Safety in Secrecy

[alariclarsstouner]

Upon seeing her suddenly jumping away when he extended his hand, he knew that it merely out of self-defense. He knew that he could not blame her after all; he was like an intruder in her life. However, he managed to smile and heave a sigh of relief when she took his hand and shook it rather vigorously. This meant that she was beginning to trust him. “And I am glad to meet you too, Cherry,” he replied. He then wondered why she hoped that it would not rain. “Why do you say so?” he asked curiosity apparent in his tone. He just smiled at her as she continued to stare at him.

As if reading her mind, he then said, “I guess it’s time for you to mingle with people from other houses. Well, I’m not really forcing you to mingle with Slytherins and all the other students who judge you too abruptly. It’s just that you have to broaden your relationships during your stay here.” He knew that she was afraid that the other students, especially those from his own house could easily tell that she is a werewolf. “Well, the people from my house are not really the type to judge people. I think you should give a shot being friends with some of them. Don’t worry, I’ll handle the rest, I’m sure they will listen to me,” he then said, to calm her fear. He then noticed that she began to think hard when he mentioned that he was a prefect. He just sighed and said, “You know, being a prefect is not the only instance where in you could help others. There are plenty of avenues where you can extend your help.”

He knew that after hearing him tell about his sleeping problems, she would never stop worrying about him. “Honestly, I’m really fine like this, no worries,” he then said. He almost laughed when she mentioned that maybe he needed a new bed. Maybe he did need one. He nodded in agreement upon hearing her tell that it was indeed scary if ever you lose the ability to sleep. “It was hard to accept at first, but after sometime I got used to it. Come to think of it, I am curious to know what it feels like to sleep up a tree,” he said. He then gazed up at the tree nearest him and began to climb it nimbly. He then managed to reach the first highest branch. He then sat on it and said, “This could be a good stakeout for tonight.” He then literally jumped off the tree and looked right at her. “Well, it seems that I’ll be waiting for you right here,” he then said, smiling at her.

[Kynthia Boulais]

"Rain is irritating. I just don't like it much. I don't know." Cherry shrugged her shoulders and sighed. She wondered if she should be off into the jungle by now. She had never actually been stopped for long when she made her trip to the forest. But she did not want to leave Alaric. Even though she knew she would eventually have to. Cherry knew she would start to cry again if she left him. She was tolerant of her whining fits but would never really come to actually enjoy them.

Cherry shrugged. She was unsure of either of the two things he said. She swallowed the last bit of chocolate she'd been carrying with difficulty. She found meeting up with new people to be very stressful. "I wouldn't judge them either. Not too harshly at least." Cherry thought back upon her words, wondering if she had been truthful. Her head began to ache with the strain of the thought. "Who would want my help? A vampire, maybe." Cherry scratched her forehead gently.

Cherry nodded at Alaric quickly. "I understand." She sat down and put her hands in her lap. She looked up at him when he confirmed her suspicions that it was rather troubling on his mind at first. She shrugged when he said that he was used to it by now. She gaped at him as he climbed a nearby tree. She didn't think she could sleep in a tree for fear of rolling off. Cherry giggled a bit when he jumped down. But she frowned again when he said he would wait. "You don't have to. I mean, if you don't want to. I am fine with that." Cherry tore her eyes away from Alaric and looked to the forest again. It seemed distant and dark.

[alariclarsstouner]

“Don’t worry I don’t like the rain too,” he then said, realizing that the sky was becoming overcast. “It messes up my hair.” However, he did not feel the usual cramping on his legs, which usually predicted rain. “Well, my legs aren’t acting up yet so I guess the rain won’t come,” he added, quickly massaging them. He then wondered whether she should already head out into the forest. Then again, she knows her instincts more than him. For some reason, he felt that she didn’t want to leave at all.

He knew that because of what happened, it became more stressful for her to meet new people. He then wondered if maybe he could help her to get used to it. However, he realized that there are things in life that she had to figure out on her own; after all, they were at the same age. He then realized that he was starting to confuse her with his words. “Oh, you don’t need to think about that right now, you got to concentrate on your transformation,” he then said, knowing that it must have caused mental strain on her. “Nah, someday you will find your true purpose in this world of ours,” he added as an afterthought.

