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On the edge of the castle grounds lies a narrow stone aqueduct, winding towards the cliffs and hills beyond Penwick. Once used to carry water from a distant spring into the heart of the school, it has long dried up. Now, only rainwater goes through the shallow channel. About a kilometer long and five meters wide, the walk is named for the unique magical phenomenon that happens there. Or, rather, the lack thereof. Spells cast within the space will simply fail, magically innate abilities such as The Sight no longer function, and lycanthropes don't transform into a werewolf during a full moon.
This wasn’t the first time Tristan had snuck out, but it was definitely the furthest. He was aware that it was getting later, but he wasn’t going to miss out on getting a good view of this lunar phenomenon.
While flying with Devon earlier during the week, he had been able to spot the waxing moon slowly culminating to its fullness. Since then, he had been searching for the perfect destination for his upcoming nightly excursion.
In the Modron common room, Tristan had overheard a few older kids whispering something about heading out the following weekend to the Unspelled Walk. It was his first time hearing about it, but it sounded like one of those secret spots only locals knew about, like a secret lagoon or an underground tunnel system. He was really hoping it wasn’t the latter. Otherwise, his stargazing adventure would come to an end pretty quickly. Without much time to scout ahead, Tristan decided that he would have to risk it.
When the evening of the exciting day arrived, he kept an eye on the trio who had unknowingly tipped him off to their extracurricular ventures.
There was a world in which he might have gone to ask the girls if he could join them. However, that would entail a world where a 1st year boy could survive the glare of very persnickety 4th year ladies without risking social suicide. Being as he didn’t really believe in that, he decided to opt for the less weird option of covertly following them from a distance without getting spotted.
With the glint of a setting sun descending over the crest of the mountain range, the party of three (secretly four) wanderers threaded along the paths leading away from Penwick and heading towards the cliffs further off. Marvelous sights carried by golden strands of sunlight flooded Tristan’s emerald eyes. The Snowdonia mountain range truly was a sight to behold. Its expanse was definitely picturesque as seen through the glass windows of the Aderyn. Nonetheless, there was something truly enchanting about admiring the grand breadth of land with your two feet anchored to its soil.
It became quickly apparent what the final destination of this short pilgrimage was.
The silhouette of stone arches stood against the dimming sky like a fence made to hold giants out. The massive structure was imposing and continued to impress as the visitors got closer.
A lot more confident in his destination, Tristan broke off from following his impromptu guides and aimed to get to the upper level of the construction. If he could get to the top, he would have the perfect view of the moon tonight.
Tristan slowly strayed off the beaten path and tried to find a good ledge where he could climb up towards his optimal viewpoint. After much effort, he had gotten much closer to the stone foundation, but he still had much to do to get more altitude. The fact that the sunlight was slowly decreasing was cause for a little worry to start increasing. He glanced around, trying to see if there was another option.
Doing so, from up where he was, Tristan noticed a figure lying down under the fading hues of an oak tree's leaves. It seemed like the trio weren't the only ones who had hiked out to this area. Recognizing hints of navy on this newfound figure down below, Tristan realized that he had once again joined another Modron student; unwittingly, this time…
Oh no. He had seen her before. She had been seated near him during the sorting ceremony.
She had seemed nice, but he didn't want someone recognizing him right now. Rumours about Tristan Verona sneaking out were something he wanted to avoid. Although he was probably more at fault than she was.
The ground where she lay was covered in moss, and the 5th year seemed to be mostly comfortable. It looked like she had set herself up really well, actually. This probably wasn’t her first time doing this.
For the simple reason of wanting to leave her peace undisturbed and definitely not because he was a bit nervous around older kids, Tristan started to make his way further down the ledge away from the tree.
Or at least, he tried to. Unfortunately, the ground on which he had set his foot suddenly didn’t have the solidity of ground anymore.
He followed the direction of his escapist foot, tumbling down the cliff, and found himself, crash-landing a few feet from the person he had been trying to leave alone. Tristan held all the dignity that someone who falls to the ground unintentionally might have left.
Still feeling the abject absence of air in his chest and with dazed blue pupils peering straight up at the reddish sky, he let out with a weak voice:
Back then, she used to enjoy the short moment of peace of watching the stars and the moon fill up the dark skies once night time falls. Now, it only fills her with dread and disgust. When did the full moon start looking so hideous when she used to look at it with awe? That was, of course, a stupid question for she knows exactly when it did. How could she ever forget the tragedy that changed her and her family’s lives forever. The moon above was her constant reminder so even if she tries to forget, she won't, not ever. Not when it causes her constant pain whenever it approaches. Not when it reminds her of the precious life that was lost because of her. Not when, without this sacred place, she would turn into a beast that knows nothing but to hunt and kill, only repressed by a concoction that's awful to the taste.
