Simon looked at the Professor. "I would have too say I would tell you I would build the boat for you but you would have to sail the ocean yourself, because I would plainly refuse too." Simon said truthfully, he was just being honest.

Keefer stuck both hands into the air to answer the question. He wasn't doubly anxious to answer, he just didn't see the point in raising only one hand. The other might grow lonely.

"You can be our Queen for the day, Professor Lainey. I doubt the class would mind." Lainey was the epitome of awesome, after all. "And as for your demand, I couldn't do it without magic. I know basically nothing about boat-building. We would be forced to work together as a group. We'd actually have to cooperate, and we might be worrying about real pirates and giant squids. The boat would have to be much bigger, since it'd have to hold food, lodging, bathrooms, and who knows what else. I'd prefer to just stick to the lake here, if you don't mind."

Jacob looked up at Lainey. Queen? "Professor. If your Queen, Shouldn't You already have a vessel?" he asked or was she asking for them to sail themselves like a test. "But, uhh... As one person, It would have taken much longer to build a bigger, stronger boat that could withstand diffrent conditions. Since It's the entire ocean I couldn't sail it in one day. I would have to be ready for any kind of weather. But it would be almost impossible to build that big by my self" He paused. Did she mean have a team or by his self. Since she didn't say with a team he just sort of assumed. "And also, It wouldn't be very wise to sail a seaworthy vessel by myself, I wouldn't be able to controll it" He would need people manning all the diffrent parts of the boat, Or he wouldn't even be able to leave port.

Simon had just thought of something. "Professor as the Queen you could buy a boat, why on earth would you want someone too build you a build, and as such I withdraw the earlier offer where I said I would build you a boat, I would tell you too buy one and then get someone who enjoys going around for months sailing the ocean too take you along the Ocean, because I would refuse too do that, it would take too long and I would miss loads of things that I couldn't go without." Simon was just being truthfull.

Eli wrinkled his nose. Eat WHAT on crackers? Oh, I do not think so! he thought.

He considered the question. "Well, if you were our Queen, and this therefore were a monarchy, I would hardly think it wise to refuse your demands and back-sass you like some of my classmates have suggested. Clearly, that would result in imprisonment if you were a benevolent ruler, and at worst, the loss of my head." he shook his head, his purple hair flopping in the breeze.

"However, if tasked with building Her Majesty's royal vessel and making it able to support a crossing, I would require use of better materials, magic, and the help of a crew of able bodied, sea-faring house elves at least. I am certain her majesty would have these at my disposal. I would consult nautical texts and learn what the best materials were, and how to construct a streamlined, seaworthy vessel capable of withstanding the crossing. With the proper crew, education and equipment I am certain we could achieve any task her majesty were to set us." He raised his hand again.

"Also, with all due respect to her ladyship, as the SS EGGCUP was the first vessel to make land, technically the sailors to win were a Gryffindor and a Ravenclaw. Just for the record." He grinned at his Head of House. Everything WAS a competition, by Merlin. He was half of the winning team and it should be so noted.

Mmhmm well Destiny's idea definitely wasn't helpful. In fact, it even made Evelyn giggle slightly. However, Patroclus' suggestion made her stopped giggling quite quickly.

Psssh. Make the girls fend for themselves. But Mina on the other hand... "I think that's a good idea." she said, starting to stand up. Now, who was going to push, paddle, and make the wind?

"I call helping with the wind!!" First come first serve!


Hearing the Professor's question, Evelyn looked over to where she was at and raised a brow. A Queen? Lainey?

....

*snicker*

"It probably would have been bigger, stronger, and faster." she said, not being able to hear everyone else's answers. Whatever though. They probably said the same thing. Who would want to sail across a sea though when they could fly?!

"If i was going to build it by myself, there is probably no way of that happening and you'd have to find someone else to build a boat and sail across the sea." Bahaha! Her? Build a boat? Or...vessel? She couldn't even build a raft by herself. "But, if i got a bunch of people together to help build it, it probably would have turned out a hundred times better than my original plans." Just like building this raft!

