya again after camp, it wouldn't hurt to be honest about his lack of information. If he revealed his ignorance she might be able to help, and he would not have to worry about her ruining his reputation at Hogwarts by blabbing about how dumb he was.
"Tenลซsa! That does sound exciting!" was what he actually said though. He knew nothing about Tenลซsa or what going to school there might entail, but he reasoned that if he were going to Fiji, or somewhere close by, he'd be excited too.
And then Latoya started asking questions, which Alfie liked. It gave him a chance to talk about himself without seeming like a total prat. "Well-- I expect Wales is very different, but you and I may have a few things in common. I live on an island too: Inys Mรดn. Inys means island in Welsh, you see. It's at the top of Wales. If you don't have a good map it looks like it's part of the mainland, because it's close, but it's a proper island like. And then west of that is a smaller island. My island: Ynys Gybi. It's part of Inys Mรดn, but also kind of not. Saint Cybi's Island really is an island, but so close that there's this bridge. The English name for Ynys Gybi is Holy Island. And me then, I'm from the biggest town on that island: Caergybi, Saint Cybi's fort. The English call it Holyhead.
"That's a long way of saying we're both islanders, but that may be where it ends. Holyhead is built up like, and I live close to the city center so it's buildings all around. But the island isn't so big that I can't ride my bike most anywhere. It's mostly rocks and sea cliffs, and oh-- we have our own mountain too. A little one, I won't lie. I can walk to the top myself, given time. And then, well, the sea is the main thing. We have mad views! There's beaches all around, but the water's proper cold even in summer. I have a wetsuit, so it's not so bad. Nothing like Fiji though, I'd wager."
Alfie paused, feeling like he'd under sold it. Ynys Gybi was beautiful and he was proud to be from there, but Holyhead was also kind of rubbish. Ferries and cruise ships were always docking in Holyhead, but they were mostly going somewhere else. Even when the people wanted to look around he thought they often were unimpressed. Alfie had lost track of the number of times some tourist had stopped him on the street asking where Holyhead Town Centre was, only to have to tell them: 'This is it. You're standing in it. This is as good as it gets.'
Alfie sighed and then forced a smile. "We probably don't have near the animals you do either, but there's grey seals, and porpoises, and more sea birds than you can count!" He nodded, reflectively, no longer having to force a positive expression. "I love it really,โ he said whistfully. โGood and bad. It's, wellโ Well, itโs magical." He chuckled, acknowledging his own corniness and the irony considering where they both were now.
"As for Hogwarts?" he paused, hovering between truth or fiction before making up his mind. "Haven't got a bloody clue!. My parents never went here. Only found out about it this summer." He shrugged. "Fact is, I don't know much about all this." He gestured vaguely in a way that might have meant the castle and grounds, or may have meant more. Magic. Wizards. The whole shebang.
"How 'bout you?" he asked. "Is this new new? Or have you always known?"
--------------------------------
Welsh Vocabulary and English colloquialisms used in Wales:
Reducio
- 1Proper General UK colloquialism used informally as an intensifier meaning "really," "very," or "absolutely".
- 2Lush In Welsh informal slang, lush means something is excellent, very attractive, gorgeous, or delicious. It can be used for a multitude of situations: food, people, places, things, or vibes.
New Faces, New Stories
.
| ๐ช๐ผ ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ช๐พ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐พ๐ต ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ท๐ช๐ฝ๐พ๐ป๐ฎ, ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฏ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ช | 534 :word count |
โโโโAs Alfie described his home Latoya listened with growing interest. Her pencil was now forgotten against the edge of her sketchbook. She had expected Wales to be different from Fiji but the more he described it the more the similarities she seemed to find. โWait, so you live on an island too?โ she asked as her eyes lit up. โThat's really cool!โ
As he explained the different names she smiled even though she had to concentrate a little in order to keep track of them all. โYnys Gybi,โ she repeated carefully as she tried to pronounce it the same way he'd said it. โI like that name. And you have a mountain?โ Her expression became even more interested. โIs it close to the sea?โ It seemed that anything involving the ocean immediately caught her attention. This was probably because she lives so close to the ocean and her father is a marine conservation officer.
