Welcome to Gaia! ::

Skyla drew in a deep breath, hoping to calm her tired body. She was going to push through this... then reward herself with a nap once she made it home. When asked if she was excited to play, Sky offered a grin. "I am, yea. And this year's going to be doubly fun. Torin decided he wasn't set to be the captain, so he passed it over to me. So now I'm head up for Gryffindor. Which I guess means no more wishing you luck, ey?" She let out a laugh, knowing for certain she'd still wish luck all around. Quidditch was hard enough without team animosity, after all. Besides, the other teams were all fantastic, and making people happy (hopefully) meant she was less likely to get bludgered... again. Or maybe she should just be nice to the beaters of each team.... Nah, definitely to everyone. At worst, it made them smile.

When she asked Ben how his summer was getting along, he first admitted he wasn't practicing. He did, however, seem to have a busy and exciting summer thus far. "No way? That sounds like so much fun. I remember when Tor and I used to go camping in our yard. It was always fun. I just so happen to make the best s'mores ever. The secret is to use a peanut-butter cup instead of a chocolate bar. Then you get magic." She grinned, remembering the many times they had little campouts. Even on rainy days, she and Torin would build forts inside while mum roasted up some camp food. Maybe they'd have to figure out another camp-out soon...

Skyla nodded when Ben seemed surprised at her being captain. "I'm still a little surprised, but apparently Torin thinks I make a good leader. I guess just 'cause I'm a prefect." She shrugged a bit, dark eyes twinkling as she glanced up. She joked about not wishing people luck, but he noted it's what kept captains "humble." That earned a laugh from the brunette, cheeks flushing a bit with her grin. Ben always seemed to be in a laughable mood. Then again, from what she knew of the Olson family, all were pretty nice. "That's fair enough. Then again, you've got the captains who wish luck just to seem nice in front of the pros. Ugh. Pros. I'm probably going to be in their radar this year, won't I?" She huffed a bit, blowing a stray curl up a bit, though the soft smile never left her face.

After telling Ben the secret to s'mores, he agreed that it sounded tasty. "Literally the best thing ever. Outside of Cadbury, of course." Man, all this chocolate talk was making her snackish. When asked if peanut-butter cups were a muggle treat only, Sky happily shook her head. "I just so happen to know you can get them at Sugarplums here and Honeydukes in Hogsmeade. I've got far too much a sweet tooth not to know. Then again, my sweet tooth is mostly for chocolates." Mmmm, what she wouldn't do for a tasty snack. "Though if you also like chocolate, I'll have to make you my homemade hot chocolate this winter. It's practically a delicacy!" A bright grin, the brunette always looking for reasons to make hot chocolate... and for a friend was always a good reason.

While she felt guilty that Mrs Nora purchased the purse with her own money, Alice was already in love with her new purse. The color was perfect and it matched her outfit so everything was amazing. Walking back into Quality Quidditch Supplies, the blonde quickly ran over to Seb to show him her new purse. "Sebby! Look what Mrs Nora got me!" She showed off the cool blue purse, modeling it on her shoulder before she took it off to show him something else. "And look what it can do!" Alice opened it and stuck her arm into the purse, all the way in until it was up to her shoulder. The purse was quite expansive in there and she just knew she was going to need to put shelves or something in there to be able to organize everything. She'd read up a little on undetectable extension charms last year because her trunk was getting too full of books and she needed a better way to transport them. So she was already quite familiar with the charm... just not exactly how to cast it. But charms was one of her best classes so she could probably figure it out. "It's so cool, isn't it?!" Blue eyes glanced at Sebby, wondering if he thought her new purse was as cool as she did.

Ever since she'd dropped Seb off for school, Kinzlie couldn't help the guilt over the whole summer. Poor kid just wanted to spend time with friends, but they all seemed too busy or picked less than stellar days. And she had gone to sit with him for one of his changes (despite Nora pleading that she not watch), which had only made her feel worse for ever sending her son off to that school. And now he just wanted to have fun in a sport that he was apparently less than skilled with... and she couldn't even go cheer him on! Though, this year, Nora was helping her study for a magic exam thing that would let her go and see the school. She just had to try and pass before his first game!

As she was walking toward the exit to Diagon Alley, her emerald eyes noticed a flyer for the quidditch shop that Seb had brought her to a few times over the years. They were allowing installment payments for brooms?! Where was that over the summer?! Without hesitation, the young woman sprinted the Alley to go and collect what little magical money she had from the bank before hurrying to the shop. Once inside... she realized she had no idea which of the brooms was right for his position. Dang it!

Stepping toward the counter, Kinzlie spotted someone there that she'd seen a few other times, so she figured he worked there. "Hey, um... I-I saw this flyer and I'm really hoping this is something I can do. I... I don't know which broom I'm supposed to get, but I bet you'd know all this magic stuff better than me." She handed over the page with a nervous smile in place. "It says I have to prove he plays too, um... I'm not sure how to do that. I just know he's in Gryffindor at Hogwarts. He plays... oh, he said it's something to do with the end of the game? Something that gets a whole bunch of points." Unfortunately, there were a lot of magical terms, and honestly, she didn't remember much about a sport she'd only learned of in passing.

