Breakfast with.. Friends?
Okay, looks like things got worse no matter if I intervened or not. This gave Robin a bit of guilty comfort, but he quickly focused on the present crisis. No, not Alexander, he's not technically present. Robin's talking about the obviously shaken Corrine, who probably went through a whole crisis on "dang I made things worse I'm a bad person" or something like that. First off, that is definitely not true, Robin thought to himself, but will she believe me?
Robin gulped. What should I say? He has to admit he felt more connected with Corrine. It might've been because they met first, but it was only half a day different. He does want to preserve his (potential) friendship with Alexander too, especially since they're roommates and both Dark Arts enthusiasts, but Corrine's sadness hit him more.
No, it's not about who he met first, Robin finally understood. Corrine was warm to him, and even though that was something he wasn't particularly used to, the warmth still seeped through the cracks of his walled emotions. He realized this the night before already - he considered Corrine as a friend. "Friend" might be his trigger word if he were a sleeper agent, he somewhat humorously thought. Robin rarely cares about people, or rather, he doesn't know when he should or how to care about people. But when he does, it's either caring about his family or those he deemed as more than a mere acquaintance. And when he takes the time and effort to upgrade a mere encounter to a friendship, he wouldn't want to lose it.
It is almost class time though, Robin noted. He wouldn't want to miss class, he assumes Corrine wouldn't want to either. However, while he finished his share of breakfast during their conversation, Corrine had not. It seemed like she enjoyed eating, this might be a way . . .
"The eggs were amazing." He started, "But look at me, my plate is covered with its remains." Robin's talking about the yolk. It broke when he was poking at it some time ago, he was trying to pick it up then. "You poke the yolk of a sunny-side up, it'll break. Then it'll be . . . hard to eat. You have the scrape up its remains and you'll still have some left on the plate, lost to running water in a sink eventually." He then reached out to grab himself a piece of toast, almost the last one on the table: "If you put a piece of bread underneath the egg, when you poke it it'll just leak into the bread. It won't be left on the plate . . . well, not as much, anyway. It'd be easier to eat afterwards. Also easier to clean up. When all the pieces of the egg go into your stomach, doesn't matter if it came in scattered. It'd uh . . . be whole again."
Robin found himself babbling on and on with the metaphor but didn't really get to his point. He awkwardly adjusted his glasses, giving himself a few seconds to think his punchline through.
"That probably made no dang sense. What I meant to say, was, um . . . if the egg would've broke either way, having a piece of toast to catch it and just, be there . . . it's definitely better than if there was no bread, right?"
Robin's eyebrows furrowed as he attempted a smile. It was rather unsuccessful, the corners of his mouth were trembling with the force of his surrounding skin pushing them upward - and it still remained pretty flat. His expression was ugly, to say the least.
Robin hoped that what he wanted to say was subtly delivered yet obvious enough for Corrine to understand. Honestly he wasn't quite confident in his chances, considering he came up with that whole speech on the fly.
He just hoped Corrine could think of what she did in a different light: Alexander has his troubles, and they would've likely grown overtime and get poked if there wasn't anyone beside him. Yes, Corrine poked them prematurely and the yolk leaked, but we - she, more like - was there for him. The toast is also getting soaked with the egg's troubles, but if they are given time, they'll both be digested and become one in the stomach.
In plain speech, everything's gonna be alright. Eventually.
"Well, looks like I just got myself another piece of breakfast to finish." Robin dropped the forced horizontal smile, it was wearing him out, "How about let's finish our toasts and each get to class after that? There's still some minutes to spare." He took a peek at Corrine's schedule, which sat next to her plate since their Head of House had passed them around during the trio's previous conversation, then he looked at his own.
"Looks like we do have a few classes together later in the day. I . . . I'm looking forward to it."
Robin gulped. What should I say? He has to admit he felt more connected with Corrine. It might've been because they met first, but it was only half a day different. He does want to preserve his (potential) friendship with Alexander too, especially since they're roommates and both Dark Arts enthusiasts, but Corrine's sadness hit him more.
