Hogwarts Library

Hogwarts Library
third floor of adeothorne

Occupying two floors, the Adeothorne library is an endless sea of knowledge shoved away in chocolate-colored bookcases. It has one staircase near the entrance of the expansive room, which will lead students to the second floor. On the second floor, there is the restricted section as well as the librarian's office, where he sits monitoring the students from above during the daytime hours. It is open at all hours for students to come and go as they please. A familiar feature of the place is that it is occupied by a boyish ghost, who wears a Caulerpa uniform from the 2010s. He is often seen assisting students with their studies.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Any morning spent with Rayy is meant to be cherished, and she has every intention of thoroughly enjoying their time together today. Even though she failed to confess her feelings to them, there had been a peacefulness during their study session yesterday that had quelled some of her anxieties about them knowing. Around 4AM, Marisha began her chilly adventure down from the dormitories and found herself in the kitchens per routine. Her choice of peppermint tea is purposeful, knowing that it is their favorite. A few night shift elves have been practicing their potato latkes for the start of Hanukkah, so she offers to try them and then decides they are worth bringing to Rayy to hold them over until breakfast. After that, she begins her second adventure upstairs to the libraries, navigating between the tables to find her beloved friend. When she catches that first glimpse of them sitting at their spot, she beams through her morning haze. From here, she can stare past them and into a large window that opens into one of the courtyards, and she can see that the flurries from the last few nights have turned into proper snowfall. Marisha continues forward, sliding the tea and the cloth-wrapped latkes onto the table. "Good morning!" she calls happily, sliding into the seat across from them. "It's snowing," she tells them, hands gesturing through the air to mimic snowflakes falling down before she focuses on getting everything situated for her to begin studying. A part of that routine is to summon two mugs for their tea, pouring it for both of them and pushing theirs towards them. A hand unfolds the cloth surrounding the potato treats, gesturing and waiting for them to have one first. "And these are potato latkes. If you enjoy them, then my family can send yours some over the holidays!" Her father, who is the designated latke master, would enjoy that, or so she thinks. If her parents can accept their identity and religion, then she knows that the two of them would love Rayy. Marisha sighs a little, but it isn't unpleasant. Her happiness shines through again soon after, turning her focus on them. "How are you feeling?"

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy did not get much sleep last night, not that there's anything out of the ordinary there, because they were busy contemplating over when they should tell her about their feelings (or if they even should at all), not that there's anything out of the ordinary there either. Their hair is messy from having just gotten out of bed but as they walk to the library, Rayy attempts to make themself look more presentable. While they had reached a point in their friendship with Marisha to stop caring over whether or not they look good in the morning, that consciousness from the early days of their friendship has returned ever since they realized the intensity of their feelings. Truthfully, they don't have much to study anymore this morning, having surprisingly managed to finish the bulk of the remainder of their academics before break. They have their Herbology materials with them so they can review just a little and maybe draw some of the specimens in the book, though deep down they know that any artistic endeavors this morning will probably result in sketches of Marisha on the back page of their notebook rather than any of the plants they're meant to be studying. She would like that, though, they think. They can cut them out of the notebook paper and give it to her. When Rayy arrives and takes a seat, they glance out the window once she mentions that it is snowing and smiles tiredly. They hadn't noticed, too lost in their tired haze on the way up here from the Hufflepuff dorms. Having also brought treats from the kitchen for them to eat together, they set a small container of orange slices next to the latke. "Good morning, Marisha." they say, already feeling themselves get a bit more energized. "The house elves gave me orange slices again." They grin before taking one of the potato slices and trying it. It's delicious, and their eyes light up at the taste. "This is *really* freaking good." they say, not even needing to hesitate before substituting the curse word. They've gotten used to it. "If your family sends food over, then my mom will definitely send something back." they tell her, "Though I think she was meaning to already in the first place. She asked me the other day if you were coming over so she could give you a gift in person." Remembering that Marisha is so beloved by their family makes them feel a soft glow, and they smile while telling her.