Location: Greenwich Elementary School. | Tag: @PavellumPendulum 's Tenet & Dawn
I listened to this instrumental the whole time and it was relaxing af.
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That day had fully belonged to Dawn. She'd brightened through her reservations when one-on-one, performing as well as any of the best students her age. And, with it Halloween, her pumpkin bobble couldn't possibly draw odd attention from others. It was a pumpkin's perfect day, really, if there ever was to be one.
Some kids teased about the pumpkin head. Some others simply shied away. A few were curious and friendly. But it wouldn't be hard to comprehend that absorbing in those perceptions from her peers might instruct Dawn to stay hidden within her pumpkin world. Dahlia fended off teasing whenever she caught it, but she'd never catch every instance of it.
“A sparrow!” Miss Thornbrook hummed more like a delighted surprise than a question. She'd cupped her hands to create an imaginary sparrow nest within her palms to reenact the moment Dawn described.
Dawn wheeled around, chirping to her family with a sparrow song of her own.
Dahlia watched the sisters collide, relieved that the younger laughed and joined in the cheery name chants rather than squalling. It was a blessing to be such good friends with one's siblings.
“Happy Halloween!” Dahlia gave as her greeting reply. “Of course, it was a pleasure as always.” She'd made polite eye contact with Dawn's father. He seemed as reserved as someone hiding inside of a pumpkin, too.
“Miss Daisy!” She continued, greeting the younger child while she stood now, after organizing aside a few learning materials.
“Did you know that your sister is one of the best students? You should be very proud of her.” Her glance welcomed Mr. Briars and Dawn into the sentiment with a magenta flick toward each of them for a moment. “I certainly am!” She hoped to catch glimpses of how each might celebrate Dawn – including Dawn herself.
And then, with much enthusiasm, Dahlia found herself invited to the family picnic. She gave a curious grin toward Dawn first, to acknowledge her and her voice in the matter before shifting her gaze toward her father - ...nope! Right back toward Daisy as she boisterously chimed in next, and surely should not have her commentary disregarded either!
“WITH cheese? Well, I don't know how I could refuse...” she trailed. Dahlia sought out Mr. Briars' glance now to see how the matter might ultimately sort. Her entire chest felt like it had filled with pride and contentment that the girls would so eagerly invite her – though she also didn't want to intrude on anything if there were more private plans involved.
And then? She found herself with an invitation from all three, and her grin eased fully toward happy, relaxed acceptance.
“A Halloween afternoon picnic with some of the best people in the world? Hmm....” She hummed to make it seem as though she had to think about it, patting a fingertip to the right side of her mouth. She was flattered and happy to go of course. She just wanted to tease up a reaction from the girls.
She didn't entirely know Dawn's father or younger sister as well as Dawn – being her student. But she'd encountered them just enough that she'd go with that description for them to carry the good atmosphere onward.
“Alright! I'm honored, I'd love to join. I don't have anything to bring – unless, oh! If you'd like to bring any of the crafts from the classroom, they're all yours for the day! The bike? The kite?” The class had a few 'rental' items the kids could rotate using through the week, pretending to rent out when their turn came up.
“If we're off to picnic, call me Dahlia!” She declared to Mr. Briars with her approach to, at last, stand in the family's midst. Although it was late autumn, the floral fae persisted in wearing springtime colors. She joined the Briar crew in a long-sleeved white blouse and light green skirt to her ankles.
“Should I wear a mask?” She asked after the girls. It
was Halloween, if if the sun was still out. “I'm not so good at picking the perfect mask, though, will you help me?” She asked of Dawn and Daisy, giving to their expert advice.
“If you drove, I'll ride along,” She asserted, then explained. “I walk to school, being so close by. Ohh, this should be fun. And! You all can tell me about your trick-or-treat plans!"
Dahlia was also already scheming about the possibility to talk to the family about any of the upcoming school plays and events. Maybe Dawn would feel up to being involved! Her father, too. But she just managed to keep from spilling all of her enthusiasm at once. For now.