22 Aug 2020, 16:09
The Long Journey
After looking into all the compartments as she went down the train, Bella Rivers finally finds an empty one. She knew making friends meant actually talking to people, but she felt maybe people would come to her first; there are a lot of people on this train after all.
She struggles for a bit, pushing her trunk into the luggage rack, its heavy contents putting a strain on her small arms. Finally succeeding she sits herself next to a window, her owl hooting softly and closing his eyes to sleep. The train moves slowly away from Platform 9 3/4, Bella wondered whether her father had already left for his shift at work.
Sighing her mind goes to Hogwarts, wondering what her life will be like there. She often thought about what house she would be in; her father was a Gryffindor, she secretly wished that's where she would be put into. Of course, she would try her best in any house. The classes seemed very interesting to her, especially her father's telling of them. He told didn't want to tell her about what he learnt however, she wanted to have some surprise there.
The platform was now completely gone, she was finally starting the long awaited adventure at Hogwarts.
She struggles for a bit, pushing her trunk into the luggage rack, its heavy contents putting a strain on her small arms. Finally succeeding she sits herself next to a window, her owl hooting softly and closing his eyes to sleep. The train moves slowly away from Platform 9 3/4, Bella wondered whether her father had already left for his shift at work.
Sighing her mind goes to Hogwarts, wondering what her life will be like there. She often thought about what house she would be in; her father was a Gryffindor, she secretly wished that's where she would be put into. Of course, she would try her best in any house. The classes seemed very interesting to her, especially her father's telling of them. He told didn't want to tell her about what he learnt however, she wanted to have some surprise there.
The platform was now completely gone, she was finally starting the long awaited adventure at Hogwarts.
Bella Rivers
~
the greatest moments are those that stick with you forever
22 Aug 2020, 19:40
The Long Journey
Jax had (rather unwillingly at that) boarded the train a few minutes before. Late. He was always, always late. It didn't come as any surprise to the members of his adoptive family, who were waving down below, Jester trying very hard not to look sad as he stood on the familiar platform. His brother should have been boarding the train too, if the world was fair. But it wasn't, so now Jax was going to a school he'd never wanted anything to do with, while Jester was down below, watching, his heart clearly breaking with every second he spent on the outside of the train.
Speaking of the train, it departed with a great lurch, sending Jax stumbling under the weight of his bag. Rather than carrying the cumbersome wooden chests everyone else had, the young emo boy had convinced his adoptive father to cast a few interior enlarging spells on his backpack, and proceeded to stuff everything he could into it. Which had worked, except it weighed a ton now.
Icy blue eyes turned towards the long, ornate hallway which led to dozens of compartments quickly being filled up by other late students. Late. He was always, always late. No empty compartments were left, he discovered after walking the hall several times. Hell, most of them had been completely filled up, save for one or two. Going to the emptiest one, he opened the sliding doors and slid onto the horrifyingly pink plush bench. "Sup?" he said, nodding to the chick in what he hoped was a semi-normal greeting. He set his bag down underneath the bench.
Now, this would be a good time to remind the reader what Jax looked like. Awkwardly skinny with skin so pale it made him look like he's just crawled out of a grave, tiny blue veins clearly visible on his wrists and climbing up his neck, under his eyes and on his hands. He had a small black tattoo on his inner wrist. A black cat he'd obviously done himself, the ink all over the place as if placed by an unsteady hand. Sporting a black shirt with a beautifully drawn dragon, and a pair of jeans so ripped up one would think he'd been attacked by a pack of wild dogs. Black hair which went down to his shoulders, and chipped black nailpolish. In short, he was an emo disaster.
@Bella Rivers
Speaking of the train, it departed with a great lurch, sending Jax stumbling under the weight of his bag. Rather than carrying the cumbersome wooden chests everyone else had, the young emo boy had convinced his adoptive father to cast a few interior enlarging spells on his backpack, and proceeded to stuff everything he could into it. Which had worked, except it weighed a ton now.
Icy blue eyes turned towards the long, ornate hallway which led to dozens of compartments quickly being filled up by other late students. Late. He was always, always late. No empty compartments were left, he discovered after walking the hall several times. Hell, most of them had been completely filled up, save for one or two. Going to the emptiest one, he opened the sliding doors and slid onto the horrifyingly pink plush bench. "Sup?" he said, nodding to the chick in what he hoped was a semi-normal greeting. He set his bag down underneath the bench.
