First Meetings Gone Wrong

Ronan Speech

Word Count: 265

It was the weekend and Ronan had decided to take this opportunity to let his hair down, so to speak and actually head outside of the castle to study as opposed to in the courtyard or in his dorm. His satchel full of books and notebooks rested at his side, and looking at him you would assume he was on his way to class with how he was still wearing his uniform, and in pristine condition with his tie. The only thing missing was his cloak.

He walked towards the edge of the lake, back straight and looked out over it. While his seemingly permanent scowl would make any observers think he was in a sour mood, he was actually at more peace than he had been for some time. The breeze felt good, the sounds of the lake were relaxing and the absence of his sister was a key ingredient in making this the start of a great day.

Ronan moved towards a bench and sat down, setting his satchel on it as he pulled out a book and something for notes as well as a slate to lay his scroll on to make sure it got no bumps or creases from the table. He glanced towards a nearby tree and sees a girl sitting with her books laid out. He taps his quill a couple times before he decides to speak, his voice coming out in a flat matter of fact tone "While I'm sure most professors wont remove marks for grass stains on your work, it wont reflect well on your appearance."

Kai stiffened at the sound of his voice. Ever so slowly, she turned her head to face the boy who had opened his mouth. His tone had been flat, and it made her bristle. His appearance was put together, pristine and perfect. It was dreadful. She herself was just wearing her uniform casually, a black choker around her throat and dark make-up on her face.

With a frown, she said coldly, "I beg your pardon?"

Her green eyes clearly reflected her annoyance. Who does he think he is? she thought indignantly. Her usual curious when it came to people was completely gone. She felt no need to wonder about this boy.

Just from his clothes, she could tell he was stuck up, probably thought highly of himself, and was most likely raised being a snob. Her lip curled slightly, and she muttered under her breath, though it was probably loud enough to hear, "Bloody git. You're not better than anyone." She was simply voicing her own thoughts, but her tone was full of contempt.

Kai could give off the appearance of being abrasive, but she was clearly different from other Gryffindors. She looked at him and wondered if he was stereotypical Slytherin. Probably. She huffed softly at the thought.

Ronan Speech



Ronan’s brow furrows some at the reaction. As many times as he has had presentation matter as much, if not more than the work itself he had figured he was giving advice yet the girl was reacting as if he had directly insulted her. He noticed she was. Gryffindor and his surprise lessened some. He had always heard that the rough, rebellious and uncouth often found themselves into that house. Seems some stereotypes are well earned.

Then came an insult given in turn. He turned to look at her fully now. Excessive makeup, a choker and wearing their uniform far too casually for their location. For a moment almost wished his horrible sister was here, then he could at-least be amused at the exchange.

“I may not be better than *Everyone* yet. But I am Certainly better than some Hooligan.” he makes a humph sound and looks back to his studies, keeping his back straight and running a hand through his hair to fix it, despite it not actually being moved out of place any.

“Clearly Gryffindor’s reputation of taking anyone is well earned.” this time his voice takes on a slight bite, the flat matter of fact tone adding a particular edge. There was no mistaking the slight intended.

Kai's temper flared. Hooligan! Has he met the other Gryffindors?! Kai was loyal to her house, but she was better than most, not as loud or chaotic. She had a feeling she knew why he made the comment and her hand went instinctively to her choker. Sure, her make-up was dark, her uniform casual, and her black choker prominent, but she expressed herself in ways her adoptive parents disapproved of so she wouldn't feel connected to them in any way.

Eyes narrowed, she said in a deceptively sweet voice, "If you think you're better than me, you're sorely mistaken. What, do you think you're going to get some sort of award by being Mr. Perfect? Sorry to disappoint, but that's not how it works around here honey." Her eyes studied his uniform and she added in the same tone, "You do realize it's a Saturday, correct? Or do you not know your days of the week?"

Kai scowled at the way he reached to fix his hair. Priss, she thought bitterly. Kai couldn't stand people like that, who put so much effort into perfect instead of simply expressing themselves. It was worse when the person believed that they were actually perfect.

When he made the comment about Gryffindor, she bristled at the edge to his voice. Did he seriously just say that?! How dare he! No matter how true it may be....how dare he!

Her lip curled and her voice was full of venom as she retorted, "And Slytherins reputation of being stuck up snobs is nothing if not perfectly true." She knew it wouldn't be much of an insult to him, but in her opinion it was. She clearly had an intense distaste for him already and she felt no need to hide how she felt.

Ronan Speech

Words: 315/200

Ronan looked towards Kai as she tore into him and instead of being angry, or insulted he had to admit he was kind of amused. He was so used to be the one that was upset during any given moment. There may be a sweetness to the tone, but the words used, the sneer and ultimately the venom at the end revealed the truth her tone belied. Ronan thought on something biting he could say, some insult or retort, perhaps a venomous remark himself.

Ultimately however Ronan realized that such a thing wouldn't be necessary. He had already won this particular encounter by virtue of this Gryffindor being upset by his words, he saw no need to be cruel in his victory. It wasnt his way. Instead he resolved to take, what he viewed, as the high ground and attempt to Help the misguided lion.

He holds up a closed fist "The table of success stands on 3 legs. WHAT you do. HOW you do it. How others PERCEIVE It." he lifts up a finger each time he lists a new point. "Being the best is more than just doing something well. I am not 'stuck up' I simply am aware of what it takes to be the best, and that entails both doing and Looking your best at all times."

He shakes his head and looks back at his notes. a sardonic smile comes to his face, he was cutting corners by coming here. He could, should, have studied in the dorm or the library and instead he decided to take it easy and come to the lake and it seemed fate had deemed fit to put this Lion in his path for consequence. It was almost as amusing at it was annoying, he thought about telling his sister about it but that just caused the smile slip back to his usual dour expression.

Kai took a deep breath to calm herself. At the moment, her anger was higher than it had been all morning. Actually, all week. She had gotten better at controlling her temper, and this boy was certainly not helping. Absent-mindedly, she reached up to her neck, running her fingers over the velvety material of the choker and brushing against the temporary tattoo of a coil snake that stood out against her pale skin.

Kai stared at him incredulously as he listed off what he most likely thought was advice. As he claimed to not be stuck up, she held back a scoff. "Being the best isn't just about that, Mr. Perfect." She rolled her eyes. "First of all, people don't care, if that's what you're worried about. Second of all, don't go spouting random bloody nonsense at me. I know what it means to be the best. And it doesn't mean looking the best, because that's just trying to be like everyone else! If you're like everyone else, how can you truly be the best?" She realized she was rambling, but didn't really care, simply pushing her hair out of her face and continuing. "To truly be successful, you first need to be yourself, then put effort into your work, and prove that you know that you are better at what you do than anyone else. That's how you become the best. Not by being perfect, because trying to be perfect just means that you're stuck up because you believe that you are better than everyone else without actually showing them first that you are or without seeing if they have the potential to be better than you." Kai finished speaking with a matter-of-fact tone.

Kai settled back, wondering if he was even listening anymore. She had spoken quite a bit, but she didn't care, she had gotten her point across. She noticed the smile on his face, then noticed it fall and her eyes narrowed slightly, wondering what could cause him to be so bitter. From the way he had spoken, he had probably had the support and encouragement to be better than the people around him from his family, so what could cause someone like him to seem so...cold?