Echo Elms
July 03, 2008 11:07 AM
[tag: Headmaster Bulla] About this cultural fair... by Echo Elms
The real trouble with working for the Aronos was not in writing about the various clubs and student activities going on at Sonora. That was interesting and, besides, Echo was already involved in half of them so he didn't have to do any research. The real trouble was in writing the focus articles on the cultural fair. No one seemed to know anything. In fact, Echo was lucky when the people he asked had heard more than the fact that there was going to be one. It was starting to stress him out and he only had a week and a half left to write the article.So he was going directly to the source: Headmaster Bulla.
Echo had never talked to the Headmaster before. He was sure his parents had and all, what with all the craziness last summer and all. Or maybe they had just talked to the medic. Either way, if the Headmaster knew him at all, he was sure it was because he was the kid who was in the psych ward last year and almost didn't make it back to school.
But maybe, possibly, the esteemed Headmaster also knew him as the Novelling Fury! kid. Or maybe just as that awkward kid with the hair. He hoped.
Usually, Echo was good at talking to people when he had a mission, but he hesitated. That was the adults-only area at the front of the hall and he was not one for breaking rules, even for a story. And the headmaster was, well, the headmaster. Maybe he should hold off and bug Saul's groundskeeping cousin later instead.
But no. Paul Simon Tellerman might not know anything either and Echo was running out of time. He reached into his army surplus messenger bag, pulling out his half-sized notebook and number 2 pencil and cautiously closed the distance between him and the Headmaster.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Headmaster, but could I ask you a few questions for the Aronos? I can come back later if you're busy."
God, he sounded so shy. When was the last time his voice got all quiet and hesitant like that? Crap. It was definitely too warm in here. Was he going to get detention? He dropped the pencil.
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Echo Elms
[tag: Headmaster Bulla] About this cultural fair...
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Headmaster Bulla
July 04, 2008 11:35 AM
Ah, an intrepid reporter... 'no comment' ;) by Headmaster Bulla
Manfred was having a quiet lunch, reading a Charms journal that his brother had sent him in that mornings owl post and generally enjoying the wind down to midterm. Occasionally he lowered the journal a little, looked at the various students scattered around the hall having their own lunches, socialising and even some - fewer than he would have liked - doing some study or homework. It was nice. It was quiet. It was peaceful.He was halfway through the fourth page of a particularly interesting study into an experimental charm infused ink when he noticed that he had a visitor. The teenager was definitely approaching him, and looked to be armed with a pencil and notepad. Manfred put two and two together and assumed this was another interview. He put down the journal as the boy addressed him, examining the boy.
Pecari badge on the school robes... Echo Elms, fourth year. Novelling Fury. Clearly another of those associated with Thaddeus' new student newspaper. Involved in that Muggle game that the younger students had taken to playing out in the gardens.
He almost smiled, but managed to retain a more grave expression, as Echo dropped his pencil. He was apparently more nervous that Manfred thought the situation warranted. Unless, of course, the questions were to prove less than advisable. But he didn't think Echo seemed the type to do that. Far too nervous for one. With a swish of his wand, Manfred levitated the pencil onto the table and indicated a vacant seat.
"I don't see why not," he said. "Take a seat, Mr Elms. What did you want to ask me about?"
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Headmaster Bulla
Ah, an intrepid reporter... 'no comment' ;)
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Echo Elms
July 05, 2008 10:34 PM
Oh dear... by Echo Elms
Echo's attention followed the pencil back up to the table where it tapped firmly and expectantly on space next to the Headmaster. No detention, then, for intruding on the Headmaster's lunch. Good. In those five seconds, Bulla proved himself a very reasonable man."Thank you," Echo said, sliding slowly into the offered seat. He watched the Headmaster as he did so to see if he'd somehow misinterpreted his fairly straightforward invitation. Apparently he hadn't, though, because his full weight was on the chair and the ruler of the school didn't give any indication that he'd done something wrong.
