You've got to be kidding me! on Cascade Hall

Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau

October 26, 2012 7:42 PM

Returning Feast by Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau

Midterm had come and gone along with Christmas and New Years. This was the first year of holidays with both Angel and Ayita. Kiva had no idea if they appreciated or enjoyed the holidays with the entire family, but they were both pleasant and everyone seemed to enjoy them. Hopefully, things would only get better. Angel had been officially adopted and that was because both of his parents were deceased and his caretaker and signed over all guardianship. Ayita’s was a little more tricky and they had to seek out legal counsel on what to do. But, they were still determined to complete it. Especially now that they were expecting.

Kiva was hitting her fourth month into the pregnancy. She would be able to remain throughout the entire term, but she was pushing it close to her due date. Although her robes were hiding any trace of her upcoming new motherhood, if she were wearing her usual garnets, her coworkers would be able to spot the baby bump without trouble. Still not quite that large, she was definitely growing faster than with Emery. She wasn’t going to make an announcement or anything and she had already told the staff, but everyone else could figure it out on their own.

Standing in front of the student body, Kiva allowed them a few minutes of chit chat to allow them that moment of excitement before forcing them to calm down again. Finally deciding that they had enough time for greetings and initial welcome hugs, Kiva began, “Hello everyone! Welcome back! I hope all of your holidays were pleasant and fun.” She greeted, smiling happy. She loved the holidays, but sometimes it was nice to come back to a routine.

“I’m going to make this short and sweet.” She advised them. She had no new staff members or anything, so there wasn’t a need for anything too long winded. “This year our Midsummer Event is the bonfire. Normally, we like to have the students contribute something during each of the events, but this year, we wanted to give you all a break. We have been very impressed with past years’ behaviors that we wanted to have this be an award.” Kiva explained to them. “We’ll be having a camp out in the Pitch and you’ll get to do nothing more than roast smores and have fun with friends. You’ll hear more about it when we get closer to the end of term. For now, enjoy your dinner.” With that, Kiva sent them off and the food began to arrive.

Subthreads:

Exiled again (tag Isabel) by Effie Arbon with Isabel Raines, Isabel, Henry Carey

Back and Feasting by Topher Calhoun with Hope Brockert, Topher

Let the madness begin, again by Eliza Bennett

Well...this isn't very fun. by Brianna Japos with Mellie Goodwin, Brianna

Dueling fates (tag Aria) by Liam Ammon with Aria Yale

Which looks delicious by Arabella Brockert with Amira Thornton

Once more unto the breach by Professor Skies with Professor Fawcett

Heart beats and some eats... by Addison Thornton, Teppenpaw

Counting down to summer by Eris Ackart with Jorge Garcia

Just another term. by Cepheus Princeton with Michael Grosvenor, Cepheus

In two worlds. by Clarissa Clark with Rupert Princeton, Rupert

Focused Feast by Arista Thornton

Happier than ever by Waverly Canterbury with Henny B-F-R, Andrina Thornton, Waverly

Off the wagon again. by Alicia Bauer

You've got to be kidding me! by Carrie O'Malley with Lucrezia Renaldi, Lucrezia

Returning to prissy-dom... by Abigail Thornton, Crotalus

Learning to Trust, thanks to an Angel by Solomon Bensalem, Crotalus

Returning with plastic... WoTW by McKinley Andrews, Crotalus with Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau, McKinley

0 Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau Returning Feast 0 Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau 1 5

Effie Arbon

October 28, 2012 11:20 AM

Exiled again (tag Isabel) by Effie Arbon

Being home for the holidays had been perfection. She had been busy, her mother cramming in dance and etiquette lessons around the festivities in preparation for her upcoming début, and her father had taken no more interest in her than usual, save soliciting a short report from her on her first term. He had indicated neither satisfaction nor dissatisfaction, save praising her choice of taking tea with Isabel Raines and selected others instead of attending a vulgar Muggle party. She had been reassured by this that, in spite of how the rest of Sonora acted, she was being obedient to her family's wishes. Her tea party had been something of a success, with most of the fine young ladies of their year attending. She could excuse older years for not wanting to spend time with people of her age, and the boys could be excused on the grounds that tea was more of a ladies' activity, not to mention that boys might do as they wished without the likes of her questioning their choices. She found herself having to list caveats like this in order to maintain the view that the world was as she thought it should be and that those of whom she should expect decent behaviour conducted themselves as she saw fit. But it was a struggle to do so. It was something of an active process. At home, her world was right. Naturally and without effort. Everyone behaved as they were supposed to. At the end of the two weeks, being sent back to Sonora felt like being violently torn away. In some ways, it was worse than when she had first left. At that time, she had been filled with trepidation, with fear of the unknown. Sonora had proved to be alarming and more complicated than she had been expecting but she had concentrated on coping. Now she had been home and, although she had missed it before, she had now had a chance to directly compare. Sonora came up wanting.

Gliding into the Cascade Hall, she glanced around the Crotalus table, making a beeline for Isabel.

“Lovely to see you,” she smiled at her friend, taking the seat beside her before they were called to attention. She listened, unenamoured, to the headmistress' speech. She was not sure what a smore was but her lack of knowledge that made her highly suspicious of it, as it implied it was something with which she was not supposed to be familiar. The whole affair reeked of the unfamiliar and therefore of things with which she was not eager to engage. Apparently, this was supposed to be some sort of reward. She made a note to herself to encourage as much bad behaviour as possible in the hopes of their year group avoiding any future blessings of this kind.

“Did you have an enjoyable holiday?” she asked Isabel as the food appeared before them. Inwardly, she sighed. There was nothing wrong with the food at Sonora. Much of it was, in fact, perfectly tasty. She had become accustomed to it being served buffet style, which she had come to accept as a practical necessity. But it was not home.

13 Effie Arbon Exiled again (tag Isabel) 238 Effie Arbon 0 5

Isabel Raines

October 28, 2012 6:23 PM

That's a very gloomy way of looking at it by Isabel Raines

At first, it had been strange to be back at home, where everyone else seemed to have continued in their routines the whole time she was away learning new ones and had, because of that, not seemed to find the occasion of her return nearly as unsettling as she had at first. Of course her mother and father had both paid an unusual amount of attention to her at first, they had missed her just as she had missed them, but in the end, things had been very normal, with Mamma worrying about the Christmas party right up to the last moment and Papa trying to avoid Grandmother and Catherine and her children wandering in and out all the time. She didn’t know what she had expected, exactly, but she had thought that going away to school would make everything different, including the times she spent at home, but it seemed not.

She had enjoyed herself anyway, though, and it hadn’t taken long to settle back into the rhythms of home. She and Alan, much to their disappointment, hadn’t gotten to attend the Christmas party, but they had gotten into a massive snowball fight with their sisters and her brother-in-law and Ella and Will the next day, which had been fun even if she had caught a cold and needed to take Pepperup Potion the next day, and they had been allowed to stay up all night on New Year’s, which was good compensation for missing the biggest holiday party in the region since they had never gotten to do that before, either. She had also gotten a ton of Christmas presents – a doll with a full wardrobe, a number of new books, even more new clothes of her own, some jewelry, a letter set, a memento box, a new blanket for her bed here, and it had gone on – and was, as she sat down in the Cascade Hall, both glad that she didn’t have to carry her own trunk all the way to the common room and content with life, even if she had cried at the station this time where she’d been able to control herself back in September. Leaving home once had been hard, but exciting; since she already knew what was at school this time, it had just been hard.

Not that Sonora was bad, not at all. “And you,” she whispered back to Effie as her roommate sat down beside her. She didn’t feel as close to Effie yet as she had heard roommate relationships could be – she didn’t feel about Effie the way she thought her sister did about Nicoletta, like she couldn’t live if they for some reason stopped being friends – but she did like her very well, and had really appreciated it when Effie asked her to help with arranging their tea before midterm, so she was happy to see her again, too.

They didn’t have time to talk anymore, though, because the Headmistress was speaking. From the sounds of it, they were going to have a vast outdoor party at the end of the year, the centerpiece of which would be a fire. That could be fun, she supposed, if she were with people she liked; the prospect of dealing with older students was always a little intimidating, but quite a lot of them in her year were friendly, so they could maybe find a place a little separate from the intermediates and the Advanced students, maybe with some of the more respectable second years, and have a nice time.

Food appeared before them and Isabel began to serve herself. “Oh, yes,” she said happily when Effie asked about her holidays. “I had a wonderful time at home, all the family came to visit.” No one had been very happy to see Raines, but as long as he was the only blot on an occasion, that was all right. “And I got to stay up on New Year’s,” she added. “I had forgotten how annoying my nephews can be, though. I’ll miss them less this time. How was your break?” She felt proud of herself for stopping her chatter in a timely manner and asking after the other person, instead of just babbling on, as she worried she did sometimes.

0 Isabel Raines That's a very gloomy way of looking at it 241 Isabel Raines 0 5

Topher Calhoun

October 28, 2012 8:59 PM

Back and Feasting by Topher Calhoun

The staff tried, with the feast mirroring the start-of-term one and all, to add a little something to the return from winter break, but Topher didn’t think it quite worked. After summer, they were all glad to see their friends and excited by the new surroundings after two months of the same thing, which was some consolation in the face of months of actual work in addition to friends time, but it just wasn’t the same after Christmas. They hadn’t been home long enough to get bored with it all at home, so coming back to school was just kind of a drag.

At least, Topher thought so. Who knew, maybe everyone else in the school was just thrilled to be back. Outside of people with lousy families and Aladrens, though, he thought his stance on things was more likely to be that of the majority.

Professor Kijewski’s news about the end of term event, though, was somewhat cheering. Topher had enjoyed doing that movie with the Teppenpaws last year, sure, but in his CATS year, any chance he had to do nothing more strenuous than burning marshmallows to a crisp was welcome, especially since that would be after they had to play, short of a complete freak of nature (which, he was careful to remind himself, was always possible) happening, Aladren for the final again. Between that and the exams – not to mention being a prefect and doing his best to subtly campaign for the Assistant Captain’s spot that was going to open up at the end of the year – he expected to be pretty out of it by the time he got back to Chicago for summer break. He doubted he’d even have the energy to care what Russell was doing with his sister over the summer, at least for the first month or so, though right now the thought made him feel faintly ill and so he just refused to have it in his head right now. He refused.

Thoughts involving the possibility of talking about Russell and Caroline in the same sentence aside, he had had a pretty good holiday, he thought, and didn’t really think he was going to have that bad a time at school this term – it was just better to be pessimistic, so he wouldn’t be as disappointed if he was wrong. The one exception he was permitting himself involved his mother’s promises of homemade sweets during exam week; that one good thing, he was sure, was going to happen.

Just got to get that far, he thought, calculating the weeks until exams and the camp-out.

The former weren’t things he was anxious about; the sooner they came, the better, he thought, because then he wouldn’t have to think about them anymore. The bonfire was going to be more fun, he was sure, but it couldn’t be more welcome, at least for him. This time, Topher thought he might be deviating from the standard opinion pretty drastically, but he didn’t think he was wrong anyway. It made sense to him.

So did food. When the food appeared, he began serving himself at once, then looked at his full plate for a moment before he began to eat. “One thing I can say for this place,” he remarked to a neighbor, “they do feed us well. No offense to my grandma, she does make better meatloaf, but there’s not much better than Sonora’s spaghetti.” He had never really liked the spaghetti at home, but here, it was much less oily, and the tomato sauce didn’t taste as though it had been canned quite as long.

0 Topher Calhoun Back and Feasting 192 Topher Calhoun 0 5

Eliza Bennett

October 28, 2012 11:32 PM

Let the madness begin, again by Eliza Bennett

In the spirit of Christmas being over and the New Year being off to a good start, Eliza had refrained from wearing much red to the Returning Feast with her green robes, restraining it to her ruby earrings, which were mostly concealed by her hair, and the ruby ring she had worn more or less daily for the past two years. Her dress, instead, was a dark gray, which made the jewelry seem more Crotalus-oriented than it really was, but no one could have everything.

Besides, it was good to be seen as supportive of her House, even if she did have a French manicure at the moment instead of the red nail polish she customarily wore back to school. She was a prefect, after all. It never hurt to remind people of that, which was why the badge completed her accessories for the evening.

After the holidays, it felt good to be an authority figure again, instead of just a pretty face, which was all the boys who came to her mother’s Christmas parties this year seemed to think she was. Of course she was nice-looking enough, she thought – she would have preferred to be fair, since even she could tell she was a little too intense, and she had never seen a blonde look at things that way, but she didn’t think many people would think she was bad-looking – and she wasn’t above using that, but really. She did think of herself as somewhat competent, considering she was in a number of Advanced classes and, more to the point, had been the first person in her year to host an event independently of her parents….

“Hi, Sara!” she said cheerfully, waving to the Pecari prefect as she saw her. They didn’t have to act like friends as much now that they didn’t live in the same area, but it never hurt to keep up connections.

Reaching her House’s table, Eliza took a seat and smiled at a few people before Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau got up to welcome them back – and, far more importantly, tell them what they had to do for midterm. Eliza wished that participation hadn’t been mandatory during her CATS year rather than this year, but she would take what breaks she could get and, if she was right about what she was hearing was going to happen, enjoy the prospect of a whole night where she didn’t have to share a room with a certain individual. Sleeping in a tent was, in her mind, far preferable to sharing a room with that individual.

Though of course, that didn’t answer the question of who she would share a tent with, since she really doubted it would be in her best interests politically, with the other students or the staff, to write home and get one sent to her so she could sleep on her own. She suspected she knew what one major subject of deliberations was going to be for the rest of the year, right up until the night in question. The formation of groups this year was going to be an even bigger deal than last year, if she was right at all.

Tonight, though, it hadn’t started yet for most people, and she could deal with it after she got some food. Eating too much in public wasn’t acceptable, but neither was fainting or snapping at someone because she was really hungry after the trip. She took a small piece of grilled chicken and a larger portion of salad and only a small piece of bread to go with her pumpkin juice. “Welcome back!” she said brightly to someone seated near her.

0 Eliza Bennett Let the madness begin, again 174 Eliza Bennett 0 5

Hope Brockert

October 29, 2012 4:21 AM

Same by Hope Brockert

Now that Hope was fifteen, midterm was just a jumble of parties, both family and otherwise. She had even considered having one of her own, given that girls like Eliza Bennett and even Sophie were having them. Not that she looked down on either but in the Pecari's case, it hadn't really seemed like her sort of thing. Furthermore, Hope was a Brockert and it was her duty to hold events. There hadn't been time for it over midterm, but maybe she could work something into the summer. Perhaps for her birthday in August. It would be her Sweet Sixteen after all.

The one thing about it was that bugged her was that she really couldn't invite Russell. It had been seen as sort of a faux pas for Eliza to invite anyone who wasn't in their social class. Then again, Chelsea had invited Holly Greer to things and Holly was muggleborn-and Hope's sister cared more about these things than the Teppenpaw did. Besides, it would be more fun if the other fifth year was there.

It wasn't as if he weren't a pureblood, the Laynes actually had longer bloodlines than some wealthier families, like the Bennetts. Nor was it as if Russell were even poor-in fact, from what Hope understood he was from a 'better' branch of Laynes than the one the Layne that had been in Adam's class had been from, they just weren't as prominent as the Brockerts, which according to Great Grandfather, made Russell 'not good enough', or so Hope assumed. Still, it wouldn't be right not to invite the person she considered her closest friend.

Of course, the Teppenpaw could not share a tent with him at the bonfire. That would just be inappropriate and scandalous even if allowed. That meant she would have to find other arrangements. Hope supposed she could ask Sophie. The two were sort of friends and the sixth year couldn't share with Ryan anymore than she could with Russell. She didn't know who else though. Maybe Reggie and Maddie though they end up sharing with Josephine Owen. Addison would probably share with her sisters.

The welcome back speech finished, Hope turned to her meal, choosing a bowl of tomato soup, she was sort of in the mood for it and Sonora's food was amazing. She nodded when Topher Calhoun spoke to her about the spaghetti. "The elves here are very talented." The Teppenpaw had never had a meal cooked by humans in her entire life, but she knew that not everyone had house elves. "I'm sure they're meatloaf is much better than my grandmother's." Hope joked. She doubted either of her grandmothers had made a meatloaf in their entire life. "So, how was your break?" She asked. She knew Topher was friends with Russell and that they were from the same place, but she'd never really spoken to the Crotalus before.

11 Hope Brockert Same 186 Hope Brockert 0 5

Effie Arbon

October 29, 2012 7:13 AM

Well, it does have some good points by Effie Arbon

“That sounds delightful,” Effie smiled, as Isabel told her of her holidays, “Mine were just lovely, thank you,” she said with feeling. Effie had never quite mentioned being homesick but she spoke frequently of home and especially of her sisters. She had been employed for several evenings the previous term in embroidering bookmarks for them. For her, the presents – though delightful – had played second fiddle to those giving them. Not only had she got to spend the morning laughing and playing with her sisters but it was one of those rare occasions when her brother and father joined in with them. Her father and her brother were not unkind but they were usually somewhat distant, having different concerns to the female members of the household. On Christmas Day, the entire family gathered around the tree. Ignatius had received several toys, including a broomstick racing game. The set up was a little fiddly for his still slightly chubby, child-like fingers and Effie had offered him her assistance. She was used to taking on the big sister role for Delphine and Araceli but she rarely got to do it for Ignatius. As she had helped him fix the little metal broomsticks to their poles, and affix these to the track, he had stared at her in wonder. He had then insisted on racing each of his sisters. There was an element of chance in the game and so, unlike day to day life, he was not automatically first and preferred above them. He took their winning with good humour, simply eager to play again.

“Mama was keen to ensure that my dance and etiquette lessons were not falling behind but I still had plenty of time to spend with my sisters, and with my father and brother on Christmas Day. I was also permitted to stay up on New Year, and that is when we entertain the extended family.” It was true that she had been permitted to stay up, as she always had been, although she had been at the children's party. This would be the last year for which that was true though. The adults had a ball whilst the children played party games in an adjoining room. She had made a point of trying to speak more to some of her male cousins this year, for practice. It was somewhat easier than talking to strangers, as by the dint of family connection they were supposed be favourably inclined to her in spite of not really knowing her. However, they were still boys and virtual strangers, as she only saw them once a year, so they were intimidating enough for it to be worthwhile. These attempts had been somewhat hampered by Araceli, who was always quite unsettled by the appearance of a number of strangers in their home and had clung alternately to Effie and Delphine. When midnight came, the children were permitted to join the adults to see in the new year, and there was one more dance before they were sent to bed. All of the children attempted to stay up, although there was usually a small pile of younger cousins amongst the chairs before they reached midnight.

“It seems a little odd, thinking of you having nephews,” she smiled, “It just sounds so grown-up. Being the oldest, I predict it will be quite some time before I have them,” she explained.

“What do you think to the end of term celebrations?” she asked. She had been eager to ask this from the start, although it would not have been polite not to ask about Isabel's Christmas, and she had been genuinely interested to hear. However, the end of term celebrations were already worrying her somewhat. It sounded like another of those contentious Sonora occasions which did not quite fit with her model of how the world should be. However, this one was being put forward by the staff. Did that make it more acceptable or just harder to avoid? She was also unclear on what exactly was being proposed. Isabel was her translator. She seemed somehow able to mediate between the confusing world of Sonora and Effie's own world.

13 Effie Arbon Well, it does have some good points 238 Effie Arbon 0 5

Topher

October 29, 2012 9:15 AM

Are you enjoying doing so? by Topher

Topher was a little surprised to find himself talking to Hope Brockert instead of Alice or Fae or Phoenix, but he wasn’t really bothered by it. The four of them, by virtue of being an unusually small Crotalus class, got thrown together often enough for anyone’s liking, after all, sitting together only seemed to be an unspoken rule at the Welcoming Feast in the fall, and for some reason he thought Fae had been avoiding him anyway.

He would have thought Hope would be with the other Teppenpaws, since he perceived them as far more of a unit than he did himself and his fellow Crotali or even the Aladren boys, but he wasn’t sufficiently interested in Teppenpaw politics to think about it more than a moment. Probably she was just over here to ogle at Phoenix or something, as seemed increasingly common for girls their age, but it really wasn’t his business.

He laughed politely when she said she was sure Sonora’s cooking was better than her grandmothers’, assuming that this was a joke because Brockerts didn’t cook. In Crotalus, he thought people like him either learned to not mind the affluence of others or else they went crazy, because it was inevitable that rich people were going to be around. Thinking of oneself as a respectable member of society didn’t necessarily translate to ‘pureblood, monied,’ but often enough it did.

“Pretty good, thanks,” he said of his holidays. “Nothing too interesting except that one morning Dad accidentally blew up the kettle, but Christmas isn’t supposed to be interesting, is it?”

At least, it wasn’t in his opinion. The holidays had their own shape and set of routines, and he liked that about them. Christmases where he was from were all but interchangeable, between spending time with his mom’s family and the one visit to Dad’s, who seemed to have never quite adjusted their second son being a wizard but who were nice enough about it anyway, and all the neighborhood festivities. This year, he had heard more about the CATS than he would have liked, that was time he would have normally used on Quidditch, itself a tense topic with Crotalus, Pecari, and Aladren all represented in the neighborhood at the moment, but overall, it had been a nice, normal holiday.

“How was yours?” he asked, politely returning the question, pretty sure that any details she offered would be completely foreign to his own experience but okay with that. Maybe her type had certain advantages over his, when it came to power and privilege and all that stuff, but Merlin knew they were not a happy group, at least from what he had seen and put together about them. He existed because of their system of marriage, Caroline seemed to prefer spending time with her relatives in Illinois to seeing her father for even the brief time that she had off school, and those were just the few he knew somewhat, or something about them, anyway, personally. Those he knew or observed here seemed a little happier, but he wouldn't be at all surprised to learn it was a facade and they were as messed up as the Gardiners behind closed doors.

0 Topher Are you enjoying doing so? 0 Topher 0 5

Isabel

October 29, 2012 9:55 AM

Most things have at least one or two by Isabel

Isabel did not have a large extended family, at least not anywhere nearby – one of her aunts lived in Spain, with children and grandchildren they rarely saw, and the other in Louisiana, with children they had no desire to see, and Great-Uncle Luke’s side of the family was not very large either, yet – so having a special event, on a holiday, just to entertain them seemed a little strange to her. They spoke of the big Christmas party, the one she wasn’t allowed to attend yet, as the family party, but that was because the whole family helped Papa and Mamma host it, and she didn’t think of the more intimate occasions when her aunts and some cousins and Catherine’s family and Uncle Luke’s were around as entertaining, really, unless it was for someone’s birthday or wedding anniversary. There was no fuss, no formality, to such occasions.

Effie’s family, though, she had gathered, was different from hers in a number of ways even if they were still united in being more like each other than they were their roommates, so she didn’t really think much about that. “That also sounds lovely,” she said with a smile, thinking especially of the part where she spent time with her father and brother. Isabel had never had a brother or spent much time with her sister because of their age difference, but she did enjoy spending time with her parents.

It was, to her, a defining part of what separated holidays from regular time; of course she saw her parents every day even when there were no holidays, or had before she came to school, but they were more focused on her during holiday family time than, busy, they were usually.

“It is unusual,” Isabel agreed about her nephews. She talked about Ella more than she did Will or Charles Augustus, so it was possible Effie thought she had a cousin there rather than a niece, but she didn’t clarify the point right now. “We’re more like cousins, really – none of them call me ‘Aunt Isabel.’” She tilted her head a tiny bit toward the Pecari table. “I think Annabelle and Annette’s nephew does call them ‘aunt,’ thought,” she added, partially because (technically speaking) two other girls in the year having a nephew made hers a little less unusual.

She tilted her head a little to the side when Effie brought up the end of the term celebration again, thinking. She hadn’t really thought anything about the occasion when she heard it, but now she was being asked for an opinion, and wanted to be sure she gave the right one.

However, a problem occurred to her and solved the dilemma for her after only a second. “I’m not really sure yet,” she said honestly. “I’m not really sure what we’ll be doing – except that it doesn’t sound strenuous.” She made a small, apologetic face. “Catherine and Sara have never really talked about the bonfire, and they didn't have the events when Papa was here, so I really don't know. I'm sorry. I'm sure we can find some way to enjoy ourselves, though," she added encouragingly.

0 Isabel Most things have at least one or two 0 Isabel 0 5

Brianna Japos

October 29, 2012 4:00 PM

Well...this isn't very fun. by Brianna Japos

Brianna’s holiday had been… the usual. Although, she did not get to open up any gifts this year aside from some small toiletries that her mother thought she might enjoy. Brianna had only just recently really taken up wearing small amounts of make up and it seemed that her mother liked this idea. So, with what little extra money her mother had on tips, she had bought Brianna different shades of eyeliner and lip gloss. They had spent the morning making breakfast and the afternoon with her mother showing her all the right ways of wearing it so to make her eyes and lips appear more pleasing rather than look like a clown.

These moments were rare for them. Christmas was the only day out of the year where her mother had off. Her father was always on call for emergencies, but usually was able to have a peaceful Christmas. It was moments like this that had Brianna loving the holiday as much as she did. The day after Christmas was a hassle for her mother. While everyone else was out shopping, her mother was cleaning up the remnants of the celebration the day prior. It was always the longest day of her working hours. That and the day after Fourth of July. The only good thing about her mother working the day after Christmas as the fact that the rich clients gave her Christmas bonuses because they felt bad about all the things they put her through. Their guilt always made the bonuses pretty big and that was put into their savings for a rainy day. Those savings were meant to put Brianna through college, but she wasn’t sure she was smart enough for college. If nothing else, it would be a decent retirement for her parents.

But Christmas has now come and gone and so had her Midterm. All the days that weren’t Christmas, Brianna had mainly stayed in her room. It was too cold to hang out in Central Park and every time she stepped out of her apartment, she was harassed by the boys. It was just easier to stay in the apartment than deal with snobby teenagers who liked to point out all the gifts they were able to get and would never use.

She was happy to be back at Sonora, if only because she did not have to deal with those teenagers. Although she had a love/hate relationship with her invisible status at Sonora, she appreciated the fact that people didn’t seem to care about her status or looks most of the time. Having taken a seat in a quiet empty corner of some random table, Brianna waited patiently for the feast to begin. She loved Sonora food and tried to always pace herself through it so that she 1. Didn’t look like a pig and 2. Didn’t get sick off of it.

