27 Aug 2020, 14:00
An Un-expeted Meeting
Katie was in the library reading her History of Magic book, while working on the homework. It was 4:00pm, so her last class had finishef, but dinner hadn't started yet. She was a first year, but she still wanted to do her best work. One could call her a perfectionist.
She had been sorted into Slytherin, but she had some more traditional Ravenclaw traits. Simply because she was more cunning than witty, didn't mean that she wasn't witty at all. That didn't mean she was unhappy with the sorting hat's decision. In fact, she was thrilled to have gotten into Slytherin. Her whole family had gotten into Slytherin, and she was looking forward to being in the house of the serpents. Het father had been thrilled when she had owled him to let him know off her sorting results.
Ugh, she needed to focus and get her work done. She couldn't afford to have a late or incomplete assignment. Luckily, after she finished History of Magic, she'd have no more homework until next Monday. Katie cracked her knuckles, (a common habit of hers), dipped her quill back into her ink, and resumed writing. She couldn't imagine how it must be for those who grew up in the muggle world with pens and pencils over quills. She was pure-blooded, but as long as long as non-pure-bloods were willing to learn about wizarding culture and not force muggle culture onto wizards and witches, she was fine with them. She did think that those who were newer to the wizarding world should be allowed more time to adapt and adjust.
Greasy! On another thought tangent again. She merged to focus. She picked up her quill (again), and starting writing. She moved onto the last question, when she heard a soft knock on the door, and then out started to creak open.
@Siobhán Moore
She had been sorted into Slytherin, but she had some more traditional Ravenclaw traits. Simply because she was more cunning than witty, didn't mean that she wasn't witty at all. That didn't mean she was unhappy with the sorting hat's decision. In fact, she was thrilled to have gotten into Slytherin. Her whole family had gotten into Slytherin, and she was looking forward to being in the house of the serpents. Het father had been thrilled when she had owled him to let him know off her sorting results.
Ugh, she needed to focus and get her work done. She couldn't afford to have a late or incomplete assignment. Luckily, after she finished History of Magic, she'd have no more homework until next Monday. Katie cracked her knuckles, (a common habit of hers), dipped her quill back into her ink, and resumed writing. She couldn't imagine how it must be for those who grew up in the muggle world with pens and pencils over quills. She was pure-blooded, but as long as long as non-pure-bloods were willing to learn about wizarding culture and not force muggle culture onto wizards and witches, she was fine with them. She did think that those who were newer to the wizarding world should be allowed more time to adapt and adjust.
Greasy! On another thought tangent again. She merged to focus. She picked up her quill (again), and starting writing. She moved onto the last question, when she heard a soft knock on the door, and then out started to creak open.
@Siobhán Moore
Last edited by Katie Palsorette on 30 Aug 2020, 05:03, edited 1 time in total.
Katie Palsorette
Stats: Stamina: 6 Evasion: 6 Strength: 5 Wisdom: 7 Arcane Power: 6 Accuracy: 5
27 Aug 2020, 14:35
An Un-expeted Meeting
@Katie Palsorette
Walking into the Library, head held high, Siobhán nodded towards Master Quarren, the head Librarian. After a long day of classes, she wanted to relax and work on her last bit of Potions homework. With her over-large purse that doubles as a backpack on her shoulder, she trekked through the many shelves, that she was determined to read at least half of by the time she graduated, and headed to one of the many private cubicles that were near the back of the library.
She loved privacy. Her house was too over-friendly for her taste. Always sharing and caring and sunshine. Granted, the sunshine does help her plants grow. She does wonder why she got sorted into Hufflepuff. She's not very friendly, she doesn't like crowds... The only reason she can think of is despite all of the things that say she isn't a Hufflepuff, is her affinity for healing. Just one glance at a wilted plant and springs right back up. That's what grounds her. Healing.
She reached the cubicle and knocked, making sure no one was in there. She had a feeling that someone was and that they just weren't answering. She slowly opened the door, closed it, and turned around. She jumped in fright.
"Oh! Good gracious! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt you. I thought no one was in here since you didn't answer. Have a good evening!" Siobhán stammered, uncharacteristically. She looked at the girl sitting down. She looked tired, just as she herself was. "Again, I'm so sorry for interrupting you!" Siobhán, cheeks ablaze in embarrassment for not following her gut that someone was in the cubicle, turned around as quickly as she could and grabbed the door knob.
