21st Century Pureblood

Briella | 5th year | Slytherin She's new-blood pureblood witch with both money and freedom to express herself. She'll be friendly if you play nice.

[independentwitch]

What happens in the spa pool stays in the spa pool | Briella & Zanna

[inzannity]

“Very true,” Zanna said magnanimously.  They would come around eventually - at least she hoped some of them would.  Part of her wondered if maybe people were intimidated by her close friendship with Briella.  If that was the case, she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to befriend them anyways.

She was touched by Bri’s concern, but Zanna wasn’t really in the mood to discuss her daddy issues.  Instead she just shrugged, trying to play down how much this time of year affected her.  “Oh, you know.  The usual holiday gloom.  It will pass.”

[independentwitch]

That was it. Briella couldn’t just sit there and see her best friend look so down and not comfort her with a hug. She glided her body through the hot water to seat herself right beside Zanna, not hesitating now to wrap her arm around Zanna’s shoulders.  As conscious as she was of all the skin-on-skin contact between them, making Zanna feel better was thankfully more prevalent in her mind.

“Maybe my family should adopt you,” Briella said with a little grin that she hoped to infect Zanna with. “I’m already on the edge of begging you to take your sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts too. We’ll show you a good Christmas every year.” Whatever it took to cheer Zanna up.

[independentwitch]

9, 10 and 15

What is your muse's sexual preference?

Briella is sexually attracted to any and all genders. Who she’s sexually attracted to depends on things like bone structure and how they present themselves.

Her romantic preference is very different.

Most problematic thing your muse has ever done?

Briella has done a lot of problematic things. Her most problematic action from recent times is her relationship with Ri. It’s based entirely on lies and selfish need on her end. The relationship is still ongoing.

What would your muse say to their younger self if they could go back in time?

She’d give her younger self pro makeup tips, and then caution her never to fall in love with a friend. Ever. It only ends badly.

[independentwitch]

20

What is your muse's addiction?

Social contact. Briella needs to be around people all the time. Being socially isolated feels like the worst kind of punishment to her. Whether it’s one person or a crowd, she thrives on being around people.

[independentwitch]

What happens in the spa pool stays in the spa pool | Briella & Zanna

[inzannity]

Zanna relaxed into the water, just trying to let its warmth penetrate into her very bones.  She missed Cuba - the weather was so cold in Europe that she felt like she’d never be warm again.  Summer had been okay, but she missed that tropical heat.  This chill was not really her style at all.

“Most of my ‘friends’ are just class friends.  I wouldn’t necessarily do anything with them outside of school,” Zanna clarified, eyes still closed.  She’d been wanting to form some closer friendships while she was at Hogwarts, but so far nothing had really clicked.  Briella was the only person that she really got along with well enough to want to spend more time with her.  “Besides, even if I did get an invitation, I haven’t really been in a mood to go out lately.”

[independentwitch]

“Really?” Briella asked, a mixture of surprise and displeasure. People didn’t know what they were missing by not being closer friends with Zanna. “Everyone should want to be your friend. They’re idiots for not seeing that.” And that was an honest opinion. She wasn’t just saying that to cheer Zanna up.

The latter comment Zanna made about her mood had Briella worried. She’d noticed that Zanna was talking less now that they weren’t at Hogwarts, but having gotten to know each other as penpals, one thing Briella really didn’t know about her best friend was her level of talkativeness during those times which she wasn’t putting on a performance as a ditsy ginger.

"What’s wrong?” Briella asked, moving closer in the pool. “What’s gotten you in this mood?” She wasn’t sure she should be physical with Zanna given her feelings and that they were both in bikinis, though the desire to reach out and comfort was strong.

[independentwitch]

What happens in the spa pool stays in the spa pool | Briella & Zanna

[inzannity]

Zanna shrugged off her own robe, watching the way it pooled next to Briella’s on the floor as she tied up her hair.  She’d been a little quiet since they got back to Bri’s place, and she was sure her friend had noticed.  That was what this whole break had been about, anyways; Bri had wanted to make sure that Zanna wasn’t sad and alone this Christmas.  It really was sweet of her, but Zanna was sure she wasn’t making for a very fun guest.

