5 May 2022, 01:26
Meeting "Aida from the Sparkles"
Graphic by Liana Kerr
A few days upon returning back from Spring Break, 2022
@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood
The spring weather had not completely or consistently turned warm in the Scottish Highlands as of late April, but there were definitely more and more gloriously beautiful days peeking out from beneath the cover of gray skies and spring rains. The air smelled fresh and green, which to AngelFyre only meant that there was a heaviness to it that she felt winter air did not have. Summer air would be even greener and heavier. Everything now, however, seemed to be in a state of rebirth and it was a wonderful time to be out and about on the grounds of Hogwarts. The flora was budding and the fauna was becoming more active. AngleFyre noticed this most especially in nature’s gift of birdsong; a certain harbinger of the onset of spring if ever there was one.
She found that she had a couple of hours all to herself and relished the idea of getting outside. One area she had not visited at all in her entire first year at Hogwarts thus far were the Stables and the area where the Care of Magical Creatures was taught. It had been a specific choice she had made to avoid the area, frankly. She had been afraid it would trigger too many memories of home and her inability to roam as freely and as often as she would have liked, and as things had been especially hard for her before winter break, another sad reminder of a life past would have been her final straw. Additionally, they had all been warned that as first years, they were not to go into the Forbidden Forest which bordered the area near the CoMC classroom and stables, so AngelFyre had been content to ride it all out. Content until today, that is.
She slowly ambled her way along the path, stopping to listen if she heard something scurrying away at her approach. She walked around tree trunks and looked at the moss growing, challenging herself to how many different kinds she could find and identify. She did this with the lichen as well. Eventually she found herself at a large clearing with an intriguing looking building and a large corral. She found it quite interesting that the windows were so high off the ground, but it made sense if the intent was to keep away curious witches and wizards from making nuisances of themselves and upsetting the animals.
She was surprised by how quiet it was and expected to see a lot of students down here. School was over for the day and there was still more than an hour and a half before dinner would be served. She looked around wondering if she was inadvertently breaking some rule by being there. She did a quick mental review of the Dos and Don’ts and could not retrieve anything that should give her pause for being there right then. She simply needed to avoid the Forbidden Forest and stay on this side of the corral. Easy peasy.
As popular as the Magical Creature section was in the Library, she was rather stunned that there were not more kids hanging around. Honestly, she was often surprised that Simon did not camp out down here just on the faintest chance he might catch a glimpse of a dragon. For a guy who proclaimed not to have a passion for animals, she knew he was very much looking forward to being a third year and beginning his studies of magical creatures. She could not wait to hear him regale her with stories of the things he had learned. It was going to be great.
Just then, she heard what sounded like very determined footsteps falling on the path she had just trekked herself. This was no lazy amble. This sounded like business. AngelFyre looked over her shoulder and saw a girl she had often seen in passing in the Corridors. She was also a duelist and AngelFyre had watched her duel while standing as a spectator at some of the matches. Her name was Aida, but she did not know her full name. She did know, however, that Aida brought her owl with her to her duels, which seemed to AngelFyre to be a resounding show of confidence. AngelFyre had internally nicknamed the upperclassman “Aida from the Sparkles” because the albino girl did just that…. she sparkled and had this soft, ethereal light about her. That is how AngelFyre always saw and thought of her, anyway.
At least she was not going to be the only student there any longer. That had to make it okay to be there, right?
Last edited by AngelFyre McCubbin on 15 Jun 2022, 17:58, edited 2 times in total.
13 May 2022, 16:33
Meeting "Aida from the Sparkles"
Aida was jogging down the path towards the CoMC stables, carrying a large bundle of blue cloth in both arms (on close inspection was that... a standard-issue Ravenclaw pillow case?) The look on the young mage's face showed concern, almost as if they wanted to run faster but couldn't because of what they were carrying.
Spotting another classmate, Aida bounded up beside her and spoke with lightning speed without even trying to recover their breath:
"Hff, hff... Have you seen the professor here? I need help. I tried not to come here ever since Griffith vanished, afraid this would happen again. I had the feeling I couldn't trust the new teacher. These grown-ups... Do you know medicine? Are you a new R.O.A.M. student? Hff, hff..."
