Playground

[sweetpinkpixie]

If it's troubling how close this playground is to the stairs into Knockturn Alley, let the charmed boundaries put your mind at ease. This tiny oasis can be found in a grassy lot that seems as if it has always been there. Did there used to be a shop here, or was it a fountain, or... hmm?

In addition to a self-propelled swing set and monkey bars with real (not real) monkeys, there's a fantastic miniature Hogwarts for climbing and sliding and general silliness. Behind the castle, there's a miniature carousal - unicorns and dragons and kelpies and other magical creatures chase each other in a neverending circle. This is the perfect place for tired parents and caregivers to settle with rambunctious kids who are too young for school. And if they wander too far, the charm will alert their caregiver of their wandering.

From here you can go back to the street and visit some of the shops that are nearby and the bank or keep walking past this corner and see what else the south side street has to offer.

[PhoenixRising]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

Mandrake Beery wasn't sure if there was an age in which it was unspokenly agreed upon that you were TOO OLD to play on a playground, but if there was... He was prepared to either A) hope that age wasn't 12 or B) ignore it if it was. He LOVED the playground in Diagon Alley - with the swings that required no effort and the creature carousel. He did have to admit, after completing his first year at Hogwarts the little castle replica wasn't nearly as exciting, but everything else still held its usual splendor.

Zooooooming to the carousel as soon as there was an open pathway to do so, the rising second year hopped up on to a Kelpie and gave a whoop of excitement as it began to spin around. He should have made Gil come with him, he realized, but maybe others would wander about.

If anyone were to ask Emma that question, she would say that when you stopped playing on the playground was when you became old. Her parents were old. Her brothers were technically old, since they were legal adult wizards. She, at age 12 AND A HALF because that half is important YO, was not old. Although she wouldn't complain if the spiritual powers that be were to make her grow a little??

In deciding where she wanted to play first, the small blond doubled back though when a boy she recognized as one of Aryan's dormmates, zoomed past her and nearly knocked her on her bum. "Yo watch it!!"

[Chelliephone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

If anyone were to ask Emma that question, she would say that when you stopped playing on the playground was when you became old. Her parents were old. Her brothers were technically old, since they were legal adult wizards. She, at age 12 AND A HALF because that half is important YO, was not old. Although she wouldn't complain if the spiritual powers that be were to make her grow a little??

In deciding where she wanted to play first, the small blond doubled back though when a boy she recognized as one of Aryan's dormmates, zoomed past her and nearly knocked her on her bum. "Yo watch it!!"

Drake had certainly not meant to nearly cause injury to anyone, especially not someone that recognized him as having any relation to his closest friend. What if he gave Aryan a bad rep, simply because he'd been so silly as to forget his manners!! Obviously, it was always important to remember to be aware of one's surroundings and not mow someone over. Even if the 'no running' rule he felt like could be generally forgotten in this particular setting, the other parts were still important! His face burning a bit at the holler from the other girl, he quickly readjusted his gait to go back to her instead.

"I'm... um... I'm really sorry. I just got a little TOO excited about the merry go round." He toed the ground with his sandal, before looking at her again. "Are you okay??" She hadn't actually fallen and he didn't recall brushing against her so... hopefully so.

[PhoenixRising]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

Drake had certainly not meant to nearly cause injury to anyone, especially not someone that recognized him as having any relation to his closest friend. What if he gave Aryan a bad rep, simply because he'd been so silly as to forget his manners!! Obviously, it was always important to remember to be aware of one's surroundings and not mow someone over. Even if the 'no running' rule he felt like could be generally forgotten in this particular setting, the other parts were still important! His face burning a bit at the holler from the other girl, he quickly readjusted his gait to go back to her instead.

"I'm... um... I'm really sorry. I just got a little TOO excited about the merry go round." He toed the ground with his sandal, before looking at her again. "Are you okay??" She hadn't actually fallen and he didn't recall brushing against her so... hopefully so.

Fortunately being still young she was fairly adaptable. Her years of dance also helped her to be to be exceptionally well-balanced. And while brothers took care of her being the spoiled little sister, she also was adept at handling her own too.

"Apology accepted, but only because you can't really be upset when noone got hurt and the sun is shining." She beamed. "I mean the merry go around IS a classic. Are you a typical horse rider or do you prefer one of the more obscure creatures?" She needed to know if they were competing for the same creature, after all.