He was then relieved that she understood his predicament. Not many people knew about it and he was fine that way. People never noticed his blank eyes whenever class was going on, probably due to the fact that he was still able to pay attention to the lesson. “I guess this tree would really be the perfect stakeout for tonight. Who knows? Maybe I can get my rest there,” he then said, as he began to finger his pocket watch. “Honestly, don’t worry about me, I really meant what I said about waiting for you. And I guess you should head out now,” he added, as he took out the pocket watch. “My watch says its already eight in the evening. I guess you wanted to be really in the middle of the forest.” He really didn’t want her to go alone but he had to comply.

[Kynthia Boulais]

Cherry picked at the cold grass. She lean forward and crawled toward the forest slowly. She eventually stood and gazed at the forest silently. The smells were always more profound and lingered longer when it rained. Cherry was in constant fright that someone would be able to smell her. Cherry looked to Alaric with curiousity again as he talked about his legs. She could not see the connection between Alaric's reactions and the weather changing. So she was confused further. "Your legs?" Cherry lowered her gaze to Alaric's legs. She watched him, as if expecting some sudden reaction.

Cherry was still aware of what she must do. It was not something she could forget easily. She was never allowed to forget it at home and now perfectly innocent designs and patterns would remind her if she ever dared to forget. "I understand." Cherry scratched the back of her neck. "It is hopeless." Cherry's tears began to flow again. She shrugged, not caring of purpose as much as being normal.

Cherry grew angry with Alaric suddenly but did her best not to show it. She was mad that he had offered to help her and couldn't cure her. She knew he wasn't able to when he had offered but a part of her had still hoped it could happen. She did not respond to anything else he said. She did not even look back again, but bolted toward the forest as quickly as she could.

(You could write another reply about Alaric waiting. And we'll turn the time forward a bit. I had actually resolved to not play her as a wolf at all if I could. But to leave those parts of her life unwritten. As though she really cannot remember.)

[alariclarsstouner]

OOC: Okay then, sounds good. )

Upon seeing her expression, Alaric knew that he was in for a rough night. He knew that she was not entirely pleased with what he said about going. However, he felt obligated to do so because he knew that the hour was at hand. Sighing, he hoped that she would be able to return safely when the full moon wanes. He then made a mental note that he would apologize to her for being too pushy.

He then climbed into the tree that served as his stakeout for the night. Although he climbed a little higher than he used to, because he wanted to view some beautiful scenery as he waited. Sighing, he then reclined his back towards the tree trunk and for the first time in three months, he fell into dreamless sleep. He knew that he would be able to wake up the moment she comes back from the forest.

[Kynthia Boulais]

Cherry woke with her lower body lying in a shallow pond. The sky was lightless, without moon or sun yet, Cherry crawled out of the chilling water, still shivering and her clothes torn. Cherry curled up on the ground, trying to get warm. She left her wand in her dormitory. It would have proved useless anyway. She would never be able to focus on magic like this. Her spells were usually weaker than usual for a week or do after a full moon. Cherry noticed a blood covering her entire arm. There was so much she feared she was dead for a moment. Afraid to move to prove the thought correct. She finally did move though and realized why she had been in the water, her other form must've wanted a bath, Cherry crawled back to the water's edge and washed the blood away.

Cherry inspected herself, glad she did not get wounded that night. Cherry wondered how far she had travelled tonight, on a few occassions she had woken outside the forest, far away from Hogwarts. Cherry recognized the tall tower over the trees and realized that she was not far at all from the school. Still shivering, Cherry climbed to her feet. She stumbled as though drunk towards the forest's edge. When she reached the edge, Cherry was better able to determine her position. She hid amongst the trees heading towards where she had hid tidier clothing.

When Cherry arrived, she climbed a tree and knock a large satchel from the tree with a kick to one of its branches. Cherry hopped out of the tree, collapsing as she landed having misjudged the distance and the weariness of her legs. The sun's light could be seen over the horizon as Cherry crawled toward the satchel slowly. She opened it and quickly dressed herself. She pulled a small white dress from the bag, she grinned shortly having wondered where that had gotten to. Cherry put it on over her underwear. There was a bit of food in the satchel as well. Cherry took out the container of fruits and ate silently for a moment.

