Closed Two's company pv Rebecca Loops

Rebecca had been dying to get a taste of fresh air. After spending the majority of the morning in the dungeons breathing in the (quite possibly toxic) fumes which permeated the potions classroom, he took the first chance he could get to get out of the castle. There was a beech tree near the Great Lake that he liked to study under when the weather was good, and he made his way there now. Rebecca didn't pay much mind to his surroundings as he walked, too busy taking in the chilly fall air and thanking God that it wasn't raining today.

It wasn't until he was only a few yards away that he noticed a ginger girl seated near the water pouring over a book. She seemed a bit familiar, and he was trying to place her in his mind when a twig snapped underneath Rebecca's foot.

The girl jumped and threw her book out of her hands as she startled at the noise. Rebecca watched helplessly as the book tumbled through the air and plopped sadly into the lake. She yelped and reached to retrieve it, but tripped and ended up falling into the water herself.

Rebecca instantly dropped his schoolbag and ran over to help, ignoring how his trousers were instantly soaked up to the knees in frigid water. The girl looked sheepishly over at him and he finally recognized her from a club he went to.

"I'm very sorry about that," Aurora apologized as he reached her, looking rather embarrassed.

Rebecca shrugged off the apology and grinned. "My fault really, I accidentally snuck up on you I think."

He could feel his toes starting to go numb already, and knew that Aurora had to be practically freezing, wet as she was. Rebecca held out a hand to steady her from falling again. They waded clumsily back, and once they reached shore he took off his old red sweater.

"Here," he offered, tossing it her way. "You'll turn into an ice-cube in a minute."

@Aurora Griffith

Anybody who knows me well knows that I like to make a good impression, not to impress. There's a difference. But right now, I was frostbitten. Honestly, that water was so cold, I was wondering if getting the book back was even worth it. It was autumn, anyway, and it was quite cold outside. But I liked the bitter cold. However, I certainly didn't like it now. Rebecca grinned and apologized, saying that he might have snuck up on me. I looked at him in shock, but it wasn't genuine. "Unbelievable...that was very rude, but I will forgive you." I said, smiling a little. As soon as Rebecca helped me out of the water, Rebecca tossed me his red sweater. I gladly put it on. "Thanks," I said, putting the sweater on over my soaking clothes, which weren't ideal for cold water like that. "Honestly, I was less worried about falling in, and a little more worried about the giant squid!" My voice cracked a little, and I cringed. Obviously, that was very bad, my mind told me. Yes, I know that already. Now shut up! I thought back. I never knew the right thing to say, that was a fact. But I tried again, though this might have been worse than the last one. "Not to pry, or be nosy or anything, but what are you doing out here anyway, in the bitter cold?" I felt like hitting myself. Oh, yeah. Never know the right thing to say...

Interacting with: @Rebecca Loops
Speech color: #ba9826 Thoughts: Italics

Rebecca rubbed away the goosebumps on his arms as Aurora pulled the sweater over her head with a grateful look. "Honestly, I was less worried about falling in, and a little more worried about the giant squid!" she shuddered, though whether from discomfort or the chill, Rebecca didn't really think the difference mattered much.

"Yikes. Yeah, giant squids don't tend to make great swimming partners," he laughed quietly, kicking off his soggy shoes.

He looked back up at Aurora as she asked, "Not to pry, or be nosy or anything, but what are you doing out here anyway, in the bitter cold?"

He shrugged, and sat down on the rocky shore so he could start wringing the water out of his socks. "It's not so bad today-- I mean, at least it's not actively raining. 'Sides," he cast her a grin, "it beats sitting in the dungeons all day. I came out here to get some air."

I got maybe a bit more of it than I was anticipating, maybe. He decided not to voice that particular sentiment aloud. To be honest, he was glad to see Aurora again. They hadn't spoken much in the club, but she had a friendly energy about her, even now when she was dripping and sort of looked like she wanted to hide herself in a hole.

