10 Aug 2018, 17:23
Caterpillar Hunting
Previous Thread: A Few Specific Items
Daisies had been easy to find. That wasn't surprising of course, the weeds were everywhere in England, even on the magical school grounds. He'd had a bit of difficulty getting to their roots seeing as the frail plants had a frustrating tendency to snap off at he stems, but after about half an hour or so he felt he had collected more than enough daisy roots for his mission. The next target- hairy caterpillars- were proving a bit more difficult to track down. The boy had briefly considered stealing a few from the potions classroom, but he figured he had taken enough risks for the day. The last thing he needed was to get trapped in detention. This was a time-sensitive effort after all.
Still, the tiny creatures were far more evasive than he had hoped. Perhaps it would have been easier to risk getting in trouble than to craw around out here on his hands and knees, searching in vain for the bugs which were smaller than his little finger. What sort of plants did caterpillars like anyway? Trees, right? Well there were plenty of tree scattered about the grounds... While the boy normally could not stand people, he couldn't help but while someone would come and lend a hand. Of course then they might ask him to explain why he was looking for caterpillars in the first place, so maybe that wasn't the best of ideas.
To anyone else around the grounds, the boy probably looked awfully strange. He was pressed against the ground, eyes level with the grass. He searched about him intently, not even bothering to acknowledge the few other students who were playing about on the bright summer day. Some chose to spend their weekend playing games, while others seemed to be practicing their flying. But the Ravenclaw child did not seem to see any of them, so focused was he on his hunt. He needed those caterpillars...
Daisies had been easy to find. That wasn't surprising of course, the weeds were everywhere in England, even on the magical school grounds. He'd had a bit of difficulty getting to their roots seeing as the frail plants had a frustrating tendency to snap off at he stems, but after about half an hour or so he felt he had collected more than enough daisy roots for his mission. The next target- hairy caterpillars- were proving a bit more difficult to track down. The boy had briefly considered stealing a few from the potions classroom, but he figured he had taken enough risks for the day. The last thing he needed was to get trapped in detention. This was a time-sensitive effort after all.
Still, the tiny creatures were far more evasive than he had hoped. Perhaps it would have been easier to risk getting in trouble than to craw around out here on his hands and knees, searching in vain for the bugs which were smaller than his little finger. What sort of plants did caterpillars like anyway? Trees, right? Well there were plenty of tree scattered about the grounds... While the boy normally could not stand people, he couldn't help but while someone would come and lend a hand. Of course then they might ask him to explain why he was looking for caterpillars in the first place, so maybe that wasn't the best of ideas.
To anyone else around the grounds, the boy probably looked awfully strange. He was pressed against the ground, eyes level with the grass. He searched about him intently, not even bothering to acknowledge the few other students who were playing about on the bright summer day. Some chose to spend their weekend playing games, while others seemed to be practicing their flying. But the Ravenclaw child did not seem to see any of them, so focused was he on his hunt. He needed those caterpillars...
Last edited by Ford Farquad on 10 Aug 2018, 18:48, edited 1 time in total.
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10 Aug 2018, 18:05
Caterpillar Hunting
Ford wasn't the only one to break the mold and do something a little... unusual that day. Then again it wasn't often the Griffyndor did much the norm compared to his peers. Chasing after a bird with a small notebook, quill and ink was certainly a bit different when it came down to free time activities, but perhaps a bit tame compared to stealing sorting hats and knarls.
This bird in particular caught his attention not because of its presence, but rather a lack of. For the whole two hours he'd been watching and following the creature, not once had it made a sound. As a result, he'd been quite fascinated and quickly obsessed with discovering more. Maybe even sketching it if the bloody animal would sit still long enough to study details on it.
Instead he would be studying something entirely different it seemed. So entranced by the silent bird he was, Ahkar didnt even notice the boy in the grass until it was too late. All he knew was that one minute he was following a flitting blue figure in the trees, and the next his foot caught something solid and noisy before he hit the ground with a sudden yelp.
Quickly he tried to scramble up again, just in time to see the bird vanish into the treeline.
