Emmaleigh Swynford hadn't been to Eeylops in years. In fact, she was pretty sure she had only ever been here that one time before her first year at Hogwarts, when she had purchased Halt. Luckily, both Halt and Yvaine had had very good health, and were capable of finding their own food, even in the middle of winter when critters could sometimes be scarce. They were expert hunters, those two.

No, she wasn't in search of owl tonics or food, thanks to one Treyen Lockhart, she was here in search of owl treats.

Owls.

Ella liked them well enough, even if some of them sort of creeped her out. The way they were always watching was sort of eerie, yeah? Yeah. She loved Jasper, though. He'd been a good owl since her first year and he was very affectionate which was nice. The blonde didn't know too many owls who liked to snug.

Anyway, Ella was here for bugs. Jasper was particularly fond of grasshoppers and so the fifteen year old made her way down the aisle, eyeing the shelves for said insect. Her eyes were then drawn to a familiar head of red hair.

Blink.

Emmaleigh.

"Erm...Hi." Shuffle. Was this awkward?

Emmaleigh was busy searching for a bag of treats that looked like the one Yvaine had brought home from Treyen and Ellie's. She didn't even notice when people were walking around her. In fact, she only looked up when a somewhat familiar voice said a very strained hello. Turning, Em's throat got all tight, seeing the small blonde girl before. her. Ella... Things hadn't gone so well the last time they had talked. "Uh, Hey, Baby Badger." she said, forcing a smile. "H-how are you?" right, maybe she shouldn't have asked that.

So...there was no need to feel weird about this, yeah? Because well, just because Max and Emmaleigh broke up didn't mean Ella had to break up with the both of them. She was still their baby badger, whether they were together or not. Maybe she just needed to relax a bit so Em wouldn't feel so uncomfortable? Yeah, Ella could do that.

"I'm okay. Just looking for some grasshoppers for Jasper, my owl." It was obviously important to clarify that the bugs were for the owl Jasper and not some strange bug eating people Ella knew. "Erm...and you, Em?" Shuffle. Was she even allowed to ask that question?

Emmaleigh bit her lip as she stood before the younger gril. The one who she knew good and well preferred Max over her. The one who would always rush to comfort him and always take is side. This was awkward. Were they even still friends or anything?

"Oh, thats nice. He, likes grasshoppers then?" she asked, not sure how to comment, or what to say. And then she asked it. How was she doing? She didn't know wether she should laugh or cry, scream or throw things. Instead of doing those, she forced her self to remain calm and simply said. "I, I'm here." and that was really about all she could say. The red head gave a small shrug. "just... trying to figure some things out." Just trying to survive.

Ella assumed things, things Emmaleigh was probably feeling right now about her and about Max and about other people who knew them both. The blonde paid attention to her mannerisms and the expression on her face and she tried very hard not to frown. Max was like her brother. Emmaleigh knew this, yeah? And when the older girl had made it seem like he'd hurt her purposely, the younger girl couldn't handle that. Max wasn't a bad person, not even a tiny bit. She was sure the older girl knew this too and so she'd given her space to deal with things on her own, not knowing what to say. She knew that breakups hurt, Ella did. But she also knew Max and Emmaleigh hadn't been happy for a while and that Max did what he thought was best for both of them. She didn't say any of this, though. It just wasn't her place.

"Yeah, he's partial to those. He likes beetles too, though." Cringe. Ella couldn't quite imagine the taste but she assumed it wasn't good. Nodnod. "Yeah..." So this was totally awkward. "What are you in here for?" She was only trying to make conversation to spare them both from having to stand in awkward silence. Besides, the younger badger really was concerned with how the older red head was doing.

“Oh, well, maybe you should get him both then?” Emmaleigh stood there awkwardly, before the girl who probably hated her just like everyone else, and then shrugged. “I don’t know much about what my owls like to eat. They’ve always taken care of catching their own food. Must be something about all the mice in the barn or something.” She frowned and pulled a little treat baggie thing out of her pocket. “But well, I’m here for some of these. Treyen got Yvaine addicted to the things.” Because he wouldn’t accept payment or anything, stupid Treyen. “And I guess I should get something for Halt.” You know, so he didn't bite her finger off.

