Ravenclaw House Table: The Sorting Ceremony and Feast

"Well maybe we should all.. um hang out more often maybe you wont be so nervous." Evaine said diping her finger into the whip cream that was on her cake then poked Jim's nose "Sounds like a deal Mr. Hawkins?" She winked before paying her attention towards Brie again. "Hey is something wrong Brie?" she asked as she didnt like the troubled look upon her face.

"Oh, I'm fine.. just fine," she said quietly, blinking away the tears that threatened to fall. Why was it that she had cried more in public today than any day? Her moods were kicking her ass, to be put bluntly. "You two should hang out, though. Not just about Quidditch stuff, but other stuff.."

She sighed, taking a deep breath as she continued reading, the hexed ring on her finger taunting her even more. She could never take it off.. it was a constant reminder that she was a slave of her uncle's bidding, and she was engaged for reasons other than love.

(OOC: So now you know what's botherin' Brie (: Hiii guys! You can call me Dee ;D )

((Hello! I'm Kat, or Angel. I've been called both. XD))

Jim laughed as he wiped the whipped cream off his nose. "Okay, okay, it's a deal," he said. "Is that cake any good? Last year they had some kind of funky coconut one that tasted a little weird." He looked over at Brieanne, his brow furrowing. He was sure that something bad was on her mind, but if she didn't want to talk about it, he wasn't going to press her and get her all upset. After all, he had his own secrets to keep. "Feel free to hang out with us too Brieanne, if you want. You and Evaine can make sure I don't fall to my death." He gave a little chuckle.

Todd had been sitting there, quietly and drowsily listening to their conversations. He was thrilled that everyone seemed to be getting along so flawlessly - more or less. "Mm, yeah, Jim, surrounded by pretty ladies and you're going to use them as something to break your fall. Good tactic," he mused, offering a smirk to show that he was kidding.

His gaze traveled to Brie, and he raised an eyebrow at her expression. Her eyes looked moist, but she'd blinked before he could decide whether or not it was cause for worry. He scooted slightly closer to her, head cocked. "If you're sure...but you can, like, say something if you need to vent or whatever," he said, lightly biting his bottom lip. He didn't want to pry, but she seemed...off, and he wanted her to be sure that she could talk about it if need be.

(( HII ;D I'm Megan you can call me Meg.))

Evaine took a bite of the cake "Umm.." she couldn't think of what the taste was but she never had this kind of cake before "Hard to tell it's interesting.". Evaine frowned seeing Brie fighting whatever what was causing her to get her all upset. Wanting to say something to try cheering her up but didn't want to sound like and idiot, Evaine opened her mouth and was about to say something until Jim spoke. She smiled at what he said to Brie then spoke "Jim's right Brie. I would love for you to all so become my friend."

((woops and i'm ashley/ash. derp.))

"I didn't mean it that way," Jim said, giving Todd a look, although he could see that he was joking. "Isn't there some kind of spell that, like, slows you down as you're falling so you don't become a pancake?" He was sure he had heard of it somewhere, maybe in class or in a book.

It looked like Evaine liked the cake enough, so Jim swiped a piece before they ran out. He cast a look at Brieanne again, although he didn't want her to think he was staring at her or anything, so he quickly looked away and towards one of the windows instead. It was getting darker as the feast went on. Jim wondered when Dumbledore would end it and everyone would retire to their rooms for the night.

Evaine slightly blushed at what Todd said, looking down at the table she took another bite of the cake before seeing Jim swiping the same cake, her lips curled into a small smirk. "I think there is but i just can't remember where I heard it from." she said trying to think "i'll look it up when the feast ends.". Evaine finished down her drink, thoughts of this day keep going threw her mind like a broken record player. Having to meet new people, ganging friends for the first time, and speaking with out people ignoring her. She was still worried about Brie and what was bothering her "Just remember Brie you got us to talk to when your down."

Brie sat motionless for a long time, staring at the table. She breathed in, holding her book to her chest, "..I'm in an arranged marriage," she whispered, her breath becoming shuddery, "..Well, I'm not married yet, but I'm engaged to this guy.. and he goes here. It's been that way since we were kids.. and I'd forgotten about it until today, and its killing me.." she admitted, rubbing at her wet face, "There's a slim chance I'll ever get outta it.. my parents stopped contacting me after my second year.. they're Muggles, you know.. and all I have is my wizard uncle. What if I fall for someone else other than my fiance? What happens then?" she asked nobody in particular, her reddened eyes looking up desperately at the ceiling.

