Nadia stared, a bit worried and maybe amused that Zekke would take her little approval much too seriously. Some times it was sifficult to tell is Zekke was joking or not, Nadia decided.

Shaking her head and paying little heed to the request, only because she talked with words not expressions (>.<), she said, "I was asking me that myself." She looked around. "I think we lost her when she was trying that hat over there, back at the wedding dresses are or maybe the cashier. Or maybe we should wait for her at the door?"

As she talked, Nadia moved over there, looking around while pondering where to find the colorful girl. She had a good story to tell her now, about a French man in a dress...

:: Ganymede blushed as she heard Zekke wondering where she was. She then leaped out from behind a huge gown with a bag and a strange smirk on her face. "Don't worry Zekke, I am right here." She looked about, "Those girls seemed.. strange. I hope we don't meet them again." Ganymede shook her head, "Silly French girls.. Well, Where should we go now? I have my dress.. It cost a pretty penny. Hopefully, I'll be at school when my dear Mother finds out." She waited for them to make the decision of where to go next. "Its getting a bit late, perhaps back to your house?" She smiled at Zekke and then to her other friends. ::

"Yes, that would be wise," Nadia agreed, putting her hands on her pockets to keep them warm since it was already night and cold. She stepped out from the store, waiting until knowing she was being followed by the other three before starting walking.

The streets of Paris were warm despite already being late. People were still hanging on the streets, some making pictures or coming in and out of shops. At a corner not far away there was a couple who was... who would have thought! They were dancing tango! With a small smirk, Nadia grew a little closer never quite bored of the sight.

"You know," she commented suddenly frowning, "that's not correct." Well, she suddenly sounded like a dance critic, wasn't she? "I mean, Tango is danced much more together, um, I mean closer... pretty much touching... no, Jaren?"

She turned to the boy. After all he had been in Argentina the previous year and such street Tango shows were common at Wicked Pocus, so he should be able to back her up. It almost looked like she took turns to mortify one of the two boys each time. Minutes before, while walking, she had mentioned something about Zekke's nice little new look at the store to Ganymede.

Jarne made a noise that could have either been agreement or "keep me out of this I've had enough craziness for one night and I know what you're thinking", but it was hard to discern a coherent message from a short grunt.

He seemed to be looking about him, as if sure some other person from the past was going to pop out of nowhere.

Zekke only shot Nadia a "you tell anyone else about this and you'll be hexed until you're 100" look masked beneath an expression of benevolence and nonchalance when he overheard her comment to Ganymede.

In all actuality, he didn't care too much if other people found out, it was just... bad if his parents caught wind of it. His mother in particular would be sure to give him a niiiiice long lecture on proper etiquette and manners and tell him how he should have been a proper gentleman.

UGHHHHH!

His father on the other hand... he at least had some sense of humour and would probably admonish him, then later laugh with him about it. His father didn't quite like the Beauchamps because they seemed to always be sniffing after money and Zekke quite whole heartedly agreed. His father still believed that being polite was still the best option, though...

UGH.

Best for his parents to just not find out the truth to this little incident, but good luck in trying to fool his father. Wisdom and constancy, indeed!

:: Ganymede giggled and tried to hold back a much louder laugh. She saw Zekke's face and decided not to show her own amusement. She quickly assured him, "It's a complete secret." She nodded in all seriousness and walked with Nadia. She looked at the dancers also, she saw this done once before. When she snuck into a muggle movie theater one summer. It was a romantic comedy, and she liked it a lot. "The tango is so.. romantic. I hope we can go dancing sometime. I love to boogie down." She said with a dreamy tone. "Paris makes me.. confused." She added before looking more about at the night life of Paris. ::

As usual, Nadia got none of the two messages from either boys. Maybe it was because of their strange silent sign language that both allowed her and tempted her to get them both as subject of so much teasing. Anyways, she wasn't going to tell the boy's mother anyways, and with Jaren she just thought he was being rude as always and someone had to beat some politeness into his head at some point or another.