Now, this would be a good time to remind the reader what Jax looked like. Awkwardly skinny with skin so pale it made him look like he's just crawled out of a grave, tiny blue veins clearly visible on his wrists and climbing up his neck, under his eyes and on his hands. He had a small black tattoo on his inner wrist. A black cat he'd obviously done himself, the ink all over the place as if placed by an unsteady hand. Sporting a black shirt with a beautifully drawn dragon, and a pair of jeans so ripped up one would think he'd been attacked by a pack of wild dogs. Black hair which went down to his shoulders, and chipped black nailpolish. In short, he was an emo disaster.
@Bella Rivers
22 Aug 2020, 21:01
The Long Journey
Whilst in her own world, Bella fails to realise the compartment door open and close; a shuffling of feet can be heard and the soft thud of a person hitting the pink seats. Still, she was unaware of the stranger; something Bella often did was get lost in her thoughts.
"Sup?" the boy suddenly says, Bella jumps. Instantly her head snaps to the boy, her long ginger hair moving elegantly with the movement of her head. Quietly she studies him, noticing the dark hair and pale skin; much like her own skin. He was very intriguing, Bella couldn't help realise the way he carries himself. She certainly had never seen anyone with his style before.
Composing herself, she tucks some of her free hair behind her ear and introduces herself, "hi, I-uh-I'm Bella." her voice shakes with nerves. Mentally cursing herself at her weak introduction, she sends a small smile.
She knew she probably looked slightly pathetic next to him, he at least had an interesting style. Bella couldn't help thinking herself ordinary with her denim flared jeans, blue and purple striped long sleeved top and her grey satchel like handbag. Her father told her she's a spitting image of her late mother, which only made her wish she could've met her.
I wonder what his story is? she thought to herself, maybe his life was as interesting as those in the books she reads.
"Sup?" the boy suddenly says, Bella jumps. Instantly her head snaps to the boy, her long ginger hair moving elegantly with the movement of her head. Quietly she studies him, noticing the dark hair and pale skin; much like her own skin. He was very intriguing, Bella couldn't help realise the way he carries himself. She certainly had never seen anyone with his style before.
Composing herself, she tucks some of her free hair behind her ear and introduces herself, "hi, I-uh-I'm Bella." her voice shakes with nerves. Mentally cursing herself at her weak introduction, she sends a small smile.
She knew she probably looked slightly pathetic next to him, he at least had an interesting style. Bella couldn't help thinking herself ordinary with her denim flared jeans, blue and purple striped long sleeved top and her grey satchel like handbag. Her father told her she's a spitting image of her late mother, which only made her wish she could've met her.
I wonder what his story is? she thought to herself, maybe his life was as interesting as those in the books she reads.
@Jackson Lockwood
Bella Rivers
~
the greatest moments are those that stick with you forever
22 Aug 2020, 22:43
The Long Journey
Jax raised a perfectly arched eyebrow in her direction, taking her in with an artist's eye. Flaming hair. Nerdy. Probably knew what the hell was going on with the school. But he wasn't about to ask. He was already lost enough, he didn't need to label himself as an idiot. Bella. Hm. That was...a completely ordinary name. During his short walk through the station, he'd heard of three Bellas already. Maybe it was just a popular name with wizards. Like...Jane, or Emily.
"I go out at night," he said motioning towards his paler than an egg skin. "What's your excuse." They were both ridiculously pale. No, Jax wasn't a vampire. He simply did his best to avoid the sun altogether. Plus, whenever his crew needed to go out tagging, they did it at night while he kept watch for any cops or Karens. It was a lonely, boring job most times. But like hell were they about to let him touch a can of spraypaint just yet. He was lucky enough they'd tolerated him enough to allow him to join their crew.
And now, he'd be going away from home and London. Away from everything he knew and loved. And would have to start again. In a new school, with new people, in an alien society. Yeppie. He couldn't frigging wait...
"I go out at night," he said motioning towards his paler than an egg skin. "What's your excuse." They were both ridiculously pale. No, Jax wasn't a vampire. He simply did his best to avoid the sun altogether. Plus, whenever his crew needed to go out tagging, they did it at night while he kept watch for any cops or Karens. It was a lonely, boring job most times. But like hell were they about to let him touch a can of spraypaint just yet. He was lucky enough they'd tolerated him enough to allow him to join their crew.
And now, he'd be going away from home and London. Away from everything he knew and loved. And would have to start again. In a new school, with new people, in an alien society. Yeppie. He couldn't frigging wait...
22 Aug 2020, 23:36
The Long Journey
Bella is stunned for a second with his question, not expecting the sudden change of subject. He seemed to be a bit hostile in meeting people, liked to be by himself; or that’s the impression Bella got.
