2 Apr 2018, 02:24
Getting Back in the Game
Adam pushed open the heavy doors to Hogwarts' trophy room and slipped inside. As they swung shut behind him, he found that he had to just stand back and admire the expanse of prizes that stretched out in front of him. Banners and plaques covered all four walls, lit by candelabras that rested on what little open shelf space there was. The flicker of the candlelight reflect off of the rows and rows of trophies and shields that honored victors of all sorts of competitions that had taken place at the school. Adam had heard of this room before, but had never really had reason to visit it until now. He didn't think Anatole had ever been inside, either, and that made it as good a place as any to consider for their contest.
Running his hands along the glass of the trophy cases, Adam relished in the relative quiet. With the events of the past few days, it was nice to have a place for relative quiet. And being among the reminders of Hogwarts greats made Adam remember who he had been before everything. He had had a goal. He was going to get things done in his first year, make a name for himself, hopefully even outshine his brother while he was at it. Where had that Adam gone? The Ravenclaw boy hadn't realized exactly how much he needed this competitive drive to fuel him until it had crashed. Now, he made a vow to himself. He was going to get back in business, get his head in the game.
"You're not special," he told one of the trophies on the wall. He hoped the trophy knew that he meant it. Adam Harringtom was going to be a name that this school remembered, one way or another. And what better place to re-recognize his dreams than in a room surrounded by the memorials of those who already had? He stuck his tongue out at the same trophy he had insulted but wheeled around when he heard the door re-open. This was embarrassing. Who knows, he thought, maybe this person'll help me out. He hoped the new arrival was as dedicated as he was. There were things to be done.
Running his hands along the glass of the trophy cases, Adam relished in the relative quiet. With the events of the past few days, it was nice to have a place for relative quiet. And being among the reminders of Hogwarts greats made Adam remember who he had been before everything. He had had a goal. He was going to get things done in his first year, make a name for himself, hopefully even outshine his brother while he was at it. Where had that Adam gone? The Ravenclaw boy hadn't realized exactly how much he needed this competitive drive to fuel him until it had crashed. Now, he made a vow to himself. He was going to get back in business, get his head in the game.
"You're not special," he told one of the trophies on the wall. He hoped the trophy knew that he meant it. Adam Harringtom was going to be a name that this school remembered, one way or another. And what better place to re-recognize his dreams than in a room surrounded by the memorials of those who already had? He stuck his tongue out at the same trophy he had insulted but wheeled around when he heard the door re-open. This was embarrassing. Who knows, he thought, maybe this person'll help me out. He hoped the new arrival was as dedicated as he was. There were things to be done.
Last edited by Adam Harringtom on 17 Apr 2018, 22:51, edited 1 time in total.
2 Apr 2018, 04:55
Getting Back in the Game
Kaegen was changed. But mostly on the inside. That, and his always up guard. Never again was that shield going down. If anyone twitched in his direction, that twitch would be met with instant reaction. But for right now, Kaegen was feeling pretty good, his eyes were full of life and flashing around. There was bound to be something to do.
Opening the door, he saw that boy, apple!
His whispery voice sounded faraway as ever, but it was laced with a bit of confidence. He was 11 years old, after all. He wasn't going to be depressed forever. He had messed up, he had made a mistake and paid for it. He learned his lesson and that mistake was not going to happen again. Right now, he couldn't care less about grudges. He didn't really carry many. In place of grudges the young boy had warning signs. There was a warning sign above apple, but he didn't really care. Apple was strong. But he wasn't as fast as Kaegen. If Kaegen could keep an eye on the other boy, there was nothing much to be afraid of. If he had a very good eye, anyway.
In all honesty, the recent happenings had really just put Apple on his radar. He was different, not some random kid like Kaegen had first thought. He was somebody. He was apple.
"Hello, apple! What are you up to?"
Opening the door, he saw that boy, apple!
His whispery voice sounded faraway as ever, but it was laced with a bit of confidence. He was 11 years old, after all. He wasn't going to be depressed forever. He had messed up, he had made a mistake and paid for it. He learned his lesson and that mistake was not going to happen again. Right now, he couldn't care less about grudges. He didn't really carry many. In place of grudges the young boy had warning signs. There was a warning sign above apple, but he didn't really care. Apple was strong. But he wasn't as fast as Kaegen. If Kaegen could keep an eye on the other boy, there was nothing much to be afraid of. If he had a very good eye, anyway.