A sick little whimper emanated from the blue bundle in Aida's arms as the cloth folds rustled slightly. Passing the bundle into their right arm, Aida pushed some of the cloth out of the way to reveal a little owl face.
"Cannae let you suffocate in there, ZaZa. Just hold on. I won't let you suffer anymore." Aida's Scottish accent tended to slip out only in times of great stress, as the mage suppressed it most of the time to help other people understand them better. Aida usually spoke so fast that, when mixed with that accent, it could become unintelligible for non-locals.
Eyes looking up in a mix of hope and concern, Aida's face radiated pearl-white in the natural sunlight.
Interacting: @AngelFyre McCubbin
N.b. I am aware that there is currently a transition in CoMC staffing right now, and I am in contact with a mod about the issue of how to portray the world state correctly.
19 May 2022, 23:59
Meeting "Aida from the Sparkles"
Graphic by Liana Kerr
The odd gait caught AngelFyre's attention immediately. It was more than a hurry-walk, but it was not a flat out run. She could feel the spider hairs on the back of her neck begin to rise as her heart plunged to her stomach. The focused and concerned look on Aida's face told AngelFyre all that she most needed to know in that moment, even before the girl came along to her side. She had an ill or injured animal wrapped in that bundle, and AngelFyre was sick at heart to think it might be the adorable owl she had seen at the duels.
She was about to turn and run to the door of the building to pull the cord for some help when the girl asked her if she was a R.O.A,M. student. "No. No, I am not. Sorry. I am only a first year." At this point, a weak sound of distress came from the blue bundle the girl was carrying, and Aida uncovered it. As feared, AngelFyre saw an owl face and the the girl was speaking as soothingly as she could to comfort the owl, and probably herself s well.
Not knowing what exactly was the matter with the girl's owl, but knowing that it did not matter whether she knew or not in that moment, AngelFyre fell back on her initial instinct to run ahead to the CoMC front door and pull the cord to get the attention of the Professor or an intern. Someone. Anyone. She knew there just had to be somebody inside who would be able to help the beautiful sparkly girl and her owl companion.
"Here. Let me run ahead and pull the cord to get some help," she told the girl as she was already starting to take off. Then calling over her shoulder she finished with, "This way you do not have to run with your sick owl. I will meet you there, hopefully with someone who knows what to do." And like a flash, AngelFyre took off much faster than she knew Aida would have felt comfortable running with her ailing owl. In no time flat she had reached the CoMC Professor's office door and she knocked hurriedly. She even tried the doorknob to see if it was locked. It was. She then pulled the cord for help. Immediately she heard a a series of bells and the muffled sound of animals disturbed by the bells from within. Good, she thought. That will definitely get someone's attention soon enough.
In what she was sure would be a matter of a minute or less for help to arrive, AngelFyre relaxed just a little as she looked back to Aida and her owl and said a little prayer.
Please, God, let them both find peace and healing... however this goes.
Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood
N.b. As Aida mentioned above, I am also am aware of the current CoMC Professor situation, but she and I decided to play this out and will do our best should no help arrive.
21 May 2022, 18:34
Meeting "Aida from the Sparkles"
Aida's eyes smiled sadly, watching the Hufflepuff run to the door. Who knew, maybe it would work. Aida was there, trying the cord, a half hour ago. With no luck, the wix had decided to jog about to every perceivable corner that a student could enter, and even poking their neck a little far over the known boundaries of fences in the hopes of catching sight of someone. If AngelFyre was going to do the running now, maybe a slower pace would bring some comfort to little ZaZa. It didn't take long for Aida to catch up, however, in the habit of taking long, fast strides even when not in a hurry. Reaching the Hufflepuff's side, Aida sighed. The other student seemed new.
"Ever since I first met the newest creatures professor, I had a bad feeling. That's why I haven't come around here lately. Still, I thought he would be here." Sparing the new student a heartbroken rant about the last time Aida had pulled the cord in the hopes of saving a dying creature, Aida tried to satisfy themselves with wistfully remembering the night they had buried the mosp in the lake with Alexander. Closing violet eyes briefly, Aida sighed at the thought that they had effectively lost Alexander as well. Who did Aida have left to confide in? Only one Slytherin girl and some spitfire boy in a distant land. Why couldn't that be enough?
