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Bianca Alia Rivera
CASTELOBRUXO ALUM MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD OCCLUMENS LEGILIMENS
268 posts
played by Jenny
do your worst for I will do mine
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last online Apr 19, 2024 10:44:21 GMT -7
MINISTRY
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Mar 31, 2022 10:15:44 GMT -7
Post by Bianca Alia Rivera on Mar 31, 2022 10:15:44 GMT -7
Everyone always had expectations, and that was hard enough to manage by itself. Krum had taken a hands-off approach to the job from the start, and the unspoken assumption was that his department heads would pick up the slack. That meant plenty of work for the busiest department in such a chaotic time. The heads of the Auror and Hit Wizard offices had their own expectations too, ranging from a complete overhaul of the department to simply staying the course and keeping her predecessor’s habit of doing things. And then there were the people in her life who would point out her absences from important events or the long period of time since her last call. But even with all of that, nobody ever had higher expectations for Bianca than herself – and she constantly felt like she was failing. Like she wasn’t doing enough, and everybody else would notice soon enough too. There never seemed to be a ‘right time’ to share that with anyone. To admit that sometimes it felt like Bianca was driving in the dark and she had no idea where she was going. Ever since Ana Karkaroff had burst into her office with news of the Purifiers’ planned (and final) attack on Hogwarts, everybody was expecting Bianca to have all the answers. To put together a foolproof plan to take down Elaine, save the school, and take apart the Purifiers until there wasn’t anything left. And now, in the aftermath of the fire when nobody knew what was happening…they were turning to her again. The Ministry had been radio silent since the fall of Hogwarts, and now the whole community was holding its breath until it heard that Elaine Dupree was dead and there was some pretense of ‘victory’ in the midst of this tragedy. So how could she admit that she was still piecing together what had happened, and processing it all, and completely falling apart at the thought of having to be the strong one for the next few months with no real end date in sight? Bianca could feel her breaths becoming more shallow at the thought, so she swallowed hard and picked up another tart at Xiulan’s prompting. Taking a bite earlier had suddenly reminded Bianca all at once that she was starving, hadn’t eaten a real meal in days – so she practically stuffed the tart in her mouth and spent the next moments chewing. She wanted to believe Xiulan, that she was stronger than she felt. Nobody knew trauma and tragedy better than the Seer, after all, and she’d somehow found a way to keep it together and keep going. The offer was generous, but Bianca already found herself shaking her head even before Xiulan had stopped speaking. “I can’t stay that long. They'll be expecting me soon,” she sighed as she finally swallowed the last bite of tart and picked up another one. No, she had debriefings and reports and status updates to sit through – and then sharing it all with other departments and the Minister. So. Much. Fun. But she did feel some of the constant tension in her chest relax a little as she sat with Xiulan. The Seer had a soothing presence – Bianca had never seen her out-of-sorts, and she carried herself with a sort of sophistication and grace that most people didn’t have anymore. Her words were comforting, not because they came from a Seer with a strong Inner Eye, but just…hearing it from a friend. Someone who cared. Bianca found herself taking another tart without thinking and eating it silently as she focused on her breathing. It wasn’t a substitute for a meal, like Xiulan had offered, but it was better than the way Bianca had been treating herself for the last four days. It would be a long time before Bianca would feel ‘okay’ again, but for now – she felt calmer, at least. Like she was in the eye of the storm. “I...saw a bakery around the corner,” Bianca mumbled around a mouthful of tart. It wasn’t particularly dignified, not a move she would try in front of her employees, but Xiulan had just seen her break down and cry in a way she hadn’t since her father died. She didn’t know exactly why she was saying it – Xiulan famously never left her flat if she could avoid it – but maybe they both needed to find their strength again. xiulan zhou
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xiulan zhou
OTHER SCHOOLING ALUM FORTUNE TELLER DIVINATION MASTERY CLAIRVOYANT PROPHET
175 posts
played by Audrey
That fancy wine won't put this fire out.