Walking into the Library, head held high, Siobhán nodded towards Master Quarren, the head Librarian. After a long day of classes, she wanted to relax and work on her last bit of Potions homework. With her over-large purse that doubles as a backpack on her shoulder, she trekked through the many shelves, that she was determined to read at least half of by the time she graduated, and headed to one of the many private cubicles that were near the back of the library.
She loved privacy. Her house was too over-friendly for her taste. Always sharing and caring and sunshine. Granted, the sunshine does help her plants grow. She does wonder why she got sorted into Hufflepuff. She's not very friendly, she doesn't like crowds... The only reason she can think of is despite all of the things that say she isn't a Hufflepuff, is her affinity for healing. Just one glance at a wilted plant and springs right back up. That's what grounds her. Healing.
She reached the cubicle and knocked, making sure no one was in there. She had a feeling that someone was and that they just weren't answering. She slowly opened the door, closed it, and turned around. She jumped in fright.
"Oh! Good gracious! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt you. I thought no one was in here since you didn't answer. Have a good evening!" Siobhán stammered, uncharacteristically. She looked at the girl sitting down. She looked tired, just as she herself was. "Again, I'm so sorry for interrupting you!" Siobhán, cheeks ablaze in embarrassment for not following her gut that someone was in the cubicle, turned around as quickly as she could and grabbed the door knob.
~+=Not everything in life is black and white. There's also shades of gray=+~
27 Aug 2020, 15:30
An Un-expeted Meeting
It is most perfectly alright. Katie replied. She hasn't meant to scare the newcomer girl. She was clearly a Hufflepuff, if the yellow and black robes could bee any indication at all. I was just finishing up my History of Magic homework when you came in. I didn't mean to startle you and you are more than welcome to stay.
Katie felt bad about scaring the girl and she looked like she was a first year as well. Sure, the girl had caught her off guard, but that was no reason for her to be shipping back and she was more than happy to talk to the girl. Katie had always been awkward, but by the looks of it, this girl was too, so why shouldn't she be kind. Besides, in her first day, after getting sorted, she'd snorted her breakfast for dinner on a second year and gotten yelled at by one of his friends. She still wasn't sure if they'd been dating or just close friends. Either way, accidentally startling someone was nothing in comparison to that monstrosity of a social blunder. She still couldn't even look the boy in the eye after that had happened. Besides, this newcomer seemed nice.
Suddenly, Katie realized she hadn't yet introduced herself. Whoops! They wouldn't get very far without knowing each other's names probably. I'm Katie. Katie Palsorette. She introduced herself, and extended a hand. Nice to meet you! I'm a first year Slytherin and believe me when I say that I've messed up introductions worse. Much worse. She grimaced thinking of the second year's face. What was his name? Had it been Henri, Hebry, Hedden? Something along those lines. Ugh! Feel free to work with me! What's your name?Katie asked with a bright smile, glancing back up at the newcomer girl.
@Siobhán Moore
Katie felt bad about scaring the girl and she looked like she was a first year as well. Sure, the girl had caught her off guard, but that was no reason for her to be shipping back and she was more than happy to talk to the girl. Katie had always been awkward, but by the looks of it, this girl was too, so why shouldn't she be kind. Besides, in her first day, after getting sorted, she'd snorted her breakfast for dinner on a second year and gotten yelled at by one of his friends. She still wasn't sure if they'd been dating or just close friends. Either way, accidentally startling someone was nothing in comparison to that monstrosity of a social blunder. She still couldn't even look the boy in the eye after that had happened. Besides, this newcomer seemed nice.
Suddenly, Katie realized she hadn't yet introduced herself. Whoops! They wouldn't get very far without knowing each other's names probably. I'm Katie. Katie Palsorette. She introduced herself, and extended a hand. Nice to meet you! I'm a first year Slytherin and believe me when I say that I've messed up introductions worse. Much worse. She grimaced thinking of the second year's face. What was his name? Had it been Henri, Hebry, Hedden? Something along those lines. Ugh! Feel free to work with me! What's your name?Katie asked with a bright smile, glancing back up at the newcomer girl.
