26 Mar 2018, 19:07
Precious Pets
Amelia had always loved animals. Growing up, that was one of her main interests outside of her academics. Both of her parents were wealthy purebloods, so she grew up on quite the large estate. That gave her plenty of space to explore and discover all the creatures hiding throughout that area. As the years went on, the Lovell girl had felt she had explored all there was to be, and that's why she was more than happy to be at Hogwarts because she had the opportunity to explore even more beloved creatures. She simply couldn't wait, when she had first arrived at the castle, to join in on Care of Magical Creatures. It was one of her favorite classes, and she had studied frivolously for it.
With animals in mind when the brunette woke up that morning, having thought about all the times her parents had told her strictly no to keeping a pet at Hogwarts. Her father had said something along the lines of 'it would distract her from her studies'. They had quite a few cats at home, but they had never compared to an owl or a pygmy puff something of the nature. Disheartened, Amelia laid in her dorm bed in disappointment. Caring for the creatures in class was just not enough for her, she wanted an animal to call her own. 'I'd be a wonderful pet owner, I know it.' She thought to herself, a small frown etched into her face. That's when the idea popped into her head, she'd prove it to herself and to her parents that animals loved her by heading to the owlery, catching an owl and sending a letter off to her parents with news of her success.
The Ravenclaw was already in the West Tower because of her common room, but it took her some time to find her way to the owlery seeing as she'd never been there before. Climbing up a couple more flights of stairs, Amelia approached a circular stone room with awe. Brushing some stray, dark curls away from her eyes, she gazed at the expanse of the room where what looked like hundreds of owls perched, nesting, feeding and cleaning themselves. It was a tad chilly in here, and Amelia almost regretted not bringing her winter cloak, but was too caught up in the sight in front of her too care too much.
Stepping inside the room, the first year heard the snapping of straw beneath her feet and also a slightly strong smell of owl droppings. Wrinkling her freckled nose, Amelia tried to avoid the accidents and the tiny animal carcasses as she walked towards the center of the room. A lot of the owls were perched too high for her to just grab them, and how would she get them down? The eleven year old looked at what appeared to be a bird bath, or perhaps something the owls could eat from. She cursed herself for not thinking about baiting the owls down before getting too excited and running up here. Standing in the center of the room Amelia closed her brown eyes and thought hard about how to achieve her goal.
With animals in mind when the brunette woke up that morning, having thought about all the times her parents had told her strictly no to keeping a pet at Hogwarts. Her father had said something along the lines of 'it would distract her from her studies'. They had quite a few cats at home, but they had never compared to an owl or a pygmy puff something of the nature. Disheartened, Amelia laid in her dorm bed in disappointment. Caring for the creatures in class was just not enough for her, she wanted an animal to call her own. 'I'd be a wonderful pet owner, I know it.' She thought to herself, a small frown etched into her face. That's when the idea popped into her head, she'd prove it to herself and to her parents that animals loved her by heading to the owlery, catching an owl and sending a letter off to her parents with news of her success.
The Ravenclaw was already in the West Tower because of her common room, but it took her some time to find her way to the owlery seeing as she'd never been there before. Climbing up a couple more flights of stairs, Amelia approached a circular stone room with awe. Brushing some stray, dark curls away from her eyes, she gazed at the expanse of the room where what looked like hundreds of owls perched, nesting, feeding and cleaning themselves. It was a tad chilly in here, and Amelia almost regretted not bringing her winter cloak, but was too caught up in the sight in front of her too care too much.
Stepping inside the room, the first year heard the snapping of straw beneath her feet and also a slightly strong smell of owl droppings. Wrinkling her freckled nose, Amelia tried to avoid the accidents and the tiny animal carcasses as she walked towards the center of the room. A lot of the owls were perched too high for her to just grab them, and how would she get them down? The eleven year old looked at what appeared to be a bird bath, or perhaps something the owls could eat from. She cursed herself for not thinking about baiting the owls down before getting too excited and running up here. Standing in the center of the room Amelia closed her brown eyes and thought hard about how to achieve her goal.
26 Mar 2018, 22:10
Precious Pets
Tying her hair back into a high ponytail that left a few stray curls tickling the back of her neck, Errol made a futile attempt to keep her wild curls out of her face as she hiked up the stone steps that she hoped led to the Owlery, but with this school one couldn't be positive- not when the steps were constantly rearranging themselves, who knew whether or not the halls did so too. In her right hand, she held a fistful of thick nightcrawlers that wriggled between her fingers, all of them freshly plucked from the Earth at the crack of dawn, a perfect snack for owls that didn't make Errol feel like a monster, at least not completely. If she had really wanted to it would have been incredibly easy to get her hands on a mouse, she had already heard a few of them scurrying at the edges of rooms, but it seemed too cruel to catch one only for an unneeded snack. It was a different story when it came to Ita, the scops owl that was owned by her family, everyday Errol would have to catch her meal and it didn't feel so bad knowing that one death would help another. It was part of life and Errol accepted it, but it seemed pointless to kill something pointlessly for her own happiness, which was why she held a fistful of worms.
