Perusing PV Anatole Evans & Serena Towers Close

The stare from the Slytherin was a bit alarming. His expression remained neutral, but there was something about him that still frightened him. After all, this was an entirely new school---even a new world---for poor Anatole. It was scary and treacherous, and despite normal beliefs, these two held this fact more than ever.

It was uncomfortable engaging in conversation about Anatole's past life. It must have been nothing like everyone else's magical upbringing, which did sound extremely enticing. Such privileges had not fallen in the cards for the Gryffindor, but the one privilege that mattered had fallen - he was a wizard. Shouldn't he be proud of such a marvelous fact as that?

And Sebastian's words held truth in some sense. Isolation could do wonders. Occasionally, Anatole was living proof of that fact, even though he didn't exhibit it most days. In fact, he was a proof of the negatives sometime. He was skeptical about the whole negative of it all and was searching for a prompt to grasp onto, and in order to avoid more frantic cussing, Anatole filled in his blank. "A...hermit?" Oh, and being called a nerd wasn't nice. Sebastian, like Serena, was already leaving a terrible impression.

The Hufflepuff role model was being less of one than ever. The yelling and cussing...in a library, of all places....shuddered the boy. The tough thing is that he wished to say something, eventually whenever the situation cooled. It all seemed serious, and like most things going on in the school, Anatole was clueless.

Hence, the Slytherin began his monologue for the unlikely champions. Everything he spoke held truth, and as Anatole's chocolate orbs pupils traced Sebastian's lips while he proved himself, he could almost feel the air losing some of its earlier weight. It also caused Anatole to keep in mind something rather powerful---

Sebastian did not fit the mold. He was nothing to be afraid of.

If the above was true, then why was Anatole still sitting around when he could be courageous and speak up, even accentuate Sebastian's proof? Yes, the young man clad in red had some competence and some thoughts of his own, and he had talked to Serena before. Deciphering the hold-up was the hard part.

Right at the end of the speech, he had found his opportunity. Sure, Anatole was a great listener! In fact, he was an excellent listener, having caught every word they had said while they screamed at each other! Yeah, he could do that! Totally!

"Yeah! I can do that! I can listen!" It all came out eager as the boy raced to his feet, placing his book at his side. For a moment, he forgot everything frightening that had occurred previously. "I can support, I can help out, I can---" He looked back at who had asked him and a chill went down his spine. Should he just sit down? Wouldn't that be best, since the other two had talked so well together earlier?

No, apparently. Anatole had just made his move and thrown himself deep into Conversationland like he had used to. And it felt weirdly good.

Sebastian continued to smile, though his eyes didn't really show the merriment or kindness his mouth did. He listened to Serena assert herself, wondering if all prefects had a similar manner, or if it was just the fact she was showing glimpses of that anger he knew was there. Obviously the Slytherin was trying to force some responses, and it was just icing on the proverbial cake that he had a willing Gryffindor to help fan the flames; not to mention Anatole was something of a innocent type, so it was no surprise when Serena tried to avoid his involvement, by suggesting the pair keep things between them...

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Sebastian said, in response to her accusation of presumption. "You kind of flared up, which I understand. I don't have a lot of social skills, which I have been trying to work on. I have been told I am blunt."

In truth, Sebastian was bored. There had been little to occupy his time during the day, so he had decided to walk the library. And then the whole startling the Gryffindor had happened, and the arrival of the uppity Prefect, and things had just been lined up in such a way as to find some enjoyment. But, the more they spoke, the less interested Sebastian became, and soon he found he just couldn't be bothered with the facade anymore.

"I might try that gossip shelf," Sebastian said suddenly, looking toward where Serena had indicated. He knew the likelihood of there actually being a shelf like that was unlikely, but anything to get away from these people was a good method. "Who knows, maybe it has some other stories I can ask people about? Either way, this was interesting, and it was a... pleasure to meet you both."

With a smirk, and a glance between the pair, Sebastian walked away.

"See you around, Anatole."

And with that, Sebastian soon disappeared around a row of shelving and continuing his wandering...