"BUT." Emma held up a finger like she had a VERY good point that was about to come. "You're my friend! And they know your family! So if you told them all that, I'm sure they'd let you slide on being late a couple of times." And really, it was the beginning of the YEAR. Professor's couldn't really be that strict about stuff. Could they? Emma honestly didn't remember from all of last year.

ANYWAYS. "I like the stairs." That had been her main point and she had forgotten. "The whole castle is a dream!" It was only a matter of time before Al saw it that way TOO.

It wasn't until Stephanie said what's up that Zita truly noticed what was near her. "Wow, those are even more gorgeous than they were last term." She moved closer to get a better look, these could be just what she wanted for her newest creation she had been thinking about.


After a few moments, she did remember Stephanie was standing there,
"Oh sorry, flowers distract me." Giving the other girl her smile she picked one of the flowers to examine it. "Out for a walk or are you off to meet someone?" She knew she was roommates with Farah, but other than that Z didn't really know much about her.

Ahhh.

It was still rather cold outside, but Daehyun had always preferred the fresh air, which never failed to clear his head. He'd also caught up with all the work for all of his classes, and he could finally spend some time with his tawny owl, who was currently perched on his shoulder, like a true pirate's companion. It had taken him some time to convince her that it was fun to perch on his shoulder, but when he finally did, Felicis basically became an extension of him, permanently glued there comfortably.

Since his pockets were filled with all sorts of pellets and owl treats, he took out a couple of dried carrot chips that she loved to feed her and, with a now happily munching owl on his shoulder, he continued his walk down the pathways, hands securely in his pockets to shield them from the cold, his neck warmed by Felicis who was snuggled there to his side.

As his shoelaces became undone, he bent down to tie them back, but realized only too late that Felicis had repositioned herself...

... right on his back. While he was bent down at a ninety degree angle.

"Come on, now, Felicis. Move back on my shoulder, will you?" he muttered to his owl, praying that no one saw them like that.

... but of course she wouldn't move. And he didn't want to risk her falling if he straightened back up or, which was more likely to happen, end up with holes in his coat. She would always plant her claws in his clothes whenever she lost her balance. Oh, Merlin.

SPOILER!!: Daehyun and owl! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by debpetrisor

Ahhh.

It was still rather cold outside, but Daehyun had always preferred the fresh air, which never failed to clear his head. He'd also caught up with all the work for all of his classes, and he could finally spend some time with his tawny owl, who was currently perched on his shoulder, like a true pirate's companion. It had taken him some time to convince her that it was fun to perch on his shoulder, but when he finally did, Felicis basically became an extension of him, permanently glued there comfortably.

Since his pockets were filled with all sorts of pellets and owl treats, he took out a couple of dried carrot chips that she loved to feed her and, with a now happily munching owl on his shoulder, he continued his walk down the pathways, hands securely in his pockets to shield them from the cold, his neck warmed by Felicis who was snuggled there to his side.

As his shoelaces became undone, he bent down to tie them back, but realized only too late that Felicis had repositioned herself...

... right on his back. While he was bent down at a ninety degree angle.

"Come on, now, Felicis. Move back on my shoulder, will you?" he muttered to his owl, praying that no one saw them like that.

... but of course she wouldn't move. And he didn't want to risk her falling if he straightened back up or, which was more likely to happen, end up with holes in his coat. She would always plant her claws in his clothes whenever she lost her balance. Oh, Merlin.

It was a beautiful day despite the cold. It never bothered her anyway as she loved the snowy weather and in a way, thought it was better to clear one's head. Not that hers needed clearing at present as she randomly selected a path and started across it. No, Kaysha was quite in her own happy little world as she thought of... well, nothing in particular. She was just too observed in her surroundings.

As well as that funny sight before her.

Kay laughed softly as she came closer to the small student and the owl on his back. "Hello there, my feathered friend. Are you enjoying yourself?'' With another laugh, the professor also bent herself at a ninety degree angle. She was not able to see the student's face. "Oh, its you, Mr Yoon. Quite a situation you've gotten yourself into here. How can I help?''