Sighing a bit, she slipped into the warm water, the sound turning into a groan of contentment.  How could she not feel good with little water jets soothing away the tensions of the past several weeks.  “This feels heavenly,” she murmured in Briella’s direction.  Her eyes were closed and her head was leaning back against the edge of the spa, but she still knew generally where Briella was sitting.  

[independentwitch]

Briella grinned as Zanna joined her in the spa. She was smart enough to wait until Zanna’s eyes were closed to check her out through the ripples of water. “I thought about inviting Ri to do this, but I like this idea better.” She’d gone out Christmas shopping with her girlfriend Ri, but that had been it, aside from some messaging back and forth.

If she was going to be honest with herself, she didn’t feel like she could relax around Ri. Even if Ri was tactful enough to not mention her other girlfriend Kali, Briella’s jealous thoughts went there anyway. It wasn’t a pleasant way to spend a date between them. It should have been obvious to her from the start that hanging around Ri would never been the same as the feeling she got from hanging around Zanna. It was a shame.

“I noticed you’ve not left the house much. I would have thought you’d get a few invites at least for coffee or shopping or something.”

[independentwitch]

What happens in the spa pool stays in the spa pool | Briella & Zanna

The Heidrich family’s main residence was a beautiful and modern estate home. It began with well-kept lawns and gardens, split by a clean concrete driveway up to the six-car garage. Massive panes of glass allowed a view into the house. Clean lines of white were broken up only by tasteful pops of colour. They’d moved into the house when Briella was three, and had some work done on it since.

The best thing about the house was its easy blend between modern muggle architecture and wizarding magic. Those big panes of glass would frost over for privacy with just a touch. The sound system built into the walls of each room picked up wizarding radio as easily as muggle. And a gas fireplace set in a door frame allowed for floo travel. That was where Briella had first met Zanna face to face.

It had been natural to invite Zanna to the Estate for Christmas. Briella knew that Zanna didn’t have much reason to make the international trip back home, and honestly she was kind of glad for that. It meant more time in which she could have Zanna to herself.

One of Briella’s favourite places in the Estate, aside from her personal bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe and full vanity setup with lights, was the indoor pool and hot tub. While the pool was heated, it was the spa that suited a cold winter’s day best. So she’d invited Zanna to join her for a long soak in that deliciously warm water. If she guiltily wanted an excuse to get Zanna in a bikini in the middle of winter, well she wasn’t going to admit it.

They had warm towels for when they were done, and snacks set up on the side of the spa pool for when they were hungry, courtesy of the Heidrich-employed house elf. Fluffy white bathrobes kept them warm on the walk to the pool. 

Briella untied the cord slipped the robe off her shoulders. Her toes dipped into the spa pool and she sighed with pleasure. “Mmmm, Zanna, you need to get in here. It’s perfect.” Briella dipped her whole body under the water until it covered her shoulders.

[handsondestiny-rpg-blog1]

Four Hogwarts houses Three rogue frogs Two new owls and a wand that has specially chosen me!

Write about why your character belongs in the house they were sorted into and their opinion on the reputation that comes with the house. For bonus points, explain any traits that have that are abnormal for those in their house.

[independentwitch]

Briella puts the Sly in Slytherin. She follows some of the nastier of her House’s ways in that she doesn’t care whose toes she steps on to reach her ambitions. She’s very resourceful, socially manipulative, and a whole lot of morally ambiguous. Her only problem with being in Slytherin is that people have a certain impression of Slytherins that doesn’t suit her. She’d rather not be perceived as manipulative before she even has the chance to manipulate someone.

[handsondestiny-rpg-blog1]

Three rogue frogs Two new owls and a wand that has specially chosen me!

Pets are everywhere at Hogwarts, including, somehow, a lot of frogs. Write about your character’s pet if they have one, where they got it, what they named it, what it looks like. If you character doesn’t have a pet, then write about the pets they have to live with daily, shedding hair all over their dorm room.

