30 Oct 2023, 17:49
In Need of Warmth, Dryness, and Comfort
Interacting with @Kyle Diaz
Astra speaking: #136323
Thoughts: Italics
Others: BoldAstra was extremely pleased- no, relieved would be the right word, when Kyle listened to her without so much as a peep of protest. They walked through the rain together. Astra stood on the side where the rain came through most, hitting at an angle because of the slight wind. She sent up a quick prayer that she wouldn't mess this up as she opened the door back into the castle for Kyle. It was admirable of him to also think of her well-being in this stressful time.
"Why don't we stop here, in the Small Hall?" Astra asked gently. The noise would not be good she didn't think.
Even so, as she entered the Small Hall, hopefully with Kyle behind her, the portraits began chattering at them. Astra gave Dumbledore a look as he made some sort of comment she couldn't entirely hear but sounded something along the lines of "Rain and cold are not such a good combination, hm?" Merlin himself even made a remark, to which Astra responded with, "Please shut it. I'm sure I speak for both Kyle and I when I say I already know that cold and wet are 'not such a good combination.'"
Her quip was received by various levels of humor and offense, but at least the portraits were now speaking amongst themselves as opposed to her and Kyle. Astra stood close to the fire, shedding her raincoat and holding it awkwardly as warmth seeped back into her bones and her skin became pleasantly toasty.
She looked over at Kyle with a friendly expression. "So... how was the swim? I've never taken a plunge in this weather."
Last edited by Astra Norrick on 18 Nov 2023, 13:36, edited 1 time in total.
4 Nov 2023, 00:01
In Need of Warmth, Dryness, and Comfort
Kyle didn't talk much on the way inside the castle, besides the proper mannerisms of a quick Grazie thank youwhen Astra held open the door for him. They were both soaked to the bone, cold, and in need of warmth. Though Kyle needed both the types of warmth...
"Why don't we stop here, in the Small Hall?" Astra asked in a soothing voice, Kyle nodded.
He just followed helplessly behind the ginger as they entered the small hall, the heat of the fire brought feeling back to Kyle's cold limbs, as he guessed it most likely did the same for Astra. Kyle was polite, which quite contradicted his rude image, mostly because he didn't have his usually burning passion inside of him, he felt a little burnt out honestly. Kyle was too busy in his thoughts to notice the portraits babbling amongst eachother, one of the said something making Astra shoot a glance towards the painting.
"Please shut it," She remarked, "I'm sure I speak for both Kyle and I when I say I already know that cold and wet are 'not such a good combination."
Kyle just nodded, he didn't really care about the combination. At his holidays in Rome he would swim in lakes, and even do polar plunge in cold lakes, but of course with the current situation at hand right now didnt feel like much of a good time to have to battle the cold. Astra got closer the fire taking off her raincoat holding it now in her hands. Kyle on the otherhand ungracefully sunk to the floor scooting closer to the fire.
Astra looked over at Kyle with a friendly expression, Kyle gave a warm smile back.
"So... how was the swim? I've never taken a plunge in this weather."
Kyle scratched his chin as he replied.
"I've plunged into lakes before in Inverno winter.... So it wasn't anything new too me, it's honestly Rinfrescante refreshing. You should try sometime, of course you shouldn't wear a suit though." Kyle let out a small laugh afterwards, Kyle opened the package too once again look at the contents within the box. He carefully looked at the photos of the woman he had learned to be his true mom, he stared with no expression although inside it felt like, with no exaggeration, the great depression. He put them away once again, looking up at the girl once more who was warming up against the fire, he thought to not make it awkward he should attempt at making light conversation.
"What house are you in Signora?"
@Astra Norrick
"Why don't we stop here, in the Small Hall?" Astra asked in a soothing voice, Kyle nodded.
He just followed helplessly behind the ginger as they entered the small hall, the heat of the fire brought feeling back to Kyle's cold limbs, as he guessed it most likely did the same for Astra. Kyle was polite, which quite contradicted his rude image, mostly because he didn't have his usually burning passion inside of him, he felt a little burnt out honestly. Kyle was too busy in his thoughts to notice the portraits babbling amongst eachother, one of the said something making Astra shoot a glance towards the painting.
"Please shut it," She remarked, "I'm sure I speak for both Kyle and I when I say I already know that cold and wet are 'not such a good combination."
