29 Apr 2020, 21:06
Pass the Croissant
@Alexa Mackenzie
Clay wearily made her way down the stairs. She had just come from the Great Hall, where she had asked Alexa Mackenzie, the nice red head from Hufflepuff, to a picnic. Clay had felt weird about it; it wasn't everyday she asked people she hardly knew to lunch. But out of all of the people she'd met so far in the wizarding world, Clay found Alexa most pleasant to be around. They didn't know each other very well but Clay felt like they had to the potential to become great friends...if Alexa wanted to.
She carried a satchel full of some food she'd swiped from the Great Hall, but it mostly held food her grandmother had sent and a big blanket to sit down on. Well, she was using the blanket as a makeshift cloak now but she planned to lay it on the floor.
Clay hoped this impromptu little gathering wasn't too weird to Alexa. She had simply gone into the Great Hall only intending to get some food to eat outside by herself with when she caught the fiery red head of Alexa. While there were many other gingers in the school...well, Clay had to admit that there was other reasons why she always noticed the girl amidst the crowds. She just couldn't help but single her out.
The young Gryffindor headed over to the lawn near the Great Lake. She had meant to sit there but now that she thought of it, Clay didn't want the wind coming off the great body of water to disturb their picnic. And whatever seagulls or other birds native to the Lake were bound to be pesky.
Clay veered off to the left, heading towards a grove of trees. This way they could get shade and sunlight at the same time. Clay readjusted the hood on her crimson jacket, which was thin and perfect for this cool September weather.
When she found a suitable area, she laid down the blanket and spread out the food; along with sandwiches, little cakes, and some homemade apple juice—the owls her grandmother used were fast and her housemates taught her ways to make their stashes last longer—Clay had lollipops based off of the Every Flavor Beans, except these lasted longer and they were all transparent. One couldn't even try to guess the flavors without tasting.
Then Clay waited. Maybe she should've walked with Alexa but she had been absent-minded, thinking of a bunch of things other than the picnic. But that was good because she could finally release her nerves when the ginger came about.
12:27pm | October 2nd, 2019
Clay wearily made her way down the stairs. She had just come from the Great Hall, where she had asked Alexa Mackenzie, the nice red head from Hufflepuff, to a picnic. Clay had felt weird about it; it wasn't everyday she asked people she hardly knew to lunch. But out of all of the people she'd met so far in the wizarding world, Clay found Alexa most pleasant to be around. They didn't know each other very well but Clay felt like they had to the potential to become great friends...if Alexa wanted to.
She carried a satchel full of some food she'd swiped from the Great Hall, but it mostly held food her grandmother had sent and a big blanket to sit down on. Well, she was using the blanket as a makeshift cloak now but she planned to lay it on the floor.
Clay hoped this impromptu little gathering wasn't too weird to Alexa. She had simply gone into the Great Hall only intending to get some food to eat outside by herself with when she caught the fiery red head of Alexa. While there were many other gingers in the school...well, Clay had to admit that there was other reasons why she always noticed the girl amidst the crowds. She just couldn't help but single her out.
The young Gryffindor headed over to the lawn near the Great Lake. She had meant to sit there but now that she thought of it, Clay didn't want the wind coming off the great body of water to disturb their picnic. And whatever seagulls or other birds native to the Lake were bound to be pesky.
Clay veered off to the left, heading towards a grove of trees. This way they could get shade and sunlight at the same time. Clay readjusted the hood on her crimson jacket, which was thin and perfect for this cool September weather.
When she found a suitable area, she laid down the blanket and spread out the food; along with sandwiches, little cakes, and some homemade apple juice—the owls her grandmother used were fast and her housemates taught her ways to make their stashes last longer—Clay had lollipops based off of the Every Flavor Beans, except these lasted longer and they were all transparent. One couldn't even try to guess the flavors without tasting.
Then Clay waited. Maybe she should've walked with Alexa but she had been absent-minded, thinking of a bunch of things other than the picnic. But that was good because she could finally release her nerves when the ginger came about.
"And this mortality hit me like a hammer and left me reeling."
