"Eh, the entire Magical creature club watched me transform, don't bother me. Dad won't mind. I doubt Paul will care but 'e may watch you a lot. He's an Auror--werewolf in the room--'e can't shut that off. So wouldn't try to cheat playing exploding snap but otherwise... its copacetic. "

Eirik smiled, what a great opportunity this was. " Pass me a suspicious note during dinner sometime and let me know the details, " he said with a chuckle.

Magnus nodded. "Will do." He wasn't sure what else to say and they should probably not get too far off the topic--even if he was privately thankful. Maybe this would be good for them friendship wise too? He hoped it would be. At least the older boy didn't seem mad at Magnus and that was also a relief.

Kyros was unsure with Eirik's request of talking to him alone later. He had a fairly good idea of what the subject would be, and it made him anxious, fidgeting nervously with his fingers. Part of him really wanted to say that, at least get it out of his chest somehow, but he'd be so ashamed, and wondered if that would affect his relationship with the Council. He just didn't like bringing out his past, but felt that if they really wanted to bring change together, then they'd have to know that.

"Yeah, we can chat after the workshop. All of us, if possible." He sounded much more serene than he was actually feeling. "I think it's important, given the nature of the Council."

Once he headed back into the pavilion, the boy thanked Elizabeth for keeping an eye on the workshop subject for him. Taking out his journal, he began taking notes on Magnus' explanations on Mimsy. House Elves' relation with work sounded fascinating, though full of unfortunate implications. He'd like to know more if possible.

"Magnus, if I may? I believe it may be somewhat relevant. How much control do the masters have over the elf, and is it magical in nature? I'm wondering because you said they can be ordered to hurt themselves as punishment. Is it like being under Imperius if an abusive order is issued, or are they just conditioned to obey?"

He couldn't help but smile a bit at Magnus' proposal for Eirik interviewing his father. That would be a great opportunity for their group and their objective, and he admired how open Magnus was. He was glad there seemed to be no hard feelings either way as well.

"Well... there's some debate on that. A direct order is absolute and they must obey. If they can find loopholes so to speak, they might be able to not obey. They also cannot be ordered to kill themselves. I don't know 'ow the magic works, but there does seem to be some kind of magical bond that makes the 'ouse elf obey. There doesn't seem to be much on that I'm afraid. But I've never seen a 'ouse elf forced to obey. Dad doesn't directly order Mimsy; 'e asks. The 'Ogwarts 'ouse elves are all super 'appy to 'elp me get food. It also depends on how 'appy the elf is I guess. The 'appier they are, the more likely they'll do whatever they are ordered without complaint. Much like if I'm mad, cleaning after the chickens at 'ome ain't gonna make me more 'appy. But if I'm in a good mood and am asked, I might be singing along to the Weird Sisters as I clean up."
He shifted uncomfortably as his shoulders visibly tensed. He didn't have the happiest past before he was adopted.

He could see Magnus was uncomfortable by his question. The uneasiness accompanying him even before the break just seemed to grow stronger.Haven't you learned from that fight with Eirik, Kyros? He shifted uncomfortably in his place, trying to find words to defuse the tension.

"I just meant really if there was some kind of magical contract involved. It would certainly be better if a master just asked instead of forced an elf or anyone else to do something against their will." He tried to smooth over the heavy subject, as it wasn't one that he would discuss in front of so many people. It was best if he could get a tangent that was still related to the elves. "About the elves in Hogwarts, by the way, you have idea if they have to sign a contract to join the school? Just a curiosity..."

He hoped that a smile would be enough to hide how bad he felt now.

Scooping up Chase and returning to the pavilion, Fade found a spot off to the side and settled in. He knew next to nothing about House Elves, aside from what he had read in books, and hadn’t ever met one till he visited Magnus’s family over break. Though there was a lingering suspicion in the back of his mind that his mother had grown up with one and just refused to talk about it. After all, she was a terrible cook.

When the other students had asked their questions Fade lifted a finger. “Is there a registry? Like, can you look up a families House Elf lineage? Or is that just something you are supposed to know..?” As soon as the words left his mouth he felt his face getting hot, but to his credit his hair remained the same brownish color. ()

"I'm not really sure 'ow it works to be honest. just some kinda magical contract. Er, I'm not sure its a signed kinda thing but I would suppose they are bound to the school, either through lineage or other means. I didn't really find any research to say how 'ouse elves enter servitude."

Magnus was trying his best not to let his own discomfort show. He could tell Kyros looked tense but he wasn't sure what exactly was setting it off--it could be the topic, Magnus' reaction to the topic-- who knew.

"I don't fink there's a registry per se, but... shouldn't be too difficult to trace 'em. Most wizards keep good family 'istories so the names of 'ouse elves and such should likely be in there--also if they are passed down they'd be in wills so there's definitely a paper trail."

Now Fade looked upset and Magnus looked down with a look of shame--staring at the floor.

