The location of her first group meeting had been easy: the music room. Waverly would have liked to hold the meeting in the Pecari common room as most of her members were in her house, but it didn’t seem like that would work out very well. She knew most of the people in her group, but not all and she was looking forward to meeting the less familiar students. She had always liked being in charge, but coming up with a concert idea was a lot bigger than some other things she had been expected to take care of as a Prefect. It was a lot of responsibility to add to all the other work she had to do, but as she was learning that part of being a leader was learning how to delegate and not do all the work herself.
Hopefully the music room wouldn’t be too distracting. She spent whatever free time she had in here which wasn’t always a lot. She liked practicing piano and hoped she could play something in the concert, but those things didn’t always work out. The last concert she, Bri, and Clara had been a musical trio. Now only Bri was in her group, but they could always work something out. This would be a great opportunity to showcase everyone’s interesting and unexpected talents. Music was one of Waverly’s favorites, but she was good at other things too. Not all of them were interesting, but at least one was. As her group was made of several Pecaris and other outgoing people, she thought it would be fun to have a more entertaining and charismatic show.
One great thing being in her group was the baked goodies she made in the Baking Club. After their last meeting, she had saved the cookies for the weekend when she had called her group to meet. That plate of cookies had been warmed up again with magic and was sitting out on a table for people to take as they came in. When she led things, she liked being early and prepared, so she had already set the chairs she could find into a circle. She sat facing the entrance way and was jotting down ideas in a notebook. It would be good to have some backups in case nobody could come up with any ideas whatsoever.
People came in, and once they all seemed to have settled down a little, Waverly made sure no one was missing before beginning her introduction. “Hi everyone. For those who don’t know me too well, my name is Waverly Canterbury and I’m a sixth-year Pecari and president of the Baking Club. We can start by introducing ourselves with our name, year, house, and something we’re good at. For example, I can play the piano and also whistle pretty well.” She whistled melodically and smiled at the person next to her, indicating that they should go next.
Once the introductions were finished, she smiled at everyone and said, “Thank you for introducing yourselves,” before looking down at her notebook. “To get down to why we’re meeting today, we need to come up with an idea for the concert. I really wanted to showcase all of our talents in one skit or play or dance or musical or something. If we could put something together that would flow really well and also allow each one of us to show off, that would be awesome! Does anyone have any ideas or thoughts?”
Subthreads:
Making my appearance by Jorge Garcia with Waverly, Atlas Primred, Pecari, Liliana Bannister
Jorge really didn’t want to be a part of the concert. He hated the fact that it was mandatory. He really did. Well, he hated the fact that they had to participate in mandatory groups. If he had to absolutely participate, he would have probably just done something on his own. He had been playing in music groups with his sister and extended family members since he was little and after performing at Adelita’s wedding, he was more confident about doing so in front of people he did not know. But now he had to do it with a group. A group that probably consisted mostly of annoying girls. Jorge had picked Waverly because he knew her and he liked her. She was easy going. However, he almost crossed his name off her list when he remembered who her friends were. They were the problem. He was not looking forward to it at all.
That morning, like most morning, Jorge set out for the water room for his ritual swim. Waverly’s meeting invite said they would be in the music room, so since he would be there, he could just practice his instruments there. Today would be a swimming sort of day. He swam until he could feel his arm and back muscles burned. His legs ached and his skin wrinkled. He hurt everywhere but felt amazing. It was the best way for him to relax and prepare himself for having to deal with whatever it was that was going to happen in the group meeting.
Now that it was all out of his system, Jorge dressed and left the water room and moved over to the music room. People were already beginning to gather there, so he found himself an empty seat. He half wondered if he was supposed to be bring writing materials with him to keep track of everything, but then thought that Waverly would know he wasn’t that sort of prepared person. It wasn’t like she mentioned they were needed anyway. Or, if she did, he missed that entirely.
He was starting to become bored with waiting when she finally decided to start the meeting. He gave her a weird look when she introduced herself as the President of the baking club. Why was that necessary? Of all the introductions she could have given, saying she was the Pecari Prefect would have made better sense that that. Unless she was bidding for new members. In which case, well played on her.
“Jorge Garcia, 6th year Pecari, and I play several different instruments and can sing a tune when I feel like it. I have some other talents, but those are more of a personal one on one thing…” He smirked at Waverly to tease her, not really caring how others felt about it, and indicated for the person next to him to go ahead.
When Waverly finally moved on with the meeting and onto the more prevalent part regarding their own group, Jorge didn’t have much to contribute. He didn’t really see the point in having to create a number that showcased everyone’s talents. Just something that worked would suit him just fine. His parents already knew how awesome he was. But he did think that there would be a lot of groups that would be following the same path as they were. “Do you think it’s wise to stick to what’s safe? I mean, I’m sure the majority of the groups will end up doing something along the lines of a play, or musical or something. Will that allow us to stand out? ‘Showcase’ us all as you say? How would we make it our own thing?”
