Sit Down PV: P.Raiwood re-opened

Percival walked into the Great Hall with a frown deep-set across his face. The earlier events weighed heavily upon his mind. He had not the slightest idea what Hanako had been trying to gain from his very awkward and public announcement. When it came to his best friend it was truly hard to say. The other operated in mysterious ways, but in a way that was part of the other's draw. Continually pulling him back in as if he were the Earth orbiting the Sun. Despite everything they had been through nothing seemed to truly shake them apart. At least not for too long. The tent filtered to the front of his mind. Souring his tongue and mood. Percival did his best to remind himself it was in the past and he hardly doubted something like that drasted tent would happen again. He was not too sure what he would do if it did.

The boy's eyes quickly found the familiar figure of his friend sitting practically alone at a table. Percival could not help but roll his eyes before making his way over. As if sitting alone would stop the stares their fellow housemates gave him. Percival was quite sure by the end of the day most of the school would know about Hanako's attempt at getting a date to the ball. Percival took the open seat next to Hanako's right. Placing his elbow on the table and resting his head in his hand he would look toward Hanako. "I heard what happened earlier. You do know you could have asked me for tips? I hardly think sending a howler is good form. he said a small smirk playing across his features clearly bemused. Maybe if the boy had been rejected he would have been nicer, but that was not the case. "At least she still said yes. What is her name again? Pea?" he asked.

Interacting with: @Hanako Tone

Continued from this thread right after it happened.

Frankly, he almost choked on his orange juice. No warning, no hesitation, and not even a hello. A voice that Hanako was rather disturbed that he recognised so quickly did little to ease his surprise. He set down the used-to-be refreshing beverage on the table and spent a few minutes trying not to die from choking on orange juice. And while he was doing that, the thought; what the hell’ came to his mind.

Returning back to Rainwood, he couldn’t help but be momentarily distracted. These past few weeks, Hanako had only been doing his best to conceal his dissatisfaction and frustration towards Rainwood. His odd ways of withholding information on his date from Hana unsurprisingly disturbed the Japanese boy. Enough for him to ask out someone he didn’t even like just to distract himself from it.

Just like how he didn’t anticipate Pea accepting his offer to be her date, he didn’t anticipate Percival would even care. Much less coming up to Hana to talk about it. While he was rather tempted to show how it feels to have your best friend hide important information from you, his heart couldn’t help but speed up a little upon seeing his face.

Curse his weakness for pretty faces. But it was totally normal to be enchanted by your best friends face. Hanako was only pissed he almost forgot he was mad at Percival. He wasn’t about to allow a handsome face and a few words to sway him away from his anger. At the very least, Rainwood’s presence did help him forget the stares of others.

Trying not to drown in those stupidly mesmerizing eyes, Hanako tore his gaze away from the boy and continued to pick his orange juice back up again, sipping in it between his words. “ And what? You’ll help me find better ways to ask her out? I’m aware this is your area of expertise” You know, like how you asked out Ileen and for some unknown reason, wanted to keep that to yourself. Hanako refrained from saying it out loud, but perhaps Rainwood could figure it out if he paid enough attention. His unenthusiastic playful tone, his evading eyes, his emphasis on ‘your area of expertise. If Percival chooses to ignore it, it wouldn’t be the first time.

And truthfully, Hanako was better with that. He realized a little too late that he didn’t even want Rainwood to notice. Ignorance was bliss after all. He was fairly certain he didn’t even know Hana listened to enough gossip to know who the lucky girl was. Perhaps he could trust Rainwood’s slowness to let him get away with it. Hanako wanted him to know how upset he was, yes. But he knew how it was going to go.

1. get angry at Rainwood
2. get angry at those who have wronged him before that is not Rainwood
3. make plans on how to de-stress with previously mentioned person (not Rainwood)
4. proceed to follow through plans that will most likely ruin someone else's day
5. Rainwood is now Percival the bestie again

So in the end, there really was no point in arguing with Rainwood. There was always someone else that could help Hanako with his stress.

