"...wow, Sabel. That's about as fairytale-esque as... oh wait, no, it isn't." Kellen watched Neptune drop two lumps of sugar into his tea and fought the frown wanting to come to his face. He wasn't a particularly large fan of tea, but thanks to hours of forced consumption of it with Chaucer he could now drink it down without the grimace that used to pass over his features.

He glanced over at Raiden and smiled. Ah, so he'd been to Honeydukes as well.

Daphne was busy giving her cake the evil eye. Instinct told her not to eat it. It wouldn't be too difficult not to. She had spent the majority of her life--not doing it? But Neptune Bott had been kind enough to order cake and tea for all of them.

Puffing out her cheeks, Daphne pulled the saucer and teacup towards her. She'd just...pretend she was deeply immersed in the conversation while filling herself up with tea.

"A rock," murmured Daphne swirling a spoon in her tea. One corner of her lips tugged on a secretive smile. "It could be romantic depending on the person, I suppose."

Sabel though; wasn't that person, now was he? Heh.

Sapphira stood there impassively, a bit scared of that smile. Might as well just get the ice cream and be done with it. "Very well," she said at last as she turned back towards the kitchen.

At least sundaes were easy work.

When she returned to the girl's table, she sat the cherry-topped treat in front of her and sauntered off without a word.

It had to be in here. Because it was the only place he hadn't checked yet, and if it wasn't, then... well he'd lost it and that was no good at ALL.

Oh oh oh! There. Grabbing the faded, worn-down leather wallet from the bag, he pulled it out and stuffed it into his pocket immediately before looking up at whatever was goi-

Ohhai Neptune.

"...hi."

What were they talking about? Sabel had given Neptune a rock... yes, and? Neptune liked getting things from people; Raiden was pretty sure that if she'd gotten a rock, there had been significance behind it, and reason. People didn't just routinely pick up rocks and hand them off to girls, did they.

"You don't need... more sugar than that, Neptune?" Was it wrong to assume that she liked sweet stuff? He normally didn't put sugar in his tea, but... well she already had, and it wasn't that bad, if he remembered from the last time he'd had it.

Neptune touched her pinky to Raiden's nose, GIGGLED in his face, then sat back down with her bum properly in her seat as it should be. "Sabel is the WORST story teller of ALL time. But I suppose that's good enough. Though, you know, how I met Kellen and Raiden both are really, really and truly fascinating stories." Would they like to hear? Hmmm. Or better yet, the BOYS should tell the stories!

She nodded vigorously to Daphna Hopton. "Anything can be romantic, really. Even falling down." Neptune wrinkled her nose at Sabel, a little love and attention JUST for him before turning back to the other blond at the table. "Daphne, honey, did you have any cake yet?" Neptune REEEEEACHED her foot under the table to TOUCH Daphne again.

Just how she had on the train the time Raiden told her not to.


Giiiiiigggly.


Restless, Miss Bott was feeling a bit restless. There was just so much to talk about and consider and so many people to address at once.

Madiison stared after Miss Paddifoot as she hurried away without a word. Didn't she want the money for the sundae? Shrugging, the little girl turned her attention to the delicacy sitting before her. MMHMM. And just as the girl was about to taste it she noticed something ELSE that had bothered her a few minutes ago.

Another group had ignored her.

SNIFF.

The red's eyes fell on a group of five seated not far from her. She had WAVED at them. Smiled even. And yet, nothing.

IGNORED. Yet again.

It was turning out to be a sad day for Miss Winloch. In fact, apart from the nice bartender working at that ghastly place -He called her PRINCESS. Repeatedly- there was no speck of sunlight in her gloomy day.

Now THAT was a tragedy.

So the girl decided to take matters into her own hands. Flicking back her red hair, the thirteen year old picked up her sundae and made her way over to the table with Daphne, Raiden, Neptune and two strangers.

"Hello." Madiison said, looking all shy and innocent -which she was- as she came to a stop at their table. "Mind if I join you?" Shy smile.

Madiison Winloch did not like being ignored. At all.

