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Post by Dylan Cooper on Sept 18, 2007 22:06:24 GMT -5
((OoC: We're continuing on from here: ragedsyphers.proboards100.com/index.cgi?board=astronomy&action=display&thread=1189995276&page=2))“Most people I know don’t consider learning languages very important or enjoyable, but my parents always thought it was important to understand what people were saying. They got me started on a life-long passion,” he said, smiling. He’d significantly left out the fact that he didn’t know anyone well enough to actually recognise if they knew foreign languages, but he’d always thought that it might be a subject which came up in everyday conversation. It appeared to be a subject that just happened to never come up in everyday conversation, that was all. He grinned when she said the word ‘fun’, wondering if it had been newly introduced into her vocabulary. His eye caught a glimpse of something and he saw that it was a small mouse wearing a jester suit, complete with the little hat and everything. He smiled, wondering why on Earth it was dressed like that, when he had the feeling that maybe it didn’t like its appearance too much. His smile fading, he felt bad for the little guy. Which was odd, given his notions on pity. But there it was. They reached Ravenclaw House after what seemed like no time at all, Dylan listening to Dee closely throughout her entire monologue and his smile growing ever more prominent. The portrait swung open for them at the sound of the password and before he knew it, D’rorah was up the stairs and out of sight, with a promise to return. And return she did, carrying with her several large tomes that she promptly placed onto a table with a noticeable amount of enthusiasm. Smiling, he walked forward and took one of the seats in front of the table, allowing himself to get comfortable before beginning what promised to be a rather long night up. The fire gave off a calming effect which, adding to his current amount of relaxation, almost made him want to fall asleep right there. He had a habit of doing that, lately. |
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Sept 18, 2007 22:19:33 GMT -5
Selecting two texts from the stack she had brought in, D'rorah placed them on the table in front of Dylan with a notebook of blank parchment and an extra quill. "These are the French and German accounts. I thought perhaps while you work on those, I will continue with the other translations. Now, really, all we need are notes. Just make English notations of anything in the texts that you think might be important." She passed him another notebook, thick with notes in her own neat, clipped handwriting. "This may be helpful for cross-referencing. Of course, if you require any assistance, I shall be right here, so do not hesitate to ask."
With that, she opened a tome written in Galatian and began quickly scribbling away in a notebook, making notes as she read. From time to time, she would pause over a word or concept which had no direct translation, seeking a suitable English corollary. At these pauses, the English would be accompanied by a note in Galatian with the original word or phrase so that she would have the source information easily accessible when re-reading her notes later.
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Post by Dylan Cooper on Sept 18, 2007 22:41:30 GMT -5
"Okay," he said excitedly, flicking through the first few pages of the French text, taking the extra notebook from her hands. "Nice writing..." he said, admiring it. He'd always detested the messy scrawling that passed for writing in this school; not many people had decent penmanship these days. Taking up the quill before him, he opened the French book and began reading, writing down notes wherever he saw it was appropriate. In particular, he looked for any mention of the Shadow Mage, and more importantly, the weaknesses of it, bearing in mind what D'rorah had said earlier.
Continuing his work, his eyes would occasionally flick up to look into the fire or at his watch, even though he wasn't particularly interested in the time. The text before him was rather enlightening and beginning to help him understand even more so the plight in front of the Shadow Warriors and Elemental Masters. He wondered for a while about where the last Master could be, that of the element Earth. Racking his brain while he was still translating and noting things down, he could still think of no-one that 'fit the bill', as one might say.
Sometimes referencing Dee's own notebook to aid him in his translation, he ploughed on, actually finding himself enjoying this immensly. Ever-constant was the scratching of D'rorah's quill, and his mind wandered for a minute or so, flicking back through all of the moments of the night that stuck out in his head. Strange though it might seem, after seeing her scarred forearm for the second time he was not put off of his task. He was not afraid, not scared. He thought he should be, but his mind was just not worried. Partly, perhaps, because of his currently close proximity to D'rorah. She managed to set him at ease that way, in a way no-one but his mother or father had ever done. Smiling slightly, he continued noting things down in his own elegant script.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Sept 18, 2007 22:55:03 GMT -5
D'rorah glanced up appreciatively as Dylan commented on her handwriting. "Thank you," she replied with a smile. Like him, she had found few who cared enough to write legibly, but she felt it was nearly impossible to communicate an idea effectively if one could not make out the handwriting in which it was presented.
