Lurking in the Dungeons PV Quinn Healy

Amanda’s face turned a pinkish hue at the word “lovely” and she clamped her mouth shut. She didn’t say anything for a bit, her eyes fixed on her feet. When she finally said something, she spoke in a slightly softer tone. “I don’t see how becoming all quiet and shy can be considered a good change. Confidence is important.” She fell silent again, obviously thinking something over. “You don’t have to pretend to be a certain way around me, you know.” Amanda gave a small shrug. “I know I may seem a little, well... boisterous and frankly kind of intimidating at times, but I don’t care what you act or look like.” Her eyes were still focused on the ground and she spoke in a contemplative manner. “Anyways,” she added, her voice diminishing ever so slightly in volume. “I think that the outgoing Quinn would have been loads of fun. I mean, not that you aren’t fun now,” she said hastily, mentally kicking herself.

Amanda grasped onto the change of subject like a lifeline. “I heard that they used to torture students down here,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “Like for detention or something. Although, I don’t know how accurate that is, considering my brother told me.” She frowned suddenly. “Actually, now that I think about it, that’s probably not true. He’s only twelve like us, anyways, so how would he know...” She trailed off, shaking her head. “Stupid.”

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Quinn couldn't help but let out an extremely loud and hardy laugh. He honestly couldn't remember the last time he really laughed like that. it was refressing and brought a very noticeable and bright cheery smile to his face. "Well no offense but your brother sounds like a bit of an eijit. Besides it's very counter productive for a punishment if you want a real punishment then don't torture them. That breaks the mind and adds too much trauma to the patient...least that's what granda says." It was like for the moment at least the real Quinn his former self came back into the light. Though given his current appearance it was all off seeming. Like his appearance didn't at all match his personality...which it didn't but still.

"Anyway I know what ya meant and ya seem pretty right. Definitely better then the fecks I call friends back home...or my bullies..." He trailed off again, but unlike the previous time he immediately switched topics again as if his mind was taking over and trying to correct the mistake his body made.

"So you said you're good with hair and makeup right? Do ya think you could help me out? A good friend helped me fix the hair and taught me how to put on makeup but I don't want to burden them anymore with a my dumb problems." He sounded side but at the same time also seemed happy. Maybe it was relief or the fact Amanda gave him such a good laugh. But his easily trusting personality for once came in sure handy to calm his nerves a bit.

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Amanda grinned. “Yeah, he’s a total idiot. He’s okay sometimes, though. Like when we climb up onto the roof and talk. But yeah, you’re right. It is rather counterproductive.” She discreetly studied Quinn, trying desperately to figure this odd boy out. One moment he was all quiet and nervous; the next he was loud and cheery. Amanda greatly preferred the second side because she herself was quite energetic and always felt like she made quiet people uncomfortable.

Amanda winced when he mentioned bullies, thinking back on her previous experiences. “I got bullied by the other girls when I was in elementary school a lot,” she said awkwardly, as if she wasn’t used to opening up. “They didn’t like me, mainly because I acted like a boy and I was, well,” she paused. “Different. They thought I was weird because weird stuff happened around me. Even though my parents are both wizards, they thought that it would be best if we grew up ‘normal.’” Amanda made air quotes when she said the word “normal.” “So I didn’t know what was happening either for a bit until my parents told me. Plus, I went to a school with a bunch of stuck-up Hollywood kids whose parents were the one-hit-wonder type. I usually just hung out with a bunch of street kids anyways.” She shrugged, leaving it at that.

“I’d be glad to help!” Amanda nodded enthusiastically. “Don’t expect anything amazing, though. I’m not that good.” She kicked at a small claw clip that was lying on the ground. Her eyes lit up suddenly and she looked at Quinn excitedly. “Hey, maybe we could go do that right now! If you want to, that is.”