Tea Parties and Sneak Outs pv Alec Mason Fin

"Be careful. The last step creaks."

“Of course it does.” Wyatt took his shoes off quickly, and jumped down from the second to last step. He wobbled a bit upon landing. Apparently not eating for two days makes you lose your balance, who would’ve thought. He was pretty light, though, and with his shoes off he barely made a sound when he landed. He walked up to the door and put his shoes on before slowly… incredibly slowly unlocking the door and opening it up.

He opened the door and didn’t bother holding the door open for the boy. Who was he, the queen? He simply left it open behind himself and walked on. He jumped from the sidewalk to the street and started walking on. Reaching into his pocket, he took out the cereal bar from the morning and stared down at it. His stomach growled impatiently, and so he unwrapped it. Wyatt was hoping he was ahead of the Gryffindor enough that he hadn’t heard anything.

When he bit into it… it felt like heaven. He remembered something he’d heard on tv, if you eat too fast you could throw up, especially if you haven’t eaten in a while. The boy continued to eat it as slowly and as normally as he could pretend to be. Wyatt swallowed, making sure his mouth wasn’t full before spoke. “I’m sure Jackie appreciates you, but she seemed to be having a lot of fun at our tea party.” Wyatt kicked a rock with as much force as he could, which wasn’t very much. The rock still traveled relatively far. “If you’re not careful, I could become the favorite.” His tone sounded serious but there were obvious hints of playfulness.

He took another calculated bite of his cereal bar.

_{@Alec Mason}

Alec gave Wyatt a very unimpressed look. "Okay, first of all your going the wrong way" Unless you want a bunch of teenagers to beat you up you shouldn't go down that street. But no, it seems the broken glass windows and street lamps aren't enough of a sign for the boy. Well, it wasn't for Alec either.. At least he'd learned his lesson. Even if it'd been learned the hard way.

"You never go that way. Ever" Alec said. He wasn't sure if he'd made his point clear. He'd tried to make his eyes dead serious. But every time he tried to look serious, he looked like he was going to burst into laughter the second he was done. Which didn't help get Alec's point across, even if it was true.

"Second of all. Maybe" Alec said with a small laugh and a smile. "But I was never her favorite to begin with. Nina is.. I think.." Alec said, then shrugged. He actually wasn't sure. He knew Jackie had favored Nina over him lately. Which was odd considering Nina never paid any attention to her. But that was enough for Alec to think Nina was. It was kinda sad. But Alec didn't really mind it that much as long as he didn't put too much thought into it.

Alec then finally noticed the cereal bar. He seriously hadn't eaten it till now? What had he been eating all day? He didn't come down for lunch or anything.. Unless he was some sort of weird ninja he didn't. Or just a ninja in general.

Cookie was sorta like a ninja that spider really did have skills. And was easy to sketch as well. Unlike with other people, Cookie was actually able to stay still so Alec could sketch him in real time instead of having to remember exact moments. Which was very hard in itself.

@Wyatt Starkey

“Hm,” said Wyatt in response to hearing Alec wasn’t the favorite after all. It was Nina, apparently, which seemed odd. Wyatt hadn’t seen Nina talk to Jackie at all. She just seemed to be… there… sort of. Then again, Wyatt hadn’t spoken to her very much. Maybe she was secretly the most caring of the family, but Wyatt didn’t really believe that.

“Jackie likes the Beatles, apparently. You could score some brother points by playing her some of their songs.” It was just a little suggestion. Even Wyatt agreed Alec deserved to be the more favored brother over Nina. It never crossed his mind that the pure-blood wouldn’t know who the Beatles were since they were a muggle band. In the muggle world, everyone knew who the Beatles were, so it was pretty easy to overlook.

“What’s wrong with going over there?” There was broken glass and shattered street lights all around, which should have been a sign to Wyatt that he shouldn’t have turned to walk over there, but maybe he was just numb because it looked exactly like Cokeworth. Quiet, dark, broken. Home.

He took another bite of the cereal bar. He was afraid it wouldn’t be enough to fill him up, but it was his fault he was hungry. Taking it as a form of Karma, he came to the conclusion he deserved it. Subconsciously, he savored every bite. Food was actually really good, who could’ve known!? The Slytherin shoved the wrapper in his pocket. He was mean, sure, but he was no litterer.

_{@Alec Mason}

"She likes any music she listens too." Alec said, letting out a small scoff. "Even stupid classical music" Alec mumbled. His mom would be mad if she ever heard him say such things. Alec just got sick of classical music being the only thing he was really ever allowed to listen to when he did listen to music. As Alec had said before. He didn't listen too much music. And he didn't really think it was a good or a bad thing. "What's the Beatles, anyway?" Alec asked. But before his question could even get answered, Snake-boy spoke.

