WE'RE GOING ON A TRIP IN OUR FAVORITE DINO-SHIP | RAINA

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Ellie had already been in London for a little while now, and she was already enjoying the freedom away from her parent’s watchful eyes. They weren’t strict, but it was a nice to be away from them and with her sister these past few days. But something new was on the horizon, her sister had gotten a letter in the mail about some blind-date, and Ellie was quite curious so she had signed up for it, even deciding that she’d play around and see what gender she’d get. For a while now she had been questioning, especially after playing the spin the bottle game back home at a party. A party that ended with her kissing another girl and liking it, much like the Katy Perry song, except Ellie didn’t have a boyfriend at the time. So, she had signed that she would be fine with either, and if she got a female and it didn’t work out because she wasn’t into the gender, then maybe she’d gain a friend.

It wasn’t long after she signed up for it that she got a letter back about the results, of course, much to her dismay it didn’t say much. Other than the location, the time and the place to meet her date. So that day, she had gone about her business until it was time to go to this place, the World of Golf London's Jurassic Encounter. It sounded kind of weird, to go mini-golfing since she had never really been, or rather, she never really participated, but what harm could that do. She dressed pretty casually, in jeans and a nice blouse with her favorite jean jacket before catching a ride to the Jurassic encounter. She couldn’t tell if she showed up early, but that didn’t matter to her, cause once she got there, she’d just have to wait just inside the entrance.

So there she stood, awkwardly watching people come and go, none of them her blind date.

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329 words ;; @raina

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It certainly wasn't something that Raina usually would do, but she had been mostly curious about what having a blind date would be like. So when she had heard about it - she had, on a whim - decided to sign herself up for it. When it had come to the point to specify a gender she was interested in though - she had answered truthfully and stated she preferred girls. It was still a new thing for her, to be open about it, she was still technically part in the closet as she wasn't fully out yet other than to a few people. Most of her family wasn't even yet aware. But when the letter arrived about her blind-date, she was more excited than she was nervous. She had already decided that regardless of who she ended up meeting up with, she'd at least try to make a new friend if things didn't turn out in a more romantic interest for them.

The letter she got about her date was interesting although lacked a lot of information. It told her where she'd go and when, and that was about it. She was a little disappointed that it didn't say anything more - but hey - she'd be playing mini golf with her date. She just hoped she wouldn't make a fool of herself. She decided to dress casually, a nice shirt and comfortable but nice jeans and her favorite comfortable sneakers. Getting there was easy enough and soon she was looking around to try and spot her date. This was the awkward part she decided. Not knowing who it was she was meeting did have its down falls, but she at least knew that she was looking for a girl - a girl who would be standing by herself, probably looking as lost as she was feeling.

It was just a few minutes after arriving that she spotted one such girl, looking as lost and awkward as she was feeling. With a classic Raina smile she darted over, "Hi.. I'm guessing here, so feel free to correct me if I am way off base. But - would you happen to be my blind date?" Raina smiled, reaching up to brush her hair back behind her ear as she spoke.

[ @ellie ]

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The awkwardness soon changed to her praying to whatever god was out there that someone would show up. Had she made a mistake? Was she about to get stood up? She didn’t have time to answer any of those questions before a beautiful girl walked towards her, looked to be about her age as well, and a smile appeared on her face. Ellie found herself somewhat in awe at that moment before realizing that this girl was her blind date. Wow, she thought to herself before smiling back at the black-haired woman before her, “Uhh—yeah! Yes, I would be,” she said with her American accent, already this girl had so much on her. The British accent that came from her lips, it was like music to her ears. “I’m Ellie,” she said with a smile as she held out her hand for the other girl to shake.

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@raina

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Maybe it was a normal thing, the odd nervousness. The twisting of her stomach and the thoughts and worries she was wondering in her head. Would her date be nice? Would they get along? What about if her date just didn't even show up?! Yes. Raina was indeed a bundle of nerves and worries. Perhaps a blind date hadn't been the best idea. Heck - she hadn't even gone on a real- official date at all before. Was a blind date really a good place to start? Either way, here she was and she was hoping it would go well. That those worries and fears were all for nothing. 

Approaching the girl, that she hoped was her date had taken a lot from her. It was summoning a pure moment of bravery that she was certain her sister would have been proud of her for summoning. She wondered if it was that classic Gryffindor Courage that she heard so much about. But she had been correct in her guessing, and this girl was her date after all. Perhaps it would indeed turn out to be a good date.

Raina's eyes lit up when the girl spoke, first by the fact that yes - she had actually guessed correctly, this pretty girl was in fact her blind date. And by gosh she was very pretty. But then Raina took note of the accent and a wide smile formed on her face. While it wasn't utterly unusual to meet someone with an accent, it was a rare thing to meet an American at least to Raina it was and she had a bundle of questions forming in her mind. Quickly though she shook them aside, offering a gentle smile as she reached out to carefully shake the offered hand, as she spoke "It's a pleasure to meet you Ellie," she started, "I'm Raina."

