SPOILER!!: IDONTEVENKNOW- dont look at us, stalkers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

So she was still denied the access. That was quite reassuring to know, and she probably could see his relief. João could still think whatever he wanted. Though she didn't let him. He still depended pretty much on her reactions. Maybe it was time to put an end to it.

If she let him.

Frowning a little out of confusion when her hand flew to her arm--wands were the last thing on his mind--he was comletely aware of three things: fear radiating from her; her weak attempt at acting as if she didn't get his question again and how she didn't step back. There was still the risk of being slapped or jinxed when he went for it. It was worth trying though. Maybe he would understand some things. He needed to understand some things.

Closing those few centimetres between them, he could still think of moving his free hand to his wand in the pocket just in case and clutched it firmly, right before he closed his eyes and softly pressed his lips on hers, trying to keep it as light as he could. He didn't want to intimidate her any more, after all. The decision was still hers to either stop or deepen it.

Because he actually cared for people's opinions that deserved it.

And thus Aspen Odessa received her first kiss.

She hadn't had any expectations for the whole kissing thing, not really, save for one: that her first kiss would be Cornelius Rune -- not the-boy-who-blasted-her-wand. Not the boy that pointed his wand at West and kept Aspen afraid of him most times. Cornelius gave kisses away freely, gladly, happily and often. Just not... like this. Not to where Aspen was expected to reciprocate. Cornelius made sense; Joao made none.

She also probably would have expected a first kiss to not involve wands at the ready - but here they were.

Aspen wasn't sure who won this round of Chicken Wizards Chess. It was very confusing. How did she actually win? Kiss him back (...she wasn't certain on how to, exactly), or go for wands? Was it strange that neither option stood out as a "best"?? Aspen went with the former, she kissed him back..sort of. A little. Kind of. Slowly, as if she was taste-testing a new flavor, or doing a new experiment. Aspen was as meticulous and curious about kissing as she was with most things.

It seemed easier and safer than drawing her wand - she DID have Ebert on her person and if they were going to duel, she didn't need him in the line of fire. There. Justification for her actions.

"Is this the gift?" Aspen asked, not exactly breaking the kiss, but not quite able NOT to ask. Her eyes were open now, but as was the trend this Odessa wasn't backing away.

What an interesting gift...

João's surprise lasted for a second when she tried to kiss him back. On cue, he intensified the kiss just a little bit. He was almost experimenting with the freedom she gave him, to see what kinds of reaction he could elicit from her. So far, he had failed in predicting her next move. He hadn't really expected her to take his wand to threaten him and then kissing him back. He had never been so confused in his life. This confusion he felt now surpassed even the letter of Brazil's Wizarding Academy.

But it felt different than with Louisa. He hated himself for making a comparision, but he couldn't help it. With Louisa they'd been both out of breath for the few seconds they kissed. With Aspen it was more...

Experimental. That was the word. She was trying him too, just as he was trying her. It was still exciting, but not... comfortable? No, it offered some sort of comfort. It just... Both were afraid of each other in a way, they even kept their wands ready--he understood why she'd held her arm now--and that shouldn't be in a normal kiss.

He drew back to look at her when she talked, and chuckled lightly at the question.

"It isn't," he said, still smiling. "It's in my dormitory, remember?" This... kiss was fully spontaneous. He wondered again if she had a boyfriend. But he didn't really want to know. They were good just here in the dark, away from the crowd, trying to figure each other out.

Aspen rubbed her lips together, analyzing what ... exactly just happened. She heard the girls of her dorm go on for hours about kissing, she'd endured her cousins talk about it, even a few of Aspen's own friends. But none of them had described this whole kissing process to be ANYTHING like what just happened.


No, she didn't remember the location of her gift. It was strange she didn't, with Aspen being a detail cataloger, but ... she just didn't. She blinked at him. Blink. Blink again. She just remembered it was a good-will gift.

He was smiling again. Chuckling, even.