No, it's not about who he met first, Robin finally understood. Corrine was warm to him, and even though that was something he wasn't particularly used to, the warmth still seeped through the cracks of his walled emotions. He realized this the night before already - he considered Corrine as a friend. "Friend" might be his trigger word if he were a sleeper agent, he somewhat humorously thought. Robin rarely cares about people, or rather, he doesn't know when he should or how to care about people. But when he does, it's either caring about his family or those he deemed as more than a mere acquaintance. And when he takes the time and effort to upgrade a mere encounter to a friendship, he wouldn't want to lose it.
It is almost class time though, Robin noted. He wouldn't want to miss class, he assumes Corrine wouldn't want to either. However, while he finished his share of breakfast during their conversation, Corrine had not. It seemed like she enjoyed eating, this might be a way . . .
"The eggs were amazing." He started, "But look at me, my plate is covered with its remains." Robin's talking about the yolk. It broke when he was poking at it some time ago, he was trying to pick it up then. "You poke the yolk of a sunny-side up, it'll break. Then it'll be . . . hard to eat. You have the scrape up its remains and you'll still have some left on the plate, lost to running water in a sink eventually." He then reached out to grab himself a piece of toast, almost the last one on the table: "If you put a piece of bread underneath the egg, when you poke it it'll just leak into the bread. It won't be left on the plate . . . well, not as much, anyway. It'd be easier to eat afterwards. Also easier to clean up. When all the pieces of the egg go into your stomach, doesn't matter if it came in scattered. It'd uh . . . be whole again."
Robin found himself babbling on and on with the metaphor but didn't really get to his point. He awkwardly adjusted his glasses, giving himself a few seconds to think his punchline through.
"That probably made no dang sense. What I meant to say, was, um . . . if the egg would've broke either way, having a piece of toast to catch it and just, be there . . . it's definitely better than if there was no bread, right?"
Robin's eyebrows furrowed as he attempted a smile. It was rather unsuccessful, the corners of his mouth were trembling with the force of his surrounding skin pushing them upward - and it still remained pretty flat. His expression was ugly, to say the least.
Robin hoped that what he wanted to say was subtly delivered yet obvious enough for Corrine to understand. Honestly he wasn't quite confident in his chances, considering he came up with that whole speech on the fly.
He just hoped Corrine could think of what she did in a different light: Alexander has his troubles, and they would've likely grown overtime and get poked if there wasn't anyone beside him. Yes, Corrine poked them prematurely and the yolk leaked, but we - she, more like - was there for him. The toast is also getting soaked with the egg's troubles, but if they are given time, they'll both be digested and become one in the stomach.
In plain speech, everything's gonna be alright. Eventually.
"Well, looks like I just got myself another piece of breakfast to finish." Robin dropped the forced horizontal smile, it was wearing him out, "How about let's finish our toasts and each get to class after that? There's still some minutes to spare." He took a peek at Corrine's schedule, which sat next to her plate since their Head of House had passed them around during the trio's previous conversation, then he looked at his own.
"Looks like we do have a few classes together later in the day. I . . . I'm looking forward to it."
Reducio
@Corrine Aelina longest rp I ever wrote by far, but previous events inspired me so (also there were a lot of filler words and repetition)
Breakfast with.. Friends?
Location: Great Hall
Tag: PV @Robin Lockett
Date: September 2nd, 2025
Time: 8:00am
Seeing as Robin hasn’t responded, Corrine looks back down at her plate. Everything sets in at once: her spiraling thoughts, which featured voices screaming about what a big mistake she’s made to a friend, as well as the dull ache in her heart. She can feel her already fragile facade crumbling as her smile falls, but she looks away from Robin in an attempt to hide it.
She didn’t want Robin to see how weak she is because she didn’t want Robin to leave too. Is it selfish of her to want Robin to stay, knowing that out there, Alexander probably needs somebody more to comfort him more? The girl could only swallow the bile rising in her throat. She felt.. disgusting. Selfish.
It’s only when Robin speaks that Corrine lifts her head slightly to look at him, her eyes slightly red and teary even despite how she tries to hide them. Before she knew it, he’s going on and on about.. the food?
It’s bizarre, Corrine quickly realizes, her eyes dazed as she listens to him. From what she knows about him, as little as it may be, Robin didn’t like to talk needlessly. He thinks things through carefully the best he could to decide what action seemed best. With that knowledge in mind, Corrine had immediately assumed that Robin would just propose to leave and head straight to his class after saying his goodbyes, especially to avoid dealing with the awkwardness of emotions.
