exeat expectations too great
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Date: November 8th
East Coast
Interacting with: Nico's family
The heavy clouds ominously looming over the sky made it difficult to properly take in the weekend. The howling seaside wind brought progressively darker masses from over the water where the horizon looked grim - the storm was unavoidable. Nico simply observed it through the back window of the toasty car, trying to calculate whether they’ll make it to Aunt Madeline’s house before the downpour.
Maybe it was the weather, or maybe it was Nico’s own emotions that made the route they had memorized and taken thousands of times seem different than usual. Every other time they’d been nothing but ecstatic at the prospect of seeing Sam again. After all, they’d always joked that rather than a cousin she was more of a big sister. Every summer, they’d spend at least two weeks in her house, sometimes even more. They would have their own bedroom there, except they preferred sleeping on an air mattress in Sam’s room. During the school year that became difficult, but their families would make sure the two got to meet up almost every weekend. If times were busy they’d just stay up calling or texting each other. Whenever their phone rang they didn’t have to check who it’s from.
Perhaps that was the cause of the knot forming in Nico’s stomach. That damned Statute of Secrecy made everything so complicated. Apparently it’s essential that no one finds out about their identity, and because of that, their parents prohibited them from talking to Sam right before they went to Hogwarts. Rather than a lack of trust, it was simply a precaution so Nico doesn’t slip up from excitement. It took multiple long letters reassuring them that they won’t say a thing to make this meeting even possible. Of course, they couldn’t send any letters to Sam herself since receiving one through an owl would be highly irregular. Frankly, they haven’t even thought of that as they were buried under mountains of homework most evenings. All that resulted in probably the longest time they haven't contacted each other and Nico did not know what to think, but they decided to try and stay positive. They’ll finally see her so it’s all good right? All they needed to do was to ignore the small lump in their throat.
The car pulled up on the driveway of the two storey house, a bit bigger than average. In the grim weather it stood as a beacon of light and warmth, with Aunt Maddie waving at the Dawsons inviting them into the cosy interior as she had the habit of doing. Despite her appearance showing sharper and more intimidating features than her sister’s, she was as bright and friendly as her residence. Her ability to connect with anyone was greatly appreciated by Nico, as they recalled the many evenings they spent sitting on her porch, confessing all things that troubled their young heart or simply sharing things they did not want their parents to know, like that time they broke their father’s flower pot and blamed it on the poor innocent cat, or things much more worrisome. She listened patiently as they described their fears of teachers, their issues making close friends, and their deeply rooted feelings of never being quite good enough. She listened, she offered advice, and if Nico needed it she’d simply hug them or let them rest on her lap. They looked back fondly at those moments as they only grew more rare the older they got and started feeling as if it was time to stop with the “childish” behaviour.
Their family went in and soon followed the typical greetings, kisses and “how much you’ve grown”-s. As happy as it made them, something was off - usually at this point Sam would’ve already been ruffling Nico’s hair and dragging them to her room at the first opportunity. This time she was nowhere to be seen. Madeline noticed the child nervously looking around and put her hand on their shoulder, giving them a slight nod.
They got away and headed towards the staircase. Every nook and cranny they passed held some memories of laughter. They traced along the chest of drawers which held a few knick-knacks, a couple of which were gifted by their own family. The actual doors to the bottom compartment were locked, but what it held was no secret, as when they were younger, together with Sam, they went on a whole mission to find the key and discover the drawer’s contents. Sam convinced them it must’ve been something super mysterious or dangerous if it had to be locked, and soon they had a whole story ready about how Uncle William was a spy, as he was always quiet and serious. To their disappointment the drawers contained boring documents and some old electronics that could only be classified as junk.
A shelf hanging above displayed some decorations along with things Nico and Sam made as kids, which included clay cups and a pot. One of the cups was much more misshapen than the other. Nico recalled how bitter that made them feel, they were too embarrassed to give it to their aunt. The pot was supposed to be their second project to make up for the initial failure. When it was time to give it to aunt Maddie, they prayed she wouldn’t notice the extra set of fingerprints next to theirs, forever ingrained in its surface. She simply smiled and now, it was set right in between the two mugs.
They slowly ascended the staircase as they were so used to doing. They haven’t even thought of what to say to her properly. But what was there to say? I randomly disappeared to a school with no contact with the outside world. I can’t tell you anything about it. They’d sound insane. It seemed they had no other choice though, they knew they couldn’t hide anything from her - not like they ever wanted to. Quite the opposite, they wanted to share everything they could.
