Hello all you people! Welcome to another edition of talking about topics! Every other week I'll be selecting a topic that I just can't stop reading and tell you all the things I love about it. Then, I'll interview one of the members of the topic and ask them a bunch of different questions about why they chose to write the things they did.
Joining me today for this week's edition of talking about topics, I have Aster Fairchild, and Findlay Murray, discussing their topic Vroom Broom. I am very excited to have them join me today. As always, I'll give you guys a short summary of the topic, in case you've not had time to read it, and then I'll ask Aster and Findlay a couple questions about their writing. Let's get right into it!
To kick us off, I'll give all you lovely people a summary of Findlay and Aster's wonderful topic!
It's early autumn, and Aster is heading to the pitch for a flying session, enjoying the cool, calm weather that October brought with it. Aster invited Findlay to join them at the pitch, partially to reconnect after a summer apart, and partially to hold Findlay to his promise and finally test out his firebolt, a promise the younger boy had made months prior. Though Aster struggles to maintain real friendships, they've been trying much harder this year, especially with the mix of homesickness and Grisha's mind-reading that leaves them craving company that doesn't come with constant scrutiny. Findlay seems to offer just that...
Meanwhile, Findlay is easing back into his life at school after a long summer spent reading, practicing charms, and following his favorite quidditch teams. He's quite unimpressed with Divination, having started taking the course a month prior at the start of his third year, but is thrilled by Flying Class and the upcoming Quidditch season. Having received Aster's note at breakfast, he takes it as the perfect opportunity to get back on his broom, and meets Aster on the pitch.
Their reunion quickly turns playful and competitive, Aster surprising Findlay by doing different dives, which Findlay is easily able to mirror thanks to months of Quidditch training. They banter midair, Aster pretending to take offense at Findlay's teasing jokes about “eagle brain” focus while flying. Beneath the light mockery, both enjoy the thrill of flying together. The shared adrenaline, the challenge, and the chance to connect outside of classes and expectations.
The morning leaves them suspended between competition and camaraderie, their banter masking genuine enjoyment of each other’s company. For Aster, it’s a welcome reprieve from loneliness. For Findlay, it’s the return of the excitement he craves.
Talking About Topics
Year 43 Week 5 - Edition #003 - Written by Oscar Edwards
Hello hello, Aster and Findlay! Welcome to the show, I am so thrilled to have you here today. My first question of the day goes to Findlay!
You clearly love Quidditch. What is it about the sport that keeps you passionate, beyond just the thrill of speed?
You clearly love Quidditch. What is it about the sport that keeps you passionate, beyond just the thrill of speed?
Hi Oscar, thank you for inviting us. I'm not really sure how to do an interview, but I'll try to answer like I actually mean it. Esmé's already making fun of me for it, said I'd just answer "Quidditch is cool" to everything.
lying is the only time I don't feel stuck in a schedule. Homework, essays... detentions... you can't think about any of that when you're balancing a broom mid-air trying not to get hit by a bludger. The speed's amazing, obviously, but it's more that everything feels sharper and simpler when you're up there. And I like showing my skills off a bit, not gonna lie.
lying is the only time I don't feel stuck in a schedule. Homework, essays... detentions... you can't think about any of that when you're balancing a broom mid-air trying not to get hit by a bludger. The speed's amazing, obviously, but it's more that everything feels sharper and simpler when you're up there. And I like showing my skills off a bit, not gonna lie.
I definitely understand that feeling of being free. I feel that way when I'm playing guitar or listening to music. I can't say I'd feel to free up on a broomstick though... not a big fan of heights. *shudders* Anyways, next question is for Aster!
You mentioned feeling homesick. What exactly do you miss most about home, and how does flying help you cope with it?
You mentioned feeling homesick. What exactly do you miss most about home, and how does flying help you cope with it?
Er, hi! Is this on? *taps invisible mic* I'm surprised to be here, but I'll try to answer... semi-seriously. Which is about as serious as I get!
Well, I obviously miss my Father. I've also been swimming and cliff-diving a lot, and fishing! All things that are less cool in a landlocked lake, really. Mostly I think I just miss him, though. The first years the castle was exciting and new, but now it's not just new, and it all feels kinda... complicated. Flying helps me take my mind off things. Grisha says I have avoidance as a coping mechanism, and it's prooobably right.
Well, I obviously miss my Father. I've also been swimming and cliff-diving a lot, and fishing! All things that are less cool in a landlocked lake, really. Mostly I think I just miss him, though. The first years the castle was exciting and new, but now it's not just new, and it all feels kinda... complicated. Flying helps me take my mind off things. Grisha says I have avoidance as a coping mechanism, and it's prooobably right.
Yeah, I get that. Being away from family is hard. I struggle a lot when we're freshly back from breaks too. Writing my parents every week has been helpful, though. My next question goes back to Findlay!
How do you feel about Aster’s playful challenges and sarcasm? Do you see it as friendly rivalry, or does it push you in ways you hadn’t expected?
How do you feel about Aster’s playful challenges and sarcasm? Do you see it as friendly rivalry, or does it push you in ways you hadn’t expected?
Aster's a bit of a menace. They're always daring to try some move or pushing the limits of flying on that comet, but I actually kind of like it. It makes flying more interesting when someone's not just playing it safe. They've made me realise I can't just show off and call it a day, so yeah, kind of a rivalry... but we end up laughing more than arguing, so it works.
Yeah, honestly fair. Being friends with Nora and Thomas has pushed me to do things outside my comfort zone, and it definitely makes my life more interesting. My last question is for Aster.
You seem unimpressed with Quidditch but love flying. What do you think makes flying meaningful for you in a way Quidditch doesn’t?
You seem unimpressed with Quidditch but love flying. What do you think makes flying meaningful for you in a way Quidditch doesn’t?
That's a bit like asking someone why they like swimming but not waterpolo, or running but not football. First of all, I don't like balls nearly as much as everyone else seems to! I love the wind, and I love anything that involves accelerating. It makes me feel like I'm in myself, lets me turn off my entire brain. Quidditch has too many people watching, too many people playing, and people just talk about too much. I don't actually hate it as a sport, like I don't hate waterpolo. I just have no interest in playing it, and negative interest in watching it or hearing about it, but as soon as there's a match I'm getting my ear talked off.
Honestly that makes sense. I think I'm the opposite. I don't care for flying, but go to the Quidditch matches because my friends play. I definitely understand that feeling though!
Well guys, that wraps up our interview with Findlay and Aster! Thank you both so much for joining me today, and for letting me but your amazing topic under my microscope!
Well guys, that wraps up our interview with Findlay and Aster! Thank you both so much for joining me today, and for letting me but your amazing topic under my microscope!
Thank's for having me, Oscar! I actually enjoyed answering these more than I thought I would. Maybe interviews could be my thing... practice for my Quidditch future, maybe
Thanks for having me :D (hi Father!!! *waving at the non-existent camera*)
Well guys, that wraps up our interview with Aster and Findlay! Thank you both so much for joining me today, and for letting me but your amazing topic under my microscope!
If any of you lovely readers ever see any topics you'd like to be featured here in this column, please feel free to send me the link in an owl with the headline "Talking About Topics - Topic Submission", and I will do my best to make it happen for you guys! See you next time with another great topic!
If any of you lovely readers ever see any topics you'd like to be featured here in this column, please feel free to send me the link in an owl with the headline "Talking About Topics - Topic Submission", and I will do my best to make it happen for you guys! See you next time with another great topic!
