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Post by Fergus Reinhardt on Mar 19, 2023 18:33:50 GMT -8
Fergus paced through the middle of the empty classroom, the shadows of evening just beginning to form on the stone window sills. There were rows of disorganized desks and chairs, half empty bookshelves, and an ornate red couch that sat in a corner of the room. Every so often, Fergus walked past a large golden mirror, checking his hair and posturing upright to make him appear larger. Not that it was needed, he stood at 5’11, well over most of his peers. He held the piece of parchment she had sent to meet him there, her emerald green cursive enchanting his eye. Fergus hadn't been expecting the invitation and had hastily opened it, tearing a corner from the letter. He had cursed at himself then.
They…she had decided they should “cool off” their romance sometime before the end of last term. She thought that their “fling” might upset the course of the Quidditch team. Lame excuse. Fergus had tried his best to forget it. Anneli had been unforgettable, to say the least. He winced to himself, thinking of the picture of her he held on the inner corner of his most beloved notebook. She would certainly be able to see through his eagerness, no? Regardless, Fergus was unsure of where they had stood and had seen the Homecoming guest list, so perhaps she had moved on completely…
Though he knew better than that. Better than her, anyway. She had been a fierce, caged bird, but he had seen parts of her no one else here could touch. At least he hoped. Fergus continued to stride until he settled into the couch, anxiously awaiting his girl’s arrival…
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Anneli Oden
Slytherin
5th Year - Slytherin Captain - Chaser - Part-Veela
Posts: 296
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Post by Anneli Oden on Mar 19, 2023 21:06:05 GMT -8
Anneli walked like a solider on guard through the halls, wearing a sweater, skirt and long black socks that tucked into sleek boots. She had invited Fergus to an empty classroom, hoping to reconfirm her disinterest after his display in Transfiguration with the rose. Anneli had admittedly enjoyed her friendship and comradery with Fergus at one time, but since they had moved beyond that...she had grown disgusted by his instinct to control her in the guise of protecting her. She, unfortunately, knew that strategy all too well. Besides that, they had a game to play, with their first match with Gryffindor steadily approaching.
She turned into the classroom, scanning its contents until her eyes meet with his. In that moment, her mind flashed back to seeing him as as younger version of himself. The one she had laughed and played with in the gardens behind her castle. But now before her, almost regrettably, a scorned past love. Her stomach churned, perhaps Fergus had been her first love. She had certainly spent enough time with him, but love? Anneli couldn't be sure. All she knew was her current focus, what needed to happen, and what didn't.
"Hello, Fergus..." She said passively, moving to lean on a desk opposite him on the couch. Although she had explained it before, it needed to be more final now. "I sent you this invite after your rose stunt." Anneli said directly, looking at his eyes. "I'm not sure what you're after, you know where I stand." She said coolly, firming her stance at the desk. "I got the letters you sent, and the flowers, and necklace...Fergus I sent it back, and it came back to me the next day." Anneli muttered, her tone dry. "What is it you want from me exactly?" She needed to confront him in a new fashion, her usual rejection becoming too reinforced.
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Post by Fergus Reinhardt on Mar 19, 2023 21:55:09 GMT -8
Fergus spotted the gleam of Anneli's hair and immediately stood to his feet. He was taught to stand when any beautiful witch walked into a room, especially one in which you respected or were courting. He eyed her legs, his hormonal mind unable to let go of the fact she stood there in a skirt. Fergus didn't let his gaze stray there for too long before finally hearing her voice. My rose stunt? He frowned, she had liked flowers the last time he checked in. Fergus wasn't entirely oblivious. He understood that they were not together in any sense of the word. She hadn't kissed him in over a season's time and yet he couldn't help but be pulled in by her. They had left each other on what he had felt, confusing terms, her casting dreamy stares toward him in class after their supposed end. He couldn't control his thoughts well enough when she looked at him.
"I know, Anneli." He said in a gentle yet firm tone "I understand where you stand." Fergus muttered, taking a step closer to her. Space didn't feel an object to worry about, he was giving her enough space to still be considered friendly. At least in his eyes. He smiled at her, "I apologize for the persistence of my mailing...I swear that old bird never gets it right." Fergus said, shrugging. He wanted to give her all the riches he could afford, or at least his allowances could. Anneli had been a dear friend to him, their tension never as tight as it was now. What had he done to upset her this much?
