The Scarlet Express
| C | date: 1st September, 2025 location: Hogwarts Express |
abilities: lovely creature dialogue: #0a2a28 mentioned: @Rosaline Everheart@Frederick Buckley @Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams @Seraphina Vale |
C |
| CV | Any discussion regarding sweets and chocolate cards went completely over his head. Camille didn’t even bother to make sense of any of it, listening in here and there as he saw fit. Little of what he heard had any lasting conseqence that he ought to react. Most of it drifted past him, inconsequential as scenery glimpsed through a carriage window—visible, yes, but demanding of no real attention. Hearing the name of his favorite french pastry being butchered in ungodly ways, in the mouth of an English boy, who admittedly must not have known better, pained him to his core. Camille offered a smile that was half courtesy, half grimace. He hardly knew what he had expected. To dismiss their ignorance of anything French was one thing; to dismiss the fact that the train would not be serving food until nightfall was quite another. Camille blinked in disbelief, at first refusing to believe that that was indeed, all. He glanced at the faces around him, giggling and sharing their bean candies and cholocate cards– from what he’d gathered in passing– wondering why no one else was scandalized by the lack of service. How on earth had he ended up here? A candy trolley was the most they could offer? Mon dieu, what sort of threadbare, poverty-stricken school was he expected to attend if it could not even feed its own students during the journey? If he would have known before he subjected himself to these conditions, Camille would have arranged for another, private escort, something worthy of his time, and didn’t leave him sore and starving by the time he arrived. What little he lacked in knowledge regarding the Hogwarts houses, one girl with cropped blonde hair supplied in abundance. Somewhere between her account of the sorting system—apparently dictated by some decrepit old hat—and her recital of the founders’ supposed virtues, Camille let his mind dissolve into brown noise. His eyes were resting lazily on her mouth moving, though his mind was far, far away, until the girl turned to him and brought up the topic of his pastries again. The feast that would be served on arrival might have them, she offered. Rosaline, too, seemed positive that he would find something there he’d like. Still processing the awful news, the boy said nothing. It better be fucking spectacular after making them suffer through several hours on a train without being offered a proper meal. “So, you’re actually telling me there’s no food on this carriage?” He eventually added when he couldn’t contain himself any longer, when all the new information had sunk in, by then the conversation had already moved on to sports and ambitions. As far as quidditch, or any sport that required balancing on a piece of wood and risk splinters in his ass, Camille lacked any sort of ambition. “It’s hours until the feast!” he protested, though of course none of these children were in any position to change the fact. It was, at best, an outburst to underscore the absurdity of it all—perhaps to elicit some shred of sympathy, however futile. And no, he most definitely not did not want to eat any beans in the interrim. With nothing to be done, Camille sighed. "Anyway, forget it. I suppose I'll just have to manage. You may continue," he dismissed them to continue discussing quidditch, he himself turning to stare out the window. |
CV |
Ilias Lahlou | Ilvermorny
The Scarlet Express
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
| Date: 01/09/25 | Word count: 430 |
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| Date: 01/09/25 | Word count: 430 |
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Fred’s eyes lit up at Maisie’s offer about the Chocolate Frog cards. “Really? That’s brilliant!” he exclaimed, leaning forward with eager curiosity. “We can trade some then. I’ve got a few doubles stuffed in my bag. Didn’t you bring any along to Hogwarts?” His tone was half teasing, half genuinely interested, the sort of lively way he always spoke when the subject was something he loved.
Without thinking too much about it, he reached for a random Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Bean from the pile, rolling it between his fingers before popping it into his mouth. He bit down carefully, brow furrowing as the flavour spread across his tongue. At the same time, he listened to Seraphina speak, stealing glances at her while trying not to make a face. She seemed clever and confident, words flowing so naturally that Fred found himself nodding along, even as the taste in his mouth grew stranger by the second.
Then Rosaline’s laugh burst out at her own bean disaster, and Fred couldn’t hold back his own. “Curry?!” he wheezed, shaking his head. “I think mine was… Ew, I guess it was aubergine!” He pulled a face, then broke into a grin, the bitterness already fading into amusement. “At least I can tell my mum I’m eating vegetables,” he said, laughing playfully.
