Team Five Meeting. on Library

Ryan O'Malley

January 26, 2013 4:00 PM

Team Five Meeting. by Ryan O'Malley

When he'd first seen the challenge teams, Ryan's first reaction was sympathy for Eliza. Then he'd found his own team and that he'd been leading it and felt nervous . The Crotalus been anxious enough just hearing about them, after all, what if his team hadn't wanted him on it? However, now he had to actually lead a team, he was even more worried. The Crotalus wasn't sure that any of them would listen to him. Or honestly, that he knew what to do. All he knew was that a lot of the other groups were doing team meetings, probably to discuss strategies and get to know each other. Ryan could handle the latter but he didn't have any of the former yet. He had no idea what the challenges were, so it was hard to plan for them.

At least he had Sally on his team. She would listen to him, and hopefully help him come up with strategies. His step-sister was really smart, probably one of the smartest people in the whole school and much more so than he was. Ryan didn't think much of his own intelligence. Or leadership skills, especially after he didn't become Head Boy. He wasn't surprised that he'd lost really, because he didn't think most people liked him anyway. Which was another reason he was worried about these whole challenges.

Besides, he'd missed having Sally around. And Arnold. And Jake. And Peyton. Not Carrie though. Ryan would say she could stay with Uncle Seth and Aunt Lilac, but that wasn't fair to them. The best thing would be if his biological sister could go back to their mother, they deserved each other, but Mother was unfit. Genuinely unfit, deserving of the word, as opposed to Jamie who wasn't. Ryan hated Ross Manger for this whole thing. That was why his summer had been so lonely. He'd only gotten to see Peyton when Carrie visited their mother and he went over to his aunt and uncle's. He hadn't seen Sally and the boys at all. The Crotalus wanted his family back together.

Aside from his step-sister, the team included the Headmistress's son Angel, his sister's roommate Lucrezia, and two first years. He sort of knew who Angel was, he was albino and very quiet, one of Arabella's classmates, though his cousin had little to say about the Teppenpaw. However, Ryan was a little nervous about having a team with the Headmistress's son. Would she get mad and blame Ryan if they didn't do well? Or what if Angel didn't like Ryan and told her that?

Then there was Lucrezia. Ryan had no idea what Carrie thought about her because he tried to stay away from her as much as possible-admittedly, he'd been very pleased about that part of his summer-but odds were that they probably didn't get along. It was possible that she would hold the fact that he was Carrie's brother against him. Of course, it was also likely that Carrie had made her disgust for Ryan well known, and Lucrezia would be nice to him because it would annoy her. That's what he was hoping for.

The two first years, Ryan had never heard of, obviously. He'd never heard of any first year in particular. There would have been a few names he would have recognized, if he heard them. Aurora Royale and Jude Butler were not among them. Maybe his status as a seventh year would be enough there. Hopefully they weren't too competitive or too snotty. He didn't want them mad at him if they lost nor did he want to put up with someone like Carrie, who was not only the second cruelest person alive but would surely not be an asset to her team. She'd be too afraid of getting dirty or ruining her manicure. Nor would she work well with those who weren't in their social class. Carrie thought that she didn't have to do anything she didn't want to do and if she didn't want to do something, she might not walk out like she had in Flying and then mouth off to the person in charge, but she still wouldn't do it.

Ryan sighed. He'd decided to meet in the library after seeing that most other teams were meeting in the Hall because it was obviously going to be less crowded. Plus, there were lots of places that weren't right out in the open. There was a corner with chairs that were much more comfortable than the ones in the Hall, which was another benefit. They'd also have access to books if needed. Ryan wasn't sure how they would be helpful but books tended to be so.

Now he just had to wait for people to show up. Because he didn't want them to have a hard time finding him, he sat at one of the tables in the front of the library, but once everyone had arrived, he said "We're actually meeting in the back. I just waited here so I could show you where, rather than you having to look for me. Follow me to the spot, please." When they arrived and had gotten comfortable, Ryan opened up the meeting. "Um, hi. I'm Ryan, I'll be leading this team. This is just a meeting to get to know each other a bit, talk about our skills and whatnot." Which was going to be difficult for him, as he didn't see himself as being good at all that much. Since he'd already introduced himself, Ryan said "I'm a seventh year, in Crotalus and I'm pretty good at Transfiguration. I guess I'm not terrible at Charms or Potions either." He usually got decent grades, it was just that he wasn't as good at them as he was in Transfig.

