Not likely... [tag: Alexis & Addie. (Laurie maybe?)] on Crotalus Commons

Renaye Warren

May 13, 2008 9:48 PM

Not likely... [tag: Alexis & Addie. (Laurie maybe?)] by Renaye Warren

Renaye's blonde hair was very messy. She hadn't bothered with throwing it up in her usual ponytail before heading out to practice. Of course, the wind had done its damage. She would take care of it once she was back in the dorm... Renaye's Quidditch sweats were admitedly very comfy. She could fall asleep in them very easily and it was unwise to lay down while doing so in case the latter occurred. She reached the top of the dormitory stairs and pushed open the door, having every intention of taking a very long shower and hitting the sheets. However, something was already occupying the surface of her bed... Renaye's eyebrows met as she picked up the curious pamphlet. Rehabilitating Quidditch-Playing Girls Before It's Too Late. Renaye actually let out a laugh of indignation. There was only one person that would do this in her dorm. Was she kidding? Where had she gotten the stuff? Surely she hadn't... No way. She wouldn't go that far. That was a whole new level of insanity... W.A.I.L.? Renaye's temper was flaring as she stared down at the ridiculous paper in her trembling hands.

The green-eyed girl took the pamphlet from her bed and tacked it up on her bedpost, in plain sight, reminding her of her determination. She retrieved a spare picture from her trunk. The picture displayed the twins, arm in arm with their league team. Renaye tacked it over the pamphlet with uneccesary force. Who was she to tell her she couldn't play Quidditch? Renaye wasn't going to say anything, but she wasn't going to act like she was okay with it. Noticing the other pamphlets on the other beds, Renaye wondered how the other girls would feel about it... She hadn't believed it when she saw Alexis's and Addie's names on the list, but didn't object. Renaye stood for a moment, glaring at the evil little paper. High society was so ignorant it was infuriating. Renaye retrieved her broom from beneath her bed and took out her polishing kit. She couldn't sleep now. She might as well dp something produtive with her new anger. The dorm door opened and her roommate walked in. Renaye looked up from her broom which she had vigorously been polishing.

"Hi," she greeted, "There's some very educational leaflets if you'd take a look on your bed."

OOC: Laurie, if you decided to reply first just alternate "Hey, take a look at my newest educational reference." with the last spoken line. I'll drop you an e-mail.

0 Renaye Warren Not likely... [tag: Alexis & Addie. (Laurie maybe?)] 0 Renaye Warren 1 5

Alexis Ashwood

May 13, 2008 10:25 PM

No. Freaking. Way. by Alexis Ashwood

Alexis had been taking a nice walk around the Labyrinth Gardens. She had found a beautiful (if not somewhat hidden) spot read her disguised book. A Quidditch book. If Josiah caught her there, he would just see her reading Nature's Nobility: A Wizard Geneology for the fifth time. If anyone else found her, it probably wouldn't surprise them in the least.

However, no one disturbed her, and Alexis found herself very educated on some Quidditch moves. She knew she wouldn't make more than a reserve with Renaye and Josh as her competition. It wasn't even like she had seriously played. Ever. But the way Josh and Renaye, no matter how much she was wary about the latter, talked about it, she wanted to give it a try. And if Laurie's father was naming food, especially chocolate, after Quidditch, how bad could the sport actually be?

It was getting late and she wanted to get some decent sleep before classes tomorrow. She didn't feel like falling asleep in History of Magic. She'd skip it to catch up on some sleep...but her parents probably wouldn't be too fond of that idea.

Alexis entered the Crotalus dorm, smoothing down her red hair in the mirror. It was pretty messy. Reminding herself to wear it in a ponytail next time she hid in a bush, she made sure all the leaves were out and walked up into her dorm. Inside she found Renaye polishing a broomstick. She looked upset. Alexis really didn't want to start an arguement (normally her presence upset Renaye for no apparant reason), and was about to leave when Renaye spoke.

"Hi. There's some very educational leaflets if you'd take a look on your bed."

"That's a strange way to say hello." she joked curiously, heading to her bed. She recognized the pamphlet right away. Her mouth dropped open and her book fell to the floor, opening on a page animating the Sloth Grip Roll, but she didn't really care at the moment. She picked up the pamphlet, unable to control her anger. She placed it on the ground and pulled out her wand.

"Diffindo!" she said angrily, using the charm to cut the paper into as many pieces as possible. Somehow it was much easier than the class. Maybe the spell worked better with anger. That was good to know. Satisfied that the paper was torn up into enough bits, she picked them up and dropped them onto Cecily's pillow.

"She's being so...so..." Alexis chose not to speak and plopped down on her own bed. Glancing around, she noticed another. "Addie too?" she shook her head. "I don't know why Cecily is determined to make enemies of the girl's she'll be rooming with until she graduates."

