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daphne greengrass is [bulletproof];; ([info]daphne__g) wrote in [info]wished,
@ 2009-10-21 13:56:00

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Entry tags:!1997: 10, !incomplete, daphne greengrass, nikolas vaisey

WHO: Daphne Greengrass & Nikolas Vaisey
WHAT: The accumulation of stress from the Vaisey's and Greengrass' takes a toll on the children!
WHERE: The Astronomy Tower
WHEN: Wednesday evening, around dinner time.
RATING/STATUS: PG-13; alcohol use, possible language / Started - Incomplete; Open to Nikolas Vaisey.


Whoever said that life at seventeen was easy was a damn liar. Life at seventeen for Daphne Greengrass was filled with responsibilities that she wanted nothing to do with. Everything around her felt like it was falling apart, and she had no control over anything. All she could control was eating, sleeping, and breathing. Which is exactly why she was skipping out on dinner, she didn't have to go, and she sure as hell wasn't hungry, she lost her appetite months ago. Seeking out a quiet place within the school was difficult, half the classrooms were filled, and the other half couldn't be trusted; what with rooms randomly locking students in, and others flooding with water. The common room was no better, students all giggling, and gossiping about the day just frustrated Daphne. She found herself having a shorter fuse with her house mates, and even snapping at them for some petty reason. The only solution she could find was taking to the Astronomy Tower - one of the tallest towers at Hogwarts. No student ever went up there, unless it was for a class, but considering it was only dinner time, close wasn't happening for another six hours.

She needed a place to escape, to leave everything and everyone behind, and forget about things that were happening that she didn't want happening. That's what brought her to the tower in the first place. The cool night air calmed her senses slightly, and made her realize that perhaps all that firewhiskey wasn't the brightest of ideas. A half empty bottle rested on the ground as the girl took a seat on the cool stones beside it. A case laid open on the other side of her which revealed a gorgeous, highly polished violin. Plucking the instrument from the case, fingers deftly moved over the strings, as she heard the instrument practically sigh from the touch -- or maybe that was her? She didn't place it under her chin to play, instead she just allowed the instrument to rest in her lap. Pressing her back against the wall, it steadied her all ready half intoxicated mind. The ground beneath her didn't feel like cold stone, instead it was like clouds which shifted beneath her and left her feeling weightless. She wanted to play her violin so badly, so much so that she brought the instrument with her up to the tower. However, after finding the bottle of whiskey in a secret compartment of the case, she decided drinking might be a better idea.

That feeling of weightlessness was a feeling welcomed to the Slytherin, still dressed in her uniform. Robes were carelessly tossed to the ground after her third shot, and thus left her at the moment in a clean, crisp white shirt that hugged her slender frame, with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. The Slytherin crest was sewn neatly upon the front of her shirt and that green and silver tie was straightened and perfectly aligned around her neck. Her black skirt hugged her hips, as a pair of white knee highs accented those sinfully long legs. A new pair of shiny patent leather Mary Janes heels completed her outfit. Sitting outside, on the parapet she looked out of her place, especially with a half empty bottle of Ogden's Firewhiskey to one side and a violin on her lap.

This was going to be an interesting evening.


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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-21 07:34 pm UTC (link)
After he’d spent the better part of his Monday night drinking a bit too much Steaming Stout and considering the advantages of cross-breeding animals magical and non-magical in nature, Nikolas Vaisey had felt vaguely better about the current state of affairs. Admittedly, he’d been forced to finally concede with the arrival of the most recent letter from home, that this situation was indeed something his parents were taking very seriously. As much as he wanted to, Nikolas felt that he was perhaps no longer justified in treating his arranged marriage as a laughable whim. Still, Tuesday had passed pleasantly enough – the early part of it muddled, certainly, but by the time his later classes rolled around he’d actually felt quite in high spirits.

As for today, well. The previous evening’s inexplicable high had worn off, and throughout his classes Nikolas found himself persistently hounded by the news he’d received on Monday. Had this been the plan all along? Or were his parents only just now coming up with this little caveat? And what about his mother – she had never really supported the idea, had shown a certain indifference – how could she possibly be alright with this now, and make his future livelihood a condition? By the time supper was rolling around, Nikolas felt uncharacteristically infuriated and after changing out of his uniform into a jumper and track suit bottoms (that, incidentally, hardly matched), had taken to wandering through the school aimlessly before finally finding himself in the Astronomy Tower.

He’d taken a seat against a far wall, largely hidden behind a table littered with telescopes of varying sizes and quality. Next to him, the bag he usually used to carry his textbooks during the day was now merely filled with three of the remaining bottles of Simison’s, half a bag of the candied ginger his sister had sent him, and a deck of cards. While at a loss as to what exactly he had planned to do with the cards, Nikolas knew very well what his intentions for the stout and ginger were. At least the week was half over, and he’d soon have the weekend to busy himself with things he actually wanted to be doing.

He’d not been seated for more than ten minutes, though, when he heard the sound of approaching footsteps and realized that someone else had take up residence in the tower. It seemed they were intent on being as quiet as possible, though he thought he detected the clinking of glass every so often. Nikolas supposed after a few more minutes that the only way to figure out who else could possibly have had the same idea as him would be to get up and investigate, and perhaps kick them out. Taking up his “provisions”, he strolled over to the door leading outside and stuck his head out – only to be dismayed by what he found. “Really?”

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-21 07:55 pm UTC (link)
All she wanted to do was be alone, allow this all to boil over. If she wasn't so damn spoiled, and materialistic, she probably would have left the school by now to live in a remote cave somewhere.... alone. Quiet, peaceful, and most importantly alone. The girl was happiest when she didn't have to deal with other people. That was certainly not a result of her raising, on the contrary, her parents attempted to raise her to be a socialite. Charming, sweet, and poised with a hint of arrogance, and all the pure blooded standards expected of a Greengrass. While Daphne certainly held the majority of those traits, one characteristic lacked and that was being sweet. The girl was stubborn, hot headed, and very independent, she got more joy out of a book then she did going to social events. This was a trait that her parents really looked down upon, how was she to marry a respectable pureblood if she had more interest in being miserable then being happy?

How indeed.

That answer just so happened to be sticking it's head through the door and looking straight at her. Fingers instantly ceased running over the strings of her violin as hie voice pierced the silence. Glancing up at the source, the girl had to roll her eyes. The one thing she was trying to avoid was standing right before her. "Fucking hell..." The girl managed to mutter before her blue eyes shifted away from Nikolas to look around her.

The last thing she wanted was to look this pathetic around someone. Anyone. The girl who always seemed so head strong and aware of herself was now caught in a rather vulnerable state. Drunk, or rather buzzed, one the roof top of the Astronomy tower with a violin in her lap. How much more pathetic could she seem? (Well if there was a squid---) Daphne was in the right state of mind to be tempted to just launch herself off the tower. Okay, she wasn't that desperate.

"Let me guess, you're going to turn me in for drinking and not going to dinner." The comment was so blunt, and uncaring.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-21 09:56 pm UTC (link)
The sight that greeting Nikolas was, indeed, hardly what he'd expected or wanted. Well, what he had wanted was for there to be no one out there after all - the fact that it was Daphne Greengrass was simply an extra jab. At the same time, she hardly seemed to be in the same condition as he was accustomed to. Though she was dressed impeccably as ever, there was a suspiciously empty bottle by her side, a violin sitting uselessly on her lap, and she didn't seem to be entirely...sober. She also looked decidedly miserable, and perhaps a bit sad, but Nikolas at least thought that was nothing out of the ordinary.

