Covering winds (open)

[NIKOLAE SUI STOECKLI]

Nikolae was walking along the grounds around the castle that the British fondly called Hogwarts Castle and where the one of the best school of magic was held. He was honor to come to an impressed school though he was just visit. The Triwizard Tournament and all, and he didn't become champion, but he would cheer on his friend. Kyle Roberts and him didn't really got along, but it was a tense friendship if any at all.

He paused on the bridge and gripped the railing, staring down at the beauty of the nature mixes with magic. He didn't know what else to do at the moment and so he waited there. He watched the falls and the traveling students below with a simple grace of stillness. He didn't notice anything else for a long time, not even that he wasn't quite alone anymore.

[CASEY ANNE MASON]

Casey wasn't really sick of Hogwarts, per say. Who would? The building was a never-ending mass of secrets. Casey was secret-ed out for a little while. But it was more so sick of the people. Maybe she was just spending time near the wrong crowds. Gossip was only amusing for so long (sometimes not even at all) and the cruelty - well, she could do without that for a long time. It wasn't just the Slytherins, either, as Casey had been previously led to believe. Each house had their fair share and she needed to not listen to 'did you hear about' for at least a few minutes.

She had been warned against the direction in which she was going. It was dangerous; it was unsafe. But it was better than being chased in the Forbidden Forest. It wasn't like she was going to try to cross the bridge anyhow. It was quite long, she discovered once she reached it, and there was someone standing there. Casey narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. It was the perfect shot, but she decided against it. Though she was fairly sure he had already heard her approaching (she wasn't exactly keeping quiet), she walked cautiously towards him. "Would you like some company?"

[NIKOLAE SUI STOECKLI]

Nikolae stood there in silence, not really doing anything except listening to the silence and watching the surroundings. It didn't take him too long to hear that he wasn't so alone anymore. He wasn't really paying much attention, but knew there was another person on the bridge with him. From the sound of it, that person was cautious as he or she came closer to him. He knew it was probably somebody from the school; it was a guess. So, he looked up and saw a girl, instantly knowing the person wasn't from Durmstrang since his school was an all boys one. She didn't look like any of the Beauxbatons students neither since he watch how the French students enter the Great Hall that night, so he was almost hundred percent sure the girl was from Hogwarts.

At her question, he smiled; confirming his thoughts as well as giving him a person to stay with him for a while. "That vould be lovely," he answered her in his slight Russian accent, and moved sideways to see her more clearly. "I vould like it very much to have company." He continued and paused. He looked out again before saying, "I'm Nikolae," showing a hand to her.

[CASEY ANNE MASON]

The silence seemed overwhelming here. Perhaps the reason for that being no one was near the rickety old bridge. That's what Casey decided on: the creepy bridge and no one wanted to come near it. It was understandable. The thing looked like it could collapse at any second, it was not a bridge Casey believed anyone would want to attempt to cross. Unless it was one of those with an ego larger than the size of the castle of Hogwarts itself. There were more than a few of those running around Hogwarts. She wasn't so sure about this boy. He looked smarter than to waltz(not literally) straight across. But, as the saying goes, never judge a book by it's cover.

She could see his shape and form, yes, but couldn't catch a better look until he moved. Casey did not mentally file away faces, but she knew once he spoke he was most certainly not from Hogwarts. For some reason she highly doubted he was from Beauxbatons. Most of the students from that school, Casey had noticed, were girls.. it was wrong to say, but he just didn't look like one of the boys from that school. So that left the other: Durmstrang. Besides, the accent that had surprised her fit. "Casey." she returned the smile and took his hand. "Nice to meet you." she took a moment to think over her next question, trying to think of a way to keep her next comment from sounding rude or intrusive. 'Why did you come down here' classified as both. "Have you grown bored with the castle?"

[NIKOLAE SUI STOECKLI]

The bridge wasn't all that stable yet it was stable enough and he should know if a bridge was good enough to support his own weight. He was something of a professional at knowing if a bridge could hold him and somebody else like the girl before him. He knew it was stable enough to hold them, especially where they are. If they moved a few more feet outwards, they could be in danger, but they're good for now. Of course, most guys do have an ego and Nikolae did have an ego, not the size of the castle, but still he does just not big sized. He kept himself balance and kept the girl in his sight.

Now that he knew Casey was from Hogwarts he wondered which house she was from. He knew there were four altogether and often thought on how the students were put in their houses. It was a mysterious way of thinking to put everybody into their separate places and wondered if there were any rivalries as the result. It seem wrong since it would invite battlefields within the school community. "Pleased to meet you, Casey," he said while they shake hands. He chuckled. "No, not really, just need some quiet and this seem like a good place to have some." He ventured, "What about you?"

[CASEY ANNE MASON]

When Casey didn't fall through the bottom of the bridge to her death, some of her tension eased. But not completely. Enough that it wasn't her main worry anymore.. she still wasn't going to move a whole lot, though. Unless it was in the opposite direction. She let herself concentrate more on Nikolae and the current conversation. "It sure is," she agreed. Who else would have wandered all the way in this direction? Besides herself of course. It was probably the best place for quiet 'alone time.' Next to the Room of Requirement. Nothing was better than that room for solitude.

She opened her mouth to answer his question then closed it again. Could she tell him the real reason? He didn't seem the type of person to divulge in gossip and rumors. But one could never know. And he was from Durmstrang, would it make as much sense? Well, gossip made sense to anyone. But as much sense as to why it felt worse at Hogwarts. Hogwarts had different houses for each seperate type of personality -- that's what it all boiled down to, if you asked Casey. Houses and personalities clash and gossip starts. Was that how his school functioned? It may be a lot easier and less stressful that way. "I'm.. taking a break. From.. people." she winced. Not exactly the answer she'd intended on. "Their words, rather."