THE GREY AREA |

[arden bingham]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 320px; height: 330px;] chips are in the air, AND I CROSS MY FINGERS WHEN THEY FALL

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Arden felt the crack of dawn creeping from around the corner when her eyelids finally closed from the previous evening. The whole day had been spent as a bust as her partner hadn't really proved to be all that useful. She sighed and let her dreams take her where she needed to go. But honestly, she felt as though the rest of the trip would be some kind of fun experience. At least, she hoped as much. The previous event, as lovely as it had been, had a bit of a different twist ending than she had previously thought. As the sun's rays peeked into the tent, she was awakening once again from the same dream that, one could say, haunted her mind once again. Same boy, some time, same everything. She groaned as she flung the comfortable pillow over her head, blocking out the morning's calling. She knew that like her, the rest of the girls in her tent weren't all that eager to really step outside. In fact, the girls in her tent didn't seem all that friendly to begin with - not that she cared. None of them seemed her equal, not in blood or class, but in desire. Arden, despite her petite frame and sweet doe-eyed gaze, was anything but the harmless girl many wrote her out to be. Not that she was quite the dark wizard yet, she knew she was well on her way.

She lay there, the pillow slowly draining away the oxygen and capturing her exhales, she finally released it, allowing her body to stir under the light sheets provided from the cots. They weren't as comfortable as she had hoped, but they had caused some rather lovely nights, if she could recall correctly. There were flashes coming from her dream, but also from her true memories. Dark locks, wet against her back, waves lapping up against her body and a cool breeze dancing over her shoulders. Laughter, splashes... it really did seem like a dream, but perhaps she was romanticizing the whole memory a little too much. It wasn't something she did most of the time, but it did happen every now and then. She lay on her back, staring at the sunlit "walls" of the tent, the canvas seemingly glowing as the sun began its slow ascent into the sky. But she wasn't concentrating on the day ahead, she was thinking intently on a day far behind. She hadn't seen the boy since then, nor had she really wished she wanted to. There was something about him she didn't exactly think she ought to like. Perhaps it was his charm or his wit, or perhaps the fact that the two were essentially designed to either be the best of friends or the worst of enemies. Arden wasn't quite sure which one was to be their path. Perhaps she would have to kill him in the future, thus it would be better not to get too attached.

Easier said than done, of course. She closed her eyes, for the split second she couldn't see, she inhaled a quick breath when the true memory - the strongest, most passionate of them all - seemed to flash to the front of her mind. The taste of salt, mixed with something sweet and warm. Strong arms wrapped around her petite frame and the sweet smell of the sea. Just as quickly as the sensation had come, it was all but a thought. Her eyes shot open and she found her heart beating at a speed not relative to its pace a mere dozen seconds ago. She sat up, her hair a complete mess as it hung in tangles and curls over her shoulders, she looked around and realized that many of her tent mates had already departed. Probably searching for breakfast. She had missed it the day before and this time she was determined to go, even if she didn't look her best. She quickly grabbed her toothbrush and her wand, casting a quick water spell to rinse her mouth with, making a slight mess. Arden was a lady first and foremost, unless you were to take away her favourite meal of the day. She ran a brush through her hair quickly and pulled on a tank top and some shorts, grabbing a sweater on her way out as she felt another cool breeze and shivered. Comfortable with the fabric covering her arms, she headed towards the canteen where she would find some delicious baguette, some eggs and some bacon.

"Ugh, where have you been all my life!" she moaned after grabbing a plate and sitting down a little ways away from the general group of happy-go-lucky campers. She closed her eyes as she bit into her first piece of bacon, feeling warmth as the food allowed her body to full grow awake. The only thing she needed now was some caffeine.

