Getting used to the weather
Rhys sat on a bench next to the lake, just watching the way the wind made ripples on the surface. This was the longest he'd been away from home, but his mother sent owls almost every other day, so he didn't really miss her yet. His father added post-scripts to her letters, with wry notes about the current goings on and an expectation that Rhys will meet the right kind of students. The young Welsh boy was glad to have a bit of freedom from his parents.September 30th - mid-afternoon, after class but before dinner
They had become much clingier since the incident in January, and while they didn't stop Rhys from taking his rambles around the hills, his mother started joining him on those hikes. He knew that she had other things she could be doing, but multiple times a week, she would bundle up and follow him out into the winter air. Rhys thought she'd give up relatively quickly, especially because he still ran ahead of her and climbed crags and trees and old fences, but she didn't stop.
At first, there were times where she would use magic to keep up with him. He laughed and called it cheating. They turned it into a game, where she would apparate ahead of him and he would try to catch her. As the weather turned, they explored farther and farther. She got better at keeping up with him, and Rhys stopped wishing she'd let him go out alone again.
His father even came along on some of their wanders, though the elder Gwyn didn't enjoy it as much as Rhys and his mother did.
Since he'd arrived at Hogwarts, Rhys had taken to wandering the castle and its grounds when he wasn't in class. The land was craggier around the castle than it was around home, but that was still really beautiful. He really wished he could get off the grounds and go exploring those hills. For now, he stayed on the grounds... it was important to follow the rules until he learned which ones he could bend or break.
A bigger difference between home and Hogwarts was the weather. It was windier here, and it felt colder than home. He wore his robes most of the time, so he kept warm, but when he was out of class and free to wander, he wore a sweater more often than not.
A small splash shook him out of his reverie, and he saw the flash of scales under the water just a few feet from the shore. It looked like a trout. Rhys got as close as he could without getting into the water, and he could see several fish swimming under the water. As he scanned around the reeds and pond plants, he saw a few frogs too.
He couldn't resist it anymore, and went back to the bench. He took off his shoes and socks, rolled up his trouser legs, and went back to the lakeshore. "Oh!" the chilly water shocked him at first, but he kept going, moving from clump of plants to rock pile to driftwood log. With the sunlight on the back of his neck, he got lost as he explored the lakeshore.
Rhys was lost in his own thoughts, exploring his new home.
Rhys Gwyn
Getting used to the weather
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Taliesin had set up shop as soon as she had been able to escape her last class. Certainly, there were more...practical places one could decide to study, but with the weather starting to turn, it wasn't going to be much longer that she'd be able to steal herself away in her favorite hiding spot on the grounds. That, of which, was one of the trees near the lake. It had branches that twisted and stretched and bent in just the right way that she could perch herself comfortably and secure her bag, while giving her the perfect view of the lake so that she could, occasionally, convince herself she was actually looking back out over the water at home.
It was better before the autumn took all the leaves from the branches. They use to be able to break up the wind and rain, but with just a few stragglers still clinging on, there wasn't much of her shield left. Which mean it her perch was really only good now for reading and daydreaming as the wind was too much a threat towards stealing her precious notes. So that's what she did now; tucked away in the branches which her Potions book leaned against her knee while she reviewed the week's lessons, trying to take mental notes for when she'd eventually have to retreat back to the warmth of the castle.
Her concentration was only broken when she heard a bit of splashing and movement on the water. Looking up from her book, she craned a bit to try and find the source before she noticed a boy wading through the water; all crouched over like a mouse following a trail of cheese out the pantry door. The girl's brow furrowed before one leg dropped to dangle over the side of the branch to keep her counterbalanced as she leaned slightly over, "Oii!" she called a bit sharply, "You best get yourself out. Else the Giant Squid will have you for his dinner." she warned.
She'd heard the warnings from older students that it was true that there was a Giant Squid in the Great Lake. Naturally, at first, she'd thought they were just trying to get a rise out of impressionable First Years that couldn't know any better. However, if it was a joke, everyone else certainly seemed terribly committed to it. One of the girl's in her dorm swore she saw it swim past the windows once. That was enough to convince Taliesin that it was probably better safe than sorry in regards to the dark water.
"The girl who carried her last name like a burden..."
