Happily ever after with a little flavor

[missrecalled_mods]

Sponsors for the ship? So... Sponsor'ship?

Rare had an hour seemed so long on the Isle, or carried so much hope. The King and Queen spoke to all who wished to speak with them, and to Yen Sid. At one point they even opened the barrier enough to go back to the ship where they conferred inside a silence spell with Sylvando. And once more for the King and Queen to return a few minutes later. Then back on the Isle they pulled a few individuals aside once more. Oddly, not those from the Isle this time. Aqua first. Then Lea. Then Æn'kae.

Finally the hour came to an end and the King and Queen called for everyone's attention. Mal stepped forward to address everyone.

"Alright, so here is how this is going to work," she told them without preamble, once she had their attention. The wind pulled at her purple hair, pulling it like a banner behind her. "Here are the terms by which we will take the people we will name to Auradon. Each person will be assigned a sponsor. If you want to change sponsors you may let us know once we are back in Auradon. Your Sponsor will be watching out for you. You need to check in with him, her, or them, regularly. How often that will be will be between you and your sponsor, but the sponsors will report to King Ben and myself. Behave and you'll get to stay in Auradon, and we will let you know when your probation is over and you no longer need to check in with your sponsor. Break the rules of Auradon, hurt anyone, steal.... depending on how bad the act and how many were harmed, we may, with your sponsor decide to give you a warning... or you may wind up back here. This is a chance to prove that the sorting magic was wrong, that you are good people. Or can become good people given the chance." Mal looked and sounded like she was clearly waiting to make her own judgments.

"As I list each name, please go to your sponsor if he, she, or they is here. If not, come stand with the king and I."

She took a deep breath. "Xion, your sponsor is Lea." she pointed to him, suspecting that she didn't actually have to, but it was good to set a pattern.

"Utau, you are with Sylvando, who is on the ship so come join us." Then a bit of a wicked grin. "He's also keeping an eye on Nadeshiko and Nagihiko, why not let him keep an eye on all three of you," she said, knowing she was throwing fuel on an explosion waiting to happen. But she trusted Sylvando to sort out which of the kids actually belonged on the Isle.

"River you are with Æn'ki. Hope you like animals," she said with a grin that wasn't all that softer than her last as she gestured to him.

"Morgana and Emporio, you are with Aqua," she added nodding to the woman with the blue hair. "Of course we understand if any of you want to stay..."

She turned to the Headmaster. Doctor F.... We're aware of you, and your efforts, I assure you. We'll be speaking with those heading to Auradon. But for now, stay where we can see you while the rest of you, those coming with us? You have ten minutes to get your stuff if you have any and say goodbyes to anyone if you want to. Goodbyes with the headmaster will be supervised so we can make sure he is being as good as he claims these days. Alright. Ten minutes, starting now!"


**************************************************

The gathering of belongings and saying of goodbyes was accomplished in the allotted ten minutes without much trouble. Getting everyone onto the boat, then equipped with lifejackets- thankfully the boat's owner was a bit over prepared so there were enough for everyone, if only just-, and reasonably settled for the trip back took a bit longer, however. The boat was a large catamaran, painted mostly in blue and purple pastels. The life jackets however, were the standard safety orange, and so stood out as sharply as they were meant to. The water was still rough so once everyone was equipped, Sylvando advised those unused to boat travel to settle down somewhere until they were in calmer waters.

Getting back to the mainland took time as well, though not quite as much as getting there had, as the tide was in their favor for the return trip. Still, there would be plenty of time for conversation, awkward silences, or angry glaring during the trip. And Sylvando himself wouldn't be adverse to conversation, provided it didn't interfere with the steering of the vessel. Those without their sea legs would also want to be careful walking around, as the boat-while large for a catamaran- wasn't large enough to prevent it from rocking.

Once they'd reached the harbor and the Bibbity Bobber had been secured in her berth, her passengers and crew disembarked and began the trek back up to the school. There seemed to be an inordinate amount of junk that had once been clearly blocking the road before the path to and from the harbor had been cleared. All of it was the sort of things one might expect to find in a modern city- cars, sign boards, fallen trees and lamp posts, etc- but there seemed to be too much of it for the simple vanishing of the populace to account for it all. Very odd.

Once they arrived at the school, they were led past the pretentious sign and statue of King Beast and directed into the lobby. There, they were issued phones and information sheets. On account of everyone being exhausted, no formal welcoming ceremony was planned for that evening, and those staying were directed to the dorms to get showered and settled in. Since that was sure to be a process in itself, Ben, Mal, Sylvando, the other sponsors, and anyone who still had the energy would likely be around for all that as well until everyone got settled. Thankfully the exhaustion had been anticipated, and it was announced that there was soup in the kitchen's refrigerator that had been premade and portioned out and needed only to be reheated for supper at each person's leisure.

The next morning however, proved that Auradon was still Auradon and couldn't really go without some kind of official welcome, as those who came down to the lobby would find a simple but tasty breakfast of muffins, fruit - provided by Malia-, tea, and coffee waiting for them along with the eternally chipper Sylvando, ready to answer any further questions they might have.


