Eating His Christmas Pie (Open)

[Deleted]

Mat could be odd in what he liked and didn't liked in comparison to others his age. However, like many teenagers, and many people in general, he loved pizza. While out shopping, he stepped in the Diagon Deep Dish for the pizzeria's popular two slice and a soda special. He ordered a standard two slices of pepperoni and a cherry cola. Once he got his order from the front, he took his tray and looked about for a place to sit. As expected, the pizzeria was very busy with all the Hogwarts students back home and out and about Christmas Shopping as well.

Hoping to see a friend or two about and not really seeing anyone he knew, Mat finally saw two people leaving a small table. With a smile and a sigh of relief, he made his way over and sat down. He then picked up his first slice and bit into it, enjoying the taste of something he hadn't had since before he had left for Hogwarts.

[RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL]

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Dancing Bears, Painted Wings, Things I almost Remember
and a Song Someone Sings, Once Upon a December
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<sup>Tis the season to be Jolly right? Well perhaps if you were intelligent enough to avoid the high volume places it could be a jolly holiday. However Relina had not been exactly intelligent in her quest to secure gifts for the more problematic gift recipients in her life. Yes in a course of a day those loved one who had at the beginning been labeled by the cherished little pet names, where now all grouped into one league known as the P.I.A.R. (short for Pain in the A.. Relatives)

The league included the twin infant cousins whom had an allergy that made them allergic to anything normal babies liked. Her Brother Thomas not because he was overly picky, true this was Thomas was easy to shop for. Frankly she was good with getting him a new broom and jumper and a box of something slapping a bow on it and calling it a gift, but apparently he was now into girls more than brooms so she opted to swap the broom for a self help book to understand women.. Sadly because of the assortment of titles Thomas was now on her P.I.A.R.'s list though not fault of his own.. Well for whatever reasons they were now on her list of people whom would be getting the more logical Gift Credit Coins from Gringotts the following season. Sure it was a lazy thought; however if it meant the a chance to avoid the madness of Chirstmas Carolers that were fresh Leaky Cauldron with their questionable lyrics, the screaming children at the Weasley's Joke Shop, and the rest of it that had her dive bombing into the Diagon's Finest (and Only) Pizza place..

Relina had not stepped foot into the place since she had heard that the owners occasionally would substitute normal pepperoni and sausage for their freshly made rat and stray cat pepperoni and sausage. Shockingly the place was packed in-spite of the alleged rumor's of mystery meat toppings.. She found the place packed to the walls, but after a bit she was least able to scurry away a slice of cheese pizza. Her pale eyes scanning the place for a possible sitting place. She found the only place was crammed in the corner next to the men's room.. Her eyes moved on to find a another set of eyes looking at her with mild recognition.. With a large toothy smile she lit up.. Mathieu she esclaimed brightly, seeing he had a small space cut out for himself which made her day as it meant that she wouldn't spend her meal listening to the going on's of the Men's room. Making a v-line for him she flopped down next to him.. "Happy Holiday Ol noble Smart one.. Tell me did you get the customary creepy dude asking if you want some chestnuts, Too?" .</sup>

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Far Away, Long Ago Glowing Dim as an Ember
Things my Heart Used to Know, Things it Yearns to Remembers
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tagged; @mathieu
lyrics; Once Upon a December by Denna Carter
listening to; Letters from the Sky by the Civil Twilight
word count; - - -IDK
outfit; lClick
credit; to brooke from caution

[Deleted]

Mat was already working well on finishing his first slice when Relina came up. True, he had heard the rumors about the pizza as well, but given the place's good reputation with the general public and the Ministry's health inspector, he didn't believe such rumors. Besides the pizza was very tasty.

Looking up, Mat smiled at Relina, a girl he had been tutoring in potions at school for a bit. She was an interesting student, but in general Mat loved sharing his knowledge, be it as a Potions Tutpr or Teacher's Assistant for Arithmancy.

"Bonjour, Relina," he said. "Joyeux Noel... or Happy Christmas I suppose." He was used to saying the former French greeting around his family and sometimes carried it over to his British friends. "Please, sit down."

He then looked at her a bit confused about the man selling chestnuts.

"No, I have not, Relina," he said. "But if he is as unpleasant as you say he is, I will certainly try to avoid him. How is your holiday? I hope you have brushed up a bit on your Potion notes. I understand we will be do more advanced in-class projects once we return to school."

RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL

[RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL]

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Dancing Bears, Painted Wings, Things I almost Remember
and a Song Someone Sings, Once Upon a December
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Mathieu was soooo reserved, and contained, and eerily un-shakable. Relina noted that he seemed to possess a small talent of blending in. Take for one today here they were in a crowded shop, and Mathieu while being among the backdrop of the chaos he seemed at ease and relaxed like a perfectly cut out puzzle piece made for this scene, not the least bit un-comfortable where she was all too aware of the crowd and was currently suppressing the guilt she felt at the knowledge that some didn’t have seats as patrons were literally stuffed along the window forced to consume their slices while standing up leaning against fixtures.
Mon chéri
She offered brightly, showcasing her one of 1-of 25 phrases that she knew of the French language. Did Mathieu know she didn’t know more French than the occasional common phrase and her numbers? More than likely Mathieu knew that, after all Mathieu knew exactly how limited her knowledge was on a great deal of things.
Relina eyed his selection of food cautiously, she shock obvious as she stared at those 6 not so innocent looking pepperoni’s that seemed to all but glow to her in obvious threat. Part of her was wanting to say something. Could be Merlin only know what in that. She wished for a distraction so she would not think about him eating it.
well if she wanted that distraction she should have not wished so much, because boy did she get one, just with a simple passing of twenty seven words he simply blindsided her. Did she look it? Oh yes, she certainly did she became more interested in the contents of her drink that strangely needed to be stirred yet again at that precise moment. Which she began to do in a perfect timed twitch that she attempted to hide with a fidgeted swish of her straw making the tea swirl.
Potions did she brush up on her potion notes. Well Maude did take the potion text book, and notes out of my trunk when she un-packed me so that counts, as it is more than I wanted to do with that thing. Staring intently at her drink she added silky. “ The good news is it isn’t in my trunk, and I did glance at it “Meaning she watched it be unpacked and watched it be placed on her study desk.

I might have to brush up a bit more when I get home.. SO I don’t end up stalking young people asking them if they have seen my chestnuts. I don’t even know what those are.. Have you had Chestnuts?

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Far Away, Long Ago Glowing Dim as an Ember
Things my Heart Used to Know, Things it Yearns to Remembers
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tagged; @mathieu
lyrics; Once Upon a December by Denna Carter
listening to; Letters from the Sky by the Civil Twilight
word count; - - -IDK
outfit; lClick
credit; to brooke from caution

[Deleted]

Mat smiled at the little French Relina knew. It was nice of her to speak a bit of what she knew to him though. He spoke English well, but at the end of the day, it was still a second language for him. He also blushed a bit at the pretty girl calling him her "darling".

"Vous êtes trop bon, Relina," he said. "You are too kind."

Mat then listened as she spoke of the potion notes, again making reference to creepy people asking about chestnuts. He really did not understand her fascination with that.

"Oui, I have heard of chestnuts and how they are quite popular around Christmas," he said. "But I have never eaten them before. But then again, I am a bit picky on what I eat. I do enjoy pizza as you can see." He chuckled a bit. "Do not worry about studying too much over Christmas. It is a time for family, oui? We will resume the study when we return to school."

RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL

[RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL]

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Dancing Bears, Painted Wings, Things I almost Remember
and a Song Someone Sings, Once Upon a December
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Mathieu was amazing as a tutor, he was understanding. Which she found novel, because he was a Ravenclaw whom were prone to being naturally smart and logical. Now it wasn’t the fact that he was smart that set Mathieu apart from his peers. No certainly not, Ravenclaw was filled to the walls with incredibly smart people. No what set Mathieu apart was the sheer fact that he was intelligent, and not the least pompous.
Vous êtes
She struggled to repeat the French words that he had just said so casually her forehead wrinkled with small lines as she rolled it about in her mouth trying to get the pronunciation that he had just used.

Vous êtes trop bon? she looked at him for clarification that came naturally in response. He was calling her kind? Well that was a new one that was for certain. Maybe you've grown on him.. Perhaps your now something other than that annoying toilsome three night a week chore that you were in the beginning.. In truth she had, she was not as defensive about her lack of knowledge in potions. She didn’t dismiss it either and it was in large part because he didn’t do things like jump down her throat over confusing ingredients missing details on her potion notes, yes she was exceedingly thankful that he was not the type to hold it over her head that she missed details, and perhaps the most important reason that she adored Mathieu was because he didn’t try to treat her like she was another dumb pretty girl.. He had expectations, and thankfully for her they reached beyond her families who seemed content on her being just pretty if not smart.