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currently online
INACTIVE
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Mar 31, 2022 11:56:26 GMT -7
Post by xiulan zhou on Mar 31, 2022 11:56:26 GMT -7
May 19, 2026 Bianca didn't appear to be in any position to go straight back into her work at the Ministry, but she said that she couldn't stay very long because she would be expected back regardless. She was the head of her department; Xiulan understood that, yet she was frustrated for her sake that Bianca was having to eat her way through the tarts she'd been offered as though she hadn't eaten anything in a week. She didn't need to be stress-eating during the short break that she had away from the office, though Xiulan knew that there was only so much she could do without seeming forceful.
"I… saw a bakery around the corner," Bianca added, her mouth full with yet another egg tart. If she had mentioned it in the sense of offering to replace the food that she'd just eaten, Xiulan thought, she didn't need to do that. Getting something on her way back to the Ministry that she could save for later wouldn't hurt her, though.
Rather than offering her Muggle money to make sure that she could buy herself a croissant or a sandwich or something that might be savory and reasonably filling, Xiulan paused. Taking fifteen minutes to make something for her that she could bring back to work would take no longer than it would for Bianca to go to the bakery, make a purchase, and then go to the Ministry with it. "Let me make you some steamed dumplings," Xiulan told her. "It won't take any longer than the bakery," she promised. "Is that okay?"
Bianca Alia Rivera
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Bianca Alia Rivera
CASTELOBRUXO ALUM MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD OCCLUMENS LEGILIMENS
268 posts
played by Jenny
do your worst for I will do mine
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last online Apr 19, 2024 10:44:21 GMT -7
MINISTRY
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Apr 1, 2022 12:45:18 GMT -7
Post by Bianca Alia Rivera on Apr 1, 2022 12:45:18 GMT -7
Now that she was away from the constant bustle of the office, Bianca could start to feel all the ways she’d been pushing herself to the limit over the last week. The armchair she’d melted into felt like sitting in a cloud and Bianca had to fight not to let her eyes close for a moment – because a moment would turn into an hour or several, and she had too many important meetings on the roster for today that couldn’t be missed. She shook her head a little to shake off the lightheaded feeling that she’d come to associate with the end of a long stakeout (like she was walking in a dream), although that might have just been from all the crying this time around. Xiulan continued to push to encourage Bianca to eat something before heading back to the Ministry, and Bianca automatically opened her mouth to decline the offer… …at least, until her stomach made a loud complaint and accepted for her. “That sounds…amazing,” Bianca admitted, bringing a hand to knead her stomach. She was suddenly aware of the empty feeling that came with not eating anything more substantial than granola bars or the occasional apple for several days – as well as the reminder that she wasn’t eighteen anymore and couldn’t abuse her body the way she could while studying for the NEWTs. That was a sore subject, so Bianca stood up automatically. “I can help,” she offered, even with the acute knowledge that she didn’t know anything about dumplings or even where Xiulan’s kitchen was. But her mother had always given out chores in the household with a scary sort of discipline Bianca had never seen matched by any of her old Auror captains. The kind you wouldn’t dare say no to. She stopped to rub her eyes at the slight dizziness that overtook her at the sudden motion of standing up, and Bianca had to resist the urge to mumble some choice swears in Spanish. Instead she searched the wall opposite her for a fixed point to focus on, and found herself staring at Xiulan’s phoenix. It hadn’t occurred to Bianca in the moment she’d received Xiulan’s letter that it was her first time ever seeing a phoenix in person – she’d been too overwhelmed with work at the time. But the magical bird was dozing peacefully on its perch, and Bianca’s eyes roved over the brilliant red plumage and long sweeping tail feathers. It was enough to distract her for a moment, and she let out a quiet laugh under her breath. “Someday you need to tell me your story,” she murmured to Xiulan. Because really, how did such a mysterious woman end up with a phoenix in her care? It still seemed like one of the least crazy things about Xiulan’s life, though, from the small crumbs she’d shared with Bianca. Truly a woman with endless depths. xiulan zhou
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xiulan zhou
OTHER SCHOOLING ALUM FORTUNE TELLER DIVINATION MASTERY CLAIRVOYANT PROPHET
175 posts
played by Audrey
That fancy wine won't put this fire out.