0 Alexis Ashwood No. Freaking. Way. 117 Alexis Ashwood 0 5

Renaye

May 14, 2008 6:32 AM

Eventful year, eh? by Renaye

Alexis entered the room and seemed not to be too intent on staying long, but at Renaye's comment, her eyes fell on the little paper. Renaye couldn't help but grin as she sliced the paper and dropped it on Cecily's pillow. Alexis hadn't been one of the girls she had gotton with the best, but Josh had told her that she wasn't bad to to talk to. Well, she trusted his judgement. Raye figured everyone was worth second chances (if they deserved it). Renaye had mostly figured that Alexis didn't like her so she kept her distance and stood her ground on any subject. The thing had Cascade had been silent on her part so it was hard to tell where she stood. Recent Quidditch dealings had shown her in a new light though. She was giving it a try which showed integrity, in Raye's opinion. She was willing to open up to (assumingly) new, and previously disapproved, things.

"She's being so...so... Addie too? I don't know why Cecily is determined to make enemies of the girl's she'll be rooming with until she graduates."

Renaye nodded. "I'm thinking of shredding this thing up and dropping it on her during a game," Renaye said with a grin, "But I'm using it for motivation for now." Renaye gestured up at the tacked-up paper. For a second, Renaye felt a pang of sympathy for the girl. She was sort of isolated at the moment. The feeling quickly evaportated when her eyes landed on the papers on Cecily's bed. W.A.I.L. was such a waste of life...

"Drama, drama, drama," Renaye said quietly. She looked up at Alexis. "It's so draining!"

0 Renaye Eventful year, eh? 0 Renaye 0 5

Alexis

May 14, 2008 7:30 PM

And it's only begun by Alexis

Alexis couldn’t help but laugh. The visual image playing out in her mind was just too funny. She could see Renaye flying over Cecily and the papers spilling on her. The girl would probably scream and throw a fit. Alexis would pay to see that. It would be worth getting in any type of trouble.

“That would be beautiful.” she commented, nodding her head. “It’s not like she wouldn’t deserve it at the moment.” She glanced at the motivation Renaye had indicated and smiled. Was that the team Josh had talked about? She stood up and moved over to the bedpost to get a better look.

It looked kind of fun. The team seemed nice and Josh and Renaye looked extremely happy. If she made it on the team, though she didn’t think it was possible, was that what it would be like? Alexis didn’t really have “friends” or “teammates”. She had Chrysi. She thought she had Holly, possibly Anabel, but Cecily probably took whatever chance she had to change that.

"Drama, drama, drama, It's so draining!"

Alexis met Renaye’s eyes with a knowing smile. “Yeah, I’m starting to feel it.” she ran a hand through her hair. She was used to being the one to cause the drama, like over the summer. That had been pretty fun. She loved causing the issues. It was much harder to sit by and be the one affected by the drama. It took a lot more than she imagined. Maybe that’s why Hyana had given up and ran away so fast. Oh well, too late now.

“You know, I was already nervous about playing Quidditch, but if she keeps doing this, I’m determined to reserve just to hack her off some more.” She gave Renaye a determined look. “I mean, you and Josh are definitely making it, so I’ll be on the sidelines. But I don’t really care. If it’s to upset Cecily and…WAIL, I’ll be a good benchwarmer.” Something occurred to her and she stood upright.

“I’ll be right back.” Alexis sped into the commons and found exactly what she expected on the bulletin board. Next to the Quidditch sign ups were more WAIL flyers. She removed them from the board and took them back to her room. She held them up to Renaye as she walked in. “They were next to the sign ups.” she explained. She placed them on Cecily’s bed as well.

“I want to do something about this.” she said suddenly. “Like, an anti-WAIL movement or something. It could just be at a game or something, but I can’t stand people at WAIL telling me how I should act.” She smiled at Renaye with a grim look of determination. Her parents had forced her to join PURE, not that she had minded at the time. But PURE was different from WAIL. She would not let some homophobes tell her what to do.

“Any ideas?”

0 Alexis And it's only begun 0 Alexis 0 5

Laurie Cider

May 15, 2008 2:12 AM

Joining in! by Laurie Cider

Laurie had seen the WAIL postings when she first walked into the common room, had scanned it briefly, and dismissed it just as quickly. It was more of that right wing rubbish that took an opinion to a fanatical extreme. She held off going to her dorm room right away; sometimes, the dull roar of the common room helped her think. It reminded her of the noisy bustle in her home, with her dad blowing things up in the kitchen, Bryce watching a sports game on the television, her mom challenging Tim to another round of Fighter 5 on the video game consule, and of course, the many animals. And she needed the mental encouragement; she was trying her hand at writing her first article for the newspaper, and so far, the three drafts she had completed so far fell below muster.

Not that she was showing them to anyone just yet, not even her own editor. The only critical eye to her work had been her own, and it wasn't quite there. . .yet.

Her head lifted automatically at the sounds of someone coming down the stairs; her gaze narrowed in curiosity as she recognized the figure as Alexis. Her eyes widened once she saw what Alexis was so intent on. The girl snatched the WAIL postings from the public board and then returned up the stairs. She felt immediate disapproval; that board was for public information. Just because Alexis disagreed with the pamphlets- which Laurie assumed she did, seeing no other reason for having removed them- then she ought to have published her own materials, of which Laurie knew there were many.

