Tweak

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Tweak says, "AND NOW HE WILL RISE!!!"

Natasha Fortune (ms_fortune) wrote in noctemrp,
@ 2012-09-16 20:26:00

Entry tags:

character: hunter dale, character: natasha romanoff, location: hogwarts abandoned areas, thread: complete

Who: Hunter and Natasha
What: Talking and walking around some abandoned areas
Where: Hogwarts halls/abandoned areas
When: Saturday, Sept. 15, after lunch
Warnings: None.

After she finished eating, Natasha stood up the entrance at the Great Hall and waited for Hunter. She actually felt relieved to be able to talk to him again. While she couldn't completely lower her guard around him, he was one of the select few that seemed to understand her and that she enjoyed talking with.

Since arriving at Hogwarts, she hadn't really spent time talking to anyone. She was alone most of the time, so it was a repeat of her last school. She was at least able to explore a bit of the school, though she had more places to try to find. There were areas she hadn't been in yet and she still didn't know what the heck a 'room of requirement' was or where it was located. With her exploring, she was able to find a few places and clean them up. She did tell Hunter she would help him and if it meant getting help herself, all the better.

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loyal_hunter
2012-09-23 05:05 am UTC (link)

Though her tone was light and teasing, Hunter thought over Natasha's question. He didn't really have a lot of secrets, none that anyone would be interested in anyhow. For the most part, his life had been non-eventful. Then again, he supposed that the things he and Fawn had been doing over the past two months, had made enough secrets for a lifetime.

"Gods, I'm not even sure I could convince Fawn to come down here. Not at night anyhow," he said, pushing a cobweb out of his way. "Though perhaps if we are apart long enough..."

He blushed, changing topics again.

"And no, I don't really have any other secrets. My father insists that I stay quiet as to how much money my family is worth, but no one needs me to tell them, to at least be able to hazard a good guess."

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ms_fortune
2012-09-23 05:35 am UTC (link)

"It's a last resort sort of option," she rationalized. "You said it yourself, this school holds secrets for those who need it. This would be if nothing else is available." As eerie as it was, she had to admit there was a charm to the dungeons. A dark, mysterious sort of charm, she thought.

Natasha thought he was lucky. "You don't? It sounds nice." After saying that, she wondered if she held an air of mystery then. "There's always a certain sort of fear to be held with secrets, but I'm sure you know that feeling."

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loyal_hunter
2012-09-23 05:42 am UTC (link)

"I suppose if you had asked me last year, if I thought secrets were of any use, I would answered no," Hunter replied, in a straight forward manner.

"But now I think perhaps I was just seeing them the wrong way. I thought of secrets as deceit, or avoidance of the truth. I think now it's more like being in the forest, and knowing that even though I can feel certain things, I may not be able to see them."

He glanced over to Natasha, a small smile forming.

"I may see a flash of a fox, and not know where she's hiding, but that doesn't mean she's not there."

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ms_fortune
2012-09-23 05:57 am UTC (link)

Her cheeks heated up and her jaw dropped a bit as she looked at him. Seeing him smile made her smile, though she shook her head, her curls bouncing against her cheeks. "I'm not getting rid of that nickname anytime soon, am I?"

Truth be told, she was actually starting to like the nickname more and more. Maybe it did fit her.

"That's a nice way to look at it. I like it. I may just have to use it."

She finally made it to the cleaned up room. The chairs were pushed into the center this time, like she arranged them so she could sit or lay down on them. The room was certainly private and quiet, but it wasn't as warm and welcoming as the other room. Natasha went to one of the desks and sat down.

Curious, she looked up at the ceiling, then at him. "Think you could handle seeing more of a fox- I mean accept another secret?"

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loyal_hunter
2012-09-23 06:13 am UTC (link)

Being inside the room made it feel as if they were in another place altogether. As though Hogwarts was a million miles away, and it was just the two of them sitting there. Hunter took a seat in one of the chairs, keeping a close eye on Natasha. Her skin seemed to flush, though the temperature was cooler, if it had changed at all.

"I'm generally not one for nicknames, but it does seem to have cleaved itself to you. I don't think I'll be able to see a fox without thinking of you now."

Just as he had never been able to see a doe, without thinking of his sister. Hunter watched, as Natasha's eyes roamed the room, before settling on him.

"Yes," he replied simply.

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ms_fortune
2012-09-23 06:28 am UTC (link)

She tilted her head at him, curious enough to first ask, "Can you see foxes in your forest?" She wished she was able to see one close enough. She wondered if her hair was like it's coat or just how much of a fox she was like. She supposed she should thank the one who gave her that nickname.

