Calling for a vote on Cascade Hall

Challenge Staff

March 18, 2013 12:00 PM

Another Announcement by Challenge Staff

It was a Wednesday morning only a couple of weeks after midterm when a sign appeared in the Cascade Hall and all House Common Rooms. It was written on a white piece of sturdy posterboard and the Sonora Green words were inked out in professional type. A scrolling geometric border around the outside, alternating the colors of each of the Houses, drew the eye so it couldn't be missed.

CHALLENGE TWO

The second challenge will take place this Saturday at 1pm in the Labyrinth Gardens. Be advised that this challenge will be physically demanding. Each team will be expected to have selected an Overseer by the time of the challenge. The Overseer role is an essential one for your team's success but will have only an indirect part in the physical challenge and will serve as the team's brain while the other members make up its brawn. Please select your overseer accordingly.

Subthreads:

Executive Appointment (Brianna) by Derry Four with Brianna Japos

Calling for a vote by Thad Pierce with David Wilkes, Francesca Wolseithcrafte, Ayita Jareau

Discussing with team seven by Alicia Bauer

0 Challenge Staff Another Announcement 0 Challenge Staff 1 5

Derry Four

March 19, 2013 10:00 AM

Executive Appointment (Brianna) by Derry Four

Ever vigilant as he was, Derry walked right past the new notice several times before he actually saw it. He had to read through it twice to make sure he was grasping the correct implications from it. They were not particularly subtle, so he thought he was.

Even on the first read-through, he knew he was not Overseer material himself. As the team's oldest and biggest student, and a beater besides, he was easily the brawniest on his team, even before considering that his academic success was mediocre at best. It wasn't entirely clear what exactly the Overseer was supposed to do, but it seemed clear to Derry that his particular skill set was more suited to the 'physically demanding' part of the challenge. Besides, that sounded a lot more fun.

So if the captain wasn't going to be overseer, his thoughts turned to the rest of his team, and that was when he had to reread the notice to make sure he was correctly understanding that the Overseer did not do the physically challenging part. Deciding it did mean this, Team Eighteen had a very obvious choice for Overseer.

He probably would have put it up for a vote under other circumstances, but in this case, he was going to just exert his captainly authority and appoint Brianna to Overseer. That way, she wouldn't have to struggle through a physically demanding challenge when everyone else was more suited to that sort of thing. Plus, well, it was between her and Linus for who was smartest on their team so he would have nominated her as an Overseer candidate anyway even if she wasn't injured.

Besides, Linus played Quidditch, so he had more brawn qualifications than her anyway. And if they had to carry the second years though the challenge - possibly literally - Linus seemed better suited for that, too.

So, during dinner that evening, he headed over to the Crotalus table to make sure his appointee would accept his appointment.

"Hey, Brianna," he greeted his teammate cheerfully. "Did you see the note about the second challenge? Think you're up to being our overseer? You've totally got the brains for it."

1 Derry Four Executive Appointment (Brianna) 189 Derry Four 0 5

Thad Pierce

March 19, 2013 10:44 AM

Calling for a vote by Thad Pierce

Thad noticed the new announcement on the Aladren bulletin board right away, then saw it again as he entered the Cascade Hall for breakfast. He harbored mixed feelings toward the role of Overseer. Firstly, he coveted it because it was deamed the Team Brain. Secondly, he coveted it because the title sounded important and the notice had declared it an 'essential role' - both of which might get him noticed for Prefect selection.

On the other hand, being part of the main team might show more teamwork skills, and that was also important for Prefect candidates. Plus, he wasn't entirely lacking in physical skills either, and after his poor showing as a Beater last year, he felt he had something to prove in that arena. Not to mention, he was hardly the least athletic of the Team, so perhaps it would be better to put in somebody who might prove more a burden in the physical challenge.

Francesca was only a first year and might have trouble keeping up, though, being a first year, she may not have the knowledge base an overseer might need either. Henry was benched as a reserve during Quidditch last year, so he might not be super athletic either, and then Evan and Aiyita had never done anything physically competitive so far as he knew. Evan was certainly smart enough to be overseer, he was sure.

The best option was to just call a meeting, he supposed, and hold a vote. So he sent out owls inviting Team Four to join him at the Aladren table after dinner tomorrow night and to think about who would make the best overseer on their team in the meantime.

Once that time had come and the team had gathered, he opened the meeting somewhat informally. "Thank you all for coming. I assume everyone saw the announcement for the second challenge this weekend. We're going to need an overseer. Does anyone want to volunteer for it or nominate someone?"

1 Thad Pierce Calling for a vote 213 Thad Pierce 0 5

Alicia Bauer

March 19, 2013 10:59 PM

Discussing with team seven by Alicia Bauer

As she read over the new announcement for the second time, Alicia felt the nails of her index fingers beginning to pick at the beds of her thumbnails and made herself straighten her hands out again, to keep them resting calmly at her sides. After a few more seconds, though, that became too uncomfortable to work with, so she crossed her arms instead for the third read-over, which was of no more use in showing her a straight path than the first two had been.

