Daydreams and real ones

[Celina Jedynak]

Her face turned back up to look at Connor, and yet this time she moved back just slightly so that she didn’t have to cross her eyes to try and focus on the Slytherin. Why had she asked him her question? “Oh, it’s nothing. Playing just made me think of something my father is always telling me is all…” her words faded as she shrugged, hating to go into much detail about her father’s ways or her family just in general. She’d get punished for doing so, for Celina’s father always told her that there were some things that outsiders were meant to know, and others that they never needed to know. That consisted of everything in Celina’s book, for her father was never very specific and it seemed like anything could get her into trouble anymore. Ever since Alfonz moved out of their parents house…

She shrugged and sighed slightly, smiling a small sort of smile and cocking her head just so. “And yes, I’m a master at deceiving. For now, not only are you thinking it… but you’re also thinking that someone whom is as innocent as I, would never do anything of the sort in any kind of way.” She giggled, knowing that that made little to no real sense and then took out a small pendulum from her bag. It wasn’t anything special, just something she’d had for one of her classes that day. Swinging it slightly in front of Connor’s face, she mocked… “For now I’m putting you under a trance… you’ll do or think whatever I tell you to.” Again she laughed, putting the pendulum down in her lap and shaking her head. That was silly… why was it that she felt comfortable enough around Connor to act in such ways? Why was it she allowed herself to let her guard down again?

“I thought Rivalry was ok,” she nodded. “But, I’m much more into classical.” Celina couldn’t deny that her father’s preference of what she listened to wasn’t driven fully into her head for probably as long as she would live. Smiling as she took a moment to herself to look Connor over again as she had so many times before, she studied his features, took note, and then her eyes wandered down to their still embraced hands. Alfonz would be upset if he found them like this, for he really didn’t understand that Connor wasn’t like the others… someday he might. Celina could only hope he would.

Tilting her head again, she looked back at Connor’s face and shrugged. “So…” she started softly, not really knowing what to do or talk about then. “Now what? I’m… I’m kinda lost without a quill or book in my hand I suppose…” she laughed, but it was half hearted and somewhat defeated. It was true… and not all that funny.

[Connor Manning]

Connor let his eyes wander to the window across from them, the snow falling nicely, causing it to be nearly impossible for him to actually see anything out of the glass. ' Oh, it’s nothing. Playing just made me think of something my father is always telling me is all… ' As far as Connor remembered, this was really only the second time the girl had ever mentioned her father in front of him, the first being when he had asked about Alfonz's quidditch career and how her father reacted, and the second escaped him at that moment. But he knew it was rare for her to bring him up, or anything to do with family, so he nodded his head and said, " Oh, yeah? " He didn't know if her father had anything good to say about playing or if Celina would divulge, but he doubted it on both accounts.

Her next comment made no sense to him whatsoever, but he laughed all the same. He watched with mild interest as she pulled the pendulum out of her bag, wondering what she was doing. He was also curious about what else she had in there, chocolate frogs and pendulum included. He grinned back at her, saying, " Okay, I might be under a trance, but... what you just said... " He paused for effect before going on, " made absolutely no sense. " Just saying this out loud caused Connor to laugh once again.

" Classical as in Beethoven and Bach? " He asked, assuming she meant just that. For a fleeting second he supposed she could have meant classic rock but threw that one out the window as he remembered being told about her harp, which was very much classical as opposed to classic rock. He took a few seconds and thought what Celina would be like if she was into the rock, punk scene. A sly grin took over his features as he looked the girl over, trying to see her in punk clothes, skulls and all. He just couldn't see it happening, but the thought was a little funny, not to mention cute as well. To Connor, though, she was just fine the way she was.

He gave a small shrug of his shoulders at her question. " Now... I don't know. You're the one with the trance over me, afterall. " He teased, motioning to the pendulum she had been swinging in front of him moments before.

[Celina Jedynak]

Celina nodded responding softly but with a smile on her face. "Yea." That was as far as she'd go though, because without even thinking about it, she knew that it wasn't right to talk about anything that really had to do with personal family issues, teachings, or so on. It was for her family to know, and that was just that. It'd been drilled into her head what would happen if she did tell, and someone found out... But lightly she squeezed Connor's hand again and tilted her head slightly. "I liked your answer though," she said. "Not many people would have really thought about it..."

