Strawberries and Cream

new

« Prev
1
Next »

Maximus Mendes
Slytherin

7th Year

"I'll probably end up fucking up and make it super awkward"

Posts: 50

Age: 17
Birthday: January 16, 2005
Height: 6'2"
Relationship Status: single
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/post/1132/thread
Played By: cris
Allegiance: Neutral

Strawberries and Cream Jul 18, 2015 20:44:15 GMT

Quote

Post by Maximus Mendes on Jul 18, 2015 20:44:15 GMT

Max hated all things about his 'condition'. He hated the moodiness it caused, the insatiable appetite, the volatile reactions it caused, but most of all the pain. However, if he was forced at wand point to admit one thing he didn't mind so terribly much about having his disease, he'd say it was the endurance. Max had always been a bit scrawny, like stretched out silly putty, but do to his age, and a little bit of wolf venom, no doubt, he was gaining a bit of muscle. Max hadn't minded being weedy though, it was not like anyone noticed the changes unless they could see through his baggy clothes anyway, the only reason he liked the little extra strength and endurance was because it allowed him a job. Most seventh and sixth year at the end of school each year would flock to the three broomsticks. There, adult witches and wizards would post a good amount of their 'help wanted'. Only if they were looking for cheap teenage labor or course.

That was how Max found his summer job. Well his second job. Max worked summers in the decently sized city just outside his parent's community housing units at a video game store. He had since he was 14. Andrea though, Max's sister, had been expressing increasing interest in spending her summers in the wizarding world. For this, British pounds were no good. Not one to deny his sister, considering Max loved her and financed the majority of escapades and shopping habits, he decided he needed a job in the wizarding world as well. Andrea pulled her own weight though too, she had a part time job at Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, but the pay was poor and if the siblings had any intentions of being able to put a security deposit down on an apartment for Max by the time he graduated, the money this summer wa crucial. There were several reasons Max needed an apartment, he could not go back to his parents home again. But more importantly, the young Slytherin couldn't let his sister go back.

So that was how Max ended up doing landscaping for the Burke's. Yes thee Burkes, one of the Sacred Twenty Eight. Though now with the intermarriage of halfbloods with Weasleys and Potters, it was more like Sacred Twenty Six. The Burke's were pureblood though, and they were some of the one's with money left, at least this particular part of the family. Between London and Wingling was where the manner sat and every time he stepped foot on the expansive property, Max was glad he had taken apparation lessons.

It was not to say Max had any experience as a landscaper, but he met the qualifications. At least according to the estate's Head Gardener he did. Max knew about herbs and plants, not only from Herbology, but from his own Hippy Parents. More importantly though, Max 'looked as if he was no stranger to strenuous work', to put it in his boss' own words. Max wasn't sure how he should take this, so he didn't say anything. The truth was though, Max was a stranger. He had never landscaped anything in his life, but his body, pulsing with inhuman strength and vitality, was ready for the challenge.

That was how Max had gotten his job. It was about the only useful thing his stupid curse had ever done for him. still though, Max did not like job. He didn't complain, obviously, but it was dirty, sweaty business. It was so bad Andrea demanded Max go home and shower before he come pick her up from work or she swore they'd never speak again. Max still came to work through, everyday for six a.m, and stayed until six p.m. He was usually done with his day and asleep by nine, despite before his laborious job having been quite the night owl. There was something in Max that liked his body being pushed to it's limit though, a part that was definitely not Max.

Bending down, Max tugged at some weeds growing beneath a rose bush. It was a stupid place for weeds to grow, only because Rose plants were so heavy and consuming, it didn't make much sense for any kind of other life to try and overpower them. Max also didn't like that he had to reach through the Rose's thorns to get to the weed. Of course he had gloves, but they did not near cover his long arms enough, and having to done this everyday since he started work, the thorns were beginning to poke through his gloves.

"Boody-ugh!" Max cursed, withdrawing his arm after a particularly dape scrape along a thorn. Max looked at it and the blood, that had only just begun to dribble out of his arm stopped. The wound, though not closed, had stopped weeping almost immediately. This was troubling . . .

Taking off his other glove, Max drew some dirties fingers over the cut. It had clotted even faster than normal. Being what he was, Max's wounds had never been atrocious messes, but this was unusual, even for him. In the distance Max heard the bushes move. With his absurdly powerful senses Max could tell it wasn't the wind. Someone had stepped on leaves and branches, even pushed at them. The shift had released the faintest of scents into the air. It was a strange mixture, baby powder, honeysuckle, lavender . . . even the faintest bit of old books. And sunscreen, which surprised Max. This was all on top of the fresh, crisp, overbearing scent of nature and the perfume of roses. It made Max feel incredibly . . . inhuman. However the concept of sunscreen was strange to Max as most witches and wizards didn't use it. Unless they were halfbloods or had some sort of muggle parents. Max had caught whiffs of it before while working around the manor, but he had brushed it off, telling himself it couldn't be sunscreen. However, this time, it was too close to mistake. Glancing over his shoulder, Max caught only the tiniest bit of white material through distant foliage. His fair eyes narrowed slightly, suspicious of what it was that had been obviously following him, but put his gloves back on and continued his work, incase it was some unknown supervisor.

Freyannalynn Burke

Freyannalynn Burke
Ravenclaw

6th Year

Posts: 8

Age: 16
Birthday: June 15
Height: 5'0
Relationship Status: Single
Played By: Kailei
Allegiance: Neutral

Strawberries and Cream Jul 18, 2015 21:57:13 GMT

Quote

Post by Freyannalynn Burke on Jul 18, 2015 21:57:13 GMT

Blonde hair flitted around a corner, hiding promptly behind a deeper set of bushes, getting slightly caught upon the branches, but not so much as to tear or dirty the white material of her dress. Freyannalynn covered her mouth, keeping in a giggle that threatened to escape from between her lips at having almost been caught this time, though, there had been another couple of close calls prior to this one. It had been about a week since Freyannalynn had first discovered that the Head Gardener had hired a new boy to help out with the stunning and large grounds of the Burke Manor. She knew she shouldn’t have been surprised, for such a thing occurred every summer, when the weather was too hot but the greenery was thriving to the point where one needed extra hands about to properly tend to it otherwise it would have overgrown and taken over bits of the gardens before anyone had a chance to stop it. There were several other new gardeners this summer, but most of them were all older, about their late twenties, for the Head Gardener did not usually trust those much younger to do a proper job of things. Therefore, it had come as quite a surprise when Freya had been going for her usual morning stroll, admiring the freshly bloomed daffodils and rising sunflowers, to find herself gazing at a boy who could not have been much older than herself. Quite taken aback, she’d quickly hidden away behind one of the larger trees, peeking out to watch him when his back was turned, her house elf persistently tugging at her skirts, trying to get her to get a move on with their stroll or head back into the house. Freya had done as she was told, continuing onwards, but doing so by dancing between the trees and shrubbery, enchanted by watching this odd new gardener work.

