Unlikely Pair [Liv + Ari]

[Olivia Moretti]

Vesper slid her drink across the bar and Liv picked it up, drinking from it a little before she brought it back down to the counter. A warm smile spread across her lips as the fellow witch introduced herself. It seemed wrong that they never interacted during school. “What’s it like being on the Arrows? It seems like our teams are filled with our classmates, but you’ve actually played with your teammates before.” Noah joined Pride of Portree when he graduated. She missed her old team, but Puddlemere was getting into their groove. It was definitely an adjustment for the wolf. Teamwork is a chaser’s job. Liv sipped on her drink some more. “It’ll be fun to play against each other again. Your team was always good competition.”

[Ariadne Spiteri]

Sure Ariadne knew of Liv, she had been the captain of Slytherin's house team for a couple of years, but she never once spoke to the witch. "Yes, I got lucky there. I'm just lucky that Gen, Gus, and Daniel were picked up by the Arrows as well." As much as Ari would love to have her pick of teams, in professional quidditch, you take what you can get. Either a team wanted you or they don't. "It's lovely. Everyone is so friendly and of course, I have some friends on the team. How's Puddlemere treating you?" Puddlemere was very elite, she heard only top players got to play for them. Ari was happy to be an underdog though.

Ari smiled. They were in pre-season right now but she was sure that things would pick up after the holidays. "Yeah, that will be fun. You guys are so good and with so many big names on your team." Anya Platt and Charlie Shraeder were legends. Ari was sure that she had an Anya poster on her bedroom wall at her parent's place still. It truly was a dream they got to play along side some of the greats. 

Tagged;;Olivia Moretti

[Olivia Moretti]

Olivia felt lucky to even earn a spot on a professional team. Without Shacklebolt pushing through protections for creatures’ rights, she was sure she wouldn’t have gotten any offers. She smiled at Ariadne warmly, sipping on her drink as the witch spoke. “That’s really great. Gen’s a great player. I'm sad I won’t get to play with her again.” Having friends on your team was a huge blessing. She was happy for the former lions getting to stick together. “Surprisingly good, honestly,” Liv answered with a small laugh. “I was ready for them to shun me because of - well, you know - but so far everyone’s been really kind and accepting.” Of course they already had a werewolf on the team long before Liv, but they didn’t know that. Having Willie on her team as some kind of support was a literal godsend.

Pride burst in her chest at Ari’s compliment and she didn’t bother to try and conceal it. Puddlemere was one of the best teams in the league and Liv was so thankful they chose her. “Thanks,” she smiled, sipping on her drink a bit more. “Well, you guys have one helluva captain and I’ve played against most of you guys in school. I know you guys will be fierce competition this year.” She raised her glass for a toast. “Here’s to a fun year filled with exciting games.”

[Ariadne Spiteri]

Truly, it was an honour to be on a professional team. Both witches were so lucky but also had the talent to back it up "She really is, It's nice to play with her instead of against her, but that must be lonely going from playing with all your friends, to having them all gone." Gen and her had gotten really close over the couple of summers at Veela camp, so much so that the girls now shared a flat in London. "Did you get anyone from our year on your team?" Ari was so busy with her schedule that she really wasn't sure who got drafted to each team.

"That's wonderful, it's so nice to have great team members." Ari sipped her drink as she watched Liv begin to beam with pride. She loved when people loved what they did for work. How could you not when you play quidditch for a living? "Yeah Avi is great, really keeps everyone in line. How's it working with Anya?" 

Ari smiled with a small shrug before taking another sip of her drink. "We'll have to see, there are so many great teams. I heard with Lizzie on the Harpies, they are really coming up in the ranks." It was fun to talk quidditch with Liv, it was a new perspective from talking to her teammates. "How are things with you and Leo? It must be hard being apart with him still in school." Ariadne didn't want to pry but she was just curious.

Tagged;;Olivia Moretti

[Olivia Moretti]

Olivia hummed softly in agreement. Sure, the transition from playing on the House team to being on a pro team was a little lonely. She missed her old team, but there were still some familiar faces on her new team. Willie, for one, but there was also Caty. “Yes, Caty Prince,” she replied, pointing over to where she and Lizzie were dancing. “I’m glad to have her on my team for once,” Liv chuckled. Caty and Georgia were fierce together on the pitch. It was difficult to get the Quaffle from them when they teamed up.

“Oh, Anya’s great,” she said enthusiastically. Her Captain had always been a role model of hers, but being on her team was a different story entirely. She was a Quinn, after all, and had that Quinn fire but she also had a softness to her. “I couldn’t ask for a better Captain. She works us hard, but it’s well worth it.” Just look at their winning streak so far this season. The Arrows were doing quite well as well. Yes, Liv was happy where she was doing what she loved most.

