I need Tatya and Dorya Time (tag Dorian). on Fast and Furious

DH Skies

May 17, 2019 8:43 PM

Fast and Furious Threads by DH Skies

OOC - Threads are kept to a single board to make the event easier to follow but can be set anywhere in the school

Subthreads:

Bad Teppenpaws (tag Jozua) by Kir McLeod with Jozua

Wilkommen et bienvenue (tag Heinrich) by Dorian with Heinrich

I need Tatya and Dorya Time (tag Dorian). by Tatiana Vorontsova with Dorian

Is senioritis real for professors too? [tag DH Skies] by Mary Brooding with DH Skies

Continued from MARS (Evelyn) by Heinrich with Evelyn Stones

Weeding (tag any gardening club member) by Cleo James with Ivy Brockert

Perfectly normal behaviour by Dorian Montoir with Felipe De Matteo

Fortune favors the bold... right? (Tag Jasmine) by Gary Harper with Jasmine Delachene

Aladrens! Casting Call! by Zevalyn with Gary Harper

Girl talk (tag Jasmine) by Cleo with Jasmine

Banner painting (tag all additional language speakers) by Dorian Montoir with Johana Leonie Zauberhexen and Felipe De Matteo, Hexenmeisters, Jasmine Delachene, Tatiana and Katerina

Dinner time by Sylvia Mordue

Calling all Pecari concert performers! by Lily Spencer with Evelyn Stones, Hilda

Dance, puppets, dance! by Georgia Kirkly with Johana Leonie Zauberhexen

0 DH Skies Fast and Furious Threads 26 DH Skies 1 5

Kir McLeod

May 17, 2019 8:52 PM

Bad Teppenpaws (tag Jozua) by Kir McLeod

Kir sighed and put down his history book. He was doing extended study with Jozua, which was normally fun, only Kir found he was not in a very 'having fun' kind of mood. He had been trying hard to just... ignore the issues. Or deal with them by himself. After all, it wasn't nice to complain. But it was getting to the point where he felt he had to say something, or else he would end up snapping, at the wrong time and at the wrong person.

"If I was very... unTeppenpaw for a minute, could I trust that you would employ enough Teppenpaw diplomacy to keep it to yourself?" he asked.

13 Kir McLeod Bad Teppenpaws (tag Jozua) 366 Kir McLeod 0 5

Dorian

May 17, 2019 9:10 PM

Wilkommen et bienvenue (tag Heinrich) by Dorian

"Good evening," Dorian had noticed Heinrich alone at the Aladren table and made his way over, as he had been meaning to speak to him. He could have talked to Johanna-Leonie, but he wanted to ask Heinrich, both because it seemed more certain that he would understand and because he was the most senior of the German speakers and because Dorian was a little bit worried about one element of what he had to ask, in that he didn't want to upset anybody, but especially not small girls.

"I had an idea, for the concert. And I was going to ask Professor Xavier, but I want to ask the oher international students first, to check they agree," there was after all, no point in approaching the Professor and then finding no one wanted to do it. He had wrestled briefly with what if they all wanted to do it and then the professor said no, but that seemed unlikely, "I thought we can make a banner saying 'welcome' in all the languages we speak. So, I want to check if you... want that?" he asked. Because Germany was a lot further away than Canada or Russian-speaking Alaska. And magic helped a lot with travel, and hopefully the Hexenmeisters and Zauberhexens would be coming, but he had not wanted to risk reminding a little first year girl that her family migh not make it and see her burst into tears over it or force anyone to make a banner to welcoming people who weren't coming. But asking 'is your family coming or not' seemed far too blunt, so he was asking if they all wanted the banner instead, and starting with Heinrich who was a boy and older and therefore tougher.

13 Dorian Wilkommen et bienvenue (tag Heinrich) 1401 Dorian 0 5

Jozua

May 17, 2019 9:11 PM

How did I become known as the bad Teppenpaw? by Jozua

Jozua blinked in mild surprise at Kir. This was as much because they had stopped talking about dead people and now were suddenly . . . not as because of the request itself. Or at least, he assumed they weren't talking about dead people if Kir wanted him keeping the younger student's unTeppish comments a secret. Well, Jozua supposed it could still be about dead guys, but Kir just wasn't willing to share his opinion about them with the general populace.

Which sounded nothing like Kir at all so he was sticking with his original guess that they weren't discussing dead guys.

“Sure,” Jozua promised. “I'll take it to my grave.” Which was, undoubtedly, an excessive amount of silence for whatever Kir was likely to say, but Jozua was more than willing to take a break from the dead guys and Kir seemed a bit out of sorts anyway, so a poke of humor surely wouldn't hurt anything.

1 Jozua How did I become known as the bad Teppenpaw? 348 Jozua 0 5

Kir

May 17, 2019 9:30 PM

Who said I was talking about you? by Kir

"I will take your word as a gentleman and not force you to make the unbreakable vow," Kir grinned, in response to Jozua's very serious offer. Already the problem felt smaller by putting it in the context of these grandiose statements.

"It's just... concert stuff. Specifically, really, working with Georgia... I don't know, I wouldn't have said we were friends but I thought we liked each other and got on okay but just... maybe that's because we never spent this much time together before. She's really getting on my nerves."

13 Kir Who said I was talking about you? 366 Kir 0 5

Heinrich

May 17, 2019 9:46 PM

und Welcome by Heinrich

Heinrich was a little surprised when Dorian approached him at dinner. Hilda had already eaten lunch with him, so he wasn't expecting her company, and Evelyn had many other friends and he wasn't quite sure 'friends' was quite the right word with her either. There weren't really any other people he was close enough to sit with intentionally, or who would purposely seek him out, so he often found himself eating alone or with a random Aladren who happened to chose a seat near to him.

Intentional approach by a Teppenpaw (other than Johana Leonie, and she was usually accompanied by Hilda) was all but unheard of, and Heinrich wasn't sure if this was something he should be more confused by or concerned about.

The opening statements eased his concerns, however, and he was left with mostly confusion. The concert? He was in the concert. But why was a Teppenpaw talking to an Aladren about it when they were in different acts?

Oh. A banner. Dorian wanted to propose a multi-lingual banner. Heinrich was still a bit baffled why this concerned him. Why was his opinion being sought for something so simple? German was represented on the potions ingredients, so why should it not be represented on the welcome banner? Hilda would like that. Heinrich himself still felt a bit more at ease when he saw German words looking back at him rather than English ones. And while Uncle Karl was perfectly fluent in English, even he would probably appreciate it, and well, Hans was six. Hans could read English and German about equally badly.

"I think it is a good idea," Heinrich said, even though he couldn't imagine anyone objecting to such a thing, and therefore remained uncertain why he was being asked about it. "But I am not international," he added, because Dorian had mentioned that this was the criteria that earned him a voice. "I live in Utah now." That part of Everything was not secret. That, he had come to terms with almost two years ago.

1 Heinrich und Welcome 1414 Heinrich 0 5

Tatiana Vorontsova

May 17, 2019 10:16 PM

I need Tatya and Dorya Time (tag Dorian). by Tatiana Vorontsova

It might, given her general personality, have surprised some, but the library was one of Tatiana's favorite places at Sonora. Within it, she conquered difficult things, she hid and read Russian poetry when she felt sad, and - most importantly - she spent much of her friend time in it.

Accordingly, when she decided she wanted to talk, she went to the library to find Dorian. Finding him, she sat down and got quickly to the point.

"Dorya," she said. "When you go home - you dance girls at party?"

16 Tatiana Vorontsova I need Tatya and Dorya Time (tag Dorian). 1396 Tatiana Vorontsova 0 5

Jozua

May 17, 2019 10:17 PM

My guilty conscience, I guess by Jozua

Jozua grinned back as his escape from using the unbreakable vow, but then sobered as Kir shared what was bothering him.

Jozua had no idea how he had become the go-to guy for Teppenpaw Prefects needing to blow steam about their fellow prefects and the concert. Well, Eden hadn't yet, but she didn't seem to be having problems with the older two the way they were with each other.

What about him said, 'Hey, I'm friendly, tell me your problems!'? He was actually pretty unfriendly by Teppenpaw standards. The staff picked Georgia over him to be prefect. The Advanced Class picked Finn over him to be Head Boy. So nobody thought he was good at this sort of thing. For Merlin's sake, he ran the Dueling club and had maybe three friends in the whole school.

So why was it him they came to?

Okay, Kir, he could get. Kir was one of those maybe three friends he had. The third one. The one that added that 'maybe' to the phrase. Kir's other most likely confidant was the discussion subject's best friend. And the fact that said best friend was also Kir's girlfriend, that explained why Georgia hadn't gone to her instead either, but why him?

He hadn't known what to tell Georgia, and he didn't know what to tell Kir, either. If it wasn't a problem that could be solved with a wand, it wasn't a problem he knew how to handle. Which gave him an idea for advice.

"Have you considered challenging her to a duel?" he asked, half-joking, but really actually quite half-serious, too. "A friendly duel," he added quickly, before the suggestion could be misconstrued. "Do something that lets you vent frustration in a relatively safe way, and do something together that has nothing at all to do with the concert."

1 Jozua My guilty conscience, I guess 348 Jozua 0 5

Dorian

May 17, 2019 10:19 PM

I suppose we should include that by Dorian

"Oh. Sorry," Dorian apologised, clearly mortified when Heinrich pointed out that he was not 'international.' He supposed technically Tatya wasn't either, though he rarely thought of her as American - unless he had an angry point to prove to someone. He tried to be very careful with his words because he knew how much offence the wrong ones could cause. "It is hard sometimes enough finding the right words, even when using one of the... more familiar languages, and then trying to switch it into English," he offered as an explanation, though even this was fraught with difficulties. He could not honestly say 'home language(s)' because they also spoke English at home. More/less familiar was rapidly becoming a fuzzier and fuzzier term the longer he spent in an English-speaking environment. Certain subjects were easier in that than in French or Chinese. But it did for illustrating his point. "I don't want, for example to call it foreign languages. Our languages are not foreign, for us. But I should maybe say students who speak other languages," he corrected himself, "Thank you."

13 Dorian I suppose we should include that 1401 Dorian 0 5

Dorian

May 17, 2019 10:32 PM

I can probably get on board with that by Dorian

Dorian was flicking between his stack of books, trying to answer such questions as 'How do you make rain fall on an umbrella without making a sound' and wondering when this had become his life. Not that it was a bad life. He was sort of enjoying the puzzle element, and the questions only started seeming strange when you took a step back and looked at them, and most of the time he was buried up to his eyeballs in a world where that sort of thing made perfect sense, and he was quite happy being there.

He was also quite happy to take a break from such inquiries, especially for his favourite people, and he looked up happily when he heard the Tatya-version of his name. He fumbled slightly with the book he was holding at her question.

Yes. Yes. Lots of girls, all the time, because that's what norm- that's what boys do, ran through his mind as a good answer because his immediate thought about why she was asking that was that she Suspected. But that was not a good answer because it wasn't true. And he had enough secrets, and keeping them was hurting more and more, without actively inventing a whole other pretend life for himself. Also, for all he knew Tatya was asking for some entirely other reason. It seemed possible, at least, that he was paranoid.

"Not a lot, no," he admitted. "Porquoi?" he asked, swallowing nervously.

13 Dorian I can probably get on board with that 1401 Dorian 0 5

Kir

May 17, 2019 10:42 PM

I think you're a pretty good one by Kir

Kir laughed at loud at Jozua's suggestion of a duel, which again, really helped. The follow up suggestion of 'but actually, semi-seriously... duel her' was an interesting take.

"I'll consider it," he promised. "I hope it won't come to that. I... I think I'm pretty chill. I'm good at working through stuff like this. Normally. I just think... I need to vent it so I can go back in there and keep calmly diffusing her control freak tendencies. She's so bossy. She's like... hell bent on making this perfect, and it's like... no one is allowed an opinion except her. No one is allowed to be less than perfect. Like, how is it an act representing Teppenpaw if you chuck all the Teppenpaw values out of the window in order to achieve it? I don't want to get on stage and sing a bunch of songs about being friends and supporting each other with someone who's not doing any of that."

13 Kir I think you're a pretty good one 366 Kir 0 5

Heinrich

May 17, 2019 10:44 PM

It seems fair by Heinrich

Heinrich was probably a bad person for thinking it, but he was relieved when Dorian - who was a year older, and presumably came to Sonora a little better prepared for it than Heinrich had - admitted to having trouble expressing himself clearly in English. He nodded in understanding a the revised criteria that earned him a voice. He was being asked because he was more comfortable in a language other than English. In Heinrich's opinion, that made Dorian's banner idea even more certain to gain support. Who wouldn't want to be welcomed to the concert in a language better suited to them?