"Seducing more than romantic," Nadia said as she bit down a snicker when the French guy put a rose in his mouth. "Boggie down? I don't... dance... that well." Nadia admitted, having only one mortifying experience to compare with. "Confusing how?"

On the other hand, it didn't take to be a genius to realize at least Jaren looked uneasy. Guess that was enough, they would call it for the day. After all, Nadia was a bit tired and they had had much in one day and enough. "Let's get going then," she gestured them back where they came from, soon to be climbing the subway, then reach the park they crossed, back to Pettit Paris and flooing back to Zekke's? Well, he would guide them...

Partially distracted, Zekke murmured, "If you guys want to dance, there's a small ballroom/parlour room back home..."

If anyone wanted to make a stop at anywhere else, they were more than welcome to, but the night was drawing to a close, so Zekke took them in the direction of the subway at an easy amble.

"Er, no, that was not what I meant." No, most definitely. Nadia waved her hands for extra stress on her words as they walked up to wherever Zekke was guiding them. Quite honestly, she wasn't quite recovered from her first and only failed attempt at dancing last term.

And tango? He, Zekke, meant dancing tango? A-ha. Nadia was a fast critic but sure no dancer. She had problems keeping a straight face at the mental image of said occurance, coping with looking-serious-as-always Jaren in a tuxedo and a rose in his mouth.

"Is that invitation to a Chess match still open?" Nadia was soon to change the subject.

THAT brought Zekke back into the present.

"Of course it is!" He grinned at Nadia with a gleam of challenge in his eyes. "I certainly haven't forgotten about that and it's good to see that you haven't either."

As it was, the chessboard was already set up in the living room, all ready to be played with, and the house was all ready for a small 'party' for his guests.

Not to say that the atomosphere at his home was... tense or overly formal - or maybe that was just because he himself was used to it - but it was a home that seemed to cater to scholars and artisans and... well... unless one really enjoyed books and the liberal arts, his home was usually rather... unexciting. Heh... not that he needed any more excitement at home, but yeah. Basically, his home normally wasn't home to more than two teenagers at once, but now, it seemed to be more... inviting... to guests of the curious and inquisitive teenager sort.

The kitchen cupboards were supplied with both the usual fare and food items that were possibly more... suiting to a teenager's palate. Various mind bender games - wizard and muggle alike - that Zekke and his younger brother liked to play with were scattered around in the different rooms, books of various topics were sitting in prominent locations just begging to be read or leafed through, and some of the more breakable decor (which actually wasn't that much) had unbreakable charms put on them. Although... the unbreakable charms had ALWAYS been there, so...

But, yes. The de Barticot Estate wasn't a usual host to many formal gatherings much less informal parties, so the Estate was actually rather outfitted for a 'party' if one thought in such terms.

And speaking of parties...

He cleared his throat and looked at his guests. "When is everyone's birthday? I just realized that I have absolutely no idea."

ooc: Okay Nadia, now you've done it. I've been behaving myself and trying to resist any weird images that have come into my head as a result of hanging with you guys and I was doing juuuuuuuust fine.

That is, up until the point that you kept mentioning the rose between the teeth.

I found this and had to play with it and couldn't resist showing you guys.

I swear it isn't my fault! If Nadia hadn't suggested the flower-between-the-teeth, I would have been fine! But nooooo!

So here you go!

* then hides from Backslash*



Guess who? XD I know the eyes aren't the right color, but the eye shape seemed to fit *cough*J*cough* more, so yeah. And I sort of tried to match the clothing style to that which was already illustrated.



And guess who else? XD

*tries to run from self, but fails* Brownie points to who can guess the nature of the cat!

ooc: *hides own drawing of tango-picture before others can discover it*

Jaren turned away from looking at the dancing couple to regard Zekke's question with mild...suspicion. What was the point in asking that?

"August 12th," he replied anyways. Which was...what...a week or two from this date?

ooc: *tries to peer because I'm curious*

Zekke fought to keep the corner of his lip from twitching. Keeping as nonchalant of a look on his face as possible, he gave a grin and a slight shrug.

