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Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn
DRUID SCHOOLING ALUM ANIMAGUS MWRC APPRENTICE VETERINARIAN
153 posts
played by Jenny
Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread
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last online Sept 17, 2023 5:11:37 GMT -7
STUDYING ABROAD
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Nov 15, 2020 9:36:44 GMT -7
Post by Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn on Nov 15, 2020 9:36:44 GMT -7
18 October 2025
Aidan hadn’t been planning to visit Zombie Island. He was hard to coax into going to new places, and he mostly tended to ping-pong between Hy-Brasil and Hogsmeade. Naturally, he’d been incredibly resistant to leaving the island in the first place, but since then he’d gotten as comfortable in Hogsmeade as was possible for a druid in a new and unfamiliar place. Zombie Island, on the surface level, didn’t really seem to fit his preferences. The name itself sounded terrifying and a whole island dedicated to the horrors of the holiday celebrated by mainlanders didn’t sound like a fun time. But some coworkers had explained that it was actually a very family-friendly place, that there were only a few isolated spots that could truly count as scary, and that it was overall a worthwhile experience. He wasn’t really one to question other people’s motives, so if someone had told him to go then he was convinced. Mostly convinced. He still hadn’t really gotten any details about what the ‘experience’ included and Aidan didn’t like to do things alone anyway. No, he wanted (read: needed) someone to go with him, and it couldn’t just be any stranger. It should be someone he was comfortable with, who’d understand where his hesitation was coming from, and who above all wouldn’t judge any reactions this Zombie Island was sure to get from him. So Fiona was an obvious answer. They got along well and were actually very similar, at least in all the ways that counted to Aidan. But she also seemed like the fearless type who wouldn’t get fazed by anything, and that was exactly the kind of person Aidan wanted to be around. She was already here, from what he understood, but Aidan arrived later in the day, long after dinnertime (a useful milestone in his head since he had just been feeding dinner to some sick fire crabs). He hadn’t had time to change, so his clothes were still a little singed from the fire crabs and their (somewhat terrible) aim. But in a place like this, he fit in more than normal. The nature reserve had been part of the effort to train some of the animals that Aidan knew must be somewhere around the island tonight, hence the long hours, but he wasn’t really sure where they were. He gazed at the different signs in English, reading each one carefully as he tried to figure out where something called the ‘Poisoned Apple’ might take him. He didn’t really trust anything that was poisoned, but anyway Fiona had said something about a corn maze. So, Aidan hunted through all the English for the word ‘maze’ since he knew how to spell that one. There were two signs for mazes, one regular and one haunted, but they both led to the same general area so Aidan followed the path. As he walked, he couldn't help but be impressed at the level of thought and attention that had been put into the whole ambience. He regularly stopped to closely examine the decorations (that spiderweb was so realistic!) or take in the different attractions. Creatures didn't scare him (in fact very little did) but he couldn't help but be slightly unnerved as he finally stood at the entrance of one of the two mazes. There was a scarecrow guarding the entrance, eyes glowing red, and Aidan squinted at it, hands in his pockets, while he waited for Fiona. He gulped a little at the sight of the imposing maze -- and how silent it was. @fiona
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last online Mar 29, 2024 7:20:59 GMT -7
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Nov 15, 2020 16:31:07 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2020 16:31:07 GMT -7
Fiona had heard about Zombie Island, and she had gotten quite curious about it. She had arrived on the island, earlier in the evening, mushrooms cut small and placed in her pockets. She might as well have some fun. The girl didn't quite know what she was getting herself into, when she had first arrived, but quickly met up with a girl around here age, whom she could only guess, went to Hogwarts. The girls had spent some time together, and Fiona had enjoyed showing her natural aptness for bonding with creatures.
After spending time with the girl, Fiona embarked on her own towards the corn maze. She was expecting to see Aidan. The druid boy lived off the island now, but the two of them got along quite well. She liked spending time with him when he visited. It made perfect since that the two would meet up here. She watched for the signs, having to translate the written word to her native language. But she had been practicing. The written exams for the NEWT's were not put in two languages to accommodate the druid students.