She completely lost track of time while working on her text. She did not glance up, but merely continued urging her quill as it skittered and danced across her parchment. Finally, she was forced to pause, not by any confusion or tiredness, but merely because her ink pot had run out. She had scratched out nearly a whole sentence with no ink whatsoever before noticing. Setting her quill aside, she looked up at the clock on the far wall.
"Oh my," she said, looking over at Dylan. "Are you aware that it is nearly two o'clock in the morning?" she asked quietly. "You may leave off whenever you are ready, please do not allow me to keep you from your bed." She looked across at the notebook he had been working in and smiled appreciatively. "Such gracious penmanship. How far have you progressed with the texts?" Rising from her chair, she came around to his side of the table and bent over his shoulder as she skimmed through his notes. "Excellent," she said quietly, almost to herself. "Oh, would that I had found you sooner to assist in this endeavor, Mister Cooper," as she said it, the name came out almost playfully, lacking its usual air of formality.
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Post by Dylan Cooper on Sept 18, 2007 23:10:05 GMT -5
Hearing a pause in the scratching of D'rorah's quill, he looked up at her and found her looking right back, exclaiming quietly. Laughing lightly, he too checked the clock. "Why no. Time sure flies when you're having fun," he said, meaning it. Normally he was to be found asleep in the Common Room much earlier in the evening, but normally he wasn't as interested in his work as he was right now. Supposing that it was because he was enjoying it so much he wasn't tired, he shook his head from side to side. "I'm alright, this is actually quite captivating." he replied, not feeling that he was being kept against his will at all. He would be very sad indeed when he finally had to go to his own dorm, in fact.
Smiling at how pleased she seemed, he was slightly anxious about her leaning over his shoulder. He didn't know what to do, to be quite honest. Dylan Cooper, boy genius, out of ideas. Well that's convenient timing. "Why Miss Philosophy," he began, a fake look of surprise evident on his features. "I thought we'd abolished this title nonsense." he said, teasing her.
With her at such a close proximity, even more so than when they'd sat together in the tower, his senses were clouded with the faint scent that came with her. It was actually quite nice, as far as scents went. You never knew what smells would be associated with people or beings around Hogwarts. Spilt potions, food remnants, fertiliser. No, you never knew.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Sept 18, 2007 23:26:29 GMT -5
D'rorah actually laughed, a very rare occasion and certainly not something that had occurred recently, she actually laughed. "Are you teasing me, Dylan Cooper?" she asked, swatting his shoulder lightly. After a moment her laughter had faded, but her eyes still twinkled with it as she spoke again. "Well, if you care to continue, I will not stop you... though, I suppose technically I should. I see in addition to a fellow linguist, I have found a fellow workaholic," she concluded sagely.
Taking the seat next to him, she skimmed over a few more lines of his translation. "Really, it goes very nicely with the other works. It is more of the same information, but I do find this point of view enlightening. The author goes into great detail regarding his attempts to locate his Shadow Warrior and the other Elemental Masters... though he did not actually locate any of them. Still, his observations regarding the Element of Water are quite interesting." Reaching across the table for the notebook she had been working in, she flipped back through a handful of pages and set her notes alongside Dylan's. "You see the high correlation between the two texts, even though there is a difference of fifteen centuries between them? Quite remarkable."
She looked over at him. "Have you any questions about anything you have encountered thus far? I would be more than happy to provide any clarification I am able."
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Post by Dylan Cooper on Sept 18, 2007 23:44:28 GMT -5
For the first time Dylan had heard, Dee laughed. It was a lovely laugh, in his opinion, and she ought to do it more. There, he had a plan of action. "Teasing? Why no, D'rorah, would I do that?" he said, the attempt at a frown ruined by the grin playing on his lips. Receiving a small brush on the shoulder for his troubles, he laughed, forgetting for a moment that people might be trying to sleep.
