The Promenade Deck
 

Gabby made her way to the ship and decided to park herself at the deck. She figured it might be quiet there for awhile, but when night fell it would probably get busier and she would be watching. She couldn't help but be a bit excited that the Board members got to do this for the students. She hoped she'd get to see her son, she had sent him and Miranda nice outfits to wear.

Looking out at the black lake she couldn't help but be surprised how nice it actually was. The castle was beautiful too. Not being an actual Alumni of Hogwarts she hadn't experienced any of this as a child, she wondered if she would have more feelings if she had went to school here.

Glancing at her watch, she knew the students would be coming soon.

Jace walked out on the deck and was surprised that it was comfortable; he had expected at least a little chill. He spotted his friend and made his way over. "isn't this great?"

"Mom has us dress like this for family gatherings. Not a fan, but you gotta do what ya gotta do." He looked over Kyle, "Not bad your self. Having a stuck up..." Jace broke off, "Sorry Dad slipped in their for a second. Having a former professor for a father must make getting snazzy easy."

"one of the nice epitaphs Dad uses. I was talking through the fire with him just a little bit ago and he had a few choice things to say before i told that you were my friend no matter what our dads might think or say." Jace chuckled, "Mom will even him out...probably."

Jace chuckled, " I think it would be funny for you bring home my dad as a kneazle and watch the hilarity...but considering your dad really doesn't like them, and my dad especially, that probably isn't a great idea, on second thought." He looked over the side at the lake and concentrated really hard, but the most that happened was an extra little wave formed and disipaited. "Hmmm, too far."

"Oh ya, your dad would freak if actually brought one home to keep." Jace out right laughed at the thought. Suppressing his laughter he looked over the side, " Same stick different medium. I'm not very good with water either."

"Ya and the distance from the surface is a problem too." Jace smiled, "Was just an idle thought. And yes that is why I have trouble with both, i can't contain them as easly."

"No i missed it. I was up late working on...other endeavors...and it knocked me out."
*Literally* he thought. There was no way he would admit that he accidentally hit himself with an earth sphere that he shouldn't have been to pull up.

"Both of the ravenclaws? Wow that's surprising." Jace smirked, "Of course we did well."

"Are they doing well?"

"from what i hear that is par for the course." Jace chuckled. " Well ya for school spirit." Jace's stomach made a very loud unhappy sound. "hush you, their will sacrifices later." He smiled apologetically to Kyle, "Sorry been a minute since i ate...You wanna go get food?"

"Indeed, but the food will be fabulous." He stated in an over dramatic theatre accent and followed Kyle out.

It had not been the easiest thing to do, going up to someone he barely knew and asking them to this cruise/ball of sorts, but Aiden had plucked up some kind of courage to ask one of the other selected Champions. Ravenclaw, right? The houses were still a little fuzzy to him but for the most part he had come to learn that the red ones were the loud ones and the yellow ones had an odd fascination with food and hugs. Made him wonder the criteria that magic hat of theirs actually used when placing them.

Being raised the gentleman he was, Aiden climbed up all the way to the Tower to escort his date back down to the large boat.

It was a hella long climb, he would admit that but he did not mind entirely. It gave him another chance to have a look at the castle. Most days he stayed out by the beetle watching his schoolmates carry on with whatever they were up to. It was not often that he decided the castle was where he needed to be.

"Have I told you that you look lovely in that dress?" He asked, walking alongside her as they got onto the deck. He probably had, twice, but it was the nerves. Branching out was not his typical style and he knew it was only a matter of time before he ruined it.

Kaysha/Alicia :)
 

A few mentions but for everyone to grab.
 

Layla!
 

Layla was used to a scene like this back home. The fancy-shamancy scene. She didn't gloat about it; hardly even mentioned it. Her family's wealth was something Layla never wanted to be known for. But she sadly kind of was now. I mean, look at the dress she was wearing tonight. She knew it was expensive, but her mom got it for her anyway. Including dresses for Dana and Lucy too. Layla's mom didn't care about the prices; they were going to be sent back anyway. Following Lucy onto the deck, the raven-haired girl smiled to herself and looked around.

