Yet Again

[Kylie Ortiz]

Kylie was so happy to be visiting Pia back in Chile, it really made a world of difference to her not just to be around her best friend pretty much constantly but also to be back in a country where - aside from certain pronunciations - everyone understood her and didn’t ask her to speak English or god forbid chastise her for it not being perfect as she had been raised trilingual sometimes words became confused in her mind. However, she couldn't lay in bed for much longer so she got up and dressed to go for a run. The sun was just about to reveal itself and it was going to be warm - too warm to run for long - so the Mexicana needed to go now and go she did. With her feet hitting the pavement, Kylie pushed forward and through the ache she felt in her legs and chest. It had been too long since she had gone for a run in the heat like this but it still made her happy to see Chile this way. While it was easy to get lost running, she knew that it was worth it. The only thing that might make this better was having someone to run with although after years of running alone during the school year she was used to it. It just made things better as she had people to make her better through competition and more than that to distract her from her own exhaustion. Only a couple miles in and she already felt it so despite how relaxing running was and how it would later help her mood and body she couldn’t help but think to turn back and pester Pia to wake up so they could do something together.

 

[Ignacio Morales]

Ignacio's unsavory line of work was stressful, to say the least, and required more ways to blow off steam than simply getting drunk at the end of the week like many boring, lawful office jobs did. No, his work required stress relief that was healthier and less expensive considering his family's monetary struggles and the only thing Ignacio could think of with such a description was exercise. It was the reason he exercised daily, running in the morning and fitting in a work out after lunch regardless of his plans for the day and also the reason he was much more fit in his appearance compared to his siblings who were undeniably scrawny. Day was about to break which was the best time for a run as less pedestrians were littered along the streets and the nighttime chill still lingered which made the harsh exercise more bearable. Ignacio enjoyed such a time of day as it was not too hot and he could be alone with his thoughts, ponder his future and the well-being of his family and ultimately keep his feet rooted to the ground in a mental sense while his feet where physically alternating between touching the ground with each of his strides.

Ignacio was therefore entirely lost in his thoughts, though interrupted from them as he turned a corner to spot a familiar figure across the road. It was Kylie, one of Pia's friends who was staying with them for part of the holidays. Admittedly Ignacio had not seen much of her since her arrival in Chile but he did want to change that, and get along with her well as he knew she was Pia's closest friend in Hogwarts. He sped up his strides slightly to catch up with Kylie, crossing the road and running backwards in front of her as he said, "Must be a good morning for a run if both of us are out." while smiling warmly. It was a stark contrast to the expression he donned at work but when he was with his family his entire personality changed to something more genuine and far less intimidating.​

 

[Kylie Ortiz]

While regulating her breathing, Kylie felt only joy as she ran through the streets of Chile. There was nothing like the feeling she got from foot to pavement though she did wish that Pia would be her running partner. That was a wish she would never see fulfilled but that in no way meant she wasn't going to have company, it seemed. It took her a moment to realize the backwards running man wasn't some creep who would use their mutual activity as a reason to hit on her. Instead it was a Morales and the girl smiled wide at him. They had been ships passing in the night since her arrival to the small country and after the last time they had really spoken she was happy to redeem herself in his eyes. Her cheeks were already pink from the fast pace she moved at but thinking of how she had approached Ignacio originally made her flush even more. It was a silly thing to have done, she should've expected him to pick the colourful girl they had in common. As Pia was as good as a sister to Kylie it made her wish to put that all far in the past. "It's the perfect day for one," she said, not bothering to say that every day was a perfect day for a run when it was undeniably true that this was the case. Whatever stress or worries she ever felt always left her when she ran - though she barely did that for therapy anymore. It was a compulsion these days. She woke up, dressed, brushed her teeth and ran. She could no sooner stop running daily then she could stop breathing. The girl watched as he ran ahead of her and noticed he seemed to be keeping up quite comfortably which made her want to speed up because of the perpetual competitive itch she just could never seem to scratch."You're going to trip," she warned, not slowing down as she gestured to a small pile of rubbish a few feet ahead of him. It was then that she sped up only slightly to run side-by-side with the older Morales. She looked up at him and smiled again.

 

[Ignacio Morales]

Ignacio was glad Kylie matched his smile. He took it as a sign that she too wanted them to run together on that morning and attempt to get to know each other better. From what Ignacio knew, Kylie was practically a sister to Pia. He wanted to treat her in the same way as it would be pointless on his part and even neglectful for him to ignore one of the people who made Pia's transfer to Hogwarts New Zealand worth it. He also knew that Kylie helped Flavio feel comfortable during his first year and was a sister to him in a similar respect which was all the more reason for him get to know her and even thank her for her actions despite thinking it was with little effort on her part. Regardless if helping Pia and Flavio was her intention, it was the outcome and for that Ignacio was thankful. He was about to open his mouth to ask how Kylie was enjoying Chile when she warned him of a pile of rubbish a few feet ahead. He swerved around to face forward and avoid the pile, happy when Kylie sped her pace to keep up with him. "Thanks." He said, shaking his head although continuing to smile as he stared down at Kylie, continuing their conversation. "Anyway, are you enjoying Chile so far?" He asked before starting to regulate his breathing. ​

 

[Kylie Ortiz]

Kylie watched Ignacio from the corner of her eyes, wondering what he was like out of sight of his family and those associated with them because she didn't know much about him but could some how tell that his expression wasn't entirely natural or one he did often. Still she returned the grin, glad for the company. "Yes, it's beautiful here. It almost feels like home," she said speaking of her Mexican town that was landlocked and in no way this close to the coast but the colourful people, warmth and the language was enough to give her a fix of the town she had moved away from. "Do you ever think of moving to New Zealand?" Kylie wondered, knowing enough that he went to the small island nation frequently enough for it to be considered. She didn't see why he wouldn't if his life was mostly there unless it was weather dictated. Admittedly the cold was far, far too much for her. Though they were jogging side by side, the young witches competitive side won out and brought her to speed up a little. Not enough to make it seem as if this was the reason but she wouldn't entirely mind some firm competition. She, however, felt that a little immature so she didn't bring it up to the man she had already made a great fool of herself in front of.