Studivu

Studivu
vu sisters' flat

It took lots of convincing but Castor and Châu finally caved and let their daughters Capri and Jo attend muggle school away from the High Sept. As part of the deal, the two sisters were able to get their parents to provide a studio apartment for them. Upon moving in, Capri and Jo realized that this might be their extremely passive aggressive way to let them know that they don't approve of this particular decision and are trying to make them realize just how good things are for them in the Sept compared to a small apartment in a rundown building. After all, back home they don't have to share a bathroom. Or bunk beds.

Josephine Vu

{{{Titles}}}
paintedred

As much as Jo loves getting away from her parents, she loves having her own bed even more. She enters the small apartment and immediately her eyes land on top bunk, and she deflates rather miserably once she remembers that is where she will be sleeping for the week. She has been spending less time in the apartment because of summer break, but university is starting again soon and so here they are again. "Do you think they will ever let us get a better apartment?" she asks her sister, pouting as she plops down on one of the chairs by the kitchenette. "Maybe we can make friends with a wizard and convince them to make the inside bigger or something. They have spells for that, right?" She fishes out her phone from her bag as she begins attempting to connect to the WiFi again. Her messages load and she immediately scrolls to her conversation with Divyanka to see if she has missed anything. Once she confirms there is nothing, she locks the device again and makes a mental note to maybe message her later. A copy of Dracula with a bookmark near the end is tucked in her arm, which she then places atop the table.

Capriana Vu

second year psychology student
ateleia

Having spent far more time at the flat, Capri has started to mind more and more how terribly cramped it is or how the Muggle furniture sometimes falls apart at their fingertips. Surviving without riches is not something she was born for and that has become painfully obvious to her. If only she wasn't aware their parents were doing this spitefully, she would have given in and returned home. "What would be in it for them?" she poses, moving past her sister and slipping into the bottom bunk. Capri reaches behind her head to tie her hair up out of her face before grabbing out her own phone. "If we pressured them for it, it would just prove that this is *working*. And it is, but we don't need them knowing that." Easily bored by Muggle technology, she tosses her phone further down her bed and slips off of it to sit on the floor. Capri watches as her sister goes through her phone, beginning to braid her own hair as she observes her in silence. Once hers is turned off too, she resumes. "I wouldn't know a thing about that sort of magic, Jo," she reminds her before gesturing towards the table. "What is that?"

Josephine Vu

{{{Titles}}}
paintedred

Jo lets out a little huff because she *knows* Capri is right. Her older sister typically is, but she does not need to know that. Seeing Capri on the floor, she gets up from her seat to join her. The apartment is small enough that talking from her original position would not have been inconvenient, but at least like this they are closer to one another. She takes the copy of the book with her as well as her phone before sitting down cross-legged next to her sister. "*Dracula* by Bram Stoker." she says, "It's about a vampire. Very melodramatic." Jo is not one for reading, and her sister knows this. She has not dabbled in reading full-length novels since Atlas made her read Kerouac and Palahniuk. Luckily, Divya's taste is more refined and involves less crude material. "A friend recommended it to me." She hands holds out the book for Capri to see, flipping through the pages quickly. "I'm almost done, so no spoilers."

Capriana Vu

second year psychology student
ateleia

Her immediate response is delight at the closeness, rushing to finish her braids so she can mess with her sister's beautiful hair. When she explains *Dracula* (a word she chooses to repeat time and time again inside her head to become more familiar with it), any delight shifts to disappointment and she spends no effort attempting to hide it. It would be a waste of energy. "Since when would I have read such a thing?" Capri laughs. It's airy and light and closely resembles a fairy, which is appropriate despite the *very necessary distinction*. When she has finished laughing, she grabs ribbon from a box she has shoved underneath their beds and wraps it around the loose braid she has formed. Capri motions for Jo to turn around before inquiring about the more pressing details. "Is this friend Atlas? Why so vague?" To her knowledge, she knows Jo's friends' names and referring to them as such would not be complicated, so she becomes suspicious of her word choice.

