Emma was ONE with mother nature. Her, the trees, the grass, and fallen leaves; they ALL were connected to each other. It was as if Emma herself had sprouted up over night in the pathways. ALMOST as magical as her magic itself, but not quite. She also was one with the creatures, mostly her cat Davies, who was sitting on a bench watching his owner with the most uninterested expression, but Emma KNEW that IN HIS MIND he was asking her what they were doing. The wild haired child was more than happy to explain to her buddy why they were out after breakfast.

"You need more friends, Davies. Other cats LIKE to be out here AND in the trees!" That's where she was. Hanging upside down on a low branch near the bench, signing to her cat when she could remember to, but mostly chattering away. At some point she'd lost her shoes (it was NOT her fault that kept happening), and at some other point her robes got discarded too cause it was HARD to climb with them on (but she did have on pants instead of those impractical skirts - who could climb in those???). "Cat's like trees! You're supposed to climb them and HUNT." That was one thing her pet didn't do, hunt anything. Her mama said he was too domesticated so she was trying to break him of that so he could have more cat friends.

Al had spent several days in deep contemplation (see: moping) before he felt adiquetly prepared to take on Hogwarts. He was a Hufflepuff. The glowing letter from his mother had changed his tune slightly on that turn of events. Yes, Alessandro had expected a different house, to continue on his family legacy, but yellow was nice, too.

Sigh.

With his attitude on a light simmer instead of a raging fire, Al decided to start going for his morning runs again. In the year and a half leading up to school he had been permitted to start training for combat. A long held family tradition. And even though he was generally unimpressive in size and did not have the stamina to last for long runs yet, he forced himself to run the entire length of the grounds.

He would do it every morning, too. Until one day his lungs stopped feeling like they were being dunked in acid.

On his way back from day three of his running routine, sweaty and breathless, he spotted Emma. Al limped over to her and called out, “Good morning, Emma.” He did not comment on her hanging upside down. That was her business.

Emma didn't even SEE Al until he was RIGHT THERE, and then she was all grins. "'Morning, Al! Wanna come climb this tree with me, it's EASY." Like, SUPER easy. She wasn't just saying this because she was a excellent climber so it was easy for HER, she was saying it cause it was easy for ANYONE. Sweaty and tired almost same age first years TOO.

Only as an after thought, and because her cat had jumped off the bench when he arrived, and to her satchel leaning up beside it, did she remember that the bag was there. "There's water in my bag if you want some. And candy!" A bunch of other nonsense and food to keep her from having to go ALL the way back into the castle.

Zarina finally made it to the pathways and this was actually her favorite place on the grounds. Not a lot of people were here, it was just pure quietness it was blissful. She touched the flowers as she made her way down the path and the dandelions were floating away near the sky. She smiled and closed her eyes and made a wish. She grinned near where they disappeared and managed to find to her thinking spot.

Zae sat down underneath the tree and just began to think about life in general. She even observed others as they passed by. She realized how much she missed Hogwarts and how much freedom she has.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expecto-Penguin

Zarina finally made it to the pathways and this was actually her favorite place on the grounds. Not a lot of people were here, it was just pure quietness it was blissful. She touched the flowers as she made her way down the path and the dandelions were floating away near the sky. She smiled and closed her eyes and made a wish. She grinned near where they disappeared and managed to find to her thinking spot.

Zae sat down underneath the tree and just began to think about life in general. She even observed others as they passed by. She realized how much she missed Hogwarts and how much freedom she has.

Juni had heard that running was good for not only your body but your mind too. That was a good thing because she had had so much on her mind, the past few weeks and being back at school only made things worse for her. So today she was running for both. Since she was right in the middle of quidditch tryouts, she had been running around the lake in the morning and running the pathways in the afternoon.

She had finished and was making the run back toward the castle. She had been doing really good at keeping a good pace on the way but coming back she was already huffing and puffing. She stopped for a little bit of water. Not too far from where she had stopped was Zarina. The Slytherin was sitting under a tree, ”Hey, girl. What are you doing out here?” She said with and smile. Leaning against the tree, she pulled her wand and made a stream of water flow out to get a drink.