[Chelliephone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Fortunately being still young she was fairly adaptable. Her years of dance also helped her to be to be exceptionally well-balanced. And while brothers took care of her being the spoiled little sister, she also was adept at handling her own too.

"Apology accepted, but only because you can't really be upset when noone got hurt and the sun is shining." She beamed. "I mean the merry go around IS a classic. Are you a typical horse rider or do you prefer one of the more obscure creatures?" She needed to know if they were competing for the same creature, after all.

At her response, he smiled a little bit before looking uuuuup at the sky to see the golden rays beaming down at them. It was awfully nice to have a spot of sunshine in London. And if she wasn't actually upset, that pleased him! He didn't like to make people upset nor did he like to BE the one who was upsetting them. It was perhaps one of his least favorite past times.

"Well, thank you! I appreciate it!" He smiled back, a bit shyly before looking back over towards the carousel. Was a kelpie what she meant by horse or did she specifically mean the winged horses? "Well... I like horse adjacent type of creatures! I like riding the kelpie the best." He pointed it out in the distant, making slooow steps now that way. "Do you want to come ride it with me?"

[PhoenixRising]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

At her response, he smiled a little bit before looking uuuuup at the sky to see the golden rays beaming down at them. It was awfully nice to have a spot of sunshine in London. And if she wasn't actually upset, that pleased him! He didn't like to make people upset nor did he like to BE the one who was upsetting them. It was perhaps one of his least favorite past times.

"Well, thank you! I appreciate it!" He smiled back, a bit shyly before looking back over towards the carousel. Was a kelpie what she meant by horse or did she specifically mean the winged horses? "Well... I like horse adjacent type of creatures! I like riding the kelpie the best." He pointed it out in the distant, making slooow steps now that way. "Do you want to come ride it with me?"

It would definitely take much more than nearly knocking her down to upset this ray of sunshine known as Emma Montmorency. While her brothers were generally protective of her as the baby in the family, that didn't mean there wasn't the typical sibling fighting.

"Ahh so you're a water horse type guy!" She glanced at the carousel, studying it a moment, before looking back at his question. "I'm not sure ... can we both ride the same creature ? Or do you just mean both on the carousel but two different creatures." She typically went for the unicorn or the dragon, which she supposed the former was horse-adjacent.

[Chelliephone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

It would definitely take much more than nearly knocking her down to upset this ray of sunshine known as Emma Montmorency. While her brothers were generally protective of her as the baby in the family, that didn't mean there wasn't the typical sibling fighting.

"Ahh so you're a water horse type guy!" She glanced at the carousel, studying it a moment, before looking back at his question. "I'm not sure ... can we both ride the same creature ? Or do you just mean both on the carousel but two different creatures." She typically went for the unicorn or the dragon, which she supposed the former was horse-adjacent.

That would have certainly relieved his concerns. In terms of siblings, for Drakey it was just him and Gilly. Which was more than enough, if you asked him, but it also didn't give him much experience with the chaos that seemed to come with multiple siblings. He'd seen it with Aryan and Bryony though, the well meaning teases and bickering. He and Gil he was pretty sure was more protective in most of their interactions, though... usually his sister more so over his own crybaby self.

Drake beamed and gave a nod of his head. "I am! My dad was a sailor so my Mum would say I'm always drawn to things of the water." But he also really loved things of the earth too just like she did. At her question, his smile faltered and he blinked a bit as he looked at the merry go round. "Oh, well I did mean just on it together on different creatures... I don't think we're small enough anymore to ride the same one." It was a magical merry go round, but couldn't it still get uneven from weight distribution?

[ArianaBlack]

Despite the unwelcoming english weather, Yasmin found herself strolling through Diagon Alley deep in thought. In the absence of sunlight, she held her tea close to her chest for warmth and without reason, allowed herself to wander. Perhaps when her feet tired, she would find herself in the bookstore or a coffee shop, her journal sitting in her bag, waiting for her. If it had a voice of it's own, it would be calling to her desperately. Maybe this future Yasmin would reach for it and pen her thoughts as she cozied in a corner, drinking something warm and hiding away from the cold. But for now, she was not in the mood. She hardly was these days.

Coming to a stop, Yasmin took a long sip of her tea - Ahmad, Special Blend with a touch of honey and cardamom to taste.