The Headmistress’s speech ebbed its way into her brain and she realized that she heard ‘camp out’. Brianna had never been camping before and that sounded like fun, but… it also meant tents and Brianna doubted anyone would want to share with her. Valerie probably couldn’t because she’d get sick and Brianna didn’t know if she could handle sharing one with Attoria. She was likely to complain the entire time. Who did that leave? Brianna didn’t have any friends to share a tent with.

With a heavy heart, Brianna only half paid attention to the food when it appeared and plopped anything down on her plate without any intention of eating it. This was an awful return feast.

6 Brianna Japos Well...this isn't very fun. 203 Brianna Japos 0 5

Henry Carey

October 29, 2012 6:10 PM

It's always best not to speak in absolutes, though by Henry Carey

If there was an upside to being the third of six children, and one of nine who tended to be lumped together a great deal during the holidays, Henry supposed it might be that his life never grew too quiet. He had always thought of this as a bad thing before, since he hadn’t been very fond of noise and crowds and, for that matter, some of the people in his family even on an individual basis even before the Incident, but it had occurred to him during the usual chaotic Christmas breakfast at Uncle Anthony’s – with his aunts and their children there too and Brandon and Diana playing a game which involved flicking bits of bread into the brim of Uncle Felix’s hat and Theresa shrieking because Mother had been scolding them and thus not paying enough attention to keep Cecilia from flinging some of her cereal on Terry’s new dress and the twins arguing about something, they wouldn’t tell anyone why they were really angry with each other but they had spent half the holiday disagreeing over the slightest thing, and Aunt Emma and Aunt Lorraine telling stories they evidently found funny, since they had both laughed like hyenas about them, and Father and Uncle Anthony arguing about Quodpot on top of everything else – that at least he wouldn’t be as overwhelmed by the din at Sonora this time as he had been when he first came. People had whispered around him for a long time, and Mother, at least, had treated him like glass for most of his tenth year, but they had all forgotten now, so there hadn’t been nearly as much of a transition between the levels of things he didn’t like in going home and coming back as he had thought there might be.

Still, though, he was glad of the calming draught Aunt Lorraine had given him before he got on the wagon. It wasn’t having as much of an effect on him now as it had been when he first had to go high in the air – he had actually fallen asleep at one point, when the ride wasn’t too rough, on the way here from it – but it was enough that after he took one look at the Cascade Hall, he didn’t feel the urgent need to run. The desire, yes, but not the need. He was quite capable of going to the Crotalus table and finding a seat, though he did try to look for that screeching creature as he picked it and he couldn’t help looking over his shoulder a few times, just to make sure no one was directly behind him at that moment.

He listened to Headmistress Jareau’s announcement calmly, thinking that at least fire would keep it from being dark, and that he could, if they were not assigned tents to stay in, perhaps get Jay and Anthony to share one with him. One of the things he liked best about school was that his room was the first space, in his life, he had ever had which was all his and no one else could come in if he didn’t want them to, but he thought he could tolerate his cousin and brother better than most people. Certainly better than the brother he had to share with at home.

Afterward, he didn’t attempt conversation with his Housemates, but just focused on his supper, listening to Arbon and Raines talk to shut out some of the chatter coming from everywhere else. They had both had pleasant holidays, by the sounds of it, with possibly even about as many relatives as he had, though it was hard to tell. Raines mentioned her nephews, but her having a much older sibling meant very little; she could be the youngest of seven or eight – he expected Theresa would have children by the time Cecilia came to school – or she could just have a strangely-spaced smaller family. Arbon’s family, though, definitely didn’t sound small; she mentioned a brother, and the use of sisters, plural, meant she must be the eldest of at least four. Perhaps they had more in common than he would have thought.

Their conversation turned to the event. He listened to them discuss that, too, before venturing to comment. “It’s a casual outdoor event,” he said, looking at them, but still not completely sure they’d really hear what he was saying, or that it was directed toward them. Nor did he really care. “At night,” he added, since that was the part which caused him the most concern, and then looked back at his dinner, prodding his green beans and trying to decide if he really wanted to eat them.

0 Henry Carey It's always best not to speak in absolutes, though 239 Henry Carey 0 5

Liam Ammon

October 29, 2012 10:33 PM

Dueling fates (tag Aria) by Liam Ammon

Liam liked feasts. Then again, what teenage boy didn't approve of mass quantities of food? Not that Liam was technically a teenager yet, but he was only three months away from his thirteenth birthday, so he just rounded up. He really liked saying he was 12 and 3/4, but the recent angst he was feeling made him feel more grown up than he was. He also wasnt feeling terribly hungry.

His break from school had been interesting. It started off well enough, and then he was blindsided by the fact that his mom had a boyfriend and though he'd been polite and accepting of the guy--Scott--he was really conflicted about it. He didn't want to talk to his mother about it. What was he going to say? "Nice boyfriend mom, thanks for the warning." His brothers could have mentioned it, but apparently this "Scott" was a regular character at the Ammon house as of late, so they didn't think of it, or didn't care. And owl post was a foreign concept, so no one bothered to write. Ramona would have, given the opportunity...or the owl. And Lexi...Lexi was seven and lived in her own special little world of rainbows and unicorns.

Liam couldn't help but feel a little hurt. He knew at some point Mom might start dating, and he didn't expect her to ask his permission or anything, but to spring her boyfriend on him like that wasn't cool. He didn't want a sit down conversation about how she was finally happy again, and how she still loved dad and how he'd always have a special place in her heart, or how Scott was really a swell guy, if he just have him a chance. A heads up would have been nice, or an introduction at non family event. Anything was better than nothing.

He knew his mom hadn't meant to hurt him. She was happy and excited and wanted Scott to be part of things and meet Liam who was away most of the year. He couldn't blame her. She'd been sad and alone for years, Liam was glad to see her happy again. He just felt so out of the loop in his own family; it made him miss his dad even more. All of those thoughts and feelings were difficult to work through from behind a façade of happiness.

He would have been happy to have someone to talk to, and somehow the only person he could think of that would know how he felt about not fitting in, and wouldn't be completely thrown by him randomly coming up and taking to them was Aria. Granted, that was how he usually approached her--randomly, while she was in the middle of other conversations.

Liam registered the Headmistress' announcement about the bonfire, and would probably be more excited as it drew closer, but off hand he could only think of one boy who he'd even consider sharing a tent with. However, considering it was a school wide event, he doubted Jay would risk being seen fratenizing with Muggleborns. Maybe they'd have a special tent for Muggleborns...a non magical one, since they wouldn't know the difference.

He sighed and looked down the Teppenpaw table for Aria. He needed to see a friendly face, and he hoped that some of the happiness he'd seen in her at the holiday party was still around for him to absorb. Plus, at the insistence of his sisters, he had a Christmas present for her. Liam's icy blue eyes finally spotted the curly haired blonde, and he may have actually smiled as he made his way to her.

"Hey," Liam started, claiming the vacant seat across from the Teppenpaw girl. "How was your Christmas?"

((OOC Aria's author gave me permission to take some liberty with her

5 Liam Ammon Dueling fates (tag Aria) 37 Liam Ammon 0 5

Arabella Brockert

October 30, 2012 5:59 AM

Which looks delicious by Arabella Brockert

It was utterly annoying being a lady at times. For example, at meal times. First of all, Arabella couldn't eat too much, no matter how hungry she might be. Secondly, everything she wanted to eat was messy. She wouldn't mind either buffalo chicken wings or barbecued ribs but knew there were risks involved as far as staining her robes. A Brockert girl could not be seen that way in public. As close to sloppy as she was allowed to look was when she was in her pajamas in front of her roommates and then Arabella had to wear nightgowns that she never quite felt suited her.

Perhaps she'd just have steak. She was in the mood for meat. The Pecari was rather a meat and potatoes sort of girl.

However, food of any kind would have to wait. The Headmistress began to speak and her welcome back speech was mercifully short. Arabella had yet to experience the bonfire, being only a third year, but she was glad that unlike the forced participation in the concert last term, they wouldn't have to actually do anything besides camp out on the pitch. She was sure that Amity would appreciate the lack of work as well.

On the other hand, Carrie was bound to be absolutely livid. Arabella grinned at this thought. The Pecari could only imagine what her cousin would try to get out of this and hoped it would fail spectacularly. The idea of the younger girl spending the night in a tent, even a magical tent, was completely amusing. She just pitied whomever had to share with her and listen to her whining and demands. She couldn't imagine anything less fun than that. Maybe the whole school would get lucky and someone would push the second year in the fire. The Pecari doubted that anyone would bother to cast the Flame Freeze Charm.

That's when it dawned on Arabella. What if it was her who got stuck with Carrie? She could not let that happen. Her cousin's misery was only humorous when the Crotalus wasn't making others miserable in turn. Particularly if that someone was her . Or Ryan. Anything Carrie did to anyone else paled in comparison to anything she'd do to her older brother. As for Arabella, she simply didn't want to deal with that monster ruining her night.

That, however, left her with the problem of filling her tent. She assumed that she would probably share with Alexandra but who else? Perhaps Theresa, she was Arabella's roommate and her friend's cousin but they'd still need one more. Perhaps the Crotalus girl would have some suggestions. She was sure it would work itself out and Carrie wouldn't even want to share with the third year. Unless it was to torture her, in which case, she could give as good as she got.

Food arrived and Arabella selected some prime rib and red roasted potatoes. Perhaps she'd have a small slice of the French silk pie for desert.

11 Arabella Brockert Which looks delicious 217 Arabella Brockert 0 5

Effie Arbon

October 30, 2012 3:08 PM

That's def- er, probably true. by Effie Arbon

Effie was unsure how to react to Isabel's lack of knowledge. On the one hand, the person on whom she relied to help her navigate the confusing maze of Sonora social life was as lost as she was, which was scarcely a good situation. On the other hand, it meant that the event was open to interpretation. It might be theirs to make of what they wished. It appeared, in Isabel's eyes, not to be something that needed immediate or worried attention. For the sake of her sanity, that seemed a sensible approach to take. She felt comfortable enough of her position within the group of Crotalus first years that she did not feel they would make a plan that excluded her.

“Perhaps it shall be what we make of it,” she agreed with Isabel, “And, so long as there is pleasant company, I daresay we can make it something positive, don't you think?,” she reasoned. Isabel seemed to have spoken of the bonfire in terms of definite attendance which at least answered one of Effie's queries.

She was surprised when a small voice piped up near them. She caught the content of the speech, which caused her to turn towards the speaker, otherwise – from the volume and tone – she might have supposed that the person was not talking to them at all. On the other end of the meek voice, she found Henry Carey. She had to frequently remind herself of his existence when counting Careys. Or, truth be told, in general. She usually took note of where important people were during class and to whom they were speaking. However, unless Henry caught her eye whilst observing others, he often passed her by. This made her feel terribly guilty as firstly he was a Carey and thus loomed large, or should have done, within the social elite of Sonora; of the important families at the school they were the one with whom she had made the least acquaintance thus far but amongst those whose good opinion she desired most. On a more personal note, he reminded her somewhat of Araceli. She was not sure whether Henry was cursed with seeming somewhat invisible or whether it was an effect which he strove to achieve. However, his thorough lack of limelight reminded her of her timid youngest sister, for whom any kind of attention was the worst possible fate.

“Thank you, Mister Carey,” she smiled. The fact that the whole school was attending and that little was required of them had indicated that it was casual, and the headmistress had stated that it took place on the Quidditch Pitch. However, even if the information was a little redundant, she appreciated his attempts to address their question. In fact, she appreciated the mere fact of a Carey speaking to her, even if it was the.... less dynamic one. “I take it that many relatives of yours have attended similar occasions here?” she added, with a slight questioning tone. It was habitually the way she spoke to Araceli. Gently. It invited him to offer further information if he desired but equally he could just escape with a nod if the situation was beyond him. It was difficult for fragile people and one had to treat them with care.

13 Effie Arbon That's def- er, probably true. 238 Effie Arbon 0 5

Professor Skies

October 30, 2012 3:35 PM

Once more unto the breach by Professor Skies

The holidays had been lovely. Not peaceful. Not peaceful by any stretch of the imagination, what with relatives constantly visiting and two girls who were used to having a whole boarding school between them suddenly forced to share a moderately sized house again. But they had been enjoyable. For all that it was loud, chaotic and sometimes argumentative, Selina was a family person, and the effort involved in hosting her relatives was definitely made up for by the time spent together.

The new term had come around before she'd known it. The girls had been packed back off to school and she had come back to Sonora, although she would return home most evenings. That had the benefit of meaning she could see her husband but had the downside of meaning that she did not spend much time socially with her colleagues. The opening feast seemed like a good chance to remedy this, as did the bonfire planned for the end of the year. She thought it was nice that the school had its traditions and that there was some form of celebration every year.

“So, here we are again,” she smiled at the person next to her. Names and faces were familiar enough from staff meetings, and so she didn't think introductions were really necessary. “Did you have an enjoyable Christmas?”

She scanned the food in front of them, enjoying the fact that a delicious meal had been prepared with no effort whatsoever on her part. The holidays had been a time for indulging in naughty things but coming back to school marked a clear ending point. She helped herself to a piece of fish that looked like it had been cooked in some sort of tomato-based sauce, adding peas and salad to the side. She wasn't someone who believed that you could live off lettuce leaves, or that carbs were the enemy but eating balanced, not too fatty foods and making sure you got plenty of fruit and vegetables were important. This wasn't so difficult to do during a main course. The real test of one's resolve arrived when dessert was served...

13 Professor Skies Once more unto the breach 26 Professor Skies 0 5

Isabel

October 30, 2012 4:46 PM

I agree by Isabel

“Of course,” Isabel said with a smile when Effie said she was sure they could make something pleasant out of the event at the end of the year, happy right now that her thoughts had been accepted and that this meant she probably hadn’t made a faux pas. She worried about that, talking to Effie, who seemed ever so much more proper than she was. If Effie thought they could make it all right, though, then it was not a sign of Isabel having poor taste or anything like that.

Not everyone, she knew, thought that well of her family. It didn’t bother her, as such – as she had once heard Papa remark to Theo, he was so damn rich he didn’t have to care much whether people liked him or not – but she did want the people around her to think well of her, specifically. And she just didn’t want to be tasteless in general, for her own sake. That was one of the worst things to be, she thought, regardless of who her family was or what her family was or anything else; based on her observations of how people dressed here, even Muggleborns could have good taste sometimes, so there really was no substitute for it.

She was surprised when Henry Carey spoke to them, since generally he didn’t. Isabel thought her main thought about him was that he was the only boy in their year and House, which made him stand out; certainly it wasn’t that he was a Carey, since when she thought of that, she thought first of Anthony, the other one in her year, and of Arnold, the Aladren Seeker, and Jane, the Head Girl. Not of Henry.

She felt a little guilty about that – weren’t the Houses supposed to be almost like their families here, while they were away from their own? She should know the people in her own House better than she knew their relatives in other Houses by reputation – as she listened to Effie talking to him. She didn’t have much to add at the moment, since she had already offered up her relatives at the school – at least the ones she talked to, she amended, thinking of Raines; even if she had wanted to talk to him, him sneering whenever he saw her, if Papa wasn’t right there, and ignoring her completely would have made that difficult - so listening for now seemed like the best strategy.

0 Isabel I agree 0 Isabel 0 5

Addison Thornton, Teppenpaw

October 30, 2012 5:07 PM

Heart beats and some eats... by Addison Thornton, Teppenpaw

Addison had made a deal with Josephine that they would help each other and she, having been at school over midterm, had wanted so badly to try not to eat. It, unfortunately, didn’t happen the way she’d wanted it to… Stressing over the CATS Exams she and the other fifth years would be getting in a short few months, caused her eating to get worse and worse instead of even a little bit better.

The red-head had nothing that fit, so she was never found without an extra large (and long) sweatshirt, or her robes atop her awful fitting clothes. Her Christmas presents didn’t help how she’d felt, she wasn’t sure anything would ever help her, though she hoped beyond all hopes that Josephine and the new friendship they’d formed would help!

Addi knew that her eating wasn’t going to help her fit into her new jeans or shirt, but she couldn’t help it… She just loved food…

The midterm was now ended and the other students were all coming back. The noise around her in Cascade Hall was making her more anxious than she’d been in days. The others all coming back meant that the CATS were even closer. Oh Merlin‘s Beard… she thought as her heart thudded in her chest. Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau stood up in front of them and Addison looked up at her briefly, then down at her plate. There was something about nerves that made the second oldest Thornton just want food, food and more food. She knew that was bad, but she just couldn’t help it…

Addison was about to look around to see if she could find Josephine, when she heard Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau start to speak.

“Hello everyone! Welcome back! I hope all of your holidays were pleasant and fun. I’m going to make this short and sweet. This year our Midsummer Event is the bonfire. Normally, we like to have the students contribute something during each of the events, but this year, we wanted to give you all a break. We have been very impressed with past years’ behaviors that we wanted to have this be an award. We’ll be having a camp out in the Pitch and you’ll get to do nothing more than roast smores and have fun with friends. You’ll hear more about it when we get closer to the end of term. For now, enjoy your dinner.”

“A Bonfire…” she said softly, unsure if anyone heard her. “But there is a lot of food at bonfires…” Addison hoped beyond all hopes that Josephine was either next to her or within hearing distance of her. She was scared. Terrified in fact. She felt like she was getting bigger by the second even just thinking about it…

What if the people next to me aren’t nice about it all? What if they’re mean? What if they’re not people who can help? What if- she thought as her heart beat at a deeper, faster tempo than before.

0 Addison Thornton, Teppenpaw Heart beats and some eats... 0 Addison Thornton, Teppenpaw 0 5

Professor Fawcett

October 30, 2012 7:24 PM

We may yet make it through alive by Professor Fawcett

Spending time with his family was pleasant enough, but John was always happy to come back to Sonora. He and his wife were very fond of each other and spoke at least briefly through the floo or by letter each day, but they were both also very private people, who had never been comfortable with too much togetherness and did not much like each other’s families or take much interest in what the other did for a living, so long as they got all their bills paid in the end. The only things they agreed on were politics – they had, in fact, met at a political event – and that they couldn’t imagine living any way other than the one they did. And so Allison ran the inn, he taught Potions and wrote articles on Magisociology, and they were much happier together when they were together than he honestly thought they would have been if they’d lived by a more conventional schedule and housing pattern.

He took a seat at the staff table as the students began falling into the room, watching his Aladrens, in particular, to make sure that they did not behave themselves too badly as they returned. He saw their conduct as, to some extent, a reflection on him, and so he did hold them to a slightly higher standard, though he did not talk about this, suspecting that it might not be viewed as correct.

If it was going to become an issue, however, it did not seem poised to do so at the moment; his students were not causing any problems, that he could see. Now if they could just get the House Cup back, to balance the Quidditch one in his office…He was going to miss the current fifth years, he expected, when they were gone, since they were the backbone of the Aladren Quidditch team and he did not expect to see their like again any time soon. Certainly Aladren had never been viewed the way it was now when he was a student here, the House team of his day had been viewed primarily as a joke.

“So we are,” he said pleasantly to Professor Skies when she addressed him over the dinner. “Quite pleasant, thank you.”

Not precisely true, for his extended family – his father had been in the hospital again, and there were rumors that the soap opera his brother had played on for twenty years might be canceled, a threat his brother seemed to take seriously and fear deeply, as he had made his living bouncing back and forth between his ex-wife and his current wife on the small screen for so long that he seemed to view Ken, Katherine, and Katrina as quite as essential to the story as Scott Fawcett, Nicole Howard, and Isabel Stewart were – but he and Allison had enjoyed their vacation, and he’d successfully attended the Wagner family holiday reunion without exchanging cross words with his father-in-law, which was always an occasion for great celebration. "And you? Not too much lesson-planning, I hope?"

0 Professor Fawcett We may yet make it through alive 0 Professor Fawcett 0 5

Aria Yale

October 30, 2012 8:35 PM

What sort of fates? by Aria Yale

Aria had had a pleasant time at home with her family and friends. Like last year, most of her peers had wanted to hear all the stories she had about Sonora as well as all about what she had learned. She had more to tell them this year than last due to the costume party. When she told them all about how everyone really loved her costume, they made her put it on for them. Her parents loved it. The Elders even allowed for her to wear it during the festival instead of the usual custom garments that she usually wore. The outfit seemed to really make everyone happy and since she was able to wear it more than once, Aria was happy to oblige.

Because she did not celebrate Christmas, she was unaccustomed to sending gifts, but she had told her parents about a boy in school who had been very nice to her. She had begun to consider him a friend. Her parents were rather pleased by this news and decided that to repay him for his kindness that she should make him a gift. In the spirit of the Yule Solstice celebration, Aria had decided to make Liam a grass doll. They were fun to make and she could make them as she wanted. She had no idea if this was something Liam would like, but it was fun to create and at least he would know she had been thinking of him.

The rest of her holiday was spent running around with her friends and helping her mother collect ingredients for her potions. She loved these days. It felt so normal and right. She was free and happy when she was home. But… when the time came to leave to head back to Sonora, Aria did not find herself being too upset about it. Instead, she was anticipating her return. This was far different from last year when Aria had a hard time deciding whether or not it had been worth coming back to. It was strange how just a few small conversations with people who didn’t seem to judge made a difference.

Now that she was back, Aria took a seat at the Teppenpaw table and waited politely for the food to arrive. The hardest part about these feasts was finding Vegetarian meals. Her values did not allow for her to eat the flesh of an animal, but it seemed that she was only a small few at the school who felt this way. Thankfully, vegetable side dishes were not uncommon at the table. So, she always took these dishes and made them into her full meal with a side salad.

While she ate, someone sat down. Looking up, she discovered that it was Liam. A large smile beamed across her face at the sight of him. “Hello, Liam!” She greeted happily. “I do not celebrate Christmas, but my Yule celebration was quite lovely.” She commented. “How was your Christmas? I know that it’s customary in your culture to give gifts. Did you get mine?” She asked, hoping that he had liked it at least somewhat.

6 Aria Yale What sort of fates? 228 Aria Yale 0 5

Mellie Goodwin

October 30, 2012 8:39 PM

It could become fun. by Mellie Goodwin

It had been with a noticeable slump to her shoulders that Mellie had dragged herself back onto the wagon back to school, but as she passed through the entrance hall and into the Cascade Hall, some of the spring came back into her step as she got caught up in the crowd, and the chatter, and the general almost holiday air as people reunited with their friends. The last few days of vacation, after all, had been sort of a drag, once all the things they were home to celebrate had been over and she had just been sitting around people’s houses while her parents were at work, and this was a lot more excitement than had happened at her house for Christmas anyway, since her dad had been on duty for most of the day and Alison had taken her odyssey international to visit a friend and hadn’t dropped in this year.

Mellie herself didn’t have many friends to greet, but she enjoyed seeing other people greeting theirs, anyway, and she did feel reasonably sure that she wasn’t a complete loser. She kept an eye open, as she made her way in and to a seat, for Michael, grinning and waving when she thought she spotted him and wondering, with a flutter of anxiety she tried to keep out of her grin, if he would notice that she had tried to do her hair prettily today, and then a second later if the effort had not only worked, but then held up to the wagon ride.

Touching it as she sat down, she couldn’t really tell if it was still in smooth, curl-ended waves behind a pretty headband or if it was in a tangle which was going to make taking that headband off a torturous exercise, and in that moment, she learned something about being a girl. Namely, why those who were already good at it seemed to so often visit the bathroom before entering the Hall. At the moment, though, all she could do was file the knowledge away for future reference.

Her hair wasn’t the only change; her clothes were, she thought, prettier, too. A blue turtleneck and a pair of jeans and a belt which showed off what very little figure she had were one thing, but with the fancy white boots and the dangly (well, slightly dangly, anyway; there were two beads on them, the snowflake-shaped one hanging directly beneath the other and her earlobe) earrings made it a little different. The earrings, actually, were the reason for the headband, since they let her ears show under her long, thick hair – a trait she thought she might have thought was pretty itself, it wasn’t such a boring brown, but oh, well. She couldn’t do much about her looks, just how she dressed them up, with special shampoos and lip glosses and mascara and all the other things she was still a complete novice in the use of but hoped to master someday.

Her mother was still making comments about her wanting to go shopping a few days after Christmas for new clothes, something Mellie had never asked to do before and hoped, after how embarrassing and difficult it had been to ask, never to have to do again. She was just glad she had lost her nerve and not even asked her mother to buy her that one really pretty skirt she’d seen, because she was pretty sure she would have both been turned down and never have heard the end of it as long as she lived. The hardest part, she thought, of trying all these new things was really ironic; the whole point had been to be more of a girl, which she guessed meant being noticed, and yet she hated that everyone seemed to notice she was making the changes.

She felt a little as though people were looking at her and criticizing her fashion choices as Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau talked about their Midsummer event, but tried to tell herself she was being silly and to think about the bonfire instead. That sounded like it would be so much fun! True, she didn’t have anyone to share a tent with, really, but she was sure there had to be a few other semi-decent people in the same position, so maybe she could even use the situation to make some new friends. No matter what, though, she still had all semester to worry about it, so she was easily distracted by the appearance of the food, even from her worries about her clothes and hair.

She reached for a dish at the same time as another girl in her class and withdrew her hand at once, letting the other one have the first shot. “Hi, Brianna,” she said cheerfully after they had both served themselves. They didn't know each other well, but it was hard not to learn a lot of names after most of four years together, so she didn't think she was out of line in speaking to the Crotalus girl now that they were sitting together. "Welcome back."

16 Mellie Goodwin It could become fun. 206 Mellie Goodwin 0 5

Henry Carey

October 30, 2012 10:13 PM

Now I want to disagree just on principle by Henry Carey

Henry looked up from his green beans – he had never liked them; they tasted like dirt to him no matter how they were cooked, though the ones here were marginally better than those at home; he didn’t even know why he had put some on his plate – when Arbon spoke to him. Mr. Carey. Huh. He liked that about school, people calling him that. At home, he was just ‘Hen,’ generally; that was what his cousins and his brothers and sisters called him, and the adults didn’t often seem to notice he was there at all.

