First... Try Talking. (Closed)

@Orla Finch

Unlike most students his age, Cade found studying to be quite a rewarding pastime. He enjoyed nosing through textbooks to hunt down the answers. It was like a game to the second-year Ravenclaw. A hunt for facts and information. That wasn't to say he enjoyed writing the essays that came along with it. Cade enjoyed reading more than he did writing. But sometimes he also enjoyed having a companion as he studied. And Caspian Finch was more often than not willing to oblige the Ravenclaw. Often it seemed that the Gryffindor only joined Cade to compare notes and talk about quidditch. But underneath that guise, Cade knew that Caspian was a decent student and he valued his work.

Cade and Caspian had made fast friends since their parents had attended Hogwarts together. It was a shame that the two families did not see each other as often as they'd like. Over the years they had drifted apart. Cade was only glad that Caspian still remembered him and cared to continue the loose friendship they had. Even if it meant only studying together. Cade didn't mind it, in fact, he preferred it rather than romping around the halls getting into merlin knows what. Cade quite liked the grounds even despite the nippy weather of the Scottish highlands. That's what jumpers were for, in his eyes. As long as he was dressed for it, he would be comfortable.

It seemed that Caspian was getting quite bored of his History of Magic research. Caspian was bright with his studies, but he tended to burn out of the mood rather quickly. If Cade had anything to say about it, he would have tied down Caspian to a chair and read aloud the course chapter. But Cade wasn't a student of many words --not verbally, anyway. But he would tighten his lips into a small smile at his friend's strife, watching with bated breath as he complained about memorizing information. And Cade couldn't help the quip that would leave his mouth as he regarded his own text. "Well I'm quite sure the warlocks of the time weren't traipsing around with mammoths in the Ice Age. Thirteenth-century is correct."

Cade would glance up from his notes to glean the Gryffindor's amused visage. And amply nodded when Caspian decided to abandon him for the older students. No doubt asking for their old notes. So Cade would languidly salute as Caspian trotted off towards the castle. And Cade sat back against the trunk of the tree, curling his legs underneath him and taking a breath of the cool air. He admired how peaceful the grounds were, the breeze carried the right amount of temperance. But that didn't seem to last very long. Only a few minutes passed since Caspian left when Cade suddenly heard the overbearing crunch of hurried steps in his direction. Cade didn't look up from his book, too invested in the use of runes before wands. At first, he assumed Caspian had forgotten his quill or some such thing, but he would discover that to be false.

It was a small and rather overbearing voice of a first-year that caused Cade's dark brown hues to flick up from the font of his book. And subtle recognition reached his features. One Finch leaves and the other appears. This couldn't be a coincidence, the Ravenclaw decided. It seemed that Caspian's younger sister was on the prowl. And Cade silently wondered why she was so worked up. What had happened between the siblings? "He was," Cade answered simply. If it were any other person, he might have just left it at that and continued reading, but thinking he should be more helpful to Cass' little sister, he bookmarked his page and set the tome aside. "You just missed him. Cass has gone back to Gryffindor tower in search of third-years. I don't think he means to come back."

Cade regarded the small girl with keen eyes. She looked rather distraught, frustrated even. And he wondered what he could do to help if she needed any. Caspian could be very elusive when he wanted to be. Cade understood why she might feel anxious about his whereabouts. And he was suddenly so reminded of Astrid, his own sister. He wondered if this was the sort of thing that would happen next year when she would start at Hogwarts.

Setting those thoughts aside, Cade would blink before setting his gaze back up the path from where she came. "May I ask, what is it you want from him?" Cade wanted to be sure he wasn't directing negativity in his friend's wake. He could try to deter it from even happening. And from the looks of the baby Finch in front of him, that would surely be the case if she continued on her way.

How devastating to be told the one person you needed had gone away! But of course, Caspian had. That rascal always found a way to slip out before trouble went his way… And trouble was often barreling towards Caspian and Orla Finch.