Maybe he should have asked about weaknesses too but that would be embarassing and the only person he was sure that he could trust was Sally. On the other hand, that would show what people needed help on and maybe someone in the group could help them. "And also-and these go no further than this team, in fact nothing we say here should leave here in terms of strategies and stuff either-our weaknesses. We need to know what areas other team members need help with so we can work together to do so. Like if one person can't do something, another will step up or help them. I'll go first." Ryan took a deep breath. This was one of the hardest things he'd ever done. In fact, it was probably harder than the idea he'd had recently was going to be. "I'm not a good flier and I'm not good with boggarts. Okay with most other Defense spells, just not that." He turned to the person next to him. "Your turn."

11 Ryan O'Malley Team Five Meeting. 176 Ryan O'Malley 1 5

Jude Butler

January 26, 2013 9:31 PM

Coming to the meeting... by Jude Butler

The days passed into weeks. Jude was sort of getting the hang of things there at Sonora, though she still didn't understand really the full extent of what was going on around her. When the Challenge Team lists went up, Jude held back til just about everyone else had seen them (from what she heard around her). She was worried that she hadn't been even put on a list. After all, what help would she be to any teams? Jude Butler had absolutely no talent in magic whatsoever, no prior knowledge of it either, like so many others, she was sure. The eleven year old couldn't barely even get her broom to listen to her to go into her hand at Flying Class without help. What help would she be...?

But she saw that Ryan, the head of her team, Team Five, had asked them to meet him at the Library and she'd had to ask a few older students even to help her find it. She still hadn't quite got her bearings of what was where and followed other first and second years around to get to classes, somehow on time.

Somehow though, Jude was still the first one to (who she assumed was) Ryan at the Library at the time and place of their meeting. When he said he'd sat there to wait for them rather than have them find him, she looked at him, thankfully. She even walked partway next to him on the way to the back of the Library to tell him “Thanks... I'd have gotten lost...” She followed behind the others to the back, hanging back from slight fear once more. What if this meeting was about seeing what they could all do? What did she have to offer her group?

They got comfortable, (well, as comfortable as she could get) and Ryan started talking. He introduced himself and told everyone what he was good at, then he explained that they all needed to tell the group what they weren't so good at so that the team could work together to help each other.

Just like that, he'd looked to her and told her that it was her turn. Jude looked at him like a deer in the headlights. She had no idea what she was good at here and what she wasn't so good at was EVERYTHING...

“Uhm... I'm Jude Butler... First year Pecari and uhm... I'm really good at solving mysteries...” she started, pulling on her dark hair nervously. “I'm not so good at magic... You see, my family isn't magical and....” she stopped and looked at Ryan, hoping he wouldn't be mad at her...

0 Jude Butler Coming to the meeting... 0 Jude Butler 0 5

Sally Manger

January 28, 2013 5:43 PM

As am I by Sally Manger

Summer had faded like the bruises on her skin, and once again Sally occupied Sonora Academy. She wanted to be home with her mother, where she should have been all summer, but school was the next best thing. It was not, and it was not her mother. Still, it was much better than where she had been. Primarily, she was content to being away from her father and his disasters.

She missed her baby sister, an odd sensation when all Peyton really did was ooze saliva and create waste, but at least Ryan was here. Moreover, she would get to spend exuberant amounts of time with him this year, given that the challenges situated them together. The brunette was very grateful for them, for Ryan on her team, though she was certain her brother’s Quidditch-playing maybe-girlfriend was hardly enthused. Still, selfishly, she was eager to work with Ryan and only hoped their younger teammates would not stand in their way.

Sally arrived promptly and exactly on time for the meeting, as was her nature. Timeliness was a virtue, she felt, and to be exhibited out of courteousness and respect, for both the time-setter and the event. Because the leader was Ryan, she urged herself to be precisely on time; it was of the utmost, vital importance.

Unsurprisingly, in the case of early arrivals, the Aladren was not the first to arrive. Nonetheless, she paid little attention to anyone beyond her brother, offering him a smile. Smiles meant happiness. Sally was happy to see him. She followed him along with the rest of the group, wordless because conversation was unneeded, until they arrived at their intended location in the back of the library.

Ryan spoke, and she found a sense of pride swelling inside of her; she liked to think she knew her brother well, and she could hardly state with accuracy that it was not challenging for Ryan to verbally express positive qualities about himself. He was extremely gifted in Transfigurations, and, as he mentioned, his Charms and Potions grades were nothing to snub. He then went on to mention weaknesses, another difficulty for him.

