17 Nov 2020, 16:21
Solamente Una Vez
@Elisabeth Erner | @Ginevra Tsuchiya as Gregorí Erkens
Elisabeth was a kind girl, and wanted to include Drew. Really, the only reason Drew was here was because Greg had asked and he wanted to make his friend more comfortable about meeting a new friend. So he had been prepared to sit back, eat his ice cream, and listen to their beautiful Spanish. Beautiful Spanish nonsense, since he didn't understand most of it. Well, there were two reasons Drew had come along- making Greg more comfortable and the ice cream.
Drew loved ice cream. What kind of person didn't like ice cream? Stupid people. Strange people. As soon as he got his own, he thanked the person who had handed it to him, and dug in. It was a good ice cream. Elisabeth seemed to say a prayer before starting to eat hers, but both of the boys immediately started licking theirs down.
As for the countries he'd been to, Drew held up one hand and started counting on his fingers. "All over America, and I've been to here, in the UK just a few times. Both of those are pretty obvious, but I've been to Canada once. It wasn't super exciting or anything, just me and my family going for a vacation before Ilvermorny term started."
Trying to make more conversation, Drew said, "In the summer, Greg and I went to the summer camp here. Did you go to that?"
5 Dec 2020, 07:27
Solamente Una Vez
@Rose Moon as Andrew Lycan, @Elisabeth Erner
Gregorí had never been anywhere else but his hometown, Ilvermony, and twice to Scotland here thanks to the Ilvermony-Hogwarts programs - first the summer camp he had attended at the end of last academic year, and this was the second time, for the broom race - even though he was merely here because Drew had successfully persuaded him to do so. Gregorí was not taking part in the interschool broom race; he only jogged and played football - fútbol, that is, not rugby.
He might want to see the world one day, but just not now. And certainly not alone; he had a knack for getting lost and for carelessly leaving something behind, be it the key to his bike at home or his wallet.
Drew brought up the topic of the aforementioned summer camp. Gregorí knew it was merely months ago, but it felt much longer than that, probably because nothing memorable had taken place during his participation. The Mexican could recall having a barbecue there, but it was all. He happened to find out, at that time, that many of the activities were reserved for Hogwarts students only, such as stargazing and a trip around the capital of UK. He remembered he had considered it unfair.
Either way, Drew asked Elisabeth if she had participated in the same summer camp, and Gregorí also waited for her answer.
He might want to see the world one day, but just not now. And certainly not alone; he had a knack for getting lost and for carelessly leaving something behind, be it the key to his bike at home or his wallet.
Drew brought up the topic of the aforementioned summer camp. Gregorí knew it was merely months ago, but it felt much longer than that, probably because nothing memorable had taken place during his participation. The Mexican could recall having a barbecue there, but it was all. He happened to find out, at that time, that many of the activities were reserved for Hogwarts students only, such as stargazing and a trip around the capital of UK. He remembered he had considered it unfair.
Either way, Drew asked Elisabeth if she had participated in the same summer camp, and Gregorí also waited for her answer.
9 Dec 2020, 07:43
Solamente Una Vez
Interactions: Drew Lycan (@Rose Moon) and Gregorí Erkens (@Ginevra Tsuchiya)
Ah sí, *) the Hogwarts summer camp. Elisabeth remembered that invitation perfectly well, and she also knew that some fellow first-years really did attend the event. However, the Hispanic-Asian girl herself had politely declined the invitation for two reasons.
First, she thought it was rather strange that she came to Hogwarts' internal event before even being enrolled in the wizarding school officially.
And second, she understood that she would soon be a student in the Scottish magic school, which means she would have even lesser time to talk to her family. Thus, the eleven-year-old wanted to spend the whole summer months with her parents and brother instead of meeting people she could practically see every day at usual school time.
"I'm afraid I didn't," the girl answered the American boy's question about attending the event. However, she left out the reasons; while they were not secrets, she also did not consider it was important for others to know. Sure she would tell the second reason (only the second, that is) if anyone asked her why, but she would not voluntarily do it.
Instead, she asked the two Ilvermony students, "How was it like? Could you guys tell me more about it?"
Translation
*) yes (Spanish)
First, she thought it was rather strange that she came to Hogwarts' internal event before even being enrolled in the wizarding school officially.
