9 Jul 2020, 16:52
Quiet Questions
Not only had Sylvain seemed happy to see Flash, he was nearly vibrating in his seat from excitement to see the cards in his hand. He knew they weren’t special ones, but it seemed like that hardly mattered to Syl. Good to know. The bright and cheeful enthusiasm Syl had for the little pieces of cardboard was beyond Flash’s comprehension, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t bask in the reflected glow of joy.
Flash felt a bit sheepish to be told that they had been a part of their lessons that year. He didn’t want to make excuses, but things like people and dates never stuck with him. He also dedicated a massive swath of his free time to reading completely outside their classes. He had also done further reading to understand the subject matter of his classes better, but not for history.
Then, relief again when Syl suggested a special study session between the two of them. A problem, a solution. He was always thankful for someone forgiving a gap in his knowledge. More often than not, he would have rather jumped off a cliff than admit he didn’t know something, but even though Syl was an avid reader and alleged intellectual himself, he chose to lift Flash up rather than lord it over him. Not a graciousness that just anyone would dole out.
”Perhaps, though it might be hard for me to concentrate. I’m no good with history, it’s a bit like listening to white noise.” Flash tried to explain, revealing a weakness of his openly. Trusting him. ”Maybe if I can find another way. A way that would make it less… boring.”
Flash gave an embarrassed smile, but he didn’t figure Syl would balk at the challenge. In fact, he handed Flash a green piece of fabric. Flash held it aloft in the air, looking at it with tentative confusion. Apparantly Syl made it for him… a snake… well, it was green and long, so he got that part right. A bookworm? Perhaps it was a bookmark? It was hard to tell exactly what Syl was doing by making it for him, but it didn’t change the fact that he had made it for him.
”Thank you for thinking of me.”
Feeling he had mostly sussed out what the sad threadwork was supposed to be, Flash showed his appreciation. It wasn’t a lie, it was nice to think that Syl was still thinking of him when they weren’t together. He wasn’t sure how many people could be counted among his ranks.
Then, he asked Flash a question, one he assumed he had a vested interest in the answer of, though he worried about whether Syl intended to ask to share a tent with him. A bit nervously, Flash put the green worm away in his bag and rested his elbows on the table, threading his fingers so he could rest his head on them.
”Yes, since I’m going to the Quidditch match with you, I was going to set up a tent in the London campground. It was just going to be me… me and some books. Some quiet, some time alone.” Flash watched for Syl’s reaction with worried anticipation.
@Sylvain Indarys
Flash felt a bit sheepish to be told that they had been a part of their lessons that year. He didn’t want to make excuses, but things like people and dates never stuck with him. He also dedicated a massive swath of his free time to reading completely outside their classes. He had also done further reading to understand the subject matter of his classes better, but not for history.
Then, relief again when Syl suggested a special study session between the two of them. A problem, a solution. He was always thankful for someone forgiving a gap in his knowledge. More often than not, he would have rather jumped off a cliff than admit he didn’t know something, but even though Syl was an avid reader and alleged intellectual himself, he chose to lift Flash up rather than lord it over him. Not a graciousness that just anyone would dole out.
”Perhaps, though it might be hard for me to concentrate. I’m no good with history, it’s a bit like listening to white noise.” Flash tried to explain, revealing a weakness of his openly. Trusting him. ”Maybe if I can find another way. A way that would make it less… boring.”
Flash gave an embarrassed smile, but he didn’t figure Syl would balk at the challenge. In fact, he handed Flash a green piece of fabric. Flash held it aloft in the air, looking at it with tentative confusion. Apparantly Syl made it for him… a snake… well, it was green and long, so he got that part right. A bookworm? Perhaps it was a bookmark? It was hard to tell exactly what Syl was doing by making it for him, but it didn’t change the fact that he had made it for him.
”Thank you for thinking of me.”
Feeling he had mostly sussed out what the sad threadwork was supposed to be, Flash showed his appreciation. It wasn’t a lie, it was nice to think that Syl was still thinking of him when they weren’t together. He wasn’t sure how many people could be counted among his ranks.
Then, he asked Flash a question, one he assumed he had a vested interest in the answer of, though he worried about whether Syl intended to ask to share a tent with him. A bit nervously, Flash put the green worm away in his bag and rested his elbows on the table, threading his fingers so he could rest his head on them.
”Yes, since I’m going to the Quidditch match with you, I was going to set up a tent in the London campground. It was just going to be me… me and some books. Some quiet, some time alone.” Flash watched for Syl’s reaction with worried anticipation.