“What’s wrong with going over there?”

Alec let out an annoyed sigh. "Thiefs, teenagers" Alec said gritting his teeth slightly as he carried on. " and people who mean everybody else harm. Probably just wanna watch the world burn" Alec said with a scowl that turned into a slight smile. "Although" drawing-out the word. "That would be interesting to watch" And with that Alec grabbed Wyatt gently by this wrist making him walk the right way this time.

"Don't suppose you realize it right away of course" Alec said. It was weird. Alec felt sorta numb as the dreaded thought of him being the probable murderer of Cookie ate away at him. It was true the fear of being made fun of really pushed Alec to act like this. It reminded him a bit of his mom. But she was much more cold and distant.. Actually thinking about it now.

The way Wyatt had been acting recently reminded him more of his mom. It was odd it took quite a while for Alec to realize this. Alec had only met Wyatt a few times before he didn't exactly act the numb way he was now back then. Is that what it felt like to.. lose someone? Sure, Alec had only lost a meer spider that he'd probably well.. killed by accident. But surely the feeling was somewhat close to this..?

And then the cursed words came out of Alec's mouth. Something he thought he'd never say to Snake-boy "Hey, um.. If you ever need to talk I-I'm here.. I won't make fun of you for anything you say" Alec said then quickly added. "I promise" there was a sort of gleam to his eyes while he spoke that quickly faded away as he took in his own words. Alec had probably made a big mistake. Stupid mouth. You're supposed to think it. Not say it. Besides that's a white lie if he says anything mean about you, you would snap back at him just as quickly.

@Wyatt Starkey

"She likes any music she listens too. Even stupid classical music."

Wyatt sighed. Classical was… terrible, but still… not as bad as country. Country is the worst C, in Wyatt’s opinion. He liked less boring-sounding music, songs that made him feel something, classical made him feel nothing. He began to realize how all his life he’d been chasing feeling and hasn’t found much yet. His shoulder sagged.

"What's the Beatles, anyway?"
Wyatt did hear this, but didn’t think about it very much. The dark-haired Slytherin was almost afraid he’d cry if he tried to speak after his realization, still, he tried. “What’s wrong with going over there?”

Alec let out an annoyed sigh. "Thieves, teenagers," Alec said, gritting his teeth as he carried on. "And people who mean everybody else harm. Probably just wanna watch the world burn."
“Oh, then let’s go, I might know some of them,” Wyatt said stoic…ly but obviously playfully. Alec wore a scowl that slowly turned into a slight smile.

"Although," Alec said, pretending not to hear or not commenting on what Wyatt said. "That would be interesting to watch." Alec took Wyatt’s wrist which made Wyatt flinch, but most things did. It wasn’t Alec’s fault, it was just a reflex to being touched… or hit. He followed the Lion, but pulled his hand away.

"Don't suppose you realize it right away of course."

There was a long pause. It felt awkward

"Hey, um... If you ever need to talk I-I'm here.. I won't make fun of you for anything you say," Alec said, before quickly adding. "I promise." Wyatt didn’t believe that at all. He was very tempted to test his theory, and say something rude, but Wyatt Starkey… yes, Wyatt Starkey couldn’t think of anything to say. He turned to look the boy up and down before turning away.

He just spoke about what he knew, The Beatles.
“The Beatles are a muggle pop band from the ‘60s… four guys from Liverpool who started a band… they were really good. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. You should listen to some of their records… they’re not just a pop band, they’ve made songs of all genres- I can’t believe I’m explaining The Beatles.” Wyatt sighed.

_{@Alec Mason}

Alec nodded."Guess I'm a little to dimwitted to understand much muggle songs anyway" Alec said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. It was far from the truth but it was better than just nodding and saying nothing. What was he supposed to say to that anyway. He wasn't going to admit it. But he did feel a bit left out after Wyatt's last comment.

I guess when you think you're a spider murderer you really start to question your life.. A lot. Or the creeping thought of death in general. Alec always thought better of the subject, it made him more and more numb thinking about it. It gave you a nauseous amount of emotions on the subject, so much so it becomes something one can't handle. Which is where the numbness sorta comes in. As Alec had thought earlier sort of odd feeling because you're feeling nothing. Yet your feelings are still slowly eating away at your every living being.

