[OOC: The initial setting of this thread will take place in the castle, because of the plans that Talynn and Vincent made in the other thread. Since they'll be in Hogsmeade by the time I reply again (that's what, three posts into it?), I didn't think it was a wise idea to make a pointless thread in the hallways forum just to show them leaving from there. Anyway, just thought I'd explain in case someone gets confused.]

Talynn glanced at her watch for what was probably the hundredth time since she had gotten to the portrait where she'd told Vincent to meet her. Just in case, she had an open book in her hands. Once already, she'd had to pretend that she was walking aimlessly at a snail's pace while reading it, because a nosy student had turned onto the hallway where she was waiting. As long as she appeared to be deep in the pages, no one seemed wont to bother her.

Thankfully, no prefects had shown up, or they probably wouldn't have thought twice about interrupting her 'reading' to ask questions.

She looked both ways down the hallway. It was seventeen minutes past the hour according to her watch, which meant that Vincent was either running late, or wasn't going to show up at all. He probably won't. She thought with more disappointment than she was willing to admit, even to herself, though why, she wouldn't have known... had she acknowledged it.

Oh well, three more minutes. She told herself with a quiet sigh as she leaned against the wall, and returned to reading the book of Shakespearean sonnets. After all, she had to have something interesting to keep her entertained while she waited.

I'm late . . . .Where in the world is that portrait? Vincent thought in exasperation as his pace quickened down the hall.

So you are going through with this?
Of course . . .

Vincent caught a glimpse of himself in an armour. He brushed off the lint from his black shirt and black pants. His black cloak was tucked securely beneath his arm.

Vincent threw a glance over his shoulder and to his relieif no one was there. He hurried up the stairs almost tripping over his own feet. Gathering himself, he ran up the stairs again getting to the top.

Vince glanced down at his watch. Seventeen after . ..
You're really late. You should have left earlier
Thank you Einstein
No problem Tobias' tone was filled with amusment.

As Vincent turned the corner, he caught a glimpse of a blonde haired girl pacing with a book in her hand. Moments later as he approached her, he noticed it was Talynn. He glanced down at his watch again to see 7:19 staring up at him.

A sigh escaped him as he tapped Talynn's shoulder. At least he had made it somewhat on time right?

[OOC: Oh, woohoo. One of my infamous Epic Posts. :bleh: ]

Talynn jumped slightly when she turned around and saw Vincent walking towards her. Probably, the thought that he was a prefect had flickered instantaneously through her mind before it actually dawned on her that it was him. Whatever the case, she smiled brightly when it'd worked itself out correctly.

"I was just about to give up." She said as quietly snapped the book closed and took in his attired. "Yep, black, black and black. Excellent choice." She, too was clad in black. With her fitted shirt and jeans, she probably could have pulled off a burglary...if she'd had a mask to cover her face and hair, that is. Her cloak was a shrunken scrap of cloth in her pocket, but that was a circumstance that would be changed once they got to the other end of the tunnel.

She didn't waste any time as she looked up and down the hallway to be sure they were all alone, then reached up to run her hand along the edge of the portrait. The frame appeared to be flush against the wall all the way around, but the magical illusion was revealed when her fingers seemed to disappear into the wood. They instantly fell on the hidden latch, and she bit her lower lip as she forced it up, then eased it towards her before pushing it down.

With a soft click the portrait began to move away from the wall like a door falling open. She only let it open so far before she nudged Vincent behind it. She quickly glanced around again to be sure their arses were covered, then ducked in behind him, and pulled the portrait shut behind her. Another clicking noise told her that it was closed securely.

It was pitch black in the tunnel, but nothing a simple lumos spell couldn't fix. "Follow me, and watch your step." She said as she glanced back at him. "There are some holes along the way, and you wouldn't want to break an ankle."

