December 25th 2025
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
@Colin McCoire and @Scout Fu-Hai

You would never find Emily this excited on Christmas day. Christmas was a festivity that Emily never really celebrated, or rather, didn't celebrate at all... That is, if you were to compare the same way that the rest of the Christmas Geeks did. There was no over-commercialised nonsense in the house, no flooding the place with decorations that would be put up and left there since October - because December wasn't good enough apparently to start all that jazz. And never did Christmas take up a quarter of the calendar in the Shephard house. Emily couldn't grasp why Christmas actually had to occupy 4 months of the whole year, if you include January too. That's a whole quarter that could be dedicated to waiting for someone's favourite book or show to come out, or time spent collecting cards, stamps and sticks. Not becoming Christmas hoarders.

This Christmas was special. No, it wasn't the year of Belfast's first white Christmas in donkey's years. The trees that overshadowed the private estates along Malone Park remained naked and brown like every year, and the ones that sandwiched Emily's house was no different. No, Emily's parents weren't home. It would take a whole cycle of reincarnation for that to happen.

Instead, it was something that only Emily and "Auntie could enjoy. Not only was Matthew coming round for dinner but so was Scout. And Colin! Three of the best people in the world, coming together around the table, whose company the Huffie would enjoy.

"Auntie" had lit a cinnamon spiced candle in the living room, letting it sit on the mantelpiece over the open fire - or "fahr" if you were from Lurgan. Emily bounced up and down on the leather sofa as she stared out the window, waiting for at least of them to arrive. She didn't dress extravagantly for the occasion - nothing more than a shirt, a comfy jumper and a random skirt she hunted out of the fresh laundry pile. Her Christmas gifts - a collection of new books, notepads and fairy-tales, with new clothes ready to be washed before worn - sat on the side table at one end of the sofa.

"Auntie" twirled into the room with her attire armoured with her oven mittens and her "Baking Blazer" apron. "Turkey's cooked. Veggies are steaming. Desserts are baked. Now all we have to do is wait."

Emily nodded while fixated on the view through the window, the cheesiest smile on her face making her cheeks hurt as she tried to spot a red-haired Scoutie or a mop of white hair belonging to a rambunctious Colin in the quiet neighbourhood. "Did you safe-proof the house? You know Colin won't hesitate to try and stick his nose into the spout of the kettle if he gets curious, right?"

"The house has been modified for any and all Wizarding snaffoos," "Auntie" affirmed. "Including moving the kettle to behind the slow cooker where I'll be guarding it. Other than that, the house is good. Just one rule."

"Oh?"

"No boys alone upstairs." There was no room for leniency.

"Hm? Why...? O-Oh... Oh!" Emily gasped and tossed a disgusted cushion at her guardian. "Auntie!"

"I know Colin isn't that kind of boy, but better to put that safeguard in before things escalate--"

"Scout would be with me and she'd never--"

"Nina and Baishu would bury me alive if the worst case scenario happened and their daughter was involved," "Auntie" said. "And while I am surrogate to your parents' responsibilities, they too are wise enough to know that having two minors alone together can spell trouble if they're not dictated proper safety and boundaries, which is why I instil this to you. This isn't anything against Colin. All households do this."

Emily bowed her head in agreement. "I know, Auntie. And I appreciate you looking out for me. To be honest... If Scout wasn't coming, I'd be nervous being with Colin alone. A good kind of nervous of course! I don't know... It's hard to explain."

"Auntie" smiled. "I think it's normal, given it's our first boy coming to visit."

Emily's brow furrowed. "What about Matthew then?"

"Matthew is a regular by now. Colin on the other hand..."

"Oh... So it's like first boy jitters?"

"Something like that."

Emily bobbed her head up and down, kind of getting it. "But it's only Colin. He's become one of my closest friends. Why would I suddenly feel so skittish about him coming over? It'd be no different if I asked him to meet me at the greenhouses or him asking me to hang out in Hogsmeade, right?"

"Auntie" smiled wryly. "Pet... It's because he's a close friend that also happens to be a boy is why you're getting those tummy-flies. She let her words linger in the air before she pranced back into the kitchen. "Don't be shy to invite them in if either of them arrive!" She called back before the kitchen door closed shut.

