Unwinding and Wondering (Tag Lucian) on Quidditch Pitch

Clara Abernathy

April 12, 2013 4:18 PM

Unwinding and Wondering (Tag Lucian) by Clara Abernathy

Clara decided it was time for a little breather even if it was a brief one. She grabbed a blanket, her broom and a small basket full of snacks she had procured from the house elves and headed out of the Pecari dormitory. She had decided that since it wasn’t a time she had classes or ahd to worry about the challenges, that she wouldn’t worry about wearing her class robes to go down to the Quidditch Pitch. Since her success with flying over the summer thanks largely in part to Lucian, she decided to go get some more practice and a small bite to eat. She sent a note to Lucian over in the Aladren dormitory via her snowy owl and while she wasn’t sure if he had received her message, she had figured if he joined her or not she was going to go do some more flying.

The note she had sent him read, “Lucian, have decided a little R&R is needed to not go completely crazy during the challenges and classes. I am down at the Pitch if you would like to join me for some lunch and a practice flight. There is also another question I want to ask you and feel that it should be asked in person. If you’re up to it I’ll meet you down at the Pitch. Best Wishes, Clara.”

Clara had been giving the end of term ball a lot of thought and had wondered if she should be the one to ask someone to go with her or if she should wait to be asked. Since she wasn’t all that certain that many of the boys here at Sonora liked her enough to ask her, she figured why not try her luck and be the one to ask one of them. If she was rejected it really wasn’t that big of a deal, right? That didn’t mean that there was something wrong with her, did it? The usually confident little Pecari shrugged her slender shoulders as she pulled out an apple from the basket and began to crunch happily on it. The way she saw it, she would get some flying practice in, eat some lunch, enjoy Lucian’s company and if she wasn’t being a coward ask him to go to the ball with her. If he said no, he said no. No big deal. She would go anyway and hang out with Bri, Waverly and anyone else Waverly had invited. She would still have herself a great time.

She finished her apple and tossed the core into a plastic bag she brought for garbage. She decided while she was waiting for Lucian she would go take a practice flight around the Pitch. She hopped onto her broom and with a small kick she was up off the ground. She hovered for a second before taking off into the air. She was still a little wobbly when she flew, but she worked hard to keep herself steady. She was coming back around for another pass by her blanket when she thought she saw someone walking towards it. She circled around and prepared to land. She hoped that by the time she came back to the blanket that Lucian had decided to join her.

0 Clara Abernathy Unwinding and Wondering (Tag Lucian) 232 Clara Abernathy 1 5

Lucian D'Alesandro

April 21, 2013 12:34 PM

Pondering With Curiousity by Lucian D'Alesandro

Lucian spent most of his third year at Sonora alone. He kept to himself, did his work, and read a lot of books. When something was on his mind he usually ended up snapping at people around him without meaning to, so he figured it was best to sort out his thoughts on his own. His family appeared to be falling apart and he wasn’t sure there was anything he could do about it. The last time he saw his parents together, they had been at each other’s throats and fighting. His father finally stormed out one night and left without even saying goodbye to Lucian and his sister. When he went home during break, his father was “away on business”. At least that was what his mother told him. He assumed there was another reason for his absence. However, Lucian’s mother never missed an opportunity to search for the perfect betrothal for him. She would go to numerous parties and chat with other snooty purebloods and surely try to find a family line that would mix well with his.

The arrival of Clara’s owl surprised Lucian a bit. He hadn’t really gotten a chance to talk to her as much this year, since he had kept to himself much of the time. He was glad to receive the invitation though, with everything else going on. A little socialization could help him, plus he always enjoyed Clara’s company. He was also curious as to what the question she had for him involved. He figured it was probably something about flying.

Lucian made his way to the Pitch, but stayed out of sight for a few minutes. He watched Clara flying through the air and smirked. Apparently his advice had helped, for she seemed to be improving. She must have noticed him, because she circled around to land. He walked near her things lying on the grass and waited for her.

