He dug the alone time offered by this space, though he hadn't quite figured why he'd hardly ever seen another living soul in it. The strange trick that the shiny metallic bodies of the sculptures played on ones vision stimulated him in ways that few, very few things could. It was ...exciting. And so the boy found some reason to return year after year to Professor Romanos's gallery.




Had she added new things to it?

After seeing that one mechanical thing in class, and hearing that there were more, Ruby was simply nosy. Like were these things worth money? Did they actually do anything aside from looking interesting and whatever?

She popped her head into the room to take stock before the rest of her appeared around the corner, and then Ruby began walking around, peering closely at this creature or that. It was fascinating and there was something oddly macabre about it all, which all in all had her enthralled.

Sooo enthralled in fact, that she didn't immediately notice that she wasn't alone with the mechanical beasties. Ruby HAD seen that boy around though. What was his name? Cutty? She vaguely remembered meeting him in passing, and knew he was in the same house as she was.

"Nasty little things aren't they?" She sounded admiring, however. "I wonder if they do anything useful."

Cutty was admiring the basilisk and wondering how much metal it actually took to make him a reality when the brassy smell that normally occupied the room was interrupted by the sweeter smell of witch products. He wasn't alone anymore. His large ears tuned in for the sound of foot steps, but it did not sound like Professor Romanos. The strides were timed differently.

Oh, it was that older Slytherin girl that had been with Grayson that one day. Ruby was her name-o, right?

"They are." His impressed tone getting swallowed and spat out of the metallic bodied surfaces surrounding them as his vision locked in on a clabbert. Useful? "Yer mean like locking oop a first year in here for a length of time fer yer own amusement?" He asked as if he'd done it or at least given it some serious thought. He had. "Or charming the adjustable ones to clean yer room 'n carry yer books." More pragmatic solutions. Which sort of girl was she?

"Neither." Ruby said. "Or something like the first maybe. I have elves and boys for the other two." She'd rather get a boy to carry her books than a mechanical charmed creature, and house elves did just fine cleaning and they enjoyed it. Both real creatures, boys and elves, enjoyed such tasks on her account, soooo why would she deprive them of that?

"Don't take this the wrong way," He began pulling his sight away from the Basilisk to face the person to whom he was speaking. "Booht, you look like the sort of gehl who would have plenty of both." Well she did. With her hair and her make up and her improvised clothing. Like the little skirt at the opening feast.



Did she want to be paid for that?


Cutty would've demanded pay-to-peep regardless of whether or not he'd shaved his legs. That was the sort of game Cutty Mordaunt was playing at.

Ruby stopped and looked at her slimy housemate and then smiled brightly. Why would she take that badly? Wasn't it a compliment? Well it was to HER.

"More boys than elves, thankfully." She tossed her hair and then nudged at what appeared to be a squirrel with her foot.

And then, "I'm over it." She decided, looking around. They simply weren't doing anything exciting; and there were too many staring eyes for it to be a good make out spot.

Then Ruby Banner was not terribly wealthy? At least she'd had at least one or more house elves, though. That was something. "Shame that. If yew had more house elves yew'd probably have the dosh to buy all the boys you wanted. Or, hang on...Yer get yer tricks fer free, don't yer?" Cutty was blowing his own mind with this state of existence that required no sickles down. He was equal parts impressed, sick and bewildered. And he'd done this to himself in a matter of seconds, really. Just the mere thought of it! Ruby did not exist in the same universe as he did. She could not! This was an anomaly. Professor FLAMSTEEED??!!! D:

Calm and composed expression renewed itself slowly as he thought to ask, "So what made yer parents decide to put you in Hogwarts after all this time without it?"

Mitchell wandered around as he often did when his girlfriend was being good and studying or Prefecting. It was cute that she was so responsible. A bummer on his social life, but cute none-the-less.

He took a few steps to the left and glanced at the closest statue. It was very metaly.

Kace decided to go check out the sculpture exhibit. It was new and he never seen it before. As he went down the stairs and saw Mitchell was there. Huh..he never seen him around Hogwarts lately. Actually when was the last time he saw him? He smirked and went over and said, "Heyy Mitchell.." he greeted him. "Fancy meeting you here of all places.." he said gesturing to the sculptures. "How have you been?" he asked. He wanted to know how his friend was doing.

"Oh. 'Sup Kace." Mitchell said with a nod in greeting. "Yeah. I haven't seen you in ages." Of course, he didn't really look. That was his bad.

"I've been great. Just the usual."

"What about you, man?" he asked turning toward his friend. "What about you?" When was the last time they even hung out? Greece?