Having eaten, Cherry remembered the previous evening and her meeting with Alaric. Cherry re-packed the satchel and got up off the ground. She lifted the bag over her shoulder and hurried out of the forest. Cherry recognized the tree that Alaric had said he would wait at. She did not see any movement and grew sad, thinking he had left. Cherry approacched the tree at a run. When she got closer, she noticed Alaric sleeping in the tree. She looked up at him with a smile. Not sure if she should wake him or not. She finally decided she'd simply wait for him to wake. Cherry sat under the tree and picked out a loaf of bread from the bag she carried and began to eat.

[alariclarsstouner]

Waking slowly from his dreamless sleep, Alaric felt really good. He haven't felt it for ages, since the time that the ability to sleep was taken away from him. He craned his neck left and right, feeling his muscles tense from lying stiff for so long. He then smelled himself; he knew that he sweated a lot. Sighing, he removed his dress shirt and tie and now he was naked from the waist up. He used his dress shirt as some sort of cloak to cover himself up.

He then slowly came down from the tree, not the jumping motion he did when Cherry was with him. He could feel the soreness of his leg muscles. He knew that in a few moment's time, the rain will come. When his feet finally touched the ground, he was surprised to see Cherry under the tree, as though she was waiting for him to wake up. Smiling, he then approached her and said, "I told you, I fell asleep waiting for you. Welcome back." He was glad that she seemed unscathed and she looked really good that morning. He then wondered what could have transpired during her moment as a werewolf. "And sorry for being pushy..you know, I made you go to the forest and all," he added, his gaze deviated from her.

(OOC: Sorry for the late rep. ;O)

[Kynthia Boulais]

Cherry's eyelids were growing heavy. She was usually tired after a full moon. She had not heard Alaric waking since she had almost dozed off herself. She had a green grape in her hand and her hands both lay in her lap. When Alaric came down from the tree, Cherry opened her eyes wide. She shook her head in response to him. "Thank you for waiting. And don't worry about it. You were right, I had to do it. I was just worried you would get bored waiting and leave."

Cherry realized she held a grape in her hand and ate it. She then stood up and dusted herself off. Cherry rubbed her eyes and yawned. She lowered her arms to her side. "The wolf lost my robe out there. I put extra clothes near the forest's edge just for that. I don't think the wolf likes clothing much." Cherry nodded, pulling at her dress. She smiled feeling a bit silly for having packed such a nice dress in such a place and almost forgetting about it.

(Don't worry about it. I'm glad you replied.)

[alariclarsstouner]

Upon observation, Alaric noticed that she looked really tired. She was seated under the tree, sleeping. A derisive chuckle almost escaped him as he noticed the green grape on her hand. When she stirred from her sleep, he was almost apologetic. “Did I wake you up? I’m sorry, I know you’re tired,” he then said.

As he watched her eat the grape, he then realized how hungry he was, having skipped dinner the night before. “I guess skipping dinner was a bad idea. I feel so nauseous right now,” he commented, feeling a knot on his stomach. Although he still had enough strength, he began to feel signs of hypoglycemia. He then observed the clothes she was wearing and noticed how beautiful she looked in them. He then shook the thought off his head quickly. “Honestly, that dress looks good on you,” he commented, smiling at her. He then realized that he was shirtless and it was only his dress shirt that was covering his shoulders. “So shall we go back to the castle? Want me to help you walk? You seemed really tired,” he added.

[Kynthia Boulais]

Cherry stretched out her arms and legs then her back. She would usually sleep in class alot. But that was only a part of the reason behind her poor grades. "I didn't think the cold grass was comfortable enough to sleep on at first. I guess I was wrong." Cherry smiled. She thought that Alaric would not notice her tiredness at first.

Cherry watched him carefully. He did not look the same as he did last night. She rubbed her eyes softly again. She watched him closely, "Why, thank you. I have food in the bag here. It was sitting in a tree for a few days but I didn't mind the taste." Cherry handed the satchel over to Alaric, holding it only by the strap. "You look good too even if its because you have less clothing on." Cherry giggled a bit. Feeling slightly embarassed.

