The rush of the classrooms and the excitement of the school are left behind as Otto winds his way up to the sixth floor and follows a mostly unused hallway into a room that is currently unoccupied. From the looks of things hardly anyone comes here but the Ravenclaw boy seems more certain of himself here than anywhere else within the building. Carrying his sewing satchel and design tote with him, he also has another bag in his possession today that isn’t his backpack. “I probably shouldn’t do this, but if Tommy’s in here he’ll just scream like a three year old girl and throw his curlers at me.” Grinning, he limps along and gestures to Seraphina. “We found this place back in first year and I haven’t shared it with anyone, but I think you’d like it.”

“What is it?” Seraphina asks cautiously, eyeing the hallway carefully. “I don’t see anything out of the ordinary,” she comments as she comes to a stop nearby, chuckling as she considers Tommy’s ‘curlers’. Out of habit, the young woman pushes her sleeves of her robe up, and fitting the way they do, they fall straight back down, proving her action totally useless. “What have you got in there?” she asks playfully, trying to get a peek into his design tote, though not trying very hard.

“Not for your eyes, yet!” Protective fingers hold the top of the tote tight shut but the young man tosses a grin at his friend. “It’s a room we found, but it’s not right here. Come on.” Otto moves with his customary shuffle into the room and stops before a wall. Pacing back and forth three times, he waits as the door reveals itself. “This way, quick before someone comes and sees!” Disappearing through the opening, he steps away from the hall and into the room beyond.

Watching in surprise as a door appears, Seraphina follows Otto through the door, ducking in quickly. She glances back, just in time to see the door disappear behind her. “Fancy that!” she exclaims. “It’s been here all this time and I never knew about it!” She smiles somewhat and glances around the room. “So what is this place?” she asks, walking into the room slightly and pushing up at her sleeves again, only to, once again, have them fall straight back down.

No one else is presently using this room and so Otto‘s workroom appears. There are scraps of clothing scattered about, design work pinned to boards and clippings from magazines both muggle and wizarding hang in helter-skelter fashion that probably only makes sense to the boy. Scissors, embroidery thread, and other tools of his trade are found on the worktables and there’s even a muggle sewing machine that he managed to acquire from somewhere. There are several beaten up leather armchairs and a few lamps to give the room adequate light to work by. “I still don’t know what this room is, but it changes every time depending on the person. When Tommy comes here, it’s like a salon to do hair and makeup. I come here and it holds all my work.” “Go on and sit down. I’d like to show you something!” What might be considered inappropriate, or perhaps a way of romancing a girl, isn’t on the Ravenclaw’s mind or at least it doesn’t appear to be. Dumping down his various bags o
n a nearby table, he begins to open the third bag. “I had a lot of help on this so I can’t claim to have done it all myself. But I did put a lot of work into it.” What “it” is still hasn’t come out of the bag.

“What an amazing room. I wonder that we don’t use this for some of our classes,” she comments quietly, wandering a moment more to look at all of the details in the room before she makes her way over to where Otto has indicated and takes a seat. Seraphina is possibly as clueless as Otto is when it comes to romancing, since her own brief foray into it involved a lot of saying nothing and blushing nearly neon shades of red. “Who helped you?” Seraphina asks, sounding innocent, but looking on with alert interest at what Otto seems to be working on and spreading out.

“Master Talari made the finished design and helped with most of the sewing, but I had to put the pattern together myself and piece it out. There was just so much to do and put an enchantment on it so it would fit and not get ruined. He’s a wonderful man and so patient!” Otto crows over his second mentor and begins to pull out something that is awash in blue. It has layers of taffeta that much is clear from the rustling alone and then, as he pulls it into full view the upper half of the gown is cut out of royal blue velvet and lined with blue silk, while the layers of iridescent taffeta make up the tiered skirt. It’s why I didn’t make much money this summer. I asked repayment out of having a piece commissioned, but Talari said that since I was going to help that I should get some money.” “I came up with the original concept too. What do you think?”

Seraphina Pryor emits a fairly loud gasp as she sees the gown that Otto pulls from the bag. She brings her hand up to cover her gaping mouth and she stands almost without realizing that she’s stood up. She reaches out to touch the fabrics, her eyes wide with awe. “You made this? It’s so…” she whispers, running her fingers over the extravagant-looking garment. “So many textures,” she murmurs. “It’s beautiful!” She seems to have gotten her voice back as she looks very seriously at the dress. “Who is it for?” she asks, somewhat dumbly, not imagining that it could possibly be what he intended to give to her.

