Just hanging out. [Lavender] on Cascade Hall

Valentine Duell

November 11, 2022 6:21 PM

Just hanging out. [Lavender] by Valentine Duell

Lavender was already in the hall when Val arrived. She was doing her best to make as much time for her friend as possible. It wasn't easy, with all of the academics that she struggled with, but she did her best. Her socialization had taken a severe downturn this year, and she didn't expect it to improve again until after she graduated. Mealtimes were the easiest to rectify that though. That was the plan for lunch today. Val waved at her friend as she approached, and then gave her the traditional hug.

"Hi Lavender!" She said gladly. "How are you doing? Come, let's eat!" Valentine found a seat at the table and motioned for Lavender to sit with her. It was no grand feast for lunch today, but the normal lunch options, nothing to complain about though. The food was secondary though, she now had Lavender and there was so much to catching up to do.

They may as well start off with the most obvious of the topics on hand. "The challenges are over and the concert is yet before us before we escape again for the summer." She started off the statement a bit dramatically, but ended on more of a somber note that surprised even herself. "The 'lasts' of ours are soon starting. This will be our last 'summer break'." She let out a little sigh. "It doesn't seem like very long ago we were just little first years, and yet next year will be our last." She then tried to put on a bright smile, "I guess we'll have to make the most of things. Do you have any hopes or dreams for our last year?"

2 Valentine Duell Just hanging out. [Lavender] 1490 1 5

Lavender Brockert

November 13, 2022 9:26 PM

Just what I need by Lavender Brockert

Lavender was super excited for lunch today, because she was actually going to get to hang out with Val! This was not something that happened nearly enough and she was so happy to spend some time with her friend. Even though she was arguably closer to Graham now, she still really enjoyed the Teppenpaw’s company and wanted more of it. That was all she ever wanted

And it was exactly what Lavender needed after the unmitigated disaster that had been the final Challenge results. The one and only thing that she wanted, the only thing that mattered to her, she had not gotten. Bonahelle’s team had won and her own team had finished tied for sixth with Gabriel and Graham’s and-to make matters worse-their two teams had also tied for last in Challenge Three, which was never a good feeling.

The Crotalus knew that one’s value as a human being did not come from accomplishments but from being a good person. She knew how Aunt Jillian had tried to force achievement above all else on Amity and Chaslyn and how that had affected them negatively.

But how was it fair that good people, deserving people, like herself, Stanley, Wally, Gabriel, Graham, Piper and Val had done so poorly in the Challenges and someone like Bonahelle , who was horrid, won? It was discouraging and disheartening and shook Lavender’s faith in there being any sort of justice in the world. People like Bonahelle got everything while people like her got nothing. It wasn’t enough that the Aladren hogged Val leaving Lavender with crumbs, she had to go and win the Challenges too. She had to have to be the bright shining one while the Crotalus sunk down to mediocrity.

Not that Bonahelle’s teammates were all horrible undeserving types, she had to grudgingly admit. Sadie and Isla, the others among them that Lavender knew at all, were both pretty nice people, even types that Lavender might have normally rooted for had her mortal enemy not been on their team. Well maybe not rooted for as they were still her opponents, but she could have lost graciously to them had the toxic blackhole that was Bonahelle not been their teammate.

Although arguably, Lavender supposed maybe winning the Challenges was their reward for putting up with the Aladren all year? Merlin knew that could not have been fun for them. It actually sounded like torture. It was just terrible that it meant that her nemesis got to share in the reward.

And it was indeed unfair, the last Challenge. Bonahelle’s team had gotten a park . A park was something with a ton of flexibility and room to come up with creative ideas. And plants which were Lavender’s specialty. It was bad enough that she hadn’t been able to join Gardening Club because of Bonahelle’s presence there.

The whole thing boiled down to feeling like the Aladren was superior to her, which, of course, she wasn’t but it still felt that way. Like why did Bonahelle get to feel good about herself and Lavender had to feel like nothing? Like she was less than? Especially to someone so vile. Again. She felt like nothing ever worked out in her favor and that nothing ever would.