At his affirmative, Natasha took her wand out and dispelled the charm on her. Rolling her sleeve up, the suture-like scars around her neck and on her arms were visible then. If she was going to reveal herself, she'd start off small.

"This is it. They make me look like a monster, so I cover them up. Makeup or a certain charm works best of all." Seeing the scars made her happy for the nickname 'fox' and 'foxy' then. It was much better than 'monster.'

"I've only shown these to one other person and he didn't think I looked like a monster. He used another word to positively describe me." She blushed, smiling at the memory. "Since you're my friend, I thought it would be okay to tell and show you."

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loyal_hunter
2012-09-23 06:37 am UTC (link)

"We can," Hunter replied, answering Natasha, as she withdrew her wand. "Foxes, deer, rabbits. I can show you some..."

Hunter's voice trailed off, as Natasha removed a charm, and the marks of her neck and arms were made visible. It felt like his breath had been robbed from him, and for one of the few times in his life Hunter was speechless. He stood and stepped closer. Natasha still looked as beautiful as she always looked, but Hunter's heart physically hurt. He couldn't imagine what had caused the scars, and wasn't sure if he cared to know. Perhaps that was a secret best kept for now. It was some relief to hear her speak of her friend, though it was also confusing. If it was the same 'friend' he knew of, it didn't seem like something he would do. He was a bully.

"Can, can I...?" Hunter asked, reaching his hand out toward her wrist, as though he were approaching a wounded animal.

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ms_fortune
2012-09-23 06:47 am UTC (link)

"I'd like to see them. Can you ever get close enough to pet them?"

Seeing his outreached hand, Natasha nodded at him, shocked. She didn't expect him to be that curious. "You can. It won't hurt." She stretched her hand out towards him so he could touch.

"They really won't hurt if you touch them. They just ache when it rains. They're on my legs and around my waist as well. A memento from my dad, so to speak. He wasn't very nice." That was an understatement. She paused, remembering her father, and shuddered.

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loyal_hunter
2012-09-23 07:08 am UTC (link)

Natasha seemed so nonchalant about the marks that seemed to run all over her body. That was what bothered him, more than the scars themselves. He held her arm gently, tracing his fingers over her skin in a way that might have been interpreted as intimate, if it had been anyone other than Hunter. He spoke softly, partly to himself and partly to Natasha.

"My father slapped me once," he said, his voice sounding almost like he was in a trance. "Not even very hard, just once, across the cheek."

He looked up at her.

"I thought it was the most horrible thing a parent could even do to a child."

Hunter slowly lowered Natasha's arm, until it was safely at her side.

"I had no idea. I'm sorry. But your friend is right, you are no monster."

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ms_fortune
2012-09-23 07:32 am UTC (link)

Her breath was caught in her throat. She felt frozen as she stayed still. As intimate as the touches were, there was also innocence in them. She swallowed hard, taken from her thoughts as she heard Hunter speak, and glanced at him.

"You don't have to apologize. You haven't done anything wrong. My father used to abuse my mother and I. When I went off to school, he'd take his anger out on my mother then."

It was strange how different the reactions she got from her scars were. She may have revealed more to her friend, but he didn't seem as melancholy as Hunter over them. They did seem to agree that she wasn't a monster. She smiled softly at that, amused how that may be the only thing the two would ever agree upon.

"It was still horrible for your father to do. That shouldn't happen to anyone, especially not a child. I certainly hope he doesn't do it anymore.

"My mother would disagree with you and my friend, by the way, about me being a monster, but thank you. It's selfish, but hearing things like that make me feel better." She decided to save just why her mother would call her that for another time. If he was this sensitive to her scars, she couldn't imagine how'd he react if he knew how dangerous she was.

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loyal_hunter
2012-09-24 04:37 am UTC (link)

For a moment, Hunter considered asking Natasha if her friend was indeed who he thought. If it was, then perhaps he had been wrong in his perception of the older boy. His second thoughts won out however. Natasha wouldn't want to give up her friend's confidence, just as Hunter would hope she wouldn't give up his own.

"I suppose everyone needs to hear something good, from time to time," he smiled, stepping backward to give the red-head her space.

"I'm rubbish with compliments, but perhaps you can teach me to be more of an optimist."

It was a lighthearted suggestion, but Hunter tried to internalize it for himself. He wanted to help Natasha, in any way possible. He had never had such a friend before, someone he could talk to so openly.

