All of Hogsmeade had been aflutter with news of the arrival of the international students the day before. There was to be a large to-do all of the 2nd, and Candy didn't want to miss it. Many vendors were setting up booths, and Candice wanted to do something special for the event. The few helpers she had were called in to do some extra work, and Candy had managed to produce astronomical numbers of cupcakes and sweets for a booth she was going to set up.

It was rather simple in construction- a large cubicle like display with her shop name emblazoned on it. Everything was pink, white, and brown- and very cutesy. There was also a large, hanging sign- "Free Cupcakes!".

Candy was going to give out the cupcakes she had made for free. Large batches. Each one featuring decorations unique to each school. There were all kinds of flavors- Candy wanted to be sure she had something that everyone would like. At the moment there were two large tiered displays covered in cupcakes, and she sat in a comfortable chair behind the table they were set upon. There were even more cupcakes in display cases behind her, and in boxes. The displays were all charmed to protect the cakes from the elements, keep the moisture in, and preserve the flavor and keep the cupcakes at a cool temperature.

"What flavors do you like?" Candy asked, smiling brightly at the first person to approach her little cupcake stand. "I've got all kinds!"

(( AN: I will be putting any French dialogue in < >'s, rather then having to translate.))

<"Finally... Freedom smells so sweet!"> Cécile gushed, leaning her head against her sisters shoulder. Arm in arm with her ever graceful sister, Cécile looked much younger then the mere year they had between them. It didn't help that the smaller Fontaine sister was wearing flats and the taller one was wearing heels, but it meant that Cici could rest her head much easier. It was a nice change from their mother pulling them apart and lecturing Cécile about being a bother to her sister, and she was looking forward to being as far away from her mother as possible for almost en entire year. <"Can you believe we made it? One step closer to complete freedom!">

Pulling away from Élodie, Cécile begin to spin in circles like a child, an act she had been deprived of when she was actually the acceptable age by image minded grandparents. Who was going to tell her what a proper lady did now? Who was going to slap her hands when she chewed on her nails now? Who was going to... "Oof!" Cécile had gotten far too caught up in her revelry to remember that, while it was fun to spin like a child, it wasn't the best idea to do in a crowded place. Not surprisingly she found herself barrelling into some unsuspecting bystander, though her slender frame did little damage, she still blushed with embarrassment "Excusez-moi..." She managed to say before grabbing Elodies hand and pulling her away with surprising strength,. They wove through the crowd effortlessly, though not for long before Cécile had to stop and gasp for breath. <"That was embarrassing..."> She said through gasps for air. <"I hope I didn't hurt them...">

It was then that she noticed it. The heavenly smell of frosting and sweet cake hung heavily in the air and Cécile took a long deep breath, drawing the delectable taste as far into her lungs as possible. <"Cakes!"> She gave her sister a wide and excited smile, pointing to a booth laden with the sweet delights. <"I shall be right back!"> Cécile added, knowing full well that Lola wasn't much for fatty and sweet foods. Not when she had to maintain her weight for her next recital.

"Bonjour, Madam...oiselle!" Cécile greeted the baker, uncertain whether or not the cheery blond was married. Tapping her chin, she regarded the treats with a critical eye of someone who enjoyed her sweets like a connoisseur.

"What flavors do you like? I've got all kinds!"

"Yes... That is most certainly true..." Cécile smiled at the young woman and said slowly, her English a bit shakier then she liked to admit. She couldn't make up her mind on which one she wanted... Triple chocolate, Strawberry Shortcake or Red Velvet Cake. After a few moments of contemplation, she decided, "Une Red Velvet, s'il vous plait."


((Myara agreed to any godmodding of Élodie))

Jay was practically skipping down main street. If it had been cool to skip as a seventeen year old Man. He took in the sights and sounds of Hogsmeade like a child would of a toy store. He was fascinated by the small quaint town nestled in the middle of nowhere and populated completely by wizards. His mind mulled over the structures and in his mind's eyes he saw nothing but blueprints for the structures surrounding him. He imagined the materials they were built of and how long it would have taken for each building to have been made. He was even more excited at the prospect of being able to personally observe the wonder that was the Hogwarts Castle but knew he had more than enough time before he had the chance.