Why didn’t she get to be happy? Why didn’t she get to come out ahead? Why was Bonahelle so bloody special ?

It was just so depressing. Lavender had been feeling pretty down over the results of the Challenges. She had left the party pretty quickly after finding out that once more her enemy had come out on top, the last thing she had wanted to do was celebrate . What reason was there to do so? Her team had not come in last overall, and that was great but Lavender was not about to sit around at Bonahelle’s victory party, not about to celebrate the Aladren.

So, it meant the absolute world to her that Val had cleared some time out of her busy schedule to spend time with the Crotalus. She smiled warmly at her friend as they hugged. “ Hey Val. Thanks for eating lunch with me today.” Okay, it was just lunch and they had to eat anyway,but the other sixth year didn’t necessarily have to eat with her .

They sat down at one of the tables and Val brought up the Challenges. Lavender couldn’t help but grimace at the mention of them. “And I’m glad they’re done. I mean, I liked my teammates but I just wish…we’d done better, you know?” She paused. “Both of our teams, I mean.” After all, she’d actually beat the Teppenpaw. It had been horrible how it had all come out since not only she but all the people at Sonora that she liked and cared about had finished at the bottom of the rankings when they deserved so much better.

Honestly, her teammates had so also. One thing that Lavender absolutely refused to do was blame her teammates. Yes, that had been what Amity had done, partially to defend herself and her mediocre ranking to Aunt Jillian, but the sixth year wouldn’t. Perhaps her cousin’s teammates had sucked and deserved the blame, but hers didn’t. They were all great and had tried their absolute best.

She didn’t know how things had turned out how they had, but she was honestly just glad the whole thing was over. Hopefully, Lavender could soon put it all behind her.

Then Val brought up how it would be the last summer break and how next year would be their last. The Crotalus thought about the question that her friend had just asked. “I don’t know, I mostly just want to spend time together while we can. And spend time with Graham as well.It would also be nice to get Head Student and do well on my RATS” Lavender had much more optimism regarding the latter. “ Other than that, I’m not..all that sure I’ll be sorry to graduate. I mean, maybe somewhere else, I’ll fit in better and actually belong.”

11 Lavender Brockert Just what I need 1504 0 5

Valentine Duell

November 14, 2022 6:19 PM

Just wish I could do more by Valentine Duell

Lavender looked so happy at their meet up today, and that made Val feel a little sad. She didn't show it of course, but while she was glad to make her friend happy, she was upset at herself that 'meeting up for lunch' was such a big deal. She was a terrible friend, and she knew it. If she was a bit smarter, and didn't have to spend so much time studying, she would have more time for Lavender. Perhaps she should have taken an easier course of study, aim for a career that wasn't quite so demanding, then perhaps she could have made her friends happier overall. Maybe she was just being selfish.

In earlier days she had tried to get her friends to be friends with each other as well, which would have made things easier, but it hadn't worked out quite right. Val was aware of the concept of 'not getting along with people', but she didn't really have any experience with it. The concept just didn't make any sense, and that made it even harder when she had to watch her friends avoid each other for reasons she simply could not comprehend. Such was life though. So she was doing the best she could with what she had.

The hug back from Lavender felt good, even if the words of thanks stung just a little bit. Lavender didn't mean them in such a manner. She tried to throw in a joke as they pulled away from each other, "Get with my assistant, maybe we can pencil something in for next Thursday." The normal, slightly mischievous smile and gleam in her eye faded a moment after saying the words. "Do you think I could actually get an assistant? That would be great." Her gaze lost focus as she gazed off into the distance, as was common when she was processing a new idea. Val also continued to think aloud. "It would have to be a Teppenpaw girl so we could go over notes and such after curfew. Someone who wasn't already overburdened with classes.. a first or second year maybe? Robyn? Piper? Levi? It's late this year, maybe next year? I'd have to pay them..." Valentine shook her head free from the train of thought and grimaced and flushed a bit. "Sorry, Lavender!"

