31 Dec 2023, 07:46
Did You See That?
As they were walking out of the library together, Dennis, cognizant that some other students were nearby, spun around to face Nellie. “I…have something to do really quick. Let’s meet at the lake in say one hour.” Dennis said all this in a hurry, flashed her his attempt at a charming smile, and scurried off. He really found himself enjoying having this little adventure with Nellie but he wasn’t quite ready for any of his friends to happen on him walking with a girl. He knew he would never hear the end of it, context wouldn’t even matter.
Dennis rounded a corner and immediately, as all boys do, regretted telling her to meet so long from now. What was he even going to do? He walked over to the great hall for a snack. Chatted a bit as if he had nothing else to do, all the while keeping an eye on the time. When the allotted time finally passed, the little Scottish boy with the red hair made his way down to the lake.
The lake was beautiful in the cool crisp afternoon. The sun gleamed off the frozen ripples of the lake. You could still make out the current underneath teaming with life. He was glad he was wearing his sweater he had brought from home. His parents had taken him shopping at some preppy Edinburgh shop and had gotten him a high quality navy sweater. It was very comfortable, stylish, and he quite liked that it showed off his red hair, his most prized possess he might say.
Dennis hovered near the stairs leading to the lake so he wouldn’t be sure to miss Nellie. He slid his hands under his robes into his pockets to keep them warm, even though he was wearing gloves, while he waited. He was very curious to learn more of his new friend’s stories. Stories about muggle legends and shirted mermaids. Now with some distance he decided not to press the shirted mermaid thing. She must have even more exposure to the muggle world than he did!
Remembering the main reason he was there was not to stand around waiting for a girl, but to look for elusive magical creatures, Dennis couldn’t help wandering to the lake’s edge, still not far from the stairs. He scanned the lake’s perimeter hoping for even a whisper of life that he knew was out there.
Dennis rounded a corner and immediately, as all boys do, regretted telling her to meet so long from now. What was he even going to do? He walked over to the great hall for a snack. Chatted a bit as if he had nothing else to do, all the while keeping an eye on the time. When the allotted time finally passed, the little Scottish boy with the red hair made his way down to the lake.
The lake was beautiful in the cool crisp afternoon. The sun gleamed off the frozen ripples of the lake. You could still make out the current underneath teaming with life. He was glad he was wearing his sweater he had brought from home. His parents had taken him shopping at some preppy Edinburgh shop and had gotten him a high quality navy sweater. It was very comfortable, stylish, and he quite liked that it showed off his red hair, his most prized possess he might say.
Dennis hovered near the stairs leading to the lake so he wouldn’t be sure to miss Nellie. He slid his hands under his robes into his pockets to keep them warm, even though he was wearing gloves, while he waited. He was very curious to learn more of his new friend’s stories. Stories about muggle legends and shirted mermaids. Now with some distance he decided not to press the shirted mermaid thing. She must have even more exposure to the muggle world than he did!
Remembering the main reason he was there was not to stand around waiting for a girl, but to look for elusive magical creatures, Dennis couldn’t help wandering to the lake’s edge, still not far from the stairs. He scanned the lake’s perimeter hoping for even a whisper of life that he knew was out there.
Last edited by Dennis Tumberton on 8 Jan 2024, 02:56, edited 1 time in total.
Adult: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
31 Dec 2023, 16:37
Did You See That?
In terms of odds, it was extremely unlikely that the children were going to see anything interesting at the lake, at least in terms of magical creatures. Though Nellie could certainly hope. She figured that mermaids likely didn’t look like Ariel. Seeing a real mermaid would be awesome.
Dennis had seemed super excited about her idea. With the pace at which he’d put his books, she’d figured they were going to be going to the Great Lake immediately. Apparently, she’d been wrong. The Hufflepuff blinked with the abruptness with which he placed the plans on hold. “Oh. Ok. Um, I’ll see you in an hour.” He must have forgotten something. So giving him a wave, she turned and went back into the library.
