No time to search the world around {Addilyn}

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After running into Edmund, Loïc immediately went straight for the Common Room, knowing who he would find there. If the boy was going to take one of his toys it was only fair that he take one of his. The boy would learn to fear his betters. That was the funny thing about Loïc. He always won in the end. 

Seeing his target, he took a moment to catch his breath and put on a trusting face. Smoothing his hair back, he walked closely before slightly coughing into his hand. "Pardon me, Miss Slater" he said with a warm smile, "But is this seat taken?"

Tag: @jill2

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@ruse
<3

Addilyn was just relaxing in the common room reading in front of the fire. She wasn't too sure where Edmund was at the moment, possibly in a class, but she was sure he'd be there soon to talk with her. The book she was reading was quite interesting, but she was almost finished with it and was thinking of what she would do once she had. Possibly go fly and practice on her own for Quidditch, but it was still up in the air.

Her thoughts were broken when a voice was heard above her. Addilyn immediately looked up and she smiled her sweet smile and shut the book, leaving it on her lap. Addi turned her body slightly as he asked about the seat next to her, and she held out her hand as an offer and shook her head. "No, it's not taken at all!" His name was Loic. Addilyn had heard a few things here and there about him, but being who she was, she didn't judge people by what she heard.

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Loïc returned her smile and held her gaze. He sat down cautiously, timid even. "T-thank you. It's very kind of you." He stared into the fire and spoke quietly. "Not everyone would have been as gracious.... especially to me." He turned his eyes back to hers before looking away again. "Forgive me. It's been a long night. I don't mean to bore you with my antic's. Please, Miss Slater, return to your novel."

He took a deep breath in and smiled thoughtfully to himself, "It is the perfect night for curling up next to the fire, isn't it? I remember being a young boy and my father reading to me and drinking hot cocoa on nights like this." None of this was true, of course, but what the girl didn't know won't hurt her. 

Tag: @jill2

[Deleted]

@ruse
<3

His stutter made her raise her eyebrows at him. Was he nervous? Why was her nervous? She smiled gently at him and nodded her head. "Of course, no need to thank me." As he continued to speak she became concerned, and Addilyn put the book down on the table in front of them and turned to face him more, tilting her head. "Please don't apologize. Is everything alright? The book can wait." Addi wasn't sure if this was something she should be getting into, but this is what she did. She helped people.

Addilyn smiled and laughed quickly. "Yes, I suppose it is the perfect night. It's quite enjoyable, I haven't done it in awhile myself." Addi couldn't recall why she had never spoken to this boy before. Her memories were escaping her right now; she had heard things about him, but what she had heard was not coming to mind. However, she was feeling a bit curious as to what was wrong with him, so she wasn't going to refuse the company.

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He sighed loudly, his head hung low and his eyes cast down near his feet. Inside, he was simply jubilant. He really should thank Windsor, this was all just too much fun. Having people eat out the palm of his hand, that was what he truly lived for. Loïc shifted in his seat, manufacturing a false male bravado. "No. No. I really couldn't trouble you." He spoke quietly, his words filled with sorrow. "it's just....nevermind. Sod it." his thought trailed off as he stared intently into the fire, creating a paper-thin silence between them. 

He looked back up at the sound of her laughter, and curled a smile back in response. Honestly this girl was so naive and sweet, she'd give anyone a toothache. What a sugar-coated snake, and yet here he was playing the part. "There's something quite enchanting about finding peaceful moments in this life. Isn't it wonderful to read? Jumping in and leading a completely different life. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be someone else for a change..." His breath caught as he raked his fingers through his hair, his hand shaky as he looked away. 

"Have you ever wanted that Miss Slater?" 

Tag: @jill2

[Deleted]

@ruse
<3

His reaction was confusing, but Addilyn was genuinely concerned. She tilted her head and rested her hand on his knee. "Loic, don't think this is troubling me. I just want to make sure you're alright." A lot of people confused her concern with making fun of them, but Addilyn assumed Loic was different, especially with how much he was denying her help. Either that, or he really didn't want it.

