Post by Gabriel Adams on Jun 3, 2012 14:13:10 GMT -5
Usually the various blasting and cursing and screaming kept the birds away. But the dueling field had remained unoccupied for most of the summer, and reluctant to step onto the Lakeside where dozens of students rested in the sun, Gabriel ventured onto the field. The seventh year rested on one of the benches rimming the arena, watching carefully and silently. Unfortunately there was the problem of needing a second person.
For the time being, he could wait. Perhaps someone would wander by, and he could approach them for assistance. Or perhaps he would sit there all day and roast and accomplish nothing at all. A brooding expression crossed the older Ravenclaw's face. Irritation, moodiness. While his medication seemed to be fairly useful, making it easier to focus and the boy less prone to hateful behavior, it didn't cancel out everything.
He was by no means willing to make friends. Not at the current moment. He merely needed someone to ask a question, however personal or not so, so he could get the answer from the birds.
From the birds that weren't even there right that damn moment. Where had they gone? Gabriel scowled, watching the arena for anything. Even a pigeon would be good. Maybe he could summon some bread or something like that, toss little bread pieces everywhere to draw them in.
That might work. But it seemed like cheating. Hadn't it said to observe them as they moved naturally, something like that? The Ravenclaw sighed and leaned on the seat behind him.
There were other things he would much rather be doing.
Last Edit: Jun 3, 2012 14:13:41 GMT -5 by Gabriel Adams
Post by Leon Foster on Jun 3, 2012 15:27:16 GMT -5
Leon looked forward to this Divination class. The Dueling Field was one of his favorite places to be on campus, and was where he was most likely to be if there wasn't class to begin with, so this was certainly no chore for the fifth year Gryffindor. The downside to this lesson was that one needed a second person, and the (unfathomably attractive) Professor Chloe Vablatsky had recommended they find a completely random person to assist in the assignment. The Gryffindor hadn't been able to find his usual partner in crime - his roommate Whites - and thus decided to go with her advice.
And, upon arriving with his white Amherst College t-shirt and khaki shorts on under an open robe, Leon noticed immediately that there were a lot of people to choose from.
A closer inspection revealed that wasn't exactly true - of the dozens of students present at the Dueling Field, not a single one looked like they had any interest whatsoever in class work, or if they were even involved in Leon's divination class. The young wizard's brown eyes scanned the Field for anybody that looked like they were there for class, and they finally fell upon what appeared to be the very last kind of person Leon would ever want to assist him.
A young man with dark hair who looked far too old to be a student - definitely older than Leon - sat on a bench, staring up at the sky with a scowl that could only be present on someone looking for bird signs. He was the kind of wizard that Leon, as friendly and outgoing as he was, would actively avoid were there any other given circumstance. Just looking at this guy simply said Nothing But Trouble.
And yet the (divinely alluring) Professor Chloe Vablatsky had suggested they find different people, and this man was definitely different. And he, at the very least, looked like the sort of person who would be interesting to analyze...even if it was based on bird signs.
"Yo," Leon said, walking over to Gabriel with his Amherst College duffel bag swung over his shoulder, "need some help looking at birds?"
Wake up Leave your hesitations Wake up Time for us to realize Wake up Show appreciation Wake up Time for us to realize
Post by Gabriel Adams on Jun 4, 2012 21:41:23 GMT -5
Finally a couple of doves arrived but still Gabriel had no question to ask of them. How frustrating. Well, if not today then perhaps another. As Gabriel began to consider getting up and heading out, a boy stepped onto the field and approached him. Silver eyes looked the boy over, a forced smile on his scarred face. It wasn't anyone familiar to him, but that didn't mean much. Gabriel didn't exactly go out of his way to make friends, although he didn't mind people much.
Still, the boy didn't look like someone Gabriel would even attempt a friendship with. Then again, his only real friend on campus was Orca, who was the polar opposite of Gabriel himself.
"Looking at birds, not particularly," Gabriel replied coolly. "Asking them questions, yes." The smile became a little more genuine as Gabriel pushed himself up a little straight. He didn't offer a hand but at least he didn't look like the epitome of 'go the fuck away' like he usually did.
Had he taken his medicine that day? Gabriel didn't remember. Hopefully he had - he was still getting into that routine. "I'm Gabriel. Ravenclaw." Was he supposed to say year? It had been a long time since Gabriel had talked to other students that weren't worried about him murdering them. At least he hadn't seen any of those students yet. Besides Layne, who he wasn't sure counted.
