Terra firma (Vivienne)

[edwardjameson]

His feet moved gracefully, slowly, to the beat of an unheard melody. The whistling wind was his woodwind, the rustling leaves his strings. With perfect framing he glided about, moving up and down with his steps, performing a simple, partnerless waltz in the soft grass of the courtyard. These were his moments of peace, a little slice of calm in the midst of a world where things only seemed to get more chaotic by the day. Sometimes he liked it that way, but always felt that his chest would burst if he didn't have his moments of tranquility. So, as he took a breath of the clean air, so different from the smog of London, he just danced, kept safe from the outside world by the tall stone walls on all sides.

His mind drifted back to his mother. Marie Jameson was the only dancing partner he'd ever had, so dancing usually made him think of her. Edward, she whispered in his head, and he immediately readjusted his frame around the air in front of him so it was perfect once more. Anyone who saw him might think he was a crazy, prancing about alone in the courtyard. He knew better; dancing wasn't just for women and stuffed shirts. There was a time when any great warrior who could fight and kill with strength and speed was expected to be able to dance with grace as well.

Finally, the wind ceased. An almost uneasy silence fell over the courtyard as he performed a final step, ending with a bow at the imaginary lady with whom he had shared a lonely dance. The morning shone dimly in the courtyard as Edward flipped open his black pocketwatch to check the time. 6:43 AM; well, that was foreboding. With a shrug he slipped it back into his pocket and looked around. A chill ran through his body as he realized how cold it was, so he removed the red sweater from around his waist and slipped it over his head. His shoes and the bottom of his jeans were wet from the Saturday morning's dew. No wonder his feet were so cold.

Alright, boredom. It was before noon on a weekend, who in Hofwarts would be awake? With nothing to do, Edward squatted down to pink up a few scattered dandelions and moved to a bench. wiping the seat of a small layer of perspiration before taking a seat. He began to pluck the little yellow bits off of the dandelions, one at a time. By 7 o'clock all he had was a pile of empty green stems and several yellow-stained fingers.

[vas]

I watched with perfect clarity the scene unfolding, my father, the dragon – and just how had it gotten here? At my home? What was going on? I stood before my window, banging and screaming for someone to let me out so I could go help. My door was locked, my wand was shattered, and outside in the darkness my father was battling a gigantic red scaled dragon. The fire erupting from its sharp jaw was unnerving, always only barely missing Father. His face was illuminated by the flames to show his horror-struck expression; he was thinking the same thing: how had it gotten here? But he had to protect me, and the rest of the family that I didn’t know the location of. I pounded and pounded against the glass, and then my fists froze midair, and a piercing shrill burst through my lips. He was gone, my father, dead. Long gone, burnt to ashes by the dragon that had so oddly appeared. Life was over – it was turning towards me, my window, the house; the dragon opened its wide mouth and roared–

The last thing Vas remember seeing was the flames coming to eat her alive as they had just done so to her father. Sweating and panting, she immediately flung herself out of her four-posted bed and ran to the wash bin, splashing water onto her face. The cold sensation brought back her sense, and dulled down her outright fright. She knew the silly nightmare had only come about because of Leon’s neglect to reply to her letters recently. Her father was out in the Americas, attempting to catch a stray dragon before it revealed their population to the rest of the world. It was natural for her to worry she supposed, but idiotic to think something like a dragon would wind up at her own house and attack him there. Or even kill him for that matter – he was a trained ministry worker; he knew what he was doing. And I’m just going to keep telling myself that, she thought firmly as she stared at her reflection in the miniature mirror above the basin.

Her complexion was rather pale, her long hair frizzled and frazzled – really Vas looked like she’d been electrocuted. Sighing, she grabbed the nearest brush and attempt to straighten out the mess that was her hair. As the hour passed, Vas quietly got ready for the day without ever bothering to look at the time. Obviously it was far too early to be up at all, her roomies all still sleeping, their hushed snores letting Vas know just how deeply they were out. She crossed over to the window and drew back the drapery to check the weather – cold and wet. Well, okay. Vas went over to her trunk and regrettably pulled out a pair of her flared jeans, knowing it was far too miserable outside to consider wearing her usual dress. After tugging those on, she switched her old pajama top out in favor of red V-neck blouse – short sleeve. Yes, that will do wonders against the cold, dearie, she thought and threw on her fake-furred fake-leather jacket. Vas studied her appearance in the mirror once again, much more pleased with the result this time. Of course, you’d never take her to be at school in such an outfit; no where did her clothing give away the fact that she was a Ravenclaw, or even at Hogwarts at all. She giggled quietly, running a hand through her groomed curls; Vas had always gotten in trouble for her outgoingness against the school dress code.

