Not The Sharpest Knife PV | C. Gears & S. Riddle

AT CLAUDIA’S SPIDER COMMENT, Sapphire couldn’t contain the bout of laughter. “There’s no army,” she said quietly. Claudia looked like she wanted to find a nice hole to go die in, which only made her giggle again.

She covered her mouth, pale cheeks flushing. She wasn’t normally self-conscious, but her laugh always made her cringe. Her gaze turned away, anywhere else. She found herself staring up at the globe-like lights on the ceiling, taking in their every detail.

She sighed silently, blue orbs glassy. She always got that look when she didn’t want to focus on something. She bit her lower lip, trying her hardest to ignore everything else. She only vaguely heard Claudia’s response to her question, now looking at every imperfection in the ceiling, which only reminded her of her own imperfections.

Helplessly, she tried to put a positive spin on it. The imperfections make it seem more alluring, she thought, but it seemed empty. Meanwhile, her teeth drew blood as one of her hands—the same one she’d covered her mouth with—gripped the strap of her bag so hard that her knuckles turned white.

Simply laughing shouldn’t make me this embarrassed, she thought, the tone edged with slight hysteria. Great, now I’ve made a fool of myself.

Koko's smile changed from a somewhat brazen grin to a soft smirk as she watched Claudia and Sapphire converse. The two seemed to be getting along swimmingly, at least from what the small blonde could tell. "Yeah, we've not got a demon army or anything," Koko said softly, "That would be scary."

Koko's eyebrows raised an entire centimetre at Claudia's next statement. "Merlin, no!" the blonde-haired Slytherin exclaimed in a whisper-yell, slapping a hand over her chest. "After the spider attack? Spiders are scary. They'd eat me alive again." If either girl asked, Koko would not elaborate on the first time spiders had tried to eat her alive. It had been traumatic enough the first time, and she didn't need to relive it. She shot a glance at her long sleeve, however, and was glad the drooping sleeves of her robes covered the scars left behind.

Her eyes widened when she heard her sister's laugh - such a simple sound, yet it was something she'd not heard before. She herself let out a small giggle. Koko's laugh was awkward; it was timid. It was so soft it was difficult to hear, but it was there.

After all, it was a library. She was supposed to be quiet. Koko's thoughts made her internally roll her eyes - but they held truth.

The girl still held a smile although it wasn't reflected in her eyes. "Ha ha indeed," Koko said drily, gazing down at her book. She wasn't interested in struggling through reading if she had people she could talk to. Koko giggled halfheartedly when Claudia mentioned reading. "That's what a library tends to be for," the Slytherin remarked, holding back a sigh. "I s'pose I should get back to reading, then... If the two of you'd not wish to talk anymore?" Her tone held a note of hope - it would be obvious that the poor girl was not looking forward to the book, no matter how intriguing the plot was.

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@Koko Riddle @Sapphire Riddle

Claudia raised her eyebrows at the part Veela. After the spider attack? What spider attack? Claudia opened her mouth to ask when she heard a small giggle. Her mind wandered over to the other Slytherin. It was probably for the best that her mind did, because it probably wasn’t the greatest idea for her to make Koko relive some scary part of her past.

Claudia watched as Sapphire’s face turned bright red all over. She instantly felt empathy for the poor Slytherin girl. She knew exactly what it was like to be in her position. To be embarrassed to such an extent that nothing could revert her attention - or anyone’s really - as they stared at the tomato red orb of her face. She quickly realized that she had to do something to put Sapphires out of her misery.

Just then, a voice cut sharply through the thick layer of embarrassment. Koko’s voice. The sweet voice of light honey and charisma. “I s’pose I should get back to reading, then... If the two of you’d not wish to talk anymore?” she asked.

Claudia snorted. The tone of Koko’s voice held a slight bit of hope to the end, as if she wanted to keep talking. It was quite obvious that she didn’t want to have to return to her seclusion. “Oh, please no.” Claudia said sarcastically, “You’re only on page two of your book, even though you were reading way before I came.” Claudia didn’t want to have another person embarrassed, but she decided she would risk it considering that her words wouldn’t help help Sapphire feel better. “If we let you return to that book of yours you’d still be on the same exact page an hour from now!”

Claudia slapped her hand on top of Koko’s book and opened it to where Koko had bookmarked. “Why,” she exclaimed, “You’re practically still on the table of contents!” Claudia glared at the blond Slytherin as if she was going to scold her. “Honestly child. I knew there were people in the world who didn’t like to read - but this... Now this is one of a kind!” she tsked, shaking her head.

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SAPPHIRE WAS CERTAINLY AMUSED BY CLAUDIA’S WORDS. She then went off and pulled a chair up to the table, sitting in it backwards. She had a tendency of being physically incapable of sitting in a chair properly, mostly backwards as she was now.

She actually had no idea what the spider attack was, but she didn’t want to pry. She was curious, sure, but that seemed like an invasion of privacy.

