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Post by Declan Fletcher on Nov 6, 2012 20:52:21 GMT 10
It had been a spur of the moment thing, he'd been on his way back into the castle when Declan had spotted the Whomping Willow and something that he'd never really taken notice of before. He'd spotted a little mouse scampering around on the ground by some stroke of luck and at first it was something that he'd found odd, especially considering the tree was still swaying calmly in the breeze. That was when Declan realised that the mouse was moving as slow as it was to avoid detection and it seemed to be working, which was even more interesting.
Although he was incredibly interested to see just what the breaking point was for the old tree, Declan settled himself in the grass instead, leaning forward to study the mouse, thinking this might be the best way to learn about it without ruining what was going on.
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Post by Vivienne Coffey on Nov 6, 2012 21:09:54 GMT 10
Vivienne was on her way to the Herbology classroom, she needed to pick up one of the books required for the class.
Normally nothing deterred her from her chosen path, but today was a different story. Her mind was wandering, as it sometimes did, and she couldn't keep her eyes strictly focused on the greenhouse. It was odd, yes, but it never hurt to take a good look at life going on around you. Sometimes she found it quite beneficial.
That's when she spotted someone near the Whomping Willow. In her mind, it was nearly suicide to be so close to it. However, curiosity got the best of her, and she found herself slowly approaching the person. She at least wanted to know his motives for being so close.
She stood a few feet behind him, clutching her books across her chest. "I hope I'm not intruding. But may I ask what you're doing?" It was certainly a bold move on her part.
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Post by Declan Fletcher on Nov 6, 2012 21:19:38 GMT 10
The funny thing about concentrating on something was that it actually distracted you from everything else going on around you. Concentration being the end to other concentration, how weird. None the less, that was exactly what happened to Declan as he sat down by the Whomping Willow and this gave everyone any chance they wanted to sneak up on him, which it seemed was exactly what was to happen. He couldn't help but be...Well, not quite startled, but something along those lines anyway.
'No, you may not' He responded firmly once that brief moment of shock had worn off. He wasn't being rude, that was just how Declan was. He believed in minding your own business and this was, without a doubt, a strong display of exactly the opposite. Despite the fact that he'd not torn his gaze away from the mouse this whole time, Declan knew what was coming next, even without looking at the girl who had spoken, or at least he thought he did, anyway. It seemed that with most people telling them no only invited them to be more curious and so he waited for it, positive that it was coming and already plotting exactly how he was going to tell her to mind her own business or at least to be more sneaky about what she wanted to learn.
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Post by Vivienne Coffey on Nov 6, 2012 22:39:11 GMT 10
She always tried to be polite and friendly. Vivienne wasn't as sociable as a Hufflepuff or brave like one of the Gryffindor house. She was smart, and always chose her words wisely. Being rude was the last thing on her mind.
Nosy? Sure, maybe a little. It was his business, not hers. He never turned from his pose, not even after she talked to him. His reply was short and curt. Vivienne was thoroughly shocked. She blinked in surprise, thinking the boy would at least be a little more personable.
Vivienne quickly regained her composure, loosened her tight grip on the book, and put on a smile. "Alright then." She replied, turning only halfway around.
That's when she caught sight of something around the tree. She peered at it, amazed it hadn't disturbed the tree. So that's what he's looking at..
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Post by Declan Fletcher on Nov 7, 2012 14:12:52 GMT 10
Well that was a slight shock to the system, that was for sure. Declan had expected for her to bite back, to say something in protest to what he'd told her and yet she just accepted it and fell silent. This was a very rare thing for him to experience and that was, without a doubt, why it came as such a shock to him. It was a pleasant shock, there was no question about it though, and perhaps that was why he didn't feel himself getting cranky or upset when he didn't hear her walking away. In fact, perhaps it was her reaction that actually had him offering something up next.
'Funny, isn't it, how nature learns to adapt to a situation' He breathed carefully, not sure if she'd caught on to what he was watching but figuring it hardly mattered if she had or not. After all, it was a general enough question and he figured she'd have something to comment on. Or maybe he'd get lucky and she'd have something worthwhile to contribute to the conversation. There was, after all, a bit difference between the two, or there was in his opinion.
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Post by Vivienne Coffey on Nov 7, 2012 22:38:35 GMT 10
Vivienne had always been fascinated with animals and the way they thought, how they did things, and so on. She didn't study them or anything, but it never failed to interest her.
The mouse was quiet and slow, and it hasn't disturbed the tree. She cocked her head to the side as she looked at it. It certainly was odd, and she understood why someone would be so taken by the thought of it. It made her want to try, but Vivienne knew better than to press her luck.
The boy asked a question, and her eyes flickered to him. He was suddenly a bit more sociable, that was a shocker. "It has so much courage. Smart, too. Do you think it's a learned or inherited trait?"