“Yes,” he said, and wished to leave it at that. Instead, he shrugged and added, “Jane and the twins were here the last time they had a bonfire.”

Edmond had as well, but Henry saw no need to mention him, since he had never met him and had only heard of him from the twins, who’d been under his leadership on the Quidditch team for a year. The one year Arnold had ever lost. Well, everyone knew the Georgia branch was bad luck and up to no good. As for Jane, he only knew her through association – he thought she and Arthur got along well, but he had only had one conversation with her in his life, back in the first week of school, and he had spent most of that with his eyes fixed on the surface of the table between them – but the question had been about family attending events, and she was family. A little suspect in her associations, but a respectable member of the family nevertheless, from the Virginia branch, with a husband all lined up and waiting for her; his mother had encouraged Theresa most strongly to take her as an example of what Terry should try to be.

Theresa. She wanted them to call her ‘Theresa’ most of the time now, instead of the many things they had always used in place of that name before. She fancied herself a grand lady now, very important because she was in the Intermediate classes. He found that annoying, but he supposed he should try to go along with her, if he ever wanted them to stop calling him Hen. They were both most likely never going to get their own way about those things, but it was worth a try.

He looked between Arbon and Raines. “My cousin Arnold found the part where they slept in tents most interesting,” he added, since they evidently were not blessed with such a superabundance of relations that they could know things about everything that was ahead of them. His weren’t always cooperative, when he even knew the right people, which wasn’t all the time at all, but he listened to everyone, everyone talked sooner or later, and then he knew things. He considered it a useful skill. “Arthur believed they were reasonably comfortable, but he would have preferred to stay inside.”

One of the things Arthur and Henry shared in common was a preference for being left alone with their work, not disturbed by brothers wanting them to play. Arthur, though, didn’t seem to mind not getting his way in that as much as Henry did. Presumably because he could get away with doing whatever he wanted most of the time. It didn’t seem to make him feel bad when he hurt his brothers’ feelings, or when they put on a show of being hurt, anyway. It did bother Henry, even if, after it was done, he refused to admit he had noticed, knowing that they would all take advantage if he did.

0 Henry Carey Now I want to disagree just on principle 239 Henry Carey 0 5

Liam

October 31, 2012 1:10 AM

Ok, so it's more like dueling emotions. by Liam

Of course Aria wouldn’t celebrate Christmas. Liam wasn’t entirely surprised by this revelation; Aria wasn’t your average girl. He figured that was probably why he liked her as much as he did. He probably should have known that, based on the grass doll that she sent him, that she wasn’t celebrating Christmas, but he couldn’t exactly be sure without talking to her about it. Maybe her community only made their Christmas gifts, they didn’t seem like material people from what Liam had heard anyway.

When the owl arrived at his house (which caused a stir all on its own), Liam was excited and a little confused. That was his usual attitude around Aria though, so it was fitting. He appreciated the gesture, even more so now that she asked about, and knew that it was kind of the norm for his type of people. She’d gone out of her way to make, and send him something for a holiday she didn’t celebrate herself. If Liam wasn’t mistaken, she had officially cemented their friendship status.

Well, almost.

While he wasn’t quite sure what to do with the grass doll, he liked it all the same. It was happy, and looking at somehow made him happy. Maybe she’d put some kind of spell on it, or it was made of special Aria’s community happy grass. Either way, it was the only gift he got from someone he wasn’t related to, so it meant a lot to him. Plus, his sisters thought it was the coolest thing ever.

“I’ve heard of Yule logs, and Yuletide carols…but I honestly don’t know what any of it is.” He said, with a half frown. “But I’m glad you had a good break. Mine was…weird.” He decided, trying to phrase it as nicely as he could. “I did get your gift, thank you.” Liam added, a smile returning to his face as he thought about the happy grass person gingerly tucked away in his trunk. “I don’t quite know what it means, but I really liked it. Thanks. You really didn’t have to do anything.” The Pecari finished, reaching into his robes fishing for something.

“I have two little sisters, and they wanted to keep it. They asked all about it, and you. So I told them about your costume, and how nice you always are to me, and how great you are at potions—they somehow got the impression that you’re my girlfriend. I explained that yes, you are both a girl and my friend, but not a girlfriend…anyway, then they asked what I’d gotten you…which, to be honest, I hadn’t even considered. I’m not the most thoughtful guy ever. That was apparently unacceptable to them, so—they helped me out a little.” Liam explained as he pulled a http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/KyrraTrueht/Ariasgift.jpg"> package out of his pocket.

“I guess it’s cheating, since I didn’t make it myself, but I bought the beads…and had to tie the knots. SO I helped a little. We went off the colors from your costume...because, I dunno…you seemed really happy that night and maybe the colors will help you remember. This is a friendship bracelet. Muggle girls wear them to show everyone that you’re friends. Pink and purple aren’t really my colors…I’m more of a fall, or else I’d have one too. I don’t know if you’ve ever had a candy cane, but they are kind of a big deal around Christmas, and then the bottle of pink is nail polish—if you have it at home, forgive me for explaining, I just…you’re hard to shop for.” He said with a grin.

5 Liam Ok, so it's more like dueling emotions. 37 Liam 0 5

Liam

October 31, 2012 1:13 AM

((dumb link!)) by Liam

5 Liam ((dumb link!)) 37 Liam 0 5

Eris Ackart

October 31, 2012 1:56 AM

Counting down to summer by Eris Ackart

After getting to spend some time with her friends back in England over the holiday, Eris was actually excited to get back to Sonora. It would have been nice to have her old friends with her, of course, but she was ready and raring to make more new ones. She’d also spent enough time with her brothers over the last week of break, and was ready for some peace and quiet. Of course, this would have to wait until after the returning feast.

This was her first of many Sonoran feasts, and Eris marveled at how small the hall felt when packed full of people—and how loud it was. No wonder Michael tended to take his meals at off hours. Her favorite part was how everyone got to sit wherever they wanted. Under normal circumstances, she would have sat next to Abigal at either of their house tables, but for now, she felt more comfortable sticking with her fellow Teppenpaws.

The Headmistress’ announcement about the mid-summer bonfire/Quidditch pitch event really excited her. She was already looking forward to summer and all of the things she had planned, but the prospect of camping for a night with her friends made her wish summer would come even faster. Which reminded her, she had to report her findings on her parent’s feelings about a proposed student exchange situation. She also had a gift or two to dole out. Plus her birthday was days away-- Eris was so happy and excited that she nearly forgot how hungry she was.

She smiled and waved at a few people that she recognized from class, or from her clubs—or some she didn’t even know and dished up her plate. Salad and a grilled chicken breast. She decided to keep it light, because soon it would be time for dessert and Eris loved dessert. As she ate, her dark eyes scanned the room for one person in particular. She was anxious to see him, but knew that if she didn’t catch him here, there was always the common room. Assuming, of course, she hadn’t frightened him off after the holiday party.

Eris needed to get rid of some of this energy, and though she was sure adding sugar on top of it wasn’t going to help, she wasn’t quite ready to leave the feast yet. So instead, she decided that some friendly conversation might help calm her down a bit.

“Did you have a nice holiday?” She asked her neighbor before taking a sip of water.

0 Eris Ackart Counting down to summer 0 Eris Ackart 0 5

Cepheus Princeton

October 31, 2012 4:08 PM

Just another term. by Cepheus Princeton

The winter holidays were always exciting most often because Cepheus received gifts that he might not have even thought to ask for. Christmas and his birthday were his two favourite holidays, though his birthday less so now since he had to celebrate it at school. This Christmas was no different. On Christmas Eve, he, his mother and his youngest brother travelled to London to go shopping for gifts. The boys weren’t allowed to look, so Cepheus and Leo walked around the store looking at toys and little trinkets. Leo was much past the age of believing in any sort of fantastical wizard who brought them presents, so he would try to sneak peeks at the things Mum was carrying in the next aisle. It was Cepheus’s job to keep that from happening if he wasn’t too busy peeking himself.

Overall, Cepheus’s Christmas load had been rather hefty this year. On the very top of Cepheus’s list was a Gobstones set, and he had received it as well as a brand new wireless. He and his brothers had had loads of fun playing while listening to Christmas music. It had been a happy Christmas, and Cepheus, as always, felt a bit sad at leaving home once more. He knew he should probably be used to it since he was in his third year now, but his life at home was good. He missed England when he was away.

Over the holiday, he had sent gifts to his friends as well, a first for him. There was a Gobstones set for Gareth and chocolates for Alex and Shiloh, an obligatory gift for Megan and her family that was most likely something chocolatey, presents for Emma and Georgina and Dorian, who were all staying at their respective schools for the holiday, sweets for Alicia and Thad and Evan, and, after some hesitation, one for Theresa. He’d merely gotten Theresa chocolates, and he thought she wouldn’t think anything of it. After all, they were friends as well.

Now he was at school again and the welcoming feast felt repetitive. He was glad that they weren’t expected to do anything for the midsummer event. A bonfire, according to what he knew, was supposed to be great fun and Cepheus looked forward to it. He could immediately think of the chaps he’d want to room with and he stifled a grin as he put food onto his plate. He hoped this Midsummer Event was better than the last two.

Cepheus looked over at a fellow classmate and smiled. “Excited for the bonfire? I am. It’s going to be loads of fun. I don’t think I’ve been to a proper bonfire since I was eleven.” Thinking of cooking things over the fire wasn’t exactly appealing, but maybe they would bring house-elves to do that bit for them as they talked amongst themselves.

The last bonfire Cepheus could remember going to was in celebration of his great-grandfather’s 100th birthday during the summer. Great-grandfather had only lived a year more before passing away, but Cepheus had never been close with the wizard. The bonfire hadn’t been all that fun then with the old wizard, but Ceph had higher hopes for this one. There wouldn’t be any balmy old relatives at Sonora’s bonfire, thank Merlin.

40 Cepheus Princeton Just another term. 216 Cepheus Princeton 0 5

Clarissa Clark

October 31, 2012 5:00 PM

In two worlds. by Clarissa Clark

After spending some time away from the school, it seemed odd to Clarissa to be sitting back in Cascade Hall. The holidays had been a whirlwind of travel and very different climates as she had visited her Dad and his pregnant wife Tracey in Florida and then they had flown to London to visit her grandparents for Christmas. It was not a white Christmas, but certainly an appropriately cold and wintery Christmas. It was lovely to be back in a familiar setting for a short time, but Clarissa was suprised to find that she now felt torn between the various places she called home. Clarissa's father Steven was close to his parents, and as she had never known her mother or her relatives her grandparents had always tried to provide the love of four grandparents. She was grateful for this of course, but sometimes found the attention a little overwhelming. This year she had been allowed to help prepare dinner and her close friend shad even come round to eat Christmas cake in the evening. Clarissa considered telling them about her being a witch, but decided that it was too risky. She felt that she would need to prove it somehow, and of course doing magic in the muggle world was strictly prohibited.

This experience made Clarissa wonder again about her mother, and whether or not she had been magical. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking. Steven had made many comments over the years about his wife's unusual abilities but it was hard to see past the myths and metaphors. Clarissa had heard that her mother could "bring light and warmth to any room", "always find her way" and "mysteriously mend any object", but perhaps these were merely the words of a man in love, dazzled by his match. Steven was not a romantic however, and it seemed odd that while Emile had apparently been creative and passionate, it was her practical skills that Steven described as "magical". But Emile's reasons for having have keep her (possibly)true nature a secret for so long was a mystery.

Tracey was practical too, but warm and a lot less reserved than Steven. She had apologised for sending Clarissa a slightly inappropriate costume for the the holidays party at the end of term, blaming pregancy hormones, and been impressed with her resourcefulness in creating a new costume from the parts. Being American Tracey had never experienced Bonfire Night or particularly remembered the fifth of November, but she liked the sound of sparklers and fireworks and woolly gloves, and everyone going out together to see a bonfire and the colourful leaves on the ground. She didn't like the thought of Guy Fawkes being tortured, hung drawn and quartered but at least the kids were learning about real history. And then being distracted, with treacle toffee and pretty lights in the sky.

Tracey was now six months pregant, and had become obsessed by ideas of children and mothers and where a person really comes from. Her baby was a boy, and she was determined to use the trip to London to become closer to Clarissa's grandparents despite the distance. Steven had always presumed that Clarissa's other grandparents lived in France, but had no real idea. Tracey's parents lived in Florida too, so Clarissa had met them many times and was pleased to be celebrating New Year's Eve with them. They didn't know about Clarissa being magical, but they did know that she had been specially invited to attend a school somewhere. They gave her presents of a new dress, a smart watch and a little teddy bear, and fed her lots of chocolates. From her Dad and Tracey, Clarissa had received a vouchers for books and music for her to learn on the piano. After the party, Tracey put Clarissa to bed and asked if she ever wondered about where she came from. Clarissa quietly replied that she had. Tracey primised that if Clarissa wanted, she would pump Steven for information and try to discover some potential lines of enquiry. They were really family now.

The holidays had gone by all too quickly, but Clarissa returned to Sonora bouyed up by seeing all her loved ones and by the pact that she and Tracey had forged. She saw some familiar faces as she entered Cascade Hall for the returning feast, and this time felt much less unusual. It was still a little daunting though.

Sitting down, Clarissa poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice and helped herself to small portions of the dishes in front of her, choosing a little of everything. "It's all so tasty and I'm er... indecisive...I can never pick just one thing it's...it's all nice." she said to the student next to her, by way of explanation. "Did....did you have a nice holiday?"

0 Clarissa Clark In two worlds. 1486 Clarissa Clark 0 5

Brianna

October 31, 2012 8:57 PM

Not if I'm involved. by Brianna

Brianna looked up from her current state of despair at the greeting. She found herself looking at a girl. A girl that looked familiar and it took Brianna a moment to figure out who she was. Not that she didn’t notice Melanie Goodwin in classes or anything, but that she had never really ever spoken to her or been this close to her. Brianna didn’t have any issues with her classmate and was certain that Mellie didn’t mind her so much (then again, she could be very wrong about this).

Even so, Brianna had no idea why this girl was talking to her. Surely there were other people that she would prefer to converse with? Brianna was so used to just sitting with Josh, who rarely spoke, that she wasn’t really sure what she was supposed to do. Brianna figured that Melanie was just being nice. She found herself stuck at the same table as the ugly girl and felt compelled to do something like take pity on her and have a chat. That seemed to be the theme for her anyway. She couldn’t make any friends without there being pity involved. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about that. On the one hand, it meant that people were talking to her and, at least, letting her sit and eat. On the other hand, she didn’t want to be the girl who only had friends because they felt sorry for her. That wasn’t a friendship at all.

“Hello, Melanie.” Brianna greeted with uncertainty. She knew that she often (or always) went by Mellie, but that seemed like a far too casual of a name for two people who did not know one another. If Mellie preferred it and said so, than Brianna would oblige, but for now, she would remain formal. “And thank you. It’s good to be back.” She commented lightly with a polite smile.

Brianna remember that she was hungry, the sad cloud of darkness that had been resting on her shoulders, lifted enough to get her to start eating again. “Did you have a nice holiday?” Brianna asked, making polite chitchat. She knew that she wasn’t the best company, but she did try her hardest. She didn’t think she ought to be blamed for it though. She wasn’t really in the right class of families back home where parents felt she was good enough to socialize with and she didn’t have any siblings. She didn’t know what to do with herself.

0 Brianna Not if I'm involved. 0 Brianna 0 5

Aria

October 31, 2012 10:29 PM

Emotions can be tricky by Aria

“A Yule log is a log that you either harvest from your land or are given as a gift that you place into your fireplace, decorate it, drench it in cider – well, you can use alcohol, but since I’m there, my parents use cider, sprinkle it with flour, and then allow it to burn throughout the night along with the log from the previous year.” Aria informed him. “After you let it burn, you have to let it smolder for twelve full days.” She loved that tradition. She often helped her father harvest the log from the woods that surrounded the community. It was something that they did together. “Yule is where we celebrate the rebirth of the Sun God. We celebrate it on the longest night of the year because going forward, each day grows longer. It’s one of my favorite holidays to celebrate.” Aria said wistfully.

“We decorate our community and homes in Holly and Ivy. We give gifts to our Mother Earth, lite bonfires, sing, and dance. We make cider from scratch and the adults give out apples and oranges. It’s just so much fun. We all together and happy.” She was grinning almost painfully just remembering all of the excitement. “I do not know what a Yuletide Carol is though, I’m sorry.” She apologized.

She wasn’t sure how to explain the grass doll. It was just something that kids made in their community. They did not spend money frivolously, but they also did not want stifle the children by not allowing them the pleasure of toys. So, they made them. “We make our own toys. We usually make them during Yule because the grass is just right. I am glad that you like it.” She said pleasantly, happy that he had received his gift from her.

Aria wasn’t really sure what he meant by ‘girlfriend’. She was a girl and she assumed they were friends, but why did that have to be pointed out? He did not seem to enjoy this from his sisters’ either, so she wondered if it were a bad thing. But then he pulled out a package and she momentarily forgot about the girlfriend comment. “Oooh.” She exclaimed as she looked over the contents, unsure if she was allowed to accept gifts. However, since she had given him one, she felt it was okay to accept one in return.

“This is quite lovely!” Aria exclaimed, pulling the beads over her head and then holding out her wrist for him to tie the bracelet onto for her. “I do not know what nail polish is or a candy cane. Are these made from animals? I can't have them if they are." She told him, a little sad at thinking they might be. "We have potions that can turn us different colors. Sometimes we do that for fun.” She told him as she looked over the bottle. “I’ll make your sisters dolls the next time I am home.” She commented, enjoying her gifts. “And flower head rings that we wear during holidays.” If they liked the dolls, she saw no harm in making some for them. At least then they could appreciate the simplicity of it.

“Why was your holiday weird?” She asked, returning to their original conversation. “And why is it bad to be labeled your girlfriend? You do not like that?”

0 Aria Emotions can be tricky 0 Aria 0 5

Rupert Princeton

November 01, 2012 12:19 PM

One world is good enough for me. by Rupert Princeton

The holidays couldn't have been over soon enough. At Sonora, Rupert had experienced freedom that he had never really known before, so going back home had been stifling. He had been extremely unhappy during most of the holiday firstly because his father had hardly congratulated him on making the Quidditch team. That was expected, but Rup had been mostly upset with the fact that his mum had taken Cepheus and Leo to London on Christmas Eve and left him at home. Rupert was normally not someone who became easily depressed, but he certainly was all Christmas Eve. Opening presents on Christmas Day alleviated that disappointment a bit, and Ceph had tried to be nice by letting him play Gobstones with him.

But no matter how much his family tried to be nice, Rupert had missed being at Sonora and being a little more independent. He had been extremely excited to go, so much so that his fingers had slipped on the Portkey from New York to Missouri and he had gone crashing down into some corn field. His mum had had to go back and get him, angry and irritated by his butterfingers. She held onto him tightly the rest of the way to Arizona. It was always tricky travelling from England to Arizona, and Rup felt a little nauseous afterwards, but it was worth it in Rupert's mind.

The welcoming feast was welcoming indeed. Rup didn't even miss the house-elves when he was here. He sat down at a table and listened closely to the Headmistress's speech. There was going to be a bonfire? Rupert grinned, unable to wait and attempt to cook his own food. That would certainly be, well, interesting, since his mum couldn't even seem to trust him with fire or any sharp objects.

Once the speech was over, he began piling food on his plate. Clarissa sat down next to him and began putting food on her plate, and Rup didn't even think of what sort of food she was putting there until she acknowledged it. "I don't care," he said, looking down at his own plate that was filled to the very edges with bits of the different dishes as well. "If it's there, it's meant to be eaten."

Rupert ignored Clarissa's slight hesitation in asking her question, and answered it as brightly as possible. "It was all right. Nothing to complain about." He shrugged. "I didn't do much. I've got pets back home and so it was nice to see them again. And I got to bring my owl back with me. He was getting lonely back at home, I think. His name's Ozzy." The almond-coloured bird was nowhere in sight at the moment, but that was because he was most likely in his cage in the Pecari dorm room. "How was your holiday? Go anywhere fun and exciting?"

40 Rupert Princeton One world is good enough for me. 248 Rupert Princeton 0 5

Jorge Garcia

November 01, 2012 3:31 PM

Wishing your life away? by Jorge Garcia

Jorge didn’t really have friends at Sonora. It didn’t bother him most of the time because he didn’t mind staying in his dorm or wandering around on his own. He enjoyed blending into the crowd and just watching everyone else interact. It was amazing the sort of things that he overheard when people didn’t realize he was there. It was a little weird sometimes to know that when he was at Sonora, he didn’t mind being quiet and just sitting back watching the world go by while at home he was all over the place wanting to do things.

This holiday had been no exception of that. As usual, they had the big family dinner. Every year, the dinner grew larger due to the guests. They had it out in Spain this year because the manor was much larger and could hold them all. It was so much fun being around everyone again. With his uncle’s wedding happening soon, everyone was overwhelmingly excited. His aunt was going to be the Best ‘Man’ in her best friend’s wedding, so she was even more bubbly than usual. Everyone was asking when his Uncle Mateo was going to settle down and when Uncle Jose and Aunt Danae were going to have children. On top of all of this, Lita and Juri were inseparable and he was now a usual suspect at their dinner table.

The best thing about holidays was that he was able to hang out with Pedro, his cousin. Pedro lived in Mexico due to his father taking over the Firm there, so his parents decided it was best for him to stay and go to a Magical school in Mexico. Jorge missed his cousin, they were like brothers, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. Besides, his Uncle Paul was a jerkface.

Now back at Sonora and already missing the constant banter that happened in two separate languages, Jorge decided to be a little different and sat by the new girl. He usually found himself at the Pecari table near his classmates, but figured he didn’t need to hear the same old stories from them… or watch Jade eat. Besides, he liked the way Eris spoke.

The bonfire was a cool idea, but he wasn’t sure about the tent situation. He would either be sharing with his roommate, or being placed into by a Professor. That was probably potentially embarrassing to him, but since he didn’t know many guys, it seemed inevitable. He would deal with that later.

“My holiday was good. Spent it with the whole family out in Spain.” Jorge commented lightly. Sometimes, what little accent he may have on an average day, became thicker slightly after being with his extended family. “How was your holiday?”

6 Jorge Garcia Wishing your life away? 220 Jorge Garcia 0 5

Mellie

November 01, 2012 5:41 PM

Sure it could, there's almost always a way. by Mellie

Hearing her actual first name made Mellie pause – she didn’t even think of herself as Melanie, or know anyone who called her that; she knew it came up in roll calls every now and again, but she didn’t know, if she were someone else, if she would even know that her real name was Melanie, so rarely was it used – but she guessed it was a Crotalus thing. A lot of them were purebloods and seemed to be formal a lot, so maybe that was it. Now Mellie wondered if she should have formally called Brianna ‘Miss Japos’ or something, but that just felt weird to contemplate; she thought of teachers doing that, not people she was actually talking to.

It was, she thought, sort of interesting, now that she thought of it at all, how they divided themselves up in school. Maybe the students like that didn’t think much of her and the other students like her – the normal ones, or at least, ones from what she thought of as normal families – but they didn’t make an issue of it; they just minded their own business, mostly, and left her to mind hers. Everybody won, or at least didn’t lose. She didn’t know what to think about politics – listening to her parents or wireless personalities discuss it confused her, and the newspaper was even worse – but she liked that about school, anyway, that everyone mostly managed to just get along.

“That’s good,” she said when Brianna said she was glad to be back. “I am too, now that I’m actually here. Though I guess I’ll regret it as soon as Potions rolled around.” Mellie wished the Aladrens all luck and happiness with their Head of House, but she was glad he wasn’t hers; she liked Fawcett perfectly well, but wasn’t sure if the feeling was at all reciprocated, considering her essay-writing skills.

She began to eat and so just nodded at first when Brianna asked if she had had a nice holiday, knowing it was rude to talk with her mouth full and not wanting to make any major social mess-ups that she knew to avoid. She was pretty sure she did or said the wrong thing at some point in virtually every social interaction she had just out of ignorance, but she did try, where she knew what she was trying to avoid. Talking with a mouth full of food was a bad idea no matter where one came from, as far as she knew.

“Yes, thanks,” she said once she no longer had that problem to worry about as she replied. “It was great – Dad was at work a lot, but usually he and Mom weren’t at work at the same time, so that was good, and I got to catch up with everyone else in the neighborhood when they were.” Being an only child was, Mellie was sure, the catalyst behind most of her social life, since she’d had to get to know people and get out of the house more often than she would have otherwise. Alison had been around most of the time when she was little, but then she’d had all her friends around, and Mellie had known them and their families and their younger siblings.

“How was yours? Did you have a nice time?” she asked Brianna, curious, from that same point of view, about someone who she didn’t know as well and how their family dealt with the holidays and the complications of having the kid home for a change. Without the community, she knew her parents would have had difficulties more than once over the years.

16 Mellie Sure it could, there's almost always a way. 206 Mellie 0 5

Effie Arbon

November 01, 2012 6:53 PM

Being contrary will get you nowhere but a goblin pit by Effie Arbon

Initially, Henry Carey seemed keen to leave his response at the minimum required. However, after a little pause, he seemed to rally himself to providing more information.

“Sleeping in tents?” she repeated after him. It was not the fact that he was softly spoken which caused her to seek clarification. Effie was pale faced and wide eyed by nature and thus shock did not display itself with these physical tell-tale signs in her case. However, the emotion was still clear to read. It was hard to say what it was. Perhaps the previous easy, happy animation of her features was suddenly absent. The prospect of an informal gathering had been made good by the knowledge that she could still choose her own social circle within that. But sleeping in a tent? It was not something of which she had any kind of experience but it did not sound promising. She was at a loss as to what to think and turned to Isabel to gauge her reaction.

The meal had been going well. In spite of her heartache for home, she had been pleased to see Isabel. She had felt she had as good a grip as she ever did on things at Sonora. But now she now felt as though the floor had been snatched from under her feet. She took a mouthful of food to escape further comment but it did not seem to really taste of anything. She chewed. The action did not seem to transform the food into a manageable ball to swallow.

