Roleplaying as Casey Stone from Ilvermorny

August 27th 2024
Speech: Bold #257379
Thoughts: Bold Italics

On a cool evening in the Stone household back in Portland, Oregon, Casey lay back on his bed with his legs crossed. He faced the navy ceiling above him as he tossed a beanbag mindlessly up and down in his lopsided position. He had his mind set on one thing. The usual. His brother. Though his mood had improved significantly thanks to a certain Puff of Huffle overseas, he still couldn't get past the "acceptance" hurdle in his grief. To argue for the millionth time against his peers that Nick was still alive was getting tiresome and only added fuel back to his past frustration. He was convinced everyone was wrong, that Nick was alive. The only problem was he had jack proof to show it.

With school on the horizon, he had very little time left to investigate the grounds where he had gone missing before the train to Ilvermorny would call him back. He made a point to spend all day tomorrow to hike through the forest, retracing every step Nick could've taken during the incident to the point he disappeared. While a part of him was preparing himself for the disappointment of potentially coming up short - given that it's been well over a year now since it happened - that glimmer of hope that had continued to burn all this time was keeping his spirits up. Even if just barely.

But he knew he couldn't do it all by himself. He wasn't the greatest problem solver in the world, even if he was pretty good at thinking outside the box when he had to. In the off chance he did manage to find a clue, he knew there would be no way in how he would go about looking into it. His patience was thin as it was already; finding a clue, if any, and having no idea what to do with it would drive him insane.

He groaned before he sat up straight on his bed. He needed help. A minute passed and soon his eyes travelled to his quill and parchment on his desk. If he was going to rely on anyone...

It would be her...

He went over to his desk and started writing. The stream of words that were printed on the parchment was almost as smooth as their conversation from back then.

Hey,
I’ve been doing some thinking lately.
Back at camp, when we got talking and stuff… That was the most vulnerable I’ve ever felt in a long time. I don’t even think my folks have seen a spilling like that in a while themselves and they’re usually the only people I’d ever shed a tear in front of.
I said to you before I’d find that bastard brother of mine. The rest you can guess on what I could say next.
If you think he’s dead like everyone else does then forget about this letter – in fact, you can forget about everything I told you back then. Ain’t no use if you’re not an optimist like you claim you are. But I reckon you’re smarter than that. I know you are. So if I ask you to help me look for Nick, you’ll say yes right? Hell, I know you will. After what you’ve said, you’re like an open book now. I know you'd want in on this yeah? Good will and all that.
But also because you know I can’t do this alone, as much as it irks me to admit it. I can scour the entire forest where Nick went missing, hoke up every clue relating to his vanishing act and still not manage to piece it all together. But you can. You’ve got brains. I saw you during the Scavenger Hunt. You’re clever. You can link anything together with that head of yours.
So what do you say, Little Miss No-Maj? Wanna go a round of Cluedo with me and help find Nick?
I’ll let you know what I find, that's if I find anything. From here on out, you’re my second opinion. I’m counting on you.
- Casey

Sealing his letter in an envelope he addressed it to her. He just about remembered where she said she was from when they had their heart-to-heart back at camp. The owl in the family slotted the letter between its beak and flew off with it. He sat back in his chair as he looked vacantly out the window.

She'll say yes.

_{Word Count: 833}

_{For The Know-How (Le Plot)
@Scout Fu-Hai - @AngelFyre McCubbin - @Ruby Night - @Danielle Alden - @Renelle Dalton - @Simon Kincaid - @Colin McCoire - @Ophelia Northwell - @Ava Winchect}

This will be one of the last of the "Set-Up" threads, I promise...!

Stats: Stamina: 8 | Strength: 7 | Evasion: 7 | Wisdom: 6 | Arc Power: 6 | Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Fearless |Poison Resistance

August 27th 2024
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics

Back in Belfast, Emily sat at the top of the stairs, hiding away from the neglectful yet equally prying eyes of her mother and her flying monkeys. Another modelling meeting in the living room, with a group of young, wafer thin ladies that probably ate no more than a stick of carrot a day surrounding themselves around Mrs Shephard, begging her to be the star of her next line of clothing with deal sweeteners and promises too rich for them to keep.

Emily found it all sickening. Scandalous swinsuit outfits, makeup that turns women into walking oranges and physiques that convert them into Barbie dolls didn't appeal to her at all. It was all a facade. It all made her that much grateful that she adopted a simpler and more humble look, with no makeup required. "Auntie" helped play a part in that of course, but Emily had to give credit where it was due - her mother had successfully scared her away from the world of beautification and though their relationship had been fractured for so long, Emily appreciated her mother's efforts on that front.

After getting fed up with the same shrill of voices coming from downstairs, Emily retreated further up the stairs closer to her bedroom and the attic, sitting against the wall between the two rooms with her knees to her chest. How could a house so rowdy still be so painfully isolating?

The lack of her mother's attention was the overarching factor. Perhaps it was the prolonged effect after all this time of being apart? Or maybe Emily simply grew tired of pining for hope and change, knowing her parents were never going to detach from their work, not after what they've "been through" to earn their passions.

A loud and continuous scratch suddenly pulled Emily out of her thoughts. She heard it coming from her room. Getting up she entered inside and to her surprise, she found an owl tap at the window. She hurried over opened the window where the owl deposited a letter in front of her before flying off before giving Emily a chance to process it.

She picked up the letter and unfolded the envelope, to which she was greeted with Casey's letter. Sitting down on her bed, she read it and re-read it before setting it gently to the side.

He wants my help...?

Casey was more than passionate about tracking Nick down, that was more than fact at this point. But Emily wasn't that much of a riddle solver, was she?

But she didn't spend three months and an entire summer camp to befriend the boy just to shoot him down when he was asking for help for probably the first time in his life.

Taking to her desk, she reached for some paper and her pen, drafting a response to his letter.

Casey,
I'm honoured you came to me about this. I know how much this means to you. What you said during our chat hasn't gone forgotten. I meant what I said when I'd listen, and after all you've said, nothing would make me happier than to be able to help you.

Whenever you need help, whether it's a clue you find or trying to piece two and two together, I'll be there to help where I can. I won't have all the answers but you won't be going through it alone.

I'm ready to start if you are,

Emily

She summoned Tavra whom flew in energetically. With a quick pet she handed the letter to her. Tavra took it in her beak before flying off out the window and across the city. Emily waved as Tavra went to deliver the letter to Casey.

Not that he needed reminding for a third time anyway, but he wasn't alone. Emily was making sure of that... Just in case.

_{Word Count: 703}

_{For The Know-How (Le Plot)
@Scout Fu-Hai - @AngelFyre McCubbin - @Ruby Night - @Danielle Alden - @Renelle Dalton - @Simon Kincaid - @Colin McCoire - @Ophelia Northwell - @Ava Winchect - @Eugenia Karageorgiadi (as requested)}

Stats: Stamina: 7|Evasion: 6|Strength: 6|Wisdom: 8|Arcane Power: 7|Accuracy: 6
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast|Cat's Grace