This is my home... *OPEN*

[tove]

Finally done with classes, Esperanza left the castle to look at the beautiful grounds, and jumped for joy when she saw the lake. The lake is immensely beautiful: more so than the Bay of Biscay even. The first year felt herself smile for the first time in weeks, and without thinking, dropped off her stuff on a small patch of grass, hidden from sight, and took off her capelet. She felt a shiver and immediately started getting colder, as winter was starting to come on fast already and grasp Beauxbatons in that inescapabale cold. Nevertheless, Esperanza hid in the shadows and undressed herself to her undergarments, then with no hesitation, jumped into the water.

The water was freezing cold; but that was alright, because water is water. If there was one thing Esperanza is good at, it's swimming. She opened her eyes and saw that, like everyplace is she's been to recently, magic resided in the lake. Esperanza let herself be immersed in water, only coming up occasionally for breath. She swam in deeper parts, and she swam in more shallow parts. The world was now completely open to her and ready to accept her.

Esperanza came up back to the surface to make sure that her stuff was still there. It was, to her relief. Therefore, she dove back into the water and swam to her content. Nothing could harm her when she's like this. Nothing.

[Fleur Johnas]

(May I? just tell me.)

Fleur skipped outside after her last class. She was all bundled up in her soft cozy coat, scarf and earmuffs. She had coated her beautiful wings in a creation that her mother had made for her. It insulated her wings from the weather and made them water resistant as well. Its wasn't bad if her wings got wet, but it made them quite heavy and one couldn't fly with wet wings. She smiled brightly as she entered the beautiful grounds. Winter was coming, and she couldn't wait. She was a child of summer and thrived under the warmth of the sun. None the less, she enjoyed the beauty of winter and most of all she enjoyed the snow that fell.

She decided that she would head to the lake. Along with the stables, the serene lake was one of her favorite places on the the palace grounds. It was a lovely serene place and a good place to go when one wanted to be alone to think or to go with a picnic. When she reached the lake, her keen fairy eyes caught onto a pile of clothes on a spot of grass in the shade. Someone was swimming. Fleur smiled brightly. She loved swimming. If she wasn't a light talent fairy, she would have been a water talent fairy. She felt weightless in the water, and that in itself was enjoyable. She had to make her wings water resistant, but it was worth it to feel the smooth silk like feel of the water on her skin.

Fleur flew up to a tree near the clothes and sat on a low hanging branch. She would make sure that no one took them.

[tove]

(sure!)

As Esperanza swam, she felt something a little different about her-something that was not quite there before. After swimming some more, she discovered that the strange feeling was in her legs; therefore, she stopped swimming and looked back to her legs. If it weren't for the water, she'd scream. By now, she swam to one of the deepest parts of the lake and immediately she began swimming to the surface. Scared for her life and what was happening to her, Esperanza didn't stop swimming until she broke the water and gasped for breath.

After reaching the surface, Esperanza swam back to the land and tried to stand up. However, due to her clumsy self, Esperanza immediately tripped and fell face first on the ground, her wet face now covered with dirt and twigs. Embarassed, she wiped the dirt and twigs off, then looked back. Sure enough, her legs had changed. Instead of her normal skin, small scales began to form on her legs. They were iridescent, and even beautiful, but Esperanza was too scared to admit the latter. She looked around and, to her horror, heard something very close to her. Someone had seen her! Covering herself, she began to cry. Could this day get any worse?

[Fleur Johnas]

Fleur wasn't sure whether or to be surprised when she saw Esperanza break the surface of the water. She was however, deeply concerned when she started gasping for breath. Fleur flew to a branch closet to the water, ready to give aid, should her new friend need it. She was relieved when Esperanza made it safely to shore.

she felt really bad for her friend, being cursed with clumsiness. Fleur didn't know if she had been cursed with it, or if she had been born with it. Most likely the latter. She looked over her friend, flitting back to her previous branch. Her keen fairy eyes caught onto her Esperanza legs. They weren't normal. Scales were beginning to form on her legs. Beautiful, iridescent scales like that on a rainbow fish. Fleur had never heard of this happening to someone, especially not to a fairy. It might be some latent magic, appearing to save Esperanza or maybe she had been onto something earlier about Esperanza being an elemental.