He briefly considered just turning and leaving, but he'd been here first, after all. Besides, despite the fact that Nikolas, like Daphne, had come up here in the first place with the intention of not finding an excuse to think about his dilemma, he was surprised to find that her presence did nothing to make his mood any worse. It certainly didn't please him, but he wasn't as irritated as he would have expected. As a matter of fact, he almost found it funny. Perhaps it was the effect of his drink of choice for the evening and, it seemed, for the second time this week. Nikolas made a note of not letting this become a habit.

It took a few moments for Nikolas to process Daphne's response to his presence. He leaned against the doorway and scratched the back of his head. "Err, no, because for one thing, there's no mandate that forces anyone to go to dinner. And for another, I think that would be more suited to Macmillan or Patil, neither of whom are here."

He paused and heaved a sigh, perhaps more heavily than was appropriate or even necessary. Continuing to hover in the doorway, Nikolas added, "And besides that, it would be awfully hypocritical of me."

Nikolas took a step outside and waved one of the bottles of stout, nearly dropping it but managing a deft recovery. He took a deep swig. "Not hungry?"

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-21 11:25 pm UTC (link)
At the mention of Ernie and Padma, Daphne scoffed, "Macmillan is a bloody ponce, and Padma is a joke." Lifting up the bottle of firewhiskey she took another sip. "Honestly, I don't understand how they became Head Boy and Girl, I am positive if a Slytherin was in one of those positions they would have found the source of the packages and had them scrubbing toilets by now." Daphne was still bitter about that, and she likely wouldn't be happy until justice was served. Not really for her, but more so for her sister who had nothing to do with the situation at all. Daphne could care less if someone sent her the package, she was too keen on the students at Hogwarts to trust any old bloody package that is sent to her, but her sister? Sweet innocent Astoria who wouldn't hurt a fly? That was crossing the line, and while Daphne had trouble showing actual feelings towards people, when it came to family, and others disgracing the Greengrass name, or victimizing her sister she got defensive.

Gaze lifted from the bottle in her hand to the one in Nikolas' hand before a broad smirk curled on her lips, "No, I've lost my appetite, at least for that rubbish they serve here." Blue eyes attempted to focus on Nikolas, but all she could do was assume she was looking at him. That floating feeling suddenly took over her mind again, as she placed the bottle back down and shifted to place the violin back in it's case.

If Daphne was sober at the moment, she would probably be flipping out. Angry, and upset at being caught with her violin. The last time someone walked in on her playing they received a stinging hex to send them into a fit for a few hours. She even refused to play for her own family, while they were the ones that introduced her to the instrument, she refused to play for them. They knew Daphne was highly skilled, they could hear her at the dead of night playing to no one but herself, but when they would ask she would clam up. In Daphne's mind her violin was her only source of happiness, it the only way she could find an escape from everything that was making her upset (which was technically nothing), and show emotions that she usually hid so well.

While playing the violin she viewed herself as being highly vulnerable, and unguarded. All those walls that she worked so hard on building to keep other people away crumbled down as she played the violin. She was easy to read, it was obvious, while playing the violin, that there were other emotions inside of her aside from the cold, uncaring one that she wore so well.

"I wanted to get away from all that incessant chattering that goes on during dinner. I am so bloody tired of hearing about that sodding squid, and whatever inane things people have to talk about. I figured I would be safe from that up here," A finely sculpted brow arched slightly before she leaned back against the wall and picked up the bottle of firewhiskey once more.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-22 03:41 am UTC (link)
"Ah, I see." Nikolas said sagely, or in a tone that he thought probably sounded sage. "The food does get a bit old after a while...you'd think with the ability to magically conjure up basically anything, there would be a bit more variety. House Elves..."

His voice trailed off, and it seemed that he's lost his train of thought regarding the uses of House Elves, or their culinary skills, or whatever had been on his mind. Still standing where he'd stopped before, just outside of the tower, Nikolas found the cool air on his face and the warm, almost weighty feeling of the stout to be a pleasant contrast. He felt at ease, and relaxed, and it was much easier to put his frustrations out of his mind than it might otherwise have been. Looking down at Daphne from where he stood, Nikolas again had to battle the urge to laugh - not at her, really, just the situation. She looked so utterly forlorn sitting there with a bottle and a violin, like an unexpectedly pretty and well-dressed street performer.

Yet Nikolas hadn't drank enough to forget the fact that to reveal any sign that he found Daphne amusing, or vulnerable, or anything other than perfectly in control of herself, would be a very stupid thing indeed. So, instead of laughing, he let his eyes hover over her a few more moments before walking closer to her and settling down somewhat next to her - not especially near, but a better speaking distance at the very least. "Well I won't chatter incessantly. Though I do plan to continue drinking. This week has been shit so far and I discovered on Monday that I very much like not having to think about..."

Again he left off, though it seemed this time this was due purely to the fact that he didn't want to continue on that line of thought. Nikolas didn't want to bring up the mutual sore point of their arrangement, and he knew it could only serve to make her angry. Head against the wall, Nikolas tapped his bottle on the stone floor and rolled his head to the right, fixing Daphne with a sidelong glance. He stared very pointedly at the violin and gave a strange smirk. Opening his mouth briefly as if to continue speaking, Nikolas merely turned back to his bag and grabbed a handful of the candied ginger.

"I was here first, anyway."

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-22 04:19 am UTC (link)
This was all just a bit ironic in Daphne's eyes, both of them were trying to escape the same thing, which involved them both. Daphne had to snicker at the circumstances lying out between them, though, the timing for her snicker was a bit off considering it seemed like she was laughing at his comment about the House elves and food.

Kicking out her feet, she crossed them as her ankles and fixed her skirt over her legs, "We must seem so utterly pathetic, look at us..." Hands waved between the two of them, as another smirk curled on her lips, "Sitting on the bloody rooftop of a tower, drinking... and more then likely drinking for the same bloody reasons."

Throwing up her hands in disgust and defeat, Daphne watched as Nikolas took a seat beside her. Lifting the bottle to her lips once more to took a nice long sip before placing the bottle back in her lap. This felt odd in her mind, and whatever sober part of her was left, was telling her to get up with whatever dignity she had left and go back to the common room. However, the more intoxicated part of her brain told her to just stay where she was, not to bother getting up, because she would end up on the floor sooner or later. Besides, the feeling like she was sitting on clouds was far more enjoyable then getting up and feeling like she is walking on a boat out at stormy seas.

At the sound of the bottle tapping on the floor, Daphne rolled her head to the side as well, brown strands of hair falling in her blue gaze, but completely ignored as she looked at Nikolas, her own smirk curling across her lips and mirror his. "Well, I'm not going anywhere," She stated matter of factly, her gaze followed to watch as he pulled out some candy. "I think it would be highly suspicious if I went down there smelling like..." Voice trailed off as she looked down at the bottle in her lap, lifting it up she turned it to read the label, "Ogden's Firewhiskey." Which was true, though, she was almost positive her classmates were likely wondering where she was anyways.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-22 04:31 am UTC (link)
Nikolas had to concede. The idea that either of them could return to any areas of the castle currently populated by students or authority figures was probably quite unwise. "I thought that might be what you were drinking...not a bad choice, though this is much better."