A loud oath left his lips, Arabic if Ford knew the language, and the fist year whirled on the cause of obstruction with annoyance in what half of his face was not hidden by his bangs, snapping in a thick accent.
"What are you doing laying in ground, stupid?!"
This bird in particular caught his attention not because of its presence, but rather a lack of. For the whole two hours he'd been watching and following the creature, not once had it made a sound. As a result, he'd been quite fascinated and quickly obsessed with discovering more. Maybe even sketching it if the bloody animal would sit still long enough to study details on it.
Instead he would be studying something entirely different it seemed. So entranced by the silent bird he was, Ahkar didnt even notice the boy in the grass until it was too late. All he knew was that one minute he was following a flitting blue figure in the trees, and the next his foot caught something solid and noisy before he hit the ground with a sudden yelp.
Quickly he tried to scramble up again, just in time to see the bird vanish into the treeline.
A loud oath left his lips, Arabic if Ford knew the language, and the fist year whirled on the cause of obstruction with annoyance in what half of his face was not hidden by his bangs, snapping in a thick accent.
"What are you doing laying in ground, stupid?!"
10 Aug 2018, 18:19
Caterpillar Hunting
A jabbing pain shot through his side, forcing him to lose concentration. A foot had managed to lodge itself in Ford's ribs as it's owner toppled over him. A moment later he heard loud exclamations in some language he did not understand... nothing Latin-based even. Ford's extensive tutoring and Latin study let him make some sense of most languages, but whatever it was this kid was speaking was entirely foreign to him. The Ravenclaw rolled over to look at the boy who was scrambling to his feet. He bore a clear look of frustration, matched only by Ford's own. How dare this kid interrupt him, and kick him for that matter! Then the boy spoke again, this time in clear English so his fellow student could understand.
"What are you doing laying in ground, stupid?!"
You mean on the ground? Ford was tempted to correct him, but remained silent for the moment. English was obviously not this boy's first language, and there was no reason to anger him further. After all he had just unintentionally tripped this guy. Still, it was not pleasant having been kicked. And being called stupid on top of that was certainly aggravating. Honestly was this how everyone reacted to being upset? Just hurling insults around? It was so petty and childish. Ford wasn't stupid- in fact he prided himself on his intelligence to a great extent. If anyone was stupid, it was they guy running across a field without bothering to watch where he was going.
He looked into the brown eyes of the other student, talking as calmly and clearly as he could. "I was looking for something." He explained. But being a petty child in some respects himself he couldn't resist adding. "Why don't you watch where you're going?"
"What are you doing laying in ground, stupid?!"
You mean on the ground? Ford was tempted to correct him, but remained silent for the moment. English was obviously not this boy's first language, and there was no reason to anger him further. After all he had just unintentionally tripped this guy. Still, it was not pleasant having been kicked. And being called stupid on top of that was certainly aggravating. Honestly was this how everyone reacted to being upset? Just hurling insults around? It was so petty and childish. Ford wasn't stupid- in fact he prided himself on his intelligence to a great extent. If anyone was stupid, it was they guy running across a field without bothering to watch where he was going.
He looked into the brown eyes of the other student, talking as calmly and clearly as he could. "I was looking for something." He explained. But being a petty child in some respects himself he couldn't resist adding. "Why don't you watch where you're going?"
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10 Aug 2018, 18:32
Caterpillar Hunting
Looking for something? In the grass? The Egyptian eyed the mess of greenery around them with a critical eye. Great, so he'd tripped over some kid that had lost... what? His wand or something? A huff fell on his breath, and he looked back around. The bird was most definitely gone now, and his shoulders sagged a half inch. He really wanted to figure out what it was, to sketch it out, but the animal was long gone. All he could do now was hope to see it again.
Instead, now his attention was on the other first year who assumably was searching for some sort of object. Getting to his feet, he brushed himself off, and then after a moment of hesitation offered the other boy a hand up. It was a weird thing to do after how he'd just spoken to the fellow first year, not to mention he still looked like he was frowning, almost as if he did so almost permanently.
