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Louca had woken up rather early, especially for him. He had risen shortly after the dawn, and it was in a way that he knew that there was no going back to sleep. Louca had laid in bed for a few short minutes, but was full of energy and it hadn’t felt possible to stay in bed until breakfast started or at least late enough to have enough time to get ready for breakfast. He had quietly (it was shocking, but he knew how to be quiet) risen, and fumbled through his trunk to find some light jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and a fleece sweater. Sometimes it was hard to determine how to dress, but at least he’d be covered whether it was warmer or cooler.

Moving through the halls while everyone else was asleep, or in their common rooms, was a little creepy. Louca shivered slightly, feeling like every corner would bring some kind of surprise but not a pleasant one. Louca was not one to be scared but still, he did not appreciate the silence and the lack of people. He much preferred to be around others, his extrovert nature drawing him to groups. But right now he would take even one person to talk to. Deciding that the castle was a little too silent for him right now, and he hadn’t stumbled across a single person, Louca turned in the direction that would take him outside. At least outside there would be birds, and well…noise at least.

Stretching, he kept moving, wondering why the heck he was even up this early. He was all for adventures but did not think being up this early would lead to any. And he was slightly hungry but didn’t have access to eat anything right now. He wouldn’t until breakfast was served. Looking around, he moved to the training grounds, figuring maybe he could get some quidditch practice in while he was up so early.

Approaching, he caught sight of a figure with what he assumed was their broom, likely thinking of doing something similar to what he had planned. Moving closer to the person, Louca called out. “Hello! I see we had the same idea. Do you play quidditch? I don’t think I’ve seen you around?”
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Louca saw the student turn to face him, taking in the tall, brown haired, blue-eyed male. Louca was a little surprised to see the height as many of his fellow students were a few inches shorter than him yet this boy stood about even with him. Admittedly there would have to be some other boys and girls who were taller than the other peers, but still, Louca had to admit it was nice to not have to look down or slouch a bit to make the other person feel comfortable. He was all about making others comfortable around him. After all it was easier to pull off cons when your mark was relaxed. Not that he was still doing that. Or at least not at school. But old habits die hard.

Shrugging, Louca grinned, “Not exactly my original idea, I had hoped to sleep in but since I’m up, I figured it was as good a time as any to practice some maneuvers.” Louca yawned, quickly covering his mouth as he did so. He really wasn’t an early morning person but he could roll with the punches and that was what he would have to do today. Debating on whether he should get his broom or just wait to see if the other boy would want to talk a bit, thus delaying a bit, he stood stock still, waiting to see what the decision would be made.

Louca nodded, though of course his first thought had been quidditch as it always was around brooms. It was what he played so he was used to thinking of it quite a bit, trying to figure out plays and go over what needed to be improved. “Fair enough. They present different challenges for sure.”

Louca smiled, ,starting slightly as he realized he hadn’t introduced himself. He would blame the early morning for that. Grabbing the offered hand, he shook it carefully before releasing it. “Hi Stephen, I’m Louca, first year thunderbird.” Louca carefully studied Stephen as he shared how they had known each other, comparing the image of the boy he had seen on the shore trying to apologize to Haley at the same time as he had. Grinning, Louca laughed. “Definitely not the best first impression. I think her last name was Farin. I don’t think I did ever get her to forgive me. So you must be an early morning person. I’m kind of an in between person. Better in the late morning than the early morning or evening.”

Surveying the fog that surrounded the two, Louca looked back at Stephen when he asked the question. Stretching his back, he answered “Not meeting anyone. I figured I’d just fly around, try out some maneuvers while I’m up. What about you? Meeting anyone?”
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Admittedly, Louca had only come outside to fly on his broom for something to do, and in the hopes that it would make time faster. And yes, because he tried to practice some kind of quidditch-related skill at least once or twice a day. But honestly, it would be pointless to do anything with how tired he still was. Or at least he hadn’t fully woken up. Now that he had company, he wasn’t in a huge rush to get a broom and start flying. Though it would likely make for an interesting time. But also probably a little more dangerous than Louca tried to be. One should not try to fly drunk or tired. Hopefully Stephen would want to join him.

