(Untitled)

[juhi_saraf]

Week Name/Date/Time: 'Countdown to Darkness' / Sunday, October 23rd / 9:45 a.m.
Location: Owlery
Open To: Erik Cohen
Currently Involving: Ninju, Skippy, OWLS!

Comments

[erikcohen]

Erik wasn't sure whether he should thank or hex the bird that had smacked into the window near his bed that morning. While he didn't normally appreciate being up before 10 AM on a Sunday, he did have a letter that needed writing, and thinking of birds made him think of owls and so on and so forth. So he'd spent a good deal of the morning prattling on about things that would hardly make sense to his parents. Though, to be fair, he had managed to sneak in a request for Juhi to visit Finland over the summer in there somewhere. Surely, his mother would be so happy to have someone on her side in the neverending debate of where to spend the summer holidays that she'd immediately agree to what he'd asked. Erik Cohen was a clever bloke when he wanted to be... or wasn't busy angsting over something like an empty Bertie Bott's box or another failed attempt to move the staircases.

Dragging himself up the stairs of the West Tower, Erik shook his head as his feet finally began to tread upon straw and droppings. Disgusting, and yet this was where

[juhi_saraf]

Juhi whirled around at the sound of another human voice and grinned at the sight of Erik. She squeezed his hand quickly and gave a little, mocking bow. "Unbelievable as it may seem, it IS me; Ninju the one and only."

When Erik called out for Pirkko, the few owls who had been eyeing Juhi warily quickly awoke...and took off for the opposite side of the owlery. "BAH! Noooo!" Juhi took a step or two after them and then glanced back at the boy. "You're up early. You sleep okay?"

Before he could answer she followed his gaze, looking for Pirkko. Juhi hadn't seen the owl since its purchase during the last Hogsmeade trip. Much as Erik seemed to adore the bird, she remained cautious; after all, the first thing they'd seen it do was bite someone.

Then she had a thought, and, shifting her gaze specifically to the closer birds, pulled out the owl treats from her pocket. "Come on, Sleepies," Juhi said gently and rattled the box. "London's not far, and I've got foooooood."

[erikcohen]

No, Erik had not slept okay. After having yet another encounter with Wes, Erik was a bit uneasy. But to be honest, it was a night better than most in recent weeks, and that was worth something. So he simply shrugged his shoulders and grinned excitedly as Pirkko found her way to rest on his arm.

"I've got a letter for you, Pirkko. 'Tis very important it gets to my mother, yes?" he said to his owl affectionately and stroked her feathers carefully.

It was one of Erik's best qualities. Loving everything and everyone he could until his heart burst. Too bad that meant he didn't know how to back away when the situation called for it. Too much passion. A blessing and a curse, or something like that. But this was an average day, and an average moment, and it was perfect for just that reason.

"You are out of your mind, woman. You're scaring me with your silly box shaking. You just pick one, and they'll listen," Erik said with a laugh

[juhi_saraf]

Juhi watched Pirkko head toward them and land on Erik's arm, a look of concern briefly passing over her face. Perhaps Erik's shrug meant that he'd slept fine, he just didn't consider it worth commenting on? She crept closer to the group of owls, trying to pick one out, and then turned to look at him indignantly

[erikcohen]

They didn't listen to her? That seemed extremely unusual to Erik, who couldn't stop listening to her, even if he tried. He caught the owl treat and wiggled his eyebrows in his own silly way of saying thank you. Pirkko was also pleased, and gave a small hooting noise by Juhi's ear before flying off into the sky.

"Tired, yes. Leaving, no." Erik said simply and joined her on the sill that was much too small for the both of them. Would he let that stop him? No.

"I had a very urgent request, of course. It couldn't wait to be sent," Erik said, hugging his knees.

This was a good topic to stay on, as Erik hadn't mentioned anything about the howler day to Juhi. And didn't intend to, if he could avoid it.

[juhi_saraf]

Juhi beamed at Erik as he joined her in the window. "Why are you up, if you're tired?" She poked him lightly. Oh....an urgent request. She peeked at him from the corner of her eye. "An urgent request, hmm?" Merlin, he was hugging his knees? Precious. Juhi studied the owls, who had now all returned to sleep.

"Let me guess...." she said thoughtfully, and decided to ignore the fact he'd told the owl to go to his parents and so it could very well be a serious letter. If that WERE true, then he was joking in the first place. She could play along! "You can't sleep because we've gone so long without seeing Zonko? You're making sure he'll be out and about next weekend, and are setting up a clandestine meeting?"

She faced Erik again, her eyes wide and shocked. "Honestly, Skippy, I can almost understand that, but sending innocent wee Pirkko with such a message?" She tossed some of her hair out of her face, scornfully. If...such a thing could be done scornfully. She really wasn't sure. "I can't believe you would risk scarring

[erikcohen]

Was this a trap? She had outwitted him. Possibly not intentionally, but he had to give her an answer, and there was only one that made any real sense. Not that Erik made sense on a regular basis, but ah well.

"I... couldn't sleep," he said with a shrug of his shoulders and hoped they could let that be that. He shared everything with her, but he was hoping for a good start to the day! No need to jump right into his problems.

