learning is not child's play

"The boundaries which divide l i f e from d e a t h are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?"

[baileydanvers]

That makes no sense. If I’ve gotten one side, I should be able to get the rest. These things are impossible. What do you suggest I do then?

[ashhayes-blog]

Okay, wait. First of all, it's not impossible and you're on the easy part.

Let me explain it in more detail. You need to pick a colour, just one, and focus on that first. But you need to make sure they're all lined up and in the correct spaces to match the middles of the other sides. When you've done that, you use that side as the bottom of the cube and do the middle row - then the top, which is a lot trickier.

[baileydanvers]

Sorry, what? I don’t think I heard you correctly. 

[baileydanvers]

[ashhayes-blog]

I said that you need to make sure the colours are in the right place - just because you got a full side of colours doesn't mean that they're in the right place. Otherwise you can't move forwards. It might take a while.

[florastark-blog]

I could have gone my whole life thinking we had that conversation.

[ashhayes-blog]

Could have.

[florastark-blog]

How did we even get onto this topic?

[ashhayes-blog]

Well, we were talking about how your day had been then you kinda zoned out then asked me what we were talking about as if you developed amnesia so I went along with it.

[florastark-blog]

Hm?  Uh - I - Merlin. Sorry, I was daydreaming. Sorry. Um, could you repeat that please? Something about dragons? Or was it mermaids?

[florastark-blog]

[ashhayes-blog]

Yeah... I was talking to you about the life-cycle of mermaids, which is probably why you dozed off there.

[bathedinarterialblood-blog]

“All parents damage their children. It cannot be helped. Youth, like pristine glass, absorbs the prints of its handlers. Some parents smudge, others crack, a few shatter childhoods completely into jagged little pieces, beyond repair.” 

[bathedinarterialblood-blog]

Top, left to right: Olivia Hayes (née Vance) [mother], Juliana Hayes [aunt], Joseph Hayes [father].

Bottom, left to right: Jennifer Hayes [adoptive sister], Ash Hayes [brother], Avery Hayes.

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[baileydanvers]

Are you sure? You won’t know unless you give it a go. I could show you, it’s not so hard so long as you can aim.

[ashhayes-blog]

Couldn't hurt to try, I guess.

[baileydanvers]

Oh, thank you. Would you like to have a go?

[ashhayes-blog]

You're welcome. Ah, no thank you. I'm useless with a bow and arrow and I don't think the time we have training will change that. I really wish I were though, because I don't think I'm going to find it easy to kill anyone from close range.

[baileydanvers]

Ha. Bullseye!

[ashhayes-blog]

Good aim.

[bathedinarterialblood-blog]

Maybe you would be if you talked. Maybe you could have something in common. How will you know until you stop being a baby?

[ashhayes-blog]

If it'll shut you up, I'll try speak to her. No promises and no dinner at our parents' house. Or dinner at all.

[bathedinarterialblood-blog]

Big brother, you’re what - 23, 24 years old? You’re reacting to that question like a 13 year old. 

[ashhayes-blog]

24. And I suppose she's aesthetically pleasing but I'm not interested in her; we barely talk.

[bathedinarterialblood-blog]

Is she cute?

[ashhayes-blog]

I don't really notice. 

[bathedinarterialblood-blog]

Then why do you speak about her so much?

If you spoke to her maybe you’d know, hm?

[ashhayes-blog]

Because she's literally the only other person in my life right now who does anything with me.

I don't know what to speak to her about other than work.

[bathedinarterialblood-blog]

That’s a shame. But I’d be really jealous if you got a tan and I didn’t. I’ve not been out of Britain much lately so I’ve had no chances to. You talk about Maria and I’m pretty sure I’ve never spoken to her before, you should invite her for a family dinner.

Yeah, yeah. Bring you cookies when it suits you. I’m kidding, I don’t mind. What sort do you want? Does Maria want cookies too?

[ashhayes-blog]

I don't think I really want to ask her, she isn't my girlfriend or anything. Plus we aren't the best of friends, I just have to make sure she keeps alive and she does the same from me. We don't really speak.

White chocolate chip, obviously. Uh, maybe? I don't know. She could be allergic or something, it wouldn't surprise me.

[bathedinarterialblood-blog]

I understand. Oh yes, I know. Unfortunately, work has been pretty hectic lately and I’m assuming yours is too. For the past two weeks I’ve been trying to reach you and your boss told me you were away doing a job, I made you cookies and everything. It’s wonderful to see you, though.

[ashhayes-blog]

Yeah, sorry about that. Maria and I were in Morocco and it took a while to locate the area we needed as well as retrieve the gold. It was a pain to do and I can't say it was worth it because I didn't tan, neither did Maria. I should be back for a while, seeing as I have to get some paperwork done about the amount we found and recount literally everything that happened. You are more than welcome to bring me cookies while I'm doing that.

[bathedinarterialblood-blog]

[She slaps him on the arm gently] Hush your mouth! I’m wearing a mask for a reason.

[ashhayes-blog]

Oh crap, sorry. After speaking to a few people I don't know, it's a relief to know who I'm speaking to so your name just slipped out. We haven't spoke in a while you know. 

[althepotioneer]

S’one of my favourite muggle novels, so I’ve studied up a bit on it.

[ashhayes-blog]

Quite a lot of studying by the sounds of it.