"That made you happy...," Kissing, or that she kissed back, or ..something. "...why?"

And she was asking why-questions again.

His smile subsided at the question as he had to think it through how to word his answer. He'd also noticed how she did not smile, or do anything that suggested she was happy either. So what? She was disappointed? Mad? Though she didn't look mad... Uncomfortable? Afraid?

Whatever the reason, she just didn't smile and that was enough to erase the smile on his face.

"I'm just amused at how you forgot where the gift was," he said and hesitated. Though now it was a situation of 'In for a penny, in for a pound.' and he just had to ask.

"What are you thinking? You don't seem to be particularly..." What? "Interested." That was the mildest way to ask why she didn't smile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

And she was asking why-questions again.

His smile subsided at the question as he had to think it through how to word his answer. He'd also noticed how she did not smile, or do anything that suggested she was happy either. So what? She was disappointed? Mad? Though she didn't look mad... Uncomfortable? Afraid?

Whatever the reason, she just didn't smile and that was enough to erase the smile on his face.

"I'm just amused at how you forgot where the gift was," he said and hesitated. Though now it was a situation of 'In for a penny, in for a pound.' and he just had to ask.

"What are you thinking? You don't seem to be particularly..." What? "Interested." That was the mildest way to ask why she didn't smile.

He'd said that... he reacted to her. Aspen had batted the idea away initially, but maybe... maybe he was right. She kissed him back; he smiled. She didn't smile; he stopped. She didn't react; he started asking questions.

Now THAT was interesting. Wasn't that... sort of powerful? In a way, in a weird way, it was sort of like... Imperius, but legal. Could she REALLY control reactions from others? Of Joao?

She could not tell him what she was thinking, but Aspen did smile. She tucked her forever-falling hair behind her ears. "I'm interested. But I don't know what reaction you expect from me. I've never been part of the kissing thing. I'm trying to figure out if you or me won our game of Mind Chicken. I'm wondering what kisses really mean and what they mean to you and why you did it and if you were going to again - and why. I know what affection is, but you don't seem affectionate, so what was that?"

Aspen smiled more. He HAD asked what she was thinking and there.... was a small fraction of her thoughts.

So she knew how to smile. That relieved João, but he was still nervous. No, he wasn't nervous; he was worse--he was actually questioning himself.

João M. M. N. T. Neves never quite questioned himself.

He listened to the end of what she, and got even more confused. To start with, he didn't even know how he should feel to get to give her her first kiss. It wasn't something to make a huge deal out of it. It was just a step in life. But the way how she didn't even smile--how she smiled after he'd wanted to know if she wasn't interested--he certainly shouldn't feel nervous about being the first to kiss her, but he was.

And maybe that was his way of showing affection. But she didn't even smile or feel anything, how could she know?

He remained silent for a moment, obviously thinking as he eyed some spot in the distance. And then, he simply said "You won." If she was so crazy about the game, he'd let her win it.

Then he shook his head as if getting out of a trance, and smiled at her again. There was something different in his smile though. It was just one of those almost forced polite smiles. None like the previous ones.

"They don't mean anything... It was nothing."

He let his hands drop from her chin and his wand, and stopped only to pick up his coats on his way out.

SPOILER!!: .....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

So she knew how to smile. That relieved João, but he was still nervous. No, he wasn't nervous; he was worse--he was actually questioning himself.

João M. M. N. T. Neves never quite questioned himself.

He listened to the end of what she, and got even more confused. To start with, he didn't even know how he should feel to get to give her her first kiss. It wasn't something to make a huge deal out of it. It was just a step in life. But the way how she didn't even smile--how she smiled after he'd wanted to know if she wasn't interested--he certainly shouldn't feel nervous about being the first to kiss her, but he was.

And maybe that was his way of showing affection. But she didn't even smile or feel anything, how could she know?

He remained silent for a moment, obviously thinking as he eyed some spot in the distance. And then, he simply said "You won." If she was so crazy about the game, he'd let her win it.

