Silver Lining PV Alec Mason Closed

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Interacting with @Lindsey Springhall || Hex code:#A0A9B8 || Mentions: Wyatt Starkey(vaguely)

Alec was among many students, who were staying at Hogwarts for Easter break. A dread-filled tactic of avoidance for Alec. He wasn't allowed to stay here and wait out the summer. Therefore he'd make the most of what he could now. Here he had freedom, the amounts of it unthinkable. The freedom to feel and speak, learn, laugh, live. It had felt fine before Hogwarts. Tastes of something different came out with seeing the night. The cold night air against his skin. It left him longing for the same thing here. Even while he wondered if it was at all possible. How could one dread their home, yet miss it as well?

He discovered the outdoors perpetually left him in a state of euphoria. Especially the grounds of Hogwarts. A magical place for his curiosities. One that gave him the space to think. A space to feel free with the cool air against his skin. Every sight an inspiration. Everywhere he looked around. The Writing he did felt like it lived here. Stories of people before. Drawing describing their the way others lived and stories. From his head to the paper. Little drawings he almost always wanted to include when turning in his homework. They'd helped him focus and think while he finished it. They were a part of the homework by then. Missing. Maybe he'd do it someday.

With this in mind was it any surprise? At all in any sort of way. When Alec wanted to get outside for the day. As quickly as he could too. The faster he got out there, the sooner he could think. The sooner he could think, the sooner he could go back to being productive. He had homework, as well as other things to finish, and yet couldn't till he went out. Unable to sit still as silly as that was.

So, when he was finally done with what he needed to get done that day. He headed outside. It was still cold out. No sight of green grass. While he wished for the warm sun it seemed this wasn't going to be the case for now. It made Alec wonder how cold the lake was. It'd been pretty cold last year when he went out into the lake. It couldn't be less cold.

Making his way outside Alec took a slow walk. He needed to take a breath and relax not hurry. The sight of the lake had always been calming. He could answer his questions when he got there. Alec was messing with a wolf pin, in hand as he walked. Noticing someone was there by the time he'd gotten far enough out. As he came closer, the person, the girl was more clear. A Hufflepuff, with brown hair, possibly curly. She was holding a flower. She seemed discontent if that was the way to describe. Alec didn't think it was about anything here. This place was perfectly fine, beautiful in fact. The stranger just looked a little off.

“Excuse me, I-I don't mean to bother you. Really I had just come out here because-but-er-” Alec went silent trying to piece together words. Not a good talker. That much showed. “What I mean is-Well, I don't want to seem pushy, or in your business.” Alec's voice trailed off subject, eventually quieting himself again as he was aware his ramble couldn't be helping. “Are you all right? You seem a little down.” He asked, his voice was quiet as he walked over closer to her. Leaving just enough distance between the two to make sure it hadn't felt like he'd come into her space.

Alec was aware by this point that being quiet. Especially about feelings, something you need to talk about. Yet can't. If you don't it comes to the surface eventually. Never-ending in any good. Just a promise to always be honest because your closest friend cares and wants to know what's going on. That could also just be much detail and only Alec's problems.

interacts @Alec Mason

march 26th, 2021

She had became unexpectedly sensitive after the murder happened in the Hufflepuff common room. Sensitive to sounds, echoing footsteps, feelings that others were approaching, and everything related to that damn Sinterklaas. She still remembered those sleepless nights in her dorm, terrified and petrified by those frightening nightmares, which all caused her waking up, startling and shaking, while holding her cat tightly in her arms. It was good that those nights had passed now, mostly due to the time floating away like water. But the sensitivity left. Maybe it was just a nature that had just been called to the surface recently, or it was something that had stubbornly chosen to remain in her ways. She wasn’t very sure on that point.

A flash of eagerness of fleeing swung past her heart. Someone - someone had seen her, alone, feeling low. And then rumors would be spreading fast - like that Springhall girl’s a jerk, spending time alone with a nearly dried up daisy; like that Springhall girl’s experiencing some trauma, possibly connected with love or friendship issues - oh no. While Lindsey, for the sake of being logical, clearly knew that rumors were just nonsense, but like any other teenager of her age, she was afraid of them. Afraid of the light winged little birds. She had foreseen that. And she had to, had to prevent it from happening - she had to flee. Or drive this approacher away. Either way, she would definitely -

“Excuse me, I-I don't mean to bother you…” she heard the approacher - more specifically, a brown haired boy that she had probably met in some of her classes - said in a rather silent kind of voice. As soon as the voice started, her sensitive ears figured out that this stranger was probably not that good at starting a conversation. As a result, his efforts made him seem nice. Not as she had thought. She had a thought of driving this intruder away some minutes ago before he had spoken, as she wished to do so. Lindsey didn’t like being disturbed in thoughts and was extremely terrified of rumors. But this boy was different. He seemed helpful, and seemed a person that would not comment a word on her rather weird behavior. He wanted to help, probably.

