As I Wander [Open]

[Seema Chaudhary]

[Backdated to Monday 18th November]

As she stepped out into the courtyard Seema wished she had worn an extra layer or so under her jacket. Although the ground was not quite frozen yet the chill air from the mountains seemed to permeate right to the bone and she shivered as she pulled her jacket closer around her. Seema had been touring around the school with the rest of her team a little earlier but had broken off from them as they had gone to visit the training grounds. Always one to take the individual path, Seema had said she would meet up with them again after she had seen the courtyard. Yes it was useful to be able to swap and share notes with her comrades but she was used to working solo and she preferred to see things through her own eyes, untainted by the words and actions of others.

Seema noted that the courtyard seemed to be rather pretty and well maintained, with plenty of foliage and color despite the approaching winter. The grass looked a little sad but that was to be expected at this time of year, and as Seema wandered slowly along the path she made a few quick verbal notes on the Dictaphone carried around in her hand, which was tucked deeply into the pocket of her dark blue jacket when not note-taking. The Hammel Institute was already proving to be a school quite unlike any other she had visited before. In spite of her initial annoyance at having to make another long-distance inspection without having had a proper break in many months, Seema was not altogether too displeased that she had agreed to come to Vermont. If nothing else the scenery was beautiful, and she would probably be able to pick up a few gifts for her children from the stores in town. She just hoped they were not harassing their father too much while she was away.

With a wistful sigh Seema removed the Dictaphone from her pocket again and pressed the record button. “No obvious signs of graffiti, damage or vandalism. Courtyard appears overall well maintained.” Pressing stop, Seema once more buried her hands into her pockets and continued along the path, dark eyes missing nothing.

[Iggy Liu]

Fall wasn't Iggy's favorite season. It was chilly and the plants were wilting, but the occasional warmer days definitely beat the constant snow of winter (which once it got warm it there was loads of mud). All the same, Iggy decided to get some fresh air. He bundled up in a cozy sweater with a hoody over it, and went out to the courtyard. He wasn't really out there for a particular reason. He just enjoyed the out doors. Getting stuck indoors wasn't fun. So he was just out to enjoy the day before it gets too cold.

Even with the waning appearance of the plants, the falling leaves were still something. He would probably bring a few eye-catching ones back to his room before they turned crisp and brown. Iggy could honestly see why autumn was known as tourist season in Vermont. It was just so bright!

A smile was across the boy's face as he continued to stroll. Iggy didn't notice the woman at first. It wasn't until he saw the movement of a device up towards her mouth that he was aware of her presence. He watched her lips move as she spoke to recorder. After she turned to continue on her way, Iggy approached with a friendly smile. He hadn't seen her before in his two years of attending. Was she a teacher? "Hello! How're you today?" He asked, but his speech was a little broken. There was stress on the wrong syllables. Hopefully that wouldn't bother the woman too much.