Eva Fallon seems to be looking a bit rounder in the waist lately. Again. Yes, indeed, Mrs Fallon is once again pregnant. While she looks a bit tired, and ever so slightly rumpled, the woman does not appear to mind this state of being. After all, she has been as such three times already! It is a quiet day in Cordial Confections for her, thankfully. Little Arnold is sleeping in his crib, a permanent fixture behind the counter now, and Josie, Essie and Charlotte are babbling to one another in various semblances of English while playing with little dolls. Aside from Maura, who is in the back room, presumably concocting some new type of sweets. Yes, it is a quiet day in the shop.

It’s a little difficult to tell that Sibyl Wexler shares her sister-in-law’s condition – she is a bit naturally plumper anyway, and her voluminous robes hide the slight rounding of her own stomach, except when she turns at certain angles. And her expression is brighter than it has been in weeks – the color is back in her ruddy face, and she glances up at her husband with a mischievously girlish grin as they walk through the door of the shop, arm in arm. “I feel as though we’re skiving off of class,” Sibyl laughs to Basil. “And the teacher will come and find us at any second. Oh, hello, Eva, dear,” she interrupts herself, lifting her voice to call across the shop to greet her sister-in-law.

“You rather are, Sibyl,” Basil responds, chuckling a bit as he accompanies her into the shop. He says nothing to his sister, but pays full attention to his wife. “Only, this time around, the teacher is you. So unless you intend to get yourself into trouble…” It seems as if Mister Wexler is a bit reminiscent of his school days the way he’s talking. Not that Basil ever snuck out of class or the commons. Not to be with Sibyl. Oh, no, never. “What did you want to get in here, dear?” Perhaps he is rushing a bit to get out of his sister’s shop, but Basil can’t help himself. He spends too much time here as it is.

Telyn was never one to deny herself of anything, and since becoming her, Morgawse is only just getting used to doing just that. The blond, decked out in obnoxious tight pink and red robes for the Valentine’s Day season, does her best to ignore the little voices of logic in her head as she steps into Cordial Confections. “Nice sort of rain today, isn’t it?” She comments politely to herself or anyone at all, throwing out a bright smile that challenges the drizzly weather with all ’round. She shakes off her hood of her cloak, patting down her hair. Telyn, or Morgawse rather, has never been pregnant, a fact that is quite easily assumed by the look of her. In all likeliness, to her chagrin, she never will be pregnant either. Her expression on brightens further at the sudden appearance of all of these sweets to her senses.

“Hullo, Sibyl, Basil,” Eva greets her relatives cheerfully offering a wave from behind the counter, then stooping to remove a candywrapper from Josie’s mouth. “The girls are playing nicely back here if you’re up for a visit. What brings you here today? Haven’t you got duties to attend to, madam Nurse?” Eva‘s voice is playful as she teases her sister-in-law a bit. “Or are you hear in search of a craving? I fear for Josie and Essie for how much candy I consumed with them. But, oh, those cravings.” She chuckles. “Maura’s just finished a brand new batch of Chocobats, if you like.” She pauses, glancing at the woman decked rather obnoxiously in red and pink. “Hello there,” she calls cheerfully. “Aren’t we festive for Valentine’s day?” She laughs a bit. “I suppose that is a bit early. Perhaps it’s an early Halloween costume, hmm?” It seems Eva‘s in an exceptionally good mood today.

Sibyl gives her husband an affectionate nudge in the ribs with her elbow. “I have today off with full permission of the headmistress, thankyouverymuch!” she declares to Basil and Eva alike, in a tone of mock dignity that is almost entirely offset by the laugh that finishes off the statement. “And… yes, actually.” A slightly sheepish blush reddens Sibyl‘s face along with the admission. “I’ve been dying for some of those licorice wands. Ordinarily I can’t stand them, but now, well…” She finishes with a shrug and another grin, and she leans over to rest her elbows on the counter to speak comfortably with her sister-in-law.