6Jorge GarciaMaking my appearance220Jorge Garcia05
Liliana had never been to the music room before it had been suggested for the meeting place of their concert group. She looked forward to going there- if it was anything like the Dance room then she was sure that she would like it. She just hoped that the portraits didn't talk quite so much. She liked it when they gave her advice on how to better one of the positions she was practicing, but it had been frustrating for her when she'd been trying to come up with that dance for her grandmother. She hadn't wanted all their input then but they hadn't been able to stop talking.
So Liliana bundled herself up in leg warmers and tights underneath a grey ballet dress and darker sweater for practising in after the meeting was finished, and neatly tied her hair up in a bun before adding a small notebook and quill for the meeting and a waterbottle for practise. She bounced off to the room, peeping first into the dance room to see if it was unoccupied, and then sat herself down in the circle Waverly had prepared.
"My name is Liliana," she said leaving out her last name and associations as she felt her accent already made her sound much more formal than the rest of her peers. "I'm a first-year Pecari. I dance ballet and play Quidditch." She gave everyone a pleasant smile not wanting to make a bad impression on those who didn't know her- though she hadn't completely introduced herself, if they ever found out she was a Bannister then she would be berated for giving a bad first impression.
Liliana let everyone else in the group introduce themselves paying special attention as she only knew Waverly and Atlas and figured that she'd better know everyone else's names before leaving that day since she'd be working with them for the rest of the semester. She found herself actually concentrating for once and thinking really hard of a good idea to give Waverly. After her run in with the older girl in the common room during the Halloween party, she rather looked up to her and felt like a snobbish brat for being so disagreeable with her in Cascade Hall her first night there. Try as she might though, Liliana really couldn't come up with a fantastic idea. She knew that if it were she and her cousins, they'd probably act out some crazy skit, magical parody of a mixture of the best wizarding fairy-tales all mashed up together with only the best bits included. But that idea seemed rather childish in the room they were all in and so Liliana kept quiet hoping someone else would suggest a great idea so that she would never have to reveal hers.
10Liliana BannisterHere and ready to work!274Liliana Bannister05
Feel free to continue the concert thread here.
by Waverly
Coming up with a unique concert idea was going to be more difficult than Waverly had originally thought. She wanted to do something unique, something that would stand out from the mass, but she wasn’t sure what that would look like. Her talents were boring and common. She could bake on stage, but she was sure that would bore everyone, though there would be treats afterwards. Maybe they could bribe the crowd to like them. The thought made her smile slightly at nothing as she listened to everyone’s introductions. Jorge’s comments were to be expected and she stuck her tongue out at him like a child behind her hand when she thought no one was looking.
Waverly was glad that Liliana had decided to join her group. She liked the English girl and hoped she was doing better than she had been at the beginning of the year. The first year was always the hardest and transitioning from home to a boarding school so far away would have made anyone frustrated and depressed. It looked like Liliana was settling in a little better though and Waverly was glad. She smiled at her when she introduced herself, hoping to make the younger girl feel comfortable.
As the introductions continued, multiple ideas ran through Waverly’s head. She wanted to use everyone’s talents, and so far they included acting, playing music, Quidditch, and baking. It wasn’t the easiest group of talents to mesh together unless they got really creative. Jorge made a good point; staying safe wasn’t very interesting and opposed Waverly’s desire for something amazing. She thought for a minute, letting anyone else contribute their opinion if they wanted before speaking up again. A sudden lightbulb had gone off.
“How about this then,” she said, her pen dropping on the floor in her excitement. “The curtains open and I start out like I’m in a baking show and teaching people how to bake. While I’m doing that, Jorge you could come on stage with your guitar and start off singing an upbeat song. You could be trying to convince me to have fun through song, but I’ll just ignore you.” At that she smiled playfully at him. “And while I’m still concentrating on mixing ingredients and being super boring, three people can come out and dance and sing and others who enjoy flying can come out on their brooms and throw confetti and join in the upbeat medley. By then I’m probably going to give up on baking and join in the fun. It’ll just be us having a party on stage doing what we like. Maybe we could sing 'My Favorite Things' from The Sound of Music. If you don’t know I could teach you. I just want to do something that'll be fun for all of us. And if you don't like singing, you can do something else.”
The way it played out in Waverly’s head, it looked like a lot of crazy fun. Dancing around, singing, and pretending to bake and be boring…hopefully everyone would be okay with it. It wasn’t the most innovative idea ever, but it would get everyone involved and people could do what they wanted. “How does that sound? If you have any better ideas please say them so we can make this a really great concert.”
