A Quiet Retreat PV Closed

The Slytherin laughed at the Ravenclaw's introduction. "Jack and Jackson, huh? That's great. Thanks for the offer, Kirkland. Same goes for you regarding favors."

He was just reminded of a similar deal he had made with another of his housemates when said housemate appeared as if summoned by his thoughts. Think of the devil and he will come...? Jack thought with some amusement. And just as he had been thinking that Selin would have liked this Ravenclaw, too.

"'Trouble'? 'Bothersome'? Moi?" The redhead put a hand to his chest as if deeply wounded by the accusations. "How could you say such a thing, Fangs? I was just making the acquaintance of this fine fellow, here. Only Ravenclaw I've met with any sense so far, it seems."

When the tentacle rose up out of the lake in response to the girl throwing stones in, Jack froze, watching it with extreme wariness. He had heard about the squid, of course, but he hadn't expected it to make such an appearance. Fortunately, it didn't seem to do or mean any harm. All it did was frighten the other first-year who had screamed and fallen over.

Jack glanced over at the two other boys, curious at their reactions, but neither seemed much phased. He sighed, imagining it might have been because neither had spent too much time around other people. Apparently, this Ravenclaw liked to draw in secluded places and Selim...well, he had his precious science books to read.

"I'll go check on her," the boy sighed, thinking that it might have been better for him to go than either of the other two. Not to mention that perhaps she might have been a bit more fun to play with than them. They seemed far too serious at the moment.

Hmm...that gave him an idea. As he walked toward the girl, Jack called back over his shoulder, "Hey, Kirkland! I'd be more careful about guarding that sketchbook if I were you. Some of those pictures might just be lewd enough to get you in trouble," he teased.

Satisfied, the Slytherin turned his attention back to the fallen girl. He crouched next to her. "Hey. You okay?"

@Jackson Kirkland, @Selim Faust, & @Opeila Seilun

Quickly Opeila sat up when the boy walked towards her. She could feel her face turning red and started to brush dirt of her cloak. Immediately she felt a pain on her right palm. When she looked at it, she saw the blood. She must have fallen on a sharp stone or something.
The other Slytherin crouched next to her.
"Hey. You okay?" he asked her.
Opeila nodded. "I am fine... I guess" she added with a look on her palm. "I just forgot that... thing lives in there." With one hand she brushes her hair back that had fallen into her eyes. Then she looked at her housemate. She tried to find a word to summarize her first impression but she couldn't find on. She usually did. "I don't think, we met before. Opeila Seilun." She gave him a short smile before she finally got up. "Halfblood." As soon as she said it she wished she could take it back. As if her blood mattered in any way. She looked over to the other two boys, wishing she wouldn't embarass herself every time she opened her mouth. Or simply did something in public.

Sen merely wished to have a nice happy nap in this new quiet spot he'd found by the Great Lake. Though of course it had to be ruined like all his other plans for a little nap time.

Initially, he was fine with just another being here, as this was the only quiet spot available. The other students were causing a ruckus elsewhere which he kept getting disturbed by, and so had decided to move here under a nearby tree.

He was awoken by talking, which he was confused by. Wasn't there only one person? Now there are two?

He listened in on the two students talking. A Slytherin and Ravenclaw... Sen was immediately taken aback by the conversation he was overhearing. Sen's eyes widened.

"This is... Interesting. Very interesting." Sen allowed his smile to curl up. As another boy joined them. "So I'm not the only one with similar feelings... Damn, I guess I should have picked Slytherin instead." He said, not bothering to keep his voice down.

He spotted the girl throwing the stones, and his eyes widened as he spotted the Giant Squid. Sen rushed over when the girl fell over, having momentarily frozen at the sight of the beast.

A giant squid that lives in the Lake. You've got to be kidding. He laughed, amazed. He pushed it aside for later date.

"Excuse me, but I couldn't help but oversee what just happened. I heard you say you were fine, and this may be very rude of me, but I cant help but worry if you're fine. It's not everyday a giant squid decides to scare you." Sen chuckled at the last part.

"Pardon me, but it seems I've been quite rude to everyone. I'm Sen Leaf, a first year of Ravenclaw. Pleasure to be of your acquaintance." Sen smiled. Usually fancy words weren't his go to, but he can make an exception for these people. They've served quite the interesting bunch, and he could do with a little more amusement.

