7 Sep 2019, 16:11
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Thanks to the sunny morning outside, the library looks alive and welcoming, which serves to calm him down. It's very different from the intimidating aura the rest of the castle radiates, Virgil notes the moment he awkwardly slithers inside the room, looking around, making himself small, so none of the students present would notice him. No one stares at him — there's no laughter or judging look, and he kindly tells his anxiety to shut up as more thoughts bubble in his mind.
He walks down the corridor, frowning, worried as to not make any sound, biting his lower lip as he nervously glances at the narrow shelves. The tables at the front are already taken by groups of students; some read, some seem very busy in exchanging their summer stories in excited whispers. Virgil walks past them without making eye contact. Sure, he promised Trent he'd try and be more social but — not right now. Maybe tomorrow. Or next week. Perhaps, never.
Virgil finds himself a nice spot further back, with a safe three table distance from the other students. It makes him feel a little stupid and he knows that if he was here, Trent would be giving him the 'why are you like this?' look. He shakes his head and walks towards one of the shelves in the rights, he tries to read the titles of the old and dusty books there forgotten.
Uh... Virgil grabs the first book he sees. The cover is grey and just as dusty as he expected. He blows the dust and is able to read the title. 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde. Muggle writer, surely. He turns the book and stares at its back cover. 'Written in his distinctively dazzling manner, Oscar Wilde’s story of a fashionable young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty is the author’s most popular work.'
It isn't something Virgil is used to reading, unless the novel switched to the horror genre in the middle of the story. But if he wants to change, something as small as a book's genre is a solid start. It does seem interesting, and so Virgil makes his way back to his spot, opening the book as he sits down.
Last edited by Virgil Lee on 24 Nov 2019, 13:30, edited 1 time in total.
V. G. L. Armitage
ST: 5_E: 7_S: 5_W: 7_AP: 5_A: 6
14 Sep 2019, 07:32
Change
It was a weekend and Noah wasn't overly enthusiastic about doing anything at all but he eventually got tired of staying in bed and had to go outside for a walk. It was quite sunny, not what Noah would prefer it to be so he decided he was not leaving the castle, the library it was then.
After breakfast, he headed straight to the library, he was earlier than most people, he had a fixed schedule and never woke up late, even during holidays, he felt a pang of guilt when he woke up late as if he had wasted his day just by sleeping in for an extra three hours.
He walked through the bookshelves, thinking of what he wanted to read. He had finished the last book he was reading in the library and he was done with all his homework. He knew a few good books he wanted to read but he felt like reading something light for the day, he wasn't exactly in a good mood. He kept picking up different books and reading their summaries, hoping something would catch his interest enough for him to read it.
After a few minutes of searching, he found a book called The grumpy muggle, it said something about an ordinary muggle living out his life but he hates everything. Perfect. Though Noah didn't know as much about the muggle world, he didn't mind reading books on it, some of them were pretty fun to read, muggles were interesting sometimes.
He took the book and sat down on a chair, keeping the book in front of him and starting to read it. A few minutes later, another boy came and sat near to him, he didn't pay much attention to the boy but he noticed him, it broke Noah's attention for a few seconds but he went back to reading, chuckling every few seconds when something amusing happened in the book, it wasn't too long but it hadn't been too long since he had started and he was loving the book so far.
After breakfast, he headed straight to the library, he was earlier than most people, he had a fixed schedule and never woke up late, even during holidays, he felt a pang of guilt when he woke up late as if he had wasted his day just by sleeping in for an extra three hours.
He walked through the bookshelves, thinking of what he wanted to read. He had finished the last book he was reading in the library and he was done with all his homework. He knew a few good books he wanted to read but he felt like reading something light for the day, he wasn't exactly in a good mood. He kept picking up different books and reading their summaries, hoping something would catch his interest enough for him to read it.
After a few minutes of searching, he found a book called The grumpy muggle, it said something about an ordinary muggle living out his life but he hates everything. Perfect. Though Noah didn't know as much about the muggle world, he didn't mind reading books on it, some of them were pretty fun to read, muggles were interesting sometimes.
