Open Who is this Girl?

@Alan Vanes | @Aurelia Notresvace

Howard sat alone at the Hufflepuff table as he ate his meal. Not uncommon for the Dhampir. A mix of antisocial tendencies and teenaged hormones often left him brooding and the resting face that went with it usually warded off anyone from joining him. For those brave enough to dare his moody behavior the vial of blood next to his plate would do the trick. Howard didn't mind though. For the most part he was comfortable being on his own. Over the last year he had become much more open to his peers, especially a few choice friends and his Quidditch teammates, but there would always be a part of him that enjoyed the solitude. However, just as he was about to start on his plate a scent would catch his attention.

The sight was probably a little weird for those that did not know Howard or the fact that he was Dhampir. Leaning his head back he would stick his nose in the air, nostrils flaring as he worked his way through the many smells of the Great Hall. His nose was becoming much more powerful the older he got, but it would still take a moment to pinpoint the scent. Alan! It finally registered. Howard would spin in his seat to look for his friend, but soon his eyes would scrunch in confusion as he was no where to be seen. With a shrug he would dismiss the thought as either a mistake or maybe Alan had just dipped in and out quickly. However, just as he was about to resume his meal a light voice would call his name.

Howard's red eyes would lock with those a first year girl's, the confusion evident in his gaze. He wouldn't register it at first. This little girl with long blonde hair and tanned skin smelled just like Alan. Not kind of, but the exact same notes that he had registered in his mind as belonging to Alan. "Wha-" He began to question the girl before his eyes popped with excitement. It finally clicked. Alan had finally done it! "Woah dude!!" Howard said in a whisper as he did his best to contain his excitement. "You did it!" He of course spoke to the his ongoing encouragement for Alan to explore his abilities and to challenge himself to try them in public. "Um, yeah...whatever." Howard cleared his throat and did his best to put on an annoyed tone as he raised his voice again. Got to stay in character!

Just as he was about to lean in to ask a ton of questions another familiar scent would catch his attention. Red eyes would drift over to Aurelia as she approach the table and they would again scrunch in confusion as he looked her over. There was no doubt that it was her, but she looked...different. The colorful sweater, the hair color, the dark rimmed glasses she had never worn before. It was a completely different image than when he had last seen her over the summer. A lot can change in a short time he concluded, but as she took a seat he couldn't help but take a hard swallow. Aurelia wouldn't be able to know it was Alan that sat with him, but the idea of those two together made him a bit shifty. He was with Aurelia the last time he had lost his way and Alan had been so disappointed in him. Like an angel and demon sitting upon either shoulder they represented both sides of his nature. Not that either of them were that simple, but it did feel that way in the moment.

"This is...uh...haven't got her name yet." Howard wasn't sure what to say so he did his best to stall. However, as Aurelia continued his eyes would for a third time scrunch in confusion. Leia? What was she getting at? A typical boring meal was shaping up into something quite a bit more interesting.

The seemingly female student had just about enough time to shoot the dhampir a toothy grin that would reveal a slight gap between the upper front teeth, that Alan knew his mother used to be quite insecure about when he pointed it out in earlier pictures of the woman. He had learned from her that she, back then, had used a teeth straightening spell to put them in the right place and leave her with a smile that many muggles would apparently pay a fortune for, whatever that meant. He couldn't get far in the conversation with Howard however, when a looming presence, far more hostile than what he ever sensed around Howard, seemed to spread through the room and the bright blue eyes would land on a girl. It could have probably fooled the boy behind the disguise if she wouldn't started talking, or found that familiar body language that bled through the sorry disguise. A pair of delicate eyebrows would furrow in a bout of confusion, before being replaced by a silly smile as the little girl hastened to her feet and clasped the offered hand with both of her own as shook the engulfed hand enthusiastically. "Hey, uhhhh Leia! You must be a Gryffindor right? I have seen you sitting at their table a few times!" she said with feigned excitement and a sparkle in her eyes. Though inwardly he wished he could wipe his hands and get Howard away from her. He would let go and give a nod. "Yeah, uh my name is... Millie, pleasure to meet you!" If she was uncomfortable with her presence, none of that showed on Millie's features and she sat back down with Howard, with the back to the table as she eyed the taller and seemingly older girl, the sandish-brown cat peeking over her shoulder with piercing eyes, ears flattened as it didn't let itself lose sight of Aurelia. Millie however seemed unimpressed with that worrisome presence Aurelia was surrounded by, content even before Millie looked over to the dhampir next to her.

Millie would keep up with the bubbly personality, though she would withdraw her hands now and point to Howard. "He's my friend, super nice guy, so... how do you know him?" Howard might notice the verbal jab, but only because he was aware of the tension that would be felt if Aurelia knew it was Alan. Alan had experienced Howard as nothing but nice, if not a little gloomy and serious. How did someone like Aurelia got such an influence on him.? Curiosity. And Alan would actually like to know the answer to that riddle, he hadn't dared ask about that subject yet, not wanting to make Howard uncomfortable. Though he felt it was unavoidable, realizing that with Aurelia's persistence this could have been an ongoing thing. He truly hoped not. Another girl that Alan was familiar with had joined them and Alan involuntarily perked up with excitement upon recognizing @Falentra Black. It has been a while since they met and Alan nearly slipped up to greet her by name, before containing himself and staying in persona. "Hey, who are you?," he would ask the girl instead, though curious as to why she knew Howard, are they friends? It reminded him a bit of the situation with Willow and Flash before he had found out they knew each other as well.

@Alan Vanes @Falentra Black @Aurelia Notresvace

Howard kept quiet while Alan and Aurelia both kept up their disguises. His only reaction was a bit of a brow raise as Alan claimed that the bubbly first year he had morphed into was to be called Millie. He would make a mental note to ask at another time if the name had any significance. As the fake greetings went underway, Howard would turn in his seat to face the newcomer and as "Millie" sat back down he would scoot a little closer. Leaning forward he would rest his elbows on his knees to place his presence before hers. His subtle, not so subtle way of letting "Leia" know that he would tolerate this little game, but she would have him to deal with if she went too far.

Whatever intimidation he was trying to hold would falter slightly as an oh so familiar scent filled his sensitive nostrils. Falentra's notes could often be picked up on when he entered the hall for mealtimes, but when it came on this strong he knew it meant she was close by. Not but a moment later she would arrive at "Leia's" side. "Mornin'" His tone was cautious as he eyed the two before him. Howard had no idea where he stood with Falentra these days as nothing had been said since the chaotic blow out during summer camp. For now she seemed to be keeping the pleasantries, but her presence along with "Leia's" definitely set him on edge. "It's Millie." Howard corrected Fal's Blondie as she threw out what he would take as a dig, again letting it be known that he would only tolerate so much of these charades. He would of course never give Alan's identity away without permission, but that wouldn't stop him from up and leaving to protect his friend.

"Been alright?" Howard questioned Fal in an attempt to draw her attention back to him, but he would again shift uncomfortably as she went right along with Aurelia's games. At one point in time he would have dove head first into whatever chaos this may or may not create. The image of Alan/Millie on one side and Aurelia/Leia and Falentra on the other would perfectly define Howard's dueling natures. The key to his success was somehow bridging those two to find a peaceful middle ground, but he wasn't there. Not yet. He could still feel it now. The urge to stay with his metamorph friend and bask in the light, but there was also no denying that twinge of excitement that was flared by the presence of the others. Aurelia always had a way of drawing that out in him and Falentra's dark beauty mixed with her chaotic nature called out to so many of his primal urges. What had started as simple meal had now turned into an internal tug of war.

However, perhaps this was a good test. Maybe Howard could begin to find the strength of recognizing the complexity of someone like himself and begin to actively make decisions based off of that knowledge instead of just letting his emotions drive him fully. The truth, that often evaded Howard, was that no one was as simple as his thought process often categorized them as. Even now as "Leia" brought up their past experiences together he could begin to realize that she was more than just an instigator. They had experienced a lot together and although she would purposefully stoke his chaotic tendencies she had also proven to be an ally. The same could be said for Falentra as well. For the most part they had explored their dark natures together, but there was still love, joy and companionship that had also driven them into each other's arms. With a controlled exhale through his nostril Howard would calm his emotions and quiet his urge to be so protective of his friend.