Finishing off whatever remained of the bottle in his hand, Nikolas tossed it aside. It landed with a clatter and rolled back into the interior of the tower noisily. He leaned forward to stretch for a few moments and gave a wide yawn before reaching over and extracted another bottle from the bag. As he groped about for it, his hand came to rest briefly on something he hadn't recalled putting in earlier. When he extracted his hand, Nikolas was holding both the bottle of stout and what appeared to be a rather old and well-worn smoking pipe.

"Hm." He looked at both objects with some curiosity, then shrugged. "I'd wondered where that'd gotten to. Odd."

For a while, Nikolas managed to sit in silence. Still, the more he continued to drink, the more he felt the urge to keep talking. It was an unfortunate fact that he had discovered recently - he seemed to become infinitely more likely to ramble when even slightly intoxicated. "Did you get another charming letter from home, then?"

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-22 04:57 am UTC (link)
"And what is this?" Watching the bottle roll away, the sound echoed in her ears like waves it crashed into her senses and made her shiver. Her senses were going haywire, and she suddenly had the urge to drown out the sound of the bottle moving away from something more soothing like her violin. A hand absentmindedly reached for the instrument, fingers gliding over the strings as it laid encased in its case. Finally, deciding against it, she snapped the case closed and returned her attention back to Nikolas as he began to rummage through his bag.

"Is that a pipe?" An amused smirk curled on her lips once more, as she looked at the pipe and then back up at to Nikolas, "You're kidding me, right? That looks like something my father would smoke." Snickering, fingers moved to push those brown strands from her eyes finally and just tilt her head against the wall.

As they sat in silence, Daphne was just staring at the pipe in his hands, lost in her own thoughts. This was the type of silence that Daphne could be completely content in. A silence that wasn't so much awkward as it was welcomed. There was no lingering tension, or urge to fill the silence with words. Daphne didn't feel compelled to say anything, and she enjoyed this. Head slowly turned to look down at the bottle still in her hands. Lifting it up, she finished off the last of the drink and placed the bottle on the floor just to miscalculate how much of an angle she was placing it down on and allowing it to topple over and roll off to a corner of the tower.

"Every bloody day, mother seems Hell-bent on reminding me about how ungrateful I am, and how I should appreciate such a thing from them. That there is no one better than marrying a Vaisey, and that I should be honored that they would go through so much trouble to wed off an ungrateful daughter like me." Shaking her head, Daphne looked down at at her hands for a moment, "Honestly, I don't know where they get off telling me who I should marry, and then giving me bloody ultimatums." Huffing in slight frustration, Daphne turned her attention back to Nikolas, "What about you? Any luck on your side? My parents seem determined to see this through, maybe yours have more sense than mine?"

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-22 05:17 am UTC (link)
That had done it. Nikolas had been fighting the desire to laugh for the past ten minutes, and Daphne's question, for whatever reason, became a trigger. He let out a guffaw that, while short lived, was also much louder than it would ordinarily have been and echoed into the night air. Almost offensively, had it been late enough for anyone to be seriously trying to sleep. Perhaps if she'd asked this question last week, Nik still would have answered in the positive with some sense of truth. Now, he wasn't so sure anymore. He ignored the comment about the pipe - well, it was something he'd picked up from his father, so what was to be said? He liked it well enough, let her think what she wanted.

Nikolas breathed out heavily, tossing the pipe absently between his hands for a few seconds before he fumbled it. Not surprising. "Actually. No. I thought they did but I got a letter this week that would suggest otherwise. They've established some...conditions. Which makes me think they really are serious about this."

Frowning, he looked over at Daphne again to see her reaction. She seemed relaxed enough, if one could look past the fact that she was easily as frustrated as he was. "At the very least, Dad has unwittingly supplied me with enough Simison's Steaming Stout to provide me at least a few more obnoxious letters worth of relief. Cheers."

This last bit was spat out with a degree of obvious bitterness Nikolas generally thought silly and unnecessary, and he began to take another draw from the bottle. Almost as an afterthought, though, he paused mid-sip and held the bottle towards Daphne as though offering her a try.

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-22 05:43 am UTC (link)
His laughter startled her greatly, and actually made her cringe slightly at the sudden noise. She couldn't see what was so funny about.... anything she said, and her confusion was written all over her face. Giving the boy a curious glance, she couldn't help but grin a bit stupidly as hit laughter. He was drunk, wasn't he? And the fact that Daphne was sitting there just as intoxicated must have implied the same thing. Shaking her head, which shook away that stupid, lop sided grin, she watched the pipe being tossed back and forth between his hands.

"Conditions?" She said more towards herself then to him, she couldn't imagine what kind of conditions they would give him. Was it like the same things her parents were doing to her? Threatening to write her out of her inheritance if she didn't marry Nikolas? "Well, that's nice of your father, I suppose. All I get is letters reminding me of what a horrid daughter I have become, nothing to wash down the sting."

Glancing from the bottle to the boy and back to the bottle as he held it out for her to take, Daphne debated what she should do. Stout was one thing she was not familiar with. A hesitant hand reached out and took the bottle from him. Taking a sniff first, she recoiled back a little bit and shot Nikolas an apprehensive look. Shaking her head, Daphne took a sip, more like a gulp and handed it back to Nikolas. The entire mixture of whiskey mixed with stout sent a warming sensation throughout her body. The girl didn't know if she should slump over and go to sleep, or stretch out and stay alert. What an odd feeling.

Instead she resorted to turning to face him, legs shifted slightly to pull her knees up to her chest, and wrap her arms around her legs. "So, what are we going to do?" Yes, she said we. "Neither of our parents are going to let up, that much is obvious."

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-22 06:15 am UTC (link)
What were they going to do? Frankly, Nikolas wasn't sure - and it wasn't for lack of thinking about it. Well, maybe it was a bit. After all, he hadn't been taking this seriously at all until recently. Still, he couldn't see how this was going to be resolved in a way that satisfied either of their wishes. She'd be losing an inheritance, and as for him, he might as well be. He certainly wouldn't be happy with a Ministry job, he'd known that for years. There was a chance that it wouldn't be the torture he imagined, but there was no denying the fact that Nikolas already had something he knew he loved and couldn't wait to start doing - he wasn't ready to give that up for the sake of getting himself out of a marriage arrangement he hadn't even asked for.

He studied Daphne as she gave the stout a chance, amused at the daintiness and apprehension with which she inspected it beforehand. Actually, he was surprised she'd taken it at all. He hoped the drink wouldn't have a bad reaction with the firewhiskey she'd already consumed, though. The last thing Nikolas wanted was for Daphne to suddenly get sick all over the tower floor.

As for himself, he was beginning to feel pleasantly drowsy, while somehow managing to simultaneously convince himself he was thinking much more clearly than usual. It was an odd conflict. Nikolas returned her grin for a bit longer than was necessary; he found her much less annoying like this. When she shifted position to face him, he distantly found himself thinking that if her also readjusted the angle at which he was sitting he would probably be able to catch a glimpse of her knickers. However, after the initial thought arose he suddenly felt very uncomfortable and instead chose to focus on her head, or her face, just something above the neck.