Kace nodded and said, "Oh nothing much just doing some exploring, the usual.." he shrugged. "I know right? When was the last time we just chilled?" It was a pretty good question. "Aahh how is Marigold doing? You guys still going strong?" he asked curious about their relationship. "I have been great man like I have been exploring the castle. I have been going to classes and actually doing homework. It is a shock right?" he teased a little bit. "Did you enjoy our trip to Greece last summer?" he asked curious. Alright enough with the questions.

Buy boys? Buy them?

"That is sooo not how this works." Not with money anyway. Sure, bargains were entered into all the time in Ruby world. She had plenty of non-monetary currency. It got her places, she was learning more and more exactly how many doors her own personal wealth opened. And she was AWARE of his meaning by the way. Ruby pursed her lips slightly and decided that she wasn't offended.

Lucky for Cutty Mordaunt.

"My stepfather didn't want us underfoot anymore, and didn't want to pay for tutors when we could come here for free. And my uncle convinced my mum it was a good idea, like he thinks it was good for his kids but honestly, they're both nuts, so I don't see how it benefited either of them." Why so curious? She cast an accessing look over him, and came to several conclusions.

Most of them were unflattering, but they held her attention at least.

Oh look. Company. Ruby noticed but pretty much dismissed said company from her notice. Wasted ones. They booooth had girrrrrlfriends.

Mind you, Mari was welcome to hers. He was far too quiet for Ruby's tastes. She turned her attention back to Cutty, wondering if he had any more burning questions.

Mitchell nodded. That seemed accurate. It made him wonder though, it seemed like guys never did much. Whenever Marigold heard anything from Moo, it felt like she could go on forever. There was only so much that could fit in a letter, but apparently girls could fit more on a piece of paper. Or maybe girls just fit more in their life. He didn't pretend to know.

"I think it was Greece. I was just thinking about how long it's been." he replied.

"She's great. Yeah. We're great. Still together. Lucky guy, right?" He thought so. Goldilocks was definitely a keeper.

He laughed lightly. "Niice. I guess those tests are this year, huh? That'll be fun." Not.

Kace chuckled and replied, "It has been a long time. I know it probably has been a couple of months or so since the trip. But it was fun though. I remember swimming in the ocean and just having fun with the teachers." he smiled. "We did learn SOME things but it was more about the adventure for me. What was your favorite part of the trip?" he asked curiously.

He grinned when he talked about Marigold. It seemed like the pair was in love with each other. "Yeah you are a lucky guy. Luckier than me. To be honest mate, I tried to get her to notice me and go out but it never worked out that way but then you came along and you changed something in her for the good. She just seems much better off." he said giving him the compliment. Oh right! The OWLS were this year. He didn't wanna think about it too much. "Yeahh the tests are this year...like I am kind of nervous but not really if I just try to pay attention in class.." he grinned sheepishly. I mean come on sometimes when the professor rambles on and on you lose interest!

Mitchell nodded. Weird how time flew. It was almost Christmas now. "Definitely the exploring." Although the beach wasn't too bad either. It had great perks.

He grinned. "I think so. Thanks." he said running his hand through his hair. He vaguely remember Kace mentioning that he had a thing for Goldilocks way back when. Somehow Marigold liked him though. So. That was awesome. She was a catch.

"We can all study together when the tests are closer." he suggested with a shrug.

Kace smiled, the exploring was a great time in the trip. He just loved visiting the towns and landmarks. "What was your favorite landmark you saw? I think mine was just seeing how the houses were all white and all stacked up together. We don't have that in Kansas." he chuckled.

He chuckled and teased, "If you break her heart, I'll have to put the pounding on ya.." he winked. "Nah mate I won't but she is perfect for you. How did you guys meet?" he asked curiously. Why not talk about their relationships right? That was a great idea that they could study together. "I think it would be good for all of us. Plus we can all catch up in the study lessons. How are you doing in the lessons mate? You doing alright?" he asked concerned. He hardly seen him going to classes and was getting worried. Or unless he was and he hadn't seen him.

They weren't alone anymore. Cutty turned his head slightly as being joined by other company, but otherwise paid them no more mind than to note who they were. If they needed him, they knew they could interrupt anything. He listened and watched her facial expression as Ruby explained her method of operation and how it worked or didn't work, rather. Many assumptions were made.

"It's paht of the curriculuhm. Hogwarts makes yer mad." He furrowed at the brow a bit considering all she'd just told him. She had cousins who went here, perhaps recently if her uncle was still rather young, but Cutty remembered no Banner witches or wizards. "Who were they? Yer cousins I mean." And feel free to say the names of the craziest set of siblings at the school.

