Summer Camp Show Support Fin

Open to Interaction

[font=century gothic]INTERACTIONS @Alan Vanes[/font]

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[font=century gothic]MENTIONS n/a[/font]

It really was a wonder that this was the first summer camp that Evelynn had attended. If she ever thought they might have been a waste of time, she would have been sorely mistaken. Only a week into it and already there had been more activities than she ever could have hoped for. Or possibly even wanted. Already, she was starting to feel the weight of fatigue. As one with the general desire to be "in the know" as much as possible, she felt the need to attend as much as possible which generally made for very busy days. At this rate, she would be arriving into her first classes exhausted rather than refreshed.

Still, that didn't stop her from seeking out and making an appearance at activity after activity, and this day's crafting would draw her attention. For several reasons, really. The fact that it provided an opportunity to craft an icon of support for their teams was the first draw. Given that it was her team that would be representing Hogwarts, she could only hope that they would have the support of their peers against the foreign students. Naturally, she was more than willing to put something together to show her Gryffindor and Hogwarts pride.

Possibly even more than that, however, was that this was an opportunity to acquire something magically personalized. Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade were, of course, common destinations for shopping; and the little stores there were all too happy to collect sickles and galleons for the odd trinket. But it wasn't every day that they could make something as a keepsake and have it be enchanted. The last time she could recall was the origami task where one of the professors had charmed the little palm-sized dragon she'd made to breathe fire.

Yes, she was rather looking forward to this.

"Good afternoon, Vanes," she greeted, her voice lilting pleasantly. Settling into a spot at a table, she quieted for the instructions provided to each of those in attendance.

"Where did you get the idea to do an activity such as this?" she inquired, picking conversation with Vanes once again when she and the rest had begun their craft. Changing buttons wasn't something that she'd ever encountered before. "It's rather clever, really."

She pawed her way through some of the supplies, pulling closer that which she would need and fanning out a few things in order to draw inspiration. Her gaze wandered here and there, taking a glance at the initial efforts of those nearest to her. Although she wasn't exactly artistically inept, neither was she a fountain of creativity. Her own strengths lay more in the practical sciences than the fine arts. Pulling parchment and pencil from her rucksack, she perched herself upon a stool and started sketching out a few ideas. As much as she wished to show her support for the summer events, she also acknowledged that this was a unique opportunity and wanted to make something a bit more lasting. Perhaps something to show a bit of House pride?

It wouldn't be long before little quidditch related icons scattered themselves across the parchment: goal hoops, a snitch, a couple of beaters bats and bludgers, a quaffle, some brooms of various design...

Summer camp felt almost too busy. So many activities going on, something different everyday, it seemed. Today’s potential activity was some sort of magical badge crafting and Kazuo was curious about the magic used to enchant the badges. Hosted by a certain Gryffindor he happened to be familiar with, he wasn’t entirely sure he liked the idea of making any sort of badge to support quidditch. Perhaps he could do something a bit different instead. He gathered his inks and brushes from his trunk and made his way over to the tables Alan had set up for the activity. His eyes scanned over the collections of art supplies and he rolled his eyes at the sight of glitter. As he approached Alan, he stopped a bit to peer under the tables, searching for something.

“Where is the best Gryffindor?” He inquired with a half-smile, referencing not a person but a certain four-legged furry friend of Alan’s. “I have two questions. First, can I make both designs for duelling, just for different teams? And second, can I make a second one to give to a friend?” He asked Alan with a smile as he settled into a seat across from Evelynn. As he placed the lacquered box that held his inks and brushes on the table, he glanced over, curious to see what she was working on. It became clear very quickly that Evelynn was working on a Quidditch theme. It made sense since she was a Quidditch player, just as it would be obvious that he would prefer a badge for dueling.

“Do you watch the dueling matches?” Kazuo asked Evelynn as he lifted the lid off the box and sorted through the contents, pulling out a thin brush and a vibrant red ink stick. “Or are you a Quidditch-only sort of fan?” Reaching for parchment and a pencil, he also began to roughly sketch a design, a stylized fu lion.

