One shouldn't worry so much at your age. on Crotalus Commons

Talitha Cumni

December 09, 2007 8:24 PM

Contemplation by Talitha Cumni

Wicked Clothing line. Made in England. Order your prom robes with us. Register your school and we’ll guarantee that no one else in your school will be wearing the same robe. Be uniquely beautiful at your special ball.

Talitha sighed in frustration and flipped through the pages in the catalogue. All of the gowns that were so artistically modeled by anorexic witches were all way too mature for her. Ever since the owl brought the letter about the ball, Talitha felt a bit unsettled. At first, she really wanted to go in a bad way. Then, she wondered who would ask her to go with them. Then, she worried nobody would ask her. Then, she didn’t want to go at all and make a fool of herself. Finally, she decided that perhaps it would be fun even if nobody asked her.

She wasn’t looking for a boyfriend, yet. But she still wanted to look, well, pretty. At least she’d hoped somebody would think she looked pretty enough to want to ask her to dance. She also wanted to show some of the girls in the House that she knew how to dress well when the occasion called for it. She might not wear it as a badge like they did, but she technically ranked them in lineage and substance and just this once, she’d like to let them know it.

It wasn’t like she didn’t feel as though she fit in. She had plenty of friends here now. She really was comfortable in her own skin, so to speak. But her changing body and suddenly mercurial moods somehow made this particular event loom very large and important to her. One moment, she imagined herself dancing in a romantic haze with …someone.., the next, she was terrified of being a wallflower. The magazine wasn’t helping either. No way was she going to be caught dead in one of those cut down to here and up to there robes. She wanted to feel pretty, not on the make.

Red. It had to be red. That or turquoise. Those were her best colors. Should she wear her hair up or down? Curly or straight? And why in the world did she really care? Frustrated, she tossed the catalogue aside next to her on the sofa and crossed her arms as she stared into the fire dancing merrily on the hearth.

There wasn’t really any point in getting so worked up about it now. The ball was really months away. No sense worrying about such superfluous things when she had school work to focus on. There was plenty of time to get worked up about it all later. She felt someone sit on the sofa’s opposite end. She looked up and gave a small smile of welcome.

“Have a good holiday?” She asked.
\n

Subthreads:

One shouldn't worry so much at your age. by Chrissy Mathers with Talitha, Chrissy, Adam B.

Me too, sort of. (Wotw) by Adam Brockert

0 Talitha Cumni Contemplation 102 Talitha Cumni 1 5

Chrissy Mathers

December 09, 2007 9:19 PM

One shouldn't worry so much at your age. by Chrissy Mathers

Chrissy had been at Sonora since the very start of the term. Her mother and her's major fight about Quidditch and marriage at the end of the summer was the reason why Chrissy hadn't gone home for the Holidays. But, even though she wasn't really very fond of the school in general, she still preferred these walls to the walls at home.

Although, spending all this time in one place could really make a person stir crazy. Which, during the holidays, it shouldn't have come to surprise that Chrissy had taken to wandering from time to time. Without schoolwork to do and tired of reading over R.A.T.S., Chrissy had wandered aimlessly. It was this reason why she had allowed herself to get so caught up in the notes. And then had a major let down on the end result. Still, the feast had been interesting and if she hadn't attended, she would have never of known about the ball.

Well, until one of her roommates were to mention it.

And it seemed to be all anyone could talk about now. Chrissy could care less one way or another about it. She'd probably go, but wouldn't mind being stag about it. Her friends would more or less be right there along with her and her class was small enough so that it wouldn't have been a huge deal. There would be the obvious couples and some hookups due to the ball, but none of that concerned her. She would go to dance and to socialize as was her how her upbringing had taught her. Aside from that, she'd probably call it an early night.

Chrissy pulled her blonde curls up into a ponytail and took a seat on a couch with a R.A.T.S. level book on Transfiguration in her hands. It didn't even occur to her that anyone was sitting on the couch with her until she heard a voice. It took her a moment to register the voice was aimed at her and looked away from the book to find a younger girl sitting near her.

