Hehehe.

Adi had caught Benny off guard, he could see. And waaaaah, the reindeer was snorting or what not and moving its head. ''Stay still,'' Adi said in Eagle language, flapping his wings to keep from getting tossed about like a ragged doll. He wondered how heavy he felt to the reindeer's head. He imagined very heavy because he felt rather bulky.

Suddenly, something occurred to him. HUNGRY. Eagle Adi was hungry but there was NO WAY he was going to scour for a dead ferret or something. Nuh uh. He wanted REAL food. Where exactly can one find real food? The Great Hall, of course! It was still early in the day... there was bound to be students still having their breakfast, right?

"Let's go grab some food!'' Oh, right! Benny wouldn't understand that so Adi stretched his wings, flapped hard and was able to take off. Benny would follow, yeah?

TO THE GREAT HALL!
....................

Of course all the doors were open which was a good thing because a reindeer and an eagle were going to have no trouble slipping into the castle. The only difficulty was there being no wind in there so naturally Adi ran into some trouble. His wings flapped and flapped as he drew closer to the Entrance.

OH NO!

He was gonna crash and burn!

The Entrance was almost upon him and no breeze meant slower time at maneuvering. A screeching whistle escaped his beak and...

BAM!

The Golden Eagle smacked into one side of the Entrance's door, crumpling to the floor.

SPOILER!!: crash dummy

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Hehehe.

Adi had caught Benny off guard, he could see. And waaaaah, the reindeer was snorting or what not and moving its head. ''Stay still,'' Adi said in Eagle language, flapping his wings to keep from getting tossed about like a ragged doll. He wondered how heavy he felt to the reindeer's head. He imagined very heavy because he felt rather bulky.

Suddenly, something occurred to him. HUNGRY. Eagle Adi was hungry but there was NO WAY he was going to scour for a dead ferret or something. Nuh uh. He wanted REAL food. Where exactly can one find real food? The Great Hall, of course! It was still early in the day... there was bound to be students still having their breakfast, right?

"Let's go grab some food!'' Oh, right! Benny wouldn't understand that so Adi stretched his wings, flapped hard and was able to take off. Benny would follow, yeah?

TO THE GREAT HALL!
....................

Of course all the doors were open which was a good thing because a reindeer and an eagle were going to have no trouble slipping into the castle. The only difficulty was there being no wind in there so naturally Adi ran into some trouble. His wings flapped and flapped as he drew closer to the Entrance.

OH NO!

He was gonna crash and burn!

The Entrance was almost upon him and no breeze meant slower time at maneuvering. A screeching whistle escaped his beak and...

BAM!

The Golden Eagle smacked into one side of the Entrance's door, crumpling to the floor.

The eagle was generating a breeze with the flapping of his wings atop his head and the reindeer snorted, eventually stopping the movement of his head. However at the bird sounds coming from his friend, Benny couldn't help but be all confused. *Language barriers blow* he mused to himself as he tried to think of what Eagle!Adi could possibly mean in his squawking.

Not that he had much time to muse as Benny felt the eagle lift off his antlers, the reindeer boy noting his bird companion off flying. He moved to followed, slowly at first, but as Adi continued on, Reindeer!Benny took off in a quick cantor, his heavy hooves bounding into the dirt and grass of the ground beneath him. The seventh year briefly wondering what the people they were passing might think.

------

Finally they had reached the castle...the front doors to be precise and Benny was grateful for the wide-open doors into the Entrance Hall as Adi continued to fly inside. The reindeer had slowed himself to a more normal pace to ensure his antlers could get inside and he didn't trip, but even still, the clip-clop clip-clop of his hooves against the stone was a little unnerving. Woah....he definitely sounded more horse/reindeer like now!

His partner wasn't so lucky.

Benny rushed forward, slip sliding a little in process, to check on the falled bird. The reindeer lowering his head and giving the eagle first a sniff and then a lick in an effort to awaken the crumpled bird.

OWWW!

His head HURT like... WOAAAAH!

Did he crack his skull open?

The Eagle remained still for a while, letting the pain fade. The worst of it went away but a dull throb still remained. Serve him right, didn't it? He was too over eager to do all the crazy flying when he had only taken about an hour getting used to the wings. And that had only been with the breeze on the outside. In here, there wasn't much to work with.

Adi wasn't sure if he passed out or not. All he knew when he became really aware of his surroundings again, was the hot breath on him and the damp tongue. "You need a breath mint,'' he joked in the whistly sound as he poked the reindeer's nose with a wing.

