Ocean raised a brow as he led the boy farther away from his hut and from prying eyes. "No," he spoke, extending the vowel. "Something more....fluttery."

OOC: Post your reaction in the Grounds Pathways

"Yes. I did. I thought we might give the new groundskeeper a welcoming, but..." He saw the new groundskeeper usher out some students. "...perhaps it would be best if we did so at another time? But, as long as you're here, would you mind giving me some feedback on something I've been working on?"

"Sure thing," Sho said, putting a hand in his pocket, gesturing at the various brightly colored things before them with his other hand.

"Though I think we should get away from all of this... I don't even think I know what to call it. It's frying my retinas," he said, turning toward the gardens he had just came from. "Student gardens okay?"

"They'll do just fine." He took one more careful look at the psychedelic colourbox explosion. "After you, mate."

Emily wandered away from the castle with Henry the lizard happily perched on her shoulder. He needed some exercise and Ems wanted some time as far away from the castle and students as physically possible. She had forgotten how hard it was to get a moments peace around this place. She hummed a muggle tune to herself, feeling pretty contented to be away from it all. Enjoying her time alone and loosing herself in her thoughts.

Her train of thought was interrupted, however, as she spied something large and extremely colourful in the distance. She squinted as she looked at it, shrugged and wandered in that direction. As she got closer, it became apparent that this was a muggle contraption of some sort. A motor car..? but not like one she’d ever seen before. She was also surprised to find a group of students congregated outside. 'Just brilliant' she thought sarcastically. She had been too busy concentrating on the motor-car-come house-thingamajig to have noticed them. She smiled at them sweetly before making her way over to the sign, read it and shrugged, knocking twice on the door. Curiosity had got the better of her.

Kyler snickered. Another day, another taunting of Ocean. It was like Kyler was his personal stalker now; Too curious to ignore him. Even though he knew well that the Grumpy Groundskeeper did not approve of him, It did not matter at all to how much Curiousity he had for the dude.

The small spotted new-born bat perched on his shoulder, he leaned his head towards it, about to make A whisper. "Now remember, Cookie, We do not try and eat the huge, irratated Praying mantis that lives inside the van. First off, the thing would tear you apart befor you could even take A nibble, and second off, I do not need the Groundskeeper angrier with me then he already is. Got it?" He glanced at the bat, who squeaked in A understanding tone. Kyler nodded his head. "Godd, Now lets go bother the Mr. Grumpy ocean-hippy-dude, Shall we?" He ran dwon the hill, towards the Hippy van-hut thingy.

Oh great, there was A line of students waiting out side for his attention. 'Now, this is not fiar,' he sneered. Just like the other day, he needed all the attention he could get from the dude to make A good conversation, or else Ocean would ignore Kyler as much as possible. He leaned against the bright pink and baby blue Van, sliding to the ground, and landed on his bum like he planned. It wouild be alwhile before he could make his move. Today was the day of torchure for Ocean.

Lima was waiting in line to talk to Ocean. She had heard about him from many students and was wanting to meet him. She noticed that Kyler was waiting as well, sitting on the ground. She joined him and asked: "So you come here often?" She winked at him, laughing. She knew that he had taken to stalking Ocean. Sh had seen him outside of his hut quite a few times.

"Oh whatever. I was born to lead" She snickered. "And are you kidding? Of course I'm going to stay and see his reaction. What fun would it be to just run away? Then, we're hunting Fabian and Professor V down to get some answers."

"Ok pay attention, we are here" She whispered, as they arrived at the new Groundskeeper's van. Then looking around and making sure no one was watching them she continued. "Let's drop them off over there" She said, running over and placing the shovel right by the door of the van. Looking around again, no one was in sight to see them there.

Kerry shook her head at Agie, "I swear Ags...your head's gotten bigger since you got that badge. I'm surprised you can still fit through doors with that thing." she laughed.