Even if Robin had, Corrine wouldn’t have been upset. She knows that for a fact; she appreciates his company too much to be upset.
But in the end, there’s no use thinking about that.. since Robin never left. No, instead he was here, still sitting right beside her, talking about bread and eggs. No doubt it meant something more, but that isn’t that part that catches her attention more.
Instead, Corrine is laser-focused on the subtle things. Her friend is shaky, feeling clearly out of his element, even speaking more than he ever has to her in one go. He’s trying, she thinks, staring at him quietly as she listens. All of this is already surprising enough as is to her, but she can’t help but even be more shocked as she sees Robin’s face change.
The boy’s eyebrows furrowed, and his mouth spread in what seemed to be an attempt to smile. Honestly speaking, it looks painful and forced, with the boy clearly not being used to it. It only takes a few seconds before it drops due to tiredness.
But honestly? That whole attempt is plenty. Corrine feels her heart warm, knowing that even in his own way, Robin cared deeply enough to stay for her. She feels a soft, albeit tired smile come onto her face as she relaxes.
Even just for a moment, her thoughts and sadness wash away, soothed successfully by Robin. “How about let’s finish our toasts and each get to class after that? There’s still some minutes to spare.” says the boy, who then takes a peek at the girl’s schedule.
Corrine nods, also sparing a look down at her schedule. It seems they shared Defense Against the Dark Arts with each other, as well as Potions.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Robin says quietly, seemingly trying to gauge her response.
“..Me too, Robin.” She mumbles, not holding back her tired smile. “Thank you for staying.. and for comforting me. I know you’re doing your best, and it helped plenty.” For a moment, her hand reaches out to give him a pat or maybe a hug as an act of gratitude, but in light of what had happened with Alexander, she freezes before pulling back.
No more being stupid, she reminds herself internally. I think I’ll break if I mess up with Robin too.
"In every life, through every door. . . I hope to meet y0u again."
Breakfast with.. Friends?
“Thank you for staying.. and for comforting me. I know you’re doing your best, and it helped plenty.”
Robin nodded, a bit embarrassed that she spelled out the word comfort directly back to him: "You also helped me too, so . . . " He responded quietly, again staring into the void in front of him. However, in the corner of his eyesight, he saw Corrine's hand reach over. Robin did his best to not move away, since he wasn't absolutely disgusted by physical touch, he just wasn't used to it and probably wouldn't initiate it himself. It's fine if she pats me on the back or something, maybe that's just her way of comforting herself. But the sensation of a palm on his shoulders never came, he turned his head a bit, seeing Corrine's movement frozen in the air.
Right, what just happened was literally triggered by physical touch. She might not want to do that again. Robin didn't lean towards her to show that he's fine with it, that's just not his thing. He turned back to face his plate and took a bite of the toast, "What a wild start, eh? Hope the classes are half as exciting as the breakfast."
Shite. Robin. Arthur. Lockett. What in Merlin's big fat beard was that? What he meant to say was, "What I meant to say was . . . uh, we should eat and go to class, we wouldn't want to miss them, right? I mean, things have been pretty rough today, it won't get any worse. I think. I didn't . . . "
I didn't mean to be a sodding dobber.
Robin was too scared to look at Corrine's face. He explained what he meant immediately after, but there's no doubt it sounded like he thought the drama between Alexander and her was entertaining to watch. It did not, at all, especially since Robin's technically the one who started it. No, maybe Alexander was? He's the one who brought up blood status, he can't expect the others to not ask back, right?
Robin gulped, almost choking on a piece of bread crumb that was still stuck in his mouth. He then continued to eat his toast, a bit quicker than he did before. It would be absolute chaos if both of us drove a friend away in the span of half an hour, he thought, trying to keep his eyes on the food and pretend he didn't say anything just now.
Please start eating and finish your food when I do . . . so we can both just leave this unlucky breakfast behind.
