She'd been torn on which shop to visit first this particularly Hogsmeade visit, a list of people she needed to find Christmas gifts for hidden in her pocket to be used as a loose itinerary. She'd need to make her way to Honeyduke's at some point, as well as Gladrags and maaaaaybe that styling salon but for now.. the joke shop seemed the most fun to begin at. She was figuring she could pick up the twin's Christmas gifts here, even if gifting prank items might be a danger to herself.

Although then again, if she could remember what she bought, then she knew exactly what to look out for. Perhaps this was actually a genius plan? The petite brunette pushed open the door, careful not to let her baby blue scarf get trapped in the door as it shut behind her, as she instinctively ducked at all of the assortments of goods whizzing around above her head. She was too little to really need to worry about it, but... it was better to be safe than sorry. Grabbing a little shopping back, Ve stepped further inside out of the doorway and just... stared, wide eyed at all the things around and available for purchase. How was she supposed to even know where to start? Dungbombs maybe? No, no she did not want that stench anywhere near her hair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

She'd been torn on which shop to visit first this particularly Hogsmeade visit, a list of people she needed to find Christmas gifts for hidden in her pocket to be used as a loose itinerary. She'd need to make her way to Honeyduke's at some point, as well as Gladrags and maaaaaybe that styling salon but for now.. the joke shop seemed the most fun to begin at. She was figuring she could pick up the twin's Christmas gifts here, even if gifting prank items might be a danger to herself.

Although then again, if she could remember what she bought, then she knew exactly what to look out for. Perhaps this was actually a genius plan? The petite brunette pushed open the door, careful not to let her baby blue scarf get trapped in the door as it shut behind her, as she instinctively ducked at all of the assortments of goods whizzing around above her head. She was too little to really need to worry about it, but... it was better to be safe than sorry. Grabbing a little shopping back, Ve stepped further inside out of the doorway and just... stared, wide eyed at all the things around and available for purchase. How was she supposed to even know where to start? Dungbombs maybe? No, no she did not want that stench anywhere near her hair.

Atlas liked to think that he was above prank items, but that was quite far from reality. The only truth to that statement that there may be was that he preferred more elevated pranking which essentially meant that whatever he may purchases from Zonko's he completely disassembled and used the parts to create entirely new items. Like the combination glitter and dung bomb he had invented to assault Professor Holden's office in the name of justice. As fun as glitter explosions were, especially when dad was on the receiving end, the seventh year was not in the business for that sort of thing today. He was positive that glitter would not be well received by Aries in whatever remote village his brother had himself in now. It wasn't entirely the same thing as one of the items on their bucket list, but it was close enough in Atlas' refined opinion. He just needed to figure out the what and make sure that whatever what he decided on could survive the transport and not draw too much attention since Aries was in a predominantly muggle area last he had heard.

Plus, well, he did need some sort of last hurrah to leave in the Gryffindor common room before he graduated. One last something to cause the portrait of his dad, also in the common room, to lose it - which meant it had to be messy. He needed to do his brainstorming away from Freddie, who it was becoming more and more difficult to think around, and with Remy feeling under the weather...a solo pursuit on the day it was.

Or...was it...

"Well, fancy running into you here," he greeted his pseudo little sister as she literally blocked the doorway. He, unlike his pseudo little sister, did need to fret about all the whirling and zipping going on overhead and had only just managed to dodge some sort of spinning toy or another with a sudden duck. "You coming or going?"

The fact the store was so immediately overwhelming and she didn't know where to look first, seemed a good indicate that perhaps Vera had made a mistake in her planning on what to get Vasco for Christmas. How was she going to pick anything out of all of the items available? Everything she saw, she could think of very good reasons it was a bad idea (mainly selfish ones) and while a box of candies causing illness sounded like a dream to her to get out of classes and exams, she wasn't sure the Ravenclaw would agree with it's usefulness. So there she stood, continuing to block the door way as she willed her feet to pick any direction.

She was just considering going back out, maybe try to pick something for him at Gladrags too despite how rudely he and Logan had made it clear they did NOT like her fashion opinions, when her hope was restored by the familiar voice behind her. Spinning around, a grin was already in place as she had to look UP at the seventh year. "Atlas!" He was older so had more experience AND he had a twin too. "I just got here. I was trying to find a present for my twin. Is that why you're here too?" And if so, could she pretty pretty please follow along and glean wisdom from him for this endeavor!?

