Gwynn (dame_du_lac) wrote in carpediem_rp, @ 2015-08-24 22:01:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | character: narissa smith, character: violet whidbee, thread: complete |
Who: Narissa and Violet
When: August 22 into 23, leading to the attack
Where: Quidditch World Cup
What: Talking
Rating/Warnings: Implied violence, a kiss.
Status: Closed/Complete
Violet didn't care for big public events like this, but everyone was there and Narissa had been pretty insistent that Violet come along. She wondered often why Narissa made the effort with her when at first Violet had been resistant to the other girl's efforts to be her friend. But the more Violet watched Narissa, the more she realized that the other girl was just that good and just that sweet. She was genuinely a good person and for a while that made Violet even more averse to becoming friends with her. In the end, Narissa won that fight and she became one of Violet's few friends, those she treasured and would protect no matter the cost.
Everything was really loud though and Violet wished she was back in her room and plugged into her console. When she got to school, the luxury of gaming wasn't afforded to her and she hated it. Playing video games was a way for her to think and also unwind. And it might be why she needed a friend like Narissa. Narissa who stood not far from Violet while the quieter Hufflepuff held a cup of butterbeer in her hands and occasionally looked at the game with moderate interest.
Narissa wasn't opposed to any event that included quidditch and so she was excited by this one. Her face was painted red white and blue, but in an uncertain pattern that left it unclear which team she was supporting. Her eyes were fixed on the pitch and she was almost still, her eyes moving around much like the two seekers actually in the game. She knew there was a lot of action but her mind was instinctively focused on the snitch and so that was what she looked for.
The fact that she had gotten Violet to come excited her. No matter how the other girl had fought, she needed friends just like everyone else. She offered a bright smile over at her friend and she nudged her lightly. "Is this how you are at my games too?" Because she wasn't cheering or anything either, and she wasn't staring nearly as intently as her.
Violet looked at the other girl when the question was directed at her. Violet pursed her lips and then realized she was behaving in a manner that seemed to be in stark contrast to the other students there. "No, Ah . . . Ah just ain't into quidditch all that much when Ah dunno anyone playin' the game," she said. Any sports games she did play were the Muggle ones but she limited herself on those. Sports weren't really her thing, especially since they were usually a source of her father's ire.
"Ah'm sorry," she said immediately, feeling bad that she might be ruining this for Narissa. She didn't meant to but Violet had a hard time finding enthusiasm for things that weren't plugged into a wall.
Narissa nodded a bit and nudged Violet with her shoulder lightly. “It’s not too bad. Same as when I’m out there but it’s not something I’m quite as good at yet. I’ll get there.” She wasn’t professional standard yet, though family showed that she could get there eventually. “Maybe we can figure out something to do after that you’ll enjoy more.”
She smiled over at her friend. “Are you at least having fun partying at least, outside of the game?” Because that was going on all around and so there was alcohol, food, and just about anything that anyone could want in tailgate style entertainment.
Violet smiled softly and nodded, "Yeah, Ah've never really gone to a thing like this before. Not sure what to do, but what's goin' on with the game? The team you want winnin;?" It was hard to tell which team had Narissa's favor and it was possible that Nari could be rooting for both teams. She leaned in and gave Narissa a side hug, not really one to show affection like this, it was obvious that Narissa did mean something to Violet.
Narissa grinned a bit and shrugged. “Not really worried about who wins. I’ve got friends on both sides.” Sure, she would prefer the US win, but she would be okay with either, just being here and being able to watch was exciting and enjoyable. The side hug brought on a teasing hip bump- she knew that her friend rarely was willing to show this sort of affection. She loved the other girl for all her differences though, she tended to provoke the same protective and loving actions that Adrian did most of the time. Suddenly though her eyes were drawn back to the pitch when she caught a flash of the fluttering gold ball, being chased down by the seekers of both teams, and she let out a shriek when it was almost caught before darting off again.