But EagleAdi was fine now. Yep, not totally back to himself but he was okay. He pushed himself up using the wings (a very human like gesture). Now he was eyeing the Great Hall. He could see his House table from where he was and the food in there was still calling his name quite LOUDLY. Nothing was going to stop him from going in there now. Nuh uh.

He picked himself up, pointed a wing at the Great Hall to the reindeer then walked towards the room with the food.

FOOOOOOD, here came one hungry bird!

SPOILER!!: Hungry Bird

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

OWWW!

His head HURT like... WOAAAAH!

Did he crack his skull open?

The Eagle remained still for a while, letting the pain fade. The worst of it went away but a dull throb still remained. Serve him right, didn't it? He was too over eager to do all the crazy flying when he had only taken about an hour getting used to the wings. And that had only been with the breeze on the outside. In here, there wasn't much to work with.

Adi wasn't sure if he passed out or not. All he knew when he became really aware of his surroundings again, was the hot breath on him and the damp tongue. "You need a breath mint,'' he joked in the whistly sound as he poked the reindeer's nose with a wing.

But EagleAdi was fine now. Yep, not totally back to himself but he was okay. He pushed himself up using the wings (a very human like gesture). Now he was eyeing the Great Hall. He could see his House table from where he was and the food in there was still calling his name quite LOUDLY. Nothing was going to stop him from going in there now. Nuh uh.

He picked himself up, pointed a wing at the Great Hall to the reindeer then walked towards the room with the food.

FOOOOOOD, here came one hungry bird!

Reindeer!Benny watched and waited for some kind of reaction from his best friend. The human inwardly worried for Adi and hoping everything was alright. The eagle was still and on the ground and that concerned him but finally there was that whistly sound coming from his companion and he backed up head and all to give the bird space as it poked him with its wing. He couldn't help the sigh of relief that reverbed his deer lips as he straightened up his neck and head once more.

Don't scare him like that!

Apparently the near brush with death hadn't turned off Adi's appetite as Benny watched him. The reindeer getting the message and following his eagle friend inside once he was sure his antlers were clear. Clip-clop...clip-clop...clip-clop. His hooves announced his presence as he made his way to the nearest table with food on it. Now for the tough part...and it wasn't eating without hands remarkably. It was dealing with his legs, especially his forelegs, that were far less flexible than his dragon ones.

With a bit of manuevering, Reindeer!Benny found himself with his deer elebows bent and rested while his backlegs stood up. and his tail was wagging a little in contentment as he moved his antlered head into position and began eating what was left there at the moment. Breakfast leftovers it appeared, the smells of meat catching his attention first with a couple of nibbles.

He had moved onto the eggs before he found himself faceor rather snout-planted into the yellow scrabbles. His legs, arms and neck had suddenly reverted to their proper length and the rest hadn't been able to compensate fast enough. The result...a hunchback with a furry coat, hooves and reindeer head. His tail slowly vanishing from his backside as he tried manevering his head away with eggs attached to his fur.

Awkward walk, awkward walk!

Yeah, flying was not an option right now so walking it was! He couldn't risk having another head bang like that. After he had his stomach filled, Adi was definitely heading back outside for more fun with his wings though.

With the feeling as though someone were now beating his bird brain against his bird skull, Adi followed the clippity clopping reindeer. His bird nose wasn't that good at detecting smells but he sure was picking up a little whiff of fried eggs. Omnomnom. He managed to hop onto one of the benches at the first table the strange duo came upon then flapped himself onto the table itself.

Hahaha! Look at Benny eating though. He looked hilarious and soon the eagle was whistling away in laughter. Still bird chuckling, he hopped over to a nice big plate of eggs. All for HIM! Ignore the bird stealing the eggs, other students who were milling around. Hehe. His sharp beak was enough to rip and tear the soft fried eggs.

This hungry bird was contented at the world right now.

Oh, wait!

Benny was changing back! This right here was a show to watch! Still ripping at the eggs, Adi kept his focus on the fascinating changes happening to his friend. Seriously... this was like watching a movie and his plate of eggs was his popcorn.

Hehehehe! "You've got eggs on you,'' whistled the Eagle in delight. He was sure that his own potion would be lasting a longer time. Yep, he was THAT good of a brewer. That left plenty of time to play with his wings.