13 Effie Arbon Being contrary will get you nowhere but a goblin pit 238 Effie Arbon 0 5

Liam

November 01, 2012 10:06 PM

What do you do with them? by Liam

Liam hoped he didn’t look too confused as Aria explained her Yule Log tradition to him. He didn’t really understand why they would put drench the log in cider since wet wood didn’t burn particularly well, and why did they sprinkle flour on it? Then again, she might find it odd that they hung stockings over a fireplace and put little presents in them. And the lore behind Santa Claus was a little crazy when you stopped to think about it. Liam didn’t feel like explaining to Aria that adults lied to their children about a make believe man in red who broke into people’s homes, stole their cookies, and left behind presents or lumps of coal. Or that he came from the North Pole where elves ran about making toys and Claus got around in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. In a way, Aria’s celebration seemed more logical. Minus the flour sprinkling of course.

“Sounds like a good time.” He said with a smile. “I guess it’s just songs? Yuletide carols I mean…one of our Christmas songs mentions it.” He finished with a shrug. Based on her description, Aria’s holiday and his didn’t seem that different at the very core. Togetherness, singing, gifts, celebrating, cider—all the same.

“You guys do that a lot, don’t you? Make your own stuff I mean. That’s actually pretty cool. I bet you save a lot of money that way.”

Liam was glad that Aria seemed to like her gifts. Ramona and Alexis would be pleased to hear about it, and he planned to write them a letter as soon as he had a moment. He tied the bracelets for Aria, and couldn’t help but smile.

“Nail polish is like a paint that you put on your finger or toenails. I guess girls like that sort of thing back home. And a candy cane is basically peppermint flavored sugar. Not animal parts included. I may not be the most thoughtful person ever, but I remembered that much.”

“Color changing potions, like the one for start of term? I guess this is kind of similar, but…not.”

Liam’s grin older broadened when Aria mentioned making things for his sisters. They didn’t have a lot of money at home, so the girls often got craft supplies in lieu of toys to keep them busy. They had dolls, and other things, but appreciated the work put into the grass one that Aria had made for Liam.

“They’d love that!”

Liam considered the order in which to answer Aria’s questions. Maybe she didn’t know what he’d meant by girlfriend? He didn’t think it was a bad thing, he just didn’t really think of her in that light. He wasn’t currently thinking of any girls in that light actually. He knew he was going to at some point, and Aria was smart, and interesting, and actually rather pretty when he stopped to really look at her…but he was 12 ¾. Romantic relationships seemed a little more complicated than Liam wanted right now.

“Well, it’s not bad…it’s just…we don’t really like each other that way, do we? I mean, we’re friends, but…” Liam paused, trying to figure out how to best word what he wanted to say without hurting her feelings. “Ok. So, a girlfriend is someone you want to be around all the time, and like, hug and kiss and stuff. Someone that you LIKE like and take out on dates, and buy flowers for and that kind of thing. Now don’t get me wrong, I think you’re pretty great, and of the girls I know, I’d probably pick you, but I don’t think we’re really old enough to be boyfriend and girlfriend. You know? Besides, I wouldn’t know what to do…I’ve never had one.” He added, his voice getting slightly softer. He wasn’t really one to blush, but he felt his cheeks warm slightly at the idea of it all.

It was fitting really that he addressed that subject first, seeing as boyfriends were the reason why his Christmas was weird. He realized that he’d never actually told anyone at Sonora about his dad, so that was going to be a fun conversation to have. He kind of regretted bringing it up now, not because he didn’t like talking about his dad, he just didn’t like seeing people’s faces when he brought it up. He was already sad enough about it, he didn’t like making other people feel bad for him. He supposed he could skirt the dead-dad issue again, and just say his mom had a new boyfriend, but that still lead to the question—what happened to your dad?

Aria was his friend. The only person he really felt he could be himself around. In that respect, she kind of deserved to know the whole story.

“So, my dad died a few years ago, and I don’t know when it all started, but my mom got a new boyfriend at some point, and didn’t tell me about it until he showed up at the house on Christmas Eve.” He sighed and rested his elbows on the table, resting his chin in his palms. “He was around quite a bit while I was there. It was just…weird…you know? Seeing her happy with someone else, and having someone kind of, try to fill that void that dad left…It was so unexpected, and I just don’t know what to make of it all.”

5 Liam What do you do with them? 37 Liam 0 5

Arista Thornton

November 01, 2012 11:32 PM

Focused Feast by Arista Thornton

Arista had spent most of midterm by herself in her new room by Gracie’s in the new wing of the house. The loss both for Teppenpaw and of her new broom from Uncle Bryan had made her almost impossible to deal with at the beginning. She knew that the younger kids were glad that she had her own room, it wouldn’t have been too pretty her having to share one this time around more than any other loss before. This loss hit home worse than any other as well. This had been Captain Kirstenna’s last chance to win and they’d blown it! Even after all the practicing and all the teamwork, they’d still blown it! Arista paced her room a lot and she knew the others were walking back and forth (she heard them), but they didn’t knock or bother her. She was glad for that, it may not have been something too nice coming out of her mouth if they had, and she knew it.

Addison had stayed at school so Amira had her own room as well, which the fourth year obviously relished. Ris knew how hard it was to live with Addi, (she’d done it for 15 years) but she still loved her sister and worried about her like any family member would and should. That was the reason that she’d sat down with her mother one day towards the end of the holidays and told her what was going on.

Alora had given her oldest daughter explicit directions to keep special watch over Addison this term. Alora would be able to bet that the trouble she was having was all surrounding the CATS Exams that were coming up and Arista agreed with her mother. The thing was, Ris knew how big Addi was getting and her mother didn’t. Alora had given Ris permission to go to Medic Bailey if she saw anything more that was going wrong with Addi and Rista promised her mother to keep an eye on her.

She hated doing it, but her mother was right and she knew it. Medic Bailey would have to be told, there was no way around it…

The wagons took Arista, Amira, Andri, Bri and Abi back to school along with the others from nearby and Arista glanced around the Hall when they arrived for her slightly younger sister. She spotted her large size and red hair almost immediately and sighed. It looked like she’d even gained more weight the two weeks the others were gone! Looks like I have to talk to Medic Bailey for sure… she thought worriedly as she sat down in the middle seat of three open ones. She glanced up towards the professors and tried to catch Medic Bailey’s attention without being rude and calling across the room to him. She wanted to try to tell him with her eyes that she needed to speak with him. Ris hoped he understood what she was doing! Just when it looked like she’d gotten his attention (even though she wasn’t sure it had worked), Headmistress Kijewski welcomed them all back and told them that this would be short and sweet.

Ris nodded as she listened to her Headmistress talk about the bonfire, but she really wasn’t listening, she was watching Addison like a hawk and every so often glancing at Medic Bailey to check and see if he’d noticed she needed to talk to him.

“For now, enjoy your dinner.”

The food began to arrive, but Arista didn’t start eating yet, she watched what Addi would do. Her focus was so great that she jumped almost completely out of her seat when someone tapped her on the shoulder and asked for the potatoes.

0 Arista Thornton Focused Feast 0 Arista Thornton 0 5

Waverly Canterbury

November 02, 2012 12:51 AM

Happier than ever by Waverly Canterbury

The Christmas holiday had felt so impossibly short that Waverly had almost been disappointed when she had to go back to school, and she loved school. But as she sat in the hall barely listening to the Headmistress's speech, she couldn't help but think of her midterm.

It had been a break filled with Brandon. As soon as she had gotten her phone back, she had texted him and they had made plans to hang out. They went out to the local mall to go shop for Christmas presents. He had a younger sister too and so they tried to think of things that their sisters would like. She had secretly bought him a present too earlier that week and kept it in her tote bag just in case. He didn't give her any present that day, but it had been lots of fun hanging out at the mall. She was surprised that he didn't complain since her dad had told her boys hated shopping.

They went and saw a movie with some of his friends from his junior high and she got to meet some cool people. But, of course, she hung around Brandon most. And then on Christmas Eve, when he and his family came over for dinner, he gave her a Christmas present and Waverly, who had been carrying his gift all week, had to run upstairs to her room to get his and give it to him. Later that night, she couldn't even wait for Christmas morning, she opened it up eagerly in her room. Inside was a silver necklace with a tiny unicorn as the pendant and a bag of gummy bears; her favorite animal and her favorite candy. Waverly had almost died of happiness right there and then.

The necklace had gone on right away, but Brandon hadn't gotten a chance to see it on her because they didn't get to hang out too much after Christmas. They did text all through New Year's, though, and Waverly really missed her phone now. She wished she could somehow make it work at Sonora just so she could text Brandon all the time. She could always send him owls, but apparently she wasn't supposed to tell him she was magical since he was a muggle. He didn't believe in magic anyway which made Waverly just a little sad when she wasn't busy happily soaking up his presence.

She was currently wearing the necklace proudly over her maroon sweater that she was wearing under her robes. Her brown hair was even tied back in a ponytail to show the necklace off even more because the pendant was so small. Her head was still swimming with Brandon, and she tried to keep herself from smiling as she imagined what he'd think if he saw her wearing it. Did guys give girls jewelry if they liked them? She fingered the necklace again, barely hearing a voice trying to get her attention. She heard her name suddenly, and she fumbled a little to get off of Cloud Nine. "What?" she said, and then smiled too brightly. "Hey!" If she seemed extra peppy, it was because she was just oozing happiness. "How was your midterm?"

19 Waverly Canterbury Happier than ever 218 Waverly Canterbury 0 5

Isabel

November 02, 2012 6:56 PM

Let's all just get along. by Isabel

Henry offered more specific information than he had on the first round after Effie prompted him, and Isabel noticed at once the change that the details wrought in her friend. She seemed…alarmed, maybe. But definitely not at all happy with the report.

Well, Isabel wasn’t sure what to think of it, either, but she was sure it couldn’t be anything that bad – they were at a school, which was paid for by their parents, which meant that not many things were going to happen that their parents were going to object to too strenuously – but anyway, it wasn’t something they had to worry about right now. Because of that, her first thought was about trying to be the cheerful, optimistic one at the table, since she really doubted Henry was going to be any help there, in the hopes of comforting Effie somewhat.

“I’m sure it won’t be that bad,” she jumped in. “And we’ll make the best of it – we’ll share one, Effie, and it’ll be just like our dorm. Only…different.” She felt herself flush as she realized what a stupid statement that was. “Because – well, if we want, we can just stay with who we like….”

As opposed to those of their roommates they found strange and difficult to deal with. That was why she lowered her voice as she said that part, hoping that neither Henry nor anyone else but Effie would hear it. She didn’t want to start a feud, after all – even listening to a little of her older sister’s stories from her school days was enough, in Isabel’s mind, to put a fear of that into any sensible person, and it had worked for Isabel very early on, she had always known that she wanted to have a lot of Nicolettas who didn’t fall from grace in her school years and absolutely no Gwen Careys – and, well, she didn’t really know what to suggest to Henry, who didn’t have any roommates to be friends or enemies or anything with. He was just on his own.

Surely his cousin will let him stay with him, she thought, feeling a little better then. She didn’t think there were any boys besides Anthony Carey in Aladren, either, so maybe that would just work out without anyone even having to feel as though pity had been taken on them. That would be the best way to do things.

“Besides, it’s just for sleeping,” she went on. “We can have a very lovely evening until then and then just go to sleep, I’m sure we can bring our own blankets and pillows if the ones the school supplies aren’t good enough….” That might be an actual problem, since she doubted that moving a lot of beds outside was a task to be taken up readily and that it might be easier to put them on inferior beds for that night. But a few good thick comforters repurposed as mattress covers would take care of that, surely, just like when Will wanted everyone to clamber around in blanket forts at home.

0 Isabel Let's all just get along. 0 Isabel 0 5

Henry Carey

November 02, 2012 9:19 PM

...She threatened to throw me in a goblin pit! by Henry Carey

“That’s what I said,” Henry said when Arbon repeated the remark about tents. “Reasonably comfortable ones, I’m told.” Actually, the combined impression he had gotten from what he’d heard was that they would do, but were hardly what the twins would even expect to sleep in if they went to a major Quidditch match, but he saw no need to volunteer this information to the girls; for one thing, he honestly wasn’t that interested, and for another, they weren’t likely to understand the reference, anyway.

Arbon and Raines, after all, were such nice girls – sheltered, well brought up to a fault, especially Arbon. They probably had never even heard people talking, or at least would pretend they hadn’t. Unlike his sisters, he thought dryly, who would never think to hide that they knew something. Perhaps Cecilia would do better, but Theresa and Diana were hopeless cases, in his opinion. He’d sooner cut his own throat than marry any girl who reminded him even slightly of them.

Not, of course, that he expected to have to deal with that problem. They would find him something to do, since he was not a Squib, but since there were five others to carry on the family name, he didn’t see anyone just rejoicing at the thought of the possibility of him having kids who gave them all more scares like he had. This was fine with him, since he had no desire to have to deal with that, either, or with anything even remotely like it, including the prospect of spending his whole life around a lot of other people even if there were no more problems. As soon as he was an adult, Henry hoped to find some way to have an empty place all to himself, which he would heavily enchant and not tell any of his siblings or his parents how to breach the wards of. He doubted he could get away with only having specific hours he opened the floo, but if he could, he would do that, too. All that silence, he would enjoy it….

Somewhere far away, he would enjoy it even more, but he didn’t think that would happen. The family liked to keep people close. It was a pleasant dream, though. To be by himself somewhere, with no one making fun or trying to kill him or just being generally underfoot, to be Henry Carey rather than just a Carey, to have a library with deep leather chairs and to drink his tea and watch people and be eccentric yet respected…A very pleasant dream.

He listened to Raines trying to make the best of the situation, shrugging irritably, as though to shake off a fly, when she lowered her voice so he couldn’t quite make out what she was saying to Arbon. He bit the side of his tongue to keep from snapping at her to stop whispering in public – that was something which had always annoyed him. His siblings, his cousins, they all did that together, but no one had ever whispered with him, and they all stopped talking when he came near. They had always done it, but since the Incident, it had started to bother him more and more; he had always suspected that maybe they were whispering about him before, but now he knew that sometimes they were, and it made him grind his teeth until his head hurt.

“Good idea,” he contributed when Raines said they could improve on their surroundings a little when the time came, then he addressed his attention to his steak. He rarely got that at home, so he liked to have it when it was available here. It was like leather seats and tea in a library, one of those more decadent things that were only for visits and special occasions, something to aspire to for the future.

0 Henry Carey ...She threatened to throw me in a goblin pit! 239 Henry Carey 0 5

Eris Ackart

November 02, 2012 9:40 PM

More like wishing it'd speed up just a hair. by Eris Ackart

Eris was happy, and rather surprised, to see Jorge seated next to her. He’d been a good potions partner last term, and was interesting to talk to, she just half expected him to be off somewhere more exciting than beside her. She was a little flattered though, that he’d choose to spend the feast with her over any of the other students filling the hall.

She smiled when he revealed what he did over the holiday; with what she knew of his family, she was sure that meant there was a big celebration. And he had been to Spain! Eris felt a little silly for having asked if he’d ever eaten at his family’s restaurant there now. Some people didn’t visit their distant families, so it felt like a valid question at the time, but alas, Jorge’s was not your average family.

Maybe it was because she was out of her element, but she picked up the extra Spanish flavor in Jorge’s voice and she kind of liked it. She knew that some people lost theirs when they spent too much time away from home, or that some people picked up accents around certain people, and she assumed that was what happened. She was still fresh out of England, so she didn’t think she’d lost much of hers, but when she was home, her friends informed her that certain words sounded a bit more Americanized. Maybe ‘r’s were getting too harsh or something.

“Mine was lovely, thanks. Popped over to England for a bit, and got to sleep in my old room, see my mates and that lot. And my brothers…but they weren’t nearly as dreadful as usual. For the most part anyway.” Eris said with a smile as she cut into her chicken. “How’s your mum? She holdin’ up alright after all the family time?” She added, recalling their potions conversation.

“Oh! I meant to say hello to you at the party, but I was a bit distracted, and since I now know who you were meant to be, well done on your costume.”

0 Eris Ackart More like wishing it'd speed up just a hair. 0 Eris Ackart 0 5

Jorge

November 03, 2012 3:50 PM

I think it's still the same thing. by Jorge

Jorge grinned at the question about his mother. Hannah was the eldest of nine children. By the time she was 17, the last of the nine were born and she was already an adult and a ballerina. She married his father a couple of years later. His sister was only a couple of years younger than his twin Uncles, so his mother sometimes felt like she was also a mother to some of her siblings. Not to say that Abuela and Abuelo weren’t good parents, but Hannah had the natural maternal instinct that often took over when her siblings were around.

“She seemed to take it well.” Jorge commented, looking thoughtful. “Probably because she wasn’t hosting the gathering, so she didn’t have to worry about making everything perfect. I think she was more concerned about how serious my sister is with her boyfriend than anything else.” Jorge said, looking amused. Lita had been dating Juri since she was a 7th year at Sonora. Now she was a junior at Julliard and the two of them were attached at the hip. “Plus, I think she was happy to have all home again. I think she’s getting that empty nest syndrome people always talk about.” That was true. The moment he had walked through the door, his mother was on his butt wanting to have family time before they set off for Europe.

Jorge was surprised that she had brought up the party or having any indication that she had noticed he was there. “Thanks. It was one of my favorite puzzle book series when I was little. Most people I don’t think got the reference. Anyway, don’t worry about it. Jade kept me company most of the night and besides, you seemed very preoccupied with your boyfriend to bother with any distractions.” Jorge commented lightly while he ate. “I’m surprised he isn’t here sitting with you. You two seem pretty close. Catching them right from the start, smart move.” Jorge commented with a grin. He was only teasing her of course. It meant nothing to him whether or not she was seeing Michael, but he liked to tease his sisters about such nonsense, might as well tease the new girl too.

“Did going back to England make you miss it all the more?” Jorge asked. San Francisco would always be his home, but being in Spain and Mexico just as often if not more, he sometimes wished that he could stay there forever.

0 Jorge I think it's still the same thing. 0 Jorge 0 5

Eris Ackart

November 03, 2012 6:42 PM

Alright, you win. by Eris Ackart

“Oh, well that’s good!” Eris said, pushing salad around her plate with her fork. She was trying to create the perfect bite by getting a bit of everything loaded onto her utensil.

“My mum was a bit frazzled from having me and my brothers all under one roof again, and yet she misses us all when we’re off at school. She’s mental…but we love her.” She added with a smile, taking her perfect bite as Jorge explained about his mother’s empty nest syndrome. She suspected that was what was going on with hers as well, and that she had been so concerned with trying to make everyone’s holiday special so she ran herself ragged in the process. Being perfect for one or two people was definitely a lot easier than trying to please 5. She could only imagine how things must have been for Mrs. Jorge’s mom.

“They must be pretty serious then? Was he there as well?” Eris asked, referring to Jorge’s sister. She wasn’t entirely sure why she asked, not knowing either of Jorge’s sisters. Maybe it was just the prospect of someday having a Christmas without one or more of her brothers that bothered her. In fact, it almost made her sad to think about one of her brothers choosing their girlfriend over the family. Obviously, Eris thought, she’d spent too much time with them recently.

Eris felt heat rise into her cheeks as Jorge mentioned her being preoccupied with her ‘boyfriend’. She let his comment linger in the air for a moment, taking another bite of her chicken and dabbing at her lips with her napkin as she thought about how to approach his observation. She didn’t mind that people thought Michael was her boyfriend, but she figured that maybe he would have minded. Plus she was starting to really come to terms with her feelings about him, and having other people keyed in on that was still a little embarrassing. Particularly since she was pretty sure that Michael had no idea.

She felt like they were pretty close, or were starting to be, but a lot could change in two weeks. She wasn’t even quite sure where Michael was at the moment. She was glad, however, that Jorge made that final jab about catching them from the start--he was taking the mickey out of her.
“All part of my plot to take over this school in the name of Britain. Steal the hearts of all the boys and have them do my bidding. You might be next if you’re not wary. “She said with a grin, taking a drink of her water to wash down the lump in her throat.

“Jade, eh? She your bird?” She finished, completely avoiding the subject of her relationship with Michael. She wasn’t usually superstitious, but she didn’t want to jinx anything.

Jorge’s question about England was a tough one. She did miss it, and as long as she stayed away, she reckoned she always would. Above anything though, she missed her friends. Eris noticed, however, that her first few days home were kind of tough. She actually kind of missed Sonora. Or the people at Sonora anyhow. She was a person of two worlds now, and she wondered if this wasn’t similar to how Muggleborns felt.

“I think I’ll always miss it, and it’ll always be home, but Sonora is starting to win me over.”

0 Eris Ackart Alright, you win. 0 Eris Ackart 0 5

Aria

November 04, 2012 8:53 PM

I meditate to find clarity by Aria

“Oh it is a good time.” Aria agreed. Most of her time at the community was fun for her, even the work. She knew when she would grow older, her chores and work load would become stricter and difficult as she learned the ways of a Medicine Woman, but for now, she enjoyed the freedom of running around with her friends to gather supplies. She knew that soon she would be considered a ‘lady’ and she would not be allowed to run around as much anymore. The community will want her to show some responsibility and begin her training. She wasn’t really ready for that and didn’t want to think about it, but she knew that it was coming soon. She had already passed that threshold into the next stage in life, as her mother said, the Elders will want it from her.

“Do you sing often for Christmas?” She asked him. “We have Yule songs to sing; what sort of Christmas songs do you sing?” Aria asked him, curious. She had only small knowledge of this holiday or any holiday that others celebrate. Her mother said that Christmas was an extension of Yule, except the reasoning behind it was based of Religion with a bit of magic mixed in.

“Yes, we do. Clothes, dolls, furniture, etc. We make it all.” Aria stated with a little shrug. “We grow our own fruits and vegetables, milk our own cows, make our own cheese; things like that.” Aria explained. “Mother says the Elders are very frugal about money. We have a community pocket. Everyone contributes and then from that, it is divided per family. Mother and Father don’t really ever need to use what we have. They say that it’s for me when I’m older. For school and things.” Aria was not concerned so much about money, but she knew that it would be important someday.

Aria liked the idea of the peppermint sugar. She loved peppermint flavored cocoa and so, she looked forward to having the candy cane for dessert. The nail polish was still strange for her, but she thought it would be fun to try out. “My mother calls them mood potions. She’ll create the concoction for the girls and we each take a sip from it. Depending on our mood, something will change colors. Usually it’s hair, but sometimes our eyes or our tongues. It’s quite amusing. The rest of the day, we try to get others to change their moods to see what color they’ll be.” It was a silly game to play, but it kept them occupied.

“Oh good, I’m glad then. I will most definitely make them something then.” Aria had no siblings, but she thought it would be fun to make something for them if she had them.

Aria sat and listened to him try to explain why being his girlfriend was bad. She wanted to point out that she did like him, but she was getting the understanding that the sort of like he was referring to may not be the same like that she felt for him. She almost laughed when he commented about buying flowers. Why would someone buy flowers when there were so many that they could just pick for them instead?

“You would do what you just said, of course. Except for maybe buying the flowers, you should pick them instead. It has more meaning that way.” Aria commented, not at all bothered by anything he had just admitted to. “We call those companions. People with whom we are intent on marrying. Sometimes those sorts of companions work and sometimes they do not. Father says it’s courting.”

Liam went on to tell her about his mother’s new companion and his admittance to his father’s demise. She thought that it was sad that he did not have a father any longer, but that was not the issue. “Your father was a good man because you are one.” Aria complimented. “Mother says that when someone passes, they are never really gone. They are at our sides, giving us comfort in our time of need, love when we are in despair, and laugh with us during times of cheer. Try not to feel as though your mother is moving beyond your father but that your father wishes for it. Your mother’s soul and spirit will forever be attached to that of your father, but she cannot mourn for him forever.”

When Aria had been young, one of her mother’s patients passed away. It had been a traumatizing thing for her. Her mother had set her aside and explained everything to her. It was meant to be. The circle of life, etc. She hadn’t understood it at the time and she knew there would always be sadness that could never be fulfilled, but a new happiness could form if one allowed for it.

“I am sorry, I don’t know if that is helpful. Balance of ones’ spirit is essential for us. I’m sure meeting him is difficult and perhaps your mother did not do it in quite a …pleasing way, but I really do think it was with good intentions.”

0 Aria I meditate to find clarity 0 Aria 0 5

Jorge

November 05, 2012 1:08 AM

Yes, score 1 for me! by Jorge

“I think that’s what Moms are good at.” Jorge commented with a grin. Moms were meant to miss their kids and then go crazy when the kids were around. At least, that’s what he perceived whenever he was home with his mom and then she was home with her mom. Sometimes, Jorge enjoyed watching his Abuela deal with her children. It seemed that no matter what the age of your children were, you will always still be a parent and for some reason, your children will never behave how you want them too.

“Yeah, they are. It’s been over three years since they started dating and they are always together. I like him. He seems nice and Lita’s pretty happy.” Jorge shrugged. He gave his sisters a hard time all the time, but he still wanted them to be happy. Lita was the sensitive one and she had been hurt in the past, Jorge wouldn’t want her to have to go through that again, but it seemed like Juri was keeping her happy. “Juri came with Lita and they stayed for some of the holiday and then they left to spend the rest of it with his family. I think my mom is worried that Lita will stop dancing for him. Not that I think Juri would ask her to do that or Lita ever would, but my Mom stopped dancing when she had Lita.”

Eris did not deny dating Michael, so that just confirmed Jorge’s suspicions. He thought it a little strange that being new to a school she would date the first boy she met instead of actually getting to know people first, but he didn’t think anything negative about Michael, so it might have been a good strategy on her part. “Girls have a hard time getting one over me. Growing up with the lot of them, you learn a thing or two.” Jorge stated with ease.

He laughed openly when she asked after Jade. “She just appears out of nowhere. Cute to look at but as gross eating habits. You were my escape from having to watch that all evening.” Jorge told her with all honesty. He wasn’t sure if he could ever get over how the girl ate anything. It was one thing to enjoy food and another thing to shove food into ones mouth without chewing it.

“Well, I mean, it’s a good thing that you don’t hate Sonora.” Jorge stated. “Plus, it’s not like you can’t ever go back to England. Probably don’t want to tell your English friends that you prefer the desert over them though. They might find that a little hurtful.”

