3 Mar 2018, 20:33
Only Owls can Fly
(Serena Towers & Dymphna Teague)
The young Hufflepuff clutched a few pieces of parchment close to her as she climbed the stairs leading up to the Owlery. It was a particular chilly day. The wind howled, causing everyone's cloaks to flutter around. It was the sort of cold that went right through your clothes and could be felt in your bones, literally making you shiver all over. When the air had settled, it felt okay. It was just those cold winds that provided you with an unwanted chill. Luckily, Hogwarts was a little warmer as the castle walls protected it from the wind and candles lined the corridors, providing a tad bit of heat to the empty spaces.
She had received a letter from friend recently, who seemed to be a bit lonely. The girl had been sent to Beauxbaton by her parents. Her parents had met whilst studying there, so wanted to send their child to the school they knew and loved as alumni. Her friend had wanted to go too but it seemed like she was a little homesick now and missed her friends from home.
Serena missed her too. She didn't get the chance to speak to her much anymore - and she wasn't sure if they would be able to meet during the school holidays. Would both schools go on break at the same time? Perhaps they had different term times - she had no idea. It would be a shame not to see her friends from back home for so long but Serena also didn't have a choice. As they were both only eleven, meeting up on the weekend or visiting each other was not an option for them.
In an attempt to cheer her up, Serena opted to draw her something. It had taken her over a week to actually get it done but she was really proud of the results. Her friend shared an interest and love for similar TV shows that they had both watched back home. Despite both being born and raised in pure-blooded families, they enjoyed muggle TV. It was a fascinating concept. One of the pieces of parchment was a collation of several sketches of different characters from the shows. She was sure her friend would love it. Another was a letter to go with it.
Serena entered into the Owlery with the pages she wanted to send in her hand. "Ahh!! It's cold" She exclaimed as she inhaled sharply. The room had open windows. These empty holes in the wall allowed the owls to fly through easily but also meant it was incredibly cold on a shivering day like this. "Now let's see... better make this quick..." She muttered under her breathe, as she scanned the room to find a free owl that would be able to deliver her letter to Beauxbaton.
Last edited by Bloom Silverton on 3 Apr 2018, 11:20, edited 1 time in total.
PC: Serena Towers | iNPC: Arjan Oberoi | Other: Hjørdis Jensen & Xiomara Torres
Part-Goblin | Evasive Maneuvers | Beastmaster | Paragon of Health
Sta: 10 | Eva: 17 | Str: 3 | Wis: 15 | Arc Power: 10 | Acc: 15
Part-Goblin | Evasive Maneuvers | Beastmaster | Paragon of Health
Sta: 10 | Eva: 17 | Str: 3 | Wis: 15 | Arc Power: 10 | Acc: 15
6 Mar 2018, 22:05
Only Owls can Fly
Dymphna was used to the cold, the weather being similar in Ireland but she had started to wear a cardigan underneath her school robes to block out the chill. She expected snow soon, wondering if the sea had frozen over by now. It wasn't uncommon to see her entire family out on the ice, though her grandma preferred to stay indoors and watch from the window after an incident that ended in a few broken ribs. It wasn't anything that magic couldn't fix but it seemed that she couldn't shake the feeling and get out there again. Dymphna wished for her to get over it and be with the family again, but she had never broken a bone and had to grow it back either.
The owlery was one of her favorite places in the castle. She would send off letter after letter during the first month, excited to hear back from her parents. The last letter she had received confirmed that everyone missed her but that they would keep busy until they got to see her again. She had started to send letters a little less since then, trying to keep track of classwork and the friendships that were starting to form. She was doing decent in classes and her friendships were still new but she could tell that they were genuine. Anyone that saved their friend from a horrendous spider was a sincere and brave person in her book. Not to mention that he and Bloom still seemed a bit awkward around one another too.
With a smile, the blonde signed her name at the bottom of her very short letter -- just checking in and to let them know that all was well -- before heading off towards the owlery. Letter tucked away safely inside the pocket of her robes, she entered the owlery only a short walk away from the common room. Thankfully, she had remembered to bring an owl treat to hand over to whichever owl was available to deliver her letter. She didn't want to make that mistake again after the last time she had gotten a rather grumpy one. How was something so cute and fluffy so grumpy? There didn't seem to be many owls available and another girl was already there, someone she didn't recognize. "Sending off a letter to home?" It never hurt to make small talk while she scanned the room for an available owl.
