Trying to Adjust (open)

[Godric Gillian Gryffindor]

Godric Gryffindor, or as people would know him Gillian Lovet, had arrived at Hogwarts not too long after he had arrived in this time. It was a very curious feeling being misplaced from time. Women were treated as equals and this fashion! It was thin cloth, and there were many just like what he was wearing now. On his legs he was wearing fairly tight, what did they say they were, jeans? He did not understand how anyone could survive everyday in these death traps. And the long sleeve shirt and jacket he had worn over it, thanks to those Ministry agents lending him clothes of this age. Times really seemed to change and he did not seem to understand everything, as he had to push up the sleeves in order to not become hot and uncomfortable.

There was no rankings, and peasants seemed to be treated like each other. It was something he had wanted in his time, but he did not like the fact that there were intruders in this wonderful land. There were those of French descent and those of different skin colors around. The different colored skin people were not as bad as the French. The French had always gotten in his way, and those barbarians who had attack his land when he was a child were French. They were not allowed in this land. It was not right to let the French invade this land. Times may be different, but he was sure that the French had not changed from their barbarian ways. It was one of the few things he did not condone.

It was after the sorting ceremony, when he was sorted into Gryffindor, though no one was really watching, that hat on his head in that Dumbledore's office (Dumbledore had said it was just a formality that had to be done, so he allowed it, even though he was the one who obviously created the house), that he was walking around, knowing the castle well, but several things had changed. All of these live statues, and various paintings all around, they were not the same as before. It was nice to know that their effort in creating a school was not in vain. It meant that his friends and he had created a place where those who had powers like him could practice magic without worry of persecution. That had been his primary goal in wanting such a school. Sure, they had yet to start bringing people to the school in his memory, but this was the kind of school he had always wanted to know.

Godric, or, as he really start thinking of himself as, Gillian found his way to the Great Hall, which was fairly empty. It seemed that after such a grand feast the students went to bed and vacated the hall. Perhaps this would provide a good place to relax and continue thinking about how he would adapt to such an odd occurrence. He had not been informed of too many things that had gone on, except a few things that happened in his life, and a few key events, such as the French man who was trying to take over.  That was just not right.  And, according to Dumbledore, the French named man was a Slytherin!  Slytherin having a French man go evil.  While he and Slytherin had their differences, they were friends, and he was sure if Slytherin were here, he would be just as appalled as Gryffindor had been. 

Gillian slowly, yet proudly with the best posture he could have, walked over to his table, named after him, and sat down. He spotted a piece of paper not far, and pulled it over to where he was sitting. He looked at the page, seeing a man standing there, and the picture moving. Gillian decided he would read this... "Daily Prophet", to see what was going on at this time. He wondered if this paper could really tell him what was going on in the now. He longed to go back to his time, but he found that thinking that he had no place back in his time, as he already fulfilled his purpose then, and he had yet another purpose now. Perhaps he could retrieve his sword from the hat soon and continue honing his skills with his blade. It had been his father's, and he loved the sword very much. It would help defend the world from any trouble that came. He was sure he could help defend this world from those dastardly French.

[Juliette Marie Julian]

Juliette liked the Cavaliere very much. They ranged from clever Marissa of Ravenclaw House to the ill-tempered twins that stalked the Slytherin halls to brave Marisol of Gryffindor, and, in them, she saw the nobility that had become the stuff of legends in Italy and beyond. Though she had little experience with them, she had concluded that the Cavaliere Famiglia deserved the fearsome reputation that extended back to the days of the Roman Empire. At the same time, though, Juliette was peaceful, having been raised in a monastery, and couldn't always keep up with their intense training sessions. In such modern times, she found it hard to understand why they clung to tradition. Why would they fight with swords when they had magic? She imagined that she would understand one day.

Until the day came that she understood them, though, she participated in their training sessions until she was unable to. Then she quietly bowed out and retreated to the relative quiet of the Great Hall to think, still in her armor, complete with a sword that had been provided for her by Marissa. It was difficult to be trained as a future Empress and witch simultaneously ((OOC NOTE: The magical government of Italy is still an empire, ruled by an emperor and senate called the Curia, but, since Godric's time, the Julian and Flavian bloodlines that once ruled have been hidden in England, leaving the Curia to run Italy until they could be found.)), and, sometimes, even she got overwhelmed. She found herself in the position of straddling two worlds; every once in a while, she needed to pretend that the Legionary Eagle wasn't pinned to her robes beside Gryffindor's coat of arms.

