These creatures might not be the most exotic but they sure do make fantastic pets. Eager to take a closer look at the furry, feathered, and amphibian friends we have to offer? Come on over to the observation area and watch them all you'd like. Who knows, you might just fall in love with a new forever friend.

Altair was very nervous about attending such an event. It would be his first encounter with witches and wizards. It came as quite a surprise that he turned out to be a wizard. Altair was raised by his father, who had no inkling of magic and he never knew his mother. His dad didn't even know about such a magical world, but always told his son that there was always something special about his mother.

Altair was just glad that they found a sitter for his little sister, she probably would've popped the eyeballs out of those fluffy pink things. Plus, it was nice to spend time with just his dad for a change. It was hard enough to process that one child had magical powers, the possibility of another was quite mind boggling.

Altair's father agreed to allow his son to adopt one pet as a companion to take with him to school. Altair had no idea what would be best suited for a boy of no knowledge of magic. But, he went ahead a filled out the form and decided to take a look around at all the wonderful possibilities.

His father kept a tight grip on Altair's shoulder as they walked around to see all the different creatures. Altair was drawn to the owls. He had a fascination with birds, more so with flying since his dad was a pilot. "Look Papa at that one!" he exclaimed as he pointed to large brown wings and cream colored chest that flew across the observation. "I still can't get over that that's how you're going to be communicating with me when you're away at school, son," his father chuckled and patted his son on the back, as they continued to watch in awe.

Hawthorne was so excited when she had heard about the pet adoption fair, she had been in the ice cream parlour when she saw a flyer. Right away she ran back to and through the Leaky Cauldron and back to her flat around the corner. Out of breath she tried to communicate what was going on to her father.

"Pets." She breathed heavily. "Homes. Need. Come." She grabbed her fathers hand and he just sort of went with it. He was used to the odd habits of his daughter since he home schooled her from their apartment. Even still, he was glad she was going to Hogwarts finally this coming year. It was hard to believe for him she was already ten, nearly eleven. He let himself be led frantically through the streets of London, back around the corner and straight through the Leaky Cauldron, he could barely give a half nod of recognition to the staff before he found himself in Diagon Alley, still being pulled by his excited daughter, her hair in a messy bun and her scarf just barely on her shoulders trailing behind her.

When Hawthorne finally stopped he took a moment to take a good look around himself and saw that he was surrounded by cages and pens full of owls and rats and toads. Looking around he saw a banner overhead that said 23rd British Pet Adoption Fair.

"See?" Hawthorne said, pushing her black thick rimmed glasses back up her nose, her green eyes were magnified behind with a pleading look.

"Oh, you want to have a pet? I thought you were taking Darwin to school with you this year?" He asked, referring to the barn owl that sat on his perch back in their flat.

"But daddy, Darwin is the family owl! You need him too, how else will you get your orders delivered?" She made a good point, her father worked from home making and selling everyday household potions. He delivered all over London and people often didn't have time to come and pick them up, and she didn't want to hurt his business.

To tell the truth he had been a little worried that his business would suffer, but he didn't have money for a nice proper animal for Hawthorne to take with her. After all, having a loving companion those first few terrifying days in the castle were crucial. How fortuitous, then, it was for this adoption fair to pop up.

"All right, snidget, what do you think you would like. Your own owl?" He asked, ruffling what hair was left out of her bun as he spoke the pet name.

Hawthorne looked around at all the animals that were around them. She saw further down the way some more exotic pets like kneazles and pygmy puffs, but Hawthorne was more a girl of simple tastes. She looked back at her father.

"I don't know... I mean to write me you can send Darwin, and I can send him back. And if I ever want to write you first the school has it's own mail owls." her mouth set askew and her eyebrows furrowed in thought. She didn't want to make the wrong decision, after all a pet is a friend for life, and you can't make these decisions lightly.

"That's very true..." her father trailed of, watching his daughter ponder what must seem a big life decision to her. He chuckled under his breath, even though she was only ten she really didn't make decisions lightly, he decided that she must get it from her mother.

Hawthorne walked around and looked closely at the animals.

"I want a rat." she declared, matter-of-factly.

Alright, then, how about we talk to a volunteer first and see what taking care of a rat entails."

"Okay!" Hawthorne looked through the crowd and eventually found a volunteer. "Excuse me!"