"So you're fine with either team winning?" Violet asked and then smiled, "That's a change. Down south, they get real into football. Whether it's kids in college playin' or the professional leagues, people got a passion for their teams. But Ah guess some people just like the sport." Someone walked by with drinks and Violet was quick to snatch one before the person noticed it was gone at all. She took a sip of the beverage, immediately tasting the alcohol.
She offered to Nari, "Want some? Can't have a party with beer, right?"
“Obviously I’d like the US to win, but if it doesn’t happen, at least R and E will be pleased?” Because they had been hanging around as well and she did like seeing her friends happy. It made sense that she knew how muggle sports worked. She knew a bit, but it wasn’t something she had looked into extensively. They had a TV at home and sometimes there were sports on it. Her dad seemed to find them amusing. When she saw Violet swipe a drink she shook her head playfully. “You know I can get you one that’s all your own, right?” They were in a VIP area thanks to her aunt so it would be free anyway.
“You drink it. I’m okay for now, but thanks!”
Violet felt her cheeks color, "Ah know, but don't worry about it. See? Already got it." She didn't like big deals being made at all, especially on her expense. If it weren't for people like Narissa, nobody would really notice Violet all that much and she used to prefer it that way. Well, she still did and often resisted gift-giving and even favors from others because she had her pride. Her pride always reared its head around the worst times.
She took a gulp of her beer. The taste had grown on her over the years but it was hard to say if she actually liked it. The beer they served here tasted different though. Better. Something she could appreciate about the wizards, but likely because most of their potions tasted like shit.
"What'd you do this summer? Go anywhere nice?" she asked, trying to make some light conversation since they were already talking.
Narissa accepted the statement. It was not that big a deal in the long run, as Violet could have more drinks later back at the tent. They all had tons of things both alcoholic and non to enjoy together. She was very much looking forward to more partying, and quite possibly a very late night.
The question brought a shrug. "Not so much. Just hung out at home, with a few treks out to see Rene in New York." Because he was a lot of fun to hang out with as well and her amusing herself at the McDonald's he had worked at was something to keep her busy. "How about you? Anything fun? You should come by for a few days before we go back to school, don't you think?"
"Same thing only Ah didn't go no where," Violet replied, "but that's what Ah wanted. Stuck around home and just, you know, did my thing." Which Narissa would know as playing video games. While Marble City was a wizarding town, the foster family that Violet lived with made accommodations to let Violet have her console and games. It was one of the very few things that Violet ever asked for, so they were happy to make it work.
She nodded, "Yeah, sure. Ah mean, gotta get out of my house sometime more than just this place and going to school, right?" It was said as a joke, but if Violet had her way, she'd never have to leave her house. "What'd you have in mind to do? Just sit around and hang out or go into town and look around? Carol keeps wantin' to take me to get new school clothes." And while she appreciated her foster mother's efforts to do things with her, Violet didn't care to spend time with her.
"I mostly spent the time at home studying and swimming." She shrugged a bit. It was the way most of her summers went. She was used to it by this point, though this year she worried that it was the last summer she would have her brother with her regularly so she did try to spend more time with him when she could.
"Coming to visit me is among the valid forms of out, I think." A small smile and she lightly nudged her friend with her shoulder again. "As to the school clothes, let her know I'll take you." Because Narissa and clothes were very good together, in her mind, and she could most certainly find some things that would look very good on her friend.
"Ah'll let her know then," Violet said, sharing the smile with her friend and hoping that it wouldn't turn into a thing. She hated when things turned into things. She just needed some plain clothes. Nothing fancy. She didn't want fancy. When you dressed nice, people saw you more and she had the attentions of people she didn't want more than those she did. She licked at her lips absently and drank a little more of the beer before saying, "Don't go crazy or nothing. Nothing with pink or poofy sleeves."
There was a sense of jest in her tone, not thinking that Narissa would be one to overload violet with poofy sleeves or an overload of pink. The color didn't look bad on Violet, but she preferred other cooler colors more. She asked, "When did ya wanna go? And you said there'd be partying later. We just gonna float around or gonna pick one and stick there?"