The owlery was one of her favorite places in the castle. She would send off letter after letter during the first month, excited to hear back from her parents. The last letter she had received confirmed that everyone missed her but that they would keep busy until they got to see her again. She had started to send letters a little less since then, trying to keep track of classwork and the friendships that were starting to form. She was doing decent in classes and her friendships were still new but she could tell that they were genuine. Anyone that saved their friend from a horrendous spider was a sincere and brave person in her book. Not to mention that he and Bloom still seemed a bit awkward around one another too.
With a smile, the blonde signed her name at the bottom of her very short letter -- just checking in and to let them know that all was well -- before heading off towards the owlery. Letter tucked away safely inside the pocket of her robes, she entered the owlery only a short walk away from the common room. Thankfully, she had remembered to bring an owl treat to hand over to whichever owl was available to deliver her letter. She didn't want to make that mistake again after the last time she had gotten a rather grumpy one. How was something so cute and fluffy so grumpy? There didn't seem to be many owls available and another girl was already there, someone she didn't recognize. "Sending off a letter to home?" It never hurt to make small talk while she scanned the room for an available owl.
[font=times new roman]STA - 7 | EVA - 8 | STR - 5 | WIS - 10 +10% | ARC - 8 | ACC - 8
Part-Veela | Gobbledegook
Part-Veela | Gobbledegook
7 Mar 2018, 23:31
Only Owls can Fly
Serena jumped ever so slightly as she heard a voice pierce the air. The room wasn't exactly quiet. There were several owls around, after all. You could hear the fluttering of their wings, their hoots and the sound of the wind howling against the stone walls of the castle. It wasn't silent, no. But that's probably what made the girl jump. She hadn't expected to hear a voice amongst all of that noise - nor did she hear the sound of the door opening behind her.
Her eyes quickly scanned the room, before noticing a girl that must have entered the Owlery shortly after she did. A Ravenclaw, from the looks of her uniform. With a smile, Serena shook her head, "No no, I'm sending one to a friend in France." She replied before deciding it was only polite to make an effort, "I thought I'd draw her something." She continued as she held up the pages she had been holding to show the other girl what she had drawn, "It's a bit crap, but hopefully it will make her smile." Serena continued, adding a disclaimer because she had no confidence in her own abilities. She was afraid the Ravenclaw would think it was terrible - they were the creative group, after all, weren't they? What if she just showed the next Picasso a really bad collection of anime sketches? Well that would be awkward... She smiled, trying to avoid any awkwardness, "What about you?"
Suddenly a thought occurred to her. It may have been stupid but she asked it anyway, "Hey, do you know if all owls can travel abroad? Or if there's particular owls for long distances?" She asked, wondering if some of the owls could only manage the shorter distances. France was, after all, quite a long way from Hogwarts. The owl would have to fly a long distance over water, without the possibility of resting anyway. Wait - did these owls rest? Or did they just fly to their destination in one go?
Honestly, the girl had too many questions about this whole thing... Did they enjoy it? Did they get paid? Was this animal cruelty...? Sighing internally, she shook her head. It couldn't have been torturous on them. Surely not. If this was abuse then they would definitely be able to use magic to communicate better - surely? There's tons of bright wizards and witches that could put together a much better system if this was a bad one. Of course, not her but perhaps some of the Ravenclaw alumni could do it. Like this girl. If no one had in all of these years, perhaps it wasn't cruelty in the first place? Sigh, what was she even thinking... All this just to send a letter to someone! Who knew that the whole postal process was far too complicated for the little girl's head?
Her eyes quickly scanned the room, before noticing a girl that must have entered the Owlery shortly after she did. A Ravenclaw, from the looks of her uniform. With a smile, Serena shook her head, "No no, I'm sending one to a friend in France." She replied before deciding it was only polite to make an effort, "I thought I'd draw her something." She continued as she held up the pages she had been holding to show the other girl what she had drawn, "It's a bit crap, but hopefully it will make her smile." Serena continued, adding a disclaimer because she had no confidence in her own abilities. She was afraid the Ravenclaw would think it was terrible - they were the creative group, after all, weren't they? What if she just showed the next Picasso a really bad collection of anime sketches? Well that would be awkward... She smiled, trying to avoid any awkwardness, "What about you?"
Suddenly a thought occurred to her. It may have been stupid but she asked it anyway, "Hey, do you know if all owls can travel abroad? Or if there's particular owls for long distances?" She asked, wondering if some of the owls could only manage the shorter distances. France was, after all, quite a long way from Hogwarts. The owl would have to fly a long distance over water, without the possibility of resting anyway. Wait - did these owls rest? Or did they just fly to their destination in one go?