[alariclarsstouner]

"And I don't think the rough bark of a tree would make a good bed," Alaric said, laughing. True, it had been months since he last slept and he wondered whether if he wanted to sleep again, he would have to back. "I guess I should come here more often eh?" he then added, smiling.

He then placed a hand on the back of his head, feeling more lightheaded than ever. It was perfect timing that Cherry was passing him a bag with food in it. He took what was inside and wolfed it down. "Thanks, I thought I was really going to pass out here," he then said in between bites. When he finished eating, he wiped the crumbs off his face. When he heard her comment about looking good even without less clothing, he just smiled. "Thanks, well I was working my body out whenever I couldn't sleep," he said, as he gazed up at the sky, rain clouds were already forming and this was no place for them to be here.

(OOC: Dang, it's been so long )

[Kynthia Boulais]

Cherry watched him eat, wondering if her werewolf form resembled a starving person or if it was merely bad-natured. Cherry giggled a bit at his joke. It had never occured to her before but she was actually quite capable of sleeping on rather uncomfortable surfaces. She wondered if that had something to do with her curse. "Or maybe you're cured?" Cherry grinned brightly, daring to hope again.

Cherry nodded. She had never really had to work on her body. She usually only ate vegetables and fruits since her family could not afford much of anything else regularly. She didn't ever feel hungry but she was aware that she was quite small. She scratched behind her ear. "Aren't you good at magic? I thought all Ravenclaws were." Cherry shrugged, thinking she'd said something stupid. "I should really take a real bath." Cherry ran a hand through her hair. It was a bit messy. She was aware that she had been too depressed to take care of herself on the days going into the full moon.

(Hehe. I don't know. I've still got some I've been waiting on for a few years now.)

[alariclarsstouner]

Upon hearing her telling him that his sleeping sickness was cured, he just smiled sheepishly. "Well, I guess it's because I was thinking too much," he said. "You know the hardest part of being unable to sleep? It's when you are having reruns of thoughts that you were trying not to think of," he added as he suddenly remembered the real reason behind his problems with sleep.

"Well, I guess I could say I'm really skilled with a wand," he then said, in response to her question of whether he was good with magic. "Although I don't really practice much. I usually just read up on them." He could definitely dabble in magic as much as the upper years, although he had limitations due to his age. "I'm just curious, how did you manage in subjects that require practical magic if your wand isn't functioning that well?" he asked. He might have to refer her to a skilled wandmaker at Hogsmeade if that was the case. He then looked at her form and said, "I guess I should take you back to the castle then."

[Kynthia Boulais]

Cherry silently wondered what thoughts Alaric wanted to forget. They might have that goal in common but they seemed to treat it in different ways. Cherry shrugged, she wanted to be supportive but did not know how to accomplish that. "I understand, I think." Cherry was not completely sure, but had tried to forget bad memories before. "I want to forget some things too. I can't though." Cherry bit her lip, wondering if comparing herself to Alaric was the best thing to do.

Cherry scratched the back of her neck. Her hair was dry and cold but it still clung to her hand. She sighed and wished she hadn't forgotten to wash away any blood. "I don't really care about magic. But no, I am not very good at Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts or Transfiguration. I was worried about it for awhile but I don't really mind now. I guess I just did my best and got by with what I had. I suppose I got points for that."

Cherry grinned at Alaric. "That would be nice. Thank you for waiting."

[alariclarsstouner]

Alaric merely nodded upon hearing her mention that she had thoughts to forget also and that she understood what he was thinking. "Well, I guess it couldn't be helped," he then said. "I have so many thoughts that bother me for the time being and I guess, having some sleep earlier seemed to help me a lot in forgetting about them," he added, smiling at her.

"Want me to refer you to a wandmaker? So he'll make you a new wand to replace that one you have right now," he asked. He intended to give her a gift for helping him regain his ability to sleep. "Don't worry, he's not the type who asks questions nor pries with customer's lives," he then added. He was glad that despite the handicap, she still managed to have a normal life as a student. "I'm glad you still able to live like a normal student despite your situation," he commented. He then turned his back at her, picked up his bag and turned back at her. "So shall we get going?" he asked, smiling at her.