Dated: December 23rd 2019
Location: Cork, Ireland

»»————-　✼ @Open to anyone in the area! ✼ 　————-««

Bishop street had been rather bustling the morning Lark's parents decided to head out for some holiday festivities. It was still a strange concept to the young girl. Her family hadn't taken to celebrating Christmas or any other holiday for that matter as long as she could recall. There was a faint memory, very faint, involving music and lots of shiny decorations.. a huge bowl with crystal cups hanging around the edge, dancing.. But it was so faint she couldn't focus on any faces or recognize much. She only assumed it was something from when she was very little at her Gran's large estate outside Cork.

Today however was setting a new tradition. Lark's father, Eoin, had insisted the three, or well now four counting the new addition, head out for some shopping as well as Christmas frivolities that city was hosting. Thankfully it was a rather decent day out, somewhat cloudy and a brisk temperature. Just enough to warrant a scarf and jacket but not so chilly Lark couldn't be dissuaded to take her sketching bag in hopes they could stop at the Cathedral.

Lark was sure her parents were enjoying being able to go out into the open, the fear of their daughter shifting in front of Muggle uncontrollably being quelled, more than she was. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy having more freedom or being able to go down the street by herself, it just... felt... different... In fact her little brother, Corvus, would grow up in an utterly different fashion than Lark had. This had started to stem a bit of jealousy for the young girl. She had been so sheltered, caged. The fear of their daughter having continuing on the line of female metamorphmagus within the Flaer lineage was too much for them to risk throughout her childhood. Mainly her father and his side of the family being ashamed... Her mother merely worrying that it would lead to issues with the Ministry and living among Muggles in Ireland. Although the beast wouldn't show itself in the girl just yet, jealousy would brew within her and eventually bubble over...

"Did you hear me?" Lark's head snapped around and met her father's quizzical stare.

"I er..." Lark felt her cheeks flush and not from the wind nipping at her pale skin. Pulling her Ravenclaw scarf tighter around her neck, Lark gave her father an apologetic smirk. He simply smiled and pulled the hood up over her hair... she would later wonder if it was due to the cold or out of habit to hide her away.

"We're going to that Brick Oven place.. Think ye' mam has found ah new favorite." Eoin stood up straight and pointed a gloved hand down one of the other streets. "It's down that ways a bit, bout a block." Lark's golden eyes trailed off to the right down the road where Eoin had motioned towards. She knew where it was, they had gone there at least a couple of times already since she came home for break. Giving a nod she glanced back across the street at the cathedral towering over the people that passed by, snow dusting the spires. It was gorgeous...

"Don't stay tae long." Eoin nudged at his daughter's side. Lark gave another small nod. She had begged him to let her sit and sketch for a bit, her mother had been too caught up in taking pictures of Corvus all dressed up on the town to barely give Lark anything beyond a slight hand wave when she had asked her first.

"I won't." The girl's voice was barely above a whisper, the second time a bit more sure of herself after a prodding from her father. "I won'!" The edge of her pink lips turning up only ever so slightly. Her father exchanged a worried look but managed a smile before patting her shoulder and briskly making his way after his wife who had already started down the sidewalk.

Lark watched them carefully as they left her standing across the street from Saint Fin Barre's. A foreign, awful sort of sickly feeling swelled in her chest. She felt almost instantly like a spectator to the three. Watching them from the outside smiling all together as Corvus most likely cooed along in his pram. Lark had always imagined herself being the center of her parent's world. The three of them, always. It had always just ever been the three of them... even when her Gran or other family visited it was as if the three had their own separate language, secret looks, a link. Tucking a swirl of silvery hair back under her knit cap, Lark knew deep down that was gone now...

Drawing in a long breath, the cold prickling her lungs, Lark peeled her attention away from her family as they rounded the corner out of sight. Keeping an eye out for traffic, Lark crossed the street and stood in the gateway, stone columns on either side of her. Ever since coming back and having passed the Cathedral with her father she had been begging them to let her return. There was something serene about it... quiet and calming.