Hiking her way to the tower, Errol couldn't even begin to describe the odd looks she received from her peers, mostly when one of the critters had wiggled out of her grip and fell onto the floor, coiling and squirming as it tried to go beneath the ground. Quickly Errol had picked it up, but a few did notice it, including a Gryffindor who had gagged loudly and clearly for the Hufflepuff to hear as she hurried along. The back of her robe fluttering behind her as she tried to get out of sight from everyone who was staring at her. She couldn't understand why the idea of worms made some people nauseous, mostly when there were a handful of other creatures that were so much more disgusting. Maybe next time she visited the owls she would bring a leather pouch to conceal the nightcrawlers in, either way, she had learned her lesson.
A smile graced Errol's face as she heard the briefest whisper of fluttering wings echoing down the steps, a telltale sign that this was indeed the Owlery and Errol had managed to find herself going the right way, an honest surprise for the Hufflepuff. Excited, Errol's grip tightened on the nightcrawlers ever so slightly, not enough to crush them thankfully, not even Errol could stand having worm guts in the palm of her hands. Blowing a runaway strain of amber out of her face, Errol chuckled as a grey dappled feather drifted its way down to her, peacefully she let it drift into the palm of her open left hand before she snapped close around it like a venus fly trap, imprisoning the owl's feather like a fly. Finally, she reached the top and had to hold in a gasp of pure awe at the sight of millions of owls fluttering about weightlessly in the chilly air around her.
All she could hear was the racing of her heart and the thunderous flapping of millions of wings as her head tilted up to gaze at all the nesting creatures. Errol had found her new favourite place. As her eyes travelled downwards to in front of her, Errol realized she wasn't alone as a quiet "Oh," of surprise escaped her lips. In the centre of the tower stood a fellow girl with curly brown hair. She fit perfectly amongst the fluttering owls as if she was meant to be here and Errol had intruded. "Sorry," she couldn't stop herself from saying as if she had done something wrong. "I thought this place was going to be empty," she quickly added with an awkward chuckle, something very unusual for her to do- she was never at a loss of words unless caught by surprise.
Hiking her way to the tower, Errol couldn't even begin to describe the odd looks she received from her peers, mostly when one of the critters had wiggled out of her grip and fell onto the floor, coiling and squirming as it tried to go beneath the ground. Quickly Errol had picked it up, but a few did notice it, including a Gryffindor who had gagged loudly and clearly for the Hufflepuff to hear as she hurried along. The back of her robe fluttering behind her as she tried to get out of sight from everyone who was staring at her. She couldn't understand why the idea of worms made some people nauseous, mostly when there were a handful of other creatures that were so much more disgusting. Maybe next time she visited the owls she would bring a leather pouch to conceal the nightcrawlers in, either way, she had learned her lesson.
A smile graced Errol's face as she heard the briefest whisper of fluttering wings echoing down the steps, a telltale sign that this was indeed the Owlery and Errol had managed to find herself going the right way, an honest surprise for the Hufflepuff. Excited, Errol's grip tightened on the nightcrawlers ever so slightly, not enough to crush them thankfully, not even Errol could stand having worm guts in the palm of her hands. Blowing a runaway strain of amber out of her face, Errol chuckled as a grey dappled feather drifted its way down to her, peacefully she let it drift into the palm of her open left hand before she snapped close around it like a venus fly trap, imprisoning the owl's feather like a fly. Finally, she reached the top and had to hold in a gasp of pure awe at the sight of millions of owls fluttering about weightlessly in the chilly air around her.
All she could hear was the racing of her heart and the thunderous flapping of millions of wings as her head tilted up to gaze at all the nesting creatures. Errol had found her new favourite place. As her eyes travelled downwards to in front of her, Errol realized she wasn't alone as a quiet "Oh," of surprise escaped her lips. In the centre of the tower stood a fellow girl with curly brown hair. She fit perfectly amongst the fluttering owls as if she was meant to be here and Errol had intruded. "Sorry," she couldn't stop herself from saying as if she had done something wrong. "I thought this place was going to be empty," she quickly added with an awkward chuckle, something very unusual for her to do- she was never at a loss of words unless caught by surprise.