As the girl came closer to the maze entrance, she saw a familiar curly haired ginger standing out front of it. She took the opportunity to sneak up behind him and warp her arms around him. "Guess who, or suffer the consequences." She said with her natural mischievous air.
Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn
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Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn
DRUID SCHOOLING ALUM ANIMAGUS MWRC APPRENTICE VETERINARIAN
153 posts
played by Jenny
Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread
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last online Sept 17, 2023 5:11:37 GMT -7
STUDYING ABROAD
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Nov 16, 2020 8:32:50 GMT -7
Post by Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn on Nov 16, 2020 8:32:50 GMT -7
The scarecrow appeared to be looking at Aidan as much as Aidan was looking at it. Someone had mounted the stuffed creation on a tall wooden pole so it towered over anybody who planned to enter the maze, but it was also clearly enchanted. It moved eerily in a way that couldn’t be explained completely by the light breeze, and its eyes glowed red like small burning fires. Aidan craned his neck up to study it carefully, because if there were going to be more of these inside the maze then it was better to get a good look now so he knew what to watch out for. He shivered a little as he took it all in. Nobody else had approached in the meantime, so it was just him and his new evil buddy.
Then several things happened at once. A pair of arms wrapped around Aidan at the same time as a voice behind him warned him to guess who or suffer the consequences. Aidan jumped at the same time as he yelped in fright, “Ahhhhhhhh!” Was it the scarecrow? Had it decided Aidan had been looking at it funny and brought some of its friends to get revenge? Was the maze enchanted to start the scares before people even entered the maze? It seemed like the exact right way to catch someone off-guard. Or worse, what if it had actually come alive thanks to Dark magic and was out of anybody’s control? Aidan froze in fright at the thought before several things clicked in his head. First, these were definitely not creepy scarecrow hands wrapped around him – they were definitely human, and there was definitely only one pair. Second, he recognized that voice, and in a language he knew too.
Okay, so it wasn’t a gang of haunted scarecrows that had come to life in order to kidnap him and drag him off to their evil lair. He was safe from that at least. He turned around and thought he might almost cry in relief as he saw Fiona. “Fee! I thought you were a scarecrow, no not a scarecrow I thought you were with the scarecrow and it was looking at me weird and…” he trailed off from his babbling thoughts that were rapidly turning into almost incoherent speech. Instead, Aidan sagged in relief and wrapped his arms around Fiona in a tight hug, squeezing his eyes closed as he buried his face in her hair. “I’m glad you’re human,” he said in a wavering voice.
@fiona
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last online Mar 29, 2024 7:20:59 GMT -7
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Nov 16, 2020 15:58:04 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2020 15:58:04 GMT -7
Fiona was much less interested at the decorations surrounding her. Rather, she had her eyes on her target. She would be able to enjoy the ambiance of this area after she had her fun. The girl had great practice, while she was wearing shoes, she still knew how to move stealthy. Normally she would have moved up to the balls of her feet, but the design of the shoe would have potentially made an alarming noise. Instead, she carefully walked heal to toe, careful not to step on anything unordinary loud. She moved carefully, making sure to stay out of the boys sight. This was child's play.
As he looked up, observing some enchanted levitating object. She noted its glowing eyes. This was going to be good. At the right moment, Fiona pounced. Much like a weasel finally catching it's prey. She felt the boys body lurch at her playful attack, along with an amusing sound of fear. After the momentary jump of excitement, the boy seemed to grow stiff. She waited with anticipation for his answer. She had even spoken in their native language, she really didn't think it would have been that hard. She noted him observing what he could see of her. Finally, the boy turned, and she let him, taking a small step away from the taller boy.
“Fee! I thought you were a scarecrow, no not a scarecrow I thought you were with the scarecrow and it was looking at me weird and…” It didn't take much, Fiona started laughing shortly after he started to speak. And the more he stammered, the harder the laughter came. It had just been too easy! Something many Druids had to learn the hard way, was that they should never leave themselves open around a Silentflower twin. When either of them saw an opening, it just became too hard to resist.
