Soggy Shoes pv Alec Manson Closed

Alec laughed, making a slight gasp as if he was offended. "Watcha doing waiting on the shore then?" He asked cocking a brow teasingly. Alec on the other hand was wearing a pair of plain brown shorts that went just above his knees. As well as a plain white tank top. Alec liked to think his family was inclusive for letting him wear what he did. Since it wasn't really 'wizarding world' clothing. Although him being completely oblivious to what a so called 'backpack' was. Made him question it ever so much. It really messed with your head.

Alec had gone swimming almost fully clothed before. Mind you, only muggle shorts like he was going to do. Alec noticed Percival hadn't even made an effort to step back into the water yet. Rolling his eyes Alec pulled off his tank top and shoes setting them aside.

And with a grin, looking over at Percival and going into the water. He was fast about it as he began to speak. "It's not that col-" Said Alec before stopping."Okay maybe just a bit.." Alec said with a laugh. It was warm out so he'd expected it to be a bit warmer than it was.

"I ought to go looking under and in the water sometime. Seems like it'd be fun. Although not exactly sure if I'd like to know what's down there" He said thinking the idea over. And deciding he'd do it sometime. Even though it'd probably ruin coming down here again and he probably wouldn't wanna get back in the water again.

@Percival Rainwood

Interaccting with: @Alec Mason

Alec had gotten a bit distracted by the sun glimmering on the water till someone's (Percival's) words pulled Alec out of his thoughts. "Nice shorts." Yeah, uhm Alec didn't go swimming much and didn't feel the need to bring actual swim trunks to Hogwarts. It was a realization he'd only made a bit ago. Not that he minded he liked the shorts better than swim trunks, anyway. It was just a personal preference, of course. Like how one decided on a so called 'backpack' over a satchel. A personal preference even if it wasn't the best one and even if the choice was quite stupid. Okay, maybe Alec was still a bit salty about that one.

"We might just as well suck it up and head in quickly." No time better than the present, right? There was a quote for that somewhere, wasn't there? Alec had read it once. Now remembering where it actually came from was a whole another situation. It could've been something a professor said, or maybe from a book. Except then it would've had to be something he read once he got to Hogwarts, not before. For all Alec knew it could've been from some random muggle thing like the song 'Baby Shark' was. Heh.. now that was a mess. With the whole howler fiesta incident. You know you'd never think to walk in upon hearing howlers screaming the lyrics of Baby Shark, a child's song in the middle of the great hall. Or anywhere, really.

"You coming?" Alec didn't answer. He was beyond the point of lost in his thoughts. If it wasn't obvious, the boy was easily distracted. It was more his nature of pure curiosity to everything around him, and little details. Being partly the reason for this. It didn't exactly help to say the least. "I promise the water is positively boiling." A tone laced with sarcasm. It was something Alec was used to. Especially with Slytherins. Alec didn't quite get it. It was a forever mystery, really. Alec would never truly know why Slytherins loved sarcasm so much.

More than half the time it was teasing. See, Alec had quite a few things he needed to work on. And well, it seemed people just liked to pick at the weak. Alec had a stutter upon coming to Hogwarts. He was a nervous mess around people and even though he was extroverted would have preferred to be by himself, then stutter all the time. It took him quite a while to work out that stutter. It only came back when he was nervous now. Now like it was when it was there with every sentence. There was also the talking to himself to work out his problems part as well. Yeah, he was weird. He knew that.

"Obviously so" Alec said a smile playing on his lips his tone also laced with sarcasm. Although it seemed very unnatural coming out of Alec's mouth. He wasn't used to saying things with sarcasm himself unless if some cheeky remark towards someone being mean to him or his friends. Alec then walked into the lake water as quick as he possibly could, grimacing slightly as he began to feel how cold it was. "About as hot as a billion burning suns" Alec added after this as he got used to the water. It was playful sarcasm just like before and as unnatural as it seemed coming out of Alec's mouth. It was actually kind of fun, who knew sarcasm could be so fun? Not Alec, that was for sure.

Interacting with: @Alec Mason

Interacting with @Percival Rainwood || Hex code:#A0A9B8 || Mentions: N/A

The cold didn't bother Alec once he finally got used to it. While he'd grown to accustom to the cold from weekly sneak outs from his home, too going out to the rain-shower on Hogwarts grounds. A freeing feeling with each new adventure, though he'd found there was something about the lake that just made it cold. Unusually cold for warmer days in fact, it seemed to be another oddity to add to this list at Hogwarts. Even as a Pure-blood child, used to the world of magic he'd always found there was something off about this place. Secrets hiding just beyond reach, at least this was one of the activities he was more likely not to get punished for. His eyes watched the other, cold, he wasn't really getting used to the water at all. Shivering in fact, maybe they should get out? Alec didn't want to be responsible for this kid getting hypothermia, though it was on the list as the least of his worries. It wasn't like they didn't have potions for that, they had potions for everything, an annoyance really if you wanted to get out of something.

