Day of Discovery (open)

[Alex J. Tirragen]

Person or dog? Dog or person? Alex shook his head. There was no reason for him to even think about this. Of course he would pick person.

"Hi there Lavinia, I'm Tiora, but you can call me Tio. And yes I do enjoy being lost sometimes." What was with all of these girls liking getting lost? Alex hated it. He hated the feeling of vulnerability and not knowing what was going to happen. Once someone gets lost, there's a small chance of actually finding the way back and taking that chance was definitely something he didn't want to try.

The new girl spoke up again. She seemed a tad bit shy at first but now she was on a roll. "What is your name again… I mean I'm sorry that you got lost. Anyways I do know where to go, so if you would just be so kind to follow me...." His name? He noticed he hadn't said his name during the whole of the conversation. And Lavinia (Loony) and Tiora had.

"I suppose it is necessary for me to introduce myself," Alex said, his voice drawling on the words. He hated introductions. "My name is Alex, Alex Tirragen." Alex was short for Alexander, but he felt no need in explaining that.

"Oh and Lavinia… the hound… I'm sorry, but he pointed at the wrong direction." Person it is Alex decided. It would be wholly better to trust someone who spoke and was not sitting on four feet, or well in this case, paws.

"Then lead the way," Alex muttered as he started to move towards the new girl, Tiora. A funny name. An unusual name. He had never heard of it before. Thinking little of it though he made sure he wasn't dripping anymore he made to follow the girl when he looked behind and found Loony saying something softly to the dog in the portrait, most likely the dog who gave her the wrong directions.

Alex felt a pang in his chest. Sympathy, he decided while pushing it down until it was unnoticable. However he couldn't help but look at Loony who was making sure her little pocket was in the right place. "Let's go. Don't worry about the dog," he muttered to her. He froze. He couldn't care less about whether the girl was sad or unhappy about the dog being wrong. He shook his head until he was in control of his mouth again and then stiffly turned away.

"All right. I'm ready." The girl from behind seemed to be ready and Alex sighed. Maybe things would get better though it was definitely strange walking with two girls, both of whom were at least three or four years younger than him.

"After you?" Alex looked startled to say the least. He should have told her to go first but he refrained. It would only start off in a, 'No you go first,' 'No you,' 'No I must insist, you go first!' Better to just go first than to start something like that. He nodded to the girl though he kept his face as cold as possible. No need to have these girls getting any ideas.

[Tiora Lamia]

Starting this whole diversion was plain easy. But will here new company accept and believe the whole thing... that was yet to be seen.

Although feeling confident and secure in her plan... Tiora was very much surprised at herself. This was the first time she pooled off something like this. Maybe because she was felling pretty poorly the whole day... maybe because she was desperate for some company... an unfamiliar company, who doesn't really know her... maybe because she liked Lavinia... or just maybe because she saw something in that strange boy. She couldn't tell for sure.

Also guilt pinched her every now and then as she watched Lavinia's confused face... and disbelief... this girl was amazing... comforting a dog for being wrong... and seconds later she was up and ready to follow... if only she new.

Alex.... Alex Tirragen... that was the boys name...
Tiora was sure he was going to decline all the help she offered... well if u can even call it help. But he just being all man like and everything... excepted her little game with words... "Then lead the way"

She waited a few seconds to make sure they were really up for it, and when they both looked prepared she turned her back on them and started walking looking down the corridor she randomly picked. There steps were right behind her, light ones and more heavy and somehow distinctive and louder ones. She only hoped that they couldn’t hear her thought’s as clear as she could hear there steps.

At the end of that corridor she found herself at the crossroad… looking right, left, and straight forward. Which one to pick…
She could sense some unfamiliar but pleasant smell coming from that right hallway… also there was something strange about the whole place, even with the dust... everything in that hallway looked right and yet so wrong… turning back to face her new friends she decided the right hallway was the one they will proceed to… as she was drawn to it like bees on honey.

“This way guys”… hoping they wouldn’t ran in to some trouble, she turned right to absorb some more of that lovely strangeness…

[Lavinia Telly Rae]

"This way guys" their guide said and headed down the right hand corridor.