"My break was dull." Chrissy commented, looking the girl over. The girl looked to be a first or second year. Although, the girl could have very well have been a fourth year for all Chrissy knew. Though, that didn't really look like a good thing to admit considering Chrissy was a Prefect. By now, she should have been aware of everyone within her own house. "How was yours...?" She asked the girl simply because it was the polite thing to do.

0 Chrissy Mathers One shouldn't worry so much at your age. 0 Chrissy Mathers 0 5

Adam Brockert

December 09, 2007 9:23 PM

Me too, sort of. (Wotw) by Adam Brockert

Adam let out a deep sigh as he entered the common room. The stupid dance was on his mind. He had to go, whether he wanted to or not or he'd never hear the end of it. Chelsea had made that abundantly clear since they'd gotten the letter.

If he had to go, he really didn't want to go alone. It wasn't so embarassing for a girl not to have a date, being that females greatly outnumbered males at Sonora. However, if a guy couldn't get one, people would think he was a loser. Adam didn't need that opinion of himself reinforced, especially in such a public way.

Plus, he thought it would be nice to go with someone or least dance with them. It was just that Adam didn't think anyone would want to. Not to mention the fact that the idea of being in a group of people made him majorly anxious. He'd never liked parties. Adam couldn't even handle being at family ones. His cousin's wedding last summer had been a mess for him. The actual ceremony had been okay, with people focused on the bride and groom (and Nina, when she'd signed her own death warrant by announcing to the assembled group that the groom preferred the company of men) but the reception was just this massive group that Adam had to escape and go outside. He feared the dance would end up with him sneaking out as well, even though there were fewer people at school than in his extended family, his uncle's family, and both sides of the bride's family. The sad thing was someday when Adam got married, what with him being the family heir and all, it was sure to be even larger, which was the last thing he wanted.

That's when he noticed someone he actually wanted to see, the one person in Crotalus that didn't scare him at all, Talitha. Adam's face broke into a smile and he sat down on the sofa with her, careful not to get too close, lest she didn't want him too.

Adam was about to greet her, when she spoke first. "Hi Talitha." He blushed a little. "It was fine. Rather quiet though. We didn't go anywhere because of my sister's injury. You know, from the Crotalus-Teppenpaw game? Then we got the notice about the dance and my mom took my sisters shopping for it and made me go along." He mentally checked over what he said. Had it been too much? Not that he'd said anything personal. Kaylie's back injury was common knowledge and it wasn't as if he'd gone on about Marshall's disappointment over his parents visiting his brother instead. That was his cousin's own business. Nor had he talked about how nasty Chelsea had been. She'd probably make his life miserable for it and Adam was embarassed about it anyway, that his little sister picked on him. It was just that he was worried he'd been babbling. That what he'd said had been superfluous "How was yours?" Adam asked, giving Talitha a warm smile. He'd much rather hear about her break than talk about his own. Adam rather preferred to listen than talk, and he really did care what she had to say too.

11 Adam Brockert Me too, sort of. (Wotw) 78 Adam Brockert 0 5

Talitha

December 10, 2007 12:48 AM

Wow! I'm feeling popular now! by Talitha

OOC: This is fun! Let’s see if I can juggle!

BIC: Talitha’s smile widened a bit and she flushed little. It was still awesome to think some one’s Adam’s age could be considered a friend. She’d whispered about her conversation with him in the gardens to her mother during break while the mother-to-be she was attending dozed between contractions. That was the most awesome night of her life. The mother was muggle and insisted on having a home delivery. Her mother allowed her to attend and assist her as was the custom. Even though children were allowed to find their own paths, they usually apprenticed with their parents until they made a final decision. After that night, Talitha thought there could be no better profession in the world than a Healer and/or Medicine Woman.

Her mother wisely told her to enjoy the friendship, but try not to make it anything more, as if Talitha thought she stood a chance or even wanted one. She reminded her that while she was still in school, two years might seem a huge gap because so much growing up was involved. If they stayed friends into their late teens or twenties, the gap in age wouldn’t matter at all and the longer the friendship, the more cherished the friend. Talitha hoped all of her friendships lasted a lifetime. Each one was so precious, Elly, Hyana, Lutece, Oliver, Jae, all of them and now Adam. How in the world could she say this one or that one was her best friend? They were all special in their own way.

