Never Ending Fall [Open]

[Celina Jedynak]

Mid October

Back posture straight, hair tied back as tight as the Ravengirl could possibly get it, and as per the norm lately, her eyes were blank and glazed over. Celina Jedynak looked out across the lake as she leaned against an evergreen tree wondering why she was even out on the grounds that day. She knew why, but the harp that was full size in front of her did not seem to call out to her as it used to. Nothing seemed to... And though she'd been trained so well by her father's teachings, she couldn't put together that becoming anew meant losing everything else she'd once loved.

Felicity and her rarely spoke except for in classes... who knew what Alfonz was up to... Connor and her only spoke in classes as well... and with Drew being gone, Celina didn't even have any Ravenclaws she could really fall back on... even if her and Drew never really could see eye to eye. Anymore, Celina could see why. They were of two different worlds... her father had taught her that, and so much more.

Sighing, her eyes drooped toward the ground and she walked up to her harp, it's glowing strings beckoning to be plucked and its golden frame aching to be held. Celina leaned up against it and could feel the warmth coming off of it, as if it were an actual person. It was strange, but comforting, so Celina just leaned there for a moment as her hands moved up on their own, they too wanting to touch the dragonheart strings.

It was moments after, when she finally heard the smooth and melodic song on the wind, did she realize that she was actually playing. So long had she gone without, that when her hands had such a chance, without her own doing they began to play. Celina had missed her harp.... she missed all of her friends.... she missed herself.

In the back of her mind, the girl she once was screamed out for help. Celina's legs trembled as if the girl she once was tried to break free... but it was useless. She pureblood brainwashing caged her personality and entire self into the back of her mind, unable to free itself. Even with any kind of song from the harp. But it was nice...

...nice to hear a familiar melody on a once forgotten wind.

[Open]

[Connor Manning]

( dibs. )

October brought a lot of things back to Hogwarts. The cool rush of wind on a nice day, the changing color of the leaves, and the thought of winter. It was possibly the combination of all three of these things that brought Connor out to the grounds on this day. It was gorgeous outside with the leaves rustling under his feet and a soft breeze sending his hair in every direction. It was pleasant and the adolescent couldn't help but feel his spirits lifted by the weather. Once his duties had been taken care of for the day he set out bringing only a notebook and a pen in case the inspiration to write happened upon him while he was out and about.

He hummed a slow song as he walked although for the life of him he couldn't remember where he had heard the melody before. It was familiar and suit his happy disposition at the moment. Upon reaching the lake Connor sat himself down a few yards away from an old evergreen and looked out to the somewhat calm waters. He spotted a few kids down the way looking as if they were going to throw their friend into the water, he grinned and wondered if they were really going to do it... the waters would be cold this time of year. Deciding it was none of his business he cracked open his notebook and looked down at the blank page. The boy chewed absently at the inside of his cheek as he thought. It was no more than a minute or two later when his thoughts were interrupted.

Music reached Connor's ears and he cocked his head to the side, thinking it was very possible that he had heard the tune before. He leaned back on his hands and gazed around the tree a distance away. The seventeen year old was not shocked to see the golden foot of a harp situated on the other side. The owner, he knew, would be standing tall with a grace that was almost overwhelming, her posture straight and elegant. As a lady should be...

He didn't make a move to stand up quite yet, only listened.

[Celina Jedynak]

( Anytime. )

Celina continued, her hands trembling as the continued, the tune growing faster and almost a bit violent. It wasn't like her, at any time in her life to play such angry music... if one could say that harp music could ever sound angry. Celina's one hand stopped, and yet the other kept going, strumming low notes as if playing out a scene. Background music for a past memory that she was reliving right then. Softly, the higher hand began to strum the higher notes, frantic... scared even.

In her mind, the girl whom screamed laughed as she knew what was going on. The vessel she was stuck in knew there was more... the spell wasn't full proof... nor was the brainwashing. And yet, with that thought, it was as if the vessel could hear her. The music stopped short, Celina's breathing was heavy and it trembled with every exhale. Some of her hair at this point fell out of her bun, framing her round face and she leaned her forehead against the frame of the harp.

"What am I thinking?" she whispered out loud to herself knowing no answer would come. She was being ridiculous and not at all appropriate. But the harp in her hands had felt so invigorating... it was as if feeling was brought back to the ravengirl slightly... only then to be lost by her own logic. She was to do what her father asked of her, as a young pureblood lass should.

Someday you'll understand. Both her parents had said to her at different times. However, only her mother had followed up the statement with more...

Someday you'll understand... and then, you'll get as far away from this place as possible. Confused... Celina just lifted her head and looked out at the lake. It glistened calmly.... "Understand what?" she asked herself pleadingly.

