Orchids in Full Bloom PV

In the abyss known as his cabin room, Percival Gray lightly thrashed about under the covers of his bed. Right now, he couldn't escape the madness that was running wild inside of his head and struggled to contain the discomfort he was feeling. It wasn't the first time he was going through this whole ordeal nor would it be the last, a constant loop of torture reminded him of that. Suddenly, outside of his thoughts, a voice hissed at him from the outside, only then did the nightmare's grip let go.

The prefect raised upwards with a jolt, sweat slowly dripping from his forehead as he shot a squinted look at the door. It took him a few seconds to adjust to the light shining through, but when he spotted the calming face of San his body finally relaxed "San... what are you doing here, and up so early in that fact" he groaned, a hand rubbing his left eye as she encouraged him further to come along "Alright alright... let me get something on" the boy sighed as he watched her close the door and plunge his room into darkness once more.

Gray sluggishly jumped out of his bed and wandered over to the cabinet, grabbing some clothes out in the hopes of making an effort in his presentation for the girl outside. Considering it was almost pitch black and it was early in the morning, he did a good job of styling his hair and neatly getting into his clothes. Nonetheless, he was almost used to it considering the ridiculous times his father got him up to do something.

Yawning to himself, he snatched his wand from the dressing table and exited his room. He calmly walked down the corridor until he saw San standing next to the entrance "I hope you've got a good reason for getting us both up early" he said with a small smile as he walked up to the entrance, a respectful nod going to her as he got a firm grip on the handle "Although, if it requires dirt on my face again I'll be terribly sad" the boy chuckled before opening the door for San and allowing her to go out first, just like a true gentleman.

The boy soon followed out of the cabin, tailing alongside her as they walked back to collect her camera gear "So, how have you been? I hope the summer camp has been treating you well" Gray asked as he slipped both hands into his jacket pockets. Looking up from the ground he made sure to give her his full attention when she replied, his light blue eyes keeping on Sans face when she spoke. Whatever the reply, he slowly nodded and looked ahead of him, soon spotting the gear next to a tree.

"Oh, so this is the camera you were on about. Not bad..." Gray commented, his attention admiring the kit she had brought with her. He always liked the ins and outs of photography, so it was always a treat to see one in action. He looked into the far distance as she knelt down and picked up the equipment, slowly beginning to walk through the trees at a slow pace as they both seemed to admire the clear morning weather "So, what do you need me for? do you need me to jump into the lake or something?" Percival joked as he stepped over a large tree stump in his way, his body turning around to look at San while he walked backward "Or have you come to talk to me in private? because I'd rather not have another tense face to face like what I and Erin Ryan had a few days ago..." he remarked with distaste, his thoughts still racing on what he discovered on the girl

"Trust me, you may want to keep an eye on her."

Outfit

Attention @Percival Gray

Outfit Reducio

Santario, with a blanket, draped over her arms as quietly as possibly opened the door to Percival’s bunk. “Percival… Hey… Percival wake up. Percival!” She hissed, trying not to wake up his roommate if he had one. Then, however, Santario saw something that brought back memories that were a little too close to home. He bolted right up as if he had just been shaken from a night terror, and Santario knew that world all too often, but she hid it well.

“This is my cabin too, and I can’t sleep. Just trust me and come on already!” She whispered from the doorway, and when he finally agreed, she pulled the door shut and waited by the front door to their cabin while he primped and peened. When the door to his room opened again, she smiled, excited for what she had to show him. “No dirt required, I promise, and it is the best reason, and if I am a liar, may you flipendo me into the lake.” She was confident he would not take that option as she walked out the door he opened for her.

As they walked, he asked her how she had been, how had summer been. She did not look at him, instead pretending to be focused on retracing her steps so that she could relocate her camera bag. “I stayed with my grandparents in Wicklow during June. Camp here has been… A typical Hogwarts camp. How about yourself?” A slight hesitation as she phrased her answer before turning the question back on him. Was he someone she wanted to open up to? Did she want to tell him that her performance in chess combat made her consider quitting duelling or how just like him, she got very little sleep at night? Plagued by the faces of the people she was trying to save and failing. That San felt like she was being dragged underwater by the weight of everything she was such a failure at, and every time she surfaced, San could barely get a breath before something grabbed her ankles to drag her back down to the depths again. She was enjoying Percival’s company, and she did not want to scare him away. It was probably something that would inevitably happen, so why could she not be a little selfish and savor the good while she could?

