I'm not in the mood. on Labyrinth Gardens

Cepheus Princeton

November 06, 2011 10:36 AM

I'm not in the mood. by Cepheus Princeton

Cepheus wasn’t in the mood for doing anything in particular. He was in another country, didn’t know the customs of America (like it mattered), he wasn’t really interested in learning what Americans did, and it was hot today. It was so unlike London, especially right now, when it was supposed to be fall. He didn’t like the desert, that was for certain. He rolled up his long sleeves but it fell back down again. He sighed. He felt out of place and Cepheus hated feeling out of place. Back in England, he’d fit in everywhere that mattered. Mostly his money came before his name, but it didn’t matter now. No one would know that here. He still didn’t truly understand his father’s reason for sending him here, or maybe he just pretended he didn’t, but it had to be of no consequence. Cepheus was the eldest son and always had to do what his father willed.

He was a good-looking boy; blonde hair, blue eyes. Not very tall yet, but his father was 6’3”. Said they probably had some Dutch blood in them from long, long ago. Before their fortune accumulated. He had straight teeth and a pale face and wore the uniform robes well but with contempt. He wished he were home back in his old robes instead of here wearing these clothes.

Sometimes he didn’t like being the prime example for his younger brothers and the public even if he did get most of Father’s attention. Father had always told him to be on his best behaviour because people were always watching. Father had sent him here so Cepheus could make American friends; that was the prime reason and Cepheus knew that. He just wished it wasn’t he that had to go. Sure he’d be able to say he went to school in America and had American friends, but that didn’t matter at all to Cepheus, especially not now. He toed the ground in disinterest as he walked through Labyrinth Gardens, scowling and wishing he was back home with his family and friends.

Anyway, he had to make goals to accomplish to make the stay a bit more bearable. He had found a fellow Crotalus that was also from Europe and was also a pureblood from a prestigious family. That was a step in the right direction. Cepheus also wanted a chance to make the Quidditch team and ace his classes, and that was his main goal for now. Cepheus could imagine that Orion was probably going to go to school somewhere in Asia when he was old enough. Leo didn’t have to worry much about school yet. Lucky bloke.

Cepheus supposed he’d have to make other friends sometime, though he wanted to stay away from muggle-borns of all sorts. He’d have to adapt to this culture the way his father had said. Father himself wouldn’t step a foot in America, but it was good for his sons to make connections all over the world. He could brag a lot about his friends in India and West Africa and all over Europe. Now it was time to move on. And yet, still they weren’t as prestigious as other purebloods in England. Just rich. Shaking his head, Cepheus put his hands into his pockets and continued walking through the hedge maze, lost in his thoughts. Maybe when he grew up he’d fully understand the politics of it all. Till then, he’d have to make his father proud sometime, but he didn’t want to put the effort into it. Not yet, anyway.

40 Cepheus Princeton I'm not in the mood. 216 Cepheus Princeton 1 5

Waverly Canterbury

November 06, 2011 11:03 AM

Not in the mood for what? by Waverly Canterbury

Waverly was ready to frolic through campus. She was excited to be at school, finally. Though she’d gone through her muggle elementary school, it wasn’t the same as being able to learn magic. Magic. It was such a, well, magical word! She had let her brown hair free as always and it floated with her as she walked. Waverly decided to skip instead and skipped until she reached the gardens. She hadn’t yet been able to explore this part of the campus and she was ready to. She’d heard rumors that there were magical creatures that could be found in these places and she was excited to start looking. Dangerous or not, it would be really fun to find them. And then, er, maybe run away if they were dangerous. Or befriend them! Yes, she’d befriend them. She’d be brave.

As she walked through the gardens, looking at everything with big grass green eyes, she thought about her sister. Wendy would love it! She loved animals of all sorts, even if they were dangerous! Waverly supposed she’d have to take care of her sis, but she liked taking care of her anyway. She couldn’t wait for her younger sister to receive her letter of acceptance to Sonora. Then she could show her everything.

Having been born and raised in Arizona, Waverly wasn’t a stranger to the hot days and cool nights of the desert. She loved it. She had always been an outdoors type of girl, whether it be playing sports or going horseback riding or going sand duning in her daddy’s buggy; she was a cactus flower of the desert.

She spotted someone ahead of her and, with a smile, decided that she’d make a new friend. “Hello over there!” she called and scampered over to them.

“Howdy!” she said when she reached the boy. “My name’s Waverly! I saw you walking and thought you might like some company. Mind if I join you?”

19 Waverly Canterbury Not in the mood for what? 218 Waverly Canterbury 0 5

Cepheus Princeton

November 07, 2011 12:13 AM

Perhaps that's better left unsaid. by Cepheus Princeton

Someone approached him, unfortunately, and Cepheus mentally sighed at the intrusion. “Sure.” He didn’t bother giving her his name. The Princeton name probably wouldn’t carry very much weight here in America. He wondered what she was going to say to him since he wasn’t keen on keeping up a conversation. But his father’s words came back into his head and Cepheus felt bitter at being forced to come here against his will. ‘Whatever,’ he thought. ‘Might as well make an American contact now since it’s pretty much fallen into my hands.’