(PS The siggy kills me... it's awesome though! )

[Connor Manning]

As the music washed over him Connor allowed himself to listen, enjoy it even. It was soft and delicate, the way he tended to think of Celina. As the melody progressed however it became a bit more... he couldn't think of another word other than ' wild. ' Leaving his notebook and pen situated in their same spot on the ground Connor righted himself into a standing position, dusting off his pants for a second. Without much hesitation the boy walked the few paces over to the tree and leaned against it. He cocked his head to the side as he finally caught sight of the Ravenclaw girl he had been expecting to see. And despite the fact that he had been anticipating seeing her didn't stop him from being slightly awestruck by her. She was beautiful, still, just as she always had been. He stopped short of a sigh just as Celina's music stopped itself.

Connor could hear her talking but couldn't make out the words, so he decided to make himself known if she hadn't noticed him. " Keep playing like that and you're going to break another string. "

He lifted his expression into a somewhat joking smile as he brought up one of the times they had spent together last year. Oddly enough they had skipped class, hung out, and she had played her harp for him, breaking a string in the process. It was one of Connor's more fond memories of him and Celina. His hazel eyes carefully looked over the girl before him. She looked... a bit frantic. The Slytherin began to wonder if now wasn't the best time, and if perhaps he should have left her alone. He shrugged these thoughts off, knowing that if given the choice he would have Celina on her worst day if he couldn't at all.

" How are you? "

( I think you forget that I am awesome. )

[Celina Jedynak]

Celina never did notice the rustling of the ground beneath the footsteps of another's presence as she should have with her head leaning against her harp. Deep thought had taken over the Ravengirl and no matter how immersed in herself she became Celina found no answers to the questions she asked herself daily. Without her father by her side, the struggles not only raged on within her, but more fiercely every day. It would have been a sign that the spells and brainwashing had only had so much effect, but since Celina was keeping her distance from even her brother those days, no one really could understand what was going on with the crazy ravenclaw.

Keep playing like that and you're going to break another string.

Without looking up, or even recognizing the voice at first she shook her head. "I'd hope not with all brand new strin..." stopping short as she lifted her head, her eyes following to find the Slytherin, Celina's face began to color and her mind raced to exactly what she was supposed to do. He was a friend, one who her mother had said to keep close... Celina hadn't been doing a good job at all with following anything her mother had really said... but at the same time, he was an authoritative figure. So, shouldn't she have been more respectful in the way she addressed him?

So many contradictions fluttered through her mind at that moment that she unknowingly began to straighten out the invisible wrinkles in her clothing. Turning her face, a small laugh escaped her as she put the loose hair behind her ears and shrugged. At that moment it didn't seem like she really knew where she was or what she was doing at all. Sighing, she looked up once more and just shrugged; a very unladylike act indeed.

How are you?

Her smile turned into a crooked sort of frown that neither hung down, nor really turned up. "Actually, Connor," she started, her voice very calm and restrained as she fixed her posture and took her wand out of her pocket and pointed it at her harp. "I'm not quite sure." Again, her shoulders lifted and she shrugged once more.

Celina shrunk the harp and put the miniature version back in her pocket where it belonged before moving a few steps closer to Head boy, her hands folded in front of her as she did so. Tilting her head just slightly, Celina smiled. "But how are you doing, Mr. Head Boy?" Celina laughed as she asked jokingly.

( I never forget such things... If I did such a thing, I'd be gone from here long ago. <3 Connor!)

[Connor Manning]

' I'd hope not with all brand new strin... '

Connor watched the girl's fingers play lightly along the vibrant strings of the harp. It was hard to not look at, but he tore his eyes away from her dancing hands long enough to catch her expression as she initially responded to him. It seemed to be a bit blank and he shrugged his shoulders slightly, wondering if she knew what he was talking about.

He kicked absently at the tree as thoughts of doubt started to trickle through his pondering. Did she want him there at all? A slight moment of awkward later he was feeling a bit worse off. He opened his mouth to ask Celina what she wasn't sure about, but before he could produce any words she had already asked him how he was.

" Well, I... I'm doing pretty okay. Writing. Trying to, I suppose. " He rambled on a bit before deciding he should put a stop to it before he got too carried away. Connor brushed his bangs out of his eyes, looking the girl over again.

A smile grew on his own face in response to hers, glad to see it in place on the girl's face. " Done playing already, eh? I was enjoying it. " He didn't mind if Celina was done playing, although he had liked the sounds of her harp across the grounds. It was refreshing almost to see his friend do something so common for herself. She'd been odd lately, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

(( xD ))

[Celina Jedynak]

Her head tilted to the side, and a soft smile appeared. Celina did always adore admirers, as much as she hated to admit it. Removing the harp from her pocket once more, she set it back up the way she had it and giggled, looking at her harp with much appreciation. It was the only thing that held her together anymore. The only thing that cleared her mind long enough to feel sane and with it. "Well, not if you want to hear more. I just didn't want to bother you any," she paused then looked back at the Head boy.