"Just asking. It's generally a good thing to wish a comrade a 'happy birthday' if one knows the date."

:: Ganymede gulped and said shakily, "The tango looks like a fun dance to learn." She hid her blush and placed her hands in her pockets.

At the mention of chess, Ganymede piped in "I'll play the winner!" and gave a few small hops.


:: Ganymede smiled, "Ours was June 4th, I mean.. mine was. You know what I mean." She sighed a little, she missed her sister. ::

ooc: *giggles*

For the small period where Zekke spazzed after the mention of chess (maybe he was as much a chess lover as she was?), Nadia only looked from him to the others wondering what was going on in his mind. Then, as much all of the sudden, Zekke asked for their birthdays. Well, she had attempted that one before with --

Huh? That's it? That easy? Nadia frowned. She was starting to sense some favourism now. Then again, had she asked frontally? She thought she had but maybe she hadn't. This all was giving her a headache. And wait, that was only weeks away. Nadia frowned in a type of pout. She wasn't going to be here by then, and if Zekke was planning what Nadia thought he was planning...

Her attention was -luckily though maybe roughly- dragged away from Ganymede's voice. "Uh, happy late birthday," she offered sheepishly, thinking that was the reason behind her sudden change of mood. "14 of February is mine - and yours, Zekke?"

"January 29th," Zekke replied with a nod and grinned. His green eyes took on a certain... light, but he otherwise didn't speak another word on the matter.

"What sort of games do you all like to play?"

Jaren did some quick calculation in his head to keep himself busy. That would mean...he was the youngest of the four, for all the significance that held.

He remained silent for the rest of the conversation, not particularly finding anything to say nor feeling a particular need to voice any thoughts.

Nadia titled her head, arms crossed, while they walked down the street, "Games? Well, I'm not much too fond of games, I mean... Quidditch, and that's something I haven't played in a while. Then I used to go some aerobics at a club, but wasn't much of a hobby, and at Hogwarts I participated of cheerleading and-- don't look at me like that, OK? It was fun in a way, and I got to invent cheers and all."

She shrugged. "Then swimming games with my sister... oh and chess! Even before I knew of wizarding chess I was attending a club where I played, and before that I played with my granma."

:: Ganymede gave a smile when Nadia wished her a happy Birthday.


She then titled her head and replied, "Games.. I always enjoyed Hide and Seek. It sounds so babyish, but.. Its good fun. I've won most of the time when I played back home. I don't really know any other games.... unless it has to do with running or hiding." She looked a bit disapointed in herself. "Unless a party was a game. I guess you can say I like that sort of game." She gave an uneasy smile. For some reason, her mind suddenly bent onto the money she had in her pocket. "Did any of you feel that?" She whispered. It felt as if someone was trying to jerk her thoughts on the money.
"I think we better get going. I don't want to be out in the streets like this.. especially this late." She pulled her hood back on and began walking quickly towards the train that would take them back to Zekke's. ::

ooc: Let's move shall we?

That with them being a little behind schedule and Zekke having protective parents who asked him to be at home on time, there wasn't much else to be told. They had to quicken the pace and make their way though Paris in record time. The chatting was as wide. They would speak from personal matters to how, now Nadia saw the Mona Lisa closely (at the Louvre), she thought the Mona wasn't all that 'mona' (pretty) or something of the likes.

The place, Paris, was looking as welcoming, however. It was only because of the time Nadia didn't ask for them to stop at stare at the Notre Dame Cathedral. All to soon, they had already reached Pettit Paris and the Floo Network place.

"Well, who goes first?" she asked, a bit out of breath because of the run.

"I'll go first," Zekke nodded, tugging his jacket around himself a little tighter. He had long since disposed of the wedding dress and was empty handed except for one bag, the contents of which were unknown.

He cast a glance at Jaren with a raised eyebrow as if asking the other boy to bring up the rear before he threw in a pinch of floo powder and stepped into the fireplace and disappeared with a 'whooomp' after he stated his destination.

