Mele Kalikimaka (Zen)

[kaylee māhealani mahi'ai]

December 23, 2026
Caerleon, Wales

The hypothetical Hawaiian vacation that she and Zenevieva Novell had been planning in the back of their minds since they had run into each other again at the start of their sixth year was no longer only in their heads. They had finished school, and they were doing it—after months of saving and planning and a little bit of assistance that Kaylee really didn't think that her parents needed to give her but had accepted nevertheless. To make things easier on the two of them, they would be staying at her family's home on Kauai. Kaylee hadn't been back since she had transferred from Ilvermorny, so she was thrilled. It was better, in her opinion, than a hotel, and far easier to ensure that Zen wouldn't be taking any risks by being a half-vampire in a tropical locale at Christmastime.

With everything packed and their Portkey arranged, all Kaylee had to do was make sure that Zen would make it to the Portkey on time. A discarded coffee can back behind Merlin's Mystical Museum of Magic wouldn't draw any attention and, given that it was Kaylee's workplace (the museum; not the alley behind it), it was convenient. All she needed was her half-vampire best friend, and she would be set.

zenevieva mira novell

[zenevieva mira novell]

━ stop. what the hell are you talkin' about? ━

ZENEVIEVA NOVELL COULDN'T SEE HERSELF going on any kind of holiday ever since her parents died. Sure, it was a few years back, and she had experienced a new life since then, living with her aunt especially and developing all kinds of friends, ridding herself of her stammer...developing a strange power that only full vampires had...It was weird altogether. But since she had finished school and had more time in between her interning life, the mention of the holiday she had once mentioned with her close friend Kaylee came up again. Soon came along months of planning and saving, which wasn't especially hard for the Novell as she loved these sort of things.

With everything packed and ready, Zen made sure she was ready for when she needed to leave, leaving on schedule and arriving when she needed to. Turning the corner to where she planned to meet her friend, Zen called out for Kaylee the moment the half-vampire saw her, waving in her direction. With a slight jog to get closer to her friend, Zen pulled her into a quick hug. "Hey! I'm not late am I?..At least I don't think I am..I left at the right time.." Zen stopped her rambles and then paused, to smile.

"I'm..Ready to go. When you are anyway." Zen added in a quiet laugh then and adjusted the bag that sat over her shoulder. "I...Also brought contacts. I know you said we'll be staying in your family's home but..Just to be safe I guess.." It had been just over a year since Zen's right eye had shifted to a deep crimson, while her left remained green. No matter the amount of research the half-vampire put in, there were no answers that could solve her questions.

| kaylee māhealani mahi'ai |

sorry for the late reply!

[kaylee māhealani mahi'ai]

December 23, 2026
Caerleon, Wales

Hearing her name called, Kaylee perked up. It was Zen, and she was right on time. The two of them hugged, and Kaylee reassured the former Ravenclaw that she wasn't late despite her concerns. Zen confirmed that she was ready to go when she was, and Kaylee nodded. She had what she needed, and Zen obviously had her bag over her shoulder.

Zen added that she had additionally brought contacts with her, just as a precaution. Kaylee knew that that was probably a good idea. Having eyes that were two different colors wasn't extremely common, and the contacts would help to keep her from attracting the wrong kind of attention. The good thing was that Zen wouldn't need them while they were in the house, so she wouldn't have to wear them all the time. She would want them if they were to go out somewhere, though, definitely.

"Yeah, there are No-Majes around," Kaylee agreed. "And we'll take precautions in the sun and everything, too," she added, since she assumed that that was probably also on Zen's mind. Making sure that Zen got to enjoy her trip was important to Kaylee, and that meant being a bit more cautious than usual.

Kaylee looked between Zen and the coffee can that looked like a normal piece of trash, grabbing the handle of the suitcase that she was bringing with her. "The coffee can is our Portkey," she informed her. "I'm ready if you are. Should we grab it on three?"

zenevieva mira novell

[zenevieva mira novell]

━ stop. what the hell are you talkin' about? ━

HUGGING HER FRIEND, ZENEVIEVA SMILED happily as Kaylee reassured her that she was perfectly on time for everything. Kaylee then went on to agree with her about bringing contacts along for the journey and Zen nodded. "That's a relief." She began, nodding as Kaylee also mentioned about taking precautions in the sun. When Zen was younger, the sun definitely irritated the half-vampire, giving her slight headaches and somehow making her tired. As she grew up, that same annoyance continued but luckily it was bearable.

