placeholders [rian]

[Deleted]

24 December 2026

After much wheedling and pleading, Atticus had finally gotten Rían to agree to spend Christmas with him in LA. Despite the fact that Atticus' mother was still missing, it didn't take away from the planned celebrations. The Flemings, much to Atticus' dismay, did everything in style. Tonight, they would have a meal with just the family and Rían before the greater festivities began tomorrow.

Atticus was pleased at least to have Rían there to shelter him from too many questions about school. Atticus thought that maybe his father would get the hint that neither of them wanted to talk much by their mutually stand-offish nature. Eli had asked when tea-boy would come, and Atticus' only response was to ask after Eli's girlfriend. His brother had rushed off to catch some gnarly waves, or so Eli had said. Atticus had settled into his childhood bedroom with a book on Magical Theory, reading through it for the fourth time.

Rían was due to arrive any minute now, before five pm. But Atticus didn't know what manner of travel he would take. His family was strictly against magical transport, but Ireland was a long way away from LA. Would he floo? Maybe Atticus should have asked that. There were a lot of things maybe he should have asked, but was too busy being stuck in his own head.

@rian

[Deleted]

He hadn't known what to expect when he agreed to spend Christmas with Atticus and his family, but he knew it might be a better unknown than the unknown of spending it at Ilvermorny. He had always enjoyed the home comforts of Christmas, and although there might be different ones in a North American home around the Holidays, it may be nicer than staying in a dorm room and sharing a dinner with more unknown people.

After some uncomfortable communication with one of the Professors to seek out help, Rían had been able to organise some Floo transpiration to the Fleming household. Although wary at first, he hadn't used it in some time, he was grateful it would be fairly straightforward. Even if he wasn't 100% sure on how it worked. When he had floo'ed in the past he had always done it with adults and not had to initiate everything. But for now he had just done as he was told and stepped into the fire as directed. The dizziness took hold fairly quick and before he knew it he was falling out of the fire out the other side in the Fleming's living room.

Thrown sideways as he landed, he stumbled slightly on the rug by the fire as he found his footing. Steadying himself, the rucksack his belongs were in, started to slide off his shoulder. It took him a moment to react wide eyed to the empty living room. Dumbstruck he stood and gathered his bearings, wondering for a moment if he'd come to the wrong place. It was quiet, too quite for now surely. It was five past five. Shrugging the strap of his rucksack back up on his shoulder her decided to call out a shaky

"Hello...?"

@atticus

[Deleted]

Rían's voice echoed throughout the front entry hall, summoning Atticus at once. He perked up from his position, and bounded down the stairs. His energy was much more similar to that of Eli's than his own rather dour countenance, but Atticus couldn't contain his excitement. "Hi," he greeted his friend, stopping a few steps above where Rían found himself. "You can leave your bag upstairs at mine. Have you been to a beach? I have lots of sun cream," Atticus prattled nervously, not making much sense to neither himself or to Rían, presumably.

Clearing his throat, he tried again. "I usually spend most of my holiday in my room. With books, you know. But... I figured since you've come here and changed things up, I ought to try a few other new things," said Atticus slowly. He started back up the stairs, motioning Rían to follow him. "We're not far from the beach. And the sun shouldn't be strong but we've got lots of sun cream. I tend to burn if I go outside," said Atticus sheepishly. "There's surprisingly not a lot of people around here. LA is... very busy. But not this part," Atticus added lamely, glancing over his shoulder at Rían. This may in fact be the most he'd ever said in his life.

"Er... so... we could do that. Or I could show you around the library?" asked Atticus. "We eat late here. Some weird Californian thing."

@rian

[Deleted]

In the few seconds of silence, he glanced around taking in the place that would be his home for the next few days. It was certainly one way to try and shake off the dizziness anyway. It seemed nice anyway, homely. Just the vibe needed for Christmas Holidays. Like the ones he used to get at home. The ones he didn't know he pined for anymore.

When he heard footsteps approach him, he straightened up. Suddenly nerves hit his stomach. The last few days he'd been trying not to think about it too much, but he couldn't help it now as he was faced with the idea of meeting Atticus' family. Rían had never been much good with people. Especially people that were welcoming him into their home for a pretty important Holiday period. Pushing his lips together he sharply inhaled and stood up straight, ready to greet whoever it was. As soon as he realised it was Atticus, he let his shoulders slump into a more relaxed position and he exhaled.

"Oh, AJ it's you. Good." his tone was quiet as ever, but it was clear he was a little on edge all the same. As he stood and listened to Atticus, his face crumpled to a confused frown. "You're an eejit. Of course I've been to a beach. I live on an Island, remember? with a tilt of his head, he gave a playful eyeroll and stepped forward to half nudge him, but his hand fell away then rather awkwardly and he fell into silence. With a quiet laugh he bent to lift his bag for something to do, and began to nod.

"I'm game for whatever, just show me where to put my stuff first I guess.." Atticus was nervy and Rían could feel it. He hated that for him, to have to feel that in his own home. Biting down on his lip anxiously he followed in silence, wondering if the quiet would help.

@atticus