27 Mar 2018, 05:12
Precious Pets
Amelia didn't often interact with other students, or that's what she used to say, at least. In her early childhood and throughout her time before Hogwarts, she was known to be a reserved and introverted child. It never bothered the pale girl, really, until she started at the magical school and realized a lot of her fellow students had a number of friends. She started to speak up, approached people more often, engage in conversation even when it wasn't necessary. Slowly she had gathered a very small group of kids her age who she could maybe call 'friends'. The eleven year old felt quite a big more comfortable with conversation and began to enjoy making these connections.
That's why, when Amelia heard the approaching footsteps of another person, she didn't feel the instant urge to find a place to hide, or walk quickly back out of her vicinity to avoid small talk. Turning her head ever so slightly to her right, the Ravenclaw's dark gaze met those of another curly-haired girl. What really caught her attention, though, was what the girl had a fit full of. The girl's words went right over her head, "You're a genius!" Amelia exclaimed, turning her body to face the girl in excitement. That's exactly what Amelia needed for her plot to catch an owl to work. How the girl had shown up almost as the Raven was thinking about owl snacks, she didn't know, but she chalked it up to fate.
Taking quite a few large, quick steps towards the red-head, Amelia couldn't hide her hopeful smile and wide eyes. "Could I perhaps borrow...or, well, I mean...I need one of those worms you have there." She pointed one pale index finger to the girls fist full of night-crawlers. It looked like she had quite a bit to spare, and Amelia felt this was a deal of great importance. Although the first year had had more social interaction within the last few month, it did not mean she was suddenly magically good at social cues and mannerisms. That's why it took her a second to realize that just asking for something of someone's without them even knowing your name was quite rude.
"I'm Amelia Lovell, by the way." The Lovell girl flashed her fellow castle-mate a toothy smile before reverting her face back to normal, an almost impatience. She was so close to catching an owl, she could feel it in her bones. The flapping of the owl's feathers and the musty smell seemed to vanish as her thoughts were all consumed, imagining the moment the owl would perch on her arm and she'd handle it like a pro. Thereafter she would send it off with an owl to her parents, and show them the master pet-keeper she could really be.
That's why, when Amelia heard the approaching footsteps of another person, she didn't feel the instant urge to find a place to hide, or walk quickly back out of her vicinity to avoid small talk. Turning her head ever so slightly to her right, the Ravenclaw's dark gaze met those of another curly-haired girl. What really caught her attention, though, was what the girl had a fit full of. The girl's words went right over her head, "You're a genius!" Amelia exclaimed, turning her body to face the girl in excitement. That's exactly what Amelia needed for her plot to catch an owl to work. How the girl had shown up almost as the Raven was thinking about owl snacks, she didn't know, but she chalked it up to fate.
Taking quite a few large, quick steps towards the red-head, Amelia couldn't hide her hopeful smile and wide eyes. "Could I perhaps borrow...or, well, I mean...I need one of those worms you have there." She pointed one pale index finger to the girls fist full of night-crawlers. It looked like she had quite a bit to spare, and Amelia felt this was a deal of great importance. Although the first year had had more social interaction within the last few month, it did not mean she was suddenly magically good at social cues and mannerisms. That's why it took her a second to realize that just asking for something of someone's without them even knowing your name was quite rude.
"I'm Amelia Lovell, by the way." The Lovell girl flashed her fellow castle-mate a toothy smile before reverting her face back to normal, an almost impatience. She was so close to catching an owl, she could feel it in her bones. The flapping of the owl's feathers and the musty smell seemed to vanish as her thoughts were all consumed, imagining the moment the owl would perch on her arm and she'd handle it like a pro. Thereafter she would send it off with an owl to her parents, and show them the master pet-keeper she could really be.
Last edited by Amelia Lovell on 28 Mar 2018, 18:17, edited 1 time in total.
28 Mar 2018, 17:17
Precious Pets
Settling down, Errol's face gave way to a friendly smile as she realized that Amelia was friendly and not someone who was going to give her a dirty look for what she held tightly in her fist- if anything, what the girl said proved otherwise as Errol used her free hand to pluck a plump worm out of her grip. "Here you go," she said chirped as she approached the girl and offered the squirming critter. "Although," she quickly added, her eyes looking at the girl's arms wearily. "If you plan to hold one of the owls I recommend adding a lil' more layering to your arms."
