8 Apr 2022, 03:03
Writer’s Block
--- Date: 06/09/21|| Time: 16:31 ---
Sophia shivered and bundled into her school cloak, resolving to bring a sweater or jacket next time she found herself going to the owlery.
It was less than a week since her arrival to Hogwarts, and, since discovering the owlery about four days prior, she had now spent almost every non-study related moment in the tower. Even her homework was usually done in the presence of the owls.
This time, however, she wasn’t studying or doing homework. Nope, she was writing a letter to her grandma.
Sophia had assumed that letters could only be written to fellow students because of Magic being a secret, but Sage had mentioned writing home, so why couldn’t Sophia?
Therein lay the problem, unfortunately.
Sure, she could write home, but she didn’t know what to say. The weeks since her adventure in Diagon Alley leading up to her trip to Hogwarts were quiet at home. Her grandma had accepted the situation with ease, and Sophia knew the woman still loved her, but they were both very religious, very Catholic people. Sophia could see the toll having a witch in the family was taking on her grandma.
What could she say? What if her grandma didn’t want to stay in contact? What if she was mad at Sophia?
Sophia was seated on the ground next to a beautiful snowy owl. She didn’t know her name, but the cute feathery friend had stayed by her side every time she’d been in the owlery, so her presence was comforting.
She rested a hand on one of her letters - addressed to Sage - that she had already finished. Her quill - which she still wasn’t used to - hovered over the parchment that rested atop her Potions textbook.
“Dear Mamaw,” she read aloud as she wrote, “School is fun. I’m learning lots of cool things, but you probably don’t want to-“
She groaned and scribbled the last sentence out. That sounded passive aggressive and she wanted her grandma to love her, not think she was an ungrateful brat.
“The people are really nice,” she tried again, but she found herself unsure of what to write. Frustrated, she crumbled the parchment up into a ball and laid it aside. To her relief, the snowy owl nestled up to her side. It was so comforting.
“Thank you,” she said happily to the owl, “This is just so hard. Maybe I could write to Kim, instead? He’s probably more accepting?”
The owl cooed against her ribs. Sophia giggled at the tickling sensation and petted her gently, cooing back at her. Why couldn’t people be more like owls.
She set aside her book, parchment, and quill and turned her full attention to the owl.
“Look at you,” she cooed, “Your cute little feathers are so bright and perfect. It’s like looking at fresh snow. And you’re so kind, and smart. Yes, you are!”
Sophia was normally more reserved, but she didn’t think anyone else was in the owlery, so she could let loose a little bit.
“What’s your name, girl?” she asked, as if speaking to a baby. To her, this owl was more precious than any baby ever could be. She giggled as the owl preened its feathers and eventually fell asleep roosted upon her shoulder. Oh well, she could finish writing later.
She could only imagine how silly she would appear to any incoming people, sprawled about in the owlery with a particularly precious owl sleeping upon her arm.
Oh well. She was alone anyway. Right?
Notes:
Interacting: ||
Mentioning:
Last edited by Sophia Nelson on 3 May 2022, 19:08, edited 3 times in total.
8 Apr 2022, 18:27
Writer’s Block
WC- 322
Hex-#433687【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】Gemima trotted up the long, winding staircase that lead to the castle's Owlery. She had very nearly gotten lost on the way here, and had somehow found herself in the empty Divination classroom instead.
So as one might expect, she felt very relieved at the sight of the stone steps, although her nerves were still a bit frazzled. It wasn't her fault this castle was so freaking huge! She'd been so excited to explore the whole of the school when she arrived last week, but getting lost was an entirely different story.
Finally, Gem reached the entrance to the top of the tower. She smiled as the coos and hoots of dozens of owls reached her ears. She slipped her hand into her skirt pocket, just to make sure the letter to her parents was still there. She'd already put it in an envelope, perfectly sealed and everything, so it would horrible to lose it now.
She pulled it out, and sighed, all the tension of the last half hour finally starting to leave her body.
Now, time to find an owl suitable for the job! Brighton was quite a ways away, after all.
Gemima edged into the room, and made a beeline for the owl nests. But just as she was halfway across, a girl's voice caught her attention.
She froze, anxiety rising in her stomach again. There's someone else in here!
But curiosity won against nerves, and she cautiously tip-toed over in the direction of the voice.