"Yes well, we all have our faults," he said, responding to her comment, a small smirk still adorning his features. She sat down beside him and for some silly reason he blushed. What on Earth? "I thought they were quite interesting myself," he said, referring to the authors views on the Water element and glad to have a topic of neutral conversation. D'rorah set their notes together and he saw exactly what she meant; the similarities were clearly evident despite the difference in era.
She looked back at him then, and asked him a question that largely passed over his head. "What? Oh... No, i'm going fine, thanks." he said, nervous. "I um..." Oh blast, what was he about to say? He searched his mind, hoping to remember soon and save some face. He certainly didn't feel like showing Dee his idiotic side; not tonight, anyway.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Sept 19, 2007 0:04:29 GMT -5
D'rorah noticed a blush creep into Dylan's cheeks as she took a seat next to him. Though it confused her, she gave no sign that she had noticed. However, when he started grasping for words because of her question, she decided to do what she could to alleviate his stress. "Excellent then. I thought the text was fairly straightforward, but I thought it wise to offer any clarification I was able."
She noticed now that she had some sort of affect on him and found that knowledge intriguing. She had known people before who had found her intimidating, but this seemed to be rather different. She found herself noticing many things about the young man sitting next to her, as a matter of fact, his quiet smiles and unassuming manner... and the way he managed to put her at ease. She could think of only two people she had ever felt this relaxed around before, and they were her parents. Her brain whirred for a moment as she came to the realization that she was attracted to the him. And that realization immediately made her a bit uncomfortable, as she had never before even considered such an attitude towards another. This was a time when she wished for a female friend or a mother... surely such a person would have some sort of viable advice to offer at the moment.
She fiddled with her quill for a moment as her mind worked. She tended to be a straightforward person, and Dylan seemed much the same... but was this the sort of thing one would be straightforward about? She recalled readily how greatly she despised the twittering nonsense of other girls her age as they rambled on and on about the subversive games they played with their male classmates. But then, she had only just met Dylan, why risk ruining what was only now beginning as a friendship for something she didn't quite understand?
All of this thought occurred in the space of mere seconds and somehow, though she would later be mystified as to exactly how the process had occurred, culminated in a swift kiss to the cheek of the boy sitting next to her.
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Post by Dylan Cooper on Sept 19, 2007 0:21:25 GMT -5
Coughing lightly, he found no words to back up his previous beginnings of a sentence. Dee continued talking and soon after she finished, there was a brief pause that consisted of only seconds. He noticed her fiddling with her quill; something that Dylan himself did when he was nervous. He wondered at that for a moment, but it wasn't long after he'd begun pondering this action that he felt a soft, wet touch on his cheek. Slightly baffled for a moment, he realised that he'd just been kissed.
Smiling like a schoolboy (well yes, technically he was a schoolboy), one much younger than himself, he swallowed purposefully, giving his brain time to catch up with his mouth. "Dee..." he said, using her nickname instead of her full name for a reason. He was confused. He didn't know what to do. Obviously his affections were returned, but... Did he want to risk ruining this blossoming friendship? He wanted to be able to talk to her about anything, more than anything, and what if... What if whatever this was made sure that never happened? He'd never found anyone like D'rorah, and thought it unlikely to happen again. He bit his lip ever-so-slightly and turned his head to look at her. He found her lovely grey eyes and held them for but a moment, before kissing her in return. Not on the cheek, mind.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Sept 19, 2007 0:37:06 GMT -5
D'rorah wasn't certain how her mind had coordinated her physical movements or what thought process had resulted in that swift kiss on the cheek. As soon as she puled back, she noted the look of confusion on Dylan's face and heard him speak her name in a confused manner, sending her heart leaping into her throat. There, she had somehow put herself on the line without actually deciding to do so and had managed to create awkwardness between them. A million words of apology raced through her head, anything to excuse her behavior, but before any of them could reach her lips, Dylan did. It was a quick kiss, actually her first, if truth were told. Nonetheless, she felt all at once as though the very breath had been stolen from her lungs.
She opened her eyes, finding herself face to face with this exceptional young man who shared her interests and whose manner seemed to compliment her own, and found herself smiling. "Dylan," she said quietly, an ironic smile blossoming across her face. "I have a confession to make..." she paused, reaching out to grasp his hand. "Until it happened, I believe that may have been the most frightening moment of my life. We both seem to be full of surprises today, do we not?"