Emily went back to staring through the window, this time occupied with "Auntie's" words as an afterthought. After her mind wandered a bit in confuddled thought, she shook her head and scoffed.

"Boys are so strange..."

_{Word Count: 865}

Stats: Stamina: 8 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 7 | Wisdom: 9 | Arcane Power: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace |Calming Presence

Christmas morning spent in Belfast was a treat! The weather here had been very moderate, which Colin found most agreeable. After church, he and Aoife spent the morning having brunch in a muggle hotel. Colin was very careful not to comment on all the alexa rickety things and how many lead fairies Muggles must have in all their floor a scent lights. At least not too excitedly! For Aoife had warned him that she wouldn't tolerate any such shenanigans that might arouse suspicion!

After that, they headed over towards the magical quarter where Aoife would be staying. There they whiled away the next hours in practicing some duelling spells and honing Colin's focus. He noticed that Aoife often observed him very closely. He'd also wondered at the change in their relationship over the last couple years. It had gotten closer in a way. But also it seemed like she was becoming more of a mentor to him. Liam had brought this up last summer. As they finished their duelling practice, Colin decided to ask.

Aoife's gaze met Colin's. It was not her often overwhelming stare that met his eyes, but more of a calculating, or perhaps discerning, gaze. He knew well that he used this on other people a lot. But it was a rare treat to be the subject of such an examination! She spoke at last. "Has Uncle Moray spoken with you and Liam yet?" Colin's eyes widened. They had both had some interesting conversations with Uncle Moray over the years, but this question came as a surprise.

"Uncle Moray? Wh--" Memories of their deep conversation with Mey and Jun just recently flooded Colin's mind. The Gryffindorque had, surely unknowingly, widened the boys' perspective on their family and the wider world beyond. Strange and unfamiliar names like Harumi and Hoshi intermingled with the familiar. Colin's eyes focused on Aoife's face. Did she know? "What does Uncle Moray have to do with anything?"

Aoife smirked.

Colin's heart skipped a beat. What did that mean? How often had he himself replied to someone's question with that very smirk! Ambiguous. Neither confirming nor denying. Not an answer to the question, yet an expression that only invited more questions! "Aoife!" Colin pled. But it was no use. As they headed back towards the inn, his older sister would only say that certain things might be revealed soon...

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It was a lot for Colin to think about as he headed out in search of Emmi's house! He ambled along the Lisburn Road for some while. There were so many motor cars everywhere! How could Muggles possibly need so many? He passed the Kings Hospital and stepped out into the street. Horns hooted and cars screeched to a halt! People shouted at him! He recognised the word "Scot" among the long string of curse words that reminded Colin that this was, in fact, the heart of Muggledom and he had totally forgotten all about how Monica taught him not to just wander out into the street! "Sorry mate!" he cried out to one red faced driver. "I forgot all aboot the coloured lantern thingies ye lot have in yer roads!" Still alive and now more or less safely on the Balmoral Road, Colin was glad, at least, that there was a hospital nearby if he got crushed by some muggle lorry!

The address was in Malone Park. He knew it was posh the instant he got close. Huge mansions. Private road. There was a sign bolted to the ancient stone pillar that supported the wrought iron gate designed to keep out the riffraff. PRIVATE. DOGS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Colin sneered. "Huh! We shall about that, Malone Park!" he said softly. He had half a mind to cast bombarda on the sign, but reckoned that might draw too much attention. He slipped through the gate and loped along the entry road. Just ahead was Malone Park proper. Clearly he and Emmi shared something fundamental in common, Colin realised. They both grew up in very wealthy families, yet both eschewed the trappings of that wealth. Colin wore a drab coloured kilt and a partly unbuttoned white shirt. At least he'd manged to get most of the buttons right this time! And if he knew Emily Shephard at all, she'd not be sitting about in a fancy diamond encrusted dress with ancient charmed necklaces and all!

Colin smiled. His girl wouldn't likely be caught dead in fancy dresses! Suddenly, his head turned. He approached the edge of one of the grassy lawns. The trees, of course, were bare and the gardens all asleep for the long winter, but the feeling was much the same as last summer! The sudden jolt of a familiar scent recognised in a completely unfamiliar place! Even without checking the bit of card with Emmi's address on it, Colin knew this had to be the place!