"You're welcome," he said, mostly out of reflex after hearing 'Thank you.' That was one of the English drills he'd worked on with Uncle Karl during the summer after his first year. When he had been trying to think about anything else besides the trial transcripts he'd been reading.

"Are you international?" he asked curiously, not wanting to assume, especially after just having seen that bite Dorian. Also, he was making more of an effort to learn something about the people around him now.

1 Heinrich It seems fair 1414 Heinrich 0 5

Tatiana

May 17, 2019 10:44 PM

Excellent. by Tatiana

Not a lot. Well, that might limit his helpfulness here. Tatiana put her hand on the table, allowing her fingernails to try to trace the grain of the wood.

"When I go Rodzhestvo," she said, "I dance this year. Boy says eyes are more pretty than sapfir." She touched her neck to indicate that she meant a literal jewel, not a more abstract sort of analogy.

"Eto glupo," she said matter-of-factly - this stupid. "No ya chasto dumayu ob etom." But I often think about it. "Do boys always say stupid when they dance with girl who is not - " Tatiana made a face, trying to find a word that would make sense to Dorian and express a concept she wasn't even sure about the nature of. She held her hand below the level of the table as though to indicate someone very small. "I am not molodaya ledi, but also no malyshka. Am in between - but Mama says more molodaya ledi." Not a young lady yet, but more a young lady than a little girl. "No one says such stupid to me at Anya ball," she added for context.

16 Tatiana Excellent. 1396 Tatiana 0 5

Dorian

May 17, 2019 10:53 PM

No, that was last year by Dorian

"Yes," Dorian answered, surprised to find a question about identity politics that was actually easy to answer. "I am Canadian, from the French-speaking part. And my mother is Chinese, so..." so I'm used to being regarded as an outsider, everywhere I go... That felt a little too personal. "...at home we speak French, Chinese and English. And it can make it very complicated to know what words to use about languages and about oneself. What is 'home language' or 'first language' - I hate that phrase. The question 'Where are you from?' It all gets complicated.

"How do you regard yourself?" he returned the question. Heinrich had pulled Dorian up on calling him 'international' but it was hard to believe he regarded himself as an American now, in spite of citizenship. Dorian suspected the other boy's answer was, like his own, something that couldn't be summarised with a word or two, in a neat, single label.

13 Dorian No, that was last year 1401 Dorian 0 5

Mary Brooding

May 17, 2019 10:54 PM

Is senioritis real for professors too? [tag DH Skies] by Mary Brooding

It was easy to forget to think about other people now that Mary and Tabitha were married and shared quarters. Why on earth would they want to when they could just hide away in their rooms and enjoy their time together? Yes, they had students and responsibilities, but there were so many other things to think about than that, and that was without any of the frills of family or friends. Still, Mary was a hostess and a social person at heart, and she tried to make time to keep that trait, even when it meant losing out on time with Tabitha.

Having told her wife of her intentions, Mary left their rooms and made her way to the transfiguration professor's rooms instead. It wasn't yet so late as to be inappropriate and she wasn't terribly worried that she might catch the professor in any sort of compromising position, or attire, but it was late enough that there would be no doubt about whether this was a social call or not. She'd also made a point of dressing down, only wearing one of her more comfortable, more loose fitting gowns, and some house slippers that neatly hid beneath her skirts should she choose to walk in such a way as not to show them off. The whole ensemble was not topped by a witch's hat, as it so often was, but just by the well worn face of a teacher nearing the end of the term.

The concert was coming up, which meant everyone was a bit more on edge than usual. There were parents and things to prepare for, after all. More than anyone, maybe even more than Headmaster Brockert, the Deputy Headmistress felt the brunt of that particular strain. As such, Mary was prepared. With a handbasket of cookies and a shrinking cauldron each of cold milk (to avoid spilling of course), she knocked on Selina's door.

Since the shrunken cauldron fit within the cookie basket, she had freed the other hand for a bottle of Tabitha's firewhiskey.

When the Deputy Headmistress answered the door, she found a smiling Mary on the other side. "I wasn't sure if you were one to fraternize this way with your staff," Mary told her, "but I thought you might like just one Friday night in with a little fun."

22 Mary Brooding Is senioritis real for professors too? [tag DH Skies] 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Dorian

May 17, 2019 11:08 PM

So long as this isn't about me by Dorian

Dorian's eyebrows shot up at Tatya's comments, revealing that what she had said was clearly of Some Significance. His immediate instinct when she said it was stupid was to assure her that it was not, and that she was indeed very pretty, but then he decided that the comment was more reflective of Tatya's opinion of jewels than herself. It was probably also a bad idea to tell her she was pretty given what else he was about to say.

"Perhaps," he answered her question, "Émilie likes to dance with boys at parties. And sometimes they say this type of thing. It can mean a little - just like, that maybe they would like to dance again with her. It's... flirtation," he added, putting the word into French, unaware that it's English equivalent was the same, and unsure whether Tatya would be familiar with the concept, let alone the name in either language.

"I try to be nice to people, but... this type of compliment, I would only give if I meant something more serious by it. Only to someone who I feel more deeply about," he added, tracing a finger across the cover of his book and trying not to think how the exact same words would be very fitting for the person he liked, even if he'd always preferred ocean metaphors to jewel ones... "I don't know the type of boy you dance with. So I don't know how he means. Do you like him?"

13 Dorian So long as this isn't about me 1401 Dorian 0 5

Heinrich

May 17, 2019 11:20 PM

That is English wordplay. Very clever. by Heinrich

“Deutscher Einwanderer,” Heinrich identified himself readily. The question had been how he regarded himself, and that was the accurate answer. He added the translation soon after, however, so Dorian would understand it. “German immigrant.” Heinrich was by no means ready to call himself an American yet, if he ever would be, but he was definitely an ex-German. “My Uncle lives here before many years. His English is very good. I speak English with him except when I knowing not the right words. Then he tells me the right words.”

1 Heinrich That is English wordplay. Very clever. 1414 Heinrich 0 5

Heinrich

May 17, 2019 11:32 PM

Continued from MARS (Evelyn) by Heinrich

Heinrich took back his robe and felt her warmth on it. He felt an impulse to let her keep wearing it, but he wasn't sure if that would be appropriate. Instead, he just led the way out to the Gardens. Though when he saw her running her fingers through her hair, he did the same, suddenly worried it might be standing up weird after sleeping ‘outside' - though at least he was sure there wasn't any sand in it now that they had left MARS.

His eyes scanned the ground trying to find a replacement Guterhund, but the original pebble had been remarkable only because he hadn't thrown it, and none of the ones out here had been in danger of that.

“None of these rocks have much symbolic value,” he noted with disappointment.

1 Heinrich Continued from MARS (Evelyn) 1414 Heinrich 0 5

DH Skies

May 17, 2019 11:42 PM

Which answer gets me the cookies? by DH Skies

Selina jumped slightly at the knock on her door. It was late enough that it meant it probably wasn't anything good. She was therefore very relieved when, upon opening the door and finding a member of her staff there, it wasn't due to any kind of emergency. Well... Not any dreadful kind. She suspected that those cookies weren't going to eat themselves (some cookies did that, of course, but these ones seemed quite calm and were showing no signs of such behaviour) and that might be a problem.

"I see you've come prepared for fun of a variety of sorts," she smiled welcomingly. "Though I question your verb choice. How about we sororocise instead?" she asked, "Are you asking to be let in or are am I to come somewhere with you?" she checked.

13 DH Skies Which answer gets me the cookies? 26 DH Skies 0 5

Mary Brooding

May 17, 2019 11:53 PM

The one that lets me share them with you. by Mary Brooding

Mary thought it was probably true that cookies and booze fell into separate categories of fun, but chuckled anyway.

"Sorocize sounds good," Mary laughed. She thought of Tabitha in her room, and then of trying to enjoy a night of some low-key adult fun anywhere else on campus, and decided neither of those were ideal. "If you don't mind, coming in sounds good. I don't want to invite myself in if that's no good for you though."

Mary smiled, raised her eyebrows, and offered a playful expression to show she was up for anything.

22 Mary Brooding The one that lets me share them with you. 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Dorian

May 18, 2019 12:07 AM

bows Thank you by Dorian

"That is helpful," Dorian nodded, when Heinrich mentioned his uncle, assuming him to be an addition to Heinrich's family unit and not a replacement for his parents. "My parents... They just use English for... making bridges. Before when they did not speak each other's language. So, they speak bad English together. But Mama now is good with her French. She studies her English too, to make it better.

"We don't use that word so much," he replied, regarding the other part of Heinrich's declaration, "We sometimes do - some situations, it's just... the word that there is. And it's supposed to be just a fact word, but a lot of the times it's used... In newspapers at home, in the way people speak... They make it a not-nice word. Maybe that's different in different places though. Where you live now, are there lots of families from other places?" he asked.

13 Dorian *bows* Thank you 1401 Dorian 0 5

Evelyn Stones

May 18, 2019 12:10 AM

Bad Good Dogs by Evelyn Stones

Evelyn followed Heinrich outside and they walked in relative silence, which was surprisingly comfortable. Once they were outside though, she had to agree that none of the rocks in the Gardens seemed to satisfy right off the bat. Somehow, the fact that the mood and vulnerability of the evening hadn't been ruined yet was encouraging.

"Do you want to go further in the Gardens and see if there's anything in the maze?" she asked, brushing the strands of her hair out of her face and peeking around them. The sun was high now and it was a good spring day for a walk outside.

22 Evelyn Stones Bad Good Dogs 1422 Evelyn Stones 0 5

DH Skies

May 18, 2019 1:11 AM

Nice by DH Skies

"No, that's fine. Please come in," Selina smiled. She was perfectly happy to have Mary visit her, she just hadn't wanted to assume that this was a party for two if she merely being invited to come along somewhere else.

Her quarters were comfortable, the tones a lot more neutral than the rich reds of Crotalus, with occasional blue accents in features like the cushions.

"How are things with you?" she asked.

13 DH Skies Nice 26 DH Skies 0 5

Cleo James

May 18, 2019 1:17 AM

Weeding (tag any gardening club member) by Cleo James

Cleo had gathered the gardening club with the main purpose of doing some weeding. It wasn't the most glamorous of jobs, but she had always felt it fair that they pitched in and did everything their little area of the gardens required. It seemed unfair to take advantage of the elves, even though they would have been performing that duty here if the club hadn't existed - Cleo had claimed the area, and so she felt she had to take full responsibility.

She had instructed the club members to get into pairs (it seemed like it would be more fun if it was a little bit social - or had the option of being, seeing as she was always quite content with her own company) and told anyone to come to her or Parker for advice if they weren't sure what they were getting rid of - plants varied so much from place to place, after all, and the club was open to people with all levels of gardening experience.

She smiled at her partner as they took up their station in the herb area.

"It's a nice day for this kind of thing," she commented. The weather was not so cold as to be unpleasant but equally not too hot either.

13 Cleo James Weeding (tag any gardening club member) 389 Cleo James 0 5

Mary Brooding

May 18, 2019 1:37 AM

I try to be. by Mary Brooding

Mary smiled and took Selina's invitation, stepping into her room and breathing in the soft scent of a very cozy professor. Her rooms were nice, which made it all that much lovelier.

"Where do you want these?" she asked, holding up everything she was carrying. "I have milk too."

Following the Deputy Headmistress' directions, Mary nodded, doing a quick assessment of how she actually was so as to answer honestly. "Things are good. I'm excited for the concert. Everyone has been working so hard! How are you?"

22 Mary Brooding I try to be. 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Dorian Montoir

May 18, 2019 5:49 AM

Perfectly normal behaviour by Dorian Montoir

The MARS room was problematic, in that it gave you exactly what you wanted. Dorian supposed he could focus on how he wanted it to let his magic do its thing but it was just easier to practise in a room that wasn't going to mess with his results. Accordingly, he had borrowed the charms classroom, with Professor Wright's permission.

He had pushed two of the desks close enough together to support a large, open umbrella, and was standing on the desk, ready with a bucket of water to see whether his charms had worked. Before he could test that though, the door opened.

"Hello," he said, climbing somewhat self-consciously down. The chances were that they were looking for Professor Wright. "I am trying to make water fall on an umbrella without it making noise," he added, because he suspected they needed some sort of explanation for what they had found instead. "For the concert," he added because he wasn't sure the first part had done a lot to make him sound less crazy.

