"New friendship?" PV Calista

Calista had just left the library, laden with a stack of new books. It had become her Saturday morning routine: she would pick out new books and then find a quiet spot to start one of her choice. She could barely see above the books, so she quickened her pace to put them down quickly, somewhere, anywhere. Before she even had time to notice a large figure that had just stopped in front of her, she bumped right into it. All her books fell as she stumbled to regain her balance and not follow them in their fall. She watched them sprawl on the ground for a moment, embarrassed, before slowly raising her eyes to the person she had bumped into.

It was a boy who bent down to pick up what belonged to him: a strange, dark umbrella with a red lining. Strange taste, she thought. She felt a draft, out of place given the beautiful weather that day, which made her shiver as the boy placed it back over her head. He was a Gryffindor, like her. He was dark-haired, dressed all in black, and had wide, blue eyes. He blinked slowly, as if waking from a dream. For the first time, Calista felt a strange curiosity grip her as she stared at this odd boy. His impassive expression and his umbrella in such beautiful weather. And the cold that surrounded him. Calista was so stunned she didn't hear him speak. She came back to reality after a moment of mutual staring with the boy and managed a nervous smile.

— "Um, I'm sorry. Didn't see you", she said.

The second time the boy spoke to her, she heard him clearly this time, so she simply nodded. There was nothing special to reply, or anything else to say.

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Mentions: @Calista Miller

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Azrael is NOT a dhampir or a vampire, he's just weird, his skin is sensitive to the sun because he and his family are loners and prefer going out sometimes at night only because it usually means that not a lot of people are around, which has caused his skin to not get used to the sun properly and thus now it gets red and irritated when he's out during the day if he doesn't have any protection from the sun- yes, he's considered unsettling and eerie but it's not his aura, it's his eyes, they're big and owl like and he has a bad habit of accidentally spacing out and staring at people intently when they talk, so people consider him eerie, this was placed here to prevent misunderstandings.

Azrael paused for a moment, as if thinking- while his expression didn't change, he seemed to start feeling weird ...The girl in front of him is beautiful, but in a way that Azrael hasn't seen before... could it be that she's part veela? He's never met one in person before, but he's heard from them and read about them.

Still, he doesn't let that bother him...after all, he's not one to gush openly over people or act protective, after all- he's a person just like him, and in Azrael's mind, she should be treated with respect like everyone else... he'd never think of not doing so- as being talked to only for your looks doesn't seem genuine at all...and it's probably a nightmare too.

"...it's alright, I wasn't looking at where I was going either."

He responded simply, blinking slowly as he looked at her again...his expression didn't exactly change, and he didn't seem upset by being bumped into.

"...you don't have to answer if you don't wish to, but are you part veela?"

He suddenly asked, titling his head slightly when he did- he speaks in a very neutral tone that never seems to change, just the same tone over and over again ...like nothing surprises him.

And frankly- nothing seems like it does, although he's curious- it's not a requirement to know, and anyone can tell by the way he asked that he was simply curious...not demanding an answer or Trying to find out for himself- he's always been one to accept what people tell him, just moves on with an "alright" and you'll never hear the question ever again- he's very polite when it comes to that.

There's not a lot of people outside today, so it seems like it's just the two of them for right now.

"The Sun's shadow knows no fear, no dawn. Is the watcher always watched, or simply drawn?" -About Azrael

There was another moment of hesitation. The boy stared at her for a moment before speaking again, saying that everything was fine. Once again, the young girl not knowing what to answer simply nodded, still slightly embarrassed. She realized that her books were still spread out on the floor and she bent down to pick them up one by one when the boy asked her if she was a part-veela, stopping her in her tracks. She smiled a little as she got up to face him again and respond.

— "It's fine. And yes. My mother was half-veela".

It wasn't something she talked about, but she didn't hide it either. Most of the time, people figured it out soon enough. The boy still had this funny impassive look, his eyes still wide. Calista looked around the courtyard, which was empty at the moment. She took the time to count her books to see if she was missing one before raising her head again. She cleared her throat without knowing what to say, the boy didn't seem to want to go his way, but it would have been strange to leave without saying anything else. After a moment of hesitation she introduced herself.

