eyes on fire;

❝ I had to do… things to SURVIVE. Some of them were violent… Some, degrading… And all of them gave me a new perspective. " ❞ ARTEMIS CARROW. seventh year. ravenclaw. xvii. prefect. astronomy club. twin. lover of riddles, the cosmos, books and the great: what if? double agent. de.

[explodedstarling-blog]

james potter.

Just perfect. The last thing he wanted to be approached with was the puzzle that was Artemis Carrow. He had yet to discern what side she was on or what part she played, what position she held on the chess board of the war. Artemis was a swirl of possiilities in his head, as vast and murky as the night skies, but one thing she wasn’t in that moment was wrong. Drawing further attention to himself would only lessen his chances of slipping out. “In case you haven’t heard, I haven’t exactly been myself lately.” The words were bitter on his tongue, sharp and he curled his bottom lip into his mouth, berating himself for his behavior in quick retrospect. “The prefect was the one to approach ME. You may have notice that my family has a bit of a target on their backs and it’s hard not to be the focal point of attention.” It was not something he wished for. He would much rather lurk about in the shadows where he’d taken up residence for days. “He’s probably getting a kick out of this whole spectacle. For all I know, he’s involved.” His words were quiet but no less fervant in nature, flicking his eyes around to see if there were any eyes or ears closing in on them, “I’m FRUSTRATED. And I don’t even know where they would be. If you have any idea of where they might be, I won’t even question how you know, alright? Just, if you do know, or if you have any semblance of a smart plan of action to find them, please just say the word.” Tonight, he wouldn’t question her involvement. He couldn’t afford to further split his focus and the edge of desperation revealed that he was in no spot to make accusations. 

“Dark humor, funny,” she commented before listening to him talk. Although Artemis wasn’t as desperate as James was to find his family, she still knew her survival, her insurance with the Order & DA, partially rested on Lily Potter’s head. If she wasn’t alive, if she didn’t make it out of this, the Ravenclaw might as well resign to the life she had before. James wasn’t wrong, their family was targeted a r i d i c u l o u s amount of times and it made sense for them to be -- the Potter/Weasley’s were ‘the chosen family’ after all. While the idea of teaming up with James Potter wasn’t one she had initially planned on doing to find the taken party, it seemed that with his brain and his drive, maybe even his resources, they’d be able to get farther TOGETHER then she could alone. At least in the amount of time she assumed they had.  While Artemis knew that the DESPERATION in his voice was true and while she figured she could trust that he wouldn’t question her, wouldn’t ask her ( then, at least ), she still needed to test it. “How do I know that you won’t, you could give me your word all you want but a starving dog would do anything for some food.” 

[explodedstarling-blog]

james potter.

“No, no, YOU are going to listen to me.” James’ hand visibly clenched around his wand at his side, fingers curling into a fist. He felt near volatile in that moment, a surge of emotions ( fear, frustration, anger, guilt ) threatening to suffocate him from the pressure that was weighed on his chest. It was a wonder that he even had the breath to form words, let alone ones that were caculated, even, cold. He would not break, steeling himself against any possibility. “I spent the last few weeks controlled by someone else so like HELL am I going to let anyone tell me what to do, especially when it’s MY family that’s missing. They are clearly NOT in the castle,” And he knew because he had checked and checked and checked the Map to no avail, “Leaving this whole lockdown pointless anyway.” What use was procedure after the fact? “Step aside.” He may be a student, but he was of legal age and now that he had his autonomy one more, he wasn’t going to let someone else dictate it for him.   

It was fascinating seeing James Potter all emotion, all d r i v e and barely any calm emanating him. Usually, he was balance, able to see different sides of a situation and perfectly able to assess them. Now, he was all heart, and Artemis made sure to step in front of him and the prefect who wasn’t listening to him, “pardon, I can handle this, go do rounds for me, please?” Artemis dismissed the other prefect then, once again turning her attention towards James. “I KNOW you’d like to find your family -- and you have every right to want that -- but you’re not going to be able to sneak off and rescue them if you’re making a s c e n e, you realize??” Straightening her back, Artemis tried to appear more formal with James, as if she was maybe scolding him instead of offering any semblance of help. “I was under the impression that you were much stealthier than that.”

[quoted-books]

i miss my brother like the sea would miss salt if that were taken away.

Emma Cameron, Cinnamon Rain  (via kirstenrps)

[you-make-me-wander]

RANDOM SENTENCE STARTERS

[explodedstarling-blog]

Following my AUs and Prompts List from a few months back, here is a compilation of my favorite sentence starters for all your writing needs.