****************


Professor Yen Sid and the Headmaster stood and watched the ship through the barrier until they could no longer see it. Then the headmaster, looking bitter, turned on his heel, stalked back to the school, muttering under his breath about needing to speak with someone. He did not say who, but it did not seem like it was likely to be a pleasant conversation.

Yen Sid, on the other hand, turned to those who chose to remain. “Shall we get these supplies in before the humidity destroys them?” he asked, gathering his things into his bag before grabbing it and one of the boxes.

Comments

I'm on A Boat!

[missrecalled_mods]

With goodbyes said, all those headed for Auradon crossed the temporary magic bridge back over to the boat, and once everyone was aboard, the opening in the barrier was once again closed. "Welcome aboard, everyone!", Sylvando greeted everyone, both those returning and the new passengers. "And to all the new faces, it's lovely to meet you all! I'm Sylvando, your captain for this voyage. Once everyone gets their life jackets on- safety first you know, especially in waters as rough as this- it'll be all aboard for Auradon! And someone should secure our new tree friend in the cargo area as well. I don't doubt that they'd float, but we wouldn't want the poor dear- or anyone else- falling off and being left behind."

Thus began the task of securing an ent and fitting a number of people- many of whom had likely never worn one- with life jackets, which would likely take a little while. But eventually it got done, and the boat got underway. As the Isle became more and more distant, the waters became somewhat calmer, and it became safe for those aboard to- carefully- move around on the deck and talk to those not right next them. Sylvando was at the wheel of course, but even he was open to conversation, provided it didn't require him to leave his post.

OTA! this includes npcs if mods want-

[seacub]

Emporio has his life jacket on as soon as it's passed to him, and follows the rules of the boat like a champ. He has an anxious air about him, but not for any ill reason. No, it's clear he's just expecting something to happen, waiting for it to drop like a hammer on his toe.

It happens quite unexpectedly as a result. The waters calm, yes, and the proximity to the Kingdom becomes apparent.

But the sun itself shines brighter, as if in welcoming- a short breeze passes over the boat, inviting.

Emporio stiffens- as behind him, a great figure in white manifests immediately, soon locking him in a hug from behind.

The boy doesn't move. Doesn't speak.

...He just...breaks, immediately, into tears up there on the deck.

(He expected them to appear, but somehow it still hurts.)

Re: OTA! this includes npcs if mods want-

[utauhoshina]

"That has got to be the biggest chara I've ever seen," she muttered under her breath. Could that chara's egg be the Embryo? Her hands twitched. But something wiggling behind her distracted her. Emporio, would be young enough to see the small handspan high angel and devil charas that flew out from behind Utau to hug her face.

The girl lifted trembling hands, as if covering her face, cupping the two, trying to hide tears.

[seacub]

Noticing might take a bit. He's...well, he's crying after all, he's just a little bit distraught. This is all too much even when he saw it coming. The Stand's actions aren't exactly helping either! ...Well, the Stand is trying to help, what with scooping the boy up like they're a parent or something, but it just makes it even harder to stop crying!

...

Oh, well, the Stand sure noticed them in any case. Stands don't get to have ages. Sure, Weather used to be glued to a grown adult but right now he's glued to a child, and what Emporio can see, they can see.

...But well, Weather Report also doesn't have a mouth, so nothing is being said. The Stand only stares. Piercing magenta eyes looking to the charas and the girl alike as they muffle Emporio's sobs against their shoulder.

[utauhoshina]

The small devil Chara peered out from Utau's hands to glare, having sensed they were being stared at. She apparently didn't appreciate it.

[seacub]

Weather, of course, gives a strange snort of steam.

Emporio just sniffs, and turns his head only to realize they're being watched.

"U...Uh.. I..."

He's. Not really sure what to do here. What do you do when you're caught crying? He's not doing what Xion does, that feels like it wouldn't work here.

[utauhoshina]

"Ugh," the little devil one said. She grabbed the angel one by a feathered wing. "Crybabies are all yours!" she shoved the small angel Chara at the kid's face.

The angel flailed wildly as she flew right at him.

Utau lowered her hands ignoring her own tears, to watch.

[seacub]

"A-AAHHH-!"

Emporio of course, panics. But, he also doesn't want anyone hurt, so what happens next is....honestly a little anticlimactic. The air blows gently against the little angel- slowing her, slowing her more, and ultimately slowing her to a stop near Emporio's face.

She might be about two, three inches away.

"UH....UHHH...."

Well thanks for that Weather.

[utauhoshina]

El blinked, then grinned. "AGAIN!" and flew right at him. That had been fun!

[seacub]

"Uh..." Again..?

Emporio's not sure how to control that, but fortunately, just thinking about it makes it easy for Weather Report to repeat the process.

Down down to a nice slow stop, little angel. Whhooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

[utauhoshina]

"WHHHHEEEEEEEE!!"

"No fair! My turn!" Il said, kicking El out of the way before making her own charge.

