Zoe headed to the pool with the others and was thrilled to get in. She saw Blade and Toru and Nimah was holding snorkelling gear. "Hi guys," she said. She was very surprised to see the scars on Jona but said nothing. She'd seen Magnus' scars which were from his werewolf attack and she knew he didn't like people asking.

"Well, I think the ocean is a better place to snorkle indeed," Blade replied to Nimah. He nodded his greeting to the others. "Hello." He noted the scars on Jona, but also didn't really care. So what if he had scars? It wasn't going to change who the kid was so no need to point out or get all nosy about.

Magnus waved to someone one on the water deck in yellow. He couldn't make out who it was on the paddleboard but he was a friendly boy after all.

Toru was surprised that Nimah asked them if they wanted to snorkel with her and Blade. They would have assumed she'd want to spend time with him alone. "I-I'm good s-swimming here, f-for now." They added the last bit on quickly. "B-But if Blade wants t-to snorkel, I-I'm sure y-you'd like t-the company?" Toru gave Blade a small smile, hoping it would encourage him to spend time with the girl Toru assumed he liked. They had kissed after all, and Blade turned wonderful shades of red anytime it was brought up.

Several of their other friends had joined them in the pool so it's not like they would be alone. Callie did bright Sabrina and Toru was very careful to stay towards the center of the pool. Cats hated water after all, right? They should be fine. Jona jumped in near them and splashed them entirely. "H-Hey!" But they began laughing, indicating they weren't upset.

"Fair enough," Niamh replied to Toru, "I expect we'll be somewhere near the base of that slide if you decide you want to join us." Looking over at Blade, she added "well are you coming then, or will you catch me up?"

She headed over to the slide, pulled her goggles and snorkle on, took a deep breath, and jumped onto it.

Sliding down, she caught glimpses of the view, and various parts of the other decks, before splashing into the ocean. She swam a short distance just so she wasn't in the way of his landing, before waiting for Blade to catch up.

Millie heard her friend's voices but wasn't sure where they were. She approached the equipment area and picked up an inflatable cartoonish unicorn float. She picked it up and walked into the pool with it. She had expected the water to be cold but was happily surprised it was like bathwater. She tried to jump onto the unicorn but slipped off and went under water. She popped back up and swore under her breath. She grabbed it and returned to the steps and stepped in from the top. She kicked herself away from the edge and started floating towards the center of pool.

(and all)

Blade wasn’t sure what to do but he loved the ocean a lot and several students had joined Toru. “Well,” he said hesitatingly, “I suppose I could go snorkelling for a bit. Are you sure you don’t wanna come Toru?” He slipped out and used his wand to summon a wet suit. Once on, he bubblehead charmed himself and followed Nimah (and Toru if they came) down the slide to the ocean. The slide was actually pretty fun since he’d never been on one before. The ocean was beautiful as were the sea life they spotted.

“Hey Millie,” Zoe said brightly to her friend.

"Hey Zoe" (). "How you are? How'd your NEWTs go?" she asked her friend. "I was wondering where everyone was. I fell asleep up on the sundeck for a while."

((Zoe won't take newts still the end of Summer term next year. This was the first term so I'm basing it as the first part of the year, so this would be the term break but not end of the school year.))

"Oh I hope ye did nee get burnt," Zoe fretted.

(( - oh okay. I couldn't remember if she was taking them at the end of this term. I base the term on Millie's age, Since she turned 16 in July, I decided to have her finish her 5th year))

"Thankfully, I remembered to cast a sunblock charm as I was boarding. Professor Norman taught me it after the beach trip. This yacht is amazing. I want to go exploring before lights out."

((well I do too, but since term doesn't run the same way as in Hogwarts I count the terms from the start of one Summer term through the winter. So our July-September is the first half. Instead of Starting on September the 1st))

"Ooh good!" Zoe said. "Yes it is! I do nee know if there is an official lights out."

(( - ahh ok. That makes sense. I never really put a lot of thought into it. I just kind of go, "July 13th. Millie starts her next year the following term. That's good to know for my future characters.))

Millie turned when she heard an announcement about a ball. "I think I shall find my room and freshen up for the dance. Would you like to go together or shall I meet you in the ball room?" she asked Zoe

(and all)

Zoe turned so red. "Oh I do nee think I'll go dancing," she replied. "I will probably just eat and swim...." She didn't think anyone would be interested in dancing with her for starters.

