kingdomtalks | Entry 1

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's glad to have someone else from home around, someone else familiar, but after the first evening, she slips out of his mind, because, well, Sirius ends up in his room, and then the thing happens that usually happens when Sirius ends up in his room, and when he wakes up the following morning, his mind is just on chores and getting through another day.

But the knock on his door the next evening reminds him, and he gets up, clearing his throat, and makes an attempt to smooth down his hair before he goes to answer the door. And there's—]

Xiang! Hey, good to see you, c'mon in. Sorry, er, it's a bit messy in here.

[It absolutely isn't, but??? He feels the need to apologize regardless.]

[Oh. Yep, that crush is still definitely alive and well, judging by the way her heart flips in her chest when he opens the door.]

[She laughs, only a little nervously, and shakes her head.]

It's really not. You should see my room, it's a tip. [If by "tip" you mean "absolutely spotless and with a vase of fresh flowers on the sill", anyway.]

It's, uh. It's really good to see you. You look well!

[And that's not just a platitude. He looks healthier than she remembers.]

Yeah? [Somehow Remus doubts that; she's never struck him as the messy type, exactly, but he won't press the issue.

He backs into the room to let her in, and closes the door, though he leaves it cracked a little. Just for courtesy's sake. One hand reaches up to rub at the back of his neck.]

Yeah? Thanks, er. Guess all the fresh air around here's really doing me some good.

[Also the whole not-being-a-werewolf thing.]

[Xiang ducks inside, smiling at him, and after a moment's consideration, perches on the end of the bed.]

I'm glad. I mean, really.

Um, I brought you something. [It's just good manners to bring a gift when you're visiting, she's always been taught that. She holds up one hand in a wait-a-moment gesture, digging in the pocket of her robes, and brings out a little paper bag.]

It's not a touch on the stuff my Ye-Ye used to order in, and I mean, I've not got paid yet so it's on the cheap, but, uh... Green tea.

[Clearing her throat, she gets back to her feet to proffer it.]

Smells like matcha but I'm sure it's something else. I was a bit surprised they've got it at all, really. Not the climate, is it? And I couldn't afford much but it ought to be enough for a few cups.

[Xiang, you're babbling.]

Oh? [Remus looks surprised; he wasn't expecting a gift. Usually when he has a visitor it's either James or Sirius, and all they tend to bring is flatulence and mischief. But he takes the little paper bag with a grateful nod.]

Thank you. Really, you didn't have to do this. I'm sure it's good. [He gives her a smile, and crosses over to his desk, where he's got an iron kettle set on a stone slab. His wand sits neglected on his bedside table, because it's not really of much use to him here, but instead he simply holds out a palm and focuses, just for a moment, before there are flames licking the underside of the kettle.

Remus turns, shrugging.]

Magic here's way more effort than at home, but I've picked it up easily enough.

[She laughs, as much out of relief as anything else.]

Merlin, that's good to see! I was starting to think no-one here learnt any magic, talking to some of the other apprentices!

So how does it work? No wand, huh?

[It's possibly the best move he could have made, actually, because now her interest in the magic here is outstripping her shyness. She looks a lot less tense all of a sudden.]

[Remus rolls his eyes.] Only because the majority of apprentices don't have the will or attention span to actually study.

[He holds out his hand, palm-up, and focuses again; after another moment, a soft, glowing pink light appears, cupped in his hand.]

Apparently you can use a wand to focus your magic, but Mistress doesn't "believe" in that. She's made me learn without one. It's not all that different from our wandless magic, but it's still a lot of work just to learn basic spells. Like swimming through treacle.

[~~Oh, yeah. Talk nerdy to her, baby.~~]

[She smiles, biting her lip, and tilts her head a little as she looks at the light in his hand.]

I mean, it's got to be good practice, right? Learn the hard stuff, and the easy stuff is... well, easy. I don't know why they didn't cover it more in school.

Can you, uh... show me? How it's done?

[She didn't mean for that to come out quite so flirty, it's just force of habit.]

Yeah. It does make a bit more sense, actually. Though I dunno if a first year would have the concentration required. When I was that age, I could barely sit still. It was like I had fleas.

[Haha. Ha.]

Show you? [Remus pauses, giving Xiang a sly glance.] I dunno, Mistress wouldn't like that very much...

[She looks a bit chastened, ducking her head.]

Well, I wouldn't want to get you in trouble.

[Remus leans forward to catch her eye.]

Well, what she doesn't know won't hurt her, right?

[She bites her lip, looking up at him, and there's a certain glint in her eye.]

Just like a Gryffindor to say shite like that.

...I'm game if you are.

[Well that's.

That's distracting.

Remus blinks a couple of times, lets out a nervous laugh, and shrugs.]

Some things never change. C'mon, here, have a sit. It's easier to concentrate that way.

[Xiang laughs, too. It's less obviously nervous, but only a little. Mostly because she's now moving in to sit down with the guy she's had a crush on for most of a decade, and she can't help noticing he smells really nice?]

[She's not blushing, you're blushing!]

Okay. Teach away, Professor.

Entry 1 - 22/01

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject