Interacting with: @Cyrus Darsel Mentioning: N/A Date: 06/07/25

Word Count: 237

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Dylan nodded after Cyrus had finished speaking. What he had said made sense. While Cyrus was used to using the muggle version of binoculars and Dylan was used to using the omnioculars, both thought the other was interesting. Dylan had never really thought about the muggle versions of tools he had always used, but he made a mental note to pay more attention. There were so many amazing yet fascinating things muggles made that he had completely overlooked in the past. A missed opportunity. "You're right! I feel the same as far as binoculars. They're very fascinating and far easier to use compared to omnioculars." Dylan responded with a smile on his face. Dylan took another quick look through the binoculars and was happy to see a couple birds he didn't recognize fly into the lake. Their long arched necks shined brightly in the sunlight as their white feathers gleaned pearl white as if they were ghosts instead of actual birds. "Huh. I've never seen that kind of bird before. What do you think it is?" Dylan asked as he handed Cyrus the binoculars. Even without the binoculars, the birds could be seen clearly, but Dylan wanted to make sure they had a close look. He had to learn about that bird and made a mental note to look in the library later if they couldn't decipher it then. They were just too majestic to be ignored.

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Cyrus hadn't ever expected sharing no-Maj tools with a wizarding kid to be so fulfilling. In his earlier years at Ilvermorny, there had been a lot of blood purist sentiment that he'd unfortunately been rather privy to. As a result, he'd been terrified of sharing some of the more nostalgic things of his youth – Club Penguin, Mario Kart, and, well, binoculars. However, in contrast to some of Cyrus's peers back in the day, Dylan was actually nice and well-adjusted! It was such a pleasant surprise that Cyrus wasn't quite sure how to take it. If Dylan could find binoculars fascinating, when they were such a mundane thing, Cyrus decided there was truly hope for wizard and no-Maj relations to improve. It would start with the kids in each generation learning to get along, after all!

Cyrus followed Dylan's line of sight and gasped. He squinted, and then took the binoculars, and... wow. They were gorgeous. Large, white, with slender, graceful necks. Gigantic, strong wings to carry them in the air. 'Gosh, I don't actually know! Maybe an egret or a swan?'

Often, when he thought of swans, he was reminded of the No-Maj fairy tale of the Ugly Duckling. But these birds weren't ugly at all. 'They look so powerful,' he murmured, impressed. 'I dunno if they're actually, you know, swans or egrets. Maybe they're some bird I've never even heard of! That would be so cool...'


Setting: 7 June 2025. Afternoon. Ilvermorny.
Interactions: @Dylan Astor

Interacting with: @Cyrus Darsel Mentioning: N/A Date: 06/07/25

Word Count: 209

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Dylan nodded in excitement. The birds were beautiful and majestic. Their white necks arching gracefully as they floated across the pond. Dylan had never seen such a beautiful bird before, but it made him wish he had. He made a mental note to himself to start paying more attention to the little things in nature just like his grandfather had taught him. Those little things helped make the world better and brighter. "Whatever kind of bird they are, I've never seen anything like them. They're so majestic and free." Dylan breathed out. Awe in his voice as he watched the birds. "Wow. I never knew such beautiful creatures even lived here. I've only seen a few different birds while exploring the grounds, but that's been about it. This is quite the site to see." Dylan commented. His attention turned to other water fowl that floated across the pond. Though none of them were as graceful as the large white birds. Dylan eyed the other birds carefully. The birds had large bills, but a smaller body than the white birds. Were they the ducks Cyrus had mentioned before? That was a possibility. "Are those the ducks you mentioned?" Dylan asked as he pointed to one with a dark green head.

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Many of Cyrus’s favourite things revolved around aves. Birds in the sky, birds in poetry, birds in paintings, birds in songs. Origami cranes. Glass-blown mallards. But there was nothing – nothing – more magical than observing the creatures in person. Their larger powerful wings dotted by feathered patterns, their immensely strong talons or cute little webbed feet, their beaks or their bills – every one was so unique! The only thing missing from the scene in front of the boys, in Cyrus’s mind, was a flamingo or maybe a penguin. But that was okay; he realised he couldn’t have everything.

‘Free is a really good way to describe them,’ Cyrus breathed. That was the coolest thing about birds – especially seabirds or waterfowl. That combination of habitats, the knowledge that they would never be tied to the earth or the sky in singularity, but could inhabit both, and even sometimes water, too. That they migrated and did not feel like they had to remain in a place just because society demanded it.

That wasn’t to say Cyrus didn’t love New York, or even the United States. But man, if he were a bird, he would explore the world. He would soar until his wings tired of his weight.

‘We’ve got such great nature here. It’s a really nice break from the city. Like, sure, we’ve got parks and stuff, but it’s so different when all the cool views are like, legit, outside your window. I’m gonna miss it.’

The musing had escaped him before he could keep it in his head. He drummed his fingers against his legs and smiled fondly, albeit with a bittersweet look in his eyes, at the scene.

Of course, if anything could cheer him up, it was the mention of ducks. His eyebrows shot upwards. ‘Yo!! Those are mallards! I LOVE mallards.’ Well, he loved every duck. He wasn’t exactly the most discerning type of guy. ‘They were my mom’s favourite. I prefer mandarin ducks, since it’s nice to have some variety in the world.’ He grinned and returned his gaze to Dylan as one of the ducks flapped its wings. ‘How much do you know about ducks?’

Depending on what Dylan said, Cyrus would be ready to whip out his fun facts about ducks. But if Dylan knew a lot about the wondrous waterfowl, Cyrus would be ecstatic to enjoy their existence together.


Setting: 7 June 2025. Afternoon. Ilvermorny.
Interactions: @Dylan Astor

Interacting with: @Cyrus Darsel Mentioning: N/A Date: 06/07/25

Word Count: 253

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Dylan watched the waterfowl with their green heads bobbing up and down as they dunked themselves into the water to do whatever they had set out to do. It was fascinating to him to watch it all happen before his eyes. He had never seen such wondrous wildlife around him. He just wished he knew more about them. Then maybe he would be better at chatting with Cyrus instead of mostly listening and learning about the different types of birds he knew. "I agree. That's what I love most about going home to Wales this summer. Nothing beats the fresh air and the chance to hear birds singing every morning. My grandfather used to take me out in the woods when I was younger to learn about the plants and animals there, but it's been years since we last did that." Dylan sighed. Dylan honestly missed those carefree times spent in the woods. Listening to the sounds of birds chirping and the gentle breeze coming through the trees. That was home. Not a big city full of cars and always packed. Even the birds there weren't as majestic as the ones at Ilvermony. The only birds he'd seen in New York were pigeons that tried to steal your food when you weren't looking. "Honestly? I barely know anything about ducks besides the fact that they have large bills. They are fascinating though and quite cute." Dylan smiled and nearly laughed as another duck popped its head out of the water at his comment.

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OOC Note: I'm so sorry how late this is!