When both Rosaline and Seraphina hinted that he would do well in Gryffindor, Fred’s smile stretched even wider. His chest warmed at the thought, and he brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes. “Wouldn’t it be brilliant if we all ended up in the same house?” he said enthusiastically, gaze flicking around the group. His eyes landed briefly on Camille, catching the boy’s reserved expression, and Fred quickly gave a shrug, as if to brush away any awkwardness. “Anyway,” he added cheerfully, “I don’t think the journey’s got much longer to go. Feels like it’s flying by already. I’m loving all of this.” His legs bounced lightly under the bench, the restless energy bubbling out of him.
Then his focus returned to Rosaline, and his grin turned a shade more excited. “Did you say Quidditch?” he began, his voice practically buzzing. “I can’t believe I’ve met someone here who likes it too. It’s mad luck! I’m dead set on trying out for the school team as soon as I can. He looked out at the scenery through the window for a moment, dreamily. "Imagine playing real matches at Hogwarts!” His blue eyes gleamed with anticipation, every word tumbling out fast, like he couldn’t quite contain how much it meant to him. “What do you all think about the best wizarding sport ever invented?” he asked, turning to look at everyone in the compartment again, clearly still talking about Quidditch.
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| Interacting with: @Rosaline Everhart @Camille De Varenne @Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams @Seraphina Vale |
| Interacting with: @Rosaline Everhart @Camille De Varenne @Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams @Seraphina Vale |
Sta 8 | Eva 6 | Str 4 | Wis 5 | Arc Power 4 | Acc 8
Abilities: Evasive Maneuvers
The Scarlet Express
@Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams@Seraphina Vale
The discussion about candy and sweets lasted for a while, and Camille didn’t seem very interested. She noticed he hadn’t eaten anything, yet it was quite a long journey. Even though they were on a magic train, it was still a long way from London to Scotland. When Camille asked about the food on the train, though it sounded like a rhetorical question, Rosaline gave him a concerned look and said, “I don’t think there will be any food other than these on the candy trolley.” She felt sorry for him having to be hungry until the feast. Wanting to offer him other food, but unsure what he would like, she could only comfort him instead.
Camille protested. It indeed wasn’t a good idea to let kids their age have only these candies and snacks all afternoon, she mused. He then sighed and gazed out the window. She hoped he would get a proper meal and hopefully pain au chocolat tonight before joining the conversation with others.
She chuckled at Frederick’s reaction to his bean. It was an odd flavor. She began to imagine what that bean would taste like, which must be kind of disgusting. She shook her head to shake off the imagined weird flavor. “Yeah, I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to hear your healthy diet,” Rosaline teased with a light tone, almost laughing. Frederick was a very friendly boy and really interesting. She glanced around; the carriage was filled with chatter and joy, and she wondered if they would ever meet like this again after today. One never knew what might happen next.
Frederick beamed as Rosaline mentioned Quidditch. Though she didn’t know what other people’s sports preferences were, she was so glad to meet someone interested in Quidditch. She played Quidditch with her cousins during holidays at Wrenford Manor, her maternal grandparents’ house. Yet she didn’t get many chances to play it in London because the area they lived in was too close to Muggles, and she couldn’t risk violating the secrecy terms to play Quidditch. “Oh my god, yes! I absolutely love Quidditch. I’d love to try out for the house team, too. I want to be a Chaser or Seeker. What about you?” Rosaline rambled quickly because she was excited to find out they shared her passion. To answer his question, she replied, “I think it’ll be Quidditch then, but the only reason is that I love the sport.”
Time flew by. Rosaline could feel the train slowing down. The whistle blew loudly. Carrying her heavy luggage, she cast one last glance at the carriage before she left. It was completely dark outside. She had known the first day would be memorable, but she hadn’t expected to meet such a wonderful companion. Stepping off the train, her heart brimmed with hope and anticipation for the unknown future.
stamina: 6 | evasion: 5 | strength: 5
wisdom: 8 | arcane Power: 7 |accuracy: 4
Lovely Creature
The Scarlet Express
@ Frederick Buckley @ Rosaline Everhart @ Camille De Varenne @ Seraphina Vale* “The future is an open book; it’s up to us to write the chapters.”She did not understand why Camille wouldn't eat food on the train at that time, but in years' time, the answer would dawn on her.
Turning her attention from him towards Frederick, she grinned. "I brought just my favorite ones. I'm planning on collecting it again." She pulled one out of her pocket and handed it to Fred. It wasn't a gold, just a silver.