A hand is brought to her chest as Morgawse lets out a smooth giggle which leaves her with an intoxicating pearly-white grin across her lips. “Thank goodness someone pointed it out – I’d thought everyone had gone blind or something.” Pursing her lips in her smile as if she were preparing to whistle, the new customer lets out the remained of her giggles. “I find Autumn horrid, so this year I’ve taken it upon myself to boycott.” She waves her hand, “Halloween and the lot. But I wouldn’t dare deprive myself of sweets.” Saying nothing of the others’ current conversation yet, her eyes widen as she flash a glance around the store once more. She also seems to be in a good mood, but then, she always seems to be in a good mood.

Basil says, “I still don’t understand how you could crave those of all things.” Basil visibly shudders as he thinks of the taste of the licorice wands. Too many as a child had done that to him. The man leans up against the wall in a spot where there’s surprisingly no bins or decorations. He merely looks on as his wife and sister interact. Afterall, he still hasn’t forgiven Eva for… well, a lot of things. The man can’t help but admire her children, all of whom seem surprisingly well-behaved, given how their mother was as a child. Perhaps she’s grown up a bit. But no, Basil couldn’t go that far. Not yet. “Just get what you need, Sibyl. I can send more to you later if you run out.” He nods slowly, his eyes fixed on the three todlers and the infant.”

“I still don’t understand how you could crave those of all things.” Basil visibly shudders as he thinks of the taste of the licorice wands. Too many as a child had done that to him. The man leans up against the wall in a spot where there’s surprisingly no bins or decorations. He merely looks on as his wife and sister interact. Afterall, he still hasn’t forgiven Eva for… well, a lot of things. The man can’t help but admire her children, all of whom seem surprisingly well-behaved, given how their mother was as a child. Perhaps she’s grown up a bit. But no, Basil couldn’t go that far. Not yet. “Just get what you need, Sibyl. I can send more to you later if you run out.” He nods slowly, his eyes fixed on the three todlers and the infant.

“Well, you’ve come to the right place then. Have a look around. We’ve introduced many new sweets recently, for all palates.” Eva nods and smiles, glancing around the sparkling clean shop with a pleased expression. It is definitely more organized during school time than it ever is on holidays. “We’ve plenty of Licorice wands as well. For some reason, the kids didn’t like them as much this year.” Eva shrugs complacently and leans against the counter as well, smiling at Sibyl and giving the occasional glance to Basil, though she does not pester him as she usually might.

“Oh, goodness, I do understand,” Sibyl replies, tossing a grin over her shoulder to Morgawse. “Nothing’s wrong with skipping a season that you don’t like! And thank you, Basil love. I have a feeling that I may be asking for more sweets than any of the children!” Turning back to Eva, she continues, “Oh, yes, definitely licorice wands. And maybe some Ice Mice, too? And do you have any of the licorice-flavored sherbet balls?” Her smile brightens with girlish enthusiasm as she leans over the candy counter, peering eagerly at the assortment of sweets beyond it.

Morgawse Coupe-Fourre smiles, nodding to the woman as she introduces a bit of the merchandise and to Sibyl as well. “I always liked licori-” She ends her sentence short, tilting her head after she finally spotted the well behaved little tikes. Looking back to their mother, the young woman’s strong bright expression melts away, “Your babies are so well behaved!” She groans fondly, explaing further in a hushed voice, “I can’t wait to have children, myself…” Her smiles returns soon enough after she recovers from the cute children.

Shuddering visibly at how much licorice Sibyl is asking for Basil moves away to putter around the shop. Perhaps he would get something for Alice and Alden while he was here. After all, he had been so very busy at work lately, and the’d had to spend more and more time with Eva, or Henrietta, or even, on occasion, Kalika. The man was clearly feeling guilty. “Say, Sibyl. What’m I going to do once all of you are at Hogwarts, and I’m stuck home with the baby?” he asks casually, examining the bin of coloricious with a rather suspicious face.

“If you like, I can suggest for Maura to whip up some licorice truffles. She’s been working on truffles all day. I almost feel bad that I’m such a dunce at candy, but we’d rather not have to replace the back room all over again.” Eva snickers again and reaches down to hoist up Charlotte. “They’re doing alright today. The girls are just having fun with their dollies.” Now that their sister has been lifted, Josie and Essie both stand and peek around the edge of the counter to see who it is that their mother is talking to. Two little mouths seem to drop open at the bright colors and they toddle over to examine the robes. “Girls, you be have yourselves…” Eva states, watching them carefully, lest they bother anyone or anything.