Not seeing anyone else around, she slipped through the open gate and turn to the left as the property curved around the outside of the street, the trees being the only thing keeping the outside world from trickling into the girl's thoughts. She was absorbed in her view of the towers and architecture looming over her. How old was it? How long had it even taken to build? A million questions danced in the girl's mind as she slowly made her way around the building. A larger tree facing the corner of the Cathedral caught her attention, very little snow on the ground below as well as a large rock she could clean off to sit. It was the perfect sketching spot.

Almost skipping her way gleefully over, Lark pushed down her hood and pulled the strap from her leather bag off of her shoulders before resting it on the ground. Using her glove to dust off the snow, Lark took a seat and unbuckled the leather flap revealing her journal nestled neatly inside of the bag. A couple of pens, in order of size and type, were in their proper pouches alongside a small protractor. Her father had gotten her some sort of Muggle drafting supplies a friend of his had lying around which had come in handy recently while sketching out studies.

Flipping through pages until she found a free one, Lark laid her journal on her lap, pencil in hand Lark started to let her mind fade away from the world around her and focus on the graphite flowing over parchment.

@Dymphna Teague

This is what Savannah is wearing

Savannah was walking around, she was looking for her locket, it was from her great grandmother and extremely old. Sure, Savannah was getting tired, but she had to find it. Savannah’s legs were hurting badly, and she wasn’t walking right, and she felt cold, her nose was runny and her lips were blue. It was at least 5 hours since Savannah lost it, so 5 hours outside. Savannah noticed a beautiful girl her age with silvery blonde hair, Savannah walked up to the rock she was sitting on, and smiled “Ye haven’t seen a locket anywhere, have ye? Lost it, it’s a heart shape and a clock on it” Savannah bit her blue lip, as always, and wiped her nose with her light jacket. Savannah sighed a shaky cold breath, her fingertips were freezing, Savannah went on her knees, her black ripped jeans getting wet. Savannah wouldn’t have went down onto the freezing cold ground but she noticed a golden chain gleaming in the crunchy white snow, she hoped it was the locket “Is that it?” she muttered to herself, pulling the golden chain out, and there it was. Sav smiled, and put the locket around her neck.

@Lark Flaer

@Lark Flaer @Savannah Griffis

Toni briskly walked along the paved road, struggling to keep pace with her parents and older siblings. She looked forward at her parents, seeing them glancing at maps and trying to figure out how to get to Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral. The six of them were meant to see an orchestral performance to celebrate their last day in Cork before heading home to spend Christmas at home in Glasgow. A warm feeling bubbled inside Toni, despite the chilly weather that surrounded her. The love her family radiated made the chill melt away as her siblings Adaira and Lachlan held hands, enabling Lachlan to keep up with their ever efficient mum and dad. Despite Toni's sentiments, it would appear Finlay was not having the same thoughts. "How much longer?" He whined. "Jus' a few more minutes" Their mum quipped. Tearing her gaze from her family Toni focused on the passing scenery. She took in the scents around her, the smell of boxty wafting out of nearby restaurants. Toni lowered her hood, letting the cool air absorb her senses. As she carried on her parents gradually puttered to a stop. Looking up, Toni took in the majesty of the building before her. It was so great and so large, towering over her small frame, and completely capturing her. "Come on yoo lot, let's go git sum grub before the show" Toni's dad called, motioning to a small cafe a little ways away from the Cathedral. "Dad, d'you mind if I take a look 'round?" Toni asked, not breaking her gaze at the wondrous beauty that stood before her. Her father chuckled, "alright, but don't wander off!" He quickly ordered, making sure the rest of the clan remained, whilst ignoring the groans and pleas of his other offspring.


Elated, Toni rushed forth, grabbing hold of the large gate. Feeling the warmth seep out of her hand from the icy metal, she quickly pushed, feeling it give beneath her as she made her way closer to the cathedral. She raised her hood once again, a lousy attempt to regain the heat lost from her entrance. Making her way across the grounds, she only tore her eyes from the Gothic revival architecture after hearing the echo of voices. Curiously, she meandered through scattered trees until she saw two girls. "Sorry, am I interrupting?" Toni questioned, glancing at the strangers.

