Oh, good. Cuz 'Ellie' was five letters. Tons shorter than 'Eliana' which is six. Yeah, TONS shorter. And it seemed as if the shorter it was, the easier it might be to carve, judging by the people with long names and their failed trials.

So she lifted her wand and concentrated REALLY hard. She wanted to get this right. Or at least close to right. Having the least amount of tries possible. Her wand moved in an elongated loop, like a cucumber and said the practiced incantation, "Cucurbita intaglio!!" Yeah, she said it kinda loudly but that was what worked. And she was gonna stick to it.

There came a cucumber! Yay! She gotted THAT part right, at least. Then she turned it around and noticed an 'l' missing. 'L'...really? It wasn't THAT hard of a letter. It was just a line!

Not wanting to vanish it and create a whole new one with who-knows-what-other-problems, Ellie took her nail and made 'Elie' into 'Ellie'. There. Done. Beat the system. Hahahaha.

Eh?

Riiight.

Gold watched as the Kappa was levitated inside. Conjuring a cucumber with her name inscribed on it, she quietly stepped up to the cage and gave up ze cucumber. To Mr. or Miss Kappa.

"Could I ask you for a game of Shogi?" Gold asked politely. She had talked to Kappas, before. Shogi was a board game they adored. "I've always been fascinated by your customs, and I thought that, if you feel like it, perhaps we can get to know each other better." She didn't beat about the bush, with that. She had been polite, considerate, and the average Kappa would notice that and be polite enough, in return, to answer properly.

The question was, would this one?

Kappa!minds differ, after all.

"This one would like more cucumber." The Kappa answered, just as politely, though it was stuffing its face a moment later. With cucumber. When the cage touched the ground the Kappa made pleased noises, somewhere between the ribbit of a frog and a monkey sound and splashed around in the water, even dribbling a little on its head. "This one is comfortable. This one would like to be free."

The Kappa flexed obligingly and splashed around in the water until its body appeared to be a bit slimy.

Mina blinked as she noticed the kappas coming in with the assistance of Jake and a Slytherin she didn't now. She didn't think she wasn't really prepared or completely ready to see the kappas, but there was no turning back now. Professor Truebridge had told them not to panic, so she did her best not to panic. Yet that was a bit easier said then done.

Taking care not to stare, as staring was rude and she didn't want to be rude, she looked down to her cucumber and conjured another one, just in case. "Cucurbita intaglio" she cast as she draw out the elongatent shape once again. Successfully, a cucumber with her name, Mina Bennett was before her and she added it to the others.

With some cucumbers ready, she felt a little bit more ready for the kappas now. She needed to keep in mind that politeness was key and not to offend anyone.

They were doing well. Truebridge stood by, observing.

The Kappa saw a little one. It was not much bigger than the Kappa. The Kappa sniffed in its direction. It smelled like good food.

"This one is pleased to meet you. This one thinks you look nice also."


The Kappa could smell the cucumbers too. There were a lot of nice smelling foods here.

"This one regrets to inform that this one is not good at Shogi. This one would like to play Shogi and get better at Shogi so this one can play Shogi with other Kappa and defeat them." The Kappa answered, obviously very pleased at the offer. Its eyes were sparkling with a hint of deviousness, but it was very polite and it took the cucumber gladly. "This one is thankful for cucumber."

That one did not look like food. It was bigger. But maybe it would help the Kappa get easier food? The Kappa was saddened that the cucumber had a name on it. That one would not be good food at all.

Trixie nodded and listened to strange Kappa thing. More Cucumber? It was already stuffing it's face with them? Seriously how much could this thing eat? So with another flick of the wand and pronouncing clearly

"Cucurbita intaglio"

The fifth year managed to conjure up another whole batch of cucumbers. Yes Trixie was a vegan but jeez, even she didn't eat that much green stuff.

"Is there enough for you now Kappa?" she asked politely again. Oh well at least he was comfortable. Set free? Woah Trix didn't know how to respond to that one. So who better to turn to then Truebridge.

"Erm Professor. What am I meant to say now?" she asked quietly just in case it be considered 'rude' by the Kappa to talk about it when you weren't talking to it. If you get what I mean...

Splish, Splish, Splash

Oh great. Now she was wet. That meant another change of clothes was in order. But this was rather amusing to behold. "Is Kappa having fun?" she giggled but it was only polite.

Raising a brow at the Kappa as it splashed around, and the point of view it was talking in, Evelyn couldn't help but think it as a child. Children liked to splash around in the water, especially young children.

Was this one young? Or were all Kappas like this?

Listening to it speak, Evelyn really didn't know what to do. What would she normally do when meeting someone? Since, this was almost like having a conversation with a person... Picking up the cucumber, the Slytherin slowly moved forward with her heart pounding slightly as she stood behind Gold, before stepping slightly around to beside her. Far enough away though where her personal space bells wouldn't go off in her mind. She didn't need that at the moment.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you Mr....Miss...." Oh jeez, she was already ruining it. Crud! Yea, this was difficult. Or, was she just being sneaky? Mwahaha! "Uhm, I'm terribly sorry, my lack of knowledge on Kappas is obvious, please excuse me. However, I would love to know and learn more." What should she do with this cucumber? Eh? "Do you have a name?"