"Alright, I need to put you down now," Ryoma said with a groan as he knelt on the grass and attempted to lift his daughter off his shoulders. "You are getting too big for this." Slipping her off his shoulders before he could protest, Ryoma jumped back up and took a look around the area. He didn't entirely WANT to be here. Marshmallow did not need another companion since Harley had come along with her dalmatian...and he KNEW he could never say no to his daughter. "You stay here, alright? I'll be right back," he said, with some serious finger pointing at her before he headed off to look at what all these adoption forms entailed.

He just KNEW he was going to come out of here with a creature. He just could NOT say no.

Stay here? Well, that was boring. Why would she want to stay in one spot when there was nothing to look at but boring grass? She did stand still, for about 5 seconds (a REALLY long time for a 6-year-old like herself), just until papa was out of her line of vision. Since he was out of the way, Sachiko went scampering towards the owls giggling like she had just devoured an entire box of chocolate frogs. Owls were pretty. They would make great pets for a princess. Although she was tempted to demand ask papa for a toad so she could kiss it and get her own prince.

"I don't like the color brown," she said point blank while pointing to the ugly owl that the boy seemed to be gushing over. "It is a peasant color." And then she GRINNED at the boy because she had just used a fancy BIG word. He should be impressed.

Altair jumped slightly at the little voice from beside him. He noticed the voice belonged to a little girl with flowers entirely too big for her head. It must be a girl thing because his little sister liked to wear the same sort of thing. At first he was slightly offended at the comment because he really did admire the owl, but he could understand why someone so frilly might not like the color. "Oh, brown isn't so bad... Teddy bears are brown, and chocolate, and cookies!" Altair smirked, maybe he could change her mind.

"You seem like the type of girl that would fancy one of those puff things," he said as he pointed to another observatory. "I'm not quite sure what they're called, but they seem...different." More like a lab experiment gone wrong on a hamster. "So what creature are you hoping to adopt today?" Well, he figured it didn't hurt to talk to her, but he was curious why she wondered about alone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnceUponAStar

Altair jumped slightly at the little voice from beside him. He noticed the voice belonged to a little girl with flowers entirely too big for her head. It must be a girl thing because his little sister liked to wear the same sort of thing. At first he was slightly offended at the comment because he really did admire the owl, but he could understand why someone so frilly might not like the color. "Oh, brown isn't so bad... Teddy bears are brown, and chocolate, and cookies!" Altair smirked, maybe he could change her mind.

"You seem like the type of girl that would fancy one of those puff things," he said as he pointed to another observatory. "I'm not quite sure what they're called, but they seem...different." More like a lab experiment gone wrong on a hamster. "So what creature are you hoping to adopt today?" Well, he figured it didn't hurt to talk to her, but he was curious why she wondered about alone.

Her hands were on her hips while she squuuuuuuuuuuuuinted at him. SQUINTED. She didn't want to admit that he was right about the color brown, because a princess was ALWAYS right, but he did have a point. She liked teddy bears a lot and had a modest collection of 53 that she kept all around her bed. Papa always bought them for her because mama said she would get spoiled if she did. And chocolate. She loved chocolate. And cookies. Just not the kind with raisins in them because those were yucky.

"I see your point," she said after some chin tapping with her index finger. "But if I were getting an owl, I would get one of the white ones. They look very royal and fancy." Not like a peasant, but not she did not feel like using her fancy word. She then turned her head to look at the other creature he was pointing at. "We have a pet that looks like that already. Papa's cat, Marshmallow." So tut tut to you boy person. "A toad. So he can turn into a prince."

Duh!

Did owls count as pets? Jasper thought so, even if they were more utilitarian than cuddly. He tried to picture Ninny's reaction if he were to suddenly bestow upon him excess affection in the form of a hug and it was, to Jasper's mind at least, remarkably like anyone, save one, Jasper had met recently. That is to say some manner of confusion would be present. No, Ninny was not quite a pet. He liked small pettings here and again, but one could have easily over-reached ones boundaries with him.

Jasper peered amongst the terrariums and cages. Toads. He liked toads and amphibians, but again not very cuddly. Finding an animal companion really should've have been this difficult.

Pets shouldn't be a sore subject.

Marcela came here with the sole purpose of finding a decent owl to take Hemmingway's, her owl since she was a student at Beaubaxtons quite some time ago. He had passed away during the school year from old age, and she hadn't found the time yet to find another owl. Although waiting was hard, it gave her a little extra time to move on from her former pet. Although it sounded cheesy, she had had some wonderful moments with her owl that she wouldn't trade for anything.

