One Seed at a Time PV Kaitlyn errand

Interacting with : Reducio @Graci Laren

Date: Reducio May Midmorning

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

Outfit: Reducio

As Kaitlyn began to dig another hole, a smile formed on her lips. “Fair enough. I feel my heart jump out of my body whenever I hear a pot break,” she joked. It was normally pretty stressful to hear, after all! Thankfully, it wasn’t a noise she heard often. Having the grace of a dancer, however, meant that she was normally pretty careful when roaming the greenhouses.

“We are here to learn, after all. Don’t worry too much about the intricate details and just try your best,” Kaitlyn continued to Graci, giving her an encouraging smile. Just because she loved plants didn’t mean she was about to lambast Graci for how she treated them. That wasn’t a good idea at all and would likely cause friction. Besides, it wasn’t her place to pass judgment on others. That just wouldn’t do, in her opinion.

Her shoulders moved in a shrug at Graci’s statement. In Kaitlyn’s honest opinion, she never checked to see how many of her fellow students were enjoying themselves, like her. It never occurred to her to check to see how many students came to the greenhouses, like her, to help take care of the plants. It was just something that she did. She never looked to get acknowledged or thanked. She did it because she wanted to and to help broaden her horizons. She didn’t care if she was referred to as a teacher’s pet, either.

“Thank you. I’m not sure, either. But, I enjoy it.” Kaitlyn giggled about her tulip earrings. “Aw, thank you. No, sadly, I haven’t traveled out of the UK. But, I’d love to do so at some point when I have the time. I’ll have to check out the tulips, there. It sounds like a perfect spot!” She exclaimed with another giggle. “Small gold tulip earrings sound lovely, too!”

“Oh, yes, I understand that feeling. It can get awkward to proclaim that you like something so much … and yet, cannot name one that you actually like.” Kaitlyn nodded in understanding as she used her fingers to spread around the hole that she had dug. “I think it’s cool that your father owns a bookstore. And don’t sweat not being able to focus while reading. I can get that way, too, if I’m reading a book I don’t like.”

Word Count:

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Note: 386 words

Graci's mind was back on nights of sitting in a chair as her family read around her, wondering why she couldn't just sit and read for hours like the rest of them.

Thinking of home often left her staring into space before she zoned back in, hoping she didn't miss anyone's words. It was beginning to be quite the dilemma, as her brain used past experiences to make choices. She was genuinely surprised that no one had ever commented on her spacing out. Don't most people do that, or is it just me?

Graci realized that she had probably been quiet for a bit too long, lost in the soil and her mind.

“Sorry,” she said with a sheepish smile, brushing her hands off on her robes. “Sometimes my brain takes these little detours and forgets to tell me we’re still mid-conversation.”

Since coming to Hogwarts she had zoned out less, but when she did she tried to make a habit of apologizing or at least trying to be better about it.Zoning out is for the evenings, it's for me time. When I'm with other people I should be engaged and actually converse. Or something like that. Mum and Zoe aren't huge talkers, so maybe that was something dad said? Sounds like him.

Graci really did like gardening/planting, it was rather relaxing and it was very hard to mess up. Ish. Graci always found a way.

Interacting with : Reducio @Graci Laren

Date: Reducio May Midmorning

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

Outfit: Reducio

In the silence between the two girls, Kaitlyn didn’t mind too much. She was used to being quiet, often forgoing socialization. As a clear introvert, she’d rather stay within her own head. Naturally, that held plenty of problems, where she’d overthink and second-guess herself a lot. That was a likely source for her lack of confidence. Sure, she had improved since her first year, but it was an easy habit to jump back into.

Thankfully, in this instance, Kaitlyn didn’t have the opportunity to second-guess her choices. While her conversation with Graci appeared to be on a lull, she still had the opportunity to plant more flowers, and that, she would do. She slowly planted a few orchids. With a smile, she moved slightly and felt her toes graze the earth. She started to dig another hole a small distance away, but still near Graci.

Just as she finished the new hole, Kaitlyn heard Graci’s apology and gave an understanding smile. “No, that’s fine, don’t worry. I’m not going to force you to talk to me … But, I understand … I can be pretty quiet, myself, and I also can be easily distracted,” she chuckled, hoping to make Graci more comfortable around her. Her smile grew bigger as she looked over at Graci. Hopefully, they could enjoy planting together.