The boy gave the girl a hug, seeming to be reassured that it was only her. She hugged him back as the laughing started to die off. She could feel the weight of his body falling onto her. Man she must had really done a good job. Or he was just a chicken. She patted his back as her laughing was over. "I got mushrooms" She said in a tempting, sing song voice, making sure to say it quiet, and in their shared tongue so that others wouldn't hear. Druids did not have any restrictions on consuming the substance. And perhaps it would help still the boys jitters.
Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn
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Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn
DRUID SCHOOLING ALUM ANIMAGUS MWRC APPRENTICE VETERINARIAN
153 posts
played by Jenny
Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread
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last online Sept 17, 2023 5:11:37 GMT -7
STUDYING ABROAD
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Nov 29, 2020 9:40:58 GMT -7
Post by Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn on Nov 29, 2020 9:40:58 GMT -7
Now that Aidan’s head was starting to clear from the fright, he realized he really should have expected something like this to happen. There were some druids that were as calm as a still lake, who moved carefully and slowly and methodically and never acted out-of-turn. But that wasn’t the best way to describe Fiona – she had an easygoing air about her, to be sure, and she was fairly level-headed as far as druids went. But she had a mischievous streak a mile wide, and she and her sister loved to catch unsuspecting druids and non-druids alike in their plans. Gods, she had practically warned Aidan about it the last time they’d seen each other, and it was definitely something he’d always known about the twins. But still, he was too easy to trick and that made him a favorite target for these sorts of pranks, especially by his sister and other mischievous young druids like her. He’d even made the grave mistake of facing the entrance and leaving his back open to her – so naturally why wouldn’t she take the opportunity to have a little fun?
The thought might have offended some people who didn’t know how to take a joke, but now that Aidan no longer feared for his life at the hands of Dark scarecrows he really found the whole thing to be very funny. His mother would have told him off for being so easy to catch in a prank, but this was just how he was – wholly trusting, often to the point of being extremely gullible. Fiona had begun to laugh hard at his reaction and had patted his back consolingly, and Aidan laughed into her hair too before pulling back and rubbing his hands down his face as he groaned at himself. “Yes yes, you’re hilarious, you can stop laughing now.” Despite the words themselves, and that Aidan fought his hardest to keep a straight face as he delivered the reply, there was a smile evident in his tone as he watched Fiona continue to laugh at her prank that had been successfully pulled off. It was hard for the boy to keep a straight face, however, and he let the natural grin show itself as he thought over the past 30 seconds again. He doubted he’d learned his lesson, but tonight was sure to reinforce never to leave his back open like that again.
He had never seen Fiona in a bad mood before exactly, but she seemed to be in a really good mood tonight. That wasn’t a bad thing – it was actually a very good thing since there were too many examples of people that let themselves be consumed by their worries – but he wasn’t sure his reaction was enough material to justify how giggly she was. Maybe she was just a big fan of Halloween, he supposed, or it was a leftover reaction from her earlier experiences in the evening. He knew that while he’d only just arrived, having gotten caught at work until late, Fiona had been at Zombie Island much longer already, so he supposed it wasn’t unreasonable to assume she’d gotten some good laughs then too. Some people, like him, frightened easily and had to watch everything with wide eyes lest they keel over. Other people weren’t afraid of anything and seemed to find all the island’s attractions amusing more than anything else. Fiona definitely seemed like one of those people, and he had to wonder what else she’d already explored before coming to meet him.
But Aidan made an ‘oooh’ of understanding when Fiona whispered to him in Brasilic that she’d brought mushrooms with her. Those were typically reserved for use on Hy-Brasil (at least Aidan hadn’t heard many cases of druids going to the trouble to cultivate them outside the island), so lately he’d only come across them when he returned home for festivals or other special occasions. Now that he knew what to look for, it would definitely explain Fiona’s giggly behavior and the slightly crazy look she had in her eyes. Aidan looked around to see if anybody was close by before returning Fiona’s grin with one of his own. Mainland wizards and witches could sometimes be uptight about things like this – they didn’t seem to understand, or at least they never seemed to try very hard to understand, how casual druid culture could be about things they considered scandalous or private. But mushrooms always guaranteed a fun time, and they made every druid festival a hundred times better. One of the many things Aidan missed about home.