It was a cruel twist of fate that she found herself stopped just in front of the playground. Or had she subconsciously gravitated here, the muted laughter beckoning her from afar? Despite the pang in her chest, she smiled as two young children chased after one another, weaving between swings and disappearing within the castle.

Smiling. Exhaling. Longing. Watching.

The boys reminded her of Dariush. Though he was too cool for games of tag now, she remembered how he used to beg his sister to play, his insistence to pull his cousins along, even on occasion, asking Yasmin, herself, to join. Khaleh Yassi, please! Her sweetest nephew. She missed him so dearly.

[Chelliephone]

It had been some time since they had made the visit to Diagon Alley. While this had once been one of Nai's favorite places, it was hard to not feel nostalgic and the sting of her remaining grief when she passed all of the places she'd gone so often to with her father. The memorial itself as well always happened to draw her attention, and even if she couldn't see it, she could acutely feel that familiar name etched into the stone as if he was still around and calling to her. It made her feel close, but it also made her feel sad because her girls did not have that same connection or memory. Today though, the call would go unanswered as she had decidedly set her goal for the playground.

Her girls deserved an afternoon of fun. And perhaps not a weepy mum. [

Reaching their destination, Cressida and Cassiopeia both took off at a run - her eldest just a fraction faster than her younger sister, though Naia could see the moment she slowed her gait to let the younger catch up. It reminded her of Lucy and Kimberly and the memory brought a smile into her face. But then she noticed how little attention the pair was paying and they were getting far too close to another patron. "Girls! Watch out, please!" She called after them, before moving that direction to check on the other woman. She hadn't been able to see from her distance exactly how close they'd gotten. "Sorry about them. I swear they lose any semblance of manners the moment there is a slide in site." She smiled, looking over at the kids gathered. "Which one is yours?"

[ArianaBlack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

It had been some time since they had made the visit to Diagon Alley. While this had once been one of Nai's favorite places, it was hard to not feel nostalgic and the sting of her remaining grief when she passed all of the places she'd gone so often to with her father. The memorial itself as well always happened to draw her attention, and even if she couldn't see it, she could acutely feel that familiar name etched into the stone as if he was still around and calling to her. It made her feel close, but it also made her feel sad because her girls did not have that same connection or memory. Today though, the call would go unanswered as she had decidedly set her goal for the playground.

Her girls deserved an afternoon of fun. And perhaps not a weepy mum.

Reaching their destination, Cressida and Cassiopeia both took off at a run - her eldest just a fraction faster than her younger sister, though Naia could see the moment she slowed her gait to let the younger catch up. It reminded her of Lucy and Kimberly and the memory brought a smile into her face. But then she noticed how little attention the pair was paying and they were getting far too close to another patron. "Girls! Watch out, please!" She called after them, before moving that direction to check on the other woman. She hadn't been able to see from her distance exactly how close they'd gotten. "Sorry about them. I swear they lose any semblance of manners the moment there is a slide in site." She smiled, looking over at the kids gathered. "Which one is yours?"

Yasmin took a small step back when two children came bounding her way, not for any other reason than wanting to give them the space to play. Still she met them with a smile. Her nieces often raced around in the same way - physical bounds meant nothing. Nothing could tether their sweet laughter from running free.

So, turning, Yasmin offered a comforting smile to the mother of the two girls. "No, please, it is nothing to worry about." Children just being children. The universe was in perfect balance.

But what was asked next of her, it made her feel embarrassed. "Oh, I-" Yassi tried not to feel shame, as a rule, but she couldn't help the strange feeling that crept up her spine as she looked around for a way out. "I don't have kids of my own," her smile faltered for a just a moment. A fraction of a second that held every unfulfilled wish that she kept close to the chest. "But I am so lucky to have many lovely nieces and nephews." Who were not here either.

As she explained, she realized she was only coming off more ... odd, out of place.

[Chelliephone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

Yasmin took a small step back when two children came bounding her way, not for any other reason than wanting to give them the space to play. Still she met them with a smile. Her nieces often raced around in the same way - physical bounds meant nothing. Nothing could tether their sweet laughter from running free.

So, turning, Yasmin offered a comforting smile to the mother of the two girls. "No, please, it is nothing to worry about." Children just being children. The universe was in perfect balance.