...

Once he landed in the living room fireplace, he stepped out and looked around and after making sure the coast was clear, he went about getting the lights turned on...

One of this days, these two's sign languages were going to drive her crazy. Zekke disappeared at the fireplace carrying the bag of whatever it was holding, then looked at Jaren as if trying to descipher the last 'visual' message was to 'come next'. She was starting to suspect they had some kind of telephatic connect--

Anyways. Since Jaren wasn't moving might as well do so herself. It was difficult not to feel afronted by this two reluctancy to share their thoughts like any human being. She stepped forwards clunching on the bag with her dress, threw a pinch of floo powder and commanded the same words Zekke had spoke. She disappeared in a poof of green smoke and raising flames.

Stepping out into the light, Nadia looked around, feeling a bit dusty for being in such a shiny, clean place like the deBarticot's residence. Slowly shaking herself off the remaining ashes and moving to where Zekke stood (the lights already on). "So," she said without really having something in mind, "how does a pijama party sounds?"

:: Ganymede shrugged and quickly pulled out some of her floo powder. She threw it in and was soon at Zekke's. Just as she pulled off her dusty sooty hood, a large barn owl with yellow eyes came flying at her. In the dark it looked like flying eyes.

"EhGAD.." She grumbled before falling backwards and feeling a letter dropped on her chest. The owl quickly perched at the mantle and hooted angrily.

"Wow, I never get mail unless its something... " She started saying as she unwrapped the string and opened the letter. She pulled her wand out in the darkness and muttered a calm, "lumos". The light from her wand was perfect to read with. She read the letter silently and then muttered, "He's found out, and he's on his way. He's not alone." Her face went a bit pale, but it was a bit dark to see. "You guys.. I'm glad to say, you'll be meeting a few family members soon."
She wondered if they understood.

She bit her lower lip, "That money was... borrowed. But it may appear to the person I borrowed it from as.. stolen. Hebe knew I was here.. she must of told Grandfather.. and.." She started to shake a little and continued. "I haven't a clue what I am going to do, but I think he only knows I am in Paris. As long as I don't make any noise, I should be invisible." She sighed at her wand and made an unfortunate smile, "Party now eh?" It was more of a question to Zekke. "Well, he's on his way. No way to stop him... Let's have some fun. Unless, you have any questions." She made another uneasy smile and waited for any questions. ::

ooc: *raise hand* I have a question: didn't Jaren meet Gany's mother and grandfather for the first time at Diagon Alley on the seventh year?

When Nadia turned around, Ganymede was already there and in her hands she had a note of sorts, an owl perched to her shoulder. Curiously, she returned some steps to the fireplace and looked at Ganymede with some worry, since she had suddenly paled. She tried to peek over Gany's shoulder but the owl had proceeded to let Nadia know she should matter her own business by attempting to prode her eyes with it's beak.

Instead, Nadia listened to the explanation and stepped backwards somewhat, while Ganymede talked wondering what she meant by 'make noise'. She shook her head at the question question. Er, yeah, the question if she had any questions. Yeeeah. She was actually as curious as always, but after the little problem with Jaren at the Eiffel Tower, did she even want to bring the subject. Ugh.

"Yeah, I was saying," she said rubbing her neck, "Party or... hey, we still have to eat, no?" Her stomach made a disapproving growl, still resentful about last lunch. "What about we make our own dinner?" she offered. "That is, if your mother let us make a bit of a mess in her kitchen?"

Jaren Flooed after Nadia and Ganymede had each dissapeared after Zekke and found Ganymede regarding a letter with forboding and Nadia talking about parties and food. Considering Edgar's absence he was either too busy with his own agenda or sleeping.

"We have something else to deal with first," he remarked, looking overhead at the four owls which were perched on a railing, each with a letter. Their OWL results, probably, and his suspicions were confirmed as the owls swooped down as a group to each person in the room.

Jaren took his letter and ripped it open silently to read the folded parchment inside.