The boy who pursues power

"What is it to be truly strong? Is winning everything? The more I think about it, the more at loss I feel..." House: Gryffindor Room: 102

[cherenpie]

Ｌｏｓｔ　Ｈｏｍｅｗｏｒｋ// Shintaro&Cheren

[hikikomorineet]

It’d been a peaceful day of doing some homework for Shintaro - a way to get his mind off of things. However, that little peaceful serenity was interrupted by a surprise visit from a feline that ended with his room a mess, simply reminding the boy that he really needs to keep his door /shut/. It was lucky enough he managed to capture it before it caused Tono and himself some unneeded stress. The voice of a stranger  entered the room — a fellow Gryffindor… Ah, right, the prefect, no? With an unamused expression on his face, Shintaro quickly made way over to the entrance and handed both cat and parchment over.

"You should be a bit more careful. Cats tend to be a mischievous pain." Thankfully, however, there wasn’t too much damage done. Kinda. "Especially with homework."

[cherenpie]

Honestly, he doesn't know what came onto his cat. Basil is usually so calm, it's completely unexpected to have him running around like that and causing mischief. It's even worse that it means that he has to hear this upperclassman scold him about it, like he didn't know how to look after his cat.

"I'm well aware that cats can be mischievous, but Basil is mostly quiet. He's probably just bored, since he can't go outside with the snow, and tried to entertain himself." The cat meows as Cheren takes him into his arms and picks the parchment, reaching his paw forward to bat at the roll. "I apologize for any trouble Basil caused, and I won't let it happen again."

Cheren can't not notice the mess that the room was, though, and he can't help but wonder if the cat caused that. Basil is calm, yes, but it's been proven that he can cause a lot of trouble when he feels like it - did he really mess up this guy's room that bad? Ah, what a bother...

"I'll help you clean up any mess Basil might have caused, if you want. And, again, I apologize for his behavior."

[cherenpie]

Ｐｌｅａｓａｎｔ　Ｃｏｍｐａｎｙ// Edward&Cheren

[not149cm-deactivated20140902]

"Yeah, okay. My bad." Boy, this guy rambled an awful lot about cherries. Ed almost grinned, somewhat amused. "Got it. Avoid Cherry."

From what he could gather, Cheren seemed rather intrigued by his case— he was a prefect after all. However, Ed was reluctant to disclose information. Looking back, he might’ve overreacted somewhat. Maybe. Probably. Not. The professor had poked fun at his completely average height, for one. And it wasn’t his fault class was so excruciatingly boring!

With a long sigh, he answered, “took a minute rest in class, the usual.” The corners of his mouth curved upwards into a smirk, though soon replaced by a scowl, ”and then that damn professor had to go and make a— nevermind.” 

[cherenpie]

This guy isn't taking him as seriously as he should, right? Well, as long as he doesn't call him cherry anymore, it doesn't really matter, not in this situation, at least - unless he stops respecting his authority as prefect, but he figures that he's smart enough to not get to that.

"So, you fell asleep during class, and the professor made a...?" Cheren quirks an eyebrow, tilting his head - honestly, he doesn't approve of sleeping in the class, but it's not like it's something that seems serious enough to earn a detention - although, by how proud of himself Edward seemed when explaining that, Cheren imagines that it's not exactly rare for him. Just how much does he sleep, if he ends up falling asleep so often?

"You shouldn't fall asleep in class, you know. The things we study are very important, and can make all the difference in the future." He lectures him, adjusting his glasses as he leans back against the chair. "But it doesn't seem worthy of a detention, so... what happened afterwards?"

[experimentalscience]

"Valentine’s day, huh." Love, candy, joy, cherishing time with friends, with loved ones, gifts, ribbons, bows, special dinners out to commemorate- er -something, novelty cards, novelty gift wrap, boxes of outdated chocolate restored and resold, bitter wine ‘flavoured’ sweets, love, love, love, love, love, love, a love that can only be stopped by—!

… “Can’t wait.”

[cherenpie]

"... Glad to know that I'm not the only one who's not excited about it." Cheren replies, quirking an eyebrow. Despite his words, the Slytherin seems to be about as interested in the event as he is, so at least there's someone he can talk to.

[cherenpie]

Ｃｈａｎｃｅ　Ｍｅｅｔｉｎｇ// Yun-lee&Cheren

[verecundum-deactivated20140405]

She nodded. “Your cat sounds a lot like Mittens’s mother, actually.” Yun smiled, remembering her short meeting with the cat’s mother at the animal shelter. Yun-Lee had wanted to get the kitten and his mother, but she was told that she could only pick one. With disappointment, the young girl picked the kitty instead. However, she sometimes visits the cat’s mother.

