You Poor Sweet Innocent Thing [Oliver]

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He needed answers and he needed answers now. It was the only thought he could think as he looked up at the castle that loomed over him. He checked the letter once again to make sure he was in the right place because they had to be kidding right? Nope. Right there at the top of the page the words "Windsor Castle" were written as the meeting place for his blind date. He didn't even know why he'd put himself through this whole thing once again. The first time he'd signed up for it, he'd been bored and had seen the ad randomly. He'd had no real interest in participating but he figured getting matched with someone would have been at the very least entertaining for an hour or two. The person hadn't even had the tact to show up for the date. Luckily, the meeting spot had been in the Care of Magical Creatures Hut so he'd been able to take care of the animals instead. This was clearly a joke. People actually relied on this Blishwick guy to find suitable 'soulmates' for them? He was clearly a joke. A fraud. The fact that they'd sent him to the Windsors' castle for a date meant that Blishwick knew nothing about him and this date, if the person even showed up, would be equally as bad as the last. Maybe even worse. There were muggles milling about, going on tours of their own and he sneered in disgust when someone got too close to him. At the very least, they better provide them with a private tour, or he was leaving.

Tag; Oliver Russell Blishwick

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Oliver certainly hadn't signed up for this. He knew as soon as he received the letter who it was though that had signed him up. His sister meant well, he knew that for certain - but this, he hadn't planned on and he knew there was no backing out. He wasn't going to leave someone standing around and waiting only for him not to show up. Still he was freaking out slightly, he had no idea who it was that he was meeting, only where they were meeting. Windsor Castle. He wasn't the most social person, mostly due to the fact that he was more often than not teased as soon as he opened his mouth - he guessed though that the worst that could really happen on this date though was it didn't go well and he could wander off on his own maybe. Looking on the brighter side was something he could do rather well most of the time after all.

Still he was trying to have hope, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. At least that was his thoughts until he arrived - his eyes landing on a somewhat familiar person as he held back a small groan. While far from friends - infact he doubted Zaire even knew who he was, he was pretty sure the other boy was his blind date as no one else appeared to be waiting for someone - and those that were appeared to be either clear tourists or elderly people. Crap. His stomach sank even as he wandered over - praying that when he spoke he wouldn't turn into a stuttering mess.

"Hello Zaire." He silently thanked whoever was listening for the fact that he hadn't stuttered over himself just saying hello. 

[@zaire ]

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Zaire crossed his arms over his chest, feeling impatient as he waited for someone to show up, or not show up. Either one was fine really. There wasn't a lone tour guide waiting around either so he was really curious if they were going to make him take the tour with a bunch of filthy muggles. He sneered once again, turning around and looking up at the large castle once more. He didn't notice the footsteps approaching him and he barely heard the call of his name over the rest of the noise that was whipping around him. He turned around to see who had addressed him only to come face to face with a lanky, freckled faced boy. Zaire's brow pushed down as he gave the boy a once over. He'd used his name, as if he was familiar with Zaire but that wasn't much of a surprise, many people knew him and his family. Nothing came to mind. He didn't know him. "And you are...?" He let the words hang in the air in a clear question. They didn't seriously send him someone he didn't even recognize, right? Did this Blishwick matchmaking service send him on a blind date with a nobody? Not even someone with a face he would recognize as belonging to a good family? He stood there, his arms crossing over his chest again. He didn't think the service could be that bad. After all, there were plenty of pureblood families who used the service to find a suitable betrothed for their children so the place had somewhat of a good reputation. If this is who they decided as a match for him, he would have to seriously reconsider and he would never use the services again. Of course, he couldn't actually talk about it, he was betrothed after all so this looked bad anyway, especially because the boy knew him. This was all going to be bad.

Tag: Oliver Russell Blishwick

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Oliver was more than nervous, honestly he almost felt sick from his nerves - he didn't personally know Zaire, but he knew enough about the Slytherin boy from things he had heard at school. He wasn't one to always listen to what he heard though, he liked to have an open mind and to know people himself rather than just from things he was told. Still he was unsure how this was going to go even with trying to be positive about it all. "Oliver." he spoke his name, offering a faint smile, "I've seen you around at school." Yeah, this wasn't going the best at all judging from the small interaction so far, but on the good side, he wasn't stuttering.. yet.

He always thought he was good at reading people, at least more or less. But what he was reading right now was that Zaire clearly wasn't pleased with him approaching. Oliver was starting to wonder if maybe it had been a bad idea to show up - Merlin he was going to have to have a talk with his sister about this. "So.. are you who they m-matched me up with?" He quickly bit his tongue gently, trying not to cringe at the slight stutter. 