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha wouldn't have fed the latkes to them if she had believed they were anything short of *good*, but *really freaking good* is a pleasant surprise. Her eyes widen with excitement, and she reaches out for her own latke and eats it gingerly. Getting the reminder that their family adores her causes a similar yet obviously different glow within Marisha, bringing her free hand to the side of her face as she smiles with a mouthful of food. When she's done swallowing, she grins excitedly. "Aw, that's *so* nice!" Marisha giggles nervously yet sincerely. It's difficult for her to compute receiving gifts sometimes. Her parents aren't gift givers and have mostly just donated to foundations on her behalf for years or given her academic- or skill-related tools. "Is that an invite?" she questions, brows raising slightly. "I would love to come over, but we should still call..." Unless they need a holiday from her too, but she doesn't believe that and wouldn't want to openly joke about it either. Her eyes fall over the supplies she has spread out across the table. Much of what she has to do is done too, but she doesn't want to miss even a day out of her routine. Marisha will likely continue studying for NEWTs over the holidays. "Even if not, we can do a little gift exchange at your front door!" A little fit of giggles is elicited from that. It would be a little disappointing and upsetting if it actually happened, but for now, it's funny picturing them exchanging food and gifts at their family's door. Marisha has been brainstorming gifts for Jalal and Fatimah but hasn't been shopping yet. Her brainstorming hadn't reached Mrs. Stone yet, and she honestly might not have found anything had she not been told she was getting her something. Gifts aren't her strength, and Marisha has been spending enough thought on Rayy and Ant. Nothing new about her spending time thinking about them, but she finds shopping for them to be a lot less pleasant than just admiring and complimenting them in her head. "Hmm, you didn't answer!" she points out to them, glancing at them. "How are you feeling? You look tired." A small pause before she smiles a little. "And pretty as always! Except very tired." Marisha has been complimenting them this whole time. It isn't any different now that she *knows*. Rayy *is* pretty, and she has always tried to ensure that they know that. They're beautiful and handsome, cute and pretty.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy nods at her question, remembering how shy they were when their mom insisted that they invite Marisha over for *at least* one dinner. "You basically have an eternal invite." they say, laughing. "I'm pretty sure you could stay the entire break and my family wouldn't mind." The notion that Rayy might also need a break from her is ridiculous, and is only further disproven with their next comment. "And we can call everyday or as much as you like." Rayy always finds the time for Marisha now, so it should be even easier now that it's the holiday break and they don't have classes or homework to deal with. Rayy knows Marisha will likely be studying for NEWTs, but that doesn't really matter. They wouldn't mind playing video games on video call while she revises. "I look tired? What a surprise." they ask, grinning a bit at the fact she's still somehow concerned by this after all this time. "I slept a little. Maybe an hour and a half?" As if they can already feel Marisha's oncoming concerned comments, they very quickly add, "I can take a nap later. I'm finished with most of my schoolwork due this week." Rayy shifts a little in their seat at the 'pretty' comment, blushing. They move their position to cup the side of their face with one of their hands as if to hide the pink flush. She's too kind. They probably look like a wreck, but they're not going to deny the compliment because they know she'll put up a little fight. "*You* look very pretty." they say instead. It's very nice that Marisha is so expressive verbally. While words aren't exactly Rayy's preferred mode of expressing love, it still gives them a nice excuse to speak their mind without being too suspicious. Or maybe they *are* being too suspicious? "Were *you* able to sleep well?"

