"Oh, it's nice to meet you Lea", Oichi said shaking Leas's hand. She istened as the girl kept talking. "Wait, duck girl, really?". Then she heard her ask what the ducks would say if something absoutely morbid happened to them, ugghh. "You can't be serious. If the ducks were eaten a dragon then they would say nothing because they would be gone. And that is not something I even want to fathom. Can we please switch the conversation to something less morbid. Like, what is you're favorite thing to do at Hogwarts?".

All in all, he was beginning to find their conversation a bit confusing. This was almost exclusively his own fault, mind you. He wasn't sure how Kate was supposed to understand anything he said when he kept changing it. But she must have been sharp, because she was staying on top of it, smiling the whole while. "Then.. I'm not sorry, I suppose!" Even though she had just been telling him not to take things back and change what he said. But she'd also just told him to not be sorry. And that trumps the first bit, right? He hoped so. "You're welcome," he said, smiling with ease. His stomach felt a bit lighter as he watched her grin.

He took a deep breath and sighed in a contented manner. His initial awkwardness was wearing off, which was fortunate for both parties involved. She didn't seem.. disappointed at all by his answer. In fact, she had thought that sounded nice! Like she almost wants to go with me. It wouldn't be an obligation. His grin expanded to the full width of his face at this thought, his eyes absently following her hair as it bounced to and fro. "Great, we'll try to make it happen, then." And I'll definitely not be scheduling practice on that day. People want to enjoy the village anyways, right? It wouldn't be fair of me to take that opportunity away from them... Definitely not.

Her next statement, well, question, was somewhat random. Though we had been talking about Quidditch, so I guess not too much. "I support the Montrose Magpies, actually. They're based not far from my home in Scotland. I used to go to matches with da' every year as a birthday present." They also happened to be the most successful team in history, but there was no need to rub it in or gloat. "And you?"

Sitting up a bit more, he tore off a chunk of bread and threw is aimlessly into the pond, then watched as three waterfowl descended on it and began to peck incessantly, all vying for the same prize. He obliged the two losers by sending two more pieces in their direction. Finished, he put both arms behind him to brace himself. When he set down his right hand, he mistakenly laid it on top of hers. His eyes bulged and panic flooded his system. His neck cracked as his head whipped around to see her reaction. He lifted his hand jerkily as if it were touching a hot surface. "S-sorry," he stammered.

The positive.

She wanted him to focus on the positive?!

That set him off.

"What could I possibly have to be positive about?!" he said, voice raised just slightly, standing to his feet. "I transfer to Hogwarts at the age of 15 because my Aunt thought it would be good for me; when it's really the last place I'd want to be. I spend my time sitting through classes and just getting by with grades; the teachers have no idea who I am and neither to any of the students. Which suits me just fine because I would've rather passed through this lovely thing called school and get on with my life."

He was ranting at this point, pacing back and fourth; but the boy had hardly said any of this to anyone. Which might have been the reason why he was blurting all of this out to an innocent girl.

"THEN, I start making friends which makes the whole situation worse because I start having bad dreams in which I'm DEAD; I start having these bizarre flashes in which I think I can see people in shadows but I'm not really sure, and to top it all off! I have this scar on my wrist," as he pulled up the sleeve of his leather jacket, moving the hemp bracelet, "and I have NO IDEA where it came from! I can't remember my parents, if I have any brothers or sisters because there are no photographs of them and my Aunt tells me nothing! And yet people around here have said they've heard my name before but I couldn't tell you why they know my name in the first place!"

"In fact the ONLY positive thing I have right now in my life is YOU! --"

He stopped in his tracks then, glancing down at Daisy; who by this point probably thought he was crazy and was ready to leave him to St. Mungos and all this crazy-ness. He took a few deep breaths, clearing his throat once. Pursing his lips together, Damien glanced out at the duck pond and then lowered his eyes to the ground.