@Sylvain Indarys
For we dreamed a lot//And we schemed a lot//And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart
Sta: 9 ★Eva: 5 ★Str: 7 ★Wis: 15 ★AP: 3 ★Acc: 15
12 Jul 2020, 16:35
Quiet Questions
Hexcode= #507091
Sylvain listened carefully to Flash's words, trying to figure out his true feelings behind them. It was pretty plain to the lad that Flash felt insecure about his ability to concentrate. He would simply push his hand forward on the table to comfort him by patting his elbow. Sometimes a little physical reminder was all the communication needed to reassure someone that their words weren't lost. Sylvain nodded in agreement with flashcards having become boring. Sylvain made a mental note to permanently store the ones he made for the goblin rebellions study. "I agree, studying history is boring with flashcards. Much better if you ask some of the elves in the kitchen to act out the chapters." He chuckled, he was only joking of course, but the concept was genuine. "I'm sure we'll find a way."
When Flash thanked Sylvain for his thoughtfulness, something didn't quite add up for Sylvain. The lad had spent the latter half of the year thinking about his friend. Then it clicked. For all of his feelings, Sylvain spoke up when he felt very few of them. It was something he'd only recently recognized. Sylvain needed to rectify that. Tell Flash that he was his friend and always intended to be.
For now the lad tried his best to be patient and attentive to Flash's feelings. The poor kid wasn't even trying to hide it, so Sylvain could tell right away that Flash was nervous when he spoke about his summer plans. The lazy dust motes of the library began to be illuminated by the afternoon sun. Warm, fuzzy sunshine struck the top of Holmwood's hair, and Sylvain's disposition was softened by the relaxing warm air.
"That sounds lovely." Time alone reading books had always sounded grand to him. Sylvain wasn't sure who he might end up tenting with. If there was some sort of process of assigned tenting, Sylvain would be more than likely to allow the professors to guide him into the right situation. Truly, Sylvain had hardly developed enough interest in enough of his fellow classmates to desire spending the whole summer with any of them. "It'll be relaxing to get away from the stress of school and read a good book." The smirk on his face, combined with him relaxing his shoulders showed he was enjoying the conversation.
Sylvain remembered back to their first chance meeting back when he'd only had a single other acquaintance. Flash was much the same. A stable fixture in his life that he'd come to rely on. Someone who read books just to learn, and didn't ask too many questions about feelings when it wasn't important. There was more to it though. Sylvain had observed Flash's interests. The two were quite alike in morals and ideals, the two of them having read much together in even a short time.
"As for my plans there are a few people I'm interested in seeing this summer." His smile hadn't faded, instead, he rolled his spine to give his back a pop and shifted back in the chair so he slumped, letting his arms dangle from the sides. As his head tilted back to stare at the ceiling. "Mostly Dealla Prince, she has a brilliant mind for strategy and the bravery to stand up for herself, but also Ileen Knight and Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood. I think they're all three very good people." The stretching scholar then extended his arms in a long arc as he was taught to do by Professor Jensen when she instructed him on yoga. With a shift of his neck he brought himself back to the table, chin resting atop his arms, hands tucked into his armpits. As he did so, the book on his lap slid to the floor.
It was an old yellow leather bound book, wrapped with a bit of cord that was more akin to a journal than any real text. A humble few parchment leafs were bound inside the ragged looking script, making it clear that any message within was meant to be concise and important. On the front were simple black letters that titled the book. "The Society of Samaritans." Sylvain quickly picked the book back up.
@Flash Holmwood
Mentions: @Dealla Prince @Ileen Knight @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood
"Things are never so bad they can't be made worse." -Elim Garak
15 Jul 2020, 16:27
Quiet Questions
Flash was honestly delighted at the thought of the histories being acted out, though he hated to think of imposing on the kitchen staff. Still, it brought out a chuckle from deep within him to imagine it. It would absolutely be easier to remember history if it was dramatized and he could watch it. He wasn’t quite sure what the difference was between the two, he had no trouble reading about the exploits of fictional characters, or news stories about current events. Perhaps it was the fact that the people involved were dead, that they no longer had any active effect on the world and could no longer do anything besides the history they had created. Well, it was hard to suss out, having a gap in ones interest was hardly unique to Flash.
Rather, he appreciated Syl’s leaping to his aid. It was a creative solution as well, even though he seemed to pass it off as a simple idea. Flash would do well to give more problems to Syl to solve, he seemed quite adept at doing it creatively.
”Thank you, I think that’s brilliant, really…” Flash was able to share his gratitude between furtive laughs.
He felt lucky that Sylvain held no disdain for him wanting to spend time alone. Well, perhaps it was lucky that he had found Sylvain, rather than lucky that he was an understanding kind of person. He seemed more happy for Flash than he might have expected anyone to be when hearing he intended to spend his summer alone. Given that he was an extrovert, it would seem obvious to most that Flash needed people, and might even have trouble being alone with his thoughts, but Sylvain either didn’t know as much, or simply trusted Flash to make the right choice for himself. How refreshing.
The evening sun starting to warm the table through the window. He talked about friends that he had made-- people Flash didn’t know at all. Still, it was good he was meeting people. Earlier on in the year, no one he asked knew who Syl was. Not even some of the faculty. It seemed he had made a few more successful attempts, and Flash would have to memorize those names and make sure they were suitable. Or, err, just keep an eye out for them. He needed to keep a grip on his penchant for wanting to control everything…
”If you think they’re good, it must be true.” In all honesty, Flash didn’t know if he could trust Syl’s judgement of people, he didn’t have any good examples except for himself. Arguably, Flash was not a ‘good person’, though he did everything in his power to make it seem otherwise. Still, he felt no qualm with trusting Syl’s word until proven otherwise.