There was a girl sat on the ground under one of the tower windows. She had pretty red hair, and she looked to be about Gem's age.
The latter squeaked in surprise, and was about to apologize for disturbing her, but then she saw the adorable white owl curled up on the girl's shoulder.
"Oh, how cute!" she exclaimed, and knelt down to see the little bird more clearly. "Does she have a name?"【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】@Sophia Nelson
"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
8 Apr 2022, 19:03
Writer’s Block
--- Date: 06/09/21|| Time: 17:20 ---
Sophia was startled at the sound of an oncoming student, but she managed to avoid jumping back in her startled state. She maintained her position firmly on the ground with the owl on her shoulder. Thankfully, she still appeared to be sleeping.
"Shh," she quietly chided the other girl, not even getting a good look at the newcomer yet, "She's sleeping.
She looked up at the other girl and noticed that she looked familiar. Where had Sophia seen this girl? She was in Ravenclaw, unless Sophia was mistaken. She'd seen her in the Sorting ceremony and in the Common Room. Didn't they also share a few classes? Truthfully, Transfiguration was the only class in which Sophia actually sat with people she knew. The other classes were pretty lonely so far, but that was fine. She was there to study.
This girl was a bit taller than Sophia, it seemed, but not much. Her hair was dark and her eyes were brown. Sophia was a bit jealous, having never much liked her own blindingly bright hair and pale skin. The kids from her old muggle school had teased her relentlessly about it.
"Sorry," she whispered an apology, "I don't know if she actually has a name, but I've been trying to think of something to call her. Maybe Silver? I think that's cute."
Sophia scooted over a bit to make room for the other girl if she wanted to join her in the owlery. She wasn't usually good with people, but if it was someone else who could appreciate the adorable owls living at the castle, she could find a way.
"I'm Sophia, by the way," she said softly, offering her free hand for a handshake. She was careful not to let the arm with Silver roosting on it jostle even a little bit. The poor baby was working so hard delivering letters. She deserved a good day's sleep.
Notes:
Interacting: @Gemima Sable||
Mentioning:
11 Apr 2022, 16:46
Writer’s Block
WC- 341
Hex-#433687【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】"Gemima Sable." she replied, and awkwardly shook the girl's outstretched hand. She felt both anxious and embarrassed, but the girl--Sophia, didn't seem too bothered by her intrusion. Come to think of it, she looked a bit familiar.
"Are you in Ravenclaw, too?" Gem asked curiously. She bit her lip as the words left her mouth. Well, that was abrupt. She hoped that it wasn't too sudden of a question.
Her gaze shifted to the now vacant spot next to Sophia.
"...I've been trying to think of something to call her," she was saying. "Maybe Silver? I think that's cute."
Gemima nodded slowly, still feeling a little off-balance. "That's a good name. Oh, Snowdrop would work as well." She bounced nervously on the balls of her feet as she spoke. Then, she remembered the letter that was still clutched in her hands. Whoops!
"I'll be right back..!" Gem added. She rushed over to the rows of owl roosts, and tried to calm her breathing. It was going to be fine, right? Sure, the interaction had been a little rocky on her part, and she'd come up here for an entirely different reason than talking to someone, but surely she had some time to spare? Sophia seemed nice, and it would be lovely to make some friends in her own House.
Gemima selected a handsome, tawny owl with horn-like tufts on top of its head. She nudged it gently. It turned to look at her with an indignant hoo!
She giggled softly and held out the letter to it. The owl actually sighed, which she had never seen before, but then it bumped its head against her knuckle, took the letter, and flew out the tower window.
Gem went over and watched it disappear into the clouds.
She glanced back over at Sophia, who was still sat on the floor.
"It must be nice to fly." She mused. Of course, wizards could take to the skies on brooms, but to just fly like the owls, uninhibited by anything, must be like a dream.【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】
@Sophia Nelson
"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
17 Apr 2022, 04:59
Writer’s Block
--- Date: 06/09/21|| Time: 17:20 ---
Sophia watched Gemima excuse herself and rush over to the owl roosts to mail a letter and smiled. Owls were so very intelligent. They were able to deliver letters to anyone in the school without an address, and it was so incredible that they were capable of such a feat. She remembered 'bird brain' being a common insult used in her old muggle school, but it was actually more of a compliment than most could ever realize.