Now, most girls probably would have gotten bored after a week of watching the same boy do the same things over and over again without bothering to speak to them, but Freya was not that type of girl. She was persistently quiet, ever observing and just enjoying the view for, despite his sweaty and dirt smudged face, she found Max to be rather attractive. Some might have said this was solely because she had never been properly exposed to any males her own age, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Freyannalynn had plenty of exposure to boys, or at least, enough to look at them and find them handsome or not. Her parents threw more than enough dinners and parties and balls for that, but all of the boys she saw there were very… well put together. There was something intriguing about the gardener’s appearance. The way his hair was rumpled, his clothes baggy and wrinkled from work, dirty and rugged even if he was more of the weedy type. Freya had even gone as far as to ask after his name from one of the cooks in the kitchen, or rather, she’d gotten her house elf to do it. There were very few things her house elf wouldn’t do for her, those firmly restricted by her parents, but it was an innocent enough question. After all, Freya had always been a curious girl and typically wondered about the names of anyone new she saw wandering about the manor or grounds.

Maximus, he was called. Maximus Mendes. It was a lovely name, Freya thought, rather suiting the boy in a way that some names just fit with the person given them. However, she had also heard some of the other gardeners referring to him simply as ‘Max’, which, upon further thought, Freya deemed was just as wonderful. It was so simple, one syllable, nothing too frivolous about it unlike most of the names Freya came across in her life. Her own parents alone, had too much to their names, as did Freya, for she was certain that having four syllables in just your first name alone was a bit overkill. Two or three, she found, were much more pleasing to the ear and easily more paired with others, like the characters she read about in her books.

After having spent the entire past week watching Max, or rather, the days he was there working, for it wasn’t every single day, but close, Freya was starting to become a little more bold. Now, she was not very good at things like speaking to other people, nor had she ever really interacted with anyone her own age for the most part aside from her cousin and that short three-month stint she had spent at Hogwarts before her parents had pulled her out. She rather deliberately avoided holding any type of conversation at her parents’ get-togethers, for any time she had politely listened to one of their guests, they usually ended up being quite full of themselves and impossibly boring. Freya didn’t care to hear about how well so and so’s business was doing or how much trust fund money their son was getting and she especially did not want to dance with any slightly sweaty palmed boy who only liked her because of who her father was. However, Freya got none of those vibes from Max, or at least, from what she had seen of him she hadn’t. He seemed perfectly, wonderfully, normal and un-upper-class.

Freya had spent part of the morning in the kitchens, cutting strawberries into the tiniest of little slivers she could, for they could not be too big for their intended purpose. No one had questioned her either, for she was occasionally an odd girl who did strange things just for the sake of doing them so long as she always remained as lady-like as possible in the process. Thinly sliced strawberries were the least of the cook’s worries anyway. Once she’d gotten them the way she desired, Freya had gotten some help for the rest, purposely requesting to have her favorite pastries made. They were simple ones, folded flakey crust formed into stars, baked, and then topped with clotted cream and fruit. She had taken two of them, already finished except for the fruit, put them on a plate, and with her house elf following with the bowl of strawberry slices, headed out the kitchen door into the orchard. Sitting upon a blanket spread on the grass, for it would have been a serious scolding if she’d not placed something between herself and the ground, Freya had removed her little white gloves and delicately placed the strawberries onto the pastries as carefully as she could. Once satisfied, she’d cleaned her hands off on the blanket, replaced her gloves and then given the plate to the house elf with very strict instructions on what to do with it. The house elf had been a little wary at first, wondering why Miss Freyannalynn would wish to give sweets to one of the gardeners, but Freya had simply said she was grateful for the work he did and thought he deserved a thank you. This not being too overly far fetched of an action for the girl, the house elf had complied.

Staying hidden in the bushes, but keeping her eyes locked on Max, Freya watched as her house elf gently carried the plate across the grass as instructed. The small creature spoke as she reached the boy, holding the plate high, the strawberries quite obviously spelling out the words ‘Hi Max’ upon the cream.

”I has been instructed to deliver these to you, sir.” The house elf piped out respectfully.

Maximus Mendes
Slytherin

7th Year

"I'll probably end up fucking up and make it super awkward"

Posts: 50

Age: 17
Birthday: January 16, 2005
Height: 6'2"
Relationship Status: single
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/post/1132/thread
Played By: cris
Allegiance: Neutral

Strawberries and Cream Jul 19, 2015 8:58:29 GMT

Quote

Post by Maximus Mendes on Jul 19, 2015 8:58:29 GMT

Max rolled back onto his knees, having just pulled the final weed under his stretch of rose bushes. Looking up to the sky, he judged it was only about two. Great. Four more hours. Max reminded himself for the upmillionth time, the pay was worth it and got to feet, ready to move onto the next thing that needed doing. He had to go hedge one of the mazes and hopefully not get lost. Why rich people insisted on having such large elaborate plants just for amusement, Max would never understand. Then again, their owners were rarely the ones tending to them. Max wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his glove before removing them both and shoving them into his back pocket. Just as he was about to reach for his water bottle, he felt something pull on the leg of his jeans. He had sensed the house elf before it approached but figured it just another person. They tended to smell as such since they lived together.

"Hello," Said Max to the elf, quite unsure of what it wanted, but then he saw. The plate, fitted with beautiful designs along it's edges, crisp pink doilies and obviously very dainty looking deserts, had it's name on it. Or rather the pastry had a message clearly addressed to him spelled out in strawberries. Someone was fucking with him surely . . .

Max having been an extremely nerdy child who had grown into an extremely nerdy teenager, knew a thing or two about being messed with. Bullies were no mystery to him, though he couldn't tell if the pastries were meant to mess with him in a necessarily bad way. Perhaps there was some child on the estate who was looking to have some fun. However Max had heard the Burkes only had one daughter who was no longer a child. Max doubted it would be her, as this seemed to silly a thing for a high society witch to do. What would she care for a simple gardener.

"Er thank you." Said Max taking the plate. The pastries looked good, even if he didn't know what they were, and he could tell the berries had come from the property's own orchard meaning they were quite fresh. He had never had . . . whatever that white stuff was on the pastry though, however it didn't smell bad.

"Oh wait!" Max said to the House elf. He moved the pastries to the side of the plate and removed a grubby short pencil from his pocket. His job required Max to dull out forms at the end of each day, detailing what he'd done so he could be held accountable if something had gone wrong, so the Head gardener had supplied all his men with the pencils.

Thanks, Max scribbled onto the doily, Pastries look wonderful. Hello to you too.