Although she had moved on for the most part, Marcela was still on the fence about all this. The opportunity had risen, and she had to take it.

Carting herself along to the owl displays, she took time and consideration in examining the owls available, trying to find one that would amount, on a certain degree, to the previous. Sadly enough, this would probably not arise.

Gerting so absorbed in what she was doing, Marcela barely had time to look out for where she was going when she bumped into a man who looked to be somewhat around her age, looking at the Toads.

"Oh, my bad!" She said, apologizing for her lack of attention. She wasn't exactly known for having it.

Altair scanned her face and watched as she processed all the amazing things that were brown. For someone so small, she wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Something which he was often hesitant about, especially just discovering this kind of magical world existed.

"Well, they are quite beautiful. I believe those are snowy owls." When he saw on his list he was allowed an owl at school, he begged his dad to take him to their local book store and he found a great picture book on owls. "And they certainly look royal and fit for a queen." Altair chuckled as he imagine the little girl with a crown surrounded by frilly pink things and multiple snowy owls perching on her thrown.

"Sorry if I offended you," he said in response that she already had a pet similar to the puffy thing. But, he quickly broke into laughter at the fact that the little girl wanted a toad. "From my recollection, I believe it was a frog that the princess kissed, not a toad." He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow wondering what retort the girl would come up with next.

Adi, clinging to his mother's hand, dragged her over to where the owls, rats and toads were. "Mom, I want something from here!'' he told her excitedly. He didn't know what he wanted as yet but he was sure it was one of the three animals from here.

"Well, get an owl then,'' Indira Rehman said patiently, her Indian accent still pronounced. "Rats and toads are too...disgusting.'' She never could stand them and owls or kneazles were always her choices.

But Adi shook his head. "Mom, owls are waaay too common. Almost everyone's got one.'' He watched the toads hopping and croaking. "A toad!'' I want a toad!'' Yep. A toad would do just nicely.

Indira looked at her son, horror and disbelief written all over her face. Of all the animals here, he wanted a toad? Disgusting, slimy things. "Are you sure?'' she asked in an attempt to get him to change his mind. "Owls can help you deliver your letters. Cats, kneazles and Crups will make good companions. A toad won't do much.''

"Mom, I can always use one of Hogwarts's owl to deliver mail. Please let me have the toad! Please, please, please! I won't let it bother you, I promise!'' He grinned innocently. "Please, mom.''

Indira considered. Adi was never one to have bothered her to buy this and that for him and he really seemed to want a toad. She sighed. "All right, Adi. As long as you keep it away from me.''

"Thank you!'' Adi gave him mom a fleeting hug not really caring if anyone saw. He turned his attention excitedly back to the toads. Which would he get?

Hawthorne saw the adoption booth. "Daddy, there's where you fill out the application!" she said and dragged her father over.

Jasper wasn't paying any attention, either. So when the witch landed her point of contact it knocked him a bit back, which resulted in a trigger-like step back...was he about to go into a rumba? The looking-awfully-pale-for-summer wizard staggered for a bit before regaining his footing and looking slightly downward saw the cause of of the near upset had been a witch.

"Oh, well, no harm done." That was the better thing to say. Though, truth be told if it had been someone from work he might have joshed about having internal bleeding. Jasper had a weird sense of humour. "Distractingly adorable, aren't they?" He indicated the owls with a glance when he spoke. "I'm particularly fond of the little scops owls, but I'm afraid I've already got one and well, Ninny would be less than pleased." He didn't actually name is owl Ninny. Ninny was short for Nyniaw. For some reason, though, it didn't occur to Jasper to explain this perhaps making it seem as though he liked to mock the intelligence of beasts or at least that of his own owl.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnceUponAStar

Altair scanned her face and watched as she processed all the amazing things that were brown. For someone so small, she wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Something which he was often hesitant about, especially just discovering this kind of magical world existed.

"Well, they are quite beautiful. I believe those are snowy owls." When he saw on his list he was allowed an owl at school, he begged his dad to take him to their local book store and he found a great picture book on owls. "And they certainly look royal and fit for a queen." Altair chuckled as he imagine the little girl with a crown surrounded by frilly pink things and multiple snowy owls perching on her thrown.

"Sorry if I offended you," he said in response that she already had a pet similar to the puffy thing. But, he quickly broke into laughter at the fact that the little girl wanted a toad. "From my recollection, I believe it was a frog that the princess kissed, not a toad." He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow wondering what retort the girl would come up with next.