But what was asked next of her, it made her feel embarrassed. "Oh, I-" Yassi tried not to feel shame, as a rule, but she couldn't help the strange feeling that crept up her spine as she looked around for a way out. "I don't have kids of my own," her smile faltered for a just a moment. A fraction of a second that held every unfulfilled wish that she kept close to the chest. "But I am so lucky to have many lovely nieces and nephews." Who were not here either.

As she explained, she realized she was only coming off more ... odd, out of place.

While perhaps it was strange to find someone in this particular location without any children running around to watch after, Naia was so relieved by the easy dismissal of her own offsprings near rudeness that she didn’t even fully register that perhaps the woman was a bit odd. Besides, while she had clarified she didn’t have her own kids… she did say nieces and nephews and perhaps they were among the frolicking children her girls were now joining.

She wasn’t one to judge or ask any further follow up questions apparently.

The mention of the role of being an aunt though brought a smile to Nai’s own lips as well as she gave a nod in understanding. “Being an aunt is a wonderful job, isn’t it? You’re allowed to be so much more fun as an aunt.” Naturally, she loved motherhood and her stars. But Zephyr, as the oldest of the next generation of the Amstern brood, held a special place in her own heart - the first they had all fallen in love with. Not that she would ever show or give preferential treatment towards him over his sister or Kimberly’s children, but still.

[ArianaBlack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

While perhaps it was strange to find someone in this particular location without any children running around to watch after, Naia was so relieved by the easy dismissal of her own offsprings near rudeness that she didn’t even fully register that perhaps the woman was a bit odd. Besides, while she had clarified she didn’t have her own kids… she did say nieces and nephews and perhaps they were among the frolicking children her girls were now joining.

She wasn’t one to judge or ask any further follow up questions apparently.

The mention of the role of being an aunt though brought a smile to Nai’s own lips as well as she gave a nod in understanding. “Being an aunt is a wonderful job, isn’t it? You’re allowed to be so much more fun as an aunt.” Naturally, she loved motherhood and her stars. But Zephyr, as the oldest of the next generation of the Amstern brood, held a special place in her own heart - the first they had all fallen in love with. Not that she would ever show or give preferential treatment towards him over his sister or Kimberly’s children, but still.

Yassi did not think to explain that her nieces and nephew were not among the children playing in the background. Or perhaps she had left out this tidbit of information on purpose. One couldn't ever be sure. What she was certain of, however, is that she wanted to make a good impression on this stranger, who if she were to alarm, may find it within herself to call on security. And though she did not have definite plans for her day, she did not want to spend it explaining herself to law enforcement.

"Do you really think so?" she asked, tilting her head with a curious smile. She hadn't ever thought of it that way, that she could have more fun without children of her own to spoil.

[Chelliephone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

Yassi did not think to explain that her nieces and nephew were not among the children playing in the background. Or perhaps she had left out this tidbit of information on purpose. One couldn't ever be sure. What she was certain of, however, is that she wanted to make a good impression on this stranger, who if she were to alarm, may find it within herself to call on security. And though she did not have definite plans for her day, she did not want to spend it explaining herself to law enforcement.

"Do you really think so?" she asked, tilting her head with a curious smile. She hadn't ever thought of it that way, that she could have more fun without children of her own to spoil.

At the returned question, Naia glanced to ensure her girls were still happily playing - not wanting them to overhear her and get their feelings hurt in the way kids easily could. She wasn’t saying she didn’t love being their mum - it was all she had wanted in her early adulthood, but that didn’t mean other relational roles weren’t important. “I do! As an aunt, you don’t have the same responsibility of being strict in your rules. If as a mom you let kids have dessert before dinner, they start to think they bargain with you to do it all the time. As an aunt? It’s just a fun treat.”

She’d also used the aunt excuse though to be able to give her kids the same treatment too. Though the excuse usually was ‘we’re doing this because your cousins are here’. Cressida and Cassiopeia had always taken that as a good enough excuse and instead of begging their mother to bend her own rules all the time, they instead begged for their cousins to come over.

Sounded like a win win to Naia! “Did you have any aunts or uncles growing up?”

[sweetpinkpixie]

Summer was summering and Anna could not believe that the coming term would be her final one at Hogwarts as a student. Some minutes it felt like it had only been yesterday that she had crossed the lake on those boats and donned the Sorting Hat, while other minutes it felt like a complete lifetime ago. Sometimes it was hard to fully grasp the passage of time because of, well, because of some heavy stuff she wished she could put down somewhere but was now forced to carry around with her.