“ At least she still said yes. What is her name again? Pea?"

Hearing her name again had the memory of her expression during his ‘confession’ which was far from the face of someone being swooned. That look was probably cuter than if she really was swooned. He didn’t realise the genuine smile that crossed his face upon the fond memory. Would he see more of that expression when he ruins her night?

“ Yea. Cute isn’t it? Her name” he held back a laugh, though the smile remained at the thought of his precious de-stressor. His face returned to neutral once he realized Percival was asking about his date. Did he think Hanako would easily share information about her, unlike him? The familiar urge to blatantly ignore his curiosity came back. Thankfully, he didn’t ask more and only wanted to double confirm her name. “ Did you come here to give me tips on how to have a good time with her at the ball? You don't trust I can give her a good time?~” Perhaps diverting the topic towards something else would be the best for now. At the very least, he certainly sounded more cheerful than earlier.

w/c: t/b/a

@Percival Rainwood

A sharp grin pulled across his features as he watched Hanako struggle to remove the orange juice that was now in his lungs. "Wrong pipe?" he asked his tone barely concealing the haughtiness that was laced throughout his tone. Though, there was a distinct lack of malice there, despite his uncaring disposition. The grin slowly slipped from his face as the silence stretched between them slightly. Percival was unsure, but it seemed like ever since he had accepted Ileen's request Hanako had been acting a bit off. It seemed unlikely the other was mad at him. Though, it wasn't like they talked too much about their problems. Especially when it comes to their emotions. The boy studied the other's face for a second taking in the smooth plains of the boy's face. The boy's face was starting to lose the roundness of childhood. Taking on a much sharper look.

Percival felt a wicked grin cross his features once again as the other spoke up. "Well of course! Clearly, I have the most experience with this sort of thing." he said despite the fact that the last time he had asked out Ileen had been as a 'friend'. Though, Percival found hardly any reason to admit to that. Instead, he simply puffed out his chest slightly as pride took over most of his sense. The boy brought his hand up to his heart as his eyes closed slightly. Completely missing the little to no clue what Hanako was truly feeling. "I do have to say a howler is extremely bold. I am surprised she even agreed after getting screamed at." he said nonchalantly. A part of him could not help but find fault in the fact that the girl had accepted Hanako's invitation. Maybe it was the lost opportunity to actually help Hanako. Or maybe it was that this girl did not seem too worthy of his Hana. Whatever reason it was a weird feeling fluttered about his stomach souring his thoughts of this...girl.

Percival stared at Hanako with slightly wide eyes as the boy smiled. It seemed weird to feel stopped by his friend's smile, and yet here he was unable to speak. The boy tried to think back to when had Hanako smiled like that at him. He wondered if he thought hard enough he could reconstruct the facial expression to be pointed toward him. Though, the lack of Hanako's smile in his memories only further soured his mood. Oh how badly he wanted to take his lighter, and... The boy was snapped from his thoughts as he realized he probably should reply. "Yeah I guess it's cute. Kinda stupid. But cute." he said his tone bordering on harsh before he corrected himself.

The boy blinked at the other's light-hearted accusation. "What? I can't come to support my friend as he prepares to go on his first date?" he asked a mischievous look on his face. Though, to be honest he was unsure why he had actually come to talk to Hanako about this. Did he hope to change the other's mind? It seemed silly, but the weird feeling that gripped at his lower intestines made him wonder. "Besides I was hungry, and we always sit together." he said unsure what he was trying to get across. "I am sure you'll do fine. Just don't step on her toes when you dance with her." he offered. His ball dance instructor had made that very clear when he had accidentally stepped upon her toes. Percival's toes ached just at the thought of that.

Interacting with: @Hanako Tone

Continued from this thread right after it happened.