Because most of them aren’t mine, credits are at the end.

SHORT

“Marry me.” “Do you want me to leave?” “You are not going without me.” “I can’t believe you!” “I swear it won’t happen again.” “What did you say?” “I’m not jealous.” “You’re jealous, aren’t you?” “We can’t keep doing this.” “Are you sure this is legal?” “Isn’t this amazing?” “I’m going to take care of you, okay?” “Stay the night. Please.” “You can’t die. Please don’t die.” “Run away with me.” “You did WHAT?”  “Quit whining.” “Get outta my sight!” “Why are you so annoying?” “Were you ever going to tell me?” “Never in a million years.” “Don’t ask me that…” “I might have had a few shots.” “What’s with the box?” “W- What are you doing?” “Say it!” “I could kiss you right now!” “Are you done with that?” “What’s going on here?” “Stop pinning this on me! You started it!” “It’s your fault we’re in this mess.”  “Did you do this on purpose?!”  “Kiss me.” “Are you still awake..?”  “Excuse you?”  “This is all your fault!” “I can’t believe you dragged me into this.” “Don’t give me that look! It wasn’t my fault!”  “I shouldn’t be in love with you!” “It’s not fair!” “I could kill you right now!” “Knock it off!” “Screw you!” “You’re a complete moron!” “I love this song!” “I can’t be in love with you!” “Make me.” “Don’t tempt me.” “I hate you.” “You are infuriating!” “Just shut up already.” “That doesn’t even make sense.” “Bite me.” “Eat me.” “Kiss my ass.” “Just admit I’m right.” “Just admit you’re wrong.” “You are being ridiculous!” “That’s irrational.” “Listen to me!” “That’s not what I meant and you know it.” “Don’t yell at me.” “That’s it. End of discussion.” “I don’t believe you.” “You shouldn’t have said that.” “Fuck you!” “Shut your mouth before I shut it for you.” “How dare you?” “I dare you!”  “It’s you, it’s always been you.”  “Well this is awkward…” “Just pretend to be my date”.  

MISCELLANEOUS

“Are you really gonna leave without asking me the question you’ve been dying to ask me?” “The planet is fine. The people are fucked.” “I just did some calculations, and I’ve been able to determine that you’re full of shit.” “You know what I like most about people? Pets.” “Do you ever think if people heard our conversations they’d lock us up?” “What about a compromise? I’ll kill them first, and if it turns out they were friendly, I’ll apologize.” “I don’t hate you.. I just don’t like that you exist.” “Love is the jelly to sunshine’s peanut butter. And if I tell you that I’m in sandwich with you, I’m not just saying it to get in your Ziploc bag.” “Do things that make you happy within the confines of the legal system.” “Did you really just insult Captain America in front of me?” “Can I touch your boob?” “It’s not that you’re wrong, exactly, you’re just extremely not right.” “You shouldn’t be trusted with small children, should you?” “Give me cake or give me death.” “On a scale from, ’I can sometimes make important phone calls without crying’ to ’I have a stable job with a steady income, a spouse who loves me, a dog, and two kids who are screwed up minimally at worst’, how much of an adult are you?” “You think I’m dumb enough to fall for that stupid move?” “Despite the cliche, it’s not me, it’s you.” “Obviously you can’t tell a woman you just met that you love her, but it sucks that you can’t.” “No, it was my fault for thinking that you might care.” “When you love someone, you just don’t stop. Ever. Even when people roll their eyes or call you crazy… even then. Specially then!” “If you’re not scared, then you’re not taking a chance. If you’re not taking a chance, then what the hell are we doing anyway?” “I think I’ve been holding myself back from falling in love with you all over again.” “What have I told you about the toilet seat?” “I tried to change the duvet and I got stuck inside.” “I vote today to be a pajama day.” “You have to tell me why were committing a felony before we do it. Not that that’s going to stop us, but at least I’ll have all the facts.” “I don’t leave messages. If I wanted to talk to a machine, I’d talk to my VCR.” “I can be flexible. As long as everything is exactly the way I want it, I’m totally flexible.” “You know we’re suppose to be together. I knew it the first time I saw you, and you know it, too. I know you do.” “Those things you said yesterday… Did you mean them?” “I’m not going to apologise for this. Not anymore.” “What I hear when I’m being yelled at is people caring loudly at me.” “I am NOT crying, okay?! I’m allergic to jerks!” “This would not happen if I had a penis!” “That’s almost exactly the opposite of what I meant.” “All nighter, you and me. First one to fall sleep buys the other dinner.” “I don’t think I’ve ever played spin the bottle.”  “Sorry! I didn’t mean to touch your butt.”  “I’m ok, thank you. Just please, stop talking to me.”  “To the night you’ll never remember!” “Excuse me, did the 12:15 bus come by already?” “Could I sit here? All the other tables are full.” “Are you meeting someone here? Because.. I think I’m that person.”  “You weren’t supposed to laugh! I’m so embarrassed!”  “It must be hard with your sense of direction, never being able to find your way to a decent pickup line.” “Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his/her cake hole.” “I’m not gonna die in a hospital where the nurses aren’t even hot.” “You better take care of that car or I swear I’ll haunt your ass!” “This is the dumbest thing you’ve ever done.“ “It’s a real shame nobody asked for your opinion.” “I could do that, but could doesn’t mean would.” “You cannot fathom the immensity of the fucks I don’t give.” “You’re like, five feet tall. How you gonna reach me, shortie?” “I recognize that you have reached a decision, but given that it is a stupid ass decision I have elected to ignore it”  “Do you need me to kill someone for you?”  “Look out where you’re going, asshole!”  “Fuck the sandwich guy!”  “I did not mean for stripping to come out of this.”  “The whole street is blocked off. The police won’t tell us anything, but I think there’s been some kind of attack… Maybe a bomb?”  “Oh my god, are you okay? I’m calling the police. I think I saw who did this to you.”  “I’m weird, you’re weird, we could have weird little babies and live weirdly ever after if it wasn’t for the fact I find you repulsive.” “There is nothing wrong with planning a wedding with a video game character.” “I’m gonna lay down and die for like half hour okay?”    “There’s been some real friction in our friend group lately. I suggest an orgy to save our friendships.” “It’s midnight, what do you want?”  “I think I know how to use a bed.” “If I wake up in the morning and I’m dead… Wait.” “You are completely unfit to handle a child.” “We have to get out of this place. It is EVIL.” “Don’t you dare throw that snowba-, goddammit!”  “When in doubt curl into the fetal position and give up on life.” “It’s not a double date, we’re just third and forth wheeling.”

