26 Jun 2024, 04:19
The Only Option.
JUNE SELWYN
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Date: June 8, 2024 | @Xailah Alptraum-Leveret | Dialogue: X
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*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
Date: June 8, 2024 | @Xailah Alptraum-Leveret | Dialogue: X
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[quote]June was no stranger to the library. The studious girl had spent days on end pouring over books, especially in her first two years at Hogwarts. As large and seemingly endless as the bookshelves appeared, June was convinced she had skimmed through every book there was on curses and hexes. None of them described what she was looking for. It was all theory and history, the difference between dark arts spells, the classifications. But these were spells, and by now June knew there was more to magic than incantations and wand movements. Those were simply tools to mould magic to your will. But surely if wizards, even many at Hogwarts, were not confined by the need for those tools, then surely there was more to the dark arts than these books were letting on. She needed to know the inner workings of them, how curses (technically hexes, I suppose, but that doesn't sound nearly as dramatic) were formed and subsequently, and more importantly, broken. Of course, that sort of information was dangerous, and thus was protected. June knew that. Still, it was something she needed to know, her thirst for certainty growing by the day. Was it all a joke? Or could some sort of dark magic truly be plaguing her team?
Frustrated, June strolled down the stairs and into the courtyard. Fresh air was good when you felt trapped or stuck, something like that. It was mostly empty, save for a small group of Hufflepuff students and one Miss Xailah Alptraum, prefect of Gryffindor. Good enough.
Returning to her train of thought. She doubted her home library would have anything like this, most of it was compiled of novels. Even if it did, June would need to wait until after the school year to retrieve it, as she wanted to ensure she looked through everything herself. The restricted section was the only answer, she feared. But how in Merlin's name would June be able to-
It hit her like a heavy bludger to the side. A prefect wouldn't get detention for something like this, much less one who was old enough to access the books she desired. And of all the prefects she currently knew, Xailah Alptraum was the only one who June could justify asking. She was, after all, a racer herself. In fact, it was a race between the two of their houses when the racers were afflicted with some sort of magical malady and the race was unable to finish. Yes, she was the only option.
"Xailah." Her voice was gentle but strong. She was not afraid. "A word, if I may?" June stepped forward, taking a breath. If June's tickle of anxiety proved to be correct, she had much bigger things to worry about than getting a detention for this ask. No, it was worth it, through and through. "I'll cut to the point. I would like to take a book out from the restricted section, but I don't have access to it." Oh shoot, how does she actually ask this. She looked at the sky for a moment as she formed her words. "If someone, say, a seventh-year, were to find what I needed, I would owe them a great deal." June looked the elegant lioness in the eyes, gauging her reaction before continuing. After all, discretion is key when dealing with subjects like curses and dark magic, even if intentions are pure.
13 Oct 2024, 07:32
The Only Option.
@June Selwyn
Winter had come and gone in a flurried breath; and spring left just as quickly. Not-quite-summer was upon Scotland in bountiful swathes of green, that would soon be retiring the spring blooms sustained throughout late Eastertide; their embroidered colors anticipated to recede into the emerald suede they had sprouted from. Litha would be approaching in no time, and with it, the end of an epoch; more than just the landscape and weather would be changing as the world found itself breaking into the cusp of June.
June.
June was a month of renewal.
June was the month all would finally come to light. Xailah was never going to have to see Hogwarts again; soon she'd be reaping the reward she had long been waiting for. Liberation. The promise of wings- the promise of finally having her freedom.
It made the seven years of distress seem all the more worth enduring.
While many of her yearmates were scrambling to improve their academics at the last minute, or kicking back to cruise through what little remained of the year, Xailah spent her last few days of confinement meticulously tying off loose ends- and severing those that no longer served any purpose to her. It was a tedious task, but it would prove rewarding once complete. If it could ever be completed. It felt like everyone was seeking favors of some kind or looking to strike a deal, now that the school year was coming to a close.
The lioness was no stranger to peers trying to strike up conversation out of the blue. Sometimes it was just an act of politeness, or an effort to slide into good graces, but more often than not, something was wanted in the end. That said, Xailah couldn't have possibly imagined what June Selwyn could have wanted from her. Proud and capable, June didn't paint the image of someone in need of help. At least, not at a glance.
She had been in the courtyard at the time of June's arrival, reclined on one of the low half-walls that blocked off a few central gargoyles. A little black book- some kind of journal, perhaps- obscured her face from passerby. Although she appeared comfortable with her own company, she revealed to be receptive to June's presence. The girl wasn't a friend to the she-cat, but she was certainly worthy of acknowledgment. "Miss Selwyn." Xailah mirrored smoothly, briefly peering over her book with a sweep of lidded gold eyes. "It is always a pleasure." The golds narrowed, smiling, where her lips did not.
Anxiety did not make itself apparent in June's voice, but her drawn breath would hint toward some uncertainty- so Xailah believed. This deviation from her typical nature would pique the Gryffindor's interest. With a slow wave of her hand; palms up, bejeweled fingers uncurling; she wordlessly permitted June's audience, allowing an opening for the snakelet to speak. "Straight to business? I can commend that." Another friendly squint. While the long drawn-out explanations many clients offered could be interesting, a more short-cut exposition could always be appreciated too. There was a time and a place for both.
June laid out her woes, bare and unfiltered. Xailah nodded considerately. Restricted section. Needs a book. No access. She had been presented with similar troubles before. The forbidden knowledge locked away in the Restricted Section was desirable to many. "That sounds like a problem." One she was inclined to help solve. She admittedly always enjoyed secret retrieval requests.
Selwyn's sudden (and admittedly humorous) detour into a less direct point, earned her an amused breath. "Hm. Best of luck on your search for a willing seventh year." Xailah gave with a low chuckle, her eyes returning to her book. She was quiet for a beat, feigning disinterest. "I only jest, Miss Selwyn." The lioness then assured, flipping to a new page. The manila parchment fluttered like butterfly wings between her fingers. "I would be happy to assist you. For the right price, of course- but we can discuss the details of that later. Tell me, what is it that you seek exactly?" The Restricted Section housed many tomes. Which one called to June?
Before me, you rightly tremble. But, fear is not what you owe me. You owe me awe....
Stamina: 12 ~ Evasion: 17 ~ Strength: 2 ~ Wisdom: 16 ~ Arcane Power: 4 ~ Accuracy: 17
Student Account: Martyr Daeva-Lazarus