Lavender's grimace at the mention of challenges brought forth a minor giggle that was almost nearly completely suppressed. "I know what you mean. They were kinda fun, but I'm glad they are over as well." She thought for a moment before continuing, "I don't really mind placing low, you know as well as anyone that I've never been super competitive. I got to hang out with some people I didn't get the chance to much before, so that was neat. Thankfully they didn't take up an excessive amount of time from studying, but I suppose the professors set them up like that on purpose." She really wouldn't have minded having a teacher-approved reason to not spend so much time studying, but that would have also been absolutely detrimental to RATS next year. She really needed to do well on them to get the apprenticeship she was hoping for.

Valentine watched as her friend thought about next year's goals. She smiled approvingly at wanting to spend more time together, and her mind started working at how to make that happen. She didn't see a good way, but she didn't get very far in that train of thought either. Val was distracted by the rest of Lavender's statement. Her eyes opened a bit wider, and the her smile spread just as much. "Things are going well with Graham then?" She asked in her most best sweet and innocent voice. "I'm glad you are enjoying his company." Her expression was an open invitation for Lavender to open up on the subject all she wanted. Anything that made her friend happy was a good thing in her book.

As for the rest of Lavender's comments... "I'm with you on hoping to do well on RATS, the apprenticeship I'm looking at has some rather hefty expectations along those lines." She waved the subject away at that. "You would make a wonderful Head Student," she glanced around their section of the hall as if expecting eavesdroppers before commenting in a hushed tone, "I'll vote for you." Then she gave Lavender a wink and a smile before reaching out to touch her hand. "As for the whole fitting in and belonging thing," The Teppenpaw paused and gave her friend a sincere look, "I'll always consider you one of my best friends, and there will always be a place for you wherever I am." She sighed, "I don't know what things will look like after graduation, but I'm hopeful that there will be a time where I will have more control over my own schedule."

Then a thought struck her, "What do you have planned this summer?" She thought wildly, but didn't recall Mama or Papa saying anything special plans. "Maybe we could do something? I'm an adult now, and can do what I like."

2 Valentine Duell Just wish I could do more 1490 0 5

Lavender Brockert

November 15, 2022 10:13 PM

You do an awful lot. by Lavender Brockert

Lavender had to chuckle just a little at Val’s joke about her assistant. “Thursday is absolutely good for me.” Of course it was. She had nowhere near as busy a social life or a need to study as her friend’s. Although once she graduated, her social life might actually get busier. She would be attending balls and parties and luncheons. She’d probably end up eventually doing charity work. That was what pureblood women generally did.

Although it was honestly hard to think of herself as being a woman, as being a grown-up. Lavender was so used to being the youngest, the baby. She wasn’t just the youngest of her siblings but almost the youngest cousin, with only Piper being younger. And Charlotte, but she wasn’t the sixth year’s first cousin, she was the child of Lavender’s oldest first cousin.

“It’s all right.” She reassured her friend.“ And PIper would absolutely do it.” She replied. Actually, that was not a bad idea at all. Her cousin would definitely make sure to schedule some extra time for Val with Lavender. Maybe that would be a bit sneaky of her though.

And maybe that was why she wasn’t a Teppenpaw like her siblings. Maybe she had too much of a manipulative streak.Maybe she was too jealous at times. But she mostly tried to be nice and good and all of that. Lavender did try to be kind and compassionate to most people. It wasn’t her fault that Bonahelle was selfish and terrible and monopolized all of what little free time that Val had. She wasn’t really a mean person.

Disliking someone, especially someone awful, did not make you a bad person. Amity and Phillip both disliked Aunt Jillian who was an awful person. They were both good. And everyone despised Aunt Pearl, who was just as bad if not worse, to the point where they took Uncle Jeffrey’s side in their divorce over that of their biological relative. They were all good people. Therefore, Lavender was not automatically a terrible person for not liking Bonahelle and having nasty thoughts about her. She was sure if she asked her dad about Aunt Pearl, he would have nothing but mean things to say, and would be perfectly justified in saying them.