Today, when she entered the Great Hall with a book in hand after sparring with Marisol, there was another person there. He wore her House's robes, but she didn't recognize him; that set her on edge. Juliette had been trained to not trust people she didn't know, and he didn't hold himself like other students. His bearing and body language reminded her very much of her own, and her brother's. Unusual. She decided to be cautious with this guy, but she wasn't going to back down with her tail between her legs. Even if she disliked Henry Julian, they were going to be married one day. He would be emperor.

Empresses did not embarrass their emperors.

"Hello," she greeted him stiffly. "You're a new face."

[Godric Gillian Gryffindor]

Godric had been reading about a sharp increase in American immigration to England, giving rise to more students attending Hogwarts, transferring from there, or elsewhere, depending on it.  Apparently England had grown into a great country, where people wanted to visit.  He was proud of this country and the growth it had made.  Now... what was with this America? 

Godric quickly consulted a book he had tucked in the robes he was wearing.  The History of the World For Beginners by Albus Dumbledore.  That headmaster bloke had given him the book in case he had a question about something he were to find that he did not know about, because of where he had come from, not everything could be covered quickly.  He looked in the index in the back (the book was so curious, printed in such nice writing), looked up America, and turned to the page where it indicated.  Godric read the passage, looking slightly appalled.  America had left England, and won in a war against them, and they were the reason this Hitler guy had been defeated in a timely manner?  England must not have been the great country he believed.  Then again, such an opponent as those German barbarians, could have been a formidable opponent and in the end England did come out on top.

He closed the book and set it to the side, just in case he needed it for future reference.  He looked back at the newspaper, but was interrupted when an armor clad person had come up to him.  He looked at her with a curious look.  A sword and armor.  This person had to be a male, despite the feminine qualities about this man.  What woman would really work with a sword and be clad in armor?  Plus, no woman would be allowed to, anyways... unless times had changed that much.  He was sure Helga and Rowena would not wear armor or train with a sword like that.  Women psyche couldn't have changed that much, even with all the time that had passed. 

"Ah, yes," Godric said raising from his seat and bowing to Juliette, "I arrived not long ago.  My name is Gillian Lovett."  It was nice to see that traditions that he had from back in his time, such as sword play was not lost and forgotten, even with magic.  "I do hope you do not perpend to challenge me to a duel.  I will have you know, I am known far and wide where I am from as the best with a blade.  And you would have to supply a blade, as mine is not with me at the moment."  He really hoped his speech wasn't too much different than what most people talked like now.  Dumbledore had spoken oddly before, and Godric hoped that he could meld with this society and learn as much about the future while he was here.

[Juliette Marie Julian]

While she waited for him to reply, she took quick stock of him. He wore the same identifying badge as she did. A Gryffindor, then. Good. She wasn't in the mood to deal with the other Houses, at the moment. She'd been trained to maintain composure, but it was an issue sometimes. Juliette was famous for her sharp tongue, and she was more than willing to flay someone. Marisol had been particularly brutal that day, not that she'd expected better. Italy had gone a very long time without an emperor and empress. She didn't blame the Cavaliere for wanting to strengthen her and Henry. She would hate to finally set foot in Italy and be an ineffective leader.

Noticing that he was reading, she surreptitiously glanced at the title of his book. World history buff? That was interesting, and innocuous enough. When he finally spoke, though, she had to restrain a laugh. She bowed her head a little to him (empresses do not bow fully to anyone, of course; she had to remember that) when he stood and bowed. His name was Gillian. She would remember that, in case it was needed.

She laughed at his comment and sat down at the table across from him.

"I'm Juliette Flavian, known to my friends and Housemates as Julie. Trust me, after the beating I just received from Marisol Cavaliere, my interest in dueling has waned significantly. Marisol would be glad to oblige if you asked, though. There's an East German named Eliza in our House that would have some serious opinions on World War Two were you interested," she added helpfully. "She's rather quiet. I could introduce you."