Whoa, talk about a view.

"This is pretty cool, isn't it?" she asked her friend, who was possibly still in a trance about it.

Gracie
 

So Harriet was spending most of the night trying to avoid her mother. Whilst Hattie loved and adored her mom, she just didn't want to see her when she was at school. She did not her to embarrass her. So she was trying to avoid her. It was working out pretty well so far, although she knew she would need to see her Mom eventually. Though she hoped it would be at the end of the night , and she could just say goodbye and run off back into the castle.

"It's pretty out here...." Hattie murmured, turning to Luca as they stepped out onto the promenade deck. She looked around with a smile. It was pretty great out here. The board of Governors had really gone to town with it all.

Luca was unaware to the avoiding, as he himself had taken a casual glance around and had good intentions of saying hello if they came across Mrs. Paton- Vanessa, Vannie? Hattie's mum. He had been told to stop calling her Mrs., and.. also, 'Hattie's mum', which wasn't much better than 'Hey you', he guessed, but with every interaction he was left trying not to stammer or call her the wrong thing. Who knew being a boyfriend was so hard? Never mind to a Paton girl, and yes, that made all the difference.

He wouldn't have traded the experience for a thing, either, for the record. Blue-green eyes took in their surroundings as he followed, faithfully, letting her take him wherever she like by the hand. "Very nice. Way nicer, and calmer, than the ride to Durmstrang." Luca half-smiled, "Have I told you yet how beautiful you are?"

Ciara and Duncan
 

Well, this was a bit more boring than she thought it was going to be. Not that she was expecting to be a blast for the chaperones, but she was hoping to at least maybe get a hug from her two children, which she had yet to see either of them. Noticing more students coming onto the deck she wasn't surprised. It was getting to be dusk so the stars would be out soon.

Noticing some other adults coming out she smiled and greeted both of them. "Good evening. I hope you are both having a good time. " She wanted the professors to enjoy it as much as the children. They did work hard. "I'm Gabriella Blaze one of the board members." She knew that the potions mistress would know, but didn't know if the American professor would. "The students seem to be gathering more now." It had just been empty only moments ago and now the crowd was forming.

As it turned out, he had already given the compliment. Aiden nodded, while he nervously cleared his throat and adjusted his tie. There was nothing he could do about the warmth that spread across his cheek except try his best to not embarrass himself much more for the remainder of the evening. Shouldn't be too difficult so long as he did not say too much, but that would be a problem in and of itself.

People were meant to talk to each other while out on a date. While it would be perfectly in line with his behavior to spend the evening quietly observing the others present, he was not sure it would allow his date to have a very good time.

"We can walk around out here for a little longer. I don't mind." Crowds made him .....anxious and anxious was no way to be on a date. "Unless you would like to head in. I heard someone just now mentioning a ballroom. I don't know if you might be into that sort of thing." The crisp air out here on the deck was nice, but crowds aside, he would not complain when they did make their way into warmer temperature later.

Unfortunately, he was a boy of few words, even fewer when he hardly knew the person, so he did not have much to add after that point. Here come the nerves.

"It probably would've been better had there been floating lanterns outside," Or was that a bit too much? Or maybe that was just her style? And telling by the outfits she pretty much wore each they; it was expensive. Letting go of Lucy's hand, Layla sat down and continued enjoying the view. For some reason, it reminded her of home. She began missing it more and more as the second went by but wasn't going to tell anyone about it.

Tonight was about having a good time. While Lucy stood where she was, Layla tok out a piece of paper from her clutch and wrote down a simple note. She'd somehow hod to get it into a certain someone's pocket later on in the night.

He could not agree more, even if the reasons they had for staying out here a little longer might have been different. "For now." He agreed before moving over to the railing by her and leaning against it too. He looked down at the water below, mildly curious about what might lie down there.