Laughing and giggling, Celina shook her head and snickered slightly. Yea, she really had no idea either and she shrugged, her face slightly heating up in embarrassment. "Oops..." she whispered, slightly giggling still and looking around at the room rather than at the Slytherin. Sometimes, she just didn't know how to quite while she was ahead and it really embarrassed Celina. She was incredibly and unfortunately, socially inept. "Sorry... I mean," she shrugged, sheepishly looking back up and meeting Connor's hazel eyes.

"Yes, them... and some others. I like Mozart and Spezilfranagly," Celina nodded as she listed some composers and musicians. She kept count on her fingers as she did so and nodded again. "They're all wonderful composers. And artists just in general.... did you know, that if you listen to classical music as you do work and such, it's supposed to stimulate the mind to make one smarter and focus more?" It was what she had heard, and frankly, something Celina had lived by.

As Connor put the decision of what they did next in her court, she was almost confused. She didn't know what to do, and she laughed slightly as she mentioned the pendulum and the trance he was supposed to be under. That was just great in her opinion, for she really didn't care what they did, nor did she have any ideas of her own at that moment. They really couldn't leave the tower, and yet, Celina felt the should be talking or doing at least something somewhat productive. "Well..." Celina shrugged. "...I'm not sure. I don't know what to do either." She laughed, catching herself before she said something silly like not knowing what to do when she wasn't working. Somehow, she didn't see that playing off too well with Connor. "Usually, Felicity comes up with the ideas of what to do... and you know," Celina shrugged. "...or at least, she used to..."

[Connor Manning]

Connor didn’t mind her not saying anything more on the topic of her father. If she didn’t want to talk about it then she didn’t want to talk about it, no harm done. Even as he thought this, though, his mind wondered about what her father had said about playing. Probably something about idle time being wasted time, Connor’s own father had told him this from time to time, mostly during summer time when he was wasting away and doing absolutely nothing. He halted his wandering thoughts as Celina started talking again. “ You seemed so serious when asking, I figured I should do the same. “ He admitted with a sheepish smile and a small shrug of his shoulders.

“ Oops..? “ He repeated, trailing off just as she had with a laugh. He thought back to her comment and realized that in a strange way it kind of did make sense to him. The basic gist of it was she was a master of deception and made him think she was innocent and would never think about aiming a slightly melted chocolate frog at his face just for the fun of it. Or something like that. He shook his head lightly at her apology, saying, “ Don’t be. It was kind of funny. In a… weird way. “ He said, his smile still in place as his eyes met hers once again and she started listing some of her favorite composers.

He shook his head, not knowing the facts she had just stated. “ I didn’t… but did you know that classical music is used to help stimulate babies brain development? “ He grinned slightly as he said this, finding it a little bit off topic from what she told him, but not really. It was a random little fact, one his sister had told him that she had learned while taking courses at the local muggle college. She was full of random information and was always more than willing to share. “ Mozart is good, but I dunno, I like Pachelbel, Canon in D? The best. “ He said with a nod, liking the fact that he could talk about music with her, even if it wasn’t his normal style of music. He knew enough about classical music to be able to discuss it, and Canon in D really was his favorite piece. Connor had seen it performed by the London Symphony Orchestra several years ago, dragged there no less by his grandparents. He had liked it, though. He remember hearing Pachelbel’s most famous piece performed for the first time there.

“ And Tchaikovsky, of course. He quite possibly has the coolest name ever. “ He joked with a grin, although he did think Tchaikovsky had a wicked cool name all the same. The guy’s full name was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, not lacking in elogance or prestige. And that was just the name itself, not even speaking of the music.

He glanced over to the Ravenclaw, hearing the first few notes of Canon in D running through his mind. “ Well, seeing as how Felicity can’t be here to join us, then… I guess we’ll have to come up with something to do. “ As he said this he moved from his sitting position and released Celina’s hand from his own as he stood up to his full height. He had been comfortable sitting next to the girl and talking, but if she was talking about something to do, then he figured he might as well come up with something. He reached his hand down to hers to help her up.

[Celina Jedynak]

Celina liked the fact that Connor could be serious with her, and she smiled nodding. “Thank you, I appreciated that…” He could be serious, fun, quiet, fun, everything that Celina could be in moderation. It was like they were just as similar as they were different and Celina enjoyed that. And… she enjoyed his smile. There was just something about it, but Celina couldn’t get over how her stomach felt when he smiled at her. She blushed slightly and sighed.

