Merlin was surprised, but then realized it was probably yet another one of those times when no one believes him and he just nods. "Of course not everything is perfect, it is far from it, many accidents happen on a daily basis, we don't live around cats - they are dragons." After the question of how the dragon's mother died he turned a bit sad. "Well you see, dragons get on fights more than I would like to believe and she got in a fierce fight with a nasty dragon we unfortunately have, it is also the father of Meolc, but she got injured pretty bad and even when they did their best to heal her, she was weak so giving birth took away her last strength I suppose. At least that is what my mother told me, I don't get to know everything...in fact I shouldn't know much but I'm too curious." He smiled a little. "Dragons like meat and not much of anything else, even when they have independent preferences like humans do, but when they are small they eat smaller animals like rats, snakes, rabbits, birds, some even like worms. But they learn quite fast how to hunt, so I didn't had to feed her that long, even when small dragons can be quite dangerous."

"You are right, the village is protected by charms and it is hidden from everyone's sight. It is not easy getting there, not even for me. I never know when I would be picked or which way it is, it is quite sad because I can't just get there." Merlin took another cookie. "I must get to Woodley bakery in Cottenham and get more cookies soon, they are better than the elves ones."

Merlin looked at and Eirik and rolled his eyes. "Nice Council guys, really I hope it turns into something very influential in the future. I like your spirit Kyros." He laughed a bit.

Merlin looked at working hard and felt bad. "You can take a little break, you know? Eat some cookies, here!" He gave a small plate with a few cookies to her. "Want some tea?" Another girl was being annoying and he shoo her away. "This is no place for crying, it is a place to study and work hard. Slytherins don't cry, at least not in public." He winks at her and the girl ran away. "Was I too rude?"

After listening to Merlin tried to control his temper. "I hope she didn't buy it, because if she did its supporting dragon slaying, but you are right..it could be a family treasure." Hurting animals was something Merls couldn't tolerate so he tends to be quite harsh about the theme. "As far as I know when a dragon dies in our sanctuary they study more in details some properties, for example the blood of certain dragons has strong magic good for healing potions while others for increasing magical power among other things. The magic of a dragon is still not completely discovered by wizards and they held many mysteries to find. But not only the blood has amazing qualities, also the nails, fangs, scales, heart, and even hairs are used for creating magical items yet for each dying dragon a goodbye ceremony is done. I have only been into one and they had an egg, or it looked like one, with fragments of the dragon inside and that is what they keep for remembering it, then its placed in a cave. My mother told me that was to honor them but that if found could become a problem since many would want to steal the eggs. I know they study ways to care for them better as well, not just to study their magical abilities, thanks to those studies a few dragon illnesses were cured, yet I don't know the details...wish I did." He was thoughtful for a moment. "Still, they are never used to make dresses, purses or carpets."

(OOC: I only went through page one. I will try to catch up tomorrow with the rest. You guys r too fast for me. lol)

( )

Eirik listened to what Miss Elizabeth had to say about snakes. "I do believe there are other magical species of snake, I know for a fact the runespoor is one of them, they are a three-headed snake native to Burkina Faso in Africa. I would think just about any of them, if you set aside the danger factor, would be wonderful companions."

Eirik looked thoughtful. "I understand the things you are saying, Fable, and anything that is considered dangerous is going to have a lot of negativity associated with it, and fear. What is the best way to overcome the fear..? Knowledge. "

He paused before continuing. "yes, things could go horribly bad because people act irrationally when faced with fear of the known or rumors. By, unfortunately, segregating the werewolves, they appear to be contained, and thus less of a threat. By treating them, and having that information made public, people can see just what is happening versus what they think is happening. Fear the known, not the unknown."

"The branch of government would have a lot of work to do to bring the knowledge out so people are aware of it. But, the main concern would still be the well being of the majority, that is what governments work toward. Isolate the threat, calm the panic, educate the uninformed."