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ms_fortune
2012-09-24 05:07 am UTC (link)

Natasha blinked as she looked up at him. Teach him to be more of an optimist? Her? She never thought of herself as an optimist. She was just realistic. If anything, it was Hunter that was teaching her, or so she thought.

Smiling at him, she replied, "I could try. I should thank you though. Teaching may not be the right word, but that day in the forest, when I walked in, you actually inspired me."

Before he could get the wrong idea, she waved her hand a bit. "I mean when you stood up, wanting to protect Fawn. I saw more emotion there than the times we spoke before. Your words and passion and even seeing you tear up had an impact on me. Besides being your friend, it's why I'm helping you now. I believe in your feelings and I want to help in any way I can. It sounds silly, but I started to rethink my own stance on love because of it."

She ran her fingers through her hair a bit nervously. She knew she sounded silly, but it was the truth. It was why she would defend him against her friend no matter what.

"I know, I was long-winded. I guess what I mean to say is maybe we're teaching each other." She stopped combing her hair and giggled a bit. "Have you ever heard of the term 'kindred spirits?'"

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loyal_hunter
2012-09-24 05:21 am UTC (link)

Hunter's brow wrinkled in surprise, at Natasha's words. He had never realized how close love and fear could be, until that day in the woods. It was though his entire existence had been narrowed down to protecting his sister, and protecting what they had together. It had never occurred to him what it might look like from the outside.

"If I wish one thing for you," he said. "It is that when you find love, it is easier for you then it will be for Fawn and I."

He would wish the entire world, the depth of their love, but the struggle it would take to keep it... he didn't wish that on anyone.

"Yes of course," he replied, his smile visible in his eyes. "Kindred spirits. It isn't something you hear very often nowadays. Is that how you see us?"

Hunter was pleased beyond words, though he tried not to let it show too plainly.

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ms_fortune
2012-09-24 12:17 pm UTC (link)

As surprised as Natasha was, she was also touched. His wish was more positive than he may have realized. He didn't say 'if you find love,' but rather 'when,' like it was just inevitable for her.

"You're being an optimist right now," she pointed out to him. There was a playful smile on her lips. "Thank you."

She nodded at his question. She could see the happiness reflected in his eyes. "Yes. It may seem a strange way to describe a relationship with someone in this day and age, but I believe it holds true for us. Would you agree?"

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loyal_hunter
2012-09-24 01:27 pm UTC (link)

It was almost embarrassing, how happy Hunter knew he looked. It was one of the reasons he was glad to have avoided Slytherin House. When he was bored or unimpressed, it showed clearly on his face, but so did the emotions he felt less often, like fear and happiness. He was sure that his eyes were shining, and his hair was likely made a few shades more ginger, from the flush over his cheeks.

"Yes," he said, the excitement tempered more in his voice. "Yes, I should like that, I think."

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ms_fortune
2012-09-25 01:28 am UTC (link)

"Then it's decided then."

Natasha went over to the door and leaned back against it. "There is another place I found, but we can save exploring it for another time. I can find more abandoned spots." She stopped, then smiled as she considered another option. "Or we can just 'hang out' somewhere. We can talk again, though I think if we do so in public, we should give her a nickname. Any secret name you have for her?"

Even though she did ask him, she was struck by an idea. "Oh! You called her your princess before, yes? What if we called her that?"

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loyal_hunter
2012-09-25 03:53 am UTC (link)

Hunter laughed out loud, quite a rare event, though he knew Natasha wouldn't be aware of that.

"I think everyone would assume we've both gone mad!" he exclaimed, trying to imagine the looks on the other students faces. "Though perhaps that is the best plan. They already assume I'm halfway there."

The mention of Fawn suddenly made him realize how long he had been away.

"So yes, princess it should be. And, please pardon, but a princess I should be getting back to. I didn't tell her where I was going."

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ms_fortune
2012-09-25 04:19 am UTC (link)

Natasha seemed proud to make him laugh. She lead him out of the dungeon with a confident smirk on her face. "Let them assume we've gone mad. That sounds like fun. I'm sure if they see us together, our friendship will perplex them enough."

Since Fawn now had a nickname, she wondered if she needed one for her friend. It certainly would make things easier when talking about him.

"Okay. She's your princess. And when talking about my friend, he'll be my archer. I can't let you be the only one to use a nickname on someone.

"Now go back to your princess and let me know when you'd like to talk or explore again." Natasha waved at him as she walked away. She was smiling as she walked back to the Slytherin dorm room. It felt good to talk to someone instead of being on her own.

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