"Will you take this back to whoever sent me the food please, the doily at least?" Max asked the house elf politely. He took the pastries off the plate and held the dish out for the elf to take.

Once the creature departed, Max took a bite of the pastry. The white stuff was some sort of cream. Sweet, and rich like dairy. He quite like them. Max ate his snack quite quickly, as there was still much work to be done, before picking up his supplies and water bottle. The maze was on the other side of the property, so to save time, Max took a similar root to the one the creature had taken to get back to the main paths. They would cut the distance quite considerably. At least Max thought so, he was still getting used to the massive expanse of the property.

Last Edit: Jul 19, 2015 9:02:31 GMT by Maximus Mendes

Freyannalynn Burke
Ravenclaw

6th Year

Posts: 8

Age: 16
Birthday: June 15
Height: 5'0
Relationship Status: Single
Played By: Kailei
Allegiance: Neutral

Strawberries and Cream Jul 19, 2015 20:42:22 GMT

Quote

Post by Freyannalynn Burke on Jul 19, 2015 20:42:22 GMT

Freya leaned forward a little, pressing a bit deeper into the bushes, but not so far that she’d end up getting caught in them. She had spent many years learning how to navigate the gardens, able to flicker about like some kind of flower petal caught in the wind. All the better to evade her father when he came looking for her, or rather, when her mother sent him or someone else to look for her. They only ever wanted to speak to her about silly things, such as whether she had been keeping up with her harp lessons even though she was absolutely terrible at almost all of the arts. Her instrumental tutor had even said she was a lost cause, been abruptly fired and replaced by a stern woman who said anyone could learn to play if they put in the effort. Thankfully though, Freya only had to deal with her on Tuesdays and Thursdays, even in the summer time. Summer was specifically reserved for ’lessons in being a lady’, while the rest of the year focused upon her actual schooling, all of the magic things she would have learned at Hogwarts given the chance. Those short three months had been the best of her life.

The little blonde watched as Max thanked the house elf, though he seemed a bit confused, which, now that she thought about it, was understandable. After all, she was fairly certain it was not common practice to send messages upon pastries. The boy accepted the pastries anyway, making Freya smile from her little hiding spot, but it grew even more as he stopped the house elf and placed a pencil to the little paper doily. The small Ravenclaw’s eyes went wide, wondering what he could possibly be writing, her heart thumping with pure anticipation on her chest. She hadn’t expected him to write anything back… she had merely wished to greet him and give him a snack in the process, for she was much too shy to actually say hello on her own in person. And yet, he had just asked the house elf to deliver the doily back to her… so obviously he was sending a message. After all, why else would he have taken out his pencil? Oh, she certainly hoped he was not cross with her. Perhaps he didn’t like pastries… but then, he had thanks the house elf, oh he could have just been keeping up with his manners…

Wringing her little white gloved hangs in a bit of her skirt, Freya bit her lower lip, watching as the house elf nodded, walking away with just the plate and doily now. She took a moment, to observe Max eating the pastries. Alright then, so he was not opposed to such things, that was good… Not wanting to linger now that she had a note waiting for her, Freya took off, racing across the grass, parasol bouncing upon one shoulder as she went. She was not supposed to run though, so she slowed as she reached one of the proper paths, turning a corner to meet up with the house elf.

Without a word, the blonde took up the doily, her eyes skimming across the words quickly, cheeks going pink with excitement. While the message was simple and straight forward, it delighted her a great deal. She let out a small squeal and held the pink doily to her chest, spinning about in a circle, quite pleased. Oh this was wonderful! She had had a simple (if distant) interaction with someone all on her own without her parents pushing her to do so and it hadn’t gone badly. Pausing, the girl looked down at the doily again, the pale pink bright against the pure white of her gloves. Should she respond? Oh…

As she made her way back towards the kitchens, her feet carrying her more slowly now, Freaya pondered over such a thing. Her father would probably have frowned upon her giving the boy pastries in the first place, even more so were he to find out she’d placed a message upon them. Then again, her parents didn’t pay much mind to what their daughter did in her free time, trusting the house elf to report back any possible problematic behavior. That was the way it had always been ever since Freya was small. So long as she wasn’t getting her clothes dirty or discarding her shoes or other improper things for girls to be doing, whatever house elf was looking after her for the day never seemed to care what she got up too. Then there was the added pressure of Max possibly finding another message annoying. He hadn’t seemed to mind the first one… would a second be pushing it?

Making up her mind, Freya nodded to herself and started back in the direction of the orchard. She paused though, as she heard footsteps, and quickly pressed herself tight to a large tree, , only peeking around it once the footsteps had passed and gone a little bit of a distance. She smiled, seeing the back of a tall, slightly tousled head, and then bounded across the stone path. Her boots clacked on it loudly, twice, before she was hidden behind another large hedge, disappearing down a smaller path that would take her back to the orchard much more quickly.

The orchard was just as she’d left it, the blanket still laid out on the grass for her should she like to sit, the bowl of strawberry slivers resting upon it. The blonde headed inside through the kitchen door, and snatched up two more of the tiny pastries, set them down on a plate, and then dashed back out to her blanket without a word to anyone. She sat, removed her gloves, and plucked the large strawberry chunks off the pastries, popping them into her mouth and chewing thoughtfully, while she redid the tops with her small slivered berries. Though she tried her best to keep the message on the treats, she did have to use a bit of the plate to finish spelling it out this time. ‘You’re welcome.’ She frowned though, at the lack of remaining space for what else she wanted to say this time. Looking up from her tiny plate, the girl eyed the house elf for a moment. ”Quill, if you would, please. And some more doilies?” She asked gently. The elf nodded and left quickly, returning in short order with a fancy peacock’s feather of a quill and a jar of the best ink straight from the iridescent squids kept in a lovely big tank within the manor’s small menagerie along with a whole stack of pink paper doilies.

”Thank you.” Freya smiled and then quickly began writing. I am glad they are to your liking. The roses look lovely. Would you like a cool drink? Hello.

Satisfied, the small blonde placed the written message down upon the little place as well, letting it peek out from beneath the pastries and strawberries. She handed it to the house elf. ”For Max again. He is doing a wonderful job on the gardens.” The house elf nodded and took off, slightly wondering to itself why on earth Freya was insisting upon making messages for someone like one of the gardeners, but then, she had done stranger things in the past. So long as she wasn’t going against any of the specific rules given by her parents, the elf saw no issue with it otherwise.

It didn’t take long for the elf to find Max again, this time round the maze. Freya fluttered along as well, keeping close, but hidden. She was very glad that he was working on the hedges now, for the maze was the opportune place for hiding. All of those little crevices and dead ends, big flowering bushes in the more open areas, tiny individual court yards dedicated to separate displays of colorful vegetation and the occasional fountain.