He sipped some of his tea. "I agree the plan in practice would have many obstacles to overcome. Mob mentality is difficult, but bringing this condition out into the open instead of treating it like a dirty secret has to be the first step. The more the public is aware, the more steps to improve the condition for these people must be implemented. I give as an example gas chambers for euthanizing unwanted pets. If people didn't know how long it took for them to die, or what they go through until that death, there would not have been public outcry to get them banned and dismantled. That is why the plight of the afflicted must be made more public. "

"I agree that bad things could happen, but it is up to the governing forces to protect all of their citizens, including the werewolves. Counseling, day care, health care, further education...many of them cannot afford any of this, and thus suffer even more. Extra security for the buildings, to protect those within and without would be mandatory."

"As for other types of 'supernatural beings' they deserve all of this as well. They can't get it if they are too afraid to come forward because of the ignorance of the masses. We all have to learn to coexist, and not treat everything that is different from the 'norm' with suspicion and aggression."

Eirik paused, taking a breath and choosing his words carefully. "As for the vampires, we are not perfect, no. Just like any predatory creature we have instincts that we need to learn to control, and you are correct that extreme hunger or danger will bring out the survival instinct in anything, including vampires. We deserve no special allowances within the law because of our condition, if a vampire attacks someone due to hunger, they should be prosecuted the same way as any other person. Will there be extenuating circumstances that should be taken into account with sentencing..? yes, of course, everything is a case by case situation."

"I think, overall, the plan is a good one, and would go a long way to eliminate prejudice and fear. Will it take a long time for things to work out well for everyone..? Yes, but if we never start, we can never have that peace between the races."

Eirik refilled his teacup and helped himself to another cookie. "You pose good arguments, though, things to consider, to plan for, to have answers for. Thank you."

(OOC: I wrote a reply last night and now it's gone. Thank you Subeta. Faints. Now I see it. Ok, I'm going crazy)

OOC: It's not gone - yours and Nik's post are there, the forums are a bit buggy at the moment. It has something to do with the pages...apparently they changed the number of displayed posts per site and that's why everything is so chaotic and posts seem to be missing. See, as only 2 pages are available, simple ad the next numbers until it gets fixed. I was able to read the forums correctly on my phone, though, so it seems they are working on it. https://subeta.net/forums.php/read/867796/Slytherin-Common-Room-5th-Term-RP/3

3 for the third page and so on. c:

just seeing if the posting is working now

Kyros let out his laugh once he saw Merlin's reaction. "Thank you for having a sense of humor, by the way. And votes of good luck. From the conversations we're having around this table, I do think we can go somewhere with this. At the very least the Department of Execution ofMagical Law."

"Quite generous indeed, helping a friend with his unfortunate sweet addiction." Kyros added to Elizabeth, equally conspirational. "I've seen other kinds of magical snakes... Ashwinders, Occamys and Runespoors. I've also heard about Sea Serpents as well, though never seen one. And you're right, I mean, even if the Basilisk was trapped inside the Chamber of Secrets for almost a thousand years, the fact that no one knew there was a Chamber of Secrets meant that our Founder was even more exceptional, because he fooled the other three, that the following generations of Hogwarts don't know the castle that well, and, most of all, that I'm not sure I want to know what that thing was eating this whole time..."

"I never meant to say werewolves should be exiled to safe houses! I meant a safe place where they could go during their transformation period where they don't have any other option! It's never okay to just trap someone..." Kyros quickly tried to explain his point to Fable, sounding more emotional than his usual cheeky tone. He sounded horrified, as if the very idea of chaining people affected him. The boy breathed in slowly, and once he spoke again, he was much more controled. "Individual rooms where a werewolf who couldn't afford potions or for any other issue could change and not be a threat to themselves or other people. And such a record should only stay in hands of medical personnel, healers that could help the afflicted instead of a mark of shame. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear the first time." He looked down at his teacup. "Those may not be the ideal solutions, but at least they're measures that could be done in a short term while work is done in other, more permanent solutions, such as making wolfsbane potions cheaper and available, educating the population and providing support to those afflicted with lycanthropy."

