Don't worry, I'm a professional idiot. on Pecari Commons

Atlas Primred

November 14, 2014 7:25 PM

Don't worry, I'm a professional idiot. by Atlas Primred

The past few weeks at school had given Atlas time to think about how he wanted to proceed with his feelings. He had decided, after much deliberation, that he was going to take baby steps in getting Liliana to notice his feelings for her. He didn’t want to harm their friendship by being too brash, but he wasn’t going to stay on Friend Zone Island forever, and the Middsummer’s Ball was the perfect stepping-stone to this goal.

He had asked her to meet him in the Common Room that night, saying he needed her help with some Defense Against the Dark Arts homework. Out of all the subjects at Sonora, this ended up being the one he had the most trouble with, so he usually asked her for assistance whenever he got stuck on a concept. The night’s homework hadn’t been that challenging, but he felt it would be the perfect opportunity to ask her to the ball in a somewhat private manner. He had originally wanted to meet her over dinner or lunch to ask her, but it was pointed out by Steven that if she were to reject him he would be stuck in an extremely awkward meal, and he had experienced enough of those platonically with her already.

“Hey Liliana,” He said, standing up from his seated position on the couch once she arrived. “Do you want to go to the ball with me?” he asked rather bluntly after a short pause, nerves giving him the courage to be bold for once.

“I know you like that guy-” he continued a little more quietly after a slight pause, trying to control the annoyance brewing inside him as the words escaped his lips. He couldn’t help but become extremely pissed at the thought of the scoundrel who had dared touch his friend in such a manner. Although he didn’t really know her true feelings for said scoundrel, based on her occasional gushing, he assumed she felt at least some sort of affection for the undeserving wizard.

“-but I still wanted to ask you to the ball anyways,” he added. Originally when Atlas had planned this out in his head, it went a lot differently. Something along the lines of a big confession. Luckily when he was still trying to figure out the best course of action, Steven came to his rescue, offering a much better (and sneaky) alternative to asking her. Based on Liliana’s reply, Atlas would be able to get a clue as to her feelings for him, if they were romantic or not. If worst comes to worst, he would always be able to tack on a “as friends”, effectively saving himself form looking like a complete idiot. Atlas was no Crotalus, but Steven definitely would have been. Unfortunately, his best friend had to settle for being his muggle pen-pal/wingman instead.

He waited patiently for her reply, trying not to keep too much eye contact as it made him incredibly nervous. Even so, he found himself instinctually moving his dark almond eyes back to hers, a shy smile forming on his face without his consent. He wanted her to start seeing him as more than just a friend, and he hoped this simple question would get her thinking.

OOC: Permission to address Liliana given by her author.

0 Atlas Primred Don't worry, I'm a professional idiot. 276 Atlas Primred 1 5

Liliana Bannister

November 22, 2014 9:33 PM

And I might be emotionally unavailable- we make a good team. by Liliana Bannister

A nasty flu that Liliana had somehow caught just before the last Quidditch match of the season had caused her to have an unpleasant game. The result of which was her feeling as though she had let the whole team down and that the loss was entirely her fault. That in combination with the still lingering symptoms were causing Liliana to be in a rather sullen mood. So, one could imagine her delight when Atlas asked her to meet him in the common room regarding his Defense homework. It seemed that despite her poor performance at the last Quidditch match someone on the team still recognized that she had talents. Granted, that someone was only Atlas who as her best friend was almost required to not hate her (well, aside from the multitude of awkward meals they had shared), but it was still someone.

After dinner, Liliana had sent herself to her room, falling into bed and snuggling herself down in the warm covers. For the most part, Liliana was feeling better and it hadn’t really been anything she’d wanted to go see the Medic about (she wouldn’t admit it, but she was terrified of hospitals) and so she was surviving on a diet of soup and tea. She was in the midst of a fitful dream when she suddenly woke up, realizing that she was late for her meeting with Atlas. A quick look in the mirror told her that she wasn’t presentable for company so she discarded her wrinkled, slept-in sweater for a fresh, clean one and retied her braid. Though her skin was still a little pale and her eyes slightly black there was not much else she could do with the time (or magical knowledge of beauty spells) that she had, so she grabbed her school bag off her desk and quickly flew down to the common room.