[Godric Gillian Gryffindor]

This person was one of him, otherwise, who would really care too much over getting to know him, no matter how much he and Slytherin and the others did get along at this point. Anyways, it was rules to sit at the right table (a rule, he didn't know, which was broken all the time, and wasn't really enforced, but he was learning, and would learn that in time). Or at least this person seemed to be one, telling him that she could be called Julie.

Thinking on that... She was a woman? That couldn't be right, it had to be just a mistake, a girl's name for this feminine man. Then she mentioned a Marisol! She had to be kidding, no... he had to be kidding. What woman could truly wield a sword that this... man could think could take a man like him. Then again, she did not know his skill. He was, after all, according to his book, the best duelist known even today, or at least the book said so. Whether such print is credible or not, he didn't know. And he hadn't reached his peak, probably, as he had many years more to perfect it.

"Wait..." Godric said quickly taking a seat himself, back in his seat, "You're a woman?" He had to confirm it, just in case. "And Marisol is a woman as well? Why are you sword fighting? It isn't proper for a woman to do so!" At least to him. "However, this German, you are friends with? Despite what her people did in World War II? I don't understand. I would like to meet her, however."

[Juliette Marie Julian]

While he had his little meltdown over her knowing how to use a sword, Julie decided to take her hair out of the high ponytail it had previously been in. She liked wearing her hair down, but giving Marisol something to grab on to while sparring was a bad idea. She would proceed to yank you around by your hair until you thought your scalp would bleed. It wasn't pleasent, and Marisol was an evil woman sometimes. What did the Italians call her? The Demon of Rome? She deserved that title. Crazy lady. Fighting her was not a fun thing, no matter how much her nutball siblings seemed to think that it was. It was just a sign that, for all of their legendary status in the world at large and fighting prowess, the Cavaliere were all inherently insane.

She rose an eyebrow at him during his sexist meltdown but didn't comment until he was done talking. It was only polite to let him voice even misguided thoughts; she very much believed in the principals of democracy. Let the asshole talk and whatnot. He had a right to his (stupid) convictions. She just propped her head up in her hand and waited for him to be done. At least he was sitting now. She instinctively got annoyed when people stood and spoke while she was sitting. Did manners mean nothing...?

"I am a woman," she deadpanned. "My name is Juliette Marie Flavian. I am to be the next Italian empress. Marisol Cavaliere is a woman, my dear friend, and one of my future husband's advisors. She has more than earned that role. Perhaps a discourse on the political climate of the modern world is in order? I, unfortunately, know a lot about it; I sort of have to. So you don't accidentally offend someone, I will give you a few preliminary warnings. There is Germany, and there is East Germany. The eastern half of the country comprises most of what was once Prussia, and is in the hands of the Soviet Union. Words like "Commie," "kraut," and "Russki" are derogative. When applied to a Housemate, namedly one Elizabeta Anne Beilschmidt who is from East Germany and is of Prussian descent, you should tell them to kindly fuck off. Was this all very clear?"

[Godric Gillian Gryffindor]

This was all a little much for Gryffindor to comprehend so quickly, but he would soldier on.  Women.  Fighting.  It wasn't proper!  Though, at least he was sounding like someone from this time.  It was the one thing that had worried him when he first arrived here in this time.  There were a lot of words that didn't mean the same thing, but at least Godric had been able to adjust his speech so it was similar to that in the newspaper he had been reading, or the book Dumbledore had given him.  But even still, so much had changed that he hadn't been able to keep up with it... and the way she spoke, some words he hadn't even heard of.  It was very disconcerting, but he was brave, and he would adjust to the situation, and learn.  Hopefully, he could learn quickly enough that he wouldn't arise suspicions of his actual origins, or things might not be quite as nice and easy as he wanted them.  To keep his true name a secret would open a path to these kids accepting him not because of what is name is, but because of who he was.... plus, he was a very famous figure in this school, and would be treated differently than others. 