Getting used to the weather
Rhys had a huge grin on his face as he chased frogs. They weren't moving too far away, so either they were too chilly to really flee or they weren't too threatened by the First Year. He hoped it was the latter. He began giggling to himself, just a bit, as the pleasure at the chase began to fill him. He had noticed that kind of pleasure growing since the incident... but he wasn't sure if it was caused by the change or if he just noticed it at the same time.
Then a voice called out, "Oii! You best get yourself out. Else the Giant Squid will have you for his dinner." she warned.
Rhys stood up as straight as he could, searching for the person who called out, and the little frogs took their opportunity to truly escape. He finally found her higher up in a tree. Putting his hands on his hips, he called back, "It won't bother me. I'm in the shallowest water and too small for it to care about!" Predators that large rarely went places they didn't fit naturally, and would only chase after small prey if they were bored or extremely hungry.
He still got out of the water and quickly put his long socks back on, then his shoes. Once he had them on, he walked over to the tree and realized it was Taliesin. She was also a First Year, so they had been in all the same classes, but they hadn't really talked much. Rhys searched his memory and seemed to remember that she was from Wales too, but not from the same part of the country as him.
"Whatcha reading? Anything good?" He stood below the tree, close enough to be heard at a normal volume, but also making it clear that he wasn't going to invade her space if she didn't want to share the tree. His damp socks only bothered him a little bit, and he wiggled his toes to try to distract himself from the sensation.
Then a voice called out, "Oii! You best get yourself out. Else the Giant Squid will have you for his dinner." she warned.
Rhys stood up as straight as he could, searching for the person who called out, and the little frogs took their opportunity to truly escape. He finally found her higher up in a tree. Putting his hands on his hips, he called back, "It won't bother me. I'm in the shallowest water and too small for it to care about!" Predators that large rarely went places they didn't fit naturally, and would only chase after small prey if they were bored or extremely hungry.
He still got out of the water and quickly put his long socks back on, then his shoes. Once he had them on, he walked over to the tree and realized it was Taliesin. She was also a First Year, so they had been in all the same classes, but they hadn't really talked much. Rhys searched his memory and seemed to remember that she was from Wales too, but not from the same part of the country as him.
"Whatcha reading? Anything good?" He stood below the tree, close enough to be heard at a normal volume, but also making it clear that he wasn't going to invade her space if she didn't want to share the tree. His damp socks only bothered him a little bit, and he wiggled his toes to try to distract himself from the sensation.
Rhys Gwyn
Getting used to the weather
The lessons had finally ended. Lenora hadn't gotten used to the magic lessons. She'd fallen asleep again in History of Magic and couldn't cast the spell required for Charms. She'd realized she was the worst in her class, so she'd stopped worrying so much about the lessons, but she still felt some students were talking about her.
She finally got out of classes and when she looked out the window and saw that the weather was right for her, a smile appeared on her face and she held her bag tighter and went out.
Lenora finally came out after struggling for a while on the stairs, which she hadn't been able to get used to since the beginning of the year, and which were both magical and annoying. When she approached the big lake, she took off her shoes and socks and touched her bare feet to the water, and the cold water brought the girl back to her senses.
When she heard someone's voice, she saw another child in the lake. Lenora studied the water as if she could see the squid, but she knew that was ridiculous. She walked out of the large lake, her feet wet up to her ankles. She grabbed her shoes and socks and approached two people who appeared to be her own age.
"Uhm h-hello"
When she looked at the people, she saw that one of them was the person who was in the lake. When she feels her eyes twitch involuntarily, she quickly looks away.
@Rhys GwynWc: 253
@Taliesin Annwyn
Getting used to the weather
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Taliesin couldn't help but roll her eyes as he insisted he'd be okay. At least he didn't require any further urging though as he started back to the shore, "You don't know that. Might just reach it's arms all the way up the shallows to you, it could. You're probably tastier then anything else splashing about." she insisted, a slight teasing lilt to her tone as he pulled his socks back on.
She couldn't say by any means that she knew the boy well, but she knew well enough at least he was also from Wales; likely southern from the sound of him. While her own visits to southern Wales were few and far between, she could at least recognize the accent when she heard it. It was a small, private comfort to know at least one other person in her house though was from the same general area at least.
Her eyes tracked him as he came to the base of the tree and looked up at her, "Not unless you think reviewing Potions counts." she chuckled, starting to shift in her place a moment as she shove the textbook back in her bag before dangling it in the air by the strap, "Gwyliwch allan1." she warned, taking care to make sure no one would be hit before dropping her bag to the hard earth below; after all, it was much easier to climb without in it her way as she started expertly making her way down.