Josephine Vu

{{{Titles}}}
paintedred

"No, it is not." she says, turning her head to stick her tongue out before moving as directed. "I have not spoken to him in months. I tried following him on Witchagram a while back but he hasn't accepted my request, so..." She shrugs. Admittedly, it stung, and she misses her friend, but she is beginning to wrap her head around the idea that he does not want to be a part of each other's lives anymore. Perhaps it is for the best. "I went to Moonstraw City the other month and met a half-veela there. Her name is Divyanka." She says the name with a sort of dreamy sigh, and immediately her aura begins to fade from blue to purple to pink like a sunset. "We met at a museum! She is very kind. A witch, too! Perhaps she might know someone who can help us with the apartment." She would not want to ask Div the favor herself – it would be too embarrassing and would also entail showing the other girl her living situation. Imagine admitting to someone so pretty that you sleep top bunk at eighteen.

Capriana Vu

second year psychology student
ateleia

Capri's sigh of relief is cut short when her sister turns and she laughs at her expression. While she is sympathetic towards her sister's predicament, she is appreciative of the fact that Atlas has chosen to leave her at a distance. It *is* what's best for both of them. Her fingers run gently through her hair, massaging her head before beginning to braid. Watching her sister's aura shift, she mouths the words to a nymph song and occasionally stops to smile at the changing auras. "Jo, you are the cutest." Her voice is quiet as she sits in her amusement. Reading her sister's mind, she continues. "I wouldn't invite your friend over if you're interested in her, which-" Capri resists, not wanting to become their parents. It's not as if she listens to herself much, so why should she give her sister more reason to angst over it? "Are you, or is she just beautiful?"

Josephine Vu

{{{Titles}}}
paintedred

"Hmm..." She can feel the amusement radiating off of Capri but she has learned not to be shy about these things with her sister. It is difficult to be, especially when you can read each other's auras. The two of them have been so in tune with each other's feelings ever since they both chose spirit that it would be difficult to hide things from each other. "I don't know. She *is* beautiful. But I can't say with certainty that I'm interested." She would have to spend more time with her. "I'll update you! She is so intelligent too... She goes to Cambridge. Can you imagine? How stellar." Jo herself is very excited to be attending university this month; Capri seems to be enjoying herself otherwise she would not have continued. "Hopefully we will still be able to meet up even when the semester starts. Do you think university will be very time-consuming?" Sixth form was not, really, and Jo is sort of hoping it will be the same.

Capriana Vu

second year psychology student
ateleia

"Cambridge? Goodness, you and your pretentious little love interests..." Capri laughs before clicking her tongue at her, not meaning to offend her sister. It's all out of playfulness. Their types differ so greatly that she can't resist the teasing especially when Jo isn't a little pretentious literature nerd herself. "Hopefully the universe is nice and a healthy love will blossom, hm?" Smiling, she finishes the braid before staring at it and starting to undo it. A part of her is needlessly picky about it just so she can do it for longer. "At least she is a witch and should have easier means of moving to and fro. I would not suggest moving by train to Cambridge- not in the middle of term." Capri dipped with her Muggle friends on multiple occasions, but drowned in assignments the moment she arrived home. A reasonable part of her knows that her sister has every right to do the same and to live her university experience to the fullest, but she might as well advise her against it. It's her responsibility as her older sister. "University is not difficult if you can manage your time. If only we were time nymphs, hm? Life would be easier." Arguably it is better to understand the emotions of others. "You will figure it out. If you need me, chances are I will be within arm's distance."

Josephine Vu

{{{Titles}}}
paintedred

Jo blushes at the mention of love blossoming, and she cups her face with her hands to feel the heat that has rushed to her cheeks. She focuses on the feeling of her sister braiding her hair, trying to get her mind off it. She has not been in a relationship for quite some time right now and does not really remember how to navigate one. The idea is daunting (even more so considering Div is half-veela!) so she is choosing to simply not think about it now. "Spirit was still the best choice." she says. Jo is arrogant about this and does not understand why anyone would pick any other specialty. "It's the most practical. Time nymphs can only slow and speed up time in thirty second intervals. What good will that do anyone?" She exhales, amused. "Anyway, how are *you* and *your* love interests?" Jo is curious, yes, but mostly she wants to shift the conversation away from her.