She listened as he continued describing the cliffs and beaches before she smiled at the mention of animals. โGrey seals and porpoises? We have dolphins around Fiji sometimes. And sea turtles.โ She glanced down at the drawings in her sketchbook before adding โI really like sea turtles. I've seen them while snorkeling before.โ The fondness in her voice was unmistakable. During her first instance of magic she had actually saved a sea turtle who was caught in a net but she didn't tell him that. Latoya probably could've continued talking about animals for quite a while if she let herself.
Latoya's expression slightly softened when Alfie admitted that he didn't know much about Hogwarts or the wizarding world. There was no amusement or judgment in her face. She seemed to understand if anything. โI didn't know there were so many different magical schools either until I learned about Tenลซsa,โ she admitted. โSo I think that's okay.โ
However his final question made her pause. โIs this new new?โ Latoya thought about it for a moment before giving a small nod. โPretty much. My parents are both Muggles, so neither of them knew much about magic.โ She paused and her expression became thoughtful. โThere is an old story in my family, though. My grandmother used to talk about how every few decades, someone in the Driskell family would be born with two unusual gifts.โ She gave a small shrug. โI don't think anyone really believed it was true. It was more like one of those stories that gets passed down through families.โ As she remembered her eyes brightened slightly. โThen I did something magical when I was seven, and suddenly the story seemed a little less silly.โ Latoya smiled before she looked down at her sketchbook again and her fingers lightly brushed over the edge of the paper. โSo I suppose magic is new for my family too. I'm still learning about everything.โ
Latoya then glanced back toward Alfie and was completely comfortable admitting that she didn't have all the answers. โThat's one of the reasons I'm excited for Tenลซsa. There are so many things I want to learn.โ Her curiosity returned almost immediately and she tilted her head slightly. โWhat about you? Is there anything about magic you're especially curious about?โ
โโโโ |
[ sta ] 5 | [ eva ] 3 | [ str ] 2 | [ wis ] 8 | [ arc ] 7 | [ acc ] 5
๐๐๐ซ๐ญ-๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ | ability | ability | ability | ability | ability | ability |
.
coded by Marigold Wesley
Latoya โข Tenลซsa | Diana โข Ravenclaw
Like the tide, I always find my way home.
Come visit ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
Like the tide, I always find my way home.
Come visit ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
New Faces, New Stories
Alfie nodded, smiling at her pronunciation of Ynys Gybi1. Most English speakers had a terrible time with that. He'd heard YIN-nis GIB-by, YIGH-knees GUY-bee, and similarly mangled attempts. He reasoned this was because they saw the words in writing first, and even after hearing it pronounced correctly they could not reconcile themselves with familiar letters making unfamiliar sounds. Latoya had never seen the words though so she had no trouble repeating UH-niss GUH-bee just as he pronounced it.
"Aye. The mountain is Mynydd Twr.2" He grinned at her next question. "Oh aye. Everything's close to the sea on Ynys Gybi. There'd have to be more island for it not to be."
"We get dolphins too sometimes. Risso's. Bottle nose. But harbour porpoises are more common." He shook is head at the mention of sea turtles. "Our waters are a bit too cold for sea turtles, even in the summer." He didn't mention the occassional unfortunates that found themselves swept off course only to wash up cold-stunned and near death. He thought that might be tactless considering her obvious love for them.
He was curious just how many magical schools there actually were. He almost asked, but then Latoya started talking about her family and that put all thoughts of international schools out of his mind.
"Never!3 You could almost be talking about my family." He had mostly kept silent on the topic during the camp as he'd been given reason to believe that there was some sort of heirarchy among magical people that favoured so-called pure families and looked down upon people like him. Hearing Latoya being so candid about her own family gave him tacit permission to be honest himself. It helped knowing she was leaving Hogwarts at the end of August so his secret would remain safe regardless what he told her.
