An Offer of Friendship PV Zyk finished

Boy did Zyk need a break from the hellish week so far, it wasn't much fun and he was sorely missing his skateboard from back home. In times like this, he would normally be able to bunk off and ride around town with his muggle mates. Thankfully, the day wasn't too bad and he seemed to become more relaxed on the weekends when he could dress as he wanted to. There he was though, sitting on the bench with his knees raised up so his feet could be rested on the bench as well, calf meeting thigh. Chin was sat upon his knees and he looked out over the courtyard, daydreaming.

Lids were closed over those golden hues as he was approached, hearing a light rustle of footsteps approaching through the grass he'd let his face fall to the side so his cheek met his knees and lids rose to look upon the girl who had stopped to smile and greet him. Ivy, whom he did recognize at once was just standing there and talking; he wasn't sure he had registered a word she said at that moment. It was just those fleeting moments of the awkward "hellos" in the halls and between classes that always seemed to leave a smile on his face for the rest of the day.

Pushing the thoughts aside was needed at the moment though, so, he'd reciprocate her smile with a warm one of his own. "Course love', free bench and all." he had said as he let his cheek lift from his knees and allowing his legs to fall gently down so that his feet were upon the ground beneath the bench. A hand would come up to rub the side of his cheek, it being probably more red than usual as he had it pressed against his knee. "Doin' alright? I've been meanin' a chat with ya'", he asked as he shifted a little bit, allowing enough space on the bench.

Reducio

@Ivy Bellamy

@Zykeal Lane

Ivy sat down next to Zykeal with something akin to relief. There was always some risk in approaching someone in the courtyard, as they could be busy or just not in the mood for conversation, creating a sort of tension between the two of them. Ivy began to fidget with her hands - a habit she had developed over the past month or so. "I'm alright, thanks. The past few weeks have gone by real quick, haven't they? I've been meaning to seek you out as well." It was true. Conversation with Zykeal flowed smoothly.

Ivy looked at him sideways, the breeze making her hair fly all over the place. She hadn't been able to find any hair ribbons that morning and decided on letting it flow loose. Now, she was regretting her choice as she flipped it back over her shoulder, tucking her brown locks behind her ear in an attempt to keep them under control. "It's nice to get out, isn't it? The castle feels so stuffy sometimes, especially since it's so lovely out here." Lovely was an understatement for the weather. The sun was warm and shone brightly in the blue sky.

"Hey, you heard of the Ball coming up soon?" Ivy lowered her voice now, looking around to see if there were any professors around. It appeared that none of them had figured it out yet, much to Ivy's surprise. Even the chattiest people seemed to be able to keep the secret. "What do you think of it?" Ivy herself was quite excited for the Ball, although she wanted to know his stance on it before saying too much about it - just in case he disapproved of it.

Zyk was making a slight effort to be as casual as he could at the moment, in truth, she made him a little bit nervous to be around. It wasn't until he observed her nervous fidgeting that he seemed to calm down a little bit, his shoulders relaxing and stooping more. The messy look of her appearance was more endearing to him than anything, the way she let her hair flow like she just didn't care, it seemed "cool" to him. Before she had even spoken, he was thinking the exact same as she was at the moment, it was good to be outside, plus, look at the perks.

A friendly nod of agreement came from him as she mentioned how time passed, quickly, too quickly at times for days like this. A smile came sliding across his features once more as he was thinking the same thing and how she mentioned that she was also searching for him. As she continued on though, he looked around the open area of the courtyard and once again noted how nice the open air was compared to inside the castle as she talked. "You know the b...", he muttered, a little nervously before Ivy spoke back up. "Yeah, yeah... it's great outside, wish we could have more time. I'd like to visit the lake soon, heard that thing in there likes to be tickled." a light laugh following his response to her.

Before he could continue on with what he wanted to ask though, she had beaten him to the punch and brought it up herself, "Yeah, I've heard of it... I think it'd be fun, getting into a little trouble never hurt anyone." he said, leaning sideways a little and cocking his head as he tried to reciprocate her quiet tone. Zyk took this as a good sign, evident by how his typical half smile evolved into a full cheek-to-cheek smile. It was at this point that Zykeal had a little mental slap to the back of his head and he could hear the older mates from the block speak up in his mind, saying, "Man up Boyo."

Well, it was now or never, the ball was coming soon and she seemed to be interested in such things, "Was' thinkin' I'd just crash it, but... Ivy, would you like to..." Zyk made a quick look around to make sure there were no eavesdroppers in the area, teachers or even students. "to go to the ball? You know.. with me?" it was a bit of a nervous query and he felt a little embarrassed. Even though he felt a little mature for his age, this girl, Ivy, still seemed to get the better of him.