“Lizzie is a tough player I’m sure the Harpies are glad to have her,” she agreed before finishing off her drink and signaling for another. When Ari turned the conversation to Leo, Liv let out a soft sigh. “It sucks I don’t really get to see him, but things are good. We write to each other a lot. It’s just not the same, though.” Vesper slid another cosmo across the bar and Olivia took it with a grateful smile. “How’s your brother?” He was in the same year as Michael, but she had no idea if they were friendly or not. Liv didn’t really talk to her brother. She sent him a letter earlier in the month, but she hadn’t received anything in return.

[Ariadne Spiteri]

Oh yeah, Caty. Ari had almost forgotten that the witch had been picked up by Puddlemere. Following Liv's point, she saw Liz and Cat dancing off to the side. They were a really cute couple. It must be so nice having someone to share your nights with. Sure, Gen was the best roommate ever but she also had Gavin. "Yeah she was a force, back in school. Barely anyone could out play them." Gryffindor was surely given a run for their money anytime they played Ravenclaw.

Taking a sip from her drink, Ari was hanging onto every word Liv said. Anya was a Quinn before she married and that family was legendary when it came to quidditch. "That's the sign of a great captain." Her captain was okay, Avi hadn't really made an impact on her just yet but she was sure that it would come soon enough. She was still new, there was tons of time. "It definitely shows, you guys are killing it this season."

Ari nodded along. Liz had always been a fierce competitor when she was at Hogwarts but she was really proving her self in the pro leagues. Soon the conversation shifted to boys. Liv had been dating the younger Slytherin boy for a while and there wasn't a soul who didn't know they were a couple."That's sweet...the letters. I can imagine," she paused to take another sip of her drink and shift her dress a little bit. "Are you going to be able to see him over Christmas?" A drink flew across the bar and Ari watched as it slid into Liv's hand. "Oliver? He's good. Just dealing with some boy troubles, nothing he can't handle. Your brother is in the same year right?" Oliver had never mentioned a Moretti, but she wasn't caught up on all that went on in his life recently, hence her almost killing Bo Park.

Tagged;;Olivia Moretti

[Olivia Moretti]

“It definitely shows, you guys are killing it this season.”

“So are you guys!” Liv paid attention to who wins their matches and so far Appleby Arrows were winning right alongside her. Quidditch was her life, after all, and she needed to see how the competition was doing. “Our game will be really interesting.” It will probably be the most fun Liv has ever had on the pitch. The sport had always been fun, but playing in the big leagues was a whole other ballgame. It felt awesome and the tougher the competition the more fun she had. She grinned at Ari, taking another sip from her drink. Olivia was really looking forward to it.

Liv really missed Leo. Like really, really missed him. It was just so hard to get time to meet up at Hogsmeade - she was always working - and the days she could pop by he couldn’t break free from school. She treasured their letters and read them every night before bed. It was such a small part of him and she wanted to keep it safe. It was really all that was keeping her going. “Yes, thank the Gods. He’s invited me over for Christmas break.” At least she also got the holidays off. Liv sipped on her new drink as she asked about her brother. She nodded along. If he was anything like his big sister, she knew he could handle whatever life threw at him. Ari asked if her brother was in the same year and Liv nodded slowly. “Yes, Michael. We don’t - er - we don’t talk.” Never really did to begin with, but definitely not after her transformation.

[Ariadne Spiteri]

Both girls were doing fabulously in their leagues but have yet to face each other. It was still early but their teams were the top dogs this season and Ariadne couldn't wait for their matchup. "It will be so fun too," she said, smiling. "I can't wait and I'm sure Gen, Gus, and Daniel feel the same." Her teammates were always eager for an extra challenge, especially Gus. Her ex-captain was such a hard worker that he welcomed any challenge with a smile. The girls sipped their drinks together through smiles, this was the kind of competition Ari loved, friendly off the pitch but fierce on the pitch.

"That's wonderful. I'm sure you both miss each other terribly." She heard it was hard to be in love and in separate years during school, especially once one person graduated. This was the first time she had heard it firsthand. "I hope the rest of the school term goes by in a blink, are you guys planning to move in together after Leo graduates?" Ari thought of Christmas and how it was always just her, Olly, and her parents, just the way she liked it. It was small and intimate but it was perfect. Perhaps she and Gen would invite Gus and Daniel over for a friends Christmas...oh Gavin and Rosemary.