Another Hogsmeade weekend was here, and Emerald was looking forward to it! The Zonko’s shopkeeper was in the back room, preparing for the hustle and bustle. She was busy unpacking a shipment of nose-biting teacups with festive new patterns when she heard voices in the shop.

Still holding a red and white striped teacup, she exited the back room to greet the customers. “Hello! Welcome to Zonko’s,” she said, smiling warmly at the two Hogwarts students. “Can I help you find anything?”

With Caes coming to pay her and Luther a visit, how could Aria not pop by Zonko’s to pick up a few prank items? Call it payback at brother dearest for graduating and leaving her behind. Then again… wasn’t that exactly what she’d be doing to Luther when SHE graduated? Leaving brother number two behind did not seem appealing to her. Aria made up her mind to write to Luther as often as possible, visit each Hogsmeade weekend and to ply him with fun things to do during the holiday breaks.

But as for Caes…

Well, their relationship would be incomplete if they weren’t ribbing each other. Darius would also be tagging along with Caes so this was a bonus for Aria. No, she wasn’t pranking Darius; it was just that she was super excited to see him too.

It would just be her and her three brothers

With one brother being heavily pranked

But what product should be chosen? Aria needed to make up her mind already! Maybe she should browse these shelves quicker.

"Woe is you." Lola said these words, so softly you would only be able to hear her if you were hovering over her. A lot of people hovered over her naturally, due to her height of slightly under 5'1. She lingered near one of the joke rows, trying to find the most painful looking prank. Lola had a cruel streak, but this was mostly for self-defense. She didn't like her odds of surviving her terms at Hogwarts without having to fight some monster out for her flesh. Yes, Lola had researched the history of this school extensively.

The words woe is you weren't spoken to anyone in particular. They were spoken to the known unknown of whoever might try to harm her at Hogwarts. Maybe a bully. Or maybe a monster from the Forbidden Forest. She would be ready for them, armed with pranks she would make more dangerous on her own.

The dark haired girl turned the corner and found herself facing a girl who was also browsing the shelves. "I don't like being touched," she said in a monotone, though the other girl hadn't touched her. They were standing close enough though that she could have touched her, so Lola spoke to make sure she knew it would be a bad idea. No brushing against her.

SPOILER!!: Lola! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goblinfrog

SPOILER!!: New friend?

With Caes coming to pay her and Luther a visit, how could Aria not pop by Zonko’s to pick up a few prank items? Call it payback at brother dearest for graduating and leaving her behind. Then again… wasn’t that exactly what she’d be doing to Luther when SHE graduated? Leaving brother number two behind did not seem appealing to her. Aria made up her mind to write to Luther as often as possible, visit each Hogsmeade weekend and to ply him with fun things to do during the holiday breaks.

But as for Caes…

Well, their relationship would be incomplete if they weren’t ribbing each other. Darius would also be tagging along with Caes so this was a bonus for Aria. No, she wasn’t pranking Darius; it was just that she was super excited to see him too.

It would just be her and her three brothers

With one brother being heavily pranked

But what product should be chosen? Aria needed to make up her mind already! Maybe she should browse these shelves quicker.

"Woe is you." Lola said these words, so softly you would only be able to hear her if you were hovering over her. A lot of people hovered over her naturally, due to her height of slightly under 5'1. She lingered near one of the joke rows, trying to find the most painful looking prank. Lola had a cruel streak, but this was mostly for self-defense. She didn't like her odds of surviving her terms at Hogwarts without having to fight some monster out for her flesh. Yes, Lola had researched the history of this school extensively.

The words woe is you weren't spoken to anyone in particular. They were spoken to the known unknown of whoever might try to harm her at Hogwarts. Maybe a bully. Or maybe a monster from the Forbidden Forest. She would be ready for them, armed with pranks she would make more dangerous on her own.

The dark haired girl turned the corner and found herself facing a girl who was also browsing the shelves. "I don't like being touched," she said in a monotone, though the other girl hadn't touched her. They were standing close enough though that she could have touched her, so Lola spoke to make sure she knew it would be a bad idea. No brushing against her.

Aria was, in fact, not hovering near Lola. Even if she had been, she was way too wrapped up in her own world to pay attention to the words said. The Slytherin was debating between dungbombs and Fanged Frizbees. Both products were calling her name rather loudly {figuratively, obviously} in an attempt to get her to buy them. Okay, but maybe she should get both since she couldn’t decide. Aria actually could think of pranks that involved them individually; a prank that involved both was something she was yet to brainstorm. The matter-of-fact voice broke into her internal debate.

