new ties {nat/erik}

[potter]

Elliot absently scratched at the inside of her wrists as she climbed the stairs, she had recently gotten them both tattooed, her left inscribed with an elegant script that read "iniquity," and in the same font on her right had "integrity." She had felt it to be a symbolic gesture of her struggles, "iniquity" representing what had started her dangerous journey with anorexia to begin with. The perfectionism, the inability to accept herself. "Integrity" of course referring to what kept her going on the road to recovery; the respect for herself she had recently regained. Elliot had had them hidden beneath her sleeves at work all week, and that Sunday afternoon was the first time she was actually showing them off. She had donned knee-length denim shorts and a jade green tank top, gladiator sandals at her feet.

She was not nervous about the new tattoos, but rather about what she was going to do that afternoon. Elliot would not be going to her own flat, but to her boyfriend, Erik's, to meet Natalia. She wasn't sure what to expect, and was particularly anxious to make a good impression on the girl since Erik was something of a father figure or older brother to her. Elliot was sure it wasn't anything to get too nervous about, but she didn't want to mess anything up. She paused outside the door a moment, mentally preparing herself. Her conscience reminded her that she had a sister around Natalia's age, and that made her relax slightly.

Elliot still took in and released a quick, though deep, breath before raising her fist and knocking on the door three times. She then shoved both her hands into her pockets, conveniently concealing her new tattoos from view. Elliot didn't want to talk about them first thing, but rather get to properly meet Natalia first. Perhaps she should have grabbed a sweater before coming over, even if it was the middle of summer. Nevertheless, Elliot didn't have the time as she heard the lock turning in the door and it slowly opened to reveal...

[natalia]

Nat jumped, almost dropping the guitar as a sharp knock came at the door. Placing Erik's child down, she was very careful to make it appear as if it had remained untouched. She would never admit to taking any interest in music, but after reading that it was mathematical, it gave her a newfound hope that maybe she would not be a complete failure. Double checking the careful placement of the guitar, she walked to the door. Most no one visited except for Erik's family, whom admittedly she hoped to see.

Opening the door, Nat was a bit shocked to see someone strange there. Her muscles tightened as she took in the girl, aware she had just put herself into a social situation she would have otherwise loved to avoid. Ever since going to Hogwarts, Nat had been given no choice but to actually stick through talking to people without wanting to vomit. After little to no human contact, it was now she was realizing she had taken two steps back with her anxiety attacks.

"Uhh..." It took a while to even remember how to say hi. It had always been particularly hard talking to those girls that looked like models. She took in the beautiful girl and bit her lip. How nice it would have been to look like that. "Hi?" It was more of a question than a greeting. "Uhh..." It felt like she ought to have said something afterward, but nothing was coming to mind.

[potter]

Elliot smiled a bit when a young girl who could only be Natalia opened the door- She had dark hair with eyes to match, appearing delicate, but not overly so. Perhaps it was only her youth that made her look that way. She knew the girl would be a second year come September, making her either eleven or twelve depending on when her birthday was, putting Natalia right around her own sister's age. She continued to hold a gentle smile, she didn't want to come off as uninviting or intimidating to the girl who hadn't exactly lived a comfortable life.

"Hi," Elliot echoed gently, "I'm Elliot Potter- Erik's girlfriend." She assumed that Erik had already told Natalia about her, but had added that bit anyway. It felt almost strange to her, introducing herself as Erik's girlfriend, made that very schoolgirl-like giddiness stir up within her again. Elliot offered Natalia her hand, forgetting entirely about the fresh tattoo of the word "integrity" that would now be plainly visible. She kept her left hand in her pocket, however, she didn't quite feel the need to show both her adornments off at the same time- though Natalia seemed socially anxious, she probably wouldn't inquire.

Perhaps she just took a while to warm up to people. Though the girl appeared nervous, Elliot found herself relaxing slightly, she saw a bit of herself in Natalia when she was that age. She had been very apprehensive of strangers, quite withdrawn. She had gotten over her social anxieties with time, though she was still prone to anxiety just as when she was younger. Elliot kept quiet for the time being, she would allow Natalia to lead, unless she continued to look uncomfortable doing so.