With a sad coo, Scheherazade alerted Aida's wandering mind back to the owl's presence. That was right. One of the reasons the white mage and the owl had been able to grow so close lately was the lack of human engagements. Stroking the side of the owl's ear with one short fingernail, Aida tried to soothe the bird.
"Och, yeh wee bairn. There, there." Turning their snowy-haired head to the Hufflepuff, Aida shifted the blue bundle to their other arm. "I think we're going to have to figure this one out ourselves."
With one arm, Aida unhooked their short black cape and layed it over the steps of the entryway. Gently easing the blue bundle down onto the cape, Aida tried to position the bird so that it wouldn't roll over or otherwise fall out of position.
"She has been really lethargic lately. See her oval eyes? Usually she opens her eyes more than that. She also hasn't been sitting in high places or will end up on her stomach like she can't stand up. Let's first start by sterilizing our hands. We don't want to add any germs for her to have to fight right now." Aida was aware that spellcasting outside of classwork was frowned upon, but at this point the mage could not care less about the grown ups and their rules. Drawing out a bulbous black wand with their left hand, Aida looked up at AngelFyre.
"Here, give me your hands. Scourgify!" Aida said, keeping voice and facial expression calm like Griffith had demonstrated long ago. If the Hufflepuff did not object, Aida's spell would blow over all of their hands, cleaning them with magically thorough precision.
"Now, I've only read about this in books, but we should do an examination."
Putting their gloveless hands into the bundle, Aida uncovered the little desert tawny owl as it laid on its back. ZaZa hooted in reaction to the cold air, but did not protest. Its fiery orange eyes regarded AngelFyre with curiosity, and perhaps a bit of hope. Upon further examination, the two students would notice no problems with wings or eyes or beak, but down by her claws, a white patch of color became visible.
"Look! It's an egg, but it hasn't come out. It looks like it's stuck." Aida's eyes grew big with surprise. "I read about this in an owl care manual once. It's called egg binding when the egg just doesn't come out. This makes me feel a bit better. I didn't see anything wrong before... Maybe the egg moved while we were roaming around."
Aida's blue-violet eyes then became serious, looking at AngelFyre expectantly.
"Can you help me? I just need you to hold your hands at the side of her wings so that she doesn't fall over. One moment." Aida's thin white fingers lifted the little bird onto it's wobbly feet, tipped ever so sightly forward. "Now, just put your hands gently at the sides. Don't squeeze, just make it so that she can lean on your hand if she needs to. I'll get the egg out while you do that."
Aida stowed their wand with one hand and propped up the little bird with their other as the white mage waited for AngelFyre to transition into holding position.
@AngelFyre McCubbin
23 May 2022, 00:21
Meeting "Aida from the Sparkles"
Graphic by Liana Kerr
[quote][quote]"Yes, of course. Here," and AngelFyre immediately held out her hands to receive the Scourgify. Listening very carefully to what Aida was telling her about the owl's symptoms, one of the first thoughts AngelFyre had was that it might be exactly what it turned out to be... egg binding. AngelFyre was somewhat versed in the ailments that animals may encounter as her 'farm' in Stenton was less a working farm and more a rehabilitation and refuge for myriad ailing, injured, and geriatric creatures with no one and no where to go to. Thankfully, her parents were very indulgent with her love of all creatures and all were welcome with Clan McCubbin.
Aida discovered it to be egg binding before AngelFyre could say anything, so she must have been thinking it as well. Well, that and the fact the egg presented itself rather nicely during the examination."Sure, I can hold her in position. No problem. I think I heard you call her ZaZa, so I am going to talk to her as soothingly as I can while you do your literal magic." Moving to place herself directly in front of the little owl, AngelFyre gently placed her thumbs on ZaZa's breast bone and her two hands comfortably rested on the raptor's wings, keeping them from any unnecessary fluttering. The thought did cross AngelFyre's mind that she wished she had her heavy leather gloves in case the poor bird became so distressed that it lashed out the only way available to it now... with it's beak.
She cooed softly to ZaZa and stroked her breastbone in slow, gentle up and down movements with her thumbs. Even if the bird did strike, it would be worth it. AngelFyre knew there was medical help waiting for her or any of the students in the hospital wing, should they need it. Too bad this little darling was not afforded the same opportunity in her moment of need.
