Holiday Ghost Event: Road Less Traveled

[shnpc]

WHO: Everyone, affected and not
TONE: Not of this world
RATING: PG
WHEN: December 11th through 12th
WHERE: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
WHAT: Due to visiting holiday ghosts, some students and staff find themselves living as they would have if something in their lives did or didn't happen. An alternate version who could be better or worse off!
NOTE: This signals the event start. Use any posting format you want, and feel free to post about this as well on the journals!

Comments

[marshall_lee]

[He looks up at the pretty older lady who seems to know him. He doesn't recognize her at all. He smiles politely.]

Forgive my rudeness ma'am but..do I know you?

[wavesofjade]

... Of course you--

[Something in his voice doesn't sound right, and she falters. Ma'am?]

Of course you do. I've known you for a few years, now.

[marshall_lee]

[He still has that look of confusion and now a bit of guilt.]

Have you? I apologize, but I'm afraid I don't remember. Then again, I don't recognize anyone I've seen so far.

[He puts a hand to his forehead and tries to think.]

All I know is that I was expelled a few months ago and suddenly I wake up and I'm here again. I have no idea how I got here. I thought that perhaps they changed their minds and whisked me back here.

[wavesofjade]

Expelled? What--

[Aah, but should she ask? She bites her lip and then taps her index finger against it.]

Sweetheart, this is going to sound like an odd question, but what year is it?

[marshall_lee]

[He quirks an eyebrow at her seemingly strange question.]

It's 1883 ma'am. How is that relevant?

[wavesofjade]

[Dolores lets out a slow sigh.]

Because.. it is not 1883. Would you come along with me to the hospital wing? I'm a nurse, and there's something I'd like to check.

[marshall_lee]

[Cue him looking shocked before he smiles.]

Ah, surely this is a joke yes?

[Looking at her it slowly dawns on him that it's not a joke.]

I..suppose I had better.

[wavesofjade]

[She smiles in return, but its faint and lacking its usual warmth. At least now she can make good on her promise, though she hadn't thought it would be so soon that she would be able to do so.

It's with a hesitation that she touches his shoulder to turn him about and lead him to the hospital wing.]

Tell me, what is the last thing that you remember?

[marshall_lee]

[He starts to let her lead him but then he remembers his manners and offers his arm to her instead. He might not be doing the leading but he still feels he should be polite]

I remember that I got expelled a few months ago. I.. decided not to go home. I found work playing music at a few taverns instead. One of them lets me rent out a small room upstairs.
I think I went to bed because the next thing I know I woke up back here.
[He looks down at her arm and frowns a bit.]
You're a bit chilly ma'am. Would you like to borrow my robe?

[wavesofjade]

[She takes his arm out of habit as they walk, a small frown on her face as he speaks. Dolores knows a little about Marshall's life before he was turned, but she's never really pressed him to give her any details. She wouldn't like it if someone did that to her, after all.]

Mm? No, I'm not cold. Don't worry about that.

[She gives his arm a light pat.]

Are you feeling alright?

[marshall_lee]

[Under ordinary circumstances Marshall would be more than happy to share his life story with Dolores. Now however he frowns a little.]

Are you sure? You seem quite cold and I wouldn't wish for you to catch ill.

[He nods. He really doesn't feel sick or anything. Just very out of place.]

Physically I feel quite fine. I just find that being here all of a sudden quite disconcerting.

[wavesofjade]

That is understandable, and I have no reason to think there is anything wrong with you.. but I would like to be sure.

[Maybe she'll be asking him about that life story when everything goes back to normal this time around.]

[marshall_lee]

I understand completely. [They walk in an odd kind of silence for a bit before Marshall asks.]

Ah..so, how long have you been a nurse here? You mentioned having known me for a while.

[She should..it would probably do him some good.]