February 26th, 1888 - The Great Hall

Acacia wanted to talk to the Head Boy. She felt that there had been a miss understanding between the two of them, and it did not feel right to her. Perhaps he did not like what happened between the two of them any more than she did. After all, both had seemed fairly fearful at the time, and both for their own reasons. It had taken a lot of thinking before Acacia had finally gotten the courage to go speak to Mr. Whitledge. Of course, she was no Gryffindor, and that was for a reason.

Walking over to the Gryffindor table, it took the Ravenclaw a moment to find who she was looking for. Heading over to him, she gathered as much courage as she could muster to remain calm. "Mr. Whitledge. May I speak with you for a moment?" She asked kindly, keeping her voice steady. It was not like she could drag him into a conversation, that would be extremely rude. Hopefully he was willing to resolve any conflict that remained between them.

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Handsome Whitledge

  

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Magic by Elaine!

More than anything, Handsome hated coming across as rude. He was definitely no saint and had plenty of faults, but for his peers—and often more importantly, his professors—to see him act cruelly was something that didn't bode well with him. He hadn't liked Miss Ruskin since the past summer, but he wasn't prepared to resume his disliking with the same amount of embarrassing hysteria he'd experienced during the very stressful time in his life.

When approached by the younger Ravenclaw, Handsome nodded up at her quietly. He politely excused himself from his group of friends and motioned for the Ravenclaw to move to a more open part of the Great Hall. The spot her chose was certainly public for others to watch them, but they were far enough away to where others couldn't hear their conversation.

"What can I do for you, Miss Ruskin?" he asked with a sigh.

  

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— set by MJ —

Well, the fact that he was willing to at least speak to her was a start. Another step in the right direction was that he was not acting terrified or rude. However, she couldn't help but wish he could be less... how could she describe it best? Annoyed? That could be one word that was possibly the description for what his expression and tone conveyed. But she could not complain, and could not expect him to be happy to speak with her.

One would expect that a Head Boy (and a Head Girl) would have been at least partially chosen based on their ability to understand where other's are coming from in points of view. However, Acacia Ruskin was not a professor. She did not have any say in what qualities were needed in order to be a prefect, much less a Head Student. Though it wasn't ideal, having this conversation in such a public spot felt more appropriate. It would, hopefully, keep both of them from loosing their temper, should thinks come to that. Acacia dearly hoped that things would not come to that.

"I wish to start off with, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions, and guessing what you might do. I also wish to explain my reasoning. With all of the... talk going around about half-breeds, I've been very worried for my own, and my siblings, safety. Especially after my brother..." she trailed off for a moment, though quickly gained her composure. "I had been on edge with everything going on, and do not know you very well, and felt genuinely scared that you might have harmed me. It was nothing to do with any of your own character as a person, I'm sure you are a very kind person. After all, you are Head Boy." She stated.

A moment of hesitation, and she felt that she should add a little more. "And I can understand that rumors may have gotten to your head, as it had mine, which would explain your actions and tone throughout the ordeal." She said softly. It was not an accusatory tone, but she did feel that she should be fully honest and talk over the full encounter. After all, she was not the only one in the wrong throughout their exchange.

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Magic by Elaine!

She had to bring up the events of the past summer, as if he'd needed any reminder of his state of mind. Having to remember all the drama, all the stress... he didn't want to, but she was forcing him to. She wasn't quick with her apology either; she went from the talk of half-breeds to something about her brother to his own character. At one point, it seemed like she'd come just to fish for an apology!

While not intentionally cruel by any means, Handsome still didn't feel bad for their incident—though, to be honest, his memories of the day were very faint. He remembered bleeding, and the next minute she'd been (luckily figuratively) snapping at him. Handsome held up his hand for her to stop speaking, clearly not wanting to hear anymore of her rant. He didn't want to make her cry, but he didn't really didn't want to work through this discourse at dinner.

"I appreciate your apology, Miss Ruskin." No mention of an apology from him. "I feel no need to ponder on the past; what's done has been done, and nothing can reverse that," he explained. The Board of Governors had managed to reverse the ban, but there was no reversing the drama that had filled the summer months.

"That being said," he prompted with a quick glance back up at her. "Is there a specific... incident... that prompted this conversation?" He hoped he hadn't been showing his own political beliefs in this setting, especially with the tension from the election still fresh in the air.

  

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— set by MJ —

Acacia was fishing for something, that could be said, but it not an apology. Granted, she would appreciate one, and be grateful to receive such a thing, but that was asking too much. Society had poisoned the minds of many this summer, and it was clear that even the Head Boy was not immune to the lies of gossip and rumors. Though most would love to think so, she and those like her were not monsters. Her mother was a monster, and had acted like one as well. But that didn't mean that the Ruskin siblings were such, and Acacia was determined to prove that.

By no means did Acacia feel that she had started a fight. A wand was reached for on his part from fear, and she had reacted naturally. Of course, even if he bluntly placed the blame on her now, she would possibly lightly steer the conversation in a more friendly, or at least neutral, direction. Fighting was not her goal, all she ever wanted in life was understanding and friendship. However, by his action of holding his hand up, she frowned a slightly more than her nerves had caused. It felt clear that he did not wish for any sort of resolution that she had wanted, at least not to the extent that she had wished for.

Well, of course things could not be changed now. If they could, she would have never agreed to go to the market. She would have stood up to the Headmaster right at the coming out ball, and demanded that he reverse what he had done, or even had stood up to Miss Mohr sooner, and prevented the whole thing to begin with. It could not be reversed. None of it. That does not mean that thing will not run around in her head constantly.

Her face was trying to slowly form a bit of a glare, but she would have none of it. Keep it neutral, she told herself. If not friendly, neutral. So that is what she forced to, subtly, show on her features. Though not as cunning as a Slytherin in her attempts at what she wanted, that didn't mean she couldn't try. She was going to leave this with at least an example that she was not what society thought of her to be. "Nothing. But, despite what some may think, most of those like me are in no way uncivilized, and conflict is definitely not something that I seek out. I like making friends, Mr. Whitledge, not enemies. And I very much do not like being disliked." She stated blankly.

Before he could give a response, she continued. "I dearly wish that your opinion does change, as well as the rest of those who give me a similar look that you have shown. I hope that you enjoy your evening, good night Mr. Whitledge. And tell Darling that I said hello, please." She said, though the last part was a bit more softer, and a hint of sadness entered her voice. Perhaps she could go find Chrysanta and say hello, get her mind of this rather terrible idea.

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Magic by Elaine!

Handsome was strong-willed and closed-minded — two traits that, when combined, could be especially difficult to deal with when handling subjects such as prejudiced. He had no intention of changing his opinions on half-vampires, yet he had no desire to bring those opinions back to the surface in conversation or even thoughts. He wanted to go about his day, not worrying about those he didn't socialize with on the regular — except maybe students in need of assistance. But the kind of assistance Miss Ruskin needed (if he could even call it that) was a type he wasn't able to give at the moment. He offered her a silent nod in understanding, though made no attempt to verbally respond as she left. Back to normal.

  

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— set by MJ —