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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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Mar 26, 2017 15:48:01 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2017 15:48:01 GMT -7
Xan had been pretty busy lately. January had come, and with the new year had come new strength. She had been outside for the first time, which was glorious, but Xan was trying to be careful about not pushing too hard. She didn't think that a jaunt down to the dungeons constituted as pushing too hard, though, and she had a delivery that she needed to make. She had hoped that Edmund would come visit her in the hospital wing, but she had heard through the grapevine what had happened to him at the Yule Ball, and Xan didn't blame him for not wanting a lot of social contact at the moment. In any case, Xan hoped that she had waited long enough to be polite, but since the painting was supposed to be a Christmas gift, if she waited too long, then it wouldn't serve its purpose. Xan only remembered when she was down in the dungeons that Slytherin wasn't like Ravenclaw, and they had a password instead of a riddle to get in. She stood outside the door, painting tucked under her arm, as she considered her next move.
@edmund
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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Mar 28, 2017 16:29:42 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2017 16:29:42 GMT -7
Ed needed to get out of the dungeons. He'd spent way too much time down there since he broke up with Addi and it was getting him down. He knew that if he went outside, his spirits would probably be better and he might be less inclined to try and bite off the head of anyone and everyone that tried to talk to him. Besides, it was easier to avoid people you didn't want to talk to when you were outside, due to the space. So he made his way out of the dungeons, looking at his feet as he went. He didn't really want to run into anyone.
@xanthippe
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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Mar 31, 2017 9:58:05 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2017 9:58:05 GMT -7
Xan’s pondering hadn’t led her anywhere, and she was just about to go back to the hospital wing and try to find Edmund another time when she saw the Slytherin himself walking down the corridor, staring down at his feet. He probably wouldn’t see her that way, the Ravenclaw thought to herself. “Edmund!” She called, hoping that her voice was enough for him to recognize her by and that he wouldn’t just turn and run away. Xan wasn’t feeling quite up to jogging, but she did begin to take a few hasty steps towards Edmund, trying not to jostle her painting too much. “I brought you your Christmas gift!” She added, in case he needed more of a reason to stop and talk to her.
@edmund
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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Apr 4, 2017 18:54:50 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2017 18:54:50 GMT -7
Edmund looked up when he heard someone calling his name. It seemed like that was happening more often than not lately and he was not a fan. Still, he smiled when he saw Xanthippe. He didn't know what she was doing in the dungeons, where more than a fair share of jerks awaited, searching out helpless people. And with no magic, she would be helpless against them. Then she said why she'd come and Edmund moved to her quickly. "Really? How did it turn out?" He was nervous, as that picture meant everything to him, but he hoped it worked out.
@xanthippe
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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Apr 7, 2017 12:42:41 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2017 12:42:41 GMT -7
Despite how gloomy he had looked when walking down the hallway, Edmund smiled when he saw her, and Xan grinned right back. Upon hearing her purpose, Edmund made his way over to her hastily, and asked how it had turned out. “That’s for you to decide.” Xan said. She had tried her best to replicate the photo (on a larger scale, of course), but she didn’t know Edmund’s father the way that he did. The Slytherin would notice better if there was a detail out of place or if she hadn’t gotten the mood of the photo as well. Xan pulled the cover off of the painting, presenting the canvas to Edmund. “I have the original, too.” She added, in case Edmund was worried about getting the pocket-sized piece of his father back.
@edmund
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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Apr 7, 2017 17:28:13 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2017 17:28:13 GMT -7
Ed stared at the painting that Xan brought, unable to say a thing for several moments. It was perfect! She seemed to capture everything about his father in that painting and he just ... he couldn't even find a way to express it to her except for staring at her work. After a while of staring at it, he looked over to her. "It's perfect. Just ... thank you." His throat was tight, so Ed couldn't really say anything else. He nodded when she said she still had the original, but still couldn't speak. He looked up and smiled, hoping she could see that he was pleased and not upset.
@xanthippe
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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Apr 8, 2017 16:43:24 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2017 16:43:24 GMT -7
Xan watched Edmund look at her painting, trying to discern what he was feeling. His eyes were just…fixed on it, like it was something mesmerizing and special, instead of just pigments placed on a canvas. The air seemed heavy around Xan as she waited for Edmund to say something. When he did, she smiled. “I doubt that it’s perfect.” She demurred. There were always things that could be improved with every piece of art. “But I’m glad that you like it.” She said softly, producing the original photo from inside of her robes. She offered it to Edmund. “If you want anything else…?” Xan asked. She wasn’t in a habit of offering art to other people, but Edmund appreciated it more than most, if his reaction was anything to go by.
@edmund
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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Apr 8, 2017 17:37:52 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2017 17:37:52 GMT -7
Edmund couldn't get the smile off his face right now. "It is to me," he told her. She'd captured his father's essence in her painting, and that was so ... incredible to him. He was just so excited about it, he didn't know what else to say. "Of course I like it! Thank you for doing this for me," Edmund said, meaning it. He couldn't remember a time when he'd been so grateful to someone before. He nodded, "If I want anything else, I will definitely let you know. Nothing comes to mind at the moment but ..." he looked to the painting again. "Really, thank you." He reached for the painting. "Do you want me to put this away and then I can walk with you wherever you're going next?" he offered. Now that she'd done something so nice for him, he wanted to repay her somehow.