                                              
@Toni Bunch @Lark Flaer

Savannah turned around, a straight haired brunette girl with big brown eyes was there, "Sorry, am I interrupting?" the girl asked, Savannah smiled “No, it’s fine” she said. Savannah bit her lip, it was so cold that it began bleeding, the salty taste on her tongue, Savannah wiped her lip with her sleeve leaving a dark mark on her sweater sleeve. Annah cussed under her breath as the blood still came out and dripped down her face, Savannah looked up at the girl “Sorry, I have a habit” she said, looking a bit ashamed, licking the blood from her lip. Annah checked the shirt under her sweater, it was a white long sleeve tee with a kawaii cat on it, she looked away from under her sweater, and looked around, the other girl (who was here first) was writing in a journal, Sav decided to loom away, it might be private to her. Savannah took her hair out of the bun that made the back of her neck cold, her bushy hair sprang out and some of it covered her eyes, she put it behind her ears but it slipped out, “Ugh” Savannah muttered.

»»————-　✼ @Savannah Griffis and @Toni Bunch ✼ 　————-««

Lark had just about had the outline of the church drawn, laying out the foreground as much as she could, when a gentle voice tugged her back to reality. Looking up, her golden eyes settled on a girl roughly her age with bushy brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes. "S..sorry?" Lark felt her cheeks warm realizing she had missed what the girl's question was but judging by the look on her face it had been something serious. Noticing the shiver that ran through the girl standing before her Lark wondered how long she had been outside. It was rather chilly today and in Lark's mind the girl was not wearing anything remotely close to warm to be outside for a long walk.

“Is that it?”

Careful not to get up too fast and step on whatever the girl had been searching for, Lark followed the girl's gaze and realized there was something tucked into the snow beneath their feet. "Oh!" Watching as the girl put the dainty necklace on Lark realized it was some sort of locket. "I hadn't even realized it was there I'm sorry!" She felt somewhat guilty for not having noticed it sooner.

"I'm Lark by the way.. Do you live 'round here?" Sticking her hand out in a gesture of good will she smiled at the girl. She was going to wait for a response but another cold wind swept over the grounds and she felt it necessary to bring it up sooner rather than later. "You must be cold.. how long were you out here looking?" Lark considered offering the girl her scarf when someone else joined the pair.

"Sorry, am I interrupting?"

Lark gave a nod to the other girl who joined them. "We were just-" She started but paused when the other girl made a noise and Lark noticed she had bit her lip fairly hard enough to draw some blood. "Oh here!" Instinctively, Lark dug into her pocket and pulled out a small package of tissues. Offering them to the girl she waited for her to take them before unwrapping the scarf from her neck and handing it to her as well. "Ye must be freezin'.." She grimaced and looked at the hooded sweatshirt the brown haired girl was wearing. Even with her winter coat and gloves Lark still was beginning to get uncomfortable sitting outside.

As Toni watched the two girls with curious eyes, she heard a light response from the blonde girl. "We were just-" Toni heard the girl begin to respond, but quickly broke off, going to tend to the brunette not too far from her. 
Toni, quizzical, inched closer to the pair, her steps causing crunching sounds as the light coverage of snow gave way beneath her feet. As she drew closer, she noticed the blonde girl had given the brunette a small tissue, and as Toni cautiously crept closer, she noticed the red seeping through.
"Are you alrigh'??" worry seeping into her words. "I uh-" she paused, not knowing what to say or do exactly. This was not what she expected to happen when she has mindlessly stumbled through the courtyard of the cathedral. "I'm Toni. My parents are no' too far if you need help. Is there anythin' I can do?" She noticed how the girl shivered, and Toni removed her hat. "I'm a wee bi' warm myself, if you'd like ma hat?" Toni proposed as she gingerly pulled her coat hood down and removed the superfluous hat from her head, holding it out to the girl. Toni offered a small smile towards the pair as she tried to process what exactly was going on...

