Thestral Welcome to the Thestral Cabin Closed

Nicholas was somewhat surprised upon his entrance to the cabin, in no small part due to the initial clash of the cabin's exterior with its interior. He had been expecting it to match with the tired exterior, or at least be along the same design philosophy, dark and somewhat dour. Instead, he found that the cabin itself was surprisingly inviting. The light colouration was surprisingly warm, and as a whole the best term that the boy could find for the accommodation was comfortable. It seemed that it would be a rather fine place to bunk after all. Indeed bunking was exactly what the students would be doing, in a very literal sense, for bunk beds made up the sleeping quarters.

Toward these beds, Nicholas made a beeline. A few students seemed to have already begun to mull about in the sleeping quarters, it seemed that many of them had the same idea that he had. After all, the sooner you entered the cabin, the sooner you could take your pick of beds. In a situation with bunks, every second counted. But unlike most of the other students who had rushed toward staking a claim, it seemed that Nicholas's plan had deviated somewhat. The boy entered the sleeping quarters, shot a quick glance at the assembled students, before turning toward one of the corners that had not yet been claimed and flinging his bag underneath it unceremoniously. The leather ruck-sack hit the fabric with an inaudible thunk and the boy soon followed.

Say what you want about the top bunk, the bottom bunk was far better. Easier to get in and out of, meaning you wouldn't wake your bunkmate if you were to awake in the night, and it allowed for one to risk rolling outward without falling a good deal. Yes, it was perfect.

So it was that he lounged on it, almost deliberately ignoring the chatter of those around him. Shoes dirtied the white linen, for the boy hadn't bothered to take them off, and thick brown curls fell lazily on the pillow. By the almighty, the bed was certainly comfortable. For a moment, Nicholas pondered whether he should bother introducing himself at all. Such a thought seemed to go on far too long, well passed the point of rudeness before he grunted and rolled his head to the side, a lazy hand raised in greeting.

"'Lo," The words were loud but still somehow mumbled, and his interjection had played little into the actions of the other students and the status of their current conversations, particularly with regard to that being undertaken in Russian, a language the boy could not understand a lick of.

With the greeting out of the way, he allowed his head to lull back to its resting position. No one could say he didn't make an attempt at proper manners.

Stats: STA: 12 | EVA: 6 | STR: 8 | WIS: 6 | ARC: 4 | ACC: 8
Abilities: Foulplay
Mentioning @Annie Morgan (Milosh Rehnquist), @Bloom Silverton, @Calypso Starling (Melody Westmoore), @Lucia Fox (Cassie Heather McGregor-Martin), @Haley Rose (Nate Smirnow) & @Willow Anderson

Charlotte felt like she was going to explode with excitement. She was here. Hogwarts.

She also felt a bit awkward. She was going to be a first year in the fall and still didn't know what house she was going to be in. It was eating at her.

She grew up watching her brothers discover they were wizards. Watched every year at Platform 9 and 3/4's as the scarlet steam engine carried her older brothers off to hogwarts to do magic and go on adventures. Being the most adventurous in the family she was extremely jealous and impatient for her turn.

But now she was here. Alone. Because none of her older brothers had signed up for summer camp. And she was extremely happy about that.

Charlotte was assigned to the thestral cabin. She had read all about thestrals of course from her brothers books she had "borrowed." Creatures that could only be seen by a person who had witnessed death. It was ominous. Mysterious. Weird. And she loved it.

She looked around for her cabin but didn't see it. She stood in the grass clutching the handle of her large trunk. Looking around she saw a group of students being led by a teacher walking towards a large empty space between two cabins. All of a sudden they vanished. She gawked. Did she imagine that? They just disappeared. Being the curious person she was she started walking in the direction the group had been going. Coming closer she suddenly saw a shimmer and then a cabin suddenly appeared. She jumped a little and let out a small squeak. Then she saw a thestral embossed on the frame of the door and realized this was where she was supposed to be. As she walked towards the cabin she wondered how all the students could fit in there. It didn't seem big enough. She smiled as she reached the door. Pausing to think about the fact that if anyone not assigned to her cabin had been watching her they would have seen her disappear into thin air. She looked up at the imposing door and reached out and pulled it open.