0 Lucian D'Alesandro Pondering With Curiousity 223 Lucian D'Alesandro 0 5

Clara Abernathy

April 21, 2013 5:25 PM

Asking and hoping by Clara Abernathy

Clara landed near her blanket and walked over to find Lucian waiting for her. She was certain now that it had been him she saw near the trees. She waved cheerfully as she approached. “You got my note,” she commented happily as she gestured for him to have a seat. She placed her broom down on the ground near her feet. “I figured since you were kind enough to bring the food last time that I would return the favor,” she pointed at the basket by her feet. “I wasn’t sure if you would come what with the challenges and such,” she told him honestly. “But I’m really glad you did.” She found herself making idle chatter while she struggled to bring to life the words she actually wanted to say. “Check it out…no new scars,” she joked, holding out both of her hands and arms for inspection. “Your advice really helped. I’ve been able to fly without any hurting myself.” she told him nervously making small talk. As usual since she wasn’t dealing with anything school-like and this was just recreational she had decided to dress out of school uniform. She picked lightly at her jeans and then reached into the basket for something else to occupy her hands. She found one of the apples she had packed and pulled it out.

“I know that my note said that I had a question I wanted to ask you,” she began rolling the apple in her hands nervously. She took a quick bite out of it and began chewing slowly trying to calm her nerves. She couldn’t believe that she was having such a hard time with this. It should have been something fairly easy and yet she felt as if she was about to do the single scariest thing ever on the face of the planet. She was almost angry with herself for being such a coward. She swallowed the apple and continued. “So here it goes….” she hesitated again. “I was wondering…if you weren’t busy that is…”she stumbled. She let out a deep breath and pushed herself to continue. “I was wondering if maybe you would…ummm…if you would like to go to the ball with me,” she finished kind-of quickly. She hoped that she was clear enough to have been understood. “If not that’s okay,” she continued, rambling now. “I just thought it might be fun if we went together.” She couldn’t believe she had finally gotten the whole thing out of her mouth.

Of-course now that she had she couldn’t help wondering if she had made a mistake. What if he said no? What if he said yes? Would her having asked him change their friendship? All of the sudden her brain was bombarded by questions as she waited anxiously for his reply. She was a little proud of herself for getting the question out there. Now she just hoped he didn’t laugh in her face for doing so.

0 Clara Abernathy Asking and hoping 232 Clara Abernathy 0 5

Lucian D'Alesandro

April 26, 2013 11:46 PM

Overthinking and Replying by Lucian D'Alesandro

Lucian smiled and waved as he watched Clara land and walk towards him. “I was a bit surprised to get your note,” Lucian admitted, “but I definitely needed to get out of my room for a while.” He was starting to find his own thoughts maddening. Though he was a loner at times, when he was worried about something it helped to be around people. After Clara motioned for him to, Lucian sat down with his legs crossed and leaned forward as he listened to her talk. “Food is always welcomed,” he replied with a grin and reached into the basket and took out an apple.

As Clara held out her hands and joked about having no new scars, Lucian sat up proudly and stated: “ I guess I am a good teacher…no but really, you were able to do it the whole time. You just had to stop worrying about it.” He took a large bite out of his apple, making a loud crunching noise. As he chewed, he watched Clara nervously pick at her jeans and roll her apple back and forth between her hands while talking. "Hmm, I wonder what is wrong" Lucian thought to himself, assuming she was about to tell him something bad. He set his apple down as she brought up that she wanted to ask him something, and put his weight on his arms as he placed his hands on the ground behind him. Lucian also unfolded his legs and stretched them out in front of him. If he was going to hear bad news, he should do so comfortably.

Finally, Clara blurted out something that ended in “ball with me” and continued talking. Lucian just sat blinking at her for a few brief moments while he processed what had just happened. She wanted to go to the ball.. with him? He hadn’t even given the ball much thought with everything else going on. He wasn’t sure that he felt up to socializing, but then again it may be good for him since he locked himself away in his room so much this year. Then there was the matter of his mother finding out whom he was taking to the ball when he requested she send his dress robes. She would want him to take some stuck up pureblood girl instead.

After thinking for a bit, Lucian looked at Clara again and smiled a little. She had been a good friend, and there was no reason he shouldn’t go to the ball with her. He always had fun when she was around, and she always seemed to pick up on his jokes and sarcasm. She must have felt the same way. "Or does she like me?" He thought for a moment. "Do I like her?"

