Signal Fire(Ravenna)

[ludo]

Ludovic Bagman sat alone at a table in the back corner of the library. It was quiet, peaceful, the smell of dust and aging books hung in the air. The library was sparsely populated the nearest person a lone Hufflepuff in one of the younger years sat a few tables away. Ludo studied the boy, couldn't have been older than third year and began to think about the boys future, what lie ahead, why he was even in the library. Was he trying to catch up on work he had missed, or looking to improve a poor grade? Or did he merely find comfort within the pages of a book the way Ludo used to.

The ravenclaws eyes had diverted to the pages of the book, but his thoughts hung around the boy. Would he play quidditch for his house team? Did he even like quidditch? What position would he play? But rather than think of answers to these question Ludo's shifted to yet another, had anyone looked at him and thought such things when he was younger. Had some seventh year spotted the young Ravenclaw sitting alone with his nose in a book and predicted that he would become a world class beater? Or did he write off the scrawny young Raven as a bookworm who wouldn't last 10 minutes on a pitch? Did that boy know where Ludo was now? How close he was to achieving his dream?

Again the Ravenclaw decided against exploring the answers to the queries he posed. This time writing them off as foolish and returning to the book in front of him. Surprisingly it was not quidditch related. It was a book on Hippogriffs. Drawings of the animals skeletal structure and live action photos flourished the pages along with information about their magical properties, how they could be tamed, how they were previously hunted by wizards for sport. Magical creatures ranked high on Ludo's list of interests. They were certainly in the top ten if not the top five.

[Siobhan Saavik]

She had been spending the morning determining whether or not she was in the mood to head outside. Last night she had had an interesting conversation with the serpent Quidditch captain on dreams and what hers had meant. Now, nearly twelve hours later, she was pushing that entire scenario out of her head. She just wanted to relax for the day, maybe even read a thing or two on some animals - magical or non. Of course she was lying to herself if she said she didn’t want to know how they played into her mind. But right now she was more hell-bent on finding busy-work and avoiding the drama that was oozing out of the castle walls like a disease. Here lately, tensions had been rising with the Yule Ball coming, along with the gradings of those shipping out next year.

It never occurred to her who she might be losing come next year, when she too would have to worry about NEWTS. Not that there wasn’t enough mayhem suffocating her at the moment. Her occulmency was getting exceptionally good now, being able to entirely block out those unwanted lurkers - also associated with her step-father, whom found it entertaining to feed on her sorrows. How morbid can that sound? She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to have a relaxing time in one of her favorite spots; L'étude, or more commonly, the library. She walked in with her normal appearance - strong and intimidating. Wearing tight black jeans and a belt tilted on it’s side, serving no purpose, as it wasn’t in the loops. Sporting a dark green t-shirt, with a serpent trailing across her shoulders and down her back.

It didn’t seem like it would be an issue, but her hair caused the sha-muck in the library peace. Today being a serene blue, mixed with a bit of green and cream. Some younger years looked up horrified, then looked away as if looking her in the eye would petrify them like a basilisk. She only chuckled, finding her long lost humor as she grabbed a book on ‘The Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures’. She looked around the room with her sultry hazel eyes, and saw a familiar figure. A knot swelled in her throat, unsure whether to engage in a conversation. She took the conservative route, and sat at a table across from the attractive raven extraordinaire - Ludovic. She had known of his for some time, but always got a giddy feeling in her stomach when she was around him. She quickly opened the book to a random page, and dared a look in his direction. For being such a bold dresser, she lacked the confidence to strike up a conversation with the charismatic guy. She looked away with a grin on her face, hoping he would take the initiative and talk to her.

[ludo]

Ludovic glanced up from his book having pickup on the sounds of someone sitting at a near by table. That was the beauty of the library, it was so quiet that you could here virtually everything. After waiting for the person to settle in he was pleasantly surprised to meet the hazel gaze of Ravenna Myriad, managing a small smile before looking back down to the book in front of him.