Then he shook his head as if getting out of a trance, and smiled at her again. There was something different in his smile though. It was just one of those almost forced polite smiles. None like the previous ones.

"They don't mean anything... It was nothing."

He let his hands drop from her chin and his wand, and stopped only to pick up his coats on his way out.

Aspen stayed glued to her spot, unmoving except for her eyes. She trailed Joao's mixture of expressions, the questions off of him, the fake smile, and finally his departure. She sunk her hands into the pockets of the coat she'd acquired from him, where she rummaged around for her bat and any other things Joao might have left in his pockets.

They don't mean anything... It was nothing.

...

"You're lying," Aspen told Joao, but whether he heard or not, she couldn't tell. It didn't matter, really, if he heard or not because Aspen KNEW he was hiding... something. Just like she had been hiding her thoughts, and feelings, and shielding reactions -- he was too. Lying. But why? WHY.

The mystery of it all, the challenge of figuring it out later, left her with a pleased smile.

Finally, Aspen also left and returned to the upper floors of Hogwarts. She had to write ALL of this down before she forgot any of it.

Emmanuelle just needed out of the common room. It seemed that the room and her classes were all she saw lately. Was turning into a really bad habit that she needed to break. Hince why she'd told her Slytherin Sidekick to meet her here, the first place she thought of. It was kind of a dreary place to meet someone for the first time, the dungeon corridor. But she waited here anyway.

She thought it was strange that their Head of House was assigning sidekicks this late in the year. It wasn't like they needed help finding their way around anymore, in fact, Emmanuelle thought that if one didn't know their way around by now maybe they didn't deserve to be here. Yes, it was a big castle, but they had been here for three months. So, it must be mostly about the 'needing a friend' factor. Which, she would admit, she was sorely lacking in.

Leaning against the stone wall, Emmanuelle wondered if this Sidekick would become a friend. That is, if he wasn't a first year…

So he's meeting with this serpent sidekick outside the dungeons and into the corridors? Where it is dark and pretty cold? Jonathan did saw the notice board after Lafay posted them up. He quickly saw his name on the serpent sidekicks and he was partnered up with Emmanuelle Zoéy Moreau? Jonathan has no idea who this person is. Well, that's why the person signed their name up right?

Jonathan walked out of the dorm room and made his way to the corridors. And spotted no one at first. It is pretty dark and Jonathan further searched the place. Hmmmm... Until Jonathan saw her... She's probably Emmanuelle Zoéy Moreau? Well, if she's not then Jonathan should be early.

Jonathan walked up to her and looked confused at her "Emmanuelle Zoéy Moreau???" wait! Is she French?

Nerida walked slowly into the Dungeon Corridor, it sure was dark and creepy, did she mention dark and creepy? It was also scary to the third year, she needed to remind herself not to come down here again, unless she was latched onto someone that could protect her. Honesltly how did the Slythies survive down here...in the dark...in the scary corridors... Seeing a dim candle she walked over and thought about placing her poster that she hoped could be seen in the dark scary dark corridor...She had made sure to make this poster have green text, becuase like the Huffies, the Slythies liked thier house color, or at least thats what the third year thought!
She put her poster onto the wall, and used one of the sticking charms!

His next stop? A place close to the Slytherin common room. Mainly because it was closest to the Hufflepuff common room and it made more sense to stop by here next. He didn't want to make too many long trips around the castle in his costume. That would be odd. And he might just get lots of looks from people because of the costume he was wearing.

Hopefully people won't know who was inside the costume.

Alec rubbed the back of the badger head as if he was ruffling his hair as he continued to walk along the corridor. It was odd, this corridor was. It was really cold! And dark! And it was very different from the corridor outside of the Hufflepuff common room. That was nice and you could always smell nice food coming from the kitchens. This however...

The thirteen year old shuddered as he quickened his pace along the corridor. The sooner he got this done, the better, right? He didn't want to stay down here for too long. Reaching a spot that was... hopefully, somewhere near the Slytherin common room, Alec stopped and took out the sellotape from his bag. He ripped off some pieces and used them to stick the banner up onto the wall. There. Now he could get out of the cold, dark place.

