9 Oct 2024, 00:39
Keep Moving |
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Just keep moving. Keep moving. Left foot. Right foot. Left. Right... Faster. Harder. Keep moving....
The words swirled in her mind as she rounded the lake through her last lap.
Just keep moving.
That's all she felt like she'd been doing for months now. Keep moving. Keep distracted. Outrun school. Outrun her parents. Outrun adulthood. Outrun herself if possible. It felt like everything was piling up into some impending horror that felt like nothing less than crippling to imagine dealing with. That was a feeling she wasn't used to. Illowy Magnard who always remained rational, always had a plan, always had a grip.
These days it felt like her grip was slipping. All summer had just been days of staying out, avoiding going home, and hanging out with anyone and everyone that would aid her in distraction from the fact that she was floundering with the knowledge that she had no plan for her present or her future. That was a concept she had never had to face before. Mother always had a plan for her, told her what to do with the expectation of perfection. Her father had his own plans for her that were just as unappealing.
Everyone kept asking questions. Everyone wanted to know things from her. Even the small, stupid, meaningless questions felt overwhelming at this point. It was all she could do to focus on the things immediately in her control; herself, her hobbies, and her studies. Herself was a less-than-good topic for her attention to be on. Avoided at all costs unless she had no choice. Her studies, if she was being honest, were barely meeting her expectations of herself; finding it difficult to maintain her presence of mind enough to focus. Finally, her hobbies were becoming non-existent. She'd never managed to return to Dueling Club, nor could she remember the last time she touched her sketchbooks, her violin had yet to collect dust but was often foregoed if running was on the table. Running had become her mainstay.
As she neared her finish point, she pushed with the last bit of her effort before crossing it and finally giving herself a break, letting herself collapse back into the grass and try to find her breath again.
Running was good. It was something. Something to eat up time, and eat up energy. Burned her out until she was too tired to overthink herself into a tizzy. It felt better to focus on the soreness in her legs and fire in her lungs than the lightening in her brain. It was something. Merlin knew she needed something.
When the burning faded from her lungs, the Seventh Year sat up, dipping her face under the collar of her sweatshirt a moment to wipe the sweat away before she stood up. She was tired, maybe a little shaky on her feet from a hard run, but at least she didn't feel on the brink of madness as she stared out at the Lake; lonely and undisturbed among the quiet of autumn settling in. She could empathize with that notion.
I was told I was dangerous. When I asked why, they said, "Because you don't need anyone." That's when I smiled.
28 Nov 2024, 02:22
Keep Moving |
Date: 10/10/24
𝕽uth Fairchild was having a hard time finding someone to give Mr Pom to.
Just after the Little Acts of Kindness meeting, Ruth had stood leaning against the school walls outside the grounds, watching, waiting, for someone who seemed like they needed cheering up. To her disappointment, she was out of luck. Her hopes of making someone’s day had dashed, and she sullenly began her usual walks around the lake, clutching the protection figurine in her palm. Usually she opted for relaxed, long walks or brisk ones. That day, though, she dragged her feet, sighing.
I mean, I could try another day. It wasn’t that she wanted to get rid of it as fast as possible, it was just…Ruth shook her head to herself, staring out into the lake. It was a tranquil sight; one of the reasons why she enjoyed the long walks of solitude and thoughts. She could replay memories of the day in her head, reflect on her mistakes and her knowledge, and most importantly—think. Despite how the Great Lake seemed to be a place well known for people who wished to isolate themselves, Ruth had the decency to bump into them and suddenly offer them company.
At that thought, Ruth perked up. Hey, this is a good place to start as any! After all, where else would you throw your sorrows away than a Great Lake?
Picking up her pace, Ruth began her usual loop around the body of water, whistling a jaunty tune to herself. Once she managed to pick up even a pinch of enthusiasm, there was no stopping the girl. Skipping, she made her way to her favourite scenic sight, right at the tip of the lake, facing the school. The view there had always been jaw-dropping to Ruth. Not only that, she had a higher possibility of frequenting upon a lone student.
As she neared the sight, Ruth froze.
Someone was already there before her, an older student. She watched as the girl before her looked out into the lake, her pale, cold blue eyes took upon a conversation with the peaceful sight. Ruth could tell she wasn’t the happiest girl alive. The way her lips were turned to a small frown, her eyes gazing and distracted, her body huffing as if she had just come from a run. Should Ruth let her presence be known, or introduce herself?
Ruth glanced down at Mr Pom who laid snug in her hands, then back out at the girl. People always came to the Great Lake for temporary solitary confinement. It sure would be unfair to interrupt that on purpose.
Descision made, she hoped that her “Cat’s Grace” ability would be put to a use.
OOC:ReducioI hope you’re okay with the date being 10/10Seeing as those Ruth has the ability “Cat’s Grace”, she’s gonna try to place the figurine next to Ira without her knowing! Hopefully she doesn’t get caught—(That being said, once she places her figurine down, she will automatically be considered “Unhidden” according to the description.)
ALMOST EVERYTHING 𝐓he sun rises for everyone, not just those who chase it. |