(Side note: I loved Pheonix's interpretation of Riven. I got a pretty good laugh out of that haha.

Also, for the loaf-pastry thing, just do whatever works. XD I probably forgot what word I used lol.)

Riven made a face at Valentina's jokes, like he was trying to hold in a laugh. Before assuming a very upright posture, and preforming a mock curtsy. "I would be glad to cook for you anytime, mi lady." he spoke with an exaggerated accent as he let out a laugh. Riven sat down with his plate to try and hurry and stuff the food down. Already pondering what he could hustle Greta out of tomorrow for food. Maybe he could take her the uneaten pastry leftovers in exchange?

Nodding in agreement with Valentina, he shrugged, "I mean, what's the worst that can happen? It's not like they can just find dragon riders laying around." he let out a laugh, but was it actually funny? It could be seen as concerning. This year's first-years was the smallest a batch of dragon riders had been. Each year had less and less dragon riders. Less and less dragons hatchings. If eggs don't sense the presence of their rider, they won't hatch. Except for the few who do, and usually unsuccessfully bond, and end up behaving like an actual wild dragon, and move out towards the outer edges where the handful of other wild dragons roamed. Maybe the dragons are evolving to not need humans. Or maybe they can sense something we can't.

Riven shoved the last piece of the pastry in his mouth, trying to hurry and chew through the thickness of it. Standing up to dust his hands off, he attempted to straighten everything up real quick before heading down the hatch and down the stairs. Trying to hide his excitement as he went, why was he so excited?

"Butt out Aetherion!" Riven growled aloud. The rumbling laughter echoing in his head made him realize he had said that out loud. His cheeks flushed hot and he quickened his pace to hurry down the stairs and hope no one heard him.

Riven pushed out the door at the base of the tree to see the dragons. Aetherion's pale, iridescent form causing reflective light to shine back at Riven. The stunning lightning dragon turning his head to fixate his golden orbs on his rider, tail tip flicking back and forth in a feline manner.

Aetherion released another rumbling laugh in response to his rider's glaring stare. The boy's pale-blue eyes shooting daggers.

"Right, anyways you lazy bag of scales," Aetherion snorted out a huffy breath at his rider's insult, which caused Riven to gag and swat at the air as he choked out the rest of his sentence. "Make yourself scarce. If Val and I are going to break into the headmaster's office, a bright white and bright red dragon are not the most discreet." He spoke aloud on purpose this time, so the other dragons and Valentina could hear. It would be best for Aetherion and Pheonix to be spotted somewhere far away for an alibi.

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Seraph blinked at Thorn. "I feel like I should be offended by that? But your right." She shrugged with a laugh. Her faux offended expression quickly disappearing. She didn't eat much of her bread. Half of it still sitting on her plate. With a slight cringe, she just held onto the sticky pastry as she placed her plate in the sink. Watching Riven and the others getting ready to head out, she moved to follow them. Riven barking something at Aetherion caused her to snort out a laugh. At least she wasn't the only one spitting out random things. But at least Riven was talking to Aetherion. Who kept talking to her?

The footsteps drumming down the stairs went silent as they all spilled out on the ground where the dragons were lounging. Aetherion was already hauling himself to his feet, getting ready to take off.

Whiplash pushed her snout against her rider as she slinked down from one of the branches in the tree. At least The Willow was accomodating to dragons and riders.

"What do you say, Whiplash, any ideas on what kinda trouble we can stir up?"

The brightly colored dragon wiggled with excitement. Vivid purple eyes sparking up at the prompt.

'Phantom's Veil?'

Seraph smirked at those words. She knew that plant. It was one of her favorites. Although collecting it could be tricky.

With a pat on the dragon's snout, the short blonde turned to look at Thorn. "how good is your illusion magic? Would you be able to make shapes in the shadow?" she asked, placing a hand on her hip as she looked at him.

Riven arched a brow. "Care to clue us in on your plan?" His voice had a hint of skepticism in it. Seraph couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt at that. Did he not trust her? She immediately snuffed down that feeling, replacing her wall as quickly as it crumbled. Of course he didn't trust her. Why would anyone trust her? She was raised and trained to put a dagger in your back.

Her posture stiffened slightly, almost her entire mannerism changing from one small detail.

"Phantom's Veil is a vine that grows in the more mature area of the forest. It likes shade. The vine produces purple flowers that release spores in the air that cause mild hallucinogenic affects as a defense mechanism. The flowers can be harvested and when disturbed by say, someone stepping on it, or placed in a bowl with a smolder to cause smoke, people walking by would be affected. It causes your vision to falter and swirl, hear things, and overall just make you wig out for a few minutes. Place that in a doorway where people have to walk out, they breathe it in. Partnered with Thorn's "monsters", it should keep people occupied for a while. Just try not to breathe in any purple smoke." Her eyes narrowed at the last sentence. Jade green sparking a dangerous gleem as she stared back at Riven. But the look was gone in a moment, like she never even realized she just stared at him like it was a threat. Looking back to Thorn to wait and see his input on her plan.

"Before anyone panics, Phantom's Veil is not lethal. You trip out for 15 or so minutes, then once you've breathed in some fresh air, your fine." She scoffed at the last part like it was more of an inconvenience.