Robin nodded, a bit embarrassed that she spelled out the word comfort directly back to him: "You also helped me too, so . . . " He responded quietly, again staring into the void in front of him. However, in the corner of his eyesight, he saw Corrine's hand reach over. Robin did his best to not move away, since he wasn't absolutely disgusted by physical touch, he just wasn't used to it and probably wouldn't initiate it himself. It's fine if she pats me on the back or something, maybe that's just her way of comforting herself. But the sensation of a palm on his shoulders never came, he turned his head a bit, seeing Corrine's movement frozen in the air.
Right, what just happened was literally triggered by physical touch. She might not want to do that again. Robin didn't lean towards her to show that he's fine with it, that's just not his thing. He turned back to face his plate and took a bite of the toast, "What a wild start, eh? Hope the classes are half as exciting as the breakfast."
Shite. Robin. Arthur. Lockett. What in Merlin's big fat beard was that? What he meant to say was, "What I meant to say was . . . uh, we should eat and go to class, we wouldn't want to miss them, right? I mean, things have been pretty rough today, it won't get any worse. I think. I didn't . . . "
I didn't mean to be a sodding dobber.
Robin was too scared to look at Corrine's face. He explained what he meant immediately after, but there's no doubt it sounded like he thought the drama between Alexander and her was entertaining to watch. It did not, at all, especially since Robin's technically the one who started it. No, maybe Alexander was? He's the one who brought up blood status, he can't expect the others to not ask back, right?
Robin gulped, almost choking on a piece of bread crumb that was still stuck in his mouth. He then continued to eat his toast, a bit quicker than he did before. It would be absolute chaos if both of us drove a friend away in the span of half an hour, he thought, trying to keep his eyes on the food and pretend he didn't say anything just now.
Please start eating and finish your food when I do . . . so we can both just leave this unlucky breakfast behind.
Reducio
@Corrine Aelina
Breakfast with.. Friends?
Location: Great Hall
Tag: PV @Robin Lockett
Date: September 2nd, 2025
Time: 8:00am
Corrine’s hand only lingers for a moment in the air before she pulls away, slightly tense again. Though she doesn’t linger on her thoughts much, she does quietly poke at her toast. Initially, there’s no intent to finish the toast (even though she had been so excited to eat earlier), but then she remembers.
Robin said we should finish our food so that we could head to class, Corrine sighs. And so, she hesitantly begins eating the last of her toast, not wanting to upset Robin or make them late to class.
“What a wild start, eh? Hope the classes are half as exciting as the breakfast.” Robin says, making Corrine freeze.
If that’s exciting, I don’t think I want to experience more of it, Corrine thinks miserably to herself, shrinking into her seat. However, realizing how that sounded, Robin quickly backtracks, almost sounding slightly panicked according to his stutters.
Before Corrine could even reassure him that he was fine, the boy had already started eating his toast faster, making her look over in concern. “Please slow down,” she fusses. “I don’t want you to choke.” Her hands hover over his back unsurely, not touching, but there in case he actually does choke.
As worried as she is about triggering somebody else today, she’d rather trigger him than to not help if he does.
“Here,” Corrine worriedly says, reaching over to the other side. She grabs a cup of water, sliding it gently closer to Robin’s plate. “Please drink. Just in case, please."
"In every life, through every door. . . I hope to meet y0u again."
Breakfast with.. Friends?
" . . . Thanks." Robin decided to not dwell on it too much. Corrine seemed to have noticed that what came out of his mouth wan't his intention, so he calmed down and accepted the cup of water handed over to him.
He sighed, now I'm the one getting comforted, it's like a whole ecosystem. Robin thought this was kind of funny, how it looked like they were all dependent on each other's words. Robin didn't think he was, but now it showed otherwise. He slowed down on his chewing, occasionally taking a sip of water to not stress out the already worried Corrine, also making sure she kept eating too.
After a couple of minutes, he finished his breakfast. He was honestly already pretty full before he grabbed that last piece of toast, he just needed it as an excuse to sit here with Corrine and say his entire egg-n-toast speech. He swallowed a burp, then started finishing the water in his cup.
He thought he had suddenly gotten good at talking after the improvised metaphor, but his awkward slip of making drama sound like, well, good drama, humbled him real quick. On the other hand, Robin was also weirdly reassured. He thought he had completely changed and became a totally different person after just one day at Hogwarts, now he knew that he's still the same ol'Robin who's shite at socializing. Might've gotten better at it, at least socialization exists, but the effectiveness is to be determined.
