Head Dormitories

Head Dormitories
seventh floor of hogwarts

The biggest perk of being named Head Student is definitely having a dormitory all to yourself. The two Head Students share a common room then each have their own room where they can retire for the night. Only them two are given the password to enter, but it's completely up to them whether or not to share it with their friends. The head students are trusted by the headmaster after all to be responsible with the power that's been given to them.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy is still a bit groggy from their nap, but they're slowly and surely waking up, especially with how surprised they are that Marisha told Virgil off for waking them up. Honestly, they do not mind very much, especially considering it looks like they were able to get a full hour of sleep as opposed to their usual series of fifteen minute naps throughout the day. Of course, it was not very pleasant waking up to *Virgil Gibbs* of all people, but nothing is perfect. Now that Virgil has stormed off to do rounds though after his little spat with Marisha, Rayy yawns one more time before turning to their friend and making sure that she's calmed down a bit. "It's fine, Marisha." they say, still sounding extremely sleepy. They'll wake up fully soon enough. "I was already able to nap for a whole hour! Can you imagine?" They laugh, trying to make light of it. "And I'm sure it was boring just waiting for me to wake up. I'm awake now! We can play chess or talk or – " Rayy yawns a second time, covering their mouth. "Does Virgil really not bring anyone here?" They had caught him say something like that during his rant, which is honestly *so* boring. It's not like they can't bring people into the dorm. Rayy knows that the friends of previous head students have certainly enjoyed having their own place in the castle to hang out.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha is brewing, resembling a little teapot left on the stovetop for too long as she stands in the middle of the common room with her hands placed on her waist. Her eyes are still narrowed as she stares daggers into the closed door, having watched Virgil scurry out of the dormitory after their spat. She hasn't felt this alive and invigorated *ever*, more conscious of the space around her as it all starts to come to a jagged halt after his exit. Her head whirls with adrenaline before she turns to face Rayy, anger melting off of her face as she is comforted by just the sight of them and the reassurance that they are fine. Still it *isn't* fine. "No, it isn't, Rayy," she tells them. Her tone of voice is no longer on the offensive, falling down to the common high-pitched cadence she usually maintains as she moves to collapse down beside them. "He never does, Rayy. He has no friends. He's *mean* though, so I don't feel so terrible for him anymore." Marisha tried the last two months to be more mindful of Virgil's background and how those experiences might affect him now. Not a bumbling idiot, she knows that her bond with Ant only survived because of a similar mindset. It's impossible for her to fathom ever leaving him behind because of troubles her eyes can't see, so she tries to be mindful of that except Virgil is testing her. His jealousy is seething, and she actively wonders how he could ever project his issues onto *her* when she does not necessarily fare any better though she never has the heart to correct him. His random spats during the evenings when she's certain he has gotten some terrible comment from one person or another... Marisha was patient through it, but she has one request and he won't even listen to that. Her anger starts to bubble to the surface again, appearing in her face as it scrunches together before seemingly bursting like a little bubble as her expression eases. "How are you feeling?" Anger is not a common issue for Marisha, but when it is, her best coping mechanism is focusing on the parts of the universe that she loves. Marisha *loves* Rayy. It's a feat of nature that it somehow hasn't managed to come into conversation yet— just how much she loves them. She usually finds a way.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

It is strange seeing Rayy like this. Some are affectionate when people are angry but Rayy has never understood that and also they are not very touchy by nature. It would feel weird trying to calm her that way, so instead they stay in place and trust that she will have these emotions under control. Marisha is the type of person that Rayy believes has a good grasp on her feelings. A lot of other people would still be flying off the handle right now, but she seems to be actively trying to calm herself, which is good and healthy. They appreciate that. "He *is* mean," Rayy affirms. Rayy has stopped feeling sorry for Virgil Gibbs a long time ago, though they still hold out hope that this is a phase that he will outgrow sometime after graduation. It would be a very sorry sight if ten years from now Virgil was still the same person he was at seventeen. "I'm good!" they reassure her, "I feel a lot more well-rested. I can always nap in my dorm, though, you know? You don't have to invite me here." They laugh, though they're very appreciative that Marisha seemingly wants to spend time with them even when they are asleep. The idea that she does warms their heart, truly, especially given how much time spent with the people they care about matters to them. "I mean, invite me as much as you want though! It would be nice getting away from my roommates. I'd much prefer spending time with you! Even with *Virgil* around." They roll their eyes, but it's good-natured. "Next time I just won't fall asleep and it won't be an issue."