To Joki, does he reply first:

"For a moment, I thought you were calling -me- Beast. That's a title reserved for certain Ravenclaw lasses only. Everyone else gets to call me Freak or some variation on my last name. Though for some strange reason, Sinn're Alarcsein from your Year and House had gotten into the habit of calling me Bagheera. It is very disconcerting.

"Secondly, the doors were sealed, not locked. It was only a matter of... Oh yes, I forget: you wouldn't happen to know the Mandarin word for `open,' now would you. For that I must apologize for attempting to protect the youngsters behind me from the elements outside. Since `imperium tempestas copiose' is completely beyond me, I thought shutting the doors a little more forcefully than normal would suit the situation.

"Finally, if you are going to try to stare anyone to death, please keep it to people who've already lived their lives - like myself. The munchkins have done nothing more than be younger than you are. I at least have committed a few crimes in my time on this earth, not the least of which is breathing according to some of your acrid-tongued Housemates."

To Zane, does he continue:

"Once again, I do have to apologize for the spell that kept you locked outside. I will have to show it to you later and explain the aspects of it. It is not one I normally use, but the Great Doors managed to blow open once or twice - not exactly common for them from my understanding. It was as if they were `pushed' by an unseen hand. Though that would just be my foolish superstitions coming into play there.

"As for the weather and the food, I am Canadian. You cannot tag me for either of those, Zane."

He smiles a bit to Zane in apology. Still drying off Scruffles, he turns to "the munchkins" in order to address them all in turn.

"Feargus... no encouraging Caitlyn to jump into puddles. She just came off of a few nasty bumps, scrapes, and ailments. If it was up to me, she would be in the Infirmary right now drinking some hot soup under a comforter. In fact, that may still happen if I hear a single sniffle from her.

"Mairead, I sincerely doubt this storm is going to fade out as nicely as any of us would desire. However, the rollicking winds and the furious peals of thunder do seem to be dying down. It is mainly the rain itself that insists on persisting. Sooner or later, Arianrhod and Nuit will stop wailing and Helios will drive his Volvo of sunlight across the skies again.

"Caitlyn! You've been warned. One sniffle, and it's to the Infirmary you go. Don't think I won't carry you there either. I might be old, but I'm nowhere close to dead. I'll be carting Matthew up there with you, just because I can. It's the perks of being bitter and a bachelor of the magical arts."

At that last statement, he winks at Caitlyn to make her giggle somewhat. Turning back to Scruffles, he turns his head on a corner and sighs.

"So then puppy, Patrick's managed to leave you outside? Don't worry, for I'll watch over you until our resident pyromancer returns. Until then, have some more beef jerky."

And with that, he gets out more beef jerky from his Bag of Swag™ and feeds it to Scruffles. It seems he has an honest soft spot for the dog.

"Feargus, something else: haggis is not real food. Haggis is a horror story told to Jamacian children to remind of what food without spices truly looks and tastes like. Now you get some ackee and saltfish, with some fried dumplings and some plaintain on a plate, we'll have that conversation about real food."

_________________
One character thus far:
Ares Richard Keeferson, Hufflepuff Hardcase
Redefining "user-unfriendly" since 1976.

Joki merely stares at Keeferson for the first few seconds of his lengthy response, then abruptly turns her back to him and speaks in low tones to Zane, completely and effortlessly ignoring the remainder of the Huffle's soliloquy.

_________________
"We are not bound forever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory."

*Feargus grins at Keef*

"You make me that meal, mate, and we'll eat and talk until the sheep stop curling."

_________________
"They called me mad, and I called them mad, and damn them, they outvoted me" -Nathaniel Lee

Shifty are the eyes of the gambler...

Zane watches Joki expectantly, grinning even wider when she turns to walk away. He nods at her quiet words and then turns back to Keef.

"Sir, I am a von Mecklenberg. I can blame anyone for anything."

He chuckles again and gives the group a nod before following Joki.

_________________
You go your way
I'll go your way too

More to himself than anyone in particular...

