Toby couldn't help but give a little snort of laughter at Soph's request. Food, again with the food. Not that he totally didn't agree with her logic, but it was just funny to him that every time (every time) he came to this office, there was GOOD FOOD TO BE HAD. Though, y'know? Toby wasn't all that hungry today, despite all the bouncing.

He darted past Thompson and into the office the second they were allowed entry, and gave the room a cursory glance before spotting Lala and bee-lining for her.

"Hi Lala!" the Hufflepuff said enthusiastically, going straight over and flopping onto the comfy couch right beside her. In Javy's intended seat? Well... Toby didn't know that. He was just saying HI. Toby held his hand out to see if Lala was okay with letting him pet her and everything, still beaming and fidgeting around on the couch to get comfy. "I missed you." Since he saw her, what, a whole few hours ago?

Smirking at how EASY that had been, Soph followed Tobes into the office, but instead of moving over to the couch with him and Lala, she hesitated a little, first glancing back at Thompson, then at Tobes and Lala. They would all pay attention to each other, wouldn't they? She could just... do her own thing. Fourth wheel and all that. So she moved along and very casually peeked at the man's belongings along the walls, slowly but surely making her way toward the windows. Just... looking at his stuff, since the last times she'd been to his office, they'd had business to take care of while this time... they were just hanging out. All good.

...

"How have your arms always been so huge? Y'look like y'could pulverize a rock if y'tried to crush it between your two hands." Just an observation. Did he have some kind of intense workout regimen or something?

Lala did notice someone invade her space. How could she not when it was her couch at this time. She recognised this seemingly happy person (Tobias). He was a good person. Plus he always gave her pets so she honked appreciatively before cuddling up to him.

The sight of which made Javier smirked. "Help yourselves to the crispy treats." They were sweet and full of marshmellow goodness. Closing the door after the two students had entered whilst Tobias was preoccupied with Lala, Sophie on the other hand was approaching some of his family pictures, books and other momentos. Before he could ask her what she was up to, she asked him something quite unexpected. Naturally he glanced down at his arms before shrugging. "Hmm.. it took a few years of consistent exercising and weight lifting to get them to this size and maintaining them." He was content with not getting to be Kirby's size. Not that that was a problem.

"So.." Since he figured they would like something to drink, Javier took out some milk to go with the sweets. The type of milk that was without lactose or soy yet still had actual flavour. "How's my fellow pranksters doing?" Yep.. he knew.

Toby wasn't paying attention to anything or anyone but Lala. Goose cuddles were happening, okay? They were chilling out, even if Toby's dangling feet were still fidget!kicking in midair all energetically. He just sat with Lala, appreciatively petting her head and smiling and feeling slightly calmer already. Slightly. He was VAGUELY aware of Soph asking questions about arm muscles, but didn't turn to look properly at them; it was just such an upfront, SOPH question to ASK.

"Thanks," the Hufflepuff replied, to the offer of treats, but didn't reach out to take any. That had been Soph's request, after all. Instead he simply cuddled with Lala, speaking to her veeeeeeeeeeeeeeery very quietly, animatedly mumbling secrets stuff that hopefully neither of the other two could hear. But they were talking about... fitness or whatever. It was cool. More mumbling and goose secrets then.

Until.................... Thompson SAID it. The thing. He said the thing.

And Toby stopped mid mumble and froze, which was more noticeable because of how much he'd been fidgeting before, and instinctively cuddled Lala a little closer. Because HE KNEW that SHE'D been caught up in it too. Poor goose ;___;

After a moment's pause, Toby said, "Dunno what you're talking about." And gazed pointedly away and at Lala's feathers. Not looking at youuuuuuuuuu, Javier Thompson.

Tobias Tempus was an awful liar.

Crispy treats? She was game for the food, of course, but she was too busy peering at a particularly interesting photograph of a younger Javy at the moment, so she'd get to the food in a second. For now, she grinned, her gaze shifting from the Javy in the picture to the one standing before her, and she couldn't help but giggle a little.

He was such an overgrown nerd, wasn't he?

"I bet," she nodded to his sharing of fitness secrets, side-eyeing his arms briefly before tearing her gaze away. In that moment, she vowed to herself to tread especially lightly around the not-so-teddy-bear Thompson. ESPECIALLY considering all the little pranks here and there she'd pulled on both him and his fiance, she... pretty much knew she was doomed if the two ever decided to get her back, magic or no magic - she was fast, but they were fit and taller thus had longer legs and could probably catch up to her anyway. So... doomed.