"Great, so it's settled then," Tyler smiled and stood up. Now where to go on this outing. They both had enough candy for the next visit. They just ate and he was pretty sure they didn't need need any supplies. So back to the castle it was. "Come on, let's head back," he said and stuck out his arm for her. Awww, Tyler was just too nice...to certain people.

Sabel blinked at Neptune, not sure what, if anything she was implying or hinting at; except that he was clumsy. "I suppose it can be..."

Although, he was more concerned about how interesting Kellen's story of meeting the Bott would be and he frowned a little at the other boy. "Why? How'd you meet her?" He had to admit, he was interested.

He was about to take a sip of over-sugarfied tea while waiting for Kellen's response, when another person's voice broke through the chatter. Blinking, he searched around the table before looking up and catching sight of the new arrival to their travelling troupe. "Hi." Automatic response. "Err...I don't see why not..." His eyes flicked around the table, wondering what the reception would be like.

Fascinating? No, the story of how he'd met Neptune was traumatizing. Nothing short of traumatizing. Did he really want to tell it? Or just use orating skills worse than Sabel's and hope they all lost interest?

"I'd just been chased out of my dorm room by Charlotte Marie, rest her soul, and was sitting on a chair when Neptune entered the common room. I have to admit, compared to the rest of the crowd with their nose in books she stood out quite a lot. We talked, but then Emilia - you remember her, Daphne, the Thestral girl - started throwing a temper tantrum and really it wasn't the best of interactions. And then I tied my shoes. Riveting tale, isn't it?"

And then there was a new girl at the table. He smiled at her, "Sure, there's always room for one more. And you look parched," because sundaes clearly didn't quench thirst. Clearly, "Here, have some tea." He slid his untouched tea across the table to her with a friendly smile.

Fidgeting, Daphne felt Neptune's shoe on her. Wrinkling her nose, she tried inching away from it; even if it meant getting cozy with whoever was next to her: Kellen since Raiden was busy...not paying attention and all. "No, I haven't," she answered Neptune flatly. "I like to...um, finish my tea first before having cake. Also, I'm not feeling all that hungry."

Glancing sideways at Kellen, Daphne pulled the dessert plate towards him. "Growing boys should eat more, right Neptune?"

Yes. Daphne looked up at the girl who had walked to their table. Before she could say anything, Sabel was welcoming her and Daphne launched a very pointed look at his direction.

Then her eyes found the empty seat between him and Kellen and STARED at it. Stupid. Seat. Picking up the cup of tea, Daphne brought it to her lips. She'd just keep quiet and let Neptune do all the talking.

And..who was Charolotte Marie? A friend of Kellen's? She was dead? Oh my! Daphne paled slightly, and reached up to pat Kellen's cheek gently. "You poor thing! I'm very sorry for your loss but...why were you tying your shoe laces?"

"Falling down is how I met Neptune," Raiden mumbled, before sipping at his tea. She'd retreated, and was being all Neptune-ish. Long as he had his hands, he didn't mind at all. He needed those right now.

So far today he'd managed to keep them more than she had. He counted that as a personal victory. Hehe.

"Hi Madiison." He gave the girl a little wave as she approached. He hadn't forgotten the last time he'd seen her, and his... grumpiness. He'd be sure to improve on that today. Mmhmm.

Oh yeah. Setting down his tea, he reached under his chair and rummaged around blindly in the bag, searching for... ah there was one. Drawing out a chocolate frog, he held it out to the newest addition to their group.

"Here. I owe you one, right?"

Pause.

"Wait. Who's Charlotte Marie, and what was she doing in your dorm?"

Neptune touched Sabel, much like she was with Daphne, but with her fingers. She tiptoed her fingers up his forearm, simply because she could and he was there and he wasn't exactly paying her GOBS of attention. She'd only chosen to sit with him and not Kellen for this one purpose: attention from him.

So far - he failed.


"Oh HI! Rabbit girl, right? You make our Ravenclaw Ratio bigger! Yay Ravenclaw!" And now, it looked like a TRIPLE date! Neptune looked around at each boy, choosing which would be hers if they were asked. Hmmmm....