Varya, one of Errol's many cousins, had taught Errol this when she was just a girl. Varya, having bred and trained owls to sell to other Wizards, specialized in raptors and always wore leather gloves that ran up to her elbows everywhere she went whether a bird was present or not. When out of curiosity Errol had asked why the woman had chuckled and with a thick Russian accent told the child it was to prevent her arms from being shredded into ribbons by her birds. It wasn't a pretty image to imagine when one was so young, but the lesson had been branded into Errol's memory in fear that someday she would have to handle her own bird and have her long arms clawed.
"I'm Errol, by the way. Errol Morgan." she kindly introduced to herself, and if it wasn't for the fact that she had so many squirming nightcrawlers, then she would have most definitely held out her hand in greeting, but since she was unable to, she just offered Amelia the friendliest smile she could muster as she tried to blow a lose red curl that had been blown into her face by the fluttering of wings as an owl took off into the air close by.
Varya, one of Errol's many cousins, had taught Errol this when she was just a girl. Varya, having bred and trained owls to sell to other Wizards, specialized in raptors and always wore leather gloves that ran up to her elbows everywhere she went whether a bird was present or not. When out of curiosity Errol had asked why the woman had chuckled and with a thick Russian accent told the child it was to prevent her arms from being shredded into ribbons by her birds. It wasn't a pretty image to imagine when one was so young, but the lesson had been branded into Errol's memory in fear that someday she would have to handle her own bird and have her long arms clawed.
"I'm Errol, by the way. Errol Morgan." she kindly introduced to herself, and if it wasn't for the fact that she had so many squirming nightcrawlers, then she would have most definitely held out her hand in greeting, but since she was unable to, she just offered Amelia the friendliest smile she could muster as she tried to blow a lose red curl that had been blown into her face by the fluttering of wings as an owl took off into the air close by.
29 Mar 2018, 06:53
Precious Pets
Sometimes when Amelia introduced herself to people, or when people knew her personally, she felt as if they thought of her as stuck-up, or scary, or mean. A majority of her family had been sorted into Slytherin, and although not every student in the house fit the stereotype, Amelia thought it was fairly common for them all to be manipulative and sneaky and selfish. Her father wasn't quite a pureblood supremacist himself—as he had become most lenient in his way of thinking as time passed—he still had very old ideals and ways of thinking. Even at Amelia's young age, she could see that and see the way people looked at her sometimes.
That's why the young girl was always trying to smile, and that's exactly what she was doing at Errol in that moment. It took little to no prodding to get the other girl to hand over a worm, and what appeared to be a decent sized one at that. Closing the rest of the space between them, the Ravenclaw's eyes were shining in an excited way. Before plucking the worm from Errol, Amelia was told to add layering to her arms. Furrowing her brow a bit in concern, the Lovell girl's gaze shifted towards the owls above her again. ‘I guess I hadn't really thought about that…’ Thinking to herself, she again cursed herself for not thinking her adventure all the way through.
Having focused more on more interesting magical creatures than owls, Amelia didn't know too much off the top of her head. Layering should've been obvious. Trying to be quick-witted, the brunette pulled her baggy navy blue sweater—always representing her house colors in her outfit—from over her head, disappearing into its depths for a moment. With only a thin long-sleeve shirt on, Amelia shivered in the chilly air. She concluded it would be worth it, though, and wrapped her arm in the thick article of clothing until it felt satisfyingly tight. Looking up at Errol, who was introducing herself, the smile was back on the Raven’s face. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Errol. I really thank you for your help so far. Do you think this'll suffice?” Amelia held up her arm in a gesture of question. “How do you know so much about owls? Do you really think I'll be able to hold one?” Her tone had clear excitement in it, and a lot of hope. Maybe this girl could help her get one down from the expanse above them.
That's why the young girl was always trying to smile, and that's exactly what she was doing at Errol in that moment. It took little to no prodding to get the other girl to hand over a worm, and what appeared to be a decent sized one at that. Closing the rest of the space between them, the Ravenclaw's eyes were shining in an excited way. Before plucking the worm from Errol, Amelia was told to add layering to her arms. Furrowing her brow a bit in concern, the Lovell girl's gaze shifted towards the owls above her again. ‘I guess I hadn't really thought about that…’ Thinking to herself, she again cursed herself for not thinking her adventure all the way through.
Having focused more on more interesting magical creatures than owls, Amelia didn't know too much off the top of her head. Layering should've been obvious. Trying to be quick-witted, the brunette pulled her baggy navy blue sweater—always representing her house colors in her outfit—from over her head, disappearing into its depths for a moment. With only a thin long-sleeve shirt on, Amelia shivered in the chilly air. She concluded it would be worth it, though, and wrapped her arm in the thick article of clothing until it felt satisfyingly tight. Looking up at Errol, who was introducing herself, the smile was back on the Raven’s face. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Errol. I really thank you for your help so far. Do you think this'll suffice?” Amelia held up her arm in a gesture of question. “How do you know so much about owls? Do you really think I'll be able to hold one?” Her tone had clear excitement in it, and a lot of hope. Maybe this girl could help her get one down from the expanse above them.
