- Insert interesting title here - (Ayame)

[Nyna Adustum]

((ooc: Please forgive me. I never begin threads, and this is why. I am terrible at it.))

Nyna sat in one of the chairs that dotted the area of the Quality Quarters. It was her turn to wait for Ayame, as the Gryffindor had waited for her. Exactly the same, except for the fact that Ayame was not late. Nyna was simply early, something that hadn't happened in who knew how long.

Maybe this was a sign of things to come this term. The newly appointed fifth year desperately hoped so. Being tardy to all her classes last term had been terribly...tiresome.

The girl looked out one of the large windows in an effort to get the time, but, as always, the view was terrible. Nyna swore internally, something she had learned to do from her brother.

No wonder Ayame had used an actual watch last time they’d met. It was much more convenient. It wasn’t that Nyna thought she was late, it was just that she wanted to know how long until her friend got there.

[ayame]

Ayame walked into the Quality Quarters smiling to herself. She could see Nyna, who was early (for once). Her smile widened as she thought of how things were going back to the way they were supposed to be, with Nyna here before her, Ayame was always late. It had annoyed her that she had been earlier than Nyna last time. Oh well.
She had made her way over to Nyna by this time. She sat down and lokked at Nyna's far-off expression, it was almost like she hadn't seen Ayame walk up to her and sit down next to her. She smiled her wide, red lipped, smile, and gently kicked Nyna's ankle. She laghed louudly when Nyna jumped in her seat.
"Good morning, sleepy," she quietly teased Nyna. She had missed how easy it was to mess with her....

[Nyna Adustum]

As she waited, Nyna thought about her car ride home with her brother. She had mentioned Ayame to him; describing her so if he saw them together he wouldn’t wonder. When she had finished, George had grown silent for a moment before asking her about the end of term exams. She never did get a response out of him. That was odd, but she let it slide.

She didn’t hear Ayame sit down next to her. The girl was scary silent. Nyna didn’t even see the Gryffindor approach. She was lost in thought and there were no notifying sounds of an entrance. No creaking of the ancient doors, no footsteps muffled by the Quality Quarters’ carpet. Nothing.

The Ravenclaw felt a tap on her ankle. Not knowing anyone else was in the room with her, this contact made her jump in her chair.

“Holy - ” she shouted, but didn’t finish as she looked over. There sat her friend, laughing at her lack of observance.

"Good morning, sleepy."

Nyna sighed. She wasn’t sleepy, just lost in the depths of her consciousness. There was a difference, but Nyna was coming down from her momentary adrenaline rush, so she didn’t point it out.

“Good morning, Ayame. How’s life?”

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[ayame]

“Good morning, Ayame. How’s life?”
Ayame was still giggling at Nyna, and this question just brought on a new round of hysteria. She could see the question in Nyna's eyes at this reaction to her trivial question. Now wasn't the time, but Ayame would explain in time, when she was sure she could trust Nyna.
"Good. And you?" Ayame managed to gasp out in between her renewed giggling. "How was your break? You mentioned a while ago that you had a brother. How's he?" Ayame's red lips were now forcing back the earlier uncontrolled laughing, so she could now manage a regular canversation. She just hoped Nyna didn't say or do anything else that was so unintentionally funny. Ayame wasn't sure if she could control herself then.

[Nyna Adustum]

Her standard greeting had sent the Gryffindor into a fit of hysterics. Nyna’s brow crinkled with thought. What was wrong with ‘Good morning? How’s life?’ Nothing that she could see. Maybe Ayame was going insane. Or was already there. Of course, Nyna had said plenty of stupid things in her life, but they had reasons behind them. Odd trains of thought, etc. Maybe her friend was having one of those.

Nyna nodded mentally. No use in letting Ayame think she was going insane. That would never do. The Ravenclaw waited patiently for her friend’s laughter to die down.

"Good. And you?"

Nyna still couldn’t figure out what was so funny about her question, as Ayame spoke through roughly controlled hysterics.

“I’m doing well. Life is good.”

"How was your break? You mentioned a while ago that you had a brother. How's he?"

Nyna didn’t remember mentioning George in their last meeting at Hogwarts, but then it hit her. She hadn’t mentioned George while at school. Their correspondence over break had included many details of Nyna’s life, including her brother.

“My break was interesting. It is getting harder to conceal my wizarding heritage from my muggle friends. They always ask about my school, and I can’t tell them that the exam over magical fungi was the worst of my problems. George is doing well. He stayed at home for the full break, which was nice. What about you?”

Nyna didn't mention what happened to George when she had told him about Ayame. That would have been...awkward. She realized she had been talking for quite a while. Maybe to the point of rambling, which would not have been good.