“There's nothing beautiful about you.” Raizel hissed, getting sick and tired of hearing people praising it for its beauty, of them wanting to watch it along with the stars. Kind of funny if someone hears that from her when she looked like she came prepared to bathe under its light with how she secured a peaceful spot to lie down under the shade of a tree. She even had a tent set up nearby. To other people, it might looked like she came here for stargazing when in reality, it was only to prevent the curse of lycanthropy from taking over her sanity. Well, guess that's a lot better than people figuring out she wasn't your average person but a monster. The girl closed her eyes, the sight of the moon started becoming so frustrating the more she stares at it and she doesn't need more emotions to feel when she was already a mess. She just hopes this evening would pass quickly and peacefully.
Thud
She spoke too soon.
Of all the places someone would crash land into, it just has to be in front of her. Normally, she would've stood up and straight out ask if they were alright and even help them up but no, not this time. Whoever this person was instead got met by a glare from this girl who certainly looked like she wasn't in the mood for anything other than being left alone and yes, if looks could kill, then perhaps she might've murdered someone already. What ticked her off was his question.
You here to watch the full moon too?
She scoffed, sitting upright with one knee raised and arm sitting right on top of it with her gaze now on the full moon above with a hint of hatred. “No. I have no interest in it.” Not like she wanted to be here in the first place. This was the only place where she could be herself during this dreaded evening. When she looked at the boy, her expression didn't changed at all. Who is this guy anyway? She squinted her eyes as if that would help in recognizing who this boy was. He looks familiar but at the same time, he doesn't. No matter, that's probably not the most important one right now. “You came to stargaze? You better find a different spot, you won't be able to enjoy it here.” That was the best she could do to tell people to leave her alone and for the boy to find a better spot before everything gets occupied. Knowing what other people like, this place would be crawling with students wanting to watch the moon and stars all night even if they go past curfew. Then again, with how quiet this place that she just picked, it might just be the best one if you want to stargaze on your own.
Tristan’s fall didn’t make for a great introduction. He wasn’t one for dramatic flair but a head full of broken twigs and leaves, and a face full of dirt could easily be qualified as embarrassing, especially in front of a 5th year. Thankfully, the apparent lack of a helping hand meant that the occupant of the space he had rudely crashed into had barely looked at him.
Any hope of redirecting the awkwardness of the intrusion to the celestial bodies was also a fruitless endeavour, apparently.
No. I have no interest in it.
That was weird, right? What else could she be out here for? Maybe Modron kids sneaking out was more common than he had realized. It’s not like he hadn’t… Never mind that, it was the no interest part that his curiosity had latched on to. The way she had said it sounded a bit more intentional rather than nonchalant.
His mind started trying to perceive the reason behind the words before being reminded by his body that he had embraced the ground with significant force. The act of getting up had proven a bit more difficult than expected, and a lingering soreness indicated that Tristan might want to take a moment before journeying again. Unfortunately, his unwilling host didn’t seem to be in much a welcoming mood…
Nervously, Tristan walked a few steps forward, not fully limping but cautiously making sure he didn’t move unnecessarily.
“Is it okay if I, uh, stay here for a few minutes? That fall was pretty intense.”
He suddenly remembered something and unlatched one of the pouches of the small bag he had packed for the excursion. He conjured up a few wrapped sweets he had swiped from their house’s common room, making sure to pick those that hadn’t been smooshed by the impact.
" It isn’t much, but we can share these if you’d like.”
He reached out, presenting the small peace offering. The young trespasser was hoping his interlocutor was more interested in chocolate than she was in the moon.
"I’m Tristan by the way. I'm really sorry for crashing into your camp."
So instead of leaving, the first year decided to hang around. That kind of beat the purpose of her trying to be alone. No matter, she simply had to ignore him and his stay was only temporary. Even so, that must've been a nasty fall if he needed to get his composure back. “Do whatever you want.” She didn't bother to drive him away further, she was too tired for anything else right now. She just hoped he wasn't gonna be too loud or something that's enough to ruin this peace that she had been wanting for quite some time now ever since the school year had started. If so, then maybe she could put more effort into intimidating him away from this place.