Syl made a move to stretch out the stiffness that came from sitting too long, though a book was brought to his attention as it fell to the ground. Picking it up, it looked like a small twine-wrapped journal with a strange title on the front.
”What have you got there?” Flash couldn’t help but be curious.
@Sylvain Indarys
Rather, he appreciated Syl’s leaping to his aid. It was a creative solution as well, even though he seemed to pass it off as a simple idea. Flash would do well to give more problems to Syl to solve, he seemed quite adept at doing it creatively.
”Thank you, I think that’s brilliant, really…” Flash was able to share his gratitude between furtive laughs.
He felt lucky that Sylvain held no disdain for him wanting to spend time alone. Well, perhaps it was lucky that he had found Sylvain, rather than lucky that he was an understanding kind of person. He seemed more happy for Flash than he might have expected anyone to be when hearing he intended to spend his summer alone. Given that he was an extrovert, it would seem obvious to most that Flash needed people, and might even have trouble being alone with his thoughts, but Sylvain either didn’t know as much, or simply trusted Flash to make the right choice for himself. How refreshing.
The evening sun starting to warm the table through the window. He talked about friends that he had made-- people Flash didn’t know at all. Still, it was good he was meeting people. Earlier on in the year, no one he asked knew who Syl was. Not even some of the faculty. It seemed he had made a few more successful attempts, and Flash would have to memorize those names and make sure they were suitable. Or, err, just keep an eye out for them. He needed to keep a grip on his penchant for wanting to control everything…
”If you think they’re good, it must be true.” In all honesty, Flash didn’t know if he could trust Syl’s judgement of people, he didn’t have any good examples except for himself. Arguably, Flash was not a ‘good person’, though he did everything in his power to make it seem otherwise. Still, he felt no qualm with trusting Syl’s word until proven otherwise.
Syl made a move to stretch out the stiffness that came from sitting too long, though a book was brought to his attention as it fell to the ground. Picking it up, it looked like a small twine-wrapped journal with a strange title on the front.
”What have you got there?” Flash couldn’t help but be curious.
@Sylvain Indarys
For we dreamed a lot//And we schemed a lot//And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart
Sta: 9 ★Eva: 5 ★Str: 7 ★Wis: 15 ★AP: 3 ★Acc: 15
22 Jul 2020, 16:14
Quiet Questions
Hexcode= #507091
Flash's chuckle reminded Sylvain that he could be funny when he made an honest effort. Although it had mostly been a joke, Sylvain would have gladly gone out of the way to help his friend study in the manner that helped him most. Luckily, Flash didn't seem the kind of person who asked much from others, or really for anything at all. The overly analytical wizard wondered if Flash felt like he deserved anything at all sometimes, and other times he was just glad he opened his mouth during Christmas break. Would they still be strangers now if he hadn't?
”Thank you, I think that’s brilliant, really…” Sylvain blushed at the compliment, turning his bashful head away and smirking sidelong at his companion. The daydreamer had received so few compliments this year, and he found most were hollow. They were the type of compliments people gave out as pleasantry rather than love but here was never any doubt in Sylvain's mind. At least when it came to believing in Flash's thoughtfulness for others there wasn't an drop of doubt to be found.
As the evening sun began warming the surface of the table through the library's thin pane glass windows, Flash reassured Sylvain of his trust. ”If you think they’re good, it must be true.” Another blush would warm his cheeks, but this time Sylvain's brow, eyes, and mouth would visibly relax. It was comforting to him that somebody trusted his judgement. As the lad had spent most of his time doubting himself, the idea that someone trusted his perspective was inspiring. It made him want to gather more of it to share. "Thanks," he said politely without interrupting his friend. Flash had a way of diffusing the typical anxieties the scholar had. It made him all the more excited to grow up with him.
Sylvain knew as soon as Flash picked the scrawny yellow book up that he wouldn't be able to properly explain his feelings on it, and took a moment to practice the self-analyzing pattern he'd developed over the last month or so. Excitement, urgency, stress, and a bit of irritation for being unable to figure out all the answers on his own. "It's, well, an idea of sorts," he said plainly, and perhaps a bit disappointingly. "I found it here in the library, no markings, no dates, no names, other than just one message on the inside cover and one quote in the back." Sylvain motioned for Flash to open it up and reveal the inside. Once the book was opened, Flash and Sylvain would see faded ink, upon aged paper that threatened to come loose from the enfeebled spine.
The words on the inside cover were, "Respect, Compassion, Stewardship and Initiative."