Robin looked down at his empty plate again, then glanced over at Corrine's. He hoped she would be finished or at least almost done, so they can go on and distract themselves from this disaster with the excitement of acquiring new knowledge. Wait . . . Robin looked back at his schedule, realizing that he looked at the wrong day previously. He doesn't immediately have a class after breakfast on Tuesdays, apparently.
Well, that's a bit awkward. He isn't sure if Corrine noticed, but she might still have a class after this, who knows. Robin didn't want to admit his mistake by leaning over to look at her schedule again, he just hopes she doesn't go to the wrong class.
Either way though, he is looking forward to attending DADA with her this afternoon, and potions tomorrow afternoon. He wonders if he'll meet other studious acquaintances . . . well, there's no way of knowing until he walks into the classroom and picks a seat.
He sighed, now I'm the one getting comforted, it's like a whole ecosystem. Robin thought this was kind of funny, how it looked like they were all dependent on each other's words. Robin didn't think he was, but now it showed otherwise. He slowed down on his chewing, occasionally taking a sip of water to not stress out the already worried Corrine, also making sure she kept eating too.
After a couple of minutes, he finished his breakfast. He was honestly already pretty full before he grabbed that last piece of toast, he just needed it as an excuse to sit here with Corrine and say his entire egg-n-toast speech. He swallowed a burp, then started finishing the water in his cup.
He thought he had suddenly gotten good at talking after the improvised metaphor, but his awkward slip of making drama sound like, well, good drama, humbled him real quick. On the other hand, Robin was also weirdly reassured. He thought he had completely changed and became a totally different person after just one day at Hogwarts, now he knew that he's still the same ol'Robin who's shite at socializing. Might've gotten better at it, at least socialization exists, but the effectiveness is to be determined.
Robin looked down at his empty plate again, then glanced over at Corrine's. He hoped she would be finished or at least almost done, so they can go on and distract themselves from this disaster with the excitement of acquiring new knowledge. Wait . . . Robin looked back at his schedule, realizing that he looked at the wrong day previously. He doesn't immediately have a class after breakfast on Tuesdays, apparently.
Well, that's a bit awkward. He isn't sure if Corrine noticed, but she might still have a class after this, who knows. Robin didn't want to admit his mistake by leaning over to look at her schedule again, he just hopes she doesn't go to the wrong class.
Either way though, he is looking forward to attending DADA with her this afternoon, and potions tomorrow afternoon. He wonders if he'll meet other studious acquaintances . . . well, there's no way of knowing until he walks into the classroom and picks a seat.
Reducio
@Corrine Aelina also I think this will be Robin's last message in the thread for the sake of there probably isn't much else to do:)
Breakfast with.. Friends?
Location: Great Hall
Tag: PV @Robin Lockett
Date: September 2nd, 2025
Time: 8:00am
Seeing as he’d taken the water, Corrine fully relaxes. “No problem,” she says, feeling relieved that the boy hadn’t choked after all. Crisis averted, the girl thinks, her hazel trailing down to her paper schedule. Maybe it’s time to pack up.. I mean, we did finish our food.
However, after glancing at Robin’s schedule as well, Corrine realizes something. Although they did, in fact, share Defense Against the Dark Arts as well as Potions.. those are the only times they shared in their schedule. Everything else is jumbled considerably in comparison.
Not to mention, Corrine eyes the empty first slot on Robin’s schedule, feeling her heart sink. I’m the only one who actually has to go to class right now and meet more people there.
Honestly, Corrine feels a bit down. Maybe it’s just her being whiny or being immature, but she really had hoped she and Robin would have more classes to share other than the two. But what could she do? It’s not like she could snap her fingers and change the schedule that had already been made for Robin, not to mention how selfish that’d be.
I don’t want to annoy him further, she concludes, standing up. “Thank you for eating breakfast with me, Robin.” She flashes him a weak smile. “I’ll.. see you later too. I hope class goes well for you. I’m gonna go to Herbology before I lose time to look for the greenhouse.”
Without even waiting for a response, Corrine turns around as she dazedly begins to walk away. Her shoulders are tense as she walks by several groups of entering students, but she pushes through anyway.
"In every life, through every door. . . I hope to meet y0u again."