Now... this woman, this fighting woman, was also royalty in Italy.  Where Rome once had been.  Godric was a man of learning and did known a good amount of the history in the European Continent before his time, and knew about the royalty in Italy, at least a good amount.  And he had just insulted the future empress of Italy.  That was not good.  He should have been more careful.  Insulting a lady was bad, and insulting royalty was even worse.  He was a gentleman, in his mind, and thought that women should be treated well, and restricted where need be, because of their innate restrictions on their abilities.  Royalty should not need to learn to fight.  They had men to do that for them, even the king did, though a king should fight well.  Knights in shining armor, on their horses, protecting the castle, and their people.  Then again, with the class system changing as it had over the past several centuries, perhaps knights were no longer needed, and the royals simply protected themselves from intruders.  With that, he wondered how someone could risk the royals' lives by letting them fight themselves as well.  From what he knew, there was the Cavalieres for the Italians, like that Marisol that Julie had mentioned.  Perhaps there were not enough of the protectors left and that made it so the royals had to... then again, Gryffindor was just using his knowledge of his time Italy to come up with ideas, and was very limited in his way of thinking as well, given the lack of knowledge. 

"Most of it, Lady Juliette," Godric replied quickly, "I do hope I did not offend you greatly; where I come from, it is improper for a lady to use a blade.  I apologize.  There are two things I do not understand about your instructions, if you would not mind explaining them.  First, would Prussia be the area which the Lutici took control of, the Northern March, in 983?  Second... what does fuck off mean?"  Godric had a feeling that he was correct on the Prussia part.  Before he came to this time, the Lutici had began a rebellion in Europe, and had won, according to his intelligence, which a spy there had sent with Merek.  Now the second one, he had no idea what the phrase meant.  At all.  Perhaps he should have just looked up the phrase to figure it out instead of asking.  However, it might not be polite to go on pretending he knew what she meant when he hadn't.  While he didn't know much about Communists in Russia, he did have a clue what was going on, learning basics of what had been going on at this time, just in case he needed the information.

[Juliette Marie Julian]

There was something....off about him. He spoke like one of her classmates, dressed like all of them, but he just didn't seem to totally fit into the picture. Like that guy that someone dragged into the shot at the last moment who still isn't expecting to have his photo taken. There was something about Gillian that seemed a little awkward and uncomfortable. A little out of his depth. Juliette sometimes suspected that some of her classmates weren't from this time period, but she immediately dismissed it as ridiculous, and impossible. At that moment, though, she wasn't sure if it was. He had some distinctly...medieval ideas. Like women not fighting! In the magical community, at least, women had been fighting for decades, potentially centuries! Some of the greatest duelists of the day were women.

No, the Cavaliere Famiglia and the lesser-known families under its control like the Angeli were still going strong. Julie voluntarily learned to fight. With the constant stage of civil war that Italy had been in for the past century or so, she felt like good leaders should be able to hold their own in a battle. She didn't want something to happen to any of the Cavaliere because they'd been fretting over her safety instead of their own. She liked the family. She didn't really voice that often; she felt like it was something that should go without saying. The emperors of Rome had fought, and she and Henry would, too. She hoped that it made up for their upbringing in English monasteries.


She waved off his apologies. She was quick to anger and quicker to calm down. Apologies and formalities were unnecessary. She told him as much before addressing his question.

"Fuck off is a stronger way of telling someone to mind their own business. Don't say it around professors; they don't like profanity. Yes, the area you're talking about is, was, Prussia. It grew into a mighty empire in the following years, but it was dissolved after World War Two. Its former people live primarily on the Eastern side of the Berlin Wall, like Eliza's family."

[Godric Gillian Gryffindor]

She called the phrase profanity, which was highly offensive language to Godric and very much a sin. He bowed his head whispering an apology in prayer for using such language that, to him, was against his very strict Christian beliefs. He looked back up, his prayer quickly over, and wondered why she would use such language if she was going to be a leader of her country, Italy. That was very improper for anyone especially a woman, and a woman going to be wed to the ruler of a whole country. The Italians must have turned into vulgar barbarians or something. Or, it was just accepted now. No. That couldn't be it. Things had not changed that much. Couldn't have.

Either way, he did have to applaud her family's blood line for surviving from his time until now, knowing her family name from his studies of the known world at this time. From what he knew already, the bloodlines of those in England had not really survived very well, which he found sad that the Italian bloodline still survived.

"I understand. But I don't know why you, of all people, being royalty would use such language!" Godric explained, "Even I... I would not use that kind of language. Profanity is a sin against God and Jesus, unless... are you not a Christian?" He thought that Rome had been Christian before it fell, so he had assumed... "Ah, I understand now. Thank you for clearing that up. Eliza seems and interesting person of interesting origins. It would be nice to meet her." Perhaps he could find his wife in this time, and maybe it would be this... Eliza woman.