0 Jorge Yes, score 1 for me! 0 Jorge 0 5

Professor Skies

November 05, 2012 5:25 PM

With a little luck by Professor Skies

Although she new relatively little about her colleagues, Selina liked John Fawcett. From what one gathered via impressions during meetings or the whispered comments of students when they thought they were out of earshot, he was an old school professor. Strict but fair. Methodical. With standards. She liked that. She sometimes felt younger professors were a bit flighty or a bit too informal. Sometimes, it was little things she couldn't quite put her finger on, which probably simply meant she was getting on or being fussy. Sometimes it was more definite things, such as what she deemed a strange way of teaching, or – in the case of that librarian – inappropriate attire for someone in a position of authority. John Fawcett seemed stalwart and reliable. And he was a good... what? Maybe forty years older than her? That definitely helped. Whilst she was pleased to see her girls growing up and making her proud she wished that it didn't have to mean that she too was getting older. The fact that she was in her forties was not one on which she liked to dwell.

“Enough to know what I'm doing, not so much as to ruin Christmas,” she smiled, when he joked about lesson planning. She didn't quite feel comfortable with laughing it off entirely, implying that she had slacked, lest he thought of her as one of the flippant young professors of whom she disapproved. “And yes, it was enjoyable. Not quiet, not by a long stretch, but it's worth it to spend time with people.

“We had people coming and going all through the break, and then I had to bundle the girls back off to school first thing this morning, though they seemed pretty keen to get going” she added, smiling, “They've got rather used to having a whole school between them and being in different years and different houses. I think they were starting to get on each other's nerves,” she explained, before realising how bratty that might make them sound, “They're nice girls, both of them. They're just... very different to each other,” she added. “Were you mostly hosts or visitors?” she asked.

13 Professor Skies With a little luck 26 Professor Skies 0 5

Effie Arbon

November 05, 2012 5:53 PM

I did not! Active throwing by me was not mentioned! (wotw) by Effie Arbon

Effie smiled, not a terribly beaming smile but a wholly genuine one, as her friend reassured her that camping out would not be dreadful, and indeed offered to share a tent with her.

“Thank you. That will be lovely,” she said softly to Isabel. Of course, if she had really thought about it, the cosy scene of her and Isabel sharing in a scene much like their normal room should have come to mind. The words had just conjured up a sense of the unfamiliar, and that tended to transform in her mind into a non-specific but definitely threatening scenario. “We could ask Amity to join us. It could be just like our room, except we'd have her instead of.... of her being in Aladren,” she hastily changed the direction of her sentence, although she suspected Isabel might easily guess at what she had been going to say. Still, she hadn't said it, and thus couldn't be held to it. Whilst it was better not to almost put one's foot in it, getting out of it on a technicality, such as not having said it even if one's meaning was perfectly clear, was the next best thing. It was quite plain that there was an odd one out in their dormitory. That the girl was a problem. However, Effie's attitude to problems was to deny their existence and to hope that they went away. Therefore it would not be right to bring the ugly subject of Abigail Thornton into what was a perfectly civilised conversation.

Isabel chatted away about blankets and the like, which Effie supposed would make the place more homely. She subconsciously ran her fingers over the necklace that she always wore. It was a delicate silver tree with an 'E' woven into the branches. The tree formed an important part of the Arbon family coat of arms. Each girl in their family had a necklace with her initial in it, whilst the men had signet rings. She had a little piece of home wherever she went. It kept her feeling safe and sane when the world challenged her. Yes, they might have to sleep in a tent but it would be their tent.

“That's a good idea,” she nodded.

She was unsure whether to turn back to Henry and try to reintroduce him to the conversation. It rather depended on what had motivated his initial burst of communication – on what went on inside his head. Perhaps he had simply felt that he knew something relevant and had plucked up the courage to share it. Perhaps that had been a fight and he was now drained of all will to interact. If that was the case, she would willingly give him his respite. She did not want to protract the torture of someone so fragile and they had reached a natural point at which to part ways. However, just because someone found it difficult to communicate did not mean that they did not want to. She knew that very well. If Henry, for all he seemed a little brisk at times and a little reluctant to join in, dearly wanted to make friends and was striving to do so, she would feel dreadful in not supporting him in that endeavour.

“Do you suppose that you will share with your cousins, Mr. Carey?” she asked him, again restricting his options to a yes or no response if that was all he desired to give. She would gauge his reaction and proceed accordingly.

13 Effie Arbon I did not! Active throwing by me was not mentioned! (wotw) 238 Effie Arbon 0 5

Brianna

November 05, 2012 10:36 PM

I'm not sure I see it. by Brianna

Brianna couldn’t help the small giggle that left her when Melanie spoke about Potions. Brianna knew exactly what she meant. Professor Fawcett was a really great professor. He knew what he was doing. He was fair and kind when needed, but also strict and kept them in line. Potions wasn’t something Brianna was terribly good at and she really did not enjoy the essays that they often had to do. She much preferred Charms or even Care of Magical Creatures. Just so long as she didn’t have to be quick on her feet, she could manage. Potions, all things considered, shouldn’t really be difficult since everything is written out in great detail, but it was so strict with every instruction that one small indiscretion could completely ruin all of your hard work.

The way she spoke about her parents, Brianna received the impression that she was an only child. Whenever Brianna thought about home, she knew she always referred to her parents, while others, often used ‘family’ instead of just ‘parents’. Well, that was something that the two of them had in common. Minus the whole ‘spend time with the neighborhood’. If Brianna did decide to spend time with her neighboring peers, she’d end up with another fat lip or black eye or even both. She wished that she could go out and have fun with the rest of them while her parents worked themselves to the bone, but she knew that was never going to happen. At least in the summers she had an escape now that her parents felt she was old enough to go off on her own.

“Christmas was quite nice.” Brianna said, speaking the truth. Most people only cared for the happy things and Brianna didn’t want to say anything too personal around Melanie either because who knew who she would go tell. “My parents had the day off, so we were able to spend it together, which was wonderful. But, I had to stay inside for the break because my mother felt that it was too cold for me to spent my time in the park.” Brianna commented with a little shrug. “So, it was a little bit cramped.”

0 Brianna I'm not sure I see it. 0 Brianna 0 5

Hope

November 06, 2012 12:08 PM

Can't complain. by Hope

"Not really." Hope admitted. She didn't actually celebrate Christmas, but she knew what Topher meant. Holidays were nice, but not especially interesting. Maybe if you hated your family, but that would be more stressful than anything. Her own family life had always been quite happy and drama free. In fact, other than Autumn's and Marshall's respective issues and Harmony's illness, everything in her life was that way. Hope felt she'd been very fortunate.

And beyond being really concerned about them-Harmony was quite sick at the moment-the fifth year didn't really let it get her down. She tended to believe that everything would turn out okay, at least with Autumn, but nothing really bad would happen to anyone else that she cared about either. Her cousin would continue to eat, Harmony would pull through again and Preston Stratford wouldn't smother Russell in his sleep. It wasn't as if Hope didn't realize there were bad things in the world-Nora seemed to enjoy pointing them out-it was just that she felt distanced from them.

She shrugged. "It was...like it always is now. I went to Fae Sinclair's sister's wedding." The Teppenpaw had attended other parties too, but she didn't think Topher would really be able to relate or be interested. Boys attended but they didn't seem all that into that sort of thing and the other fifth year wasn't from the same sort of family that she was.

Sometimes, Hope did wish she had female friends that she could talk about girly things with. Her sisters were all out of the house and Sonora, Nora didn't seem that interested in them and Sophie, who was probably her closest female friend, didn't seem all that girly either. Her roommates couldn't really relate to her lifestyle either. Sometimes, Hope didn't really feel part of the unit that was the other Teppenpaw fifth years. Probably because she was from a different background and hadn't sat with them at the Opening Feast their first year.

Since they'd agreed that holidays tended not to be that interesting, Hope looked for another topic. "So, are you looking forward to the bonfire?" She asked. "It sounds like it might be fun." She sort of liked that there wasn't going to be anything but a relaxing evening of smores and hanging around.

11 Hope Can't complain. 186 Hope 0 5

Mellie

November 06, 2012 3:09 PM

Offers Positivity Magnifying Glass. by Mellie

Mellie smiled when Brianna giggled, glad that her remark hadn’t gone the wrong way, the way things could when someone said something about a class. She didn’t really care if other people liked or were good at classes she found hard, but she did worry a little about other people not feeling the same way if she voiced her preferences. She probably wouldn’t have, if she’d thought before she spoke, but she hadn’t, and as it turned out, there was no harm done.

Well, at least none that Brianna felt like pointing out. Maybe she was just really polite. But Mellie resolved not to worry too much about that. There was nothing she could do about it, after all.

She listened as Brianna talked about spending the day with her parents, too, and it being too cold to go outside. “Oh, I know,” she said, thinking of how claustrophobic it felt when her mother or father or whoever deemed the same thing true of the outside at home sometimes. She didn’t always necessarily want to go outside, though she usually did at least for a few minutes every day, but just knowing that she couldn’t and was stuck inside was enough to really make the world outside the house seem tempting.

“I kept getting colds the whole time I was home – It’s so weird, going from being here to being back there….”

She waved vaguely, hoping this would somehow get across some of what she wasn’t expressing about the difference between the southwest and the Midwest, as far as being in a magically-temperature-regulated school and then going back to a lot of snow went. Her system, she guessed, just hadn’t been used to it anymore, because she was sure she hadn’t got colds all the time like this when she was little and stayed at home all the time. She’d had to take Pepperup Potion maybe once or twice a year then; now she took it that much in a week, since she had been approved to go out sometimes and had gone out on her own when she wasn’t supposed to a time or two, too.

“Where are you from?” she asked, realizing she didn’t actually know that, and how similar or dissimilar that place might be to where she was from. ‘Cold’ didn’t necessarily mean that much, after all; sometimes it felt cold here, too, in December and January, just not the way it was at home.

“I’m from Illinois,” she added, lest the inquiry seem too nosy, somehow; she didn’t think that would make it better if it was, but it might balance things out, anyway. Or at least, that made sense in her head. Whether or not it would make any sense to Brianna was another question, but was another of those things Mellie couldn’t do anything about. There were, like, way too many of those, in her opinion, but she was used to feeling a little incompetent and didn’t let it bother her too much, at least in company.

16 Mellie *Offers Positivity Magnifying Glass.* 206 Mellie 0 5

Michael Grosvenor

November 06, 2012 6:14 PM

Starting with another feast by Michael Grosvenor

Michael was tired. As a teenage boy, he did not function without sleep. His hearing impairment made the feast a nightmare for him as background noise was his Arch Nemesis. Combined with that, was the fact that he couldn't really get a good eyeline on whoever he was talking to – although that was really only a back up strategy to hearing. He couldn't lip read as a sole means of communication. Tired plus feast was a bad combination. He had been excited and nervous about coming back to Sonora. Excited for seeing his friends again and nervous for having to talk to Brianna about... stuff. Stuff that went by the name of Josh. He also had his usual anxiety that somehow, over the holiday, all his friends would have reached the simultaneous realisation that he was kind of lame. The feeling had been gradually receding as the years went by (although it had suffered a dreadful flare up when Laurie had been ignoring him – he directed his resentment about this towards Preston though. After all, it was his fault) but the arrival of Eris, who was a new person, who might have been caught up in the whirlwind of all things new and might now have had time to gather some perspective had been niggling at the back of his mind. But he trusted her, and he was excited about seeing her. The crazy jumble of feelings had resulted in a fairly sleepless night.

He slunk into the hall at the last possible minute, forgetting that this meant he might not be able to find a seat with his friends. It was his habit to avoid the Hall for as long as possible. Mellie and Brianna were sitting together without vacant seats nearby, and he wasn't sure he could cope with a meal with Brianna knowing that he had to try to have a Serious Conversation with her before too much of term had elapsed. He couldn't see Valerie. He wasn't allowed to sit with Laurie. And Eris... Eris was with another boy. He knew that didn't mean anything but it made him feel sad. He would have given her a rubbish welcome back, as the Hall prevented much conversation. She had been good to stay with him all through the party, and she deserved to have some social events where she could... well, be sociable. Possibly perversely, he took a seat where he could see Eris and Garcia but not really join in with them. The latter wasn't really an option, and he liked to tell himself that he just wanted the chance to catch her eye – to wave and smile. He wasn't trying to keep an eye on her.

He internally sighed as the headmistress announced a whole school social event for the end of the year. Once she had finished speaking, he reached under his hair and turned off his hearing aids, keeping an eye on Eris, who failed to look his way. As he turned back, the boy next to him appeared to be halfway through a sentence. It was the kid who had freaked in transfiguration class when Michael had been working next to him. Michael had no idea what he was saying but a good bet was that it was something like 'Hi, how was your break?'

“Mm, fine thanks,” he nodded, unenthusiastically. “No offence, but I can't really hear you. You're best not bothering,” he shrugged. He couldn't be bothered to guess and play games and most people knew about his hearing impairment by now, even if they didn't understand the finer details, like the fact that a noisy room was going to cause him massive issues.

OOC – am happy for you to talk about Cepheus' reaction to Michael in Transfig, even though it didn't actually get posted.

13 Michael Grosvenor Starting with another feast 199 Michael Grosvenor 0 5

Liam

November 07, 2012 3:06 AM

Ohm....ohm.... by Liam

“Oh, um, I don’t do much singing. I can’t carry a tune in a bucket, but there are people who go door to door singing, we call it caroling. And we have tons of Christmas songs, but it’s mostly different versions of the same of stuff. Plus it’s weird, because we have religious songs, and songs about Santa Claus, or Frosty, or some other magical, mythical figure tied to the holiday…and then there are songs that are just about winter. We usually listen to them, and Alexis, my littlest sister loves to scream them at the top of her lungs.” Liam paused at the mention of Yule songs. “Yuletide carols!” He said with a grin.

He was slightly overwhelmed by how entirely self-sufficient Aria’s community truly was. He’d had his suspicions, but his mind was blown. They even shared money. That just seemed weird to him; it was like having to share your allowance with your siblings. He was glad, at least, that they got to save their money and didn’t have to like, pay back what they didn’t use. Everything else sounded cool though.

“Wow…” Liam truly didn’t know what more to say. At his house, they have easy mac and run down to the store to buy new socks when yours got holes in the toes. Aria didn’t know the convenience of a convenience store. He suddenly felt really lazy.

Ramona and Lexi came to mind when Aria described her mother’s mood potions. He could see them running and laughing with crazy colored hair and skin. As different as Aria’s culture was, he couldn’t help but think his sisters would be fascinated by it—and by Aria herself.

Liam smiled as Aria advised him on what to do if he had a girlfriend. She was good at that sort of thing, but she didn’t make him feel dumb about it. He didn’t know if it was because she was a girl, or if it was her background, but she made sense of the things that confused him. Like those stupid beans in potions. She knew exactly what to do. He meant to ask if companions always got together with the intent of marriage, or if people in her community just dated, but then the conversation moved to his situation, and he felt his breath hitch as Aria said the nicest thing anyone had ever said to him in his life.

“T…thanks.” He managed, trying to calm himself down before the tears started flowing. Crying was one thing, crying in the middle of a dining hall filled with your entire school in front of a girl was an entirely different—and humiliating—thing. He quickly pulled himself together as he listened to the rest of what Aria had to say. It was strange, because she didn’t sound like a 12-year-old girl in a school cafeteria. She was like—Yoda. And it wasn’t just what she was saying, but the way that she said it that hit Liam in the face. He knew that she was right. He was being selfish about the entire thing. He still worried about his family, and how they got on without him around, so he should be glad that Mom had someone there to help with the girls. And yeah, he wasn’t around for most of the year, but that didn’t mean that their lives stopped just because he was gone.

Their lives hadn’t stopped after Dad was gone either.

It was going to take time for him to accept Scott, but he was going to do it. Afterall, as the great Master Yoda said, ‘Do or do not, there is no try.’

“How do you do that?” He asked, shaking his head a little and smiling, completely erasing the threat of tears. “How do you always know exactly what to do or say? It’s…you’re incredible. Thank you.”

5 Liam Ohm....ohm.... 37 Liam 0 5

Eris Ackart

November 07, 2012 9:58 AM

150 points wins the match! by Eris Ackart

“You’re probably right.” Eris replied, thinking back to her own mother and how mental she had been over the holiday. She wasn’t bad over the summer, but she also didn’t have three extra bodies around. Three loud, stinky, boy bodies.--who ate everything they could see and often made a mess out of everything they touched. Save for Lee. He was the middle brother, and the more laid back of the three. He was also rather tidy, and only really got loud when the other two were picking on him—which happened frequently. Darius, the younger of the three, was a trickster and loved pranking anyone within arm’s length, and Alec just kind of egged everyone on.

Eris couldn’t fight the smile on her face as Jorge went on about his sister and her boyfriend. She was glad that he approved of him, and was a sucker for happy endings. She nodded as he mentioned his mother’s concern…or what he perceived to be his mother’s concern. From what she’d heard about Jorge’s sister, dancing was a vital part of who she was. She couldn’t see herself giving up something that was so important to her for love. A baby, however, was a different matter. At least when it came to dancing. Eris’ mum would complain about how having four children completely wrecked her body—and she was no dancer. She always envisioned an athlete’s body as a finely tuned instrument, and the same held true for ballerinas. She couldn’t imagine the havoc carrying a child would wreak, so though it was sad to think of, she could understand why Jorge’s mom gave up dancing after having her first child.
“But that’s a little different, isn’t it? It’s not like Lita is having a baby…” Eris said, pausing as she didn’t really think it was her place to say anything further. Not that she really had anything else to add. “I’m glad you lot seem to get along though. It’d be dreadful if you didn’t like him and they ended up getting married.” Eris always hoped that someday, when her brothers eventually got married, that she’d have a good relationship with her sisters in law. Aside from Abigal, they’d be the closest things to real sisters that she’d have.

Eris laughed when Jorge made his comment about girls and growing up with a lot of them. She really wasn’t much of a prankster, and hadn’t actually considered trying to bring her proposed plan to fruition, but she had a hard time turning down a challenge.

“The same could be said for being a girl and growing up with three older brothers.” She said with a smile before taking another drink of her water. She nearly spit out her water when the conversation turned to Jade, and she quickly covered her mouth with her napkin as she coughed and choked, while trying to laugh at the same time.

“S-sorry to hear.” Eris managed, still finding the reason for Jorge joining her particularly amusing. “Glad I could be of some use though.” She didn’t know Jade outside of a name from the attendance sheet, but she must have been something else if a boy couldn’t stand the sight of her during meal time. Then again, from what she knew of Jorge’s mom, he would have had better table manners than say—her own brothers. Not that her mother hadn’t tried, and in formal settings they managed to behave, but it was three against one and at home, meals were like a ravenous frenzy of who would eat the most the fastest. Eris found herself feeling a little nostalgic.

“I wouldn’t say I prefer it here, but it definitely has its perks.” Eris said with a smile. She knew he was right, if Abigal or Irvin thought she’d rather be at Sonora than with them, they wouldn’t be too happy. That wasn’t the case though, really. She was trying to adapt to her new environment and parts of it made it easier to deal with. Parts, that she realized weren’t sitting very far from her. Eris hadn’t seen him walk in, but she was suddenly very aware of Michael’s presence in the room. Her heart fluttered, and suddenly she wasn’t feeling all that hungry. She wondered why he was sitting with the Greek/Roman costumed boy from the party and not with one of his other friends—or with her. She bit down on her bottom lip and thought for a moment, trying not to let her gaze rest on Michael for too long. If she’d walked in on him sitting beside a girl she didn’t know, she might not want to sit beside him either.

Eris pushed her food around her plate some more, resigning to the fact that she wasn’t going to eat any more of it. Or maybe he’d been there this entire time and was picking up bits of their conversation. Eris felt her cheeks redden again as she stared a little too intensely at her plate. Maybe she’d be able to catch Michael when everything was over with, and they could walk together and she’d have the chance to explain. Did she even have anything to explain? She needed to think of something else.

“So!” She said, stealing one more glance at Michael before turning back to Jorge. “Your house’s Quidditch match is soon, do you play?”

0 Eris Ackart 150 points wins the match! 0 Eris Ackart 0 5

Isabel

November 07, 2012 1:11 PM

Why don't we just change the subject away from goblins... by Isabel

Isabel did indeed guess what Effie had almost said instead of ‘her being in Aladren,’ but she let it pass, since she had avoided saying the same thing. She did not want to be like her sister, in a room full of conflict for seven years, so she tried to avoid saying anything too negative about anyone even in confidence. Effie clearly shared the same sensibility, so they could move on without any difficulty.

“Yes, that would be lovely,” she agreed, nodding.

Her suggestion about how to make the experience more comfortable was accepted as well. “It won’t be home, but we’ll make it all right,” she assured Effie again, hoping this was true, now that she had said it and might be reminded that she had if it didn’t work out the way she thought it would. Playing with her nephew sometimes, after all, wasn’t the same as staying in something for a whole night, but if Catherine could stand to do that at all, Isabel thought they could survive camping as long as it was no worse than what Henry was describing. He had mentioned that he thought the tents they were going to be in were ‘reasonably comfortable,’ and he was a Carey. That was to be a very different sort of thing than Isabel was, from a whole different and, in many people’s minds, better kind of family; if he could stand it, surely they could.

She glanced toward Alan, wondering what he thought of this, or if he knew what Sara’s official stance was on the matter. That second part was more important, at least for her, than Alan’s own opinions; Sara was, after all, a girl, and one that everyone thought well of, it seemed. If what she thought lined up with what Isabel thought, that would close the matter, as far as she was concerned. It would be safe to talk about that point of view. But now wasn’t really when she could go over and ask. There was nothing wrong with following the advice of an older girl of good reputation in her own family, but there was with seeming to need to go grovel at that girl’s feet in public every time anything came up.

That was why she was glad that the only one of her cousins near her age was Alan, a boy, who couldn’t stay in a tent with girls, as Effie asked Henry about his cousins. She would have hated to be stuck like that, with just family around; she loved her family, of course, but not the idea of sharing a room with them. It was easier to do that with friends than with family, or at least she thought it would be. Annabelle and Annette would probably disagree, and almost surely stay together, but their example could be written off as a twin thing. In general, she liked seeing her cousins – and niece and nephews and sister – in a different way than she did her roommates.

0 Isabel Why don't we just change the subject away from goblins... 0 Isabel 0 5

Topher

November 07, 2012 2:04 PM

Excellent. by Topher

Fae’s sister’s wedding. Topher grimaced slightly, without noticing he was doing it, at that thought – not because he hadn’t been invited, as that was the last thing he would have ever expected to be despite having always been on perfectly good terms with Fae herself, but because he remembered her being upset about her sister getting engaged in the first place at one of the Opening Feasts and how this had led to her asking him about sisters.

He didn’t know why, even now that he had intellectually accepted that she was not Evil Incarnate, Caroline as a subject still bothered him so much. He even thought of her – just because it was useful shorthand, he assured himself, but he did do it – as his sister half the time, even if he didn’t feel any particular affection for or sense of obligation to her, but the idea of referring to her as that was still one that made him irrationally angry. He was really sure that he did not envy her her screwed up family, or think that the money was enough to make the prospect of having it more desirable; his contempt for That Dude They Both Looked A Lot Like was great enough that he didn’t want anything said Dude had to offer. This was, after all, America; if he wanted money, he could go make some someday, after school….

He really just wished, he guessed (and felt almost ashamed of himself for even thinking it) that his mother was less honest, and had never told him about any of it. Ignorance really would have been bliss. It was a little late for that, though.

“Guess that was fun,” he said of the Sinclair wedding. “Sounds better than listening to my second cousins arguing about weddings, anyway,” he added lightly. Ava Proctor and Ivy Fitzgerald were identical twins, but telling them apart had never been difficult, since Ava considered the way Ivy did her hair a symbol of submission to the patriarchy and therefore a direct affront to the principles her sister cherished. Topher could have happily passed up dealing with them at all, but they were his mother’s first cousins, and it was one of the Traditions, listening to Ava and Ivy arguing. They got along on Christmas and fought over New Year’s, same thing every year.

He nodded when Hope suggested that the bonfire could be fun. “I don’t have to do anything, and CATS will be over,” he said, ticking off those two points on his fingers. “What’s not to love?”

Except all the drama he was sure was going to result as people tried to sort themselves out into tents, anyway. Topher was hoping to avoid the worst drama, probably pairing up with Phoenix and then seeing who else was unattached, maybe they’d put Quidditch aside and take Derry in or something, but he knew, he was really sure, that for a lot of people in this school, things were going to get crazy and interesting. At least a few people were going to find out how they ranked with their friends, and he could just imagine how the fallout might have gone if the event had been a little earlier in the year.

0 Topher Excellent. 0 Topher 0 5

Professor Fawcett

November 07, 2012 5:29 PM

Here's wishing good luck to both of us, then by Professor Fawcett

He had worked with them in the school for about ten or so years now, but children in his home remained one of those subjects John looked at, despite having had a wife for decades longer, with the eyes of a confirmed bookish bachelor: other people had children in their homes and seemed to enjoy them, and certainly they could be interesting enough in short stints, but he certainly was glad they went home after a while and stopped threatening all his worldly possessions. Having students, even the Aladrens during the school year, seemed to him to be a very different matter than having one’s own children; he would have never tolerated the kind of disrespect from his students as Scott and his wives put up with from their daughters.

Though, that could have been a matter of the adults involved, he supposed. John’s main interaction with his nieces had always been when Scott left them with him and Allison two nights a year so he and Nikki and Isabel could attend the Daytime Emmys, but they had still never spoken to him or Allison, as far as he knew, the way they did to their parents. Even Ashley, who he knew for a fact sometimes enjoyed doing amusing impressions of them behind their backs, was civil to their faces, where she usually was not to Scott and Isabel. Still, Allison had never been interested in having children, and they were far too old now for her to become interested in it, so he would have to leave that particular theory untested.

His theory that siblings were naturally inclined to argue – one based on how he, Carlene, and Scott sometimes managed it, despite the impressive age gap between Carlene and Scott – did, though, get some help from Selina Skies’ reflections about her winter break and interactions with her daughters. “My sister and I were often the same way,” he reflected when she said they were different from one another. He and Carlene had not been as argumentative as he had gathered girls often were, but it had often been pleasant to get back to Aladren after living in close quarters with his Pecari sister for a time.