Dragging her heavy trunk behind her Charlotte's jaw dropped as she entered a large and spacious room. It was warm and bright. She blinked quickly several times at the site in front of her and frowned. Setting her trunk to the side she opened the door and stepped back outside. She looked up at the dark exterior of the cabin with a puzzled expression. Then stepped back inside. Looked around again and stepped back out. She stepped in and out multiple times and soon a big smile started to spread wide on her face.

She had no idea what was going on or how they did it but it fascinated her. She stepped back inside for the final time and looked around at the students already there. Everyone seemed older than her. She started to feel nervous. Everyone appeared to be in conversation.

Some students had already claimed their bunks so Charlotte looked around for one of her own. She saw a boy resting on a bottom bunk in the corner. She looked to see if the top bunk was open and seeing that it was quickly ran over to claim it. Forgoing the ladder she heaved herself onto the mattress and flopped down. She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed and watched the other students unpack and talk. Already seeing she was the youngest she felt to shy to introduce herself and did not want to speak, nervous that she would embarrass herself. She started swinging her legs back and forth and soon found herself lost in her thoughts.

Mentioning @Annie Morgan (Milosh Rehnquist), @Bloom Silverton, @Calypso Starling (Melody Westmoore), @Willow Anderson, @Haley Rose (Nate Smirnow) and @Lucia Fox (Cassie Heather McGregor-Martin)

| Selecting an upper bunk / smiling and nodding | Mentions: Nicholas and Charlotte |

This was it: Pericles might be entering his third year at Hogwarts, but this was his first time ever attending camp of any kind. That wasn't to say he had never been camping. Though, his father's idea of a trip in the woods involved lessons on survivalism, escaping from unexpected obstacles, the tedious process of preparing a fortified campground. This year was going to be different. He was going to stay in a cabin, the preparations of which he would have nothing to do with, and be a regular lazy silly child. No quizzes. No tests of physical aptitude. He was going to have a normal camping trip, and he could not be gladder.

Conversely, he also had no idea what to do with himself. Was he supposed to be playing the part of a prefect here, too? Or were they allowed to really relax? Jittery as the first-years, wobbly like fawns treading ground for the first time, he had quietly accepted his cabin assignment and set out. On his back was a bizarrely outdated leather rucksack. At his heels was Athena, the Siamese cat, looking particularly nonplussed about this whole "leave the manor and stay in a shack" business. Thestral cabin. The concept alone implied mystery and intrigue, which the building undoubtedly delivered. That it could not be seen to those who didn't belong, that its exterior was grim and ghastly, oozed the promise of an extraordinary stay. Of all the creature cabins, this one intrigued him the most, and Pericles was drawn to intrigue like a moth to a UV lamp or, however the saying goes. He took a moment to stand outside, staring up at the dark doorway, eyes aglow with wonder. As soon as he crossed the threshold, his breath caught. It was grey, calm, quiet. Perfect.

Unlike those who had any idea as to what they were doing, Pericles did not rush. He moved about in his drifting way, slow and ponderous, blinking and briefly baffled by the haste of his peers. Were they supposed to run? Goodness.... The bunks were debated with a growing soft smile, soon scouting the upper beds to see which were free. A point of elevation meant snakes couldn't climb into your bed. Magic shack or no, habits die hard, particularly when one's father has deliberately stuck a serpent in one's sleeping bag to impart a lesson. For a moment, he seemed to waft towards the vaguely familiar face of Nicholas, when an entirely unfamiliar face (Charlotte) claimed the upper bunk first. Ah, well... he would select a bunk with no partner, yet, hefting Athena up so that she might explore the mattress while he shrugged the ruck from his shoulders. Anyone he made eye-contact with in the process received that faraway smile and a tentative nod.

☁ Open to Interactions ☁
☁ Interacting ☁
@Pericles Dralt

From atop the bunk Willow could see all. There were a few faces claiming beds that Willow had no idea who they were. She assumed at least a few of the people in the cabin were going to be students from other schools, which was both exciting and a little bit nerve wracking. Especially since she still had an unrelenting fear of the Durmstrang kids. There were people that she did recognize though, like Bloom who participated in the field day she did with Ami, as well as a duellist from Gryffindor that she only vaguely recognized.