The cool thing about being raised in the muggle world was that wizarding history read like a fair tale. So she found a book that looked interesting and a cozy corner in which to read it. So engrossed in the story was she, that she lost track of the time. Exactly thirty minutes before she was supposed to meet Denners, she looked up and noticed the time. Closing the book, she quickly put it away before making a hasty exit. Once in the corridor, she ran as much as she could. She would hear the occasional reminder to not run, and she’d slow her steps, only to run once she was once more in the clear. On the way, she had to make a quick stop in her dorm for her scarf and gloves, as well as adding a heavier sweater beneath her robes.
When she finally arrived, she was seven minutes late, out of breath, and her hair had come loose from her braids. At the steps, she slowed, pushed her glasses back up onto her nose, and freed her hair from what was left of their ties. Giving her new friend a wave, she made her way over to the lake’s edge with a smile. She was still out of breath, if only slightly. “Hey!” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “See anything yet?”
Dennis had seemed super excited about her idea. With the pace at which he’d put his books, she’d figured they were going to be going to the Great Lake immediately. Apparently, she’d been wrong. The Hufflepuff blinked with the abruptness with which he placed the plans on hold. “Oh. Ok. Um, I’ll see you in an hour.” He must have forgotten something. So giving him a wave, she turned and went back into the library.
The cool thing about being raised in the muggle world was that wizarding history read like a fair tale. So she found a book that looked interesting and a cozy corner in which to read it. So engrossed in the story was she, that she lost track of the time. Exactly thirty minutes before she was supposed to meet Denners, she looked up and noticed the time. Closing the book, she quickly put it away before making a hasty exit. Once in the corridor, she ran as much as she could. She would hear the occasional reminder to not run, and she’d slow her steps, only to run once she was once more in the clear. On the way, she had to make a quick stop in her dorm for her scarf and gloves, as well as adding a heavier sweater beneath her robes.
When she finally arrived, she was seven minutes late, out of breath, and her hair had come loose from her braids. At the steps, she slowed, pushed her glasses back up onto her nose, and freed her hair from what was left of their ties. Giving her new friend a wave, she made her way over to the lake’s edge with a smile. She was still out of breath, if only slightly. “Hey!” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “See anything yet?”
Every interaction, no matter how brief, holds the potential for something great.
Stamina 6 | Evasion 6 | Strength 4 | Wisdom 8 | Arcane Power 5 | Accuracy 6
Calming Presence
1 Jan 2024, 02:42
Did You See That?
Dennis thought he saw a stag or a group of stags across the lake. It was only out of the corner of his eye and when he looked, whatever it is he thought he saw, was gone. Bummer, Dennis thought as he continued to scan the lake. It was a clear day and it hadn’t snowed for awhile but the ground was cold enough that the snow laid softly on the castle grounds. It made him miss home. Playing with his siblings and his family gathering together for the holidays.
He sighed, but his melancholy didn’t last long. He turned around to check the stairs and saw Nellie coming, breathless. Her carefully made braids had come undone. She must have been in a real hurry to get to him. Dennis was all at once concerned for his new friend that she felt she had to run, but also a little happy that she did. As she drew near, the young boy flashed his usual grin and waved back. “Oy! You look like you were trying to broom race on foot!” Dennis teased playfully.
Dennis headed down the small slope with a cleared path to the frozen water’s edge, he was really eager to ask her about her family and her experience with muggles. Maybe she was like him and her parents just loved muggles so much that they lived their best among them. That would be so cool! However, the matter at hand demanded attention - creature watching. “I thought I saw some stags over there!” Dennis said pointing across the lake in a rather vague direction. “But, actually, it might have just been my excitement. I didn’t get a good look. What do you suppose we will see today?"
He sighed, but his melancholy didn’t last long. He turned around to check the stairs and saw Nellie coming, breathless. Her carefully made braids had come undone. She must have been in a real hurry to get to him. Dennis was all at once concerned for his new friend that she felt she had to run, but also a little happy that she did. As she drew near, the young boy flashed his usual grin and waved back. “Oy! You look like you were trying to broom race on foot!” Dennis teased playfully.