Alec would watch Percival's lips turned to a smirk, saying a reply. The sarcasm was a usual in his home, mostly with his older sister, who's only attempts to ever speak to interact with the younger boy were riddled in it. Maybe, just maybe it was a Slytherin stereotype? He didn't really know the girl well if he was being and honest, and she definitely had that emotionally distant Slytherin vibe going for her, but that was also a Pure-blood stereotype also, wasn't it?

Alec though not long into the water had gotten distracted. He'd remembered reading about the creatures in the lake somewhere quite a while ago, and was tempted to go on a search for them. Only to be interrupted in his small quest with the proposition to get out, with a race involved. Who was Alec to turn down such a request? Running a hand through his messy brown hair he nodded. "You're on. You better know I'm going to beat you though." Alec wasn't as famous for winning the childish races he got himself in, as he was for his over dramatic entrances into his losing position. But he was willing to try, and he was willing to beat Percival, bragging rights were a thing and while they were an annoyance. There was no admitting that it wasn't fun to have.

Alec didn't like losing as much as the next did but always took it with a grain of salt, knowing he still had the advantage in making a little fun out of it. He always had something fun and new he could make up every time he'd lost. Even if he hadn't lost a ton, there was always something that filled the air with losing, yet making the situation fun. Whether it be a granny walk to the finish line, an announcer voice, that weird muggle slide, or more, always had something too pull out of his sleeve, and even if his actions were careless, seemed to be one step ahead. Alec despite this, and the slight height difference was determined to win. He was nimble enough to do it too, he just had to find the determination. He had that check marked down, he was supposed to be in Slytherin after all. If the hat were to do him in like that he'd make his terrible childhood useful.

"Ready to race than?" Alec asked, there was a raise of his brow with a mix of the signature smile of his.

Percival was cold to put it lightly. His skin was goosefleshed by the cool waters. Every time he thought he was getting used to the temperature, the water would rise slightly higher. Lapping at skin unused to the chill of the water. It made him shiver, and he began to wish he was back in his bed. The boy clenched his teeth together to keep them from chattering together as the warmth seeped away from his bones. Despite this, he refused to complain to the boy with him. He didn't want the other to think he was so weak that some cold water would do him in.

A wild grin crossed his face as the boy agreed to the race. He wasn't about to let the boy beat him. Especially, after he had been the one to instigate the so-called race. "Don't jinx yourself, Mason." he said letting out a loud and sharp laugh. The thought of the other boy beating him was unthinkable. If he loses, he swore to himself he won't come out of his room for a whole week. "I am so ready." he huffed out grinning at the boy.

3...2....1... Go! he would yell out quickly. Percival would quickly go into a front stroke position. Swimming as quickly as possible towards the shore.

Interacting with: @Alec Maon

Interacting with @Percival Rainwood || Hex code:#A0A9B8 || Mentions: N/A

Alec laughed, "You wish if anything you'll be the one jinxing yourself." It was a message of playful banter back Percival's way. Percival was so going down. Water splashed in Alec's face as Percival began to count. Starting from three, to go. And off they went or at least Percival. Who had seemed to have been preparing himself to swim even before he started? Taking a quick head start. Alec wasn't going to let Percival beat him that quick. Alec began to swim, forward strokes through the water. Alec's hair becoming curlier, it always seemed to do this when the water had hit it. Water constantly splashing his way and all over him as he swam.

The blue water of the lake reflecting everything around it. It might've looked better yet if the sun had decided to show its face more. All the same still as Alec swam, grinning like a madman. Who didn't love a little good competition? Never mind, that wasn't a very well-thought-out question. He didn't even have to question it. Or ask questions that lead to only one answer.

The point was, competitions were fun and good. And even if losing could be fun, Percival was going to lose. The problem Alec had found after going into this. Was the fact that he wasn't an expert swimmer. Therefore slower than Percival. Even while trying his hardest. Also accidentally splashing some water Percival's way. Luckily Alec wasn't close enough to hit his face with the water as he swam. Alec was still behind.

They were close to the shore, Alec could make this if he just cut Percival off quickly and made a run for it in the shallow water. It was a risky move. Percival was supposed to go down. Alec had realized quite quickly there were flaws in his plan.

Percival ignored the other's response to his earlier words instead deciding to focus on winning this boyish display of superiority. Though, in truth, he did not have a good enough comeback available in his mind. The boy practically threw himself into the water. The cool water hitting his face was as jarring as it was exhilarating. His vision blurred as water clung to his eyelashes. Making it difficult to see far ahead. The only things he could truly make out were the dark mass of trees a few inches from shore, and the dark blue of the water in front of him. He felt like he was practically swimming blind. His vision, restricted to a certain point as to not allow water to fall into his eyes.

