Benji HATED shopping. He was in a bad mood already because Evie was gone now, which just left him with Zoey and Gemmie. All his siblings were off having FUN and he was stuck shopping with his mum and it was stupid.

Thankfully she had given him money to go by himself a gumball, which was exactly what he was going to do. He walked over and popped the coin in, tongue between his teeth as he did so, turning the knob and waiting for his candy to come out.

It had to be the biggest waste of his time and that said a lot for a creature who used to work for Peverell. It would not have been such a huge waste if he could sell at least half the children he brought back. What was this? Playmates for the brat? She runs away and gets rewarded for it?

Hmph.

If it didn't keep her out of his hair and relieve him of that wretched body guard duty, the goblin may have been more upset. As it stood, this DID see him spending more time on his trade and less time trying to figure out where the 6 year old had gotten off to next.

Korpsit moved through the store, polyjuiced as a little girl with curls and a fancy dress (the indignation's he suffered for his employer). Were this for his own gain, it would not have been such an issue. Up and down the aisle he looked until he spotted a little boy by the gumball machine. Knowing perfectly well not to break cover, the goblin disguised as a little girl skipped over. "I like gumballs too." He said, keeping his tone light, bubbly almost. "Do you wanna come play with me?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korpsit

It had to be the biggest waste of his time and that said a lot for a creature who used to work for Peverell. It would not have been such a huge waste if he could sell at least half the children he brought back. What was this? Playmates for the brat? She runs away and gets rewarded for it?

Hmph.

If it didn't keep her out of his hair and relieve him of that wretched body guard duty, the goblin may have been more upset. As it stood, this DID see him spending more time on his trade and less time trying to figure out where the 6 year old had gotten off to next.

Korpsit moved through the store, polyjuiced as a little girl with curls and a fancy dress (the indignation's he suffered for his employer). Were this for his own gain, it would not have been such an issue. Up and down the aisle he looked until he spotted a little boy by the gumball machine. Knowing perfectly well not to break cover, the goblin disguised as a little girl skipped over. "I like gumballs too." He said, keeping his tone light, bubbly almost. "Do you wanna come play with me?"

Benji jumped a little as someone came up behind him and started talking to him. It was a girl, but she was a little girl, probably like his age. He paused and looked around. This girl seemed to be by herself. Where were her parents? Benji knew that he wasn't supposed to talk to strangers. Since he didn't know her, that made her a stranger. But she was also a little girl. His parents told him strangers who wanted to kidnap him were adults.

"I dunno, I'm supposed to be shopping with my mom," he told her, popping the gumball in his mouth. Still, he was curious. "What do you want to play?" he asked, unable to stop himself.

There was something about this that he'd consider later on. Much easier speaking to the little brats when he looked like one of them. Naive little creatures. Carefree and only cautious about the wrong things. Korpsit smiled wide. "We can play anything, I've got LOTS of toys and candy AND I know a really cool place too."

He looked about the shop briefly, to be sure the parents weren't heading their way that minute. He had to get this boy out of here before they could realize anything.

For his part, he pretended to play idly with the lengthy curls on his head--something he sometimes saw Noah do when she was in a good mood. "We don't have to play long, but we can have some fun."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korpsit

There was something about this that he'd consider later on. Much easier speaking to the little brats when he looked like one of them. Naive little creatures. Carefree and only cautious about the wrong things. Korpsit smiled wide. "We can play anything, I've got LOTS of toys and candy AND I know a really cool place too."

He looked about the shop briefly, to be sure the parents weren't heading their way that minute. He had to get this boy out of here before they could realize anything.

For his part, he pretended to play idly with the lengthy curls on his head--something he sometimes saw Noah do when she was in a good mood. "We don't have to play long, but we can have some fun."

Benji continued to chew thoughtfully on his gumball, and eventually decided it would be ok as long as he stayed close to the shop. His mum was too busy shopping and dealing with Gemmie anyways. Zoey was at home, because she was LUCKY like that. Basically his mum had better things to do than worry about him. Surely it would be ok to wonder away for just a moment?

"Ok, not long though," he told the girl with a smile. He wished he had run into a boy, because he hated being the only boy when Clay was gone at school, but a friend was a friend and that was all that mattered!

"Oh noooo, it won't be long at all!" The goblin lied, giving what would appear to be a sweet smile on the face of a little girl. "We'll just look at the really cool stuff then we'll come right back." And a firm nod as he took the boy's hand and did something of a skipping motion out of the shop.

Korpsit was sure to keep an eye out as he did but outwardly remained casual. One more brat to add to the arsenal. If he found enough, he wouldn't see Noah for a blessed week or more and that was music to the goblin's ears.

Goblins liked candy too, or at least Tearlung's bratty grandkids did. Wand—bearers always seemed surprised by that. He much preferred shopping in the goblin district, which was hidden away from humans, but it was a busy day today and he had to slip away on his break and had right back to the bank after.