He laughed when she mentioned Zonko, and pulled his knees into his chest even tighter. Ohhh that Zonko! So horribly creepy and wonderful at the same time. Erik could imagine he was still that same spot in the store window, watching people as they passed. Of course, he and Juhi were his favourites. No doubt

[juhi_saraf]

Juhi gave Erik a quick, piercing look when he said he couldn't sleep, and then switched to studying her hands. She wasn't surprised, really, and had been figuring as much anyway. It had taken, what, two minutes of almost-silence for him to fall in ENEMY TERRITORY when he visited Ravenclaw Common Room. He obviously didn't want to talk to her about it though, so she hesitated. With a small sigh, she let the statement pass, for now, and tried not to feel bad about the fact that SHE was so happy she'd been waking up early GRINNING and perfectly well rested

[erikcohen]

Well, kisses did make things feel better, didn't they? Erik felt a small smile form on his lips as she brushed his hair back, kissed his temple, and got down from the sill. Yes, that seemed like a good idea as well. He really didn't want to see someone he loved fall flailingly out of a window. Not at all.

He was about to say that it wouldn't be too bad of an idea, this owl buying suggestion, but then she was backing away from him. Whhaaaa? ZONKO!? HA! Erik would have begun laughing as she said so, but he didn't want to lose face. Instead he shrugged his shoulders, almost failing at responding to her grin. He stood up from the sill and began to pace the room, which... probably wasn't doing much good for the bottom of his shoes.

"Well, I could take Zonko, but he's so indecisive! I like my significant other to be faithful, really. That's why I'm thinking of taking that fourth year Hufflepuff girl. You know, the one with the bouncy blonde curls and eyes that light up the heavens? An angel, she is, and I can't imagine she'd be able to

[juhi_saraf]

Juhi laughed when Erik called Zonko indecisive, giving up the game. OH BUT WAIT. Now he was talking about some fourth year Hufflepuff? Game on, then, Cohen

[erikcohen]

Erik hoped Juhi didn't actually have someone in mind, because that would change his image of her. No, she must have just been playing along. He'd picked the absolute best person for him, hadn't he? Luuuuuucky.

"It's adorable, isn't it? I bet if I did take her to Finland, she'd never notice we'd left Scotland! She'd constantly be asking me where the castle was! Good thing I'd be saving her from that freckled bloke. He doesn't stand a chance," Erik continued, but felt his breath catch as she threw her arms around his neck.

He hoped she never stopped doing that. And well, as odd of a serious moment as it was, his heart was bursting with her faith in him. He was even more determined now. Someday, he'd get those staircases to move, and when he did? He wanted her to be with him... or at least for his capability to do such a thing to stick around long enough for her to see

[juhi_saraf]

"Oh, poor, sweet, freckled bloke," Juhi mourned. And then she may have scoffed. "You know, between these two and Zonko, I'm beginning to think making up people is maybe not a good hobby for us. They become TOO real, and now I feel guilty." Wait, that might need clarification. "Not about Zonko, mind. He IS real, in an all-too-real way

[erikcohen]

"Ah, see, you misunderstood me. You offered the owls treats to go to London. I thought it was the same for me," he responded with a smirk.

Well, now... handing out treats and getting nothing in return? That certainly was unfair. If she had handed him some sort of treat, he would gladly return the favor. Phwooooar and all that.

"Puppy dog eyes? Whaaaaaaat?" Erik asked, confused as to what she could possibly want. Recognition that the owls were being horrid for no reason? Owls that were not pets were idiotic, obviously. The entire world should know that by now.

He enveloped her in a hug, kissing her what seemed like hundreds of times on top of her head and laughed.

"What do you want from me, silly?"

[juhi_saraf]

Juhi looked at Erik blankly for a moment, and then dropped his hand to rummage around in her pocket. "You don't have to go to London! You rank higher on my list than owls, anyway. Should have known you'd want an owl treat, what with how much you obsess over disgusting candy." She held one out to him, and returned his smirk

[erikcohen]

Oooooooh, tricky girl! She'd wanted affection from him the whole time. Well, that was hers without asking. As always. He would have given her a nicer kiss, but the smell of the owls made it less romantic. And he was feeling a bit silly anyhow. Probably loony from the lack of sleep.

He matched her pace, but stopped as she narrowed her eyes at him. She was being confusing today. Though, he wouldn't put it past himself to have done something stupid already.

"Er... yes?"

Very clear question, Cohen. Bravo.

[juhi_saraf]

Juhi's eyes widened slightly. Oops. Have to stop thinking in her head so out loud. Or something. She sighed, and grabbed his hand, heading back down the stairs; she watched their feet so she wouldn't have to look at him. "I'm just worried about you, that's all. And I know it's annoying, and I'm sorry, really, but I can't help it."

She squeezed his hand softly, and managed to continue. "You wouldn't like it either, though, if I wasn't sleeping well. Right?"

They had reached the bottom of the steps, so she turned to face him, and allowed herself a small smile. "We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, it's okay, I just...apparently I needed to let you know that it's on my mind." She shrugged. It hadn't made her feel any better, and it would probably only make him feel worse, and she needed to find something else for them to do, right away.