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha has always been vaguely aware of this, but she has never had a desire to act upon such an insane offer. Having someone around her is not something that she particularly needs, and she doesn't grow especially lonely being confined to calling her friends over the holidays even if one of those friends is Rayy. Now that their expressions of their love for each other have broadened, she is confident though likely incorrect in the idea that it will have only gotten easier or at least more comfortable. Still, she does long to see them and appreciates the offer. If everything continues to go smoothly between them (as in she doesn't do something horrendous by confessing her feelings to them), then it will absolutely become a priority of hers. Even though Rayy laughs, she blushes shyly, and it only worsens once they have complimented her. Her whole face threatens to grow a beautiful tomato color, so her face ducks down just a little bit as her hands move forward to more accurately cover her cheeks. "Oh, thank you." Her eyes flicker between them and her tea a few times before focusing on the tea, wondering if that could hide her away a little better even if for a few seconds. "It must be exciting being so productive, getting so much done in one go." It's meant as words of encouragement since Marisha is terribly thrilled by the fact that Rayy managed to be so productive. "It sounds freeing. Hopefully, you will have more time to rest, but even so... there's always the holidays." Marisha smiles a little, hoping they know that she has been beginning to accept that they are this way while still managing to feel concerned for them. It's very easy to be concerned for Rayy's wellbeing with their wellness habits. Sometimes she wonders to herself if they could even be considered wellness habits at a certain point, but at least they aren't doing anything entirely destructive. "Ant stayed over a little late last night —" Naturally, this wasn't 'late' by common standards at all. "— and there wasn't much time to unwind between then and sleeping, so not very well... I have a little knot in my side now." Whenever Marisha doesn't get enough time spent sleeping, she gets these random knots and insists it's from the minor shift in her sleep schedule. A little bit of a princess and the pea moment. "What if you came over after rounds this afternoon?" Her head turns upwards, hands shifting off of her face as she beams at her own suggestion.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

The invite to spend time with her is much appreciated. The assurance that they will see each other again later in the day actually makes Rayy feel as if they can maybe put off the confession that they had been meaning to say during their meeting this morning, but then a voice that sounds much like Lemon's pipes up in their head that they cannot keep on putting this off. "Come over to nap together?" they clarify. Of course, they'd love to do that with her. Resting with her is always nice, and the Head Dormitories have always been a more relaxing place to unwind than the Hufflepuff dormitories. "I'd love to, yeah." they say, nonetheless. They realize quite quickly after that their hangout might be dependent on her reaction to their confession. It makes them anxious now, thinking of how their friendship might be affected should their feelings not be reciprocated... It might be equally as bad though to just keep going in their friendship as if there are no feelings, especially considering how much has been plaguing their mind as of late. Maybe they can get used to it, though? Lemon thinks their feelings might be reciprocated though. It's all very confusing and they exhale before taking another breath as if to calm themselves, realizing that they've been drumming their fingers on their lap while deep in thought. Rolling their shoulders and deciding they might need to relax themselves a little bit more before trying anything, they decide not to confess just yet. "It sucks that you're not feeling super well." they say before anything else, "What were you and Ant up to? Charms?"

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Her body eases a little at the confirmation that they would *love* to. Ant was right that they do find a lot of time for each other, and she reassures herself that this is some sort of point in her favor. Marisha knows that she wouldn't want to argue with them if they still believed they couldn't date someone (or *her* more specifically), obviously. It would be incredibly disrespectful, but she can at least think about the reasons they have mentioned in the past and reflect on how that might apply (or rather hardly does) to their current situation. "If you want to!" she says, quite chipper. Whenever she invites Rayy over, she tries to convince them to get a little rest. It shouldn't even be a question at this point, but the clarification is important and appreciated nonetheless. "I thought that would be a little relaxing... resting near the warm fire." Her words are a little floaty, clearly daydreaming a little before blinking herself out of it. No, things aren't very relaxing right now. As warm and comfortable as their company is, Marisha's body refuses to fully relax until she's just been out with it. Her eyes fall down towards the tea again as she decides that she can say something when the conversation lulls again, possibly after this. It's better to tell them now. If something goes terribly, she can go upstairs and cry it out with just enough time left for classes. "We finished our Charms assignment, then we chatted and chatted until Virgil came by. Actually, he didn't do anything, but it just felt appropriate given the time." Marisha answers the question softly, skirting around the fact that a decent portion of their conversation was Rayy themself and the moment that they're in right now. "Virgil might be a little intimidated by Ant. I don't really know why..." She giggles a little. Maybe it's because she had to live through him awkwardly stumbling through an apology, but she doesn't find him very intimidating. And she does a lot of staring at the underbelly of his face. "It was so nice though– having him over. He doesn't really come by how you do."