It was really HARD keeping secrets too, especially for someone who was a run-on-sentence personified, but this was something she HAD to. At least for a little while longer. It was kind of nice to have this extra confusing thing going on because it made the other confusing things pale in comparison. It didn't feel like such a big deal that it hurt so profoundly when Reuben had asked to kiss her but could not give her an answer as to why he wanted to or why her insides either itched or fluttered when Ezra was around or why she still felt disappointed that Violeta was with Big Brother Joseph's actual brother, or why she had felt the bad kind of tingles when Freddy hadn't responded entirely positively to an episode of her abundant affections, or why she had begun to feel uncomfortable with her freckled features compared to the even tone skinned her peers appeared to have and could no longer see the constellations on her face. It was actually...pretty nice to have something that drowned all that out - most of the time, at least.

Thankfully summer was busy with other exciting things to keep her mind off it all, like volunteering at Creatures and Cwtches Sanctuary again with Aurora and (HOPEFULLY!) getting to go on that extra excursion to a dragon reserve with Mr. Derfael and Mrs. Chloe to pass Sunny and Merryweather off to the more needing mommy dragons. There was also school shopping and a wand fitting to take her littlest sister to and the Hufflepuffle simply could not WAIT to see that magical moment where a wand choose her - though really, they all should choose Simona because she was absolutely amazing! She was also still negotiating with her mum and dad about the Atlantis vacation that she, Aurora, and Solomon had dreamed of going on...er...their second year? Third year? It had been SOME time now and they hadn't been able to yet (apparently Anna's OWL scores had not been satisfactory enough to warrant 'celebrating' their completion) but if not this summer then maybe NEXT summer it could finally happen - as a graduation celebration?

For now, and for whatever reason, Anna found herself wandering to the playground and was now sitting on a swing with her toes pushed into the ground beneath her to lightly swing her back and forth. She hadn't been on these swings in a LONG time now...maybe even before she began her journey at Hogwarts...and the fact that she could not remember just when the last time was became a trigger that had her curls seemingly loose their spring and droop around her face. Sighing to herself, Anna closed her eyes and continued her gentle toe propelled rocking while humming a sort of meloncholy lullaby to herself.

[Holmesian Feline]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Summer was summering and Anna could not believe that the coming term would be her final one at Hogwarts as a student. Some minutes it felt like it had only been yesterday that she had crossed the lake on those boats and donned the Sorting Hat, while other minutes it felt like a complete lifetime ago. Sometimes it was hard to fully grasp the passage of time because of, well, because of some heavy stuff she wished she could put down somewhere but was now forced to carry around with her.

It was really HARD keeping secrets too, especially for someone who was a run-on-sentence personified, but this was something she HAD to. At least for a little while longer. It was kind of nice to have this extra confusing thing going on because it made the other confusing things pale in comparison. It didn't feel like such a big deal that it hurt so profoundly when Reuben had asked to kiss her but could not give her an answer as to why he wanted to or why her insides either itched or fluttered when Ezra was around or why she still felt disappointed that Violeta was with Big Brother Joseph's actual brother, or why she had felt the bad kind of tingles when Freddy hadn't responded entirely positively to an episode of her abundant affections, or why she had begun to feel uncomfortable with her freckled features compared to the even tone skinned her peers appeared to have and could no longer see the constellations on her face. It was actually...pretty nice to have something that drowned all that out - most of the time, at least.

Thankfully summer was busy with other exciting things to keep her mind off it all, like volunteering at Creatures and Cwtches Sanctuary again with Aurora and (HOPEFULLY!) getting to go on that extra excursion to a dragon reserve with Mr. Derfael and Mrs. Chloe to pass Sunny and Merryweather off to the more needing mommy dragons. There was also school shopping and a wand fitting to take her littlest sister to and the Hufflepuffle simply could not WAIT to see that magical moment where a wand choose her - though really, they all should choose Simona because she was absolutely amazing! She was also still negotiating with her mum and dad about the Atlantis vacation that she, Aurora, and Solomon had dreamed of going on...er...their second year? Third year? It had been SOME time now and they hadn't been able to yet (apparently Anna's OWL scores had not been satisfactory enough to warrant 'celebrating' their completion) but if not this summer then maybe NEXT summer it could finally happen - as a graduation celebration?

