There's only so much wax on a candle.

[shadeofwitch]

WHO: Chao Lingshen, anyone
LOCATION: The Garden
WEEK: 56
TIME: Thursday
WHAT: Chao tries to assess her overall progress and isn't happy what she sees
RATING: PG just to be safe.

Comments

[urpersonaldemon]

He did not sleep, -not now, ¬ ever. Sebastian, instead, spent time lurking amidst the shadowy overcast stemming from an exuberance of unnecessary stylized architecture. It was, after all, the most effective way in which to travel to gather information, as it allowed Sebastian to so unnoticed. He chuckled, quietly, whilst moving swiftly from one cluster of darkness to yet another.

Interrupting a routine traverse of the Hogwarts' grounds, however, was a dimly lit candle sitting amongst the overgrown underbrush of the Garden. He halted, almost immediately, as scarlet iris' adjusted to the sudden influx of light that the candle cast. Curious. He entered the Garden, choosing, obviously, to remain hidden. He wanted to first&foremost observe, as there was no point in ruining what could, potentially, be an interesting show

[shadeofwitch]

Chao had been sitting there for hours now, far beyond the point where her butt felt like it was glued to the dirt floor. Every so often, she would recover enough from her misery and energy to try again, but each test would only ground her suspicions even more. It was hopeless, there was no way she could keep this up.

She could already hear Sebastian's feet cut across the grass long before she felt his hand on her shoulder. What was with people and touching? She wasn't really a touchy person and even less so in rare moments she was this down. She shrugged her shoulder away from his hand.

"I'm fine, I-" Her voice was muddled amongst the bundle of limbs she buried herself in, but the mention of tea...well, she never really did eat anything today. Being frequently drained of her magical reserves only made her stomach growl even louder to the caretaker. Chao lifted her head up from her arms, her cheeks red and cracked from the tears she tried to keep hidden. "-I guess, tea would be okay.."

[urpersonaldemon]

Fine. Fine. Had Chao really expected Sebastian to believe that she was fine after all that he had witnessed, ..? He smiled, biting back a chuckled as, reluctantly, she agreed to his proposal. Sebastian would, of course, include something for her to snack on, as her stomach had made it blatantly obvious that she was hungry.

"Mm." Sebastian purred, retrieving a small handkerchief for her. "Let's go then, shall we? I think you have spent more than enough time in the Garden for tonight." He held out the cloth in one hand and bid her to wipe her tear stained face. Crying doesn't solve anything, after all.

He stood up, and offered to her a hand. "Is there anything that you would prefer that I make for you, Miss Lingshen?"

[timeinback]

Chao really didn't care what Sebastian believed. What did it matter anyway? Though there was a small kindling of fire inside her as she took note at his biting back a chuckle. As much as she was handicapped, she long since didn't like being treated as such or for people to laugh at her failures. She wasn't there for their view pleasure nor to make them feel better about their own inadequacies.

She was too tired to fight though, her limbs felt like they were jelly and sluggish. she eyed the handkerchief, a little unsure whether to accept the offer. A few seconds, she only took his his free hand, stumbling back a few steps as she was pulled to her feet.

"Thank you." Chao muttered under her breath, he gaze lowered to the ground. "A-anything you make would be fine. I'm not picky."

[urpersonaldemon]

In an attempt to overcome that restrictive seal of hers, Chao had nearly drained herself half to death. Sebastian frowned, watching as she fought to stand, and remain, upright. He made no mention of these slight inadequacies, however, but instead kept close to her should she need any aid. He wouldn't offer it, though, as she seemed quite stubborn about that.

"If you have no preference, then I will choose something to compliment the tea. I was thinking a Cinnamon Black Tea, .." He trailed off, already pairing off confectioneries with the brew. He said nothing for most of the time traveled, but upon approaching the kitchen, he finally decided to break the silence.

"Often practice in the Garden, ..?" It does seem like the perfekt place to perform some of the meditative exercises, but never had Sebastian seen somebody work at them so vehemently. He was quite impressed, whether or not she had been successful or not. Her potential was what was important.

[timeinback]

"Mm, that sounds fine." She really didn't even hear what he suggest as food. Really, she could eat anything right now, just so long as it filled her stomach.

While they made their way to the kitchen, Chao remained equally as quiet. Not so much as she had nothing to say, but more to the fact she was more focus on walking than any deeper thoughts. It was almost like only a moment had passed before they reached the kitchen.

Chao found a seat quickly enough, sitting herself down near a counter. Her face was still dejected as she was earlier. Sebastian's question only made her expression even more certain.

"I guess..." She muttered. Not like it mattered, considering she'd always hit a wall in her development.

[urpersonaldemon]

Inside of the Kitchen, Sebastian moved without thinking. He produced a kettle out of, what appeared to be, nowhere, and setting it atop one of the stove top burners, Sebastian turned toward the fridge. Chao had not spoken up about what particular dessert she had wanted, and so Sebastian settled on a Gateau St Honore.

In seconds, Sebastian had produced a spread of materials over the counter, and was using not only skill, but magic, to assist in the desserts creation. "I realize that some of the Professors here, at Hogwarts, are strange, .. and often times border on inept, bu have you considered asking about a Tutor."

He didn't look at her, but instead finished with the tea &dessert so that he could serve them together. He lay them out before her, and cleaning up the mess, Sebastian rest his back on the counter. "I am sure that it wouldn't be too difficult to find somebody."

[timeinback]

Chao largely just stared down at the counter, taking the tip of her finger to follow the edges of each tile that made up the furniture. Her own inquisitive and over-thinking mind seemed to work against her when depressed. It was kind of why she tried her best to let most things brush off her. While she kept grudges in more serious cases, a lot of problems she ran into wouldn't affect her mood. Being affected by mere obstacles only served to slow her down needlessly. She didn't need that, not when she had a goal already set ahead of her

[urpersonaldemon]

".. are you quite finished, Miss Lingshen?"

Sebastian wafted a brow, bringing his arms to a neat fold over his chest. He didn't bother to hide the irritation that came because of that childish outburst. No. It only helped to reveal how immature she really was.

"Is that it. You know the material, ..? That hardly means anything, as knowing the material is but a quarter of the process. Even the most academically inept student can learn some of these spells without the use of that text book. It helps to have a base knowledge, but whether or not you can apply that knowledge is what really matters." He wrinkled his nose, turning to look elsewhere. "If you want power, then you will first need to overcome your inability to learn some of the more simple spells, and to do that you will need a tutor."

Sebastian paused, a smirk pursing his lips. "I can be that tutor."