Relina eyed him intently as he told her to enjoy the holidays that they were for family. She smiled as she knew the reality of home life. Her father would remain abroad on business till the first of the year he would send home presents via the owls like he had the year prior. Her mother would remain either at her studio or bar herself in her room much like she did that prior year as well. Good news was Thomas in spite of having a girlfriend had opted to spend the holidays at home so that would hopefully coax their mother out of her hold up even if it was momentarily. Yes certain details he didn’t need because they were depressing even to her.
Oh so chestnuts are indeed an actual thing.. That is a relief I thought he was just being a bit of a perve.. Not the first time someone around Knockturn offered to show me something. That I wish I had hindsight, and declined seeing.

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Far Away, Long Ago Glowing Dim as an Ember
Things my Heart Used to Know, Things it Yearns to Remembers
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tagged; @mathieu
lyrics; Once Upon a December by Denna Carter
listening to; Letters from the Sky by the Civil Twilight
word count; - - -IDK
outfit; lClick
credit; to brooke from caution

[Deleted]

Mat smiled patiently as Relina mispronounced the French she just spoke. He repeated it to clear it up a bit.

"Do not fret if you do not get it right," he said. "As you can tell, often my English is quite broken."

Mat never looked down on Relina because she was a Slytherin. In fact, he had a wonderful Slytherin friend already in Renee Foster. Mat was wise enough to know that House stereotypes were only true for those who embraced said stereotypes and not everyone. He had found Relina a pleasure to teach. She was picking up on the subject of Potions and she always entertained him during their tutoring sessions.

His eyes widened a bit as he finally caught on to what the guy was doing.

"Oh... my," he said. "Yes... it is best to avoid people like... that." He then smiled. "Perhaps I could walk you home afterward in case he is around again."

Mat was nerdy, but those who knew him well also knew the boy had charm in abundance.

RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL

[RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL]

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Dancing Bears, Painted Wings, Things I almost Remember
and a Song Someone Sings, Once Upon a December
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<sup>It was so strange that he could put her at ease, considering he was so intelligent. Normally the guys she met that were as intelligent as him had a nasty habit of coming across a bit on the condescending side. She was honestly thankful that he was as gracious as he was, as it would have been a very long year from them both if either had offended one another.

She figured with his personality where he was laid back and mellow that beneath that calm steadfast exterior must lay a person very capable of reducing someone to tears with some very well thought out personal insults. As she had noted the worst sort of enemies to have are the enemies that are more intelligent than you are. She had never been on his bad side but she knew without a doubt that it was better to have a man like him as a friend rather an enemy.

”Your English is just fine. "
Relina retorted glancing up at him as she took a sip of her tea. She wasn't lying his English was a great deal better than some of her housemates whom mumbled more times than not.
" Plus I like your little accent. It’s just subtle enough to keep me looking for it more."
She added with a slight chuckle as she pulled her long golden hair over her shoulder and peered at him. Finding herself fixated on the glasses that held those kind eyes that had put her at ease.

"Not to mention, your English is better than my attempts at French, so really Mathieu am I in a position to judge your language. I mean you after all can ask for a kiss in two languages while some of us mere mortals are stuck embarrassing ourselves in just English.."

Her smile broke wide with humor as she tilted her head and teased openly.. Merlin imagine the trouble I could get myself into if I possessed the ability to flirt Bi-lingual. "" She tapped her chin and cocked her brow flashing him a mischievous smile.
”Hmmmm that might be reason enough for me to learn french.. Granted I'll have downplay my reasons for my mother.. I doubt she will find the ability to flirt with more men reason enough for some French classes, than again if it will get me out of her hair this holiday I'm fairly certain she will be willing to let me take some underwater basket weaving classes."

Rolling her eyes she gave it some thought, as she knew the truth that her mother would indeed agree to just about any class if it meant getting both her and her brother out from under foot this holiday. IN all honesty it left Relina wondering why she had even bothered with coming home as obviously outside of decorating and filling the house with un-wanted holiday cheer she didn't know why she even bothered coming home.

Looking up at Mathieu the slid form her face she looked down at his kind offer not sure how to reply, as she knew she would love the company, and it was possible that Mathieu would help catch her up on potions. But she didn't know if she wanted him to see that side of her he might judge her parents which was something she didn't really want.. But hell someone to talk to beside servants was simply an offer she didn't want to refuse.

