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It was raining, so unfortunately it wasn't going to be one of those sunny cloudy days encounter as if life was somehow made of fictional stories or romance books. Yet again, unfortunately, it was raining. Irina never liked the rain, not really, it made her think all about the poor animals that didn't have a home to return to, scrambling around the streets just trying to find a place or a way to stay alive. It made her think unhappy thoughts, and she already had enough of those which is not so fetched. The young girl looked outside the window of the shop, trapped without any form of entertainment but clothes and fabrics, she could easily get out but the amount of shopping she did with the allowance her father gave her made her think that it was most definitely a sign from the world for her to stop, and take a breather.

Despite what anyone would think with all the shopping bags following her closely, they would believe she was one of those spoiled rich brats who use their parent's money to buy what they want. But Irina wasn't like that, she made sure to prioritize her needs before all else, including school supplies and maybe some new notebooks and quill designs here and there...though she did buy a few new clothes, colorful notebooks, food for trips, and a new bag on the way. Most of the shops in Diagon Alley use her father's company anyway...Just looking at the symbol on the edges of her collar was obvious enough that she was of Cawthorne. Born from blood and raised through it. Currently, her father was off somewhere talking with one of the workers in the shop regarding the clothes and financial deals for the future, it didn't surprise her, it gave her some time to rest and look around the store for more dresses and clothing designs, while coming back to her father once in a while to hug him or lean her tiny head to his torso, being with him was healing. As painful as it is to ignore his history with her mother. She also made sure to make a mental note to come back to the store when she needed something to wear.

It didn't take too long for her dear daddy to notice though, he knew his daughter in and out. So, he did what any good father would do, offered for her to try some of the dresses while petting her head and carrying her on to his height. "Do whatever you want beautiful, Appa will buy anything you want." That was the nickname he always used for her, it made her young fragile heart feel guilty to have wasted so much money only to waste more despite her father's words. "Appa, is it okay if I buy two dresses?" She hugged her father's neck as she pointed out some dresses she was eyeing as they walked into the store. "Only two? Why not buy the whole store pretty?" Her father jokingly asked her, despite his loud voice this was his gentle reminder for her that all he ever wanted for her was to be happy. Oh boy here comes the teary eyes from the crybaby, "Appa please don't buy me the whole shop!" She gently hit his shoulder, she didn't want him to! Nor did she need him to! The young girl was too emotional, she knew her father was joking but she also knew how far he would go for his little girl. The young girl whispered in her father's ear, a small 'I love you' as the old man chuckled and whispered it right back at her while putting her down. "Now go make yourself happy kiddo," the man would proceed to discuss business ventures on his phone. Irina took the outfits she wanted to try, and with a kind smile thanked the workers who helped her.

The moment she stepped outside the closet room she was a tad bit embarrassed by the attention she was getting, her father was still busy but he gave her a glimpse and patted her head, signaling his approval over her choice of clothing. She took her time looking at the mirror, admiring her own self as so many others did. She looked like a living porcelain doll.

MENTION! @Ula Takahashi

ACTION! @-

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TIME | 15:08 DATE | August 21st, 2024 INTERACTING |@Irina Cawthorne

“ I'm gonna pop your bubblegum heart ” 00:35⠀─── ◉ ───────⠀02:34

Pink coat| OUTFIT #B68EA7 | DIALOGUE xxx| MENTIONING

The door to the shop creaked open with a soft chime, allowing a gust of rain-soaked air to sweep inside as Ula and her mother, Himiko, stepped in. The shop's warm lighting dimmed down, as if the tension between them had darkened the space and cast long shadows across the polished floors.The atmosphere was thick with an unspoken distance, the kind that had been cultivated over years of strained interactions.

Ula didn't mind the darkness; in fact, she welcomed it as she glided effortlessly through the store, her long dark hair slightly tousled by the wind and her expression one of serene indifference. Her coat damp from the rain, she made no attempt to brush off the droplets clinging to the fabric. The moisture added a slight shimmer to her appearance, enhancing the ethereal quality that often left people captivated. She didn't mind the rain—in fact, she relished it. The cold, the wet, the way it washed everything clean. It was a stark contrast to the false pleasantries her mother often wrapped herself in.

Speaking of the devil, Himiko seemed entirely at ease, her posture relaxed, her expression one of serene, practiced composure. To anyone observing, she would appear approachable, friendly even, with a soft smile that never quite reached her eyes. But Ula knew better. She knew the calculated effort behind that façade, the way her mother's warmth could turn icy in an instant. It was all for show, an act perfected over years of social maneuvering.

"Such a lovely shop, isn't it?" Himiko commented, her words colored thick with a Japanese accent and her voice sweet but devoid of any real interest.