Lucian felt his face turning red and snapped himself out of thinking about such things. He realized at this time that Clara had stopped talking and was waiting probably rather impatiently for his response. He smiled once more and said “I will go to the ball with you. It sounds like fun. ”

0 Lucian D'Alesandro Overthinking and Replying 223 Lucian D'Alesandro 0 5

Clara Abernathy

April 28, 2013 2:37 PM

Excited and Relieved by Clara Abernathy

Clara had been so nervous when she stopped talking that she wasn’t sure she had heard Lucian reply. It was the smile he gave when he had spoke that she realized he had actually just said yes to going to the ball with her. She could hardly believe it. Now came the “fun” part of finding a dress to wear for the whole thing. Clara frowned slightly when she realized that she really had no idea what she wanted to wear. This was one of those times when Clara wished that her mother hadn’t died. She could have just asked her and would have gotten great advice. She loved her dad dearly and while he tried to make sure she had everything she needed…there were just some things a girl needed her mother for. I suppose I could always ask my aunts about it she thought to herself before she smiled big and turned her attention back to Lucian.

“So…how should we go about this?” she asked him, tapping her pointer finger to her lips. “I mean, should we just meet each other there? Or Should I meet you somewhere else and we walk in together?” She really had no idea how this sort of thing was supposed to work. She knew that traditionally the boy was supposed to ask the girl, but this wasn’t a date date so she didn’t really feel that that rule applied. They were going as friends so its not like they had to adhere to the normal rules for this sort of thing. Besides it wasn’t like they were actually calling it a date, right, so she really didn’t have to feel like she was under any pressure right? She couldn’t help, but wonder if this was the sort of thing that other Pureblood girls worried about. Not that she really had any idea what they typically worried about since she hadn’t been raised as a typical Pureblood. Her parents were from well-to-do Pureblood families, but she never saw them behave like some of the Purebloods they associated with. They seemed to believe in upholding their own traditions as opposed to societal traditions.

Her family was respected in Europe, but they were definitely the odd-men-out. She was raised to be who she wanted to be and not what some social class wanted her to be and Clara loved that about her family. Her coming out party (as it were) took place at her grandparents place in Europe when she turned ten and it was more like a huge party than a stuffy ball. She had had soo much fun she hadn’t realized that she was being introduced to all her grandparents stuffy friends. She shrugged off the memory and returned to the present. She was a not your typical Pureblood girl going to a school ball with a nicer than normal Pureblood boy and she smiled to herself at the thought. What amused her the most most days was the fact that because she didn’t act like the other Pureblood girls she had met here at Sonora, they assumed she wasn’t one herself. Good…I like to keep them guessing she told herself.

Clara’s mind wandered back to Lucian and the upcoming ball. She wondered momentarily if the reason why he said yes was because he actually liked her liked her, but wasn’t about to ask him that out loud for fear that he would say no. She liked Lucian quite a bit. He was a really nice guy, he was funny and had no problem teasing her which she liked. He was an awesome friend. She hadn’t really considered whether or not she liked him as more than one though. That thought made her blush slightly and she shook it off. They were going to the ball as friends. If something else came of it than so be it, but she wasn’t going to complicate the issue. She went back to wondering what they should wear for the ball when a funky idea struck the little Pecari. There was nothing to say that they had to dress up in formal robes for this event right? So why couldn’t they have some fun with it? “Ya know,” she began, “It would be a ton of fun if we dressed in theme clothes,” she told him half seriously. She tapped her pointer finger to her lips for a second. “We could…umm…ooh I know! We could go dressed in medieval clothes. My aunt Charlotte runs this cool shop over near Tuscon. I’m sure she would totally set us up if I asked her,” she told him excitedly. “How wild would that be? Sure everybody might think we were bonkers, but who cares? Just think how much fun that would be,” she was practically giddy over the idea. Sure she would wear a normal ball-ish gown if he said no to the idea, but what if he said yes? What a sight they would be walking into the ball together dressed in medieval times finest. The idea of it made her smile. “What do you think?” she asked him, crossing her legs on the blanket to keep herself from bouncing around. She could hardly keep her excitement to herself.