Buttons was content and already sprawled out on her pillow, which Willow scrunched her nose at but ultimately allowed. He was her little baby and whatever he wanted was what he got. When her head swiveled back to monitor new arrivals though she saw someone that she hadn't seen in awhile. With a gasp she lept out of the top bunk, that was sturdy thank goodness, and rushed towards him. "Peri!!!" While it was close quarters, the yell ripped forth alerting everyone to the new arrival and to her excitement. "Omigosh! We're in the same cabin!" She would open her arms for a hug and would give him a tight squeeze if allowed, if not her arms would lower back to her sides. She knew not everyone was huggers but she liked to give everyone the opportunity.

"How was your summer? Are you excited to be a third year?" Her eyes glimmered with a happiness and excitement of reconnecting with a good friend. "I have new witch books if you want to borrow any while we're here!" Her parents were helping her get more advanced in her home witchcraft in the brief times when she was home, and every now and again that came with new reading material.

☁ Outfit Reference ☁

Reducio

August 1st, 2021

Summer camp. It was time to arrive at Hogwarts once more. Irina hadn’t had a super perfect trip here last time and was a little conflicted on whether or not to come for camp. I was for a whole month and this school could pull some crazy stuff again yet, she came anyway. Her and Nate went together and were going to make sure that they had a good time. The two of them were going to make this summer much more fun then that ball. Coming from Koldovstoretz where the numbers of attendees were few, they rode the train and arrived at the campgrounds.

Having to listen to the rules upon arrival, Irina almost scoffed. What made this school think that having rules would change anything. Getting her cabin assignment, Irina was so happy to see that she was in the same one as Nate. Having a cabin named after Thestrals was interesting though and it made Irina wonder what sort of spell might have been put on it. Upon reaching the cabin, Nate seemed uncertain and she was the same way. The room was surprisingly bright and as Nate said, white. Letting out a laugh at his comment she muttered back “Definitely white”

The area was pretty though and looked to be great hang out area. Maybe this summer wouldn’t be too bad after all. In all honesty she was happy that this was her cabin, it was nice and airy. Following Nate over to the bunks, Irina asked, “Is it alright if I bunk with you?” If he said sure then she would go into her next question, “Do you the bottom or top bunk?” If he didn’t seem like he wanted to share a bunk with her then she would lay her stuff down of the bottom of another one.

Taking in the cabin, she felt at home in a way with the place she would stay for the next month. Irina really liked the concept and the whole design of the cabin. Even though it was named after a dark beast, it was the epitome of light. She leaned in when Net whispered to her in hopes that no one really heard it. He was telling her about how it was funny how they had rules and a Irina let out a laugh at that. She had been thinking the same exact thing. The thing that she found even funnier was the fact that Nate had said it in Russian, there were laughing at this school and no one except them really knew why. “I was thinking the same thing, I mean did they just start paying their staff more or something? I didn’t even see an adult at that ball.”

Some of that hope to be the only ones understanding what was being said went away when a kid around her age introduced himself in Russian. He said that he was from Drumstrang and that made sense si se they were the only other school that spoke a lot of Russian. Looking a Milo she gave him a smile and answered his question. “Yeah we’re from Koldovstoretz, I’m Irina and this is Nate. Do you do English? I want to know some more about Drumstrang.” The English part was mainly because she remember that Nate liked using English here and she did too.

Sticking with Nate, she let him introduce himself first to the group and then just added onto it. “I’m Irina and we’re from Koldovstoretz” New people weren’t too bad to get along with in Irina’s mind and maybe she could learn more about some of the other schools.

Mentioning/Interacting @Annie Morgan (Milosh Rehnquist), @Calypso Starling (Melody Westmoore), @Willow Anderson, @Haley Rose (Nate Smirnow), @Charlotte McKinney and @Lucia Fox (Cassie Heather McGregor-Martin)

Bloom was thankful that most were grabbing the top bunk. She could not find herself to be climbing into bed. She would be the type to either fall off the bed or fall off the latter getting to bed. She was content with the bottom bunk that her belongings took over. She had no idea, however, who was going to be sleeping above her; let alone who else was sleeping in her room. It seemed, at the moment, that it did not matter who were in the rooms as long as they were called dibs.

