I Don't Need Your Help PV Pax

Pax smiled as they stepped into the familiar space of the library. The library was one of few indoor spaces they could appreciate. The sight of shelves and shelves filled with manuscripts of all ages and sizes from the floor to the ceiling was quite majestic, and compared to the loudness of other places in the castle, it was a nice change of pace from Pax's typically loud and chaotic life. It really gave them a chance to calm down. And it was quite fun to surprise others when they said they enjoyed reading. People never assumed such a loud person like Pax could appreciate such a small thing like words on a page.

At this time of the day, it was relatively quiet, so Pax was able to hear all of the footsteps echo and any soft mumblings throughout the large space. They had no particular goal in mind for today's visit, so instead decided to peruse the shelves for anything that may peak their interest.

After selecting the classic Quidditch Through the Ages, Pax wandered over to a nearby table, with the light of the setting sun illuminating the pages. However, they had only been there a few minutes when they heard someone enter and sit down nearby, muttering things under their breath about how stupid homework was-which Pax did have to agree with. However, after a few more minutes of the consistent muttering, Pax simply couldn't take it anymore. For them to read, it had to be almost silent as the slightest conversation between anyone (themselves included) could distract.

"Hey, I was just wondering if you could keep it down a little?" Pax whispered quietly to the newcomer. "Only, I struggle to read when other people are talking. If you want, I can give you a hand..." They peered over to see the parchment. "with potions. I mean, for a start, that answer's not physical, but mental. Because the potion affects your mind."

Mentioned: - Interacting with: @Vienna Goodwin

Word Count: 341

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mentions: n/a interactions: @Pax Zhang

wordcount: 269 words outfit: x

Her hand gripped tightly on her quill as she moved on to the next question. She was about to read it in her head as she started to get into the flow of working, when she was abruptly interrupted by somebody approaching her. She set her quill down, looking up at the individual.

She honestly wasn't that hurt when they had told her to quiet down. It was a statement she heard often. She was naturally loud, she really couldn't help it. While she didn't usually admit to her wrongdoing, it wasn't something she got as pissed off about. But criticism? While the majority of people, including this person, probably had good intentions, Vienna just simply wasn't the best at receiving suggestions.

Vienna squinted. "No, really. I don't need any help, I'm pretty sure I was right. You have no idea what you're talking-" she began as she peered down at her paper. Oh. They had made a fair point. Narrowing her eyes with a pout she covered the parchment as she scribbled down the word mental. Even if she was wrong, she would never admit it. She swiftly looked back up at the person, frowning.

"Why are you asking anyways? Can't you just mind your own business? I really don't need any help, and if I'm going to be completely honest with you, that was kind of weird, and rude," she spat. "Do you just go around criticizing people's work? Really, mind your own business, please. I don't think many people like others peering over their homework and randomly correcting them. I appreciate the thought, but, not really."


(apologies for how short this is, it's like 3am right now i'll probably write better responses from here on out)

Pax tried not to smirk as they watched the girl hurriedly change her answer. They understood the feeling of always needing to be right. So, trying to surpress any of the smug gloats that could rise, they sat down opposite the girl.

Before they could even say anthing more, the girl had already ranted to them about correcting others' work and 'being nosy'. Nosy? That was ridiculous. Pax was just trying to help.

"Well, I'm sorry for trying to stop you from failing." Pax scoffed and rolled their eyes. "And, as for your questions, here are the answers. One, I was asking-politely I'd like to think-if you could just be a little quieter because, as i said, I struggle to read when people are talking. Two, yes I can mind my own business, but when my business is to read, and you're distracting me, I think I have the right to come over and ask if you could be quieter. Three, no I don't 'go around criticising people's work', I like to see it as lending a helping hand. If there's a chance for me to help someone out, I typically like to take it. And this may come as a surprise to you, but most people actually say thank you if someone helps them."

Pax stared at the girl intently, almost daring her to say anything. They'd even tried to be polite to her, but clearly it was wasted.

"Oh, and may I ask Miss All-Knowing's name? Just so I know to let her fail next time."