PREGNANCY

“I have something to tell you…” “I think I’m pregnant.” “I’m pregnant!” “When were you going to tell me that you’re pregnant?”  “You’re smart and successful with an adorable belly.”  “$50 bucks says it’s a girl/boy.”  “Pregnancy suits you…” “Hello little one. We can’t wait to meet you…” “I’ll just be in the bathroom throwing my fucking guts up because our unborn kid wants to be a dick!” “There’s someone I’d like you to meet…” “Shh… He/she’s sleeping..” “I have a special surprise for you. Close your eyes and follow me.” “No, no, no, no, no, we aren’t ready… We aren’t ready for kids yet!” “Oh, gosh, I felt it! I felt a kick!”

FLUFF

“Your hair is so soft…” “You’re so cute when you pout like that!” “Just relax, I’ll wash your hair for you.” “I’m not going to stop poking you until you give me some attention.” “What, does that feel good?” “HA! I found a weak-spot on you, didn’t I?” “Are you wearing my shirt?”  “You are ridiculously comfortable…” “I’ve had a rough day and honestly all I want right now is a drink and someone to cuddle with…” “You’re so cute when you’re half asleep like this…” “You’re beautiful, you know that?” “We should get a puppy!”

STARGAZING

“Aren’t they beautiful?” “These stars are nothing compared to the ones I’ve seen in your eyes.” “Shooting star, make a wish.” “It’s actually a comet, but I’ll still make one.” “Imagine if it could always be this way, even in the city.” “Never thought something so beautiful could exist in nature…” “Wouldn’t it be cool to name a star after yourself?” “Y'know, your roof may not be the safest place for us to stargaze.” “This is why you made me drive three hours out into the middle of nowhere?” “Is that a– Wait, no, just an airplane.” “I wouldn’t mind falling asleep out here.

