Blackbirds and Honeysuckle

[rissa]

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Welcome to Ilvermorny, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where young wizards in North America come to further their magical education and receive wand carrying permits upon graduation. Located far from the No-Maj population, Ilvermorny sits atop Mount Greylock's highest peak, shrouded by a wreath of misty clouds. Two students have arrived for their first year at Ilvermorny and their tale begins here. This is a story, their story, of friendship, love, loss, and the trials and tribulations of growing up in a world where magic is real and at your very fingertips. A new year has begun and chaos is waiting around every corner. A 1x1 with @CloudyBlueDay with our characters Tansy Blackwood and Eleanor Rosewell from the roleplay SHC.

 

[rissa]

TANSY BLACKWOOD

year 1. september 1st. location: statue room. @CloudyBlueDayxx​

Butterflies tore a hole through her stomach lining, and Tansy; eleven years old and attending her first year of Ilvermorny, refused to let it show. She stood within a small crowd of fellow first years, waiting to be escorted by the Headmistress into the Statue Hall. Her mother and father both had recounted their own sorting ceremonies, so she knew what to expect, but the nerves refused to ebb. Tansy searched the faces of those closest to her and found anxiety in each and everyone. Stomping her foot with a soft grunt, Tansy clenched her eyes shut and took a deep breath; it was something she'd do before every baseball game and before she walked up to the plate. It had always helped her then, what would be any different this time? When she opened her eyes, the Headmistress towered over the front row of students, and with a crisp voice, spoke to the crowd.

"Welcome, first years, to Ilvermorny: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You are about to embark on your first journey into the magical community, whether no-maj born or otherwise." She cleared her throat before continuing. "I am Professor Lorelei, Headmistress of the school. When I say, and not a moment before, you will all follow me into the Hall of Statues where the sorting ceremony will begin. Watching above will be fellow students and faculty. Once you've been chosen, you will proceed to the following Hall where you'll be chosen by your wand." She nodded her head, retrieved a piece of parchment from one of the many folds of her robes and said, "If you will, follow me."

She turned on her heel, waved her wand with a flourish and walked through the threshold that had just appeared. A few of the students in the front row stood there as if transfixed, but Tansy, nerves slowly turning to angst, started pushing her way past the slowpokes in front of her. There were a couple of complaints from the students she might have accidently trampled on but no one stopped her and she sure as hell didn't look back to see who was giving her dirty looks. Shrugging internally, she took the small flight of stairs into the Statue Hall two at a time, slightly annoyed that one girl was beating her to the room. With a sudden burst, Tansy jumped up the last three steps.

It was a mistake.

She stepped on the girls robes, falling to one knee on the stone floor. There was a sharp bite of pain but Tansy stood and reached out with quick reflexes to steady the girl she'd almost tripped. Luckily for her, the Headmistress had yet to turn around and check on her charges, and Tansy, slightly embarrassed, looked over and surveyed her fellow first year. She had curly, dark brown hair, eyes the color of her favorite dark chocolate, and freckles just like her own. Before she could say anything, Tansy leaned over and with an apologetic look, said, "Hey, sorry about that." She extended her right hand for a shake. "My names Tansy…"

---

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

ELEANOR ROSEWELL

year 1. sept 1. location: the statue room. @rissa

​

As much as Eleanor would have liked to hate this place, she couldn't. Months of buildup, her parents' silent hatred, made Eleanor almost throw her letter into the shredder and pretend nothing had ever happened. But now she was sorry she hadn't been excited sooner. This place fulfilled her every dream, and she was now desperate to be an irreplaceable part of it. Despite all the excitement, young Eleanor's lips were tugged down in a frown and her brows furrowed in thought. The only thing betraying this look was the sparkle in her soft brown eyes.

Eleanor listened intently as Professor Lorelei spoke. The thought of being chosen by a house invigorated and terrified her. Would the house she ended up in be right for her? What if she got picked by more than one? How did the sorting process even work? How did the statues even know? And how would she get a wand? There were so many questions spinning throughout her mind. Being muggle-born, she didn't have any sort of relative to explain these things to her before going away. Eleanor left the home that she had known to go into something she could only dream about. Hopefully some questions would be answered soon enough.