Now, the Ravenclaw may hate socialising when unnecessary, but he deemed it necessary this time. There were three others currently in the vicinity that had the same mindset, or at least a similar one. And Sen can't help but want to make an acquaintance of them.

I still don't know whether I wish to make friends, but for now, people who are similar to me will do.

(OOC: sorry if you didn't want anymore people, I can always delete this if you guys want. I happened to stumble across this thread and decided Sen would find some amusement in his dull life if he met you guys.)

When the other boy appeared on her other side, looking at the lake excitedly, Opeila felt like laughing and crying at the same time. Why did her accidents always get so much attention? Perhaps because a giant squid almost made a move at you, idiot. She ignored the sarcastic voice inside her.

The Ravenclaw's talking confused her. "Well, I am fine though. No need to worry, I wasn't attacked. My fall was caused by clumsy old me tripping over my own feet. But nice to meet you, Sen, I am Opeila Seilun." She smiled at the Ravenclaw. Wow for days no one would even look at her and now she just met two people at once. The reason was of course her silly idea to through stones in the lake- what was she even thinking?- but she decided to ignore that. "Have you seen the squid before? You seem excited." She looked at the surface of the lake, almost expecting the giant creature to jump out and attack.
Immediately she stepped away from the water. Ok, maybe the thing did frighten her. A little.
But on second thoughts she was annoyed. The squid interrupted her practicing to throw the stones! Her father showed her how to do it. His highscore was seven times the stone hit the surface. Opeila wanted to get more than that.
Her anger was ridiculous but she felt like the squid just interrupted the moment she felt thrown back to a day at the see with her parents.

@Jack Burnett @Sen Leaf

OOC: Ah, I think we should set up a posting order, now that there are a lot more people here.
-_-'

Selim smirked once more at his dormmate's antics. Flamboyant, as always.

"Good day to you as well, and it's no big deal. You don't have to apologize for being curious. Being curious means that you want to learn and excel at life, and there is no reason to be sorry for that." The boy responded to his introduction, his eyes blinking owlishly. "It's nice to meet you, Selim. My name is Jackson Kirkland, I'm a Ravenclaw in your year."

Selim's response was cut off as the sound of a girl screaming broke the pleasant ambiance of the lake. He looked over his shoulder just in time to see one of the tentacles of the resident giant squid disappear into the depths of the lake. In it's wake was a girl, fallen on the ground, most likely from the scare of seeing a giant tentacle appear out of nowhere.

Burnett disappeared to go 'help' here. Which in fox language, meant 'mess with her'. A few moments after, another random, dull-looking boy appeared, also walking to the girl's side... it was starting to look like the beginning of some bad romance simulation game.

Meanwhile, Selim looked on with an unimpressed expression. For some odd reason, it felt like the redhead had somehow planned all of this and set him up on some blind date.

He banished the thought. Such a thing was doubtful.

His mind cast back to the parting words Burnett had spared before he left to comfort the girl moments ago, and he smirked slightly. The expression quickly disappeared, and he decided to warn the Ravenclaw of the possible meaning behind his dormmate's words, "In light of that lovely warning, I suggest keeping your sketchbook far out of his reach."

He smiled pleasantly at the confirmed Ravenclaw, "Anyhow, it's pleasure to meet you as well, would you prefer if I call you by you last or first name? "

Usually, he called people by their last names, a habit brought over from his traditional family, but this time he decided to ask. Some people preferred informal usage of their names, which felt slightly odd, in Selim's personal opinion.

Though, he supposed he had taken to referring Burnett to his nickname, 'Fox'. So maybe the habit was breaking.

He looked around at the previously quiet spot around the boy, piecing together a possible picture of how the Ravenclaw and the fox met. Raising a brow, his eyes landed back on the other boy, "I suppose you came here looking for peace and quiet, then the Fox decided to interrupt?"

That seemed like something he would do, at the least, seeing as how that's what happened when the redhead had caught Selim awake and reading down in the commons room and efficiently disturbed his own peace and quiet.

Though he wasn't too upset about that, the conversation and contract they had made was worth the trouble.