In all honesty, the recent happenings had really just put Apple on his radar. He was different, not some random kid like Kaegen had first thought. He was somebody. He was apple.
"Hello, apple! What are you up to?"
Shade-Beacon, Master of the Castle of Avarice
2 Apr 2018, 12:25
Getting Back in the Game
Reducio
I couldn't resist jumping in here with both of you guys...
It had been a while since Anatole had spoke with a few people he was dying to converse with. Since Rosie had been miserable every day, they could never have a conversation. He hadn't seen Adam and Kae since that one awkward thing, and Anatole certainly didn't want to see Anita Norwood. Ever.
So, he decided to let his mind focus on other things, like the competition. Anatole was a little afraid that the week would sneak up on him and he'd have nothing. Therefore, he continued exploring and eventually found himself in a room filled with glittering gold in plastered glass cases.
His eyes didn't know where to look first: the small, ornate one over there, or the big one to the right? Because of this distraction, Anatole ran into someone. Again. God, he had to stop this sometime or another.
"Oh! I'm so, so sor--" Anatole cut himself off. He couldn't apologize, especially when he had run into Adam. Accidentally. Again.
Well, this was awkward. Anatole refused to change his image from when Adam saw him earlier, or else it would make him come off as weak and helpless.
Speaking of helpless, looking over and noticing Kae didn't help much either.
"Oh. You two again. Pleasure," Anatole smirked, trying to stick to the image earlier, despite it possibly confusing or even alarming Kae. He really hadn't seen either of the two the same after the...incident.
Nevertheless, Anatole tried to play it off like it was nothing.
3 Apr 2018, 00:10
Getting Back in the Game
Adam saw Kaegen walk in, reflected in the glass cases, and took a deep breath. He didn't know how he was going to deal with this particular situation; it hadn't really ever occurred to him that it might happen in the near future. He chided himself for being so stupid and not coming up with an escape plan. Fortunately, it seemed that he wouldn't need one. Kaegen didn't try to attack him, didn't even try to bring up the events of the past few days -- which was a refreshing change. It seemed to be all anyone wanted to talk about any more. Adam was genuinely unprepared for a friendly exchange between the two Ravenclaw boys. He was forced to say the first thing that came to mind. Not bothering to turn around, he grit his teeth and answered, "I swear to god, Kaegen, if you call me that one more--"
Adam was cut off by another familiar voice. It sounded like it could be....but it wasn't, was it? He turned to face the newcomer and groaned inside. It was indeed Anatole Evans, standing framed among the gold and silver awards that decorated the large room. Adam didn't mind the boy's company (he actually needed some friendly faces right now), but his being here took away from the moment of the big reveal Adam would make when they concluded their contest. He supposed he could still use this room -- was there a spell he could use to improve upon it, decorate it a bit? He'd look around. For now, he smiled at Anatole and jokingly replied, "Bloody hell, Evans, this was my one good pick! I'm still claiming it, just so you know. Don't think about taking it for yourself." He laughed and leaned back against one of the cases, peering up at the high ceiling and the banners that hung from the rafters. Finally, he looked back down at his two companions, motioning to the particularly shiny trophy standing proudly next to him. "So, you two come here to check out the competition too?"
Adam was cut off by another familiar voice. It sounded like it could be....but it wasn't, was it? He turned to face the newcomer and groaned inside. It was indeed Anatole Evans, standing framed among the gold and silver awards that decorated the large room. Adam didn't mind the boy's company (he actually needed some friendly faces right now), but his being here took away from the moment of the big reveal Adam would make when they concluded their contest. He supposed he could still use this room -- was there a spell he could use to improve upon it, decorate it a bit? He'd look around. For now, he smiled at Anatole and jokingly replied, "Bloody hell, Evans, this was my one good pick! I'm still claiming it, just so you know. Don't think about taking it for yourself." He laughed and leaned back against one of the cases, peering up at the high ceiling and the banners that hung from the rafters. Finally, he looked back down at his two companions, motioning to the particularly shiny trophy standing proudly next to him. "So, you two come here to check out the competition too?"