"I'm glad I did, though! I wouldn't have met up with you otherwise," he assured her as he gave his socks one final shake to rid them of whatever dampness he could.

"Do you often sit precariously close to large bodies of water? Or were you just trying it out today?" He joked, cocking an eyebrow.

@Aurora Griffith

Honestly, I wondered what would have happened if I had seen the giant squid, but I didn't really wanna think about it. When Rebecca said that he wanted fresh air after I asked him why he was out and about, I nodded, agreeing. Yeah, think this type of weather isn't bad either. Plus, I can't imagine being in the dungeons all day, though that actually does sound interesting," I said. The dungeons? No wonder why Rebecca had come outside. When he said that he was glad he went outside today, I blushed. "Oh, yes, I'm glad I was able to talk to somebody today, even if I did get wet..." I eyed my book, lying sadly in my hands, and severely dampened. The ink had run, and the book was unreadable. I was sure I could get it fixed, though. "Do you often sit precariously close to large bodies of water? Or were you just trying it out today?" Rebecca asked. I let out a laugh and said, "No, I don't often do that! I had been planning to relax, actually, but I feel very comfortable near water, for some reason. Believe it or not, I might do it again...but maybe with something else instead. I don't want any books to get ruined." If conversations and new friends were the results of falling into a lake, maybe I should sit by the Great Lake more often...or not. Maybe. "I wish I could stay out longer, but the lake was freezing, and I don't think you or I would like to catch a cold," I said, smiling a little.

Interacting with: @Rebecca Loops
Speech color(s): #ba9826 and #207e33 Thoughts: Italics

Rebecca stood up. "I'll walk with you! I think I've had quite enough of the great outdoors today, anyhow," he laughed.

As they started heading to the castle, he gave her a sideways look. "If you do wind up coming out here again, I'd love to tag along. It's a pretty spot, and even nicer in good company." Rebecca shrugged and smiled. "Owl me sometime if you'd like, we can make a picnic of it or something."

He rubbed the back of his neck and grinned impishly. "We can look out for each other against the Giant Squid, at least. Strength in numbers, all that."

It was a pleasant enough walk up the hill leading to the castle, even if both their shoes squelched a little with each step. After they reached the stairs leading to the entrance hall he remembered that she still had his sweater. "Oh, you can hang on to it!" he said, shaking his head if she tried to take it off to give it back.

"I'll get it back next time I see you, just don't forget! Sorry again about your book!" He called over his shoulder as he walked away, waving a final goodbye and a conspiratorial grin as he went.

Rebecca didn't honestly know when he'd see Aurora again, but wouldn't mind it being sooner rather than later.

@Aurora Griffith

When Rebecca offered to walk with me, I smiled. All I wanted to do was get back to the castle, go up to my common room, and probably sleep or take a bath or something. I liked the great outdoors, but even I needed to go inside, away from the Great Lake and everything. And probably get my book fixed, too. "Oh, thank you! That's so nice of you!" I beamed. Rebecca had offered to come along the next time I came here, saying that it was very nice in good company. I agreed. "Yes, I think it's very nice," and then, "Oh, I'd love to have a picnic here sometime! That would be great! I laughed at his comment about the giant squid. "Yup, you're right! The giant squid won't mess with us!" I giggled. Before I knew it, we were near the Entrance Hall. Well, that was quick! I was so caught up in the conversation that I didn't even notice that we were already at the castle...I remembered that I still had Rebecca's sweater and thought about offering to give it back to him, but he told me that I could keep it until the next time I saw him. I made a mental note to not forget the sweater in case I bumped into him again. He apologized for the book as he walked away, waving. "See you later, Rebecca! And don't worry, I'll give the sweater back!" I called, waving back. As I started toward the stairs, I gave a soft sigh. That had been nice. I couldn't wait for the next time I would see Rebecca again!

Interacting with: @Rebecca Loops
Speech color: #ba9826 Thoughts: Italics