[@ellie]

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Raina, what a pretty name for such a pretty girl. Ellie found her mind swirling but pushed it all down, fearful that it might be the butterflies forming from the simple touch of their hands. Their hands shook, and it was rather lovely, for a handshake that was. “Raina—” her accent said in a rather off tone from the one that the girl used moments before, her accent made it less pretty coming from her mouth. “That’s a beautiful name,” she breathed out with a smile. It was better than Ellie, especially since Ellie is usually a nickname and not a legal name, which is questions she often got. ‘Is Ellie short for Eleanor or something?’ she always hated that, and it used to make her upset that her name was so simple.

“So—this is awkward, but it’s been years since I’ve golf…and I don’t think I ever really played it right,” she said while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, “So, don’t judge me too harshly,” she said before they even entered the place and got started. She knew that she’d fail, especially since it’s been years and even that one time she played, it hadn’t been the right way – she was sure of it.

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@raina

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Raina was unable to not smile, while it wasn't an unusual thing - she had often been called a ray of sunshine, pure Hufflepuff happiness and joy - she was already enjoying herself and was utterly pleased to have a friendly person as her date. There had been doubts and fears bubbling from the moment she sent in her application, not knowing who she'd be going out on a blind date with - regardless of yes it being a blind date - was rather terrifying. But now she was feeling butterflies and it made her utterly happy, plus Ellie, her name was Ellie - it was so cute, and boy was she so pretty. 

Hearing her speak again, Raina bit her lip slightly, she could hear the accent in her voice clearer now, "Thank you, your name is pretty too - its adorable, may i ask where you are from? I mean - your accent isn't from around here. I like it though." she quickly stopped herself from continuing to talk, sometimes she got so excitable that she'd babble on and ramble far too much.  She was curious though, and Ellie seemed so nice already, regardless of how the date went she was fairly certain it'd end with at least a new person to talk to. 

She nodded a little but gave a tiny shrug as she smiled, "I honestly can say... I have never played golf, but it looks fun!" her finger twisted the end of her hair slightly as she spoke, "Maybe we can just goof around, it's meant to be fun after all - right?" Raina tilted her head slightly, offering her arm to the other girl so they could enter together, "I promise not to judge you, it's not my style - besides you have more experience than I do already."

[@ellie]

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Ellie smiled as Raina asked her where she was from, commenting on her accent that she never really heard herself. It was weird to think that people with the prettiest accents thought that dull American’s had such a thing, but she’s gotten comments about it here and there since coming to London. “I’m from American, New York to be exact,” she said with a smile on her face.

After revealing that she would probably suck a golfing, Raina was quick to give the truth that she had never played, but it did look fun. Ellie internally sighed, it was perfect, Ellie wouldn’t look that bad at all. If Ellie screwed up and did something wrong, Raina wouldn’t even notice. “I’m down with goofing around with it,” she said with a laugh, “Being less professional is my specialty,” she added with an amused tone in her voice.

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@raina

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Raina was trying to reel in her questions, the last thing she wished to do was overwhelm her date. As sweet as Raina was, she knew that sometimes people found her to be more - annoying - to say the least. She she smiled and nodded, making sure she didn't just burst out all the questions she had at once and instead just let a couple simple ones slip through. "Oh - are you - I mean, I heard we will be having some transfers at Hogwarts this year - are you going to be one of them?" She like many others, had heard about what had happened to the American school, "Do you miss New York?" There - simple, two questions instead of all the others, she still did want to ask a few of the others - like what was this girls favorite color? Did she have siblings? Yes, Raina was very much a curious thing and this pretty girl, she was certainly facinating.


Raina's face lit up once more, a wide smile forming on her face, although neither of them were all that good at golf, between the two of them - she was certain they would have more than enough fun just goofing off together, "Don't worry, I'm pretty good at being goofy myself - and really, whats so fun about being professional?" She mused and offered a small giggle, "I honestly have more fun just being silly, besides - maybe I can make a pretty girl laugh at the same time." Her cheeks burned slightly at her own words but she didn't take them back. 

[@ellie]

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This place was different, at least, from the other golfing places she had been to in the states. Though she had only been at one or two, and they were mostly during vacations. But being here with someone she thought was kinda cute, if she didn’t know so herself, was a whole new game. She smiled at Raina, nodding her head at the question that came her way, “Yeah, I am.” The words came out with a small laugh before it was replaced with a small frown, taken slightly aback by the question of her home. She hadn’t thought about it, having been on a high of the unknown. And quickly she shrugged her shoulders, “Yeah—I guess so. I’ll miss my muggle friends and my parents, but luckily my sister lives in London with one of her friends from back home, so there will be plenty of things to keep me distracted. Plus, I might go home for Christmas just to see my parents, so hopefully I won’t get to home-sick,” she said with a small giggle.

It was true though, Ellie was always one to get homesick, even when spending the night at the friend’s house that simply lived down the street. This was farther away from home, but she hoped the familiarity of her older sister would help her refrain from missing home too much. Plus, she’d be constantly writing home so that would help as well.