3 Apr 2018, 05:53
Getting Back in the Game
"Pretty much, I'm going to survive. My name is going somewhere in this place. What, you don't like your name? Well, okay I'll call you a nickname."
Changing names was pretty important. He wasn't going to mess this up. Whipping out his want, he tapped Apple on the shoulder. "Using the power granted by my own title, I give you the nickname 'Appy'"
Now that that was done with, he looked over at the newcomer. Kinda strange how so many people were just wandering about the trophy room, but Kaegen didn't care. He felt kinda bad for wasting so much time at hogwarts. Now was the time to shine. To study, to get better. He smiled inwardly at what he could achieve with the knowledge that was locked away in this old school.
Could he even hope to learn all of it? Yeah, probably. He was going to be strong enough, strong enough to survive anything, even death. Strong enough to kill anything. Just as long as it didn't kill him in the process. For someone that was so careless with his life, Kaegen cared an awful lot about not ending it. It seemed foolish to some, or at least it would if they knew, but the boy just wasn't willing to sacrifice his lifestyle. He would make up the difference with more power.
Changing names was pretty important. He wasn't going to mess this up. Whipping out his want, he tapped Apple on the shoulder. "Using the power granted by my own title, I give you the nickname 'Appy'"
Now that that was done with, he looked over at the newcomer. Kinda strange how so many people were just wandering about the trophy room, but Kaegen didn't care. He felt kinda bad for wasting so much time at hogwarts. Now was the time to shine. To study, to get better. He smiled inwardly at what he could achieve with the knowledge that was locked away in this old school.
Could he even hope to learn all of it? Yeah, probably. He was going to be strong enough, strong enough to survive anything, even death. Strong enough to kill anything. Just as long as it didn't kill him in the process. For someone that was so careless with his life, Kaegen cared an awful lot about not ending it. It seemed foolish to some, or at least it would if they knew, but the boy just wasn't willing to sacrifice his lifestyle. He would make up the difference with more power.
Shade-Beacon, Master of the Castle of Avarice
4 Apr 2018, 04:33
Getting Back in the Game
Anatole chuckled to himself, still trying to act like a somewhat higher-up. This trophy room just showed how competitive this school, and everyone else in it, was. So, why not heighten that atmosphere? "Well, I'm sorry, my good sir," he jokingly bowed to Adam, tipping an imaginary hat and all, "I just could not resist. I already have two of my rooms, doubt you do, but I just need one more." At Adam's other musing, he knew that was wrong. He had the rights, he was first. Okay, that worked. "But you may have it, my fine sir," he commented with a laugh imitating a high noble. He had practiced that for years.
”Now, I originally was just exploring, seeing what my final room could be.” Anatole spoke like Kaegen didn't even exist in the moment. ”Then I just happened to stumble in here, and stumble into you, again, and here I am, stuck without another great room.” He smiled at Adam, but a little less of the nice kind, a little more of the creepy kind. But not too creepy. Anatole didn't mean too much trouble, unless it came to him. ”You're lucky, Harringtom.” Apparently they’d developed a habit of calling each other by their surnames. Anatole found that posh, and he liked that very much.
Now, he had to acknowledge Kae. He was still a little scarred from the frantic running fight, so he just looked upon him, and said nothing more than, ”Hi, you!”
”Now, I originally was just exploring, seeing what my final room could be.” Anatole spoke like Kaegen didn't even exist in the moment. ”Then I just happened to stumble in here, and stumble into you, again, and here I am, stuck without another great room.” He smiled at Adam, but a little less of the nice kind, a little more of the creepy kind. But not too creepy. Anatole didn't mean too much trouble, unless it came to him. ”You're lucky, Harringtom.” Apparently they’d developed a habit of calling each other by their surnames. Anatole found that posh, and he liked that very much.
Now, he had to acknowledge Kae. He was still a little scarred from the frantic running fight, so he just looked upon him, and said nothing more than, ”Hi, you!”
4 Apr 2018, 04:49
Getting Back in the Game
Kaegen's grin just kept spreading. This nondescript boy was dumber than he had given him credit for! Well, he hadn't exactly paid enough attention to him to warrant giving him any in the first place, but it was still very, very nice to see what was happening. The corridor kid had talked to Appy, and then noticed Kaegen. And then, he had only said two words! This was officially one of the best things that could possibly happen
It meant that he thought Appy was more important, which means that he thought Kaegen wasn't important. It meant that he thought that Kaegen was so unimportant that he didn't deserve the time it would take to say more than two words! It meant that Kaegen was a wallflower, capable of going in and out the corridor kid's vision without being commented upon, without really even being noticed. It was the biggest compliment the corridor kid could possibly have given Kaegen, and he did a mental leap into the air.