The albino-esque girl watched the other two girls silently from her seat. She had dark bags beneath than from wandering around and getting so little sleep at night, but she didn’t think it was that different from what she normally looked like.

She was just analyzing the situation. This was a table of three socially awkward students, two in Slytherin and one in Ravenclaw. It wasn’t that unusual to see members of those houses together. That was a relatively normal grouping. They were all fairly close in age, two of them only minutes apart. They were all fairly similar people, but their interests may clash.

Sapphire furrowed her brows, not sure if all of that was correct. She rezoned into the conversation, deciding to stop thinking so hard about it. Good luck.

Despite her initial awkwardness, Koko was quite content. However, the feeling of happiness soon faded when Claudia spoke once more. It wasn't her speech that bothered Koko; rather, it was her words. The Ravenclaw was insulting her! Her! A nearly third year Slytherin prefect! Although Koko hardly had a sense of entitlement, or so she thought, she found the other girl's words quite rude.

The blonde crossed her arms over her chest, lips curling into a pout as she hunched over in her seat.
"In an hour, I'd've chosen a new book," Koko remarked sullenly. "I doubt this one's any good." That was a lie, of course, but lies were of second nature to the young Slytherin, especially when they worked to fit her needs.

The truth was, reading just wasn't fun when you couldn't see the words right. When books gave you a headache, you no longer wanted to read them. That was the case with Koko. If she'd known a spell to make this book speak its words, she'd have done it in a heartbeat. However, she did not, and so she was stuck looking like an idiot.

She wasn't stupid. At least, she didn't think so. Koko could do maths; she loved learning. Besides, she didn't think she'd've been able to learn the school's rules and stay out of trouble if she wasn't smart to an extent.

It was still safe to say, however, that Koko was not a genius.

Koko's cheeks reddened at the Ravenclaw's words, and she fought the urge to bury her face in her hands. Did this girl really want to speak to her this way? It hurt! But rather than bursting into tears and running out of the library, Koko forced a smile - one that, mind you, did not reach her amber eyes - and choked out a dry chuckle. "Well, at least I'm unique. I'd not think you were before I saw that eye patch of yours."

She raised her chin, which allowed her to stare down at the other girl as she kept her cold stare on Claudia. Although Sapphire was still there, Koko felt it would be better to focus on the girl who seemed willing to hurt her, be it physically or mentally. Either way was harmful, even if people didn't realise that.

"Besides," Koko drawled, "Let's face it. Who would ever wan to spend a whole day with their nose stuffed in a book? Really, now, that just screams friendless.." Koko knew she herself was practically friendless, but did Claudia know that? Probably not. Koko, despite managing to get her name out there a bit, found ways to hide in the shadows the best she could. The spotlight was not meant for her, and she hoped it never would be.

But maybe, just maybe, she could pretend for a little while.

Reducio

jadfojweoifjaeo i'm so sorry about how late this is - i saw 'riddle' on the 'my rp' page and i thought i responded... whoops-

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@Koko Riddle@Sapphire Riddle

As soon as Claudia forced the insult out of her mouth, her mouth turned sour. She knew that’s being rude to Koko wasn’t the best solution to help someone, but it was the quickest thing she had thought of. Besides, the words were out now; her disbelief of how the slytherin girl was still early in her book asked. Claudia knew she’d messed up by insulting Koko, but there was no turning back.

“In an hour, I’d’ve chosen a new book,” Koko said defensively. “I doubt this one’s any good.”

Claudia tilted her head questioning why Koko would choose that rebuttal. It seemed as if the pretty blond was trying to... avoid a fight? Claudia wondered why the girl was so different from her view of Slytherins. Maybe it was because of her Veela genes? Claudia shrugged. If that was all the girl was going to say, then Claudia felt as if she could - somehow - try to divert attention again by doing something stupid. Maybe then she could channel her embarrassment into herself, and not anyone else.

Claudia was about to stand up and knock a bookshelf over or something, when Koko’s honey voice suddenly started talking again. The Slytherin smiled tightly and forcefully chuckled - though that might’ve been planned.

“Well, at least I’m unique. I’d not think you were before I saw that eye patch of yours.” Koko continued.

Claudia practically growled. Was that manipulative - weasel - poking at her eye patch? Claudia didn’t get annoyed much, but her missing eye was a touchy spot at best and a deep, dark wound at worst. Her left eye didn’t make her unique. If anything, it made her a-a freak! It made her seem like some sort of lab experiment gone wrong! It didn’t make her unique.

Claudia flicked her head to the side dismissively, tossing her hair. If the angry Slytherin wanted a fight, Claudia wouldn’t let her have one. She would just pretend not to care. Surely she could do something as simple as that. However, masking her anger wasn’t her strong suit, and Claudia worried that the two sisters would be able to tell how much the bit about her eye wounded her. So surely she could at least try to act like she didn’t care. Surely!

Surely not.

