Toru moved to an empty couch near the cocoa and gave Blade a weak, but sincere, smile. They gently patted the couch beside them in the universal sign of 'come join me.' They waited for Sauvage to take a seat before picking up a mug of cocoa and adding a little cream and cinnamon to it. The common room was pretty nice any time of the year, being underground it was usually almost always 40 degrees, though in the winter it got chillier if the ground froze. Cocoa would be pleasant, with or without a fire.

Sauvage snagged a peppermint stick and swirled it around in her cup. She then looked up at Blade who was still standing dumbfounded. "What eez eet? Do people not drink 'ot shocolate where you are from?" She smiled at Toru, glad to see them calming down. Hot chocolate always has that effect!

Of course hot chocolate was drank in England... but Blade was extremely perplexed at this sudden social situation and he was rather unsure exactly what was expected of him. "Er..." he said as he looked around. It still seemed a bit too warm to him to be drinking hot chocolate. Tea, well that was any time of the year but hot chocolate was a winter thing to him.

Toru quietly sipped their cocoa, and listened to the others debate on annual cocoa consumption. As they lowered their mug, a small line of cream foam appearing on their top lip. "I-I think a-all drinks could b-be enjoyed year round."

Emmy smiled as the others came over and sat down in the other chairs near her, transferring Elliot to her shoulder as she sat up a little.

"Oooh, thanks," Emmy said, as Sauvage gestured to the tray. "I'll never turn down cocoa." She took one of the mugs and inhaled the rich, chocolatey scent before taking a small sip. "Mmm."

She peered at the others over her cup, realizing she didn't know the two youngest in their company. Of course she knew Sauvage, as they were in the same year and shared a dorm, but the others were unfamiliar. Emmy directed her attention to Toru and Blade, smiling warmly.

"Hi, I don't think I've met either of you! I'm Emmy." She reached out to shake their hand, still smiling, as Elliot hooted softly on her shoulder. She offered her hand to Blade, as well.

((OOC - sorry guys, wasn't online for a couple days))

The boy was beginning to feel stupid as he stood there blinking at the three other students. His hands were still holding the clarinet case and bookbag. "Er...I suppose..." he said slowly and set the items down, taking the offered drink.

"Name's Blade," he said with a nod, leaving her hand in the air alone. He sat down, choosing a chair that was far enough away to not be too close but not too rude either. He was way too unused to people to sit comfortably beside them really.

Toru was surprised when Emmy offered her hand to them. The younger Hufflepuff blushed and set their drink down before taking her hand."I'm Toru." They answered shyly not really maintaining eye contact with the girl. "Its n-nice to meet you." The second year concluded before picking up their mug again.

Toru seemed pleased that Blade was joining them, even if he sat as far away as he could. It was a step in a positive direction for him! Any improvement would be marked as a good improvement in Toru's mind.

Sauvage was satisfied that she manage to get everyone seated and being civil. She noted that Blade still had not taken up a cup of cocoa, which sat growing colder by the minute. Oh well, if he did not she would just hit it with a minor heating spell and give it to someone else later. Turning attention to Emmy, she asked, "'ow 'ave you been? Eet was quite a while sence I saw you last, right?

((he did take the drink sweetie.))

Blade sat there holding the cup of cocoa feeling extremely tense. He took a sip of it. To him it seemed odd to be drinking it in the summer and he really expected to see Christmas decorations or at least colder air for this drink. He had absolutely nothing he could think of to say.

Emmy smiled at Toru as they shyly shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you too! If you ever need anything, feel free to ask me, I'm always lurking around somewhere," Emmy said, smiling.

Emmy was a bit surprised as Blade ignored her outstretched hand, but nodded as he told her his name.

"Nice to meet you," she said, taking a sip of her cocoa and eyeing him curiously. She turned her attention to Sauvage as the girl started talking to her.

"Oh I'm good," Emmy said, in response to her question. "I've been around, just keeping a low profile. My mum was sick for a while so I took off a bit early last term, but she's better now, so I'm back. How have you been?"

Toru nodded when she returned their introduction. Emmy seemed lovely and she had a cheerful, but laid back sort of attitude that the 2nd-year could appreciate. They sat on the couch and sipped their cocoa and quietly listened to the girls beside them talk. They really weren't the socializing type, but was trying to get better at that. Baby steps. For now quietly sitting and listening seemed like their best bet.

Aware of both Toru's chosen silence and Blade's bewildered silence, Sauvage decidedly continued her chat with Emmy. "I am okay. We 'ad a scare over ze summer and we sought zat my grandmozer would not make eet, but she eez doing better now. But, oh, I am so sorry to 'eat about your mozer. You say she eez alright? May I ask what 'appened?"

Blade took another sip of the hot chocolate as he sat awkwardly listening to Emmy and Sauvage talk.