She closed her notebook, put away the photographs she had taken, and gathered up her knapsack. She needed to find out why Alexis did what she did. Her pace quickened as she went up the stairs, her braided hair loosening predictably in the hurried motions. She tripped into her dorm room and stopped, surprised to see Renaye and Alexis in seeming comraderie. She caught the tail-end of Alexis's words.

"-just be a game or something, but I can't stand people at WAIL telling me how I should act. Any ideas?"

Her hazel eyes scanned the room and spotted the removed pamphlets on Cecily's bed, along with some extras. There was also a pile of shredded paper covering Cecily's pillow, and she couldn't help the disappointed expression that crossed her features. She crossed the room in silence, pausing only briefly to drop her knapsack beside her bed, and bent to retrieve the removed pamphlets.

Laurie's lips fell into a discontented frown. "Why did you take these down? Last I checked, free speech was still a right in Sonora. If you disagree with it, you can put DISCUSS information next to it. Tearing it down doesn't do anything for you or your opinion. It only makes you seem close minded."

She hated having to interject herself like this, especially since her best friend seemed caught up in it. She knew Cecily and Renaye were on the worst of terms, and WAIL could only feel like a personal attack on Renaye and the very things she cared about and stood for, but still. She stared down at the shredded pieces of paper, her unhappiness increasing. "I'm going to throw these away; and these," she gestured with the pamphlets in her hands, "they're going back on the board."

It didn't matter that Laurie personally felt WAIL to be an affront to the educated mind, and that she felt its philosophy to be one dreamed up by frightened, overly threatened women who felt that their position in society was being undermined by this new generation of witches who no longer needed to gaze up at their male counterpart. It didn't matter that Laurie loathed the stuff and was aggravated by Cecily having stirred the already boiling pot by throwing the pamphlets about. It didn't matter, because to her, no one had the right to decide what could be said and what couldn't. Where would anyone be if there was only one voice, one opinion, one way?

She held back from leaving just yet, waiting hesitantly for the two's response, in particular Renaye's. Would her best friend react angrily? Would Renaye see this as choosing sides, as Laurie having sided with Cecily? She knew the balance she struck between Renaye and Cecily as their mutual friend was a tenuous one, in which she never rendered opinions of her own when one bemoaned the other's actions. She continuously stepped into the role of pacifier, and so she hoped that this WAIL business wouldn't be the thing to force that balance into an offical choice.

She hoped, and she waited.

0 Laurie Cider Joining in! 0 Laurie Cider 0 5

Renaye

May 15, 2008 3:26 PM

Welcoming! by Renaye

Renaye noticed Alexis taking a look at the picture of the team. She sometimes wished that she was back at home with them. The team was a great to be around. There was always fun and pranks, plus Quidditch. Sometimes Renaye missed the goofy flights down the pitch with Joe, racing each other for pure fun. She didn't even know where he went to school... If she got an owl, maybe she would write him. Mom and Dad would have to be asked about the useful bird... Renaye knew that the school's team was going to be great if she made it. Maybe it would be like the team back home! Raye saw all the potential in the world in a spot on the team, she just had to work hard enough to prove that she deserved it.

“You know, I was already nervous about playing Quidditch, but if she keeps doing this, I’m determined to reserve just to hack her off some more. I mean, you and Josh are definitely making it, so I’ll be on the sidelines. But I don’t really care. If it’s to upset Cecily and…WAIL, I’ll be a good benchwarmer.”

Renay heaved a sigh. "I don't know about Josh and I making it. There's one beater spot open. We're going to have to compete for it..." Renaye returned to her broom, continuing to speak. "It's really cool that you're trying out. I mean, you're an aggressive person which is really useful when you're playing. I think you're going to like it. But even benchwarming take a certain amount of character," she finished with a grin.

Alexis announced her temporary departure and returned shortly after with the pamphlets, apparently from the board downstairs. Renaye eyed them for a moment, hating the group, but knowing the general feeling about it in the school. From what she had heard from Irene, people generally hated WAIL at Sonora. There had been a pamphlet drop at a game before and people flipped. It might be a better idea to leave them up. If people saw it, there would be more probability for a retaliation group. Alexis asked if she had any ideas. Well...

"Maybe it might be a better idea to leave them up, you know? I hear that people generally dislike WAIL here, so..." She said this slowly, unsure of the girl's reaction. She was going to continue, but the door opened for a second time.

"Why did you take these down? Last I checked, free speech was still a right in Sonora. If you disagree with it, you can put DISCUSS information next to it. Tearing it down doesn't do anything for you or your opinion. It only makes you seem close minded."