Aiden chuckled at her question, happy for something to break the metaphoric ice that typically engulfed him around those he was not close to. "Warmer than this, I can tell you that." He had tested it for himself the other day, braving the grounds with nothing but a jacket. Not a warming charm in sight. "Snow, like you have here. I guess, in the end...cold." Like he imagined winters in most places would be--barring places that did not truly have winter despite the months being typical winter months.

"I am actually surprised your lake has not frozen over." Looking down at the water that sapped against the boat. "Does it usually?" It would only get colder for the next couple months and he would not have minded some ice skating.

"I don't think I ever asked, how the challenge was for you?" He knew she had been eliminated but from what he had heard, everyone had challenges that differed slightly. He had never heard how hers had gone. Would she consider it too forward? An act of rubbing salt in a wound? He could change the subject if she minded.

Whilst Hattie knew it wouldn't be the end of the world if she ran into her mother, she still didn't really want it to happen. She didn't need her mother to embarrass her. Hopefully Vannie would stay away. She hoped anyway. But for nwo she was just going to enjoy the time with her Luca. It was nice to get dressed up, and he looked really pretty tonight. Though she didn't think he would want her to call him pretty. It wasn't very manly after all.

She looked up, smiling as he spoke. "I'm glad I haven't had to experience that" And she was glad she wouldn't have to. Who had ever come up with the idea of having to travel to school on a boat? It seemed so stupid. She smiled though, at his next words. "Thank you" She replied, a genuine smile on her lips. "You look very handsome too"

Layla looked at Lucy and smiled. "Stars do make things more romantic," Getting up, she stood next to Lucy again and looked at the view. Leaning carefully on the railing, the dark haired girl looked down at the water; wondering if the sea creatures would pop up and say hello. "Should we have our first dance out here? We can hear the music from the inside," Because this was romantic, but maybe a bit too much? She had hoped Lucy hadn't taken it that way.

Candice/Noelle
 

Slate excused himself from watching couples snog dance on the dance floor and made his way toward the door. He grabbed a drink on the way out and walked the deck.

As he walked, his eyes fell on a fellow housemate. She was alone. Hm. He smiled and made his way over to her. "Having fun?" Because it would be nice to know someone was. He was so far just really confused as to what he should be doing.

Noelle was venturing around the boat. Her mind going a mile a minute. For some reason, she had the oddest sensation that she'd seen Noah. but that couldn't possibly be true because Noah was in Hawaii. It didn't make sense. She'd seen him a couple weeks ago in fact. He was in London... but he was headed back to Hawaii. It was just odd.

Brushing off Noah thoughts, she headed for the deck. She had her heels on and was trying not to slip. Also these things were insanely uncomfortable. How did people walk in them for long periods of time? She'd been dancing in them though... plus not being used to heels.. it probably wasn't a good combination.

Seeing a familiar face, Noelle went over to her wifey and gently hip bumped her. "Hey you. What are you doing out here?"

Lots of people didn't like to be alone, but Xavvie didn't mind it at all. Most especially, she liked having the time to observe her surroundings. That didn't mean, however, that she didn't like having company, so when someone turned up beside her, she grinned happily. "Loads, really." Maybe it didn't look it, but sure was. "Just taking a break to look at the stars and the water. It's so nice out here."

Especially since the temperature was regulated so it wasn't chilly and she didn't need to cover up her pretty outfit.

Perhaps the Professors or whoever was behind this cruise had charmed the deck area because Ava did not feel chilly at all even though with this dress and the winter. It was a lovely night, by the way. Why she didn't really notice that? Probably the Gryffindor should find the boyfriend and drag him to be here, spending the night with him just having their usual chat and gazed at the sky.

For a moment when someone bumped into her hip, she already knew that it was Noelle Summers because nobody greeted her by hip bumping. "Enjoying the night." She simply answered. "Are you having fun here?"

She was pretty sure she was way past even fashionably late at this point, and as she glanced across the deck she wondered whether it had been the right decision to try and make the second half of the event at all. It was never going to be the same with her date taken ill last minute, and she was already regretting not staying upstairs with Astrea as she slept off whatever had feel her feel so crummy.

