"I say that sounds like a mighty fine plan, and we should have some food as well. I'm starving!"She reached in her pocket to make sure that she had the coupon before pulling her hand out and intertwining her arms with those of her friends. She was excited to be out of the castle again, especially since this was the first time Smore had been to Hogsmeade.

He was resting on the shoulder of her new hoodie, his eyes darting this way and that to take in all the new sights. Arya was ready to spend this coupon along with the other one she got for free gloves, they both had been resting on her dresser since before the christmas break."After that I have one for a pair of gloves as well. We can ick out your gift as well Ivy!"Nope she didn't forget her new best friends birthday, infact she and Allison had a small surprise for the girl.

When she admitted it was a lame excuse , but said she believed him he breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled back softly at her gentle one. Her smile dazzled him, she just looked so beautiful to him when she smiled. "That is good to hear......I didn't want you thinking that I was avoiding you. That is why I owled you...and cuz I missed you. I wanted to see you again." he admitted with a warm smile.

When she asked why he holed himself up though it stung a bit, he could feel her eyes piercing through him. He really hated to talk to anyone about it. It made him feel a bit empty to think about it and also far too exposed. He tended not to talk about his past and he would just seem bizarre and quirky if you didn't know better. He frowned and sighed, he knew that he was going to have to explain himself to her. He looked around making certain that no one was around first and then spoke in a low tone. "Can you see what pulls the carriages to the castle?" he asked her cryptically. He couldn't bring himself to speak of it plainly.

Rhea smiled when Art said that he missed her and wanted to see her. The butterflies were back. She had longed to hear him say such words to her, in fact she longed to here him say anything to her and was now absolutely thrilled. Maybe there was more to their relationship after all.

Rhea watched his reaction after she asked why he had holed himself up in his dorm room. There was just something totally not right about Art being a hermit. If he wasn't avoiding her, what was his reason? She frowned when she saw him frown. His reaction was peaking her curiosity. When he looked around she looked around as well. What he was looking for, she had no idea.Finally she spoke.
"No..I can't see the thestrals. Why? Can you see them Art?" She asked softly. She reached over and took his hand and gave him a gentle encouraging squeeze.

Ivory's stomach gave a Godzilla style growl as Arya mentioned being starving. Hugging Arya's arm to her tightly, she giggled. "Food sounds great to my tummy!"
Turning her nose to snuggle Smore, she smiled in delight at Arya's words.

"You guys remembered?! Awwwwwwww! I'm all excited now.."

Yup she was in good spirits as they made their way to the Hog's Head.

Art sighed when she frowned. He didn't like to see her frown or be unhappy in anyway, it made his heart sink to see it. Mmm, she looked with him. Now he knew that he was confusing her. She confirmed that she couldn't see thestrals, but then asked him if he could. As she took his hand and squeezed it he looked up into her pretty face and locked his eyes to hers. His face spelled out his pain and he nodded in response to her question. "It is hard to explain. It was because.....well, it was an anniversary in a way..."he murrmered looking uneasy. Not many people knew he could see thestrals, and very very few knew why. He hid it to himself as much as he could , because it hurt. For him it really always would too. But he would tell Rhea more if she felt that she needed to know it.

When Art looked up to hold her gaze, Rhea saw the hurt and pain in his eyes. Her heart sank. She wasn't used to seeing him somber or even a little sad so it really threw her off. She moved closer to him as he continued to speak.
When he mentioned anniversary she immediately understood. Threstrals and moody Art equaled to the anniversary of the death of someone close to him. She wasn't sure if he would be up to telling her who it was. He would have to do that on his own terms, she wouldn't be the one to push him into telling her. Instead she pulled him into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry. Whoever you lost is in a better place now and I'm sure they're proud of you. You're an amazing guy." She pulled back and smiled at him.

When Art started to explain, Rhea pulled him into a tight hug. Then gave him, her condolences and a very beautiful sentiment, and she told him that he was an amazing guy."Sometimes.....I really doubt that." he admitted quietly. Art was a bit overwhelmed by her reaction but held her back, hugging her closely. He had not had a hug in years, he didn't let anyone hug anymore, only very rarely. He hugged her though and just let his pain go, pushing it away. She deserved to know what was on his mind, especially as it affected his actons far more greatly than anyone really realized. "I lost my mother, this time last month.........." he whispered into her hair only loud enough for her to hear. "She was my life....and she passed away from hers in my arms..." he said holding back his tears ,his voice wavering slightly. He had grieved for her for a long time, years, but couldn't get over it, not yet.

Rhea took his hands again after they broke the hug. She was very shocked to hear that Art had lost his mum but barely knew how to react to it. She barely knew how to react to this side of Art. It was a side she had never seen and had a feeling that she was probably one of the only ones to have seen this side of him. It melted her heart. She noticed the pain in his eyes and saw the struggle with him holding his tears back. She wished he would just let it go. She was here for him, she would always be. She moved closer still and rest her head on his shoulder still holding on to his hands in hers.
"I'll always be here for you Art. We'll hole ourselves up together next time. You don't have to grieve alone."

Art was a bit startled as she took his hands and moved closer laying her head upon his shoulder. When she told him that she would always be there for him , his tears nearly spilled across his face, but he wouldn't let them. He couldn't let himself cry here, not where someone could see him. He had always hid that part of himself since he lost his mother, he didn't trust many people to show that side of hiimself to. Rhea somehow he did, but he didn't want a bunch of people seeing him cry if they walked by. So he choked his tears back and kissed her head. "Sorry about this,.....I usually hide things better..." he said sighing. "I lost her at eight, but I still can't seem to cope with it. She said that she would.....always be there for me..." he said almost smiling at the irony of her just telling him that. "I just really haven't been able to get over the thought of never seeing her again......especially with that new woman where she should be...."he trailed but pulled her in and held her close. "Same goes for you. If you need to hole up and hide or someone else sent away, I will come for you okay?" he said smiling and hiding himself again. He leaned down , picking up her chin and gave her a soft, warm kiss.

Rhea smiled as she felt his soft lips on her forehead. She closed her eyes, then heard his voice again.
"You don't need to hide anything from me Art. I told you, I'm here for you and I mean it. Trust me." She continued listening as he spoke. She frowned, he always felt the need to be brave and strong, but she wanted him to allow her to be there for him completely. The thought of him struggling with the loss of his mother broke her own heart. She was close to her mother and couldn't imagine dealing with a lot of trivial stuff without her. Eight was after all such a young age. She squeezed his hands.
I can understand it being difficult, but in time I'm sure it will get easier. You know your mom would have wanted you to be happy. She wouldn't want you dwelling on her death."
She nodded when he said he would be there for her too and smiled. That meant a lot to her. She had been feeling so lonely. Moments later he held her chin and kissed her and she closed her eyes and kissed him back.

Art smiled warmly as she tod him to trust her. When she frowned and squeezed his hands he rubbed hers with his thumbs, trying to reassure her. "I know my mom wouldn't want me to be sad, but for how and when it happened, I can't not take it hard. My dad only made things harder too, but yes, in time it will become less difficult....eventually." Art said with a sigh.

When she closed his eyes and kissed him back, they melted together for a few moments. Instead of pulling up when their kiss ended, he pulled her in close. He held her tight and kissed her cheek , close to her ear. "If you need me, just call and I'll be there." he whispered softly. Art just held her for a bit, enjoying the closness that he had not felt in such a long time.