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha has found herself a happier place by the time Rayy has finished their piece about not needing to rest next time, which she usually finds fairly stressful. Having studied with Rayy for a while now, she knows not to expect them to want to rest in any capacity, but she knows realistically that they should and that they are not wholly representing how well they are as a result of never sleeping whether that's a conscious effort or not. It's impossible, she's decided, that they are functioning as wonderfully as they claim. Any scientific study would support her case, so she finds her stance to be more justified though she tries her hardest not to push them nor be too invested in the issue. "I know that, but this is another option too! It isn't a stuffy basement, and it's toasty and warm in here, isn't it?" Her brows raise slightly as Marisha becomes amused with her little pitch. While not humorous in nature, she finds the idea of herself pitching something of obvious superiority (that they have mentioned *is* nicer) to be ridiculous. No wonder her modest expression grows more pleased, bringing her hands together into her chest as she continues. "It would be better to spend time together too! Even if you're resting, you're so..." Love temporarily overcomes her as her hands raise closer to her face and her eyes scrunch together before it seemingly bursts similar to another bubble of emotion. Once done, her hands splay out from her face and she beams. It only hits her afterwards how easily that could be misconstrued, eyes widening though she can't hide the love from her expression even then. "I don't watch! I really don't." Sometimes she does, but that's implied. Monitoring them by glancing towards them every so often is just nature to her, so she doesn't believe it counts. Rayy is just as beautiful of a person with their eyes shut, fully out of consciousness. However, it's in an entirely different fashion to how beautiful they are when they're bouncing about and laughing during the vast (*very* vast) majority of the day. Marisha has grown to find how they mumble jumbled nonsense at her beautiful in its own right though she more so finds it amusing and it causes her to laugh from time to time during her studying. Something about it is just so wholly *Rayy* and she appreciates it.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy blushes, suddenly realizing that this means Marisha has seen them asleep, which must be so embarrassing. Prancer has told them on multiple occasions that they talk in their sleep, and while Rayy is well-aware that it's mostly nonsense and mumbo jumbo, they are afraid that they might've had some rare moment of coherence and revealed something that they wouldn't have awake. Marisha does not seem to be acting any differently, though, which means that isn't the case. Immediately, they begin to question themselves. What were they even worried about revealing? They do not let this confusion become evident on their face, instead shaking away all those thoughts and focusing on Marisha. "Did I say anything stupid in my sleep? My roommate says I do. They say it's like I have my own language." Rayy grins. Honestly, now that they think of it, what if it *is* just Malay and Prancer hasn't recognized it? Maybe they should set up a recording before going to bed later tonight... That would be amusing. "Just *silencio* me next time if it gets distracting while you're trying to study." they add, which implies that there *will* be a next time, which there will be if Marisha is willing to invite them over again. Surely, Rayy would not pass up any opportunity to be around her, no matter how conscious they are when the two of them hang out. "You were able to study, right?" they ask. It's important to them that they didn't distract Marisha and that in general their friendship does not distract her from her responsibilities. "Do you still need to study? I can be quiet and do my own thing."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Watching Rayy get embarrassed is a new experience, or at least it's one that she doesn't experience often. When their face flushes, she preemptively blushes too and it only worsens once they want to know if they have said anything stupid. "Oh, no! I- Um," she pauses, hands raising to the sides of her face and absentmindedly squishing her features together. Her face radiates a little heat, confirming that her skin is starting to turn red. "We have little conversations. It's calming and *so cute*. You're so encouraging." A lot of it is in Malay, she's reasoned. Marisha even searched for basic academic terms in Malay to sort out if she could catch any of them, wondering if they might just lay there stressing over their grades the whole time. It's embarrassing and immature, but she even tried to figure out how to say *I love you*. Since it's *so* embarrassing and immature, she would never admit it. Not now. Not ever. All she wanted was to know if they have ever thought about telling her. Rayy knows how often she says it. Just remembering her earlier line of thought now, she questions why this even matters to her so much. Pondering this would need more time to herself than this conversation allows, so she puts it aside to question later while she is winding down before bed. Marisha has been spending a lot of this time, where she has her phone put away in her nightstand, to reinspect their dynamic and why others perceive it the way they do. It doesn't bother her the way that it does with Ant, which has led her to even more pondering. Still she is left undecided and confused. "*Silencio* won't be necessary then! I wouldn't want to do that. I enjoy listening." It's what she originally wanted to tell them, but at first, telling them that she enjoyed listening to them mumbling in what is often a language that she fails to understand. "Just your presence is calming," she tells them enthusiastically, hands falling from around her face as they ball together in the middle of her chest again. Her honesty is apparent, seemingly finally reset to her most common form of cheeriness as she beams at them. "*So*, you really should come over more often! We can study more or you can rest, which you really should rest more..." Her voice trails off, staring at them with a curious anticipation in terms of what their response might be to this. "I don't have anything to study for until tomorrow. I told you— You're very encouraging!" Her blushing gets worse, but she puts less of an effort into trying to disguise it.