Watching the Sun Set ((Jeremiah))

[ariel]

It was freezing today even though the snow had been melted into muddy puddles and the ice on the lake was just little blobs. She didn't miss any of it. Spring was her favorite time of year, when everything began to bloom and the days became longer. She didn't regret leaving behind the cold bitter winter, anymore then she did leaving behind summer. The day had been tiring for Ariel and she still had homework due in the near future that remained untouched. Classes hurt her head and the rantings of the teachers today had come in one ear and walked out the other. Concentration didn't seem to have a meaning to this poor tired Raven, and the cool breeze on her face was refreshing. Her red hair was blown out of proportion, but that was okay. As long as it didn't make her look like some sort of witch or anything. Jumping over a mildly deep puddle, Ariel managed to get to her destination. The large willow trees facing the mountains and the sun set.

It was always amazing to just come out here and watch the sun go down behind the mountain peaks. She wasn't even sure where Hogwarts was in the United Kingdom, but just seeing how beautiful it was made her wish she did. She would like to live here some day when she was old enough. Ariel found a patch of dry land and sat down on it, taking off her shoulder bag in the process. It was probably going to be another hour before the sun set, just enough time to get in a good chapter or two of Peter Pan and to make sure she as comfortable when the time came. Her shoulder bag was about to spill forth all its contents when Ariel opened it. She had managed to fit Peter Pan in there, a heavy blanket, and two packages of fireworks. One was the magical kind and the other was just normal muggle stuff. It had just been an idea, and it had seemed strangely amusing to Ariel, so she had brought it with. Oh, and yes, who could forget Oreo, her little black and white kitten? She put him next to her and he sat there. He too saw the beauty of the sun set and liked to watch it with her.

When she had the blanket covering her, her back to the willow tree, and Oreo on her lap, she took out Peter Pan and almost lovingly opened it, letting the book mark fall down on Oreo. She adored this novel so much, and she was currently reading it for the tenth time. A record for all of her books. But after a little while, Ariel became restless. Would the sun set already? It was still hovering, a little space between it and the mountain peaks, and the sky was just beginning to turn colors. The breeze came again, making Ariel glad she had brought a blanket. Opening her bag, she peered in at the fireworks. Should she... Her fingers itched to try it out, but just as she was going to pull them out, footsteps could be heard. She jumped causing Oreo to arch his back and look around, and Peter Pan fell to the floor. She hastily picked it up, put in the bookmark, and clasped close her bag. Only then did she turn to see who had caused such a fright.

[Jeremiah Baer]

Jeremiah,

The plans have changed. You will no longer be spending this summer with your grandparents. It's time that you start worrying about your future, so I've managed to get you a job with a company I know of. You know how I feel about your magical pursuits. I don't think that they will get you anywhere and I really want you to take this job. It will help you in the long run. We will talk about this on your next return home.

Dad

Jeremiah crumbled the paper furiously and threw it in the corner near his overflowing trash can. "I hate him," he shouted as he kicked his bed angrily. The frustration built inside, and he gritted his teeth, wanting so bad for his father to be there so he could deck him a good one.

Knowing that being cooped up never helped his anger, Jeremiah changed into his athletic clothes sneakers. He decided that a long run would do him best so he could release most of his pent up energy while having ample time to think of the issues concerning his father. In a heavy walk, he exited the castle and started jogging down the path leading to the lake.

The lake was the perfect place for running as it emitted a cool breeze to keep Jeremiah from becoming to warm. It wasn't quite warm enough outside to be running in only a t-shirt, so he was wearing a sweatshirt which made him sweat more than usual. Stopping to wipe his forehead, he bent over, caught his breath, and continued walking to begin to cool down.

As he walked, he wasn't paying much attention, and he stumbled onto an unsuspecting girl who appeared to be enjoying herself peacefully. "Oh, hey," he said, still breathing heavier than normal. "I didn't mean to scare you. I was just out for a quick run," he explained. "I'm Jeremiah," he said, stopping to get a closer look at the girl whom he didn't recognize. The break from exercise was nice, and he stood still, hoping for a returned introduction.

(( sorry for the delay in posting... busy busy busy ))

[ariel]

Ariel's dark eyes found the person who had caught her by surprise. A boy around her age or so she suspected, and he appeared to be surprised as well. Sweaty and very out of breath, he explained how he had come upon her. Ariel raised an eyebrow but just nodded. Her left eye found her bag and made sure that she had closed it right, while her other eye kept as good a watch on the boy as possible. Jeremiah was his name. Interesting. Ariel liked hearing different names, and Jeremiah was certainly not one she had encountered many times. With a nod, she stood up and stretched out her hand for a proper greeting.