In the mean time Jay was expected to socialize and take in the Scottish culture around him, as if he actually cared about that. The girls were just as gorgeous as they were back home and they were even easier to charm. A decent looking man such as himself barely had to try, afterall girls went crazy for boys with accents. It was more of a challenge to impress those that actually knew him, those like the Fontaine Sisters.

Jay passed a vendor selling bunches of flowers. He dropped a handful of coins that more than paid for what he was buying. He told the man in almost perfect American English to keep the change as he grouped the flowers into three bunches. He then made his way to the Cupcakery booth.

With a flourish of a bow and the most charming smile he could muster Jay handed two of the three bunches to the sister in front of him, "<To two of the most beautiful girls of Beauxbatons,>" Then he turned and gave the last bunch of flowers to Candy, "And to a gorgeous woman of Scotland." He added in almost perfect english.

It was so nice to see Cécile so excited that Élodie couldn’t stop smiling. At first she feared that the trip could cause her sister to feel unwell or even a little sick on the first days; but it seemed that the Scottish air was making wonders to her. Or maybe it was just the fact that she actually could breathe. Lola, on the opposite, was feeling the air weights more and more over her shoulders, as their complete freedom, as the youngest said, would certainly depends on her. She wouldn’t let the pressure bring her down though; she never let it happen before, it wouldn’t be the first time - not when it was all about her and her beloved soeur’s happiness.

When, guided for that beautiful happiness, Cici started to spin without care, Lola couldn’t help but go after her performing little pirouettes until she realizes her sister was going straight against someone. “Cici!” She tried to warn her, but it was too late. Though she knew her little sister was most certainly feeling embarrassed, Élodie laughed softly at the scene and shrugged to the stranger, “Pardon, Monsieurs…” she echoed right after Cici, before being pulled by her.

<"That was embarrassing... I hope I didn't hurt them...">

<“Non non, don’t worry ma chère, I am sure they are more than alright!”> She said, with a hint of a grin on her lips and looking behind to try to see exactly into who Cécile had just bumped. One of them seemed to be cute, and Lola would have stayed to talk if her sister wasn’t so shy. Then, suddenly, she wasn’t so shy anymore, but excited again with the smell coming from a stand. It was good, yes, but something Lola learned to reject since she was kid.

<"I shall be right back!">

<“I’ll meet you there, love, you should enjoy your cake!”> Élodie gave her an accomplice smiling before watch Cécile getting away. But she didn’t stand much time wandering around all alone to realize it wasn’t the same without her little sister. She would get lost really soon there and, for as much as she could always ask information (in a really bad English, though) and even be gently guided for any cute guy, Cici’s aura was so delightful that no, definitely, every experience as possible should be shared with her.

Still, undecided, Lola came close again to the stand in slow steps until saw Jay with… flowers… getting too close to where her sister was.  Yeah, he used to flirt with everything that moves and Lola found that amusing – also, something she would never admit, he knew how to make a girl feel flattered -, but when it was about him flirting with her little sister the tone was other.  Cici was really mature, but not entire used to some social issues and Lola would never risk letting her get hurt. Especially when she knew that the flowers would hurt her inevitably – she was really allergic.

Rushing her pace, but on a graceful manner so her intend could never be presumed by anyone involved, not even Cécile; Lola reached the stand just a few seconds before Jay, tickling Cici briefly just to announce her presence before he came along.

"<To two of the most beautiful girls of Beauxbatons,> and to a gorgeous woman of Scotland."

Lola managed to catch the flowers before Cici, smiling at him <“Merci, chérie… I’ll hold this for Cici while she have her cake.”> Then looking at her sister, she blinked while discreetly holding the flowers as far as possible from her without looking rude. <“Have you already ordered?”>

Katya was enjoying Scotland so far. When her father's British coworkers learned that she had been chosen to represent Durmstrang they eagerly regailed her with tales of their alma mater. Hogsmeade's description had been particularly nostalgic and she had been given a list of places she needed to see and had spent most of today visiting most of the shops that interested her.