Maximus Mendes
Slytherin

7th Year

"I'll probably end up fucking up and make it super awkward"

Posts: 50

Age: 17
Birthday: January 16, 2005
Height: 6'2"
Relationship Status: single
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/post/1132/thread
Played By: cris
Allegiance: Neutral

Strawberries and Cream Jul 20, 2015 11:58:11 GMT

Quote

Post by Maximus Mendes on Jul 20, 2015 11:58:11 GMT

Max thoroughly did not understand rich people. Or at least rich people like Bartholomew Burke who insisted on putting things as absurd as entire mazes on a property already thoroughly confusing as his was. The head Gardener had warned him of such a thing, but said he would get used to it. However Max already had a terrible sense of direction, and this wasn't helping. Max, despite his senses supposed to have been heightened due to his curse, had less sense of direction than a sponge. Sometimes, near the full moon, he could tell which way was North, and how to get home in the morning, or back to Hogwarts, during school after his monthly episodes, but that was the extent of Max's navigational skill. This bloody property was going to be the end of him.

Max made it though, eventually, to the maze. He had only ended returning to the Rose Garden twice, gone to the lanai, the statue garden, and the greenhouse before he made it to the maze entrance. If that was not aggravating enough, the sunblock smell wouldn't stop following him. Max had begun to wonder if it was him, but he knew rational it couldn't be. His burnt cheeks proved it. When he had gone back to the roses for a second time, and the sunblock smell was still dancing in out of his direct range of smell, Max had given up his theory it was some sort of supervisor. Who ever was wearing the sunblock was being far too secretive. And the smell underneath the sunblock was to feminine. Not that Max wa a sexist, but the whole grounds crew was made up of men. If one of them were to be watching max they would smell so clean. They would probably smell a lot more like sweat and fresh turned earth, like Max currently did.

And Max didn't like it.

Being someone with his own secrets, Max should have been more understanding of secretive people, but he was not. Perhaps this was him projecting his own problems on to others but whoever was following was walking all over his anxiety. Who was watching, what was watching him, why were they watching him? His brain was firing a mile minute as he moved farther into the maze. "Stay to the left" the Head Gardener had told him, "And after your third turn, start clipping."

Finding his spot, Max tried to busy his mind instead of thinking about that smell. It was centralized now, and though he had lost it for a little bit, it had returned rather promptly. Now Max didn't mind the smell of sunscreen, he rather liked it, it was a soothing sort of scent, but his anxiety was going through the roof. Max technically by now should have registered with the ministry about his "curse". His though, didn't seemed to progress at the same rate others' did. The curse had never actually changed him one hundred percent, so he hadn't gone yet. Also he didn't want to be considered a threat to students. It was one thing if Max knew it himself, it was another thing if everyone else did.

Hearing the bushes rustle and the familiar smell of the house elf approach, Max put down his shears and turned around just as the tiny creature approach. Same as last time, it came bearing pastries. The only difference was this time, there were more strawberries, and some very feminine handwriting on the doily. Max's brows furrowed as he read the message. A drink? God, was a girl asking him if he wanted a drink? Max's cheeks colored, but he soon reminded himself that with his luck if the handwriting did belong to a girl, it was probably some old woman who was bored and lonely. Max did not attract anyone, in most cases he repelled them. Besides his mum and sister, Max' only female friend was Charlotte. He had been once smitten with her, but she made it clear they were just friends and with her graduation, the fragile feelings he had for her faded. He had crossed paths with his best mate's 'companion', but he wouldn't consider that gryffindor his friend. Max didn't allow himself to get his hopes up.

Similar to last time, he got his pencil and thoughtfully wrote back, if it's not to much trouble I would love one, thanks. It was kind of you to ask. There, that should entertain some old lady's day. Yes, the more he thought about his correspondent being an old lady, the more it made sense. Dolies, pastries, this elegant, looping handwriting, it all made sense. That was until, Max smelt the sunblock, and lavender and honeysuckle on the paper doily. His blue eyes narrowed, and he quickly scribbled over the message, and put something new.

I know you're following me. Why? What do you need?

Max kept the pastries and handed the plate and doily back to the elf, requesting it be sent back it's sender just as before. Contemplating an endless list of horrible possibilities in his near future, Max quickly ate the pastries and went back to work. Soon after he begun though, he had to stop again to get some water as it was dreadfully hot. When he picked up his bottle though, the Slytherin was quite sad to see it was empty. He regretted not taking up the offer of those drinks now. . . Peeling off his sweaty shirt Max blotted at his face before looking up to the sky and sending a silent 'fuck you' to the sun.

Freyannalynn Burke
Ravenclaw

6th Year

Posts: 8

Age: 16
Birthday: June 15
Height: 5'0
Relationship Status: Single
Played By: Kailei
Allegiance: Neutral

Strawberries and Cream Jul 20, 2015 16:01:13 GMT

Quote

Post by Freyannalynn Burke on Jul 20, 2015 16:01:13 GMT

Freya skirted between the hedges nimbly, able to navigate the maze with ease, having memorized the entire thing by the time she was eight. It wasn’t hard to do really, so long as you knew exactly what path would take out directly to the other end, but then, there were actually a few that could do that. It was the smaller paths, the ones that led you on a bit of a rambling duck-hunt, that frustrated most anyone who entered the maze without proper instruction on where to go. Freya had taught herself, running between the hedges from the time she was four, not afraid because there was always a house elf there who could magic them out or guide her if she got properly lost. She tried to keep on the grass that edged the stones upon the ground, knowing her tall boots could be quite noisy. Why her mother insisted on her wearing four-inch heels, she would never properly understand except for maybe the fact they made her a good deal taller than she normally without them. The fact that Freya had not gotten either of her parents’ bold height seemed to deeply offend her mother, for tall women were the ones usually seen as more beautiful, or at least, according to society. Freya occasionally saw women purposely wear heels and make their hair piled all up on their head, trying to appear taller than they actually were just to comply with the silly standards placed upon them by no one else but each other.

It was much more difficult to keep an eye on Max in the maze, for she could not look through the thick hedges at him properly, but, of she was careful, she could peek around corners. This was much more risky than hiding in the bushes of course, for she knew if he saw even a glimpse of her, he might pursue on curiosity alone and, while it wouldn’t be difficult to find a quick place to hide, Freya would much rather not be seen. If he saw her… if he caught her… oh that would be simply awful! She was horrid at speaking to anyone in person, the words getting quite caught up around her tongue, making others think her rude or dimwitted. It didn’t matter much at her parents’ parties where she could just smile serenely and nod as the other person spoke or press out previously rehearsed lines that sounded slightly forced but got the job done. Freya supposed she could use those upon Max, but typically she had to stand in front of a mirror for a bit saying them over and over until she became comfortable enough to actually let them out. She didn’t want that though… All of those previously rehearsed lines, they weren’t her. They were things her mother had written down for her to say should there be a lapse in conversation or if she was asked a question. It would be fairly awful, indeed, to use such things to speak to Max.