Daehyun had been too focused on trying to convince Felicis to reposition herself back up on his shoulder that he'd failed to notice the incoming steps, nor did he hear the soft laughter behind him. Trying to trick the sneaky owl with treats to move didn't work, as she would only reach out her neck to try to grab them. She seemed to enjoy his pain.

It was only when he'd heard an oddly familiar voice that he froze and his eyes widened, and moments later processed that it was professor Stewart. Oh, no.

The woman was soon on his eye level. "Professor, h-hi!" He wondered if there was a chance she would forget finding him like that. He was also tempted to say that he could convince Felicis to move on his own, but soon enough realized there was no point in further embarrassing himself, and accepting the help was the best idea. It worked in his favour that the owl wasn't a savage. "Could you please-err-hold your arm out in front of her like that?" He demonstrated by holding his arm out to the side. "She'll come up. She doesn't bite, I promise."

Well, not anymore. He was becoming quite jealous regarding that, though. She would only trust him when he'd first bought her, but the more she was exposed to people, the more trusting and friendlier she became.

SPOILER!!: Daehyun! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by debpetrisor

Daehyun had been too focused on trying to convince Felicis to reposition herself back up on his shoulder that he'd failed to notice the incoming steps, nor did he hear the soft laughter behind him. Trying to trick the sneaky owl with treats to move didn't work, as she would only reach out her neck to try to grab them. She seemed to enjoy his pain.

It was only when he'd heard an oddly familiar voice that he froze and his eyes widened, and moments later processed that it was professor Stewart. Oh, no.

The woman was soon on his eye level. "Professor, h-hi!" He wondered if there was a chance she would forget finding him like that. He was also tempted to say that he could convince Felicis to move on his own, but soon enough realized there was no point in further embarrassing himself, and accepting the help was the best idea. It worked in his favour that the owl wasn't a savage. "Could you please-err-hold your arm out in front of her like that?" He demonstrated by holding his arm out to the side. "She'll come up. She doesn't bite, I promise."

Well, not anymore. He was becoming quite jealous regarding that, though. She would only trust him when he'd first bought her, but the more she was exposed to people, the more trusting and friendlier she became.

Ah, yes. Daehyun really could use her help. Kay nodded, ready to render her assistance but not before she had a little bit of fun. "I think I can get her off your back but first there's a rule to be followed when one brings a pet out onto the Pathways.'' Goodness! There was no such thing but she was making this up as she went along. Quick thinking made her invent the rule. "You must sing the Hogwarts song. After that, you need to attempt to speak troll while holding your left pinky in the air.''

Okay. That was enough of the silly rule. "I promise I'll help after you've done that.'' Kay wasn't afraid of the owl; she looked friendly. She straightened up, a slight grin on her features. At least there was no one around- or at least close enough- so the Gryffindor wouldn’t feel humiliated.

There was a rule... for bringing pets on the pathways?

... was he in trouble for bringing Felicis out there?

... or just a weird protocol he wasn't aware of?

Nevertheless, who was he to question a professor? "You mean, Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts?" he sang, unbothered by it because, for once, he wouldn't make a fool of himself, since he happened to be a good singer. Which reminded him that he wanted to join the frog choir, but that wasn't the right moment to think about it. "I-I'm afraid I can't speak troll, professor. But I could try mermish?" Ever since Bartholomew had gotten him interested in it, he'd looked up a couple of books at the library to study in his spare time.

SPOILER!!: Daehyun! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by debpetrisor

There was a rule... for bringing pets on the pathways?

... was he in trouble for bringing Felicis out there?

... or just a weird protocol he wasn't aware of?