She grinned at their reactions to the beans. She raised her eyebrows at the aubergine comment. "Well, you sure are getting your vegetables in!" She laughed.
She was in a half daydream, thinking about the feast and the boat ride later that day. She realized how dark the sky was, and the fact the lanterns were lit. I guess the train ride is coming to an end. She thought. Those hours in this carriage have passed so quickly. So quickly, it felt like mere minutes to her. And mère minutes later, she would be sitting at one of the four long tables, with people in her house cheering. But who would they be? Whenever she imagined her life at Hogwarts, it was just her in robes, doing things her brothers described to her. There were never any faces but hers. And now four of those faceless people would take the faces of those besides her. The dream of Hogwarts she had had for so long would finally become realistic.
Her ears perked up at "quidditch". She adored quidditch, though she wasn't permitted on a broom--well, she would go on her brothers' when they weren't looking.
"Quidditch!" She exclaimed, looking up, "Oh I love a good game of it. My brothers play it, and do does our cousins and relatives. I would break into the broom shed for a broom and fly off when no ones at home.""If you meet my brothers though, don't tell them." She added quickly. "I'm thinking of applying for seeker. Hey, maybe we'll even play against each other, if we aren't in the same team!"
She relaxed into her seat, and checked her watch. It was evening, and they would be arriving soon. When the train slowed down, the girl stepped out into the sea of black, herslef one of them, in her new robes, lugging her heavy trunk and sporting her backpack into the future unknown.
After all, as her French teacher--or as a matter of fact, she herself, would say: «L’avenir est un livre ouvert, à nous d’écrire les chapitres.»*, and « Marcher vers l’avenir, c’est avancer avec courage et espoir.»**
**: “To walk toward the future is to move forward with courage and hope.”
The Scarlet Express
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| Date: 01/09/25 | Word count: 445 |
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Frederick grinned from ear to ear when Maisie pulled a Chocolate Frog card from her pocket and handed it to him. He took it delicately between his thumb and forefinger, admiring its silvery sheen and checking which wizard it featured as he thanked her. “Wow, thanks, Maisie! I didn’t have Circe yet, can you believe it? When I get a duplicate, I’ll return the favour.” Fred smiled again, then flipped the card over to read the brief description about the witch Circe before slipping it carefully into his trouser pocket.
Completely absorbed in conversation with his compartment companions, Fred hardly paid attention to the scenery rushing past the window. Perhaps it was because he sat closer to the door than to the glass frame that revealed the grey sky and green Scottish landscape, or perhaps simply because he hadn’t stopped talking for most of the journey. His energy and enthusiasm could easily have been overwhelming for some people.
The highlight of the trip for Fred, however, had definitely been when they started talking about Quidditch. By then, only Rosaline, Maisie, and Fred himself were still chatting excitedly about the wizarding sport. “I’m not sure which position yet, maybe Keeper, but I’m definitely trying out for the team,” he said, leaning forward on the edge of his seat rather than resting his back against it. A genuine laugh escaped him at Maisie’s confession about flying in secret and never telling her brothers.
Then, with a sudden jolt, the train began to slow down. The corridor outside filled once more with eager students, and Fred instantly felt the same urge to hurry. “Looks like we’re arriving,” he said, peering out the window to see a small village growing nearer. That must be Hogsmeade, just as his parents had told him, he thought. Standing up, he looked around and followed everyone else’s lead, pulling on his black first-year robes, ready to disembark and head to Hogwarts Castle.
Everyone was so excited that they barely exchanged more than a few words while squeezing through the narrow corridor, dodging luggage and elbows. “It was great talking to you all!” Fred called out as he struggled to drag his trunk behind him. “I heard we’re taking boats to the castle, right? Well, let’s go then!” He strode off confidently, assuming the others would follow, without even looking back. He really hoped they would, his natural streak of leadership shining through. As he made his way towards the boats, a light smile lingered on his face. The journey had been brilliant, and he’d met some wonderful people. What luck, he thought, to start his adventure like this.
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| Interacting with: @Rosaline Everhart @Camille De Varenne @Maisie Fenwick Rose Williams @Seraphina Vale |
Sta 8 | Eva 6 | Str 4 | Wis 5 | Arc Power 4 | Acc 8
Abilities: Evasive Maneuvers