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[ayame]

“My break was interesting. It is getting harder to conceal my wizarding heritage from my muggle friends. They always ask about my school, and I can’t tell them that the exam over magical fungi was the worst of my problems. George is doing well. He stayed at home for the full break, which was nice. What about you?”
Ayame smiled at Nyna's short rambling spree. "My break was nice. Very quiet though - " Ayame cut off that thought quickly. She had not ment to let that detale slip. She quickly changed the subject to stop further questions.
"What classes do you have this year? Are you taking any Optional classes?" Nyna had mentioned a couple of classes that she would loveto take this year. Ayame's expression smoothed into the soft smile she wore when she was listening to people ramble on about things that, well, that she really didn't care about. She sat silently motionless as she waited for Nyna to begin.

[Nyna Adustum]

"My break was nice. Very quiet though - "

That would have been a normal response - nothing much happened over break, okay - had Ayame not cut her reply off so quickly. It was almost suspicious. Almost, but not quite, though Nyna still couldn't figure out why the sentence had ended so abruptly.

"Hmm. So not much happened. Well, that can be good sometimes."

"What classes do you have this year? Are you taking any Optional classes?"

Nyna's brow furrowed momentarily. That sounded like the question George had asked when he wanted to change to a different subject. Was Ayame trying to get her mind off her...quiet break? That was an odd thing to distract her from.

"Well, I'm taking the usual classes. DADA, Charms, Potions, that type of thing. I thought about taking an optional class, and I might sign up for one later, but as of now I'm just taking the mandatory classes."

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[ayame]

"Well, I'm taking the usual classes. DADA, Charms, Potions, that type of thing. I thought about taking an optional class, and I might sign up for one later, but as of now I'm just taking the mandatory classes."
Ayame smiled. It was so like Nyna to put off anything she didn't really need to do. She was trying to pay attention to Nyna - really she was! - but she couldn't listen to her for long. And sure enough, her mind began to wander.
She began with silly things, listening to an old song she liked in her head, then, all too soon, she began thinking about much more important things. How was her family doing? She hadn't seen them for so long! Almost a year, now. But she couldn't talk to anyone about this, at least, not without exposing herself for what she really was.
She began to think about all the reasons behind why she couldn't tell Nyna about it. Nyna was now one of her very closest friends! But it was for her own good. Nyna didn't need to have the nightmares Ayame lived through every day. Nyna didn't even have to know.
Then Ayame began thinking about the most important thing on her mind. What would happen if Nyna did find out? Would Ayame loose her friend so soon after meeting her? Was it putting Nyna in danger to get close to her?
Ayame was so lost in thought that she hadn't noticed her gentle smile turn into a dejected frown, and her thin, dark eyebrows pull up in the middle and a crease form on her forehead, her lower lip quivered slightly at the horror of the thoughts she had just let run wildly through her mind, All in all, it was an expression that would have broken even a stone-hearted assassin's heart. Anyone could see the agony in her eyes as she slipped deeper, and deeper into her terrifying thoughts.

[Nyna Adustum]

Her statement over, the Ravenclaw waited for her friend to reply. None came. She tilted her head to the side, a silent way of repeating the question to the Gryffindor. What were her classes going to be like that year. She saw her friend smile. That was good, something was making her happy.

Suddenly, however, an odd look appeared on Ayame’s face. Her features became different, somehow changed by emotion. An internal conflict, Nyna was sure. Her class schedule could not, in any way, produce that kind of reaction.

Nyna desperately wanted to know what her friend was thinking. She seemed to be in physical agony. What would make Ayame look so…pained? Ayame seemed like one of the toughest people she knew, and yet something had changed her calm expression into one of… Nyna wasn’t sure how to describe the emotions she could decipher. Conflict was definitely present. As were trace amounts of confusion, determination, and a very slight air of defense.

The Ravenclaw looked at the older girl for a while before deciding what to say.
“What’s wrong, Ayame? Are you okay?”
She hoped that her friend would share with her, and she hoped she would be able to help if she did.

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[ayame]

Ayame was almost completely lost in her thoughts. A thousand problems, all compacted into a tiny ball untill now, were exploding in her mind. A thousand problems now made Ayame wish very much so that she could be alone, that she could alow herself to give in to the weaker side of herself, the side no one should ever have to see, the side that could just give in and cry. But no tears would ever touch Ayame's golden eyes ever again, of that much she was sure.
A soft voice pulled her back from the edge of her conciousness, and for the first time Ayame realized what her expression had slipped into. She gasped as the glass of a window showed her heart-breaking expression, and she quickly smoothed her face into her calm quiet smile once again, though her golden eyes could not completely hide the excrusiating agony that burned deep inside of her chest, waiting to destroy her at the first sign of weakness.
“What’s wrong, Ayame? Are you okay?”
Nyna's soft voice had just saved Ayame from a complete break down and publi humiliation. She smiled her red-lipped, gentle smile and felt her eyes warm as she read the genuine worry in Nyna's expression.
"I'm fine," Ayame said softly, not sure how much she would say. "I was just.... remembering something...." Ayame let the though trail off slowly. She stayed very aware of how her words were interpreted and of any change in her expression. She glanced back at the window and was glad to see the same gentle smile and warm, golden eyes that she kept carefully in place every day, for the rest of eternity.