Warning issued, she started down the tunnel. It began in a straight, downward path, and stayed that way for quite a way before it finally leveled out. That's when it started weaving left and right. The first time she'd snuck into the village this way, she had almost given up, because it felt like it took forever. She'd quickly learned that it was really just the combination of the darkness and the meandering path itself that made it feel that way. It really didn't take any longer to get there than walking above ground.

When the path suddenly shifted upwards, she knew they were getting close, and began to keep an eye out for the stairs, which had a habit of sneaking up on her. When they came to them, she stopped, and took out her cloak, casting the spell to return it to its full size.

"That's your cue." She said, flashing a grin at him as she swept the cloak around her shoulders, and fastened the clasp at her neck. She lifted the hood over her hair, and pulled it down low enough to partially obscure her face without blocking her line of vision.

She turned back to say something to him, then chuckled to herself. "Well, I was going to say be as quiet as you can, but I guess that's already covered." She'd never known anyone who could stay as quiet as him for as long as he seemed capable of remaining. "Oh, and watch your step. These aren't the most sound of stairs."

The steps seemed to groan quietly under her feet as she ascended them. A small door met them at the top, and she reached out for the latch. She hesitated for a second to strain her ears, but didn't hear anything that gave her reason to delay opening it just a fraction. She peeked out, and saw that the coast was clear, so she pushed it open far enough for her to crawl out into narrow space between two buildings. As she found her feet, she looked back to see if Vincent was okay.

OOC: Not too shabby myself though not the longest post i ever made . . .

Vincent felt her hands on his back as she shoved him through the door behind the portrait. She crawled in too and with a soft click the door closed. The darkness around them was thick. He wasn't sure a light would break through the pervading darkness.

Vince caught himself before he fell into his first hole. Using the wall to steady himself, he contiued walking down the corridor. The path took a slight downward angle making Vincent's pace quicken slightly.

Pushing his hair off his forehead, he wondered how far this path went. Already they had walked quite a bit though the darkness made it seem as though they were traveling much farther than they really were. His feet ached slightly from the uneven ground.

The thick air got thinner as the path began to angle up again. He wondered if that was because they were almost there.

"That's your cue" He heard her say as she grinned and put on her cloak. Vincent followed in suit slipping his cloak over his shoulders. Fastening the small broach like contraption at his neck, he pulled the hood over his head just like Talynn had done. Apparently she had done this more than once.

Walking up the stairs, they groaned their protest to his weight. With a glance over his shoulder, he climbed up through the hatch. His eyes scanned the small alley as he reached his hand out to help Talynn up from the passage.

The night sky above them was littered with stars just emerging from their hiding places in the heavens. The moon hung low on the horizon and the wind pulled lightly at his cloak.

As soon as they were both standing out in the alley, she bent down to give the door a good shove so it would close all the way. Once it was, it seemed to disappear into the exterior wall of the building. With another smile bestowed on him, she took his hand.

"Quickly." She said as she hurried to the back corner of the building. Anyone who spied them in that particular spot would know who they were and where they'd just come from, which was too risky if they didn't want to get caught.

She lead him around the backs of the buildings until they came to another narrow passage. As they crept up between the buildings, she was already trying to peer out into the street to be sure no one was standing around the corner up ahead. She peeked out when they got to the edge of the building. They were right across from the Three Broomsticks. If they could get inside without rousing any suspicion, then they could grab one of the out-of-the-way tables in the back, and simply lie about who they were from there.

"If anyone starts asking questions, just let me do the talking." She said as she looked back at him. It wasn't likely that he'd be striking up a conversation with anyone, anyway, and she had no qualms about lying her way out of something. "Whatever you do though, don't give out your last name if you're asked. That's all you need to remember."

She tugged the hood of her cloak to be sure it was down far enough to be safe without being suspicious, then linked her arm with his, and lead him along as she weaved her way through the passing people to the front door of the Three Broomsticks. Once inside, she peeked out from under her hood to scan the crowd of people. She didn't see any familiar faces, but she did see a table open in the back.