She returned back to the window and peeked out once more, a small twirling figure catching her eye this time. Vas couldn’t make out who exactly the character was, but immediately she was entranced. She carefully perched on the windowsill, quietly humming a tune to the movements of her dancing personae. She was considerably disappointed when the dancing slowed, and finally they gave a bow to their make-believe partner. Breaking from her trance, Vas finally glanced at the clock and let out a small gasp: it wasn’t even seven yet. Quite the early bird today, she thought vaguely, standing up and stretching her hands high over her head. Her shirt inched upward, exposing her waistline briefly until she settled it back down. Vas snatched her gloves and pulled on her shoes and they headed down towards the Common Room, deciding she’d very much like to find out who her waltzing charmer was.

As she walked down the empty halls, she couldn’t help but remark how far away her disturbing dream felt. Had it really happened this morning? Between beautifying her figure and watching the solo number she’d quite forgotten about it and was in much higher spirits. She even found herself humming again to the made up melody she’d conjured for the person spinning and gliding. Vas pushed open the front doors and immediately the cold swept her up, her face feeling like it had just frozen over. As she walked down the path to the Courtyard, her choice to go with proper weather attire seemed to pay off. Her skin relaxed against the temperature and she didn’t notice it much after that as she turned the corner into the Courtyard. Up close, she felt stupid for not realizing it had been Edward that she’d enjoyed watching earlier. He sat alone on a nearby bench, plucking away at a flower – clearly it wasn’t his first, for their was a tiny pile beside him. A small twinge made her stomach go into knots, wondering if he was going on about she loves me, she loves me not. It was silly of her to be so jealous of what the small dandelion could represent; Vas didn’t even know for sure, but all the same she could feel a small edge of competitiveness surging into her.

Without breaking pace she strolled over and sat down on the side that didn’t have the small stem pile. “Hey Edward,” she grinned, watching with slight amusement as her breath shown in the form of fog. Vas glanced at the plucked flowers and then at his hands, both of which were slightly yellowed at his fingertips. Deciding there was no point denying what he would never know otherwise, she calmly added “You never told me you could dance. You’re quite good.” She smiled encouragingly, hoping he wouldn’t be has shallow as the better half of the male population at the school. He’d never seemed to be much for stereotypical judgments, so Vas put faith in that fact to comfortably share she’d been watching him. “Did you take lessons or something?” she asked lightly, lacing her fingers together in her lap. Vas stared at her hands for a moment and then glanced up to him patiently, only looking at him as much as courtesy demanded – it was too hard to speak coherently to someone has handsome as him.


OOC: Whoa, okay, well, apparently I decided to go full novel-mode. Um…sorry about that; I hope I didn’t bore you too much. XD

[edwardjameson]

Edward finished up the last dandelion and placed the empty green stem atop the rest on the bench beside him. It wasn't a moment later that a body plopped down on his other side; a girl's body, that of one Vivienne A. Schwartz. He had heard her coming, but decided to leave himself unaware until whoever it was revealed themself. There was no disappointment written on his expression when he offered her a smile and a "hello" in response to her greeting. Edward was happy to see that it was somebody that he knew; he liked the opportunity to spend the time alone with someone. Finding one-on-one time with anybody was a particularly difficult task in Hogwarts.

"Dancing lessons? No, the only thing I ever learned that my parents didn't teach me was boxing. Me mum insisted I learn to dance so she taught me herself. Said every young man should be able to do it, yeah?" he said with a shrug. Then, a smile at Vas. "Thank you, though. Not much dancing around here, not many people who appreciate it." This was followed by a sad attempt to remove the yellow from his fingers by wiping them on his jeans. When it didn't work, he shifted himself to look toward her. She seemed nervous not willing to hold eye contact. He had noticed that she seemed that way around him more often...

