14 Aug 2023, 18:41
Buffet With Badgers
Kristin raced down the hall, curls flying behind. She didn't run for long, though, after a glare from a student she accidentally bumped into. She apologize giddily and sped walked into the Small Hall, and then into the Great Hall, her tiny backpack bumping against her back.
Once inside she looked reverently, admiring the ambience of the castle, students, and the food. She slowly walked this time, taking in everything. It definitely wasn't her first time here, but Kristin just so happened to be the type of person who found something exciting in nearly everything, especially in being around a bunch of people.
She skipped over to the Hufflepuff table, glancing at the food as she went by. It was lunch so there were things like sandwiches, appetizers, and whatever else people liked to eat for lunch. Kristin especially eyed the sweets, her taste buds tingling at the sight.
Kristin stopped and looked around, waving at some students she knew, and then decided to take a seat next to people she didn't know. She liked to do things out of the ordinary to see what it was like, even though sometimes it landed her in crazy situations. And being stuck in a castle full of diversity and mystery made it bound for her to encounter strange occurrences.
She start making her own plate after she got settled, calming down enough because when it came to food, Kristin was serious, even if it wasn't sweets. She really liked to take her time to enjoy whatever she ate, and Hogwarts elves made pretty good food.
Kristin ended up with two, nice turkey and ham sandwiches with Swiss cheese, a bunch of sliced fruits, french fries, and a separate plate with a variety of muffins, toffees, and licorices. She also had a bag of jellybeans someone gave her after losing a bet that she couldn't climb a statue. She also had a goblet of water and another of strawberry lemonade juice. The Hufflepuff started eating away happily. Kristin could be sloppy with her clothes being unkempt, like they were now, but she had great table manners and eating etiquette at least.
Once inside she looked reverently, admiring the ambience of the castle, students, and the food. She slowly walked this time, taking in everything. It definitely wasn't her first time here, but Kristin just so happened to be the type of person who found something exciting in nearly everything, especially in being around a bunch of people.
She skipped over to the Hufflepuff table, glancing at the food as she went by. It was lunch so there were things like sandwiches, appetizers, and whatever else people liked to eat for lunch. Kristin especially eyed the sweets, her taste buds tingling at the sight.
Kristin stopped and looked around, waving at some students she knew, and then decided to take a seat next to people she didn't know. She liked to do things out of the ordinary to see what it was like, even though sometimes it landed her in crazy situations. And being stuck in a castle full of diversity and mystery made it bound for her to encounter strange occurrences.
She start making her own plate after she got settled, calming down enough because when it came to food, Kristin was serious, even if it wasn't sweets. She really liked to take her time to enjoy whatever she ate, and Hogwarts elves made pretty good food.
Kristin ended up with two, nice turkey and ham sandwiches with Swiss cheese, a bunch of sliced fruits, french fries, and a separate plate with a variety of muffins, toffees, and licorices. She also had a bag of jellybeans someone gave her after losing a bet that she couldn't climb a statue. She also had a goblet of water and another of strawberry lemonade juice. The Hufflepuff started eating away happily. Kristin could be sloppy with her clothes being unkempt, like they were now, but she had great table manners and eating etiquette at least.
Last edited by Kristin Bland on 17 Aug 2023, 19:09, edited 2 times in total.
14 Aug 2023, 23:52
Buffet With Badgers
Just across from Kristin was Esme, looking around the table before she began to gorge, and I do mean gorge. It seemed like she was seeing if anyone would be watching before she ate, and lucky for her, nobody did, but she ate like she never saw food in her life, in fact another Hufflepuff tried to grab some food that was on her plate for some reason and when she looked at them, her glare was so sharp that the Hufflepuff thief flinched and pulled their hand away.
Soon she saw and acknowledged Kristin's presence and glanced at her subtly, not wanting to stare and seem rude. Then she decided to wave a greeting to be polite. Soon after waving she moved her hand in her hair just in case Kristin wasn't gonna wave back.
Esme was the kind of person to try and avoid embarrassment at all costs, she wanted a clean image in people's minds so she was afraid of acting completely like herself. Esme played with a curl in her hair casually, and then used a tissue to clean around her mouth, she hoped that Kristin was a talker because Esme didn't know quite what to say to this brand new face.