@Siobhán Moore
Katie Palsorette
Stats: Stamina: 6 Evasion: 6 Strength: 5 Wisdom: 7 Arcane Power: 6 Accuracy: 5
27 Aug 2020, 16:11
An Un-expeted Meeting
Siobhán cautiously took the girl's hand. "Siobhán Moore. Are you sure it's alright that I stay?" When the handshake was done, she slowly sat down across from the girl and sat her bag on the bench beside her. She got out her Potions homework, along with her Potions book and quill.
Siobhán turned to the correct page in her book. Re-read that last line of her homework, and began to write. "I apologize if I don't talk much. Homework, you know. I take it very seriously", she said to Katie without looking up. "There's just so much to do. I've still to do Herbology and that's an essay and a half."
Even though she could feel Katie's eyes on her, she still continued to write. If she wanted to be a Professor or a Mediwitch one day, she'd have to study hard. No one likes a slacker, she can hear her parents say, and a slacker she won't be. She doesn't care if that means no time for friends or friendly conversation. She knows she will succeed, despite her parents breathing down her neck.
Cure for Boils, although mediocre, in it's need would come in handy someday, especially for young children who unknowingly cast the Pimple Jinx. Heavens know that she needed all the help she could get when she was younger and discovered she was highly allergic to poison ivy, sadly, when she was just four years old.
@Katie Palsorette
Siobhán turned to the correct page in her book. Re-read that last line of her homework, and began to write. "I apologize if I don't talk much. Homework, you know. I take it very seriously", she said to Katie without looking up. "There's just so much to do. I've still to do Herbology and that's an essay and a half."
Even though she could feel Katie's eyes on her, she still continued to write. If she wanted to be a Professor or a Mediwitch one day, she'd have to study hard. No one likes a slacker, she can hear her parents say, and a slacker she won't be. She doesn't care if that means no time for friends or friendly conversation. She knows she will succeed, despite her parents breathing down her neck.
Cure for Boils, although mediocre, in it's need would come in handy someday, especially for young children who unknowingly cast the Pimple Jinx. Heavens know that she needed all the help she could get when she was younger and discovered she was highly allergic to poison ivy, sadly, when she was just four years old.
@Katie Palsorette
~+=Not everything in life is black and white. There's also shades of gray=+~
28 Aug 2020, 13:57
An Un-expeted Meeting
Katie watched the girl named Siobhán carefully. She was a good studier and was taking her work seriously. Katie could appreciate that. She was serious about her work herself after all. Katie found all of her subjects interesting so she put her full effort into every one of them. She didn't know what career she wanted to take in life, so it was best not to close opportunities too early in life.
Katie was a Slytherin after all, so ambition was in her blood and bones. Siobhán was a Hufflepuff, but she took her work seriously and Katie always had had the utmost respect for those who did that. Siobhán was working on Herbology and Potions. Katie personally loved those two subjects alongside Charms.
The girl had said she was quite and self-described herself as studious and focused, but that was alright with Katie. Katie understood that the most meaningful connections between two people rarely need words to occur. It is most perfectly alright. I take my classes seriously too and wouldn't want to get between you and your education. Katie said to Siobhán And don't worry about being quieter. I'm an introvert anyway and I find that the most meaningful connections can take place in total silence. Katie smiled softly at this. She picked up her quill and started to work on her homework again. She remembered that Siobhán was working on Potions and then she thought about the alleged Chamber of Secrets. Her parents had tools her the tale of what happened in Harry Potter's time. Obviously this was twenty years ago or so, but that didn't mean anything when it came to the basillik that was down there. The basillik had already been down their a thousand years. What was a mere twenty to its corpse. Wait! Did they move the corpse? If it was stool down there...
Suddenly, Katie let out a stifled gasp. Basilliks were used in countless potions, but write quite rare. If there was a giant basillik down there, think of the potions masters who'd be thrilled to get their hands on it. Surely she couldn't be the only one who thought of this. No. There was no way. They'd probably cleaned the chamber out after the basillik was slain. Shoot! She was on a thought train again. She re-picked up her quill, and started working on her homework. Again!
@Siobhán Moore
Katie was a Slytherin after all, so ambition was in her blood and bones. Siobhán was a Hufflepuff, but she took her work seriously and Katie always had had the utmost respect for those who did that. Siobhán was working on Herbology and Potions. Katie personally loved those two subjects alongside Charms.