Jordan was right, it actually was the Duck Pond, as you could obviously tell from the ducks in the pond, quacking their little heads off. "I almost thought you were a duck for a second." Jordan said laughing. "What brings me out here? Uhhh, well I like to exercise and work-out, and I've been looking for places to do some workouts."

"Me? A duck?" Ronnie asked, laughing. "Ohh boy." she said still laughing. "Nah. I'm not a duck. Well, I don't think I am. . ." she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Ohh workouts, eh?" she asked. She grinned and moved her sleeve up to reveal her 'muscles'. "Me too." she said in her best manly voice, even though she hadn't been. Her arms were like twigs. She was quite skinny for her age.

"Soooo you've been looking for places to work out." she said, looking around the duck pond. "And you decided to choose the duck pond? Whatcha gonna do, use ducks as weights?" she asked jokingly with a smirk. "Juust teasing." she added, punching his shoulder lightly.

ME?! Daisy blinked her big hazel eyes at Damien as he sat there yelling and ranting and pacing. She half expected to see spittle fly from his lips at any moment.

Astrid had turned a dark green to match the surrounding reeds and his friend the duck had flown off with a loud squawk.

And just as quickly as he started yelling, Damien looked abashed. Daisy shifted her weight onto her hands as she leaned back in the grass and looked up at him. She waited a few minutes until she was certain to respond. She had spent enough time with her brothers and dealing with their hissy fits to know to make sure they were done before she spoke. "Well," she paused letting her voice hang in the air. "You have Astrid too."

The lizard poked his head up out the reeds upon hearing his name. "Rrrwwwmmmm?" he inquired.

Damien glanced down at Daisy and then over to where Astird --having now discovered the lizard's name-- was hiding. He half smiled at the sound he made at the mention of his name. "Doubt he'll want anything to with me now after I yelled at both of you --"

Scratching the back of his neck, the Hufflepuff sat back down next to his counterpart. "Sorry," he sighed. "I shouldn't have gone off on you like that. But it's -- it's true Daisy. And my life may be completely screwed up but I should focus on what's good in my life. You and Astrid --" he glanced back over to where he was concealed, not even sure he could make him out, " -- the both of you are what's good in my life. And I am greatful for it."

Damien turned back to her for a moment before focussing his attention back to the pond. In the reeds where Astrid was still peeking out from behind. "You don't hate me that much, do you?" he asked the lizard.

"You know Damien," Daisy was watching her feet as she wiggled her toes inside her shoes. "People who look on the brighter side of life, live longer...might not be a bad idea to try and think about the good things in your life." She paused. "And you have more positives in your life then you think." She looked up at him and smiled.

"Rawwkk.." The lizard poked his head up and then ducked down and turned a slightly darker shade of green-brown.

Daisy looked away from Damien and over to the lizard and laughed at Damien's question. "He can be bought for a link of licorice." At the sound of the candy, Astrid's head poked back up out of the grass.

Her smile was quite contagious. The moment she caught wind of it he couldn't help but smiling back at her. Damien then chuckled at the declaration of longevity by thinking positive. "That may be true, but I really don't have too much good going on for me at the moment. I'd much rather find answers."

Apparently Astrid wasn't too keen on him yet, but Daisy seemed to have the answer. "Licorice you say? -- Happen to have any?" he inquired. "Might as well try to make more friends to have mor positive in my life."

"If I had any, he'd be on my head in a happy stupor, not trying to make friends with ducks." She chuckled. "Besides, he got a big piece of it on the train ride back to school... he should be sated."

"Rwwwkkkkkpppp." The lizard stuck his tongue out. He turned around, stuck his tail up and then promptly jumped into the water and turned green-brown and polka-dot blue.

Daisy shook her head and then turned her attention back to Damien. She could have quoted another piece of advice from a sage, but she decided to keep it to herself. Sometimes, one had to learn for themselves...and perhaps Damien needed to take a step back and enjoy life, rather then dread it. Running head-on through life had worn him ragged. "You look like you could use a bit of licorice yourself...Was the last thing you ate the sundae with me in Daigon?"