[ @zaire]

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Zaire could practically feel the nervousness radiating from the boy. It was unfortunate for him that the Slytherin didn’t care. This would be the second time that the matchmaking services disregarded his status, wealth, and appeal only to set him up with someone clearly unsuitable. Granted he was already betrothed to Theodosia, at the very least the matchmaker could have set him up with someone with a name he recognized. His face was still fixed in a glare as the boy introduced himself as ‘Oliver’. No last name, though he was certain it wouldn’t be one he recognized. He went on to say that he’d seen Zaire around school. Not surprising, it was hard not to notice him. He exuded confidence and power. He was someone you were supposed to notice. The boy, on the other hand, was underwhelming at best. A nobody. That was when he confirmed what Zaire had hoped he’d been wrong about. And with a stutter. He was supposed to be his date. Strike one had been sending him to Windsor castle, home of the mudblood family who thought muggle royalty somehow made them superior. This was the second strike. He inhaled achingly slow before pushing the breath out of his lungs in an annoyed fashion. "Oliver who? What’s your blood status?" he barked. If they had sent him on a date with some mudblood he was going to be angry and Blishwick Matchmaking was going to be seeing his face much sooner rather than later. The day was still here, he could make it over to Horizon Alley with plenty of time to spare to give them a piece of his mind.

Tag: Oliver Russell Blishwick

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Oliver couldn't help how he was feeling. Conflict had never been something that he was particularly good at handling, at least not on his own. But the way Zaire was even looking at him, it was honestly an uncomfortable feeling. He had seen people look at bugs in a better way. As much as he tried to see the good in people, as much as he wanted to believe in it. It was situations like these that made him realize just how close minded certain people could be. He felt small, he felt like.. nothing. A feeling he remembered feeling from a young age before he was adopted and shown love from his parents and sisters. For a moment he debated lying - to see what Zaire would say or do if he lied about his name or if he simply stated that he was a pureblood. But perhaps Zaire wasn't worth it at all. His mouth presses together as his eyes narrow, shifting slightly to stand up - his back straight when he speaks up calmly. He was starting to get annoyed, but if that was a good or a bad thing - he wasn't completely sure about yet.

"Oliver Forrester." He states his name with no hesitation, he was proud of his name - one of his mothers was from a pureblooded family, although his other mother wasn't, his family. His adopted family at least, was magical. His biological family though, he wasn't completely sure on that at all. He simply shrugged, not totally sure what to say in answer to his blood status, "Half blood as far as I know." It wasn't a lie - it was how he was raised and how he had grown up. Biologically he might not be, the little he knew about his birth famly was only from what he was told, perhaps he should ask his mothers about that at some point.

[@zaire ]

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The moment some semblance of a backbone grew within the boy that stood in front of him, Zaire noticed. He arms tightened a bit in their crossed position, waiting and daring the kid to say something bold to him. He wasn't in the mood for it honestly so his felt insults moisten his tongue in anticipation. What came out of the boy's mouth was weak and not even an insult. He spoke his given name with confidence, standing up a little bit taller and eyeing Zaire right back with annoyance across his features. Zaire snorted and rolled his eyes. A nobody. His name wasn't recognizable. His face wasn't recognizable. He was supposed to be going on a date with a nobody. Someone with no potential. Not even someone who would be fun to flirt with. If he had been matched up with a pureblood, of course he would have had some explaining to do, what with him going on a blind date even though he was betrothed. At least he would have been saved from the embarrassment that was this situation. He continued, stating that he was halfblood. While that wasn't much better than the fact that he was a nobody, at least he wasn't a mudblood. Just barely tolerable. "And you thought," he began in a tone that was leaning dangerously close to boredom, "that once you saw me, recognized me, and realized that I was your date, that it was a good idea to walk up to me? You think that you're actually suitable--" Just then a woman cleared her throat. He hadn't even heard her approach. "Blishwick Matchmaking? Hello, I'm supposed to be your tour guide through the beauty that is Windsor Castle." Apparently they had their own tour guide. That was a small mercy.

Tag: Oliver Russell Blishwick

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It was a side of him that Oliver didn't like all that much, but it was also a side that he was often told that he needed to show more. That he wasn't weak, and that he wasn't one to be pushed around or walked over. Still, he controlled himself - his mind quick as he stepped around some of what he wanted to say but knew would just cause problems if he did speak them outloud. Zaire seemed to be like most purebloods that Oliver had met in his life. They believed they were better than anyone with even a drop of non-magical blood in their bodies, anyone else was... nothing. He bit his tongue as he kept his clenched hand close to his side. So much for this date, it was already starting to burn up into dust and Zaire's words were scratching at his patience and good nature.