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy actually snorts at the notion that anyone might find Ant intimidating, though they suppose Ant *was* a bit of a dick last year that it makes sense for some people to be a little bit wary of him. Rayy feels though that it must have been painfully obvious even then that Ant was a fish out of water in that crowd, but they don't dwell on it too much, instead just grateful that Ant's sorted himself out and is a better friend to Marisha and his other friends as well. "Maybe Virgil's intimidated by *you*," they suggest, grinning. Honestly, they would be too. Marisha was scary that one time when Virgil had woken them up. Rayy remembers it fondly, thinking about how she had felt so strongly about them getting rest to the point that she stood up for them like that. Feeling a little flutter in their heart, they immediately begin cursing themselves out in their head for being such a fucking loser. Love is weird, Rayy has always thought this. It hasn't gotten any less weird now that they're in it, honestly. "Maybe if you tell Ant more often then he'll visit more." Rayy suggests. It's very simple to Rayy that if you love someone, then you make time for them. "He's your best friend, so he'd want to make you happy." they continue, before the corners of their mouth quirk up into a wider smile as they start with their joke theatrics. "Just don't forget about me if you do." they say melodramatically, "Actually – I take it back! Maybe if you spend more time with Ant, you'll have no use for me anymore. Oh, that would be *so* terrible. I'd never recover." Rayy laughs at the notion that Marisha could ever have to *choose* between them or Ant, and not wanting to distress her, they wave their hand dismissively. "Don't worry, I'm joking. I'm always going to remember that I'm the *coolest person you know*." Oh, Rayy is *never* going to forget that.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha wishes God would let the ground just swallow her whole right then and there. Their comments are enough of a brief distraction from the offensive thought that Virgil is intimidated by *her*, but if she sits on it longer, which she will, then she will find enjoyment from it. Marisha has always feared being seen as scary or intimidating, and she has always tried to be the best she can be in talent and skill without being considered either of those things. Then again, Hana Fernandez is still someone she really admires, and *she* is terribly intimidating. "*Me?*" Her eyes widen in disbelief before Marisha dismisses the idea by shaking her head, and then she wants the ground to swallow her whole again. Marisha's face grows hot, heart panging at the idea of forgetting about Rayy, who *is* the coolest person she knows. "Rayy, that isn't *funny*," she tells them rather pathetically, frowning at them. "You will never be forgotten, and there isn't *use* for you. I don't *use* you. You shouldn't joke about me seeing you that way..." It's sort of hot *stuff* coming from someone whose dynamic with her parents she believes to be purely transactional, but maybe it's for that reason that she wouldn't want any of her friends to believe that that's how she sees them. Not Rayy, certainly. "Besides, that's not what I meant about Ant coming over." Marisha knows that Ant would come by more often if she told him he could, but she hasn't. For starters, she sees Ant far more frequently throughout the day than she sees Rayy. Every breakfast, lunch, and dinner is spent chatting with him, they're partners in Charms, and they're assigned seats are near eachother in Transfiguration. (Ant's was in front of hers, and she had to tell Hornette that her and Maya needed to be switched to be in front of him and Darshini.) "It was different, and that's it. I love you both equally but differently, and my feelings on my time spent with you reflect that." A shy smile starts to appear, eyes drifting down toward her tea. It doesn't bother her as much to think that she might appear suspicious because she's about to tell them anyways. "That makes sense," she declares, almost on their behalf.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

When Rayy notices how worked up Marisha gets over their jokes, their eyes widen a little in alarm. "Okay, okay, no more jokes about that." they say, making a little cross over the left side of their chest as if to swear it. "I promise." Rayy does not think anyone has so passionately expressed how much time spent with Rayy means to them, which of course is just another reason why they think they are never going to get over this crush and be disgustingly besotted forever. "That makes sense." they echo, trying to reassure her that they believe her wholeheartedly and understand that she loves them. "I know you love me even if it's *equally* to Ant," The word is said with a bit of a flair, but Rayy laughs to show that they are not bothered by it in the slightest. They cannot imagine ever being jealous of *Ant*. They can very easily see how someone else romantically interested in Marisha could be, but also having spent enough time around both of them, Rayy can't see it as anything but platonic. "I love you too." they say very seriously, looking at her before taking a sip of their own tea, feeling warm. Although this warmth can be taken quite literally, it should be noted that being around Marisha always evokes a very similar warm feeling that isn't very easily replicated anywhere else. It's all the more prominent this morning, with the confession brewing under the surface of their conversation and the snow falling outside. "And I know you don't *use* me. I would never *use* you either."