There's No Easing Into It

[Frankie Tillington]

Now that she felt she'd thoroughly explored the inner layout of the castle, Frankie had turned her attention to walking around the grounds. The main points of interest could all be seen off in the distance - the forest, the lake, the Quidditch pitch - she was very interested in that one. However there was one clear place to visit first. California had beaches, and she loved them, but hearing that there were cliffs on the school grounds had been too much for her to ignore. She'd already sent one letter to her mother, but that one had sort of been an unplanned necessity rather than a proper description of how her life here at Hogwarts was shaping up. So far Frankie had been treating it as an adventure, a new experience that would enrich her life and teach her new things, and the whole point of that was sharing it with her mother. Well, it was to her, anyway.

Now that she was standing up on the cliffs, looking out at the view, Frankie kept trying to think of words to describe the feeling beyond 'awesome' - but they weren't coming to her. That was one of the drawbacks of being so far away from home, she realised. Usually she could save up all the feelings and emotions of her day to tell to her mother over dinner, but with weeks until she would see the woman again, Frankie knew that wasn't going to be in any way possible. Letters were all she had right now, and those were just so... flat and empty. Well, hers were, at any rate. It didn't seem fair to her mother to waste this view with her inadequate words. Frankie ruminated on this for a few moments more, brow growing increasingly more furrowed as she managed to add only one word to her description - 'cool.' Thankfully, she sensed someone move into the space behind her and whirled on them immediately, not even bothering to introduce herself as she fixed the person behind her with an expectant gaze. "How would you describe the feeling of being up here on top of the cliffs? Ten words or less; go."

 

[Ella Bishop]

Hogwarts had been everything she expected it would be so far. Classes were fun and not too difficult, yet, and while she wasn't placed in the house she'd for so long thought to be the best for her, Ella was pleased with the hat's decision of placing her in Ravenclaw house since it had been her second favourite house. She hadn't had much time to explore much of the castle yet as she mostly kept herself busy with classes and homework and reading books she didn't have back home but had seen most of the grounds because she liked to spend her time studying outside rather than inside due to the fact that it was a little too noisy for her to concentrate properly. Ella figured that she would have a look around the castle as soon as she knew her way around the school better than she did now since she had gotten lost a couple of times ever since she arrived. For now, however, it was study time at the cliffs again as it turned out to be quite a good spot to go to if one wanted to study alone. Ella looked surprised to see someone else here after she had climbed her way up to the top, as the previous two times she had been here to work on homework in silence, no one had been up here. Taken aback by the sudden question, Ella flashed the girl in front of her a nervous smile whilst coming up with an answer to her question. ''Breathtaking,'' she told the girl. She was aware that she could use more than one word to the describe the feeling of being on top of the cliffs, but honestly, that one word said it all for her. ''Why do you ask?''

 

[Frankie Tillington]

Frankie pulled her lips inward as she considered the girl's answer, turning back to look out over the cliffs briefly, muttering, "Yeah, that one's good..." She swung around to face the newcomer again, registering that she had been asked a question. "I'm writing a letter to my mom, but I'm terrible at words. You're not bad though - come on, you must be able to add more than 'breath-taking,' I have a whole page to fill." She grinned as she said it though, so the other girl wouldn't think she was ungrateful for the help that had already been offered.. Taking a step back, Frankie flung her arms out and behind her at the view she couldn't see, but could picture perfectly. If only she could imprint her mind's eye onto a piece of paper, all of her problems would be solved. "Look at this view - my mom doesn't deserve to miss out just 'cause I'm horrible at describing things. Do a girl a favour; rise to the challenge and beat it." Frankie wanted to know what this girl was made of now - whether she'd decline, and kind of kill her vibe in the process, or make the effort to try.

 

[Ella Bishop]

Ella listened as the girl explained why she had asked her to describe the feeling of being on top of the cliffs. She had yet to write to her own parents but already knew that the cliffs were something worth mentioning as she had never seen such a lovely view before. Ella watched the girl as she flung her arms out and challenged the Ravenclaw to come up with more than just one word to describe being up here and looking at the view. ''Alright,'' she said with a nod, biting her lip as she tried to come up with more words. ''You could tell your mother that 'it is the most beautiful view you've ever seen in your life, and that nothing can compare to what you are looking at right now, hence breathtaking.','' Ella said after a couple of seconds, hoping that her answer would satisfy the girl in front of her.