13 Dorian Montoir Perfectly normal behaviour 1401 Dorian Montoir 0 5

Tatiana

May 18, 2019 10:27 AM

Possibly we can tap-dance around that... by Tatiana

Flirtation was a word expressed by a roughly similar word in Russian, but it was not a concept with which Tatiana was very familiar, especially as it related to herself. Mama said disapprovingly sometimes that Sonia was too nice to boys and that it might make them think she was flirting, but her concerns about Tatiana were that Tatiana was too childish and talkative and would give a bad impression. She stared blankly at the idea of anyone flirting with her.

"Ya ne znayu," she said with a shrug when Dorian said something she could actually respond to - I don't know. "I know not people at home now. Mama says talk about what others talk about, so we talk Rodzhestvo. U menya est busy." I have a necklace. "I say I get it for Rodzhestvo, then boy says stupid." She shrugged again. "Is stupid," she repeated vaguely. "And why I think on this now?"

16 Tatiana Possibly we can tap-dance around that... 1396 Tatiana 0 5

Dorian

May 18, 2019 10:42 AM

Phew by Dorian

"I don't know," Dorian shrugged, when Tatya asked why she was thinking about this boy now. "You were looking in your jewellery box and it reminds you?" he suggested.

13 Dorian Phew 1401 Dorian 0 5

Tatiana

May 18, 2019 10:47 AM

...though the day is young. by Tatiana

Tatiana shook her head. "No," she said. "No jewelry box. Bah. Is stupid."

She looked at her friend curiously. "So. It is only boys who talk so? Girls do not say such stupid to you?" Dorian clearly knew more of these things than she did, and was more willing to explain things than Mama, so it seemed natural to follow up with a quick lesson on how other people - western people and Asian people, at least, maybe - did things. "Though your eyes not like sapfir. Or any jewelry. But are nice," she added quickly, not wanting him to assume she meant a specific slight against his appearance. "Not about eyes - just - girls do not the flirtation? Only boys?"

16 Tatiana ...though the day is young. 1396 Tatiana 0 5

Felipe De Matteo

May 18, 2019 1:15 PM

Normal enough at least. by Felipe De Matteo

Felipe had heard stories about the secret passages at schools like Hogwarts and wondered if he might find some good adventure spots for his and Zara's next trip. Plus, he could avoid people if he wandered places they didn't tend to go. Unfortunately, the former goal was a bust. He'd given up outside the Charms classroom, and in the quiet moments spent deciding what to do next, he'd heard sounds coming from within. Pushing the door open, he was surprised it hadn't been louder still.

"Sorry," he said automatically. "I wasn't trying to interrupt, I just heard sounds and wondered what was happening. Not rain noises," he added quickly. "Tables being pushed around and such. Footsteps." He shrugged.

"Do you want me to leave?"

22 Felipe De Matteo Normal enough at least. 1434 Felipe De Matteo 0 5

Ivy Brockert

May 18, 2019 6:14 PM

Re: Weeding (tag any gardening club member) by Ivy Brockert

Ivy had always really loved gardening. Her dad had once been the Groundskeeper at Sonora and it was something the two of them had always done together.She didn't even mind things like weeding.

They split up into pairs and Ivy found herself working with Cleo. "It really is. I hate weeding when it's too hot."

11 Ivy Brockert Re: Weeding (tag any gardening club member) 394 Ivy Brockert 0 5

Jozua

May 18, 2019 7:39 PM

You realize my advice was hexing her, right? by Jozua

Jozua shrugged, figuring dueling wasn't the ideal solution for everyone, and if Kir thought it was a last resort, that was up to Kir. "Vent as much as you need to," he offered, as that seemed to be more what Kir actually had in mind as a solution. "I'm guessing you've already told her she's not living the songs she's singing? Diplomatically?"

1 Jozua You realize my advice was hexing her, right? 348 Jozua 0 5

Heinrich

May 18, 2019 7:50 PM

You're welcome by Heinrich

Heinrich had not run into too many negative reactions to using the word immigrant, but that may be because this was the first time he had used it. He supposed most people probably did just assume he was one of Sonora's international students and left it at that.

And in Utah, well, "Where I live, there are snakes," he stated factually. "Many snakes. It gives," he shook his head, grimacing, upset with himself for almost using a literal translation of the German phrase. Starting over, he continued with just a bit too much emphasis on the first two words, "There are no other families from anywhere nearby. The region has name: the badlands. Most people want not to live there."

1 Heinrich You're welcome 1414 Heinrich 0 5

Heinrich

May 18, 2019 7:56 PM

How hard is finding a symbolic symbol anyway? by Heinrich

Heinrich did not go out in the maze much. He took runs sometimes, but mostly just along the outer edges and the well traveled paths. "Know you the way?" he questioned, willing to trust her if she said she did. She was a Pecari after all, and Hilda had let slip that their common room was out here somewhere.

1 Heinrich How hard is finding a symbolic symbol anyway? 1414 Heinrich 0 5

Gary Harper

May 18, 2019 8:01 PM

Fortune favors the bold... right? (Tag Jasmine) by Gary Harper

Enough was enough. Gary tossed his papers aside and headed for Cascade hall. It was time to stop pussyfooting and lollygagging around. It was time for action, and all his research and prepwork had just been an excuse to put off doing anything. It would get him nowhere, actual action was required. Plus he was hungry.

He scanned the hall as he entered and soon spotted her. Jasmine was sitting at a table, thankfully by herself by the looks of it. He hesitated just a moment, but then made his will save and steeled himself. He was going to talk to her, with any luck about something more than classwork.

Tymora be with him. He walked up to Jasmine, and with a smile that he hoped didn't betray the fear coursing through his veins or the butterflies swirling in his stomach, he spoke. "Hi, is this seat taken?"

2 Gary Harper Fortune favors the bold... right? (Tag Jasmine) 1404 Gary Harper 0 5

Jasmine Delachene

May 18, 2019 8:05 PM

That's how the saying goes, I think by Jasmine Delachene

Jasmine looked up in surprise as Gary approached and questioned the availability of the nearby empty seat. She'd thought he seemed to be avoiding her lately and hadn't entirely been sure why. But he seemed to be past whatever the problem had been now, so she just shrugged and shook her head, with an inviting gesture toward the chair. "All yours."

1 Jasmine Delachene That's how the saying goes, I think 1397 Jasmine Delachene 0 5

Gary

May 18, 2019 8:12 PM

That's what I was afraid of by Gary

Gary sat down in the offered seat, grateful but more scared than ever. Now what? Thankfully, despite it's infestation of winged insects, his stomach reminded him of one reason that he had come down here. So he started gathering food onto his plate. It was more delay, he knew but his brain was still floundering... how does one initiate a normal conversation? He had to say something to her soon, or his reason for choosing this seat from all the other empty ones would be strange, right? He panicked.

"So... how go... things?"

2 Gary That's what I was afraid of 1404 Gary 0 5

Jasmine

May 18, 2019 8:19 PM

Just put everything you say inside b tags by Jasmine

Jasmine gave him a raised eyebrow. He was being weird. "Things go fine," she said carefully, like she was a little bit concerned he might not be entirely okay himself. "I'm dancing in Crotalus's concert act, so I'm getting excited about that. How are you?"

1 Jasmine Just put everything you say inside b tags 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Gary

May 18, 2019 8:27 PM

Hmm.. could work.... by Gary

"That's good." She was looking at him funny, he was failing his charisma checks... nuts! She'll run away screaming at any moment now... He had to fix this, she mentioned the concert, he could maybe work with that. "I'm good. That act sounds nice, we're doing some skits." No.. wrong direction, turn it back to her. "What sort of dancing are you doing?"

2 Gary Hmm.. could work.... 1404 Gary 0 5

Zevalyn

May 18, 2019 8:32 PM

Aladrens! Casting Call! by Zevalyn

Well, they had a script and basic plan, and she'd gotten a few volunteers from her initial sign-up sheet for roles, but a lot of names were missing and she really needed to sort out the cast.

Ness wanted to be onstage but had been non-specific as to which role was most preferred. This landed Ness very firmly into the role of one of the two main characters, as Zevalyn herself had her eye on the narrator spot, and the main characters were the most important ones to get filled early by someone actually interested.

Heinrich was also on there as backstage set design help, which they'd need, but Zevalyn was pretty sure he was going to end up drafted into one of the smaller roles as well.

So she started approaching any Aladren who had shown any interest in the concert act and asking what they wanted to be doing for it.

"Hey," she said cornering one such person, "were you going to do the concert play? We've still got lots of roles open. You can do a demonstration, be one of the main characters, or you can help out backstage. What can I put you down for?" she clicked her muggle pen open and held it over her clipboard.

OOC: I welcome many responses from anyone interested in being in the Aladren play. She's doing this to all of you. (Also, this probably takes place in Fall term for continuity.)

1 Zevalyn Aladrens! Casting Call! 380 Zevalyn 0 5

Jasmine

May 18, 2019 8:38 PM

Of course it will by Jasmine

Skits? That did not sound very musically inclined. Weren't concerts supposed to be about music? No mattter, not important.

"Oh, we have a choreographed routine that shows off strategic planning as a Crotalus House quality." She smiled proudly. "It was my idea."

1 Jasmine Of course it will 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Gary

May 18, 2019 8:50 PM

Any other good advise? by Gary

She was smiling! Success! "Awesome, that's great!" This was working, now what? Compliments maybe? Why was talking to people so hard? "I'm sure you'll be fantastic up on stage." Umm.. his under developed conversational abilities failed him once more, so he strategically decided to take a bite of food on his plate to cover his lapse, hoping that's she'd cover his deficiencies.

2 Gary Any other good advise? 1404 Gary 0 5

Gary Harper

May 18, 2019 8:55 PM

Uh-oh by Gary Harper

Gary looked around him, but saw only stone walls and Zevalyn standing with her clipboard waiting for a response. "Heh... ummm..." He certainly didn't want to be on stage in front of people, he wasn't crazy. "I'd prefer backstage I think." He gave her a grin, "I work best from behind the screen... err scene."

2 Gary Harper Uh-oh 1404 Gary Harper 0 5

Zevalyn

May 18, 2019 8:58 PM

Great, thanks! by Zevalyn

"Great!" Zevalyn declared, marking Gary down as backstage help. "Effects? Making set pieces? Anything in particular you'd like to do backstage? Or should I just mark you down as Backstage Miscellaneous which basically means you'll be helping a little with everything?"

1 Zevalyn Great, thanks! 380 Zevalyn 0 5

Jasmine

May 18, 2019 9:02 PM

Talk about horses. Or Disney. by Jasmine

Jasmine beamed, pleased by his certainty of her performance skill. "Thanks. I'm excited for my family to come see it. Will yours be there?"

1 Jasmine Talk about horses. Or Disney. 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Gary

May 18, 2019 9:07 PM

No problem by Gary

"Umm..." he thought for a moment, "Miscellaneous sounds fine. I'll do whatever I can to help backstage."

2 Gary No problem 1404 Gary 0 5

Gary

May 18, 2019 9:15 PM

That is good advise by Gary

Gary nearly snorted the food he had been swallowing out through is nose at her question as a realization struck him. "Sorry... I just... yeah." He took a brief moment to collect himself again. "I'm not actually sure. Well, Dad is coming, and probably my stepmother. I'm not sure about her kids though. Other than me my family is all muggle, and we've never really discussed my 'private schooling' with them. And the thought that this could be their introduction to it caught me off guard."

2 Gary That is good advise 1404 Gary 0 5

Jasmine

May 18, 2019 9:22 PM

You're welcome by Jasmine

Jasmine was torn between covering her mouth in amusement and being genuinely concerned as Gary snorted on his food. He recovered quickly though, so she allowed a small smile, which grew a little as he explained his reaction. "Oh, yes. That would be interesting. My parents are both Pecari alumni, so we don't have that problem until you get into cousins - Mom's muggleborn. My sister's excited to come see it because she starts here next year."

1 Jasmine You're welcome 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Zevalyn

May 18, 2019 9:28 PM

Perfect by Zevalyn

“Perfect,” Zevalyn said as she made a few more marks into her clipboard. “Thanks, Gary. I'll get back to you when I know what we're going to need for sets and stuff.”

1 Zevalyn Perfect 380 Zevalyn 0 5

Gary

May 18, 2019 9:41 PM

Now to figure out how to implement it by Gary

Family. Yes, that's a good topic. "Oh yeah? How do you feel about her being here? Excited as well, or..?" he let the sentence drift off, not quite sure how to finish it.