Nevertheless, who was he to question a professor? "You mean, Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts?" he sang, unbothered by it because, for once, he wouldn't make a fool of himself, since he happened to be a good singer. Which reminded him that he wanted to join the frog choir, but that wasn't the right moment to think about it. "I-I'm afraid I can't speak troll, professor. But I could try mermish?" Ever since Bartholomew had gotten him interested in it, he'd looked up a couple of books at the library to study in his spare time.

Truth be told, Kay wanted to giggle like a little girl. She wasn't trying to make fun of the Gryffindor, it was just that she hadn't been in a playful mood for a very long time. Inwardly, she felt very relieved to be this way especially after the events involving her father last year. Plus, she did think that Daehyun had some sort of sense of humour beneath that brilliant and hardworking mind of his.

"Yes, the one and the same, Mr Yoon.'' Kay's blue eyes were fixed on the owl. How precious she was! Hmmm. She pretended to consider the request. Come on, she could hardly be that mean to the young boy. "I don't see why that should be a problem. It will be our secret. No one will know that I've bent the rule for you.''

Alright, mermish worked.

... he was starting to doubt the legitimacy of this rule, though, but since his current position didn't allow him to see professor Stewart's expression, he couldn't judge whether she was watching him like a hawk or having the time of her life at his expense. It was all good fun, anyway, and he loved to sing - just not to actual humans, and he did prefer ballads - so he was going to go with it.

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, teach us something please, whether we be old and bald, or young with scabby knees, our heads could do with filling, with some interesting stuff, for now they're bare and full of air-" he sang, stopping momentarily, his eyebrows scrunching up as he tried to remember the lyrics. "-dead flies and bits of fluff, so teach us things worth knowing, bring back what we've forgot, just do your best, we'll do the rest, and learn until our brains all rot." He'd failed to notice that somewhere in the middle of the school song he'd begun to sway lightly to the rhythm, lost in the moment.

First task, done. Now, he had to remember some phrases he'd read in a textbook on mermish for beginners, but he just ended up screeching random sounds that likely didn't actually mean anything - though to him it sounded like a bunch of words he'd picked up from Bartholomew - all while holding his pinky up in the air.

... and then he bit his lip nervously, waiting to see if he'd successfully completed the tasks.

... and prayed that no one else was around to witness the sight that he was.

SPOILER!!: Daehyun! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by debpetrisor

Alright, mermish worked.

... he was starting to doubt the legitimacy of this rule, though, but since his current position didn't allow him to see professor Stewart's expression, he couldn't judge whether she was watching him like a hawk or having the time of her life at his expense. It was all good fun, anyway, and he loved to sing - just not to actual humans, and he did prefer ballads - so he was going to go with it.

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, teach us something please, whether we be old and bald, or young with scabby knees, our heads could do with filling, with some interesting stuff, for now they're bare and full of air-" he sang, stopping momentarily, his eyebrows scrunching up as he tried to remember the lyrics. "-dead flies and bits of fluff, so teach us things worth knowing, bring back what we've forgot, just do your best, we'll do the rest, and learn until our brains all rot." He'd failed to notice that somewhere in the middle of the school song he'd begun to sway lightly to the rhythm, lost in the moment.

First task, done. Now, he had to remember some phrases he'd read in a textbook on mermish for beginners, but he just ended up screeching random sounds that likely didn't actually mean anything - though to him it sounded like a bunch of words he'd picked up from Bartholomew - all while holding his pinky up in the air.

... and then he bit his lip nervously, waiting to see if he'd successfully completed the tasks.

... and prayed that no one else was around to witness the sight that he was.

It was all Kay could do from laughing. Already she was wondering if she should apologise to the Lion when this was over. Maybe she should and she should let him know that there was no such rule. Yes, she would lest he followed it the next time he came out to the Pathways. But the singing of the school anthem was on the way and even though Daehyun probably couldn't see her very well, Kay raised a hand and pretended she was conducting him. There went the hand moving about as though she held a conductor's baton.

And look! He was swaying as he sang. Ah, so he was getting into it!

