3 Apr 2024, 22:47
The Sounds of Spring
Speech: #008000Open to interactions.The grounds were shrouded in darkness as the young girl stole across the grass, clutching her beloved instrument in one hand. The violin felt warm and heavy in her palm, and she loved it. Just being near the violin made her itch to play something, to create music. Her bow was tucked under her arm as she crossed the grounds that were wet with the early morning dew. It was cold outside, and the girl had forgotten to bring her cloak. Once again. That was starting to become a problem with her. Now that it was April and practically spring, the girl had assumed it might be a little warmer, but the cold breeze still bit her nose and cheeks harshly, making them turn a deep shade of pink.
She had come out here this morning to make music. Usually hating getting up early, the girl had felt inspired today. She loved to play her violin, but felt very self-conscious around people. A new friend had helped her a little with that, but it hadn't taken all her fears away. She still wanted to play where no one else would be able to hear or see her, where no one else would be able to judge her. The girl continued on her way, nearing the Great Lake. Breathing softly, the petite girl walked down to the edge of the lake. She stopped and looked out at the beauty of the nature around her. It really was quite stunning, the breeze rustling the trees and playing with her dark brown hair. The air smelled fresh, and clean, and of new beginnings. The tiny prick of sunlight she could see start to rise was illuminating bits of the lake, and the surface of the water was shining like a gem.
The girl took a breath, inhaling the spring scent and letting it fill her with courage. She stepped right up to the cold shores of the Great Lake, slipping her shoes off and taking a few steps forward. Finally, she was standing in the lake itself, her small feet barely submerged in the cold water. It was grounding for her. Taking a deep breath, she threw back her head to let her hair be caught by the wind. It billowed out behind her like a chocolate coloured wave as she raised her precious violin to her chin. The girl breathed once more, then brought the bow down on the strings with a flourish. Immediately, a lilting song flowed from the instrument, a sweet melody that reminded one of springtime and flowers. The girl closed her eyes, swaying to the song of the violin, dancing lightly to her music in the waters of the lake. The sun continued to rise ever so slowly as the song advanced. The music poured out of the girl's soul, wrapping her up in it's glorious sound.
Last edited by Genevieve Delacourt on 4 Apr 2024, 17:59, edited 1 time in total.
4 Apr 2024, 14:47
The Sounds of Spring
Outfit:
ReducioSlytherin school uniform, a silver ouroboros ring on her left ring finger and with her hair down
Text:
ReducioItalics:Thoughts
Normal text: Actions and general description of what is happening
#5doo8f: Talking
Interacting with:
Reducio@Genevieve DelacourtRiver stepped quietly down along the shore of the Black Lake, her slightly wavy black hair drifting gracefully in the subtle breeze. Slowly, the faint notes of a violin reached her ears. The melodical sound calming her instantly. What a beautiful, whimsical song, she thought. Up ahead, stood a girl in yellow Hufflepuff robes, violin under her chin, dancing along to her music.
She looked so happy, a carefree smile on her face as she played. It reminded her of when she would play piano, her mother and tutor watching from the sidelines as she was lost to the music. She sometimes regretted not learning an instrument that could be easily carried and played wherever.
The pureblood heiress took a seat in a nearby soft patch of grass along the shore of the Lake, a small smile cracking through her usual indifferent mask as she simply lost herself to the joyous music and watching the ripples in the water as they appeared on the surface of the Lake from the giant squid or other sea creatures swimming close to the surface.
I wonder if she would ever let me play with her one day...if I don't scare her off first. What did mother say would help with making friends again? "Treat them like they were one of your creatures"? Well, I doubt she would appreciate a headpat like the kneazels do when they bring me a mouse, no matter how pretty I think her playing is.WC: 246
4 Apr 2024, 18:14
The Sounds of Spring
Speech: #008000Being startled by @River LuxleyAs the sun rose steadily higher, music continued to pour out of the violin. It really was quite amazing how such a beautiful sound came from a small wooden instrument. The girl swayed in time with the song, and in time with the soft breeze that was blowing over the Great Lake and causing her hair to flow out behind her. Soon, her song was coming to an end. The last sweet notes slid across the strings, and it almost left a longing in one's heart. A knowing that spring was here, and it was good, but that summer was coming. And that was better. The final sang from the violin, and then it was silent. The girl stood, ankle deep in the lake, eyes still closed, violin still raised. Her bow arm slowly fell to her side, and she opened her bright blue eyes to see the beginnings of a beautiful sunrise.
