#from all emotions and empathy (unless you find a way to push their buttons specifically) | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

ramblings-of-a-mad-cat · 4 years

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🍄🌻💐🌼 for the ask meme. Either or both characters (or mix-n-match). c: And 💫 for you!

You are a gem, thank you for asking!!

🍄 What are your OCs favourite snacks? Their favourite comfort food which always cheers them up when they’re down? Favourite meal to make? Do they enjoy baking and cooking and are they any good in the kitchen?

For Luca -

I like to imagine that Jacob was low-key the best cook in the family, and that he passed on his secret arts to Luca during their quality time. After he disappeared, Luca was left, more or less, to take care of themself. To make their own dinner, and so on. I’d imagine they’re quite good at traditional, muggle cooking. Their favorite thing to make, and they would do so as a holiday tradition, is Pumpkin Pie. (Treacle Tart got nothing on #BestPie) But as for comfort food, I think it would be as simple as fish n chips, especially since they like any and all things with potato. What really calms them down though, is tea. Chamomile by preference, but any tea will do. They make a habit of drinking it every night before bed.

For Gail -

Gail and Jacob do not get along nearly as well as either of them do with Luca. So Gail would not have learned Jacob’s trade, and while it would still fall to her to take on responsibilities that a child shouldn’t have to, the cooking part would not come nearly so easily to her. Fact: Gail burns everything. Including water. She gets easily stressed out and ultimately resorts to involving magic in her cooking, which, while it is a shortcut, tends to result in everything being tasteless. Gail doesn’t have nearly the sweet tooth that Luca has, but she does have a particular weakness for mint chocolate-chip ice cream. She refuses to cry in front of other people, so she needs some comfortable garbage food for when she inevitably lets it all out. One final note - Gail drinks a lot of coffee. Like, a lot. Usually without sweetener. But it’s a fix for her.

🌻 What little things do they notice about people or the world around them that make them happy? What tiny little treasures do they find in the normal every day that makes the world seem a little brighter for them?

For Luca -

One of Luca’s greatest strengths lies in their empathy, and how emotionally open they are. As a result, they’re able to notice the minor details in a person, if they spend enough time with them. The way Rowan firmly adjusts their glasses whenever they decide on a new goal. The way Tonks wrinkles her nose when she’s annoyed. Little quirks and habits like that, which help define the people in their life and keep them grounded. Luca lives for the people they’ve grown close to, the found-family that’s been established - especially as they get older and more mature, able to understand the failings and problems of the Fawley family itself. There’s a kind of unique joy in using this observational skill to make their friends feel better, too. Luca often feels like a burden, so if they can engage with a close friend and point out these quirks to them, it can make both parties feel better. Penny having a stressful day? Enter Luca to remind her to take her braids out once classes are over, since she sometimes gets a headache if she keeps them in too long. Chiara has a post-full moon “hangover?” Luca is the one who’s memorized Borf’s schedule and knows where to find them and bring them to her. Little things like this help Luca feel like they’re being helpful, that they belong.

For Gail -

Gail is simultaneously much more outgoing, and far less open. She engages with people but never gets vulnerable. She’s cheerful and pleasant, but only on a surface level. Gail boxes a lot of her emotions because she operates on a mindset of what is useful, and what isn’t. She might be having a terrible day and need to break down, but that wastes time, and doesn’t accomplish anything. So she buries it. Ignoring her anxiety allows her to come off as quite dauntless, but it’s always borrowed time. Sooner or later, she has to let it out. But when she’s alone and lets her emotions out, it can be quite cleansing. Gail has a strange and unhealthy cycle of managing her stress, letting it build up and then expelling it. Usually in private, unless she manages to find a fix, like Quidditch. But she always feels much better after the fact, and it’s these moments that she looks forward too. Watching the stars as the moonlight shines down on her tear-stained face. Getting that first cup of coffee in the morning after a night of sleeping fitfully. If she has a break-down and trashes her room or breaks her possessions…then repairing them and cleaning up everything can be very therapeutic. The satisfaction of catching the Snitch…that’s a high that she can ride for at least the next several hours. To talk about the “little things” that Gail treasures takes one down a dangerous path. Because while she is by no means an addict…she does have that type of personality. She doesn’t drink at all, period. But if she did…not only would she be a lightweight, she’d very much be in danger of becoming dependent, as alluded to, she unconsciously leans on “fixes.”