Soon enough Esme would make real eye contact to show she was interested in talking but it looked weird...she had a very bored resting face, not quite smiling but not angry, really blank actually. Unknowingly she began subconsciously munching on another sandwich, soon her face would turn away to look at her surroundings again before she looked at Kristin, then she looked down and tapped the table.
Soon she saw and acknowledged Kristin's presence and glanced at her subtly, not wanting to stare and seem rude. Then she decided to wave a greeting to be polite. Soon after waving she moved her hand in her hair just in case Kristin wasn't gonna wave back.
Esme was the kind of person to try and avoid embarrassment at all costs, she wanted a clean image in people's minds so she was afraid of acting completely like herself. Esme played with a curl in her hair casually, and then used a tissue to clean around her mouth, she hoped that Kristin was a talker because Esme didn't know quite what to say to this brand new face.
Soon enough Esme would make real eye contact to show she was interested in talking but it looked weird...she had a very bored resting face, not quite smiling but not angry, really blank actually. Unknowingly she began subconsciously munching on another sandwich, soon her face would turn away to look at her surroundings again before she looked at Kristin, then she looked down and tapped the table.
Last edited by Esme Xiao on 16 Aug 2023, 06:16, edited 3 times in total.
15 Aug 2023, 01:32
Buffet With Badgers
As she was eating Kristin began thinking about school. Her least favorite class was History of Magic because she had to sit down and listen all the time to long lectures, when she wanted to move around when and wherever she wanted. It made her antsy and sometimes she tried to do pranks in class to relieve the energy but Kristin was glad that she didn't end up losing house points or getting detention for her behavior.
On the other hand Charms was her favorite, and Transfiguration too, because she liked changing things into other things. And she was able to stand and move if she wanted to her so that was a plus. Even though some students got annoyed by her behavior sometimes Kristin tried to be friendly enough to people so they wouldn't treat her badly. But she wished she could just meet people who accepted her for what she was more.
She didn't notice the first attempt, but she happened to look up while eating and noticed a girl looking at her. Kristin paused and stared at her with wide, curious eyes, unblinking. The girl seemed to have just happened to look her way at first but soon she could tell that she was interested in Kristin for some reason.
Kristin looked back down at her food, thinking about why the girl didn't say anything. Maybe she had food on her face or clothes and it was eye-catching, but people tended to not want to mention those kinds of things for some reason. But after wiping at her face a little she realized that she was fine and faced the girl.
"Hi! Why do you keep looking at me, is there something wrong?" Kristin smiled at the girl. "You have pretty hair." She usually didn't see Asiatic people with curly hair.
On the other hand Charms was her favorite, and Transfiguration too, because she liked changing things into other things. And she was able to stand and move if she wanted to her so that was a plus. Even though some students got annoyed by her behavior sometimes Kristin tried to be friendly enough to people so they wouldn't treat her badly. But she wished she could just meet people who accepted her for what she was more.
She didn't notice the first attempt, but she happened to look up while eating and noticed a girl looking at her. Kristin paused and stared at her with wide, curious eyes, unblinking. The girl seemed to have just happened to look her way at first but soon she could tell that she was interested in Kristin for some reason.
Kristin looked back down at her food, thinking about why the girl didn't say anything. Maybe she had food on her face or clothes and it was eye-catching, but people tended to not want to mention those kinds of things for some reason. But after wiping at her face a little she realized that she was fine and faced the girl.
"Hi! Why do you keep looking at me, is there something wrong?" Kristin smiled at the girl. "You have pretty hair." She usually didn't see Asiatic people with curly hair.
15 Aug 2023, 02:02
Buffet With Badgers
Esme was relieved, she was noticed by Kristin finally, now she could start to speak. "You like my hair? Really?" Her expression changed from lazily attentive to friendly but on guard. It seems that this interaction will go well, but it also may be an opening for something rude. Esme didn't want to be a pessimist but getting older meant thinking of how things could go wrong.
Esme had a feeling that Kristin meant well but all cats have claws and she knew it would be a good idea to do what she always did. It's like feeding the birds, offer a bit for more conversation, learn about the other, she would be reserved but relaxed, it showed in her posture. She sat slouching but her eyes watched Kristin, well, for the most part, unless Esme was angry she usually didn't hold constant eye contact, her gaze broke away often and then returned. She tried to make it casual but since she usually looked in the same directions it was pretty much obvious she just couldn't hold eye contact.