With that thought, Neptune forgot all about touching Daphne Hopton under the table and started a little staring match for each boy. Hmmmm. "Kellen is being SO modest," she commented off handedly as she ruled out Sabel. Some OTHER girl wasn't going to wear his COAT and be HER date. Hmm. So Raiden or Kellen.

Then Raiden gave CANDY to the new girl.

HUFF. He was SO RULED OUT.

So, she giggled in Kellen's direction. "Kellen was kind of my hero. Stood up for me when that girl turned ugly. I thought he was wonnnnnderful.

"Wait. The scorpion and your shoelaces introduced you to NEPTUNE?!" Unfortunately her name came out a bit less like his normal voice and a bit more of a startled, restrained yelp.

His eyes snapped to the girl in question as his arm jerked a little bit with the spider-walk her fingers were taking up his arm. She was currently examining Raiden and Kellen like a lionness hunting gazelle. And apparently Kellen was on the menu.

Lucky Kellen.

Could he have his arm back now? Please?

"Thank you!" Delighted, Madiison took a seat on the table and was about to taste her sundae when somebody offered her tea. AWWWW so sweet! Maybe the day wasn't a disaster after all. The red turned to look at the boy and shook her head. "Thank you! But I have already consumed ... a whole bottle of butterbeer." And she was done with drinks for at least the next three hours. At least.

"But thanks anyways." He was sweet!

Now, back to sundae.

...

Madiison froze.

Rabbit girl? The red tuuurned her head to look at Neptune who seemed a little absorbed looking at the boys. "Oh, yes, by the way." Madiison said, realising she hadn't actually introduced herself to those on this table who didn't know her. "I am Madiison." Smiiiiiiile. "But you can call me Di."

The thirteen year old scooped a small -ladylike- amount into her spoon but before she could bring it up to her mouth she was interrupted. "Oh, hello Raiden!" She turned her moderately big eyes to the chocolate Raiden held out for her. "Why, thank you!"

And JUST as the girl was about to finally taste her sundae, she froze yet again upon hearing Neptune. "A girl turned ... ugly?"

She imagined a pretty little girl's face distorting into something horrid. It would have been quite amusing if the thought wasn't quite as scary. It could happen to HER next!

Kellen sighed as Daphne patted his cheek. She'd probably get angry if he told her she was getting sentimental over a scorpion, but then Raiden asked about it and Sabel gave the answer, so he guessed he didn't really have a choice, "Charlotte Marie was Ian's scorpion. Some jerk filled her container with water and drowned her."

But hey, here was cake! Also from Daphne! It seemed like everyone was giving edibles at this table. Cake from Daphne, he'd given his tea to Madiison, Raiden was giving Madiison a chocolate frog, Neptune was giving him an appraising stare...

Um, why?

He flushed a little at the praise, "Emilia was being... strange." And then she'd kissed him on the cheek ugh. Affection was a strange and twisted thing. He watched Neptune's fingers going up Sabel's arm, and the boy's reaction, and was glad he was sitting on the opposite side of the table.

Raiden was giving other people candy. Not that Daphne liked candy but how come she didn't get candy? HUH? Best friend? Pouting, Daphne inched away from Raiden some more but reminded herself that there was no need to sit on Kellen Stern.

That was just plain awkward. As awkward as it was to realize Charlotte Marie was a scorpion and that she had looked like an idiot in front of someone she barely recalled seeing. Flushing, Daphne gripped the cup of tea once more in her hands.

She was...just...not going to say anything unless spoken to directly and fill herself up with tea until it was leaking out of her ears.

...

"Someone drowned the scorpion? The one that was in your bed?" Raiden frowned, clearly not noticing that Neptune's attention had been turned to Kellen and not him. He did noticed Daphne moving away from him, however. He glanced at her; why was she getting so close to Kellen? That was just odd.

