The flight was almost over too soon, but at least by the time the finish line had gotten closer, Brooklyn had decided on a name. She wasn’t going to tell her hippogriff that yet, but she’d decided on one. It remained to be seen if the hippogriff would learn it, as it tried to veer toward another bird. There had been a split second of thought about another threat, but then she realized they were close enough to the end of the flight that it wouldn’t hurt. As long as her mount didn’t decide to stop and land before they got to the others. She still tightened her fingers in the feathers on the back of its neck as it dove toward the bird, though. She definitely didn’t want to fall off now, not when there were so many witnesses. Although there was the chance of someone catching her if she did. Maybe the professor.

She still wasn’t planning on falling, not when that would ruin a perfectly awesome ride. Instead, she let the bird get caught, then turned her hippogriff back toward the finish line. She didn’t care if it had a bird in its mouth. That was kind of awesome too. Showed her hippogriff had power, and of course it did. She’d chosen it after all. Leaning forward, she felt the wings beat steadily as it started to glide toward the ground just past the finish line, avoiding the other hippogriffs already waiting there. She let out a soft breath as they landed, but otherwise stayed on her mount. At the very least, she enjoyed being taller for once. She was almost as tall as the professor while she was up here, and she remained where she was even as the hippogriff had started tearing into the bird she’d let it catch. Nobody had said she had to get off right after she’d finished her ride, so she wasn’t going to.

Mr. Hippogriff was being so good right now that Lux gave him a hug by leaning further into him and pressing her cheek to his neck while wrapping her arms around him more. He was such a good boy and she was so happy to be racing with him, eating of worms aside.

Straightening herself out again, they both managed to avoid another log but shortly after something to the side seemed to be getting his attention so she had to coax him into not veering off course. She didn't want to come in last place if she could help it, and needed Mr. Hippogriff to remain focused because they were doing such an amazing job so far. Just no more worms.

"You are doing just wonderful," she told him.

After he was waiting and knew he probably wouldn't win the race, I mean he couldn't force her to stand up unless he had bait. He looked around and noticed there were was some worms. He smiled and went over and picked some up. As he returned she was gone. Huh....where did she go? He went over to look and look and couldn't find her. Aaahh jeez...he lost Charlene. The professor will not be happy about this. As he stopped looking he noticed she went onto the farther side of the lake. He gave a quizzical look and followed her. She seemed to like the mud since she was bobbing her nose for more worms. He chuckled and came over to her. "You nearly scared me. Wanna go for another ride?" he asked showing his worm. She looked at it and was hesitant. "Come on it will be fun.." he promised. She still looked at the worm and ate it out of his hand. He took that as a yes.

He put one foot over Charlene and leaned his torso onto her. He started petting her and whispered. "Alright girl let's win this race.." he encouraged her. She understood and Kace tapped her butt and they were flying again. She was dodging the trees and everything. He was really impressed.

They were in the home stretch; Lux could see the finish line getting closer and closer every second. "We are almost there, Mr. Hippogriff!"

That was enough to make her feel better, and even if she was having fun her friend should have a break soon and some water to drink because running did start taking its toll. Lost in her thoughts, she almost missed when Mr. Hippogriff decided to pause and eat some more worms. It was not going to fly with her this time, so she gave him another pat on the hindquarters before he came to a complete stop. "Good boy!" They were still making great time.

A few more log jumps, and they crossed the finish line. "We did it!"

So he'd managed to navigate the steed awayyyyy from the bird, and Mr. Birdie could live another day. Well, unless another hippogriff got there before it could fly off. Ahem.

But still, there were more obstacles, so Toby still had his work cut out for him.

"This way, Monty," he called forward to the hippogriff, gently guiding around to the right, and then the left. He didn't really know how to steer up or down, but Monty seemed to have that under control, or maybe it was that Toby was sending subconscious signals. Either way, they avoided each and every branch that might possibly have caused a problem.

