Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sam flushed a little with embarrassment. She never knew how to handle a situation where people showed belief or faith in her. She wanted to express how much it meant to her that Vlaityn had this confidence, but she couldn't think of how to do so in a way that wouldn't make her feel sappy or ridiculous. So she just smiled sheepishly, and shrugged again, though this time very half-hearted. "Thanks," she mumbled. "I'll try to keep it in mind."
Sam ruffled her own hair in an agitated manner to rid herself and to hide her embarrassment, smiling broadly again. "So besides the big move, what have you been up to? Read anything interesting?"

Sam's grin widened and became lop-sided, and she shoved her hands in her pockets, trying to complete the mischievous look. "Depends on your definition of 'trouble.'" She then looked outwards, toward the window that looked onto London and the Muggle passersby that couldn't see the pub. "What, a violent Yank? Tch. Not sure I'm THAT surprised, though the few I've met were decent enough."

Sam smiled politely as Adhara and Vlaityn discussed Quidditch. She had never really been into sports, whether Muggle or magical.
Sam rubbed the back of her head in slight embarrassment again. "Well, I'm just really hard on myself, I guess. I keep trying to buckle down and finish what I start, but self-discipline isn't one of my strong points." She laughed when Adhara asked after her cat. "Oh, he's as dumb as ever, so still keeping me laughing. He's getting old though. He doesn't resist as much as he used to when I give him hugs."

Sam smiled. "Awww, poor Astrum. She lets you know when the loving will occur, not the other way around, eh? Gus is still like a dog - he comes when you call. He's such so stupid that you can't help but love him.
"I've already got my books. I even grabbed a few extra for leisure reading." She jabbed her thumb to the dirty little booth hidden behind the bar, where the paper bag of books peeks out from behind the table. "Honestly, I don't mean to boast, but I've always been better at testing than homework. So I'm not terribly worried about those. But I'll be cheering you on, Addie!" She smiled broadly and patted Addie on the back at that.

"Thanks guys! I'm not too excited about the extra homework either, but I guess that's just school." They made her feel better with their confidence in her, and she wasn't as worried anymore. "I know what you mean by the extra reading Sam. I could spend all day in Flourish and Blotts trying to pick out books within my budget. Sometimes its hard to figure out which ones to put back!"

Sam nodded as the other two spoke. "I saw a tome last year all about the history of magical international relations. I could've CRIED. It was gigantic and expensive and I wanted it so badly... But this year it was gone, and I don't even remember the title. Shame."
She chuckled as Vlaityn tried to remain stoic through her yawn. "Looks like you'd better hurry up and get your books, then straight home. Have you been reading too much by candlelight again?"
But when Vlaityn mentioned her father, Sam went quiet. Still smiling, but her eyes had gone slightly glassy, as if she wasn't really listening. She was waiting for something else to remark on, but only distantly paying attention.

Sam looked surprised. "What? Oh-" She laughed, then lightly punched Vlaityn in the arm. "I don't want to be in debt to you, Val~" she sing-songed playfully, teasing her upperclassman. "Besides, I've got money." She beamed in mock haughtiness as she patted her jacket where her coin purse was hidden, causing it to jangle dully against the fabric. "But ice cream sounds brilliant. And y'know, I think the title had something to do with...hm." She considered for a moment, folding her arms and cocking her head to one side as she thought. " 'Barriers Unbound - The Magical World Throughout the Globe and Its History.' ...Something like that." She grinned lopsidedly again and shrugged. "Can you imagine the absolute fangirls we'd be if we found it? I know I'd be practically piddling myself like an untrained puppy."

Sam laughed even harder. "Uh-oh, be careful not to wear lipstick when kissing it! And send me an invitation to the wedding!" She guffawed at her own jokes and continued laughing.
It took a minute, but she managed to calm down. "Haaa~ Anyway, yeah. If you two are going to Effenbee's, I'll catch up with you later. Might want to say hi to everyone here first, yeah? I'll try not to ramble so that I won't take too long. Even then, you'll probably get there before me." She grinned again.