What a load of bullshit, thought Ula to herself, rolling her eyes at the comment. If there was one thing Ula knew about her mother, it was that she found the British wizarding (or Muggle) lifestyle, culture and fashion dreadfully dull and underwhelming compared to the one of her homeland.

"A truly 'lovely' shop. I’m sure it's exactly what you needed to break the monotony of your social calendar," spoke Ula, her tone dripping with a mix of sarcasm and boredom.

Himiko offered no response to Ula's remark, her attention already drifting to the racks of clothing that lined the shop's walls. Ula watched her mother move away, seemingly absorbed in the task of selecting items that would do little to alleviate her apparent ennui. Himoko's silence suggested that Ula's comment hadn't even been registered and her preoccupation with the shop's merchandise a clear signal that she had no intention of engaging in any further conversation.

Left to her own devices, Ula let out a soft, dismissive sigh and turned her attention back to the shop. As she wandered through the store, her attention was suddenly drawn to a girl stepping out of a fitting room. The girl looked slightly embarrassed as she was met with a flurry of curious glances. Despite the shy demeanor, her presence and beauty were striking—almost otherworldly. Ula imagined that is what sirens must look like—creatures of irresistible charm, their innocence concealing the power to enchant and enthrall. She looked like a living embodiment of the kind of beauty that could draw ships to wreck on distant shores.

Ula's gaze lingered on the girl for a moment longer, a spark of interest igniting in her chest. There was something about this girl that drew her in, something that set her apart from the rest of the world that Ula usually found so dull and predictable. As she made her decision, Ula casually slipped off her damp coat, handing it with a graceful flick of her wrist to one of the shop assistants who hurried over to take it. The assistant’s nervous smile was met with a mere nod of acknowledgment as Ula's attention remained fixed on the girl.

Ula straightened her posture, smoothing down her clothes with an air of deliberate composure as she began to move towards the girl, her steps measured and confident. She wasn't one to approach just anyone; it took a certain quality to catch her interest, and this girl seemed to have it in spades. Perhaps it was time to break the walls she had so carefully built around herself during her First year, to extend a hand to someone who might be worthy of it. After all, she had felt the sting of loneliness creeping in during her time at Hogwarts, and she wasn't eager to repeat that experience.

As she closed the distance between them, Ula offered a small, almost imperceptible smile, one that held just enough warmth to seem genuine but was still veiled in her usual cool demeanor. "Quite the spectacle, aren't you?" Ula remarked, her tone both smooth and commanding. "It's not every day you see someone manage to turn heads so effortlessly. That dress—it seems like it was practically made for you."

She allowed the words to hang in the air for a moment, studying the girl's reaction, her own expression revealing little. It wasn't just a compliment—Ula was testing the waters, seeing if this girl might be someone worth letting into her carefully controlled world.

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It was obvious enough the girl had slay tastes, she was wearing all over designer and brand clothing, the smell of her perfume and the constant changing bases was also enough indication the moment she walked into the room. The half-breed admits it’s been a while since she’s seen someone with such fine style and sharp edge to it, without it being so striking to look at. It was weird that the first thought in her mind was that of Medusa, she had such a bite to her that it made Irina curious of her venom, but guarded towards it.

Irina was no stranger to high society in the wizarding world, although she was aware of some highly regarded families, even those not of pureblood. She, just like her brothers, was like sharks out for blood when it came to those ‘elites’, though it works like a double-edged sword. However, as she glanced towards the other lady who walked in with the girl, no such features rang any bells, which meant there was a big chance she was not of any relevance whatsoever to the high society of the wizarding world. Well, she hoped that despite her looks the girl wasn’t in it for the status, even if that was the case, Irina was still happy to make a 'friend', or at least she hoped so...despite her age, she already had plenty of cases where girls do not support other girls, and watched enough Mean Girls know about it too...somewhat.

She stood firm, sure with a couple of cold sweats here and there but not without a sudden rush to get this done with and finally get a new friend. The more Irina looked at her the more Irina couldn't deny that she truly was a lovely creature, like everything in the world was made to fit her/

Irina let out a small scoff, "I'm the spectacle? I could say the same about you!" She rubbed a hand to her arm, with a soft smile towards the idol-like girl, again, nervous but excited. Playing with her hair before replying to another comment made by the girl, "Haha! Quite the contrary, it seems like everything in this shop was made to fit you too!" As she deflected the comment, Irina couldn't help but take a small glance at her father who was once more, still busy with the phone, while somehow at the same time browsed through the little trinkets in the shop for his little girl. Then suddenly one of the helpers called to her, Irina made eye contact once more with the fellow stranger, "Oh please excuse me for one second-" she gestured before turning her attention to the waiter, as they offered to take all the clothes she tried and to put them on the bill, she nodded and offered a small 'thank you' as they went off to do their jobs once more.

