Setting up his stand, Thornton looked up at Damien. "Started when I was seven," he replied, smiling a little. "Mother was a professional cellist. She gives lessons now." Flipping through his sheet music, Thornton listened to both Damien and Eden's conversation.

"I don't have much Satie, but I'm familiar," he noted, paging through, especially given Eden's request for something modern. It was a growing edge for him, his mother and teacher being more focused on classical. But it was something he was eager to explore and more practice was certainly appreciated. "I.. think this one. For something modern. It's called 'Optimist.' "

Setting the music on his stand, Thornton counted out the tempo in his head as Eden challenged Damien to a game of pool. Maybe sharing the space would be a positive thing after all.

"Huh, so you got it from her, yeah?" Damien grinned at the younger boy, pleased to see him smiling, even if it was just a bit. There was something very... Wistful about Thornton, and the Gryffindor boy thought he looked like he could use a bit of fun. Not that he was going to say anything, or bring it up, but he might try a bit harder, or pay the boy a bit more mind to make sure he was alright while they all were gathered together.

Still tossing the ball up and down, he nodded; "Yeah, y'know, now that I think about it, he doesn't have many cello pieces." He hadn't quite thought that through, his mind, quick as it was, sometimes jumped over bits and pieces of information to get to the finish line and clearly that had been the case here.

The music was... Nice, really nice, the notes of the cello, with it's deep, richer sounds filled the space of the room, enveloping it in the happier, bright notes of the appropriately titled song and Damien swayed a little as he listened. The small, thoughtful spell that descended on the Lion was broken at Eden's challenge. "Oh yeah? I'd like to see you try, McGee!" He laughed, putting down the ball and crossing over to the bar in search of a drink (preferably root beer, he had no interest in butterbeer or anything stronger, thank you). "Wait, you think my butt is little?" Was it little? He'd never properly looked, nor had he ever had reason to until now.

He took a moment and, as the term goes, looked back at it.

Alas, his booty was on the smaller side.

She was being good with him. Patient. It was more than he got from some other people... and they were only JUST starting out! This was basics! Dancing 101. Never mind that he was actually doing this dancing thing, which in itself was a weird thought.

Watching, Zeke tried to imitate Hady's movements, raising his right leg, setting it behind him, toes pointing out... left knee raised and bending and JUMP!... he fumbled. Fumbled but maintained his balance. "Like that?"

Progress?

SPOILER!!: Zeke

She was being good with him. Patient. It was more than he got from some other people... and they were only JUST starting out! This was basics! Dancing 101. Never mind that he was actually doing this dancing thing, which in itself was a weird thought.

Watching, Zeke tried to imitate Hady's movements, raising his right leg, setting it behind him, toes pointing out... left knee raised and bending and JUMP!... he fumbled. Fumbled but maintained his balance. "Like that?"

Progress?

Hady watched him give the steps a try. And from the very moment he moved his right foot she knew he was just a beginner even though he'd told her so earlier. It always helped to see things first hand and she was certainly getting the feeling he had no clue what he was doing.

But! He was trying...for her. And Zeke was paying attention...to her. That alone in itself was progress in her eyes. It showed he was at least just a tiny bit interested in what she was doing and saying and so that's where her patients with him came from. That and the fact that he's her best friend.

Watching him closely Hady couldn't help but smile softly. He hadn't fallen over! "Just like that! Try once more but try to keep your balance. I'll even do it with you, okay?" She brought her feet together once more and went about going through the steps more slowly as she explained them again giving him time to follow her on his own.

Still there was no laughing at his expense, which was something he wouldn't have blamed her for. Instead what he got were encouraging words and yet another demonstration. Merlin, he had to try it again?

"Uh huh, sure," he replied, accepting the challenge. A true Gryffindor never backed down from a challenge. Again he tried, and again he fumbled, though perhaps this time not as much. At any rate, he was sure he looked ridiculous. "You know, how about you show me what good dancing looks like, like all together?" he asked. It was possible that he was dying for a break already, that he wanted to get the attention off of himself and onto her. He was an excellent spectator, did she know?

Flopping on the floor where he stood, he grinned up at Hady. Would she buy into it? Yes? Please?

SPOILER!!: Zeke

Still there was no laughing at his expense, which was something he wouldn't have blamed her for. Instead what he got were encouraging words and yet another demonstration. Merlin, he had to try it again?