He had heard many rumors of the 'pranks' Burnett pulled, all of them amusing in his own opinion. Not so much to the ones on the receiving end of them. So far, Selim himself hadn't experienced them himself, most likely because he was technically the fox's 'partner' of sorts, seeing as how they had a contract. The relationship was rather business-like, and you don't pull pranks on business partners, in Selim's opinion.

Then again, he wasn't sure if such a thing would stop the redhead.

Selim looked at the sketchbook the other preteen was holding, curiosity showing on his face. Glancing back up at the boy, he posed a question, smiling a bit, "If you don't mind me asking, what sorts of things do you draw? Nature perhaps? People? I'm technically and artist myself, so I'm a tad curious."

His art was on the more traditional side, he had painted the rice paper sliding doors to his room back at the compound, designing it with black thorn vines, red roses blooming on their tips, interweaved with dark serpents. He was quite proud of the work, so was his brother, though mostly because he hadn't made the image too... unsettling, like he often did with his work (Mostly in retaliation to how dull his instructors' teaching methods were.)

Though he supposed his choice of picture wasn't quite the norm of Japanese art, but this was the modern age, so he had less qualms about not adding oriental sakura blossoms or cranes in his painting.

In the background he heard the fox and the other boy trying to comfort the boy. The thought of Burnett actually being concerned about her made him inwardly scoff. It was most likely an act, as usual. Not that Selim was judging, this idle conversation was all a front as well, not that anyone except himself and perhaps the redhead knew.

The thought brought back a memory of his older brother; Selim had been sweet-talking the dango stall owner when he was out on his own for a walk. His façade of 'adorable child' was a complete success, and gained him a free stick of dango. His nii-san had seen it all, a mirthful smile on his face, and had spoken up (much to the younger child's surprise), "Well, Selim-sama, don't you have a silver tongue?" After the comment, he had simply ruffled the confused Selim's hair, and accompanied the him on the rest of his walk.

From that day on, he had aptly nicknamed him 'silver tongue' in affection, though not too often. Largely, he still used Selim's proper title, '-sama', bothersome, but necessary.

He shook the memory away, focusing back on the present.

He didn't see his older brother that often, as the clan elders often sent him off on mysterious missions, only giving him a one or two week break in between each trip. Luckily, he got a break on the holidays as well.

Finally, his mind wandered back to the Ravenclaw in front of him, his moment of reminiscing didn't last longer then a few seconds, luckily. He had zoned out more often that day in lethargy, which wasn't a very good sign. Perhaps, like the fox had said that one night, the lack of sleep was getting to him.

He tilted his head a tad to the side, "I'm afraid I'm not too used to the English art style though, you don't use ink and brushes often, right?" That's what his teachers taught him to use, it had been a struggle keeping the lines even, and he had messed up many rice paper doors in his attempts.

The comment Jack had made about the 'lewd' sketches- though there were none, obviously- almost made Jackson blush from embarrassment. He let out a quiet, but tad offended gasp, mouth hanging open the slightest. Well.... that was an ordeal. He glanced over at Selim, hoping he wouldn't think anything was wrong with him. Honestly, Jack, you can't just make a comment like that around a cut- i mean nice boy like Selim! He thought, grimacing the tiniest bit. He was pulled out of his thoughts when the boy next to him spoke up.

"In light of that lovely warning, I suggest keeping your sketchbook far out of his reach." The slytherin offered, and Jackson turned to face him fully. He glanced down at the sketchbook he held in his hands, and then turned to open up his messenger and stuff the book in there. Jackson decided he would ask a teacher to put a spell on it later. " You're right, i should definitely keep an eye on him... and whichever one you feel more comfortable with, and since we're on the subject of name preferences, is there a particular one you would like me to call you? I would never hope to offend you in anyway."

When Selim asked if 'fox' aka, Jack had bothered his peace and quiet, Jackson nodded. He had been enjoying the silence, but he was also somewhat pleased he had made a new acquaintance. There wasn't much to say on the matter, really, but Jackson enjoyed the conversations he had with Selim.

