birds of a feather {Annie}

[Julie Warrick]

«Julie Warrick
female; thirteen years

It had been approximately a year or so since Julie had been admitted to Hammel – almost, because she wasn’t quite done with her first school year. She’d been doing pretty good, she thought. She made decent grades and as far as she could tell all the teachers were reasonably happy with her; though she hadn’t made any really strong friendships, she got along pretty well with her classmates. All in all, Julie couldn’t have asked for much more, although there were times she missed Mrs. Woodrick and some of her family. She would make sure to visit them when she had breaks.

It was just one such occasion when one of her family members was able to visit her. She was very happy for it and she’d made sure that her room was in order; all her books were put away, her bed made, the curtains nicely folded and tucked to the side. She wanted Annie to be comfortable, didn’t she? Maybe then she would even be able to stay here for the night, if that was allowed. Thoughtfully she tapped a pen to her lips, looking down at a little notepad before her. How would she plan her day, she wondered? She didn’t want Annie to come here and be bored; she’d have to show her around.

Julie picked up her pen.

1.) the commons.

She nodded to herself. The commons were a good place to start. It was busy there; lots of stuff to look at, and it had food too. Would Annie be hungry when she came here? She didn’t know.

2.) the food c

Julie crossed that out. That would be later, for dinnertime. Besides, she still didn’t know if they would get food at the commons. It would seem sort of redundant for them to go to the food court right after that, and then their whole schedule would be off track. She shivered to think of how foolish she’d look then! No, the food court would definitely not do. Then what else was there to do for entertainment here…?
She picked up her pen, then put it down again. Her eyes brightened with an idea a second later; she picked it up once more, then placed it right back down. The redhead’s brow furrowed with thought.

3.) the

She stared at it.

movies

With a sigh, Julie sat back, putting her pen down. She folded up the note into a neat little square and proceeded to look at it, disappointed with it for failing her.

[Annie Holmes]

Knuckles rapped on the door to Julie's room, and though the knocker couldnt' hear the thudding sound herself, she could certainly feel the wood beneath her knuckles. Her little sister was in there, or somewhere on grounds, but hopefully in her room. There was the usual tray of cupcakes, and her bright red sleeping bag and cupcake pillow. Big sister had come for a sleep over.

Giddy with spending time with her sister, Annie knocked again when there was no immediate answer. Maybe Julie was on the grounds somewhere? Should she just open the door, toss her stuff in, and go looking? The other roommates wouldn't mind, she didn't think. When there was still no answer, Annie pushed the door open, deposited her things in the room, put the cupcakes on a desk, and went off to the Staff Lounge to deliver more cupcakes, before ending up in the courtyard where she hunted for her sister.

The shock of red hair was what caught the older redhead's notice. Raising her arms, Annie waved both to gain her younger sister's attention. The silver peep-toed heels she was wearing did little against the cold, but then her legs were bare too, beneath the red tutu skirt she wore. Breaking into a run, Annie reached her sibling and wrapped her arms around the girl in a hug.

Once she felt like letting go, Annie stepped back and signed, her face alight with joy, "I am not a fiery ball of death on the highway! Also, I stopped by your rooms and dropped off my stuff. Cupcakes are there." Dropping her hand, and catching the strap to her cupcake printed bag, the elder of the two grinned at her sister. "What would you like to do first?"

[Julie Warrick]

«Julie Warrick
female; thirteen years

“Oh!” Julie let out a small squeak as she felt her sister’s arms wrap around her. Quickly she sprung to her feet (she’d always been a flighty little thing) and faced Annie, her eyes big, before patting some dirt off her jeans where she’d been sitting.

Her embrace was a little hesitant. Though she was fond of Annie, it was Julie’s own shyness that held her back. Before she’d gone to Hammel, Annie and Julie had only spent a limited time together, living in different households and all; usually their meetings were supervised by their parents and followed a set schedule. As such, Julie now stood before her sister, afraid that Annie would eventually find her too boring to justify the long trip to Hammel. It was an intrinsic social fear that pervaded every corner of Julie’s life. (It never seemed to occur to her that someone who could chat with housecats were generally not considered boring.)

In any case, Julie cleared her throat, quickly recognizing the words Annie signed to her. ”Th-that’s fine. Did you see my roommates?” She tilted her head, letting some orange hair fall down one side of her shoulder. She could tell from the uninspired reaction from Annie that she did not. ”Oh, so they weren’t there. They must be away again. Ah well…I’m sure they won’t eat ‘em without asking…” Julie let out a soft giggle, then hesitantly reached out with her right hand, finally wrapping it loosely around Annie’s arm. It was a small gesture of affection.

”Did you make cupcakes for everyone? That must have been a lot of work…” Honestly, she couldn’t wait. She knew better than anyone how good Annie’s cooking was, and brightly sprinkled cupcakes were a definite specialty. The eagerness and delight shone briefly through her blue eyes, and a small smile perked at her lips.