"Best I can tell it was some form of handbook, or roster of sorts," he said as he pointed at the clear formatting of the book's front pages. "I believe it onced held a list of like-minded people who agreed on the same principle values." Sylvain would motion to Flash his desire to turn to the very back of the book to reveal the only other markings inside of it. Either way, the mystery the book presented was far from solved, in fact it felt like the more Sylvain attempted to decipher the book, the fuzzier the future got. "Although what happened to them is beyond my comprehension."
The back of the book read, "We might think we want to disappear, but instead we are each hoping to be found by one another."
"I know, it could be taken as an ominous message as much as it could be a good one, but I can't shake the feeling that this might mean something more to me one day." Sylvain looked it over again, before passing it back to Flash to hold. A half smile rose in the corner of his mouth. The smile was more understanding and kind than smug. "What about you Flash? You spend a lot of time with people, you're quite popular now." The lad's words were half teasing half curiosity. "Are you searching for yourself, or someone else?"
@Flash Holmwood
"Things are never so bad they can't be made worse." -Elim Garak
29 Jul 2020, 04:17
Quiet Questions
It seemed that even though Syl had found himself a number of people who he could call friends, he still felt bashful at the utterance of a tasteful compliment. Flash was much the same when it came to flattery, though Syl had enough wits about him to simply say ‘thanks’, which was the proper way to assuage the feelings of embarrassment. It was a good thing he wasn’t one of those types of people who just tried to fight the compliment out of hand… a bit like Flash himself. Even though he was unsure at times, there was some sort of undercurrent of confidence in Syl that was easy to pick out once enough time was spent around him. Well, to Flash at least.
With the book in his hands, Syl instructed Flash on particular passages to look at. Well, particular in that they were the only two things written at all. Something in the front and back, perhaps an abandoned idea or something that was later covered up. A mystery in the library! Flash’s imagination caught along with the idea. Syl said as much himself as far as his theories went, at least not dissimilar enough from Flash’s for him to voice his thoughts. In the end, it didn’t make much difference why or how the book was there when the information it had about its previous owner was nonexistent. They would need some sort of second source, or perhaps a spell that could reveal something hidden behind magical protection.
Respect, Compassion, Stewardship and Initiative. They seemed like virtues, ones that wouldn’t stand out when matched against any collection of community-minded groups. Something for the welfare of humanity, all virtues Flash held himself. On the back, We might think we want to disappear, but instead we are each hoping to be found by one another. An interesting quote, for certain. Whoever wrote it must have brought a ‘society’ together to do good works for others. A noble goal, it wasn’t far off from what Flash was planning to do with his own club, though more for the active betterment of the community than individual mental health maintenance.
Flash was derailed from his rapidly churning thoughts when Syl asked him a question. He noted that Flash was ‘getting popular’, and who he was looking to find. Flash was thrown off a bit, a bit of a fanciful question in the face of a tangible mystery on his hands, but once the words sank in, he was able to put the book down and turn back to his friend. It wouldn’t do well to start ignoring him now that there was something new and interesting to occupy his brain. He had to remember where he was, and why he came there. To see Syl.
”Popular… haha…” Flash sighed, giving Syl a rueful grin. ”I’m not too unlike these Samaritans. I think people need each other to help each other. I think that’s what they mean by ‘finding one another’. Becoming people instead of a person, right? I’m not looking for anyone.”
What was the best way to put it… the question Syl posed wasn’t one that strictly had a right or wrong answer, it was more likely meant to be something that was pondered. That wasn’t how Flash was though, he liked logical solutions. Solvable mysteries.
”What do you think? Would you like to be in a society of Samaritans, going around and making the world a better place?” Though the origins of the book had been guessed at, Syl never actually said what he thought about the idea. Was he that sort of person, one that saw problems around him and wanted to fix them? Or, was he more the type to keep to himself, and hope the world supported him?
@Sylvain Indarys
With the book in his hands, Syl instructed Flash on particular passages to look at. Well, particular in that they were the only two things written at all. Something in the front and back, perhaps an abandoned idea or something that was later covered up. A mystery in the library! Flash’s imagination caught along with the idea. Syl said as much himself as far as his theories went, at least not dissimilar enough from Flash’s for him to voice his thoughts. In the end, it didn’t make much difference why or how the book was there when the information it had about its previous owner was nonexistent. They would need some sort of second source, or perhaps a spell that could reveal something hidden behind magical protection.
Respect, Compassion, Stewardship and Initiative. They seemed like virtues, ones that wouldn’t stand out when matched against any collection of community-minded groups. Something for the welfare of humanity, all virtues Flash held himself. On the back, We might think we want to disappear, but instead we are each hoping to be found by one another. An interesting quote, for certain. Whoever wrote it must have brought a ‘society’ together to do good works for others. A noble goal, it wasn’t far off from what Flash was planning to do with his own club, though more for the active betterment of the community than individual mental health maintenance.
Flash was derailed from his rapidly churning thoughts when Syl asked him a question. He noted that Flash was ‘getting popular’, and who he was looking to find. Flash was thrown off a bit, a bit of a fanciful question in the face of a tangible mystery on his hands, but once the words sank in, he was able to put the book down and turn back to his friend. It wouldn’t do well to start ignoring him now that there was something new and interesting to occupy his brain. He had to remember where he was, and why he came there. To see Syl.
