18 May 2021, 05:05
Prophesying a Friendship
It had been nearly a year since the last Blossom Ball. Since that night where she had kissed Thomas Lestrange. Since regret over her decision had continued to burden her mind. Why had she kissed him? What good would it do? He seemed like a lost cause but was there still hope for him?
No matter, she had spent the past year focused on school and coaching the Quidditch team. All was going well until Thomas joined the team. Not to say it hadn't gone well, but rather things were a tad - well, uncomfortable being near him.
The time had now come for this years Blossom Ball, hopefully one filled with less "excitement" than last years, as this one was not being held in secrecy. However, knowing how Hogwarts events typically proceeded, she did not have much hope. At least with the other wizarding schools presence, she had hoped nothing destructive or dangerous would occur. Last year she had attended begrudgingly, part of a small group of students who had planned on observing and stopping Vlad from creating chaos. That plan did not fully come to fruition however after the mosps attacked. This year Tyranni was determined to enjoy herself for once, or at least that was her hope.
She did not want to make this invite super public, risking both embarrassment of herself and Andy, had she left the note hanging on the boys dormitory door, so she instead chose to use an owl to send it to him, wherever he may be on the grounds. Perhaps it was a silly pun to use, playing off her abilities, but having grown to know the young boy well, she had hoped he would appreciate her humor. Perhaps he might even believe the pun true. She was not sure how she felt about the young boy. He was one of her best friends, cute in his own manner, but she had not thought of him in any manner aside from friendship. At least not yet. Still young, dating was the last thing on her mind. Taking one last glance, she again proof-read the note.
Rolling up the brief letter, she handed it to one of the owls, and sent it out. The deed was done. Her anxiety of asking him to the ball was now in the hands, or well claws, of the small owl. It was not that the girl was not lovely, or that she even lacked confidence. She simply had not had this experience yet. Her mother, Avela, had not raised a weakling. She had been raised to be independent, confident, and stubborn. Her own mother had asked for her fathers hand. May the gods grant her grace and a favorable outcome. With the anxiety of the deed past, she left the owlery to return to her studies.
Mentioning: @Andrew Vance | @Thomas Lestrange
Andrew Vance
18 May 2021, 13:07
Prophesying a Friendship
Lunch break was almost over. A tawny flash in the sky jerked Andrew's eyes upward as he caught glimpse of a flurry of feathers overhead, panic gripping him for a split second as his arms instinctively lunged for Penelope to shield his rat from any incoming owl claws or beaks. Against the sun, a double take registered something heavier and squarer than a leaf, bouncing lightly off his head and being picked up by a stray breeze. Realizing whom the recipient must be, Andrew dashed forward, hands fumbling for the tumbleweed envelope as he scuttled a few steps across the courtyard, finally pinching hold of it.
He wondered briefly how many letters had ever been lost via owl, blown away from some unfortunate sap by the wind, before prying open his own. Unfolding the note, he held the paper out, then brought it closer to his face, squinting at the scrawled message.
Uh…
Sure, he recognized Tyr's handwriting, by the sheer ineligibility of it. Honestly, fancy calligraphy and chicken scratch both looked the same to him. His own penmanship wasn't that great either, and Andrew usually didn't resort to paper if he could help it, preferring to communicate in-person. Body language conveyed so much more than a thousand words he'd rather not waste time with constructing. He was a man of action, not words.
It took him a minute or two to decipher the whole thing. Once the pieces came together, a delighted grin spread over his face. Butterflies didn't hit him often, yet it was that buildup of anxiety that clutched at his chest, looking forward to the Blossom Ball in excitement. He and Dan had some unspoken agreement that they'd go with each other, if no one else stuck out to them as partners. Balls were silly things anyway, and Andrew never took them seriously to be worried about other people's judgement about who he "liked" and such, based on the partner he chose. He would sooner go with his best friend, a dude, than a total female stranger.
Tyranni was also a close friend, yet it never occurred to Andrew to ask her if she had found anyone for the Ball. Had all the cooler, popular guys in this school rejected her? Her striking looks and position on the Quidditch team ought to qualify her as someone "way beyond his league", even though the two had been friends for years. If Tyr's sights weren't set on anyone else…Why him? Did she not have any other "trusted friends" to go with? Or no other trusted male friends to go with?...