Smirking directly at Agie, Kerry nodded. "So we're in agreement then? We're gonna stick around?" Kerry asked excitedly. "Well if we stay then we need to find a great place to hide. Or maybe place a disillusionment charm on ourselves," Kerry smirked. "But first...let's get this done."

Kerry looked around to make sure no one was watching and walked up to the door of Ocean's van. Glancing around once more to make sure he wasn't there, she took the broom out of her robes, laying it next to the shovel ....or as close to the shovel as Kerry could figure the two items were and then took her wand out of her robes. "I need to take off the disillusionment charm or this whole task will be rubbish. Unless Ocean winds up tripping over some invisible object and realizes there's something there...but I'm betting that won't happen any time soon. So..." Kerry said, "here goes nothing."

With a quick wave of her wand a shovel and broom suddenly appeared on the ground in front of them. "Oh yeah!! The letter!" Kerry said, reaching into her robes she grabbed the parchment. "I dig you" Kerry laughed. "I just hope Ocean laughs, too," she said as she layed the note in between the shovel and broom. "Yes! Job well done!" Kerry cheered as quietly as she could.

"Only one thing left to do," Kerry said as she took out her wand and was about to tap Agie on the head to place the disillusionment on her head..when something made her stop. "Ags," she said in a serious tone. "I'm having second thoughts about this. And not because I don't want to do this. I just have a feeling if we stick around for our own amusement, it's going to backfire on us big time. I just can't shake this feeling that we need to get out of here and fast. If I ask anything of you, it's to please trust me on this feeling. I know I'm right." Kerry pleaded. Knowing Agie would need more convincing than that, Kerry reluctantly through int an offer she knew Agie couldn't refuse. "Ok, tell you what Ags. If we can get out of here, I'd be willing to go with you to press Professor Vindictus for more details about the upcoming....erm..the little owl we received." Kerry winked. "Heck...I think while we're there we should pester him for some more points for this wacky task he and Fabian sent us on. What do you say?"

Agie gave her sister a sarcastic smile. This wasn't the time or place to continue with this subject.

She was actually so surprised that her sister wanted to stick around. Normally, Kerry would turn and run. This was surprising behaviour from her. "You know I want to stay." She laughed and watched her sister cast the spell, which made the objects reappear. She looked over her sisters' shoulder and read the note, trying her best to hold the giggles in.

Agie rolled her eyes as she watched her sister change her mind. 'I knew it was too good to be true. No sense of adventure." She sighed. There was no point in arguing. Agie knew that nothing would make Kerry stay. She could be such a chicken.

Instead she listened as her sister tried to convince her to change her mind. finally coming up with something worth while. "You're right. Let's go back and hear what those two have to say. I'm very curious" Her shifty grin was making its way back on her face.

Kerry wasn't sure whether to be happy that Agie had agreed to go back and find Professor Vindictus and Fabian. She so badly wanted to stay and wait for a reaction, but her senses told her to get out of there as fast as they could. So reluctantly Kerry put on a smile and nodded at Agie. "Right then. You know we're going to have to follow up on this and find out what happens." she winked. "For now, let's get back to the castle and find those two and see exactly why they put us up to this and what they know about that owl." Kerry said as she turned and began to run back towards the path. They had gotten this far unseen, she wasn't going to blow things now.

"Don't you worry. I already have people chosen to spy for us." She winked back, keeping a smile on her face, even though she was a little disapointed that they were leaving.

With another look around, the coast was still clear. Agie started running after Kerry, far away from Ocean's Van.

Fingers tangled in his dirty hair, he let out a heavy sigh. He had heard the news about Liam and it had affected him more than he thought it would have. Sure, the kid was a pain at times but he had gotten used to having him around. Like all the kids that were in front of his van.

"Hey dudes," he called out, hands in his trouser pockets. Raising his left brow he grinned at what was at his doorstop. "What the..."

