The Gemini's Gift Open Finished

"What?!" the mix of inner voices bursted in her head.

Her irises expanded and filled the colourful eyes with the void. She was sensing lie — something new to her not in the concept, but she felt as if it was her own lies, though she never created it. It was a mix of devastation and fright. As if you heard your own voice recorded and saying something when you had clearly no resemblance of yourself saying that (ESotSM).

A gift? Upstairs in the dorm? Pericles couldn't enter the Common Room anyway. Should he wait for them to bring it out? To bring what?! How on Earth... Why only the three of us? Why not bring the whole party and make a circus out of it? There could be many more whys. But most importantly — why, Xailah, why?

She smiled at Pericles as he mentioned that he would reach them later. As if he deliberately gave them time to spend more (?!) time on preparing the gift. And then the pale girl joined in. What an amazing escort to the Common Room. Meenauh with a flag of a prepared gift for the day she never knew about, proudly marching in the lead of the unit right up to their Common Room and then leave them all standing and waiting.

She shook the imagery away and came closer to Xailah, getting her up from the bench by her arm, making it look as if she hooked her arm through hers like girl friends do when they stroll around the castle.

"As Pericles mentioned, he has some business to finish, as well as we have ours to proceed with. It was nice seeing you all and shall we meet once again," she proclaimed to the crowd and started to drag Xailah away as naturally as possible.

"What are you doing, Xai?!" she would whisper to her if they'd make a few steps away.

Trying to leave the thread and drag Xailah along with her

"Sssplendid. We'll make sure to save you a ssseat then." She let out a content little hum, followed by a click. A train ride and letters. Perhaps this summer would be decent after all- the month after summer camp anyways. Xailah dreaded going home in August- Tabitha was visiting. "Its going to be nice to have someone other than mother, and father to write to. Hm. I just realized the last time I wrote a letter, was when I wrote to you in very early April-" Her thin brows knitted, coming together in a crease. "Actually, now that I think of it, you were the only person I really sent out a letter to, this year." There were a lot of drafts, a lot of unsent papers. It wasn't exactly something to mull over; but there was a very tiny inkling of a realization, that something was wrong.

Maybe she was just speeding too much time indulging herself in her strange hobbies. "Goodness. Is my schedule really that busy?" She mumbled, it was almost inaudible. No, perhaps she was just being silly. The metamorph gave a distant shrug. Yes, that was probably it. She was just being plain silly. Though, she had to admit, she found it odd, that she hadn't yet attempted to send a letter about how much she hated going to Hogwarts- even if she knew the letters wouldn't make it. There was still the attempt. Those letters from her, were usually a bimonthly thing, and yet not one had been drafted since she returned to school in January. But it was most likely nothing to worry about. Chances were, she had simply been painfully neglectful for the past six months.

Pericles frown- which was a result of the young Gryffindor rejecting his gift, came as a surprise to said Gryffindor. For a moment she thought she had broken him. Well that was certainly not her intention. Though, to be fair, she wasn't expecting him to be happy with the rejection. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting, if she was being honest. But that didn't change the fact that, she didn't want him to be upset- though she didn't want to take the box either. "Ah-" Her hands floated around indecisively, the limbs would reach forward as if to pat the bird, before suddenly darting away. They would eventually be drawn inward, palms facing forward, as if to make a barrier between her and the box.

The soft smile that the lad usually wore, would return. What a relief. So she didn't break him after all. She would watch him move the box off to the side. Sure, he understood, but she certainly didn't. "Well, I don't. I thought people usually expected to get sssomething in return on birthdays. Are you going to tell me I've been doing this whole birthday thing wrong for thirteen years?" She brought a finger up to her chin, and tapped. Goodness, how much of... everything, had she been doing wrong? And how come no one ever told her? There was so much she still needed to learn. Within a few minutes, the box situation would be brushed off, and the pocket watch would become relevant. "A threat?" A impish smirk revealed itself, as she chuckled. "I will neither confirm nor deny if it was. You'll just have to wait and see for yourself, Dralt." Her brows quirked in an inquisitive manner.