"Ariel Dahl." She replied with a wisp of a smile. She looked over his appearance once more with more critical eyes. "You seem tired. Would you care to sit with me? I was just watching the sun set." She motioned to the small patch of dry ground she had been enjoying until recently. "It's quite comfy, although you might get a little cold... but the sun set is always worth it." She looked down upon feeling something brush against her leg. Oreo. Ariel always hated it when he did that. It always made her feel like he was thinking up something mischievous. Which wouldn't come as any surprise. Scooping him up in her arms, Ariel gave Jeremiah a glance. "This is Oreo," she introduced, her eyes on the black and white kitten in her arms. "He always likes to meet new people."

After hoisting Oreo to a safe place, she sat down cross legged on the ground, putting Oreo in her lap safe and sound. "It's nice here." She said, her eyes now contemplating the sun and how much farther it had to travel to reach the critical point of her reason for coming out. "Any particular reason to decide for a run on such a cold day?" She asked, her eyes turning back to him with that usual penetrating glance she showered on people. Why would he be any different? Her face unmoved, she turned back to the sun, not commenting how she thought it was strange, or that she would enjoy some company other then a rascal named Oreo and Peter Pan.

[Jeremiah Baer]

The girl introduced herself and offered Jeremiah a seat on the ground near her. He was rather tired, and the thoughts of a sunset appealed to him. Maybe it would make him feel better in the end. Taking a seat, he smiled and reached down to pet the kitten. "Nice you meet you Oreo," he said, rubbing behind the cats ears. "And nice to meet you, Ariel," he added, looking up at the girl.

Gazing at the sky, he noticed the sun was almost to the point where it would be setting soon. The colors it cast blended together beautifully, leaving streaks of pinks and oranges among the vast blue openness. "It is quite amazing," he commented aloud, and then focused his attention back to Ariel, remembering her asking about his reason for running on such a day.

"Well, uh, you know, I just needed to get out and spend some time alone. The fresh air does well for me, and I just feel less stressed and aggravated when I'm running. I guess I use it as a relaxation and calming method when I feel overwhelmed with emotions like anger or confusion." He realized he was being rather transparent, but didn't mind. Jeremiah was often open with complete strangers. Others' perceptions of himself were not something he concerned himself with regularly. They could think what they wanted for all he cared.

[ariel]

Ariel hated it when strangers came up and pet Oreo like they knew what they were doing. Oreo can bite, he can snarl, and he can bare his teeth and act like the angry kitten that dwells somewhere deep... very deep... inside of him. It only needed to be awaken by one foolish stranger. She winced as Jeremiah was another victim of Oreo's. Everyone HAD to touch him as he was so 'cute.' Ariel knew he was, but please... respect much? "You too." She grumbled, not sounding in the least as thrilled as she probably should have acted. Oreo, however, purred when he was rubbed behind the ears, his favorite place to be rubbed. Ariel rolled her eyes; figures. But she did nothing to stop the episode evolving in her lap.

"Yeah." She gave him a glance. At least he appreciated beauty when he saw it. Her eyes turned back to the sunset as if magnetically attracted, and it might as well have been. She loved the sunset - the flash of different colors streaking the sky, the mountains in the background that made it seem like a forbidden treasure. Ariel sighed. If only Mort was here to see this sight. He probably would have gotten his sketch book out and sooner then later, they would have it as a collection. It brought a smile to her face, as thinking about Mort always did. It just had that sort of effect.

Frowning, she said, "I see." Although she did NOT see at all what was the big deal. She did see that Jeremiah was a normal Gryffindor, a normal, reckless Gryffie. Who in their right mind would be running on a day like this? She gave Jeremiah a short glance that could have meant anything, unsure why he was being so open with her. She didn't like people to just burst open their problems on her; it was like they didn't even care of their companion was bored out of their mind and would soon be driven to suicide. Jeremiah made it short and quick. Ariel figured it as a small mercy. The fact that he didn't say the real reason why he was so pent up in the school, naturally perking Ariel's curiosity. "I don't ever get the feeling." She admitted, rather glad that she didn't if this was the outcome. "But it sounds like you're having a rough time. Is it school work, because if it is, I can always help you out." Ariel smiled. "And if you haven't figured it out yet - I'm a Ravenclaw, and am quite willing to show off my forte, or in other words, my knowledge."