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy laughs at the notion that they can be encouraging in their sleep, though they suppose it makes sense that even when they aren't conscious they are rooting for Marisha. The friendship between them is so strong and Rayy is truly one of her biggest fans. They would say that they're her number one fan, but Ant would probably threaten to beat them up again. Rayy almost snorts at the memory, but controls themself. At the suggestion that they should be resting more, Rayy thinks firstly if there is anything they need to get done before rationalizing that if they don't get it done now, they can probably get it done at 2AM later and it will all be fine. They lean back against the sofa and takes one last glance to admire Marisha before closing their eyes. "Here, why don't we talk with our eyes closed again? Since you're not doing anything." This had turned out nicer than they expected (which says a lot since Rayy already automatically assumes that all things done with Marisha will be the pinnacle of fun and nice), and it is something that is theirs and theirs alone to top it off. Rayy would not want to do this with anyone else. It is a bit difficult for them to keep their eyes closed and just focus on the darkness, but it'll be fine. This is *precisely* why they just let the gods decide when they're going to fall asleep every night instead of consciously making an effort to go to bed. They roll their shoulders before reminding themselves that they were able to do this just a week ago during Halloween and that they can do it again. "I'm honestly still tired, so I might just end up falling asleep again, if that's alright. I know it probably *is* and I should have realized sooner that this is part of your *nefarious* plan to get me to rest more." Rayy's tone is exaggerated, hoping to amuse her. "Alas! I'm already trapped. There's no use."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Her face grows warmer when Rayy laughs at her, and since she blushes so easily, she welcomes the idea of sitting there with their eyes closed. "Okay!" she agrees. Marisha shifts around before resting against the couch right beside them. Her feet push off her shoes before raising her legs onto the couch to sit criss-crossed, one knee brushing against their leg before she cringes and apologizes. She then shifts a little further away. Her head turns to watch them for a moment, laughing to herself before closing her eyes. Immediately after, she gets sent into a flurry of light giggling as she tries to picture them in her head. "Aww, you know me so well," she says, frowning and somehow doing so *audibly*. After a beat, her voice shifts to a happier one when she starts to mimic them in turn. In this case, mockery is truly the greatest form of flattery. "Alas, you're right: don't fight it!" Marisha laughs at herself before turning towards them and getting a small glance at them with one eye. "Except promise that if you start to drift off, you will tell me first." On Halloween, she had expressed a similar sentiment, but now that Rayy is admitting that they might rest again, it feels more important to repeat it. Marisha enjoys their messages each night before she goes to bed, believing then that they must enjoy it too. Even though she isn't certain of what she would even tell them before they officially drift off, she wants to do *something*. Hopefully they will have more time to converse before that actually happens and she will have the opportunity to figure it out. "And I will leave you to rest some more. I'm afraid you will still respond to my chatter and I won't realize you're sleeping." Sure, that's another valid reason. For some reason, she worries she might say something important and then they won't respond or remember. The thought is terrifying.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy remembers making a similar promise about telling her before they will drift off and they hope that this time they will still be able to keep it. It was such a struggle last time, when Rayy is used to just... falling asleep without warning but they can try for Marisha at least. "I promise," they say, dragging out the word to emphasize it. With their eyes closed, they are all the more aware of how Marisha's knee brushes against their leg but doesn't say anything about it because it isn't really a big deal. It's nice being this close to Marisha though. They are glad that she feels this comfortable around them and that they were able to create an environment in their friendship like that for her. It is important to Rayy that Marisha always feels comfortable around them. In turn, Marisha very much feels like home for Rayy as well. "It'll take a whileee, though, so let's talk." Rayy peeks at Marisha, opening one eye slightly to look at her face and properly admire her without having to worry about her finding it weird or seeing them. They smile again as they return to having both eyes closed, letting the image of Marisha and how beautiful she is stay on their mind. "What schoolwork were you working on earlier?" they ask, "I can't believe you were able to get *all* your things done today. So productive!" It is so like Marisha to have her shit together and also a functioning sleep schedule, and to be *head girl* on top of all that too. She is so amazing... Wow. "I bet all the work you did this afternoon easily would've taken me the entire weekend."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha's face splits into a grin the moment they promise to tell her, feeling the imaginary hearts swirling around her head. Her clasped hands raise toward her chin, grin naturally dwindling into a kinder smile before acknowledging his promise. "Thank you," she tells them, meaning it very seriously. Even if the topic might be considered ridiculous to some, it's important to her and she's glad they're willing to go along with it even if she expected nothing less from them. When the topic shifts into one about academics, her hands fall to sit just in front of where her feet cross. Her voice even shifts to sound more studious and alert as it usually does when she's studying or at least discussing studying. It's similar to the tone of voice she would use with her parents, who in all fairness she only discusses her academics and related accomplishments with. "It wouldn't. Fortunately, my responsibilities didn't demand much from me today. I had to finish drafting a short essay for Alchemy, which should be reviewed before bed... I'll do that then." Marisha insists as much. When she last reviewed an essay draft right after writing it, she turned it in with two grammatical errors that seemed to curse her existence for at least three Saturdays to follow. Her routine is to write them, then review them later once she has separated herself from her writing long enough to have a fresh perspective. Her parents taught her to do that, and while everyone is told to, she somehow found a way to stick to it. "I completed the necessary reading for Ancient Studies, but most of that was done this morning. I had spent the rest of my time messaging Herb about how *Improv* should be a little more flexible with their meeting arrangements." It was this, she's decided, that served as the kindling to the fire that Virgil inevitably set by bothering her close friend. At times, boys can be terribly obnoxious, but she tries to be nice to them. "Don't you think so? They're *Improvisation Troupe*," she repeats, voice returning to her more relaxed self as she's no longer reciting her activities to them. Immediately after, she laughs. Clearly she is very amused with herself.