Closed Solitude?

The return to summer camp meant the return to school routine was nearing. To this effect, Evelynn had been attempting to simulate her usual behaviours, just as she had done over the course of the first month of school, including her daily runs. The only problem was that there was no lake about which to run. This was doubly unfortunate given how the breeze across the lake would generally be cooled, picking up moisture from the water, and serve as a refreshing coolant during the exercise. But now, she was confined to a waterless (usually) pitch and surrounding grounds and at the full mercy of the summer heat. It was for this reason that she had relied upon the morning hours—before the sun had reached its peak—and the shaded pathways of the denser vegetation.

She had paid little mind to the others that shared the trail, few as they were. Typically, her runs would be accompanied by the soothing yet invigorating instrumentation of orchestra. Only... with the level of magic permeating the camp, that was not an option. Even still, there was little difficulty in mentally drowning out her surroundings, isolating herself to her own thoughts and companionship. That cerebral solitude would be challenged at the turn of the next bend, however, as the indistinguishable image of a particular Slytherin shattered the façade of her peace in a way he seemed so often to do.

The rhythmic thrumming of sneakers against the packed earth gradually slowed, their path veering off the path into the shoulder of long grass and scattered wildflowers. Above, the forests' canopy shielded the red-head against the low sun, and she would make her way over to lean back against one of the trunks.

"I did not take you for a runner," Evelynn commented, speaking to Gray without glancing over to him and adjusting her wicking headband over her hairline. "Although I suppose the exercise of your false authority would hardly be sufficient. How does it feel to descend to the realm of we mere mortals and experience the effects of honest labour?" Only towards the end would she flick her gaze in his direction, curious to catch his reaction. "I trust you have been keeping your slugs to yourself?"

Interacting with @Evelynn Decipio

Her voice would call the attention of the one she addressed. No surprise there. What did cause a mild raise of her brows was the spur of his motion as he chose to make his way towards her. Fingers that had secured her headband in place lowered, arms lowering to rest her palms to either thigh. Conveniently close to thing sheath of leather tied to her left leg. She would otherwise make no particular move in response to his, eyes that reflected his name tracking his progress until he had settled himself before her.

His return jab would not even be deigned a verbal response, a quirk of her brow to accompany a knowing smirk doing all the talking for her. He would say something of the sort. Her, a walking type? It was evident by that statement, alone, that he never frequented hte lakeside before the sun had fully risen. And to suggest a tenured quidditch player was anything less than athletic was a laugh.

"Who said anything about purebloods?" Evelynn returned with a levelled voice. Blood had nothing to do with an inflated sense of self-worth or a misplaced level of confidence. But then again, she supposed she ought not be surprised that he would assume this was a battle of blood than anything to do with his questionable character. "But to think you have at least acknowledged yourself as snobby," she smirk. After all, he had said other, which suggested a meaning of those in addition to himself. "I suppose some progress is being made, then."

That he would take an additional step closer, however, sat well with her not at all. Amusement would gradually seep from her features, eyes narrowing just slightly with her attempt to read his motive for the proximity. Left leg raised, foot dragging itself up the bark of the tree, seemingly for additional support, but also as a means to encourage a barrier between the two lest he walk into her bent knee. But if she had been sceptical at the start of his further nearing, she was outright confused when he spoke again.

"You would have told me sooner?" The question echoed back at him, her tone laced with a bemusement that etched lines between her brows. "Why would you have done that?"

Not that she would have been upset if he had, but the two had never been close. It was the sort of thing that she would have expected shared from someone such as Flash if it had happened to him. But Gray? She wouldn't have thought herself someone that would have come to mind to him in seeking assistance. A chill crept itself up the length of her spine, discomfort stirring in her belly. He was far too close. She did not make it a habit to be so near to anyone at all, let alone someone such as him, but she was loathe to let herself balk or back away. Not that she had anywhere to go given the bark pressing roughly into her back through the thin linen of her wicking shirt. She would hold his gaze with fervour, the heat of her own determination broiling within her gaze enough to combat the iciness of the blue that stared back.

"The Gray I know is one who seems to lose no sleep over the tormenting of younger students or interjection into others' business. How am I to expect you would not have wanted such a thing on a muggle?" A moment of silence would fall upon her then, however, the more reasonable part of her mind reminding her that there actually were things she wanted to know. Her tongue ran itself against the backs of her teeth before shifting the position of the leaf tucked behind them. It had become something of a soothing mechanism ever since she'd pocketed it there at the start of the month. And after a few seconds, shoulders would relax somewhat with the release of at least part of her tension.

"What happened, anyway?" she wondered, reining back the impertinence that so easily found its way into her tone whenever she spoke with the boy. "How did you come to be a host in the first place?"

Interacting with @Evelynn Decipio