2 Gary Now to figure out how to implement it 1404 Gary 0 5

Dorian

May 18, 2019 9:57 PM

Yikes by Dorian

"Mama sometimes tells to Emilie that she flirts too much, so girls can. But... I am not really sure how it is. I am not sure the difference between flirt and being friendly."

Or between flirting and longing to kiss someone... Interacting with people you Liked was complicated. Interacting with people who you didn't but who might like you was too, he imagined, but he wasn't really sure he had any experience there.

"I don't know so well the girls at home, so I don't socialise so much with them. Mostly Emilie's friend when she visits. She will peep in on me reading and then giggle and runs away. So, your turn... Explain the girls," he teased, suspecting Tatya, as a sensible, non-giggly girl, would find this behaviour just as odd as he did.

13 Dorian Yikes 1401 Dorian 0 5

Dorian

May 18, 2019 10:05 PM

And other Disney greats by Dorian

Snakes. Non-metaphorical snakes. No people, and not meaning bad people, just literal snakes.

"Oh," said Dorian. He knew you were supposed to say something complimentary when someone told you about their home, but he thought 'that sounds nice' was going to be pretty apparent as the lie it was. He wondered whether Heinrich's family had been banished there as some kind of punishment. His honest reaction was that it sounded scary, but boys weren't supposed to be so squeamish. "Do you like the snakes?" he asked, not quite hiding his puzzlement or skepticism at that idea.

13 Dorian And other Disney greats 1401 Dorian 0 5

Cleo

May 18, 2019 10:37 PM

Girl talk (tag Jasmine) by Cleo

It was an orchestra night, which meant Peyton would be out and Cleo could go hang out with Jasmine without having to deal with a stranger. She knocked on the fourth years' door and made her way in.

"Hi," she smiled, brandishing a small bottle of cheap glittery nail varnish. "Do you wanna hang out?"

13 Cleo Girl talk (tag Jasmine) 389 Cleo 0 5

Dorian Montoir

May 18, 2019 10:45 PM

Banner painting (tag all additional language speakers) by Dorian Montoir

Multi-Lingual Welcome Banner

Do you or your family speak a language/languages other than English? We will be making a welcome banner for the concert reflecting all the languages spoken by Sonora students and their families.

Please come to the MARS art room on Saturday XXth at 1pm if you wish to participate.

Dorian had gone through several drafts, choosing his phrasing carefully to ensure that it covered everyone and did not make assumptions or use terms that were exlusionary or offensive. He had also got Professor Brooding to double check this, and make sure his English was perfect because the last thing he needed was to give fuel to the fire of people who thought he was a bad immigrant who needed to speak more American. The banner in itself was a risk on that front, and he would have preferred to just pass the meeting on by word of mouth but he wasn't confident he knew all the people to target, and he didn't want to miss anyone out.

On the appointed day, he was ready in the MARS art room to greet people with a smile. There was a large strip of canvas spread across the floor and a list pinned up on an easel which listed Chinese, French, German, Russian, with the relevant words filled in next to his own two languages.

13 Dorian Montoir Banner painting (tag all additional language speakers) 1401 Dorian Montoir 0 5

Dorian

May 18, 2019 10:50 PM

I'll settle for that by Dorian

Yes, was really the honest answer to that. Dorian had chosen to work backstage for a reason - i.e. he did not relish having an audience. And he suspected he was about to go through several failures in his experiments, and he hated people seeing him do badly.

"It is your choice," he shrugged. "I am not sure I am so interesting to watch though," he added, really hoping that was true.

13 Dorian I'll settle for that 1401 Dorian 0 5

Tatiana

May 18, 2019 10:54 PM

If it goes wrong, you can trust it is an accident. by Tatiana

Tatiana listened intently to the wisdom Dorian was doling out, nodding at the mention of Emilie. Emilie was like Sonia, then. But how was that? Did Emilie and Sonia say the same stupid things as the boy at the party, only to girls?

Emilie's friend apparently did not. Tatiana gave Dorian a wondering look when he asked what she thought of the friend. "Surely I know this," she said dryly. "I am giggle around people who read all the time." This was not, in fact, so, at least not for no good reason.

A slight smile momentarily indicated that she was teasing, but it faded as she grew slightly gloomy. Tatiana sighed and rested both her arms on the table. "All is crazy," she opined. "I do not want husband. The flirt, it stupid. But I liked it," she admitted. "To have stupid said to me."

She did not think she would have admitted this to anyone in the world except Dorian. Dorian was not like her, but at the same time, he was. They were both...slightly out of place, in the places they had been born to occupy. And she trusted Dorian implicitly, as much as she trusted her brothers and sisters - even when she and her brothers and sisters bickered, they'd never betray a confidence. Her sisters in particular, however, were beginning to think more and more like Mama, and to encourage her to be more of what she was supposed to be. So it was better not to tell them. With Dorian, however, it did not matter - he understood these things.

16 Tatiana If it goes wrong, you can trust it is an accident. 1396 Tatiana 0 5

Kir

May 18, 2019 10:57 PM

And it wasn't bad advice by Kir

"I don't know... I mean, I've more tried to do piece by piece damage control. Like... Could we maybe listen to everyone? Could we not scare people? Maybe a conversation about our overall project ethos would stop me having to do that so often. It just feels... more confrontational, y'know? Like, basically sitting down and going 'you're doing this whole thing wrong,' but well, maybe that's what needs to happen. So long as I don't phrase it like that. 'Live the songs we're singing' is a nice way to put it. You're rolling high on diplomacy today," he grinned.

Good advice. Able to make nerdy DnD references. Jozua was, as it turned out, not a bad substitute Zevalyn. Though Kir decided it was probably better not to say that in quite that way to him.

"Thanks man," he smiled instead.

13 Kir And it wasn't bad advice 366 Kir 0 5

Dorian

May 18, 2019 11:06 PM

Accidents can hurt by Dorian

"My reading is funny, I assume," he shrugged answering his own question, "I am the funny one. The odd, gone away one. Such a curiosity. Her brother, he is nice though.

"I think that is normal," he assured her, as she worried about how she had liked the flirting even though it was stupid, "We all like to have nice things said to us. Maybe you think about it because you like the person who said it. Or maybe you think about it just because you liked the nice words. Both are okay. Just... work out which one before making any decisions or taking any actions," he advised. Given how often Tatya said love and marriage and everything around it were stupid it was hard to imagine her getting swept off her feet. But there was also the slight naivety to her ways of thinking, and he wouldn't be a good brother if he didn't make sure she was well-protected, both from being taken advantage of and from having hurt feelings. "Who is this boy, anyway?" he asked with a slight frown. "The jewellery merchant one?"

13 Dorian Accidents can hurt 1401 Dorian 0 5

Selina

May 18, 2019 11:13 PM

You succeed very often by Selina

"On the table," Selina smiled, indicating a low coffee table in front of the sofa where they could sit. She summoned a bag of chips from one of the cupboards, feeling that she should contribute something, and figuring that Mary had most other bases covered. "Let me know if you want anything else," she offered, taking a seat and indicating that her colleague should do the same.

"So far, so good," she agreed about the concert, although pointedly crossed her fingers and touched the wood in front of her.

"Happy," she decided, "Let's focus on out of work things," she added. Because talking about students felt like it was constantly treading the line of confidentiality, and because it usually led to more complicated answers, "I'm going off campus next weekend to see Krissy and the baby," she smiled, "It's a lot easier to balance being a good grandmother with this job than it was being a good parent."

13 Selina You succeed very often 26 Selina 0 5

Cleo

May 18, 2019 11:14 PM

Getting all the bad bits out by Cleo

"Does that mean you don't mind it on days like this?" Cleo asked.

13 Cleo Getting all the bad bits out 389 Cleo 0 5

Ivy

May 18, 2019 11:16 PM

What bad bits? by Ivy

"Not really." Ivy replied. "Weeding is part gardening and in all honesty, I find it sort of...relaxing you know? Like some people do with crafting."

11 Ivy What bad bits? 394 Ivy 0 5

Cleo

May 18, 2019 11:38 PM

The weeds by Cleo

"Yes," Cleo smiled, happy to find she shared a feeling in common with a member of the gardening club. It shouldn't have really been surprising, given that they'd signed up to be a part of this, but some people liked the pretty end results but not the hard work that went into getting them. It made her feel more confident that her club members would show up and help out knowing they shared her feelings. "It's satisfying when you've made it better. And for me, gardening's as much about the process as the end result."

13 Cleo The weeds 389 Cleo 0 5

Tatiana

May 18, 2019 11:42 PM

Let's try to avoid them then. by Tatiana

"I go away too if stupid girl giggles at me," said Tatiana quickly, not liking Dorian to call himself 'odd.' She knew that word, more or less, and after what she had found out over the summer, she bristled automatically at the very idea of someone being unkind to him in any way.

She was puzzled by the idea of making decisions or taking actions - what, about dancing? No-one it was entirely inappropriate to dance with would be allowed into a party (except as a waiter or security, of course), so why would she need to put much thought into that? - but quickly distracted by his questions.

"Katen'ka spletnichayet," she said matter-of-factly - Katen'ka gossips. She said this more to herself than to Dorian, as she did not expect him to know the word. "Is Feodor Alexandrovich Polyakov - yego sem'ya yuveliry." His family are jewelers. "So he should know - is good sapfir. These - not like good sapfir." This was followed by a rattle of Russian about color and inclusions, of which she realized, halfway through, Dorian might understand one word in ten. At this point, she stopped with an apologetic smile. "Pardonne," she said. "I do not know all the words in other language. I talk about sapfiry. He should know more than I, but does not say. Instead, says lie about my eyes."

She chuckled. "Gospodin Row, he says look for skill. Maybe I should be yuvelira and he paint watercolor, sew, dance," she joked. "I did laugh," she admitted. "But this cannot be why girl laughs at you. You do not say stupid things."

16 Tatiana Let's try to avoid them then. 1396 Tatiana 0 5

Dorian

May 18, 2019 11:52 PM

I would like that by Dorian

"Ah. Yes, Katerina mentions it," Dorian confirmed. He did not know the specific word Tatya had used but he recognised the version of her sister's name. He had forgotten that it hadn't been Tatiana herself that told him this but luckily she didn't seem annoyed. She did seem preoccupied with sapphires, of course. He let her chatter on, picking up enough references to the jewel that he knew that was the subject of her monologue, rather than being an answer to his question, although he wasn't sure beyond that what she was saying. She seemed to realise this, and dismiss it, and he let it go as just one of those episodes of Tatya needing to get her words out.

"I think there is a concept... Poetic license. When you are trying to be creative or make interesting words, you are allowed to say things that are not literally true - for the purpose of having pretty language," he suggested. Tatya seemed very hung up on the fact that the boy's compliment was not an objective fact, which he thought was rather missing the point. She also seemed not to have answered his question, not to his satisfaction anyway.

"Outside of this, do you know much of his person or character?" he asked. "And would you like this? To be a jeweller?" he clarified his question, "Or just to wear it?"

13 Dorian I would like that 1401 Dorian 0 5

Tatiana

May 19, 2019 12:04 AM

Likewise. by Tatiana

"Both!" said Tatiana with a laugh when asked if she would like to be a jeweler or just wear jewelry. "I go to world, see all, get good jewels, make them pretty - but to sell, maybe that not good fun," she acknowledged.

She did not mention that it was impossible anyway, because of course Dorian knew that. A proper young lady could not do such things. This was as much a fact as gravity.

"Feodor Alexandrovich - person, he is maybe more tall than you? Hair brun. Nice clothes. This all I know. I meet at party. Anya shows me, says who are yego sem'ya. Why?"

16 Tatiana Likewise. 1396 Tatiana 0 5

Sylvia Mordue

May 19, 2019 12:05 AM

Dinner time by Sylvia Mordue

Sylvia was incredibly early to the hall for the dining period. It was Saturday and she had spent the afternoon swimming. At the point where she had exited the pool, it was too close to dinner time to consider a snack, and thus she had spent the intervening period carefully washing, drying and braiding her hair. This had still left her enough time to arrive punctually to the dining hall the second the meal began.

There weren't quite so many people who were that keen, which worked to her advantage in that she was able to quite quickly eat two bread rolls to sate her rumbling stomach without worrying that she was going to be judged for it before helping herself to a more ladylike portion of salmon and fresh vegetables. The disadvantage, of course, was that she was currently dining alone. That, however, did not last long...

13 Sylvia Mordue Dinner time 1413 Sylvia Mordue 0 5

Dorian

May 19, 2019 12:08 AM

Let's be careful then by Dorian

"Because," Dorian replied, "If cute boys are going to tell you nice things, and then be sitting about in your thoughts, I want to know that they are decent, honorable and kind cute boys. Not just fancy boys with good family and good money. They need more than that."

13 Dorian Let's be careful then 1401 Dorian 0 5

Tatiana

May 19, 2019 12:39 AM

We'll take care of each other always. by Tatiana

Tatiana smiled at Dorian. "Next time, I bring you to party," she said. "You can make sure this before I dance with any boy. And I do this before you dance with any girl."

16 Tatiana We'll take care of each other always. 1396 Tatiana 0 5

Evelyn Stones

May 19, 2019 1:39 AM

Symbolically speaking? Or literally? by Evelyn Stones

Evelyn smiled. Did she know the maze well? Of course she knew the maze well. If there was anywhere at Sonora that Evelyn knew and felt comfortable, it was the maze. Maybe also a certain big squishy chair, but that was not someplace that she was going to take Heinrich.

She nodded and found herself surprised at the instinct to take his hand and run into her favorite place at Sonora. Instead, she just held out an arm, gesturing for them to make their way down the first open path. She led the way gently, guiding without looking; it wasn't hard.

"What makes a good symbol? It should be something that reminds us of a choice to be good, not just something good itself. Like the rock; you chose to be good when you could've been bad. What else makes you think of that?"

Looking around the Gardens, Evelyn decided that the sheer amount of growth and life was sort of a reminder all by itself. However, it wouldn't fit in their pockets.

22 Evelyn Stones Symbolically speaking? Or literally? 1422 Evelyn Stones 0 5

Dorian

May 19, 2019 1:52 AM

I'll do my best by Dorian

"Hmm. Unfortunately, it is not so simple. You see, I can ask 'Excuse me, are you a terrible rough boy who will go breaking the hearts of young ladies?' but the dishonest people who do such things, they have no trouble to lie when answering such a question. But I will try," he promised.

"Thank you," he nodded, feeling slightly uncomfortable at accepting her offer. In essence, it was an 'if' statement - if he were to dance with a girl, Tatya would inspect them for him. He could accept that offer whilst knowing perfectly well that the circumstance was not likely to arise and it wasn't a lie - it wasn't like he had said that he would like to go dancing with girls. But it still felt dishonest on some level agreeing to a promise he knew she would have no need to keep. "Probably, this is not a big job," he admitted. "I think I prefer to be at the sides of parties anyway. Or stay just with my friends."

13 Dorian I'll do my best 1401 Dorian 0 5

Johana Leonie Zauberhexen and Felipe De Matteo

May 19, 2019 1:54 AM

All the languages! by Johana Leonie Zauberhexen and Felipe De Matteo

Johana Leonie arrived first, mostly because she wasn't entirely sure she was going to the right place. Ironically, the advertisement itself was in English, and Johana Leonie had had to read it several times. Words like reflecting and participate were hard for her. Still, her dictionary double checked, and the information written down in her own notebook, Johana Leonie was eager to attend and did so with a bounce in her step. She still wasn't totally sure she understood, but it sounded nice.

"Hallo, Dorian," she greeted him, upon entering the room. "Meine Familie kommt. I speak more than Deutsche und English. Want you others?"

She was interrupted by Felipe De Matteo's entrance, and she greeted him with a smile. She hadn't been sure what languages he spoke, particularly as he wasn't signed up for any extra help courses and seemed not to struggle with English the way she did. He was much less surprised to see her, although German was so highly represented at this school that it did seem odd for her to appear first.

"Hello," Felipe said stiffly, doing his best not to seem off-beat for walking in in the middle of the girl's question. He'd heard part of it, but thought that his family would probably not need any languages but English, and wasn't sure that that part applied to him so much. He thought diversity as a whole was a good idea though (that's why he learned those languages in the first place), and wanted to participate in that. He was a little hurt not to see Spanish on the easel though, although Dorian might not have known. "My family speaks lots of languages, but Spanish is the best for us."

OOC -- I write both of these characters, so there's no god-modding here.

22 Johana Leonie Zauberhexen and Felipe De Matteo All the languages! 1434 Johana Leonie Zauberhexen and Felipe De Matteo 0 5

Lily Spencer

May 19, 2019 1:55 AM

Calling all Pecari concert performers! by Lily Spencer

After their somewhat successful meeting in the common room months ago, Lily had been working hard on creating an inclusive play that would both showcase the qualities of Pecari as well as their individual talents. Their adventure play would not be very long, but would have broom flying, booby traps, pretend near-death experiences and an epic duel. Their play was going to be set in the forest where wild boars were found.

The plot of their story would be an adventurer going through the forest on a quest to find a legendary boar statue made of gold. Lily was quite proud of coming up with this story, though she had based it off of a book she'd once read as a child. Still, writing a short play was quite the accomplishment for her.

It was a lot of work organising this play, and she was very glad she had Isaac and Brett to rely on for help. Today she needed everyone who was interested to confirm their roles in the play. She'd asked everyone who was interested to join for another meeting in the common room.

"Thank you for coming," she said when it seemed as though no one else was coming. "We're choosing roles for the play that we voted on. Open roles are the adventurer, the evil wizard or witch who duels the adventurer at the end and the guide who flies the adventurer to the cave where the statue is hidden. If you would like to have another role, I'm open for suggestions. We'll all need to help with designing set pieces as well." That part was something she would delegate either Isaac or Brett to organise as art and design was not her forte.

OOC: This would take place in the first term. You can assume Lily handed out the script to everyone at the beginning of this meeting for them to look over.

40 Lily Spencer Calling all Pecari concert performers! 357 Lily Spencer 0 5

Felipe De Matteo

May 19, 2019 2:01 AM

We all must. by Felipe De Matteo

Felipe cocked his head, not sure what to do with an answer like that. He was sure that Dorian Montoir was as humble as they came, but also seemed shy. He wasn't sure whether the boy was trying to get him to leave without saying so, or trying to offer him a place to stay without it seeming cocky.

"I think that I can learn a lot from you," Felipe told him honestly. "My charms are not so good. But I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

22 Felipe De Matteo We all must. 1434 Felipe De Matteo 0 5

Dorian

May 19, 2019 2:07 AM

All the relevant languages by Dorian

"Hello," Dorian smiled when Johana Leonie arrived, glad that she seemed excited for the project. She said something about her family, and he could roughly guess from the context that maybe she was saying they were coming, though he could have been wrong on that.

"Good afternoon," he greeted Felipe, slightly more formally because he didn't know him so well. He promptly added 'Spanish' to the list. Conveniently, it could go on the bottom whilst retaining alphabetical order. This was the fairest way he'd been able to think of, though embarrassingly it had put his own languages first. He supposed he could have guessed there were some Spanish speakers in the school, but he had stuck to writing down the languages he knew about for certain.

"For the languages... The languages you speak together as a family, or that are meaningful for you. Not just languages you study in a classroom," he clarified. He had suspected that they might run into this issue of definitions and had so prepared what he wanted to say about it carefully. "You wish for any more? Or you can add your words for 'Welcome'" he added, offering them the quill so they could fill in the blanks on his list.

13 Dorian All the relevant languages 1401 Dorian 0 5

Mary Brooding

May 19, 2019 2:12 AM

Oh, that's so nice of you to say! by Mary Brooding

Mary nodded her thanks and did as she was told, taking a seat. She chuckled a little at Selina's display of nerves, a rare insight into the steadfast woman's private concerns.

"I was going to ask about the baby! How's mom and the little bundle of joy?" She nodded emphatically when Selina commented on grandparenthood and work at the same time. The discussion of future children had come up for her and Tabitha, and she couldn't even imagine trying to balance so much at once. "I can imagine. Sometimes I think that being a teacher at a boarding school is a bit like being an extra caregiver to everyone's child."

22 Mary Brooding Oh, that's so nice of you to say! 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Dorian

May 19, 2019 2:16 AM

Well then by Dorian

"Thank you," Dorian replied, appearing a little flustered with surprise at the compliment. "It's okay," he decided. Felipe was, at least, being kind and gentle in the way he talked, respectful of how Dorian might feel about a situation and that did quite a lot to put him at ease.

"At the moment, it is also an exercise in research and experiments, not just the charms," he explained. "I need to know how loud it sounds first, so then if I do the charm and it works only a little bit - because I am not yet good at it - then I know it is at least working, and it is my casting, rather than choose the wrong spell."

He resumed his stance on the desk, taking his wand to lift the water from bucket and scatter it in a shower over the umbrella. Each drop bounced off with a resounding miniature thud.

"Hold in your head how loud this sounds, then we try some spells and try again," he explained.

13 Dorian Well then 1401 Dorian 0 5

Evelyn Stones

May 19, 2019 2:18 AM

Bold, cold, brown, and gold. by Evelyn Stones

Evelyn raised her hand. She'd been keeping herself a little quiet, trying to be as helpful as possible without committing to anything. Things were finally going well at home, so she was feeling good about getting involved in school.

"I'm up for anything," Evelyn said when Lily turned her attention to her. "The guide sounds best though."

The idea of having to perform magic on stage in front of everyone sounded terrible and unlikely to work, but at least this way her family (which still sounded weird to consider in terms of a happy collective) could see her taking part.

22 Evelyn Stones Bold, cold, brown, and gold. 1422 Evelyn Stones 0 5

Felipe De Matteo and Johanna Leonie Zauberhexen

May 19, 2019 2:24 AM

That is not so clear either, but I understand. by Felipe De Matteo and Johanna Leonie Zauberhexen

Johana Leonie had never studied any language in a classroom, except by way of learning English while also learning other things in a classroom, but thought she knew what Dorian meant and nodded. Besides, the other languages she spoke any of were languages he spoke better, and she felt no need to add to that.

"That makes sense," Felipe acknowledged. Most of the languages he spoke were mutually spoken among his family members, and most of them were comfortable enough in all of them to make it work, but he supposed they weren't all equally important to him. He added ¡Bienvenido! to the blank spot Dorian gestured at, as Johana Leonie spoke up again behind him. She really seemed to struggle with sentences, the poor girl. How on earth was she getting through her classes?

"Thank you," she said to Dorian in a quiet voice that seemed to carry very much weight.

22 Felipe De Matteo and Johanna Leonie Zauberhexen That is not so clear either, but I understand. 1434 Felipe De Matteo and Johanna Leonie Zauberhexen 0 5

Felipe De Matteo

May 19, 2019 2:29 AM

Was that not kind? by Felipe De Matteo

Felipe smiled a little bit as he took a seat on top of a nearby desk, out of range of where he expected the rain to land. Experiments were something he understood well, and had killed any number of crops attempting. There were good reasons for the exercise, and he admired Dorian for putting the same calculated effort into his magic that Los Jardines de Plata put into feeding the people who relied on them. It was encouraging to know that people like Dorian existed, because the world would probably be a better place than if a bunch of Felipes were running around.

He nodded, understanding the explanation, and watching as quietly and unobtrusively as he could when Dorian began. The sound was comforting, and pleasing.

"I can do that," he said. "What charms do you have in mind to try? I may not be able to help you brainstorm," he said smiling at the pun, "but I am interested if you'd like to talk it out."

22 Felipe De Matteo Was that not kind? 1434 Felipe De Matteo 0 5

Selina

May 19, 2019 2:36 AM

And nice of you to do by Selina

"They're doing very well," Selina smiled. She checked off a couple of recent milestones, along with more anecdotal evidence of how well the pair were doing.

"Yes" she agreed, when Mary mentioned parenting the students, "Until you want something different for them to their actual parents," she noted, "And then you're suddenly very aware of how you're only their teacher," she pointed out, her emphasis rather sarcastic. "Still, we got Andrew James to come round," she added. The staff had been informed of Cleo's additional lessons, and so this was scarcely a secret. "I think that needs something to cheers with," she added, nodding at the bottle of whiskey, and very much including Mary in the 'we' that was getting credit here.

13 Selina And nice of you to do 26 Selina 0 5

Mary Brooding

May 19, 2019 2:55 AM

We are both so nice. It's lovely. by Mary Brooding

Mary squeed appropriately in all the right places and was all around a perfect audience for hearing about baby things. It made her happy and she was all smiles, nibbling on a cookie as she listened. "That's wonderful," she told her excitedly.