They had left the hallway with the portraits behind and now were in a very different kind of hallway.

When they had started out, leaving the little dog in his hunting scene and heading out after Tiora, it had grown dimmer, as there were no windows and the sconces had become fewer and far between. There were almost no portraits or paintings of any kind, here, and the dust seemed even thicker.

Lavinia tried to study the walls and floors as they walked, but it was difficult. Her legs were much shorter then either of her companions. She glanced up from her study of the carpet (apparently, once a beautiful burgandy Turkish variety, now faded and almost grey!) and realized that she was falling behind and in danger of losing them, completely! She walked faster.

It was strange, this adventure. No one spoke, and as the hallways seemed to narrow and the gloom deepened and the air grew staler, Lavinia felt a nervous flutter in the area of her stomach. This was starting to feel less like an exploration and more like a - real- adventure. That was scary. Adventures (Real ones - not historical expeditions like she started with) had the potential of getting dangerous and frightening!

But, no- Tiora knew the way and was leading them away from the scay stuff. She straightened her shoulders and tried to march with more energy. Things get darker before the light. That was a phrase she had probably heard somewhere . . . maybe her Aunt (If she really had one) had said it.

Remembering the terrible howler she had received, Lavinia shuddered. Now, that was scary! She grinned, suddenly, her spirits lifted by the thought of normal, everyday scary things.

As if responding to her change of mood, the gloom lifted a little, and they found themselves, rather abruptly, in a larger hallway, with three corridors leading out from it. Tiora stopped, as did Alex. Lavinia, gazing, with pleasure at the richly carved walls, accidentally, stepped on Alex's heel. "Oops!" She thought I hope he didn't notice! Maybe I just got his shoe - not his actual foot!" She stepped back, guiltily.

Tiora appeared to be considering. Lavinia hoped she knew where to go next. Just when she was about to ask her if she needed help, Tiora started, briskly, down the right hand corridor.
Settling her pouch, which had slipped a little, to her back, and making quite sure that she was giving Alex's feet plenty of room, she followed.

As she walked, she put out her hand and lightly ran it over the wall. It was beautiful! The wood was carved into a bewildering array of creatures, pictures, forests, wizards, everything! It seemed to be a story, but she couldn't follow it, without stopping and examining it and getting some more light! She really needed to work on her charms spells!
She was so engrossed in trying to figure out what the wall story was, that it took her awhile to realize that there was an enthralling aroma in the air. She stopped and lifted her face, closing her eyes and sniffing. mmm.[i] What WAS that?
Once again, her stomach nerves started their dance. That was odd.
She poked her stomach, frowning. What was wrong with her?! There was a nice, lovely, interesting smell in the air, so she was . . .nervous? Scared, even? That made no sense at all and Lavinia was determined to ignore it.

Then she saw that the others were almost out of sight, and she ran to catch up with them.
"I'm here!" She panted, nearly tripping into Alex again, but just managing not to. "What's that smell? It's good, isn't it! I don't think I've smelled it before, have you? It's almost as good as a roast beef sandwich with cheese! No - I'll even say that it's [i]better!"

[Tiora Lamia]

Never did she sensed such aroma. Tiora closed her eyes for a moment... fully concentrating on that lovely smell. It was just amazing how by every breath she took tingling sensation possessed every fiber of her being. It was a forest fragrance. Forest in springtime. Warm, flowery yet chilly breeze.... She could stay like this forever, just walking slowly with her eyes closed along that magical hallway.

If Lavinia didn't interrupt her daydreaming she would surely forgot where she was ...
"I'm here!" "What's that smell? It's good, isn't it! I don't think I've smelled it before, have you? It's almost as good as a roast beef sandwich with cheese! No - I'll even say that it's better!"

Roast beef sandwich with cheese? How can she even compare that lovely forest smell with food, NO not even food... A SANDWICH... most primitive food form! And hell yeah it's better, it's much more complexed then any sandwich! It's simply mind-blowing!

