Aurora had already begun her research, even though she knew enough facts about cigarettes to not explode but she liked research and double, sometimes even triple checking facts made sure that nothing went wrong. "Spontaneous Human Combustion." She muttered to herself, frowning as she tried to remember exactly what happened. If she remembered correctly, it was something related to paranormal activities and nothing had been proven about it.

She was early, but this was something she loved and pulling back her hair in the pony tail and donning her customary Lab Coat and Goggles, she began to set the various bottles of chemicals.

"Did I hear you right? Are you planning on researching 'Spontaneous Human Combustion' ...?" Barnaby asked with curious amusement, having entered just behind her - by some coincidence - and just in time to hear what she had whispered too herself. He had in fact done quite a bit of research on that topic himself, as he had at one point had to deal with a paranoid best friend insisting he was going to burst into flames at any moment "well each to there own I guess ..." as he spoke he was busy setting out the chemicals needed for his own science project. He was making un-poppable bubbles. He was determined that the companies were wrong and that giant un-poppable multi-coloured bubbles was possible. It had taken some time to get permission for it as his science project but eventually he had succeeded. Some of the other students thought it was weird but that did not bother him - he was use to it.

"Well not technically, you see I am trying to set off a small explosion using cigarettes, but when I researched I found this word a lot, so I figured first I will research this." Aurora explained absentmindedly, flipping a page and frowning at the lack of information. "I don't get it. Other than paranormal activity, there is not much about it. I guess I will just have to wing it." She added distractedly, rechecking the chemicals.

Standing up straight as her brain registered, finally, that there was someone else in the room, she turned and looked at the boy for a second, before quickly averting her eyes to her fidgeting hands. "Why are you here?"

"Who you meant?" Reed just got there, seeing Aurora with another guy, he scowled slightly. He was late because the traffic jam and he need to return his books first to the library.

"I'm here because you asked me.." he muttered and glanced at the guy again. He didn't know she invited another guy. He didn't mind though, just surprised.

"Natural sources such as production of abnormally concentrated gas or raised levels of blood alcohol causing spontaneous ignition is a theory more favoured by scientists than paranormal activity" Barnaby suggested as he thought back to when he had first done the research, he had not learned much nor managed to calm his friend, but he had learned something. He glanced over at his chemicals before back at her "I am making bubbles!" Then noticing the boy who had just entered did not seem entirely happy to see him there, he turned back to his experiment and his bubbles.

"Yes but then what was the spark that actually started the combustion, to put it very crudely." Aurora questioned, shaking her head before smiling brightly at reed. "No its not that, I just didn't think you would actually show up." She replied, her smile turning a bit sad. "Anyway, now that you are here, you ca begin dissecting the cigarette. Just one, because I am not sure what exactly we will do. I am thinking some sulphates and potassium chloride and then we'll just wing it."

"Bubbles?" She asked blankly, pointing towards sulfuric acid. "Then I suggest you try some hydrogenation reactions, hydrogen is an effervescent gas and will give you bubbles. The easiest, of course, would be hydrochloric acid and zinc,e but you can try others too."

Reed rolled up his sleeves after he took off his jacket then he wear the lab coat. He was going to dissecting the cigarette when he heard their conversation. He knew them both could get along very well and him being there was just a third person.

He cut the paper easily then he put the contain on a small plate there. He wasn't a nerd like them so he just kept quiet while doing it. "Done, what else?"

"Okay hunny, your pretty and your smart and what everyone to know it, I get that" Barnaby replied instantly in a rather affronted tone, with a wave of one hand to emphasise his point "but you asked me what I was doing, I did not ask you for help, I am pretty sure I can manage the task of pretty bubbles without your aid! Plus I want un-poppable rainbow bubbles, not quite what you were describing! So thanks but no thanks." He then turned back to his bubbles and creating them. It took half the joy out of doing it, having someone else tell you what to do, in fact he sighed and glared at what had been an exciting prospect.

"Now you help me figure out which chemicals we should use!" Aurora replied enthusiastically to Reed a slightly maniacal glint coming in her eyes as she surveyed the rows of the chemicals. Some were liquids, most were solids in uninteresting powdery colors. She faced the other boy with an apologetic look in her eyes, feeling sorry.

"Thank you, and I realize I should keep myself in check. I am sorry if my blabbering or unwanted advice soured your experience." She replied turning back to the chemicals and carefully pouring the mixture inside the cigarettes into a petri-dish. It was almost funny, the amount of formal words she used but her polite, indifferent tone made them seem more dignified. "Also, I would prefer if you don't call me hunny. I have a name and as much as I dislike it, I like it better than hunny. Aurora."

