The Morning After the Feast (FIRSTIES!) on Teppenpaw Commons

Pepper Jones

June 22, 2006 9:24 AM

The Morning After the Feast (FIRSTIES!) by Pepper Jones

Pepper was up early, as usual. She had never broken out of her sleep patterns from home the year before, and they had been freshly reinforced over the summer. So, by the time people were due to head down to breakfast, she was wearing her robes over a pair of baggy boys' jeans and a t-shirt of a band she'd never heard of (both inherited from her one older sibling) and had clipped her red hair back (it wasn't really long enough for a ponytail, but this kept it out of her way during classes).

She knocked on the first year girls' door, sticking her head in when she got a response.

"I'm heading down to breakfast in a few minutes," she informed them, "And wondered if any of you would like to come with me, so you don't get lost? I'll go and round up anyone from the commons, and wait for you there," she added, once she knew how many of them she should wait for downstairs.

She scurried down to the Common Room, feeling a bit sorry for any first year boys still in their rooms who didn't know the way, but unsure whether she could or may go up there.

"FIRST YEARS" she bellowed across the room. For someone so small, she had an astonishingly loud voice. She felt her cheeks glow as several people turned to stare at her. It was probably the most attention she'd drawn to herself since being at Sonora, and she was a little embarrassed. But it was for a worthwhile cause. "If any of you need help finding the Cascade Hall, I'm going in a few minutes and will happily escort you. Come and gather over here." \n\n

Subthreads:

A Bit Startled by Sophie Rose

Just five more minutes... by Gil Idoya with Pepper

making friends... or not! by Tammy Jakobi

Asking a favor by Kaylie Brockert with Pepper

13 Pepper Jones The Morning After the Feast (FIRSTIES!) 74 Pepper Jones 1 5

Sophie Rose

June 22, 2006 4:52 PM

A Bit Startled by Sophie Rose

Sophie had been fast asleep in her bed when a loud voice interrupted her dreaming. She sat up quickly and pulled her messy hair out of her face to see what the ruckus was. She wondered if the other first-year girls were as bewildered as she was. After rubbing her eyes she found the source of the commotion. An older girl had offered to guide them to the hall and after thinking about it for a moment, Sophie decided she might need a little direction, especially since it was still pretty early in the morning.

She groggily pulled herself out of bed and calmed her hair down a bit by brushing it and putting in a ponytail. She quickly got dressed in jeans and a green shirt and then put on her robes. After completely getting ready, she headed down to the common room. Surprisingly, there were actually a few people in the room. She quietly seated herself down on a small couch and awaited the return of the older girl. Suddenly the girl appeared once again and repeated her announcement, except this time much louder. Sophie had to smile as she noticed several of her fellow students wince at the girl's booming voice, but she immediately saw the girl's embarassment and felt sorry for her.

"Hi, I'm Sophie", she uttered in a rather friendly way.\n\n

0 Sophie Rose A Bit Startled 0 Sophie Rose 0 5

Gil Idoya

June 23, 2006 8:17 AM

Just five more minutes... by Gil Idoya

At promptly six o'clock, Gil's enchanted alarm-clock began to bellow the fight song of the Fitchburg Finches, his favorite Quidditch team. Groaning, he flung out one arm and slapped it awkwardly; at his touch, the fight song faded to a whisper before finishing itself out. Well, it was one of the advantages of having the first-year boy's dorm all to himself; there were no roommates to throw things at him. Though he did rather miss receiving a daily whack to the head with Leo's pillow. It really wasn't Gil's fault that his twin was such a light sleeper!

But now, since Leo was holed up in Crotalus, it was up to Gil to get himself up. And with an admirable dearth of (vocalized) complaints, he did. He was just hopping around on one foot, trying to simultaneously keep his balance and put on his second sock, when a tremendously loud voice echoed from the common room up towards the boy's dorms. "FIRST YEARS!"

Gil didn't catch what was said after that, mostly because he'd been so startled he had fallen over and landed in his open trunk, and was currently occupied with trying to extricate himself.