Aria listened as Magnus described Mimsy's living conditions and she felt glad that their father was being so kind to Mimsy. She really liked Mimsy and thought of her as family, just like Magnus and their parents. Aria sighed loudly at the sad thought of people hurting their house elves. She looked down at her feet and felt like crying, fully understanding and knowing what it was like to be mistreated by those who care for you.

Aria looked over to Dax who also knew what it was like. Dax sent Aria a warm mental huge for reassurance. 'You saved me from that wretched wizard, there's no need to think on him or feel bad for me anymore sweetie,' Dax mind spoke to her.

Aria nodded to Dax and gave him a half-hearted attempt at a smile.

"It just pains me so much to think of how many cruel people out there" Aria whispered to Magnus and anyone else near by. "I really wish people would stop abusing innocent kids."

Aria blushed once she realized the slip up of words that she'd said. She had meant to say elves but the mind has a subconscious power of its own. Looking over to Magnus, Aria could sense that he was feeling upset, just as she was. She looked around the room and felt like she wanted to be sucked into a black hole. She wanted to cry but couldn't let go of her emotions in front of anyone.

She decided to brush over her slip of tongue and amend her statement. "I mean wouldn't it be nice if everyone treated everyone nicely, magical beings and muggles alike?" Aria asked the people listening around her.

( and anyone else - )

Aria's comment made Magnus visibly but involuntarily flinch. His eyes stayed staring at the floor--as if lost in his own world. He made a vage grunt at her followup thought. He knew Aria had rescued Dax though and had been glad she had.

Feeling like the atmosphere in the room had gotten a little weird. In an attempt to lighten the mood Fade smiled. “Would love to see the look on my ma’s face when I go asking about ‘er house elf.” He could only assume she had one, although her aversion to discussing her side of the family was so strong there wasn’t really a way to approach the topic. Maybe he could work it into a letter, passively, and see if she would open up. Doubtful but still. He nodded in agreement with Aria. () “That’s why we gotta learn the hard stuff, right? So we can do the right thing when we’re the ones makin the laws and junk.” Or whoever, Fade wasn’t into politics at all, but that was beside the point.

The mood had considerably darkened, and Kyros bit his lower lip, feeling guilty over bringing that subject to begin with. Now both Magnus and Aria looked sad, and most of the class was in awkward silence. He forced himself to do something, say something, to at least diffuse that bad feeling.

"It can happen. We can change the way House Elves are treated, and more." His voice was smooth and confident. Usually Eirik made that kind of serious speech, but Kyros felt indebted for making things so dark in Magnus' workshop. "The fact we can be in a place of acceptance like Hogwarts is a chance we have, as students and people, to learn about the good of differences, to learn with each other and from the mistakes other wizards and witches made, to bring those changes to the Wizarding world outside. I mean, a few years ago, a workshop on House Elves managed by a werewolf student would be impossible, and we're here now... As bad as it feels for us, to recognize we need to change as a society is the first step for that change, if we can do it together. And I think we're on the right path to that."

I'm speaking way too much... But at least I hope I made some sense.

Magnus forced himself to break out of his thoughts. "'istory is full of things we don't wanna talk about but if we don't learn from it then we'll follow the same path." Magnus nodded at Kryos, "yeah we gotta be the change we wanna see. Not everything is rosy--but i fink we are making progress if only a little bit at a time--its still progress."

Dax saw Magnus flinch at Aria's words and decided to help ease him from his wonder a bit. Dax sent a gentle mind whisper to Magnus to see if he would be open to hearing his mind voice. 'Magnus, I know we haven't talked hardly at all, but I wanted to tell you that you are not as alone as you might think. Aria has many hidden secrets of her past that only I know about.' Dax sat near Aria and looked almost like he was falling asleep rather than mind speaking with Magnus. Dax waited to see if Magnus had even heard his mind voice, many people simply cannot hear him.

"Kyros, you are exactly right!" Aria said gaining confidence in her voice. "Recognizing the pain and problems is the hardest and most important step towards making real change." The discomfort and sadness Aria had been feeling dispelled into anxiety so she reached over and ruffled the feathers atop Dax's head and then stroked them smoothly back down into place again. She was grateful to have Dax to help dispel her discomfort.

Fade pipped in with his efforts to ease the tense conversation and Aria nodded in agreement with him. "It's so true, but complicated! I never know how to go about involving myself in causes. That is another reason why I am so grateful for my dad, he helps direct me and he knows all the ins and outs!" Aria's lips smiled with ease towards Fade but her eyes remained strained and saddened.

Aria wanted to go hug her brother but she stayed seated where she was instead. "Sometimes the most terrible things in our pasts are the things that we don't want to talk about but often we can help others a lot because we have survived past our unspeakable experiences." Aria looked at Magnus and hoped that she was not making him more uncomfortable but dispelling the pain.