"You're not wrong about mob mentality. People will try to defend themselves from the 'Other' that they see as dangerous, and they'll do so to any type of perceived danger. But that's exactly why there is a need face this mentality. I agree with Eirik, that fear comes foremost from the unknown. So they need to be made known! Policies and campaigns of education, even measures that could taken here in Hogwarts to help our fellow students and stimulate them to educate their parents and people they came in contact with. Give representation to werewolves and other magical beings in the Wizengamot. I don't think any of these will come freely, but wizarding society is just so... Complacent... If nobody changes anything people will keep... Locked in their little bubbles... Fearing the outside world..." The fingers holding the handle of the cup shook slightly. Kyros sighed, forcing himself to smile at his friends.

"That's why Elizabeth is correct! We should try to do something about this, right? We're Slytherins! Cunning and ambitious! And quite handsome, if you ask me."

(OOC: The forums are sucking. Argh).

((OOC is this one finally fixed..????? yay !! ))

Eirik listened to Kyros talk about the werewolves. "Yes I agree that all 'supernaturals' should have representation. They need to have their concerns, their voices, heard. Especially from a government that hasn't exactly been..on top of things."

Eirik chuckled. "Handsome...? If you had said attractive it would applied to both sexes, Kyros. Now you just make it seem like you...think very highly of your looks." He paused, considering. " I suppose there are those who would find you appealing to the eye."

((short post, just want to be sure it is going to continue to work ))

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/t4g9e8g.png[/img] "Thanks Merlin (). It wasn't too rude, you rescued me." Poppy joined the group and settled in a green velvet settee with some linzer tarts. She recognized some faces from a charity event she had attended in Diagon Alley over the winter holidays. Everyone seemed to be busy chatting and snacking.

"What kinds of tea are there?" Poppy smiled at the assembled group (, , , , ). "How rude of me, we haven't all met. I'm Poppy Blackwood, Merlin's co-prefect."

( and sorry I hadnt read merlins post and saw you were invited to the table )

Eirik listened to everything Merlin had to say about the Dragons and his village. "I am sorry that your little one lost its mom. I understand dragons can be dangerous and unpredictable even to each other, but its still a sad thing. I am glad that they did everything they could for her, even if it wasnt enough."

Eirik smiled and moved the box of assorted teas over to the new girl. "I am not certain, but there is quite a variety. Help yourself. "

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/t4g9e8g.png[/img] Poppy smiled back at the pale, blond boy and selected a sachet with a spicy chai blend. She noticed that he looked warmly at Merlin, Fable, and a girl with dark hair, as he spoke. There seemed to be competitive tension between him and a dark-haired boy and controlled loathing towards a girl with a thick Italian accent. (OOC: Did I get his relationships right ? Trying to keep up with all the reading between the disappearing posts!) Poppy continued to listen as she got up and made her way to the table for milk.

((ooc yes you have the relationships correct, good job !!))

Eirik smiled. "Nice to meet you, Miss Blackwood, I am Eirik. Have you formally met everyone here at the table..?"

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/t4g9e8g.png[/img] (OOC: Yay! It was fun to read this and the giveaway RP .) "It's my pleasure, and please, call me Poppy." She had returned to her seat with milk added to her teacup and a platter of various nibbles to share. "I met Fable outside the gala in Diagon Alley over break. Everyone else looks familiar from that night as well, but we haven't met." Poppy nodded toward the Slytherins she was referring to (, , ).

( )

Eirik smiled. "Thank you, Poppy. This is Miss Ariette Latimer , Miss Elizabeth Covington, and Kyros...sorry, I don't think I ever got your last name, " he said, turning to Kyros.

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/t4g9e8g.png[/img] (OOC: Leaving for a bit to shower!) Poppy looked on with great interest between the two boys (, ), who seemed to challenge each other with their glances. She was grateful for Merlin's () invitation because she found the dynamics of the little group fascinating. A spirited rivalry was healthy, and important to a house that wished to maintain supremacy in the battle for the House Cup.

