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August 21, 2020

BOOKS. MAYBE THE ONLY THING THAT COULD EVER BE TRULY COMFORTING TO HER. Almost everything else caused her at least a little bit of stress. But when she was surrounded by books, she felt at ease.

For as long as she'd been able to read, Sapphire had immersed herself in stories. She would take any chance she could get to read, even if it meant not paying attention to class. Of course, that had ended when she'd started at Hogwarts since the classes were actually interesting, but that was against the point. The point was, She would take any chance she could get for a mental reprieve. Even if the topics of the stories weren't very happy, it meant a break from the crippling anxiety tearing at the edges of her consciousness.

Bookstores were a bridge between the calm of books and the constant pressure placed on herself by herself when she was in a public place. There was still plenty of people, sure, but at the same time, they were people like her - people who enjoyed the company of books over that of people (not that she didn't like people - she definitely didn't, but that's against the point). And she was still surrounded by the things she loved, which was a bonus. An upside.

She was never disturbed when she was in bookstores, normally, and this time she had her cat with her. Her cat was wonderful, in her opinion. She'd always had a soft spot for animals, and she definitely thought them to be better than people. Whether that be because she'd grown up without many good experiences with people or she just generally didn't like the race, even she didn't know.

Melanie was perched on her head, which seemed like a highly precarious position for the cat, but she also seemed undeterred by it (the cat, not Sapph. Sapph was worried as you could possibly be). The creature was sitting up straight on the pale-haired girl's head, resting on the impossibly pale blonde without a care in the world. Meanwhile, her owner was distractedly looking up at the top shelf, standing on the tips of her toes in an attempt to read the words on the spines. She may have been slightly tall for her age, but she still had plenty of trouble with looking at high-up things. She figured everyone must at some point, but that didn't make it any less vexing. Especially when it was her problem. With other people, it was at least mildly amusing, but when it was her having the trouble, it was eternally aggravating.

She was tempted to climb onto the railing (she was on the second level of the store since that area was smaller and she could get through it more quickly before looking through the bottom level), but there was a high chance that she would fall and it would also look a bit weird to see a 13-year-old girl in muggle clothing perched on the railing.

She grumbled to herself about how the shelves were to d**m tall. She moved on then, not seeing the point in trying to see the top shelf if her attempts were going to be so fruitless. Melanie patted her head, almost as if in condolence.

She found some interesting titles on the next shelf. One was a book which her sister had been (trying to) read in the school library last year. The One Who Let it Snow. She vaguely remembered the title.

She plucked it off the shelf, getting a read of the summary before deciding that she would read it. She didn't know what Koko had thought of it, but she thought she could check it out herself. She had already gotten her school supplies, of course, and was there alone (Melanie didn't count as a person, of course). She didn't want to stop at only getting one book, since there were so many to read. It was definitely not time for her to leave yet.

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Katie loved books, and bookstores were even more wonderful. Katie decided knowledge in books quickly, like a machine, and was thinking these thoughts as she strolled into Flourish and Botts. Katie had already picked up her school supplies if course, note she had returned to enjoy herself in the company of books.

Katie inhaled and exhaled deeply. Other people often looked at Katie like she was crazy when she did this, but Katie swore that old paperback books had a distinct and quote lovely smell to them. The first time that Katie had noticed it, she had been nine years old. Her parents, prominent well-to-do pure-bloods, had decided to give her an old paperback copy of a muggle-written book called Lord of the Flies.

Normally, her parents being the previous supremacists they were, would have had nothing to do with muggle literature. On this occasion though, they had decided it was okay because the author portrayed muggles add creul. Katie hadn't gotten much out of the book, probably because she'd been to young to full understand it when she first read it, but her parents had used it to try and convince her that even b muggles own standards, muggles were evil. Just another tool for them in their propaganda she supposed. Katie had long since realized the sheer stupidity of pure-blood supremacy, and become what her parents would call a blood traitor. Katie couldn't care less about what they thought though.

Katie noticed a pale-blonde haired girl with a cat a few aisles away from her. Katie had always been an introvert; however, Katie had also always loved cats. She supposed that seeing the cat by the other girl had out her note at ease, enough for Katie's curiosity about the pale-blonde haired girl to take over.

Katie slowly walked over, but nerves getting at her, awkwardly just stupid there rather than introducing herself. Books write seriously so much easier to be with.

@Sapphire Riddle

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SAPPHIRE DID NOT NOTICE THE BRUNETTE STANDING AWKWARDLY BY HER UNTIL SHE NEARLY RAN INTO HER. This, of course, triggered frantic apologies from the pale-haired girl. "Gah, I'm so sorry! I should have paid more attention to my surroundings- that was entirely my fault, please forgive me!" Her words ran together in certain places, overcome with embarrassment and the ever-present anxiety. She probably both sounded and looked pathetic, with the amount of nerves in her words plus her mildly panicked expression. That in mind, paired with her also ever-present self-consciousness, she managed to calm herself down.