Capriana Vu

second year psychology student
ateleia

Her amusement grows when her sister starts defending their choice, preaching to the choir as Muggles say. Capri laughs at her, but it's in good spirit. "At least they won't age terribly," she tells her in defense. Quite vain, she had considered that as a possible advantage to choosing time, but spirit had been a no-brainer from the start. To ignore that for her vanity would be ridiculous. When Jo questions her own love life, her aura shifts into a deep blue before moving into a softer red as she frowns and considers what all she should tell her. "Hm, well... I stopped seeing that air nymph. They were upset that I was spending so much time outside of the Sept." It felt unfair, but what was more unfair was dragging both of them through something with such different priorities. "I have a date with a Muggle from UE this Saturday." It won't go anywhere, but the experience is nice. Capri is not seriously considering dating at the moment. Who is she to start a relationship when she has no clue where she is going in life? Which decisions she will want to choose later down the road without the risk of a relationship stopping her? "It's nothing serious!"

Josephine Vu

{{{Titles}}}
paintedred

Jo listens carefully to her sister, but she is more focused on the color of her aura that she can see in her peripheral vision. "I see..." she says thoughtfully. "Tell me more about this mystery muggle!" she says, giggling. "Even if it's not serious, I think it'll be plenty fun!" Jo herself is simply not thinking about the repercussions of dating outside the Sept – she will cross the bridge when she gets there. There is a part of her that is still holding out hope that they will become more human-friendly, especially with Diana as an alseid now, but she still hasn't done anything... "I'm sorry to hear that things did not work out with that air nymph." she adds, "Buuut, it was unfair that they wanted you to spend less time outside of the Sept." Josephine scrunches up her face at the thought of being restrained by a relationship like that. "So I'm glad you're out of that."

Capriana Vu

second year psychology student
ateleia

"Me too," she responds quietly, tying the end of her sister's braid with a ribbon before tapping her shoulder to turn again. "Her name is Mai. She's from Thailand and is studying in the same course as me," she goes on to explain. Capri adores this Muggle woman, but a relationship between them is unrealistic for a multitude of reasons. It's unfortunately, truly. "Short. Gorgeous. She's *so* intelligent. It's intimidating." She laughs, remembering some of their first classes together. It had been her first time in a Muggle school and she was told she stuck out *severely* by all of her Muggle friends though they still don't understand why that is. Her knowledge on the subjects was far more limited than her peers' including Mai's and she honestly started to admire her. "Maybe she is more your type than mine. I'm sure you would *looove* her."

Josephine Vu

{{{Titles}}}
paintedred

She turns around to face her sister and it is from this position that she can more clearly observe Capri's aura. It is obvious her sister adores Mai, so Jo frowns as she senses Capri's apprehensions. "Well, if you like her that much, then you should just go for it and then figure out all the other stuff later." she says. It is a very irresponsible approach to the situation, but the only one Jo is willing to accept. "Also she's not going to be my type if you liked her first." she says, "Maybe when you guys are dating, you can introduce us! Then the three of us can hang out and I can *looooove* her platonically." It is rather childish, but Jo has always wanted to play the role of sibling that needs to be impressed. "But I'm sure if you find her cool, then I will definitely find her cool as well. Also – " She emphasizes her word with a light shove. " – *you* are so intelligent as well! There is no need to be intimidated, I'm sure."

Capriana Vu

second year psychology student
ateleia

Capri refrains from rolling her eyes, but she truly believes it's deserved with that sort of behavior. Staring down at her fingers, she fiddles with her rings and starts picking at the polish that has started to flake, reminding herself to repaint them later and do a better job this time. "I *am* going for it, Jo. I said we have a date on Saturday." Capri smiles, glancing up at her sister before staring at her hands again. Their foolishness complements each other and creates one complete, responsible nymph. It sort of amuses her except she isn't willing to admit that she's irresponsible at all. "I would have to introduce you two, or otherwise banish you to the Sept permanently." Surveying their studio apartment, she frowns and leans forward to put her head in her hands. "I don't know how we're ever meant to date living here, or even have friends. They want us to die of embarrassment, Jo... I'm telling you." When she's complimented, her face rapidly turns a light shade of red and she smiles more to herself. "Thank you." Of course there is reason to be intimidated, but she would rather accept the compliment than dwell on it further. "What if we started working, so we could afford a better place?" An expression comes over her that shows she immediately regrets such an idea, but she knows it's probably what's best.