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy snorts at the mention of Herb and the Improv Club. "Now, now, Marisha, Improv is a *sacred art* and everyone else should be able to bend to their schedule. How else is Herb going to get in the *zone*?" Rayy is obviously joking because they find Improv so embarrassingly stupid, but they're laughing too and that's a clear indicator that they're just messing around. "Maybe you can tell Ant to talk to him. They're roommates, right? God, I wonder how he survives." Whether the 'he' in question is Ant or Herb, Rayy does not clarify. While it must be hell on earth for Ant especially if Herb practices in their dorm, Rayy can imagine that Ant is not very receptive or enthused about Herb's little performances and perhaps that kills his vibe often. Whatever; it's deserved. *Improv*. Come *on*. "I'm sure your Alchemy essay if amazing already." they tell her this confidently, "But it's good to review after a while instead of immediately when you're done writing it. It's easier to spot mistakes that way." Rayy realizes Marisha probably already knows this but they feel it's good they said something anyway. It is always nice to validate the logic behind people's actions, they think, especially when the person in question values words as much as Marisha does. "What do you even *do* in Alchemy?" Rayy knows more or less what the subject entails, but it sounds difficult and they know it requires a certain level of expertise. Surely a lot of it must still be in theory. "Have you learned how to turn lead into gold yet? If you do, you should tell me right away so I know when I can start extorting you." Rayy chuckles to themselves, as if they would ever force Marisha to do anything.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Rayy bouncing off of her comment is expected though it amuses her greatly, and what's even more expected is that she immediately bursts into a giggling fit at the idea that it's a *sacred art*. Her hands raise towards her chin again, face illuminated with glee. Marisha is easily Rayy's biggest fan. In a way, she is much luckier (their lucky... bug?) than they are because Lemon would tell her she's right. One time, the Slytherin turned to her when she laughed a little too hard at one of their many offhand comments and told her that she's never heard someone laugh so hard at something they have said. Obviously Lemon was teasing her or maybe both of them, but she reasons then that she would agree with her statement purely to tease them further. "They are! I don't need Ant's assistance though." Marisha knows that Ant will do just about anything if she wants him to. It's to prove he's trying, she assumes. It's unnecessary though, and she generally is of the belief that she can do it on her own anyways. Knowing Rayy wasn't insinuating otherwise, she isn't offended and is merely stating she won't be enlisting Ant's assistance on the minor dilemma. "In Alchemy, we study the four basic elements and their magical properties followed by the transmutation of those substances including metals to gold. We haven't mastered transfiguring items into gold though." Since they just started, she is only just now realizing why so few excel at the subject. "Once I've done that, you will have all the gold you would ever want." Marisha falls silent for a second, but she's smiling to herself as she pictures a life where she can purchase a little tin and turn it into gold. Her life would be more secure, and she could provide others with a more secure life too. It would be a dream. "What would you do with it? I think I know, but... It's nice listening to you talk about them."

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy knows Marisha's guess is probably correct, so to mess with her a bit, they begin with. "I'd buy all the things I'm too poor to get in every video game I want, so I'll have the prettiest and most awesome champions everywhere." Rayy *never* spends money on video games though they are often tempted to, but they know that if they would they would end up spending more and more and then just feel guilty afterwards. Video games are *not* supposed to make them feel guilty; they're supposed to be fun and stress free. Except for World. Fuck World. They would go on for longer, but Rayy truly cannot think of what they would do with an infinite source of money aside from the obvious and what they actually would. It feels gross to them even joking about spending it on wasteful things, so they laugh and continue seriously. "Okay, okay, for real... I would buy my family a big house in a nice neighborhood. Both my siblings would have their own room, and so would *I* so I don't need to deal with them anymore." The last part is said with love. Rayy is never *dealing* with their siblings, but it would be nice for the two younger ones to have their own space, Rayy thinks. "And I would enchant the whole place so my mom doesn't have to lift a finger ever again. I'd still make the twins do chores from time to time though. They can't get *too* spoiled." They had already magically enchanted some of the items in the house to do its own cleaning last summer and it was such a heart-filling sight to see their mother just sitting around in the morning and being able to properly enjoy something on TV. She had told them she could not sleep in and shake the habit of waking up so early to do things around the household, but it's nice having the early hours of the day before the twins wake up all to herself. "Oh, and the house would have to be big enough so I can get Jalal his own piano so he doesn't have to stay at school late to practice. Ohh, I'd probably get a telescope for Fatimah too. And a tiara! You know, when she was younger, she wanted to be princess of Saturn. She's outgrown it now, which is unfortunate because I think it's a fu – a *very* interesting career choice – " Rayy laughs. " – but I think she would still very much appreciate a tiara. I'd set aside some money so they don't have to worry about university, too." Rayy does not feel shy rambling about their family, but finishes up anyway. "Then I'd probably just keep on donating the rest. It would feel wrong to just sit on all that money." Wanting to listen to *Marisha* talk and having grown tired of their own voice, they return the prompt. "What would *you* do?"

