Dose of Spring Break

[Calixte Diantha]

It had been quite the...interesting quarter at school. Several different things had happened, an array of events that just kept building on and on, piling higher and higher, then all came tumbling down all at once because of one person. Ryver. He'd been the cause and effect for most of the drama in Calixte's life in the past several months, and yet here she was, on Spring break, missing him quite a lot. Granted, she was quite happy about being home, away from the drama and everything else school brought. It was kind of nice to step back and relax in the quaint little country house she called home instead of the giant castle she spent most of her time throughout the years in.

As it were right now, she was currently in the kitchen with her mother working on breakfast. Cali was buttering slices of toast while her mother worked on eggs and an array of breakfast meats (via request of her father, of course...) The man of the house himself was seated at the table, the Daily Prophet opened up in front of him as he read along the jumbled articles one at a time. Were Cali to step back and look at her current situation, even she wouldn't believe this was her life. It just wasn't her. According to her closest friends, she seemed too exotic to live in such a simple place, in such a simple way. It just didn't fit. The redhead, however, was quite content with her life, even if she was out of place in it.

"How's that toast coming?"

Her mother's voice chimmed from across the kitchen and Cali looked up, smiling easily, "S'alright." she answered with a shrug. "Almost done."

"Heeeey," her father's voice sounded from the table, though he didn't look up, "I'm hungry, how 'bout you two hurry things along so I can ea-"

His sentence was cut short due to an orange that was thrown across the room at him. Cali's mother stood facing him now, hands on her hips, glowering at the man who was now sheepishly rubbing the side of his head. Cali herself merely rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to her toast buttering task. Oh yes, just a typical day in the Diantha house...

[Ryver S. Murray]

Ryver was a bit of an eccentric person; not crazy and way out there, but his little quirks made him oddly strange and enjoyable. When he spotted a girl and felt his heart beat with love for the first time, he pursued her until he finally broke through. When he fancied something, he did it even if it meant going the distance to do so, and possibly being a little rude. But he was insanely charming too, which usually got him out of trouble. That’s why when he got Cali’s letter that day he basically said, “Screw it, I’m going to go see her!” Of course, his sisters teased him.

“Are you going to go kiss your giiiiirlfriend, Ryvie!?” They’d said while bouncing around him as he prepared something to fit in his pocket. To this he merely grinned (dashingly, of course) and told them, “Of course, I’m her Romeo! Just you two wait, you’ll be lucky to find a guy like me as a boyfriend. Since I will accept nothing less, you girls are NEVER getting married!” Shouting ensued, and three sets of feet stomped through the house as his little sisters chased him first into the kitchen (to kiss his mother on the cheek) and then through the study (to pat his father on the back. It was manly, of course) where he perched on the fireplace and waved at the two giggling girls. “Better start looking, you little twirps!”

Protesting shouts were ignored as he tossed the floo powder into the flame. “Diantha’s Home!” With whimsical flare, he bowed and barely dodged the two girls taking a swat at him before hopping back into the fireplace.

As per usual the journey was a bit rough and a bit dirty, with a constant spinning sensation that almost made him go cross-eyed at the unbalance. Finally, after a few moments of this twirling madness he was on solid ground with the fireplace (having roared to life) falling away behind him. Cough!

“ ‘lo?”

[Calixte Diantha]

The air about breakfast had been over all playful and light. The small family was enjoying themselves, obviously, and it was all just nice and pleasant. Until the fire place roared to life. All at once the atmosphere changed. Cali's mother shoved the redheaded girl behind her, and her father was on his feet, wand drawn and pointed at the fire place before anyone could blink twice. Cali, however, was trying to lean around her mother to at least see...and all she saw was blond hair at first, then the rest followed.

"Ryver?!" the name left her lips in more of an accusing way then anything else. Her mother was then easily stepped around, though neither parent seemed to be willing to drop their guard just yet, "What in Merlin's name are you doing here?" she demanded, her hands on her hips almost mocking the older woman now behind her from earlier. If they looked more alike, it would have been a fairly creepy resemblence.

"You know this boy, Cali-belle?" her father asked, keeping his eyes on the boy at all times.

The nick name caused her to sigh, but she nodded. "Yes...you can put the wands away, he isn't going to spring out and attack anyone any time soon."

Slowly, the wands of both parents were lowered, though while Cali's father relaxed, her mother didn't look convinced. Calixte, however, was focused on Ryver once again. "Well? Explanation please?"

