Saturday, January 14, 2009
3pm

When most other students would be out enjoying the sunshine, Mysti Ketteridge was inside, wandering around the castle. She had been spending more time by herself lately, and today was not an exception.  The Hogwarts trophy room was where she found herself this saturday afternoon.  Mysti sat down on a bench and ended up just staring at a trophy case and tuned everything else out.

The fifth year Hufflepuff girl was a bit upset over the fact that she and her somewhat boyfriend hadn’t seen each other in a while. Trent Travis, despite being disliked by most of Mysti’s friends, had been sweet to her.  But he’d grown distant, and Mysti figured it was over between them too, taking the hints.  Of course, she was a teenage girl, and therefore in a tricky emotional state. The emotions played tricks on her metamorph ability, causing her eyes to turn a dark brown.  Too many emotions running through her head, and her hair was turning a darker brown as well. She hoped that being in the trophy room, she'd be able to hide somewhere until she could take control.

Trent was also her first boyfriend, and who she got her first kiss from, so of course she had feelings for him. Her mother said there would be other boys, when Mysti talked to her over the holidays. The hufflepuff girl knew her mom was right, but it still didn’t stop her from being a bit upset.  So hiding away in the trophy room seemed like the best way to gather her thoughts. Of course, there was always the possibility of someone else wandering into the room, but Mysti decided to ignore that for now.

Mystique wasn't the only one that wasn't quite him/herself lately around the castle.  Chance had been rather scarce socially.  It was an odd backlash from the outgoing Gryffindor prefect diving in headfirst into events left and right to him becoming rather secluded, growing a rather angsty rebellious streak, and lining up consequences from professors and other such authority figures.  There was a sick pleasure that came from lashing out and being someone that felt a more primal...base version of yourself.  Chance had just a taste of it...and the hunger for more was growing.

Currently, Chance was still trying to escape practically everyone at Hogwart's...and the trophy room was one of his many hiding places.  Imagine his surprise when someone was using it for the very same purposes!  And it had been forever since he'd seen Mysti...The Irishman stalled momentarily, before half turning away.

"Ooh, ah'm sorry...didn' know anybody was in 'ere-..."

Chance trailed off a bit, before realizing it was Mysti.

"Oh...'ey Mysti."

Mysti was somewhat deep in her own thoughts, and trying to control herself.  Because of this, she didn’t realize that someone had walked into the room until he had spoke.  Chance Ryker was a prefect she was somewhat acquainted with.  Obviously as they were both prefects, they would know each other.  And he was also good friends with Sophie, whom Mysti was also friends with.  Though, she would have preferred to have gained control over her emotions a bit more before having someone else come into the room.

Mysti let out a small squeak.  When he first recognized her, it was only dark eyes and dark hair. The Hufflepuff girl might have been able to pass that off. But once Mysti heard him say her name, she was embarrassed and surprised to have someone discover and recognize her.  Then her hair ended up turning to a red color.  She tried to clear her mind and change back, but by then she realized it was too late. And it was also the first time Mysti had really allowed someone else to see her in a changed state, excepting one or two close friends.  Though, of course, none of the times were on purpose.

“I... sorry. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be around here. Please don’t tell anyone about the... changing.” Mysti figured she should stop trying to change back for the moment, as it would be difficult with someone else around.  And with her being flustered from someone else joining her in her solidarity.

“Stupid emotions.” She muttered to herself, hoping Chance wouldn’t hear.

Chance was a prefect, so hopefully he wouldn’t go sharing her secret all around Hogwarts.  Plus, Mysti had always picked up that he was a good guy.  She felt like she could trust him, but one could never be too sure.  After all, she thought she could trust Trent, but he ended up letting her down.

That last thought got to her and a couple tears started forming in her eyes.  So much for controlling your emotions. Gran never told me what to do when a boy breaks your heart and you have to keep your head. Mysti just hoped that Chance wouldn’t think her a silly girl for all that.  Of course, that was how she was acting at the moment, but she normally tried to be stronger around others.

“I didn’t mean for anyone to see me like this. I’m sorry.” She said once she’d gained a little more self control.