Dennis headed down the small slope with a cleared path to the frozen water’s edge, he was really eager to ask her about her family and her experience with muggles. Maybe she was like him and her parents just loved muggles so much that they lived their best among them. That would be so cool! However, the matter at hand demanded attention - creature watching. “I thought I saw some stags over there!” Dennis said pointing across the lake in a rather vague direction. “But, actually, it might have just been my excitement. I didn’t get a good look. What do you suppose we will see today?"
Adult: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
2 Jan 2024, 03:19
Did You See That?
Nellie laughed at Dennis's easy tease. It didn't feel cruel or unkind, so she didn't shy away from him over it. Besides, she was very aware that it was probably true. At least she'd had the forethough to remove her braids and avoid the truly messy look. "I miss-judged the time and had to get my warm clothes." The Hufflepuff held up her hands and wiggled her fingers in explanation.
But as Denners walked, she walked along side him, down the slope to the water's edge. Her attention moved to where he gestured. She didn't see anything, but that didn't mean her friend hadn't seen them. It didn't help that her eyesight wasn't great. As that thought crossed her mind, she pushed hed glasses back up and fully onto her nose. "I kind of want to see a mermaid, honestly. I don't think it'll happen, though. I want too see a hippogriff. But with my luck, we might see a rabbit. Or someone's escaped cat." She laughed at the thought and shrugged. "Hope I'm wrong though."
Currently, they seemed the only ones brave- or stupid- enough to brave the snow to go stare at the lake. It was frozen, something she hadn't realized when she'd suggested this. Her odds at seeing her creature of interest was now nearly zero. But that was okay. Hopefully, she'd someday get the chance to see one now that she was a part of this world. "What do you want to see?"
But as Denners walked, she walked along side him, down the slope to the water's edge. Her attention moved to where he gestured. She didn't see anything, but that didn't mean her friend hadn't seen them. It didn't help that her eyesight wasn't great. As that thought crossed her mind, she pushed hed glasses back up and fully onto her nose. "I kind of want to see a mermaid, honestly. I don't think it'll happen, though. I want too see a hippogriff. But with my luck, we might see a rabbit. Or someone's escaped cat." She laughed at the thought and shrugged. "Hope I'm wrong though."
Currently, they seemed the only ones brave- or stupid- enough to brave the snow to go stare at the lake. It was frozen, something she hadn't realized when she'd suggested this. Her odds at seeing her creature of interest was now nearly zero. But that was okay. Hopefully, she'd someday get the chance to see one now that she was a part of this world. "What do you want to see?"
Every interaction, no matter how brief, holds the potential for something great.
Stamina 6 | Evasion 6 | Strength 4 | Wisdom 8 | Arcane Power 5 | Accuracy 6
Calming Presence
2 Jan 2024, 07:43
Did You See That?
Mermaids. Dennis opened his mouth to ask why would a muggle mermaid where a seashell shirt, that didn’t make any sense to him. He closed his mouth again figuring he would leave that in the past for the moment, yet again. There would be time to bring up those peculiar shirted mermaids another day. Hippogriffs seemed really nice but a lot of them were white or grey feathered, even if they ventured to the lake, Dennis wasn’t sure they would even be able to spot them.
He looked over at Nellie who seemed to really be trying to see something. Dennis smiled a little. She was really focused and her hair was a bit untidy. She looked…what was the word for it? Interesting. Sure that’s it, she was a very interesting Hufflepuff girl. He did briefly look around at the mention of someone’s poor lost cat. If the cat is lost, hopefully they can return it to the owner.
“Maybe we can have a walk, see if we might see something else in a different spot,” Dennis suggested motioning forward down the path by the lakeshore. “I’d really like to see a hippogriff. Those look awesome! Or maybe we can see a dragon!” Now Dennis’ imagination was getting the best of him.
He clicked his tongue remembering he wanted to ask Nellie more about herself. He didn’t want to just look at creatures that weren’t going to be there. “Say. You mentioned muggle myths in the library. Dragons and….shirted mermaids,” there it was, “you must have a lot of experience with the muggle world. How come?” Dennis didn’t know how sensitive the subject would be so he kept his voice light and sweet but not overly concerned, his excitement at the subject just bubbling below the surface.
