Hey guys, back with another chapter! Thanks to CalmSheJaguar for the stellar writing advice! About writing descriptions for the way the characters look, I always find it kind of frustrating when a writer will just seem to blurt out randomly in the middle of a chapter, "OH AND SHE HAS RED HAIR WITH FRECKLES AND GREEN EYES!" because sometimes it can seem overbearing. I want to try and let the character appearances come out naturally. But, if any of you want to know what the cast looks like, I'll try to fit that in next chapter.

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BANGBANGBANG

"MICHEAL!"

BANGBANGBANG

"MICHEAL!"

BANGBANGBANG

"MI-!"

"IT IS ONE IN THE MORNING PAMELA, WHAT THE HELL COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT!"

Pam didn't even blink in response to the Micheal bursting open, or to his shouting.

"Joey, Margaret, Corvina and I are getting something to eat, you in?"

"No."

"Yeah, you are. Now get out of those PJs and into something presentable."

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Soon, after changing into a stained T-Shirt and ripped jeans, Michael stood before three, massive, stone doors. One of them went to the New York sanctum, one went to the Hong Kong sanctum, and one went to the London sanctum. Each led to a building similar to the next, housing all sorts of magic people and items. All four of the buildings, including the one Michael was standing in, created a sort of shield around the Earth that guarded it against magical attacks.

At least, that's what Michael remembered from the History of Magic books Margaret had let him borrow.

Just in front of him stood Joey, who had made a squished 'O' with his hand and was now rapid fire smashing it against his mouth.

Michael gave him a friendly shove, "We get it, you want food, but what kind?"

"There are three options," Corvina said, pointing at each door individually, "Chinese food, American food, or English food." She tilted her head, "Though, I'm not sure what English food would be exactly."

Margaret crossed her fingers, "Please say Chinese, please say Chinese, please say Chinese."

"Listen," Pam began, "I love my country's food just as much as anybody, but what I want right now is a thick, juicy, probably gonna' give me diabetes American cheeseburger!" Pam patted her cupped hands together, the sign for 'hamburger'.

Joey nodded enthusiastically.

"I'm up for that, as long as we go to McDonald's." Michael said while quickly signing out the word: 'McDonald's'. The rest of the group, except for Margaret, replied with cheers.

"Fine," Margaret huffed, crossing her arms, "But I'm getting chicken nuggets."

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"I didn't think it was possible to enjoy and also be so disgusted by something at the same time," Corvina said. She gave her burger a questioning look as if trying to decipher what it was made of.

"Welcome to Mickey D's," Pam signed, taking a bite of her colorless burger.

Joey glanced at Corvina, then signed something to Michael. Michael set down his burger, "He says he can't believe you've never been to McDonald's, Corvina."

Corvina shrugged, "My mom's a total health nut, so we never really went to places like this." She turned her head to look out the large, glass window that was next to the group's booth. Outside, a large golden 'M' lit up the night, acting as a beacon for any hungry travelers. "Well, except for the times she went away on business trips. Then my dad and I would watch movies until our brains rotted and eat at greasy fast food places, usually Taco Bell." She surveyed the lifeless, bland wall decor, "But at least they had better taste than this place-" she gave her burger a pointed look- "IIn two ways."

Margaret smiled, "Your father seems like a nice man."

Corvinapicked at her burger, "Yeah he was, too bad we can't do stuff like that anymore."

Michael held back his question long enough to translate Corvina's words for Joey. Then he turned back to her, "Why can't you two do stuff like that anymore. Is it because you moved to Kamar-Taj?"

Corvina didn't meet Michael's eyes, "You could say it's that."

Joey nudged Michael's shoulder to get him to translate. Michael quickly signed what she had said, but couldn't get rid of the feeling that something was wrong. He felt like something was off about her answer.

Michael glanced at Pam. She simply shrugged and ate another fry.

Margaret quickly filled the silence, "So Corvina, have you seen any movies recently?"

Corvina smiled slightly, "Yeah, I saw Kubo and the Two Strings with my sister a couple of months ago. It was her birthday and we both love that stop-motion stuff."

Michael dipped a fry in catsup, "Have you ever seen 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'?"

Corvina's eyes lit up, "Yeah! That's one of my favorite Christmas movies."

Joey frowned. "I thought it was a Halloween movie," he signed, making scissor motions in front of his eyes.

"It is," Pam signed while saying it at the same time.

"Uh, no, it's definitely a Christmas movie."

"No way! Micheal, what do you think!"

The group turned to him, waiting for an answer. Michael fidgeted in his seat. Honestly? He thought the movie was for Halloween, but he didn't want to upset Corvina- especially since she had just joined the group. He made his hand into a 'C' and moved it in a circle. "Uh, I mean, it could be a Christmas movie."

Pam sharply turned to face him, "What do you mean Christmas, it's totally for Halloween!"

"Oh really, and where's your evidence?" Corvina questioned.

Michael glanced over at Joey and saw he was typing something into his phone. Suddenly, a loud, robotic voice blared out of it.

"The Nightmare Before Christmas (also known as Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas) is a 1993 American stop-motion animated musical dark fantasy Halloween-Christmas film directed by Henry Selick, and produced and conceived by Tim Burton."

"So, it's for Christmas and Halloween, how nice!"

"Nope, not falling for it, it's definitely a Halloween movie."

"Bullshit."

Pam pulled out her own phone and began rapidly tapping the screen, "We are going to settle this, and I will not leave Mcdonald's until we do!"

Corvina sipped her drink, "Oh please, go on, I have all night."

Margaret sighed, grabbing her tray of leftovers, which included an empty bag of chicken nuggets, she stood. "Well, I don't. I have to get up early to tend to the gardens tomorrow morning."

Joey scrambled over Michael's lap and hopped out of the booth. "I'm going too. You coming, Michael?"

Michael leaned back, "Nah, I'll stay a bit longer, probably gonna' order dessert. Plus, somebody has to make sure Pam goes back to Kamar-Taj."

Joey snorted, "Maybe even back to the New York Sanctum this time."

"You go on one drunk bender and no one lets you forget!"

He waved to the two as they left the restaurant and then turned back to Corvina and Pam, only to find them in another all-encompassing argument.

"You're kidding me, right? You can't honestly think that Fall Out Boy is better than MCR."

Michael sighed and made himself comfortable in his part of the booth; it was going to be a long night.