0WaverlyFeel free to continue the concert thread here.0Waverly05
Atlas found his way to the Music Room a slowly as possible. He didn’t mind the idea of a concert, or even having to work in a group, he just hated the idea of having to perform in front of their entire school. He opened the door and was welcomed by the comforting scent of cookies. He took one them as he walked in and found a seat next to Liliana. Earlier he would have dreaded being in a group with her, but since they made up at the Returning Feast, he almost looked forward to moments where they could hang out. Even though she could be a pain, he liked how at ease he felt around her. He gave her a weak smile then turned his attention to Waverly as she began the meeting.
Atlas listened attentively as everyone introduced himself or herself. He gave a sideways glance at Liliana, when she said she did ballet. Atlas thought back to the drawing he had been working on, both him and Theodore had agreed that his drawing needed more life, perhaps Lilliana could give him some pointers on what a real ballerina would look like. Maybe if he played his cards right, Liliana would be willing to pose for him. He made a mental note to ask her later.
“My name is Atlas” he said when his turn came, “I’m a first year Pecari, and I like sports and drawing”. He felt a little shy talking about his drawing; it was never something he liked to boast about. He never felt was worthy enough to be called a “talent”, or “hobby”. Thankfully any rosiness in his checks subsisted as they began to talk about what they should do for their concert group.
Atlas wondered what could showcase everyone talents, he dazed off and began to scourer his mind for an idea. He had the makings of an idea but couldn’t get it to fully form yet. As he continued to think, Waverly suggested her idea. Atlas’ eyebrows furrowed slightly, although he appreciated what she was trying to do, he thought it sounded a little cheesy and may have trouble catching the audience. “Hmm…” he thought to himself. “We need something dangerous?” He thought thinking about Jorge’s comment. Then the pieces finally came together.
“What about muggle magic cinnima?” He asked randomly. “I mean,” he continued rather shyly, “I don’t think that to have a good skit we need to reinvent the wheel, but show them something they haven’t seen. Since there seem to be so many Purebloods here, how about we do a skit from muggle cinima? Maybe we could take from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. It has a little of everything, music, sword fights, magic, fairies, dancing and a killer dragon to finish off the whole thing. But it’s just an idea.”
OOC: Sorry this is so late, I got a little caught up with RL.
0Atlas Primred, PecariJust an idea...276Atlas Primred, Pecari05
Liliana accepted the smile Atlas gave her when she entered the room and returned one of her own, mimicking the way the ends of his mouth turned up even though she didn't particularly feel like smiling at the idiot who had so blatantly offended her in class the previous semester. She was still trying to figure out a way to get back at him and had let him believe they were okay with each other. Despite her better judgement, however, she was starting the enjoy his rather dour company. When Atlas suggested his idea, however, all previously nice sentiments of him left her head. Muggle cinema? Really?
Those preposterous excuses for intelligent beings had persecuted her ancestors into oblivion and she didn't quite feel like she was ready to honor them in a magical environment by acting out their fame. For the sake of her and Atlas' "friendship" though, she remained quiet and only smiled prettily at him. Perhaps this might be the best start for her plan. Let him continue with this idea that would probably incite the likes of Sasha Sinclair upon him and not intervene at all until the last minute, leaving him (perhaps forever) in her gratitude. Besides, she couldn't deny that Muggles had some ingenuity in them- they had created a great deal of interesting contraptions and if it hadn't been for that dreaded history lesson that had left Liliana in tears she probably would have enjoyed them a great deal more. As it was, she already found them quite fascinating and did enjoy learning about them in the most civil and reserved of ways, never letting her interest leap farther than curiosity and always letting her contempt for their past (and present behaviors towards themselves) get the better of her.
"I think that sounds interesting," she replied to Atlas, genuinely encouraging, wanting to build up his confidence a little. Mortal enemy or not, the boy was rather skittish and Liliana desperately wanted to help him out in that regards. Besides, it was never fun having a mortal enemy who was rather afraid to talk in public. "How would you suggest we do that too?" She didn't know the story well, it's basis however, a strange Muggle tale written in two parts that included a rather nasty ogress who liked to eat children, she had found whilst trifling through a Muggle library she had sneaked off to during a walk around town (to the horror of the governess who had been in charge of her at the time). "Should we use real snakes?"
There was another tale that was similar that she knew of from having bribed that same governess to bring her more fairy tale books from that library under threat of exposing to her family that she had been able to run away from the inattentive woman. This other tale though was rather more gruesome including some parts that she had not understood but when she asked her governess about it, the poor witch blushed and stuttered and refused to reveal the meaning despite Liliana's rather petulant threats to have her fired. In the end, Carl (one of her more scheming cousins) had told her the true meaning behind it and Liliana had stayed in bed crying about the cruelty and injustice of life. It would not be the last time she would feel sorry for a Muggle (even if she was only a story book character).