Tonight really hadn't turned out to plan.

As a result of her last minute change of plans, Sam's hair had been rather hastily thrown up, although at least it'd had the decency to curl nicely today. Her only make up was the barest flick of mascara and a swipe of lip gloss. Dora would probably have things to say about that, although Sam couldn't say she was convinced the Gryffindor was coming. Her bestie would probably have more things to say about Sam's choice of footwear, however. Flats had won out under the long skirt of her gown. She was already late; no need for tottering to make the trip onboard any longer.

Soooo...what to do now she was here? Go survey the food maybe? She doubted many, er, anyone, would ask her to dance.

So like Dora hadn't planned to come... so she had not gone all out with a gown and updo and all that. Her makeup, as always, was on point, though. Yas. Having already danced and opted out of touching the food, she had decided she needed some air and headed up top.

And as she pulled at the sleeve of her jacket her eyes swept the area. OH MY GOODNESS! Sam was wearing PINK! And it was shiny!

*_____*

GURL!

"Sam, you look beautiful. Like proper HOT! Those shoes are tragic, but I love the dress, " she said as she wrapped her arms around her friend from behind. Bending a bit at the knee she propped her chin on Sam's shoulder even. "It's a shame I have a boyfriend... I'd totally be chatting you up of I didn't."

Kidding. I mean... not really, but kind of.

She couldn't help but think this was a stupid idea, when a voice from behind brought a curl of a smile to her lips followed by a flush of colour to her cheeks.

Dora HAD come. And whoa, Sam was pretty sure she wasn't the hot one here. She also wondered why she hadn't thought of rocking the suit thing; it was probably far more her style.

"They were a necessary and much needed compromise," Sam commented, glancing down to try and hide the shoes under her skirt once more. Dora had eagle eyes for such details, that was for sure. Which wasn't entirely surprising when she caught a glance at what was on the Gryffindors' feet. Merlin!

"Maybe you can just save me a dance and give me the pleasure of your company instead?" Since she was dateless and on her lonesome now.

After giving her another squeeze, Dora released her friend and moved around in front. "Gurl, where have you been hiding that figure, by the way?" Like she already knew her bestie was a hottie with a body, but DAYUM.

And embarrassing her friend was an added bonus, really. She liked to make her blush.

"If you would let me put charms on your shoes you could walk in them just fine. I promise! Even have one to help with your balance." But Sam knew all of this and still insisted on wearing flats. Sighs. But some things never changed. Dora was the stylish of the two, and she knew it.

Didn't mean she wouldn't keep trying.

"Oh come on. You didn't even play along for a moment? What has happened to you? You used to be far more flattered when I hit on you," she said as she pouted her red lips right on up. Sheesh. Was she losing her touch since she and Casper had become a boring old couple?

"Dora!" she protested, nudging the girl with her elbow as more colour flushed to her cheeks. She hadn't been hiding that figure anywhere, especially from her bestie who had seen her in a bikini on vacation. Though this dress did have more of a revealing back than she thought she would have chosen when Addy first sent her a selection to choose from. On the hanger she was pretty sure she was going to hate this one, and yet Robin's reaction when she'd showed him told her this was the right choice.

As for her footwear? In all honesty, Sam had been planning to try heels for the night, charmed or otherwise, before her plans for getting ready had gone completely out the window. Nothing as crazy as those stilettos, but enough of a heel to bring Sam up to Dora's usual height. A cute pair of silver kitten heels. She gave a small sigh as she thought of them still laid out on her bed. "Next time, promise."

And that pout? Sam shook her head lightly. No fair, Umbridge! "Maybe you're just losing your touch," she joked, though her face soon fell. "And, well, Ast's stuck in bed ill." So the dressing up bit had lost its shine somewhat.

Dora gave a cackle as she dodged that elbow at her person. NOT TODAY, SAM! Strutting forward, the Gryffindor plopped backward onto one of the sofas and shook her head a bit. She didn't care about those curls, either. Not today, she didn't. "I wish Casper was here."

