15 Jun 2020, 04:02
Broken Wings
Hexcode= #507091
The flying lesson hadn’t gone very well for Syl. He’d failed to take off like the other students, and even though his homework was spotless, Sylvain seemed to lack the confidence to fly. No matter how badly he wanted to take off to the skies and soar with his fellow eagles and classmates, his insecurities kept him grounded. Whatever his hesitation was, it kept him from casting spells too. His wand responded poorly to weak willed casters who had low reserves of self-confidence. He’d been encouraged rarely growing up, so he seemed hesitant to put forward his opinion much less his feelings.
His huffing and puffing was a clear sign of his mounting frustration. He would clench his jaw and puff his chest up while breathing through his nose. He was attempting to soothe his stubborn reluctance to leave the ground but it was clear that further attempts would only amount to more frustration. As usual, he needed time to sort out his own feelings. He wasn’t certain he wanted to fly anyways. He was worried he’d make a mistake or careen off course and cause a catastrophe. As Sylvain walked up to the broom storage, he found a poor bird with an injured wing.
Making a snap decision to take it back to his dormitory and help it heal, Sylvain tucked the wounded creature in his robes awkwardly. It was clear he’d concealed something he wasn’t supposed to have, and the squawking protest of the injured avian would have been a dead giveaway. As Sylvain turned around to exit the storage shed, he saw River coming towards the shed and panicked. Running backwards into the shed, Sylvain hid in the corner with baited breath. As soon as he heard footsteps approaching the shed he finally found the courage to speak up. “Sorry, I’m still in here!”
The bird had mostly been soothed, whether by exhaustion via protest or calming effect of Sylvain’s gentle nature was up for debate. It was a cute little sparrow, likely wounded trying to leave the nest. Sylvain clutched it protectively, holding it close to his heart. He sheltered it from whoever approached, and confessed its presence right away without a hint of dishonesty. “It’s got a broken wing.” He would hold it out and show it cautiously, taking care not to cause it any further suffering. It really was in a pitiful state. “Be careful.”
“Do you think it will still learn to fly?” Sylvain asked clearly concerned for the poor fledgling’s fate. “That is, do you think its wing will heal, and it can learn to fly?”
@River Jemari
"Things are never so bad they can't be made worse." -Elim Garak
1 Jul 2020, 04:59
Broken Wings
River Jemari held his broom under his left arm as he walked towards the shed where he kept the school brooms. The moontrimmer, which was always kept in perfect condition, had its brush facing towards the direction from which the man was walking. It had been a rather uneventful lesson: some students did well, some did poorly. Some rules and tips had to be repeated multiple times, and some seemed to stick straight away. Truly, the mind of the students that River taught was a mysterious one. Hopefully, as time went on the man would grow to understand it better.
As he entered the shed River was immediately confronted with one of his students: "Sylvain." The man said with a bit of surprise, pulling the name out from his somewhere deep in his brain. River wasn't superhuman- he was still relatively new at the job, and hadn't actually managed to memorize the names of all of his students yet. The young Ravenclaws was one that seemed to have stuck rather quickly, however, and not necessarily for good reasons. Sylvain was a rather strange case, one that River was still trying to crack. On one hand, the boy did an excellent job when it came to written homework- that was, the small amount of written homework that was even given out in flying class. On the other hand, though, he couldn't seem to figure out the more practical sections of the lessons. Unfortunately, this constituted about 90% of the entire subject. Seeing that the boy was holding an injured bird, River looked down at his hands and spoke with a bit of obvious concern. "Here, let me have a look..." The man cupped one hand a bit and held it in front of him as if expecting for Sylvain to rest the bird on it.
As he entered the shed River was immediately confronted with one of his students: "Sylvain." The man said with a bit of surprise, pulling the name out from his somewhere deep in his brain. River wasn't superhuman- he was still relatively new at the job, and hadn't actually managed to memorize the names of all of his students yet. The young Ravenclaws was one that seemed to have stuck rather quickly, however, and not necessarily for good reasons. Sylvain was a rather strange case, one that River was still trying to crack. On one hand, the boy did an excellent job when it came to written homework- that was, the small amount of written homework that was even given out in flying class. On the other hand, though, he couldn't seem to figure out the more practical sections of the lessons. Unfortunately, this constituted about 90% of the entire subject. Seeing that the boy was holding an injured bird, River looked down at his hands and spoke with a bit of obvious concern. "Here, let me have a look..." The man cupped one hand a bit and held it in front of him as if expecting for Sylvain to rest the bird on it.
5 Jul 2020, 04:28
Broken Wings
Hexcode= #507091
The now muffled sparrow stopped stirring in Sylvain's hands. The troubled boy stood there worried as River entered the shed with Moontrimmer pinched between his arm and its pit. Syl's robes were covered in feathers and his forehead drenched in sweat. With caution, the empathetic child turned and held the injured sparrow aloft to gently place it into River's outstretched hand. He only did so as the Professor requested to take a look, and even then reluctantly parted with the injured creature. The nervous lad nodded at River with respect as he did so. He was thankful for the kindness in the man's voice. Truth be told, Sylvain found an adult's presence quite calming and soothing most of the time.
River hadn't been a teacher for the school very long, but Sylvain had quickly formed an easily visible fondness and liking for the young and relatable flying professor during the few classes he'd had under his wing. So far, River seemed like the sort of teacher who was naturally humorous with his students, and Sylvain found himself quietly giggling in flying class more often than he had in others. What's more was that the entirely theory driven lesson was one of the few flying classes Sylvain had managed to really spread his inner wings and write his heart out during. Still, his fear of making a mistake was killing him on the broom, despite River's assuring coaching. The lad had no confidence when it came to making decisions, and even less when it came to following all the rules. Here he was with an unauthorized pet in the broom shed. It didn't help his case much.