This news was clearly upsetting to the girl. Her eyebrows furrowed together and her lips pursed into an expression of dissatisfaction and disappointment. “Of course he’s gone off to the Gryffindor tower…” The younger Finch grumbled, eyes glancing off in the direction of her brother’s departure. If she was quick, she could catch him. Prepared to bid the Ravenclaw adieu, she was stopped before she had the chance.

Was this small talk? She didn’t think so… From what she knew, this boy and Caspian were friends. Study buddies, perchance? Regardless, he was not a complete stranger. His face had a familiarity to it that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She was likely a bit younger when the Darkbound’s and the Finch’s had their yearly gatherings, but she knew she recognized him. Nevertheless! He was stopping her from her mission.

A sigh of irritation left her mouth. Not a rude one, of course, but one that informed the other that her intentions with Caspian were not exactly of the sisterly love genre.

“I am off to scold him severely.” She said seriously, her expression not changing from the scornful one she wore on entrance. “I want him to… to…” She searched for the correct verbiage she was looking for. “To atone for his negligence!”

This was one can of words, like it or not, Cade had opened.

But, then again, this could possibly be useful for the frustrated first year.

“My brother had ignored me this entire year! His one and only sister--” She made a face. “Well. Not his only… But none of the matter! That boy deserves to face the consequences of his deeply hurtful actions, does he not?” She let her shoulders relax and exhaled. “My apologies for letting my anger for him come out so… So inappropriately.” She crossed her hands over the other. “Bad habit of mine.” She admitted.

Which was regrettably the worst habit of Orla’s. She felt things fully and to their greatest capacities when she felt things. Joy felt like being on the top of a mountain, singing out to the heavens. Sadness felt like the loneliest island, in the middle of the deepest ocean. And anger… Well, anger felt like an explosive weapon she was unable to control at times. Letting it out was the only way to let it dissipate.

She glanced towards the direction of the castle and towards the Gryffindor tower. She had no chance of cursing him up, down, and sideways now. Caspian was no doubt cackling his way off towards the third years, unknowing of his wicked deeds.

Wicked was extreme…

She groaned out, rubbing a hand over her face. “You’re… You’re a Darkbound, right?” Pulling her thoughts away from her pesky brother, she focused down at the dark-haired boy on the ground. “I feel like... We’ve met. Outside of school. Maybe. Right?”

She wasn’t mistaken… She could’ve sworn a younger boy looking quite similarly to this one running about somewhere with all of her family and his gathered. Christmas, perhaps? She could remember it vaguely, not well enough to be certain she wasn’t confusing faces.

She could smell the cinnamon in the air. One thing her mum loved making was a cinnamon apple cider. It warmed Orla’s entire body right around Christmas time. This was one of the only times the Finch’s hadn’t traveled for Christmas. The Darkbound’s for once had visited the Finch’s in Killin for the holiday celebration.

“It is so wonderful to have you all this year!”

Sure, their cottage was quaint for a group of people as large as that to be mingling, but there was a wonderful sort of homeyness to it. It felt like the essence of Christmas. Warm bodies, the smell of food and cinnamon, and a Christmas tree lit up with lights and ornaments and memories from The Finch’s.

Ruth let out a hearty laugh, patting firmly on Peggy’s back. “I know how long of a journey it is to get up here! You lot had the traveling for ya this year!” She told the woman with a nod. “Oh, Louie, and I sure do appreciate it. As much as we love ole’ Ottery St. Mary, little Killin ain’t too bad for a holiday celebration, is it now, Lou?”

The slender man cooed at the sleeping Martha. The youngest Finch had just been born a year before. This crowd of people was as many as she’d ever been around. “That’d be right, Ruth! ‘Special with baby Martha! Don’t think she would’ve liked that trek whatsoever.”

From the hallways that led to the bedrooms, a curly-haired blond popped out. Orla Finch, bright-eyed and curious at all the hubbub. Especially considering the change in schedule. She was used to long train rides to England but instead, it seemed like the fuss and fun came straight to her.