Jim blinked in surprise at Brieanne's news. An arranged marriage? They still did stuff like that today? Then again, his parents had mentioned how a few wizarding families were old-fashioned and did things like that. "Seriously? Man, that...I would say that sucks, but I feel like that doesn't cover it," he said, not knowing what else to say to her. "Maybe...things will work out. I mean, who knows? Maybe something will happen that will get you out of this mess. If there's...anything we can do, just ask, okay?" He hesitated a moment before patting Brieanne on the shoulder, hoping he was comforting her a little bit.

Evaine had nothing to say to Brie's response "That's..." she didn't knowing what else to say to her, Over hearing what Jim said. She looked up at her "Yes please don't hesitate to ask Brie."

Todd's eyes widened. It took a few times of running that through his head before it registered. Immediately, he had an urge to know who her fiance was, but this didn't seem like the time or place to ask.

"Aww, man, I...I'm really sorry, Bri..." he breathed, unsure of what he could possibly say or do to help the situation. "And like Jim said, m-maybe something'll...maybe something will change? D'you...do you like the guy, at least?" he offered. Of course, it was a stupid question. He doubted she'd be crying and fretting like this if she had any interest in the man in question. When Jim said that she could ask them if she needed anything he nodded, agreeing fully to that statement.

Brie ran a hand through her short black hair, ignoring the sting her eyes were producing, "He's a sweet guy.. well, to me he is.. a bit temperamental, but still sweet.. but I don't think it's enough to sustain the rest of our lives, y'know? Knwoing myself, I'll probably fall for someone else, and then it'll be just a whole 'nother situation.." she said, folding her arms, "Sorry to burden you all with my troubles.. that's why I never spoke until now.. never actually had people to confide in. I guess the reason why my uncle thinks he's helping me by marrying me off to some dude is because he thinks I'll never be pretty or sufficient enough to find one myself.. hm."

She dabbed at her face with a wet wipe, her puffy eyes making her look morbidly pitiful.

Jim knew what Brieanne meant. Early on, he had vowed to keep his werewolf thing a secret because he didn't want people to feel bad or pity him. Besides, how could they possibly understand the pain and madness he went through? It was just an impossible thing to describe to someone. "No, no, it's okay," he said, looking at her. "I mean, I'm sure we all have problems and, if it's big enough, it needs to be spoken about. And...if it makes you feel any better...I think you're pretty enough to get a guy on your own." Brieanne did look pretty when she smiled, or laugh. Then again, in Jim's eyes, that's when a girl looked prettiest anyway.

"I kinda see your point but Brie that's crazy! Your very pretty anyone would be stupid not to see that. Beauty, smarts, and a kind heart. If no guy can see that then there gay or ass holes." Evaine said hating that people put themselves down about if there pretty or good enough for anyone, then again Eva does the same thing to herself wondering if she's not pretty like all the other girls in the school to make friends or find someone to love. She always thought Brie was way more prettier than her but wondered why no one hanged out with her "And your not a burden us with your troubles. Sometimes you have to talk to someone about what's bothering you Brie." Evaine looked towards the boys "you think she's pretty right?"

Todd nodded along with Eva and Jim. "I see what you mean. It can't help that you're being forced together either..." he murmured, frowning over the mere idea. "Your problems are no big burden. Everyone has problems and it's not a sin to let 'em out sometimes." And he definitely agreed with them about her looks. Plus, she seemed independent enough to support herself without a man, too. "Of course you're pretty - smart, too, which means you'll have no trouble finding work and all that jazz in the real world. Your uncle's delusional."

The girl twiddled her thumbs, absentmindedly opening and closing her book, "That's how it's always been, really. Once you hear enough of 'You're not this', and 'you're not that', you start to believe it, no matter how untrue it is. I mean, my uncle's only doing this to gain fame, I guess... I don't know. The guy's family is pretty well-known.." she explained, really wanting to just go to her dorm and cry more, "You guys know more about me now than my parents will ever know.. eh, guess that's why they gave up on me anyway. Magic kind of ruined my life.. I was just fine until I turned eleven. They couldn't handle me anymore.. and I guess that's why I've been holding everything inside my mind since then. I don't want to be abandoned again for being too much of a problem."

She shrugged, putting her book in her bag as well as changing the subject, "Hugglebear Sleepyhead, Sly, and, hm.. what should I call you, Evaine..?" She thought for a moment, then smiled, "Moonie. That's your nickname from me, Evaine."