With a small sigh of sorrow that the song had ended, the girl turned around. It was time to head back to the castle, and get ready for a long day of classes. These stolen moments had been glorious, but nothing lasted forever. Not spring, not sorrow, but not happiness either. The girl carefully stepped out of the water, shivering slightly as her wet feet met with the chilly breeze. Looking down so as not to trip and fall, the girl made her way up to the grass on the shore of the lake, holding her violin tightly. She shuddered to think what would happen if she dropped it. She grabbed her shoes, and held them in the same hand as her bow.
Suddenly, the girl froze. Her wide blue eyes were trained on a figure seated on the grassy shore. Had someone been watching her? She blinked, quite horrified. She felt she couldn't take another step. Her hand tightened around the violin. Why in Merlin's name was someone up this early? The girl had gotten up early on purpose so that she could come out here and play music in peace, without spectators. The girl swallowed hard, and managed a few barely whispered words. "Um, who are you?" A deep flush the colour of a peony was starting to come over her cheeks, and the girl shivered again as the breeze blew past her bare feet.
5 Apr 2024, 12:28
The Sounds of Spring
Outfit:
ReducioSlytherin school uniform, a silver ouroboros ring on her left ring finger and with her hair down
Text:
ReducioItalics:Thoughts
Normal text: Actions and general description of what is happening
#5doo8f: Talking
Interacting with:
Reducio@Genevieve DelacourtThe quaint notes of the violin slowly tapered off as they floated along the gentle wind. The final melodious note a signal that her peace would soon be broken. River's eyes drifted over to the girl, now returning from the shallow waters with her shoes and instrument in hand. Her icy grey-blue eyes held a contentedness that had been unseen since parting with her parents. However, as the Hufflepuff approached, bright dawn light highlighting her brown hair, River's usual mask of indifference slammed over her features. She didn't know this girl, despite listening to her play for the last few minutes. It was impossible for her to be comfortable with this stranger, especially since she wasn't used to speaking with people her age.
"Um, who are you?" A flush settled over the girl's cheeks as she shivered in the wind. I hope she doesn't get sick, River thought, remembering how awful it was whenever one of her creatures fell ill. Oh, I should probably respond to her.
She stands with a gracefulness ingrained into her by her etiquette teacher since she was 4, a slightly bored expression on her face. Despite wanting to come off as friendly, her anxiousness at talking to a stranger made her fall further behind her mask.
"My name is River Luxley, Heiress to the Noble and Ancient House of Luxley. Well met." The words were stiff and cold.
Abort! Abort! Friendlier!
"I enjoyed your playing. How long have you played the violin? I play the piano, myself."
That should be better, right? Mother said people who have similar interests are more likely to become friends. I hope I'm not putting her off.
She fiddles with the ouroboros ring on her left ring finger, the silver metal glinting in the sunlight as she twists it back and forth. Her loose black hair framing her pale face. Her spine is stiff as she looks into the eyes at the blushing girl in front of her, hoping she hasn't just made a complete fool of herself.WC: 338
Last edited by River Luxley on 13 Apr 2024, 20:33, edited 1 time in total.
13 Apr 2024, 20:16
The Sounds of Spring
Speech: #008000Asking @River Luxley a question.Viva noted the way this girl stood. She was poised, and proper. She looked like a member of the nobility. Probably a pure-blood, Viva thought to herself as she bit her lip. I hope she doesn't have the typical ideals, though. She blinked at the girl's next words. Aha. I am correct. Viva managed a tight-lipped smile. Who says 'Well met'? She wrinkled her nose. I should really stop judging this girl. I don't know her. Sighing internally, Viva reached out her hand for a shake. "My name is Genevieve Delacourt, but most people call me Viva." Her heart was still beating very fast, when she was nervous she often came across as rude. She needed to watch that.
"Um, thank you?" Viva's voice made it sound more like a question. Ugh. She adjusted her hold on the violin. "I have been playing since I was four," she admitted. "So eight years." Viva blinked. She played piano? Good for her. "I play a bit of piano, myself," she said, trying to figure out why this girl was out here so early. She decided to just straight out ask her. "Why are you out here so early?" Viva bit her lip. Now she regretted asking. Goodness. Viva noticed the way River was fidgeting with the strange ring on her finger. She felt uncomfortable as River looked at her, feeling like she was seeing right through her.
