Interacting with - Cyrus Darsel @Koko Riddle
Eli's ASL + Eli's Writing
Brendon's ASL + Brendon's Speech
Parker's ASL + Parker's Speech
Paige's Speech

Elias didn't know what was going to be happening, until it happened. He was reading in the living room when he felt a tap on his shoulder and found both parents right in front of him.

What's up? He tilted his head quizzically. They were both acting a little strange, with his dad constantly glancing over and grinning at his mom, and his mom practically shaking with excitement.

We've got a very special surprise for you, Parker started.

For New Year's this year, Brendon continued, we're going to New York City.

Elias blinked. New York? A nod and what he could only assume was a giggle from his mother. New York, New York? His book fell to the floor, forgotten.

That was on December 21st, the first day he had been back from school. Christmas came and went with the usual celebration, just the three of them and Lance. Elias was ecstatic to see his best friend and spend some time in the familiarity of home and family.

So Christmas came and went and so did the day after, the Travers clan rushing to finish their packing in time to catch their afternoon flight up to the Big Apple. Elias kept one eye on his parents at all times, not wanting to miss an instruction or reminder before they set out.

Elias knew full well that his mysterious aunt, Paige Travers, Brendon's younger sister, lived in New York. His uncle, Tyler Travers, Brendon's older brother, had done the same for a time but his whereabouts were currently unknown. Elias had never really met either of them, despite Paige's more or less permanent location. They were going to stay at Paige's for their little vacation, which was very exciting to Elias. He wondered what she was like, if she knew sign, if he had cousins.

She was about as opposite from Brendon as one gets. Wild and pretty carefree, although she kept a neat place and seemed to be well off financially. She was blonde, and had pretty blue eyes, and was pretty tall for a girl. Taller than Parker, at least. She didn't know sign, but that was okay. She also didn't present any hidden cousins, which was also okay.

The Travers three were quite exhausted from their trip and the sudden bustle of America's largest city, and, after introductions, went straight to bed.

The following days leading up to New Year's Eve were spent out and about with the wise Paige to show and tell all that would be seen. Parker translated best she could, though Elias was tempted to use his magic quill from time to time. Paige talked super fast.

"This is one of my favorite coffeeshops, they've got hot cocoa too if Elias wants any," she rambled the morning of the 31st as the family entered a cozy looking establishment. It was moderately full, likely a little hole in the wall place. "Morning, Dianne! Anyway, if you guys want to get something go right ahead, my treat. Otherwise I'll grab my cappuccino and we can be off shortly."

Want some cocoa? Brendon signed to Elias with an inquisitive look. Elias nodded vigorously, the smell of the rich drink already hitting his nose and making his mouth water.

Orders, placed. Now the wait. Paige and Brendon chatted, still getting caught up despite having been catching up for five days now. Elias and Parker quietly signed to each other.

Are you liking it so far?

Big place. But fun and cool. Aunt Paige is a good guide.

She is a very good guide. She's going to take us to see the ball drop later. We'll be standing for a long time in the cold.

But we get to see the ball drop! I can tell Nate and Kaya about it at school!

Parker chuckled quietly. That's true! Speaking of school, how is it?

At this point, Elias had spotted someone he was sure he'd met before, or at least seen. It would've had to have been at school, since he didn't know anyone who looked like this boy at home. He faltered as he was about to sign. Strange. He waved to try to get the older boy's attention, wanting to see if it was true, or just his imagination.

Interacting with - Cyrus Darsel @Koko Riddle
Eli's ASL + Eli's Writing
Brendon's ASL + Brendon's Speech
Parker's ASL + Parker's Speech
Paige's Speech

The boy waved back to Elias. So he wasn't just seeing things! And the boy had a duck pin! Elias didn't really register the other button, forgetting his manners for a moment and excitedly tugging his mother's sleeve and pointing. He goes to my school! Elias signed.

Parker's confused gaze lit with understanding. The boy started to talk to Elias and Parker. Brendon noticed this, coming up for air from Paige's chatter, and stepped up to join his wife. The man was tall, more than six feet tall and close to six and a half, making his wife and son look like garden gnomes by comparison (jokes aside, he's tall and they're short). But Cyrus was only about four inches shorter than Brendon Travers, give or take.

"Bren, this is Cyrus. He goes to Elias' school," Parker explained.

"Nice to meet you," the gentle giant said in a friendly voice as a similarly friendly smile made an appearance. "No, we're not from around here," Brendon continued after Cyrus asked his question, now noticing his accent a little bit. "Taking a little New Year's vacation. I take it you're from around here?" Elias, meanwhile, watched Parker's translation.

Back to Brendon, who was now joined by a coffee-laden Paige. "Oh, hello," the New Yorker said to her fellow New Yorker. "Cool! I live in Kips Bay currently. This is my brother and his family," the woman rattled off, handing Elias his hot cocoa. Elias blew on it softly, looking up at Cyrus with wide brown eyes.

The adults chattered a moment, leaving the poor boy without a translation before Parker signed He offered to show us around a bit. How about you and me go while Dad and Aunt Paige go do their thing?

Sounds great! Elias responded. Parker turned to relay the information, and Elias was able to read Cyrus' lips.

He fumbled with his satchel for a moment, careful to keep his cocoa intact, and wrote I'm Elias and showed it to the boy. A pause, then he cradled his notebook once more. I'm deaf. My mom can translate for me if you're not fluent in ASL. A bright smile decorated his face as he showed the notebook again, excited to have met someone from Ilvermorny outside of school, and a fellow duck enthusiast no less!

Interacting with - Cyrus Darsel @Koko Riddle
Eli's ASL + Eli's Writing
Brendon's ASL + Brendon's Speech
Parker's ASL + Parker's Speech
Paige's Speech

The kind eyes of the eleven year old would show his appreciation of Cyrus' sign abundantly. As the older boy went to check with his aunt, as Elias learned from Parker, the boy signed This is exciting. Parker laughed and nodded.

When Cyrus gave the a-ok, Elias shook his hands in the so-called "deaf clap" before remembering he had cocoa and resorting to an awkward regular clap by tapping his hands on his wrist. He glanced between his mother and new friend as she translated his statement. Now it was Cyrus' turn to recieve a 'thank you.'

"Well, we're not familiar with the area at all. Eli really enjoys nature, but honestly I think anything that isn't a concert would delight him right now. He's just so excited to be here," Parker would communicate to Cyrus. "So anything you feel would be a good stop is perfect for us."

The cocoa was sweet and rich, as any good cocoa should be, and hot enough to make his tongue tingle after his sip. He had a tiny foam moustache, which he tried to look at cross-eyed for a couple seconds before giving up and taking another drink. Paying no heed to his mother's conversation, he again took his pen in hand and began writing. I think your duck is super cool. I like ducks a lot. He pressed the notebook towards Cyrus and pointed with one slender finger toward the older boy's duck pin.