"My nain4-- my grandmother, she was the one in our family too-- she was always going on about some great-great-something-or-other that married a morforwyn5 and that's why her family had so many cunning folk. When I was younger she acted like it was all just a story, a family legend like, but later she started telling me it was actually true and that I was touched by Annwn8."
"We all thought that she was the one that was touched9," he added, tapping his temple. He paused, saddened by the memory. "Wish I could take it back and let her know she was right after all. Partly right, anyway."
"I just found out for sure earlier this summer," he admitted. "So now I need to learn everything there is. But if you are talking specifically..." He frowned, as it was difficult to pick just one thing. "I want to know how much of the stories I've heard about magical things are actually real. I mean are there really morforwyn? Mermaids? Selkies10 ? I also fancy flying would be amazing. I often watch the seabirds flying over and imagine what it would be like. The fact that I might actually find out? I can't imagine anything better than that."
He paused, glancing at Latoya's face as he tried to decide if he should tell her the rest.
"There's one more thing. Something I do sometimes. I don't know how to control it. It just happens." He shrugged apologetically. "Have you heard of metamorphmagi? Apparently I am one. I--I don't know that much about it myself, but they say I have to control it, or I'll be in trouble when I go back home."
--------------------------------
"Aye. The mountain is Mynydd Twr.2" He grinned at her next question. "Oh aye. Everything's close to the sea on Ynys Gybi. There'd have to be more island for it not to be."
"We get dolphins too sometimes. Risso's. Bottle nose. But harbour porpoises are more common." He shook is head at the mention of sea turtles. "Our waters are a bit too cold for sea turtles, even in the summer." He didn't mention the occassional unfortunates that found themselves swept off course only to wash up cold-stunned and near death. He thought that might be tactless considering her obvious love for them.
He was curious just how many magical schools there actually were. He almost asked, but then Latoya started talking about her family and that put all thoughts of international schools out of his mind.
"Never!3 You could almost be talking about my family." He had mostly kept silent on the topic during the camp as he'd been given reason to believe that there was some sort of heirarchy among magical people that favoured so-called pure families and looked down upon people like him. Hearing Latoya being so candid about her own family gave him tacit permission to be honest himself. It helped knowing she was leaving Hogwarts at the end of August so his secret would remain safe regardless what he told her.
"My nain4-- my grandmother, she was the one in our family too-- she was always going on about some great-great-something-or-other that married a morforwyn5 and that's why her family had so many cunning folk. When I was younger she acted like it was all just a story, a family legend like, but later she started telling me it was actually true and that I was touched by Annwn8."
"We all thought that she was the one that was touched9," he added, tapping his temple. He paused, saddened by the memory. "Wish I could take it back and let her know she was right after all. Partly right, anyway."
"I just found out for sure earlier this summer," he admitted. "So now I need to learn everything there is. But if you are talking specifically..." He frowned, as it was difficult to pick just one thing. "I want to know how much of the stories I've heard about magical things are actually real. I mean are there really morforwyn? Mermaids? Selkies10 ? I also fancy flying would be amazing. I often watch the seabirds flying over and imagine what it would be like. The fact that I might actually find out? I can't imagine anything better than that."
He paused, glancing at Latoya's face as he tried to decide if he should tell her the rest.
"There's one more thing. Something I do sometimes. I don't know how to control it. It just happens." He shrugged apologetically. "Have you heard of metamorphmagi? Apparently I am one. I--I don't know that much about it myself, but they say I have to control it, or I'll be in trouble when I go back home."
--------------------------------
Welsh Vocabulary and English colloquialisms used in Wales:
Reducio
1Ynys Gybi Welsh p.n.(UH-nis GUB-ee) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Holy Island, aka Holyhead Island
Literally: Cybi's Island
Named for the island's association with 6th-century Saint Cybi.x x 2Mynydd Twr Welsh p.n.(MUN-ith TOOR) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Holyhead Mountain
From the Welsh mynydd 'mountain' and twr 'a heap, pile'x x 3Never! N.Wenglish excl. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Used as an exclamation or question to express mild disbelief, shock, or surprise.