"Great! You're doing such a good job." Tobias wanted to lean down and hug the hippogriff, but remembered what Thompson had said about how that made them slow down and land. No hugs then. Yet.

As Monty became distracted by another bird, Toby realised just how close to the end they were. Before his hippogriff could even start going off course, he spoke up again and leaned to the side and away from the bird, which refocused Monty's attention onto the finish line.

"C'mon, Monty! Nearly there, such a great job!" And ahead the flew, finally reaching the end and crossing the finish line. "Brilliant!"

He didn't go in to land just yet, preferring instead to let Monty fly around in large circles up in the air, just to really stretch those wings. When he felt like it had been long enough, Tobias steadied himself on the hippogriffs back and leaned forward. Instantly, Monty headed for the ground, landing gracefully and trotting off into a free space.

Toby had intended to stay aboard for a little longer, 'cause it was super fun being so tall for once, but as he leaned forward to do a combination hug/feather pat, he lost his footing and, by extension, his balance. Once again, Toby slid off the side of the hippogriff, hitting the ground with another THUD and an "OOFT." Slightly more painful this time, as it was from a little higher up. The Hufflepuff lay there on the floor again, apparently resigned to the fact that today was just one of those falling-to-the-floor kinda days. It was written in the stars.

Monty's face suddenly loomed right down into his. Toby looked up into those large orange eyes that blinked back at him curiously... and he grinned.

"Well," he said, reaching up to pat that steel-coloured beak. "At least I didn't fall from up there." Monty just looked at him, and Toby went on laying there, as he wasn't close enough to the main group to be in anyone's way, and moved his hand to pat the creature's feathers. "Good job today," he said, before adding quietly, "You're such a good friend, Monty."

Despite some detours from the delicious looking birds for Henry the Hippogriff, Professor Thompson and him managed to arrive at the finish line before the others. The head start did help after all, because before long the three winners arrived. Smiling a little at their safe descent. "Congratulations Mr. Zeke Rogers, that's ten extra points for you." Second and third place went to, "Miss Jasmine Guidry, five extra points, and Mr. Aditya Rehman, three extra points for your early arrivals."

As for the others, "Good work everyone on making it safely.." Now for the bad news for some of them, "That'll do for today, you're all more than welcome to help walk the Hippogriffs back to the Play pens before saying your goodbyes. Otherwise, class is dismissed."

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OOC: Thank you for participating everyone Thread will be open until tomorrow.

WEEEEHEEEE!!!

He'd stayed mounted on Helios as the others arrived, the thundering hooves sounded AWESOME as they all rushed to a stop and stuff. Of course, he was BEAMING atop his STEAD, cause, they were VICTORS.

"You're the best, Helios," he confessed, his arms slung around the beasts neck in an embrace - but not so tight as to choke him. "We'll get you some birds now too, like I said," he added. Of course, they had to wait for people first, and the Professor too.

And once everyone made it, safely, and were gathered around, Zeke saluted the Professor, his announcement and his instructions. Whooop! TEN POINTS! TEN WHOLE POINTS! Yeaaahhhh boi!

"Thanks Professor Thompson!!" he cheered, "and... can I come back every day to visit Helios and give him birds? He deserves it, and I kinda promised it to him." Please say yes! Please say yes! Zeke was super fond of the Hippogriff, in case the man couldn't tell.

Jasmine was still sitting atop Buddy, mostly because she hadn't quite figured out how to dismount gracefully. She was just sorting that out in her head when the Professor made an announcement. They had come in second place! Jasmine hugged the Hippogriff and praised him. "We did it Buddy! Second place. You are one awesome Hippogriff". Giving him lots of love and an extra pat, she said, "I need to get down now." Buddy lowered himself just enough for Jasmine to get down. She swung her leg over his back an dropped to the ground.

Now that Jasmine and Buddy had bonded, it was clear that they were going to be friends. "You are the best.", she said and meant every word. She would definitely have to make time to visit her new friend because they were connected now. If she could only get him those treats she'd promised him, life would be good.