He took the book and sat down on a chair, keeping the book in front of him and starting to read it. A few minutes later, another boy came and sat near to him, he didn't pay much attention to the boy but he noticed him, it broke Noah's attention for a few seconds but he went back to reading, chuckling every few seconds when something amusing happened in the book, it wasn't too long but it hadn't been too long since he had started and he was loving the book so far.
22 Sep 2019, 14:37
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Virgil spies the book the student close to him is reading, careful not to make himself too obvious. He lowers his own novel just a little, his dark eyes peaking just enough to make it readable. The Grumpy Muggle, says the title, though he can't manage to read the author's name. Virgil hums to himself, kniting his brows, trying to remember if he's ever picked that book up.
No, he concludes, as he wonders what the story could possibly be about... Grumpy Muggle's quest to conquer the world? Or, perhaps, a love story? Muggles sure love making grumpy or evil characters turn good by the power of love... Hm.
He goes back to his book, unable to find which sentence he's reading, resulting to a defeated sigh, restarting the page all over. Lord Henry smiled, and, leaning down, plucked a pinkpetalled daisy from the grass, and examined it... Virgil can't focus on what the character says next. He reads the words, but it feels like he hasn't.
He sighs again.
His eyes dart to the student, just as curious as before. The brown-haired Slytherin looks rather entretained by his book. His face isn't familiar at all. Virgil tilts his head. You're being weird, he can almost hear Trent's faint voice in his head. He looks at the book, instead.
"Is it good?" Virgil hears himself ask before he can even think about turning back to his reading. He freezes, eyes wide.
V. G. L. Armitage
ST: 5_E: 7_S: 5_W: 7_AP: 5_A: 6
25 Sep 2019, 16:38
Change
Noah was having a fairly good time reading the book, it worked well for his mood and it was overall a good book to read, it was humorous enough to keep him occupied but the humour was witty enough to not feel forced. He had mostly forgotten about where he was, he usually did that when reading and that was when he was truly content, he had forgotten about his studies and everything else that usually bothered him.
He barely ever moved, he was too fixated on the book, it actually took him a few seconds to register when someone said something, "Is it good?"
Noah looked up from his book to see who said it, not even sure if it was directed at him. There was only one other person near him, the kid sitting in front of him, he was staring at him so Noah presumed the boy must be talking to him. He took a few seconds to think about it before replying.
"Good enough, not too dumb but still effortless enough to read without feeling bored." He said, not entirely sure if that provided justice to how much fun the book was to read but also not bothered about going into too much detail about the book.
He barely ever moved, he was too fixated on the book, it actually took him a few seconds to register when someone said something, "Is it good?"
Noah looked up from his book to see who said it, not even sure if it was directed at him. There was only one other person near him, the kid sitting in front of him, he was staring at him so Noah presumed the boy must be talking to him. He took a few seconds to think about it before replying.
"Good enough, not too dumb but still effortless enough to read without feeling bored." He said, not entirely sure if that provided justice to how much fun the book was to read but also not bothered about going into too much detail about the book.
2 Oct 2019, 17:31
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"Ah." Virgil lets out, intelligently.
Good job, weirdo, he can almost hear Trent's voice mocking him. He ignores it entirely. He coughs because, for some reason, he feels like he should say something. The other probably just wants to go back to his reading, but Virgil adds, carefully, voice nothing more than a fragile whisper, paying attention to the other's expression. "Uh... Mine's about a man who sells his soul to ensure he'll never age and fade. So, uh, this beautiful painting of his ages instead... Muggle writer... So far, so good."
Virgil smiles weakly. He's sure that he looks pathetic.
His ears burn, just like the rest of his face, the urge to hide and never be seen again growing by each second. Gryffindor's intense red color had nothing on his face, he'd bet twenty galeons on it. That's why he never interacts with people, he reminds himself, regretting not keeping his mouth shut, trying to keep his face still, pretending he isn't having a mental breakdown.
"The Grumpy Muggle..." Virgil manages to choke out, voice more audible this time around. He looks down for a second, because Merlin, he's terrible with words and dealing with other people. "What's it about?"
V. G. L. Armitage
ST: 5_E: 7_S: 5_W: 7_AP: 5_A: 6
3 Oct 2019, 08:42
Change
Noah continued reading after hearing the boy's reply, not really caring much for conversation. But then the boy started talking again. Noah looked back up from his book, hearing the boy making some noise which he assumed was talking, he couldn't actually hear anything more than a few random words together that didn't really help him understand whatever it was that the boy was going on about.