Asher had one thing on his mind, and no this time it wasn't girls it was food. It was near dinner time and the only thing that he had since lunch was some of Anya's hot coco, (that they had shared) at the match. Walking through the corridors of the dungeons, he started thinking about something else. Why were people so afraid of the dungeons the were only just cold and dark right? Now the catacombs of Italy seemed scary, cold, dark, and narrow, very narrow. At least with these corridors you had room to run around, and act like a ninja-spy.

Speaking of being a ninja-spy he heard someone of something in the corridor just ahead. His stomach could wait, he needed to know who or what it was. As he rounded the corner he seen something big and furry.

Before he realized what he was doing he was running half way down the corridor and grabbed the creature, "Tackle the Badger!" He shouted as they both hit the floor.

Crackling like a old hen. He never would done that but knowing that Alec was the Badger in the badger coustume. Well it just seemed like a fun thing too. It's not often that your "best bro" is in a badger costume, let alone any costume.

This was not what he had planned at all!

All Alec wanted to do was get as far away from the corridor as possible. Why? Because it was cold here! And dark! Very dark! He didn't like it at all. It didn't even smell of nice food! It was probably a good thing he wasn't a Slytherin. He wouldn't know how he could have coped walking through this corridor every day for seven years.

Not only was it cold and dark, it was also dangerous. Very dangerous! And how did he know? Because you wouldn't normally be tackled like this! Alec yelled as he fell and landed on the floor. The sellotape rolled across the floor before bumping into the wall on the other side and coming to a halt. If anyone took his sellotape... he was doomed.

Alec blinked as he tried to look up at the person who had tackled him. Who was it? And why did they tackle him like that? He wasn't doing anything! Nothing at all! So he shouldn't be tackled, right? Right. The thirteen year old squirmed slightly before mumbling, "Hey, dude," Because it felt like a dude who was holding him down. "You're kind of squishing me..." That laugh, though, it sounded very familiar...

"Yes, are you Jonathan Kim?" Emmanuelle replied with a smile at his confusion. He didn't seem like a first year, thank goodness. In fact, he seemed not much older than herself. "And you can just call me 'Em' or 'Emma' if you don't feel saying my big long name." Honestly, she didn't know why her parents had chosen such a long name. It always seemed a bit pompous to her, but that's the way it was.

"Sooo, what's up?" And now she just wanted to facepalm herself. That was kind of a lame question. Not at all like something she'd normally say. Then again, she hadn't been quite herself since school started.

And with the reply of his name, Jonathan knew that she is the person whom Professor Lafay wanted to show around the castle, or maybe help her with homework or classes. Serpent Sidekicks. Jonathan nodded. "That's me" and since she offered to be called Emma, Jonathan can just call her that. Hopefully, there are no nicknames for him with this.

What's up?

Jonathan starred at her, confused. Okay, maybe she's just shy in asking him other questions than that. So Jonathan politely nodded at her and smiled "It's been good" he said awkwardly. "How about you? How are you liking Hogwarts, so far?"

Addie wasn't really sure about this assignment for History of Magic. Really they were supposed to protest about something around the school. Addie didn't know what to protest about, really she had barely been her and was already asked to protest about something. But since it was an assignment Addie had finally decided to protest against the school uniforms. The first place she was going to invade was the dungeon corridor. It was by her common rooms and enough people had to walk by for potions...right.

Addie stared at the posters in her arms. Was she really going to do this? In her other hands she had a bucket of paint. Yes, she was afraid of getting in trouble, but if she did the assignment she might as well go all out. RIGHT???!! Addie took a paint brush and began to paint one of the walls a bright lime green. It looked crazy and would shine out with the magenta of her poster. After she finished painting the wall she stood back and took in the sight. It looked great! Then she remembered a charm, "Phosfornus!" she said with a smile. The lime green began to glow and change back and forth from lime green to pink. She finally took her poster and put it up to the wall and said, "adhaero." There she was done. Addie skipped of to her next destination.

