ââŠbut, heâs so smallâŠâ Myra slowed down a little as she heard Naireâs footsteps following her and Chopstickâs little hoots. How can an owl be so darn cute? She smiled softly to herself. Turning to Naire as he fell in step with her, âYou know Iâd never really ask you to burn a picture youâd taken, right? Youâre too talented. Itâd be a waste.â They entered Magus Rex and Myra enjoyed the quiet the building was taking on as students found their ways to their beds. This large building was so comforting to her, even with her bumpy start. It was like she knew she belonged.
As if he could hear her thoughts, Naire stated, âSo sleep is soon to come. Itâll be nice to get back in the beds here. Itâs always been a second home,â Myra nodded agreeably, âto everyone Iâd say. At least sleepâll come easy.â
Myra had half a smile as she bumped him with her shoulder, âYeah, one of the only things that comes easy living here. But youâre right, Near, I feel so safe here, especially because I have youâŠâ She trailed off as she caught sight of Vance and Lee walking out of the great hall. Her chest got tight and her body tensed, momentarily stunned. Myra let the breath she hadn't known she'd been holding go as the boys didn't take notice of her or Naire. She shot a glance at Naire, to see if he'd seen her reaction. She hadn't shared her thoughts on Vance's new attitude yet, and wasn't sure if she should. She also wasnât sure of exactly what emotion had coursed through her as she'd seen the two Arietem's, and she didnât have time to think on it more because Kaplan had turned and started heading the direction theyâd just come from. Not one for making noise, he uncharacteristically mewed happily as he trotted up to the jeaned pants of a very familiar figure. Although Kaplan adored Myra, he was very close to Vin as well. Myra turned and stopped, giving her brother a once over she tapped Naireâs shoulder and cocked a hip. With a smirk that announced victory she crossed her arms and simply stated, âVin, I told you so.â
âHey, thanks man!â Vin drawled casually, smiling as he gingerly stepped off the rickety boat that had brought him to the island. Caretaker Wicks gave him a steely-eyed glare as he pulled the small rowboat by itâs rope to the dock.
âThis was no gift, Magaly. 10 points from Ferre and you just arrived,â Wicks barked at him, âYouâve missed the dinner. Head straight to your commons. I donât want to see you out and about tonight, you hear?â
Woops⊠Finnâs not gonna be happy with me for that one. Vin thought of his pal and his insatiable urge to win house cup for a moment, then shrugged. âAlright then.â He grabbed his duffle bag with all his clothes in it. It wasnât the first time Vinâd missed the cruise over, and it wouldnât be the last, he knew. He didnât understand why Wicks always came and picked him up though, he was willing to wait until it got dark and fly over. Vin may not have been as good at flying as Myra was, but he wasnât inept. With a sly smile at Wicks he said, âIâm just gonna stop by the kitchen on my way up there, kay?â Before Wicks could reply, Vin had placed his headphones in and pressed play on his MP3 player. Give him all the magic in the world, Vin just couldnât help but love technology and itâs ease of use. No remembering silly Latin words for things⊠then again, that did come in handy every now and then.
Vin pulled his hood up over his head and, sauntering up the hill towards the school, couldnât help but bob his head the bass beat of the song in his ears. A little Soundgarden tonight, âThe Day I Tried to Live.â He smiled and waved at random passerby, knowing full well they hadnât noticed he was gone during the feast, but that theyâd still be surprised that he wasnât wearing his robes and was carrying his belongings. He shot a large wave to Lloyd and Lyle, then entered the huge front doors of Magus Rex. He noticed Naire and Myra walking up ahead and a lazy smile crossed his face. His sister had an âI told you so!â waiting for him for sure. Sheâd tried in her most non-confrontational way to get him to skip the beach and make it to the dock on time, but god those waves!!
The swell had been perfect and Derek, his best muggle friend, had promised to keep an eye on the time so that Vin wouldnât be late to his âflight to boarding school.â An hour after the cruise had surely left him behind, Derek and Vin had finally called it a day and gotten some In âNâ Out burgers before heading to their respective homes. Good olâ Mums and Daddy-o hadnât been too pleased with him and sent an owl off right away. An hour after that Vin had found himself sitting face to face with an extremely grumpy and gruff caretaker as he had worked out the chords on his bass to a Black Sabbath song. Occasionally heâd paused to try and chat with Wicks, theyâd had the long ride many times before and Vin had a soft spot in his heart for the angry-esque guy, if only because his constant scowl was amusing. Wicks had only ever grunted in response, ⊠or was it that he was just over-exerting with the boat. Maybe I should have helped? Vin chuckled softly to himself then stooped to pet Kaplan firmly along his spine and tail. âHey cat daddy!â He looked up as Myra smiled at him with that gleam in her eye, âHere it comes! âI told you so!ââ he said simultaneously with her, removing his right head phone. âHey Harth-man!â He held his hand up for a high-five. "How's the portfolio coming along for the year? I'm sure you've already captured all the drama-rama of the first feast." Vin let his voice get low and conspiratorial, a mischievous grin on his face, "Have you heard? Houses are intermingling." He looked at himself, then looked at the too Vulpes, "Wait! Aren't you two... Vulpes? Our friendship is doomed." He laughed softly to himself.