Afternoon stroll [Open]

An umbrella was clasped in her right hand, the long metal pole resting against her shoulder. The large canopy cast a dark shadow across her features as she made sure that any exposed skin was safely covered by the darkness, hidden away from the sunlight. Long white hair billowed around her as a soft breeze danced past her, taking the strands with it. The wind did nothing in an attempt to steal her dress with it, the pale blue fabric tucked under her and held by her crouched position. Yes, she was one of those people who allowed the dress to wrinkle when she was crouching or even sitting down. It did not bother her one bit. In fact, feeling the fabric rather than bare skin or tights was more than welcomed for the girl.

Ruby red eyes gazed out at the small pond that somehow managed to thrive with wildlife despite the condition of the rest of the school grounds. Said wildlife probably only lived on due to the bugs and algae. At least too many students were not throwing rocks in to disturb there peace. She reached her free left hand down, pale fingers dipping into the water. She held them still, waiting patiently as the small fish that inhabited the water swarmed around her fingers, taking small bites of sorts. It tickles. She giggled softly to herself, allowing the fish to do what they wanted before she wiggled her fingers, scattering the fish that had gathered. Her fingers stilled once more, and the fish gathered like flies after a moment of hesitation.

School was not in session just yet. She should be inside preparing, not playing with the fish. Yet, here she was, playing with the fish. Allowing them to nibble at her fingers was, in a way, relaxing to her. It pushed away the thoughts of a new school year and the stress that it was bound to cause. She had also heard there was a new teacher, but she doubted that she would ever have the time to stop by the summoning section of the school. She rarely ventured there unless she was asked to by a teacher or another student. Otherwise, it was transformation, the usual courses, the dorms, or the pond that she lingered around. Technically, she shouldn't even be outside, but at least she had her handy dandy umbrella!

ooc: hope you don't mind a clueless student popping in~! <3

Her gaze was completely focused on the water, fixated on the small ripples in the liquid coming from her fingers breaking the water's surface and the small fins pushing the fish around below. Her grip on the umbrella's handle loosened as she lost herself within her own little fish related world. The umbrella began to slip off of her shoulder, the uncomfortable feeling of the metal sliding against the fabric on her shoulder causing her to break away from her world for a short moment. It was just long enough for her fingers to tighten around the handle as she readjusted the umbrella. Once she was certain it would not slip away once more, making sure that all of her skin was cloaked in the shadow once more, she allowed herself to return to the little trance she had been in.

The fish did not seem to mind her movements too much. As long as she kept her fingers still, they were oblivious to the world outside of the pond. Mai, too, was oblivious to the world outside the pond, the very world around her. It wasn't until a voice spoke out that she fully snapped back to reality, flinching in the process. The flinch caused her hand to jerk only slightly, but it was enough to frighten the fish away once more. A soft frown played on her lips as she gazed longingly at the water before she turned her head partially to the side. Red eyes hesitantly glanced at the one who was crouched beside her. When had she gotten there? That was a question she could ask later, but it was not important at the current moment in time.

"Ah, y-yes... They do." She bowed her head in greeting, turning her gaze back to the pond. The girl bit down on her lower lip, dipping her fingers back into the pond. The little fish were quick to swarm once more. She kept her gaze on the fish, though she stole glances at the stranger. Who was she? She had never seen her before, and she did not look like she was young enough to be a student. Hm... "Are..." She hesitated before continuing. "Are you the... New teacher?"