The upstairs hallway was filled with photos and framed diplomas, all signed Samantha Rodgers. Nico winced - they knew how much she despised seeing her full name. Nonetheless, it was obvious her parents would like to display a collection this impressive. Guitar. Talent show. Writing. Best English score. Best Average Grade. Right. Everyone was impressed, including Nico. They truly loved how talented she was and cheered her on, prouder than anyone whenever she came home with another success. And yet, she didn’t like the attention, she hated the diplomas, she hated being called onto the stage and being congratulated. All compliments she ever needed were from her little cousin.
There is no way Nico could ever compare. Yet, mixed between all the diplomas was one they recognized very well - it was a copy of one in their own house. A regular sheet of paper with the words Bestest Magician written by pen, and a drawing of Nico in a top hat, surrounded by cards. She made it ages ago, when they first did their “magic show” for her. They remembered it very well, they must’ve been around seven years old that one winter break, when they came over with a deck of cards and a Little Magician’s Kit, showing her all kinds of tricks. Her sparkling eyes as she asked them to show it again and tried to figure it out. They loved that feeling and chased it ever since. They wanted to be the one impressing her for once. They wanted her to be proud, and she was, more than for any of her own achievements.
Nico couldn’t help but wonder - would she be proud about them getting into Hogwarts? How amazed would she be if they showed her actual magic? The lump in their throat came back whenever they thought about it, knowing that they could never find out.
For now, they just wanted to see their beloved cousin after their sudden disappearance. To hug her and tell her how much they missed her. To tell her about all the things they were allowed to say, to hear her complain about her own teachers, for her to show her progress on writing, to lay on her bed and listen to music together. The abundance of emotions was so confusing, so bitter yet so sweet, nostalgic yet brand new.
They stood in front of her room, a place besides their own they considered a safe space. It took a lot for them to raise up their hand and knock. They didn’t hear a response so they simply opened the door.
All the courage they gathered was futile, as the room was empty. Things were similar to usual, albeit a bit messy; bed unmade, some plushies misplaced, desk habitually covered with papers, guitar case open. Somehow, seeing the place dark and vacant made their heart ache more than if Sam was there yelling and berating them. She’s done that a couple times, mainly when they broke something important to her, but that only lasted a bit and got swiftly forgotten; she’s never gotten so mad to the point of refusing to face them of all people. Tears began pooling in Nico’s eyes.
Through their blurry vision, they noticed Sam’s jacket was gone from the hanger. For someone to go outside in this weather was downright reckless, but who knew what was going through her mind right now? It wasn’t raining that hard just yet, so Nico ran back down, past the living room where their parents had coffee, grabbed their coat and went into the large garden. Sam had a habit of climbing a cherry tree in the far end. Pace fast, they ignored the low growl of thunder getting closer. That in hindsight was a mistake, as quickly followed lightning and the light drizzle turned into heavy raindrops. The little tree, usually gently cradling whoever decided to climb it, was now being torn by the fierce gusts of wind. No one would be so brave (or stupid) to rest in it in such conditions, and so it stood lonely.
The only other place Nico could think about was the wild beach nearby, but the path to it would’ve surely been flooded by the rains at this time of year. They traversed further, reaching the secret hole in the fence they always used to sneak out, but at that point the downpour had only gotten worse, the cold howling wind now hurting their cheeks. Wherever Sam was going to be, it couldn’t have been there, or so they hoped.
The family paused their drinks when a small, drenched figure appeared in the doorway. After a quick scold, Uncle William dragged them away to dry their hair in the bathroom. Intimidating as he was, with a face never showing a nick of emotion, Nico thought he was taking them on the side to lecture further, but to their surprise, he led them through the main hallway and pointed at the doorway. “Her shoes are still there. She never left the house,” he said in an unusually soft tone. “You should check things like that before running outside.”
The rest of the evening went by uneventfully. Nico couldn’t swallow a thing so they sipped on the warm hot chocolate prepared by their aunt. When asked about school, they gave really general responses that sounded satisfactory, but did not really answer anything. Madeline and William nodded along with understanding - they made their own theories about it being some special programme, or some military-esque institution.
Sam stayed gone the entire time. When it was time to leave, Nico heard a sound coming from upstairs, which they couldn’t identify at first, but was vaguely familiar. Thinking about it the whole way back and later laying in their bed, eventually it clicked. They only heard it once or twice before - the attic door rarely got opened.
wc: 1985
notes: better luck next time?
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ability: charmer
sta 3 eva 9 str 3 wis 6 arc 6 acc 8