To avoid looking suspicious now that they were indoors, she let go of Vincent, and pushed the hood of her cloak. She avoided looking directly at anyone as made her way to the table, but thankfully, most people seemed too deep in their merry-making to notice the two young people meandering through the establishment.

She let Vincent have the chair that would put his back to the room as she took the one to his right, which put him in between her and any nosy people who might have looked their way. No sooner had they sat down than a waitress walked up to them.

"Two butterbeers, please." She said with a smile before the woman could even ask. When the waitress walked away, she looked over at Vincent. "Sorry." She said, wincing slightly. She'd jumped the gun unnecessarily. "If you want something else, let me know, and I'll order it when she gets back..."

She'd loosen up in a little while. The thrill of sneaking around usually left a bit of lingering twitchiness in its wake.

Once again she dragged him down the alley and Vincent let her. She knew what she was doing . . .and when she was going for that matter. Vince on the other hand had no idea where anything was in the small wizarding town.

As Talynn stopped to peek around a corner, Vincent almost ran into her back. Luckily he teetered on his toes before he touched her. It would have looked odd to see two gawky teenagers stumbling over each other in an alley. Not just any alley but the alley that had a hidden path straight to the wizarding school.

No last names . . .got it . . . He thought with a nod as he adjusted his cloak a bit.
Wha . . .
We're in the town Toby.

Vince bit his lip as they began their journey towards the crowded three broomsticks. As the walked in, his eyes scanned the area. Though he was new to the school, he had remembered certain faces from around the school and on the train. Vince saw none of them as they slid through the crowd cautiously. Talynn pulled out a chair for him. As soon as he sat down the waitress scurried up ready for orders. Immediately Talynn ordered for him. As soon as she had done so she appologized. Vincent waved it off. It really didn't matter. He liked butterbeer all the same. In plus, he probably would have ordered it himself if she hadn't.

For a moment he wondered if it was okay to pull his hood off in the pub. He hadn't seen Talynn do so, so he didn't.

[OOC: Uh, yeah. I wasn't very clear about it, but she did push back her hood right after they walked in. ^^;; See? That's what I get for making stupidly long posts, in which, I don't make enough sense. :bleh: Anyway, I'll make up for it here. ]

"Okay." She nodded when he waved away her apology, and reached up to lift her hood back from her head. She casually smoothed a hand over her hair, then folded her arms on the tabletop as she leaned forward a bit and looked around at the room. No one was paying any attention to them from what she could see, so that was a good sign.

The waitress must have been on top of her duties that night, as she quickly returned with their butterbeers--not that Talynn was complaining. She thanked the lady as one of the glasses was set on the table in front of her, then waited for her to leave again after she gave the other glass to Vincent.

"So, I know we haven't been able to really explore the village yet, but what do you think of what you've seen so far?" She asked before she lifted her glass to take a long sip of the drink. Man, she'd been craving that taste since last Saturday, which was the last time she'd been in the village. She'd have to watch how many she had, though. Too much sugar, she ran even more wild than she normally was.

"It's okay, you know." She said as she looked over at him. She kind of felt like he didn't talk much around her because he didn't trust her or something. Sure, she's picked up on his speech problem the first time he'd opened his mouth, but it wasn't like she thought any less of him for it. "You can talk to me. In fact, if you don't your ears might fall off from having to listen to me chatter away all the time."

She rolled her eyes at herself as she looked down into her glass. She could end up on opposite extremes--too high strung for this person, or too boring for that. She didn't know where her place would be around a guy like Vincent, and that bugged her to no end. She was a social creature, and that required knowing her place around people.

((OOC: Oops . . .I love you're long posts. Always have but ,reader can get Reader's fatigue and forget details :bleh: One of my own epics . . . ))

Vincent pushed his hood off and smoothed any stray hairs down as the waitress came back with their butterbeers. He nodded his thanks to her and took a sip of it. The warm sweetness trickled down his throat. He hadn't had a butterbeer since he and Tobias had left home for school which could have been a few days ago. Well, Vince had been moping around the castle so he couldn't be all too sure exactly how long he'd been there now.