The young witch's eyes widened as the headmaster waved her wand, but unlike most other children, her wonderment did not delay her. She quickened her pace, in fact, excited by the fact that she was almost there. At this rate, she'd be the first one in. She slowed momentarily. Did she want to be first? Perhaps it was safer to let someone else go just so she could get a sense of what she was walking into. She was getting ahead of herself, really, she was. I mean, what if --

Something suddenly tugged on her robes from behind and Eleanor found herself falling backwards. Panic climbed up in her throat but before Eleanor could even let out a yelp there was a steady pair of hands beneath her, and she was upright once more. Eleanor turned to face the perpetrator, a stunned look of anger and fear plastered on her face. The girl had the most interesting eyes -- a strange greenish silver that greatly contrasted her own.

"Hey, sorry about that." Eleanor stared at the extended hand momentarily before slowly reaching out and shaking it. "My names Tansy…" Tansy. She repeated the name in her head. After all, this was the first person she was meeting at Ilvermorny. "Oh, uh.. Eleanor." Eleanor spared a quick glance at the headmaster, making sure they weren't in any trouble. "Do you, um.. want to go.. first?" She mumbled.

​

 

[rissa]

TANSY BLACKWOOD

year 1. september 1st. location: statue room. @CloudyBlueDayxx​

Smiling sheepishly, Tansy nodded her head and took a hesitant step forward before turning to glance at the very first person she'd met at Ilvermorny. "W-why don't we walk in together?" She whispered softly, eyeing the Headmistress as she walked through the short, tightly packed corridor that, apparently, led to the Hall of Statues. "Come on," Tansy whispered to Eleanor, and strode forward. The corridor was dark, even though the walls bore torches every few feet. Not usually claustrophobic, she couldn't help but feel glad that there was someone walking beside her.

Once free of the corridor, Tansy stepped into a large, dome-like room that held four massive statues. In awe, she followed the Headmistresses path and waited for further instructions. Patience was never one of her favorite virtues, but she couldn't deny the beauty of the statues. Wooden though they were, they shined with care. In front of the statues, gilded on the floor was the Gordian Knot her mother and father spoke of.

"First years," Headmistress Lorelei said, voice ringing throughout the hall. "When I call your name you'll step upon the Gordian Knot and wait to see which statue awakens. Though rare, it's possible that more than one will awaken, if this happens to you-- you will instead choose which house you wish to enter. Now, if you will…

"Allen, Emmaline."

A small creature, even smaller than her, walked tentatively to the Gordian Knot and visibly shaking, waited for one of the statues to react. It happened so suddenly, if she wasn't already looking at the Pukwudgie, she'd of missed it. The statue raised it's bow and arrow into the air, briefly, before returning back to it's original state.

"Anderson, Michael. Axel, Marisol. Bailey, Jean." Pukwudgie. Horned Serpent. Pukwudgie.

Tansy, starting to grow impatient, foot tapping against the marble floor, jumped slightly when her name was finally called. Determined to look neither scared nor nervous, she strode purposefully to the Gordian Knot. Once upon it, she looked up and around at the statues, wondering which would awaken to her presence. It took almost a minute before anything happened and when it did, it happened simultaneously. The jewel encrusted within the Horned Serpents forehead glowed and the Wampus roared. She looked at the Headmistress, whose brows were furrowed in thought, and then at the girl she'd met earlier. Which to choose? Ironically, or maybe not, the two statues that had awakened for her, were also the same two that reacted to her mother and father.

Going with her gut, Tansy spoke to the two statues, unsure if that's what she was supposed to do. "I choose Wampus." As soon the words spilled from her mouth, the glow died away and the Wampus roared once more.

Glancing back at the Headmistress, who nodded her head, Tansy stole one last glance at her first… friend, and walked into the next Hall, waiting to be chosen by her very own wand.

---

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

ELEANOR ROSEWELL

year 1. sept 1. location:moving to the wand room. @rissa

W-why don't we walk in together?

Eleanor's heart fluttered. It was fluttering over everything, the excitement of picking a house, a wand, being at this school, away from her home, and now the prospect of a new friend. Already so inviting, and warm and exciting. The kids at school preferred to stare or quietly giggle, or the really awful ones threw their sandwiches, but not here, at least not yet. Not Tansy. "Come on," The girl urged. "I'm --" Eleanor started, and then stopped. Grinned. And rushed right after her. "I'm coming."

The entirety of the statue room was foreign to Eleanor, but perhaps that was a good thing, as she could look at it in total awe and wonder. The statues were -- they were gorgeous. She knew not what they stood for, but she knew that just standing there, they were beautiful. Eleanor assumed that the 'Gordian Knot' was the thing in the center of the floor. She did know them to be a puzzle, but that was about it. Luckily, she was not going to be first, and watching the others go up did give her some time to get a sense of understanding. By looking closely at the children that stepped up she could begin to figure out what each statue was and what they were meant to represent.

