The Chair Thread (tag Evelyn) on Library

Ness McLeod

January 01, 2020 6:20 AM

The Chair Thread (tag Evelyn) by Ness McLeod

Ness curled up into The Chair. It was somewhat smaller than it had been in first year, but its huge winged back still felt more than adequate to the task of scooping up a being or maybe two, and dominating the heck out of the surroundings. This was a chair for cosy chats, for comfy reading, for world domination, and for petting kitties. It was such a good chair. Ness had primarily come to it with reason number one in mind, but the good thing about chairs and libraries and those favoured activities were that they weren’t that mutually exclusive. Reading and talking usually had to alternate, but both could fit into a single chair session, and none of the other options were at all incompatible.

The more specific reason Ness was in this chair right now was because it was traditional. This was how every term began. Admittedly, other people might have called the Opening Feast the ceremony that marked the start of the year, and that had certainly been enjoyable. It was also arguable that Ness and Evelyn didn’t need a start of term ‘catch up’ given that they had spent most of the summer together. But it was nice to have A Thing - Their Thing, a Best Friend Thing. Ness wasn’t going to consider it unnecessary for anything so silly as not really needing it. Everyone needed their Friend Things.

“Hey,” Ness grinned as Evelyn arrived, shuffling over to make room, and hoping that would long remain possible, even if it involved both of them dangling their legs over the arms of the chair at some point. The traditional question of ‘how was your summer’ was pretty pointless, though Ness thought it might be kind of funny. Ness had come across a different option in the past though - in some… thing that had been lying around or discussed at home. ‘How was your summer’ could be a tough question for some people - case in point, it might have been for Evelyn, had she not been staying with the McLeods. People didn’t have money for holidays, or had crappy families, or had illnesses or whatever happen to them or other people. A different question had been advised instead, though Ness could still see it backfiring. School wasn’t always great for everyone. People had trouble there too. Still, hopefully it was something everyone could find some answer to, and it was worth a shot, given that Ness knew about Evelyn’s summer already. “What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this year?” the Aladren tried instead.

13 Ness McLeod The Chair Thread (tag Evelyn) 1419 1 5

Evelyn Stones

January 01, 2020 12:30 PM

We are past the halfway point with these. by Evelyn Stones

Evelyn was excited for today. Today, she and Ness were meeting in the library, in the big squishy chair. It was comforting to know that, despite summers together, school together, and everything else, they were still best friends. They weren't siblings. As nice as it would be if Evelyn could just move the heck in with the McLeods, it was nice to have a best friend there instead of anything else sometimes.

The chair seemed smaller now, at fifteen, than it had at eleven. Ness seemed bigger, too. While Evelyn had the advantage of a year to decide some of her physical changes - maybe that was a disadvantage? - she also was not any taller than most of the first years. Ness had the advantage of height and something about the Aladren spoke to the ferocity inside that beautiful brain.

When Ness made room for Evelyn, Evelyn took it with a grin. "It's good to see you," she said, snuggling into the right space as best she could. "I forgot how a ten o'clock curfew and different Houses means we don't get to see each other as much."

Ness was a thoughtful friend, probably as much from the McLeod background as the Aladren tendencies there within, and Evelyn felt a little spoiled for benefiting so much from it. She had no doubt that Ness had thought about this question a lot and come to the conclusion that this question got at exactly the desired information or goal. For that reason, Evelyn thought about it too.

There were lots of answers that came to mind - Halloween, the Ball, getting better at magic, spending time with Ness, spending time with Heinrich - but they were mostly either obvious or not things that Evelyn suspected Ness wanted to think about. She wasn't sure why she thought that, particularly about the last item in that list, but she was pretty sure it was true. It made her feel dirty for having so many things unspoken between them; should she be laying her cards out on the table better? Perhaps therein lay the answer to Ness' question.

"I'm looking forward to becoming a better version of myself," Evelyn said with more confidence than she felt. "What are you looking forward to?"

22 Evelyn Stones We are past the halfway point with these. 1422 0 5

Ness McLeod

January 04, 2020 6:32 PM

Yikes! by Ness McLeod

Oooh. Better version of self. That got a quizzical head tilt.

“You’re very philosophical,” Ness stated, clearly meaning that as a compliment. It was certainly true though, and something that Ness had noticed about Evelyn before. Her choice of reading materials had underlined the point somewhat.

“I’m looking forward to classes. Like… not being the smallest ones in intermediates, and being able to try some of the harder tasks,” Ness admitted. And it felt, in some ways, like an admission. Evelyn didn’t exactly sail through practical wandwork, and Ness wasn’t sure that this was a point of ‘fun’ they were going to agree on. The Aladren didn’t want to rub things in, if it was a sore spot, or for Evelyn to start feeling like Ness was a nerd in a bad way. It seemed like it should be easy to trust Evelyn on that front, after all this time, but Ness did worry sometimes that geeking out over classes was going to push Evelyn away.