“Cepheus Princeton, pureblood of London, England.” He gave a little nod with his head. One could probably guess his origin from his strong accent. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Waverly. Are you a first year here?” If she was a second or third year or even older, she might be able to show him around. As they continued their stroll through the gardens, he kept his indifferent demeanor up. Father had said a man’s weakness lies in his emotions. That’s why they had to be guarded at all times. Playing to his father’s constant demands grew tiring for the eleven-year-old. Feeling a little tired of the older man’s tirades going on in his head, he wanted to drop it and just sit for a twitch. Unfortunately, that would be too intimate a setting for two children who hardly knew each other.

“Are you from around here?” he asked, noting that her accent was American. “My father sent me here for school. Seven years here; I don’t know if I’ll survive.” He realised that probably sounded a bit pathetic, but it was already out of his mouth. Time to find a way to amend it. “School’s always been a strength of mine,” he said slowly, testing the words on his tongue before allowing them to smoothly roll out of his mouth. “I had tutors back in England. I just wonder if I’ll be able to adjust to the American lifestyle well enough. And if I can get used to this heat, I’m sure I’ll be able to get used to anything.” He could easily add, ‘Would you like to help me?’ to the end of that sentence, but he wasn’t sure if he found her worthy enough to say such a thing. Only time would tell.

“Anyroad, what’s there to do around here in Arizona?” he asked. Might as well find something worthwhile about all this heat and school in America. “I’d never even heard of this state before I came here.”

40 Cepheus Princeton Perhaps that's better left unsaid. 216 Cepheus Princeton 0 5

Waverly

November 07, 2011 3:28 PM

It's nice to open yourself up! by Waverly

His introduction was quite formal and Waverly felt inclined to mock a side curtsy and introduce herself again “properly” as she walked beside him. She did so and said, “Waverly Canterbury, muggle-born of Phoenix, Arizona. My dad’s grandparents were from England! I’m half English, I guess. It’s nice to meet you too! Yes, I’m a first year. Are you?” Another new friend! She was happy with the prospect, even if he seemed a little cold. It made her even more determined to be his friend. She was quite a determined little witch (how she loved saying that!) when she wanted to be.

“Are you from around here?” he asked, and Waverly nodded eagerly.

“Born and raised! I’m a desert girl through and through.” Her eyes widened as he talked about how he’d come here from a whole ’nother continent. She hadn’t even been out of the country before and here this boy was coming here alone! “Oh,” she gasped, “I couldn’t ever imagine going to a whole ’nother country by myself! That’s crazy. My mom and dad don’t even let me go too far out of the house by myself! Sending me to boarding school’s a whole different story though, but they’d never let me go out of the state by myself! I’d be too scared too. Do you travel a lot? Is that why you’re used to it?” She blinked her vibrant grass green eyes and plucked the leaf off a hedge.

As she admired the greenery and listened to him talk, she was thinking about how she’d show him around Arizona if she ever visited home. She could bring him with her and show him all the awesome parts of it! She’d make him love it. “—even heard of this state before I came here,” he finished, and Waverly abandoned the shrubbery to beam at Cepheus.

“I’d be happy to teach you all about America! I should know a thing or two about it, living here and all.” She smiled grandly, showing pearly white teeth. “First of all, you shouldn’t wear long-sleeved robes all the time. It tends to get hot and stuffy.” She smiled. “The robes here are thin because of the heat, but having short-sleeved robes are nice. Do you have any?” She herself was wearing the standard uniform, but a short-sleeved version of it. It was nice and cool and airy. “Are you happy to be here? What made you come all the way over to America, Arizona even, for school?” She was silent for a moment. “Do you miss home at all? I know I would if I was that far away from home.”

0 Waverly It's nice to open yourself up! 0 Waverly 0 5

Cepheus Princeton

November 07, 2011 8:51 PM

Maybe I'm not nice, then. by Cepheus Princeton

The first girl he’s actually talked to here and she’s a muggle-born! Father was right; America was teeming with muggles! Why had he sent him here? Cepheus had to keep his cool politeness though. Maybe he could just excuse himself and walk off…but she was still talking and he didn’t want to act rude, even if she was a muggle-born. His parents had taught him better than that. “Yes, I’m a first-year too,” he said stiffly. “I’ve never traveled alone; I didn’t travel alone here myself, anyway. My mother came with me to see me off. But to answer your question, yes, I’ve traveled a lot.” He snorted at the thought that she hadn’t traveled but remembered Dorian back at home who hadn’t traveled either. He faked a cough to cover up. “Sorry,” he said. “I had something in my throat.”