The little blonde watched, peeking just ever so slightly around a corner, as the house elf delivered the sweets once again. Max read her note… wrote something else down… and then stared at the doily for a second longer. Freya frowned, as he seemed to swipe at the paper with the pencil again, obviously scratching something out before scribbling down something else. The look on his face was slightly troubling for the small Ravenclaw, though she could not read it properly from this far of a distance. If she had not been broken of the habit years ago, or rather, wearing her gloves, the girl probably would have started chomping down on her finger nails out of pure nervousness. What was it he could have written this time? Was he sick of the pastries? Perhaps she should have brought him something different this time, though, she had never really pondered the idea that anyone would want to eat anything besides clotted cream and strawberries, for they were her absolute favorite. And yet, the boy took the pastries and returned the plate to the house elf who immediately turned and headed back down the path.

Freya quickly pulled herself back, not wanting the house elf to give her away, but knowing it was possible. She traveled away a bit, around a bend that would take her to another one where she could watch Max, though, it would be a good deal closer and much more dangerous. She reached it just in time to see the boy tugging his shirt up off over his head. Her greenish eyes widened while her pink lips moved, forming a perfect little ‘o’ of surprise, having not expected that. Then again, it was quite hot out and men could do such things without it looking strange, or… well, gardeners and the help could. Freya had never seen anyone of her class remove their shirt outdoors or indoors. Oh but he was handsome! A bit pasty, but then, she was not one to talk on such matters having never gotten any proper sun in her life. She could see the sweat on his face before he dried it on his shirt, his glasses rising up slightly as he did so. She smiled, turning as the house elf gave a gentle pat to her hand.

Freya reached out, lifting the new note, and frowning as she read it. Oh dear. She couldn’t read through the scribbled pencil bit to see what he had written previously, but the words beneath were dreadfully clear. He was more aware of her than she had thought. Worse even, he was becoming curious as to the purpose. Well, Freaya thought to herself, there was not much purpose was there? Aside from enjoying watching him, the girl had not proper excuse for it other than perhaps, she was incredibly bored. The only human interaction she had was with cooks and tutors and parents aside from the parties, but she did not genuinely enjoy most of those for they were always so impossibly proper. The cooks asking what she’d like to eat, if she had enjoyed her dinner. Her tutors forcing the issue of studying harder, putting in a vast amount of effort even when she was working her very hardest already. And her parents… Her parents telling her every little thing she was doing wrong and needed to correct even if it was something as minor as having a very slight scuff on the toe of one of her white boots, for the things scuffed so easily.

Not wanting to leave the nice view, but knowing he might overhear her if she didn’t, Freya led the house elf deeper into the Max, away from Max. ”Let’s get him a drink, shall we? He looks hot. A nice big tall glass with ice. Oh! And a towel, a damp one, for his neck, and perhaps he’d like some sunscreen. His cheeks are looking a bit red.”

”Miss… You is paying too much attention to this gardener than your mother would…”

”My mother needn’t know. After all, shouldn’t we at least make sure the people working for us are being treated properly? It’s dreadfully hot out and I think he’s out of water. How is he supposed to do his job properly if he overheats?” Freya asked calmly, knowing her reasoning was sound as soon as the house elf nodded. ”And while you’re at it, perhaps we could send around drinks and pastries to the other gardeners and security. I’m sure they’re hot as well.” There, now she couldn’t be seen as showing favoritism to just one of the gardeners, even if she was greatly tempted to do so. However, the girl did have a fairly soft heart, and thinking on it, perhaps giving everyone drinks and a snack was a good idea. If Max was a hot as he looked, the others outside must be as well and as far as Freya was concerned, that just wouldn’t do. People should… They should be thanked for such hard work even if they were getting paid well to do it. ”Also, I’m going to need my doilies and quill.”

The house elf nodded and dashed away, plate still in one hand while Freya kept the doily. It didn’t take him long to return though, clutching the stack of doilies and a quill in one hand, a tall glass, pitcher, cool towel, and tube of sunscreen balanced on a larger tray in the other. Freya smiled, taking her doilies and quill and using the tray as a table, wrote her next message.

Don’t you like our game, Max? I find I rather enjoy it and I fear I would be quite bored otherwise. Your visage is pleasant, so I do hope you don’t allow it to burn any further. Please take some time to cool off. It is very hot out today and would be just awful should you come down with a heat stroke.

Satisfied, Freya placed the doily down on the tray and sent the house elf off again, twirling her parasol between her hands. Oh how she wished she didn’t have to wear so many layers. Perhaps she should go inside soon… but then, she was having too much fun.

Maximus Mendes
Slytherin

7th Year

"I'll probably end up fucking up and make it super awkward"

Posts: 50

Age: 17
Birthday: January 16, 2005
Height: 6'2"
Relationship Status: single
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/post/1132/thread
Played By: cris
Allegiance: Neutral

Strawberries and Cream Aug 2, 2015 4:13:08 GMT

Quote

Post by Maximus Mendes on Aug 2, 2015 4:13:08 GMT

Sighing slightly as he picked up his shears again, Max threw himself back into his work. He really hadn't any idea how long or how much of the hedges he was supposed to tend to as this was his first time doing such. His boss had wanted to make sure he could properly cut a hedge before making Max work on the maze. From what he heard from the guys he worked with, the Burkes were a people specific tastes and if things didn't turn out exactly how they wanted them, everyone suffered in one way or another.

That was why the Slytherin teen couldn't help but feel a little more than frustrated when he sensed one of his coworkers approaching.Groaning softly, Max turned just as the older man entered the vicinity of his hedges. The wizards' name was Adam, and like Max, this was a summer job for him as well. Adam though having been graduated from Hogwarts for some time now, was still studying. He had gone to a fine magical arts institution in Austria after Hogwarts and was currently on break.

"Hey Max," Greeted the former Gryffindor with an all too cheerful smile for Max's taste. Couldn't he tell Max was a bit busy?

"Hey Adam," Max replied politely, trying to cover up the fact he much rather be working than socializing right then. He needed the pay this job was offering and really couldn't afford to loose it. Max also doubted if he did get fired that he could find another such well paying job as this this late into the summer.

"Come up to the lanai, the Burkes have set out stuff for us."

"Stuff?" Max Questioned wiping his forehead on the back of his head.

"Yeah, like snacks and stuff." Adam said slightly annoyed. It had become obvious to Max in the short time he'd known Ada, and the small group of similarly aged guys they worked with that Adam had an alpha personality. He didn't like being questioned and expected people to just go along with him, probably similar to how things had been in school for him. Max vaguely remembered seeing Adam, but had been young when the boy graduated.