💐 How does your OC handle being unwell or forced to rest in bed? Who cares for them and in what ways? Does your OC enjoy being doted on or are they a terrible patient? Reversed: is your OC good at taking care of others who are ill or in need?

For Luca -

Poor Luca has an unfortunate pattern of winding up in the Hospital Wing or otherwise in need of medical care. Usually because of varying mental illnesses that the Wizarding World is entirely baffled by. Sadly, Luca eventually gets somewhat used to waking up in an Infirmary. While I wouldn’t say they enjoy being doted on at all, I also wouldn’t call them a terrible patient - but it just depends on who’s treating them. Being taken care of is partially a relief, but it also invokes Luca’s fear that they are a burden and their sense that they don’t deserve the care they’re getting. As for who would take care of them, I again have to give reference to the ultimate squad, the badger squad. Very likely, assuming it wasn’t Madam Pomfrey or other teachers, Luca would be cared for by Rowan, Penny, Chiara, and Tonks. Post-Year Five, throw Ben in as well. If it was their friends, whom they adore and respect, Luca would likely be a lot more comfortable. If it was the staff of Hogwarts, barring Flitwick, Luca would be very antsy and want to whole ordeal to be over with. They do not trust the majority of their teachers at all.

Flipping the situation in reverse, we see Luca at their strongest. They were born to be a caretaker, of any sort. To tend to magical creatures, to teach younger, less experiences students..and yes, to heal the sick and the wounded. Granted, Luca doesn’t entirely have the skill-set for Healing, since they’re abysmal at Herbology and only passable at Potions. But both of Luca’s parents were Healers, so they naturally picked up a few things. The main strength they have in looking after those in need really comes from their attitude. Luca is endlessly patient and forgiving to a fault. They might fail in a number of other situations, but this? This is where they shine.

For Gail -

Bringing things back around, being bed-ridden or otherwise incapacitated is going to have a strong impact on Gail, but it might depend on the context whether it brings out the best in her, or the worst. Because this girl needs a rest. There is no denying that she could really use a break, but she also occupies herself and distracts herself from her pain by keeping busy. She doesn’t really know how to not be busy. Grinding that to a halt could have unforeseen side-effects. It just depends mainly on how bad her anxiety is. The loss of control will either be a panic-button, or a source of immense relief. Though Gail will never admit is, she actually does like being doted on. She likes getting that kind of attention and being made to feel loved. Suffice it to say, her primary mentors and care-givers never gave her that love. So she craves it without even understanding that she craves it. Meanwhile, Gail has a squad of her own - mainly Rowan, Badeea, Talbott, Barnaby, and on occasion, Ben. If even one of them found her in a less than ideal state, they would not rest until she was well again. However, unlike Luca, Gail has a lot of respect for the staff, and a particular bond with McGonagall. She highly respects Dumbledore, and authority figures in general. So she would feel safe no matter who was in charge of her care.

Gail as a Healer or someone in charge of another person’s care…is again, a situation that would depend highly on the context. Gail is driven and tries to keep things professional, but she deals with emotional context just like anyone else. She has the skill-set that Luca does not. She got Outstandings on all the O.W.L.s that Healers want, and she earned those marks. But what she’s lacking is that inherent sense of kindness and mercy. How careful Gail would be as a caretaker would depend on how much she cared about her patient. If it was someone she didn’t really know, she would likely want to outsource it. If it was someone she disliked or hated…it would be a battle with her own integrity, but she might be inclined to refuse. But if it was Ben who was in trouble? Or Badeea, or Talbott? You better believe Gail would push everyone else aside and take control of the situation herself. She also values family above all else, so if it were Luca or Jacob, she would regard it as her obligation to see things through - no matter what her feelings might be.