"Are you alright, Vivi? Not cold are you?" he asked, a note of concern ringing in his voice. She didn't really look cold; bundled up pretty well as far as he could tell, but sometimes you couldn't tell. Personally, Edward was beginning to discover that his sweater was a bit thinner than he previously suspected and was suffering the consequences of his poor outfit choice...a wardrobe malfunction? Regardless, Edward held back a shiver to as to keep a strong image in front of Vas. She was a girl, a pretty one at that, with a nice, competitive personality and just about the only reason that he was passing transfiguration...her opinion of him was very important.

The wind picked up again. It rushed across his hair and slipped into the fabric of his clothing, giving birth to goose bumps up and down his arms. His short hair swished dully in the wind while Vivienne's longer hair whipped up, like something right out of a shampoo ad. The leaves began to rustle in the background and filled the courtyard with their unique sound, almost like an overturned rainstick. It soothed his fiery soul; it was with relaxing eyes that he watched her, the flare of nature and the calm of his dancing that left him in such a peaceful mood. He tilted his head, wondering what was underneath her coat.

[vas]

Acceptance was always good, so it pleased Vas a little bit more then really needed when he smiled so genuinely at her, a casual hello rolling off his tongue. Of course, expecting anything less from him would be laughable: he always seemed in high spirits, or at least whenever she was around him. Vas couldn’t help the thought that maybe it was her very company that brought such a grin to him, and then immediately shoved the thought into the very back of her mind. No need to make her stomach create even more butterflies – like she already didn’t have enough. She had thought that over time the fluttering might become easier to handle, but it just seemed to get worse and worse. Edward was bound to notice sometime… Vas tightened her hands together yet firmer and looked back at them as he explained.

“Said every young man should be able to do it, yeah?” Vas couldn’t help the small giggle that escape her, nodding to explain it wasn’t at him, but more of the statement. “Oh yes,” she agreed, quieting her laughter to speak clearly, “It’s something every girls looks for in a man. I’d say you’re on the right track, don’t’ worry. Your mum is definitely correct.” She beamed at him, hoping she was concealing her longing to be able to stand in as his partner some day instead of letting him dance all alone. Even from up in her perch in the Ravenclaw’s tower, she’d been able to recognize he knew what he was doing. The movements came freely and easily, moving like a still breeze making the grass sway softly.

“Thank you, though. Not much dancing around here, not many people who appreciate it.” Vas glanced up from her hands once more, her stomach doing another back flip from his grin. My he could very well get her to do anything with that smile. “Your welcome,” she managed to say, praying her voice came across normal. “I wish Hogwarts hosted more dances, they’re always so much fun…” Her girly fantasy came flooding into her mind, “I just really enjoy it I guess. Every other day we’re stuffed up in classrooms and forced to sit still. I like being able to move around, twirl, spin…it’s like flying on the ground. Almost a weightless feeling that brings such energy to you just want to keep going and going…” Vas finally trailed off, realizing how much unnecessary details she’d just given. Blushing slightly, she rested her gaze back on her gloves.

“Are you alright, Vivi? Not cold are you?” She was surprised back into glancing at him because of the honest worry in his tone. She smiled hesitantly, firmly telling herself it was the pettiest of excuses to use in order to lean against him for however much she wanted to. “I’m fine,” she lied convincingly, justifying it has a half truth – she was rather warm in her jacket, but wishing she’d forgotten one so she could wear his. She studied his figure a moment though, realizing he might be slightly colder then he was letting on – his sweater didn’t look all that warm and cozy. With the tiniest of smirks lining her lips, she added “I was more concerned about you really. Here,” she offered, giving up and sliding closer. Vas wrapped her gloved hands around his and rubbed to get friction going. She laughed quietly, asking “Is that any better?” It was about that time when the wind blew harder, wiping her hair up around her face. Regretfully she removed her grasp from his and combed her hair back down, always too fussed over how she looked when Edward was around.