“Hey,” she said once she got there. “I’m so sorry for being late, I—”

Before she could continue her apology, however, Atlas cut her off. “Hey Liliana,” he said, standing up. “Do you want to go to the ball with me?” He paused for a moment before continuing. “I know you like that guy—but I still wanted to ask you to the ball anyways.”

“Oh,” she said, surprised with his forwardness. Even Wesley, bold as he was had warmed her up with conversation and jokes before kissing. “Are you serious?” She quirked an eyebrow, wondering if he was being serious or if there was a catch. “Do you mean as a back-up?” she asked. “I mean, sort of a safety net in case neither one of us find an actual date?”

She was trying to steer clear of his allegations regarding her feelings towards Wesley. It was true that she found the older wizard quite handsome and that she oftentimes fantasized about him rescuing her from a dangerous situation, marrying her, and then living together happily ever after. Whenever she thought of him, her face broke out in a blush (as it was now) and she was certain that was what had clued Atlas in on her feelings. However, Grandmère had told her on numerous occasions that a face which showed emotion was a weakness and so she was working on being harder to read.

10 Liliana Bannister And I might be emotionally unavailable- we make a good team. 274 Liliana Bannister 0 5

Atlas Primred

November 25, 2014 7:08 PM

Too bad you just stabbed me in the back. by Atlas Primred

The only thing Atlas could do was look at Liliana dumfounded as she essential spat in his face. The “oh” was bad enough, but the rest was a train wreck that he had not prepared for. His anxiety was gone, replaced by a miffed bubbling in his chest. However at the same time he felt a tingle of something else, an emotion he knew would stick with him long after this moment had passed- disappointment. He was disappointed in himself expecting something that he knew wouldn’t happen, and in Liliana, his best friend, for putting him down more than anyone ever has before.

“You know…” he started out, trying to keep himself from blowing up in her face, “saying to your best friend, let alone someone asking you to a dance, that they are only good enough to be a ‘back up’ that’s pretty cold don’t you think?”

He gave her a glare, one that was filled more with sadness than anger. He liked her sure, but that didn’t mean she was prefect, in fact she was far from perfect. He didn’t have some imaginary idea of her, she made mistakes like a normal witch would. And right now she had definitely made a mistake. He wouldn’t have been a good friend if he didn’t point it out politely.

“I wanted you to be my actual date, you didn’t have to be such a pureblood about it,” he said, eyes widening as he realized just what he had said to her. It couldn’t have been more than a second since the words passed his lips, and already he regretted ever uttering the phrase. He knew he had said that to hurt her, to make her feel as horrible as he did, but that didn’t mean it was okay to say it.

0 Atlas Primred Too bad you just stabbed me in the back. 276 Atlas Primred 0 5

Liliana Bannister

November 25, 2014 7:37 PM

An eye for an eye... by Liliana Bannister

Liliana was shocked that he would take her words like that. Didn’t he know her well enough to know that he could never be a back-up for her? He was the one person at Sonora she felt like she could be herself with—well, at least as close to herself as she allowed herself to be in public. His words cut, and for once she didn’t have an immediate reply. But Atlas wasn’t done.

“I wanted you to be my actual date, you didn’t have to be such a pureblood about it,” he said, his face an odd mix between a glare and surprise at himself. As hurtful as the phrase was, Liliana was impressed that he’d had the courage to even think it up, let alone say it and for that she could admire him.

“Just so you know,” Liliana said, refusing to let him see that he’d gotten to her. “I thought I was your back-up, not the other way around.” She bit her lip, part of the not letting him see that he’d gotten to her was not blowing this up into a big deal. It was important that she control herself in this situation because she needed to prove not only to herself but also to her grandmother that she was capable of manipulating her own emotions and turning situations around despite the way she felt about them. This was a skill that her grandmother, mother, and aunts all prized highly and believed to be an important part of being a young witch in society.

“Besides,” Liliana wanted to say. “Just because someone is a pureblood doesn’t mean they’re society.” However, she refrained from saying that and instead put on a smile—one she had worked on since she was in first year. It was a smile that Atlas might have called her “Ice Princess” smile at one point in time but now was a fair bit more confusing and only held a tiny hint of malice. “So, would you want to do that Defense homework now, or…?” She trailed off, deciding that at this point it would be best if Atlas made the next move in their conversation. No doubt it would make him feel safer if she let go of the reins for a little bit and in the long run sometimes sacrificing a little bit of power did a lot for the end goal. Just what that end goal was, however, Liliana didn’t know.