He wasn't sure how to react to it, was he supposed to pretend he understood everything or ask him to speak again? He could see the boy getting embarrassed by the second and was sure he should do something but wasn't sure what he could do.
Fortunately, the boy himself decided to speak up again, this time in an audible voice, thankfully. Noah took his focus off of the book, the kid seemed pretty interesting and was trying to talk, Noah didn't want to be rude. "It's about a muggle, he practically hates everything about his life, it shows how he lives out his life. The book doesn't sound all that interesting but if you don't know much about muggles, it sure is fun to read." He said, hoping that was a good description of what the book was really about, he'd say that mostly explained the book properly enough.
He wasn't sure how to react to it, was he supposed to pretend he understood everything or ask him to speak again? He could see the boy getting embarrassed by the second and was sure he should do something but wasn't sure what he could do.
Fortunately, the boy himself decided to speak up again, this time in an audible voice, thankfully. Noah took his focus off of the book, the kid seemed pretty interesting and was trying to talk, Noah didn't want to be rude. "It's about a muggle, he practically hates everything about his life, it shows how he lives out his life. The book doesn't sound all that interesting but if you don't know much about muggles, it sure is fun to read." He said, hoping that was a good description of what the book was really about, he'd say that mostly explained the book properly enough.
6 Oct 2019, 01:14
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"That muggle sure is relatable." mumbles Virgil, trying to relax a little and make himself not look as stupid as he thinks he does, only to shake his head at his own comment, a weak, very embarrassed chuckle coming out, avoiding eye contact completely. Jokes aren't his strong suit, his brain tells him, making him play with his hands in front of his book's cover. "Stupid joke, sorry..."
Let's shut up now and let the guy finish his book in peace. Virgil thinks to himself, biting his lower lip. You're being annoying and just so, so stupid. And there's no denying that. If the situation was inverted, he'd be a little bit annoyed, too. He likes to immerse himself whenever he reads, and if The Grumpy Muggle was as interesting as the other Slytherin's telling him, he'd want to experience it properly, without some unknown first year bothering him about it.
However, he says, voice shaking, but almost unnoticeable, "Uh, I'm Virgil." he smiles weakly and adds, "Lee. Virgil Lee."
Both the insecurity and awkwardness in his voice are palpable, which makes his ears feel like a firepit. He looks down, shaking his head quickly as he does whenever he's anxious, hiding his eyes behind the dark curtains of his bangs. "Sorry to bother you," Virgil whispers once again, another weak laugh escaping his mouth.
V. G. L. Armitage
ST: 5_E: 7_S: 5_W: 7_AP: 5_A: 6
11 Oct 2019, 14:46
Change
Noah nodded, part of the reason why he loved the book was because of how relatable the muggle was, even if their ways of living were completely different. He then noticed the boy getting flustered, he sure wasn't good at social interactions, was he? Well, neither was Noah but he could play along, at least. "It wasn't that bad," he said, giving the boy a reassuring blink (or so he thought, it was a thing he always did but he wasn't sure if people actually were used to blinking at people to reassure them of something) before going back to his book.
He kept thinking back about the boy in front of him, should he try and converse with him? He wasn't sure if the kid really wanted to talk anymore, besides, he had no idea what he could talk about anyway, so he just stayed quiet and pretended to keep reading.
Fortunately, he heard the boy murmur again still not entirely sure but he heard him say his name as Virgil Lee repeated himself. He kept the book down, "Noah Page," he said as he held his out to Lee, noticing how awkward the boy felt and trying to not make him feel worse as much as he could, though Noah wasn't exactly good at that sort of thing so he wasn't sure how else he should be doing it.
He kept thinking back about the boy in front of him, should he try and converse with him? He wasn't sure if the kid really wanted to talk anymore, besides, he had no idea what he could talk about anyway, so he just stayed quiet and pretended to keep reading.
Fortunately, he heard the boy murmur again still not entirely sure but he heard him say his name as Virgil Lee repeated himself. He kept the book down, "Noah Page," he said as he held his out to Lee, noticing how awkward the boy felt and trying to not make him feel worse as much as he could, though Noah wasn't exactly good at that sort of thing so he wasn't sure how else he should be doing it.