0 Clara Abernathy Excited and Relieved 232 Clara Abernathy 0 5

Lucian D'Alesandro

April 30, 2013 12:41 AM

Laughing and Sighing by Lucian D'Alesandro

Lucian pondered Clara’s question, of whether they should meet at the ball or walk in together, for a moment. If they walked in together, did that make it a date? If they met there then surely that would mean they were just going as friends. Lucian decided he should be careful in answering this, but at the same time he had come to a realization. He would want to be around Clara for most of the evening, and if things seemed too casual she may end up hanging around her friends, which left him standing alone. He knew fellow classmates, but he didn’t really have any friends that he talked to on a regular basis. “I think we should walk in together,” he said finally, in a matter of fact way, “so people know we are there together.” He hoped that didn’t sound too forward.

Lucian raised an eyebrow to Clara’s suggestion that they dress up in themed medieval clothing. They would definitely attract some attention that way. The thought of his mother finding out crossed his mind once more. Alex would most likely make an appearance at the ball, and seeing him with Clara in a medieval get-up would cause her to notify their mother immediately. He could just hear his mother now, scolding him for embarrassing their family or for not behaving like a Pureblood gentleman. Lucian was tired of hearing about how he should behave and what he should be doing. What about what was best for him? What about what he wanted to do? He found himself caring less and less about what society thought about him. Then again, his mother may not even care about the ball. She had become so wrapped up in her own world that she barely paid any mind to Lucian or his sister.

“Sounds perfect,” Lucian said, deciding to stir things up a little bit, “As long as you choose a color that brings out my eyes.” He winked at Clara and laughed. After watching her for a moment, Lucian thought about how he didn’t really know much about her family life. Alex, who apparently knows everything about everyone, had mentioned to him that Clara is in fact a Pureblood. She had observed them talking in one of their classes and grilled him with questions afterwards. However, Lucian remained skeptical. She seemed way too cool to be a Pureblood girl. At least he never met one like her. Alex warned him of course, saying that he should watch the company that he keeps, for Clara was not acting like a proper Pureblood girl should.

Lucian grew quiet as he thought about his betrothal and his home life once more, which made him sigh out loud. He wished he could bring it all up somehow and talk to Clara about it. She seemed excited and happy about the ball though, so he decided to keep things upbeat. “Are any of your friends going to the ball?” he asked her.

0 Lucian D'Alesandro Laughing and Sighing 223 Lucian D'Alesandro 0 5

Clara Abernathy

April 30, 2013 2:14 PM

Super excited by Clara Abernathy

Clara stared at Lucian with complete surprise as he actually agreed with her clothing suggestion. She had hoped that he would be up for it, but she also kept to the idea that he could have said no as well and wanted to be ready for the possibility. The fact that he seemed to like the idea as much as she did excited her a little more. Sure the whole school would think they were crazy for doing it, but that didn't bother Clara in the least. She almost second guessed herself and asked him if he was sure, but she mentally shook the impulse away. If he was willing to do something outrageously silly with her she was not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. She clapped her hands with excitement and giggled. “You are the coolest!” she exclaimed. She found that she agreed with him wholeheartedly when he said that they should walk in together so everyone knew they were together. It wouldn’t mean they were together together, but it would let everyone know who her date was for the ball and she liked that idea. She liked the idea that he wanted to be seen with her despite her eccentric behaviors. When he mentioned the fact that the clothing had to match his eyes, she found herself actually looking at his eyes to ascertain their color. She realized he was teasing her again when he winked at her and started laughing.

She giggled at his teasing and winked back. “I will do my best,” she promised, placing her right hand over her heart. “I’ll leave the details to my Aunt though. If she doesn’t have what we need in her shop she can make it for us,” she told him. She had a small idea of what she wanted, but she wanted to contact her aunt Charlotte about it and see what she thought. She knew her aunt wouldn’t let them down. Besides it was Clara’s first “date” and she knew her aunt would want to help her make it a good one. It might be her only one until her betrothal to whomever was official. She slightly cringed at the thought of it, but brushed it off so she didn’t drag down the fun they were having. She was a little taken aback when he asked if her friends were going to the ball as well. She nodded. “As far as I know they are,” she replied nicely. “My cousin Brielle and our friend Waverly are going to the ball with each other so they can hang out together. Waverly’s little sister Wendy is going with someone named Carter,” she told him. “I’m not sure about my other cousins though. They might be going.” She shrugged her shoulders sending her unruly curly hair bouncing on her shoulders slightly.