Um. What?

She fixed the younger girl with a rather unamused stare. “If you don’t want to be touched, why are you all up in my personal space?’’ the seventh year asked in mock bewilderment. You’d think the girl would know better, right?

Yup. He just ticked off all kinds of boxes. Sometimes.

Despite her being on the nose with his motivation for being here, he felt a pang of resentment for her being on the nose. It wasn't her fault and had everything to do with a certain misplaced resentment and overwhelming sense of loneliness that had long since settled in his chest. "Yeah," he admitted with a little nod of the head while slipping his hands into his pockets and rocking back on his heels a bit. "Just need to be tactful about what I send him. Muggle area in the middle of no where." Still in Thailand, probably, if the last letter he received was still the most accurate thing. "I may just be shopping for parts to make something." Which was probably the more accurate outcome. He had plenty of bits and bobs in his supply box nestled safely under his bed, but there were a few mechanics that Zonko's items provided that he couldn't quite get anywhere else.

Follow along, little Padawan. Just don't tell his dad that he was using that word. Or...anyone for that matter.

His attention briefly snapped from the younger lioness to the shopkeeper who was, honestly, just doing their job but the seventh year did not want to be bothered by and left to his own devices. Literally. Chances were that today, this year even, he would not accidentally shoplift from this particular establishment. "No, all good here," he replied with a firm shake of the head.

Aria seemed surprised to see her there. Lola quickly scanned with her eyes the dungbombs and Fanged Frizbees which she was examining. Her eyes went back to meet Aria's mock bewildered stare.

Oh, so now Lola was up in this girl's personal space?

Lola took a small step backward. "I took a step around the corner, and you were here. Just because I'm close to you doesn't mean you can touch me." Okay, so Lola hadn't been watching where she was going. Whatever.

"It's nothing personal. I don't like being touched by anyone. That's why I'm here, to buy pranks to throw at anyone who tries to push or poke me." Why was she telling this to her? Lola wasn't sure. She wasn't even sure what she thought of this person yet, but their near collision (due to Lola not looking where she'd been walking) was enough to bring this out of her.

Muggle area? That could pose a problem and she supposed a lot of the wares of the magical joke store would be far too difficult to explain. But... there were some items that maybe could be laughed away by science or mechanics. "Best avoid disguised canary creams. That would be a sticky situation to explain." Probably would have to rely on obliviate or convince the poor muggles they were seeing things. Yes, definitely a better idea to just avoid that. "If you make something, do you have any ideas already of what you'd want to make?" Atlas' ability to create things was entirely inspiring to her. She did not have the mind or patience for it (if it didn't work the first time, she'd give up), but the fact he did and made such cool little creatures was probably one of the top skills of any of the Hogwarts students she could think of.

Her attention briefly turned to the shopkeeper as well, offering a smile. "I'm okay too! He's going to help me!" Even if she hadn't asked, she was relying on what she knew to be his kindness so far and follow along after him regardless. And hopefully try to not annoy him TOO too much.

SPOILER!!: Lola! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goblinfrog

SPOILER!!: Aria:P

Aria was, in fact, not hovering near Lola. Even if she had been, she was way too wrapped up in her own world to pay attention to the words said. The Slytherin was debating between dungbombs and Fanged Frizbees. Both products were calling her name rather loudly {figuratively, obviously} in an attempt to get her to buy them. Okay, but maybe she should get both since she couldn’t decide. Aria actually could think of pranks that involved them individually; a prank that involved both was something she was yet to brainstorm. The matter-of-fact voice broke into her internal debate.

Um. What?

She fixed the younger girl with a rather unamused stare. “If you don’t want to be touched, why are you all up in my personal space?’’ the seventh year asked in mock bewilderment. You’d think the girl would know better, right?

Aria seemed surprised to see her there. Lola quickly scanned with her eyes the dungbombs and Fanged Frizbees which she was examining. Her eyes went back to meet Aria's mock bewildered stare.

Oh, so now Lola was up in this girl's personal space?

Lola took a small step backward. "I took a step around the corner, and you were here. Just because I'm close to you doesn't mean you can touch me." Okay, so Lola hadn't been watching where she was going. Whatever.