"Uh huh, sure," he replied, accepting the challenge. A true Gryffindor never backed down from a challenge. Again he tried, and again he fumbled, though perhaps this time not as much. At any rate, he was sure he looked ridiculous. "You know, how about you show me what good dancing looks like, like all together?" he asked. It was possible that he was dying for a break already, that he wanted to get the attention off of himself and onto her. He was an excellent spectator, did she know?

Flopping on the floor where he stood, he grinned up at Hady. Would she buy into it? Yes? Please?

Hady was beyond happy with the results she was getting here. Granted Zeke wasn't perfect but honestly who the heck was? Especially at dancing. The point was he was trying and this earned him a bright grin from the small snake.

He wanted her to show him how she danced. And so she would. No promise breaking here and she had promised a long time ago. So when he flopped down on the floor she couldn't help but laugh softly. "Sure but..." Mhmm she did. There was that dreaded 'but' which he had to know meant something.

"I'll show you my dancing but before we go you'll dance with me? Just once and I promise it'll be something incredibly easy, okay?" See a very simple deal. Really he could say no and she wouldn't care. Hady was going to dance for him anyway.

Tucking her hair behind her ears she backed up a few steps, stretching her arms up over her head. Getting ready Hady started with the same two-step move she showed him earlier only a lot faster like how it was supposed to be. Now it was time to really show him what she was able to do. It wasn't very complex what she showed him but it was enough for him to get an idea.

Eden widened her eyes at Thorn. "Wait...really? I didn't know that! That's...that's really cool, Thorn." She smiled at him. She couldn't remember exactly what...but she knew there was some...family issue with his cello playing. Hmph. She didn't really want to bring that up now though.

"Ooooh. She's a cellist? That's COOL too." So he was taking after his mother! Cute. SO CUTE. Eden just thought Thornton was so CUTE. As he started playing, Eden closed her eyes and smiled. It was really interesting...and...cool...and..ugh.

This was the life, wasn't it?

The Ravenclaw slid off the couch and sauntered over to the pool table. Time for some major MAJOR bluffing, because Eden was lousy at pool. She picked up a pool stick and grinned. "I'm so good, that I beat my cousin, Iwin, at least three times. And he's...." hmm. "And HE'S like...a part time professional pool player." Iwin was probably somewhere shivering like crazy right now because of Eden telling someone he ever even considered playing pool professionally.

Eden just SNORTED and poked his backside with her pool stick. "I'll set up them up and you can break?" Eden wasn't fool enough to think she could break them easily...nope.

By the look of her face, she was pleased enough with his attempt, so he could rest assured knowing he had done his part in al this. Or so he thought until there was THAT.

But's were never a good thing. Unless he said it, in which case there was nothing wrong with it. Coming from other people though, the term was ominous. "I'm listening," he prompted. Though what she asked was not what he was expecting.

Dance with her before they go? Wasn't that what he'd just tried?

...

"Sure," he replied, deciding it wouldn't be a big deal, if it was going to be as easy as she claimed it to be. He knew the basics now though, right? Kinda.


...

And then there was her dancing. Like actual legit proper dancing that was not at all try-hard. She moved in a way that demonstrated it wasn't her first time. Kudos to her. Zeke grinned, applauding when she was done. "Nicely done." Really. Nicely done.

SPOILER!!: Zeke

By the look of her face, she was pleased enough with his attempt, so he could rest assured knowing he had done his part in al this. Or so he thought until there was THAT.

But's were never a good thing. Unless he said it, in which case there was nothing wrong with it. Coming from other people though, the term was ominous. "I'm listening," he prompted. Though what she asked was not what he was expecting.

Dance with her before they go? Wasn't that what he'd just tried?

...

"Sure," he replied, deciding it wouldn't be a big deal, if it was going to be as easy as she claimed it to be. He knew the basics now though, right? Kinda.


...

And then there was her dancing. Like actual legit proper dancing that was not at all try-hard. She moved in a way that demonstrated it wasn't her first time. Kudos to her. Zeke grinned, applauding when she was done. "Nicely done." Really. Nicely done.

The brunette remained quiet as she studied her friend waiting patiently for his answer. She wasn't expecting a yes from him but then against she wasn't expecting a no either. Really Hady didn't know what she thought he'd say but when he did answer her she grinned at him happily. "Awesome. It won't be nothing you can't do." She was sure he'd be able to manage it.

As she danced the steps she knew oh so well from all the years of learning she easily lost herself I'm the music and steps. It might have looked easy now but she could remember falling many many times trying to get each move right. Her focus was on nothing else and she nearly forget he was watching her at times. Well at least until she'd spot the grin on his face.