“There’s also DnD,” Ness added brightly. According to Aunt Lola, this in no way decreased nerd credentials, but this being a magical school, not everyone had the same automatic associations. And Ness couldn’t understand why anyone would see DnD as bad-nerdy when it was just super cool. “Gary asked me for game suggestions at the feast,” Ness said, imbuing the remark with major significance. To be asked such a thing was clearly a Big Deal. Ness had definitely mentioned before how Gary was seriously really cool. “Aaaand he seemed to like my idea,” the Aladren added even more proudly. “So, we might all get to be genderless space robots this year.

“You wanna explain your self-improvement thing any further, or shall I just wait and be surprised?” Ness asked. “Though, you know, from where I’m sitting you’re pretty good already.”

13 Ness McLeod Yikes! 1419 0 5

Evelyn Stones

January 04, 2020 10:36 PM

For friggin' real. by Evelyn Stones

'Very philosophical' was one of those compliments that meant a lot to them both. Normally, Evelyn took Ness' compliments with an understanding that they may not always have exactly the same values or priorities in mind. Their badges were proof of that, and the depth of their friendship may well have been, too. Still, Evelyn had spent a lot of time working towards a better philosophical and spiritual understanding of the world and this was one thing they could agree on on all fronts.

Evelyn grinned as Ness gave a list of goals that seemed very Ness-like. "I'm glad you're excited," she said, feeling pretty excited herself. She was doing better since her lessons had begun with Professor Wright, a fact which Evelyn had proudly shared with Ness over the course of the previous year, and she was also just excited to have a really smart, really great friend. "You're gonna do so amazing, Ness." Her voice was rich with pride and Evelyn thought she might just be the luckiest friend in the world.

Ness had a different source of pride though, and it wasn't one that Evelyn would have expected. She'd heard the Aladren talk about Gary before and she knew he was an older Aladren student but she hadn't actually spoken with him herself. "That's great! I've heard of DnD before, which is pretty crazy because I heard about it from Muggles. That's exciting that it's here, and that your awesome ideas may be incorporated. Gary seems really nice, huh?" There was something else there and Evelyn thought she might understand it a little bit, but wasn't sure she wanted to prod at it too hard. "Is it open to anyone to play?" she asked, a little more quietly.

Ness said she was great, which was super sweet but didn't really bode well for Ness being a good judge of character. Or perhaps, maybe just maybe, Evelyn's bad wolves were starting to starve. That would be amazing. Now to get rid of those bite marks. "Well, I want to keep working with Professor Wright and get that whole thing figured out," she began, counting on her fingers as she spoke. "I want to be more honest about my feelings and learn to express myself better, which you've already helped me a bunch with. Stuff like that. Sweet as you are, if you've got any ideas for me to improve myself with, I'm all ears," she added the last with a laugh, knowing that Ness was about as likely to tell her she don't need to worry about it because she was already great as she was to take the request to heart and start brainstorming.

22 Evelyn Stones For friggin' real. 1422 0 5

Ness McLeod

January 11, 2020 6:39 AM

We could get a new chair when we graduate by Ness McLeod

“Yeah, it is,” Ness answered, when Evelyn asked about DnD, “Are you interested?” the Aladren asked, finding a note of excitement creeping in behind the caution. Sure, DnD had felt like The Thing Ness Wasn’t Sharing. That thought had definitely happened. But now… Well, now the game was going to be Ness’ Game. Kind of. Obviously it was still Gary’s game but he had seemed really keen to use Ness’ idea, and Evelyn being interested… Evelyn hadn’t seemed interested in DnD before, and maybe Ness was reading too much into it, but now, maybe she was??

“Don’t be all ears,” Ness advised, when Evelyn asked for ways to improve herself. “Not literally. That would be very much not an improvement,” the Aladren joked, “Phrases are weird sometimes... “ Keep your eyes peeled was a personal least favourite. Yuck. “Read more?” Ness suggested, when Evelyn asked for other ways to improve, “I mean, I’m not saying you don’t read, but people can probably usually read more. And eat cake, it’s good for you. I’ll think about it,” the Aladren promised. Nothing beyond what Evelyn had said sprung to mind, and frankly, it was a pretty solid list. And time consuming. “Any for me?”

13 Ness McLeod We could get a new chair when we graduate 1419 0 5

Evelyn Stones

January 19, 2020 5:02 PM

Ugh. Graduation. by Evelyn Stones

Evelyn grinned, happy to see Ness perking up. "I'd really like that. I always wanted to learn how to play." She didn't say why she'd never asked about it before or what was different for her now. If anyone in the world understood how slow Evelyn had been working on changing herself and settling into who she was, it was Ness. I didn't have the energy to try before, was perfectly true and perfectly well known, even unstated. In fact, the fact that that was the case convinced Evelyn right there on the spot that someday, she'd tell Ness everything. Maybe sometime soon. Not today. But she'd gear up for it. She silently added that to her list.

"Reading more sounds good," Evelyn laughed, appreciating the very Ness-answer. "I can't think of anything for you. But then, you're sort of who I want to be more like, so I'm probably not the best person to ask."

