But it's just a kiss..? PV Serena Towers Closed

Speech

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RPing as iNPC Milo Durand Date: 28th August 2021 post-spin the bottle Outfit:This

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He didn't want her to leave, something about this seemed awkward and yet he didn't care. It was cold, he did have to say, not quite enough to be chittering but enough to wish he brought a coat, he probably could nip back and get one but he didn't want to leave Serena, he was worried she would run off.

They only had a limited amount of time together, he had to go back to beauxbatons at some point, although he hoped to be back soon, seemingly they take trips to hogwarts a couple times a year, he would be sure to be back again. He had never really thought about coming, was too busy causing trouble in his own school.

Milo listened to her talking once again, having to focus on what she was meaning, when he managed to figure it out, he smiled, noticing an opportunity. "Yeah, I know." He almost, almost felt bad, key word almost. "I like you, do I need to say again?" He chuckled a little.

Looking up at the sky, he thought for a moment. "What is the deal with kisses anyway? I kiss people all the time. It is not that big for me." He hoped she didn't think he meant la bise, he had heard that it was said to be quite odd in the UK.Note: la bise is the name for the greeting cheek kisses He had basically had to force himself out of the habit when he came here, worried that the British kids would think he was weird for doing it.

Something that he had never understood, from what he had heard from his parents, was how judgy other people were based on just simple cultures, but this wasn't really about culture, it was just the truth, Milo did kiss people quite often, whenever he has got a new girlfriend or boyfriend, it just wasn't a big deal to him at all, and it was odd for him to think that it was an odd thing for Serena.

Interacting with Milo (@Delilah Stewart)

"N-no, I don't think you- Ahh, how do I say this in French..." Serena started to shake her head, with slightly widened eyes before mumbling to herself, as she fell into thought. She was trying to translate the words into French because Milo clearly was not understanding her. He did not like her in that way but he kept saying he did! How was she meant to explain it to him? He definitely did not 'know' and he definitely did not need to keep saying that. People would get the wrong idea if they overheard it.

What horrified her more than him repeatedly saying he 'liked' her, in a way that was more than friendship when it was not true was what he said next. Okay, either his English was not translating well or he was a massive player, surely. What did he mean he kissed people all the time?! "Wh- I- IT IS A BIG DEAL!" She snapped, panting slightly audible with an expression that reflected how shocked she was. It was a big deal. At least to her. It was a huge deal!

Though... it did not really appear to be a big deal to others. Everyone else had pretty much seemed okay with just kissing each other for a game. "I mean- I guess it's not to everyone else. But that's the problem. Everyone else our age seems... so fine with it. And apparentl you are too. But it's..." She tugged on her sleeves, lowering her head as she placed the ice pack onto the ground next to her, "It is to me... I guess that makes me weird..." She mumbled to herself.

Why was everyone so comfortable with it? It was weird that she had not kissed someone willingly before, wasn't it? The kisses with Siege... she did not even know if they counted. They were more like headbutts with neither people wanting or consenting to it being anything more than a headbutt. Wait - did he mean, kiss people all the time like on the cheeks, like the French do? She had learned that was a thing when meeting some of her mother's friends, "Wait, I mean like... uh... not on the cheek... Like... uh... yanno?" She bit her lip. What even was this conversation?

"Look, it's just a big deal, okay?" She decided, not wanting to justify it as that would be admitting that no one actually wanted to kiss her... Her mind ran over everything that happened. No one wanted to kiss her, even before her face was swollen. Was that weird? She did not want to kiss them but... now that she thought about it... Glen seemed relieved when they settled for a cheek kiss and yet he kissed Falentra on the lips? Likewise, the others... Bloom also seemed relieved for a hug but seemed willing to kiss others? Howard too. In fact, he outright offered a hug but seemed okay with kissing the other guy he had been paired with before... What the heck? Was it just her?

It really should not be a big deal, should it? What was wrong with her...?