13 Apr 2024, 20:50
The Sounds of Spring
Outfit:
ReducioSlytherin school uniform, a silver ouroboros ring on her left ring finger and with her hair down
Text:
ReducioItalics:Thoughts
Normal text: Actions and general description of what is happening
#5doo8f: Talking in English
#1a8ca2: Talking in Norwegian (Translations under revelio)
Interacting with:
Reducio@Genevieve Delacourt"My name is Genevieve Delacourt, but most people call me Viva." The nervous girl, Viva, introduced herself. She seemed confused when River complimented her playing and the Slytherin felt herself panic slightly, thinking that she had already made a mistake. "Why are you out here so early?" Viva asked curiously, glancing at the ring River fiddled with between her fingers.
"Oh," River blinked somewhat in surprise, her slight Norwegian slipping into her tone, "I suppose I was simply exploring the grounds and trying to find somewhere to relax," the cold look on her face slipped slightly as she continued her words, "There is many people here at Hogwarts, and I'm not very experienced with interacting with others my age." The Hufflepuff girl had a sweet presence to her, as if it was visually possible to exude a sense that she would make a trustworthy friend. This is why River said next, "I've never had friends before, and I don't know anyone here at all. I miss my creature friends and my parents." She gave a small shrug, eyes a somber stormy grey compared to the ice-like blue from before, "I couldn't sleep in the dorms any longer and the common room was too loud, so I wandered here and heard your music."
Her arms wrapped around her waist, imitating a hug, and glanced away from the girl in front of her, "I apologise if I've disturbed you, I can leave if you would like."
Word count: 237/200
15 Apr 2024, 20:03
The Sounds of Spring
Speech: #008000Feeling guilty about @River LuxleyViva blinked at the girl's Norwegian accent, and listened carefully to her words. The poor girl was lonely. Viva could tell. Immediately feeling a pang of guilt for how cold she had at first been, Viva decided with a rush of sympathy that she needed to say something nice. Her heart felt even heavier as River admitted that she didn't have very many friends at all. Oh no, Viva thought. She noted the little quirks that River seemed to have, like shrugging and trying to make herself seem smaller by hugging herself. "Oh, that's okay," Viva said hurriedly. "I was just startled. Sorry if I seemed harsh." The Hufflepuff girl blinked her blue eyes. "Sorry you couldn't sleep, too," she said softly. "That doesn't sound fun."
She took a step forward, towards River. "Don't leave," she said pleadingly. "I don't want you to have to go back inside because of me." The violin felt heavy in her palm, and Viva could still feel the cold breeze blowing past her wet feet, chilling them to the bone. "Brr," she shivered. "It sure is cold out here, even though it's spring time." Somewhere nearby, a bird began chirping merrily, and Viva smiled. She loved spring, because of all the new life, and the promise of summer, just around the corner.
15 Apr 2024, 20:28
The Sounds of Spring
Outfit:
ReducioSlytherin school uniform, a silver ouroboros ring on her left ring finger and with her hair down
Text:
ReducioItalics:Thoughts
Normal text: Actions and general description of what is happening
#5doo8f: Talking in English
#1a8ca2: Talking in Norwegian (Translations under revelio)
Interacting with:
Reducio@Genevieve Delacourt"Oh, that's okay," the Hufflepuff was quick to reassure, "I was just startled. Sorry if I seemed harsh. Sorry you couldn't sleep, too, that doesn't sound fun." Genevieve took a few steps forward, stopping just in front of River, who had turned back to face her with an unsure glint to her crystal eyes. "Don't leave," River could not deny the shock she felt at the girl's plea, "I don't want you to go back inside because of me."
River watched as she shivered as the cold wind breezed past the duo, "It sure is cold out here, even though it's spring time," Genevieve's eyes shone in the early morning sunlight as she smiled at the nature around them. River couldn't help the miniscule grin that perked her lips at the brunette's enthusiasm.
"Thank you," River said quietly, "It is rather cold I suppose, but I am not bothered by it very much. My family often spends the winter months in Norway to celebrate Jul Yule and the winter blót sacrifice. I am used to much colder weather," The Norse girl shrugged her shoulders somewhat elegantly for an action that would have made her etiquette instructor faint with horror. "If I knew the Warming Charm I would have used it but alas, we have not covered it in class yet."
Word count: 219/200