Honestly, the girl had too many questions about this whole thing... Did they enjoy it? Did they get paid? Was this animal cruelty...? Sighing internally, she shook her head. It couldn't have been torturous on them. Surely not. If this was abuse then they would definitely be able to use magic to communicate better - surely? There's tons of bright wizards and witches that could put together a much better system if this was a bad one. Of course, not her but perhaps some of the Ravenclaw alumni could do it. Like this girl. If no one had in all of these years, perhaps it wasn't cruelty in the first place? Sigh, what was she even thinking... All this just to send a letter to someone! Who knew that the whole postal process was far too complicated for the little girl's head?
PC: Serena Towers | iNPC: Arjan Oberoi | Other: Hjørdis Jensen & Xiomara Torres
Part-Goblin | Evasive Maneuvers | Beastmaster | Paragon of Health
Sta: 10 | Eva: 17 | Str: 3 | Wis: 15 | Arc Power: 10 | Acc: 15
Part-Goblin | Evasive Maneuvers | Beastmaster | Paragon of Health
Sta: 10 | Eva: 17 | Str: 3 | Wis: 15 | Arc Power: 10 | Acc: 15
23 May 2018, 21:10
Only Owls can Fly
"Sorry," The Ravenclaw began with a concerned voice. "I didn't mean to startle you." The drawing the girl held up caught her eye. It wasn't too bad, though she didn't have much to compare it to. Her own drawing abilities ended with little flower doodles. "I'm sure she'll love it since it's coming from you," that's what her parents always told her at her failed attempts at crafts anyway. "For my family," a short and simple letter, rolled up and tied with a blue ribbon. Blue seemed to be an ongoing theme in her life since being sorted. Her favorite color just happened to be powder blue as well. Kind of weird.
At the question, her eyebrows raised. Surely there were different owls that could fly for longer periods of time, making the arrival of the letter much shorter. "I'm not sure," she replied, her brows furrowed in thought. Hogwarts and her home in Ireland weren't too far from one another so she hadn't given it a thought before. "Before you send it, you might want to check with someone. Just in case." Maybe the Groundskeeper would know or one of the professors. "Now you have me wondering. I'd love to know the answer too."
The blonde pulled back just in time as an owl tried to nip at her when she was securing the parchment to his leg. She gave him a treat anyway and off he flew. Watching him for a moment, she turned and was surprised to see that the Hufflepuff was still there. "Did you want to go find someone to ask together?" On one hand, she was curious and on the other, maybe the girl was too shy to speak to the professors herself. It didn't bother her much except for when it came to disputing her grades, something that she refused to do even if she believed she deserved a higher one. "It's not a problem, I don't have anywhere to be." Her only plans were to go back to the dorms to study then have dinner when her dorm mates came to fetch her.
At the question, her eyebrows raised. Surely there were different owls that could fly for longer periods of time, making the arrival of the letter much shorter. "I'm not sure," she replied, her brows furrowed in thought. Hogwarts and her home in Ireland weren't too far from one another so she hadn't given it a thought before. "Before you send it, you might want to check with someone. Just in case." Maybe the Groundskeeper would know or one of the professors. "Now you have me wondering. I'd love to know the answer too."
The blonde pulled back just in time as an owl tried to nip at her when she was securing the parchment to his leg. She gave him a treat anyway and off he flew. Watching him for a moment, she turned and was surprised to see that the Hufflepuff was still there. "Did you want to go find someone to ask together?" On one hand, she was curious and on the other, maybe the girl was too shy to speak to the professors herself. It didn't bother her much except for when it came to disputing her grades, something that she refused to do even if she believed she deserved a higher one. "It's not a problem, I don't have anywhere to be." Her only plans were to go back to the dorms to study then have dinner when her dorm mates came to fetch her.
[font=times new roman]STA - 7 | EVA - 8 | STR - 5 | WIS - 10 +10% | ARC - 8 | ACC - 8
Part-Veela | Gobbledegook
Part-Veela | Gobbledegook
8 Jun 2018, 18:59
Only Owls can Fly
"It's okay," Serena replied with a smile on her face, shaking her head to say it was completely fine and not the Ravenclaw's fault. Although she was not sure her friend would like it, she nodded. Hopefully she did. It was the thought that counted, after all. The Hufflepuff smiled as she saw the letter in the other girl's hand. It had been tied up with a beautiful piece of ribbon. She loved that. She enjoyed sending post with lovely wax seals or ribbons. It was nice to see someone else put the same amount of effort into their owls too. "Ah, do you write home often?" She asked her, mostly to make small talk. Serena never really wrote home. She was forced to reply to her mother's owls on occasion but they were usually a nightmare to write back to. They contained so much negativity. She hated it.