SPOILER!!: Bird Boy

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Awkward walk, awkward walk!

Yeah, flying was not an option right now so walking it was! He couldn't risk having another head bang like that. After he had his stomach filled, Adi was definitely heading back outside for more fun with his wings though.

With the feeling as though someone were now beating his bird brain against his bird skull, Adi followed the clippity clopping reindeer. His bird nose wasn't that good at detecting smells but he sure was picking up a little whiff of fried eggs. Omnomnom. He managed to hop onto one of the benches at the first table the strange duo came upon then flapped himself onto the table itself.

Hahaha! Look at Benny eating though. He looked hilarious and soon the eagle was whistling away in laughter. Still bird chuckling, he hopped over to a nice big plate of eggs. All for HIM! Ignore the bird stealing the eggs, other students who were milling around. Hehe. His sharp beak was enough to rip and tear the soft fried eggs.

This hungry bird was contented at the world right now.

Oh, wait!

Benny was changing back! This right here was a show to watch! Still ripping at the eggs, Adi kept his focus on the fascinating changes happening to his friend. Seriously... this was like watching a movie and his plate of eggs was his popcorn.

Hehehehe! "You've got eggs on you,'' whistled the Eagle in delight. He was sure that his own potion would be lasting a longer time. Yep, he was THAT good of a brewer. That left plenty of time to play with his wings.

At first it seemed like the whistles coming from his animal companion was just talking to him but over time Benny was thinking there was laughter mixed in. The eagle certainly looked as if it was amused watching him eat. The reindeer snorted in response and continued eating until he started reverting back. Then there was no eating possible as the feelings of things beginning to reverse back to normal had gotten him to loose his apettite at the moment. Nothing like your innards being rearranged to do that to you.

He shook his head to try and get the eggs off of his snout, the only thing that really happened was that he noticed that his head was a little lighter. Not totally antler-free but they were slowly shifting to more adolescent, smaller ones. If only his hands had changed back it would be easier to work with to clean himself up. Reindeer!Benny was slimming down however, as the furry coat and body he had been graced with over the course of the past few hours receeded and his clothes reappeared over time.

More whistling.

*Yeah...yeah...laugh if you mu---* he said in broken reindeer noises, Benny breaking off his face started changing back and his mouth returned to normal allowing him the freedom to speak. "Silly bird..." the Gryffindor said normally, shaking his near-human head as his ears returned to their proper place. With his main body back mostly human, he twisted around and rested his butt on the seat to sit like he would regularly, his still-hooved legs resting against the floor.

"I look like a faun..." he mused, his still-hooved arms reaching up to kinds feel the small horn-type antlers that currently resided on top of his head.

OOC: Sorry this is so delayed guys >.O

After the class had dispersed, Sabel had decided that he didn't particularly want to have the conversation he needed to have standing out in the misty forest. The temperature had dropped some, and he wasn't unaware of a certain student's bear feet.

So, he had led Adair and Prince back to the castle with barely a word. Now, in the entrance hall, where it was warmer but still had that uncomfortableness of being called out after class.

Turning to face the two kids, Sabel gave them both a long, dragging moment of consideration. At last, he spoke, softly but firmly. "Want to tell me what that was all about?"

And no, that wasn't a voluntary question. The inflection was merely a courtesy of appearing polite.

Zander had just been ready to leave when he was called out for NO REASON AT ALL. Just like how that kid who Zander didn't even know yet had pushed him onto the ground for NO REASON AT ALL. Sweet Merlin. Zander was just about done with today. But unfortunately, he had no choice but to follow Professor Dakest. The Gryffindor chose to stay quiet, grumbling to himself as they made their way to the castle's entrance.

"You should ask him, Professor!" The Gryffindor pointed an accusatory finger at the younger boy. "I still don't even know why he shoved me in the first place." Oh wait that's right, "Because I didn't even DO anything!"

The boy was frustrated.

Chain of events as follows: Zander was running. Zander was falling. Turns out Zander was tripping not falling. Zander became visible again. Zander had been caught. Zander handed over the sash. Zander got up. Zander got shoved. Zander went down, part two.

WHERE WAS THE PROBLEM HERE???? Zander didn't do ANYTHING wrong????

And this wasn't like the last time where he thought he didn't do anything wrong and then a boy was eaten alive. Because there was always something wrong when someone got eaten alive. But as far as he could tell, both he and the younger boy were still fine (y'know along with the small scratches and bruises and things that were caused on account of "HE SHOVED ME"). Ahem.

