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TeafortheSoul · #1 (**permalink**) 04-15-2019, 12:27 PM

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Despite the Runes office being currently unoccupied, it is a comfortable room to be in; pleasantly warm thanks to some runes that have been carved into the walls for that purpose, and somehow always dust free. There are also several potted plants around the room, lending it a fresh, welcoming feeling. There is also a wireless radio in the room, only it has none of the usual dials or buttons. If you wish to put the music on you'll have to figure out which runes to use - the front of the wooden radio box has all twenty four of the Elder Futhark runes carved into it and you'll need to activate the correct ones to turn it 'on', 'stop' it, or any other functions you might think of.

While there is no desk, there is a large wooden table in the centre of the room, with a collection of unmatched chairs arranged around it. Students are welcome to study here or use this space for group work if they wish. There are three doors - one to a storage closet, one to the corridor, and one to the current runes classroom, which is usually propped open. When the professor is holding a class she may pop her head through to check on anyone who is working in here, so please behave yourselves.

ArianaBlack · 05-16-2019, 09:16 PM

While Nina was relieved to have been pulled aside, rather than to have been spoken to in front of the rest of the class, she was still particularly upset about having to meet with her Professor in the first place. She hadn't done anything wrong. As a matter of face, she had been sure that her work had been done correctly, as she had put a large amount of thought into each aspect of their assignment. This was absolutely ridiculous and she felt incredibly uncomfortable. How was it that in attempt to blend in, she had managed to stick out like a sore thumb? This was the opposite of what was meant to happen.

As she walked into the empty office, her eyes scanned the room from left to right. Immediately she noticed the strange radio. The lack of buttons intrigued her, but not enough to distract her from the discomfort she felt. Her back felt tense, and she had a slight ache in her hands (though perhaps this was due to how firmly she had been clasping them in front of her torso).

Could they please get this over with? Everyone probably saw her slip into the room with the Professor. This was absolutely humiliating.

TeafortheSoul · 05-20-2019, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

While Nina was relieved to have been pulled aside, rather than to have been spoken to in front of the rest of the class, she was still particularly upset about having to meet with her Professor in the first place. She hadn't done anything wrong. As a matter of face, she had been sure that her work had been done correctly, as she had put a large amount of thought into each aspect of their assignment. This was absolutely ridiculous and she felt incredibly uncomfortable. How was it that in attempt to blend in, she had managed to stick out like a sore thumb? This was the opposite of what was meant to happen.

As she walked into the empty office, her eyes scanned the room from left to right. Immediately she noticed the strange radio. The lack of buttons intrigued her, but not enough to distract her from the discomfort she felt. Her back felt tense, and she had a slight ache in her hands (though perhaps this was due to how firmly she had been clasping them in front of her torso).

Could they please get this over with? Everyone probably saw her slip into the room with the Professor. This was absolutely humiliating.

It was very clear that this particular young lady had a quick mind and an interest in runes. What was less clear was her trying to disguise it. Professor Beryl had her suspicions as to why, but she wanted to speak with the young girl directly. And privately for that matter.

"Miss Castillo." Carmine sat herself down and gestured for the girl to do the same. "You're a bit of an enigma it seems. From what I saw of your notes.... you're quite comfortable with the deep thought required for getting the most out of your rune journey.... and yet, when I asked you about your thought process, and the connections you were making.... you felt the need to dissemble. You 'just chose the pretty ones' I believe was your wording. I can't say I believe you, and it concerns me. I suspect by rights you should be joining a more advanced level, working with the OWL students for instance, and yet you're holding yourself back.... or at least you wish to give that appearance. I would like to know why you think it is advantageous to you to 'play dumb', so to speak." Carmine asked, not unkindly, and using air quotes around the phrase 'play dumb'. She waited calmly to hear what the girl had to say.

ArianaBlack · 05-20-2019, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tegz

It was very clear that this particular young lady had a quick mind and an interest in runes. What was less clear was her trying to disguise it. Professor Beryl had her suspicions as to why, but she wanted to speak with the young girl directly. And privately for that matter.

"Miss Castillo." Carmine sat herself down and gestured for the girl to do the same. "You're a bit of an enigma it seems. From what I saw of your notes.... you're quite comfortable with the deep thought required for getting the most out of your rune journey.... and yet, when I asked you about your thought process, and the connections you were making.... you felt the need to dissemble. You 'just chose the pretty ones' I believe was your wording. I can't say I believe you, and it concerns me. I suspect by rights you should be joining a more advanced level, working with the OWL students for instance, and yet you're holding yourself back.... or at least you wish to give that appearance. I would like to know why you think it is advantageous to you to 'play dumb', so to speak." Carmine asked, not unkindly, and using air quotes around the phrase 'play dumb'. She waited calmly to hear what the girl had to say.