Eleanor waited patiently until Tansy's name was called. The girl already looked to be terribly impatient, and it amused Eleanor to watch. It was an interestingly long time before any statue lit up though, and when it finally did, there were two. Eleanor was shocked; of all people, it was the one person whom she had run into. After a moment, Tansy word's rung out. Wampus. How she had chosen, Eleanor did not know. But she was still entranced all the same.

It was a bit of a wait before she was called, after all, her last name did begin with an R. She was grateful for the time, however, it did begin to drag. Finally, her name was called, and Eleanor slowly walked up to the Gordian Knot. By now, she felt she knew quite a bit about every statue and what it represented. She chose to stare the Pukwudgie one straight on until one of them lit up.

The Pukwudgie statue seemed to succumb to her gaze, raising it's bow and arrow mightily. Beside it, the Horned Serpent's forehead glowed. Eleanor stared, astonished. She hadn't expected that.. not one bit.

"I.. I choose Pukwudgie." It felt unfair, to send herself to a house without any knowledge of it at all. But somehow, it felt right. A quick glance at the headmistress, and Eleanor hurried off into the next room.

 

[rissa]

TANSY BLACKWOOD

year 1. september 1st. location: the hall of wands. @CloudyBlueDayxx​

The room was dark but dancing upon the ceiling rafters were little blue orbs, like stars that twinkled on the darkest of nights, and it lit up the gargantuan room just enough to see down the rows and rows of tiny, rectangular shaped boxes that held none other than the wands new students waited desperately to receive. Standing on her tippy toes, trying to see over the heads of the two students standing in front of her, Tansy caught a brief glance of a wizened old wizard, two students in tow, further into the room. She huffed impatiently, glaring at the girl in front of her who had turned and given her an odd look. No sooner did the girl turn back around, did a witch in cranberry and blue robes appear, spectacles dangerously close to falling off her nose.

"You two," She said, pointing to the pair in front of her. "Follow me."

Tansy groaned, impatience eating away at her insides. Why hadn't the lady taken her too? Why'd she have to wait so long? With a another groan, she stood there, her foot tapping rhythms on the floor until she heard the door behind her creak open. Through the threshold was Eleanor, the girl she'd accidentally trampled over. Tansy smiled, waving her ahead of the students that were lined up behind her. "Hey! Eleanor, come up here! Mind if I call ya, Ellie?" Tansy said when the small form of her friend reached her, her cajun accent growing thicker with excitement. "Are you excited? We finally get to get our own wands! Ah! Which statue awakened for you? I can't believe the Horned Serpent and Wampus awaked for me, I just can't! I can't wait to write to my dad."

---

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

ELEANOR ROSEWELL

year 1. sept 1. location: the hall of wands. @rissa

Once Eleanor entered the room, she was astonished to find the line, that went to who knows where, was never ending. Luckily, Tansy was farther up ahead, and quick to notice Eleanor's entry. The small girl looked about shyly, receiving angry glares from others ahead of her in line as she scurried over to Tansy. "Hey! Eleanor, come up here! Mind if I call ya, Ellie?" Eleanor blinked. She had never been called anything but her full name, but.. she did like the sound of it. Ellie. "S-sure, if you like." Eleanor said with a small smile.

She listened to the young girl's excitement, up until the point where she mentioned writing a letter to her father. The small smile faded away and she was left feeling empty; if only she had a father that would appreciate a letter back home about her achievements. It would only scare him further. "The Pukwudgie awakened for me," Eleanor said slowly. "And the snake." She mumbled, forgetting the name. Was it that Horned Serpent one Tansy had mentioned? "No.. the serpent. I think." She nodded, feeling a bit more confident in her answer now.

Now that she had a place in line she took a chance to gaze around the room. It was huge, and the little orbs that littered the ceiling were like beautiful little stars. Eleanor was entranced with the magical world, and there was so much she had still yet to see. "How do we.. get our wands, Tansy?" Eleanor kept her gaze up on the ceiling for a while, on the pretend stars, before moving to the rows and rows of boxes. Those had to hold the wands. "I don't know how any of this stuff works. Were we supposed too? I'm kind of mad they didn't explain the houses at all.. I don't even know what Pukwudgie stands for." Eleanor's brows furrowed. Surely the less experienced first years deserved some sort of explanation, no?

