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(( West's gettin' ON A BOAT. ))

Prior to boarding, West had definitely been secretly excited about this journey. Unlike what seemed like the majority of his fellow students, the wrath demon had found his trip to Christmas Town to be one of the most exhilarating experiences of his young life (minus, perhaps, carrying Barth's dead weight up a mountain), and if this boat ride was anywhere near as much fun, it would trump his boring-a** classes any day. He had packed lightly but appropriately, he thought, with enough different sorts of clothing to keep him comfortable during any sort of weather, but little else. He trusted he'd be fed, even though that trust was probably misplaced.

Once he saw the boat, West was more than secretly excited. He was ecstatic.

First off, the damn thing was effin' huge. As he strode up the gangplank and glanced left, then right, then left again, West couldn't help but marvel at the fact that he was unable to actually see the prow or stern from where he stood. He hoped there was a fight brewing somewhere in the water because if there was, this boat was going to kick its a**.

Then there was the name. What could be more fitting than a boat named after his favorite emotion? It was a good omen, surely. West tried to call up some rage of his own with which to meet the figures already on board, but all he could muster was a sort of buoyant bubbliness that pushed its way up out of his chest and forced his lips and teeth into a wide grin. That's right. West was giddy.

"Hey! P'fess'r Malcolm!" he said to his minipet teacher, "'N Vlad!" this to the empty harness nearby, "'N... whoever." West didn't recognize the yelling... person, but he certainly approved of the Trick or Treater's volume. He took a deep breath. So much anger. He looked to the professor again. "This boat'is'jus'... um... awesome." His smile pushed the half-healed cut on his cheek into a garish pucker. He was gushing. He didn't care.

So happy.

"I'm gonna... West shifted his suitcase slightly in his good hand, the other held close to his body. The boil's coat mostly hid the fact that his right forearm was in a cast, but any deception was unintentional. "Gonna go finda place t'put this," he finished. Hopefully he wouldn't get lost.

"PROFESSOR MALCOOOOOOLM!"

Alright, so the first two on board weren't the only kids kind of excited about this trip...the voice accented by what could vaguely be considered a Russian tongue, belting out across the dock from grinning lips...

Natalia looked eager to board the R.A.G.E., emulating exuberance in her wide-eyed approach. High heels, definitely not suitable for the trip at hand but simply to DIE for otherwise, clicked at the end of two, extremely long legs--both of which barely clothed in black, ultra-mini shorts. Her stomach and chest were both completely exposed, a gold bathing suit top peeking out between the long sleeved, half-cardigan she wore on top of it...The monster's outfit showcased the same sort of fashionable take-off as it had the day before; very apparently ready for sun, waves, and sea breeze in that dark blue hair.

Natalia was all smiles, ears hiked higher than usual on the sides of her head, tail curled against her back in the same, unusual manner. She didn't look to be concerned, most of that confidence sprouting from the professor that would be chaperoning them--but deep within her a seed of doubt did dwell. The Academy wasn't known for safe trips, after all, and considering the fact that the lemur couldn't remember everything from the train crash...

WELL there was hope and optimism on the ghouls side at least, as her white skin looked and smelled to be coated in fragrant tanning lotion the closer she got. Those sleeves of hers covered her arms entirely and even managed to conceal the fists that gripped both of her suitcases...they didn't, however, hide the additional bag pack hanging off her shoulder, that looked to be stuffed to the very brim with clothing.

She may or may not have over packed. BUT ONE COULD NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL. It would seem that tiny bit of doubt in her was squared away in each of her carryon's...aw well.

Taking the final step on board, the lemur offered those she could see a quick nod of her head before settling her citrus gaze on Malcolm. "HEY! Hey! I'm just going to go put these down and then I'll be back. It's so great to see you professor!"

Boarding dat boat.

It was good that his fellow boat-goers were excited about the trip.

Barth was in a murky, 7 AM fog. He barely did evenings, nights, and afternoons. Mornings, never. He looked more like a zombie than a demon. Being up this early was practically a virtue.

His only consolation was the tropical breakfast smoothies that Christof had made him. Christof had done the packing, too: a light and singular duffel bag that could double as a pillow. He was dressed warmly, with a smart jacket to combat the cold sea air, a brimmed hat, and sunglasses folded into his shirt pocket. He hadn't actually been at the auditorium, but he had been briefed via text.

After getting up at an hour that could only be described as godly, he gave his snailarium and large-scream skellyvision a last unhappy look and headed for the docks. His neighbor, he noted, had also been dressed for proper boating - that is, the luxurious pleasure cruise sort. There were at least two yachts in the boating line up. Boat #3 was not one of these.

Barth gave Riley his second breakfast smoothie before they went to their separate boats, so he wouldn't have to carry it.

He tried to remember if he had ever actually seen a sunrise in person before. He didn't think he had. Yet here he was, with the sun bleeding over the always-October sky. His first sunrise.

He decided he hated sunrises.

And then, of course, he had to climb upstairs to the boat.

"Morning, sirs," Barth said blackly as he slugged his way up the gangplank. Saying the word morning was like spitting out spiders. He refused to call it good. What kind of people got up at this hour regularly? He knew. Hard workers. The prepared. Everything he was, by principle, against.

He took another melancholy sip from the remaining smoothie.

((I'M BOARDING THE BOAT))

Sepheran yawned having got up extra early to see if he could find Professor Malcolm, course even though he had gotten up early he still only just managed to get on board at the right time...Sepheran wasn't a very good morning person.

The basilisk boy sighed lightly holding onto his small luggage as he looked about the scene. The boat surely was large enough...in fact this boat seemed huge! That was actually quite relieving to see, especially if something happened on the sea. This way they would have much more room to move abut or run for their lives.

As the other began to head to their rooms or explore the ship Sepheran stepped towards the professor. "Excuse me Professor," Sepheran called out. "Am I going to have to leave Liannan...?" Sepheran questioned his hand moving to lightly pat the white snake on his shoulders who curled around Sepheran turning her head towards Malcolm her tongue flicking slightly. "If I didn't have to bring her I'd let her stay in my room with my other minipets...but if at all possible I'd really like to have her, she helps me get around," Sepheran added softly opening his foggy white eyes as he looked towards the blob that was Professor Malcom.

GETTIN' ON THIS HERE RAGE-BOAT!

Oh Jack it was early. Honestly, Sharra had intentionally tried to hit up classes that didn't cause him to actually arise until the sun had well begun its journey into the sky, so it was understandable that the blond boil was yawning quite a touch as he trundled over the ramp and onto the ship. He hadn't done a whole lot of...er...sailing as it were. At least it was a fairly large sort of boat, though he wasn't entirely sure as to how this trip would pan out...somehow, he rather thought he'd be trying to stick close to ol' West on this one.

Hefting his little bag, which he'd mostly packed with essentials, a couple of odds 'n' ends, and ensured there was a distinct LACK of one nosy wee Freymon (though he'd texted Yaya to remind her to double-check her things)...he then noticed that shock of rather manly pink hair, and sidled over in that direction. He would be giddy that they were on the RAGE boat, now wouldn't they? In truth, he almost wondered if this boat had been formed on sheer principle, just to have somewhere to place the wrath-demon where he wouldn't be constantly pissy. Though West was amusing pissy, since it was his constant state of existence, he just mostly had states of less-pissy.

Now, if only none of his fellow shipmates snored...mostly Barth, since the nergal boil was well aware that it was that particular demon's absolutely most adored past time, or at least it seemed to be. But even if he did, well...there was a reason some absolutely inspired fellow had invented earplugs.