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha doesn't mind them spending their unlimited gold on video games since it's unlimited and spending these funds on leisure is not an entirely impractical purpose. However, she knows better than to trust that that's the serious response and surely enough the genuine one comes shortly after that. Her heart melts whenever Rayy discusses their family, who have grown to have a special place in her own heart. Their love never needs to be explicitly stated for the power of it to be understood. It's fascinatingly heartwarming, listening to each word intently as she tries to paint a picture of it in her head. Always optimistic on behalf of others, Marisha wants that future for them too and routinely prays on behalf of Rayy and their family though she does for all of her closest friends and their families. God does not supernaturally intervene within their lives, so she sees no reason why it would be considered overstepping to wish for their wellness and enrichment. "If you can enchant items within the house, then you shouldn't face legal trouble for casting an Extension Charm on the house itself, or would you? I wouldn't know; I don't understand the limitations of their laws..." Researching it would be worthwhile. Consulting a professor on the issue might be useful too, and she wonders if it would be overstepping if she mentioned it to Riddletross during their next meeting. It wouldn't be obvious that she was mentioning on behalf of someone else considering she is a Muggle-born from a lower middle class background. Pintinger teaches Wizarding Law though, and he adores her and would certainly be willing to assist her on whatever she would need this information for. "I would resolve my parents' debt from the house and their studies." Their chronic traveling too, but she doesn't tell them this. It's obvious from how much she mentions it that her parents routinely visit Jerusalem. "My parents share a car. Since they teach together, it isn't an issue, but it isn't going to survive much longer. A nicer car would be a good idea, but that would be their decision." Marisha has a lot of filial guilt. Having been told that pursuing her magical studies felt close to abandoning them, she worries often that she will do just that. Even if their entitlement over her success is unjustified, she knows she should share that with them. In the middle of her silence, she notices she has started nervously nibbling on the fleshy part of her her cheek. "My closest friends would be benefactors as needed, then the rest would be donated. *Tzedakah* is important to me, so that would be priority." Giving tzedakah is a form of self fulfillment, so she does not see this as a sacrifice. Her religious upbringing provides context for how often she sacrifices her needs for the purpose of uplifting or maintaining support for others even if that is not the inherent meaning of the text. Having parents who abuse the meaning of religious texts will do that.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy on the other hand only prays when they want something, which they're certain is not how faith should work, but they say a quick prayer anyway to whoever is out there for Marisha to achieve all this. They snap out of their daydream of being able to provide all this for their family to open their sleepy eyes to look at Marisha again as she's finishing up with her own list of things she would do. She is so beautiful both inside and out... Rayy feels so incredibly lucky that they had stopped by Moaning Myrtle's bathroom that fateful day because they heard crying and that somehow that has resulted into this friendship where they get to be with Marisha and hear about her dreams like this. It is so attractive to them, also, that she seems to have the same values that they do. that is something very important to them and would not want to sacrifice. They close their eyes again once they realize they have been staring too long and angle their face to the ceiling again so it isn't obvious they were looking in case Marisha also decides to open her eyes. "I'll ask Logg about the laws, maybe." Logg is not the correct person to ask but they are Rayy's favorite professor, and they're old enough to know. Better them than *Pintinger*, though Rayy isn't vocal about this distaste because they know that Marisha, for some reason, loves the Head of Ravenclaw and they don't wish to offend. In truth, Chervil has become more likable ever since Rayy found out he was one of Marisha's favorite professors. It is amazing the effect she has on how they view everything. "I would have to be strategic about where to put the extension charm though... It can't be somewhere other muggles can see, or else my mom will complain about how she can't invite anybody over anymore." Rayy grew up with a lot of visitors in the house simply because their mother is always extending a dinner invite to neighbors. Maybe the extension charm can be in a room nobody normally enters. They can discuss it over the next summer break when Rayy will be home for longer. "Your parents are very lucky to have had you." they comment, "I can't imagine my future kid liking me enough to consider paying off my debt." Rayy laughs. It is a thought they have from time to time that they cannot imagine being as good of a parent as either of theirs has been to them, and thus their future children are unlikely to have the same amount of filial loyalty. Anyway, it's still too far away to properly think about.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Her family doesn't often host visitors in their home. If visiting with her mother's family, the Gorski's usually go to them first. Marisha had forgotten that some families welcome others into their homes and are not as guarded as hers is, but she reasons that she shouldn't be upset with herself for not considering that while giving them her suggestions on the matter. Hearing about Rayy's mother *wanting* to invite others into their home is fascinating to her and she wonders what a different environment that must foster. Given it's not something she would want to muse about to them directly, she's grateful for the shift even if it's a compliment such as the one they give her. Only teachers have ever told her that before, which has created this sense of achievement though not the one she has been searching for. It's strange hearing those words come from a friend, feeling herself wanting to cry though she's in a peaceful enough of a state to passively hold the tears in. "Really?" A hand reaches for her face, feeling then that it has gone warm again. Marisha blushes so easily, but especially around Rayy (even more so recently). Her embarrassment is far less around them, yet she is constantly going red around them; it's a phenomenon she does her hardest to ignore. A grin spreads across her face, bubbly and content with every intention of returning the sentiment before Rayy comments something about their future child. Marisha's face scrunches together, eyes opening as she turns to stare at them with bewilderment. "What?" Apart from their religious differences, she has been appreciative of the fact that the two of them align together so well in principles and priorities. Strangely, discovering that Rayy does not believe their children would love them with the same love she has for hers is startling and she can't figure out why she is *so* startled by it except for the fact that she thinks their assessment is wrong. Her eyes are still lingering on them, trying to figure out what she is meant to be saying in that moment before everything hits her at once and her face *really* grows warm. Marisha twists her head toward the ceiling, staring at it for a moment before forcing her eyes shut. "I always thought you would be a fantastic parent," she admits. It's not a thought that she thinks often because instead it's a little embarrassing picturing most of their peers having children, considering who those children's parents would be. "Rayy, your family is lucky to have you too. So will your future family someday if you choose to start one. I'm sure of it."