Her guard was off. Like a nearly drowned person who had luckily spotted a piece of wood to rely on, her eyes were lit a bit for a short second. “I -” she tried to start a conversation like she usually did, but were suddenly cut off. Nervously her fingers caught the small daisy a little tighter, and her caramel gaze softly landed on the boy. Switching her eyes away to the Great Lake again, she started, again, not in her usual rather high and excited voice, but softly and gently. “Yeah, guess so…” she managed to squeeze a small smile out. “I’m alright. Just…sorta feel low these days.”

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Interacting with @Lindsey Springhall || Hex code:#A0A9B8 || Mentions: N/A

Alec kept his gaze focused. Perhaps this was enough to make a person know he was listening. Or listening enough for the situation to make sense. It was hard to tell whether or not his face signaled a look of listening or a blindsided child staring off into space. Trying to think about how to make it look like he was listening. It had been much harder to tell these days what sort of impression he'd been giving off to others. While attempting to listen. There was a lot to learn here going forward. Alec let his hand graze over the front of the pin he was wearing. Located on the right side of his trousers. He'd kept it there as a good luck token almost. The wolf was vast in meaning with family history, the coat of arms or crest in other words. Alec liked to think of certain family by him as he kept it near. It had been one of the few good things to come of winter break. There was no possibility of it leaving his line of vision since it had.

His presence had been noticed, he wanted to take note of that. Because even so, she'd been surprised. Alec had decided long ago humans being were far from simple. He just wished he had better knowledge of the complexities. It would stop him from ending up in situations he would rather not be a part of. Alec liked to think knowledge of anything and everything was a game-changer. Like the knowledge of the brown-eyed Hufflepuff existing. The knowledge of where she'd gotten that flower could be accounted for as well.

The flower looked to be in about the same condition as the girl a little-“I get that.” Alec's stutter vanished completely. Her response was comfortable. She wasn't upset. At least, her response wasn't aggressive or upset in a way towards him. He may have expected her to freak out and ask to be left alone. Alec was glad she didn't. He didn't know how he would've handled the situation if so.

“It feels as if it's been rough all around for everybody recently. Feeling a little low would be a normal symptom.” He'd watched her as she managed a smile. Alec's face was friendly. Though not harboring his usual friendly smile to go along with it. Her eyes didn't stay meeting his. “My name's Alec.” The name felt lonely without it in full. He'd cut back on the way he'd introduced himself not so recently. He found it confusing he was still missing the small nod to his middle name. His last name standing proudly at the end. “Second year, Gryffindor.” Alec didn't know if he was stating the obvious with this or not.

His immaturity led others to believe he could be younger. Speaking of immaturity. Why not hit a real conversation off with that now? “A human who has been in the hospital wing multiple times. Certified enough as a healer to diagnose you with rough times plague.” The words flowed out of his mouth easily. No thought behind what he was saying. Other than attempts to cheer the person in front of him up. “Symptoms include feeling a little low. Other's are yet to be figured out by scientific professionals.” Alec hoped he hadn't scared her off quite yet. He wanted to make her smile, one that felt genuine. One that felt the way smiles are supposed to feel. “Treatment, uh... Some cheering up from the first stranger you meet.” Alec said, he'd gotten stuck for a moment there. He knew what he wanted to get across. He hadn't known how to say it. “The more you know. Looks like that's on me. I have to tell you though, I'm not the best at cheering people up.” He smiled at this part, trying to put on a serious face. It was hard fighting the smile.

Depending on her reaction to his display. Out of nowhere, it could have very much been seen as weird. There was a high chance he wasn't.

interacts @Alec Mason

march 26th, 2021

Her eyes lingered a bit on the boy’s face. She saw friendliness, frankness, the will to help, and many more things. She had probably seen him somewhere around before, as he indeed seemed quite familiar - maybe he was among her classmates of her own age. But all in all, he seemed nice. A little bit too nice, maybe, but a Hufflepuff would never refuse kindness. “Thanks.” she muttered in reply, while offering a small grateful smile. Not a bad start - come on, Springhall. Making an effort to make all those thoughts go away and focusing on the boy besides her, her fingers clenched the little half-dried daisy harder.

