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Post by Fergus Reinhardt on Mar 29, 2023 11:21:22 GMT -8
Fergus winced at her frown. He hadn’t meant to upset her, especially in this state. He eyed the pastries on the table set in regret. Anneli was the last person he wanted to ever hate him. And yet, it seemed his presence brought nothing but repulsion for her. Fergus was fairly miserable about this observation.
He took her lashing willfully. Fergus nodded his head solemnly, “The proposal stands, Anneli.” He paused, “I trust your aim more than mine. An arm for an arm.” Fergus said completely seriously, knowing she wouldn’t tolerate anything else.
Fergus looked to an empty hospital bed at her mention of Ludvig. He hadn’t exactly meant to motivate anything to happen. He then glanced toward Loce, his eyes darkened. “You interpret my actions as dictating her life…” He said, his tone steady and low, “I care about her life. She was unconscious, injured, and it was MY fault. Of course I would tell them. Besides, our families are close.” He asserted plainly. No need for frills. “Lap dog, no. I’m something much more than the ranking of a lap dog to her family. And her.” Fergus said, venom coloring his voice deeper. His tone was steady and quiet. His body was steady, as well. No need to create more of a stir. Not with Anneli there.
He was just about to respond to Anneli’s question, “What are you after Fergus?” when the Headmistress strode into the room. Fergus greeted her with a nod, “Hello Headmistress.” He watched as Anneli was awarded ten points, beaming at her. Fergus was always pulled to her eyes. He watched her consciously, hoping to help if he could.
Fergus shifted uncomfortably in his chair as she gave Anneli passes to Hogsmeade. Her guest? Well it would be obvious. It still wouldn’t allow Fergus to pause in his missions. Perhaps he could entertain elsewhere for a while, but he knew where his fate lay. “Of course, Professor.” He nodded to her as she strode from the room.
As Sestra reappeared with the Skele-Gro, Fergus frowned. He had needed to take it as a young boy and knew of its burn. His eyes looked down to his wrist, remembering the splintering feeling of pain. Fergus conjured a wet cloth then, handing it to Anneli. “You might want this.” He said calmly, “It was useful for me the first time I drank this stuff. Place it on your head after, distracts from the pain.” He sat back down, his eyes focused on the scene though attempting to be calm for her.
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Post by Loce Vaisey on Mar 29, 2023 19:10:08 GMT -8
Loce stood, squaring off to Fergus across the bed. “You care about her? Really? So, your first thought after the game was to rush off to the owlery to send a message straight to her uncle without bothering to check on her first, to find out the current status. Or to ask if she wanted her uncle informed by someone else? What you did was the actions of a lap dog, trained to retrieve slippers and bark when something is out of the normal way of life.” His voice was low, but biting. Trying to refrain from raising it too much, although he had every desire to scream it at him. He glared at him then continued. “When you care about someone, you put THEIR wants and needs above your own. What you did was put your own agenda before her health and wellbeing. So don’t even begin to try to convince either of us you care for anyone other than yourself.” He sat back down, deliberately turning his back to Fergus.
Loce looked up as Professor Gunvald came into the room and joined them at Anneli’s bedside. “Hello Professor. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” He turned back to wink at Anneli. He smiled as she awarded Slytherin 10 points. Didn’t make up for the other 25 points she took from them for no reason, but it was a start.
He settled back in his chair, not releasing Anneli’s hand. “Yes, ma’am” He responded when she said to make sure Anneli got time to rest.
He rolled his eyes when Professor Gunvald was out of range and just shook his head. The next thing he knew Madam Sestra was at the bedside offering a cup of Skele-Gro. He cringed, never having to have a full dose, but being stubborn enough to try his brothers when he was just five. He never made that mistake again.
“I’ll be here as long as you like Anneli.” He said, gently squeezing her hand. He wasn’t about to let her go through this alone. Regardless of what anyone else might want.
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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 29, 2023 19:55:27 GMT -8
Anneli quietly nodded ‘yes’ at Loce’s offer to help her up. She was delighted he was there, even if usually opposed to the support. Fergus’ presence was jarring enough. Anneli felt a sense of cold with him around. He was a constant reminder of her cage. Her heart broke some. In a way, Fergus was in that same cage with her. They just choose to sing different songs.