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Her eyes follow their finger, crossing over their heart. Her face melts as she watches them, appreciating the gesture greatly even if it's the minimum. No one has cared for her feelings quite how Rayy does. Others have but not with the enthusiasm that they do. Everything with them is more peaceful as a result, a comforting place to come to as if curling in front of a fireplace. Rayy isn't a place though, obviously, and is a *person*, but Marisha has never been very poetic. "But *differently*," she stresses, leaning in a little as a grin starts to form. In an instant, she wonders if she is becoming too transparent too quickly, but it doesn't matter if they catch on. Marisha *wants* them to, but she's telling them soon anyways. Whatever fleeting concern she has for the matter, her mind is quelled by how seriously they tell her that they love her. Her grin fades, and her mouth curls inward as she holds in how much it pleases her. Slowly, Marisha turns toward the window and tries her best to watch the snow flurries calling down. It's beautiful, the thought of which causing her to instictively glance over toward Rayy– beautiful too. "I know that." A brief pause in which she unknowingly bats her eyes at them. "I love you." Marisha is unconvinced that it should have counted the first time, and besides, she has the urge to say it 'again.' A soft warmth radiates in the air around her, lulling her into this idea that she can continue to live in this forever. It would be easier, and there's no shame in admiring from afar. Immediately after, she beams and then falls into a quiet fit of giggling at the ridiculous of that. "Oh, Rayy... I don't know what I'm doing." Her face is quickly turning a bright shade of red, never feeling embarrassment quite close to this before. "*?מה אני עושה*" she whispers, burying her face in her hands. "*להיות סבלני איתי.* Wait, you can laugh, but have patience." Marisha laughs at herself, face still buried in her hands as she tries to remember what she planned on saying. After letting herself go, she should commit now and just be out with it.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy's eyebrows raise as she starts telling them to be patient with her. They had been planning on confessing already, but whatever Marisha is embarrassed to say must be important, so it can wait. Rayy wouldn't dare laugh normally, but *she's* giggling and that's contagious just a little bit, so the corners of their mouth quirk up slightly. At least whatever it is won't be bad, then, right? Rayy feels that if it were more serious, then this wouldn't be how Marisha would approach such an issue. Placing their hands on their lap so Marisha doesn't get distracted by the way they're moving about their fingers in anticipation. Rayy has never been good at waiting, but surely they can be patient for her and it's not as if she will make them wait forever before dropping whatever big thing she wants to discuss. "I *do* have patience." they say, teasing. They are trying to lighten the mood since she seems so embarrassed and anxious. "I promise, whatever it is, I won't laugh." That's a very big promise, Rayy thinks, considering they are so easily amused by most things. They watch as Marisha laughs at herself, burying her face in her hands. She's being a bit ridiculous, they think, but it's in the most endearing way. Surely they've been friends long enough that it should be easy to tell Rayy *anything*, and then they remember their own dilemma regarding when and how they will confess to her and immediately Rayy realizes the hypocrisy in their line of thought.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha knows she has to remove her hands from her face, but there's some comfort in just hearing their voice and not having to watch their confusion over her shenanigans. It would be more embarrassing to see that, she thinks, but she knows she has to face that. Her face reddens when they remind her that they *have* patience, mouth opening to stumble over some sort of defense before just closing in defeat. Her head falls forward slightly, bangs hanging off of her face, before she brings her hands away. They're folded atop her textbook for a moment in some attempt to collect herself by appearing more together and professional until she instinctively brings her hands together and rests them under her chin. "I don't know how to go about this..." Usually quite the amazing problemsolver, it's more embarrassing to know that she is letting down a frequently praised part of her personality. Marisha reminds herself that this is requiring a lot of courage from her and that she should be happy that she goes through with it no matter what the result or how rocky it is to get there in the first place. Her eyes flicker down to where Rayy's hands should be, but they're tucked away under the table and she has nothing to stare at. Her gaze returns towards theirs, smiling just a bit. "It's just a little ridiculous to continue without saying something, especially... *now*," she laughs, but it's done a little nervously. "I love you a lot, Rayy, and that love was always supposed to be platonic. It can be, but my feelings for you aren't platonic anymore. I don't know when that