2 Apr 2018, 16:54
Precious Pets
Errol let out a light-hearted chuckle that echoed through the tower as she watched Amelia remove her blue sweater and wrapped it around her arm. That would work Errol knew, she had done it a million times when improvising with her cousin's birds but- digging into one of the pockets hidden in her robe, she pulled out a roll of white adherent wrap that she had pulled out from the trunk at the foot of her bed before heading out. "That'll work," she said as she gave a slight nod in the direction of Amelia's now layered arm. "But I recommend this- otherwise your sweater might be ruined." Lifting up her hand, she offered the girl the wraps. Errol had learned the hard way about using a piece of clothing for protection when Taavi, a large gyrfalcon, tore up a handknitted sweater her father had sent to her. If a raptor's talons could shred up skin, what made fabric any different? Varya had laughed at this incident and took the girl aside, teaching her other, less sacrificing, ways to protect her skin from ebony claws. The most affordable one was wrapping your arm in a makeshift cast which was what Errol had planned for herself this day.
"My cousin breeds raptors for the Wizarding world. She's taught me a bit about them." Errol said as she waited for Amelia to snatch the wraps from her extended hand. When Varya came down from her home in Finland where she tended to her large birds of prey, she usually stayed at Errol's Maimeó's house as she sold the birds to Wizards who were interested in them. During her visits, the birds were usually kept in Errol's room where there was space for their large silver cages. She was around eight when she began to take a real interest in her occasional roommates and begged Varya to teach her how to tame the winged-beasts, and happily, her cousin complied. Through trial and error, a young Errol had finally gotten a grasp on how to safely handle the birds, but a thin scar across where her elbow folded proved that the lessons had been anything but easy. Many times her Maimeó had intervened, scolding both girls for being foolish and reckless, but when she saw the pure glee in Errol's grey eyes the day a juvenile Hen harrier swept down from the sky and landed on her arm, her Maimeó gave up on trying to get Errol to leave the birds be.
"My cousin breeds raptors for the Wizarding world. She's taught me a bit about them." Errol said as she waited for Amelia to snatch the wraps from her extended hand. When Varya came down from her home in Finland where she tended to her large birds of prey, she usually stayed at Errol's Maimeó's house as she sold the birds to Wizards who were interested in them. During her visits, the birds were usually kept in Errol's room where there was space for their large silver cages. She was around eight when she began to take a real interest in her occasional roommates and begged Varya to teach her how to tame the winged-beasts, and happily, her cousin complied. Through trial and error, a young Errol had finally gotten a grasp on how to safely handle the birds, but a thin scar across where her elbow folded proved that the lessons had been anything but easy. Many times her Maimeó had intervened, scolding both girls for being foolish and reckless, but when she saw the pure glee in Errol's grey eyes the day a juvenile Hen harrier swept down from the sky and landed on her arm, her Maimeó gave up on trying to get Errol to leave the birds be.
5 Apr 2018, 06:09
Precious Pets
Errol’s chuckle might have offended any other arrogant Ravenclaw, but Amelia was so earnest and sincere in her want to get ahold of an owl, she took it lightheartedly. The girl seemed pretty harmless regardless, the aura she gave off was very at ease and peaceful. Although she gave off the lanky vibe, it didn’t come off as intimidating. She almost had a similar stature to Amelia herself, the Ravenclaw took note of, nodding slightly to herself. At Errol’s reassurance that the sweater would do, Amelia's smile grew ever bigger. Her expression became only a tad bit confused as the red-head pulled a white looking wrap out of her pocket and insisted that Amelia use it as well. “Do you just carry these kinds of things around?” The question was a playful joke, but also a kind of serious question. Regardless, the Raven wasn’t complaining and was happy to have run into someone who so knew so much about her goal.
Grabbing the wrap from her fellow student’s outreached hand, the Lovell girl attempted to wrap it around rather flimsily. Pursing her lips, feeling a bit of frustration, Amelia put more time and focus into wrapping it neatly and tightly over her left arm. Her right arm was her dominant arm, but she let that thought come and go without too much worry. The brunette finished wrapping her arm, tying it off at the end with an accomplished grin. “Even if my sweater had been ripped to shreds, I probably would’ve still tried to grab an owl. So thanks for showing up when you did.” The first year let out a little laugh and then waved her arm about to get a good idea of the mobility she still had available to her. She probably looked ridiculous from an outside perspective, or any passerby, by she didn’t mind.
