Closed Goat on Fire PV

Herbology was likely, probably, most definitely the stuff of nightmares for some people. Should Aodhan discuss his endeavors in the class with his mother, she would be prone to signing him into a mental hospital. Then she would remember that, oh wait, magic does exist, and then tell him to leave her alone because he would be stressing her out.

Actually, he needed to jot that idea down somewhere. That sounded funnier than it was allowed to be, though his mother would smack his head in retaliation.

In any case, yes, Herbology—something filled to the brim with screeching plants, fire, and then more fire. Since he wasn't in the bracket of "some people," it was entertaining enough for the boy and a welcome start to the school week. Although the bar for that was not at all high. All something had to do was be more interesting than their history course... On second thought, maybe that wasn't enough at all when he still found his attention waning and transitioning into daydreams.

By the end of class, thoughts of man-eating greenery and post-apocalyptic imagery colored his mind. It kept him from being fully aware of his surroundings, so he missed the initial "Flame-o" that was used to greet him. Instead, all the youth could feel was a tiny palm on his shoulder and a pull.

"What do you—" he turned and began to say, until the most bewildering thing happened.

'The Goat, reporting for duty. Baaa.'

... ?

Maybe it broke Aodhan at first, for he could only stare at the girl in an awkward silence. But then, finally, he burst into hysterical laughter.

"BAHAHAHA, NO WAY!" he practically squealed, his voice actively cracking as tears formed in the corner of his eyes. The noise caused many others to stop and direct judgmental stares their way; still, he was none the wiser. Something this stupid? This early in the day? Oh, he loved it. Why hadn't she ever approached him sooner?

"I knew you were weird; I said it so many times in the letters," he stated once his energy finally began to drain away, "But this is a whole new level. Hah, I like it though!"

A wide grin was splitting his face at that moment, and within seconds, he pointed at himself, "Is this where I say 'snap, crackle, pop' because I'm fire? Wait, quick, what does fire say? Or maybe it just sounds like me already 'cause fire is what I am all the time."

Gekko was far touchier than she let on. Then again, she was far more of everything than she let on. As she spoke and jabbed a finger at his chest, he was fairly certain she was the personification of a wild card. After all, didn't she just laugh without smiling? How the hell was that even possible? It contrasted so heavily that it almost put his brain on the fritz, but thankfully, he was dragged out of this state once she wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Touchy.

At her inquiry, Aodhan couldn't hold back his snort, "So you've just been saying it without even understanding anything? Sheesh." It was an awkward maneuver considering their position, however, the youth still found a way to wrap his own arm around her. Then, he softly tapped his knuckles against her head. "I need you to tell me—was there an echo? I'm pretty sure it's hollow down in there." He made sure to emphasize the "down" portion because it was clear she needed a wake-up call on their height difference; sure, he was definitely small, but she managed to be even smaller. In fact, this may have been the first time he's come across someone his own age that fell under his eye level.

"Anyway, 'Goat' just stands for 'Greatest of All Time' and can be used to describe almost anything. For example," he said before clearing his throat, as if preparing for a grand-scale announcement, "You'd be absolutely goated if you got me those snacks now instead of later." The boy was downright adamant about getting his hands on some treats, mainly because they were free. For him. He was definitely not about to open his own pockets for anything, but Gekko didn't need to know that, and what she didn't know would never hurt her.

Besides, they would just be wandering about aimlessly if he didn't bring up anything. Not like that was a problem, but still. His presumably selfish request had silver linings attached—one just had to look in the right places.

"What the—yes? That calls your brain size into question, and I know I've pretty much told you that 'being weird is fine', but you shouldn't have an empty head." At this point, he was mildly concerned. Was her head actually empty? Because that would imply she was stupid, and from their interactions thus far, Gekko was certainly not stupid. Then again, what did it mean to be stupid? Based on her art tips, there was a decent amount of information trapped within that mind of hers. Perhaps her brain was just lacking in certain areas, instead of her intelligence as a whole being in jeopardy. That was far more plausible.

