Saturday, October 18th, Padma/Parvati/'Eve
Who: 'Eve, Padma, Parvati
What: Coming out isn't easy to do.
When: Saturday, October 18th, right after this.
Where: In and around Scrivenshaft's in Hogsmeade
*'Eve*
She tugged on Padma's hand, away from Anthony, and led her down the street. "Where is the quill shop, anyway?" she asked, stepping around a pile of something in the street.
*Padma*
She looked about, still slightly distracted from the confrontation with Anthony...
"Oh... Errr.. It's over here... This way..."
She took 'Eve's hand and led her in the direction of Scrivenshaft's
*'Eve*
She smiled at the contact with Padma's hand and followed her. "I guess I should ask you... since I know you don't have a date anymore... would you go with me to the Masquerade? I know I'm a girl and all... but... well..." She trailed off, smiling uncertainly.
*Padma*
She blushed furiously. She wanted to say yes so badly... But the thought of everyone seeing her there with 'Eve... The teasing... The looks... The lewd coments... She wasn't ready...
"Oh look, here's Scrivenshaft's!"
She smiled sheepishly and led her through the door.
*'Eve*
She glanced around, frowning slightly, a bit hurt but smiling to cover it up. "It's lovely," she said, then lowered her voice.
"There's no one about, Pads. Just say yes... please?" She touched Padma's shoulder as she headed towards the quills.
*Padma*
She turned to 'Eve stopping her. She bit her lip and smiled again.
"Yes... Of course I will... There's no one else I'd rather go with."
*'Eve*
Unable to restrain herself, she flung her arms around Padma and kissed her cheek, then backed away, suddenly sheepish.
"Sorry," she murmured, red, and returning to look over the quills, focusing on a pretty peacock one.
*Parvati*
She stuck her head out from around one of the displays.
"Padma?" she asked, confused.
*Padma*
She blushed red and grinned as 'Eve embraced her and was on the verge of hugging her back when she backed away. Padma sighed and tried to relax, playing with her hair slightly when she heard her sister's voice.
"Parv?"
She turned to face her.
"Ummm.. Hi! What's up?"
*Parvati*
She glanced at Padma, then at 'Eve. "Pads? Can... Can I talk to you over here, please?" She looked really uncomfortable, and was playing with the edge of her cloak.
*'Eve*
She glanced between the two sisters and squeezed Padma's shoulder. "I'll be over here, looking at parchment," she said quietly, moving away and down the aisle towards the stacks of paper.
*Padma*
Padma nodded and offered 'Eve a small smile and then went over to Parvati.
"So... Something wrong sis?"
She looked nervous as if she had been caught doing something terrible.
*Parvati*
She watched the French girl wander off and then frowned, looking down.
"What did I just overhear? She was asking you to say yes to something..."
*Padma*
She took a deep breath and smiled softly.
"'Eve asked me if I would go to the Masquerade with her... As a date.... And I said yes...."
She took another deep breath.
"We met at the party.. And well... We're kind of seeing each other now..."
She smiled at her sister, hoping that she would take this news well.
*Parvati*
She frowned in confusion. "What do you mean, 'seeing each other'? You mean..." She looked between Padma and where 'Eve had disappeared. "You mean you two are... together?" She didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or just... well, she settled on staring in disbelief at her sister.
*Padma*
She nodded and smiled some more.
"Yes.. We're together. A couple... I think I'm a bit gay... Well, bisexual anyway.... Or maybe I just like 'Eve... I don't know... I'm as confused as anyone else..."
*Parvati*
"A... 'A bit gay'?" She shook her head. "Pads... she had the word hussy on her face for nearly two days... she's already got a reputation. What are you doing with her? People are going to talk!"
*Padma*
She blushed and stammered a bit.
"I... I know.. It's a long story... She's not more a hussy than I am..."
She mentally winced. She was a hussy.
"I mean... You know what I mean. Hell, I already have a reputation, sister dear. Let people talk. I don't care."
Except she did care.
*Parvati*
"You're a terrible liar, sis," she said. "You... well, you were doing better, you know? But... Can't you think about how this affects me? We're twins; people... they're going to think things about me, too. Your supposed to be the smart one - why don't you think about how this is going to affect those around you?"
