Blue Skies Closed

"I don't think you've missed out; you still have so much more childhood to cloud gaze through!" she exclaimed, her voice cheery. "Besides, childhood only ends when you choose that it does. There's no set day to it. You can be a child in your heart and your head as long as you wish."

The whisper of a smile crept across her face. She closed her eyes and let the moment wash over her momentarily. The sunshine, the sweet smell of grass, the shadows of clouds passing overhead- it was just so perfect. 

"Me? I think I'd like to stay a child for a long time," she said, opening her eyes again. Of course, Adriel knew that she'd have to 'grow-up' some time. Yes, she already had plans for that. When she left Hogwarts, she wasn't entirely sure what came next. She wanted a little house and a little dog of her own. She'd have to do grown-up things, but, she wanted to believe with all her little heart that, even if she became an adult physically, even if she took on adult responsibilities, she'd still be able to enjoy the simple things of life for what they were, not what they could give her. 

This only sent her mind whirring into another blizzard of thoughts. She rolled over onto her stomach, propping her head up in her hands. She studied Stephen for a moment.

"When you grow-up, or, at least get out of school, what do you want to be? What do you want to do?" she asked. "Like, your job, of course, but what else?"

She rolled back onto her back, thinking of her own answers.

He thought for a moment on Adriel's words. He definitely planned on keeping certain aspects of his childhood in his head for as long as he can. This was one of those aspects.

Stephen, being muggleborn, had only ever thought about what 'muggle' job he would want some day. For the most part, he wanted a quiet home life with a job that helped others. He had had always known that, no matter what avenue he chose, he would want a job that was outside in the fresh air. No stuffy office environment for him. For a long time, he wanted to be a policeman, serving and protecting. However, since discovering this whole new aspect of his life, he needed to re-evaluate his decision. Having heard some students on the train talking about 'Aurors', Stephen had not been able to shake the thought of that career since. Dark wizard catchers who fight and capture horribly bad wizards and witches. Yes, it was a highly dangerous job, definitely, but Stephen thought it could be a very rewarding job too. This world was so magical and full of people who valued and respected their kind. Who would want to take that away from them? For this reason, Stephen had been really considering this job for when he grows up.

"Well, to be honest, I had originally planned on being a policeman. I like to help and protect others, you see, and that job has always been appealing to me. However, since coming here and learning about this world, I think I want to be an Auror some day...But who knows, we're so young...we can be whatever we want to be" he said. "One thing I know for sure is that I want a nice home that is isolated from distractions. Maybe a nice house in open rolling grass fields, or a place on the water, or deep in a forest. A quiet place to retreat to and not be concerned by the comings and goings of others. I think that would be the best place for me. I can see it now..." he said, gazing off into the distance,"A snowy winter night, a warm fire crackling away, sitting on a couch reading a nice book or out walking though a quiet trail in the woods with my future significant other" Stephen was now thinking way ahead in his future (a little too far ahead, he thought), something he rarely did because it tended to stress him out, however this time was different. Maybe it was due to his sudden calmness brought about by the clouds above. That being said, he was happy to picture this future for himself. It made him smile and it was almost as if he was looking forward to it. He hoped someday he would have someone to share this lifestyle with, someone who wouldn't mind his dangerous job and understood he did it to help others and not himself. 'I'm getting ahead of myself' he thought, 'I just need to focus on making it though seven years here and then I'm sure I'll end up doing something I love'. Stephen, since as long as he could remember, never had issues with pursuing things he enjoyed, and he hoped that wouldn't change when he grows up.

Having realized he had been rambling along about himself for probably a little too long, he looked to his side at Adriel and replied, "Sorry, got a bit carried away there...What about you? What does Adriel see herself doing someday?"

"That sounds really lovely," she said after listening intently to Stephen's dreams.

"Although I'd have to say, it's not quite for me. Don't feel bad about not knowing what you want to do; I've been in the wizarding world my whole life, and I'm still a little lost. I think maybe I want to be a dragonologist and go and live in the mountains with a pack of dragons to study their habits and community with each other. Or maybe I want to become an alchemist who travels the world in search of rare ingredients so as to cure diseases and create wonder," she gave a small shrug. "I don't know. The occupation is only a small part of the big picture. I want to travel the world and do something big. I want people to talk about me, about how they went to school with a girl who is now doing amazing things. Settling down isn't really something I ever see myself doing- of course, you can't always control that. I'd rather travel the world, or live out in the wilderness, or become a nomad wandering the country. "

She smiled for a moment, lost in thought.

"I suppose my plan for the future is to not have a plan," she concluded after a moment.

Stephen listened, in wonder and amazement, as Adriel described her potential futures. After the brief shock brought on by the realization that dragons actually existed, Stephen came back to his senses. He realized that Adriel was a very adventurous person, one who did not want the usual lifestyle. He liked this about her and it made him realize that he had a lot to learn about himself. 'Wow,' he thought, 'that actually sounds extremely interesting and fun'. Stephen figured that, as he made his way though the years at Hogwarts, his future would become more clear. One thing he did know was the he wanted something magical. No muggle jobs for him in his future. "Awesome," he replied, "You definitely have some ambitious ideas! By the way, thank you for letting me know dragons exist..." he finished with horrified look on his face that quickly changed to laughter. "With my luck, I'll get swooped up by a dragon walking back into the castle!" he chuckled. "An alchemist sounds wicked cool.  Maybe you could make a potion that releases some clouds up into the air when you open it. That way, no matter where you are, you could always get lost in the clouds" he finished, slightly laughing. On a second thought, that was actually a pretty good idea. Stephen suddenly realized that he was sitting there, staring off into the distance with his brow furrowed, clearly showing that he was intently thinking about the potion he described.

"Not having a plan sounds like the best plan to me!" he replied, smiling at Serena before glancing back up towards the clouds. 

[OOC: Sorry about the late response - had a busy couple of days  ]

Adriel laughed as she listened to Stephen, especially when he commented on dragons. She would have to let him know that most dragons were tame or far away, but, for now, she thought it was harmless to have a little laugh at him. His idea for a potion was certainly a good one, although it would really take some thought. Lethe river water and pearl dust might help with that, she thought, already trying to formulate the potion based on her knowledge.

"I think the best adventures are the ones not thoroughly planned. I want my life to be like an adventure book, with travels to far off lands, like that waterfall there,” she pointed to a cloud that resembled a long waterfall, or perhaps a mass of long flowing hair. She shrugged lightheartedly, staring into the blue sky above as if waiting for it to come down to her.

"Hey, maybe we can go on some adventures!" she exclaimed, looking back at him with an excited plea in her eyes. “I can teach you about nature and dragons and potions and adventuring, and, well, anything magic, really. I’ve always wanted someone to adventure with, if you can keep up.”