"I'm fine without being mad, thanks awfully though." She said with infinite sass. Automatic really. She was listening out for the other conversation because she could HEAR they were talking about Mari and Mari being her friend and all, well Ruby would so totally report back. Sigh. It didn't surprise her though that another boy wanted to date Marigold. Not fool around or casually hang out but properly have a thing for and everything. Mari was a total sophie, but Ruby adored her anyway.

"Oh... my cousins, Aspen and West." Nod. "Odessa." But who cared, lets talk about Ruby now.

That bit of sass, it got caught in his teeth and caused a bit of a smile. Ruby was going to hate Hogwarts. She might even try to take it on. And she might even win. Either way, it could mean opportunities. There were only so many people on staff and with a painted distraction like this who knew what could happen!



Cutty didn't know Aspen. Hadn't even heard her name, really and he'd've remembered it. It was the wood from which his wand was made. Aspen. Heh. Who names their kid after a wand wood?


Actually, he kind of liked it.


Aspen Mordaunt. First kidda.



West? OH! TRIPOD! She was Tripod's cousin. Interesting. Though, they seemed nothing alike. "Oh, yeah. West was a good man. He taught me a few things." Helped him out, though not at all with Odessa's knowledge. And it was nothing he'd share in the corridors or sectioned off rooms for artistic ventures with anyone it was far too personal in nature. Actually, maybe West and Ruby were SHOCKINGLY alike. Cutty liked where this was going. "So, tell me about yerself, Ruby Banner. What y'do fer fun?"

Good man? Pshhhh whatever. Ruby's expression was doubtful. Best thing about her cousin in her opinion was his band. But she didn't particularly want to push on with cousin-related conversation.

... and it was interesting that everyone here asked her that question. Like they sooo lacked fun at Hogwarts that they either needed ideas, or entertainment.

"Whatever I like, hun." That WAS what it boiled down to. She shrugged one shoulder and flashed a smile that was somewhere between whimsy and mystery, depending on your general outlook on life.

It was unmistakably a smile. That thing that was happening to Cutty's monkey-like face. People always gave boring answers to that question, whenever he was intrigued or obligated enough to ask it (which was almost never). They said things like 'Spend time with my friends', or worse yet, they said 'I dunno'. Sometimes they were passionate about something like music or personally amassed things like chocolate frog trading cards and serials. Ruby's answer opened a portal. A Pandora's box of the possible.

"Yer gonna loov it here, Queen." And he was going to enjoy having her there. "Walk yer back to the common room?"

She liked that.

Queen.

Ruby fluffed at her hair, expression approving.

As for the loving it here sentiment, on that she wasn't yet convinced. There were perks for sure, but there was also this expectation of actually doing work, and certain so-called authority figures that had been on her behind since day one.

Literally.

Not to mention her brother being.... well. Gabe was Gabe but at least at home he could be normal some of the time, and he was less of a complete doorknob too.

But sure, Cutty could walk her back. She offered him her arm. "We can walk and talk."

She was still taking measure of him and it was a good opportunity.

It took him 3 terms to wonder just how exactly this sculpture exhibit was, and today was the day he discovered it. It was probably going to be boring alone, but he figured he'd go look for someone if he was too bored. For now, he entered the room and scanned it.

Medea DID work hard for this, didn't she?

Soph was a big fan of Romanos' sculpture exhibit. She had good memories with it, having had good heart-to-hearts there with both Cat and Fuller once upon a time. And she had no Cat now, but maybe if she hung out in the exhibit, Fuller would come along like he had the last time and they could talk about Tobes again. She expected no tears, as she and Tobes were on pretty good terms after their first big fight, and maybe if he came around, she and Fuller could just laugh and have fun and gossip about their men. Totally by chance. Hehe.

Hey, if he'd just happened to be walking by last time... why not this time? Soph was pretty certain it hadn't been just by chance and maybe the guy retreated to this place regularly to ponder and have some alone time. So. Maybe if she just started hanging out there more often, she'd catch him some time and they could have a coincidental run-in with each other. Heheheh.

As she poked her head inside the sculpture exhibit to scan the place to make sure Fuller wasn't already there, Soph... was surprised to see a different professor's back of the head - one with shorter, greyer hair than that of the professor she THOUGHT she might see there.

...Without entirely thinking through what she was doing, Soph dug a hand deep into her robe pocket, pulled out a single, wrapped piece of Drooble's gum and tossed it at the back of Culloden's head before poking her head out of the doorway and hiding fully out in the corridor. Hehehehehe.