Paddy looked at the cats and realised that just because Kippers and Chase didn't seem to mind, that wasn't going to be the case for all the others. Hearing Sam () call out that she was going to feed a snake, she tried to ignore what was being said - she needed to concentrate on the cats, and not get sidetracked with snakes (especially if they had rats there, as she didn't think she would be able to control herself around rats). She was just ready to step back from the cats, when Emmy () suddenly transformed into a cat. Paddy had caught a glimpse of her changing back into human form at the first club meeting, but it was still strange to see someone actually able to choose when they transformed. She could hardly believe what Emmy was able to do, as she watched the girl.... cat.... talk to the other cats. She seemed to be beckoning Paddy to come closer so she took a few steps forwards; Emmy seemed to have worked wonders with the cats, as one in particular seemed more confident. Paddy finally took her hands from her pockets, and crouched down to see how it would react.

Indeed nature can be very beautiful and disturbing at the same time... which probably went for himself too. Magnus drew, relaxing more and more that everyone had been so forgiving and willing to see past what he became 3 nights a month. He had friends it would seem. Smiling he watched Kippers wind herself around Paddy who was leaning towards the other cats letting them sniff her. Paddy was doing pretty okay with the other students as well it looked like. Maybe his parents where right to force him to stay at Hogwarts.

Sam beamed, not many people appreciated the beauty of serpents, especially when the ate. Then she spotted the sketch Magnus had done. "Great Merlin! you're really good! Chua's not going to be interested in anything while he's digesting, but you'll have to show him that sometime. He's a bit vain, and that's beautiful." she looked around seeing the other students starting to pack up. "Sorry, we got interrupted there, sometimes it's a curse being able to understand every demand that little tyrant makes."

Magnus blushed and ruffled his hair. "Thanks, been drawin' since I was old enough to hold a pencil. Not many frills at a children's home you see. I gave the toys charities sent us to the 'ounger kids and kept the paper an' pens to meself. Some times I could sell 'em on the street but I think most people gave me money just cos I was an orphan. Its probly rubbish, but I like drawin'." He regarded the snake smiling, "'e's a pretty thing for sure. I'll 'appily feed his ego when he's in the need. Wish I could talk to me cat like that." Then unable to stop the question he blurted out, "did you have tea parties with snakes in dresses and hats when you were little?"

Sam burst out laughing "I was more of a 'tease the rattlesnake' than tea party kind of kid, still am. Heck, I didn't even own a dress, until ma made me wear one on the trip here. I guess muggles have weird rules about how you dress for dinner on their ocean liners." she looked at the drawing again. "I'll bet they didn't pay you near enough for your art, you're really good.

"For the most part I was on me own, but sometimes I'd let the little girls dress me up and we'd have tea and cakes in dresses and pearls. Mind you I still wore me trousers. Blokes gotta 'ave some dignity after all. What's an ocean liner like? You from America then? Never been outside o' London till I got adopted, now I live in the country, rather different to say the least." He looked at his drawing again. "'bout a quid," he said. Then realising she wouldn't know the slang term he said,"a pound or in American money a dollar. Not bad for a street rat really."

"Well, I dunno about street rats, but I met an artist back in Tuscarora who wouldn't take less'n twentyfive bucks for something like that. 'Course she'd have to go all the way to Elko to find someone to sell her stuff to." She paused, realizing Magnus would have no clue about where she was talking about.
"I'm originally from the state of Nevada, in North America. It's mostly wild mountains and desert there, hardly any people, and you could fit all of England into just the one state. The first time I even saw a paved street was when we went to catch a train to leave for here, 'cause my ma is terrified of flying."

"Tis okay, don't mind the name. Twas what I was. 'Bout as common as they come. Ran 'round London up to no good. Couldn't chuck me out o' the children's home now could they? Police didn't like me too good. Do wonder about the little 'uns though. Never got ta say goodbye ta me. Not sure if headmaster told 'em I got adopted or said I died." He zoned out for a few moments and then shook his head. Sam's tone sounded sad or maybe he remembered his old life as well. "Tis 'ard, ain't it; rollin' with the changes? Still wouldn't 'ave a mum and dad if it tweren't for becomin' a werewolf. 'N' you'd not be here at Hogwarts twerent for moving eh?"

Emmy purred (still in cat form) as approached hesitantly, having "talked" to the cats present to make them more comfortable with the werewolf. Banshee in particular was no longer nervous but just very curious, sniffing the air as the other student crept closer.

Emmy changed back into herself with a faint pop and grinned at Paddy, reaching out to stroke her cat's calico fur.

"Banshee is not afraid at all now," Emmy said cheerfully. "You can pet her, go on!" she coaxed Paddy, wanting the other girl to have a good experience. Boo was hovering a little nervously, but he was always a bit of a scaredy cat, it had nothing to do with Paddy's werewolfism.

Fade had been quietly observing the two different snakes and admired how brave Magnus (()) was when he reached to pet one, but had to turn away when Chua struck at his subdued mousey meal. Fade fully understood that everything needed to eat, but he still wasn’t exactly comfortable watching something die. Sam (()) had done well to share with them her extensive knowledge, and Fade was appreciative of her willingness to do so. How cool would it be to only have to eat once a week. But when the talk turned into talk of home, Fade’s stomach started to feel rather empty, not in a hungry way.