She would listen to his reply, and even if it was as generic as hers, she would not press it. Once they returned to the bag she had put down, Santario knelt down and closed the flap before slipping the strap over her shoulder only to lead him further in. “Thank you. It was my father’s camera before he gave it to me. Said I would get more use out of it.” Which was true she, even in the short years she had owned the camera. When he asked her if she needed him to jump into the lake, she laughed softly and shook her head. “No, nothing so extreme.” But he might note she didn’t give him an answer either. She was elusive except that she wanted to show him something. When he brought up Erin, her jaw clenched slightly, toeing the areas of conversation she was trying to avoid.

“Stop here.” She commanded as she laid out the blanket and set her camera bag on it. “Let us have a small amount of joy before we discuss Erin Ryan turning into a hag.” She put it bluntly, not at all surprised by his warning of the girl. Santario grabbed her camera out of her bag, wrapping the red strap around her left forearm and holding the camera in her same hand before glancing out, deeming that there was just enough natural light. Not much, but enough for her purpose. “I want you to look at the base on the other side of that tree. Just there on the edge of the lake.” She wanted to get a picture of him when he saw the black orchids. She hated posed photos for the most part and wanted to capture the raw emotion that crossed the typically composed boy’s face, and where she stood, she held the perfect vantage point.

Interacting with @Santario Martin

"You know, that offer does sound tempting..." Gray said with a smile, before going out with her into the brisk outdoors. Walking beside his new companion he took in the fresh breeze and the sight of the sky getting lighter by the minute. It was rare he got up at this time, but when he did it was always a pleasure to watch the sun come up over the beautiful grounds of Hogwarts. As they continued forth, Gray asked how her summer was. When San answered, she seemed to be quite hesitant and careful with what she said, something of which made the boy think her housemate was hiding something. With a small nod, he decided to dig deeper later rather than now.

The two Slytherins came up to the antique camera and Percival commented about how nice it looked and even quipped about jumping into the lake. She saw the funny side of it and didn't find it necessary, thankfully. San put the strap over her shoulder and lead him further in, making wonder more about where they were heading. Although, the question about Erin slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself. Sternly, the girl told him to stop where they were, laying the blanket and her camera bag over it neatly. To his surprise, she suddenly went straight to the point by pretty much telling him she knew about Erin. Gray looked taken back for a few brief seconds before his face flashed back to his usual serious state, nodding in agreement that they should leave the talk for later. At least he had the reassurance he wasn't alone now.

Gray listened closely to what she had to say next and snapped his head in the direction of the tree trunk. Almost instantly his face lit up with a smile of joy, a sight that he had not seen for many months, black orchids. For a while now they had eluded him, hiding away from his desperate search of long lost memories. But now, they were in front of him in all their beautiful glory. With a sparkle in his eye, he walked up to the orchids and fell to one knee. Gray gently took hold of the hand and tugged it up, perfectly snapping the plant from the ground before raising it up to his nose.

Percival shut his eyes and silently sniffed the more than familiar smell of the orchid, one of which reminded him of the place he knew best. When you're so far away not many things reminded you of home, but for Gray orchids were a big piece of his life. Throughout his family history, they had been present in some of the most important events of their lifetime, both happy and incredibly dark times. At this point, it was considered an heirloom that looked after them wherever they wondered. "Thank you San..." the prefect said as he opened his eyes, the smile slowly vanishing to the corner of his lips. Turning his head back to San he motioned for her to sit next to him, after all, she did need some kind of reward for keeping to her promise.