And second, she understood that she would soon be a student in the Scottish magic school, which means she would have even lesser time to talk to her family. Thus, the eleven-year-old wanted to spend the whole summer months with her parents and brother instead of meeting people she could practically see every day at usual school time.
"I'm afraid I didn't," the girl answered the American boy's question about attending the event. However, she left out the reasons; while they were not secrets, she also did not consider it was important for others to know. Sure she would tell the second reason (only the second, that is) if anyone asked her why, but she would not voluntarily do it.
Instead, she asked the two Ilvermony students, "How was it like? Could you guys tell me more about it?"
Translation
*) yes (Spanish)
10 Dec 2020, 14:17
Solamente Una Vez
@Elisabeth Erner | @Ginevra Tsuchiya as Gregorí Erkens
Drew launched into an explanation, as he knew Greg wouldn't do it all himself. He had been much quieter than Drew the entire day, as well as throughout their entire friendship. That was just how it worked- how they clicked. If Greg wanted to add something, though, it meant it was important, and Drew would stop talking, letting him add whatever he felt was needed.
"There wasn't a whole lotta action, but we stayed in these tents near the London Quidditch Stadium- it was HUGE, with all these stands around the stadium. And the Quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Durmstrang was really really fun to watch- they were both really talented teams, which is what made the match so good, though Hufflepuff ended up winning in the end. There were a lot of activites, too, but Greg and I didn't go to too many, mostly because we... weren't allowed to as Ilvermorny students. Which I think is weird, but eh," Drew finished with a shrug.
He was using his hands to help himself describe what had happened at the camp, which was just a habit of his. He wasn't at all aware of it, he just found himself making little hand motions to go along with his words, accenting them. He must have picked it up from his dad, who had the same mindless habit when he talked. "There were a lot of cool people there. You could have had fun if you went, but there's always another time."
12 Jan 2021, 14:52
Solamente Una Vez
@Rose Moon as Andrew Lycan, @Elisabeth Erner
In contrast to his closest friend, Gregorí did not consider the summer camp they were talking about was any fun. Elisabeth asked how it had been and Drew gave an answer, emphasizing that there was not much action, there were actually many activities but oddly they were reserved for Hogwarts pupils only (and thus the boys had never got the chance to participate and find out how they felt like), but most of all there were "a lot of cool people" and therefore it was still much fun anyway.
On the other hand, the Horned Serpent merely shrugged his shoulders. He had been very excited about his first trip abroad before the camp, but was let down when the event was over and it was time to return to Ilvermony. To be honest, Gregorí was glad upon the time of coming back to North America!
Naturally though, it was not very appropriate expressing these thoughts to Elisabeth, especially considering that they were still new acquaintances (see? Not even friends yet.) and that Hogwarts, the school which hosted the camp, was her school.
Therefore, the Mexican simply nodded his head and answered Elisabeth's question by gesturing toward his best friend and replying, "He said it." However, it was so not honest of him, of course. Realizing that he was normally a brutally honest individual, Gregorí wondered if he had managed to cover his true feeling when he pretended to be agree with Drew that the camp was fun.
On the other hand, the Horned Serpent merely shrugged his shoulders. He had been very excited about his first trip abroad before the camp, but was let down when the event was over and it was time to return to Ilvermony. To be honest, Gregorí was glad upon the time of coming back to North America!
Naturally though, it was not very appropriate expressing these thoughts to Elisabeth, especially considering that they were still new acquaintances (see? Not even friends yet.) and that Hogwarts, the school which hosted the camp, was her school.
Therefore, the Mexican simply nodded his head and answered Elisabeth's question by gesturing toward his best friend and replying, "He said it." However, it was so not honest of him, of course. Realizing that he was normally a brutally honest individual, Gregorí wondered if he had managed to cover his true feeling when he pretended to be agree with Drew that the camp was fun.
19 Jan 2021, 13:22
Solamente Una Vez
Interactions: Drew Lycan (@Rose Moon) and Gregorí Erkens (@Ginevra Tsuchiya)
It was odd, Elisabeth thought. Hogwarts hosted an interschool summer camp, but most of the activities were reserved for Hogwarts students only? Weird.