A moment passed and the cub would let out an airy sigh, which was followed by a lie. The lie she had told was harmless- it was more of a... last minute surprise if anything. A surprise... yes. Her yellow hues narrowed. The little gears in her head rotated. She wondered if she had enough time to arrange a party of sorts. Hm. Xailah was pleased to hear that both Aida, and the birthday lad would come visit the commons. "Ah, wonderful. We'll be there for awhile. I don't think we have much planned for today." She chirped. There was a tone of slight relief in that 'wonderful'. Pericles wouldn't visit until later, and that was good. It gave her ample time to scrounge up a gift for Meenauh to give. Meenauh- it would appear that she was a bit shocked at the claim her metamorph friend made. Maybe angry would have been a better word. Whatever it was, it confused Xailah.

All Xailah was trying to do, was make Meenauh happy. And now Meenauh was over here dragging the metamorph away. "Ouh-" Unsure of what was happening at first, the metamorph instinctively grabbed for whatever was closest to her. Her grip would miss whatever it was, by a few inches, as she ineffectively pawed at the air. Realizing that they were leaving, Xailah would allow Meenauh to pull her a few feet away; before turning and waiving to Pericles. "Tatty-bye! See you in a little while!" She then extended her index finger in the direction of Aida, wagging it. "Come on!" She beckoned to the albino bird, before leaning towards Meenauh. Meenauhs question came as a surprise to the metamorph. Wasn't it obvious what she was doing? "I'm getting a gift for you to give to him. You'll be happy, he'll be happy- and I will most certainly be entertained. Once this is over I'll take the four of us on a nice trip to Hogsmeade." She assured "I don't really know what I'm doing to be honest- but I'm sure everything will work out just fine. I would have done the same for you on your birthday." That brought a question to mind- "Ssspeaking of, when is your birthday?"

Aida didn’t quite understand what was going on between Meenauh and Xailah, but she did manage to conclude that they were buying some time to set up a more proper birthday event for Pericles. Aida of course was happy to accompany them and help if she was able. If she too could find a means of brightening Pericles’s birthday with the extra time then she would take the opportunity gladly.

"See you then, Pericles!” said Aida with a friendly tone, turning away slowly while waving goodbye. Aida’s suspicions seemed confirmed by Xailah’s next words as their sub-group parted ways. A trip to Hogsmeade was also mentioned, pricking up Aida’s ears. This was just getting better and better. Aida had recently acquired the habit of making things for people's birthdays since she was both relatively poor as well as creatively inclined… but what could she make for Pericles on such short notice? The albino pulled at some strands of hair as she thought. Probably not food, for where could she get reliable ingredients? Besides, Aida was not much of a cook. Did she have anything on her person she could use? Not really, though she always carried a small knife. Listening to Meenauh and Xailah whenever they spoke, Aida thought at length about her options as they walked off to the common room.

@Breana Oliveire @Xailah Alptraum @May Moonstar @Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood @Meenauh Silmataurea

Ironic though it may be, a facet of propriety involved feigning ignorance, particularly in unfavorable social situations. Pericles pretended not to notice poor Meenauh's bewilderment, nor Xailah's limited invitation, and his smile lived on as the group seemed to split into a pair of separate interactions. Some may call this behavior disingenuous, even duplicitous, but his ken called it cordiality. He didn't mind; so long as things were peaceable, he could continue to socialize with them all, or, so the young wizard was pleased to believe. Even more, the twelve-year-old was merely happy to have company on his nameday.

As someone who enjoyed frequent letter-writing, he appeared vicariously crestfallen when Xailah admitted their letter exchange was the most she had received. Though he didn't say more on the matter, one could see the spark of decisiveness in his fixed gaze. He would write each of them who wanted to exchange owls over the summer, and he would be diligent about it. "Touche," was all he mused when the metamorph rebuked his birthday perspective, grin coiling. They had book smarts, knowledge of all manner of far-away customs, but perhaps they were both due to learn a little more about local traditions. The pale duo mostly needed to get out more. She was prowling off, Aida and Meenauh in tow. Pericles raised an open hand back at her, returned "See you shortly!" to Aida, and- with the faintest quirk to his otherwise impenetrable smile- winked reassurangly at Meenauh.