”Popular… haha…” Flash sighed, giving Syl a rueful grin. ”I’m not too unlike these Samaritans. I think people need each other to help each other. I think that’s what they mean by ‘finding one another’. Becoming people instead of a person, right? I’m not looking for anyone.”
What was the best way to put it… the question Syl posed wasn’t one that strictly had a right or wrong answer, it was more likely meant to be something that was pondered. That wasn’t how Flash was though, he liked logical solutions. Solvable mysteries.
”What do you think? Would you like to be in a society of Samaritans, going around and making the world a better place?” Though the origins of the book had been guessed at, Syl never actually said what he thought about the idea. Was he that sort of person, one that saw problems around him and wanted to fix them? Or, was he more the type to keep to himself, and hope the world supported him?
@Sylvain Indarys
For we dreamed a lot//And we schemed a lot//And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart
Sta: 9 ★Eva: 5 ★Str: 7 ★Wis: 15 ★AP: 3 ★Acc: 15
8 Aug 2020, 15:44
Quiet Questions
Hexcode= #507091
Settling into his chair, and admitting to himself that he and Flash were more than likely to spend the rest of the day in the library, Sylvain did something he rarely did. He cancelled his own plans. Forgoing his date with Moste Potente Potions, a text that would not show up again until almost a month had passed, Sylvain scooted in and tucked his legs comfortably amidst the wooden legs of the antique table in front of him. The lad had a whole summer's worth of questions to ask, and the only thing it would cost him was his time. This was perhaps the biggest reason Sylvain had come to trust and respect Flash. Spending time with Flash was never a waste, and more often than not felt just the same as being by himself.
Flash seemingly understood Sylvain's need for independence, and in return Sylvain felt as though they had formed the sort of friendship that one could pick up exactly where they had left off at any time in the future without the need to maintain false interest or pretense.
Carefully watching as Flash handled the delicately bound book in his grasp, the curious scholar studied his friend's features as he studied the book's. In just the few months the two knew each other, they'd both already changed quite a bit. There had always been a calming aura that surrounded the his reserved companion, but Flash also now sported a more relaxed presence as well, having come a long way from the intense feelings the two shared after the incident where Sylvain had accidentally called him by a misnomer. For all the changes the two had undergone, Flash still appeared as though he were a leaf caught in the current of the school's affairs. At least that was what it seemed like to Sylvain. Flash was clearly someone who went with the flow rather than trying to guide it.
The rueful grin given to Syl by the bashfully unaware jock brought him instant joy, he saw a bit behind the mask that Flash so often wore in front of others. If picking away at it worked, he'd continue to do so at whatever pace Flash let him. Hopefully, one day, the masked would entirely slough off and the beauty of the boy beneath would be shared with the rest of the world. For now, Sylvain settled for Flash's begrudging embarrassment at his growing girl army. Not too sure of what Flash meant by saying that he wasn't looking for anyone, Sylvain thought to question it, but admittedly let it go.
"I'd love to." Sylvain said rashly without a second thought on the subject. To him, the need to protect others and do the right thing came naturally. Ever the optimist, Sylvain expected the world to be better one day and he would incessantly demand for the rest of his life, even if it killed him, to be part of the reason it got better. Extending his hand out to accept the book back into his possession, Sylvain stowed it away for safe keeping. "I read that there's a second year charm that might be able to show us if there's anything hidden on the pages. If one of us learns that, then I suppose we should give it a shot and see if there's something more to this than meets the eye."
"Interesting choice of cards," Sylvain said pointing at the card b32. "Not entirely related I suppose, but speaking of somewhat more current events. Have you heard what happened in the Forbidden Forest?" Sylvain winced again as he imaginarily felt the sting of sharp stones piercing his feet once more. The sound of the squelching blood, mingled with the smells of burning flesh and wood smoke all of which merged into the haunting memories of the agonizing screams of children in danger. It all began to wash over him like a tidal wave of PTSD.
Emerging from the thought by shaking his head to dismiss it, he recalled what had been a delightful year at school taking an intensely dark turn in May when something or someone had managed to enscorcell a vast majority of the witty Eagles causing them to forgo their intelligence in favor of morbid curiosity. Sylvain regretted going and not learning more to sate his curiosity, but knew saving the people he had was the right thing to do. Thankfully Alaric and Caradoc had shown up when they did, or students might have died.
"Things are never so bad they can't be made worse." -Elim Garak
9 Aug 2020, 15:35
Quiet Questions
Sylvain responded nearly instantaneously, something that gave Flash enough of a shock that he showed the surprise on his face. There weren’t many children their age who showed as much conviction, such sureness of their desires. Perhaps he had already given it a great deal of though. Flash’s expression quickly laxed back into an easy smile as he listened to him as he continued, talking about a spell that revealed magically hidden information. If true, that was a spell he was very eager to learn. He was still often taken off guard by how much utility magic had. It was so seldomly used in his household, it almost seemed like a limited resource. The scope of it in reality almost hurt his head to conceive of.