She and a group of other Durmstrang students had eaten lunch at the Three Broomsticks and all had gone their separate ways afterwards with Katya returned to exploring. Craving a sweet of some sort she visited Honeydukes but the smell of the shop, so similar yet so different, left her feeling homesick and so left without buying anything. Still wanting something sweet, Katya remembered Mrs. McDonnell saying there was a cake shop in Hogsmeade and headed towards where she was told it was.

Walking the shop she spotted the stand, manned by a curvy, blond woman. Three Beauxbatons students stood in front of the stand talking in French, a young man carring flowers and two young ladies that were around her own age. As she approached, the young man split his bundles of flowers and handed one  to the lady behind the table and both of the girls, though one of the girls intercepted both.

Katya raised an eyebrow and filed that behavior away before stepping up to the table. "Good afternoon," she stood off to the side and nodded to the trio before turning her attention to the blond woman running the stand. "What types do you have?" She pronounced her words carefully, her accent thankfully minimal.

Fyetka brushed his hair back in slight perturbation. The way that Hogwarts had set up the day so far was far from… well, even satisfactory. It was not organized in the least. There were small children running through the streets trying to peek impish glimpses at the foreigners. There were shops open here and there with bold signs proclaiming their goods. Too many people…

Definitely not enough space. Compared to St. Petersburg, Hogsmeade could hardly even be considered a town.
He pursed his full lips slightly before letting them fall into their habitual smirk. What was he complaining about? There were pretty girls here and there and endless possibilities for everlasting glory! He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. He needed to find a happy medium. He didn’t want to be too disdaining of his surroundings, but being a happy fairy pixie horse? No, he’d leave that to Salem.

Suddenly a body smacked against him and he coughed, the air leaving his lungs. So crowded. He spun around to see the offending soul. Seeing it was a small girl, he couldn’t help but smirk. Pretty thing. When she gushed briefly in French before being dragged off by her equally attractive counterpart, Fyetka Strelnikov knew she was from Beauxbatons. He was going to respond, but then she was gone.

The Russian shook his head and chuckled. She had looked old enough to be a sixth or seventh year, but she was acting like a child. It was completely unheard of in the Durmstrang, especially Obertiel, ranks. He was sure Professor Maras would’ve had their heads.

In another way it was rather refreshing to see other people who didn’t have sticks up their…

His thoughts were distracted by another large flashing sign. Free Cupcakes? There was only one word for an offer like that, and that word was: Yes.

He stepped inside and was surrounded by a quiet atmosphere. It felt good on his bag-pipe grated ears. There were girls giggling and others running around, but it wasn’t nearly as abrasive as the outside athmosphere.

Walking up to the counter, Fyetka smiled brightly. He asked in heavily accented English, “Do you perhaps have something with coconut?” Waiting for a response he realized that the French girl that had run into him was also in the store. Who could resist free cupcakes? Walking over to the Beauxbatons student, he smirked and said in perfect French, “<Dancing is a beautiful art form, but not one for crowded streets.>” He chuckled slightly and extended his hand. “Fyetka Strelnikov, Durmstrang Obertiel.”     

The booth was getting quite crowded, but that wasn't too surprising considering... well... free cupcakes. Who would say no to such a generous offer of deliciousness? Cécile certainly wouldn't and she didn't, for as soon as it was handed to her, she took a huge bite into the smooth creme frosting and rich red velvet cake. Her eyes immediately fell shut in bliss and she moaned in pleasure. It was perfect. She really should get the address of this boulangerie so she could order some. But how would they taste after coming by owl, she pondered. Probably not as good. Swallowing, she gushed at the pretty blond "Oh, Madame... I must get your...uh... ingredients. It is... parfait."