7 May 2020, 04:56
Pass the Croissant
@Clay McGlinchy
Alexa had come down to the breakfast table that morning, expecting to start another weekend off studying by herself. While she had met several people in her House and classes, it was always hard for her to warm up to new people, and she had yet to become close with very many. So when Clay came over and surprised her with an invite to a picnic on the Great Lake, Alexa had been more than pleased. She hadn't seen very much of Clay since school had begun, being so busy with classes and just simply adjusting to the magical world. It would be good to see Clay again, finally!
It was a beautiful day outside. Alexa wasn't sure what to bring, having been surprised, but there were always snacks and sweets in the Hufflepuff Common Room, and there was the leftovers from the care package her parents had sent her two weeks into term, sort of as a "settling in" gift. Left over were still several candy bars from the Muggle world, and Alexa was more than happy to have someone to share them with. So she had quickly gone back to her dorm in the Common Room to collect some foodstuff before heading out to the Lake.
Even though Clay wasn't sitting in obvious view at the edge of the Lake, Alexa didn't have trouble finding her after looking for a moment, spotting her curly dark hair in a grove of trees nearby. A warm smile naturally spread across her face, and she quickened her step until she reached the grove. Suddenly uncertain, she stood awkwardly next to the blanket on the ground where Clay was sitting with food arrayed around her. Her smile became a little more hesitant, but it was still genuine. "Hi," she said quietly. "I don't know if you like sweets, but I bought some stuff…" She stood there, shifting her weight, feeling a little awkward, but hoping it would pass soon.
Alexa had come down to the breakfast table that morning, expecting to start another weekend off studying by herself. While she had met several people in her House and classes, it was always hard for her to warm up to new people, and she had yet to become close with very many. So when Clay came over and surprised her with an invite to a picnic on the Great Lake, Alexa had been more than pleased. She hadn't seen very much of Clay since school had begun, being so busy with classes and just simply adjusting to the magical world. It would be good to see Clay again, finally!
It was a beautiful day outside. Alexa wasn't sure what to bring, having been surprised, but there were always snacks and sweets in the Hufflepuff Common Room, and there was the leftovers from the care package her parents had sent her two weeks into term, sort of as a "settling in" gift. Left over were still several candy bars from the Muggle world, and Alexa was more than happy to have someone to share them with. So she had quickly gone back to her dorm in the Common Room to collect some foodstuff before heading out to the Lake.
Even though Clay wasn't sitting in obvious view at the edge of the Lake, Alexa didn't have trouble finding her after looking for a moment, spotting her curly dark hair in a grove of trees nearby. A warm smile naturally spread across her face, and she quickened her step until she reached the grove. Suddenly uncertain, she stood awkwardly next to the blanket on the ground where Clay was sitting with food arrayed around her. Her smile became a little more hesitant, but it was still genuine. "Hi," she said quietly. "I don't know if you like sweets, but I bought some stuff…" She stood there, shifting her weight, feeling a little awkward, but hoping it would pass soon.
Sta: 6 Eva: 8 Str: 4 Wis: 9 AP: 9 Acc: 9
Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
– Albus Dumbledore
7 May 2020, 05:41
Pass the Croissant
Clay couldn't miss the girl with fiery red hair. Alexa reminded her so much of a fresh flaming hot Cheeto, opposed to a blunt, stale one. It was because the Gryffindor was always delighted to see her friend because she never ceases to brighten up her day and make her smile. Alexa just had this weird effect on Clay, and it was a good one.
She returned the smile with a toothy and even bigger one. Then the wind blew her first into her face, making her spit them out of her mouth. Clay pulled her hair back into a low ponytail with a random rubber band she'd found in her pocket.
"Hi," said Alexa, quietly. Clay blinked up at her. "I don't know if you like sweets, but I bought some stuff…"
"Sweets? Why wouldn't I like them?" Clay hastily made more room for her, even though there already had been enough. She wanted to make sure the girl was comfortable; she knew that her elation often got overwhelming, especially when she did refreshing things like host picnics on the school grounds. But she couldn't help herself.
Clay picked up a sandwich, which was made with salami, sliced cheddar cheese, shredded turkey meat, and mayonnaise. Some kid had made them for her somehow. She wasn't sure how they got the ingredients but she was going to complain; it was delicious. There was a variety of sandwiches types in the basket, so Alexa could choose the ones that enticed her the most.