Blade had taken a short nap after the long excursion in the ocean. Swimming was something he enjoyed doing a lot. He woke and decided he was hungry so made his way to the snack bar on the third deck. He finished his meal and made his way to the pool, planning on swimming and floating--looking at the stars.

"Well, to be honest, I'm not much of a dancer. Especially when Emmett isn't around. I wasn't sure if we had to go up or if it was optional. I'd much rather stay down here. I'd like to try the paddle board. And go down the giant slide." She told Zoe ()

Callista had thought everything would go just fine at the pool--and she'd been right. Servals are wetlands cats, and they love to play in water, but Sabrina preferred the shallow end of the pool and did not want to get water in her ears. As a result, she never got too close to Toru.

And now the cat was worn out and snoozing across her bed. Callista ate a small supper, then got dressed for an evening of dancing and headed for the ballroom, after carefully locking the door so that Sabrina could sleep undisturbed--and not get out on the deck by herself.

& everyone :)

Paddy really wasn't used to 'dressing up' for an evening, but was pleased she had brought a couple of things that would be suitable for dancing. Not that she thought there would be anyone to dance with, but she thought she'd at least make an appearance in the ballroom, even if she went back to swim in the pool after a while.

--

Niamh had really enjoyed the snorkelling, spotting so many different sea creatures she hadn't realised existed. She headed back on board a little earlier than most would've thought was necessary, but she wanted to make sure she spent a little time on her outfit before the evening. Of course she grabbed something to eat first, but her mind was on the evening already, wondering if she be confident enough to ask Blade to dance.... or maybe he'd ask her. Feeling a little self-conscious, she walked down to the water level deck, and entered the ballroom.

@ raven (and everyone else)

& everyone :)

Callista's eyes widened when she saw Niamh come in. "Niamh, your dress is amazing! I thought I'd see you more often when you came back to Hogwarts with us, but you sorted in Gryffindor, and half the time I hardly recognise you. Do you ever hear from Tiferet back in Alexandria at your old school? It was because of her that I decided to get a serval, you know."

Mostly during their stay in Ilvermorny she'd seen Niamh dressed very casually, and she thought she remembered Niamh being one of the hijabi girls, at least at first. Niamh had really come out of her shell, hadn't she?

((and all))

“Sounds like ye’ve got a plan yerself,” Zoe said with a smile. “I’m so glad its nee mandatory.”

Clueless as usual, Blade had slipped into the swimming pool without a single thought of the dance.

Magnus had thought of the dance, but had gotten distracted as he wondered the yacht. To his mind, dances could be attended anytime, but a yacht like this was pretty amazing.

Rosemarie was nervous but she wanted to make friends. She didn’t think anyone would want to dance with a not-even-eleven-year-old but still, older students and dancing. Professor Norman did the charms which surprised her simply because she didn’t think he’d manage such a cute look, but she was please and giggled when the Professor said he felt like a fairy godmother. Rosemarie stepped into the ballroom taking a deep breath hoping to settle her nerves. All of the girls looked lovely.

Niamh grinned as she spotted Callista, "thanks! You don't think maybe it's a bit too much? I feel really self-conscious right now, but it's so neat to not have to wear a head scarf to keep the sand out of my hair!" She paused, just to make sure she didn't sound like she was gabbling, "I haven't heard from anyone from 4A since I moved to Hogwarts, apart from those who moved over at the same time of course," she added, trying to look around the ballroom to spot Blade, without making it look like she didn't want conversation.

Not spotting anyone she was likely to be asked to dance with, Paddy moved to the side of the ballroom to watch everyone else. She waved at Rosemarie as she entered, "you look great, I love what you've done with your hair."

Toru had packed something nice to wear in the evening and hoped they'd let them into the ball as-is. They had figured it was going to be a festival of sorts and had packed their summer Yukata and their geta sandals. It wasn't as nice as some formal kimonos, but it wasn't like it was UN-formal wear. They entered the ballroom shyly, and waved a bit at the girls who were there.

(and all)

Thank you," Rosemarie said shyly. "Professor Norman did it and the outfit too." She gave a little twirl. "I was surprised because he's much older and all but I like the look. I think you look pretty too, Paddy." When Toru entered, the young girl waved to 'her.' "Oh you look pretty."