Observing the room with curious eyes, her eyebrows popped up at the sight of a familiar stranger's face. She pointed one finger at him, narrowing her eyes. For some, it may have looked like the young Orla Finch was looking to cast ill upon this boy. But soon enough a big toothy grin spread onto Orla’s face and she let out a giggle and a frantic wave.

@Orla Finch

This was certainly a situation Cade did not assume he'd be a part of. He was unaccustomed to these types of sibling squabbles mostly because he and Astrid had always gotten along. And he knew when she attended school next year, he would do his best to check in on her every so often. It seemed that Caspian had all but forgotten his poor little shadow. Which was strange considering all those years ago he'd been over the moon talking about his sisters. Cade of course wasn't too sure about which sister, for it was so long ago. But presently, the Ravenclaw would listen carefully to the first-year's gripes.

He would let her vent entirely before entering his own opinions if they were even warranted or welcomed, Cade didn't care. "I believe you are valid for feeling abandoned. Cass has been quite busy all year, it's hard even for me to spend an afternoon with him. But you are doing quite well on your own, aren't you? Cass never had his hand held through school. Perhaps he just isn't aware?" Lethargically, Cade would stretch his arms overhead and stifle a large yawn into his shoulder. Popping a few knuckles he would cast brown eyes out over his pages of notes and start to pack them away.

In his opinion, this study session was over. Especially if he was to be distracted by this hormonal first year. He would rather head back to the great hall for a bit to eat before retiring to the west tower and endure the long march up spiral for the Ravenclaw common room. He imagined himself stationed by the crackling fire enjoying a few pepper imps and gazing out at the view of the lake. That sounded sublime. But first, it seemed he would have to appease the little girl in front of him.

It seemed that the baby Finch recognized him. Enough to guess his surname, and Cade found a spark of warmth in his chest. Pride that he was notable enough to be remembered after all this time. "I am." Cade would smile gently, as he stowed the last book into his bag. But then he remembered, in order to make friends one must provide topics of conversation. Draw out the lengths of the answers given. So the Ravenclaw glanced up at the girl, dark eyes studying her delightful pudgy face. And he was pleased that the features adorning it weren't so tense now. "I'm surprised you remember me, you were so young all those years ago. My name is Cade."

The Ravenclaw dusted off his hands and shifted his weight onto his feet, effortlessly standing to his full height. And warily he regarded her for a moment, taking in the almost identical way her green eyes glinted with mischief. It was the very same expression Caspian liked to throw at Cade. "Our families used to spend the holidays together. I'm pretty sure my mum and yours were mates at school. It's been a long while though. I doubt you remember." The Ravenclaw would bend over to heft his bag from the grass onto his shoulder. And he would think pitifully for a moment. He couldn't just abandon her out here just like her brother had done to him. It wasn't right. So quickly Cade thought to lift the first-year's spirits.

"I've had a thought," Cade pursed his lips thinking over the logistics of the idea, wondering just how much they could get away with. How daring was baby Finch willing to be? "What do you say about giving Cass a taste of revenge?" Of course, Cade wouldn't plan anything dangerous for Caspian. Just a small prank would do the trick. When was the last time he poked a bit of fun at the Gryffindor anyway?

So Cade did make valid points that Orla was wholly not in the mood for. Sure, he was right about Cade’s hand never being held but it didn’t make her any less sour… She was not a child that needed her hand held, she simply wanted a brother that gave two squats of a thought for her! She let that thought linger as she listened to him before it dispersed altogether. Much like her mother, Orla’s mind was able to zip from thought to thought and emotion to emotion like a bullet train zipping in between destinations.

“Cade.” Orla repeated, nodding her head at the second year. “Cade! Yes, that’s right!” She recalled, finally able to remember a bit of something from all those years past. “You’ve got a sister a bit older than Martha, right? What’s her name… Astrid, right?” She nodded her head and snapped her fingers. “That’s it, Astrid and Cade Darkbound.” She nodded her head, a swell of pride that she’d managed to remember a bit of something.

Astrid was closer to her age but as it was, the two (just like the boys and Martha) were a bit too young to really be close in mindset. Especially that young.