🌺 What does your OC do to calm down when they’re scared or after a nightmare? Do they have any special comfort items or need to be reassured by a specific person? How do they handle this if they’re alone?

For Luca -

(It’s like this question was made for the Fawleys.) Luca has, and has always had, severe issues with sleeping. Such problems were exacerbated by a near-death experience with a Lethifold when they were young. It gave them claustophobia, insomnia, and an irrational fear of cloth. They would have night terrors, nightmares, and sleep paralysis. The only thing that pacified these issues was putting an end to sleeping alone. As far back as first year, Luca and their Hufflepuff squad devised a sleeping cycle, where they would partner up to share beds in the night. Had to keep it low-key, since most people wouldn’t get that it was platonic, but it worked wonders. I don’t know if I would say Luca is an extravert, as they definitely don’t seem like the type - but with the right people, they can emotionally heal and deal with things much easier. They’re able to figure things out with their friends, particularly Rowan. I don’t know that I would say they have any comfort items, but they do have “Beatrice Jr” the stuffed puffskein that Beatrice made for them. And they also have a furry, purring companion who is always guarding them. Talking to their loves ones to figure everything out is Luca’s go-to after a mental breakdown or a nightmare. But if they find themselves alone…they’ll either write an unsent letter to someone in their family, or go for a walk. Usually winding up in the Creature Reserve.

For Gail -

As I alluded to, she has the unfortunate habit of putting everything in boxes. To keep herself grounded, Gail will frantically try to normalize everything. Come up with an explanation for her issues, even if the explanation is unsound…or she’ll label the issue as a physical problem that needs to be dealt with, and take immediate steps to make that happen. Gail is a low-key control freak with a pathological need to have all of her struggles, well, under control. She manages, because she can’t not manage or admit to herself that she’s drowning. As a result, she rarely asks for help, except from the very small list of people she’s willing to cry in front of. Which consists of family, Ben, and maybe someone like Badeea. Though Gail chooses to isolate herself in dealing with anxiety, it isn’t helping and she knows it. She just can’t admit to herself that she’s desperate for someone to ask if she’s okay, or hug her just a bit longer than needed…because she knows that she’ll burst into tears if someone does. To that end, I think the best thing for Gail would be just that. For her to be reassured by those she trusts, and to be shown that it’s not the end of the world if she lets someone else in. Fun fact, she actually does have a comfort object. Wearing the key to her school trunk around her neck at all times, to prevent anyone from breaking into it - which has happened before. Waking up from a nightmare and grabbing onto the key until it digs into her skin and draws blood…again, it grounds Gail. Helps her slowly come down from an anxiety attack.

💫What is your favourite fact about this character and why?

Gonna discuss them both at once for this one. Frankly, I think my favorite thing about the Fawley twins is that I ended up writing them as twins. In many ways, they feel like two sides of the same coin to me. This is because, while I have several AUs stewing in my head, I keep finding myself reluctant to actually write one where Luca and Gail were raised together. In almost every idea I have, they grew up separately, and didn’t meet until young adulthood. It almost feels like an instrumental, fundamental part of their dynamic.That they yearn for the companionship and connection of having a twin sibling…but they don’t really get that. After all, a twin is a free best friend, right? Well, no. Gail and Luca are similar in some ways, but different in the ways that really matter. They have different values, different habits, different ways of approaching life. They get on each other’s nerves. But ultimately, they do get along. It just depends on the timeline. But I also think it’s telling that Luca adores Jacob and Gail…does care about him, but only because he’s family. She pretty much can’t stand him. Likewise, she can’t stand Tulip, who Luca has always had a soft spot for. She’s much more lawful and has faith in specific values. She’s a pragmatist. Luca keeps things open, and judges things on a case by case basis. Gives peopel the benefit of the doubt. They’re an idealist.

Luca and Gail aren’t polar opposites, but they’re not Fred and George either.

Oh boy. That was a lot of fun. Thank you so much!!

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