"And i probably would have put sides on it for that matter." Yush. Sides. So she didn't fall off. "And a covering over the top in case it rained. OR have like, a few rooms underneath inside the boat in case it rained." Because rain made her hair frizz. "And perhaps just...use better materials and such." What kind of wood was this anyways?

Gold had... fallen quiet. She clasped her hands in her lap, and bit her lip, a habit she had developed after the end of last term, and one that showed that she was either nervous, or did not like what was going on, or being said. She wasn't nervous right now, but she was also not sure whether she liked all the 'race' talk. Life doesn't have to be a race.

Shouldn't be a race.

"I think..." She hesitated, chewing on her lower lip. "I think it was teamwork, and houses had nothing to do with it."

She was a proud Gryffindor. Sure, she was. But she had this firm belief that, when you try to race, you miss the good sights. Too much speed, and you don't get to see your surroundings, only a blur of what they are. Gold wasn't sure if she could ever put that feeling into words, so she didn't try. She kind of thought she couldn't convey what she felt.

Gold half-raised a hand. Habit.

"I might have been able to," she said. If she had had the required knowledge and materials. "But I wouldn't have, unless I had wanted to. Hard work is a beautiful thing, but I don't see why kings and queens should have the right to tell others what to do, if they aren't themselves willing to work. But if you were a good queen -" Her eyes brightened up - "Who knew her job, I would comply. Or if I thought the cause to be important." Like defence, or safety.

But she wouldn't have done it, otherwise.

"... and I would obviously need to be more knowledgeable, know my materials and tools -- have better ship-making skills, if you can call them that. One might cross a lake on a hastily put-together vessel, but to safely cross an ocean means a bigger vessel is required, the kind that can provide shelter from sun, rain and harsh weather; and, of course, one that has storage space." The safe, dry kind. "That would mean the vessel has to be bigger, safer, more accommodating, and much more durable and resistant -- and for all those reasons, it would obviously have taken much longer to build."

"I don't have enough knowledge to make that kind of vessel, right now," Gold admitted, cheerfully. She had no desire to learn how to make proper boats and ships and stuff, either. "- and I don't think any one person does. That's probably why they have all those experts, sail-manufacturers, and mast-makers, and carpenters and naval architects. One can't expect just one person to make a ship that can cross an entire ocean."

Noah and the arc?

Times change, times change.

"Oh, and even after the vessel has been made, you'll still need someone to handle it. Steer and navigate and stuff. Not everyone makes a good sailor, and it's not necessary that if they can make a ship, they can steer it too." Whoa. She had rambled on. The worst part was, she still had more on her mind. Gold lowered her hand, and decided to keep quiet.

She SO needed to.

Grin.

"Excellent! I'll make sure some crab dip is part of the refreshments. Surfing starts in two hours, so no skirts or heels." Vindictus winked and put his shades back on. "See you at the common room!"

He waved goodbye and turned his back on the class as he proceeded to swagger back to the Castle.

They had made it to the other side of the lake in a close second/third. Which didn't milf Diggy too much. The fun had been in the trying if you asked him. The wind blowing his face racing across the lake trying to hit Professor Lainey with a water cannon. That was more fun than actually winning the boat race.

He hopped down from the sip making sure the ladder was in place for Abbi to scramble down safely. He was worried about the girl and he made a mental note to keep his eyes on her more often.

He was relatively dry himself just his arms were wet from the spray but he noticed that pointed look and hair flip Becca threw his way. Girls and their hair flips. He was sorely tempted to nip some of that hair loss potion they had in potions and dump it on her. A bald Ravenclaw, not that was funny. "Oh well you must remember that look from the Quidditch match then," he said right back at her. Two could play the smug game.

Eli's heart sank. "He didn't even notice me." he mumbled to Gold sadly.

He looked at Gold; maybe she had been right about not playing up their house's efforts. Maybe Professor Maximus Vindictus didn't like House pride. Maybe he'd just embarrassed himself in front of his hero.

He'd have to figure out a way to redeem himself. Fast.

Two hours...? Lainey was covered in sweat and merpeople poo! She couldn't surf in the Common Room in her current state. MAX probably planned it that WAY.