Outfit of the Evening

Speech

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RPing as iNPC Milo Durand Date: 28th August 2021 post-spin the bottle Outfit:This

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She definitely didn't seem to know what he was meaning, either that or she refused to acknowledge what he was actually saying. Either way, she just seemed so sweet. This was surprisingly difficult for him, trying to get her to like him. Of course it couldn't just happen in one day, but normally he made much more significant progress than this. Although she still hadn't shaken his hand off as he held hers.

Milo was a little worried about how stressed she seemed to be getting about the whole kissing conversation. "Hey, it is okay." He leaned down again, trying to catch her eyes with a smile. She didn't seem to want to look at him. To him, it just truly wasn't a big deal. Maybe it would've been in a different life. If he hadn't have gone through what he did when he was younger if he hadn't had made the mistakes that he did that lead to where he was now, messing with some British girl just to get the rush of breaking her heart later down the line.

For a moment as he remembered the things he had done his smile faded, but he shook his head to try and clear it. With his spare hand, he ran his fingers through his hair, just looking at this girl, in her rat costume, and the smile came back. He had an idea.

"Hey, I have an idea. Make it better." His smile developed into a grin. "Why not kiss me? Maybe it won't be a big deal." He didn't want to force her, he knew that wouldn't work, she wouldn't like that. He kind of wanted her to feel in control, to think he was nice enough to do that.

Interacting with Milo (@Delilah Stewart)

Curling up a little more as he leaned down to look at her, Serena tried to hide her face behind her rat hood that she tugged on. It was not okay. It was probably really weird of her and she had no idea what to say or do. He was being so nice, trying to make her feel better but she was just tired, upset and hurt. The situation was still playing in her mind, and there were too many questions than answers. It was confusing.

Picking up the drink that she had taken out, she cracked the can open and took a sip. Maybe she should just go to bed. This slumber party had started to die down and she mostly just wanted to hide in her bed anyway. The only reason to not go straight to the cabins was that she shared one with Howard and she did not know how to face him after attacking his girlfriend and upsetting him.

She almost choked on her drink as she heard the words coming out of Milo's mouth. Blink. Blink. Blink. He mentioned having an idea... in the same sentence as suggesting that she kissed him. With slightly widened eyes, her mouth fallen open a little, Serena stared at him in shock. "Wh-what?" She managed to mumble out. There was no way he said the words that she had just heard, right? It was clearly a case of misunderstanding what he was saying. He must have said something else, anything else, "What do you mean- wh- How would that-" She stumbled over her words, clearly not sure how that would help the situation if he said what she thought he said. This was crazy.

She was sitting here, with an aching face that was probably very bruised by now and definitely swollen and kind of cold from the ice pack too. Was it numb? It was partially numb. If nothing else, this was definitely the most unattractive she had looked all evening. But either way, she was sitting here in pain, in a ridiculous rat onesie. There was absolutely no way that this was happening. This was crazy talk. Why was he so casual about this like it was not a big deal when it obviously was to her!

"What are you saying?" She whispered, still shocked. This was a terrible idea. So why, why was she even considering it for a second? She did not want to kiss him! Well, he was really cute now that she thought about it but that was not a reason to kiss him! They were friends. It would just be awkward. And no one should kiss for a game or just randomly... right? That was what this stupid spin the bottle game had taught her. So why was she considering it for even a second?

Outfit of the Evening

Speech

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RPing as iNPC Milo Durand Date: 28th August 2021 post-spin the bottle Outfit:This

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He knew that she maybe would've reacted oddly to the idea he suggested, but he didn't quite expect her to be that phased by it. He bit the inside of his cheek a little as he looked down. Something seemed wrong, he didn't want to push her. He shook his head a little bit, he wasn't necessarily forcing her, just....persuading? Whatever word he could think of to make it seem better in his head.