Tiora was furious. She could just slap Lavinia right this instance. Ahhhh.... why did she even invite the two of them to join. It was hers adventure. Hers!
She glanced over to see what Alex was doing, but he was just standing still. Why doesn't he comment... he should say something so that she could yell at them both. Now she had to satisfy only with Lavinia. Turning her head, she looked directly at Lavinia's eyes...

„You know what Lavinia, even if we are the same age, I'm much more mature then you, piff... roast beef sandwich with cheese, typical Hufflepuff simple minded philosophy! I think I will proceed on my one... thank you very much! Goodbye!“

Pleased with her statement, Tiora turned and rushed trough the hallway, but reaching the end of it a red warning sign that seemed to be moved from its original place grabbed her attention. It read:

Danger! „Magical Forest“ hallway closed due to experimental aroma charm gone bad. Do not pass trough. Those who dare will most likely suffer (depending on there personality) contra effects of there usual behaviour. Also be aware that hallucinations, extreme excitement and loosing ability to speak are highly possible.

The moment that message reached her brain, Tiora not sure if she was hallucinating, turned back at her new friends she had left behind. Alex seemed to look like cat bite his tongue. And Lavinia was just all over the place, looking like she's on steroids.......
Oh.... my!!!

[Lavinia Telly Rae]

As Tiora unexpectadly began yelling at her, Lavinia felt a wave of shock flow through her.
Roast beef sandwiches?! NOT COMPLEX?!! She felt her face flush as her favorite food was belittled by this. . . this. . Lavinia had no words for this girl, this- sandwich hater!
Lavinia felt her heart pound and realized that she was panting for air.

How could she best express her displeasure? Aha! By running in circles, of course!
She set to it, immediately. Pumping her skinny arms, she ran furiously, around and around Tiora. She felt a rising triumph, as she raced around. THIS would teach that traitorous, anti- sandwich girl a thing or two!
Deciding that she was feeling lucky and desirous of pushing it, she - switched the direction of her circles! Now, she was running, counter clockwise!
Ho-ho! She wished she could slow down long enough to see the look on Tiora's face as THAT little tidbit sank in!

Suddenly exhausted, she slammed into the wall, and stood there, slumped over and gasping. She felt tingly and strange. She felt as though she would burst if she didn't DO something, soon! If only her lungs would cooperate! Straightening, she began to run laps around Alex, too, just for good measure.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a house elf, with beautiful, periwinkle wings and smoking a large cigar, floated down the hall towards her.

Mouth agape, Lavinia stopped running laps and instead jogged in place, while tapping her fingers, constantly, against her thigh. The house-elf flew lazily towards her, looked her up and down, paused, blew a smoke ring in her direction and said, Did somebody ask for a sandwich?"
Lavinia glanced at the others- neither of them were paying the slightest attention to the strange creature. How could they ignore it?! It was so- unusual! But they were both looking in other directions, as though they couldn't hear it -
OH.
She knew what was going on! Tiora was ignoring him, because he was asking about a sandwich! How low was that girl going to stoop?! She had no idea what was wrong with Alex. Perhaps he really had hurt his head, earlier.
Gritting her teeth, she smiled politely at the winged house-elf and said,
"Well, only if it's roast beef!"
And cast a triumphant glare at Tiora.

[Alex J. Tirragen]

[[I doubt you guys are still here considering I've been MIA from this roleplay as well as IQ. I guess all I have to say is sorry. Hope this roleplay makes up for it! Oh and Lavinia, I'm sorry Alex is making your character into a loony character. I personally think she's adoring <3 ]]

Alex kept his mouth shut. Perhaps if he had been quiet in the first place he wouldn't be in this mess. Why had he gone outside? Why did he come back in? Where the hell were they and why did it seem like they were all going in the wrong direction? He felt he was truly losing his mind when he was regretting his decision in leaving the dog and not following in that direction. He had always been a cat lover. Dogs were slobbery and over friendly. Sort of like Loony (ahem, Lavinia) here except she wasn't slobbery. Fortunately.