"I found it in the practice pitch, I was going to take it back to my dorm and keep it." He admitted the truth right away scrunching his face up with shame, disgust for his poor decisions clear on his face. "I know the rules say I can't keep a pet, I'm sorry I hid with it in the shed." The boy looked more concerned for the bird and it's injury than his own rule violations however. "I couldn't leave it. Can you help me please?" He said with genuine anguish miring his voice. His expression lightened slightly as he felt somewhat better having gotten his rules violations off his chest.
@River Jemari
"Things are never so bad they can't be made worse." -Elim Garak
13 Sep 2020, 16:41
Broken Wings
River took the injured bird into his cupped hand, keeping it as still as possible. "Thank you." He said after looking the boy up and down, noting the feathers that covered him with slight amusement. Sylvain seemed to be quite worried for the poor creature, which may have been a sign of a certain amount of his naiveté in regards to the wizarding world. At least, that would be the case if the bird was what he was really worried about. "The beauty of magic..." Jemari began, picking up his wand from inside his robe with his free hand. "Is that it works like magic." A simple flick of the wand was all that it took (and the mutter of "Episkey", of course). With an unpleasant crack and a distressed tweet from the bird, the wing snapped back into its natural shape. With the now healthy (if still reeling) animal in his palm, River grinned at Sylvain. "I didn't see you breaking any rules. You didn't have time to keep the bird, regardless of your intentions." The man turned away from the student, holding out his hand and letting the small bird fly off. "You really don't need to look so worried."
17 Sep 2020, 14:01
Broken Wings
The immediate injury of the bird taken care of, Sylvain's worried little face lightened a bit as River used his magic to heal the poor creature. One sickly snap and its wound no longer apparent, though its own shock matched Sylvain's, the creature flew off without so much as a thanks or a goodbye. It was a formative memory, one that would teach him how to treat the pain of others. With tender care, but also with the release of his worries. Sylvain's own pain however needed that same kind of attention. River had proven himself a kind enough person, and if he was not kind, then he was at least merciful. The flying professor's big grin had put him at ease to say the least.
"River?" Sylvain croaked as though saying the name itself might get him in trouble. Sylvain's expression of shame, mixed with the ransacked appearance of his robes would be quite the pathetic image to all but the most hardened of hearts. Choking on his feelings as they mixed into his thoughts ,Sylvain pushed himself to express his pain the best way he knew how. The fatherless wizard was trying to ask for help but had never learned how to, so now he feared being thought of as an idiot. "I'm scared of flying my broom alone." The words came hesitantly, as though Syl thought River might scold him for being fearful or pity him for being so helpless. The lad clearly needed instruction, but some part of him still needed a measure of experience to be confident enough to fly.
Shying away, Sylvain turned his head so that he would not have to look River in the face. Whatever reaction the new Flying professor might have, Sylvain's gaze was placed solely on his shoes. He dare not lift his head and seek approval, but asked the favor anyways. "Would you take me flying with you?" His voice and behavior mirrored the sentiments of a child whose training wheels had come off, and he was very much afraid to ride his bike without someone to push him forward.
"Things are never so bad they can't be made worse." -Elim Garak
10 Nov 2020, 08:27
Broken Wings
River watched as the bird flew away. Letting his thoughts wander for a bit, the man contemplated the fact that life was so fragile. It was incredible, really, that it managed to exist for any long periods of time. Even more incredible was that somehow, a small portion of it managed to not only survive but also thrive, building cities and roads and statues. Not only that, but this small portion thrived while putting themselves in harm's way and doing it for fun with games like quidditch. If left undisturbed, this line of thought would have inevitably led to letters being written to experts on various related topics, followed by a long few weeks of obsessively writing a paper that really stretched the definition of what his expertise was.
Fortunately, he wasn't left undisturbed. "Hm..." River didn't seem particularly surprised, but he didn't seem judgemental either. "Well, luckily for you, second years aren't required to be in my class. As for your request..." The professor looked up slightly with a sharp inhale of air through his teeth, seemingly in thought. "You'd be flying a broom on your own, but if you're willing to sacrifice a few free classes... I don't see why not."
Fortunately, he wasn't left undisturbed. "Hm..." River didn't seem particularly surprised, but he didn't seem judgemental either. "Well, luckily for you, second years aren't required to be in my class. As for your request..." The professor looked up slightly with a sharp inhale of air through his teeth, seemingly in thought. "You'd be flying a broom on your own, but if you're willing to sacrifice a few free classes... I don't see why not."
23 Nov 2020, 15:24
Broken Wings
Hexcode= #507091
If the flying professor himself was willing to spend a little extra time tutoring him how to fly, then a few free classes used up by flying was more than worth it to him. Facing his fear of flight was something Sylvain had thought he couldn't handle on his own, but it was suddenly a lot less intimidating knowing he had the help of someone a bit more experienced than he was. After all, most of what he needed was guts to get on the broom in the first place. "Thanks River," Sylvain said with a smile slowly sneaking onto his face. He was happy he had picked that little bird up when he did, it might not have healed without them.
"That sounds like so much more fun than just practicing with the others, I'll make sure I leave my free classes open so I can..." the lad then had the idea that he might drag along some of his other friends and make a game out of it. Maybe some sort of mimicking game like follow the leader. Yeah! That was it! The thought of playing follow the leader on a broom was exciting to him now. So exciting that he forgot why he was even worried in the first place, so he had to ask. "Do you think I could bring some of my friends, er, and would it be okay if we played follow the leader?"
Mentions @River Jemari
"Things are never so bad they can't be made worse." -Elim Garak