InsaneJournal

If there was one thing Astrid Vaisey was not known for, it was subtlety.  Even for a nine-year-old girl, she was markedly precocious and tended to speak her mind on matters of all kinds.  This morning, she had eaten breakfast with the family (and their special visitor, who she had been observing with uncharacteristic silence these past three days) in a strange bout of aloofness, very intent on eating the hot buns, bacon, and fruit set before her.  As soon as her parents had permitted her departure, she'd run out to the stables and spent a good forty-five minutes watching some of the reindeer grazing.  She'd wondered if she ought to throw something in there to cause them to start and, maybe, fly around a bit. 

Knowing that if she did such a thing her mother would be furious, Astrid had instead wandered back into the manor, cheeks and nose reddened from the cold.  She supposed Nikolas must be off with Daphne.  Daphne.  Astrid wasn't sure how she felt about the older girl yet, but was certain she'd have to form some opinion, whether for better or worse. Today, preferably. If there was one thing Astrid knew, it was that opinions of others must be formed quickly - and three days had been far too long.   Although, she certainly admired the girl's looks and style, and Daphne had gotten her the most lovely gifts for Christmas. 

After properly disposing of her outdoor clothing and snatching an orange from the kitchen, Astrid sauntered down the corridor that led to the guest quarters, listening for any signs of life.  Maybe she'd catch her brother and Daphne snogging, or something else amusingly exciting.  As she was shooing away one of the remaining wolfhound puppies that had begun trailing her, she heard a small noise from the guest room she knew Daphne to be staying in.  Ah hah. Didn't sound like snogging, perhaps (although, what did snogging sound like, anyway?), but at least there was someone there.

With little regard for the guest's privacy, Astrid walked right up to the door, open just barely a crack.  She pushed it open and barged in, a look of curiosity on her face. 

"Oops!  Hello!  Fancy you being here."  She raised an eyebrow and picked at the orange peel absently.  "Alone."