<___< Lainey glared at his beautiful back before giving herself back over to the students.




"So I think you're all, mostly sort of kind of in a round about way saying the same thing, right? That it would be harder. That you'd need time, money, supplies. A bigger ship, a crew. Most of you mentioned magic... You'd need magic."

Lainey stood up and folded her lawn chair, then stuffed it under her arm. "We're going to call it a day here because I'm deathly afraid of chaffing and need a shower. I'd advise you all to do the same." Shower that is. Daily. Showers were good for a person, mentally and socially.


"We'll pick up this lesson next class. In the meantime, I want you all to PONDER ocean exploration and how long, long ago," you know, like HISTORY and junk," sailors successfully navigated to undiscovered areas of our big ole world."


"THAT IS ALL. You've been an excellent audience. I'll see you all next class! I'll have Masterson or someone take care of your boats."


With that, Lainey started up the path that lead into the castle. The students were welcome to follow her back, or find their own way.


OOC: I'll not assign homework this time, and just give participation points. 20 points possible, I'll assign them ASAP. =) Homework will be given for the next class, which I expect to do soon. THANKS GUYS. HAD FUN. I'll leave this open for a little while so you can post leaving and talking or swimming or whatever YOUR babies are doing.

Freeman pondered Lainey's question and leaned towards the boy who had challenged him on the water. "I'd do it if the compensation were good," he shared quietly. Then he turned to regard the boy's strange hair colour. "Oh, um, I'd take her advice on the cleansing thing. I think the merpeople waste had an ill effect on your hair."

He stood and brushed off his pants. "I think I shall retire to the common room," Freeman announced to no one in particular. The sun and the fresh air had apparently made him overly congenial.

As Lainey left Patroclus smiled to himself, I really like that woman, he thought!
Turning around to his boating associates Patroclus grinned, "Well personally I think our raft is worthy of a queen already! We did a great job!"

The sun was shining off the water bathing them all in a lovely warm glow, "And we are all the best looking too!" he added with a laugh, as he realised them all on the raft looked like some swimsuit advertisement! Looking at them all he realise they had all been in the water besides Evelyn, and Destiny, and Patroclus could not allow that. He just couldn't!

With a hop and a jump Patroclus jumped over the girls and form a ball mid-air cried, "Canon Ball!" and with that he landed SPLASH in the water!

He was unsure about those on the boat, but he was having a great time!

...

WAS THIS KID SERIOUS?

Becca shot DAGGERS at Diggy. Becca had just been messing around, having some friendly competition during History of Magic! It was a pointless race in her eyes, one that didn't really matter and was just for the heck of it. But GREENWOOD just HAD to go and bring the serious matter of Quidditch into it. The topic that had her beating herself up for OVER A WEEK.

Her fist immediately clenched into a tight ball. Her knuckles turned white, her eyebrows lowered, her eyes narrowed, and she jumped to her feet, all right there while Lainey was talking. Instead of jumping at him or sitting back down and glaring at him, Becca walked away from the group to go cool off. As angry as she was, the dominant emotion was more related to her pride than Diggy. She was SO mad at herself. And JD. And Nia. They should have won.

Not more than a few minutes later, everyone stood up, signifying that class was over. Actually, Lainey was even the first one to stand up and leave. It seemed like she really wanted to get out of there. With her head not held nearly as high as it usually was, Becca avoided eye contact with Diggy and followed Lainey back up to Hogwarts, not saying a word.

Well.

Class dismissed.

Gold knew she needed a bath. Really, really needed one. But she was happy to be here, for now. Maybe she could linger behind for a few minutes, take a little swim, and then head back to the castle. She was in no hurry, to be honest. The weather was perfect, not too hot and just fine, and her spirits were intact and even soaring, despite the fact that she had been thrown overboard, not too long ago.

But when Eli spoke, she realized - for the first time since she had come to know him - that Eli actually liked Professor V. Not in the like-like way, either. In the hero-like way.

Aww.

"He didn't notice me, either," she said, to make Eli feel better. Not that it mattered to her, you know? She hadn't actually said or done anything to make Professor V notice her. "You could go to his office and introduce yourself, later. I'd come with you, if you'd like that."