After rambling out an explanation, Kinzlie took a second to breathe. The shopkeep had a much cooler head and simply said he had a list. Well now, that was helpful! What crazy things magic could do. Maybe she could see about having Nora help her with magical lists for Seb's to-dos! It sure would help the executive functioning issues of their house. "Of course. Sebastian Moon. He's a fourth year, which is crazy enough on its own." She laughed a bit, running a hand through her soft curls.

"He practiced so much over the summer with some of his friends. One I still don't believe was a student, though Seb said he was only a couple years over. So tall. But he was very kind, if a bit paint-covered." Actually, other than one rather grumpy young lady, all the people that "borrowed" Seb for a few hours of practice were quite sweet. And Seb talked very highly of them all, though in the same breath he pretty often noted how much better they were than him. All she really wanted was to help bring his positivity back, especially after the last few months.

Kinzlie was entirely relieved that he happened to have a list that indeed had Seb still on it. She'd hate to find out he opted to quit by a silly list. Then again, as of the last time they'd spoken, he still hoped to try out. Maybe with a new broom he'd actually have the confidence back. "Yes, Seeker. That sounds right." Kinzlie nodded along, glad that he was both willing to help and also to make sure they had some nice brooms in stock. Maybe she'd be able to remember the actual broom name that he'd been wanting too. All she knew is that they were absurdly expensive.

After mentioning the kids that'd helped, the shopkeep gave an almighty sigh. Oh boy. He explained that it was most likely his grandson, especially if he'd been carrying snacks. "He did have gummie candies in his pockets. I think he said his name was Lewis." She tried to remember, but Seb had had a few different friends over. "Do you have many grandkids?" That was something she couldn't contemplate. Her family had just been her parents and herself, and now it was only herself and Seb.... but he seemed pretty happy about his family. "I wish they did. I'd really like to see Sebby get to play sometime. He seems pretty keen on the sport."

She followed the shopkeep over to a big display of brooms, listening as he explained the ones he had in stock. So far, the SkyRunner seemed nice, though he then dove into the Nimbus, and Kinzlie remembered (all at that moment), that Seb had showed her a brochure for that one. "Yes, that. That Nimbus one sounds familiar. Though, you're right. I've not got the slightest clue what any of that meant. All I really know is that he... needs a pick-me-up of sorts. His last two seasons went.... well, poorly." Even without words, she knew it'd been rough because he'd only sigh and look disappointed when asked. "He's my only little guy and I tried saving up all summer, but teenagers! And, well, time got away from me. But I really want to make sure he's able to play his best this year."

Kinzlie blinked in a bit of shock as the man launched into his family. He had three.... though technically five kids? That seemed a lot. Of those five, four had their own kids. Holy s**t. Their house must be insane! It sounded like Lewis was halfway through the grandkids, which was bonkers since he seemed so.... much older than he probably was. And their youngest kid was simply finding himself, and on that one Kinzlie could relate. "Wow, I knew mine was small, but wow. Mine's just... just the two of us, but it's okay that way." She shrugged a bit, then looked surprised when he mentioned introductions.

"Oh, lucky for sure. My name's Kinzlie Moon. I work at Blood Moon with Nani... and I think she mentioned something about her wife being an Abrams too. I'd wager one of yours?" She chuckled softly, thinking it'd be insane if she just happened upon a giant family. Especially because she knew Nora and her husband had three of their own, which was a lot on its own as well. She mentioned wanting to see the games as Wyatt said he tried to go to them all, but life had other plans. "Mine's... well, I'm not magical. Apparently I can't see the school until I take this test thing. Nora Heulwen's helping me study. Sebby says the school's a castle, but he thought the same of his primary school which was... most certainly not." She laughed a bit, remembering when little four-year-old Seb had rushed home to say he went to school in a 'giant castle!' with his ever-bright smile. Now, she just wanted to bring that smile back.

As she explained why she hoped to get the broom, Wyatt reminded that life got in the way, then even said Kinzlie was a great mom. "I really appreciate that, thank you. He's such a good kid that he deserves all the best. And.. for what it's worth, you seem like a super fun granddad." Especially if he went to all their school events and whatnot! When faced with the two brooms once again, Kinzlie examined the prices. "Well, there's not a huge difference in price, so let's do the nicer one. The 2030. I'm sure he'll appreciate that. As for finances... I have fourteen of the gold coins... Galleons, right? I can put those all up, if needed. If... if I can go a little less, I can use the remainder on some household things, but I... I can go without for his sake." She sent over a hesitant smile, her past of needing to save every penny and pence was making her worry about such a large purchase here....

but she'd do anything for Seb.