She rubbed the back of her neck, bringing her gaze back up. "Er... do you mind me asking who you are and... well, why you were sort of just... standing there?" Her words weren't coming very easily. They normally didn't unless fueled by emotion, she'd found. One of her greatest curses, if one were to ask her opinion on it.

Once she was given an answer of who the brunette was, she would respond with, "I'm... Sapph. I'm going into third year at Hogwarts." Was there anything else she was supposed to say in an introduction? "Er, sorry if I came off as rude at all - it's nice to meet you, I suppose." This response would be placed between the brunettes introduction and reasoning for being there, was there a break in her speech. If not, it would be placed after the entirety of her statement. She gave a sheepish smile that felt strange on her face. She'd been working on expressing more emotion over the past few summers and even the school years, but it still hadn't been much. It was still unused. She felt Melanie's tail brush against her hand, as if in comfort. She was glad for the feline's presence, for it was comforting. And heaven knew that anxiety-filled teen needed some comfort.

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Katie was considering walking away as get nerves were clearly not going to allow her to introduce herself, when the pale-blonde haired girl spoke for her instead. The girl introduced herself as Sapph, a third year student at Hogwarts. To think that Katie was only a first year, she immediately felt bad for taking up Sapph's time.

Oh, ummm, I'm Katie, Katie said awkwardly, This will be my first year at Hogwarts. she added. Katie was regretting saying that she was only a first year. Katie wasn't so sure that a third year student would want to hang out with someone who was two years younger than them.

Katie then realized that Sapph had asked her why she was standing there. Katie figured it wouldn't help her case in the slightest to admit she was socially awkward and looking for a way to talk to her, so Katie had to think up an excuse. Oh, I was just looking to see if this section had the book I was looking for. Katie said dumbly.

It wasn't the best excuse, or even a very good one, but it was the only one that she could think of on such a short notice. Here it is! she said, randomly grabbing a book off of one of the lower shelves slightly to Sapph's left. Katie smiled awkwardly again, not realizing that the book she had randomly grabbed was Magical Pregnancies: What to Expect When You Are Expecting.

Without looking at the title, Katie turned the book around so that Sapph could see the book. See? Katie asked, hoping for validation and to make the situation less awkward.

@Sapphire Riddle

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A FIRST YEAR, HUH? the girl mused to herself at the girl's answer. That made sense, seeing as the brunette - Katie, she'd said - looked about that age. That and she didn't recognize the girl, although she supposed she didn't know many people either way.

For some reason, the answer Katie gave as for why she was there didn't seem very... what was the word? Oh, right. Her answer didn't seem very authentic. There was a bit of truth, but she also seemed very nervous when she said it. As if she had come up with it on the spot and not really known what she was saying. That was made even more apparent to her with the book the girl picked up, which did not seem like the kind of book a first year would pick up. (Unless it was under specific circumstances, but we won't talk about that.)

"Erm, not to burst your bubble, but I doubt that's the book you're looking for..." she said, pointing nervously at the book. She nearly dropped the few books she had picked up in the process before she adjusted her hold on it. "But... you do seem to be looking for a book. Perhaps I could help you find it?" she suggested. "There's quite a variety here. Although some muggle books are more creative, in my opinion, it's also fun to see what magical bookstores have to offer." She desperately hoped she was playing her cards right, for she would likely die of embarrassment otherwise.

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Interacting with @Sapphire Riddle and @Katie Palsorette

By nature, Margo was not much of a reader.

She usually preferred much more extreme sports like climbing trees, jumping in lakes and braving sharp objects trying to pierce her skin (otherwise known as embroidery). But today was different: she was on a mission. Her dad's birthday was coming up, and naturally, since he was one of the nerdiest Ravenclaws to have ever existed (Margo tended to exaggerate things sometimes), she had come to a bookstore.

Flourish and Blotts was a shop that Margo did not visit often, which was why she was surprised to see that there were two people her age talking among the shelves. She quickly scolded herself for thinking that people actually shared her reading habits (she liked to be as unique as possible, thank you very much), and approached the duo.

"Hi there, are you guys getting school suppl-" Margo stopped midsentence as her trailing shoelace got caught under her own foot. She stumbled forwards with a yelp. Wasn't clumsiness just great?

Huffing, she righted herself and turned to face the girls. But instead of seeing two young faces, her view was blocked by a book with a rather peculiar title.

Immediately, Margo tipped her head back and laughed. Th- that's exactly the k-kind of mistake I'd make! She giggled. Funnily enough, embarrassment didn't feel so bad when it was shared.

"I'd offer to put it back for you but I'm so short I..." Margo smiled nervously for a second. Um, wait... it was a mistake right? Because if it's for a family member then I'm so sorry, I swear, I never meant to offend you."

She shot a guilty look towards the silver-haired girl. Please don't think I'm a weirdo. Please don't think I'm a weirdo.

"Well... my name's Margo, by the way. How are your summers going?" Margo smiled and peeked up at the brunette from under cover of her eyelashes. Her social skills had seriously rusted since July, that was for certian.