(, , )

"It's Riven. Eirik. Kyros Riven." The boy was slightly offended by his own roommate not knowing his last time, so he took another sip from his tea to calm down before smiling charmly at Poppy. "A pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Blackwood. I believe I saw you during the Benefit night, yes, but we never had the opportunity to chat. We were just talking about cookies, our shared love for animals and the creation of a new Council to rule over Wizardkind and rewrite the unfair rules it applies towards our magical brethen out of ignorance." Still all charm and sweetness, he took another sip. "Please, feel free to join us~"

After listening without saying anything about the theme, Merlin decided to say something. "Fable, if you are so concern about this, I say maybe you and us can try coming up with a new potion that is not expensive. It may sound ambitious, but nothing is impossible yet it could take a long time. I think werewolves could be accepted into society better if people weren't afraid of them, which is understandable, yet I don't see much done to help them. I consider Eirik's ideas not to be bad at all, in fact I believe with time and education people can change their minds about things. If you don't understand something it is more likely to create false ideas about it."

Merlin nods at "I think you and Eirik can totally fit into a law department for the little I've heard you both talk." After his handsome comment and Eirik's answer to that, Merlin laughed. "I'm sure ugly as a troll!" He laughed some more.

"Glad I could be of some help, some students need a hard hand since they are spoiled little brats." He smiles while pouring some water for her tea. "There is a good variety of tea, pick your fave."

"Meolc is fine now, she is strong and also has other dragons to learn from- at least she is not alone. She also has her father, even when he mostly ignores her." Merlin made a sad face thinking about it. "But she has a human dad that loves her dearly."

Merlin looked at the remaining cookies and decided to leave them for Kyros and chose to eat more pears when his snake lift the head toward the table. "You are hungry?" Then he looked at "You can talk to him, what does he wants? I wish I could talk to him like you do, do you think I could learn?" The idea excited him, but wasn't sure if he could achieve it yet if possible he would definitely try it!

( )

"Riven, hmmm...?" Eirik asked. "With a name like Kyros I expected...I don't know, something Greek perhaps ? for a surname. " He looked thoughtful. "Its a good name, though. How would you like to go around with Skarsgard..? " he chuckled. " Makes you want to say it with a snarl or something."

"Thank you Merlin. I believe the youth of today are the ruling class of tomorrow, so we owe it to ourselves to be prepared, to know who we are and what we stand for."

Elizabeth nodded when Fable asked about the grass snake being the first serpent she spoke with. "It makes sense now that you mention it...I never considered animal characteristics to be honest, but it sounds interesting."

She chuckled when Eirik explained the Runespoor. "To be honest, it sounds like a spell gone wrong. Imagine all of them talking at the same time.", Elizabeth said and a spark of excitement was in her eyes as Kyros went on with more magical serpents. "You have seen all of these with your own eyes? They can't be completely native to Britain so you must have been travelling a lot...", she assumed, then lowered her voice. "Between you and me, I've always wondered why nobody made the connection at this school, between our founder and the monster he had hidden. I mean, it's obvious. Either way they didn't care or wanted something bad to happen. "

Then she leaned a bit back, listening to Eirik's and Kyros' future plans for the Ministry of Magic. This was truly good company. "Good evening, Poppy", she said when she joined their table. Elizabeth had only seen her at the benefit concert, but couldn't recall talking to her. From Merlin she knew that she was a prefect as well, a highly-honourable position. The conversations were really interesting and she hoped she would be able to keep most of it in mind.

As Merlin asked her what Thunder would like to eat, she seemed a bit surprised. "He thinks that these pears smell interesting. But he doesn't want to try.", she explained and waited a bit. "The smells on the table are quite interesting so he's just curious although he wouldn't reject something to eat." She smiled. "He's quite tiny.", she said and pondered over Merlin's question for a moment, "they say that you can learn it, but I have no idea where they teach it. Though I think you can only learn to understand snakes, I'm not so sure about the hissing-human part."

(OOC, glad to see forums are working again :D )

(( Sorry guys lack of sleep, broken forums and screaming at my knitting as made me a bit grumpity. But I will try to catch up))

Fable smiled at the group. She had so many bits to digest but first and foremost she wanted to show she wasnt upset. Just passionate.

She greeted Poppy. "Yes it was briefly at the gala that we met. Outside I believe. I loved your outfit! I should warn you your entering a heated convo in many respects, but Im starting to think Slytherins like them." she chuckled.

She looked at Merlin. "Im not trying to upset you, I am though trying to make you aware that Ariette is not responsible for the all the acts people have down against dragons throughout time. If I remember correctly, she said her sister bought it for her in Japan..or was it China?" she looked at Ariette for confirmation.

