IC Prospective; Text

[glaives]

Character: Hotaru Tomoe
Mun: Nutmeg
Plot specific: Nope

Even though I've know for as long as I can remember that I would one day begin my magical education, it still so surprising and even a bit frightening to actually be starting now. I've never been away from Papa for so long, I've never been away from home even. And all the information in my textbooks feels almost overwhelming after 11 years of muggle education...

Are any of the other first years as nervous as I?

Comments

[remembertheroses]

I am scared too. I have never stayed away from my parents. And I don't know any magic.

[glaives]

Oh I don't really know any magic yet, even with my parents being wizards. I just know the theoretical.

...perhaps it isn't so strange to be scared then.

[remembertheroses]

Your parents are wizards but you went to a Ma Muj Muggle school?

[glaives]

Yes. My father was muggleborn, and my mother thought it was very important that I had some connections with that world. He always made sure to honour that.

Is that not very common?

[remembertheroses]

I don't know. I did not know I was a witch until a wizard came out of the fireplace and told my parents and I.

There is no wizard school before Hogwarts?

[glaives]

Oh, so you are muggleborn as well then. That must have been very surprising for everyone...

Not in Great Britain, as far as I am aware. I think many students, if they are born into magical families are tutored by their parents or people their family has hired.

[remembertheroses]

It was. I was scared at first, but the man dressed very funnily and he was slightly silly.

Do you know Hogwarts? Is it a good school?

[glaives]

Oh. Yes, I suppose, a wizard in his robes would be strange. But it was good of him to settle your nerves.

A bit. I have known for a long time I would eventually go to a magical school, and when I moved here, I began researching Hogwarts with my father's help. It's said to be an excellent school, and it sounds rather nice. I'm interested in the giant squid. I've never seen one.

[remembertheroses]

He tried to dress like a Muggle man, but he wore a dress over his pants and a flower hat. My mother had to tell him that the dresses were for women.

I hope it is not dangerous. I don't know how to swim.

[glaives]

Oh, that's almost even more funnier. They say that's a common problem with wizards who have never faced muggle fashion. A lot of them see dresses as robes.

I think I read that a teacher will be giving swimming lessons if that helps?

...I should introduce myself. I am Hotaru Tomoe, it's nice to meet you.

[remembertheroses]

I think that must be true. He was very surprised when my mother told him that.

I don't know whether I will like it. I do not like sports.

It is nice to meet you too, Hotaru. Are you Japanese? I am Ib Amano.

[glaives]

I imagine he would be.

... Me neither to be truthful. I get tired too easily to properly take part in them...

Ah, yes I am! I moved here when I was young. Was it the same for you?

[remembertheroses]

What do you like to do, Hotaru?

My mother was offered a job here when I was eight, so we moved here. That is why my English is still not very good, so I apologize if I use the wrong word or misspell a word.

[glaives]

I read a lot, I suppose. Anything that's calm and doesn't require too much energy is good.

My father was very much the same. And that's fine, I've only been here since I was six, so sometimes I have trouble too. [deep breath Hotaru you might actually make a friend here] If you want. We could... help each other?

[remembertheroses]

I like reading, but I like art more. Some of the books I have read have really pretty paintings.

[Oh. Ib stares at the words. Hotaru was someone she felt she could relate to, and Ib would like to get to know her better. But what if her English was so bad that she made Hotaru mad?]

I would like that very much, but my English is really not good. I am afraid I will make you angry. I write a lot better than I speak.

[glaives]

Oh that also sounds enjoyable. And yes, many do, it is always nice to see.

[The longer it takes the more nervous Hotaru gets. Not even truly at school, and already she failing her new goal of making friends. Perhaps she simply radiates freak vibes, even through paper and ink.]

I... I will not be angry, I promise. English can be very troublesome, I am still only now understanding how to make some of the sounds. I would be glad to help you, if you wanted it... If you don't I understand. I do not mean to be pushy.

[remembertheroses]

[Silence, followed by some inkblots and then...]

Thank you very much Hotaru. I would love that very much. I would like to help you, just as you can help me. Thank you. I am sorry if I seem unwilling; I am really just very nervous. Maybe we can be friends

[Ib daren't presume so much so soon.]

I cannot wait to see you at Hogwarts.

[glaives]

[Her own quill is clenched tightly in her hair, the beautiful feather slowly being crushed as Hotaru waits anxiously for Ib's answer, swallowing when she gets it before slowly replying]

Perhaps you can? You could show me how to draw, or tell me stories about Japan. My memories are very faint. I... I am nervous too, if it helps?

[That... that scratched out word almost looks like friend. Faint bloom of hope!]

Me too. It will be nice to meet someone new.

[remembertheroses]

[Ib's trying to write as fast as she can, but the words aren't coming out in English fast enough. She doesn't want to lose the moment, but she can only check her dictionary fast enough for correct spellings. In the end, she abandons the heavy book and writes out what she can,]

Yes. I would like that. And you can share with me good books and tell me stories of the UK. I do not talk with my classmates very much, so I do not know a lot of things about cuture things in the UK.

I hope we are in the same house. But even if we are not, we can still spend time togetar? If that is OK with you?

[Please say yes, please say yes, please...]

[glaives]

[Hotaru reads as quick as she can, half starting her reply as she goes, her own writing a rush]

If it is easier, you can write in Japanese when you do not know the word, I will understand. And yes, I would love to do that. I am the same, with classmates, and my knowledge can be limited at times. But I will share everything that I know with you.

And yes, of course! I wouldn't let something so small stop me.

[oh god a friend a friend a friend]

[remembertheroses]

[Ib lets out a huge sigh of relief. If Hotaru could see her now, there'd be a giant happy smile on her face. She'd met someone who was like her and had offered to help her with her English and spend time with her and maybe, just maybe in the future...

...they could be friends.]

That sounds very good and nice Hotaru. I like you very much. You are friendly and kind. I will like to share my art and paintings with you. I am glad that I met you over the journal and I would really like to meet you in person. Thank you.

[glaives]

[Meanwhile Hotaru's wearing a grin that probably matches Ib's, her quill nearly crushed from her anxiety and her excitement.

A friend. An actual friend.]

Yes, I think it does. I like you too Ib, you're... you're the first person I've talked to for this long in a long time. It's nice. I'd love to see those, and I'm starting to look forward to Hogwarts more now.

...Thank you.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

I know how it feels to be nervous over being away from your family.

[glaives]

... Does it get easier?

[hairflyingheartpounding]

It really does. Some adventures you need to take without them, I guess.

[glaives]

But I cannot help worrying... that what if I need him... or, what if he needs me? I'm all he has left.