Talking in a soothing, almost lilting, sing-songy kind of cadence while still stroking ZaZa, AngelFyre asked Aida how she planned to remove the egg? "Will you do it manually or are you gong to use magic?" AngelFyre had never seen a creature treated with magic, so she was very curious about the prospect. She hoped it would provide a less messy alternative than any manual method. The danger of a manual removal lent itself to infection and residual pain, so for the bird's sake, AngelFyre was hoping for a magical solution.
"I have her in position, I believe, so whenever you are ready, we are good. I promise I will keep hold of your baby. She is in good hands," and AngelFyre offered an encouraging smile to the concerned, sparkling girl.
Interacting with @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood and her adorable owl ZaZa.
28 May 2022, 20:22
Meeting "Aida from the Sparkles"
Scheherazade flapped, startled, as AngelFyre’s hands came down to confine the little bird. Like Aida, Scheherazade was something of a claustrophobe and didn’t enjoy enclosed spaces. With panic in her eyes, the desert tawny owl looked up at AngelFyre and clacked her beak together to protest. The birds talons extended and grasped out in frustration.
Scheherazade was panicky, but did not intend to hurt the Hufflepuff. The special bond between Aida and the owl ensured that they understood each other on a fundamental level, and ZaZa trusted that Aida would not allow someone to bring harm to her while standing right in front of her. It must have been necessary somehow. AngelFyre’s attempt to soothe the bird, with a sing-song voice and gentle stroking, eventually reached through the owl’s panic and began to calm her. The owl looked down shyly, silently avoiding eye contact.roll for if AngelFyre is struck by talons
roll higher than 15
t!dice 1d20
In the end, the result was: 13
"Good, now she understands to expect us to act. She is ready for us now."
With a deep breath, Aida hoped that they would have good control as the white mage raised a black, bumpy wand into the air. Drawing the tip of the wand into the shape of a ‘V,’ Aida enunciated a spell: "reducio.” The gesture was small, just as the effect should be--
As purple light began to emanate from Aida’s wand, ZaZa rolled a little in discomfort, but AngelFyre was able to keep the bird stable in place. ZaZa’s discomfort seemed well-placed, however, as Aida’s extreme nervousness made the black wand shake uncontrollably, discharging not towards the egg as intended, but back at the caster. The spell whizzed by the side of Aida’s head, clipping one exposed white ear and shrinking it by a centimeter in size. ZaZa looked up at Aida with confusion and fear.WDC 15 (not in duelling system)
t!dice 1d20
In the end, the result was: 18
Cast successful.
Aim?
t!dice 1d20
In the end, the result was: 1
"Well, that’s not supposed to happen, h-he-heh….” laughed Aida, flushing red with utter embarrassment. Extremely flustered, Aida then proceeded to cast a reversal spell at their own head, wondering how all the practice in duels hadn’t made them much better at magic under pressure. Drawing the shape of a round beaker, the fairy-faced mage called out the spell:
"Engorgio!”
Despite Aida’s shaking hand, they were not intentionally dodging and were able to hit their own white ear as intended, returning it to its original size.t!dice 1d20
In the end, the result was: 6
WDC = 15 vs. 10 WIS+6, Narrow success
Aim: t!dice 1d20
In the end, the result was: 5
"Haha… Ha...” said Aida to AngelFyre, terribly ashamed of making dangerous mistakes in front of a peer who was doing so well at helping.
"C-can we try this again? Heh... Maybe… maybe not shrinking the egg this time. I don’t want to miss and shrink ZaZa…”
Reducio
Attempting another cast, Aida took a deep breath and pointed back at ZaZa’s egg, still firmly wedged where it was.
"Please just keep doing what you’re doing! Here we go!! Lubricus!”
Aida’s spell executed properly this time, lubricating the egg with a fine magical sheen that made it look just ready to pop out with just a little encouragement.Lubricus WDC is 10.
t!dice 1d20
In the end, the result was: 3
10 WIS+3 > 10
Aim?
t!dice 1d20
In the end, the result was: 16
"Okay. Can you help her get to her feet? Hopefully she should be able to do the rest… Just let go a bit and put your hand in front so she can lean her head onto you as she shifts her weight.”
Aida looked at AngelFyre, determination returning the usual white glow to the white mage’s face.