The Mermish wasn't bad. Actually, Kay assumed it was actually Mermish because her knowledge on the language was next to nothing. "Excellently done, Mr Yoon. Now... come on, little owl. Hop on my hand. I won't hurt you.'' She held out her hand that had been used for the conducting and continued to gently and soothingly coax the owl to her.

He passed!

Soon enough, he felt Felicis' weight being lifted off his back, and he supposed his owl had obediently perched on professor Stewart's arm, so he could finally stand up and straighten his back, which had become stiff from the time he'd spent bent over like that. Sure enough, she was perched comfortably on professor Stewart's arm, and refused his offer when he'd held his own arm out. Jokingly shaking his head at his owl's antics, he took the meek look on her face as a request for more treats, so he'd searched his pockets for a couple more carrot chips that she liked so much, which she took gladly. "This is Felicis," he said, feeling the need to make the proper introductions.

And thinking back on the trial he'd had to go through... "Professor? Are there any other such rules that I don't know of around the castle?" If it had been a legit rule, that is. In that case, he wouldn't want to break school rules unknowingly. His undying curiosity was getting him in enough trouble as it was.

SPOILER!!: Dae and Felicis! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by debpetrisor

He passed!

Soon enough, he felt Felicis' weight being lifted off his back, and he supposed his owl had obediently perched on professor Stewart's arm, so he could finally stand up and straighten his back, which had become stiff from the time he'd spent bent over like that. Sure enough, she was perched comfortably on professor Stewart's arm, and refused his offer when he'd held his own arm out. Jokingly shaking his head at his owl's antics, he took the meek look on her face as a request for more treats, so he'd searched his pockets for a couple more carrot chips that she liked so much, which she took gladly. "This is Felicis," he said, feeling the need to make the proper introductions.

And thinking back on the trial he'd had to go through... "Professor? Are there any other such rules that I don't know of around the castle?" If it had been a legit rule, that is. In that case, he wouldn't want to break school rules unknowingly. His undying curiosity was getting him in enough trouble as it was.

The owl was just too precious! "I'm sorry, Mr Yoon, but I didn't mean to take her from you.'' Kay nevertheless smiled at the Gryffindor and at the owl who had refused to go back to its owner. She watched Daehyun feed it what looked like a snack made of carrots. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Felicis. Would you mind if I fed you as well?'' Of course, since Felicis couldn't really provide an answer, she was directing the question to Daehyun as well.

Her blue eyes seemed to twinkle. "I'm afraid I have a confession to make. There is no such rule for the pathways, any part of the grounds or nowhere in the castle.'' Now Kay smiled apologetically. "I was in a silly mood and made the entire thing up. You speak Mermish though. Have you been practicing for a long time?''

Once clear of the forest and back to where she felt safe, Emmalyn studied her map to see if she could figure out the next location with less pecking involved. She reached into her pack and pulled out an owl treat. “Here you go.” she let the little owl take the treat from her palm. It really wasn’t as bad and she initially thought it would be. Sure, she was getting pecked over and over, but it was a soft peck. “You need a name. How about I call you Oly?” Emmalyn gently stroke the owl’s back and let it finish the treat.

The map was a bit confusing. It was dark out, which only made the map harder to read, but Oly seemed to be fine. She studied the map a few more moments, checked her compass, then started towards the Pathways. When Oly didn’t peck or cause a fuss, she felt excited that she had chosen the right way.

Her pace to the pathways was much quicker than the first location. For one, she had a better idea of how to read the map. Plus, the pathways weren’t nearly as horrifying as the Forbidden forest. She had no desire to ever go back there again.

Once she was just a few meters away from the pathways, a golden star appeared on her map once again. “We did it, Oly! Two down, four to go.” But, where? She felt as if she was starting at zero for each new location. It wasn’t making sense to her where they were supposed to end up. She would have to trust her skills and her owl to get her there.