Pouring a glass for them each, Mary agreed wholeheartedly on both accounts. "Yes, and thank goodness for that. I don't think I could handle being a parent for all of them, even if I wish I could maybe convince the parents to do things a little differently sometimes." She shrugged, acknowledging her limitations and passing a glass to the Deputy Headmistress.

"I'm so glad that's working out," she said, glad that Cleo was getting some connections. "Tawny and Virginia haven't said anything about it; they've both been really good about keeping Cleo's business her own. I hope Andrew James is happy?" Mary was well aware that Selina cared about Cleo in a dozen ways, and confidentiality and privacy were one of those. There would almost definitely be no amount of discussing the girl's progress unless Mary would be directly involved in it, but asking about the parent of a charge was safer. "You worked some kind of magic there for sure."

22 Mary Brooding We are both so nice. It's lovely. 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Selina

May 19, 2019 4:14 AM

Go us by Selina

"So do I," Selina answered, when Mary stated the hope that Andrew James was happy, "Complicated question, I think. But I believe that things are moving forward for Cleo. It's nice if that makes the parents happy too but that's the main measure of success, as far as I'm concerned.

"Apparently I'm not the only one capable," she replied, clinking glasses when Mary said she'd worked magic, "Unless I've had the wrong impression of the Montoirs all these years."

13 Selina Go us 26 Selina 0 5

Dorian

May 19, 2019 4:32 AM

That was a neutral not a huffy 'well then' by Dorian

"I have a few in mind," Dorian replied. He had already taken a copy of the page from his notebook, as he didn't want to place the latter anywhere near pouring water. He hesitated only slightly before flicking this across to the other boy. After all, that was his whole new resolution, was it not? To be himself, and to be less afraid of the consequences. The centre of the page had a little doodle of an umbrella onto which animated raindrops flowed. Under the drawing was written 'I'm gonna let the rain pour, I'll be all you need and more.' If Felipe asked, he could truthfully say that was the line that was being sung as the fake heavens opened. He had also just jotted lyrics that he liked from each of the songs onto the notes he was making for inspiration. Around the doodle were little lines with different spells listed.

"Silencio comes to mind first. But... to cast on water seems odd. Water is unsolid. And it is not making the noise when it is still, so I don't know if it works. This is part of the question - do I charm the water to have less noise, or the umbrella. The other spells, I write to my mother for. I know that at home, some rooms have charms so that the noise from one doesn't disturb another. Those are what she writes back," he nodded, explaining the scribbling of Chinese characters on the paper. "I am also looking to see if there is the equivalent spell in English. Probably there is, but I still need to find it."

13 Dorian That was a neutral not a huffy 'well then' 1401 Dorian 0 5

Heinrich

May 19, 2019 7:23 AM

I'd try harder to work in another one if I were Jasmine by Heinrich

Heinrich was not expecting a complement about his Uncle's home after his description of it. Badlands, snakes, people avoided the region - none of these warranted any kind of positive thoughts about where he lived now. So he wasn't too surprised by Dorian's doubtful tone when he asked about the snakes. “My uncle raises snakes to harvest potions ingredients,” Heinrich explained. “It is good area for that. I like them not much but Hans - Hans is my little brother - he thinks snakes are great.”

1 Heinrich I'd try harder to work in another one if I were Jasmine 1414 Heinrich 0 5

Jozua

May 19, 2019 7:35 AM

You didn't take it though by Jozua

Jozua laughed (quietly - this was the library) at the assertion he was rolling high on diplomacy today. “My dice must be on fire,” he joked. “I get the plus one bonus for being a Teppenpaw, but my Charisma is not my best stat and I did not add any extra ranks.”

1 Jozua You didn't take it though 348 Jozua 0 5

Dorian

May 19, 2019 7:48 AM

It's probably good you're not by Dorian

"Ah," Dorian nodded when Heinrich explained the situation. Raising snakes for Potions ingredients did not sound like a pleasant career option to him, but it made the situation make a lot more sense, and it appeared it was voluntary. "Snakes are very useful in this regard," he added, able to find something to be genuine and polite about now he had the full story.

"Does this make potions a good subject for you, or more the skills come to Professor Ta- Marsh's class?"

13 Dorian It's probably good you're not 1401 Dorian 0 5

Hilda

May 19, 2019 7:52 AM

Re: Bold, cold, brown, and gold. by Hilda

As per usual, Hilda was not understanding much of what happened in Pecari, having no other German speakers to translate for her or puzzle over it with her. But she had gathered there was a concert meeting today, so here she was. Understanding Lily was so much easier at Quidditch when Heinrich was there to tell her what she said. Some papers had been passed out, and it looked like a play script - a conclusion based mostly on formatting - so she guessed this was their act.

She'd probably take it to Heinrich to translate later, under a vow not to tell any non-Pecaris about it; not that Heinrich seemed to have any friends he was likely to talk to anyway - so she'd at least know what was going on in the plot. But people seemed to be discussing something now, with everyone getting a say, and she had no idea what was going on. However, she'd brought her flashcards, and she held up the two she hoped might be most applicable: “I don't speak English” and “I like flying.”

Hopefully Lily could work with that.

1 Hilda Re: Bold, cold, brown, and gold. 1433 Hilda 0 5

Hexenmeisters

May 19, 2019 8:03 AM

The rest of the German contingent by Hexenmeisters

Heinrich saw the signs and told Hilda about it, so the two German siblings arrived together in the MARS art room. “Hello,” Heinrich greeted the room at large while Hilda said “Hallo!” mostly in Johana Leonie's direction.

1 Hexenmeisters The rest of the German contingent 0 Hexenmeisters 0 5

Jasmine Delachene

May 19, 2019 8:22 AM

Out of place by Jasmine Delachene

The notice about a welcome banner in all their families languages had drawn Jasmines's attention, not because she spoke anything other than English - she didn't, at least not any more than a few words and phrases - but because she did have French family. They all spoke perfectly good English, but they still strongly identified as French and even after retirement, the elder Delachenes were still heavily involved in all of their Embassy's events. So here she was, feeling just a bit out of place, being a monolingual American.

“Hi,” she said a little self-consciously as she entered the art room. Her eye was drawn to the list of languages and she was relieved French was not only already there but already filled out with its appropriate translation, too. “Okay, good, you have French. My dad and grandparents are from France originally.”

1 Jasmine Delachene Out of place 1397 Jasmine Delachene 0 5

Jasmine

May 19, 2019 8:30 AM

Excellent! by Jasmine

Jasmine was surprised by the knock on her door but called out an invitation anyway without checking to see who it was. It was Cleo, and she smile warmly in greeting, which grew as she noticed the nail polish. “Yes, come in!” she repeated, much more eagerly than a moment ago. She patted the spot next to her on her bed. “What color is that?”

1 Jasmine Excellent! 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Georgia Kirkly

May 19, 2019 8:33 AM

Dance, puppets, dance! by Georgia Kirkly

Georgia had rough choreography worked out for two of the numbers. 'Umbrella' was easy to come up with ideas for because there was both the music video and the Glee performance from which to gather her inspiration. 'Firework'... well, there was going to be her doing vocal solos and literal explosions going off, so the choreography was going to need to be pretty minimal, designed to enhance rather than detract.

The one that was leaving her stumped was 'Invisible' and Kir, in his ongoing irritating role as Mr. Diplomacy had suggested that maybe she include the dancers a bit more, and find out what they actually wanted to dance. Georgia did not like not having a plan, or admitting that Kir had a point, but she had caved and told all the dancers to meet her today, and let her know any ideas they had for the song, or at least come prepared to tell or show her their preferred style of dancing.

"Okay," she smiled, once they had assembled, "So, we're going to work this out as a group... Obviously, given the title of the song, we'll be playing around with effects around appearing and disappearing. But that's more backstage's role. Did anyone have any ideas about the style of the choreography?"

13 Georgia Kirkly Dance, puppets, dance! 346 Georgia Kirkly 0 5

Cleo

May 19, 2019 9:15 AM

Yay! by Cleo

"Is sparkly a colour?" Cleo joked, holding out the polish for inspection. It was mainly composed of glittery pieces suspended in relatively clear polish. She settled on the bed and passed it over. "I'm not set on using that, if you've got other colours you'd like to do instead," she shrugged. In truth, nail painting was a ruse and not the main purpose of her visit, though she was happy to have an activity and a purpose as an ice breaker, or something to fall back on if the conversation got awkward.

"Jasmine," she asked, "Can I ask you something? About boys?"

13 Cleo Yay! 389 Cleo 0 5

Dorian

May 19, 2019 9:36 AM

Welcome to my world by Dorian

Dorian smiled and greeted the Hexenmeisters (more Heinrich than... the sister, but he was glad they'd all come). He was very surprised when Jasmine walked into the room, although this rather proved all the points he supposed he had about not assuming and so on.

He refrained from pointing out that of course they had French given that he was running this, as he wasn't sure he'd actually specified on the posters that he was the host... For all that they had had a distinct lack of direct interaction, he assumed that Jasmine hadn't managed to sit through four years of classes with him and not notice his surname during roll-call or the fact that he spoke with a pronounced French accent.

"Ah. I had wondered this - I noticed your name before," he nodded.

13 Dorian Welcome to my world 1401 Dorian 0 5

Jasmine

May 19, 2019 10:13 AM

Re: Yay! by Jasmine

“Sparkly,” Jasmine declared definitively, “is the best color.” She took the polish for inspection and nodded in approval. “I like it.”

She had already kicked off her shoes and was working on removing her socks to start on her toenails (those needed a refresher coat more than her fingers did) when Cleo opened the topic of boys.

“Sure. Shoot.”

1 Jasmine Re: Yay! 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Cleo

May 19, 2019 10:39 AM

K, so.... by Cleo

Cleo smiled, relieved to find the nail polish met with approval. She had a few from her grandmother, and she knew they were just some cheap drugstore thing. She wasn't sure how stuff like that could matter, but apparently it could.

"Have you ever kissed a boy?" she asked, "I have this... friend back home, Anna. And like... She seems to think it makes me a baby that I haven't. And then she said that when she kisses boys 'properly'" Cleo gave the word the air quotations and scorn that she felt this spurious adjective deserved, "She said they stick their tongues in each other's mouths. Do you think she's winding me up? Cos that can't be nice, can it? It sounds really slimy and gross."

13 Cleo K, so.... 389 Cleo 0 5

Tatiana

May 19, 2019 11:44 AM

And so will I. by Tatiana

Tatiana couldn't help but laugh at the idea of Dorian just...asking Feodor Alexandrovich (or, in fact, anyone) that.

"Merci beaucoup," she said, slipping into his language.

"But if it is needed," said Tatiana, not arguing with the idea that Dorian would more likely stay to the side of parties anyway, or else with his friends. "Then I do it. No one hurt you, either, if I can stop."

She sighed again, more contently this time, and leaned affectionately on Dorian's shoulder. "Lyublyu tebya," she said, using her own language for 'love you' - it seemed more genuine that way, without the possibility that she didn't exactly know what she was saying.

16 Tatiana And so will I. 1396 Tatiana 0 5

Jasmine

May 19, 2019 4:05 PM

Hello. Nice world. Very welcoming by Jasmine

The French mystery was solved when Dorian spoke up and brought her attention to himself. She had noticed his accent was similar to her grandparents' and his last name did sound French. He must have been the one to fill out that language.

"Yeah, my dad's family came to America a few years before he started at Sonora. Grand-mère and Grand-père worked for the wizarding department of the French Embassy in Los Angeles for a long time before they retired."

1 Jasmine Hello. Nice world. Very welcoming 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Tatiana and Katerina

May 19, 2019 4:11 PM

We agree. by Tatiana and Katerina

"I nasha familiya - russkaya," said Tatiana on Jasmine's heels, smiling. She had walked in just in time to hear the end of Dorian's remark. Katerina followed closely on her heels, justifying her use of 'our' in her first language. The two sisters wore dresses of identical cut, but different colors: Katerina was wearing a soft pink trimmed in white, while Tatiana wore bright blue trimmed in yellow.

"Good afternoon, everyone," said Katya in her noticeably crisper, more practiced English, smiling an American smile at everyone while Tatiana, back to her resting expression, went to examine the list of words and started to write добро пожаловать on it in Cyrillic. "She should use English alphabet for this?" she asked nobody in particular, noticing what her sister was doing, and earning herself a sharp from from Tatiana in the process. Tatiana had no objection to writing English in English letters, but she was stupidly, in Katya's mind, stubborn about not wanting to transliterate even her name out of Cyrillic when it was supposed to be in that alphabet, much less westernizing their surname and leaving out their patronymic. "Or I should, and we have both?"

