[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/atSPkyg.png[/img] "You should be! They're huge and gnarly! It's like a chimera of sea creatures. But it's good to know you're not afraid. I know who I'm cowering behind if we encounter one. I am totally shoving you in front of me...cause uh, ladies first? I'm a gentleman," he stuck his tongue out at River.

"Lydia's second," he joked.

He hopped up and stood on his chair, mimicking a heroic pose. "River, Lydia, and Terry. Slayers of Sea Monsters!," he started striking the air like he was flicking a wand.

Rain giggled, "Thanks! I like the rain too, so I suppose the name fits me. It rains pretty often here." "Oh, you should definitely try the salmon, then! I think you will really enjoy it. It must be nice to live by the seaside, " she mused, imagining what it would be like. "I bet you get the best seafood!"

Fade let out a pleased chirp and fluffed her feathers. "You're good with birds," Rain chuckled. "I'd be happy to show you the owlery and the grounds, I know all of the spots that the hummingbirds like most, too!" she grinned. "She learned from watching my dad, and when I was old enough to help her, I did. She is pretty special," she said, but she noticed the frown on River's face. She thought it would be rude to pry though, so she continued to talk about classes. "Oh wow, your history class sounds much more interesting than ours! I bet it's neat visiting the tombs. I like charms too, defense against the dark arts, and care of magical creatures, of course" she smiled, petting Fade.

River burst out laughing "I'll defend you."

"Thanks, I really do love birds," River said, "sounds like it'll be fun! I can't wait. I'll have to take pictures too." She smiled. "Aww thats sweet." "Yes, I love tombs, I roam around them all the time by myself. I'd be surprised if you didn't say Magical creatures."

Rain grinned, "Me too!" "Oh yes, you should definitely take pictures. It can be a little tricky, since the hummingbirds are so quick!" she chuckled. "Ooo, by yourself? That sounds both exciting and a little creepy! You'd fit in well in my house if you went to Ilvermorny, Thunderbird is for adventurers, after all," she smiled, winking. "Oh yes, I couldn't leave out care of magical creatures!" While the two students were talking, Fade gave a sleepy little yawn and tucked her head under her wing. "I think she's worn out," Rain said, "it's been an exciting day for her."

"Maybe a quick freezing charm?" she suggested. "Yeah, I'm used to doing everything by myself basically. But tombs are soo cool. I've seen mummies and lots of other cool things. There was a banshee in one but luckily there were also locals there so they got rid of her. Oh cool. I am an honourary thunderbird then?" She chuckled. "Aww bless, poor little thing."

[img align=left]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/269197.png[/img] Lydia cast an all-knowing and obvious smile towards River (), but said nothing except, "Did Merlin come with the Hogwarts crew today?" She looked around as if she knew what he looked like and she could find him. She turned to Kai (): "Yeah, I'd probably step in front of you of my own violation. Poor thing, you don't look like you could win against a pygmy puff. I'd just feel terrible leaving you to fend for yourself against a sea monster." She patted his shoulder in false empathy, breaking into a smile just after. Lydia then looked at River and Terry (@/Raven ) and said, "It's like we're Charlie's Angel's and he's Bosley." She shook her head and rolled her eyes in good nature.

Seb’s expression darkened when Bran () asked who had enter their names. Maybe if he kept quiet, no one would notice. Odds were, unless he explained the situation, they would all think he was a coward making up lies anyway. But divulging the circumstances to this many people, not to mention practical strangers, was not high on Seb’s priorities. Even if most everyone he had met so far seemed very nice. There was no telling a person's true nature this early on. He wasn’t a legilimens or even all that empathetic most of the time.

Instead, he pretended to write on his hand using a finger as his pen. “One thousand and one mummies…” Making an important note of just how many mummies it would take to frighten River. () Shrugging in agreement when she claimed not to know where he had been. “Sound logic on that one, most people can’t keep track of me. I’m like lightning.”

“I think you aren’t giving yourself enough credit.” He turned to Kai. () “I mean, odds are they would have some sort of flying portion anyway. You’d have a leg up on the competition.” It was frustrating, seeing someone with so much potential who didn’t want to participate. But maybe Seb was projecting his own wants onto Kai and that wasn’t fair of him at all. Honestly if he wasn’t such an accomplished Quidditch player, Seb would have insisted Kai join the pep team for his gymnastic events. The guy really had an explosive energy and focused it in a mostly positive way. Really Seb admired him, even if he would be hard pressed to admit it to anyone.