When San got close enough he slowly extended his arm out and offered the beautiful plant to the girl "Please, take this as a token of my appreciation. It means a lot to me, and I hope it will for you further down the line" he said softly while his eyes stared into hers, transfixed on what her reaction would be "No matter how you feel, it will always be there for you, as it has been for my family for generations"

Attention @Percival Gray

Outfit Reducio

Erin Ryan was not an easy topic, and Santario wasn’t sure when Percival realized what was happening, but the look on his face told her enough. She had caught him off guard, and that was a rare feat to accomplish, at least as far as she thought. If it weren’t for the particular topic at hand, it would have amused her.

There was nothing in the world that would make her miss this opportunity. As he listened to what she wanted, she raised her camera to her face and just in time to watch him through the lens. Seeing him in a light, she had never really considered before. The look that immediately crossed his face, a twinkle in his eyes as he made his way over to the elusive flowers. The only disturbance to this moment was the soft clicks of her camera shutter as she mentally prayed that we would ignore them.

As Percival shut his eyes and leaned forward to take in their fragrant perfume, she snapped more photos of his face, seemingly so much more peaceful and serene. Anyone else might have seen a boy smelling a pretty flower, but that is not what Santario saw. She saw the world go quiet around him as if it had collectively decided to hold its breath just for him and this moment. A moment she now felt like an intruder on, and as he thanked her, San lowered her camera. The pictures, once developed, would no doubt be perfect and would do nothing but sit in her personal album as a reminder that her years at Hogwarts were not all terrible and chaotic.

Percival thanked her, and she offered him a half-smile with a slight shrug of her shoulder as if what she had just done had been no big deal. Then he motioned for her to sit next to him, an invitation into his peaceful moment, and as she moved forward to sit next to him, gently setting her camera down in front of them, she was no longer an outsider in his serene circle. Another unexpected moment, and it would seem it would be her turn to be taken aback as he offered her the flower.

Curious sapphire eyes flowed from his face to the offered Orchid, and she felt something different inside as she reached out to take it from him. Her fingers would gently brush his as she took ownership of the coveted beauty, and she looked at him again as he spoke. The world truly was a little quieter right here, right now, with him and her heart beat much faster than it was just moments ago. As they held eye contact, her eyes seemed to flit back and forth between his, and she wondered if he could hear how hard her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to control her breathing which was slightly heavier than usual.

Something clicked. This moment was not their first; something from their time together pulling weeds was lingering in the back of her mind, and a flush crept its way inward from her cheeks and over the bridge of her nose. Something impossible to hide with him holding her rapt attention the way he did. Part of her wondered why he was saying this? Why would he devote such symbolic protection unto her? She was nothing special. A girl with a camera and a girl of her word. She swallowed hard and licked her lips. Please, don't let this be some kind of elaborate prank. “Percival I-.” Words barely a whisper as she finally managed to look away from him.

Locks of her hair fell between them like a curtain hiding her face as she stared at the flower held delicately in her hands. “Percival.” She tried again, but the volume of her voice would be no higher.. “I am undeserving of this.” Whatever this was, she knew she didn’t deserve it. “But I am deeply thankful that you seem to think I am.” She knew that this Orchid was going to get pressed between the pages of one of her journals and truly treasured even if all it represented was this one shared moment of true serenity that was enough to keep it forever. The beautiful memory of a boy who helped make the world quieter and more peaceful.

Interacting with @Santario Martin

Light blue eyes followed her face as she delicately took the flower from his hand, curiously scanning her expressions to see what it meant. After a few moments, the girl's cheeks flushed a light red color, betraying her true feelings of the whole ideal. Percival still had a friendly smile in the corner of his lips, but it only grew when San gladly took it from him. It seemed like she was struggling to speak in a way, almost as if something had caught her tongue. But after a few moments, she finally spoke what had been trapped in her throat.

Gray slowly shook his head and slowly put his left hand on hers, his eyes calmly glaring into her sapphire beauty "Please, you deserve the flower. Not only have you found me these orchids, but you've also reminded me that I should have some fun once in a while. You deserve it more than you think" he said softly before staying silent for a few moments to ponder something, his own cheeks starting to blush in the clear sunlight "You know since our first proper introduction at the weed pulling activity I've been thinking about you more and more" Gray said as he slowly shuffled closer to the girl "Since that time, you made realise something that I should have done sooner. But now... I feel like it's the right time" Percival in a lowered tone, while his right hand began to hesitantly raise to her face. Gently, he leaned forward and brushed away the loose hair that covered her skin "Why is a girl like you..." Gray paused before his lips snapped into a cheeky smirk. Suddenly, the same fingers that brushed her bonked against her nose, smudging dirt gracefully over it "Getting dirt over her face!"