Addi thought deeply about what he was saying; she definitely loved reading. It was always a favorite past time of hers, and it was something she just enjoyed doing in general. However, being someone else? Addilyn was happy with her life. Yes, she had her own issues with Grey and with Claire, with her parents and even with Edmund, but she couldn't ever imagine being someone else. "I-I don't think so, no..."

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Giving the manliest sniffle possible under these circumstances, Loïc turned back to Addilyn, "You're a good friend. I wish could be brave like you. Isn't it hard being in Slytherin and not acting like you're expected to? Sometimes I wish it wasn't so hard." He stood up and rested his hand on the mantle piece, peering back into the flames. "It's my father you see...he wants me to do things. Terrible things. But I just don't want to be that type of person. All my life, I've been doing what he says, what he wants, and you know what? It hasn't made me a very nice person." He sniffled again loudly, biting his lip. 

"Sometimes, I can't even look myself in the mirror because of the things I've done. I..I want to change." He turned back to face her, "How do you do it? How do you face everyone and be different?"

Tag: @jill2

[Deleted]

@ruse
<3

Addilyn's face became very soft as she heard him sniffle. Was he...crying? She tilted her head to the right slightly at his words and she looked him in the eyes. He seemed very upset over...she still wasn't sure, but whatever it was was clearly bothering him. "It's...not hard, no. But it's how I've always been. Being yourself isn't hard, Loic. It's being someone else that is what's really hard." She hoped that would help, but she had a feeling it wasn't going to. Addilyn stood up and walked next to him, and let her own hand rest on top of his. "You don't have to do what anyone tells you."

His next question shocked her, in all honesty. No one had ever questioned Addilyn and why she wasn't like all of the other Slytherins, why she wasn't mean, why she didn't fake it like most of the other people in her house. Addi narrowed her eyes into the fire slightly and shrugged as she looked back at Loic. "I just do. I have to. I have to be happy for other people, otherwise, I feel like I'm a failure." Addilyn had never really told anyone that before, other than Grey, but it felt good to keep repeating it. And it wasn't that she minded being happy, but sometimes, she'd like to feel sad and upset. It just seemed like she wasn't allowed to do so, and that's what made it all so hard and easy at the same time.

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He looked up at her with wide eyes, thinking of cotton tails, rainbows, fluffy kittens and god's know what other blithering nonsense. He'd have to murder a unicorn after this was all done just to get his dignity back. "I - I've never thought about it that way before." He looked down at her hand resting on his and turned his wrist so that they were now palm to palm. "Being someone else is so tiring. I am...I am just so exhausted." He said while choking up. His eyes glassy, he gave Addilyn's hand a squeeze and smile. "You are so courageous. Did you know that?"

"I am so glad that I met you tonight. This has been exactly what I needed." He looked back up at her with all the sincerity his stomach could muster and breathed out, "Thank you. Truly." Of course he had noted that their hands were still conjoined, so he slipped his out and tried to blush looking away sheepishly. "Do you think that we could be friends Ms. Slater? I've rather enjoyed your company tonight. And merlin knows that I could use it in the future."

Tag: @jill2

[Deleted]

@ruse
<3

As Loic glanced at her, his eyes wide, Addilyn smiled sweetly. She enjoyed helping people, even random people she didn't know, and while she was shocked that another Slytherin had asked for her advice, she was definitely happy about it as well. Loic turned his wrist so that they were holding hands, and Addilyn didn't think anything bad of it, just a friend helping a friend. "I'm sure you are exhausted. Try to take a rest, it'll all be okay in the end. And thank you, Loic. I truly appreciate that." Addi saw the tears in his eyes but didn't mention them, it was quite sad in all honesty but she didn't want to upset him more.

"You're very welcome, Loic. No need to thank me, I'm always here to help." Addi saw him look away and felt his hand quickly slip out of hers. She giggled quietly, a smile forming on her face. "Of course we can be friends, no reason not too, right?" She wasn't sure if he was done talking, or felt comfortable enough to continue on with the conversation, so she left the end up to him, whether he'd leave or stay in her company.