— "My name's Calista. And you?"

Maybe this boy was arousing his curiosity a little. There was something in his eyes that he didn't show anywhere else that she wanted to get to know.

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Mentions: @Calista Miller

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Azrael is NOT a dhampir or a vampire, he's just weird, his skin is sensitive to the sun because he and his family are loners and prefer going out sometimes at night only because it usually means that not a lot of people are around, which has caused his skin to not get used to the sun properly and thus now it gets red and irritated when he's out during the day if he doesn't have any protection from the sun- yes, he's considered unsettling and eerie but it's not his aura, it's his eyes, they're big and owl like and he has a bad habit of accidentally spacing out and staring at people intently when they talk, so people consider him eerie, this was placed here to prevent misunderstandings.

Azrael seemed to now just realize that he hadn't bent down to help Calista pick up her books, he had been curious enough to ask her if she was part veela- that he seemed to have forgotten his manners.
____________________••_____________________
§- "... Apologies, I didn't realize they were still on the floor."
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As she introduced herself and asked for his name- he blinked for the first time in minutes, and spoke up again.
______________________••___________________
§- "... I'm Azrael, it's a pleasure to meet you, Calista."
______________________••___________________
Even though he's not one to talk much, it's clear he makes an effort whenever he DOES talk, he doesn't even seem to NOT be polite or well mannered, as if that's all he's known- he even convinced his parents to buy him new clothes just to look more "casual" rather than looking like he was going to a gothic ball in the 19th century.

He's never seen talking to anyone, so maybe he's curious about Calista? It's probably gonna remain a mystery, after all, reading his face is basically hard as can be.

He shifted the umbrella in his hand, holding it with both hands for a better grip.
____________________••____________________
§- "...if you need one, I could lend you a bag for those books...you could trip and fall if you're carrying them all at once and can't see where you're going."
_____________________••____________________he suddenly proposed- he seemed to realize that wandering around with so many books could probably result in an injury, especially if she couldn't look at where she was going- it happened to Azrael once, he tripped and fell and almost rolled down the stairs of his home.

Obviously he won't tell anyone that, but he knows from experience.

"The Sun's shadow knows no fear, no dawn. Is the watcher always watched, or simply drawn?" -About Azrael

Calista swept away the boy's apology with a small gesture of his hand.

— “It’s nothing. I had forgotten that they were still on the floor, too”.

He introduced himself in turn and Calista noted his first name in his head. Azraël. It was a funny name, but very beautiful. Calista observed him with a bit of curiosity, again observing his strange umbrella. She wondered what it could be for. Looking well, his clothes were also.... Original. She was not the type to judge people by their appearances but this style was obvious to her.
In any case, this boy seemed to want to talk to her while remaining polite. She shook her head when he offered to lend her a bag to put her books in.

— “Oh no, I don't need it, but thank you anyway”, she said, “I don't have that much. I was thinking of taking them to the dormitories to put them down”, she continued with a little smile.

Maybe she should have accepted, she wouldn't want to offend Azrael. And then she had time ahead of her and he didn't seem to be in a hurry either. She hesitated for a moment before asking.

— “But... a little help to carry them wouldn't hurt me”.

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Mentions: @Calista Miller

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OOC notes: hey! Sorry for taking so long to respond, I was out running a few errands and I just got back home.

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Azrael is NOT a dhampir or a vampire, he's just weird, his skin is sensitive to the sun because he and his family are loners and prefer going out sometimes at night only because it usually means that not a lot of people are around, which has caused his skin to not get used to the sun properly and thus now it gets red and irritated when he's out during the day if he doesn't have any protection from the sun- yes, he's considered unsettling and eerie but it's not his aura, it's his eyes, they're big and owl like and he has a bad habit of accidentally spacing out and staring at people intently when they talk, so people consider him eerie, this was placed here to prevent misunderstandings.

Azraël took some of the books from the pile that Calista was holding, quietly with one hand, still holding his umbrella in the other hand. After a moment of hesitation Calista threw herself and asked him:

- "By the way, what exactly do you use this umbrella for? I had never seen one like it before, and since it doesn't really rain..."