Celina giggled and hugged Connor’s arm playfully. Pulling back she squealed slightly. “It was. Or at least I thought it was,” Celina smiled widely and then listened to Connor’s taste in music as well. She loved all of the composers he talked of and when he said Pachelbel she smiled again, even wider. “I knew this Euphonium player that performed that magnificently. It was amazing…” Celina nodded again.

Well, seeing as how Felicity can’t be here to join us, then… I guess we’ll have to come up with something to do.

As much as Celina loved her best friend, she was glad that she wasn’t there at that time. Celina still hadn’t been able to tell her about Connor properly, and between her and Drew, Celina just didn’t know how they’d take it. She giggled again as Connor stood, then holding out his hand that she had just held onto moments prior. Placing her hand gently in the Slytherin’s, Celinaa giggled and looked playfully at him. “And what may I ask, shall we come up with to do?” Celina giggled again.

[Connor Manning]

Connor could hardly restrain his laughter as he said, " Of course.. I mean... I'm a very serious person, afterall. " He made a silly face at her just to prove his point. In all actuality Connor was a serious person by nature. He could joke and be silly and strange when he wanted to, but he often acted older than his age when it came to maturity level. He returned his face to it's normal appearance with a soft grin as he gave notice to the girl's blush. The Slytherin didn't say it out loud, but he couldn't help himself from thinking just how cute Celina looked. He was glad she had decided to stay with him, even if they were missing out on a lesson.

It was Connor's turn to feel a slight blush rise up in his face as he felt Celina hug his arm and give a girly squeal. He didn't know why but that small bit of physical contact, even though they had been sitting close to one another for some time now, sent him blushing. ' It was. Or at least I thought it was, ' He tried his best to forget his slightly pink face and laughed, agreeing with her. " It was, trust me. " He smiled in a convincing manner, as if he really needed to convince her at all. " Really? " Connor imagined Canon would sound fantastic on the euphonium.

Connor took a second or two to consider the question, helping the girl to her feet and still holding on lightly to her hand once they were both standing. " You may ask. " He said, taking both of Celina's hands and laying them flat against his, palm to palm. He paused to look at their hands, hers feeling small soft and feminine against his. As he looked back up his smile settle back onto his face. " But I don't have an answer for you. " Connor wasn't even sure what their options were. They couldn't exactly leave the tower, they were supposed to be in class. He was sure they'd think of something, though.

[Celina Jedynak]

“Really, really,” Celina responded about the Euphonium player, still giggling slightly about the funny face Connor had just made a few moments earlier. Though his smile was back, and he wasn’t making any silly faces anymore, Celina couldn’t help but laugh at the small memory. He was serious, but he knew how and when to make her laugh. It was a warm feeling that she hadn’t felt before, and Celina liked it. It was almost as if she could convince herself of anything… that maybe this time Alfonz was wrong, and that Connor would be the one to prove her right. He was someone she was so glad to have gotten to know so much better… a friend who’d never hurt her, or leave her…

Sighing as he helped her up, Celina moved in a bit closer than she meant to, smiling all the same. A small heat rose to her cheeks once more as he placed his larger hands against her smaller ones. Why were guys always so much bigger? Their hands were bigger, their feet were bigger, and as she looked up into Connor’s hazel eyes, she noted that they were most of the time even taller. Though Connor wasn’t as tall as Drew, he was certainly about the height of Alfonz… but definitely not as stocky or built. But still… bigger. Why was that?

Her mind wandered, trying to keep her nerves from making her heart jump right out of her throat as Connor spoke again. But I don't have an answer for you. He never seemed to have an answer. That was something that Celina had picked up on quickly as a different trait from anyone she’d ever known. Felicity always had an answer, and if she didn’t, Drew did for sure. And Alfonz… well, he was always instructing her, or giving her an answer of some sort. It wasn’t that Celina couldn’t make her own decisions, or find her own answers, but she wasn’t used to doing so, and slightly… she became frustrated with Connor never having the answer. Didn’t guys usually always have the answer of what to do, or how to do it? “Why’s that?” she spoke softly, her eyes and tone looking for answers in a very puzzled kind of way. “Why is it you have no answer for me?”

It probably sounded weird or peculiar, but Celina thought of it as another serious and well thought out question. Everyone always had the answer… Felicity and her plans… Drew and his advice… Alfonz and his reckonings that came true more than Celina would even admit to herself… Everyone always had an answer, so, why was Connor different in that way too?