Serena looked around the owls. "That's true..." She replied, wondering who they ought to check with. Perhaps she should just risk it and give it a go. What's the worst that could happen? She would figure it out if she never heard that that her friend probably never received her letter in the first place. She was kind of lazy, in all honesty. Yes, the smartest method was to find a Professor and ask them. Someone would likely know. The Caretaker was a safe bet. They managed things around the castle, which probably included the owls in the Owlery. Or maybe that fell to her Head of House, the Care of Magical Creatures. Either way, an adult would be able to point them in the right direction even if they could not answer the question themselves.
But this was Serena Towers. And boy, was she lazy. She could not be bothered to make the effort to do all of the extra work of actually walking around and finding someone to ask. That required walking and wasting time. Just sending the letter might be easier... "Ahh maybe... I might just risk it... What's the worst that could happen, you know?" She replied, showing her carefree nature with a shrug. As she considered it, the wind howled loudly. It was definitely cold and windy here. She had almost forgotten how cold it was, after the Ravenclaw came. The girl had really distracted her mind from the temperature.
Unfortunately, the wind reminded her. It howled loudly, lifting the pieces of parchment in her hand suddenly lifted out of it. They blew around the room madly, "Oh sh-" She started, suddenly jumping up to grab the parchments again. Sure, she did not mind risking the letter getting lost but losing it before she had even tried seemed foolish. Several pages fluttered around the room. Most were blank but she wanted to find the one with the drawing, as that one had taken the effort to make.
Serena caught a glimpse of the drawing from the corner of her eye. Rushing forward, she grabbed the page. Sighing a breathe of relief as she felt it in her hand. It was at this point, she looked down and saw the grounds below. "Ahh!" She screamed, suddenly pushing herself back. Out of carelessness, she had managed to end up on one of the open ledges. She fell backwards, her eyes wide as they stared out. She did not realise she was so close to the edge. It was a scary feeling. She disliked heights. That was what she figured out from that moment. Panting heavily, she continued to stare out of the open window that she was now sitting by.
Serena looked around the owls. "That's true..." She replied, wondering who they ought to check with. Perhaps she should just risk it and give it a go. What's the worst that could happen? She would figure it out if she never heard that that her friend probably never received her letter in the first place. She was kind of lazy, in all honesty. Yes, the smartest method was to find a Professor and ask them. Someone would likely know. The Caretaker was a safe bet. They managed things around the castle, which probably included the owls in the Owlery. Or maybe that fell to her Head of House, the Care of Magical Creatures. Either way, an adult would be able to point them in the right direction even if they could not answer the question themselves.
But this was Serena Towers. And boy, was she lazy. She could not be bothered to make the effort to do all of the extra work of actually walking around and finding someone to ask. That required walking and wasting time. Just sending the letter might be easier... "Ahh maybe... I might just risk it... What's the worst that could happen, you know?" She replied, showing her carefree nature with a shrug. As she considered it, the wind howled loudly. It was definitely cold and windy here. She had almost forgotten how cold it was, after the Ravenclaw came. The girl had really distracted her mind from the temperature.
Unfortunately, the wind reminded her. It howled loudly, lifting the pieces of parchment in her hand suddenly lifted out of it. They blew around the room madly, "Oh sh-" She started, suddenly jumping up to grab the parchments again. Sure, she did not mind risking the letter getting lost but losing it before she had even tried seemed foolish. Several pages fluttered around the room. Most were blank but she wanted to find the one with the drawing, as that one had taken the effort to make.
Serena caught a glimpse of the drawing from the corner of her eye. Rushing forward, she grabbed the page. Sighing a breathe of relief as she felt it in her hand. It was at this point, she looked down and saw the grounds below. "Ahh!" She screamed, suddenly pushing herself back. Out of carelessness, she had managed to end up on one of the open ledges. She fell backwards, her eyes wide as they stared out. She did not realise she was so close to the edge. It was a scary feeling. She disliked heights. That was what she figured out from that moment. Panting heavily, she continued to stare out of the open window that she was now sitting by.
PC: Serena Towers | iNPC: Arjan Oberoi | Other: Hjørdis Jensen & Xiomara Torres
Part-Goblin | Evasive Maneuvers | Beastmaster | Paragon of Health
Sta: 10 | Eva: 17 | Str: 3 | Wis: 15 | Arc Power: 10 | Acc: 15
Part-Goblin | Evasive Maneuvers | Beastmaster | Paragon of Health
Sta: 10 | Eva: 17 | Str: 3 | Wis: 15 | Arc Power: 10 | Acc: 15