Gently, her shyness seemed to ease away as she grew more comfortable around company. ”Umm…” she tapped her lips. ”You know, you’d think a school full of metas would be more interesting, but there’s actually not a lot of things to do around here. Well…what do you think? Want me to take you on a tour?”

[Annie Holmes]

It wouldn't matter to Annie if the roommates ate all the cupcakes, except that it would mean they hadn't left any for her sister. Which was not okay. It had to be hard on Julie, Annie figured, to be transplanted into Vermont because she was different. Knowing what it was like to be different was one thing, but with the deaf girl, there had been other circumstances. A school hadn't stepped in and taken her away from her dads and sisters, though there were schools for people like her. She'd stayed at home and everyone had coped and learned together.

For Julie, it was clearly harder.

In all and total honesty, Annie admired her younger sister, and was just a teensy bit jealous of the abilities she'd gained. Though none of that was obviously evident.

I dunno, the older girl signed, It seems pretty awesome to me! And I would love a backstage pass tour! Who wouldn't when presented with the opportunity to wander around where most people probably didn't get to go. Show me everything and anything you find interesting. I want to see this place the way you do. Was that right? It felt right, and she really was interested.

Also she wanted to learn more about her little sister, who looked much changed from the last time she'd seen her. Some things were the same, the shock of red hair, for example. But other things had changed. What all, Annie couldn't say for certain, but she would learn. And love. Just as she always had.

Lead on! We will make it an adventure!

[Julie Warrick]

«Julie Warrick
female; thirteen years

Julie had a light, innocent voice; she raised her hand to her mouth and let out a soft giggle. ”Adventure…right,” she said, her smile becoming cheerier. ”You know, you should have called me when you got here! I feel bad that you had to find me out here by yourself. Sorry.” With her arm still wrapped around Annie’s, she guided her past the courtyard. Snow still lingered on some parts of it. A small red robin hopped along in a clump of melting snow, dousing its feathers in flecks of white.

It was a beautiful scene, but Julie didn’t pay much attention to it. She’d seen it hundreds of times before, between classes and on weekends. It looked like a normal school to her, full with normal people, but she knew that, for the most part, this wasn’t true. Fortunately she was still too young to sort out the social implications and what it meant to be a ‘meta-human’ as compared to a normal one. That didn’t mean she didn’t recognize that there was a difference.

”And it’s so cold too…” Her snow boots crunched against the covering of snow on the cobblestones. ”How about we go somewhere warmer?” Julie gave her sister a small smile before leading her into the library, where a gust of warm air greeted them. She sighed in relief, tugging the scarf a little ways away from her neck. ”There’s a coffee shop in here that makes the best lattes, and it’s paid by the school too! …Eh, it doesn’t have any real coffee in it, either, so it’s not like I’m a caffeine junkie or anything…” Julie grinned. ”Wanna try it out?”

Without waiting for Annie’s answer she tugged her arm eagerly towards the shop, where the soothing scent of frappucinos and the like wafted out; some Christmas decorations were still up, lightly glimmering against the glass. If one didn’t know better, they’d have thought that the Christmas spirit was still alive and well, despite it being nearly two weeks after the fact.

As they walked towards it, Julie turned to face Annie. ”So…how’s the family?”

[Annie Holmes]

Honestly, Annie hadn't thought about texting her sister upon her arrival. Mostly because she wanted to surprise the youngest of the girls. Her ETA had been indeterminate depending on traffic and stops.

Do not feel bad. I wanted to sneak up on you. I thought you would be in your dorm.

Thought it didn't matter, she'd found Julie who seemed both excited and nervous to have her visiting. Something Annie could sort of understand. While they'd spent some time together back home their families were two separate units that occasionally got together. Her dad's were still friends with the girls mother, but they all had their own separate lives to tend to. Their own families.

The Holmes' considered the Warricks family and the feeling, as far as the tiny redhead could tell, was mutual.

As the two moved towards the campus coffee shop, Annie laughed the odd laugh of someone who's vocal chords were all but atrophied. Her hands rose to answer Julie's questions.

They are well. Amber is off doing Amber things and Aisling sends letters. I have one for you since she did not have the address here. Dads are good and send their love. Papa finished the jacket he promised you, I have it in my bag in your room. Pausing for a moment, Annie considered her next words carefully. How have you been settling in? She hoped it was easier for Julie at Hammel than it had been back home. That she was making friends and people could see the bright young woman her sister was. Full of a joy and innocence that the older of the two girls didn't want to see go away.

Reaching for the door, Annie tugged it open and held it with a flourishing bow for her sister to walk through. The warmth that greeting them from inside was a welcome change from the snow covered grounds of the school. Cold had it's place, that was true, but Annie liked things warmer. Unless there was a snowball fight to be had. Or a fort to be built. Or skiing to be done... okay, she liked the cold too, but wanted a caramel apple cider between her hands and warming her fingers.

Get whatever you want, she signed, My treat this time.