Closed New Day and (More) New Friends

─────Face turned up towards the clear sky, blue eyes peek open as a small smile settles across Avery's features. The last few days had been rather hectic, so this was her first real chance to take some time outside of the stone walls. She'd been eager to make her way outside, so breakfast had been a short affair. Quickly eating just enough to tide her over until the next meal, the Hufflepuff made her way outside adorned in a simple blue short sleeve flannel and jeans, worn boots carrying her across the grass.

With no real destination in mind, Avery figured this was as good a time as any to explore the grounds a little bit. Within reason, of course. She had no plans to ever visit the Forbidden Forest if she could help it. At the very least on her own. She figured the easiest place to start would be the vast lake that lay beside the castle. She knew she should probably be finding a more productive use of her time, with either homework or more personal reading to try and learn about the wizarding world, but she had begun to feel a little restless within the walls. Perhaps a quick jaunt would help settle her focus a little more.

Trudging down the slight slope towards the lakeside with hands in her pockets, Avery allows her gaze to shift between her surroundings and the various students milling about in the sunlight. On the odd occasion she makes eye contact with someone, she merely offers a quick smile and ducks her head. It's only on one of these passing surveys of the area does she slow to a halt. Her eye had caught on the cover of a book held by a Ravenclaw student splayed out atop a blanket. A decidedly muggle book, and one of the few she'd actually had time to read back home.

The Hufflepuff hesitates a moment, glancing briefly from the book to the girl in possession. She seemed to be slightly older, but fairly approachable. Avery internally debated with herself on whether she should even interrupt what was clearly a time for relaxation, but curiosity eventually won out. It had been somewhat rare so far to see much of any reminder of the muggle world here on the grounds. Steeling herself, she shifts direction and moves towards the girl with the book, making sure she's in her line of sight so as not to startle her. Once she's only a couple paces away she clears her throat nervously, hands still shoved into her jean pockets. "I, uh...I've read that book before. It was a-actually one of my favorites back home," she calls out, clearing her throat a little again to try and rid it of the tremble. "Kind of wish I'd brought a couple of my books from home along with me," she muses, one hand lifting to rub slightly at her neck as she offers a bashful smile.

Hearing someone approach, Bailey glanced up to see a new first year, with short cropped dirty reddish brown hair, blue eyes, and pale skin spattered with freckles.
The girl said something, and Bailey smiled.
hey I knew The Princess Bride would gain me some friends. No one can resist and adventurous love story
“They really should add a section on the packing list for things from home like books. It’s one of the things I learned really quickly!” Bailey said, standing up to shake the girls hand. Sticking her hand out, Bailey smiled and said “My name is Bailey. Bailey Glade! And yours is..?”
Once they were introduced, Bailey sat back down and continued on their earlier topic of discussion.
“This is the only book from home I brought my first year- and I had gotten this edition just for the trip. I had my mum owl me a package of my books my first year after I arrived and found out that was ok, and now I being a bag full of them with me. It’s kinda hard to find muggle books here! You would think with the library you would have some but no.”
Bailey stopped her rambling on their, when another first year, a boy this time, with black hair, green eyes, and olive skin ran up. He seemed to know Avery, and so Bailey stood up again, smiled and introduced herself.
“Hey! My name is Bailey -Bailey Glade! I’m a third year Ravenclaw. And you are?”

─────Avery offers a somewhat sheepish grin. "Yeah, I kind of wound up panic packing at the last moment," she states, the words carried in a lilting Irish accent. "I was so focused on school supplies that that was all I really had together. There's always next year, at least." The Hufflepuff waits for the other girl to stand and hold a hand out before she takes a half step forward to shake the outstretched hand. "Avery McCall, first year Hufflepuff. Good to meet you, Bailey!"

As the Ravenclaw reclaims her seat Avery swings her arms behind her back, gripping a wrist in one hand to hold them in place as she rocks idly on her heels. She listens intently as Bailey talks about the book, a small smile ticking up the corners of her mouth. "That's fantastic! I don't have many books at home, but I may have to see if my mother will send one or two at some point. All the books here on magic are nice, but there's nothing quite like a regular muggle book. I, uh...scared myself the first time I opened a magicked book, didn't think about the fact that the pictures would move," Avery states, chuckling a little at the memory even as her cheeks flush in embarrassment.

