The Morning Stars Closed

11 Dec 2021, 16:44

An early morning walk, of sorts, with @Alex Douglas

It wasn't really littering. Littering is when you tossed something carelessly down on the ground and just left it there without a care. This was an accident, which still caused something to be tossed down to the ground.

Not too long ago, Simon had made rather good acquaintances with the Groundskeeper at Hogwarts and he didn't want to make it Kit's job of picking up anything left behind, even a plasic water bottle that he had let a friend have. It had gotten knocked down accidentally from the Astronomy Tower to fall down to the Grounds below. Where exactly? He wasn't sure.

That's what he was trying to find out.

It would be a little later than the redhead ventured off. Simon found himself up and ready and as the first few students began to make their way from their Common Rooms to the Great Hall for breakfast, he decided he would grab a couple things, slip them into his bag, and then depart outside.

Once he reached the Grounds, he paused a moment to shuffle through his bag and find his hooded sweatshirt. He tossed it on over his Hufflepuff uniform and threw the hood up. It was a cloudy day but the sun's rays still cast down even on cloudy days, just thankfully not as harsh.

He headed towards where the Astronomy Tower would be and about 3/4 of the way there he would see Alex Douglas. After all, Hogwarts was a BIG castle and so heading to the Astronomy Tower was a bit of a walk. "Returning to the scene of the crime, are we?" he stated jokingly.

Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)

12 Dec 2021, 03:18

Alex was lining the wall, staring up to try and see the Astronomy Tower. Since all of her attention was on the walls, she didn't realise Simon had practically snuck up on her. Hearing his voice, she jumped and whipped her head around with a gasp. She sighed in relief when she noticed it was just Simon. With a soft chuckle, she nodded, playing along with his joke.

"Heh, yeah. I need to make sure there wasn't any evidence left behind. Can't afford to let it be traced back to me," she joked back before continuing to walk. Looking up at the walls again, she shined her flashlight at the ground, occasionally looking for her water bottle. "Do you think the water bottle would've broken from that height? Like, when it hit the ground? I honestly doubt it would've stayed intact. It's only a thin layer of plastic."

Alex glanced back at Simon for his answer but faced forward almost immediately. She sighed lightly as she continued looking for the Astronomy Tower. She felt like she had been walking for years and was wondering when they'd get there. Finally, though, they got to the side of the castle where the Astronomy Tower was located high above them. Smiling, Alex scattered out, shining her flashlight over the grass. Humming slightly, she searched deeply for the water bottle, wanting to find it quickly so she could get back to the Hall for breakfast.

[241 words]

Alex the Redhead

13 Dec 2021, 15:13

Still on the hunt with @Alex Douglas

"Maybe, but being such a thin layer of plastic also ensures that it's rather bendy, pliable. It might have been able to withstand the force from the tower and remain in water bottle form," Simon glanced up, trying to judge about how high it was from where the bottle fell to the ground where they stood.

It reminded him back in his muggle school in London. There was one time in his science class of physics that they had to try to make a ramp which a marble would travel down, and mathematically calculate where to place a small cup in which the marble would land into. This was a sort of similar situation. Where were they standing, where would be the path of travel, and where might the water bottle fall?

"You know, when I offered you the water, I wasn't trying to make you out to be Hogwarts' Undesirable Number One," he put into wizarding terms the 'most wanted' sort of expression. Simon smiled a little to himself because he had yet to use that one. Sometimes saying things about the wizarding world was a little exciting to the boy, as he sort of made him feel like all of this was becoming more real and that he was a solid part of it - not just some dream. One would think it would have set in after this first year of Hogwarts, but no, the wizarding world continued to amaze him.

"If you're missing breakfast, I can stay here and look for you, if you'd like. I grabbed something before I came out and I'd offer you that but I'm not sure I should keep offering you things," he smiled jokingly. "I don't really eat much so..." he paused.

"Besides, the likelihood of finding one translucent plastic water bottle out here is like finding a needle in a haystack. If we can find it, we should open up our own detective agency, or start charting a map of this castle that includes it's secret passageways."

Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)

14 Dec 2021, 04:50

Alex looked over at Simon as he gave his explanation about the water bottle. She didn't really believe it since gravity is a huge factor in everything. However, when he made a comment about her, she sighed.

"And what is that even supposed to mean? 'Hogwarts' Undesirable Number One'? I don't mean to be blunt, but that sounded kind of rude. Even though I barely know what you meant. Drop the subject on finding the water bottle for a moment and explain to me how me dropping a water bottle makes Hogwarts' Undesirable. I'm genuinely curious as to what you meant."