Though the room was not unwelcoming, Nina felt everything but comfortable. Her eyes continued to bounce from one corner of the room to another until the moment she heard her Professor's voice from behind. Nodding her head politely, the young Slytherin followed in step with her Professor, moving to one of the chairs around the table to take a seat. She wasn't particularly in the mood to sit, the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach made her want to pace back and forth more than anything else. But she sat, as she wasn't keen on voicing any of these thoughts.

An enigma? Nina lifted a brow inquisitively, hoping that an explanation would follow, which it did. The acknowledgement of her work made the fourth year's heart soar, though she did not show this on her features. It was only when her own words were echoed back to her that the Slytherin showed any real emotion on her features. She winced at her own stupidity. Even now the lie sounded hallow and lacked real conviction. She ought to have given it further thought. Surely she could have come up with a more convincing lie for her Professor, but now it was too late. She felt entirely exposed, even more uncomfortable than she had been upon entering the room.

Her eyes opened widely, as she sat quietly listening to Professor Beryl who continued to explain her thoughts. While normally the notion that she ought to join the OWL students would have been a compliment taken with internal pride, Nina felt the words ring through one ear, exiting immediately through the other. She would never willingly allow herself to be grouped with the OWL students, even with her proficiency for the subject. If she sat in advanced classes, others would see. Again, not that this mattered much at present. There was a bigger, looming issue to address. But Nina wasn't sure how to do so, as she was currently at a loss for words. She hadn't expected this meeting to go in this direction.

"Um," was the unintelligible sound that escaped her lips as she looked down at the table before her, avoiding eye contact. Nina shrugged, her shoulders remaining just as tense as before upon being lowered back down. "Am I in trouble, Professor?" She looked up slowly, fear recognizable in her still-widened eyes. Nina hadn't ever been one to find herself in trouble, and she didn't particularly want to find herself in detention on the first day of class, grouped with criminals and burn-outs. That wasn't the crowd she wanted to be placed in. Nor did she want to be placed in the crowd which fell on the opposite side of the spectrum, the ones who sat at the front of classrooms, became best friends with their teachers, received high marks, and fell victim to jeers from their fellow classmates.

TeafortheSoul · 05-27-2019, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

Though the room was not unwelcoming, Nina felt everything but comfortable. Her eyes continued to bounce from one corner of the room to another until the moment she heard her Professor's voice from behind. Nodding her head politely, the young Slytherin followed in step with her Professor, moving to one of the chairs around the table to take a seat. She wasn't particularly in the mood to sit, the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach made her want to pace back and forth more than anything else. But she sat, as she wasn't keen on voicing any of these thoughts.

An enigma? Nina lifted a brow inquisitively, hoping that an explanation would follow, which it did. The acknowledgement of her work made the fourth year's heart soar, though she did not show this on her features. It was only when her own words were echoed back to her that the Slytherin showed any real emotion on her features. She winced at her own stupidity. Even now the lie sounded hallow and lacked real conviction. She ought to have given it further thought. Surely she could have come up with a more convincing lie for her Professor, but now it was too late. She felt entirely exposed, even more uncomfortable than she had been upon entering the room.

Her eyes opened widely, as she sat quietly listening to Professor Beryl who continued to explain her thoughts. While normally the notion that she ought to join the OWL students would have been a compliment taken with internal pride, Nina felt the words ring through one ear, exiting immediately through the other. She would never willingly allow herself to be grouped with the OWL students, even with her proficiency for the subject. If she sat in advanced classes, others would see. Again, not that this mattered much at present. There was a bigger, looming issue to address. But Nina wasn't sure how to do so, as she was currently at a loss for words. She hadn't expected this meeting to go in this direction.

"Um," was the unintelligible sound that escaped her lips as she looked down at the table before her, avoiding eye contact. Nina shrugged, her shoulders remaining just as tense as before upon being lowered back down. "Am I in trouble, Professor?" She looked up slowly, fear recognizable in her still-widened eyes. Nina hadn't ever been one to find herself in trouble, and she didn't particularly want to find herself in detention on the first day of class, grouped with criminals and burn-outs. That wasn't the crowd she wanted to be placed in. Nor did she want to be placed in the crowd which fell on the opposite side of the spectrum, the ones who sat at the front of classrooms, became best friends with their teachers, received high marks, and fell victim to jeers from their fellow classmates.

"I hope you aren't." Professor Beryl commented gently. "But that is up to you, I believe, and depends on your definition of trouble. For instance, I am troubled about why it is you're holding yourself back. So please, enlighten me." This playing dumb business.... Carmine had her suspicions about it.