[Connor Manning]

" Hm.. " Connor hummed a low hum to himself as he turned Celina's right hand over in his own, his left hand moving over, his fingers tracing the lines on her palm lightly as he gazed down at her hands. They just reminded him of how small Celina was compared to him and he looked back up, catching her dark brown eyes with his hazel ones, a small smile on his face. Her laughter was enough to cause a grin to form on his face, though, and he could still feel his face flushing slightly at their closeness. It wasn't too intimate, but enough to keep his cheeks flushed pink the entire time.

' Why’s that? ' He quirked his head to the side as he looked down at the Ravenclaw girl, wondering what she meant. " Hm? " He hummed, this time in a questioning manner. As she answered he noticed that she was looking a bit confused. By what? He understood the question, just couldn't say why she felt the need to ask. He lifted his shoulders partially into a small shrug. Indeed the question did sound a little strange to his own ears, but as most of the things Celina said, he was sure it made sense to her. He was unsure if she was only referring to now with finding something to do or if she was referring to always, that he never had an answer for her.

He took a few moments to think of what to say before the words came tumbling out of his mouth without much thought. " Well, I was thinking that we could maybe think of something together to do. " He paused, his eyes shifting to the window and then back to Celina. Her question sounded just as serious as her previous one had been about everything he did affecting his future. " Possibly because I don't have an actual answer for everything. " He went on, giving her hand a light squeeze because he wasn't sure if the answer was good enough. Or right at all. Or if there was a right answer.

[Celina Jedynak]

She could see the color in his face, and Celina smiled wondering if she was embarrassing him or making him uncomfortable. He didn't move away, however, so Celina stayed in her place. Connor continued to smile, and Celina shied away, turning her face from his for a moment and looking at the ground, her face being covered by her hair. She could feel his fingers tracing over her hands lightly and giggled. "That tickles..." she whispered embarrassed like, and yet still didn't pull away. She shook her head to make her hair fall out of her face and then looked back to Connor, waiting for him to answer her question.

He thought about it. Again, a quality about the Slytherin that Celina liked. He took her questions seriously, and didn't brush her off as quickly as some may have. These were issues to her that she feared, issues of hopes and desires that she didn't want to face directly and by herself. And worries that she kept hidden, buried away with any other emotion she had a tendency to feel guilty for. Celina was a passive aggressive person in a lot of ways, and most could see that... the thing was though, that they seemed to choose to ignore what that really meant about the feeble looking, and soft spoken Raven girl.

Well, I was thinking that we could maybe think of something together to do...

Celina liked that... thinking of something to do together. She thought to herself for a moment, her eyes rolling upward just slightly as if she were actually looking in her brain for ideas of what they could do. Celina still really wasn't sure. What had she done with Felicity and Drew when they hung out? Well, Drew and her hand danced once... and she'd actually thought of that one. Of course, there was a reason behind that... she had to get ready for a function her father had to attend with the family... so that was more like work, wasn't it? Then her and Felicity had done a lot of things together....

....laid on the grass and talked about crushes and what a crush was.... came up with the sleeping beauty idea, of course... wasn't that working, too? They'd gone into the forest.... and gotten in trouble. Celina knew at least that that time was not work. The escape plan.... Celina shook the thoughts from her head. Anything that wasn't working had always lead to trouble or worse... "I'm not sure I do too well coming up with things to do..." Celina laughed nervously and shrugged herself. Just for skipping class they could get into trouble... again, not working meant trouble.

Possibly because I don't have an actual answer for everything.

Celina looked up and looked somewhat puzzled, but not because of what Connor said, but because he said it. He didn't have all the answers? Neither did she, but she wasn't supposed to was she? Celina almost wondered if it was fair to say Connor needed all the answers, but at the same time, what would happen to people if no one had all the answers? They would have to do research, which meant working... and working kept people out of trouble.... that is, until after the working when things start to be put into motion and they go all wrong... then there's more trouble.

Celina slightly laughed, almost defeated like and looked back at their hands. Connor squeezed hers again and she sighed. "If I come up with anything... we'll probably get into trouble," she looked back up at Connor and shrugged. "I'm OK when it comes to planning things... but actually pulling them off without problems," Celina paused. "It usually lands me in trouble..." or alone... Celina thought to herself.