Zae was really into her daydream when she heard a voice behind her. She jumped and put a hand over her heart. "Merlin you scared me. I didn't even see you coming.." If she did then she would be psychic and studying divination. "Now onto your question...I am just relaxing out here. I actually find it relaxing to sit on the side lines and watch life go by." As weird at that sounds. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her outfit. It was a jogging outfit and she smirked, "Are you training for quidditch try outs because I am too.." she pulled her sweat pants down and showed her shorts. It was cold this morning thats for sure. "Which position are you hoping for?" This slytherin was going for chaser or seeker.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expecto-Penguin

Zae was really into her daydream when she heard a voice behind her. She jumped and put a hand over her heart. "Merlin you scared me. I didn't even see you coming.." If she did then she would be psychic and studying divination. "Now onto your question...I am just relaxing out here. I actually find it relaxing to sit on the side lines and watch life go by." As weird at that sounds. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her outfit. It was a jogging outfit and she smirked, "Are you training for quidditch try outs because I am too.." she pulled her sweat pants down and showed her shorts. It was cold this morning thats for sure. "Which position are you hoping for?" This slytherin was going for chaser or seeker.

Juni laughed for just a moment, ”Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” She slid down and sat down next to her. She was going to have to remember to carry a water bottle with her. It really was easier than having to stop get her wand out and let the water flow. Listening to the other girl, and nodding well kind of. ”Watch life go by?” She understood the relaxing part but the other part not so much. Juniper was more of a grab life by the horns type of person but lately she’d been laying pretty low but it was still pretty early into the term.

”Yeah, I am. And running it’s good for you mind as well as your body.” She supposed that her outfit did give away that she had been on at run. Along with her sweating and mess of hair. But her hair was always a hot mess. ”Seeker or Beater, you?”

Alessandro squinted against the sun as he tried to look up at Emma in the tree, "No thanks." He was still sweaty and tired from running. And, more importantly, he had just changed his gloves into clean ones. Climbing trees would get his clean pair dirty. And he could not have that.

"And, uh, I will get my own water. We shouldn't share." He appreciated the gesture, but, he wore gloves. Did she really think he would drink from her water? "But thank you, though," he added.

After a beat, he said, "Do you wanna come down? Go for a walk? Catch up?" He had told Leecey he had friends, so he had to actually try and maintain them.

"Nah it is fine, I just need to have ears like a bat is all.." she joked just a little bit. I mean she just needed to not be so jumpy. Once she put it that way she nodded. "Yeah watching life go by..that's one way to put it. I am always more of the observer than the person who takes action." she shrugged. This girl had yet another good point, running was good for you. Thank you sherlock she could have figured that out. She nodded at her statement. "Yet it makes us a sweaty mess.." she looked her up and down and saw sweat on her forehead. "That's why I like to work out on a broom, you get the fresh breeze in your air and makes it fun.." She always felt exhilarated on a broom.

"Hmm well I am in the same position yet besides beater I want to be a chaser. I feel like I'd rather score than block some quaffles." She just like the idea of having a goal on the other side. "Which house are you in?" Was she a fellow slytherin. Zae couldn't figure it out.

But friends shared, or did he forget? "Okay. If you pass-out or something from being tired, I'll carry you to the courtyard fountain!" Not the castle because that was much further and she wasn't very strong (plus he looked taller than her even upside down), but the fountains were closer! She could make that for sure. Davies would help.

"Sure!" The invitation to come out of the tree was all she needed to untangle herself from the branch she'd attached herself, climbing down until she was close enough to jump on the grass. THEN she had to find shoes, put them on, grab her BAG and motion for Davies to follow them. She didn't wanna loose her cat again. "I saw you got hufflepuff. Isn't that the greatest! My mama was in that house and my bestest friend EVER is in the house too." It was the only reason she had to barely memorize the way inside their dorm.

Today seemed like a good day for a walk. Or just to be outside in general. Stephanie loved the fall; mainly because the leaves matched the color of her hair, and sometimes her eyes. Walking on the pathways, the redhead began wondering if she should just head down straight to the lake. But she was sure everyone was at the lake so the pathways will do for now. Maybe she’ll go find some plants or moss for a new terrarium later. But clearly she’ll just go explore; she didn’t feel like lounging about there. Moving her hair to the side, Steph pulled up her hood, trying to avoid the sudden chilly air that began hitting her. Maybe a thicker sweater would’ve been a good idea.

