boundless (Amit Thakkar x OC)

Astronomy (or, the connection)

A silent moment passed before Emilia realized that had been a joke and she was probably meant to react. The realization came too late, as Amit shifted self consciously and cleared his throat.

"Did I hear that you don't have your own telescope? I... have one you can borrow for the rest of term!" he resumed, and Emilia saw his shoulders tense slightly.

Politely, Emilia began, "That's very kind of you, Amit, but are you sure you won't need it?"

Amit shook his head. "I'm certain! It's my old one!"
Emilia's brows knit together; she was not quite sure if he meant to insult her.

Unaware, Amit went on, plucking his telescope from its stand: "I've finally got my hands on the new Celestia Contemplor!" He paused. "You've heard of it, I assume? I mean, of course you have," he recovered, gesturing at his companion, "it's only the pinnacle of all personal stargazing instruments!" He ran a finger along the length of the telescope. "Goblin-cut glass, new optical enchantments that finally remove the, for a lack of a better term, glaring issue in the reflection of the starlight back into your eye... ah, but pardon me. What do you think?" he asked, presenting the telescope to Emilia.

"...Wow. It's... so beautiful." Emilia offered, hoping her lame addition wouldn't deter him.

Amit nodded excitedly. "Yes, precisely! You know, they actually trained a group of Nifflers to retrieve the highest carat gold for the accents." Satisfied, Amit slipped the instrument into his cloak pocket. "But yours isn't too shabby either. It's down here; Professor Shah let me keep it in storage."

With a pep in his step, Amit led Emilia down a set of stairs. Amit looked around briefly, mumbling to himself before snatching up a brand new looking telescope and holding it out to Emilia. She began to reach for it before Amit suddenly bounded towards her, rather close as he turned her gift over in his hands, looking for something. Emilia was slightly shocked at the realization of how tall he was compared to her.

Amit stopped and pointed at some writing on the silver adornment. "See, this one is unique because they wrote a little inscription in Gobbledegook on it. My new one doesn't have that. I can read it for you!" he offered.

Emilia had to practically crane her neck to look him in the eye. "I'd like that."

Amit dropped his gaze quickly, a strange smile hinting on his face before he pressed his lips together tight. "It says, 'peaceful'. All these models have a different word on it, and they're meant to represent how you feel when you use it. And," Amit added, his voice dropping to a mumble, "you seemed so peaceful, earlier in class."

As close as they were, Emilia actually did see a blush on Amit's face. Radiating heat as he was, though, the thought occurred to Emilia that she didn't feel cold anymore.

Then, just as quickly as he'd approached, Amit plunked the telescope in Emilia's hands and withdrew towards the stairs.

"So, I have, um, some... reading, to finish on the lower deck, but I'll be by the lower telescope, and, um, would you find me soon? By the lower deck. Bring my- your telescope? There's something I want to talk to you about. Okay, bye." Amit scampered up the stairs, and Emilia soon followed.

Finishing up his notes, Emilia's acquaintance Arthur Plummly called her attention. "Brr, long day, eh? Ready to head to the common room?"

Emilia declined. "I'm actually going to meet Amit about something. You go on without me."

Heaving a sigh, Arthur hefted his materials onto his shoulder. "Boy, what's he gotten you roped into? All the Ravenclaws say he's constantly going on and on about the stars and how he can speak Gobbledegook. Sounds like nonsense to me."

Emilia's face turned stony, a lick of anger starting in her belly. Coolly, she responded, "I think it's just fine to be passionate about what you like. By the way, could you read this for me?" she asked, holding the Gobbledegook inscription towards Arthur's face.

Arthur squinted. "...Are those words?"

Emilia nodded briskly. "Yes. It says, "peaceful." Amit read it for me. Perhaps you ought to ask him for help next time."

Turning on her heel, Emilia waltzed out of the observation deck. She really had no idea what came over her; but, she thought, she did not tolerate unkind words aimed at her friends.

What Amit had for Emilia was an invitation to accompany him to a nearby Astronomy table, which Emilia heartily accepted; she loved to explore. The walk toward the buildings by the Beasts classroom was comfortably silent, which Amit broke into.

"Just so you know, I didn't mean to give you the telescope as a bribe or anything. I just noticed that you didn't have one and I did and I didn't want you to not have one for class. And, I mean, also the Astronomy tables, but those are also for class!" Amit rambled, impressively all in one breath.

"You're making it sound a bit like you did plan this beforehand," Emilia teased.

Amit shook his head vigorously and stared forward hard, softly adding "I promise."

Emilia felt guilty. "Oh... I'm sorry Amit, I meant that as a joke."

"Oh!" Amit barked, forcing out a laugh. The smile dropped off his face quickly with a whispered "sorry".

Emilia tried to catch his gaze, though he avoided it. "Amit? Are you alri-"

"Here we are!" Amit interrupted, gesturing at the Beasts area. He sped down a path leading to a staircase, Emilia having to run to catch up with him. "I've been asking everyone in the Gobstones club to come with me to this table, but everyone said that the grounds are 'too creepy' at night. Cowards."

Emilia laughed. "Their loss. Night is the best time to explore."

Amit, already up the stairs, pointed at her in recognition. "Yes! You read my mind!" He paused, realizing that Emilia seemed a little winded. "I'm sorry, here I go, charging ahead again! Why don't you go first?"

Emilia joined him, glancing at the door ahead. It seemed big enough. "I'm not very comfortable leading. Why don't we go together?"

Amit blinked in surprise. The strange smile he'd suppressed earlier began to show again. "...Alright."

Like the groups in class, Emilia and Amit walked through the door together, shoulder to shoulder.

"It's a bit messier than I expected."

Amit cast a reproachful eye around the room. The room was covered in a visible layer of dust, cobwebs new and old twisting across the ceiling. A disturbingly large web stretched across the next door, and Amit made a sound of disgust. "You don't think whatever made that is still around, do you?"

"Not this close to the school. I'll get it," Emilia volunteered, walking down the steps with Amit sticking close. Looking to her right, she gasped and grabbed at Amit's arm. "Amit."

Amit started. "What? What?!"

Emilia pointed at a tub, locked behind a metal door. "Bathtub jail."

Amit straightened, staring flatly at Emilia, who still seemed genuinely surprised.

"But what did it do...?" she asked herself, setting the big spiderweb ablaze.

Finally, the pair had found the Astronomy table. Emilia set up her new telescope and carefully lined up her sight until her constellation came into view. She looked to Amit, who was watching her with a fond look on his face.

"It's breathtaking, isn't it? And there's new stars, planets, and galaxies being discovered every day." Amit's voice was a little softer than usual; it touched Emilia to see just how much Astronomy meant to him.

"It is breathtaking. I can't believe it's taken me until now to appreciate them." Emilia breathed.

Amit began to tug at his gloves absentmindedly. "Emilia... you like Astronomy, you love to learn new languages, you don't mind walking all the way out here to appease me..." He paused to take a long, slow breath.

"I'm so happy I found... another worthy astronomer."

Amit extended a hand, hesitated, and patted Emilia briskly on the shoulder. "I'll see you soon."

And with that, the boy slipped past her, back towards the castle.