Beaming with pride and joy something he doesn’t really do in any class except art, he holds it up a little higher. “I really have to thank Talari a lot for this. He put on a fitting charm too so that it will tailor itself to the first person to wear it.” Holding it out, Otto‘s expression is both puzzled and amused. “It’s for you. It’s my “thank you” for all the work you put into me last year over the OWLs. No one else had the patience to even bother to help me, and I owe all the passing grades I got to you. I figure you put as much time and effort into me as I did the dress. You deserve it.” The youth’s voice is clear and there doesn’t seem to be any subterfuge to his words or expression, but then he was never really known for understanding social boundaries in certain matters. “I’m glad you like it.”

Gasping again, Seraphina takes the dress gently into her grasp. “It’s… mine,” she whispers in disbelief. “Thank you,” She tells him, then reaches out and throws her arms around him quickly. She lingers for just a moment, slightly overwhelmed, then pulls back to admire the garment once again. “I don’t think anyone has ever given me something this lovely before.” She holds it up in front of her, then does a slightly awkward spin. “I should try it on.” She glances around the room and spots a screen. “I’ll be out in a jiffy,” she tells him and walks to the screen, slipping behind. Her bold teal robes fly over the top, followed by the belt, and a flash of blue and silver appear above the screen as she pulls the dress over her head. “Wow…” she breathes, then steps out from behind the screen. “My shoes kind of ruin the effect,” she mentions, gesturing vaguely to her red buckled shoes.

Surprised at the hug, the Ravenclaw blinks but he does bring himself to return the hug although his is much shorter. Grinning as he pulls a hand through his hair, he shrugs softly. “I just thought I should do something as wonderful for you as you did for me.” Otto continues to talk as Seraphina disappears behind the screen. “I was worried that the style might be wrong, but Master Talari told me to trust my instinct.” “I’m glad I listened to him.” With the young woman reappearing his smile renews itself “Not at all! A splash of another color gives it a changeling effect. If everything matched how boring would life be?” Otto stuffs his hands into the pockets of his robes and eyes Seraphina critically, his designer nature taking over. “Red isn’t bad, but I think I’d go with a green shoe myself or maybe fur trimmed heels in court style.” The critique ended, he smiles easily and shakes his head. “You’ll be the belle of the ball in that. It fits you perfectly. You could be a model, a living mannequin in a fashion house, but I suppose you’ve already decided what career you’re going to follow?”

“Oh, well, I… well, I talked about it with Professor Helit, but…” She trails off vaguely, glancing down at the floor. “I really don’t know what it is that I want to do when I leave school. I suppose my father could get me a position of some kind at the Ministry.” She pauses. “You should really make clothes,” Seraphina tells the young man emphatically. “If this is what you could create while apprenticing…” She breathes deeply. “I can’t even imagine what you could make doing this full time.” She smooths the dress down over her slight hips and puts out her buckle shoes, looking them over thoughtfully. “Perhaps if they were darker. Or maybe my brown ones would work. Dark brown, do you think?” She suggests.

“Chocolate leather, something with a bit of flash but not so understated as to be a sparrow.” Otto picks up the last bit of conversation first and then works his way backward. “Like I said, I can’t take credit for all of that design or all the work. Master Talari really did a lot of work on it and I couldn’t have begun it much less finished it without him. I just did basic work, really, but I’m glad you approve.” He’s actually turning red from the compliments and he glances away more than once. “I plan on making my own fashion house after my apprenticeship is complete. If you, that is, if you, well, Tommy already wants to work for me and I haven’t even made my name.” Laughing a little out of embarrassment, he shrugs. “I’ve always wanted to make clothing. It’s what I’m good at. Well, anything dealing with needle and thread. It’s not magic it in itself, but I’m in the right classes to intertwine magic with my work. Once I’m set up, if you want to be a mannequin I’d
love to have you.” “All you have to do is walk around the floor and show off pretty clothing.” He chuckles again, clearly feeling awkward at discussing this, but at the same time rather happy about the turn of events.

“I’d only have to wear clothes and show them to people?” Seraphina asks in slight awe. “What a fantastic job!” She smiles a bit and runs her hands gently over the fabric of the dress. “I do wish I could create things the way you do. It’s really amazing, Otto,” the girl breathes happily, spinning slowly in place just to see the bottom of the dress bow out slightly. “I’m definitely willing to play mannequin or model, whatever you might need,” Sera tells him with conviction. “Do you think Master Talari would have use for me in that regard, too? Maybe I could have a summer job.” She pauses. “At least then I’d be away from ‘Ona and her giggly friends.” An eyeroll follows this statement.