"You help a lot of people, Magnus,"Aria said with soft gentleness to her voice. "Remember that, what was it a bunny, that you wouldn't eat, when you were changing to a werewolf?" Aria smiled thinking of how kind and thoughtful he was. "You are stronger because of your past and of who you are now." Aria took a deep breath and let it out slowly, hoping she hadn't said something to further upset her brother.

( )

Dax sat near Aria and looked almost like he was falling asleep rather than mind speaking with Magnus. Dax waited to see if Magnus had even heard his mind voice, many people simply cannot hear him.

"Kyros, you are exactly right!" Aria said gaining confidence in her voice. "Recognizing the pain and problems is the hardest and most important step towards making real change." The discomfort and sadness Aria had been feeling dispelled into anxiety so she reached over and ruffled the feathers atop Dax's head and then stroked them smoothly back down into place again. She was grateful to have Dax to help dispel her discomfort.

Fade pipped in with his efforts to ease the tense conversation and Aria nodded in agreement with him. "It's so true, but complicated! I never know how to go about involving myself in causes. That is another reason why I am so grateful for my dad, he helps direct me and he knows all the ins and outs!" Aria's lips smiled with ease towards Fade but her eyes remained strained and saddened.

Aria wanted to go hug her brother but she stayed seated where she was instead. "Sometimes the most terrible things in our pasts are the things that we don't want to talk about but often we can help others a lot because we have survived past our unspeakable experiences." Aria looked at Magnus and hoped that she was not making him more uncomfortable but dispelling the pain.

"You help a lot of people, Magnus,"Aria said with soft gentleness to her voice. "Remember that, what was it a bunny, that you wouldn't eat, when you were changing to a werewolf?" Aria smiled thinking of how kind and thoughtful he was. "You are stronger because of your past and of who you are now." Aria took a deep breath and let it out slowly, hoping she hadn't said something to further upset her brother.

( )

The conversation continued and the topic seemed to even out. He wasn't sure how to reply to Aria at all. He hadn't shared and didn't particularly wish to at the moment. He flashed a look to her, that showed he heard. And mouthed "Later." He hoped she'd understand.

Dax nodded imperceptibly towards Magnus and then started to doze off, thinking about his next idea for a prank on the boy.

Aria noticed that Dax seemed to be quite content where he was, cuddled up next to her and smiled warmly at him. He is such a cute dearling, she thought.

Aria understood Magnus when he mouthed the word 'later' to her. She felt the same way. Plus she was quite sidetracked by the thought of Mimsy and the efforts she'd been taking to help house elves.

"Do you think it would be appropriate for house elves to publish their thoughts in the newspaper?" Aria asked Magnus.

()

Now that was an interesting idea. "If it was accompanied with an article about furthering understanding and stuff--maybe a series on it." He seemed generally intrigued by the idea.

EDIT: post break, pre start

Eirk felt something was really bothering Kyros, especially since he wanted to talk about it with the Council. "Of course, Kyros, we can get together somewhere private and talk, just the 4 of us, but I dont know if Fable will be there. I haven't seen her all day."

Eirik walked in and was about to sit down when he saw a something wrapped in a bit of parchment in his seat. He picked it up, unwrapped it and smiled. 'a blood pop,' he thought, 'how considerate.' Then he read the note, and was pleasantly surprised. He looked over at Poppy and mouthed "thank you" to her and smiled again, then proceeded to suck on the pop. He folded the note up carefully and put it inside of his jacket.

((ooc sorry guys, was out of the house today, wish I had been here to join in the convo !! ))

(and everyone else in attendance)

Eirik felt the mood drop in the tent, and for once, he couldn't find the words to bring it back up. He was impressed with Kyros's attempt, and surprised at how receptive people were to wanting to make things better in the world.

He gave Kyros a smile that said 'I am proud of you' and patted his knee in approval.

Eirik stood up. " You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that so many of you approve of change, change for the betterment of those who are in need. I had been concerned to continue vocalizing my ideas to any gatherings outside of the Council for fear of a non receptive audience, of people only concerned with their immediate lives, but you all have given me hope.

Hope that our generation is not as self absorbed as people may think, that we genuinely care about social concerns and the needs of others, not just ourselves. Your beliefs will continue to inspire me to work toward making those changes, those ideals, a reality."

He paused, and said with emotion. "Thank you for helping me to have faith in my fellow beings, no matter what species we may be."

Then he sat down, feeling more at home with people than he ever had before.

Well, Eirik seemed happier so that was a plus. Magnus was taking the responses and body language in of everyone. Eirik was really passionate about the plight of the downtrodden, wasn't he? Then again, Magnus never liked seeing others in need and not helping either. Whilst he didn't seem to have anything constructive to add to that he nodded to Eirik. So the older boy wasn't angry at him? That made Magnus relax a little more.

Merlin didn't felt like returning to the workshop for the time being, so he ventured toward his favorite place silently and trying not to be caught.