Snowy owls. Hmmm. "But, there isn't any snow around here," she pointed out as a matter of fact. But then it clicked in her mind that they were probably named that because they were white and snow was white. Unless you peed on it, but that was really gross. "I bet they would like a different name since there isn't any snow around now. I think they could be called Cloud Owls. Clouds are soft. Feathers are too."

She smirked at his comment. If they were fit for a queen then they were certainly fit for a princess. 'Cause that was more important.

Her hands left her hips and made all sorts of pouty faces at the boy. Toad. Frog. Same thing really. They all looked funny and hopped around. "Well, toads are bigger. So that means the prince will be more, um, more...moooooooooooooooooooooore royal," she said as she strut her way over towards the toads and began to eye the HUGE aquariam. She was the master of getting into places that she shouldn't, so this would be easy. Just climb right into it. All good princesses knew how to climb. She reached up on her tip toes and began to hoist herself inside it. She had one leg over the top when she looked back at him. "No looking up my dress," she chirped at the boy.

"Well, I think if you called an owl a feather owl, it would come off rather repetitive, don't you think?" he asked as he leaned against the railing. "And maybe there is an owl yet to be discovered that's grey and white and fluffy...very deserving of the name Cloud Owl! And if I ever find one, I'd name it that just for you Miss..." Altair's eyes went wide, he realized he hadn't properly introduced himself. Probably not the best way to come off as a person with no magical background. "I'm Altair, by the way," he stuck out his hand, "Altair Merrit to be exact." He smirked a little, hoping she'd forgive him for his rudeness.

Uh oh, clearly the frog comment didn't exactly go over well. But, if he could handle his sister's attitude at home, she could handle this girl's as well. He sauntered over next to her by the aquarium and looked at all the different toads. Altair was curious as to what the girl was doing and raised an eyebrow at her actions. She was getting in? But, maybe he was observing a little too closely because she thought Altair was looking up her dress. "Of course not," he quickly responded and turned his attention to a slimy blueish toad catching flies. "Are you sure about going in there? It's an observatory not an interactatory."

Thankfully. What would've happened otherwise? He would judge her, and hate her very existen- No. No point in delving into the matter. It had happened for a reason, and that was that, insecurities put inside. Fate had put her in the situation, and there was no arguing with that.

"Definitely," Marcela said in reply, a somber tone tinging her voice. "I had an owl once, but it died not too long ago. I guess that's why I'm here." There wasn't really a doubt about it. An empty gap was still drilled in her heart, and a filing was required as soon as possible. (Quite dramatic for a fourty three year old, no doubt.) She needed to move on from her long-time companion.

"Really? I, for one, am a Barn Owl kinda gal." Marcela chuckled, getting somewhat of a kick from his interesting sense of humor. "Ninny's your owl, I assume? That's an, er, interesting name." Surely that wasn't it's name. Really, what kind of name is Ninny? An interesting one, at that. She had heard plenty interesting pet names, and this one definitely stood out.

No, it had to be a nickname, it had to be.

"I'm Marcela, by the way," Marcela quipped, extending her hand as she wore somewhat of a grin. "It's a pleasure.

Kace finally made it to the obeservation den. He really wanted an owl of his own. He didn't like borrowing Charlene. He knew she didn't really like him. I mean why would she. She is Belle's owl. He was even a little late because his mother took forever. His mother insisted she come with him to look at this owl.

"Hunny i really do not see the point of having an owl. I mean your sister has a perfectly good one. You can use Charlene." his mother persuaded him like the fifth time on this trip.

"But mom, that is BELLE'S owl." he emphasized to her. "I want my own one. I want to name him or her and just have something of my own." he told her honestly.

"Alright let's see what they have in those cages." she said taking his hand and leading him toward the cages. Once they were there, Kace noticed there weren't that many owls. But they did look cute. He smiled when he saw a Snow Owl looking at him


Kace did a double take and he couldn't miss the owl starring at him. His mom even noticed too. "Kace i think that owl is looking at you. Maybe put your arm out and see what it does." his mom suggested.

He shrugged and put his arm out and it flew onto his hand. He stood there wide eyed. "Uhh....i think it likes me mom." he said keeping his arm straight. "I think i might like this one." he said with a wide smile.