“I hope you brought enough to share,” Aidan said in a playfully accusatory tone, also speaking in Brasilic because he really didn’t want to tempt fate and be overheard by someone who’d cause trouble. He scanned Fiona quickly to see if she’d brought a bag or something with her, but nothing popped out right away so that had to mean she had a stash in her pockets. He could never find many excuses to visit Hy-Brasil often, so his visits home were sadly becoming rarer and rarer. Maybe in the future he’d find more reasons to visit home without getting on his parents’ bad side, but for now that meant he hadn’t had a topsy-turvy evening in a long time.
Seeing Fiona, even with the greeting she’d given him that had almost caused Aidan to jump out of his skin, kindled hope in his chest that this evening wouldn’t be as scary as he’d been afraid of. Because seriously, mushrooms made everything better, even haunted corn mazes, and they were always better with company. “Come on, hand it over,” he begged teasingly, still speaking in the druid language as he did his best to replicate and direct towards Fiona the puppy-dog eyes he was known for in his dog form. Nobody ever told him no, or at least it became that much harder to resist, when he used that look. But he was usually a dog for that, and he could only hope the charm carried over to his human form.
@fiona
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last online Mar 29, 2024 7:20:59 GMT -7
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Nov 29, 2020 13:33:46 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2020 13:33:46 GMT -7
Fiona wasn't entirely sure what it was about someone's back being turned on her. But it got to her in the deep mischievous corners of her soul. She knew that Aidan was jumpier than most, so she tried not to scare him too often. But sometimes, she just couldn't help herself. Laughter came easily, and didn't seem to want to stop. He seemed to be enjoying himself, for a time. “Yes yes, you’re hilarious, you can stop laughing now.” She stood up straight and held her breath, trying to stifle her smile. She even went os far as to cover her mouth and nose with both hands, letting some almost snorts escape. After holding in for a short time she released with a chuckle, and a few deep breaths "I'm calm, I'm good." she said, still smiling, she could see that he too seemed to be struggling to not laugh.
Fiona rarely got mad or upset, and if she did - because of a specific person - she rarely showed it. She always felt like revenge was best achieved through small misfortunes in which her hands appeared to be perfectly clean. Other than that, she was a happy person. Good things happened and bad things were inevitable, why let them get you down? Especially if it was out of your control. Tonight? Well, Fiona was feeling exceptionally good. Thanks to her little secret that she had stuffed in her pockets.
Aidan was a good sport, given her antics, nonetheless, she made a peace offering - mushrooms. He understanding seemed to come to him as she spoke. She was more then pleased when he returned her grin. She bonused a little bit, reaching her hand into one of her pockets. “I hope you brought enough to share,” Had she brought enough to share? She certainly hadn't planned to eat all the contents herself. Sharing had always been her intention. The mushrooms were cut small, so that they were easy to eat many with small affects, and would be easy to slip from her to another. The took one and forced it onto his mouth, while putting a small handful more in his hands with her other hand. The giggling came back. "Join in the fun" She said in between laughs.
After sharing of some of her goods, she pulled back a little bit and saw the two options. Haunted, or not. "How brave do you feel now?"
Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn
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Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn
DRUID SCHOOLING ALUM ANIMAGUS MWRC APPRENTICE VETERINARIAN
153 posts
played by Jenny
Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread
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last online Sept 17, 2023 5:11:37 GMT -7
STUDYING ABROAD
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Dec 15, 2020 8:47:36 GMT -7
Post by Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn on Dec 15, 2020 8:47:36 GMT -7
Fiona’s exaggerated motions to show exactly how calm and good she was were the last straw and Aidan couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore. He knew they must be a weird sight for any passerby – most witches and wizards had very few run-ins with druids, although it was usually pretty easy to pick them out of a crowd. If not because of the red hair, then because of their staffs or their language. Either way, he knew they must look odd – two druids laughing and looking like maniacs before even entering the maze. Still he didn’t really care what others thought, especially those who didn’t know anything about druids anyway. It was their loss.