*Padma*
She glared at her.
"Excuse me? Since when has whatever I've done mattered to you..."
OK, aside from all that teasing about the underwear.
"Where do you get off dictating behaviour to me? You're not mum! It doesn't affect you at all... I know that because I am the smart one."
*Parvati*
"It matters a great deal to me!" she snapped, trying not to raise her voice. "You're my sister, you twit, and now people might start thinking that I'm gay, too! And I'm not!"
She glared at Padma.
"I'm trying to look out for you. You're going to get hurt - you always do! You go after these guys... are they not enough anymore? Haven't you made enough of a fuss? Now you have to try and get more attention by dating a girl?! You can't stand to have everyone looking at anyone but yourself!" She huffed, fuming.
*Padma*
She glared back, raising her voice too.
"And what wrong with being gay, sis? Huh? Why would it matter so much? Yeah, maybe I will get hurt.. Better than sitting alone in my dorm room, maybe if you got laid every once in a while Miss Popular Gryffindor you wouldn't be so bitchy... Gods forbid I get more attention that a Gryffindor. I just don't know my place do I? There's Gryffindor, there's Slytherin... and then there's those other two houses... Why don't you just worry about your own sad little life... Go whine to Lavender or something..."
*Parvati*
"Oh, go be with your little floozy," she sneered. "Forget that I tried to look out for you. Forget that I tried to help you. And just because I don't sleep with a new person every weekend doesn't make me an uptight prude!"
It might, actually, but she didn't want to admit that to Padma. She was pissed.
"Screw you, Padma. Oh, wait, that's what you do best." She turned on her heel and stormed out of the store.
*Padma*
Her jaw dropped and she sputtered, stammering. She clenched her hands into fists and shook, stomping her feet and shaking her head.
"Grrrrrrrrrrr...."
She had no come back for that. What could she say to her own sister.
*'Eve*
She heard the raised voices - everyone in the store had, really - and she made her way cautiously back towards the front, parchment and a new quill clutched in her hand. She had a horrible sinking feeling in her stomach... what had she done? She had never meant to make Padma fight with her sister...
"Pads?" she asked quietly, standing by the sealing wax.
*Padma*
She shook her head and waved her hand dismissively at 'Eve. She just wanted to leave and cry and... Gods only knew... She pushed her way out of the store as she felt overwhelmed and clausterphobic suddenly.
*'Eve*
Merde, she thought, face falling as Padma rushed out of the store. She looked down at the items in her hand and shook her head, throwing them onto the nearest shelf and quickly hurrying out of the store after Padma. She didn't want to bother her... but she wanted to make sure she was okay.
*Padma*
She had ducked into an alley beside the store and let herself go. She was sobbing. Why did Parvati have to be like this? Why couldn't she just let her be happy? She was the thin, pretty, popular one... Couldn't she just let her have her small difference. Her small happiness?
*'Eve*
She followed the sounds of sobbing and stood just around the corner from Padma, at the entrance to the alley, listening to her cry. She wanted to give her a private moment... She stared at the ground, waiting for the sounds of crying to quiet. Was she ruining Padma's life by being with her?
*Padma*
She kept sobbing and clenching and unclenching her fists before turning and kicking the crap out of a trashbin. It overturned with a clatter and she yelped in surprise.
*'Eve*
She ducked around the corner at the sound of metal clattering on the cobblestone. "Pads? Are you okay?" she asked, stepping forward.
"Merlin," she said, reaching for her girlfriend, looking sad.
*Padma*
She shook her head and embraced 'Eve tightly, sobbing.
"She hates me... My sister hates me..."
*'Eve*
She made soothing noises, holding Padma tightly, rocking back and forth gently.
"Just giver her a little time, hon," she murmured. "She's your sister... she has to love you, even if she's upset."
She rubbed Padma's back slowly, wishing she could do something to make Parvati understand.
*Padma*
She sobbed some more.
"Noooo.. She hates me... She thinks I'm going to give her a reputation... She's being so selfish... She'll tell mum and then my whole family will hate me..."
