Bucharest

Bucharest
romania

Bucharest is the capital of Romania, home to one of the most famous dragon sanctuaries in the whole world. Aside from that, the city has a number of large convention facilities, educational institutes, cultural venues, traditional 'shopping arcades' and recreational areas.

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

Had this been last year, Hana thinks she would've passed up the opportunity to go on a field trip so that she can use the weekend to study (it would have been so quiet in the common room too, with most of her yearmates gone), but this is important to Ignaci and Ignaci is important to her. She had been determined to not be too overbearing or clingy during this trip so that he can focus on really taking in everything, but it turned out she didn't need to worry much about that seeing as Naci seemed pretty intent on them experiencing it all together. She loved it, of course. She cares about him and today made him so happy, not to mention, dragons *are* pretty cool. As the night begins to creep in, she makes her way to a bench overlooking the camp. After dinner, she went back to the girls' tent for just a short while to freshen up but she had promised to meet her boyfriend here.

Ignaci Castello

dragonology apprentice
ateleia

Ignaci has been elated all day, pulling gently on Hana's arm at every turn. He's seen dragons before. He spent the whole summer with them. It's getting to see them with his girlfriend that has so much charm (and getting to brag about how much he knows, pointing and identifying them and telling her interesting fun facts). It was a fantastic day. He hasn't felt anywhere near this excited since the night with the bakunawa. To think, he's so worried about not getting into that dragonology program. What else would he do? It's obvious that working with dragons is what will leave him the happiest, but he isn't thinking about that. He's meeting with Hana, his beautiful girlfriend, and that's all his mind is focused on as he slips out the entrance of the boys' tent, grinning the moment he spots her. "Hey, Han," he says softly as he sits, slipping an arm around her waist and placing a brief kiss to the top of her head.

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

Hana smiles the moment she sees Ignaci and moves a bit so that there is more space for him on the bench, not that it matters with his arm around her waist, making sure the two of them are close together. "Hello, Naci." she says, turning towards him before looking back at the campsite. Some of the dragonologists at the sanctuary are already preparing the creatures for bed, it presumes. There are dragons flying overhead back to their designated areas, while others peacefully walk towards where she assumes they will be retiring for the night. "I am so glad that Hogwarts thought of offering this trip," she begins, leaning her head on his shoulder as they watch everything unfold. "For I can see now with more clarity what my boyfriend will be doing with his future."

Ignaci Castello

dragonology apprentice
ateleia

He smiles when Hana rests her head down on his shoulder, leaning his free arm over the back of the bench as they get situated. Sometimes she is extra poised in her mannerisms and language, bringing an even wider smile to his face out of a mix of amusement and adoration. "I'm glad you came with, so we could share this moment together," he says, gushing in response to her comment. He has long since learned not to object to how certain she is about him getting into dragonology one day. It's better to be positive, or is he just hiding an insecurity? His eyes flicker from the scene of dragonologists ushering away dragons down to the ground in front of them. "I wouldn't have wanted to spend it with anyone else." Maybe one day he will give her a tour of the reserve he is working at and they can go back to this memory. He doesn't really think about the possibility of her not being there for that.

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

Hana's mind drifts to a similar place and she smiles a bit at the idea of him showing her around the reserve he will be working at years and years from now. "I wouldn't have missed it." she tells him, "And I'm really happy I came." Just being able to watch Ignaci so happy the entire day was more than enough for her; the dragons and the scenery are just added bonuses. "It was really so great being able to see you have so much fun, and I'm so glad that nobody is making any trouble." She felt like there would be a disaster of some sort but the day is coming to an end and nothing has happened yet. Maybe she should stop being so paranoid about this sort of thing. "I noticed you talking to Vilja," she remarks, thinking back to an interaction earlier in the day. "She told me the two of you were partners in Theory of the Dark Arts. How is that going?" She's a bit wary of how Vilja might be acting – she knows her best friend can be protective, but trusts her to not do or say anything out of line.

Ignaci Castello

dragonology apprentice
ateleia

His smile widens as he replays the comment about the other students not getting into trouble, confident knowing that his amusement is out of her view. He appreciates every ounce of her— loves every ounce, but it seems too soon to say it or not the right moment at least. He places a kiss to her head again to avoid letting out a huffy laugh. It wouldn't be a laugh at her comment, but instead how truly *Hana* she is and how much he appreciates her for her. His heart melts and he subsequently melts into her, closing his eyes for a moment as he responds. "Good! Vilja cares about you a lot. I can tell," he says, and he really can. Her threat wasn't concerning to him because he isn't too worried about the idea of him hurting anyone. Ignaci has been the one with his heartbroken with each fling or love in his past and he's never thought of hurting her for even a second. "She's funny, and ridiculously smart too. I think we get along well." Even if they *don't*, he hasn't really thought that. He tends to see the more positive side of people. "And I won her favor fairly quick. I think she approves."