Not that Bonahelle was quite as bad as either of her aunts that were so loathed. After all she wasn’t a child abuser . Child abusers were especially heinous and deserved so much worse than scorn and the Aladren wasn’t quite at that level but she was still toxic. Absolutely toxic.

Anyway, the point wasn’t that Bonahelle was quite as bad as Aunt Jillian or Aunt Pearl, but that it was okay to dislike someone, especially someone who was terrible, and it did not make you an awful person. Actually, if you were a good person, shouldn’t you dislike someone who wasn’t?

Besides, that was not what was making Lavender doubt herself and the kind of person she was. It was that she wanted her cousin to be Val’s assistant because Piper had her best interests at heart more than Levi or Robyn whom she didn’t know.it was that she was worried that was sneaky and manipulative. Even though what she really was was desperate.

After all, they only had next year and then who knew?

Lavender listened to what Val had to say about the Challenges.”I know, I never have really been so either. It’s just…well, when you have to do something like that you want to do well. And we both started out towards the top and then ended so low. And I guess, I sort of felt, especially after that…early bit of hope, that I could come out on top for once, or close to it.”Of course, Lavender had left out the bit about wanting to crush Bonahelle and how losing to her made the Crotalus feel like hippogriff dung but everything she said about it was true.

She continued “I did like my teammates though and I guess that doesn’t happen for everyone. One of my cousins, Amity, despised most of hers. She called them parasites.” Not unlike Bonahelle actually. “ Of course I did have Stanley. I guess that first cousin once removed is not considered a close enough relationship to put us on different teams even though I know him well and grew up with him. That’s okay though, I really didn’t mind. I also had Amethyst who's also a distant cousin, so obviously I’ll probably see them more. I mean, definitely Stanley, of course.”

“Yes, Graham is really nice and I do enjoy having a friend to spend time with.” Lavender went on. “I mean, I'm not trying to say anything about not spending enough with you.” Okay, maybe she kind of was. “Just that…it’s nice to have more than one friend and I like hanging out with him.” She actually knew what the Teppenpaw was trying to imply but decided to ignore that. That was just too complicated for her to want to think about, even though she didn’t completely hate the idea. He was a friend though and she did want to continue that friendship after Sonora just as she did with Val.

Lavender looked at her friend. “ Is this the one with my cousin? I mean, my other cousin works there, and from what I understand he’s hardly a scholar.” She was not that closely related to either Adam or Cory, though Amethyst’s dad was the latter’s first cousin. “I think he only sells them though. Making them probably takes more education.” Honestly, she was kind of glad that these weren’t things that she had to worry about. Lavender felt fairly lucky to be a pureblood girl and not have to think about a career.

“You will?” The Crotalus replied. “Honestly, I am having trouble deciding who to vote for. There are so many people that I have to choose between. You, Graham, Stanley, Wally and yes,okay, myself.” She chuckled. It really was a difficult choice. After all the twins were her cousins-actually, so was Jasper, but she didn’t know him that well-and Graham had been there for her, so of course, she was leaning towards him, and then Val had just said she’d vote for Lavender and she wanted to promise the same thing but wasn’t sure she could. Especially since the Teppenpaw seemed pretty over-extended. “I appreciate that though. I think you’ll win and I don’t…see myself having much of a chance.

The next thing that the other sixth year said made her tear up a little. She was glad to know that she meant that much to Val. She honestly did worry about it quite a bit. “Same.” Lavender meant that with all her heart.

“We’re probably going to St. Berylla’s but not the whole time. And there’s nothing saying I can’t invite you even there.” Just because it was a summer playground for rich and powerful purebloods didn’t mean that Val couldn’t come if Lavender invited her. It wasn’t as if they made you take a blood purity test before you stepped foot on the island or anything. “I’m sure my parents would not mind if you came.”

