Merlin was all smiles in the shop. "Well Niall I wouldn't mind sleeping surrounded by them because I've done it, sometimes we make celebrations, like when a new baby dragon is born and we stay outside with a fire doing a small celebration of the new born. It is quite simple and the elders mostly tells us stories about dragons for long hours, we eat and sleep outside unless it rains." He was thoughtful for a moment. "I could take a picture but I don't own a camera...I don't think my mom has one either. AH! But Pet's son Edgar does, maybe he let me borrow it."

He turns to look at Drew. "Do you know trees are like fathers to me? I imagine a father being tall, strong, wise, and protective toward his family. The roots represent the deep growing love that can go through anything in order to survive and be there for his son...at least that's how I imagine a dad would be. I see a big, strong tree and I think, that's a father."

Drew regarded Merlin seriously as his friend spoke about the festivals and the trees. "That sounds amazing to stay out all night like that and celebrate," he said. "And you ought to write that down about the trees being like a father, Merls. It's beautiful," he said with a smile. "I can totally picture it and understand it. It's a lovely idea and sentiment."

"Thats cos the plants know who is cool, and Merlin and I are obviously cooler," Magnus said with a snicker.

So had Niall. "That sounds really cool." He wished he had somewhere cool like everyone else did. "I wonder where you buy wizard cameras?" he asked. Niall wandered off a little when he heard father, deciding he didn't want to hear more about wonderful parents and therefore missing the comment entirely. He wound up in front of a tiny bonsai Cypress tree. It had a little wizard in it mediating and tiny setting for a tea party and a little bunny figurine. The bunny started hopping and the wizard smiled. Seeing the price Niall picked it up, deciding he would buy himself the little plant.

Merlin nods to Drew. "Yeah, it is pretty cool to stay outside just listening to the wind brushing against the tree branches and them whispering through their leaves, telling us the oldest stories in a foreign language, then add the sounds of a cricket, the owls and every nocturnal animal and insect- it creates a magic that is where it all comes from, the true source of magic, a magic that bind us all together even if you are a muggle." Merlin had his head in that place, he could picture himself in there inside the magic he profoundly felt inside the forest and between the trees. "You are the writer Drew, if you like it then use it." He slightly laughed.

He noticed Niall watching a small bonsai and let him enjoy it.

After Magnus comment about coolness, Merlin wanted to laugh but didn't, he suddenly didn't felt as goofy as he normally was. His heart felt a deep longing so he only sighs and stare at the plants to try relax. "I think I'm going for a dragon tongue, no an aloe, humm no better go with a water plant." he sighs. "i don't know Magnus, you pick one. I like everything."

Drew nodded slowly, Merlin's words taking him not only to his friend's world but also into his own memories of night campfires and the smells and sounds, whether it was on a family camping trip or lying in his own back yard. "Okay," he said to Merlin at the suggestion of writing. With a quick look around, Drew spotted a place that seemed free and he went over, plopping down crosslegged and taking out his notebook and pencil. Within a minute, he was scribbling away, jotting down phrases and words to use to conjure up images. He trusted his friends to call him when they were done, but for the moment, the boy was lost in the attempt of capturing what he saw in his head on the paper.

Magnus hugged Merlin with one arm. He didn't say the words but they were there. Then he focused on picking out plants "'Ow about a dragon's tongue and a water lily? Water is very calming. Did you know the tides are connected to the moon. The tides are at their 'ighest in the full moon."

Drew went to write which was probably safest for the plants anyway.

Merlin smiled after the half hug and nods to his suggestion. "I love lilies, and dragon tongue totally suits me and I can add a cute fairy stone figure to hide inside. Yes, I buy the dragon tongue and you the water lily, deal?"

Merlin observe as Drew went to write, it was amusing to him because he didn't meant right away but it was cute he couldn't wait to write down the idea forming in his head.

((RavenMerlin huh? -snickers-))

"Deal," Magnus said. "I like lilies too." He picked up two water lilies and set them on the counter. Then he went to look at the Fanged Geraniums.

((HAHAAAA I didn't give the space!! lol))

Merlin picked the dragon tongue he liked most and placed it on the counter, then went to see the fanged geraniums too. "Bite them and show them how its done Mag."

(( left it so you could be plant buying if you wanted to :) )

"It'd be kinda cool," he said, "a plant with lycanthrope. Like a weregeraniums." He snickered and picked up a geranium. "I think I'll get one. It'll remind Buffy she's not the only one with fangs." He went to pay for his two plants and arranged to have them sent to his dorm. Then kicked Drew's boot. "Oy, time to go Hemmingway. Let's go check out Spintwitches."

Merlin giggles at the idea of a weregeranium. "Maybe it will haul at the Moon too." The thought of Buffy staring at the geranium made him smile more. "Aww maybe Buffy will think it's her brother!" Merlin paid his dragon tongue and also arrange for it to be sent to his dorm. "I think Thunder will like the plant too." Merlin followed Magnus and Drew to Spintwitches but was not very interested on the shop, but when he arrived he saw helmets, arms and legs guards and wondered if he should get them, but he wasn't thinking on playing so he would leave it for next term.