 

[rissa]

TANSY BLACKWOOD

year 1. september 1st. location: the hall of wands. @CloudyBlueDayxx​

"No-Maj-born, huh?" Tansy said with a consoling half-smile. "My dad was too, my ma's a witch though. Don't worry; he didn't know anything about anything when he first got his letter. Didn't even know he was a wizard! Lots of people don't actually, so don't feel any different. And, well, I suppose they don't explain the houses until after everyone is sorted to stop people from pickin' their favorites or whatever statue looks the coolest." She ended it with a shrug and a light blush.

"Sorry, people say I talk too fast sometimes. And hey, what kinda accent is that? Where are you from?"

No sooner than she said so, the wizened wizard she saw earlier appeared out of the shadows and pointed at Tansy and Ellie in turn. His hair was silver, not white, as was his overgrown brows and beard, but he had a kind face, if a little stern. He squinted at the pair, pointed once more, and then surprisingly agile, turned on his heel and stomped down the aisle.

"I guess we're supposed to follow him?" Tansy asked hesitantly.

---

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

ELEANOR ROSEWELL

year 1. sept 1. location: the hall of wands. @rissa

It was comforting to know that Tansy's father had started out knowing just as little as she did right now, especially when Tansy seemed to know quite a bit about their surroundings. The sorting process, however, made no sense to her whatsoever, and Eleanor still felt it unfair that you were more often than not picked by a house you knew nothing about. Especially when you had the option to choose and you didn't know what either house meant. The girl only let out a small "hmm" noise of uncertainty.

At the accent question, Eleanor raised an eyebrow in confusion. Did she have an accent? On the contrary, she felt it more true that Tansy herself had one. "Uhm.. Wyoming." She mumbled softly. "You talk fine, I think." Sure, Tansy did speak a bit quick but it hardly bothered Eleanor much. She was fun to listen too.

The man that pointed at the two startled Ellie just a little bit. Tansy seemed hesitant as well, but some angry grumbles from the children behind them complaining that "the kids up front weren't even going" gave away the fact that it was time for them to go. Nodding silently to Tansy, she started to walk forward, though paused until Tansy was at her side.

"Where are you from?" Eleanor asked the girl.

 

[rissa]

TANSY BLACKWOOD

year 1. september 1st. location: the hall of wands. @CloudyBlueDayxx​

"Wyoming, huh?" Tansy whispered behind her hands as she and Ellie followed the wizard between rows higher than skyscrapers. "I'm from Louisiana… the swamps that border the Gulf." Tansy said quickly, jumping slightly when the old wizard turned around and scrutinized them underneath half-lidded eyes.

"What're yer names, youngins?" The man asked pensively.

"I'm Tansy," the young witch replied instantaneously, "And this is my friend Ellie. We were both picked by two houses." Tansy said the last bit only a little too proudly and absentmindedly puffed her chest and felt the competitiveness of baseball rush into her very marrow. She and Ellie were something of a team; both had been chosen by two statues… almost like they were both captains of a team that never lost...

The wizard in cranberry and blue robes merely shrugged, though he did lean in close to get a good look at the pair of them. From a fold beneath his cloak the man pulled out a handful of objects: a quill and a half-rolled piece of parchment, two tapes that flitted up and down their adolescent bodies to provide their measurements. What it was needed for, she had no clue, but she waited patiently, bouncing on the heels of her feet.

"So what's that for?" Tansy asked curiously, eyeing the tape that was now circling the crown of Ellie's forehead. She leaned over to swat it away but found that her hand had been swatted by the stern but gentle looking face of the old wizard in front of them.

"Measurements." said the Wizard and took off down another aisle that was as large as the building-- if the building was of regular size and could fit all of the three hundred plus students attending Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

---

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

ELEANOR ROSEWELL

year 1. sept 1. location: the hall of wands. @rissa

Swamps? Eleanor spared another glance at Tansy. Tansy looked, and sounded like she was from Louisiana. It fit the girl entirely, from what Eleanor knew about the state. When the elder wizard asked their names, Eleanor was fine letting Tansy introduce the both of them. Ellie. The nickname still put her on edge, but coming from the other young girl, it felt.. alright. Strangely enough. From anyone else, Eleanor would probably not respond. She narrowed her eyes at the mention of them both being picked by two houses -- perhaps it was more of a special thing than she had thought? Why Tansy mentioned it, Eleanor did not know.