Evelyn shifted in their seat, wondering how to broach a topic she'd been thinking a lot about in the past few short days. "I did want to ask you something though, and you have to promise not to tell anyone." She knew already that Ness would never tell anyone that Evelyn wasn't okay with knowing, unless she was in danger of course but that was just life at this point for Evelyn, but that was The Phrase that meant she was going to share something. "What do you think of the Ball this year? Do you . . . do you have someone you want to go with?" Truth be told, Evelyn was terrified to tell Ness what she was thinking about in terms of the Ball, but she also didn't want to just not tell her best friend, particularly when, if things went well, Ness would find out either way. "I think . . . I think I know who I want to go with," she said, blushing.

22 Evelyn Stones Ugh. Graduation. 1422 0 5

Ness McLeod

January 26, 2020 9:21 PM

Ugh. Ball. by Ness McLeod

I did want to ask you something though, and you have to promise not to tell anyone.

Ness wondered whether it was normal for those words to make you want to hold your breath, or whether that was just a side effect of knowing Evelyn. On the one hand, Big Serious Words were always dramatic, and there was every possibility that those would have prompted a similar reaction whoever was saying them. On the other, they tended to be followed by really horrible things whenever Evelyn said them. Things that Ness invariably did have to tell someone. But then… Evelyn knew those rules by now. Ness really hoped that Evelyn wouldn’t attempt to extract a non-disclosure promise unless it really was something that didn’t have to be disclosed.

“Subject to the usual Ts and Cs,” Ness agreed, not willing to risk promising an unkeepable promise.

And then… Then it was about the ball. Which was just… normal, safe best friend stuff to talk about. Except that Evelyn was talking about asking someone to the ball. Ness’ head snapped around, scrutinising the Pecari. Ness’ opinion was that the ball was a hand-me-down of Pureblood society and a way to perpetuate stereotyped and heteronormative relationship behaviour and that it was all just stupid.

Except, Ness sort of wanted a date with Gary.

And Evelyn wanted a date with someone. They’d talked about… stuff before. Like, identities. Like liking boys, girls, and not-boys-or-girls. Evelyn had used those words. She had made sure to include Ness when she was coming up with how to label herself, and it had not escaped the Aladren’s notice. Was Evelyn trying to say that she wanted to go with Ness…? Ness was torn between asking and not asking. On the one hand, asking meant knowing the answer, and usually that was a good thing but in this case, knowing the answer also meant dealing with the answer and Ness wasn’t really sure how to react to either option. Going with Evelyn would be fun and would subvert all the stupid patriarchal crap that the ball was aiming to perpetuate. But… dating each other? It didn’t have to be A Date of course… It could just be two friends, hanging out and fighting the patriarchy. That would be cool. On paper, it would be cooler than going with Gary, but Ness wanted it less….

“The ball’s ages away,” Ness shrugged. Partly wanting to just shut the subject down, and not have to deal with knowing what Evelyn wanted. But then, whether it was because that felt mean, or because Ness was an Aladren and couldn’t help it, it was promptly followed with, “Who?”

13 Ness McLeod Ugh. Ball. 1419 0 5

Evelyn Stones

January 26, 2020 9:33 PM

Ugh. by Evelyn Stones

Evelyn nodded, accepting the requisite Ts and Qs. In a funny way, she understood these a lot better than anything she'd ever agreed to on the internet. Ness seemed . . . not very interested in the Ball. Or else not interested in what Evelyn had to say about it. Or was it something else? Usually, Evelyn didn't have to try to figure Ness out. Their friendship was an easy one, which was probably part of why these things hadn't come up before. It was easier to not talk about Life if it meant they could just enjoy it together. Really, it was all living a dream - or a delusion - if Evelyn thought Ness didn't already know enough of her Life to bar any possibility of that ever happening. Still, it did make Evelyn withdraw some and she cocked her head.

The nerves of the situation made Evelyn selfish, or else self-centered. She wanted to ask and pry out all the things that Ness was thinking and feeling, but she also just wanted to get done the brave thing she'd been working up to doing. Still, she did worry about Ness and the Aladren had turned around with such abruptness, only to scrutinise Evelyn's face, that she couldn't help feeling a little more vulnerable than usual.

"It is far away, that's true," Evelyn said in a measured tone. "Are you . . . not excited? Not . . . something? I can't tell what you're thinking." Honesty, she had discovered, was generally the best policy. She didn't know whether Ness was concerned about the pomp of it all, the dressing up in pretty clothes which would undoubtedly emphasize all the genderedness of the world that Ness hated so much, or else something else. She wanted to know and to support her friend and she could hang on to what she wanted to say for a little while longer. Still, Ness did end up asking who Evelyn was talking about, so before they could get into any other conversation and run out of time, Evelyn looked down and brushed her hair over her ear.

She glanced around to make sure no one could hear her and actually thought about casting a privacy charm, one of the first times she'd ever thought to resort to magic to get her needs met. "I want to go with Heinrich," she said quietly before looking back up at Ness. "I really like him."

22 Evelyn Stones Ugh. 1422 0 5