He looked over at Nellie who seemed to really be trying to see something. Dennis smiled a little. She was really focused and her hair was a bit untidy. She looked…what was the word for it? Interesting. Sure that’s it, she was a very interesting Hufflepuff girl. He did briefly look around at the mention of someone’s poor lost cat. If the cat is lost, hopefully they can return it to the owner.
“Maybe we can have a walk, see if we might see something else in a different spot,” Dennis suggested motioning forward down the path by the lakeshore. “I’d really like to see a hippogriff. Those look awesome! Or maybe we can see a dragon!” Now Dennis’ imagination was getting the best of him.
He clicked his tongue remembering he wanted to ask Nellie more about herself. He didn’t want to just look at creatures that weren’t going to be there. “Say. You mentioned muggle myths in the library. Dragons and….shirted mermaids,” there it was, “you must have a lot of experience with the muggle world. How come?” Dennis didn’t know how sensitive the subject would be so he kept his voice light and sweet but not overly concerned, his excitement at the subject just bubbling below the surface.
Adult: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
2 Jan 2024, 14:05
Did You See That?
@Dennis Tumberton
Nellie glanced towards the direction of the path that Dennis had indicated. Despite her warmer clothes, she was freezing. Her cheeks and nose had taken on a rosey hue from the chill and she wrapped her arms around herself to add to the warmth of her winter clothes. But, she still wanted their little adventure, so she nodded with a smile. "Yeah, we can walk." The prospect of seeing something- anything, really, was far too enticing to stand here look at, well, nothing. When he began walking, so would she.
At his question, she frowned. This was a fairly common question that Nellie got as she didn't exactly hide her use of muggle things. Often, she was revealing herself before she'd even realized it- like in the case of mermaids. Her mother had warned her that some people in the wizarding commuity, like both her maternal and paternal grandparents, would likely not be excited about her upbringing. However, they encouraged her to be who she was and proud of it. Anytime she got this question, though, there would be a moment spent preparing herself for a possibly negative reaction. "Um, well. My parents are both squibs. So when their families cut them off, they lived in the muggle world where they raised my siblings and me. I didn't know about this stuff at all until I got my owl." She cleared her throat, hiding her own nerves as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "Do you still want to look for creatures with me? It's okay if you don't."
Every interaction, no matter how brief, holds the potential for something great.
Stamina 6 | Evasion 6 | Strength 4 | Wisdom 8 | Arcane Power 5 | Accuracy 6
Calming Presence
2 Jan 2024, 15:05
Did You See That?
Dennis spent his whole life in the north. Whether it was Scotland in general, or visiting his father’s family here in the highlands. He was a hearty boy even if really scrawny. He didn’t think anything of walking around the lake in the winter. He would probably be fine in shorts honestly.
He listened to Nellie tell her story, barely containing an extra level of excitement. “I…I grew up in the muggle world too! My parents are wizards though…” He beamed. “I don’t know as much about it as you of course. I’ve never come across a mermaid wearing a shirt. But I thought I was a squib until last year! My whole family tried not to make me feel bad about it. I am also brand new to this wizarding stuff. It always was something others had but it wasn’t mine.” Dennis was elated to find someone with even more exposure to not just the muggle world but to muggle life.
“My parents would be so excited to meet you!” Dennis blurted out bouncing up and down. He stopped. He meant that his parents are obsessed with muggle life and they spent their lives trying to understand it and would be excited to meet someone with first hand experience growing up with the culture….but he wasn’t sure that’s how it sounded. Should he take it back, should he try to explain?
However, when he saw Nellie was so cold her cheeks were turning red, his hands moved before he could think. He unwrapped his scarf, and said “You look really cold, Nellie. Please have my scarf. I don’t need it. I might not look it but I’m pretty tough in the cold.”
