Closed New Friends OPEN

Stretching and bleary-eyed, Pax stumbled their way down to the Great Lake. After a nap, they always did struggle to function. And why they chose the Great Lake to go was beyond them. Though, it was a nice place to chill, and the view was stunning. Besides, people were typically there. And Pax did like talking to people. Sometimes they could be annoying, but mostly they were nice.

Arms out in front of them, they attempted not to trip on any tree roots, but to no avail. They went flying, barely managing to catch themselves and resulting in dirt all over their outfit. Granted, it wasn't the nicest outfit, but still. That wasn't how they wanted to start the second half of their day.

"Damnit! I swear to God, why now?"

Staying on the damp floor in the shade of the tree, Pax slowly got up, still huffing and cursing under their breath. As they began to brush some of the dirt from their sweater, Pax was aware of the gentle sounds of pencil markings from round the tree. They shuffled round to find a dark-haired boy on the other side of the tree, looking out on the scenery and sketching in a notebook. Silently, they peered over the boy's shoulder to see an incredible piece of art.

"Damn, that's impressive!"

They grinned at the guy. "Hi! Pax Zhang, first year Gryffindor, pronouns are she/they. How about you?"

Mentioned: - Interacting with: @James Owens

Word Count: 258

Date: March 16th 2022 Outfit: Here

@Pax Zhang

James was zoned out into his drawing. Then he heard a voice yell. He looked up and saw someone laying on the ground. He assumed they had fallen considering the grass stains on their clothes. Gosh, I hope they're okay. James looked back down to his notebook and continued to sketch out his drawing. He was almost finished with it. He'd go over it with pen after . Then add color and any other details.

James used his eraser and erased a pencil smear. The voice startled him making him jump. He turned to the person the voice came from. It was the same person who had fallen. They complimented his drawing and he smiled. "Thank you!"

The other person grinned at him and introduced themselves. Pax Zhang. They were a Gryffindor and went by she/they pronouns. A demigirl. He had never met someone like that before. "Hello! I'm James Owens. I'm a first year Hufflepuff. My pronouns are he/him. James put his notebook down and placed his pencil and eraser back into his satchel.

"I saw you fall a bit ago. Are you okay?" James was worried about them. It looked like they had tumbled pretty hard.

Word count: 201

Pax smiled back at the young boy. "No worries! I hope I didn't scare you too much. It's a really good drawing, I wish I had the patience for that!"

Pax sat next to the boy, a little distance between them though as to not make him uncomfortable. "It's nice to meet you, James. I don't recall seeing you around much, to be honest."

"And I'm alright, thanks. Don't think I've fallen severely, maybe scraped a knee or something, but that's it. And how about you? How are you, and why are you out here alone?" Pax looked at the guy with mild concern. "Are you not lonely?"

Pax looked out across the calm lake with a fond smile on their face. The gentle waves splashed back and forth as students ran around, frolicking by the water. Pax would join them, but they felt an obligation to stay with their new friend. But they didn't mind too much. It'd be a hassle to change again, for a start.

"I honestly love it out here, don't you? It's just so calm and peaceful and beautiful. It's one of my favourite places here. I love the outdoors, you know? Do you come out here often?"

Mentioned: - Interacting with: @James Owen

Word Count: 227

Date: March 16th 2022: Around 4pm Outfit: X

@Pax Zhang

"Thank you. It's more concentration the patience. I mean you still need patience to draw but I think it's more concentration than anything. Pax sat next to James but put a small distance between the two. James nodded when they said they were ok. " That's good to hear. I'm glad your okay.

However Pax seemed to be more worried about James sitting by himself. They asked if he was lonely. " To be honest yeah I'm a little lonely but that's alright." James tried his best to sound positive about the situation plastering a fakeish smile on his face.

Pax looked out along the lake with a small smile. There were students running around and messing around by the edge of the water. Other than that it was calm. Peaceful even. Pax stated that they loved it here by the lake. James nodded in agreement. He did come out here quite often. Whether it be to read, draw, meet with friends, or even meet new people.

" Yeah I come out here quite often. It's much more quieter than the boys and girls in my dorm and common room. It's really beautiful. I've got some drawings of the lake if you want to see." James gestured to his notebook.

Word count: 213

Interacting with @James Owens and @Pax Zhang

It was a lovely day and Nyx had decided to make the best of it by walking through and exploring the school grounds. One never knew what new things they would learn at any given moment or any given place. Or what people they might meet.

As they walked, they happened upon the pair sitting by the lake and decided, well, why not greet them. One of them appeared to have a notebook, which was always interesting. Did he journal? Or perhaps he wrote stories or drew? They didn't know, but they were curious and therefore going to find out.

Nyx walked over to the two and squatted down about half a meter away from the two, robes brushing the ground. They smiled casually at the two, honey brown eyes shining with curiousity.

"Hello. I couldn't help but notice your notebook and be curious. What is it that you do in it? Writing or visual arts? Or perhaps something else I haven't thought of," This, of course, was directed to James. Then, vague look of realization crossed their face and they spoke again, this time clearly addressing Pax as well.

"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Nyx Eros Dove. You may call me by my first or middle name, either works. And you may refer to me by any pronouns. And yourselves?"