[cherenpie]

"Is that so? Then, you might know how to handle him. Maybe you'll meet him one day. He wanders around the castle a lot... he's a siberian cat, calico?" Cheren tells her, toying with the cat's soft ears. "You must be really proud of your cat, he's really beautiful."

As much as he enjoys talking about cats, he knows that most people aren't as interested as he is. So, a change in the subject seems necessary - raising a hand to adjust his glasses, he keeps stroking the cat's fur as he gives the girl a smile.

"What year are you in? I don't think I remember having classes with you, but I'm sorry if I forgot. There's a lot of people here to remember them all." Cheren excuses himself with a small smile - he has forgotten people sometimes, so hopefully he hasn't made her upset for it.

[breakrecording]

"Isn’t Valentine’s really soon? I wonder what the school’s got up their sleeve…" 

The fact that he’s dateless doesn’t really help either, but since when did that matter? 

[cherenpie]

"Something that will probably give more trouble than it's worth." Cheren, always ready to cut any semblance of amusement. "Especially to me."

[hushedwinter]

She hesitates before approaching the male, but does so once she gains the courage required.

“…You don’t seem too thrilled about it.”

[cherenpie]

He blinks at the sight of the girl, his head cocking to the side. He didn't even notice her coming...

"Well, teens aren't exactly known for being a particularly quiet group. With more students around, my studying area gets restricted to the library or my own dorm if I expect any peace, and that ends up being... dull." He sighs, pushing his glasses up. "But I suppose I'll get used to it, again."

[cherenpie]

"The students are slowly showing up... I guess that the calm days are over, then."

[mega-mega-megane]

Pixiv ID: 33915227 Member: 猫野つめ

[cherenpie]

Ｌｏｓｔ　Ｈｏｍｅｗｏｒｋ// Shintaro&Cheren

Class had been calm enough, and it didn't take long before Cheren settled down in the common room to go through the notes he had taken during the day. That would, of course, be a lot easier if his cat hadn't jumped over his supplies and ran off with the parchment his notes were on.

"Basil, get back here!" Honestly, he's not quite sure what's gotten in his cat lately. Basil is usually such a calm cat, but he seems to be determined to put Cheren in odd situations. This time seems no different, as the cat runs into one of the dorm rooms.

Sighing, Cheren adjusts his glasses, knocking on the door despite it being open, looking into the room to see if he can find where the cat is in there.

"Sorry for the trouble, but... there's a cat that ran in here with a roll of parchment, and I really need them both back."

[cherenpie]

Ｃｈａｎｃｅ　Ｍｅｅｔｉｎｇ// Yun-lee&Cheren

[verecundum-deactivated20140405]

"Er…Korean. And yes, yes I am." She replied casually. In South Korea, English was widely taught in schools - to prepare the students if they wanted to go to mostly English-speaking colleges, such as Yale, Harvard, etc. However, since Yun-Lee wasn’t exactly the right age for college yet, it became useful here, at Hogwarts, instead. 

Mittens looks up, noticing Cheren’s hand and pausing for a few seconds before seemingly allowing the male to pet him. He got into a more prideful position, showing off his neat fur to Cheren. 

"Well, Mittens just woke up about an hour ago, so he’s still a bit sleepy." It was nice to hear that Cheren was a cat owner as well. Perhaps the two cats could meet one day. Mittens did have quite the social, friendly manner, but Cheren mentioned that his cat wasn’t very friendly, unlike Mittens. And Yun-Lee didn’t want her cat to fight with other cats. That had happened a few times, even before she had adopted him, due to Mittens living as a stray.

[cherenpie]

"Ah, I see. That's interesting... My father is Japanese, personally, but I've been raised here." He nods to her, toying with the sleeve of his robe before remembering how childish the gesture probably looks and stopping himself. That's not something he should be doing.

Still, Cheren can't help but smile as he takes in the way the cat adjusts his stance as he pets him, almost like he's showing off - it's endearing, really. Cheren has always liked cats, and he can't help but enjoy petting this cat, stroking his fur gently and admiring the beautiful colors of his coat.

"He's a really gentle cat, isn't he? Or, at least he looks like it when he's sleepy." He comments, running his fingers through the cat's fur. "Mine can be nice, but he's a bit on the pompous side... colder, I guess. Mittens seems to be a really friendly one, though..." It's not that Cheren's cat is unfriendly, it's more that he acts a lot like his owner. While Cheren loves the cat, he has to admit that his personality can be less than pleasant sometimes, and somehow, the irony goes unnoticed.

[cherenpie]

Ｐｌｅａｓａｎｔ　Ｃｏｍｐａｎｙ// Edward&Cheren

[not149cm-deactivated20140902]

"Cheren, Cherry, same difference." Clicking his tongue, Ed flopped onto a nearby chair. Noticing Cheren’s change in demeanor, he grunted. So he didn’t like being called Cherry, huh?