Next, a first year named Jude spoke. She claimed to be good at solving mysterious, which, the fifteen year old assumed, would be helpful in the long run. However, she could not imagine anything logic-based that would fall upon the young girl’s hands, given that Sally was a highly logical mind. Jude then proceeded to proclaim an inability in regards to magic altogether. She repressed the urge to roll her eyes--a mannerism she had adapted over the summer, one she found she quite liked--at this.

Deciding it was her turn to speak, she first commented, “Jude, I feel that would be an inaccurate statement. After all, you’re only a first year. Given that you stated you are a Muggleborn, you haven’t been exposed to magic long enough to have acquired a talent in any particular area. There are plenty of Muggleborns who are very talented in magic. Asserting that you are inadequate due to a lack of exposure is unwarranted.” Perhaps she came across as harsh, but Sally was a blunt girl, hardly remembering to take other people’s feelings into account before she spoke.

She paused, blinking, attempting to gage her teammates’ reactions. It occurred to her now that she might have been harsh. Apologies were not her forte, so she said nothing on the matter, instead continuing into her own introduction. “My name is Sally. I am a fifth year Aladren. I am fairly magically potent, and I am very clever.” She was not one to brag, but modesty would do her team no justices.

Another pause occupied the space between that and her next remark. “As for weaknesses…” Things of this nature were hard for her, most likely due to the very factor she intended to reveal. “I am not typically an emotional person. Things of that nature can be difficult for me. I can’t imagine anything in these challenges will require that, but…” She shrugged. “That’s what I have.”

12 Sally Manger As am I 198 Sally Manger 0 5

Angel Jareau

January 28, 2013 8:14 PM

…here by Angel Jareau

Angel drifted into the library with the same ponderous silence of a lamb like cloud floating though the endless blue. Soft ruby eyes briefly rose from their normal downward cast, spotted the small gathering of students, and then returned to studying the floor as he joined the small collection of students. The overly pureblooded boy wasn’t sure what to expect from these challenges, or of working as part of a group. He’d become accustomed to working in pairs though class, and the extensive tutoring he’d received sense starting at Sonora.

But, an entire group, and one made up of such different people was mildly intimidating to the albino. There wasn’t much he could offer such a group, and without knowing the nature of the challenges, there was a good chance that Angel would be a hindrance more than a help. Still, this was something his adoptive mother wished him to do, and that was enough for him. He would simply do what he could, and let the others complete any parts of the challenges he was unable to do.

When Ryan led the small group to the back of the library, Angel went without comment. He chose a seat between Sally and Lucrezia. The girls were, respectively, a year above and a year below the Teppenpaw so he was at least familiar with them from shared classes. His crimson eyes remained fixed on the table, but he watched the others out of the corners of his eyes, the lids fluttered slightly whenever someone new spoke as his attention slid over to them.

When it came time for him to speak, Angel shifted uncomfortably. His speech had improved greatly from the broken language it was when he was a first year, but he didn’t care for being the center of attention. “Angel Sh…” The softly spoken introduction froze briefly when he recalled that he was no longer a Shield. “Angel Jareau.” He began again. “Teppenpaw, year fifth. I am good at spells.” Angel tapped a nail bitten finger soundlessly against the table as he sought better words to explain his strength.

When Angel spoke it was with the slow deliberation of a reformed stutterer, or someone who’s first language was not English. He paused often as he sought the correct word, and there were often times when the words simply eluded him. “Spells I seen. Spells that good for challenge, show me, and I can do them. Also good at drawing.”

Now for the weaknesses, of which there were many. “I am not good with…” the word he sought hovered just out of reach and he settled for an inferior substitute “moving activities.” Angel had a finite amount of energy he was able to exert due to his digestive disorder and going beyond that level caused the Teppenpaw to pass out. “I am not good at reading, writing, flying. I am color blind, eyes hurt in bright light, skin sensitive to sunlight.” The soft bland words came to a halt. He wasn’t sure what else should be disclosed, physical exertion and academic achievements were not Angel’s strong suits.

0 Angel Jareau …here 0 Angel Jareau 0 5

Rory Royale

January 29, 2013 8:06 PM

Not been looking forward to this by Rory Royale

Rory was dragging her feet as she headed to the library to meet with her team. She hadn’t made any other friends besides Analea, and she was dreading having to converse with five strangers. She found who she assumed was her team leader, and hung back until he led all of them to the back. In the little time she’d spent at school, she started to become familiar with the library and how to get around it. It was a necessity to get to and from her common room.

