Starting the Job

Nachash seemed to like attention more than Eli had originally thought. He watched as she interacted with Khaat and he couldn’t help but smile at them. He did wonder what Nachash would prefer but she’d pick off of whatever he had and that usually didn’t bother her. Eli watched as Nachash crawled through the lamp, exploring the new item. Eli smiled softly and ran his fingers along her scales. It was out of instinct though, he often caught himself doing it but Nachash certainly didn’t mind. Eli was pushed out of his musings by Khaat and looked up. He bit his lip and opened the menu once more to check what he wanted. “Oh, um, could I have that steak please, Khaat? I’m sure Nachash would probably like some too knowing her.” The snake hissed in approval and Eli smiled. “Yes, Nachash would definitely like some and could I have some soda please?”

"Absolutely," Khaat smiled. "Enjoy, Nachash. Oh, and Eli, let me know if she would like some water to drink I'll be happy to bring her some. Does she like it icy cold or room temperature?" Khaat left with the order and turned it in. She went into the kitchen and fixed a large shrimp cocktail with the large sized shrimp and put extra shrimp in it. She brought it back to the table with his soda. "On the house--for you and your beautiful lady there," Khaat said, "My mum raises magical creatures and uses shrimp as special treats for the magical snakes. I thought she might enjoy a special treat. I really like her." She set down the cola. "Eli, tell me, if you dont mind, what are you doing now? What sort of job do you have? I have always liked you, but we never got to talk much. It has to be a little difficult for you being on your own and all."

Eli smiled gratefully at Khaat and watched as Nachash tucked into her shrimp. He continued to lightly smooth her scales and watched as she dug in. “I never really have the time to order in the shrimp or go down to the kitchens and get it. Nachash scares the house elves so I doubt they’d make it for her. She deserves a treat and I am glad you like her; she’s not the type of snake someone would really want to approach. I shudder to think how long she really is now.” He picked up the cola and sipped some of it. He was glad the Muggles put caffeine in it otherwise he didn’t know how he’d go about his day. “I’m actually working at the Apothecary. There isn’t much chance for art in Britain seeing as the Brits don’t seem to appreciate it as much. France is a lot better I must say.” Eli shook his head. “It’s not difficult at all. I’ve been alone since I’ve been able to walk and I had to learn to look after myself. When in that position you learn not to rely on people and more so yourself, you have to do it to survive.”

Garulia rushed around fulfilling orders after giving the first guy his food.
He said "hey" to Mis before getting back to work with everyone else.
Running up to Khaat he said "what time do we close?"


OOC: I'm not sure all that's happened, so...

"We close at 8 pm Gar,"Khaat laughed. "You are doing such a great job. If you can provide any extra prep for tomorrow, that would be really great And if it gets really slow, I'll let you go early tonight.." She gave an affectionate stroke to his cheek. She loved that boy. She watched him bounce off to go start some prep for tomorrow.

She redirected herselfl to Eli. "Are you interested in a deal? I don't know where you're living, but...well, let's just say I went through a lot of my money by being taken in a bad business deal with some prats in Knockturn Alley. But I do need an artist. For continuing artwork here, both for the walls and for sale, and I really want to put a creative mural on the wall of the nursery I'm putting together. I'm...well,...Rob and I are expecting a baby girl in late August. I can't offer you much money, but what I can offer you is a great place to live, full of loving people, all the food you can eat, and a really great potionsmaster and Master Healer to learn from--anything you need to know about potions and healing. And I promise Nachash all the food she wants, all the treats she wants, so long as she doesn't eat my muggle cats. And I will promise my eagle wont try to eat her either. So--will you think about it?"

“You’re having a baby?” Eli asked, brightening slightly. “That’s great, congratulations. I’d love to actually do that, it would be brilliant. But, Khaat are you sure you want me in your home? I mean, I’m not really the type of person you’d want around...” Eli didn’t want to burden Khaat or her husband. She had enough people staying in that house as it was and Eli didn’t want to add to the masses. He’d definitely had to enlarge the room he’d be allocated and goodness knows what else. He just didn’t want to be a bother. He was better off where he always was – asleep in the room of requirement.