She hovered in the air, as Esperanza looked around in horror and quickly covered herself up. Then she began to cry. Fleur decided that now would be the best time to show her self, and relieve some of Esperanza's terror. She silently landed on the ground in front of her friend. "Hey, its okay. Its just me, Fleur." She said smiling. She then noticed that in falling, Esperanza had gotten a covering of dirt and leaves on her face.
"You have something on your face. May I?" She asked softly. She knew better than to touch a frightened animal, and while Esperanza wasn't an animal, it was still good sense to get permission, before approaching her.

[tove]

Having given up trying to wipe off her dirt, Esperanza looked up to Fleur and only nodded in submission. Wiping away her tears of embarassment, Esperanza looked down on her scaly legs and whispered in horror, "¿Qué soy yo? What am I?" Cautiously, Esperanza reached down and brushed her left hand along the scales. In her eyes, the scales are a monstrosity. But in others, Esperanza wouldn't blame them if they said that the scales are beautiful. Iridescent like a beautiful rainbow, they became a wonder to her as they subtly changed from blues to greens and golds and every color in between.
Reaching up in her hair, Esperanza absentmindedly pulled off a leaf and she asked Fleur, "Is there some way to remove these horrid things? Magic or otherwise?" Esperanza didn't have much money, but she is willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of this atrocity unfairly bestowed upon the poor girl.

[Fleur Johnas]

Fleur smiled softly as Esperanza allowed her to come closer. She gently wiped away the dirt on Esperanza's face with her scarf.
"¿Qué soy yo? What am I?" Esperanza asked in horror. It was no more than a whisper, but Fleur's keen fairy ears caught every word. Fleur didn't know exactly what she was but she had a couple of ideas. She thought as she watched Esperanza brushed her hand against the scales on her legs. She could be an elemental, as her first thought, but that didn't explain the scales. Livia was a water elemental but she didn't grow scales when she was in water. Her blue eyes merely turned silver when in a body of water. Then a new thought occurred to Fleur. Maybe Esperanza was some sort of mermaid. It could happen, as there were witches and wizards who married and raised child. She and Johanna were examples of two different species coming together. They were half human, and half fairy. Esperanza may be like her, except that she was part mermaid.

"I'm not exactly sure about this, but I think you have some mermaid blood in you and that's why you grew scales when you were swimming. I think they're too help you swim and maybe even breathe when under water." She told Esperanza.
Esperanza reached into her hair and pulled a leaf out of her hair, before asking "Is there some way to remove these horrid things? Magic or otherwise?"
"Well I don't think I can remove them permanently, but I could use some fairy magic and make them invisible to everyone. You won't have to see them at all. Would like me to do it?" Fleur asked.

[tove]

As soon as the word escaped Fleur's lips, Esperanza felt her heart clench. Mermaid? The sirens of the sea? The monsters of the water? In her blood? The idea just wasn't possible, but the scales on her legs proved her wrong. How can she be a mermaid? Either from her mother or her father, of course. But the idea of being one of those things...those things that killed so many witches and wizards at sea, it's almost too hard to comprehend. And yet, what else would she be?

Swallowing more tears, Esperanza carefully started to stand up. However, her bones feel as if they're made of rubber, and therefore Esperanza fell once again, her cheeks and forehead now covered in dirt once again. Grasping what has happened in horror, Esperanza reached down and, sure enough, her bones are no longer stable. She began to sob fanatically as she tried to explain, "I can't walk!"

[Fleur Johnas]

(OCC: Sorry, been busy with school!)

Fleur could see that Esperanza didn't like the idea that she could be a mermaid, but Fleur couldn't think of anything else she could be. Water Elemental's didn't get scales, and neither did water talent fairies. She would have know if Esperanza had some fairy blood in her.

Fleur smiled softly as Esperanza, swallowed a couple of times, and then started to stand up. She wobbled a little and fell back down. Fleur gently wiped the dirt off her face again. She looked on concerned as Esperanza felt her legs. Esperanza started sobbing.
Fleur floated down to the ground, and knelt beside her. "Hey its okay." She told her gently. "It may just be that you getting you land legs again. Its rather common, even muggles have trouble standing on solid ground after being in the water on a boat. You have wait a little while, then you'll be able to walk again."

