sortinghat_rp | (no subject)

Brilliant! He's often down in the library, so I'll meet you there!

[And if Eriq comes, he'll find an uncharacteristically smiling and excited looking Herbert, though it might just be because dead goat awesome.]

[He is definitely chalking this up to dead goats being awesome. Because anything else is just too weird to think about.]

Hey.

Hallo! I haven't seen Holmes yet, but I'm sure he must be around somewhere. [reaching out to squeeze Eriq's arm] I suppose he might have done something else with his goat, but can you imagine if he hasn't? We haven't had that large an animal to work on before ... do you think we should invite the club? You know, when we try things out?

[Oh Herbert, your enthusiasm for dead things is just so completely endearing. Eriq smiles and slips his hand into Herbert's, giving it a little squeeze]

I think first, we need permission to do things with it to begin with, don't you?

[The smaller boy practically beams at his friend, and squeezes his hand back. And though he's sort of given up on trying to do anything romantic with the Slytherin (since his few attempts were met with acquiescence, but were never reciprocated later on), and he's normally a bit paranoid about certain types of affection in public, he pulls Eriq's hand up to his face, kisses it lightly, presses it to his cheek, and then uses it to tug the other boy into the library with him, automatically lowering his voice as he answers the question.]

Well, yes, of course, but you know, Holmes is interested in that sort of thing usually! I mean, he's not like us, but I do think he's keen on forensics, and if he hasn't done anything with his goat yet, I doubt he'd mind if we did. He can be an arse, but really, he's much better than a lot of the other students.

[Eriq blushes a bit at the blatant display of affection from Herbert, self-consciously glancing around to check for any potential observers. Satisfied that they were alone enough, he smiles at the other teen, going along with him easily. It's hard to say if the behavior is odd, since he knows Herbert is interested in him.]

And what about Professor Mercer? They are her goats still, technically. But I'm glad you're making something resembling friends. It sounds like you know how to talk to him well enough.

Oh, he's not really my friend. I'm not sure Holmes has friends. I think he mostly just tolerates other people. [little smirk] Professor Mercer can be a bit stuffy about that sort of thing, though, you're right. But what is it they say? Better to ask forgiveness than permission? And what an opportunity this is! I told you I'd been working on something this summer, didn't I ... ?

You mean like you do? [He says dryly, arching an eyebrow]

Yes, you did. I just figured I ought to at least mention the Professor, since Aranea was concerned. But you're right. This is too good of an opportunity to miss.

[Herbert laughs, an extraordinarily rare sound from him. He doesn't have the most charming or attractive laugh - maybe that's why he doesn't do it very often, as it makes him sound like a complete dork.] Yes, like me, I guess. But people can be so stupid! But anyway, I think we should be all right. We'll just be careful, won't we?

[He grins again, far too excited to be concerned about things like teachers and detention and abominations of nature.] God, where is he?

[....Oh Herbert, you are so precious. Eriq chuckles a bit himself, looking down at the ground. He felt a little bad, leading Herbert on and not telling him about Aranea, but at the same time, he really couldn't bear the thought of losing this. He really did like seeing the other boy happy.]

Yes, yes they can. Very stupid indeed.

[sighs, rolling his eyes] Patience, Herbert, we just got here. It'll take more than a bit of walking around to find him.

Yes, but I want to know about the goat right now. [Herbert points out, then shakes his head with a little smile.] We'll find him eventually, I know. I mean, he at least has to come back to the room at night. But you know, the longer the goat's dead, the more neural function we lose!

It's a goat, Herbert. It's going to be dumb no matter how much neural function is left. [pauses] And it's possible that it's already been dead a few days, you know, and he only just realized it.

I know. [Herbert scrunches up his nose.] That is the problem with Holmes - he's completely brilliant, but rather lacks in some basic common sense. You can't just feed your animal potions and not food and expect to complete the assignment. That's why I want to talk to him, to find out if he even knows.

Anyway, I haven't had anything but insects to play with up until now, and a goat's much more complex than that!

Edited 2012-09-26 09:14 (UTC)

{Eriq is just going to snicker a bit and not say anything. Herbert clearly thinks himself the better of the two, but he can see him doing the exact same thing, only a bit more deliberately.]

[He pats the Ravenclaw's arm affectionately] Yes, it certainly is. I'm so glad you have this wonderful opportunity ahead of you!

[The smaller boy grins up at his friend again.] It is wonderful, isn't it? It's splendid. [decides] I hope you get one, as well. An opportunity, I mean. You know how much it means to me, all the help you've given me. It's just ... it's really good to have someone who understands.

[He smiles a bit wider, leaning his head down to gently bump his forehead against Herbert's] Someday, perhaps! For now, let us revel in your good luck!

[Quietly, he adds] And yes, yes it really is.

[Normally, this is the point where Herbert would pull back, possibly blushing, certainly looking flustered. But for some reason, he just doesn't mind, this time, doesn't feel the typical flutter of worry that someone might see, or the usual anxiety that Eriq doesn't really feel the same way about him that Herbert suspects he feels for his friend. Instead, his smile softens a bit into something almost sweet and definitely warm, and he raises a hand, running the tips of his fingers through the other boy's hair.]

It's going to be brilliant.

[His eyes flutter closed at the contact, and he bites down on his lip, a bit of color rising in his cheeks. He feels guilty, knowing he's practically using Herbert. He's definitely manipulating him, leading him on with moments like this, but he just-]

[wants it]

[so much]

[Oh, that's ... well. That's a really nice look on Eriq, isn't it? And Herbert's told himself he wasn't going to do this anymore, that he was going to wait and see if Eriq would initiate for once, but what can it hurt? Thoughtlessly, he blurts out]

You know, it's the funniest thing, but I really do like looking at you. I never really expected that. [He laughs, quietly at what he considers his own foolishness, then leans in and presses a clumsy little kiss to the corner of his friend's mouth.]

Well, I suppose someone must. [he shrugs off-handedly, not looking up. He tries not to act terribly self-conscious of his appearance, but it still simmers in the back of his mind, the fact that he's practically on the unhealthy side of thin, and he feels it unappealing.]

[He freezes a little at the kiss, then forces himself to relax, turning his head to return the gesture]

[Herbert pulls back after a moment, fingers still resting against Eriq's scalp, thumb rubbing very lightly against the shell of the other boy's ear.] I'm fairly sure that's not a requirement of anyone. There are all sorts of people no one likes to look at. You're a bit of an idiot sometimes. [fondly]