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

Hana manages to stop the sigh of relief she's about to let out before it is audible. She had been anxious, but it elates her to know that Ignaci was able to get on Vilja's good side. "That's fantastic." she says instead, "I was a bit nervous about that. Vilja can be a bit... protective." Not just of Hana, but most likely of Jude too – they haven't been able to talk much about him so she's not sure how close they remain to be to this day, but given what good friends they were before he transferred, Hana was inclined to believe that Vilja might not take news of her entering a new relationship very well. "Maybe I should spend more time with some of your friends too," Admittedly, she's been dreading interacting with them again because of the two who kept pestering her about how Naci was some sort of player. "I haven't really gotten the chance since that one time."

Ignaci Castello

dragonology apprentice
ateleia

Embarrassment settles in not too long after she mentions it. His hand shifts from around her waist, inching upward to not maintain the same position as his hands start to warm. Ignaci is not usually lost for words, but his brief moment of silence expresses his awkwardness without needing any change in tone. "I'm still sorry with how that went. I don't think they should have acted that way." He sounds genuinely bothered by this because he *is*. He doesn't want Hana to have that impression of him especially when it seems so wholly *wrong*. He had tried to interrupt their pestering, but they never shut up. He's the easiest one to talk over out of that friend group. He usually is. His chest gets heavy for a moment before he finally breathes out. After a moment, he pushes on. "What do you think about what they said?"

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

Hana bites her lip as she tries to figure out what a good response to his question is. "I really like you," she finally ends up saying, just so he knows that it hasn't changed her opinion of him at all. She is certain that she *loves* Ignaci, even, but she isn't sure if it's the right thing to say right now. "And ever since meeting you, I've known that you are one of the most genuine people I've met. I know you, and I know you're not the type to play with people's feelings or just do that sort of thing for fun." She's a bit nervous as she leads up to her point, but knows it's probably best to communicate now – he deserves that honesty. "I suppose that's what makes it a bit scary." she finally says, "Because I know that you must have really liked those people too, and that's really endearing, but..." She bites the inside of her cheek. She's about to say it just means that he might fall out of love just as fast with her, then move on, but she doesn't know how to put it kindly. She chuckles a little, shaking her head. "It's nothing. I'm just being paranoid."

Ignaci Castello

dragonology apprentice
ateleia

Even if she chuckles, it hurts because he senses it. Ignaci has had a very distinct reputation for a long time now and he knows what it is and it stings. It takes him a moment longer to release his breath again as his hand that rests on her waist once again twitches. He stares up at the stars, silently praying as he prepares himself. "Han, you should say it," he says, voice calm despite his nerves. "Whatever it is— your concerns matter to me. We should talk about these things." But he isn't sure he wants to have that conversation here. He feels a pang of guilt strike his heart as it dawns on him how selfish that is to expect her to hold onto that for a day or two longer. He doesn't want to leave her shoving all of those emotions into a closet.

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

Hana feels a bit terrible springing this conversation on him on what's supposed to be a perfect day for Ignaci. "I'm being irrational." she reassures him, "What they said just spooked me a bit. I really like you, and I don't like thinking that what we have is going to come to an end, so really, it's impractical to even consider that you might..." Fall out love with her is what she almost says, but it would be wrong to assume the extent of his feelings when her only basis is the depth of her own. "That those feelings might fade." she says instead, then immediately regrets it. "I'm sorry for even thinking it for a second." she immediately apologizes, "I've never doubted how much you care about me and you make me *so* happy. I really could not have asked for a better boyfriend." She feels a bit terrible, hoping she had not hurt his feelings too much, if at all. "Forget I said anything."