After all, they had settled their score, hadn't they, in some fashion? Or at least made a deal over it. Something like that. He wouldn't touch her friends, she wouldn't give him to Azkaban.
Gabriel nodded over to where a couple of doves rested on the ground. "Got a question?" He looked back at the boy, waiting for some kind of introduction. "I've got the birds, unless you wanted something more interesting."
He just wanted this shit over with as soon as possible. The kid looked like a good student. Maybe he knew what the hell they were supposed to be doing.
"Leon, Gryffindor," he replied in the manner that Gabriel had given his own name. Sure, if it had been him introducing first, he would've thrown year in, but who really cared about year, right? All that mattered was that Gabriel was definitely old enough to do be doing this assignment with him. Furthermore, the older Ravenclaw seemed like a pretty normal guy, or at least friendly enough not to completely dismiss him.
You shouldn't always judge a book by its cover, Leon supposed.
"Well I don't think you just...ask birds questions," the Gryffindor said nonchalantly, "I think you're supposed to answer the questions based on their flight patterns or their trajectory or...whatever it is birds do." Leon was admittedly almost as stumped as the boy, having skimmed his research on augury so he could get out and do the assignment. The Gryffindor, a muggleborn with no wizard ancestry to speak of, as far as he knew, did not honestly believe he had Seer blood - though it would certainly be interesting if he did - so Divination was not a course he expected to excel in.
"The idea is that Zeus, or Thor, or God" - were Gods, or was God, real and physical in the Wizarding World? That was a harrowing thought - "will send signs through birds, because he's in Heaven, and birds are in the Sky, so we have to look at the way birds are behaving, and that will answer our question."
From a quick glance at the birds simply sitting on the benches of the Dueling Field, cooing and going about their bird business, it was evident that what Leon had said was even more stupid than it sounded. Especially because it was actually true. "But, yeah, I guess...based on how they're behaving....will I expect a good grade in this class?"
Wake up Leave your hesitations Wake up Time for us to realize Wake up Show appreciation Wake up Time for us to realize
Post by Niobe Wattson on Jun 11, 2012 11:56:18 GMT -5
For the regularly shy Niobe being challenged to work with completely new people was especially difficult. Her quiet personality had gotten better over her education at Firefox but just walking up to someone cold and trying to work with them was a bit much. However, Niobe had also dedicated her energy to her studies in an effort to get into higher education so following Professor Vablatsky’s instructions was important. It was for that reason the Hufflepuff was walking carefully outdoors looking for any students that looked like they were observing birds.
Her flame red hair was loose down her shoulders and rustled as she moved, and she clutched her Divinations textbook and notebook to her chest as she watched people cautiously. A sapphire blue blouse and jeans peeked out through a robe that only had a few buttons closed. There were a few students practicing spells and a very awkward couple making out on the Dueling Fields, but at first it didn’t seem like anyone was out looking at birds. That was until she saw Gabriel and Leon. Niobe felt the sudden impact of nerves upon realizing that they were in her class and she could ask them to help. There were butterflies in her stomach and her fingers clutched her books. At least she had met Gabriel before briefly, but she had not met Leon.
Steeling herself she walked over to the boys. Just walk up and ask if they want any more help with the Divinations assignment. Introduce yourself, smile, it’ll be just fine! Her inner voice coached her. With a smile on her face and slightly waving she walked up to Gabriel and Leon. “Hi, my name is Divinations, are you guys working on Niobe?” She instantly winced at her mistake and a rush of red flooded her fair skin on her face. So much for starting out strong and not failing at meeting new people.
She took a breath and spoke a little slower. "I'm sorry. Niobe, my name is Niobe. I was wondering if you guys needed any help with the Divinations assignment."
Post by Gabriel Adams on Jun 12, 2012 11:47:53 GMT -5
Leon, Gryffindor. Gabriel committed the name and the house to memory. Names he did fairly well on. The Ravenclaw stared at Leon as he spouted off the lesson Gabriel had read merely hours before.
"Right." Unlike many of his fellows, Gabriel kept his knowledge to himself. By the dull coloration of the birds, he supposed any answer to be received wasn't something interesting. Leon's question was fairly average. Nothing too personal, which was understandable, as the two didn't know each other at all.
Gabriel's brain fixed the girl's mistake mentally. Poor thing. A sympathetic expression stole over his face momentarily - fake, but she wouldn't know that. "Hello, Niobe." They had met once before, if only momentarily.
For a beat the Ravenclaw shifted his attention to the birds, seeing if anything had changed since Leon had asked his question. There was one less. What did that mean?