13 Oct 2019, 16:26
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[quote]
"Nice to meet you, Noah." Virgil smiles awkwardly, but his voice, thank Merlin, isn't shaking. He shakes Page's hand, and nods. Quickly, he brings his hand back. He glances at his book, breaking eye contact. He bites his lower lip again, staring the book cover.
Ok, I can do this! I can totally do this! he thinks to himself, trying to ignore his growing anxiety practically screaming at him to get up and hide in the Slytherin common room. He sucks in some air, gathering all the courage he has. Come on, you can do it!
"Look, uh, this is going to sound so silly, but, uh," Virgil laughs weakly, still not looking down, playing with his hands so the other won't notice they're shaking a little. "What do you usually do on weekends? I don't really have anything else to do other than read, and, I don't know, uh, maybe, I mean, i-if you're interested, of course, we could come here and talk about books we've been reading... Every two weeks or something, I don't know," He shrugs, trying to pretend he doesn't really care. However, he adds quickly, looking down, cheeks burning, "Or maybe not...! It was a stupid idea anyways."
Virgil looks down, wanting the floor to open and shallow him so he never had to engage in another conversation every again. Why do I do this to myself...? He thinks, gloomily.
"Nice to meet you, Noah." Virgil smiles awkwardly, but his voice, thank Merlin, isn't shaking. He shakes Page's hand, and nods. Quickly, he brings his hand back. He glances at his book, breaking eye contact. He bites his lower lip again, staring the book cover.
Ok, I can do this! I can totally do this! he thinks to himself, trying to ignore his growing anxiety practically screaming at him to get up and hide in the Slytherin common room. He sucks in some air, gathering all the courage he has. Come on, you can do it!
"Look, uh, this is going to sound so silly, but, uh," Virgil laughs weakly, still not looking down, playing with his hands so the other won't notice they're shaking a little. "What do you usually do on weekends? I don't really have anything else to do other than read, and, I don't know, uh, maybe, I mean, i-if you're interested, of course, we could come here and talk about books we've been reading... Every two weeks or something, I don't know," He shrugs, trying to pretend he doesn't really care. However, he adds quickly, looking down, cheeks burning, "Or maybe not...! It was a stupid idea anyways."
Virgil looks down, wanting the floor to open and shallow him so he never had to engage in another conversation every again. Why do I do this to myself...? He thinks, gloomily.
V. G. L. Armitage
ST: 5_E: 7_S: 5_W: 7_AP: 5_A: 6
6 Nov 2019, 07:59
Change
"Nice to meet you too." He says, still observing the boy in front of him. He still seemed to be unsure about what he was doing, or rather really struggling with it. Noah wasn't sure how to help that though so he kept silent and watched as he appeared to prepare for a battle.
After a few seconds, he managed to speak up, still probably not sure if he should or shouldn't say it and after listening to what he had to say, he could see why he was so afraid of saying it in the first place, Noah would be too.
But it was kind of a confusing proposition for him, it wasn't like he couldn't do it, but he wasn't exactly always free on weekends either, right? He was used to reading alone and in peace, that was always the way he liked things but he also did want to be a bit more friendly this year maybe. He lowered his gaze, contemplating it for a few seconds.
"No, it's not that stupid an idea. I'll try to do it, I sometimes like to study and not be interrupted but when I am free, I'll try to see you here on weekends and discuss what I've been reading." He said, hoping it was a good reply, he didn't want to sound too rude either.
After a few seconds, he managed to speak up, still probably not sure if he should or shouldn't say it and after listening to what he had to say, he could see why he was so afraid of saying it in the first place, Noah would be too.
But it was kind of a confusing proposition for him, it wasn't like he couldn't do it, but he wasn't exactly always free on weekends either, right? He was used to reading alone and in peace, that was always the way he liked things but he also did want to be a bit more friendly this year maybe. He lowered his gaze, contemplating it for a few seconds.
"No, it's not that stupid an idea. I'll try to do it, I sometimes like to study and not be interrupted but when I am free, I'll try to see you here on weekends and discuss what I've been reading." He said, hoping it was a good reply, he didn't want to sound too rude either.