Zoe () turned to talk to Fade (), so Jona decided to take this moment to stretch his legs on the stopped bus. "I'ma wander," he said to Zoe.

Jona walked over to the centaur girl first, since she was someone he wanted to get to know (), it just so happened the Drew () was there, too, but Jona felt a flash of anger when he saw the Slytherin boy so he did nothing more than nod to show his acknowledgement. He wasn't sure why he felt angry.

"You're Mallowsweet, right? Honestly, I can't remember if we've met or not, but everyone's been talking about you so I feel like I already know you." Jona thought about what he'd just said and decided to make better of it. "Nothing bad, I promise! Just, people can't help but talk..." Jona kicked at the floor, feeling like he was driving the conversation into the ground - and the other person hadn't even said anything yet!"Sorry," he muttered. He waited a beat before speaking again. "So...truth?" He looked up at Mallowsweet with large, innocent eyes and a pouted lip. "I just thought you'd be cool and wanted to talk. I'd like it if we could be friends." He smiled brightly then, hoping to encourage her mutual friendship.

"Okay," Zoe said, "have fun."

Drew’s eyes narrowed slightly at Jona’s interruption. Honestly, couldn’t the kid see that he and Mallowsweet were trying to talk and get to know each other better?? He wondered why the sudden interest to talk to the young centaur as she’d been alone the entire field trip so far and Jona hadn’t shown any inclination to talk to her…until she came over to speak to Drew. She hadn’t even had a chance to respond to Drew before Jona butted in. Rather than say what he’d like to, Drew simply sighed and turned back to the horses. He tried not to allow people to suck out his enjoyment of an opportunity he’d dreamed about all his life. His eyes focused on the assortment of winged horses flying and capering about the meadow. It was a sight that he would never forget, but Drew also couldn’t wait to finish the field trip and he’d be damned if he signed up for any more. He would stay in the dorm and focus on his classes. He had Dodger at Hogwarts and Fleet and his other non-human friends would be waiting for him at home so who needed anyone else. ( and whoever)

((to anyone :) ))

Magnus was hungry and excited. "Oh wow, Drew, Fade, get a load of George! I'm gonna get a better look. Come meet me for lunch you wanna sit with me," Magnus said, grabbing his bag and heading out quickly so he could watch the large creature. His mouth was open and he looked mesmerized. Maybe he'd already forgotten lunch?

River hopped out the bus and went to place her order. She had been fairly quiet but then she did't know many people yet.

Zoe remained in the bus waiting for everyone to file out.

"Ah, no wonder I can almost understand it. The Rom used to be good friends to all the forest folk. Hogwarts is... challenging..." Mallosweet was responding to Drew when suddenly another boy came up and introduced himself. The young centaur drew her hooves in tight to her body, suddenly shy. "Talking about me?" She asked nervously "Why?" The tension between the two boys was palpable, and her unfamiliarity with humans made Mallowsweet react somewhat defensively.
"I mean, just because the herd kicked me out of the forest doesn't mean I'm really some kind of freak." Luckily Irwin chose that moment to announce the bus was moving on. The undersea restaurant took her breath away as did the sight of 'George'. She barely remembered to thank Jasper for helping her off the bus. The clear glass ceiling and walls were disconcerting, and she stomped her hooves on the floor several time to reassure herself of its solidity before looking around for Drew. She felt her confidence returning and wanted to inquire more about his Gypsy-talk.

Jona didn't think about whether he'd be interrupting conversation. He mostly got up to give Zoe a chance to talk to Fade, who he knew she had some reservations with. Drew seemed just as angry when Jona came up and Mallowsweet seemed...scared? The whole thing cut Jona unawares and he stood kind of wide-eyed after the fact. Drew had moved on and Mallowsweet followed him, without anyone really having said a word to Jona. He felt stupid and little and rude and...and...alone. Jona clutched his elbows, holding himself tight across his chest. He forgot where he was and who was even around him, for the sense of fear and danger was suffocating. He hated when this happened, being fully aware of what was going on, but unable to really do anything except wait for it to pass. Using his hands to feel around, Jona fell into the closest seat; placing his hands on his hands, he worked through his breathing. Sometimes it was the silliest of things that triggered him, like being ignored but his fellow students.

@/Raven @/leafling19 @/Turokai (and/or whomever feels like jumping in this hot mess)

Looking around for Drew, Mallowsweet noticed the other boy who had come up to them on the bus, sitting slumped in a chair with his head in his hands. He had never told her his name she realized. What could be so important to tell her that he wouldn't have introduced himself first? He had said people were talking about her.., and something about friends. "Oh no" she breathed. The last time centaurs she had considered her friends were talking about her, she had been kicked out of the herd and banished from the forest. Was this boy trying to warn her? Without another thought she leaped over an intervening bench, and skidded to a stop in front of his chair. Grabbing him by both shoulders she blurted out "Were you trying to warn me they want to kick me out of Hogwarts now too?"

