Gregori sat serenely, savouring his breakfast, and casually examining the younger witches that trickled into the kitchen. Gregori made a particular effort to remember people's names, and found it confounding that three of the people that had arrived with him hadn't really introduced themselves. He was at least glad that most of them had proved they possessed tongues. The stern looking man that sidled up to the counter next to him though? Gregori hadn't heard him speak yet. He definitely had a reason to hold his tongue; Gregori guessed that he would rather stay tongue tied. But his curiosity overpowered his decency and he decided to interrupt his brooding. They were still waiting on a few souls to settle themselves and rendezvous anyway. There was no harm in getting to know these people, now that Gregori had some reassurance he wasn't resigned to a life on the move.

[color=00aeef]"Am I expected to just call you both 'McKinley'?"[/color]

Finn turned his head slowly as the older man did exactly what he'd feared. He spoke to him. His green eyes glanced over at him, clearly a little perturbed by being spoken to. He glanced from him to the others in the room and then back, as if they could save him. As if Trish even would. Clearly he wanted to know Finn's name and that was a small part of him that wanted to ignore him, let him continue calling him whatever he wanted to. It wasn't like Finn wanted to respond to him anyway, right?

But there was another part of Finn that knew, deep down, this guy likely wouldn't get the memo and would just keep badgering him. Annoying...

[color=dimgray]"Finnigan."[/color] His monotone voice cut through the air like a dull knife. He offered nothing more, nothing less. He lifted his arms to cross over his chest, eyes locked on the man's now. At least seeing if his predictions were right was amusing. 

One corner of Gregori's mouth crept up into the flash of a smirk before he quelled the expression from his face by transitioning the smirk into a full-fledged grin. Gregori's smile was infectious. Anyone else on this earth might've returned it. He clocked the annoyance in Finn's eyes. Gregori figured some exposure therapy might do him some good. [color=00aeef]"Well, Finn Again, it's nice to meet you. Have you had breakfast yet? It's the most important meal of the day!"[/color] Gregori riposted Finn's crossed arms by untucking his seat and turning to face Finn completely, his posture was open and welcoming.

Finn's arms remained crossed and his expression never really moved from mild annoyance. [i]Irritating asshole.[/i] On some level, Finn was jealous of this man's ability to just... express emotions like that. Freely. Without restraint. Without worry. He was looking at something he felt he could never have and it pissed him off. 

He ignored the jab at his name and closed his eyes, taking in a deep, stabilizing breath. He couldn't let himself get pissed off. He didn't need to explode on the first day. He let the feeling travel deep into his gut and die. When he opened his eyes again, the annoyance was gone and he returned Gregori's look with an annoyingly dead stare. 

[color=dimgray]"No. I haven't."[/color] He replied curtly. Any emotions that had been bubbling up a moment ago had been quashed as easily as they came. 

It didn't take a mind-reader to notice what Finn's body language was indicating. G took the obvious hint and eased off his social assault. It seemed his cheeky demeanour wasn't a good fit for this young man. When Finn's eyes opened, G was still looking at him. But his quirky grin hug softened into a new look. Finn might've noticed his slightly furrowed eyebrows knitting themselves together. Gregori felt a mix of concern and intrigue. 

Gregori pulled the chair next to him out; then smoothly tucked his chair in and peeped over his shoulder with a response, [color=00aeef]"Please join me. You're among friends. And our lovely host summoned a delicious meal." [/color]

Gregori's interest was piqued by the sudden spike of activity. He garnished the conversation with a wink at Finn that he likely wouldn't appreciate, but alas. Then he untucked himself and abandoned his empty plate and mug as he made a point of tucking his chair in after himself. He peered into the conservatory and took a seat beside the others. He looked appreciatively at the carefully arranged circle. He listened to the introductions with a big grin on his face. His smile settled on Soren as he introduced himself:

color=00aeef]"I'm Gregori. Or simply Gee. Not Greg... Please. I'm a forever a student. Ready to try my hand at teaching." He cut himself off before he could fall into a monologue. The room took a breath, but before another introduction could be uttered the confused Wren broke in. Narrowly missing the black sand circle. His eyes widened slightly before calming again as she stopped just short of it. He listened to her and looked inquisitively down the hall. 

He idly played with a cord around his neck before pulling it out from under his shirt: at the end of the cord was a strange stone. A perfect little ring shape. The initiated might recognise it as an unusually large Adder stone. It was smooth and grey and about perfectly donut shaped. About the size of Gregori's eye.