A frown found its way onto Ari's lips, "really? Oh, that's so sad. Why not? I couldn't imagine not talking to Oliver, he's my little rock." Hearing this made her heart hurt, family was so so important and from the outside looking in, Liv did seem like she had it all.

Tagged;;Olivia Moretti

[Olivia Moretti]

“Oh, definitely,” she agreed, smiling as she sipped on her drink. It would be such an exciting game, her veins were humming with anticipation. Gooseflesh erupted along her arms at just the thought of it. It seemed cruel that they had to wait until May. “I can’t wait either. Tell them I said hi and that I’m looking forward to it.” She didn’t know Gus and Daniel as well as Gen - they were Jacob’s friends and, well, she didn’t like Jacob Williams. But she had played against them for many years and they were good people. “Or maybe we can all get together for a night on the town? That’d be fun.” Just because they were competition didn’t mean they couldn’t be friendly.

It was very hard being separated from the person you loved. When they got together she never imagined that her feelings would form so strongly and she certainly didn’t think about the future when she graduated. It didn’t really hit her until the last few months of her seventh year and by then she was monopolizing as much of his time as humanly possible. “I do, too,” she said with a sigh, her fingers tapping against her glass. “Yes, I asked him to move in with me after he graduates. I’ve got a flat in town.” She’d explain why she wasn’t home with her family if asked, but she felt like she needed a few more drinks to really delve into that subject.

Ariadne seemed sad that Liv and Michael didn’t speak to each other and honestly Liv was a little sad herself about it. She let out a heavy sigh and drank about a third of her drink in one go. The alcohol burned on its way down and she winced a little, but she was needing that to get into the why of everything. Olivia offered a small smile when Ari said her brother was her rock. “That’s sweet,” she said before sighing again. “Michael and I were never close growing up. We rarely talked or hung out, but after I changed the little conversation we had just stopped.” Liv drank more of her drink, frowning as she stared into the depths of her glass. “It’s my fault. I never tried and when I became a werewolf I just hid away from everyone.” She looked up at Ari with a sad smile. “I wrote to him recently, but he hasn’t responded.” It was probably for the best. She could have her own family with Leo someday and then she won’t have to worry about being alone. “I understand from Leo that Oliver joined the Quidditch team?” She didn’t want to dwell on her sob story.

[Ariadne Spiteri]

"Absolutely. It's hard to see friends when we have such busy schedules, except for at special events like this." Ariadne wished they would have told her back in school that having time for friends once you left school was slim to none, especially in professional quidditch. She was just lucky to work with some of her closest friends. "Yes! That would be fun, maybe dinner or drinks? Maybe both." That sounded like so much fun but she hoped that Gus could pry himself away from the grind long enough to join, he was going to work himself to death at this rate.

"Ouuu, that's lovely. I'm excited for you both to take that next step." Ari shared an apartment with Gen and not having her there, even when she just went to visit Gavin, it was lonely. "Do you ever get lonely? Living alone?" Another sip of champagne hit the Veela's lips, was this her second or third? She had lost track already. It wasn't like her to be so careless with alcohol. 

She watched as Liv downed a good portion of her drink in one go, taking that as a sign to down hers as well. Both girls wincing at the fresh intake of alcohol. Ari frowned as Liv's why came out. It was sad to hear, family should be there for you no matter what and it seemed like Liv's, well at least her brother, abandoned her. "Please don't blame yourself. Communication is a two way street and he has every opportunity to write you back or reach out first." Ari supposed it was easier inheriting your creature status, you family is the reason you have it not running away from it. Blinking from the change in subject, she nodded with a small smile. "He did, he's still adjusting to his team but I think he'll like it once he get's into the swing of things." She omitted her little visit to the pitch and almost killing Bo Park. 

Tagged;;Olivia Moretti

[Olivia Moretti]

Professional Quidditch didn’t leave much room for a social life, but Liv didn’t really have one to begin with. Julian had been on the run for the last six months and she and Emilia were still not on good terms. Plus, with Leo at Hogwarts, she didn’t really have anyone to spend time with. She had Caty and her teammates, but they were all busy with their own lives and Olivia didn’t feel like there was room for the lonely werewolf. Running into Ariadne was a blessing she didn’t realize she needed. “Both, definitely,” she said with a smile. Perhaps now that they were out in the world, she could make friends with her former classmates. It would be good for Liv to branch out a bit.

Oh, she was definitely excited to live with Leo. Liv didn’t think her boyfriend would get any rest after this dry year, but eventually they’d be satiated and could live their lives together without any interference from Jackson or school. “Yeah, it can be,” she answered honestly, raising her glass to her lips for a long sip. “But living at my parents’ was even lonelier, so it’s a step up.” Olivia didn’t care how many drinks she was putting back, she just wanted to have a good time. It seemed Ari was doing the same.

