"Oh..." She was off in a flash, and he shook his head. Fortunately, Tiberius hated to be left behind, and he launched himself and matched flap for flap with Cassiopea. "Are you aware that you're a horrible cheat?" He called across to her before leaning down and letting Tiberius's slightly larger size and wing span push them forward a bit.

"What difference does it make?" Cela asked with a giggle, "You were probably going to let me and Cassiopeia win anyway." Cela gripped the abraxan's back with her knees and lifted her hands above her head, closing her eyes and smiling happily as the air rushed between her fingertips.

"Have to," he called, laying flat and letting the air push his hair back off his forehead. "You know how girls sulk when they don't get their way. Besides... I like it when you pout. Just does it for me." He grinned, eyes closed, as Tiberius climbed higher.

It does it for him? Does it for him? So... she should... pout... more?
"I won't pout if I win, silly!" Celandine opened her eyes and lowered her hands to take a decent grip on Cassiopeia. She directed the abraxan forward, her ability as a rider helping to make up for the size and strength of Tiberius.

Cela was far too petrified to ask, but she wondered furiously what other things she did that Copernicus would say 'does it' for him.

"So I should beat you to get you to pout? Or let you win so you won't? It's a toss up, Miss Toussaint," it was impossibly hard to keep his voice light when he was shouting over the rush of wind in his ears, and he leaned sideways, directing Tiberius to take a lap around the Astronomy Tower. This... what they were doing right now... was not so much getting over her. It was pretty much flat out flirting. How was it that the more he tried to keep things easy and friendly, the more she invaded his space?

Cela giggled, a little nervously and directed Cassiopeia so that she pulled ahead, "Let me know what you decide on so I can either be a really gracious winner or work on a really good Evolette-style pout, okay Cope?"

As she flew directly into the wind, her pink hair ribbon came loose and fluttered off behind her. Cela did not notice, instead she leaned into Cassiopeia and tried to focus more on the fact that she was riding an abraxan rather than focus on Copernicus and all the things he was saying that made her stomach flip and her fingers tingle.

Copernicus reached out and snagged the pink ribbon from the air before letting Tiberius rise on a crest of air and then glide downward beneath Cassiopea. They were a bit low, but he could feel that pulling at Tiberius's wings, and Cope was going to let the Abraxan do what he needed to feel comfortable in flight.

"He's straining," Cope called, looking up at where Cela was above them in the air.

"Should we turn back?" Cela asked, half-concerned, "We should turn back." Cassiopeia felt alright, but Celandine didn't want to over do it. Cela leaned forward and nuzzled into Cassiopeia's neck, pressing her body against the abraxan, trying to feel any indication of strain or exhaustion.

"Let's finish the loop," Copernicus nodded, but he continued to let Tiberius dictate what was comfortable for him. "Maybe I'm just being oversensitive to the way the upward motion of the wing feels. We'll ask the Professor when we land."

He buried his face in Tiberius's mane. He didn't ever ever ever want to land, and this was their last flight of the school year. They should make it last as long as possible, not try to end it early because Cope was a worrier.

"I guess it's not a race anymore huh?" Celandine pouted a little and Cassiopeia flew lower, coming abreast with Tiberius. Cela turned her head to watch Copernicus, trusting Cassiopeia completely. When they were full grown, it would practically be safe to fall asleep while flying. Cela could understand how that might happen, it felt like a dream as it was.

"It is, but you won," he turned his head and grinned at her. "This was fun, right? Will you make sure someone... rides him over the summer?" But that was a sad thought, and his smile faltered. Still, to make sure Tiberius was strong in the fall, someone would have to exercise him all summer long. No one would be better for that then Cela.

"It's usually pretty fun." Cela meant spending time with Copernicus, rather than tending to the abraxans, though the two had somehow become totally interconnected in her mind. She sat up and nudged Cassiopeia back towards the stables before shooting a strange little look at Copernicus, "Could... couldn't you... ride him?" It wasn't like he'd be that opposed to seeing her during the summer right?

... right?

Cope spent time focused on how the wings and back muscles moved as Tiberius settled into a glide, and he was silent during this time. What was she really saying? He had to take care of Tib himself, or she was inviting him to spend time with her during the summer? He was almost too scared to find out.

