As soon as he got out of the mines with Rinoa and Cera, he bid farewell and wanted to take a nap along the lakeside. He was very fond of the nature's ambiance since he grew up in the mountains. He felt more relaxed being in the outdoors than staying in the dormitories.

He looked around the area trying to find some place really quiet to take a decent nap. As he looked at his right side, he saw a big apple tree near the lake. It was big and sturdy and looked really old. He smiled upon seeing the big tree and took a deep breath. The wind was brushing at his cheeks and hair. It was quite cold but the sun's light kept him warm. He felt so at ease being there. He liked it, a lot.

He went to the tree and sat under its shade. "What a lovely place." He thought. "Good thing its here. I could take naps here every now and then."

He lie down on the green grass and closed his eyes.

Merri took off running after class. She didn't really know where she wanted to go, but she wanted to get there fast. She laughed as her hair fell loose and tangled with the wind. When she came to a stop she found herself heading towards the lake. While she had explored other parts of the grounds she really hadn't stopped there before.

Spotting a giant apple tree she took off running again till she was right beside the tree.

"Huh?" She skid to a stop just before she ran over the boy lying under the tree. "Hello?" She quietly called out before sitting next to him and tapping his shoulder. Was he dead? She gently shook his shoulder and called out again, "Are you okay?"

As he was sleeping. He heard a whisper. He didn't know if he was dreaming or not. Startled by it. He slowly opened his eyes but his vision was still blurry. He lifted his right hand and rubbed his eyes gently. As he opened them again, his vision started to become clear. Since he was still lying on the ground, he first saw a silhouette of someone. The image wasn't clear to him since it was too bright to see. The sun was glaring in his eyes. He had to block the light by lifting his hand over his eyes.

That's when he saw a girl sitting next to him. "Oh, I'm okay. I was just taking a nap." He sat up and leaned at the big trunk of the tree. He then stretched his arms and yawned. He turned to to girl beside him and asked "So what are you doing here?" he looked as if he was curious with the girl with him. "By the way, my name's Gino." he added showing a bright smile.

Merri scratched the back of her head feeling a little embarrassed since he had only been sleeping, she should have been able to tell that he wasn't dead. "Sorry about waking you. You were just really really quiet!" She pushed her hair from her face and grinned. "I am Merri. I think I've seen you around the common room a few times."

Merri twirled her wand around causing a few small stones laying nearby to start floating in the air. Giving her wand another small twirl the rocks skipped across the lake. "Why am I here?" She repeated the question then shrugged. "I started running and well now I'm here." She giggled, realizing she did that often. Wandering around, not paying any mind to direction or time.

He took a deep breath then exhaled forcefully. Then he took a glance at Merri, "Well, it's a good thing you wandered within these parts. That is, of course, I get meet you." he said as he smiled making his eyes smaller.

Seeing Merri as she plays with her wand, he noticed that she's likely to be very interested in casting spells. "That was nice." he grinned. "I hope I get to know you better."

He picked up a rock. Held it lightly in his right hand as he closed his fist making the rock completely not visible. Then he took his out his wand and slightly tapped the back of his right hand with its tip.

"Here." he said looking at Merri. He smiled for a second then held out his hand. His palm was facing upward while his fist was still closed. He opened it slowly.

A beautiful blue butterfly. Flapping its wings at Gino's palm. He was staring at it admiring its beauty. "Isn't she a beauty, Merri." Then the butterfly flew.

He stood up and looked across the lake. "Nature at its best! The trees, lakes, the cool wind, everything!" he said and then he took a deep breath again. He turned his head around, "Isn't this nice Merri?" and smiled.

He raised his arms up having a good stretch. "Well! that's enough for my nap, I think. Thanks for waking me up Merri." looking at her as he winked.

Merri shrugged and calmed her wand twirling to watch his own take on magic. A rock?

She leaned forward curiously then softly gasped in surprise. "Beautiful," she quietly echoed his words while watching the butterfly take flight. Transfiguration maybe? Much better than my rock skipping, that's certain.

Her attention temporarily defaulted to the butterfly as she stood and carefully followed the movement of the animal. Reaching out a hand she waited as the creature drifted back towards her then gently landed on her extended arm.

"Hmm?" She turned so that she was facing back towards Gino, "Yes!" Merri agreed as the butterfly once more flew off and over the lake.

She dipped her head in a slight bow then grinned, "My work here is complete!" She laughed, hoping that Gino caught on that she was joking then hurried past him so that she was standing just short of the lake water.

"Hey wait!" Where are you going?" He asked as Merri hurried past on to him. He seemed to be fond of the girl.

"Really? After waking me up, you're just going away?" He laughed softly. "You got to be kidding me." he added.

He crossed his arms and pouts as if he was deeply thinking of something. He hummed, tapped his shoes on the ground.. "Oh! This is useless! I can't think of anything that I'll do next!" Suddenly, he had an idea. "Hey! you wanna grab something to eat?"

Merri peered over the water, making sure she wasn't close enough to fall in. "Hmm? Am I suppose to babysit you now?" She teased and winked at the boy. "I was looking for mermaids. Does this lake not having any?" She frowned for a moment then giggled.

"Yes! Let's go eat something." She tugged on his arm then took off ahead of him. "Hurry up or all the food may be gone." She laughed, teasing him once more.

"Mermaids? Hmm.. maybe there are some at the other lake." He replied.

Then he remembered seeing mystical creatures when he wandered in the forest. "I saw a unicorn the other day at the forest." he said. "He sure was a beauty! Pale white skin, silky hair, and a beautiful golden horn." He added and grinned as if teasing Merri to try and hunt for unicorns in the forest.

He stood up straight and looked ahead. His eyes were filled with great determination. Sparkling and filled with ambition. He raised his arm and clenched his fist in the air as if gathering courage before doing something great. "Let's do that some other time if you're interested. But right now.. I wanna.. EAT!"

He had the determination to gather up all his energy to eat. Really, what a guy he is.

"You got to see a unicorn?" Merri gave Gino a very jealous look. She had loved the idea of finding a unicorn but hadn't the slightest idea how to go about finding one. "Will you really help me try and find one some day?" She gave him a hopeful look as they made their way to the Great Hall.

"Well, yes." he teasingly smiled and giggled. "Unicorns are very pretty creatures. I'll accompany you someday if you would like to hunt for one."

He looked up ahead and saw the dining area. "At last! food!" he was full of spirit and was very excited to see what food was offered for dinner.