FLIRTY/SUGGESTIVE/SEXUAL

“Did you just… finish?” “They always make shower sex sound so appealing, but honestly, this is getting dangerous.” “I’m not actually feeling anything.” “Are you getting any closer?” “Why do they make this look so easy in all those porn movies?! This hurts like fuck!” “Did something just happen? You’re not turned on anymore.” “Shit sorry, am I going too fast?” “Wow, you’re hot.” “Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” “Hey, I’m open minded.” “Keep sweet-talking and this could go a whole new direction.” “I think it’s about time we stop avoiding the obvious.” “I’m gonna be honest with you. I’m really horny, and you’re really hot. Can we fuck? Like, now?” “I see someone’s happy to see me.” “I saw that. You just checked me out.” “You know, when this is over, we should really have angry sex.” “Take off your clothes.”  “Tell all those other guys/girls you don’t need them ‘cause you got me.” “Don’t give me that face, it’s so cute I might not be able to hold back.” “Boobs are really just squishy pillows.”  “If you don’t get turned on by having your neck kissed somethings wrong with you.”  “Blasphemy! Sex solves everything.” “I platonically want to have sex with you. No big deal.”

TEXTS

[text]: What do you want now? [text]: Do you want to bet on that? [text]: Guess who just got back in town. [text]: So I might be in a hospital right now… [text]: We can’t keep doing this anymore! [text]: Come on, come to the party! [text]: Can you pick me up from the bar? Too drunk to drive. [text]: You have no clue how I feel so shut up. [text]: I call bullshit. [text]: You thought you could get away with that, didn’t you? [text] I gave up great shower sex to be here so don’t say I never did anything for our friendship. [text] Living alone for four weeks has given me unrealistic expectations of pantslessness. [text] Also, my bed has glitter in it for reasons I do not recall. [text] Who says no to sex and donuts?! [text] I know what you did last summer…

Sources: x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

[explodedstarling-blog]

jspotterii :

“As hard as it may be for you to believe,” James affirmed with a lilt in his voice. Her sarcastic? James could handle. Far better than their sass attack from before. More light. Which was good because James couldn’t take much more heavy right then. Not if it became another competition between them, at any rate. This, however, a smiling Artemis who, dare he think it, sounded almost giddy in anticipation? James had to commit that to memory. It was close to how he remembered the glimpses of her he got in fifth year. “Mercury, huh? Never would have come up with that on my own. And that damned Hat wanted to subject me to riddles on a daily basis. ‘A mind that could reach great heights,’ my arse.” Turning his head, he looked out towards the sky. “You know, I have to say, that’s a good look for you. Mercury showers should be a more common occurrence if it melts that Prefect look off your face.” Then, because curiosity got the best of him, he asked, “What is a mercury shower, anyway?” 

“Here I thought you wanted quiet but you seem to have so much to say, don’t you?” Artemis retorted, though her tone was still as light as it was before. Besides, it wasn’t like Artemis would give up the chance to talk about her precious universe. Never. “What is a mercury shower, well, ” she bounced on her tip toes, “there’s been a ton of debate on what it actually is -- which, growing up, I was completely confused on, but from what I’ve gathered, the planet Mercury itself is quite dense. About ... -- 4.5 million years ago, this planet crashed into Mercury and basically it’s been falling to pieces since. So, parts of the planet break off every now and then and it’s unbelievable.” While Artemis knew there was nothing beautiful in seeing people fall to pieces, crash to the ground, burn to ashes -- there was beauty in the way Mercury was still what it was, still orbited, stood. 

It had been hit by this catasphrophic event and it gave her hope, that after a blow as catamalysmic as losing her brother, for those who were & would always have an open wound, that it’s pieces could give beauty to others. It wasn’t any less of a planet, and that she wasn’t any less of a human due to all the blows she had taken. To all the broken pieces that had hurt others and not given beauty. “I think you would’ve made a swell Ravenclaw, for what it’s worth.”

[explodedstarling-blog]

lionheartedlily :

Glancing up at her coursework, Lily met Artemis’s eyes for a moment. “I suppose you could brief me. Maybe somewhere more private though. I wouldn’t want to disturb other students. You can come with me to get a book.” Standing up, Lily started to walk towards the restricted section, gesturing Artemis to follow.

Nodding her head, Artemis walked with Lily wondering if she should’ve asked how she was doing before she decided to share anything too major with her. “First off, is there anything or anyone bothering you? Second, I think that in the ranks there’s some ... change of heart? Also, James is very concerned about you and Albus, and knows we’ve been spending time together.”

[explodedstarling-blog]

lionheartedlily :

“Okay. Is there something you actually want? Or are you just planning on staring at me all day? Because as you can, I’m incredibly busy with OWL studying here, and I’d rather you just spit out whatever it is you’d like to say so that I can go to work and ensure my future isn’t even more ruined than it already is. And if you do actually have something to say, it better actually be fucking important. Thanks.”