"Well i can't say that Charlene won't mind having company. Alright let's get him or her." she said questionably. "I wonder if the people can tell." his mom thought aloud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnceUponAStar

"Well, I think if you called an owl a feather owl, it would come off rather repetitive, don't you think?" he asked as he leaned against the railing. "And maybe there is an owl yet to be discovered that's grey and white and fluffy...very deserving of the name Cloud Owl! And if I ever find one, I'd name it that just for you Miss..." Altair's eyes went wide, he realized he hadn't properly introduced himself. Probably not the best way to come off as a person with no magical background. "I'm Altair, by the way," he stuck out his hand, "Altair Merrit to be exact." He smirked a little, hoping she'd forgive him for his rudeness.

Uh oh, clearly the frog comment didn't exactly go over well. But, if he could handle his sister's attitude at home, she could handle this girl's as well. He sauntered over next to her by the aquarium and looked at all the different toads. Altair was curious as to what the girl was doing and raised an eyebrow at her actions. She was getting in? But, maybe he was observing a little too closely because she thought Altair was looking up her dress. "Of course not," he quickly responded and turned his attention to a slimy blueish toad catching flies. "Are you sure about going in there? It's an observatory not an interactatory."

She was just going to wave her hand and make tut tut noises at him about the owl stuff. And yes, he should name an owl after the name she suggested because she was a princess and princesses always had things named after them.

"Papa and mama told me never to tell my name to strangers," she said as she glanced over her shoulder with one leg halfway in the aquarium. "Are you a stranger? You seem strange, so I think you might be one." She had now completed climbing halfway in and her one leg was dangling terribly close to the water. "You can call me Princess Sachi." Because she wasn't going to reveal her full name until she figured out if he was a stranger or not.

"A princess is always sure," she BEAMED as her show slipped right off her foot and fell into the aquarium. Ha, see? Now she had the excuse of going in to get her shoe. And so it was that with one last swift movement she tumbled into the aquarium and made a little 6-year-old SPLASH. Toads leaped in every which direction while she sat there and giggled.

"WHO WANTS A KISSY?!"

Well, to say that this was the first time Altair was called strange would be a lie, but he assumed since they were all part of this magical community that, that wouldn't make them strangers. But, according to this little girl a stranger can still be a stranger in any world. Which, made him think, Are there bad witches and wizards out there? The thought he would have to push aside because now he was too distracted at the little girl joining in with the toads.

Wait?! Did she say 'princess?' Was there such thing as wizarding royalty? Surely, this 'princess' was just pulling his leg, but he decided to play along with it. "Well, Your Highness, it is my honor to be in your presence," he said as he gave a low bow.

In a flash, she slipped right in causing his clothes to get a little damp. Was no one around seeing this? Surely if she was a real princess there would be some sort of guard to stop her. He almost went in after her, but she was doing just fine. "Uh, Princess Sachi, shouldn't you have a servant do this or something? I'd hate for a young lady of your standing to be covered in warts after this little adventure!" he called out to her.

Where was an adult when you needed them? He didn't exactly have the authority, but he thought the idea of warts might convince her to leave the premises. "A princess would never chase a prince! A real prince would hop...I mean come to her!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnceUponAStar

Well, to say that this was the first time Altair was called strange would be a lie, but he assumed since they were all part of this magical community that, that wouldn't make them strangers. But, according to this little girl a stranger can still be a stranger in any world. Which, made him think, Are there bad witches and wizards out there? The thought he would have to push aside because now he was too distracted at the little girl joining in with the toads.

Wait?! Did she say 'princess?' Was there such thing as wizarding royalty? Surely, this 'princess' was just pulling his leg, but he decided to play along with it. "Well, Your Highness, it is my honor to be in your presence," he said as he gave a low bow.

In a flash, she slipped right in causing his clothes to get a little damp. Was no one around seeing this? Surely if she was a real princess there would be some sort of guard to stop her. He almost went in after her, but she was doing just fine. "Uh, Princess Sachi, shouldn't you have a servant do this or something? I'd hate for a young lady of your standing to be covered in warts after this little adventure!" he called out to her.

Where was an adult when you needed them? He didn't exactly have the authority, but he thought the idea of warts might convince her to leave the premises. "A princess would never chase a prince! A real prince would hop...I mean come to her!"

Hmmph. Sachiko clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth a few times since Alter didn't answer her question about whether or not he was strange. He was taking to her self proclaimed nickname anyway, so she was not going to complain or question it.

...honor to be in your presence. Hehehehe. That earn him some royal giggles. Lots of them actually.