“Lindsey.” she answered. “Hufflepuff second year.” it wasn’t hard to know that she started to become curious of him - well, the one who’s willing to stop by when some stranger was feeling low must be an interesting person in Lynn’s mind. It was a very huffle-like act, and she wondered if she would do the same - maybe not. She would definitely be louder, be merrier, and be happier - and thus, make the low-person less comfortable. She started to recall the last time she had been found out feeling down, sometime during January or February, when she was shedding tears on the Hogwarts ground alone. Aly Salinger kindly offered her some bluebells and quietly sat with her for a while, which made her felt a lot better - and which helped her start the hobby of gardening. Lindsey clearly remembered that March night, when she decided to set up a little indoors garden for herself in the huffle girls’ dorm - the Plant Palace dorm was just suitable for gardening. She was grateful for Aly, and, something told her that she’d be thankful for meeting Alec as well.

Upon listening his words she chuckled slightly, this time genuine and true. His words were indeed humorous, making her chocolate brown eyes sparkled a little bit. The smile became wider when she heard him expressing that he was not very good at cheering people up and attempting to put on a serious face. “No, no, you are quite good at it.” she said, while looking at the boy with a smile in her large eyes. “Really - a huffle couldn’t have done better, I know it.” collecting herself from her thoughts finally, Lindsey had decided that she should leave all those bad things behind, at least for now. Giving a small thankful look at Alec, she softly expressed. “Thank - thanks. I guess I feel better now.”

Reducio

incredibly sorry for this late late reply. got trapped in some RL things as well as hio moderated events. should be much quicker next time, and thanks for bearing with me

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Interacting with @Lindsey Springhall || Hex code:#A0A9B8 || Mentions: N/A

“Lindsey, right,” Alec said his voice seem to trail off as he rambled nonsense, unimportant to the situation. Just made up medical professional facts that seemed to him to be about right.“-makes sense I know the names of my patients.” That seemed to be the only comical, or memorable part of his long string of rambling. Alec paused after this to take a moment to think before scratching his head. “Actually I think I've heard your name before.” Unable to recognize from where yet sure he'd heard it somewhere; Alec decided that moment to make it his quest to find out where. Knowing her name didn't feel like it was a name he would've known from rumors at school. He would've remembered, at least if he listened to those. He always in his own world. It was hard to figure out what random kinds in the corridors were whispering about when your focused on greater things. Alec would have to find which friend he knew her from, or just how he knew of her later.

Alec didn't know how to take her approval of his humor to make light of situations. It felt like a compliment, and that felt like treading fields of long grass where he knew nothing about what wandered there. Alec's face didn't look like it knew the proper expression to make out. The smile had fallen just a little. His brows were twisted in a concerned manner. His mouth was attempting to make out words. “I-” this felt like a repeat of a situation. “er-” Was he being put on the spot? “oh-” The what Alec assumed was a compliment was Lindsey saying a Hufflepuff couldn't have done better which was exactly what lead to the "oh" and throwing Alec off.

His composure was regained when Lindsey had told him thanks. “Heh, your welcome. I'm glad I could help make you feel even a little bit better.” Alec said, he smirked a little. “Humor helps most of the time. It's nice to find something to laugh at to give yourself a bit of a break. Especially before you tackle things head-on.” Alec said he ran his hand through his curly mess of hair. “In seriousness, if you do need someone to talk to. Since avoiding it with humor isn't the smartest idea. I'm almost always free, probably in the library, or out here. I'm also here right now.” After the part that needed to be said was said. Alec was back with a mischievous look in his eyes, and a smile on his face.

A curious expression followed as he eyed the flower the girl was holding once more “Is that how flowers are supposed to look?” The words fell out of his mouth quickly. Alec didn't garden but he was sure they weren't supposed to look so sad and floppy. He may have gotten distracted just as quickly as he had said his first words. The ones offering support to her to speak about it if needed. “Maybe it needs more water, they can survive without being in the dirt for a bit I think...” However, his mind was whizzing so many different ways at the same time.

interacts @Alec Mason

march 26th, 2021

Her chocolate brown eyes sparkled a bit as Alec smirked a little. Smiles. Laughters. Those strange things that could make the whole world be lit up. Lindsey was always fond of seeing others smile - especially when it’s someone she liked. Determined that she liked Alec and somehow felt being calmed down, her fingers stopped scrambling the little flower fretfully. “Agreed. Humour’s indeed quite important during the ‘dark days’ as what they say - and I guess I sorta experienced that just now.” in reply to Alec’s “always out there somewhere”, the badger smiled. “Thanks a lot.” she said softly, brown eyes falling on the glittering surface of the Great Lake.