Having listened to Errol's explanation of why she knew so much about owls, she explained about her breeder of a cousin. “That's so cool. I have some distant cousins, but I don’t think they do anything as interesting as that.” Scrunching up her button nose in thought, Amelia realized she didn’t have very many close family members that were around her age. Most of them were adults, and she grew up as an only child. ‘Which is more of a reason for me to have an owl, I need some company.’ She thought to herself, focusing back on her goal. “Alright, so, if I just extend my arm outwards, will they land? Do I grab them around the wings? By the feet?” The feet certainly didn't seem reasonable, as Amelia tried to approach the winged creatures at a regular human pace and watched them all either hop away with wary looks or fly far out of her reach. Thankfully she was a patient eleven year old, and looked at her newfound friend for more advice.
Grabbing the wrap from her fellow student’s outreached hand, the Lovell girl attempted to wrap it around rather flimsily. Pursing her lips, feeling a bit of frustration, Amelia put more time and focus into wrapping it neatly and tightly over her left arm. Her right arm was her dominant arm, but she let that thought come and go without too much worry. The brunette finished wrapping her arm, tying it off at the end with an accomplished grin. “Even if my sweater had been ripped to shreds, I probably would’ve still tried to grab an owl. So thanks for showing up when you did.” The first year let out a little laugh and then waved her arm about to get a good idea of the mobility she still had available to her. She probably looked ridiculous from an outside perspective, or any passerby, by she didn’t mind.
Having listened to Errol's explanation of why she knew so much about owls, she explained about her breeder of a cousin. “That's so cool. I have some distant cousins, but I don’t think they do anything as interesting as that.” Scrunching up her button nose in thought, Amelia realized she didn’t have very many close family members that were around her age. Most of them were adults, and she grew up as an only child. ‘Which is more of a reason for me to have an owl, I need some company.’ She thought to herself, focusing back on her goal. “Alright, so, if I just extend my arm outwards, will they land? Do I grab them around the wings? By the feet?” The feet certainly didn't seem reasonable, as Amelia tried to approach the winged creatures at a regular human pace and watched them all either hop away with wary looks or fly far out of her reach. Thankfully she was a patient eleven year old, and looked at her newfound friend for more advice.
5 Apr 2018, 15:27
Precious Pets
Watching as Amelia ineffectually wrapped the fabric around her arm, Errol's lips formed a tight line as she tried her hardest not to criticize the girl's work on her own arm, knowing that one would have to tighten the bandages. Errol didn't want to discourage Amelia, but she would have to fix the way she bandaged her arm if she didn't want to get injured. Flushing a slight red, her grey eyes rolled away from Amelia's arm and returned to meet her gaze. "I don't always carry them around," she chuckled awkwardly, she must have seemed weird for pulling such a thing from her pocket, nevermind her fistful of nightcrawlers. "Since I was heading here I figured I'd bring them along with me." and she was glad she did for both girls would benefit greatly from the thick straps of cloth.
"You should also tighten that," she whispered shyly as her free hand gestured to her own arm, her fingers wrapping around the branch like limb as she stared at Amelia's now messily wrapped arm. Easily the talons of an Owl could accidentally unwrap the dressing, revealing the soft flesh underneath and then- Errol didn't want to think of it. She was fine with blood and gore, seeing, surprisingly, her own share if it back home through everyday occurrences from the half ate rabbits left behind by the weasels to the commonly broken arm received from falling from the long limbs of a tree, but she felt like if she had let the thought form it would happen to the poor girl. So instead she focused on the conversation sparking between them.
Plucking a few worms from her hand, having more than enough to spare, she tossed them into the air and watched as owls swooped down and snatched them midflight before returning to their nests and snacking on the plump treats. "Well I wouldn't grab most of these Owls," she smiled slightly as she remarked the sizes of the owls inside of the tower with them, Varya laughed at her when Errol had asked almost the same question. Smiling her cousin had patted down her wild curls and crouched down so that the two were face to face as she informed her that only the little ones could be held for the rest were too large and instead should be left to perch.