"No.. Nothing's wrong, sorry if it seems that way....you also have nice hair by the way" After the compliment she broke away again, looking around, especially at other people. She seemed suspicious of them, like they would laugh if she complimented someone. Then her eyes burrowed into the finest details of her own food. She then crossed her arms and completely repositioned to a pose that allowed her to rest while paying attention.
Esme had a feeling that Kristin meant well but all cats have claws and she knew it would be a good idea to do what she always did. It's like feeding the birds, offer a bit for more conversation, learn about the other, she would be reserved but relaxed, it showed in her posture. She sat slouching but her eyes watched Kristin, well, for the most part, unless Esme was angry she usually didn't hold constant eye contact, her gaze broke away often and then returned. She tried to make it casual but since she usually looked in the same directions it was pretty much obvious she just couldn't hold eye contact.
"No.. Nothing's wrong, sorry if it seems that way....you also have nice hair by the way" After the compliment she broke away again, looking around, especially at other people. She seemed suspicious of them, like they would laugh if she complimented someone. Then her eyes burrowed into the finest details of her own food. She then crossed her arms and completely repositioned to a pose that allowed her to rest while paying attention.
Last edited by Esme Xiao on 16 Aug 2023, 06:19, edited 1 time in total.
15 Aug 2023, 04:21
Buffet With Badgers
Her eyes widened more in their already widened state. "Yep. Why wouldn't I? Your hair is really curly. I don't see that kind of hair on people who look just Asian. Like those kinds of Asians, not Russia or India, ya know." Kristin reached over to touch the girl's hair. She sometimes did things like this, invading other people's spaces. But she was just curious about the texture of the hair, and how deep black it was.
The little Hufflepuff adjusted herself on the seat until she was in a crouch, which suited better at the moment. She wanted to get up and eat as she walked but one she couldn't bring food outside of the Great Hall—unless she snuck it, but she wasn't in the mood—and she was also in the middle of a conversation.
Kristin's head cocked to side as she studied the girl. She just had the strangest array of emotions tell-talling through her demeanor. Kristin was really good at reading people, as far as she knew, and that sensitivity influenced her to wanting to more detached from it so she wouldn't let herself get lost in feelings that often felt overwhelming. She didn't fake her happiness, but she sometimes her objective mindset made her come off as an 'apathetic optimist'.
She giggled as she looked away to eat some more food. "Why do you keep looking right there," she asked, pointing at where the girl would look at. "You can just look at me, since we're talking to each other." She laughed again, the situation funny to her.
Kristin touched her own short, curly red hair, twirling a thick one around her finger. "Thanks. My dad has red hair, too. Most of his family does, even though we're brown."
The little Hufflepuff adjusted herself on the seat until she was in a crouch, which suited better at the moment. She wanted to get up and eat as she walked but one she couldn't bring food outside of the Great Hall—unless she snuck it, but she wasn't in the mood—and she was also in the middle of a conversation.
Kristin's head cocked to side as she studied the girl. She just had the strangest array of emotions tell-talling through her demeanor. Kristin was really good at reading people, as far as she knew, and that sensitivity influenced her to wanting to more detached from it so she wouldn't let herself get lost in feelings that often felt overwhelming. She didn't fake her happiness, but she sometimes her objective mindset made her come off as an 'apathetic optimist'.
She giggled as she looked away to eat some more food. "Why do you keep looking right there," she asked, pointing at where the girl would look at. "You can just look at me, since we're talking to each other." She laughed again, the situation funny to her.
Kristin touched her own short, curly red hair, twirling a thick one around her finger. "Thanks. My dad has red hair, too. Most of his family does, even though we're brown."
15 Aug 2023, 10:46
Buffet With Badgers
Usually Esme didn't let people touch her hair, but this time she obliged, she dipped her head to make it easier. "Thank you, for the compliment." She had hair that obeyed movement but would always return to its previous state unless damaged, as for the color, it was jet black, like pressed ink, and sleek, clearly Esme took good care of her hair so it was natural but never ruined.