Rory took a seat next to the youngest girl in the group. She was less likely to embarrass herself if she had to small talk with someone her own age. The leader introduced himself as Ryan, a seventh year from Crotalus. He seemed nice enough, and like he was taking their team seriously. She liked that, because she desperately wanted to win whatever was coming up. But he said they had to share what they were good at and what they’re weaknesses were, and she froze up.

She could handle sitting with all the people, but she didn’t want to actually have to talk to them. She didn’t want to look entirely ignorant in front of people who were so much older and smarter. They probably already thought that she was nothing more than a dumb little first year. What if she just made it even worse? She began to search her mind for an answer for when it was her turn. She couldn’t look stupid in front of her team. She had to make a good first impression, and still look smart like everyone at her old school had thought.

Jude, the other first year in her group, stumbled through her answer. The next girl’s reply was exactly what made Rory so nervous about speaking in front of all of them. She didn’t want to be corrected in any sort of way, even if it was meant to be helpful. She was glad that Jude had talked before her, because it meant that if she messed up, she wouldn’t be the only one. She listened as the next two people introduced themselves and caught Angel’s poor way of talking.

She took a deep breath, gathering up her confidence. It felt wrong to draw on the faults of her teammates to build herself up, but she needed to find something to convince her to speak. The less nervous she was, the better she would be able to stitch her words together. “I’m Rory. I’m a first year in Aladren. I, um,” she paused for a second, recollecting her thoughts, “I like to read, so I’m pretty good at researching. I’m not really good at any magic yet, but I pick up on things quickly.”

It took another moment to find something to say for her weaknesses. She struggled to keep her eyes on the group before continuing. “I’m not very athletic. I can just barely fly, and I’m not very fast and kind of clumsy.”

0 Rory Royale Not been looking forward to this 0 Rory Royale 0 5

Lucrezia Renaldi

February 08, 2013 7:32 PM

Joining! by Lucrezia Renaldi

So this year they were going to have challenges. The little Italian had to accept that she was, indeed, pretty stoked about them. Not only did she like any kind of competition, but it was the perfect opportunity to meet new people! This was awesome. The Crotalus was friendly by nature and one of her favorite past times was meeting new people. If she was being honest with herself, and she usually was, Lucrezia was a very nice girl with a knack to be open. Yes, the Italian was usually seen with a big smile on her face with the exception of any situation that had to do with her horrible roommate, Carrie.

The Crotalus had to endure the horrible task of sharing her living space with that loathsome excuse of a human being. Carrie was the only person in the whole school that had managed to make her angry to the extent of being rude to her. She prided herself on being nice and not prejudiced, but Carrie just gritted her nerves like nobody else could. The little brat needed to be pegged down her ladder a few notches. That was for certain and if she did something to her or someone she liked, Carrie was going to meet the full wrath of Lucrezia Renaldi.

On the previous topic, the Italian was on her way to the library to meet with the rest of her team. A big smile was tugging at the sides of her lips as she entered a little nervously and sought out the small cluster of people. Ryan, Carrie’s older brother, was the team leader, and she didn’t know what to make of it. She didn’t know him and there was the small chance that he was as horrid as his little sister, but she hadn’t passed judgment on him. Lucrezia was all in favor of fiving someone the luxury of the doubt.

She waved at everyone and sat down next to a girl that looked like a little firstie and waited for her turn to speak. While everyone was pointing out their skills and whatnot, she was writing mental notes on their names and everything her brain was nice enough to remember. Her eyes lingered a little longer than was necessary or correct on the albino boy and smiled at him to make it up for her rudeness.

When it was finally her turn, she waved again, “Hi, Ryan, Sally, Angel and Rory,” she chirped excitedly. “I am Lucrezia Renaldi from Crotalus house,” she nodded to her statement. “I am pretty good at flying and Transfiguration, but I am awful at Potions.” She smiled once again at the prospect of the fun they were going to have. Everyone, including Ryan, seemed to be rather nice and committed to this.

0 Lucrezia Renaldi Joining! 231 Lucrezia Renaldi 0 5

Lucrezia

February 08, 2013 10:27 PM

OOC by Lucrezia

Jude, you were part of the greeting. The author is sick and under the influence of meds and made a mistake. My apologies.

0 Lucrezia OOC 0 Lucrezia 0 5