Upon hearing Alec inquiring about her daisy, Lindsey’s eyes fell on the little flower again. “Eh, not really.” she admitted rather apologetically. “I picked it rather early this morning -” her voice raised up a little, clearly excited by the topic of gardening. It seemed that she had decided to put those irksome thoughts about going home away now, and instead, started to focus on the thing - gardening - she loved. “Oh, yeah, probably. It would be the best to put it in a glass bottle with water in it but -” she made a apologetical gesture. “but, you see, don’t think I may find one right now. Maybe I could get one after I get back to my dorm.” raising up the little daisy in her palm, she showed it to Alec. “It won’t wither that fast. Pretty sure that it may survive until tonight.”

After confirming that her daisy could live a little longer even if she wouldn’t provide it any water, Lindsey suddenly realized that she had been speaking - speaking a lot, unlike how she was when she first arrived on the riverbank. Was the change credited to Alec? She wasn’t very sure. Her mind was in a confused state. Maybe she had to get out from the abyss of pondering a bit to figure everything out.

Reducio

apologize for how short this post is, was quite in a rush when writing

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Interacting with @Lindsey Springhall || Hex code:#A0A9B8

Alec's eyes took in the details of the flower carefully, only taking his attention off of it as Lindsey started to speak. Alec didn't know a lot about flowers. He loved the outdoors but keeping plants alive were not his strong suit. It was easier to make sure things like a little girl waking you up at unnecessary hours in the morning were okay because they made sure you knew about it. Flowers were more silent, it was hard to remember to take care of them. You only realized things were bad once they started to look sad. The little flower might just be playing tricks. Alec let his gaze narrow on it in a questioning way. No, not like an animal playing dead, that would have been cool.

As Lindsey spoke she sounded excited about the topic. It was nice to hear people genuinely excited over things, it reminded Alec of Clifton and the way he spoke some of his crazy ideas too Alec. The girl spoke about how it would be the better option to put it in some water. Alec couldn't help but acknowledge the fact that they were surrounded by water. “If you held it in the lake water would the water be too much for it?” Alec asked, the idea of putting the flower in the lake water idea had reminded Alec of water lillies. The third-year found himself eyeing the lake front. Watering something too much in soil was bad, but Alec did not know if there was a difference when a flower was outside of the soil.

Alec got a better look of the flower as Lindsey raised it up in her palm, nodding as he looked at it. “It won't need the lake water in that case.” He still wished he could've found something too put the flower in, Alec didn't bring around places to put flowers and water everyday. Next time he'd try it. He didn't know if he'd find anyone else carrying flowers, expecting the unexpected would be fun. The only expected question now was, “do you do gardening?” Alec was unsure if there would be another reason for carrying around such a flower unless she was given it. He gestured to the flower as he spoke again, “you seem to know a lot more than I do. It seems like it would take a lot to remember to water plants.” Alec looked at the flower once more. “How often does it need to be watered?” Alec cocked his head to the side curiously, as if the flower was the greatest mystery the child would ever be aware of within his youthful lifetime.

Alec had more questions, but he was going to start off with the first few. If she didn't garden it wouldn't make sense to ask her all the flower related questions he could come up within one minute and not think through before asking. Far too fascinated by the subject, both because the girl liked speaking about it, and because Alec was rather unknowledgeable even with most of his time being spent outdoors now. He was more of, that's nice, flowers, pretty outdoors. The approach of look at it, it looks nice, I will probably never do that, and wouldn't find anyone to question about it anyway. He had found someone, but there was still a chance she didn't know all the answers. Maybe the groundskeeper would have by the book knowledge.

interacts @Alec Mason | mentions Aly Salinger

march 26th, 2021

Lindsey began to highly appreciate and value Alec’s company. Well, although it was quite natural for her to feel warmth from others - being a tender and affectionate person herself - it usually took time for her to truly trust someone. It was believed that she made friends quickly, but only her very self knew that they were only acquaintances, and her feelings would fade away after days when she calmed down. It was always like that for Lindsey, being a badger first and a snake (or eagle?) as soon as she recognized her own self from the deep sea of alluring. Strategic as she was, Lindsey always knew what would the best for her. Her opinions were usually reserved. But, probably, not today.

“Eh, sort of.” she answered, while smiling gratefully a little. “Actually - actually I do some in my dormitory. You know, we Hufflepuff have tons of different plants and herbs planted in our common room - it’s warm down there, and suitable for their growth.” she explained. Although she tried her best to be reserved, a tilt of enthusiasm could still be identified in her words. Really, it hadn’t been long since Lynn had adopted this hobby - approximately around March, when everything was blossoming again. However, it could be backdated to January or February, when she first met Aly Salinger on the Hogwarts grounds. It was - oui, the history was always the same - it was somehow, just like the present. Aly was very supportive by that time, representing a small bluebell flower to her - which made Lindsey felt a lot better. The two girls didn’t talk much, but Lindsey appreciated the Ravenclaw a lot. That was the strength of flowers, no matter full bloomed or not.