@xanthippe
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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Apr 21, 2017 22:09:04 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2017 22:09:04 GMT -7
Edmund said that the painting was perfect to him, and Xan beamed. She didn’t think she’d ever seen Edmund smile this much before, which wasn’t really saying much, since they had only really become friends recently, but still. She was glad that she had had a hand in making him light up the way he was at the moment. “I’m just glad you like it.” Xan said. She didn’t do art because she liked the praise or the thanks, but because she liked the way it made other people feel. And Edmund definitely felt good, if his face was anything to go by. “Great!” Xan exclaimed when Edmund said he would let her know if there was anything else that he wanted. “I wasn’t sure whether or not your siblings would want anything…?” She said, unsure whether Edmund wanted his painting to be special or if he was willing to share a little with his siblings. If not, she wasn’t going to judge him – she understood wanting something that was just yours, even for a little while. “I’m just going back to the hospital wing, I think, but I wouldn’t mind some company.” Xan responded to Edmund’s offer.
@edmund
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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Apr 24, 2017 19:56:58 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2017 19:56:58 GMT -7
He nodded when Xan said she was glad that he liked the painting. "You did a great job," he complimented sincerely. Honestly, it was one of the kindest things that anyone had done for him recently and he appreciated it. Then she mentioned his siblings and Ed thought for a second. "You know what? I'll show this to them and ask if any of them want something similar or anything," he promised, feeling like it seemed that she wanted to have more to do. Maybe she needed more to paint while she was in the hospital wing. He wasn't exactly sure. He smiled, extending his arm to her, just in case she wanted to take it. "I'd love to go with you," he told her with a smile.
@xanthippe
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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May 8, 2017 18:01:41 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 8, 2017 18:01:41 GMT -7
Xan smiled again at Edmund’s praise. She loved having people to show her paintings to, but so many of them were either other artists who were able to critique her painting, or people that loved her so much that they wouldn’t dare tell her if they didn’t like something she painted. Having praise – real, genuine praised – was refreshing. The prospect of having another project, or even three if all of Ed’s siblings wanted a picture, in the future was also invigorating in a way Xan hadn’t expected. She could paint all she wanted, but it was nice to have a direction, and know that she made a difference. “Great!” Xan said, both in response to Edmund asking his siblings and his offer to escort her back to the hospital wing. “So, is there anything you want to talk about?” Xan asked. The walk wasn’t a long one, but everything was better with a little bit of happy conversation.
@edmund
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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May 12, 2017 23:13:50 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 12, 2017 23:13:50 GMT -7
Edmund smiled when Xan said "great" to his idea. To him, it showed that she was excited at the prospect of perhaps painting for his siblings and he was glad for that. He would be sure to show this painting to his siblings to try and give Xan something to work towards. He shrugged when she asked if there was anything he wanted to talk about. If things were different, he might confide in Xan about what happened at the Yule Ball, but ... he didn't want to ruin the cheerful mood. She seemed so lighthearted and he didn't want to mess that up. "I ... I don't know what to talk about. You? Did you enjoy the Yule Ball or did you have to stay in the Hospital Wing during it?" Hopefully directing the conversation toward her would make it so he wouldn't have to explain himself.
@xanthippe
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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May 13, 2017 10:28:33 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 13, 2017 10:28:33 GMT -7
Edmund said that he didn’t know what to talk about, and Xan shrugged. She was fine just shooting the breeze, or talking about whatever Edmund wanted. He mentioned the Yule Ball, and Xan smiled. “Enjoying it and being the hospital wing don’t have to be mutually exclusive.” She told him happily. “I did have to stay, but Hugo and I did some dancing and had a nice little picnic on the floor. It was nicer than the actual Yule Ball, I think, because we got to be all alone and celebrate how happy we were without anyone else intruding.” Xan was naturally a pretty private person when it came to her love life, especially now that Hugo’s mother had become the Minister of Magic, so not having to rub her happiness in everyone’s face in order to feel it was nice. She didn’t like people showboating just for the sake of proving that their relationship was the best or the brightest. “What about you? Did you have fun?” Xan asked, beginning to walk up the stairs to the main floor.
@edmund
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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May 13, 2017 10:43:30 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 13, 2017 10:43:30 GMT -7
Edmund cocked his head to the side, curious when Xan said that being in the hospital wing didn't mean she couldn't enjoy herself. Didn't it? He hadn't seen her at the Ball, but he hoped that she was able to attend, if for no other reason than to lift her spirits. Apparently not though. He smiled at her reasoning for why the Hospital Wing was better, in that instance. "Well I'm glad you were able to enjoy yourself," Ed told her sincerely. Xan deserved to be happy and he was relieved that she hadn't spent that evening on her own. He shrugged when she asked about his time at the Yule Ball, not wanting to bring down her good mood. "It was fine," he lied. Ed wasn't really one for confiding in lots of people, so even though he trusted Xan, he was going to try and keep it to himself. "I wasn't there too long," he admitted, feeling like she deserved a little bit more of a response.
@xanthippe
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last online May 13, 2024 2:25:32 GMT -7
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May 14, 2017 14:39:55 GMT -7
Post by Deleted on May 14, 2017 14:39:55 GMT -7
Xan smiled when Ed said that he was glad that she could enjoy herself. “I hope that you had a good time, too.” She said, even though had only described his own Yule Ball experience as fine, not good or great. If she was honest, Xan was a little concerned with that, but what she had learned from her brief conversations with Edmund was that he was generally more reserved than she was – or most people were, really. Ed said that he wasn’t there very long, and Xan nodded, figuring that was why he had only classed the Ball as fine, and not something better. “Were you able to get any food while you were there?” She asked curiously. She had heard that there was quite the selection, and while Xan was absolutely satisfied with what she and Hugo had had for their picnic, she was curious if there were exotic foods that she ought to put on her list of things to try when she was solidly better and her stomach wouldn’t rebel.
@edmund
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