Eleanor stiffened when the tape flitted around both her and Tansy. The Louisiana Native seemed completely majorly by this, but Eleanor let out frightful squeak as the magical item circled around her forehead. She was instantly uncomfortable, the intrusion of her personal space from an object that floated around by itself was clearly putting her on edge. "T...Tansy," Eleanor whimpered, and Tansy tried to swat it away, only to be swatted right back. Eventually, however, the measurement tape flitted back to its master and Eleanor let out a long exhale of relief as she fidgeted with her clothing to try and regain any sense of comfort.

"Try this." The wizard said, his words quick and pointed. He had disappeared returned with a thin box, the cover still clasped upon it as he handed it to Ellie as the tape once again set out, but now to Tansy. Eleanor eyed the box curiously, cracking it open just a bit when a stream of blinding light shone out so strongly Eleanor squealed and dropped it, covering her eyes. She could not see a thing, and doubted Tansy fared any better. Before she had a mind to cry out, the wizard had swooped down and picked up the box, covered it, and tutted as he re-shelved it elsewhere. "No, that won't do." He said unhappily and disappeared somewhere else, leaving Eleanor in shock. "What even.." The young girl whispered.

 

[rissa]

"Wand findin' is hard, at least from what my dad says…" Tansy said to Ellie after the retreating figure disappeared from view. "Said it took him three hours to find his. Hope it don't take too long though, I'm starving."

While she talked Tansy rubbed the blue spots from her eyes and her gaze traveled to the vicinity of where the old wizard placed the blinding wand. She frowned at it, wherever it was and glanced back around at Ellie. "Are you wantin' anything special? Like a certain wood or core? If you were askin' me, I'd have to say one of Violetta's wands for sure. She's a Louisiana native, ya know."

Her winded, fast spoken speech was interrupted by the arrival of the wizard, this time reverently carrying three boxes. This time he gingerly handed one to Tansy, eyeing her expectantly. She reached out instinctively, then hesitated, she didn't want to be blinded like Ellie… and yet she was hungry, and definitely needed a wand. She took the box and all but ripped the cover off. The old man tsked but said nothing. Tansy took the wand, holding it gingerly, and gave it a little wave. Nothing happened so she replaced the wand and handed the box back - only to receive another in return.

The second box was covered in dust, dented in the middle, and longer than her forearm. She opened the box slowly, receiving an approving nod from the wizard. Cracking it open and seeing no light, she uncovered it and took it in her hand. A bouquet of yellow roses sprouted from the tip of her wand and eagerly, she plucked a few and handed them to Ellie, keeping a few for herself. She thought she'd found her wand until the wizard shook his head darkly and plucked the length of wood and it's protective carrier right from her. She let out a groan of impatience and absentmindedly reached for the final box. The wizard had different plans however, and extended the box to Ellie.

@CloudyBlueDay

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

Wanted anything special? Ellie didn't even know what a wand consisted of, nor what to have a preference of. Three hours it had taken her father. Gosh! What about all the people waiting in line behind them? She felt bad for them.

She watched Tansy struggle with the first wand, and smiled at the girl when it didn't seem to produce any magic, a 'better luck next time' sort of look. Still, Eleanor looked just as eager as her companion, if a little less fidgety. The next wand looked much too long for Tansy, and the appearance of the yellow roses startled Eleanor. She jumped a little, but then giggled as she was handed a few. They smelled absolutely wonderful. Had Tansy found her wand, then? Apparently not, as the wizard plucked it back promptly.

She was excited to see Tansy try the third wand, until it was extended in her direction. Eleanor looked surprised, and cautious, as she took the box. Instantly, even with just the box in hand, she felt a little spark. Almost unnoticeable, but there was something there. It felt like a touch of electricity had prompted the air, at least it did for Ellie. With a tiny, concealed gasp, she pulled open the cover.

The wand seemed decently sized. It was slightly warped and had a light, but intricate pattern about it. One tip was rounded and the other was pointed and sharp. Eleanor took it out of the box and tightened her small fingers around it's base. She felt strangely connected to this piece of wood. Turning her attention to Tansy, a brand new form of wonderment and light in her eyes, and with a small swish, the roses in Tansy's hand had morphed into a different type of flower, one Tansy would know to be a honeysuckle.

"O-oh -- oh!" Eleanor said, staring at the newly changed flowers, and then laughed. It had to be the purest laugh out of her mouth yet, perhaps even the first, and her freckles danced upon her cheeks.