The Gryffindor crossed his arms over his chest. He would not be punished for something he didn't even do.

On the way back to the castle, Daxton made extra sure to keep his distance from the Head Boy, while still following Dakest to... wherever it was they were going. He was entirely unbothered by the cold on his feet, and much more concerned with making sure Zander Adair stayed far away from him.

He had not yet realised the connection between what had happened in class and being held back once everyone else had been dismissed, so when they stopped and Dakest posed what seemed to him to be a very vague question, Daxton did not know how to answer. For a moment, he was completely nonplussed, until Zander Adair spoke up. Quite loudly, too.

Daxton winced at the sudden change in volume, from Dakest's softly spoken question to the Head Boy's harsher response, but when Zander Adair flung out a hand and pointed at him, the first year flinched and quickly stepped back, before he could grab him. Again. Because that had been the very reason Daxton had pushed the older boy in the first place, when the Head Boy had grabbed hold of his hand without even so much as asking permission, when Daxton hated to be touched. Because apparently nobody in this stupid castle knew anything about personal space.

But he did not try to explain this. After looking silently between Head Boy Zander Adair and Professor Dakest, Daxton decided that it was not worth trying to defend himself, considering it was unlikely that anything he would say would make much difference, judging from prior experience.

Finally, Daxton looked back in Dakest's general direction and simply shrugged his shoulders in response. Not denying that he had shoved Adair, not giving an argument as to why he had done so either, not feeling the desire to give any explanation at all.

Before they could go anywhere Botros and a member from the Board of Governors were making announcements. Hugo listened especially when she mentioned a Quidditch tour and game. That was very interesting, the internship not much but whatever.

Hugo stood up. So...let's see if he could find that mistletoe. He nodded and walked to the entrance, he looked up and there it was. "There is your mistletoe" and pointed up. He took a step closer to Kaycee, half smiled before leaning in and kissing her on the lips. It was a quick one because he was nervous, even if he wouldn't admit it. He felt the need to say something "Happy... Christmas tradition" and it was the worst and most dumb thing he could've ever said.

He shouldn't be allowed to talk right now. Or ever. Also, Kaycee did wanted a kiss, right? If not, well...it was already done.

"Mr. Adair." The wince at Zander's outburst was reflected in the irritation in his tone. "Need I remind you that not only are you a seventh year, but you are also the Head Boy. Regardless of who was in the wrong, it is your responsibility to set a good example, in all circumstances."

Throwing out accusations and finger pointing was not the way to do that. Especially not towards a younger student who should be looking up to the older years. This interaction was not helping to foster that relationship at all.

His irritation turned to Prince when the boy elected for no more than a shrug. Arching an eyebrow, Sabel fixed the kid with a hard stare. "I missed the part where I was asking a voluntary question of either of you. Now, both of you best tell me what happened, your own versions if you must, before I have to make up my own conclusions. And I can promise you, it won't favor either of you at this point."

… A shrug? That’s all the kid had to say for himself???

A SHRUG?

Zander was almost seething. Almost. Except apparently Professor Dakest wouldn’t appreciate that, so he simply looked from the younger Ravenclaw back to his Defense Professor without saying anything else. But don’t get him wrong, HE WAS INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATED ON THE INSIDE.

Just had to be a better example. Apparently.

He still wasn’t convinced that he had done anything wrong, by the way, but he did realize that maybe his outburst wasn’t the best way to convince Dakest of that. Ahem. ”Er, sorry Sir.” He ran a hand through his hair, momentarily fixing his gaze on one of the tiles of the floor beneath his feet. ”It’s just been a hard day,” BECAUSE OF THAT KID, MOSTLY he wanted to add. But again, he bit his tongue, instead side-eyeing the firstie in question.

The worst part of this whole thing was that kid wasn’t even an ounce angry??? Or at least he wasn’t showing it. Zander HATED that. Hated that he was the only one who seemed to be experiencing REAL FEELINGS over here. GAH. Man. He REALLY wanted to punch something. And Zander Adair did not get that urge very often.