“Just a few updates, though perhaps they could wait until later? I as well wanted to check in. Prefect duties have gotten very ... -- hectic nowadays.” 

[explodedstarling-blog]

bronwyntravers :

“Tea’s a singular thing, I’d agree,” she begun to reply, words threatening to wash out beneath the distinctly heavy pattering of the rain. Bron’s voice had never been the bold, commanding type, but those who listened, really listened, could easily follow her. “For instance, I’m aware while someone may fancy earl grey, with one and a half sugars, and a dollop of full cream milk —- there are others who are more fluid with their tea preferences. Not you, perhaps?” A demure smile flitted across her features, “I’d surmount my teas to mildly nice, you’re quite flattering, Artemis.” Bronwyn wasn’t exactly sure what to make of Artemis Carrow. So she approached with kindness, as always, and an inward caution. ( Who was to say she wasn’t the type to walk all over her like some of the others did? ) “Maybe I couldn’t pin it. Certainly would help if you told me how you like it? I wouldn’t want to disappoint.” 

“Oh, you’d never disappoint.” Condescending, was that how she was coming off then? It was just the truth about Bronwyn, it was really the last thing she’d ever think about the girl. Brownwyn Travers didn’t disappoint. She didn’t, it was something she’d observed , and she hoped she took it as a compliment, despite the tone Artemis was using. “Well, if I told you how I liked it, there’d be no fun in that, now would there?” Being so cryptic to the other girl who she once used to have occasional pleasant, fun, conversation with, proved to be more of a drag than anything. Even if it was something she had to do. Artemis was being just like all the other Purebloods who mocked Bron when they were younger -- and she hated herself for it. “I’m more fond of hot chocolate in this weather, actually.”

[violentwavesofemotion-deactivat]

Night. The stars and the moon impassive, undisturbed, eternal. A little of their impassivity flows into me. They are consoling. They reduce the intensity and acuteness of human sorrow. I feel less strangled, less oppressed.

Anaïs Nin, from The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 3: 1939-1944 (via violentwavesofemotion)

[explodedstarling-blog]

jspotterii :

Artemis Carrow. What a pattern they were developing. He knew she existed during the daytime, since they had sat in the same classes for six years now, but he could not recall a single conversation they had carried during the light of day. Letting out a huff of a laugh, he leaned the side of his body against the tower, conceding, “You’re right, I did.” Quiet for a moment, blinking his heavy eyelids, he continued, “I suppose we don’t have to talk then. Not sure I have the energy anyway. No offense, Carrow, but you’re a bit exhausting to talk to, do you know that?” Said the guy who typically preferred engaging in lengthy conversations himself. But his mind was on overdrive. He couldn’t shut it down, but he needed to slow it down before it crashed on him. 

“Me? A bit e x h a u s t i n g? No.” The sarcasm in her voice was obvious, but it wasn’t cutting. It wasn’t rude, in fact, if anything it could be perceived as playful, friendly. Really, he was just pointing out the obvious and if she was being exhausting she was doing her job right. At this point, seeing James Potter lurking in the shadows of Hogwarts was just something to expect, as it was with her. But today, they were under the open sky, each star being able to connect her to something bigger than herself. It was something she took comfort in, & comfort she had in ample pure supply -- she refused for this one thing to be tainted. Artemis shrugged, pressing her lips together to stop the smile curling on her lips as she looked up at the stars. “I have a mercury shower to see, anyways. But I’ll leave you with this last thing, the night of Leonidas’ funeral services, the answer to the riddle was Mercury.”

[explodedstarling-blog]

jspotterii :

“Oh? Tolkien, huh? Can’t say I figured you the type to be someone who would mention that name in their literature repertoire.” But surprises with Artemis were to be expected. Considering the very thing he was doing was trying to understand her, read her and while James had a keen eye, that would only take him so far. Artemis seemed to be on a whole other level of emotional schooling than he was. Her posture told him little, her face gave him even less than that. But that in himself told him something: whatever she was hiding? It was that important. She had to keep it hidden. Likely not just from him, but from everyone. But what could hold that much weight? Whatever it was hard to do with the war efforts. Of that, he was certain. So why was Lily involved? It had something to do with the Army and whatever they may be planning next, he would bet. Some kind of scheme. Considering the last one that Lily had told him about had left him ill with concern for the lengths his sister would go, it left him no comfort that something similar may be in the works. Melody was back now, so surely there could be a bit of a calm. Some kind of actual planning. The Army was in disarray last James had heard, thus part of the reason he decided to act on his own. He wouldn’t have agreed with much of anything the Army came up with, he imagined. And if he couldn’t fully support their efforts, no matter if he believed in their cause, then James had no business being there, he had rationalized. But what business did Carrow have there? James was not the type to put the label of Death Eater onto every pureblooded family that had been associated with the dark side in previous wars. But what had Carrow done to dispell Lily’s worries about her? To earn her good graces?