Vince threw a glance over his shoulder watching the people laugh and carry on. His eyes momentarily flickered to the door when Talynn asked him a question. He turned back to her and bit his lip and narrowed his eyes in thought. He gave her a thumbs up before taking another sip of his butterbeer.

Vincent folded his arms across the table and leaned on them for a moment taking in the whole atmosphere. Though the Three Broomsticks was a bit smaller than he had expected and slightly cramped, it still maintained that feeling of 'cozy'. Behind the bar a fire roared in a fire place as the bar tenders scurried up and down behind the bar helping the townspeople. It was much different then any little place he had been to. The twins never really got out. As far as their mother ever took them was Diagon Alley.

"It's okay, you know.You can talk to me."

At this Vince bit his lip and stared at the tabletop for a moment. His fingers rubbed the wood grain. It wasn't that he didn't trust her . . . .okay, well maybe that did have a slight effect but while speaking he almost always embaressed himself. And not to mention, sometimes it was just hard for him.

What do I do? He asked biting his lip much harder than he had intended to.She wants me to talk to her.
I don't know. Are you put in a situation where you would have to? To Tobias' comment he nodded slowly which would have looked odd to anyone listening in on Talynn's and Vince's one sided conversation. Talynn hadn't said anything in quite awhile . . .or if she had Vincent was paying more attention to Tobias.

Well, it's just me and her in the three broomsticks at a table you tell me? It'll be rude if I don't.
Did we care about rude before? Once again he shook his head to 'seemingly' nothing.
Well, considering your in that position maybe you aught to talk a bit.

Vince's eyes came back to Talynn's.

"T-t-talking-g's hard s-s-sometimes," Vincent said as he watched her for a moment.

She watched him nod, and then shake his head. Her brows quirked upwards a little, but she didn't say anything. Perhaps he was simply working something out in his mind? She was prone to doing that sometimes, though she didn't usually let onto it outwardly.

When he finally answered her, she smiled a little.

"Well, so are charms sometimes, but you still have to to do them." She lifted a shoulder casually. "They're a necessary part of life, unfortunate though it is. Personally, I like potions, but you don't see me throwing away my wand just because I'm not very good with it." Eh, it just didn't make sense to her, even with knowing that he had difficulty forming his words.

"If it helps, I've understood you perfectly so far." She said. Sure, she hadn't known him that long, and he'd barely spoken three words together while in her company. But she had yet to have any trouble understanding him.

She decided not to press him any further on the matter, and sipped her butterbeer quietly instead.

He sighed as he knew she had a point. Vince couldn't exactly go through life saying nothing could he? Well, maybe if Tobias was there the whole time he could. However, he had to remember that not everyone could communicate the way he and Tobias did.

Vincent sipped his butterbeer and wondered if he should tell her about his brother. He decided not. If she wanted to know something about him and his history she would ask. Or at least he thought she would.

Vince gave her a small smile as he glanced around him again.

"Th-thanks," He said just above a whisper. However, he knew she heard him. He didn't know how she knew he just did. Vincent found that she was a talkative individual. He didn't mind that at all however he had a slight difficulty reacting to it.

"S-s-sorry," He muttered.

"Eh, don't worry about it." She said with a bit of a smile. "Just so long as you don't get tired of hearing me rattle away, or don't take offense if--heaven forbid--I run out of things to talk about with myself, we're cool."

She laughed quietly into her mug as she started to take a sip, but stopped short when she saw someone walking towards their table. She held her breath, willing them to turn and go somewhere else, but they kept on their path. Right when it looked like the man was about to reach the table where they were sitting, he stopped and pulled out the chair at the table next to them to settle himself down.