By the time shed finished and heard his applause she needed a moments break. "Thanks," Hady grinned at him grabbing her water bottle off her beanbag seat and plopping down on it to catch her breath. Twisting the cap off the water and taking a sip she took another look at him. "Maybe I should teach you to dance like that, it might be fun." She teased playfully knowing he'd never agree to that much and it's be hard work to teach him even if he was a good learner.

It amazed him that she didn't get dizzy and fall, or run out of breath, and that her muscles didn't ache. The whole thing looked tiring, and this coming from him. Where tree climbing or racing was concerned, he had all the energy in the world, but this dancing thing, looked like more effort than it was worth.

"Bravo," he concluded, still clapping as Hady took a break with him.

She was funny, did she know that? Teach him to dance like that? That was never going to happen.

"You have too much faith in me," he decided. Cause yeah, no.

SPOILER!!: Zeke

It amazed him that she didn't get dizzy and fall, or run out of breath, and that her muscles didn't ache. The whole thing looked tiring, and this coming from him. Where tree climbing or racing was concerned, he had all the energy in the world, but this dancing thing, looked like more effort than it was worth.

"Bravo," he concluded, still clapping as Hady took a break with him.

She was funny, did she know that? Teach him to dance like that? That was never going to happen.

"You have too much faith in me," he decided. Cause yeah, no.

He could stop clapping now, she wasn't all that good. She enjoyed dancing and didn't mind showing him nearly as much as she thought. "So whatcha think?" She asked shifting lower in her seat to rest her head back on the chair while still being able to look over at him comfortably. If opinion mattered to her and anything he said on it she'd consider. However she didn't think he'd be mean or anything.

Hady laughing shaking her head. "No I don't. Maybe you just don't have enough faith in yourself. I bet you could learn that if you really wanted to." Point there being 'if he wanted'. Learning stuff was always easiest when you were interested and willing to learn it.

Uhhh... what did he think?

Really?

Was that not obvious?

"I think it's brilliant, that you are, brilliant," he said flat out. Reeeaaalllyyyy, he wasn't able to appreciate dance all that much. He could appreciate that she had a skill that he did not, and that she made it look exceptionally easy. But as for the technicalities of the... movements and things... he was clueless. Had she misstepped? Timed it wrongly? Missed something? He had no idea. "Looked great from where I was sitting." Quite literally.

And then she had to go and say all that. He had plenty of faith in himself, but he also had realistic expectations of himself, and he knew this was one area where he wasn't about to improve any time soon. "If I wanted to," he nodded, which he didn't... so that settled that. "I prefer spectating." He was sure he wasn't alone with this sentiment.

But then that begged the question... "What moves do you intend on teaching me before we go, you promised it would be easy." Easier than what they started with?

SPOILER!!: Zeke

Uhhh... what did he think?

Really?

Was that not obvious?

"I think it's brilliant, that you are, brilliant," he said flat out. Reeeaaalllyyyy, he wasn't able to appreciate dance all that much. He could appreciate that she had a skill that he did not, and that she made it look exceptionally easy. But as for the technicalities of the... movements and things... he was clueless. Had she misstepped? Timed it wrongly? Missed something? He had no idea. "Looked great from where I was sitting." Quite literally.

And then she had to go and say all that. He had plenty of faith in himself, but he also had realistic expectations of himself, and he knew this was one area where he wasn't about to improve any time soon. "If I wanted to," he nodded, which he didn't... so that settled that. "I prefer spectating." He was sure he wasn't alone with this sentiment.

But then that begged the question... "What moves do you intend on teaching me before we go, you promised it would be easy." Easier than what they started with?

Brilliant. That was one word she wasn't expecting to here. Good, yes. Awesome, yeah that too. Interesting, hard, fun ect were all things she expected to hear and had heard from the very few people that saw her dance. Brilliant though had never once been used so this earned him a very Hady-ish grin.

"Thanks. It's been awhile since I've tried putting all that together. I'm surprised I didn't actually fall," she admitted with a small laugh. Honestly during one part she thought she would fall but luckily she hadn't. Falling wasn't good at anytime but this wouldn't have helped her want to get back into dancing.

Sipping her bottle of water she watched the look on his face before he spoke. Odds were she worded what she meant badly but that was normal for her. If dancing wasn't his style that was fine by her at least he understood it was hard work and he'd need to want to do it in order to do it. "Nothing at all wrong with just watching."

"Something slower. All you do is move to the music. Front and back or side to side." Simple enough, right?