Ellie found herself laughing once more, brushing a strand of brunette locks behind her ear, as a grin grew on her face. “Excellent! And I agree, why be professional when you can go wild?” she added in the same amused tone. Slowly a blush grew on her face, probably mirroring the same color that tinted the cheeks of Raina, and she slowly laughed, “Then let’s go have fun,” she said with the same embarrassed smile. The girl had called her pretty; it made butterflies fill her chest and threaten to break out. “Come on,” she said leading the other girl into the building to play.

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@raina

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Raina had always loved exploring new places, new experiences while sometimes scary could also be hugely exciting. This was definately one of the latter at least in Raina's mind. So she was happy to go along with it and seeing and meeting up with her date had made her even more sure of this being a good idea.  She decided to talk and ask a couple questions, but when her questions made the smile disappear from the other girls face, she instantly regretted her choice of questions. A small frown quickly appearing on her own face. "I'm sorry for bringing that up, I didn't mean to make you think of those things." quickly she spoke up, biting her lip slightly. "But - I mean, its exciting to know you'll be one of the transfers - I mean - " she paused, nose scrunching - she certainly didn't want to say the wrong thing again and make Ellie's smile disappear once again.

"Well, you now know one person from Hogwarts and I'll gladly help you out however I can. You probably don't know what house you're in yet though, but I'm a Hufflepuff." she offered a small smile here, hoping that if nothing else - at least knowing someone would be a familiar face would be a comfort. She was more than happy though when Ellie was soon laughing - and Raina's own face lit up, proud that she had quickly made the laughter reappear. "Exactly. Life needs to be fun, so why be so serious when we can just enjoy and live life wildly!" Raina waved her hand slightly, smile wide once more even as her face was now a blushing mess. 

Her own giggle bubbled out as she easily let herself be led inside, eyes alight as she looked around - her hand clinging to the other girls as they made their way into the building. It didn't take long before the two girls were being led to where they would start on the mini golf course. Raina was holding the small putter and glancing at the strange course - she now certainly understood the Jurassic part of the name at least. "This is so cool already," perhaps she was a little more excited as she struggled to not bounce in her spot, dinosaurs were cool - and Ellie was really nice - so what was there not to like?

@ellie

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Ellie shook her head, the smile appearing once more, “Don’t worry about it. There is no need to apologize; I’m sure a ton of people will be asking me that question once I get to Hogwarts. So don’t worry,” she said with a small laugh leaving her lips. It was then the girl stuttered over her words, saying that it was exciting that she knew she was one of the transfers, but she didn’t continue that train of thought, instead of changing it to that Ellie would know one person from Hogwarts and that she would help her out. She smiled, “I sadly won't know what house I’m in until the first day of school. But it would be lovely to be in the same house as you,” she said with a small blush tinting her cheeks.

When they were brought to the course, their club and ball in hand, she looked around at the place. Nodding in agreement as Raina mentioned it already being cool, “It is—it was an interesting theme to go with,” she breathed out as she smiled at Raina. “You wanna go first?” she questioned, wanting to let the other girl go first if she wished.

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@raina

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Raina instantly felt more at ease, although she only just had met this girl she was feeling utterly comfortable already. Regardless of how it ended she was enjoying her first 'real date' already and would remember this fondly in the future. "Maybe, but I don't want to bother you with too many questions. If I ask something you don't want to answer feel free to just tell me I'm being nosy." She offered a quick smile before tapping herself on the nose, a tiny giggle escaping. The last thing she wanted was to make the girl feel uncomfortable, she was already so lovely and Raina definitely wanted her to feel comfortable around her.

At her answer about her house Raina quickly found her face heating up once more, "I can honestly say that being in the same house with you would be lovely - but even if we're not in the same house, I'd be happy seeing you around - and we often end up sharing classes with mixed houses so we'd see each other tons still." She was eager to speak more about Hogwarts and she had questions as well about what Ellie's last school was like. She knew very little about the other magical schools.

But for now she focused on the course, keeping her own club close to her side as her eyes took in everything around them, she bit her lip at the question of if she wanted to go first but after a moment she gave a small nod, "I'll go first - unless you want to go?" she spoke after a moment, "I have very little idea what I am doing but.. it shouldn't be too hard to work out right?"

@ellie

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Ellie laughed, shaking her head, “Believe me, I’m pretty nosy myself so it won’t bother me. Hit me with your best questions, and I’ll answer them all!” she said a soft giggle leaving her lips. As the other girl agreed that being in the same house was a lovely idea, they would likely see each other a bunch even if they were in different houses. She had heard that classes mixed houses, as they did back home, but she wasn’t sure if that was true or not. She was thankful to hear that it was true, which made the brunette even more excited.

The other girl spoke once more, saying that she would go first unless she wanted to, and quickly she shook her head, “Oh no—I’m fine with going second. I’d loved to see how much competition will come from this,” she said teasingly, a giggle leaving her lips. “Just kidding – but really, please…be my guest. I have no idea what I’m doing either, but it’s probably easier than we think.”

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@raina

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