22 Apr 2022, 20:55
Introspection Interrupted
The skies above Hogwarts castle lay unobstructed by cloud that Friday evening. The sun hung lazily, a spot of white light in the blue-grey colour the sky had taken on. While the grounds were illuminated perfectly well, no heat appeared to be produced by the star, as a slight chill hung in the air. This was only worsened by the occasionally breeze that swept across the land, causing the young boy sitting out on a rock quite a bit of bother
Time: 4:15 pm
Weather: Clear, 8°C
Colin had been returning to this (admittedly rather unremarkable) spot quite frequently over his first few weeks at Hogwarts. A few sheets of parchment sat on his lap, held down by a small book which he was holding open with one hand, while the other clutched a small bullet-point pen. The breeze fluttering through the trees seemed to be teasing him, playfully pushing the pages.
He tended to do his homework out here as he simply felt less tense in this quiet, secluded area. However, he had to accept the unfortunate reality that the current conditions weren't the best for doing work in. He carefully rolled up the parchment, closed his book, and slid the objects in the bookbag resting on the ground beside his ankle.
So what to do now? He didn't want to return to school, that was for sure. With his classes completed, he had nothing to occupy the rest of his day. He could return to the common room, and it's usual population of fellow Hufflepuffs - none of whom he was too friendly with.("Not friendly with yet," he reminded himself aloud). Alternatively, he could head to the library and continue his homework there - but then, there'd probably be quite a few others there, studying, or reading, or doing whatever else young wizards do. Sure, nobody would speak to him there, but...
He laughed, a short, humorless sound. It wasn't just the people he was avoiding, it was the castle, the entire school. Talking Photos, magic wands, flying broomsticks, pumpkin juice - Even now, he was still struggling to adapt.
He raised his head, taking in the view, that bitter smile returning to his lips. The cold didn't particularly bother him - He'd been camping in far worse conditions - so he was happy to remain out here, alone with his thoughts.
It's not like anyone will find him out here, anyway. On the massive grounds of Hogwarts, what were the chances of another student running into him?
It's pronounced "Shee", not "Sidge".
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24 Apr 2022, 23:48
Introspection Interrupted
The cold air swept through Pax's hair as they clambered up the rocky paths. They had no clue where they were going, and that was what they loved about it. Exploration, the art of being reckless and discovering new things and places, it was one of their favourite things. And at a school like Hogwarts, the exploration might never end. They were convinced they could be here on the very last day before they left and still find a new place in this school, even if they visited a new place in the school every day.
Today was a day to explore the grounds. Winter would soon approach, and Pax just couldn't wait until spring before having at least some form of an explore of the grounds. Hands in their pockets, they began to hum a simple tune as they walked down the path, wind pushing hair out of their face, with the occasional spin of happiness and excitement.
However, their solitude wasn't to last. Transported up to them by the wind was a voice, saying words that were unrecogniseable, and then followed by a small laugh. Pax, intrigued that someone would travel so far away from the school, began to quicken their pace.
"Hello?" They called out to the air, unsure if the winds would carry their voice back.
As they continued to make their way down the path, a little further on they spotted a ginger-haired boy, around the same age as themself, sat upon a rock with his bag by his side. Pax waited a little, contemplating if they should approach him. After all, they'd come so far out to escape company. However, they could also be a fellow explorer like Pax themself, and that convinced them. They do say, curiosity kills the cat, after all.
"Uh, hi?" They said loudly to have their voice be heard, walking a little closer to the boy. "I'm Pax, Pax Zhang, first-year Gryffindor. My pronouns are she/they. I heard you speak when I was further up the path and wondered if everything was alright. I don't know if you'd prefer to be left alone, or you would like a companion, but I can do either." They chuckled under their breath at themself. "Anyways, who are you? It's nice to meet you."
Interacting with: @Colin Sidhe
Last edited by Pax Zhang on 1 May 2022, 08:50, edited 1 time in total.