Esme watched Kristin move while fiddling with her fingers. She did pay close attention to her movement, making sure that nothing was tense, god forbid Esme was being boring. Hopefully not...she remained silent as Kristin watched her, letting her soak in the information as much or little as she wanted Esme felt like she stumbled across a mind reader, whatever Kristin thought, she might be right honestly.
"I...I'm, not good at...staring." No! She stumbled across her own words, it was embarrassing to say the least, not only because she stuttered but because she sounded like a child, her voice being incredibly soft and weak. Her face became red and hot. She noticed and repositioned to cover her cheeks while resting on her arms. "Sorry, I'll try this time." She looked into Kristin's eyes, her expression careful, her eyes were a light brown, but in the lighting they matched her hair by almost looking dark as night, then again if you looked close enough you could see that her eyes weren't as dark as they are perceived. "Is this better?"
"I like red hair, such a good color, makes you noticeable. If I'm correct we haven't exchanged names, I'm Esme Xiao." She seemed to open a bit better when she saw Kristin's face, like ice thawing, and yet she didn't dive too deep, for she might get overstimulated, and that wasn't a new thing for her. She began rubbing her nose, it didn't itch but it was a subconscious habit when she was talking sometimes.
Esme watched Kristin move while fiddling with her fingers. She did pay close attention to her movement, making sure that nothing was tense, god forbid Esme was being boring. Hopefully not...she remained silent as Kristin watched her, letting her soak in the information as much or little as she wanted Esme felt like she stumbled across a mind reader, whatever Kristin thought, she might be right honestly.
"I...I'm, not good at...staring." No! She stumbled across her own words, it was embarrassing to say the least, not only because she stuttered but because she sounded like a child, her voice being incredibly soft and weak. Her face became red and hot. She noticed and repositioned to cover her cheeks while resting on her arms. "Sorry, I'll try this time." She looked into Kristin's eyes, her expression careful, her eyes were a light brown, but in the lighting they matched her hair by almost looking dark as night, then again if you looked close enough you could see that her eyes weren't as dark as they are perceived. "Is this better?"
"I like red hair, such a good color, makes you noticeable. If I'm correct we haven't exchanged names, I'm Esme Xiao." She seemed to open a bit better when she saw Kristin's face, like ice thawing, and yet she didn't dive too deep, for she might get overstimulated, and that wasn't a new thing for her. She began rubbing her nose, it didn't itch but it was a subconscious habit when she was talking sometimes.
15 Aug 2023, 13:34
Buffet With Badgers
The fellow Hufflepuff, who had turned red because of her accusation, decided to work on her looking skills and looked directly into Kristin's eyes. They stared at each for a moment in a way that seemed like time froze before Kristin blinked and laughed. "Well, let's not be too weird about it," she said. "Unless you're a weird person."
The girl introduced herself as Esme Xiao after saying that she liked red hair. In her life Kristin had met a few people who said that they liked her hair because it was unique for her features, being a very deep red orange and very curly. Actually, she was considering turning her hair into dreadlocks like her father but she wasn't sure because she would definitely miss her fluffy afro. Locks were pretty and wise looking most of the time, but she wasn't so sure about how hard and crunchy they got after a while.
"I think you look like a first year...yeah, I've definitely seen you before, I just haven't said anything to you before. Or not enough for us to get each other's names...wait! Actually, I have heard of you. I think you might've been called by a professor or another student before in Transfiguration. Or maybe Herbology..." Kristin rubbed her chin in thought as she recalled. "You don't look like the type of person someone would forget, because you're weird. But in, like, a shy way."
Kristin scooted closer to Esme and leaned towards her until she could whisper, comically, "Perhaps...do you think I'm weird?!" Her breath would smell like the turkey and ham sandwich she had eaten, but it was nearly overwhelmed by the smell of sweets she had consumed, from the table and her own stash.
The girl introduced herself as Esme Xiao after saying that she liked red hair. In her life Kristin had met a few people who said that they liked her hair because it was unique for her features, being a very deep red orange and very curly. Actually, she was considering turning her hair into dreadlocks like her father but she wasn't sure because she would definitely miss her fluffy afro. Locks were pretty and wise looking most of the time, but she wasn't so sure about how hard and crunchy they got after a while.