Whether the other boy took the hand up or not, Ahkar would drop his own to his side and pick up his dropped items, scowling a little when he realized during his fall that he'd accidentally opened and dumped half his ink on the grass. With a scoff in response to the other boys retort, he'd cork it shut again, his fingers now stained with ink, then nod towards the grass with a tip of his chin.
"Lost thing?" He kept his words simple enough to avoid confusion, using just bare enough effort to get his thoughts across.
Instead, now his attention was on the other first year who assumably was searching for some sort of object. Getting to his feet, he brushed himself off, and then after a moment of hesitation offered the other boy a hand up. It was a weird thing to do after how he'd just spoken to the fellow first year, not to mention he still looked like he was frowning, almost as if he did so almost permanently.
Whether the other boy took the hand up or not, Ahkar would drop his own to his side and pick up his dropped items, scowling a little when he realized during his fall that he'd accidentally opened and dumped half his ink on the grass. With a scoff in response to the other boys retort, he'd cork it shut again, his fingers now stained with ink, then nod towards the grass with a tip of his chin.
"Lost thing?" He kept his words simple enough to avoid confusion, using just bare enough effort to get his thoughts across.
10 Aug 2018, 18:43
Caterpillar Hunting
Ford shook his head. The dark-skinned boy did not seem to understand the situation. But perhaps he could be useful... The Ravenclaw watched as his fellow student scanned the grass. From the way his pupils dilated, he could tell that even this short glance was an intense search. Ford looked the boy up and down with slight interest, pondering his next move. Should he tell the boy what he was looking for? Would he pry? Maybe another set of eyes would do more good than harm at this point. It had been nearly an hour and the frustrated young wizard had nothing to show for it.
The boy seemed nice enough, even if he had yelled at him a moment before. He stood a bit taller than Ford with black hair that hung over one eye. From the broken English and handsome features it was clear that the brown-eyed student hailed from some other country. Yet looks mattered little at the moment. The only thing of real interest was the analytical look in the boy's eye. Fine... Ford sighed to himself. He loathed to ask for help, but this guy had offered. Besides, he wasn't getting anywhere on his own so far.
"Not lost," he explained, reflecting the matter-of-fact tone that the boy was using. "Just looking. I'm trying to find some hairy caterpillars. They're supposed to be common in fields like this, but I haven't seen any so far." He then paused, debating whether or not to introduce himself. He wasn't exactly looking to make friends. Still, he supposed it was better to know the kid's name if they were going to be working together. "I'm Ford, by the way."
The boy seemed nice enough, even if he had yelled at him a moment before. He stood a bit taller than Ford with black hair that hung over one eye. From the broken English and handsome features it was clear that the brown-eyed student hailed from some other country. Yet looks mattered little at the moment. The only thing of real interest was the analytical look in the boy's eye. Fine... Ford sighed to himself. He loathed to ask for help, but this guy had offered. Besides, he wasn't getting anywhere on his own so far.
"Not lost," he explained, reflecting the matter-of-fact tone that the boy was using. "Just looking. I'm trying to find some hairy caterpillars. They're supposed to be common in fields like this, but I haven't seen any so far." He then paused, debating whether or not to introduce himself. He wasn't exactly looking to make friends. Still, he supposed it was better to know the kid's name if they were going to be working together. "I'm Ford, by the way."
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10 Aug 2018, 19:01
Caterpillar Hunting
The boy seemed to hesitate. Most kids wouldn't even have picked up on the pause, but Ahkar made up for his lack of certain intelligence with an instinct for other things. He quickly moved from studying grass to studying face: Ford's to be exact. All the while, his expression didn't change much, only a small shift to betray his thoughts, while everything else remained behind a careful exterior.
After a moment, Ahkar nodded. Caterpillars? He couldn't see any harm, but he did know a thing or two about the hairy kind. "Dangerous. Can be poison, with hair." He didn't ask any questions though. Whatever the other boys reason for looking for that particular insect, he knew better than to dig too deep. It was a habit he'd learned over time, one that didn't loosen even among similarly aged peers. Instead he simply knelt down, moving a careful hand to only lightly disturb the grass as he began to search, automatically picking up the task.