He didn’t have time to get a headache however, as Sylvain swiftly brought his attention back to the playing cards that were still sitting out on the table. Specifically one that Flash had been intensely interested in, that had been the entire reason he had been grateful for his decision to open them to begin with. It seemed to draw on some recollection of Sylvain’s as well, mentioning the Forbidden Forest and looking uncomfortable in his skin. Flash had to admit surprise once again, completely unaware of all the relevant mysteries that the wispy scholar held behind a thin veil.
”What… happened? No, not at all!” Flash could barely contain his composure, it felt like his hair was standing on end, the way new information was dangling before him like a carrot on a stick. ”The professors talked about how students had gone there, but they didn’t say anything about what happened. Don’t tell me… you were one of those students?”
Flash’s eyes were wide, but his posture was still maintained, his arms still calmly laid upon the table.
”Please, tell me everything. Why, whom...?” There was nearly no end to the quiet questions he wanted to ask. ”Are you alright?”
The last time he even got close to the Forbidden Forest, he had got stung by a mosp. He never dared to be curious enough to go inside, at least not for no reason. Certainly Syl had a good reason, right?
@Sylvain Indarys
He didn’t have time to get a headache however, as Sylvain swiftly brought his attention back to the playing cards that were still sitting out on the table. Specifically one that Flash had been intensely interested in, that had been the entire reason he had been grateful for his decision to open them to begin with. It seemed to draw on some recollection of Sylvain’s as well, mentioning the Forbidden Forest and looking uncomfortable in his skin. Flash had to admit surprise once again, completely unaware of all the relevant mysteries that the wispy scholar held behind a thin veil.
”What… happened? No, not at all!” Flash could barely contain his composure, it felt like his hair was standing on end, the way new information was dangling before him like a carrot on a stick. ”The professors talked about how students had gone there, but they didn’t say anything about what happened. Don’t tell me… you were one of those students?”
Flash’s eyes were wide, but his posture was still maintained, his arms still calmly laid upon the table.
”Please, tell me everything. Why, whom...?” There was nearly no end to the quiet questions he wanted to ask. ”Are you alright?”
The last time he even got close to the Forbidden Forest, he had got stung by a mosp. He never dared to be curious enough to go inside, at least not for no reason. Certainly Syl had a good reason, right?
@Sylvain Indarys
For we dreamed a lot//And we schemed a lot//And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart
Sta: 9 ★Eva: 5 ★Str: 7 ★Wis: 15 ★AP: 3 ★Acc: 15
21 Aug 2020, 01:04
Quiet Questions
Hexcode= #507091
Having comfortably forgotten most of the events of the flock's field trip, the flooding memories washed away whatever joy the lad's face held onto for the good deed he had done in the grim copse they'd stumbled into. "It, it was a slaughter." Sylvain muttered, his voice just barely a whisper. The wistful scholar's eyes would gloss over as he started from the top, his picturesque memories being re-lived frame by frame. "I'm not sure how we first entered the forest. Something... lured us, the whole flock of eagles."
Pride and Humility were traits that the houses and students of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff respected. Both traits tended to misrepresent data when they influenced someone's story telling. Sylvain relied on his sharp wit to sift truth from the ashes of the story left behind, which had formed from the burning forest canopy that once had threatened to kill the pathetic fledgling eagles. The memories became a grim highlight reel within his mind. "It was Vladimir Athanatos we were following into the forest." Sylvain had only remembered the name thanks to Pericles Dralt, who had done his best to inform the reclusive and ignorant wizard.
"After some..." Face growing puzzled as he tried to recall the passage of time, Sylvain finally settled on something vague, "... odd passage of time, we found ourselves lost at the center of the Forest." It hurt to think of what came next and how quickly it had come to be. Not only had the next few moments been a blur, but a blur painted with childlike crimson and hot glowing orange. The events blended together like a long exposure shot of the sun through a red filter. The warmth of the fires licked his face while the cold shiver of bleeding out reminded him of what had nearly killed him that night.
Wincing in pain as he remembered the shock of stepping forward, the next sentence came out in a wretched gasp, almost a cry. "I- I- I-. No, We, were clueless. Nothing made sense and even now it still doesn't." He thought of the chocolate frog, the one good memory among an onslaught of grisly recollections. The wary wizard's port in the storm would be chocolate far more often than just this once. "I remember sharing chocolate with Breana Oliviere, and bumping into Lizzie Verdine." Taking a deep and close-eyed-breath between the memories, Sylvain continued to painfully expose the truth he'd pushed even deeper down.
"Then things got chaotic. Alexander Varellion showed up and started fires. An acromantula abducted Pericles and Aida, wrapping them in web." Sylvain remembered their pleading, or rather the pair of pale students' pleading deception, as they attempted to convince the sentient arachnid that they were very very full of toxic worms that would harm it if it chose to eat them. "The fires got worse after that, and some dolls near the center of the copse rose up and began attacking us." Another pausing breath showed his shakiness at the pained remembrance.