He glanced back over at the three figures down by the lake, his eyes becoming unfocused as he zoned out for a moment, before being snapped back to reality by the sound of Selim's voice. "If you don't mind me asking, what sorts of things do you draw? Nature perhaps? People? I'm technically and artist myself, so I'm a tad curious." Jackson was hesitant at first, but the small smile the Slytherin was giving him managed to convince him. That and the hope he would like some of his drawings.

" Oh, er.. sure. If you're an artist too, then it'll be nice to have some feedback. Like you said, i mainly do drawings and sketches of nature for the field journal i want to write, but i also do people." Jackson reached back into his bag, pulling out the leather bound journal, which held not only sketches, but his notes as well. He flipped the pages open, searching for some examples as Selim asked another question, "I'm afraid I'm not too used to the English art style though, you don't use ink and brushes often, right?" Jackson nodded, his owl-like eyes skimming through the pages as he responded. " Well, i use paint sometimes. But mostly watercolors. I would love to learn to how to use ink in my drawings. It's always fascinated me, ever since i met a sailor who came from a fishing town in Japan."

Eventually, Jackson found a page he liked.. The watercolor painting was of a women with flowing auburn hair, standing in the middle of a snowy pine forest. By her side was a Siberian husky, which stared patiently up at the women. On the other side of the women was a small child, with the same color hair as the women. He was holding her hand, the child's eyes staring somewhere off in the distance. This drawing was of a picture he had at home. The last remaining picture of his mother. Jackson zoned out a bit as he stared at the women, memories flashing behind his eyes.

@Selim Faust Also, thank you so much Jack for making the order list. It is a great help, and is greatly appreciated.

Glancing back once more at the two boys he had left behind, Jack was glad to see that they appeared to be getting along just fine. He thought it was about time Selim got out more since he always seemed to be stuck in their Common Room reading his muggle science books. In all honesty, the redhead had been surprised to see the raven-haired student out on the grounds at all, much less showing genuine interest in another student. Then again, Jack hadn't seen him interact with others much in general, so perhaps he just wasn't familiar with the notion.

Returning his attention to the girl, he noted that she wore Slytherin robes the same as he and Selim did. Not only that, but he thought he recognized her face from the time he had left the abandoned toilets to get away from a couple of Ravenclaw girls who had been irritating him to no end. They just hadn't had the chance to meet properly then, since he had only spoken to her in passing on his way out.

"‌Actually, we have met before," he reminded her with his usual, boyish grin. "‌It was briefly by the abandoned toilets, so I wouldn't be surprised if you don't remember. We just didn't get to introduce ourselves. I'm Jack Burnett."

Opeila's smile was short-lived after she spoke her blood status and Jack thought he could read regret on her features. Trying not to laugh, he attempted to repay her for the amusement he obtained from her reaction to her own words. "‌Muggle-born," he added to his own intro, hoping to reduce her embarrassment by doing the same as she had. He had just revealed the same blood status to Jackson, after all, and it seemed pointless to withhold information about himself that didn't seem to make a difference one way or another.

And then along came another Ravenclaw boy. Jack thought it somewhat tactless of him to simply insert himself into their conversation in order to ask questions that had already been asked regarding Opeila's well-being, but he had come to expect very little from Ravenclaws despite their fabled traits of wit and intelligence. Perhaps they were book-smart, but there was a lot that, in Jack's eyes, they lacked, and he wasn't impressed. The newcomer introduced himself as Sen Leaf, but otherwise seemed to ignore the redheaded Slytherin boy's presence entirely.

Jack rolled his eyes. So much for entertainment. Standing back up, he walked a little ways between each pair of Ravenclaw and Slytherin students, roughly estimating the mid-point. Once he thought he'd found it, he lowered himself to the grass and lay on his back, closing his eyes as he folded his arms behind his head.

@Jackson Kirkland, @Selim Faust, @Opeila Seilun, & @Sen Leaf

My pleasure, Jackson~

Selim held back a chuckle as he saw the other boy blush at his dormmate's comment. He was sure Jack would've chuckled without much hesitation had he seen the reaction.

He smiled at the answered question of what he'd call the Ravenclaw, "Kirkland, then. I'm much more used to referring to people using their last names. I myself am fine with you either calling me 'Selim', or 'Faust'."