She usually started with names and introductions at home, so it was only logical to do so now. Right? Please someone tell her that Kappas gave themselves names. Otherwise, she had to think quickly. Eep!

Aww. AWW.

"I would love to play with you," Gold said, sincerely. "I'm sure you can get excellent at it, with time." She conjured another cucumber, for the Kappa. CUUUTE Kappa. Or maybe she found the Kappa cuute because she knew she was a little too... old, for the Kappa's liking. Mr. or Miss Kappa probably wouldn't be interested in her, as food.

"Well, Mr. Kappa -" she paused. Oops. The mistake had been genuine. Well, might as well plunge right in, then. "Or are you a Miss Kappa?" Gold asked. "I'm terribly sorry for the confusion, but I don't know," she admitted, honestly. "But if you'll tell me, we could get a head start on our Shogi." Get into the Kappa mindset, her old Defence teacher had said. Well, she was trying to, here. Kappa liked making exchanges. Deals that meant they were going to get something they liked, in return for whatever they offered - and this Kappa wanted to learn Shogi. Well.

She conjured a shogi-ban, and gave the Kappa a small, but warm, smile. He - she - had such cuuute eyes. Sort of devious.

"You can let it out, Trixie." Truebridge answered quietly. He had his wand drawn and ready, though not in an obvious way, and was standing by in case anything happened. Noting that Trixie was somewhat damp he added, "I suggest the Impervius charm, it will keep you dry."

Ellie stared with her brow all furrowed up as the Kappa came in and moved about the classroom. It was creepy looking. She didn't like it. AND it kept talking in third person. NOT a good sign. Only crazy people or overly hyper people ever talked in third person. And she subconsciously held her breath. Maybe she just didn't want to breath in Kappa germs. Maybe Kappa was contagious....

And people were talking to it. It was weird! She just thought they should ask it it's gender and get it out of there. But she wasn't stooping to that level yet. She liked being human. And not slimy. She liked it very much.

Daisy smiled. "Thank you for the compliment. Would you like a cucumber? I have plenty." she pulled one of her desk and offered it to him...her...it?

Trixie turned to Professor Truebridge and nodded. She could let it out. Greeeeat. Wait how was she meant to do this? Magically or Physically? She was so not going anywhere closer to that cage. I mean look at the intimidating thing. But she promised to help out and the splashing was highly amusing.

So she stood slightly closer to the cage, pointing her wand directly at the exit and said "Alohomora" as the cage swung open to let the Kappa roam free.

MEEP!

KAPPA WAS FREE!!

The Impervius charm. Could have told her that earlier. "Nah Professor. I don't mind getting wet" she giggled. Fell in the Lake enough times. And she lived in Wales, it was always wet there. Besides Kappa looked like it was having fun splashing around which gave Trix amusement as she too got wet.

"I hope that is better for you Kappa" she smiled politely. Hopefully she'd be in it's good books now that she had set it free.

Dianna moved in front with the others who were willing to come closer to the Kappa. They were cooler than she had expected and was quite cute-ish too.

She didn't really know what to say and so (stupidly) waved her hand and smiled.
"Hi." was all that came out. Slightly panicking she decided to talk more.
"Erm.. so how are you today?" she asked.

She had her wand drawn out, keeping the Kappa steady in the air...and trying not to snort at how Jakers was platicating the creature. Physique? Haha.

She watched the Kappa eating away at the cucumbers, which it seemed to REALLY enjoy. It was an interesting creature...pretty cool to be able to 'study' it so close.
Oh, right...there was some splashing, making Miranda's robe a bit wet. But that was allright, she had to concentrate on the task and some moisture was not a big deal.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand soon enough, the Kappa was let free. Keeping her wand ready still, the Captain took a few steps back and watched it interact with the others. Aw, it was a gentle creature, wasn't it?
"Hope you didn't find the trip too terrible, Mr Kappa." Sure hope not...

Fingertips twitching in an almost indiscernible way, Raiden watched with careful eyes as the Kappa was brought in, and then as it was released to roam the classroom. There was only the slightest flicker of discomfort betraying him by appearing every so often in his eyes; childhood faerie tales could be scarring things sometimes.

Holding a conjured cucumber in his left hand, name turned in toward his wrist, he tilted his head curiously before giving it a slight duck of a bow towards the creature. Engrained paranoid behaviour, that he never once lowered his eyes.

"Hello... er, may I ask a question?" Raiden murmured, never once looking away from the Kappa. "Do you know which country you're from?"

An innocent enough question, he thought.

"This one is." The Kappa agreed, crunching on the cucumber.



The Kappa got out of the cage right away, pleased to be free. It stood up, proving itself to be quite a bit bigger than it had appeared to be in the cage. Only a few hands shorter than the smaller its in the class.


The Kappa looked offended, its rim of hair bristling up. But that one was a bigger one. There were easier ones in this room.

