Ambience (Isabella)

[Arden Patricks]

I can’t stop a smile as I breathe in deeply at the entrance to Eeylop’s, inhaling the scent of… owls. Which largely, I suppose, consists of the scent of owl droppings, so I realize how this might seem a little strange to other people. But I’ve always been disgusted by the smell of fresh-cut grass and most flowers, despite these being rather popular with most people, so… I don’t know. Maybe my nose is abnormal. Or maybe it’s the fact that I like owls so much that I just can’t be bothered how they smell.

“What do you think, small one?” I ask, readjusting the dark-haired ten-month-old girl in my arms as I move into the shop. “Am I crazy or are they?”

Melody giggles, reaching out to put her hands on my face before I nudge them away with a shake of my head, now scanning the rows of drowsy owls locked up in cages or sitting on perches. It’s been years since I owned an owl, usually conversing with people through the fireplace or face-to-face – other than people like Dahlia, of course, off on her permanent vacation around the world. But that’s what the post office is for – sending letters to half-mad school friends and occasionally sneaking in a chat with the delivery system. I miss the Hogwarts school owls, honestly. It’s just a little harder not to feel silly having a one-sided discussion with a pack of birds when one is in a shop rather than the Owlery.

So, in that case, what are we doing here? I’m not going to talk to the owls and I don’t plan to buy one… so did I just miss the smell?

I look around again, breathing in, and watch Melody stare wide-eyed all around the shop. Yep… I think it was the smell.

[Isabella Parker]

[/color]Dillon said with a fierce nod, a few strands of hair falling from behind her ear in the process. Bella sighed and ran a hand through her hair when he daughter looked up at her with sad and wanting eyes. Why Dillon wanted an owl? She had no clue. "Please, please mommy?" Dillon clapped her hands together in a begging manner. "Fine, fine, but you promised me you would take care of it so I expect you to keep your word." Bella couldn't help but crack a small smile. The way she worked her face expressions to her advantage was a lot like her father. From her crooked smiles to pushing out her lower lip and trying to look mad. Bella loved it all.

When they walked in Dillon immeadiately made her way to the first cage she saw. "Oh, mommy, isn't he beautiful?" Isabella laughed lightly and nodded. "Yes very-" She stopped when she saw the girl run towards another cage. "Look at this one! He's all- all snowy!" This was how Dillon usually acted; running from cage to cage trying to make up her mind. It took a while for her to decide on things.

Bella put her hand on her daughters head as she looked at all the owls locked up inside their cages. Her eyes stopped at a woman with a small girl in her arms. She smiled slightly and approaced the woman. "Arden, how are you?"[/size][/ul]

[Arden Patricks]

I'm actually seriously considering the purchase of one particular owl nearby - a haughty-looking goldish-tan-feathered one - when I'm distracted by the entrance of a small, excitable girl who runs from one cage to another. I shake my head, laughing very slightly and silently, while Melody twists almost all the way around to see over my shoulder where the noise is coming from. I don't even notice the little girl's mother until her voice makes me jump.

"Oh - hi," I say in surprise, momentarily forgetting who I'm speaking to. "I - I'm fine, thanks. How are you?"

[Isabella Parker]

[/color] She asked and grinned at the baby. Bella smiled slightly, "Is she yours, Arden?"[/size][/ul]

[Arden Patricks]

I nod agreeably at what she first says, then glance down at Melody. Ohh, yes. Arden hears from Fitzy every bloody day now, doesn't she? I ask silently, followed by wondering whether I've been spending too much time babysitting if my thoughts automatically go into third person. I shake my head at that, then forget to compose an actual answer until the excitable child brings me back to reality and then I have a third question to answer all at once.

I shake my head, laughing very slightly. At least I can answer all of it at once, pretty much.
"It's funny you should ask... because unfortunately for her, technically she's Fitzy's. So I hear from him whenever I insist he take her home from a bit, and then a few days later when he drops her off again." I shake my head briefly, then smile down at the little girl - who Melody's been staring at most of this time - and tickle the baby under her chin so she giggles. "Her name's Melody, what's yours?"