Like one of those muggle rocket hair planes, he took off with a yeep of excitement and a full speed ahead run up to the door! At last he felt the safety of something familiar. The scent of Emily, and presumably that of Auntie Nora, meant something like home. Any time he was here, he knew he'd be safe from the terrors of Muggledom! There was a curious brass figure on the door with a knocker attached to it. It had a grotesque face, and Colin greeted it with a small bow. "Ayo! Is this Emmi's house? I hope it is! I wonder if ..."

And then it struck Colin. This wasn't a magical house. It had taken some serious convincing that Auntie Nora wasn't actually magical --- and deep down Colin still suspected she might actually be a squib --- and that the neighbourhood Emmi lived in was perfectly muggle in every way. Colin sniffed at the door knocker. "Sus," he whispered. Delicately, he lifted it with his fingers and let it drop to the metal plate, where it made a satisfying THOCK! on the solid door. "How neat! A door knocker that doesn't actually knock itself!" He lifted it again and dropped the big brass ring again! And again! And again! It made the same sound every time and never complained!

THOCK!

THOCK!

THOCK!

THOCK!

THOCK!

THOCK!

"That's brilliant!" he said softly, eager to find out what the inside of Emmi's house was like! Surely magical, if the door knocker was any indication! When at last the door opened, it pulled away from Colin's hand with a last THOCK! And there stood Emmi! Colin's heart leapt! His eyes fixed immediately on Emily's beautiful face and eyes! "EMMI!! I almost got murdered out by the hospital cos I forgot about all the winky lantern things in the street!! And! I saw that sign out at the end of the road that said no dogs allowed! I hope they don't mean wolves too!" Colin smiled as he took Emily into a super tight hug and danced about with her right there in the doorway!

@Emily Shephard | @Scout Fu-Hai

december 25th, 2025		thursday
wc: 900		dhampir | terrible presence
interacting with: @Emily Shephard @Colin McCoire		mentioning: merry christmas!

"it's okay to lie down until luck comes to you" are you serious!?
no, no! there's no way i can wait!

Growing up in a primarily Chinese household, Scout was almost seldom to celebrate Christmas- at least in its entirety. Last year she had Emily over, and that was "technically" Christmas, and a few years before that her mama would set up the house, make Scout help with the Christmas tree, and have Baishu cook dinner. Of course, the only part Scout was actually interested in was the presents, and she liked getting presents much more than money! Occasionally her cousin's would hand her small gifts on top of their red packets, but that was few and far between. She liked yanking those wrapped presents open much more!

Belfast was far from Cambridgeshire, Scout had learned. She had assumed it was about the same distance as London, and that the route that her and her father would take was going to be the same as when they visited Eba and Zyair. She was very, very wrong.

Baishu and Nina spent the afternoon of Christmas Eve talking about different ways to get there. They could take a plane, but muggle planes were inefficient. There were plenty of magical ways to get there, but Scout got sick when flying, and that was a long flight to deal with a sick Scoutie. So that left flooing, which left Baishu feeling a little queasy. Though he had been an experienced wizard for many a year, using the floo network never really got easier for him. Maybe that was where Scout got her dizziness from...

So the floo it was, and Nina spent the rest of the night with Scout, helping her wrap presents for her friends. Nina had also taken the liberty of wrapping presents for Emily's parents as well as her Auntie, ignoring Scout's insistence that presents for Mr. and Mrs. Shephard were unnecessary. Only once everything was wrapped perfectly with a bow, something Nina did painstakingly by hand, was she confident enough to turn her attention away.

The day of Christmas was not chaotic in the Fu-Hai household. There were no cheerful screams of glee at opened presents, or specially made sweet breakfast dishes, it was honestly quiet, all things considered. Scout grumbled when her alarm went off, feeling a sense of annoyance and then a blast of excitement. Today was the day! She jumped out of bed, hurriedly grabbing her clothes and her comb, talking to Pebble about all the exciting things that she was going to do today. Though the birdie wasn't going to be able to join, he hooted happily all the same.

Once her hair was brushed out of her face and pulled up into tiny buns at the top of her head, Scout took the liberty of running down the stairs, yelling in excitement to both of her parents. Yippie! Today was the day!

-

"How much longer do we have to walk?" Scout groaned. "I feel like we've been here forever... it's so cold!"