Then she went on calling him scooby-doo of all things, and he wasn't exactly sure how to respond to that. It could be seen as a compliment, sure, because scooby-doo was quite the beloved character... if his father's words were anything to go by. However, she was also saying he was a freakin' dog. He'd have to start plotting on her downfall at this rate, in a friendly manner. A kind manner for the most part. Okay, more like 30% of the part.

"Rith hair rike that? Yeah," he quipped, honestly having a bit of trouble mimicking the character, but performing nonetheless. Even when she was essentially pulling him along at the same time, which had the boy almost tripping over himself. Why was she so—

"WHAT THE FUAHH—STOP!" Aodhan shrieked the minute she—no, really, what the fuck? Why was she suddenly attacking his nostrils like that? It was insane. She must have gotten possessed by something, something no doubt sent as karma for his earlier thoughts. Joke's on them, though; he refused to change his mind.

Instead, the young wizard instantly tried grabbing her. He moved to forcefully lock her head under his arm while rubbing the knuckles of his other hand into her skull.

"What's your problem, huh?! Maybe there really is nothing in here! Maybe you should be put into a lab and studied!" he growled, which did nothing to help alleviate this entire "dog" accusation, "We just came from herbology, you demon! You owe me double the snacks now!"

For better or for worse, Aodhan grew up an only child.

One could claim it made him more selfish as he never had to fight for attention, nor food or space. Perhaps more aware of personal boundaries as well... namely his own, but they were boundaries nonetheless. Still, he was never forced to learn what proper social interaction with another his age was like.

There were scrambling attempts made at school, yes, but he was denied any stereotypical roughhousing among his peers, since they often ignored him before Hogwarts. Or, if not that, they allowed some good-natured "messing around" to transcend into something with genuinely harmful intent.

So, it was inevitable that Gekko’s playfulness would be met with the response it did. Nothing truly dangerous, but a reaction certainly colored by extreme exaggeration, whining, and vindictiveness. So, so much vindictiveness.

One look at the pleased expression decorating Aodhan’s face said it all, especially when her desperate pleas reached his ears. Really? Her bob?

"Forget about your stupid bob! What about my nose?" he shouted in retaliation, still able to feel the sting in his nostrils from her attack mere seconds ago. Was he supposed to just stand around and let her do what she wanted? Absolutely ridiculous. After meeting Gekko, he didn't want to hear any complaints about his own behavior again. Surely, she was just as bad.

Even if at the thought, there was a subtle, peculiar feeling of relief and understanding. He quickly squashed it down.

The girl's explanation for her inane actions did nothing to quell his "frustration." Instead, as she effectively quit fighting back, he was left staring at her with furrowed brows. His confusion was downright palpable, because what kind of logic was that?

"I assaulted you? I'm overdramatic?" he asked incredulously, noogying paused in favor of breaking down her words, "How can you consider that assault? Is wind on your face also assault, then?" He just couldn't comprehend her. That knock on her head was equivalent to love tapping an infant. An infant would be crying less than Gekko.

"I'll buy you double snacks as an apology, how about that? Let me go now, your growling is weird. The Goat does not approve of this behavior."

Like a spell was cast, Aodhan quickly released his hold of her, all with a grin plastered right onto his chapped lips. He even went as far as smoothing down her "precious bob" with a free hand, because he was a nice guy upon getting what he wanted.

"Deal! Pleasure doing business," he chirped, his mind already filled with thoughts of having candies or ice cream, or maybe both, "See, you should have just said this earlier. Super based of you, Miss Moonlight."

After he spoke, the boy could hardly wait. He was already trying to wrap a hand around her forearm, fully intent on dragging her towards their destination this time. Still, even in his excitement, he made a point to remember what was clearly her biggest weakest should he need much else in the future. Well, assuming there would be a future. Hoping there would be a future.

Who knew messing with a random bob of all things could result in his victory?