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Post by Professor Juniper Barnes on Apr 22, 2023 23:14:16 GMT -8
“That would be lovely.” She smiles at his offer to walk her back. The night, which began restlessly had an unexpectedly nice turnout. She felt good getting to know her colleagues better. More integrated into the Hogwarts community. “Everyone here seems rather nice. Friendly. Helpful…” She notes, “Good tastes in wine.” She smiles pointedly.
“Isadora seems very knowledgeable and experienced.” She remarks. Juniper recalls the job interview she had with her. It really helped cement in Juniper’s mind that she wanted the position, knowing that professors such as Isadora Gunvald would be walking the halls with her.
“Isadora seems great. Do you know her well?” Gunvald seemed like she was wonderful at her job, but Juniper didn’t really learn much about her on any kind of personal level. Maybe she was a bit closed off. Maybe to be a headmistress that came with the territory.
“I haven’t really spent any time with Viktor.” Juniper affirms. “I was hoping to pop in on one of his lessons one of these days… if he’d be open to it. I just find magical creatures so interesting.” She didn’t know if that was an odd request, especially for Viktor who had a kind of grumpy demeanor, but she figured why not.
“He seems a bit… surly? That might be the word I’d use.” Juniper shrugs. She doesn’t want to admit she finds him intriguing and wants to get to know him a bit better. Something about admitting that felt embarrassing. “What’s your take?” She turns it back on him, curious as ever as to what Drake’s thoughts were.
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Post by Professor Dragomir Ghica on Apr 23, 2023 5:16:42 GMT -8
Drake nodded, walking her back up to the castle would be nothing less than his breeding would demand. Although, two hundred years of women’s rights, made one wonder where one stood sometimes. He would wait for her lead to move. He was finding the conversation interesting. He nodded again, chuckling when she mentioned good taste in wine. “So far it seems like a good group of professors. As for wine, one does not sit at the table with princes for long without learning a few things.” Granted that was more than two and a half centuries ago, but the skills learned then were honed over the years. It also didn’t hurt that he could usually easily read people. He smiled when she brought up Isadora and nodded in agreement. “She does have a interesting background, that is for sure. And her interest in the students is admirable to be honest. I suppose one does not take a job like this lightly, or at least shouldn’t.” He shrugged. “I do not know her well at all.” Unfortunately He added to himself. They had spoken some in the courtyard, but nothing that would make him think he knew her. She was a mystery. “I think her position keeps her from being too friendly with staff. I suppose balancing personal and professional relationship is hard for anyone in these circumstances, but must be that much more difficult when you are everyone else’ boss.” Dragomir took a sip from his chalice then set it down as the conversation thankfully shifted from Isadora to Viktor. “You could always use the idea of getting a pet as a way to break the ice, he would know better than most what might make a good pet in the castle.” He offered. “Although, sitting in on a class might be interesting.” Surly was a good description of the face he portrayed. Push people away before they push you away. It was hard to be on the outside of society looking in. Vampires were only a little more tolerated among the wizarding world than werewolves, so he knew the idea of rejection well. And he was certain Isadora’s innate fear of him did not help the situation. “Well, getting past the stench of wet dog will take some effort, but otherwise…” He chuckled. He was certain he did not smell any more pleasant to Viktor, it was kind of a mutually unspoken inconvenience of their being in close proximity. “Given I know where he is coming from, I would take Surly to be a front, rather than his true personality trait. It is never easy being kept at arm’s length. And it is even harder knowing people are afraid of you, when there is truly no reason. I don’t see him as a threat.” But he had already made up his mind to keep a good eye on him around the full moon.
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Post by Professor Juniper Barnes on Apr 24, 2023 10:30:05 GMT -8
Sit with princes? Again, Juniper is reminded that she is a little out of her league here. But, she'd do well to give herself the time to adjust that she needed.
Juniper listened intently to Drake's take on the headmistress. Juniper had little to no information on her. She seemed formal, if a bit rigid, but ultimately fair. Juniper nods along with his words. It made sense... it must be hard to open up to your coworkers when you're the boss and everyone lives on campus.