26 Apr 2022, 00:18
Introspection Interrupted
ReducioColin's head turned quickly as he heard the voice calling out a greeting nearby. He scrambled up to his feet, his face going a little pale. His eyes scanned the treeline, until he found the source of the sound standing a little closer than he had expected - he hadn't been able to judge their position correctly, as their voice was held back under the wind.@Pax Zhang
He looked the other up and down, the edges of his eyes tightening just a little for a few moments. What were they doing out here? Going into the forest? Maybe they were some kind of delinquent, a rule breaker! Oh god, if they were, then they might hex him for being in the way-... Or they'd curse him, or, or...
Oh, do shut up, He chided himself mentally. They're probably not that bad. And besides, they're being friendly. Stop being such a bloody recluse and talk to them.
All this quiet panic had left him silent for a good few moments after Pax spoke. Finally, he managed to raise his hand, and give a stiff, awkward little wave. "Hi." He said, raising his voice to ensure he was heard.
"No, you don't have to go. You can stay here if you want."
There was a distinct pattern of slight wavering and occasional stutters in his voice which made his nervousness perfectly obvious.
"I'm Colin, Sidhe. And, uh, I'm...First year, hufflepuff - " (Introducing oneself along with their pronouns was a new concept to him, but he was happy to do the same - especially as he really didn't want to seem rude.), "-My pronouns are, uh, He/Him. Nice to meet you."
Realising that he looked a little silly just standing in the middle of the path, he retreated back to his seat on the rock, picking up his bag and holding it on his lap as he stared up at the other.
Last edited by Colin Sidhe on 5 Jun 2022, 14:55, edited 3 times in total.
It's pronounced "Shee", not "Sidge".
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1 May 2022, 08:49
Introspection Interrupted
Pax tried for a friendly smile, seeing the boy look so terrified upon their being there, responding to the small wave he greeted them with with their own.
"Thanks. That's nice of you." They scrambled over to where they boy was sat and perched on a rock next to him. They would've sat next to him, but Pax was almost sure he'd faint if they'd done so, especially with the stutters in his voice.
A silence encircled them for a little while, Pax looking out at the scene beneath them. "It is beautiful out here, isn't it?" They attempted to make conversation. "I would stare at the scenery for hours if I could. I wish I'd found this place sooner. You seemed scared to see me- and I promise you I don't bite- so I'd assume you're a regular visitor to those near parts? How often do you come here? Is to escape people? I suppose so, otherwise why would you have come so far away from the school? You're not dressed for adventure, so it's not exploring. "
Their thoughts just flooded out, with no filter. Pax hoped they hadn't been too rude. They didn't want to scare the kid away.Reducio
Interacting with:@Colin Sidhe
1 May 2022, 17:45
Introspection Interrupted
ReducioColin resisted to urge to shift away from Pax as they sat beside him The amount of personal space that this spot near the forest had given him was rapidly shrinking, and suddenly it didn't feel as safe anymore. He desperately wanted to retain that sense of seclusion and privacy, yet it was hard to do so when he was faced with evidence that it was apparently so easy for someone to find him.@Pax Zhang
He lowered his head as the two sat together in silence, and one of his hand slowly crept towards his mouth, the old habit of biting his nails returning to him. As soon as he noticed the movement, though, he quickly stopped. It's...that's rude. Colin reprimanded himself, though he was rather struggling to form any coherent thoughts, and could do little more than glance over at Pax as they attempted to make conversation.
The conversation that the other managed to make was a little alarming to him, though. For someone so self-conscious, seeing another ramble without a filter was shocking - He recognised that a lot of people found interacting with others to be an easier task than he did, but to see somebody with enough confidence to so casually ruminate about a person to their face?
And besides, they weren't even totally right! (That is to say, they weren't all wrong). He felt the rising need to argue in his defence - He wasn't just trying to escape the people, he was trying to escape the...
But of course, he couldn't just contradict them in some aggressive manner. No, no, that'd be rude.
"I'm not- Well, you're- This-"
He stumbled over his words for a few seconds, before drawing a breath and speaking again in a more calm, even tone.
"Well, no, I'm not 'exploring'. I just come out here to do my homework. It's less... noisy.... than in the castle, but it's, uh, a little too windy today."
"Why are you out here?" He asked somewhat abruptly, after a short pause.
