if you got time anyway open Closed

Adrian was wandering the castle grounds, exploring if you will. She was bored without anything to do and no friends available to hang with. That's why she decided to explore for a bit, making a map as she went. She hummed a tune to herself as she walked. It was a song that she didn't know the name to, her mother used to sing it to her as a child. Walking around like this reminds her of the time she used to spend with her brothers, exploring the enormous forest right behind their house. I miss them. She realized. Sighing, she shook her head. It's not like she can change that fact, she'd just have to deal with it.

Huffing, she rolled up the map and stuffed it in her pocket. A gentle breeze blew by her face, causing a stray piece of hair to obscure her vision. Sighing, she tucked the stray piece of hair behind her ear and continued walking. She walked towards the entrance to the castle, wanting to sit down. When the stairs cane into view, there was already a girl sitting there. There was a cardboard box in her hands and she looked to be bored as well. Might as well go say hi, she thought.

Slowly, she made her way to the girl. She sat down next to the girl and said, “So whatcha got there?”

@Asteria Kurokawa

Asteria looked up with a start, the other girl having interpreted her mid-throw as she tossed the package from hand to hand. The package fell to the ground, the contents crinkling again as it fell. She darted downwards, her entire body contorting to rescue it before it began to tumble down the steps. The insides seemed resistant to breaking, but she didn't want to risk it. Package secure in her hands again, she looked over the other girl, taking in the practical nature of her appearance.

This girl was a stranger. Most likely a student in Asteria's year, that much she knew, but beyond that she had never encountered her before. Suddenly, she became self conscious, unsure of how or why she had attracted the attention of this other individual. She didn't consider herself all that interesting, although maybe it was the fact that she was all alone out here. Her dual nature rebelled, wanting to shrink inwards on herself, to make the other person go away, to lock down shop and not have to deal with others, while also wanting to meet this new person, seem cool and personable in this new setting. From the outside, it appeared as if she was staring off into space, the human embodiment of a stalling screensaver.

Then she collected herself and smiled at the new person. "I'm not actually sure what's in here," she said, giving the package a shake, "but I'm fairly certain that at least some of it is candy. My dad, he's the one who sent it. Want to find out what's inside with me?" On the outside, she seemed mostly calm, mostly collected. On the inside, she was screaming, all of her energy wasted on seeming that calm, that collected. That was how you seemed cool, right? was the single thought ricocheting around her head. She held the mask in place and hoped that it would either fail to crack or melt into her actual personality, as she continued to smile.

@Adrian Calhoun

Reducio

Note: I'm extremely sorry for the rate reply! I was busy irl for a few days! My apologies!

Adrian watched as the package fell to the ground despite the girl's futile attempts to stop it. The girl rushed to grab the package before it could tumble down the stairs. The girl gave her a quick once-over. Adrian noticed that the girl seemed a bit conflicted with herself, before smiling at her, albeit awkwardly she noted. The girl seemed quite calm to her, maybe I can make a new friend, she thought.

Adrian gave her a warm smile, "I'd love to! I apologize if I made you uncomfortable by coming onto you like this. I noticed you were alone so I decided to accompany you. I hope you don't mind! Hehe..." She rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, an old habit of hers that she couldn't really get rid of. She realized it was quite rude of her to come in unannounced, and mentally scolded herself. She was certain her parents would be disappointed in her if they found out that she hadn't acted like how she was taught to, with proper mannerisms. She let out a near invisible shudder, but still a shudder nonetheless. Shaking her head, she decided to introduce herself, as she has nearly forgotten, "Ah! I'm sorry, I haven't even gave you my name have I? How rude of me. My name's Adrian. Adrian Calhoun! But you can call me Adrian! If I may ask, what is your name?"

She hoped that she didn't come off as overly enthusiastic or annoying, as people tend to think. They didn't really like how she was so optimistic and happy all the time, thinking it was all fake, after all, no one can be that happy all the time. But she was, yet people didn't seem to understand. She just hoped that this girl wouldn't be the same, it gets lonely sometimes without a friend.

@Asteria Kurokawa

As the other girl - Adrian - began to laugh, Asteria felt a true smile slip into place on her face, the awkward emotions swirling inside of her melting into something less tense. "No, no, it's fine, you didn't bother me," she laughed, trying to placate the other girl, who seemed to be experiencing the awkwardness Asteria knew far too well, "I was actually just thinking about how sad it would be to eat candy alone. Oh and I'm Asteria, Asteria Kurokawa. It's nice to meet you. It's really weird how easy it is too meet new people all the time here isn't it? It's like, you think you've run into everyone there is to run into but then poof- there's a new person to meet."

Adrian's enthusiasm was refreshing, like a ray of sunlight on a cold day, and she was glad the other girl had stopped to ask her what was happening. It was nice to have the casual reminder that one wasn't alone in the world, that there were people and lives beyond her own. It was quite easy to get lost in her own head, turning thoughts over and over again until they became as smooth and sharp as needles. As she considered this, she continued to turn the package idly over in her hands, feeling the folds in the paper and the crisp plastic of the tape.

She tossed the package one final time and beamed over at Adrian. "It's time to find out what's inside here now I guess?" With that, she began to rip open the paper, not caring to preserve the paper. It was brown packaging paper, the kind that was meant to be tossed away after use anyway. Inside the wrapping, a small bow was nestled. Upon opening it, Asteria found a small bounty of Muggle Halloween candy and a small yellow folded not. "Hah! I was right, it was candy. Want a piece?" she asked, offering the box over to Adrian. With her free hand, she drummed idly on the step she sat on. She'd have to open the note at some point, echoed a small voice at the back of her head, but that was a situation to deal with at another time. For now, she could enjoy the sunshine and company.

@Adrian Calhoun