“Good to know that we both know how to use our words. So let’s continue to use them, yeah?” Artemis was giving him no headway as of yet, but he was taking this opportunity to gather what he could. James had quite a good deal of patience, so if he didn’t get what he wanted during this encounter, he’d continue digging until he unearthed whatever it was that Artemis was trying to keep buried under the surface. Under that mask that she wore. “If the answer was simple, then you could have easily come up with a simple lie. But you couldn’t. There has to be more to it than that. If there wasn’t, you wouldn’t have as stony as an expression as you have right now. You want to hide. You don’t know this about me, but I’m not quite so susceptible to paranoia that I don’t have a reason to suspect something’s amiss.” It was nearly impossible to completely fly under James’ radar when his siblings were involved. As the questions were then posed in his direction, James held his own ground. Leave it to Artemis to be the one to read between the lines and catch onto the smallest of nuances. He expected no less, but his wording had never been quite as succinct as hers seemed to be. “If I’m a lion, then you’re an eagle, right? So you must know what it means to be able to spot things from a distance. That’s all I’ve done. I keep a distance, so I haven’t eavesdropped on anything, overheard anything, because, yes, I do know what privacy means. My sources are my own, but if I didn’t want to hear it from you, if I didn’t want you to give me an answer that I can believe, then I wouldn’t be here approaching you about it so directly.” The truth was that he could see a lot of things on the Map, but he wasn’t about to disclose that information. He saw no real reason to. 

“I think you’ve not figured me out at all, though, I suppose it’s nice that you haven’t.” Though, Artemis knew it was a lie, another lie she told that was as good as her truth, said like so. But the more she realized that standing there with him would help him reveal herself more -- puzzle piece by piece -- it made her uncomfortable. Artemis wouldn’t show that, but she wouldn’t back down now, not when there were parts of a reaction coming through. There had to be. Not when she was sure it was then she had it a pressure point -- or was it a brick wall? Or was she the one feeling under pressure?

“It’d be an honor to continue to use words with you, James Potter, I think this exchange of using words has been quite informative.”  There was a closed mouth smile of sorts, a small one rising on her face like a slow motion sunrise. Was she getting a reaction from him then? Artemis listened as he talked, and he talked more. More, more, more, and more. Maybe from the outside the smile made her look scary, maybe it made her look deranged. But no matter what, she was a Carrow, she had just turned her back on everything she had known after losing the other half of her soul. 

James Potter knew nothing. It was almost hilarious. How unaware he was. At least of this. 

He knew nothing of what she did when she crept in corners, he knew nothing of she did with his sister, he knew nothing of how she’d been trying to do good -- all in the name of her dead brother. Her murdered brother. Maybe because she couldn’t live the way she had any longer as well. Because what was it worth? She didn’t know if she’d live long enough to find out. “You of all people know that nothing in the world is ever simple, you should know that there is never a simple answer and even if there was a simple lie, is there any simplicity in war? Even in life.-- What were you doing in the woods after Leonidas memorial, James? I’m fairly certain you couldn’t answer that. Or give me a simple answer. Or a simple lie. If my expression is especially stony at the moment then you simply haven’t been paying attention.” 

Artemis ran her eyes around his face, addressing the answer of his that while it had heart, just didn’t seem like the whole truth. It wasn’t satisfactory, as well as didn’t warrant her whole truth in return. Not that the conditions she felt before didn’t still apply, “really, you think that’s going to convince me to tell you? There’s got to be something else. Don’t you think it’s fair to give me an answer I can’t believe for an answer you can believe in return? Or does fairness not apply in this case?”

[explodedstarling-blog]

roleplay-musings :

             ☾Sometimes, to ƒιgнт ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀs, you have to become one yourself.☽

[explodedstarling-blog]

jspotterii :

Rubbing at his stiff neck, James made a quick beeline from the Gryffindor Tower  to the Clock Tower. He figured that would be one place where no one would bother him. What a week this had turned out to be.  He’d even gone as far as to break his self-imposed sobriety. This year was stretching his limits, seeing just how far he’d go. For family. For those he cared about. But he’d continue to bend as necessary. Without breaking.  Hearing a step from behind him, James looked up at the sky, shaking his head. “      You know, I actually came out here for some peace and quiet.”