Just before she had answered his question, Clara was pretty sure she heard him sigh aloud. The sigh made her curious. Was something bothering him and if so what? The other question that crossed her mind was if she asked him about it would he tell her? She’d like to think that he would. She would if he asked. She decided to test that theory. “I don’t want to sound like I’m prying, but is something bothering you?” she asked him carefully. “I heard you sigh a bit ago and it didn’t sound like a happy one to me.” She gave him a thoughtful look. If her friend was having a problem she wanted to help if she could and she wanted him to know that. “You won’t ruin anything if we talk about it,” she promised him, smiling encouragingly. “There’s a possibility I could even help,” she offered cheerfully. She wasn’t sure if he would actually tell her what was wrong, if anything was, but she hoped he would.

0 Clara Abernathy Super excited 232 Clara Abernathy 0 5

Lucian D'Alesandro

May 02, 2013 10:25 PM

Talking too much by Lucian D'Alesandro

“I am glad you think so,” Lucian replied to Clara’s statement about how he is the coolest, “but I may not be alive much longer after the ball once my mother finds out about what I am wearing to it.” He was half-joking and half-serious. His mother would definitely ground him for the summer. Lucian didn’t mind too much though, for he would rather be left alone to his reading. “I don’t really know many people going,” Lucian continued, “I wasn’t even sure if I was going until you asked me. We can definitely meet up with your friends at some point though if you would like.”

After Clara asked him if something was bothering him, Lucian stood and put his hands into his pockets as he usually did when he was anxious. He turned and put his back to her momentarily as he considered whether or not he should spill his guts to her. Typically he was a private individual when it came to his emotions. He could be sociable if he wanted to, but at the same time he always liked keeping a distance from the people around him. He turned around to face Clara again and began talking.

“I just have a lot on my mind,” he said as he began pacing back and forth, “You see, my mother wants to arrange a betrothal for me. She has been meeting with different families about it. I don’t really like the idea. I want my marriage to be something I choose, you know? She and my father have been fighting a lot…and I just think that I should be able to choose. I don’t want to get stuck with some girl I don’t get along with.” He thought back on the many fights between his parents that he witnessed a few breaks ago. What’s the point of getting married if that is how things end up? “Sometimes,” he began, thinking out loud now, “I think that maybe it is better to not get married at all. I want to travel and see everything I have read about. I want to do something that I want to do. I don’t want to get stuck running my parent’s businesses or doing whatever it is that they do.” Lucian realized he was getting too much into his family’s secrets, so he cut himself short. “Sorry,” he said, “ I didn’t mean to blab so much. It is just something that has been bugging me and I haven’t had many people to talk to this year.”

He looked at her now, searching her face for some sort of understanding. He was also slightly embarrassed for talking so much.

0 Lucian D'Alesandro Talking too much 223 Lucian D'Alesandro 0 5

Clara Abernathy

May 03, 2013 11:50 AM

I do that a LOT...lol by Clara Abernathy

Clara watched quietly as Lucian stood up and began pacing in front of her. She hadn’t meant to upset him. She had just been concerned for her friend. She was about to tell him that he didn’t have to tell her what was wrong when he began talking. Her face softened as she listened to him spill about his mother wanting to betroth him and how he didn’t want to work for his parents businesses. She brought her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on the partially exposed flesh as she sat captivated by his needed rantings. She knew EXACTLY how he felt. Her father and grandfather had been discussing the very same issue for her and while she shared most of Lucian’s viewpoints on the subject, her opinion differed from his on one thing. While she wasn’t happy about the idea of an arranged marriage, it sure beat out the idea of spending your life alone. Who really wants that? Who really wants to have no one to laugh with or cry with or be silly with? Who really wants to have no one to share their accomplishments with or care about them? Who really wants to spend their life with no one to love them? Clara heard the words come out of Lucian’s mouth on how it would be better just not to get married, but deep down she didn’t quite buy the fact that he really believed that.

Clara stayed quiet while Lucian ranted and smiled to herself that he felt comfortable enough around her to do so. It looked like he really needed to do this in a way. She had done the same thing with her cousins when she found out about the whole mess. It had felt good to talk to her older cousin about it first. She knew Arista would know just what to say. When Lucian apologized for spilling his guts about everything Clara gently shook her head. “There’s no need to apologize Lucian,” she told him gently. “I know what it feels like to keep things bottled up sometimes…especially family stuff.” She offered him her friendliest smile. ‘If it makes you feel any better, I know exactly how you feel.” She sighed slightly before revealing her own burdens to him. She raised her chin from her knees to look up at him fully and wrapped her arms around her legs. “My grandfather has been “kindly” reminding my father that its time that I be betrothed as well.” She sighed again. “My father isn’t entirely thrilled with the idea, but neither is he arguing too much with my gramps about it.”