As Adam told her briefly about his Christmas, their prefect, Chrissy (?), who was sitting next to her, spoke up too. Talitha didn’t know her very well, but she seemed nice. She definitely wasn’t a snob, but she was even older than Adam. This was fun! Talitha giggled as the two talked over each other and dropped to the floor to sit cross legged in front of the them. Circles were better for conversation than straight lines.

“Oh, it was awesome!” Talitha began wishing she had the story telling talents her father had. “We had the usual family thing over Christmas and I got lots of presents.” Her eyes danced with mischief. “Sometimes, its good to be the only child!”

“We had a bonfire and fireworks for New Years. And the next night the most amazing thing happened! I saw a baby be born! My mother let me come with her and she even let me help her bathe the baby! It was a boy and now I so want to be a Healer too!” Talitha’s eyes widened as she remembered the miracle she’d witnessed. How in the world could she have been worrying just a moment ago about something as silly as robes for a ball? Life was just to big to think about such small things.
\n

0 Talitha Wow! I'm feeling popular now! 0 Talitha 0 5

Chrissy

December 12, 2007 7:39 PM

Feel however you like. by Chrissy

Chrissy noticed the boy only after Talitha left the couch. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of him as she tried to recall who he was. It only took her a moment to remember that he was somehow related to her roommate and to her fellow Prefect. She had heard stories, of course, of certain reactions he had had throughout the school. Not at all impressive to Chrissy. Pansy.

And, she vaguely wondered why a boy his age would even be talking to someone this girl's age. Boys only ever seemed interested in one thing once they became teenagers and this girl...what was her name? She seemed far too young and easily manipulated to keep someone happy. Chrissy was slightly worried on his motives for befriending someone so much younger than he was.

Chrissy returned her gaze to the girl sitting in front of her. Chrissy could never remember a moment when she was ever so full of energy the way that she was. Talitha! She remembered now. And the boy was Adam, Lily's cousin. Talitha's midterm had been more productive than Chrissy's had been. Sure she had studied and done work and even figured out clues with some classmates, but that was as far as it went. Talitha had helped deliver a baby. Just listening to it made Chrissy both intrigued and disgusted.

"It's good that you've figured that out now. I'm 16 and still haven't decided on what I want to do with myself." Chrissy commented, rolling her eyes at herself. Not that she really had a choice in her future. She was to meet her future husband this coming summer. Be engaged by the beginning of next term and married shortly after she finished her R.A.T.S. exams. After that, babies were to be made (though Chrissy believed she may be able to hold that part off for a little while...maybe).

0 Chrissy Feel however you like. 0 Chrissy 0 5

Talitha

December 13, 2007 9:33 PM

And I like how I feel by Talitha

Talitha nodded gravely. It was good to know what she wanted to be when she grew up. Of course, this summer, when she found Owl, she was sure she was meant to work with magical creatures. The previous year, after Oliver and she had so much fun in class, she was positive she would be an Auror. There was a very short time that she wanted to be a Seer, like her grandmother, but unlike Nana, she showed no evidence of having the Sight. Being a spiritual leader was out of the question. All the wise men and women of her community were really old, at least thirty or more and Talitha didn’t want to study and apprentice that long. She thought once that she might like to be a cultural historian like her daddy.

Funny, for as long as she could remember, she’d followed her mother on her rounds learning from her, but it never dawned on her that she’d ever want to be a healer or Medicine Woman before. She enjoyed the time because it was a special bonding time with her mother. She learned a lot. She was very good at knowing what non-magical plants were good for ailments and could practice basic first aid. She learned what crystals and prayers to use to speed healing. She knew about how not being in Right Relationship with the people and world around a person could enhance illnesses. She was very familiar with Healing spells and potions even though she wasn’t allowed to use them yet. Still the only thing that she truly adored about all this was because it brought her mother and her closer together. Now, she couldn’t imagine being anything else.