A few moments later, he ran down to the common room, looking around curiously for the source of the voice. He decided eventually that it was the red-headed girl in the baggy pants, because a firstie girl that he remembered seeing around before had just walked up to her and introduced herself. Deciding that seemed like a wise course of action, Gil headed over himself, a sleepy smile pasted across his face as he tried to smooth down his mussed hair.

"Hi, I'm Sophie," his fellow first-year said amiably.

"And I'm Gil Idoya, pleased to meet you both," he said with a friendly nod. Then he looked back towards the redhead, who seemed a bit older. "Sorry, I had a bit of a mishap involving a sock and my trunk... why were you calling the first years together?"\n\n

0 Gil Idoya Just five more minutes... 0 Gil Idoya 0 5

Pepper

June 23, 2006 9:13 AM

Nope, up now, else you'll be late! by Pepper

OOC - Sophie, try to pay a little more attention to what other people write; Pepper came into your dorm. then went straight downstairs, so it's not possible Sophie would get up and dressed and then into the Common Room before her. Just trying to help, not criticise.

IC
Pepper smiled as not only did one first year join her, but - before she had a chance to respond to the girl - so did a second. If anyone had thought she was strange for yelling out like that, this made it worth it.

"Nice to meet you both. I'm Pepper Jones, and I'm a second year," she explained.

"That's alright," she smiled at the boy, she felt sorry for him for seeming so flustered so soon in the day. "I was just calling together any first years who wanted a guide down to the hall for breakfast. It wouldn't do to have you getting lost on your first full day, now would it?" she asked kindly.

The blush had faded quickly from her cheeks, as she found herself in her element; looking after people younger than herself, and being needed by them. Showing first years to the Hall wasn't really a match for looking after four younger siblings, and she knew the first years would outgrow their need for her more quickly than Theo, J.J, G.J and Connie, but at least she had someone to look after, and at least she could know she'd made a difference to them. \n\n

0 Pepper Nope, up now, else you'll be late! 0 Pepper 0 5

Anonymous

June 23, 2006 6:34 PM

Re: Nope, up now, else you'll be late! by Anonymous

OOC- Pepper, sorry for the mistake. I thought between her announcement in the the first year room and the common room was a short amount of time. I didn't realize she went straight downstairs and I also thought she was going to try to round up a few more people so she wouldn't be going straight to the common room. I don't think it would take Sophie that long to throw on clothes and pull up her hair. Thanks for the help though. :)

IC
Not long after Sophie introduced herself, another first year appeared beside the two of them. He introduced himself as "Gil". Sophie tried to hide her nervous habit, continously tucking her hair behind her ears, about meeting a fellow classmate. She had stepped out of her comfort zone for a single moment when she had rushed up to Pepper and introduced herself. Now that she thought about it, she felt like she wasn't the same person as she had been for those two seconds when she introduced herself. In the past, she had never had an outgoing moment, ever. She was always the quiet one who had her nose crammed in a book, but someone else was always the one to talk first. For a reason she couldn't quite understand herself, she felt a bit intimidated by other people, especially those who could start a conversation so easily. Her parents had been very worried about her and so just last summer that sent her to a muggle summer camp. Everytime she questioned this decision, they talked confidantly that the camp would make her more outgoing. While she did make a few good friends, it was rather hopeless and her parents were a bit disappointed. They hoped that in sending her to Sonora she would be forced to become outgoing since they would not be there with her. Sophie wondered what her parents would think if they had seen her jump up to Pepper's invitation and introduce herself.

"Nice to meet you, Gil. Do you think anyone else will come, Pepper?" she asked, once again feeling herself stepping outside of her zone. She had to admit it; she felt daring and confidant.\n\n

0 Anonymous Re: Nope, up now, else you'll be late! 0 Anonymous 0 5

Sophie Rose

June 23, 2006 6:36 PM

Trying to Be More Sociable... by Sophie Rose

OOC- Pepper, sorry for the mistake. I thought between her announcement in the the first year room and the common room was a short amount of time. I didn't realize she went straight downstairs and I also thought she was going to try to round up a few more people so she wouldn't be going straight to the common room. I don't think it would take Sophie that long to throw on clothes and pull up her hair. Thanks for the help though. :) Sorry again, I accidently posted without my name or subject. This is my re-post. Sorry again.