Narissa understood well enough that her taste wasn't shared with everyone and so she wouldn't make all that much of a big deal out of it. Just head to the stores, get whatever Violet wanted, and head for ice cream after. There was no trip out that wasn't improved by ice cream in her mind. "No pink, no poofy sleeves. You know I stick to blues and greens mostly anyway." She had an addiction to water tones and so her clothing reflected that, flowy and in shades one would find in a pond or the ocean.
"We can go whenever you want. If you're over for a few days we can just pick one. And we'll stick to the gathering by our tent, maybe try and lure over R and them to tease when we find them." Because they were fun to be around and she figured it could liven things up some.
"Ah was just teasin'," Violet said, "Probably why Ah'm okay with going shoppin' with you." She smiled again, the expression always felt a little foreign on her face, but around Narissa it happened enough that it was starting to feel natural. She glanced at the match, "Probably better to wait for it to end. Can't start celebratin' too early or nothing." It looked like France was going to win this unless the US got a miracle. The miracle being catching that snitch which would not only end the match but also give the US a score over France's.
She questioned, "Why we gonna be teasin' them? You know somethin' Ah don't?" There was a curiosity in her eyes as she asked, wondering what her friend was talking about. Violet didn't know Rene that well and whenever she was around the larger groups, she tended to be exceptionally quiet.
“I figured as much.” Because she knew what Violet would like and would take that into account. She might try to slip a piece or two in that would compliment the other girl more than the plain things she tended to wear, but she would never force it. That was just not the way she was, unless one counted how she behaved to her aunt when the woman came around. “It’ll just take the snitch for the US to take it, so it’s not over. It’s happened before.” Because a game was never won until the snitch was in hand.
“Mostly because we can? Especially if France loses.” A small grin and she ran her hand through her hair. She did know something Violet might not on this, but it wasn’t something that was her secret to spread around. Anyone who watched Rene though tended to eventually figure out his adoration for his best friend, so maybe eventually Violet would notice too.
"Ah heard someone say that some of these games have gone on for days," Violet said, "That true?" She also heard other things. Some people went missing too, supposedly, and mid-game. She felt like some games just lasted forever in normal sports, but quidditch put them all to shame. A game could end just as easily though, and this game could've gone for it only to be long enough for someone to do a quick catch of the snitch.
Violet found herself a little distracted for a moment by Narissa's movement. She was aware of how beautiful Narissa was, but sometimes it sort of just smacked her in the face. She wasn't paying attention to what Narissa said because of this though and just nodded, "Yeah, sure."
"It can. Usually won't though. It's hard to see the snitch at night though so if it gets much darker I can't imagine it'll be over before the morning." Because that was something she always considered. Her eyes widened though as again it caught her eye that the pair of seekers had seen the snitch and she pointed excitedly, watching the pair dive after it, and then shrieking excitedly when it was finally in hand. Even with the huge deficit of points, the U.S. had won!
She turned to hug Violet excitedly, all thoughts of R and teasing him momentarily put from her mind. It had been years since the U.S. had taken the cup, and she hadn't really expected to win with how poorly the chasers were doing. Yet, there they were and she was pretty sure her ears would be ringing for days with all the screaming going on.
And then it was all over. The snitch was caught so fast and Violet was lucky she saw it at all. The seekers moved at incredible speeds, chasing the golden blur that zipped and zigged and zagged everywhere. But it was over and the game was done and it wouldn't go into all hours of the night. There was a thunderous sound and Violet was sure she might have gone deaf from the sound of it.
It looked like muggles and the wizarding world had more in common. They loved their sports and their jubilation for a photo-finish made for a great commotion. She was hugged by Narissa and Violet was carried into the excitement. She was smiling and laughing and then gave Narissa a quick kiss on the cheek as well. Her beer was now all over the floor, but Violet didn't seem to notice so much.