"This one will answer questions." The Kappa looked a bit upset though. "This one has names." It agreed.

The Kappa looked upset. "This one is very obviously what this one is!"

But... it liked Shogi. And liked to win.

This one did not LIKE that one. The Kappa stayed well away from it.


That one looked tasty.

The Kappa was FAST. It went right over to the little tasty smelling thing but remained polite even as it reached out for the cucumber. It scratched the girl's hand just a little bit by accident.

"This one is sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrry." Its eyes flickered and then... saw the name carved on the cucumber, its attitude changing completely. "This one is good at making hurts go away. This one hopes you are not hurt bad. This one does not know this one's own strength."

The Kappa splashed over to the new one and stood up to its full height. Then it smiled.

Lots of sharp teeth.


Attention caught the Kappa bowed back... juuuust a little bow. Not enough to spill precious head water.

"This one will allow questions." The Kappa answered. "This one once was from Japan but this one had lake in France and had lake in this place. This place is Scotland. This one knows."

Daisy pulled her hand and looked at it. "It's okay Kappa. It's just a scratch. I heal very easy." She grabbed another cucumber with her name on it. "Here have another one. As a sign of apologie accepted. I know you didn't mean to hurt me. You're just hungry." She smiled and offered the cucumber with her better hand.

Daisy looked at her professor and whispered, "I will be okay, right professor?"

Trixie smiled at the Kappa and tried to stifle a giggle. Well it was having fun apparently. "I'm glad you are Kappa" she grinned politely, again. Jeez. Okay now what was she meant to do? Kappa had been released from it's cage and was roaming around the classroom.

And for a fifth year, Trixie was really quite small. So the blonde just looked over at Professor Truebridge and in a hushed tone asked "Was that alright?" She didn't want to be making any bad mistakes did she? Now just to identify the gender of the Kappa, who apparently didn't like being called Mister.

Splish Splash Splosh

He watched the Kappa carefully and nodded at Daisy. "Best to throw the cucumber at it just in case. You'll be fine, Raiden can help you fix that up. Just in case some dirt or slime got into your skin. I'd not want you to get an infection." Truebridge nodded in the direction of the Slytherin prefect, who he knew was quite able to take care of that. "It was good, Trixie. You and Jake and Miranda are doing well." No doubt about that. He was pleased with the three of them.

"I'm going to continue with the lesson." Truebridge informed the class, his wand still ready. "What is the ministry rating of a Kappa and why is it rated at that value?"

Mr. or Miss Kappa looked upset. Gold decided, then and there, that she wasn't going to bother it about its gender. Points = good, but points aren't worth a creature's discomfort.

"I'll take your word for it," she smiled. "... and we were going to get to know each other better. So, hi. I'm Gold, and I'm a girl. You?" Her tones made it clear the Kappa didn't have to tell her its gender. But it might as well know hers, even if it didn't plan to tell her, his.

"Do you know how to arrange the pieces?" She asked, as she placed one on the shogi-ban. "Or maybe you would like more cucumbers?"

Most likely.

Gold raised a hand. "Four X's," she said. "That means that a Kappa can be dangerous - Kappas prey on children, after all - and that tackling one might require a specialist's knowledge. In general, a skilled witch or wizard will be able to handle one."

Daisy nodded and laid the cucumber down along with five others. "I'm just going to leave these here for you okay Kappa. If you want more just tell me." She walked over to the Slytherin prefect a bit nervous. "Umm, can you help me? The Kappa accidentally scratched my hand."

Ellie EYED the Kappa. GLARING at it. She did not like the kappa. Nope, nope. "XXXX...maybe because it EATS! people..." she answered Professor Truebridge. Yeah. She did NOT like the Kappa. It was CREEEEEEEPY.

Oh no. Oh nononono. It was out of it's cage. And it was waaaaay bigger then she had expected it to be. It was, almost as big as her! What in the world!?

With slightly wide black eyes, the Slytherin almost took a step away from the Kappa, however, she paused herself and stood quite still. Clearing her throat, she let a small smile play across her face. Cucumber. The cucumber! Give it to him! Or...her...

Holding the cucumber out, since her mind was nooooot processing the fact that she should probably let it go and let it drop in front of it, instead, she thought of the next obvious question to ask. "Is there any particular name that you like to be called? I would hate to call you something that you would not be pleased with."

Facts. Facts were goood! Kept her mind from going crazy. And kept her from running and looking like an idiot. "The rating for a Kappa is a XXXX, four X's (if it wasn't obvious she just said that), since they...like to prey on humans..."

Yeeaaaa....

She still didn't understand why a cucumber would make a Kappa not attack a person. A cucumber with someones name inscribed on it. That was just...soooooo weird.

Daisy shook her head. She was nervous about the scratch and had completely forgotten to answer the current question asked. "The Kappa is given an XXXX raiting because requires specialist knowledge and only a skilled wizard may handle, Professor." But that didn't sound like this Kappa at all. In fact it had apologized to Daisy for cutting her.