"It's crossed my mind that we might be truly done..." He said, leaned to her, "But as I've said before, I'm fine with waiting. I understand we're young. I'd like to have some fun myself.." Fergus stuffed both hands in his pockets, a series of questions now coming to his mind. "Is that why you've been sitting with our Keeper every class? Bit of fun?" He said sharply, looking down over her and smiling.
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Anneli Oden
Slytherin
5th Year - Slytherin Captain - Chaser - Part-Veela
Posts: 296
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Post by Anneli Oden on Mar 20, 2023 21:11:26 GMT -8
She frowned slightly as his gaze first wandered downward instead to her face. At one time she had protected him, and now she felt the need to protect herself against him. Anneli folded her arms across her chest, looking toward the sunlight that fell through the window. There was a slight twinge of pain in her chest. Their dynamic had been disastrous. Enough to leave its mark.
Beyond common interests, they were opposites that pushed against each other in every way. Anneli held self-made ambitions, Fergus followed a pre-carved path to his goals. She was content with holding her own power, he was enthralled by the idea of controlling hers. Anneli, a posed sculpture, Fergus, a viper ready to strike at a touch. At one time these things had attracted her to him. There had been a lot of time for reflection during boring charms lessons with uncle Ludvig.
She moved to take a step as he approached, stopped only by the edge of the desk. Anneli was conflicted. He was a member of her team and, at once, a childhood friend. She needed him to be alright with where she stood at this very moment. She needed him to resolve himself from the past. Anneli rolled her eyes at his old bird comment. His arrogance, she thought, was based in immaturity.
“Crossed your mind?” She asked rhetorically, her voice freezing over. “Fergus, we broke up. I wrote you that letter, hoping that it wouldn’t need a follow up conversation or the proclamation of waiting.” Anneli stared at him, the amorous feelings she once held for his blue eyes had disappeared. She knew it. And yet, at the core of her, she kept a strand of care for him. They had been good friends. “I came here today because it needs to be done, officially, for good. No more posturing, no more roses. Fergus..” She sighed, losing the grip of her arms. Anneli looked up to him. “Breaking your heart is never what I intended, but you can’t deny that you didn't toil with mine.” She said, thinking back to a particularly sore time. Anneli released the tightness of her arms and looked down to the floor for a moment.
She was at a crossroads. There was someone that had preoccupied her thoughts lately; usually appearing when she woke up, went to bed, and almost every moment in between then. “I can’t do this anymore, this back and forth. I’ve moved on. You should too.” She was fully extinguishing the flickers of a flimsy flame, while fostering a rapid, beautiful fire that had grown wildly.
Anneli looked up to him coldly, “Who I spend time with is, and will continue to be, completely of my own matters.” Her naturally soft voice almost rugged. She held herself on guard, her arms tense at her sides.
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Post by Fergus Reinhardt on Mar 21, 2023 17:26:18 GMT -8
His posture softened at the sight of her frown. Fergus had seen Anneli through many different times, but could never fully understand her emotions. He had only ever seen her cry once but that had been before they had become entangled. Even during arguments, she was still made of stone. Fergus had been inclined to continue to keep pushing, even if he didn’t truly want to make her crack.
Fergus stopped as she took a step backwards. Something felt off. They were over, yes, but to be this defensive? He looked at her, beautiful as ever, as she confirmed the ending. Fergus felt a strain in his chest, a wave of possession coming over him. His deep, steady stare being broken by her voice as she said his name. “You wrote me that letter and nothing more. After everything…a letter?” His tone colored in shades of red.
He scoffed, running his hands through his hair, “Toiled with yours? How can I toil with something that isn’t there?” He couldn’t look at her then, casting his gaze toward the tall, golden mirror across the room. Fergus could feel her eyes, wishing more now than ever to turn to them. To hold her again. He sighed and shook his head.