The delight doesn’t fade from Otto‘s features as his easy smile remains in place, grey eyes reflecting the boy’s joy. “I can see if he does, but I’m not sure. I haven’t seen him employ many models of the type I’m thinking of, but he may like the idea.” The smile falters just a small amount as he considers, “I’m not sure I want to share the idea with him, but it would be a good way for you to spend part of your summer.” Pondering over this, he grins again as the momentary trouble slides away. “Even if he can’t use you that way he might be willing to let you help out around the shop like I did last summer. He didn’t hire me personally, but one of his employees did and she’s a very nice woman. If I can finagle getting a real summer internship this year that would free up some of the work I did. It was mostly mundane really, but at least you’d be in a shop with others who actually have a passion for beautiful things.”

“Wow, that would be amazing,” Seraphina breathes quietly. “I wish I could make beautiful things like you can, but I would settle for watching other people make them.” She pauses. “I’m going to take this off now so that I don’t get it dirty or dusty in here.” She steps behind the screen and starts to shimmy out of it carefully. “Really, I think my father is worried about what I would do after school. I heard him telling one of his friends that I had no discernable strengths in school, and he’s completely right.” She laughs somewhat sardonically. “The alternative, I guess, is finding some boring job and just wasting my life away at it.” At this she re-emerges from behind the screen, holding the dress delicately draped over her arms. “No matter what, it sounds like a much better gig, working with you.” She beams to Otto, one of her rare shows of true expression.

“But you’re really smart and you could do anything if you decided on something. You’ve got top grades all around and I bet you could easily land something well placed in the Ministry. You certainly have the mind for itI mean if that’s what you wanted to do.” Otto is blushing again, but though the smile naturally dipped away it makes its reappearance without hesitation. “You’ve got plenty going for you and I bet you could have the pick of a Ministry summer internship. I thought, well, you know, you’re really smart and it just seems like every really smart person winds up working for them sooner or later.” A short laugh follows this as he realizes his babbling. “Shows what I know.” “Anyway, I’ll put in a word for you if that’s what you’d like. I certainly would be very happy having you around. The older employees are nice and all, but it’d be better to have a peer to hang out with.”

At Otto’s mention of working at the Ministry, Seraphina makes a face. “You mean possibly end up working with my father? Blech.” She makes no secret that this is not a pleasant concept. “I suppose what my father meant was that I just wasn’t obviously suited to anything in specific. I’ve made it very clear I won’t be at the Ministry. That’s his dream, and… all that.” She waves her hand dismissively at the idea, reaching up to straighten her lime green ribbon. “I think I would like to work with you, Otto. All those pretty clothes…” She gets a slightly distant look in her eye for a moment, then snaps back, as if coming out of a reverie. “Well, at least if Master Talari is alright with the idea, I’ll have some show of ‘purpose’ and my father can rest easy.” She smirks, then changes her expression again to one less sarcastic looking, and perhaps a little more the norm for her. “Do you want to go for a walk?”

Most of the young woman’s reaction goes by the rather clueless young man and Otto manages to take it all in stride. “I guess working with one’s dad would be aggravating. I hadn’t thought of it like that. I know I wouldn’t want to be anywhere close to my brother.” Grinning at his suppositions, the teen quirks both brows obviously surprised by the suggestion, “Uhm, sure? I mean, yes, I’d love to. Sorry,” grabbing up his satchel and swinging it over his good shoulder he temporarily busies himself. “I’m not very good with uh, the social thing like you or Tommy.” Pausing, he allows himself a moment to think before pressing on. “Do you have somewhere in mind?”

“Well, no, I didn’t have anything in mind,” the girl admits somewhat reluctantly. Seraphina is standing slightly awkwardly holding her gift in her arms as she admits this. “I suppose I should put this in my wardrobe,” she comments, gesturing to the dress. “Maybe we could take a walk by the lake? It’s still nice enough out. We might only need a sweater.” She shrugs vaguely and glances around. Apparently Sera’s not all that good at ‘the social thing’, either, though she can fake it with the best.

“The lake sounds fantastic. Shall I meet you there or would you rather meet in the entranceway? I could use to get out a little, but,” and then he thinks about this a little more Otto turns a light shade of pink. “If you see Tommy and he says anything just tell him I’m busy. He’s been really pestering me a lot since I started seeing Yamini and he just won’t leave me alone. I like him and all, but I kind of need a break because he’s just so demanding.” “Hopefully he’s busy with trying on clothes or something.” Tapping the satchel that hangs off his shoulder “I should go put this away too. I don’t want to be lugging it outside.”

Other Interesting Logs:

• Seraphina is “Star”-Struck
• Parker Wexler is Sorted
• Sorting Day from Josie’s View
• Slytherin Table at the ’32 Sorting
• Hufflepuff Table at the ’31 Sorting