“I’m ginger, tanning doesn’t exist in my world unfortunately.” she smiles, her witty side coming out of her. A silence fills the compartment, one slightly awkward. The boy was someone she hadn’t met before, a mysterious person.
“Are you nervous? About starting at Hogwarts?” she asks, hoping to fill the silence. Her hands fidget with the sleeves of her long sleeves. Her legs are stretched out onto the seat opposite, a comfortable position for the long journey ahead.
Bella wanted to take her book out and read, but she also knew the only way she’ll get better at making friends is to actually talk to people. This is what her father, and late mother, would want. It always looks so easy whenever she saw others meeting people; she much liked her own peaceful life. That’s why she loved her cottage home in the countryside, just her and her father. She sighs, thinking of her little home she was moving further away from.
Waiting, she hopes that this boy will want to talk to her. She hopes she hadn’t scared him off already.
“I’m ginger, tanning doesn’t exist in my world unfortunately.” she smiles, her witty side coming out of her. A silence fills the compartment, one slightly awkward. The boy was someone she hadn’t met before, a mysterious person.
“Are you nervous? About starting at Hogwarts?” she asks, hoping to fill the silence. Her hands fidget with the sleeves of her long sleeves. Her legs are stretched out onto the seat opposite, a comfortable position for the long journey ahead.
Bella wanted to take her book out and read, but she also knew the only way she’ll get better at making friends is to actually talk to people. This is what her father, and late mother, would want. It always looks so easy whenever she saw others meeting people; she much liked her own peaceful life. That’s why she loved her cottage home in the countryside, just her and her father. She sighs, thinking of her little home she was moving further away from.
Waiting, she hopes that this boy will want to talk to her. She hopes she hadn’t scared him off already.
@Jackson Lockwood
Bella Rivers
~
the greatest moments are those that stick with you forever
23 Aug 2020, 01:20
The Long Journey
The Hogwarts Express had a very lively atmosphere. Young witches and wizards found old friends and discovered new ones as they started settling into their compartments. It was quite an intimidating place for an 11-year old, but Felicia wore a big smile to hide all of the fears and insecurities that came with starting a new chapter at Hogwarts.
Many of the compartments already had groups of students who appeared to be settled in. Felicia thought it would be a bit awkward walking into an established group already, but at the same time, she didn't want to sit all alone with no friends. She tried her best to look casual, but it was exhausting pacing back and forth along the narrow aisles of the train compartments. A significant amount of time had gone by since the train departed, and the opportunity to find a perfect seat was slipping away.
On the other end of the train car, Felicia noticed a rather...rugged looking boy slip into a compartment. She decided to take a chance, and follow him. By the time she got to the door the boy entered, she noticed he had started conversing with another girl. Not ideal that he had already met someone, but it would have to do, as Felicia was tired of wandering.
"Hey there!" Felicia waved at the pair sitting in front of her. She swiftly took a seat beside the boy she saw earlier. "My name's Felicia. Sorry to interrupt. I've been trying to find a seat for awhile." Felicia let out a soft sigh as she placed her hands on her lap and light pressed out the wrinkles in her skirt.
Many of the compartments already had groups of students who appeared to be settled in. Felicia thought it would be a bit awkward walking into an established group already, but at the same time, she didn't want to sit all alone with no friends. She tried her best to look casual, but it was exhausting pacing back and forth along the narrow aisles of the train compartments. A significant amount of time had gone by since the train departed, and the opportunity to find a perfect seat was slipping away.
On the other end of the train car, Felicia noticed a rather...rugged looking boy slip into a compartment. She decided to take a chance, and follow him. By the time she got to the door the boy entered, she noticed he had started conversing with another girl. Not ideal that he had already met someone, but it would have to do, as Felicia was tired of wandering.
"Hey there!" Felicia waved at the pair sitting in front of her. She swiftly took a seat beside the boy she saw earlier. "My name's Felicia. Sorry to interrupt. I've been trying to find a seat for awhile." Felicia let out a soft sigh as she placed her hands on her lap and light pressed out the wrinkles in her skirt.
Stats: Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 9 | Strength: 1 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane: 5 | Accuracy: 7
23 Aug 2020, 17:40
The Long Journey
"Nervous?" Jax asked dryly, turning to the window and trying to figure out how it worked. Long, plae fingers traveled along the bottom rim, looking for...ah. There was a latch. If he could just get it to- Click. Within seconds, the young boy had cracked the window open, having to throw his weight against it to open it even a few inches. It was heavy, ancient thing which had probably stayed closed for years, if one were to judge by the cobwebs and dust which were pulled into the vacuum of air outside of the train.
