Fable clapped and congratulated the winners and comforted the losers. It was a good game!

Eirik turned to his blanket mates. "If you will excuse me for a minute, " he said with a smile, "I will be right back." Eirik walked down onto the field, heading toward Kyros. Once up to him, he spoke quietly.

" I think you did well, Kyros, I was impressed with your passion to win." He put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "You will get them next time, " and he winked.

Then he turned and walked over to where Magnus () was celebrating with his teammates. "Congrats on your team's win, Magnus. I look forward to seeing the next competition, and how everyone does," he said with a smile.

Then he walked back to the blanket and sat down. He spoke quietly so that only those sitting near him could hear him. "I think it's important to support new alliances while strengthening old ones, don't you agree..?" he said, then yawned. He pulled out his flask from his inner coat pocket and drank deeply from it. "Although this much daytime activity is still taking it's toll on me." He put his flask away, and leaned back. "Fable, would you mind waking me up when it's time to move..?" he said, closing his eyes. "I just need a few minutes..."

Fable nodded to let him know that she would wake him when they move.

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/E67lvGG.png[/img] Poppy was flushed from exerting herself. She caught her breath and bent over to tighten her bootlace. It had been a fun and quick game, although she was disappointed in herself for not playing better. Poppy was impressed by Kyros and Maddox in particular. Their combined strategies were effective for much of the game.

So far, she was enjoying herself in the outdoors and was very pleased with the choice she had made to join the workshop.

Elizabeth had been glad that the Protego charm blocked gone astray snowballs so good, but made a personal remark to ask Eirik about the Protego Totalum. Why wasn't this taught in class when they started Protego?, she asked herself.

She chuckled when Eirik explained his plans with the council. "You know, that sounds pretty shady and sinister, but I like that. It's going to make a great stir this way.", she added, "I hope we get an own room for the council...I wouldn't want to held the meetings in our common room." She paused for a moment as a thought about a particular privy room crossed her mind, but stayed silent. That would really let the council appear in a dubios light.

As Eirik went away to congratulate, Elizabeth decided to follow. "You did great! It was joyful to watch", she said and looked at the teams. She knew that losing would just fuel their ambition so that was not a bad thing...and there would be many competitions to come. Additionally, everyone looked quite happy and energetic.

Fable proceeded to pick up the blanket and make sure other students got their items back.

( )

Eirik chuckled at Elizabeth's remark. "I like the way you think, " he said, " right on my wavelength."

After they had returned to the blanket, he smiled at Fable. "Thank you for folding this up, I can carry this for you," he said, taking the still warm blanket from her.

Eirik walked with the group down to the Quidditch pitch, and saw the layout of the barrels. "I think here," he said, walking to an inclined spot, "should be about the best place to watch all of this."

He laid out the blanket, and encouraged everyone to get comfortable as one of the workshop leaders began to explain the next challenge. "It's a shame that the barrels aren't on fire, that would have been more exciting,' he said, but settled in to watch anyway.

Fable smiled, "thank you Eirick" as he took the blanket and she walked with the group. Once she arrived and the next destination she waited for Eirick to lay out the blanket again and make herself comfortable. She wish she had brought more coffee...but it was alright.

( )

Eirik smiled again at Fable. "You are so very welcome," he said and winked at her.

Once they had laid out the blanket, he made certain to sit next to her. This was turning to be not such a bad day after all, and he was happy.

Sideways glancing over towards the brooms, Aria felt quite nervous about the next game. Flying was one subject in school that she did not feel accomplished in. She liked books and working with tangible things, so it often was a bother to her that she just could not get the hang of being so high in the sky. She bit her lip and stepped up to one of the brooms and took hold of it. She hoped that none of her classmates could sense her apprehension.

'Come on,' Dax mind spoke to Aria as he flew through the air. 'Flying is easy and fun!' He performed a backwards spiral and flew through one of the barrels, showing off for anyone who might be watching.

Aria folded her arms across her chest and shook her head towards Dax. 'You're a griffin,' Aria reminded Dax, while sending a mental emotion of mock exasperation, 'of course flying is easy for you.' Aria sighed and sent Dax a mental hug. 'Thanks for trying to build my confidence though,' she said.

MAgnus loved flying and was simply beaming. "Come on, Aria, Paddy, let' get our brooms." He hadnt noticed she didn't look thrilled. He waved over at Eirik, Fable, Elizabeth and Fade.

In response to her brother, Aria managed a smile that looked more like a grimace mixed with anguish. "I'm ready!" Aria said in false bravado, grateful that her voice hadn't shown any sign of worry. ()

Aria smiled at the reassurance her brother had given her. He actually helped boost her confidence a lot more than Dax's failed attempts. "Thank you," Aria replied in earnest, offering a more enthusiastic smile.

( (I hope this works now lol))

"Much better," he said seeing the smile. "Besides, if you are in the 'ospital wing, you don't 'ave to do 'omework. And you know, Dad'll send a plant." He stuck his tounge out a little teasing but also trying to make her laugh.

Aria looked at her brother and punched his arm while holding back a laugh. "If anyone goes to the hospital wing it will be you, brother. And I will tell dad to send you a pink bunny friend as your get well gift." Aria giggled outright and grinned at Magnus. His ploy to take her mind off the flight had worked, she felt quite like usual again.

( -- it's pretty crazy how the forums are so choosy in deciding when to work and not work)

(( I know, right? o.0 so strange)) "Only if I get a onesie ta match. Though I'd rather 'ave a spider onesie with moving extra legs." He wiggled his fingers like the were extra legs and "walked" them up her arm, shoulder and to her neck.

Aria's eyes grew wide in fright as Magnus finger-spider crawled up her arm and neck. "Oh!" She exclaimed in horror and surprise. "You know ho much it creeps me out to have any type of critter crawling on my skin." She looked utterly horrified while taking two quick steps backwards away from Magnus.

Dax sent Magnus a mental image of Magnus cheering in triumph and winked at him.

It was then that Aria noticed that Dax seemed to be on Magnus's side in teasing. She shook her head and turned away from them, giving them a halfhearted attempt at a cold shoulder.

()