From what he gathered, appy and corridor kid were staking out territory? Kaegen was half tempted to challenge corridor kid for his, but then decided against it. The kid couldn't do anything about it if his territory was encroached on, why bother claiming it?
It meant that he thought Appy was more important, which means that he thought Kaegen wasn't important. It meant that he thought that Kaegen was so unimportant that he didn't deserve the time it would take to say more than two words! It meant that Kaegen was a wallflower, capable of going in and out the corridor kid's vision without being commented upon, without really even being noticed. It was the biggest compliment the corridor kid could possibly have given Kaegen, and he did a mental leap into the air.
From what he gathered, appy and corridor kid were staking out territory? Kaegen was half tempted to challenge corridor kid for his, but then decided against it. The kid couldn't do anything about it if his territory was encroached on, why bother claiming it?
Shade-Beacon, Master of the Castle of Avarice
5 Apr 2018, 00:28
Getting Back in the Game
He didn't want to get suspended. Or expelled. Or wind up back in the hospital wing. Adam knew that, he knew that very well. But regardless, it took all of the conscious effort available to him not to reach out and strangle Kaegen with his bare hands at the "naming ceremony". He hadn't pictured Kaegen as being one for nicknames, especially not nicknames as god-awful as these. Maybe it made sense, he figured. After all, Kaegen didn't seem to be the most....imaginative student at the castle.
"Appy". God help him. Adam prayed that he'd never hear that name again, but as he reflected on it, he was horrified to find that it was actually growing on him. It must have been a curse. It must have been. This was going to require Adam's complete attention -- later. For now, though it did warrant terror, the nickname wasn't the best thing to readdress. If he kept arguing with Kaegen, they could end up back right where they were only days ago. Instead, he chose to focus on his other "problem": the Gryffindor boy that seemed to be just as competitive as he was.
"Lucky, huh?" Adam asked, smirking. "I see. I'll be sure to have that put on my trophy. Promise you'll come by and see it?" He laughed and smiled at Anatole, then at Kaegen. "Unless, of course, you'll be too busy working on getting your own. What do you two want to do here? I know it's just our first year, but it's never too late to plan ahead, right? So, got any life goals?"
"Appy". God help him. Adam prayed that he'd never hear that name again, but as he reflected on it, he was horrified to find that it was actually growing on him. It must have been a curse. It must have been. This was going to require Adam's complete attention -- later. For now, though it did warrant terror, the nickname wasn't the best thing to readdress. If he kept arguing with Kaegen, they could end up back right where they were only days ago. Instead, he chose to focus on his other "problem": the Gryffindor boy that seemed to be just as competitive as he was.
"Lucky, huh?" Adam asked, smirking. "I see. I'll be sure to have that put on my trophy. Promise you'll come by and see it?" He laughed and smiled at Anatole, then at Kaegen. "Unless, of course, you'll be too busy working on getting your own. What do you two want to do here? I know it's just our first year, but it's never too late to plan ahead, right? So, got any life goals?"
5 Apr 2018, 04:38
Getting Back in the Game
"Sure, sure. I bet it'd be more likely to have your name on a gravestone than a trophy, blondie," he joked. That was a pretty good comeback. If only he could keep it up.
Anatole grew slightly suspicious of the other boy whose name did not begin with an "A". His grin was growing, even though Anatole had only said two words. Call it strange, but Anatole thought there was a better word for it, something so weird it wasn't even real. A person who grinned at never being mentioned, but only showed a groaning grimace in fluent conversation? Interesting, maybe even preposterous.
Needless to say, Anatole broke out cackling at Adam's new, useless nickname. 'Appy'? It didn't even roll off the tongue. 'Appy' could definitely be more snappy. Anatole took an extremely long time to discover the reference Kaegen tried to make, but he realized it was cheesy anyways. Then, Anatole gulped, drowning out his wild laughter. Having barely seen the crazed sprint, he shut himself up, smiling at Kaegen. "Yes, how are you? Got any of those hopes and dreams of yours...?"