"Why does that worry me...? Next thing you know, I'll find myself on the cover of the Daily Prophet, cozying up to Dolores Umbridge in nothing more than boxer briefs and a scowl..."

Sighing once, he goes back to making sure the dog is fully and completely dried. Not to mention he is spoiling Scruffles rotten with all these treats he is given the formerly drenched dog.

_________________
One character thus far:
Ares Richard Keeferson, Hufflepuff Hardcase
Redefining "user-unfriendly" since 1976.

_________________

Mai Roarke Willow Moran Evelyn Grant Eien Hansen Ashlee Gardner

*Patrick finally rushes down the staircase, either eager or alarmed.*

"Did the storm end, or..."

*Patrick sees Scruffles, the signs of former wetness still barely clinging on. His expression is extremely confused at first, then realization, then apologetically, then realization that it's Keef with him, then fear of Keef, then anticipaton. This all happens in about 5 seconds.*

_________________

Patrick Quigley, Seventh Year Hufflepuff.
Reuben Pumpkin, First Year Gryffindor.

Caitlyn meerely nods at Keef , holding the blue flames in her hand. Quiet, observing, and just listening to the remnants of the storm.

_________________

Caitlyn Rosewood: 5th Year
Aurora Gardner: 4thYear

_________________

Mai Roarke Willow Moran Evelyn Grant Eien Hansen Ashlee Gardner

Looks over at Patrick and nods to him once, then goes back to spoiling a (by now) rather well fed Scruffles.

"Yes, ladies, Scruffles is Patrick's pooch. Apparently Scruffles forgot he could outrun Patrick in order to get inside the doors earlier. It is the only reason Patrick there would actually not have Scruffles with him when we're allowed to have familiars and pets with us."

To Scruffles:

"Who is a good dog? You are. You know you, Scruffles."

Laughing softly to himself, Keeferson gives the pup the last bit of jerky as he finishes drying off the dog. Releasing Scruffles, the dog is now free to return to his master.

_________________
One character thus far:
Ares Richard Keeferson, Hufflepuff Hardcase
Redefining "user-unfriendly" since 1976.

Caitlyn smiles. "Oh that makes sense. I didn't peg you as a dog person, Keef." With every moment the storm ebbs she seems more at ease.

_________________

Caitlyn Rosewood: 5th Year
Aurora Gardner: 4thYear

_________________
Matthew Pace - Post 6th Year Ravenclaw

*Scruffles watches Keef for a few moments, as if checking that it's okay...or if he'll get any more. Then he charges Patrick and knocks Patrick over. Pat struggles for a while, then manages to shove Scruffles off and stand up. Patrick thinks for a while, then leads an eager Scruffles to the Hufflepuff common room before more people come along and see him with a dog in the halls.*

_________________

Patrick Quigley, Seventh Year Hufflepuff.
Reuben Pumpkin, First Year Gryffindor.

"I like dogs... I am just allergic to them. Same thing goes with cats. Well, really just about anything with fur am I allergic to. It's sort of interesting, because I just end up spoiling them like I do the birds. Snakes, lizards, and other such reptiles I don't have a problem with... except for komodo dragons. They think I'm good eating or something like that. Not fun."

Keeferson watches the dog bowl over his master. Smirking slightly, he stands slowly as Patrick takes Scruffles back down through the Entrance Hall to the hallways that lead to both the kitchens and The Warrens. Shrugging once to himself, he stretches his arms and then looks around the area to see if there is anything he missed.

"Right then. The moment this storm is over I figure I'm doing a bit of baking. Any of you kids in for pumpkin pie? I'll even ask the House Elves to help me out with it. Was thinking of a pumpkin cake as well, as that one I shouldn't need too much assistance on. And if nothing else, they are both healthy and good for you."

_________________
One character thus far:
Ares Richard Keeferson, Hufflepuff Hardcase
Redefining "user-unfriendly" since 1976.

_________________

Mai Roarke Willow Moran Evelyn Grant Eien Hansen Ashlee Gardner