IC
Not long after Sophie introduced herself, another first year appeared beside the two of them. He introduced himself as "Gil". Sophie tried to hide her nervous habit, continously tucking her hair behind her ears, about meeting a fellow classmate. She had stepped out of her comfort zone for a single moment when she had rushed up to Pepper and introduced herself. Now that she thought about it, she felt like she wasn't the same person as she had been for those two seconds when she introduced herself. In the past, she had never had an outgoing moment, ever. She was always the quiet one who had her nose crammed in a book, but someone else was always the one to talk first. For a reason she couldn't quite understand herself, she felt a bit intimidated by other people, especially those who could start a conversation so easily. Her parents had been very worried about her and so just last summer that sent her to a muggle summer camp. Everytime she questioned this decision, they talked confidantly that the camp would make her more outgoing. While she did make a few good friends, it was rather hopeless and her parents were a bit disappointed. They hoped that in sending her to Sonora she would be forced to become outgoing since they would not be there with her. Sophie wondered what her parents would think if they had seen her jump up to Pepper's invitation and introduce herself.

"Nice to meet you, Gil. Do you think anyone else will come, Pepper?" she asked, once again feeling herself stepping outside of her zone. She had to admit it; she felt daring and confidant.\n\n

0 Sophie Rose Trying to Be More Sociable... 0 Sophie Rose 0 5

Tammy Jakobi

June 29, 2006 9:23 AM

making friends... or not! by Tammy Jakobi

Tammy Jakobi was so excited; she could barely sleep all night. Now, as she deemed the time 'reasonable' enough for her to be awake, she bounded out of bed, her silky black hair swishing from side to side as she bounced around, getting ready. As she dressed in a casual plain black tee and blue flared jeans, Tammy sung the latest rock song being played on wireless's across the nation.
Suddenly a knock at the door brought Tammy to reality. She looked around, hoping that no-one had noticed her being so- un-Tammyish. Blushing, she responded, and as the older girl stuck her head around the corner, she noticed that the red-head's t-shirt had printed upon it the band who sung the song she had been humming. Going even redder, Tammy listened as the girl made an offer to show the first years where to go for breakfast. Tammy smiled at her, put on her robes, and followed her downstairs; a girl names Sophie coming up just behind her.
Downstairs, Tammy stood back, feeling shy. Before coming here, she hadn't known anyone, and now everyone seemed to have someone else to talk to. She watched as Sophie, another first year who had seemed shy the night before, started talking to the older girl (Pepper) and to a cute guy with messy hair, who Tammy thought was called Will or Gil or something.
Tammy felt kind of left out as she watched the three of them laugh over something Will/Gil had said. Around her, first years gathered around Pepper, since she had announced to the dorms she wanted to speak to them, and Tammy couldn’t tell if she was imagining it or not, but it seemed no one wanted to stand near her. Fidgeting with the long black hair sweeping over her face, Tammy tried to blend in and listen to the older girl with the cool band shirt at the same time.
Pepper seems really nice, Tammy thought to herself. If I want to make any friends here, I think I might start with her!
\n\n

0 Tammy Jakobi making friends... or not! 0 Tammy Jakobi 0 5

Kaylie Brockert

June 29, 2006 7:02 PM

Asking a favor by Kaylie Brockert

Kaylie hadn't slept well last night. She'd been tossing and turning because she felt incredibly guilty about leaving Adam last night. It was just that, well, she wanted to make friends. She wanted to spend time hanging out with Tally and others. On the other hand, Kaylie knew she shouldn't leave Adam on his own. He just couldn't handle it. Especially at the feast. He wouldn't even sit with his own housemates. Besides, if Kaylie wasn't with him, he'd think she didn't like him anymore. All these thoughts had kept her awake.

So, she found herself up much earlier than she would have otherwise, slumped in a chair in the common room, still wearing her PJs. Kaylie normally liked to sleep in and found herself rushing to get to class. She didn't think she'd have to worry about being late today.

"FIRST YEARS"

Kaylie turned her head in the direction of the yell. She recognized the red-haired second year as Pepper who had an awesome name and took over from Dillon as Keeper. She watched as firsties gathered around the other girl. Kaylie could tell that she was very nurturing.