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

"Sureeee," they say as if they don't really believe her, but then they let out a chuckle so Marisha knows they're just kidding. Of course, her comment is appreciated and Rayy does eventually want a family but only if they're confident in their ability and situation to bring a kid into this world when the time comes. Rayy yawns, the atmosphere in the room very calming and it's relaxed them enough to consider going back to sleep *maybe*, but they aren't too sure if that's what the universe has planned for them just yet. Falling asleep always takes them by surprise. Realizing that Marisha will protest their response, they quickly add, "Don't worry, I believe you. It's appreciated." Rayy smiles slightly even though Marisha can't see it. She is always making them smile, it seems. Rayy lets it go silent for a while, letting themself just enjoy the feeling of existing in the same space as someone so wonderful. After a couple of seconds, they start talking again. "Do you think Virgil has the audacity to wake me up a second time if I fall asleep?" Rayy wonders aloud, sounding sleepy again already. If they were in Virgil's shoes, they definitely would *not*. Especially not after that spat with Marisha. She was scary but that was mostly because Rayy had never seen her like that before. "I wouldn't want you to have to fight him off a second time." they joke, but it's half serious and they really do not want to put Marisha in a situation where she's at odds with the student she's living with. "You're truly my *hero*." they add, laughing.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Even Marisha is starting to get drowsy, which begs the question of whether or not she has been tiring herself more than she's been willing to admit lately. A better conclusion is that she has become comfortable enough that her mind is letting itself fully unwind. Her head tilts to the side, leaning against a shoulder that isn't there. Rayy's is a few inches too far away, but that's perfect. Hearing them yawn worsens her own drowsiness. "No, he won't!" Her voice is unsurprisingly rather bright, satisfied by the belief that she has warded him off. Her hands fiddle with each other before burying themselves in the bottom of her sweater, grinning to herself. "I don't know if you noticed his face..." Marisha laughs before settling on a more modest expression of her joy: beaming at the rafters above them. Her fiddling fingers have gotten worse as she tries to remember what she thought she should tell them before they drift off again, trying not to psyche herself out of doing it. Only laughing *more* at the comment about her being their hero, she holds her arm out as if she's fencing someone. "It's my duty to defend the honor and rest of one Rayy, beloved guest of this dormitory," she declares, using the same tone she's learned from Rayy when they're messing around with her. Her arm swings through the air, but since they can't see her, the Ravenclaw tries to create the right whooshing and clinging noises with her mouth from dramatic effect. Marisha easily sends herself into a little fit of giggling before getting serious again. Their rest is *serious*. "Is this the warning that you're going to drift off? You sound tired..." Her head tilts towards them, one eye opening to admire them before they start animatedly mumbling gibberish in her ear again. Her heart swells at the thought, causing her to open the other eye and fully admire them with wide, loving eyes. Since Rayy is falling asleep, she doubts she will be caught.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy is so tickled by Marisha's sound effects that they're almost tempted to open their eyes, but doesn't half because they are becoming rather heavy and half because it's funnier just imagining what sort of motions she's making. It is so amusing to them hearing Marisha try the tone they so often pull with her. It's amazing that the two of them have rubbed off on each other this much. Rayy's friends even mentioned that they've been cursing significantly less, and they should probably tell Marisha this so she can be proud of them, but it's a whole story of Lemon and the others teasing them and they're too tired to get into it now. "Yeah, I think this is it." they admit before stifling another yawn. Rayy does not enjoy sleep and think it's a waste of time that could be better spent staying up and talking with Marisha, but they understand that it's important to sleep enough and also that Marisha would prefer for them to rest than to keep using their very limited energy to talk to her. They can always start talking again once they wake up, and the idea that this time they will be waking up to Marisha (as opposed to an angry Virgil) brings a smile to their face as they allow themselves to succumb to their exhaustion. "Any second now, probably."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha starts to pout as she watches them, gaze lingering for a moment before she remembers what's happening. "Okay..." she starts, pushing herself off of the couch and moving to fluff one of the pillows that they had used earlier. While standing there fluffing the pillow, she catches herself staring at them again. Quickly, she places the pillow down before patting it. "Here, Rayy. I'll sit down here, then you can spread out." Marisha could easily station herself at one of the other chairs around the common area, but she finds herself not wanting to drift too far away from them. A part of the reason Virgil even got to them is the fact that she was focused on her studies several feet from where they were, but now she doesn't need to do much writing and can do whatever she needs to on the small table in front of the couch. Her legs cross again once she's sat down, twisting her torso around to face them temporarily as she waits for them to fall down upon the pillow. Briefly, she considers summoning a blanket from her dormitory, but she trusts that she can be prompted to later if she catches any mumbling about *cold* or *sejuk*. All of that can be ignored for now, so she focuses on enjoying the time spent together instead of worrying about carrying for them. It's one of the few moments in which Rayy is caring for themself, which is bringing her enough joy to drown out their *coziness*. Her hand lays across her chest, feeling her heart racing inside its confines as she admires them and starts a poor attempt at counting their freckles. Now that their faces are so close together, she can recognize the little things about their features that accumulate so nicely into one beautiful structure. It's a miracle to her that someone so absolutely handsome and beautiful could be so wonderful too, and she wonders silently how radiant they would be if they slept more considering how energetic they can be now. Marisha smiles a little, glancing down at their mouth before turning around and facing forward again. "Rest well," she starts, hesitating for a moment only because it might be embarrassing if they have drifted off. However, she rationalizes that she can tell them even if no one is listening. Marisha has gushed to her ceiling enough times and that's far more embarrassing. Her love is not something to be embarrassed by. "I love you, Rayy." A weight is lifted off of her shoulders and she quietly beams, not wanting to ruin the moment.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy hears the 'I love you' just as they're drifting off to the point they can be sure that it could be a dream, but hearing it unlocks something that they have been refusing to acknowledge for a while now. Rayy does love Marisha too, and it is with this knowledge that they cannot say with confidence that this love is entirely platonic. They try to mumble it back, but it comes out incoherent. Hopefully Marisha *knows*, though, and they can always tell her again once they wake up.