“It’s a good thing we seem to have a common goal then, isn’t it?” The amount of students who were raging drunk tonight was simply astounding and Artemis knew that as Prefect she should’ve been doing something besides finding solace in the open night sky. But there she was, doing just that. The stars, the night, so vast, clear, and dark. In many ways, she was escaping, knowing there was Death Eater activity that she just couldn’t stop without blowing her cover, it tugged on her conscience. Artemis forced herself to push away the feeling, “and you did talk first.”

[explodedstarling-blog]

jspotterii:

James didn’t bother to stop the laugh that found its way to his throat, though he did have enough tact to cover it with a hand. “Doubt that would’ve worked. Never cared much for authority. Besides, if you had done that, who would have kept you company, picked at that intellectual mind of yours?” When he’d been younger, James had always sought trouble. Nowadays, it seemed to find him without having to look for it. Was Artemis Carrow trouble? He needed to gather more information before he could attempt to deduce a proper answer. But he had to be careful about it which was hard to do with someone as clever as Artemis. But if he backed down now when he had a little bit of an upperhand, he wouldn’t likely get another opportunity like this. Brow furrowing in and brown eyes darkening in thoughtful consideration, he didn’t dare vocalize any doubt in the sincerity of her answer, but he didn’t let it stop him either. So he went with a different approach. “Stalk: to pursue or approach stealthily or harass someone with unwanted attention.” He recited the definition of the word, voice and expression firm, hawk-like. “I wasn’t being stealthy considering I wanted you to notice me and is my presence that unwanted that you’d consider it harassment? May want to rethink your diction a bit there.” Taking a step closer, he had to duck his head down slightly to continue to stare at the girl. “Despite being classmates, we don’t really know much about each other, do we? We should change that. I’ll start by letting you know that I have my ways of having eyes everywhere, so there’s no point in lying to me about the time that you have spent with Lily. And there’s also no point in trying to deny that whatever it is you’re doing, it’s something you clearly don’t want me to know about otherwise you would have come up with a better lie. Could’ve easily said that you were tutoring her or that you’ve been keeping an eye on her since she’s been a lot of trouble lately so you were doing your job as a prefect. But you didn’t say those things, because you have something to hide, and in your panic, you couldn’t think of a lie like that so you just thought to deny it outright instead. That doesn’t sit well with me, as a concerned older brother. I’m following you for the same reason you questioned me the night of the memorial. I know you’re up to something and I want to know what that something is.”

Did he laugh? No, she was imagining things. This conversation was, really, like she had said -- ludicrous. Of course, she could’ve thought of one person who would’ve picked at her mind but she didn’t say their name out loud, no, that would’ve been taking an easy way out. “Don’t worry about my brain -- I assure you the works Herman Hesse and Tolkien have picked at it quite well. You really shouldn’t worry about me so much, Potter, it’ll make you go prematurely grey.” Would that throw him off guard? Muggle mentions with a dash of the hint of a joke?  Or would it make him grow even more suspicious than James seemed to be? He was sharp with her but not only that he was onto her. It threw her off when it shouldn’t have and Artemis needed to pull herself together because this was bad -- this was beyond bad. This could be catastrophic if she didn’t get back to a place she needed to and quickly. But where was that? Was she to butt heads with James Potter until he decided pursuing her wasn’t worth it? If Lily was involved -- he’d never give up. If she knew one thing about the Potter’s, about their concept of family ( and her very own ). it was that they’d go to the hallows and back for each other if that’s what it took. Artemis didn’t break eye contact, it all started with not appearing weak -- so she didn’t. Her body language didn’t betray her, she stood tall, her eyes slightly slitting as she watched him talk. As soon as he finished his sentence, she was on the end of his words like she was completing it. 