Chance was a bit startled by the squeak Mysti let out.  He certainly didn't expect to startle her, but she was definitely in her own little world when he alerted her unexpectedly.  And then seeing her hair snap into a wild, red tint...Chance lifted his eyebrows with a bit of surprise.  There were always peculiar things happening around Hogwart's, but...this didn't seem like a spell gone amiss.

"Ya 'aven't got a thing in th' world t'pologize fer, lass.  An' yer secret's safe with me."

Chance offered a gentle smile.  He'd never been one that was keen on gossip and especially when it could hurt someone involved.  Uh oh...emotions were involved here.  This wasn't something Chance felt completely comfortable with addressing...but Mysti had always been such a kind, upbeat girl.  He'd seen her treat others quite well in his limited experiences with her.  She was a good girl.  He hated to see her hurting like this, even if he could certainly identify at the moment.  Chance was torn between his impulse to flee the presence of anyone...and his desire to help someone in need.  He lingered there for a moment or two...before stepping nearer and placing a hand upon her shoulder.

"Yer fine...No worries, Mysti!  We've all got our low times 'ere an' there."

Chance didn't really  know what else to say at the moment.  Only one thing came to mind:

"Ya wanna talk 'bout it?  Or y'jes' want some silent company?"

At that moment, Mysti was really thankful that it was Chance who came across her, and not anyone else.  He looked surprised upon her hair change, but said he’d keep her secret.  And when he said that, she could tell he meant it.  And Mysti appreciated him for that.  And for his behavior towards her.  The smile and hand on the shoulder had a calming effect on her, making her forget her currently red hair, and for once in the past couple weeks, she felt better.

“I... I’m not sure. I feel like it might help, but not sure if I’m ready.” She looked up at him, and then realized he might be in this room for the same reason she was. “Maybe we could both exchange stories?”

She wasn’t sure what it was, but felt that Chance might also be having a difficult time too.  It would be rude if Mysti started spilling her story out if he had one he might want to share as well. Plus, just as Chance didn’t like seeing her hurting, she also didn’t like seeing him hurting.  It was something she disliked, seeing people in some form of pain and not being able to do anything about it.  And when she could, she would do her best to make them happier.  But she wasn’t sure how it would work if they were both wounded.

“Assuming you’re okay with that... I don’t mean to pry but you also seem like you could use someone to talk with.” Mysti hoped he wouldn’t be upset for her assuming such things.  But sometimes it was good to have someone to talk with, and perhaps that’s what they could do.

It seemed that Chance's impressions of Mystique were spot on.  Immediately, she showed concern for someone else...even though her own heart had been broken.

"I... I’m not sure. I feel like it might help, but not sure if I’m ready."

"Well, m'willin' t'givvit a shot if y'are...?"

“Maybe we could both exchange stories?”

OoooOoooh...!  And now Chance was being put in the very situation he'd been trying to avoid for weeks and weeks now.  He tensed somewhat...but then relaxed his frame a bit.

"That Professor Storm's a ruddy tool if ah've ever seen one..."

Chance hoped that simply initiating conversation, even if it wasn't necessarily about his own problems....might work.  The Irish Gryffindor lowered down to sit on the bench beside Mystique.

"What's goin' on in th' life o' Mysti?"

Mysti could tell he also was indeed having some personal problems once he tensed a bit.  But then he relaxed a little more, and she hoped maybe they could help each other out. Mysti let out a small laugh at Chance’s comment about professor Storm.  It had been a while since she’d let out a real laugh, and was thankful for it.

Chance then sat down next to her, and he asked her what was going on in her life.  And that was a bit of a difficult question.  Mysti wasn’t sure how to start out this story, but decided she’d try.  If anything, a bit of friendly venting might help her out a little.  Plus it could help her be able to focus on other things instead of her emotions all the time.  Sometimes getting out things that were troublesome had helped Mysti, and she hoped it would be the same this time.

“Well... I suppose I’ll just jump in. But.. I’d been kind of seeing this guy before break.  And now, we didn’t talk much over break, and I haven’t even seen him since getting back. I don’t even know what went wrong, because he was always nice to me. But most of my friends didn’t like him so I don’t want to really say anything to them because I don’t really know how that would go. I don’t want any ‘I told you sos’ because they didn’t see that he was a nice guy. But either way, I do kind of miss him, and have been separating myself from my friends because I just don’t want to deal with much of anything right now.”

