Flying

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Unable to wait any longer now that everyone had agreed to go flying with him, Adam sent owls to Nny, Susan, River, Kaylee, Teatime, Harry, Ginny, and Devi to let them know that he'd gone down to the Quidditch pitch and to meet him there. He snatched his broom and practically ran down to the field, excited to meet new people and get into the air once again.

Comments

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

*has overheard some of Ginny's conversation with Adam about Cthulu, including picking up on the brainwashing session element* *raises eyebrow* Don't they? What's the ancient Runes Professor doing that Adam doesn't want to be a part of? *answers Ginny's thought casually* And no, I'm not a Legilimens. *giggles* Just ask Professor Dumbledore.

Thanks. You're a good flier yourself. But why wouldn't you play for Slytherin? *somehow that nuance got missed--- is focusing on the more familiar (and worrisome) aspects*

I've had combat training. Combat conditioning. Except I broke the conditioning part--- I control it, it doesn't control me. Not now, anyway. *face lights up* It's like dancing--- I told Nny it was a pas de morte, but maybe it's more of a danse macabre. *giggles to herself* *senses where Ginny wants the conversation to go* Is there something I can help you with? Because if someone's doing something to you like they did to me, I want to help. *thinks about her conversation with Adam* I will help, if I can. Even if it's not what they did to me.

((Ginny's had a life for herself here, that's for certain--- loved the Ancient Runes class, btw! And I'm so glad River's getting to meet her, too!--- I squee'd my head off when I saw that Adam had invited both River and Ginny to this little, ah, "shindig", and I hoped they'd get to hang out! And thanks so much! It's been such fun playing her!))

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

Oh, well He has to calibrate languages with His students before He can really teach the class, but that's just the way it is with Ancient Gods. I don't think Adam liked that part, much. You aren't religious, are you? *trying to be very casual about it, as she doesn't like to start proselytizing too soon*

*turns her broom so she's directly facing River* Wait, how did you know I was thinking that if you're not a Legilimens? Are you some other kind of psychic? *Oh, but she knows Dumbledore, and wouldn't have said that if she wasn't all right to talk to*

I'm an pretty good flier, I guess. *shrugs* Playing quidditch is one of my favorite things to do. I like playing chaser better than seeker. The thing with Slytherin is, well, Harry and I used to live in Gryffindor House and we had a rivalry with Slytherin. Plus there's a lot of people in Slytherin I don't much like. I just can't stand the thought of my former rivals winning the Quidditch Cup with my help. *doesn't want to make too big a deal about Voldemort being in the same House with her*

Training? Oh, like something formal? I never -- um, that must have been awful! *very, very interested and eager* How did you break it and get so it doesn't control you? I don't dance, really. Is that what helped you? *not truly sure how safe she is, but she's not directly under attack now; still, River could help it never happen again, maybe?* I ... um, no, I mean, Harry's here with me now, so I'm fine. *except the nightmares will probably come back and there's this horrible emptiness and a sort of itch I can't scratch and ohgodohgodohgod panic...*

*holding onto her broom so tight she could almost break it, and looking at Harry now, rather than River, just to try to calm down* Actually, some help would be really nice, River. *just intuitively trust this girl, even with scary things* I honestly don't have a clue where to start. I can't even talk about it, for starters. That wasn't the case after the first time. It's different now.


((OOC: Yes, she has! Ginny has been very careful not to tell anyone, except Dumbledore, what has happened to her (and didn't even tell him the whole story), and that's partly by OOC agreement, but since there's no way River's not going to get the whole story, eventually, by reading Ginny, I'm OOCly asking that River not do anything to Tom, at all, as Ginny's going to have to deal with it, personally (with Harry's help). She hasn't even told Harry, though she will, eventually, when she gets up the nerve. But she will definitely accept River's help with getting unconditioned and unaddicted! And she loves flying and quidditch, so they can spend a lot of time on that, too. I have to go sleep in a few minutes, but I should be around off an on tomorrow to continue!))