For now, and for whatever reason, Anna found herself wandering to the playground and was now sitting on a swing with her toes pushed into the ground beneath her to lightly swing her back and forth. She hadn't been on these swings in a LONG time now...maybe even before she began her journey at Hogwarts...and the fact that she could not remember just when the last time was became a trigger that had her curls seemingly loose their spring and droop around her face. Sighing to herself, Anna closed her eyes and continued her gentle toe propelled rocking while humming a sort of meloncholy lullaby to herself.

The one bad thing about being busy all summer…was being so busy all summer. Yeah, there was plenty of time with the family at their reserve, she would never miss out on some of those times, including certain creatures. But there was also all the practices and
quidditch games she had to attend either as player or watching to compare.. Nadia loved it, she truly did. It was her dream to be playing with the hopes of it helping her future. Though maybe not the struggle to try and find the time to grab her school supplies. She doubted she could be excused for accidentally forgetting something she needed just because her coach was also one of her professors. The Gryffindor was EXTRA careful not to forget anything for potions.

She probably could have asked for help from her dads but Nadia was doing her best to prove she could balance and be responsible. Raj might have assisted if he himself was free but that probably wasn't the case. So, the incoming sixth year was in Diagon Alley to try and get a few things off her list while she had some time. Absently cutting through the playground on the southern side of the street, she might not have paid it much mind, other than brief hints of memories, if she hadn’t spotted a familiar face. “Hey…” she greeted with a polite smile, one that faltered slightly as she got closer and registered the humming. “You okay?” she tentatively asked.

[sweetpinkpixie]

As was with almost every song Anna had ever hummed to herself (save for those few times that Pseudo Big Brother Joseph with Hair of the Golden-Spun Sun had kept her on track and on task during duet practices) the Hufflepuffle began to blend several melodies together into a hodgepodge that resembled none of them...though the mostly somber toned remained. Was it, or at least one of them, something else unlocked from memory? She honestly had a headache thinking about it all so...maybe she just wouldn't.

But like...ALSO...wasn't it just an ironic trick life played that when you tried not to think about something it ended up being the only thing you would ever think about? Like...right now...DON'T think about purple dragons covered in white polka dots performing a ballet! Impossible not to!

Anna's thoughts kept replaying everything that had occurred in the Department of Mysteries and after, the emotional whiplash being A LOT, so much so that she did not notice her friend approaching and despite her (meaning Nadia!) attempt to do so gently...the rising seventh year found herself completely spooked and she tumbled backwards off the swing legs up.

"I'm okay!" she assured through flailing and floundering limbs as she somehow managed to scramble back into a sitting position on the ground. "Super duper clumsy but...all good! Hi."

[Holmesian Feline]

Nadia hadn’t thought her friend might be lost in her own thoughts as well as her melancholy tunes and thus not hearing her approach or her greeting. Maybe if she had, the Gryffindor would have taken a different approach to … well …approach the older girl and maybe have a better chance of not taking her by surprise as it seemed she had. Well hindsight as they say is 20-20 and there was nothing she could do about. Nor could she fix the fact that as she noticed Anna flailing backwards she had jumped back as if attempting to avoid collision despite not being THAT close rather than quickly moving forward to try and keep her companion from actually completing the fall to the ground.

Ooops.

She winced at the scene, about to ask after Anna but cut off when she answered on her own. “Sorry…” she apologized, feeling it was the very least she could do as her friend righted herself. Clumsy maybe, but the Gryffindor had definitely had some hand in the whole mess. “ A solid 7.5 at least…” Nadia mused as she offered a hand to help her up, trying to make the scene a bit more amusing rather than embarrassing.

[sweetpinkpixie]

It was as if her little tumble had knocked all of the swirling thoughts right from her mind, which was essentially what had just happened. Well, mostly the giggling was serving as the biggest distraction as she reached for Nadia's hand with both of hers to be hoisted up. Zero embarrassment here, Anna rarely understood the meaning of the word herself though could easily imagine how some would find this sort of thing embarrassing. Nothing to be embarrassed about when making a little oopsie daisy in front of friends.

"7.5? It was the landing, wasn't it? Needed to stick the landing or at least add a half turn into the maneuver before the dismount," she smile and picked a few bits of grass from her curls. "Always next time! But, more importantly than my career in professional swinging...how are you?!"