Authority figures like principals and headmasters were no to be messed with. Echo's record at Sonora was reasonably clean. Sure, there was probably one or two write-ups for talking in class or arriving late a couple times, like most kids, but nothing major and the infractions had been few and far between, easily forgotten by both him and whoever had written him up. But those could easily turn into calls home and trips to Mr. Principal if you handled it wrong, and then it didn't matter what happened in class, it was always your fault. Echo knew. He had been there and had been expelled from a public school. Sonora was far from public. If Bulla wanted to expel him, he'd be done for. The safest route was to have no contact with people like Headmaster Bulla... he was doing a fine job of that today.
But the matter at hand was the Cultural Fair, not expulsions, so Echo opened to his list of questions.
"We're writing a section about the Cultural Fair," he explained. "And a lot of us don't know anything about it. What exactly is the Cultural Fair? Where did it come from and what can we expect?"
He picked up the pencil and poised it under the same question on his paper. If he'd been cool like some of the other reporters, he'd have gotten one of the dictation pens. He should have borrowed Saul's, but then he hadn't exactly known he'd be interviewing the Headmaster today. It was sort of a whim. Well, he'd had the questions prepped for weeks, but he never thought he'd go through with it. And here he was. Going thought with it. He was so awesome.
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Echo Elms
Oh dear...
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Manfred Bulla
July 11, 2008 10:57 AM
Isn't that what you're supposed to do? by Manfred Bulla
"Ah," said Manfred, once Echo had sat down and begun his questions. "I suppose we haven't really explained what you're to expect in detail as yet. But then, the value of a surprise," he smiled, the expression unexpectedly wry, "is all too often lost on the young. Although really, there is plenty of information out there if you're willing to dig a little. But, I suppose I can point you in the right direction. Answer some questions. Do you mind if we make this a lunch interview?"He waited a moment, and then paused to add a few more things to his plate.
"I'm sure the editor wouldn't object to you eating as well," he said, quite seriously. "I'm sure there's something here that would appeal to a growing boy, even if it is the staff table. But, you had questions."
He picked up a sandwich - salad, it seemed - and took a thoughtful bite, chewing while he considered how best to answer Echo's questions. It was vaguely saddening that the students hadn't remembered what had been mentioned when the cycle of midsummer celebrations had been announced as restarting - that it was an old tradition from the founding of Sonora that had fallen by the wayside some years ago and was now in the process of being reinstated. There was certainly books and periodicals with mentions of it in the Library. But still, with any luck - and some less than subtle hints in the right direction - that situation might well be rectified.
"The Cultural Fair is ... well, it's like many other fairs. There will be stalls - some run by students, for which there will be forms available before the end of term - and entertainment and food and drink. It, like the ball earlier this year and the Concert and Bonfire to come in years hence, comes from Irish traditions related to Sun worship, but I'm sure you can find out a lot more about that from books than what I can tell you off the top of my head. Regardless, as I'm sure you do know, the founders of Sonora were Irish, and quite liking their native traditions to celebrate Midsummer, started the cycle here based on their four favourites. I expect that will, if it doesn't answer your question as to where it came from, at the very least get you started on the path to finding further information for yourself.
"As for what can you expect? I'd like to think you can expect a varied, fun experience. The staff and I will approve of applications for Student Stalls when they've been submitted, so I can't really tell you anything about what they will be as yet, but I'm reliably informed that there will be fortune telling and lots of other entertainment thanks to the California Pierces."
It was a terribly lucky thing that Regina Pierce had chosen to send her grandson to Sonora, and that Paul Simon had taken on the role of Groundskeeper here. Their family had so far proven themselves quite invaluable when entertainment was needed.
"I believe the prairie elves are working on some old fashioned treats for the day as well, although their preparations are not entirely known to me. Tuppy assures me that they will be quite adequate however." Which, in elf-speak tended to mean it would be very good indeed. "And then, of course, there is the opportunity that will be provided for house points to be earned."\r\n\r\n
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Manfred Bulla
Isn't that what you're supposed to do?
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