She studied him, his figure and his condition when he approached before she went back to gazing at the skies. That must've been a nasty fall if he needed to regain his composure. She was checking if it was bad enough for her to convince him to go get himself looked up by a professional healer. She could take him there herself, she was not that heartless to let someone hurt on their own but she couldn't, not tonight anyway. One step out of this place and her humanity will be gone in an instant. She doesn't want to cause trouble for the school either and get herself expelled. “Maybe a spell could…” She considered giving him a bit of healing but did she even bother to perfect any healing spells? No, healing spells weren't her thing. She deliberately forgot about them and now, kind of regretting it. She had to reconsider her thoughts on that one now.
It isn’t much, but we can share these if you’d like.
What's this? Some kind of peace offering? Raizel wondered in her mind as her attention shifted from the skies to the boy once again. Perhaps he’s not as annoying as she thought he would be. “Tristan…” Huh? She stared for a few seconds. “Tristan Verona?” The only reason the name stuck was that he was seated near her during the sorting ceremony and she did take some notes on who ended up in Modron just like that transfer student who seemed like delinquent. So she knew a ‘Tristan’ but this one doesn't seem to resemble the one that she sees in the passing in their common rooms. Not entirely but just seemed different.
As much as he had gotten used to hearing the name, it was surprising to hear it come from the mouth of an older student. It felt like a reversal of the situation. He thought that it was supposed to be the other way around. The ones that had been at Penwick for years were the ones with reputation, with stories. Tristan Verona was still a story in the making.
He wondered where she had heard his name. Had there been any rumours of his misadventures going around? If Tristan ended up in the school newspaper, that would be far from ideal. He should grab a copy from time to time just in case.
What exactly had she heard about him? He hoped it wasn’t embarrassing or anything… The snack he shared would be useless if she already thought he was lame.
He was trying… Why wasn’t that enough? Did others think the same? Did the name Tristan Verona taste bitter on the tongue in the halls of Penwick?
stop
breathe
The racing mind came to a halt as quickly as it had spiralled. If Tristan had been a little more objective, maybe he would’ve paused at the fact that, despite having fallen from a ledge, his thought process was harming him more than the fall had.
Without that introspective look, all he could do was rely on the classics. The view of a melting sky slowly welcoming the darkness, the unnatural silence of this place gently disturbed by the flow of air passing through cracks in the stone aqueduct near them, the feel of soft moss under his feet.
Everything slowed down, and in the few seconds that the cycle had started and ended, he reordered his thoughts.
It wasn’t that complicated. He hadn’t met another Tristan in their house yet. She must have heard it from another student or even during attendance. Simple as that.
Looking at his interlocutor, he reprimanded himself. Her face didn’t reveal much about what she thought about him, but it clearly wasn’t a lot. Definitely not enough to merit a pathetic mental breakdown whatever the case. Stupid brain. He truly was so dumb sometimes.
“ Well, I didn’t expect a 5th year to know my name. What’s yours? so I can return the favour.”
…
He fiddled with his wrapper a bit before finally getting the chocolate sweet out. The taste of sugar provided a bit of comfort against his clumsiness.
He wasn’t good at this.
Somehow, he had managed to make at least one friend so far. It was a wonder Devi still wanted to hang out with him, given how much he had messed up last time. He was still around, though, so maybe Tristan wasn’t a complete failure yet.
He felt a bit small around the older student. The current setup around them was proof enough that this wasn’t her first time camping out here. She knew what she was doing. He imagined that she must be pretty confident if she snuck out often. Sure, Tristan had also snuck out a few times in the first two months, but his gravity-induced incidents hadn’t contributed to any sense of coolness whatsoever.
Not being interested in the moon was definitely a bit weird, but being out here on the night of a blood moon in spite of said disinterest almost felt like defiance towards the celestial bodies. Very Cool.
“I didn't expect myself to remember to be honest.” She admitted with a shrug. Truth be told, this 5th year was bad with names that she sometimes forgot the names of her own classmates if they weren't intriguing enough so even if she did take some notes on someone, eventually, she will forget about them. “Guess the sorting ceremony just happened to be fresh in my mind that I could still remember." That and as a fellow Modron student, she sometimes saw him on the passing which helped her in remembering him, especially when names were mentioned. Yes, she was more attentive than others think she was. The default uninterested look on her face just makes it seem like she wasn't, one of the perks of a silent observer. Aside from that, there was nothing else she knew. She doesn't delve too deep into someone's backstory or even try to gain information on them deliberately. What is she? A stalker? And besides, their business is theirs. The only time she will do so and find dirt on someone is if they try to get her involved in their feuds and it starts affecting her personally or someone close to her.
