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

Carefully …. carefully … carefully. Kaitlyn carefully planted the honking daffodil seeds into the earth. She carefully spread soil over the seeds, making sure to pack it tightly against the seeds. In her opinion, plants needed love just like humans. Sure, they couldn’t talk and not let you know what they want, but that didn’t change the fact that they should still be cherished and loved.

Ever since her first year, Kaitlyn had developed a soft spot for honking daffodils. She loved working with them in Herbology, and also when she went to help out in the greenhouse. It was pure pleasure to see a flower that she knew well from muggle gardens … honk! It really made her wonder if tending to plants was something she’d be interested in. The fact that she was out here … gloveless … was a testament to that resolve.

As Kaitlyn watered the spot where she just planted the seeds of life for a cute honking daffodil, she turned to Graci. Despite her shyness, she enjoyed talking to the Gryffindor. A smile crossed her lips. “Zoe … Oh, are you twins? I have a twin sister, named Abigail. She’s in Hufflepuff, but we manage to see each other often. I’m glad to hear you stayed at that school for as long as you could to be with your friends.” She laughed at what Graci said about proper young ladies. “I couldn’t agree more. It was way too stuffy.”

Word Count:

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Note: 245 words

Graci was starting to see why Kaitlyn liked Herbology so much now. Not that she didn't like it before, and it certainly wasn't her favourite class, but it was up there. Nothing could be beat Charms.

The feeling of dirt beneath her fingers was nice. It was cold, a nice contrast from the slightly warmer temperature of the air, though it was still technically 'cold'. There was something so cool about planting seeds, knowing that they would blossom into beautiful flowers, or shrubbery, or whatever they were going to become.

"Yeah, Zoe is my twin. You wouldn't notice, though. We look completely different, somehow. She has bright red hair and is pale as can be. She takes after dad. And she's in Hufflepuff. Somehow. She's like a firecracker. I'd believe it more if our places were switched, but the hat doesn't make mistakes, I guess."

It was something she had pondered over many times before. It didn't make a whole lot of sense, but she had come to terms with it. Graci hadn't seen Zoe much, with less and less regularity, actually. She probably wasn't making a whole lot of friends. Preferring to write or read her days away.

That must take a toll on her though. I can't imagine that would be fun.

Interacting with : Reducio @Graci Laren

Date: Reducio May Midmorning

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

Outfit: Reducio

With a dreamy sigh, Kaitlyn leaned over and planted a kiss on the dirt pile where the honking daffodil plant seeds were buried. May it have a long and loving life! Smiling, she moved a distance away from the last planting location and began to dig again. While she enjoyed plants and taking care of them like this, she had to admit this was hard work. How many plants did they need to plant in the ground? She lost track of the number she completed.

Wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead, Kaitlyn looked at Graci and nodded. Being a twin with Abigail, Kaitlyn knew what the dynamics with a twin sister were like. Of course, it sounded as though her experience was different. There was nothing wrong with that, of course, but it still marked a difference. While they had their unique personalities, she and Abigail were pretty similar, too. That certainly helped when trying to decide what to do.

“That’s pretty cool. I feel like every set of twins is different in some ways. But, at least you can tell you apart from Zoe. Abby and I look alike. At our muggle school, many of the teachers would have difficulties telling us apart. We were eventually separated into different classes to make it easier,” she shrugged. “Anyone who knew me before Hogwarts would probably assume I’d be in Ravenclaw or something … but yes, it seems like the sorting hat knows what it’s doing.”

Word Count:

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Note: 247 words

Graci smiled as Kaitlyn kissed the dirt, odd as it was. She liked odd, though. Not everyone showcased their love for something so openly. What a shame. The world would be a much lovelier place if people did that.

Shaming people for loving something was something Graci could and would never understand. Zoe wouldn't have said anything, but definitely thought it obscenely weird. She just... viewed the world differently than Graci did. Technically everyone did, which was what made life so interesting. And argumentative.

Graci moved a few feet away, preparing to bring new life to the ground. Occasionally her gaze shot to a red squirrel, fighting off the urge to say 'squirrel' every time. A habit, but maybe one not quite socially acceptable? Since when did I care?

"Separated? Oh, I wouldn't like that one bit. Then again, neither of us had a whole plethora of friends, so... yeah. But it really is amazing how different twins can be, especially when people expect us to be the exact same."

She didn't know what she was going on about. maybe just filling silence or not knowing what to say next. All of the above, perhaps. Social interactions were such tricky things.

Interacting with : Reducio @Graci Laren

Date: Reducio May Midmorning

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

Outfit: Reducio

To be fair, Kaitlyn was rather surprised by herself. She cared very much about how other people perceived her. There was just something about this conversation with Graci that made her feel comfortable. Comfortable enough to kiss the earth. It would have been severely frowned upon at her muggle school. It likely would’ve earned her a scold … or two. How severe a punishment depended on who saw it, too. If it were just one of the other girls, likely not too much. Thankfully, she never found herself in that position.

It took Kaitlyn a few moments of digging to form an acceptable hole. She was finding the digging portion like this to be easier the more she did it. This time, she chose seeds for a rose bush. She pushed soil over the seeds, completely covering them. If she had to do this alone … it would likely take her the entire day, due to her constant love of the plants.