changed... I've thought about it a lot because I want to know, but it's a little more beautiful to not know, isn't it?" Her words go by quickly, finding herself unintentionally whizzing through her words as if that would somehow quell her anxiety. When she's said this, which she notices would only be beautiful if Rayy returns her feelings, she breathes in and decides to focus on getting that answer. Marisha can explain her love far more eloquently once she knows how the cookie crumbles. "You've mentioned in the past that you aren't interested in dating; I understand that and I've thought about it. I've thought through *a lot*, and my feelings for you are very, very certain. I don't know what your feelings for me are, but I want to. It's... It's important for our future, and I want you in my future whether it's romantically or platonically." Her anxiety slowly quells, releasing out of her alongside her words like a little balloon. Now she's just a little jittery, waiting for a response. A part of her wants to add that she loves them again, but she resists the urge by biting on the inside of her mouth.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

The moment Rayy understands what Marisha is leading up to, they have to stop themselves from interrupting her. It is very difficult not to, especially considering that she is talking so much about them possibly not reciprocating her affections when in fact they are *very* much reciprocated to the point that Rayy had been so certain it was obvious. Marisha seems to have given this a lot of thought and they would feel bad that she ever doubted that their answer would be anything but a resounding yes, except they have also been in a similar agony for a while now and it seems that all those complicated feelings were for naught. It takes everything in Rayy not to curse, not wanting to start off their relationship (holy shit, their *relationship*) off on that foot. However, not knowing what else to say, it takes a bit for them to process everything she's just said. They stare for a bit, fully comprehending the confession and letting it sink in. They've never been confessed to before. They did not think they would ever be in this situation. In Rayy's head, it was always them doing the confessing. And now... It occurs to them that they haven't said anything yet and that must be anxiety-inducing for Marisha, so immediately they try to snap themselves out of their stupor, blinking rapidly and rolling their shoulders as they attempt to string together a coherent sentence. "I love you too!" they say, sounding sort of awkward and panicked – which, honestly, they *are*. They've never done this before and they want so badly to get this right. "And it's not platonic either." Rayy very quickly adds this, fiddling with their hands even more, not knowing what to do with them. Breathing in and steadying themselves, they look at Marisha as she nervously watches them and steels themselves to get a grip. If Marisha was able to *confess*, the least Rayy can do is *respond properly*. "I don't know when it started either... I knew for sure after you let me nap in the head dormitories – the day Virgil was being difficult – and I haven't known what to do about it or if you felt the same way..." Feeling a bit silly, they laugh nervously. "I'm *so* glad you feel the same way." A very important thing to say, Rayy thinks. "And I *am* interested in dating you. I know I said that I wasn't interested in dating *anyone* in the past, but that was just because I was afraid I didn't have enough time, but we always make time for each other. I can't imagine not making time for you." Marisha has become such a staple in Rayy's life that truly, they cannot imagine it any other way. Feeling jittery as well, Rayy takes another breath and searches Marisha's face for any other feelings. Hopefully they didn't fuck it up with this trash response to her amazing confession. "And I want you in my future too. No matter what. Preferably romantically, though, now that I know it's *mutual*..." They crack a grin, trying to lighten things for both of them.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha's heart almost somersaults out of her chest, holding onto her breath the moment their *I love you* stumbles out a little too panicked. A moment of relief washes over her once they have confirmed that their feelings for her aren't platonic either, but then she begins actually processing that and it's as if time is suddenly lunging forward. Her heartbeat begins racing, overcompensating for the time it spent paused in anticipation. With her head whirling, her surprise briefly intercepts any reaction to the news that her feelings are reciprocated. Instead she focuses on Rayy's voice and their comforting words, doe-eyed as she stares at them with pure joy. To her, there is nothing *trash* about what they're telling her. It's heartwarming, and she is still jittery just at how overwhelming her feelings for them are. Rayy should know that though. To think that Marisha would find this anything short of extraordinary is ridiculous. "Oh, Rayy..." she finally lets out, hands squishing her face together as she watches them. The Virgil incident was over a month ago. Knowing that they have been holding onto these feelings for over a month changes some things, putting a lot of little incidents into perspective. Maybe that's why Rayy had been shuffling around so strangely that day. A part of her had thought that her