Not something that she wanted to say out loud often, but she was sad that he had things that had kept him away tonight. But she had agreed to be Mason's unofficial date and she had Rooney around, too. So she wasn't alone at all. So that was nice. She would have skipped it completely if it hadn't been for Mason, actually. It was still odd to her sometimes that she had become friends with both of the Ravenclaw boys, but it was definitely a highlight of the term for her. They were her boys.

SNORTS now. Dora looked over at Sam and snorted once more. "That's rubbish and you know it. I still have it." And if she wanted to dispute that... well then Dora would have to prove it. She could probably hit on one of the Ilvermorny girls easily enough. Hah.

And all mentions of Astrea always made Dora roll her eyes. HOW TRAGIC that the girl had taken ill.

NOT.

Dora thought... no, KNEW that her best friend could do better than that girl. "Have you talked to Al lately?"

Slate nodded. "Yeah. It is nice outside." Which was convenient for an outside event. Or an event that took place outside. Partially outside? Whatever.

"What have you been doing?" he asked before taking another sip. Because he needed ideas. So far he hadn't been up to much. Just watching people and enjoying this drink. He was thinking about doing the dancing thing but really didn't know how... or with who.

From anyone else, being called pretty would have earned them an absolutely ridiculous look, and utter silence. But from Hattie, that was an entirely different thing. Somehow she made it seem cute, made everything cute, honestly. Must have had something to do with his growing affection for her.

"I'm not sure you would like Durmstrang," He remarked, thoughtful as he met her gaze, head bowed toward her while returning her smile with a crooked little grin of his own. "I've got to look my best for you," Luca replied, adding a quick, "Thank you." as well.

It was a great night out. Despite her lack of sleeves, Noelle wasn't cold. She tilted her head when Ava didn't act like the wifey that Noelle knew. She hip bumped her again and slipped her hand into hers. "You okay?" She asked, giving Ava's hand a squeeze. It wasn't often that Ava was this quiet... or this still.

"It is a great night though." Noelle commented, looking up and seeing the stars overhead. She grinned because despite not liking Astronomy, she did think the stars were brilliant tonight.

"Wheres Phillip at?" Ava not dragging him out here in this romantic spot was unusual as well. She looked back at her wifey, studying her closely. "By the way wife, you look flawless tonight." Flawless

Patting down her slightly fluffy skirt that liked to catch the smallest breeze was something Xavvie was doing often, but she was sure that Slate wouldn't really care about her wardrobe problems. "Mostly wandering. I've been through just about every room, there's lots of interesting stuff to see." She didn't have a date and hadn't felt the need to attach herself to any one person in specific, so she'd been wandering about.

"What about you?" She was curious what the others her age were up to. The older students mostly seemed to be involved in their own goings on, or a lot of kissing.

Are you okay? Why on earth suddenly the Gryffindor prefect asked her that? Did Ava look not okay or maybe because she kind of lost in her thought about tonight? Hmmm... "I am perfect, Noelle. As usual. Thank you for asking, by the way." She answered. Although her conversation with Phillip earlier led them to topic about her mother, whom she had not seen for a long time and it kind of made her a little bit sad. "He's still at the dining saloon, I think. I was just back from the loo and then stopping here at the moment."

Smiling as Noelle complimented her, Ava also admired her dormie!wife person. "You too, friend. By the way, did someone ask you be his/her date tonight?" Cue a wiggling eyebrow. Right now she did not see Noelle was with someone, perhaps she was separated or just going solo tonight.

Slate watched as she patted down her skirt. Despite the uniform being skirts, it seemed that everything tonight looked different. Which, was weird. It was the same. Skirts.

He nodded. He hadn't done all of that. He'd just been to the food and dance floor really. "Things like what?" he asked curiously. And did she want to look together? Or was that weird?

"Food, mostly." he said with a nod. "I saw the dance floor. Not much in there besides kissing."