“Fee!” Aidan said in shock, caught by surprise. Or rather, tried to say because she’d stuffed a mushroom into his mouth and he choked at the unexpected motion. He laughed again as he finally finished chewing and accepted the small handful she was currently pushing into his hands. Then he observed, “You’re crazy tonight!” although the words came out breathless since his stomach hurt from laughing. After a few more moments, his breaths began to deepen and he settled down as he distractedly started chewing on a few more slices while staring intently at the English sign. He hoped there weren’t any more inside the maze, because it was only going to get harder to read as the night went on, and his English wasn’t the best anyway.
He knew it was going to take a while for the mushrooms to kick in, even after he finished the handful Fee had shared. So when she asked how brave he was feeling, Aidan smiled and shrugged. “You’re brave enough for both of us,” he decided. He’d probably change his mind after a while – nothing ever seemed to scare him whenever he and his friends went on a trip – so he pointed past the scarecrow towards the entrance of the haunted maze. For once, he knew the answer before he asked the question, but he still said it out-loud, “Bet there’s something in there that would give the Elders a heart attack?”
@fiona
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last online Mar 29, 2024 7:20:59 GMT -7
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Dec 21, 2020 18:30:08 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2020 18:30:08 GMT -7
Fiona still giggled a little, not able to sit too still. It was only made worse by the arrival of her fellow druid and good friend Aidan. his laughing only made her laugh with him, there came a point where she wasn't sure was was so funny anymore. Fiona was so excited to share some mushrooms, that she gave some to Aidan, directly into his mouth. She giggled more at his surprise. She had also given him a small handful. She knew that she probably shouldn't take any more tonight. She did have to be able to hold onto the portkey as it took her back home.
“You’re crazy tonight!” She laughed. "Just a little." She showed her pointer finger and thumb, with some distance between. "Gotta have some fun."
He said that she was brave enough for the two of them, that was true. She wasn't one to get too scared of things, especially after having a decent amount of magic mushrooms. She watched his finger, and followed it to the scarecrow, which made her giggle. He was looking at her. She couldn't help but laugh harder as she listened to Aidan speak. “Bet there’s something in there that would give the Elders a heart attack?” She wrapped her arm around his "Let's go find it!" She said, starting to move towards the entrance.
Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn
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Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn
DRUID SCHOOLING ALUM ANIMAGUS MWRC APPRENTICE VETERINARIAN
153 posts
played by Jenny
Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread
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last online Sept 17, 2023 5:11:37 GMT -7
STUDYING ABROAD
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Jan 16, 2021 9:20:26 GMT -7
Post by Aidan Evander Ó Cuinn on Jan 16, 2021 9:20:26 GMT -7
Sometimes, when Aidan was with his friends and someone said something funny, it started a chain of laughing until no one even knew why they were laughing anymore. The last time that had happened, Aidan had gotten into trouble at the reserve along with one of the wizards he worked with for a situation that involved some mooncalves and crups. They’d been found laughing in the middle of the chaos, although completely unable to explain what was so funny. Although it had been completely worth the punishment they’d gotten to collect dragon dung that would eventually be used as fertilizer.
“Fun is good,” Aidan agreed as he let Fiona drag him by the arm into the maze. He let her pull him along for a while as the entrance disappeared behind them and they got swallowed up into the maze. He gawked wide-eyed at the tall hedges on either side, and at the eerie silence. Silence was usually a good thing too – it gave him the opportunity to hear the sounds of creatures calling to each other or the wind whistling through the trees – although this kind of silence suggested a complete emptiness. Eventually they came to a fork, and Aidan decided it was better not to overthink which way was the ‘right’ way, so he took the initiative to pull Fiona towards the right. “I hope we see something cool,” he thought out-loud. His face brightened as he considered all the potential creatures that could be with them in the maze. “Oh, like a dragon, or an acromantula! Or a thestral. Well, I guess we wouldn't see a thestral, right?”
@fiona
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