A book accompanied Melanie on her journey into the faux outdoors. It was much needed relaxation time after touring the castle earlier; the school was enormous, and the draft was ridiculous. She was glad the beetle was insulated; the winter would be so harsh to her. At least Ilvermorny was located somewhere with snow. Otherwise, she would have been doubly shocked once the winter months smacked them in the face with their blistery winds and bitter coldness. Like my heart, she thought playfully. It made her chuckle.

But then she opened her book and began to read. If a student disturbed her, she was peaceful enough to not snap at them. So be it. It reminded her of being home over summertime, of sitting out on her front porch of her mama's house when she was younger. Always reading, always thirsting for more. She was missing Duncan's whistling. Where was he, anyway? Annoying some female or another?

Speaking of annoying some female...Melanie needed to have a talk with one certain Kaysha Stewart. The time would come. Perhaps Duncan would be better for it, but it was so hard for Melanie to put control of a situation so serious with her brother. Things to think about, things to think about.

For now, peace.