"I think you look like a first year...yeah, I've definitely seen you before, I just haven't said anything to you before. Or not enough for us to get each other's names...wait! Actually, I have heard of you. I think you might've been called by a professor or another student before in Transfiguration. Or maybe Herbology..." Kristin rubbed her chin in thought as she recalled. "You don't look like the type of person someone would forget, because you're weird. But in, like, a shy way."
Kristin scooted closer to Esme and leaned towards her until she could whisper, comically, "Perhaps...do you think I'm weird?!" Her breath would smell like the turkey and ham sandwich she had eaten, but it was nearly overwhelmed by the smell of sweets she had consumed, from the table and her own stash.
15 Aug 2023, 14:10
Buffet With Badgers
Esme grinned "I might be weird, to most people anyway..." Her eyes went back to looking around at other things again but she was much more comfortable and willing to look at Kristin longer, her grin surprisingly stayed, well maybe not surprisingly, Kristin was very fun actually.
"I try to be forgettable, the more people notice me, the better they can target me for being weird, it's only a matter of time" Esme looked at everyone with paranoia in her gaze. It seemed like anyone could be eavesdropping, no way that everyone was minding their business. "I really like Transfiguration, its the best, second to Care for Magical Creatures." She actually beamed now. "I heard about it and I'm excited to start it in 3rd year, I can get along with any animal honestly, anyth- uh...I'm sorry for rambling..." She looks down at her knees and then looks back at Kristin with her smile washed away.
Esme smelled the sandwich and sweets mixture and closed her eyes, sensory overload, did she think Kristin was weird, no doubt. "I do...but it's funny weird, not awkward weird like me, I guess everyone is weird to someone, right?" Esme opened her eyes again and looked at Kristin with her casually friendly expression again. "People must love you, so outgoing." She said as if was a superpower
"I try to be forgettable, the more people notice me, the better they can target me for being weird, it's only a matter of time" Esme looked at everyone with paranoia in her gaze. It seemed like anyone could be eavesdropping, no way that everyone was minding their business. "I really like Transfiguration, its the best, second to Care for Magical Creatures." She actually beamed now. "I heard about it and I'm excited to start it in 3rd year, I can get along with any animal honestly, anyth- uh...I'm sorry for rambling..." She looks down at her knees and then looks back at Kristin with her smile washed away.
Esme smelled the sandwich and sweets mixture and closed her eyes, sensory overload, did she think Kristin was weird, no doubt. "I do...but it's funny weird, not awkward weird like me, I guess everyone is weird to someone, right?" Esme opened her eyes again and looked at Kristin with her casually friendly expression again. "People must love you, so outgoing." She said as if was a superpower
15 Aug 2023, 17:30
Buffet With Badgers
At this point Kristin felt like she was done with her food so she pushed her plate back and pulled out her little stash of caramels. Even though she had good table manners most of the time, when it came to eating hard to chew things like rich caramels she couldn't help but let her lips smack, and did so unabashedly. She then remembered that she could be generous and offered some caramels to Esme if she wanted them.
She watched the Hufflepuff as she looked around in an uneasy way, saying that she basically didn't want to draw too much attention to herself because of how she was. Even though Kristin wasn't as sensitive to the opinions as others as Esme seemed to be, she could understand why someone would be. She learned about from what her mom said about her awkwardly anxious aunt Jorgia, explaining that she acted the way she did because she didn't have a lot of confidence in herself, and would apologize all the time. Kristin wondered what made Esme so concerned with other people's thoughts of her, because she didn't care that much.
She wondered why anyone would want to be forgettable, unless they did something really bad, but she decided not to ask about it since Esme didn't look like a bad person. She just looked scared.
"If you haven't been in that class before, how can you even know it's second best yet," she asked, referring to Care of Magical Creatures. "And it's okay, I think it's okay to talk a lot when you have things on your mind, 'cause I do. I like Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts because I like to cast spells. I want to learn wandless magic, and I also want to be a Duelist here. I heard about it and I feel like I would be good at it, I have read about a bunch of spells. So many, in fact, that I might want to be an Auror or Curse-Breaker when I grow up. Or maybe even a professor, but they sometimes like really bored here and I would be the funnest professor ever."