Ignaci Castello

dragonology apprentice
ateleia

As if he could forget that. It does sting, but he knows she's right to question it. His reputation when it comes to love isn't *stellar* and she deserves a sense of self-preservation. He glides over her insistence to forget it and to move on. "It isn't irrational. I know how it appears..." His words trail as he turns down towards the ground and he watches his shoes as one of them toys with a small pebble. It distracts him for a moment as he gathers his thoughts. He doesn't want to stumble through it carelessly because he wants it to be right. The silence brings him an ounce of heartache, however, so he speeds up his thoughts. "I don't know how to prove it except with time. I have never felt such strong feelings for anyone else. I can't imagine those ever fading." Just moments ago, Ignaci was picturing them in the distant future still together roaming around a dragon sanctuary. His constant hopeless desire for romance might be catching up to him because he has dreamt through so many scenarios of them together in the future. He has gushed about her to his father and to his grandparents. His friends have sat through so much of it before they were even together. To think he could ever...float away from these feelings so easily disappoints him. After another second of silence, he pulls away and shifts to grab her hand, stroking his thumb along its side. This way, they can face each other "Hana, I have never met someone so beautiful inside and out. I know these feelings aren't going to fade into thin air."

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

Hana's heart practically melts and she isn't really sure of what to say, especially given how understanding and thoughtful Ignaci is being. She was worried that he would sweep the conversation under the rug in the name of having a perfect day, and she already felt so guilty that she was bringing this up *here*, somewhere he is supposed to wholly enjoy. Her eyes are cast downwards, looking at his hand in hers. "I trust you," she starts, feeling a bit nervous, but she isn't sure what else there is to say except this. She looks up to face him – it would be kind of pathetic she thinks, if she can't make eye contact during a moment that holds such gravity. And besides, Hana has always enjoyed looking at his face. She smiles because she can see the campsite behind him, dragons flying overhead and trainers locking up, and he really does look like he is somewhere he belongs. "I was just concerned because I love you." she finally says, "You don't have to say it back – I just wanted you to know that my feelings aren't just going to fade into thin air either."

Ignaci Castello

dragonology apprentice
ateleia

His heart skips a beat, but he doesn't miss a second as he smiles and he raises their hands to kiss hers. "I love you," he says, voice melting in the sea of gushy emotion pulling at his chest. He has always been theatrical in love, but in this moment, he is tame and he stares at her for a moment in his amazement. No one tells Ignaci Castello that they love him except for his *àvia* of course and this is drastically different from that. His heart wants to explode and he wants to gush, but he bites his tongue. "I love you too," he repeats softer and quieter than the first time before he leans in for a brief kiss. Ignaci collects his thoughts more, reaching up to brush some of her hair out of her face. "I'm glad we can finally express that with one another... You deserve to know how strongly I feel about you." He smiles again, staring over all of her features and admiring her beauty. "And I feel *very* strongly," he adds with a light laugh. His heart is racing and it shows with how his chest rises and falls so dramatically, but he tries to conceal it with his grin. He's so unbelievably happy.

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

Hana leans in to kiss him one more time and lingers for a bit longer and when she pulls away, she is smiling. "I feel very strongly, too." she tells him softly. She moves to adjust their position again so that they are side by side and she can go back to leaning on his shoulder, unwilling to let go of his hand. She feels as if her heart is glowing in her chest and she looks out at the campsite and catches a dragon illuminating the scene for a bit after breathing fire into the air. Moments with Ignaci always end up so magical, she thinks. Hana is a princess but she has never felt more like she is living in a fairytale. "Can you believe this is what you're going to be doing in a couple of years?" she asks, referring to all the dragonologists they see down below. "I am *so* excited for you."

Ignaci Castello

dragonology apprentice
ateleia

Ignaci rests his head against hers, smiling at the scene in front of them, but mostly because of this recent development for them. His other hand reaches over the engulf her cold one, subconsciously trying to warm it up for her. "I hope so. It's so *magical*," he tells her in absolute awe as the dragon continues to puff fire into the gloomy darkness. Maybe it is magical because he has her by his side, but he doesn't want to diminish how fascinating the dragons are either. As a Muggle-born, he is still amazed by their existence. He would have never pictured in a million lifetimes sitting at a dragon reserve and certainly not with someone as amazing as Hana. "Have you given your plans any more thought?" The question is careful and audibly a bit hesitant, but he thinks it's important to talk about. He wants to know what she wants to do so he can support her and sometimes it doesn't sound as if she is too sure.

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

"I will probably return home after graduation." she tells him, not sounding particularly bothered by this. Deonte asked her this just the other day, so it's not like it's a new question, and her answer still hasn't changed. "Professor Deonte is telling me to look into some programs, but I don't think I will. Well, I don't know. I'll think about it more." It'll be harder choosing to stay home if she gets into somewhere – having to turn down a tangible slot somewhere will surely be more heartbreaking; at least if she doesn't apply, she can always rationalize that maybe she wouldn't have gotten in. "I haven't given it much thought, but I'll be sure to tell you if my plans change." They likely won't. "Have you started working on your applications to dragonology programs?"