TAGGED: raif
NOTES: awks times! yay! and in the morning! mwuahahahaha

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[raif donovan]

Dusting the loose earth from his jeans as he stood, his dark gaze remained intent on the empty fire pit which sat before him. Though the fire had long died out, he could still hear the occasional cracking of a warm coal hidden amongst the ash. Last night this place had been so alive, flames reaching into the dark night sky, lighting the faces of dozens of individuals. The morning had brought a much different atmosphere. It was chill and silent, without even a breeze to break the stillness which hung in the air. He couldn't say he was disappointed, Raif like being able to walk without the wind constantly at his back. The sunshine was just beginning to peek over the horizon, slowly spilling its soft golden rays over the campsite. Rolling the length of his grey long sleeved shirt up past his elbows, he started away from the fire pit.

Raif kicked absently at a rock in his path, his dark eyes following it as tumbled away from him, his mood one of stern contemplation. The idea had seemed ludicrous when he’d first given it thought and still was, but yet he still found himself in attendance. Raif wasn’t accustomed to making himself part of a crowd, it had never been his agenda, instead he let the crowd come to him – if they so wished it. Yet the longer he was here, the more he found himself being drawn to these events. Only a few weeks ago he’d found himself among the masses at the schools beach party and now he was among them again, yet this time it was for a camp out. He doubted he would find his roommate among the crowd and he was one of the few people he’d come to terms with here at Beauxbatons. There was only one reason he kept attending these ludicrous events and it was in the hopes that he might run into her.

He couldn’t shake her. Raif had always been a charmer and anyone who knew him would not contest the fact. He was interested in females as a general, but his interest was never more than fleeting. Something about Arden was different and he couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly. He wasn’t quite himself around her, or maybe it was that he was too much himself. The thought of their last meeting brought a smile to his lips, but left him craving more. He’d been surprised by his sudden overwhelming hunger for her. It’d been almost as surprising to himself as it had been to her when he’d drawn her in close, melding his lips with her own. He kept telling himself that he didn’t want her, didn’t need her, but he kept finding himself drawn back to her. She was just as eager to push him away as he was to deny that he was feeling anything for her. They were too much the same, caught in their desires, but similarly as eager to relinquish them.

Combing his hand through his hair, Raif sighed, trying to push the dark haired girl to the back of his mind. From the edge of his vision he was starting to become aware of subtle movement with the camp, the early risers among the camp. Turning his eyes back to the campsite he watched them for a time and noticed most of the students heading in the same direction, the very direction in which he caught the wafting scent of bacon. He could do with some breakfast, besides it was quite chill out here despite the grasping rays of the sun. Upon reaching the tent he realized that a good majority of camp must still be piled in their beds, as only a few students sat scattered about. Grabbing a plate and filling it with eggs, bacon, and biscuits he wandered away from the small group of students at the center. Instead he found himself at the edge of the tent where only one straggler seemed to be waiting. Ironic that it should be her.

"Ugh, where have you been all my life!"

A small smile graced his lips as he slid onto the bench beside her, her eyes still closed as she savored her breakfast. I thought you’d never ask. He spoke, breaking through her silent reverie, taking a bite of his own bacon as his eyes turned on her, gauging her reaction. I was half under the impression that you’d been avoiding me.

[arden bingham]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 320px; height: 330px;] chips are in the air, AND I CROSS MY FINGERS WHEN THEY FALL

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The last time Arden had been awake so early must have been weeks or months (or years) ago at least. She glanced down at her wrist as she ate her delicious strips of bacon and saw that it was barely nine in the morning. To her, waking up consisted of opening her eyes at the right time, turning off her alarm and rolling over to go back to sleep. Obviously, this wasn't something that was happening that day. The canteen tent was still rather empty, a few stragglers coming in and piling their plates with delicious snacks. She eyed the line curiously, although she would deny the real reason why. If she was seldom awake at the hour of dawn (to her), then why would he be? The two were incredibly similar, which was partly why Arden hated him. And by hate, that would mean she honestly had no idea where to place her emotions. Whenever he was around, it just jumbled her thoughts and immediately made her think of how she was so annoyed and yet entertained by him that it would classify under irritation. But in a way, what she didn't know (or more likely refused to know) was that she did feel that general attraction, that same attraction that every girl who was around him felt. But no, she didn't want to be one of those girls (dare she say groupies) and she didn't want to involve herself with his looks and his reputation. She wasn't interested. In fact, she would swear off guys all together had she not agreed to attend this school in which both boys and girls attended. Occupational hazard.