"Now I know in the muggle world Japan and China have a serious need for all animal laws and they, meaning muggle activists, do fight for them. I appreciate you thinking though about what Im saying though. On that note...what was your white fur made out of at the gala?" she asked with a tricksy glimmer in her eye. "and what I was getting at is the magical community still uses dragons parts for both practicality and their magical properties. Armor is a common use, hence why they have dragons hide gloves for herbology class. If she comes from a tumultuous society or country, her sister could have bought the dress in worry for her safety and again is that not why we use the gloves."

She sipped her tea. "On another note, I like what your community does with their dragons, many muggle and wizard nomadic tribes do that as well with animals they revere, worship, co-exist with. Its a beautiful practice and I wish more people still honored the creatures that way. Im not saying they have to worship the animal..but its the idea of respecting and thanking them for what the animal has given, even if the spirit has left. I believe all things are connected...yes..we should respect, protect and accept we are all in a big "web" co-existing together. When a dragon dies, what is left once the spirit leaves feeds all the animals that fed it during its life time, even the grass."

She smiled. "I would like that Merlin very much...to try and make a cheaper alternative for a lycanthropy potion. I have had experience around shifted werewolves before. They wont attack me but I can see what they are going through and..." she shakes her head.

((to Kyros and Eirick)) She chuckles. "Im sorry I threw you guys off, your plans arent bad, they are just the wrapper of the cupcake that is the problem. I think you two could do wonderful things working together...which makes me wander if I just be concerned." She touched her finger to her lip the same way Kyros did, then smiled.

She then looked at Elizabeth, "If youd like more information on totem animals and their symbology, I have a book...and well the internet has tons of info, breaking it down to even specific species. They even have what it means when you see a certain animal in your dream." she chuckles "Im sounding like Professor Trelawney now I suppose..."

She yawned. It had been a long night.

(OOC: oops catching up on a lot of things, please ignore any inconsistencies, I'm trying to keep track of everything)

Ariette nodded towards the mysterious black-haired male and smiled in a way she hoped was reassuring "Salve! A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my name's Ariette Latimer. I'm afraid I didn't catch your name?" She gestured towards her unruly familiar "This is my cheeky companion, Erus" Erus flicked his tongue out and scented the male before winding himself back tightly around Ariette's neck. She tapped him slightly on the head and he relinquished his stranglehold somewhat.

(OOC: haha i love the cookie bit) Ariette smothered a laugh at Merlin, somewhat sorry for teasing him so. "Indeed Signore, tis I. The dress was a gift from my sister and I hadn't thought to as where the scales were sourced from. According to her, somebody gifted it to her some time ago and it is indeed an heirloom, although not an heirloom of our family. I can owl her and ask her to inquire about the origin of the scales if you like? Merlin knows she would love the chance to talk fashion."

She beamed at Elizabeth but stiffened in surprise when Elizabeth addressed Erus. She murmured lowly to Erus "Now now, behave yourself!" She looked almost put out at not being able to introduce Erus. She ended up leaning against the back of Merlin's chair and kept a careful eye on Erus as he slowly inched towards Elizabeth. She hissed teasingly to her familiar "I see how it is you little traitor, nevermind the fact that I am the one to feed your insatiable apetite. A speaker comes along and suddenly you're the model snake are you??"

She shot Elizabeth an exasperated smile and offered a little shrug "It appears that my familiar is fond of you, signorina"

Turning her attention towards Fable, she adopted a serious look "Indeed Signorina, some vampires do go "feral" if they are without blood for a prolonged period of time but the Elders are .... Ah apologies, I shouldn't talk about the Elders"

She looked mildly uncomfortable with the talk of chaining and diverted her attention back to Kyros before her temper could get the better of her although she offered up a suggestion for Eirik and Fable's potion. "I do believe that rune-enhanced flasks may increase your potion's potency. My sister wrote last month about some experiments they're tinkering with at OLEN"

(OOC: OLEN is a small post-school academy where apprentices can study with potion masters. It's kind of like a post-graduate degree kind of situation)