She rolled her eyes at Fergus as he mentioned the proposal still standing. Anneli frowned in his direction, “Doubtful. And arrogant.” She said shortly. Her stomach filled with apprehension at Fergus’ words. I’m something much more than the ranking of a lap dog to her family. And her….her dizzying nausea felt much worse than the searing pain at her side now.
Anneli looked to Loce as he stood, a concern washing her expression. The last thing she wanted was for him to get in trouble, not over her. But then again, she wouldn’t stand in the way of what he needed to say. Anneli took his hand again softly, quietly urging him to sit. His words from earlier echoing in her mind, 'Fergus isn’t worth it.' She listened to him, agreeing with every word in silence. Her mind too jumbled to form any proper words to use with Fergus. In any case, she wanted to kiss Loce then and there, despite his presence. It had been the first time anyone had stood up for her against the reigning powers of her life. Romantic interest, or not.
She looked to the Headmistress as she entered, “Thank you Professor, I’m sorry I wasn’t, as well.” Anneli repeated again regretfully. “I appreciate the tokens, thank you again.” She said softly, smiling at Professor Gunvald. She seemed like a nice woman. Anneli looked to Loce at the mention of a weekend pass to Hogsmeade. An easy choice, indeed. Even if she would have to explain to Cordelia later. She watched as she exited, eyeing the box passively before looking to see Healer Sestra approaching with the Skele-gro.
Her stomach dropped. This would be a first, and one she wasn’t all too pleased with. Anneli looked down to her arm, wincing. If it would heal her, she would have no qualms. She needed to be out on the pitch. She thought to the dance mindlessly then, it was just next week…Anneli would need to drink it. Her eyes drifted to Loce, happy his hand was wrapped supportively around hers.
“Thank you,” She said softly to Sestra, moving to take the cup. The smell was putrid. Anneli steeled herself. In one swoop, she drank it down. A sudden, burning sensation filled her mouth and throat. A searing heat dove down her core and erupted in her stomach. Anneli coughed violently, wishing hopelessly that the pain might come to a plateau. Her arm felt as though large wooden stakes were being driven into it then. Tears welled up around her blond lashes, her face contorted in pain. She squeezed Loce’s hand. Anneli wanted to scream. But she didn’t.
She tossed the cup to her bedside table. Anneli detested the feeling of being defeated. Admittedly, at that moment, she felt so. Her arm was pulsing in pain. Fergus’ eyes were on her. The only relief to be found were in a pair of blue eyes under a golden bang of hair. Loce.
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Post by Loce Vaisey on Mar 29, 2023 21:52:25 GMT -8
Loce deliberately avoided Anneli’s gaze as the headmistress mentioned a pass to Hogsmeade. A weekend just the two of them would be amazing. But then again, she had other friends that she’d known for longer, and he was not going to deprive her of whatever she wanted.
He turned his attention back to her as she took the potion. He gently returned the squeeze as his mind raced for something to do. Some way to help. He could see the tears in her eyes, threatening to spill. He wished she would let them go, let herself feel the relief that tears could bring. But he knew she never would, not with Fergus here, and probably not with him either, at least not now. Jason! That was it… that was what she needed. It has helped him, maybe it would work for her too. It wouldn’t take all the pain away, but at least it could make it tolerable almost. Loce shifted to sit on the edge of the bed, facing her. He held her gaze and winked at her. “Just trust me on this. It helped my brother get through the night, maybe it can help you too.” He could feel Fergus’ gaze on them and really wished he’d take the hint and go. But no, he was the obedient little poodle… “Okay, so I need you to find that one special spot, a place where you go, or used to go, that made you the happiest. Then go there, in your minds eye. See yourself there with whoever made that space special for you. Let your mind adsorb the place, all the noises and sights, hold them go to them. I’ll be right here with you when you come back, when the pain is gone. They had helped his brother focus when he was only nine, so perhaps this wild ideal could give her some release.
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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 29, 2023 23:12:29 GMT -8
Anneli held Loce’s gaze. She smiled through a wave of pain as he winked at her. Everything melted away in the room at that moment. His calm carried her worries to sea. She was in pain, yes, but calm. Anneli held his hand, trusting him fully. She said she did and she would now, of all times.