Poke. Poke. His fork made little indents on the cake as he stared at it. That was a lot of sugar. Sugar helped make people happy, right? There was sugar in chocolate and stuff. He still felt a bit off from how he usually felt, so... He took a big bite.

...wow. That was a lot of sugar. OMNOMNOM.

"Mmm. You're welcome? You gave me one before, and I didn't have any to repay you with until today, so..."

He really wished for milk right now. Tea and cake just wasn't the same.

Hurry up dear" Rex told Kay. " Am I too fast for you?" Rex asked Kay.

For some unknown reason Vida liked this place. Madam Puddifoot. The place seems crowdy. No problem. Vida was alone, no Cedric this time her curly haired shmexy boyfriend and none of her friends.

The fourth year brunette apprached the counter and Spoke up to the shop owner Ms. Puddifoot "Excuse me, Umm..can I have Victoria sponge Er...no...Custard slices..oh..wait, Banana split" You go girl.." Yeah, I want Banana split please?" She asked finally after coming to the decision.

Kiri was secretly relieved. So Lavi didn't think that Astronomy was only something for bespectacled bookworms who holed up in the library and shunned human contact for the studies of he heavens?

Actually, telling it like that made it sound pretty cool. Although Lavi wasn't a bookworm, of course.

Kiri nodded excitedly. "I like Transfiguration as well! I'm not that good at it... I think I'm missing some, you know, concentration at times, but all the stuff you can do in that class is so interesting! Last term we learned the, er, Piertotum Locomotor spell, that was really cool. We animated chess figures and everything! Do you know how to do that?"

They were interrupted by the arrival of the tea shop's owner. A twinkling badge that flashed pink was attached to the woman's robes. It read HI, I'M Sapphira.
While Lavi was ordering, Kiri eyed him obliquely. He really was a very nice person, and her last doubts about meeting him at Madame Puddifoot's vanished. She made a mental note - quite a few were bumping around in her mind by now - to thank Professor Lupa for the introductions. Maybe not thank her outright, that would be too embarrassing, but at least... let her know that Lavi and her hadn't tried to hex each other.

Then Lavi had finished, and the woman turned to Kiri. Kiri gave her a cheerful smile. "Hello! I would like..." she glanced at the menu, "a piece of cheesecake and, erm..." She looked at the woman. "Do you have, you know, ordinary green tea?"

Kay giggled and ran after Rex. Catching him at the doorway to Madame Puddifoot's "No, you not to fast, I just didn't think we were in a hurry." She smiled looking into the place. "So where do you want to sit? Alone or a big table so if our friends come they can sit with us?" She asked looking for the right spot.

"Well, let's sit alone for this one time" Rex told Kay. " Our friends will understand we want some alone time" Rex said to Kay. "What is good to eat here?" Rex asked Kay.

"Great!" Lucy said with a grin and copied him as he stood up. Brushing the crumbs off her shirt, she took his arm and walked out of Puddifoot's with him. "Let's go!" Cheesecake, Christmas and summer plans, and time with Ty...yes, it had been quite a prodctive day.

Money wasn't a issue for Blake this year. His father finally got his much deserved promotion and things were pretty smooth in his household. Now that he had money to spend, he scanned the huge menu of Madam Puddifoot's, searching for the best food for his very first 'official' date with Nikki. He had asked her out yesterday and today, they were supposed to meet for a coffee date. Sounds good? Not! Although he was happy and all, he was still dreading about Shana's reaction.

Girls are so difficult to comprehend.

Pushing the thoughts away, he dropped the menu on the table and glanced at his watch. 5 minutes more and she'd be running late.

Kay smiled and wlked them to a table in the corner. She had him all to herself and she sat next to him. "Oh, well I have only eat here once before. The pork pies are good, but I like the vegetables the best." She said wondering if he would like the food here. "Oh, and all kinds of sweets. I love the cheesecake here." She reached out and took his hands. Kay looked up to see his beautiful eyes. Smiling she realized that they had stopped talking. "Oh, umm would you like me to order us something? I'll buy." She would knowing the she was blushing. Kay could feel her face getting hotter.