“I totally get that my family isn’t exactly what you would call “traditionalist” Pureblood and that we do seem to do our own thing whether its socially acceptable all the time or not, but I always kind-of liked that part. Ya know, not being what was considered normal? It was just a huge shock to find out that where we’re weirdoes about everything else, we’re not when it comes to betrothals. Apparently, with the exception of a few happy accidents, betrothals have happened for my family for like the last two hundred years.” Which oddly enough was not untrue as far as her Aunt Charlotte could ascertain. “I completely agree with you…at least with a few things.” she grinned slightly at him. “I completely agree with the fact that I would hate to be stuck with somebody I didn’t get along with. I mean, what kind of marriage would that be if we spent all of it fighting with each other? That would just suck. I would say that I agreed with your assessment on marriage only I think that deep down while its easy to say that you think you’d be better off not getting married, that’s not really how you feel about it. I would love to travel more than I already have, but what sounds like more fun…more of an adventure? Saying that you went to someplace like Rome all by yourself and that you thought it was okay…or that you went with someone special and you got to see it through not only your eyes but theirs as well?”

She knew she got kind-of soap-boxy just then, but she wanted him to understand her point of view even if he didn’t agree with it. “My dad once told me that the best times he ever had on trips was when he got to see my mom’s face light up when she saw something new. Her excitement was infectious. Now that she’s gone, he and I go see things, but I know for him its not quite the same anymore.” She realized for the first time that while she and her dad had fun together, it wasn’t the same since her mother died. She smiled sadly at the thought of her mother. “As for the family business part…I’m not sure what your parents do, but I can understand why you wouldn’t want to be stuck doing what they do for the rest of your life. In my case its not really so bad since my family has been breeding horses for quite a long time. Its been a family tradition that’s been past from father to son, but that went kinda weird when I was born. I’m not exactly my grandpa’s first choice since I’m a girl, but I am his only son’s only child so…” She shrugged at that part. It was about that point that she realized she had been talking way more than he had. She laughed slightly about that and shook her head. “And here you apologized for talking too much when I must have about bored you to tears,” she laughed. She let go of her legs and crossed them in front of her. It felt good to talk to him about stuff.

She finally gave some thought to his earlier comment about meeting up with her friends at the ball if she wanted and nodded slightly to herself. It would be nice, but it wasn’t a requirement. Besides she kinda liked the idea of spending time there with just him. Instead of saying that she heard herself say, “Its too bad your mother hasn’t talked to my father about betrothing us to each other,” she heard herself say. “Then you wouldn’t have to worry about whether or not you’d like the person or whether or not you got along. We already know that we do.” She froze for about half a second when she realized what it was she had just suggested. She mentally kicked herself for that one and hoped that she really hadn’t just blown it with him. She laughed a bit to make it seem like she had just made a bad joke and hoped that he didn’t notice her mentally kicking herself for suggesting something he might not have wanted in the first place. Why in Merlin’s name did I just say that? she scolded herself as she waited for his reaction.

0 Clara Abernathy I do that a LOT...lol 232 Clara Abernathy 0 5

Lucian D'Alesandro

May 04, 2013 11:36 AM

I don't mind listening. by Lucian D'Alesandro

Lucian was relieved when Clara began talking about what was on her mind as well. He always assumed it was overwhelming if he talked too much, and he would much rather listen to her talk anyways. He focused his green eyes on her as she revealed that she is in fact a Pureblood, just a non-traditional one by society’s standards. He was also glad that he wasn’t the only one who was worried about a future betrothal. It seemed to be a part of life that most Purebloods handled with grace and eloquence as two upper status families were bound together.

That was probably the part that bothered him most. He didn’t want his marriage to be a status symbol. He wanted to be in love with the person he was married to. Perhaps they could grow to love each other, but he wasn’t sure that was the same kind of love. He didn’t want to settle for anything in his life. Most of all, he didn’t want to end up unhappy like his parents. That was the theme that kept replaying in his head as he listened to Clara.