[Nyna Adustum]

"I'm fine. I was just.... remembering something...."

Nyna was wary. How could she be fine after all of that? The evidence of an inner battle had been absolutely emanating from the Gryffindor. The girl knew she wouldn’t be fine after something of that scale. Whatever it was. But her friend smiled her calm smile, the one she seemed to use a lot around Nyna. The Ravenclaw was reassured.

Until she looked into the older girl’s eyes. Their gold depths still told of a struggle going on in the deep recesses of Ayame’s mind. Nyna sighed mentally. Her friend had lied to her. But it seemed for a good reason. Obviously, the girl was protecting her from something.

But what? Something she didn’t want to know, didn’t need to know, surely. So was it for her own good that she not know? Whatever Ayame’s inner torment was. Maybe it was something horrible. Certainly, if it was being kept from her with such determination, such force.

“What?” she decided to ask. Her tone made it clear that she had heard her friend’s statement, but was inquiring further into what she had been remembering. Nyna just hoped she wasn’t prying too far.

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[ayame]

“What?” Nyna asked in a voice that made it clear what she meant. She wanted to know what Ayame was remembering, what could bring such pain into her normally calm, golden eyes. And Ayame was one hundred percent completely sure that Nyna did not want to know. Ayame was careful to make her responce out of details that were true, but hardly the whole truth.
"Nothing of consequence. Just.... something that happened last summer..." There, that was true. The secrecy had started with what happened last summer, the scar on her shoulder still had not faded. Ayame absent-mindedly traced the crescant moon that was forever carved into her skin. The small ridge was the only thing left (besides the after effects) that could proove that anything had happened that night. Ayame winced as she realized that she had accidentaly just clawed into her skin, a small scratch now marked the skin above her eternal scar.

[Nyna Adustum]

"Nothing of consequence. Just.... something that happened last summer..."

Well, that was something. The Ravenclaw now knew when whatever it was happened, though that wasn’t much of a clue. Ayame didn’t want her to know, that much was now certain, but she could have given her a vague clue at least. Of course, it may be better that she didn’t. Vague hints often kept Nyna awake thinking, and that was never good.

The Ravenclaw sighed. She almost wished that her friend would trust her more. Nyna could keep a secret, and she typically wasn’t judgmental. But maybe she was better off not knowing. Whatever it was…

She heard a slight gasp and looked over. A dark red line now marked the pale skin above Ayame’s odd scar. The crescent moon shaped stretch of tissue. Had she hurt herself? How? And if it wasn’t an accident, then why did she do it?

“Ayame! What happened? Are you okay?”

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[ayame]

“Ayame! What happened? Are you okay?”
Ayame looked over towards Nyna's startled face. Ayame quickly arranged a relaxed smile on her face.
"Oh, I was just thinking about something and I accidentally dug my nail into my arm. It's no big deal." Ayame tried to make her smile reassuring, there really wasn't anything wrong, it was just a scratch, it didn't even hurt, it wasn't bleeding, she had just gasped from shock.
Nyna still looked a little worried, "Really, I'm fine. It's just a scratch, you don't need to worry," it would probably be gone by tomorrow anyway. Ayame's eyes softened as she watched Nyna slowly relax. She didn't know why, but Nyna always triggered her protective, nurturing side. Perhaps it was because she was so much like her little sister had been. Ayame smiled gently at the all memories swirling around inside her head.

[Nyna Adustum]

((ooc: Sorry it took so long...))

"Oh, I was just thinking about something and I accidentally dug my nail into my arm. It's no big deal."

No big deal?! And how could a person accidentally dig a nail into their skin? Had she not felt it or something? Was the part of her arm with the scar numb? The wound wasn’t bleeding, that much was true, if a bit odd. What part of she dug a nail into her skin was nature not getting here?

Nyna was still skeptical. Was it really no big deal? She tried to portray her question to Ayame with a glance and a raised eyebrow. If she opened her mouth, she could say things that she really shouldn’t, and she had quite a knack for that. That would never work.

"Really, I'm fine. It's just a scratch, you don't need to worry."