Waverly offered to show him around herself and he was surprised by the gesture. He couldn’t name many of his peers that would’ve offered to be a tour guide to a complete stranger, himself included. But then she started into telling him what kind of robes to wear and he frowned, looking at his long-sleeved robes. They looked classy and weren’t they part of the uniform? She was right in saying that the robes were thinner, but it was still hot. But she was mad if she thought he’d change to robes like hers.

She asked him a load of other questions and he hesitated before answering. He didn’t want to give away the real reason he was here. He cleared his throat and put his hands, balled in fists now, in his pockets so he wouldn’t start fidgeting. Fidgeting was not something the royal public did—ever. “Well, I suppose I’m happy enough,” he lied. “Satisfied, anyway.” He was a good liar. It had saved him and his brothers loads of trouble when they were younger. “My father sent me here to make friends with…Americans. Be culturally educated, you know?” He didn’t see the harm in telling her these things. It wasn’t like she mattered anywhere else in the world and he probably wasn’t going to speak to her again.

“I miss home, yeah,” he told her. She was easy to talk to, he could give her that. Maybe too easy to talk to. He quickly shut himself up. He walked with her in silence and looked up at the sky once, blinking at the bright desert sun. Ugh. He hated it. Cepheus wanted to go home badly. He thought of his mother reading them stories, and tea time (did they have tea here?), and of all the toys and books he’d left behind. At least his wand was English, but that was all. Mum had bought everything else in America so he’d fit in better. Photographs, she said, were all he really needed from home. He missed her and his father and Orion and Leo, his friends Dorian and Emma and Georgina…he sighed. He’d have to find a new pureblood crowd here. Being sorted in the house with purebloods was definitely a step in the right direction, that was for certain. Even half-bloods would do, Father had said. At least they had some pure blood in them. Especially if they were linked to prestigious families and still spoke with them. Perhaps it would be best to stick with the people in his house. He felt like a detective then and suddenly felt overwhelmed. It was a lot to bear for an eleven-year-old, all alone in this foreign place.

40 Cepheus Princeton Maybe I'm not nice, then. 216 Cepheus Princeton 0 5

Waverly

November 07, 2011 9:31 PM

Aw, everybody's got some nice in them! by Waverly

Waverly was a little offended by his I'm-better-than-you tone, but it was sad to say she had heard it before. Not from him, of course, but from...school. Waverly put it to the back of her mind, opting to listen to him instead. He said that he had come to make friends with Americans, and Waverly brightened. They could be friends! That's what he had to be saying. Waverly was warmed by the idea and agreed. "I want to travel someday too. Just not now, you know, when I can hardly go to another state by myself without missing my parents like crazy." She smiled encouragingly at him. She couldn't even imagine not being at home with her sister and her parents. She missed them now, but at least they were in the same state.

"Well, if you ever get lonely, we could hang out and I could tell you all about Arizona. It's a really cool place and all. I think, after you stay here for seven years, you'll get used to it and you'll grow to love it." She grinned. "There's so much to do! And I'm totally being serious." She was close to inviting him over during winter break to go sand duning or something with her and her family. He would probably be weirded out by her, though, so she stopped herself.

"Do you think you're going to go home at all during the vacations?" she asked curiously. "Or will your dad want you to stay here and make friends with everyone?" She smiled. "I'll be your friend! That'll add another one to your list. I'm sure you'll make friends real fast." Maybe not with that coldish personality, but at least she wasn't too fazed by it.

0 Waverly Aw, everybody's got some nice in them! 0 Waverly 0 5

Cepheus Princeton

November 09, 2011 4:20 PM

As true as that may be, it's time to go by Cepheus Princeton

Cepheus was being won over by her friendliness. As...ridiculous as it was, them just meeting and all. "Sure." He didn't know yet if he'd take her offer to "hang out," but it was nice that she had offered. No one else had offered a tour of Arizona, and she was probably the girl to go to to learn about this desert and how to survive. "Well, thank you for your offer," he said, not telling her that he was glad for her "friendship," if that's what it could be called.

She asked about "vacations," an American term for holidays, and he nodded. "Most likely. It won't be a pleasant trip overall, but I'll make it back home for as short of a time as we have. I don't think my mother could survive without seeing me for a whole year." He smiled a little at the thought. Though his other brothers were wonderful to her, he was always going to be the first and her favourite. It couldn't be helped, and he liked it, even if all the pressure was on him to perform.

"It's been lovely talking to you, Waverly, but I ought to go." He didn't want to stay in these gardens for too long. Goodness knows what lurked in here. "I'm off to tea," was his explanation. He would keep up having tea for as long as he could and keep to his English ways. If only they celebrated the same holidays as he did. He had to remember to stay in the country's mindset. The American mindset. The thought made him want to shiver.

Cepheus hesitated, then held out his hand for her to shake. "It was pleasure getting to know you. I'll most likely see you in classes." He nodded and then took off to his dormitory. It was time for some English tea.

40 Cepheus Princeton As true as that may be, it's time to go 216 Cepheus Princeton 0 5