Narissa probably hugged Violet for longer than the other girl would have liked, but part of her didn't care. She was excited and it seemed that her friend had been swept into it too. When they parted she jumped up and down a bit excitedly. It was normal to see her in this state honestly. She was hyperactive on normal days, and so excitement really made her appear like a child in her reactions. She imagined it was why people liked her, when she got to thinking about it. She was kind and happy with everyone. It just was her nature.
Without thinking she grabbed Violet's hand, pulling her close and smiling. "Come on, let's start heading out. Beat the crush of what's going to come in a few minutes." Because once people started moving out it would be almost impossible to move anywhere, and she knew that well enough from the professional games she'd seen in the past.
Violet enjoyed the hug more than a friend should. But it was hard not to. The excitement and the softness of Narissa's body against hers made her want to do more than just hug her. Maybe do something crazy like kiss her. But Narissa was talking about going to meet with the others and getting to the partying and the thought had gone. Instead she enjoyed the warmth from her hand, and Violet gave a small nudge at her.
"Lead the way, hun," she said, "You're the one who knows where we're going and Ah'll just follow along." Part of her was glad she hadn't gone to kiss her, but another part of her was feeling a tinge of regret.
Narissa nodded and pulled Violet along, heading out toward the field that had the tent city. The tent they were in was pretty huge, thankfully, especially since they were a pretty big group. She knew basically where their tent was and so she was able to get them there quickly enough.
As soon as they arrived Narissa started pulling out the various food things she had made to bring with them, setting them out on a table. Party meant that people could pick and choose what they wanted, and after the table was set she plucked a brownie from a plate, nibbling at it.
Violet joined Narissa in preparing for the party. She quietly worked at setting things up and was momentarily distracted by Narissa's attentions on a brownie. Her eyes flicked away and she pretended that didn't happen and she hadn't been staring at her mouth. As much as Violet could wish that someone like Narissa could care for her, she knew it was a lost cause. Some people couldn't be saved.
"Where do you want this?" she asked, holding up a plate of cookies that smelled heavenly.
Narissa smiled over at Violet, not noticing that she'd been staring, just that she seemed to be looking over. For all that she was good at reading people, Vi tended to be an exception to this rule. She finished her brownie before motioning to an empty spot on the table that could get the tray of cookies her friend was holding, her smile still in place.
"You should try one. They actually turned out better than normal. Might have stolen some of Adi's chocolate for the chunks, which helps." A wicked smirk and a wink followed that statement and she flopped down into a chair, crossing her legs gracefully.
Violet placed the tray on the table and looked over everything else there and what else had to be added. How many people was Narissa expecting? But knowing her, it was likely that many would come. Narissa was a person who made friends easily because she was kind and funny and her heart was out there to share with all.
"Not like he would do anything," Violet said with a soft smile as she took a brownie, "He cares about you a lot." She ate the brownie quietly and then moved to lean on the arm rest of the chair that Narissa was in. She as a little jealous that Narissa had a sibling. Siblings seemed to help a lot of the family. Maybe that's what she thought of Narissa as. A sister. But how many girls thought about kissing their sister?
"Thanks, Narissa," she said a little abruptly and looked over her shoulder at the blonde, "for being mah friend. I know it ain't easy."
Narissa always had more than enough food and drink for people. She never knew for sure if she would end up with two guests or two hundred and so she was prepared for anything. She knew that people were drawn to her outgoing and generous nature, and so she made sure they were all cared for.
A laugh at the comment about Adrian and she nodded. "I'm lucky to have him. He's important to me." Which was why she didn't like his mother even a little bit. When Violet leaned against the arm of her seat she lightly touched her wrist, smiling a bit. "There's room. You can sit with me if you want to." Because Narissa was tiny and rarely took up much room on things even when it seemed like she took up a whole room with her personality.
She shook her head at the statement. "Of course I'm your friend. I adore you, Vi. You know that." Because she knew that people shouldn't be alone and Violet would be close to it if she didn't drag her out sometimes.
