Nothing Beats the Air in Your Hair PV Akerrah Koné Reopened 9/15

Writing as approved iNPC Akerrah Koné

Being in another country did not mean it was any time for slacking off. The vision of her father's taxi driving around at all hours of the night hung in her mind. They'd never had a day off. Such a thing didn't exist for them. So, why would there be for Akerrah, here on the soil of a different school and country?

So, she eventually made her way to the Quidditch training pitch (taking a wrong turn along the way at least twice) to practice. This whole Seeker thing was new (not that this was any different from literally every magical thing that had remotely happened to her in the last six months or so) and in many ways felt very high-pressured. The whole team for Beauxbatons was counting on her. There was no time to rest.

Gripping her broom, she kicked off like a volleyball soaring into the air as high as she could. In many ways, it was still a feeling she was getting used to: that deep rush of air as it skimmed her dark skin. And in those seconds, her eyelids fluttered shut as she tried to just take it all in: the cooler air here and the way trees seemed to rustle even this high up.

And then: a distinct swoosh.

Her eyes brightly opened up as another student—she seemed about her age judging by the size of the figure running past—flew way up ahead of her, with a playfulness in her demeanor. Well, two could play it that way. Stopping for a second to swiftly pull back her hair into a low pony tail, Akerrah leaned forward and chased after her.

Maneuvering smoothly the broom was still something she was learning—was this what it was like to learn to drive?—but she eventually pulled up close enough to catch a glimpse of the girl's countenance. "Quelle habileté,"* she said softly, admiring how at ease the girl seemed to be on her broom. Part of her wanted to ask for tips or maybe even for a race for fun, but somehow, outside of her home country, there was a nervousness that set in.

*"What skill."
@Kaitlyn Conner as Devon Wallen

Interacting with : Reducio Akerrah Koné @Maisie Gemmell

Outfit: Reducio Horned serpent uniform, flat sandals, and hair in pigtails.

Notes: Reducio Speech: #8e19d7 Thoughts: italics

Devon gently eased her grip on the broom. From what she learned between her first year and now in her second year, from Ilvermorny, was that a firm hand was needed when broom flying. However, she needed to be quick and reactive when it came time for a race. Keeping a death grip on the broom wouldn’t allow for such easy mobility, in her opinion. Considering that she had already fallen off her broom twice at Ilvermorny, with this last time sustaining injuries, she needed the practice. So what if it wasn’t on American soil? Broom flying was still broom flying. The broom might be different, but the skill of the rider stayed the same.

Despite needing to practice, Devon couldn’t help a degree of playfulness. She liked being playful when possible. She knew her current flying wasn’t meant to mimic a broom racing game, so it didn’t require her to be laser-focused. It only meant she needed to be focused enough not to get injured again. For some reason, falling off a broom came easily to her. It wasn’t her favorite thing to recount, unfortunately.

Devon giggled as the wind played with her pigtails and flew in a spiral midair. It felt so refreshing! While she was no expert flyer, she liked to complete such flying maneuvers. They were fun! It was much harder, however, to try during a game. Speed was important, then, not necessarily who could fly artfully in the air. It would be even more enjoyable if that were the case!

As she leveled out midair, she noticed movement nearby. Slowing just a touch, she twirled in the air to face the person flying with her. A smile formed on her lips as she saw the girl she didn’t recognize. ‘I’d like to assume I’d know who she is if she were from Ilvermorny. Maybe Hogwarts, or one of the other schools?’ She considered. She flew closer to the girl. “Hi!” She called out, waving as she moved closer to her. “I’m glad I’m not the only one looking to practice here.” Her smile was warm and inviting. “My name is Devon Wallen. I’m a student from Ilvermorny.”

Reducio

Note: 362 words

The girl seemed to be having so much, well, fun. That was a luxury Akerrah couldn't afford. And since learning magic was real, fun seemed to be cast aside as she just tried to understand how all this was possible. So, the girl's giggles were just as mesmerizing as her technique.

But as she flew up behind her, Akerrah did not for a second expect her to speak. And it was more than that: speaking, waving, and smiling. It was a strange openness that was seldom found on the continent as it took her aback as she slowed on her broom. Ilvermorny...she'd heard that somewhere before. Frankly, there were so many words she'd needed to learn since entering the magical words, they all kind of jumbled together.

Either way, there was no turning around now. "I'm Akerrah," she introduced herself, "I attend Beauxbatons. We are here visiting." Her lips curled slightly. How very strange it was to say those words. Before this year, it never would have been possible for her to attend a private school, let alone one drenched in rococo architecture.

"You fly well," she said, trying to make conversation, "Do you play the Quidditch?" Honestly, if she did, that might be a small miracle because Akerrah would need to learn this Seeker thing and sooner rather than later.

@Kaitlin Conner as Devon Wallen

Interacting with : Reducio Akerrah Koné @Maisie Gemmell

Outfit: Reducio Horned serpent uniform, flat sandals, and hair in pigtails.

Notes: Reducio Speech: #8e19d7 Thoughts: italics

A smile formed on her cheeks as the other girl responded to her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Akerrah,” Devon replied. While she was not trained in being polite, she knew some modicum of politeness. At least, hopefully, enough not to be offensive. Even though she acted like a fountain of energy, she knew how to reel herself in, if needed. Whether or not it was needed was the question. It was too soon to tell.