[Connor Manning]

Connor's fingertips grazed lightly against the girl's hand, touching down with slight pressure here and there. It was like he was making sure she was really there, and still wanted to be standing with him in the closeness that they were. She did, though. The Slytherin was filled with elation, even if it was just temporary to be standing like this with her, he knew he would enjoy every second of it, as any sensible person would. He tilted his head to look at the girl and noticed she had turned away, her hair falling in front of her face as she told him, ' That tickles... ' He gave a warm laugh, saying, " Oh, all right. " She didn't pull her hand away from him, though, and he ceased his moving, pressing his palm to hers, his fingers lacing with hers as well. It felt natural. And nice.

Connor turned, his eyes slowly dropping to the ground as seconds of silence enveloped them. In the mean time, though, he tried to think of something for them to do. They could always try and sneak out of the towers, go outside maybe, or to the kitchens if she was feeling hungry, or maybe if they wanted to chance it - they could just walk around. With lessons going on it wasn't all that likely they would get into trouble, most teachers would be teaching and those that weren't Connor felt confident wouldn't yell at a Slytherin prefect and one of the best students in the school for walking around. All of these ideas sounded good to Connor, and didn't particularly care what it was they did.

' I'm not sure I do too well coming up with things to do... ' He smiled a somewhat sympathetic smile, giving a short nod as he said, " Well, tha's alright. I've got a few ideas. "

Again, her puzzled look returned and Connor couldn't help but convey one back to her, almost as if asking ' what? ' He thought about his comment moments before, how he didn't have an answer for everything. How could he? It would be impossible, but he did as best as he could for the circumstances of whatever situation arose. Really, that was part of growing up, right? Not knowing the answers. You get them, at least some of them, through experience. He knew that, at least, made sense to him.

" Trouble? Nah. I've got a couple ideas to be.. trouble free. " He said, pausing to recollect his thoughts before he went on. " I was thinking, if you're hungry, that we could go to the kitchens. Or something. Or go outside. Or just walk around, find a place to wait out the next hour or so until class is over. But I was also thinking that we won't get into trouble. " He didn't know for sure, but Connor felt almost certain that most teachers knew of him and Celina because they were both good students. Even Griffiths, who had shown dislike for Connor from the start, had even taken a liking to him. If a teacher did ask, though, he could always say they were running an errand for someone. " I don't really care what we do. " He added as an afterthought to clarify.

[Celina Jedynak]

Following his moves, Celina also curled her fingers, intertwining them with Connor's as he took ahold of her hand again. She looked at their hands and thought about how this was different. There was a different feeling to it; being this close with Connor and having her stomach do all sorts of things she wasn't used to it doing. Her heart beat faster, and there was just everything about it that was different. She wanted to tell him, but Celina couldn't find the words to do so. How did you explain something like this? Yes, they had both said that they liked each other already.... but Celina felt as if there should have been more to say, and she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Again, another thing to just frustrate her further.

And then he told her that he, in fact, did have some ideas. Celina could feel a rush of relief flow over her and she smiled more comfortably. He listed off some options, all of which entailed leaving the towers, and Celina thought about it. He said the ideas were trouble free, but there had been times where Felicity and she were sure some ideas they had had were trouble free as well. Celina thought again, her lips thinning slightly as she pressed them together in thought, her breath slowed. She wasn't too hungry, for she'd had a big mean just hours before... but she did like going outside... but it was snowing out. How would she keep warm unless they went back to their dorms to get clothing that was suitable for the trip? So, it seemed the only logical idea was to walk around and find a place to hang out for the remaining of the time. Celina was fond of the towers herself, but that hadn't been an option so she didn't even consider it.

"I like the option of walking around and finding someplace..." Celina nodded finally deciding on one of the three 'trouble-free' options. Now she could only hope that they wouldn't get caught by a professor or something, and they wouldn't get themselves into trouble. I don't really care what we do. "Neither do I... as long as I'm spending time with you, I don't mind anything..." Celina whispered bashfully. It was true, but it was still hard to say. Why? Celina just didn't know.

[Connor Manning]

He knew his ideas were lacking in... originality perhaps, but he felt his brain slightly mushy after studying and normal sixth year frustrations, and he didn't think he could come up with something more original than what he already had. He internally shrugged, hoping that Celina would feel the same way, not caring what it was they did. Just the fact that Connor had an hour and a half alone with Celina was enough for him, he could really not care less if they sat outside in the cold without winter things on, as long as he could spend the time with Celina.