Calista asked her this question in total ignorance and out of true curiosity, she wondered why this boy in black was carrying such a large umbrella in such a beautiful weather. She was like that, she wanted to know everything, and how things worked, and people. When Azrael asked Calista exactly where she wanted to go, she pointed to a small alcove overlooking the outer courtyard, where it was possible to sit.

- "I was thinking of putting myself here, it seems good to me. We will be in the shadows," she replied with a smile.

She first advanced towards the designated place and put down her books before sitting down quietly. The weather was really good, at the same time, it was still summer. But soon, the sun would give way to the clouds and the trees would change colours. Calista couldn't wait to see the castle change over the seasons.

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Mentions: @Calista Miller

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OOC notes: hey, sorry for the wait! I've been caught up in a few other things

Reducio

Azrael is NOT a dhampir or a vampire, he's just weird, his skin is sensitive to the sun because he and his family are loners and prefer going out sometimes at night only because it usually means that not a lot of people are around, which has caused his skin to not get used to the sun properly and thus now it gets red and irritated when he's out during the day if he doesn't have any protection from the sun- yes, he's considered unsettling and eerie but it's not his aura, it's his eyes, they're big and owl like and he has a bad habit of accidentally spacing out and staring at people intently when they talk, so people consider him eerie, this was placed here to prevent misunderstandings.

Azrael adjusted the books in his hand to have a better grip on them as they start walking together towards the small alcove.

It's not unusual for people to ask about his umbrella, he DOES take it everywhere after all- so, like always- he wasn't offended or upset, he always simply gave the reason and moved on...he never felt annoyed at the question, neither did he ever do anything to answer the question for itself.
___________________••______________________§- "...it is for the sun, my skin is sensitive to heat and sunlight, I don't go out much and neither does my family...and as a consequence, our skins are easily irritated under direct sunlight."
___________________••______________________as they continued to walk, they got closer and closer to the place calista was interested in getting to- and thus closer and closer to the shade, still...it was a hot day, so it wouldn't hurt to keep his umbrella open.

It was enchanted by his parents to expel cold air once it's open, it keeps whoever is under it cold and fresh- although Azrael's definition of "fresh" is snow storm level.

Still, it doesn't seem to bother him at all- if anything, he looks comfortable under it, anyone standing too close would be able to feel the ice cold air slowly seeping down and onto Azrael- and also spilling out on the sides whenever he moved, effectively attracting people during hot days, who always ends up either pretending like they aren't walking near him to feel the cold- or bluntly asking to stand under it with Azrael.

It has only happened a few times so far, usually only in the town closest to his home- it hasn't happened in Hogwarts just yet.

And as for where he got it? Well, it was a ...weird tradition his family had.
_____________________••____________________§- "...and as for where I got it from, it was a gift from my parents- it was given to me at birth, to be used when I was older of course... each one of my family members owns one, and it is given to those who marry into the family as well."
___________________••______________________he's obviously used to talking about it, especially with how calmly he said it- as if it was something that just happened in every family.

"The Sun's shadow knows no fear, no dawn. Is the watcher always watched, or simply drawn?" -About Azrael

Azrael's skin was therefore sensitive to the sun. That was the reason for his black umbrella, and the coldness that emanated from it. Calista understood a little better, but she wondered how it could be possible. The boy and his parents must really be homebodies to have gotten to this point.

— "Perhaps you should try going outside more often, to get your skin used to the sun again? It must be cumbersome to carry that umbrella every day..." she said, pointing to the large object.

In truth, she did notice how comfortable the boy was with the umbrella. He must have been used to taking it everywhere with him. Her assumption was confirmed a few minutes later by Azrael. He had inherited it from his parents. Moreover, he himself seemed comfortable with the subject, not at all embarrassed, so it was for the best. As long as he wasn't awkard about it in public...

— "Okay, I can understand a little better then, even though I don't see myself taking this with me every day", she said with a smile.

After a short silence, she turned to Azrael and changed the subject.

— "So, do you have hobbies? If yes, what kind? Personally, I like to read, paint, and dance..." she enumerated.