Kyle just nodded, he didn't really care about the combination. At his holidays in Rome he would swim in lakes, and even do polar plunge in cold lakes, but of course with the current situation at hand right now didnt feel like much of a good time to have to battle the cold. Astra got closer the fire taking off her raincoat holding it now in her hands. Kyle on the otherhand ungracefully sunk to the floor scooting closer to the fire.
Astra looked over at Kyle with a friendly expression, Kyle gave a warm smile back.
"So... how was the swim? I've never taken a plunge in this weather."
Kyle scratched his chin as he replied.
"I've plunged into lakes before in Inverno winter.... So it wasn't anything new too me, it's honestly Rinfrescante refreshing. You should try sometime, of course you shouldn't wear a suit though." Kyle let out a small laugh afterwards, Kyle opened the package too once again look at the contents within the box. He carefully looked at the photos of the woman he had learned to be his true mom, he stared with no expression although inside it felt like, with no exaggeration, the great depression. He put them away once again, looking up at the girl once more who was warming up against the fire, he thought to not make it awkward he should attempt at making light conversation.
"What house are you in Signora?"
@Astra Norrick
5 Nov 2023, 03:09
In Need of Warmth, Dryness, and Comfort
Interacting with @Kyle Diaz
Astra speaking: #136323
Thoughts: Italics
Others: BoldAstra listened to the boy's accented voice as he talked about winter plunges, sitting down beside him. She often found that when in need of comfort, she preferred someone whose presence she could feel as opposed to a hug or touch. "Swimming in the winter... You know, I may do that," she said. She was serious, not just trying to make small talk. Astra was actually quite bad at small talk and usually jumped straight into the bush, headfirst, instead of beating around it. In short, she was blunt and direct. Astra didn't say it if it didn't need to be said.
Unnecessary stuttering or mangling of words were unfortunately still in the picture despite this.
She noticed he kept looking at the package with the pictures. Astra was not the most empathetic, far from it, but she could grasp a semblance of Kyle's pain as if he was a character in a novel. And, let's be honest, this is some main character worthy backstory going down right in front of her eyes. Does that make me the supportive side main? Or am I simply a plant for development? Ah, who cares. Such a nerd, Asa.
"A Slytherin and proud of it," Astra said with a small grin. She looked to see if she was wearing anything green, but today was all black and gray. "Let me guess your house. I think..." she let her words simmer for a moment before finishing "Gryffindor, since it was very brave of you to swim in weather like this. Or Hufflepuff, because you worried not only for your health but for mine."
After Kyle's response, Astra would let the crackling fire fill whatever silence was between the two. She felt her clothes drying, her hair curling slightly as it too dried, hanging limply and then springing back to life. "If you want to talk about it,"- here she pointed to the package- "I'm here, but don't feel pressured to. I know sometimes words help people process, and other times they only cause a spiral." Her blue eyes would search to meet Kyle's, and she would keep a calm and open demeanor.
5 Nov 2023, 23:00
In Need of Warmth, Dryness, and Comfort
He couldn't help but appreciate how Asa listened attentively to what Kyle had to say. It was nice to have someone listen even I he wasn't saying much, unlike his usual talkative self, he wished they had met under different circumstances. It was a shame really, Asa was really nice.
"Swimming in the winter... You know, I may do that," Asa said, Kyle nodded flashing a quick smile.
"Yeah you should, it's fun," Kyle said rubbing his hands together to create more heat from the friction.
After looking through the contents of the package once more he inquired what house she was in while drumming his fingers on the lid of the package.
"A Slytherin and proud of it," Astra said with a small grin before looking herself up and down, Kyle didnt know why she did this but he quickly moved on from that. He could see how it fit her as she seemed the ambitious type, although Kyle would've probably guessed either Slytherin or Gryffindora for the girl.
"Really? Freddo! Cool"
Before Kyle could say anything else the girl continued.
"Let me guess your house. I think..." She trailed off as she thought hard, this made Kyle laugh a little as he was eager to see what she would guess. She would have to be a genius to guess that Kyle was a Ravenclaw, even Kyle wouldnt have guessed that he would be a Ravenclaw.
"Gryffindor, since it was very brave of you to swim in weather like this. Or Hufflepuff, because you worried not only for your health but for mine."
Kyle let out another laugh, he felt flattered that she somehow juggled a compliment in there, very sly. Gryffindor was a regular guess for Kyle's house, but he had never heard of the guess for Hufflepuff before, interesting to say the least. He laughed once more.