Oddly enough, but not too odd, Tag's stomach grumbled. Any mention of food-any-whether he be hungry or not, made his stomach growl."Oh.. what types of sweets?" He asked rubbing his tummy.

"Oh, I know how people can remember your name! Brookie the Cookie" Tag said excitedly as he snapped at her. If she didn't like cookies she was crazy! It was a interesting way to remember her name. "I like the game too. Maybe we should fine two more people to play with next time- if its just us two it'll get boring chasing one another around."

"Oh, I don't know what else to say for you to own a duckie.." Tag said sadly. That would be sad for her if she didn't find a way. Could someone own a duck?

Brooke looked around as she heard a noise, a grumbly. noise. EEK. "Is that a monster?!" she gasped, flailing her arms about. What time of sweets ? "It depended." Brooke wasn't sure what it depended on but it did depend.

Brookie the Cookie ? Brooke furrowed her brow before saying "But im not a cookie." No, no she wasnt. She was a girl. She nodded her head in confirmation with what she was saying; she was definitely a girl. "Hehe. Yay! I like this idea. ...Tag sucks with two people. Not you Tag, the game tag." yeah, that was what she meant.

"I dunno what else to say either." she flailed her arms about. She really wanted a duckie, surely there was a duckie store that she could BUY a duckie from to own.

She'd walked past this place several times before, though never really took the time to enjoy it, for a variety reasons actually. Too many kids, the weather, lesson plans, the ducks...

Yes, the ducks.

The noises they made just didn't go well with Medea, but today, she wanted a little extra challenge for her daily meditating. Plus, seeing as it was sunny and most the kids were by the lake...why not? Laying down her burgundy mat, she sat upon it in the lotus position and...tried to begin.

The ducks were being extra loud for her...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roselyn

She'd walked past this place several times before, though never really took the time to enjoy it, for a variety reasons actually. Too many kids, the weather, lesson plans, the ducks...

Yes, the ducks.

The noises they made just didn't go well with Medea, but today, she wanted a little extra challenge for her daily meditating. Plus, seeing as it was sunny and most the kids were by the lake...why not? Laying down her burgundy mat, she sat upon it in the lotus position and...tried to begin.

The ducks were being extra loud for her...

BLEH!!!

Calista had just enjoyed herself in the Great Hall far too much and she needed a walk badly. The only thing she could think of besides sleeping that would make her feel less gross about herself eating two ham sandwiches and a plate of crisps for lunch. She still wasn't used to having so much food readily available that the concept that it would still be there every day hadn't became one hundred percent clear to her. So off to the Grounds it was.

The Divination Professor had decided to walk the long way through the Courtyard and over the bridge leading to the sloping lawns and after passing the random huts located at the edge of the forest she came to a small pond where she saw someone doing...yoga?

Was that who she thought it was? Calista continued to walk, her long floral skit blowing up at the side by the wind, and finally stopped beside her.

"Hey Medea!" She said excitedly in her American accent, a bit too loudly for what the situation called for.

Deep breathe.

QUACK!

Just keep breathing.

QUACK QUACK! Quackquackquackquackquack....

This by far, was the worst meditation she'd had in years. Rolling her shoulders, she made herself a little more comfortable, she took another deep breathe before settling into a silence, hands placed gently upon her knees with her palms facing upwards. It was only a few moments later when her mind started drifting away did she feel the presence of someone, until they stood right next to her. Yes, please, stay quiet. She was almost relaxed- KSdjfkads!

Gripping onto her knees for dear life, Medea's eyes snapped open as she...tensed. Guh! "Calista!" she said in surprise, looking up to the woman. "You scared me." Just a little heart attack. NO BIGGY!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roselyn

Deep breathe.

QUACK!

Just keep breathing.

QUACK QUACK! Quackquackquackquackquack....

This by far, was the worst meditation she'd had in years. Rolling her shoulders, she made herself a little more comfortable, she took another deep breathe before settling into a silence, hands placed gently upon her knees with her palms facing upwards. It was only a few moments later when her mind started drifting away did she feel the presence of someone, until they stood right next to her. Yes, please, stay quiet. She was almost relaxed- KSdjfkads!