“Hang: spend time idly,” she recited, her voice clear and enunciating each word clearly. “You wanted me to notice you? I n t e r e s t i n g.” It was then she listened to his piece, his words, to each little thing he said. Analyzing them, cutting them into pieces, never breaking his stare for a moment, knowing that would indicate weakness. The first thing that came to her, the first thing that struck her was curiosity. How did he have eyes and ( she assumed ) ears everywhere -- how did he know? Artemis wanted to automatically believe he was bluffing, that he’d just been playing her, but he wasn’t. While she knew that he could’ve easily been lying there was a sense there that he wasn’t. Even if he was, that was quite the threat to make. Secondly, was this a scheme? A ploy by Dumbledore’s Army or the Order to test her loyalty? Either way, with where they were, not in a secure location, it wasn’t the place to tell. It wasn’t the place to talk about it. More importantly, he wasn’t the person to talk about it with. Not unless he divulged his information ( even then ), at least, that’s the conclusion Artemis had come to currently. “This is getting to the point of harassment with your paranoia, so go roar at someone else, lion boy. Even if I told you, at this point, gave you the very simple answer, would you believe me? Especially with your so called sources, which tell, what are they? How do you have eyes and ears all over the castle ... -- wait pardon, just eyes you said.” That’s when it occurred to her. She’d made a mental mistake and a verbal flub. “Wait, you don’t have ears do you, just eyes? If anything I’d consider that harassment. So, tell me, why only eyes but not ears -- like giving people privacy? ” 

[achillestiel]

I often looked up at the stars I envied their complexity and their beauty But sometimes I wonder Do they look down and envy us? For the air can fill our fragile lungs Rain soak our skin And wind slice through our solid bodies We tear the world apart for the ones we love And pray that others see the brightness of our souls But never really seeing our true beauty If a star dies it implodes into the blackness But we can break and rebuild ourselves over and over We have the ability to love, hate, destroy and mend But still we covert the star’s complexity While the stars covert our humanity

for it is our sins that make us beautiful // our sins that make real // c.f (via casfallen)

[explodedstarling-blog]

jspotterii:

It’s not like James was aiming for subtle. Curiosity piqued, Artemis Carrow had his full attention that night. The Ravenclaw had been AWOL for the past week and that in itself was interesting. Even more interesting, though, was that on more than one occasion he’d spotted Artemis with Lily rather than be with his own eyes or when he had the Map open. And that was odd: the two didn’t seem like they would mesh well together. So he knew he wanted to talk to her, but he figured he’d let her sweat it out, see how long it would take for her to call him out before he said anything. Trailing her was rather easy and he wasn’t all that worried about losing her trail because on the off chance he did, he had the Map to redirect him. But as it turned out, three times around had her saying enough and James let himself walk forward before turning back at the sound of her voice, one side of his lip quirking upwards.  “And I’m worried for your academic record, Little Miss Prefect. I know you’re smart, but are you sure you can afford missing a whole week of class at a time like this?” He raised his eyebrows, almost as if he were amused in part to hide just how curious he was about her absence. “I just find it rather odd, that’s all. You’re gone for a week, you hang around my sister all the time, it doesn’t add up. Doesn’t make logical sense. Lily automatically distrusts anyone with a surname like yours, so, Carrow, I’m rather intrigued by how you seem to have not incurred her fiery wrath.”

Little Miss Prefect? Rowena, she wanted to laugh, full out, laugh. Was he antagonizing her? No. Was he starting an interview with her? What was James doing? It was beyond comical and as he started to talk she couldn’t believe how much thought he’d put into this. Worried about her academic record? Please. “I feel the regret from years past b u b b l i n g up from not giving you detentions, really. Maybe then we wouldn’t be having such a ludicrous conversation. You’d be scared of the power I have, maybe.” At a time like this. In fact, at a time like this was exactly when school being missed was appropriate. At the second part, however, the ‘oh so’ casual mention of Lily, it shocked her. Artemis knew she was being careful, wasn’t she? Beyond so. First, he was sassing her ( with some backsass on her part, she hoped ) and now he knew about their affiliation how? Not that she would bite, that’d be disastrous. “I’m not sure where you’ve gotten the idea about your sister and I, but, I was away because my birthday’s soon and it’s not an easy one this year for the rest of the family.” Half lie, it wasn’t easy for her, though the family could manage -- still it wasn’t why she was out. “Anyways, why have you been following me? Did you miss me while I was away? You could’ve just left me a note, no need to stalk me, I assure you.”

[explodedstarling-blog]

Really, she thought, could he be more obvious? After about an hour or so, Artemis had circled a certain route around the castle three times using a brisk pace that only someone who was following her would be able to keep up with. It seemed to her that someone -- James Potter, she suspected -- was doing the just that. She’d just come back to the castle after being a way for a week or so, a hectic week or so, and she wasn’t really in the mood to play any games. Though, she doubted the person following her was playing any semblance of a game with her. After circling around a pillar, she hoped to swiftly pop up behind him, finally pipping up, “I feel as if a hippogriff has been following me for the past hour or so. I’m worried for my eardrums.”