11 Lavender Brockert You do an awful lot. 1504 0 5

Valentine Duell

November 16, 2022 6:18 PM

Is it enough though? by Valentine Duell

"I'll have to pencil you in then," Valentine responded cheerily about next Thursday. She was pretty sure she didn't have anything definite scheduled then... probably. Regardless, she'd hang out with Lavender again. Her friend sounded like she really needed some more time. "Remember to remind me again once we get to class so I'll have some things to actually write it down." She didn't want to forget. "Having someone to help track this would be nice, but..." Val's voice drifted off a bit as she thought about it, "It would seem a bit strange. Plus, next year Piper will be an intermediate student. She'll have a whole new level of work to adjust to. I don't know that she'd want me bother her with keeping track of my chaotic life, when she'll have her own to worry about."

As for the challenges, Val nodded along with Lavender's sentiment about wanting to do well. "Absolutely, you should always try your best and do what you can to help out the group." Her smile was a little thin at the mention of them starting off well. That horrible boggart in the first challenge was still giving her nightmares. She hadn't really told anyone what had happened, but Lydia had been there and she was sure word had probably gotten out anyway.

Valentine smiled as Lavender talked about Graham, she dismissed her friend's semi-apology/explanation with a minor wave of her hand. "I know, it's alright. I wish I had more free time as well. But I am glad that you do have him to spend time with. Having friends is a good thing." She felt terrible imagining poor Lavender sitting around doing absolutely nothing because she had nobody to do it with... which arguably wasn't true, there was a whole school full of people she could hang out with. She just did her own thing. But she was glad that Graham was now a factor in there as well. "You know, you are still perfectly welcome to join in study groups and such whenever you'd like." Val sighed, "That seems to be most of my schedule when I'm not actually in classes."

The fact that Lavender side-stepped any sort of extra discussion on Graham did not pass by Val unnoticed. It was well enough that Lavender knew that she was okay to come and talk to her about it whenever she felt comfortable, if that ever happened.

"No, but they set me on the path to finding this one, and it was very kind of them. As you said, making them and selling them are two different things." She sighed again as she thought about her workload, "You've got to know all about the woods and cores to start with, then charms and transfigurations to shape and mold them just right, and divinations is good to help them find their people." She gave Lavender a bit of a wry smile, "Potions was one of my favorite classes here, and that's about the only one that isn't involved so I had to drop it." Her countenance brightened, "But it will be so neat to be able to make these things that pair up so perfectly with all of the people I'll get to meet!"

Lavender looked so astonished, "Sure, why not? You'd make a good Head Student." She blushed a little when her friend said she would win. "I won't say I wouldn't like to win. Mama was head girl of her year. She was also Prefect and Quidditch Captain." She glanced down at her own Prefect badge. She'd gotten Mama's seeker position finally, Head Girl or student now was about the only thing left that she could get to meet up with her parents' achievements. Not that she needed to of course, but it would be neat to have something of a legacy like that. "But, if I don't get it, it's not the end of the world. I'll have plenty else to keep me busy."

Valentine had heard plenty about St. Berylla's over the years. "Really?" Val smiled wide with glee. "I'd have to check..." she stopped herself. As she had just said she was an adult now, but still. "I should check and make sure Mama and Papa don't have any good reasons why I couldn't go along. But that would be wonderful!" Thousands of questions assaulted her brain on that front from how long would they be there? How fancy of clothing would she need? Who all might be there? How would she avoid Aunt Jhonice afterwards? Would she prefer to take Graham instead? Along with so many others.

She realized she was getting a bit ahead of herself and slowed down. After taking a breath she continued a bit more calmly, "Sorry about that. I'd be delighted to come and spend some time there with you this summer. Check on things on your end and see about mine, and we'll see what we can't work out?" Frankly, she thought, it was about time. After all these years, she'd spent part of one summer with Bonabelle, it was about time she spend part of one with Lavender.

2 Valentine Duell Is it enough though? 1490 0 5

Lavender Brockert

November 18, 2022 12:15 AM

As long as it's your best by Lavender Brockert

“I suppose you’re right.” Lavender replied. Although she really did not think that Piper would have nearly as busy a schedule as Val did. Most people didn’t. The Crotalus certainly didn’t have one. Her cousin had more friends than she did, but they were also all friends with each other, which wasn’t the case with Val.