“Anneli, I’m sorry.” He said quietly, shifting to meet her gaze, “I will attempt to. You have my promise that I’ll keep my distance.” Fergus said, though growing closer to her. He stood with his hands in his pockets over her frame. “Though I think only time will tell if distance is something you truly covet.” His voice was low. “Especially if your fling with the Keeper goes south. Will be difficult to play with the team then, two scorned lovers…” He chuckled, moving to touch her hair. “Anneli, I don’t think Ludvig would approve. And honestly, I don’t either.”
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Anneli Oden
Slytherin
5th Year - Slytherin Captain - Chaser - Part-Veela
Posts: 296
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Post by Anneli Oden on Mar 25, 2023 8:12:34 GMT -8
Anneli barely shifted in her spot. Her arms still tight at her hips. His eyes had softened, but spikes of anger cut through this speech. She wasn't going to let Fergus make her feel bad about a decision she had made. Anneli had been tortured by her father to stay close with the Reinhardts. Usually in the form of persistent owls or brief chats on the infrequent trips in which she saw him. There was more to their story. But Anneli wanted to be the one to direct it, not follow blindly in its path.
She shook her head, "I wrote you everything I thought and felt about us." Anneli sighed, wondering why she was even attempting an understanding here. "A break-up from me is delivered best by letter, believe me." She said coolly. Anneli struggled with herself. There was a sharp need to be guarded here, especially with the ties Fergus had to her family.
Anneli laughed. She had no need to respond to his comment on her lack of heart. Anneli watched him steadily. Unforgiving in her stance.
The air was still as she stared at him, waiting for something purposeful to come from his lips. She heard it then, an apology. Anneli wasn't sure what to make of it. Fergus had blindly followed his family's orders. She had watched the life drain from his eyes through the past couple of years. Was it truly him apologizing now? "I accept." She said through tight lips. Anneli would accept his apology. If only for the Quidditch team and the sake of moving on.
Her soft face turned to a menacing stone as he approached her. His frame cast a shadow over her eyes. Anneli slowly put her hand into her robe pocket. A wooden handle coming into reach. I will attempt to keep my distance, she heard him say, attempts not enough. Not anymore. She wouldn’t have her uncle and father pushing her toward him. She wouldn’t have him standing over her as if she were owed to him.
His threat of the Quidditch team failing struck her. A hidden sheet of rage covering her body. Her hand itched to pull out her wand further. Two scorned lovers. Anneli winced internally at the thought. The idea of him having anything over her made her gut churn in disgust.
Her father’s approval? His approval? Anneli’s mind raced through a series of hexes before calming herself. Her hand now planted firmly around her wand. His reminder of their temporary forced control bringing her to a snarl.
“Fergus, back away from me.” She said through gritted teeth, “Now.” Anneli’s voice was quiet, but the demand wasn’t.
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Post by Fergus Reinhardt on Mar 26, 2023 20:06:55 GMT -8
Fergus shifted his eyes toward the ground. Had that letter truly specified everything? He looked up, smiling, “I would have preferred something in person.” Fergus mused, “Even if deadly.” Her ability to mystify him had been part of the chase. Fergus knew that Anneli held power within her. A power he was hopelessly attracted to. He had already admitted to Cordelia that she was his greatest weakness…
His posture softened as she accepted his apology. Fergus hated to be so torn up by her. He had never apologized in his life besides to his mother once, on his father’s demand. Anneli was the second woman he had yet to heed to. He would create flowers for her every step if she demanded so, but he couldn’t reveal that side of himself to her. There were other more pressing reasons for them to be together.
As he approached her, Fergus noticed her expression turn still. He took a step backward. “As you wish, gorgeous.” He couldn’t help himself. She was radiant, especially so close. He loved her, and yet, had no idea how to express that to her. Fergus had attempted to quench his thirst with Gwen, but that had only yet just begun. He had no idea where that would lead. Anneli was known, and someone he had familial ties to. “I apologize, again, Anneli.” He said, smiling at her, “It’s just that…” Fergus stopped himself then. He wanted to maintain some level of decency. “It’s just that I need to be running. Prefect duties.” He said abruptly. Fergus looked deeply into her blue eyes before nodding his head and turning to exit…
Fergus felt the mint parchment letter in his pocket. His father’s orders. He couldn’t let her know there. Not yet.
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