Ludo had known Ravenna for a few years now, and had developed a liking for the Slyth who was as unique as her hair would have you believe. But why hadn't she sat at his table? Did she think he was studying and didn't want to be disturbed? Was she beginning to study and wouldn't want to be disturbed? Why make sure to look at him if she just wanted to study and perhaps more importantly, since when did Ludo let the fact that a girl was studying stop him from flirting.

Collecting his book, but holding his page with his index finger the seventh year stood up and made his way to Ravenna's table, pulling out the chair across from her and taking a seat. "Hey...you don't mind if I sit here do you?" Ludo asked hoping she wouldn't turn him away. But really why would she, he wasn't some stranger she knew him and even if she wanted to study his seat relocation shouldn't be a problem. Ludo reopened his book and layed it out in front of him to give the illusion he intended on continuing to read if that's what Ravenna would do. "How are you by the way?" he added with a smile looking up from the book after having taken a small pause to look at it as if finding his place.

[Siobhan Saavik]

Her mind raced as she saw him collect his book and walk over to her vacant table. Inside she wanted to burst with pleasure, the first signs of affection she wasn’t so sure she was wanting to feel. She really was a few steps behind on the dating than say her more devious friends, such as Danni and Skeets - since she didn’t date on just looks. Yes she has had a few here and there that catch her breathe, but she tries to see the person over lust. She just smiled a little at her own justification for having a flirt with Ludo, the well known charmer. A little bit of flirting never hurt anyone; but it really was taking a step outside her comfort zone since her recent loss. But getting back into the teenage hormones rather than sulking was an upbeat.

She shook her head and grinned wider as he asked if she minded being graced by his presence. ”Not at all Ludo.” What a cheesy line. Normally she was put together better with a nice composure, but right now she was feeling a little too giddy. She wanted to shake herself for being so simple-minded. But how would you feel if the Quidditch star and spotlight smile was sitting across from you? She watched him open his book again as if he was unsure what she was doing. She chuckled this time, and closed her book. She shook her head as she spoke in her heavy Germanic accent, ”I’m not studying, just trying to find something to do.

She eased back into her chair a little. She wasn’t as tense as when she got in here, and with him sitting by her, the mood was a little warmer. Not as cold as those ridiculing her for her absurd ways and styles. She glanced over at his book, as curiosity was overpowering. But she looked back over at him and started wondering why he was here. She figured it would be a little rude to ask, so instead traced her fingers over the binding of the book. She kept her head where she could see him, but not look into his eyes. It was just one of those things she wasn’t good at. People think that when you can’t look at someone in their eyes, your hiding something - but she was just shy.

[ludo]

"Good, cause I wasn't gonna leave," Ludo smirked playfully. Of course he would have left if Ravenna didn't want him around, but he wouldn't have bothered approaching her. Ludo returned his gaze to his book. Was he even on the right page anymore? What was the book even about, he had forgotten. Thankfully Ravenna's next comment allowed him to put the book aside.

"Well, in that case, the hippogriffs can wait," Ludovic smiled closing the book and checking the title to ensure that was what the book was in fact. "So did you have any idea or just looking for conversation?" Ludo asked, not quite sure what sort of distraction Ravenna had in mind. The thick Germanic accent was weird to hear from Ravenna after not having talked to her in so long.

Ravenna was a bit more of an acquired taste than most of the other girls Ludo was used to hanging around. She was a beautiful girl, but gave off an air of not caring mush about that. Or at least having her own definition of the word what with the piercings and odd colored hair. It was Ravenna's differences that had drawn Ludo to her and what kept his interested in the young Slytherin.