Seb smiled broadly at the new girl with the braids. “You guessed it, I’m Seb.” He gave a small unnecessary wave. “The Academy is a lot like you would expect. Lots of sand, super hot, you know…” He was being vague on purpose, but she seemed a bit distracted with other introductions. ()

“Pigeon is not my favorite. But more for you I guess.” He grinned at Niamh, but quirked a brow when she said she hadn’t picked a bed yet. “That was the first thing I did. Now all that’s left is a bit of exploring.” And digesting. ()

Seb very much liked the consensus the students were coming to about what animal should represent each rank. A phoenix would make a great avatar. Even made the fact that he had failed to pass rank to Skilled a bit easier to swallow.

“Oh, hey Zala. Couldn’t stay away hmm?” () It wasn’t like her, but being out of one's element sometimes got people to open up a bit. Besides, he didn’t mind having her around. She was pretty good with healing magic and had been kind enough to help Seb deal with a few strains and sprains in the past.

And then no surprise, another new student joined the gathering. He seemed a quiet sort, practically the exact opposite of Kai. No doubt a bit uncomfortable but trying all the same. He had a sort of queasy look about him. Tea was good for that sort of thing. Come to think of it, tea was also good for digestion. Something with ginger. “I’m guna get a tea, actually. Anyone else want one?” Seb looked directly at Nathaniel () when he said it, but spoke to the group at large.

((Sorry if I forgot anything! The catching up posts on this thread are epic! We all deserve medals. XD ))

Bran wondered what had gone through Lydia’s mind to make her lift her eyebrow the way she had, but her returned her smile. It was good to be getting to know people more, even those who he’d seen around his own school and in classes for years.

Smiling at Terry’s response, Lynnie said, “Sounds like we like basically the same things. I’m not sure if your technology will work here or not since I don’t have any, but it’s worth a try. I agree that it’s hard to imagine life without magic, but of course that’s all I’ve ever known too. But I’d like to learn about the technology if you’d be willing to show me.”

Lynnie turned to the unfamiliar girl who had spoken up as she mentioned her mom and magizoology. “Really?” she asked with interest. “Mom deals with land creatures. I bet it would be neat to see some of the water dwellers and study them. What has your dad worked with? Has he ever encountered a sea monster? Is he just in the sea or does he work with rivers and lakes as well?” Lynnie then realized she’d probably just overwhelmed the older girl and she blushed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to get carried away,” she apologized.

Bran grinned at Kai (). “Then we’ll make it happen,” he said in regard to the Quidditch game. “There are plenty of places to explore, both on and off a broom too.” As Kai highfived Lydia, he laughed and said, “Friendship handshakes for sure! Got to come up with something cool enough for us though, right, Kai? And I agree a sea monster would be great. I’d rather not fight one, but try to make friends with it. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have one you could ride? I can just see if now…folks jumping off the ship as we just casually swim by, me riding my buddy and waving at the passengers.” He grinned and then laughed again at Kai’s antics. He was really liking the other boy.

When River ()mentioned wandering tombs and seeing mummies, Bran’s attention shifted. “You’ve seen mummies? How cool is that! That sort of history would be amazing. And a banshee? Wow! I thought those were more common in the British Isles.”

As a new boy came over, Bran said, “Hello there.” He had to chuckle as Kai called the house Slithero. Nudging the Alexandrian boy with his shoulder, he said, “It’s Slytherin, man. But you got the snake right so um…what is they do at Hogwarts? 10 points to Kai for knowing green equals a snake!” He gave Kai a friendly fist bump.

((hope I got everyone...trying to play catch up))

[img align=left]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/269197.png[/img] "Wow," Lydia said to Seb. "Anyone ever tell you that you would make a great eyesight-helper to the blind? You really paint the whole picture, leave no detailed unsketched. I feel like I've been there now." Lydia only realized after that there was a little too much venom in her sarcasm, but she didn't like how uninterested his answer came off as.

"Seriously, though, I'd be so down for a game of Quidditch. I freakin' love that game and I don't get to play it when I go home so I try to play it as much as I can while I'm here at Ilvermorny."

"Last i heard was no," River said sadly. She loved that Lydia said Kai couldn't take on a pygmy puff and snickered. "We can protect poor Kai. What's Charlies Angels? Is this some sort of Magical institute?"

River rolled her eyes. Mummies don't scare her. She stuck here tongue out at him when he continued about his speed. "Right Seb, you're soo much like lightning its like you never move."

"There are tombs in Britian too, Bran and I'm not Egyptian. Dad is a curse-breaker." Did that sound terse to everyone else? She sighed. "Sorry for the tone."

Bran nodded with a smile. "Then you're definitely invited when we get a game going," he said to Lydia.

Waving off River's apology, Bran said, "It's alright. I was showing my stupidity by assuming the tombs were Egyptian since you mentioned mummies. Of course there's tombs in Britain...but the really old ones are called something else aren't they?"