“More traveling than hosting,” he said of his own experiences of the holidays. “My wife is Muggleborn, as is Mother, so most of the family can’t get around as easily as we can.” Allison’s family, in Texas, was entirely Muggle to the last man except for Allison herself, and his mother and Carlene were the only other wizards in his family. Scott, as far as they could tell, didn’t have a trace of magical ability, and neither did his three daughters. John and Allison Apparating out to visit their family members was much quicker and cheaper than the family flying in to visit them, and so that was how it generally went. “I must admit, I'm pleased by the prospect of staying in one place for a few months after it all.”

0 Professor Fawcett Here's wishing good luck to both of us, then 0 Professor Fawcett 0 5

Clarissa Clark

November 08, 2012 10:41 AM

Well I guess it's best to lough we have the one you're in. by Clarissa Clark

Thankfully Rupert had answered her in a friendly manner and seemed genuinely interested in Clarissa's experiences of the past two weeks. Of course she couldn't tell him about the most exciting parts of her holiday now, but perhaps in time.

"I went to London, where I used to live, to see my grandparents" she replied. "They live in Islington, near Finsbury Park. That was lovely. And the we went to Florida. That's where me, my Dad and my Step-mum live, but me and my Dad only moved a few weeks before I came to Sonora so when I'm there I always feel like we're on holiday even though we have all our stuff. It was odd to be there in the winter though, it's nothing like British Winter as I'm sure you know.

It was even stranger being back in Arzona amongst the strange nationality mix there. Clarissa had noticed before that Rupert was British, but she really didn't know much else about him. She had some half formed ideas about his background that had been neither confirmed nor disproved, but they were mainly based on his name and accent. She knew that these could be misleading; she had been told often enough that her own name was posh and pretentious and while she was neither, she realy didn't think it was anyone's business, actually. But Rupert was fun and interesting and Clarissa wanted him to be her business.

"Are you looking forward to the classes this term?" she asked. Perhaps I can manage to refrain from er killing any more magical creatures with your help...that way you won't have to help me conceal the evidence and risk er... implication. And there's the bonfire too, do you like bonfires?" She wanted to ask Rupert if he had gone to the end of term party as well, as she hadn't seen him there, but thought that those were enough questions for now.

0 Clarissa Clark Well I guess it's best to lough we have the one you're in. 1486 Clarissa Clark 0 5

Henry Carey

November 08, 2012 9:24 PM

To what? by Henry Carey

After the Pierce girls – who, as far as Henry could tell, were effectively the same person in two sets of clothes except during flying lessons; Anthony, he knew, was trying to figure out some pattern to which one wore darker or lighter colors more often from roll calls, but Henry really didn’t see the point of that – Arbon and Raines seemed to Henry to be the closest pair in their year, and he couldn’t really figure out which of them was the leader. A casual glance said Arbon, but she seemed to look to Raines for reassurance. It made them difficult to sort out, and made Henry even gladder than usual not to have roommates of his own to deal with. He liked to know exactly where he needed to stand, with no ambiguity in the deal whatsoever.

Anthony, for example. His eyes wandered, as the girls kept muttering, over to the Aladren table, where his cousin sat. Henry had always known exactly where he ought to stand relative to Anthony, which was just behind him. Because of the difference of a few months, they had always been thrown together, and so his mother had been very careful to teach him that from the time he was old enough to understand anything. What Anthony wanted to play, they played; where Anthony wanted to go, they went. Anthony didn’t insist, and Henry didn’t object, and so they got along very well. It was much easier just to accept things for what they were, because he knew he could never change them.

Some people were leaders, some were followers, and some were just overlooked. Despite his proximity to the family heir, Henry counted himself as part of the third category. He minded it much less than he had before he was introduced to the perils of being noticed.

He was called back to attention by Arbon’s question. “Possibly,” he said. “I’m not very concerned about it,” he added.

This was a lie, but Henry didn’t feel bad about telling it. He despised feeling out of place, like an extra, something left over and without a place, and pretending that he was something else was pleasant for him. And anyway, he didn’t like to show what bothered him; people would always seize on that, always use it to tease him, and he couldn’t abide being teased.

He was a little tired of the two girls now, but he could see no graceful way to back out of the social interaction he had, for some reason, decided was a good idea when he initiated it. He was stuck with them, at least for the rest of dinner, since Arbon was polite and had hooked him back in.

“We do have a few months to sort it out,” he added and reminded himself to smile politely. He had never thought the expression suited him, but it was the correct thing to do, even while avoiding the topic of his lack of friends with a pair of friends.

0 Henry Carey To what? 239 Henry Carey 0 5

Aria

November 08, 2012 9:55 PM

It's silent meditation by Aria

Liam was amusing. That was Aria’s feelings about him. She listened to him explain about their songs. She was sure that the songs about winter were the same or similar to the songs that her community sang since Winter and seasons in general were rather important to them. Aria had heard of Santa Claus, but she wasn’t really sure she understood the point or meaning of him and she was also aware that Christmas was a Religious holiday regarding the birth of Jesus Christ, but had somehow twisted into a holiday about presents. Again, was something she didn’t necessarily understand. “Not being able to sing is half the fun.” Aria commented with a giggle. She was okay at singing, probably better than she thought she was, but she always enjoyed how happy everyone was when they sang together, even the ones who were terrible at it.

Aria furrowed her brows at his response after she explained what they did. She didn’t think it was so strange. She knew that it was perhaps a little different based on the sorts of clothing and material possessions that her classmates doted around, but she was never left wanting. They had a great system that worked for them. They were happy and efficient. Maybe that would always make her strange and different, but there would always be that point where she accepted that and moved right along.

For a moment, Aria had thought she had upset him. She hadn’t meant too. Her mother’s words had helped her greatly when she was trying to understand death and life. She thought for sure that this would also help Liam through his family dilemma. Aria would not likely ever know what Liam was going through in terms of his mother’s new fellow since her parents were so devoted to one another, but she knew there would be a day when she would have to grieve for the loss of them.

But the moment passed when Liam seemed to take her what she had said in and was smiling again. She giggled again when he called her incredible. She was happy to have helped him, although she didn’t really feel as though she had necessarily done anything special. She honestly hoped that he could get to know his mother’s new …companion and perhaps have a pleasant relationship with him. She certainly didn’t believe that the companion was supposed to be a replacement, but maybe just someone they all needed in order to balance their spirits in a way they couldn’t on their own.

“I do not know exactly what to say.” Aria countered. “My mother is a very wise person. She taught me because it will some day be my own duty and it is why the community loves her so much.” She could give praise where praise was due. “It’ll be okay, Liam. Let’s talk about something that will make you happy.” She advised. “Are you excited for the bonfire?”

0 Aria It's silent meditation 0 Aria 0 5

Henny B-F-R

November 09, 2012 8:23 AM

Things are definitely looking up by Henny B-F-R

At the beginning of the year, Waverly had just been 'that Pecari girl.' Henny wouldn't say that they were exactly best friends now but by virtue of Waverly being in the book club which Henny ran and Henny being in the baking club that Waverly ran, they had spent a more time together. Waverly was definitely an acquaintance. Henny was therefore more than happy to sit herself down next to her yearmate during the feast.

She was excited about the idea of the bonfire at the end of the term. The thought of trying to find someone to share with would have worried her in previous years but now she felt like she knew lots of people. As with Waverly, she wasn't sure that any of them would really regard her as their closest friend and want to share with her, so there was still the chance she would end up sorted by the teachers, or sharing with Alicia out familiarity, habit or pity on the other girl's part, but she could hang out with other people during the actual event and she was sure that she would have a fun time.

When the headmistress stopped speaking, Henny turned to Waverly but the other girl seemed to be miles away. She helped herself to carrots and and some lamb casserole but the potatoes were nearest to the Pecari girl.

“Could you pass the potatoes please?” she asked, “Waverly?” she added, a little louder as the girl didn't seem to have snapped out of it. “I just asked for the potatoes,” she smiled, when Waverly snapped back to attention. “You looked like you were thinking about something much more interesting...” she added, not quite being bold enough to ask directly what the other girl had been thinking about.

“My Midterm was really good,” she smiled. She had actually been surprised by how good it had been. Her therapist had arranged for her to spend a week of it volunteering at the owl post office – a stop off centre for long-distance owls, where they could rest or have their post swapped to a new owl for the next leg of the journey. They always needed extra help around Christmas. Henny was used to using owls to send and receive letters so they were amongst the animals that she was most comfortable with. Still, those tended to be familiar owls and she was still very aware of their sharp beaks and talons, and sometimes had to take a deep breath before attaching or removing a letter. Being in a whole office of them was a big step up but she had been alright with it. The office had been fun and jolly. At first she had been filling up food and water bowls for the owls who were resting. That was the least scary because they were mostly asleep and happy to be being given refreshments. She had moved up to removing and attaching letters from their legs. Nothing had nipped or scratched her and she had actively started to enjoy it. She had then spent the second week at home. “My brother is starting next year, so he asks constant questions about the school. And our grandparents came to visit.... All the usual Christmassy stuff,” she smiled, deciding not to go into the whole owl office thing right now because it might involve explaining why, or cause confusion if Waverly had noticed that Henny sometimes wasn't in Care of Magical Creatures or left the class early and had figured out that she was scared of most magical animals. “How about you?” she asked.

13 Henny B-F-R Things are definitely looking up 211 Henny B-F-R 0 5

Rupert

November 09, 2012 9:42 AM

Lough? by Rupert

It was a bit sad that Rupert had no clue where Islington was. As far as he was concerned, the grounds of the Princeton estate was his world. He knew of London, but then everyone knew of London. He would be completely lost if he was let lose out onto the world, though apparently his parents weren't planning to set him lose any time soon.

He was interested in Clarissa's life if only because she had lived, or currently lived, in two countries at once. Rupert supposed he did too now, but he had no relatives out here to brag about. Not that he did much bragging about his relatives anyway. "That's brilliant. I don't think I've ever heard of Florida...where is that? That's in the States, right? I never paid much attention in my geography classes back home." He smiled sheepishly, but wasn't too sorry for not knowing. He'd had much more important things to do as an eight year old.

Classes? Who could ever be excited for classes? But Clarissa reminded him of the COMC incident and he laughed. He hadn't felt bad at all seeing an ant die. It was an insect, after all, and from what Rupert understood, there were more insects in the world than people. "I think the only class I'm really looking forward to is COMC. Maybe Charms too. I hope we study some really cool animals this term. I love bonfires! Well..." He scratched his blond head and grinned sheepishly again. "To be completely honest, I can't remember what happens at a bonfire. I've only been to one once and that was ages ago. Do you like bonfires? Have you been to one?"

Rupert wanted nothing more than to experience the things that other people his age had experienced. He wasn't exactly sure what all those things were, but he wanted to go out on the town one day. In a manner of speaking, of course. What Rup really wanted to do was make a best friend in another country and visit them during the summer. That was a distant dream, however, so Rupert tried not to linger on the thought of travel too much.

0 Rupert Lough? 0 Rupert 0 5

Cepheus

November 09, 2012 10:08 AM

And now we sit in silence. by Cepheus

Michael Grosvenor sat next to him without seeming to realise it, and Cepheus would have taken offence to it had he cared about Michael's opinion enough. Cepheus had never encountered an actual deaf person before, but he had his hard-of-hearing relatives who needed everyone to shout so they could hear what was going on. It had made eavesdropping much easier on him. However, Cepheus hadn't been prepared to shout at just anyone at Sonora, even a deaf lad.

Cepheus had met Michael in class, and the impression Cepheus had taken away from it was one of, well, indifference. There really wasn't anything spectacular about the bloke and there was nothing that immediately made Cepheus want to turn his head away and snub him. However, it seemed that the feeling wasn't quite mutual as Michael was completely ignoring him and told him so.

It was better that Cepheus knew so he wouldn't keep talking like a fool, but his pride was a bit wounded and he swelled up to make up for it, frowning at Michael and turning his head. Michael had most definitely lost points with the Princeton. He decided he'd rather not pay attention to his wounded ego and searched the hall instead for someone to stare at.

The thought of Quidditch arose in his mind and Cepheus face broke into one of intense concentration as it usually did when he thought about the sport. He was extremely competitive when it came down to it, and he didn't know if he could stomach the thought of losing the Quidditch Cup again. If he was going to be the captain someday, he didn't want to practise with a losing team. Still, Ceph had hopes for this term. Classes were secondary to the practises he was going to dedicate. Once his mind was on it, it was going to be quite difficult to get his mind off it.

0 Cepheus And now we sit in silence. 0 Cepheus 0 5

Andrina Thornton

November 09, 2012 12:33 PM

Yay for looking up! by Andrina Thornton

Andri had spent the whole time at home over the vacation studying her sisters and learning as much sign and braille as she could. There was something about being home that spurred that desire for education even more than being at school ever could. Many people could possibly find that odd, but what could she do about it? It was how it was, and she wouldn’t go trying to change that! This year was different though. Partly because, for the first time Addison hadn’t come home with her and the others. They also barely spent any time with Clara and Uncle Bryan this time around. Those were two odd things that had happened, but they happened, and she wasn’t going to be able to change those things either at the time or right then, back at school.

Things were surely weird without Addison, but they were strangely also calmer… Her older sister had a way about her that made all those around her want to tiptoe to be sure they don’t upset her in any way. Even looking at her towards the end of the half term caused her to go into hysterics. Addison was really stressing out over the CATS Exams, and though Andri didn’t blame her sister, she knew that stressing wasn’t going to help. Walking back into the Hall after the long wagon ride with the others, she spotted her sister and her mouth almost dropped to the floor. The Aladren quickly turned her head to find Arista. Her oldest sister needed to know what she’d seen herself, if she hadn’t yet. Spotting the oldest Thornton watching Addison like a hawk, told Andri that Ris had indeed also seen their sister and would be taking care of the situation as soon as she was able.

Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau stood up in front of them and welcomed them back. Andri smiled back at her when she told them that the speech would be short and sweet. Good. she thought to herself, more time for me to talk to Arista to see what we’re doing about Addison! Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau told them about the bonfire as the Midsummer Event and Andri smiled, glad for the fact that Addison wouldn’t have to stress over something else on top of the CATS. She looked next to her and smiled. Somehow she’d ended up by Waverly and Henny. She wasn’t too sure how, but she wouldn’t argue. She knew both of them from Book Club, and she liked them both very much.

“You’ll hear more about it when we get closer to the end of term. For now, enjoy your dinner.” The food arrived and before she said anything to Waverly or Henny, she looked back towards Arista who was still eagle-eyed on Addison. Andri looked as well at her sister and sighed when she saw all the food on Addi’s plate. Putting her attention back onto Waverly and Henny, next to her, she still worried about her sister, but knew that Arista would take care of it, she’d have to…

Waverly was next to her, and seemed to be as off as she herself was. Henny spoke to Waverly, but Waverly didn’t hear her. Waverly snapped back to attention as Henny repeated her desire for the potatoes that were in between herself and Waverly. Andri picked up the bowl and passed it to Waverly so she could pass it to Henny.

She listened to Henny’s answer to Waverly’s question about Midterm. Andri was thrilled to hear that she’d had a really good midterm and she wanted to ask what she’d done, but she thought that she’d wait a moment as Henny started talking about her brother.

“My brother is starting next year, so he asks constant questions about the school. And our grandparents came to visit.... All the usual Christmassy stuff,”

“I know the feeling…” Andri added, knowing that Analea started next year and her curious mini-me would have thought up some fairytale life about being away from home and at school.

“How about you?”

Andri looked to Waverly to answer first, before she’d said anything more, that way they went down the line and it would be fair and just.

0 Andrina Thornton Yay for looking up! 214 Andrina Thornton 0 5

Amira Thornton

November 09, 2012 3:07 PM

Delicious is awesome! by Amira Thornton

Amira had gone home with two intents over Christmas Break. The first one was to live, eat and breathe Quidditch so she would be able to help Pecari to win in their game against Crotalus when they came back to school. The other, was to focus as often as she could on being a positive role model with her sisters and brother as practice for the team, even Jade. The two may have had their little spats and their issues, but that was over if it was all up to her.

Amira was Assistant Captain now, and regardless if she got her coveted position of Seeker back or not, she still had to be mature and follow through if she wanted them to win. This year Pecari didn’t have any Reserves, so it was important as Beater, to be sure not to miss a shot at their teammates from a Crotalus Bludger. The worst thing that could happen in their game was an injury of a Pecari player! They’d then be short a teammate, and that would be bad!

Two weeks after the start of break, they had to go on back to the wagon to get to school. Amira got on with her sisters and the noisy trip started. Amira tried very hard not to roll her eyes at the excitement in most of her sisters, instead, she mostly sat with Arista talking over Quidditch. Arista was still upset over the Teppenpaw/Aladren game last term, and Mira understood why… Partly because her new birthday present from Uncle Bryan had broken in the game, partly that she’d been injured, and partly cause they’d lost… AGAIN! The trip ended and the lot of them went inside to Cascade Hall.

Amira looked up at the Professors, then around the room to see if she could find Sophie or any of the other teammates. She spotted Waverly, Andri had made her way over to her and Mira smiled at her. She knew Waverly was a hard worker and she liked the younger girl. Looking around the room once more, she found an empty seat. She sat down just in time to hear Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau start welcoming them all back.

The fact that the speech was going to be short was very helpful to the fourth year. She’d only just realized how hungry she was! There was something about growth spurts that made a girl (or boy) hungry as an elephant! She’d grown a little bit over the vacation and she’d worked out with some weights she’d bought herself to try to become more muscular for Beating. The red-head wasn’t thrilled about the idea of it, but that wasn’t going to stop her from working hard to help Pecari to win!

“This year our Midsummer Event is the bonfire. Normally, we like to have the students contribute something during each of the events, but this year, we wanted to give you all a break. We have been very impressed with past years’ behaviors that we wanted to have this be an award. We’ll be having a camp out in the Pitch and you’ll get to do nothing more than roast smores and have fun with friends. You’ll hear more about it when we get closer to the end of term. For now, enjoy your dinner.”

The food appeared in front of them and Amira smiled, grabbing the mashed potatoes first and piling some on her plate before moving to the pasta. “A bonfire! Sounds great, doesn’t it?” she said to the person next to her. She wasn’t sure who it was, but she turned to look at them as soon as she’d asked.

0 Amira Thornton Delicious is awesome! 208 Amira Thornton 0 5

Brianna

November 10, 2012 2:49 PM

That's very kind of you by Brianna

Brianna had to wonder exactly how much Mellie knew or was familiar with when it came to Brianna. She might have an understanding of what it was like to have to stay in doors, but she wasn’t sure if Melanie also only lived in a small apartment. Brianna’s bedroom held only her twin bed, chest, and small desk. The only extra small was a small path from each object. The only good thing about having such a small space was that she could never make a mess or else she would be trapped. But, Brianna felt there was a good chance that the other girl only meant that she was stuck in her home, which was spacious and wonderful, instead of being able to have some liberties and freedom that the outside world allowed.

Not that Brianna would ask. She didn’t really want to know how better off everyone was. It was enough just knowing it as a basis. “Being inside made me lucky enough to not get sick.” Brianna commented, which was a good thing, her mother hated spending money on potions.

Brianna had spent most of her time in her bedroom thinking of how different she was from everyone else. In status alone, she knew that she was below everyone else. Her classmates seemed to have whatever they wanted, no matter the price, while Brianna was always left wanting. She had the basics of survival, of course. Shelter, food, and clothing. But she never had any luxuries. At least not until she came to Sonora and had a large dorm room, which a large bad, and all sorts of foods. But these were to sorts of things that most people had no matter where they were. In looks, Brianna had almond shaped eyes, giving her a Foreign look thanks to her father’s Philippine background, and overly large lips that had the kids in her building calling her a duck. She was not pretty or beautiful. She was thin, boney, and unattractive. She would never be equal to anyone.

“I am from New York City.” Brianna advised. She knew where Illinois was located and she felt that their winters may be more extreme than her’s in the city were. But sometimes NYC was slammed with all sorts of strange weather patterns. Probably not as much as the west side of New York was. She knew they often hold a few feet of snow in just a day.

Brianna hadn’t missed Michael, nor the look he had on his face when she traced his eye line to Eris, who was talking to Jorge. Nor had she missed the return look from Eris. That was another thing she had thought about during midterm. She had liked Michael, as a friend, but maybe as something a little bit more. Or, she had simply hoped that he could like a person who didn’t have much to offer. Most of the boys in their school were of Pureblood families and would never look twice at her or from rich families who would look down on her no matter what. Paul and Linus were two prime examples of that. Paul having Pureblood status and money, Linus having money, neither of them would want to be seen with her as anything more than just a class partner. Michael had seem normal and, therefore, would overlook those things. She had been wrong and that was why it had hurt. Not necessarily because she wanted him, but because she thought he appreciated more than most, but he swooped in for the first pretty and available girl.

Brianna refocused on Melanie and gave her a quiet smile. She really was no good at any of this. “So, I take it you do not enjoy Potions. Is there a class you do enjoy?” Brianna asked her, thinking that was a decent choice for conversation.

0 Brianna That's very kind of you 0 Brianna 0 5

Jorge

November 11, 2012 6:11 PM

That's tooooo loooooooooooong! by Jorge

He openly laughed when Eris asked about Lita’s possible pregnancy (not in so many words, of course). “No way. Lita’s a shrewd. And she’s really selfish. There’s no way she’d do anything stupid where she would have to take care of someone else.” It really was an amusing thought for him to see Lita as a mom right now. “I just think Mom meant that if Juri got serious about his music, that Lita would follow him or something, instead of continuing with her dance. Which, I can see her doing more so than getting herself pregnant.” Thankfully, that was one scandal the Santoros/Chevez/Garcias have yet to have. Marriage seemed to always came first before little ones. “Considering he has a small family, Juri is doing pretty well getting used to the chaos.

Jorge wasn’t lost on the fact that Michael had sat down near them and in the line of sight. Nor had he been lost on the fact that Michael had been staring at them throughout the night, looking none too pleased (at least, that was Jorge’s opinion of it). He thought that maybe Eris might not have thought too deeply into their relationship considering she seemed to not notice or maybe not care enough to be bothered by Michael’s presence, but then the change happened and Jorge’s suspicions about the two of them were rightfully confirmed. He shook his head. He did not like drama. In fact, he would do all he could to stay out of it.

Eris’s sudden change in topic did not sway him from his thoughts either. “No, I’m not.” Jorge commented without much enthusiasm. He liked Quidditch just fine. He had played it with the family growing up and loved to go to his Tio’s games in Portugal, but he had no real desire to play it himself while at school. It didn’t seem quite as fun. Plus, he liked to have his free time. Quidditch would just muck up his schedule of doing nothing.

He realized that his meal was now ruined due to Eris finally noticing Michael’s arrival and thus decided to say his two cents whether or not she appreciated it. “Look, the two of you better get your acts straight with this whole ‘denying’ that you are together because anyone with two working eyes can see, it’s clear that you two are together.” He commented. He was very disappointed. He sat with Eris because he thought she would be good company and because he thought she had the potential of being cool. He was mistaken. She was just like all the other girls. “With angry eyes over there and you becoming a girl, this isn’t all that entertaining for me and I don’t like to be glared at just for talking to a girl. Jealousy isn’t really that flattering. I’d rather eat with Monster Mouth.” Jorge didn’t actually know if Michael was jealous, but he had been staring over here too often to not be considered creepy and since Eris noticed him and also stared back, the two of them could be creepy alone together and Jorge can go sit with Jade.

0 Jorge That's tooooo loooooooooooong! 0 Jorge 0 5

Clarissa Clark

November 12, 2012 1:10 PM

It's a loughing matter. by Clarissa Clark

"Florida's in the South East" Clarissa replied. "But my US goegraphy is a little hazy. All of my geography is a little hazy. Until recently I er thought that the USA was West of the UK. And I - I still can't deal with the idea that London is so far ahead of us in time." She was embarrassed now, and din't want to make out as though she couldn't deal with basic realities of day to day life. Minor time travel did frighten her a little though. her Dad said it wasn't time travel at all, and that she should educate herself by watching more Doctor Who, but she disagreed.

Rupert did seem a little confused by life too, and Clarissa couldn't really understand why. "Bonfire are great anywhere though" she continued. "I guess it depends what bonfire you go to and why, but at Bonfire Night of course there are fireworks and kids light sparklers and make pretty patterns with them in the air, and the older kids run off to hang out by themselves. I don't know why big fires make everyone so excited, but they make you feel cosy and they're nice to look at and if you cna get close enough you can bake jacket potatoes and roast marshmallows on sticks. It's more fun than it sounds" she said shyly. I've been to big ones in the park and to small ones when I was in the Brownies - that's when we roasted the marshmallows. Of course sometimes they fall in the fire so there's lots of potential for disaster." Clarissa laughed, but it came out much more devilish than she'd intended. She hoped Rupert realised she was joking about the disasters and soforth.

0 Clarissa Clark It's a loughing matter. 1486 Clarissa Clark 0 5

Michael Grosvenor

November 13, 2012 3:11 PM

Amazing how you can be a total jerk without saying a word by Michael Grosvenor

Michael had vaguely, in his mental inventory of people, had Cepheus down as not being a complete prick. He seemed sort of up himself but that seemed to go with the territory as far as most Purebloods went. He deigned to speak to people who weren't his class though, Michael had observed that much. That didn't place him very high up the scale of Sonora inhabitants but it placed above the absolute lowest forms of life, such as Preston Stratford. However, when Cepheus simply drew himself up, scowled at Michael and turned his back, the younger boy slid by several points. That was just downright rude. Michael hadn't been rude to him – he had just explained that it probably wouldn't be very productive for the boy to talk to him. He didn't really think he deserved scowling at for that. It wasn't like it was his fault. Apparently lying and trying to bluff along would have been the better option. Or magically not being hearing impaired, just for Cepheus' convenience at the feast. Those two things went against everything Sonora had taught him thus far about himself and about how much self-confidence and self-respect he should have. Apparently, some people still did just hate him for something that he couldn't help.