Last edited by Colin Sidhe on 5 Jun 2022, 13:48, edited 1 time in total.
It's pronounced "Shee", not "Sidge".
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14 May 2022, 21:00
Introspection Interrupted
A range of emotions passed through the boy's face, and Pax instantly felt a little guilty. He seemed pretty scared, especially as his hand moved towards his face, whilst he seemingly tried to form an argument. Pax wanted to jump in and try to reassure him that everything was alright, but they didn't know if that would simply scare them even more.
When he finally spoke again, at first with a stutter, Pax slightly taken aback at the bluntness of his question. Considering how timid he'd seemed at first, a sudden bluntness was unexpected. But they assumed it wsn't intended to be so harsh.
"Ah, right. Homework. I don't see the point in it, honestly, but I suppose it must be done! What subject were you studying?"
They waited for an anwer, before remembering the question. Right! "Oh, right! Uh, well, I love to explore! It's kinda my thing. I'd not come to this part of the school before, and I thought it'd be a cool place. I always loved climbing and stuff. I remember when I was younger, my parents would always tell me off for climbing on rocks whenever we'd go to the beach. I chipped a baby tooth once, you know, the front one." They blushed a little. "Sorry, I'm rambling again. Why do you come out here? I mean, the scenery is an explanation enough, but I'm sure it's not the only reason."Reducio
5 Jun 2022, 14:13
Introspection Interrupted
ReducioOnly after asking did Colin realise how blunt his question had been, his face flushing a little as he became all too aware of how harsh it had seemed. He couldn't quite yet tell whether it was simply a slip of his own tongue or if he had really intended to be so frank.@Pax Zhang
OOC; Sorry for not replying in so long! Finally free again, though. While I'm here, I'm also going to clean up a few errors in previous messages.
This simply wouldn't do - He really needed to control himself, to calm down. He'd only just met this person, yet he was acting in such an oddly passive-aggressive manner. They'd really done nothing wrong, yet.
"Potions," He uttered, giving a harsh glance to his bag as he considered the subject. It was where he'd been having the most difficulty thus far - The recipes were oddly strict, yet overcomplicated, and some of the potions they were learning were just so inane, useless. (Herbicide? Why not just use weedkiller? And don't get me started on the god-damn Pompion potion!)
He was distracted from his petty brooding as Pax spoke again. While Colin didn't really care much for 'exploring', he had to admit that it was charming how Pax rambled about it with such zeal; he himself had ranted on about music theory for quite a while before. It was nice to see the passion they seemingly had for the activity.
"...Eh, that's all there is to it. Scenery's nice. It's quiet out here." He said quickly, giving a half-hearted shrug. "My dad's from Newcastle - Ah, that is, Newcastle in County Down, not england - so he used to take me up the Mournes, hiking and such. The view from here's kind of like that, which is...weird..."
He trailed off, giving a weak laugh.
Last edited by Colin Sidhe on 18 Aug 2022, 11:31, edited 1 time in total.
It's pronounced "Shee", not "Sidge".
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8 Jul 2022, 23:24
Introspection Interrupted
Pax smiled. "Ah, potions. It's amazing what some potions can do, isn't it?Just with one extra stir in one certain direction and something can change from a harmless potion that can heal you to a deadly poison. I love it!"
They began to giggle mindlessly, probably scaring the young boy out of his mind. He did seem easily startled after all.
"...Eh, that's all there is to it. Scenery's nice. It's quiet out here." He said quickly, giving a half-hearted shrug. "My dad's from Newcastle - Ah, that is, Newcastle in County Down, not england - so he used to take me up the Mournes, hiking and such. The view from here's kind of like that, which is...weird..."
"Ooh, where's County Down? I don't recognise the name. I do recognise Newcastle, however, but you've said that it's not the one in England. I've never heard of the Mournes either, but they seem really cool. If it's anything like the current view, I'm sure it's absolutely stunning."
"I'm from London myself, you know, born and raised! I've loved living there, but I can't wait to get out into the world, and explore! Oh, there's so many places I'd love to go! But enough about me. Where'd you like to go Colin? Who knows, maybe we could go together someday!"Reducio