 Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Mrs. Charlie Weasley | Seneca's Beard | That's So Fetch
Ousmane listened carefully, his dark eyes flicking between Bryony and the bubbling surface of his water as it slowly heated. He understood most of what she said, even if his brain took an extra moment to process the English. His head nodded at her question about spending the holidays with family, and then it tilted slightly at the mention of her birthday. A small spark of recognition lit up his expression.
"Ah! Anniversaire!" He gave a quick nod, his smile widening just a touch. "Sixteen, oui? C'est... eh, big number, no?" He chuckled softly, pausing to pick up the boomslang skin, running his fingers over its delicate, papery texture before setting it back down. "What was your—eh—" Le cadeau? "—gift? Something special?"
He hummed in thought as Bryony admitted to multiple failed attempts. His brow furrowed, lips pressing into a thin line as he considered this. "I think... maybe not mistake big, oui? Just... small thing? Maybe... tempo? Ah—speed? You do... too quick?" He gestured with his hands as if slowing the air around them.
After opening the jar of leeches, he steadily let eight drop into the cauldron one at a time. "I learn... before," he said after a moment, voice thoughtful, as he proceeded to gently lay dried boomslang skin on the water surface. "At Uagadou. Magic, it listen. If mind is—eh—too... how you say... bruyant? Loud? It make mistake." He tapped his temple, then gave a small, knowing grin. "If brain too busy, hands make trouble."
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