[natalia]

Nat listened, blinking. It took a while for the words to sink in. She stared at the hand, before taking it and shaking it. She managed a small smile, although her throat had gone even drier. Erik had gone on and on about her, and Nat did not want someone so special to him to think badly of her. It took a while for her sluggish mind to catch up with the situation.

"Uh..." She repeated again. "Come in," she stepped aside, realizing that was probably what was expected. Ever since Nat had moved in, Erik had been good about keeping the floor visible. Her first time there she had doubted a floor existed beneath the sheet music and clothes littering the bachelor pad. Nat closed the door behind the girl, wondering what she was expected to do.

"Uh..." She rubbed her arm, thinking what Erik normally did when guests visited. It was rare, in the summer days, but it happened sometimes. She looked at Elliot, and then to the kitchen. "Do you want some tea?" It was the most she could offer. She did not even know where the alcoholic drinks were, nor did she care to know. It had always been a mystery why adults always loved one of those bitter drinks.

[potter]

Elliot now found a pang of sympathy in her heart, had things really been that bad for Natalia to make her so awkward? She wasn't exactly sure how to handle this kind of social situation. She figured that she would be gentle, and allow the girl to continue to lead their interaction as long as she didn't seem too uncomfortable about it. After Natalia shook her hand, Elliot put it back into her pocket, the girl seemingly hadn't noticed the freshly inked tattoo on the inside of her wrist, she didn't quite feel in the mood for explaining them, though likely would have to once Erik took notice.

Now was the first time she had thought on it, but should she at least have told him that she was going to be getting tattoos? Granted, Erik was her boyfriend, not her husband, and only wanted for her to be happy- though would he have wanted to be there when she had gotten them? Deciding that she was over-thinking things, Elliot stepped over the threshold into Erik's flat when Natalia invited her in. It was the cleanest that she had seen it before, he was likely making more of an effort now that there was a girl living in the place.

"Oh, no, that's all right," said Elliot, a bit surprised when Natalia offered her tea. She hadn't been expecting that. She resisted the urge to itch at her wrists, taking a quick peek around and smiling to herself lightly. It was almost amusing to her, to see how much Erik was applying himself to keeping the flat clean. Not that he was particularly messy, just... disorganized. Not going to allow awkwardness to settle over them, she decided to speak again. "What house are you in, Natalia?" Elliot asked politely, assuming a non-threatening posture.

[natalia]

Natalia closed the door behind the tall girl, slightly relieved she had declined the tea. Knowing her she would have somehow tripped or done something wrong. Nat couldn't make toast for the life of her. She realized that Elliot was waiting for her to do something, following her lead on most everything. She shifted slightly, before collapsing on the sofa. She was slightly taken aback by the question, but she appreciated the interest. Folding her legs underneath her, she was proud to answer.

"Ravenclaw," she smiled slightly. Being known for their intelligence, Nat had been thrilled when the hat had spoken that word. "What House were you in?" She asked, finally feeling the atmosphere begin to warm a little. Besides the intimidating bold look of the tattoos, Nat had subconsciously decided that she liked Elliot. She seemed nice, despite the countless faux pas that Nat had already racked up within five minutes of meeting her. She could see her fitting with Erik quite nicely in her mind. She managed a slightly larger smile.

[potter]

When Natalia sat down Elliot took it as an invitation to sit down herself, so she plopped herself down in the opposite corner of the couch, turning slightly sideways so she could face the young girl. A gentle smile graced her lips when Natalia stated that she was a Ravenclaw, her own former house. And there was a faint hint of pride in her tone, one that suggested the girl was glad to be there. Perhaps she might not have been as socially distraught as she had initially thought at their first words. Or maybe she was just shy in front of strangers. Elliot folded her hands in her lap as the question was returned to her.

"The same," said Elliot, still smiling softly, "it's a good house to be in." Though now that she thought on it, she didn't think that there was a particularly bad house to be in, her own family was all over the place. Two of her siblings were Gryffindors, one a Slytherin, and she had cousins in Hufflepuff and her former house of Ravenclaw, so she was in the least position for being picky about houses. "How has school been for you? Are you enjoying it?" asked Elliot as a way to keep the conversation going.