Renaye was a little surprised by Laurie's abruptness. If Renyae didn't know for sure that Laurie didn't approve of WAIL she would be confused. It was a good thing she knew her friend. Okay, so she was a little disappointed when she said she was throwing out the shredded pamphlet, but didn't disagree. Renaye was a little confused though. What was she doing? Was she defending Cecily or simply her opinion? Renaye had every right to be angry about something like this. Cecily knew she wasn't going to change Raye's mind, so doing something like this would only have the point to anger her.

"Laur," she began, hoping to calm her friend. "I was just saying we should put them back up. It's more likely that something will be done if people know about this insane group. Close-minded doesn't apply to the people in this room, obviously," she raised her eyebrows at her with a grin. "I just can't believe she joined them! I knew she didn't like girls and Quidditch, but WAIL? They're the epitamy of ignorance."

0 Renaye Welcoming! 0 Renaye 0 5

Alexis

May 15, 2008 5:11 PM

Fine with me! by Alexis

Renaye’s answer to her question for ideas seemed to clear her head a bit. She frowned a little, staring at the wall for a moment. Yes, maybe she was being a little extreme, but when Alexis was angry, she was extreme. Her exchange with Miss Perfect Prefect or many stories Josiah could tell would prove that quite easily. It was much better, in her opinion, to be extreme than do the other thing she did when she was mad: cry. Alexis had already cried in front of someone once this year, Josh, and she did not want to repeat it again. She didn’t want to seem more like the drama queen she already knew she was.

"Why did you take these down? Last I checked, free speech was still a right in Sonora. If you disagree with it, you can put DISCUSS information next to it. Tearing it down doesn't do anything for you or your opinion. It only makes you seem close minded."

Alexis turned her head sharply to find herself looking at Laurie. Wait…what? She blinked a couple times, then looked over Laurie’s shoulder. Nope, no one behind her. The person who spoke had sounded an awful lot like Laurie, but that statement actually being from the girl she had supposed hated WAIL as much as Alexis hated…well…a lot of things shocked her.

Still, Laurie’s words were echoes of Renaye’s, and Alexis found herself nodding, not able to look at the two. She smiled at Renaye’s comment. She wasn’t closed-minded. She thought she wasn’t. Was she closed-minded? No, that was definitely wrong.

“Sorry, you’re right, I shouldn’t have taken them down.” she said a bit sheepishly. “I guess I was being a bit childish. I’ve just grown up around WAIL, and I hated seeing it here too, let alone finding a pamphlet on my bed. It just made me angry, and when I’m angry I don’t usually think.”

Alexis, though she didn’t like it, picked up and handed the pamphlet’s back to Laurie. In the back of her head she reminded herself that this was the second offense Cecily had committed against her. One more and Alexis would not forgive any longer. Alexis nodded at Renaye’s statement.

“You’re right, WAIL’s the definition of ignorance.” she commented as she bent down to pick up her disguised book that had fallen earlier. “My parent’s, my cousin’s parents…okay, my entire family and then some is a part of WAIL.” she said with a laugh. Yeah, way to come off in a good light to the two girls. “If I even talk about Quidditch they sit me down to have “a talk”” She made sure to make the quotation hand sign, “About my choices in life and how Quidditch can affect how a proper society sees me.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s awful, it’s basically just taken me until this year to see it. If it weren’t for Renaye and Josh rambling on about the sport until my ears overflow,” she grinned, letting them know she was joking, “I wouldn’t have even signed up. It’s just…I figured Cecily thought about joining, but I just want to know why she did.”

0 Alexis Fine with me! 0 Alexis 0 5

Laurie

May 15, 2008 9:11 PM

Aw, shucks! by Laurie

Alexis's quick apology sounded sincere, her explanation more than reasonable considering. Laurie found it hard to warm to the girl, though. Maybe it was the way the redhead had managed to interject herself into just about everything recently; it made Laurie feel strangely put out. She tried to quash that particular feeling, recognizing much of it being selfishness and insecurity on her part. Alexis was just as capable of changing as anyone else was, and so far, the girl had only been pleasant. Abashed, she nodded in acceptance, feeling that perhaps she had over-reacted. Renaye quickly chimed in as well, and Laurie's discomfort increased, and unconsciously, her grip tightened on the pamphlets.

"I just can't believe she joined them! I knew she didn't like girls and Quidditch, but WAIL? They're the epitome of ignorance."

She opened her mouth, wanting to explain Cecily's actions; she stopped, though, reconsidering. Why was she acting the part of spokesperson for Cecily? Just because they were friends didn't mean she had to go out of her way. This was Cecily's campaign; Laurie wanted no part of it. Or at least, she tried to reason as much with herself. Alexis's personal experiences with WAIL only made her all the more uncertain. Perhaps if she could explain it in a way that might diffuse the situation. Maybe. . .

Or maybe she was just overstepping her bounds. Nevertheless-

"I think it's pretty normal, actually," she began, her words tentative. "I mean, we all grow up being taught certain things by our parents and family. I used to go to church with my parents every Sunday until I came here to Sonora, and it was only once I was away from it that I started to really wonder why I so easily believed certain things. I'm still confused about it."

