Quiet, Peace, and Relaxation

[serasera]

"I believe that climbing trees with you would be rather enjoyable and exciting. We should do it sometime," Esme said, agreeing with the girl. She thought that it would be. Maybe she would find some of her inner child as well. As the girl mentioned that she lived where there were plenty of trees to climb and plenty of places to stay, Esme smiled. She, too, had lived in a similar place, just tropical. She shared this information with Natalie.

"Where I lived, there was a beach. I actually lived in a beach house. And, near the beach and the house and water, there were many trees since we lived in the tropical region of the country. It was beautiful, and there were always animals there and such. I think that you might like it."

Silence fell for a moment. Natalie then wondered if she could join Esme's class to help and possibly just watch. Esme did not mind at all, but she was not sure of what the girl's uncle would think. "Sure, I do not mind, as long as your uncle says that it is okay." Her answer was somewhat delight-filled and open. Why would she care?

[Natalie St. Clare]

Natalie smiled at the description of Esme's home. "It sounds so pretty," she sighed. "I wish I could see it sometime. I bet you really miss it. And you'll really miss it when it gets cold."

She listened to Esme's reply about the class and nodded. "I don't think he'll mind," Natalie said. "He wants me to keep busy. But you can ask him when you meet him. He's nice."

[serasera]

Esme nodded at Natalie's comment about her home being beautiful. She agreed; it really was. "You have no idea. The house had a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea with very blue water and such. And, aside from that, it was always warm." She remembered those warm days, even in December. She then spoke once again, stating that perhaps they could visit her home.

"One day, perhaps, you can visit my home and meet my family. Mind you, they are not all that good with English, but I can help you." She then fell silent as the girl said that her uncle would more than likely not mind. Esme nodded. "If I remember, I will ask him about it. I am sure that it would be fun to have you in class with myself and the other students. And you would be ahead of the classes when you start!"

[Natalie St. Clare]

Natalie smiled slightly. "I'd love to visit your home sometime," she said. "I've never really gone anywhere interesting. It sounds so pretty." Natalie's green eyes took on a distant, dreamy quality as she pictured the land, with bright blue skies, warm green seas, and feathery palm trees as far as the eye could see. "I hope Uncle Alastor says yes. I'd be good in class, I really would. I'm really good with animals."

[serasera]

"You would love it there. It's really beautiful, especially on the beach where I lived. I still have a home there, of course, but I am not living there, obviously. It is really nice." Esme listened as Natalie spoke about how much she hoped that her uncle would say yes. She gave a kind and reassuring smile. "I am sure that he will. He seems like a nice person," her voice was also reassuring. "You seem like you really love animals, and being outside with nature for the most part might have you intrigued anyway, so, I am sure that it would be exciting." She fell silent again, looking across the grounds and towards the Forbidden Forest.

[Natalie St. Clare]

Natalie followed her gaze, trying to figure out what she was thinking or looking at. "Why did you decide to come here?" she asked. "Do you have family at home? Is there someone that you miss?" She felt like there was a sadness to Esme, one that she could identify with. Maybe it just came from being so far away from home, but Natalie wasn't sure. "If you don't mind me asking," she added quickly.

[serasera]

"Well, I came here to take the job as professor. I never really thought of teaching, but I love kids and hope to have children of my own some day," she spoke lightly and continued. "My brother or sister, I cannot remember which one, told me of a job as a teacher here after having ventured her for no reason, and I came and took the job. I am glad that I did too, though I had other ideas for my future.

"There are people, family and friends, back at home that I miss dearly, but I have known them all my life. I needed to get out and know people since I have not really done that before. Here I am now, meeting new people, and they are not Hispanics like myself." She laughed somewhat and then shook her head. "I do not mind you asking. Many people would, and I would love answering them, I am sure."