"They seem too big to hold, but yes- if you were to hold an owl you would do so by its wings," her hand cupped the air as she showed Amelia how she would do it. "You have to cup the wings to the body, your thumbs should lie on its spine, that way both of you don't get hurt." Dropping her hand from the sky, she needlessly brushed back her curls once more, unknowingly smudging dirt from the worms onto her fiery hair. She watched as Amelia quickly stalked after a few of the birds nearby her, startling them away from the two girls as a few of them took flight out of reach or simply hobbled to another corner. As she watched the failed attempts to capture one of the winged-creatures, she once more plucked a worm between her fingers, but instead of tossing it to the hungry creatures who watched the worm with eyes of onyx, she held it up for Amelia to see.
"The worms are for befriending them," she told her. "Once we get their trust, they'll simply come to you."
"You should also tighten that," she whispered shyly as her free hand gestured to her own arm, her fingers wrapping around the branch like limb as she stared at Amelia's now messily wrapped arm. Easily the talons of an Owl could accidentally unwrap the dressing, revealing the soft flesh underneath and then- Errol didn't want to think of it. She was fine with blood and gore, seeing, surprisingly, her own share if it back home through everyday occurrences from the half ate rabbits left behind by the weasels to the commonly broken arm received from falling from the long limbs of a tree, but she felt like if she had let the thought form it would happen to the poor girl. So instead she focused on the conversation sparking between them.
Plucking a few worms from her hand, having more than enough to spare, she tossed them into the air and watched as owls swooped down and snatched them midflight before returning to their nests and snacking on the plump treats. "Well I wouldn't grab most of these Owls," she smiled slightly as she remarked the sizes of the owls inside of the tower with them, Varya laughed at her when Errol had asked almost the same question. Smiling her cousin had patted down her wild curls and crouched down so that the two were face to face as she informed her that only the little ones could be held for the rest were too large and instead should be left to perch.
"They seem too big to hold, but yes- if you were to hold an owl you would do so by its wings," her hand cupped the air as she showed Amelia how she would do it. "You have to cup the wings to the body, your thumbs should lie on its spine, that way both of you don't get hurt." Dropping her hand from the sky, she needlessly brushed back her curls once more, unknowingly smudging dirt from the worms onto her fiery hair. She watched as Amelia quickly stalked after a few of the birds nearby her, startling them away from the two girls as a few of them took flight out of reach or simply hobbled to another corner. As she watched the failed attempts to capture one of the winged-creatures, she once more plucked a worm between her fingers, but instead of tossing it to the hungry creatures who watched the worm with eyes of onyx, she held it up for Amelia to see.
"The worms are for befriending them," she told her. "Once we get their trust, they'll simply come to you."
8 Apr 2018, 03:11
Precious Pets
At Errol’s suggestion to tighten the bandage, looking down at the arm she had already rewrapped once, Amelia considered not taking her new acquaintance’s advice. It looked pretty fine to her, and it wasn’t like the owl’s talons could be that sharp…right? Her dark brown eyes reflected a more golden hue as she looked back up at the seemingly unattainable flying creatures. ‘I really need to get this right the first time…’ The brunette frowned a bit in concentration, thinking hard about her decision. She concluded she should rewrap her arm, making sure it was as tight as her eleven year old grip could make it.
The Ravenclaw watched Errol toss the nightcrawlers in the air in a carefree fashion, and noticed how quickly the owls came for the worms. She had the innate urge to throw her own worm up in the air, but she grasped onto it like it was her only chance. The brunette listened as Errol spoke about how she wouldn’t suggest picking up any of these owls, and the small frown from before threatened to return. Her hope at catching these flying creatures seemed to be fleeting, and she thought about how disappointing the trek back down to her dorm room would be without the success story of holding an owl.
Looking down at her wrapped arm, Amelia listened to the rest of Errol’s speech on how to hold the creatures if she did manage it, but her couple attempts at getting close had failed. Using the advice the fellow student had given her, the first year looked around the room and surveyed the area. Most of the skittish owls had retreated to heights neither of the two Hogwarts students could reach, so she wrote that off. The ones that were still at their level seemed to be on the friendlier side, and a tinier owl caught her attention first. It appeared to be a Scopes owl, although Amelia couldn’t put a name to it right away. It’s smaller frame made it a lot less intimidating to approach with the treat outstretched in her hand.
Trying to be quiet and make her moves predictable, the Lovell girl managed to get right up next to the small creature. She threw Errol and excited expression over her shoulder, trying not to make any sudden movements that would scare the owl off. It took no more than a few seconds for the owl to peck the nightcrawler out of her hand, a munch on it happily while it continued to perch right to Amelia's left. “If I hold out my arm, will it just hop on? Should I try?" Her tone of voice was excited yet hushed, not wanting to ruin her chance. Although it would be a lot more exciting to hold an Eagle owl or a big barn one, a pygmy owl would do for now.