He could feel his stomach flip as he caught her gaze, his eyes lighting slightly as he allowed a slight sigh to escape him as he gave her time to think over their options. It wasn't like they didn't have time anyway. Well... an hour, give or take for what it was worth. He thought again over his suggested ideas, his confidence in not getting caught diminishing a little bit. He wasn't so sure really that they wouldn't get into trouble, but he was now hoping that anyone they came across wouldn't care.

Once he knew what she had decided he nodded his head, his eyes sliding to his back pack which was leaning against the wall. He was just about to move to grab it, and hers, when her next words stopped him from moving away from her. ' Neither do I... as long as I'm spending time with you, I don't mind anything... ' Her whisper prompted a slow, shy smile to appear on his face. He wasn't used to her being so forward, about anything. " Me too. " He said just as softly. He wanted her to know that, if nothing else.

Connor cleared his throat slightly as he took a half step back, motioning to their back packs which sat idly on the floor next to where they had been sitting moments before. " I should... grab those. " He said, shying away slightly.

[Celina Jedynak]

Connor waited for her answer as patiently as he could and Celina could tell from his sigh that when she finally did decide, she'd made the right decision. She smiled, glad that Connor didn't care really which one of the options she had given her and as he rounded her toward their things that was still on the floor and against the walls, her words seemed to stop him in his tracks. Had they been wrong to say? Celina blushed, not wanting to be thought of as rash or something. "I... I mean..." she started, only to have Connor turn back towards her to speak. Me too. Really? Her mind seemed to say, for she'd never heard anyone say anything back to her as such... well... like it was said, any ways.

For a few moments she just looked up at him and stood there. After a few moment, he backed up clearing his throat and Celina snapped back into her senses. She shook her head and backed up as well. "Oh... OK, yea..." Celina giggled, grabbing her hair and straightening it nervously. Did she have to stare at him for that long? She sighed and shook herself back into reality. And then she thought about her own bag and how it wasn't Connor's responsibility to pick her back up as well. Moving quickly she ran over beside Connor. "I've got mine it's ok," she said, bending over and accidentally knocking heads with the Slytherin boy... "ow..."

Rubbing her head, she giggled and looked up, not picking up the bag that she had bent over to grab in the first place. "I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to..." she continued to laugh and rub her head. Oh, merlin...

[Connor Manning]

A few seconds stretched on, feeling like long moments to the Slytherin as he looked at Celina, a look of both infatuation and complete adoration softening his features slightly. He turned away to grab the back packs once he realized he had been staring, and he could once again feel the heat rising in his cheeks. He didn't feel as bad about his embarassment, though, as he moved toward the wall in an effort to grab her pack back as well as his own. His heart hummed with excitement, feeling both faster and slower than normal as he reflected on everything that had happened recently with Celina.

' I've got mine it's ok, ' Connor shook his head, it really wasn't a problem for him to get her bag as well, he was sure it couldn't be too heavy. " Oh, no it's - " bonk. " Ouch. " He said, his hand going up and running the spot on his head where he had accidenly bumped heads with Celina as he stumbled back a few small steps. He looked up and started laughing. At the situation, at the fact that it was one of those classic ' bump head ' moments that were always so funny when he saw them happen on the television.

His laughing ceased for a moment as he said, " It's okay. I mean... well, it was an accident. No worries, " He said, his hand leaving the spot on his head and reaching for both of their backs and settling them onto his shoulder. " After all that, you might as well let me carry your bag. " He said in a teasing manner.

[Celina Jedynak]

That was twice. Two times she had made him hurt himself and Celina covered her face with her hand and shook her head. How could she be so clumsy. Sighing, Celina watched as Connor rubbed his own head and bent over to grab both of their bags to carry them. She felt guilty now, just as she had before, but this time it was because she had hurt him twice in less than half an hour. No worries... he said to her, but she did worry. It always seemed her mistakes hurt others.

Walking towards Connor, Celina lifted her hand slightly. "Are you sure?" she said as she reached up and placed her hand on the spot she'd hit with her own head. "I mean, that's twice in one day...." she paused, giggling slightly. "I've probably damaged something." Again she laughed sheepishly and took down her hand slightly, allowing it to linger in the air.

"So... where were we walking?" Celina asked innocently. She would have liked to go to the courtyard, but there was snow falling... Behind Celina and Connor, the sleeping woman in the portrait was waking up...