"What is it that you are writing?" she wondered out loud, her eyes lighting up a little with longing to know. Anything to keep her mind off of itself and on any distraction. Her eyes danced, but not in the normal excited way they used to, but more in a way that asked for help. It was weird. Worried, and almost as if they were relaxed... almost as if two people eyes were forced into the glass brown orbs in her head. Celina could feel the strain, but blinked to make it go away and relieve the tension.

Celina's hands started to play with the strings again, not in any melodic order, just lightly plucking as if they needed something to do while she conversed with Connor. "It's great that you are doing well," she lightly said, almost as if relieved to hear the news.

[Connor Manning]

Connor battled with himself that he should have left Celina alone, she obviously hadn't wanted the distraction from her music and he needed to get focused on his writing. Just as these thoughts occurred, however, Celina smiled at him and they sort of vanished on their own. Oh, how he cursed her with her elegant beauty and her words. ' Well, not if you want to hear more. I just didn't want to bother you any, ' He returned the smile and took a few steps forward, figuring that it couldn't do any harm.

His eyes shifted from gazing at Celina to resting on her harp, looking as strong as it always had. It had been a while since he'd seen the instrument, though. Celina looked almost at ease behind the glowing harp, the way Connor remembered seeing her. Well, the way he liked to remember her anyway. Her words caught him by surprise out of his reminiscing. " Writing...? Oh, not much. I can't even think of something to write. It's a bit pathetic. " He mock grimaced at himself but then donned a small grin as notes began to fill the air.

" What's up with you? Have ya missed me? " His words were said partially in jest but a part of him was sincerely curious if she had.

[Celina Jedynak]

(Sorry this is a bit late... I just worked a seven day stretch and ugh... end of story. :/ )

Celina had never thought anything Connor did was pathetic rather she was fond of the boy. Quite fond to be exact, which she was sure helped her belief that he was far from being anything but amazing. Unfortunately, as she played her harp, her mind passed over the thought quickly. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to think of him in any other light than just a contact or a friend, but that her teachings wouldn’t allow such luxuries. If emotions ran rancid than all hell would break loose, or so her father would tell her constantly. It was just those impurities that stole a woman’s soul and caused them to do all sorts of impure acts. Celina’s fingers hesitated on the notes as she exhaled trying to calm her self, and her racing... fearing heart.

As she did so, the Head Boy’s words slipped gently through the notes as if floating on the wind. What’s up with you? Have ya missed me? Instantly, Celina had to shut her eyes as her ears only granted access to words that made her insides squirm. Her heart fluttered as her stomach did flips… and the girl beyond the bars of the mind control screamed to be heard. Celina’s head pounded and she had to use all of her strength to keep her standing, clinging onto the harp, almost as if in fear of her life.

Celina turned away just slightly, her loose strands of hair falling to the side and covering her cheek just slightly but not enough to cover the rise of heat that flushed to Celina’s face. Sweat began to form in her palms and around her brow just slightly, but hardly noticeable. To an untrained eye, they’d see this pain she suffered as nothing more than a blush. And that was how it would be played out, as Celina nervously tried to giggle.

“However do you mean such things?” She said, beginning to turn her head to look at the Snake. Celina smiled, cocking her head to the side and smiling as wide as she could without giving too much away about her feelings, her mind, and ultimately her entire being. “We see each other practically every day in classes,” Celina continued. “I understand that we’ve both been busy though.” Celina nodded and her fingers started to caress the strings once more.

“I suppose it happens when those whom are graduating soon are trying to figure out what they are meant for after Hogwarts,” she whispered softly, closing her eyes and floating on each note to ease the screaming in her mind.

[Connor Manning]

Connor kicked absently at a rock on the ground, feeling useless as he stood idle on the sidelines. There wasn't much he could do, but he decided that sitting might help, and at least it would give him something to do for a few seconds. He wasn't so sure it would make that must of a difference overall, but it was worth a try. Lowering himself to the ground the seventh year accio'd his notebook over to him, knowing that all thoughts of writing would be lost now. He would be too distracted with his conversation and the music. Drawing, however, he thought he could at least manage that.

He had never been much of an artist, he dabbled in the arts but couldn't really do much with any of it. He was a fair drawer, though, but nothing amazing ever came out of his random urges to paint or draw. He lifted his pencil over the paper of a fresh sheet of paper, wondering what to draw. As this thought crossed his mind the sun glistened perfectly on the harp. Without making the conscious effort Connor began to draw the instrument. " Hm? " He had gotten a bit distracted by the start of his drawing that he hadn't heard Celina at first. " Oh, I know. We just don't hang out much out of classes anymore. It's hard to have a conversation when you're talking about Troll Wars and all. " He grinned jokingly about a particularly boring topic of discussion they had gone through in their classes.

The music returned and Connor nodded along slightly, although he was having trouble following along. " And what are you meant for after Hogwarts? " He was curious, as he hadn't any clue what Celina planned for herself after leaving the castle. The time would be here shortly, that he knew for sure.