06

[hairflyingheartpounding]

I got a lot of art supplies while I was in Hogsmeade! This is going to be so fun. If anyone wants me to make them something crafty, I'm still offering!

Did anyone else have an exciting time?

[Filtered to Sollux, Graham, Tulio, Marina, Kankri, Dolores, and Dean]

Can I meet you all somewhere after dinner? Ms. Maryam, do you know a place for us to meet?

Comments

[greenteengenius]

Something crafty? What is it exactly that you do?

[hairflyingheartpounding]

Gosh, anything artsy, really! Paintings and drawings and pottery and knitting and sewing and candles and paper-maché!

[greenteengenius]

All of that? [Wow, you just gave him a big list of things he knows nothing about.]

Do you use magic to make them?

[hairflyingheartpounding]

Uh-huh! And not usually, no!

[greenteengenius]

[Lyrl's goal of playing nice with the other children momentarily wars with his impulse to tell her she's wasting her life.]

Why? That is, why do you do all these things? And why not use magic to make it easier?

[hairflyingheartpounding]

Because it's fun, of course! For me, anyway. I really enjoy it, and without magic, I guess I just feel more involved. Besides, I can't really make them with magic during the breaks.

[greenteengenius]

Fun? [Oh, that thing he never does.] I've never tried it. Those activities, that is, not fun itself.

And I'm personally happy to use my magic as much as possible while I'm allowed. Over the break, perhaps I'd have some reason ... more likely I'd simply read.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

I'd be more than happy to teach you some, if you're curious.

Ooh, I like reading, too!

[greenteengenius]

I suppose I might watch you sometime. [Not creepy at all, here.] I doubt I would have any interest in doing it myself, but it would be something to see you work.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

Are you sure? You might really like it.

[greenteengenius]

Well, I suppose I could always join in if it seems like fun. I mostly simply feel I should be aware of

[pause]

normal things.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

...I know what you mean.

[greenteengenius]

You do?

I was raised in a bit of a sheltered environment.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

Yeah, me too.

[greenteengenius]

Coming to Hogwarts has been very educational. Everything is new. It is ... nice to see so many new things but also quite frustrating.

It will be good to see what you can teach me.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

I know what you mean. You're very new, too, aren't you? I've been here five years and sometimes it's still... A lot.

I'm glad. I think we'll have a lot to talk about, too.

[greenteengenius]

Yes, I was homeschooled and tutored until recently. There's an amazing amount of diversity at this school as well as things I haven't encountered.

It will be a pleasure, then.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

There really is! And it's definitely overwhelming sometimes, and not everything goes well, but that's life, right? I think it's worth it when all is said and done.

Likewise.

[greenteengenius]

Yes, it's highly preferable to spending all day with tutors. I may not be learning as much, but it is good to be around people. People my age, that is.

Granted, everything gets a little loud, and there's so much sitting ... I wouldn't mind being by myself up a tree for awhile.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

Isn't it so wonderful? People are so, well, interesting!

Oh! Oh, I would like that, too.

[greenteengenius]

I. Well, I suppose they are. [More like difficult, but interesting too.]

We don't have many climbing trees here outside the forest, unfortunately. I've had to get a bit creative with the moving staircases.

[hairflyingheartpounding]

Creative with the staircases, huh? Like how?

[greenteengenius]

They make for half-decent climbing. Of course, you risk falling down a flight or two of stairs ...

[hairflyingheartpounding]

Yikes. It does sound kind of thrilling, though.

[greenteengenius]

You don't get out of sorts sitting down all day? My muscles have to move or I get surly.