Daisy was relieved to be far away from the Forbidden Forest. Looking up at the sky, Daisy pulled out an owl treat and fed it to the bird on her shoulder who ate it quickly. Her brow furrowed as she consulted the map and checked her compass. She began to move in the opposite direction than the location of the pathways thus resulting in a tiny nip. Daisy then headed in the right direction. Once she had reached the pathways, a second gold star appeared on her map.

She felt better and was gaining confidence. "Okay, sweetie. Let's go!"

Kye decided to try her luck at just heading in a direction... which apparently was a bad idea. "Hey!!" The Navigator had pecked her. Hard. She looked at him with a pout, and if she wasn't mistaken, he looked almost sorry. Apparently he knew he had pecked her harder than needed, and he put his little head to Kye's cheek in apology. "It's alright... just play nice, huh?" She pet him a bit by his cheek and she went towards the pathways. She looked at her map and compass again, wondering if they were making some kind of design to get to the end location. You know, like a crop circle does? But with... trodden grass? Yea probably not. Figuring that there would again be no actual landmark for the star, Kye continued forward. She reached the pathway and this time she saw the little star form on her map. "Awesome," she said, "Two down!" She wished owls could high five... Ah well, she pulled a treat from her pocket and fed him. "Great job, Little Nav!" She took another look at the map before deciding on a direction, and to her relief, there was no pecking.

Now where was this leading them? It was not the middle of the day, so they shouldn't even be outside. Not alone at least, seriously what if some creature came out and took one of them hopefully it would take Natalie .

She made it shortly being the others that had been there and looked around.
Were they suppose to be writing things down? Zita really couldn't remember so she shrugged it off and looked at her compass. Did it say the right way or was she just assuming it was? The owl hadn't pecked her since the forest so maybe she was getting the hang of it.

Turning left she went to step, but nope a peck came down onto her head. "Would you stop it!" Owl stew sounded gross but she'd make it happen.



Now to the next place.

This one had been harder to find, and she'd been pecked a few more times. She'd had to look at the map a little harder, concentrate more, to make sure she didn't go out of line. She didn't want to be pecked too much, although she could easier vanish them with her wand after the lesson was done. She was aware of her fellow peers around her, but she was concentrating what she was doing so that she didn't really pay attention to them. She didn't want to be distracted by people.

She could tell that she was walking along the pathways. They were pretty too. She hadn't been down here for a while. And as she walked a golden star appeared on her map. Perfect! Location 2 done. She paused, looking at her map, working out where to go next, and then heading off.

this was going well so far.

Just before Scarlett had left the Forbidden Forest, a star had appeared on her map, meaning she HAD been right. She smiled and then consulted the stars (and her trusty owl Sebastian) and headed forwards the next location. She'd thought it had been the Lake, and had gotten a little nip from Sebastian for that, but nothing too terrible. It had to be NEAR the lake then, since she couldn't have been that far off...so she headed for the pathways.

Yup, that had been the right course to go! As soon as she stepped foot on the pathways, the second spot on her map lit up with a star. Perfect! "We're on a roll!" she called to her owl with a smile, tossing him another treat. This time, he gave a little hoot of approval.

Alright, next stop was...the greenhouses? No, wait, that wasn't right...she set off, going slower than last time as she consulted her map and followed her owl.

.....and up the pathways they went again.

Cameron was slowly starting to become curious as to where this map was leading them. So in the end, the owl (should he have named it?) was just there as a...negative reinforcement tool basically. So you didn't walk the wrong way. So you checked the star map THREE TIMES and made DOUBLY sure you were holding the compass the right way. Because if you messed either of those things up, then you'd get another nice little red spot on your skin.

So far so good though. He wasn't BAD at this. He could read a star map. As for the compass....well, he was STARTING to get better at that, too.

Ahem.

Thank you for the little (or rather, broad) hint there, owl.

... turning back around and up the pathways was the right way to go it seemed from the map that she was now periodically checking between star gazes.

So was this just leading them in a big circle, Skylar was convinced. Maybe. But who really mattered because the map and the owl seemed to be not telling her otherwise, which meant off she went down the pathway.