In her opinion, it was weird because the Ilvermony and Durmstrang students logically were more excited than Hogwarts students to visit London and perhaps also some other cities in the United Kingdom since their boarding schools were located outside this country. Naturally, it would be expected that they wanted to explore many spots in their limited-time visit.
More than weird though, it sounded unfair. For the Hufflepuff, the whole thing felt like a Muggle short story she had once stumbled upon. In the story, a rich girl invited her poor classmate for tea, only to show this classmate that she had an expensive new dress with a matching hat and coat. It was as if her school had invited the foreign students over only to show who was boss...
Either way, Drew still seemed rather pleased with the event. Gregorí, on the other hand, was not successful in his attempt to cover his disappointment.
Elisabeth did not want to upset any of them, so she changed the topic. Instead of conversing about the past event, she now focused on one that was about to take place. "Which one are you guys more interested in this time, the broom race or the dance?"
In her opinion, it was weird because the Ilvermony and Durmstrang students logically were more excited than Hogwarts students to visit London and perhaps also some other cities in the United Kingdom since their boarding schools were located outside this country. Naturally, it would be expected that they wanted to explore many spots in their limited-time visit.
More than weird though, it sounded unfair. For the Hufflepuff, the whole thing felt like a Muggle short story she had once stumbled upon. In the story, a rich girl invited her poor classmate for tea, only to show this classmate that she had an expensive new dress with a matching hat and coat. It was as if her school had invited the foreign students over only to show who was boss...
Either way, Drew still seemed rather pleased with the event. Gregorí, on the other hand, was not successful in his attempt to cover his disappointment.
Elisabeth did not want to upset any of them, so she changed the topic. Instead of conversing about the past event, she now focused on one that was about to take place. "Which one are you guys more interested in this time, the broom race or the dance?"
25 Jan 2021, 17:40
Solamente Una Vez
@Elisabeth Erner | @Ginevra Tsuchiya as Gregorí Erkens
Greg seemed to only half heartedly agree with Drew. The Wampus hoped his best friend didn’t feel like he couldn’t disagree with him, because he always valued his opinion even if it differed from his own. Elisabeth seemed to change the subject, and whatever her motive, Drew went along with it. Greg, who was usually quieter than most, had not talked much, even though this was more supposed to be about him than Drew. He felt a little guilty thinking that- Drew had rambled on and on, while Greg had just quietly agreed.
So as the question was asked, Drew would glance at his best friend as if inviting him to speak, taking to licking his ice cream while they carried on the conversation. He reminded himself to watch his words so that he gave Greg some room to converse with their new acquaintance (The boys didn’t know that they were thinking the same thing, but Greg was right- they weren’t exactly friends yet) so hopefully they would become friends in the near future. Greg probably needed more friends, to be honest. Drew was the outgoing one with loads of friends and people he had met, of varying personalities as well as how much he liked them, but Greg usually liked to keep to less friends, but better friends. He chose quality over quantity, which was respectable, but Drew didn’t know how he restrained himself from meeting more people. This was a good thing that they were meeting Elisabeth.
16 Feb 2021, 07:56
Solamente Una Vez
@Rose Moon as Andrew Lycan, @Elisabeth Erner
Neither. I'm just glad I have the chance to travel abroad. This brutally honest answer was already at the tip of his tongue, but somehow, luckily, the Horned Serpent managed to swallow it back. That certainly would sound terribly rude and indifferent.
In panic, Gregorí sent a glance to his closest friend, hoping that Drew would receive his plead for the American to speak for both of them. Unfortunately for him, however, the other boy seemed to keep silent on purpose; as if to say, "I don't intend to humour your silliness, Greg. Why have you chosen this moment to lose your mind? You're the one she's supposed to get to know better, I'm just here to help!" All right, surely he did not really said this - in fact, the Mexican could not even imagine his best friend saying something so harsh like that - but still, his silence felt like an admonition.
But he was right.
"I'm not sure," he finally said to Elisabeth. "I'm - actually, I come here mainly to meet more people, to have new friends. Getting to know them better, like what we're doing now. So I guess both the dance and the broom race could be a good opportunity." Pause. "You? Which one are you more excited about?"