She’d all but given up on her scolding to Caspian at the moment. She was certain Jasper would be upset with her, chiding that she should’ve tried harder and broken into the Gryffindor tower just to let him have a piece of her mind. But as troublesome as Orla could be, even she didn’t want to harass any Gryffindor’s about letting her in.

“That’s right… I do remember mum talking about Peggy a bit. She’s always on the telly with her, at least.” She smiled a bit, straightening her back up. “Oh, Peggy, we must visit sometime! With the children getting grown and all… it’s a shame we haven’t been able to see each other more often!” She mocked her mother in a loving sort of sense. “That’s what she always sounded like talking to your mum. But those two never did follow up on that promise, did they…” She snorted out, shaking her head as she recentered her attention. She could get quite off topic with such ease.

But she was quickly sobered up at Cade’s offer.

Whether he realized it or not, Cade Darkbound just opened up a sealed box of mischief. Cade had opened Pandora’s Box and there was no way of getting it closed once he let out everything that was inside.

Her demeanor utterly and fully changed from what it had been moments prior. A devious look filled the grassy eyes of Orla Finch and a whole ounce of mischief in with it.

“Revenge?” Orla said, a bit too sugary sweet to cover up her giddy that was hiding below the layer of false ignorance she was putting up. “Whatever do you mean? I mean.. I shouldn't possibly do something for revenge… That would be.. Childish.” She let a moment pass before a bubble of laughter came out of her throat. Who was she kidding? Revenge sounded great!

Jasper would have never allowed her to prank Caspian like this. Jasper was too level-headed for that… Orla clasped her hands together, a wicked grin now plastered on her face.

“What were you thinking?”

@Orla Finch

Cade watched silently as the first-year figured out his family tree. She was bright, to say the least, having the memory of an elephant. Cade would have to agree that if ever he was faced with a vague memory, he'd have no idea how to go about tackling it. So privately, Cade would applaud the young Hufflepuff girl. But with a twinge in his gut, Cade realized the likely reason why the families had drifted apart. They spent the holidays together before Astrid's attack. This meant that Peggy probably made the executive decision to distance the Darkbound and Finch families for their own safety. But now that Astrid's lycanthropy was pretty contained, Cade couldn't see why they shouldn't continue their past celebrations. He would have to suggest it to Peggy later on.

Presently, Cade came out of his musings to find that Orla was doing a rather crude impression of Ruth Finch on the phone. And the Ravenclaw couldn't help but reveal a smile at how goofy the first-year could be. At the very least, it took Cade from out of the shadow that was his sister's condition. He found that he didn't want to share any of his findings... not just yet, anyway. Instead, the young wizard would offer an ambiguous reply. "Perhaps it'll be different this year."

Already the Ravenclaw was thinking of how plausible his plan could be. How successful the effects were. What the outcome might do to their respective relationships. Caspian thankfully was an easygoing wizard. He had a sense of humor so there wasn't too much of a worry in that regard. Cade's mind was oftentimes faster than people could keep up with, and he was fortunately aware of this. So he would attempt to organize his thoughts together before presenting them to his friend's sister. Starting at ground zero. Revenge.

"Walk with me," The Ravenclaw would start an easy pace up the long way to the castle. He was still set on getting a bite to eat in the great hall. But he wanted to be sure that they had a solid plan before departing their separate ways. "Caspian is a man of quidditch. This you are aware of. My plan is to make a goof of that. And tampering with his broom might do the trick. I know for one that he keeps it locked up with the others around the Quidditch Pitch. If we can somehow sneak in..." Cade's voice drifted off as he continued to think. A hand combed through his hair, bringing the bangs out of his eyes, he turned to regard the distant stadium.

"It shouldn't be too hard. Just a quick charm to get us through the lock. The hard part will be to bewitching his broom as well as the timing. It would be better to do this during the day, I don't fancy getting detention for wandering the corridors at night." Cade would round onto the baby Finch abreast, wondering if she had anything to contribute to the plan. This had to after all be a team effort. It was her revenge after all. Cade's brown hues would study her and they didn't miss the giddy mischief that she so desperately tried to contain. Cade then realized this might have been the worst idea he'd ever come up with. Consorting with a first-year in a revenge plot. And not only that but a first-year who clearly had a temper. "The question is... what effect should the broom have? I'm not keen on the idea of Cass possibly getting hurt. Harmless stuff, do you agree?"