“Oh, would you?” At Eva’s suggestion, Sibyl instantly brightens even more. “That would be simply wonderful, dear, thank you!” She reaches down to give an affectionate touch to the shoulders of Josie and Essie as each little girl toddles by, her grin softening as she looks down at her nieces. “We’ll figure out something, Basil, don’t worry,” she adds over her shoulder to her husband. Despite the bright confidence of the smile that accompanies her assertion, there is a hint of uneasiness in Sibyl‘s turquoise eyes as she glances around at the shop full of children. That’s all very well for a candy shop, but not for an infirmary…

Morgawse bends down to be more at the girls’ level, placing her hands on her knees, “Well Hell-ooo there! I’m Telyn, what might your names be?” She asks cheerfully, giggling as the two seem awe-struck by her ridiculous attire – not seeming offended in the least. She holds out a bit of the heart-embroidered fabric from her longer sleeves for them to inspect if they so wish.

Estelle, the more shy of the twins runs back from Morgawse, hiding herself with a bit of Eva‘s skirt, though she is still watching with interest. “My name is Josie. I’m thwee,” the little girl announces, holding up her hand for no apparent reason. She apparently has not quite gottne the hang of her Rs. “This one is Estelle; we call her Essie,” Eva adds, pointing to the one behind her skirt. “And this is Charlotte.” Charlotte seems to be staring with intense interest at the bright colors as well, though she says nothing. (A change, for once!) “I’ll make a note to Maura about it. I know we’ve still got plenty of licorice extract since the wands didn’t sell.” The former Wexler chuckles and looks from Basil to Sibyl. “He knows the kids are always welcome here, doesn’t he?”

“Are they really?” Sibyl asks, her attention instantly snapping away from the candy and back to her sister-in-law. “I mean, that’s very kind of you, Eva dear, and we do appreciate it.” Is there just a bit of emphasis on that last statement, as Sibyl looks pointedly at her husband, speaking quickly enough that he might not be able to get his own response out before hers? “But we wouldn’t dream of imposing. Another new baby to take care of, on top of your own? We’ll be all right for the summer, at least, and we’ve got plenty of time to think about it all.”

Morgawse Coupe-Fourre beams, “Well it is very nice to make your acquaintance Josie.” She turns to give a little nod to each of the girls in turn, “Estelle. Don’t be shy – I’m definitely no one to be afraid of.” “And hiiiii there, Charlotte.” “Such pretty names for such pretty girls.” Morgawse compliments, brushing a hand over her yellow hair, smoothing it down just in case it’s moved out of place. She tries to push a conversation with the only little girl who seems the most interested, however, “You’re three now. Hmmm.” She taps her chin cutely before she raises up her eyebrows and nods, “That’s pretty old.”

“No, Sibyl,” Basil states from his spot across the room, where he is gathering a conglomeration of sweets for the younger of his three children. “We’ll figure something out,” he says, his voice rather quiet as he seems to be thinking very seriously about what he’s going to get for Alice and Alden. Yes, toothflossing stringmints are appropriate. Into the little baggies they go. Basil is being rather antisocial at the moment, seemingly too consumed with looking over the various candy bins to be bothered with socializing.

“It isn’t an imposition, really it isn’t. I really do enjoy having the kids around.” Eva rolls her eyes as her brother continues to be rather caustic towards her. “How on earth did you fall in love with that stick-in-the-mud?” she asks Sibyl, then chuckles a bit. Charlotte just continues to stare wide-eyed at Morgawse, though Essie does come out from behind Eva‘s skirt a bit, watching more closely as the woman interacts with her sister. “I am old,” Josie states in all seriousness and nods to the woman. “That’s my mommy. She owns this shop with all the candies.” Indeed, Josie seems very proud of this fact. Eva can’t help but smile as her daughters are complimented. After all, she thought them beautiful, too. “Do you want a boy or a girl, Sibyl?” Eva asks with a smile on her face. She’s only just had her first boy, and is still finding out what having a boy child is like.