She would do that for Eli. Professor V, she respected as much as she respected any other professor. He was creative, original, and he obviously know his sport. Quidditch. But she didn't like him in the hero-like way. More in the Professor!Like-way. But if Eli thought of him as an idol, she would accompany him to the Flying Instructor's office, because the Ravenclaw was one of the sweetest and most HUGGG'able first years EVER!

But that, later. Right now, Gold jumppppeddd into the lake. "Come on, First Mate, throw yourself overboard!"

"Well, first I would build a ship with your name on the side " Rex told the teacher. I actually would have a lot of sials on the vessel, too" Rex said to the teacher. I would also have a captain's wheel, a map,a compass and a whole crew" Rex explained to the teacher. I do not think i would need anything else to sail this ship across the entire ocean" Rex looked at the teacher for approval.

Dianna wrapped herself with a towel and took a deep breathe. After a few moments she headed up back to the castle. Any while longer and she might get hypothermia.

" Bye , nice meeting you" Rex told Dianna. " I enjoyed my first mate/co-captain of my ship"Rex said to Dianna. Hope to see you around school" Rex smiled at Dianna.

Wait, that's it? We were just getting to the good part of the lesson! Oh, shucks! Keefer did like his history, especially the way Lainey told it. He couldn't wait for the next class period. Happy with anticipation, he skipped back up the slope towards the castle, but not before ingraining the sight of his raft in his memory. That was an awesome boat!

Amy stood up from the lesson and dived into the water, and began to swim

Gold cheered him up tremendously. She was just one of those unblinkingly cheerful positive people that he couldn't help but agree with. He smiled; visiting Maximus Vindictus' office was a good idea. A brilliant one, in fact. He laughed as she jumped into the lake.

If Gold Laksh jumped off a cliff, or a raft in this case, he would definitely always follow. Mer-poo or not.

He pinched his nose and cannonballed in, splashing her.

SPLASH.

Gold had not expected that, at all! She was drenched again now, water running down her back. Grinning, she splashed some back at Eli. Splashed LOTS of it back at Eli, in fact.

"Take that, First Mate Jarod!"

Hehehe.

Eli giggled and splashed back at her. "Take That, Cap'n Laksh!" he replied. Even for Merpoo water, this was awesome fun. He dove under the water, taking care not to get it in his mouth, sneaking up behind Gold and bursting up behind her. "Bwhaha!" he said, splashing her again. Sneak attack!

Gold raised her hands to shield herself, as a stream of lake-water came her way. Typical defensive gesture, and she should obviously have known better, but she did it on the spur of the moment. Ah well, at least it caused the impact of the water to lessen.

But by the time she had lowered her hands, she couldn't see Eli.

"El -"

OOF. Behind her!

"Sneaky," she said, realizing how very drenched she was, now. But that, she could worry about later. It was time for payback, right now! "But you can't beat this!" She tackled him in the water, splashing it all over him as she did so. Tackle!splash. Hehehe.

Abbi was more than happy to reach ground, she knew how to swim very finely too but for one she wasn't sure she'd make it swimming to the other end without exhausting herself, or two not being eaten by the Giant Squid. Helmet wouldn't help her there. Pointless.

"Thanks Dilly" she hugged the Slytherin, which she was sure her house mates would frown down on her for but hey the lad didn't toss her off the boat halfway across and to add to his goodness he called the boat the sneaky lion! That alone put Dilly Dil Dil in her top 10 favorite students at Hogwarts. Stepping back she grinned up at him, "it was really fun working with you in a project, and i've learned a lot from you!-". She broke off half-way when she caught his look towards the Ravenclaw, heavens students took competition here very seriously, she wouldn't have minded coming in last place, she'd be learning more than them anyway, because she had the opportunity to fail.

She didn't want to get involved with the rivelary thing, well because she wouldn't be able to fend for herself. So she descended the ladder before Dilly so he'd save her if she... something happened. Which thankfully did not as she made it to shore and looked behind at other boats that were arriving, this was fun. Now how do they go back? She scratched her head. So she stalked Dilly's shadow around the shore. Big Brother.