Ignaci Castello

dragonology apprentice
ateleia

"I think you should," he tells her without skipping a second. Maybe it's selfish of him to push her to do something she is so wary of, but he doesn't think there is anyone more deserving of a spot at some prestigious postgrad program than *her* and he knows she would love it even if she won't admit it. God, she is such a *nerd*. Why she wouldn't want to pursue a postgrad education he doesn't understand. "As in you should think about it some more. I know you would do really well at one of those programs— alchemy, spellmaking, that sort of thing." He is cautious in tone, but he isn't shy with his words. He knows it's the truth and that she *should* think about it. It would be ridiculous for him to be in one and not her. "And I...haven't yet. I started on one of them, but it's so overwhelming," he admits, getting a bit quieter again because he's sure she wouldn't like to hear it. He isn't going to lie though.

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

Hana holds her tongue because tonight is already going so perfectly, and it's not like they can get to work on his applications for as long as they're on this trip, so there's no use calling him out on not having started. She knows it's also just in her nature to like doing things ahead of time as opposed to procrastinating, and she needs to respect that different people have different approaches when it comes to these things, and it shouldn't concern her so much that some of these methods are more irresponsible than others. "When we get back to Hogwarts, we can work on it together, if you like." she ends up saying, and she's already excited just thinking about it. She loves doing this kind of thing. "We can make a date out of it."

Ignaci Castello

dragonology apprentice
ateleia

He's glad his face is hidden from view because it immediately turns up in a mixture of disgust and confusion. It immediately melts and he gives her hand a soft, patient squeeze as he smiles to himself. His voice is soft and playful too, not wanting to insinuate he is actually bothered by the idea. "Han, what sort of date is that?" But he knows that no matter how amusing the idea of it is, he would want to spend that time with her. He laughs, pulling his head off of hers for the briefest moment just to get a glimpse of her. "We can go on a little date. We can get some food, bring it back to the office, start a contained fire—" He has to specify as someone who has started uncontained fires in his youth. "— and blow through some applications. Make a whole affair of it," he suggests, lowering his voice to tease her slightly with a bright grin spread across his face. He obviously isn't taking the whole applications thing too seriously, but he knows he will get it done eventually and isn't too worried about it.

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

Hana already knows that Ignaci won't be too keen on the idea, but she's glad he isn't making fun of her for being excited about the thought of spending an afternoon filling out forms together. She knows he wouldn't have, but she *does* know how terribly boring it might sound to other people. "It'll be a *productive* one, which is arguably one of the best kinds of dates." she replies to his first question, "And we're not just going to 'blow through' your applications. You have to give each a considerable amount of time so you can really look into each of the programs you're gunning for and – " Hana bites her tongue because she can hear the excitement bleeding into her voice. This kind of stuff is so fun to her – writing essays, researching programs, compiling data. She takes a breath because she doesn't want him to view her excitement as overbearing or suffocating. "It will be fun, I promise. And it will pay off when you get in."

Ignaci Castello

dragonology apprentice
ateleia

Ignaci frowns before laughing, placing another brief kiss to her hand. "Han, all dates are productive dates," he tells her, not sounding offended at the thought that they aren't because he knows she's well meaning. It's attractive how into this sort of thing she is— how her voice rises with excitement and he knows she has that specific Hana Fernandez expression on her face even if he can't see it. He gives her hand a gentle squeeze when she gives that last powerful exhale, trying to silently reassure her that she is fine. "It *will* be fun. I'm sure of it. I love spending time with you," he mumbles softly, closing his eyes as his head continues to rest on hers. He loves her. No one else in this world could ever convince him to read let alone be excited about filling out applications to dragonology programs. "And I love how excited you get about this sort of thing. You're so intelligent and thoughtful... I appreciate your support."

Hana Fernandez

lakambini ng namayan, spellmaking apprentice
paintedred

Hana is thankful that he's being appreciative rather than exasperated with her (the compliments don't hurt either), and to express her gratitude she leans in to kiss him again. "I'm just glad that I can be there for you. I love you, so of course I would want to be able to support you." she tells him, not shying away from saying those three words again. She expresses love through words after all, and he *did* say it back to her earlier. Just remembering that Ignaci told her he loves her makes her all giddy again, and she moves a bit closer to him out of a desire to be more affectionate and a need for warmth. Another dragon flies overhead and instead of looking up she turns to watch her boyfriend's reaction, feeling so perfectly content and in love.