There's Beauty In Solitude Closed

Interacting with@Ana Hanburry

The Great Lake was a place Falentra normally visited on the daily since she started at Hogwarts. It defiantly was a place of comfort. The sound of nature overpowering the silence was just something you simply could not get bored of. The morning were her favourite. There was nothing better that the bitter breeze to wake you up, or the sounds of birds chirping cheerfully. If it was possible to wake up to an alarm clock such as this every day it would most probably help her wake up with a more positive attitude, towards herself and others. Right now, however, was early evening. The sky was filled with a mixture of orange and yellow rays and yet the moon was yet to make its appearance.

Like most days, the Ground was practically empty. The odd students roamed around, but always stuck to the path and always came in at least groups of two. Today however, Falentra attention was caught by a unfamiliar figure not far off from the Lake. It was unusual to see someone on their own. Either they were one for enjoying solitude, such as herself, or maybe she was simply enjoying the view before her? It seemed to be that way. The girl hadn't moved her head in the past minute, so there was very chance she was. There was a part of the Slytherin that wanted to carry on walking and not bother the lass but then again it wasn't every day people caught her curiosity without a reason.

Falentra stopped in her tracks, observing from afar at the First Year. Her blonde locks blew gracefully through the air while hers fought for the fifth time today. A hand quickly brushed through the stubborn locks in attempt to keep it somewhat under control before she headed in the direct of the other.

It wasn't long before she caught up to where Ana stood. Her legs were long and skinny, so as you can imagine for when most girls would take two steps forward, Fal would only need to take the one. Though it seemed the girl before her wasn't far off her own height. Was she a Fourth Year too? She hadn't seen her before but then again Falentra never did go out her way to meet her fellow peers.
While the few thoughts scanned her mind, she came to a halt beside the girl, her eyes now redirecting themselves to the lake before them. In most cases, Falentra would refrain herself from talking but since she was the one to approached, she knew she had to make the first move. ''Nice view ain't it?'' She asked, tilting her head off to the side to try and stretch out the awkwardness from starting the conversation.

Her emerald hues soon trailed off to the side to make direct eye contact with the girl for the first time. She needed to see who she was dealing with after all. They held a cold stare momentarily before taking a quick glance up and down. Yes, it was a quick look of judgement but she did that with everyone so it wasn't personal. The girl before her could have been mistaken for a goddess. Her features were soft and elegant looking, much unlike her own. It was becoming somewhat a pattern. Girls having a look of a procaine doll and Falentra, well, being that of a Chucky doll if we are going off comparisons. Her features were far sharper and her complexion ill-looking. You could say she was jealous at times from the differences, but she wasn't one to dwell on such a petty thing in the long run.

''What you doin' round 'ere anyway, Blondie? I ain't ever seen you here, so you must be a newbie.'' It really depending on how Ana took the tone of Falentras voice here. She was asking her a question, though with her tone being monotone half the time, it was always harder to read her. Expressions were once her weakness and even a baby could have read her like a book through them but over the year she had managed to gain control over them and so that cold stare would remain as a front, still, eyes focused completely on the girl beside her.

Ability: Fearless

Interacting with @Falentra Black

Ana hadn't heard Falentra approach, and the voice snapped Ana out of her thoughts and into the environment around her. Her head bent somewhat to get a greater look of the black-haired girl, and she scrutinised her silently for only a minute when their eyes met. The stare held, and Ana didn't let it falter for one minute, but where Falentra's stare was cold, Ana's was uncharacteristically warm. The girl stood in front of her was pretty in a way that a Tim Burton character would be, her features fine and sharp. Ana thought she was rather lovely, even if her almost sickly pale skin wouldn't be to everyone's taste. During their brief interaction, Ana had noticed the look of judgement too but disregarded it, and although she so desperately wanted to remark back with a snarky comment, she didn't. The girl was older, that much was clear, even with Ana's height challenging Falentra's. She broke the eye contact and her sights descended back onto the lake ahead of her as she thought of how to respond to Falentra's interrogation. She considered giving a frivolous answer. Something along the lines of “Ooh, I just love the water” or “I'm studying the creatures.” There was something profoundly embarrassing about admitting her true intentions about why she was by the lake to Falentra. Ana wasn't sure what came over her when she decided that, at that moment, she was going to be exposed and vulnerable. Perhaps it was because Falentra was the first person that she had properly conversed with at Hogwarts, or maybe she just wanted to rant. Either way, Ana's lips parted, and she chose to be confident, though her voice was soft like a mouse. “I'm feeling lost in the castle. I come here to settle my thoughts. I need to remind myself who I am.” Ana concluded her sentence and realised how ridiculous she came across. She was eleven years old, she didn't even know who she was, never mind having to remind herself of it. Her only choice was to steer the discussion away from what she had just announced, or chance ridiculing herself further. “I'm Ana. First year, Ravenclaw.” She displayed the blue tie that was neatly looped around her neck to Falentra as if confirming that she was in fact a Ravenclaw. Ana's tone was gentle, but it was an act more than it was her being kind. She wanted to be seen as charming amongst her peers, especially the older year groups, as a means to get ahead. And she drove it one step further with an endearing soft smile. “What are you doing down here?” She didn't expect an honest answer from Falentra. If she was here for any other reason than to look at the lake, why would she tell a First-Year that she barely knew? That didn't mean she wasn't going to try to dig it out of her, though. “Are you waiting for your boyfriend.. –– or girlfriend?” Her tone was light and playful, but in reality, she was digging for information about Falentra to size up her social status within her year group. Her question was juvenile, but it would achieve what she wanted, Ana mused to herself.