[Kacey Zebec]

(hey guys, mind of I join? If you'd rather not want me here i can delete it after you tell me, no big deal)

After Kacey had finished her last class, she stalked up to her dorm room in a rather frustrated manner to drop off her books so she could head to the lake to take a walk by the shore. she loved her last class, but she hated how awful she was at it. She couldn't make a decent potion no matter what she did, but she still loved the concept. She walked toward the lake, hands stuffed in her jumper pockets and head watching the ground, lost in her own thoughts. She had a lot of homework due the next day that she really should be working on, but she had a hard time sitting still doing work, she preferred the classes that you had to go outside to do something. She was also missing home a bit, not like she didn't love it here, but she missed her Dad. She hadn't really met became close to anyone here due to her quiet personality, but she found it hard to talk to someone sometimes.

With her eyes still glued to the ground she hadn't noticed exactly how close she was to the lake. When she looked up she saw two girls next to each other, sitting in the dirt. One was obviously a fairy, with her beautiful wings that stood out, and the other... Kacey stopped walking for a moment, unsure what was going on. The other had a strange look to her legs, but she was to far away to exactly see what, and the fairy was blocking her view from where Kacey was standing. She could tell that the other was crying though, by the way the fairy girl seemed to be talking to her. Kacey stood there, unsure whether she should go see if she could help, or walk away as if she didn't see anything.

[tove]

(sure kacey!)
Esperanza silently cursed herself for having such weak legs. Well, at least her mermaid heritage explains her clumsiness. But what will happen to her now that she knows who she is? What of her parents, who abandoned her all those years ago? Or did they abandon her? Esperanza was deep in thought. She turned to Fleur but stopped. Should she tell her friends about these thoughts? Fleur was raised by a loving family, so she surely wouldn't understand. Besides, she has already told the poor girl enough that Esperanza is surprised her ears aren't bleeding by now.

Could she possibly go to Madame Maxime? The headmistress? After all, it is her duty to care for her students and maybe she has the answers that Esperanza s looking for. But what are the chances of that? No, it might be best that she tell no one of her thoughts. Looking down at her legs, Esperanza can see that her hideous scales are almost gone. However, she is unaware that she is being watched.

[Kacey Zebec]

(thanks!)

Biting her lip, Kacey turned a little and looked around to see if anyone else was coming to their aid or anything, but seeing nothing she decided it may be for the better if she made sure they were alright. If they didn't want her, they could always tell her off and she'd be on her way, but if they needed help she could be there. Walking down to them she couldn't help but think of things that could be wrong. Medical aid? She knew some first aid from her old school, but not much. Or what if it was about a break up or something? She had no idea what she would help with if that was the case, she wasn't good with relationships for herself, let alone others. However she continued to walk, hoping to comfort the girl who was crying or to at least try to help, and seem a little social here.

As she got closer she seemed to recognize the two girls. She had seen them around the common room and she recalled them being in the same house as her. Even the more reason to help. She stopped a couple feet away and hesitated, but finally got the courage to say something, hoping that they wouldn't get to angry with her for the intrusion. "hey, is everything alright? I couldn't help but notice something seemed wrong, and I-" Kacey stopped herself as she noticed the girl's legs who was sitting in the dirt. They seemed fairly normal, but with a different pattern in someway. Just slightly though. Noticing she cut off her sentence and probably looked like an idiot, she quickly snapped her attention back on the girls faces, trying to make more eye contact. "I was wondering if I could help in anyway? I could go get someone or... something...?" she spoke the last word softly and hesitantly. Not sure what exactly she should say. She would be willing to help if she could. She hated when others seemed hurt or scared, she knew the feeling all to well and hoped she could help others in any way.

[tove]

Esperanza gasped in horror as the older girl approached the two. Quickly, she tried to cover up her legs as best as she could, but she knew her attempts were in vain. Sniffling, Esperanza held herself even closer than before, too afraid to say anything to the 16 year old. Fleur already knew about her thanks to earlier, but the last thing Esperanza wants is for the entire academy to know about her. So she simply shook her head, but couldn't find the voice to say anything.

