 Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Mrs. Charlie Weasley | Seneca's Beard | That's So Fetch
Jonah chuckled, catching Paton's glance as he reached into his mokeskin bag and pulled out a woven basket that held a number of dark, round fruits. "It's good to see you too, Hadleigh. Thanks for keeping them all in line," he said with a grin; he knew his children were not always the easiest to wrangle, so he could imagine keeping a large group of adolescents in check was not necessarily an easy feat.
"Alright, everyone, take a luǒ hán guǒ—also known as monk fruit. It is a sweet fruit that is native to southern China, and Qilins absolutely adore these. Carry it gently, and all you need to do you is hold it in your palm if a Qilin approaches. They'll take care of the rest." He walked to each student, handing them one of the fruits.
"Let's head to that shaded area up ahead," he continued, gesturing to a spot beneath a canopy of trees, where the ground was dappled in cool, soft light. "Once we're there, stay as relaxed as you can. The Qilins are sensitive to our moods and approach slowly, so the calmer we are, the more curious they'll be. Meixiu and Haoran should come out soon if they sense we're here with peaceful intentions."
Jonah gave a reassuring smile, signaling for everyone to follow him to the shaded area. He set a steady pace, leading them carefully along a stone path bordered by lush greenery and magical flora. "Try to keep your voices low, and remember being calm and patient is key."
Beauden leaned in as the zoo guy shared some details about the Qilins. The mention of their names, Meixiu and Haoran, felt almost magical, and the story of their rescue tugged at his heartstrings. He could feel a rush of admiration for the gentle creatures building within him.
When Mr. Scamander handed out the dark, round fruits, Beauden took one carefully, cradling it in his palm. He imagined the Qilins sniffing the air, drawn by the sweet scent of the monk fruit. A thought struck him—would they be able to pet the Qilins? The idea sent a thrill racing through him. He remembered the first time he had touched a baby dragon at the reserve and how its skin had felt under his fingers.
As Jonah began to lead them towards the Qilin enclosure, Beauden could hardly contain himself. He followed closely, glancing around eagerly for any sign of the majestic creatures. His mind was racing with questions. Would Haoran be playful? Would Meixiu be protective? He kept his focus on the path ahead, but his imagination wandered.
When they reached a quieter area, Beauden took a moment to admire the surroundings. The anticipation was electric. Nevertheless, Beauden was doing his best to reign in that Gryffindor urge to explore, be his usual loud self, and take a bite of the fruit to see what the hype was all about. He shifted his weight, balancing the excitement bubbling within him against the need for patience.
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