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

Religious? Me? *starts laughing and has to cling to her broom to keep from falling off* *nearly does anyway* No... no.... *picks up on Ginny's desire to proselytize* I have a habit of fixing religions. Or at least their symbols. There was a preacher-man on board Serenity--- that was our ship, before we came here--- we had... discussions. It was sort of messy.

We just call it being a reader where I come from. I'm... too good at it, sometimes, I think. *earnestly* But I don't tell people's secrets. At least, not my friends'. *is glad to sense that Ginny trusts Dumbledore: it makes her feel better about her own take on him*

I love flying. Nny and I came out here the other night and I started dancing up on my broom--- it was wonderful! *face alight* I've never actually played Quidditch before, but I'm looking forward to our first match. *grins shyly* A dance should have an audience, after all. And I'm sorry you're not in the House you wanted. I like it in Ravenclaw--- my brother's there and so is Nny. *thinks* Inara's in Slytherin--- she was with us on Serenity--- you might like her; almost everyone does. And... *hesitates* she's always been... good to me. Even when I wasn't all right. *hopes this will be enough of a cue for Ginny*

It was awful... well, I don't remember much of it--- it's all jumbled up and some of it can't be quantified and I think they made up some of it and some of it I made up but not intentionally and the fabrications intersect--- interact--- *deep breath* I broke it after they triggered me the first time--- well, it wasn't the first time ever, but it was the first time after I'd been out of the Academy--- where they trained me--- and Simon, my brother, had been helping me and I'd been getting better and I could even help out on jobs--- *breaks off* What I mean is, I think my brother and my... life... had already started to break some of the conditioning. So when they tried to trigger me, there was enough of... me left that I could analyze what they were doing and... make it work for me. *concentrates hard on Ginny and decides that she can be trusted with the rest* It's a switch in my brain--- that's what it feels like, anyway: flip the switch and I... I can still read people, but I don't feel it. It's like dancing, then, it feels like when I used to dance and I realized, after that first time, that I could control it, I could take the switch and flip it when I wanted to. I... I know the dancing helped me when I was being conditioned. I think it helped me break the conditioning, because I had a... frame of reference for training my body into... patterns. *isn't sure how much sense she's making, hopes she's helping*

*reads what Ginny isn't saying* *softly* I know about nightmares. And empty places. And things you can't talk about. *reaches out, hand on Ginny's arm* Don't be scared. you're brave, or you wouldn't have been in Gryffindor last time. I'll help. Any way I can. I've been there too.

((OOC: No problem--- I can OOC'ly promise that if necessary I will find weird excuses to keep River from going after Tom. Although, this is actually the ideal time for River to find out about something that she can't help with no matter how much she'd like to: she's just had a good dose of the wisdom of letting people handle their own stuff if they want/need to *points up-thread to the River-Adam convo*. So if River picks up anything, especially during this conversation, that suggests that this is something Ginny needs to do for herself, she'll listen and heed, without me having to get creative with sending her elsewhere or something--- especially since there are things she can help with, and for that matter, she'll probably have her hands full just helping Ginny with the conditioning-and-addiction part--- that should keep her out of Tom's way. (Though of course having River constantly set off to hunt Tom down and something always getting in the way has humor-potential... *g*) And definitely, River and Ginny can spend a lot of time flying together! See you tomorrow!

[basilisk-lord1.livejournal.com]

((OOC: Forgive me for butting in here. Regarding Tom, the main reason as to why I, and perhaps Ginny-mun, would like to keep others out of the whole Ginny-Tom thing is, besiding the fact that Ginny needs to get her own back, Tom will have no hesitation in using the Cruciatus on his attacker until they are nothing but a writhing mass of blood and drool. I highly doubt anyone would want to put their character through that. Hence why I'd like to keep others out of it. If, however, you don't mind that happening...))