"I don’t look like I had a good day? Well no—” Ed paused— this was a chance for actual conversation, socialization. It’s not like he’s had many chances to talk to others yet, and he’d be damned if he’d pushed the elder Gryffindor away now. Al would be worried if he spent his entire year secluded, wouldn’t he? 

"—Yeah. Its been pretty bad." Scratching the back of his head, he sat up, "I’m just returning from detention, if that’s what you’re asking."

[cherenpie]

"No, it's not same difference. For example, my name is Cheren, and not cherry. Cherry happens to be a fruit, and is in no way associated to me." Count to ten and back ad to ten again, be a patient person. It's just a stupid nickname that, hopefully, will die right away. It's just a stupid name that is going to be forgotten and won't matter.

The guy seems rather irritated, but instead of actually snapping at him more, he just stops himself and starts talking more calmly. Cheren can't exactly blame him - he's been guilty of doing similar things, but hey, maybe now that the other has calmed down a little, Cheren might actually be able to do something to help.

"Detention? What happened for you to land in there?" He quirks an eyebrow, leaning forward. "Were you causing a mess in class, or something like that?"

[cherenpie]

Ｃｈａｎｃｅ　Ｍｅｅｔｉｎｇ// Yun-lee&Cheren

[verecundum-deactivated20140405]

❀ |  She nodded. "Yun-Lee is my first name, and Lee is my surname." Seeing his head tilt to the side, she thought that he may have been confused and decided to explain it. Yun didn’t think of her name as, well, weird, but foreigners might think so because of the format. "Um…Sure!" Yun-lee replied, taking a seat beside Cheren. She readjusted her arms, moving them slightly so Mittens could get into a more comfortable position. 

❀ | Yun-Lee looked down at the purring cat in her hands, smiling. "Ah, thank you! His name is Mittens." Mittens had been with her for a few years now. He was very good at comforting her when she was down in the dumps, though he could be rather prideful at times. 

❀ | "Really?" Her voice had a hint of surprise in it. "Mittens is a handful, actually..He eats quite a lot and only acts this well-behaved in public." It was true. Lazing around the house was one of Mitten’s hobbies, besides sleeping. However, Yun-Lee didn’t really mind this. In fact, she had grown used to her pet’s habits over time.

[cherenpie]

"I see... you're Chinese, maybe?" Cheren asks, his head cocking to the side. It's a little unexpected to have someone from another country, especially when her english seems so good, but maybe it's not really that unexpected. His father was an immigrant himself, wasn't he? It's just the sound of the name that really amused him. "Are you an exchange student?"

His gaze moves back to the cat and, after a moment of watching the purring ball of fur, Cheren reaches his hand out to let the cat sniff it, waiting to see if he's going to allow him to pet him.

"Ah, I've seen some cats that eat a lot, that's not really that unexpected. He seems very content, though." After a moment, Cheren raises his hand to stroke the cat's head, running his fingers through the soft fur. "Mine is a bit on the arrogant side, so he usually isn't nearly as friendly or accepting as this one."

[cherenpie]

Ｃｈａｎｃｅ　Ｍｅｅｔｉｎｇ// Yun-lee&Cheren

[verecundum-deactivated20140405]

❀ |  The week, including the weekend, had been particularly quiet — mostly because of the lack of students. Yun-lee wasn’t used to walking through silent halls, almost desolate of her other classmates. It all felt rather strange, and even though she didn’t talk to others that much, the brown-haired girl missed the bursting energy that was usually present.

❀ |  With her pet cat, Mittens, in her hands, she headed down to the great hall, half-hoping that she would be able to find someone to talk to. However, the topic of age wormed its way into her mind, as it always did. Even though it had happened a few years ago, Yun-lee still worried about people asking about the reason that she was a fifth year, when she was supposed to be a seventh year student. It was something that the girl didn’t want to talk about —  Why would she? 

❀ | Hearing someone speak, Yun turned around with a curious expression, looking for who the person that the male was talking to—Wait, was he talking to her? Yun-lee turned back to the person and politely returned the smile. "Ah, um, hello..! I’m Lee Yun-Lee. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cheren." With one quick glance at his robes, Yun-lee could tell that he was a Gryffindor. Perhaps she had seen this person in the halls, though she couldn’t exactly remember, and he appeared to be younger than her..

[cherenpie]

Cheren's gaze goes to the girl's arms while she seems to be trying to figure out with whom he's talking about - the cat with her has a nice fur, and seems to be pleased with her. Lucky her, when Cheren's cat ends up being as stuck up as his own owner.

"Lee Yun-Lee?" He asks, his head cocking to the side - well, his name isn't exactly te most normal either, but he can't help but be a little amused at hers. However, he has enough composure to not acutally show it, giving her a nod as he gestures to the empty seat. "It's nice to meet you too. Wouldn't you like to sit down?"