...Which she kept in mind the very moment Thompson alluded to knowing it was them who had pranked them. But, perhaps against her better judgment, Soph snorted.

But then she thought... she'd already admitted to Fuller that it was them, so of course Thompson knew, so... no reason to play it off too cool, right? After glancing briefly at Tobes, who was a terrible liar and way too cute to be convincing, Soph casually crossed over to pick up a rice crispy treat. "We're good. How are you recovering?" She took a bite of a treat, grinning away, and remarked further, her tone casual, "You impressed with how great our spellwork was? We learned all of it from Fuller, so y'have him to thank, really. Y'could say... he inspired us." BLAMING IT ALL ON THE BEAU.

"You're welcome." Though they were preoccupied with his office than the actual food. Not a problem as he sat down temporarily taking his gaze from where Sophie was eyeing by his desk. For good reason.

There was goose cuddling going on between Lala and Tobias.. It was a beautiful sight. Making Javy smile fondly. Lala was impossible to not love as she happily accepted his whispers and hugs. His cuddles were almost like her own Javy's. Gentle and loving.

His smile twitched though at the denial from the young Hufflepuff as he gazed at him for a moment. "Tobias.." Yes, do not lie to the older man and Lala, who honked feeling his hesitation. Sophie on the other hand wasn't taking that route. "Well, we're perfectly fine now as you can see." Thank Piersie. Hah. His smile returned. "Indeed.. he was most impressed believing you did it all alone." Which rightfully would be impressive and bold.

Toby had chanced a look upwards at Professor Thompson, and then quickly away again. WELP, he was really on a roll at the moment, wasn't he? FIRST all that business in Charms, where he'd gotten that LOOK from Fuller, and now another LOOK from Thompson. And a honk from Lala. All totally deserved too.

"... Sorry."

He kept his attention on Lala, feeling guilty as he ran his fingers over her soft feathers. But Toby was generally very good at pretending like nothing was bothering him, had had a lot of practice after all, and channeled that right now. He listened along to the other two converse with a neutral enough expression, and spoke to Lala some more.

Goose cuddles always made him happy.

... Wait, that was a thought. A thought that had just randomly come to him.

"Does Lala wear shoes?"

Sophie continued chewing her bite of the crispy treat, watching curiously as Thompson gently reprimanded Tobes - but it wasn't in a really mean or disappointed way, and Soph frowned as the Hufflepuff apologized and went back to being far too interested in cuddling Lala. He SEEMED fine, but... Soph glanced at Thompson - he knew better, too, right? And he was gonna make that right, wasn't he? - before she shrugged at him and responded, "M'glad you're fine now." And she was.

...They had thought SHE had done it by herself? Really, truly? HEHEHEHE.

Her mouth opened briefly to make a smug sort of comment, but she was aware once more of Toby's mellow state, so she took a large bite of the treat again and decided upon stating through a mouthful, "M'nothin' without my Tobes. We're a team."

She finally took a seat after having been standing around and she plopped down right on the floor of the office, spreading out on her back and chewing quite contently as she finished off the rest of the treat. She stayed quiet now, knowing it wasn't her turn as Tobes... asked... about shoes? For... a goose?

Soph pressed her lips together in a smile to keep from laughing and just grinned up at the ceiling. Lala was the light of their lives, wasn't she? Soph knew better than to offend her honor in any way.

Lala may not not fully understand certain human words, but her imaginary mother goose feelings could detect certain sad nerves. The pets and cuddles were a great way to win her heart as she contently accepted them, nuzzling against the boy to comfort.

Which Javier saw as his eyes somewhat relaxed. It was a mixed blessing of the younger Hufflepuff. He had an actual conscious and was avoiding his gaze after his apology, leading him to place a fatherly hand on his shoulder to grip, "...It was a good prank." Smiling very slightly, as that was directed towards Sophie as well. His partner-in-crime, yes? "Indeed you are." Speaking of, what was she doing now?

Laying about on the floor which he was glad to have decided to clean earlier today.. just as he was asked about Goose shoes. He blinked. It was quite an unexpected question as he turned his head back. "She did wear booties until she outgrew them.." Both size wise and taste wise. Lala didn't care for blue sparkles anymore. "Why do you ask?"

Goose cuddles: best medicine around.

Toby felt much better already with Lala's presence, and he smiled at her as she seemed to instinctively KNOW something was up and nuzzled him and stuff. Such a lovely creature, and so loving too.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked up at Thompson properly, managing a proper little smile on his own. It was okay. He was fine. All good.