Talynn let out the breath she was holding, but she did so too soon, as the man actually looked over, and spoke to them a second later.

"Well, now... you two look a bit young to be out this time o'night." The man was a bit older, but not very old. She guessed he was about in his early to mid-forties. "Would ye be on a date, then?" He asked, winking at the pair of them.

"Oh, no." Talynn blurted, the slight burn of a blush creeping up into her cheeks. But she covered her tracks quickly. "We're cousins... staying with our grandmother. She lives outside the village a little ways."

Okay, maybe that was too much information, but it had made her feel weird to be asked a question about why they were there at all--even worse to be asked if they were on a date. She'd never been on a date, and the odds weren't looking to be in her favor for it anytime soon, either. Therefore, she didn't need it rubbed in by a perfect stranger.

"I-i w-w-won't," Vincent said with a small smile. He could never be offended by someone at least trying to talk to him. . . unless he was extremely cross that day. Seeing as Vince was nowhere near cross he had no problems. In plus, he knew it must be hard for her to carry on a one sided conversation right?

He took a small sip and almost choked on his butterbeer as a man was walking in their direction. Though the basis of this whole operation was to get him caught and not her, his adrenalin was still on over drive.

Vincent relaxed as the man sat at the table beside them, unfortunately, he turned to talk to them. Vince's bright blue eyes grew wide as the man asked if they were on a date. Immediately, he shook his head as if on cue Talynn verbally made their excuse.

It was odd to be asked such a question. Vince had never been on a date . . . he had never even close to one. He supposed he would be laughed at if anyone found out a seventeen year old boy had never been on a date, let alone had his first kiss or anything remotely close to it.

The man turned back to his table but threw another fleeting glance at Vince and Talynn. The man had noticed Vince's lack of vocalization . . .

"You alright there lad?" He asked curiously. Vince's eyes grew wide yet again as he realized this stranger was talking to him. Of course, Vincent didn't know what to say as his eyes flickered between Talynn and the stranger.

OOC: Sorry for the sucky post before this one, I was being sneaky . . .

Talynn darted a glance at Vincent, then waved her hand in a casually dismissive manner in the stranger's direction.

"Oh, he doesn't talk much." She said, then reached over to pat him on the shoulder. "Such a shy one, he is. Drives Aunt Becky up the wall, too. She's a bit like me--always chattering away about absolutely nothing--so naturally, she'd be frustrated that Kenny here doesn't say a word in reply. Just shrugs and goes about his business like Uncle Mort."

They were both saved from her spiralling web of lies when the waitress approached them again.

"Would ya like another round?" She asked, her voice sounding as bubbly as her personality seemed to be.

"Oh, no thank you." Talynn replied with a cheery smile. She glanced over at Vincent, hoping he wouldn't be too upset for answering for him. If they didn't get out of there soon, Mr. Nosy at the other table might just end up catching them in her lie. "We have to be getting to Honeydukes before it closes, then it's back to Gran's for us." She said the last bit loud enough for the man to hear them.

"Um, but we can get a couple of bottles each--to go, please?" She asked nicely. After all, what was the point in sneaking into the village if they didn't take back some kind of reward for it? She was, of course, conveniently forgetting all about the sugar stock she was going to be buying at the next shop.

Another lie! Such a web of deceit! It was saving their butts though wasn't it? Vincent scratched his head as she lied for them once again. She was good at this wasn't she?Was she an actor because all of this seemed so natural for her.

"Such a pity," The man said glancing between the two young people. "Could have almost swore he was mute . .. ." His tone was off handed as he turned back to his table.

The waitress hurried back with their butterbeers. Vincent picked them up and stood. Stretching, he pulled his hood back over his head as he headed for the door. He hoped Talynn was following close behind. They had come to get drinks, not get interrogated. He didn't want the man to question Talynn anymore. Vince was very good at blatently ignoring someone but he wasn't sure if Talynn was.