*'Eve*
"I'm sorry," she whispered, still holding Padma tightly. "I'm so sorry, hon. I don't want you to be alienated from your family. But... do you really think she'd tell your family? Wouldn't she try to keep it secret, if she's so... ashamed?"
*Padma*
"I don't know... I don't know... Depends how much she wants to hurt me... I've never seen her so upset... We usually get along all right..."
She hugged 'Eve tightly, not caring who saw at this point.
*'Eve*
"It's a big shock," she murmured, running her fingers through Padma's hair. "Just give her time. I'm sure she'll come around. It's not a huge school." She kissed Padma's neck. "I'm sure it will all work itself out."
*Padma*
She sighed and relaxed her grip a little.
"I.. I hope so..."
*'Eve*
"Me, too," she murmured. "I know how important family is." She squeezed Padma.
"Think you'll be okay, hon?" She drew back and looked searchingly into Padma's eyes.
*Padma*
She nodded slowly and wiped at her nose and eyes.
"Eventually yeah... I look like crap now, don't I?"
*'Eve*
She ran her thumb over Padma's cheek, wiping away a stray tear. "You always look beautiful," she said, smiling a little.
"But if we spend a few more minutes out here the cold will help, a little," she said, indicating her eyes. "Maybe we should think about heading back to the castle..."
*Padma*
She smiled at 'Eve in spite of how miserable she felt.
"Go and get your quills and then we'll head back... OK?"
She dried her eyes some more and smiled at 'Eve. She knew the right things to say.
*'Eve*
She leaned in and kissed Padma quickly. "I'll be right back," she promised, dashing around the corner and back into the store. Thankfully, no one had moved her parchment or quill from where she'd dumped it. She threw two galleons and a couple of sickles at the shopkeeper, probably overpaying, snatched the items from the shelf, then dashed back outside to Padma, purchases clutched in her hand.
"I'm back," she said, breathless. "Let's go back to school," she said, offering her hand to Padma.
*Padma*
She smiled at her and silently took her hand. Too much had happened today, it had been so overwhelming. First Anthony and then Parvati... She looked over at 'Eve... She was worth it, wasn't she? Of course she was... And they'd show them... This wasn't a mistake.. This wasn't a cry for attention...
What: Coming out isn't easy to do.
When: Saturday, October 18th, right after this.
Where: In and around Scrivenshaft's in Hogsmeade
*'Eve*
She tugged on Padma's hand, away from Anthony, and led her down the street. "Where is the quill shop, anyway?" she asked, stepping around a pile of something in the street.
*Padma*
She looked about, still slightly distracted from the confrontation with Anthony...
"Oh... Errr.. It's over here... This way..."
She took 'Eve's hand and led her in the direction of Scrivenshaft's
*'Eve*
She smiled at the contact with Padma's hand and followed her. "I guess I should ask you... since I know you don't have a date anymore... would you go with me to the Masquerade? I know I'm a girl and all... but... well..." She trailed off, smiling uncertainly.
*Padma*
She blushed furiously. She wanted to say yes so badly... But the thought of everyone seeing her there with 'Eve... The teasing... The looks... The lewd coments... She wasn't ready...
"Oh look, here's Scrivenshaft's!"
She smiled sheepishly and led her through the door.
*'Eve*
She glanced around, frowning slightly, a bit hurt but smiling to cover it up. "It's lovely," she said, then lowered her voice.
"There's no one about, Pads. Just say yes... please?" She touched Padma's shoulder as she headed towards the quills.
*Padma*
She turned to 'Eve stopping her. She bit her lip and smiled again.
"Yes... Of course I will... There's no one else I'd rather go with."
*'Eve*
Unable to restrain herself, she flung her arms around Padma and kissed her cheek, then backed away, suddenly sheepish.
"Sorry," she murmured, red, and returning to look over the quills, focusing on a pretty peacock one.
*Parvati*
She stuck her head out from around one of the displays.
"Padma?" she asked, confused.
*Padma*
She blushed red and grinned as 'Eve embraced her and was on the verge of hugging her back when she backed away. Padma sighed and tried to relax, playing with her hair slightly when she heard her sister's voice.
"Parv?"
She turned to face her.
"Ummm.. Hi! What's up?"