"Just a idea. If the problem is that you have not been kissed. Why not get over it?" He wished he knew more words to properly convey what he was meaning, he knew what he was saying but it just seemed so simple in the translation in his head. He felt this almost panic in his chest, he didn't want to screw this up, despite the fact he could go home soon and just never see this girl again if he wanted. But he didn't want that, why didn't he want that?

Milo shrugged gently, "Only if you want, I do not mind either way." He smiled at her, there was something about the ridiculous onesie that somehow made it better, this semi serious conversation, while she was dressed like a rat. Milo was a little bit worried about getting mud and grass stains on his white trainers but honestly, that was quite low on his priorities, his maman could always magic them clean again when he got home.

"I just think, would the problem not go away if you did?" He genuinely wasn't fazed, but she certainly seemed shocked, that was easy enough to tell just based on her almost choking on her drink.

Interacting with Milo (@Delilah Stewart)

What in the name of Bodrig was the guy suggesting?! Was he actually suggesting this was a solution? She stared at him, blinking in shock as he continued. It sort of made sense but it was also ridiculous at the same time. Half her face was swollen and likely bruised by now - she could not actually see it but it was kind of sore, so she figured it was probably not normal looking. Not that her normal-looking was all that much better but it was likely a small improvement, at the very least!

Wait, what was she supposed to say to this? He likely expected some sort of response and she had no idea what to say, nor did she really know what she wanted. Serena had not really thought about it - how she wanted her first proper kiss to be and if this was a suitable option. It was sort of sprung on her, without much chance to think about it. Perhaps he was right in that it would make kissing seem like a less big deal to her, probably. Everyone else clearly did not consider it to be a big deal. But what if it made things awkward? Or like... what if she was bad? Wait - could people even be good or bad? She had no idea.

Her aching face bought her attention back to the situation. She was sitting here, having just been punched a few times in the face for absolutely no reason. Why was this even a consideration? "I- I should probably go... get my face... you know, checked," She mumbled out, trying to find any excuse to leave. It was a pretty good one, even though she had no intention of telling a professor what had happened. It would only serve to hurt Howard more and she had hurt him enough when she fought back.

"I- I-" How the heck did she say anything directly in response to the kiss offer? She had no idea what if she wanted to do it or if it was a good idea, or not. She needed time to think about things like this! She was not a spontaneous person! Besides, who made such offers?! Milo obviously thought it was no big deal, even though it definitely was. At least, it was to her.

Ugh, why was it such a big deal to her? Perhaps she was overreacting... But there was just something negative attached to the whole concept after she had been forced into it twice and then bullied for it, even though it was not true. And then in a fight where a friend got hurt. It just seemed like nothing good could come from this whole thing, "Sorry, I should go... I'll see you around..." She promptly stood up as she started to speak, backing away before turning on the spot by the end and running away towards the cabins.

It was not classy or smooth but she just had to get out of there. Her entire face was a blushing red - or bruised - and her heart was pounding way too fast. This whole thing was ridiculous! She just needed to... go.

Outfit of the Evening

Serena promptly exits the area

Speech

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RPing as iNPC Milo Durand Date: 28th August 2021 post-spin the bottle Outfit:This

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Oh no, what did he do wrong, well, he kinda knew. She very clearly wanted to get away after that suggestion. He screwed up. As she spoke about having to leave, he nodded. "It is okay, I will see you later?" Although she didn't answer, as she swiftly left, he watched her. "Merde!"Shit! He exclaimed as he hit the ground beside him with his hand.

He clearly thought this was going to work better than it did. This was going to be some work, she was going to be some work.

It was unknown even to Milo why he really wanted her specifically. In the very short amount of time he had known her, she did make him happy, but that could very easily just be the adrenaline from a new catch, one that seemed easy, although clearly not as easy as he had thought. He had only ever liked one person, truly, he had cared for him so much, and yet he screwed him over. He didn't fancy people anymore, what was the point? People lived to disappoint him so he would disappoint them first. He had to disappoint them first. If he didn't hurt people they would hurt him. He couldn't do that again.