“Daisies need a moist environment when growing - and they love sunshine. So I try my best to water them when I’m back from classes - maybe once every two or three days? But you have to keep the soil dry, or the roots will rot.” she said in a earnest tone, while trying her best to remember every little detail in her gardening life. “It’s always interesting to put the theories we’ve learnt in Herbology class in to practice, as well as doing research yourself.”

Suddenly noticing that she had been talking too much about herself - her mother Carolyn had always told her to think about other people - Lindsey decided to stop venturing further on the topic. Instead, she smiled gratefully to Alec in return for his kindness bearing her long monologue, and asked in a curious tone - “So, what about you? Any hobbies that you don’t mind to share?”

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Interacting with @Lindsey Springhall || Hex code:#A0A9B8

The plans were still as shown, Alec was totally doing whatever it took to catch the groundskeeper and ask for the gardening knowledge. He didn't know what he'd do with it yet, but maybe the material would work great for some random plant-based jokes. He didn't know how many people it would appeal too, really, gardening as a twelve-year-old didn't seem as if it would be an extremely popular hobby. Except within Hufflepuff circles maybe(which he had just found out of, Lindsey explaining she did some in her dorm). Admittedly, the thought felt just a little like homework, gardening, herbology. He knew it could be easily argued that this wasn't the case. Herbology has most to do with magical plants and the care of them, with physical examples to go along with it, and knowledge for potioneering as he thought it. The two went together enough that it worked since you were using most of the Herbs and other plants from Herbology in your potions. New questions now stood though. Did that mean the small amount of work in Herbology was what supplied the potions classes with their ingredients? It seemed like a through system if so. Putting people too work while getting things done and teaching. Then his mind wandered too potions, and what happened to their potions after the lessons, Alec could never figure it out. What were the potions going to be used for... Just like a ready and go potions sort of thing? Maybe somehow applied to hospital wing? Or thrown out because students learning potions are prone to making mistakes and something it's hard to notice small ones? He didn't know. His head hurt a little now.

Alec was too nod as Lindsey spoke and answered, hearing most of her words, however he was absorbed in most of his own thoughts. He would end up answering some time later in response to all the answers. He was curious though, per usual with the amount of questions and his thoughts from earlier, he was curious this time about the Hufflepuff areas, and them being inherently warm. It reminded him of the the colder nights in the gryffindor towers when you needed an extra blanket to cover up. Or how he assumed for the most part they always were using that fireplace even when no one was in the room, it probably warmed everything up. “Herbology has most herbs to do with potions I think, but you have the right idea.” Alec said with a nod. “I'm sure there are lots of books in the library on it, I should look.” Alec said he smiled, and seemed more excitable at that. “What else do you think you could grow down in the Hufflepuff areas?” He asked, he was invested. It was exactly something he would do, lacking the patience to ever spend a few minutes watering a plant everyday and checking up on it. That still didn't stop him from enjoying the idea of it through her. The way she spoke about it, how wonderful she felt it was.

Alec couldn't have guessed what happened next. Him being caught up and invested in the topic of gardening he didn't think he was going to be asked questions instead of being the one that asked them. Alec didn't know how to respond either. “I-er journal, used too I guess. I sort of can't anymore.” Alec wasn't going to awkwardly admit that he may have been at fault for the reason he couldn't anymore, but he figured out of any of the ones he could share, journaling was one of the better few. Especially with his artsy sorts of hobbies, there were very few that had seen Alec's work and very few that would. It was one of those things, because especially with art, a lot of it was very personal, and hard to know how to explain to convey the right message about it or the reasoning onto others. “My journal caught fire.” Alec shrugged. “It makes for an interesting story,” yes, very... Interesting, because Alec had been the one too set it on fire... There's more context of course! Alec was being reasonable when he did it! It just sounded a bit unreasonable without the context. “I'll probably start again next year, or maybe Christmas... It depends on when I can get a new journal.” Alec said, pausing, trying to think of another hobby, something he would want too share. “Does reading count? The library has so many books, I could just take stacks and stacks of books and read them days on end. It's nice when I'm able to bring them outside and read them out here.” Alec said, in a cheery mood once more.

“What about you? Just gardening or do you have some more hobbies as well?”