[Siobhan Saavik]

She chuckled at his question, translation being ‘are you wanting to make some trouble, or are you in one of those let’s-just-talk modes?’ Maybe that wasn’t really what he was thinking, but she could just about swear on it. One thing that was easy, naturally, was her ability to read faces like an open book. Of course, sometimes that glimmer lied, so she sometimes rested on her abilities, such as reading thoughts and watching memories. Though she found that really difficult to gauge at times. So instead, she went on intuition.

”I’m looking for something more entertaining than reading the same book for the hundredth time.” Oh, again how she made herself look like a bookworm. How could she hide it? Even though her colors were green, she often was viewed as blue. Of course houses didn’t mean spit to her; it often unnerved the die-hard serpents. ”Do you have anything interesting up your sleeve?” she mused. He was very smooth, so she would have to add her own sugarcoat to the equation.

She closed the aged book, with a puff of dust swirling up. She coughed from the sudden intake then, felt a sneeze coming on. But thankfully the urge passed quickly and her eyes lost the redness from the irritation of dust. She smiled a little embarrassed then gracefully got up from her chair. Her hair ‘whoosed’ from the movement, and she ran her fingertips through the ends. ”On that note, want to go somewhere?” She didn’t really care if they stayed in the library, but she didn’t like being in the open like this. Too many lingering eyes were starring at her, and the nerves were making her uncomfortable. She knew there was a section in the back with more ‘dark’ books, but not restricted. Maybe they could find something bemusing back there?

[ludo]

((this has taken far too long and I apologize ))

"Then maybe you should have picked a different book," Ludo smiled. Of course he knew Ravenna was grossly exaggerating, but still Ludo never quite understood the point of reading a book more than once. Maybe it was just that Ludo tended to absorb more information from the first read or the fact that his short attention span would easily get bored when attempting to read what he had already read. Of course that was a bit hypocritical seeing as he read Qudditch through the ages at least once every year, but that was really more because it was ritual than he thought he could really get anything out of it.

Ludo smirked as Ravenna asked if he had anything interesting up his sleeve. "Me?" he asked innocently. "what would ever cause you to think a boring Ravenclaw like myself could be up to anything of interest," he said clearly sarcastic. No one really suspected Ravenclaws of mischief and that was because for the most part they didn't cause any, but that didn't mean they never caused trouble, it just meant they did it sparingly enough that no one ever suspected then, and they were smart enough to keep from being caught red handed. In this case though Ludo didn't really have a set plan, but he could probably think of something if he needed to.

Ludovic smiled and let out a stifled laugh at Ravenna's unintentional comedic display. "Certainly," Ludo smiled rising from his chair. "You wanna head out onto the grounds or just walk around the castle?" He asked curious as to Ravenna's preference. He certainly wouldn't mind a little fresh air, but staying in the castle worked just as well as he was concerned. Of course, either way it may be best too keep moving so it was less likely that one of Ludo's admirers attempted to join in what he had been hoping would be a private conversation.

[Siobhan Saavik]

A little perturbed by her dust experience, she glanced down while he asked her preference to the castle or outside. Little did he know how deep a question like that was, so she skated around an answer. She in all honesty hated this castle. And it wasn’t necessarily the people, although they contributed, it was the tall shafty walls themselves that caused a good part of her loathing. She was trapped here. Every second, and every day she was to follow the same ritual of what other ‘more intelligent’ masters set out before her. She wasn’t one to enjoy superiors, so she bucked the system every chance she got. She had respect, but it took time to earn her support.

But more minutely than most, she caused a disruption with cunning. So instead of trying to explain her hatred for the school, she merely shrugged and looked at Ludo with a delicate smile. ”Whichever you prefer, Ludo.” Her eyes then shifted back onto the growing numbers of interested girls that were probably jumping on the chance to speak with him. It annoyed her that they couldn’t control themselves for five seconds to let her have a normal conversation. Of course he was an idol, perfection of looks and charisma; but she wasn’t the type to put herself on the line. It seemed she would never have five seconds of peace with him, just to chat. It wasn’t like she was a hormone crazed teen like so many others, seeking one thing only.