"Thanks," he said, still with his eyes on Thompson but cuddling Lala all the same. "... Next time we prank you we'll make sure it's just you and Pierrrofessor Fuller that cop it." Heh.

Because... there would very likely be a next time.

Looking back at Lala, Toby eye her thoughtfully, gently stroking the soft feathers on her head as he did so. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

"I was just, y'know, wondering. Thinking 'bout Lala, and her feet. And shoes in general." That's all. Totally normal.

Aaaaaaaaand Lala would certainly be getting a christmas present this year, ehehe.

At the thought of shoes, Toby had a sudden thought. He couldn't remember putting on his OWN shoes today, but he could feel them on his feet... The Hufflepuff, still sitting on the couch, raised both feet, JUST CHECKING them. And, of course, he was wearing one of each from two entirely different pairs of shoes; one decorated with galaxy print on his left, and a plain black and white one on his right.

... Oops. He lowered his feet again. Fancy being here, with Thompson who was always so fashionably dressed, and here was Toby with two completely different shoes on. Awks.

It was a GOOD PRANK. Ha! Thompson actually SAID IT. OUT LOUD.

Sophie's expression turned smug and she grinned cheekily over at Tobes - Thompson KNEW he pretty much just gave them permission to prank them again, right? Heheheheh.

Excellent.

And yes, they'd leave Lala out of it.

Soph raised an eyebrow at Toby's talk of Lala's feet, though, thinking he was... a little strange in that moment, but instead of saying anything, she just flashed a grin at Thompson. Their Tobes was a weird lil dude, did he know? Her thought process was even more confirmed when he lifted his feet and revealed that... he was wearing two different shoes.

And Sophie laughed aloud, rolling over on her stomach on the floor to bury her face in her arms and laugh heartily at her nerd of a boyfriend.

On their next.. prank. Pssh. "How flattering of you two.." Javier wondered if they were going to form an alliance with Airey, their main target and suspect of it.

Now what had brought Tobias the interest in goose shoes? "Mmhmm.." Then his blue eyes caught something he didn't notice at first. The hufflepuff had on two different pairs of shoes. A small smirk threatened to escape from his neutral facial expression. Sophie's laughs weren't helping either, since laughs in general were contagious. "..Working on being a trendsetter?"

Goodness, it looked like Sophie was fighting a losing battle on her earlier composure. Making a smile at last escape again. "Perhaps Lala could help you as she does with me." That's right.

His goose was the Professor's official fashion consultant.

Toby squinted back at his shoes again. How many times had he done this before without realising, and paraded around the castle looking like a total fool?

"Must have been distracted when I put them on earli-..." he stopped, thought about it for a moment, and then nodded. "Trend-setter. Sure. Let's go with that."

He looked at Lala thoughtfully, and missing the smile on Javy's face as he nodded. "I think I could work with that." He could totally trust her. What's good for the goose, is good for the Tempus, or whatever.

...

EYES were being NARROWED at Sophie Brown. Toby totally deadpanned at her for a moment as she laughed at him, before impulsively picking up one of the snacks Thompson had offered them and chucking it at her head.

Take that.

Hehehe, it WAS flattering, didn't he know? "It is. You're welcome. We wouldn't pick on you guys if we didn't love you." It's true. "I mean, we wouldn't go... picking on someone like Bellaire or Truebridge or Tillstorm, or any professors with a bad sense of humor or were meeeean or too serious or uptight. You and Fuller are PERFECT for picking on. You like us, we like you, we make your lives more fun. S'a totally... symbiotic," had she used that word correctly? "relationship. What would you even do without us?" Hehehe. Their lives WOULD be totally boring, she bet.

"Face it. You need us."

THAT was pushing it a little, but Soph shot Thompson a very cheeky sort of grin to let him know she was mostly joking when she said that. Though... she WAS hoping he'd confirm it.

As the boys continued along talking about Lala and fashion stuff or whatever, Soph just listened, and when she laughed at Tobes, a crispy treat bonked her on the head.

Which only made her laugh harder.

Ignoring its surroundings, a silvery giant of a cat slid through the professor's door and opened its mouth in a lazy roar. Only instead of nundu breath coming out, the patronus delivered a message in Anastasia Truebridge's voice:

Attention, anyone on the grounds: We are currently hunting down the mysterious and glowing Fairy Tale Book of Fairy Tales. If you are interested in helping, search your surroundings and then report back to the library. We MUST find this book!

Its job done, the nundu disappeared in a puff of smoke.