Closed The Newest Friendship

As she sat there, Aliana felt the weight of the day slowly lift off her shoulders. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The trees were silhouetted against the sky, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. In the distance, she could see the mountains, their peaks tinged with pink and orange. Aliana took out her sketchbook and pencils, and began to draw. She started with the trees, carefully capturing their shapes and textures. Then she moved on to the mountains, trying to capture the way the light played across their surfaces. As she worked, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. Drawing had always been a way for her to escape from the stresses of the world, and today was no exception.
Lost in her thoughts, she was startled when a girl who looked about her age approached her with a friendly smile. As the girl came closer, she greeted Aliana in a language that was unfamiliar to her, saying, "Nĭ hăo." Aliana's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her mind racing to decipher the meaning behind the words. Realizing that the girl was speaking Chinese, she quickly recalled her limited knowledge of the language. With a bright smile, Aliana responded cheerfully , "Oh hello there!" Her voice was filled with genuine warmth and excitement. As she set her art supplies aside to talk to the girl.

Esme was impressed, she was glad that someone understood her well, but she had to stop for now, in order to have a proper conversation. The girl beside her seemed to also be a first year, and an artist as well, she looked at the sketch and wished there was more to it. She had opened up a lot more since coming, and it seemed like a good time to make a brand new friend, she tried to think of another thing to say...

"I'm sorry for speaking Chinese, it was reflex, but I wanted to know what you'd say if I did, my apologies." This interaction felt special, she wasn't sure why, but maybe it was an example of circumstance? "My name is Esme, if you'd like to talk more.." She didn't want to talk to much, she remembered what she was taught as a child, so she left it at that, waiting for a response.

She curled her hair and straightened her glasses, hugging her knees close to her body, almost like an upright fetal position, she was being a bit defensive, she had an interaction that hadn't ended as well as all her others, it damaged her ego a bit and now she was being self-conscious, she attempted to look as proper as possible, to seem interesting.

@Aliana Dare (Aliana has permission to godmod if necessary)

As I catch a brief glimpse of the girl, a surge of curiosity and fascination engulfs me. I observe a slight hint of hesitation in her manner, a subtle wariness that piques my interest even further. But I am determined not to let that discourage me. With a friendly smile, I reach out my hand for a handshake, hoping to bridge the gap between us. The warmth of my gesture is mirrored in my voice as I say, "Hi, I'm Aliana . It's really nice to meet you... what did you say your name was?" My words hang in the air, a gentle invitation for her to share a piece of herself with me.
A spark of connection passes between us, a silent understanding that we are both embarking on a journey of discovery. As our hands clasp, I can't help but notice the faint tremor that runs through her fingers, a testament to the vulnerability she must feel in this moment. With a gentle squeeze, I offer her reassurance, silently conveying that she is safe in my presence. I smile softly hoping to see her return the smile . It's a small victory, but one that fills me with a sense of accomplishment.

Esme didn't think so much feeling could be conveyed in as simple a gesture as a handshake. Perhaps there was more between them than previously thought, Esme didn't know, but she was definitely interested now, she looked into Sky's eyes, her cheeks becoming a rosy pink. "E-Esme...that's my name...." She hadn't let go of her hand, almost unable to, but when she came back to the present she looked to the side. "It's nice to meet you, do you have time? you know, to waste?" She looked innocently curious, playing in her hair, not the usual curling but this time she was combing through it, her attention peaked though.

Esme decided to wipe her glasses, she was suddenly aware of how much they need a cleaning, and she tilted her face away, as if to not show it, she knew a lot of people try to see her without her glasses, so it's reflex now. Once she got them back on she, scooted a little closer to Sky and relaxed her posture, she still had to look refined for cultural reasons, but it was less guarded and more calm and made her look less jagged. "Do you know any Chinese?"

@Aliana Duke

I flash a warm smile, letting her know that I'm open to chatting. "Hey, I've got some free time right now if you feel like continuing our chat!" As I exchange smiles with her once again, I settle back comfortably and she asks me @do you know any Chinese Aliana?” Esme asks as is we her relax into her spot on the bench . "I have to admit, my knowledge of Chinese is quite limited, but I'd be more than happy to learn if you're willing to teach me sometime!" I explain that while I may not be fluent in the language, I've always been captivated by its rich culture and history. I share my belief that language is not just a tool for communication, but also a way to gain insight into different perspectives and connect with others on a deeper level. I genuinely express my eagerness to immerse myself in Chinese, as it will not only improve my communication skills, but also deepen my respect and appreciation for Chinese culture. With sincerity and determination, I assure Esme that I'm committed to dedicating the time and effort required to learn Chinese. I express my excitement at the thought of being able to learn from her, emphasizing that I'm a motivated and enthusiastic learner.
@Esme Xiao

"Perfect, I have so much free time, I don't really know what to do with it." She looks at Aliana's lips as they curl into a smile, it is almost infectious, she nearly get dragged into it, but tries to keep her expression friendly but neutral.

