"Same here," Cope agreed, studying her toes. He couldn't look at her little face for a single moment longer. "Do you think that doing the right thing will always hurt? Because I kind of want to do the wrong thing from time to time if it always feels like this."

"I'd... take a thousand badbyes for just a little of that wrong thing." Celandine admitted, absently sliding her sandals off and tracing little shapes on the top of one foot with the toes of the other.

"I wrote a letter to your father." Celandine added, surprising herself with the subject change.

"You did?" Cope wasn't really sure how to feel about that. "What... what did it say? Did he write back?" It was easier not to talk about the whole... badbye thing. She was so sad. He was so sad.

"I did. I told him about how good you are in History of Magic and in Runes." Celandine bit her lip, "And... he and Haylan wrote back and... um... invited me to come stay with you all for christmas and for next summer." Celandine chewed her lip furiously, "You... want to read it? Or anything? Um.. and I have... I forgot to... give you your birthday present..."

"I wish you would come," Copernicus drew up his knees so he could lean against them. It would never work, of course, but the idea of having here there and part of summer was ideal. "But I might not be there next summer. And Christmas will be... it might be hard. Plus Zhara is a beast. Always needs something." It was more than obvious he adored the baby beast.

In a restless motion, Cope bounced his legs slightly. Birthday. So someone HAD remembered. "You didn't have to get me anything. But, thanks."

"They might... withdraw their invitation now." Celandine drew a few little sad faces on the top of her foot with her toe, throwing in a few love hearts and random zig zags too.

"Where are you going?" Celandine's eyes widened in alarm, but she thought about the Christmas part, "I could... entertain Zahra. For practice. I'm going to be an aunt soon." Just throwing it out there absently, since it wasn't really the most pressing thing on Cel's mind.

"I know... and you might not like it." Celandine told him seriously.

"I wouldn't let them... if you wanted to come. If you wanted to come, then you would COME," Copernicus said fiercely. His family shouldn't dislike Cela based on what Cope had done, and he wouldn't let them punish her. Coming to visit (ie live) in the Kettleburn house might be great for Cela. She could have Haylan and Plymouth to love on her, and Zahra to spoil and devote all her time to. It wouldn't be lonely at all.

"I might be there. It depends on whether or not Professor Truebridge finds me a summer internship. Of course, why would I want to go to some dig site if I could bother you all summer, right?" He would turn Truebridge down in a second if Cela was around. And that just proved how men went stupid over women.

He grinned at her suddenly, at the very thought that he could possible not like her gift. "You can give me the gift later. I'll like it, even if its dirty socks."

Celandine bit her lip. "Plymouth might not want me there." She ventured quietly.

Her eyes brightened a touch. "An internship? Doing what? Researching? Digging for relics? Ooooh Cope that's fantastic! You have to go! You can apparate legally now, or at least once you get your license, so you can just come and see me whenever you like." Cela paused for a moment, thinking about what that meant.

Blush.

Ahem.

"You say that now..." Celandine really wasn't sure about her gift for him, it was... different.

"Oh, you did get me socks," Cope teased quietly, a little smile playing at the corners of his mouth. She was starting to look more like himself, including that enthusiastic interlude over his summer plans.

"I don't know anything about it, or even if it will go through, but once I have a schedule..." He chewed on that lip of his again. "You still have to teach me to really climb trees so I don't fall. And..." His neck and ears blushed. "And I think you were going to practice being bossy again. You're not very good at it yet, and I know how you strive for perfection."

"I happen to like socks." Celandine answered, poking her tongue out. "I have heaps of cool ones, some are striped, some have little love hearts and some are made of lace. Socks are great."

Oh... the corners...

Celandine blinked and tried her best to look Copernicus in the eyes rather than at his mouth. "I'm sure Professor Truebridge will organise it if he says he will. And with the tree thing? I think the reason you aren't better at it," besides the fact that kissing shouldn't be done while in trees, "is because you think about falling instead of about climbing."

Like life.

Deep.

"Practice being bo..." Celandine blushed and started gnawing on her lip. "I... goodhello?"

Good...? Copernicus's eyebrows shot straight up toward his hairline at her question, and he wondered if he was understanding her right. "Falling hurts, though. But maybe remembering that there's never been a fall that hurt so much I couldn't get back up and start climbing again... maybe remembering that will help me to stop worrying about falling all the time."

They weren't really talking about trees at all, were they? So much for doing the right thing. He stretched his legs out in front of him, so that he wasn't curled into a ball anymore. "Good hello, Celandine."

"It feels better when you just keep climbing." Cela murmured, wondering if Plym would ever be able to get up and start climbing again. She hoped so, it wasn't a nice thing to think he'd never be able to err... get... a good view from the top?

Metaphor!Fail.

She watched Copernicus stretch his legs out and gave him a little smile once her eyes reached his face. "I..." It was the way he said her name. It meant all sorts of interesting things coming from him.