Mischief was already spiraling in the mind of the overthoughtful girl. Her head was racing with possibility, even before Cade began to expound on his idea. Turning Caspian into something dastardly, or perhaps stealing his books for class… But those seemed so simple. In Orla’s mind, she was hungry for something with a bit more frills and explosions.

Not actual explosions, of course. Hypothetical explosions.

Probably...

Already indulging in her trickiest of thoughts, she caught Cade’s beacon to her and quickly found herself walking alongside him. Jasper would have to wait and the younger Ravenclaw had no doubt found something to busy himself, considering Orla’s prolonged absence. In some ways, this was Jasper’s fault... She was doing something about her irritation towards her brother. She just… simply decided against words.

As grand as Orla’s ideas were swirling in her head, it was good the older boy had managed to concoct a plan. Knowing Orla, something would go wrong, or the idea itself would be so improbable and impossible that it would be silly even trying. But Cade’s plan-- It was manageable and very much doable. Well... Doable with some help. Orla knew quite a bit about different types of magic. She knew about charms and jinxes and spells and the whole lot of it… But Orla had little to no practical use of those spells. She knew starting somewhere was a first, as she was, after all, a first-year… but it was still frustrating. Cade offered possibility, though. He had a bigger arsenal of spells that the two could use for their mischief.

Though… Orla did wonder, in the back of her mind, why Cade was helping her.

From what she knew about the boy, he was at least somewhat friendly with Caspian. Though their trick was not something intended to be malicious or hateful, simply a smack of the wrist for hurtful actions, it wasn’t something someone that was the best of friends with another would ask. It was curious, to say the least. That curiosity would live in the back of her mind for a while…

“Tampering with his broom…” She hummed at the thought. From what she knew, there were plenty of things one could do to a broom to cause mild irritation to the one riding it. The thought of that simple, yet effective trick brought a spark to Orla’s eye. She perked up at the sound of detention, turning her eyes to him with a startled look. While Orla had no problem getting in trouble for her mischief, during her time at Hogwarts, she’d not received detention yet. “Detention would be unfortunate, yes…” She agreed, nodding her head. It didn’t sound too terrible and it would be a simple price to pay for the fun and satisfaction she’d receive from this, but it was avoidable as Cade had pointed out.

“I want my brother to be tricked, not hurt.” She nodded her head, crossing her arms as a thoughtful look passed her face. “My brother is quite the prideful person. He’s got a big ego too…” She hummed, continuing their pace as she began to formulate her thoughts into something cohesive. “We will need to do something that will knock that pride down a few pegs, if we really want to get him…”

Finally, as if a lightbulb had been turned fully in and lit up, Orla gasped, eyes wide with mischief and realization. “During practice... What if it was possible to… perhaps... Alter the sound of one's broomstick? Would that be possible?” She grinned and a laugh followed as her feet proceeded in a bit of a happy dance. “Oh, that would be quite good, don’t you think!? Something so stupid that Caspian can’t help but be so utterly embarrassed!?" Orla had her mind set about it. And when she was set in something, it was near impossible to change it from what it had been set on.

"Great thinking..." She noted to herself, stopping in her tracks and nodding her head. "I trust you can take care of the spell?." She looked to Cade as if he were her closest confidant and the one she trusted most in the world. "I believe I can take care of getting us into the quidditch pitch. Probably." For once, she was relieved Jasper had a hankering for quidditch. "Caspian hasn't a clue what's coming for him." She grinned. "He'll think twice before throwing me to the curb again! Just you wait!" She paused, giving Cade a suspicious look. "You mustn't tell him, okay? This has to be... It has to be the greatest secret you have ever kept in your life! Got it, Cade Darkbound?"