[independentwitch]

Briella isn’t much of a pet person. She likes the idea of having a toy-sized dog because it’s cute. But she doesn’t want to, you know, actually take care of it. If she were to get one in the future, it would be someone else’s duty to feed, wash, and clean up after it.

[handsondestiny-rpg-blog1]

Two new owls and a wand that has specially chosen me!

Write two letters which your character receives from someone outside of hogwarts. The letters only need to be a few sentences long each. As a bonus, give your character’s thoughts on these letters. It can be done in prose.

[independentwitch]

~

Gabrielle, my angel, of course we’ll be happy to have your new girlfriend over during the holidays. We’ll give you all the privacy you need. If you don’t want us to meet her, we won’t meet her. And if you need anything else, just let us know. We’ve already bought you everything on your Christmas list, and a few surprises, but there’s still time to buy more if you want anything else.

Lots of Love, Dad

Briella can think of a few more things she wants, and she knows her dad will get them. He’ll do anything for her.

Bri,

My best advice is don’t tell her. As a woman, and my daughter, you should be able to read if a fellow woman is attracted to someone. Even if that someone is you. You said you are reasonably certain that she doesn’t return your feelings. Trust your instincts. They have not lead you astray yet. Only reveal your feelings if you sense that your friend’s feelings towards you have begun to match your own. If they don’t change, then you will be glad in the future that you did not act. Continue to trust in yourself.

Love, Mum

Her mother was right. Briella had to think about how this would affect their future together.

[handsondestiny-rpg-blog1]

A wand that has specially chosen me!

Write about your character’s wand; its wood, its core, its length and rigidity. Is it plain or is it decorated? What kind of spellwork is it best at? What is it worst at? Does your character have any kind of special attachment to it?

[independentwitch]

Wood: Silverlime - A highly fashionable wand wood for a highly fashionable witch. Silverlime wands have a reputation for performing best for Seers and those skilled in Legilimency. While Briella has no desire to become a famous Seer, she certainly has an inner eye that helps her see through tea leaves and the fog of crystal balls.

Core: Unicorn Tail Hair - This core produces the most consistent magic, least subject to fluctuations and blockages, which makes for a good reliable wand for Briella, who would be instantly irritated with an unreliable wand.

Length: 12¼ inches

Rigidity: Unyielding

The pale colouring of Briella’s wand along with the intricate carvings around the handle give it a very expensive feel. The length of the wand narrows down to a sharp point at the end, making it look lethal in its own right, magic or no magic. It is suited best to the kind of spells taught in Charms class, though it’s a decent all-rounder.

[independentwitch]

Got my heart in the choke hold | Briella & Zanna

[inzannity]

Zanna plopped down on Bri’s bed, quiet for a moment as she considered her friend’s face.  There was something Briella was holding back, and Zanna was intensely curious as to what it was and why Bri was trying to hide it from her.  Lately it had seemed like there was always something in their interactions that she wasn’t understanding and Zanna had no idea what to do about it.

She frowned a bit, reading between the lines of what Bri had just said.  “You like her,” Zanna said, eyebrows raised in surprise. Not that Bri didn’t like the boys she’d dated, but this was something else.  Briella actually cared about making things work, but Zanna wasn’t entirely sure that the girl knew this herself.  “I worry cariña.  You seem like you’re in very deep…maybe a little too deep?”

[independentwitch]

Briella’s immediate reaction to Zanna’s assertion was to scrunch up her nose. No she didn’t like Ri like that. Unfortunately the brilliant idea that she could have used that excuse to fool Zanna came too late. Probably for the best. Her lies never held up against Zanna’s scrutiny in any event.

Perhaps it meant something that her first reaction had been so extreme, but Briella was too preoccupied to think on it. “I’m not in deep. I’m just bored of the usual is all.” She chose her words carefully. This much was true, she was bored of the usual because none of her partners held any excitement for her anymore, now that she had met Zanna in person. In fact, she’d cut off her summer fling with a muggle boy right after Zanna arrived from Brazil without thinking twice about it.