He bit his lip and shrugged his shoulders, placing the bottle between them. Though Nikolas hadn't noticed the apparent shift in Daphne's focus from merely herself - was she actually acknowledging that this was a mutual problem and not just something she had to deal with? - he did pick up on the fact that she appeared to think he'd actually have a solution in mind.

"I have yet to figure out what I am going to do. If the season is right I may consider disguising myself as Father Christmas and hijacking a fleet of reindeer, getting myself to where ever they dropped the squid, and...well that is the extent of my plan. So far." Nikolas made as though he were seriously considering an option for Daphne.

"You...you could take your violin, there," he thrust his chin in the direction of the violin case, "and...I don't know, join a string quartet in...Provence." Ah yes, the rambling had started.

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-22 06:41 am UTC (link)
This was a very different side to Daphne, this was the side that usually remained hidden behind a wall. Daphne couldn't exactly describe her thoughts, they ranged from everything on the scale, darting between tomorrows homework to what she did last weekend. There were numerous things running through her mind, that occasionally the thought of marrying this boy didn't seem so bad. At least in this intoxicated state of mind she could tolerate him a little more then she could while sober. That thought suddenly flashed in her mind more prominent, what was wrong with marrying a Vaisey? They were wealthy, purebloods, coming from a distinguished family. And why shouldn't she have the best? She's a Greengrass, a highly respectable name within the Wizarding Community. Shuddering inwardly, that thought needed another drink to actually make sense in her mind.

Reaching for the bottle between them she took another long sip before placing the bottle back down. To be honest, this had to be the first actual... conversation she's had with the boy face to face. She didn't really associate with many people in school, and the fact that she was still sitting here talking to him must have spoken on levels. At least in her mind it did. Either she was really desperate to guarantee her inheritance, or she was actually enjoying the conversation. Something about the way that she held herself told her that she was actually enjoying the conversation.

At the suggestion that Nikolas made Daphne had to laugh. This was an actual laugh, not a snicker, or a mocking laugh this was a genuine laugh that sounded so foreign coming from her. So much so that her hand instantly moved to cover over her lips. "I um... I don't know if that's an option. I mean, you could probably pass for Father Christmas, just grow a white beard, and perhaps become a little more round in the middle, and you know all about reindeer that I'm sure saddling up a fleet of them wouldn't be difficult, however the flaw in your plan comes when you get to the squid." A playful smirk curled on her lips as her head tilted to the side just slightly, "You wouldn't get past the squid, the bloody thing will attack you and your fleet of reindeer."

At the mention of her violin she fell quiet. Glancing over her shoulder towards the case which laid a few feet from her, completely forgotten about, until Nikolas brought it back up again. "That's not an option, either. While I wouldn't mind meeting other musicians, that last thing I want to do is perform."

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-22 01:52 pm UTC (link)
A mental image involving the giant squid with a comedically distressed reindeer at the end of each tentacle flitted through Nikolas' eye, at which he was again compelled to laugh. It was a bit less violent and sudden than the last time, but still would have made it obvious to anyone that he was not at his best right now. He very suddenly aware that his right leg was fast falling asleep, so rather than simply changing position slightly, Nikolas decided now would be the time to stand up. And he did so, very slowly, and proceeded to stride (albeit awkwardly) over to where Daphne's violin case rested.

Nikolas cocked his head to the side and moved into a crouching position, from which it appeared he was struggling to remain balanced. With his hands on the ground in front of him to prevent a topple in either direction, he leaned over the case as though inspecting it - although what he could possibly be inspecting on the lid of an instrument case was anybody's guess.

"Ohhh, come on..." he said, apparently more to the violin case than to Daphne. "Why not, then?"

Moving as though to sit back again, Nikolas rocked back until he landed heavily in a sitting position, looking for a moment like he might just continue on into a supine position. Probably not of his own choice, mind you. He wanted another swallow or two of the stout, but he realized with dismay that he'd left it on the other side of Daphne along with his other things. Instead he leaned forward again and whispered conspiratorially to Daphne's back, "If you're not going to play, it's just going to be a string trio, and no one really seems to care much about those."

He shook his head in a reprimanding manner, though it looked almost more as though he were trying to steady his vision.

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-22 02:22 pm UTC (link)
The last thing Daphne had in mind was getting up, the light airy feeling of floating on clouds was quickly diminishing into feeling like she was on a swaying boat. Daphne at this point knew she was drunk, and while her mind was desperately trying to cling to any sobriety that might be there, it was failing miserably. Her gaze tried to focus on him struggling to get up, but all she managed to do was laugh at his awkward stride. Daphne didn't move as he stepped over to her violin case, instead she remained sitting now facing nothing. A hand rested on the bottle of stout trying to debate if she should have another sip. It didn't seem like a bad idea, especially since he was just leaving it there.

Lifting up the bottle once more she took another long sip before looking down at the label. Eyes attempted to focus on it but the name only came out blurry in her mind. The sound of his voice whispering towards her back sent the hairs on the back of her neck bristling. Shivering, head turned just slightly to look over her shoulder towards him. She caught the shaking of his head, which only brought a smirk to her lips. "I highly doubt that one would want to see a string quartet in Provence, and that's the beside the point, I don't perform."

Pushing him back playfully, she shoved the bottle of stout into his hand and moved to the violin case. Leaning over the case, a hand slowly ran the length of the leather covering the case before deftly flicking open the clasps and allowing the instrument to be revealed to her. When it came to violin she was able to look past the intoxicated fog of her mind to see the strings and shine of the wood so clearly. Swallowing slightly, she plucked the bow from the case and placed the chin rest underneath her chin. Lifting a finger to her lips, she motioned for him to be quiet, "Shhhh, just.... listen," Swallowing she tried to muster up the confidence that was needed to play in front of someone, her bow hand (the right hand) lifted to find an A. The clear note resonated over the tower and instantly wrapped the girl in a comforting warmth.

The bow pulled back and began to play something filled with a passion that Daphne never showed. Even drunk her talent was obvious as her fingers didn't need to be sober to seek out the notes to produce such a gorgeous song. In Daphne's mind, the short 2 minute song lasted a lifetime, and such raw human emotion was able to emanate through her playing.

(For all OOC purposes, the only song I can think of that could be compared to what she was playing is: this.)

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-22 09:42 pm UTC (link)
After being quite literally put in his place, bottom on the ground and bottle in hand, Nikolas considered a retort but couldn't really think of one. Luckily, Daphne seemed intent on disproving the assertion that she didn't perform, because she unexpectedly moved toward the instrument and, after taking a while to brace herself, began to play. Nikolas pulled his knees up to his chest and held the bottle idly, watching the girl play. She's quite good, he thought. Especially considering she'd just downed more than a little firewhiskey. He wondered why she didn't like playing in front of others, but then supposed some people just weren't performers. And if there was one thing he could tell about Daphne from their more recent interactions, it was that she was an intensely private person. At least before now.

Nikolas realized that it was likely that when Daphne remembered this tomorrow (or what of this did remember, anyway) she would not be pleased. This wasn't something that he was particularly concerned with, though. Frankly, this situation was beginning to become very strange and surreal.

