Tea and Old Books PV Euphrasia + Ruby Closed

How interesting, that a simple comment could spark such powerful reactions. Ruby did not adhere to social norms. She had never seen the point. She didn't do what others expected of her, and she generally got straight to the point, even if that meant being blunt. Others were not used to this. They danced around the point, building up their figurative walls – protecting themselves, keeping themselves safe, because heaven forbid someone hurt their precious feelings or made them uncomfortable. There were situations that could be far worse than this one, but clearly the girls around her did not realize that sometimes coming out of one's comfort zone was something that was necessary. This was not a new situation for Ruby. Undoubtedly, they'd scorn her. That comment came soon after, in the form of Euphrasia accusing Ruby of being a "smarty-pants jerk". The Slytherin suppressed the urge to laugh. How purely predictable.

Ruby could practically taste the others' feelings – the emotions lingering in the air around them were almost tangible. The tension, the anger, the discomfort… and yet they were just like many others. So scared, so quick to feel and think negatively – just because of one small comment, a couple of personal questions that made them shy away instantly. The girls would all see each other again, Ruby did not doubt that. They weren't total strangers, even though their names weren't made known to one another until now. Yet, still, the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw had relatively extreme, quick reactions. What, because some "stranger" asked them a question that was just a little too personal for them? She had only spoken with intentions of helping them, even if they didn't see that it was in their best interests.

It didn't matter. She had indirectly offered to help them – although, maybe they hadn't realized – and they had preferred to remain in their narrow comfort zones. So, they were like most other people, then. How boring. She hadn't really expected more than that. One might ask why she had spoken, in that case. Part of her wanted to see it – the gleam in their eyes as they instantly reacted. The "feelings" created from her words were always similar in these situations. The words they said were not very different, either. It reminded Ruby of the power that one could wield, simply by understanding people. From watching, reading, learning, being interested in psychology. They wouldn't understand, but she knew so much about them because she knew about many others, and it had taken her mere seconds to find out what kind of people they were. Little did they know that she now understood huge parts of them and who they were. They wouldn't know that they had played into her hands by reacting the way they did – by choosing their paths.

What would the Slytherin do with the information this time? Should she take it and leave? No, perhaps she'd stay for a while. It wouldn't cost her anything – their comments wouldn't be able to hurt her, and she didn't care how she was perceived by others. It was very unlikely that they'd be able to make her feel uncomfortable, too. She wouldn't take it too far – she didn't need to push their buttons unnecessarily, she wasn't in the mood for that – but she would stay and watch them a bit more, continuing the conversation. She could make them more angry and uncomfortable, or she could try and ease the tension and emotions. Either way, she wasn't bothered. She wasn't currently mad at either of her classmates – not even mildly annoyed. So, therefore, maybe she could be kind. She could go with her original intentions and how she had been feeling previously. That was possibly the way to go today…

She raised her hands, palms facing them, as a gesture of surrender and peace. “My sincere apologies,” Ruby said, and she really did mean it. “I did not intend to make either of you upset, nor did I mean for you to think of me as a "smarty-pants jerk". I only want to help you, and although it would probably involve coming out of your comfort zones, I believe it would be for the best. I've helped others like you before.” Another true comment. “I'm sorry that I do not act in the same way as others, and that I don't particularly adhere to societal norms. This means that I often make people a little bit uncomfortable, because I generally say or do things that aren't expected and/or accepted. I do not normally bother with simple, completely impersonal things, or idle small talk, and occasionally I disregard standard niceties. It might seem impolite – like you said, Millie – but I assure you that I am currently acting with benefits for both of you in mind. Again, I apologize, and hope that you might be able to look past what you might expect or be comfortable with. If you cannot, then I understand that, too, and will respect your wishes.”

They probably hadn't expected that, but it didn't matter whether they did or didn't. Ruby had been surprisingly genuine, and she had allowed emotion into her tone, making her words seem even stronger. She no longer seemed as cold, business-like, and possibly frightening/detached, but instead she seemed… kinder. More real. She was leaning forward slightly, showing that her attention was directed towards them, and them only. The maintained connection between them was one that she was aiming to turn positive. She gave a small smile when she finished, as if to emphasize this, and it showed some hope that they would come to be more friendly towards her.

Millie blinked confusedly. This girl was getting more confusing by the second. She was really smart, but also really confusing. But Millie wasn't the smartest, most brilliant person, maybe Senna would understand. The Ravenclaw girl seemed super duper smart. After all, Senna was in Ravenclaw for a reason.

"Again, I apologize, and hope that you might be able to look past what you might expect or be comfortable with. If you cannot, then I understand that, too, and will respect your wishes."

Millie let her mouth drop slightly agape. What the hell was wrong with this girl? Did she never have a childhood? 'Though, I guess this is our childhood,' Millie thought to herself. Did this girl grow up at the age of five years old?

Finally, Millie was really mad of all the questions she was forced to ask herself, and instead wanted to get some real answers. Though she was sure Ruby wasn't going to answer the questions.

"Aren't you still a kid? Like, you know, do kid stuff? Make friends? Maybe go out and play ball or something? How early did you grow up?" The words weren't meant to be harmful, yet Millie had a way of sounding very mean. Even if she didn't try.

But the Gryffindor was genuinely curious. She wanted to know what had made this girl so sophisticated, instead of so cheerful and full of life, like most children her age were.