Term was in full swing and Zita was already exhausted from classes and keeping up with her social life, but she would keep this up because it was the way she worked and she enjoyed all of it, though she would never admit how much she did like some of the classes. Having a break she finally made it outside for the day and her sights were on the flowers along the pathways. She had noticed the other day that a few of them had just the prettiest purple that would go well with her new thoughts on some barrettes.

Noticing someone she watched them for a moment and then smiled,
"Helllllo" wiggling her fingers at the other fourth year. The hufflepuffs had a way of being everywhere she decided recently or was there just more of them lately? She didn't truly know the answer, but maybe Stepanie would have some inside scoop into some of the puffs though.

Alessandro's eyebrows raised high enough to be hidden by his dark curls at her suggestion, "You would carry me?" He gave her a look up and down, appraising her stature, the little he could as she blinked at him hanging upside down. He was fairly certain there was no way she could carry him.

When she hopped down from the tree he was able to look take in her height better and decided, offhandedly, that there was no way she would be able to carry him. Even with her wand. She was a second year, after all.

"Oh," he said, moving to smooth down the invisible yellow tie he was not wearing for his morning, "Yes. My mother is really happy. She was, um, a Hufflepuff, too." His father had yet to really comment on his sorting. There were letters, of course, but nothing in those flimsy papers about him being Hufflepuff over Slytherin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Expecto-Penguin

"Nah it is fine, I just need to have ears like a bat is all.." she joked just a little bit. I mean she just needed to not be so jumpy. Once she put it that way she nodded. "Yeah watching life go by..that's one way to put it. I am always more of the observer than the person who takes action." she shrugged. This girl had yet another good point, running was good for you. Thank you sherlock she could have figured that out. She nodded at her statement. "Yet it makes us a sweaty mess.." she looked her up and down and saw sweat on her forehead. "That's why I like to work out on a broom, you get the fresh breeze in your air and makes it fun.." She always felt exhilarated on a broom.
"Hmm well I am in the same position yet besides beater I want to be a chaser. I feel like I'd rather score than block some quaffles." She just like the idea of having a goal on the other side. "Which house are you in?" Was she a fellow slytherin. Zae couldn't figure it out.

Juni smiled and nodded, bat like hearing she supposed was better than being as blind as a bat. Which was actually a misconception, bats are not blind. ” Actually bat’s heard by…..” Oh nevermind she was joking right? Okay then. She didn’t want to start off seeming like a total nerd to the other girl.

The Ravenclaw let out a little laugh. ”Yeah I guess that it’s okay to sit and watch sometimes.” Relax and take a look around. Yeah. She could do that.

Did she smell too? Looking at the Slytherin.... But really a nice shower after and nice run was nice. She was definitely going to take after this. ”I don’t mind it though. It was really part of the game wasn’t? She nodded, really to her she could play any position ”Yeah. I like swinging a bat around.” Plus she thought that girls playing as a beater totally give off bad girl vibes not that she was was one or wanted to be. Maybe just secretly. ”Ravenclaw.” She said proudly with a nod a grin.

Zae grinned and she was going to correct her? She was interested now. "No no continue with what you are saying. I'd take it your a bat expert." She wasn't making fun of her at all. Come on you couldn't leave her hanging like that. "Story of my life though...I always sit and watch. As creepy as that sounds, I mean you don't have to sit here and creep with me if ya don't want to.." she gave her that option too but something told Zae this girl didn't mind it too much. "Ah you like swinging a bat around? Are you interested in baseball..?" Wait would she know a muggle sport. I guess we will find out now. Ooohoo she was talking to a claw. Hmm Zae thought she was talking to a lion for a sec. Anyways she was impressed. "Well I am a Slytherin house of the snakes. I am Zarina.." she held out her hand all professional like.

"Of course I would! That's what friends are for." Carrying each other around when the other couldn't walk. Or at least that's what Emma put under the definition of a friend. Someone who DID things like that.

Never mind if she was actually physically capable of carrying him that far. She would DIE (read: dramatically pass-out) trying. That was just how serious she took this friendship.

Emma, with her satchel slung over her shoulders, didn't wait for him to start walking, she just KNEW he would keep up with her once she did since walking was his idea in the first place. "Really?? That's so cool! That means your mama is JUST as awesome as mine is!" Because obviously, obviously, awesome mama's were in Hufflepuff. "Have you explored the whole school yet??"