Even though her polite response had the same effect as her husband’s brusquer one, Sibyl shoots Basil a warning glance across the room, and a frown pinches the corners of her mouth for a moment, before she turns back to Eva with a softer expression and apologetic eyes. “We’ll have to talk about it,” Sibyl explains – and then her discontent flashes again, in response to Eva’s criticism of Basil, and she murmurs a reproachful, “Eva… ” She lets it go, though, and allows her sister-in-law to direct the conversation towards a less contentious topic. “Oh, I’ll be happy with either, really. Another boy might be nice, so we could have two of each, but as long as it’s healthy, I’ll be happy.” Her smile, never far from the surface, especially when she is talking about the coming baby, re-emerges, broad and warm.

“Really?!” Morgawse hisses in wide-eyed amazement, grinning. “I just have a little puffskein stand down the way… but I don’t have a whole big shop.” She nods, glancing around, “Does she ever let you eat some, sometimes?” Morgawse asks the question while glancing back over towards the eldest daughters, blowing up her cheeks to make herself look something like a chipmunk to poor Essie before glancing back to Josie with a smile.

“I’m sure you’ll have the most beautiful baby in the world, Sibyl,” Eva comments generously hugging a still gawking Charlotte. The girl is truly fascinated by the woman. “Well, next to all the other Wexler babies of course. I’d say it’s a, what,” She stops and counts in her head, four, seven, twelve, twenty-two… “Twelve or so.” Eva winks at Sibyl to show that she’s joking and pauses a moment. “Just… I’ve just had an inspiration. I’ll be right back.” She hoists Charlotte onto her hip and steps into the other room for a moment, which is not in fact very far from the front room. Returning she holds a closed box and sets it down. “You know, I had forgotten that Maura had whipped these up before. They’re licorice mint truffles. Not quite the same, but I’ve heard some people use mint to soothe as well. They’re only about a month or so old if you’d like them.” Eva opens the box, setting Charlotte down on her feet so that she might go back to her toys, or watch Morgawse, whichever suited her fancy.

Eva‘s eyes glance every now and again to her children, who are now both holding onto the sleeve of Morgawse’s robes, examining the fabric with interest. “Sometimes we get candies, but not too much, odderwise we get sick,” Josie answers Morgawse’s question with a beaming smile, displaying her tiny array of teeth.

“I’m sorry, Sibyl,” Basil comments quietly as he reapproaches the counter, and sets his two moderately sized bags down. He leans to give Sibyl a kiss on the cheek then looks at Eva pointedly. “We’ll take these, and whatever Sibyl’s having as well,” he tells his sister, almost as if she is a distant acquaintance rather than his youngest sibling. He carefully glances around the shop to make sure he’s left nothing out of order, and looks down at the small, neatly organized bags. Perhaps he’d spent too much time organizing them exactly to match. Then again, when giving treats, it was easier to make them perfectly identical than to have arguments, so he was sure his efforts would be worth it.

Sibyl lets out a soft, warm chuckle at Eva’s assertion about the Wexler babies. “Every one is the most beautiful,” she declares, and reaches out a conciliatory hand towards her husband, slipping it comfortably through his arm. “Those look perfect,” she murmurs reassuringly, following Basil’s nervous gaze down to the neat row of bags. “And oh, yes, some of those truffles with the mint too, please!” Sibyl adds to Eva, brightening even more. “Those do sound lovely, thank you! Yes, some of the truffles, and the licorice wands, and – oh, a quarter pound of the sherbet balls, too.”

Morgawse Coupe-Fourre grins, her voice gradually getting faster and faster and softer and softer, “Well you’re very lucky either way. When I was younger I didn’t get to have any sweets whatsoever… Of course now I compensate today by eating everything I seeeeeeee… which really isn’t very healthy and then I have to have everything retailored and all that bit.” She blinks, blushing at the rant she accidentally just went on, “Do you -like- pink very much, girls?” She asks, looking between the two that have hold of her robes.

“And the ice mice, right?” Eva confirms as she walks out around Morgawse and the children to gather the things that Sibyl has requested, a rather big bag in her hands. She plops a healthy handful of Licorice Wands and sherbet balls into it, including some ice mice in the bunch then returning to her counter. “You can have the whole box of truffles; I’m certain we wouldn’t actually sell any of them.” Eva chuckles and looks over to her toddlers. “No, no, girls, let go of her sleeve. Be good girls now. Do good girls do things like that?” Essie shakes her head slowly at Eva, not withdrawing her hands, though Josie does as she’s told. Eva turns and states the price to Basil, though the price is not quite so much as it ought to be, they are family after all.