@Alan Vanes @Evelynn Decipio

Open to Interaction

[font=century gothic]INTERACTIONS @Kazuo Shimada[/font]

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[font=century gothic]MENTIONS n/a[/font]

What a mishmash. With no shortage of sources of inspiration, Evelynn soon found the parchment riddled with a variety of designs and little icons all—for the moment—pertaining to Quidditch. Despite the plethora of options, however, nothing seemed to sit right with her. She frowned, straightening in her seat and lifting an elbow to perch at the edge of the table. Her gaze lingered unfocused across her designs as the backs of her knuckles trailed absently along her jaw from base of her ear to the point of her chin and back again. Pensive.

A shift of the table and brief cast of a shadow drew her gaze upwards, stormborn irises falling upon a distantly familiar figure. She recognized him immediately from a "ball" that one of the students had put on some months ago. She'd arrived there while patrolling the halls and tended to an emotionally troubled girl. If she recalled correctly, if had been Tan, not this boy across from her, who had been involved then. What she had recalled about this one had been the rather spectacular Japanese outfit he had worn, something loosely similar to a kimono, although she wasn't certain what it had been called. Regardless, it had done well to make him stand out among a crowd of children dressed to the nines far beyond their years.

Even if that had been the last time he'd really made an impression, she wouldn't have forgotten him. Unfortunately, the later one was during the events surrounding the Headliner vandalism and the fire that White had set to the stacks of print in the midst of the Great Hall at breakfast. Then, the boy had been rather outspoken against the column's mysterious writer. There had been a conviction in his words and sufficient eloquence carried with them that she could have foreseen trouble brewing by his hands. But none had come. Not that she'd really breathed much easier after that. It had been enough to spur action to publish Ruth's letter that had been submitted in response to the outcry. Perhaps he'd been sufficiently appeased by that…

She was already gazing at him when he lifted his own to peer curiously towards the work she had done so far. People were interesting. There was much that could be learned, she found, simply through observation. The way someone dressed, the poise with which they sat, their choice of accessories and those with whom they surrounded themselves…Everything about a person gave insight into their nature. Even if it was only what they wanted you to see, that was telling in its own way when the inconsistencies eventually surfaced. And when he posed his question to her, she tilted her head a touch, her other arm lifting to mirror the first, fingers interlacing to serve a platform upon which to gently rest her chin.

"I do. Naturally," she replied, her voice lilting with a tone that suggested the alternative would be grossly preposterous. Her gaze followed the boy's actions as he reined back his own attention and redirected it to the contents of the box of supplies. "To sequester your attentions only to your own sport and withholding your support of your House mates would seem to me a touch arrogant, no?" Taking his directive, she lowered her hands and resumed her own sketches, this time mapping out a logo for Quidditch more in line with those one might see on the breast of a letterman. "Plus, it's quite educational, really. To see put to actual use those spells that we have learned in class… I find it rather fascinating."

She'd pause there to look up at him again, taking a moment to take stock of the progress of his design before extending her hand across the table towards him. "Decipio, by the way. Evelynn Decipio."

Kazuo found Tiger easily enough - the furball came to him, recognizing the opportunity for scritches. He paused in his sketching briefly to lean down as the cat brushed against his leg, giving Tiger the attention he deserved. Perhaps he should have brought Haru with him, to keep Tiger company. He’d decided against it mostly out of concern that his rambunctious kitten would get into the craft supplies and end up covered in paint or glitter. Of course, if he’d brought Haru, that might just have led to two cats covered in paint so perhaps it was still for the best.