"I'm flattered that you're so interested, I'll be quick with this, so you can have a good way of greeting me, when we cross paths..." She thinks about a good form of greeting that Aliana can use successfully.
"In the morning, try 'péngyǒu' (friend, accent mark glitch on my end) or just a nickname, and when you actually greet me, try for 'hāi' (hi), it's a less formal way to say hi, if you're friends with Chinese, formality may seem odd when you get close, or at least I know it feels weird with me." She notice now how out of touch she'd been with her home, the paused for a bit and then nodded to herself.

"So...after that lesson, what would you like to talk about? I'm sure there are things you'd like to say, and I don't want to say to much and bore you." She crosses her legs and puts her hands in her lap, awaiting what Aliana would like to say.



@Aliana Duke

With a nod of comprehension, I eagerly follow her lead as she imparts her wisdom of the Chinese language. Diligently, I jot down each word and its meaning in my notebook, ensuring that I capture every bit of knowledge she shares.
As our lesson draws to a close, her curiosity piques and she inquires about our upcoming subject of conversation. Taking a brief pause, I ponder over the possibilities until a magnificent notion dawns upon me. "How about we explore the captivating realm of the BaiKim ball?" I propose, a radiant smile adorning my face. This grand event, organized by our school. The BaiKim ball is not just any ordinary school event; it is a night filled with enchantment and wonder. The moment you step into the venue, you are transported to a world straight out of a fairytale. The air is alwayd filled with anticipation and excitement as students, teachers, and even parents gather together to celebrate this magical occasion. The ballroom itself is always transformed into a winter wonderland, with sparkling lights hanging from the ceiling, shimmering snowflakes adorning the walls, and a glistening ice sculpture centerpiece that takes your breath away. The room is always bathed in a soft, ethereal glow, creating an atmosphere that is both dreamlike and romantic. The ball is not just about dancing, though. It is a celebration of art, culture, and creativity. Throughout the night, there are various performances and exhibitions that showcase the talents of the students. From live music performances to art displays, the ball becomes a platform for students to express themselves and share their passions with others.


@Esme Xaio

“I had planned on going, I just had no idea who exactly to ask, but if you’re willing, I guess we could go together.” She curled her hair with a finger, subconsciously preening. “Should I dress up when I go, or do you think casual is fine? I think I have some nice formal clothing at home…you know what, my mom would say I should look my best, send a good impression, I know just what to wear. But what will you wear to that ball?”

“Assuming you’re a first year, like me, how do you like Hogwarts? I mean like….what do you think about the atmosphere, the people, the friends you made.” Esme stared at the sky longingly, thinking of her own friends and the experiences she had yet to make, she hadn’t experienced England to the fullest because outside of a few occasions, before Hogwarts she had been mostly at home, around her family of only Chinese.

“Perhaps the ball will be fun, I didn’t like the last one all that much, I was all alone, but with you there, maybe things will be a lot more fun, we could explore together, see new things while everyone is busy dancing. What do you think?”

@Aliana Duke

I smile widely and nod happily excited at the idea of going with someone. “I would love to esme!” I say excitedly. “Hmm we could go for like semi formal like maybe a cute dress or suit whatever you prefer?” Say as I glance at esme noticing how pretty she is a big smile on my face. As we continue discussing our plans, I can't help but feel a surge of excitement building up inside me. The thought of spending time with Esme, someone who brings so much joy and happiness into my life, fills me with anticipation. I can already envision the memories we will create together, and the adventures that await us. “I am a first year!” Say happily “I love it here so far I actually feel like I belong yknow?” I say sweetly. felt like I had found my place in the world. I was excited to see what the next seven years would bring, and I was grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the community. As a first year, I was full of hope and optimism, and I knew that I had made the right choice in coming to this school. “I actually never went to the last one” I say with a sigh. “I had a whole outfit planned but then I got sick” I say sighing agian. “But I think if we went together it would be so much fun!” I say excitedly as I look at esme lovingly.

@Esme Xiao