Over the next few minutes he sat and let Daphne play uninterrupted - she seemed to be in her own world at that moment, anyway. He had to admit it was nice to see that she was capable of displaying some emotion other than disdain or hostility. He chose to look at his feet, inspect his trainers, pick at the frayed bits at the ends of his track suit bottoms. If he watched her play for too long he began to feel that he was intruding on something.

By the time she'd finished not long after, Nikolas had leaned back far enough that he needed to prop himself up by his elbows. He'd discarded the bottle for now, and it was sitting near the violin case. He gave her a quizzical look, "I'm confused. I thought you just said you didn't perform?"

He considered complimenting her skill, but wasn't sure how she would take such a comment - a normal person would be grateful, of course, though with Daphne one could never be certain.

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-22 10:23 pm UTC (link)
For the sake of both of them she better not remember any of this, there was no doubt when sobriety began to take over her mind once more, she was going to be furious. The girl was a very private person, she didn't like sharing parts of her that she held dear and close, her talent for the violin was included with that. Why she was even bothering with playing for Nikolas completely escaped her mind at the moment. Instead, she allowed the music to take over all rhyme and reason. As the last note dragged out slowly, it lingered in the air, wrapping Daphne in that warm comforting blanket of music.

As the feeling began to wash away, Daphne lowered the violin to rest back in her lap, "I don't like performing." Glancing down at the instrument, fingers idly traced the strings, drawing a subtle, and gentle sigh from the violin as the brush from her fingers produced a quiet C note. "Have you ever put so much passion into something, and then shared it, and just had people take it for granted?" Glancing over at Nikolas, blue eyes stared directly at him, probably more intently then she meant to, but this was drunk Daphne. She wasn't hesitant to open up to someone in this state of mind, and she didn't second guess herself with alcohol backing her up.

Shifting slightly, she moved to lean back against the wall. The cool surface of the stones sent a shiver through her body as she began to pluck on the strings of the violin. This entire situation was a bit awkward, both of them were trying to escape something that neither of them could help, or stop. And what's more, this thing they were trying to escape was something that involved both of them. At least they were doing a pretty good job of distracting each other.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-23 03:15 am UTC (link)
"Well, yes," Nikolas agreed, letting his head rest on the floor. He laced his fingers together and let them rest on his stomach. "But I still don't get why that should change anything in the long run. I mean it feels sort of crap for a while but generally you get over it and move on with whatever it is."

He stopped speaking and grabbed blindly for the bottle again, brushing the case and Daphne's Mary-Jane-enveloped foot with his hand before he found his prize. Without bothering to sit up, he tipped the bottle to his lips with as much care as he could manage. It wasn't much, truth be told, but it was enough to keep him from sloshing the liquid all over himself or choking. This time, anyway.

"If you've got a real gift for something," he continued, slurring slightly, sounding like someone who was nearing a point of dozing off, "then I don't think it's right to use it just for your own gratification. Or at least be willing to let others benefit from it if they want to."

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-23 02:06 pm UTC (link)
Instinctively, her foot moved away from his touch as it blindly reached for the bottle. Shifting just slightly, she managed to guide the bottle into his grasp with the tip of her heel. Glancing down at the violin in her hands, she moved to place it back into the case. Snapping it shut, she shook her head, "I don't like sharing." She stated rather bluntly, which was true. Daphne was raised to be spoiled, given everything her heart could content, and not even having to ask for it. It was just given to her, talk about being born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She never had to share anything, even when Astoria and Sebastian were born, she was given all the material possessions her heart desired.

Stretching out her limbs, all this sitting on the cold stone ground was really starting to hurt. Sliding on the floor, she laid on her stomach, propping herself up on her elbows she rested her chin on the palm of her hand, right next to him. "Do you really think I have a gift?" Daphne knew she was good, but considering she never played for anyone else, she didn't know how other people thought of her playing. Not that their opinion mattered, she could care less, but it still felt good to know that others appreciated something she loves so much.

Feet began to sway in the air as the floor still felt like it was tilting from side to side beneath her. "How would people benefit from my playing? It's not like it can heal the ailing, or offer a solution for House Unity." Snickering at that suggestion, Daphne found the entire House Unity thing complete bollocks.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-23 10:06 pm UTC (link)
He shrugged and cracked his knuckles loudly, staring up at a stray cloud passing over the moon. "Yeah, you're talented, Greengrass, though maybe not enough to unify Hogwarts' hallowed halls..." Nikolas mumbled, wondering if she was honestly unsure of herself or if she was just fishing for reassurance. He tended to think the latter. "I'm not talking about some ultimate good being achieved by you playing. I just mean that music is one of those things that people enjoy hearing, and if you're honestly good at it, someone would probably like hearing it."

For the life of him Nikolas really didn't understand how one could be that selfish. Well, he did understand that being raised in a certain sort of environment might predispose one to becoming very self-centered, but in his own opinion he'd had very similar privileges and situations growing up. Of course, he wasn't exactly the most willing to give of his time and talents either - Nikolas only really applied himself to things he was personally invested in. He was fully capable of doing well in many more areas than he allowed himself to excel, and quite frankly it was because he just didn't want to bother. In his own way, he was as selfish as Daphne. But at the moment he was neither able nor willing to make that connection, and Daphne's view confused and annoyed him.

Nikolas rolled his head to the side and looked at her disapprovingly, or made his best attempt at a disapproving face. It didn't help that he was currently beginning to feel rather drowsy, and her proximity to him made it difficult for him to focus on her face. "If you were complete shit, then yeah, I'd say keep your music to yourself, we'd all be better off. But you're obviously not, so it just seems selfish."

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-23 10:33 pm UTC (link)
Daphne winced as he cracked his knuckles. Ugh, that sound was like nails on a chalkboard to her, one of her many pet peeves. The girl could fills hundreds of pieces of parchment with things she did not like, and still would have more to list. Sometimes it was just easier to list things she enjoyed, which was a much smaller list; mainly consisting of being alone, and happily enjoying peace and quiet. Of course she was looking for reassurance, despite being headstrong, and overly confident, the girl was still a girl, and while she did a damn good job about hiding her insecurities, in her current state of mind she was slipping.

Shrugging slightly, Daphne folded her arms and rested her head down, "I know I'm selfish," She stated bluntly once more, "I'm constantly reminded of that in the daily owls I receive from home. I'm ungrateful, I'm selfish, and I have horrible social skills. Tell me something I don't know, Vaisey." Rolling her eyes, Daphne forgot to mention under all that confidence, and self righteousness was actually a girl completely doubting herself, and full of insecurities that she hid behind a frigid, stone cold wall. That relationships terrified her, and being close to anyone made her feel vulnerable. Perhaps that was why she felt so against being forced into a marriage with Nikolas.

His attempts at a disapproving face only made her smile. He looked tired, and who could blame him? Between the both of them they drank enough to have them passed out for the next day, and probably severely hung over. In the back of her mind Daphne began to wonder how they were going to make it down the stairs and back to the common room without attracting attention. This was going to be a problem, but at the moment, Daphne could care less. She didn't want to go back to the common room, not with all those Slytherin's still lingering about to see Daphne's less then sober state.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-23 11:45 pm UTC (link)
Nikolas just sighed and offered a languid smile by way of apology. "Hm," he said. "Well if it bothers you, and I don't care if you say it doesn't because it must bother you or else you wouldn't try so hard to make it look like it doesn't, then at least make an effort not to be selfish, or ungrateful, of whatever. Or if that really is how you are...well then I guess that's unfortunate for you."