An attractive boy who called himself Nate walked in and smoothly got dibs on a bed. Bloom, watching him, lost her opportunity to say anything to him when other girls had approached him. Bloom was so stuck in her mind that she didn't even say hello back or even share her name. She was stunned by his looks and even by how he slicked his black hair back so casually. She would never have the courage to ask out a guy like that. He was way over her league; at least she thought so. Little did she know, however, that she did ask out a guy, but she was only genuinely thinking of eating out as friends more than as a relationship. She was glad that he had agreed with her to go get something to eat. At least she had someone to connect with.

Bloom's heart started pounding. There were surely a good handful of people that were here and she needed to keep herself outside her shell. She wanted to retreat, but she felt like that would not help her one bit to get back to who she was. Taking a deep breath, she smiled at everyone and introduced herself.

"Hi all who just came in! For those who don't know me, I'm Bloom. Hogwarts, fifth year," she said, keeping her smile big. In a way, she hoped that Nate would hear her over the girl who was talking bunk bed's conversation.

The blonde boy fidgeted with his hands in his pockets. He had to side-step out of the way of newcomers in the cabin. His gaze glanced around, only a few bunkbeds remained untouched. The group seemed alright from what he could tell. Aside from the ordinary, the girl of whom was standing next to the boy, Nate had answered him instead. She had confirmed they were both from Koldovstoretz. When she engaged him in conversation she asked if he could speak in English. Perhaps it was easier to understand or for some other reason he didn't care to ask about. He himself had friends who preferred the "soft and confusing" language so it was no big deal to him. Plus he didn't have anything to hide, wasn't like they were sharing some inside joke or secretly trash talking about someone so he'd obliged to the request although his thick accent was rough on the petite English words. "I was supposed to go there but alas.. Ah I apologize for butting in on your conversation earlier."

He had quickly rushed out the words, some of them sounding jumbled. The boy bit the inside of his cheek. He wasn't one for small talk nor did he want to dump a bunch of unwanted and odd information on them but he wasn't opposed to sharing about Durmstrang. "What do you want to know?" He questioned, tossing his mane of curls out of his eyes. As he waited for a response his eyes glanced back to the girl, Bloom who once again introduced herself. She saw the gaze she sent Nate and merely rolled his eyes. He'd have to tease her about it later when they grabbed a bite to eat. Yes, he was attractive but Milo would never admit it. His past relationships with guys never worked out anyways. Girls were plenty fine as well. But there was no way he was starting a summer crush this year. Nope.

Interactions/Mentions: @Bloom Silverton, @Haley Rose as iNPC Nate & @Lavinia Cloven as iNPC Irina
Key to iNPC:
Bold = Russian/Bulgarian
Italicized = English
Lovely Creature Activated

When Simon Kincaid thought of summer camp, his mind would turn to his many years spent at Camp Marlow. He, along with many of his friends, would spent the first part of their summer holiday away from school there. It was bursting with activities that one might enjoy from those that wanted to spend their days in the sun, or those like Simon who needed away from it.

Some of his friends would enjoy the kayaking and other water sports that was a highlight of Camp Marlow but Simon stuck more with the games and activities as they were most often either indoors or in a heavily wooded area. He liked some of the ventures such as Art Attack, where the counselors would give them a project and the materials and let their creativity get to work. It had become a sort of competition between he and his fellow camp mates and they tried to make their projects as creative and elaborate as possible. It was always fun to share them the next day when they would share their designs with each other.

Another was The Magnificent Marlow Mix-Off, which was a baking contest, and there was an overnight camp-out where they would design their own shelter and sleep in it for that night. The campers also did rocket building, clay workshops, theater classes, and music productions.

So Simon was no stranger when it came to summer camps but then again he had never attended one at Hogwarts before and he was pretty accustomed to realizing that things at Hogwarts didn't always go as expected. He made his way through the winding path from the school grounds, glad to see it after a month away, and headed toward the Campgrounds, a place he had never been before. The sun was high that way and bright, far too bright. He had slathered on sunscreen, allowed it time to soak in, and worn a hooded sweatshirt with the hood up despite the heat but even that seemed to not help much. By the time he arrived at his assigned cabin, he felt tired and in a little bit of pain. Maybe this summer camp idea wasn't for him.