"I think we are doing all right but if you need someone to ask a question or just need some birds you are more than welcome to join us." Friendly, casual. Faking friendliness was something Gabriel excelled at. The Ravenclaw made no indication he had even noticed Niobe's mistake, or that she need be embarrassed.
After all, no one much liked that sensation. Gabriel looked to the birds, counting again, checking the way they moved.
"I'm thinking maybe you'll bomb an assignment or something." Gabriel said to Leon, shrugging. "But everything else looks good, I suppose."
Post by Leon Foster on Jun 14, 2012 14:35:55 GMT -5
Before Gabriel could attempt to answer his question, a young witch who was slightly older than Leon approached the two of them. She seemed incredibly nervous, far too nervous for someone out on the Dueling Field in the middle of the day with a perfectly justiable reason for approaching people, and managed to follow up her body language with a messed up statement.
Leon had to smile.
"What he said," the Gryffindor nodded his head towards the Ravenclaw. "I'm Leon Foster, I'm in Gryffindor," Leon introduced himself to the embarrassed witch, "it's nice to meet you, Niobe." He turned his attention back to Gabriel, who appeared to be reading the bird signs, and came to the conclusion that Leon was going to bomb an assignment. 'Well that sucks,' the Gryffindor thought, but was he really surprised? Again, it wasn't like he was a Seer. He presumed one would really have to be to excel at Divinations.
But hell, why not get a second opinion?
"What about you, Niobe?" Leon asked, "what do the birds tell you? Do you think I'll do well in this class?"
Wake up Leave your hesitations Wake up Time for us to realize Wake up Show appreciation Wake up Time for us to realize
Post by Niobe Wattson on Jun 22, 2012 11:54:02 GMT -5
Leon and Gabriel’s warm reactions thawed Niobe’s nerves. It was always the getting started that was the toughest for her. “Leon, nice to meet you.” The boys were already starting the assignment, and maybe they didn’t need her help. At the very least she could see what others were saying about the assignment and maybe she would do better. The witch smirked a little when Gabriel said that Leon was going to bomb an assignment based on what the birds were doing. She tried to hide it with her hand but the mirth reached her eyes.
Divinations was a dodgy subject at best for those who had no powers in it. If she started walking around predicting her life based on bird signs then she’d never get anything done! However, the class didn’t require much wandwork so there was a better chance of Niobe getting good grades.
“Hmmm.” Niobe thought to herself when Leon asked her for a second opinion. She looked out and saw some common brown birds pecking at the ground together. “Well, I’m no Seer. But since there are a few birds together and they seem to be content…maybe you’ll do well in the class so long as you stick with other people?” Oh that was a bunch of poppycock. Why did they even let this class be taught at Firefox?
She turned her bright blue eyes for Gabriel. “What about you Gabriel? What questions can the birds answer for you?”
Post by Gabriel Adams on Jun 25, 2012 16:38:42 GMT -5
As if anything Gabriel said should be taken seriously. He doubted he would be very good at Divinations, but it couldn't hurt to try. However his first try didn't feel very ... seer like. Oh well, at least Leon didn't seem to be taking it too hard. "Considering the amount of birds that's like a one out of seven bomb of assignments, so ..." The Ravenclaw shrugged.
When Niobe addressed him, he paused. Considering.
The teacher had challenged them to use personal questions, but frankly Gabriel couldn't think of anything to ask that didn't come off as downright depressing, or so vague it probably wouldn't do much good to ask. Would he survive the year? How long would he live?
All depressing.
He chewed his lip, thoughtful. "Will this be a good year?"
The silver eyes didn't watch the birds. They watched the girl, waiting for her interpretation.
Teagan Offline: This board is full of nostalgia.
Aug 22, 2020 8:39:09 GMT -5
Missing the old MH: gotta say missing when MH and all that was around.
Nov 6, 2019 0:02:30 GMT -5
Willow_lazy: why tf are there 400 posts about adidas
Sept 6, 2018 17:35:57 GMT -5
Azrael: I'm not hard to find, since I'm the only one there who goes by "Azzy", I'm pretty sure. XD
Feb 10, 2018 16:44:41 GMT -5
Azrael: Dunno if anyone still pops by here from time to time, but if any of you mofos do and still feel like gettin' yo nerd on, I've been hanging around this here place a bunch recently: www.roleplayerguild.com/
Feb 10, 2018 16:44:10 GMT -5
Azrael: hold onto your pantaloons
Jul 25, 2016 5:16:43 GMT -5