She struggled to bring her ideas into a proper focus, to get to the actual point of her words. "I just think that it would be more weird for her to not jump on the WAIL bandwagon, honestly. Cecily has very different set of values from you. She's been raised to think a certain way, and that way supports WAIL. I mean, just as you want to open her eyes, in her head, she's thinking she wants to open your eyes. You both think you're right and the other's wrong."

She glanced down at the shredded papers and then at her two roommates. Things could escalate so easily from this sort of thing. The passive-aggressive exchange of information could quickly cross the boundaries of their room's undeclared cold war. She hated to think what it would be like to have to stand between two such opposing forces, as she could easily foresee herself having to do. She liked Quidditch, she thought it was interesting and fun. She liked sports after all. But it wasn't a lifestyle for her, or even emblematic of one. But for Renaye and Josh, it was an entire quadrant of their lives. They considered Quidditch to be part of their make-up. WAIL was a slap in the face and a punch in the gut to all of that.

Her hazel eyes softened and her shoulders sagged. "Maybe it might be better to just ignore it for now. . ."

Despite her words, Laurie had little faith in them. Not when Renaye felt as strongly as she did, and not when she knew Cecily to be as stubborn as she was.

0 Laurie Aw, shucks! 0 Laurie 0 5

Renaye

May 16, 2008 3:36 PM

I'm jamming to Disney songs at the moment xP by Renaye

Renaye was tuned in to Laurie's explanation, but couldn't help but feel a little betrayed. Why did it seem like she was sticking up for Cecily so much? Renaye had thought that Laurie was on her side for stuff like this. She knew that Laurie and Cecily were friends, but she didn't think they were that close or anything, maybe just over aquaintences. How misinformed was she? Renaye wasn't sure whether the confused, slightly hurt expression was kept from her face or not, as much as she tried. Renaye understood both sides of the war between herself and Cecily. Pureblood views, be ladylike, high-society parties, blah blah blah... Renaye didn't see why she had to conform to her Pureblood status. She loved her not-so-Pureblood life no matter what Cecily did to try to sabotage that. Renaye's reasoning for hating Cecily was the judgements the girl made of her and then her insulting nature towards her. So Renaye retaliated, which, admitedly, fueled the fire. But she was not going to let her get away with acting like that towards her. Cecily hated her partly because of her unladylike Quidditch-playing ways, and the other because of her "uncalled for" reactions. Does she miss the part where she hands insults out like free candy? It's their clashing natures. Not really fixable, just ignorable.

"Maybe it might be better to just ignore it for now. . ."

"I'll ignore her," she said, "But she can't throw stuff out like this and really expect no reaction. She knows I'm not going to be a fan of WAIL, yet there's pamphlets tossed on my bed, like it's some charity she's doing to help the poor, ignorant souls who enjoy petty things like sport."

Renaye probably wasn't helping Laurie's uncomfortable position at the moment, and soon felt guilty for it.

"I'm sorrym Laurie. I know you guys are... I don't know, on whatever terms you're on, but she's just renewing all the stuff that was beginning to simmer down to just ignoring each other again. It's crazy to complain about drama, and then cause it. That's why I'm not going to go up to her about this. There will be some sort of reaction, but it's going to be to WAIL, not her, even though she's joined their cult. Anyway," Renaye shook her head, reminding herself to stay focused on the point, "What I'm trying to say is, I get that you want to stay neutral, but some things are just... It's not okay. She couldn't expect something possitive to come from throwing WAIL in my face. She's lucky I didn't explode after what she did to Josh! This is strike three for her. I'm doing something and it's starting with an anti-WAIL group. Regardless of what her opinion is, which I undertand and I know she's simply enforcing it, I'm simply enforcing my view now."

0 Renaye I'm jamming to Disney songs at the moment xP 0 Renaye 0 5

Alexis

May 17, 2008 5:56 PM

Ah, the classics. Lion King is my fave by Alexis

Alexis was rather interested at how this was going. Laurie’s sided with Cecily, but still was supporting Renaye. She wondered how this would work out for the girl. Alexis knew enough about her roommates to see Laurie getting hurt by this. Renaye and Cecily were both headstrong. Siding with two enemies and being stuck in the middle wasn’t good for Laurie at all. She was too nice. Alexis wasn’t even sure she could pull it off herself. After all, she had come to Sonora this year to attempt just that, but now she and Cecily were closer to enemies than allies.

She listened to Laurie’s explanation, nodding at some spots. That was true. She had definitely been raised to believe in certain things. This was why she had joined P.U.R.E. over the summer. Well, her parents had kind of signed her up without her knowledge, but once she found out, she was very pleased. The importance of the suppression of mudbloods had been stressed much more than W.A.I.L. had in her family.

Not that she’d say it out loud to Laurie and Renaye.

Renaye began to speak, and at the mention of Josh, she inwardly flinched. Yeah, that wasn’t good at all. Cecily had been so unfair to Josh. He had only been defending his sister, what had she expected? Plus, getting him in trouble with a prefect wasn’t cool at all. Sure, Alexis had left him alone there, but if she hadn’t, they would be in about ten times more trouble than they already had been.