"Yeah, I s'pose you're right." It wouldn't hurt to stock up on treats now, especially with the summer moving along as quickly as it was. Something about stock piling insects seemed a little odd, though. Shrug. Mice...right. Ella nodded her head, an unreadable expression on her face. She just wasn't exactly sure what the right thing to say was right now. The blonde perked up considerably at the mention of Treyen and Ella tilted her head in interest. "Did Sir Treyen watch your owl, then?" Not that it was any of her business. "If they're barn owls, maybe they'd like insects too...y'know, all natural treats and whatnot." Shuffle.

The red head nodded. “He might like some variety. Not the same thing over and over.” She knew she hated eating the same thing every day… or well did. Lately her diet consisted of mostly apples. Which was probably why she looked even smaller than she had months before. But well, the owl was probably hungry and wanted food. Emmaleigh on the other hand just didn’t feel like eating, which was a big change for the girl who could never stop eating.

Em nodded once more, but couldn’t help but cross her arms at the mention of “Sir Treyen” Was there anyone this girl didn’t worship? ”I… Yeah, he did.Kept her for a while.” Shrugging Em said “Maybe. Halt is an elf owl so he needs smaller things, and Yvaine, I don’t actually remember what type of owl she is. Her brother always liked French fries.” She bit her lip and looked at the shelves thinking of that stupid birdbrain and his stupid owner.

"Yeah, maybe." Nodnod. Ella tended to stick to the things that she loved, like how she usually ate Oreo ice cream. The blonde could understand how some might get sick of the same thing though and so she got where Emmaleigh was coming from.

So...Ella wasn't an expert on body language or anything but she noticed the crossed arms at the mention of Treyen's nickname. What? Had she offended her or something? Frown. "Well...that was nice of him." Yeah, she didn't really know what else to say on the subject. "Oh well... I'm sure you'll find something they both enjoy in here." Shuffle.

Not knowing what to say next, the fifteen year old stepped up to the shelf and eyed the insect jars more closely.

Em noticed the younger girl’s frown, but well, what was she to do? This was, awkward and weird, and just another example of how everything was different. How everything had fallen apart, and how she had lost everyone. How she failed so much when it came to functioning, and communicating, and just being a person. And as Vivi would say, living. “I, uh, yeah. It was. I had to…get rid of her for a while. And then things…” Yeah, it was not good, and even though she had apologized, things were still awful, and not fixed or anything. “Yeah, they’ll probably eat anything. Just Yvaine… she decided to be picky.”

Biting her lip, Em looked back to the shelves, and picked up a bag that looked like the old one in her hand. “Um, so… How… was school? You…enjoying your break?” she asked, not knowing what else to say.

At the word things, Ella swallowed hard and looked down. Yeah, she knew that Emmaleigh had been going through a lot but she couldn't comment because well, it involved Max. She didn't feel right offering any kind of commentary on this particular subject. Instead she just nodded and shuffled her feet a little. "Well...it's nice that you decided to come and get her those treats she likes, then. I think she'll appreciate it." That is, if owls appreciated things.

Ella was just about to pick a particularly yucky looking jar of beetles when Em spoke up. The blonde turned to face the red head and shrugged. "Um... it's good. I mean, I'm looking forward to going back but not to OWLs." She wasn't keen on spending all her time in the library, even if she did like it there. "Summer is good. Spending a lot of time with my family." ...yeah. "How's um...University?" Was Em going to University? Ella had just kind of assumed based on things they'd talked about before the whole break-up.

Aphrodite loved owls since Mother showed Clio, a Tawny Owl in Dragongrass Manor and teach their children that they can maintain their Owl for school at Hogwarts and use them to send letters anywhere. Since then, Aphrodite love owls and determined that she should at least have an owl as a pet and perhaps she will also look after a kitten. Arriving in Eeylops Owl Emporium, while accompanied by Father and Theodore, she went straight to the cage containing the owls have feathers as white as snow, and he was very brave! "You want that one, dear? Let me help you choose which one is the best," asked Father to Aphrodite who immediately greeted nod of her head. "Well, you sure do not want to see the others? Let Theo accompany you to take a look," says Father who wants Aphrodite to think about the right choice. Aphrodite did want to surround Eeylops Owl Emporium to see other owl. "Okay Father, I should take a look first," she said, looking up at Theo. "Come on, Theo!" she said quickly, she can not wait find the right pet for herself.