"No I'm not nervous." Liar. He was a liar. But he wasn't about to spill his guts to a random stranger either. Truth was, after being forced to move in a new country and having to deal with the culture shock, switching schools shouldn't have bothered him this much. But it did anyway. He was terrified.
Before he could say or do anything else, the compartment door was pulled open, and in walked another first year. Great. Two chicks and a gay dude, sitting in a train...sounded like the beginning of a dad joke. Nudging his bag to the side so she could have room for her trunk, Jax sat down, one leg folded underneath him, the other hanging off the seat lazily, eyes following the new girl. A nod identical to the first one was given before he returned his gaze to the window, watching the rolling fields with a barely visible anger. It was there, boiling underneath the surface, and if one looked very, very carefully, they'd see it in his tense shoulders, in the set of his jaw and hands, which were clasped in his lap, white knuckled.
"I'm Jax," he said after the new chick introduced herself. "That's Bella. I'm gay, she's a ginger. Welcome to the club."
"No I'm not nervous." Liar. He was a liar. But he wasn't about to spill his guts to a random stranger either. Truth was, after being forced to move in a new country and having to deal with the culture shock, switching schools shouldn't have bothered him this much. But it did anyway. He was terrified.
Before he could say or do anything else, the compartment door was pulled open, and in walked another first year. Great. Two chicks and a gay dude, sitting in a train...sounded like the beginning of a dad joke. Nudging his bag to the side so she could have room for her trunk, Jax sat down, one leg folded underneath him, the other hanging off the seat lazily, eyes following the new girl. A nod identical to the first one was given before he returned his gaze to the window, watching the rolling fields with a barely visible anger. It was there, boiling underneath the surface, and if one looked very, very carefully, they'd see it in his tense shoulders, in the set of his jaw and hands, which were clasped in his lap, white knuckled.
"I'm Jax," he said after the new chick introduced herself. "That's Bella. I'm gay, she's a ginger. Welcome to the club."
@Felicia Gatling @Bella Rivers
24 Aug 2020, 02:15
The Long Journey
"I'm Jax. That's Bella. I'm gay, she's a ginger. Welcome to the club."
Felicia instantly started to blush at Jax's straightforwardness. In an attempt to hide her reaction she pressed her lips tightly together, but she was certain that her current expression was equally goofy. To her dismay, she let out a soft, high-pitched giggle. Determined not to come off as a complete dork, she attempted to carry on the conversation.
"Oh...Well cool! Thanks for the invite." She glanced downward as she pondered what her "thing" would be. She took an index finger and began to twirl it around a curly strand of hair. When she looked up,she noticed that Jax was gazing out of the window. "I'm...Black?" Her response ended up sounding like a question. She held back another nervous squeak and shot a confused look at the quiet ginger.
"But that's a rather, bleak way of looking at things." Felicia rolled her eyes and directed her attention back to Bella. She was sure to sprinkle her last comment with a subtle hint of sass.
"I'm hoping that I can really find my true passion. There's so much to learn about magic. Not to mention all of the secrets that lie within the walls of Hogwarts. And the best part is that we'll be living in a proper castle for the next year! I'm dying to see if it lives up to all of the legendary tales we hear about."
Felicia's excitement for her first year at Hogwarts overshadowed any negative emotions she felt. Her eyes couldn't help but sparkle as she imagined the adventures yet to come.
Felicia instantly started to blush at Jax's straightforwardness. In an attempt to hide her reaction she pressed her lips tightly together, but she was certain that her current expression was equally goofy. To her dismay, she let out a soft, high-pitched giggle. Determined not to come off as a complete dork, she attempted to carry on the conversation.
"Oh...Well cool! Thanks for the invite." She glanced downward as she pondered what her "thing" would be. She took an index finger and began to twirl it around a curly strand of hair. When she looked up,she noticed that Jax was gazing out of the window. "I'm...Black?" Her response ended up sounding like a question. She held back another nervous squeak and shot a confused look at the quiet ginger.
"But that's a rather, bleak way of looking at things." Felicia rolled her eyes and directed her attention back to Bella. She was sure to sprinkle her last comment with a subtle hint of sass.
"I'm hoping that I can really find my true passion. There's so much to learn about magic. Not to mention all of the secrets that lie within the walls of Hogwarts. And the best part is that we'll be living in a proper castle for the next year! I'm dying to see if it lives up to all of the legendary tales we hear about."
