Kourtney came to a stop several yards from her chosen hippogriff, as instructed by the professor. For a moment, she contemplated naming the creature. It would make the interaction more personable in any way. Chessy. Mmhmm. That would do.

The young girl drew in a breath, and slowly bent forward into a bow, her eyes pinned to those of the hippogriff. Don’t blink…don’t blink….She hardly dared to breathe. She just stood there, staring at the creature.

Nothing. The hippogriff simply stared back and gave a ruffle of its feathers. O…kay. Of course this was going to be more difficult than expected.

She continued to hold its gaze, now struggling not to blink. C’mon…..c’mon….Her eyes squinted, and just as the hippogriff made a move, she blinked. Uh-oh.

But apparently the massive creature had missed it for it was just sweeping up from its own bow. Oh. Good. Now she could try to approach it, but not too quickly, of course.