The girl let herself drop once she was at a more reasonable distance from the ground, dusting off and smoothing down her clothes before she retrieved her bag. Her eye then caught someone approaching. An odd and timid looking thing... which was a lot coming from Taliesin. She sometimes thought she might be the most timid creature in Slytherin House.
Bright eyes flickered over the girl, who also seemed to have taken a stroll through the waters, "Seems you weren't the only one hoping to catch your death today." she mused at Rhys, a small tilt of her head before nodding towards the peculiar girl.
1. "Watch out"
"The girl who carried her last name like a burden..."
Getting used to the weather
Rhys grinned hearing Welsh spoken so casually. His parents and the extended family were all fluent and spoke Welsh at home more often than not. He'd not learned English until after he had a solid foundation in y gymraeg*. He noticed the second girl at about the same time, and waved her over.
"Seems you weren't the only one hoping to catch your death today." Taliesin's tone could either be entirely literal or the best deadpan he'd heard since leaving home, and either way it made his grin grow wider. That ambiguous tone in that accent was exactly like home. When the more timid girl came closer, Rhys could hear her greeting. "Uhm h-hello"
Even though she was close enough to chat easily, he waved. "Hello there. The lake's brisk today, innit?" He tried to make his accent as thin as possible, as he wasn't quite sure where the other student was from. "You're in Hufflepuff, right?"
Not waiting for an answer, he just kind of flung his body towards the ground and landed with a thud in a reclined position, letting the thin sunlight hit him directly in the face. There was plenty of room for the girls to sit or stand, whichever they preferred, but Rhys was always at home outdoors. Reaching into his trouser pocket, he pulled out a few biscuits that he'd packed away during lunch. They were golden and buttery, with a dollop of sticky jam. They were only a little worse for wear from having been in his pocket, but the napkin had protected them from anything too bad.
He offered them to Taliesin and Lenora. It was always a good idea to share food with people. If they were the kind to be friendly, it would set the tone right out the gate. If they were the kind to take advantage, how they handled the food could show that. His father often hosted political introductions at their home over tea for just that reason.
"Seems you weren't the only one hoping to catch your death today." Taliesin's tone could either be entirely literal or the best deadpan he'd heard since leaving home, and either way it made his grin grow wider. That ambiguous tone in that accent was exactly like home. When the more timid girl came closer, Rhys could hear her greeting. "Uhm h-hello"
Even though she was close enough to chat easily, he waved. "Hello there. The lake's brisk today, innit?" He tried to make his accent as thin as possible, as he wasn't quite sure where the other student was from. "You're in Hufflepuff, right?"
Not waiting for an answer, he just kind of flung his body towards the ground and landed with a thud in a reclined position, letting the thin sunlight hit him directly in the face. There was plenty of room for the girls to sit or stand, whichever they preferred, but Rhys was always at home outdoors. Reaching into his trouser pocket, he pulled out a few biscuits that he'd packed away during lunch. They were golden and buttery, with a dollop of sticky jam. They were only a little worse for wear from having been in his pocket, but the napkin had protected them from anything too bad.
He offered them to Taliesin and Lenora. It was always a good idea to share food with people. If they were the kind to be friendly, it would set the tone right out the gate. If they were the kind to take advantage, how they handled the food could show that. His father often hosted political introductions at their home over tea for just that reason.
Reducio
*The Welsh language
Last edited by Rhys Gwyn on 28 Nov 2025, 04:47, edited 1 time in total.
Rhys Gwyn
Getting used to the weather
She couldn't understand much from the conversation of the two students. 'It might be rude to ask.' She thought, so she just looked at two students.
"Yes, I'm in Hufflepuff house. Well, it's an interesting school."
She chose to sit in the shade of a tree. She put her shoes and socks next to her. The last thing Lenora wanted was a sunburn from the sunlight. She pulled sunscreen from her bag and applied it to her pale skin. It didn't offer much protection, but the thought of it brought her comfort.
"Uh, do you want some sunscreen?"
She handed sunscreen to both students, just in case. She realized that the boy wasn't bothered by it anyway, but she still offered it.
She shyly took one of the biscuits offered by the boy and started eating it, trying not to show his teeth. She didn't want them to see that she had no canines and that her canines had come out while she was eating the biscuit. Lenora smiled involuntarily as the taste of jam reached her mouth.