“Besides. Let’s face it. Who would ever want to spend a whole day with their nose stuffed in a book? Really, now, that just screams friendless...” Koko’s voice cut through Claudia like a knife. The simple knife of a fact had suddenly hit her, and Claudia realized that she had screwed things up. No, Claudia had royally screwed things up.

Claudia fought to control her burning rage against Koko, but the flame was too big. Before you start a fire you need to feed your flame, Claudia thought. Well, Claudia hadn’t fed her flame. And that was why the fire she had started with Koko was so messy, so violent.

She gulped and tried to keep her mouth closed, scared that she would ruin her relationship with the sisters. Scared that the twins she had liked so much and opened up to a little would turn into her enemies. Scared that if she opened it, she would never be able to turn back

Scared for a reason.

“Friendless? Friendless? Hmph. Well, at least I have the common sense to know that friends - friends are just a-a,” Claudia said dryly, glaring at Koko. She bit her hand, forcing blood out and weakly trying to divert her mind to anything but her anger. But her hand eventually fell and her words spouted out again once more. “a liability. You don’t need friends. You don’t need your hallucination of the feeling you call love. You don’t need any of it! Any! Of! It!
“In fact, books are a great way to spend your time. Rather than hanging around with fake friends and lies you have the truth right in front of you. In a book, you aren’t deceived into losing your sanity. You have a world right in front of you! With characters that know you. Characters that understand you. They understand you more than the-the thing you call a friend ever will! Ever!” Claudia whisper-yelled, leaning so far across the table that she could slap Koko without having to extend her hand. Which, at that moment, Claudia felt incredibly inclined to do.

Well. I guess her friends are definitely going to hunt me down and kill me now. Maybe her and her sister will go along for the ride as well, Claudia thought, shocked.

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«•»

SAPPHIRE PARTIALLY AGREED WITH CLAUDIA. Friends were a liability. But at the same time, she wouldn’t accept harm coming to her sister. Before Claudia could attack the girl, she stepped up and stopped her motions.

“Look. Violence is only going to make things worse. I should know…” momentarily, her voice drifted off and she thought about how the twins had treated her before last year. “Just because a comment made you angry doesn’t mean you should retaliate. That only feeds the fire, makes people angrier at you. And if someone else has more restraint, the hatred may build up and explode in your face.” Sapphire scowled.

She sure as hell knew how that felt. When she’d gone home briefly before moving to L.A, she’d blown up on Aiden and Thalia, accidentally making them fall into the counter. Thalia has gotten a concussion. “Just—don’t make the same mistake I did,” she said, returning to her seat and pulling out her book. If her argument didn’t do anything, just fine. She wanted to read, but she would interject. But for now, she wanted to see how a different story would roll out.

“Oh, and for the record?” she said. “While friends may be a liability, they could also be your saving grace in a bad situation.”

«•»

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@Koko Riddle@Sapphire Riddle

Claudia felt as if she really would slap Koko, when a voice drifted up from the anger. A calm a voice, a... sad voice? Claudia listened as Sapphire talked with a hint of sorrow, stopping her movements and anger.

“Look. Violence is only going to make things worse. I should know...” Claudia nodded along and sat back. Violence did make things worse, but she was still so... angry. She didn’t want to feel that way and act out of spite but... Claudia shook her head. No excuses. No matter how good your intentions, you can’t cover up that fact that you were spiteful and rude. Nobody’s gonna care about your excuse. Claudia thought she had lost the girl when suddenly Sapphire spoke up again.

“Just because a comment made you angry doesn’t mean you should retaliate. That only feeds the fire, makes people angrier at you. And if someone else has more restraint, the hatred may build up Andy explode in your face.” the girl demanded. Claudia felt her face flush from embarrassment. Like Sapphire implied, she was truly acting like a brat. Sure Koko had no right - errr - Claudia was in the wrong. She had acted rashly against Koko for a dumb, stupid comment. And she had blown up like a volcano.

“Just - don’t make the same mistake I did,” Sapphire Finished, sitting down and pulling out her book. There was regret in her eyes, clear as day. Claudia was curious to find out what had gone wrong, but she didn’t comment. People had their reasons not to say anything, and Claudia wanted to respect that. After all, she had secrets too.

“Oh, and for the record? While friends may be a liability, they could also be your saving grace in a bad situation.” Boy was that right. Sapphire had just demonstrated that fact right then and there’s. She had been the angel interfering with two demons - and she had won. But Claudia still disagreed... at least partially. Friends could betray you and you’d never see it coming.

Claudia looked up through her lashes at Koko. “S-Sorry.” she said gruffly, though it was clear she was only saying it for Sapphire’s sake. Claudia was only sorry for blowing up in their faces - not for speaking her mind. Aware that she had made everything awkward and that the conversation was probably - likely - over, she opened up her book on the table.

Though for some reason, a tiny piece of her heart that wasn’t so rotted as the rest felt as if she wanted to talk to the Slytherins a little more... but only just a little...

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