Bending over slightly, he reached out to pick up the note left on the shovel...and a broom? The corner of his lips twitched with restrained amusement and he glanced at the group of students loitering around the grounds.

"Funny!" He exclaimed. "I've been needing a new shovel. Which one of you cheese weasels is behind this?"

Kyler looked up from his adorable new pet that was placed in his hands. "Hola, Lima bean. what are you doing here?" He snickered; Lima Bean. That was A great nickname for her. "Yes, I guess you could say. I've been quite amused with the dude's hippy-ness. I plan to come here more often, now. I'll be like his. . . Personal stalker!" He snickered, giving her A wink.

Ahah! And there was the famous hippy dude; Mr. Grumpy-butt Ocean. He snickered at the name, where were all these coming from? "Ahh, theres the grumpy butt. Lets go." He stood up, setting cookie on his shoulder, where she perched, and tugged on Lima's hand, pulling her agong to Ocean's so-called-doorstep.

"Well Kylonator, if what I hear about grumpy-butt Ocean is true, I'll be stalking him as well." Lima enjoyed that nickname for him. She snickered. "so you are either going to have to deal with me being around when you are, or we can work together."

She was surprised when he suddenly tugged her towards the vans door. And got ready to meet Ocean at last.

Monica walked mechanically to Ocean's door. It felt as if the heart had gone out of everything.

Xana hugged Monica once in the van. "You did everything right. Some things just aren't in our power to control. I know it's hard for you-- and it's so unfair that this has happened, for both of you. "

She paused, thinking. "He's gone... but let's not let him be forgotten. Maybe we could plant something in the student gardens in memory of him...?"

--sometime later because...well, because---

Kyle and some other girl were waiting for him and he couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed Kyle would never go away. He didn't quite remember signing up for this. Perhaps it was in the fine print which he failed to read. Opening the door, he stood as he let the students go in.

"Go in. Make yourselves comfortable," he hummed pleasantly. "Careful with the moss. They're a bit grump especially in such a cloudy weather. Don't mind Becky. She's also a grumpy teapot."


He didn't say anything, but he couldn't help a slight raise in his brows. Looking away he nodded towards the inside of the van.

"Going in Medium Red?" He quipped. "Make sure everyone gets a beanbag, eh?"

Maybe he could plant something after all.

Reese walked into the van and sat down.She wished she never disposed of that letter that told her about Ryan.She looked at Xana and wished she could tell her about Ryan,but she didn't want other people to know.

Xana looked to Reese and smiled gently, concerned at how sad her friend looked. She wondered if maybe she had known Liam personally. "Hey, Reese... Are you going to be okay? How are you holding up?"

Excelsior smiled at Xana's suggestion as he walked into the van. This was a great place, he really liked it in here. "Yes, that's a reallly good suggestion, Xana. We should definitely plant something in the student garden for Liam's memory, that would be a very good thing," he said. "What do you guys think of that idea? It would be a great way to show our respect for him and that he is not forgotten."

Reese looked up and said,"I don't think I'm holding up that good good."

Monica looked up at Xana. "I would like that, I mean no one has told me if there's going to be a memorial service or anything." she whispered.

He closed the door behind them, feeling the wind getting a bit more restless as the rain approached faster. Inside his magically expanded van, the fire brought a welcome warmth and he took a seat in one of the beanbags composing the circle of bags around the hexagonal coffee table.

"Sit, sit!" He ordered quickly, pulling out his wand, ignoring the way Beck, the teapot, hovered around his head humorlessly. "I'll conjure us all some mugs of hot cocoa."

Excelsior smiled at Ocean. "This is a really cool place, very unusual and yet very homey. I've never seen anything like it before. You are really lucky to have a place like this, it's neat!" He took a seat on a beanbag chair. "It's okay, guys, it's normal to feel sad about something like this, when you lose someone. There would be something wrong if you didn't. It just means that you care and are human. At least, that's what adults always tell me." He smiled. "I like the student garden idea, though."