*leans back in chair, with an imaginary cup of coffee*

Jeeze, if it was earlier, I would be chugging down coffee like a champ.  Post is about to go live.  This round of posts should focus on the morning antics of the students, their finding their respective griffins outside their homes, and flying [u]into[/u] the Black Gale.  What lies on the other side will be described in the next round.  Prepare for launch, comrades.