[Ryver S. Murray]

“Zoinks…” He quoted from one of his sister’s favorite muggle cartoons as he realized he was on the end of two quickly drawn wands. In retrospect, this was probably not the way to come visit someone unannounced. Times weren’t good, and goodness- “Er, pardon the mess.” Ryver smiled in his most charming way and patted around for his wand. A brief flick later and the soot was cleared from himself and everything around him. “Right!” Again he was smiling, even when Cali’s voice (the irritated one. Maybe a little surprised, Ryver could tell) broke through the silent chaos. “It would only make sense that I’m here because you’re here. Though in my defense, two unruly munchkins who are about this tall,” His hand came up to just above half his height and then lower. “They chased me and were about to beat me alive. However, realizing that I missed you terribly, I quickly floo’d over here to hit two birds with one stone.”

Yep, that sounded like a completely accurate account from where he was standing.

“Wait! Hold on!” More patting around his pockets commenced before he pulled out a little plastic vial. He popped the top and pulled out a cute, tiny little bouquet. He then waved his wand, and bowed with a flourish as he presented a much larger, very pretty bouquet. “I didn’t mean to be rude. See? I brought flowers!” Flowers fixed everything, including possible cases of rudeness… Even if he didn’t anticipate this as being rude.

[Calixte Diantha]

Cali could only stare at Ryver now. He had just intruded into her house. Popped up in her fireplace without a word of warning, disrrupted breakfast with her parents, put both of them on edge, and he thought flowers would make it all better? The redhead sighed and shook her head slowly, "Honestly, Ryver, you could have firecalled first, or something...This is really inappropriate..."

"I'll say."

Cali looked over her shoulder at the woman behind her. Her mother was not pleased. Not in the least little bit. Apparently Ryver's appearance was somewhat worse then Cali herself had thought, though really, it shouldn't have been that big of a deal. Its not like he came in shooting hexes and curses or anything. The clearing of a throat turned both women's gaze to Cali's father, and the man flashed his wife a sheepish smile before gesturing to his daughter.

"Well, Cali-belle...Don't you think it best to introduce us to your friend?"

Another sigh left Cali's lips, "Do I have to?"

The man chuckled, "Oh come on now. He can't be that bad, can he?"

Cali pursed her lips, "It's not him I'm worried about..." This earned her a pair of sour looks from both of her folks and again the redhead sighed, "Alright, alright...Mum, dad, this is Ryver Murray. He's a boy in my year, no, not in my House, but we have a good few classes together...Ryver, this is my mum Julianne, and my dad Robbane, Mr. and Mrs. Diantha."

Cali's mother merely nodded her head. Her frown was gone now, but she still looked rather gaurded. Her father, however, flashed a cheeky grin and waved his hand at the table. "Join us for breakfast, Ryver?"

Cali groaned and turned back to her toast buttering, settling in for embarassing conversation and anything else parents could do to humiliate their children in front of boyfriends/girlfriends.

[Ryver S. Murray]

“I thought it’d be a fun surprise…” Blonde brows rose hopefully, being so earnestly optimistic that maybe, just maybe, Cali would spare a little smile for him. Or maybe just accept that he’d come over on a whim… Or maybe her mother would stop glaring at him. Ho boy, his mom would definitely have his ear for this one. Absently, he reached up to tug it slightly to make sure it wouldn’t come off before looking at Cali again with a sheepish little smile. “Even though now it seems kind of stupid. You want the flowers anyway, though? They’re preeetty~” Yep, tulips and lilies because he knew that Cali really liked them.

He hesitantly stepped off the hearth, somehow feeling a little hesitant to make any wrong moves. Cali’s mother was still glaring at him with laser beam eyes, and if he took the wrong step he’d probably get cut in half. Ryver was a trooper though, and remained smiling throughout the introduction as he walked confidently into the kitchen. The way she introduced him hurt a little, but it warned him not to share that kiss on the cheek he wanted to give her.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Diantha. I’m sorry to come unannounced. I, uh… Guess I wasn’t thinking.” He chuckled rather nervously and went first to Cali to give her the flowers with a barely contained grin. It wasn’t suspicious, but no matter what he was pretty excited to see her. “And I’d be happy to join for breakfast, but I gotta help. Is there anything I can do?”

[Calixte Diantha]

Julianne watched the boy carefully. The way he approached, moved around her daughter, every little detail she took in. A deep breath explanded her rib cage, and she arched a brow almost challengingly at Ryver. "So, you're the boyfriend then." she almost growled these words, though anything else she may have been ready to say was interrupted by a gasping chuckle from the man at the table.

"This is your tag-a-long, Cali-belle? Why didn't I catch on to that sooner? Murray...Should have recognized the name from all the ranting that used to go on in this house."

The redhead in the room shot her father a heated glare, but said nothing to him. Her attention instead drifted back to Ryver and she turned to take the flowers from him. "Thank you...sometimes I think you really do pay far too much attention to me for your own good." she set the flowers on the counter- making a note to put them in a vase after breakfast, then scooted down the line of counter to make room, "You can help me finish buttering toast, then you can help set the table." she nodded to this, then set back to her task.