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currently online
INACTIVE
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Apr 1, 2022 17:31:28 GMT -7
Post by xiulan zhou on Apr 1, 2022 17:31:28 GMT -7
May 19, 2026 Not only did Bianca accept the offer of dumplings, but she also offered to help make them. Xiulan didn't mind that Bianca wanted to help, but she didn't need to. Even as Bianca stood, she could see that Bianca needed to take what time she could to rest. Allowing her to cook felt irresponsible under the circumstances. Xiulan, though, was compelled to change her stance on that. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to keep an eye on Bianca once she left for the Ministry—not that Apparition seemed like a very wise idea, either, given the likelihood that Bianca could end up Splinched—meant that she had to get some idea of if Bianca could actually manage on her own.
As long as she put Bianca in charge of something that she could do without any chance of hurting herself, Xiulan considered to herself as she realized that Bianca had caught sight of Zhurong, then that would be okay. "Someday," she heard Bianca say, "you need to tell me your story."
Xiulan gave an awkward half-smile, unsure how to respond to that, exactly. "You make it sound like it's interesting," she answered Bianca quietly, opening the door to her kitchen and keeping it held open for Bianca to enter.
Bianca Alia Rivera
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Bianca Alia Rivera
CASTELOBRUXO ALUM MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD OCCLUMENS LEGILIMENS
268 posts
played by Jenny
do your worst for I will do mine
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last online Apr 19, 2024 10:44:21 GMT -7
MINISTRY
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May 4, 2022 6:07:43 GMT -7
Post by Bianca Alia Rivera on May 4, 2022 6:07:43 GMT -7
There were some wizards that were ashamed of whatever connection they had to Muggles – but Bianca had never been like that. Her father had always warned her to remember where she came from, although she supposed at the time that he’d meant something very different. No, she wasn’t ashamed of her Muggleborn roots or the advantages that it gave her when it came to looking at everything with a fresh perspective. But, Bianca had to admit…sometimes that part of her life felt like she’d been walking around with her eyes closed. Like there was a second layer to the world, just hidden behind what seemed like ordinary things, and she was only now getting the chance to see it. She’d been desperate to see magic when she was little, and even with all the darkness and horror she’d been exposed to over the years…well, a phoenix was as good a symbol as anything else in reminding her there were good things in the world too. Xiulan sounded a little embarrassed as she responded to Bianca’s offhand comment, although Bianca couldn’t quite bring herself to tear her eyes away from the phoenix yet. “Try and see it from my perspective,” she murmured. A moment later, she finally turned to face her friend and found Xiulan lingering by the door to what must be her kitchen. She dutifully crossed the room and into the pristine-looking space – Merlin, her mother would have killed to learn the secret of how the counters were so spotless and how everything could shine like it was new. On instinct she took out her wand, although she realized a moment later that there was no way she’d be able to find anything alone. Bianca didn’t like to cook (she did it for survival, not pleasure) but Cade loved it. And made her help. Her throat closed a little at that line of thought and Bianca busied herself by looking over her wand and examining its polished surface (as if a Department Head could get away with not polishing their wand regularly). She turned to face Xiulan and ignored the swooping feeling in her stomach (because now she wasn’t even sure if that was because of hunger or sadness). “What do you need from me?” she asked, the words flowing automatically. It felt like a callback to her Auror days, those were the first words you would always ask your captain. How could you be of service. Still, it felt like so long ago, and the circumstances had changed so much since then. xiulan zhou
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xiulan zhou
OTHER SCHOOLING ALUM FORTUNE TELLER DIVINATION MASTERY CLAIRVOYANT PROPHET
175 posts
played by Audrey
That fancy wine won't put this fire out.
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currently online
INACTIVE
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May 4, 2022 13:43:02 GMT -7
Post by xiulan zhou on May 4, 2022 13:43:02 GMT -7
May 19, 2026 Bianca instructed her to try to see things from her perspective but crossed into the kitchen before either of them could say more about how interesting—or uninteresting—Xiulan's life story was. Although Bianca pulled out her wand, Xiulan shook her head a little at the sight of it. She didn't doubt Bianca's determination, but she didn't need to worry about using her wand… unless that would make it easier for her to fold the dumplings. "What do you need from me?" Bianca asked.