Turning back to Graci, Kaitlyn nodded. “For classes, at any rate. We still lived in the same dorm, though. Oh. I’m surprised.” A kind smile formed on her lips. “I’ve enjoyed talking to you, Graci. I had a friend group I hung out with a lot at my school. So did Abby. Our groups intermingled a lot,” she recalled, enjoying the memories flooding her brain.

Word Count:

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Note: 227 words

Graci wished she could be a flower some days. Basking in the sun and fresh air for days, bringing beauty to the world without even trying. The only questions would be what kind of flower. Not that she would even get to choose, that's not how life worked. You can't just turn into a plant, unfortunately.

Though, being unable to turn into a flower probably was in her favour. Then she wouldn't be able to meet such wonderful people, which would be truly unfortunate.

Hm. Yeah, I definitely like not being a flower better.

Sometimes when conversations were at an 'almost standstill' Graci got a little antsy. For literally no other reason than because she didn't know what to say next.

"I like talking to you, as well. And technically we both had our own groups, well... I had my two friends and she had me and her books. I don't know how she felt it enjoyable to do that, but to each their own I suppose."

Graci hadn't thought much about how lonely Zoe would have gotten. An inconsiderate thing that seemed harmless, but she definitely should have paid more attention to.

Hogwarts really does make me more self aware, it seems. Or maybe that's just getting older.

Interacting with : Reducio @Graci Laren

Date: Reducio May Midmorning

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

Outfit: Reducio

Kaitlyn took a few extra minutes to flatten the earth over the seeds she had just planted. Was it needed? She hadn’t a clue. But, she liked to make sure the plants … in this case, seeds … were well taken care of. Speaking of taking care of plants … she smiled. ‘I know it may be questionable of me … but … ah … I’m going to take a packet of these seeds. I want to grow a pot of honking daffodils in my dorm. I wonder if it would be ok to take it home with me, too? I don’t see why not? I’ll love them, no matter where I bring them.’

Dusting off her hands, Kaitlyn glanced around and smiled. It looked like they were replenishing the grounds pretty well so far! Plus, having Graci’s help was very much appreciated! This felt fun to her, at any rate, so she enjoyed the opportunity to have a pleasant conversation … especially since it wasn’t rife with her normal brand of shyness.

Smiling, Kaitlyn shrugged. Sure, she liked books, but she never shunned social activity … even if she was rubbish at it due to her shyness and fear of talking. She was often so afraid of saying something wrong … with constant thoughts of whether she was actually making a friend. Doubt easily crept into her mind.

“I’m glad to hear it! I honestly don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to be your friend, Graci,” Kaitlyn smiled kindly. She enjoyed talking to the younger girl ever since they first met earlier in the year. “I understand how easy it is to get absorbed into books.” It was even easier when being so shy around others. Books didn’t talk to you … and didn’t require you to respond back. No socialization required. “But, all that matters is that she enjoys it,” she smiled.

Word Count:

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Note: 314 words

Graci was almost out of seeds it seemed, somewhere along the way she must have either dropped some, or planted rather mindlessly, without thought. Well, nothing she did was expressly 'without care', simply a mindless task to do whilst conversing. It's calming, too. I should do this more often.

She carefully planted her last couple of seeds, dusted her hands off on her pants, and stood up, stretching. The things bending over can do to your back... eeesh. Is this what being old is like?

"I mean, I like to think that too, but I fear everyone had a slight capacity for being annoying in their temperament. And she really really does, so I never feel too terrible. Also, it looks like I'm out of seeds." Unfortunate, as Graci was having a good time conversing with Kaitlyn.

"Thank you for, um, talking to me? Or just being present I guess. For all the people here, sometimes it can get quite lonely." And it really could, Graci often felt an acute sense of loneliness even in large crowds, saddened by the fact she had no real group of friends to share smiles and laughter with. But Graci didn't mind, things came and went, she would get her turn.

Interacting with : Reducio @Graci Laren

Date: Reducio May Midmorning

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

Outfit: Reducio

Slowly but surely, Kaitlyn’s seed inventory depleted as she spent the afternoon with Graci. Of course, however, there was an extra packet of honking daffodil plants that she was planning to plant in her dorm, and take extra care to tend to. She found them to be so cute and a joy to take care of in the Herbology greenhouses! What a perfect opportunity to take care of one herself!

Kaitlyn stood up at her spot after pocketing the last honking daffodil seed packet and ignored the dirt caked on her knees. Her muscles protested, and she understood that she’d likely feel the strain for a few days. The young Slytherin had planted plants before … just not so many of them all at once. Regardless, it was a good strain. One that made her feel like she made a difference … making the grounds beautiful again, but also to watch life blossom around her in her walks outside. It would surely give her a lot to look at eventually. Maybe she could even volunteer to water them! Gently rubbing her bicep, she made a note to practice some yoga later to help her relax her muscles.

Looking at Graci, Kaitlyn nodded in agreement. “I agree,” she replied quietly, recalling how she was in her first year with her shy temperament. Even now, she was nowhere near a social butterfly. Glancing around, she nodded again about the seeds. “Yes, I’m out, too. I think we accomplished a lot,” she continued with a bright smile. The extra packet of seeds was safely in the pocket of her dress.

A bright smile danced on Kaitlyn’s lips at Graci’s comments about talking to each other. “You’re welcome, Graci. And thank you for talking to me, too. I agree on the lonely feeling … I feel that a lot, too,” she nodded, her pigtails swaying with her careful movements. “But, I hope we can talk again sometime, or even just hang out together,” she continued.

Word Count:

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Note: 331 words