[seacub]

"U-uh....it's..." Oh...those two are fighting now... "It's not really like-"

Emporio's nervousness, sadly, backfires- El doesn't go to a smooth stop so much as she gets blown back a good ways through the air.

It won't hurt, but that's still very alarming!

[utauhoshina]

El cackled and charged again.

Utau looked past the small spirits to Emporio with a raised brow, as if asking if he was seeing this insanity.

She seemed to have recovered from her upset, however. There was no sign now that she'd been crying.

Aqua - OTARe: I'm on A Boat!

[aquawayfinder]

Aqua made sure to set a good example by putting on her life jacket, even though she probably did not need it, and sitting calmly and securely. She chose a spot that let her see as many people as possible without staring. Mostly she wanted to keep an eye on the two she was to sponsor, Lea and Xion, and of course Æn'Kae and Rren, And Mallia. As well as being on hand if Sylvando should need help with anything.

She would be willing to speak to whoever sat near her, but would not encourage anyone to move about once they were on their way. With the boat moving, if no one was talking to her, she closed her eyes and began a light surface level meditation to help herself balance and come to terms with all the new changes.

Still, it would be nice to have more students and both of the ones assigned to her seemed to be nice enough people. She looked forward to getting to know them both.

Meditating, she might look like she was resting, but she was alert and aware and willing to stop to speak with whoever was sitting beside her, if they so wished.

[weather voice] `whomst`

[seacub]

Well, Emporio isn't hiding exactly, but he's not really uh. Quick to approach anyone.

Naturally that's almost entirely because of an incident that Aqua may well have seen- or at least heard about- already. A great summon of cloud shows up, makes the immediate vicinity sunny weather and guiding breezes, and also the boy summoning them cries.

Heck of an impression.

So...The boy has been keeping to himself. Of course he has.

But he's also not really attentive to his surroundings right now, which makes it Very easy for Aqua to start meditating right near him.

He won't bug her though.

Looks like if she wants to talk with one of her assigned two, she'll have to be the one initiating the conversation.

(...Or...maybe not? That cloud-man hasn't disappeared since he first materialized, and those magenta eyes are piercing in their focus on her.)

Re: [weather voice] `whomst`

[aquawayfinder]

The thing had looked like a Dusk, but she had learned to see past initial appearances. But once they were moving, she allowed her eyes to open and she offered Emoprio a warm smile. "Hello," she said, voice gently.

[seacub]

"Uh..."

He doesn't sound disgruntled, or upset- well, upset with Aqua- when he utters a sound. Just a bit surprised, like he didn't expect to be addressed.

Weather holds their vigil. Emporio gives a nervous nod. "H...Hello."

He's perhaps the only one from the incoming 'islanders' dressed the part, honestly. At least, if everyone else kept their original clothes.

Emporio's, unlike everyone else...were simply scavenged from the Isle.

[aquawayfinder]

"I'm Aqua. You're Emporio, right? And your friend...?"

[seacub]

"Y...yeah. Emporio. And this is..."

Against his wishes, he sniffs. Weather of course, remains ever vigilant. "...This is my..one of my... ....This is Weather Report," he finally stammers out. "...He's a Stand."

[aquawayfinder]

"A stand?" she asked, politely.

[seacub]

"Y-yeah. It's um. ...It's normally a part of your soul, like...an extension of yourself..."

Strange that he said normally, though.

[aquawayfinder]

"Interesting. I'm willing to learn more, if you wanted to share. But if not, I won't push for now."

[seacub]

"I..." Well. "...I could...explain some things..? ...I don't know where to start though. Stands were...they were just Stands, to me, but now here, no one knows what they are."

[aquawayfinder]

"Well..." she considered. "There are things that I always considered to just... be part of what everyone knew until I had to explain them myself to someone who had never seen one. I've had to do it many times over. Perhaps if I explain one first you can use that as an example to learn how to explain Stands?"

Utau - OTA (Please check OOC note to know what of this you see)

[utauhoshina]

OOC note

((Utau is a Chara Bearer. Long complicated info about that on her journal and Nadenagi's. But for this, the short version is she has two small creatures called Charas with her that can only be seen by the following:

People with their own Charas
People who can see/sense souls
People who can see magically hidden things/have strong magic
Animals
people under the age of 3

If you think your character should be able to see/hear/sense them for other reasons please feel free to poke me for plotting.))

For those who can see the Charas

Almost as soon as the boat started to move, Utau seemed distracted. Her hand kept drifting back to the two eggs at the back of her belt.

They began to shake. Suddenly they cracked open. The egg shells vanished and two hand span high creatures floated up to hug her face.

Utau gasped and pressed her hands to her face, cupping them gently against her as she tried to hide her suddenly flowing tears.

For those who can't see them

Utau seemed stiff and distracted from the moment she sat down. One hand kept going to the bottom of the back of her life vest. Then suddenly her eyes went wide and her hands went to her face, trying to hide the fact that she had begun crying for no apparent reason.

Special OOC note for Æn'Kae

((Utau's emotions are hope and desperation until the hatching/crying at which point it is mostly relief and love but also embarrassment and fear and a hint of desperation to be practically anywhere else at all.)