"Goodhello." She agreed, biting her lip furiously.

Cela thought for a moment and finally shook her head. She had been successfully distracted from the pain of hurting Plymouth for the moment, but it wasn't going to go away that easily.

"I... meet me later? I'll bring your present... um... I'll send you a note about where and when...?"

Celandine had leaned forward as she said this, starting to get to her knees so she could go...

...think.

Cope reached out and brushed her knuckles with his. Just the slightest touch to remember she was... they were... different. Undefined.

"I have to figure some stuff out, but I'll find you," he agreed with a nod, removing his hand guiltily. He had to make things right with Plymouth, and until that happened... maybe there were no goodhellos for them. "I wish you wouldn't cry anymore."

Cel stared at their hands for a second and nodded. "I'll... don't think I'm done crying yet actually." She answered quietly. For all sorts of reasons, Plymouth was just the foremost one at the moment.

She stood up and carefully put her weight on her foot, testing it out. It twinged a little but it was okay. "I... think I'm going to go find a tree and start climbing." Cela offered him a shaky smile and limped out the door.

She'd come back to see Cassiopeia later.

He watched her go, and then Copernicus slipped back into the stall to give Tiberius a quick nuzzle. Cassiopea got one too, just because she was probably feeling lonely.

And then he took the longest way possible back to the castle.

Elizabeth felt really bad. What with her dealing with Mari, Robert and Cayden at the beginning of term, the whole flooding situation, and now the fact she was dating Robert (which once again made things weird between her and Mari), she had been neglecting coming out to see Macavity. And she'd promised, way back at the end of last term, that she wouldn't forget about him. And, knowing the kneazle, who knew what she could expect now. Half the building could be destroyed or something.

But as she came up to it, it looked like it was fine. Which was interesting, seeing as everything else seemed to be flooding lately. And in the back of her mind, she wondered if Professor Morgan would let her evacuate Macavity to the Ravenclaw dorms if the sanctuary did flood. Probably not, but she did still want to figure out a way to take him home with her after this term was over.

Slipping inside, she walked between the cages until she came upon the one with her mischievous little kneazle in it. Who wasn't really so little anymore, since he was bigger than Bella was, but she still thought of him that way. And the ginger and black creature was oddly, for him, sitting inside the cage, looking at her reproachfully. Flushing in chagrin, she spoke. "I know, Macavity. I'm sorry. Things have been weird." The feline looked away for a second, like he wasn't going to accept the excuse, but then let her open the cage door and pick him up. "I'll try to be better at visiting you from now on," she whispered to him, going over to sit on the floor nearby and eventually letting him loose, although she kept a hand on his coat. She didn't want him wandering too far, or getting into trouble. Like she knew he wanted to.

Whistling while he walked, his hands in his pocket, his head bobbing to the tune William stopped at the entrance to the sanctuary and looked down shuffling his shoes into the ground. One of his shoelaces had some undone and he grumbled to himself as he kneeled down until he was close enough to touch them and tied them back up, triple knotting the ends so they'd stay up. Nodding he stood straight again and opened the door heading right to the shelves and grabbing some supplies; mainly treats.

With his arms loaded with lettuce and other treats he walked over to Ziellas cage and smiled as she sat there, her lone tail flapping the ground in a rhythmic pattern. He had decided to spend some good quality time with her today, just sitting in the open area and having fun. he needed it after the owl he had received from home the previous day. his mother had found some pictures of his late father, something he had never seen before. sighing softly he stopped at her cage, allowing a small smile to surface as he opened it.

Leading her to the open play area for the other pets he sat down against the fence and took out the envelope; it looked older than it really was and he couldn't help but wonder if that was the only one he could find. He closed his eyes before opening it again and sighed.

Dani walked into the Sanctuary to see Gregorio. She searched around until she saw his cute little furry face. "Gregorio!" She yelled as she pulled him out of his cage, slightly frightening a few other animals around. Smiling as his nose rubbed against her arm, she said "I've missed you." She scracthed between his eyes a little bit. What a cuddly little niffler.

She felt a tickle and looked down to see Gregorio digging in her pocket. She laughed. He would of course know where to look to find shiny. His face came out it a gold coin in his mouth. He dropped it and sniffed around for more shiny. She leaned forward to pick it up and felt him snatching at the key around her neck. Pulling it from him, she tapped him lightly on the nose. "No" She snuggled her face into his side. Animals were so nice and dramaless.

Copernicus pulled open the door to Tib's stall and grinned at the whiny of welcome. "Yup, good to see you too. Sorry I've been away so long. But I was busy." He laughed as Tiberius butted him gently on the shoulder in a very Cela-esque move.

It was short work to clean the stall and refill the feed bucket, and then Cope curled up against Tib's side for a snuggly warm hug.