He paused in his search when, after a moment, the boy decided to offer something more than just a task. The sharp gaze moved to Ford's face again, searching, before offering a little nod and a response. "I am Ahkar." If Ford was the type to pay any mind to recent events, he would have probably heard the rumors by now. Ahkar was fairly sure not many had missed the whole 'trying to steal the sorting hat in front of the entire teaching staff' debacle. Whether he had or hadn't, though, Ahkar wasn't one to worry about it. If the other boy wasn't avoiding him like a walking curse yet, then he wasn't going to jinx it.
As if in afterthought, he muttered: "Should have glove," before tearing off a blank sheet of paper, holding it out ready like a scoop in case he spotted one. Which, so far, had yet to happen.
After a moment, Ahkar nodded. Caterpillars? He couldn't see any harm, but he did know a thing or two about the hairy kind. "Dangerous. Can be poison, with hair." He didn't ask any questions though. Whatever the other boys reason for looking for that particular insect, he knew better than to dig too deep. It was a habit he'd learned over time, one that didn't loosen even among similarly aged peers. Instead he simply knelt down, moving a careful hand to only lightly disturb the grass as he began to search, automatically picking up the task.
He paused in his search when, after a moment, the boy decided to offer something more than just a task. The sharp gaze moved to Ford's face again, searching, before offering a little nod and a response. "I am Ahkar." If Ford was the type to pay any mind to recent events, he would have probably heard the rumors by now. Ahkar was fairly sure not many had missed the whole 'trying to steal the sorting hat in front of the entire teaching staff' debacle. Whether he had or hadn't, though, Ahkar wasn't one to worry about it. If the other boy wasn't avoiding him like a walking curse yet, then he wasn't going to jinx it.
As if in afterthought, he muttered: "Should have glove," before tearing off a blank sheet of paper, holding it out ready like a scoop in case he spotted one. Which, so far, had yet to happen.
10 Aug 2018, 19:28
Caterpillar Hunting
Akhar... he felt like he'd heard the name before, but there was no way of knowing where. Ford wasn't exactly one to pay attention to rumors an inane chatter. Besides, the last couple of days had been entirely devoted to his mission. As long as he wasn't nosey, Ford did not care at all who Akhar was or what he had done. Actually it seemed he might be even more useful than the antisocial boy had first anticipated. He knew a thing or two about caterpillars that their Potion's Book had neglected to mention. Wizards... they didn't think it might be important to tell the students that some of the ingredients were poisonous? Sure they were supposed to be getting everything from the stores or classrooms instead of catching them in the wild themselves, but that still seemed like something they should teach in school.
Following Akhar's lead, Ford tore a page out of his own notebook and knelt down to continue his search. He wondered briefly how strange it must look to anyone around as the two boys crawled about through the grass. Of course that sort of thing shouldn't matter. Still he was only eleven and it was always difficult to dismiss the impression he might be making on others no matter how desperately he tried. Most of the time though, he managed to be successful.
All thoughts of such pointless matters vanished when a small black streak met the corner of his eye. Finally! Ford lunged forward, scooping the tiny caterpillar up in his makeshift paper glove and dumping it into a small bag originally meant for holding coins. He looked up at the Egyptian boy, unable to stop himself from smiling. "Nice idea with the glove!" Then he returned his eyes to the grass, hoping to spot another little creature. He needed at least five for his plan to work.
Following Akhar's lead, Ford tore a page out of his own notebook and knelt down to continue his search. He wondered briefly how strange it must look to anyone around as the two boys crawled about through the grass. Of course that sort of thing shouldn't matter. Still he was only eleven and it was always difficult to dismiss the impression he might be making on others no matter how desperately he tried. Most of the time though, he managed to be successful.
All thoughts of such pointless matters vanished when a small black streak met the corner of his eye. Finally! Ford lunged forward, scooping the tiny caterpillar up in his makeshift paper glove and dumping it into a small bag originally meant for holding coins. He looked up at the Egyptian boy, unable to stop himself from smiling. "Nice idea with the glove!" Then he returned his eyes to the grass, hoping to spot another little creature. He needed at least five for his plan to work.