"Cool." Max said submissively which visibly eased the smell in the air that told Max how Adam was feeling. Max despite being what he was, was not dominant. He was aggressive, even impulsive sometimes, but not alpha material.

With that settled, the two walked back to the lanai in a relatively easy silence. The sight that greeted Max nearly mad the boy laugh out loud. There a few dozen young men were lazing around eating delicate pastries and sipping lemonade from crystal glasses. The obviousness that these mostly wizards were out of their element was palpable it nearly hurt. The sight before him reminded Max of a warped scene from a Jane Austen novel. Instead of regent era dressed social lights networking at some aristocrats fete fete, there were dirty faced mixed blood wizards lounging in a very gentleman like manner on victorian lace style garden furniture that was most likely worth more than the life occupying it.

"Hey guys." Came a few voices as Adam and Max mixed into the crowd. Well mostly Adam, Max stayed back slightly, the pungent smell of sweat too much or Max's sensitive nose. Just then a new smell entered, far better smelling than his co workers and Max looked towards the house elf with a polite smile. However his face fell when he took stock of the strange collection of items on the silver tray.

Max's eyes immediately began to search for the pale doily with delicate looping writing scrawled across it. Snatching it up he quickly read the note, and his cheeks reddened. Game? Visage? God, did was this old lady just using Max as some sort of pastime? He had to work!

"What's that?" Inquired Adam, having found his way back after realizing Max had fallen behind.

"Nothing." Max said defensively only to have the note taken from him. Adam's eyes scanned it briefly as anger rose in Max as long with the red in his cheeks. He didn't appreciate his privacy being disregarded like this. Grabbing it back roughly, Max shoved the doily into his pocket. There would be no more notes back.

"Games Max? Haven't you been working?" Asked Adam with a wolfish grin. 'Ironic' thought Max dryly.

"It's just some bored old lady." Max muttered looking away. He had written off the option, but it would suit his needs were Adam was concerned.

"You sure it's not the daughter?" Adam asked causing silence to fall between the two. Each regarded each other for a long moment before laughter blossomed forth, easing the tension. Both knew that would never happen, Max literally repulsed girls. Charlotte had found him only barely tolerable but privately he thought that was only because she enjoyed knowing his secret rather than his personality.

"Are cougars your thing?" Teased Adam and Max shrugged indifferently thinking of the older red head who he used to be completely head over heels for.

"Can you tell us who sent this for my mate here?" Adam asked suddenly, his direction centered at the House Elf, "He'd love to give whoever it was a big fat kiss!" The former Gryffindor jeered causing Max to flinch as he accepted the sunscreen and Adam helped himself to the wet cloth. Pouring himself a drink and finishing it, Max thanked the elf and left his rowdy friend to return to his work.

It was not that easy though, this returning to work, as nothing in Maximus Mendes life was ever easy. As he walked back to his hedge clippers he began to smell that same odd mixture of sunscreen, lavender, honeysuckle and books. This time though it wasn't dancing in out of his range of smell. Instead it was still. Max told him as he moved towards it that it wasn't like stalking prey at all. No, that would be far too wolfish of him. He was simply following a scent. He was curious after all, to see what type of person felt the need to follow someone as unremarkable as Max around.

Like the natural hunter Max's kind was, he found his prey, though by not average means. You see Max was far too wrapped up in his thoughts, and tripped over two small feet sticking out partially from the side of a hedge. Looking under Max found the source of the smell, a girl who looked no older than his sister and seemed to be at least seventy-five percent white lace. The mere thought of girls made Max nervous however the compassionate part of him was concerned, why was she just laying there, dirtying her white robes. Poking slightly at the girl's shin, Max debated trying to take back to the Manor house. She was tiny looking, he could definitely carry her . . .

Freyannalynn Burke
Ravenclaw

6th Year

Posts: 8

Age: 16
Birthday: June 15
Height: 5'0
Relationship Status: Single
Played By: Kailei
Allegiance: Neutral

Strawberries and Cream Aug 2, 2015 13:19:15 GMT

Quote

Post by Freyannalynn Burke on Aug 2, 2015 13:19:15 GMT

Freya had missed the exchange between Max and Adam, caught up with her note writing and making sure the house elf knew exactly what kind of things to bring out to the gardeners. Nothing too rich or hot, maybe some cold sandwiches and lots of ice for drinks. Of course, Freya probably should have requested something for herself as well, for, the more she moved quickly about the maze, chasing after the house elf to see Max's reaction, the hotter she was becoming. It was unseemly for a lady like her to be doing any running whatsoever, especially in this heat in more layers than some people wore in the winter time. Though light fabrics, the effect they had when placed on top of each other would have been enough to knock out an elephant. Her corset felt like it was becoming increasingly tighter, although, it also could have just been the heat that was making it harder to breathe. When she and the house elf reached the bit of hedge where Max had been working only to find him gone, the little blonde pouted slightly. They would simply have to track him down again, and with the house elf being capable of doing so with ease, they turned, re-routing themselves down another path.

The Ravenclaw made it around a couple more bends before she paused, feeling a bit woozy from all of this gallivanting about. The house elf stopped as well, turning to look at her with a frown. ”Perhaps, young miss, it is time to be going inside?” Freya just shook her head, tugging at the gloves on her now sweating hands, trying to release some of the heat from her body without removing them completely, for that was frowned upon unless she was eating and didn't want to dirty her gloves.

”Oh no. It's not yet time. I've at least ten minutes before my hour is up.” Freya promised even though she knew it had been well over the hour she was allotted for playing outside. She could stay out as much as she liked, so long as she went in every hour for at least thirty minutes, to cool off or warm up depending on the season and make sure her clothes were staying clean. Her parents weren't sure as to why she would want to be out for longer than that anyway. After all, unless there was some sort of social event, the gardens were nothing more than a pretty place to read and there were plenty of those in the house as well. The house elf knew their time limit had already passed of course, but she was a kindhearted soul with a soft place for the youngest of the Burkes and occasionally allowed her to get away with minor things that seemed quite harmless after all.

”You run ahead, I'll catch you up in a few minutes. I think I would like to take a moment to properly admire those flowers.” The girl lied, pointing to a bush in one of the corners of the many small court yards located within the maze. The house elf nodded, for this was not unusual, and continued on her way, carrying the tray off in search of Max. Freya watched her go and let out a sigh when she was out of earshot. She paused, looking around before lifting her many skirts and fanning them up and down a bit, trying to cool herself off. Why anyone would want to punish themselves by wearing so many things was beyond her, but she did as her mother said. There was no other option without an impossibly boring consequence and utter disappointment. Why, Freya had gotten in trouble before for simply forgetting one underskirt when she'd been no more than seven. The severe sadness in her mother's voice was enough to never repeat that, her poor ill mother. Freya loved her, even if she was incredibly strict. She was just doing what she thought best for her daughter.