”I still stand by what I said though,” HENCE THE FRUSTRATION. And if he DID do anything wrong, the kid didn’t tell him. So how was Zander supposed to figure it out all on his own??? ”I was just minding my own business, running around invisible when he tripped me,” that wasn’t what made Zander angry either. ”I er, sorta had a rough landing,” example a) the scratches. ”But I did re-illusion myself because technically he won my sash fair and square.” He looked over to Daxton, SEE he was even giving the guy props for that. YOU’RE WELCOME. ”But then, he helped me up just to throw me back down again. And I don’t get it, I gave him my sash. I didn’t get angry about the trip. I don’t know why he shoved me. Honestly sir, I have no idea where any of that went wrong.”

DID DAKEST UNDERSTAND WHERE THE FRUSTRATION CAME FROM?????

Maybe this boy just took pleasure out of hurting people. Wanted to see Zander fall again ‘cause he enjoyed it the first time around. But whatever it was, Zander Adair KNEW he wasn’t in the wrong.

”And that’s the truth.” Good luck getting Daxton to explain anything, sir. He wouldn’t even tell Zander when it happened. And you know what!? As much as Zander WANTED to see the guy get in trouble for shoving him, he could just tell that things were getting even messier now. Whatever. Let the guy go unpunished. Zander wouldn’t be happy about it and he’d probably throw a fit in front of Sophie Brown. But he could deal with it. What he couldn’t deal with is standing around to be punished for something he didn’t do. That’s where he drew the line.

Daxton was bored. This was boring. Were it not for the fact that he had nowhere else interesting to really be, he might have already taken his leave. As it was, the Ravenclaw simply stood and waited, impatient for Dakest to get on with it. He was hardly a stranger to getting into trouble, and it had already become clear that that was exactly what was happening here.

But no, the interaction was drawn out even longer, and though Daxton appeared largely unemotional, he was scowling on the inside. He was not happy with this prolonged proximity to the stupid Head Baby.

At the much more direct order - really, Dakest must have had a very short memory, because his question had been a voluntary question, actually - Daxton gave a short exhale and pulled his schoolbag open. While Zander Adair whined, the Ravenclaw located his notebook and withdrew it. By the time the Head Boy's testimony was over, Daxton had retrieved his pen from the binding, flipped to a fresh page, and written out his own response. Once he was done, he held up his notebook for Dakest to read, and did not look at either of them, instead defaulting to looking about the Entrance Hall, keeping an eye on his surroundings.

'He grabbed my hand so I pushed him away.'

It was simple as that. It was not Daxton's fault that the Head Boy fell right back down again, though it had given him a great sense of satisfaction after feeling wronged by the seventh year. Perhaps it had been the result Daxton had wanted, aside from just getting the older boy away from him, and either way Daxton was not sorry for it. Not sorry in the slightest.

"And the point of an example, is that it should be made on hard days." Really, did the kid think that anyone needed a good example on good days? When things were going peachy and well. Didn't matter what kind of day it was, an example was an example. Perhaps it was a bit hard to tell that to a kid, but there it was.

His gaze went from one boy to the other, as Adair talked and as Prince pulled out his notebook. Oh good, so they'd both give their versions. Or, something of the sort.

Folding his arms across his chest, Sabel's gaze flicked back and forth, back and forth. His level of tolerance was dropping dramatically with each passing second. Even so, he let silence reign in the air for a long few minutes after Adair had finished speaking and Prince had showed him the writing.

"What you may not know about Mr. Prince, Adair, is that he is not a fan of personal space breeches. I imagine that might have been the thought behind the gesture." Not an approved one for shoving someone, but there it was. His gaze turned on Prince. "And what you may not know about Mr. Adair, Prince is that he is a fan of helping people. I imagine that might have been the expectation behind his."

Reaching into the bag of sashes, Sabel withdrew one. "What both of you may not know about me, is that I'm a firm believer in working out communication differences. And I believe, Mr. Adair, that is where it went wrong. You see, not only does proper communication prevent situations such as the one we have on hand, but it fosters a healthy respect for others, even if we have a hard time understanding them from the get-go."

Holding the scarf in one hand, he motioned at the boys. "Now, since you have both proven you've got little better to do than to test the limits of each other's communication skills, intentionally or not, we're going to do a little exercise. If you would hold out your arms, gentlemen."

Hmph.

He knew Dakest was right. But was he going to acknowledge that Dakest was right? Doubtful. But mostly because logic was clearly not the answer right now.

…. Not a fan of personal space breeches? Zander quickly turned to look over at the kid who apparently was not a fan of personal space breeches, just to see him holding up a notebook. Was he not a fan of--Grabbed??? GRABBED??? But Zander only GRABBED because the hand was being HELD OUT TO HIM.