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10 Aug 2018, 19:41
Caterpillar Hunting
The boy spent his time search rather intently, far more than a simple passerby should have. He seemed to devote himself to the task wholeheartedly now that he'd begun it, setting aside his earlier ambitions in order to assist in finishing this one. He didn't seem to care or even spare a glance, even though it was hard not to hear a few passerby's whispering, or see the odd glances they gave to the pair. He didn't let anything distract him from occassionally stirring the grass and keeping his eyes peeled.
He blinked sharply, a streak of shadow catching his eye. Frowning, he looked around, trying to place where it had gone. He'd had it, just for a moment, but now it seemed it had eluded him. He didn't have to wonder long though, as a moment later the other boy, Ford, was on the move. Leaning back a few inches, Ahkar looked from the newly captured critter to the fellow students smile, his eye widening a little in surprise before shifting his gaze away with a small nod.
He hadn't done anything worthwhile. Why was the boy thanking him. For some idea? It wasn't something anyone else couldn't have thought up, and he made a quiet scoff and a shrug before taking one of the sheets of paper and folding it into a cup-like shape. It wasn't amazing, but it made a good little basket for the caterpillars which could be covered by paper or his notebook to keep them from escaping.
Handing over the item wordlessly, he resumed his search. Luckily they seemed to come in pairs, because after a moment or two longer he found a streak of black as well, not far from where the first had been. Unlike Ford, Ahkar moved with a lot more care, taking his time to very gently scoop the creature up. It was a surprisingly gentle had for someone that spoke and acted so abrasively, but the softness to his expression suggested that it wasn't such an odd thing for the boy. He'd even be careful not to just dump the caterpillar into the 'basket', instead getting it as close to the bottom as he could before giving the paper a few gentle shakes to loosen it.
The whole while, Ahkar hadn't said anything, but he hadn't stopped thinking. Questions were rolling in his mind even as he avoided speaking them, sorting with care and burning with curiosity. Finally, he couldn't take the urge to speak any longer, and opted for the safest questions he could, just as he began to lean forward to better inspect what might have been another caterpillar.
"How many you are needing of... what is the name of this?"
He blinked sharply, a streak of shadow catching his eye. Frowning, he looked around, trying to place where it had gone. He'd had it, just for a moment, but now it seemed it had eluded him. He didn't have to wonder long though, as a moment later the other boy, Ford, was on the move. Leaning back a few inches, Ahkar looked from the newly captured critter to the fellow students smile, his eye widening a little in surprise before shifting his gaze away with a small nod.
He hadn't done anything worthwhile. Why was the boy thanking him. For some idea? It wasn't something anyone else couldn't have thought up, and he made a quiet scoff and a shrug before taking one of the sheets of paper and folding it into a cup-like shape. It wasn't amazing, but it made a good little basket for the caterpillars which could be covered by paper or his notebook to keep them from escaping.
Handing over the item wordlessly, he resumed his search. Luckily they seemed to come in pairs, because after a moment or two longer he found a streak of black as well, not far from where the first had been. Unlike Ford, Ahkar moved with a lot more care, taking his time to very gently scoop the creature up. It was a surprisingly gentle had for someone that spoke and acted so abrasively, but the softness to his expression suggested that it wasn't such an odd thing for the boy. He'd even be careful not to just dump the caterpillar into the 'basket', instead getting it as close to the bottom as he could before giving the paper a few gentle shakes to loosen it.
The whole while, Ahkar hadn't said anything, but he hadn't stopped thinking. Questions were rolling in his mind even as he avoided speaking them, sorting with care and burning with curiosity. Finally, he couldn't take the urge to speak any longer, and opted for the safest questions he could, just as he began to lean forward to better inspect what might have been another caterpillar.
"How many you are needing of... what is the name of this?"
10 Aug 2018, 20:02
Caterpillar Hunting
The pair had been silent for so long that Ford was a bit startled when Akhar spoke again. How many, was asking... it seemed like a harmless enough question. It was certainly fair at any rate. If it were he who had been roped into this. he would have liked to know how much further they had to go as well. Still, it seemed a bit odd that the Egyptian was still helping in the first place. He had no obligation to Ford. On the contrary, this was the same guy who had been calling him stupid for tripping him up only moments before. Yet here he was. Ford supposed he should be grateful and not question it, but he had a few curiosities of his own. "Hairy caterpillars," he answered the boy. He motioned toward his potion book to indicate that he was using them as ingredients. "I need at least five of them."