Some people had made a lot more effort than West, he could see that as he trudged around the school, but he was sure that his efforts were less dumb and therefore better. He stuck up a banner and munched on the bread roll he'd got from the Great Hall.

Ehhh good enough!

He was gonna go find a tree to climb now.

"Well, that's good," Emmanuelle answered, ignoring any awkwardness. 'Cause she was good at that. A trait that had served her well over the years.

Honestly, she didn't quite know how she felt about Hogwarts. On one hand, the fact that she was away from the watchful eyes of her parents was nice. It gave her the chance to things she probably wouldn't with them around. On the other hand, she missed the weather back in Nice very much. It was much too cold here for her liking. Not to mention, she missed her friends back home a great deal.

She finally settled on an answer. "It's nice. I just wish it was warmer," she said with a smile.

Just after that disastrous Potions class with many students freezing out of nowhere and then regaining their consciousness...And then freezing out again? Erin freaked out, a lot, just like any other students inside that classroom. Only seeing Professor Lafay's reaction to the whole incident, that was priceless. Unfortunately, while heading out from the Potions classroom, she lost something and she was not sure if she really lost it here. Though, Erin was very sure that she remembered her neck, still with that necklace, while dissecting Plimpies. That was very important to her and she needed to find it quick.

Coming from the Ravenclaw common room, Erin went down to the dungeon corridor. She looked around and leaned her knees down, trying to look in every corner. She wasn't really used to hanging around here apart from going into Potions. And she didn't know any nooks and crannies of the place that much. Her head, still bowed down looking for that necklace, she bumped into something. And it hit her hard causing her to fall onto the floor.

The cold was creeping up to Zeke. Everywhere outside, you see snow. And in the hall, it was cold. He definitely needed to find another place to hang around at besides the common room. Another warm place, that is.

Why somewhere near the dungeon? I don't know. Maybe he thought that since it was underground, it'd be warmer. But he thought wrong. It was freezing here too. Brrrrrrrrrr.

'Should prolly go back to the hall and up to the common room again.' He had to face it, the common room was the best place to be at during these times. With the fireplace and all. As he turned around, Zeke was taken aback as he was hit in the stomach. "Umf," he let out a small groan as his right hand automatically reached to his stomach to relieve the pain.

And as he was at it, he realized that it was another person that he had bumped into. And she was clearly in a worse situation that he was in as she lay down on the floor.

Err........now what?

"...Ow..." muttered Erin as she hit the bottom ground. She went a little dizzy after that fall. And then, she realized, there couldn't be any obstruction at the corridor since it was a corridor. That left her to conclude that it was actually someone she hit. Or vice versa. She was in no mood for fighting after all. She just wanted to find that necklace of hers. She patted her head to balance it so that the dizziness would stop. Still, holding her head, Erin looked up and saw a guy from Gryffindor. She wasn't sure if she already saw him but he's quite familiar, probably classes?

And when she came onto her senses, "Oh! I'm sorry," said Erin. "Are you hurt?" she asked with concern. She was still on the ground, still not ready to stand up because of that dizziness. She just wished, she wouldn't freeze just like what's happening to most of the students at Hogwarts.

Damon walked through the corridor, why couldn't he find that passage way again? He'd wanted to practice his song for Taylor again... Her birthday was coming up quickly and he wanted the song perfect and he still had to find the locket he wanted to get her... Ugh, so much to do, so little time.

Ariana was walking down into the corridor to co down to her common room when she spotted Damon "Are you lost or something?" she asked him

Damon looked over, "No, just looking for something," He hadn't seen Ariana since hearing about her aunt's pregnancy, "How've you been?"

"Looking for what?" she asked what could he possibly be looking for down here. She crossed her arms "i've been well, thank you." she raised an eyebrow looking at him