“I second the motion of creating an anti-W.A.I.L. group.” she said, finding a chance to speak. “I guess I can understand your position Laurie. And it’s okay. I understand what you’re saying. I just wish Cecily would say it herself.” She sighed. “Maybe she thinks she’s saving us from an awful fate. What that fate is, I’ve yet to find out. But I just want to know how she feels, you know? It’s easy…well, not easy, for you to defend her and assume what she thinks and feels, but it’s a whole different thing to hear it from Cecily herself.” She smiled. “But I won’t confront her about it. Thanks for helping me clear my head Laurie.”

0 Alexis Ah, the classics. Lion King is my fave 0 Alexis 0 5

Laurie

May 18, 2008 1:13 AM

I so totally am listening to Mulan right now. by Laurie

“No, really, it’s normal that you feel upset. . .you should be upset.” And mutely, she added, I’m upset, too. But that wouldn’t help things. Laurie released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and forced her smile into something happier. Her attempt failed miserably. “I’ll talk to her. I’ll explain how insulting this came across.”

Renaye continued on, and for the first time, Laurie realized the sort of position she had put herself in by deciding to stay friends with two people who so disliked each other. She wanted to reassure Renaye, empathize and join up in arms as well. Especially when Cecily’s attitude against Josh was mentioned; that particular incident had left her cheeks burning with restrained frustration. Instead, she had done what she always did; she bit down her angry words and tried to consider the other side. Unbidden, she was reminded of melt down during the Welcoming Feast. Wasn’t she supposed to be trying to be more honest with her feelings?

What exactly were her feelings? Did she even know?

Her confusion of emotions only further bound themselves as Alexis chimed in, going so far as to thank Laurie. It made her feel two inches tall, and those earlier feelings of recrimination and suspicion that she held against the redhead emphasized how very ugly a person Laurie could be, without even trying. Who was she to foist herself into this semi-conflict and attempt to play moderator? It’s not like she was particularly good or anything.

An idea managed to worm itself up and through the mental turmoil her thoughts were inflicting upon her. An idea that managed to reign in the bad thoughts just long enough to give her a silver lining. Of sorts. “Then I have an idea, a way for both of you to get the word out. I’ll have to run it by my editor, but how about I write a piece for the paper about WAIL and DISCUSS, or whatever group you form, presenting both sides. I can maybe use that as something to offer Cecily so that she doesn’t bother you with pamphlets or leaflets or anything.”

Already, she was dreading the conversation that was now going to have to happen. Just as defensively as Renaye and Alexis had reacted to the pamphlets, Laurie was sure Cecily would react when approached about the organization. The worst part of it was that she was going to have to restrain her personal opinion about the group, just like she had to withhold so many of her opinions of late. When had everything suddenly turned so complicated?

0 Laurie I so totally am listening to Mulan right now. 0 Laurie 0 5

Renaye

May 18, 2008 11:21 AM

Both of which are on my playlist! (and Aladdin) by Renaye

Renaye suddenly felt horrible for putting Laurie so on the spot about this whole ordeal. Now she felt like she had to face Cecily about it, which might lead to an uncomfortable situation for her. It wasn't her responsibility to play peacemaker, putting her friendships at risk. Renaye felt a guilty weight on her shoulders and looked up to Laurie.

"You don't have to, you know," she said, "She's not going to like hearing it and I don't want her being mad at you too, just because of this." However, when the mentioning of the anti-WAIL movement came up, Laurie's idea created a grin on Raye's face. Of course! A piece in the paper! Laurie was a good writer, she was sure, so she would be able to present the idea just right. Renaye nodded enthusiastically. "That's perfect!" She said, "You don't even have to put your name. You can write an anonymous colomn, can't you?"

Laurie putting her neck on the line like this was making Renaye feel awful. She was doing so much for both herself and Cecily. If anyone shouldn't have to deal with this stuff, it was her. She hadn't done anything, and nothing had been done to her. This was Renaye's fault that Laurie felt like she had to do so much. Maybe Raye had been overreacting to Cecily's little actions... She never noticed it until the situation had ended, but Renaye thought that she might be a bit dramatic at times.

"But really, Laurie," she said, her eyes meeting her friend's. "Don't feel like you have to get in the middle."

0 Renaye Both of which are on my playlist! (and Aladdin) 0 Renaye 0 5

Laurie

June 08, 2008 3:27 PM

Continuing this On! by Laurie

OOC- I kept wanting to give Alexis an opportunity to reply even though she said to continue on, but yeah, I love this thread, so here goes it! Sorry about the belatedness.

IC-

Laurie found herself reassuring Renaye before the words had even finished- before Laurie had even managed to analyze whether or not she actually meant her reassurances. "I don't mind, not really. You guys are both my friends, and maybe, equal but opposite doesn't always have to repel, you know?" She tried smiling, the motion easing some of the stiffness in her features. "Either way, I'll get a good article out of it."