Without wasting a split second, she turned again to the girl with a wider smile, "Surely someone as pretty as you would have a name that reflects it, mind spilling the tea? Oh! Pardon me, I'll go first," Irina let out a hand, and the girl came out of her way to compliment her, it was only fair that Irina gave the first introduction, not just as a sign of respect but to show there is no hostility. "Irina Cawthorne, the pleasure is all yours, and mine." She made sure to give the girl a slightly tilted head and withdrew her lips to a smirk, lidded eyes as she carefully watched her. The mention of her own name was enough to give Irina the boost she needed through not just her family's name, but how smooth it left her tongue, like a fresh meringue in the summer. She was confident that she was like the cooling wind in the summer air, just with her looks and approval alone. She may not always be confident in her family, but one thing she knew for a fact was that she was more than just their jewel, she was their star. Despite her curiosity on why a second year, especially like her would show herself to Irina, she bit her tongue, feeling like it wasn't the right time.

MENTION! @Ula Takahashi

ACTION! Currently greeting Ula back despite how intimidated she is by other pretty girls but in a way that she doesn't view them as competition just pure admiration. @-

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TIME | 15:09 DATE | August 21st, 2024 INTERACTING |@Irina Cawthorne

“ I'm gonna pop your bubblegum heart ” 00:35⠀─── ◉ ───────⠀02:34

Pink coat| OUTFIT #B68EA7 | DIALOGUE xxx| MENTIONING

Ula studied Irina as she spoke, her sharp gaze taking in every nuance of the other girl's demeanor. The initial surprise, the nervousness masked by confidence, the way she quickly adapted to Ula’s presence—it was all fascinating. This girl was clearly accustomed to navigating social complexities, but Ula could sense a genuine curiosity beneath the surface, a willingness to engage despite the tension between them.

"Ula Takahashi," she replied, her voice carrying the same smooth, controlled tone as before. She accepted Irina's hand with a firm, but measured grip. She allowed a small smile to play at the corners of her lips, though her eyes remained guarded, assessing. Irina's response had been unexpected—neither intimidated nor overly eager, just the right balance of confidence and caution. It intrigued Ula, making her want to peel back the layers and see what else lay beneath that polished exterior.

Ula's gaze briefly flicked to the man she had noticed earlier—Irina's father, no doubt. He was still engrossed in whatever business occupied him on his phone. It reminded her of her father, a dynamic she knew all too well, though she’d never admit it to anyone—especially not to a girl she had just met.

Returning her focus to Irina, Ula shifted her weight, arms crossing as she searched for something to say. "First year, yeah?" she asked, her tone casual, but there was an edge of curiosity beneath it. "Let me guess—you’ve been thinking about where you’ll end up. Everyone does, even if they say they don’t care."

As the words left her mouth, Ula mentally cringed. This is the topic you went with? A whole year of barely talking to anyone, and this is what you've got? she thought, feeling the awkwardness seep into her.

She paused for a moment, a smirk tugging at her lips as she tried to brush it off. "I'm in Gryffindor, for what it's worth. Bunch of reckless idiots, most of the time," she added, her voice tinged with mock annoyance. Her gaze faltered slightly before she quickly recovered. "But... it's not the worst place to be."

Ula's eyes sharpened, focusing on Irina again. "What about you? Got any house in mind, or are you just letting the hat do its thing?" She tried to sound casual, but the curiosity had now taken over, hoping for something to move the conversation away from the Sorting Hat debacle she'd just launched them into.

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Oh, Irina was intrigued by the mere crystal-gaze-like eyes staring up and down at her, and the fact she felt that her entire biography was being read through a stare alone and the marvelous Aphrodite beauty gifted upon the woman in front of her. She thought she knew what beauty was, how it looked and felt to have of course, but never to be the one to see it or have it blessed to by art thou. Despite all that, the girl didn't once feel a single plight of competition...for now, or maybe just a little bit if she didn't know any better. Nor did she feel that she wasn't as beautiful regardless, in fact, despite her initial waryness. Irina was somewhat...relieved. In the short span of a few seconds, that was the only word that came to her mind, and she was scared to find out why, perhaps it was her heart that was already too big for her body telling her to admit how lonely she was terrified of becoming, alone, outcasted- again.

"Well, it's both of our pleasures to know each other. Don't you say?" If there was anything Irina could sense intensely at this moment it would be an aura the both of them had, for social interaction to happen - there needed to be common motives to attract each other, a benefit, a need, a want. That was something she realized from a very young age and helped her navigate the paradox of so many little kid's minds. Her smile never once left her facade, it was built into her, how ironic it is that the term masquerading will never refer to its true meaning anymore.