"I was being polite. Something you might want to try..." He speaks up again, his lips pressing together - his jaw clenching, "I never said anything about being suitable - this is simply meant to be a date, an arranged date at that - but you - who says that you're sui-" he cuts himself off, shaking his head as he takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself again. It was only the woman - their tour guide apparently - suddenly approaching that kept Oliver from slipping out a few other things that he desperately was begining to want to say outloud. Damn it all. Zaire was getting under his skin something that usually took a whole lot of things to even make him want to say something about. With barely a blink at Zaire he offers the woman a kind smile, offering his hand as he speaks, "Y-Yes, that would be correct. I'm Oliver." He shoots a glance at Zaire - wondering if the boy was even going to go on this tour or if he'd turn his nose up at it all as well.

[@zaire ]

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The boy went on, attempting to speak over Zaire as he talked. Zaire didn’t really understand what he said, though he did hear him mention something about politeness which was ironic considering he was rudely interrupting Zaire has he spoke. Not polite at all. Clearly any niceties would be wasted on him. Zaire was only polite when he appreciated his company and this boy was far from pleasant company. He stopped though once their tour guide greeted them. Because she knew of Blishwick Matchmaking he assumed she was part of the wizarding world as well. It dawned on him that she was probably halfblood or mudblood because he didn’t recognize her face as a pureblood. The lanky boy greeted her and Zaire sniffed with distaste, directed entirely towards him, then nodded at the woman. "How long is the tour?" he asked the woman simply. ”It’s about an hour long, an hour and a half tops if you like what you see and we fall behind normal schedule.”. She was a bit wary of the two of them though she tried to veil it what he was sure was her normal peppy politeness. She must have been there long enough to see them arguing. He couldn’t it in him to care. How long was he actually going to stay here? Depending on how far they went inside the castle, maybe he would get to be near Edmund Windsor’s room. He could always sneak into it and talk about the trashy decor with Crayla or Theodosia later. Of course, he wasn’t even supposed to be on this date. Maybe not. At least he’d have the amusement for himself. "Hour starts now. Let’s go." He waited for the tour guide to begin walking and talking before in gave the boy another once over, dismissed him visually, and followed behind the woman.

Tag: Oliver Russell Blishwick

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This wasn't him. Not normally anyways. But something about Zaire was tugging at him, the other boy seemed to be pressing all of his buttons and getting under his skin! Really, as nice as Oliver was - he was still only human. He wondered if perhaps telling him off though was just a waste of breath. He shook his head slightly, turning his focus to the guide, the woman seemed nice enough and regardless of Zaire's company - at least he perhaps would get to see some interesting things and enjoy the tour as much as he could. He hadn't really thought of seeing Windsor Castle before.

Oliver offered the woman another small smile, shrugging at Zaire's comments. "Feel free to ignore h-him, pretty sure he either missed a meal or he didn't get his nap today..." His lips curl into a small smirk, waving his hand slightly towards the other boy. Yes he was being a little rude himself right now, but he hated being treated like he was nothing. He had experienced that far too much in his life. If he stopped to think about it, it was funny that his stutter wasn't bothering him so much, perhaps it was his irritation or just wanting to try and get under Zaire's skin instead. Really though, Zaire seemed to be so... grumpy. Brown eyes glance back at him before moving to follow the tour guide as she began. Like all tours there were basic facts as they were led to where the tour offically would begin, as she began to talk Oliver tried to pay attention, at least if this date crashed and burned like it seemed to be already, at least he'd learn something.

[@zaire ]

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"The fact that you’re talking about a nap time like you have one makes you sound like the childish one." His bored tone was back full force as he spoke to the boy who walked as if he had no control over his limbs. Was he even going to be able to make it through the tour without being bored out of his mind by his attempts at taunts. He really was weak. He gave a yawn as the tour guide walked with her back ramrod straight. She must have been trying to maintain her professional demeanor and she was clearly uncomfortable with the tension that they were creating. He wondered if there was a ‘no fighting’ rule when it came to the tour. Maybe he could end this a lot faster if she refused to give them a tour because of their arguing. The tour officially began in one of the many rooms that the guide claimed to have historical significance to the muggle world, her spouting off factoid after useless factoid about the furniture and meetings the muggle queen had in said rooms. All of it was rather boring actually. He’d barely been able to stand History of Magic when he’d been required to take it and that had actually been relevant to him. He wasn’t really paying attention to the tour guide nor the scrawny boy who was seemingly interested in the things she was saying. ”Are were going to see the living area or any family rooms?” he asked, injecting faux curiosity into his words. ”We won’t actually be entering that wing of the castle but I can tell you it is beautiful with decor fitting for the royal family!” Great. So this was totally a waste of time. Plan B then. ”Take it in while you can because I’m certain the flooring costs more than whatever little hovel you’re going home to,” he commented in his bored tone, not even bothering to look at the boy as he spoke.