"So!" Robbane nearly chirped, his eyes alight as he watched this no-longer-an-intruder-in-their-home, "What brings you over to our humble abode, Ryver? Just stopping in to visit, or did you have plans of some sort?"

"He's so nosy..." Cali mumbled, only loud enough for Ryver to hear. "Settle in for a long day..." she warned, though hopefully she could get the blond boy out of the house after breakfast.

[Ryver S. Murray]

The hair on the back of his neck stood up with the statement, and he looked at Julianne with a startled, ‘innocent’ expression. Who, me? This expression quickly fell to that of a grin that spoke volumes. Yes, he was the boyfriend, he was ecstatic about it, she hit the nail on the head. “I suppose I am. Not like I’d let anyone else take her to the dance…” Yep, he took her to the dance, too! And he was happy, because it turned out to be a really fun night with some pretty good, (close) dancing. “I do, however, apologize for anything she ranted about me… Because I’m fairly sure they’re true.” As he turned towards the toast, he winced.

Cali in her ’hate Ryver days’ were fun, but not when meeting the parents on, ’I want to be your son-in-law someday!’ kind of ground. The response about the flowers earned a huge grin on his part, though.

“Well, I could have brought something else. Wild flowers, roses, uh… Other flowers.” He really wasn’t that great with herbology. “But you like those, which makes them better because they’re meant for you. I didn’t get bitten by anything poison while getting them, so it wasn’t bad for my health… Yep! I think paying attention to you is okay.” His logic was undeniable, and he glanced at her with eyes twinkling (adoringly).

“Sir, I stopped by to visit and ask this beautiful girl if she’d like to go out and do something with me. I would list off things like walking, swimming, maybe some muggle sport… Frizz-bee?” Ryver glanced at Cali innocently, indirectly asking her. “A long day of that sounds like fun. I mean, ‘Frizz-bee’? That actually sounds fun.”

[Calixte Diantha]

Robbane nodded slowly, ignoring Julianne's huffing as she continued on and carried on about getting breakfast finished. "Sounds like a plan. Cali-belle was talking about getting some swimming in today while it was nice, weren't you?"

The innocent expression on the man's face earned a frown from Cali, and a glower from Julianne. "Honestly, Robby, are you trying to cause trouble?"

"Who, me?" he blinked innocently, eyes wide as he regarded his wife, "Of course not. It'd be against my nature to cause trouble. Magical Law Enforcement and all." He flashed Ryver a grin, then went back to his paper.

"Trouble maker." Juli hissed, then turned back to the last of the eggs.

"Don't mind them, please." Cali sighed, then placed the last of the toast on a plate. "C'mon, we'll get the table set now." she gestured to a small room off to the side with a cabinet full of dishes, then headed towards it, knowing he'd follow without question. Once out of ear shot, Cali made an annoyed sound in the back of her throat, "They'll argue about us now, we can take our time in getting dishes out. You really are a cause for trouble, you know." And yet, she wouldn't have him any other way.

[Ryver S. Murray]

Ryver couldn’t help but feel amused, even if that icy chill was still radiating off Cali’s mother towards him. To kind of ease his pain, he decided to have some fun by cutting a piece of toast in half and buttering ‘teeth’ onto the triangular piece. He then brought it up in front of his face like some kind of child with an orange-peel smile. When Cali addressed him, his brows rose up high and he flipped the toast to make a frown. “Mind what?” He asked innocently before putting his toast on top. It was the best toast, so obviously it should be on top!

“Yes dear,” He replied to her dishing demands and followed obediently. “I’ll happily be the master of table-setting.” Ryver’s voice was tinged with that amusement again, probably trying to provoke some kind of reaction out of his rather rigid girlfriend.

“I didn’t mean to cause an argument,” Ryver said sweetly. “I just wanted to come see you. We’re both out of school, have free time, and I missed you. As much of a wuss you’re turning me into, I freely admit that I was looooonely for my pretty giiiiiirlfriend~”

[Calixte Diantha]

Cali shook her head and sigh in her dramatically playful way. "What ever am I going to do with you, Ryver Murray?" she asked in a dreary sort of way, though it was all part of her playful amusement. When she was sure her parents were arguing effectively, she reached up onto her toes and pressed a light kiss to his lips. "Next time, be sure to at least fire call, it'll keep my mother from becoming an ice berg, and my father from blasting you back through our fireplace. Alright?" Really she didn't mind his being there. Who would? She missed him too, after all, and had been planning to fire call him soon to see if they couldn't come up with plans to meet up. So this, actually, was convienent, if a bit unorthodox. "Give them a minute, then we'll bring in the table settings...My mum is probably chewing my dad out rather effectively about letting me wander off with a boy of any kind."