Chase looked up from the toy he had been gnawing on just long enough to whine meow , before rolling over and almost rolling right off the table. The catnip must have been getting to him. Still he was able to catch himself and sat upright with a start before hurriedly grooming his mussed chest fur with a long tongue.

Fade seemed subdued and Magnus had been talking to Sam a lot. Maybe he was freaked at the snake eating? He understood that. Hoping to help he said, "could draw you an' Chase if you want. Or we could check out 'nother table, plot some pranks with frogs?"

Fade was delighted to learn that Magnus (()) had also considered pranking some people with frogs and such. Great minds and thinking alike. Leaning over to take a glance at Magnus’s sketchbook Fade’s smile widened. “We could do a trade, I also art.” His smile dropped. “Oh but I leave my stuff in my room… I don’t like to show people most of it.” He grinned and scratched the back of his head nervously. “On second thought I’m probably not good enough.” He blushed slightly and the tips of his hair mimicked the rosy shade of pink. “Nah this table is cool, it’s like being on a nature show in real life. I feel like Jack Hanna.” Odds were the other would have no idea who Jack Hanna was, but Fade shrugged it off and looked back toward the cat table to make sure Chase wasn’t causing too much trouble.

"Rubbish," he said, "I reckon its loads better than me art. Would like ta see it if you'd be up to showing me. 'Side not 'ad a chance to see other art from people. Maybe we can 'elp each other get better?" He had no idea who Jack Hanna was, but figured he had to be someone that worked with animals. If he was on the telly that would explain why Magnus had never heard of the bloke. He had only seen telly on the few times a shop owner would let him sit in their shop and watch a cartoon. It was normally on the day before a holiday.

Paddy jumped as Emmy () transformed back into her human form. Reaching forwards, she tickled Banshee behind the ear, just as Kippers weaved between her legs. "What did you say to them?" she asked Emmy, amazed that the cats seemed more comfortable with her than she had even thought possible.

As Chase nearly rolled off the table () Paddy couldn't help laughing; she guessed it had something to do with the catnip, or maybe all the other cats were making him a little crazy.

Emmy considered what had asked her, peering at the other girl.

"I didn't really say anything," she said slowly, wondering how to explain. "I did more of a gesture, an indication that you were safe," she said, reaching out and stroking Boo again. "Its hard to explain, its instinctual when I'm in cat form, really," she said, smiling at Paddy.

"Well hello there!" she said, noticing a cat she hadn't spotted before. "Is she yours?" Emmy asked Paddy, reached a hand out towards the cat weaving between the girl's legs, hoping the cat would come over to sniff.

() "That's so different to being a werewolf," Paddy replied, "I've never stopped to consider communicating with anything.... I guess I'm more interested in chasing rats though." She watched Kippers head towards Emmy before adding, "nope, this is Magnus ()'s pet Kippers. My pet's Mouse the owl, who seems to like cuddling up to the other owls in the tree at the moment."

“That would be awesome!” Fade’s eyes lit up and his hair seemed to brighten as well. “Just promise not to laugh too hard when you see it?” He smiled but was very serious. In the past he hadn’t had as supportive a reaction from the other kids when he tried to share. But he had a feeling Magnus (()) would be more kind about it in general. “Have you joined the art club yet? It isn’t half as big as this one. But if you have time you should visit, I’m sure everyone would love to see your stuff.” Maybe they were getting a little off topic. “I bet would be cool with you making illustrations for our animal tables, what do you think? We could like… Make a book with all the info sheets we made.”

Magnus looked over to check on his cat and Paddy. She seemed a lot more relaxed around the cats now which made him smile. He watched as Kippers sniffed and subsequently licked the girl he'd overheard as named Emmy. Then Kippers hopped up the table and batted a box of treats trying to get into them.

Turning his attention back to Fade he shook his head, "Won't find me laughing, mate. Might say if I think something needs a bit o' reshaping or what 'ave you but I'd ask you to do the same for mine as well. Didn't know there was an art club." Then he smiled and said, "oh now I'd like that. We could label the parts of the animals too--enlarge scales to show what they look like. Could look like a really professional book when we finished." Flashing a mischievous smile he said, "'nd maybe make one of the drawings pop out and realistically croak?"

( )

Catching bits of conversation Gaia glared at the boys talking. Have they been reading through her parchments. How could they possibly know what she was up to. No, they couldn't know. It was a surprise for the club members and she was working non-stop on it. How could they know she was putting together a creature guide AND working on their personal pets. The idea sparked while witnessing the passion the members had for their pets. It was probably just a coincidence but either way Gaia said out loud "Erm... I see you two are excited talking about something. Please see me after this session is over. We could... erm... work something out." Then with a serious glare and pointing at each boy individually back and forth... "Don't. YOU. Ruin. The. Surprise. Got it?!" Gaia then caught herself in the midst of being rude to her friends. sigh "I'm sorry you two. I am just working so hard on it and there are SO MANY FACTS you are all so good with your pets I fell behind. I am pretty sure I have overachiever stamped on my forehead. If you do have drawings show me after the meeting is over and then we can make it really great for everyone!" Gaia clapped excited like the last 2 minutes of conversation weren't intense and just got her parchment and quill out to write some other short handed ideas for later.

((OOC: FOR EVERYONE, I AM working on making a Creature guide as we work on them. Anyone that would like to make drawings for it are welcome to do so! Also if you are willing and want to create a club shield or badge, something small for us to show pride in our club are welcome as well! I am working on giving us a fun identity and giving more structure to the club! More on this will come soon!))