I would appreciate that don’t want to end up being a dodgy salesperson of some questionable toasted chestnuts, and frightening people.. Got a Family honor to look after. Perhaps you might coax me to do more with that potions book besides laying it open on my desk. Ummm I do have a pouch of floo, and we can apparate to my grounds at the leaky but I actually flew as far as Canterbury Lane till the snow got so thick it whited me out. “"

Chuckling she downed the rest of her tea. “I might take those challenges on the pitch, but not just for the heck of it. Not sure if you fancy a flight, or if you even have a broom with you?“</sup>

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Far Away, Long Ago Glowing Dim as an Ember
Things my Heart Used to Know, Things it Yearns to Remembers
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tagged; @mathieu
lyrics; Once Upon a December by Denna Carter
listening to; Letters from the Sky by the Civil Twilight
word count; - - -IDK
outfit; lClick
credit; to brooke from caution

[Deleted]

Mat found himself blushing a bit as Relina sweet-talked him and then spoke of flirting bi-lingually. Why did he blush? He had been sweet-talked to before, hadn't he? Girls were drawn to his nerdy charm and skilled dance moves. He was used to it, so why blush now? He then chuckled at her plan to learn another language and what to tell her mother.

"You are devilishly clever it seems," he said. "While you still need help with potions, it is obvious you are quite wise in other areas, oui?" He smiled at this. He couldn't help himself.

Mat had recently leanrnd how to apparate, so her suggestions was doable. He wasn't overly crazy about broom-flying though. He could pull it off, but it always made him a bit ill in the end.

"We will... how do you say... play it by ear?" he offered. "But why rush our journey? I would love to speak with you more away from a crowded pizzeria."

Mat then finished off his pizza and soda and was ready to leave the place, hoping he didn't look overly anxious to get Relina "alone"... to chat of course.

RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL

[RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL]

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Dancing Bears, Painted Wings, Things I almost Remember
and a Song Someone Sings, Once Upon a December
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<sup>“Devilishly clever?”

Mathieu had a way of nurturing her confidence, by saying perhaps all the right things. Was she told she was pretty, it was a kind complement that was quickly given to a girl like Relina after all it wasn’t’ difficult to see that she did have physical attraction as an asset. Though that was the thing that Relina noted about beauty it was often the easiest compliment to give as beauty was not something that truly beautiful people have to work for.
Relina learned early in life that looking a certain way was a tool to be used, it came around the same time that she learned that being kind was also a tool and both of those tools were very powerful as most people didn’t believe kindness and beauty could be obtained in the same body.
A lot of people had come to the conclusion by personal experience, it was sad yes but it was easy to witness. Several times as a child she did in fact little experiments caught someone admiring you turn up the charm smile at them hold open a door appear not just pretty but sweet natured and see if they rewarded you.. Yes for Relina results don’t lie a Nine times out of Ten was writing on the wall proof that beauty was a tool and when you team it up with kindness it caught people off guard and they normally reward you with something a kind word, a praise to your parent, or even gifts. Yes beauty was one thing she didn’t need to work at but intelligence?
She didn’t really consider herself a scholar granted she wasn’t a dolt who ate out of the ink pot, but still Clever it caught her off guard. She attempted to resist the urge to turn to mush mentally after all Mathieu had just called her clever, but that was the thing if anyone would know clever it would be Mathieu.
“I don’t know about that.. Okay I’ll agree Clever.. I’m just clever enough to get myself into trouble?” She chuckled and watched him take another bite of questionable topping pizza, and she winked.. “Well let’s keep that between us.. You let that little bit of knowledge out and Professor’s will actually want proof of such cleverness.. Than you would be no doubt doomed to spend what remaining free time you have on me..Because I am soooo Clever.. “
She smiled and pulled form her purse a metal tin her slim finger picked the little lock and popped the top causing the snow and ice inside the to drift over the edges and sprinkle down over her fingers as she pulled a perfectly formed half an inch icicle from inside and popped it into her mouth as if it was an Altoid.
Relina smiled as he agreed to at least see her home, and the grin widen as he suggested they walk around a bit and take in the sites and shops.. She watched him with curious amusement as he finished his meal offering him the tin she explained.. “My attempts holiday candy.. Meant to be wintergreen flavored Icicles sadly I think I must of done something wrong as it is a bit too wintery but they have a nice classic peppermint flavor and it does cool your mouth so well their festive and fun, and leave your breath minty fresh, and a bit Christmas spirited too.. “
Perhaps we can go to Slug and Jiggers as I probably should attempt to do some potion brewing this holiday, and I can get the best soap making ingredients there as well. "Tin still offered she got to her feet and smiled.. “ Let’s see what this fine winter day takes us..”</sup>