Emmaleigh shifted uncomfortably at the small Puff’s actions. There was far too much tension here. Too much awkwardness, and bringing up unwanted feelings and thoughts. Nodding, the red head simply responded, “Er, yeah.”

Em listened, and nodded as a tiny smile appeared on her face. “OWLs” How ironic, since you know where they were standing, and the fact that she hadn’t taken her OWLs at Hogwarts. How it was the start of, stuff. And that though made the smile leave her face once more. “Oh, well, that’s good, about your summer and all. And um, well, I… I’m quitting University.” She said with a shrug.

Ainsley made her way to the shelves that housed owl treats. Her snowy owl Daisy has been without treats for sometime now and she felt pretty bad about that. What kind of owl owner was she? This was totally out of character for her considering that she was always on top of everything.

She glanced at the shelves and picked up two boxes of owl treats... just in case. She was just about to make her way to the counter to pay for the treats when she spotted some toys. Awww, that was what Daisy needed. Ainsley could give the owl a cuddly toy as her way of saying sorry. That sounded fantastic. She picked up a fluffy little pink toy and made her way to the cash register.

Aha, so here're the shelves where they store owl treats and accessories. Leah screwed up her eyes in concentration as she tried to remember what the shopkeeper had said about Eagle Owls.

"Cage…" the girl muttered, picking up a Size Two cage from the top of the shelf, "a perch, a water and food cup." She stopped by a shelf with big boxes that contained toys for owls. "A cuddly little toy won't be bad too." Leah said, picking up a purple toy from the box. Then there were the food. 2 Mice (EWW!!!) and 2 Plain Owl Treats were added into her arms.

Thinking that these would be enough, Leah made her way back to the counter.

Melek stopped by to check out the owls, not that she wanted to get one. Nope, she got a kneazle from the pet adoption thingy and she was perfectly happy with just one pet, thank you very much... though it would be cool to get one... but only to send messages, of course... though who would she send messages to? Her best friend and about only friend was going to go to Hogwarts with her... there was her parents though... but that is just lame... who would do that? Mel made a face then spotted a younger girl. She smirked and went over to her. "Wai wittle one." She waved her hand, "Wai pumpkin wumpkin." Melek made baby noises and then laughed, smirking as she started to turn away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unalii

Melek stopped by to check out the owls, not that she wanted to get one. Nope, she got a kneazle from the pet adoption thingy and she was perfectly happy with just one pet, thank you very much... though it would be cool to get one... but only to send messages, of course... though who would she send messages to? Her best friend and about only friend was going to go to Hogwarts with her... there was her parents though... but that is just lame... who would do that? Mel made a face then spotted a younger girl. She smirked and went over to her. "Wai wittle one." She waved her hand, "Wai pumpkin wumpkin." Melek made baby noises and then laughed, smirking as she started to turn away.

Leah turned around abruptly. A girl a bit older than her was walking away laughing. Was she talking to her just now? Seeing that no one was nearby except her the answer could only be yes. Leah was so absorbed in the things she was choosing from the shelves that she did not hear what she just said, but by the look of the older girl's expression it wasn't something nice.

"Excuse me," the younger girl said, walking up to the other girl, "what did you say just now?" She asked inquiringly.

Melek turned and looked at the little girl. "Why hello, little one." She smiled, "Me? I was just saying something about a pumkin wumpkin." Mel smirked at her and laughed. "Nothing that you should be offended by." Yep, she was still smirking up a storm, "How old are ya anyways? 7? 8?" Melek laughed and eyed the girl, giving a threatening look that told the girl not to mess with her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unalii

Melek turned and looked at the little girl. "Why hello, little one." She smiled, "Me? I was just saying something about a pumkin wumpkin." Mel smirked at her and laughed. "Nothing that you should be offended by." Yep, she was still smirking up a storm, "How old are ya anyways? 7? 8?" Melek laughed and eyed the girl, giving a threatening look that told the girl not to mess with her.