That one special spot…makes you the happiest…Her mind began to fill with the smells of a Swedish bay running into a hidden, swampy lake. Dirt and water. The sounds of laughter, her mother’s voice singing to her in a beautiful voice, "Anneli, Anneli Viktoria! Min älskling!". Small blue birds fluttering over her head. She relaxed a little, though the burn still drilled through her core. Her arm pulsed again. Anneli inhaled deeply, “Okay,” She said softly, as if to herself. She closed her eyes then, focusing.
It smelled of peanut butter then. Tea. The sounds of a deep laugh, a loving tone…the taste of an enchanting kiss. Anneli smiled. The sight of a knowing smirk, a blonde wave, warm blue eyes…A soft touch. The growing familiarity of his hand wrapped with hers. The pain dampened then. The pulsing pain of her arm was nothing but background noise to her senses now. “Thank you, mitt hjärta,” She whispered softly, opening her eyes. There he was. Her happiness. Her Loce.
Anneli glanced toward Fergus then, remembering his presence. She looked at her sheets, feeling naked in the room for a moment then. Anneli was almost dazed by the daydreams, longing to be alone with Loce. Or to at least feel less vulnerable in this moment.
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Post by Loce Vaisey on Mar 30, 2023 0:51:53 GMT -8
Loce watched her, his gaze focused on her as she found her special spot. The location that would hopefully help to mask the pain. He could feel the tension still, the pain was still clouding her eyes. Something shifted when she closed her eyes, she visibly relaxed. He smiled. The mind was a powerful ally when you knew how to ask for its help. He half wished he could see what she was seeing right now. The place, the memory that made her the happiest. He smiled when she thanked him. There was no need of it, everything he had was at her disposal whenever she needed or wanted it. And she knew that. He followed her gaze to Fergus, frowned and turned back to Anneli. He took her chin lightly in his hand and lifted her gaze to his. He leaned in and kissed her nose, before resting his forehead against hers. “mitt hjärta. Focus on that special place. Pay him no mind. You need to focus on you, keep the pain at bay.” He said softly, not caring much at all what Fergus heard or thought. It would be a long night either way, but at least if she could master drifting to her happy place, then she could battle it head on. “I’m not leaving your side. Whatever you need, just tell me and it will be yours.” He longed to kiss her, truly kiss her. But with Fergus standing over them, he would not. He didn’t want her to be self-conscious.
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Post by Fergus Reinhardt on Mar 30, 2023 18:47:03 GMT -8
Fergus stood as Loce did. His blue eyes darkened like two windows into a stormy night. His hand itched to hex Loce then and there. But not here. Not here, he thought. Fergus held his position upright, looking past him as he spoke. “You assumed I didn’t know her current status. That’s incorrect. I spoke to Sestra, and upon realizing her unconscious state, figured her family would be the best people to tell. Considering our parents are close friends, its not entirely outside the realm of possibility to believe I could do such a thing. Because I care about Anneli, and wanted to own up to the fault before they eventually caught wind of it from the school. Better me than them, I thought. Seeing as I actually know them...” His tone was low, cool. “You have no idea who I am or what you’re messing at. You call me a lap dog now.” He said, sneering. “But the roles will be reversed, I can promise you that.” Fergus moved to sit down, perfectly fine with letting Loce throw a temper tantrum. “I’ve cared about her since the day I met her.” He asserted, gazing at Anneli. But only briefly.
He sat quietly as the Headmistress entered and left the room, his mind far off in a haze. His regrets and temper thrashing together inside. He held the arms of his chair, his eyes moving to Anneli. Fergus wished he could take her pain. A simple spell should be able to fix this…
Fergus rolled his eyes at Loce’s attempts to keep her attention. Lap dog, right. He grimaced as Anneli writhed in pain, moving to catch her back before he caught himself. His stomach turned. He was not wanted here, he could feel it. His heart sank. Fergus reset himself, his eyes concerned as she meditated through the pain. He would give Loce some credit, if not for the simple hack. It had helped her in some sense.
He looked to the cup as she tossed it at the table. Fergus wondered then, just how much time it might take to win her heart again. Even if he didn’t, forces far stronger than him would enforce it…He sighed. “I will leave you to rest.” Fergus moved to stand, looking at her again, “Anneli, I’m sorry if I overstepped. I had you in mind first, I promise.” He said, his eyes flickering to Loce. “I’m less than an owl away, always. Anneli.” Fergus said quietly, before striding silently from the room, paying Loce no mind.
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