Mysti gave Chance the condensed version as best as she could. She felt a few tears stinging her eyes, something she’d wanted to avoid, and tried keeping them out as best she could.  But despite the tears, frustration, and bit of anger, she did feel better.  Mysti didn’t pay attention to whether her hair or eyes had changed at all during the story, and hoped if anything Chance wouldn’t run away in fear of an emotional Metamorphmagai.

“Sorry.” She said as she wiped a few tears away. “But thanks for listening... I feel a bit better getting that out...”

The Hufflepuff took a deep breath and looked over at the Gryffindor.

“So... did you want to give it a shot?” Just in case he’d decided it was a good time to do as she’d done, she figured to offer, seeing how it helped her a bit.

Chance had always enjoyed hearing Mysti's laugh.  It was light, heartfelt, and refreshing.  Hearing her laugh caused Chance to smile. 

As Mysti began, Chance listened attentively...alternating between giving direct eye contact and looking down at the floor before their feet.  He alternated to keep her from feeling pressured or stared at...but also gave the direct visual connection to let Mystique know he was actually listening.

"Ahhh...ah see, ah see...So 'ave y'tried shootin' 'im an owl?"

Matters of the heart conflicting with friendships was never a pleasant experience.  Chance frowned somewhat and nodded in reflection.  He was glad that Mystique felt better and he patted her knee a bit, giving it a faint, reassuring squeeze.

"Well ah'm glad t'elp."

Uh oh...the tables were turning!  Chance didn't care for that idea.

"Ehhh...school's been th' pits an' home's been...pittier.  Things're just a wee bit messy lately...they'll sort out eventually."

Mysti was relieved when Chance didn’t excuse himself, but stayed there listening.  And he also seemed to want to help her.  It seemed weird for her to be talking to him about her problems. On the contrary, she wasn’t sure she’d want to bring them up to those of her friends who seemed happy in relationships. Mysti hoped she wasn’t doing that to Chance, but he seemed fine volunteering for it.  She exhaled before answering his question.

“I tried an owl over break to see how he was doing, and then one a week after getting back.  Neither got responses. I’m sure he’s still around... but perhaps just doesn’t feel like seeing me. Or some kind of excuse.” She shook her head to try and get the thoughts out, and instead her hair ended up changing to dark brown again.  Since Mysti was no longer embarrassed, the brown seemed more fitting to her emotional status.

“Ugh. Sorry.” She rolled her eyes at her change in hair color and hoped he wasn’t getting too freaked out by it. Chance did seem okay with the idea already, so that’s all Mysti could ask for. And then he kind of answered her question, but seemed to be avoiding something else. But she didn’t want to pressure him if it was making him uncomfortable.

“I’m sure they will. And... if you ever need to talk, don’t hesitate to find me.” Mysti never minded being that person people came to with problems, especially if they helped her with her own. “And thank you again.”

Mysti gave Chance a smile, her eyes now back to blue. Not as much of a happy blue, but somewhat normal for herself.  It would probably take some time for her to really get over this feeling of neglect, but she did feel better.  Holding in thoughts never helped, and Mysti really was thankful for Chance having found her and getting her to talk.  She just hoped she could do the same for him.

Chance felt awkward in assuming one of his more comfortable roles.  He hadn't been himself for some time now...and falling back into old habits, even good ones...felt strange.  He liked Mysti.  She was a kind, bubbly girl that was always bustling with life and positivity.  It was strange to see her like this...but he knew there were always problems even in the most together person's life.

"Well...if y'don' 'ear from 'im...sounds like e's no great loss t'me...Certainly not a very bright lad if he's ignorin' Ms.Mystique Ketteridge!"

Chance smiled and tossed an arm around Mysti, giving her a sidelong squeeze of encouragement.

"An' if ya 'pologize one more time, ah'm gonna 'aveta pinch ya.  Ya got nothin' to be sorry 'bout."

The Irish Gryffindor could tell that Mysti was sincere in her offer to help him...and he nodded with a simple smile.

"An' thank ya in return...Yer very welcome."

