At The Gate

[Guest]

For some time now, Alys had worked out that her mood was directly affected by the weather here. On snowy days, she generally felt miserable and down, forced to huddle in her cape whenever she reluctantly went outdoors and shivering in her room ass she watched irresponsible students having snow fights outside, only to end up at the medic's later and return with their ears smoking from the pepper up they'd been forced to swallow. If the witch was honest with herself, she would never be a winter person. She was born and raised by the sea and it had taken ages just to get used to breathing air untainted by the scent of salt and sea.

But on days like today, when the weak sun made an appearance and shone off the melting ice and snow, her spirits automatically lifted. Instead of her coat and cape, she could simply put on a woolen, long sleeved top and her jeans and feel warm enough. Of course, she had learned never to tempt fate by going anywhere without her coat at least in case of sudden snows but the blonde had a good feeling about today. She had even pulled her hair free of the band she usually tied them in, letting the river of gold cascade down her back as she waited patiently, a small backpack on her bag.

Now where was Tarragon?

The girl didn't mind standing in the mild warmth, feeling the sun on her face but she had been waiting for a good ten minutes now. A few students had already passed her by with a lazy wave and a few girls had even sent her suggestive winks but Alys was in too good a mood to even mind that.

Spotting a fourth year, Alec Smucht if she remembered correctly, Alys waved and asked "do you know where Tarragon is?" The boy was with his girlfriend from Verstand whose name the blonde couldn't place at the moment.

"Sure, he was sleeping when I came down for breakfast," Alec replied before waving her off. His girlfriend too gave Alys a smile which the girl hastily returned. So Tarragon was still in bed, at nearly eleven in the morning huh?

[Guest]

Tarragon had woken up late after promising Alys he would take her out somewhere today, he'd hardly had time to pull anything decent on and had totally forgotten to check his hair before he'd left. He sighed at his lack of ability to remember to set an alarm, knowing full well that Alys would not be happy. He laughed to himself at the thought of her telling him off when he got there before quickly hurrying along.

When he got outside he could see the gate and quickly decided to jog on down to Alys as not to keep her waiting for too much longer.

"Morning Alys, I am sooo sorry for being late!" He added the last a little shyly, he didn't like to upset Alys. "Heading into the village, right? For lunch?"

He smiled at Alys before offering his arm in a gentlemanly fashion for her to walk alongside him.

[Guest]

"Well, we might make it down there for tea at this rate," the blonde pouted, tucking her fringe behind her ear. And then she smiled, letting him know she was only kidding. The weather really was too good to be angry with anyone today.

"That's alright," she said, smiling at his mussed up hair and his hastily tucked shirt. He had clearly tried to make it in a hurry. Taking his hand in a friendly way, the witch stepped beside him. "I like to sleep in on Sundays too, Zara and I are usually the last ones awake on weekends. Kanthe calls us "the sloth twins" on such occasions."

[Guest]

Tarragon smiled at her, his right hand trying to sort out his messy hair. It wasn't like him not to sort his hair out before he left but he really hadn't checked this morning.

"Any preference on where we go, Fraulien Diederich?" He asked, whilst walking along at half his normal pace, he still couldn't get over how slow Alys walked for a tall person. "Have you enjoyed your week?"

Tarragon didn't know what else to say as they walked in the snow, her hand in his. He couldn't help but feel happier when Alys hugged him or was close to him, it probably showed from his beaming face, but he hoped Alys wouldn't notice, too much anyway.

[Guest]

Completely unaware of making Tarragon slow down from his usual pace, the witch walked along at her normal one, enjoying the warm sunlight on her face and glinting off her hair.

"Well, Ava actually told me of a new music bar that just opened up in the village. She said a bunch of second year Risiko students were there during last break and that it's very cool. They play both Muggle and our music too." Alys wasn't sure what Tarragon's stance on music was but she had grown up listening to both kinds thanks to Annika and the radio at home.

"Though I don't think the place serves proper food, just soft drinks and snacks. So if you want to get lunch somewhere first and then head to the place... that is if you don't mind. We'll probably run into lots of other students there too. I saw Alec with his girlfriend earlier and I think they were going to go there as well."

[Guest]

"Your wish is my command, m'lady!" Tarragon said looking down at her with a smile. "Lunch first though, I'm a growing boy!"

Tarragon hoped this was okay, as much as he'd love to just sit around quietly in the cafe, he could see Alys really wanted to go the music bar and that was fine by him. And the Alec boy she spoke of he didn't know either. He shrugged inwardly, what was good for Alys was good for him.

[Guest]

"Alright, you pick a place to eat then, since I got to choose the bar," Alys suggested cheerily. It would be good to eat outside for for once. Not that she had anything against the house elves but the witch had been feeling a little cooped up lately. Even her birthday had recently passed without occasion, the only thing marking it a card and cake from her Mama and Papa. Otherwise, everyone had been so busy catching up with homework and preparing fro tests that she hadn't even felt comfortable telling anyone it was her birthday. Yes, Alys Diederich had turned twelve quietly, without anyone knowing. "As long as its not fish," she added, wrinkling her nose. "This witch doesn't eat fish."

[Guest]

Tarragon pulled her on towards the village, he hadn't been before but he could see a sign that said cafe quite clearly. Nodding his head in the direction of the cafe he asked.

"Will this suffice, Alys?"

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