It was a solemn thought. One that made Alec very uncomfortable as he pondered it. It hurt thinking about it. Not emotionally but a sort of a physical feeling. Like his insides were being ripped apart slowly. Alec grimaced, shaking his head. He needed to stop thinking about that. It was time he moved onto the more important topic on his mind. Finally Alec looked back over at Wyatt.

"Metaphorically speaking." Alec stated as he began to talk. "What does one do when they think they've um.. murdered something?" You know it was quite stupid that he was asking his enemy for 'metaphorical' advice, the type of advice that'd metaphorically make his enemy believe he killed someone. While he didn't mind the minor strike of fear it would give anybody upon hearing this. He didn't need his enemy thinking he'd killed someone and on purpose at that.

"um heh.. On accident, of course.." Alec clarified. He debated bringing up the spider part, but that would just give the whole 'metaphorical' part away. You know it made Alec wonder if Wyatt even knew Cookie was 'missing' or if he hadn't noticed just yet. It's not like a 'mere' spider mattered much to that boy, anyway. When it comes down to it it's how you look at it that matters. Like someone once said. 'One man's trash is another man's treasure' and that couldn't be anymore closer to the truth.

@Wyatt Starkey

"Guess I'm a little to dimwitted to understand much muggle songs anyway."

Wyatt sensed the tone in Alec’s voice. A tone that suggested Alec felt left out or bummed out by something.

“I don’t think so.” Wyatt heard himself say it. He spoke in a soft voice and a kind, reassuring tone. You can only talk to dying people with that tone, Wyatt, what are you doing? “Err… I mean… if I can’t understand a few cryptic songs, there’s no way you’ll get it.” That’s better.

There was another pretty long and awkward pause. It was strange, Wyatt felt almost comfortable around Alec. Should he have? Alec was his enemy, but talking to him seemed so natural. He just felt like he could when he was around the Lion, and that was crazy! Alec was a LION. A bloody Gryffindor… maybe the house rivalries were stupid.

"Metaphorically speaking." Wyatt stopped walking to be next to Alec, and once they were next to each other, he started walking at Alec’s pace. "What does one do when they think they've um... murdered something?"

Wyatt blinked. “There’s a lot to unpack there-”
"Uhm… heh... On accident, of course..."

“Thanks for clarifying.” Wyatt eyed him carefully, like Alec had three heads. What the hell was this kid talking about? Murder? This was definitely not metaphorical, but Wyatt was sure Alec hadn’t “accidentally” murdered a human person. Manslaughter is rarely an accident, and Alec is the real-life version of Greg Heffley, so there’s no way.

“Well, I can’t say I have much experience on the subject.” Was Alec talking about Cookie? Does Alec think he accidentally killed Cookie? But it was Perseus! But Alec didn’t know that… What was Wyatt supposed to do, confess? Oh, he’s supposed to confess in this situation isn’t he…? Uh oh.

“I don’t think you’re capable of harming a fly.” Let alone a spider “Metaphorically speaking, of course.” Wyatt rolled his eyes, but only inwardly. “You carry on with your life, I suppose. If you accidentally step on an ant, do you hold a funeral? Do you mourn forever? No, because it was an accident. If you just randomly kill ants in your spare time, that’s kind of shitty, isn’t it? But if it was an accident, you just move on. Same with bigger bugs, like roaches and such. You just hope it was quick and painless… I’m rambling, aren’t I…”

Saying things like mourn, kill, and funeral was sort of tough. Wyatt looked down, then up at a bright streetlight. All the other lights were yellowish, but this one was bright white. Must be new.

_{@Alec Mason}

Better you rambling then me spilling every little secret I have on accident. Alec thought to himself before shaking his head. "Nah , your fine. My cousin goes on these 'fits of rambling' from time to time and he'll spend about an hour talking about random subjects till he's realized nobody else had been joining in on the conversation for a while now. Mostly technical stuff that bores everybody else." Alec said with a shrug. Alec knew he could be quite the rambler as well. It was probably genetic or something.

It took a bit for Wyatt's words to finally sink in as well because Alec was of course distracted by the tragic death of Cookie. "And I-I guess.. I dunno that's a lot like saying if metaphorically some big creature were to step on you on accident they'd just move about there day as if they hadn't killed a thing with a personality and emotions because 'it was an accident' " Alec said. Thinking about this left an even more gut wrenching feeling. This was getting a bit too deep, maybe onto a lighter subject? Honestly, anything would be better than this. Even Wyatt making fun of him.

"Say, did you hear the one about the little mountain? It's hill-arious" Alec said, eventually. When in doubt joke it out.. Somebody's probably already used that phrase of course. But it's the thought that counts. The joke was about the stereotypical joke any boy his age would make. Although Alec had a feeling, the case was an exception with Wyatt.