She shifted a bit when she noticed the cute owl on her shoulder waking up.
"Didja get some rest, girl?" she asked with a smile and lightly petted the owl, "Think you could deliver this letter for me?"
She fished in her robes for a treat and offered it to the owl with the letter and a smile. She grinned when the owl gobbled the treat up and flew off with her letter. Sage would be lucky to get a letter from such a kind owl.
She stood up and dusted her skirt off before walking over to Gemima's spot near the owls.
'It must be nice to fly," the girl said thoughtfully.
"I know what you mean," Sophia agreed with a nod, "Flying is so, so scary in class, but to fly like these owls? It would be the best feeling in the world, I think."
She paused for a moment, just enjoying her winged friends' presence and asked, "Do you come up here often?"
Notes:
Interacting: @Gemima Sable||
Mentioning:
20 Apr 2022, 22:01
Writer’s Block
Outfit: School uniform, cardigan and sneakers【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】"I've been up here once or twice." Gemima replied slowly. This whole small talk thing was still quite new to her. She fidgeted with her sweater sleeves. At least her outfit wasn't too uncomfortable; it wasn't like she needed one more thing to worry about.
Sophia rose from her spot on the floor, and walked over to stand by the owls.
Gem watched her as she continued to speak."But yeah, I was just up here to send a letter back home. What about you?"
Gem had thought she had heard the redhead trying to write...something on her way up.
Before she could think it through, she was asking straight up front-- "Were you going to mail a letter, as well?"
She wasn't trying to be nosy or anything. The answer only had two possible outcomes, so she wouldn't be prying for any specific information. Gem inwardly cringed at her logic--of course that could be seen as nosy! She was about to apologize, and take back her question, but suddenly there was an explosion of screeching and hooting from the owl roosts.
A fight had broken out between three owls. Gemima couldn't tell what had provoked the kerfuffle, but the birds were furiously pecking and squawking at each other. She watched them go at it, wondering how such docile creatures could turn violent in a matter of seconds. She made a mental note to research owls later, in the library.【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】@Sophia Nelson
Last edited by Gemima Sable on 27 Apr 2022, 16:26, edited 2 times in total.
"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
24 Apr 2022, 05:20
Writer’s Block
--- Date: 06/09/21|| Time: --:-- ---
Sophia sprinted into action! Well, as close to sprinting as she could manage in her school robes. She didn't want to trip and plummet to her death from the Owlery, after all.
She reached the three ornery owls and dug around in her pockets, pulling out a small handful of owl treats. She tossed three of them into the air near the owls, hoping they would calm down and go for the snacks instead of each other. Luckily, they chose to snatch the treats from the air, preventing any serious injuries between them. Sophia sighed in relief.
She spent a moment babying the owls, trying to calm them down. She had no idea what had riled them up, but they were still all quite finicky. They were still pecking at each other despite the treats in their beaks and Sophia's coddling. She used all of her strength to keep them separated while simultaneously stroking their feathers, desperately trying to calm the birds down.
"Sorry," she apologized to Gemima, "I've never seen them do this before."
She grunted and winced as she felt quite a few pecks against her arms. She could expect to find a few scratches later, that was for sure, but it would be okay. As long as the owls were fine. She whispered to the creatures soothingly, but it wasn't quite working. Oh no.
"Uh, uh, Gem?" she asked nervously as the owls struggled against her arms, "Can I call you Gem? Oh, wait, not the time, Sophia. Anyway, can you reach into my left inner pocket and get some treats, please? Maybe it'll help calm them."
She tried not to sound terribly worried or urgent, but she honestly was a bit worried. She was still new to Hogwarts, so the last thing she wanted was to get in trouble or get banned from the Owlery.
Notes:Reduciopoor birds
Interacting: @Gemima Sable||
Mentioning:
26 Apr 2022, 01:30
Writer’s Block
Outfit: School uniform, cardigan, sneakers【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】Gemima would have been content to just brush over the owl scuffle. Fights probably broke out all the time. Owls could be pretty temperamental birds.
But Sophia sprinted over to the nests, and began dishing out what looked like treats from the inside of her robes. "I've never seen them do this before." she exclaimed above the screeching.