Closing his eyes, he appeared to drift off for nearly half a minute before he added, "But if that's the case than I'm the one who's going to suffer since at least you're perfectly content to stay that way."

That would probably make her angry, but Nikolas very much didn't care right now. His thoughts kept wandering every time he managed to get them on track, and he was having trouble focusing on what they were talking about anymore. Of course the conversation had to revolve around Daphne, and her problems, and how he was supposed to just deal with it. Was this what he was supposed to be getting married to? What a load of bollocks.

What did Nikolas want to do right now? He wanted to go to sleep, preferably in his own bed, but that was down several stories and through countless corridors, along which he would no doubt be accosted by Prefects, or the Head Boy or Girl, or worse, a Professor. He wondered if this had even occurred to Daphne, or whether she'd come up here with the intention of just camping out indefinitely and wallowing in her misery. Nikolas' mood quickly souring, he wouldn't have been surprised if that was exactly what she'd had planned.

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-24 12:17 am UTC (link)
Daphne fell silent as she quickly looked away from him. Rolling her eyes, as she just sighed. He was right, he was going to suffer. He was going to suffer because Daphne was one of the hardest girl to satisfy. As he seemed to be drifting in and out of sleep, Daphne's mind was racing with thoughts that she couldn't quite grasp. The feeling of floating was quickly changing to a crushing feeling on her chest. A sharp breeze billowed through the tower, and forced the girl to shiver slightly. This evening was quickly turning bad as Nikolas had this way of making her feel like shite (or maybe she was just making herself feel that way). This wasn't how this evening was supposed to go. She was supposed to be alone, and secluded, and while she couldn't deny she didn't appreciated the company and conversation, she could do without the guilty feeling he just placed in her.

"I'm sorry," Closing her eyes, she tried to concentrate on her breathing as she turned her head to face him, "I'm sorry that I am such a miserable prat, and you're going to have to put up with me. I know I can't be anyone's first choice for a wife, bloody hell, I don't even think I would want to marry myself." Pausing, she just seemed to be talking without a filter at this point.

"And I never said I was content this way," She said more in a passive tone, she was in no mood to argue, and she was far too drunk to even care. "I just find it easier to keep people away then let them in. It prevents me from getting hurt, and makes everthing... simpler, I guess." Shrugging slightly, in Daphne's mind it made sense. "I mean, to be honest," Daphne's voice trailed off for a moment like she was second guessing what she was about to say.

"I'm utterly terrified."

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-24 01:30 am UTC (link)
At a better time and place, Nikolas likely would have been willing to at least hear Daphne out and keep any negative thoughts to himself. While he wasn't quite at the point of disclosing any and every unkind thought that crossed his mind, he was also quickly becoming cranky and somewhat indifferent. As a way of compromising, then, he let out a quick, derisive snort, but almost immediately followed it up with his latest attempt at helpful words.

"Sorry." Throughout their infrequent and short-lived interactions since the beginning of term, Nikolas had found that whenever Daphne got on this topic he became very uncomfortable - he didn't really know what the right way to respond to her predicament was, or if a reaction that would ordinarily go over well with someone else would work with her. He was much more used to, and ready to respond to, people who were straight-forward and didn't carry tons of baggage behind a facade of vanity.

At the core of it, Nikolas felt like he shouldn't be the person Daphne was opening up to like this, even if - especially if - it was because her judgment was probably impaired at the time. To him, it wasn't his place. Or maybe he just didn't want the responsibility, or to feel like it was his. So, though he was still facing her, he made a point of avoiding direct eye contact, which made for an odd effect.

Still, he felt he needed to say something or she'd just keep on going. "What of, then?"

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-24 02:21 am UTC (link)
"Waking up and realizing that I am utterly alone." She said quietly, eyes remained closed, she found it easier to concentrate on forming words that way. It was also easier to actually form coherent sentences, and she wasn't second guessing what she said. "I mean, I'm sure you're a lovely bloke, Vaisey, don't get me wrong. I just don't feel being forced into a marriage is going to leave either of us happy. I mean, look at us, we're completely trashed and it seems the only way to have a civil conversation." Scoffing, Daphne nuzzled against her arm slightly, shifting on the stone floor.

"That's partially my fault, too, like I have said, I'm not the easiest person to get along with, that's probably why mother and father feel it necessary to arrange something like this." Her voice was lowering, like she was half drifting off to sleep as she spoke. "I just don't want to hinder you, I guess, it's not fair to you to marry a prat like me. I'm not.... wife material, I guess. I'm not Astoria, all poise and fake smiles, and charm." Scoffing, Daphne could feel that weight pressing into her chest, part of her knew it wasn't because she was drunk. That weight was anxiety bearing pressure down on her. Anxiety that she prayed would lift off of her eventually.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry that you have to go through this. And I'm sorry that you're going to be stuck with me." There was a hint of bitterness in her voice, "For what it's worth, Vaisey, I'll try to be a little nicer to you." She was joking around, partially. A tiny genuine smile curled on her lips, that seemed so foreign, and actually made her look more human that any sneer, or smirk. Features weren't darkened by a scowl, instead illuminated slightly by the moon light. Whoa, a genuine smile from Daphne? Even in her drunk state of mind that was something no one ever really got.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-24 02:41 am UTC (link)
She had a fair point - it didn't say much for either of them that the first time they'd manage to have a normal conversation at any length was when they were pissed.

"You're not as horrible as you seem to think, you know," Nikolas returned. But for Merlin's sake you need to stop making as though you are. "and it's not your fault, anyway, from what I've seen it's your parents that're the problem. And...good."

That last bit was in response to her reassurance that she'd be a bit nicer - somehow Nikolas couldn't see her wanting very much to go through with that the next day when tonight came into better focus. He expected she'd think she'd made a fool of herself, though he also liked to think that maybe that wouldn't be how she'd feel. He returned her smile, not wanting to discourage her civility, and considered trying to stand up. Comfortable though he had been on the ground at first, there was no denying that stone wasn't a forgiving resting place.

"So...have you given any thought about how we're supposed to get back to the dorms. It's getting to be past supper and only getting later."

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-24 03:09 am UTC (link)
Daphne was actually shocked by that statement. She wasn't as bad as she thought she was? Here Daphne actually thought she was worse then how she perceived herself. That certainly silenced her. Rolling on her back, she propped herself up on her hands and leaned back slightly.

"I have not." Glancing over at him, she attempted to wipe that smile from her face but failed, "I was actually hoping you had an idea. I could try to apparate, but there's not guarantee I won't splinch... something." Daphne had to actually laugh, maybe just to relieve tension, but she needed to laugh. Bending her knees up just slightly, shoes tapped on the stone ground as she tilted her head up to look at the sky. From up there the moon looked huge, and the stars weren't faded from the lights of the castle.

"We could just... stay here." Daphne didn't look at Nikolas, she was too busy staring at the stars. "I mean, at least until we are positive we can stand on our feet without bumbling around like we're piss drunk. I mean, we are piss drunk, but that doesn't mean we have to walk around the bloody school like we are. Just... stay here until the floor stops tilting and swaying, yeah?"