He awkwardly held it up, half handing it to her, and half waiting to wrap it around her. She was still a girl and she still had cooties, he wasn’t crazy enough to do it without asking. And besides, he might now think she is a cute cootie monster if there was ever such a thing to exist.
He listened to Nellie tell her story, barely containing an extra level of excitement. “I…I grew up in the muggle world too! My parents are wizards though…” He beamed. “I don’t know as much about it as you of course. I’ve never come across a mermaid wearing a shirt. But I thought I was a squib until last year! My whole family tried not to make me feel bad about it. I am also brand new to this wizarding stuff. It always was something others had but it wasn’t mine.” Dennis was elated to find someone with even more exposure to not just the muggle world but to muggle life.
“My parents would be so excited to meet you!” Dennis blurted out bouncing up and down. He stopped. He meant that his parents are obsessed with muggle life and they spent their lives trying to understand it and would be excited to meet someone with first hand experience growing up with the culture….but he wasn’t sure that’s how it sounded. Should he take it back, should he try to explain?
However, when he saw Nellie was so cold her cheeks were turning red, his hands moved before he could think. He unwrapped his scarf, and said “You look really cold, Nellie. Please have my scarf. I don’t need it. I might not look it but I’m pretty tough in the cold.”
He awkwardly held it up, half handing it to her, and half waiting to wrap it around her. She was still a girl and she still had cooties, he wasn’t crazy enough to do it without asking. And besides, he might now think she is a cute cootie monster if there was ever such a thing to exist.
Adult: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
2 Jan 2024, 17:19
Did You See That?
@Dennis Tumberton
The level of excitement Dennis brought to the conversation after finding out how she'd been raised was a surprise, to say the least. Most people so far had been accepting of how she'd been raised. Thankfully, she hadn't encountered anything unkind that would have warrented her mother's warning. Though, there was a first time for everything. This, though, was definitely a surprising reaction, not that she minded. "Your parents were wizards but you grew up in the muggle world?" She parroted him as she tried to process that one. "Why? Most wizards, even if they don't mind muggles, have no desire to live in that world." Clearly she was having trouble wrapping her head around this one.
The thought of meeting Dennis's parents was a bit terrifying, but she knew what he meant. She also knew that meeting them was unlikely, at least any time soon. "Uh... cool." What did she say to that? "I guess they like muggle stuff?" She was still smiling and didn't seem offended at all. "I'd meet them. I'd be happy to talk to them... about cell phones?" It was the first thing she pulled from her head that was very different from what existed within the wizarding world.
Dennis was surprising her left and right today. She was glad that they'd been looking for the same book and run into each other that way. Her cheeks were now rosy for an entirely different reason, though to Dennis, he'd likely not see much of a change. "Thanks." Her smile was shy, but not nervous, exactly. She leaned foward a bit to allow him to put the scarf on her neck. If he wanted to help bundle her, she'd allow it, otherwise, she wrap it around herself.
Every interaction, no matter how brief, holds the potential for something great.
Stamina 6 | Evasion 6 | Strength 4 | Wisdom 8 | Arcane Power 5 | Accuracy 6
Calming Presence
3 Jan 2024, 01:50
Did You See That?
Dennis was kind of expecting her to take his scarf but when she leaned in for him to wrap her he felt warm inside his chest. Did someone cast a heating charm or what? Dennis gently wrapped the scarf around Nellie and made sure it was comfortable. He had done this countless times for his sister Lizzy who was only a few years younger than him but just as tall. It was a familiar action but to do it on someone who wasn’t family was an odd sensation for him.
Dennis cleared his throat and said, suddenly bashfully, “That should warm you up. My sister says I’m good at scarf wrapping…” Was it weird to bring up his sister? Why did it matter to him so much if it was weird or not? The thoughts were too much for the little boy to handle, so he did what every boy his age is good at, he just simply forgot them and moved on. Simple is the mind of an 11 year old.
“My da and ma are really into muggles. They even teach at a university- that’s school for grown ups, that’s what they say. Though I don’t know why grown ups need to go to school,” Dennis said almost losing his train of thought. He started walking down the path slowly as he yammered on, “They have dedicated most of their lives to understanding them. You see, they think that wizards shouldn’t be hiding from muggles and they can actually learn from each other.”