“I appreciate that you care, but you don’t need to worry, Zanna. I know what I’m doing.” At least she thought she did.

[independentwitch]

Got my heart in the choke hold | Briella & Zanna

[inzannity]

“Yes, I did get that impression,” Zanna said, glad that she was finally getting something truthful out of Briella.  Clearly her relationship wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows like Bri had been making it out to be for the past couple of weeks.  On some level, Bri was dissatisfied, which made Zanna wonder why she was staying with Kaori if she wasn’t happy with the arrangement - or why she’d agreed to it at all.  It was very out of character for her.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for you, but I’m not sure I understand why you’re making so many concessions for this girl.  This isn’t..it’s not how things usually go with you.”  Usually Briella was confident, dominant even, in her relationships.  Things were always on her terms, and if something wasn’t working for her, Bri dropped the person with no hesitation.  She always got what she wanted, but with Kaori it seemed like everything was about the other girl and her wishes.  It was unusual for Zanna to see Bri being so considerate.

[independentwitch]

Zanna was so unfortunately right. Briella was making a lot of compromises to make Ri happy. Were it any of her regular relationships with the boys at school, she would have ended it already. There were plenty more were that came from. She could probably find another girl interested in a fling too. But the reason she was trying to stick this out was right in front of her in all her beauty.

“This one is different,” she tried to explain, without really explaining anything at all. How was she supposed to tell Zanna that she was trying to force herself into having romantic feelings for Ri so that she wouldn’t have them for her best friend? Not that there had been much hope to begin with. Ri was so much less than Briella’s expectations, and Zanna was so much more than.

“I want to try this, y’know? Maybe I don’t want just casual relationships with boys anymore.” It was a feeble excuse, but there was truth in there enough that she hoped to fool Zanna. “Ri’s not what I hoped for, but I’m not going to make this like all my past relationships with guys and just drop her without trying first.” This excuse sounded better to her, even as it veered further from the truth.

[kaoridunncare-deactivated201603]

baby girl, don’t get caught on my edges | bri & ri

[kaoridunncare-deactivated201603]

“I’m always down for something sweet,” Ri said with a happy smile, tucking herself into Briella’s side securely.  She knew that Bri was fairly affluent, and while Ri wasn’t anywhere near that, her family was comfortable and she could afford to take her girlfriend out on a date.  Plus, she wouldn’t expect Briella to pay for everything just because she came from money - this partnership was about equal footing and she didn’t want Bri to think that Ri was just with her for her wallet.

“They do have so much diversity in style!  I think the magical world needs to catch up, honestly.  We can’t be wearing robes forever,” she said with a laugh.  “I don’t think I’ve heard of Via Spiga, though.”  Ri assumed it must be a designer brand.  She knew some of the bigger names, but her style was a little too bohemian and vintage for high fashion.  Like, the warm cotton thigh highs and pleated mini skirt she was currently wearing she’d found thrifting, though the red pea coat she’d bought new.   And she was glad for it, since the temperature was only a little above freezing.

[independentwitch]

"They do!" Briella gushed. "Twilfits usually carries one or two things I like, but if I'm going shopping, it's on the muggle side. I feel sorry for the girls who think they have to go wizard-fashion only. Like this girl I dorm with, Melissa Rosier, is well dressed enough, but her entire wardrobe pompous and old-fashioned." She didn't know how much Ri knew about Melissa, but the girl was an easy target for gossip.

That Ri didn't know who Via Spiga was didn't bother Briella too much. Knowing more than Ri did about those high fashion names only helped her feel more superior. Now were it Zanna, Briella would expect her to know a thing or two. Though foreign, Briella had mentioned brand names of her various purchases often enough when writing to her.

Catching sight of a coffee shop, Briella asked, "Is that the place?"