Nor would Piper likely have to study as much as the older Teppenpaw did. It seemed that Val had to study an awful lot. Like she didn’t think she was very smart or something which Lavender didn’t think was true for a second and it bothered her that her friend lacked confidence in that area. Being smart and doing well academically was not the be all and end all.

Honestly, though, it just seemed like everyone wanted what they did not and possibly could not have. Lavender was lucky in that she did not need to worry about having good enough grades to get a certain job because she likely would never have to work. She also was pretty good at the subjects that she still took and had a social schedule that wasn’t exactly busy right now. Maybe it would be when she graduated, but even then it would not really be the same thing. That was the life of a pureblood socialite, not one of true friendships, with people who genuinely liked her.

And that was something that she did worry about. If people liked her, if they ever truly would. If she was even actually likable.

The Crotalus nodded . “It is.” She had spent plenty of time on her own, feeling pretty lonely. Despite what Val thought about being in a school full of people that she could hang out with, it was not that easy. Lavender was not like her friend who could just hang out with anyone and become friends. She was not a social butterfly the way that Val was, she was uncomfortable just speaking to anyone. They might reject her or they might just be someone who she had nothing in common with or they just had other friends. None of them had shown any interest in getting to know Lavender at all and now it was likely to be too late.

After all, what she’d always wanted was a close female friend since she’d grown up with all boys, feeling even then like the different ones. She was absolutely not a tomboy though, to be fair, Gabriel and Wally weren’t really super masculine sporty types either.

And Lavender assumed Val would be that friend. Now, all the current seventh year girls like Sadie and Morgan were about to graduate and her chance to become friends with them was pretty much long gone. Aside from Val, that only left the three Aladren fifth years who were a trio and Bonahelle, whom she couldn’t stand.

All of which reminded her again, with excessive dread, about the Bonfire next year and having to stay out in tents. Val would probably want to share with half the girls in school, which admittedly while that sounded overwhelming for her personally, also sort of amused her because Bonahelle wouldn’t get the Teppenpaw all to herself. Actually, she couldn’t since a two person tent was against the rules. However, Lavender would rather share with Val and half the other girls in school then just Val and Bonahelle. Nothing would be worse than having to be their chaperone, even if Lavender didn’t loathe the Aladren.

“That…sounds like an awful lot.” The Crotalus replied. What she really wanted to ask was if Val really wanted to do this, if this was really a good fit for her. However, she was afraid her friend might be offended. She still remembered what happened when she’d commented on what her friend wanted before, and she didn’t want a repeat of that, even though this time, Lavender really was concerned about what was good for Val, and her health and sanity. She knew full well how overdoing things had affected Chaslyn and even though the other sixth year had made this decision herself instead of being forced by a crazy parent, it still was possible that it would be detrimental to Val’s overall well being.

So, instead, Lavender carefully asked “Why, exactly, do you want to do this,if it’s so much work?” Work that seemed to overwhelm Val. “I mean, from what I understand about my cousin, he didn’t have anywhere near the social life that you do. In fact, he’s pretty much the opposite, hence having my other cousin there being a salesperson.”

“I appreciate that, but I don’t exactly have a lot of friends. I mean, I don’t have as an easy a time with people as you do. And some people who do like me, are my cousins and are just as likely to vote for each other and themselves. Like I said, I don’t even know who to vote for myself because there’s like five different people that I feel should.” Granted, with Lavender’s luck, it would be Bonahelle who won. Even though the Crotalus logically could not see why that would happen, as it wasn’t as if the Aladren was a pleasant human being at all, but that just seemed the kind of thing that did. Look at the Challenges. In fact, look at prefect, when Bonahelle had beat Bertie and Quincy, who while not warm and fuzzy, were at least better than Bonahelle was.

She chuckled “You certainly do. You sure you don’t want an assistant after all?” Lavender asked

The Crotalus beamed. Val certainly seemed like she liked the idea of going to St. Berylla’s with her. “Then let’s make a plan!” Lavender exclaimed. She hadn’t felt this excited and happy about anything since the Challenges ended.

11 Lavender Brockert As long as it's your best 1504 0 5