Walking out of the door, the cool air was like a smack in the face contrasting with the warm air the three broomsticks. He glanced over his shoulder to see where Talynn was.

"Where t-t-to?"He asked curiously holding out his arm. Vince gave her a small smile and decided to open up at least a bit to her. After all, she had been nothing but nice and she had saved his butt a number of times all in one night.

Talynn left the money for the drinks on the table, then flashed the nosy man a bright grin as she followed after Vincent. She waited until right before she walked out to put her hood back up. No sense in making anyone suspicious when they'd come so far now.

As soon as she got outside, she started giggling to herself. It was partly from nerves, partly because she was exceedingly amused by how well she'd just duped the gentleman inside.

"I'm not a compulsive liar, I swear." She said, crossing her heart. "I'm just kinda good at it when I have to be." She saw him offer his arm, and was a little surprised by it--a fact that was clear in her eyes, if not in her expression. She didn't say anything as she took it, however, and she quickly returned her normal, casual self.

"This way." She said, pointing off to their right in the direction of the sweets shop. At least in that she hadn't been lying. She really did want to get to Honeydukes before it closed. That's where her chocolate frogs were, along with the other ton of candy she wanted to stock up on. Obviously she couldn't get too much, but she wanted enough to tie her over until her next (legal) trip into the village, which wouldn't be until next weekend.

"After that, we'll go wherever you want." She said quietly, smiling up at him from beneath the hood of her cloak. "Even if it's just to the of the High Street here to let you see all of the better shops." She didn't see any point in him sneaking into town with her if he wasn't going to get something out of it.

"S-s-surprised?" He asked as her facial features contorted in what seemed to be shock.

Vincent grinned as she mentioned she wasn't a compulsive liar. She was well on her way to becoming one. At least it wasn't an addiction or a sickness like some people. There were those people that couldn't go a day without lying about something . . .or stealing something. Yes, indeed, he was glad she wasn't one of those types.

They passed a few stragglers walking past as they made their way home. Vincent could see Honeydukes from where he stood. The store was brightly lit and coloured brightly with so many sweets.

Vincent shrugged as she mentioned they could go where he wanted to after this stop. Truly it didn't matter to him.He didn't know what was in Hogsmede to see. Surely there wasn't more than just sweets and stores were there? Of course there were people's homes but honestly how much sight seeing could one do in such a small town? Let alone in the dark?

"D-d-doesn't matter." He said then bit his lip. "Th-thanks." The last part was referring to her covering for him however, she probably wouldn't know. After all, he was a bit late in his thanks wasn't he?

"Okay." Talynn generally tried to just go with the flow. Things were usually more interesting when nothing was forced or planned. His expression of gratitude puzzled her, however.

"Thanks for what?" She asked, looking up at him with a curious expression, then chuckled. "Offering to do whatever you want after I've had my way at the candy store?" With a little roll of her eyes, she looked back ahead at where they were going, so she wouldn't bump into anyone. Not saying that she thought Vincent would have steered her into someone, but her luck dictated that she would at some point.

"So, do you have any family?" She asked randomly, as she realized she didn't know anything other than the trivial things she'd learned about him by observation. "Mom, dad, siblings?" She was always interested in these little details, considering that her own family was a little off-beat. She was the only child of a very wild and slightly eccentric mother, and a very conservative, play-it-safe father.

Merlin only knew what they had been thinking when they'd hooked up all those years ago.

Vince shook his head vigorously as she moved out of the way. "Thanks f-f-for lying f-f-f-for me." He crunched close to her as people were passing. Vincent didn't want to smack into anyone.

At the question, Vincent looked down at her with a sad smile. "B-brother . . .T-t-twin." He stuttered. How he missed Tobias . . . but if someone looked deeply at him, that's what's they'd see.