 

[rissa]

With an ear to ear grin Tansy Blackwood nudged her friend playfully with her shoulder, intuitively understanding that she'd found her wand. Grinning even harder at the transfigured honeysuckles -her favorites!- she weaved them into her hair until they formed a diadem upon her head. She gave Ellie a quick reassuring hug and then glanced up at the wizard with her wide and child-like grey-green eyes.

"Don't ya have any of Violetta's wands?" Tansy asked eagerly, craving the tantalizing electricity that flowed between Ellie and the wand that chose her. "I bet one of them will choose me, I just know it."

The wizard in cranberry and blue robes just frowned down at her, his silver beard quivering in what looked like indignation. "I'm the professional here, child. Let me do my job."

He huffed away, his goatee swishing after him, feet shuffling beneath layers and layers of robes. Tansy reached for Ellie's hand, tugging her along as she followed in the wizard's wake. They walked for miles, or near enough, between aisles of ceiling-high shelves that were ladled with thin boxes. Some were short, others long and some carried a fine layer of dust upon the covers whereas others were buried beneath inches of it. On and on the wizard shuffled, stopping here and there to examine a box or reach out suddenly to snatch a seemingly random one off a shelf. There was no method to his madness and no glaringly obvious cure. By the time he finished his trek Tansy was positive it was well past midnight, her feet were bleeding, and the breakfast feast would not have enough food to satiate her hunger.

"Are you done yet?" Tansy moaned, her hand rubbing her stomach. "It's been hours and I'm starving!"

The wizard paid her no mind, expect to reveal the seven boxes in his possession. He handed her the first box, one that was unusually tiny. Within was an even tinier wand that made her recoil. Tansy was thankful, to a certain degree, that the wand didn't react to her in anyway. The second box was longer, still short where wands were concerned, and adorned with elaborate carvings. She couldn't name the designs but they were unsettling, and when she flourished the wand it screamed in protest and made Tansy yelp, dropping the thing in alarm. The old man growled, snatched the box from Tansy and plucked the wand from the stone floor. Reluctantly, the wizard handed her the third… and the fourth...fifth…sixth…seventh.

Tansy groaned again, glancing at Ellie with anxious eyes. Her shoulders were slumped and her belly growled and her bottom lip quivered with frustration. She'd never stomped her foot before, but she felt close to doing just so. How long had it been since they started this journey? Hours ago?

"Am I ever gonna find a wand?" Tansy said sadly to no one in particular.

The old wizard glanced down at her reassuringly, oddly enough, and nodded his silvery head. "You will, child, everyone does eventually." He turned on one heel and rifled through the stack of boxes in front of him. He searched for a few minutes until extracting a box of remarkable length and then hesitantly holding it out to her.

Downtrodden, Tansy grasped the box and jumped at the sudden charge that rippled through her arm. Excitement mingled with curiosity as she stared at the box in her grip. When she opened the lid, Tansy swore she felt a breeze wash over her and when she took the wand in her hand a warm sensation flowed from her palm. A golden light spewed from the tip of her wand, not blinding but warm, like candlelight. The grip was sturdy and thick and the piece of wood tapered towards it's tip. The wood itself was light, almost the color of bone, and Tansy recognized it easily: swamp mayhaw wood.

One of Violetta's wand had chosen her.

Tansy glanced over at Ellie, a true smile gracing her face. "This is amazing."

@CloudyBlueDay

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

Eleanor was a patient eleven year old -- her new friend was not. She had every intention of waiting with Tansy if it took them many more hours, perhaps days at this rate. While she followed the grumbling wizard around in his quest to pick off box after box, she tested out grips on her new wand. Did she feel more comfortable holding it tighter? Or perhaps a bit more loose. She'd give it a random swish every now and then, when the wizard's back was turned of course, but he still seemed to notice when she did so. He'd turn around and bark at her, then promise to teach the two insolent children some proper wand safety.

But goodness, did it take Tansy forever to find her wand. Wand after wand, she chucked away helplessly. Ellie wondered if finding a wand so quick meant anything about the wizard. She inspected hers more closely. Is there something special about you? Or me? Or Tansy, or Tansy's wand? I'm confused, and no one's explaining. She let out a quiet sigh. Whenever Tansy glanced at her nervously, Eleanor met her with a reassuring, excited though small smile, and the twinkle in her eyes still present. "You'll find your wand, Tansy. I know you will." Her gaze seemed to say, but she certainly did not move her lips.

