A Thrill in the Norm
january 3rd, 2025 wc: 500 interacting with: @Emily Shephard
because i didn’t give up today.Scout had already started the process of looking outside the windows of the Leaky Cauldron, bouncing on the balls of her feet while her mother helped Emily and her Auntie get settled. It was kind of funny, seeing her friend and aunt look so jumbled from something as simply as flooing, but Scout figured she'd feel the same way after a long plane ride... or whatever else it was muggles used that wasn't cars or trains. (She had gotten way too used to both, as her and her father used them all the time in Shanghai and Fengjing.)
"Can we go get ice-cream? Please? Please? I want to get some ice-cream before we start." She's practically on her knees, clasping her hands together in mock-prayer. Baishu sighs, the kind that could only belong to the sort of man that was going to begrudgingly hand over some coins to his child.
He points towards Diagon Alley, voice stern. "Only go to the ice-cream parlor, Yi, nowhere else. Don't go wandering and don't get in trouble, please. Miss Nora, if it's no trouble, I'm sure Emily must need some more potion supplies for the rest of the year- I know Scout needs some-, so if you'd like to come with us to the Apothecary we can pick some ingredients up." Before he ends his sentence, he shoots one last glance at Emily and Scout. "If you need anything come find us there."
Scout lets six seconds of silence fill the air before she's gone, grabbing Emily's wrist and practically sprinting out to the cobblestone path, waving through waves of wizards and witches. She's guided primarily by her own nose and eyes, watching as the stores appear and disappear in clouds of fabric. The Menagerie, Ollivanders, it all floats in and out of view, cut only by the pointy hats of the other shoppers.
The smell of ice-cream is sweet, hitting Scout's nose even before she pushes the doors open. She pulls the coins her dad gave her out of her pocket, before looking at Emily expectantly. "Whatcha gonna get? I've got enough for both of us. I want a popsicle. Then let's sit down outside! I wanna see if we can spot anyone from Hogwarts!"
Not Colin.
She fiddles with the coins in her hands, listening to the clinking noise they make each time a sickle or galleon bumps against her sharp nails. It's strange, she'd cut her nails right after break started, filing them down until she was sure she wouldn't cut herself on them. But that had only been a few days ago, and they were already sharp enough to cut open packages or seals. It wasn't all bad, though, at least they could be cut- unlike her teeth, which would still end with her cutting parts of her lip or inner cheek.
"I can't believe I turn thirteen in like three months. You're so lucky, you and Casey- and Zyair!- have such early birthdays. You've already been thirteen for ages... That's so unfair, you're going to be fourteen way before me...! I might be the youngest person I know... if only I were older than Colin... that'd be so great."
don't look at me; you can't understand, right? i'm just like a monstrous flower that bloomed too soon
scout fu-hai & zyair ona'je
A Thrill in the Norm
January 3rd 2025
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
@Scout Fu-Hai
Mentioning: @Colin McCoire
*Poof!*
Emily only needed to blink to realise she wasn't at Scout's family residence anymore. After discombobulating and recombobulating out of thin air, Emily found herself standing inside the parlour of the Leaky Cauldron, its familiar walls as welcoming as an old friend to Emily's senses, despite the dark and shabby change of scenery in comparison to the bright and admittedly more exciting décor of Scout's home.
First instinct kicked in and Emily's eyes were already scanning for Scout, who was predictably not in the same room with her. However, once Emily exited the room she landed in - very literally - she was relieved to see Scout glancing out the window. A relief that Scout was keeping occupied without running off too far. Trying to reel in an excitable Scoutie was like trying to contain a zoomified Colin McCoire, and neither were easy feats.
Ice cream was on Scout's mind when Emily went over to her and the Huffie simply laughed. "Scoutie, you're an impossible creature to satiate!"
...
"But I'm not one to say no to ice cream".
The walk to Florean Fortescue's was a quick one, the girls practically buzzing towards the ice cream parlour and it's allure for sweet, delectable goodness, while Mr. Fu-Hai and "Auntie" took off in the opposite direction to shop for school supplies in the girls' absence, with "Auntie" undoubtedly asking burning and curious questions about the fantastic and freaky things she and Baishu would be shopping for.
When the girls got to the magical store of icy creamed delights, Emily stood to admire the choices she could choose from. Despite the treats that could tempt her, Emily's decision was assured. "I'm getting myself a brownie alamode! Nothing like having a delicious baked good with a wad of ice cream on top!"
While they were getting served, Scout got chatty again, going on about being the youngest of their friend group. Emily smiled and bumped her buddy's shoulder. "I say revel in the thirteen-year-old greatness while you still can! At least that's what Auntie is always telling me... Enjoy your time in the present moment. If you wish to grow up too soon, you might miss something in the blink of an eye".
"--If only I were older than Colin... that'd be so great."
Emily burst out into the most raucous laughter. Ah, so that's what this was really about. So long as Scout was able to one-up Colin, then she would be happy any other time of day.
"Scoutie, you could be a statue standing in the middle of Hogsmeade as a symbol of glory and you'd still find ways to dish shade at Colin," she giggled. She thought of Colin. Sweet, mad, adorable Colin. "If only Colin was in our year, in the same classes as us and the same schedule... I think you two would get along much better if you were together more often".
Word Count: 494
Stats: Stamina: 8 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 7 | Wisdom: 9 | Arcane Power: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace
Trust Yourself - Love Yourself - Be Yourself
iNPC = Casey Stone