Xiulan didn't say that she didn't need anything from Bianca and that the younger woman was perfectly free to rest and then savor the food. She didn't need to work herself to death constantly. Instead, Xiulan only considered saying that aloud, saying instead, "One minute."
In the meantime, she summoned the ingredients and other supplies needed to make the dumplings, starting with their filling. Once she had gotten out what she knew she would need for certain, arranging it on the countertop, Xiulan paused and looked to Bianca. "Do you have a preference for the filling, Bianca?" she checked with her. "Chicken? Pork? Vegetables?" Bianca was the one who would be eating them, so her decision there was what mattered. Whatever she chose wouldn't be an issue.
Bianca Alia Rivera
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Bianca Alia Rivera
CASTELOBRUXO ALUM MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD OCCLUMENS LEGILIMENS
268 posts
played by Jenny
do your worst for I will do mine
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last online Apr 19, 2024 10:44:21 GMT -7
MINISTRY
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May 6, 2022 4:27:36 GMT -7
Post by Bianca Alia Rivera on May 6, 2022 4:27:36 GMT -7
She’d been feeling so alone for the last week, struggling to cope with the intensity of an entire community’s eyes on her to see how she’d react to the Purifiers’ last stand – and in the meantime, pushing away every emotion because it just wouldn’t help her get the job done. But now Bianca had to wonder how much of it was self-imposed. Some form of self-inflicted punishment because she never thought she was good enough, or maybe that pesky life-long habit she had of pushing people away. Xiulan cared, though. It shouldn’t feel like some intense revelation, but it finally pierced her thick skull as Bianca rolled her shoulders back and waited awkwardly in Xiulan’s kitchen. Their acquaintanceship had started as a result of the prophecy, but at some point they’d become friends too. That felt important to remember. Xiulan had lined up half a kitchen’s worth of ingredients on the counter, and Bianca’s eyes wandered down the line of fillings. It’d been a long time since she’d thought of home, but seeing the custard tarts and being reminded of her birthday had made her nostalgic. In that moment, Bianca missed Santiago more than she could say. She picked a few ingredients out of the line, familiar ones that her family would cook with every week for their big family dinners. Beef, onions, even some egg. “Like my mother’s empanadas de pino,” she murmured. After the huge wave of emotion that had hit her over the last hour, Bianca didn’t feel much more than tired and empty. And she did her best not to think about the meetings left on her roster for the day. As she stood by the door with Xiulan’s dumplings neatly wrapped up for her, Bianca turned to face the Seer. “Thank you.” It was a simple sign of appreciation, but she could feel the heaviness of each word. Intimacy was difficult for her, and talking about her feelings even more so. She’d always been a woman of action, not words, but she also remembered Xiulan’s general aversion to being touched. Bianca shot Xiulan a grateful look and left the apartment’s protective enchantments before turning on her heel to Apparate back to the Ministry. xiulan zhou [End post Bianca!]
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xiulan zhou
OTHER SCHOOLING ALUM FORTUNE TELLER DIVINATION MASTERY CLAIRVOYANT PROPHET
175 posts
played by Audrey
That fancy wine won't put this fire out.
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currently online
INACTIVE
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May 6, 2022 6:43:21 GMT -7
Post by xiulan zhou on May 6, 2022 6:43:21 GMT -7
May 19, 2026 Making the dumplings wasn't a chore. Xiulan wouldn't have offered to do it if she minded doing it. It was interesting, too. As Bianca brought up her mother's empanadas, it was a clear reminder of how much more similar people were than they were different. The dumplings weren't entirely the same, but some sort of filling enveloped in dough was something of a universal phenomenon, she supposed.
The dumplings were made, and it eventually came time for Bianca to leave. At least with dumplings in hand to take back to the Ministry, Xiulan had some assurance that Bianca wouldn't completely neglect herself. Bianca thanked her, and Xiulan nodded. It wasn't a problem for her at all. "Happy birthday, Bianca," Xiulan replied. "Take care."
Bianca Alia Rivera Fin!
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