Reaching for her clothes, Esperanza daintily and carefully struggled to put on her uniform over her wet underclothes, all thew while fully aware for the other two girls watching her every move. If Esperanza could only disappear into the water again...in fact, the thought was tempting. Wiping the dirt off of her blouse, Esperanza looked into the reflection to find a sad, messy-haired mess with bright blue eyes staring back at her. What was to become of her? Could she even trust anyone anymore? Maybe she really should go to the headmistress. That thought was also tempting.

[Fleur Johnas]

(OCC sorry had exams last week.)
Fleur's keen fairy ears heard Esperanza cursing herself. "Hey, there's no reason to be cursing yourself. I was shocked when I first saw my wings. I didn't believe they were real or mine for that matter. It was only until my mama took me by the hand and helped me fly for the first time." She saw Esperanza turn towards her, and was about to speak, but stopped herself. Fleur thought it was curious, but then thought that Esperanza might not want to tell her what she thought. That thought made Fleur sad. She wished she could explain to Esperanza that she would never judge her and wanted to help her in any way she could. She couldn't help her new friend, if Esperanza didn't talk to her.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw an older girl with red hair heading towards them with a curious look on her face. She looked over at Esperanza and saw that she was curling in on her self. "Oh I'm sorry. You're probably freezing." Fleur whirled her hands around in a circle and soon a ball out light appeared in her hands. "Here this'll help you warm up. You can have my coat while you're getting dressed if you like."

The other girl came towards them and asked if she could help or get someone to help them. Esperanza responded by trying to put her uniform on over her wet underclothes. "Here lets dry you off a bit before putting your uniform back on. I know how uncomfortable wet clothes are."
Fleur then turned to the girl. "Thanks for the offer, but I think I got everything. What's your name? Is this your first year here?" She asked the girl as she brought her ball of light closer to Esperanza. Not wanting to spook her friend, she told her exactly what she was going to do. "My orb can dry your unclothes for you? It won't hurt at all. You'll get the same feeling as you do when you feel the sun on your face."

[Kacey Zebec]

Kacey couldn't help but feel embarrassed. She felt like an intruder and realized how the girl didn't really want help and seemed embarrassed and worried herself. With Kacey focusing on how her cheeks seemed to flush a little she barley heard the questions directed toward her. "Oh, I'm Kacey. Kacey Zebec. Yeah this is my first year, although I'm sixteen... I'm sorry if I seem rude by intruding, I really just wanted to help. I won't repeat anything I saw if that's what your worried about, I honestly don't have anyone to repeat it to." Kacey laughed shyly, then cleared her throat uncomfortably. She was totally lost with the situation, but knew how scared the girl on the ground was. Kacey herself wasn't exactly sure what she had seen, but she noticed how much the girl seemed nervous and panicked about it. Kacey herself had been through some unexplainable things and knew how she was feeling to some extent.

It was then she noticed the ball of light that the fairy was holding toward the girl. It seemed so bright and happy and warm, it made Kacey actually want to smile a little, but it also made her curious on what exactly it was, but decided to speak nothing of it. "may I ask what your names are?..." Kacey asked, attempting in anyway to try to be friendly, and to maybe, with little hope, to change the subject or something to try to get the girl on the ground to think of something other than the current situation.

[tove]

Esperanza looked up at Fleur for the first time as she saw the little ball of light float towards her. Instantly, she felt warmth and happiness emanating from both the fairy and her magic. Her blue eyes shone at Fleur with a flicker of hope, something which she had never felt before in her life. As she felt her clothes drying, she also felt her legs begin to feel normal again and inwardly heaved a sigh of relief. Noticing the older girl again, Esperanza decided to make do with this situation by finally replying to her, but in a small voice,

"My name is Esperanza. Esperanza Castro." But she didn't want to say anything more than that. If she did, she knew she might ruin her chances of this girl's self-proclaimed vow of silence. Trying on her uniform yet again (since her underclothes were much too wet last time), Esperanza now had a better time putting on the clothes and successfully managed it without having to use her legs very much. Without even attempting to tame her knotted mess for hair, Esperanza did her best to try to stand up again, and it worked to an extent.

She could only get on her knees before falling to the ground once again. Her fingernails now caked with dirt, the first year got on her feet and started to rise slowly, but surely. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Esperanza was standing up straight. "Yes!" she whooped with joy before she lost her balance and fell again.