Reducio

@Ivy Bellamy

@Zykeal Lane

Ivy hadn't laughed in weeks, but at Zykeal's joke about the Giant Squid, she snickered softly in amusement. It was funny how easy she found it to talk to him - the Gryffindor had never met someone she got along with so well and so fast.

"The giant squid?" she laughed. "We ought to go down there together some time. Take a walk, tease the Squid, you know." Ivy wasn't quite sure why she was offering her company to this boy, but talking with him seemed to have lifted her spirits, her bad mood gone with the wind.

Her hands relaxed in her lap as Zykeal stated his interest in the Ball. It would have been extremely awkward if he had decided that the Ball was unworthy of his time or a stupid idea. She could not help the pleased smile that spread across her face as she listened to his next question, spoken in a more nervous tone than before. Ivy had planned on going solo, but this would be fun.

"The Ball, with you? Sure, why not? Hey, I hope you can dance," she teased, nudging him playfully. (Wait, when did she become playful? This new Ivy was very odd indeed.) "Don't want anyone stepping on my toes." She herself had learnt ballroom dancing ever since she was a young girl, but she would try and keep it a little simpler if she had to.

"Hey, you got anything to wear yet?" Ivy's own outfit was placed neatly in her drawers, and she had been practicing the braided hairstyle she was planning on wearing for a few days now.

It was nothing too fancy, having been taught how to find the perfect balance between catching someone's eye and blending in with the crowd in an outfit, unlike some of her fellow students. She thought back to the clothes she had seen them clutching in Madam Malkin's three days prior. Most of them were alright, but some of their clothing choices were just so... extra. She could only hope that Zykeal had better fashion sense than them.

@Ivy Bellamy

Lips slightly parted as he heard the small laugh that Ivy produced over his comment about the Great Lakes mysterious creature. A half-smile crossing over his face as he looked down, trying to hide his face a little, he enjoyed the way she had laughed and couldn't help a little blush come to his cheeks. "We should. It would be fun I think, gotta make sure you don't get all swallowed up too," he said, amusing himself with the image of either one of them being waved around by the giant squid over the lake.

After he had asked her to the ball though, Zyk sat there nervously, golden hues once more shifting to stare towards Ivy. When she smiled, his nerves seemed to calm and he reciprocated the smile that she had offered him back to her. When she had agreed to his query, his eyes softened as she nudged him. This made Zyk lean his shoulder to his side and let it bump into hers gently before looking back to her as he heard the comment about him dancing.

"Hey now, I'm quite good at dancing I do think so myself. Had a spurt of dancing the other day when the Head of Hufflepuff broke out in song in the Great Hall." offering a small nod, agreeing with his own abilities. "Pretty sure everyone stared at me a bit funny, but, it was a catchy tune and I haven't had fun in a while," he commented, remembering that it was probably the first time he'd let his guard down while at the school so far.

When she asked her question, he nodded quickly, "Actually, I do. Moms' thought I'd need something in case there was a school dance. Tis' just a vest and stuff, but ya know, I look pretty fetching in it." was confidently said as he confirmed to her that he could at least clean up a little bit. Thinking on it though, he might have to get the clothes cleaned and pressed. Remembering that he had seen another student practicing the Scourgeo spell, he needed to find that person, the ball was coming up soon and he wanted to look his best for Ivy.

Thinking on the topic made him a little nervous then. "I think I've got to go make sure, um, some things are.. ya know, done..." he muttered lightly as he corrected his position and stood up from the bench. Not wanting to leave her so suddenly, but, knowing things needed to get done before the ball. Moving to where he could stand in front of the sitting Ivy, he leaned down and whispered to her, "I'll see you on the pitch then." With that Zyk would straighten once more and slowly stow his now balled hands within his pockets, turning to leave the courtyard slowly, trying not to look as if he was rushing.

Zykeal Lane leaves the Courtyard

@Zykeal Lane
I've changed the date to suit the statement about the dancing, otherwise, the time and date wouldn't make any sense.

Ivy smiled at Zykeal's statement about his dancing fit. She had heard about Professor Browne's theatrical performance from her peers that morning, some annoyed, other amused. Personally, she wished she could have been there to see it. She could do with some cheering up.

She looked at him in surprise as Zykeal stated that he had to leave. Already? She looked down at her watch and shook her head. "Oh! Ok, I'll see you later then." She edged away slightly as he leaned in to whisper in her ear, but grinned at him nevertheless as he walked away, lifting a hand to wave at him as he strolled out of the courtyard.

Ivy waited until he was out of sight before heading back into the castle with the intention of getting her homework done and announcing to her roommates that she was going to the Ball with someone. Actually... maybe it wasn't the best idea. They would tease her with no end in sight. Perhaps she would be better off documenting her excitement in a journal instead.

End of thread