Entry 1 - 22/01

[xiangthebodyelectric]

So I'm assuming, based on what people have said, that someone can see this? If so, hi. I'm Xiang, I'm new here and I don't really know anyone.

If not, I guess nobody needs to know I'm trying to write to imaginary people in my journal. Ha ha.

Anyway, I got here a few hours ago, and to be honest, I'm pretty lost. It seems like a nice place, don't get me wrong! But it's a lot to take in. Would anyone like to show me around a bit? Especially the town and so on? I promise, I'm really good company!

Oh, and this is kind of a swotty question, I know, but are there any other libraries round here, or just in the castle? All my reading material's back in my flat, and it doesn't look like I'll be back there any time soon, so it would be nice to get something to keep me occupied!

Sorry for rambling. I'm really looking forwards to getting to know you all, though! Especially my fellow apprentices!

OK, I think that's everything. If you actually are reading this, how about you leave me your name and, I don't know, tell me what your favourite thing about this place is? You don't have to, but, hey, it could be a good kick-off for a conversation!

-Xiang Chang

Comments

[ignisvulpes]

Hey, Xiang. I just happen to be a fellow apprentice. :]
Where are you from?

[xiangthebodyelectric]

Oh, really? What's it like? Any tips for a newbie?

I'm from Scotland. Glasgow. How about you?

[ignisvulpes]

I don't know about tips, but here's a warning:
I've been here for months and I haven't learned a LICK of magic yet.

Ohh. See, I don't talk about this very often, but I'm actually from Japan.
That's why I asked, you know? Thought we might have just a little bit more in common than everyone else here.

[xiangthebodyelectric]

Aw, you must be joking! I didn't sign up to not learn anything! Maybe I should've just taken my chances in town, after all.

My family's Chinese, if that's what you mean. Is that what you mean? I know it's not exactly a Scottish name, ha ha.

Japan, though, that's cool. I've never been there, but I'd like to some day, I think.

[ignisvulpes]

That IS what I mean. ;] Sure, China and Japan are pretty different, but they're closer to each other than...
Wherever most of these other people are from.

Nothing wrong with Scotland though! Don't get me wrong!
Even though I've never been there either.

Of course, I guess we might just never be anywhere else for the rest of our lives.

Sorry, that's kind of a bummer, isn't it? My bad!

[xiangthebodyelectric]

Hey, at least you're being honest. Even if it is kind of a bummer.

It could be worse, though, right? Plenty of people seem to be having fun around here. (Some of them quite loudly)

[She's not as blasé about the idea as she's trying to seem. Her life is back in Glasgow, and yeah, it's not what she thought it would be, but it's still hers. And her Ye-Ye and her parents are there, and the thought of not seeing them again is like a punch to the heart.]

[But she isn't about to bare her soul to a stranger like that. Especially not when it would probably only remind him of the things and people he misses, too.]

Anyway, for the time being it should be interesting, at least. As soon as I find a library, or I guess, someone to talk to about things.

Maybe we can meet up some time, and you can tell me what it's been like for you here? And maybe about Japan, too. Like you said, Japan and China aren't that far apart - maybe we can compare notes!

[ignisvulpes]

Oh, I'm sure we'll meet soon. There aren't a whole lot of us outsiders here.

[xiangthebodyelectric]

There's more than I would have expected. I don't suppose you know how they brought us here? I know there's theories about multiple worlds, but as far as I know, nobody I've ever heard of has proved them, let alone crossed them.

[ignisvulpes]

I mean...

Magic, right? It's GOT to be magic.

And this is definitely another world.
Hell, maybe we're ALL from different worlds.

[moonshined]

Remus Lupin
My favourite thing about this place is that I keep running into people I know.
That also happens to be my least favourite thing.
It's a mixed blessing.

[xiangthebodyelectric]

What
You

Actually Remus Lupin? Are you serious?

Merlin's balls, what are you doing here?

[moonshined]

The one and only.
Or well, I'm pretty certain, but yeah.
Small world, isn't it?

As for what I'm doing here, my guess is as good as yours.

[xiangthebodyelectric]

Small different world. I'm not going to lie, Lupin, you're just about the last person I expected to meet around here.

[And she's not at all sure how to feel about him being here, now she thinks about it. On the one hand, she's glad that she's not all on her own here, and she's glad to see him again - she always liked Lupin, and not just in a wild-teenage-crush kind of way.]

[On the other hand, that whole wild-teenage-crush thing is, it turns out, still there. Damn.]

How long have you been here?

[moonshined]

Look, I'm the last person I'd expect to meet around here. Yet here I am.

Well...Nine months at least, by now.

[xiangthebodyelectric]

Nine months? Merlin, that's a really long time. You must have got pretty good at knowing your way around this place. What's it like?

[moonshined]

Yes, well, mostly! There's always something new cropping up, of course...but if you keep your wits about you and use any amount of common sense, it's easy enough to navigate.

[xiangthebodyelectric]

Can't be harder to navigate than Britain right now, huh? Ha ha.

Are you happy here?

[braveatheart]

James Potter.
I think you're the first person to get here and ask if there's a library.

[xiangthebodyelectric]

Old habits die hard. Especially when they're the fun ones, haha.

Don't tell me you're the James Potter I know? Used to play Quidditch for Gryffindor?

[braveatheart]

That's me. Best Chaser they ever had.

[xiangthebodyelectric]

If by "they" you mean Gryffindor, you're not wrong. We beat you to the Cup at least once, though.

You don't remember me, huh? [Her feelings aren't hurt! Honest!]

[Except for the part where her feelings are hurt every time something implies she's not memorable.]

[braveatheart]

I mean the school, but sure, one win makes all the difference.

Yeah, I remember you! I didn't get hit in the head by that many bludgers.

[xiangthebodyelectric]

Oh, yeah? Meet me on the pitch some time, why don't you?

Wait, do they even have Quidditch here?

[braveatheart]

No, they don't. More's the pity.

[xiangthebodyelectric]

Dammit. Guess we'll never know, then.

How many of us are there here? Hogwarts alumni, I mean. I know there's you, and Lupin...