"It's nothing personal. I don't like being touched by anyone. That's why I'm here, to buy pranks to throw at anyone who tries to push or poke me." Why was she telling this to her? Lola wasn't sure. She wasn't even sure what she thought of this person yet, but their near collision (due to Lola not looking where she'd been walking) was enough to bring this out of her.

All the happy thoughts about seeing Caes and Darius evaporated and were replaced by confused ones. Confused thoughts about Lola to be precise. “Um. Okay? Thank you for the unsolicited information?” Aria had no intention of getting into any sort of confrontation with a second year, of all people. Also, she did not go around making physical contact with anyone just like that. So, overall the advice wasn’t even needed.

“Okay, okay. I got you.’’ Point noted, you little Ravenclaw. Aria glanced at the selection of Fizzing Whizbees then back at Lola. “These are a great product for situations like those,’’ she said, offering some unsolicited advice of her own. “What do you think? Or do you have other products in mind?”

"You're welcome," she deadpanned, wondering just how sarcastic she was being. Calling Lola's comments unsolicited, definitely made her think Aria would rather not have heard them. This was one of those times where Lola had blurted out more than she'd needed to, but now that she was here, why not continue?

Lola eyed the Fizzing Frizbees offered to her, then glanced back at Aria. "I wasn't sure what I had in mind. Dungbombs are just gross, I wouldn't throw one at someone because I'd have to touch it." She reached out so her fingers braced the edge of one of the Frizbees. She couldn't deny they looked cool. Okay, so this Aria had some good ideas. "What's it like to be hit by one?" she asked with interest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

Muggle area? That could pose a problem and she supposed a lot of the wares of the magical joke store would be far too difficult to explain. But... there were some items that maybe could be laughed away by science or mechanics. "Best avoid disguised canary creams. That would be a sticky situation to explain." Probably would have to rely on obliviate or convince the poor muggles they were seeing things. Yes, definitely a better idea to just avoid that. "If you make something, do you have any ideas already of what you'd want to make?" Atlas' ability to create things was entirely inspiring to her. She did not have the mind or patience for it (if it didn't work the first time, she'd give up), but the fact he did and made such cool little creatures was probably one of the top skills of any of the Hogwarts students she could think of.

Her attention briefly turned to the shopkeeper as well, offering a smile. "I'm okay too! He's going to help me!" Even if she hadn't asked, she was relying on what she knew to be his kindness so far and follow along after him regardless. And hopefully try to not annoy him TOO too much.

Muggle area. Remote. All natural. It left him pretty limited with his options, like reliving the days of glitter bombing dad's office with one of the modified devices he had constructed in pursuit of revenge on Professor Holden (a memory he shared with Remy and Lisa). It had been an instinctual go-to option until he remembered dad's moaning and groaning about how glitter got everywhere and mum and Aunt June's pesterings about how most glitters were not biodegradable and blah blah blah. Seeing the path that Aries had set himself on, it was pretty apparent that Atlas needed to respect and consider these options now too.

"Pretty much limited to fudges and other mundane novelties...which Honeyduke's does have some of the best so...not a total wash," the seventh year shrugged. Zonko's sugar quills were a possibility but...well...those were now associated with another Gryffindor. Pursing his lips, Atlas found his mind a bit blank...but he was not about to admit to Vera that he was a bit lost with inspiration...nor did he want to divulge into the ideas and concepts for pranks he and Aries had thought out and had been intending to execute their seventh year. "I think I am leaning more towards something useful than something to prank him with," the blonde finally settled on vaguely. Dad had probably sent some lame novelty mug by now. "...or maybe a stethoscope but instead of listening to the internal sounds of the human body its tapped into the radio or something." A half gag gift of sorts and deceptively useful while also kind of being not useful and bulky.

SPOILER!!: Lola! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goblinfrog

SPOILER!!: Aria! :D

All the happy thoughts about seeing Caes and Darius evaporated and were replaced by confused ones. Confused thoughts about Lola to be precise. “Um. Okay? Thank you for the unsolicited information?” Aria had no intention of getting into any sort of confrontation with a second year, of all people. Also, she did not go around making physical contact with anyone just like that. So, overall the advice wasn’t even needed.

“Okay, okay. I got you.’’ Point noted, you little Ravenclaw. Aria glanced at the selection of Fizzing Whizbees then back at Lola. “These are a great product for situations like those,’’ she said, offering some unsolicited advice of her own. “What do you think? Or do you have other products in mind?”

