Downcast Dancing Open FINISHED

Interacting with @Kaitlyn Connor @Elisa Wagner

At the suggestion of one of the Slytherin students, Emily nodded. She continued to flash her friendly smile when one of them admitted to not knowing much about Muggle music. Emily shrugged, not at all bothered by this revelation. In fact, she saw this as a window of opportunity to help get to know these two girls better.

"W-Well as a Muggle myself, I'm sure I can help recommend a few songs I know." She said it a little more quietly, unsure if being Muggle-born would put the two off. "Although it's just a shame I don't have any music with me..."

Emily then took notice of a large phonograph at one corner of the room, with a small box of records sitting underneath it. Emily's lips curved upwards with inspiration as she politely retracted her hands briefly to walk over and examine the records. They were all music which she didn't recognise, and judging by the covers on them, it made sense. It was all music from the Wizarding World, not that Emily was complaining. And thus, it was another opportunity to learn more about the world she was now in.

I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but...

Emily took a record that had an elaborate cover on it. She carefully took it out and put it on the phonograph. Gently taking the needle, the record began to play slow but soothing music. She retook her place with the other girls, still full of positive energy. She just hoped no one would mind the music playing in the room.

"Whenever you two are ready," she smiled, holding their hands softly.

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Interacting with : Reducio @Emily Shephard, @Elisa Wagner

Outfit: Reducio

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

Kaitlyn felt her cheeks flush, as the first girl went to a large phonograph in the corner of the room. ‘I really need to be more observant … I can’t tell if it’s my anxiety … The fact that I’m just trying to have a good time with these two girls … or if I really am very unobservant. I’m glad she found it, though,’ she thought, a smile on her face.

The song that played was a slow and soothing melody. It was a song that Kaitlyn had not heard before. ‘I don’t mind that. I do like music, similar to this, to dance to. A lot of the muggle music I played while dancing in a muggle dance studio, consisted of lovely musical arrangements,’ she thought. As the first girl rejoined them, she smiled to her. “That’s a good choice in music.”

Kaitlyn turned to Elisa and gave her a smile. “Hi Elisa, it’s nice to formally meet you. I think I’ve seen you around the Slytherin Common Room?” She confirmed. “I’m Kaitlyn Connor,” she replied. She smiled as Elisa held their hands.

“Okay, let’s begin,” Kaitlyn smiled at both girls. She angled her body slightly and slowly began to walk in a circle to lead their little group in a slow spin.

Reducio

Note: 215 words

Interacting with @Kaitlyn Connor @Elisa Wagner

Emily grinned at Elisa's introduction, shaking her hand as she held on to it gently whilst the music continued in the background. She shook Kaitlyn's hand at the same time, sharing a similar look with her.

Kaitlyn... and Elisa...

"Nice to meet you both. If I hadn't said it before, my name is Emily. Emily Shephard." With everything out in the open she felt herself brimming with confidence. Back home, Emily was the one who would wait to be introduced into a friendship circle, but now she felt proud for being somewhat of a catalyst to help bring these girls and herself together like this. Of course, she had to give credit to Kaitlyn and Elisa for this random encounter as well.

She, along with the other two girls, began to move slowly in a clockwise circle. Emily made sure to stay mindful of where she placed her feet, not wanting to trip any of them up while they continued to spin each other around gently. She kind of enjoyed the pace of the whole thing. She could still sense a slight air of shyness among each other, but Emily wasn't bothered by that at all. She knew she could get shy at times, but she also knew that so long as she kept being her charming self they would slowly loosen up.

Emily chuckled quietly to herself when thinking about it. "Auntie" had helped her. Again.

She's so wise, maybe she should be at this school and not me...!

The trio began to move a little bit faster when they all slowly got used to each other's gestures and pacing. As ironically metaphorical as it was - according to Emily - it felt as if the quicker they moved, the more excited she was getting about this little moment she was sharing with Kaitlyn and Elisa.

_{Word Count: 322}

Interacting with : Reducio @Emily Shephard, @Elisa Wagner

Outfit: Reducio

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Emily,” Kaitlyn smiled at her. She briefly shook her hand that was already holding Emily’s hand. A bright smile formed on her face, as she, along with Emily and Elisa, spun around together in a circle. Slowly, at first, they eventually picked up the pace. Normally, she’d be worried about watching her feet. Especially since she was wearing low-heeled sandals, currently. But, she was determined to have fun with these two girls. Besides, they weren’t dancing anything that should lead to stepping on each other’s feet, which was always helpful.

