writing 'cause I'm running out of time Martch '23

The snow and cold weather have gone,
warmth taking the place as they both move along
Bears, skunks, and other critters resurface from hibernation,
whereas geese return from their migration
The warming weather, the changing of grass, it all confirms one thing:
yes, dear readers, this is the arrival of spring

What on earth must be going on in Rhys Read's mind right now, dear readers? I'm writing to you following the Valentine's Ball, and boy oh boy do I have tea for you! Rumor has it that Rhys has formed an affection for Azrael Faire, a fellow First Year Gryffindor, but Azrael's heart isn't entirely in the right place. The thing is, Faire's a bit of a bachelor, with both Rhys and Jessicah Armstrong taking an interest in them. Things between Azrael and Jessicah appeared to be heating up, which led to Azrael taking Jessicah to the ball. A source even said the two shared a dance prior to Read's arrival to the ball, after which Azrael was seen talking animatedly with Rhys. But the interaction seemed to dwindle, resulting in Faire dejectedly walking away. So you can guess what an awkward night the 17th was for these three, including Kayla Realma, who was Rhys's date to the ball, and had the misfortune to arrive right in the middle of the drama. Rhys was later spotted interacting with Jessicah, Kayla, and Rhain Read, a Fourth Year Gryffindor (as well as one of Rhys's older brothers) before leaving with Armstrong as the elder Read kept Realma company.

As it stands, no further information has been presented on how Rhys, Azzy, or Jessicah feel on the matter-- or what went down following their departure from the ball-- but stay tuned for more hot gossip on this interesting love triangle. Will Rhyzrael prevail? Or will the whole thing crash and burn?

Rhys had a joke, one that they had come up with in the middle of the night when they should have been sleeping, which was often when they got their best ideas. They coughed lightly, looking around at who was in the room with them. "Why did the plot-digger get fired?" They paused for a brief moment before coming in with the punch line. "He kept making grave mistakes."

Rhys continued to walk alongside Onyx as they all headed for the stables, halting once they got there. Onyx also stopped (she had been, more or less, willfully keeping alongside Rhys without much persuasion), and the two seemed to wonder simultaneously what was next. Rhys got the sinking feeling there were a lot of chores to be done regarding the several horses, and of course they'd get involved with it because a) they felt the obligation to, what with technically "owning" one of the new arrivals (and Rhylee having one too), and b) the alternative was hanging out in the house with Azzy's mother, their own mother, and Rhain, the last two of which had stayed behind as everyone else had followed Azzy's dad. (Who, apparently, was American, in the country sense. The surprises never ceased.)

Rhylee, at least, was having the time of her life, atop the horse Azzy had helped her onto, grinning a cheeky little shit-eater grin, as children are wont to do when they get their way. It'd be annoying if Rhys didn't have a soft spot for her. And if it hadn't warmed them a little to see Azzy so easily interact with their younger sister. Yeah, if they were a bit more unaffected by the happiness of both Rhylee and Azzy, this entire day would be a drag. But, as it was, this was Rhylee (who Rhys cared about) and Azzy (someone Rhys was starting to care more about-- a fact that they had finally come to terms with. More or less.) Seeing both of them so happy and at ease was almost unbearable, because, after all, it made Rhys feel things as a result, and feelings are... But these weren't bad feelings, per se. They were actually kind of alright. Still.

Rhys walked away from Onyx (who of course tried to follow), sidling up next to Azzy. They didn't say anything, just sort of nudged them gently, shoulder-to-shoulder, and gave them a small smile. Rhylee was too distracted to notice, thankfully, and Rhys waited to see Azzy's reaction.

how do I process
these thoughts running through my brain
this isn't real life