"Celynne Gray did their best to get us organized into some sort of fighting formation, but there were just as many threats on the inside of our circle as there were outside of it." By the time they'd grouped up, the dolls had made the formation pointless. Grabbing his knee, Syl remembered the sickening thud of Lizzie's skull as it cracked into the joint he clutched now. The force was successful in knocking him flat and injuring them both. "Vines began tossing children into the fires and into the mass of murdering dolls. The very ground itself fought against us as..." his voice trailed while the memory of his squelching sanguine socks sticking sickeningly to his shoes and toes caused him to shudder. "The ground was hostile even, stabbing holes through my feet, shoes and all. I tried to save some of the others, but by the time I got to Lizzie she was so badly burned I could hardly do anything help her. I also tried to save Pericles but... That didn't go as planned either."
Sorrow filled his voice once more as he recounted the wounds his housemates had suffered. He explained the struggle of Breana nearly choking to death as she was being kidnapped, and Pericles being flippendo'd into another faceless student he'd tried to help before. Except that had been done by Sylvain's improper use of magic. He even described how many of the second and third year's simply stood by in shock, not helping them at all, mouths agape in horror.
Then it struck him again, the smell of gingerbread wafted through his olfactory senses once more. The odor based memory was the last instance of calm before the storm. The memory was of someone calling for them to give chase further into the wood. How could he explain that to Flash? "A-and it sounds a bit silly given the horror but..." He gulped and brought his misty gaze to meet Flash's, his adam's apple settling before he spoke, tone deadly serious. "There was a gingerbread man I think. I don't know what became of him, but it was something that wanted to lure us even deeper into the forest.
Composing himself, Sylvain wiped a small stain of tears from his cheek and looked to gauge Flash's expression. Did he think the boy was full of it? Could his friend be trusted to understand the odd pace at which things had grown wildly out of the poor first year potioneer's control? As far as he knew there was only one way to find out. "You believe me right? Something malignant is happening in the woods."
@Flash Holmwood
"Things are never so bad they can't be made worse." -Elim Garak
28 Aug 2020, 18:06
Quiet Questions
Taken aback by the swift shift in tone, Flash sat straight backed and stock still as Syl described why they went-- they were lured by Vladimir? In the mess of everything happening, Flash had almost forgotten that Vladimir was a Ravenclaw. Did he while away his spare hours lounging in that tower? It was somehow hard to imagine, even though Flash had begged him to admit he was a regular student. Perhaps that feeling of untouchable distance was exactly what he wanted everyone to feel.
”I know who that is. You followed him…? Why?” He didn’t know if Syl would have an answer, by the way he explained it.
It seemed the forest might have had some disorienting qualities. That, or the ordeal had taken a toll on Syl. It wasn’t as though every first year came equipped with the ability to handle death-defying situations while keeping their mind stable. He mentioned a few girls that were with them, but not knowing anything about them, Flash could only try to remember their names, in case it ever became important. Syl struggled the more he tried to explain, making Flash’s fear of the forest more pronounced. The professors said that the hags lived in the forest… had everyone left in one piece?
Fires, spiders, and… dolls? So many names were being thrown out that Flash quickly moved to grab his journal out of his bag and started writing them down. It seemed a large group of Ravenclaw students were attacked… but no mention of hags or Vladimir. Was it all a diversion, was it simply just a dangerous place in general, or did the hags have something to do with it? Opeila had said that there might be a chance that the children in the school that were related to the hags might have been asked to bring students away from the castle and into danger, but if that was true, then why not just eat the children then? Did they have to separate them first? Even then, weren’t they all still young and inexperienced enough to not pose a serious threat to the crones? Sylvain’s explanation brought more questions than answers.
It did indeed sound horrid. People were burned, tossed, and nearly eaten. Flash could see why the professors had been so adamant about underlying the dangers within. When Sylvain mentioned getting stabbed in the foot, Flash squirmed in his seat uncomfortably, the hand holding his quill tightening. He assumed there was nothing that couldn’t have been healed by magic, but he couldn’t be sure.
”Are you alright?” Flash chimed in worriedly. He would have noticed a limp when Syl arrived, but just because he wasn’t limping didn’t mean he wasn’t damaged.
Then to top it all off, Syl described a… gingerbread man? That didn’t really make any sense, though magic rarely did. It was calling them deeper into the forest, which could only mean beckoning them to their doom. Not very sweet of him.
”I…” Flash floundered when trying to find words to address what he was told, but Sylvain was looking for absolution. ”I’ll take everything you’ve said to heart, there is a lot to think about though. You’re certainly right that there is something malicious there. I suppose you weren’t there during the professor’s announcement then? They told the students that a coven of hags lives in the Forbidden Forest. You were lucky to make it out alive.”
