[i][color=f6989d]Elizabeth Hawkins[/color][/i] - [u]Taking Notes[/u]

A tactful and careful precise etching of a pencil upon pale sheets of paper marked the continual work of her decoding against Flamel’s journal. There was still much to learn, much more that she didn’t understand. And in front of her sat the second volume of a quartet that held the key to greater efficiency. Drawing a nearly perfect circle, small symbols were added to the polar directions, symbols of the base elements, even ideals of the masculine and feminine. 

Precision was key, and she was sure not to miss a hint or minute detail in the least. 

While it was rather quiet to begin with in the dining hall, times slowly changed as other parts of the student body began to meander in. With it came chatter and noise, and it slowly increased in an overwhelming tone. Though there were only few, it was their movements, their actions, and mannerisms that slowly seeped into her mind. Slowly within the confines of her brilliant mind, it grew into a dull roar.

It grew and rumbled through the depths, and it continued on as such until she snapped Flamel’s book shut. Then, and only then did it resume a normal volume. From the corner of her eye, her gaze caught a familiar movement. A recognizable frame that she couldn’t miss.

Remarkably, it was Ash.

A girl with whom she shared a conflicted history, full of both good and bad alike. Elizabeth was the lead seat of the Violins, while Ash herself was one of the greatest voices she had ever heard. While she admired the girl for such talent, her lack of humility was troubling. There had been many a time where Elizabeth had been directed to perform a duet with the girl; yet even then, they had not become friends. Differences in a sense that were far too great.

Yet there was nothing stopping her from attempting to form a friendship this year. Maybe things would go better than last.

Standing up and tucking her two books beneath her arm as she strode after the Opera Singer, Elizabeth simply watched on Ash plucked an apple from a basket, deftly tossing it up and down a few times with one hand before taking a bite out of the crisp fruit. Taking an orange herself for future snackings, the Alchemist mutely followed the upperclassman.

Once they both departed from the confines of the Dining Hall, Elizabeth swallowed her courage and picked up her pace, quickening her steps in order to close the distance between herself and Ash with relative ease. Walking up alongside the Singer’s right side, she partook in a particularly convincing act of surprise once she glanced over to meet the corner of Ash’s eye. Though she was certain she detected a hint of scorn at first, Elizabeth still managed to quip a radiant smile to meet her.

[color=f6989d]“Ah, it’s nice to see you here again Ash!”[/color] She exclaimed jubilantly, smoothly transitioning upon the ball of her feet to walk backwards so that she would be looking to the girl almost face to face. 

[color=bc8dbf]“Hi Ellie. Nice to see you too. Have a good Summer?”[/color] Ash smiled, though it seemed almost bittersweet. She had seen her around Jaime before, and it held not even a candle to the radiance that seemed to shine in those moments. 

[color=f6989d]“It wasn’t terrible,”[/color] the Alchemist stated amicably in her British accent, noting the minute changes the Singer’s overall demeanor. It seemed that she had failed to make a good impression once again. Though the very thought of it seemed distancing to her, she still walked backwards, looking to Ash behind strands of fiery red hair. Folding her hands behind her back with the books held in them, she mulled over her thoughts in the attempt to quickly find a different train of thought to continue upon. 

[color=f6989d]“It could have been better, then again it could have been worse. I shan’t complain. I’m not dead, nor am I in prison.”[/color] She then added with a dry smile to accompany her drier wit. [color=f6989d]“Things at home certainly don’t change, other than finding better tea there than I do here.”[/color] Softly offering a bemused grin in response to such a thought, she glanced back to Ash.

She realized perhaps far too late that she had been rather rude, rambling on aimlessly about her own summer for a moment too long. Awkwardly, she ran her fingertips through the flame that was her hair while she tried to think of a way to compensate for such a mistake. 

Thankfully, she found a simple solution. She would ask the Opera Singer of her ordeals through the days of summer.

[color=f6989d]“What of yours? Did you fare well? Nothing too troublesome, I hope?”[/color]

[color=bc8dbf]“No, it was a very nice Summer. Lot’s of sun, and water. Got to spend two weeks at the ocean with the family.”[/color] She grinned at the word water, [color=bc8dbf]“And then my brother and I did a road trip to get here. Rather far out.”[/color] Ash led the way into the Gym, and then the sports locker room. From her locker she pulled out her bag with some difficulty. “If I could do that every Summer I would.” She announced after finishing with the bag. 