“I have always liked that about you,” Lucian stated, in response to Clara saying that she liked her family’s weird ways, “You are different from all of those other snobby girls.” He smiled at her as she continued on. As she began talking about sharing life with someone, and not believing that he actually wanted to remain alone forever, Lucian laid down in the grass and looked up at the sky above them.

He closed his eyes and continued listening to her, until she mentioned casually that it was too bad his mother hadn’t talked to her father about betrothing them to each other. Once he realized what she had just said, he snapped open his eyes and stumbled over his own thoughts. What was she saying? She wanted to be betrothed to him? Was she joking? He turned his head towards her a bit to scan her face. She seemed a bit anxious and embarrassed. He tried to think rationally for a moment. A betrothal to each other really wouldn’t be all that bad. They did get along pretty well, and maybe that was all she was referring to.

He sat up and leaned back on his hands once more, and after a few moments of contemplating, he began replying to what she had said. “It is not that I want to be alone forever. I would want to share my travels with someone. I mean, I could do it alone, but I would think that could get boring after awhile. I just meant that sometimes I think I would rather be alone that be stuck in a marriage with someone I don’t like. Plus, it’s kinda like you said. I want to be married to my best friend. I want to be able to share everything with her, even what I am thinking. I want her to be interested in the same things as me, or at least pretend to be interested when I talk about them. A betrothal just seems so..well, arranged. I would rather be in love with the person I marry. I guess you could love the person you are betrothed to, but it’s different. You may fall for the person you are betrothed to because you know you have to spend a lifetime with them, but when you are married for love..it doesn’t seem as obligatory. You know that person genuinely loves you for who you are, and not for your family name.”

Lucian blushed a little before continuing. He never shared his thoughts like this, especially when they were about love and all that mushy stuff. “It is too bad though, that our parents haven’t talked about a betrothal between us. I wouldn’t be nervous about it like I am now. You haven’t met my mother. She is all about finding the best possible betrothal. She would probably think your family is weird. No offense, she is just very traditional, proper, and well, a snob. It is wishful thinking though.” He shrugged his shoulders and sighed before concluding with: “All I know is, a betrothal is not going to stop me from marrying someone if I fall in love with them.” He knew how daring it probably sounded, to defy what his family and many other Pureblood families have done for years, but he had never been more serious.

0 Lucian D'Alesandro I don't mind listening. 223 Lucian D'Alesandro 0 5

Clara Abernathy

May 04, 2013 2:48 PM

Neither do I :) by Clara Abernathy

Clara was still sort-of kicking herself for the betrothal, but once said she couldn’t take it back. She was a bit surprised though to discover that he didn’t mind the idea of being betrothed to her, but he was probably right. It was kind-of wishful thinking. Oh well. She shrugged at his words about his mother thinking her family was weird. “None taken,” she assured him. “Lots of other Pureblood families think my family is weird. Hasn’t stopped us before…won’t stop us now,” she laughed slightly. It was true though. Many of the European Pureblood families did view hers with a bit of amusement and tolerance, but the Abernathys were still invited to balls and functions. She really wasn’t offended that he felt his mother might see her and her family as weird. She was just glad that he liked the fact that she was weird.

She listened to him talk about how he felt about the idea of marriage and found that she agreed wholeheartedly. He was right. What good was it to be trapped in a marriage with someone who you learned to love? Sure you kind-of love that person, but he was right it wouldn’t be the same kind of love you would have if you yourself had actually chosen that person for yourself. If you chose that person you would know that it was for love. She wasn’t surprised at all to know that he felt that way. She had been thinking a lot about that same subject herself lately. “You’re absolutely right,” she told him. “I agree that if you were to marry your best friend it would seem less obligatory. At least then you’d know you’re with someone who loves you for you and not what your family can do for them. You would also be with someone who you already know you have lots in common with. Its just too bad not all betrothals and marriages could be like that,” she finished.