OOC

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

((OOC: No problem, and your concern for River's well-being is very much-appreciated--- as I say, even if it weren't in her best interests I would have no problem keeping my character out of someone else's story/plans/etc.! Plus, I'm all for River not getting hexed to a pulp. ;) (Though if I were playing Mal, I'd want to talk more with you about this, because it's canon that he comes through literally lethal levels of torture and violence in good enough shape to do mayhem to his tormentors, and that might be something that would have to be dealt with.) But no, River won't confront Tom directly--- as I said, perfect timing for her to not-do that within-character, even if she's not at risk herself.))

Re: OOC

[basilisk-lord1.livejournal.com]

((*nod* It's just nature for Tom/Voldie to retaliate with the most lethal curses available to them. They so rarely settle for minor damages/antagonism. Hence why I try to keep them away from those wishing to do them harm. So I thank you for understanding! That and Tom has long since pulled FAR away from Ginny and doesn't care to have anything to do with her. For him to be attacked now because of past doings seems a bit...I don't know. Unecessary. So when River's rooting through her mind for any of those things, she'll likely see that as well.))

Re: OOC

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

((Much obliged--- I appreciate the warning, and you're right that when River reads from Ginny that Tom is GONE and doesn't even want to pose a present threat, she'll agree with you about the pointlessness/needlessness of reopening that can of... er, basilisks. ;) Especially since there are other things she can do for Ginny... ones that don't involve getting hit with Cruciatus, no less!))

Re: OOC

[basilisk-lord1.livejournal.com]

((I felt it needed to be given since no one else seems to say anything to anyone about this. -_- I normally don't like butting in on anyone conversation but since it was being discussed OOCly, I felt it best to give you all the info. you needed. Ah, the fun of it all.))

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

((OOC: I see y'all have been talking, but I wanted to let you know we've reached an agreement on this. (http://community.livejournal.com/hogwarts_hocus/212888.html?mode=reply) I hope that Ginny and River can continue to fly together and be friends, though. Shall we try to figure out a way to pick up and go on?))

OOC

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

((OOC: No problem. None at all. Hope River and I didn't precipitate this!

And I would absolutely love for Ginny and River to continue getting to be pals--- very cool stuff, Tom or no Tom! :D Just let me know what you're thinking about changes to Ginny's side of things! (River's sort of a not-wholly-innocent bystander here so I don't want to get pushy....) ))

Re: OOC

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

((No, you did not precipitate it! I'm really glad you want them to stay pals, as I love playing with your River! We've agree to pretend the storyline never existed at all - never mention it again in any way, so we'll need to just drop that completely. Since what happened to Ginny in CoS is canon, River can pick up on that. Anything that happened here at H_H, though, is taboo. I don't like deleting things, so I think we should leave our comments going, but just direct them along those lines. Does that work for you?))

Re: OOC

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

((Shiny, on all counts! And I love playing with your Ginny--- she's great! Using CoS canon is a great idea--- I'm all for it!))

Re: OOC

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

((Meant to add: do you want to start the "revisionist history," or shall I? ;> Because I thought it'd be sort of easy for Ginny to go from River's last post: just tell her (whatever portion you choose of) what's going on from there. On the other hand, I can have River add something else, too--- either way.))

Re: OOC

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

((It's probably easiest to have Ginny go on and comment from where we are. I'll have Ginny respond in just a minute. I got caught up in sorting people! I'll probably have to mostly continue tomorrow, though, because it's getting late here.))

Re: OOC

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

((No problem--- just wanted to make sure you weren't waiting on me!))

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

Fixing them? *Huh, what does she mean by that? Religions can't really be broken. But maybe River's just not interested*

That sounds really scary. It's good you had your brother there to help. I have six brothers, and I they're all great, but they're not always very helpful with some things, you know? I guess I'm not all that analytical, like you. I wouldn't mind being able to flip my own switches, though. Considering the House I've been placed in, I sometimes see people from my past...*and basilisks in my dreams* Can you show me how to do that?

*really feels like she can trust River, and be friends with her now* Thanks! I could use a girlfriend around to talk to, especially one who kind of understands me.

*looks around; sees Harry and Adam off flying and feels like flying a little herself now* I really am more of a chaser than a seeker, but I do know a few moves. Want to practices dives?