The girl had said she was quite and self-described herself as studious and focused, but that was alright with Katie. Katie understood that the most meaningful connections between two people rarely need words to occur. It is most perfectly alright. I take my classes seriously too and wouldn't want to get between you and your education. Katie said to Siobhán And don't worry about being quieter. I'm an introvert anyway and I find that the most meaningful connections can take place in total silence. Katie smiled softly at this. She picked up her quill and started to work on her homework again. She remembered that Siobhán was working on Potions and then she thought about the alleged Chamber of Secrets. Her parents had tools her the tale of what happened in Harry Potter's time. Obviously this was twenty years ago or so, but that didn't mean anything when it came to the basillik that was down there. The basillik had already been down their a thousand years. What was a mere twenty to its corpse. Wait! Did they move the corpse? If it was stool down there...
Suddenly, Katie let out a stifled gasp. Basilliks were used in countless potions, but write quite rare. If there was a giant basillik down there, think of the potions masters who'd be thrilled to get their hands on it. Surely she couldn't be the only one who thought of this. No. There was no way. They'd probably cleaned the chamber out after the basillik was slain. Shoot! She was on a thought train again. She re-picked up her quill, and started working on her homework. Again!
@Siobhán Moore
Katie Palsorette
Stats: Stamina: 6 Evasion: 6 Strength: 5 Wisdom: 7 Arcane Power: 6 Accuracy: 5
28 Aug 2020, 15:00
An Un-expeted Meeting
Siobhán smiled a little at what Katie said. Silence is good for homework and relaxing. But what does one do when there's no homework left to do? Yell? Party? No. How foolish. Find a book and read it, even if it isn't a class book. Or water plants, such as Siobhán does. Surprisingly she's one of the only ones to care for all the plants in the common room. "I suppose. Some people prefer loud, obnoxious crowds. I prefer a quiet corner to read a book."
Returning, to her work, Siobhán finished writing the final touch-ups on her Potions essay. Looking over it once more, making sure it filled all the requirements and then some, she nodded. Then she rolled up the parchment, and tied it with a string so that it wouldn't unroll. She put the roll in her bag, along with her book, and began to take out things for her Herbology assignment. Dittany, one of her favorite plants is the assignment.
Hearing a gasp, Siobhán looked up to see Katie in deep thought. "Are you alright? Do you need to go the Hospital Wing?" Wondering what Katie could possibly be thinking about that made her react so loud must be important. Then she had a thought. "Did I do something that frightened you?"
Siobhán knew she had a mean streak in her when dealing with strangers, but she didn't think she'd said anything rude or harmful so far, hopefully. Siobhán frowned slightly and raised her eyebrow,"I'll leave if I'm bothering you."
@Katie Palsorette
Returning, to her work, Siobhán finished writing the final touch-ups on her Potions essay. Looking over it once more, making sure it filled all the requirements and then some, she nodded. Then she rolled up the parchment, and tied it with a string so that it wouldn't unroll. She put the roll in her bag, along with her book, and began to take out things for her Herbology assignment. Dittany, one of her favorite plants is the assignment.
Hearing a gasp, Siobhán looked up to see Katie in deep thought. "Are you alright? Do you need to go the Hospital Wing?" Wondering what Katie could possibly be thinking about that made her react so loud must be important. Then she had a thought. "Did I do something that frightened you?"
Siobhán knew she had a mean streak in her when dealing with strangers, but she didn't think she'd said anything rude or harmful so far, hopefully. Siobhán frowned slightly and raised her eyebrow,"I'll leave if I'm bothering you."
@Katie Palsorette
~+=Not everything in life is black and white. There's also shades of gray=+~
28 Aug 2020, 15:49
An Un-expeted Meeting
Oh! I'm so sorry! I get what I call thought trains sometimes. I was just wondering what happened to that basillik that Harry Potter slated in his second year. In the Chamber of Secrets. Basilliks are used in many potions, so I was wondering if some lucky potions masters got there hands on it or if it was still down there. Probably the former. It's totally fine for you to stay though. I like the company and I haven't had the chance to make many friends yet. I am quite awkward and there was a fiasco at the sorting feast at my table. Why was Katie telling Siobhán this? Siobhán probably didn't want to know about her spewing food on a second year. Oh well.