[kaoridunncare-deactivated201603]

baby girl, don’t get caught on my edges | bri & ri

[kaoridunncare-deactivated201603]

“You look gorgeous, by the way,” Ri said, taking in Briella’s outfit more closely now that she wasn’t angsting over her tardiness.  She hitched her bag higher on her shoulder, anxious to get going now that she’d finally made it to her destination.  Briella didn’t strike her as the most patient person.

“There’s a cute little coffee shop a little ways down the street.  On the muggle side, but they have the best lattes and it’s warm and cozy.  We could go there if you want, and your drink will definitely be on me.  Sorry about that again.”  Ri looked up sheepishly, having to crane her head a bit to see Bri’s face.  She didn’t know how familiar Bri was was muggle London, but it would be nice to show her around some if she hadn’t done much exploring.

[independentwitch]

Briella smiled at Ri's compliment. She had spent the hour since her owl picking out the perfect clothing, makeup and hair style for their date. She'd been going for classy yet effortless, and was confident she had managed that. "So do you," she told Ri. Truth be told, she didn't find Ri to be among the most attractive of the girls in school, but paying compliments to her appearance always went down well. She was cute enough.

"Muggle's good with me. How about we get a little treat to split too?" Briella wrapped her arm around Ri's and started them off to the muggle street outside the Leaky Cauldron. She could easily afford her own food and drink, but she felt no guilt in letting Ri pay.

"I go shopping in the muggle side of London as much as I shop on the wizarding side," she explained conversationally. "More, actually, because they have a bigger range." Alongside all her galleons and sickles she carried a credit card to daddy's bank account. "Last time I was out here they had this whole window display of Via Spiga shoes. I about died."

[kaoridunncare-deactivated201603]

baby girl, don’t get caught on my edges | bri & ri

Ri’s short legs were working overtime, her feet taking off before she’d completely finished apparating into a discrete location near the Leaky Cauldron.  Already, she was kicking herself for not flooing - it would have been much faster to just pop right into the pub instead of whatever walk-run she was attempting now.  She’d thought she’d given herself enough time to make sure she wasn’t late, but, as usual, she’d misjudged and now it was fifteen minutes past the time she’d told Briella to meet her.  God, I’m such a meatball sometimes!

Finally reaching her destination, she huffed out a few unsteady breaths outside the door before letting herself in.  Ri wasn’t particularly in shape, but Briella didn’t need to know that.  She tried to regulate her breathing as she scanned the room.  Almost immediately Bri came into view, looking as poised and beautiful as ever.  It was utterly unfair.

“Hey, sorry I’m late!” she said, self-deprecating smile quirking her lips as she leaned over to kiss Briella.  “I hope you weren’t waiting too long.”

[independentwitch]

Briella had, quite thoughtlessly, arrived on time. Her father had teased her, said that his daughter, his little angel, was growing up, wanting to spend more time with her girlfriend than with her father. She had only arrived home the day before, after all. But he'd seen her off at the fireplace, wishing her the best for her date.

Today she had dressed herself up in something both classy as hell and appropriate for walking both wixen and muggle streets at the height of winter. Red and black were the colours of the day. Black boots with a heel. Red skinny-jeans. The feature of the outfit was the cloak-style piece she wore about her torso, draped loose over her arms yet drawn in towards her trim waist by a soft belt. She'd kept her makeup light to counter the dark fabric, perfectly sweet and complimentary.

A side benefit of wearing black today, one that Briella hadn't planned, was that the dark colour helped hide the soot from flooing. She'd tried to get most of it off. In fact she'd hurried, expecting Ri to walk in any second now. But she didn't, so Briella waited. And waited. Patience wasn't exactly something Briella had in abundance.

Ri's arrival brought a sense of relief to Briella. She smiled brightly at the girl, watching her approach, and then returned the kiss. "Oh it's fine," she lied, as if she hadn't thought about leaving. "You can make it up to me with coffee. Got a place in mind?" 

[independentwitch]

Sounds perfect! I can’t wait!

See ya there! ♥

[independentwitch]

Sounds great! What time?

1:30pm sound good to you?