Her sister suddenly appeared at her side and Cécile turned to greet her when she saw Jay with three beautiful bouquet of flowers. They were quite lovely and a sweet sentiment, but she appreciated her sisters interception. She was quite allergic to most pollens and having so many offenders in one place would have surely sent her into a fit. It didn't stop her from offering Jay a sweet smile and a light kiss on each cheek, as was customary "<You are a sweetheart, Jay... I'm afraid the flowers are ones I am allergic to... Élodie will dry them for me so I can add them to my collection>" Unfortunately, dried flowers were about the only real ones that Cécile could enjoy. Turning to her sister, she held up her half eaten cupcake as proof that she had, indeed, been blessed with baked goodness. "<Red velvet... it is superb. Are you sure you can't break your diet just once to have one? Mother isn't here...>"

Taking another large, and completely non French, bite, she finished the cupcake quickly, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. Somehow cupcakes, or any cake really, made her forget all of her ladylike manners and turned her into a glutton. She had just finished licking the frosting off her fingers when he appeared. The guy she had run into only minutes before had somehow found her. Was he there to yell at her for her carelessness? He was quite tall and had the sharp features of an Eastern European. She surmised he was a Durmstrang student, which made her all the more nervous. But then he spoke in perfect French punctuated by a chuckle, offering his hand. She stared at it for a moment.

"Oh!" She said suddenly, realizing he was introducing himself. She was used to bises[1], not handshakes. Licking the frosting from the corners of her mouth (and completely missing the smudge that had somehow found its way to the tip of her nose), Cécile gave him a bright smile and slid her slender hand into his. "Enchantee...<My name is Cécile... uh... Beauxbaton...>" She didn't really have a fancy title like his, so she felt a little awkward. That and she wasn't used to guys introducing themselves to her before Lola. Usually Lola was the social butterfly while Cécile stood in the background waiting to be introduced. "...Um <I apologize for earlier, I should have been more careful. I would buy you a cupcake to make up for it... but... well...>" She motioned towards the sign that displayed "FREE" in such bold colors "<... They are free.>"

1.	The kiss on each cheek that is a normal greeting in France.

Fyetka watched as the girl spun around, her cheeks slightly puffed from just taking a bite of her cupcake. For a few moments, she looked completley shell-shocked. Her eyes were wide. He smiled broadly, his full lips parting merrily. She looked rather like a cute little chipmunk. Then she responded back. Cecile. Pretty name. Fyetka was fairly sure he had a second cousin with that name, but this Cecile and that one were not the same. His cousin was three.

She looked at the Russian's hand in confusion and it took Fyetka a moment to realize why she hesitated. She was used to the bises of French culture, most likely. Living around the other Russians all year, he very nearly had forgotten the French customs his mother had taught him. He could hardly be blamed for his mistake. After all, his mother had only shown an interest in his well being after he was 13 and she could use him. Damn French Tiger.

Fyetka chuckled as she motioned to the cupcakes. "Of course. Cupcakes cure all ills, no?" He responded in English. He needed to start practicing. His English was very Slavic sounding and rather rusty. He switched to French "<And excuse me if my French is slightly off. I spoke it with my mother and sister, but away at Durmstrang I rarely find opportunities to.>"

He switched his weight from both feet on to one, making him look less imposing. At six three and built like an ox, Fyetka knew he could be intimidating. That was all well and dandy for certain events, namely the tournament or quidditch, but talking was not one of those. "So Beauxbatons? What year? And are you just along for the ride or are you planning on participating?" He asked in English, knowing that both foreign students probably needed to practice.

Candy was soon swarmed my foreign students, and she smiled brightly at each newcomer, careful not only to serve but to address them kindly in the order which they arrived. First was a beautiful young French girl, soon followed by a boy speaking the same language. Though Candy could not understand their native tongue, she nodded when first asked for Red Velvet. Candy quickly plucked one of the red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing, placing it on a bright pink napkin with her business name monogrammed on the corner in brown. "Excellent choice," Candy said with a smile. "It's one of my favorite recipes."