16 Tatiana and Katerina We agree. 1396 Tatiana and Katerina 0 5

Johana Leonie and Felipe

May 19, 2019 4:23 PM

So many new faces. by Johana Leonie and Felipe

OOC - Full disclosure, I'm using Google Translate for the non-English bits, as that's the best I have available to me.

IC -

Johana Leonie was excited to see so many faces coming into the room, and she stepped out of the way with Felipe, exchanging a quick greeting with him, as they entered. Felipe was less inclined to be so gracious, although he was happy to see that he wasn't the only one who could get by just as well in English and still saw fit to come. He shot a polite nod Jasmine's direction, although he wasn't too sure she knew who he was. Why would she?

"Es ist so schön, dich zu sehen!" Johana Leonie said to Hilda, excited to see her fellow Germans present. She threw her arms around her friend.

Meanwhile, Felipe occupied himself with watching Dorian, who seemed to be torn between taking charge of the whole thing and avoiding that sort of responsibility at all costs. It was interesting that such a reserved character was so prone to bringing people together and leading them in a common goal.

22 Johana Leonie and Felipe So many new faces. 1434 Johana Leonie and Felipe 0 5

Jasmine

May 19, 2019 4:25 PM

Anya by Jasmine

"Oh, Anya is fine. I wouldn't say I'm excited exactly; I doubt we'll see much of each other unless we make an effort to. First years and fifth years don't have a lot of overlap, and she's going to be a Pecari, so different Houses, too."

1 Jasmine Anya 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Felipe

May 19, 2019 4:28 PM

Oh good. by Felipe

Felipe nodded, agreeing as he listened and looked over Dorian's paper. He thought the doodle was nice, and the poem was far outside of his own realm of skills, which made him like it all the more. To make beauty with words was not Felipe's forte, and he admired it in others. Also, he was particularly irritated with all the things that boys should or should not do at home, and hoped sincerely that Dorian had written this because he wanted to, and not because boys were supposed to be romantic or any such nonsense. Boys should be whatever they wanted and needed to be.

"I think it is the umbrella that makes the noise, because the rain bounces off of it," Felipe agreed. "Could you use a Cushioning Charm?" He hoped that wasn't one of Mrs. Montoir's suggestions, as he had no way of knowing before asking. "Spells in English are... complicated," he agreed. Spanish was Latin-based, so he had some more ease than speakers of other languages did, but it still seemed more difficult than it needed to be. Why would English speakers use Latin-based incantations anyway?

22 Felipe Oh good. 1434 Felipe 0 5

Mary

May 19, 2019 4:32 PM

Team Awesome-Lady-Professors by Mary

Mary couldn't have been happier to hear Selina's answer. It was a bit unnerving to think of the "customer is always right," or "parent is always right," sort of mindset that some seemed to have, and Mary felt confident she'd chosen the right workplace in knowing that Selina did not hold to such nonsense ideals. Parents were people too, unfortunately. Her conversations with Dorian, Heinrich, and others all confirmed that well and truly.

She did blush at the mention of the Montoirs, however. Selina knew, of course, that Dorian had attended the Brooding-Hawthorne wedding, and had sanctioned it, but it was still a bit... odd. Dorian was a friend as much as he could be, and a student all the way.

"His mother is definitely one of the most intimidating people I've ever met," Mary grimaced, remembering. "But there's no doubt at all that she adores her son. Honestly, I wish I knew what it was that made her so... open."

22 Mary Team Awesome-Lady-Professors 1424 Mary 0 5

Heinrich

May 19, 2019 5:10 PM

Agreed. One Jasmine is more than enough by Heinrich

Heinrich frowned a little, trying to figure out how to explain clearly without touching on anything too close to his bigger issues. "Potions is good subject," he stated, carefully, "but not because of snakes. Uncle Karl does not need my help for snakes. I am glad for that. But Hans volunteers, so he will be good for Professor Marsh."

1 Heinrich Agreed. One Jasmine is more than enough 1414 Heinrich 0 5

Gary

May 19, 2019 5:11 PM

Oh? Hmm... by Gary

"Pecari huh? You sound pretty certain of that." He thought quickly of a statement she had just made. "So, if you parents were both Pecari, she'll be following the family tradition, and you're the 'black sheep' of the family." As the words slipped out, it struck him that it may not have been the best thing to say.

2 Gary Oh? Hmm... 1404 Gary 0 5

Heinrich

May 19, 2019 5:22 PM

Either, both. by Heinrich

Heinrich smiled back in response to Evelyn's smile and followed her into the maze. "It is feeding good wolf to lead me safe through maze," he told her, thinking this might be a good thing for her to hear, as he'd been unaware putting the rock down had also been good wolf food, and it was good to hear that it was from her.

"Yes," he confirmed in response to her list of criteria for a good symbol. He frowned thoughtfully, trying to think of something that reminded him of a good choice. "I can think of nothing," he admitted after a few moments.

1 Heinrich Either, both. 1414 Heinrich 0 5

Jasmine

May 19, 2019 5:32 PM

You're not very good at this, are you? by Jasmine

Jasmine frowned, not really liking the way Gary phrased that. She was not a black sheep. She was more like her mother than Anya was. "Mom could have just as easily gone to Crotalus, too," Jasmine stated defensively. "Her friends were mostly Crotalus and one Aladren. And Dad probably would have been fine in any of the Houses. Neither one were strongly, stereotypically Pecari." She paused, then added, "Anya is."

1 Jasmine You're not very good at this, are you? 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Evelyn Stones

May 19, 2019 5:36 PM

That is a good summary of everything. by Evelyn Stones

Evelyn hadn't thought of it that way, but was glad to hear it. She wanted to be a good wolf more than ever when she heard that she was already doing little things to show it, and Heinrich was well worth keeping safe. Of course, there were hardly any dangers in the maze, so it wasn't like she was keeping him safe from anything but his own poor sense of direction. Of course, there was often anxiety waiting in the darkest corners of wandering paths, so perhaps that was something she could help with too.

She frowned when he agreed that they could think of nothing, though, in part because she wasn't sure what to do next. There were some flowers scattered here and there along their path, but other than the choice not to squash them, there wasn't much symbolic about them. Besides, ripping them out would certainly not be a good wolf choice.

"What sorts of things make you happy?" she asked, looking at him as she walked. She thought that he looked more comfortable than she'd seen him before, and wondered whether he liked to be outside, free of the claustrophobia of the indoors, as much as she did. "I like eggs a lot, but I don't want to keep that as a symbol," she joked. "Are there other things that you can look to as a reminder of what is and what could be?" It all sounded very ominous.

She led them around a corner of the maze, onto a grassy field where she'd once sometimes walked by Professors Brooding and Hawthorne having a moment of peace away from the students. She thought it might be a good place for them as well, and led them across the grass, enjoying the feeling of it in the air.

22 Evelyn Stones That is a good summary of everything. 1422 Evelyn Stones 0 5

Jasmine

May 19, 2019 5:39 PM

I think you're being wound up by Jasmine

Jasmine had not kissed a boy. This was a sad fact, but not one that made her a baby. "Anna is mistaken," she stated, certain of her facts because Mom had talked to her about this. "Kisses are for true love. If you haven't found true love, you just need to wait for kisses. Sadly, I have not found my true love yet."

"And tongues do sound gross. I think Anna is winding you up about that."

1 Jasmine I think you're being wound up 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Gary

May 19, 2019 5:59 PM

No... not at all... by Gary

"Sorry..." Gary looked sheepish, he had really botched that one. Now what? Family may not be the best at this point, but be may need it yet to transition. He'd have to risk it. "What do you and your sister like to do? My step-siblings and I don't really share any interests whatsoever."

2 Gary No... not at all... 1404 Gary 0 5

Heinrich

May 19, 2019 6:00 PM

I have some skill in being Concise by Heinrich

Heinrich nodded, in agreement that eggs were maybe not the best choice for a symbol, at least not a real egg, because it would probably break or get smelly after a while.

Her next question worried him more because he realized he didn't really have many things that made him actually happy lately. "I am happy when I get an O on my test?" he more asked than told her, because that was kind of a nerdy happy thing, but he was an Aladren, and that was the closest he got to the emotion these days. "Also, when we win at our Quidditch game."

Which reminded him . . . "I join team to help Hilda understand English there. That is good wolf food?"

1 Heinrich I have some skill in being Concise 1414 Heinrich 0 5

Evelyn Stones

May 19, 2019 6:12 PM

I ought to learn the same. by Evelyn Stones

Evelyn looked curiously at Heinrich when he spoke about the things that made him happy. She had noticed a similar tendency in Ness, to find happiness in themselves rather than in the world around them, and wondered if that was an Aladren thing or a other-people-than-Evelyn thing.

"Those are good things," she agreed. "But what about like . . . the taste of a fresh apple, or the smell of the ocean in the air, or the way the stars smile back at you at night? What do you find happiness in?" She hated to think of why those things mattered so much to her, but the clearest memories she had of happiness before Sonora were exactly those sorts of small escapes from everyday life. It wasn't that everyday life was bad, but that there was badness in it. She had enjoyed going out with her mother, too, but that wasn't such a happy memory right now.

When he said he joined the Quidditch team just to help Hilda, Evelyn nodded, shocked. "That's very good! You did that just for your sister? That's so sweet of you."

Would she do that for CJ ever? She supposed she would never have to find out, seeing as she would be long graduated by the time he began school. The thought made her stomach roll. She'd be in her twenties by then. What would that be like?

Sure that further wandering wouldn't help any, Evelyn led them to a seat in the grass, thinking of making daisy chains with her mother. "What about . . . what if we made something? I can't charm my way out of a paper bag, but I can weave a pretty good dry grass ring or band for a necklace. You could keep it in your pocket."

22 Evelyn Stones I ought to learn the same. 1422 Evelyn Stones 0 5

Dorian

May 19, 2019 7:43 PM

I think I know most of them by Dorian

"Ah, très intéressant," Dorian smiled at Jasmine, figuring that much at least was easily understood, "You speak it also?" he asked, reverting to English just in case she didn't.

Privet," Dorian smiled when Tatya and Katya arrived, happily handing the pen over so that the former could fill in the Russian.

"No need," he replied when Katya worried over having it in the English alphabet. He thought about answering her in Russian but firstly, she seemed self-conscious of the degree of Russianness they were putting on show, and also the information was beneficial to everyone. Whilst the thought of a room slowly filling up with people happily chattering different languages sounded nice, he had strict rules about not speaking languages people didn't understand in front of them in a rude way. "This is for our families, and to represent ourselves," and we don't need to change that, or make it more palatable for anyone else,, "I have only the character and not also pinyin," he added, gesturing to the Chinese.

13 Dorian I think I know most of them 1401 Dorian 0 5

Cleo

May 19, 2019 7:47 PM

Phew by Cleo

"Do you believe in true love?" Cleo asked, somewhat surprised. She was relieved Jasmine wasn't laughing at her over any of this, but she wasn't sure she quite trusted that view of things either. Still, at least they both agreed that tongues were gross.

13 Cleo Phew 389 Cleo 0 5

Dorian

May 19, 2019 7:52 PM

Right. Well then, let's get this show on the road by Dorian

"That's a really excellent idea," he smiled, when Felipe suggested a cushioning charm.

"Or perhaps..." he flicked through the charms books he'd brought, because something was on the tip of his brain... "Impervius!" he grinned, as he found the right spell. "It cannot make noise if it doesn't hit, right?

"English spells can be tricky, but they are more familiar. I have never had much chance to practise in Chinese," he admitted.

13 Dorian Right. Well then, let's get this show on the road 1401 Dorian 0 5

Dorian

May 19, 2019 8:08 PM

Always by Dorian

No one would hurt him either. That was a big step up, and a much bigger job, than just keeping him safe from girls. He decided to just trust that rather than to question it. Like when Jehan said nothing would make him turn his back on him (except there had been an 'except...' there). He hoped Tatya was counting herself in that number.

"Blagodaryu vas," he returned her thanks.

He found his heart skipping slightly at her next words. Not in the way that boys' hearts usually did for girls, but more... it was a surprise. A nice one, and it made him feel warm inside. As soon as Tatya had given him the dictionary, 'love' had been one of the first words he had looked up. After all, it was one of the most important. He had never been sure enough to use it, after all, there were different types of love, but he understood it.

He had pictured himself using his own languages to tell Jehan that. And it was the same words, for that kind of love, and platonic love, and the love one had for a sister. Still, if he told Tatya he also loved her, that still saved the other phrase for Jehan to be the first recipient of...