He returned his attention to Evelynn, noting that she was now looking at him. He gave her a slight smirk at her response, the arrogant assumption that one would most certainly support both sports reminding him of how he had criticized someone else for not paying attention to the Hogwarts extracurriculars. “Is it?” He inquired, amused. “Arrogant, I mean. I would think people would be allowed to dislike a sport without it being offensive to the housemates who play it.” He stared at the fu lion, entirely displeased by it. While it might fit the House, he didn’t feel it fit the person. He moved to an empty spot and started over, the new sketch taking the shape of a mask. “I can definitely see the merits of dueling and what it can provide to students. Discipline, practical training, experience…” He hummed as the sketch took shape. “I’ve yet to understand what value throwing iron balls at each other with the intent to injure serves. Other than, perhaps, sating the bloodthirsty nature of some humans.” His tone was lazy, a person making an observation yet the glance he gave Evelynn as he put down his pencil and reached for his brushes and ink was sly.

“What do you enjoy most about Quidditch?” He asked as he added water to the small white inkstone and began grinding the red pigment against it. The process was a bit tedious and he probably could have simply used some of the various paints provided by the school but it was also relaxing, a pattern that was comfortable. He watched the water mix with the ink starting out a pale red and eventually darkening to a vibrant red.

Kazuo glanced up when she offered her name, arching a brow when she offered her last name first. He took her hand, accepting the handshake and offering his own name in return. “Shimada Kazuo.”

@Evelynn Decipio

Open to Interaction

[font=century gothic]INTERACTIONS @Kazuo Shimada[/font]

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[font=century gothic]MENTIONS n/a[/font]

There was something oddly familiar about this boy. He had an easy-going approach towards Vanes and Tiger, something that was at odds with the brief snapshot of him she'd gathered at some pseudo-gala or other while she was on patrol. He was attentive, that was certain. And by the slight smirk that he seemed to feel no need to hide, and the tone of his voice—was that amusement or derision? It conjured flashes of memory of the potions class where she'd unintentionally stumbled upon a Slytherin of her age during her first year. It cautioned her to tread carefully.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Shimada," came the reply, her expression once more a smooth veneer of a polite smile once her own amusement at his Quidditch dig had faded. Shimada, like the store owner in Haikyuu. Even though he'd offered that one first, she knew it to be a surname. Island something. Hers would be a firm handshake, not too lengthy, but long enough to meet decorum.

"I never suggested one couldn't dislike any of the sports," she corrected gently, releasing and diverting her gaze back down to her work. "Of course, I don't believe you have to enjoy a sport to see the value in participating as a spectator. There's much to be said about a supportive crowd in the way it instils morale. Still, I was speaking more for myself; and that of my team. We appreciate those who attend our games; it seems only respectable to provide that same courtesy."

"As for your question.."

She fell pensive, reflecting back on what he'd said. And how. Naturally, there were times that she held a similar sense of disdain for Quidditch, especially when either team became heavily reliant on employing blatches or other forms of cheating to gain the upper hand. More than that, however, she hadn't failed to notice his use of the word "human", singling them out. Did he believe only humans were capable of bloodthirst? Or perhaps he felt distanced from humans, himself? As though he wasn't one? She glanced up to take stock of his eyes, panning her gaze yet again across his for just a moment in an attempt to search for a few key signs...

"The freedom," she answered honestly, shoving her curiosity aside and dropping her gaze back down. "It's as close to riding as I'm able to do while sequestered here. Plus...there's something about sitting astride a broom, cutting across the division of land and heavens barely able to breathe for the speed and the way the cross wind catches your breath, and how in the white noise of the atmosphere the only sound is the pounding of your heart in your ears.

"Racing might be more enjoyable," she added with a shrug of her brow. "I'm not aware of anyone who enjoys taking a bludger. But by the time it was introduced, I was already a captain of the Gryffindor team. I wouldn't want to let them down. I want to see Gryffindor's Quidditch team succeed. Besides. Someone would have to be the team's seeker, and—aside from the beaters occasionally—they're the most targeted. It's a great deal of pressure that I wouldn't wish on anyone else by stepping away.

"Besides—" Her expression softened, lightening with a closed smile. "—there's nothing quite like persevering to finally overcome that little snitch and having it grasped tightly in your hand."