"So," said Clay, through a mouthful. She swallowed politely, knowing what her grandmother would say about speaking with her mouth full. The lump of food travelled painfully down her throat but she pretended not to care. "How's Hufflepuff working out for you? Do you like it? Is it fun? What do you down there, besides play badgers?"
She returned the smile with a toothy and even bigger one. Then the wind blew her first into her face, making her spit them out of her mouth. Clay pulled her hair back into a low ponytail with a random rubber band she'd found in her pocket.
"Hi," said Alexa, quietly. Clay blinked up at her. "I don't know if you like sweets, but I bought some stuff…"
"Sweets? Why wouldn't I like them?" Clay hastily made more room for her, even though there already had been enough. She wanted to make sure the girl was comfortable; she knew that her elation often got overwhelming, especially when she did refreshing things like host picnics on the school grounds. But she couldn't help herself.
Clay picked up a sandwich, which was made with salami, sliced cheddar cheese, shredded turkey meat, and mayonnaise. Some kid had made them for her somehow. She wasn't sure how they got the ingredients but she was going to complain; it was delicious. There was a variety of sandwiches types in the basket, so Alexa could choose the ones that enticed her the most.
"So," said Clay, through a mouthful. She swallowed politely, knowing what her grandmother would say about speaking with her mouth full. The lump of food travelled painfully down her throat but she pretended not to care. "How's Hufflepuff working out for you? Do you like it? Is it fun? What do you down there, besides play badgers?"
"And this mortality hit me like a hammer and left me reeling."
8 May 2020, 20:43
Pass the Croissant
@Clay McGlinchy
When Clay responded positively to the candy, Alexa relaxed, and sat down on the space Clay made for her on the blanket. “I really like this blanket! Where did you get it?” She asked, selecting a sandwich and nibbling on it.
Then Clay asked her several questions, and Alexa paused to consider them thoughtfully. “Hufflepuff is working out spectacularly, I think.” Her smile widened. “I know we may not be as brave as Gryffindors, and maybe not as witty as Ravenclaws, but I’ve met plenty of people who are kind and loyal as well as brave and smart! I just… Haven’t made really any close friends yet. I like Clifton. You remember, the guy from the compartment? We haven’t yet hung out a whole lot or anything, though. I’ve missed you!” She said suddenly, smiling shyly. “I think you’re the person I get on with the best here at Hogwarts,” she added.
“But yes, it’s fun to be in my House. We don’t play badger!” Alexa laughed. “But our common room is partially underground, so I guess it fits.” She smiled again. “What about you? How is Gryffindor life? Aren’t you guys in a tower? That’s really cool!” Alexa felt a little strange talking so much, but it was so easy to be comfortable with Clay.
When Clay responded positively to the candy, Alexa relaxed, and sat down on the space Clay made for her on the blanket. “I really like this blanket! Where did you get it?” She asked, selecting a sandwich and nibbling on it.
Then Clay asked her several questions, and Alexa paused to consider them thoughtfully. “Hufflepuff is working out spectacularly, I think.” Her smile widened. “I know we may not be as brave as Gryffindors, and maybe not as witty as Ravenclaws, but I’ve met plenty of people who are kind and loyal as well as brave and smart! I just… Haven’t made really any close friends yet. I like Clifton. You remember, the guy from the compartment? We haven’t yet hung out a whole lot or anything, though. I’ve missed you!” She said suddenly, smiling shyly. “I think you’re the person I get on with the best here at Hogwarts,” she added.
“But yes, it’s fun to be in my House. We don’t play badger!” Alexa laughed. “But our common room is partially underground, so I guess it fits.” She smiled again. “What about you? How is Gryffindor life? Aren’t you guys in a tower? That’s really cool!” Alexa felt a little strange talking so much, but it was so easy to be comfortable with Clay.
Sta: 6 Eva: 8 Str: 4 Wis: 9 AP: 9 Acc: 9
Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
– Albus Dumbledore
11 May 2020, 17:51
Pass the Croissant
@Alexa Mackenzie
"The blanket...? Oh, my abuela—I mean, grandmother, I guess..." A pained expression crossed over her face but quickly disappeared as she remembered that this was no time to get sad. She had invited her friend over for some happy talk, maybe even gossip, but she didn't want to talk about the things that were bothering her. It was hard, though, because she had a feeling like Alexa was the only person who would listen in the damned castle.