Vincent could only imagine that she would ask questions. Quite a few people did when he told them such things . ..well, if he told them. Mostly adults always jumped to the conclusion that that's why his speach was so messed up. Generally, they don't even think about the fact that the two might have a 'connection' like telepathy. They jump straight forth to the twin language scenario. Then again, they weren't exactly wrong about it either . . .

OOC: sorry if this post is well . ..bad. I just got off work.

Talynn lifted her eyes heavenward in an amused sort of way. "I cannot believe you just thanked me for lying like a dog." She said with a hint of laughter in her voice. "Besides, it was as much to cover my own arse as it was to cover yours. But you're welcome." She patted his arm. "Anytime."

She stepped to the side to allow him room to move out of the way of the passerby, but looked up just in time to catch his expression when he answered her question. She thought he looked kind of sad, which confused her. Was he dead or something?

"Oh, a twin... that's cool." She said with a smile. Not being born from magical people, she didn't think it was anything unusual. Sure, the Muggle world had its share of strange phenomena when it came to twins, but she'd never really bought into it. "Are you fraternal, or identical?"

That was the extent of her curiosity, simply because she was ignorant to any sort of possible magical connections. Perhaps one day it would dawn on her--likely in the midst of boredom, which was when she usually started thinking of weird things--but at that moment, she suffered no peculiar revelations or flashes of insights.

Vincent laughed at her amusement in him. It was rather funny that he was thanking her for a web of lies that they could have gotten caught in at any moment.

There was a short nod from him when she repeated the fact that he had a twin. "I-i-identical," He said pulling open the door for her at the candy shop.

Vincent didn't think that she had caught the 'magical' drift he was trying to make while mentioning Tobias to her.However, if she wasn't going to make the connection for her, neither was he . . . well, at least not right now anyways.

As he walked over the threshold of the candy store, immediately his mouth started watering. He was never in objection t o a candy store and look at all the sweets. He walked over to the barrel of chocolate frog boxes.

It was always amusing when he sank back into past memories. When the twins were young they never ate the chocolate frogs. They watched them jump that 'one good jump,' then either try to charm them to do it again, or just open a new one. At christmas time, uneaten chocolate frogs were almost always strewn all over the floor.

Vincent's laugh had a nice ring to it, and she made a mental note to find ways of hearing it more often. She thought it quite depressing when a person failed to see humor in anything, and while she hadn't thought Vincent incapable of doing so, he did gave off a sad vibe. And that was just as bad, in her opinion.

"Oh, identical." She thought that was fascinating. "Did you ever think it weird that you're halves of what was once the same whole? I mean, I know it doesn't mean anything once it's all said and done, but still... it's just really cool if you stop and think about it for too long--oh, thanks." Her thanks was inserted when he held the door open for her.

She walked into the shop, and took a second to absorb the sights. Bright colors, happy faces, all that. As he started towards the chocolate frogs, she grabbed a shopping basket. Goodness knows, she'd need it. That in hand, she followed him over to the barrel, and started gathering some up to put into the basket.

"Gotta get some Toffee Pips, too." She said. If she had a weakness for chocolate, it was nothing compared to her love of toffee and caramel. The Pips were little round pieces that liked to bounce around for a bit after you opened the package. Some of them even made little squeaking sounds.

She sighed as she continued to pick through the chocolate frogs, not wishing to get any that were broken. One thing she missed about the Muggle world while she was at Hogwarts was their candy. She'd grown up on the stuff, so of course she was more fond of it than wizarding treats.

"I'd kill for Sugar Daddy." She said, more to herself than Vincent.

Vince shook his head at her comment. He and Toby never thought it was weird . . .then again, they had lived that way their whole life. Being half of a whole was normal . . .if not to the rest of the population. "W-w-we s-still are j-j-just halves . . . ." He said throwing a glance her way. Vincent wanted to tell her why they had been seperated but couldn't find it in him to do so. They were having a good time. Why ruin the occasion? Maybe he would eventually tell her when he ran into her again.