“A pleasure to match a face to the name, Decipio.” Kazuo replied as their hands parted and he picked up a thin brush and began to paint with soft yet precise strokes. A practice of intent, the knowledge that each stroke could not be undone, the desire to capture an elusive image in scarlet lines.

"My mistake," An insincere acknowledgement that his interpretation of her statement could have been incorrect. Polite words chosen with the same precision of intention. "It seemed to me you were implying that to oppose a blood sport that encourages students to actively harm each other for the entertainment of the masses was to oppose those who choose to play it."

Freedom. A telling answer, an honest response that revealed what seemed to be a significant piece of who Evelynn might be. An answer he could relate to. He didn’t like brooms but flying… Flying he enjoyed very much. “By riding, do you mean horseback riding?” He asked, curious. He had learned to ride horses, an expectation that came from tradition, but he couldn’t say he particularly enjoyed it. Riding did not give him the sense of freedom Evelynn seemed to imply that it gave her. “How dutiful of you. I imagine in your House there must be more than a few potential recruits who would be more than willing to martyr themselves for fame and glory. If you really wanted to switch, I mean. Though I can certainly understand not wanting to abandon your commitments.”

That last brief statement, another hint of Evelynn’s nature, made him raise his eyes, pausing his brushstrokes to take in her expression as she spoke, eyes shining with curiosity. “Personal competitiveness.” He murmured in reply. “The desire to push yourself to your own limits? An admirable character trait. Certainly a better application of your skills than trying to prove yourself to other people.” A slight twitch of the lips, a hint of a smile. “It would be interesting to see a game that solely focused on the skills of flying and spotting.”

He returned his gaze to his work, the soft yet vibrant red watercolour taking the shape of what might be a fox. Evelynn had answered his questions yet posed none of her own. Was it a lack of interest? A question of manners, perhaps not wanting to be intrusive with someone she didn’t know? “If you stay on the Quidditch team out of obligation, do you also cheer for your House for the same reason?”

@Evelynn Decipio

Open to Interaction

[font=century gothic]INTERACTIONS @Kazuo Shimada[/font]

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[font=century gothic]MENTIONS n/a[/font]

The conversation with this boy was uncommonly pleasant. A strange concet, really. Too often, her interactions with her peers devolved into senseless argument, or manifested resentment with a comment taken out of meaning. More often than not, it left Evelynn slightly on edge, keenly aware of a need to carefully cull her words.

Not so here. Polite conversation seemed secondary to this one. To a degree, at least. He reminded her a great deal of Burnett, in fact. There was an edge to him. Beneath his lacquered veneer there rested a subtle shadow, one with scrutinizing insight and a confidence to challenge the status quo. Still, she couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine as that confidence to measure up was cast in her direction, her own words and implications pulled under a spotlight of questioning.

"It seemed to me you were implying that to oppose a blood sport that encourages students to actively harm each other for the entertainment of the masses was to oppose those who choose to play it."

"That was not my intent," she replied, careful to keep her tone neutral given the underhanded sleight that had just been delivered upon her sport of choice. "I simply believe it important to show support to members of your House, regardless of the sport. As I recall, you are a duellist and play a sport where the object is to subdue your opponents. In fact, there is no other way to win unless you accomplish that. Many might suggest that is no less of a blood sport.

"Some might argue more so," came the challenge, a flicker of grey in his direction to read the reaction before dropping back to her work. "Quidditch, at least, can be played—and won—without any attack at all. I've yet to see it played so conservatively, mind," she admitted with a rueful shrug of a brow, "but perhaps the captains might eventually come to their collective senses and call for a ceasefire with certain strategies. Still, offensive tactics or not, I wouldn't say it is for the entertainment of the masses. Just as I would say the same for duelling. In both cases, the games go on regardless of audience presence. The players play because they wish to."