Fade nodded at Paddy and covered another sneeze. “Yeah. Once I get used to it, it isn’t so bad. But that usually take a day or two.” He sniffled and grinned at her. “Good to see you by the way. They haven’t had very many all house inclusive events this term. Been going alright for you?” ()

“Sure am.” He nodded at Zoe in response to her question. “Been sketchin without really lookin, so I could like, absorb the moment you know?” Maybe he was talking nonsense, but in his head it sounded plausible. The first few pages of his sketchbook had devolved into some seriously squiggly line drawings roughly representing the creatures they had so far encountered. ()

As the bus descended toward its next stop, Fade began to feel a little uneasy. Things that lived above ground were usually more his speed. But the things that thrived in the dark places of the earth gave him chills, and not the exciting sort. When they finally arrived however, the beauty of the water and the light refracting off of all the fish swimming around behind the glass made him feel at ease. At least until George showed up. Fade caught his breath and stared wide-eyed with a bit of slack jaw as the creatures massive body floated past. He hardly registered Magnus's invitation to sit with him at lunch, though that would probably happen anyway.

Paddy rooted around in her pocket and found a new packet of tissues which she handed to Fade. "Always comes in handy to have these," she said, "Uncle put some kind of healing balm on them so it shouldn't make your nose too sore." She thought for a moment before answering his question. "I've been helping out with the Care of Magical Creatures critters after lessons, so I've not seen much of everyone else yet this term. It's not been going too bad though, other than being wary of getting on my broom again after falling off it in the holidays." She didn't get a chance to ask Fade how the term was going for him, as they were both utterly distracted by George the sea serpent. "He's almost as neat as the Occamy" she said with a grin as Magnus dashed off the bus to get a better look. She left the bus and waited behind a girl she thought she'd heard was called River. "Enjoying it all so far?" she asked, feeling she ought to make a little small talk while they waited to place their order.

( and everyone else)

((and everyone))

Zoe smiled at Fade. "Oh, I see. Glad ye like it." She didn't really understand but didn't want to look stupid. "Aye, look at the way he swims," she replied to Paddy. By the time she looked around everyone was gone. She'd been engrossed and never saw Jona leave the bus.

River nodded and smiled "Yes I am. How about you? Paddy right?" they'd met a few times but not really interacted much.

Zoe looked at Niamh and blushed. "Oh, er, guess I did nee realise everyone was gone."

Mr. Cassidy has come over to Mallowsweet. "Kindly let go of the boy please. Grabbing another student is not something we do," he said. His voice was calm. He looked a little stressed. "Come on and order your food. This is supposed to be a fun trip."

"Hmm?" Jona looked up from his feet to see Mallowsweet (@/Turokai) there again. He half-smiled at her with his eyebrows furrowed together quizzically. "Er, no? Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your earlier conversation. It was nothing important, I promise." His shoulders sagged, but he slowly brought his weight to his feet and came to a stand.

When Mr. Cassidy got involved, Jona grew nervous at creating a scene. "'s fine. Really. You can, uh, go back to whatever. No worries." Eyes darting everywhere else so they wouldn't land on Mallosweet, Jona began getting fidgety. He wasn't sure how much of his episode she had seen and began to regret trying to talk to the centaur girl at all. "Was only trying to make a friend," he mumbled as he walked past Mallowsweet and Professor Cassidy to look for Zoe (@/Raven). Jona's breathing was still shallow and he could feel sweat on his brow. Maybe she could wind him down.

Smiling as Mallowsweet mentioned the Rom, Drew said, “I wish I was but I’m not true gypsy that I know of.” The young centaur’s response to Jona was a surprise and Drew’s heart went out to her. To have lost her home and family and all that was familiar to her was a hard blow.

“Oh no…please not yet,” Drew whispered as Irwin announced it was time to move and the bus began changing. He dutifully stepped back and sat down, but his eyes were on the winged horses until they disappeared in the distance behind them and he gave a sigh filled with the longing to have stayed with them.

The decent underground and then into the clear underwater tunnel was a surprise and Drew sat in his seat for several minutes after they stopped trying to acclimate himself to the watery surroundings a bit more. True he was used to the view of the lake from the Slytherin dungeons, but this was different. Here they weren’t merely looking out a window, but were totally surrounded by water…and the creatures residing in the depths.