Louca nodded at the piece of information, figuring that anyone else that was up this early would have been down here and ready to go already. But who was he to assume? “Sure, probably the safer option. That sounds like a good plan, it’s always better to practice with someone else. I’m not much of an early morning person, more of a middle of the day person. What about you? You must be an early bird if you’re up this early.” Louca had nothing against those who were early birds, just as long as they didn’t think him foolish for not being as charming or aware as he was later in the morning. Louca chuckled, “I think that’s a constant state of being for me.”

He was quick to reassure Stephen that of course he loved company. “No no no, I prefer company. Silence is an enemy and that’s actually why I came out here, I figured at least there would be bird song. I’m more of a people person, and bonus points if I can hone my flying skills at the same time.” Louca could see himself learning some things from Stephen. Since he seemed very into broom racing, he probably had a lot of skills that Louca shared but also maybe a few tricks that Louca could learn from him.

Following Stephen, he sat, straddling the bench on the same side of Stephen but with space in between them. That would be a bit strange, having a conversation right on top of one another. But it might also be an interesting challenge. Louca chalked that down to an idea that really had little.
Snorting, Louca answered. “It was good, I had some adventures, made a few friends, and got to experience some new things. All checkmarks in my books. Did you enjoy the ball? The champion announcement was interesting.”
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Interacting with Louca Dufort @Emma Wynn

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Louca was curious to see what Stephen had been doing around the ball. He had been focused mostly on Haley and so hadn’t really noticed many people at all. He had been too nervous and then enjoying their time together to really care about anyone else. Honestly Louca hadn’t even been thinking of any, alright just a few, mischievous pranks to pull off. Though of course he hadn’t done so. Haley seemed to be of the sort to join in but they had been looking quite nice and Louca hadn’t wanted to chaos when they were having such fun.

“Fire makes everything more interesting honestly. But I agree with you that would have taken the cool level up much higher. I wonder if any of the organizers had thought of that. But I guess they can’t think of everything.” Louca grinned, shrugged his shoulders. Honestly there had been plenty to do and keep one’s interest, so they had done a good job overall. He had been disappointed to miss out on signing up for one of the activities but that was fine, he could try to puzzle out what they would have been, and make his own version if he truly wanted to. But so far he had had plenty to keep him busy.

Leaning back onto his hands, Louca let his head drop back and closed his eyes for a moment, letting himself absorb the nice weather. He then brought his head back up, and blinked his eyes a few moments, the small black spots from holding his eyes closed too tightly fading quickly. “That was hard to come up with. Honestly if I hadn’t have met Haley, I would have been in the same boat, though I suppose Jamie could have been a good one too, but he didn’t immediately come to mind when I heard Special Person. I don’t think it’s stupid, just goes to show you must have deeper relationships that take time to form.” Louca shrugged right back at him, his face earnestly reflecting his thoughts.

Louca nodded, but was not sure what else to say to that comment, leaving it to reverberate in the year. He doubted that anyone would be killed as it seemed even the wizarding schools would draw the line at that, but considering the previous tournament had seen just that, maybe there really wasn’t anything to prevent it. Of course, there was danger involved but that was why he was interested in participating. He wanted to be challenged and there was nothing more thrilling than pitting oneself against another team.

Shifting slightly, he sat up, his elbows having locked and growing slightly uncomfortable in that position. “I did, but honestly it’s a long shot. I was surprised that there was a second year chosen but that’s still probably better than a first year. Though I hope I get on the team. Do you think you’ll get chosen?” It seemed that all Louca could think about was the tournament, and why not? It was still fresh and interesting. It would probably be shadowed by something else soon enough, at least until the first challenge was announced.
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