Clearly not in any hurry to move, Carmine fixed the girl with a look that was both inexorable and patient. She recalled the difficulties of being this age, and she had mothered two grown children through it, had two more current teenaged children, and another two who were a few years away (thankfully, the breather was most welcome, if she were honest).

ArianaBlack · 05-29-2019, 08:48 PM

I hope you aren't? Nina didn't know what was meant by this. Wasn't Professor Beryl the one with the jurisdiction to determine her fate? The look she gave her Professor must have translated her confusion, as another explanation shortly followed. Nina Castillo was still sat in terrible discomfort, moving her legs around underneath the table in attempt to keep herself occupied. If the question itself wasn't enough to cause her back to stiffen even more, the look she was given did that even more.

She felt like Professor Beryl could see right through her eyes and straight to her soul. It was reassuring to know that she had a Professor competent enough to know when there was something off, but at the same time it was absolutely terrifying. Nina would drop the class immediately if she she hadn't been aware that it was a prerequisite for Curse Breaking. A career path she was still highly taking into consideration. That and she thoroughly enjoyed Runology.

Though she hoped she could hide it, she was sure that the anxiety was present in her eyes. "I don't know," she replied quietly, feeling quite small.

**Grey Lady** · 06-29-2019, 12:14 AM

Lady Helena was a huge fan of this room. The room was quite peaceful. Sometimes Helena would have a quiet chat with a random student. It was often quiet since the room was often utilized as a study area. Today Helena was simply browsing the room yet again. She thought that the best thing about it was the potted plants. The greenery certainly added life to the surroundings. Lady Helena hovered slowly as she absently drifted from one pot to the other. One might think she was distracted but she wasn't; Helena was simply enjoying the fresh air surrounding the plants.

TeafortheSoul · 07-10-2019, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

I hope you aren't? Nina didn't know what was meant by this. Wasn't Professor Beryl the one with the jurisdiction to determine her fate? The look she gave her Professor must have translated her confusion, as another explanation shortly followed. Nina Castillo was still sat in terrible discomfort, moving her legs around underneath the table in attempt to keep herself occupied. If the question itself wasn't enough to cause her back to stiffen even more, the look she was given did that even more.

She felt like Professor Beryl could see right through her eyes and straight to her soul. It was reassuring to know that she had a Professor competent enough to know when there was something off, but at the same time it was absolutely terrifying. Nina would drop the class immediately if she she hadn't been aware that it was a prerequisite for Curse Breaking. A career path she was still highly taking into consideration. That and she thoroughly enjoyed Runology.

Though she hoped she could hide it, she was sure that the anxiety was present in her eyes. "I don't know," she replied quietly, feeling quite small.

"Alright Nina. I'll be watching you and I expect to see an improvement in you this term. I know you're capable of it, and I think you'll look back on this time with regret if you continue to hold yourself back in this way." Professor Beryl said, not unkindly. She could absolutely see the stress in the girl's eyes, but she was determined to get to the bottom of this and be sure that she achieved to her full potential.

Professor Beryl stood up to her full height and then paused to study the young fourth year. "If you need someone to speak to, my door is always open to you." She said simply, and then she showed herself out, leaving the girl to her thoughts.

ArianaBlack · 07-10-2019, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tegz

"Alright Nina. I'll be watching you and I expect to see an improvement in you this term. I know you're capable of it, and I think you'll look back on this time with regret if you continue to hold yourself back in this way." Professor Beryl said, not unkindly. She could absolutely see the stress in the girl's eyes, but she was determined to get to the bottom of this and be sure that she achieved to her full potential.

Professor Beryl stood up to her full height and then paused to study the young fourth year. "If you need someone to speak to, my door is always open to you." She said simply, and then she showed herself out, leaving the girl to her thoughts.

The phrase 'I don't know' was quite an interesting one because it was typically far from the truth. It was lazy, full of unvoiced excuses, and typically used to avoid something. Some used it to avoid thinking deeply and thoroughly about a matter. Others used it to avoid a conversation they did not intend on having. In this particular instance, Nina Castillo had used it to avoid revealing the truth. Because she did know why she was holding herself back. And in truth, she knew that Professor Beryl knew that.

It is why her Professor's resignation had taken her by surprise. Because she hadn't expected the woman to fold so quickly, despite the fact that it was quite a welcome response. Though this hardly solved any of the issue at hand, at least it did help lessen some of the discomfort the Slytherin felt (an insurmountable amount still lingered). She avoided eye contact with her Professor as the woman spoke, choosing to stare at a delightfully plain spot on the table, willing this conversation to be over. Please.

It was only when her Professor stood up that Nina raised her gaze back up to the woman. Once she was sure that Professor Beryl had vacated the room, she folded forward, head buried into her arms on top of the table. And wept silently, as if the tears could wash away the discomfort.

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