WORD COUNT: 539

@Ana Hanburry

From the moment Ana broke the eye contact, Falentra followed the new gaze the girl had set her eyes. The Great Lake. It was a beautiful sight and almost gave off some sort of peaceful presence/aroma to be around, but it seemed the girl was looking further than that. She didn't question it for she followed up with the answer for her. The response caught her off guard. To hear a first year coming out with something that could be considered 'deep' or a somewhat troublesome thought was interesting. The Ravenclaw was appearing so sweet and innocent yet her choice of words told her otherwise. Why the thought of Flash crossed her mind, she wasn't sure, but it was probably from the similarities in appearing innocent yet having the thoughts of a young adult. What child at such an age was trying to find themselves after all? Not many.
Falentra again decided not to question her reasons but rather agree on it. A small nod would follow. ''And there ain't a better place than 'ere to do that, is there?'' She responded as though she understood the other, and she did. Now just wasn't the time for her to be pouring her own comparisons with her like it was some heart-to-heart moment.

A sudden change of topic would bring her eyes back to Ana. As she introduced herself, she went back to trying to see through the girl. It was too early to tell but she was getting a feel that she was putting some sort of front up. Was she nervous? Embarrassed even? Falentra could relate to the sudden change in topics which was what lead her to believe it had to be one of them. Either way, she again decided not to question it and remained silent. She didn't offer her own name, or house in return. She didn't ask, so why would she?

''I come here every day.'' Falentra followed up with the question she was asked. ''If not here then somewhere down there, by the trees were I can't be pestered.'' Her head would look in the direction she was referring to. Part of her was going to trail off into another one of her daydreams, but another question brought her attention back to the first year. The bland expression soon changed. Her brows furrowed and her part of her lip lifted as if she was about to scowl. She questioned the girls words. It was quite a coincidence for to ask such a thing. About her boyfriend. Did she know about them breaking up? Because if she did, then that meant...so did everyone else. No. She couldn't allow herself to be drowned in thoughts right now. She had to keep a clear head. The girl was probably just trying to make some harmless small talk so it was best not to ignore it any longer.

Of course, Ana was about to find out how quickly Falentras temper could just appear out of nowhere. She would just go from nought to one hundred in seconds. ''No. Like I said. I come here every day. What part of that didn't you fuckin' get?'' Her teeth clenched together as her tongue spat out the usual toxicity. She didn't mean it, but the question brought back some hurtful memories between her and Howard. That and she caught on at the playful tone she used when asking. It was like she was wanting some sort of reaction. And well, if she did, she definitely got it and maybe even started to regret.

Interacting with @Falentra Black

There was something comforting to Ana about the silent understanding between Falentra and herself. She didn't need or expect to know Falentra's whole story, just knowing that she got it was enough. And when the older girl looked off into the wooded area of the grounds, Ana's line of vision followed to get a better look at where she was referencing. “That's a nice place.” She inwardly noted the trees and the shaded areas that were out of the way of the other students. She supposed that could be a new spot for her to retreat to when things got hectic and loud in her own head. Her own personal safe haven. She was quickly expelled from her reflection with Falentra's abrupt outburst in the face of Ana questioning her relationship status. Ana wasn't the type to take kindly to being spoken down upon or sworn at either. Her wholesome facade broke, and a frown of disapproval took over her delicate features, pointed at Falentra. It was clear that she struck a nerve with Falentra and although she had somewhat anticipated it to, she wasn't prepared for the repercussions. If she wasn't as irritated with being addressed in that manner then she may have been a little upset, and maybe even teary. At that moment, her father's advice sounded in her mind: "No one desires a woman who is inconvenient." Ana didn't voice this advice to Falentra, but she was thinking it. The blonde exhaled a ragged breath, and her arms overlapped across her chest almost defensively. She inclined her head to look at Falentra once more, examining her body language, not that she was good at understanding or reading people's body language. She weighed her next move cautiously, almost too cautiously. Sweaty, nervous palms tugged at the fabric on her black robes as she thought of how to respond. Eventually, Ana uttered back to Falentra in a subdued tone. “Merlin. It was only a question. A was just trying to make a friend.” A pause. Again, she was measuring whether it was worth continuing and apologising. It wasn't, she reasoned with herself and settled on that, ending her sentence with an understated cough to clear her throat and to fill the silence left by her reply. Ana didn't want to stand here in silence with this girl that she had only just encountered, but she would if it would establish a point. But what point was there to be made here? There wasn't one. And so she promptly bounced from the topic of boyfriends to the topic of school. “What's your favourite class? A think mine is Potions. A like how uniform it is, it's clear cut, ye' know?” The Glaswegian drawl Ana possessed became more prominent with each sentence that she spoke. “A can't wait to learn all of the Potions. Think a will be the best in the school.” She wondered if her constant chatter would drive Falentra away from the spot by the lake that they were both occupying because whether the Slytherin liked it or not, Ana wasn't going first. She was headstrong in that way, always believing that if she somewhere first then it was her's to control in a sense. As she babbled on, Ana took a step closer to the water. Closer than she had ever been previously like she had got a sudden burst of courage. She was attempting to show off but hadn't taken into account that Falentra had probably been in this lake hundreds of times previously. Plus, to any reasonable person, there was nothing remarkable or impressive about standing in some water. The murky water enveloped her feet, soaking the bottom of her black robes that brushed against the stones. And just like before, Ana's topic of interest swapped from school to the lake, it was enough to make anyone's head spin. “Do ye' know what lives in here?” She had read the tales of what existed in this lake but had never considered asking anyone if they were really true. Ana gazed at Falentra once more, this time she took on a more serious tone for this line of questioning.