*Parvati*
She glanced at Padma, then at 'Eve. "Pads? Can... Can I talk to you over here, please?" She looked really uncomfortable, and was playing with the edge of her cloak.
*'Eve*
She glanced between the two sisters and squeezed Padma's shoulder. "I'll be over here, looking at parchment," she said quietly, moving away and down the aisle towards the stacks of paper.
*Padma*
Padma nodded and offered 'Eve a small smile and then went over to Parvati.
"So... Something wrong sis?"
She looked nervous as if she had been caught doing something terrible.
*Parvati*
She watched the French girl wander off and then frowned, looking down.
"What did I just overhear? She was asking you to say yes to something..."
*Padma*
She took a deep breath and smiled softly.
"'Eve asked me if I would go to the Masquerade with her... As a date.... And I said yes...."
She took another deep breath.
"We met at the party.. And well... We're kind of seeing each other now..."
She smiled at her sister, hoping that she would take this news well.
*Parvati*
She frowned in confusion. "What do you mean, 'seeing each other'? You mean..." She looked between Padma and where 'Eve had disappeared. "You mean you two are... together?" She didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or just... well, she settled on staring in disbelief at her sister.
*Padma*
She nodded and smiled some more.
"Yes.. We're together. A couple... I think I'm a bit gay... Well, bisexual anyway.... Or maybe I just like 'Eve... I don't know... I'm as confused as anyone else..."
*Parvati*
"A... 'A bit gay'?" She shook her head. "Pads... she had the word hussy on her face for nearly two days... she's already got a reputation. What are you doing with her? People are going to talk!"
*Padma*
She blushed and stammered a bit.
"I... I know.. It's a long story... She's not more a hussy than I am..."
She mentally winced. She was a hussy.
"I mean... You know what I mean. Hell, I already have a reputation, sister dear. Let people talk. I don't care."
Except she did care.
*Parvati*
"You're a terrible liar, sis," she said. "You... well, you were doing better, you know? But... Can't you think about how this affects me? We're twins; people... they're going to think things about me, too. Your supposed to be the smart one - why don't you think about how this is going to affect those around you?"
*Padma*
She glared at her.
"Excuse me? Since when has whatever I've done mattered to you..."
OK, aside from all that teasing about the underwear.
"Where do you get off dictating behaviour to me? You're not mum! It doesn't affect you at all... I know that because I am the smart one."
*Parvati*
"It matters a great deal to me!" she snapped, trying not to raise her voice. "You're my sister, you twit, and now people might start thinking that I'm gay, too! And I'm not!"
She glared at Padma.
"I'm trying to look out for you. You're going to get hurt - you always do! You go after these guys... are they not enough anymore? Haven't you made enough of a fuss? Now you have to try and get more attention by dating a girl?! You can't stand to have everyone looking at anyone but yourself!" She huffed, fuming.
*Padma*
She glared back, raising her voice too.
"And what wrong with being gay, sis? Huh? Why would it matter so much? Yeah, maybe I will get hurt.. Better than sitting alone in my dorm room, maybe if you got laid every once in a while Miss Popular Gryffindor you wouldn't be so bitchy... Gods forbid I get more attention that a Gryffindor. I just don't know my place do I? There's Gryffindor, there's Slytherin... and then there's those other two houses... Why don't you just worry about your own sad little life... Go whine to Lavender or something..."
*Parvati*
"Oh, go be with your little floozy," she sneered. "Forget that I tried to look out for you. Forget that I tried to help you. And just because I don't sleep with a new person every weekend doesn't make me an uptight prude!"
It might, actually, but she didn't want to admit that to Padma. She was pissed.
"Screw you, Padma. Oh, wait, that's what you do best." She turned on her heel and stormed out of the store.
*Padma*
Her jaw dropped and she sputtered, stammering. She clenched her hands into fists and shook, stomping her feet and shaking her head.
"Grrrrrrrrrrr...."
She had no come back for that. What could she say to her own sister.
*'Eve*
She heard the raised voices - everyone in the store had, really - and she made her way cautiously back towards the front, parchment and a new quill clutched in her hand. She had a horrible sinking feeling in her stomach... what had she done? She had never meant to make Padma fight with her sister...