Mentioned: - Interacting with: @Vienna Goodwin

Word Count: 276

Date: Unknown Outfit: X

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mentions: n/a interactions: @Pax Zhang

wordcount: 315 words outfit: x

Vienna's glare grew deadlier as the student scoffed and roller their eyes. Seriously? They were rolling their eyes? If anything, Vienna should've been rolling her eyes. Was this kid really that arrogant?

"First off, I wasn't even being that loud," she scoffed, crossing her arms. "And, you could've just asked me to quiet down, instead of peering down at my homework and randomly commenting on it," she rolled her eyes. Were they really trying to act like they were in the right? Didn't they start the whole thing?

"And, don't try to act like you're some sort of savior," she sneered, glaring up at them. "I'm sure I would've figured it out myself. It was a simple mistake, I would've immediately fixed it, even if you never pointed it out," she spat. She hesitated, before adding, "I'm not an idiot." A bit hypocritical, considering she was the one who made the mistake in the first place. But she surely would've figured it out, right?

It only got worse when the kid asked for her name. "Seriously? Why do you think I'd tell you?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes. She paused, looking down. "Hmph. It's Vienna," she mumbled bitterly, so quietly it was almost inaudible. "Vienna Goodwin, and, just so you know. I'm only telling you so you'll remember my name when I'm announced as the top student of the class," she grinned snarkily, proud of her witty excuse.

"You have no right to call me Miss All-Knowing," she scowled. "At least I stay in my own lane and don't go around rudely criticizing strangers' homework." She looked away, crossing her arms as she glared at the floor. She paused, before looking back up at them. "What's yours, wise guy?" She inquired with a hiss, matching the nickname they had given Vienna.

"Just so I know to hide my work whenever they come around," she sneered.

Pax scoffed with disbelief as their blood boiled. The nerve of this girl! They had to restrain themself from punching the girl square in the mouth to stop her from continuing to spout nonsense.

"Well, how modest of you." Pax replied back, their voice laced heavily with sarcasm. "Though I am suprised that I didn't hear that crappy attitude as soon as you stepped into the room. Then I wouldn't have needed to comment on your homework."

As the girl accused them of having a saviour complex, Pax couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sure you could. After all, as you say, you aren't an idiot. Only an idiot would get a question wrong and refuse help in correcting it."

A loud screech echoed through the library as Pax quickly stood up, their shadow looming over the other almost threateningly. If it wasn't clear before, it was clear now-this girl was pissing Pax off. "Do you expect an answer to that question?"

Eyes still blazing with anger, Pax raised an eyebrow. "Goodwin, eh? I've heard of your family. Surely your family-let me take a wild guess, grandparents-would have educated you on manners? Or does that not matter to somebody with ancestors so wealthy and famous? The only thing that matters to you is notoriority, and you're quickly becoming notorious for being stubborn and stuck-up!" Pax shook their head in disbelief, crossing their arms so they wouldn't reach over and slap that smirk off her face. "Top student? If you learn to accept help, then maybe. Until then, we both know that neither of us are that great at potions. I just have the modesty to admit that it's not my strongest subject."

"Your lane was swerving into the bushes! I'm not the type to sit back and watch someone burst into flames, even if this is the thanks I get."

Pax clenched the table, their knuckles almost white. "Wise guy, huh? Well, I'll have you know that my pronouns are she/they, so I'd appreciate it if you'd respect them for a start. And sure, hide your work. And when you fail, I'll laugh."

Pax knew they were out of line, but this girl was getting on their nerves even more than some of the other students at this school. If this continued, someone was going to end up with a broken nose, and it wouldn't be them.

Mentioned: - Interacting with: @Vienna Goodwin

Word Count: 414

Date: Unknown Outfit: X

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mentions: n/a interactions: @Pax Zhang

wordcount: 539 words outfit: x

Vienna could practically feel her blood boiling. She was probably red as a tomato, she knew it. Her face practically felt a hundred degrees as she felt herself slowly start to stand up in her chair in anger. "Are you seriously saying I have a crappy attitude?" She hissed. "Have you seen yourself? I asked you to leave me alone and you're standing here insulting me," she said as she furrowed her brow. "If I heard your inability to mind your own business, then I would've just left."