Violet shifted to share the chair snugly with Narissa, the closeness reminding her of her earlier thought of kissing Narissa. That thought kept coming up and it was starting to be meddlesome. Maybe it was the beer or just the fact that they were alone and Violet knew she always had a thing for her friend. She leaned her head on Narissa's shoulder and said, "Ah know, but Ah still appreciate it. God only knows how hard Ah've made it for you."
It was quiet right now and even if there was more to prepare, Violet wasn't anxious to get up and finish just yet. It wasn't often that she really got Narissa to herself and so she wanted to enjoy it for now.
Narissa smiled as Violet rested her head on her shoulder. She was relatively sure her friend had no idea how special she really was, and her fingers instinctively moved to stroke over long brown hair, her touch careful and gentle. Violet needed to be cared for in some ways - Narissa saw that it was often lacking in her life, the concern for herself that should be there, and so she filled in for it herself.
She appreciated the quiet moment too and curled closer, snuggling against Violet much like a needy cat. She tended to cling to any physical contact, and Violet was comfortable and someone she honestly enjoyed cuddling with more than most.
Violet would be very happy to stay like this for the rest of the night, but she knew it wouldn't last forever and it didn't. Voices were approaching and people were starting to arrive. She was the first to shift away from Narissa as figures entered and soon the place was full of people. They were chatting and eating and drinking, and Violet shifted into the background must as she always did. When Narissa would look her direction, Violet would smile.
The party went on for a while though, and even as it grew closer to midnight, there were still plenty of people there. Violet was feeling a bit suffocated and found her way around the place until she was slipping outside. Violet felt instantly better and scooted to the side a bit not to stand in the way should anyone else start out. She seated herself on the ground and listened to the voices inside, not paying attention to any conversation in particular.
Narissa looked momentarily displeased when Violet moved, her brows furrowing before she hopped up to start greeting and serving people. She couldn't stop glancing over at her friend, thinking how comfortable it had been to just cuddle up with her as she had. It felt good to be close to people, it always had, but there had been an odd tug that added to the feeling- it always seemed to be there, and so she'd never really thought about it, but right now she missed being against the other girl.
When she saw Violet walk outside she excused herself from her conversation and walked to the door of the tent, her hand absently brushing her friend's wrist again. A greeting from Nari was rarely just verbal, and often could be simply physical - a hug, a kiss, holding hands- it was all just natural to her.
The touch on her wrist brought Violet's gaze upward and she saw Narissa there. "Hey, Ah'm fine, you didn't have to come here." She knew that was probably why Narissa had come out. Violet was silly for thinking that the other girl wouldn't notice. In a room full of people she cared about, Narissa would always notice when someone had gone. Violet added, "You don't gotta come out here."
But Violet was grateful that she did. When she was a girl and her cousin first moved in, he'd check on her when she went to hide, but it was always with an ulterior motive. To get her alone and take advantage of how vulnerable she was. Narissa wasn't like that, but Violet didn't want to be someone to pull her friend away from having fun just because Violet needed to get some air.
"I wanted to be with you for a bit." Narissa smiled brightly at her friend. She liked being around Violet. It made her happy. They were friends and she knew it was how that was supposed to work. She nudged Violet with an elbow delicately, raising one brow. "Did you really think I wouldn't see that you'd gone?" Because she noticed things, even when she probably shouldn't have exactly.
"Are you at least having fun?" Because that was important. Even if this wasn't usually her scene, Narissa wanted to be sure Violet was enjoying herself. She loved her friend and she had invited her to make sure she wasn't left alone.
"Yeah," Violet said, "just a lot of people in there and wanted to get a little room to breathe. Plenty of it out here." Narissa's close proximity gave Violet a sense of comfort. They'd been sharing dorms since their first year at Hogwarts and now they were going into the sixth year. Violet's gaze turned to the sky above, still surprisingly lit by the stars. A few of the campfires had been put out or died out as a few parties were already over and done.