"No, No, Signora," Kyle said trying to maintain his laughter, the cold was messing with his head. "Good guess though, I'm a Ravenclaw. Scioccante Shocking I know, I honestly don't know why I as put into the eagle house but whatever...." He trailed off with a small shrug. "Slytherin suits you."
Kyl didnt feel like sitting any longer, so he decided to start standing. It wasn't long before the silence returned leaving nothin but the sound of crackling fire in the room and the small chatter of paintings in the background. This time Astra broke the silence.
"If you want to talk about it,"- she pointed to the package in Kyle's hands- "I'm here, but don't feel pressured to. I know sometimes words help people process, and other times they only cause a spiral." Her blue eyes met Kyle's brown ones, her demeanor was calm and comforting like the fire, but Kyle was scared of getting burned.... He fingers dug into the cardboard of the package, had he shown that he was upset while looking at its contents? But little did Kyle know that the girl already knew much more than originally anticipated. There was a small silence, one that broke him, her warm demeanor was enough to send Kyle into a spiraling rant... In Italian, as he spoke Italian when he was most stressed.
"Sono successe così tante cose oggi, ed è così difficile, è troppo pesante per il mio cuore... Sono cresciuto con la mia famiglia per scoprire che sono imparentato con loro solo per metà!Sono stato un parto accidentale, sono nato perché mio padre ha tradito sua moglie! Non dovrei nemmeno essere qui! Mi sarei sentito meglio se non mi avessero tenuto all'oscuro, tutti sapevano la verità e la tenevano segreta. Capisco che fosse per la mia protezione ma... È stato così brutto dirmelo? Se fossi cresciuto conoscendo la verità non proverei le cose che proverei adesso. Mi sento come se stessi soffrendo per l'errore di mio padre, beh in realtà... sono io l'errore di mio padre...." Kyle paced the room back and forth as he talked flailing his arms like a mad person, but his pace slowed and his eyes began to tear up towards the end, he quickly wiped them away, looking up at the ceiling as if that would stop gravity from pulling them down, his hands were shaking and voice cracking. "Scusa.... This is just too much right now.... I feel like the hardest part I that deep down I already knew, that I didnt quite belong, and this just confirmed it...."
With that Kyle skunk to the floor putting his head on his knees hugging his legs close to his body.
"I'm sorry," He said muffled, voice cracking like the fire burning....
@Astra Norrick
"Swimming in the winter... You know, I may do that," Asa said, Kyle nodded flashing a quick smile.
"Yeah you should, it's fun," Kyle said rubbing his hands together to create more heat from the friction.
After looking through the contents of the package once more he inquired what house she was in while drumming his fingers on the lid of the package.
"A Slytherin and proud of it," Astra said with a small grin before looking herself up and down, Kyle didnt know why she did this but he quickly moved on from that. He could see how it fit her as she seemed the ambitious type, although Kyle would've probably guessed either Slytherin or Gryffindora for the girl.
"Really? Freddo! Cool"
Before Kyle could say anything else the girl continued.
"Let me guess your house. I think..." She trailed off as she thought hard, this made Kyle laugh a little as he was eager to see what she would guess. She would have to be a genius to guess that Kyle was a Ravenclaw, even Kyle wouldnt have guessed that he would be a Ravenclaw.
"Gryffindor, since it was very brave of you to swim in weather like this. Or Hufflepuff, because you worried not only for your health but for mine."
Kyle let out another laugh, he felt flattered that she somehow juggled a compliment in there, very sly. Gryffindor was a regular guess for Kyle's house, but he had never heard of the guess for Hufflepuff before, interesting to say the least. He laughed once more.
"No, No, Signora," Kyle said trying to maintain his laughter, the cold was messing with his head. "Good guess though, I'm a Ravenclaw. Scioccante Shocking I know, I honestly don't know why I as put into the eagle house but whatever...." He trailed off with a small shrug. "Slytherin suits you."
Kyl didnt feel like sitting any longer, so he decided to start standing. It wasn't long before the silence returned leaving nothin but the sound of crackling fire in the room and the small chatter of paintings in the background. This time Astra broke the silence.
"If you want to talk about it,"- she pointed to the package in Kyle's hands- "I'm here, but don't feel pressured to. I know sometimes words help people process, and other times they only cause a spiral." Her blue eyes met Kyle's brown ones, her demeanor was calm and comforting like the fire, but Kyle was scared of getting burned.... He fingers dug into the cardboard of the package, had he shown that he was upset while looking at its contents? But little did Kyle know that the girl already knew much more than originally anticipated. There was a small silence, one that broke him, her warm demeanor was enough to send Kyle into a spiraling rant... In Italian, as he spoke Italian when he was most stressed.