He glanced down at the card given to him during registration. Thestral Cabin. On the outside was an embossed thestral on the frame and he knew he was in the right place and stopped, slipping the card into his bag before continuing to enter. It was a regular sort of cabin and didn't have much appeal to it but still was fantastic in its own right. Upon entering, Simon found that most of his other cabin mates had arrived and he seemed to be one of the last to straggle in. It was oddly - white. So much white. It reminded him of that bright sun high in the sky and he didn't like it at first but knew he'd have to adjust. Besides, this brightness wouldn't cause him any harm.

The white was in contrast to the outside and the more he looked around he realized how quiet it was. No longer could he hear the screaming of those trying to dump water on each other out on the grounds that he passed on his way there.

Ge entered further and found the sleeping quarters. It seemed that another boy had his similar idea and he smiled a little. A corner bunk, but at the bottom where the windows weren't so prevalent. He went to the other corner and placed his bag down, smiling at those he passed. He didn't recognize the majority of the faces but hoped that maybe he would forge new friendships out of some. "Good day, everyone," he said, sitting now on the bottom bunk. His hope was that he didn't arrive too late and there would still be someone to talk with, but at the same time he took off his hooded sweatshirt, glad of the comfort that brought from the heat.

Interactions: Open to All

Letters would arrive, simple small white envelopes that were sealed with a drop of wax and a singular divot reminiscent of the side of a quill. The letters were for the Ravenclaws housed in this cabin. Identical in raw form, their names written individually on their own personal envelope.

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Pericles Dralt

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Selina Knight

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Bloom Silverton

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Sylvain Wyllt

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They would be found there first thing in the morning on Aug 8, whoever had dropped them off had done so at an incredibly early hour. If one must know, it was a little after five in the morning. The letters were pushed under the front door and awaited the Ravenclaws when they rose.

[font=Segoe script]The dead have risen and have rushed into the darkened wood. Seek the black raven for he has secrets you might learn on this day. [/font]

For those that were aware, that had paid attention over the past year, no several. The message was obvious and clear. For those that had not paid attention, had the good fortune to avoid the drama and mayhem, were simply too new to know the terrors that awaited them in the wizarding world away from the diligent protection of their parents, they would be left with a mystery to solve in a matter of mere hours. Ravenclaws were the sort that always enjoyed a good riddle, a bit of intellectual flair to their otherwise humdrum days. The promise of a mystery, a puzzle, something to solve would be enough to draw them out.

Put an end to one more thorn.

This is a hook for Ravenclaws (if you are not named presume you got a letter as well if you are a Ravenclaw). Link

| Chatting with @Willow Anderson, introducing self |

Pericles took his time observing the occupants, both newcomers and familiar. There was Bloom, fifth-year and fellow Raven, though he hardly knew her beyond reputation. Simon strolled in, and Peri sent him an inviting wave when he greeted the group. The Koldovstoretz kids introduced themselves, inspiring him to do the same for the sake of strangers: "I'm Pericles Dralt, third-year Ravenclaw student. Call me 'Peri' if you like."

The lad flinched when he heard his name shouted back, glancing up in time to see Willow bounding from her bunk with arms wide open. Had he decided if he really enjoyed hugs? Pericles wasn't entirely adapted to affectionate gestures, but the witch- much like his Gryffindor friend Pierre- had that bubbly breed of kindness that made one want to like hugs. It was returned warmly, though his grasp was so soft one might suspect he had a case of hoverhands. Willow's energetic flurry of comments and questions was answered in slow succession. "Well, if I am honest, I spent much of my summer waiting to be back here." He smirked subtly, only half exaggerating, then enthused on a lower level as if sharing a secret: "I've been looking forward to year three a great deal. Most of all, the syllabus of spells looks promising, particularly for sparrers like ourselves." He sounded slyly satisfied. On the piste they would be opponents, but here, they were Hogwarts duellists one and the same. "You've brought your books! I packed light reading for camp as well. Maybe we could arrange a trade? At least, if you're at all interested in The Psychology of Choir, or Traditional Harvesting of Broom and Wand Wood?"

Reaction to the August 8th letter is over here