Either way, it was a flattering proposal, and Andrew couldn't find any reason to refuse. It was about time he took a girl out to a dance. Hopefully Dan wouldn't mind too terribly. He and Tyr hadn't gone to any formal event together, which was part of the intrigue, going with someone new. Maybe they'd get to know each other as friends a little bit better.
Tyranni hadn't left him much choice for refusal. Probably an added twist of humor to her scheme. The Common Room was not that big of a space, so the two would have bumped into each other and "met" anyway. Andrew actively seeking Tyr out, making his way over to her.
"Hey, Tyr." He came up from behind her, swinging his legs over and plopping himself down in the comfy seat next to her.
"So, what do we wear for this thing?" His enthusiasm beamed, playing it off chummily. "I mean, I know there's the Greek thing, but couple's theme-wise... We gotta be matching somehow, right?"
His posture said everything, that knowing gleam in his eye and subtle smirk as he gave a little head tilt her way, not showing any negative sign of rejection. No need for formalities, unless if that was what Tyr was looking for. Might as well get down to business of planning outfits.
"Did your vision show anything about what we're wearing to the Ball?" He teased.
He wondered briefly how many letters had ever been lost via owl, blown away from some unfortunate sap by the wind, before prying open his own. Unfolding the note, he held the paper out, then brought it closer to his face, squinting at the scrawled message.
Uh…
Sure, he recognized Tyr's handwriting, by the sheer ineligibility of it. Honestly, fancy calligraphy and chicken scratch both looked the same to him. His own penmanship wasn't that great either, and Andrew usually didn't resort to paper if he could help it, preferring to communicate in-person. Body language conveyed so much more than a thousand words he'd rather not waste time with constructing. He was a man of action, not words.
It took him a minute or two to decipher the whole thing. Once the pieces came together, a delighted grin spread over his face. Butterflies didn't hit him often, yet it was that buildup of anxiety that clutched at his chest, looking forward to the Blossom Ball in excitement. He and Dan had some unspoken agreement that they'd go with each other, if no one else stuck out to them as partners. Balls were silly things anyway, and Andrew never took them seriously to be worried about other people's judgement about who he "liked" and such, based on the partner he chose. He would sooner go with his best friend, a dude, than a total female stranger.
Tyranni was also a close friend, yet it never occurred to Andrew to ask her if she had found anyone for the Ball. Had all the cooler, popular guys in this school rejected her? Her striking looks and position on the Quidditch team ought to qualify her as someone "way beyond his league", even though the two had been friends for years. If Tyr's sights weren't set on anyone else…Why him? Did she not have any other "trusted friends" to go with? Or no other trusted male friends to go with?...
Either way, it was a flattering proposal, and Andrew couldn't find any reason to refuse. It was about time he took a girl out to a dance. Hopefully Dan wouldn't mind too terribly. He and Tyr hadn't gone to any formal event together, which was part of the intrigue, going with someone new. Maybe they'd get to know each other as friends a little bit better.
That evening, at the Slytherin Common Room…
"Sha-la-la-la-la-la—!" *smacks crab*
Tyranni hadn't left him much choice for refusal. Probably an added twist of humor to her scheme. The Common Room was not that big of a space, so the two would have bumped into each other and "met" anyway. Andrew actively seeking Tyr out, making his way over to her.
"Hey, Tyr." He came up from behind her, swinging his legs over and plopping himself down in the comfy seat next to her.
"So, what do we wear for this thing?" His enthusiasm beamed, playing it off chummily. "I mean, I know there's the Greek thing, but couple's theme-wise... We gotta be matching somehow, right?"
His posture said everything, that knowing gleam in his eye and subtle smirk as he gave a little head tilt her way, not showing any negative sign of rejection. No need for formalities, unless if that was what Tyr was looking for. Might as well get down to business of planning outfits.
"Did your vision show anything about what we're wearing to the Ball?" He teased.