She quickly wrote a few more things down to finish her homework, and then put her quill and homework back in her backpack.
Anyway, I just finished my homework, and I don't have much else to do until dinner. Do you like herbology? I love it personally, so I'd be happy to talk about that. Katie said with a smile.Of course if you still have more work to do, that's totally fine. I wouldn't want to distract you and I have plenty of books to read instead. I prefer quiet environments also. I hate parties and I despise Quidditch. Flying on Brooks is fun, but talking about it or watching it I'd boring and often loud. Not to mention it's dangerous if you play it. Parties suck and are overwhelming. The majority of people are idiots, present company excluded of course, and payouts are an opportunity for people to display their most idiotic tendencies. I've never been to a Quidditch party, but if those exist, I can imagine they'd be even more awful. Sorry if I'm rambling or boring you. If you want me to stop talking, tell me and I will. I take no offense to people wanting to be quiet or alone as I'm often in that position myself. Anyway, do you think we'll grrr to work with baby mandrakes this year? I know the professor said we might, but that they were more dangerous. I hope we do. They sound cool, but then again, I think that of all plants. People who dislike Herbology irritate me. It is so fascinating! Katie said with a bright grin on her face in cause to thinking about plants. She paused, to see if Siobhán wanted to say anything.
@Siobhán Moore
She quickly wrote a few more things down to finish her homework, and then put her quill and homework back in her backpack.
Anyway, I just finished my homework, and I don't have much else to do until dinner. Do you like herbology? I love it personally, so I'd be happy to talk about that. Katie said with a smile.Of course if you still have more work to do, that's totally fine. I wouldn't want to distract you and I have plenty of books to read instead. I prefer quiet environments also. I hate parties and I despise Quidditch. Flying on Brooks is fun, but talking about it or watching it I'd boring and often loud. Not to mention it's dangerous if you play it. Parties suck and are overwhelming. The majority of people are idiots, present company excluded of course, and payouts are an opportunity for people to display their most idiotic tendencies. I've never been to a Quidditch party, but if those exist, I can imagine they'd be even more awful. Sorry if I'm rambling or boring you. If you want me to stop talking, tell me and I will. I take no offense to people wanting to be quiet or alone as I'm often in that position myself. Anyway, do you think we'll grrr to work with baby mandrakes this year? I know the professor said we might, but that they were more dangerous. I hope we do. They sound cool, but then again, I think that of all plants. People who dislike Herbology irritate me. It is so fascinating! Katie said with a bright grin on her face in cause to thinking about plants. She paused, to see if Siobhán wanted to say anything.
@Siobhán Moore
Katie Palsorette
Stats: Stamina: 6 Evasion: 6 Strength: 5 Wisdom: 7 Arcane Power: 6 Accuracy: 5
28 Aug 2020, 16:37
An Un-expeted Meeting
Siobhán smirked,"For a girl who says she likes quiet, you sure do ramble a lot. I suppose that's fine though. I not a big fan of flying, so anything that has to do with being in the air, I just don't like. I love Potions and Herbology. They go hand in hand with each other. They get along with one another. It's almost as if it's the perfect marriage." Siobhán eyes glaze over for a moment as she thinks about it. Perfect marriage indeed. She shakes herself to refocus.
"Maybe if we're lucky, we'll work with baby Mandrakes. Though I hear that's more of a Second Year lesson, sadly. I wish I could learn everything in just one year, but that would be quite impossible, even for geniuses," Siobhán takes a moment to write a sentence. "If you don't mind, I will multitask. I really need to get this essay done."
Siobhán continues to write out her assignment. "As you say, parties are obnoxious. They are for people who, in their words want to have fun. But then again we all have fun in different ways. Mine just happens to be when I've my nose in between two pages of a book," she said with a small smile. As she finished a paragraph on her essay, she continued,"Some people don't take education seriously. Even though we're only first years, how well we do effects the future, I believe. Especially if one's future career depends on it." She continued to write out her assignment. As she did so, she wondered what more challenging things she could learn this year, not just pertaining to lessons.
@Katie Palsorette
"Maybe if we're lucky, we'll work with baby Mandrakes. Though I hear that's more of a Second Year lesson, sadly. I wish I could learn everything in just one year, but that would be quite impossible, even for geniuses," Siobhán takes a moment to write a sentence. "If you don't mind, I will multitask. I really need to get this essay done."