Equiv: Really?; no way!; you're joking!x x 4nain N.Welsh n.f.(NINE) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Grandmother. Nain is used predominantly in North Wales, while mamgu is used in the South. Both terms are frequently carried over when speaking English in Wales. x x 5morfowyn Welsh, n.f.(mor-VOHR-win) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sea maiden. Usually translated in English as mermaid.
From Welsh mรดr 'sea' and morwyn 'maiden/virgin'.
In Welsh folklore, morfowyn are shape-shifters capable of taking a human or aquatic form.
x x 6cunning folk Eng, n.pl. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Practitioners of folk magic in Wales and England. Consulted for beneficial services such as healing, divination and curse breaking. Distinct from witches and black magic users.
Equiv: wise (wo)men; knowing (wo)men, folk healersx x 7Annwn Welsh, p.n.(AN-oon) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx In Welsh mythology Annwn is the Otherworld, a magical world of wonders that exists alongside our own. To be 'touched by Annwn' has carried many different meanings, all implying some sort of profound connection to supernatural gifts, blessings, inspiration, or insight. x x 8touched adj./idiom xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx As in 'touched in the head'. Slightly crazy, eccentric, or mentally unstable. x x 9selkie n.(SEL-kee) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Shapeshifters from muggle mythology that can transform from seal to human by removing their skin.
Not to be confused with the race of merpeople of the same name that inhabits the Black Lake on Hogwarts grounds.x x
OOC:
ReducioYou obviously don't have to apologize for slow posting. Sorry this took forever.
New Faces, New Stories
.
| ๐ช๐ผ ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ช๐พ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐พ๐ต ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ท๐ช๐ฝ๐พ๐ป๐ฎ, ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฏ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ช๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ช | 480 :word count |
โโโโAs Alfie explained his family's story Latoya listened closely and her expression became more thoughtful as he spoke. The mention of his grandmother immediately caught her attention especially when he explained that she had always talked about their ancestor marrying a morfowyn. It sounded surprisingly similar to the story her own grandmother had told about her family, especially the two gift story, and Latoya has both gifts. โSo your grandmother believed it too?โ she asked softly. โIt sounds like she knew there was something unusual about your family, even if she didn't know exactly what it meant.โ When Alfie admitted that he wished he could tell her she had been right Latoya's expression softened. She could tell that his grandmother had meant a lot to him. โI'm sorry,โ she said quietly. โI think she would've been really happy to know that you found out the truth.โ She paused for a moment before adding โAnd maybe she was right about you being touched by Annwn. Just not in the way your family thought.โ There was a small smile on her face. โIt sounds like she was trying to understand it too.โ
When Alfie started talking about magical creatures Latoya's curiosity returned. โI want to know that too!โ she said as her eyes lit up. โI've heard about mermaids, but I've never actually seen one. And selkies sound really interesting. If morfowyn can change between being human and aquatic, I wonder how they do it.โ She tilted her head thoughtfully. โDo you think we'd actually be able to see any of them at Hogwarts or Tenลซsa?โ She smiled at the feeling of flying. โI've watched seabirds do that too. Sometimes they barely even seem to flap their wings. They just let the wind carry them.โ She looked out toward the sky for a moment before glancing back at Alfie. โI think flying would be amazing too. Imagine being able to see the ocean from up there!โ
Then Alfie mentioned the last thing and Latoya became quiet as she listened. She had heard of Metamorphmagi before but she didn't know very much about them. Her expression wasn't frightened or judgmental. If anything she looked curious. โI've heard the word before, but I've never met one,โ she admitted. โSo you can change how you look without using a spell?โ She studied him for a moment and clearly tried to understand. โThat sounds like it would be really difficult if you can't control when it happens.โ She frowned slightly at the thought of Alfie getting into trouble over something he couldn't control. โBut if you only just found out about it, you haven't had much time to learn yet.โ Her tone was reassuring. โMaybe once you learn more about it, you'll figure out how to control it.โ Latoya encouragingly smiled. โAnd if you don't mind me asking what does it feel like when it happens?โ
โโโโ |
[ sta ] 5 | [ eva ] 3 | [ str ] 2 | [ wis ] 8 | [ arc ] 7 | [ acc ] 5
๐๐๐ซ๐ญ-๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ | ability | ability | ability | ability | ability | ability |
.