An idea began to form in Kaylie's mind. Adam was always so nervous about his classes, and not because he wasn't smart. (He had better grades than she did) He just had a huge fear of people,(including some of the professors). Maybe Pepper could watch over him. She seemed like a nice caring person and she was a Teppenpaw so that would help Adam be less afraid of her.

She approached Pepper and the firsties. "Excuse me," Kaylie interrupted. "Pepper, can I talk to you for a second?" \n\n

11 Kaylie Brockert Asking a favor 43 Kaylie Brockert 0 5

Pepper

July 06, 2006 3:08 PM

Answering queries (Sophie's) and being asked favours by Pepper

OOC - she went to round others up IN the Common Room, so half right ;)

IC
"I don't know, there are quite a few more girls in your room," Pepper shrugged to Sophie, "We'll give them a few more minutes and then make like a banana and split," she grinned, hoping that - if the children were Purebloods, or raised in an all-Wizarding environment - the language of desserts was universal, and the pun understandable.

She smiled to herself over their cautious attempts to make friends around her, noticing one girl with black hair was hanging back a little from the group.

"It's alright, we don't bite," she promised, steering Tammy properly into their group with an arm around her shoulders, "Unless you're a breakfast food, of course. Oh, or watch out if you're made of chocolate," she teased, making a little 'grr' noise and doing wolf paws with her hands. Before she could properly gauge Tammy's reaction, an older girl had arrived on the scene, asking to talk to her for a second.

"Um. Ok," she said, very mouse like with the older girl, compared with how outgoing she was with her charges. "Talk amongst yourselves," she said, giving Tammy a small nudge towards the other two. "And grab anyone else who looks like they're looking to join the Breakfast Brigade."

She broke away from the group, shifting over to talk to Kaylie. It felt a little like putting Connie down to answer the phone; it made her feel bad, and she didn't want to, but she had to do it. She thought asking 'What do you want?' sounded rude, even though she wouldn't mean it bluntly, but 'How can I help you?' wasn't right, because Kaylie was older, so wouldn't need her help.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked, fairly sure she hadn't put a toe out of line, but unable to think of another way to start the conversation.

\n\n

0 Pepper Answering queries (Sophie's) and being asked favours 0 Pepper 0 5

Kaylie

July 07, 2006 3:22 PM

Re: Answering queries (Sophie's) and being asked favours by Kaylie

Kaylie watched with a smile as Pepper interacted with the younger students. She seemed to be exactly what Adam needed. Someone who could watch over him when she couldn't. Kaylie couldn't be there for him in class and she worried so much about him there, and in his house. (Though Pepper wouldn't do Adam much good while he was in Crotalus. She needed to find a Crotalus to protect him there.)

"Of course you haven't done anything wrong" Kaylie reassured the younger girl. She dropped her voice.She didn't want the first years to hear. "Actually, it's about my brother, Adam. He's a Crotalus in your year. I promise he won't bite!" She quickly added, in case Pepper thought the Crotali were stuck-up snobs like lots of people did. "He doesn't have much for friends and is really shy and scared of everyone. I was wondering if you could look after him and be his friend."

Kaylie realized Pepper might not know what Adam looked like and went on "He's got brown hair and blue eyes, is average height, and a bit on the skinny side. He'll probably be in the back by himself, looking really scared and nervous." She hoped Pepper would do this for her. It would really set Kaylie's mind at ease.\n\n

11 Kaylie Re: Answering queries (Sophie's) and being asked favours 43 Kaylie 0 5

Pepper

July 10, 2006 9:10 PM

Consider it done by Pepper

When the older girl explained what she wanted, Pepper's features shifted into a sympathetic smile. The fact he was in Crotalus threw her a little bit, but she had no reason not to believe everything Kaylie told her about him, so figured that maybe it was just a few of the louder Crotali who had earnt it its bad reputation. It made sense. The house could be full of shy, friendly people, but it was the few loud and obnoxious ones who were going to impress themselves onto people's minds.