"Barrow tombs," Lynnie supplied quietly. "And those would certainly be a likely home for banshee and ghosts."

"That's it. Thanks, Lynnie," Bran smiled at his sister. Then he turned his gaze back to River and said in a quieter voice. "Yeah...you mentioned being British and your dad...and his job. Sorry for misunderstanding."

She nodded to Lynnie "Or Long Barrows," River said. "Well yeah I wasn't meaning the mummies were in the same places but I can see how that came across." River shook her head. "Its fine. I'm just...i don't know. Anyway... Where did you say you two lived?"

Bran was about to suggest that River might be as tired as max after the long journey, but then he held his tongue. He wasn't her dad after all! And she obviously was old enough to know when she needed rest. Instead he concentrated on her question. "We're from the southern part of the United States," he said. "We actually live in the south-east corner of the state of Tennessee, close enough that we could easily got to three other states...Alabama, Georgia, or South Carolina.. in a few hours. It's in a somewhat remote, mountainous section so I've been exploring mountains and caves all my life. That's one reason I love going to school here. It's different, but still familiar in a way," he shared.

"Oh that sounds lovely. Mountains are really great. I suspect you do a lot of hiking? What's the best place you visited? What's the worst? And why for both?"

[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/atSPkyg.png[/img] "Hey!," he pretended to be offended by what Lydia () said about him not being able to put up a fight. "I could totally win against any kind of puff," he hopped back down and sat in his seat. "Puffskeins, Powerpuffs, cheese puffs...Puff Daddy," Kai grinned, making Muggle references.

"Heck yeah!," Kai nodded in agreement when Bran () added that their handshake would need to be cool. "Our handshake will be fire." Kai was less enthused about riding a sea monster, although the idea itself was epic. "If I wasn't afraid, sure," Kai laughed. "But I will totally bow down to your awesomeness if you can tame a sea monster!"

"Oh, Slytherin," Kai slapped his own head like it was obvious when Bran corrected him about the house name. "Haha, like slither in. I feel like I could make a joke out of that," the boy grinned as he bumped fist with Bran. "How does a Slytherin go to bed? They slither in," Kai thought aloud to himself with a big smirk. "Okay, that was bad. I'll work on it."

Kai smiled when Seb () showed faith in his abilities. "Awww, Seb. I'm getting all warm and tingly inside knowing you believe in me," he placed a hand over his heart with a cheeky smile. "Maybe if we're invited to another one of these, I might try. I guess I'm just not as confident or brave as you or River yet," Kai said more seriously. "But for sure next time!," he perked up and exclaimed with confident. "Wait, are you throwing your name into the mix?," Kai asked his friend, not knowing about Seb being banned from entering.

[img align=left]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/269197.png[/img] Lydia frowned at River (), forgetting that No-Maj culture was a thing not every witch/wizard was a part of. "It's a no-maj movie with three butt-kicking lady spies and Bosley is like the dude who tells them their mission or something. He doesn't really do much, just comedic relief mostly."

Lydia laughed at Kai's () references, glad that she wasn't the only one savy with no-mag culture. "Wait!" Lydia jumped back into the conversation about handshakes with Kai (@/Riptide) and Bran (). "Can we literally have fire?? Like, do a charm so that when our hands clap together it creates sparks or flames or something?? That would be sick!" Lydia laughed awkwardly at Kai's Slytherin joke then clicked her tongue. "Ya know, I'd probably find that funnier if someone hadn't actually used a similar joke on me as a pick-up line." She shuddered at the uncomfortable memory. Why were some people just so bad at socializing?

((Trying to catch up!!! O___O lol ))

Teresa saw Nathaniel approach the group so she asks. “Hey Nathan, feeling any better? At least you don't look green anymore, hope you can hold your food this time.”

  Terry smiled. “Well if it's fun you want then you would probably prefer Hogwarts method of choosing a house. The sorting is done by a magical hat, it is an enchanted hat that once belonged to Godric Gryffindor, one of Hogwarts founders. In the ceremony the first years wait till their name is called and the hat is placed over their heads, then the hat decides which house is best suited for you. He never fails to chose right, at least everyone believes so.”

Teresa turned to River. “Merlin? You know Merlin, the Slytherin prefect? The one that looks like an elf? I thought he came, but haven't seen him, maybe he couldn't come after all, not sure. Don't remember seeing him on the boat, now that you ask. Where did you meet him?”

Terry looked at Kai again and laughed, at least he was able to make her laugh even when he did lots of silly things. “Sea monsters are cool but can't let one win me.”

  Terry nods to Lydia. “Oh I like that, we are the Charlie's Angels, super cool kickass girls that save the day and the sorry behind of the boys.” She smirks. “Sounds perfect.” She smirks almost wishing to give each a high five but she didn't.

