16 Sep 2024, 01:54
Wonderstruck
Interacting with @Rhys Read as Achille Lévesque-Auclair.
June 16th, 2024.
Summer was fast approaching, if not already arrived, and the weather had improved appropriately. The reached through every window in the castle, which was mostly empty. Today was particularly nice, being one of those warm, sunny days that was neither too cold nor too sticky. It was a perfect day for gardening. In fact, Zendra had already done some this morning and had returned refreshed and brimming with energy. She'd been filthy then, but since then, she'd taken time to shower, clean out her nails, and change into the outfit she'd lain out on her desk the night before. On a normal day, she wouldn't have bothered with all that but instead would have just washed her hands and been done with it. However, this was not a normal day. Because today, she was going on a date.
Zendra had been on dates before (one with a boy named Lloyd, and several ball dates with Achille), but she felt there was something special about this one. Achille had been so mysterious about it, neglacting to share any details in advance. His only instructions were to meet him outside the west gardens. It was rather mysterious for him, and Zendra was extremely curious about why. Maybe... maybe he was going to ask to be her boyfriend. Oh, she really hoped this was the case. They'd met over a year ago, during the spring ball. After losing her way in the enchanted maze that seemed to be alive, she'd found Achille, who was lost as well. They'd helped each other find their way out, and ever since, she'd been smitten. The next year, he'd officially asked her as his date to the fall ball, and she'd been over the moon with joy and excitement. But not nearly as much as now.
Zendra stared at her reflection in the mirror, humming to herself as she debated whether to wear her hair up or down. She settled with down, but added a bow to complete the look. At long last, she was ready. With a small smile and a nod to herself, she swiftly turned and hurried out the room before her nerves got the better of her. As she walked, she stared down at the note that Achille had given her with the details. A small part of her wondered if this was prank, someone's idea of a cruel joke, but she shoved that thought down. No, Zendra thought, this was him. After all, he did invite her to the ball last year. Besides, who would want to prank her? She was being silly.
And so, she headed to the entrance of the west gardens, and sat down on a small stone bench to wait.
452 words. #132444.
17 Sep 2024, 18:50
Wonderstruck
Writing as Achille Levesque-Auclair, interacting with @Nora de Carie as Zendra Blanchet
Achille had his first crush. And, well, he'd sort of been crushing for a while. It all started his first year, when he'd gotten lost in the enchanted maze on his way to the spring ball at Hogwarts. He'd found Zendra Blanchet, a fellow Beauxbatons student, and they managed to find their way together. Achille liked talking to Zendra, and they became each other's un-official date. The next year, Achille asked Zendra to officially go with him to the fall ball. All throughout it, Achille fell harder and found himself blushing more frequently. He'd get nervous around Zendra, like he had something to prove. His mums seemed amused when he wrote home and told them about it, then suggested he ask her out.
So Achille mustered enough courage to ask Zendra to join him for a picnic a few weeks before they would go home for the summer, and his mums sent him money for the food with plenty left over for him to pick out a gift for her. Achille had a feeling this was on purpose, but he was grateful for it as he didn't have enough of his own money for the items he had his eye on.
Achille got to their picnic spot early to set up, laying down a blanket and setting out the food before taking out the gifts he had bought for Zendra. The fist was a journal, because he always thought that it was easier to express things in writing, and the second was a charm bracelet with a few charms he'd picked out. One was a Z, another was a blue butterfly, another a lantern that shone in the dark, and the last one was the Beauxbatons coat of arms. He wrapped them all together carefully, and hid them underneath the blanket for later. He paced a little, nervous yet excited at the same time. His stomach was a mess of nerves.
Finally, Achille walked out to the entrance where Zendra was waiting, waving a little as he approached. "Hi, I'm so happy you're here," He couldn't help but smile. "How are you? You look very pretty, as always." His cheeks pinked a little, and he gave Zendra a bashful smile.
#a984d7 | French
22 Sep 2024, 02:33
Wonderstruck
Interacting with @Rhys Read as Achille Lévesque-Auclair.
June 16th, 2024.
The grounds of Beauxbatons were quite empty this afternoon, Zendra noticed as she scanned the grounds, looking for any sign of her date. While many had gone out earlier that day, now that the sun was close to setting, most people were headed inside. Before she'd left, her roommates were all either studying, showering, or waiting to shower. Luckily, they'd let her go first, as she had date privileges. She'd also seen quite a few students in the great hall when she'd passed by, also studying, but she'd also seen a few chess games in motion. Zendra had never been very good at chess. She wondered if Achille was, and if he liked playing. She thought she would learn to like it, if he did.
Just as she was thinking this, Zendra spotted someone heading in her direction. Achille! Her heart squeezed in her chest. He looked heartbreakingly handsome as always, and Zendra did her best not to become flustered, but she knew her cheeks were pink. When he waved at her, her flap was too rigid, too eager. She quickly put her hand down, smiling despite herself. When he got close, she stood up and took a few steps to meet him.
"Hi, I'm so happy you're here," he said, his smile giving her butterflies. "How are you? You look very pretty, as always." Now, Zendra was certain her face was beet red.
As she looked up at him, she noticed again his eyes. Mon Dieu, his eyes were gorgeous. They were a medium with only the smallest amount of turquoise, like deep sea water reflecting the light of the sun. She thought that she was very lucky to be able to look into his eyes for so long, and privately wondered what flower would match them the best. She would have to grow it in the castle's garden, so everyone could see such a pretty colour.
"I-- uh-- er--" Zendra had to pull herself together. "You look great, too," she managed. 'Great' was hardly a good enough word to describe him, but she thought she might die of embarrassment if she said a word more. Instead, she redirected. "So, um, where are we going?"
367 words. #132444.