Maybe she should have gone inside, Freya thought, dropping her parasol and leaning a bit up against one of the hedges. Or at least gotten something to drink. Her face felt terribly hot... and oh dear, was this sweat? Ladies were not supposed to do that. Wobbling forward slightly, the Ravenclaw lost her balance and fell sideways, trying to use the bush to catch herself but it was not exceptionally solid. It didn't hold up and she went right through it, world going black and landing on the dirty ground beneath, nothing more than her boots peeking out of the greenery. She wasn't out for very long, just a few minutes until she felt something bump into the top of one of her boots. Oh dear, she hoped it wasn't scuffed. She always got hell for scuffed boots, they were her mother's absolute pet peeve. After all, how hard was it to walk gracefully enough to avoid such things at all times? If she could do it, certainly Freya was capable of it as well.

The girl sat up, still feeling dizzy and hot, pink doilies falling from one small, white gloved hand as she lifted both to rub at her face. She blinked rapidly against the sunlight which felt quite overpowering for a few moments before her eyes readjusted and landed upon a pair of shoes. She stared at them for a moment before tilting her head up, eyes peeking out from beneath the large brim of her white lace hat tied round and under her chin with a matching scarf. Freya's little pink mouth formed a perfect 'o', as it always did when she was quite surprised by anything and the already flushed bits of her cheeks increased in color as she realized exactly who it was she was looking at.

”What did you do to the young miss!?” The house elf came racing down the path angrily, placing herself firmly between Max and Freya. She glared up at the boy, ready to lash out at his legs if need be, but thrn turned around, reaching out for Freya's face. ”Oh, I is telling you we must be going insides, Miss! The Lady Burke will not be pleased.”

Freya only half heard the house elf, she was so distracted. She pushed the elf's hands away, leaning slightly to one side to see around her better, gazing upwards at Max still, completely transfixed but his sudden closeness. Gosh, he looked even more handsome now than from a distance... Oh dear, whatever was she to do!?

Maximus Mendes
Slytherin

7th Year

"I'll probably end up fucking up and make it super awkward"

Posts: 50

Age: 17
Birthday: January 16, 2005
Height: 6'2"
Relationship Status: single
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/post/1132/thread
Played By: cris
Allegiance: Neutral

Strawberries and Cream Aug 15, 2015 13:21:23 GMT

Quote

Post by Maximus Mendes on Aug 15, 2015 13:21:23 GMT

This was definitely the source of the smell, Max confirmed, staring down at the girl. He couldn't quite see her face, there was too much . . . too much everything in the way. A hat, a scarf, the girl must be wearing at least three layers of robes. Max thought it highly unusual for just one person to have on so many layers, especially in summer. Then she shifted and Max's sense were bombarded with the overwhelming scent of her, the girl's sweat seeming to make her scent stronger. Well it could also be the fact Max was slowly, but surely moving closer the more concerned he got. He was also curious to see what kind of creature thought this type of attire was appropriate and what exactly had made her pass out. Probably the layers, Max supplied. The scent of paper caught his nose as a slight breeze blew and he noticed the paper doilies, crushed now in the clutches of a small, lace covered hand. She was the one he had been conversing with.

Max gulped and shifted on his feet to get a better look a the girl, now squat in the bushes when suddenly she sat up, branches catching in locks of blond hair from under her white hat. The girl looked up and Max was met with sky blue eyes. Max's own pale eyes widened in response and he felt his mouth go dry. Shifting farther away, the slytherin began to feel anxiousness setting in the more he looked at her, absorbing the features of this new face helplessly, as was his age old habit. His eyes switched hurriedly between flushed cheeks and thick gold lashes and full lips that formed perfectly into an 'o' of surprise.

"Uh, you have, erm, b-branches." Max said scrambling for words as he vaguely pointed to his head. He knew he had to say something, if he didn't then she would think he's weird for just staring soundlessly the whole time, not that Max wasn't weird, he had no issues with weird people it was just-

"Ah i-in your hair, I mean. Not all the branches, but some with leaves, a-are in your hair . . ." The longer Max spoke, the quieter his words got. He had wanted to elaborate at first but he was getting increasingly distracted by his own thoughts and heating face but definitely by the girl in front of him. Was she girl? She didn't look a little girl, should Max feel like a weirdo for thinking she's pretty. It can't be that bad can it, he himself being seventeen, can it? God, what was he thinking?

"I uh," Max didn't know why he felt the need to speak, every time he talked to a girl it came out garbled and messed up, exception Charlotte, and this time was unlike any other. However soon an very angry House Elf had appeared before Max and was shouting at him in it's high pitched voice, accusing Max of hurting the girl. 'Young Miss' it called her. And wait, Miss Burke? As in Max's boss' wife. That would make the girl in front of him . . . No, no, no. He had made a complete fool of himself in front of his boss' daughter, and a proper Lady at that. Max was mortified more than usual, and scared of the house elf who stood in a defensive pose in front of Ms. Burke.

"I-I didn't." Max denied, scrambling back and falling onto his but. His cheeks went red and it all just got too much. Standing up, Max walked away as quickly as his pride would allow before realizing he left his shears. Completely red faced now, Max returned, refusing to look at either the house elf or the girl and practically broke into a run whilst leaving.

"Great going Max." Max said to himself sarcastically once he was some distance away. "Maybe since she's a Lady, they'll make you the jester." More reddish dust was kicked up and Max reveled in his own humiliation. He embarrassed himself at least once a day, but this time was exceptionally bad, the worst since school had let out. What if that girl told her Dad how simple Max seemed and got him fired? Max couldn't lose his job.

"Can't quite well do that though can you," Max berated himself, "Need to be able to speak comprehensively to tell jokes." Dropping his shears, Max covered his face with his hands and groaned.

Freyannalynn Burke
Ravenclaw

6th Year

Posts: 8

Age: 16
Birthday: June 15
Height: 5'0
Relationship Status: Single
Played By: Kailei
Allegiance: Neutral

Strawberries and Cream Aug 15, 2015 15:48:30 GMT

Quote

Post by Freyannalynn Burke on Aug 15, 2015 15:48:30 GMT

Freya stared back at Max, her eyes locking on his for a moment before flitting away as the tops of her cheeks went positively red. She had been having such fun with their little game of notes and now it was ruined, all because she hadn't been able to hold herself together enough not to pass out into the bushes like some kind of... well, she wasn't sure passing out in a bush was normal for anything except maybe a creature who lived in a bush. But then, that wouldn't be considered fainting and didn't count, did it? No, she thought not. Oh dear, she had really screwed this up! Now she couldn't possibly continue to send him notes, not when it would now be obvious as to where they were coming from even if she did managed to continue hiding from him as she did so. Oh why had she gone and fainted? This was simply terrible. Curse this stupid corset! for that must have been the contributing cause of her indecent moment of ungracefulness. She had warned the house elf against pulling it so tight, but if her mother had found out it was even a millimeter too open, she would have been scolded. And her mother was very good at telling those types of things just by looking at her daughter. Either that, or she'd say she was eating too much and stick her on one of those nasty salad only weeks where she wasn't even so much as allowed to sniff her favorite cream and strawberry pastries.

