Just Chillin'

[Aethie White]

"Oh, I know!" Aethie agreed. "It's the same thing with my parents - they both speak perfect English, they have to because their restaurant is such a touristy thing, but you get these stupid Americans in, and they're so arrogant right, expecting that we're all just going to speak English for them and make everything easier for them because they're so important...my Dad especially, he always says that if they're not going to make an effort to speak his native language, why should he make an effort to speak theirs?"

She took another sip from her drink and began unconsciously twirling her hair around her fingers - a habit she'd had ever since she was a girl. It was just something she did whenever she was really into a conversation. "Then again, I think Greek is probably one of the more difficult languages to learn for Anglos...with the different alphabet and everything. Not that Arabic's any easier, I suppose," she laughed.

[Padril Crennent]

"I don't know, Arabic and Chinese are meant to be the two hardest languages for English-speakers, not including goblin. Do you know how tricky that language is? It's ridiculous," Padril held a finger up and made a guttural sound with his throat. "That means 'yes'." He moved his finger two inches to the left and made the same sound, "That means 'the sexual proficiency of your mother is not to be underestimated'."

It didn't actually, but it was a good joke as far as Padril saw it. He also didn't like Aethie's generalization of Americans, but decided to let it pass. It was, for the most part, a correct stereotype.

[Aethie White]

Aethie gave a short laugh, her face reddening ever so slightly at Padril's joke. God, I'm such a freak, she thought contemptuously to herself. It's a joke about a GOBLIN. She couldn't help it though - any reference to sex, no matter how slight, always embarrassed Aethie. She blamed it on her Greek Orthodox upbringing. Although of course, she no longer technically followed the religion, it was hard to cast off beliefs engrained in you since childhood. "I always thought Mermish would be harder to learn than Gobbledegook," she said seriously, trying to shake off the sticky moment. "All that high-pitched screeching? I have no idea how to make my voice go that high."

[Padril Crennent]

(Sticky moment? XD)

"You know, I forgot about Mermish," he admitted, a little bit proud of Aethie for thinking of something he didn't. He liked it when somebody tried to be his intellectual equal or pointed out something he had forgotten. There was never any real threat to his status as the smartest guy around.

"Well, as much as I could keep talking about linguistics (he considered bringing the conversation into sociology, but figured that would bore her), what are you doing Saturday night? I might be able to hustle up some of the old mates for drinks." Was he asking her out on a date? He didn't know himself, but the reasoning was innocent enough.

[Aethie White]

[Sticky = awkward, embarassing, etc. I suppose it's more of a 'Canadian-ism.' Anyway, you're a perv. ]

"I - Saturday?" Aethie felt her cheeks blossoming a royal pink color as a shy smile lit up her face. "No, I'm - I'm free, that'd be - nice. I haven't seen hardly anyone since we've graduated. Well, excepting Jaden Aerins, we met up in Madame Malkin's a few weeks ago." Almost without realizing it, Aethie rolled her eyes. Two years apart and they still disliked each other as heartily as they had during their Hogwarts days. Then, remembering that Padril had been friends with Jaden and Harley at school, she winced inwardly. Good job sticking your foot in your mouth there, Aethie, she berated herself.

"Anyway," she went on hurriedly, "I'd love to go for drinks on Saturday. I'm working at the Leaky Cauldron until seven, but I'm free after that. Perhaps we could meet there?"

[Padril Crennent]

Padril noticed Aethie roll her eyes when she said Jaden's name and laughed inwardly Oh! She still hates Jaden! This is hilarious! Oh my my my, fun times will be had by all! He shivered a bit and began to mentally scold himself. I am not like that anymore. I am not like that anymore. They'll be fine. Nothing will go wrong.

"That sounds good," he agreed, only just realizing the implications of having to track down the other graduates and then finding a good club. He glanced at his wrist watch and clicked his tounge. "I better be going. Got an interview with a woman whose given birth to a child with an octopus head. The shit they put in the Prophet these days." He stood up and spotted the waitress coming back with their drinks. He shook his head at her, to inform her to just take the butterbeer back. She looked offended, but he wasn't really thirsty and he didn't really have the money to just go buying drinks whenever he met someone. He hadn't been thinking. "Been good talking to you Aethie. See you on Saturday." He gave a little, comedic bow, then turned and left the store. He needed to think.