"Once she gets up, just sit back and see if she can do the rest by herself, please. It may feel awkward to be under so much pressure otherwise.” Aida’s blue-violet eyes twinkled at AngelFyre, happy that such a good helper was available.
@AngelFyre McCubbin
31 May 2022, 11:45
Meeting "Aida from the Sparkles"
Graphic by Liana Kerr
[quote][quote]Try as she might to be a calming influence for the little owl, ZaZa did not know AngelFyre at all, so there was no reservoir of trust between the two whatsoever. It was not surprising, then, when AngelFyre restrained her wings that the scared and uncomfortable owl began to lash out with her talons. Luckily for the Hufflepuff, the attempts were actually pretty subdued all things considered, and ZaZa failed to draw blood. Even if she had been successful, there would have been no hard feelings, but both girls noted that the owl relaxed a bit with the calming voice and rubbing of thumbs on the densely feathered breast.
Aida made certain all was as it should be and then readied her wand for the magical remedy. AngelFyre was well aware of Aida's dueling prowess, so when her Reducio casting suffered a critical failure and struck her own ear rather than the lodged egg, AngelFyre felt a range of emotions. The first, of course, was shock followed by concern that everyone was okay. ZaZa was startled, but soon enough relaxed again, as much as she was able to in her condition. AngelFyre attributed the misfire to pure nerves, but was gratified in some way to know that even the most practiced casters could still have their own failures.
"Are you okay? Just shake it off. This is a lot of pressure, I know, but I have seen what you can do under pressure on the piste. Just take a breath and regroup," AngelFyre offered with an encouraging smile. "You can do this." She admired how Aida was able to be so self-deprecating, even amidst her worry for ZaZa. She clearly was not completely full of herself, and that that was a welcome bit of information.
Within a few minutes, the reduced ear section had been enlarged to its normal size and Aida changed her course of action. A little gun shy about the possibility of shrinking ZaZa rather than the egg, Aida wisely settled on trying to lubricate the egg, easing the way for ZaZa to expel it herself.
Doing as requested after the spell had been cast successfuly, AngelFyre released ZaZa's wings and helped her into a standing position. Hopefully the lubrication and gravity would work to dislodge the stubbornly stuck egg. It was just a waiting game now.
Looking to Aida, AngelFyre asked sincerely, "Do you have any idea how long it might take to work? And if it does not, do you have a Plan B?"
Interacting with @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood and her adorable owl ZaZa.
4 Jun 2022, 16:39
Meeting "Aida from the Sparkles"
@AngelFyre McCubbin
Scheherazade rolled onto her side and waddled into standing position by pushing the crown of her head into AngelFyre’s hands. Cooing softly in thanks, the little owl stabilized and looked up at the girl with its brilliant orange eyes. Why would this human help like that? After a moment, the desert owl’s neck feathers raised as it felt something shift inside of it. With a flutter and a squat, ZaZa pressed the egg smoothly onto the blue cloth bundle and stood back to look at it. So much trouble over this one round object-- ZaZa stretched her wings and craned her neck to look at the pale sand-tone egg. This was not the first egg ZaZa had passed; was it only the binding that made it such an object of fascination now?
Waddling up to the egg, ZaZa placed her entire body on top of it and looked up at AngelFyre with such calmness that one would conclude they were now friends.
"Wonderful job, ZaZa! You too, er… I’m sorry, what was your name? I think I’ve seen you at duelling club. You have been so helpful! I’m so glad you were here...” Aida’s little pink mouth smiled with relief.
"She will need a place to keep the egg. Would you help escort ZaZa to the owlery with me? ZaZa shouldn’t be flying after everything that happened, and the egg can't just stay here on the doorstep. We’ll find a nice corner to set her up in. It looks like you have earned her trust and she will probably let you carry her if you don’t make her feel too confined. I can take the egg, since she’s probably very protective of it now... I’m pretty sure she’ll let me do it without much fuss.”
Aida stroked the tawny owl’s right ear and ZaZa closed her eyes slowly in pleasure.
"Go ahead and scratch her ear like that and then take this glove...” continued the white mage, pulling out a single worn leather falconry glove. "This way she can grab as tight as she wants without hurting you.” Aida extended the glove to AngelFyre and pointed to her left arm.