She really wasn’t at all surprised when he said that he wouldn’t let a betrothal stop him from marrying the person he fell in love with. She had liked Lucian from the first time they had met. He was not like any of the other boys at Sonora. He was playful and silly, a fact that she learned thanks to their pillow fight in Transfig class, he was thoughtful and encouraging which she learned during their flight lesson and now she was discovering his philosophical side. There were many facets to Lucian that made him a good friend, but it was all of those facets and the trust he gave her during this conversation that made Clara like and respect him even more. He was, if she dared to say so, one of her closest friends here at Sonora. Yeah she was friends with her cousins, but they were family. She had never really sat down with one of them and had the kind of talks that she was having right now with him.

“Ya know, its too bad your mom might think my family is too weird for yours,” she started, trying to sound serious as she hid a smile. “Because personally I think we’d be perfect for each other. You already know I’m a klutz so there’d be no surprise there, and I already know that there are times you’d prefer to be alone cuz lets face it that’s how you’ve spent most of your school year. We already know we can be down right silly together. I mean, you hit me with a pillow in the middle of class one day. Who does that?” she raised a brow at him, a teasing smile beginning to take shape on her face. “And you must really like me an awful lot if you’re willing to risk public humiliation and possible death because you agreed to wear funny clothes to a social function with me. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is,” she nudged him lightly with her elbow as she laughed teasingly at her friend. Even if she and Lucian never ended up together, at least she knew he could take a joke and would laugh right along with her.

0 Clara Abernathy Neither do I :) 232 Clara Abernathy 0 5

Lucian D'Alesandro

May 05, 2013 2:39 PM

Ready to make some heads turn with our entrance? by Lucian D'Alesandro

Lucian relaxed a little more as Clara started teasing him. Their conversation up until that point had been serious and thought provoking. It was nice to be able to joke with her after spilling his guts everywhere. She was definitely different than every other girl he had met. He actually felt disappointed that his mother most likely wouldn’t be considering her for his betrothal. Clara had become the best friend that he had. She understood him and was there for him when he needed to talk, even though he was a loner for much of the year. He just wished that her family’s weird ways didn’t matter to his mother, because they didn’t matter to him at all.

“We would make quite a pair,” he said now, smirking, “We would probably drive my family nuts, which isn’t a bad thing. I mean, my mother is probably already going to flip out when she hears about our ball attire…and trust me, she will. At least you could count on me using what we learned in Transfiguration to turn stones into pillows when you attempt to fly. Wouldn’t want you to break something. On second thought, maybe I would just learn how to turn everything into pillows when you fly.” He laughed now, imagining a pillow house with pillows lining the yard. “As far as public humiliation goes, I don’t consider it humiliating at all to go to the ball dressed the way we are. We are going to have fun, and I am glad I am going with you. I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”

“Where would you like to meet before the ball?” Lucian asked now, returning his attention to the event that would be approaching soon.

0 Lucian D'Alesandro Ready to make some heads turn with our entrance? 223 Lucian D'Alesandro 0 5

Clara Abernathy

May 06, 2013 9:28 AM

With our entrance as well as our exit by Clara Abernathy

Clara laughed as well at the idea of pillows being everywhere when she flew. That would definitely be a sight to see. Along with the pillows would be the crash helmet he gave her on her head. “The pillows would be a good idea,” she agreed still giggling. “They would look great with the crash helmet you gave me.” She found herself feeling slightly disappointed with the idea that his mother may not consider her for his betrothal. That really kinda sucks she thought to herself as she joked with her best friend. She liked how he joked about them driving his family nuts. She giggled at the statement. She was also delighted with the fact that he didn’t consider it public humiliation to be going dressed as they were going to. She was even more delighted to know that he was glad he was going with her and like her he didn’t care what anyone else thought either.

“Its good to hear that I won’t be ruining your reputation with this,” she teased him lightly. “You’re absolutely right. We are going to have fun and I could care less what anyone else thinks.” She was completely serious about that. She didn’t care. Clara was happy being herself and hang it all if anyone had a problem with that. It wasn’t going to stop her from being her perky, funny, klutzy self. She was just glad she had Lucian to joke around with. Outside of her family and a couple of choice friends, he was the only person who really seemed to get her jokes (good or bad) and made them right back. She was lost in a stray thought when he asked where she wanted to meet him before the ball. “I would say lets meet right outside of Cascade Hall. Let everybody see how cool we look entering the room,” she replied, giving him a light wink. She soo couldn’t wait for the ball. This was going to Rock!

0 Clara Abernathy With our entrance as well as our exit 232 Clara Abernathy 0 5