This was a topic that could certainly last them a good while. And perhaps it would. It was quite possible they'd come to an impasse, be forced to agree to disagree. She was not disappointed, then, when Shimada had elected to hone in on her comment of riding, inquiring further.

“By riding, do you mean horseback riding?”

"I do, yes," she responded, the flicker of a smile that tugged on her lips laced with a hint of remorse. Only recently, she'd had to say farewell to Cassie again. That month of summer, so fleeting and brief, had gone too quickly. She was gradually getting accustomed to her long absences, but the guilt never diminished. It really was a shame that she could bring an owl to school but not her mare. There was space enough for it... "I've ridden for as long as I can remember. My mother often humours herself with the notion that I learned to sit the saddle before I learned to walk on my own feet." Another shrug of a brow. "Perhaps that is another reason I took so well to quidditch. It is similar to riding in a distant way."

As for what followed, she kept her thoughts largely to herself. Dipping his toes into the subjects of duty and martyrdom seemed like a trap to her. The appearance of nicety only superficial as it veiled a depth of toxic lashing below. And a test, as well, to gauge just how much weight she had really put behind her words. In truth, he was probably right. They likely wouldn't struggle finding a replacement for her. The role of seeker was one that seemed lofted disproportionately against the rest.

After a year and a half, however, she was rather keen on the sport, and only really just now coming into her own. Perhaps it wouldn't always be as such. She'd thought Towers would be eternal on her snitch-driven pedestal. For now, though, it was still enjoyable. Plus, she was good at what she did, and she liked to win. She liked to see Gryffindor win. Until she became more of a bane than boon for her team, she suspected she'd maintain that position.

His final question drew her from her straying thoughts, and she paused briefly in her crafting to consider the answer. "Yes.." Came the thoughtful reply, almost sluggish in its projection. "And no. I attend every duelling match and broom racing event for a number of reasons. Among those is to support my House because I think it the right thing to do. Of course, there are also personal connections as well; acquaintances to whom I would like to provide a more personal sense of moral support. And I find it quite informative. In a number of ways."

She had left it at that initially, but suspected more questions would come. She'd answer, in turn, and occasionally—when the moment struck her to do so—return questions back upon their speaker. Care was taken, of course, not to pry too rudely, but as reserved in conversation as she might have been initially, she couldn't deny her curiosity for the badger. Perhaps especially because he was a Hufflepuff. He seemed to fit the profile of Slytherin more aptly.

Nevertheless, throughout their conversation, she would continue her drawing. And when it came time that she had done all that she could do, took the button up to Vanes, requesting it to be modified as promised. Once complete, she palmed her new artefact, turned back to the boy, inclined her head and offered her farewell.

Evelynn leaves the thread.

Gryffindor support button

As Evelynn returned to him, and whichever other student had decided to make a button, he would take it and place the materials in the button mold. They would all turn out alright and he himself had made his own version of a button. Ironically enough he had chosen both the Gryffindor duelling club as a reference as well as a little button to cheer for Howard during his next Quidditch game. He knew that once he stepped away from the sport, the dhampir would probably expect him to come cheer for him whenever he could and he found that to be only fair. A light smile curled on his face as he handed the button back to the Co-captain of the sport he would have left behind by the end of the summer. "It looks great, Evelynn," he cheered as he would let her leave. @Evelynn Decipio, he hoped she was not upset that he would no longer be with them in one team. Though he felt like his presence had hardly made a difference. He was not nearly as talented as some of the other fliers.

At the end of this he would begin to clean up for everything and gathered all of the materials together as he stuffed them into cardboard boxes that he would seal up and then shrink. He would return them to a storage room or the room of requirement at a later point. For now he would be done with this quest and thus call over Tiger once everything had been cleaned up and left for his cabin. He must make sure that the girl, @Aurora Ranvier had not eaten too much sugar, she had a real sweet tooth which was something he had found out rather fast in their short stay within the same cabin. Though he couldn't help but find her somewhat charming. He would chuckle lightly to himself as he stretched, it had been quite the calming day.