"Wearing that, just put your wrist out in front of her and she’ll get the idea. When you stand up, just try to get up smoothly so she doesn't get rocked around much. She is probably still weak. I'm going to have to look into her diet after this... It shouldn't be like this, normally.”
ZaZa's head rotated around, scanning the area before returning back to gazing at AngelFyre, the intriguing new human that wanted to help.
5 Jun 2022, 18:57
Meeting "Aida from the Sparkles"
Graphic by Liana Kerr
[quote][quote]All eyes were now transfixed on the wobbly, desert tawny owl. AngelFyre did not know about Aida, but she found her own heart was beating rather rapidly in anticipation of the spell releasing both the egg and Zaza of her discomfort. Almost as soon as Zaza had righted herself, the little owl's expression changed as a small round egg was safely deposited into the blue swaddling Aida had used to bring Zaza here. As Aida congratulated Zaza on a job well done, AngelFyre decided to remain silent so as not to add more sensory overload to the little owl who must be simply spent.
Still, she could feel the tension leaving her body now that it looked all was going to be well. Smiling widely at Aida, she replied to her when she asked, "Oh right, of course. There were more pressing matters earlier, obviously. Hi. I am AngelFyre McCubbin, but please call me AF. And yes, you likely have seen me recently around the duelling club. You are Aida, yes?" Turning her gaze back to Zaza, AngelFyre chuckled as the owl positioned herself over the egg. "Well, mother and egg seem to be doing well, thank goodness. And no need to thank me. It was my pleasure. I am just happy to have been of some help."
AngelFyre reached for the leather glove Aida was handing her and put it on her left hand, adjusting it to fit without slipping. The plan was to take owl and egg back to the Owlery. "Your girl will be in safe my hands, or on my wrist more specifically. My father is a falconer and has taught me the art since I was 4 years old, so I am well versed in walking with a bird on my wrist.
AngelFyre then reached over to scratch behind Zaza's ear as Aida had suggested. Recognizing a different hand now touching her, Zaza opened her eyes to look at her, but did not seem in the least bit alarmed. As she had done with Aida, her eyes slowly blinked a time or two before closing. AngelFyre smiled broadly as the owl even pressed her head in the head scratch. A very good sign, indeed.
Finishing with a couple more ear scratches, AngelFyre removed her hand and waited for Zaza to open her beautiful, deeply orange eyes. When she had her attention, AngelFyre placed the gloved hand before her. Zaza looked up at her for a few seconds and then over to Aida before turning back to AngelFyre. Spreading her wings out and bobbing her head a time or two, Zaza lifted herself off of her egg and climbed onto the offered glove. AngelFyre did not move until the owl had turned herself around on the glove and got into position. "There we go. Success!
Nodding over to Aida with a self-satisfied smile, she slowly lifted her arm so as to give Zaza a chance to balance herself. "Ready when you are."
As witches, owl, and egg were about to head out, AngelFyre noted that even though a slight chill had begun to creep into the early evening air, her own heart felt warmed by the company she was now keeping.
Interacting with @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood and her adorable owl ZaZa.
14 Jun 2022, 05:41
Meeting "Aida from the Sparkles"
"Yes, I’m Aida. You have quite the memory! I’m honored to meet you, AF. You were so helpful… I really can’t thank you enough.” Aida’s eyes shone purple and blueberry with gratitude, not just a little impressed with how AngelFyre handled everything. "You have earned our trust, isn’t that right, ZaZa!” As Aida scooped up the egg and swaddled it in the cloth, ZaZa gave a cheerful hoot. The little bird clambered dutifully onto the Hufflepuff’s glove without squeezing too tightly, also indicating confidence in AngelFyre’s ability to walk smoothly the rest of the way.
"Alright, let’s go!” chirped Aida, pleased that although they had not met a CoMC professor at a critical time of need again, they had instead made allies with a very capable young girl whom would be a pleasure to meet again-- perhaps one day at duelling club, or again with animals.
The two students set off then towards the Owlery in order to find a new home for ZaZa and her new egg. The experience would become a warm memory for Aida and improve their opinion of interacting with other students. Not only was AF kinder and more capable than Aida could have expected, but even ZaZa seemed happy-- happy not only to have been healed, but also to reconsider how kind a human can be at a time of need.
Thread finished.
@AngelFyre McCubbin