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

When they don't make sense. Contradictions, false logistics.... I give them back after I'm done with them, though.

Brothers. I know. Simon takes a lot of looking after, sometimes. Mostly when he tries too hard to look after me. And most people aren't as analytical. *picks up on some of what Ginny's thinking about her first-year experiences* If I had to share a house with Dr. Matthias, I think it would get messy. *giggles, not-quite-sanely* But that would mean he was in the same house with Nny... that would be very messy. *serious and more sane* I don't know if I can show you--- I don't know if it's the same kind of thing. *rueful look* Now I know why Professor Dumbledore had such trouble with... me... earlier. Have you talked to him about it? He was... nice. I don't know if he can hep, but since you were here before, maybe he'll know more about your... situation... than he did about mine. What's your... trigger... like--- I mean, if you have one? What does it feel like? Because with me, I ... felt what it was like, and then I... made myself go there, instead of waiting for their trigger.

I'd like to have a girlfriend who understands, too. Kaylee--- she's here tonight--- is a wonderful friend, she doesn't mind much when I.. ramble. But she hasn't been through the same kind of thing. *hastily* And I wouldn't want her to. Wouldn't want anyone to. *shivers* But since you already have... it'd be shiny to talk to someone who understands. Besides Nny, I mean. And we don't always understand each other. Even though he's right sometimes when I'm not. Like about Adam. *thinks* But I have girlfriends, and friends who understand me. I'd like someone who's both. *smiles*

Sure! Dives are fun. And so are loops and rolls--- it's even better than flying Serenity, because you're out in the air and you can dance and do all sorts of things. Like dancing on air....

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see. I've never thought about religion being logical. I guess that's why you got to be in Ravenclaw though. You're smart. *smiles*

*very happy to be discussing the woes of having brothers* Does Simon hover sometimes? My brother Percy used to do that to me. *doesn't say much more, but is very sad, and missing him* Ron too, a little. And even Charlie. Fred and George, though, they just teased me, mostly.

Yeah, living in Slytherin's not the greatest thing in the world. There are a few nice people there now. Well, obviously there are some I like an awful lot *laughs* but I mean in general. This Dr. Matthias, is he the one who hurt you, River?

*thinks about what she says about Dumbledore having trouble with her* It's probably different, then. I have talked to him and he's helped me a lot. Probably as much as he can, though. My triggers, well, they're certain sounds and smells, you know. And I don't always have time to

I'd like to meet your friend Kaylee, though. She seemes very pretty, and sweet. *nods* I understand. I can talk to Harry about it, because he sort of has been through the same thing, but not exactly, you know? And he's not a girl. *giggles* Of course he's not, but you know what I mean. I'd like someone who's both, too. *smiles back, much more relaxed and happy by now*

*starts diving towards the ground on her broom* Follow me then, and I'll show you one of my favorite exercizes from the year I played seeker. Rolls are great too, and I usually try to mix some in with my dives. You never know when the snitch is going to stop cold and head off in another direction. *rolls a couple of times and then back into her dive*

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

Thanks. It used to make Simon so crazy when we were younger and I'd poke holes in his reasoning....

He hovers a lot. *picks up Ginny's mental image of Percy* Your brother--- Percy--- he reminds me of Simon, a little. I'm sorry he's not here--- Percy, I mean; Simon's here, except he's not around much. I'm sorry your brothers teased you. *shudders* Simon was always the one who didn't tease me. Much, anyway. Usually I got him. And he was always patient about it.

Have you met Inara? She's in Slytherin, and she got used to me, so she'd probably... understand... you. Dr. Matthias... he was one of them, anyway. *shudders* I killed the other one, though. *tries not to smile*

I think Dumbledore wants to help or I want to think that but he can't always do as much as he'd like. That's... like a lot of people, though, isn't it? Can't always make things work right.

Sounds and smells... hmm. With me it was codes--- I saw a code and I'd go off. Except they didn't really know what they were doing, and I remembered what else was going on when they were conditioning me. *smirk* *gets serious again* What do your triggers make you do?