He gives her a small smile, folding his arms over the table as he loks at the girl. It's not that Cheren is shy - it's just that he ends up worrying far too much about how he's perceived.

"You have a beautiful cat. What's its name?" Talking about animals tends to be easier for him, especially when it comes to cats. He can deal with this. "I have a cat as well, but the temperament of yours seems a lot better."

[cherenpie]

Ｐｌｅａｓａｎｔ　Ｃｏｍｐａｎｙ// Edward&Cheren

[not149cm-deactivated20140902]

The day had not been going well for Edward in the slightest. Falling asleep in the middle of class and serving detention— and the nerve of that professor— implying that he was short?!

Shoving past anyone and everyone, he quickened his pace and entered the Gryffindor common room. Encased deep within in his thoughts, he ignored the other’s presence and stomped towards his dorm room— until he heard a voice.

Startled— not that he would ever admit being so— he snapped back into reality. Tense, he whipped around and glared, “Who the hell are you and why do you—”

"Oh. You’re one of those upperclassmen. C—….Cherry?"

[cherenpie]

There's a moment of irritation - he's Gryffindor's prefect, and he still gets called /Cherry/? Honestly... but he takes in a deepo breath, shaking his head. He won't snap at the younger boy, he won't snap a tthe younger boy.

"My name is Cheren, not Cherry." He corrects, letting out a sigh. While he's aware that his name does sound like that a little, but he's been called that enough times as mocking to think that it might be just an innocent mistake. "You don't look like you had much of a good day."

Yes, focus on the glare rather than the stupid name he was called. That should help. Adjusting his glasses and putting his book down, Cheren turns a little more on the chair to face the boy.

"Is everything alright?"

[cherenpie]

Ｃｈａｎｃｅ　Ｍｅｅｔｉｎｇ// Yun-lee&Cheren

Weekend. Without any visit to Hogsmead, and without many people around, Hogwarts feels strangely empty, but Cheren can't say that he minds - even though that means that there isn't much to do. It feels relaxing to not have to worry about many students wandering around.

And since there aren't that many students around, he might as well sit out in the great hall to read a little. Grabbing a book, Cheren made his way down to the hall and made himself comfortable in a seat, stretching out as he opens the book and starts reading, pushing his glasses up.

All in all, it's a really nice place to be, and Cheren would have quickly gotten lost in the story if he hadn't noticed a girl wandering into the hall - someone he didn't recognize, at that. The uniform indicates Hufflepuff, so it's no wonder - he's not particularly familiar with the students from other houses. Well, since he had been avoiding people, a little, he might as well make some conversation.

"Hello." Cheren greets her, giving her a small smile, lowering his book. "I don't think I remember you, I'm sorry. I'm Cheren, and you are...?"

[cherenpie]

Ｎｏｔ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｄｉｇｎｉｆｉｅｄ// Momo&Cheren

Cold. It's very, very cold, and somehow, Cheren still finds himself making his way through the awfully cold outisde, shivering as he runs after his cat. Basil had somehow gotten outside, and since the cat has the bad habit of climbing over his pillow while he's in class, Cheren is less than excited to let him wander around the wet.

After catching the rebelious cat, Basil seeming less than thrilled about being found in his exploration, Cheren rushes back inside, holding him close to himself as he tries to stop his teeth from chattering.

"Honestly, what a bother... Basil, we've been through this, you really need to stay inside when the weather is like this..." The cat lets out a huff, his ears pressed back and his tail flicking. He's not happy at all. "The elves can't stay on stand-by to get my bed ready because of you getting mud all over it."

Cheren can swear that he saw his cat rolling his eyes at him, but he doesn't pay attention to it. It's not that rare. Finally stumbling back inside, he leans against the wall, letting out a shaky breath-- and finding himself staring at someone. Well then.

"Ah--... Hello." Great timing.

[cherenpie]

Ｐｌｅａｓａｎｔ　Ｃｏｍｐａｎｙ// Edward&Cheren

Gryffindor Tower is slowly filling up. In a way, it's nice - even though Cheren isn't much of the sociable type, he has to admit that the silent tower felt a little too eery. Thankfully, the common room is still nice to sit on in front of the fire so, sinking back against the seat of the comfortable chair, Cheren lets out a sigh, closing his eyes.

The castle always feels like home, but it just ends up feeling like... a particularly loud home when everyone is around. There's not much for him to do right now, though - other than read, but even Cheren would like some company from time to time.

Which is why, when a boy walks into the room, Cheren lowers his book, hesitating a little. This guy isn't in the same year he is, but it's not like he needs to talk to someone from the same age he is.

"Hello, Edward." That was his name, right? He thinks it is, at least. "Ah, how are you?" Good start, initiating small talk.