Reed watched her as she poured the mixture of the cigarette into the petri-dish. He folded his arms in front of his chest, snickering at both of them.

"If you want I can go and leave you two decide which more better chemicals to start the sparks for both of you." he checked his watch and sighed. He sacrificed his interview for her but he knew better that he shouldn't have disturbed this couple.

"I have to go Aurie." he ruffled her hair with a teasing smirk, "good luck, and oh tell your sister I said Hi." he winked then walked away from there.

"Don't leave on my account" Barnaby instantly commented as the other boy seemed to imply there was some kind of reason he and Aurora would be in the same place. He did not even know her. He just wanted to make his bubble. So without speaking further to the other two he focused instead on making the bubbles. Trying to bring back some of the previous excitement for the project.

"I am not sure what that is supposed to mean but I don't like the sound of it." Aurora replied to Reed slowly, narrowing her eyes at him. She had a feeling that it was some sort of hint that here should be something going on between her and the guy but she quickly dismissed that possibility. Surely, Reed was just teasing her, right?

"I am trying to keep my schedule completely Ariadne free until those Chinese delegates come in about two weeks, so she might not get the message until very late." She teased, pretending to be immersed deep in thought while inwardly shuddering. "Bye Reed! Go if you have to, but not if you are feeling uncomfortable around here......and thanks." She added sincerely, looking up from her notes.

"Well then, what sort of bubbles are you making?"

"I am making multi-coloured, unpoppable, giant bubbles" Barnaby happily replied with a shrug before changing his tack and asking "I hope I did not scare of your friend there. He seemed a bit ... well I do not see why I would have ... well yeah." He then fell silent realizing how stupid he sounded and hastily turned back around to look at his chemicals.

"I don't think that is very probable......or possible. What will you be using to make them? It would have to be something light enough to be manipulated by air currents, yet strong enough to withstand a lot of pressure," Aurora mused thoughtfully, adding with a wry smirk, "and of course, rainbow colored."

"I wouldn't put much thought into it if I were you," She reassured with a shrug, "He probably has some shoot to get to and then again, I am not exactly entertaining company. Or too pretty I just bore a lot by spouting random facts."

"Of course it is possible. It is also highly practical" Barnaby replied as though it was obvious, already in the process of mixing chemicals and reading from the science books laid out before him "if it is good enough for the other people that have made them then it is good enough for me ... who needs to buy them when you can create them!"

"But on a matter of technicality, they aren't really unpoppable, are they?" Aurora asked distractedly, pouring a clear odourless liquid into three seperate flasks. She added a different mixture to each flask and as a result, each one turned a different color.

"When I tell you to get down, get down, alright?" She directed, sliding her lab glasses in place.

"They are, or they will be" Barnaby replied and did not respond to her second statement with anything more than a short nod.

"That could be interesting to watch." Aurora muttered to herself, making a mental note to research these bubbles, even as the practical scientist in her dismissed the claim. There wasn't any substance in the world that was light enough to float in air and strong enough to withstand concentrated pressure.

Shaking the first flask lightly, so that it contents swirled, she poured some of it into the cigarette mixture, immediately crouching down and yelling, "Get down!" There was a bright pink flare and a small pop sound and getting up, Aurora nonchalantly but carefully began to poke through the residue, taking painfully meticulous notes.

Barnaby ducked on accord and then turning he asked "so remind me what on earth you are doing over there? Because it looks more exciting than bubbles I have to admit!"

"I am trying to make some sort of a small explosion to use in tricks." Aurora replied distractedly, noting down all the chemicals used and the exact result down to the timing of the pink flare and how long it took for her to be able to see clearly again. "Tell me, did that flash disrupt your vision too? if so, how long did it take for it to return to normal?"

"Did not really bother me, but then I am use to flashes and the like because of my old job" Barnaby replied with a shrug as he considered it. The likely explanation was it did still effect him, he just stopped particularly noticing.

"Why? What was your previous job? So that means I need stronger flashes and maybe in a different color. And maybe for a longer time. Or maybe I should just cut down my own time." Aurora muttered to herself as she continued with her extensive notes.

I think that maybe you need them brighter - I was use to flashing lights for extended periods of time at the carnival, but somehow if you made them brighter it would probally make a difference" Barnaby attempted to offer some kind of helpful advice while continuing with his bubbles.

"So you worked at a carnival? Doing what?" Aurora asked politely but absentmindedly as she selected the chemicals she was going to use for her next flash. "I will have to practice magic too. The times I register are pathetic. I mean, a seven year old could do them better than me."

"Sideshow act" Barnaby finally admitted after trying to decide whether or not it was worth it to admit it to her. But then it was simple - everyone was going to find out sooner or later, so why keep it secret.