The walk back from the Pony facility was a fairly hefty one and it had been one of the few times she'd considered taking the pony-pulled rickshaw back to the school. But stubborn as she was she'd decided to walk which, took up more time but also gave her space to think. The intent was for her to choose one of the extracurricular activities to get her grades back on track, purely thanks to Professor Barnes' string pulling. But after seeing what this may entail she was more than a bit torn. The swim club looked fun, as did the music club. And while the ponies had been nice, she had no intention of stepping into hooves. Even if it had been rather fun. More so than she'd expected.
Tossing ideas around in her head she walked up to the school, warming her hands in the pockets built into the school uniform's skirt she looked up at the cotton candy-colored sky. After touring with Lemondrop the entire day it was late enough that the sun was now setting behind the school. Lily enjoyed the sunset, perhaps not the sunset itself. But the pastel array of colors it scattered across the sky as the light faded had always been a calming influence to her. Perhaps that was because her favorite colors were all pastel shades. Usually, she was far too busy to sit and enjoy the sight of the sun sinking into the horizon. Everyone was always too busy to appreciate the small things, including her.
Making her way into the school and taking the short walk, she ended up outside of the Professor's office. She raised a hand and knocked gently until she was invited in with a short, "Come in."
Inside, Professor Barnes was playing some sort of old-school looking game on his computer screen when she walked in, one he paused so he he had the time to examine the still sweat-soaked female before him. His eyes wandered over the bandages on her arm and legs and he couldn't help but chuckle, "Took a tumble at the Universities Pony Club did we?" He asked with a raised brow as Lily sank into the armchair across from him.
"How could you tell?" She asked with a slight huff, reaching up to pull her long chocolate brown strands of hair into a ponytail now that they were dry.
"Hard not to recognize the bandaging they use. Poultice underneath I imagine?"
Lily nodded, "Yeah. It feels kind of nice actually. Kind of cool and numbing."
Professor Barnes smiled and nodded before breaking the small talk as he leaned back, steepling his hands and casting his gaze over Lily, "So then. You remember why I sent you out with Lemondrop today?"
Lily nodded, "I do. Yes."
"Well then, you know what I'm going to ask. Have you made a decision?"
To his surprise, Lily shook her head, "I...I haven't. I wanted to ask if you'd give me the evening to consider my options. It's been a really long day and it's kind of been information overload. I don't want to make a rushed decision and choose the wrong extracurricular. If that's ok with you?"
Professor Barnes considered the request carefully. He was pushing her into unfamiliar territory and he too understood how overwhelming that could be in terms of the sheer amount of information. He spun to his computer, bringing up a series of menus and typing a few things in, "Tell you what. I'll give you until noon tomorrow. Enough time for you to rest, consider your options, and get back to me with an answer. What you're asking isn't unreasonable. I'll admit, I'm disappointed you don't have an answer now. But I do understand why you'd like time to consider your options. Should you need any additional information, just send me an email. I am the head of the Extracurricular department after all. Is that amiable?"
Lily nodded, thankful he was willing to make the small compromise, "That would be perfect. Thank you, Professor Barnes."
With a dismissive wave of his hand, he turned his game back on, "Well then Miss McKinsey. Go get yourself cleaned up, consider your options and I'll look forward to hearing from you. Also, those bandages are fully waterproof. Not sure if the Doctor told you that."
Lily climbed to her feet and ran her fingers over the pastel blue bandages about her right arm, "She did not. Guess I don't have to worry when I shower." She turned and headed for the door pausing at the frame and smiling, "Thank you again, Professor."
Professor Barnes however was already lost in his game leaving Lily to head out of the room and start the slightly-long walk back to her dormitory. She'd done more walking today than in the last three months and it was beginning to show in the tiredness etched on her face.