She shook some hair out of her face as she took another savoury bite into the meat and closed her eyes, as though in a dreamlike state of bliss. She felt the bench beside her give way slightly, as another body joined her. Despite the wafting smell of bacon throughout the canteen, she recognized his musky scent almost immediately but kept her eyes lightly closed. She had some sort of knowing feeling assuming that he would obviously hear the one thing that was intended to be for her ears only (and the imaginary ears of the bacon). She waited for him to finish his question before swallowing and opening those dark brown eyes and glancing his direction. She smirked and, without even thinking twice, snatched a piece of bacon from his plate and put it in between her teeth. A little smile appeared upon her lips, playful and teasing, as she took another delicious bite. "Why would you ever think I was avoiding you?" she asked curiously, nonchalantly ignoring the fact that she casually stole some of his food. The look of an angel: the wide brown eyes, the soft skin and the flowing locks that looked silky to the touch... well, she was relying on those whenever she did anything in contrast to her doll like appearance.

She hadn't been avoiding him as far as she knew, she had simply been focused on her work. And by her work, she didn't mean classes, she meant her extra-curricular research on dark magic, of course. It was strange, someone who seemed so innocent and different didn't exactly strike you as someone who had such a strong desire for power. Arden isn't quite like most girls in that sense, concerning herself with something as frivolous as boys and clothes and school wide events. She knew that power at a school was nothing. It was power in the world that really meant anything whatsoever. Raif was just someone who was going to get in her way if she wasn't careful. But he was such a good distraction - his gaze seemed to give her goosebumps and her heart seemed to quicken in pace. She wished she could ignore all those cues, but from an objective point of view she most certainly would have advised herself that she may have feelings for the boy. But, she was going to deny it until the ends of the earth.

To be entirely honest, she had the impression that he didn't do school events, that he didn't 'do' social contact unless it was with someone of the opposite gender. Arden was proven wrong, apparently, as first she encountered him at the beach party, and then she sees him once again at the camp. It was getting interesting as he seemingly became more of a social person, wanting to talk to people and get to know others. Arden's excuse was to just get away from the school at all chances she could get. Despite being stuck with these people, she mostly wanted to escape the confines of the palace and do her own thing.

"Besides, who's to say you aren't avoiding me?" she asked coyly, a grin spreading across her rosy lips.

TAGGED: raif
NOTES: you may have guessed that i like bacon xD

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[raif donovan]

For a few lingering moments there was nothing but silence between them. Her closed lids as she savored her bacon shielded his expression from her prying eyes. Raif took that moment to truly take her in. Since that first day he’d met her gaze in class he’d known she was attractive, but attractive was a term he could apply to most girls. Arden, should he dare say it was beautiful. A smile lifted on the corner of his lips as he watched her, her eyes finally opening, allowing her dark chocolate gaze to meet his own. It was her eyes that captivated him most, capturing just a glimmer of those dark motives that she kept secreted away. Before even acknowledging his question she reached across snatching a piece of bacon from his plate and eagerly biting into it. Take another bite and it might be your last. He spoke, raising a brow as she took yet another bite. You are playing a dangerous game, Miss Bingham. The wide eyed gaze might have betrayed her as innocent, sweet even, but Raif had come to know her as something else entirely. Surely it was the only reason he was so intrigued, somehow he kept finding his way back to her.