Chrissy did seem down. Perhaps she was upset that she hadn’t discovered her path. Too bad that she couldn’t just go visit the community and talk to Nana. Nana would help her figure out which direction to go. The problem was that people outside her community had a had time believing what she took as reality. They didn’t understand its ways. So many people boxed up their spirituality and brought it out when it was convenient or during desperate times.

Talitha wished she was at least wise enough to say something to encourage her. Then a thought struck her. There were wise women right here at Sonora! They knew, each in their own unique way, how to “ask”. Even though she was too young to take their classes, one was the Head of Crotalus and she’d met the other in the gardens this last fall and Professor Yuma seemed very nice. They could help Chrissy, if she asked.

“Perhaps you might want to talk to Professor Yuma or Professor Powell.” Talitha suggested. “They might be able to help you figure out what you want to do.”

Talitha hadn’t forgotten about Adam. She was happy he was there. She didn’t like to watch Quidditch so she hadn’t gone to the match and only heard about his sister’s injury through the grapevine. Because Adam had been so nice to her, she was sure he would be a very caring brother.

“I was really sorry to hear about your sister, Adam.” Talitha turned her attention to him. “How is she doing?”
\n

0 Talitha And I like how I feel 0 Talitha 0 5

Adam B.

December 17, 2007 4:16 AM

I'm glad someone does. by Adam B.

He felt his cheeks flush. Why had Adam not noticed the older girl? Had he really been that happy to see Talitha? It made sense after all that he had been. After all, she was his friend, someone who'd been kind to him, so of course he wanted to talk to her.

Unfortunately, the presence of another person made him anxious. Just because Adam was comfortable around Talitha and a few others didn't mean he was less ill at ease with the general population of Sonora. He even avoided being around two of the three students who were related to him, one of whom was his own sister.

So Adam put most of his effort into making sure he wasn't shaking, even though he tried to listen to what Talitha said about her break. He smiled, glad she'd had a good one. Adam even tried to listen to what the older girl had to say. It would be rude not to. He snapped to attention when Talitha spoke to him.

"Thank you," Adam replied. "She's doing better. I mean, she's in pain a lot and I don't think she likes her medication much. She isn't all that upset about not playing anymore though, fortunately. It was more just a hobby for her. She wasn't that obsessed or anything." Adam was personally glad Kaylie wasn't playing anymore. He'd worried about her everytime she'd been in a game and finally the worst had happened. It was the same with Pepper. He didn't want her to get injured either. Adam was glad Talitha and Briony didn't play. He was even glad Chelsea didn't. (Lily, however, Adam did not worry about since she was the one responsible for half the Quidditch-related injuries at Sonora.)

Suddenly, he remembered something. He had a Charms essay that he had to get finished before the next class. Adam was usually pretty good about doing his homework and he had started it. It was just that with the holidays and stupid ball shopping (there was honestly no greater torture for a fourteen year old boy than dress shopping with his mother and sisters), he hadn't had a chance to finish it. "Hey, Talitha, um, I have to go finish some homework. I'll talk to you later okay?" Adam got up to leave and started walking to his dorm room. He added hastily to the older girl. "It was nice meeting you." It would have been rude to not say anything at all and socially awkward as he was, Adam at least tried to be polite.

11 Adam B. I'm glad someone does. 78 Adam B. 0 5

Chrissy

December 18, 2007 6:35 PM

Feeling sorry for oneself is pretty un-manly. by Chrissy

Chrissy looked the girl over for a moment while she told her Chrissy could go and see one of the professors about finding something after Sonora. If only it were that simple. It wasn't that Chrissy didn't have ideas for what she would want to do. There were plent. She wanted to work in the Ministy. Maybe create new ideas for potions or charms that dealt directly with transfiguration. Test objects or persons. Work in a shop. Have a shop of her own.