"Thank you." The Ravenclaw added, adjusting her grip on her bag as she listened to her friend and noted their Portkey. "On three works for me." Zen replied, letting out a quick breath. "It's been a while since I've used one of these.." Zen trailed off, knowing she hasn't always had the best of luck with Portkeys and the nausea they tend to give.

| kaylee māhealani mahi'ai |

[kaylee māhealani mahi'ai]

December 23, 2026
Caerleon, Wales

Zen told her that it was a relief to hear that they would be taking precautions while they were in Hawaii to keep her being half vampire from becoming a problem on their vacation. She also thanked her and said that taking the Portkey on the count of three would work for her.

After Zen added that it had been a while since she had had to use a Portkey, Kaylee smiled at her. "No worries, Zen," she promised. Zen had come out of her shell a lot since they had been in Britain, but everyone needed a confidence boost on occasion. "I've got you." Kaylee made sure that she had a firm grip on Zen's hand, readjusting her grip on her suitcase so that she would be able to grab the coffee can, too. Everything was going to go smoothly; she would do everything she could to ensure that.

Slowly, then, Kaylee began their countdown. "Okay…" She breathed in. "One… Two…"

zenevieva mira novell

[zenevieva mira novell]

━ stop. what the hell are you talkin' about? ━

NODDING AS KAYLEE GRIPPED ONTO her hand, Zenevieva listened to her friends countdown and gripped onto her own bag a little tighter to ensure she could grab the Portkey while holding everything also. "Three!" Zen counted, grabbing the Portkey at the same time she hoped Kaylee did. The sensation of transporting through a Portkey always messed with the Novell's head and stomach, somewhat simultaneously giving her a headache and an upset stomach from the upside down feeling.

| kaylee māhealani mahi'ai |

short as i dont wanna 'godmod'(?) how kaylee might of felt/grabbed the portkey!!

[kaylee māhealani mahi'ai]

December 23, 2026
Kauai, Hawaii, USA

On the count of three, the both of them took hold of the Portkey that would whisk them to Hawaii. It had been a long time since Kaylee had used the method of travel. She hadn't been back to the United States since she had left for London before her first of two years at Hogwarts, but Apparating that far wouldn't be possible. Although she was worried that it would make for a difficult journey, she didn't have the time to think about that.

Before Kaylee knew it, she and Zen had arrived with a thud on the ground. It wasn't a soft landing, but Kaylee knew where they were from their surroundings immediately: They had made it safely to Kauai, and they were in front of her house. It wasn't luxurious by any stretch because her family had never really had the money for that, but the one-story, wood-paneled house was home. She hadn't been back since the summer of 2024, and she didn't expect the realization to hit her harder than the landing from the Portkey.

Blinking away the tears in her eyes, Kaylee sat up and checked that Zen and both of their suitcases had arrived safely.

zenevieva mira novell

[zenevieva mira novell]

━ stop. what the hell are you talkin' about? ━

IT HAD BEEN A LONG while since Zen had travelled anywhere outside of the UK, especially since she had moved there sometime after her parents passed with her aunt and distant family. But travelling with Kaylee had been on the Novell's 'things to look forward to' for months on end now. Zen hadn't even had the chance to travel back to the States with her family, avoiding the chance by busying herself with work, when in reality it was just due to the anxiety of being around a place she was once familiar with.

As the two of them arrived, Zen began to steady herself, her hand flying up to her mouth to stop herself from potentially throwing up. "God I don't miss that feeling." She admitted, taking in deeper breaths so the feeling of being sick would reduce. "Did we make it?" She asked, trying to focus her eyes on the surroundings around her. The weather felt different, warmer than where they once were, and their surroundings lighter too.

| kaylee māhealani mahi'ai |

sorry for the wait!

[kaylee māhealani mahi'ai]

December 23, 2026
Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Upon sitting up, Kaylee could see that Zen looked as though she needed to vomit, but fortunately she didn't. She did, however, ask if they had made it, and Kaylee grinned. "We're here," reassured Zen, a note of relief in her voice. She hadn't been home in so long, and she was back. What was more, she had gotten Zen there, like she had promised her that she would for years.