@Orla Finch

It was plain to see that Orla Finch was a girl no one should cross. This was Cade's first and only thought as he witnessed an expression curl onto her face, that twisted his small intestine painfully. It was pure mischief, whatever came to mind was only a seedling of how atrocious she could be! And wearily, Cade would listen as she poured out her words, expanding on his initial idea. Thankfully it wasn't as bad as it looked to be.

Altering the sound of a broomstick... That was bound to be complex. Cade would need to learn a few more spells before even attempting to try something like that. And he would have voiced this concern to her, but he realized she looked up to him for that sort of thing, knowing he was the strongest at spells and the like. So Cade would remain apprehensively silent as she continued to rally off at her expectations for her brother's embarrassment. He could tell that she was satisfied with this suggestion, perhaps more than he had hoped for... And he wondered if this was a good idea after all.

"Right. Well, presently I reckon we should formulate a sound plan. I will handle the spell. It shouldn't be too difficult to work out. But I will need some time. It could take me weeks to produce consistent results." Cade spoke assuredly. And he couldn't help but notice a sort of connection develop between himself and the baby Finch. She seemed to latch onto his companionship, already pegging him as an ally and confidant. And begrudgingly Cade felt the same way, even despite his fondness for her brother.

It felt fun to go behind his back for once. Cade quite enjoyed making schemes. Especially for people, he knew that wouldn't get too defensive about it all. Caspian made the perfect target. Once he realized that it was the both of them pulling his leg, he wouldn't be so quick to retaliate. That was assuming all went according to plan as they hoped. Cade would glance at the first-year curiously wondering how on earth she planned to sneak them both into the Quidditch Pitch.

At that moment, she whirled to him and sent a vicious look in his direction. Cade felt his heart crawl up to his throat at her intensity but quickly remembered how to breathe as he answered her. "No problem, baby Finch. Your dastardly deeds are safe with me." Cade would push his hands into the pockets of his robes and continue up to the wooden bridge leading back to the courtyard. And as they reached the center, the Ravenclaw would look over the lake with a contented smile. "I agree, Cass hasn't a clue of what we have in store for him."

Perhaps there was something wicked and evil curled up inside the little Hufflepuff that made her so giddy to cause mischief. Or rather it was a spirit of fun and hatred of boredom that caused Orla to love getting into trouble so much. Whatever it was, it was very well healthy and alive in the first year as she and her new friend began to expound on their wicked prank. And while Orla, at that moment, considered herself the brains of this operation, she was relying on Cade to be the brawn. While Orla had the great ideas, and she was certain they were plausible and very realistic and easy to carry out, she was only a first year. Her arsenal of spells was... limited, to say the least.

Limited. Annoying... Infuriating! Yes, it was all of these things, but Orla was not worried. She had a plan to become a strong witch that would have no need worrying about little things like knowing spells, for she would know all the spells there were to learn.

That time, unfortunately, was not now.

"Oftentimes, good plans, take time." Orla said, very wisely. Although she wouldn't admit it, Cade was likely going to be bothered by Orla for weeks asking about status updates. Maybe not.. Heh, yeah, Cade was definitely going to have Orla sticking around for a while, whether he liked it or not. He was, after all, becoming a partner in a legal, very fun, very not mean, crime. And partners stick together until after the crime is committed.

While Orla likely had a bit of buried feelings, this little plan managed to disperse the ones she was having moments ago. Or, at least, they were redirected. She no longer felt the grip of anger around her throat and now, she felt excited. With Cade at her side (with his arsenal of spells that she had no doubt were great and very useful, she'd be able to get up to some mischief.

All of her devious thoughts were stopped in her tracks when Cade spoke next. Baby Finch.BABY FINCH!?!? She stopped dead in her tracks, looking at him as if he'd just said something terrible. "Baby Finch!?!" She exclaimed, stomping her foot on the ground. It wasn't very good evidence for the case she was about to make. "I am Orla Saorise Finch! I am no Baby!" She told him sternly, waggling her finger at him. If Orla Finch was one thing, it was dramatic.