"You're welcome," she deadpanned, wondering just how sarcastic she was being. Calling Lola's comments unsolicited, definitely made her think Aria would rather not have heard them. This was one of those times where Lola had blurted out more than she'd needed to, but now that she was here, why not continue?

Lola eyed the Fizzing Frizbees offered to her, then glanced back at Aria. "I wasn't sure what I had in mind. Dungbombs are just gross, I wouldn't throw one at someone because I'd have to touch it." She reached out so her fingers braced the edge of one of the Frizbees. She couldn't deny they looked cool. Okay, so this Aria had some good ideas. "What's it like to be hit by one?" she asked with interest.

Aria wasn’t being sarcastic at all. She legit was weary and confused by this Ravenclaw. But if Lola was wondering how sarcastic she herself was being, Aria couldn’t help there. The Slytherin took no notice of how much or how little sarcasm that ‘you’re welcome’ held.

“Dumgbombs are indeed filthy,’’ Aria agreed. “Your fingers can also get quite dirty.” Experience taught the seventh year this. “Quite rewarding to watch everyone scramble out of its way though. As for the Frisbee, I wouldn’t know. Never gotten hit with one.” She smiled sweetly. “We can find out though. Why don’t you go stand over there and I’ll throw one at you.”

Why not try out the prank now?

The little third year was very curious as to why the other Flamsteed twin had not returned and why he was choosing to spend all his time in a remote muggle area, but... her very limited observancy [s]lack of[/s[ skills told her perhaps that would not be a welcomed subject. So she decided to actually keep her mouth closed. Could this be considered growth?

"At least fudge is really yummy?" Chocolate was always a good option in whatever form once could get it in - but fudge was one of her personal favorites. Her nose crinkled at the idea of giving a sibling something useful. Was that just something not fun twins were doomed to do when they reached the ripe age of ‘adulthood’? Because if so… how did she get out of that? “A stetho-radio does sound pretty cool…” If he had to go for something discreet. “Is he doing something with healing? Is that why he would be carrying around a stethoscope?” Or was the prank part that it would be odd for him to have one and the other Flamsteed would just be creating a whole new fashion trend.

Lola nodded seriously when Aria agreed with her about dungbombs and pointed out how they could get your fingers dirty. Finally, someone who understood her distaste for the prank. Lola wondered if Aria was a fellow germaphobe.

"You want to hit me with a Frisbee?" She didn't ask in an accusatory tone. It was an interesting idea. She pondered it. "Okay, good idea. I'll stand over here. Hit me wherever you like." Moving down the aisle, she stood with her shoulders back, looking straight at her co-conspirator. She wondered how much it would hurt.

Bring it on!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelliephone

The little third year was very curious as to why the other Flamsteed twin had not returned and why he was choosing to spend all his time in a remote muggle area, but... her very limited observancy [s]lack of[/s[ skills told her perhaps that would not be a welcomed subject. So she decided to actually keep her mouth closed. Could this be considered growth?

"At least fudge is really yummy?" Chocolate was always a good option in whatever form once could get it in - but fudge was one of her personal favorites. Her nose crinkled at the idea of giving a sibling something useful. Was that just something not fun twins were doomed to do when they reached the ripe age of ‘adulthood’? Because if so… how did she get out of that? “A stetho-radio does sound pretty cool…” If he had to go for something discreet. “Is he doing something with healing? Is that why he would be carrying around a stethoscope?” Or was the prank part that it would be odd for him to have one and the other Flamsteed would just be creating a whole new fashion trend.

Growth and being considerate were so often defined by a thin red line. Sometimes.

Anyway. Not talking about the absence was preferred - Atlas did a fine job of wallowing and strutting down the stairwell of conspiracy theory lane just fine all by his lonesome.

"It is," he agreed rather neutrally. Being someone who was very selective about his sweets, fudge ought to consider it a compliment that he categorized it as being worth his coin. Though, in the moment, he was recalling a prank from their under 10's days involving something that very much was NOT fudge. The perks of mum being an adamant cat lady. "Yeah...getting a head start on all that and cutting out everything else that is superfluous." Which was a big factor into Atlas' jealousy and, ironically, why he was looking forward to university. He didn't think healers nor muggle doctors walked around wearing a stethoscope all the time, but seemed fitting for someone who just dropped everything for the career.

Not his petty showing. Ahem.

"May get a couple of dungbombs for their shells and then work on an eco glitter to fill it with." Couldn't really go all that wrong with an old fashioned glitter bomb. "Just easier to dismantle the existing product than make it from scratch."