While their hand-holding was light at first, Kaitlyn tightened her grip on both of their hands. Not enough to be painful, but tight enough for Emily and Elisa to know that she valued their presence together for this dance. ‘I hope they’re both enjoying this,’ she thought. The melodies from the music continued to dance around in the air.

Despite not really knowing the two girls, Kaitlyn could feel herself relaxing in their presence. Just the act of dancing with them was making her feel better about being near them. ‘And I can feel some of their shyness ebbing, as well. This is great!’ She thought.

“I think we’re doing a great job together, Emily and Elisa,” Kaitlyn smiled to both of them, in turn, as they continued to dance together.

Reducio

Note: 227 words

Interacting With @Kaitlyn Connor @Elisa Wagner

About thirty minutes ago, Emily was silently weeping over the notion that she wasn't good enough to warrant anyone spending time with other than with small elevator talk. But now, as she shared positive energy and bright smiles with Kaitlyn and Elisa, she felt herself opening up more. She didn't feel as outcasted as she had been for the last week or so. For the first time, she felt welcomed without needing someone's permission... And Emily wasn't afraid to feel a little, if not extremely proud of herself for allowing herself to be social like this.

She and the girls twirled and stepped around each other like a three-way waltz. At times, she felt her hands tighten around theirs with how much she was enjoying herself and that same energy was mirrored across the other two. Good things came to those who were patient for it, and Emily was beyond grateful to be given the chance to socialise with Kaitlyn and Elisa. She was emotional before when they all first met, but she was starting to feel emotional even now with how much fun she was having. She wasn't feeling tears of sadness no longer. They were tears of gratitude. Of warmth. Of joy.

She suddenly pulled the pair of them into a brief but tight hug before letting them go, giving her enough time to dry up her teary eyes before they noticed. She didn't want them to think she was being hurt by this moment. She laughed softly as she let them go.

"Heh... Sorry. Just had to do that," she said simply, relishing in the good vibes before she spun them both around again while the record played in the background.

_{Word Count: 295}

Interacting with : Reducio @Emily Shephard, @Elisa Wagner

Outfit: Reducio

Notes: Reducio Speech: #3CB371 Thoughts: italics

While certainly surprised by the hug, Kaitlyn leaned into the hug in support of Emily. ‘I figured she would eventually need one. I hope Elisa and I dancing with her is helping her to feel better. I know I feel joyful,’ she thought. As they returned to spinning, Kaitlyn giggled quietly. In a very telling identification of just how happy she was, when she next spoke, her stutter was nearly non-existent. “You d-don’t need to apologize for hugging me. Feel free to hug me whenever you need it. I promise I won’t mind,” she smiled brightly at Emily.

‘I think it is safe to say that this is not how I expected to be dancing. But, I’m enjoying dancing with Emily and Elisa. They’re fun to be around. I’m not sure if it’s helping either of them, but I can feel myself be more relaxed in their presence. As if dancing like this is helping me be not as shy, as I normally am. I do enjoy this feeling … I hope Emily and Elisa are willing to be friends with me. I can certainly feel the commandery with them.’

As the girls continued to dance in unison, spinning around together, Kaitlyn giggled as she could feel the wind against her cheeks, her pigtails flying as they moved. The few stray strands of hair framing her face danced against her face. She felt free and happy. In that moment, she was forgetting just how shy she truthfully was.

Reducio

Note: 248 words

Interacting with @Elisa Wagner @Kaitlyn Connor

Emily couldn't help the small fits of giggles that escaped her mouth at seeing the surprised looks exchanged between Kaitlyn and Elisa after she hugged them. If only they knew just how much Emily appreciated their company and how much better Emily was feeling because of it. While she was well aware of it by now, Emily nevertheless couldn't help but repeat in her head how grateful she was for the chance to meet these two girls. Other than one or two other people, she has never felt so close to other students to call them friends. She was hoping Kaitlyn and Elisa were feeling the same, given how much fun the three of them were having while the phonograph kept spinning the record in the background, the music singing across the room gently while the three of them continued to dance.

With every spin and twirl exchanged between them, Emily could feel her ponytail brush her shoulders gently. The loose ends of her pink ribbon tied in her hair flapped behind her as she continued to move gracefully alongside her dance partners.

There was silent happiness among the three of them as their dance continued. It felt casual and freeing, almost like it was a girl's night out, the three of them laughing and smiling like they had known each other for years. Eventually, Emily decided she had enough courage to ask something she thought didn't need an answer but felt the need to ask anyway.

Just let it out... What could go wrong...?

"So um... Would you guys... like to... to be... friends?"
_{Word Count: 279}