Josephine Vu

{{{Titles}}}
paintedred

"They *do* want us to die of embarrassment. That is the whole point, remember? *You* told me that." she says, remembering the day they first moved in and how Jo agonized so much over their new living space. "I don't think they want us to date or have friends either. Can you imagine their reaction if we told them one of us was dating a *human*?" Jo grimaces just thinking about the impending lecture. "Do not let that stop you, though. Diana is an alseid now, which means that the rules on that should relax soon." Though Jo attempts to say this with confidence, the color of her aura decreases in saturation a little, making it obvious that she is mostly trying to convince herself. "I would not mind working if it meant no longer having to sleep top bunk." she says, "What would I even *do*, though? What would *you*?"

Capriana Vu

second year psychology student
ateleia

Jo is right, but she huffs lightly and collapses against the bed dramatically. Capri is so miserable here and she hates the idea that a bunch of old nymphs can determine their futures even when they won't be here to live it. "What does it matter if we love humans? If they love us, what should it matter?" Her misery falls from her voice, but her hand still moves to cover her heart. "There are a few coffee shops... or flower shops! Oh, I would *looove* to do something with flowers. Oh, that would be so lovely." Apart from just loving flowers, she loves seeing people with bouquets of flowers. Their auras are usually so pretty and in love, but sometimes they are depressed and desperate and just the sight of them can be draining to her. Still, flowers are a beautiful thing and working at a flower shop would bring her so much joy. "Even if we wouldn't be able to move, we could purchase nicer furniture?"

Josephine Vu

{{{Titles}}}
paintedred

"That is so *you*." she says, imagining it already. "I think it would be a fun time, even apart from wanting to earn more. You should do it! Getting a part-time job is part of the college student experience, right?" Living quite comfortably in the Sept, it does not occur to Jo that perhaps working part-time would prove to be stressful or difficult. Working in a flowershop, at the very least, sounds so lovely. It is very like Jo to romanticize everything, so she giggles as Capri sighs dramatically and continues to push the idea. "If you get a job, then I will get one too. I don't know what yet, but I will figure it out." She sounds very determined, very apparently thrilled by the idea of the two of them having *jobs*. Real, muggle jobs! So exciting. "I would *love* nicer furniture, but do we even have the room for it?" She frowns as she looks around the apartment.

Capriana Vu

second year psychology student
ateleia

Capri nods at the idea that this is just part of them experiencing university life. Most of her friends are doing something on top of school, but also they seem miserable and stressed even when they try their best to hide it from her. At least her and Jo will know when they are overworking themselves and can do something to help each other without seeming presumptuous. "You will, but you might not *love* it... I don't think Muggles are supposed to love their jobs." It doesn't sound as if any of them do. While, sure, there are miserable nymphs in the Sept, a higher percentage of them seem content compared to the people she has run into in Edinburgh. Capri would hate to be them, and yet she is thriving to fit into their world. "I thought you had friends for that, but even then it would not hurt to have separate beds. We could fit them as long as we sacrificed having a couch... It would be fine." Capri frowns, watching as Jo surveys their apartment with her own displeased expression. Hopefully she will come to recognize the vision.

Josephine Vu

{{{Titles}}}
paintedred

Admittedly, Jo has not yet fully realized her sister's vision but she has also learned to simply trust in Capri even when she is not sure. Her older sister tends to be correct about most things. "Muggles are weird sometimes." she muses, "Why do something if you do not love it?" Everything is always so simple to Jo, and she frowns as she ponders this. "I am more than willing to sacrifice the couch for my own bed." she says, laughing. "I should probably just ask Div for help in making the apartment more spacious – if she continues seeing me, then maybe it is true love." Jo smiles as she says this, being dramatic and copying her sister's earlier antics. "But you're right. Whatever happens, we will figure it out and it would be fine." Things typically work out well for Jo when she has her sister at her side.