As expected, he boasted about his experience in the dating realm. Clearly, that was obvious enough. More experience. More exes. More failed relationships. And Hanako was so eager to point that out, but how could he? Rainwood looked quite cute, all proud and grinning like that. Rainwood would only gain a playful eye roll. Though there was a slight bitterness forming in Hana. Another day, another thing that upsets him swept under the rug. But it’s not like he was even prepared to argue with Rainwood if he did get it. He should be thankful, really. It was for the greater good. Arguing with Rainwood is never preferred. If Hanako could help it, he would keep their argument during the fight club the last fight they ever had.

Percival then went on to comment about the confession being ‘bold’, which Hanako slightly tilted his head in confusion to. “ Why wouldn’t she? If I was in her shoes, I wouldn't mind being screamed at if it's to show me they like me. A sort of … loud and aggressive way to profess your interest in someone. Perhaps the flowers and chocolates I gave her, saved it? Now even you can’t tell me I got that aspect of the confession wrong, right? The howler was just to get an edge in the competition. According to her, I had quite a bit of competition.” he grinned with pride. Chocolates and flowers were good and all, but howlers- he thought- would be quite memorable. It was easy, quick, and lacked enough romance. He wouldn’t want to do something too romantic to her. Not when his goal was to ruin her night. He can at least be assured the next lucky guy couldn't pull the same stunt he pulled.

That was the extent of his jollier mood, because he began to ponder. Percival seemed awfully invested in how he confessed. Would he have liked to help Hana if he knew his plan to confess today? It irritated him to even imagine what would happen. He asked Fowl out to forget about Rainwood. If his friend was there to help the process, Hanako would only imagine him losing patience. If Hana didn't have such a positive opinion of Rainwood, he would’ve assumed he was jealous he didn't do it first. If not that, then what if it’s a bit uncommon? The blonde wasn't the kind to be sensitive to these sorts of things.

"Yeah I guess it's cute. Kinda stupid. But cute."

“Stupid?” he repeated in confusion, but it soon dwindled into a soft chuckle. “Did you perhaps…met her before? What sort of impression did she leave on you to think that? Or is she stupid for accepting my confession. Come on, Rainwood. Choose one: support me, or make fun of me. ”. It wasn’t hard to notice the change of tone, but Hanako brushed it off. It was typical of Rainwood to call even strangers an idiot. That was sort of his charm, in a way. Regardless, though he jested, his interest in Rainwoods answers didn’t cease. Truthfully, it was getting difficult to understand what Percival even came here for. Did he approve of Pea being Hana’s date, or not?

Even if he didn’t approve of it, what change would it bring? It was ultimately Hana’s choice. And if their opinions on ‘who's dating who’ were that important, most of Percivals flings and relationships would have never started. He had to admit, the idea that Rainwood could possibly dislike the idea of him going out with Pea would have pushed him to smile in content. Finally, he would understand what Hana felt towards him and Ileen. Perhaps not to the extent Hana felt. But it was something, at least. Some sort of indication Percival did in fact valued Hanako. Because the time they spent together this year was seriously making hanako doubt the fact. Keeping Ileen a secret was just cherry on top.

But that was only a possibility. Who knows what Rainwood is really thinking. They respected each other's boundaries so much that perhaps they didn’t really know one another as much as they thought. It was certainly the safer and more preferred way. Just the way they liked it.

And it was a good idea that he had taken a break from sipping his orange juice because what came next would’ve had Hanako go through another coughing fit. Though this time through a series of laughter he could barely contain. “HAFDHShhaa woow.. Now isn’t that adorable” he managed to mutter after calming down. He had to fan himself a bit just to ease up, though the traces of his earlier laugh still remained on his face. “ And do tell, what made you so confident this would be my first?" He asked with an all too familiar sly grin . Well, to be fair if a date meant going to an event with someone you hold romantic interest for, so far Hana has never done that. Each date always had some of its own personal purposes. But was he going to admit that off the bat? No. He will be acting as the hotshot 13 year old that went on three dates with three different people oooOoOo scandalous.