"Oh, of course I will," she assured her earnestly. "I know what it's like having younger siblings," she added, "Believe me, really know... I hate not being able to watch over them all the time, or worrying about them being split up from each other," she especially worried about J.J. and G.J. being seperated from each other. She wasn't sure that the younger boy especially would be able to stand it. The major worry on that front had always been the transitions, where J.J. would be in the youngest year of one school, leaving G.J. in the upper years of the one before. Since she'd started Sonora, there was a new worry though...

"I should get back to," she nodded at the first years, waiting to be escorted down to the hall, "But I'll keep an eye out for your brother in classes, I promise." \n\n

0 Pepper Consider it done 0 Pepper 0 5

tammy

September 06, 2006 9:35 PM

thanks pepper, and attempting a new friendship by tammy

Tammy was a bit uncertain about what was going on, as Pepper nudged her towards the others. She was acting like... like she cared. Tammy had forgotten what that had felt like. Although, if caring meant she had to be made of chocolate... Tammy laughed, knowing the joke was the older girl's way of trying to calm her down.
Taking a deep breath, Tammy looked at Sophie and Will/Gil. She was pretty sure the name was Gil. They were still talking happily among themselves. She reminded herself, positive thoughts, you've made it this far, not to be scared off by the thought of actually having to COMMUNICATE with people!
Tammy smirked at the sarcasm in her head. Her silky black hair thrown back, she stood taller, trying to sooth the hippogriffs storming around in her stomach, and walked, swinging her hips, over to where they were talking. But as she walked, she heard Kaylie enlisting in Pepper's help. She stopped, pretending that she was stretching.
Knowing she was shamelessly eavesdropping, but unable to help it, Tammy heard Kaylie voice drop, then heard her explain her worries to the listening Pepper about her (cute-sounding!) younger brother Adam, a Crotalus first year. Someone else new, who, by the sounds of it, didn’t make friends that easily either!
Tammy perked up. Her insecurities forgotten, she approached the older girls, addressing Kaylie.
"Hey, I'm Tammy Jakobi. Sorry, I heard you say about your brother. Do you think he'll wanna be friends with me? I'll hang out with him!"
\n\n

0 tammy thanks pepper, and attempting a new friendship 0 tammy 0 5

Kaylie

September 07, 2006 5:09 PM

Surprised by Kaylie

Kaylie blinked. She was surprised that this new girl, Tammy, had just come up and asked if she could be friends with Adam! Her heart swelled with joy. "Well Adam can be really shy." Okay that was putting it mildly. Adam was always really shy. But she loved her little brother and wanted nothing more for him to make friends. She felt that if people got to know him, they'd probably like him as much as she did. (Well, ok, maybe not quite that much. Kaylie was his big sister, after all)

She was thrilled that Tammy wanted to, though. Kaylie was always so worried that people would torment him. Like the third year Crotali. Adam had lots of trouble with snobby purebloods at their magical primary school in Portland. They all sort of did. Their parents didn't follow the traditional ways, but Kaylie and Chelsea handled their snobbery better. And if Kaylie knew Nina, when the time came she'd probably punch them in the face. Plus, lots of the boys liked to pick on Adam for being so shy and introverted and not very tough. "But,I think it would be great if he had another friend." She couldn't have been happier that Tammy was so enthusiastic. However, Kaylie knew it could be hard for her to speak to him, given how Adam would probably be scared of her. She thought he'd probably be scared of Pepper initially too. "Be careful though, both of you. He'd never be mean to you or rude, but he...frightens easily." Kaylie grinned at them both, to let them know she was glad for their interest. She also didn't want to scare Tammy away, Adam really needed more friends. "I'm sure you'll both do fine, though." Of course, they were Teppenpaws. Adam actually was less threatened by them, slightly. They were the nice house by definition, and they were Kaylie's house. She knew that Adam found that a little comforting. "Thank you so much, both of you." Kaylie replied, making sure to include Tammy as well as Pepper.

She was so happy, now Adam would have two friends, instead of just one.

If only Kaylie could get him some in Crotalus, so he wouldn't be afraid to go in there. She supposed if worse came to worse, she could always ask Lily.

OOC-Tammy, its after midterm now, but that's okay. You can still make friends with Adam. :) \n\n

11 Kaylie Surprised 43 Kaylie 0 5