The small Ravenclaw was broken from her thoughts about all of the horrid things she should like to do to all of her corsets by Max's voice. She blinked, peeking up at him from underneath her hat, more surprise falling upon her features as he stumbled over his words. He sounded... nervous? But then again, most of the gardeners acted nervous around her, tending to avoid her whenever possible, as though she was going to berate them for doing something wrong. She would never do that though, for she admired the way they managed to keep the gardens looking so lovely all year long, even when the snow fell and the colorful vegetation was gone. She had asked years ago, when she had still been quite small, to be allowed to help plant flowers and hack at hedges, but her mother had scolded her for thinking of such things. Gardening was dirty work, not something for upstanding ladies to be participating in. Even with her Herbology courses, there was very limited hands on experience given to her, most of it being 'look but don't touch' and book work. It was a shame too, since she so enjoyed the plants.

As Max pointed at his head, Freya's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She lifted one small hand to her hat, feeling at it, before the boy elaborated that he meant there were bits of bush in her hair. Freya lowered her hand, plucking out a piece of twig and wincing at it tangled in her otherwise normally fairly well behaved locks. She was about to try and untangle it further, when the house elf came barreling down the path, obviously not the least bit pleased with what she was seeing. The elf yelled at Max and then turned, trying to disentangle Freya from the bush without pulling too hared at her hair, or letting the branches rip the delicate fabric of her dress. Max spoke again and rose, walking away rather quickly, making Freya's heart sink into her stomach. She hadn't been sure what to say to him, terrible at conversation, but it hurt that he felt like he had to leave. She looked down at her lap, allowing the house elf to help her up out of the bush, brushing at her skirts and trying to make her look presentable again. She really hadn't gotten that dirty, but when you always wore white, it was nearly impossible to keep your clothes clean when outside unless you acted as primly as possible at all times. Oh, her mother was not going to be pleased if she saw her in this state. Her lower lip trembled, feeling entirely dismayed at the circumstances of today. She felt hot still and the most fun she'd had in... well, ever, had now been ruined. She might as well just go inside, take a bath and change her clothes for all the good it would do to try and speak to Max again.

Clenching her gloved hands into fists, the girl stepped back out onto the path, house elf still fussing around her, but she was used to that. She tried to ignore it most of the time, but at the moment it felt rather annoying. If the elf hadn't yelled at the boy, maybe he wouldn't have left so... Oh! He was coming back! Freya perked up for a moment, until she realized he had just come back to get his hedge clippers... and then he raced away again, like she had some kind of contagious disease he didn't want to catch. Oh it wasn't fair! Not fair at all!

Feeling completely dismayed, the little blonde took off, running down the same path Max had taken without even really thinking about it. This was the fastest way back to the house and she fully intended on hiding away for at least the rest of the day. Her heart hurt... She'd just wanted to try and make a friend. Just one friend. It didn't matter so much at Max was so handsome as much as it did that he was around her age and seemed impossibly... well, normal. He wasn't anything like the boys her parents made her converse with at their parties. They were all stuck up, full of themselves like peacocks, strutting about and showing off their feathers when she would have much rather preferred to meet a kindly little sparrow or pigeon.

Freya's boots clacked against the stones of the path as she ran, pace picking up as the tears began to flow to the point of making the world look blurry. She didn't both brushing them away, she could navigate the path blindfolded if she'd had to, however, that was if there hadn't been unknown items laying upon the ground. The little Ravenclaw didn't see Max or the shears he had dropped. Her right foot landed, right upon one of the rounded handles of the shears and the sudden unexpected uneveness of the ground cause her to under-compensate, the tall heels on her boots not helping matters either. Freya's ankle rolled out from underneath her and she went down, sprawling forwards onto the path in a way that slammed one side of her right leg into the stone, scraping all down it and her knee. She let out a yelp of shock and sat there for a second before letting out a sob, unable to help it at this point. Normally if she did cry, she did so silently, for it was unseemly of ladies to have big bursting fits. Now, Freya rarely ever injured herself. Even as a young child she had to uphold a certain degree of grace that limited the risk of hurting herself in general. No running was rule number one for maintaining such a thing, and she had just broken it and possible her ankle by the way it was throbbing. She threw her head back, grabbing at her hat and tugging it free of her head. She chucked it to the ground. Her hands went to her face, glove dirty from tryin to catch herself, running at her cheeks for moment, smudging them until she felt the grit of dirt there. She tugged at her gloves, tossing them to join her hat and then properly going at trying to rub the tears out of her eyes as they continued to flow unhindered.

Shoutbox

Ember Stonefyre: And go to tumblr. Jan 21, 2018 2:41:36 GMT

Kool Uncle Cris: we all die Jan 21, 2018 2:41:26 GMT

Ember Stonefyre: I'm literally on your couch Jan 21, 2018 2:41:22 GMT

Kool Uncle Cris: yikes Jan 21, 2018 2:41:12 GMT

Ember Stonefyre: Bitch Jan 21, 2018 2:41:11 GMT

Ember Stonefyre: BITCH Jan 21, 2018 2:41:03 GMT

Ember Stonefyre: BITCH Jan 21, 2018 2:40:50 GMT

Ember Stonefyre: BIIIITCH Jan 21, 2018 2:40:09 GMT

Ember Stonefyre: BIIITCH Jan 21, 2018 2:39:51 GMT

Ember Stonefyre: BIIITCH Jan 21, 2018 2:39:38 GMT

B R I: This makes me sad Oct 16, 2016 2:24:32 GMT

You-Know-Who: we all fucking died off Aug 23, 2016 23:21:40 GMT

Lena: lol Jun 16, 2016 6:45:29 GMT

Ember Stonefyre: *DYING* May 18, 2016 3:58:00 GMT

Sophia Black: Posted

May 18, 2016 2:00:22 GMT

Ember Stonefyre: youre forgiven May 16, 2016 11:22:28 GMT

PJ: This is gonna take me longer than a few minutes to do a post that does yours justice, so please forgive me for not posting this morning. May 16, 2016 10:59:26 GMT

Ember Stonefyre: Love you. <3 Night night. May 16, 2016 2:44:47 GMT

Sophia Black: Good night, I love you, and sweet dreams. May 16, 2016 2:18:03 GMT

Ember Stonefyre: WOOT May 8, 2016 3:38:45 GMT