“Hufflepuff is working out spectacularly, I think,” she replied, thoughtfully. Clay nodded along, chewing on her food absentmindedly. She was too focused on trying to push away unwanted thoughts.
“I know we may not be as brave as Gryffindors, and maybe not as witty as Ravenclaws, but I’ve met plenty of people who are kind and loyal as well as brave and smart!"
Clay grimaced. She truly hated it now when people compared houses like that, like their 'values' were all that mattered. She felt like those things just represented some kind of core of people, but not everything. To her everyone had a little mix of bravery, wit, loyalty, and cunningness, not just one type. If that were the case, then they'd be living in a dystopian world, because everyone was too complex to be fit in a box.
But she let Alexa go on, not bothering to share her opinion because she knew that the girl only meant well.
"I like Clifton. You remember, the guy from the compartment?" Clay perked up at that, a sly grin on her face. Oh, romance story? But then Alexa continued, saying, "We haven’t yet hung out a whole lot or anything, though. I’ve missed you!"
Clay froze mid-chew. "Wait, w-what—" she sputtered, nearly spitting out her food. She hurriedly swallowed it before she choked at what had just been said to her. She blushed, a little flustered, but tried to hide her face behind her sandwich. What does that even mean, she wondered. "Yeah, missed you as well..."
“I think you’re the person I get on with the best here at Hogwarts,” she said, which calmed Clay down way more than she thought, leaving only the tiniest hint of disappointment.
The girl said that her house commons were partially underground, which intrigued Clay. Being up so high most of the time left little room for thoughts about the ground below, except when she was on the Quidditch Pitch or hanging around the Great Lake.
"It's quite brilliant, actually. The kids there are really fun, always doing something exciting like pulling pranks on each other or...just getting in trouble," she admitted sheepishly. "At first it was a little overwhelming, with me being new to everything and all, but people here a very accepting—well, most of them."
She remembered Meredith, Cassandra, and Wyatt, three Slytherins who she could wearily call friends, though they were more like frenemies at times. But Clay still liked them all relatively; they made life a lot more fun.
"So, what are your favorite classes? Mine's are probably Herbology, with those annoying mandrakes, Charms, and maybe even Potions, even though it's really a lot of work. And History isn't actually that bad either." She drank some water from a bottle, enjoying it even though it was lukewarm from the weather.
"The blanket...? Oh, my abuela—I mean, grandmother, I guess..." A pained expression crossed over her face but quickly disappeared as she remembered that this was no time to get sad. She had invited her friend over for some happy talk, maybe even gossip, but she didn't want to talk about the things that were bothering her. It was hard, though, because she had a feeling like Alexa was the only person who would listen in the damned castle.
“Hufflepuff is working out spectacularly, I think,” she replied, thoughtfully. Clay nodded along, chewing on her food absentmindedly. She was too focused on trying to push away unwanted thoughts.
“I know we may not be as brave as Gryffindors, and maybe not as witty as Ravenclaws, but I’ve met plenty of people who are kind and loyal as well as brave and smart!"
Clay grimaced. She truly hated it now when people compared houses like that, like their 'values' were all that mattered. She felt like those things just represented some kind of core of people, but not everything. To her everyone had a little mix of bravery, wit, loyalty, and cunningness, not just one type. If that were the case, then they'd be living in a dystopian world, because everyone was too complex to be fit in a box.
But she let Alexa go on, not bothering to share her opinion because she knew that the girl only meant well.
"I like Clifton. You remember, the guy from the compartment?" Clay perked up at that, a sly grin on her face. Oh, romance story? But then Alexa continued, saying, "We haven’t yet hung out a whole lot or anything, though. I’ve missed you!"
Clay froze mid-chew. "Wait, w-what—" she sputtered, nearly spitting out her food. She hurriedly swallowed it before she choked at what had just been said to her. She blushed, a little flustered, but tried to hide her face behind her sandwich. What does that even mean, she wondered. "Yeah, missed you as well..."
“I think you’re the person I get on with the best here at Hogwarts,” she said, which calmed Clay down way more than she thought, leaving only the tiniest hint of disappointment.