Word Count:

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Note: 220 words

Graci could get used to chatting with the breeze brushing past her face and the sun shining, bringing out the almost nonexistent auburn shades in her hair. It was peaceful and she could've been like that for hours, singing or just talking with another soul. I'll just savour it while I can then, I suppose.

"I mean, I used to be even less talkative and we probably wouldn't even be talking now. Since coming here I've actually talked more than all last year. An exaggeration, possibly, but still pretty accurate. What I worry most about now is that I annoy people with how much I talk."

She had found out that either she was enduring awkward silence with another, or yapping her head off without a care in the world. And then later mulling it over and over in her head trying to see if she said anything offensive.

Laments of talking a lot. But I can't please everyone so I might as well choose my poison. Or something like that.

Graci could not think of anything she would rather be doing that afternoon. Sure, she had things she could or probably should be doing, but that was besides the point.

Interacting with : Reducio @Graci Laren

Date: Reducio May Midmorning

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

Outfit: Reducio

Despite her shyness, Kaitlyn was enjoying talking to Graci. It felt nice to talk so much to someone who had much in common with her. It certainly helped that both girls were interested enough to complete such an errand to help beautify and breathe air into the Hogwarts grounds. She knew that she was enjoying herself with it, which should come as no surprise. After all, she spent a lot of her free time helping out in the greenhouses.

Looking at Graci, Kaitlyn nodded in understanding. She felt pretty similarly in that regard. Her dirty hands pushed stray strands of hair out of her eyes. “I understand … I worry about the same thing." A smile crossed her lips. “I can’t speak for others, but I’m not bothered by how much you talk … I enjoy talking to you … and I honestly liked hearing you sing before,” She continued, sincerity ringing in her voice.

Taking seeds for a honking daffodil, Kaitlyn planted them in the hole she dug. After replacing the dirt and watering it, the young Slytherin smiled. “Did you know, last year, I was so shy that I had this stutter? I was surprised that anyone even understood me,” she chuckled at the memory. It also surprised her that anyone would even want to be her friend. Her first year certainly showed just how nervous she could get. Hopefully, she would devolve into that again.

Word Count:

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Note: 238 words

Graci felt extremely nostalgic for mud pies on school playgrounds that never actually got eaten, just smeared all over pants and faces. Usually to the dismay of the teacher.

"Well, at least now I know if I have something to gush about I can tell someone. And thank you." In all likelihood she wouldn't, but it was still nice to know that most of her insecurities weren't valid. People's insecurities rarely were.

Graci didn't know how to take compliments all too well, never knowing how to keep a conversation going from there. Conversations in general, really.

She had decided somewhere along the way that flowers, plants in general, were one of the most beautiful things in the whole universe. Each one was unique even when they were of the same kind. And just... pretty in general. Graci was a lover of beautiful things, and flowers she loved.

"It seems you came a long way from that. I'm surprised that you were ever like that. you seem so well spoken now. I guess everyone changes after getting here. As expected. I mean, I'm pretty sure that it's vastly different from any Muggle school. Pureblood tutoring, too. I personally was schooled like a normal non-magical kid, but consideration of others is key."

Interacting with : Reducio @Graci Laren

Date: Reducio May Midmorning

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

Outfit: Reducio

Kaitlyn nodded as she started to dig another hole. She could feel beads of sweat forming on her brow, and she used her upper arm to swipe them away. It was very typical of her to see the good in other people. Out of most social interactions, praising others was one of the easiest things she could do. All that was required was to speak the truth. Among the nicest things she could do was to praise the looks of another girl. While it was easy for her to do, and a very common compliment, she was always truthful. She hadn’t met a girl yet that she thought wasn’t pretty.

“You’re welcome, Graci,” Kaitlyn smiled, as she looked at the younger girl. She had no reason not to believe her. But she was also not aware of Graci’s insecurities. Just her own, the biggest of which was her constant lack of self-confidence. Though thankfully with plants, she didn’t feel helpless. She felt like she mattered when it came to tending to the plants with the utmost care and respect.

Slowly, almost robotically, Kaitlyn planted a honking daffodil in the earth. When she first learned about such plants, she was entirely ecstatic. Daffodils were already so cute! At least, the ones that she saw around her muggle city. Honking daffodils were just even cuter! Hearing their honks soothed her and made her calmer. It was very relaxing, in her opinion!