Leaning back, he let out an evil chuckle and hit his thigh in victory "Remember what I said? no one gets dirt on my face and gets away with it!" he said before laughing louder, hoping she saw the funny side of the whole ideal. Putting a hand to his chest he managed to compose himself and look at San with a straight face "That doesn't mean I was joking about the flower..." he nodded, motioning for her to keep it close. Percival really appreciated what she did for him, and that was something he wasn't going to forget anytime soon.

Attention @Percival Gray

Outfit Reducio

She held the black orchid in her hands delicately as she spoke, taking in its beauty, but when he put his hand on hers, sapphire eyes snapped back to his face half-hidden behind the black waterfall of her hair. It would be clear that he had taken her by surprise. The normally composed and indifferent girl he had grown to know the past two years was nowhere to be seen. Instead, what sat next to him was a girl who was constantly being surprised by him with a heart beating so hard she was internally panicking, wondering if he could heart it. How could he not? It was so loud. Her eyes were slightly wide as she tried to read him. Every movement he took, every word he spoke was being overanalyzed behind her eyes, and still, she could not bring herself to figure out what he was doing or why.

The why was the most important part of her still thought that these newfound affections could be a part of an elaborate joke. For most people, it took a long time to break through her carefully constructed walls, but this boy was seamlessly taking a wrecking ball to them, and a part of her didn’t want to even try and stop him. If this wasn’t a joke, she deserved some happiness in life, too, right? Even if their feelings didn’t pan out, she deserved a friend like him, didn’t she?

Wait, he’d been what? A flush crossed his cheeks, and she blinked, unable to speak as he confessed, he’d been thinking about her more and more. But in what way? Why? Scenarios ran through her head as he scooted closer. Wait what? What was he doing? Why was he getting closer to her? Again it would be evident that she was trying to figure him out as she listened. What?! The right time for what? Her eyes flicked towards his hand as it gently brushed the hair out of her face. Was he going to…? Her eyes fell to his lips before quickly locking back onto his eyes. The simple answer was no, no he was not.

That cheeky smirk crossed his lips, and her eyes widened more. It had finally clicked what he was doing. She had tried to get dodge in time, but San was too late as his fingers bonked against her nose, streaking dirt on it. “PerCIVAL!” The second half of his name hitting a higher octave. She laughed with him as a hand reached out to shove his shoulder gently. It would be a war now, but he didn’t need to know that one just yet. She grabbed the bottom of her shirt and leaned down to wipe the dirt from her nose, not showing anything inappropriate besides her belly button. In quick work the dirt smudge would be hardly noticeable and her shirt would be smoothed back down.


Santario reached up and ran a hand through her hair before reaching forward and grabbing her camera. “Come here a sec and help me hold the camera with one of your hands.” If he complied, she’d put her shoulder right up next to his and rest her head against his. Holding the orchid up between their faces with the camera pointed at them. “Don’t forget to smile on three. One… Two… three.” She stared into the camera and grin before pressing the button to snap a photo of the two. A wonderful moment that would spark her internal panic. She was letting him get too close, and while she was still confused about whether he seemed to feel what she was feeling, she knew if he got too close, it would spell disaster.

If Percival cooperated with the picture, she’d set everything down carefully then and decide to broach the subject he had brought up in the beginning. Scooting away and turning to face him, a more serious look overtook her features. “While, I wish we could revel in our find. I feel you have questions, and I assume you know I have answers… Probably something that shouldn’t be delayed for too much longer.” She offered a dry half-smile that didn’t reach her eyes. No part of her wanted to interrupt this, if anything she wanted more of the peace he seemed to bring her, but there were two things at play against them right now. The ticking of the clock and Santario’s internal panic because if she didn’t have him, that meant she couldn’t lose him, and in the end, that was easier.