[edwardjameson]

Edward smiled pleasantly as she spoke, listening to her mild ramblings without interruption. She was confirming what her mother always told her, offering up more reasons for him to do something he loved doing anyway. Still, it was nice to hear the facts from a female other than his mother. She was important to him, of course, but she wasn't really...a girl. As he watched her speak he noticed the rosy color that crept across her cheeks, he assumed that she was just getting chilly. Edward was a fairly smart lad, with social skills aplenty and logic to back it all up, but a blow or two too many to the head made him oblivious to the obvious.

“I was more concerned about you really. Here. Is that any better?” He froze up a little as she made a sudden move to come closer, and his hands went limp as she grabbed them. There was a sudden rush of warmth in his arms, which may or may not have come as much from inside as from out. Were his hands any softer the friction may have hurt a little, but his rough hands had dealt with much worse than some rubbing from a fourteen-year-old girl. After returning her small laugh, he said "thanks." Wearing a thin smile, looking her right in the eye. When the wind picked up and she made a sudden move away from him, he jumped slightly. The smile got bigger and turned into a laugh, not at her, but at himself for being frightened by the movement.

The warmth left his hands, and it felt just a litte bit colder in the area around him. After briefly scratching his head, Edward stuffed his hands into the relative warmth of his pockets. The sun finally began to cover the courtyard the orange and yellow light, as though a can of paint had been spilled upon the grey canvas of the walls. For some reason Vivi was looking awfully uncomfortable, or upset, or...whatever, it was something along those lines. So, hopping up to his feet, Edward grinned down at her. "C'mon then, Vivi. On your feet," he said, holding out one hand to her as his eyes locked onto her face.

While he didn't really know what had gotten into her, Edward was pretty confident he knew of a way or two to get her to loosen up, or cheer up at the very least. With the wind came the gentle song of mother nature, always similar but never quite the same, an improvised symphony without a permanent end. The return of the music heralded another opportunity to do what he loved and what Vivi admired, and he saw no reason to pass it up. His grin turned to a smile as he looked down at her pretty little self, so hopeful that he could bring a little happiness to her. Besides, if he got this out of the way, he would probably be able to make his way inside; the sun wasn't quite enough and it had to be a lot warmer in the castle.

[vas]

OOC: Sorry about the rush-ness; I wrote it during break at school. XD


Vas couldn’t help but smirk at his sudden stiffness, though unclouded as she attempted to heat up his hands a bit. Either the sudden movement or the fact that a girl – heaven forbid – had gotten that close to him. Boys had always fascinated her, to some extent anyways. Some enjoyed her company beyond all reason and others disliked even thought that she dare talk to them. Edward was favored more towards the first option of course, though she knew he didn't like her like she him. That was always the case it seemed - a sad fact of life she'd just grown to be used to.

She was persistent though, thinking that at least – if nothing else – maybe one day he’d know she’d like to be something more then just friends. Edward was definitely a more realistic option anyways – a small, seemingly displaced laugh lifted her expression. She’d always told herself she’d hold out for Regulus Black – Vas had obviously gotten no further in that goal then thinking about it. Coming back to reality, she barely managed to hear Edward murmur a thank you. Once she finished patting down her hair she came back into full focus, realizing he was watching her again. Self consciously she dropped her hands back into her lap: she wasn’t sure if the source of his gaze was a good thing, or a bad one.

For a moment longer she sat there contemplating what could possibly be wrong with her appearance – had her hair misbehaved again? Was there something on her face? A stain on her clothing? – when Edward jumped up suddenly, startling her into laughter once more. “Just a wee bit jumpy, are we?” she teased, pulling out the best of what remained of her British accent. Both her mother and father were very fluent in the tone, dealing with Londeners everyday – Vas, stuffed up at Hogwarts – had lost most of the pronunciation. “C’mon then, Vivi. On your feet,” he ordered with a grin, holding out a hand for her. Vas smiled, her sudden weak depression subsidized for now. Pulling herself up with little help on his part (simply for the excuse to hold his hand, mind you) Vas stood. She couldn’t help but remark how his eyes followed her, always giving her the courtesy of feeling like a person rather then an object to be flaunted over. That was one of the things she liked most about him: he liked having her company, not – she thought vainly – to have a pretty, little thing to look at.