Unfortunately - or perhaps, behind that downpour of rain experience she felt there was a rainbow of lessons that taught her beauty was only an accessory compared to so many things, even if it meant it was through the hard way. Her eyes reflected a small glossy texture, but only for a while, a small moment of vulnerability she thought would have left her the moment she entered her new life.

Irina didn't take any notice when Ula glanced at her busy father, who is until now is still on a call. Typical...Irina was used to it, but she knows better than to hold it against him, after all he is the backbone of the family and her life wouldn't be what it is without him. Irina's face made a quick surprised expression at Ula's question, not because it was interesting by any means - more like it was nothing more than an instinctual reaction. "Yep! First come, first serve they say! If you can't tell by the height-"As she trailed to her petite length, she made sure to point her finger at the top of her head, chuckling softly before putting it back down, it was only after she heard Ula's next remark that she would be genuinely surprised by her. Her eyes beamed with a tiny bit of fear, vulnerability, and sincerity before it flashed away as the comment did too. She initially noticed and wondered why Ula would make such a remark in the first place but focused too much on how it correlated with her at the right time. But of course, she has to remember to remain proper...so one question at a time.

"Why..."She took a moment to process, her eyes drifting towards anywhere but the other girl's eye for a moment, before looking straight back at her. "Thanks, Ula, or big sister? Haha, any ideas on what I should call you?" She laughed awkwardly, she didn't want to offend her by any means, not when it was the first time she felt someone could relate to her in a while. She wasn't surprised that the girl was in Gryffindor as if it wasn't obvious enough by the charisma or the vibe she had around her, but it did make Irina wonder too.."Maybe Slytherin? Or Hufflepuff, Probably Sly, to be honest, I've heard the connections made there are often beneficial...especially filled with the ministry's influence." Or so she's heard, but from that alone and her father's advice, from a much more grander perspective Slytherin seems befitting of her status, but apart of her also wanted Hufflepuff due to the fact she heard it's a very flammable area...

MENTION!@Ula Takahashi

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TIME | 15:11 DATE | August 21st, 2024 INTERACTING |@Irina Cawthorne

“ I'm gonna pop your bubblegum heart ” 00:35⠀─── ◉ ───────⠀02:34

Pink coat| OUTFIT #B68EA7 | DIALOGUE xxx| MENTIONING

The ravenette let a quiet chuckle slip, her eyes narrowing slightly in amusement as she leaned a little closer, just enough to drop the pretense of formality without crossing the line into intrusion. The way Irina deflected with humor, the nervous laugh, the awkward and endearing suggestion of "big sister"—it was almost painfully transparent, but not in a way that made Ula want to pull back. If anything, it made her curious.

"Big sister, huh?" Ula echoed, arching a brow, her lips curving into a bemused smile. "You think I'm the responsible type? Sweet, but girls like us— " she gave Irina a quick, knowing glance, "—with Daddy's money, don't exactly need to water our plants. That's what the hired help is for, isn't it?" Her wink was quick and sharp, the playful jab laced with just enough warmth to keep it from cutting too deep.

The mention of Hogwarts houses drew her in, and she clicked her tongue thoughtfully. "Slytherin, huh? I can see the appeal. All that ambition, the networking, the… scheming." She shrugged, her tone light. "It's not all bad. At least they have a plan, which is more than I can say for most people."

She leaned in slightly, her voice dipping to something conspiratorial. "But Hufflepuff" She pulled back with a laugh, shaking her head. "I mean, they're sweet, sure, but all that niceness? Exhausting. Not to mention yellow. Like, it's bold, I'll give them that—but it's a fine line between radiant and caution sign."

Her gaze flitted back to Irina, a glint of mischief creeping into her tone as her eyes scanned the other girl from head to toe. "Do you think I could pull it off?" she asked suddenly, tilting her head. Her grin widened before Irina could respond. "Actually, scratch that. You know who could? You."

Her gaze flicked to a mustard-yellow dress hanging on a nearby rack, and in one smooth motion, she plucked it off and held it out, appraising it with mock seriousness before holding it up against Irina's shoulder. "See? You'd look killer in this. I’m pretty sure you could make anything work—even a potato sack, but this? This would actually slay."

Ula stepped back with an exaggerated flourish, pressing the hanger into Irina's hands. "Come on, try it on. Let's see how you turn Hufflepuff vibes into high fashion." Her tone was warm, the challenge laced with just enough sincerity to make it clear she wasn't laughing at Irina but with her.

"And hey," she added with a crooked smile, "if it works, maybe I'll start reconsidering my stance on yellow. Maybe."