“Yes, well, I can’t imagine that anyone else would want them, either!” Sibyl rolls her eyes with a rueful laugh, shaking her head at her own eccentric tastes. “But you understand how it is.” As stealthily as a child sneaking a taste of sweets before dinner, Sibyl lifts the lid of the truffle box with a single finger, slipping her hand inside to pull out one of the candies and pop it into her mouth. “Mmmm…” she murmurs. “Just the thing, Eva. Thank you!”

Morgawse Coupe-Fourre pouts as their mother tells them to let go, and she certainly isn’t going to contradict the woman. “Here..” She smiles, glancing down to look through one of the folds of her robes, “I seem to have a few swatches left! How convenient!” She holds out three large squares of pink and red cloth, “I’ll give them to you as long as you promise to be good girls and share. And as long as your mother says it’s alright. You could perhaps make a little head-covering for your doll or something?” She smiles, her blue eyes flicking over to Eva to see her reaction.

“It’s no problem,” Eva tells Sibyl, patting her hand. Thankfully, Eva‘s illness and her cravings have been delightfully absent this time around, and she’s got no need for anything special. Just her normal barrage of sweets. “I think if they’re very good, something like that could be arranged,” Eva tells Morgawse, smiling at her and then at her children, all of whom seems to be giggling rather overly much. One can be relatively sure that they didn’t take much of the discussion in, but they are at the very least quite excited to have such a treasure. Charlotte runs quickly over to her dolls and starts trying to wrap the little dolly in the fabric every which way. Josie and Essie seem more content for the time being to simply admire and feel the fabric. “Is there anything I can get you?” This is directed towards Morgawse as Basil has commanded Sibyl’s attention now.

“You’re still feeling alright, aren’t you, Sibyl?” Basil asks quietly, looking to his wife as he takes the correct amount of money from his pockets and plunks it on the counter for Eva. “And are you sure you can’t stay home for now?” He pauses, running his hand over the top of her hair. “I do miss having you at home.” The man turns his head to the side as he looks down at her and sighs a bit, still obviously very in love with his wife still, even after all the years they’ve been married.

Morgawse grins, moving to finally stand back up. She smoothes her palms around her waist where her corset is, gulping a little but still smiling, “Ooooh… I think I’d like a few licorice wands, if you have any more… all that talk of them gave me be a hankering for some.” She pats down her hair idly, “I love your girls. I’m jealous.” She adds, not sure if she said that already.

“I’m sure you’ll have some when the time is right,” Eva offers gently, smiling down at her girls who have now wandered back to their dolls and are covering them with the swatches, almost as if they were blankets. Yes, anything is a toy to a three-year-old. “At any rate, we’ve plenty of licorice wands. I can get you a mess of them; anything else you’d like?” Eva smiles generously at the woman and steps around the counter with a bag to gather the requested sweets, staying out there, just in case Morgawse has more requests.

Morgawse purses her lips, “I’m thinking perhaps some chocolate for later as well…?” She glances around, “Gosh, it feels like I haven’t bought sweets in so long… I’m overwhelmed.” In reality of course, her dear sister bought sweets regularly… just not here. She’d probably watch more what Eva was doing if money was more of an issue for her, but as it stands, Telyn Novak is in no way financially bound.

“We’ve just reintroduced the Chocobats, if you’d like. You’ve got to be careful with them, though; if they sit for too long, they’re liable to fly away. Though that does take at least a month to happen.” Eva chuckles walking towards the cooler bit of the shop where their chocolates are kept. “We’ve also got peppermint toads, or chocolate frogs, chocoballs…” Eva keeps prattling on her list of chocolate flavored items rather quickly and deftly. It’s obvious the woman has a very good mental inventory of sweets. “If you came tomorrow, we’d have various flavored truffles available as well. Some of them are still aging, so we can’t put them out just yet.” She smiles at Morgawse, waiting for her order, and glancing occasionally at her girls and sleeping infant. Eva is more protective than she seems, apparently.