The owls took the treats, but seemed to perceive her as a threat, and the one closest to the redhead dug its beak into her hand.
Gemima stood there, unsure of what to do. Sophia had wedged herself between the furious owls, cooing and softly soothing them. She was impressed. Sophia must really love animals, in order to brave a band of owls with sharp beaks and talons.
"Gem?" Sophia's worried voice cut through her thoughts.
The former looked up nervously. "Yeah?"
"Can you reach into my left inner pocket and get some treats, please? Maybe it'll help calm them."
Gemima brightened, and sprung into action. Here was something she could do!
But then again, this was interesting. Who just happened to carry pocketfuls of owl treats on their person? Gem shook away her wonderings, and obediently stuck her hand into Sophia's pocket.
She pulled out a handful of treats, and extended her hand towards the birds.
One shrieked, and lunged at her. Gemima squeaked, and leapt backwards, scattering the treats all over the nests. Oh no! Did I make them even more angry?
But lo and behold, the owls dove apart from each other, and began searching in earnest for the delectable delicacies. Instead of grating squawks and pecking, the owlery returned to its usual gentle scratching and rustling, peppered only by the bemused hoots of the owl spectators.
A few craned their necks in Gemima's direction. She looked down and saw that she still had a few treats lingering in her palm.
She sheepishly went over to the more peaceful owls, and gingerly stretched out her hand. The owls descended upon the treats, and the only pain she felt was a few gentle nips on her skin. She giggled as one bumped its head against her knuckles.
Gemima pulled back from the roosts."Well, that was certainly exciting," she remarked, turning back to face Sophia. "I'm impressed that you came so prepared."【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】@Sophia Nelson
Last edited by Gemima Sable on 27 Apr 2022, 16:27, edited 1 time in total.
"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
26 Apr 2022, 05:44
Writer’s Block
--- Date: 06/09/21|| Time: --:-- ---
Sophia laughed at the other girl's comment. Truth be told, Sophia hadn't come prepared for anything of this sort. No, she just happened to keep treats at all times because she liked to spoil the owls. But it wasn't often that she impressed someone, so decided to leave that situation purposefully vague.
"Right," she said with a nod, "Thank you! I was impressed by your creative decision in the heat of the moment! I mean, who would have thought of scattering the treats like that? It was amazing!"
Her chest felt like it was about to burst from the excitement. Her hands and lower arms were sore and they stung a bit from the owls' pecking, but she could handle that. She was just glad the little babies weren't fighting any more.
She approached Gemima and had to hold back the urge to hug the girl. Not only had Gemima been so nice, she had even helped to stop the owls from fighting, and in Sophia's book, that made her a hero.
"Seriously," she said with a smile, eyes twinkling with joy, "Good job. I'm so thankful for you!"
In her elation, she didn't notice that her arms seemed to be going for a hug on their own. She winced and pulled her left arm behind her neck to try to cover her slip up. She extended her right hand in a fist in the universal sign for a fist bump. Hopefully wizards knew what a fist bump was!
Notes:Reducioyay! good work team
Interacting: @Gemima Sable||
Mentioning:
27 Apr 2022, 19:14
Writer’s Block
Outfit: School uniform, cardigan, sneakers【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】"Oh, that was just an accident," murmured Gemima. She clasped her hands behind her back. "I get spooked rather easily." She felt her cheeks warm at Sophia's praises. "It was no problem. I'm glad I could help." She was feeling a lot less nervous and less shy than before. Maybe all she needed was a distraction such as the owl fight.
Sophia beamed, and went in for a hug, but then quickly switched to a fist bump instead. Gemima returned the gesture, along with a small smile of her own. She was starting to like this girl. "You did very well, yourself! I don't know if I would have done anything if you hadn't taken charge."
The owls had been pretty rough, and she could see several reddening marks and scratches on the other girl's hands and arms. Her eyes widened, and she gently took one of Sophia's hands in her own. "Merlin, are you all right? Looks like you took quite the beating."
Her fingers came away smeared with a bit of blood. She winced, and looked back up at the redhead, not noticing how close they had gotten.
"We could go up to the hospital wing and take care of you really quick, if you want. I think I can help out." She inspected the small cuts again.
"It's not too bad honestly, but I wouldn't want you to go around with blood on you all day."【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】★【☆】@Sophia Nelson
"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"