"Pads?" she asked quietly, standing by the sealing wax.
*Padma*
She shook her head and waved her hand dismissively at 'Eve. She just wanted to leave and cry and... Gods only knew... She pushed her way out of the store as she felt overwhelmed and clausterphobic suddenly.
*'Eve*
Merde, she thought, face falling as Padma rushed out of the store. She looked down at the items in her hand and shook her head, throwing them onto the nearest shelf and quickly hurrying out of the store after Padma. She didn't want to bother her... but she wanted to make sure she was okay.
*Padma*
She had ducked into an alley beside the store and let herself go. She was sobbing. Why did Parvati have to be like this? Why couldn't she just let her be happy? She was the thin, pretty, popular one... Couldn't she just let her have her small difference. Her small happiness?
*'Eve*
She followed the sounds of sobbing and stood just around the corner from Padma, at the entrance to the alley, listening to her cry. She wanted to give her a private moment... She stared at the ground, waiting for the sounds of crying to quiet. Was she ruining Padma's life by being with her?
*Padma*
She kept sobbing and clenching and unclenching her fists before turning and kicking the crap out of a trashbin. It overturned with a clatter and she yelped in surprise.
*'Eve*
She ducked around the corner at the sound of metal clattering on the cobblestone. "Pads? Are you okay?" she asked, stepping forward.
"Merlin," she said, reaching for her girlfriend, looking sad.
*Padma*
She shook her head and embraced 'Eve tightly, sobbing.
"She hates me... My sister hates me..."
*'Eve*
She made soothing noises, holding Padma tightly, rocking back and forth gently.
"Just giver her a little time, hon," she murmured. "She's your sister... she has to love you, even if she's upset."
She rubbed Padma's back slowly, wishing she could do something to make Parvati understand.
*Padma*
She sobbed some more.
"Noooo.. She hates me... She thinks I'm going to give her a reputation... She's being so selfish... She'll tell mum and then my whole family will hate me..."
*'Eve*
"I'm sorry," she whispered, still holding Padma tightly. "I'm so sorry, hon. I don't want you to be alienated from your family. But... do you really think she'd tell your family? Wouldn't she try to keep it secret, if she's so... ashamed?"
*Padma*
"I don't know... I don't know... Depends how much she wants to hurt me... I've never seen her so upset... We usually get along all right..."
She hugged 'Eve tightly, not caring who saw at this point.
*'Eve*
"It's a big shock," she murmured, running her fingers through Padma's hair. "Just give her time. I'm sure she'll come around. It's not a huge school." She kissed Padma's neck. "I'm sure it will all work itself out."
*Padma*
She sighed and relaxed her grip a little.
"I.. I hope so..."
*'Eve*
"Me, too," she murmured. "I know how important family is." She squeezed Padma.
"Think you'll be okay, hon?" She drew back and looked searchingly into Padma's eyes.
*Padma*
She nodded slowly and wiped at her nose and eyes.
"Eventually yeah... I look like crap now, don't I?"
*'Eve*
She ran her thumb over Padma's cheek, wiping away a stray tear. "You always look beautiful," she said, smiling a little.
"But if we spend a few more minutes out here the cold will help, a little," she said, indicating her eyes. "Maybe we should think about heading back to the castle..."
*Padma*
She smiled at 'Eve in spite of how miserable she felt.
"Go and get your quills and then we'll head back... OK?"
She dried her eyes some more and smiled at 'Eve. She knew the right things to say.
*'Eve*
She leaned in and kissed Padma quickly. "I'll be right back," she promised, dashing around the corner and back into the store. Thankfully, no one had moved her parchment or quill from where she'd dumped it. She threw two galleons and a couple of sickles at the shopkeeper, probably overpaying, snatched the items from the shelf, then dashed back outside to Padma, purchases clutched in her hand.
"I'm back," she said, breathless. "Let's go back to school," she said, offering her hand to Padma.
*Padma*
She smiled at her and silently took her hand. Too much had happened today, it had been so overwhelming. First Anthony and then Parvati... She looked over at 'Eve... She was worth it, wasn't she? Of course she was... And they'd show them... This wasn't a mistake.. This wasn't a cry for attention...