declaration of supposedly platonic love had overwhelmed them, but she hadn't thought much of it considering how they so eagerly insisted that she knew they loved her too. While she wants to mention it, she doesn't. Instead she beams, bursting at the seams with joy. Marisha even giggles once Rayy is grinning again. It's difficult not laughing when she's around them. No one brightens her day quite how they do. "I'd prefer that too," she says finally, laughing again as she tilts her head forward to hide her blushing. It still feels a little ridiculous, but Rayy is good at making Marisha feel comfortable and secure enough to do things that feel a little ridiculous at first. "I don't know what you would want to be referred as, but whatever it is, I would love that." Her words are a little more sure and decided, smiling at them. "I was thinking about options... A little ahead of myself, but Seeker offered *goyfriend*, which–" Marisha giggles, shifting around in her seat. "*גוי*... Oh, I have thought about this..." Her eyes widen again, wanting to dive more into the issue though she fears she might get even more ahead of herself. "I love you so much," she says instead, expression softening in order to stare at them lovingly. Marisha really does love them so much. For once, she fears she won't be able to fully capture it, but she trusts that they understand. Apart from this particular situation, she thinks they communicate very effectively.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy thinks to themselves that at some point of this, they should probably kiss her, right? Except they don't know how to go about that. They're not nearly cool enough to sort of just stand up wordlessly and go over to her, and asking might ruin the moment. Eventually, Rayy decides that this is causing them too much stress during what is supposed to be a truly wonderful moment. They'll know when the moment is right. Upon being asked what they would prefer to be called, their face turns a little pink. Truthfully, they had not given it much thought simply because they had never planned this far ahead. This all still sort of feels like a dream. Maybe it *is*, honestly. It's early and it's very possible they might have fallen asleep. Musing this, out of sight under the table they pinch their thigh lightly to confirm that this is real. Looks like it is! Letting out a laugh at *goyfriend*, they shake their head. "Maybe I can be your *lover*." they say dramatically. Fuck, what an ugly word, but that just makes it all the more entertaining. Laughing to themselves, they continue saying, "We'll figure it out. *I* haven't thought about it yet, but that's just because I didn't think I would *need* to. I didn't think I would get this far in terms of my feelings. My plan ended with confessing, and then I didn't even get to do that first." Rayy grins, wanting it to be clear that they do not mind that she ended up sharing her feelings first. She is much more eloquent than them and certainly did a much better job than whatever they would have been able to string together. "I love you so much," they say in return. They begin to wonder how they will be able to calm themselves enough from what happened to properly nap later as promised. This has given them so much energy and they do not want to spend their first day with Marisha just *sleeping*, but then a part of themself reasons that this time spent resting with her is just as enjoyable and beautiful as any other time spent with her. This thought makes it occurs to Rayy that not much changes in their dynamic, really, aside from the fact that they can be more open with their feelings, which, they thought they were already being pretty obvious. Huh. Maybe they were dating this whole time.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Marisha is far more comfortable with not kissing them just yet. Having to cross the issue with their difference in size is something inevitable yet still cripplingly awkward (as she knows from experience). Besides, she doesn't need to kiss them to know they are loved or to legitimize their partnership. "M– My lover?" she stutters out, a little shocked though she falls into a little fit of laughter not too long after. *Lover* is a little suggestive, she thinks. It's very British too, which amuses her. "We *will* figure it out! We have a lot of options." Again, she has thought about it. Her mind sorted through the Hebrew and limited applicable Arabic terms that she knows, but most of them don't sound as poetic and beautiful to the ears of English speakers. Marisha doesn't go on this tangent though, leaving it for her to further consider later before they come over to the dormitory. Given the fact that Rayy is meant to be resting during that time, she figures there won't be much time for discussion or any sort of decision to be reached, but it's fine. For now, she can settle for the lengthy term *significant other* until they figure out something else. *My partner* sounds a little overcommitted and mature for their age. Maybe later down the line... "Wait, were you going to? Can you show me how you would have?" Marisha laughs, visibly delighted by the thought of seeing the tables turned. Leaning forward, she rests her head on her hands, waiting for them. After the awkwardness of their respective confessions, everything has settled into what it was just before, but with a new title for it. A little giddy about it, her shoulders jitter as she raises them toward her ears.