|
|
|
last online May 6, 2024 13:22:25 GMT -7
|
|
|
Nov 21, 2016 18:46:09 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2016 18:46:09 GMT -7
"Well I'm glad you still get along with them," Edmund said with a smile. A part of him wished that his family was more like than, but then it wouldn't be his family and things would be different. Besides, it wasn't like wishing for that would change anything, so what was the point of it? He turned to look at Xan when she mentioned that she might die. "Are you really bad enough that you might die any time?" Ed asked bluntly. He wasn't really one for beating around the bush, but he doubted she would say yes. If she was about to die, why would she be roaming the corridors on her own? No, if she was going to die, he felt like she needed to deteriorate more first, but he hoped that wouldn't happen. She seemed very nice.
Edmund couldn't help but laugh when he heard her soft squeak as he said that all of his siblings were in different houses. "Yeah, we're all pretty different from one another. And me moreso than the rest. I have a hard time getting along and playing nice," Edmund said it as casually as he could, not making a big deal out of it. After all, his family struggles could be easily placed on his own shoulders. He was often the cause of the large arguments that took place.
Edmund couldn't help but smile when she offered to draw him something. "You could? Well, what type of a thing would you draw for me?" He was curious about what she would come up with, especially since she'd only started talking with him a few minutes ago. He scoffed when she said it wouldn't be good compared to the ones at home. "You're right, it would be better because it would be mine. None of those are for me," he was teasing her, but he was serious at the same time. From the way she talked about art, he could tell she really cared about it. She was probably really good and didn't need to depreciate her talent.
@xanthippe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online May 6, 2024 13:22:25 GMT -7
|
|
|
Nov 23, 2016 10:15:57 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 10:15:57 GMT -7
Xan returned Edmund’s smile when he said he was glad she got along with her siblings. Xan was glad for it, too, though she wondered if Edmund was in a less than ideal relationship with his siblings because of the way he said it. He asked if she could really die any time, Xan nodded. “Well, the chances that I’ll drop dead right here in the next ten seconds are next to none.” She said, trying to lighten the mood a little. “But across a matter of hours, it can get very serious very fast.” There was no use in sugar-coating that bit, especially since Edmund had asked. “Most of the time it just means that I have to drink a lot of cold water and not move around as much and the fever will go down. Because that’s really what’s happening – a really bad, really persistent fever.” Xan stopped there, since it probably pushed the limits of what Edmund had been asking about.
Xan’s suspicion that Edmund might not have gotten along with his siblings was confirmed when he said that they were all different, but he was especially so. He didn’t seem to want to press the subject, though, so Xan decided it would probably be better just to move on. If Edmund wanted to share that with her eventually, he could, but they had only just met, so it made sense that he wasn’t telling her every detail of his life.
“I could draw anything you wanted, really.” Xan said with a shrug. “I drew my dad a family portrait for his birthday and I went to New Zealand over the summer and painted a landscape as a Christmas present for my godmother and godfather, so really, if you want people or places, I’ve got you covered.” She was working on the animals side of things, but that was slow progress. Xan knew how to draw birds and dogs, but not much else. “I can do as much as you want, if you really want something that’s yours.” Xan added. She had plenty of time, and she’d rather use that time to make people happy rather than just sit around.
@edmund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online May 6, 2024 13:22:25 GMT -7
|
|
|
Nov 23, 2016 12:50:50 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 12:50:50 GMT -7
For a few seconds, Edmund couldn't think of something to say. He hated being sick, hated fevers and staying in bed. The whole thing. He couldn't imagine having a prolonged sickness that no one knew how to heal. It would drive him crazy, which was probably why he'd found her out wandering the corridors in the first place. "That ... sucks," he answered honestly. "So I'm guessing you spend most of your time in the hospital wing then," he more commented than asked. "Do they let you out or do you have to sneak away sometimes?" Ed didn't know Xan very well, but if he was stuck in the hospital wing, he would be sneaking out whenever he felt good enough and found the opportunity. So he was curious.