The Ravenclaw watched Errol toss the nightcrawlers in the air in a carefree fashion, and noticed how quickly the owls came for the worms. She had the innate urge to throw her own worm up in the air, but she grasped onto it like it was her only chance. The brunette listened as Errol spoke about how she wouldn’t suggest picking up any of these owls, and the small frown from before threatened to return. Her hope at catching these flying creatures seemed to be fleeting, and she thought about how disappointing the trek back down to her dorm room would be without the success story of holding an owl.
Looking down at her wrapped arm, Amelia listened to the rest of Errol’s speech on how to hold the creatures if she did manage it, but her couple attempts at getting close had failed. Using the advice the fellow student had given her, the first year looked around the room and surveyed the area. Most of the skittish owls had retreated to heights neither of the two Hogwarts students could reach, so she wrote that off. The ones that were still at their level seemed to be on the friendlier side, and a tinier owl caught her attention first. It appeared to be a Scopes owl, although Amelia couldn’t put a name to it right away. It’s smaller frame made it a lot less intimidating to approach with the treat outstretched in her hand.
Trying to be quiet and make her moves predictable, the Lovell girl managed to get right up next to the small creature. She threw Errol and excited expression over her shoulder, trying not to make any sudden movements that would scare the owl off. It took no more than a few seconds for the owl to peck the nightcrawler out of her hand, a munch on it happily while it continued to perch right to Amelia's left. “If I hold out my arm, will it just hop on? Should I try?" Her tone of voice was excited yet hushed, not wanting to ruin her chance. Although it would be a lot more exciting to hold an Eagle owl or a big barn one, a pygmy owl would do for now.
17 Apr 2018, 17:15
Precious Pets
Errol watched Amelia with eagerness as the girl finally managed to make a connection with one of many winged creatures, and too her own relief it was a pudgy pygmy owl, just the right size to pick up. Maybe the Ravenclaw would be lucky and get to hold one of the noble creatures like she wished, for if it had been one of the mighty horned owls or eagle owls than any thoughts about wrapping one's fingers around it would be futile. A pygmy owl was the perfect size for the girls to handle and hold, but as Errol looked around the room, she noticed there weren't many of the lesser owls flying about. Amelia really did get lucky.
Now the young girl understood how her cousin felt while teaching Errol how to handle owls, seeing the excitement in Amelia seemed to birth a bit inside of the girl as she eagerly waited for an owl to warm up to the Ravenclaw. The birds in the tower were already trained and accustomed to the touch of a human, all that it would take to earn their trust was slow steps and a delicious treat, nothing like the few feral birds Varya had to take her time and domesticate. Errol was extremely grateful that she wouldn't have to go through the whole 'Maybe next time' speech with the fellow first-year student, unlike the time Varya gave it to her when a stunning harpy eagle refused to even look her way never mind hobble onto her arm. That was a very disappointing day and nearly disheartened her, it was a good thing that Amelia wouldn't have to go through it.
When Amelia's dark eyes turned to her, Errol offered the girl an encouraging smile along with a thumbs up from her free hand. "I believe so," she said answering her question. "Just be still and talk to it quietly." The advice was what one would give to someone handling an untamed raptor, but it was all the girl could offer due to her lack of knowledge when it came to the bird's personality and habits. Even a tiny creature like that could do damage with its beak and talons, although Errol highly doubted it would yet one could never be sure. It was always better to be safer than sorry, mostly when handling any animal.
Now the young girl understood how her cousin felt while teaching Errol how to handle owls, seeing the excitement in Amelia seemed to birth a bit inside of the girl as she eagerly waited for an owl to warm up to the Ravenclaw. The birds in the tower were already trained and accustomed to the touch of a human, all that it would take to earn their trust was slow steps and a delicious treat, nothing like the few feral birds Varya had to take her time and domesticate. Errol was extremely grateful that she wouldn't have to go through the whole 'Maybe next time' speech with the fellow first-year student, unlike the time Varya gave it to her when a stunning harpy eagle refused to even look her way never mind hobble onto her arm. That was a very disappointing day and nearly disheartened her, it was a good thing that Amelia wouldn't have to go through it.
When Amelia's dark eyes turned to her, Errol offered the girl an encouraging smile along with a thumbs up from her free hand. "I believe so," she said answering her question. "Just be still and talk to it quietly." The advice was what one would give to someone handling an untamed raptor, but it was all the girl could offer due to her lack of knowledge when it came to the bird's personality and habits. Even a tiny creature like that could do damage with its beak and talons, although Errol highly doubted it would yet one could never be sure. It was always better to be safer than sorry, mostly when handling any animal.