"Sono successe così tante cose oggi, ed è così difficile, è troppo pesante per il mio cuore... Sono cresciuto con la mia famiglia per scoprire che sono imparentato con loro solo per metà!Sono stato un parto accidentale, sono nato perché mio padre ha tradito sua moglie! Non dovrei nemmeno essere qui! Mi sarei sentito meglio se non mi avessero tenuto all'oscuro, tutti sapevano la verità e la tenevano segreta. Capisco che fosse per la mia protezione ma... È stato così brutto dirmelo? Se fossi cresciuto conoscendo la verità non proverei le cose che proverei adesso. Mi sento come se stessi soffrendo per l'errore di mio padre, beh in realtà... sono io l'errore di mio padre...." Kyle paced the room back and forth as he talked flailing his arms like a mad person, but his pace slowed and his eyes began to tear up towards the end, he quickly wiped them away, looking up at the ceiling as if that would stop gravity from pulling them down, his hands were shaking and voice cracking. "Scusa.... This is just too much right now.... I feel like the hardest part I that deep down I already knew, that I didnt quite belong, and this just confirmed it...."
With that Kyle skunk to the floor putting his head on his knees hugging his legs close to his body.
"I'm sorry," He said muffled, voice cracking like the fire burning....
@Astra Norrick
Reducio
So many things happened today, and it's so hard, it's too heavy on my heart... I grew up with my family to find out that I'm only half related to them! I was an accidental birth, I was born because my father he cheated on his wife! I shouldn't even be here! I would have felt better if they hadn't kept me in the dark, everyone knew the truth and kept it secret. I understand it was for my protection but... Was it that bad to tell me? If I had grown up knowing the truth I wouldn't feel the things I would feel now. I feel like I'm suffering from my father's mistake, well actually... I'm my father's mistake
6 Nov 2023, 14:55
In Need of Warmth, Dryness, and Comfort
Interacting with @Kyle Diaz
Astra speaking: #136323
Thoughts: Italics
Others: BoldIt was times like these when Astra didn't know whether it was a good or bad thing to lack true empathy.
She had responded to his compliment with a polite smile, her mind drawn to Renelle, another Ravenclaw clueless as to why the Hat made them eagles. She was sure Kyle was smarter than he gave himself credit for, just as Renelle was.
But the boy had broken at her offer to listen. He talked very fast in Italian, very vehemently, emotion turning from what seemed to be a confused anger to an equally confused melancholy. But she didn't know. She wished she knew what he was saying, though she could piece together some of it with her miniscule Italian vocabulary and the contents of the letter.
He thinks he's a mistake.
His voice cracked like hers did when she was about to cry. He sat again, and Astra scuttled over. Not the most dignified way to move but at least she got there fast. She knew most would have felt a tug on their heart, the same sadness as the person they were trying to comfort. But though she didn't feel that, she felt... something else. It was hard to explain, how her empathy worked. It was like a presence in the back of her mind, giving her the words to say and allowing her to understand through their words. As a Christian (albeit new in applying her faith), she could only determine this was the Holy Spirit.
"Kyle, you are no mistake. Sure, your dad did wrong by your mom. Sure, you feel like you don't belong. But that doesn't mean you aren't part of your family. That doesn't mean your existence is wrong." She placed a hand on his shoulder, just as gingerly as before.
Her mum had many Muggle friends, and they watched a show together, called Supernatural. Astra wasn't allowed to watch it yet, but she knew a quote. It was Morella's favorite. So she said it to Kyle now. Altered a little for this specific situation, but still. "Family doesn't end in blood. It doesn't begin there, either. Family cares about you, not how much you're related to them. Family's there for the good, the bad, all of it. They've got your back, even when it hurts. That's family."
She didn't know what his situation was, but since he was so torn up about learning this, she figured he was close to his siblings and parents.
14 Nov 2023, 00:29
In Need of Warmth, Dryness, and Comfort
Kyle was at his lowest point, literally as he curled into himself, his nails digging into his own arms. He was so drawn into himself that he hadn't noticed Astra's awkward scuttling to his side, he hadn't even noticed he was speaking pure Italian when he vented. Luckily for both of them Astra knew some Italian. Kyle suddenly felt as if there was some sort of presence with them in the room, he could feel an aura of light, he coul t tell what it was.... Then she spoke.