Aww third place wasn't bad. Adi was all smiles as usual. He gave Grey Feathers a hug. Well, it was kind of a hug which involved him putting his arms awkwardly over the Griff's neck. "You're just awesome.'' The Puffer had already made up his mind to visit Grey Feathers again.

"Come on, let's get you back to the play pen.'' Pat, pat, pat.

"Bye, Professor. Thanks for the awesome lesson.'' Emphasis on 'awesome'. With a bit of coaxing, Adi lead his Griff off.

Ian smiled at the names of those who were awarded points. Seems like his house got a few extra points, all of which could help toward the end of the year.

He looked up at Ruffles and patted him on the neck. Alright, buddy. Looks like we're done for the day. He wished he had some sort of treat to give Ruffles to thank him for a nice, exciting ride.

He started walking toward the play pen with Ruffles. Time to head off, buddy. He looked to see if he was being followed by the hippogriff. When he was satisfied Ruffles was coming, Ian walked ahead, comforted by the beast's massive presence. Walking into the pen, Ian led him all the way in. When they were about half way in, Ian turned and patted Ruffles on the side. Looks like this is the end of the day for you and me. Hopefully you and your friends have a great night. Thank you for not biting me, or dropping me to a possibly severe injury. Ian reached up and hugged the creature about the neck and headed off. See ya later, Ruffles. Ian left the pen and waved at the professor. Great class, professor. I'll see you next time. With that, Ian headed back to the castle.

"Come on girl you can do it!" he encouraged her and kept his body down to avoid the tree branches and leaves. He was loving the view up here. As they were nearing the finish line, he noticed the Professor announced the winners. Aahh well at least someone from the puffs won the race. "Alright girl it is time to land.." he said and urged her to do so. She understood and descended down and trotted to stop herself. She seemed to really like flying and all that. Now he needed to walk her back to the playpens. That shouldn't be a problem and plus he didn't wanna say goodbye just yet.

He lead her to the playpen with the others and he knew he was gonna visit her again. "Hey girl this is where I drop you off okay?" he aske her. He kept patting her and petting her to make her happy. But now he had to the leave for the next lesson. "I will see you later..." he waved and smiled and saw her playing with the other hippogriffs when he left.

He saw the Professor and said his goodbyes, "Bye Professor thanks for an awesome lesson." Then he left to go get ready for his next lesson.

Toby was fine down here, having a little rest on the floor and giving Monty those feather ruffles. When he heard Thompson say they were dismissed, though, he felt an unpleasant drop in his stomach.

"Goodbye?" Tobias repeated, finally clambering to his feet and stroking Monty's feathers before looking around at the professor. "Only... only temporary goodbyes though, right?" Like, more of a 'see ya later' than 'goodbye forever'? This was the one problem with this class; leaving the creatures at the end, not knowing if he'd ever see them again, always hurt Toby's heart. Like with the fairies and all. "We can see them again, yeah?"

That Zeke kid was on about coming back to visit his hippogriff, and Toby figured he'd do the same too. Monty was his friend, and he was Monty's friend, and that meant sticking together. Toby gave moar feather ruffles to the majestic creature, making the most of these last couple of minutes of class.

He hesitated, intending to lead the Monty back once he had confirmation from Thompson that visiting the hippogriffs was allowed. And if he said no? Well... Toby hadn't thought that far ahead.

How adorable, knowing the students wanted to keep seeing the Hippogriffs, "Of course. They'll always be here for you all to see and interact." Now that they were back at the Playpens area, Professor Thompson hopped off Henry the Hippogriff. Then waiting until everyone said their last goodbyes (in this class, that is) once the Hippogriffs were fully stocked did he close the fenced gate on them.

They definitely seem to have enjoyed it. "You're welcome, now have a good day everyone." Smiling as he waved the students off to whatever class or area they were headed to next.