She smiled when the boy called her a gorgeous woman. If Candice was still a teenager she no doubt would have giggled wildly over his accent. But now that she was closing in on thirty, a cute young boy was nothing more than that- just a boy. Even so, she accepted the flowers with a bright smile, and immediately found a cup to put them in until she could get a proper vase. She poured water into it, then dropped in the flowers, carefully fluffing them out. "You're very kind," she said. "The cupcakes are free," she added. "If you would like one, I'm sure I can find a suitable flavor. Just let me know when you've made up your mind."

Turning, she addressed a question from a young lady whose accent was distinctly different, though... much lighter than Candy would have expected from a foreign student. Durmstrang, Candice thought. Had to be. "What a wonderful question!" she exclaimed, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

"I have red velvet with cream cheese icing, chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing, chocolate with chocolate icing, a vanilla cake with whipped cream and strawberries on top, an espresso cake for those who love coffee with a creamy icing, an apple crumble cupcake, a chocolate and peanutbutter cupcake..." Candice trailed off, thinking hard. "Oh, a little bit of everything really! I have some pans that are labeled. I also have some that are sugar free. Oh! And a coconut lime cupcake for those who love tropical flavors."

Candice nodded when yet another boy came up, asking if there was something with coconut. "Yes, there is coconut lime if that suits your taste. I also have a rum infused cake with coconut icing," she added.

"You all must be very excited!" Candy added, finally having the chance to talk to each of her customers. "I hear the tournament this year is going to be so much better and different from ones in the past! My shop is in Hogsmeade, so you can feel free to visit any time you have the ability to come into the town."


((Please note that Candy has a cupcake stand set up in town, that they are not in her shop.))

"Of course. Cupcakes cure all ills, no? <And excuse me if my French is slightly off. I spoke it with my mother and sister, but away at Durmstrang I rarely find opportunities to.>"

"Non, non... <Your French is lovely!>... As are your cupcakes..." She added as she turned to the baker with a smile, and then realized that the woman likely didn't know what she said in French. "Ah... They are lovely... and quite.. whats the word... Yummy! I must have another..." She said with a broad smile before selecting another cupcake.

Just one more wouldn't hurt, she told herself as she took a chocolate one. One must eat a variety of foods to be healthy, no? At least that is what her mother had always told her and as she usually did with any of Manon's advice, Cécile turned it around to fit her own means. She had just taken a big bite of the second cupcake when Fyetka spoke again.

"So Beauxbatons? What year? And are you just along for the ride or are you planning on participating?"

"Mmff...Mma..." She started and then shook her head. Despite the fact it had been her mothers lesson in manners, Cécile did agree that  talking with ones mouth full was rude. Holding up a finger, she nudged her sister to speak on her behalf.

"<Red velvet... it is superb. Are you sure you can't break your diet just once to have one? Mother isn't here...>"

“<No, my dear, I prefer…>” she was about to explain that her concern wasn’t about Manon, but ballet. And, well, breakfast was enough, she was more than satisfied. But when Lola saw the cute guy Cici had just bumped in coming directly to the stand, she interrupted what she was saying. She tried to alert her sister with a little, smooth pinch on her shoulder, but certainly the cupcake was numbing her senses. When the tall guy recognized her and approached, Lola smirked before finally complete the sentence, <“…I prefer… to see if any of these cupcakes convince me to eat.”> And so she turned to the stand, but keeping an eye and an ear on her sister.

It wasn’t for fun that she left Cécile all alone to deal with the boy. Ok, it wasn’t just for fun - actually, that would be more interesting than funny. But, first, he seemed to be far more interested on the youngest, and Lola enjoyed seeing her sister getting some attention. It wasn’t something that happened often in France. Second, she should learn to talk with people without feeling so awkward. Cici was a completely lovely girl, and she should let people know it. Third, she was right there beside her, ready to hex the guy if he was the kind that didn’t know how to treat a lady.