"Ah like it out here though," she said, "don't really get this good of a view in town. Not even in the middle of the night when everybody's asleep." Violet naturally leaned into Narissa as she spoke and then pointed up, "That right there is Draco and there's Hercules. If you find one, you can find the other real easy. And then right there—" she leaned her face a little closer to Narissa's to point out the brighter star, "That's Vega. Fifth brightest star we got in our sky. Part of Lyra, which is named after a lyre belonging to this musician named Orpheus. Legend says that Zeus took it and put it into the sky."
Her face was now very close to Narissa's and she turned to see look at her. Violet understood the law of gravity really well right about now.
There was plenty of air outside, it was true. Being out with her friend was nice too, honestly. She liked the company, she always had or she would not have tried so hard to become the other girl's friend. She glanced over for a moment and smiled at the light from the moon lighting her face. It was quite lovely really and she wished she was better with words to put words to what she was thinking.
When Vi started telling her about the stars she listened intently, focused on the other's accented voice. Only about half of it really processed but she accepted that fact. She knew some of the myths from bedtime stories and a small smile curved her lips when Orpheus was mentioned. "He went all the way to Hades for the woman he loved. It was my favorite when I was little. I always wanted to love someone like that. Love them enough to lead them from the underworld. Imagine it's rare though." Even though she was very much free with her favors, she had a romantic side, that was for sure.
Her eyes met Violet's and she could almost feel a pull, but she didn't know what to do. This was her friend, not a lover.
Violet didn't want to spoil the rest of that story for her. How Orpheus had gone to Hades to get his love but he failed to get her back to the surface. He turned to look at her right before they were out and she was gone. Orpheus was never the same after that and his music wasn't either. All those stars had sad stories attached to them. It was like some sick requirement. Die a legend but dead and in the most tragic ways. Those Greeks were fucked up.
They were staring at each other and Violet couldn't seem to pull away. It was like trying to fight the need to breathe. She was only getting closer and then suddenly her lips were on Narissa's, tender but anxious. She crossed the Rubicon. Violet just kissed her friend and it wasn't some peck on the cheek like there had been earlier, but right on her mouth. And instead of freaking out about what she just did, all Violet could think about was how soft Narissa's lips were and how she wanted to kiss them again.
Narissa knew what the ending to the story was originally. She rejected that though and made her mother give it a nicer one. That's how Narissa worked. She wanted things and people happy, and she did her best to make it that way. Orpheus being miserable for the rest of his life just wouldn't sit right with her and so it had to be changed. Unhappy people needed love and moments of happiness. That's how she worked.
When Violet's lips met her own, she was almost not shocked. It was something that had to happen, she felt, and she didn't pull away. She kissed back, hands twining into that long brown hair and her eyes fluttering shut. It was good. Intoxicating and distracting until a shriek broke the air and Narissa flinched slightly, pulling back finally and looking to try and see what had happened.
Violet wished she couldn't held that moment longer. For once in a long while, it felt nice to kiss someone on her own accord. And Narissa's loving touch in her hair made her wonder if she was just dreaming this. If she was, she didn't want it to end and would happily kiss Narissa in this dream for forever. But all dreams come to an end and this one did with a sudden halt as a woman's scream broke that moment and dragged the two of them back into the reality that they weren't alone in the world.
Narissa pulled back and Violet wasn't sure what to say or what to do. She didn't even know what was going on! Her eyes went heavenward as something caught her attention. A mark in the sky and the scream that broke the kiss was followed by others. Shouting and panic. Something was going on and she immediately felt the need to protect her friend.
"We gotta get outta here," Violet said and immediately took Narissa by the hand. There was no way Violet would let anything happen to Nari. Ever.
Narissa saw the mark too and her eyes widened before she pushed Violet back protectively. She could not let her friend (more than? What had just happened?) get hurt and so she knew what she had to do. "Violet, get to the tent. Tell my parents to get out here, and Adrian to stay put. You stay with him." And she was off, wand in hand, ready to do what she could. That was just her, after all- always ready to defend those that needed it.