Gripping onto her knees for dear life, Medea's eyes snapped open as she...tensed. Guh! "Calista!" she said in surprise, looking up to the woman. "You scared me." Just a little heart attack. NO BIGGY!

Callie hadn't meant to scare her meditating friend but really, who meditated by a pond full of ducks? She couldn't even sleep in her own office with Galileo squaking about the kids and being up so high. He was a bird for Merlin's sake!!

Back to her scared friend though. Calista grinned sheepishly spoke to her in a smaller voice. "Sorry about that, didn't realize you were fully under and all that." She hadn't really meditated much recently but that was how it worked right? Yeah, she was almost certain.

"So what are you up to? Just some meditating?" Callie was bored of being up in her Tower all the time and so yes she also was on the Grounds looking for something to do.

"I dunno. It could be colour or ugliness - with lots of creatures the boy ones are usually better looking since they have to attract the girl ones- or it could be size, or appendages." Appendages. Like.... how big were its horns? And such.

West beamed at Kaid after the high five, not even minding the little tingle from slapping skin.

"Yeah! Of course you can!" He WATCHED with enthusiasm. Cooooool. "Coooooooooooooooooool!"

Well. West thought soup was a better idea. "You can put them out with a wand too, you know." Well. In theory. In reality West hadn't managed to do anything with his wand yet.

"So we need a plan. And a list. Of stuff and then we should go get the stuff and come BACK!" Yeahhh!

Medea shrugged her shoulders. "No harm done."

Her heart was starting to not feel like a flying snidget now, so it was all good. Besides, it wasn't like Calista meant to scare her right? RIGHT!? Raising her eyebrows, Medea looked around, nodding her head slightly from side to side before giving a real nod and looking back up to Calista. She was a bit thankful that the woman wasn't standing where she'd have to squint her eyes.

"Pretty much, yea. Vould you like to join?" Unless she was busy or...didn't like meditating, than that was fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roselyn

Medea shrugged her shoulders. "No harm done."

Her heart was starting to not feel like a flying snidget now, so it was all good. Besides, it wasn't like Calista meant to scare her right? RIGHT!? Raising her eyebrows, Medea looked around, nodding her head slightly from side to side before giving a real nod and looking back up to Calista. She was a bit thankful that the woman wasn't standing where she'd have to squint her eyes.

"Pretty much, yea. Vould you like to join?" Unless she was busy or...didn't like meditating, than that was fine.

She was going to let her join her and they could meditate together?!

"Boy Voud--, I mean, would I!" She caught herself speaking in Medea's accent for a moment and instantly felt awkward. How had she just done that? She was so embarrassed. Calista looked down at the ground as she sat down beside the woman and rearranged her skirt around her on the grass.

Hopefully the woman hadn't noticed.

She would have perhaps missed it...if Calista didn't correct herself. Nevertheless, the insecurities she'd obtained about her accent from last term would not show right now. Not greatly at least. She was too annoyed about the ducks anyhow. "Great."

A meditating buddy!

Adjusting her position once again, smoothing out her pants from the death grip earlier, she smiled and looked forward, ready to close her eyes. Just ignore the tinge of red on her cheeks and ears. "Have you meditated before?" Did they do that with divination? She wasn't familiar with the subject.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roselyn

She would have perhaps missed it...if Calista didn't correct herself. Nevertheless, the insecurities she'd obtained about her accent from last term would not show right now. Not greatly at least. She was too annoyed about the ducks anyhow. "Great."

A meditating buddy!

Adjusting her position once again, smoothing out her pants from the death grip earlier, she smiled and looked forward, ready to close her eyes. Just ignore the tinge of red on her cheeks and ears. "Have you meditated before?" Did they do that with divination? She wasn't familiar with the subject.