Baishu clicked his tongue, giving Scout a light swat on the shoulder. "I thought you were excited to see Emily? Don't whine once you get there. I'm sure your 阿姨 auntie put much effort into making you and your friends food. Who's that other little boy coming with you, what'd you say his name was?"

"Colin. And he's not little, he's kind of tall. And he's old, too, he's like two years above me and Emi." Scout stopped at a crosswalk, waiting for her papa to catch up. "He's annoying, and loud! But Emily really likes him. Eh... I could do with or without him!"

"Does he talk a lot? And he's loud?"

"Oh yeah, a bunch! Always so energetic!"

"Ah, just like you, Yi."

Scout flushes, and puffs out her cheeks. "Nuh uh! No he's not!" She insists, beginning to list all of the things that separate them, though it's mostly to no avail given that her dad tuned her out as soon as she started talking. Bad on him for bringing up a topic she was just absolutely passionate about!

"Is this the place up here, Scout?" Baishu interrupts, waving his hand to one of the houses. "This is an awfully expensive neighborhood, don't you think? 你能想象你的爷爷奶奶住在这里吗?" Can you imagine your grandparents living here?

"Ah... no. I don't think so. I didn't know Emi lived in such a big neighborhood! All of the houses here are so fancy. I mean... like I guess I knew, but I didn't really get it. Look at that house, papa, I bet there's at least a dozen rooms in there!"

"Ah... I shouldn't have- er, Scout, don't make comments like that once you get to Emily's, alright? It's rude to point that stuff out. Oh, this must be it up ahead. Go say hi to your-"

"Emily! Colin!" Scout had already taken the mark, sprinting up ahead with a big smile. Ah, even she couldn't be annoyed at his presence today! It was Christmas, no Mr. Scrooge today. Though she should've pulled Colin away much faster, Scout was patient enough to wait her turn to give her Hufflebuddy a hug. She was still excited at the prospect of seeing her friends outside of school- and maybe a little excited at the prospect of having friends. It didn't get old, did it?

Baishu waits a few steps behind the kids, offering a small wave to Emily. "Merry Christmas, Emily. And you must be Colin, Merry Christmas to you too. Is Ms. Nora here? I just want to have a quick chat before I go- don't worry, I'm not going to bother her for long."

December 25th 2025
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
@Colin McCoire and @Scout Fu-Hai

THOCK!

Emily nearly sprouted out of her spot on the sofa when a pound at the front door scared her.

THOCK! THOCK!

Emily pressed against the window and saw a tuft of white hair from the corner of her periphery. Colin! And stepping into view at the gate was Scout and her parents! That was magical timing!

She leapt to her feet and hurried to the door, halting right before she reached for the handle to brush down her skirt and tuck her hair behind her.

THOCK! THOCK! THOCK! THOCK! THOCK!

"Is that the door Emily?" "Auntie" called from next door.

"Yep--!" Another THOCK! of the door cut through just as Emily was about to say something else.

THOCK! THOCK! THOCK! THOCK!

"I'm coming! Geez! Try not to break the door down--!" If Emily knew Colin the way she did, it was probably him hammering away at the door. Surely Purebloods knew what door knockers were... Right?

The second she swung the door open, she was piled to the floor with hugs from Colin. She squealed and giggled as she patted him to get off. Right when she got back up off the floor, she was tackled and snuggled by Scout. This must've been what it felt like when those two were snugged to death by Emily herself.

She tipped her frame forward into a bow to Scout's father. "Hi! Auntie is in there if you'd like to chat with her!"

Just as Emily was about to show Baishu through to the kitchen, "Auntie" flew through the door and seized Baishu in a series of welcoming handshakes. "So lovely to see you again!"

Then she turned to Scout and Colin, pecking their foreheads as she hugged them both. "And a hello to you two, my lovelies! Come along, food's just out of the oven--"

She ushered everyone, Emily included, into the kitchen towards the dining table. The surface was overwhelmed with veggies and the makings of the meat parcel they had bought the other day. Turkey, ham and a fragrant gravy sat in the middle while plates and bowls of everything else circled them. There was just enough room for the plates and cutlery, with coasters perched to accommodate glasses of shloer, along with something special for the adults.

"Auntie" looked past Emily's shoulders to the front door. "Matthew not here yet?" she whispered into the Huffie's ear.