Siobhán continues to write out her assignment. "As you say, parties are obnoxious. They are for people who, in their words want to have fun. But then again we all have fun in different ways. Mine just happens to be when I've my nose in between two pages of a book," she said with a small smile. As she finished a paragraph on her essay, she continued,"Some people don't take education seriously. Even though we're only first years, how well we do effects the future, I believe. Especially if one's future career depends on it." She continued to write out her assignment. As she did so, she wondered what more challenging things she could learn this year, not just pertaining to lessons.
@Katie Palsorette
~+=Not everything in life is black and white. There's also shades of gray=+~
29 Aug 2020, 00:19
An Un-expeted Meeting
Katie listens intently too Siobhán. She doesn't mind that the girl is multitasking. It actually seems pretty smart. I'm glad we agree on Potions and herbology. They are by far the most interesting classes in my opinion so far. I wonder which plants we will work with this year though. Katie smiled as she remembered her first intro to herbology and plants in general.
She'd been five years old, so per Palsorette tradition she received a plant for her birthday. Her father had given her a dittany bush and she was fascinated by it. It was baby dittany when it had been gifted, and she'd spent six long months carrying and tending to it. Then, she learned of it's powers and capabilities. After that, she'd always been fascinated by herbology and had loved the subject.
She was thrilled to be learning about herbology as a formal subject now. Katie wasn't sure what she wanted to do when she got older quite yet, but she had a feeling that she wanted to do something with plants.
And don't be sorry about multitasking. It sounds like a really smart idea, actually. Katie added. My first plant was a dittany plant when I was five. What about you? she asked.
@Siobhán Moore
She'd been five years old, so per Palsorette tradition she received a plant for her birthday. Her father had given her a dittany bush and she was fascinated by it. It was baby dittany when it had been gifted, and she'd spent six long months carrying and tending to it. Then, she learned of it's powers and capabilities. After that, she'd always been fascinated by herbology and had loved the subject.
She was thrilled to be learning about herbology as a formal subject now. Katie wasn't sure what she wanted to do when she got older quite yet, but she had a feeling that she wanted to do something with plants.
And don't be sorry about multitasking. It sounds like a really smart idea, actually. Katie added. My first plant was a dittany plant when I was five. What about you? she asked.
@Siobhán Moore
Katie Palsorette
Stats: Stamina: 6 Evasion: 6 Strength: 5 Wisdom: 7 Arcane Power: 6 Accuracy: 5
29 Aug 2020, 01:16
An Un-expeted Meeting
Siobhán smirks slightly as she writes the last sentence of her essay before answering,"I adore Dittany. I have a whole row dedicated to it in my garden at home. It's healing properties are one of the best, but also don't forget to keep it away from fire. It's leaves release flammable vapor. Wiggentree is another. Not good for much, except potions. They both are ingredients for the Wiggenweld Potion actually."
Siobhán rolled up her essay and put her the rest of her things in her bag. "Any plant with healing properties fascinate me. Well, anything with that heals, really. I suppose that's why I'm in Hufflepuff," she said with a frown. Siobhán thought about why she couldn't have been in Slytherin. She had a lot of the traits, but then she supposes that she was a Hufflepuff at heart. Maybe the hat was right. Maybe she'll blossom like her plants within this house one day. Maybe, but for now she would deal with it. It's not as though she has any other choice. She's here for one reason only. To learn. Her education is top priority to not only her parents, but to herself. She'll keep focused and do her best and beyond.
@Katie Palsorette
Siobhán rolled up her essay and put her the rest of her things in her bag. "Any plant with healing properties fascinate me. Well, anything with that heals, really. I suppose that's why I'm in Hufflepuff," she said with a frown. Siobhán thought about why she couldn't have been in Slytherin. She had a lot of the traits, but then she supposes that she was a Hufflepuff at heart. Maybe the hat was right. Maybe she'll blossom like her plants within this house one day. Maybe, but for now she would deal with it. It's not as though she has any other choice. She's here for one reason only. To learn. Her education is top priority to not only her parents, but to herself. She'll keep focused and do her best and beyond.
@Katie Palsorette
Last edited by Siobhán Moore on 29 Aug 2020, 17:28, edited 1 time in total.
~+=Not everything in life is black and white. There's also shades of gray=+~