coded by Marigold Wesley
Latoya โข Tenลซsa | Diana โข Ravenclaw
Like the tide, I always find my way home.
Come visit ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
Like the tide, I always find my way home.
Come visit ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
New Faces, New Stories
Alfie nodded as Latoya spoke about his grandmother. He didnโt respond. It wasnโt that he was hiding anything. (Not this time.) His grandmother was a wonderful person and there was nothing she ever did that would have embarrassed him. He didnโt speak because he didnโt quite trust himself. Speaking of his grandmother had stirred up memories that he didnโt want to dwell on now. Alfie was determined not to cry in front of a girl he barely knew.
He waited until the conversation moved on to magical creatures before trying to contribute again. โI donโt know about Hogwarts. Weโve got a lake but Iโve never heard of mermaids or selkies in lakes. Morgens1, yes. There are quite a few of them in Welsh lakes. I donโt know why they wouldnโt be in Scotland too. If theyโre real, of course. That might be too much to hope for.โ
โMind, morgens arenโt the nicest people,โ he amended. โIt might be best not to hope for them.โ
โWhere is Tenลซsa exactly?โ he asked. โIs it close to Fiji? Iโm afraid I donโt know a lot about that part of the world. I expect if there are magical creatures there that there would be local legends. You may already know more than you think about whatโs there.โ
She was more reassuring about his metamorph ability than he expected. Now that he thought about it, he didnโt know what he had expected. It seemed reasonable that he would learn to control it eventually. That was why the ministry people seemed so eager to get him to Hogwarts before he did anything stupid in public. He just wasnโt sure that the school had anyone who knew that much about it. The liaison certainly hadnโt. They had said it wasnโt a common gift.
โThatโs just it though,โ he said when she asked what it felt like. โIt doesnโt feel like much of anything. Apparently, it happens more when Iโm upset, but I donโt walk around with a mirror, so it isn't like I would know.โ He frowned. โActually, maybe I should get a mirror. One of those little ones like ladies check their makeup with.โ Now that he thought of it he wasnโt sure heโd ever seen a lady do that except in movies. โI wonder where I could get one. Guess I should have thought of that before I came. Itโll be December before I can go to a store again.โ
โAnyway, when I am in front of a mirror, I can sort of relax and make it go back to normal. The muggle liaison person gave me some breathing exercises. They only cared about the muggles not seeing it though, and my not breaking any of the secrecy laws. So they just wanted me to calm down and make it stop. I think I have that part figured out.โ At least he had managed to make things go back to normal the few times heโd seen them change. Mostly it changed back on its own, so it wasnโt like he could really take credit for it.
โIโve tried doing a few things on my own just by really concentrating in front of a mirror. It isnโt easy though. Mostly, I just look like Iโm angry or trying to lay an egg.โ He gave her a sheepish grin. โIโve had a bit of luck with colors, and hair sometimes,โ he admitted. He thought about it. He was feeling much more at ease than he normally did around people he didnโt know, or even the ones he did know for that matter. He didnโt feel confident exactly, just not so worried about anything bad happening if he failed.