“I’m sure it’ll figure itself out in no time... I’ve just got to be patient.” Mysti said, feeling better.

“Okay, okay, no more apologizing.” She’d try to think of that. It was probably getting annoying anyways, saying sorry every ten seconds.  Mysti decided she’d try to get out more too. Maybe some solo quidditch practice. At least get some fresh air to clear her mind.  That would help.  At least she hoped so.

“So... How about those classes?” Mysti asked with a bit of a laugh.  It seemed that talking about other things was a better distraction  than anything.  It was pretty obvious that Chance didn’t quite want to talk about what was bothering him yet. Mysti decided that classes would be a good neutral subject.  Well, that depended on how his classes were going.

It was good to see some normalcy returning to Mysti's demeanor.  He hoped that her troubles weren't merely shoved aside and buried deeper now, but that some of the load she was carrying had been lessened somehow.  It was always difficult in discerning the effectiveness of lending support to a friend.  The Irish Gryff simply smiled and nodded in response.

"Glad t'ear it, lass.  Yer always at yer best when yer jes' yerself."

And Chance truly believed it.  Of course, that very sentiment could have been turned around on himself...but he was trying to restore himself as well...It was just a gradual process.

"If 'at blasted Storm 'adn't taken over m'favorite class...it'd all be fine, ah guess.  An' yers?"

It looked a little like Chance was relaxing a little.  Mysti was glad to see that.  It seemed that the two of them had both been in not the best moods a big ago.  Now they were both doing a bit better.  Of course, Mysti was still a little bit down, but there had been an improvement.  She wasn’t sure, but it seemed the same thing was going on with her companion.  But the distraction of talking about classes might have worked a bit.

“Yeah, Storm makes it a little more difficult.  Try as I might to appease him, I don’t think it works.  But everything else is more manageable. Of course, we’re not too far into this second half, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Mysti stared down at the floor for a moment.  For as much as she was enjoying a somewhat relaxing conversation with Chance, there was still part of her wishing it was Trent she was talking to.  Next time she saw him, she’d have to try her best at talking to him... unless it was in a very populated area.  That could just be awkward.  But... she’d try her best to keep up the courage.

“I suppose I’ll have to come across him eventually.  Then I’ll talk to him.”  Mysti hadn’t quite realized she said it out loud until a moment after saying it.  “And apparently now my thoughts are becoming words without me noticing. Sorry. Didn’t mean to say that out loud. I guess there’s part of my mind not wanting me to forget about him.”

She tried not to say sorry again, because he said she didn’t need to. But it was one of those things that just happened sometimes.  Mysti also wanted to apologize because it was more something that she should be talking about with Fauna or one of her other girlfriends perhaps.  Girls were supposed to complain about boys together, right? But of course, when her friends didn’t really approve of the boy it was more difficult.  So in a way, Chance was a good option, as Mysti wasn’t sure he knew anything about her and Trent having been kind of dating.  Either way, she wanted to get him a gift eventually for being so nice.  Not everyone would sit and listen to her problems. Even if there was a counselor for that.

It felt good to make a positive difference for someone else.  It also proved a distraction for Chance's own burdened soul.  And distraction was one of the best cures, or at least a momentary relief from depression.

"Storm's in 'is own wee, lit'l world an' 'e's tryin' t'cram us all inta it.  Nothin's more important to 'im than what 'e wants.  People's 'appiness, 'ealth, th' 'ole lot!  None of it means a lick t'im!"

Chance's frustrations with the professor were showing rather clearly...and he sighed, shaking his head in the process.

"But 'e's so blasted ruddy good at what 'e does...Makes me feelin' like a blubberin' half wit infant."

Mysti's eyes wandered off and down.  She was somewhere else...and Chance saw it.  This was about the time for him to make his exit.  He hadn't exactly been the most social person for quite some time...and it didn't take much to make him feel uncomfortable or unwanted.  Nonetheless, he nodded to Mysti's response.

"If 'at's whatcha wanna do...then do it.  Only you know whatcher willin' t'go through an' what Trent's worth t'ya."

Mysti following with another apology did bring a smirk to the 7th Year's lips however.

"S'awright lass.  S'awright..."