Felicia's excitement for her first year at Hogwarts overshadowed any negative emotions she felt. Her eyes couldn't help but sparkle as she imagined the adventures yet to come.
Stats: Stamina: 6 | Evasion: 9 | Strength: 1 | Wisdom: 7 | Arcane: 5 | Accuracy: 7
24 Aug 2020, 13:34
The Long Journey
Platform 9 3/4 seemed so far away now, a little smudge in the distance. Bella glances outside for the briefest of moments, wondering how long it would be until they reached Hogsmeade. Someone else had entered the compartment, just after Jax's answer. Bella couldn't decipher whether he was honest, or was extremely talented in hiding his feelings. Her eyes follow his to the door, noticing a girl stood there with a bright smile on her face. The girl looked nervous, yet ready to meet new people. Jax introduces himself and Bella, she couldn't help finding it rather amusing the way he did.
Bella silently watches the conversation happening in front of her, taking note of the girl's name; Felicia. She could that Felicia would be a nice girl to be friends with and was very different to Jax. Felicia talks of Hogwarts in such an exciting manner, the classes, meeting people, the castle itself. Bella smiles, moving upwards into a straighter position. She, too, was excited about seeing what lies in the castle.
"I've been waiting for this day since I can remember, it's so surreal that the day is here." she says, directing it to both of them. She would hate to exclude anyone, she knew all too well how being left out felt.
She continues in just as much excitement as Felicia, "what house do you guys think you'll be?".
Bella silently watches the conversation happening in front of her, taking note of the girl's name; Felicia. She could that Felicia would be a nice girl to be friends with and was very different to Jax. Felicia talks of Hogwarts in such an exciting manner, the classes, meeting people, the castle itself. Bella smiles, moving upwards into a straighter position. She, too, was excited about seeing what lies in the castle.
"I've been waiting for this day since I can remember, it's so surreal that the day is here." she says, directing it to both of them. She would hate to exclude anyone, she knew all too well how being left out felt.
She continues in just as much excitement as Felicia, "what house do you guys think you'll be?".
@Jackson Lockwood
@Felicia Gatling
Bella Rivers
~
the greatest moments are those that stick with you forever
24 Aug 2020, 18:35
The Long Journey
@Bella Rivers@Felicia Gatling
Jax pondered the question for a moment. No. That wouldn't do. There was enough racial segregation and as it was. He'd grown up in Toronto for most of his life, which meant for the longest time, he'd been a minority. The orphanage was full of children with African or Asian descent, most speaking the same languages. And if you were going by skin color, then him and Bella weren't just white. They were neon white, their pale skin looking nearly unnatural.
Then the chick started running her mouth like she was a sports commentator, and the issue had been resolved. "You talk." he said. Bella talked too, but not the way this chick did. He himself had barely strung two words together since he'd stepped on the train. Shutting up was something you learned real quick when you didn't have anyone to listen to you.
"Slytherin." he said immediately. He didn't have the nerves to put up with people's bullshit, so no Hufflepuff. He wasn't terribly brave, nor about to jump in front of anyone else if they were in danger. Not Griffindor. And Ravenclaw? What a joke. He wasn't smart. Hell, he could barely understand what those chicks were sayin, especially the chatterbox. And reading? HA. Hahahaha. Hell would freeze over before he actually came to enjoy it.
Digging through his bag, arm going in shoulder deep and then some, he pulled out his blackbook and a pen, flipping it open to an empty page. "Go beside Bella. Both of you sit still," he ordered the chatterbox and the ginger. "You can talk." And started to sketch them. He'd pulled up his knees so the blackbook had something to lean against, and was drawing bold, steady lines, freezing fingers wrapped around the pen loosely. First he sketched the shape of their faces, then the general shape of their hair. Their posture. After maybe twenty minutes, he pulled out a thinner pen and something which looked very much like a joint, which he used to spread the still-wet ink, making shadows and skin tone. He was adding in little details. The curls on Chatterbox's hair, the bow of Ginger's lips.
The whole piece took about an hour. Finally he tore the drawing from his blackbook and handed it to the girls. It was a terrifyingly realistic piece, a strange lifelike quality captured on the paper. He'd gotten everything right down to the pores on their skin, making the drawing look like a photo taken with a professional grade camera. The only thing which seemed out of place: Around their necks, he'd drawn two necklaces each with a colorful stone. A deep blue spiked with dandelion yellow for Chatterbox, and ruby red with green reflections for Ginger. They were the only colorful thing on the page, the rest being different shades of blue from his pens.
Some people said 'Hello, my name is' as a greeting. Jax drew people instead.