"Of course it is," she said with a very big toothy smile. "Thank you." Although she added that as more of an afterthought. Even princesses needed to be polite. It could get you stuff if you pretended hard enough.

Standing up, she looked down at her soaked clothes and giggled at the face she knew mama would make. Mama always got mad when she came home dirty. It was funny and there was this spot on her forehead that looked like it would pop. It was her favorite part. "I can't get those," she said as she shook her hands to get some of the icky plants off her arms. "I took a shot. And besides, princes don't have warts. Only evil witches have those."

Stomping forward, she approached the nearest toad and tried to pounce on it, only it slipped right through her hands and hopped away. "Mama says I should always chase my dreams," she pouted as she came round to try and pounce again. So, duh, that is what she was doing. Chasing her dream toad prince! "Alter should make sure none of them run away and escape."

Altair laughed along with her. She reminded him a lot of his own little sister and they were probably close to the same age. He learned that flattery was sometimes the only way to get through to his sister. And sometimes out of boredom, he would play along with her little games. There were so many times that he played her loyal stallion, a wicked sorcerer or a gallant knight in her little games. "Princess, as much as I think it would be my royal duty to serve you in every way, but I believe my father wouldn't approve of me getting soaked."

Not that that should matter to a servant to a princess. Not that he was a servant! He couldn't get too caught up in this kind of roleplaying. What if the toads among them were actually children for doing misdeeds? Altair assumed there was real magic out there that could do that sort of thing. "Is it really royal behavior to get so...messy?" Altair offered his hand. "Why don't you come out of there and we will find someone to get you that perfect prince? I bet there's a toad matchmaker around here or something of that sort that would find you the best man for Your Majesty!" He examined her appearance and felt a shiver go down his spine. He wasn't one to really tolerate messes, it was the compulsive side to him.

"And I agree with you about dreams... Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird, that cannot fly,” he swiftly recited. He couldn't help, but roll his eyes a little at her pronunciation of his name. "It's All-tay-er...Your Royalness." He extended his hand a little closer reach halfway over the rail. "Please come back over and we will find someone to catch you a worth prince?"

Jasper gave a small nod as he answered Marcela's question. "Yes, he's mine." The wizard made a bit of a nervous smile realizing his mistake now. "Well, his name is actually Nyniaw, but it was shortened by my nephew to Ninny and it sort of stuck. And, Oh! He isn't a scops owl, he's quite larger than that as a tawny. Which is very useful for having larger packages delivered. Not unlike a barn owl would be." He caught himself curious over what sort of owl she had last, but stopped himself short of asking about it for fear of drudging up the memories.

"Jasper Mitterbill." He likewise introduced himself and returned her handshake. "And the pleasure is mine." He added for politeness, although not disingenuously. The witch called Marcela seemed kind, even if perhaps a little apprehensive and that always gave him a good feeling. The kindness bit. The perceived apprehension too, if he could help her overcome it. He recognized that in himself too sometimes.

"I remember the Slytherin Prefect by that name. Did you, by chance attend Hogwarts? Maybe you'd remember her? Although, maybe you are too young." She seemed mature, but as if she took care of her appearance enough to defy her age a bit. And with all of the potions and unctions and creams on the shelves of Primpernelle's alone it could be hard to tell.

"Lovely name," Marcela quipped, finding it a much more fitting name than Ninny. It would be quite peculiar if it were otherwise, no? Not that there's anything wrong with having a nickname in the likes of Ninny, but still. Maybe it acted in a way that deserved a nickname such as Ninny? No, that wouldn't make much sense either. Owls were just as intelligent as they were adorable. He then mentioned how his nephew dubbed his owl with the name, which she found quite adorable. Young children and their nicknames were always quite so. "Yeah, I would know." Of course, Hemmingway had been a Barn Owl, so she had quite the affection and intellect for them.

"No, I went to Beaubaxtons, actually. I'm not quite that young," Marcela informed Jasper. Semi-jokingly at that. Whenever she spent her time in Diagon Alley, she frequently got some sort of remark like this. It was to her knowledge that she had been some sort of legend, but she had never prompted herself to do so. She would have to before the school year started back up. As for being too young, she was quite flattered! But no. It was that she was part-veela, whatever fraction it was. Wasn't very big, for that matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnceUponAStar

Altair laughed along with her. She reminded him a lot of his own little sister and they were probably close to the same age. He learned that flattery was sometimes the only way to get through to his sister. And sometimes out of boredom, he would play along with her little games. There were so many times that he played her loyal stallion, a wicked sorcerer or a gallant knight in her little games. "Princess, as much as I think it would be my royal duty to serve you in every way, but I believe my father wouldn't approve of me getting soaked."