"Todd's right Brie." She turned her head towards Brie again "You have friends now, you can always tell us anything that's bothering you." Evaine said hoping that cheered her up a bit. Hearing Brie talk about her uncle and parents Evaine knew how she felt and what she was feeling about her parents giving up on her "Well your Uncle is an ass and I know how it feels to be abandoned by the people you knew and loved. My mom gave up on me once my father died and told me that I never lived up to her expectations." she sighed wanting to change the subject not wanting to see Brie so sad anymore. Evaine blinked when Brie gave her a nickname "Moonie.." she placed her index finger on her lip "I like it!"

What Brieanne was saying did make sense, to Jim, at least. He had been told he was a freak so many times that eventually, he just accepted it as part of his identity. But it looked like Brieanne had had a rough time. Jim hoped that he and the others could make things a little easier for her. "Well, we won't abandon you, that much we can promise," Jim said. He wasn't sure how he could help with Brieanna's situation, but at least he could be there for her when she needed it. This was kind of new to him, feeling this loyal to a new friend, but Jim figured that was just part of who he was. If Todd or Evaine were in the same situation, he would try to help them, too.

He looked at Evaine with concern at hearing her story. What was with these parents and abandoning their kids? Jim's parents may not know what to do with him much, but at least they were there. Amongst all the fighting and worrying, they made sure that he was taken care of as well as possible. "Maybe you all should come to my house during Christmas or something. My parents are pretty nice." He smiled a little, wondering how his parents would react to him asking if friends could stay over for Christmas. They would probably jump up and down with excitement at the idea.

He chuckled. "Moonie, that is rather catchy." He smiled at Evaine. "I guess you like it, huh?" Although he couldn't help but feel some irony, thinking that "Moony" would apply to him more than Evaine, since the full moon affected him so much.

"I agree with what Jim said we won't abandon you Brie. Same thing go's for you Jim and Todd." She smiled warmly at the three teens, Evaine looked towards him inviting them to join Christmas with him and his family "I'll love to come Jim. Sounds better than going home to an empty house." she said twirling her fingers threw her hair. "umm what should I you, Brie." she thought for a moment then heard Jim's response about her nickname. Evaine leaned over the table as her face got very close to Jim's face "Well you think of a Nickname for me Jim." she playfully flicked his nose.

Todd sighed softly. He hadn't realized things were so bad with some of the kids here and their families. He thought he'd had it bad after losing his mother - these people had all sorts of abandonment stories and forced engagements on their heads. "Ditto, Bri. We are all friends now, correct? So we've got to, like, stick together, right?" he conceded, trying out what he hoped was a hopeful smile. Oh, was he ever terrible at this whole social concept.


His gaze swiveled to Jim at his offer. "Do you get snow where you live at Christmas? Because when I am the master of snow angels."


His nostrils twitched in amusement when he heard Bri's nickname for Eva. "Moonie seems absolutely adorable. You and Hugglebear will ahve to get together and share tactics for being cute someday."

"That'd be marvelous, Jim," said Brie, stifling a yawn, "..Never really had a real Christmas before.."She looked over at Todd when he mwntioned snow angels and blinked, her eyes getting heavy, "Never made a snow angel either.."

She yawned again and laid her head on Todd's shoulder, blinking repeatedly, "I'm so sleepy.. but you guys are the best. Really. Couldn't ask for better friends."

(OOC: I'm about to go to sleep too xD)

Jim nodded. "That's right. We'll help each other out, no matter what." He smiled, then nodded at Todd. "Yeah, it does. Maybe we should have a snow-angel competition. Bri and Evaine can be the judges." He laughed. "Ugh, what is with you guys and me being cute?" he asked, giving Todd a playful shove. Before Todd had finished his sentence though and Jim had heard the words "you two should get together", Jim had thought that he was suggesting that he and Evaine, like, go out or something. Jim had never actually been on a date before, and the idea of actually doing it made him get a little nervous again.

"Snow angels haven't done that in years." she said, stifling a yawn before sitting back down she smiled at Brie who looked like she could fall asleep at anytime. Evaine had heard the same words "you two should get together" "Who.. What.. Jim and I?" she said getting nervous, she looked over at Jim. Biting down on her lower lip she never think that Jim could even think about going out with her. she laughed "Crazy aren't they right Jim. Besides I'm probably not your type."

Todd blinked down at Bri, a bit surprised she'd chosen to rest her head on his shoulder. Not that he was particularly bothered by it. He snorted at Jim, raising an eyebrow slightly and grinning. "Sure, if you feel like being beaten in front of pretty girl judges. Because I have mad lying-in-the-snow-and-waving-my-arms-around skills!" he retorted, lifting his chin with a smirk. "Hey, it's not like you're alone or anything. You and Moonie are the Ministers of Adorability. She might battle you to be queen of cute one day."