[color=f6989d][i][b]Far out?[/b] What does that even mean? What does the enjoyment of one’s holiday have to do with distance? Oh...it must mean some kind of enjoyment or happiness. [b]Bloody Yanks[/b].[/i][/color]

That was term that was unfamiliar to her, and it took Elizabeth a moment to truly grasp that it meant something that was good, or perhaps entertaining. To which she simply offered an easy response[color=f6989d]: “Well, that sounds as if it were wonderful then.”[/color] 

What was more peculiar was the expression towards the curling end of the word water. Ash grinned, in a strange but undecipherable sort of way. Enigmatic perhaps, but with a touch of eeriness that she couldn’t explain. It sent a chill in a bitter shudder down the length of Elizabeth’s spine, but she would pay little heed to it. At least for now. 

[color=f6989d]“Well, I am relieved that you had a good holiday. Have you visited the Music room yet? I heard that there might have been some changes during these last few months.”[/color]

Ash shook her head, bearing an expression of bitter disdain at the thought of what the administration could have done to her precious sanctuary of a music room. Or...could it be something else? [color=bc8dbf]“No, not yet. I figure I’ll see it tomorrow morning, bright and early.”[/color] She started leading the way back to the dorms.

[color=f6989d]“May as well see it tomorrow, delay misery for another day.” [/color]The violinist quipped dryly to the singer with that wry smirk upon rosy lips aside it. 

Digging deeper for another chance at a conversational tense, Elizabeth bit her bottom lip for just a moment before continuing to speak with Ash. [color=f6989d]“Where is Jaime, anyway? You two were practically attached at the hip last year, don’t tell me that things have changed so direly since then!”[/color]

Ash’s ears turned red, [color=bc8dbf]“Uh, no. He just went to his dorm to put away his stuff. I figured I should probably do the same and face the music when it comes to talking to my roommate.”[/color] She finished, her lips curling into a smouldering scowl.  [color=bc8dbf]“At least it isn’t Snow this year.” [/color]

Elizabeth winced at the mention of such a name. Knowing all too well of the rumored personal war that was waged between Snow and Ash the prior year. Usually in the form of Ash breaking some rule of some sort, and the little bookworm running off to tell the teachers the moment it happened. 

[color=f6989d]“Well simply look at the brighter side of things, Ash.”[/color] Elizabeth quipped lightly with a hint of humor. [color=f6989d]“At least Miss [i]Snow[/i] won’t be constantly trying to [i]freeze[/i] your attempts to go swimming or spend time with Jaime, it isn’t your fault she holds such a [i]cold[/i] heart.”[/color] The British girl chuckled to herself lightly as she thought to make further puns, but reconsidered.

Ash laughed, really laughed. 

[color=f6989d]“Good, let’s move on to less [i]chilling[/i] subjects, yes?”[/color] The violinist added with a light teasing smirk, while simultaneously delving away from something that obviously aggravated the Opera Singer. Snow was, and would probably continue to be a rather touchy subject in due time, and it seemed that it was without relent. Especially after the slew of detentions that Ash had been forced to endure as a result. Yet even then she tried to find some optimism.

[color=f6989d]“At least there’s a palpable chance that your complaints were not in vain however. You do have a new roommate to meet. Perhaps your luck will be much better off this year.”[/color]

[color=bc8dbf]“She won’t be any better. I know her already. She’s on the swim team. Just as rules orientated as Snow. So I doubt I’m going to get away with anything again.”[/color] Ash hopelessly added wearily with a forlorn sigh. [color=bc8dbf]“Anyway, I’m going to put away my stuff. See ya at dinner.”[/color]

[color=f6989d]“Right-o, have a splendid time of that.”[/color] She added in the last, folding her books back to where they belonged beneath her arm at the side instead of the small of her back. Departing from Ash then with a bit of feline grace, she bore just the hint of a smile. Inevitably meandering her way back towards the dining hall, where she hoped it would eventually become quieter than it had been. 

Perhaps, just maybe, she and the Opera Singer could become good friends after all.