Plus if Alec was going to have to spend the night talking to his enemy he'd rather it not be filled with bickering. That was something they could do back at Hogwarts. They need a bit more originality now. And that just means, 'truce? You leave my sister alone. And we all just try to have a nice summer. We can get back to arguing and hating each other later?'

You know it came as quite a shock to Alec when he found himself not actually saying that one out loud. After everything he'd said. It was shocking he didn't. Guess the power of jokes is enough to keep you from spilling all your life's worth of secrets? While probably not. But Alec could try.

@Wyatt Starkey

"And I-I guess.. I dunno that's a lot like saying if metaphorically some big creature were to step on you on accident they'd just move about their day as if they hadn't killed a thing with a personality and emotions because 'it was an accident'."

“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” Time to elaborate, Starkey. “Ants, bugs, whatever… they’re not as intelligent as humans are, and they’re so small if you step on them they die in an instant, they barely feel it. Plus, there’s a trillion more out there. We’re doing their colonies a favor, honestly, because all they care about are the basic things they need to survive. Humans, we have other things. Yes, food, water, sleep, but also things for fun like… I dunno... bowling? And stuff that isn’t very fun like homework and school and talking to people- so I wouldn’t worry about it.”

That’s better. It was strange how terrible Alec seemed to feel over the whole Cookie thing, but he didn’t know that it wasn’t his fault. Did he think Cookie’s family would miss it? They’re spiders what do they care? Snakes, though. Snakes were intelligent. Brilliant, if you wanted Wyatt to be incredibly honest. The Slytherin liked Perseus more than most people, but he assumed that wasn’t a universal feeling.

“I’m as much as a supporter of ants rights as the next guy, but there’s a reason the human race hasn’t been taken over by the ants of the Earth, Alec.” In a way, it was sort of… sweet, wasn’t it? The way Alec cared so much. Wyatt could never do that amount of caring, or at least he couldn’t show that level of care. He wouldn’t know how to put it into words or he just wouldn’t know. “Fish get depressed but families across the world eat them. Hell, people fish for sport. That doesn't help the fish, and no one really cares. I'm sure the fish don't care either. Killing a bug… or even a spider isn’t manslaughter.” Wyatt said spider really fast. He hoped it would be comforting to know it wasn’t terrible, but he also didn’t want Alec to know he knew.

ANOTHER awkward silence... Why did everything have to be like this?

"Say, did you hear the one about the little mountain? It's hill-arious"

“That was awful.” Wyatt smiled, though. Quickly, he got rid of it.
“Where are we going?”

_{@Alec Mason}

Alec stifled a laugh. "Okay, okay" He said. It was an absolutely terrible joke. But that was besides the point. It broke the silence because the conversation was getting too deep. That and it even got a small smile out of the boy. Alec supposed it helped to know that somebody was sorta happy. That and it kept his mind off of well.. Cookie. After Wyatt's whole long little speech thing. Alec felt a bit better, so at least there was that. Even if he'd been told the harsh truth, which made him a bit uneasy.

"Where are we going?" Alec paused being ripped from his train of thought. "Oh, um-" Alec said about to answer as he over at the street signs. You need to pay attention more, you could've gotten you and Wyatt lost. "Greville Smyth Park.. Not too far from here. I had planned on just stopping at the petrol station or something, but Greville isn't to far from here, anyway. About ten more minutes of walking." Alec said. He'd had yet to sketch it. He was going to someday. The place was beautiful. Especially during the summer.

It was a pretty popular place. But nobody ever recognized Alec, anyway. Besides, it was night and there was barely anybody out. When he went he'd normally sit under a tree or lay on the big patches of grass. The sounds of the crickets were nice. As well as just looking at the stars. There had been a few times Alec had brought a book and a flashlight while he went out as well, but he was never really able to stay focused on the book. There was always something much more interesting than the books he brought.

Another reason for going to Greville. It was free. Unlike getting a snack at the petrol station. It was a bonus since Greville kept him much more busy, anyway. Alec hadn't put any thought into the fact that Wyatt might find the place pretty boring. I mean, it was 'just a park' about as entertaining to the normal eye as watching goblins count coins. Which was very boring. Alec knew from experience. If only his father hadn't made him go to Gringotts that one time. It took quite a while, you know. Measuring valuables as well. Quite a hefty load of work. Also quite a boring job. Something Alec had ruled out already. He would never work at any Gringotts, ever.

@Wyatt Starkey