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Interactions: @Margo White & @Katie Palsorette

THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE AND STUMBLING OF ANOTHER GIRL, PERHAPS HER AGE, was more than enough to startle Sapphire a bit. Well, perhaps it was just the stumbling. The actual appearance wouldn't have startled her nearly as much by itself. The girl herself, once Sapphire had come over her shock, was actual perhaps a bit of an outgoing person. She did recognize the tinge of anxiety in the other girl, however, since she herself had felt that often.

Instead, the pale-haired girl answered the question that the other girl - who had also introduced herself as Margo, at this point - had asked. "No, I had already finished shopping for supplies before coming here," she said. This answer would come after whatever Katie said (seeing as I don't know yet). "Er, I'm Sapphire. My summer has been alright. Albeit a bit confusing, since the city is a big place and, on occasion, very hard to navigate." She gave a nervous laugh at that statement. God, I hope I'm not coming off as weird or - god forbid - too awkward. I mean, I'm obviously going to come of as awkward, but I hope it's not overbearing.

The thing that drew her out of her thoughts was Melanie climbing down to her shoulder and then leaping off, landing on the floor in the middle of the trio. The grey-silver creature looked up at the girls surrounding it, blue eyes seeming critical, though not harsh. She looked down at her, wondering what the feline was doing.

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Katie looked down at the book she had grabbed. Shoot! Way to go for making things that much worse. Uh, no it's ummm, for my older sister. Katie said quickly, ignoring the fact that she was an only child and didn't have an older sister. Katie had pronounced it so proudly, it felt like it would be too awkward to admit that she had picked up the wrong book without revealing that she wasn't actually over there to look for a book at all.

Then, Katie remembered that Sapph was a third year. Sapph might wonder why she'd never heard of Katie's "pregnant older sister". She's 19, Katie quickly added to clarify that possible "plot hole". Since I was going to pick up my school things today anyway, she asked me to get it for her if I got the chance. I already got all of my things and they are currently in my trunk. Katie added, grateful that she really did have her trunk and school supplies with her. So I thought I'd buy this for my older sister before I left. Katie concluded, proud at the cover story she had been able to assemble and pull if so quickly.

@Sapphire Riddle
@Margo White

Interacting with @Sapphire Riddle and @Katie Palsorette

Margo felt like a complete and utter fool. Which... was not that unusual for her. So she decided she'd just go with the flow and deal with whatever else fate chose to drop on her bony shoulders later.

"It's nice to meet you Sapphire." Margo grinned. "And..?" She looked expectantly towards the younger brunette, waiting for a name to put to the skilled actress's face.

Suddenly, a silver figure landed on the floor in front of them. "Oh! Margo exclaimed. "And who's this beauty?" She knelt down and offered her hand out for the silver cat to sniff. Its fur was a similar colour to Sapphire's hair. She couldn't believe she hadn't noticed the sparkling blue eyes and cute paws before. The feline wasn't small, after all. And - oh no - what if she needed glasses? All those fashion dreams down the drain, all those days of good eyeliner and coloured eyeshadow gone...

Margo was yanked out of her internal struggle by the sound of the shop door opening. A grey blur of feline monstrosity immediately started twisting himself around her ankles. Speak of the devil... literally. Her brother, Toby, must have deposited her cat in the shop because he was fed up of his sharp claws and keen curiosity. Not that Margo minded any of those things. She'd love her little devil no matter what.

"This is Hades, guys." She scooped the affectionate cat into her arms with a smile. He was staring at the other cat rather warily. "I have yet to teach him to balance on my head like you, Sapphire, but I swear, he's quite friendly... to some people. Do you or your lovely sister have any pets, oh unnamed one?" Margo asked the girl with the pregnancy book.

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Interactions: @Margo White & @Katie Palsorette

SAPPHIRE NODDED AT KATIE'S RESPONSE, THOUGH SHE STILL DIDN'T QUITE BELIEVE IT. She was also happy that her cat's presence was welcome. She couldn't help but laugh slightly at the reaction Margo had had to the cat. It wasn't that it was funny, but it was nice. "Ah, that's my cat Melanie. I'm surprised by how well she's adapted to my presence, actually." Sometimes it was easy to forget that she had gotten the cat only earlier that summer - they seemed a lot like old friends.

She was a bit surprised by the appearance of another cat, one which had immediately gone over to the blond-haired female. "Oh, is that your cat?" she said in a soft voice, slightly in awe of it. She really did have a soft spot for creatures, especially cats.

As Margo introduced the cat, she listened fairly closely. She laughed at the comment about the cat - Hades - not being able to sit on her head. "I think Melanie just likes that spot. She climbed up there once and I guess she decided it was comfortable." The cat wasn't friendly to many? Oh well, that was too bad. Perhaps he would show a softer side, but she could never be sure. She opted not to approach it, instead offering a small smile.

She also turned towards Katie, awaiting the answer that she would supposedly have regarding whether she or her sister had pets.

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