Al noticed that Emma liked to slip the word friend into their every conversation. It had been a weird habit when they first met but she was growing on him. Steadily. Like a skin tag. In his experience nobody really wanted skin tags, but they could be distinctive and were ultimately harmless.

Emma was a skin tag.

Besides, she was really nice and at a new school a kind face was always welcome.

And he did believe if he requested to be carried she would have struggled the whole way back to the castle to help him. His cousins did always say there was something to be said about loyalty. It was to be admired.

The young Hufflepuff fell in step with Emma as she nearly shouted at him, ”I haven’t had time yet. I’m still trying to learn the staircases.” They moved seemingly without pattern and it was causing the eleven year old a certain level of daily stress. Especially when he was trying to get to his lessons.

Flynn had been spending a majority of his time outside recently since his break-up with Felicity because if he stayed indoors, he would be thinking of all the things he did wrong and begin to feel even worse inside than he already did. He knew he needed to speak to her and apologize again, at least that's what his annoying conscience was telling him, but he was not ready to face her yet.

After spending some time punching some boxing bags in the defense room, he made his way back outside and into the freezing cold October air. He walked through the courtyard until his feet his the pathway, and he kept walking.

Where was he going? He didn't know. All he knew was that the cold air that was piercing his nose and cheeks was rather refreshing.

Steph had stopped to look at some of the flowers growing on the ground. She knew these were no good for potions and tea, and all that. They were just wild flowers, and that's here they should stay. Hearing someone's voice, Steph looked up and smiled at Zita.

The Zita Valla.

"Hey, what's up?" For some reason, that's how Steph always greeted anyone. She found it a bit weird sometimes.

Farah had just sent another letter off to her dad. This one was heart wrenching and would probably get her in a lot of trouble, but her dad was one of her favorite people and she could tell him anything and everything. He might be hard on her at times, but he understood and he soothed whatever she needed soothing first.

So since Farah hadn't had the best week, she needed her daddy.

She was heading through the pathways, back from the owlery when she caught a figure up ahead. One that admitted to her the other day that he cared about her, even if he found her incredibly annoying. She gave a little grin and picked up her speed to catch up with him. "How'd Felicity like the brownies?" she asked when she caught up to him. Of course, there was more that she wanted to talk to him about. He had been her future husband at one point in time, but now he was her big brother.

Whether he liked it or not.

"What's to figure out about them?" Emma LOVED the staircases. They moved so suddenly that it was like a SURPRISE as to where you were going to end up! That AND she liked the challenge of trying to make it to your desired floor by jumping from one level to the next before the stairs could connect or disconnect.

So what if she had been late to class numerous times or that she hadn't yet learned the stairs pattern. The fun was all that mattered.

Alessandro cooly wondered if Emma wanted to fly. Because when she spoke she radiated so much excitable energy in all of her limbs, he was certain if she flapped her arms she would lift right off the ground.

"Well," Al smiled, patiently, "I don't want to be late for class. And they sort of take me wherever they decide." It was really annoying. Like really, really annoying.

Emma did. She did SO BADLY every second of everyday.

The sky called for her like mountains called her Papa.

"That's the fun part! You never know where you're gonna end up." There was a little skip in her step for no other reason than walking normally bored Emma and she always had some sort of melody in her head to keep her bouncing. "I'm late for class too, but it's okay! Some of the professors don't mind if you're a little late, and I try to leave super early for the classes of the ones who do so I don't get into trouble." That didn't mean that Emma was actually successful in her plans. She was only good at MAKING plans, not executing them.

Alessandro knew about having a calling. All his life he had felt a tug deep in his gut about the idea of being sorted in Slytherin. Now, with that dream dashed, he wasn't certain he believed in callings anymore.

They felt like overeager wishes.

He did not skip to keep up with her. Instead, he elongated his strides and pocketed his gloved hands. "You can," Al argued "I'm a first year. The Professors don't know me well enough to be okay with me being late."

Not that he would ever be late by choice. It had been drilled in him that punctuality was polite. And being on time was more than just good manners, it was a show of respect to whomever you were on time for and Al wanted to show his professors respect.