The girl said that her house commons were partially underground, which intrigued Clay. Being up so high most of the time left little room for thoughts about the ground below, except when she was on the Quidditch Pitch or hanging around the Great Lake.
"It's quite brilliant, actually. The kids there are really fun, always doing something exciting like pulling pranks on each other or...just getting in trouble," she admitted sheepishly. "At first it was a little overwhelming, with me being new to everything and all, but people here a very accepting—well, most of them."
She remembered Meredith, Cassandra, and Wyatt, three Slytherins who she could wearily call friends, though they were more like frenemies at times. But Clay still liked them all relatively; they made life a lot more fun.
"So, what are your favorite classes? Mine's are probably Herbology, with those annoying mandrakes, Charms, and maybe even Potions, even though it's really a lot of work. And History isn't actually that bad either." She drank some water from a bottle, enjoying it even though it was lukewarm from the weather.
"And this mortality hit me like a hammer and left me reeling."
12 May 2020, 22:16
Pass the Croissant
@Clay McGlinchy
Alexa nodded when Clay said she had gotten the blanket from her grandmother, but asked nothing further at the sight of the expression on Clay’s face, though she hid it quickly. Alexa wondered what had happened, and remembered that Clay had also had a funny expression when talking about her parents on the Hogwarts Express. She hoped it was nothing bad…
When she saw Clay grimace at her poor explanation of her House, she frowned slightly, suddenly feeling a little shy, but then rushed on to explain better. “What I meant about my House is that we are more than just kind of loyal. I’ve met several Hufflepuffs who are also brave, or very smart. I just meant that maybe there was more to it than being classified by traits…” Alexa trailed off, grabbing a blade of grass and twirling it between her fingertips, keeping her eyes on it. As such, she almost missed Clay’s reaction when she had said that she missed her. Almost. But Alexa soldiered on with your explanation about Clay being the one she got on with the best, in spite of her embarrassment of all her previous statements. When would she learn how to talk to people?
Alexa listened intently to Clay talking about her House, and smiled slightly when she spoke of pranks and getting into trouble. She could imagine that would be overwhelming, all those outgoing people in one place, but she agreed, most people had been accepting.
“My favorite classes? I really like Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts, myself. Anything where I can learn spells, really!” She shook her head in mock disbelief that Clay liked Potions. “You’re right, Potions is difficult. You have to be very precise.” She thought for a moment. “Honestly, there’s not a class I don’t like!” Perhaps it was because she was a Muggle-born, but all aspects of magic interested her… Just some a little more than others.
“So, have you met any other cool people to hang out with? And what do you think of Quidditch?”
Alexa nodded when Clay said she had gotten the blanket from her grandmother, but asked nothing further at the sight of the expression on Clay’s face, though she hid it quickly. Alexa wondered what had happened, and remembered that Clay had also had a funny expression when talking about her parents on the Hogwarts Express. She hoped it was nothing bad…
When she saw Clay grimace at her poor explanation of her House, she frowned slightly, suddenly feeling a little shy, but then rushed on to explain better. “What I meant about my House is that we are more than just kind of loyal. I’ve met several Hufflepuffs who are also brave, or very smart. I just meant that maybe there was more to it than being classified by traits…” Alexa trailed off, grabbing a blade of grass and twirling it between her fingertips, keeping her eyes on it. As such, she almost missed Clay’s reaction when she had said that she missed her. Almost. But Alexa soldiered on with your explanation about Clay being the one she got on with the best, in spite of her embarrassment of all her previous statements. When would she learn how to talk to people?
Alexa listened intently to Clay talking about her House, and smiled slightly when she spoke of pranks and getting into trouble. She could imagine that would be overwhelming, all those outgoing people in one place, but she agreed, most people had been accepting.
“My favorite classes? I really like Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts, myself. Anything where I can learn spells, really!” She shook her head in mock disbelief that Clay liked Potions. “You’re right, Potions is difficult. You have to be very precise.” She thought for a moment. “Honestly, there’s not a class I don’t like!” Perhaps it was because she was a Muggle-born, but all aspects of magic interested her… Just some a little more than others.
“So, have you met any other cool people to hang out with? And what do you think of Quidditch?”
Sta: 6 Eva: 8 Str: 4 Wis: 9 AP: 9 Acc: 9
Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
– Albus Dumbledore