Tag: Oliver Russell Blishwick

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Zaire was really trying his patience that was for sure. But Oliver was starting to feel bad about his behaviour. He wasn't usually like this, sure he was okay with a little teasing or something like that - but here he was honestly being quite rude. It was for sure making him feel bad as he noticed their tour guide was likely feeling extremely uncomfortable about the two of them bickering and fighting with each other. For now he decided to try and bite his tongue, perhaps he could ignore Zaire and the other boy would end up bored with him instead. As the tour began and they followed the tour guide, Oliver did try to pay attention - he honestly did. While he had decent enough knowledge about the muggle world and the magical world - things like History, even for a Ravenclaw such as himself -  quite honestly did bore him a bit - it was interesting sometimes but he found himself fidgetting and his eyes wandering as he only half listened to what was being said. When Zaire did speak up again, it did catch his attention and he was interested in that part, only to end up a little disappointed when they were told that they weren't going into that wing.

"Can you say why we can't?" Oliver spoke up after a moment, looking at the guide curiously, "You sound like you have seen it before." 

That would have been more interesting than just getting facts and seeing rooms that were a bit on the boring side. His head jolted up though when Zaire decided to poke at him again, brown eyes narrowing slightly as he pressed his lips together. If only Zaire knew his house was far from a hovel. For now he would - try - and ignore him. 

[@zaire ]

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Zaire wanted to laugh with the way the boy was trying to ignore him. His head whipped up and he narrowed his eyes at him. Zaire smirked, eyebrows twitching, testing him. He wouldn't do anything, Zaire knew this. He was stupid but he wasn't that stupid. Even if they were out in the public, the prying eyes of muggles everywhere, Zaire wasn't afraid to casually let a spell slip from his wand in his direction. His parents could get him out of trouble. If the kid made any moves, grew a fake backbone all of sudden, that is exactly what would happen. He turned away then, just as the guide decided to answer the question he'd posed. "Oh I have! Perk of being on the job. But it's usually off limit to the public because it is used most often by the royal family and we'd rather they have their privacy." The answer sounded like rubbish to Zaire. He wanted to get back there. There were guards standing all over the place so he didn't know how he'd be able to sneak into there without alerting them. He sighed then. Hopefully this would all be almost over and he could go off to find something more interesting. This date had been a bust and he was sure that he wouldn't be using Blishwick matchmaking any more. The tour guide waved them forward and she continued talking and explaining the furniture and the decor. Zaire was going to go mad. ”This was a terrible idea,” he said out loud to no one in particular after exhaling in frustration.

Tag: Oliver Russell Blishwick

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Oliver was finding it to be a bit of a struggle to continue to ignore the other boy, Zaire was in all honesty - utterly frustrating. At least for Oliver he was, but it was hard to ignore him when Oliver continued to glance back over at him - part of him was wary, he knew what Zaire could be like and he wasn't willing to underestimate him. But at the same time - he was curious as to what Zaire was thinking. The other boy was still here after all, even if their blind date was quite a flop, he hadn't just left like Oliver had half expected him to do so.

At the guide's answer to the asked question, Oliver was quite disappointed all the same. Although he did understand the privacy part, it was disappointing that he wouldn't get to see it, he really did want to get back and at least have a look - perhaps it was just curiousity. But there didn't seem to be a way to get around it at all, so for now he just shrugged and took another look around, glancing back at Zaire as he heard him speak up again, a tiny frown forming on the freckled boys face. "For once, I quite honestly agree." He spoke without thinking, although he knew Zaire hadn't spoken to him - he had heard and - well he did actually agree. This was quite the terrible idea.

@zaire

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After a few short minutes, the kid he’d been forced to deal with seemingly faded into the the background and Zaire had pretty much forgotten he was their with just a little bit of effort on his part. The tour was boring, the woman who was giving it was boring. The decor was tacky and everything he expected of muggles; of course they couldn’t be expected to have any taste. The tour guide kept talking and talking and her excitement seemed never ending even though he was certain she’d given the tour more than just the once. And then, so suddenly, Zaire was reminded that he wasn’t alone on the tour when the boy decided to open his mouth and talk, saying that he agreed that this had been a terrible idea. "Don’t speak. No one asked you for your input, peasant." the words fell from his mouth, still very much so bored. At this point he wasn’t even trying to antagonize him but the words were just that, antagonistic. A reminder that there was a bar he didn’t meet in Zaire’s mind and that Zaire wasn’t afraid to say that. ”Yes, that is exactly how royals speak, though I’m certain that you, young man, would definitely not be a peasant. Dare I say you could even be a prince!” The tour guide spoke to the freckle faced boy with a smile on her own face. He could only guess that she was trying to protect him in a sense and Zaire rolled his eyes. The fact that he even needed protecting was pathetic. And she was hardly correct. Someone so weak and plain be a prince? Not in any country he wanted to be a part of. The Windsors were bad enough as it was. He didn’t even want to give rise to the thought. "Are we almost done?" he asked looking around the drab room she’d lead them to.

Tag: Oliver Russell Blishwick