3 Jun 2021, 01:52
Prophesying a Friendship
School work done for the day, there had not been much else to do except read. She had been seated, book in hand, attempting to drown the tossing and turning sensation in her chest and stomach with a little bit of fantasy but it wasn't working well. She was never one to be particularly good at taking charge in certain subjects, and while she might be a force on the Quidditch pitch when alongside her fellow ferocious teammates, this was a completely new game.
Andy was sweet. They got along well. And she wasn't ashamed to admit that over the past year he had matured a lot in his looks and was quite attractive. That was not what made her nervous though. She was not interested in him in THAT way. At least, she didn't think so? She had seen other love struck students wandering the hall, hearing small bits of their conversation and she did not believe that she felt the same way about Andy that those students felt about their crushes. No. This was just way out of her comfort zone. If it did not have a clear path forward in helping her towards a certain goal, she always doubted herself. Plus Andy was a year older. He likely had far more offers to the ball than this small brunette second year. It was lost in this thought that the girls mind had been when he sat down next to her.
Suddenly intaking air in a gasp, she jumped in her seat. "Hey Andy." Her cheeks flushed a soft red color, vibrant on her pale skin. "I take it that means you will go with me?" Relief washed over her. What has she been fearing? Rejection? Glancing up at him, hoping the blush was fading, she looked upon his subtle smirk. Her breathing calmed. He really had a way of bringing comfort to her without trying.
She could hear his tease in his next comment, but she couldn't help but tease him back. "As a matter of fact, it did!" Turning, she faced the young boy. She knew he has been raised in the muggle world, and though Tyranni was pureblood, her mother wanted her to know both worlds due to the continued involvement her family had with the muggles. "Have you ever heard of a little video game called God of War? My uncle loves playing the game and let me play with him once. The main character is called Kratos. He used to serve under Ares until he killed the war god, ascending to godhood himself, and then killed the rest of the Greek gods. I thought it would be kind of funny to show up to the ball, which is bound to have tons of students imitating or inspired by the Greek gods as a character in the muggle gaming world who killed all those gods. Want to join?"
Assuming Andy would agree to this absurdly insane plan, she had letters ready to send to her uncle to procure her an outfit.
Andrew Vance
16 Jun 2021, 13:30
Prophesying a Friendship
Oh, great. This was becoming a habit. Interrupting people when he didn't know they were reading. Andrew didn't notice the book in Tyr's hands until he was already seated next to her. But since they were friends, it hadn't occurred to him to apologize for his interruption. Unless if Tyr had gotten prickly about it, then he would have. But honestly, what did people expect, reading in public?
"Yeah, I've heard, not played," he replied, which was invitation enough for Tyranni to brief him on what God of War was about.
Video games were his little brother's forte, though their parents kept a close monitor on age restrictions. Kyle could buy it with his own paycheck, when he moved out of the house, in seven years or so. Andrew himself quite liked those Wii exercise games, but the hypnotic trance of a screen, sitting stagnant and playing video games for hours, just didn't appeal to him. He'd rather watch grass grow than watch television. He wasn't sure if it was a 'magical' quirk of his, being indifferent toward technology.
Anyway, he digressed.
"Sure, I'm in." Andrew shrugged, not having much opinion on the Kratos idea, but trusting Tyr's judgement and building his excitement off hers that it would be a unique concept, standing out from the crowd while still sticking to the theme. He still needed more info and insight in order to get into character. "What's he look like?"
Poor boy did not know what he was in for.
"Yeah, I've heard, not played," he replied, which was invitation enough for Tyranni to brief him on what God of War was about.
Video games were his little brother's forte, though their parents kept a close monitor on age restrictions. Kyle could buy it with his own paycheck, when he moved out of the house, in seven years or so. Andrew himself quite liked those Wii exercise games, but the hypnotic trance of a screen, sitting stagnant and playing video games for hours, just didn't appeal to him. He'd rather watch grass grow than watch television. He wasn't sure if it was a 'magical' quirk of his, being indifferent toward technology.
Anyway, he digressed.
"Sure, I'm in." Andrew shrugged, not having much opinion on the Kratos idea, but trusting Tyr's judgement and building his excitement off hers that it would be a unique concept, standing out from the crowd while still sticking to the theme. He still needed more info and insight in order to get into character. "What's he look like?"
Poor boy did not know what he was in for.
— FIN —