Morgawse hrms, “I think I’d like to at least try a chocobat.. and a few peppermint toads.” She nods, turning down to get out her money pouch. Of course, it matches today’s outfit, being produced to the world in the shape of a large plush-like heart. “I think that’ll be it though for today. And I’ll have to check in about the truffles. That is… unless I come to my senses between now and then.” She giggles.

“Oh, dearest,” Sibyl Wexler sighs, fond and regretful, pulling closer to her husband even as she shakes her head in response to his words. “No, I can’t leave. They need me at the school, love, you know that. And I’m feeling fine. Better than I have been in weeks, in fact.” Sibyl leans in towards Basil’s affectionate touch, gentle yet firm as she says, “I miss you too, but they need me.”

“Alrighty,” Eva responds as she gets together the things that Morgawse as requested and heads back behind the counter, tallying up the total in her head, which she then states to Morgawse, smiling happily as her girls giggle and play behind her. “And thank you for being so indulgent to my girls. They simply aren’t used to such brilliant colors.” Eva chuckles and hands the woman in front of her a neatly closed bag of sweets in exchange for payment, which she then plunks into the register. “If you’ve any special requests, I can let Maura know and she can work on those while she makes the newest batch of truffles.”

“Oh, no, I wouldn’t dare.” Morgawse offers warmly as she pays the woman, shaking her head, “Having sweets specially made for me is a little out of my league.” “And it was a pleasure, ladies.” She smiles over to the girls, giving a mock curtsey, “‘ta!” With that, the eccentric Miss Novak pulls up her hood and turns to exit, smiling over to the couple who entered Cordial Confections not long before her.

“I know,” Basil admits, sighing again despite himself. He can’t help but want Sibyl home with him, though he knows she would rather be doing what she loved: taking care of people. Oughtn’t she be taking care of him? He doesn’t voice this thought, however, knowing full well that he is capable of taking good care of himself, though he would much rather have his Sibyl there helping with it. “Shall we get you back to the school then?” he suggests, picking up the three bags of sweets and putting his free arm around Sibyl’s not-yet-large waist.

“Well, they don’t need me right now…” Sibyl moderates her earlier statement with a grin, and a gleam of mischief in her bluish-green eyes. “We could do a bit more shopping, and then pick up the younger ones. I’ve got to see them before I go back.” She twines her hand through the crook of Basil’s arm, fishing into the bag for another one of the truffles. “Oh – goodbye,” Sibyl adds, giving an easy, friendly smile in return to the woman in pink before she turns back to her husband. “We’ve got plenty of time before I need to be back at Hogwarts.”

Basil, having given little reaction to Morgawse, does little now to bid her farewell, though he does give a polite nod. “How about a trip to the Quidditch shop? Or maybe the menagerie? Has Briony got enough Owl treats still?” Basil suggests, beginning to walk towards the door of the shop slowly with his wife. “Alice and Alden are always glad to see you. I do think they miss not having you around all the time. Though, that will be solved a bit when Alden goes to school next year.” He sighs very silently as they near the door.

“And I miss them, too,” Sibyl replies, her smile dimming wistfully. “And you. But that’s what my days off are for, isn’t it?” Sibyl‘s good cheer is only a little forced, and only for the briefest of moments. And then she moves closer to her husband, curling her arm more tightly through his to give comfort to him and herself in the same gesture. “Let’s go to the Quidditch shop,” she suggests. “Briony’s so proud of having made the team – we should get her a little something.” Sibyl‘s hand reaches down again, poking into the bag for another truffle, which she pops into her mouth with a surreptitious grin of satisfaction.

“That sounds like a good idea,” the man agrees and escorts his wife out of the candy shop without so much as a glance back at his sister. Eva has busied herself with her children again anyway, now with an empty shop once again. He opens up the bag that Eva has put together for Sibyl and holds it so that she might more easily get into it as they walk away from the usually bustling candy shop. He is very quiet as they make their way through the alley, which is certainly not lacking for business, despite that it it is nowhere near the Holidays. These moments with Sibyl are his favorite, when he has her all to himself. Yes, Basil might miss her, but he certainly appreciates the moments that they manage to be together.

Other Interesting Logs:

• Home for a Holiday
• A Joyous Surprise
• Sorting Day: Olivia’s Perspective
• Sorting Day: Briony’s Perspective
• A Sweets Reunion