The boy kicked as he drew his arms upwards and back. Pulling himself through the many layers of water that stood between him and his prize. A sense of urgency clung to the back of his mind making his strokes quicker than he would have normally paced himself at. He needed to get to that shore first. Sure it was to win a stupid little bet, but a part of it became more than that. A fight for survival. To best his opponent in this little game. To destroy his enemy at war. His heartbeat heavily into the bones that made up his ribcage. Knocking harshly against it as if his life depended on it.

He gasped for air each time his head broke the surface of the water. As if it would be the last one he would ever be able to take. Each breath felt so fresh and crisp. Before he would shove his head back into the dark vacuum of space. It occurred to Percival as he looked down with squinted eyes that he could not see the bottom of the lake. The boy could hardly even see a few meters away from him. It was like looking into a black hole. Nothing existed there, except in the lake, he knew that was a lie.

Percival was not too sure how far away from the shore he was. Or how long they had been frantically swimming. All he knew was that he suddenly heard the sound of crashing in the water. The boy looked down and noticed that he could finally see the bottom of the lake. They must be close to the shore. Percival continued to swim as quickly as possible. Watching as the bottom of the lake grew closer and closer. Like a cat trying to stalk its prey.

Once the bottom was close enough that he could more than likely touch it if he stuck his hand out, he finally stood up. Rushed and clumsy, the boy pulled himself up in a standing position. His legs felt like jello hardly used to the physical exertion he had just forced himself into. It felt like he was trying to run through molasses rather than the dark blue waters of the lake. Percival picked up his feet as he ran practically hopping through the water in an attempt to move faster. Water splashed around them as they both made a mad and awkward dash towards the shore. Though, it soon became clear that Percival was rather easily in the lead. Swimming for longer had aided him rather than hinder him.

Percival quickly clambered his way onto the sandy beach. Sand stuck to his feet and legs in his haste. The boy paused his breath fast as he tried to catch. Quickly, he turned towards Alec with a large shit-eating grin. "Told you I would win!" he called out to the other boy. Percival made his way back towards their shared pile of clothes. Pulling his shirt over his still dripping body. Thoroughly wetting the piece of fabric. The boy looked down towards the boy's shoes his eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "You know since I won that means I should get a prize. What do you think Alec? I think it is rather fair." he said his tone turning serious.

Interacting with: @Alec Maon

Interacting with @Percival Rainwood || Hex code:#A0A9B8

Alec's focus on the race seemed to near to a loss even as that idea had popped up. The cold of the water was suddenly distracting, likely the fact that the cold had started numbing Alec's legs. It hadn't bothered him till he'd "gotten used to it" then it made more for some slowing down. Percival was ahead, he was only getting further. The chances of Alec winning were getting lower. Alec made an attempt to ignore the odd feeling of the slight numb to his legs as he swam as if running away from a horrific creature. There had better be one running after him too. Alec wasn't supposed to lose. A weird sea monster would get Alec moving faster. Sadly no weird sea monster was showing itself up in time as both Percival and Alec neared the end.

As Percival made his way onto shore, he was more ahead than Alec would have liked to admit. Alec got himself to move just fast enough to near the edge and the shore. At the shallower water where he could stand up completely, Alec glanced Percival's way. Watching as Percival made haste to get dressed. “Real winners would know that the authority over bragging rights is a real prize.” Alec huffed the words out as he looked up, catching his breath.“Not good enough for you?” Alec rose a brow, but it wasn't meant in any mean way. “There wasn't an actual agreement before but fine.”A devilish idea flitted through his mind of shoving Percival back into the water as his prize. Alec wasn't sure if that would be going too far though so he made himself forget about it with a shake of his head.

“We should do best out of three if a competition with a surprise prize is coming along next time as well,” Alec mumbled, finally getting onto the shore, he stumbled slightly over sharp rocks as he did. Not the most elegant way to leave, did he hit his knee also? Oh well. There he could focus for a moment on his losing. He was bummed out over losing but it had been a fair race. Alec if anything needed to work on his swimming, or at least find out where he was at in a level-like system. Losing left a bitter taste in his mouth,“the water is really bloody cold, a race on dry land next time. Could use rocks as obstacles to jump over, avoid the pedestrians-” Alec said, amid a ramble of words that fell out of his mouth. Odd, the bitter taste of losing also looked distinctly red. That wasn't usually how it worked.

Wait red- What? Alec's eyes focused on his slightly bloodied-up knee. He scraped it. His outing was even less elegant than he'd realized Alec scowled for a moment before wiping the blood away, it'd probably bleed more but it was small so he'd deal with it later. His shorts mainly covered it up anyway. Alec had been distracted for the last few minutes, therefore whatever Percival had said after Alec was done speaking had gone right over his head.