WORD COUNT: 693

@Ana Hanburry

She had to give her credit. For a first year, Falentra was impressed by how she took the sudden outburst of anger. The majority of students would be half way up the hill by now, trying their best to avoid her. That, or apologizing in any way possible, even if there was nothing to apologies for. There weren’t many that would just take it so gracefully and give them a bit of their own medicine. Ana had stood her ground, and rightly so.

She spoke briefly of wanting to make a friend but if anything, the Slytherin saw herself as the last person anyone would want as that. It was too much hard work— she was too much hard work. In Falentras world, a friend meant opening up to them, trusting them, protecting. In most cases, people wouldn't have an issue at doing such a thing but for Falentra, it was an extremely rare position for others to get to claim. Her friends were considered her family, thats how much they mean to her. A tad dramatic, but that was how she processed it.

Falentra took in the awkward cough to clear the sudden silence that followed but was focused more on each movement that was to follow. The folding of her arms, the awkward tugging on fabric and then the redirection of gaze. Falentra could only guess at this point that Ana had been nervous. It didn't make her weak by a long shot but the fidgeting and change in posture wasn't helping pinpoint a clear judgement of her. It was clear that snapping again wouldn't create much of a reaction, so the slytherin would respond with only a raised brow and a small smirk which crept ever so slightly to the corner of her lips.

Ana took the reins to prevent the communication from dying. It was as if nothing had happened. A change in tone and posture gave off the impression of her being headstrong. Falentra admired it, secretly. But not so much the chattiness. The girl was doing no wrong, but Fal couldn't hold a conversation for the life of her. Words just didn't roll off the tip of her tongue. Thankfully though, the Ravenclaw chose two good topics in which she didn't have an issue responding to.
She listened to her confidently brag about her passion for Potions and how she thought she would be the best there was at it. Ambitious. Another secret admire she had taken into account. ''Oh yeah? You really like it that much?'' She questioned jokingly with some disbelief. ''I enjoy Transfiguration's.'' Unlike Ana, she would keep her words to a minimum. ''Give it a few months and you'll be sayin' other..otherwise.'' A stutter murmured, her eyes following the other moving closer towards the lake. Automatically her body lent forward, a hand reaching out hesitantly. She made sure to keep herself behind the other to avoid be caught showing some sort of worry.

''—Yes'' She interrupted the other before she was able to finish her sentence. Well, she knew a few that lived there, or so she thought. From spending hours upon hours as well as doing her own research she had a very good idea on what creatures lived within these waters and knowing that Ana was casually hanging around without what seemed no guard up, stressed her out. ''I should be askin' if you know. Figure you don't, else you wouldn't be so close.'' Hoping her words were enough, she lowered her hand back down to her side and brought her own body beside the other, but just slightly more in front to stop her from going any further. Though there were creatures within these waters that could be classed as dangerous, if there were any high chances of threat, there'd be a fence up, or a sign at the least. ''Apparently there is a massive squid in 'ere, and Grindylows. Meant to be nasty little shits, so if you ever see one don't go near it.'' Her tone was leaning to a more stern approach in a hope that she took her advice serious.
Falentra would shift her gaze down to the girl. How long had she been looking at her? Her own thought made her slightly uneasy though she gave the girl a good stare back before looking back to the lake. ''Scoot back will ya? If you fall in, I ain't goin' in for ya. And can't be arsed explaining to the headmaster that summat ate ya.'' Not true, but it was a petty attempt at her trying to get the girl to stand at a more safe distance without showing concern.