Emily shook a "no". She saw the subtle disappointment in "Auntie's" eyes. She glanced at the overhead clock. "It's not long after he said he'd be here..."

As everyone was getting settled, Emily suddenly remembered she left her prezzies for Scout and Colin upstairs.

"I'll be two ticks--!" her voice faded as she hurried out of the room and rowed up the stairs. Within seconds she came back down with two small boxes, Scout and Colin's names glittered pink on top of the red wrapping paper.

"Here!" She planted them into each of their hands. "You can open them after dinner!"

"Pet, I can't pile everyone's plate up forever. Come and sit down," "Auntie" said.

Emily laughed as she finally took her seat, right smack in the middle between Colin and Scout. "Auntie" sat opposite her, Baishu to "Auntie's" left where he could stick close to Scout. A spare chair remained between Colin and "Auntie" for Matthew, to which "Auntie" kept flicking her glance between it and the clock, as if she could somehow just summon him out of thin air.

She exhaled and tightened her smile to the rest of the table. "Well! Don't hold back, just dive on in!"

Everyone got maybe one mouthful of food in before the back door of the kitchen swung open.

"Nora!"

Emily and "Auntie" swivelled their heads the second Matthew's voice fluttered into the room. His hair was blown away by the wind - or perhaps by the speed he hoofed up the road - and his jacket sat lopsided on his shoulders compared to the rest of his pristine self blue suit. He had a bottle of red tucked under his arm, his other carrying bags of small goods and gifts.

"I'm so sorry, Nora-- Production was running behind and then the last train--"

"Auntie" cut him off with a tight hug, pecking a subtle peck to his cheek when he leaned in and reciprocated. "You made it. That alone makes me happy..."

Matthew and "Auntie" fell into a silent staring competition, something that had Emily's undivided and equally entertained attention, before he handed her the bottle. "I got this as a Christmas present, though given my lateness I suppose I've downgraded it to a peace offering, eh?"

"Auntie" laughed him off as she went to uncork it. "Just plonk yourself at the table--" She took the gifts and set them aside on the counter. "Folks, this is Matthew. A friend."

Emily grinned ear to ear when Matthew went to ruffle her hair as he sat down beside Colin. Man... Matthew was just so cool. Even when he was slightly dishevelled from running a marathon to get here, he still radiated a majestic aura. "Good to see you again, pet. And it's nice to meet everyone else here."

With everyone seated at the table, Emily raised her glass of shloer. "So glad to everyone made it! Here's to a lovely time with a lovely crowd!"

_{Word Count: 893}

Stats: Stamina: 8 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 7 | Wisdom: 9 | Arcane Power: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace |Calming Presence

Greebo brushed by Colin's bare legs and scooted inside, fully prepared to take absolute ownership of the Shephard household.

Colin smelled her before before she even got to the door. He still wasn't quite sure what to make of Emmi's bestie. That Gryffindorque girl. Her feet slapped against the pavement as she ran to meet Emily. And presumably himself. Other feet came up behind her, as well as another scent.

Fu-Hai.

Scout.

Red haired enigma.

Scoutie.

She was at the Werewolf gathering last summer. Colin thought it was rather queer. He sensed some kind of change in the girl. He doubted very much that she actually liked Cursa. Even he had stopped gushing about Scout by the end of August. Colin smirked. On to some other girl no doubt. Too bad in a way. Scoutie was actually a cute girl, and by all accounts, quite brave and adventuresome! Cursa --- what a dog! Scoutie called out their names and Colin let go of Emily so her mate could get in some hugsies.

Eventually anyway!

An unfamiliar voice addressed him. Whoa. Must be Mr Fu-Hai! Colin turned back towards the door where Scout's dad was waiting to enter. "Oh!" Colin bowed deeply. "Yes sir Mr Fu-Hai! I'm Colin McCoire!" No sooner had Colin introduced himself but Auntie Nora came out to greet them all with hugs and kisses. She was super sweet! Colin thought Emmi must have gotten her own sweetness from her Auntie. Colin was still entirely convinced that Nora was a Squib, even though Emily had said she wasn't. There was just something --- magical --- about the woman. Soon enough all of them were shooed into the huge kitchen where the table was piled up with food. "Whoa! Tis just like Hogwarts!" he exclaimed. Indeed, there were plates and platters and tureens and bowls and wee funny looking little jars of all kinds filled with absolutely delicious smelling food!

