just a tinge startled by Levi's volume Aslan jumped a little, awkwardly stepping back against bookcase behind her. she glanced backward, for a moment absurdly, she worried she had knocked over the bookcase and sent the whole lot toppling over into infinity- This was not the case. The shelves were fixed, possibly magically to the floor and Aslan was well aware of the fact. Clearly, Aslan had been deeper into her mind's stupor than she knew.

She too, cleared her throat. "It has been some time." Aslan agreed, pausing as she tried to remember when their last study session had spontaneously occurred. "Before you were crowned." Since then, she'd found herself seeing more of his sister. It was natural, of course.

"Yes, I do say so." It was a joke, mostly, but also something of an established fact. He seemed sheepish, a feeling Aslan being Aslan had not felt very often - save for in her much younger years - and could not exactly understand in this instance. Where was the source stemming from? Had her observation perhaps been too personal? the witch didn't believe so, not when considering his earlier comments on her unusually normal appearance and his following mention of her wearied features. "No, not at all. Sleeping isn't something I've ever been very good at, I'm afraid. Especially lately." NEWTs had something to do with it, but general insomnia was the prime culprit.

Gaston looked back at Dora with an unreadable expression for a moment, not because he was trying to hide his emotions - everyone knew by now that he was useless at that - but because he wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel. Really, he was more confused than anything. Had his words come across the wrong way? He wasn't obsessed with winning or looking for a "prize pony". Of course he'd be lying if he said he wasn't hoping for a Gryffindor victory, but that wasn't why he said he thought she'd go far. Win or lose, he believed in her; he was only trying to be encouraging.

He wasn't sure if he'd accidentally made her angry or not, but if he had, she wasn't going off on him. He took that as a hopeful sign! He was silent as he tried to riddle out the vague words and the lack of emotion in her voice and her smile. Was there some ulterior meaning there? The only clue that jumped out at him was what she said about being morally opposed. "I... I think I understand," he said. He'd probably feel the same way if he was expected to compete in this competition! "No one can force you to stay in the competition of you don't want to, and it would be wrong to try." He certainly wasn't going to, and he'd challenge anyone who did. "It's your choice; I'll support you no matter what you decide."

He smiled when she thanked him and wished him a good day. "You're very welcome, Dora, and thank you," he replied. But before he could say any more, she was gone. Well, that was unexpected! he stared blankly after her, debating whether or not to follow her, but he decided against it. She probably needed her space right now. With a sigh, he picked up his stack of books and headed toward the front desk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicole black

just a tinge startled by Levi's volume Aslan jumped a little, awkwardly stepping back against bookcase behind her. she glanced backward, for a moment absurdly, she worried she had knocked over the bookcase and sent the whole lot toppling over into infinity- This was not the case. The shelves were fixed, possibly magically to the floor and Aslan was well aware of the fact. Clearly, Aslan had been deeper into her mind's stupor than she knew.

She too, cleared her throat. "It has been some time." Aslan agreed, pausing as she tried to remember when their last study session had spontaneously occurred. "Before you were crowned." Since then, she'd found herself seeing more of his sister. It was natural, of course.

"Yes, I do say so." It was a joke, mostly, but also something of an established fact. He seemed sheepish, a feeling Aslan being Aslan had not felt very often - save for in her much younger years - and could not exactly understand in this instance. Where was the source stemming from? Had her observation perhaps been too personal? the witch didn't believe so, not when considering his earlier comments on her unusually normal appearance and his following mention of her wearied features. "No, not at all. Sleeping isn't something I've ever been very good at, I'm afraid. Especially lately." NEWTs had something to do with it, but general insomnia was the prime culprit.

"Before you were crowned."

He repeated the words, largely for his own benefit, finding it a curious way to describe the selection process behind the competition. Or for it. Whatever it was, it remained unclear to him. The word 'worthy' after all, was entirely subjective and Headmistress Hawthorne struck him as the sort of person who preferred actions to speak louder than words. Which was fair and all but Levi preferred clarity and honesty; he did not like it when things were left out in the open for interpretation. Or rather, he enjoyed theorizing like the best of them, but final answers and explanations were always preferred.

It was possible he wasn't going to get either. "That's one way of putting it." He rubbed his thumb over his smooth chin. "'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown' and all that, I suppose." A slight frown tugged between his brows, but he smiled nevertheless, albeit thinly. "After all, I could die."

Technically. Probably not. But the word dangerous had been mentioned here and there.

He thought he recognized a hint of amusement to her words, and decided not to comment on it. Levi supposed the one difference in his life was Daisy and even then, it was hardly a difference, if he thought about it; the only thing that had changed was the name of what they had. "Have you tried sleeping potions? I--could help with those. Concoctions for a dreamless, seamless sleep--are my preference."

Aslan had found herself thinking more and more on the concept of worthiness, on deserving and receiving but none of it felt... Real. the universe didn't work based on the principals of give and take- there was only cause and effect. Perhaps the hat had decided Levi was worthy, but it was, in reality, only a hat with the mind of a great wizard imbued into each seam and sinew. What could a hat know? what could a wizard from hundreds of years past know? he'd built this school with three others but aslan sincerely doubted Godric Gryffindor's ability to judge others and their motives.

"Yes." she agreed, tucking back a lock of her dark hair. There wasn't quite a smile, but there was something ironic to the curve of her lips as he quoted. "You could, but this is hogwarts. That was always a possibility." Aslan shrugged, her tone light despite the topic of conversation. She did not attempt to comfort Levi Kenning for a myriad of reasons, chiefly because he was not the kind to want a soft-spoken lie and she was not the kind to utter one.

"Lately, no. I haven't. I've never got the hang of them." Potions, once upon a time had been her easiest and most favored subject, boredom had changed the sooner and lack of practice had changed the latter. Aslan paused, dark eyes no longer glazed. "That would be alright." she finally said, a slow smile. "How long would it take you."