When Life Gives You Lemons... OPEN Closed

@Koko Riddle

The day had been tiring for Asher, with lessons and everything, and now it was finally over. He could take a break. Admittedly, it was tiring both emotionally and physically to try to get a charm or potion to work when all the 'pure blooded' students around him seemed to succeed on first try. Now wasn't exactly the time where he'd go to the Library or Ravenclaw Common Room- they were too crowded for his liking, and he wasn't really in the mood to interact with too many people right now. That said, silence wasn't too great either. He sighed. I guess I'll just have to settle. His eyes roamed the empty Quidditch Training Pitch. Good. He didn't mind the dirt, he just wanted an open place to study. Despite his intentions, his parents might have yelled at him for his current state. Hair messy, button down un-tucked, his bedside in the dorms stacked with random books that were all half done. They were only going easy on him for now because of the whole "Magic is really a real thing?" phase they were still stuck in. His train of thought was cut off as he spotted a girl sitting down on picnic blanket alone. And- was she eating a lemon? His blue eyes narrowed slightly in confusion and he decided to ask her. "Um.. are you eating lemons?" He masked the slight amusement in his voice easily, and he was genuinely curious after all. The bag filled with lemons beside her answered his own question easily. "I mean, you obviously are, but... why?" He didn't mean any offense by it, and if anything, he wanted to know if it was something he should try. Besides, watching someone else eat made him realize just how hungry he was.

It was a cool and airy morning, the kind that invited spending time outdoors. The sun shone down upon the fields of the Quidditch Pitch, alight with the brightness of spring, and the slight breeze rippled the grass in calming silvery waves. Isaac had heard of Quidditch. It was the wizard-equivalent to sports like football or rugby, yet played in the air with brooms and magic and unfamiliar rules. He knew that most first-years wouldn't think of joining the team; being so new to the school meant that you lacked skill and experience, but he could dream.

After a particularly stuffy day indoors, he found that he missed sports and the outside. There was nothing that could compare to the exhilaration of running as fast as the wind, chasing that next goal and scoring for your team. Clips from movies flashed in his mind, of the athlete, happily carried by their teammates, celebrated and cheered on and glowing with pride. Staring out the window during a droning History of Magic Lesson, he knew he couldn't wait any longer.

The second that class was out, he raced down the stairs, bolting out of the door of the castle. With sure steps, he made his way out onto the field, peeling off his socks to walk barefoot on the grass. It was big. The grass seemed to be as large as an entire ocean, and the stands soared up like mountains around his head. Surprised, he blinked, spotting movement from the corner of his eye.

A girl next to a basket was sitting on the pitch, a picnic blanket spread out beneath her. Another boy had apparently spotted her as well, and from his amused expression, was either making a joke or asking a question. Curiously, Isaac treaded closer to the pair, taking care to mind any sharp stones in his path.

Soon, words came into earshot.

"Um.. are you eating lemons?"

Isaac's gaze was drawn to the basket, and indeed, there were lemons inside. Who brought lemons to a Quidditch pitch anyway?

"Um.. are you eating lemons?"

Her head snapped up. She smiled at the boy as he asked her why. "Lemons aren't as bad as one might think," she said, not really defining what she meant by "bad". Perhaps she would mean the sourness of the fruit, or perhaps she would mean the apparent lack of sweetness. Honestly, it was neither; it was just a twelve-year-old trying to rid a Ravenclaw of bias.

Koko stood up from the picnic blanket, dusting off her robes as she did so. Two other boys had joined the mess, a first year Gryffindor and a second year Ravenclaw, it seemed. Koko tried not to grimace; the last time she'd interacted with a second year Ravenclaw had not been a good one. It had resulted in a visit from the Headmaster, but thankfully no detention. She looked the first year Ravenclaw in the eye, trying to figure out his motive for walking up on her like that.

"Are you judging me?"

The question was utterly random, manifesting out of nowhere. It had popped out of the Slytherin's mouth, and to be honest, she seemed very defensive. It should have been taken as a warning--back off!--but she wasn't sure how the others would take it.

"What are your names?" she asked carefully. Don't put too much emotion in the words, she told herself. Don't do it. Otherwise, they'll know you're worried.

But she wasn't worried, not in the slightest. She had lemon juice to squeeze in the eyes of anyone who tried to bother her! Koko finally drew away from the defense that she had put up, and she began to look somewhat less dangerous. She was still going to hold a lemon in her hand, though; she didn't want to be caught off guard.