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Far Away, Long Ago Glowing Dim as an Ember
Things my Heart Used to Know, Things it Yearns to Remembers
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tagged; @mathieu
lyrics; Once Upon a December by Denna Carter
listening to; Letters from the Sky by the Civil Twilight
word count; - - -IDK
outfit; lClick
credit; to brooke from caution

[Deleted]

Mat smiled and nodded when Relina asked him to keep her cleverness between he and her.

"Many secrets are too good to give away," he said. "Mum is the word... or is it Mem? I forget. Anyway, I think will be alright. And while I doubt I'll be spending all my free time with you, I believe I would enjoy spending some of it with you." He gave a warm smile at that. He very much enjoyed this time with Relina, just relaxing and having fun.

Mat listened as she went on about the candy, then suggested Slug and Jiggers. He perked a bit at that, as he needed some stuff to use for a few potions he was was working on.

"That sounds fine to me," he said. "So shall we go?" Mat stepped over and placed both their trash in a waste bin, then offered his arm to the girl.

(Do you want to continue this or do something at school since IC Christmas Break is over?)

RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL

[RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL]

Jun 28, 2014 0:12:01 GMT -5 RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL said:

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Dancing Bears, Painted Wings, Things I almost Remember
and a Song Someone Sings, Once Upon a December
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<sup>It was so simple to see the light of interest flicker back into his eyes at the mention of the potions shop. Her golden brow shot up in amusement, and she taunted teasingly. She went to grab some of the discarded papers and such but before her hands could reach for them he had already neatly stacked them and was taking them to the garbage.


It was a truly a noble gesture like opening a door, or taking a coat it reminded her of the dashing nights in the fairy tale stories of her mother’s page turner’s the rebellious men whom still regardless of how society felt still played the role of Gentlemen in a place where the practice was not just lost but at times un-appreciated.

“Lovely, you take the trash out, and clean up after you’ve eaten.. You know we have worked on training Thomas to do just that for about a decade now, and still he needs little reminders.. Careful Mathieu you flaunting that charm to freely you’re bound to hook a girl.. You don’t want that now.“

Relina took his arm and squeezed it a little and offered a sly little wink.. “After all we are nothing but trouble.” With that she allowed him to guide her out the door and into the wild chaos of Diagon’s busy streets.

(yeah it is best to end there.. )</sup>

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Far Away, Long Ago Glowing Dim as an Ember
Things my Heart Used to Know, Things it Yearns to Remembers
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tagged; @mathieu
lyrics; Once Upon a December by Denna Carter
listening to; Letters from the Sky by the Civil Twilight
word count; - - -IDK
outfit; lClick
credit; to brooke from caution

[RELINA HORTENSIA ROYAL]

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Dancing Bears, Painted Wings, Things I almost Remember
and a Song Someone Sings, Once Upon a December
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<sup>It was so simple to see the light of interest flicker back into his eyes at the mention of the potions shop. Her golden brow shot up in amusement, and she taunted teasingly. She went to grab some of the discarded papers and such but before her hands could reach for them he had already neatly stacked them and was taking them to the garbage.


It was a truly a noble gesture like opening a door, or taking a coat it reminded her of the dashing nights in the fairy tale stories of her mother’s page turner’s the rebellious men whom still regardless of how society felt still played the role of Gentlemen in a place where the practice was not just lost but at times un-appreciated.

“Lovely, you take the trash out, and clean up after you’ve eaten.. You know we have worked on training Thomas to do just that for about a decade now, and still he needs little reminders.. Careful Mathieu you flaunting that charm to freely you’re bound to hook a girl.. You don’t want that now.“

Relina took his arm and squeezed it a little and offered a sly little wink.. “After all we are nothing but trouble.” With that she allowed him to guide her out the door and into the wild chaos of Diagon’s busy streets.

(yeah it is best to end there.. )</sup>

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Far Away, Long Ago Glowing Dim as an Ember
Things my Heart Used to Know, Things it Yearns to Remembers
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tagged; @mathieu
lyrics; Once Upon a December by Denna Carter
listening to; Letters from the Sky by the Civil Twilight
word count; - - -IDK
outfit; lClick
credit; to brooke from caution