@Pax Zhang
@Nyx Dove

James was talking to Pax when another student wearing Ravenclaw robes squated roughly a half metre in front of them and smiled as their eyes shone curiously. James looked to the person and smiled. It was always nice to meet new people.

Talking to James they told him that they had noticed his notebook and wondered what he did in it. "Oh! I draw and write in it. I sometimes write down small notes about books or things I find interesting, weird, or funny as well.

The person had a look of realization come across their face and then addressed both he and Pax. They introduced themselves saying the he and Pax could call them either by Nyx or Eros. They then said that they went by any pronouns. James thought for a moment. Which name did he like better? They were both really good names. James did a short game of choosing in his head. "Nice to meet you Nyx. I'm James. Pronouns he/him and I'm first year Hufflepuff."

James thought about whether to introduce Pax as well but figured they could do that for themselves. James didn't want to make it seem like Pax couldn't speak for themself. James turned back to Nyx. "You can look through my drawings or stories if you would like. There is quite a few in there. In fact that notebook is almost full. I've got a lot of notebooks that I have filled completely with drawings and stories of all kinds. James smiled. This was one of his favorite subjects to talk about.

Word count: 263

Gwen took a deep breath of the cold air. She had been inside for most of her first year studying. Recently, though, she had had trouble focusing. That’s when she decided to go outside for a change. Gwen spotted a flat rock by the lake and immediately decided that that was where she wanted to sit. She tried her best to climb up it, but failed. She was very small for her age and things like this often happened. She scoped the grounds for another place. Eventually, Gwen sat herself on a patch of grass. She opened her leather school bag and took out a book and a fresh piece of parchment. She was focusing very well for a while, but then, as usual, she began day dreaming. A bad habit of hers. Then, something, or someone rather, caught her eye. A Hufflpuff, Gryffindor, and a Ravenclaw seated next to each other. She thought she recognized the Hufflepuff, but couldn’t quite remember from where. Gwen sat slightly closer to the group, but not so close that they would notice her. Then, she went back to studying. Every once and a while, she would inch closer to the students by the lake, always getting closer to the lake herself. After five minutes, she was so close to the edge that she would most likely fall in if she got any closer. Fortunately, she had enough sense to stop moving. Where did she recognize that Hufflepuff? Then it hit her. That was James Owens. He had helped her with some of the many mistakes she had made on her homework. He was so helpful. She wondered if he recognized her, or if he could even see her. Gwen shrugged and briefly went back to work. Doodling little witches and wizards on brooms as she went.

Pax shrugged. "Concentration or patience, I have neither. Either way, it's a great drawing."

Pax's smile lessened slightly upon hearing that James was lonely, easily seeing through the fake smile on his face. "That's not good! No one should ever have to be lonely. We'll have to find you some friends."

They scanned the area quickly to see if anyone was there that they could befriend with James. It really was quite sad that he wasn't brave enough to talk to people on his own, at least that's what Pax presumed.

"Also, I'd love to see your drawings. I may not be great at technical art, but I definitely can appreciate good art when I see it."

As they spoke, another student-a Ravenclaw-approached, crouching to meet their level. Pax nudged James lightly, signalling him to respond first.

"Nice to meet you, Nyx!" Pax smiled at the newcomer. "I'm Pax Zhang, first year Gryffindor, and I go by she/they, thanks for asking!"

Pax smiled as James seemed to open up more, happy that he was opening up. Spotting a fellow Gryffindor across by the edge of the lake alone, Pax turned to the other two."I'm sorry, but I'll be back in a second, hopefully with another person."

Carefully getting up, Pax tottered over to the young Gryffindor. "Hi!" Pax said with a smile, waving hello. "I'm Pax Zhang, a fellow Gryffindor! I was just wondering, since my friend up there, James, seems to need more friends, if you'd like to come and sit with us. You don't have to, but you also seem a little lonely right now, and it's always nice to have company. So, watcha say?"

Mentioned: - Interacting with: @James Owens, @Nyx Dove, @Gwen Eclipse

Word Count: 303

Date: March 16th 2022: Around 4pm Outifit: X

Gwen stared at the Gryffindor with her mouth hanging open like a fish. Suddenly aware of this, she swiftly closed it. “I-I’d like to,” she stuttered. “But…”

Gwen wasn’t really sure what to say to her fellow housemate. Gwen was so bad at talking to new people. Should she tell the Gryffindor that she didn’t want to? No, that would be a lie. Gwen wanted friends, she just was bad at making them. She mulled this over. Then, Gwen saw that the Gryffindor was waiting for her reply. She looked at her parchment, which was covered with doodles, and then back at the Gryffindor. Gwen said, “I’ll do it! I-I mean, sure. I…yeah. That s-sounds great.” Gwen gave a half-hearted laugh. She hoped she wasn’t being awkward, and decided that was silly. She was always awkward. With new people, at least. To try and reduce the awkwardness she smiled a slanted smile. Then, Gwen gave up. She couldn’t help being awkward, she just was. She decided to introduce herself. “I’m G-Gwen. Gwen Eclipse.” She managed. Gwen gulped down her nervousness and said, “It’s nice to meet you, P-Pax.” And it was. Pax seemed very nice.

@Pax Zhang