@Koko Riddle

"The name's Isaac." he introduced with a smile as if he hadn't noticed her defensive tone. "I'm not judging, just saying, I don't think you can eat a whole basket of lemons. They're okay, but not that good." He made a face at the thought of eating so many bitter fruits. How this girl could stomach a single lemon was beyond him. Her talent was honestly impressive.

But something strange was still afoot. Why on earth had she decided to eat them out on the Quidditch Pitch when the Lake was much more ideal for it? He loved Quidditch, but even he couldn't deny that the Lake had unbeatable views. There was nothing like watching the sun shine over the water, and sitting beneath a swaying tree, feeling the breeze. In comparison, the pitch was built for flying and heights, leaving uninteresting grass below.

Maybe she was a part of the Slytherin Quidditch team, having a snack. It wasn't unheard of for tired fliers to sit down and eat something before a big match. Lemons was an odd choice, but they could have good qualities that he didn't know anything of. Curiously, he asked, "Are you here for Quidditch practice?"

Koko couldn't help but laugh at the face the boy made. Maybe it wasn't so bad to be so unwound...

But no, no, no, she couldn't be. It was hard enough to not yell at everyone for whatever they might say, and she also had to try and say the right thing. So maybe she could just be quiet? But she didn't want to be, not anymore.

"Are you here for Quidditch practice?"

Oh. Right. That. Well, she had come out here because she was bored, but also because she now had a reason to be out here. "Sure?" she said. And then, "Would you mind flying around with me? It gets terribly boring."

She, without waiting for a response, made her way over to where a few brooms were laying. "Up!" she commanded forcefully. The broom flew into her open hand, making Koko feel satisfied. She held it somewhat awkwardly, only because now the broom was trying to lift her up into the air. She had to have control.

Koko gritted her teeth as she forced the broom to stay still. "I'm willing to fly a few rounds. It might be fun," she said, this time level headed. The boy--Isaac, she remembered, hadn't seemed too rude. Perhaps she could loosen her defense for now. She didn't mount the broom, not yet, but she would hold it by her side as if it were a walking stick held a few inches off the ground. A smile crossed her face as she thought about the aspect of flying with someone--it might actually prepare the Beater for the upcoming game against Ravenclaw.

"Are you judging me?"

"The name's Isaac. I'm not judging, just saying, I don't think you can eat a whole basket of lemons. They're okay, but not that good."

"Sure? Would you mind flying around with me? It gets terribly boring."

@Hengist Warbeck@Koko Riddle

"Sure? Would you mind flying around with me? It gets terribly boring."

"I could use the practice," he admitted. Holding out his hand towards the brooms, he summoned one with a quick cry of "Up!"

It flew into his hand swiftly. From the feel of the wood, this broom felt heavier than the ones he was used to. It was carved with many initials and pockmarked. For a moment, he liked to imagine that the broom was a lucky one - perhaps used by the best Quidditch players over the ages, or at least well loved. Throwing his head back and jauntily whistling, he swung onto it, and the broom hovered in the air, a breeze ruffling his hair. He rolled up the sleeves of his uniform before gripping the broom more securely.

Kicking against the ground to rise higher, Isaac rose until he could see a wider view of the Quidditch Pitch below - still not very far off from the ground. It was then he spotted another boy, with dark hair and light eyes, simply standing and watching. He met the boy's gaze with curious interest. From his silence so far, Isaac concluded two things. Either the Ravenclaw was shy, or he was the type who liked to observe people without saying anything.

"Are you a Quidditch player too? It's fine if you want to join the race."

"That's fine," said Koko, hopefully not too dismissively. She mounted the broom and motioned vaguely to Isaac. "When should we start? Where should we start?"

Koko kicked off and flew in a small circle, testing the weight and bearing of the broom. It wasn't like the one she usually chose in Flying Class, but she could deal. "I'm ready whenever you are." She shot a smile, hopefully a winning one, at the other children. She wasn't used to acting so trusting; she usually was a paranoid little bean who was always ready to lash out, was always on her toes.

Except now she was on a broom, in the air, and no longer on her feet.

She was ready to fly away from these insecurities that plagued her, ready to start a new career as a Quidditch player, and as a confident one, too. Confidence was key to making new friendships, and Koko needed a few friends. She had more enemies than she did friends, and that was certainly a bad thing. Less people to help her against those determined to bring her down.

While Koko knew that determination was a good thing, she disliked it when others had great amounts of it. Still, they couldn't use their determination without ambition, and ambition was something that this snake had a lot of. Still, she didn't always have enough time to use it wisely. She circled the others while still on her broom, a smile still on her face, and for once, her eyes reflected it. "Care to join me?" she asked.