 *rearranges things a little* Rhibear ~ Madam Solo ~ Dark Brooding Girl ~ Accio Jedi ~ Gryffinclaw ~ Just a doll
More people had arrived now. Miss Dalgaard-Volkova, Miss Sorin-Ward, and Miss Way each got a hello from the new Head of House. Miss Evans and Mr. Kenning did not go unnoticed, and the pair received a polite nod in their direction. After all, they seemed engrossed in conversation, and he didn't want to interrupt.
Gaston couldn't help but laugh as he watched Mr. Moore jumping around and going on about climbing a mountain. "You most certainly did!" he said, smiling at the first year. "Here's a reward for your valiant effort..." He picked up a flower crown and placed it atop the boy's head like a laurel wreath. Blink, blink. His expression changed at what he said next. "Robin Hood's ghost?" It took him a moment to register who the boy was talking about. "Oh you mean Sir Nicholas? I suppose he does look a little like Robin Hood..." Not that he'd ever tell the ghost that, of course. His eyes darted around the room. "I don't know where he is." Probably somewhere socializing with the other house ghosts...
The professor nodded in agreement at what Miss Kettleburn said to the house elf (Algamus), smiling at both of them. "Yes, i'll take care of it," he said. "Please enjoy yourselves." He beamed at Mr. Salander when he gave Miss Dalgaard-Volkova a flower crown and a water squirter, and another even bigger beam for Miss Morrison as he overheard her say she'd found a home. Her words may not have been meant for him, but they still touched his heart nonetheless.
Then the handbuzzer happened. "Thank you, Miss Burton," Gaston replied when the girl said she'd keep his advice in mind, though he was a bit skeptical that she'd actually do it. Oh well, no time to think about that right now. There was a water fight going on! It wasn't long until he was drenched with a jet of water courtesy of Mr. Salander. He clutched at his chest and staggered back dramatically, pretending to be injured, but he was laughing as he returned fire, first aiming back at the male prefect, then into a random group of students.
But his laughter faded as he overheard his name mentioned in Mr. Kenning and Miss Evans's conversation. Whatever they were saying about him, he doubted it was anything good. But if that shook his confidence, Miss Swynford's humph and Miss Dalgaard-Volkova's widening eyes derailed it. He snuck away from the chaos, ordered a coconut pineapple banana smoothie, and sat at a stool near the smoothie shack. He absentmindedly stirred his drink with his straw, aimlessly watching Miss Summers and a few of the other girls join Miss Kettleburn at the pool as his feelings of self-doubt returned. What was he thinking?! He'd never win these kids over, no matter what he did! He inwardly berated himself for even caring what they thought of him at all. His father was right... he was a weak, pathetic shrinking violet.
__________________ Old voices I had thought long since dead whisper of another life I might have led
If I could take that second chance, If I could make my life anew, If only dreams came true... |