Looking back at Graci, Kaitlyn giggled quietly and nodded. “Thank you. I’m not sure how much I changed, but … I’m trying at the very least,” she humbly replied. “I agree, consideration is important. I went to a muggle school, myself. A private girl’s boarding school, to be precise.”

Word Count:

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Note: 288 words

Graci was figuring out who she wanted to be. how she wanted to think. And exploring she was... well, the thinking part. She was pretty sure most people would think that as weird, saying you can't change how you think, but you can. Currently Graci was focusing on baby steps in that department.

The first step was being observant, trying to figure people out. It wasn't Graci's strong suit, per se, but she could learn. But if there was one thing she noticed, it was that Kaitlyn was kind. In the least manipulative way. Like she genuinely wanted to be friends with Graci, and wasn't just faking it to be polite.

Ugh, enough thinking about thinking. This is getting tedious. I did better with communicating before trying to better myself. That's overrated.

Graci understood now why Kaitlyn liked plants so much. they didn't judge. And in this specific instance they made wonderful icebreakers. In general they were lovely things to behold, and green was her favourite colour, so that didn't hurt.

"Oh, an all girls school? That sounds cool. But then again, I've never been to one of them, so I wouldn't know. One of my best friends back in London was a boy, so I'm glad I didn't;t go to an all girls one."

Interacting with : Reducio @Graci Laren

Date: Reducio May Midmorning

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

Outfit: Reducio

A grin morphed on Kaitlyn’s cheeks as soon as her fingertips gently grazed the new honking daffodil plant. As much as she adored the muggle plants she had been planting, these magical plants filled her with so much ecstasy and joy. As much as the magical world filled her with anxiety, she found solace in plants. That was why she loved the gardens and greenhouses. She easily felt at home outside in nature, like now.

With the thoughts permeating her mind, Kaitlyn began digging another hole for another honking daffodil. ‘I hope I can keep one of these. I think they’d look so cute in my dorm,’ she observed with a smile. If possible, she’d like to keep as many plants as she possibly could in her dorm. It would look so pretty! However, it would also require her to rearrange a little. But why rush to do so? She needed to first obtain plants! Just like the appealing honking daffodil.

Another reason why she liked plants was that they couldn’t talk to you. Many magical ones were sentient, sure. Kaitlyn was pretty sure many plants adored being nurtured. In her case, this would be watering them and dishing fertilizer at their stems. Not to mention, she liked to embrace them and pet them, almost as if they were pets. Regardless, they still couldn’t speak.

Turning to Graci, Kaitlyn nodded as she finished digging her hole. She quickly wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. “That’s good to hear. I like hearing about different experiences! Did you go to a school before coming here? I enjoyed it, actually, even if I felt a little sheltered. There was a rival all-boys boarding school nearby. And there were plenty of opportunities to mingle … like at my dance and art classes. Not to mention their etiquette events, they liked to hold, too. We were taught to be …” she raised her hands in air quotes “proper,” before dropping her hands again, “young ladies ... whatever that means.”

Word Count:

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Note: 335 words

Graci was figuring out who she wanted to be. how she wanted to think. And exploring she was... well, the thinking part. She was pretty sure most people would think that as weird, saying you can't change how you think, but you can. Currently Graci was focusing on baby steps in that department.

The first step was being observant, trying to figure people out. It wasn't Graci's strong suit, per se, but she could learn. But if there was one thing she noticed, it was that Kaitlyn was kind. In the least manipulative way. Like she genuinely wanted to be friends with Graci, and wasn't just faking it to be polite.

Ugh, enough thinking about thinking. This is getting tedious. I did better with communicating before trying to better myself. That's overrated.

Graci understood now why Kaitlyn liked plants so much. they didn't judge. And in this specific instance they made wonderful icebreakers. In general they were lovely things to behold, and green was her favourite colour, so that didn't hurt.

"Yeah, I did go to school before here, me and Zoe were actually asked very politely to transfer to a different school once. She's quite the trouble maker. We didn't, all our friends were there, but she did tone it down a bit after that. And being a 'proper young lady' seems like it would be rather hard in this day and age. The double standards and all."