But also, how come not being a fan of personal space breeches made it okay to throw a Head Boy across the forest??? Was Dakest advocating violence here?

But anyways, miscommunication. Clearly what this was. So how come they weren’t free to go? Instead Dakest was taking something out of the— A sash? Isn’t that what got them into this whole mess to begin with??? Not to question your authority Professor, but yeah actually to question your authority Professor… How was a sash supposed to fix things?

So even though he did so a bit reluctantly, the Gryffindor held out his arm. Probably shouldn’t dig himself deeper here, huh?

Not a fan? Not a fan?

Not a fan was an understatement. Daxton, as a matter of fact, loathed and despised anyone getting in his personal space without his permission, and he was not exactly very forthcoming with providing said permission. As for the Head Baby being a fan of helping people, Daxton did not understand that at all. He glanced curiously across at Zander Adair and then back at Dakest, who was, apparently, still talking. About communication, which had never been one of Daxton's strengths in the slightest.

Wait... an exercise? Daxton narrowed his eyes at the sash that Dakest had produced, and grew incredibly suspicious at his request. He was going to tie their arms together, wasn't he, despite only moments previously mentioning Daxton did not like people getting in his personal space? And even if he was not going to do that, then what good could come out of that request, with a sash being produced and a declaration that they were going to do an exercise?

Daxton glanced again at Zander Adair again, who had already mindlessly followed the instruction, and then at Dakest. For a moment, he looked off across the Entrance Hall towards the stairs, and the way back to the Common Room, and then any other possible exits. After a long moment of consideration, he rifled through his notebook for a pre-written page, right near the start, and held it up so Dakest could read it, while maintaining his distance from Zander again, and holding it up with the hand furthest from the Head Boy and his raised arm.

'Why?'

Kaycee looked up. Yup. That was definitely mistletoe. ... and then she laughed. Of all the dumb comments he could have made.

"Yes. Happy Christmas tradition." And, yes, she was laughing at him. NOt for the kiss but for the comment. "I'll do you a favor and say that you said something way more exciting than that if anyone asks me."

And just like that, her Slytherin kiss counter went up to two. Which, would probably make things weird considering they were all friends. But whatever. No big deal.

It didn't surprise Hugo to have said such comment since most of the time he liked to talk way too much and not be aware of what he was saying. Though this time he was aware but too nervous, but he was going to act cool as a cucumber.

At least Kaycee laughed, which was always good except if she was laughing at his quick kiss. Did she wanted more?! Better not ask. " And that you liked it..." there were moments that Hugo should learn to keep his mouth shut. Just like Dante. " But yeah that would be better" he nodded at Kaycee's comment. However, what was he suppose to say after that? 'There you go' ? That would have been worse.

Kaycee was doing her best not to giggle. But she couldn't help it. Nervous boys were HILARIOUS. "You know, typically, people are nervous before something happens, not after." And yes, she could tell. He was trying to play it cool which made it even funnier.

And yes, Kaycee was going to make it worse by calling him out on it.

She nodded. And now she had to save him by coming up with a good cover story. "I could say you said 'Merry Christmas' and then winked. It kind of implies that you're a present or whatever. You know? It's pretty smooth."

And probably something that nobody would believe. But whatever. You did what you could for friends.

He was going to be patient. He told himself this and even believed it. Truth was though, that a good deal of his patience had been chipped off from the get go of this debacle. So it really didn't help matters when Prince continued to chip away.

Letting out a breath, Sabel gave the script on the page the briefest consideration before his eyes went up to the boy. "Because I am asking. Unless you would rather detention together?"

Seriously boys, that could be arranged. "I can promise you, it won't be the least bit comfortable."

For the record, Zander Adair hadn't just mindlessly followed instructions, okay? It was only half mindlessly. 'Cause he knew that if he refused he'd only get into more trouble here, which was completely unfair seeing as HE did nothing wrong in the first place. But of course being the older kid... And the Head Boy, for that matter, he'd be the one getting the backlash. He knew that very well, thanks. And no, he did not want to get into any more trouble over something he didn't deserve to be in trouble for in the first place. So yes, he was going to stick his arm out and ask questions later. Duh.

... Except Daxton was holding them all up. Surprise. See Professor, clearly this kid was the one with the issues. S I G H.