"Eli," She said, smiling, "I am very, very sure. And stop that whole business of you not being the kind of person I'd want around. I think you are a wonderful person. I have no hesitation whatsoever. But--am I the sort of person you and Nachash want to be around? If I spoke Parseltongue, I'd invite her myself. My mom speaks it, but I don't. I always have room for one more. Always. And we are wizards after all. Houses can be made bigger. And as far as I'm concered, you can never have too much love around.

"I think, too, that my parents would love you. As I said, my dad is a potionsmaster, and is also a Master Healer You could learn a lot from him. And my mother speaks to animals and cares for magical creatures. You would certainly learn a lot from her too. I'm asking you to join my family."

Nachash slithered back over to Eli and curled around his shoulder, hissing thing into his ear. He smirked and batted the snake away that merely hissed in response and slithered back into the light. Nachash wanted him to stay with Khaat but the both of them knew there was only so much time until his mother dragged him back to Bulgaria and locked him somewhere. If things got too good he’d probably go and get Fauve. He probably wouldn’t even have to prize the child out of Beauxbatons because if her last letter a month or so was anything to go by then she definitely hated it there. He wanted the child with him but it would get complicated if his mother decided that he had to come back to Bulgaria. Things would definitely go pear shaped for the both of them.

“It’s not always just me, Khaat.” Eli said quietly. “I mean granted I’ve got Nachash so I’m never alone but there is a little girl in Southern France that I owe so much. No amount of money can repay her and all she really wants is a family. Before I was pulled to this hell hole of a country I had her with me. We were stuck together like glue and she loved Nachash to pieces. I mean, she’s at Beauxbatons but she’s a lot younger than everyone else. I had to pay the school to have her while I was away. Thankfully I knew that my mother was in the city looking for me so I had enough time. It didn’t take her a long time to get to me either.

But if I could... may I go and retrieve her please? She was only six when I first met her but she should be seven now or older knowing her. She definitely had her head screwed on right. I would like to keep her with me if you’re still willing to house myself, Nachash and Fauve. It has been a long time since I have seen her and if this is a little more permanent residence wise then I would like her with me if that is alright. I’m sure she’ll get along brilliantly with your parents because she is a keen learner and only really needs motivating. If it were my choice she wouldn’t even be at Beauxbatons but Durmstrang were asking for a lot more to keep quiet and no tell the press about my supposed love affair and consequential daughter which made no sense. I was fourteen and she six so that wouldn’t have worked out correctly. I’d just really like to take advantage of this chance to be with her again. She is my daughter in everything but name and I want to be able to give her a better childhood than I certainly had. Although most of it is gone now there are still memories to be made. So... could I?”

"Hmm," Khaat said, thoughtfully, "So I take it your mum has left you to your own devices, which means she is no kind of a mum whatsoever. I have a deal for you. I'll go to your mom and either take custody of you and your little girl. When you become of age in a couple of years, I will give you full custody of her. In exchange, you will live with Rob and me, follow the house rules, and you continue at Hogwarts--and I mean start pulling better grades. Remember, I know what those were like. Rob and I will be your mom and dad. Oh, and I should tell you, with this whole package comes the best grandparents in the world. They're gonna love you. " She smiled. "So--do we have a deal? And--it might sound silly, but Nachash's opinion is important to me. Is she gonna be okay with this?"

“I’ve always been left alone but that doesn’t bother me.” Eli shrugged. His mind was on Fauve now, what was she doing? He wanted to speak to her. “You’ll not be able to convince her to have custody of me. I have custody of Fauve, I always have. The French don’t care about these things. If you have a few Euros to spare and a pen then you could sign yourself off to anyone. I was at the time and still am Paris’s most popular artist, they can’t say no to me. I am also not about to give her up. She is mine and mine alone because I’m the one that pulled her off of the streets and looked after her. No amount of custody or guardianship will break my ties with her.” Eli didn’t intend to cause offense but he felt strongly about this. She was his little girl and whether he ended up with a family at the end of the day or not he’d always have that parchment covered in perfume and ink. “I’d love to live with you all. Being my guardians is something that she wouldn’t mind too much but nothing more I doubt. I would like to be a part of your family but I’ll still have the beginning of my own. Does that make sense?”