The goblin put in enough coins to fill a laaaaaaarge sack with gumballs, almost emptying the four machines, and once he was done he hoisted the sack over his shoulder and left, pushing past some people standing nearby and disappearing into the street.

This was, hands down, the best shop in Diagon Alley.

Józef had also said that about Quality Quidditch Supplies, and if pressed he probably would have found it very hard to chose between the two. But right then, right there surrounded by all of the sweets, he was mesmerised - he hadn't even made it right into the shop before stopping at the gumball machines and immediately plunging his hand into his pocket to retrieve any change that might be there.

Afrika was wandering through the shops. Having been here once before, she thought of herself as somewhat an expert. She was even doing a pretty great job of ducking her brother / chaperone.

As a reward for her amazing escape, the young American wandered into the candy store.

"Gumball!" she said very excitedly spotting, and then proceeding to hug the machine.

Gumballs were something Brody cared little about but as he was passing Sugarplum's, he had decided to take a peek inside. It was the Gumball machine that had caught his eyes. Luckily, he still had some spare change from all the buying he had been doing and looking at the price, it seemed he only needed a few knuts to get a single gumball.

Into the machine the knuts went and turned the knob. A bright pink ball began to snake its way through the maze. Brody watched with fascination as it made many twists and turns, his eyes never wavering from it.

After having left from the embarrassing situation elsewhere in the store, Penny found herself near the gumball machine. She personally loathed chewing gum, but she knew that her older sister, Lainey, loved it... so the fourth year girl dug into her pocket to see how much money she had left.

Sighs.

Being poor was the pits, ya know.

Moving closer she found herself marveling over the way the other kid's gumball twisted and turned through the machine. "Cooooooool," she said in barely more than a whisper. She didn't care for drawing attention to herself, but she knew it was inevitable in some instances. Blerrrrgh.

Including the knut that girl... What was her name again? Something beginning with a C... Or a K.... Or maybe a J... He didn't remember, and besides, that wasn't important. Including the knut she'd given to him in exchange for his autograph (he was starting early, Flynn would be proud), Józef had enough to get SIX gumballs.

And he was about to, when a girl hugged the machine.

"ERRRRRRR."

That was weird, wasn't it? Wasn't just him that thought so? That was very much the opposite of cool. What was a cool think to say to her though? His mind raced and came up with, "You know you're meant to get sweets out of them, not hug them?"

Eh, he'd have to work on his quick thinking and responding.

Afrika stared at the boy. Why was he being so rude? "I'm happy. I'm allowed to hug the thing that makes me happy." she replied plainly.

"I also plan to get sweets out of them." Duh! She just wanted to express her joy first.

"Why aren't you hugging the machine? Are you not happy and grateful???"

SPOILER!!: Penny! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erindipity

After having left from the embarrassing situation elsewhere in the store, Penny found herself near the gumball machine. She personally loathed chewing gum, but she knew that her older sister, Lainey, loved it... so the fourth year girl dug into her pocket to see how much money she had left.

Sighs.

Being poor was the pits, ya know.

Moving closer she found herself marveling over the way the other kid's gumball twisted and turned through the machine. "Cooooooool," she said in barely more than a whisper. She didn't care for drawing attention to herself, but she knew it was inevitable in some instances. Blerrrrgh.

The gumball was abut halfway through the maze when Brody was suddenly aware of a presence beside him thanks to the low voice that elongated the word 'cool'. He looked at her, noting that she was older than he was but just as fascinated by the gumball on its journey. Without a word, he looked back at the pink blob.

He was not interested in talking to the girl. He only wanted his gumball even though he didn't want it turning and twisting at all intervals to come to an end. Maybe he would get another one just to watch everything happen all over again.

Who care if the girl wanted a gumball too? She could wait her turn.

This was the life. Freedom. Independence. Money. SWEETS.

Spencer's weekends with his mum were great, she truly believed he was a sweetheart who didn't at all need to be closely watched every second of the day. Spencer had to agree with her; he was, frankly, a delight, and his dad had totally overreacted with the whole grounding thing. At least his mum trusted him to be left to his own devices every now and then. Like right now, when she was engrossed in a conversation with a colleague she had met in the street, and he had casually slipped away.

No, listen. She totally would have agreed to it, because she was COOL like that. And so was he. COOLER, even.

Once he was on his own, Spencer had spent his time wandering down Diagon Alley, eyes on the ground in front of him. Every now and then he had spotted a stray knut, and quickly made a grab for it. Once he even deliberately barged into a doddering old lady who was stowing her money into a pouch as she walked, sending the coins flying and giving lovely little Spencer the opportunity to grab some from the ground and scarper.

He dodged through the crowd and into Sugarplums, glancing over his shoulder to make sure he hadn't been followed before, smirking, he strutted across to one of the gumball machines. First order of business? Use up all these knuts on gumballs.

And now the girl was staring at him and Józef wasn't the least bit impressed. He would have been raising one eyebrow, he thought he was raising one eyebrow, but in actual fact he hadn't quite mastered such control over his face and so was raising both - and looking rather startled as a result.