She said she could draw anything and Ed's mind instantly flashed to the photograph that he carried around in the pocket of his robes at all times. Granted, no one knew about it and he put a protective spell on it ages ago so it wouldn't get worn, but he didn't know if it would seem weird to pull it out. Edmund hesitated as she continued, saying that she could do whatever he wanted, and then he gave up. He reached into the pocket of his robes and pulled out the cherished photograph of his father. "Could you maybe do something with this?" he asked, holding it out for her to see. The picture wasn't perfect, in fact it was slightly faded from how much Ed carried it around with himself before he learned the protection spell, but he hoped that maybe she could ... no, he shouldn't get his hopes up. Edmund bit his lip, uncharacteristically nervous.
@xanthippe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online May 6, 2024 13:22:25 GMT -7
|
|
|
Nov 29, 2016 11:24:47 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2016 11:24:47 GMT -7
Xan nodded a little when Edmund said that her situation sucked. There was no way around it, so she wasn’t going to argue it. “I manage.” And if anyone had to be sick, Xan was kind of glad it was her. Not in a nihilistic way, but she reckoned that she was doing much better than someone else in her situation would. Sure, she still got sad, and she still got scared, but at least she was happy some of the time, and there were some people who probably wouldn’t even manage that. “Yes, I’m in the hospital wing, kind of permanently.” It was easier than going back and forth between there and the Ravenclaw dormitory every time she got a fever. “A little bit of both.” Xan answered when Ed asked if she had to sneak away from the hospital wing or if she was permitted out. “I was allowed out this time, but sometimes my boyfriend sneaks me out so we can do fun things together.” Honestly, Xan wouldn’t be surprised if those were semi-allowed, too. There was no way the nurses were that oblivious.
The Ravenclaw was more than a little surprised when Edmund was able to produce a photo not a few seconds after her offer. She peered at the photo but didn’t touch it. If Edmund carried it around in his pocket, there was probably some sort of spell on it to keep it from getting damaged, and she didn’t want to come into contact with any more magic than she needed to. “Can you copy it and give me the original? And take any spells you have off of it?” Xan asked. “If not, I can deal, but my illness makes it kind of difficult to be around magic.” Hence why she hadn’t been in classes, but Xan didn’t know whether or not Edmund would have noticed that.
@edmund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online May 6, 2024 13:22:25 GMT -7
|
|
|
Nov 30, 2016 21:05:06 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2016 21:05:06 GMT -7
"Do you get many visitors there?" Edmund asked, trying to keep the conversation moving and as upbeat as he could. He didn't want to keep on apologizing to her because that didn't help anything. All it did was remind her how crappy things were, and he as sure she didn't need any reminders of that. He smiled and nodded, glad that she wasn't always in the Hospital Wing, though it didn't seem like she actually got out much. "Who is your boyfriend?" He asked curiously, wondering if he knew the guy. How did he get through six years here and not know some of the people in his own year? Right, before he was a sarcastic hermit.
Edmund nodded when she made her requests. "I can do that. I'll bring the original back to you soon." He looked at the picture, a little embarrassed that he produced it so quickly. "It's my Dad," he told her softly, looking at the familiar, beloved face. It had been years, but Ed still missed his dad more than words could say. He looked up and smiled ruefully. "Sorry, you probably didn't care about that," he said, trying to make sure he didn't make her feel uncomfortable Xan was cute and kind and he didn't want to make anything harder for her if he could help it.
@xanthippe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online May 6, 2024 13:22:25 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jan 11, 2017 16:25:22 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2017 16:25:22 GMT -7
Xan shook her head. The hospital wing went through periods where it received a lot of visitors, normally when people suddenly remembered that she was there and decided to come all at once, but for the most part it felt like she was relatively on her own, with Hugo of course. “People are busy, so I understand not visiting.” She said. Xan was always coming up with excuses as to why everyone else didn’t visit her, but it was easier to excuse them than to get angry at them. “I like having projects to do.” She said with a shrug. Xan would’ve gone on a tangent about her crane project, but Edmund asked her about a subject that she was much more interested in talking about. “My boyfriend’s Hugo Weasley. He’s a Gryffindor in our year. We’ve been threads since before we were even born, practically, so he knows me better than pretty much anyone.” Except for probably her siblings, but Hugo knew her in a different way than they did. And, as much as she hated to say it, sometimes it was easier to tolerate Hugo than her siblings.