Esme admitted that she did think that Kristin was weird, funny-weird, and she wasn't surprised. But she was a little taken aback by her other claim. Kristin paused and looked at her for a moment. Her eyes were warm and relaxed but there was a calculating look in there somewhere beneath the child's playful demeanor.
After a moment, she asked, "Do you think people love you, for who you are? Kristin stared at her unblinking. It was almost as if she weren't breathing, encapsulated by her notion.
She watched the Hufflepuff as she looked around in an uneasy way, saying that she basically didn't want to draw too much attention to herself because of how she was. Even though Kristin wasn't as sensitive to the opinions as others as Esme seemed to be, she could understand why someone would be. She learned about from what her mom said about her awkwardly anxious aunt Jorgia, explaining that she acted the way she did because she didn't have a lot of confidence in herself, and would apologize all the time. Kristin wondered what made Esme so concerned with other people's thoughts of her, because she didn't care that much.
She wondered why anyone would want to be forgettable, unless they did something really bad, but she decided not to ask about it since Esme didn't look like a bad person. She just looked scared.
"If you haven't been in that class before, how can you even know it's second best yet," she asked, referring to Care of Magical Creatures. "And it's okay, I think it's okay to talk a lot when you have things on your mind, 'cause I do. I like Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts because I like to cast spells. I want to learn wandless magic, and I also want to be a Duelist here. I heard about it and I feel like I would be good at it, I have read about a bunch of spells. So many, in fact, that I might want to be an Auror or Curse-Breaker when I grow up. Or maybe even a professor, but they sometimes like really bored here and I would be the funnest professor ever."
Esme admitted that she did think that Kristin was weird, funny-weird, and she wasn't surprised. But she was a little taken aback by her other claim. Kristin paused and looked at her for a moment. Her eyes were warm and relaxed but there was a calculating look in there somewhere beneath the child's playful demeanor.
After a moment, she asked, "Do you think people love you, for who you are? Kristin stared at her unblinking. It was almost as if she weren't breathing, encapsulated by her notion.
15 Aug 2023, 18:05
Buffet With Badgers
Esme accepted the caramel but watched Kristin smack her lips, Esme cringed a little but shook it off and enjoyed her own, WITHOUT smacking of course.
Esme watched Kristin in silence while Kristin studied her, she felt warm inside when she was noticed by Kristin, usually it felt like she was being poked on her stomach by icicles but this time she was...proud? Less unhappy? It was positive is what she did know.
She already already knew Kristin would be the fun professor, she was just a good person to be around. Esme does like those professors but sometimes they're scary, they might pull her out her shell, everyone always says it good for her but if it is why does it make her hurt?
She looked into Kristin's eyes and tried to read her like how Kristin seemed to be doing...she couldn't, she looked on the surface, for her, first impressions are actually everything, all she saw was a friendly girl who was fully outward with life. Esme honestly admired it, she began to feel warm again and munched on another caramel sweet.
Well that was what she thought of Kristin until that question there. "Y-you're asking me? Well...uh..." Kristin's stare caught her off guard, like reality paused, like this answer was crucial to her life continuing. "I guess, whoever truly knows me loves me anyway...what about you...if you don't mind me asking?"
Esme watched Kristin in silence while Kristin studied her, she felt warm inside when she was noticed by Kristin, usually it felt like she was being poked on her stomach by icicles but this time she was...proud? Less unhappy? It was positive is what she did know.
She already already knew Kristin would be the fun professor, she was just a good person to be around. Esme does like those professors but sometimes they're scary, they might pull her out her shell, everyone always says it good for her but if it is why does it make her hurt?
She looked into Kristin's eyes and tried to read her like how Kristin seemed to be doing...she couldn't, she looked on the surface, for her, first impressions are actually everything, all she saw was a friendly girl who was fully outward with life. Esme honestly admired it, she began to feel warm again and munched on another caramel sweet.
Well that was what she thought of Kristin until that question there. "Y-you're asking me? Well...uh..." Kristin's stare caught her off guard, like reality paused, like this answer was crucial to her life continuing. "I guess, whoever truly knows me loves me anyway...what about you...if you don't mind me asking?"