“Raizel Voltrouz.” She answered his question. It was only fair to tell him who she was since she already knew who he was but still. This Tristan Verona seemed… unusual than how she remembered him or perhaps her memory was just that bad, gaslighting herself. She sat up, looked at the first year before her and began to study him once more. “Say, you look… different…” She uttered, squinting her eyes as if it’ll help her distinguish what was different with him when in fact, it doesn't and it just made her look like she was glaring and intimidating him. Maybe he did his hair differently? Probably forgot to use cosmetics? Well, that doesn't matter anyway. She sighed, standing up to stretch her arms and legs for a bit. She had been sitting for quite a while now and she'll be here until she knew it was safe to go back.
“I suggest getting yourself checked up later. You don't want any permanent damage to you after that fall.” Raizel suggested.
"Guess the sorting ceremony just happened to be fresh in my mind that I could still remember.”
Oh, the sorting ceremony made way more sense. Tristan was relieved. He didn’t have to worry about anything. He let out of sigh. Raizel didn’t really know much about him.
“Say, you look… different…”
Tristan’s heart dropped. It was that sickening kind of emptiness where fears and stomachaches met in an uncomfortable amalgamation. Raizel’s gaze was piercing and inquisitive. The notion of his flesh being peeled back, revealing muscles, nerves, and bones alike, came to the surface of his thoughts.
Instinctively, he passed his right hand through his hair, a reassuring mannerism he had developed throughout the years. Instead of strands of straight hair, his fingers felt the distinct spiralling of curls that weren’t supposed to be there.
His eyes widened ever so slightly. Tristan was trying his best to recover the state of calm he had only just entered a moment ago. Slowly, his hand dropped back down to his side.
When Raizel got up to stretch, he waited for the moment her eyes were turned elsewhere to throw another glance at his hand. He focused as he had done many times before and conjured up the image in his mind. Nothing. No shiver, no motion, no response. Tristan’s skin remained dormant just like his magic. Something was wrong with him.
Absently, he responded.
“Uh yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”
Maybe he had hit his head harder than he thought. Tristan was familiar with the hum of magic.The fall had been on his mind so much he hadn’t even noticed the vacuum left by its absence. Was this it? Had he just lost everything that made him who he was in a stupid accident? The idea pressed deeply against the walls of his heart. His thoughts shifted back to the one who had been at Penwick for longer than he had. He couldn’t have been the first to have lost his magical abilities. She probably knew what to do.
As Raizel turned back towards Tristan, she was met with the image of a young worried boy looking intently at his hand.
“I think there’s something wrong with my magic.”
The eyes he lifted towards Raizel held a silent plea for help. There was no veil on Tristan’s face. This was the most honest face he had worn since arriving at Penwick.
“Magic?" Just when her attention was starting to drift somewhere as she stretched her arms and legs, fighting off the growing feelings of numbness after sitting for quite a while, the boy mentioning about magic had brought it back to him. Her gaze fell on his head, his face then to his feet. As far as she could tell, he didn't cast any spells and no wand was in sight. “Were you trying to cast something?” It was possible. Wandless magic exists and so does the ability to cast them without saying a word but Tristan seemed too young for such high skills unless he was some sort of prodigy. Another closer look but this time, she tried to lessen the intensity, becoming aware of how scary it was getting stared at by a complete stranger and older students as well, especially when what she saw on his face was the look of someone with a silent plea for help. No, it doesn't look like he was casting any spell. Maybe he could tell with the atmosphere. With how many times she had stayed here, she had gotten used to the strange feeling the place comes with.
Answers, that was what he was seeking, to ease his worries from the looks of it especially when what you had been relying on had failed to manifest. You were so used to it that its absence made you feel uncomfortable, like a part of you had disappeared. His reaction was valid and something she could relate to as she too used to rely heavily on her spells. Without them, she felt vulnerable, helpless even but at the same time, it helped her discover how she had gotten too reliant on them.
She could tell from that reaction alone that this was his first time stepping foot into this place. “There's nothing wrong with it.” An assurance came first as she didn't want him to panic in case the situation got too much. “It's this place.” Might as well continue and explain what was going on. “Magic doesn't work here, not a single one. No matter how much you try, it won't manifest as far as I know.” How strong its negating powers was, that she doesn't know but it was strong enough to even negate the transformation brought by the Lycanthropy curse so it's strength was no joke. Now that she remembered, offering a healing spell would've made her look like an idiot. Good thing she didn't offer it in the first place. “Did you come here without knowing that?” She can bet he wandered here by accident just like how he crashed landed earlier.