10 Liliana Bannister An eye for an eye... 274 Liliana Bannister 0 5

Atlas Primred

November 28, 2014 7:37 PM

...Makes the whole world blind. by Atlas Primred

Atlas blushed at her statement. He wasn't sure what it meant, but it was enough to replace all the frustration inside him with butterflies. She thought she was his back up! He would have laughed at the thought if he wasn't so embarrassed by her words. “Oh. Well then…” he said not knowing how to proceed from this unimaginable pitfall. He attempted to think back to the advice Steven had given him, but when he noticed Liliana bite her lip his mind went blank. His eyes darted around her until, looking for a place to fixate on he finally settled on his shoes. He rubbed his hand through his hair, nervously trying to figure out what to say next, when luckily Liliana gave him an out.

“So, would you want to do that Defense homework now, or…?” she began before trailing off.

“Yeah! Sure!” he replied with too much eagerness. He sat down on the plush couch, opening up the Defense book where his completed homework was neatly tucked inside. She thought she was MY back up, he screamed once more in his head, still unable to believe the words. A small smile spread across his face as he handed her the paper, “Um, I’m not sure if I did this right…” he started as he began handing it to her. It felt like deja-vu from the beginning of the year, the friendly exchange of knowledge, the awkward conversation, the sound of the friend-zone ferry calling for passengers, and the hidden feelings. Atlas had his chance to tell her his feelings last term, but he chickened out instead, saying he just wanted to get to know her better.

Suddenly Atlas pulled back the paper, slamming it in his book. “Actually,” he began, resolving to not miss his chance this time, “Sorry but I still need to get this off my chest.” If he had been brave enough to tell her before, she might have never had her first kiss taken by ‘that boy’. If she would have rejected him, he could have been working to get over her already. If she had said yes… he could only imagine what life would be like right now. “I'm sorry I got so upset, and said that stuff,” he said still looking down at his book. “But I still want to ask you, would you like to go to the ball with me? And not as a backup, but as my date?” Atlas asked looking to her now. He could feel his hands getting a little clammy and his muscles tensing, but he had to ask.

0 Atlas Primred ...Makes the whole world blind. 276 Atlas Primred 0 5

Liliana Bannister

November 28, 2014 8:40 PM

Making up. by Liliana Bannister

Atlas’ nervous behavior was worrying to Liliana and she worried that perhaps she had done something to further tick him off, so she was glad when he accepted her offer to work on his Defense homework. Things were going back to normal and she hoped they would stay that way. She reached her hand out to accept his homework and look it over, still feeling somewhat pleased there was an area in school that she was better than him in especially because she struggled so in The-Class-Which-Shall-Not-Be-Named. Before her hand could grasp around the paper, Atlas snatched it back, the quick movement causing a light cut to form across the finger that was touching the edge. She yanked her hand back and automatically put it into her mouth as her cousins had taught her how to do. “Ow!” She gasped in surprise.

The slam of his book did get her attention away from her finger and she turned to him to see what had made him behave in this utterly-unlike Atlas behavior. Are you okay? She wanted to ask. Her hand was itching to reach out and feel his forehead like her mother’s house elf had done so many times to her own forehead but she refrained from doing so since it looked like he had something important on his mind. Besides, she could always check in on him later, after he got whatever was bothering him off his chest. His words surprised her, and she smiled because she had no idea what else to do. “Oh,” she said, licking her lips while she stalled. “Sure, sounds fun.” That wasn’t a lie— she and Atlas did have fun when they weren’t arguing and she was really hoping that they could get back to that. “Thank you for asking me,” she said, smiling again, this time the expression was one of genuine happiness and not stalling.

“So,” she said once her cheeks started to hurt. “Want to try looking over that homework again?” She desperately needed to get things back to normal and it seemed that this would be the fastest way to do so. “And then maybe you could help me with the latest Transfiguration spells? I’m still having a little trouble getting those right after last time. I didn’t bring my book but I can go get it. Or not— it’s more hands on anyway, not much book work.”

10 Liliana Bannister Making up. 274 Liliana Bannister 0 5