"That makes sense," Juniper agrees, "It must feel like never being able to turn that professional side of her off." Juniper's voice sounds sad, sad for Isadora. "That must be isolating. Lonely. Sad..." She remarks after a second staring off into the distance. She had not intended to say that bit out loud. The last thing she wanted to do was come across as disrespectful. "I mean... I don't want to make any assumptions. I don't know how she spends her free time. I'm sure she must have some kind of routine in place..." Juniper must be tired because she is strongly aware that she is babbling now. "And I think that's my cue to stop talking." She laughs.
Juniper stands leaisurly and stretches, ready to begin the slow retire back to her room. "That is an excellent idea." She smiles, "I think I will ask him for some good pet suggestions." She smiles gratefully for the idea. It really is a perfect way to segue into conversation with Viktor. Get to know him a little bit better maybe, if he was open to it.
She makes a face of momentary confusion and then laughs, lifting her head up a bit with the action, her blond hair falling down her back. "Wet dog stench?" She repeats, still chuckling a bit. "Guess I hadn't noticed that." She tries to think about it but she would definietly recall something like that when she'd passed him once or twice in the halls.
She listens again, intently and appreciating Drake's point of view. She liked talking with people who were different then her, that's how you really learn, especially if that meant getting out of your own way now and again. She was looking forward to what would come next here, how the rest of the year would play out. "I look forward to getting to know all the professors. I'm glad we got to have this interaction tonight." She says, genuinely.
She smiles broadly at the handsome cat, "...and to have met Mal, of course."
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Post by Professor Dragomir Ghica on Apr 24, 2023 20:28:33 GMT -8
Drake nods. “It does tend to get lonely when you’re isolated although surrounded by a lot of individuals. Durmstrang was much like that for everyone. And add a couple hundred years of being a vampire to the mix… It is never easy. But you manage. I am certain she has friends and confidants outside the school. That makes things a little easier.” He laughed a bit with her, completely understanding both her need to defend her comments and at the same time continue making them. He shifts Mal up into the crook of his arm and stands, vanishing the furniture and turning back to Juniper as she confirms talking to Viktor about pets. It would be a rather decent ice breaker at any rate. He laughs as she said she hadn’t noticed the wet dog stench surrounding Viktor. “I would be surprised if you did. For Viktor and I, our senses are heightened compared to yours. Each species has its own unique overarching scent, and then every individual gives off their own, personal signatures. Werewolves have the musky wet dog scent, we vampires give off a more metallic acrid scent. It was just my typical comment when people ask if I get along with werewolves. In general I have no issues as long as they are not hunting near my friends and family, and particularly are not directly hunting friends and family. Nature is a balancing act, we try to stick to lesser prey when available. However, hunger will make one strike where they otherwise wouldn’t." Drake offered her his arm to head back to the castle. Bit of old-world manners and customs that had never dropped from his liking. He understood when refused, which was more often than not in this day and age. “It seems like a good group so far.” At least with the few he’d gotten to talk with. And he’d continue to work on getting to know all his colleagues as time permitted. However they seemed to be finding him out of hours when least expected. “It was a nice talk. I am glad I was here for you to cross paths with.” He smiled at her then nodded his head in her consideration of Mal who was still sound asleep and snoring lightly.
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Post by Professor Juniper Barnes on Jun 1, 2023 15:56:31 GMT -8
Juniper had started the evening restless and feeling a bit adrift but now she was feeling steadfast and animated. One positive interaction with a fellow staff member and she was ready to tackle the year and whatever it may bring. "Do you--" She began to ask, in regards to the topic of loneliness, but stopped herself. She was going to ask if he had any family but would that be a sore subject? She didn't want to end a nice interaction on a sour note or open up any wounds. "Do you know many other vampires near here?" She pivots, "Isn't there a new vampire student on campus?" She wonders what that must be like or if it was common for student enrollment. She hadn't attended any classes with vampires back when she was a student.