The problem was the family she grew up in. The traditions she was bound by. She could take the rest of her life doing various jobs until she found what she was destined to be, but she wasn't given that choice. No, she was only to be a Stepford Wife. A baby-maker. Nothing more. Talitha was young and naive to how some things really worked. That seemed to go for boys as well.

Chrissy decided not to comment openly about Kaylie as she couldn't possibly understand why the girl was still injured. Well, kept quiet long enough for the boy to finish. "That's ridiculous. She should see a different Healer if she's still in pain. Those types of injuries happen all the time in Quidditch, sometimes even worse ones, but they're healed well enough with the right Mediwizard." Chrissy stated. She had seen plenty of Quidditch injuries, both at Sonora and at Professional matches, to know that much was true. A back injury, so long as it wasn't completely broken...and it wasn't as she was still walking, should have been fixed with a wave of the wand.

Chrissy believed the girl was milking it. Maybe to have people feel sorry for her. Maybe even just an excuse to get herself off the team. Tally had told Chrissy once that the Prefect had never been all that reliable the last couple of terms. She might have lost her spot anyway. Oh well.

The boy excused himself and Chrissy gave him a polite smile as he vanished from the commonroom. In his wake, she returned her attention to Talitha. "You know..." Chrissy started, trying to find the right words. "You seem like a smart girl, so don't take this to mean I think anything less than that, but you ought to be careful of him, okay?" Chrissy watched for the girl's reaction befor continuing.

"Or any boy his age. 14 is a far different maturity level than a boy your age. He seems nice enough and I'm sure he is. Just...be careful."

0 Chrissy Feeling sorry for oneself is pretty un-manly. 0 Chrissy 0 5

Talitha

December 19, 2007 1:16 AM

And judgementalism is never an attractive personality trait by Talitha

Talitha was about to let Adam know that Kaylie would in her thoughts when Chrissy put her two knuts in. It sort of stunned her a bit. While Chrissy’s words made sense, perhaps some sort of Healer who specialized in sports or spinal injuries could give Kaylie better care, her tone of voice sounded really cold. It was as if she felt there was something wrong with having an injury that took time to heal. Before she could recover, Adam said he had homework to do and left. Talitha couldn’t help but feel disappointed. It was fun to talk to Adam about wands and such.

"You know...You seem like a smart girl, so don't take this to mean I think anything less than that, but you ought to be careful of him, okay?"

Talitha’s stomach clenched. She bit her lower lip and looked down at the image of the rattle snake woven into the carpet she sat on. What was Chrissy getting at? Be careful of Adam? Why? He was smart and nice and Talitha was sure that he would never do anything to harm her. Adam was her friend. In her mind that settled it.

"Or any boy his age. 14 is a far different maturity level than a boy your age. He seems nice enough and I'm sure he is. Just...be careful."

Talitha met Chrissy’s eyes with understanding. That was the same advice her mother had given her when she’d told her about their conversation in the garden. Somehow, she didn’t accept it as well from the girl sitting on the sofa in front of her. She felt very defensive, as if she were being judged. More accurately, as if Adam were being judged. Perhaps the difference was that she was very close to her mother and told her everything; she’d never spoken to Chrissy before that night.

“Adam and I just talk.” Talitha shrugged. She didn’t want to argue, but she felt she had to say something on his behalf. “He’s always been very nice to me. Its not like we’re going together or anything. He probably already has a girlfriend his age.”

Talitha was very uncomfortable about where things were going. She really didn’t want to make a prefect mad at her and Chrissy seemed to be truly trying to give her good advice. She was older after all and knew more about boys than Talitha did but she didn’t want to hear negative things about Adam either. Fortunately, a yawn interrupted her train of thought. Covering her mouth to suppress it, she grinned a bit self-consciously at Chrissy.

“I’m sorry, it’s not you. I was up really early this morning and I think I should head for bed.” Talitha stood up and headed for the stairs. At the bottom, her manners caught up with her. She turned and gave Chrissy one more smile.

“It was nice talking with you, Chrissy.” Talitha said. “I’ll think about what you said… Good night.”\n

0 Talitha And judgementalism is never an attractive personality trait 0 Talitha 0 5