[img align=left] http://i.imgur.com/uRjPGZH.png [/img]Freya laughed "Are you always this articulate, young one?" She winked "I will have Gaia's dad connect the paintings. That will be fun and a different way for you to communicate. I will paint POP for Gaia too." Freya hugged Gaia.

Magnus frowned. "Usually I'm more... loquacious. But then I get weird about people givin' me things." He looked down at the ground. "I ain't used to it and I don't express it well."

Fade’s brow creased and he held up the toy Magnus () had just given him, shaking it slightly. “Yeah, exactly that.” But his eyes lit up even more at the thought of having a freaking centaur paint a moving portrait for him. “You guy really. I think I’m going to explode. You have to stop.” There was now the issue of finding perfect gifts for his perfect friends, and he worried he wasn’t going to be able to deliver like they had. Like, how can you give someone a dumb ornament and be all, ‘gee thanks for the UNICORN…’ Fade rolled his eyes at his own thoughts, but they still lingered. Maybe they would appreciate some weird muggle gifts from America. He made a mental note to ask his dad next time they spoke. “Oh, and thank you in advance miss Freya.” He half bowed to the centaur, not really knowing how else to behave. He knew centaurs were very proud creatures, and most proud creatures expected you to bow. ()

Magnus laughed and elbowed Fade. "No exploding, for several reasons. One, think o' the mess... two, I'm not sure what that'd do to the colour changing charm on your unicorn. And three, Gaia looks like she's 'aving a good 'air day and we wouldn't wanna mess that up with bits of exploding friends now would we?"

[img align=left]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harperhogsmeade.png[/img]"Do you have anything curried? I've always wanted to try some. My mum isn't a fan," she said to the nut vendor. She dug into her pockets, looking for her money purse. "Do you also have chocolate covered peanuts? They are my dad's favorite."

She wanted to try other varieties, but didn't want to be at the vendor too much longer. She needed to find Gaia, and she knew Aquilino needed to get back to work.

Magnus shook his head shyly at the centaur. Sliding his hands into his pockets. No, asking to pet her is weird and rude, he told himself.

"It do look really bouncy today," he said, playfully touching a few locks with his hands.

[img align=left]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harperhogsmeade.png[/img]Harper eyed Aquilino, then internally kicked herself. She was not jealous. She tried to focus her attention back on Lydia. She did so just at the right time, hearing her offer.

"Oh, that sounds wonderful! I'd love to help!"

"Whatcha gonna do?" he said sticking out his tongue, "curse me cos I said it were pretty and touched a strand? I'd love to see you explaining that one to the Professor," he said teasingly. But then she was telling Freya his desire... "Oy," he said protesting, "don't tell 'er that." He was turning bright red now.

[img align=left]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harperhogsmeade.png[/img]Harper happily handed over a galleon for the peanuts and took the card and nuts from her.

"They look wonderful! Going to be hard to resist eating these before I get home... good thing I had a big breakfast," she said with a grin. "Thanks again, Miss! I'll write to you as soon as I try them!"

She looped her arm around Aquilino's.

"Should we find Gaia now? She can't still be at the bank, can she?"

[img align=left]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harperhogsmeade.png[/img]Harper strained to see if she could hear it too, but it didn't take too much effort. Soon she could hear Gaia clearly.

"Yeah, I guess you're right.. She is pretty loud," she chuckled.

Soon Gaia was in sight, and Harper unhooked her arm from his to meet her.

"There you are! What's so funny?"

"I respect all art forms, Gaia," he said more seriously, "'air and all." He considered the centuar's request with care. Finally he nodded. "Yeah, I'd be 'appy to do that." Cautiously he went over and touched her body, first with the tips of his fingers, then with his hands. He petted her and smiled. "So soft and pretty,"

"I respect all art forms, Gaia," he said more seriously, "'air and all." He considered the centuar's request with care. Finally he nodded. "Yeah, I'd be 'appy to do that." Cautiously he went over and touched her body, first with the tips of his fingers, then with his hands. He petted her and smiled. "So soft and pretty,"

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/P4yiyjd.png[/img]"Magnus wants to pet Freya and I was trying to be evil but ended up laughing instead... was i being loud again? I need better control of my this-is-really-funny-for-reasons laugh" wiping her tears she said "Freya this is Harper and my roommate. This bubble head is Aquilino. You will probably see him for the holidays." Gaia grinned.

( )

[img align=left]https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/harperhogsmeade.png[/img]Harper giggled at the thought of the boy petting the centaur, then broke out into an all out laughter when he actually did.

"S-s-sorry.. now I get why you w-were laughing," she said and bit her lip to stop herself. She composed herself as best as she could. "Hello, Freya. Pleasure to meet you!"

She saw the paintings all around them, and her mouth fell open slightly.

"You did these? They are wonderful! Do many centaurs paint?"