@Lark Flaer @ Savannah Griffis

@Toni Bunch @Lark Flaer

"I'm Lark by the way.. Do you live 'round here?" the blonde girl had said, Savannah smiled “I do, I live probably 5 blocks from here, my name’s Savannah” Lark and the other girl, Toni we’re now offering their hats and scarves, Savannah shook her head “Thank ye, but I’m fine, I survived in a tee shirt once on the coldest day of winter” Savannah started to enjoy these girls, they were very kind. Annah looked at Lark, she was sitting on a rock “Isn’t that uncomfortable?” Savannah never enjoyed sitting on anything hard, it was too painful, then Savannah turned around, it was her mother, Annah ran to her mother, her bushy hair bouncing behind her, her mother was holding Savannah’s warm coat, “Thank ye, mum” she said softly, and slipped her arms in the navy blue sleeves. Savannah walked back to the girls while zipping up her coat “So, what are ye guys doing here anyways?” she cringed  and added “Not being rude or anything” Savannah did have the habit of acting rude not on purpose. Savannah started humming a song, she had a beautiful singing voice, and loved music, Savannah looked down at her favorite hair tie, it’s navy blue string and bow wrapped around her wrist, she put her hand in her pocket and noticed her pink hat was in there, she slipped it on, her ears warm again.

»»————-　✼ @Savannah Griffis and @Toni Bunch ✼ 　————-««

Smiling at the girl who introduced herself as Toni, Lark admired how she had even stepped in to offer the girl a warm piece of clothing. She didn't understand why her parents were always so worked up about meeting strangers... so far between Hogwarts and now this interaction she had a decent view of those around her and their actions.

“Isn’t that uncomfortable?”

Looking down at her spot and back up to the girl, Lark shook her head slightly. "N..no not really. Bit chilly thas all." Folding her page back up and closing the journal that had rested in her lap she tucked the pencil into the leather strap crossing the front of the cover. She watched as a woman came up to the girls and realized it must be the under-dressed girl's mother.

“So, what are ye guys doing here anyways?”

Glancing at Toni to make sure she wasn't going to talk over the girl if she answered first, Lark gave her own reply to the question. "My parents are out shoppin' for tha holiday.." She shifted uneasily in her seat not wanting to admit to feeling out of their new circle of family that seemed to revolve around her baby brother. "What about you? Were you just lookin' for tha necklace?"

“So, what are ye guys doing here anyways?”

Toni heard Savannah question in an attempt to make conversation. Toni looked down at the ground, shifting her weight from the insides of her feet to the edges. She enjoyed the crunch of the snow, and found it to be a pleasant background to Lark’s Irish cadence. She became so immersed in the sounds being produced, rather the information being given, that Toni didn’t realize Lark was finished speaking until there was only the sound of compacting snow. 

Toni looked up, suddenly caught off guard. “Oh, uhh” She stalled, trying to get the gears in her head to turn. Wha’ was i’ she asked?? Toni panicked. The cold certainly wasn’t an aid in helping her concentration. After an awkward pause of Toni just staring at the cloud of moisture being emitted from her breathing, she gave a reply.

“Mah fam’ly is vacationing here. We are ac’ualy mean’ tah see an orchestral performance here tonigh’. I though’ I’d take a look ‘round before it starts.” Toni responded, hoping she remembered Savannah’s question correctly. That’s be awfully embarrassing if she got it wrong... “Were you drawin’ tha cathedral?” Toni turned to Lark, hoping to change the subject, just in case her reply made no sense.

@Savannah Griffis @Lark Flaer

“Mah fam’ly is vacationing here. We are ac’ualy mean’ tah see an orchestral performance here tonigh’. I though’ I’d take a look ‘round before it starts.” Toni said, Annah smiled “Oh yeah, my family is going too! I’m kinda a big fan of music” she said, "My parents are out shoppin' for tha holiday.." Annah heard from behind her, it was Lark, Savannah turned around "What about you? Were you just lookin' for tha necklace?" Annah nodded “Yeah, but also my parents wanted me to make some new friends or something like that, my other friends kind of abandoned me” Annah didn’t know why she was telling these people, she never met them before, and yet she’s telling them that “I’m Savannah by the way, but most people just call me Annah” Savannah noticed that Toni had changed to conversation about what Lark was drawing, “Oh, ye were drawing, I thought ye were writing something” Annah looked at the sky, what time was it? Annah looked at the snow, the tried to find a clock, but she couldn’t crane her neck enough to see it then she remembered there was one on her locket, she looked, it was 5:30 pm she must have left her house early, because it was still dark when she left. Annah opened her locket, it had a photo of her and her family on one side and her and her friends on the other, Annah smiled slightly, and closed the locket, she’ll take that photo out later.

@Lark Flaer @Toni Bunch