He dimly heard Magnus call to him and gave a half nod before looking around for Mallowsweet only to discover she had already left. Drew got to his feet and left the bus, wanting to find and talk to the young centaur more. He glimpsed her standing and looking around. The stamps she gave let Drew know she was feeling out of place in the underwater world and a bit frightened probably. He started toward her to reassure her but then suddenly she was sailing through the air, over a bench and landing beside…Jona. Drew sighed. Maybe he should just leave them be, he thought. But would Jona be able to talk to her in a way that would reassure her about things? He’d already managed to upset her earlier. No, Drew refused to leave Mallowsweet open to possible upset. Determinedly he walked over, just in time to hear the young centaur’s nearly panicked question. Drew’s eyes widened and he approached and said quietly, “Easy, Mallowsweet. No one will send you away from Hogwarts. You’re safe.” He’d meant to help calm her about being underwater, but now it had evolved into something totally different. However Drew had a feeling it was the same idea at the root of the matter…she needed to feel safe.

[edit]

Drew couldn't believe the uncaring attitude of Jasper and he turned hard eyes on the man. Couldn't he see the young centaur was frightened?? Didn't he care about the students and their feelings at all?? From what Drew had experienced thus far on the trip the answer was obviously no! He gently placed a hand on Mallowsweet's arm. "It's alright. Would you like to come with me?" he asked softly.

( etc. )

(Jasper's being calm and trying very hard to make this trip fun. :/)

Mr Cassidy breathed a sigh of relief when Jona was released. As well as when Drew was trying to calm Mallowsweet down. He stayed put, however, since he knew something was up. The tensions of the mid morning were still in his shoulders and he wondered if he would have an hour without a problem? "Don't worry, this place is very solid. Magic is truly amazing."

Zoe finally descended the bus and saw Jona right away. He looked upset. She hadn't seen anything so had no idea why. "Ye wanna go get food?" she asked hesitatingly.

Paddy was relieved that River didn't seem to mention her fur - it was something all her friends were used to, but she hated having to explain it to new students. "I wish we could've spent longer in some of the areas, but it's brilliant so far," she replied, "I wonder what they've got lined up for this afternoon."

Niamh wasn't too sure that was the reason Zoe had stayed on the bus, but she sounded happy enough so Niamh joined the queue to order something to eat. She waved to River who was talking to that girl with the fur Niamh recognised from the Gryffindor common room, before getting her food and finding a table that was far enough away from the glass so she could eat without George appearing to be too close. As she bit into her food, she saw some amazingly coloured fish which made her wish she had brought a camera with her.

( and everyone else - feel free to chat to either of them)

Jona took a shaky breath when Zoe finally found him, but didn't say anything. He was afraid he might start crying the moment he opened his mouth and could feel the tears burning the corners of his eyes already. Swallowing the hard lump in his throat, Jona simply nodded and followed Zoe, his fists curled into tight knots that made his knuckles ten shades lighter.

Mallowsweet had talked to him out of fear for her own safety. Professor Cassidy had come, because she was tense and that made him nervous for the other students. Drew joined for his concern of Mallowsweet. Jona knew he should feel compassion towards Mallowsweet, since she didn't seem very stable, but he couldn't help but feel like no one here cared about him. It was a selfish thought that he instantly tried to quell, but the idea stuck a dagger in his heart upon creation and left it lodged there. Jona gasped then bit down on his tongue to fight through his rampant emotions. He wanted people to notice, but he'd had it ingrained in him at a young age never to make a scene.

@/Raven @/Turokai @/leafling19

Niamh followed the movement of the fish as they swam across in front of her, and noticed a student who she thought was Jona, looking somewhat upset. "Zoe, Jona, want to join me?" she called as Zoe and Jona ordered their food, "there's some awesome fish to watch."

()

((OOC: sorry for angst! "Teenagers" rolls eyes dramatically - but actually, sorry. I'll try and get Jona to cool off))

Jona looked up at the slightly familiar girl. It was the one that had fed him cookies at the lake that one day. He smiled genuinely; remembering that one happy interaction made him feel a little better. He nodded to Zoe and sat down with Niamh. "I think I'm gonna hold off on getting food for a little bit," he said, trying to pull his emotional hangover as a simple stomach ache. "How are you....Nee-am?" He said he name as a question, because he wasn't sure if he'd remembered it right.

Niamh smiled at Joan's attempt at her name. "It's nee-ve," she said, trying to pronounce it as clearly as possible. "But don't worry, those people who can spell it right first time can never pronounce it." She rooted around in her bag for a moment before pulling out a Chocolate Frog. "Mother said chocolate would cute most things," she said, handing the chocolate to Jona and wondering if she'd become known as the girl who always gave people chocolate.