As she settled into her sitting position on the grass, Callie eyed the woman beside her for a moment for any signs of her catching the slip up and didn't see any so again returned her eyes forward. It was a slip, nothing on purpose.

"Yeah I've meditated before it's just been a while." She hadn't found much free time to do in in the past year and a half trying to scratch up a living. But that was over now so she now had some time. Perhaps it would help improve her visions and readings?

"What should we do first?" she said crossing her legs and and waiting for instruction.

Settlings her hands back on her knees, palms up again, she straightened her back, though delayed starting. Not until Calista was ready to at least. "Should be easy to get back into then." Or not. It probably depended on the person.

Now they were ready. Right?

Taking another quick peak towards Calista, seeing that she looked as ready as ever, Medea settled again and took a deep breath. What to do first? "Ve should first," FIRST of all firsts, "try, to ignore...the ducks."

Quack quack quackquackquack.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roselyn

Settlings her hands back on her knees, palms up again, she straightened her back, though delayed starting. Not until Calista was ready to at least. "Should be easy to get back into then." Or not. It probably depended on the person.

Now they were ready. Right?

Taking another quick peak towards Calista, seeing that she looked as ready as ever, Medea settled again and took a deep breath. What to do first? "Ve should first," FIRST of all firsts, "try, to ignore...the ducks."

Quack quack quackquackquack.

Yeah, shouldn't be too hard to do again.

Calista did what Medea was doing and continued to cross her legs and then placed her hands on her knees, palms facing the sky. She closed her eyes and then chuckled quietly when the ducks were mentioned, such noisey birds.

The sun warmed her face as she sat quietly and thought. She probably should have cleared her mind but she simply couldn't. The thought had been in the back of her mind since she met the woman back in Diagon Alley and her speaking slip-up from before brought it back to Calista today.

After a few minutes of silence passed, broken only by the occasional quack, the Divination Professor spoke up. "Medea, we're friends right?" She was too eager to say it already, even though it wasn't the nicest thing she could say. "Don't take offense to this or anything but....your accent makes you sound like a Vampire." She remained in her meditating position.

Yeah not that bad, she said it kindly. That counted for points right? Unless she was a vampire?! But she certainly didn't look like one. Too pretty.

She tried. Soooooo tried.

And she was almost there. The duck's quacks were slipping away from her mind and the warm sun on her skin was relaxing her, and just as she was going into a peaceful state after who knows how long, Calista spoke up. Medea sighed quietly, not yet ready to give up, though the woman's question had a small smile play on her lips. "I'd think so."

Unless that was a trick question...

Nope, not a trick question. Just a way to tell her she sounded like a vampire. Opening her eyes, Medea stared straight ahead for a moment or so before turning to look at the Divination professor, an eyebrow raised curiously. There was a first. "Like...Lady Carmilla? Or Lorcan d'Eath?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roselyn

She tried. Soooooo tried.

And she was almost there. The duck's quacks were slipping away from her mind and the warm sun on her skin was relaxing her, and just as she was going into a peaceful state after who knows how long, Calista spoke up. Medea sighed quietly, not yet ready to give up, though the woman's question had a small smile play on her lips. "I'd think so."

Unless that was a trick question...

Nope, not a trick question. Just a way to tell her she sounded like a vampire. Opening her eyes, Medea stared straight ahead for a moment or so before turning to look at the Divination professor, an eyebrow raised curiously. There was a first. "Like...Lady Carmilla? Or Lorcan d'Eath?"

Oh good, they were friends...well at least depending on her reaction to the innocent question that had Callie so curious.

....

There was no immediate explosion of anger or screaching so, that was a good sign, yeah? Calista continued to stay in her position until she felt Medea's face looking at her own. She didn't look mad, just...amused, possibly?

"Hmmm...." it took Professor Elwood a moment to remember which vampire was which but she then responded. "Both? Well you are pretty like Carmilla but I am sure you can carry a tune." Que big grin. Yeah she was sucking up a bit but only because she felt horrible for saying that she sounded like a bloodsucking monster.

But what was that between friends?