"How would that work out?"

Mariel took her time walking down to the Magical Creatures Nursery. She could hardly believe that the term was now over and that this would be her last visit to see Felix. Realizing fully that she would truly miss him over the summer, and surprising herself in the process, the thirteen year old sadly walked over to her Jarvey's cage. No, she decided she wouldn't be sad. She should enjoy her last visit with Felix and he would still be well taken care of without her. And maybe she'd be able to visit him next term.

"Hey, buddy," she greeted him with a cheerful smile. She gently pulled him out of his cage and carried him outside to the play area. Mariel made sure she was finished with her other exams so that she'd have plenty of time to play with Felix on her last visit.

She set him down in the grass under the warm sun and tossed the ball to him a few times, watching him run after it. After he was thoroughly worn out and he lay down on the ground next to her, the second year stroked his fur and knew she had to tell him that this was her last visit. He probably wouldn't understand the words coming out of her mouth, but she felt it necessary.

"So Felix, this has to be our last visit," she said as she pulled some more raisins out of her pocket for him to nibble on. "School is over now and I have to go home. But don't worry, Professor Morgan will take good care of you." She was almost regretting her decision to leave him here over the summer, but she knew that was in his best interest. The Jarvey muttered a few curse words in between bites of raisin and Mariel nodded at him sadly. "Are you sad too?" she asked as she patted his head. Those words probably didn't mean anything and were just instinctive, but the second year read what she wanted to in them.

After he finished his treat, Mariel noticed how tired he was getting as he tried to curl up on the ground, so the Ravenclaw girl decided she should bring him back inside. A quick assessment of his cage told her to change his bedding, which she wanted to do before she left anyway. After accomplishing the cleaning spells and replacing the old bedding with new, she retrieved fresh food and water for him as well.

And now, it was time to leave. "Bye Felix. It was great getting to know you," she said, trying to sound cheerful. Who would have thought she'd be getting so sentimental over a Jarvey, but she was. Maybe Professor Morgan would let her visit him next term. Giving him a small wave, the Ravenclaw turned on her heel and left towards the castle for the last time this term.

Cela chewed her lip a bit and shot Copernicus a slightly panicked look. Would he really pass up an opportunity to spend time with Tiberius because she'd be around?

"I... would you be allowed to visit... Italy?" She asked, adding quickly, "I mean, I won't always be there, because I don't live with my grandmother, and if you didn't want to see me at all it would still be okay for you to go see Tiberius because you could just visit when I'm not there and you'd say hi to Cassiopeia too, right?"

Cela closed her eyes nervously for a minute before opening them and concentrating on landing in the pen, Cassiopeia only stumbling the tiniest bit before getting her footing and prancing around happily.

If Celandine was being honest with herself, she'd imagined spending a part of her summer riding abraxans with Copernicus, it hadn't really occurred to her that Cope might not be overly excited about that prospect.

Copernicus eased Tiberius down to the ground next to Cassiopea, and he quickly slid off and stepped between the two Abraxans. He put his hand high on Cassiopea's neck to still her and looked up at Cela to help her down. But first... he looked up at her.

"Why exactly do you think I wouldn't want to see you, Cel? France and Italy aren't too far apart."

Today, Becca thought it would be nice to spend her free time with Daisy. It was time for finals, and they would be going back home soon. Since she knew she would be going outside to send a letter to Lainey at the owlery, why not just stop by the nursery first? She was sure Daisy would appreciate it - especially if it would potentially be Becca's last opportunity to see her.

Upon entering, she went directly to the shelves and pulled one of the many soft brushes from it. She sat down in front of Daisy's cage and smiled. "Hey girl," she spoke softly, opening the door and letting her niffler come out. Daisy greeted her cheerfully and nuzzled her hand. Becca laughed softly.

"You haven't grown for awhile... I suppose you're full size now, huh?" she noticed, gently beginning to brush Daisy's fur. The niffler replied by hopping into Becca's lap and wiggling happily. She couldn't help but continue to smile. Daisy was just too precious. And it was a shame it was time for finals. Becca would be so busy lately... and then they would be leaving for the term. Completely awful.