It had never occurred to Tristan that a space in Penwick could be devoid of magic. The scent of spells and incantations tinted everything about Penwick. It was alive and flowing and beautiful and destructive and chaotic. This place felt as removed from Penwick as his dorm was from home. The fact that both could coexist in a state of unity was puzzling to the student who didn’t have a concussion… probably.
Speaking to Raizel was a rollercoaster of emotion for the nervous boy. One second, she would say something that would make him panic, and the next, it would be reassuring. There was no in-between.
Once she had explained this place to him, he found himself averting his eyes and staring at the ground, searching the moss for a bug he could relate to. He replayed the conversation in his head and realized that none of what she had said was out of the ordinary. She had even been kind, all things considered, even if she had every reason not to. Tristan had barged in (unceremoniously), invaded her campground (accidentally), had gotten hurt (hurtingly), and stayed around ruining her evening (unfortunately). It didn’t take a high intellect to deduce who the problem here was.
“I guess I know a lot less about this school than I thought I did.”
An unintentional red flush permeated his freckled cheeks, uncontrollable here much alike his current form. The embarrassment he felt had deep roots and there was nothing he could do about it. Tristan had a few tools at his disposal for this kind of situation, but somehow, here in this place, they were all out of reach.
Around the unlikely pairing, the setting sun had finished it’s descent and in the nighttime, the silver moon had risen to its heavenly throne. Soon, the earth’s shadow would cover up the surface of the celestial body and give way to the spectacular sight Tristan had come to observe in the first place, a blood moon.
He had chosen a place devoid of magic to experience a magical moment. The irony was palpable.
His thoughts naturally found their way back to the one who had given him undeserved grace.
Raizel wasn’t here for the event. She had made that abundantly clear. So why was she out here? Sure, she could be out camping for fun, but in any case, it didn’t look like she was enjoying herself. And if she was, why here? Of course, that was her business, and he didn’t need to know. However, given what he had just experienced, he couldn’t begin to imagine why someone would come here of their own will, especially if they knew. Tristan sure didn’t feel like coming back anytime soon. In the end, his curiosity won over his common sense, or lack thereof. Resting his head sideways on crossed arms atop little knees, he looked towards her and asked.
“Hey Raizel… You said there’s no magic here. Is that why you’re here?”
“Give it a week or so, you’ll probably learn a lot about it quicker than you expected.” A short reply before going back to where she was the moment the boy decided to crash uninvited in this spot that she thought no one would find. And then, nothing else, letting him take in whatever she had told him. What else was she supposed to tell him anyway? She had already relayed the most important part about the place they were in. Besides, she wasn't in the mood for more talk, not when the very reason she was here in the first place had finally taken its position up in the sky, the reason why she had to rely on this place to keep her human mind intact for the whole night under its mocking light.
She can't stand it. Looking at it filled her with rage. The curse, her failure, the tragedy… all coming back to her at once. “Sickening…” Frustration not just aimed towards it, but some of it directed towards herself, her faults. If she had run away that time then perhaps the curse wouldn't exist, a life could've been saved and their family, despite not being perfect, could still be complete. If she had made better choices back then, would she still be here now in this same situation? Perhaps she would've enjoyed the view of the night sky like she had always had along with her mother, looking for constellations that were visible to the eye with her.
“Hey Raizel… You said there’s no magic here. Is that why you’re here?”
The kid was smart, too smart perhaps for putting everything together despite not giving out that much of a clue for why she was here. She could be here for any other reasons like to get away from the stressful life within the dorms, to be alone and enjoy nature even if the moon disgusts her and yet, he went for that conclusion. Her eyes narrowed when she glanced at him, failing to restrain herself from showing her own annoyance even though it wasn't all directed towards the first year who had nothing to do with it. Well, he did came to this spot uninvited, ruined her peace in this dreadful night and joining her when all she wanted was to be alone as she doesn't have enough emotional capacity to deal with anyone and her mood was a mess from all the stress that built up during the week due to the incoming full moon. Maybe that did add to it, even more so now that he was starting to figure out the reason why she would be here in the first place.
But that's it. He still doesn't know about it, about the curse. And if he did… then perhaps he would leave her alone. No one would want to hang around a werewolf. Not underneath a full moon, not ever. Not when they could tear you apart and pass on the curse. As if being in Modron was bad luck enough. “Yeah, so what if I am?” She answered with a question of her own in the most nonchalant way possible, lying down on the grass with closed eyes for a moment of calm. “Is it strange to hang around a place where magic doesn't exist? Where you could just… be normal for once?” She sure wished she could, to go back to the way she was before she was turned. While possessing magic doesn't exactly make her ‘normal’ but at least she could be just a normal witch attending a magic school.