He briefly pulled a face at the back of Cepheus' head, biting his tongue rather than muttering something at him. He wasn't great at judging his own volume in noisy settings and the last thing he wanted was to start an argument, especially one where he couldn't hear half of it. Although if he made Cepheus angry enough, he supposed he would shout... Michael called the other boy all manner of colourful things in his head, thinking of the lecture on manners and how much of a jerk he was that he would give him if he could. But it wasn't worth the effort. He turned his attention to the only thing worth bothering with at the feast; the food. He helped himself to a lamb chop, fries and peas, dolloping a healthy amount of ketchup onto everything except the vegetable.

He stabbed some of the chips rather harder than necessary. He glanced back to Eris. Garcia was talking to her and she was blushing. Michael shoved the chips in his mouth and chomped vigorously, turning his attention back to his plate. He'd always hated the feast. He wouldn't have thought it could get much worse. Especially not in two novel ways on the same night.

13 Michael Grosvenor Amazing how you can be a total jerk without saying a word 199 Michael Grosvenor 0 5

Alicia Bauer

November 13, 2012 4:47 PM

Off the wagon again. by Alicia Bauer

The wagon rides to Sonora were infinitely better than the ones from it, but they still couldn’t be ranked too highly among Alicia’s favorite parts of her year. She began to feel better as soon as she was inside the school again, but when the vehicle which had rescued her from home had landed on the grounds, she had been a little sore, a little disheveled, and more than a little irritated with life. Would a nice train have been so much inconvenience, or even Portkeys? Those could result in a little soreness, too, if she landed just wrong, but at least they were brief. She felt sorry for the East Coast students; whatever their other advantages in life might be, they had to spend most of the day being rattled around like that.

In the Cascade Hall, though, that was already off her mind, and it wasn’t an effort at all to keep a smile on her face, even in spite of a moment of worry about whether or not everyone had gotten their Christmas presents – Cepheus’ history of magical America, Henny’s volume of poetry, Ephanie’s play, and Thad’s Potions theory book and cross-stitched, Aladren-themed bookmark – on time, or at all, if an owl had died at the worst possible moment, despite her having carefully picked which post owls to use in an attempt to avoid that. She could, if thanks not already rendered weren’t offered to her then, ask around tomorrow, and she had New Year’s gifts – a good new quill and some chocolates for everyone – to hand out tonight and during tomorrow’s breakfast to make up for it if something had gone wrong anyway.

Evan, Gareth, and Andri would receive the New Year’s gift as well, even though she wasn’t as close to them as she was to the others and thus hadn’t gone through the gut-wrenching process of trying to figure out personal gifts for them during the earlier holiday. That had meant ultimately having the only slightly less gut-wrenching sensation of knowing she was probably walking an extremely thin wire, especially where Evan was concerned, but she thought she was okay, since Gareth was actually nice, Andri seemed to be interested in nothing but Quidditch and her sisters, and Evan was possibly too weird to notice. If she was wrong…but, well, she worried about that all the time anyway, and she was sure she would find some way to recover if she had gone wrong. It would be worse not to walk on the line at all; of that, she was absolutely sure.

Settling at the Aladren table after she finished making the rounds of quick greetings, she was a little disappointed to hear that they were, essentially, getting the year off as far as the Midsummer thing was concerned; she had enjoyed getting to work with her friends to put something together, and then showing it to the whole school at the Concert. In addition to letting the parents and professors and peers and ‘peers’ they all had see quite clearly who she was affiliated with and who was affiliated with her, it had also just been a lot of fun, and an accomplishment to pull off.

Still, she was sure she could have a nice time with the guys at the event and tolerate the pureblood girls if she had to, she’d get Henny to share a tent with her so there would be one person in it she could reasonably assume wasn’t planning to do anything awful to her in her sleep, and then…Well, the Concert would roll around again in sixth year, she guessed, after she got through…the next few years.

Alicia pointedly didn’t think about next year specifically. She couldn’t. When she did, her stomach twisted into such knots that gift shopping sounded pleasant by comparison. The thought of attending a ball didn’t bother her on its own – she had seen a few and was confident that she could handle everything involved, and even enjoy it – but a ball at school was definitely an event that involved a date, and if she got a date….She had thought that her friends’ parents coming to the Concert while hers were also present was nerve-wracking, but it turned out it was nothing compared to the thought of them hearing that she was going to a dance with one of their sons, and looking to see who she was.

She realized she was fidgeting with her wand, wondering if Jeremy could somehow be persuaded to work on getting an invitation to a Brockert event next year, or event his summer, so he could Confund Evan’s parents or something. That was the bad thing about the events, at least now – how their parents were all getting involved. She would give nearly anything to have been able to somehow enchant Thad’s parents and uncle last year….

Maybe an event where they didn’t do anything wasn’t so bad after all.

The meal appeared, and she put those thoughts away in their little box again, focusing on the food, the lights, the being back here and nearly six months away from having to see her family up close again. That was enough to celebrate right now, enough to let her compartmentalize the rest of it and be happy.

“Welcome back!” she said brightly, really meaning it, to one of the people nearby as they happened to look at each other. “Did you have a great holiday?”

There was the usual moment of fear, thinking that she had picked a wrong word with ‘great’, which she ignored, also as usual. She did wish she could learn not to do that, but she was used to it. At least her real back to school enthusiasm fit in with the part she usually had to play.

16 Alicia Bauer Off the wagon again. 210 Alicia Bauer 0 5

Hope

November 14, 2012 11:46 AM

Indeed by Hope

Hope nodded. "I suppose it was. I mean, I'm always going to these things so after awhile they all sort of blend together. Haven't heard any real arguments though." Unless you counted Chelsea running of and eloping with Julian rather than him marrying Fallon. "Did you have to go to a wedding for one of them?" She asked. Maybe they were arguing about bridesmaids dresses or something else that had to be exceedingly boring for a teenage boy.

Of course, when it came to her own wedding, Hope was certain it would go off without incident. Of course her current wedding fantasies involved someone who her great grandfather wouldn't approve of. Which was unfair, as it wasn't as if Hope liked a Muggle. Still, there would be nothing silly like the groom running off with her cousin or someone standing up and announcing that the groom was gay, the way Nina had done at their cousin Oliver's wedding back the Pecari alumna was seven.

Hope nodded in agreement. "It doesn't get much better than that." She kind of liked that this year would be a stress free fun event. Not that she had had a hard time with last year's. Being part of the zombie film had been a lot of fun. Still, after CATS, they would need to unwind a bit. And it was good for Autumn too, who had to be stressing about RATS. Hope couldn't imagine if her cousin had to follow up her exams by worrying about finding a date for a ball or contributing to some sort of performance or something. The Crotalus felt stressed out enough anyway and Hope worried about her having too much placed on her. What if she stopped eating again.

That didn't mean that the fifth year was all that worried herself. She wasn't prefect, so she wouldn't have to have a date or risk humiliation by having to find the nearest boy to dance with her like Nina had. Not that she didn't hope to have a date, her eyes lingering briefly over to Russell. Even if he just wanted to be friends, even if nothing else ever happened, for one night it would be magical . Not like the everyday magic that was born and bred into them, but a special sort of fairytale magic. A pureblood 'prince' had nothing on her friend. He was a nice guy and had truly deserved to get prefect.

However, she didn't have to worry about that until next year. This year she just had to worry about tentmates. She'd ask Sophie of course, and honestly, she couldn't think of anyone that she really didn't want to share with. So she doubted there would be much drama involved in this either. "I'm glad we have this bonfire where we don't have to do anything extra the same year as CATS." Hope added.

OOC-Sorry for the wait.

11 Hope Indeed 186 Hope 0 5

Rupert

November 16, 2012 9:26 AM

I'm loughing right now. by Rupert

Rupert was glad he wasn't the only one who wasn't brilliant with geography. It was difficult to remember where all those places were, especially with tutors that bored him to death. He really had thought his tutor had had it out for him, making him study maps and lecturing till he turned blue in the face. The tutor, that is. Not Rupert. Rup was usually busy daydreaming of ways to terrorise his tutors. He was a fright to teach, something Rupert felt a bit of pride in.

Clarissa went on to explain what happened at bonfires to him, and Rupert was glad he would at least know what to expect. "You cook your own food?" he asked, surprised. Rupert had never had to cook anything before, not that he hadn't wanted to. He'd just never had the chance. Marshmallows seemed simple enough, but potatoes? He did pick up on Clarissa's joking tone, but he was still amazed at the idea of cooking his own food.

"Is it just marshmallows and potatoes? Do they have any other kinds of food you can cook in a bonfire?" Merlin, he had missed out on so much. Bonfires sounded so cool. "You have to show me how to do everything. I'd probably get lost and make a disaster of my cooking." He grinned, only partially joking. "I've never roasted or baked anything before in my life, especially not in front of an open fire. My parents would have a field day if they heard about this bonfire." He laughed a little just imagining their faces. Rupert? Rupert and a big fire? Merlin.

0 Rupert I'm loughing right now. 0 Rupert 0 5

Liam

November 17, 2012 1:59 AM

Oh...oops. by Liam

Maybe Aria had a point; singing poorly was half of the fun of caroling, if Liam ever got around to it. It never stopped his sister anyway. No one in the family was particularly gifted when it came to music. Jake tried to play guitar for a while, part of the angsty brooding teenage boy routine he tried a year ago. He wasn’t good, at all, but apparently there was something about the hint of musical talent that attracted girls, which was his goal at the time. Ramona was probably the best singer, and had taken piano up until Dad got sick. They didn’t have a piano at home though, so that fizzled out. At any rate, Liam was glad to have made Aria smile.

He also appreciated the fact that she didn’t try and dig more details out of him about his dad, or Scott. She’d given him just enough to straighten out his thoughts a little better on his own and wasn’t trying to coddle him like most girls did when they found out about his situation. She also didn’t nag at him about the gossipy details of his mother’s new fellow. He didn’t want to know the details, really, let alone discuss them. Emotions were sticky, and he didn’t like dealing with them any more than he had to, so he accepted whatever relief he could grasp.

“Like Mother like Daughter, I guess.” Liam commented lightly as Aria revealed that she was to follow in her mother’s footsteps within their community. He probably had heard her mention that before, he felt like he should have known that anyway, but it struck him just now.

“Wait, so are you like, your mom’s replacement? When she retires, you’ll step in for her? Is that what you even want to do?” He asked, realizing that the last part of his statement may have come off slightly harsher than he’d meant it to. “I mean, do you want to be a medicine woman? Do you have any say in it, or is it all predetermined for you?” Liam asked as he scratched the back of his neck. He knew that people at Sonora often found themselves in arranged marriages, but predetermined jobs were a new concept to him. It made sense, he decided, in communities like Aria’s to train people early on, and groom them for their new roles within the community. Liam couldn’t help but picture people being treated like crops in this scenario however. Little faces, sticking up from rows of dirt, being showered with water by a farmer. Liam shook his head, clearing the image from his mind, and refocusing on the second part of Aria’s comment. The bonfire.

“Yeah, it should be fun. How about you? It’s too bad we can’t just pull the sleeping bags out and lie beneath the stars. The tent assignments should be interesting enough though.” Liam paused for a moment. “You know, the stars would be pretty bright out here, I bet. They could be charmed to keep us in them if the teachers are so worried about twelve year olds getting crazy with each other. Or a full body bind curse until morning. Though I bet some of the pureblooded parents would have a word or two to say about that. I think my mom would find it hilarious though.” He then remembered that Aria wouldn’t be able to eat hot dogs. Maybe they had those weird veggie hotdogs, or frankenweenies as he called them…which was a little ironic if you stopped to think about the actual contents of a hot dog. He frowned a little at the girl’s unfortunate stance on tubed meats.

“Have you ever had a smore?” He asked with a smile.

5 Liam Oh...oops. 37 Liam 0 5

Eris Ackart

November 19, 2012 2:26 AM

Game Over by Eris Ackart

Eris was positively flummoxed by Jorge’s sudden change of attitude. Yes, Michael was looking her way a little more than usual this feast, and while she didn’t particularly mind the attention, she could see how that might bother the other boy. But denying that they were together? Or assuming that Michael was angry or jealous that Jorge was seated beside her? Where did that even come from? And what did he mean when he said she was ‘becoming a girl’? It wasn’t as though she’d run off to hang on his arm the moment he entered the room, or that she’d ignored Jorge completely by staring dreamily at Michael while she sighed and chose names for their future children. Somehow, however, she’d offended her classmate more than Jade’s eating habits. Avoiding which had landed him beside her in the first place.

She wasn’t quite sure what all she was feeling, but Jorge’s tirade had definitely pulled the wings off of the butterflies she’d had in her stomach. She’d considered him a potential friend, but if he was going to shout at her every time she let an emotion slip, or looked at someone for longer than he deemed necessary, she would happily look elsewhere. She didn’t need that kind of drama in her life—she had enough as it was.

“Wow.” She said, trying to still wrap her head around what had just happened. Eris folded her napkin, refrained from throwing the remainder of her beverage on Jorge, and rose from her seat. Her mind was racing, but she couldn’t come up with a single witty retort, she just wanted to get out of the hall.

“See you in class.” She added, brushing her hair behind her as she made her way quickly to the Teppenpaw common room.

0 Eris Ackart Game Over 0 Eris Ackart 0 5

Carrie O'Malley

November 19, 2012 5:32 PM

You've got to be kidding me! by Carrie O'Malley

Carrie sat primly at the Crotalus table. Midterm had been awful. Having Peyton around was even worse than having Ivy around, just as expected. At least with her cousin, the second year didn't have to live with her.

Babies were gross and annoying. They cried and voided their bowels-a lady never used words like poop-and smelled bad. Having one around her house was simply dreadful and the little brat had totally been the focus of attention. It would only get worse as Peyton got older and into things. Carrie didn't want her touching her things with sticky drool covered baby hands.

Of course Ryan had taken to Peyton right away. It figured. They deserved each other, along with that slobbery mutt. The second year really loathed her new family. The only one she didn't want to get rid of completely was her father, and even he didn't treat her the way she deserved. Carrie could only blame her step-mother for it. He was clearly under her influence. She was supposed to be his princess, the focus of his whole world.

That was another thing. She should be more of the focus of people at school too. The Crotalus deserved to be the center of attention and so far, the one time she truly had been was when that vile Amelia Pierce-why was that woman still at school? Was she blackmailing the board or something or counfounding them?-had the nerve to hex her. That was not positive attention, people were supposed to treat Carrie like someone special, the way she deserved.

She didn't have the crowd of friends she expected either. Of course, that was probably because people were jealous of her. Or intimidated by her greatness. It could be a little overwhelming for inferior people to be in the presence of someone as perfect as Carrie was-and of course, everyone was inferior to her. There were acceptable people, but she was still better than them in every way. Who could compare with perfection?

The Crotalus sat, annoyed. Why didn't the Headmistress just finish whatever unimportant thing she was saying? She was holding up the meal. Of course, the food at Sonora was beneath Carrie's standards too. If she wanted steak, she had to settle for prime rib when she deserved filet mignon! Not that she ever had too much. Small portions were key for a lady of good breeding.

Then came the announcement and her beautiful face froze in horror. Sleep outside in tents? Surely they couldn't expect her to do that . Carrie sleeping outdoors was just unthinkable . Her mother would throw an absolute fit and it would not, of course, be the Crotalus she'd be angry with. It would be the school, the Board would get another letter about this. Carrie wouldn't be surprised if this idea came from Amelia Pierce herself, the second year giving the offending party a cold glare.

She turned to the person sitting next to her. "Surely they can't be serious, expecting all of us students of good breeding to sleep in tents? Perhaps they'll just force the Muggleborns and halfbloods out there. Oh, and the poor purebloods." People like the Owens were probably used to substandard sleeping conditions.

11 Carrie O'Malley You've got to be kidding me! 230 Carrie O'Malley 0 5

Jorge

November 19, 2012 6:17 PM

And I won! by Jorge

Apparently, Eris did not appreciate what he had said considering she abruptly stood up and declared their meal over with, something he had already done the moment she stopped eating because Michael was a few feet away. He hadn’t said anything rude or untrue. He had stated facts and observations and if she couldn’t handle it, then she should go back to England. This was America and people spoke their minds. Especially when it was affecting their meal. She couldn’t even claim anything either, since all she said was a final farewell about classes and then did an even more girly thing by throwing her hair over her shoulder.

“If he runs after you, you know what I said is true!” Jorge called out after her. Michael wouldn’t have been able to hear what he had said, so he had no qualms about it. He had a real feeling though that the moment that Michael realized that Eris was gone, he would immediately leave the table and head back to the common room too. They made things so obvious. The truth was that Jorge wouldn’t mind sitting and eating with the both of them once they established what everyone else could already see. There was no drama there that way. Well, shouldn’t be any drama anyway.

He did not, however, enjoy sitting at a table and seeing a physical and mental change in his table mate that clearly made all signs say that she would rather be sitting with someone else than him. Like he had been a last resort or something and that she was stuck with him. He would have rather had her just excuse herself and go sit with him than sit here and feel like he was somehow making her evening worse. It didn’t help that Michael was looking the exact same way. Nope, Jorge was not in the wrong, nor was he the rude one. He’d let them figure it out though and then wait for Eris to apologize for throwing her girly tantrum.

0 Jorge And I won! 0 Jorge 0 5

Lucrezia Renaldi

November 19, 2012 7:50 PM

No, <i>you</i> have to be kissing me by Lucrezia Renaldi

The little Italian was excited beyond words. She was back at school after a very good Christmas. Lucrezia had come to love everything that her school represented which basically was freedom from her family. For some odd reason she preferred to live with her elderly great-great grandparents than her actual family, well with the exception of Carlo’s friends. They were always nice to look at, even when her brother got annoyed at her for trailing behind them. Being the youngest of a family of overachievers wasn’t a very good place to be because the bar was set up so high that the mere idea of it caused vertigo to anyone trying to reach it. The second year tried very hard, but it was hard. That was probably the reason why she preferred to be away from her family.

Christmas had been full of surprises, like the betrothal of Alana and Aime and Carlo’s internship in the Italian Ministry of Magic. Lucrezia had been happy for her older siblings, but she couldn’t stop the swirl of emotions that went through her. She had always known that her birth had been an accident, and had become the fourth unwanted child. So her struggle to stand out was more difficult for her than for others. She knew her family loved her, it was obvious, but she still couldn’t help but feel inadequate from time to time.

But she was back at Sonora and ready to tackle the rest of the year with the best face and smile she could muster. Realistically she didn’t have any major problems at home; it was just a self-esteem issue regarding her status. She had a loving family, friends and not a care in the world.

The Italian yawned behind the cover of her palm before sitting down after searching for Heaven in the table. She didn’t see her so she sat down and decided to save the place next to her for her best friend in the whole wide world. She yawned again out of tiredness. Lucrezia was still getting used to the change of time zones. It was hard. Still, she did her best to listen to what the Headmistress had to say. It was nice and polite to do so.

Now, the last bit of information was both exciting and frightening. The Crotalus didn’t know what camping meant in America, but with her family it meant being inside a tent that catered to your every need. She was pretty sure the tents from school wouldn’t be that luxurious. Now, she was excited because she loved learning new things and camping was one thing. She was of the idea that you needed to try things at least once.

However, her excitement was chilled by the snotty voice coming from her side. It was Carrie. Lucrezia didn’t necessarily like her roommate one bit. Carrie was a horrid little person with ideas of grandeur. She wasn’t even that good looking. She was one out of too many blondes in America. The Italian was usually polite to her because her family was important, but she hated her guts. “You know, Carrie. People of good breeding usually have better manners than you. Learn how to express yourself of people not lucky enough to share your status,” she answered with a frown. “Your superiority doesn’t mean you have to be rude about it. In fact, I think some ´inferior´ people act better than you. You should think about that.” Lucrezia was usually a good, friendly girl, but she had roomed with the wretched girl for over a year now and she was loathsome.

0 Lucrezia Renaldi No, <i>you</i> have to be kissing me 231 Lucrezia Renaldi 0 5

Aria

November 20, 2012 8:47 PM

It's alright. A common mistake. by Aria

Aria was always quite pleased to be said to be so much like her mother. They looked relatively alike, Aria often called little Ember due to their same clothing style, wild blonde curls, and blue eyes, but she found it most pleasing when they said it was her mind that they felt rivaled her mother’s more so than her looks. She adored her mother and really felt that she was deserving of the name the community bestowed upon her as the Medicine Woman and often Wise One. The Elders were the wisest of them all, of course, and her father was sitted amongst them. Aria had very well done lineage.

Her blue eyes blinked rapidly as she took in his onslaught of questions. She never thought someone might be confused about her standings when she became of age. Didn’t most people follow in their parents’ footsteps? Weren’t they all pre-destined to have talent in an area in which their predecessors also dominated? Aria did not find this idea to be strange at all. Their balance of knowledge, magic, and spirituality allowed them to remain clear in their duties and free of any negative thoughts. Although her future duty would be one of the most challenging, she found a great love for it as her mother did. Aria enjoyed collecting the ingredients, something her future children were likely to do (if she had any), she enjoyed helping her mother create potions and herbal remedies that would save lives or simply make them easier to live. Some only took a few minutes, others over a month to create. But each one was done to perfection and with great skill. It was an honor to be the one chosen for such a service.

“Our paths are our own to choose.” Aria advised. “However, everyone is gifted of a skill when born of this world. Most skills or talents we possess are passed through families. In the community, we’re given positions and duties that we are best skilled at. Since I showed signs at a young age for potions, they felt it was best that I train to be my Mother’s replacement when the time came.” She explained to Liam as though this was a very normal topic of conversation.

“However, if we feel that we are not spiritually destined for that duty or that it does not keep us balanced, we have the ability to change our service.” She told him, although she wasn’t sure that it would change for her. The only thing that may change was where she lived after Sonora. She loved her community, but she loved the world outside it too. Maybe not everything, but there was much beauty in it.

“Oh, the tents…” Aria said with thought. “I do not know who I will share with. I do not have friends aside from you and I believe my roommates tolerate me because they have to.” She was not upset by this any longer. She was different and they did not understand. There was nothing more she could do about it. “We have fires back home. We tell stories around them and then pretend to catch fireflies. It’s quite fun.”

Aria thought for a moment of all the foods that she had tried, but ‘smore’ did not seem to be one of them. “No, I don’t think I have. What is it? Meat? I do not eat meat.”

0 Aria It's alright. A common mistake. 0 Aria 0 5

Abigail Thornton, Crotalus

November 22, 2012 2:59 PM

Returning to prissy-dom... by Abigail Thornton, Crotalus

Abi had been glad, very glad, in fact; to go home for midterm. It wasn’t that she didn’t love school, she did. But there was something about her roommates that was getting on her nerves. They were so prissy! So wanting nothing to do with dirt or anything like that. Abi LOVED that sort of stuff. In her mind, that was the best way to learn about real life. If you’re in the middle of it, rather than reading about it on paper was her favorite way.

Actually, it wasn’t even that it was all of her roommates… It was one in particular that was driving her mad. She just wanted to put snakes or frogs or something in McKinley’s bed. It didn’t matter to her what, but that girl needed to get over her terrifying and completely irrational fear of dirt. She just did. There was no way around it. At some point in the next seven years she was going to do it if the girl kept on fussing over the simplest and stupidest of stuff!

Abi glanced around the room at her sisters, most of which who were looking at one spot. She looked as well and sighed as she spotted Addison. She rolled her eyes and turned away. It was a different holiday without her home, but she knew right then that this would be a crazy half a year back here before they all went home again. Abi knew that Arista at least, would be contacting their mother by the look on her face, if not right after the feast, by morning anyway.

Thankfully the Headmistress spoke only a few words to them before the food came out. Abi put food on her plate, not caring if one food item got mixed in another, It all ends up mixed together anyway inside, right? Why not? Shrugging, she ate some of the mashed potatoes off her plate before looking back towards Addison.

She turned away from her sister again and looked at the person nearest her. “So! Isn’t it cool that we get to have a bonfire!? Have you ever had one before?” Abi, at least, was making an effort to make friends, which was more than Addison really ever did…

0 Abigail Thornton, Crotalus Returning to prissy-dom... 0 Abigail Thornton, Crotalus 0 5

Solomon Bensalem, Crotalus

November 22, 2012 3:01 PM

Learning to Trust, thanks to an Angel by Solomon Bensalem, Crotalus

Solomon wasn’t sure exactly why he came back to school again this year. He’d felt so out of place the year before, that he didn’t know why he’d let Grandfather talk him into going back again at the beginning of this year. He didn’t want to let down his family though, so he relented and his tall lanky frame returned to school at the beginning, taller and lankier than he’d left it. He was glad to see Angel, though definitely not too glad to see Carrie… There was something about that girl that scared him almost as much, if not more than the snakes on Isla Angel de la Guarda…

And the start of term wasn’t nearly as hard as this return was. He wasn’t too sure why. Unless it had something to do with the fact that he was now actually starting to fill out and wasn’t as skinny? Or that people at home who’d never spoke to him before, (you know… like the girls…) were starting to actually see him as a person. He didn’t know the reason, but somehow, he felt better about himself as he walked back in tall and stronger after midterm.

Walking into Cascade Hall for the returning feast felt better than it ever had before. Maybe because he’d started actually feeling better about himself, or whatever the reason. It didn’t matter to him. It was more along the lines of the fact that he wasn’t as scared anymore as he used to be…

Or was he?

Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau started talking to them and told them that the midterm event this year was going to be a bonfire as a treat to them for all their hard work. His eyes widened at the thought. He knew fire was bad, and as suddenly as he’d felt better about himself, he felt like a scared child again. He glanced around the room for Angel (who was apparently the only person he trusted there thanks to the help he’d given the boy at least twice in their first year). When he didn’t see him right away, Solomon shied back into his chair and hoped beyond all hopes to become invisible!

Dinner showed up, and Solomon filled his plate and his mouth with the sweet treats so he didn’t have to talk to anyone that was trying to talk to him, unless he wanted to, that was. He looked around again for Angel, making a plan in his mind to ask Angel to be in a tent with him, for fear of most of the other kids…

0 Solomon Bensalem, Crotalus Learning to Trust, thanks to an Angel 0 Solomon Bensalem, Crotalus 0 5

McKinley Andrews, Crotalus

November 22, 2012 3:04 PM

Returning with plastic... WoTW by McKinley Andrews, Crotalus

McKinley had a wonderful two weeks at home, though it was very odd without Carter. She’d become even more used to seeing him daily being at school than they had at home (which was saying something, considering she’d seen him every day before they started school, and every day since then). They had been placed in different houses, but that didn’t stop the cousins from seeing each other. There was always Cascade Hall and classes (which the first year Crotalus knew could be seriously dirty if she didn’t watch out!) to meet up, and that they did. The whole of the first part of the year it was hardly a day without at least seeing Carter in passing in the halls. She was thankful for that, it was something like home that way. Someone who understood her, even though he thought she was nuts!