“Thanks.” Xan said with a relieved sigh. Edmund didn’t seem too concerned with parting with the original picture, which was good. He then said who the man in the picture was, then quickly backtracked and said that she didn’t care about that. “No, it’s fine.” She said softly. “Is he…gone now?” Xan asked. That was the only reason she could think of that Edmund would have a picture with him at all times, especially a picture that was so old.
@edmund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online May 6, 2024 13:22:25 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jan 12, 2017 21:27:25 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2017 21:27:25 GMT -7
Edmund nodded his head. They were almost to the hospital wing now, but he hoped Xan didn't mind. He probably would. He didn't know how she stayed sane being in the hospital wing all by herself so often. "You're more understanding than I would be," Ed admitted easily. Not that that was too big of an accomplishment. He'd never claimed to be patient at all. "What kinds of projects do you do in the hospital wing?" Hopefully she wouldn't mind him asking, but he was truly curious. He couldn't imagine what he'd do to pass the time. His eyebrows furrowed when she said who her boyfriend was. Hugo Weasley. "I think I know who that is," Ed said after a few seconds. Maybe he was wrong. He'd pay more attention later and figure out who Hugo was.
Ed felt silly for asking her to paint his father, but he couldn't help it. Honestly, that was the only thing he really wanted. Then she asked about his father and Edmund looked up in surprise. Most people knew that he'd been murdered. "Yes. He was fourth in line for the throne and was murdered years ago. I just ... miss him." Edmund wasn't particularly sentimental, but when it came to his father he was and the fact that he was admitting that to Xan just showed how much he wanted her to paint his father. Not that he would actually admit that out loud.
@xanthippe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online May 6, 2024 13:22:25 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jan 15, 2017 13:13:04 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2017 13:13:04 GMT -7
Edmund said that Xan was more understanding than he would have been in the same situation, and Xan shrugged. “I’ve always been a happy person.” She said cheerily. “And if I am going to die, I’d rather not die bitter and sad, you know?” It was a macabre way to look at things, but Xan wanted to be the epitome of ‘die happy’. Edmund asked what kind of projects she had, and Xan smiled at him. “Art projects, mostly. So having something to do now is nice.” Something beyond just folding cranes and painting the same stretch of grounds that she could see from outside of the hospital wing window. Edmund said that he knew who Hugo was, and Xan smiled. As far as she was concerned, everyone ought to have at least one conversation with Hugo Weasley before they – graduated. Not died.
Edmund explained more about his father, and Xan frowned a little. “I know that you’ve probably heard this a lot, but I’m sorry.” She said. “I can’t even imagine.” Xan said, shaking her head. The pair arrived at the door of the hospital wing, and Xan smiled at Edmund. “Thanks for walking me. I think I’ve got it from here, unless you want to come inside?” She asked.
@edmund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
last online May 6, 2024 13:22:25 GMT -7
|
|
|
Jan 16, 2017 20:55:54 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2017 20:55:54 GMT -7
Xan seemed so consigned to what was happening to her, and optimistic and Edmund didn't really understand it. Sure, he could try to understand her point of view, but he was positive that if he were in her situation, he would not respond the same way. Edmund already knew how he responded to most things that were hard, and that was by becoming more introverted ... and bitter, though he would never admit that to anyone. He smiled when she said that it was nice having a project to do. "Happy to help," he said casually. Edmund nodded when Xan apologized to him for his father's death. He had heard the phrase a lot, but that didn't mean he couldn't recognize when people meant it and when they were just saying it to be polite. Though he and Xan weren't particularly close, he knew she meant it. "Thanks," he said. They got to the doors of the hospital wing and Edmund smiled back, "It was no problem. I'd come in, but I have to go do some homework," he said with a grimace. "I'll come visit you another time." Edmund wasn't sure when, but he would. ---end--- @xanthippe
|
|
|
|