Kaylee was careful in getting up off the ground, especially when she realized that she was probably going to have a couple of bruises from how she had landed after taking the Portkey. After she stood up, though, she stepped over to Zen before even grabbing her suitcase. "You okay?" she checked. "I can grab both our bags, if you want." She had gone into planning their trip knowing that Zen would have to take some extra precautions anyway, so she was prepared to do whatever she had to do to help her out.

zenevieva mira novell

[zenevieva mira novell]

━ stop. what the hell are you talkin' about? ━

SLOWLY STANDING AFTER STEADYING HERSELF, Zen breathed in a little more before opening her mouth to speak. "I'm all go-" The cut off in that moment was Zen's next realisation that she was far from good. Holding up a hand to her mouth to prevent herself from feeling sick everywhere, the half-vampire nodded and waved a shaky thumbs up at Kaylee's request for her to grab their bags.

While she wanted to speak to show her appreciation, all the Novell wanted in that moment was a trash-can to vomit into. Merlin, what a great start to their holiday.

| kaylee māhealani mahi'ai |

sorry for the wait!

[kaylee māhealani mahi'ai]

December 23, 2026
Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Although Zen began to make a comment to the contrary, Kaylee quickly realized that her best friend had gotten Portkey-sick from their mode of transportation there. That was definitely not the best way to start off what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation for them both, and their bags could wait on the ground for a little while longer while she tended to Zen.

"I'll hold your hair back, Zen," Kaylee reassured her, feeling bad that Portkey-sickness had overwhelmed Zen even though neither of them had any control over it. Being the oldest child in her family was good for something, and that included taking on a parental sort of role. "Just go ahead and puke if you need to. It's okay," she added as soothingly as she could, even though it had to be awkward for Zen. The good news was that they had magic to help them out in that situation. "We can get you cleaned up with magic. No biggie."


zenevieva mira novell

[zenevieva mira novell]

━ stop. what the hell are you talkin' about? ━

AT KAYLEE'S REASSURANCE, ZEN SHOOK her head to signal she was okay. She had no clue why she bothered as Kaylee was the type to tend and care for her friends first before all other means. While the feeling of sickness continued to wash over the Novell's body she hoped the facade of being fine would be enough to convince Kaylee a little longer. Though this was clearly not the case.

Looking around while her cheeks puffed out to 1. hold the vomit in and 2. make sure she could breathe properly without freaking out, the Novell felt nothing but euphoria once they noticed a few trash cans just inches away from their bags. Finding the speed and courage, Zen woozily walked over, opened the lid and let it all out. Merlin, what a great way to start their holiday.

| kaylee māhealani mahi'ai |

sorry for the wait!

[kaylee māhealani mahi'ai]

December 23, 2026
Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Being the oldest child in her family meant that there wasn't much that fazed her when it came to things that could come out of a person's body. Just as she had promised her, Kaylee stood behind Zen as she began to vomit into a trash can, gathering up her hair quickly and holding it away from her face for her. She didn't want Zen to feel embarrassed for having gotten sick from their traveling by Portkey. It happened, and it was arguably better than getting Splinched as a result of Apparition gone awry. There wasn't any need for a Healer's intervention, and it was just a "one and done" sort of situation.

"All good?" Kaylee asked after a moment, still holding back Zen's hair for her as she spoke. She had no problem with taking things easy until Zen was back to one hundred percent of her usual self. "We won't need to travel by Portkey while we're here," she assured her, "and we can just go inside and relax whenever you're ready."

zenevieva mira novell

[zenevieva mira novell]

━ stop. what the hell are you talkin' about? ━

FEELING HER HAIR BEING GATHERED upwards, Zen couldn't thank Kaylee now more than ever for being her friend. Having no siblings, the Novell usually had to rely on herself for most things, or her aunt when she was around. But since becoming friends with Kaylee, and in moments as such, she felt like a sibling to the Mahi'ai.

After she was done, Zen hummed quietly at Kaylee's original question. "Thank Merlin.." She mumbled, before sitting up to dryly wipe at her mouth. "I'm so sorry.."

| kaylee māhealani mahi'ai |

sorry for the wait!

[kaylee māhealani mahi'ai]

December 23, 2026
Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Zen wasn't back to being one hundred percent of her usual self immediately, but Kaylee didn't expect her to be. The half-vampire did express her thanks, though, that they wouldn't have to take any more Portkeys while they were on vacation. She sat up, wiped at her mouth, and then apologized. "I'm so sorry…" she said, her voice trailing off.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Kaylee replied, even though she wasn't sure Zen would believe her. "It happens. Okay? No worries." She hadn't ruined anything by any means, and they had their entire trip ahead of them to enjoy themselves. "Take a deep breath," she added to Zen gently. "We're here. We don't need to rush."

zenevieva mira novell