With each breath of cool, fragrant air, Iliana began feeling increasingly rejuvenated. She smiled at Marcus' apparent hesitation and decided it best to offer him options. She didn't want to force her favorite pastime on one of her colleagues just yet. "We don't have to fly them," she said. "I mean, you know.... if you prefer them on the ground." Riding was just as relaxing as flying as far as she was concerned.

When they reached the paddock fence, she opened the gate and led them inside. "I think you'll be best suited riding Dionysus. He's in the stall on the far left. Here, I'll show you," she said as they entered the stable.

Of course Iliana didn't know about his fear of flying and he wasn't that keen on telling her either. He was supposed to be this big tough ex auror, who feared nothing. The whole experience riding on the back of Anna's broom was still fresh in his mind and Marcus cleared his throat. "Well it's been a while so maybe we should just stay on the ground for now."

He gave her a tentative smile and followed her over to the stables. "So what got you interested in magical creatures?" he asked as he looked at the Abraxan, he was about to ride. Oh Merlin's beard, he was going to make a fool of himself he could see it now.

"Wonderful. There's a beautiful spot just over the hill that I'd love to show you." It was the perfect place to talk. They would venture out on this little excursion and then worry about his stresses. She'd learned long ago that people would talk when they were ready.

"Actually... it was these beautiful creatures," she said, reaching up to pet the winged horse. "I got my first Abraxan when I was 5 years old. She was a gift for my birthday. I learned how to ride that year and have been riding ever since." It was her absolute favorite thing to do. "After the Abraxan, I just couldn't seem to get enough creatures in our manor. Magical or otherwise." She paused then, looking up at him, wondering why on earth she was sharing so much information. That just wasn't like her with someone new. She supposed it was the subject matter... or else the look on Marcus' face. Either way, it would do her well to stop her rambling and let the man speak.

"So, Marcus... Defense Against the Dark Arts. That's an exciting subject. Have you taught it before?" she asked, opening the stall doors. And just like she knew they would, having done this many times before, both Abraxans walked out, stopping just outside the stable doors.

Marcus watched as she patted the Abraxan and he listened as she spoke of her life as a child. He smiled at her and felt himself relax, forgetting about the whole flying thing...for now at least. "That's quite a gift for a five year old" he chuckled. "But then I guess I can't talk. I got a grand piano when I was five." He moved closer to the Abraxan and held out his hand allowing it to sniff his hand before gently rubbing its nose. "My parents knew talent when they saw it." Marcus, looked at Iliana his eye twinkling with laughter and he gave her a tiny wink.

"I taught it last year at the Australian Institute of Wizardry. That was my first year at teaching. I actually applied for Hogwarts, but was beaten by Professor Kazimeriz" he shrugged his shoulders. "The man is a legend so I guess I don't mind. Although I would like to know why he doesn't seem to like me very much?" Marcus, chewed on his lip for a moment, he couldn't believe he had just blurted that out. He looked at Iliana, from the corner of his eye. She was such a nice person and so easy to talk to. Merlin! What was he going to do with all these women?

Was an Abraxan an extravagant gift? She'd never really thought of it as such. Funny how she never really questioned the actions of her parents. Least of all their gifts. "Oh Marcus, I love the piano." For Iliana, the piano was second only to the cello. "Do you still play?" she asked, gently tracing her finger between Trinity's eyes and down her muzzle. Once the Abraxan knelt down, she quickly mounted the creature in one fluid motion.

When she was firmly seated, she smiled down at Marcus again with bright eyes. "Australia, really?! That's one place I've never been and have always wanted to visit. Is it as wonderful as I imagine?" she asked, broadening her angelic smile.

With the mention of Kazimeriz, Iliana gave Marcus an understanding look. Yeah, she knew that feeling well. There were some people she just didn't understand. "I'm sure he likes you Marcus," she said. Kazimeriz was just as old as the hills and had trouble being friendly. "What reason would he have not to?"

Marcus followed her actions and traced his finger down the Abraxan's nose and waited for it to kneel. "Sometimes" he answered as he walked around the winged horse and then climbed up. "My youngest brother Joshua, likes me to play for him. He prefers that than the guitar but of course I like the guitar. The louder the better" he chuckled softly as the Abraxan got back to its feet.

"Australia is very nice and very hot" he said as he pulled on the reigns to turn the Abraxan around and he squeezed his heels in gently. "Some very beautiful spots over there, I have to admit." He looked over to Iliana and gave her a smile. "You should really try and get over there."

Marcus raised an eyebrow at her. "You haven't seen the way he looks at me." He chewed on his lip thoughtfully, trying to think why the old man would not like him and the only answer he could come up with was, "I think because Ethan and I are friends. I guess after their duel last year, any friend of Zan's is not a friend of a Kazi's." He shrugged his shoulders and urged the Abraxan forward. "So how about showing me this lovely spot of yours and then we can talk freely."