In panic, Gregorí sent a glance to his closest friend, hoping that Drew would receive his plead for the American to speak for both of them. Unfortunately for him, however, the other boy seemed to keep silent on purpose; as if to say, "I don't intend to humour your silliness, Greg. Why have you chosen this moment to lose your mind? You're the one she's supposed to get to know better, I'm just here to help!" All right, surely he did not really said this - in fact, the Mexican could not even imagine his best friend saying something so harsh like that - but still, his silence felt like an admonition.
But he was right.
"I'm not sure," he finally said to Elisabeth. "I'm - actually, I come here mainly to meet more people, to have new friends. Getting to know them better, like what we're doing now. So I guess both the dance and the broom race could be a good opportunity." Pause. "You? Which one are you more excited about?"
18 Feb 2021, 08:09
Solamente Una Vez
Interactions: Drew Lycan (@Rose Moon) and Gregorí Erkens (@Ginevra Tsuchiya)
"The dance," she answered honestly. "It's just that I like dancing and not really into sports. I don't even find Quidditch that interesting -" At this point, Elisabeth cut her own sentence. What was she doing, telling these boys that Quidditch was overrated without finding out first whether or not they were fans of the most popular sport in the wizarding world all over the globe?
"I mean," she added quickly, "of course no offence if you two enjoy Quidditch or broom racing, because everyone likes different things. It's just that they don't happen to be my cup of tea."
After a momentary pause, the Hispanic-Asian girl turned her head to Gregorí and earnestly said, "But yeah, I think you're right. I'm even more interested in having more friends through these events." Not that he had guessed it of course, but just that they happened to be aiming for the same purpose.
The part-Veela turned to look at Drew, wondering if the American boy would like to add something in this topic, such as his personal answer whether the broom race or the Autumn Dance interested him more. Even if no, Elisabeth hoped he or Gregorí had something to discuss about; it seemed that she had been the one searching for conversation topics this whole afternoon.
At least she felt so.
"I mean," she added quickly, "of course no offence if you two enjoy Quidditch or broom racing, because everyone likes different things. It's just that they don't happen to be my cup of tea."
After a momentary pause, the Hispanic-Asian girl turned her head to Gregorí and earnestly said, "But yeah, I think you're right. I'm even more interested in having more friends through these events." Not that he had guessed it of course, but just that they happened to be aiming for the same purpose.
The part-Veela turned to look at Drew, wondering if the American boy would like to add something in this topic, such as his personal answer whether the broom race or the Autumn Dance interested him more. Even if no, Elisabeth hoped he or Gregorí had something to discuss about; it seemed that she had been the one searching for conversation topics this whole afternoon.
At least she felt so.
24 Feb 2021, 20:31
Solamente Una Vez
@Elisabeth Erner | @Ginevra Tsuchiya as Gregorí Erkens
Drew did feel a pang of guilt shoving his best friend out of his comfort zone and forcing him to talk, but he stuck by his descision, even when Greg shot him a glance to ask him to take over the conversation. In the pause of awkwardness, Drew almost filled the silence, but Greg spoke up to answer the question before too long, answering Elisabeth's question and asking one of his own, to which Elisabeth replied as well. Drew would nod at their words in between licks of ice cream.
Drew would have to disagree with Elisabeth. He found games on broomsticks highly interesting, especially if he was the one on a broom participating in the sport. He was actually planning to participate in the upcoming Broom Race himself.
Elisabeth looked to Drew, as if asking if the American had any more to add to the conversation. "You and I will have to agree to disagree on how interesting broom games are, but I'd have to go with Greg, I'm equally excited for both, as they both seem to be opportunities to get friends and meet new people."
If anyone else had something to add, there would be plenty of time before Drew asked another question to carry on the conversation, addressed to Elisabeth this time. "If you don't like sports on brooms, what do you like to do? Other sports, hobbies, stuff like that?" It was politely said, in the same casual way the rest of his comments had been throughout the conversation. Drew was so relaxed. Always was. He was always comfortable in his environment, confident in his own skin. Fearless in the way he lived. He wasn't shaken or phased by anything.
He waited for her answer, hoping to get to know Elisabeth better as a person and helping Greg to get to know her better.