After he asked the boy what things he draws, he got an answer, after a moment's hesitation. "Oh, er.. sure. If you're an artist too, then it'll be nice to have some feedback. Like you said, I mainly do drawings and sketches of nature for the field journal I want to write, but I also do people." He nodded in understanding at Kirkland's response, feedback was always good.

The other boy began to flip through his book while answering the last Question Selim posed, stating that, while he sometimes used paint, he mostly used watercolors, soon after saying that he was interested in ink and brush after meeting a fisherman from Japan.

Intriguing.

He personally thought that the conversation was going rather well, he was gaining another connection quickly.

Finally, the Ravenclaw found whatever picture he was looking for in his sketchbook, showing it to him.

It was of a woman with lovely auburn hair standing in a snowy forest with a dog and a child at her side, very lovely indeed.

Selim had touched on water coloring with his teachers back at the compound, though the lesson only lasted one month as opposed tot he usual three.

He nodded in appreciation of his new acquaintance's art, 'That is indeed a very lovely painting Mr. Kirkland." He resisted the urge to use the Japanese title '-san', instead using the closest English equivalent of the honorific, even if it still bothered him that their meanings didn't perfectly match.

He glanced back up at the boy with a smile, "If you wish, I could teach you how to use a brush and ink for your drawings? I have some spare time in my schedule, so it's no bother for me."

It would be easier to gain the other boy's trust if he did give him lessons. Besides, the Ravenclaw seemed interested in his culture's style of art. Selim always did appreciate when people were interested in the Japanese customs he himself was so used to.

He glanced back over at Burnett from the corner of his eye, who was now sitting on the hill a little ways away instead of talking with the girl. Most likely because that other Ravenclaw boy had interrupted his fun.

The image kind of reminded him of a disappointed puppy.

How amusing.

Jack's face did look familiar to her and now she remembered. "Actually... now that you mention it, I do remember. You are the rude boy frome the abandoned bathroom." Her smile didn't change a bit. "Nice to meet you then, Burnett." Other than with Sen she automatically decided to use is surname. She would have felt weird calling the excited Ravenclaw by his surname.
When he added "Muggle-born" she couldn't help but look at him surprised. "Muggle-born? In Slytherin? Well that is unusual, isn't it?" Her first thought there was: The hat failed.
She didn't hold a grudge against muggles or muggle-borns but she read about Salazar Slytherin's opinions of muggle-borns in Hogwarts, A History. And since the hat's task was to sort the students like the four founders would have, it looked like a mistake of the hat to her. "How is it even possible you are in Slytherin then? Doesn't that go against Slytherin's principles?" She followed him as he walked away, curious. She hadn't met any other Slytherins yet and this one was a muggle-born. "And isn't that hard considering the most common opinion of house Slytherin? But then I guess that you don't talk about it to everyone, do you?"
She sat down next to him, still keeping distance from the water.

The girl, Opeila, confirmed her wellbeing, introducing herself. Surprisingly, she then inquired about Sen's interest in the Giant Squid, he allowed a gleam of genuine interest appear in his eyes.

"Yes, well I have not actually seen any magical creatures so close before this! Especially this big! I've read Hogwarts, A History of course, but it doesn't do any justice to actually see the creature with my own eyes, especially when they mentioned it barely enough. There's just so many things I'm curious about-..." He started rambling, but stopped himself short.

'Am I nervous? It seems I have been rambling quite the amount today. I probably weirded them out by now.' Sen briefly frowned when the other boy left Opeila and himself. He hadn't meant to be so rude to the other boy, his curiosity and concern got the best of him. 'Well, what's done is done. I thought I would be levelheaded, but seeing that Octopus up close must have really deterred me' He thought.

He watches as Opeila join the other boy. "Well, I suppose I should take my leave. I've bothered them quite enough. I did come out of nowhere after all." Sen looked up at the Castle. "I haven't gotten to finish reading up on Charms spells. Annoying."

He proceeded to take his leave, despite knowing how rude it was without saying goodbye directly to them, but couldn't bring himself to do it. The boy, Jack was probably quite annoyed at him already.

"It wouldn't do to make enemies with them so early. I suppose I don't need friends, or allies, or any of the sort. Enemies would also bring trouble." Sen murmured as he walked away.

He started laughing when they were out of earshot, having remembered something. "I really am a coward. I guess you were right after all." He tilted his head, humming.