What a wonderful world

[Sukie Takahiro]

It was so boring in the castle. Sukie had been cooped up tight in his dorm, trying to figure out what to do all day. Instead of going out for fresh air, he decided to stay in and read. It was getting lonely, and he couldn't tell what time it was due to his insane sleep schedule lately. He had been sleeping until noon some days and six at night other days. It was getting much too old for his liking.

Deciding that it was time to get out of his dorm, finally, Sukie got up from his bed and stretched. He looked around his room at the clutter of clothes and books and papers. He rolled his eyes and looked up at the ceiling. It had seemed as if the house elves took a vacation. He looked back at his dorm and made his way to his dresser. He pulled out some worn skinny jeans and a pink tee.

Sukie took a breath and looked out towards the window. It was autumn now, and it was getting colder nowadays. It was about sunset, so the darkness would make it much colder. He didn't mind it that much. Maybe he'd find a friend and a good conversation outside. Not many people probably wondered out in the dark much, but he could always wait and see.

Sukie walked out of the common room and through the castle, trying to remember the way towards the lake. He had a terrible memory. He had been here for one and a half years yet he barely knew here way around. He laughed at himself as he made a few wrong turns here and there. Finally, he reached the large doors out towards the lake. He struggled a bit to open them as he made his way towards the lake.

Taking out his wand as he finally reached the lake's shore, Sukie lit a tiny fire and sat on a log beside it. He took a deep breath and looked around. It was rather lonely out, but he could deal with it quite alright. He needed the space. He was around people all the time.

 

[Artemis Tuuri]

Night time was perfect for swimming in the lake, though if she was caught Artemis would regret it heartily. The last time she had been swimming at such a late hour, she had been proposed to by Jareth and almost caught by the teachers. Only good things could come of nights like this then, she reasoned. So it was with a curious and uncaring heart that she scampered down the halls and dropped into the lake without further ado. Art knew the way like the back of her hand, though was often caught out by the swiveling staircases that liked to change when one of descending on them. That last time, Art had been forced to take a running leap and to roll onto the marble landing and scoring a few bruises. Stuff the bruises, it's too nice a night to fall back now! she thought to herself eagerly as she slid in to the water.

By the time Art surfaced she was thoroughly soaked and quite chilly. The Autumn wind cut through her tiny flowing dress that she had made specifically for water bathing, embarrassed by her original swimming costume. She wasn’t too fussed with the cold though, and dived once more to rise right at the bank. Then the snap of burning twigs made her ears twitch and she sunk up to her nose for cover, fearing she’d been caught. Then, silent as a snake, Art drifted closer to the source – right to the feet of the boy whose fire she had accidentally disturbed.

It was a strange setting, for Art was as pale as a moonbeam and wearing a white dress. She could have been a ghost if it weren’t for the firelight reflected in her eyes, but it didn’t stop her looking like some sort of ethereal water imp. Her tiny form and long, pointed ears probably only made it worse. There were a few ripples as she hid herself in the reeds, but resolved to hide in fear and wait till the boy had left before reemerging. What if he'd seen her?