🎄

🎄

🎄

Colin's head swivelled around examining everything in minute detail. He was definitely going to try banging on the heavy switchers here, to see if they did the same thing here with the lamps as he'd seen in other muggle places. His keen ears picked up a soft humming sound from somewhere. It came from a large box up against the wall. "Coo! A nail ecto rickety ice box!" Colin gasped as he put his ear against one side of it. "Emmi! I can actually hear the lead fairies swarming around inside! Brilliant!" The other big box was clearly the oven. That had gas rings like one of the ones at home, so clearly some Muggles had magical devices. Very interesting! Colin thought.

As the adults talked, Emily, Colin, and Scout chatted about their journeys. Colin could hardly wait to ask her about her house --- there were so many things to explore! "Emmi! This is a brilliant house! It's so big; ye must have dozens and dozens of rooms in here! I always thought muggle houses were wee and that kids had to sleep under the stairs. Wait. D- Do you actually ---?" Colin began. Suddenly Emmi looked worried about something! Colin's eyes widened in response. Had he said something wrong?

Colin looked at Scout with a confused expression. "What did she mean by she's two ticks, Scoutie? Do ye reckon she needs some tick repellent, or a healing salve? I'm sure I've got a tin in me satchel..."

But eventually Emily came back, smiling brightly. Colin's eyes lit up. She shoved bright red and pink wrapped boxes in his and Scoutie's hands, saying they could open them later. As they finally took their seats, with Emily between him and Scout, the dinner began. Colin thought was as it should be. Emily was sweet and brave and smart and everything. But sometimes the lass needed to be protected, lest she walked up to a hag and started asking about her preference for brands of tea and biscuits.

"Well, I'm glad ye weren't infested with ticks after all, Emmi. Me and Scoutie were talkin when ye were gone. I've got some healing salve, but I don't think I've got any tick repellent! But I was going to say I've never been in a proper muggle house before. Like. Is it really true ye have to stick a rope into a respect icicle to make the froggerator work?" Colin nodded towards the big refrigerator that had so occupied his attention earlier. What he really wanted was to get a peek inside to see the lead fairies at work!

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🎄

Before he could explore the mystery of why Muggles need frogs and fairies to keep things cold when a very simple spell exists, another voice wafted into Colin's sensitive ears. Followed a moment later by a cheery shout of Nora! He reckoned he knew who this was! The oft mentioned Matthew! He seemed cool. He brought some wine for Auntie Nora and Mr Fu-Hai and some other goodies for the kids.

Colin blushed slightly and lowered his gaze as Matthew handed over the wine, calling it a peace offering. He knew all about this from Da! Even his eldest brother Orion told him how important the peace offering was. Just remember lad, ye're truly a sweet and loving soul, but that doggy brain of yours screws everything up! Just remember that Emily is always right, and ye'll be fine! Colin wondered about this. Orion knew about this. Da knew about this. And now he actually saw Matthew doing it. He thought it must really be true!

Colin watched as Auntie Nora put Matthew's offering over on the counter. And then he saw it! It was tucked behind some kind of cooking contraption that Colin thought looked something like an ash bucket. It was actually something he'd learnt about in Muggle Studies! Of course, wizarding folk had them, too, but he was really curious to get his hands on in Emily's house to examine it! "Kettle...!" he whispered.

His attention was drawn back to Auntie Nora when she told Matthew to plonk himself on the table. That was an interesting phrase! He'd have to try that one with Emmi. Surely she'd be pleased he was trying to learn muggle words and phrases! And when Matthew finally sat down, she introduced him properly. Matthew. A friend.

Colin's brow knit close a bit. A. Friend. Wait. Colin might have been only fifteen, almost sixteen, but even he knew a double intender when he heard one! Friend? Colin smirked. Yeah right. He gently nudged Emmi's ankle with his foot. He leaned close to her ear and whispered: "More like boyfriend, eh lass?" Colin gave her and Scout an impish grin. Most excellent! he thought. This could actually work in Colin's favour this evening.

He just had to figure some way later to get Scoutie and Emmi out of the room...

@Emily Shephard | @Scout Fu-Hai