Juniper chuckles when he mentions their heightened senses, wondering if she should be spritzing an extra dose of her perfume on. The idea of possibly smelling badly near someone with heightened senses seemed rather embarrassing. Must be rough around some of these adolescence. Kids could more often than not be smelly little things. She'd steer far clear of the quidditch holding areas if she were him, she thinks with another small chuckle. "I surely hope my scent isn't comparable to wet-dog, or anything pungent like that when I get the chance to speak with him." She laughs more outwardly this time, clueing him in on her line of thinking. Juniper might have hesitated in the past if a vampire were to offer his arm, but not now. She links his arm thorough his with a cheery smile, "How gentlemanly." She nodes in appreciation as they walk quietly and smoothly back into the dimly-lit corridors of castle. "I agree. I hope we cross paths again soon." She smiles, "Mal included." Her smile grows. Juniper takes a calming breath, more ready for sleep than she had been since she'd arrived to the castle. Ready for a new day. Ready for new aquaniences. Her thoughts drifting to Viktor Valko and when she'd track him down for a chat.
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Post by Professor Dragomir Ghica on Jun 2, 2023 5:40:57 GMT -8
Drake shook his head. “My Coven, those I consider family, are still in Romania. I have not seen them in decades. I do correspond regularly as needed, or desired. I have lived a relatively isolated lifestyle for the past century. Coming here has been a bit of a change to all of that. I haven’t really felt the need or desire for companionship. Most vampires do not understand my motivations. And, no offence meant, but most mortals have their own agendas when seeking the companionship of a vampire and their agendas do not mesh well with my personal motivations and inclinations. I’ve found it makes my life a bit simpler to keep mortals at a distance when it comes to personal relationships and interactions. That being said, I have always asserted the colleagues should have some semblance of friendship if the school is to function as it is intended.” he offered, probably providing too much insight into his own history than she was aiming for. “As for the new student, I have not had a chance to talk with him, but it is something I will be doing shortly. It is no typical of a vampire to take up residents with children, regardless of what age he was when he was turned. I suppose it does no harm in general as long as the interactions with the students remain plutonic.” He had been struggling with the idea of the new student and the interpersonal relationships with the students since he’d heard of the transfer. He laughed with her. “I assure you, that will not be an issue. For most, mortals all smell the same. Usually, it takes a closeness to an individual for us to actually take notice of the individual intricacies of a mortal’s scent. It is like background noise, when you are exposed to it long enough it fades into the background. A part of your brain knows it is there, but the part that controls conscious thought does not pick up on it so it is unnoticeable.” He shrugs, there were a few in the castle he could tell apart from the rest of the student body by scent alone. The rest all presented as one signature in his brain and he would be very hard pressed to even guess who was who. A brief smile played at his lips as he thought of Isadora, but he pushed that thought away for another time and place. He chuckled. “Old habits, and I mean one that spans over two centuries, die hard. My mother would have had words with me had I not offered my arm to woman who I was walking with, regardless of the situation. But I was being trained for a life in the Royal Courts, so I suppose that explains some of it.” He shrugged. He hadn’t spoken of his pre-vampire life in a while. His parents and siblings were long dead, that life stolen a long time ago. But he still found a lot of his habits and mannerisms were dictated by that time. “Considering we all live in the same building, I suspect our paths will have plenty of opportunity to cross. I will bid you a good night, unless you wish me to escort you directly to your door?”. He was too polite to just walk away from her in the entry hall if she desired an escort. However, the escort in and of itself could present an intent for further closeness or interaction that he was not inclined to.
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Post by Professor Juniper Barnes on Jun 2, 2023 12:31:26 GMT -8
Juniper is fascinated as Drake speaks of his coven. This is an area that she knew very little about. She can understands how easily it can be to slip into a state of isolation. To focus on yourself-- but sometimes you take a step back and realize how much time can pass you by that way. Hearing him speak on keeping people at a distance makes her kind of sad. Juniper hopes that this year is a good one for everyone. That everyone explores a bit beyond what they're accustomed to, beyond their set comfort zones. She nods he head in confirming that a student vampire is in fact and oddity. "I wonder how the other students will conduct themselves." She hopes that everyone makes the new student feel welcome, she hopes even more that the year progresses with no issues. Then he mentions his time spent preparing for the royal court and she is stunned again by the span of his existence. "Well, thank you for the escort." She smiles, "I've got it from here." She assures with wave of her hand and a thankful nod of her head. "Good night, Drake."
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