After just almost an hour (which is already quite a lot by Rayy's standards), Rayy slowly stirs awake and opens their eyes to see Marisha sitting by the couch. Belatedly, they realize that there's a blanket on top of them, which means Marisha might have gone to get one and the thought that she was concerned they could have gotten cold warms their heart but also brings a blush to their face. Marisha has not realized they're awake yet, it seems, and they take this time to really look at her and how beautiful she is... It is so ridiculous that Rayy has been pretending for so long that their interest in her was wholly without feelings when she is so wonderful and they cannot think of anyone else who they could be more enamored with. Fuck. Lemon's really going to have a field day with this one, and... *Fuck*. Ant. Does this mean they have to sit through that embarrassing talk all over again? Does this mean they'll have to admit *Ant* was right about something? Oh, the agony. Maybe Rayy should just keep these feelings a secret forever and never let them come to light, then die heartbroken and alone. They're kidding. (Only a little bit.) They adjust their position on the couch, which causes it to creak, alerting Marisha that they've woken up. "Good morning," they say, groggily. They immediately reach for their phone on their table to check the time. It's almost dinner, but Rayy promised Prancer that the two of them would play video games together in the dorm today and they should probably be headed back. It's important to Rayy that people know they value the time they spend together... But Marisha is also important to Rayy. They love her and they still have not been able to say it back properly. "You got me a blanket!" they say, chuckling, obviously very appreciative of the gesture. They begin to sit up properly and fold it, putting it on the side of the couch. It smells like her too, Rayy notices, then immediately they chastise themselves for being so down bad. How embarrassing... "God, I should just nap here everyday."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Her beaming dims into a pout, trying to decipher the mumbled sounds before deciding that it was a recognition of her sentiment and that's enough. Marisha then focuses on practicing some of her spellwork, silently casting various charms to levitate or summon some of her possessions closer to where she's sitting. When she mentioned to them how she is growing quite content with her abilities, a modest form of her familiar boasting, she notices how chilly Rayy appears and turns to quietly open the door to her dormitory from afar. After summoning her nicest and coziest blanket, which she had brought from home, she wand slowly drifts through the air to quietly shut the door. Marisha has to move onto her feet to catch the blanket as it comes soaring through the air, protecting Rayy from getting suddenly hit with a bundle of heavy fabric before gently draping it over them. After folding the blanket around them, her hands hover over them as they hesitate before she brings them together in the middle of her chest, swirling around on her toes before sitting down in front of the couch. Boredom hits soon after that, so she starts brainstorming a surprise for them and decides she should attempt drawing them as a treat for them drawing her on her birthday days ago. Once complete, she twists around to hold the drawing out and compare it to the true beauty that this butchered version was sculpted after. It's a little silly, but she isn't an artist and has never pretended to be. Hopefully, Rayy finds it cute that she tried. When she continues the comparison for too long, her hand starts to come down onto her knee, turning her gaze down as she continues to stare at the ridiculous doodle. Everything in her face scrunches before miraculously softening, frowning as she stares at it and then at Rayy again. Marisha comments quietly on the drawing before receiving an incoherent response though it sounds supportive enough, so she laughs and puts it down on the table. Maybe she should focus on her magic again, so she tries to nonverbally extinguish and reignite a faraway glim hanging on the opposite wall from them. Marisha is still focused on this by the time she hears them stirring, waving her wand quietly and watching as the fire vanishes and returns. Not much time has passed since she completed her little masterpiece, so it must have taken much of the hour. "Good morning!" She chimes, igniting the glim one last time before turning to fully face them. Her eyes widen when she feels her heart race just at the sight of them all... groggy. Rayy is tired a lot, but this is different seeing them naturally rise from their slumber. Marisha blushes at the recognition that she got them a blanket, recovering easily from her surprise. "Oh, you should! You're more than welcome to." They are, but Rayy must know that. "How are you feeling?"