  Terry beam when Bran asked her about technology. “Oh well for instance there is the phone, it is...” She takes a small object with a screen from her pocket. “This device, you use it for many things and those include calling someone to talk as we are talking now but in distance, you can even watch them if you use a video chat, you can watch movies, videos, even pay your bills, you can shop and it will get to your home, you can take classes, hey can almost do everything with this.” she tried finding signal. “Maybe I can get signal outside the school, not sure.”

"Aww," River said perking up, "that's so sweet of you, calling me brave."

"Oh I must've missed it," River said. "Maybe that wasn't released in Egypt, not all movies go to the cinema."

"Yes!" River said excitedly. When Terry said she thought he came the girl stood up and cried "wingardium leviosa" pointing to herself. "MERLIN!" she shouted looking around the hall. "Met him at the beach," she said from above. "He's soo cute, isn't he?"

Bran grinned at Kai’s ()enthusiastic response to the handshake, but he was fast learning that most things the other boy did was done with enthusiasm. “We’re not close enough to a sea to test things out, so I guess I can’t prove my awesomeness that way,” he said with a mock sigh. “Now I shall have to bow to you instead oh mighty slayer of puffs.” He gave Kai a wink.

The Slytherin joke had Bran groaning but also snickering. “I never thought of the name working like that, but it’s true.” He glanced over at the Slytherin boy() and hoped that he didn’t take offense to their teasing.

Lydia’s ()idea of somehow incorporating fire had Bran nodding eagerly. “That would be killer!” he said. “There has to be a way we can work that!”

Smiling and nodding, Bran said, “Yes I enjoy hiking and do it often.” River’s () question had him thinking a bit though. “Hmm…best place would probably be a tie between a cave back home that I call Crystal Cave and a crag here on the mountain near the school. Crystal Cave is amazing…small and dark and not much to look at when you first spot the fissure in the rock and squeeze in. But then after what seems like a narrow hall it widens out and it’s the size of a pretty good sized room. The roof has glowworms that look like a bunch of tiny wands all using lumos and the walls sparkle in the dim light because they have quartz-like crystals embedded in the rock. The crag on the mountain here is awesome because it’s high and the wind blows your hair over your eyes and pushes against you, but if you hang on to the pine tree that’s on the ledge, you’re fine. There’s a view that’s unmatched, at least to me. And right above the crag is an eagle’s nest. Now the worst place I’ve been exploring was in a cave near a swamp. It was drippy and damp but I’d been through that before. The bad part was part of the swamp formed a stream-like section in the cave and I stuck a stick in to see how deep it was since the water was dark. All I know is something with tentacles grabbed the stick with one and wrapped another tentacle around my ankle and started pulling me toward the mucky water. Dad had to fire a spell at it to get me free. Scared the heck out of me! Needless to say, I never finished exploring that cave. We got out of there!”

Lynnie leaned closer to look at Terry’s ()phone device. She listened interestedly as the other girl explained everything. “Wow, that is cool. And that one little device does all that? Without any magic? So talking…video chat…is that like a fire chat kinda, but without the fire? Where does the signal come from? And where does it go?” She was full of questions, her mind wanting to learn it all.

Bran and Lynnie both looked startled as River levitated herself. “This Merlin guy must be something,” Bran commented under his breath with a quirk of his eyebrow.

((off to bed for tonight!))

Terry was in total shock when River suddenly made herself levitate just to find Merlin. "Wow, he must have cause a really good impression on you. He is smart but kind of clumsy if you ask me, he tends to trip everywhere. If you think about it, it's kinda cute, he once was carrying a bunch of books in hand up a stairway and I was so sure he would drop them and he did! What I did not expect was for the books to fall on my very own head! I was watching from below and he hit my face! He apologized like one hundred times and blushed so hard his entire face was red. Hahaha! That is Merlin for you."

"yes it does all that and more, without magic just technology. The signals comes from a satellite it is a device up in space that transmits the signal with the information within micro seconds so we can listen to each other immediately. I guess it could be like a fire chat, if fire chat is what I think it is." She looked for text messages. "In here you can write a note to someone and instead of sending it with an owl, you'll get the message immediately! I love my phone." She touched it to her face.

From the crowd Merlin heard someone call his name, he looked back and to the other side but he saw no one so he continues to eat some fruits which was the only vegetarian thing he have found so far and he was starving! Again he heard his name and one of the Hogwarts students touched his shoulder and point up to where River was. "RIVER!" Merlin smiled and went on her direction. "Hey, how are you?! What are you doing up there, should I come up?" He made himself go up and once up he pulled her in a hug. "I'm so happy to see you here! I didn't know you were coming."