So, knowing this was potentially her last time to spend with Daisy, Becca was cherishing every second. "You've been so great," she began. "I mean, really, SUCH a fantastic pet. You're the best niffler in here, for sure." She pulled an apple slice from her pocket that she had brought just for this occasion and held it down to Daisy, who accepted it gratefully and ate it quickly.

For a few minutes, all Becca did was brush and pet Daisy's fur. She gazed around the nursery and sighed. There really was nothing left to do, so Becca set Daisy on the floor in front of the cage. "Go on, Daisy, it's okay. I'll see you soon," she lied. But if Daisy could understand what she said and Becca had told the truth, it was likely that the niffler would try to be cute and cuddle, and end up making her feel guilty. It was easier this way.

"You be good, okay?" Becca nodded, giving the niffler one last pet before closing the door once Daisy was inside. Naybe I'll see you next term if you're still around... In all honesty, Becca had no idea what would happen to Daisy now. But she was sure she would be okay - so the Ravenclaw gave her pet one last grin and exited the nursery.

"Because..." Cela trailed off and turned to look at him and hesitantly placed her hand over his on Cassiopeia's neck. "...because. I promised I wouldn't... I told you I wouldn't talk about... " She swallowed nervously and pulled her hand away, swinging her leg over Cassiopeia and sliding off the abraxan. Unsteady on her feet, Cela held on to Cassiopeia and peeked over her shoulder at Copernicus.

"ButifyouwanttocomevisitIwouldreallyreallylikeitif youdid."

He quirked a grin at her. "Yeah? Well, I'd like it too. Maybe you can come visit us in France. I bet Plymouth would like that," he stepped back to give her space. Riiiiight. Plymouth. "We should give them their treats!" He hurried around the Abraxans to where Professor Morgan was.

"Yeah." Cela exhaled, "Plymouth said he'd introduce me to some carnies." She watched Copernicus practically run away from her and she stroked the two abraxans, letting out a little eeeeeep as they smooshed together to nuzzle each other, squishing her between them.

As Professor Morgan sat watching the Ravenclaws high in flight above her, she idly picked off the petals from a flower she'd found nearby. When she saw them begin their descent, Iliana jumped down from the fence and started clapping her hands together excitedly, cheering them on. "Whoo hoo! That was fantastic!!" She said, impressed by their nearly flawless landings.

As the riders dismounted, Ili picked up the bottles of whiskey and brought them over. "You guys, that was beyond brilliant! You look like you've been riding for years." She gushed. "Here! They certainly deserve these."

Copernicus accepted the bottle and spun the top off before looking up at Professor Morgan. "Professor, it felt like Tiberius was straining a bit at the top of his wing sweep. Is there any way we can check his wings to make sure he's not hurt?" Yes, it was true that Cope was a fretful mother hen.

A little winded, Celandine let out a little puff of exasperation and shoved her way out from between the two abraxans before taking the bottle of whiskey. "Thanks, Professor." Oh. Lid. That was pointless. Cela moved over to stand next to Copernicus and extended her bottle for him to open for her. She looked at Professor Morgan and asked, "Should we use a feeding bottle?" The glass didn't seem like a good idea to Cela, "Or a bucket? And should we mix it with butterbeer to start?"

"Was he? Let me take a look." She said, walking over and gently petting Tiberius' wing. She took the wing into her hands and slowly extended it, running her hand up and down, feeling for any signs of damage or strain. Satisfied that nothing was wrong, Ili lowered his wing. "Everything seems okay Copernicus but just to be sure, I'll keep an eye on him for the next couple of days. Hopefully, he's just tired." That said, she reached up on her tiptoes and kissed Tiberius on the nose. My goodness they were getting so tall.
"Since we're only giving them a single pint for now, the glass should be fine. But just to put your mind at ease..." She drew out her wand and aimed it towards the stable. When the two summoned buckets arrived, Iliana handed one to each student. "When they get older, you'll be able to feed them right from the bottle."

"So we could have flown longer?" Copernicus gave Cela a really pathetic look as he took her bottle and opened it. Merlin, that was disappointing! He wrinkled his nose in apology before handing the bottle back and turning to pour his own into the bucket. "I wasn't sure what the feeling was, Professor, although I felt it last time. Maybe it's supposed to feel that way and I just didn't know." He was a bit embarrassed about being such a worrier, but any efforts to keep Tib well were worth it.