It was as if she could read minds. That would be creepy. Nyna had heard about a student who could do that. Man, that would be freaky. The Ravenclaw decided that Ayame had interpreted her glance correctly. Yes, that would be a simpler explanation. Less…paranormal.

Blue-grey eyes met gold ones as Nyna looked at her friend. Ayame’s eyes now radiated a calm, reassuring feeling. That was very comforting. Her friend’s gentle smile made her relax a bit, allowed her to become less panicky. That was definitely good. Nyna didn’t think of herself as a very good panicky person.

“So, where were we?” she decided to ask in an effort to avoid an awkward silence. Perhaps starting up their conversation would be a good way to get rid of nerves (more her own than Ayame’s).

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[ayame]

“So, where were we?”
Ayame smiled her wide, yet still gentle, red-lipped smile. "I honestly can't remember," She hated lying to Nyna. Of course she remembered, but if the conversation moved on maybe she wouldn't start clawing up her own skin again. "Oh well. I guess we should try a new topic that will keep our interest a little longer," Ayame lightly teased. Nyna really was the closest thing to family Ayame had had for over a year now. Maybe she could trust her.... But, no. Ayame had not made that decision yet. She would think it through a little longer. But it would be soon. She could not keep telling Nyna all these half-truths. They were starting to get old, and as Nyna got to know her more and more, Ayame was almost certain that she was starting to see through the pretences, just a little, but surely she did not understand what they could mean. Right?

[Nyna Adustum]

"Oh well. I guess we should try a new topic that will keep our interest a little longer."

Nyna laughed. She guessed that they had been talking about classes, as that was the last part of their actual conversing she remembered. Oh how stupidly forgetful she could be sometimes. What a bad trait for a Ravenclaw to possess. She shook her head and sighed, both inwardly as not to let Ayame think she was going out of her mind.

A conversation about classes never held a person’s attention for very long anyway. Unless that person was a seriously obsessed Ravenclaw, which neither Ayame nor Nyna were.

Perhaps Nyna could tell Ayame about what happened with George? It was about her after all. She had a right to know. At least, Nyna thought that was how that sort of thing worked. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe that wouldn’t be a good way to start a new conversation. She decided against it. Ayame had her secrets, Nyna could have hers, even if they weren’t as mysterious.

“Hmm,” she began, finally deciding to say something. Despite what people said, silence could sometimes be the opposite of golden. It could be freakishly awkward.
“So what do you want to talk about?”

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[ayame]

“Hmm, so what do you want to talk about?”
Ayame's short laugh echoed back to her in the empty room. "I'm not sure. Did anything terribly interesting happen to you since we last spoke? Or perhaps something else?" Ayame's voice took on a slight edge at the end, only because of the slight defensive tightening around Nyna's eyes before she had asked Ayame what she wanted to talk about. "What are you hiding from me?" she demanded when Nyna did not answer immediatly. "You know you can tell me anything, don't you?" There was absolutely nothing Nyna could say that would scare Ayame away. Ayame would have laughed out loud at the thought of such a thing, if Nyna's silence hadn't started to worry her so much. What was Nyna hiding from her?

[Nyna Adustum]

"I'm not sure. Did anything terribly interesting happen to you since we last spoke? Or perhaps something else?"

Nyna was just about to open her mouth to say that nothing of notable interest had happened to her, that her break had also been relatively quiet, when she heard the last of Ayame’s statement. Her friend suggested that she knew something. Or at least that Nyna was keeping something from her.

Dangit, she thought as she bit her lip. If she told her, then Ayame might be mad at her. Or her brother, which wouldn’t be good either.

"What are you hiding from me? You know you can tell me anything, don't you?"

That sounded like something a relative or a best friend would say. Nyna smiled nervously. Would she really tell her everything? The Ravenclaw ran through all the worst scenarios that could happen in her mind, something she did frequently.

“Well, I’ll tell you if you promise to tell me one of your secrets.”

Her voice was almost a whisper. It wasn’t quite a demand, but it was still kind of forceful. But this way she wouldn’t be giving up something for nothing. And she wouldn’t feel as awkward spilling her truths.

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[ayame]

“Well, I’ll tell you if you promise to tell me one of your secrets.”
This whispered statement took Ayame off guard. She stared wide eyed at Nyna, completely shocked, and, for the first time in her life, speechless.
"O... K... What do you want to know?" Ayame was still a little shocked, so her question came out a little strangled. What would Nyna want to know? As far as she new, Ayame was just a normal human-being, just like her. Unless Nyna had started seeing through Ayame's pretences, in which case, should she leave nowand never look back? Or should she simply act like nothing was going on? Should she continue the lies? But, could she really trust this girl?