She thought back briefly to the picnic she had shared with Cecily early on in the school term, of how that hurdle had been crossed. As much as Laurie's mind lurched against the ideologies behind WAIL, she felt that she had to understand Cecily's reasons for supporting it before posing anything overly recriminating against the brunette. And hadn't it been Cecily, too, who had cautioned her against Alexis?

Her hazel eyes glanced toward the redhead, troubled. She wanted to believe the girl, wanted to believe the transformation from the year before was genuine, but without placing the question directly to her, how could Laurie ever expect to get a finite answer? And she didn't want to press the issue, not yet. Despite the comments Cecily had shared from last year, perhaps something had happened over the summer- some great catalyst that inspired a singular change.

Maybe she really should just ask the girl directly. Maybe.

"You'll probably want to talk to librarian, Mr. Reynolds, about DISCUSS. I remember seeing a poster about in the library last year. He can probably give you more information about the organization."

Her mouth parted to continue, to expand upon her initial reasoning behind her reaction to Alexis's brief spurt of vandalism. She blamed her parents, honestly, for her opinion, but when it came to free speech, Laurie had always been taught that free speech didn't always mean that only positive things were going to said- that if you wanted the freedom to say you loved something or supported something that you also had to grant that freedom to those who disagreed. Otherwise, it was no longer a freedom and a choice, but a decision and a restriction.

She didn't know how to verbalize that sentiment though; didn't have the vocal means to properly convey the importance she held to that principle. Perhaps this potential article would provide an avenue for her to express just what she meant she admonished Alexis for tearing down the leaflets.

0 Laurie Continuing this On! 0 Laurie 0 5

Alexis

June 12, 2008 5:38 PM

Returning for more! by Alexis

OOC: I am so sorry. Life has been so hectic, it’s crazy. I’ve been having trouble stringing together coherent sentences, let alone a whole post!

BIC:

Alexis was amazed. Laurie was so smart. Like, insane smart. Again, she would never had thought of a newspaper article. She was too hotheaded. She didn’t really know how to be subtle like that. Of course, it wasn’t fair for her to talk to Cecily about it. Alexis could do it herself. She was beginning to think she had stayed mad at the girl too long. She had guts, doing the W.A.I.L. thing.

“That’s a totally brilliant idea!” she chimed in after Renaye. And she nodded in agreement with Renaye as well. “She’s probably still mad at me for the first night back.” she commented. “I’ve been giving her the cold shoulder. Would it help you at all if I tried to make up with her Laurie?”

She didn’t consider any of these girls friends. After last year, why would she? It wasn’t like she had been given a chance this year. She just wanted to be on everyone’s good side, but after last year, everyone expected her to be the same. Yeah, it probably was a big change, and she could admit to herself that it wasn’t entirely truthful either. She didn’t know how to make friends. Right now, Laurie and Renaye were as close as she had ever gotten. Not that she’d admit it out loud.

Alexis nodded at the suggestion about asking about DISCUSS, but didn’t really plan on going through with it. She knew, if she had to make up with Cecily, and get the peace back in her life, she’d have to give up Quidditch. Besides, there wasn’t enough room for her on the team. She be fine cheering in the stands. Sometimes, there was conflict that Alexis could handle. But when it included more than one person, and especially someone she didn’t want involved in the first place, she couldn’t handle it.

And she couldn’t come up with much else to say anyway. The conversation, Laurie’s feelings, seemed to be more directed towards Renaye, and not Alexis. She was perfectly content right now to sit back and listen to their ideas. She might need them later.

0 Alexis Returning for more! 0 Alexis 0 5

Renaye

June 12, 2008 6:44 PM

Good time, company, all we're missing is food! by Renaye

OOC: Haha, I was just about to reply myself when I saw your post xD

BIC:

"I don't mind, not really. You guys are both my friends, and maybe, equal but opposite doesn't always have to repel, you know? Either way, I'll get a good article out of it." Renaye grinned at Laurie's article reference, her optimism making her feel a little better. Raye didn't completely agree with her previous statement though. With the situation at hand, there was bound to be some sort of conflict at some point. But that may be pesimistic. She couldn't see a future where Laurie wouldn't get involved. Now she felt terrible about talking to Laurie about Cecily because their friendship. With Josh in a seperate dorm, Raye didn't really have many people to talk to about it. It wasn't like the other girls in the dorm were really on her side. There was Alexis, who she thought was on her side, but they still had many conflicting ideals. Also, she wasn't sure exactly how much she trusted her. She trusted her, but she wasn't completely confortable with telling her everything yet. She was... cautious. Yes, that was it. But then Alexis said she wanted to make up with her. What? She had fuming just moments before and now she was wanting to make ammends? Renaye was planning on holding a bit of a grudge towards the girl, but it seemed as if she was the only one. That didn't help her can't-really-talk-to-anyone problem much.

When DISCUSS was brought up, Renaye felt a little intrigued by the idea. "I would do it," Renaye said, "We would have to have an event or something to make people aware of the group's presense, you know, once we found out more. That'll have to be the first step."