But that wasn’t the case from what she was getting. The curvy baker spoke to them in general and Lola nodded to her, briefly. “Good to know, my sister will adore to go to votre boutique, Madame!” she smiled politely, aware of how hard her accent was, but not really caring. The truth was that Cécile would take breakfast everyday there and spend all her money in cupcakes if she had the chance. The thought almost made Lola laugh, but she wouldn’t be able to explain that in English to the lady, so she just continued her previous task: pretend to be interested in the cupcakes and discreetly watch over her sister.

When he asked something about 'Beauxbatons year' and 'participating', Cécile’s answer was… not really intelligible. Then, predictably, she felt her sister nudging her. “Seventh year, we both, but only I will be participating…” she turned to the Russian right away, an open smile on her face. “Élodie, I am her sister, we are together.” She naturally gave him the bises, before hold Cécile by the shoulders and discreetly whisper in her ear <“Your nose… don’t panic, but you got frosting on it.”> Lola giggled sweetly, trying to make clear to Cici that it wasn’t a big deal.

“So, Monsieur appreciates the art of danse? Any in particular?” She looked at the Russian again, remembering the first thing he told to her sister. Obviously that was about her little pirouettes, but Lola found the subject quite interesting to start a conversation.

"Alright Zoe, hope that you make some international friends!" Edward said, backing away, holding hands with his wife. The two of them, along with Zoe and Lily, had just enjoyed the Opening Ceremony of the Welcome & Orientation for the international students. Though they wanted to be at there, Joy had work to get back to and the Welcome & Orientation was really more for students and staff. "Have fun!" Joy smiled at her daughter while she spoke. There was a crack and the two parents dissapeared.

Zoe stood in Hogsmeade, an elf in a frilly pink dress and flat pink shoes stood next to her. Lily stood close Zoe's leg, often being shy around strangers. "Let's go Lily, I want you to meet these international students. I'm sure they'll be nice." The young witch looked around at the different shops, noticing a sign for free cupcakes on a booth. "Ah, the Magicakery, that's a nice place to start." She started off in the direction of the booth, motioning for Lily to follow.

Lily was noticably shy and nervous, following closing to Zoe. "Alright Master, Lily does hope that the international students like Lily. Lily's never met students from other countries." Half hidden by her master's skirt, Lily made it to the shop with Zoe.

Zoe smiled at the owner whom she had met at previous trips to Hogsmeade. "Hi Candice!" She turned her attention to everyone else, the little shop had gathered many customers. "Hello everyone! I apolojize, I only speak a little French and nothing else, so you'll mostly have to communicate in English with me." The young witch looked into the case, trying to pick one. "I'll have a Triple Chocolate please. What about you Lily?"

The house elf blushed slightly having attention drawn to her. "Um......." She came out from behind the blue fabric to look at the cupcakes. "Lily would like a Strawberry Shortcake please ma'am." Lily said loud enough to be heard, but hopefully not draw much attention.

Zoe bent down, seeing Lily's nervousness. "It's alright Lily, they won't judge you in that clothing, Try and enjoy your cupcake." Zoe stood back up, looking around at the different witches and wizards. "How is everyone doing?" The young witch asked to no one in particular. She didn't care who she talked to, she just wanted to talk to someone.

Fyetka was highly amused by the chipmunk-ish habits of the French girl. From not knowing many French people, he had assumed that Beauxbatons taught its students to be elegant... well, tigers in in a way. Never a hair out of place, never a foot out of place, never a word out of place. Or maybe his mother had just been crazy.

The latter was probaly more likely. The French Pureblood was intensely strict and rather socially cannabalistic. Even her animagus was a leopard. Strong, deadly, powerful, and above all, proper.

He was distracted by the shopkeeper, a rather beautiful blonde, adressing his previous query on cupcakes. "Rum-infused one sounds wonderful. Not so much a fan of lime," He responded in his harsh accent. Knowing how bad it probably was, he sighed slightly. He would have to ask his cousin how she had done it once he found her.

Just as he asked his second question, Cécile took a rather large and unlady-like bite from the chocolate cupcake. The French girl beckoned another over for her. The second had obviously been listening in. Seeing the similarities in features, he assumed they were siblings. One just as pretty as the next, he thought to himself.