Kinley knew that her cousin thought she was crazy with her (as he called it) irrational fear of dirt. To her, dirt was a scary thing, but she was a girl, and he a boy… Boys were supposed to like dirt and all that icky stuff, right? At least that was what she thought!

Either way, Carter had been gone on his excursion over the whole of break and she hadn’t gotten to see him. She didn’t like it one bit, but she was lucky because both Jefferson and Grant had come to the States to see the house there. She was back to being a princess in her own castle and that was just how she liked it. Anything she wanted, her brothers got for her, and if they couldn’t, Papa did. She did, however, get an owled message from her cousin telling her all about Ireland and his other side of the family as well as the fact that his Mum had a little baby girl and named her Payton. Kin had messaged him back, telling him that she was happy for him, but wouldn’t have any need to stay nearby a baby that could make dirty messes… Carter’s message back made her sure of the fact that he’d been laughing at her when he’d read hers to him. But that didn’t surprise the blonde.

Carter liked to laugh at her, it seemed to be his favorite past-time as of late, but she wouldn’t let it bother her. She knew he loved her, regardless and that was what counted. Besides, she was actually starting to make friends who didn’t think she was completely off her rocker, and that was nice too. Her roommates weren’t too bad, except for maybe that Abigail girl. She’s just plain weird… she thought, as she looked around the room at the other students, just back from their vacations at home too.

The Wagon ride back to school was much better than the original one. Partly because she knew what to expect this time, and she’d covered her seat in plastic, like she wore to classes last term to not get dirty. Kinley took care not to look at the horses or think about the flies that she’d seen around them last time, instead she let Carter drone on about his trip some more and told him about what her brothers and Papa had done for her.

Once they’d gotten to Sonora, however, the pair split up to go sit with their friends and all was well again. She looked around towards her roommates and the other Crotali, smiled and properly set her hands in her lap as Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau started speaking. She welcomed them back and told them she would make this speech short and sweet. Kin looked towards Carter, who she knew was hungry. Her cousin was a growing boy, therefore always hungry. She didn’t understand that. She ate like a bird. Pick and peck, is what her Papa called it. Anything to stay clean! she thought, shivering at the amount of mess her brothers made when they ate.

“This year our Midsummer Event is the bonfire. Normally, we like to have the students contribute something during each of the events, but this year, we wanted to give you all a break. We have been very impressed with past years’ behaviors that we wanted to have this be an award. We’ll be having a camp out in the Pitch and you’ll get to do nothing more than roast smores and have fun with friends. You’ll hear more about it when we get closer to the end of term. For now, enjoy your dinner.”

Food began to arrive, but Kinley didn’t touch any of it. The words that were just said resonated deeply into her heart. Bonfire? Roast smores? But those things sound dirty!? she thought as she looked across the table at her neighbor, whoever it was that was there. “A bonfire, huh?” she said softly, still trying to be calm about this most likely forcing of sleeping outside in tents where there was dirt…

0 McKinley Andrews, Crotalus Returning with plastic... WoTW 0 McKinley Andrews, Crotalus 0 5

Waverly

November 23, 2012 1:27 AM

The ground does get boring after awhile by Waverly

Waverly was definitely embarrassed to be caught zoning out, and by Henny no less. She really liked Henny and wanted to get to know her better and spacing out was definitely not the right way to go. Going out of her head and into daydreams was more of her younger sister's thing, not hers. Waverly's green eyes snapped back to reality almost visibly as she reached over for the potatoes in a rush as if to make up for lost time.

"Sorry," she said, handing over the potatoes before putting some food onto her own plate. Henny seemed a little curious about what Waverly was thinking about, but though Waverly's face definitely gave her away, she wasn't ready to actually admit to it fully yet. At least not here at Sonora. Liking a Muggle boy was bad enough, but having her magical friends know that probably wasn't the best yet. Andri came over before Henny started talking, so she smiled at her in greeting, trying to think of a way to respond to the statement Henny had drifted off on, but Henny began talking about her midterm. As she told her story, Waverly willed her face to cool down.

The inevitable topic, however, came up, but by then Waverly's face had cooled to a normal temperature and hue. "My midterm was great," she said with a smile that was a tad too bright to be considered normal. Play it cool, she told herself, but it was going to be harder than it sounded.

"I know what you mean by the usual Christmasy stuff," she said with a smile. "I had a lot of fun with my family. It's my sister's first year here too, so she got to tell all about how school was. And I met up with a few of my old elementary school friends. Other than that, it was the usual hustle and bustle. Lots of Christmas baking for me and my mom. My grandparents came and visited too for Christmas, so that was fun. What's your brother's name? Is he excited to come?" Waverly was a little sad she didn't have any more younger siblings, but she definitely liked to watch out for the first-years.

After getting her answers from Henny, she turned to Andri. "Hey, how was your midterm?" she asked, smiling again as she began to actually eat her food.

OOC: Sorry for the really late reply!

0 Waverly The ground does get boring after awhile 0 Waverly 0 5

Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau

November 23, 2012 10:18 AM

OOC by Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau

Hello McKinley,

I wanted to make you aware that you have broken Rule #3 of the Sonora Roleplaying Rules. The rule is Absolutely No Power Playing. Power Playing is when you write for other characters that are not your own.

This rule was broken in your post when you wrote for Carter's character without mentioning any permission. Please refrain from doing this in the future.

0 Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau OOC 0 Headmistress Kijewski-Jareau 0 5

McKinley

November 23, 2012 10:46 AM

Reply to OOC by McKinley

I'm sorry! I knew I was going to add that, but was in a hurry and forgot due to being called into the other room for turkey!! Carter did give me permission, may I add that into my post? Or is this ok??

0 McKinley Reply to OOC 0 McKinley 0 5

Henny B-F-R

November 24, 2012 1:00 PM

I don't know... I quite like having my feet planted on it. by Henny B-F-R

Henny felt a little bad as her comments made Waverly blush. She talked openly in her own family but generally kept her business to herself in school and thus she could perfectly understand Waverly's reluctance to share her thoughts with her. She hadn't meant to try to push it and embarrass her, and was perfectly happy not to take it any further when Waverly didn't enlighten her as to what she had been thinking about.

“Thanks,” she smiled, as she accepted the potatoes from the other girl. The other girl's reaction to her question about Midterm did not seem out of place to her. Henny, for all she loved school, was very much a family person, and everyone loved Christmas, so the beaming enthusiasm with which Waverly greeted the topic didn't suggest anything more to her than enjoyment of those two things.

“We did a little bit of baking too! I showed my brother and my parents some of the stuff we'd learnt in the club,” she smiled. “I can't remember whether I told you but my family's not really skilled in that area, so they were really interested. My brother's called Charlie and yeah, he can't wait. He already wants to join the baking club – not sure he's so keen on my book club,” she laughed, “We're really different, so I can see him ending up in Pecari. Maybe Teppenpaw,” she considered. Definitely not Aladren though.

“Yeah, how was your holiday?” she echoed when Waverly turned to Andri. “And when you said 'you know the feeling' did you mean about holiday stuff or having a sibling coming next year?” she added. It didn't exactly seem unlikely that there would be another Thornton joining the school next year but Henny was still curious about the people who might be in her brother's year. She hoped they would be nice and, that if he wound up in Pecari, it wouldn't be full of the rough, sporty types that the house often attracted (not that Aladren boys had a mild mannered reputation when it came to that sort of thing either). Charlie was outgoing, but in his own way, and she didn't think he would fit in well with those sorts of people.

13 Henny B-F-R I don't know... I quite like having my feet planted on it. 211 Henny B-F-R 0 5

Andri

November 25, 2012 12:07 PM

Planted... yep... me too... by Andri

Andri had passed the potatoes to Waverly who passed them on to Henny with apologies. Andri wondered what that was all about, but didn’t press the subject. Waverly was obviously thinking of something else, and the Aladren understood how sometimes your inner thoughts don’t want to become outer ones.

When Henny said that her brother was going to be starting at school next year Andri grinned from ear to ear. Analea was also starting and Andri was glad to hear that her sister would have at least one friend in Henny’s brother. She was sure that they’d become fast friends, at least she seriously hoped so! Andri mentioned that she knew the feeling, but it was Waverly’s turn to talk next, so she quieted down, listening to the Pecari as she thought about what awesomeness could be the next year.

"My midterm was great," Waverly said, her smile super bright. Andri smiled too, but not nearly as big as her Pecari friend continued talking. "I know what you mean by the usual Christmasy stuff, I had a lot of fun with my family. It's my sister's first year here too, so she got to tell all about how school was. And I met up with a few of my old elementary school friends. Other than that, it was the usual hustle and bustle. Lots of Christmas baking for me and my mom. My grandparents came and visited too for Christmas, so that was fun. What's your brother's name? Is he excited to come?"

Andri turned her attention to Henny, wanting to hear more about her midterm and about her brother. Sure, she’d heard about Charlie before, but not too much into who he was as a young man and she wanted to hear all about it. Who knew, maybe he could be Analea’s Prince?

“We did a little bit of baking too! I showed my brother and my parents some of the stuff we'd learnt in the club,” Henny said with a smile, going on to tell them how her family really wasn’t skilled in the baking department. “My brother's called Charlie and yeah, he can't wait. He already wants to join the baking club – not sure he's so keen on my book club. We're really different, so I can see him ending up in Pecari. Maybe Teppenpaw,”

Andri nodded, knowing how it is when siblings are completely different from you. She had a bunch of them herself… All things considered though, now the Thornton clan spanned each house of the school. She knew that Analea was a lot like her, but she also had a lot of the other houses in her, so she wasn’t going to hold her breath on her little sister becoming an Aladren next year. She wished for it, but she wasn’t going to stop breathing over it!

Henny stopped her part of the story and both Waverly and Henny turned to Andri. Waverly asked about Andri’s midterm as the Pecari started to eat. Henny echoed Waverly’s question, but added to it slightly, giving Andri something to work off of to answer. Andri liked that, there was plenty of things that she’d not mind telling her friends, but she wasn’t sure that even Henny knew about Audi, Ashling or Aislynn…

“And when you said 'you know the feeling' did you mean about holiday stuff or having a sibling coming next year?”

“Both, really.” Andri started. “This was definitely a different vacation than ever before…” Andri bit her lip, an odd reaction from her, and glanced towards Addison. “Addi didn’t come home with us, so we didn’t have to tiptoe around her or anything, but it felt weird. We did all the regular Christmasy things though and I kept teaching myself sign and braille and spent time with the little siblings and, you know… The regular stuff…” she said, pretty sure that now she’d have to explain herself, at least a little bit. Why would she have to be teaching herself sign or braille if something wasn’t going on? Her friends knew she was an Aladren, but not even the older Aladrens were most likely not going to just learn languages like that just for fun… Would they? she thought.

OOC: No worries on the late reply! I know how it goes!

0 Andri Planted... yep... me too... 0 Andri 0 5

Carrie

November 25, 2012 1:36 PM

Ew, no. by Carrie

Carrie was aghast at her roommate's words. How dare she? The Crotalus had been nothing but pleasant to Lucrezia and Heaven. They were people that she actually considered good enough and there weren't many people like that. Of course, they were inferior to Carrie but who wasn't? Still, the only real objectionable thing that she could find about either of her roommates was that, well, they were her roommates . Carrie really should have had her own room, she deserved it. After all, Ryan had his own room, and she was special and he wasn't. Of course, he was repulsive and nobody should have to be contaminated by him.

And how could Lucrezia defend those of inferior breeding? They were loathsome creatures that didn't deserve to share the air that Carrie breathed. They were filthy and repugnant and only caused problems. Actually, they should probably sleep in tents all the time. It was all they were worth and the mudbloods shouldn't even get that. Well, actually, they shouldn't be at a classy school like Sonora in the first place, they should be at a separate school for their own kind.

Plus her roommate had the nerve to say that they had better manners than Carrie did. That was just impossible. She had had the finest etiquette tutors and they'd not had anything. They might as well have been raised by animals. They did things like throw bugs at her, but at least in that awful girl's case, Carrie could blame the girl's lack of breeding. Come to think of it, the Crotalus hadn't seen that girl around, she'd probably been expelled.

In some cases, there wasn't any excuse. Such as when Coach Pierce had hexed her. The woman had been raised right, being a New Hampshire Pierce, and had still behaved like a barbarian-and this was another time. "Really, Lucrezia, I'm surprised that you'd defend them. I mean, you have such a good line yourself." This was true. "You sound like a blood traitor right now. I doubt your family would approve." She didn't know that much about foreign families so she didn't know much about the Renaldis beyond that they were a respectable family. "Talk like that gets a person disowned." That wasn't a threat, and wasn't phrased as such. It was just a statement of fact.

Or maybe the Renaldis weren't as good a family as Carrie thought. Maybe they were too liberal, thinking mudbloods were anything more than inhuman. She'd probably been wrong-a hard thing to admit about herself,as she was perfect, but at the moment she had no choice-about her roommate. But that wasn't Carrie's fault, it was Lucrezia's. She'd portrayed herself as a decent person, from a good family, and now she was being a total goody-goody, defending the impure and poorly bred. A muggle lover, that was what she was.

11 Carrie Ew, no. 230 Carrie 0 5

Liam

November 26, 2012 9:32 PM

..... by Liam

Liam instantly felt relieved when Aria explained that they got to choose what they did, when it came down to it. As she explained it to him, and the wheels got to turning, he figured she actually had the advantage of having the medicine woman as her mother. She was in the best position to learn from her, and lifelong exposure to something like that definitely wouldn’t hurt her in the future. He felt kind of bad that he always seemed to jump to the worst conclusion when it came to Aria’s community, but he didn’t know any better. Aria was different, but she wasn’t THAT odd, so maybe he should have more faith in where she came from. He was learning though, and hoped that eventually he wouldn’t be tempted to question her whenever her home life came up in conversation.

A small frown appeared on Liam’s face for a moment when the Teppenpaw girl told him about her roommates and the tent situation. He was in a similar boat. He didn’t really know his roommates that well, and figured they wouldn’t want to share with him. He’d likely end up with people he didn’t really know, but he was somehow alright with that at this point. Aria’s description of bonfires didn’t sound that different from what he expected would happen at the end of term. Save for the fireflies, of course. He wondered if by pretending to catch them he meant merely chasing after them, or more of a catch and release type deal. He wasn’t really bothered enough to ask, but it sounded like fun either way.

The Pecari boy laughed a little at the thought of smores containing meat. It was gross, and funny at the same time. He shook his head and smiled, he was well aware of Aria’s stance on meat eating, and wasn’t likely to suggest anything that would compromise her values.

“No meat. First you break a graham cracker in half, and put part of a chocolate bar on half of it. Then you toast marshmallows over the fire until they are golden brown. Usually until they are golden brown. They catch fire really easily if you’re not careful, but I prefer mine that way. They you put the marshmallow on top of the chocolate and put the other piece of graham cracker on top. Like a chocolate marshmallow sandwich, and they are hot and gooey and delicious. Messy, but delicious. We always make them for dessert when we go camping. Or we did anyway.”

5 Liam ..... 37 Liam 0 5

Aria

November 29, 2012 9:21 PM

You've grown silent :( by Aria

Aria decided that she liked Liam. She had thought well of him prior to this moment, but she felt that she could officially admit that she enjoyed being around him. He didn’t seem to mind her background like others did and didn’t mind asking her questions on the things that he didn’t understand. He even answered questions that she asked that some might have found annoying or intrusive. She liked that about him. He was curious enough to ask and helpful enough to answer. Not everyone was like that, Aria was beginning to discover. They were usually nice, in general, but they had limitations to what they would deal with.

Aria listened with interest as Liam explained to her what a smore was. She enjoyed chocolate (they had soy based chocolate at home, but sometimes they were allowed milk based products) and graham anything was pretty tasty, but she couldn’t wrap her head around the idea of eating marshmallow (fire roasted or not) and that being tasty. They used marshmallow root in their remedies all the time because they would help with ailments, but Aria did not feel that this made potions taste better.

Her brows furrowed in thought as she tried to understand the purpose and desire for such a treat. Surely there were better things to snack on during a bonfire… “I can appreciate the chocolate and cracker as a delicious snack, but why are you roasting a root and eating it with the chocolate? I understand that a marshmallow root has many benefits for a person and all, but I wouldn’t dare roast it and mix it in my chocolate. That seems like a very silly idea.” Aria commented, not at all aware that Liam was actually discussing a sugary confection that was named for the similar looks in the plant.

0 Aria You've grown silent :( 0 Aria 0 5

Lucrezia

December 04, 2012 7:32 PM

Eeww you by Lucrezia

“Excuse me?” Lucrezia asked appalled at what she had just heard. Carrie had just called her a blood traitor. The little brat had just insulted her and her family. Didn’t she learn to respect her betters? Luc wasn’t didn’t know a lot about American Pureblood families, but her grandparents did, and she was slowly learning who was who in the society she was living in. By comparison to hers Carrie’s was basically a new family.

The Italian seldom got angry with anyone, but Carrie was just one of those people that rubbed her the wrong way. Living with her was hell. She was not only vain and stupid, but disrespectful of everyone around her. That wasn’t how she had been raised. Lucrezia was well aware of her status as a Pureblood, and her tutors and parents had taught her that the upper class was small and depended on the lower classes for survival. They were what kept them on top and being respectful of them was key to maintain a harmonious balance in the world.

She frowned, “You should learn your place, Carrie. You have a divorced father and your family is going in circles without creating new alliances,” she said with contempt dripping from her every word. Everything she knew she had heard from Grandmama and her friends’ will they attended to their weekly tea parties. Of course, they didn’t know the little Crotalus was eavesdropping. Adult things weren’t meant for her young ears.

“And no, I am not telling you to be best friends with them, but I hope your miniscule brain realizes that we depend on them for survival. If your parents couldn’t teach you that basic assumption about the division of classes then I am sure their money will go to waste with your education,” she said while crossing her arms.

She was angry and annoyed at the blonde beside her, “Well, I can’t really expect anything better from you, I suppose. The detail of your parents divorce is a key indicator of where you come from. Hardly very respectable I would say.” The Italian Crotalus looked at her roommate with every bit of grace and poise she could muster, which was a lot. She was part of one of Italy’s oldest Pureblood families and one of America’s. There was no point of comparison between the two of them, but the difference was that Lucrezia didn’t shove it into anyone’s face. The respect she had gained within her family and friends came from her impeccable breeding. She was pretty sure everyone just wanted to punch Carrie in the face, her family included.

0 Lucrezia Eeww you 0 Lucrezia 0 5

Liam

December 05, 2012 9:06 PM

I was trying to meditate. by Liam

It had slipped Liam’s attention that he hadn’t verbally acknowledged his understanding of Aria being the master of her own destiny. Master? Mistress? Whichever is was. He realized he hadn’t said that he was glad that she had some say in what she chose to do in the future. She didn’t really seem to mind his lack of comment, so he decided not to add anything else in case he managed to make matters worse.

He thought he’d done a reasonable job explaining smores, but by the look on Aria’s face he’d fallen a bit short. He was glad that she actually explained the part that struck her as unusual rather than writing the whole idea off as weird. Until that moment, Liam didn’t know that marshmallow root was an actual thing.

“Marshmallow….root?” He said, mostly as confirmation that he’d heard her properly. “I didn’t know they had roots…I thought they were made out of air, and sugar…and something else that holds them together that makes them light and fluffy.” Liam replied, scratching his temple as he tried to recall the ingredients in marshmallows.

“Maybe there is marshmallow root in the ones I’m thinking of…but I don’t think we’re on the same page on this one. Toasting roots does sound kind of gross. Definitely not the ones I’m thinking of. The ones I’m talking about are cylinders, and are white and squishy. There are different sizes. Little ones are good in hot chocolate, but we use big ones…” Liam used his fingers to estimate the size of one of the bigger marshmallows “for smores. But now that I think about it…I don’t really know what’s in those…but I’ll find out before the fire, just in case.” He finished with a grin.

“Are marshmallow roots a potion ingredient or something?”

5 Liam I was trying to meditate. 37 Liam 0 5

Carrie

December 10, 2012 2:27 PM

The feeling is mutual. by Carrie

A white hot rage built in Carrie. She had said nothing about Lucrezia's family-out loud anyway-just Lucrezia. She'd even said the Renaldi's were a good line, though the second year didn't really know much about foreign families, she only had what her mother said to go on, and that was what Mother had said.

Yet, here was Lucrezia attacking her for no good reason. For simply stating facts and the other girl had flat attacked Carrie's family, whereas she'd only thought the stuff about Lucrezia's. Unless the Crotalus was a Legilimens, which Carrie sincerely doubted, she had no way of knowing that Carrie had been thinking.

But apparently, the second year had touched on her roommate's sore spot. Carrie was extremely good at that, but then she was good at most things and things she wasn't good at weren't worth being so. Some people were easier than others to get to, such as Ryan, but then she had practiced harassing him down to an art. It was nothing more than he deserved. Lucrezia was apparently in that category with him and Coach Pierce, people who had been raised right and still turned out poorly despite it all.

Carrie decided to ignore the comments about the divorce. Honestly, it wasn't her fault that her father was such an idiot. He had clearly made a mistake,not seeing her mother for the wonderful person she was. Though it shamed her, and it made her think even worse of the man, it was clear that that woman had seduced him, hence the quick elopement and had a baby to trap him.

As for the getting married without creating alliances she responded, "From what I understand there was love involved in those instances." Her disdain was clear. "Plus there is such a things as quality over quantity and a matter of who is available of correct age at a given time. In my family, we prefer not to marry girls off to men old enough to be their fathers." And in the case of her father and that woman, clearly love potion was involved and soon her father would come to his senses, realize he'd made a mistake and get back with her mother. Ryan would no longer be a factor, because he was an adult and surely Father would forget about Peyton and his step-children quickly enough.

11 Carrie The feeling is mutual. 230 Carrie 0 5

Lucrezia

December 13, 2012 8:27 PM

Good by Lucrezia

Lucrezia rolled her eyes at Carrie, “Keep telling yourself that, Carrie.” Lucrezia wanted to tell her that maybe that was because no one wanted to be part of her family, but Luc was sure that was way out of line, even when her Great Grandparents didn’t like them very much. She didn’t know why, and she didn’t even know the family to make such a statement.

The Italian was, quite frankly, tired of this conversation. It was more than clear that Carrie was a self-involved person that just thought about herself, and Luc didn’t have time for someone like that. “You know, Carrie. If I were you I would be nicer to people, because you don’t have any friends. It is quite clear nobody likes you and you will end up like you mother: alone and pathetic.” Lucrezia had never met Carrie’s mother, but she assumed the woman was like that. Her husband had left her for another woman for goodness sake.

The Italian flipped her hair at Carrie and with her best impression of a haughty pureblood she looked at Carrie, “I won’t waste my time on the likes of you” she informed the blonde girl before getting up from her seat. The Crotalus was no longer hungry. “Have fun in your loneliness, because no one will keep you company.”

Her eyes were narrowed at the other girl, “And learn to hold your tongue, because disrespecting purebloods can cause all kinds of trouble for you and your seudo-good family.” Lucrezia was a very nice human being, but she was also taught to be a good little Pureblood girl that took pride from where she came. She didn’t flaunt her status left and right, but she was proud of what her family had accomplished in Italy and America.

If Carrie wanted to play hard, she could match her. It was something she didn’t really want to do, but it Carrie wanted to play the game, she could do it and do it beautifully. She had her twin sisters and mother as a role model for it. None of them were outrageously rude like Carrie, but they were very proud of themselves.

“And next time you insult me, I won’t be as nice as today,” Lucrezia offered Carrie a smile and decided to seat elsewhere. She was over her roommate.

0 Lucrezia Good 0 Lucrezia 0 5

Aria

December 18, 2012 9:17 PM

Oh, whoops. Didn't mean to interrupt. by Aria

Aria was really confused. How did Liam not know that they had roots? Did he know of flowers that could grow without a foundation of roots in which they obtain their nutrients? What a strange boy he was. If such a plant did exist and it was similar, if not the actual, marshmallow root, Aria felt that such flowers would be a wonderful addition to their gardens. Especially for her mother. It was so time consuming for her mother during the school year when Aria wasn’t around to gather ingredients for her because she often had to do it herself and that took her away from her remedies and patients. If she had plants with no roots, she could store them.

But then…hm… roots were very important so the flowers would lose some of their worth if she no longer had those roots.

But as Aria listened further as Liam described his marshmallow, Aria gathered that they were definitely talking about two very different things. The Marshmallow plant was made from Mother Nature and not air or sugar. She wondered why they had the same name. Of course, the plant had various names, but most knew it as Marshmallow plant. Probably because it was easier to remember.

She liked the marshmallow he was describing though. If it was sweet, than she could understand it being with chocolate, but how was it better roasted? What did it do for the chocolate and cracker? “Your marshmallow sounds very delicious. But, why do you roast them? Does it make it even better?” She asked him, curious to know the logic behind the treat. “Do you always have smores at campfires? What else do you have?”

She smiled at him when he asked about her marshmallow. “It’s a flower called Althaea, but most people know it as the marshmallow plant because it’s all white and soft and beautiful to look at.” Aria explained. She really did enjoy the look of flowers. They could really change the look of things. “The root is used often in medicinal remedies and potions. It helps to year simple ailments like sore throats. And the juice from the stem and roots are used for skin treatments. It keeps your skin healthy and soft and so pretty. My mom makes us an herbal potion to soak ourselves in to keep us smooth and young.” Aria explained. Really, her mom felt that they shouldn’t have to resort to make up to feel beautiful. Taking care of one’s skin will do that for them. “But you can eat it too. Sometimes you can find it in salads or boiled in your food.”

0 Aria Oh, whoops. Didn't mean to interrupt. 0 Aria 0 5