Arriving (OOC set before Mary's post. God-modding approved by her author)
Dorian staggered slightly, placing his hand against a wall to steady himself and closing his eyes. He had travelled by portkey often enough that he had known what to expect, and knew that he was neither likely to fall down or be sick, in spite of the somewhat unsettled feeling in his stomach.
"Are you alright?" he had seen a person-shaped blur as he landed, and recognised the voice, unsurprised to find that Professor Brooding was waiting for him. He heard a little mrow and felt a familiar pressure winding around his ankles that informed him she wasn't the only one.
"Yes. Just one minute." He began to take ten deep, steadying breaths. The first thing he noticed was simply that air was good. Then he gradually began to notice the differences... The air here was much warmer. It smelt lightly sweet with just a hint of the sea.
He opened his eyes, turning to smile at his teacher and embrace her in an enthusiastic hug.
"Happy wedding day!" he beamed, "Nǐ hǎo xiǎo dàolǐ māo" he greeted Ailuros, bending down to scoop her up, "So, this is where you come from, hm?" he asked, turning to properly take in the sights as well as the smells. He blinked. There will hills tumbling away below and stretching up into the distance, all dotted with whitewashed buildings, and he could see the glimmering dance of sunlight reflected on water - the sea he had been able to smell.
"Wow," he acknowledged. He could see why they had wanted to get married here and was glad he had not been able to persuade them otherwise. It already felt like paradise - the warm air, the sense of freedom….
"Shall we get you inside and get you settled?" Professor Brooding asked.
"Yes. But first thing, I must write a note to my mother," he explained, "She had it made that this," he held up the small tea tin decorated in a similar fashion to his own, with Chinese figures seated under spreading blossom trees, "will return automatically to her after ten minutes. I am to let her know I arrive safely."
He followed Professor Brooding into the building, and made use of the reception desk, taking a small piece of parchment from his satchel along with a self-inking quill, and dashing out a quick column of Chinese characters.
"If you have room and time, thank her again from me," Professor Brooding requested. Dorian nodded and the words "Professor Brooding" followed by a string of characters appeared on the parchment. Dorian let it dry, then folded it and placed it in the tin, which they put behind the reception desk with a note reading 'Portkey - do not touch.
"I'm still amazed she lets me come," he smiled. "There are rules though," he added, looking serious. "Back home when we agreed, no drinking alcohol, and no dancing with unsuitable girls." A small smile twitched at the edges of his mouth. Sometimes, his parents’ expectations - or in this case, their assumptions - could chip away at him. But on a day like today, with the sun outside and someone he felt not only safe but happy with, it was much easier to laugh about them instead. "I think I can follow these," he added, breaking into a grin.
“I’ll be sure to keep an eye on you,” Professor Brooding nodded, also unable to keep a straight face. “Now, we’ve got a room for you. I know you’re not staying but in case you need somewhere to nap or freshen up,” she picked up the key that Evangeline had designated earlier. “You can put your things down and then we can go find everyone else.”