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy rubs their eyes, looking around the room for any sign that the head boy has returned, only to find something much, much better than that. Their gaze lands on Marisha's drawing that lies on the table and immediately they feel their heart melt. Rayy is not the best at expressing such sincerity, but they can *try* and they take the paper from where it sits to look at it more closely, their eyes flitting between the doodle and its artist. "Is this me?" they ask, a smile forming on their face. They are so touched they cannot even make jokes about what a fantastic model she had or how attractive the person in the drawing looks. Instead, they are hyperaware of the feeling of their heartbeat, which is strong enough that they feel it might beat out of their chest. Marisha is one of Rayy's favorite people to draw and they have reasoned with Lemon in the past that it is because her face is perfect for it. Rayy can now call themself out on their own bullshit – they just like Marisha and think she's perfect in general. Drawing somebody is such an intimate form of expressing love, they believe, since it requires you to familiarize yourself with all the little details that make up their appearance. Rayy glances at Marisha again before looking down at the freckles on the drawing and feels their heart glow. "This is so great! Maybe the artist in the friendship has been *you* this whole time!" Rayy laughs, "I'm so – wow! This is freaking amazing." They stand from their place on the couch, placing the drawing inside one of the books they had brought and into their bag to make sure that it isn't crumpled nor ruined in the slightest. "I'll keep the drawing by my desk so I can think about you whenever school is making me want to die. It'll motivate me!" They grin. "I'm still a bit tired, but I promised Prancer that we'd hang out together this evening so I should probably get back to my common room." They stand by the doorframe, seemingly not able to depart. They don't want to leave Marisha and would much rather stay, but it's probably a good thing that they get this space for now so that they can process these *feelings* that they've been unintentionally avoiding all this time.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Her question goes unanswered, but it's for a good reason. Her face grows hot as Rayy inspects the drawing, noticing how illuminated they become at just the sight of her drawing of them. It's more embarrassing when they choose to tease her, telling her that she might be the artist between them. Since the thought of that is so ridiculous, she huffs a little before laughing and pushing her hair behind her ear. Marisha frowns though it's with love and satisfaction, eyes focusing on the ground as she over-evaluates each of her movements while she follows them to the door. "Really?" she questions quietly, bouncing behind them and moving onto her toes to see around them. Her heart bursts into a thousand pieces at the thought that Rayy might find this sign of love so encouraging and she notes this for future use though she will attempt to not run it into the ground. Still the longer she has to consider this, the more excited she is as her heart races faster and she wants to launch into a flurry of affection. When Rayy turns around in the doorframe and they're facing each other, Marisha feels herself start to sweat. "That's so sweet! That's so sweet..." At first, she radiates excitement before she starts to repeat herself and begins pouting through her words. "I should have done this sooner and given you more motivation..." It's mostly just her best attempt at teasing, but the idea that something she did might encourage them in their studies even through the roughest of times... Oh, her heart could melt and it is. Her body feels reminiscent of warm jelly straight off the stove, soft and radiating heat. Marisha breathes in, trying to contain herself from busying them with her affection though she knows she could give them a loving speech of how much everything they do means to her and how it's amazing she could give them even a second of that happiness. It would come so easily, but Rayy needs to leave. "Oh, tell Prancer 'Hello' for me! I'll see you at dinner, and then you two can both wave! I would love that." Mostly because she would want to see Rayy, but she has gone a long time without saying anything to their roommate and it has reached the point of being weird for her. A small greeting will do as a pleasant formality (though not any less sincere). "I'll see you tomorrow morning too! I'll message a little later tonight because of a meeting, but I'll still message and everything!" Marisha laughs before glancing down at their chest then returning her gaze towards their face. Smiling, she repeats: "I love you! I don't know if you heard earlier—"

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy laughs at how everything Marisha is saying seems to come out in quick succession, and then she tells them they love them again, and their face turns pink. So it wasn't a dream, after all. Rayy looks down at Marisha and almost glances at her mouth, but they have better self-control than to do something which makes their intensions so obvious. Besides, Marisha has told them something very important and Rayy would not want to leave that unanswered. "I love you too!" they say immediately after, effectively cutting her off. Rayy laughs at how urgently it sounds, and it *was* urgent because Marisha really must know by now. They should've said it back right away earlier. Their laugh goes quiet and they repeat themselves more seriously. "Thank you for letting me rest here, for the drawing, for always being so supportive... Of course I love you too." This feels like a good moment, actually, to make a move, Rayy decides. They have never done this sort of thing before. They haven't even had a proper first kiss yet, but they really want to kiss Marisha right now, except even when they bend their neck slightly to lean down she is still so much shorter than them. Rayy had not been fully aware of the disparity between their heights until Morp, but they figured it would never be a cause for any problem... It seems like they were *very* wrong. Not knowing how to proceed from there, Rayy shrugs their bag onto their shoulder as if they're fixing how it rests in order to make their earlier movement less weird and noticeable. Face burning, nearly a million alarm bells have gone off in their mind as they agonize over how these feelings are pointless and stupid if this fucking height difference is just going to complicate things so much more than they already are. Realizing they haven't said anything in a bit, they continue, "I'll be waiting for your message!" they croak out. Their throat is dry from the panic and they clear their throat before adding. "And I'll see you at dinner, too!" There has never been a moment in Rayy's life before when they had wanted the ground to swallow them whole more than they do now, so as much as they want to hang around Marisha for longer, it is overpowered by their need to remove themself from this situation. "See you later then!" they say, calling over their shoulder as they leave the entrance to the head dormitories. "I love you!"