Ripley snapped back to reality after the lift of scent memories distracted him. She was curious about death caps, how fun! Other people's curiosity was Ripley's catnip -- he was drawn to it because it helped him understand how they functioned, what motivated them. That, and body language. People really were an uncanny combination of super simple and extraordinarily complicated. Ripley rubbed his chin.

"Honestly, I haven't a clue! I know a little bit about plants but almost nothing about potions," he paused for a moment and mulled the question over, "maybe their deadly qualities diminish or disappear when the mushrooms are boiled or steamed? Or maybe they just make potions that are very dangerous..." He shrugged, "...potions that kill the drinker."

And she enjoys roses, too. Ripley gave a broad smile imagining Stephanie amid the luscious varieties of an elegant rose garden. And lavender, of course, ranks among her favorite, but what was that third one, Baby's Breath? Ripley's eyes gently furrowed at the thought.

"You mentioned Baby's Breath. What's that? I've never heard of that flower. What does it smell like?" He asked.

Naturally, without any special prodding, their conversation turned to education. It seemed that so much in Ripley's life was spiraling toward the fateful day when he'd set off to Hogwarts. He was unconcerned mostly, but there were uncertainties. Was she going to Hogwarts, too? Probably. They seemed around the same age. But what was it she wanted to know? What class he was most excited for. A whopper of a question for a boy who felt comfortable discussing nearly anything, albeit not always deeply. Truly, he hadn't thought about it until this moment.

"Classes. I don't know about most excited -- I prefer doing things to reading about them in books. But I do like plants so maybe botany or herbology, or whatever Hogwarts calls working with these," he gestured around them, "And my father does a lot with charms, so probably learning charms. How about you, are you..."

Just as he was launching his question, the shop's door opened a crack and a bald head looked inside. It belonged to a tall man clad in a lush black robe, with what looked like water droplets sliding down its folds, yet he and the area surrounding him were completely dry -- a creative and elegant charm. He said in a stentorian voice:

"Ah, there you are, Ripley. Finish up your conversation, we're going to be on our way presently."

"Okay," answered the boy, "I'll be out in a minute."

He turned his attention back to Stephanie, "That's my father. I'm going to have to get going. Are you going to be at Hogwarts, too? What are you most intrigued about studying?"


OOC Note: Your next one should close us out on this thread. Feel free to god-mod Ripley walking out after their farewells. It's been fun meeting here. See you on the train!