Secretly wondering what a pumpkin wumpkin is, Leah eyed the older girl suspiciously as she said that she shouldn't be offended by it. "I'm 11 for your information, and I'm going to Hogwarts this year!" She puffed out her chest in proud, ignoring the look the older girl gave her. "Are you going to Hogwarts?" Leah asked, emphasizing the 'you'.

Caelen ran into the shop, her cheeks red with laughter and tiredness. The redhead was exploring Diagon Alley for a few days until she went back to Nate's house and then.... back to Diagon Alley. This summer arrangement was going in circles and even the kid saw this. Why was she the only one who saw this? Not that the girl with the braid would tell anybody. This was going to be a really fun summer. And she wasn't going to spend it doing something boring. She was spending it with her friends!

And she got to spend half of it with Spencer! And almost all of Hogwarts! Of course, he was going to probably be a Hufflepuff like his older brother, but they could still spend most of it together! And they would be in the same year! Yay!

Looking around atthe shelves, the redhead puffed out her cheeks as she looked at all of the owls. Yeah, she was buying one.Ooops? That was going to be the short girls excuse. The 'they were just too cute and she couldn't resist, please mommy please, I promise it won't mess in the house' excuse. Maybe with a few ice cream sundaes to make it better.

The freckled face girl picked out a brown and white owl and smiled at it like it was a tiny little toy or a banana split.

"Perfect!" Reachingi n her pocket, Caelen found some coins and cheered. She could buy the little thing.

The thirteen year old needed an owl, she didn't know what kind of owl she wanted but she did need one to send her family and friends letters and such. Maybe Emmylou would get one of those white owls but those greyish owls looked really cool too and so did those black ones. Why can't there be purple owls? Emmylou wouldn't have a hard time choosing if she had a purple owl and it would have to be a light purple, Emmy didn't want a really bright owl. If only one of her friends or if Kace were here then she wouldn't have such a hard time choosing. Emmylou shrugged as she walked along the shelves. The blonde gave the owls a look of confusing, nothing about this should be confusing but she just couldn't decide, if this was a dog it would be so much easier but it was really hard.

Why was she here again? She just got an owl the other day. And spend all of her money. Oh that was right her dad and his girlfriend, Olivia. poison Ivy/Gold digger ewwwww! She left them about the time she started batting her eye lashes at her dad and twirling her hair. The thirteen year old had no intentions of going back to those love birds anytime soon. They were worst than Em and Kace. Nevermind that was a insult to Em and Kace.

She kept moving from store to store she had nearly everything for school already. Maybe she could get some more food for the owls. At least spend some of the money her dad had given her. She walked into the shop and the first thing she seen was a blonde hair girl. "Em!" of course she ran over to her and give her a hug.

Emmylou sighed. What was she going to do? She didn't know what one she wanted. If only there was someone here to help her or force her to buy one and only one. She knew that she mother of all people would get made if she bought more than one owl but she knew her father wouldn't get made at all, he say the more the merrier. Emmylou didn't know what to do, her parents were fighting, well long distance fighting because her mother won't/stopped coming down to Alabama to visit her father and her. It actually made Emmylou mad that her mother wouldn't come and visit. She loves her mother but she just didn't know why she was acting like New York City was better than visiting her family.

The blonde walked up and down the aisle full of shelves. Emmylou ran her fingers through her long wavy hair and sighed, she knew that she need to make a decision but she could. When Emmy heard a voice say her name she just about jumped ten feet in the air. Emmylou looked over to see Cinnamon. "You almost gave me a heart attack, Cinna." Emmylou smiled and hugged her friend back.

Coming in from the street, the Ravenclaw made a beeline for the owl food. Technically, she didn't have an owl. He was a pigeon. But apart from the usual seeds he ate, she always picked up a jar of insects for him. Diversity is important, even for a pigeon's diet. She stood there, before the jars of writhing insects, and debated between crickets and millipedes. Millipedes would have more protein. Crickets would probably keep him more satisfied. But what in the wold would be the consequences if either insect escaped? She had good experiences with the crickets thus far. Kanna still had to stop and think about it, like it was a very important choice to make.