-looks totally confused- I don’t understand…
Er, fine, I’ll ask him myself but whatever is happening between the two of you…I don’t know.
-looks confused- Wait, what’s going on here?
Because I’m being friendly. -smiles- So, how are you?
-gestures her to walk beside him- Let’s go. -walks in a slow pace so she can catch up- How are you today, Poppy?
You look lost to me. -looks around- Why not? Anyhow, that’s none of my business. Would you like to walk around, perhaps?
-brings her hand close to his lips, smiling- A pleasure. You seem lost. Do you, by any chance, need help?
Oh, cheeky, aren’t we? I’m Douglas Pomeroy. Seventh year Slytherin, as what you already know. -extends his hand- A pleasure to meet you, Poppy.
Bonjour, mademoiselle. I am, indeed. Hm, I don’t know where they are though. I’m sorry but who are you again?
I need my body back (Douglas)
As Erica took the handkerchief from his hand, Douglas smiled at her genuinely, hoping that smile of his had comforted the girl dwelling inside his own body. It was strange to see himself cry; though it wasn’t him inside, it seemed that he could feel the misery that Erica had suffered. Was this the purpose of this swapping or merely coincidental to let Douglas know that he wasn’t the only one who experienced such trepidation?
“Yes, it does. Never have I been in my life I have cried. Well, at least I know how I look like when it happens.” he replied teasingly as it was followed by a chortle. He was glad that she was able to utter a joke, a relief for Douglas that she was feeling better than minutes ago.
Hearing the word ‘promise’, Douglas immediately nodded his head and gazed at his own eyes to let her now that he was sincere. “I promise, Erica, and I hope you shall do the same after I relay my story.” he renounced whilst taking a deep breath afterwards and glanced instinctively up the skies. “If I were to tell my story, please don’t show any sympathy.”
Strangely Erica trusted Douglas to keep her secret. Maybe it was because she knew that he was trusting her with his and from what she knew of Douglas he didn’t seem to be the type to break promises so easily or at least she hoped not. She couldn’t keep a smile off her lips as he joked about not having seen himself cry. Somehow it seemed to help the tears stop rolling down her cheeks and for that she was grateful.
“I can’t promise that I won’t feel any sympathy, but I’ll try not to show it. Deal?” She dearly wanted to trust him with her secret, just as she wanted him to trust her with his. Hoping to get just the slightest trust from him, just enough for him to confide in her. The confidence that telling her story had given her was amazing, she couldn’t help but feel relieved at the fact that she’d finally told someone.
Douglas gave Erica a wide grin when she started smiling. It was a relief for him, to be honest. He wouldn’t want to be blamed for making her cry and for all of his life, it was hard for him to comfort a crying girl. “Now you are smiling. Keep it up.” he mused, nudging her gently with his elbows.
“Hmm, fine, deal.” he replied, giving her a reassuring nod. Douglas felt weird all of sudden. He had never told anyone his story lest that he would experience it again. It was painful for him but he needed to trust Erica his secret. She had told hers and he had to tell his; that’s their deal.
Before relaying his story, he cleared his throat and straightened his back. His eyes—well, Erica’s—looking at her—rather his body. “Well, it all started when I was a mere child in France. My mother died when I as at the age of 5. Not knowing where to go, I became a wanderer of the streets,” he paused, smoothing the ‘dress’ he was wearing. “I was a thief until a man caught me stealing. He sent me to his odd looking orphanage. There, I thought I would be given food but it was not what I expected,” Douglas stopped for a moment, biting his lower lip as he remembered the pain of his childhood. His expression had darkened and his face casting a serious tone. “The owner of the orphanage was actually a crime syndicate. They would capture kids and use them as a tool for their crimes.”