The action of sitting up actually reminded Daphne that she was drunk, as the floor beneath her hands and bottom began to tilt once more.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-24 03:20 am UTC (link)
[[OOC: Hey, I'm gonna start a new thread below since these are starting to get kinda scrunched up!]]

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-24 03:30 am UTC (link)
Although the idea wasn't immediately appealing to him, Nikolas had to admit it had much more wisdom to it than what he'd been considering - it involved him stumbling down the steps of the Astronomy Tower into the corridor and attempting to blend in with a group of students returning from dinner. Where it was likely he'd immediately stand out anyway. Stay there for a bit? Sure, why not. Though he didn't particularly mind the occasional detention, Nikolas didn't exactly go out looking for them.

"Yeah, I suppose we could. Either of us would have to be daft to try apparating right now." He'd never splinched before, but he imagined it was not very pleasant and intended not to find out what it was like. Still, he knew that if he sat here much longer just talking idly, he was likely to fall asleep, and he definitely didn't want to wake up in the morning hung over and freezing and atop the tower, surrounded by empty bottles of alcohol. Oh, and of course, a class of first years would walk in just as he was attempting to straighten himself out and make it to safety.

Nikolas thought, and he had to think hard, because it was not easy going anymore. He'd had some playing cards with him, hadn't he? "Hey, do you ever play card games?"

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-24 04:04 am UTC (link)
Daphne had no intentions of going down stairs in the condition she was in. While she might be in a less than normal mindset, Daphne was still knowledgeable that the condition she was in was not meant to be seen by the rest of the school. It was all ready hard to predict what kind of state of mind she would be in the morning. Gaze finally broke from the stars to look at Nikolas as he suggested they play cards. It's been a while since she played any card games, when she was younger she used to sneak exploding snap cards under Sebastian's pillow at night just to see him scream in terror as they erupted from beneath his pillow. Her grandmother used to teacher her a few muggle card games that she learned through her travels, but that was as far as her knowledge for card games went. Blue eyes managed to finally focus on Nikolas, as she shrugged.

"I know a few games, I'm a bit rusty, haven't played in a long time. What games do you know?" A finely sculpted brow arched slightly. Was this really what they were reduced to? Playing card games on the Astronomy tower as they tried to sober up? Daphne couldn't believe herself.

Shifting her legs slightly, Daphne got a little more comfortable on the floor. Her skirt was probably all wrinkled at this point, and her robes were discarded half way across the room completely forgotten about.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-25 03:39 am UTC (link)
Not even really waiting for Daphne's answer to his question, Nikolas began crawling over to where he'd left his bag earlier as she responded. As he crouched by the bag, riffling through it to locate the cards, he noticed her robes crumpled a ways off. His mind shifted briefly to suggesting a game of strip poker, jokingly. He wondered what she'd say - and hoped equally that she would be utterly offended and leave, or would inexplicably think it a wonderful idea and insist that they continue on until thoroughly sober. A sharp autumn breeze brought Nikolas back to the task at hand, though, and he shivered slightly from the coolness of the evening. What was he thinking? Too cold for that sort of game, anyway.

"Best to leave our clothes on, really," he thought, or at least...he had just thought that, right?

Nikolas laid hands on the pack of cards, and realized he' just said that last bit aloud - hopefully not too loudly, though. She'd probably have missed it, or just misheard. Crawling over to where Daphne had leaned against the wall, Nikolas sat across from her and fumbled with the cards as he pried them out of their case. "I have the feeling most games would be a bit complicated right now, but I supposed something like Spit might at least be amusing to try at. It's quick and fairly chaotic anyway"

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-25 06:22 am UTC (link)
"Aw, and here I thought you were a gambling man, Vaisey." A playful smirk curled on Daphne's lips as she situated herself more comfortably across from him. Was that a hint of flirting? Whoa, this girl must be drunk. Never in her sober life would Daphne actually try flirting with someone. That just an action that didn't come naturally. Then again, in this intoxicated state of mind a lot of things originally believed to not exist with Daphne were suddenly emerging. Tomorrow was going to be very interesting for Daphne, a lot of self-loathing might surface. Though, part of her knew half of this night probably won't even be remembered come morning.

At the mention of spit, Daphne wasn't quite sure what to say. That was one game she hasn't played since she was a little girl. Watching him fumble with the cards, she stared at his fingers stumbling over the pack and prying them from the case, "It's been so long since I have actually played any card game." Running her fingers through her hair, she rubbed the back of her neck, and watched him shuffle the deck. Daphne trying to rack her brain to remember how to play Spit. That involved smacking the smallest pile, right? And speed, and what not, yeah?

Yeah, that was definitely something Daphne did not possess at the moment.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-26 03:11 am UTC (link)
Nikolas was confused by her reaction, and his face plainly showed it. He sat back a bit, having finally extracted the troublesome cards. "Hah! Victory." After looking through them a bit, he turned his gaze to Daphne. "So are you familiar with this, or am I going to have to attempt to explain the rules in this most unbecoming state?"

As he waited for her to answer, he rubbed at a bruise on his arm that his run-in with a random mud puddle a few weeks ago had left him, and decided if he had his pipe with him, he might as well make use of that to. Nothing would go to waste to night, not at all. Luckily, it proved easier to find than the cards had - after filling the bowl, he began attempting to light it with a simple spell. Which, apparently, was proving not so simple at the moment. After dropping the pipe twice and his wand once, Nikolas finally managed to light the tobacco and placed the lip into his mouth carefully.

"Hm? I hope you are feeling as inhumanly speedy as I am right now." He raised an eyebrow, as though challenging her.

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-26 03:44 am UTC (link)
That confused look on his face made her smirk. She had no problem shocking him with her comments at the moment. Why should she? She was in the right state of mind to say whatever the hell she wanted without having to worry about how she might look when saying it. "I think I can manage." All she had to do was keep telling herself, she could manage, right?

Oh Merlin, watching him fumble with that pipe had to be the more amusing thing she had ever seen. By the time he finally got the thing lighted Daphne was practically rolling on the floor in a fit of laughter. Coming from her, that sound must have seemed so foreign. It was so light and airy, much like the sweetness that was able to flow from her violin. Was this the more human side of Daphne that no one ever saw or heard?

Finally composing herself, she sat up straight, or at least as straight as she possibly could without tumbling back over. Trying to erase that stupid drunken grin from her face. Blue eyes met Nikolas' gaze, as a brow quirked as well at his comment. "Is that a challenge, Vaisey? You should know better, I never turn down a challenge, and I never lose."

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-26 04:14 am UTC (link)
Daphne's laugh inexplicably startled Nikolas, likely because he had no idea what was so funny. It took a few moments to figure out that it was his dealings with the pipe, and he grinned.

"You know, it just might be a challenge, because while this may look silly to you, it actually lends me quite a bit of concentration," he replied, taking a saucy tone and wagging his head back and forth in her direction. "And I, similarly, never lose, so I guess that means this game will never end. Now then..."