Alex wasn't normally one to get peeved or defensive when it came to comments or insults, but his comment made her feel offended, even if it wasn't his intention. She turned around and crossed her arms over her chest as she waited silently for an answer from Simon. The sun was starting to rise above the horizon, or at least the trees. She glanced over to see what the time was and sighed as she gave up and started walking back towards the school entrance. She didn't want to feel offended by his statements since she knew his last comment was merely a joke, but she was generally unnerved. Taking a deep breath, she stopped walking after she had just walked past him and turned to face him again. She waited for an answer.

[235 words]

Alex the Redhead

15 Dec 2021, 02:25

[Heading separate ways from @Alex Douglas]

Simon was a bit taken aback when she said that he sounded rude because he had only been joking. Not only did she call him rude but she wanted him to up and explain himself like he actually had done something wrong. She seemed genuinely offended and had an attitude, and it was new for him, as it seemed others usually knew he was only playing around. He was a people person and most people gravitated to him, until now.

And it made him feel rather unsettled. He wasn't sure where she got the mixed singles from, because he made sure to smile when he exaggerated his statements and not in a mocking sort of way. Still, somehow there was a mixup.

"I was joking. You know, like London's Most Wanted. The Ministry of Magic would call their own Undesirables. Granted, one wouldn't really be that just for a water bottle but uh, yeah," he was searching for it as well. "Have a good breakfast."

Maybe he shouldn't have been so quick to head separate ways but there was something about being accused of being rude that he didn't like. He had never been rude and never did he intend to be. He was raised better than that and for someone to assume that about him just didn't make him feel very well. Better to go separate ways.

[Word Count: 228]

Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)

15 Dec 2021, 21:24

Alex sighed as she looked around the place. She watched him walk off before realising what he was trying to joke about. She turned around and then hurried to grab his arm to stop him from walking away.

"Wait, Simon. I'm sorry. I just didn't understand what you were trying to get at. I shouldn't have freaked out like that. I guess I'm just not used to jokes like the one you just made. I took it the wrong way and didn't react in a way that I should've."

Alex let go of his arm and stood there. She sighed as she waited for some sort of an answer. If he didn't forgive her, then fine. She just didn't want him thinking she was just a rude and cold person. She didn't mean to make him angry at her, and she certainly didn't mean to offend him either. She wanted to make sure he knew that too.

"Please. Help me find the bottle. Please just forgive me. I didn't mean to upset you. I just... I don't know. I snapped and you didn't deserve that." Alex sighed again before looking at the ground, twiddling her thumbs. She stayed silent this time and waited for him to answer her. Alex started to bite her lip.

[214 words]

Alex the Redhead

19 Dec 2021, 17:12

Discovery found with @Alex Douglas

Simon was being too short with her and sighed, not liking himself very much in that moment. This girl didn't know that about the age of thirteen, which came in two month's time for the Hufflepuff, was when the terrible presence was supposed to surface for dhampirs. So for her to say he seemed rude just kind of got him worked up. He didn't want that terrible presence to surface, now or later.

"It was a misunderstanding," he said to her. Alex just didn't know all the wizarding world talk lingo and he understood that - coming from a muggle upbringing even though his mother herself had been a witch. She passed away too early on to hear stories about this magical world though.

Simon gave a small smile to the girl to show he wasn't upset and hoped she too wasn't upset at him for his harshness. "Just a misunderstanding. Still friends, Alex Douglas?" and he brought out his hand to her so she might shake it. In doing so, his hand had brushed against one of the greenery lining the castle, a large bush, and out rolled a clear water bottle, right to the redhead's feet.

"Well, will you look at that?" he said with a bit of a laugh. Easy enough, sort of. Simon gave her a wink before leaning down to pick it up. "Maybe some things happen for a reason. Come on, let's head back inside and get you some breakfast. Tell me, what else besides the stars do you like? We need to plan our next adventure so we don't have more misunderstandings." To get to know a friend a little better.

Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)

31 Dec 2021, 07:27

Alex sighed in relief when Simon had agreed to forgive her. She gave a slight nod to him to finalise their agreement that they were still friends. hen he winked at her and bent down, she lowered her head to see what he was looking at. She tilted her head before noticing he was grabbing the water bottle. She chuckled a little and took a step back.

"Talk about a coincidence," she said before starting to walk back to the front doors. "Oh, yeah, breakfast. It should be about halfway done by now. Heck, by the time we get there, it'll be time for classes."

Alex heard his question about the things she liked. She bit her lip at think about it. She didn't want to be rude and make it seem like she was ignoring him, so she let out a 'hmm' sound, letting him know she had heard him. Once, she compiled a short list, she turne her head to face him.

"Well... I like anything that has to do with string. Kitting, crotcheting, friendship bracelets. That sort of thing. I also like herbs and spices. They all have their own properties that help with healing in all sorts of ways. Like, chamomile and lavender help you sleep. Cedar relieves stress. Rosemary can help with blood circulation."

[219 words]

Alex the Redhead