"Wǒ yě ài nǐ," he returned, leaning his head against hers and putting his arm around her.

13 Dorian Always 1401 Dorian 0 5

Selina

May 19, 2019 8:40 PM

Whoop whoop by Selina

"Well, that's the most important thing," Selina smiled, when Mary reported that Dorian's mother adored him. "And sadly something you can't always take for granted. And Cleo has that on her side too. Andrew just wants the best for her. He just... I think he struggles to know what that is."

13 Selina Whoop whoop 26 Selina 0 5

Heinrich

May 19, 2019 9:21 PM

I do not always utilize this skill by Heinrich

He nodded in understanding of what Evelyn was saying. He did like the taste of a good strudel - his joy over that had been how they first really met, in fact - and the sight of how moonlight on the grass gave the world an ethereal magnificence. "I . . . miss the smell of the old forest by our house," he admitted. "In Utah, we have no trees. Uncle Karl got us ducks though." He had missed the ducks before he missed the forest. But now they had pond with ducks again and a new absence had made itself known. "Watching the ducks makes to me happy."

Heinrich flushed a little at being called sweet. He hadn't been being sweet. He had been being a decent brother, looking out for a little sister who was rubbish at the language of her new school.

At her idea of making symbols, he nodded slowly. "That is constructive. Opposite of destruction. Definitely good wolf thing. Good wolf builds up. Bad wolf tears down. Make thing is good."

He could not make things. They never turned out the way he wanted them to be, and he didn't want his good wolf symbol to look like a deformed lopsided blob. What he could do, now that he was an intermediate, was make simple but permanent cosmetic changes to something. So he picked up a round rock that wasn't far off the shape of a Quaffle and cast the permanent color changing charm to turn it Quaffle-red.

"This is symbol of helping Hilda. It is Guterhund," he said, and offered it to Evelyn. Being a Hilda-related symbol, it was even more appropriate that its name was is German.

1 Heinrich I do not always utilize this skill 1414 Heinrich 0 5

Jasmine

May 19, 2019 9:46 PM

I know almost none of them by Jasmine

OOC: Google translate is my friend, too. BIC:

Tatiana and her sister were right behind Jasmine, and she added her own greetings (in English) to the welcoming chorus, then politely waited until Dorian had answered Katya's question pertaining to the actual banner before answering his small talk query. "I know a few words and phrases. I can say 'joyeux Noël' and 'Je t'aime grand-mère'," her accent was distinctly American but her pronunciation on these well used phrases was not as horrid as one might expect from Jasmine. "But my grandparents are fluent in English, and my mom knows no French at all, so we mostly use English when they visit. I can't speak it in regular conversation at all." She sounded a bit regretful about that. "It sounds so pretty, though, when Dad and his parents talk to each other."

1 Jasmine I know almost none of them 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Jasmine

May 19, 2019 9:50 PM

Indeed by Jasmine

Jasmine was taken aback by Cleo's question. "Of course," she declared, having never doubted True Love. "My mom said she loved my dad from the moment she first heard his French accent. They were eleven." She sighed heavily. "The only French accent in my class is Dorian, and I think Tatiana likes him, and she's my friend, too."

1 Jasmine Indeed 1397 Jasmine 0 5

Dorian

May 19, 2019 10:18 PM

Yay, new friends by Dorian

"Well, these phrases are très important and very useful," he acknowledged, adding Jasmine to the list of people in front of whom it would be comfortable and acceptable to slip into occasional French. He wasn't quite ready to an extend an invite to the Club of Tongues to her just yet, but he made a mental note to wish her a 'joyeaux Noel' next year, and perhaps add a 'Bonne année' for her continued education.

"It is quite pretty," he agreed, "Chinese too," he added, loyally. "They are both mine. I dislike feeling like I am making one a favourite," he explained.

13 Dorian Yay, new friends 1401 Dorian 0 5

Cleo

May 19, 2019 10:23 PM

Differences of opinion by Cleo

"Hm," Cleo mused. She took the brush back from Jasmine, flicking it over a fingernail to buy herself thinking time. "I don't think it always works like that though," she added, hesitant to disagree but not sure she believed Jasmine much more than Anna.

13 Cleo Differences of opinion 389 Cleo 0 5

Tatiana and Katerina

May 19, 2019 10:57 PM

The more the merrier. by Tatiana and Katerina

"I also think Chinese sounds pretty when you say it," contributed Katya, though she felt a bit out of place speaking up in front of Jasmine - more aware that she was one of the younger people in the room than she would have been just with Tatiana and her friends.

"Not when I do," said Tatiana, walking away from the board with a laugh. Katya grimaced a little, unable to actually argue with that - Tatiana did not make French or Chinese or even English sound as good as Dorian did, though she wouldn't mention his English also being pretty to her ears for fear of being accused of flirting. "I think Russian pretty, too. Maybe everyone like their own."

16 Tatiana and Katerina The more the merrier. 1396 Tatiana and Katerina 0 5

Johana Leonie Zauberhexen

May 19, 2019 10:57 PM

How you say, pull some strings? by Johana Leonie Zauberhexen

Johana Leonie was not confident at all, but working with Dorian had helped and she was not scared either. She didn't really have the words she needed to make this work, but thought that she could give it a solid try. She had talked to Dorian about what sort of dancing she did at home, and was more able to discuss it now.

Raising her hand, Johana Leonie spoke in a small voice: "We do only deutsche folk dancing at home," she said. "I kann play flute together with dances." She could feel that her eyebrows were coming together with the effort she was putting forth, and made an attempt at relaxing them, using her finger to rub it out. "I do the learns of whoever dance want all you."

22 Johana Leonie Zauberhexen How you say, pull some strings? 1432 Johana Leonie Zauberhexen 0 5

Felipe De Matteo

May 19, 2019 11:00 PM

And the stage! by Felipe De Matteo

Felipe masked his grin with a more polite smile, thrilled to have been of any help. The fact that an older student who seemed pretty nice was complimenting him for his brains instead of his background was pretty exciting.

"That's a good point," Felipe agreed. He wasn't sure how that would impact where the water fell off, or whether rain made any sound bouncing off a charm, but that's what experimentation was for.

He nodded along with Dorian's comment about practising in Chinese. "Because you are not allowed to do magic at home or before Sonora," he agreed. "My tutors have tried to explain how magic works but it is very hard to learn without doing. At least for me."

22 Felipe De Matteo And the stage! 1434 Felipe De Matteo 0 5

Evelyn Stones

May 19, 2019 11:09 PM

I like what you have to say though. by Evelyn Stones

Evelyn nodded along with Heinrich, well understanding the draw to the forest. "If you ever become an Animagus or something, I hope it's a duck," she laughed. "I spent a lot of time climbing trees in the woods around where I grew up," she told him, rolling up her sleeve in anticipation as she spoke. She extended her mangled, deformed forearm towards him, at a safe distance in case it grossed him out but also near enough that he could touch it if he wanted to. Most people wanted to.

"I fell out of one when I was much younger and . . . " The full story came back to her and she frowned. Deciding that they were well past the point of hiding things, she sighed and finished the thought. "My father's bad wolf came out, I guess. He was mad that I hadn't stopped myself with magic and just hit the ground, and my arm got all cut up. He wouldn't let us use any sort of magic to help it heal and so it healed all wrong on the outside."

She was well aware that it looked more like a twisted scar of burned off skin than anything else, and had often wondered if he hadn't had something to do with that. Still, that was more the angry musings of a bitter child than anything else, and she knew that. Probably.

"Still, it never stopped me from going in the woods. I still can't do magic very well, but I love the forest too."

When he spoke of constructive versus destructive efforts, she nodded, agreeing, and took to creating a small grass woven ring for him. She thought that it was the most versatile, as he could wear it in his pocket, on his finger, on a necklace, or wherever else he'd like, so she weaved one quickly as he spoke and then set about his own task.

The stone he found was perfect and Evelyn grinned, exchanging her work. "Your magic makes beautiful things," she said, accepting the rock and looking at it in awe. "I couldn't do that. But I'm okay with my hands." The ring was neat and clean, a perfect sphere and well-fitted to his finger if he wanted to wear it there. She'd had a lot of practice with such manual efforts.

"Guterhund, and . . . well, I'm not sure I can name a ring. You probably don't know what movies are, right? We'll call it Samwise. He only had a good wolf," she told him. The thought of going back to a perfectly normal muggle life and watching Lord of the Rings with Heinrich seemed very comfortable these days.

22 Evelyn Stones I like what you have to say though. 1422 Evelyn Stones 0 5

Mary Brooding

May 19, 2019 11:14 PM

And so we party. by Mary Brooding

Mary nodded emphatically, knowing full well that Andrew James wasn't the only person who didn't necessarily know what was best for their child. A certain Teppenpaw who deserved to bring home a boyfriend or girlfriend or both or neither definitely had a parent like that, but Mary wasn't going to say so to Selina.

"It has to be so hard to be a parent. We've talked about it, but I just don't know how you know you're ready. Being responsible for a little's life and personhood . . . that's a lot of responsibility."

22 Mary Brooding And so we party. 1424 Mary Brooding 0 5

Dorian

May 20, 2019 12:18 AM

That too by Dorian

Dorian nodded to the other boy's comments and then turned his attention to the umbrella. He cast a quick drying charm on it to be able to better evaluate his results and then swept the water from the floor back into the bucket.

"Impervius!" he cast, tapping the umbrella and trying to sound commanding, which wad not his natural strong suit. He climbed up and scattered the rain once more. He thought it sounded somewhat softer.

Climbing down, he noticed the umbrella still had some flecks of rain on it.

"Okay, so not a perfect result but clearly not a perfect cast charm. Does.ot.make the sound somewhat better? Be honest."

13 Dorian That too 1401 Dorian 0 5

Georgia

May 20, 2019 12:23 AM

Pretty much like that by Georgia

"Right," Georgia nodded slowly as she parsed that last absolute mess of a sentence. "I don't know that type of dancing. Can you show us?"

13 Georgia Pretty much like that 346 Georgia 0 5

DH Skies

Fast and Furious Threads by DH Skies

Kir McLeod

Bad Teppenpaws (tag Jozua) by Kir McLeod

Dorian

Wilkommen et bienvenue (tag Heinrich) by Dorian

Jozua

How did I become known as the bad Teppenpaw? by Jozua

Kir

Who said I was talking about you? by Kir

Heinrich

und Welcome by Heinrich

Tatiana Vorontsova

I need Tatya and Dorya Time (tag Dorian). by Tatiana Vorontsova

Jozua

My guilty conscience, I guess by Jozua

Dorian

I suppose we should include that by Dorian

Dorian

I can probably get on board with that by Dorian

Kir

I think you're a pretty good one by Kir

Heinrich

It seems fair by Heinrich

Tatiana

Excellent. by Tatiana

Dorian

No, that was last year by Dorian

Mary Brooding

Is senioritis real for professors too? [tag DH Skies] by Mary Brooding

Dorian

So long as this isn't about me by Dorian

Heinrich

That is English wordplay. Very clever. by Heinrich

Heinrich

Continued from MARS (Evelyn) by Heinrich

DH Skies

Which answer gets me the cookies? by DH Skies

Mary Brooding

The one that lets me share them with you. by Mary Brooding

Dorian

*bows* Thank you by Dorian

Evelyn Stones

Bad Good Dogs by Evelyn Stones

DH Skies

Nice by DH Skies

Cleo James

Weeding (tag any gardening club member) by Cleo James

Mary Brooding

I try to be. by Mary Brooding

Dorian Montoir

Perfectly normal behaviour by Dorian Montoir

Tatiana

Possibly we can tap-dance around that... by Tatiana

Dorian

Phew by Dorian

Tatiana

...though the day is young. by Tatiana

Felipe De Matteo

Normal enough at least. by Felipe De Matteo

Ivy Brockert

Re: Weeding (tag any gardening club member) by Ivy Brockert

Jozua

You realize my advice was hexing her, right? by Jozua

Heinrich

You're welcome by Heinrich

Heinrich

How hard is finding a symbolic symbol anyway? by Heinrich

Gary Harper

Fortune favors the bold... right? (Tag Jasmine) by Gary Harper

Jasmine Delachene

That's how the saying goes, I think by Jasmine Delachene

Gary

That's what I was afraid of by Gary

Jasmine

Just put everything you say inside b tags by Jasmine

Gary

Hmm.. could work.... by Gary

Zevalyn

Aladrens! Casting Call! by Zevalyn

bows Thank you by Dorian