Another perk to this unexpected congregation was seeing the way May and Breana bonded. Whether one or both girls sang, he was at last subjected to The Birthday Song, in all of its awkward glory. The boy looked both intrigued and uneasy. He watched with an uncertain smile, rapt; it was a simple enough ditty which he would easily remember. For better or worse. A soft snicker was shared when she admitted it was an awkward experience, but Pericles- cordial as ever- insisted "I rather like it. A new custom for me to consider." He had visibly perked at the mention of the Choir. Nothing was said about it for the time being, but he would keep his comment for another day. It was contenting enough to watch them getting to know one another, which was what he'd hoped would happen when folks he knew were brought together. Breana asked May how they had met. Perhaps hoping to spare her the indignity of admitting she had been fraternizing with a rule-breaker (it was significantly less serious than it sounded), he interrupted as politely as possible. "We met on a leisure day. I was reading a book by the lake, and Miss Moonstar," his silvery eyes slid slyly towards her, twinkling, "was going for a run." It was the truth, or at the very least, a merciful variation of it. His shade was shed, and on a kinder note, Peri added "It was good of you to stop by, May. I really mean it."

Watch pocketed, box in hand, Pericles stood from the bench. "I ought to see that letter sent off quickly...." Then, with an apologetic glance at May for possibly interrupting, he tentatively extended: "Breana? Would you walk with me to the castle? If you can't, I hope to catch you in the Commons later. I wanted to talk with you for just a mome'."

Exiting thread unless stopped.

@Breanna Oliverie @Pericles Dralt sorry this was so odd- late- and bad written! ;(
[quote]May blinked a few times when Breanna started to sing. She looked slightly embarrassed, but other than that, she looked quite confident. May joined in, since she felt a bit of pity for the girl that was singing, but it was great fun to sing with someone- even if she had just met her today- and was glad that the Ravenclaw girl had taken May seriously. A lot of people would have thought she was joking, but this one laughed along and just did it. That was something May enjoyed.

When they finished, May was very red, for she had just singed the birthday song. And in front of the prefect, Pericles Dralt, and a few other people that she didn't actually remember their names! Pericles would have been the last person May would had singed to, since she had been embarrassed a few times in his presence. She looked at him and expected him to say something- anything- to comfort both herself and Breanna. Well, he did say something. Not comforting anyways.

Still slightly red, May looked at Breanna when she asked how she had met Pericles. Pericles. How was she going to tell her how she had met him? She didn't want to tell her that she escaped detention. And that she had a embarrassing moment just because she had runned. She breathed in relief when the prefect had already answered her question. "Well, I guess that's right!" she said, suddenly smiling. "Pericles and I met because I was running- by the lake- with a few friends. We were totally cool- yeah." she stammered. "It was worth it." she said, blushing slightly when Pericles had told her so that it was nice of her to stop by.

She smiled at Breanna before looking at Pericles and the other party going back to the castle and other chores. "Well, I better get back to the castle too then. It was nice to meet you Breanna. I hope to see you sooner or later in summer camp- or here, at Hogwarts." she waved at her before whispering "It was nice of you to sing with me." then, she turned back to the castle in a run- that would have been exacly how she had runner out of detention.

Interacting with @Pericles Dralt and @May Moonstar

If Breana didn't die from the hag dolls in the Forbidden Forest, she'd probably die from embarrassment now. Well, at least with this scenario she asked for it. She knew the consequences (albeit minuscule), and honestly? It was an odd type of hilarious for her. Something about allowing herself to let out her goofy side despite the hardships she went through... It made her appreciate these small slivers of happiness even more. She smiled as Pericles replied what he thought of the somewhat eccentric custom. "Yeah, singing that is.... well, something, that's for sure." Breana shook her head. "Maybe I can tell ya some other muggle customs over the summer..."

The inquisitive little Ravenclaw raised her eyebrow for a moment when May didn't immediately answer her question, but most of the doubt she had were washed away as Pericles jumped in to help the Hufflepuff recall her memory. Breana beamed as Pericles mentioned her joining in on the festivities. "Yeah! I mean, at the very least it was nice meetin' ya... May, right? Hopefully, I can catch you at the camp, or just around here if you're not planning on joining that over the summer." Breana said, waving May goodbye as she headed off back to the castle. At least from the young lad's celebration, she gained a friendly face whenever the summer camp rolls along.

Breana was about to say her farewells to Pericles as well, but then he propositioned to walk with her to the castle. This prompted the sweet child's cheeks to turn into a soft pinkish hue. "Huh? Wha--" She stammered, wondering if she misheard him. But no, he continued with the offer of just meeting Breana in the Commons instead, to which the little girl quickly replied on impulse, "NO! I-i mean, uh..." She cleared her throat. "I mean, yeah sure... We can head over to the Commons together and stuff, yeah..." Not the calmest response, but it was the best she could do. As they walked back to the castle, a form of uncertainty hovered over Breana: What would he want to talk about?

Exiting the thread unless stopped.