We could talk to Kaylee now, if you want. I've never had a boyfriend. You and Harry... you feel a little like Kaylee does, when she thinks about my brother. That's a good thing. And I do know what you mean. *is picking up on Ginny's relaxed-happiness and feeding from it, relaxing herself* I'd like to meet him, if you don't mind?

Ooh, I'd love to learn! *follows Ginny into the dive-roll-roll-dive*

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

Yes, it would be nice to have Percy here. He's, well, we don't see him much anymore, I'm afraid. I'd like to meet your brother sometime. Must be nice having him in the same House with you.

No, I haven't met Inara yet. Should I try to find her? I don't think I've seen her in the commonroom or in the classes I've taken.

*understands completely about Dumbledore* He's a wonderful man. Completely mental, but also completely wonderful. He just has an odd way of looking at things, I think, and well, sometimes I think I've hoped he could solve any problem, but no, he can't.

*puzzled* Codes? So, they planted codes in your head? How awful! It's nothing like that for me. Just sort of the remaining effects of a bad experience when I was little. What happened when you, um, went off? My triggers don't exactly make me do anything. Just nightmares, really. Panic attacks. Things like that. Doesn't happen when I feel really safe.

*smiles in Harry's direction* I'm glad your friend has someone who makes her feel that way, as well. You will too, someday. We just have to find the right fellow for you. *really wants River to have that happiness, herself* There're a lot of cute boys around the school these days. We'll find you someone who's just right. *winks*

You haven't met Harry yet? Oh, you must meet him. He's an incredible seeker. He can give you all kinds of pointers.

*smiles, impressed* Very good! Let's head over to the boys, and see if Kaylee will join us, maybe?

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

I'll introduce you, when I can find him again. I just owled him and he hasn't gotten back to me, but when he does, I'll mention you. And it is awfully nice, at least when he's around and not being bossy.

Would you like me to owl her? About you, I mean? She... well, she didn't always keep to herself on Serenity, but she wasn't crew, either. *proudly* I got to be, though. I learned to fly the ship and... other things.

*giggles* Not quite right... that's what the captain says about me. No wonder I liked him--- Dumbledore, I mean. He reminds me a little of Simon--- I mean, now that he's young again.

It was fairly awful, especially the way they did it. *picks up on Ginny's "bad experience"* That... feels like what happened to me. Only it wasn't, exactly--- it wasn't someone else in me, just... someone else's programming. What happened to you sounds more like what Nny a friend of mine talks about sometimes. The conditioning they put in me couldn't think for itself--- *lightbulb moment* I think that's why I could control it, eventually. And when I went off--- well, I... danced. I mean, I... fought. *giggles a little uncertainly, not sure how Ginny will take this* I took out a whole bar, once--- that was the first time they set me off, before I learned to... make it work for me. And then another time I killed a bunch of... well, they weren't human anymore, just rage, all rage and violence and they would have killed Simon and Kaylee and Zoe and the captain and... anyone they could get. Except for the ones they could... infect. *deep breath*

*reaches out to Ginny* I've had nightmares, too. And panic attacks. Only I didn't always know what would make them happen--- externally, I mean; I know it was a matter of brain chemistry, but we couldn't predict when my neurochemistry would become unstable.... *another lightbulb moment* I would if Simon could help you? Like Dumbledore's trying to help me? Because if it's not magic, if it's a psychological issue--- there are names for it, where I come from, when... *consciously stops and strips her thoughts of technical jargon* when someone's been scared badly enough and... things that they associate with when they were scared upset them.

*grins* There are a lot of... interesting... people here. I think there are more people here who wouldn't be... scared... of me than there were at home. It's nice. There are one or two in particular, but I haven't really tried to find out if---

I'd like to meet him. *is tempted to show off, but decides to see how Harry acts first*

*grins, a little smugly, at the praise of her flying skills* Let's! Who first, Kaylee or the boys? Or are they together? Everyone's moving around an awful lot. And... you could meet Nny, too. I know he'd get it. If he's not being a xiong can xiong-meng de kuang sha shou. He gets me, anyway. Maybe because he is a xiong can xiong-meng de kuang sha shou.