Renaye wondered vaguely where Josh was. He always added the voice of reason to a conversation and somehow managed to keep her out of trouble. Why was it that she was so dependent on him whenever she got upset? Darn him and his "Please feel better" talks. She just didn't really want to talk about Cecily anymore. That girl was invading her life! Renaye would really rather just stay away from her. If the consistent mind-twisting events ceased then Raye would be able to do that. WAIL was something she would have happily protested no matter who started the disgusting club. Raye wasn't one of those girls who loved to gossip and scheme against other girls. She would much rather avoid it. Cecily seemed like one of those gossiping girls who starts the drama. Renaye's problem was that she reacts. All she really wanted to was to live the rest of her Sonoran life in peace with people who could care less that she wasn't perfectly pureblood.

"Hey guys,mind if we move on to a different subject? I hate talking about Cecily. There's enough talk just from her."

0 Renaye Good time, company, all we're missing is food! 0 Renaye 0 5

Laurie

June 14, 2008 11:49 PM

I made the world's largest barbeque today- does that help? by Laurie

"Would it help you at all if I tried to make up with her Laurie?"

Laurie's gaze fell askance, her immediate reply just barely caught on the tip of her tongue. She wanted to snap at that question, inquire as to what sort of thinking led one to think that 'making up' should happen for any other reason than sincerity. But she doubted her first reaction; she couldn't trust her emotions when it came to Alexis. Laurie didn't- couldn't trust the girl, and she knew her reasons weren't derived from purely rational foundations. It was just a feeling. . .and that feeling stemmed more from insecurity and uncertainty than anything really finite.

So instead, she paused and considered her words carefully. "I think you shouldn't do that on my account. Just do whatever you're comfortable with."

She felt a palpable weight lift from her shoulders at Renaye's support of her suggestion. Perhaps it was self-indulgent of her to think that such an activity would help bring together her roommates- if not in agreement, at least in some semblance of mutual understanding. More likely was the chance that such an event would result in further division, heated tempers, and possibly a traded hex or four. Still though, there was always the chance.

"Great," she said with a smile. She crossed the small distance to her bed, putting aside the retrieved leaflets, and sprawled out over her quilts. "Hey guys, mind if we move on to a different subject? I hate talking about Cecily. There's enough talk just from her."

Laurie pushed past the Cecily comments and focused more on the most excellent suggestion. "I second the motion. And I certainly have a question I've been meaning to throw at you, Raye. . ." She flashed a mischievous grin toward the two girls, having a feeling that this was certainly a topic in which there was no chance for malcontent to brew. "How are things between you and a certain Zane of Crotalus?"

0 Laurie I made the world's largest barbeque today- does that help? 0 Laurie 0 5

Renaye

June 16, 2008 11:08 AM

If you were hoping to make me hungry xD by Renaye

Renaye was getting that uncomfortable feeling she got in tense situations. These sort of things made Renaye feel out of place and she suddenly got an insight to the feelings others may have had whenever a conflict came up. She knew that something between Laurie and Alexis was out of place and was pretty sure she knew where Laurie's opinion was coming from. Renaye half believed the redheaded girl in her new turn-around attitude, but there was the other half (which was what Laurie might be seeing more of) that reminded her of Alexis's past opinions. It raised questions. That's what is was. Raye was questioning the reasons, but wanted to believe her. She agreed with Laurie's suggestion. With Cecily in a bad mood with the girl and Alexis with the lack of vocal control when it came to frustrating situations, a make-up might lead to hexes.

As Laurie flipped onto her bed, Renaye retrieved her broom and polishing kit once more. Thankfully, Laurie had agreed to the topic change but went on to something a little more awkward. The blonde's mouth opened in slight surprise at the question and her green eyes averted to her broom.

"Um... I don't know," she said, pretty lamely, but honest, "I haven't really talked to him that much since getting back. I think we're just friends, though. I don't think he'd like me. I mean, we played Quidditch once last year, but he probably asked me to the ball as a friend, not anything else. The whole Quidditch thing probably makes me sort of like a normal guy-friend to him." Renaye knew she had fun at the ball. It had been the highlight of the year! Their group had been very fun, with the exception of poor Josh's awkward situation. But the whole conflict had been put on pause that night. Raye remembered Zane seeming a little nervous, but who wasn't? They were first years at big all-school party. It was cool that he was so connected to Quidditch. That really helped the twins and him talk in the beginning of their time at Sonora. Their prank plan might not have gone off, but they had substituted that with illegal flying on the Pitch. Josh was normally very protective of her. Even Joe over the summer had gotten a few looks from her brother. But he wasn't even like that at the ball. Probably because he was Zane's roommate or something... But Laurie's question promted thought that she would have to think about later (under less scrutiny).

Rebounding the awkward question, Reanye asked, "What about you, Laurie? Who's been on your mind?"

0 Renaye If you were hoping to make me hungry xD 0 Renaye 0 5