"Kyle, you are no mistake. Sure, your dad did wrong by your mom. Sure, you feel like you don't belong. But that doesn't mean you aren't part of your family. That doesn't mean your existence is wrong." She gently placed a hand on his shoulder, Kyle looked up with his red puffy eyes and tear-stained face to look into the eyes of the girl he had met only around 15 minutes ago. How could someone be so kind to a stranger? It was unfathomable, was this what his Grandfather was always talking about? Angels amongst us in plan sight, warriors of God to save souls? Or was this just a child with a heart of gold willing to share words of encouragement to a blue boy? Her words seem to resosant with him, giving some sort of meaning, but of course a bandaid couldn't heal a giant wound. Kyle looked at his feet in silence.
"Family doesn't end in blood. It doesn't begin there, either. Family cares about you, not how much you're related to them. Family's there for the good, the bad, all of it. They've got your back, even when it hurts. That's family."
Kyle nodded, what she said made sense but it was still hard to swallow as the pain was still fresh in his mind, it would take a while to fully sink in and give him some peace. The Diaz/Ricci family would together through thick and thin, sickness and health and even had eachothers back when one made a mistake for the sake of the family. This meant to be comforting but this only made him wonder what else the could be hiding from him. What other secrets were there? Kyle felt guilty for dragging the poor girl into this whole mess that she knew little about.
"Grazie signorina, thank you miss your words mean alot, Im sorry to burden you with this," Kyle gave an attempt at a grateful smile, before giving a small sigh. "I do mean it though, I am very grateful...."
Kyle sat in silence for a moment, before staring deep into the fire eating away at the firewood. He stood up grabbing his soggy letter and package, putting one of his hands in his pockets, in which he felt a small item within it, he knew immediately that it was his compass, the compass that his grandfather had given him.
"I should go now..." He pulled out the weathered broom compass which he knew had seen many moons and seasons. Kyle looked at the girl before handing to the ginger haired girl. "Take this, since you have helped guide me, here's something to guide you.... Arrivederci Signorina. Goodbye Miss."
To both of their surprises Kyle gave Astra a quick hug of gratitude before leaving the room with a small polite wave... The ran continued to patter outside the window and the fire continued to crackle away...
@Astra Norrick
"Kyle, you are no mistake. Sure, your dad did wrong by your mom. Sure, you feel like you don't belong. But that doesn't mean you aren't part of your family. That doesn't mean your existence is wrong." She gently placed a hand on his shoulder, Kyle looked up with his red puffy eyes and tear-stained face to look into the eyes of the girl he had met only around 15 minutes ago. How could someone be so kind to a stranger? It was unfathomable, was this what his Grandfather was always talking about? Angels amongst us in plan sight, warriors of God to save souls? Or was this just a child with a heart of gold willing to share words of encouragement to a blue boy? Her words seem to resosant with him, giving some sort of meaning, but of course a bandaid couldn't heal a giant wound. Kyle looked at his feet in silence.
"Family doesn't end in blood. It doesn't begin there, either. Family cares about you, not how much you're related to them. Family's there for the good, the bad, all of it. They've got your back, even when it hurts. That's family."
Kyle nodded, what she said made sense but it was still hard to swallow as the pain was still fresh in his mind, it would take a while to fully sink in and give him some peace. The Diaz/Ricci family would together through thick and thin, sickness and health and even had eachothers back when one made a mistake for the sake of the family. This meant to be comforting but this only made him wonder what else the could be hiding from him. What other secrets were there? Kyle felt guilty for dragging the poor girl into this whole mess that she knew little about.
"Grazie signorina, thank you miss your words mean alot, Im sorry to burden you with this," Kyle gave an attempt at a grateful smile, before giving a small sigh. "I do mean it though, I am very grateful...."
Kyle sat in silence for a moment, before staring deep into the fire eating away at the firewood. He stood up grabbing his soggy letter and package, putting one of his hands in his pockets, in which he felt a small item within it, he knew immediately that it was his compass, the compass that his grandfather had given him.
"I should go now..." He pulled out the weathered broom compass which he knew had seen many moons and seasons. Kyle looked at the girl before handing to the ginger haired girl. "Take this, since you have helped guide me, here's something to guide you.... Arrivederci Signorina. Goodbye Miss."
To both of their surprises Kyle gave Astra a quick hug of gratitude before leaving the room with a small polite wave... The ran continued to patter outside the window and the fire continued to crackle away...
Kyle gave Astra a Broom Compass
Reducio
Kyle has left the thread
@Astra Norrick