Her expression softened as Ari tried to comfort her. Maybe she’s right, Liv thought to herself, gazing into her glass, watching as the bubbles rose to the surface. It was just hard to let go of how she was treated after the attack and her resulting transformation. Her father, who she’d been so close to before, just absorbed himself in his work and only paid attention to her by giving her money or presents. Her mother gave her the silent treatment and her brother, well… they never talked. She did try, though, and that’s all she could do. “Thank you,” she told her softly before changing the subject.

“With you as his big sister, I’m sure he’ll do great. I guess the house teams are hurting after we all graduated.” Before she left Hogwarts, she recommended Ivy to be the next Captain. It seemed fitting that she would take on the role after all the hard work she’s put in. “Julian’s little sister and Noah’s little brother joined the team this year.” She’d seen their first game. It was a rough game for Slytherin, but they all tried their hardest and that’s what counted.

[Ariadne Spiteri]

What was a social life? Ariadne was either at practice or games, eating or sleeping. It was rare for the chaser to be caught doing anything else. Since becoming an Arrow, Ari was being stopped by fans more and more, enough that the last time she tried to leave practice, she had been bombarded by paparazzi from Witch Weekly. Ari giggled, "both it is." It would be great to branch out, are felt that in Hogwarts, they most of the time stuck to their own houses. Minus Gen, Ari really had stuck to the friends she had made in Gryffindor house, on the pitch or in her dorms. She could only imagine that was how it was for most people. Leaving Hogwarts was like first year all over again.

"Well I'm glad you're happier. But in case you get lonely, stop by Gen and my's flat anytime, we're usually home except for practice." Taking another sip of her drink, Ari thought about the holidays. Yes, she would return home to spend the holidays with her family but before them, maybe her and Gen could host a friends Christmas. The girls were pounding back drinks but in a classy way. It was a party after all. She nodded as Liv thanked her for her words. It was heart breaking to hear how Liv's family had basically cut all contact with her.

A pink blush spread across her cheeks. "That's kind of you to say. Guess it runs in the family," she added with a shrug. "Oh I can only imagine. They lost a good amount of their players last year. I only know that Gryffindor is in good hands. Rae was stellar last year." She and Rae had worked together a bit over the summer and she knew that the Gryffindor team was in good hands, as she had made captain. Ari nodded eagerly, "Julian and Noah were exceptional players, I can only imagine their siblings posses the same talents. Have you seen a game?" Ari knew she should gather Gus and Dan to get out to a game in the new term. 

Tagged;;Olivia Moretti

[Olivia Moretti]

Olivia enjoyed the freedom being a young adult granted her, but if she had known just how lonely the first year after Hogwarts was… she might not have been in such a hurry to grow up. She could only hope that things will get better as time goes on. There’s a lot to look forward to now and that definitely helps. Perhaps she’ll find friends in Gus and Dan and Ari and Genna. She was friends with Genna, but the two of them weren’t particularly close. It might have something to do with Gen having to sit out a year because of her scores. Liv wasn’t mad about it anymore and certainly didn’t hold it against her, but she had been quite disappointed when it happened. This was her chance to make things right and to get out of this dark funk she’d been in.

The offer to come stop by their flat took Liv by surprise. This was the first time she and Ariadne had actually sat down and had a conversation and she felt comfortable enough with her to invite her over whenever? Her expression softened and she just blinked at her for a moment. Liv was touched, liking the witch more and more with each passing second. For the first time since she graduated, she didn’t feel lonely. Maybe what she needed were friends who understood what she was going through. “Yeah, totally,” she smiled, thinking that she may take her up on that.

Liv nodded eagerly as she sipped on her drink. “Mmm, yes! Rae was a good choice.” She had witnessed for herself the strength of Gryffindor’s new team. Their teamwork was almost impeccable. Perhaps Slytherin just had a bit of bad luck during that match, but Raelynn’s skill as Captain was obvious. “Yes, I did! I saw the first one of the season. Gryffindor was amazing - I felt bad for Slytherin,” she said with a light laugh. Liv still believed that Slytherin just didn’t have great luck that game because she knows those players can do better. She let out a sigh, realizing she was still thinking like a captain. “Isn’t it so much harder?” she asked quietly. During school she had been captain for years and Olivia took Quidditch very seriously, but when she got on her big girl team everything was just so different. Quidditch was absolutely her life. “I feel like I can’t breathe sometimes.” It was likely the alcohol lowered her inhibitions and let her be so open with Ari, but she kind of felt like they were already friends.