((OOC: Chinese spliced from the Firefly Chinese Pinyinary (http://fireflychinese.home.att.net/phrase.html): a$$-kicking violent crazy killer.))

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'd like to meet both your brother and Inara. I'm sure she's very nice. *very interested* You got to fly the whole ship? Really? That must make a little broom seem like nothing!

*listens and yes, it sounds like River's experiences were quite different, but that they can still both help each other* I'd be glad to talk to your brother. He's a doctor, right? I've never been to a doctor - only a Mediwizard. I wonder how different it is. *wonders about those non-humans, they sound almost like Dementors, only with them it's a cold emptiness instead of rage* You killed them, all? That must have been incredible. I'd like to hear more sometime, when we're on the ground, maybe.

Interesting, well, that's one way to put it. *chuckles* At least most of the Ravenclaws seem to be approximately human.

*looks around* Well, they both seem to be near Adam. I can introduce you to Harry, first, if you'd like.

((OOC: Thank you for the translation!))

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

I'd be glad to make introductions.

I did--- it was wonderful. But being a broom is wonderful too--- when you're flying a ship you don't move so much, but when you're up on a broom you can do other things, like dance--- *gets to her feet and floats into en pointe, arms in first position, then into an arabesque, arms in second positions, then back down: plie, then into a lotus, then sits with her legs dangling off one side of her broom* Like that. It's wonderful!

I've never been to a Mediwizard, so I don't know how different it is either. *giggles* But Simon would be glad to look at you, I'm sure--- he always wants to help people, and he gets so mad when someone doesn't get the help they need.

Reavers... *picks up on what a Dementor is* They're... more like Dementors' victims, I think. Lost their souls... except they move, and... *shivers* act. And they feel. All the time. Just rage, kill, kill, kill.... *shivers* I did kill quite a lot of them that time--- all the ones that were in the room, anyway. I'll be glad to tell you about it--- it was when we--- the crew of Serenity were trying to tell everyone about Miranda.

*laughs* Approximately human. That's a good way to put it. *thinks* Do you know Ryuuji? He's in your house, but he's awfully nice.

Sure--- I'd like to meet Harry.

((OOC: No problem--- any time I put random Firefly Chinese in, I'll try to translate, especially since I have to look it up myself anyway! ;) ))

[ginevram.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love flying. It's the best feeling, when you're free with the wind racing past you. *very impressed* Can't imagine doing that, though! The Ravenclaws're really luck to have you! You should be able to catch snitches, easily.

*really doesn't like thinking about Dementors* Ugh, that's awful! I do want to hear about it! *sounds better than the battle at the Ministry of Magic had been in fifth year* Miranda? Is she your friend, too?

No, I don't believe I do know him. I sort of try to stick to people I know fairly well, and can trust. Can't be too sure when I'm in a House that used to be my rival House, you know?

Great! Follow me then! (http://community.livejournal.com/hogwarts_hocus/206861.html?thread=10380813#t10380813) *takes off flying for the area where the boys are*

[r-tam.livejournal.com]

I know--- it's wonderful! Not that I didn't love flying Serenity--- they're both wonderful, just... different. *blushes* Thank you! Simon says I show off too much--- I mean, he used to. when we were younger.

I'll be glad to tell you. *faraway look* Most people can't name the day they grew up, but I think that was mine. My turn.... *smiles slightly, then comes back* *picks up Ginny's memories of the battle* Ooh, you were in a fight too? You'll have to tell me. *giggles* We can share war stories. Like Zoe used to tell.... *giggles* Miranda... that was sort of what Simon thought. Though... not exactly. But no. Miranda's a colony planet. Or it was. I'll have to tell you about that too--- it's all part of the time I killed the Reavers.

I don't blame you. If I weren't a reader, I'd be a lot more cautious around here myself, and I don't even have a... history... here.

Right behind you! *suits action to word*