“Admittedly, I don’t know much about Beauxbatons. From the pictures I’ve seen, it looks absolutely beautiful,” Devon continued, admiration in her voice. Sadly, she knew she’d likely not be able to visit anywhere in the near future … unless her family could afford it. But that was likely out of the question. At least for now.

Her smile brightened at the compliment. “Thank you! I figured I should practice while on this trip.” Devon wasn’t a gloater, but she also wasn’t lacking in confidence. She knew she could do it … having done it before. A calmness was over her features. ‘Akerrah seems pretty nice,’ she thought. At the girl’s question, she immediately shook her head. “No, sorry, I don’t. I’m a broom racer for Ilvermorny. Quidditch does seem fun, though. I sometimes practice with my school’s team, where I can see myself as a chaser or a keeper. But no, I’m not on their Quidditch team. Are you on Beauxbatons’ team?” She asked curiously.

Reducio

Note: 242 words

"You are very nice," she observed. It was a kind of strange openness she hadn't found on the continent. Instead, it was a friendly, talkative attitude that could only be found in North American cinema. And that was when it hit her—that accent and everything. "You must be American," she suggested playfully, not completely sure, but sure enough to make a guess.

She steadied herself on the broom. Perhaps her new companion was guessing too as she admitted she'd only seen pictures of Beauxbatons. "It is pleasant, I suppose, in the mountains. But I am from the city and it is...different," she explained. In truth, the isolation of it all did not sit well with her. Ever since they'd come to Paris, her life had been about fitting in, but magic had only made her feel more like a foreigner.

Devon, however, seemed completely comfortable in herself—how American—and it had Akerrah mesmerized, knowing she'd never achieve that level of confidence. Being a real broom racer probably only helped considering she was good at it. All Akerrah got from Quidditch so far was pressure—surely, surely, someone else was better at chasing that golden ball?

"Ah, yes," she answered, clumsily focusing back on the conversation, "I'm the one that catches the very small gold ball. A seeker, they call it." Devon probably knew that, but to Akerrah it was all still so new.

"Could you maybe show me that..." the words trailed off as her fingers spun an image of how one might turn around the pitch. "Sorry, sometimes the English word doesn't come right away. The way you turned the corners so fast." She offered Devon a light smile. Steering and maneuvering quickly seemed important for her new sporting role and who better than established broom racer to learn from?

@Kaitlyn Connor as Devon Wallen

Interacting with : Reducio Akerrah Koné @Maisie Gemmell

Outfit: Reducio Horned serpent uniform, flat sandals, and hair in pigtails.

Notes: Reducio Speech: #8e19d7 Thoughts: italics

A smile crossed Devon’s features. “Thank you. I try my best,” she giggled. New York City wasn’t known for being a nice city. She hadn’t learned much about politeness at all from the muggle public school system … other than the consistent anti-bullying school assemblies. It was such a sad reason to hold an assembly. Other than those assemblies, there were consistent times the school tried to offer incentives for good behavior. Those were few and far between. She was naturally a social butterfly, so she heard a wide variety of stories of what went on with the other students.

“Guilty as charged,” Devon laughed when Akerrah guessed her nationality. “And you must be French,” she matched the girl’s playful suggestion. That was one aspect Devon really liked to show - playfulness. It often accompanied her easy-going nature and usually made her look more open to talking to people. Hopefully, it worked here, but it was a good sign that this other girl seemed to share it at times.

“Mountains,” Devon repeated, her brows furrowed in thought. She looked back up with a smile after a moment. “So, you’re a city girl like me. Ilvermorny is on top of a mountain, which felt different than the city life I’m used to. To go from so much running around and taking the subway to where I want to go … contrasted with the pure isolation of the mountain. I prefer the city,” she shook her head slightly. The awesomeness of magic counteracted that ache, thankfully. It also helped that she enjoyed joining as many activities as she could realistically muster! Not to mention, her growing love for studying Divination and Xylomancy in her free time.

“A seeker! That’s cool! Have you played many games as a seeker?” Devon asked, kindness in her voice. Despite being part of a different school, she had no malice or bad intentions. She was curious, sure. But, she wasn’t about to pass information to her school’s Quidditch team. That wouldn’t be right. She wasn’t the type to scheme and snoop around for information. Yes, she talked … a lot, but that didn’t mean she was trying to pull a fast one. That wasn’t her intention.

Furrowing her brow in thought, Devon listened to the description Akerrah gave her. “You don’t have to apologize, I think I understand. Was it the spiral from earlier? I don’t mind showing you, and we can practice it together,” kindness seeping through her words. She smiled after her offer. It was the least she could do after Akerrah asked. She knew how difficult it was to ask for help … something she sometimes had trouble with. ‘I’ll make sure to do it slowly, so I don’t confuse her more.'

Her green eyes sparkled brightly as an idea popped into her mind. “Oh, that’s right … you’re a seeker! You must be fast! At some point … if you’re comfortable … would you like to race for fun?” Devon asked, the playful tone in her voice again. She wouldn’t mind the idea of racing someone else, and she could certainly use the practice! Just because she wasn’t at Ilvermorny didn’t mean she couldn’t take the time to practice. Practicing with someone else was always better than practicing alone, in her opinion.

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Note: 549 words