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Post by Declan Fletcher on Nov 8, 2012 6:39:15 GMT 10
Rhetorical questions. It was hilarious to Declan that some people just didn't get the concept of them, not that he really showed his amusement very well. All besides the point though, he supposed, because she'd responded with another question for him and he supposed he had no choice but to answer her now that he'd struck up some form of conversation. Silly thing to do, really, but hell, there was always the possibility that she'd raise a good point or two.
'I'm not sure about courage. I think it's more a necessity to live. I figure it's more a learned trait though, because it's not like you or I were born fearing the Whomping Willow, it's something that we've learnt to fear since being introduced to it' Declan commented, feeling this were adequate.
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Post by Vivienne Coffey on Nov 8, 2012 8:44:58 GMT 10
He made valid points, and she shifted her weight from foot to foot as she contemplated the idea. It was a mouse, not a person. Naturally there would be some significant differences between the two. "A need to survive, I can see that. But the mouse has most likely lived in these parts for all of it's life, and I expect it's relatives have too. It's not been introduced to the tree like we have. It couldn't learn from experience, as one blow would kill it. It really is fascinating."
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Post by Declan Fletcher on Nov 8, 2012 8:52:11 GMT 10
'Perhaps not from it's own experiences but I dare say it's seen the tree brutalise other things in it's life' Declan retorted, positive that the mouse couldn't have simply been born knowing not to go near the tree. It was like lion cubs, for example. Sure, the instinct to kill to survive was there, but the hunting itself was a lesson taught by their mothers. The same really should go for any other animal, or at least it should in Declan's opinion and so that was what he was sticking with, even if some girl happened to disagree with him.
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Post by Vivienne Coffey on Nov 11, 2012 23:45:40 GMT 10
She nodded in agreement. Vivienne didn't know the boy very well, but he was certainly smart, she had to give him that. She could see him being a Ravenclaw, and yet Slytherin suited him just as well. "You're right. Well, maybe the tree has something to do with it. Some beings build a tolerance to one another, do you suppose it's possible that the tree and the mouse tolerate one another? I mean, it's a possibility."
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Post by Declan Fletcher on Nov 11, 2012 23:59:58 GMT 10
'One way to find out' Declan grinned, pulling out his wand and aiming it at the mouse. Truthfully this was what he'd spent so much time sitting here observing for, because one way or another he was going to find out whether the tree and the mouse really did get along or not, that had been the objective this whole time. Of course he was putting his money on the fact that they didn't, but like she'd just stated, the possibility was always there and so without another word he sent sparks flying towards the mouse, hoping this would get the small creature moving a bit quicker, thus potentially getting the tree's attention and then giving them an answer once and for all.
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Post by Vivienne Coffey on Nov 12, 2012 0:55:02 GMT 10
When she asked her question, she certainly didn't expect to get that response. Vivienne didn't want to watch what would happen, because there was a chance that the tree would let into the mouse and kill it in an instant. As he pulled out his wand, her eyes widened. "You really don't have to do that.." But her words were in vain. Before she could really protest, sparks were sent flying in the direction of the mouse.
Vivienne pulled the book up to her face, shielding it from the tree. "I can't watch." Seeing an animal get killed was the last thing on her agenda.
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Post by Declan Fletcher on Nov 12, 2012 1:01:09 GMT 10
Declan, ignoring her comment about not being able to watch, kept his eyes glued on the mouse, not wanting to lose sight of it in fear of not knowing whether it would survive or not. Of course the moment the mouse took off across the grass the tree seemed to really come to life, swinging its branches around before bringing them crashing down onto the ground, missing the mouse by mere inches. Neither stopped there though, the tree swinging down again while the mouse kept running for the perimeter as Declan simply sat there and watched.
'Well, I suppose that gives us our answer' He murmured before waving his wand, causing the mouse to fly towards him, squeaking frantically. It wasn't so much to reassure her as it was to keep doing his tests, but the potential crossed his mind and so he left it suspended in mid air as he waited for the tree to stop moving once again.
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Post by Vivienne Coffey on Nov 12, 2012 1:13:34 GMT 10
When she heard the branches crack and come to life, Vivienne was almost positive the poor mouse was done for. She listened as he spoke, and Vivienne was left speechless.
After a minute or so, she removed the book from her face to see what had happened. The mouse, alive and well, was suspended in mid-air. The tree was still angered, but the mouse was out of harm's way. "Well then, I guess I was wrong about the tolerance." She said. She had no problem admitting she was wrong. "I never got your name. I'm Vivienne."
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Post by Declan Fletcher on Nov 12, 2012 1:25:01 GMT 10
'Perhaps' Declan shrugged, not necessarily saying she was completely wrong, just thinking that in this instance she had been. Who knew, on a different day the whole thing might have ended differently. That was the thing about experiments, they were just that and you never knew what contributing factors might change the outcome.
'Declan' He responded somewhat offhand, not really paying attention to her name as the tree stilled once more and he found himself focusing on placing the mouse back down where it had been before, curious to see whether it would panic and possibly get itself killed or keep its head and remember to move slowly.
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