She just wasn’t bold enough to demand his attention, and highly ironic coming from the girl with unnatural hair, several peircings, and a style to corrupt the most pressed. But an ounce of her fluttered that was normally silent. Her eyes looked back at Ludo, feeling a crushing sensation - and she finally understood the meanings of an attraction. Yes, many were attractive, but few went beyond that. Her cheeks flushed, though she hoped not very visible on her tan skin. She smiled, while outstretching her arm and grabbed Ludo’s wrist. With a gleeful smile, highly coated in deviance, she tugged him gently - as to make sure her nails didn’t dig into his flesh. She knew a bolder part of her stepped forward, as she smiled. She eyed him intently as she started moving. ”But lets get going before your posse collects, eh?”




OOC: It's okay =]

[ludo]

"Well, I'd say I've been stuck up in the library long enough and could use some fresh air...walk around the lake sound good?" Ludo asked checking his plan with Ravenna. He wasn't sure if perhaps Ravenna didn't like the lake. Indigo always flat out refused, like she was afraid of the water, but Ludo had never learned why. Bad experience as a child he assumed, being tossed into a pool without knowing how to swim or something. Either way he couldn't be sure if Ravenna had a similar bias towards the lake.

It didn't really matter where they walked what mattered was the company, but Ludo always liked the image of walking along the shore of the lake with the afternoon sun glistening of the dark waters as he and whoever he happened to be with joked and laughed about stupid. He had done this a number of times as well and his admirers knew better than to disturb him at such moments, unless there was someone drowning or something...he had actually been tricked that way once...maybe twice...

"Haha, good call," Ludo laughed as Ravenna pulled him towards the library door. It would be a lie to say that Ludo didn't enjoy the pseudo celebrity status he was receiving so far this year, but at times like this it could get annoying. In previous years girls had often admired Ludo and he was glad to give any girl who gave him the eye a little time, but they rarely approaching him...until this year, which may also be one of the contributing factors to the fact that he had yet to have a girlfriend in the first few months of school.

[Siobhan Saavik]

She agreed whole heartedly with ideas as her head nodded at their retreat. She didn’t need to say anything, as they moved out of the library with haste. She looked over her long mane of hair once more and glorified herself in their disappointed gazes. It was truly cruel and hurtful for her to be so happy at their sadness - but lets be truthfully honest here. She was a.) alone with the Ravenclaw Quidditch star, b.) going somewhere alone with the Ravenclaw Quidditch star, and c.) flattered by his returned interest in her. For a moment, she almost felt a twinge of uneasiness, wondering if he was just setting her up like many do in Hogwarts. He was a wanted guy, so now she had to remind herself the troubles that would follow if they got any closer.

But pushing intuition aside, she didn’t mind. Carpe diem was her motto for the day, and that was a card rarely thrown up. Seizing the day, had become an uncommon factor in her as of late. With the horrific death that haunted her, along with the pursuit of annoying step-siblings, keeping up with day to day things was getting complicated. But at this point in time, it felt like she was free from her burdens, long enough to enjoy the simple pleasure of an unofficial ’date’ by the lake. It might not even be considered that, but she enjoyed toying with the idea.

So many had caste grim faces at her, for the continuous prejudice towards being Slytherin, but Ludo did not. She flushed again at this thought, and tried to contain her eagerness. They had long since been friends to talk to and learn from, but this was a mere fantasy of hers, and never anything more. To be in reality walking beside someone who didn’t judge you for house triumphs was enthralling. But evermore, she saw this as a fun little adventure to see where things lead. At last, out of the library, she chuckled and waited for Ludo to lead the way out to the Lake. ”You’ve been here longer than me, surely you know some faster route to the Lake!” she mused.




|| OOC - I'm all for continuing this thread, and even when they get to the lake if you want, or, just start a new one, either way =] ||

[ludo]

((I say we just keep this one))

Ludo was glad to be leaving with Ravenna, but he had to work from keeping his eyes wandering to the sure to be dissappointed faces of the other girls they passed as they exited. Could they read the thoughts that swan in Ludo's head, jealous of Ravenna for somehow being able to win Ludo's affection as they could not. Or were they merely jealous of the fact that he would be spending any time at all with a girl they saw as unfit for the quidditch star?