He was beginning to feel more and more out of his depths. All this dance stuff was hard enough, but talking about dance stuff wasn't much easier. Was it just him though, or did Hady seem surprised by his assessment? He was hardly one to tell her she was off beat, or that her movements were sloppy or that her centre of gravity was all wrong... he wouldn't know what any of that looked like anyway.

"I suppose it's one of those things that's hard to forget," he commented. Muscle memory was easier than standard memory, right? Less flawed? Fewer synapses or something?

And no, there really was nothing wrong with spectating, it was the best.

Slower, to music, front and back or side to side. That sounded reasonable. "Side to side sounds good, I can't see what's behind me, so back might not be such a good idea." Just saying.

SPOILER!!: Zeke

He was beginning to feel more and more out of his depths. All this dance stuff was hard enough, but talking about dance stuff wasn't much easier. Was it just him though, or did Hady seem surprised by his assessment? He was hardly one to tell her she was off beat, or that her movements were sloppy or that her centre of gravity was all wrong... he wouldn't know what any of that looked like anyway.

"I suppose it's one of those things that's hard to forget," he commented. Muscle memory was easier than standard memory, right? Less flawed? Fewer synapses or something?

And no, there really was nothing wrong with spectating, it was the best.

Slower, to music, front and back or side to side. That sounded reasonable. "Side to side sounds good, I can't see what's behind me, so back might not be such a good idea." Just saying.

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear Hady couldn't help but study her friend for a moment. Sometimes the boy was rather complex about things and this could possible be one of those times. He made sense with his replies even if he wasn't certain about her dancing.

"Just like riding a bike. Once you learn it's something that easily comes back to you." It made sense to her even if it wasn't entirely the same thing.

Hady set her bottle of water down on the floor beside her after recapping it her attention drawn back to him when he'd began to speak once more. He had just pretty much agreed to dancing with her once more but at the same time she was getting the idea that he didn't exactly want to. And she wasn't sure how she felt about that...it was fun dancing alone and she kept her promise that's she'd show him. However she enjoyed dancing with someone as well...but not when they didn't want to.

Rubbing her arm and chewing her lower lip in thought Hady slowly shook her head having a change of heart. "You know what...let's not. We can try another time if you want but uh lets do something else now.." Something else was good. Whatever he wanted to be fair.

It didn't escape his attention that Hady was observing him in that way that said she was thinking what he was thinking... but were they thinking the same thing? It was hard to tell. But at least they were thinking along the same lines for something, it was like riding a bike. Interestingly enough, he'd never actually ridden a bike, but that was something for another day.

He let himself lay flat on the floor, stretching out his legs as he did so. Zeke looked up toward her, his hazel eyes watching her facial expressions change.

And then what???

Let's not? Uhhh.... "Why? am I that bad?" he asked, smirking. He couldn't think what else he'd rather do right now. "Did you have anything else in mind?"

SPOILER!!: Zeke

It didn't escape his attention that Hady was observing him in that way that said she was thinking what he was thinking... but were they thinking the same thing? It was hard to tell. But at least they were thinking along the same lines for something, it was like riding a bike. Interestingly enough, he'd never actually ridden a bike, but that was something for another day.

He let himself lay flat on the floor, stretching out his legs as he did so. Zeke looked up toward her, his hazel eyes watching her facial expressions change.

And then what???

Let's not? Uhhh.... "Why? am I that bad?" he asked, smirking. He couldn't think what else he'd rather do right now. "Did you have anything else in mind?"

As Zeke moved to lay on the floor her gaze and attention followed him. Seriously this kid was a lot like herself...more in some ways then she'd even thought. "Comfortable?" she asked lightly, gently nudging his leg with her foot as she spoke. Cause if the floor was that comfortable she might very well just join him down there.

She was very well aware of him watching her but she didn't mind it. It wasn't that creepy way some people would watch a person. The kind that made you want to run away screaming or just hit the person with something. No Zeke watching her was more of a curious thing...nothing wrong with it.

And then he asked that. If it wasn't for the fact he was smirking as he asked she might have wanted to yell at herself. "Huh? No, not at all. It's not like my cousin who fell a ton of times just trying the two steps I showed you," she laughed shaking her head. "I just figured doing something else might be more enjoyable... like um..." Yeah she had no idea. Lifting her eyes to the ceiling and twirling a strand of hair around her finger gave her the moment to think. "Like exploring...or shrinking someone tiny and like we spoke about awhile back..." Hady's gaze shifted to look at him once more a glint of something mischievousness shining in her eyes.

Zeke would remember what she was talking about, right?