"Wow, this is so beautiful. Did you make it? Or where did you get it? It tastes so good."
She licked the jam from her lips.
@Rhys Gwyn
@Taliesin Annwyn
Getting used to the weather
Rhys laughed to himself when Lenora offered sunscreen. Yes, he probably should use it, but he hadn't ever, and if he gets burned, he can just go to the nurse for a cream to make it all better.
When Lenora enjoyed the biscuit, he grinned. "They were on the lunch table. I think one of the older students requested a whole platter of them, but I know I'm going to look for them from now on!" He took one for himself and left the third for Taliesin, in case she decided she wanted one.
"Taliesin was up in the tree reviewing Potions stuff." He nodded her way. "I find it so hard to study on days like this. I just want to get out and go do something. What about you, Lenora? Do you find it easy to crack open the books, or are you called to wander?"
He let his eyes wander over the lake, scanning the surface for tentacles or arms breaching the water. While he didn't see any sign of squid, he did see clouds and trees and all kinds of nature. It was strange that there was a school this large looming over the lake, but everything seemed so natural. If he wasn't looking at the Castle or the Quidditch grounds, it almost felt like he was in a truly wild place. In a couple of years, he'd be free to go visit Hogsmede, and that meant he'd be able to explore more of the valley. He could barely wait.
Looking back at the girls, he was pleased to feel truly relaxed here. Being outdoors and with just two other people was much more comfortable than when he was in class or at meals in the Great Hall. He very much preferred small groups. He'd heard that the entire school turned out for quidditch games, and the thought of being in the stands with hundreds of students was intimidating.
@Lenora Grace @Taliesin Annwyn
When Lenora enjoyed the biscuit, he grinned. "They were on the lunch table. I think one of the older students requested a whole platter of them, but I know I'm going to look for them from now on!" He took one for himself and left the third for Taliesin, in case she decided she wanted one.
"Taliesin was up in the tree reviewing Potions stuff." He nodded her way. "I find it so hard to study on days like this. I just want to get out and go do something. What about you, Lenora? Do you find it easy to crack open the books, or are you called to wander?"
He let his eyes wander over the lake, scanning the surface for tentacles or arms breaching the water. While he didn't see any sign of squid, he did see clouds and trees and all kinds of nature. It was strange that there was a school this large looming over the lake, but everything seemed so natural. If he wasn't looking at the Castle or the Quidditch grounds, it almost felt like he was in a truly wild place. In a couple of years, he'd be free to go visit Hogsmede, and that meant he'd be able to explore more of the valley. He could barely wait.
Looking back at the girls, he was pleased to feel truly relaxed here. Being outdoors and with just two other people was much more comfortable than when he was in class or at meals in the Great Hall. He very much preferred small groups. He'd heard that the entire school turned out for quidditch games, and the thought of being in the stands with hundreds of students was intimidating.
@Lenora Grace @Taliesin Annwyn
Rhys Gwyn
Getting used to the weather
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Taliesin couldn't help herself but watch the interaction a moment as everyone seemed to settle in at the base of her tree. Mostly watching the peculiar girl. Frankly, she'd never seen anyone quite like her before; and in that way her imagination ran off a moment as she mentally sifted through all the different stories and characters the girl -Lenora, she'd said her name was- seemed to resemble.
It wasn't until she heard her name that she came back to herself, the rolodex of stories halting to an abrupt end. If her mother or governess were here, she'd have been scolded for sure for behaving so standoffishly, doubly so for how she'd been staring. That was a justifiably scold-worthy offence. She just couldn't help herself.
Her cheeks burned in a way she hoped the cold would be blamed for as she took her own seat in the grass, opting to be more in the sun's warmth. At least, the little warmth it could provide for this time of year. Her eyes darted back and forth during the conversation while her hands kept themselves busy picking at bits of grass, a bit too embarrassed at this point to find many words to contribute, lest she make a bigger fool of herself. Taliesin really wasn't very good at socializing once the anxiety of the task kicked in and the pressure to try to be pleasant and agreeable started to get to her.
She had a single goal at school, and that was to be likable. She wanted friends and companions, but thus far, that had proven difficult. Taliesin found it hard to rein in her own anxieties over perceived missteps and struggled to recover from awkward interactions. Ultimately, sometimes she found it easier to simply default to her home training and sit quietly and observe.
"The girl who carried her last name like a burden..."