Busting Duncan outta' hur: Gabrielle, Kaysha, and Ciara
 

Melanie nearly tripped over herself in excitement. Heels were not made for running; they had many uses, but running was not one. "Duncan - " she said breathlessly as she halted in front of her brother, who was, as of character, currently talking to three women at once. Kaysha Stewart, obviously, and two others: the former Potions mistress and someone Melanie didn't recognize. She felt no remorse for interrupting. She kept the package safely tucked under her arm.

"Duncan, our Christmas present has arrived!" she managed to say. Christmas present was a clever use of wording here. "I'm sorry to interrupt, ladies - " Melanie Williams had never felt less sorry - "But Duncan and I have been awaiting this present from our mother for months now. Oh Circe, it's finally come!" she felt tears come to her ears. The tears might have lacked honesty. Mother was also an interesting word, wasn't it? Had Duncan caught that?

"Come, brother," Melanie took his hand. There was a mysterious light aflame in her dark eyes.

Amongst everything, the word flirt was what struck out to him the most. It was a word that often followed him around and there was never a clear-cut definition as to whether it was good or bad. So, he went for the easiest option right now, which was to smile charmingly. "Well, I mean, can you blame me?"

Ah, the question. What did he think of Hogwarts? His answer was immediately a negative one. The weather was atrocious, there were no Dunkin Donuts around these parts - who knew? - and worst of all, the first challenge was making a mockery out of No-Majs. So his only option to not offend a member of the rival school was to find some ray of hope in the endlessly rainy outlook that was this experience. "It's been an interesting experience. I've learnt a lot during this stay already." It might not have been the honest, humble truth but it wasn't a lie either. "It's a new experience to be in an actual castle with a rich history - we don't see a lot of those back in the States." Ilvermorny, for one, wasn't in a castle. "Best of all, the food isn't too shabby. It's even making me forget about deep dish pizz-."

"... as."

There was no ignoring the interruption and he wouldn't want to. Maybe he should be thankful for this interruption; all that smiling was starting to get painful and he wasn't a fan. Besides, for her to interrupt him was not only surprising, but also intriguing. There had to be a good reason for this.

And there it was.

Comprehension dawned on his face. There was no mistaking the present she was talking about or the look on her face when she was talking about it. Then there was the matter of mother which, yes, was an interesting word. There was no need to mention anything else. Not when Melanie's acting skills were about as transparent as Veritaserum itself. She was sly, yes, but he could see through the facade.

Duncan turned to the three ladies and said, "Apologies. I have to go and open the present Melanie's talking about. It was nice to meet you, Gabrielle. Nice to see you again, Ciara." Politeness? There was too much of it. His eyes turned to Kaysha and he smiled for the, hopefully, last time during this event. "See you around, Kaysha."

With that, the Potions Master swept away, hand in Melanie's...

"Sucks he couldn't," Sam said, joining her on the sofa. "Did you come with Mason?" She knew that'd been the plan at some point, but she hadn't ventured far enough on the boat to know if he was here or not. It wouldn't surprise her if he was holed up with a book back in the castle somewhere. "Anywhere else exciting to hang out on board? Food any good?"

She was curious, as much as anything. She didn't really feel hungry. Although perhaps a drink wouldn't go amiss.

She arched an eyebrow. "I think you're trying to get me to challenge you," she responded with a wry smile. Goodness knows there were plenty of people here who would make a decent challenge. Most of the Ilvermorny folks for starters. "You're always had that it more than I have." It was a sort of external confidence, even if she knew that Dora had her own internal worries.

And she shouldn't have mentioned Astrea. Sam caught that look, and her stomach knotted. It sucked that her bestie felt so strongly about her fledging relationship, and after the disappointment of this evening, Dora was lucky that the Ravenclaw just averted her gaze and placed her hands neatly in her lap. She rubbed her lips together slowly, and watched as some of the American students strolled past. She couldn't ignore Dora's next question, though.

"No...why?" They'd exchanged a couple of owls, but she figured she'd get to see him over the holidays to catch up properly. If he wanted to. Things had been a bit weird since the summer, although maybe that was just her.