Starry Nights} Open

[didn't feel like interrupting the Ravenclaw House Party jussssst yet. SO, I made Penny step out for a breath of fresh air in the meantime~]

The ball hadn't been too bad, or at least, not in Penelope's mind. She had met back up with Todd, met Brie, and even had the slightest remembrance of togas. It had been a decent night. She was leaving the Great Hall when she paused. She glanced for a moment at the doors and bit her lip. Fresh air could always do her some good. She wouldn't go far, just outside to cool down from the warmth of hundreds of bodies in one room. Then, she'd go up to the Tower and maybe meet some new people.

Penelope wasn't one for rule breaking, but she didn't see the harm in stepping outside for just a moment, plus the teacher's were all preoccupied anyway. She'd be fine.

It wasn't too difficult to slip away and out the doors. It was beautiful outside and she smiled a bit, looking up at the starry sky - the moon big and beautiful as the center of attention. It would be midnight soon and a new year... her resolution to regain all of her memories, and to make new friends.

Penelope gently grasped her arms, as the outdoors had a slight chill to them - it was still winter after all. She wished there was snow on the ground, thinking of how beautiful it would be. She let out a sigh, her breath wisping into the air, and tucked her hair behind her right ear. Hopefully, the new year would bring lots of joy.

Somewhere between the ball coming to a close and exploring with Serenity, Jenna seemed to have lost her twin to gain some time for herself. She rarely liked being away from Serena, but the night seemed so beautiful and peaceful; she couldn't resist a lone stroll. Her bare feet dug into the fresh ground as she walked and smelled the fresh night air. If she closed her eyes, she could almost pretend she was at home in the Forbidden Forest; was it not for the lack of centaur legs. That reminded her, she should ask Serenity to go for a canter sometime soon.

Genevieve didn't really feel the cold, she was used to the outdoors; but even after growing up in the forest, she still appreciated the beauty of the night sky. The moon illuminating the darkness as stars twinkled in the far off distance. Constellations and astronomy fascinated her as they were always linked closely with Divination; one of her favourite subjects.

The girl close-by caught her attention as she moved slightly. She looked of a similar age and seemed to have the gift of natural and understated beauty. Yet, she stood out against the bold black of the night as Genevieve gently approached, trying not to startle her.

"It is a beautiful night, is it not?" Jenna spoke softly with a smile as she drew up by the girls' side.

Penelope had been so lost in her thoughts, trying to count the stars and form the constellations. She had a well rounded knowledge of them, just based off of what they had studied in class. Penelope often retained the information she learned, no matter what class, because she took so much joy and pleasure out of learning. The only thing she could do well in was... a shiver went down her spine. She'd rather not think of that right now. No, she was going to make this a happy night. No need to spoil it.

Being so lost in her own thoughts, Penelope hand't heard the soft footsteps approaching her from behind. She had thought she had been out here alone until she heard an equally soft voice, mentioning the beauty of the night. It had only slightly frightened her, making her jump a bit; although, it was more out of sheer surprise than anything else, to be honest.

Penelope turned to see who had spoken. It was a girl, probably around her age. She had long pale blonde hair and pale skin. She looked quite beautiful in the moonlight, quite magically really. Penelope bit her lip and gave the girl a small smile. "Y-yes, it is." She reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear. "Hi, I'm Penelope... who're you?" Penny asked, tilting her head to the side just a bit.

"Genevieve," Jenna nodded politely in the girl's direction, noting she hadn't seemed to startle her too much, before glancing back up at the stars once more. "But you can just call me Jenny or Jenna if you like," She extended the courtesy of shortening her name, after all Penelope seemed like a pleasant young woman. She had come to learn over her years at Hogwarts, it was seen as polite to offer someone the option to shorten one's name.

"What are you doing out here so late, if you mind me asking?" Genevieve pushed a loose thread of pale golden hair behind her ear before her violet eyes settled onto Penelope's slender form.

"Jenna," Penelope said it more for herself to remember it than anything else. She looked back up and smiled. "It's very nice to meet you, Jenna." She took her eyes back up to the stars and felt rather calm. Jenna had a relatively calm composure, which helped calm Penelope down - this mean less stuttering, which was nice for Penny.

"Oh, I just felt like some fresh air..." Penelope shrugged and looked down at the ground. "It was pretty hot in there." She looked back over at Jenna and smiled once more. "And... uh... what about you?" Penelope asked, her voice still a bit soft.

"It is lovely to meet you to Penelope," Genevieve smiled and sat herself down on the slightly damp ground, she didn't particularly mind if she got her outfit a little dirty, she was so used to wilderness. Her hands skimmed along the dewy grass as her bare feet crinkled into the ground. She breathed a hefty sigh of peace. If Serenity had been here, she could have agrued quite vibrantly she would've been happy here in this moment forever. Alas, she was not, and she was instead making conversation with a pleasant woman named Penelope.

"The same really," Jenna cocked her head to one side in a thoughtful manner. "I just like being outside, it helps calm my thoughts." Being inside for long lengths of time made her feel stuffy, she didn't like enclosed spaces.

A light pink blush faintly appeared on Penelope's face and she smiled once more in return. "You can call me Pen, if you would like," Penelope bowed her head a bit. Penelope could sometimes be such a mouthful to say; Pen was much easier or occasionally Penny - but she wasn't as fond of this nickname, only by those close to her - and then, of course, there was PenPen, but that was reserved for Michael and Michael alone.

Penelope watched curiously as Genevieve sat down on the ground. Penelope would normally join, but - unlike Jenna - Penelope did worry about getting her dress dirty. Plus, the ground was wet and that seemed to be a little uncomfortable to sit in. Though, Jenna seemed to enjoy herself quite a lot as she sighed happily.

Penelope nodded, listening. "Yes, being outside is quite refreshing. I-it's definitely easier to... gather one's thoughts... and be in peace." Sometimes being inside could just overwhelm Penelope, being around lots of people. She could breathe better out here. Just as long as she didn't go anywhere near the Black Lake.

"Pen," Genevieve settled on the name with a smile, pleased she had extended the same courtesy. Falling backwards onto the grass, she laid her arms upward behind her, so she almost made a star shape as she looked at the sky. She was even more at peace now, at one with her surroundings. The sky above and ground below, as it should be.

"I agree," Jenna tried to nod but realised it was almost impossible whilst lied down on her back, so rolled onto her side to face Penelope. "Then again, I pretty much live outside, so I suppose it's natural for me, it's home." She sighed and felt a blade of grass between her fingers.

"Oh?" Penelope asked generally. That was interesting, to have spent most of her time outside. She wasn't exactly sure if she meant actually living outside - in which case, she was curious as to why - or whether she just meant that she spent all her time outside. Being outside, close to nature was definitely relaxing. She used to go outside and play with Michael all the time and then Isabella when she was born. Willow wasn't much for wanting to get dirty. Not that Penny was either, but she was more inclined to. Now she enjoyed going outside as long as she didn't have to get too dirty.