Raif wasn’t entirely sure what it was he felt in regards to Arden, though he knew he found himself vexed over the way she so easily pushed away any of his advances. It had happened time and time again, first when she’d left the night after their picnic. Then again, when she’d disappeared after that moment at the beach. The memory filled his senses, daring him to reach out and touch her, to feel those lips against his own. Biting his lip, Raif reigned in his thoughts, again turning his attention to the girl sitting beside him. It seemed so unlikely that this would be the place that he would run into her next. He’d been under the impression that such events wouldn’t be so likely to draw her attention, when she could be curled away furthering his dark interest. Truth be told, these events weren’t much his fashion either, yet he kept finding himself in attendance. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, it had been in the slim hopes of finding her. He wondered though, what was it that drew her to such events?

Raif had transferred schools in order to shield himself from his father’s eager insistence to follow in his footsteps. Raif had always had a mind of his own and he’d been keen of avoiding distraction. It seemed though that Arden was becoming more of a distraction that any he’d faced before. He was eager to know more, she’d tested his curiosities, but had skirted away ever since. He was likely playing a losing game and a dangerous one, letting her in as close as he was. He smirked when she chose to ignore his first comment; it was so like her to avoid any notion that he was interested. It was a bit unnerving in all honesty.

I suppose that’s fair. He said with a shrug of his shoulder, taking a bite into a slice of his own bacon. He didn’t quite feel like sharing that he’d watched for her, giving every room he entered a once over, just in case she should be there. I was worried that maybe that kiss had scared you away. He said, watching his plate for a moment before once more turning his gaze on her own. She couldn’t shy away from all his questions.

ooc: sorry it's a bit awful.... but I needed to do something. So late ><

[arden bingham]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 320px; height: 330px;] chips are in the air, AND I CROSS MY FINGERS WHEN THEY FALL

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She grinned as she pointedly took another big bite of the baon in her fingers. The mischievous sparkle in her eyes was equally matched by a dangerous glint in his. There was something about his eyes that made her heart skip a beat whenever she looked directly at them, and she had to do everything in her power to ignore the pull. They were like magnets. Being brought back together in intimate settings constantly, and it was hard to believe that this was just some twisted friendship. Something about the two of them together seemed right, perfect even. There was equal balance in who held the conversation, who pushed forward and who pulled back. It was incredibly equal, as though they already shared the weight of the flirting, the fleeting glances. But it was something neither one seemed to notice. "But isn't danger something that interests you, Mr. Donovan?" she asked pointedly, arching her brow as her lips curled into a wide smile. She finished the last of what was on her plate and wiped her fingers on her napkin. Crossing her legs, she took her coffee and turned to face him curiously, hair dancing over her shoulders.

There was something about Raif that didn't strike her as the social butterfly he seemed to be (haha, right). But there was still some reason she came to all of these things. Seeing him wasn't a priority, but it was always something she hoped for. Every movement, every corner she turned she thought she'd see him. Without him actively being on her mind, it was clear that she would still absent mindedly seek him out everywhere she went. So the discovery that he would also be at this camp made her feel butterflies. But for the time being, she saw him only as a friend with whom she could feel a very strong attraction towards. His dark hair, his brooding eyes and that easy, slow smile that made her legs feel like jelly.

She nearly froze at the mention of that night. She could remember everything - the waves lapping around them, the laughter that ensued before hand the light, airy atmosphere that was riddled with sparks of chemistry afterwards. Immediately after the two had released one another, Arden had immediately swum away, leaving him treading water a little longer before, she assumed, he swum back as well. She didn't need this complication in her life right now, especially not Raif. Raif, she knew, would leave her the moment she let him in. She was going to have to keep him knocking at the door if she wanted to keep on track. She wanted power, she wanted to be a better witch and to know what was awful and what was good. With Raif, the lines were incredibly blurred and that was what made it hard to control her feelings. She had never felt this way, and Raif brought out all of these emotions and actions she never thought she'd ever do. "I wouldn't say it had to do with that kiss. It wasn't even good," she jokingly lied. "There I was thinking you'd be much better at it."

TAGGED: raif
NOTES: lol no worries. this one's short and bad, but nice and easy muse is good (:

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