Eleanor let out a small yawn as Tansy was handed her wand, but as soon as she opened the box Eleanor could feel that something in the air had changed. With the wand in Tansy's hand, letting out wisps of gold, Eleanor simply knew. Her face lit up even further and she grinned at her friend, giggling at her comment. "Doesn't it?" She murmured excitedly.

"Are we.. are we done?" Eleanor said tentatively, glancing up at the wizard in the cranberry and blue robes. With the hand that did not carry her wand, Eleanor's small fingers wrapped around Tansy's wrist. The grip was gentle, but somehow it felt firmer than it actually was. Though everything about Ellie was seemingly soft, something about her seemed unmovable, unwavering. Her fingers grasped around Tansy's small arm was her small act of protection, trust.

"I would say so." The wizard said gruffly, nodding his head towards a large door that lay ahead of them. The next step in their journey. "What do we.. what do we do after that?" Ellie murmured. The wizard's gaze fell on the two, and the beginnings of a smile etching in his wrinkled features. "I would say that's up to you to decide." He said thoughtfully, his words spoken with a rather kind tone, one they had not heard all night.

Before Tansy had any chance to yank her ahead, Eleanor called out to the wizard, who'd already begun to turn away.

"Wait, sir? What's your name?"

 

[rissa]

Tansy glanced down when Ellie grabbed her wrist and wondered if she was worried about something. Tansy was surprised though, at how tight her grip was, and knew that there was a hidden strength, a calmness about Ellie that had yet to be revealed. She was about to ask what was wrong when Ellie spoke and asked the wizard what his name was. The old man turned back and gave Ellie a quizzical look before answering. "The name's Arnav Thames." He gave them a short nod and walked away, disappearing before Tansy could say a word.

Gripping her new wand with wondrous eyes, she gave it a flick of wrist and three boxes of wands flew off the shelf, right at her and Ellie. With a start she jumped in front of them and covered her face with her arms, yelping when they impacted with her stomach.

"Oof." Tansy groaned, rubbing her stomach and hastily replacing the boxes on the nearest shelf lest Arnav return and chew them out for wand abuse.

"Let's go." Tansy said, grabbing Ellie's hand and rushing towards the giant door that stood proudly just an aisle ahead of them. With Ellie at her side, Tansy pushed the double doors open and found herself in a small hall with two options of where to go: left or right.

With a shrug, Tansy turned left and led Ellie down a dimly lit corridor. She was nervous, a little bit, but excitement tore a hole through her stomach and she skipped down the corridor next to Ellie. There were no doors along the way, nor any windows, and it felt like forever until they saw another face. A student, definitely an upperclassman, sauntered towards them, her red-brown hair swishing with every step. She looked familiar, despite never having seen her before, and she was incredibly pretty. Tansy waved as they walked closer, a small smile appearing on her face. She was just about to ask where they were when the upperclassman spoke.

"What are you two brats doing in this part of the castle? It's forbidden to first and second years." She frowned down at them while tucking a strand of hair behind her ears. Her blue eyes sparkled menacingly and she walked closer slowly, her finger directed straight at Tansy. "Follow me, the pair of you. I'll be reporting you two."

"Reporting us for what?" Tansy barked angrily, her chest rising with indignation. "This is our first time in the castle, how can we get in trouble for not knowing where to go? And besides, if anyone's getting in trouble, it should be me - I chose which way to go, not Ellie."

@CloudyBlueDay

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

The flying wand boxes were certainly an unpleasant welcome into their next step at Ilvermorny. While Tansy got hit in the gut, one was sent straight to Ellie's head, smacking her in the forehead and making her stumble, but catch her balance for she fell. She let out a little moan and rubbed her temple, but it didn't hurt so bad. Arnav Thames. Ellie hoped they'd meet again.

The hallway seemed never ending, and it made Eleanor anxious. It felt as if it would leave her too much time alone with her thoughts; what was at the end, what would happen when they got out? Would she and Tansy separate? She was awfully sad they weren't in the same house, and Eleanor did not want to leave her. But that didn't mean they wouldn't see each other, right?

She was startled, to say the least, when the upperclassmen appeared, though Eleanor was grateful for the help she expected to receive from the pretty brunette. But it did not come. From the moment she opened her mouth, she clearly intended to be demeaning, snobbish. Eleanor's hopeful expression turned into one of disgust, as her grip on Tansy tightened protectively.