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Post by Dylan Cooper on Sept 19, 2007 1:05:04 GMT -5
That kiss was a quick action, but evidently, also a very good one. D'rorah had upon her face the nicest smile, and it was infectious, not that he'd had much trouble finding a smile tonight. Dylan smiled a rather charming smile that was hidden away for special occasions, and his first kiss was certainly such an occasion.
Her hand found his own and he continued looking into her eyes as she began to talk, smiling slightly once more as she announced her confession. "Surely I'm not that scary," he said jokingly with an expression of mock surprise. "You certainly are a very surprising woman, D'rorah," he teased, his eyes roaming over her features, surveying them.
He felt the warmth of both the fire and Dee's touch flowing through him, both of which were comforting him beyond belief. He thought briefly of their translation work, lying forgotten for the moment, and chose to not bring it up, not wishing to let go of this particular moment.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Sept 19, 2007 1:18:25 GMT -5
"Not that you are scary," she replied, amused. "Just that... well, this is all new territory for me," she admitted. "You are surprising as well... pleasantly so," she added with a smile. She sat with him for several moments, simply enjoying things as they were. Briefly, her thoughts strayed to her notes, but it was already so late... and she had so much to learn about the intriguing young man before her.
Suddenly, the clock struck three, breaking through the strange energy that bound her eyes to his. "Really, we should be off to bed," she said, reluctantly. "With any luck though, I believe I might see you tomorrow... if you are so inclined," she added, with a teasing smile.
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Post by Dylan Cooper on Sept 19, 2007 1:36:16 GMT -5
Smiling himself silly, a small laugh escaped his lips at her words. With the clock turning it's hands to the three and the twelve, D'rorah suggested going to bed, meaning a separation he had not been looking forward to at all, and even less so after the recent developments between the two students.
Looking to their work, he assumed D'rorah would like to keep his notes with hers and began to pile them all together, making sure to keep them in order. The fire was burning extremely low and was in fact nearly out, signalling the true end of the night for him as he gathered the final things together, placing their quills onto the stack. "I'd carry these for you, but well... I don't think those stairs would agree," he said, grinning and remembering how he'd discovered their slide mechanism.
After gathering their notes, he gathered himself together, trying to control his thoughts that were currently flying everywhere through his head. "Tomorrow it is," he said with a pleasant smile, extending a hand to help her up.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Sept 19, 2007 1:45:38 GMT -5
"You may be correct about the stairs, and that grin belies some sort of experience. Though truly, I am afraid to ask... besides, even if they were not a barrier, what sort of example would I be setting for the other students to have a male in the female dormitory? Absolutely scandalous."
She accepted his offered hand with a smile of appreciation. "And so many times I have caught myself believing chivalry to be a lost art," she remarked with a smirk. Gratefully, she accepted the books that he had gathered for her. She turned back to him one last time and kissed him softly, "sweet dreams, Mister Cooper," she replied with a quiet smile before turning and disappearing through the door into her dormitory.
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Post by Dylan Cooper on Sept 19, 2007 2:48:45 GMT -5
Laughing quietly and showing his eyes the ground, his hair flopped in front of his face, swinging back and forth. "Ah, the art of the knights is not lost quite yet," he said with a cheeky smirk. He'd always been taught by his mother to be a gentleman to any woman he came across. Indeed, D'rorah was the first woman he had come across in this school of wizardry and witchcraft, excluding the professors.
As he thought of this, Dee turned back to face him and gave him one last kiss for the night, causing butterflies to arise in his stomach, flapping and fluttering everywhere. She bade him the cutest little goodnight and he returned it as best as he was able, all of his breath having just escaped his body. "A good night to you, Miss Philosophy," he said, smiling and watching her retreating figure.
Ensuring that no eyes but the ones coming from the walls were watching him, he allowed himself a quick spin on the balls of his feet, letting out the joy that he currently felt. The feelings that had been building up inside of him all night, the feelings that Dee had triggered in him had been released in the best way possible. Feeling absolutely delighted at the circumstances, he found his way to his own dorm room, not able to forget her laugh for hours.
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