Thought Syl was clearly shaken, it wasn’t as though Flash was going to be coy about the dangers that lurked there. Whether he understood was up to him, but the professors had warned them for a reason. They all could have died. He was surprised that Syl would so intentionally break the rules like that, but on the other hand he had recognized at least one name-- Pericles was a prefect. What on earth was he doing leading first years into the forest?
@Sylvain Indarys
”I know who that is. You followed him…? Why?” He didn’t know if Syl would have an answer, by the way he explained it.
It seemed the forest might have had some disorienting qualities. That, or the ordeal had taken a toll on Syl. It wasn’t as though every first year came equipped with the ability to handle death-defying situations while keeping their mind stable. He mentioned a few girls that were with them, but not knowing anything about them, Flash could only try to remember their names, in case it ever became important. Syl struggled the more he tried to explain, making Flash’s fear of the forest more pronounced. The professors said that the hags lived in the forest… had everyone left in one piece?
Fires, spiders, and… dolls? So many names were being thrown out that Flash quickly moved to grab his journal out of his bag and started writing them down. It seemed a large group of Ravenclaw students were attacked… but no mention of hags or Vladimir. Was it all a diversion, was it simply just a dangerous place in general, or did the hags have something to do with it? Opeila had said that there might be a chance that the children in the school that were related to the hags might have been asked to bring students away from the castle and into danger, but if that was true, then why not just eat the children then? Did they have to separate them first? Even then, weren’t they all still young and inexperienced enough to not pose a serious threat to the crones? Sylvain’s explanation brought more questions than answers.
It did indeed sound horrid. People were burned, tossed, and nearly eaten. Flash could see why the professors had been so adamant about underlying the dangers within. When Sylvain mentioned getting stabbed in the foot, Flash squirmed in his seat uncomfortably, the hand holding his quill tightening. He assumed there was nothing that couldn’t have been healed by magic, but he couldn’t be sure.
”Are you alright?” Flash chimed in worriedly. He would have noticed a limp when Syl arrived, but just because he wasn’t limping didn’t mean he wasn’t damaged.
Then to top it all off, Syl described a… gingerbread man? That didn’t really make any sense, though magic rarely did. It was calling them deeper into the forest, which could only mean beckoning them to their doom. Not very sweet of him.
”I…” Flash floundered when trying to find words to address what he was told, but Sylvain was looking for absolution. ”I’ll take everything you’ve said to heart, there is a lot to think about though. You’re certainly right that there is something malicious there. I suppose you weren’t there during the professor’s announcement then? They told the students that a coven of hags lives in the Forbidden Forest. You were lucky to make it out alive.”
Thought Syl was clearly shaken, it wasn’t as though Flash was going to be coy about the dangers that lurked there. Whether he understood was up to him, but the professors had warned them for a reason. They all could have died. He was surprised that Syl would so intentionally break the rules like that, but on the other hand he had recognized at least one name-- Pericles was a prefect. What on earth was he doing leading first years into the forest?
@Sylvain Indarys
For we dreamed a lot//And we schemed a lot//And we tried to sing of love before the stage fell apart
Sta: 9 ★Eva: 5 ★Str: 7 ★Wis: 15 ★AP: 3 ★Acc: 15
13 Sep 2020, 17:59
Quiet Questions
"I can't say for certain why we all followed him there," Sylvain said while scratching his chin confusedly. "It feels like we were tricked or something." Honestly he had no idea. For himself, once he'd seen the flock of eagles gathered in formation, ambling into the woods after Vladimir, he'd nary thought twice. Now it felt oddly less like a decision, and more like mysterious circumstances.Hexcode= #507091
Sylvain would correct the names, events, and monsters Flash took down in his journal in order to make sure that Flash had the honest, as accurate as he could recall, information he was after. Sylvain couldn't stand the idea of his perspective being taken for fact so he was careful to share the power of his knowledge responsibly.
"That's everything I've learned so far. If you want to know more, we should probably ask Pericles. He's kind of an expert on this stuff now." Sylvain sniffled a little. He'd only bawled at the prefect's feet about all this yesterday. Still, all the knowledge he'd shared wasn't lost on Sylvain, who made short work of the reading materials available to him since the forest fire.
Flash's asking after Sylvain's condition, wasn't viewed as a chance to open up about his feelings but rather to open up about how magic had saved him. If the wizard wanted to know the contents of Syl's heart and mind, Flash would have to learn how to ask the right questions on his own. "As for me, I'm going to be okay thanks to Professor Caradoc Browne and his beautiful singing." Honestly he would be just fine, physically and mentally, he only needed time to forget the feelings that the dangers brought when they reared their ugly faces.
With the two all caught up, Sylvain thought it best to head back to the tower before the others so he might make his nest up first. Plus, he had some stuff he'd been waiting to hide under his bed and he didn't want anyone to ask questions. Sylvain stood slowly, tucking his chair in.
"See you next year Flash. If you ever need a friend, you know my name."
"Things are never so bad they can't be made worse." -Elim Garak