In either case Ludo kept his eyes forward only casting glances to make sure Ravenna was still with him. "Sorry love, but I'm a Ravenclaw and we do have a documented tendency to play by the rules," Ludo smiled as Ravenna asked him about a short cut to the lake. "But I do know how to get out to the lake without running into very many people, which could serve our purpose well," he added grabbing hold of her wrist, "This way."

Ludo pulled Ravenna down a corridor now attempting to hold her hand rather than pull on her wrist. It was usually a pretty easy transition, provided she wanted to hold his hand as well. It was completely unnecessary as there was almost no chance they could get separated in an open, well lit corridor, but that didn't mean it was completely useless. It was a symbolic thing...even if he had used the wrist grab (also unnecessary) to set it up.

[Siobhan Saavik]

She caught quick glances as they moved from the suffocating library, and honestly didn’t feel a twinge of annoyance. Her mind fluttered bemused with the idea that she somehow managed to steal him from his gathering. Was she a criminal? A smile glinted her tan skin at the thought, maybe she did have some of the serpent characteristics that she once thought lacking. Of course, these types of abilities weren’t necessarily cruel and used for intentional harm, but flirtation seemed to come out of nowhere from this once secluded little girl. Normally a smile or a hug would flush her full of color, but this time she was managing far better. She wasn’t as naïve as most would assume. Rather, she was very wary and defending of anyone’s true intentions.

All she could do was laugh lightly at Ludo’s remark towards the Slytherin folk. She couldn’t deny, without flat out lying, that any serpents were angels. Some, of course, were a little cleaner than those in heavy black veils. And she liked to think she was among that sector, of a slightly dampened conscious streak. ”Really now? From what I hear, you ravens are party animals.” She was joking with him, although some truth was attached, hearing some rather interesting things from time to time. All the same, they were much more careful with their defiance. ”Of course we all can’t be angels.” She added sarcasm, highly aware of the truth.

She nodded at his reaffirmation, that he did indeed know some special routes. Away from other people sounded damn well right about now, so she eagerly followed. She felt his hand reach hers, the warm touch of skin. Was he attempting to hold her hand so soon? Of course, impulse would have nothing to do with second-guessing, so she intertwined her fingers without a word. Words were unnecessary at this moment. Ludo was a very sly guy, but no objection was raised. She defiantly had a feeling she was a bit smitten, and didn’t mind at all.

[ludo]

Ludo smiled. "The Ravens aren't as angelic as you think...we just don't know anything about secret pathways." It was true that there was a group of Ravens that seemed to not fit the quiet study all the time stereotype, Ludo being one of them. Of course the Ravenclaw house was far more diverse than you would think, about the only thing they had in common was their wit and a generally heightened cockiness when it came to matters of academia.

"Of course I know all the ins and outs of the basic corridors, and that's been more than enough to get me through my seven years," Ludo grinned as he pulled Ravenna along trying to stay at least a step or so ahead of her to make their holding hands seem more necessary than it really was. Ludo was glad she had at least accepted it though and soon fell into step with her, playing her fingers with his a little as they walked. It was a bit risky, but it was something that he couldn't help at this point in his life.

Finally, they broke through the main entrance of the school and out into the sunlight and fresh mid afternoon air. "I think we should be pretty safe from here on out," Ludo grinned as they made their way down to the lake shore. He thought about releasing Ravenna's hand, but he had grabbed it without cause and she had taken it so he would leave it to her to let go first.

[Siobhan Saavik]

If you want to pause this thread, I have on started in the Great Hall >>

- E