[img align=left]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/180911.png[/img] After finishing her scone and emptying her cup of tea Rosie joined the group at the music store. She made sure to buy blank music sheets and listened to Merlin goofing around. She cringed each time he attempted to 'play' an instrument. "Please stop abusing them..." Rosie muttered under her breath briefly glaring at Merlin. After purchasing the music sheets she overheard the boys plan to go shopping for pet plants. She had some potted cacti in her dorm room and didn't feel like buying more plants so she figured she'd meet up with them later. Rosie had yet to try the sweets at Madam Puddifoot's so she made her way back to the tea shop for them and more tea. She visited the restroom first and then returned to her seat by the large window enjoying the strawberry cheesecake treat.

((attempting a boeuf bourguignon for dinner today. Rosie will go to the planned stops but no real detours))

Paddy barely had time to finish eating her scone before Magnus was dragging her to the next shop. She quickly wrapped the tart in her handkerchief and placed it in her pocket, calling a "thank you" to Madam Puddifoot as she was whisked out of the door and into the music store. She wasn't really that into musical instruments, but she laughed and covered her ears as Merlin started playing each instrument he could find. "You didn't have to do that," she said as Magnus handed her a wizard radio, "but thank you, I'm sure that'd definitely come in handy," she added with a grin. As they left the store, she shook her head a few times, to try and clear the ringing from her ears. "Remind me to wear some earmuffs next time we go to the music store," she said to Merlin, "I still think you'd be great at learning an instrument though."

She tagged along with the others as they entered the plant shop, but just wanted to browse the plants. She felt she had enough things to look after with her pets at the moment, without needing to add in a plant to take care of as well.

"I'll wait out here while you guys browse," she said as they approached Spintwitches "just give me a shout when you're ready to head to the next shop". She jumped onto the wall outside, and took the lemon tart from her pocket, inhaling the rich aroma before taking a small bite. A tart like this should never be rushed, she thought.

(and anyone else)

"Huh?" Drew blinked at the kick and looked up a bit disorientated as he came out of his writing. Then as Magnus' words registered, he wrinkled his nose. "Not Hemingway," he declared as he put his things back in his bag and got to his feet. "More like Lewis or Tolkien. I'd rather write fantasy and fun stuff instead of more realistic sad and intense things. Life has enough drama as it is. I'd like to add enjoyment and happy endings to things." He smiled at his friend as they made their way to Spintwitches.

It wasn't a shop Drew normally would have ventured into, as he cared little about Quidditch, but he figured he'd at least look around a bit while the others bought whatever they wanted. He spotted scarves and jersey type shirts for the different teams as well as the four Hogwarts houses. "Hmm...might have to get a jersey or two," he mused.

((ooh good luck! Lemme know how that goes.))

Niall was cradling his little bonsai tree as he looked around the Quidditch store. Yes, he could have had it sent to the inn but he wanted it nearby. He could always set it on a counter or table as he looked around if needed. There was a lot of neat things in the store and he was glad to have the chance to look.

Magnus was happy to look around. He was hoping Gaia and Eros would be in the store as well. So he looked around for them. He could always go back with them, he supposed. It was a bit obvious that not many where interested in the store and he didn't need anything. So he mumbled to his friends they could go whenever--might have time to hit Zonkos

((it was delicious. I agreed to write down the recipe and share with everyone here. Nom nom))

Rosie sipped on her tea and ate one of each treat. Now she had tried them all and thought every bite had been delicious. She would bring her friends along for some afternoon tea some time from now. Rosie turned her gaze out the window again.

((I woke up 20 minutes ago. I love Sundays. haha))

Merlin heard Rosie's suggestion about leaving the instruments alone and well in the end he did but was not going to stop until satisfied. Still Paddy's thought that he could take lessons made him smile, that was too nice considering I destroyed her ears. "Earmuffs are a good idea."

When Magnus mentions Zonko's Merlin got excited. "YES YES! We can go back right after, and go pee." He blushed, he said that out loud. "I think the tea took effect."

(yes, I'd like to try that minus the mushrooms.)

"Sounds good, Zonkos and then back to the tea shop." When Drew was ready, Magnus poked Paddy so they could head off to Zonkos. With a short stop for Merlin's bladder.

Merlin was able to go to the bathroom and was quickly browsing Zonko's wondering what to get for Drew, so he decided to do a pack, joke items with a nice notebook and a quill for writing. He spotted the dungbombs and took a few, took the nose-biting teacup for his mom, more sugar quills since the ones on his jar were probably broken, and more joke items. He put on a pair of glasses and wondered what they do. He turned to look at Magnus and the others. "What does it do?" He heard a bit of laughter but still didn't get it. "What?" He wondered if there was a mirror and when he found it he started laughing too. His eyes seem huge like two tennis balls. "I need this." He took several pairs and kept walking searching for more items.

Magnus was looking around at stuff. He picked up a fanged Frisbee, screaming yo-yo and some Extendable Ears as he perused the rest of the shop. Merlin's eyes were highly amusing and Magnus guffaw at them. "Totally need more of those," Magnus replied as he picked up a pair himself.