[Isabella Parker]

[/i] "And why doesn't he keep his own daughter? I suppose your more like her mum then huh?" She muttered. It was like Fitzy to do something like that. 'I care about her too much to put her in danger.' or 'She doesn't need to be near dangerous people.' Heaven knows why, but he would say something of that sort. Dillon grinned when she heard Melody laugh. "My name is Dillon. I'm gonna be in Slytherin." She said with a small nod. Bella sighed, hating when she said those words.[/size][/ul]

[Arden Patricks]

"Pretty much," I shrug, failing to suppress a sigh. "Or at least I'm the closest thing she's got, since Fitzy really is pretty hopeless." He could do a better job of trying, however, which is of course why I'm so annoyed with him. He refuses to even try to be a decent father. I shake my head a bit, then smile slightly down at Dillon. "Slytherin, you say? Now that's a worthy goal."

I think that I've managed to keep my voice light and free of sarcasm as I say this, though it's not exactly sincere. Why would a kid want to be in Slytherin? Especially so badly it's the first thing she announces when meeting someone? "How old are you anyway?"

[Isabella Parker]

[/i]. Dillon bit her llip gently. "Well... Mommy was in Slytherin. I wanna be like mommy." She grabbed Bella's hand and rocked on her heels. Isabella looked at Arden and rose a brow. "Do you seriously think I want her in Slytherin of all houses?" She said with a dry laugh.[/size][/ul]

[Arden Patricks]

"I can't think of any decent parents who would," I agree, shaking my head and then looking down at Dillon. "You know, you can be like your mommy in other ways without being in the same house as she was."

I haven't answered her question about Fitzy, because the truth is I don't know. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I guess I don't know what to expect and generally try not to form any expectations at all.

[Isabella Parker]

[/color] It amused Bella how much Dillon wanted to be like her and how much she was. She frowned at Arden as she heard no comments from her first statement. Maybe they should just get off the topic of Fitzy all together.[/size][/ul]

[Arden Patricks]

"I don't know...." I shrug slightly at Dillon, then look up at Isabella. "Um... I'm sure there are lots of ways though. You can act like her... have the same hobby... all kinds of things. You don't just have to have the same house in school."
I'm not really sure why she's frowning at me, but hope it's not something I'm saying that I shouldn't.

[Isabella Parker]

[/color] Her face lightened as she thought of riding on a broom like she had seen her sister do so many times. Bella gave her daughters shoulder a small squeeze. "Want to go to lunch? I'll buy." It had been a while since she last talked to Arden. She was hoping that she could actually find someone to talk to besides her husband and children.[/size][/ul]

[Arden Patricks]

"Thank you," I laugh slightly, replying to both the comment and the lunch offer simultaneously, though it takes me a moment to actually think about the lunch offer because I'm still trying to answer Dillon. I have a funny feeling that lunch might be exhausting if they both continue to ask me questions pretty much at the same time. I also glance down at Melody, still grinning at nothing in particular, and remember that I've had the sense to actually pack a fully stocked diaper bag for her today, dangling over my elbow.

"I suppose we could join you for lunch," I shrug. "But you don't have to buy, that's silly."
I hoist Melody up a little better in my arms before smiling at Dillon and trying to remember her questions. "I was a Hufflepuff, and I played Beater for... about three years, I think it was. Are you going to be a Quidditch player as well?" I ask, noticing her excitement.

[Isabella Parker]

[/color] She frowned and thought for a minute. She had said it right just moments ago. "Quidditch." Bella said lightly.

"I offered, so I'll buy. Its no trouble." Bella insisted. When Arden answered her questions, Dillon listened intently and nodded at her question. "I want to catch the little gold ball thing, but mommy says it really hard."[/size][/ul]

[Arden Patricks]

"It's all right," I shrug, laughing slightly at the little girl's struggles with 'quidditch.' "And I realize you offered, but you really don't have to...." I shrug, hoisting Melody up again and then looking back at Dillon. "It is really hard," I nod. "But if you have good reflexes and eyesight you might be really good at it."

[Isabella Parker]

[/color] Bella laughed lightly and nodded. "Oh yes, very. Where do you want to eat lunch?" She asked, looking back at Arden.[/size][/ul]

[Arden Patricks]

"No idea." I shake my head, mystified. "I don't really get out into the wizarding world much these days."

[Isabella Parker]

[/ul]

[Arden Patricks]

"Well... all right then." I shrug. "Though I also can't say that I go much of anywhere there." I laugh slightly, hoisting Melody up again while she chews on her own fingers. "I mean, really, you should probably pick."

[Isabella Parker]

[/color] She offered. Bella laughed and looked to Arden with a brow slightly raised.[/size][/ul]

[Arden Patricks]

"Oh... lord. I'm not sure I remember how to apparate." I laugh slightly, then shrug agreeably at Dillon. "Fine with me if it's all right with your mother."

[Isabella Parker]

[/ul]