"Ooooooo-kay."

Proceeding to the machine next to the one she was hugging, he began to slot his coins in, offering her a few curious glances as he did so. "Because that's weird." And he wasn't goint to answer her second question, because whilst he was happy and grateful, expressing such emotions (particularly to a stranger) was definitely not cool.

He popped a green gumball into his mouth.

She didn't have that much money left on her, but Maeve was hoping some sugar might bring clarity into her decision. Of course she'd still yet to meet the woman who penned the letter. Or even speak to Lori about the letter received, which something she probably should have done first. And yet the fourteen year old instead found wandering aimlessly through the streets of Diagon Alley was most definitely the best course of action.

Wasn't it?

Sliding two knuts into the machine, she turned the knob and frowned.

UHhhh.............

Did this machine not say two knuts for one gumball??

Afrika continued hugging the machine for a few more seconds. She then took a step away and shoved her coins in the slot.

. . . What was that kid doing with his face? Oh no. Was he still getting used to how it worked? Poor thing. She considered momentarily whether or not to offer her expert advice on how to make the correct faces. Maybe even offer him a mirror to practice with.

"It's not weird" she said. "I just like gumballs."

Some people were true gumball fans.

"How's the green one? I like the red one, myself."

To say he loved sweets was...not a lie. It was why every time he stepped FOOT in Diagon he had to rush to Sugarplum's to get some goodies! And he almost always ran into someone he knew. Being a fairly social guy, he enjoyed conversation with even minor acquaintances.

AH!

It was Maeve! Chase's....friend! He couldn't keep up with Chase's love life, honestly, and he couldn't remember if Maeve was the one Chase really liked or....what? But he knew Chase liked the girl in SOME capacity??? At least??? And she was fairly cute, so Lucas could see it. "Hiya Maeve...having some trouble?" Because he had seen her put two knuts into the machine. And nooooothing was a-comin' out. "Maybe if we give it a ----" and kicked the machine a little. Kinda' hard. Not hard enough to knock it over or ruin it or anything, but hard enough to maaaaybe knock some gum into the slot.

He ran a hand through his red-dyed hair, silky and shiny, feeling a bit suave with it to be honest. It was still very new, and he had missed his flaming orange hair from last summer. What was it that Baylen called him? Tomato? No...CARROT! Right now he was tomato. Baylen STILL called him carrot even when his hair had been a natural human color. Lucas didn't mind much, he found it an affectionate term now, but he just wondered what nicknames THIS hair could bring.

"Then you should eat the gumballs." Jó just did not understand the hugging, and he'd decided that he wouldn't understand. Part of him had thought the gumball machine just might start talking, the way Flynn had told him the suits of armour and the portraits did at Hogwarts, but there was not such joy on that, yet. Maybe you had to put a certain amount of money in? Or maybe it was asleep? He didn't have high hopes for that, though - he'd have woken up if someone had hugged him like that.

He chewed quietly for a few moments, as if savouring the taste and trying to figure out how to describe it. "It's nice. Sour. But nice." He liked sour, after all. And as much as he wanted to know about the red ones, he wasn't going to ask.

Because that wasn't cool, obviously.

Afrika laughed. "You don't eat gumballs, you chew them." Duh. Eating gum was probably just as bad as swallowing a watermelon seed.

She turned the dial on her machine and was pleased when a red one popped out. Her faaaave! She sported a huge grin before popping it in to her mouth.

"Do you like sour? I've never exactly heard it be described as nice before. It usually just makes people make those squinty faces."

"Same difference." Honestly, it was not cool to point that out, and Józef was going to pretend that he wasn't embarrassed about muddling the two words up, because going red had not been in his plan for the day. And chewing was what he was doing, anyway.

Duh.

Well he wouldn't be saying it was nice if he didn't. Goodness. "Yeah. It's.... tangy." Or something. Either way, he was enjoying his gumball chewing.

"Not really." Afrika said with a shrug. It was her duty to help out in those situations, wasn't it? It was only polite. It's not like she knew whether or not he was actually planning on chewing and swallowing the gum. SHE COULD HAVE JUST SAVED HIS LIFE.

She counted the coins she had left over. "Maybe I'll try to get one of those too! Unless they sell packs somewhere?"

She looked around. If they were sold in packs then she knew what color she'd be getting before she spent her money.

.......................... Eyebrows were awkwardly raising again? Did she get a kick out of being a smart pants? Probably a Ravenclaw - Flynn had said they were a bit like that. Jó made sure to make exaggerated chewing movements, just so she knew he knew what he was supposed to do with the gum balls.

Were these ones you could blow bubbles with?

"You reckon they do?" he asked, following her gaze, now distracted from the quest of blowing bubbles. "They might have them on the shelves somewhere." They could look?

Afrika scrunched up her nose as she watched the odd boy. Why was he chewing so annoyingly like that? Did he not realize that he could chew with his mouth closed? Did he need more education on how to enjoy a gumball?

Poor thing.

"Dunno. Wanna have a look?"