That would be the end of his amusement however. After that Percival had mentioned about them eating together. Hanako was unable to hide the obvious questioning look. Though he convinced himself keeping his mouth shut was the best solution. But clearly, Rainwood had said something wrong. If they always sat together, why had Hana been sitting alone for months? Did the small fact that this was the first meal they had in ages was suddenly forgotten? A burning urge to correct Percival was just at the tip of his tongue, and yet nothing was said. ‘Just another day of another problem being brushed under the rug’.

“Dance?” Rainwoods tip confused him and it showed. Why would he need to dance with someone so close- o h. That kind of dance. Realisation hit but Hana seemed unfazed about it. First of all, ew. The idea of standing so close to Pea, holding her hand and swaying with her in union to the music was… sorta making his heart beat faster and his cheeks a bit red. Oh, come on. She an ew, but Hanako would never deny her ..outer charm. Even if he wanted to. But he was certain that pretty face of hers wouldn't be pretty for long if he did step on her toes.

After coughing a bit and pretending he didn’t just get embarrassed at the idea of slow dancing with Pea, he continued and placed down his orange juice. “ Umm..well I'm sure if I explained to her that I don't precisely know how to dance well, she would make sure I do before the ball. She’s demanding like that. “He said it as a matter of fact, starting out confident and strong. Though his confidence faltered the more he thought about it. He could do it, but would that ruin his plans with her? Was it a red flag for him not to know how to slow dance? “ Well, um, date-expert Raiwood, answer me this question then. If I do become honest with her, would that be ..a huge deal breaker?” he questioned curiously. Rainwood probably never had this sort of problem. Didn’t purebloods learn this when they were like, 5? Hana may have gone on dates before, but there was a good reason why he wasn’t in any relationships. So in matters of the heart, Percival was probably the one he should ask. This was of great importance that he doesn't make his de-stresser leave him too early.

w/c: t/b/a

Interacting
@Percival Rainwood

Mentioning
@Pea Elena Fowl, @Ileen Knight

Percival wasn't too sure what he was trying to accomplish coming on to the other like this. An underlying tone to it all despite the harsh grin that rested across his features. Maybe it was the fear of Hanako discovering how he was truly feeling, and how he truly was feeling towards a certain girl. He hadn't even met the girl, but he already wished he never would. Yet seeing the other's small eye-roll made his smile only grow, and something far more maneagable and hard to dictate bloomed in his chest.

The boy's brows furrowed ever so slightly as he studied the other. Unsure if the other was merely lying in order to rationalize his reasoning for the way he went about asking out the other girl. Percival snorted to himself as he raised an eyebrow slightly. Clearly showing his doubt to the dark-haired boy. "So you're saying that if I stood up on the table and screamed at you to go on a date with me, you would accept?" he asked the other boy in a clear attempt to call the other's bluff. " I do have to say that part was correct, Good job Hana." he offered as he picked a piece of lint off his uniform.

Percival cleared his throat slightly at the change in Hanako's tone. It seemed that his plan to remain inconspicous had failed him, and a frown crossed his features in slight annoyance. Unsure how to go about talking about why he disliked the other girl so much, Percival focused on grabbing a sweet from the table, and shoved it in his mouth. The boy gave a small shrug, "I just think you could do better than someone named after a vegetable." he said giving the other a stupid grin. "Have you thought of what you are going to wear yet?" he asked switching the subject.

A cross look crossed his features as he listened to the boy's coughing fit. His annoyance only grew as the other seemed to have gone on more than one date. "Who have you gone on a date with?" he asked slightly too quickly his brows furrowed in confusion. It seemed almost weird that Hanako had gone on dates. Had he really missed that? Sure he was busy with Ileen nowadays, but he didn't think that he was that blind. The boy rolled his eyes at the other seemed a bit confused why he would want to dance with the girl he had asked out. "Yes dance Hana, you don't know how to dance?" he asked with a frown. It seemed almost asinine for someone not to know how to dance. Especially coming from the fact he had been forced to learn for many years. "I mean I wouldn't mind it. Not everyone is forced into learning it. I could teach you you know." he said with a small smirk. "I've taught someone before." he added his brow twitching slightly in rememberance to Opeila Winters.

Interacting with: @Hanako Tone