By repeating the phrase Kaegen's way, Anatole tried to dodge the question, but like snowballs, he couldn't evade it long. His mouth just had to continue. "Well, coming here somewhat ruined my dreams from a young age. I'd wanted to become a noble prince, dancing with fine women and ruling equally fine kingdoms, but I suppose that doesn't exist." Anatole sighed, realizing that his childhood imagination had faded dramatically. "Closest I might get is setting the bar high here. Women and kingdoms would come afterwards." He snickered, smiling at Adam. "Also, another bet could certainly be that one day you will admire me, and maybe one day my trophy."
Yes, certainly Anatole had the ambitions, but could he carry it with him and place in the effort?
Anatole grew slightly suspicious of the other boy whose name did not begin with an "A". His grin was growing, even though Anatole had only said two words. Call it strange, but Anatole thought there was a better word for it, something so weird it wasn't even real. A person who grinned at never being mentioned, but only showed a groaning grimace in fluent conversation? Interesting, maybe even preposterous.
Needless to say, Anatole broke out cackling at Adam's new, useless nickname. 'Appy'? It didn't even roll off the tongue. 'Appy' could definitely be more snappy. Anatole took an extremely long time to discover the reference Kaegen tried to make, but he realized it was cheesy anyways. Then, Anatole gulped, drowning out his wild laughter. Having barely seen the crazed sprint, he shut himself up, smiling at Kaegen. "Yes, how are you? Got any of those hopes and dreams of yours...?"
By repeating the phrase Kaegen's way, Anatole tried to dodge the question, but like snowballs, he couldn't evade it long. His mouth just had to continue. "Well, coming here somewhat ruined my dreams from a young age. I'd wanted to become a noble prince, dancing with fine women and ruling equally fine kingdoms, but I suppose that doesn't exist." Anatole sighed, realizing that his childhood imagination had faded dramatically. "Closest I might get is setting the bar high here. Women and kingdoms would come afterwards." He snickered, smiling at Adam. "Also, another bet could certainly be that one day you will admire me, and maybe one day my trophy."
Yes, certainly Anatole had the ambitions, but could he carry it with him and place in the effort?
5 Apr 2018, 05:46
Getting Back in the Game
What does he want to do here? Kaegen was going to gain power. Gain enough power to survive anything. He tried to decide what someone like appy would want, and decided that someone who would attack from the back was a beta, trying to be an alpha. And that could only mean Appy wanted to be alpha, the top. If he was right about this, he could use Appy, sort of a symbiotic relationship. Kaegen was going to be remembered forever in these halls, true. But he didn't care if he was the top. Let someone else have the dangers that come with being set on a pedestal. As long was he was remembered, it was all fine.
Corridor kid seemed weird though. He could understand Appy's train of thought, but Corridor kid was different. He was just there. Bad judgement, poor observational skills and a name that didn't matter enough to remember.
But, of course, Kaegen had made that mistake before and had paid for it. He made sure to pay attention to corridor kid, as he decided what to respond with.
"I'm going to be remembered here. For ever."
There, he didn't say he wanted to be the best, he wouldn't contend with Appy's odd dreams of killing and eating the flesh of whoever was better than him. Honestly, it was a little gross.
Wait, unless he was eating their flesh metaphorically.
Oh, wait. That was it! That was the reason! He wanted fine women and a castle! That was a strange wish for an 11 year old, but it sure didn't conflict with his wish, or appy's. So he didn't really care.
Corridor kid seemed weird though. He could understand Appy's train of thought, but Corridor kid was different. He was just there. Bad judgement, poor observational skills and a name that didn't matter enough to remember.
But, of course, Kaegen had made that mistake before and had paid for it. He made sure to pay attention to corridor kid, as he decided what to respond with.
"I'm going to be remembered here. For ever."
There, he didn't say he wanted to be the best, he wouldn't contend with Appy's odd dreams of killing and eating the flesh of whoever was better than him. Honestly, it was a little gross.
Wait, unless he was eating their flesh metaphorically.
Oh, wait. That was it! That was the reason! He wanted fine women and a castle! That was a strange wish for an 11 year old, but it sure didn't conflict with his wish, or appy's. So he didn't really care.
Shade-Beacon, Master of the Castle of Avarice