Fresh Air

[Mason Skeeter]

NYE

While Mason had actually enjoyed staying at the school for the holidays, he was finding himself a bit stir crazy. They'd chaperoned the kids on an outing today which was a nice change of scenery, but Mason was also in need of a little time out without students. Most of the other professors seemed quite content to stay in this evening, so he was granted leave to take a bit of time. He was not a head of house or anything of equal importance, surely they wouldn't miss him.

The crisp night air was refreshing in his opinion, though he spent most of his days in humid greenhouses sweating in the sunlight. He certainly couldn't complain, not with the current weather, but he did rather enjoy getting out every now and then. Being here in Hogsmeade was rater refreshing itself, a nice change from where he'd been. Teaching was honestly what he'd always wanted to do and now that he was finally in, he didn't envision going very far in the next decade or so. Perhaps it wasn't the highest of achievements, there were certainly many other options out there for him, considering his vast knowledge on the subjects of both Herbology and Potions, but he liked where he was. He'd never been one for grand delusions and therefore quite content with where he'd landed.

Murmurs among the crowd indicated that the fireworks would start within the next hour and the dark street was already lit by lanterns and lampposts, quite the cozy little scene as people of all ages enjoyed the festivities. Mason walked slowly, enjoying the crowds for once, not always at ease in them, but tonight he wasn't going to let it dampen his spirits. There was plenty to see, plenty to investigate and he was content to just wander. He was not graceful enough to attempt ice skating or anything else of the like, but he could wander and watch, catch a few students unawares and see them in a state aside from school. Meandering that way, he stepped around a group of young children rushing elsewhere in their glee and stepped right into the path of a young redhead. "Apologies Miss." He smiled, stepping out of the way to make sure she could get by, smiling at the kids as they too rushed past.

  

[Lona Carstairs]

Finding it a little difficult to breathe, Lona said as much to Sofia, who turned to a nearby vendor to get her a cup of water. Merlin, why had she tied her corset so tight! She should have learned from the last time she'd used this particular charm to cinch it, though in the rush of preparing for tonight's festivities it had slipped her mind. Drinking some water helped a little with the lightheadedness, but the girl still linked arms with her chaperon to keep herself steady. The hubbub didn't help with the breathlessness, either, but Sofia managed to steer them away from many of the more populated areas. Once she felt like she could breathe easier, she extricated her arm from the older woman's and gave her a dismissive smile.

"Don't fret, I'll be fine. It won't be the first time a lady's corset is too tight!" she said, her friend giving her an unconvinced (and hardly disguised) glare. It was now, head turned to the side, that Lona almost collided with someone for the second or third time that evening, only this time the person was polite enough to offer an apology.

"No worries, sir, the mood tonight makes for reasonable distraction!" she offered, pausing to smile politely at the gentleman. He was an attractive gent, in an unassuming way, and about her height, which Lona pleasantly noted. She hadn't been much for conversation through the evening, leaving Gwenda to go ice skating and wishing some time alone and away from Gawain to clear her head which was why she'd met Sofia by the candy floss booth near the middle of High Street. At the rate she was going, though, the evening would soon be cut short so she could breathe properly again: a little conversation was in order so that Lona could at least say she had enjoyed the festivities.

OOC: Sorry for the wait and the short post >.<

  

[Mason Skeeter]

No worries whatsoever my dear <3

Mason chuckled at the young lady's comment. He dealt with scatterbrained students all day, he was used to distractions. "I can sympathize." Mason was a bit of a distracted mess himself most days. There was so much to learn and do on a daily basis in his new job that he often found himself doing one task, moving to something else and either coming back to the first later or forgetting about it altogether. She was a lovely distraction anyway, so he wasn't very fussed.

He thought that might be it, a passing comment and a smile, but Mason, in trying to be the ever-the-gentleman was easy to walk all over and people seemed eager to take advantage of the gap he'd created in the flow of traffic. It unfortunately left him stranded right in the pretty ginger's way and left him scrambling to either find a place to move or say something else. He had nowhere to go however and that left him in the way.

"I do apologize, apparently I'm destined to be a road block tonight." He passed her another lopsided smile, scratching the back of his head absentmindedly. It was a self-conscious gesture he was hardly aware of though its presence in his life had dwindled over the last couple of months. Teaching left him on the spot so often he really was getting good and being spontaneous in both his thoughts and actions. "If only I was any good at getting out of my own way, we wouldn't be stuck here." He joked, though he couldn't see a break in the crowd any time soon. He might have to force his way out and he'd hate to do that. Hopefully a little chit chat could pass the time before he could move.