Vincent nodded as she mentioned Toffee Pips. Younger, he wasn't particularly fond of them. Maybe that was because he didn't like toffee then.

After she had gathered the chocolate frogs she wanted, he went in search of Toffee Pips. He found them beneath a large sign saying they were on sale.

"W-w-what's th-that?" He asked referring to the Sugar Daddies. As being a pureblood, he hadn't come into contact with many muggle candies. However, he had tried a few such as snickers and kit kats. He was particularly fond of those two.

"Sugar Daddies?" She said when Vincent asked his question. "They're like these thin caramelly slabs on a stick. They work kind of like a lollipop, but... being caramel, they don't exactly dissolve the same way. You can chew on them after a while, if you're impatient like me."

She stuck her tongue out playfully at him, then moved away from the barrel of chocolate frogs. She looked at all of the things as she passed along the shelves that lined the perimeter of the section of the shop they were in. Out in the middle were various bins and shelves filled with even more tempting treats. She grabbed a few cauldron cakes as she passed them, just because they spoke to her, then continued on her way.

"Do you see anything you'd like?" She asked. "If so, grab it. This is stock-up time, so better take advantage." She thought it was the least she could do for talking him into sneaking out with her. Her dad would ultimately pick up the tab for it all, like he always did.

She was thinking of applying for a weekend job somewhere there in the village so she wouldn't be so dependent on him or her mom. Besides, it would probably improve her social life. Anything was possible, right?

Vincent's mouth formed an 'O' as she explained what exactly sugar daddies were. They sounded as though they would taste good. A caramel lollipop . . . who wouldn't like it? Vaguely he wondered if it did anything. Like, chocolate frogs hopped about . . . so what exactly did these sugar daddies do aside from sit on a stick and taste good? However, these were all questioned Vince wasn't going to voice. He didn't want to look even more stupid in front of Talynn. Already he had shown her his difficulty speaking. Wouldn't she get more of a laugh as he asked silly questions about muggle candy?

Vincent couldn't help but chuckle as she stuck her tongue out at him. Honestly, he wasn't sure why he had earned the action but he knew it was all in good humour. Vince was begining to like this girl. Usually, he was so well guarded about everything but not with Talynn . . . .or even Josi. Why did he act differently around them and not anyone else? His own behaviour confused him.

Her comment brought him out of reverie. His bright blue eyes glanced around the shop. Finally, his eyes settled on cauldron cakes. He was particuarly fond of those. Oh, and pumpkin pasteys too! He grabbed a few and placed them in Talynn's basket. He glanced around looking for more candies.

She grinned when he started helping her fill the basket, and once he'd put his first few items in, she moved down to where the toffee candies were located. There was a display tray without about six or seven boxes standing up on it, so she picked up the tray, and dumped them all into the basket.

"Oh, ever-changing lollipops." She grabbed a handful of them. They changed flavors every few seconds, but unlike Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, the lollipops only changed to various sweet flavors--which was anything from cake to lemonade. "That'll suit my attention span."

Truly a kid in a candy store, her eyes seemed to flicker this way and that as she continued around the shelves and displays in search of something else that might spark her sweet tooth, but alas, nothing else really called to her.

"Bummer." She said, then looked around for Vincent. She didn't see him anywhere, which meant that she must have lost him. "Hey, where'd you go?" She called out as she started darting glances around the shelves in search of the boy.

"R-right here!" Vincent called from behind a rack of cockroach clusters. Vince cringed at the look of the candy. He couldn't see how anyone could like those buggers . ..

He stepped out from behind the shelf and saw Talynn. Vince then found candy that looked very interesting.

"F-fizzing Wiz-z-zbees?" He asked holding up a pack to her. He wasn't sure if she liked those or not but it was always interesting to find yourself levitating while eating it.

Vince glanced down at a barrel and his nose crinkled. He never liked Pepper imps nor did he like giving the things to people. They were extremely hot . . .hotter than most would imagine.