This was all just play after all now wasn't it. Alan was just out to explore his abilities as a Metamorphmagus. Aurelia and Fal may have some agenda, but if he could keep it from setting him off he may even be able to neutralize any hostilities and perhaps even play along. The corners of his mouth would raise into a smirk as "Leia" presented Fal as her girlfriend. Whether this was meant to mean lovers or close friends seemed purposefully left in question. With a shift in posture Howard would lean back in his seat and rest his back against the table in a much more relaxed pose. "Ya see, Millie. Leia and I go way back." Howard knew that Alan would recognize Aurelia so he just went with it. "And Fal here is my ex." Something Alan may be unaware of. "Nice little reunion we're having here, but I think I can show her around just fine. Up to you though of course Millie." Howard finished with a shrug.

Her hair is pastel pink with rainbow highlights

Banner made by Winnie Harper

Mentioning @Alan Vanes @Falentra Black @Aurelia Notrésvace

Interacting with @Howard White

Another day, and Aurora Ranvier is still thriving. It was quite a surprise that the impulsive girl was still breathing, very much alive and well. To celebrate such a thing, it would be perfect to eat the amazing foods that the house elves prepared just for her, and also the other students, but they were not important because to her, she was the main character. She walked into the great hall, looking both happy and worried. What if the boy of her dream was also there, how would she act? Her hair wasn’t as perfect as usual, merely styled in a messy braid with a soft pink colour and rainbow highlights here and there. Instead of her crush, a familiar face caught her attention. In all honesty, the memory of his name was gone, vanished from existence, thus, it was the train americano guy for now. He wasn’t alone though, it seemed like he was conversing with his fellow Hogwardian or the students of Hogwarts. Upon arrival, just as she was about to greet the nice boy, a hot tea was spilled. His ex was there. “SUP DAWG!” Silently cursed herself for not being able to undo her over the top greeting. If only there was a little more interlude between his exes identity declaration and her entrance, she would not greet the boy. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it to be so loud.” Imagine the tension in that table, Aurora would rather sleep with the slugs, but she could run but only so far. “I’ll just sit five inches away from you all, sorry again for interrupting.”

One of the girls was a little terrifying, with her stares that acted like a dagger. She wasn’t nearly as intimidating as that cool girl that was always on Pericles’ side, but still, she might as well be an additional member of the Addams family. She could be the Fal girl he was referring to as his ex. Perhaps there was some jealousy, since they used to have some kind of relationship prior to this, either to the blondie or the brunette, or both. The fact that the ex girlfriend was now dating the girl with a pair of glasses went unnoticed, Aurora was simply not early enough to get the tea. Not really wanting to get into another person’s messy love life, a worn out notebook was taken out of her lavender sling bag. It has a great amount of stickers on both the cover and the back. Despite the messiness, for whatever reason, it somehow looked kind of aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The one thing that ruined the vibe was a paper that was taped on the centre that said ‘Don’t touch this if you still want to have two functional eyes’. Quite a big threat coming from a short and sweet looking girl.

Speaking of books, it was a rare sight to see Aurora Ranvier with a book in her hand except in class, during lectures. Even in exam week, she would rather rely on her photographic memory which she never had. A miracle, indeed, who would have thought outstanding grades printed on her report card. In the last two days, writing became her new obsession, whether it was poetry, or random stories. Naturally a hopeless romantic, it didn’t need much time for her book to be filled with the twelve year old version of romance. A muggle pen was on her hand, now it was time for her to write her next best selling novel. Aurora was in her own world, completely unaware of her mumbling each and every word that she wrote, which was a perfect descriptor of the group of people that sat next to her. “I am sensing two hearts reuniting together in a bright day in Hogwarts, but not as bright as the love between-“ Looking up from the paper, sneakily observing the black haired girl and the boy, “-a scary goth and a kind American boy”

All of this drama made her thirsty, so she opened her casper shaped water bottle to quench herself whilst thinking about the next line of her story. “But he is such a chick magnet, making the other two sweet looking girls sigh and swoon.” To be fair, no one was acting all lovey dovey towards the boy except the hidden passive aggressiveness that the grunge girl radiated, but without any tension, it would be boring. “Title, title. A Chocolate Bar Love, Blooming in The Dusty Ol’ Great Hall-“ Even the amateur writer cringed herself, it sounded like a low budget first grader drama performance. Perhaps they would do much better than that. With a scrunched eyebrows and disgusted face, she said something as if her brown eyes just witnessed the most horrific sight ever happened in her life, “-ew.”

Sta - 5 | Eva - 8 | Str - 5 Wis - 8 | Arc - 4 | Acc - 10 Terrible Presence Evasive Maneuvers

Outfit Reducio eh, later