The sound of rapidly approaching footsteps draws her attention away from Bailey briefly, a grin breaking out at the sight of Keith approaching. It'd been such a hectic week that she hadn't had time to catch up with him yet ever since the long train ride. "Hey Keith! It's definitely been busy, still trying to get my bearings a little. The classes are all so interesting though! How's everything been for you?" She turns her attention back to Bailey as she introduces herself to Keith, angling herself to look between the both of them. "I'm just glad the weather is nice. I needed some time away from the castle, even if it means procrastinating a little on a bit of homework." Avery mutters that last part a little quieter.

“That’s understandable.” Bailey laughed, remembering how quiet and shy she had been. Last year she had definitely come out of her shell a lot.
Their conversation kept going, till Keith showed up. She introduced herself, and as they settled in, Keith told her, well Avery, whom he seems to know, about it week. Keith mentioned drawing, and some sketchbooks. Bailey made a mental note to ask him about them earlier.

He asked if he could sit, and indicated a place about a foot or away from her feet.
Smiling, Bailey said “Yes! Of course!”
Folding her legs under her, Bailey closed the Princess Bride. Sipping it in her bag, Bailey pulled out a notebook and some makers. Doodling as their conversation progressed, Bailey asked “So… how’s life so far? Are you guys enjoying the school so far? I remember my first year a little… I was way different. Totally completely shy, I didn’t talk to anyone. I think I had like one maybe two friends.. I don’t know what it was but last year I really came out of my shell. I made some more friends, like @Kim Sato. Kim and I … it’s a long story. Quite a funny one too. I have other friends, from clubs and such. @Noah Jupe, @Colin McCoire, @Clair Fernandez, @Simon Kincaid, my list goes on and on! How about you? Have y’all had the chance to make a lot of friends yet?”

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─────Avery gives a quiet laugh, a hand lifting to scratch one finger lightly against her cheek even as they darken slightly. "I'm...mostly caught up on homework. There's a few assignments I've been procrastinating on, can't lie." The Hufflepuff gives a slight shrug at the admission. "I'll probably try to get some more done later once I've gotten my fill of sunlight."

At Bailey's invitation for Keith to sit, Avery moves to plop down in the grass across from them. She pulls her legs up close to her chest, leaning forward to rest her arms across both knees. She looks to Keith at his question, grinning. "It'd be awesome to be able to talk to magical creatures! Just seeing them has been pretty crazy, in a good way. But being able to talk to them would be amazing!" She glances briefly towards the lake, trying to imagine just what all might be lurking beneath the surface.

Turning back to the other two students, she allows one arm to drop to the grass, idling playing with the blades between her fingers. "I'm really enjoying it here so far, it's so different from everything I'm used to," she replies, grinning. "I don't think I've met any of them! I haven't had a whole lot of time to meet many people beyond in passing yet, aside from Keith, EmmaLee and Freya on the train ride here."

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𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉: @Bailey Glade & @Keith Moore | 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈: @EmmaLee LeDames & @Freya Augustus
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Word count: 289
Interacting with: @Bailey Glade and @Avery McCall

Bailey laughed at what Avery said, about procrastinating. “Usually I don’t procrastinate, but I occasionally do. Especially if it’s Herbology. It’s hard to ignore and relearn things that I though were impossible since my family is muggle. Luckily I’m not the only one with this struggle- I’ve talked to some friends who also come from muggle family’s and they’ve had the same struggle.”
“It would be cool to talk to the animals. I’d think I’d be like a muggle fairytale Princess then.” Bailey giggled at the thought of talking to birds and other animals.
“Avery, I’m sure you get to know more people as time passes. Everyone… well most people are pretty social, and friendly!!”
Then Keith mentioned knowing @Colin McCoire and Noah @Clark William Baird-Carter, two people was close with. Bailey was closer to Colin than Noah, and she treasured her friendship with Colin above most of her other friendships. He was so free and kind and sweet, Bailey would be heartbroken if they ever stopped talking. Noah, was a unique person. He still thought she stole his homework when they met, despite the fact that he shoved the homework into her hands.
“I know Colin and Dorkasorous… sorry Noah. They are both great! Noah, he’s part of my Martial Arts Club and I’m part of his Goosebumps Club! It was part of our… agreement of sorts. How do you know them?”

@Avery McCall and @Keith Moore