"<Please forgive me for being rude>," He said after the sister, Élodie, gave him the customary bises and explained for her sister. "<I'm Fyetka Strelnikov and if the terrible accent doesn't give it away, I'm from Durmstrang.>" Cécile's sister was just as lovely. He supposed it must have been a French thing. His mother could stop men in their tracks. No wonder he had turned out so rediculously handsome... Honestly though, it was probably the veela in his line, not that he could boast about anything other than looks. Supposedly only his grandmother, uncle, and youngest cousin had the charm aspect.

Fyetka knew he could get by without it anyway. "Danse?"He switched to English. "Of course! My mother and sisters were both dancers, although I never had any real talent in that aspect. I'm built for sports, not elegance." He chuckled slightly, looking down at himself. At 6'3" and solid muscle, he had never taken to the floor like his mother had hoped. He was built like an ox. He winked before continuing. "That doesn't mean I'm opposed to it at all. Both my mother and sister did ballet, although Marie Ellen preferred Latin dances. Mother would never have that though. If you dance, then there is a possibility you knew Marie Ellen, she graduated from Beauxbatons two years ago." 

Katya glanced over and frowned as Fyetka joined everyone at the stand and proceded to ignore everyone except one of the Beauxbaton girls.  'How rude.' It was behavior she expected more from Magdalena than from the older Obertiel. He was even ignoring the shopkeeper, who sounded very sweet if her response to everyone was anything to go by. She turned back to the shopkeeper when she answered Katya's question. Being irritated at another's rudeness was no excuse to be rude herself. "The chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing sounds very good."

She bit into her requested cupcake carefully, not wanting to get crumbs on her uniform. The cupcake tasted as divine as it looked and Katya quickly finished, wiping away any crumbs with a delicately embroidered handkerchief. "It was wonderful ma'am. Thank you." She was about to ask about the cupcake's recipe, but stopped herself when the group gained two new additions.

She cocked her head at the elf who was attempting to become one with her master's leg before answering the new arrival's question. "Britain is," she paused searching for the right word, "different, very warm. However, I am fine." She smiled softly at the girl. "I am Yekaterina Alkaev. And you are?"

Before she took over the conversation, so Cecile could finish her cupcake, Elodie leaned down and whispered something in her ear about her nose. Instantly, Cecile's hand flew to the offending orifice and sure enough, there was a smudge of frosting just on the tip. Pulling a handkerchief from her sleeve, she hastily wiped it away. How embarrassing, she knew she often acted like a child but that was no reason to eat like one. With this in mind, she ate the remainder of her cupcake very carefully and ladylike. Just because she was acting more mature didn't mean she had to give up on such a delightful gift, no?

With Fyetka and Elodie deep in conversation, Cecile's attention turned to the others at the booth, whom had been ignored by the young Parisian up until now. Not intentionally, never that, but ignored nontheless. There was another young woman, whose slavic cheekbones and refined manner made Cecile think she was a Durmstrang student and then a smaller girl with an elf attached to her leg, bedecked in pink frills. Cecile immediately smiled at the scene and went over to the pair, kneeling so she could look at the craftmanship on the dress.

"Oh what a lovely dress!" She interrupted without thinking, smiling kindly at the elf. Cecile had dabbled in her own fashion design years ago, when learning how to sew, by making clothes for all the elves in her grandparents manor. How was she to know that dressing them up as dolls would grant them their freedom? Why were they even 'not free' in the first place? She had subsequently been banned from interacting with the elves after that, a very harsh punishment considering that most of them had opted to continue working for the family despite the clothing. Besides, it's not like it had stopped her from sneaking into the kitchens and enjoying their company anyways. It was where she had gotten her love for pastries.

Looking up the the girls, Cecile realized she had interrupted them "Oh... Mon dieu... I apologize. I didn't mean to... um... "butt in"" She airquoted the last part, convinced that was the way you were supposed to say it.