[Ryver S. Murray]

“Well assuming that you want better results from me, you can lock me up and throw away the key. You can put a shock collar on me, but then I’d get burn marks and you’d be embarrassed to go out into public with me, because I’d end up barking just to act the park. Hmmmm…” Ryver looked up at the ceiling like it held all the answers. “You know, there’s absolutely nothing you can do except for love me for it.” He flashed a grin at his pretty redhead. When he got a kiss in response he smiled and tenderly pressed back, catching the second kiss in a brief exchange. “I know, I’ll remember… I guess some surprises are better than others, huh?”

Being taller than her, he pulled down some of the plates she pointed out for them and placed them on the counter in front of him. “I did notice your mother’s a bit… Protective. Do you have any hints or are you going to watch me tap-dance on the fire?” There was no irritation present in his voice; he actually sounded fairly entertained. The way he was looking at her said quite clearly that he’d be willing to take the hard road.

Cali was worth it, after all.

[Calixte Diantha]

A smirk played to life on Cali's expression as she took the plate from Ryver's hands, "I should just leave you to writhe under her gaze, but I won't." she sighed and bumped him lightly with her hip, "I'm too fond of having you around to let my mum scare you off." Cali rolled her eyes a bit, "All I can tell you is let her take her time in extinguishing her ire. She's got a pretty good reason to be protective in her eyes, and you squirming your way into my life hasn't quite settled easily in her mind." She turned her head to smile at him, "She'll come around, though. No worries."

"Calixte, did you two get lost?" Julianne called from the kitchen, sounding fairly miffed still.

Cali shook her head and sighed, hefting her half of the table settings up, "Give her a day, maybe two at tops and she'll be calm enough to at least tolerate your presence. Right now, just don't draw too much attention to yourself and you'll be alright." with that, she headed back into the kitchen and started setting the table.

Julianne, however, had her eyes waiting for Ryver as he came from the small off-set room. "Food is ready," she informed her family, still watching the intruder in her home, "Hurry or it'll get cold."

"Yes, mum..." Cali mumbled, but did as she was told and gestured for Ryver to do the same.

[Ryver S. Murray]

Gosh, he really loved those hips. Every time she moved it was like her body was dancing and it made his mouth positively water. Being told that she was fond of him made him grin like a kid on Christmas, too. “Aw, you do care!” He teased, even though he knew that she had to like him; she wouldn’t let him get away with as much if she didn’t like him! “Squirming?” Blue eyes blinked innocently. “I would hope for a better description than that. Marching, galloping, something. Squirming makes me sound… Well, disgusting.” Then again with the looks that her mother was giving him, that would be an accurate description.

Ryver winced a little.

“Sounds like a good idea to me, I guess. I’ll behave. There’s always another day for charming the parents.” He would, too! He’d charm their pants off, and they’d be happy he was their daughter’s boyfriend if it was the last thing he’d do! Ryver picked up the plates and smiled all the way into the dining room where he helped his girlfriend set up dishes. “Mr. and Mrs. Diantha? I know it’s a bit late to be asking, but would it be alright if I stole your daughter away for a while today? If she wants to, of course.” Maybe if he asked he’d get a better response than just coming in and sweeping her out of the house…

[Calixte Diantha]

Once again Cali couldn't help but smile as she set about getting the table organized. Yes, squirming would be the perfect definition- for now. After all, Calixte had thought he was fairly disgusting at one time, had she not? So it fit. She spared him fond glances across the table every so often, seeming amused that he addressed both of her parents when asking permission to go out rather then just favoring the adult who obviously didn't want to brain him right now. Cali's eyes cast back and forth between the adults in the room curiously, meeting irritation from her mother, and a cheeky grin from her father.

"Well," Robbane started before Julianne could open her mouth, "I don't see why not. We've had her all weekend and I imagine Cali-belle needs some time to herself- erm..well, you know what I mean.."

"Robby..." Julianne spoke his name through gritted teeth, though sounded more concerned then anything else.

"Oh come on now, Juli. What's the worst that can happen? Hm?"

"Oh I can think of a few things!" There was that anger again...

"Mum, please," Cali shot the older woman a heated look, "This is my choice, ok? And Ryver is not like that." the meaningful look was exchanged between them both tensely.

After a long moment of this, Julianne sighed, "Fine."

Cali nodded and turned back to placing the tableware down as her mother came behind her with food. "Alright, done...Can we eat now?"

"Yes, sit and dig in."

"Then get lost!" Her dad laughed, folding his paper up and setting in on his plate once it was set in front of him with food.

Cali sighed at both of her parents then looked at Ryver before gesturing to sit and doing as such herself. Getting out for the day was most definitely a good idea.