"None of us are getting in trouble, except maybe you." She grumbled, looking at Tansy worriedly, as if to scold her for instantly taking the blame upon herself. "There's nothing to report us for. What do you have against us?" Eleanor huffed, stepping forward. "Do you just wander the halls in hopes of getting some praise for throwing kids under the bus?" Eleanor, though her voice small and soft, sounded very unhappy. She had immediately taken a defensive stance, almost seemingly unnatural to the small girl, and with her eyes narrowed at the upperclassmen, she seemed prepared to combat any excuse that would be sent her way.

@rissa

 

[rissa]

Tansy smirked, and then bit her lip when she felt Ellie's pressure upon her wrist. She knew what that meant, her mama did it all the time. It's time to hush now, Tansy. Let the grown ups take care of things. A part of her reveled in the feeling, of meeting someone so soon and feeling so comfortable with them and the other part was terrified… she'd spent years making friends with no-maj's and none of them had ever warmed up to her as quickly as Ellie seemed to.

So she smiled again, right at the upperclassman, and when Ellie wasn't looking that smile turned into a sneer. Who did that chick think she is? Trying to scare first years just because she had power to write people detention slips and dock house points for insubordinate behavior. (She wore a small cranberry red patch upon her breast pocket, and Tansy, growing up in a wizarding home, knew exactly what that emblem entailed. She belonged to the Vanguard, Ilvermorny's equivalent of Prefects and Head Boys and Girls…)

"I'm not throwing anyone under the bus, Missy. I'm simply doing my job. Now, if you'll follow me to the Under Secretary's office."

And then she continued onward, brushing past both Ellie and Tansy, not bothering to look back. Instinctively she reached for her wand… and then she thought better of it. She was an upperclassman after all. This was Tansy's first day. Glancing over at Ellie, Tansy shrugged her shoulders and without even opening her mouth, asked her what they hell are we gunna' do?

@CloudyBlueDay

 

[CloudyBlueDay]

The Under Secretary could see in the eyes of the two first years that they had done no wrong. Natalia, though always a keen eye and from a strong line of witches and wizards, did like to tease and scare a few every now and then. That was put in the nicest terms.

Tansy and Ellie left that office without so much a scratch, the only penalty for their running around the castle was the newfound hatred of the fearsome Natalia Pova.

~~

It turned out that after you had gotten your wand, you were supposed to find your dorms. Somehow, the castle had lead them elsewhere. Perhaps their being together had confused the place into taking them nowhere, Nonetheless, after their departure from the Under Secretary's office, Natalia was said to take them to their appropriate dorms.

"Come along." Hissed the girl, walking nearly too fast for the two smaller girls to keep up. "Elizabeth? What house are you in?" She said briskly, without a glance behind her. Eleanor's eyes narrowed and her teeth gritted. "It's Eleanor, not Elizabeth." She hissed. "Right, Lizzie. Come along. You're walking too slow." Natalia bit back, and Eleanor cast her gaze down, cheeks hot. She felt it no use in fighting, another trip to the Under Secretary was not how she wanted to start her year off. Her grip only tightened against her wand and sparks exploded from the tip of it.

They came to a path leading two ways. "Lucky for you little twats, the dorms for Wampus and Pukwudgie are close by." She rolled her eyes. "If you have any other problems, tell someone else. And if I ever catch you in another place you're not supposed to be, you'll regret it.[/i]

 

[rissa]

Tansy was still raging when Miss Pova left her and Ellie to their own devices. With her hands clenched into fists, she glanced over her shoulder as the upperclassman walked off, hips swinging far too much for it to be a natural walk. She curled her upper lip in disgust and huffed, wanting nothing more to clober her over the head with her favorite baseball bat. Unfortunately, her mother thought it unwise to bring it.

In the end, excitement won out over anger and it wasn't long before the raging shakes turned into those of anxious anticipation. In front of the pair stood a brick wall and to the left and right, dark, barely lit hallways. Tansy peered down both, wondering which was Wampus and which was Pukwudgie.

"Ugh!" Tansy said aloud after a moment, "Which way?!"

Directly in front of Tansy and Eleanor, a face made of brick and stone formed and smiled at them. When the face spoke, it was a rasp of grinding noises. "You, Tansy Blackwood, are of house Wampus. Your dormitories are to the left. Good day to you and your friend." And then the face disappeared after a cheeky know-it-all grin.

"Whoa… AH!"

A ringing bell rented through the small space and Tansy nearly jumped into the arms of her new friend. Another voice, one that she easily recognized as the Under Secretary, spoke to the school.

"Students will report to the Great Hall for the welcoming feast in twenty minutes. Everyone must be in their robes. Good day."