NO. NO. NO

Zander Adair DID NOT want to spend a detention together. Furthermore, how come if Daxton refused they'd BOTH be in detention? This was SO unfair. Zander was OBEYING. He was doing what he was supposed to. He DIDN'T deserve a detention. That was on DAXTON.

So the Gryffindor turned to give Daxton a look. The sort of look that said, 'you better do what he says and put your arm up, kid' because Zander Adair just needed to find Damien and rant or something. This was so unfair.

Well, that was a stupid reason given for a stupid request.

It had not taken very long to discover, over the past few years, that upon questioning an adult on their motives, he would usually get an answer of 'because I said so', or similar. It had taken him considerably less time to realise that they generally did so as a way of flaunting their authority status, or simply because they were not intelligent enough to think of a better answer, or sometimes both. What was less easy to figure out was which of these were in were in play at any given time. Dakest did not strike Daxton as the stupid type, but he had, admittedly, been wrong about people before.

He eyed the professor now, very carefully, scrutinising him and weighing up his options. A glance to the older boy beside him allowed Daxton to notice the look he was receiving, though the intention behind it was utterly lost on him. He stared blankly at Zander Adair for a moment, blinked, then looked back at Dakest.

The prospect of detention did not much bother the Ravenclaw, in the same way that the threat of losing points had no effect on him, but the promise of an uncomfortable detention was what swayed his decision. An uncomfortable detention, more time spent with the Head Boy... No. Thank. You.

Still, Daxton did not like this situation one bit, and he did not much trust it either. After a long lingering suspicious look at Adair and then Dakest, he slowly and very reluctantly raised his arm as well, glaring at his professor with such intensity that if looks could kill, the man would already be ashes in the wind.

It was rather easy to ignore and dismiss the looks he was getting from both students. Perhaps if one hadn't shoved the other, and if one hadn't exhibited less decorum than was necessary, then they could all have traveled to the great hall for a bite to eat. As it was, a second lesson was in effect, as soon as all mandatory participants well...participated.

When at last Prince decided that he would comply, Sabel let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. "Thank you."

And then, before either boy could think of retracting his arm or second guessing his decision, Sabel looped one end of the sash around Prince's extended wrist and tied it in place. The other end of the sash was looped and tied around Adiar's wrist. So, while they were bound together, they could still get about a foot or two apart. Proximity, wasn't entirely breached.

Taking a step back, Sabel looked between the boys. "Now, fairly simple. Keep that on." Really, he had a good guess as to what would happen the second he turned his back. "And you are to complete the obstacle course in the DADA practice hall, together. I don't care how you do it, as long as you stay attached until you are finished."

They could be at the very ends of the sash for all he cared, with the fabric taut between them, as long as they made it through. He was more interested in fixing the issue of communication and trust, though there was a nagging thought that this might also be the best way to break those two concepts completely. Either way, it was done. Task was set. And he was sure he'd be getting some more withering glares.

"Questions?"

Merlin. What was taking the kid so long? Didn't Dakest SEE??? The real problem was that Daxton kid, clearly. Still, he kept his arm held out. Waiting for-- Ah. Nice of you to finally follow instructions, Daxton. Were they done now?

....
....

UH????

Okay, didn't Dakest literally JUST say that Daxton wasn't a fan of personal space breeches?

Great. So the kid hated being close to other people, why not just take a sash that started this whole mess and tie him to someone else so that they'd be FORCED to stay close. Absolutely BRILLIANT. And the worst bit was, Zander Adair had actually kind of seen this coming. Well, not really. But he knew that the arm thing was going to be some sort of test. They weren't just getting a detention. No, that'd be all too easy. And Dakest was like Airey. They were both people who liked to make things very not easy.

But the next bit was... Unexpected.

Obstacle course? So not only did they have to walk around whilst being attached by the arm. But they had to do an OBSTACLE course. Might as well just set the entire school on fire right now. It had to have been coming. Nothing seriously bad had happened at all this year. This was it. This was the Hogwarts plot. Tie Daxton Prince and Zander Adair together and see how long the school remains standing. Bets will start at ten galleons each. Choose wisely.

The Gryffindor glanced over at Daxton to see how the kid was taking all of this. Merlin. This was a terrible day. As for questions, Zander only had one: WHAT WAS THIS MEANT TO ACCOMPLISH? But instead, "Errr, what happens if we don't make it through to the end?" Just wondering.

Also still didn't understand why he was being punished when this was all Daxton's fault in the first place.