As soon as he had spoke, another little black shadow appeared. This one he scooped up a bit more carefully, having noticed the effectiveness of his partner's method. He was certainly a strange one, this Akhar... he had reacted so suddenly and viciously when he had tripped over the young Ravenclaw, yet his actions now were incredibly smooth and gentle. He was now helping the boy who had tripped him without so much as a prying question... Ford did not like people in general, but Akhar seemed like a decent guy. Perhaps it was even worth making his acquaintance.
Ford spoke again, hoping to solidify some sort of bond. If he was useful now, perhaps the almond-eyed boy could be of use to him sometime in the future. If he ever saw him again, that was. "So where did you learn so much about caterpillars? It doesn't say anything about poison in our textbooks."
As soon as he had spoke, another little black shadow appeared. This one he scooped up a bit more carefully, having noticed the effectiveness of his partner's method. He was certainly a strange one, this Akhar... he had reacted so suddenly and viciously when he had tripped over the young Ravenclaw, yet his actions now were incredibly smooth and gentle. He was now helping the boy who had tripped him without so much as a prying question... Ford did not like people in general, but Akhar seemed like a decent guy. Perhaps it was even worth making his acquaintance.
Ford spoke again, hoping to solidify some sort of bond. If he was useful now, perhaps the almond-eyed boy could be of use to him sometime in the future. If he ever saw him again, that was. "So where did you learn so much about caterpillars? It doesn't say anything about poison in our textbooks."
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10 Aug 2018, 22:11
Caterpillar Hunting
Right, hairy caterpillars. He scoffed sharply, rolling his eyes, but there wasn't anything too angry about the expression. So much for getting anything more technical of a name than that. He didn't pry deeper into the name, but when he indicated the potions book, it took a minute for Ahkar's mind to catch up. When it did, the boy paused completely, looking surprised, and then... mixed. He looked at the caterpillars for a moment and he seemed... sorrowful?
A twist of guilt, and mourning. He was gathering these creatures to be killed for a potion. He didn't know much about potions, but it wasn't hard for him to guess based on what he knew that it might be some sort of poison. Then again, it could be something entirely different for all he knew. He wasn't about to ask and find out. It just didn't seem like a safe subject to bring up, and he rather well valued his own health.
It took a very long moment before finally, with obvious reluctance now that he knew what the fate of these creatures were, he picked up the search again. Even with the hesitation, it wasn't long before he had gathered their fourth with even more care than before, and had begun hunting for their fifth, responding with a certain slowness as he chose his words carefully.
"I... explore home city." Explore was one way to put it after all. "I see hair. I touch. Is not hair, is stinger. I get sick. I learn not to touch again." Simple enough, without diving into anything else, any information about the situation that didn't need to be known. Kids his age normally explored cities on their own, right? Or was that a strange thing? He frowned a little, suddenly unsure.
A twist of guilt, and mourning. He was gathering these creatures to be killed for a potion. He didn't know much about potions, but it wasn't hard for him to guess based on what he knew that it might be some sort of poison. Then again, it could be something entirely different for all he knew. He wasn't about to ask and find out. It just didn't seem like a safe subject to bring up, and he rather well valued his own health.
It took a very long moment before finally, with obvious reluctance now that he knew what the fate of these creatures were, he picked up the search again. Even with the hesitation, it wasn't long before he had gathered their fourth with even more care than before, and had begun hunting for their fifth, responding with a certain slowness as he chose his words carefully.
"I... explore home city." Explore was one way to put it after all. "I see hair. I touch. Is not hair, is stinger. I get sick. I learn not to touch again." Simple enough, without diving into anything else, any information about the situation that didn't need to be known. Kids his age normally explored cities on their own, right? Or was that a strange thing? He frowned a little, suddenly unsure.