Pipe between teeth, smoke rising lazily, Nikolas tried to look intense as he shuffled the cards and split the deck between himself and Daphne. This could of course have been done with much more finesse than he was managing, and perhaps on a better day he would indeed have proven skilled - right now, however, the cards were barely shuffled, and when they landed in on the ground they had a tendency to skirt away, either due to the breeze or because Nikolas was carelessly tossing them down.

As he began to set up five piles in front of him, he looked over to make sure Daphne was doing her own correctly. "You know what to do, yeah?"

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-26 04:38 am UTC (link)
"Perhaps you should work on dexterity," Daphne retorted.

A few cards actually dared to slide under her skirt as they were carelessly tossed in her direction. Plucking them up quickly, she placed them into a pile. This game was bound to be hilarious. Both of them were practically toppling over intoxicated, and now to attempt to actually play a game that required stealth, and actual thinking?

"Do you want to make a bet, Vaisey? If you win, I'll do whatever you say for one day. And if I win, you will be my slave for one day." Just to make the game a little more interesting.

While Daphne's words were filled with confidence, she was doubting herself at the moment. Did a pipe really help to sober up a mind? He did have to concentrate hard to light it. Maybe she should take up smoking? As some of the smoke wafted through the air, her nose wrinkled. She hated that smell as a child when her grandfather smoked, and she still hated it.

Dealing out her pile of cards, just the action of setting up made her remember how to play. "Of course I do," Placing the left over cards in the center, she situated herself on the ground a bit more comfortably. "Should we make this interesting, then? One handed, no doubling up."

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-26 01:56 pm UTC (link)
"Now that," he retorted, wagging a finger at her for a moment before continuing to prepare his cards, "is a horrible idea. I wouldn't know where to start ordering you around after I win."

Nikolas completed his piles and picked up his remaining cards, shuffling them idly. He was rather surprised that she'd shown some knowledge of card games, much less this one. He'd played it with Astrid every so often since last year, but she tended to cheat, which in turn gave him license to do so, and neither of them could ever manage to finish because they'd usually end up laughing or arguing. Mostly, though, he considered this a very childish game, and Daphne's apparent eagerness to show her skill at it was most unexpected. Not that he was complaining. To be honest, Nikolas was questioning his own abilities to remember what exactly to do, and to carry it out with the speed required - despite all his talk, his limbs felt heavy and sluggish, and his mind wasn't much better.

"My, my, Miss Greengrass, look at you," Nikolas said teasingly, "Raising the stakes. Fine. One handed, no doubling."

Giving his arms one final stretch, hoping that maybe it would at least wake them up a bit, he leaned forward a bit to have a better vantage point and looked up. "Ready?"

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-26 10:28 pm UTC (link)
"Or perhaps you're just scared of what I might make you do when I win," A broad smirk curled on that girls lips. The best part of challenges, in Daphne's mind, was the goading and coaxing. If this girl knew how to fly a broom well she would make an awesome quidditch player.

Daphne couldn't remember that last time she actually played cards. Her grandmother taught her the majority of the games that she knew. Her parents wouldn't dream of demeaning themselves to playing card games. They were too busy to play cards. Her grandmother, though? She had all the time in the world. The benefit of being a socialite she didn't have much responsibility since her son - Daphne's father - took over the estate and money managing.

Glancing up at him as he teased her, a brow quirked slightly. Was he really teasing her? Why did she find that amusing. Shaking her head, she hid that smile with the shadow of her hair. Glancing down at her cards, she reached for the top card off the spare pile, ready to turn it over and start the game.

"I am, are you ready to lose, Mister Vaisey?" Head tilted just slightly as she glanced up at him briefly before returning her attention back to the deck.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-26 11:03 pm UTC (link)
"We'll see." he said, moving his head to the side. A few moments later, they counted off and the game began.

It was, to say the least, frantic. Nikolas didn't remember the game being this challenging to follow, but then again, he and Astrid never played after consumption of alcoholic beverages. She was, after all, only eight years old. He was relatively sure his hands were now moving without him even really thinking about it, which was probably a good thing. If he gave to much thought to this, he'd still have all of his initial cards in hand. He couldn't even spare the time to to steal a glance up at Daphne and see if she was similarly having a difficult time with this.

Manically, he kept placing and moving cards to one of the spit piles, all too aware that Daphne was keeping up quite well. He wasn't going to just let her lose this!

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[info]daphne__g
2009-10-27 03:27 am UTC (link)
Ready?! As the game started, Daphne suddenly realized that maybe all her talking was for nothing. Her mind wasn't moving as fast as her hands wanted to. She kept having to count out loud to try and figure out what she could use. "Ace over ace, two, three, two, ace, four. Shit..." Pulling back to the four, she bit down on her bottom lip trying to figure out what moves she could do. To say the least the girl was becoming overwhelmed with numbers, cards, and counting.

Suddenly, she found herself unable to do anything with the cards she had, "Bloody hell, this is harder to do when you're piss drunk." Falling silent, she watched Nikolas finish his move. Were they going to have to slap a pile the first go? Daphne was stuck with twelve cards still, and no where to place them.

Not being able to do anything did give her mind a chance to slow down, and catch up with everything else around her. Why couldn't they play Go Fish? Or Old Maid? At least then it was calm, and not as frantic, and chaotic. Spit required stealth, which the girls was lacking at the moment. It also required a clear mind, something else she was lacking as well. The realization that she wasn't playing too well was a bit sobering.

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[info]besserwisser
2009-10-28 03:55 am UTC (link)
Nikolas continued to play rapidly, still completely unsure of how he was managing to be winning - or at least placing his cards more quickly. Probably helped that his shuffling job had been completely shoddy, and he'd wound up with a particularly useful hand by chance. He wasn't about to tell Daphne that, of course. Suddenly...he couldn't place anymore cards. And it wasn't because he'd run out of viable placement options. Well, maybe he had. The fact was, Nikolas simply couldn't tell anymore. His eyes hurt, his ears were buzzing faintly, and he could vaguely feel the inklings of a headache beatin dully at his temples.

Great.

He stopped as unexpectedly as his opponent had, holding his remaining cards close to his chest and looking up at Daphne questioningly. "Spit?"

Instead of waiting for her to concede, Nikolas frowned when he realized that at the rate he was going he would soon have a headache, be completely out of sorts, and effectively lose, or else have to surrender the game. Neither of which he particularly wanted to do. But, if it was going to come to that, he may as well make it seem an accident. He leaned forward, as though changing his sitting position or hoping to catch a glimpse at Daphne's hand, only to "accidentally" lose his balance and fall fully onto the game setup.

Well, in his mind he'd planned to force an accidental topple forward. In reality, once he'd leaned, gravity and his impaired sense of balance took over and he could no more have caught himself if he'd wanted to. Gracelessly, Nikolas sprawled face first onto the tower floor, cards flying out from beneath him and pinned at disorderly angles beneath his body. Shit...didn't want to do that, exactly. When he'd conceived of this genius plan to get out of truly losing, it hadn't involved actually hurting himself - but he could tell that he had probably cut his chin on the stone flooring.

Picking himself up slowly, he looked at Daphne with a look that was both apologetic and, moreso, goofy. There was little mistaking that what had just occurred was not entirely unintentional. "Oh dear, that's horrible. We'll have to start again."

He began gathering the cards clumsily, reaching here and there, and practically falling over himself. This blasted headache was really getting worse.

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