He had resolutely followed the unusually named girl and Loony followed behind him. He had once felt while walking, Loony's foot gracing his own. He grimaced. He pondered on whether or not to turn back and mouth off, as his father had once put it, to the girl. When he saw, in a peripheral view, her walking further backwards so as not to bump into him again, he decided to let her off. There was something going wrong with his emotions as he kept feeling sympathy for the girl. Perhaps it was because she wasn't 'in her right mind' or that her 'mind went on a vacation'.

He chuckled to himself. Five years of absolute recluse and here he was talking more than he had since the beginning of the year. Amazing and at the same time unnerving. Exactly the reason for his quietness. He hadn't ever spoken as much, sure. But he surely hadn't gotten into so much problematic trouble in ages as well.

Alex kept on thinking to himself until he found both girls stopping suddenly. What was going on? He saw them both sniffing at the air. Oh great, now they were both crazy. He had his doubts about Loony there but now the other girl! Was Loony's condition transferring? Would he get it as well? Better to take precautions, and he started to step away from them both. But what were they smelling? What was there to-

He shouldn't have sniffed. He'd regret it later he was sure. But he was curious. As soon as he took in a hefty breathe he staggered. He didn't smell roast beef as Loony had, nor did he seem to be experiencing the same scent as the other girl had. (He should seriously remember the unusually named girl's name. It was getting awfully annoying calling her the 'other girl'. Damn his memory!) No, he could only smell soft wafts of baked bread and a warmth of sun on the beach. The salty scent blew against him and he was sure he was on a beach.

Alex hadn't even noticed the peculiar fight between Loony ('the sandwich lover') and the other girl ('the sandwich hater') He was sure to have laughed at their oddity but he was too busy crouching down and touching the floor. He was sure he could feel the sand between his fingers coarsing into his fist and then slowly pouring out. He did it again and again until he decided to just lay down on the sand and feel the sun on his face.

It was fortunate he was a distance away from Lavinia since he most likely would have been stomped on by her circles.

[Lavinia Telly Rae]

(( Hey, Alex! No sweat, it's great to hear from you! I just got back myself! The 'Loony-ness' makes me laugh!))

"Ok, you want the sandwich, you have to fill out a small questionnaire first."
The house-elf rummaged in the pocket of his overcoat and pulled out a battered pile of papers. A THICK pile of papers. Holding it out to her he started choking on his own cigar. Lavinia couldn't repress an expression of disgust. Turning her head away from the elf, she reached out and took the papers from him.

She wasn't so sure about this, but she really did want her sandwich. She looked hesitantly at the papers now in her hand.
"Hey! These are O.W.L's!" She sputtered, aghast.
The house-elf had re-settled his cigar and now was twiddling his thumbs in boredom.
"So?"
Lavinia stared at him. "So, I CAN'T answer these! I'm still in my first year! It's insane! All I want is a sandwich!"
Shrugging unhelpfully, the house-elf continued to thumb-twiddle.

In desperation, Lavinia turned to look at the others and see if they might help her. As she turned her head, she felt as though her ears had popped. She clapped a hand to her ear and stared in surprise at the hallway. The others were acting strangely. Alex was - just- lying on the ground and Tiora was glaring at her. She felt strange, as though she had just woken up from a long sleep. Glancing down at her hands, she saw that she was holding - nothing.
She looked up and saw the house -elf grinning at her as he was fading out of existence.
"I guess that's a 'no' to the food, then?" He laughed, began coughing and disappeared, except for his cigar, which floated mockingly in the air for a minute before it, too, was no more.

Shivering, Lavinia turned away from where the strange creature had been. Her brain felt sluggish. What had happened? Why was Alex on the floor? With a gasp, the thought hit her like a sledge hammer - maybe he was dead! Running to check his vitals (although she didn't know how) She slipped on the dusty floor and realized to her horror that she was going to fall right on top of him! (Which really didn't seem respectful) Windmilling her arms, frantically, she shrieked, "Tiora! Help me! Or it'll be an Alex sandwich . . !"