โPromise me you wonโt make fun of me if I mess this up,โ he said, giving her a cheeky grin. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly before opening them again. Then he looked very intently at Latoyaโs eyes and concentrated. At first nothing happened, then gradually the blue of Alfie's own eyes became warmer and darker until the color resembled Latoya's chocolate brown. That had been all that he meant to do, but without meaning to, Alfie's hair began to grow, lightening slightly, and relaxing the tight curls. The finished product didnโt come close to looking like Latoyaโs hair, but instead settled on something part-way between his and hers.
โAre they doing it?โ he asked nervously, his brow furrowed with concentration. โAre my eyes brown now or did I mess it up?โ
--------------------------------
He waited until the conversation moved on to magical creatures before trying to contribute again. โI donโt know about Hogwarts. Weโve got a lake but Iโve never heard of mermaids or selkies in lakes. Morgens1, yes. There are quite a few of them in Welsh lakes. I donโt know why they wouldnโt be in Scotland too. If theyโre real, of course. That might be too much to hope for.โ
โMind, morgens arenโt the nicest people,โ he amended. โIt might be best not to hope for them.โ
โWhere is Tenลซsa exactly?โ he asked. โIs it close to Fiji? Iโm afraid I donโt know a lot about that part of the world. I expect if there are magical creatures there that there would be local legends. You may already know more than you think about whatโs there.โ
She was more reassuring about his metamorph ability than he expected. Now that he thought about it, he didnโt know what he had expected. It seemed reasonable that he would learn to control it eventually. That was why the ministry people seemed so eager to get him to Hogwarts before he did anything stupid in public. He just wasnโt sure that the school had anyone who knew that much about it. The liaison certainly hadnโt. They had said it wasnโt a common gift.
โThatโs just it though,โ he said when she asked what it felt like. โIt doesnโt feel like much of anything. Apparently, it happens more when Iโm upset, but I donโt walk around with a mirror, so it isn't like I would know.โ He frowned. โActually, maybe I should get a mirror. One of those little ones like ladies check their makeup with.โ Now that he thought of it he wasnโt sure heโd ever seen a lady do that except in movies. โI wonder where I could get one. Guess I should have thought of that before I came. Itโll be December before I can go to a store again.โ
โAnyway, when I am in front of a mirror, I can sort of relax and make it go back to normal. The muggle liaison person gave me some breathing exercises. They only cared about the muggles not seeing it though, and my not breaking any of the secrecy laws. So they just wanted me to calm down and make it stop. I think I have that part figured out.โ At least he had managed to make things go back to normal the few times heโd seen them change. Mostly it changed back on its own, so it wasnโt like he could really take credit for it.
โIโve tried doing a few things on my own just by really concentrating in front of a mirror. It isnโt easy though. Mostly, I just look like Iโm angry or trying to lay an egg.โ He gave her a sheepish grin. โIโve had a bit of luck with colors, and hair sometimes,โ he admitted. He thought about it. He was feeling much more at ease than he normally did around people he didnโt know, or even the ones he did know for that matter. He didnโt feel confident exactly, just not so worried about anything bad happening if he failed.
โPromise me you wonโt make fun of me if I mess this up,โ he said, giving her a cheeky grin. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly before opening them again. Then he looked very intently at Latoyaโs eyes and concentrated. At first nothing happened, then gradually the blue of Alfie's own eyes became warmer and darker until the color resembled Latoya's chocolate brown. That had been all that he meant to do, but without meaning to, Alfie's hair began to grow, lightening slightly, and relaxing the tight curls. The finished product didnโt come close to looking like Latoyaโs hair, but instead settled on something part-way between his and hers.
โAre they doing it?โ he asked nervously, his brow furrowed with concentration. โAre my eyes brown now or did I mess it up?โ
--------------------------------
Welsh Glossary:
Reducio
1morgen Welsh n.xxxxx(MOR-gษn) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Literally "sea-born." Morgens, morgans, or mari-morgans are water spirits from Welsh and Breton folklore. Taking the appearance of beautiful human females, they appear near bodies of water. In most tellings, the morgen behaves similarly to a siren, intentionally beguiling unsuspecting men and ultimately drowning them.