He looked off in the opposite direction when Nellie said she would be cool with talking to his parents. He found he would like that, it would make them happy he made friends but she was a girl. His attention came back with the mention of cell phones. “Are you kidding me? How much quicker would it be to use an iPhone, tablet or even a computer? Instead we use owls, they can’t move faster than lightning,” Clearly, Dennis was just repeating what his parents said, he had no clue how any of that worked. “Or how many lives could magical defensive spells and charms save in the muggle world? Also, why don’t we have WizardTok?”
Somehow, Dennis had access to all this technology in the muggle world but still no understanding of muggle mermaids.
Dennis cleared his throat and said, suddenly bashfully, “That should warm you up. My sister says I’m good at scarf wrapping…” Was it weird to bring up his sister? Why did it matter to him so much if it was weird or not? The thoughts were too much for the little boy to handle, so he did what every boy his age is good at, he just simply forgot them and moved on. Simple is the mind of an 11 year old.
“My da and ma are really into muggles. They even teach at a university- that’s school for grown ups, that’s what they say. Though I don’t know why grown ups need to go to school,” Dennis said almost losing his train of thought. He started walking down the path slowly as he yammered on, “They have dedicated most of their lives to understanding them. You see, they think that wizards shouldn’t be hiding from muggles and they can actually learn from each other.”
He looked off in the opposite direction when Nellie said she would be cool with talking to his parents. He found he would like that, it would make them happy he made friends but she was a girl. His attention came back with the mention of cell phones. “Are you kidding me? How much quicker would it be to use an iPhone, tablet or even a computer? Instead we use owls, they can’t move faster than lightning,” Clearly, Dennis was just repeating what his parents said, he had no clue how any of that worked. “Or how many lives could magical defensive spells and charms save in the muggle world? Also, why don’t we have WizardTok?”
Somehow, Dennis had access to all this technology in the muggle world but still no understanding of muggle mermaids.
Adult: Makaio Kāne | iNPC: Maria Leung de Almeida
3 Jan 2024, 03:20
Did You See That?
Social interactions were weird. Regardless how much she felt like she understood, everything was entirely situational. Leave it to her to make the wrong call in the moment. Dennis seemed to take the whole putting the scarf on her thing in stride. But this was closer than most people got to her personal bubble. It felt... weird somehow, but Nellie couldn't her finger on why, exactly. She gave the boy another shy smile as she replied. "Your sister is right."
Soon they would forget about scarf wrapping and how close they were to each other as the conversation turned to much more important things. Muggles. "University is where muggle grown ups go to specialize in things. Like... doctors, architects, even all kinds of artists. Makes it so you get paid more when you start doing what you want." But the idea of the two worlds coexisting? She thought of it for a moment before shaking her head. "I wish, but it'll never happen." She looked saddened. Perhaps personal experience. But she brightened up the moment they began discussing technology. "Right? Even quills versus pens! We can teleport but we can't figure out quicker communication thank an owl?" The word 'owl' was emphasized. "It doesn't make any sense!" She laughed as the said that in unison. It was a spiel she frquently gave.
Soon they would forget about scarf wrapping and how close they were to each other as the conversation turned to much more important things. Muggles. "University is where muggle grown ups go to specialize in things. Like... doctors, architects, even all kinds of artists. Makes it so you get paid more when you start doing what you want." But the idea of the two worlds coexisting? She thought of it for a moment before shaking her head. "I wish, but it'll never happen." She looked saddened. Perhaps personal experience. But she brightened up the moment they began discussing technology. "Right? Even quills versus pens! We can teleport but we can't figure out quicker communication thank an owl?" The word 'owl' was emphasized. "It doesn't make any sense!" She laughed as the said that in unison. It was a spiel she frquently gave.
Every interaction, no matter how brief, holds the potential for something great.
Stamina 6 | Evasion 6 | Strength 4 | Wisdom 8 | Arcane Power 5 | Accuracy 6
Calming Presence