Looking for a Book PV | D. Olson

Another venture into the library, the place she saw as cramped. Sighing, Dakota pushed open the doors to the library, she had spent enough time complementing if she really wanted to do this today. Dropping the book she had checked out off, she quite quickly made her way to find a book, specifically, another one on the magical animals of this new place. It fascinated her, she could spend hours at a time reading about them and most likely never get bored. That may be because she loved animals in general, or maybe she just wanted to learn what same may consider to be the unimportant part of this world.

Trudging into the section she had been longing for Dakota bites down on her lip. Now that she was here, she had no idea where to start, in the Muggle library’s they were at least sorted by category and the labels were easily visible. Everything was just so different here and it is extremely overwhelming for someone like Dakota to try and figure out. Running her hand along the spine of the books as she gazes at them, silently searching. Her steps were quiet, her lips sealed and yet still inside she was slowly starting to feel a bit of panic.

@Koko Riddle

Usually, sounds could keep Koko relaxed, provided she herself stayed quiet. She liked the sounds of pages turning despite how little she liked turning the pages herself. She enjoyed hearing the scratch of quills against parchment.

The only sound in the library that didn't relax her was the pitter-patter of footsteps, especially as they got closer and louder.

She tried to keep her almost statue-like posture still and her breathing steady as her ears asserted that, yes, someone was heading her way. It didn't seem as if they were particularly hurrying at first - they seemed to be looking at books, maybe? Either that, or they were just taking in the vastness of the Hogwarts library.

A first year, then?

Koko didn't quite mind first years at all. Their awe at the school was, in all honesty, a joy to see, and even the annoying ones were still somewhat endearing.

Still, she couldn't help but remember all the chaos she had gotten herself into during her first year, and she wondered if the newcomer was searching for trouble.

She wasn't too close to the Restricted Section, and even though she was a prefect, she thought she might let the little firstie have their fun. After all, the librarian likely had preventative measures in place, and Koko figured if she didn't do something, someone else would.

Even kids who searched for trouble deserved to have their fun. Maybe they'd learn.

The footsteps quickened a bit, as if the person making them were beginning to... panic?

Koko opened one of her eyes the tiniest bit so she could see, and seeing no one out of that eye, she opened the other.

There, she saw a girl. She seemed a bit younger than Koko - so a first year or a second year - and she definitely did not seem calm.

Koko hastily re-shelved her book, only barely checking to see if it was in a somewhat proper position before glancing back at the girl to see if she had been noticed.

Her fingers began to tap the ground as she pondered whether or not to approach this girl. Not doing so would be easier on Koko's part, and besides, Koko had her own problems to deal with, not some first or second year who was probably lost.

Then again, she was a prefect, and over the years she'd begun to think that it might be so she could help people who needed helping rather than only catch and punish rule-breakers.

And... this kid looked awfully lost, and Koko sort of understood that. Sort of.

Biting back a sigh, she heaved herself up from the ground and walked towards the girl. Her fingers drummed against her thigh as she walked, almost as she herself was nervous - although she'd deny it - and she tilted her head down (which surprised her, as she was short for her age) to make eye contact with the girl.

She wanted to tear her gaze away immediately - she hated making eye contact with people - but instead she kept it resting gently on the other girl's eyes. Koko slipped a hopefully-calming smile on her lips and hoped she didn't seem too intimidating.

"Hello," she said, and she hesitated, unsure if she should introduce herself next or just ask the question. "Er - I'm Koko. Are you... Er, are you lost?"

Once she said the words, she reckoned they sounded a bit rude. If she were a younger student lost in the library, she wouldn't want someone to notice so soon.

However, she couldn't take them back, so she just stood there awkwardly for a moment before breaking eye contact for just a moment. "No offence, of course - you don't look that lost..."

Realising she was likely making things worse, Koko slammed her jaw shut and glanced apologetically at the girl. "Er - sorry. Anyway, if you want help finding a book... I can help you?"

She hadn't meant to make it a question, but that was what it had become, and just like her sputtering earlier, she couldn't take it back.

@Dakota Olson

Dakotas head snapped to the side when she was spoken to. Blue eyes now peered at Koko along with a paled face. She thought the question over as they came from Koko. ‘Lost?’ blinking slowly, she tilted her head ‘no, I’m not lost’ well, she hoped she wasn’t anyway. From what she understood she was in the right section. Then she seemed to remember Koko had introduced herself ‘right..should probably do that,’ taking in a soft breath Dakotas lips barely turned up at the corners “im Dakota,” biting her lip, she sucked in a breath ”I hope I’m in the right area, I can find books on the animals here right?”suddenly, she felt like she didn’t belong here.

She tottered on her feet lightly, mind racing as she tried to think if there was anything Koko could help with. Tucking her hands against herself, she gave a light nod “I’d greatly appreciate it—I’m looking for one of the..books on magical creatures?” gods, it came out as spastic, anxious speaking, what in the world was she doing? Placing her hands in front of herself, she awaited for Koko to laugh or tease her, embarrassment flushing her cheeks just a bit as she listened and watched.

@Koko Riddle

Koko smiled when the girl introduced herself. "Dakota," she said quietly. "That's a nice name."

She did mean the compliment - rather more than she had expected to. She liked names. Sometimes they could say a lot about a person.

She watched as the other student bit her lip. Was she nervous? Koko bit back a snicker - she could remember being in this girl's place in her first year. A little lost, a little nervous, and an intimidating prefect near her.

Koko didn't think she was intimidating. She generally tried not to be.

"...Animals?"

Koko thought of the book she'd read on Veela and felt her lazy smile leave her lips as a chill spread through her veins. "Sure," she said, making sure her tone was level and perhaps somewhat chipper. "Right over..."

Koko trailed off and scanned the shelves. She'd just come from the 'animals' section - at least, the section where there were books about beings. Koko assumed animals would be nearby; she would have sworn she'd seen a book on a tiger on her way to find her Veela book.

Koko stared walking. "They'll be over here, if you're looking for them. There books on magical animals, too, if you're interested in that."

For once, Koko wished she'd had her insanely curious cat with her, even though she knew he would be more likely to ruin a book than she was. He was an animal, and a cute one at that.

"I like animals, too. I have a cat... He's a real troublemaker. Do you want any pets?"

She figured it was best to make conversation. Maybe that would ease Dakota's nerves.

"And... I'm sorry if I made you nervous. I get how that feels."

@Dakota Olson