Not that that should matter to a servant to a princess. Not that he was a servant! He couldn't get too caught up in this kind of roleplaying. What if the toads among them were actually children for doing misdeeds? Altair assumed there was real magic out there that could do that sort of thing. "Is it really royal behavior to get so...messy?" Altair offered his hand. "Why don't you come out of there and we will find someone to get you that perfect prince? I bet there's a toad matchmaker around here or something of that sort that would find you the best man for Your Majesty!" He examined her appearance and felt a shiver go down his spine. He wasn't one to really tolerate messes, it was the compulsive side to him.

"And I agree with you about dreams... Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird, that cannot fly,” he swiftly recited. He couldn't help, but roll his eyes a little at her pronunciation of his name. "It's All-tay-er...Your Royalness." He extended his hand a little closer reach halfway over the rail. "Please come back over and we will find someone to catch you a worth prince?"

Pffft. He was a bad peasant. AND a bad servant. "You shoooooooould listen to the princess. Princesses are more important." She stomped around some more just to emphasize her next point. "And if you get wet then you just dry off. It IS summer." Everything dried in the summer, especially the grass in the courtyard back home and it became all itchy and gross.

Stomp stomp stomp POUNCE splash stomp stomp.

Hmmm, catching her prince was proving to be a lot more difficult than she had first thought. "Princesses can do whatever they want, papa said so," she nodded as she stomped her way closer to another toad. Although the context for that statement was entirely different than right now. But Alter didn't need to know that. "I don't need a matchmaker," she said, sticking her tongue out at him. Why would she want a toad matchmaker anyway. She was looking for a prince. Peasant Servant Alter's logic confused her.

She moved closer and closer to the toad - which seemed too lazy to want to move from its spot - and with one quick leap she jumped through the air, landed on the poor thing, and resurfaced from the shallow water with it clutched in her tiny hands around its midsection. "TEHEEHEHEHEEHEHEHEHEHEHEEHE!" she giggled as she ran back towards her companion. "I CAUGHT ONE I CAUGHT ONE!" And then she practically shoved the toad in Alter's face to make sure he could see. Now she just needed to give it a big 'ol kiss to get her prince.

"Alter," she squealed as she shoved the toad further in his face. And nope, she did not hear him explain how to pronounce his name properly. "You need to hold my prince while I climb out of here. Papa said something about a person who can let me take him home with me." And then her and her prince could live happily ever after.

THE END!

Oh? Oohhh. Yes, she had mentioned that her owl had passed away. But, something about those four little words she'd uttered brought home how important Marcela's owl must have been to her. Perhaps, it might have even been more recently than he'd imagined. But, oh, magical schools! She'd gone elsewhere. Which Jasper actually found quite a good thing. It would save him having to struggle with his long ago memories that were sometimes difficult to recall. Not to mention having to elaborate on the Slytherin Prefect. It was a fine tale to be sure, but you simply had to have been there. "Beauxbatons Academy of Magic? What an experience that must have been. And, not to worry. I may not have gone to Beauxbatons myself, but I like to think I have enough refinement to not ask you what years you attended."

"Are you French, then, Marcela?" Although, maybe she seemed more Catalonian.

"An experience it was," Marcela replied with what could be seen as somewhat of a grin, reminiscing back on her school days. Ah, how she missed them so. Being Head Girl and a chaser for the Sournois Quidditch Team was rather complicated, but she passed the test with flying colors. Her self-esteem had been much higher back in huge day, which was one of the things she most longed to have back. Well, it seemed as if some things wore away with age. It just, unfortunately, had to be that. Sure, she had time to thank for changing her from a complete witch to a much nicer version of herself, but it had it's drawbacks. Who was once the social butterfly that reigned over was now a lonely, middle-aged witch who would much rather stay inside with a book than go to an elaborate event.

"I would like to think so as well, Jasper," Marcela told the man with raised eyebrows, but not in that of an intimidating way. That would not be like her, in the slightest. At least, not anymore.

"Why yes," She replied, noticing how he had an interesting degree of curiosity. He had many questions, did he not? "I'm mainly Romanian, and the French is more of a minority, I'd say."