Vienna's eyes narrowed as the other student continued speaking. "I wouldn't have refused it if you asked first. Look- I'll accept advice if the person gives me a heads up instead of suddenly appearing over my shoulder," she said as she crossed her arms. "Or if I wanted advice. And I clearly didn't, but you're clearly very bad at observations. Or maybe you would've known if you had at least asked."

Vienna got even madder once they denied an answer to her question about their name. At least they had heard about her family. Maybe then they'd learn not to mess with her. But apparently not. If they had begun insulting her family, she really wouldn't have minded. Perhaps she'd even laugh. But they weren't just insulting her family. They were insulting her. "Yes they did. As you can see, at least I introduced myself. Unlike you. Did your family ever teach you manners? Because clearly you don't know that not introducing yourself is incredibly rude. Not to mention looking over people's shoulders. You know what- you don't even have to answer that question. I can already tell your family clearly didn't," she spat.

"As I said, I'll accept help when I want to," she uttered sternly. "And when people tell me they're going to give me advice. Instead of being some creepy stalker peering over my shoulder," she said, the last sentence a little more aggressive than she wanted. She scoffed as the person continued to ramble on about their 'modesty.' Were they seriously trying to act like the good guy? "Oh please, don't try to act like some kind of angel. I bet you're only saying that to act like you're in the right. Seriously, your attempt to be humble is seriously pathetic," she scoffed, rolling her eyes and making quotation marks with her hands as she spoke the word 'humble.'

"There you are again, going on as if you saved me or something!" She scoffed. "You're not completely in the right, is that so hard to understand?" She snapped as she rolled her eyes. But the next words they uttered caught Vienna by surprise.

"Oh," she said, her tone much calmer. "I didn't- I didn't mean it like that- I meant- well-" she stuttered. The next words would be very unexpected. Three words that had barely ever left Vienna Goodwin's mouth. They were quiet, barely audible, but they were there. "Sorry, my bad," she said as she turned red. She had no real excuse for this one. She shook her head, deciding to quickly move on from the mistake. And the apology. "A-Anyways! I'll never fail. You can be talking anyways, I'm probably better at potions than you."

Pax scoffed. No way in hell were they going to leave halfway through an argument for one. Secondly, they just had to stay out of spite now. This girl didn't want them to be around? Oh, they could stick around forever. Just try them.

"Bad at observations? Yes, someone bad at observations would be able to spot a mistake. I don't know what you fricking want right now, I was JUST TRYING TO HELP!" Pax let their anger boil over until they were whisper-shouting. They just couldn't help but be enraged.

Pax clenched their jaw. Talking bad about them, alright they could accept. Not everybody was going to like them. But one thing that you never, EVER, did was insult Pax's family.

"Oh, I'm so sorry that you didn't get the love and affection that you think you deserved as a kid, but just because how you were raised was with rules and 'manners' doesn't mean that I was raised without, ok? My family did the best that they could to teach me and my brothers, and you know what? Sure, we might be a little chaotic and dishevelled, but I'm fricking proud of it. So, you wanna insult my family? I'd like to see you try without getting a fist in your mouth. Because, guess what? I'd die before seeing my family suffer."

"And, for the record, my name's Zhang. Pax Zhang."

They'd been told they had a saviour complex before, Pax did admit internally. But there was no way they were going to admit that aloud. "Ok! I'll admit, maybe I'm not being the most humble now. Maybe I'm not always in the right. But in no way, shape or form are you. And your pride is stopping you from realising this."

Pax leaned back, with a slight tilt of the head. The muttered apology had really come out nowhere. Perhaps the girl wasn't so bad after all. At least she respected their pronouns. Pax had met a lot of others who would simply not use them out of spite when they revealed them mid-argument.

"Apology accepted," they replied, letting a slight silence settle over them, before sighing with a subtle eye roll. "I regret not asking if you wanted help with the work before butting in. I guess...I'm sorry."

With a smirk, Pax allowed themself to relax a little more. "Maybe you are, maybe you aren't. But even the master can learn from the novice."

Mentioned:- Interacting with: @Vienna Goodwin

Word Count: 425

Date: ? Outfit: X