She felt a little proud of herself for having anticipated that at least one challenge would be crude enough to rely on physical strength and agility. She couldn’t enjoy it too much, though, because of the problem she hadn’t foreseen, which was that the second challenge was going to require two captains, rather than just one.

Alicia rubbed her temples, trying to think clearly, to see all the angles. Divide and conquer was clearly going to be in play here, with the group she was with, so she had to think that way, rather than about talent, as she would have with her friends. Position prestige, she tried to forget about entirely; in the only game that mattered, she had already lost in that department, since Henny and Thad had taken the initiative away from the Head Boy and Girl instead of just a regular seventh year. What was the best way to play it?

Her hand inched toward her pocket, but she stilled it again and thought.

Andri was passive-aggressive and might take the chance to exploit the feelings Valentina and Hope no doubt had about listening to a girl younger than they were. Valentina was a seventh year, so she had to know some spells Alicia didn’t, plus she was a dancer and so strong enough. Just getting rid of Andri would be pleasant, but for one thing she was in Quidditch, so she must not be a complete physical weakling, and for another, Alicia was not going to deal with taking orders from her if this was what it sounded like it was and she might give them the wrong directions just to be spiteful. Valentina was impossible to read at all, and had few connections. So….

Alicia nodded to herself, making up her mind about which member of the group best suited her as the overseer. Now she just had to get everyone else to agree. With a sigh, she went to sit down and prepare notes inviting the others to a team meeting just before supper, preparing arguments in her head as she did so.

Once they were together for the meeting, Alicia tapped the end of her quill against the notebook she kept team-related things in, keeping the notebook where everyone could see that she had written the day and purpose of this one. She took very good notes, then wrote out neat copies for everyone after team meetings. No one could say anything was secretive. Perhaps she was very careful with her word selections when writing narrative bits and summaries, but no one could say she was dishonest, or that she changed the meaning of anything. “Thanks for coming, everyone – this shouldn’t take long,” she said. “I trust that by now everyone’s seen the latest announcement about our second challenge. In the end, I think we’ll have to consider everyone’s strengths and weaknesses in making a final decision, but to start with, is there anyone who really does or really, really does not want the overseer position?” Figuring out what she had to work with or around right away seemed like a good place to start to her.

This small issue, really, was why Alicia had never cared for chess. Arguing or negotiating with her chessmen was good for developing some skills, but still wasn't the same as dealing with real people, who weren't that much like even the most realistic and intelligent game piece. She just played the game because smart people were supposed to play chess and because Jeremy insisted. It didn't, she thought, fit with her style very well.

16 Alicia Bauer Discussing with team seven 210 Alicia Bauer 0 5

David Wilkes

March 20, 2013 3:14 PM

Being logical, more or less. by David Wilkes

David was already at the Aladren table after all his meals, so getting to the meeting Thad had called didn’t take a lot of effort for him. Nor was it likely to be much of a hindrance for the other team members except maybe Henry and Ayita. As for them, he had concluded that the staff had, when cobbling together their team, stuck together a bunch of people too weird to have a lot of friends and added Thad as either a balancing element or a test of his ability to remain sane under pressure and that it was merely coincidence – or at least inevitable, given the personality types most associated with his House – that most of them happened to be Aladrens.

The point was gotten directly to, which partially inspired what David said after the floor was opened for comment. “If this is some kind of Survivor guide-the-others-through-the-maze,” he said, “I’d say it had probably better be you or Francesca,” he said, nodding toward Fran. “You’re probably the best talkers of the group.” He glanced around at the others. “No offense, anyone,” he added.

He thought, after all, that they had done pretty well in the first challenge, so if they could avoid crashing and burning because of their quirks, that would be good. Someone who seemed to either naturally communicate clearly or at least not to have to think about it too hard, and who was comfortable giving orders – one thing David was sure he would never be, when he was thinking about it, even if he did focus and stay on topic while talking, which he could do when he wanted to – seemed like the best way to go, unless he was completely wrong about the nature of the challenge they were going to face in a few days.

16 David Wilkes Being logical, more or less. 169 David Wilkes 0 5

Francesca Wolseithcrafte

March 20, 2013 6:55 PM

How do you pick a brain from a group of Aladren? by Francesca Wolseithcrafte

In advance of the second challenge, they had been given a modicum more information than for the first. However, as the first had merely been a time and date, that did not mean a large dossier had been issued in advance of the second. Just a cryptic note on selecting roles.

Francesca was still pondering it as she arrived at her team meeting. She regarded herself as both brain and, well... not so much brawn but certainly athletic. A physical challenge was something she was relatively confident she could meet the demands of, unless it required a lot of brute strength. However, she was willing to go with the feelings of the team on the issue. She had therefore decided to sit on her thoughts for the time being, waiting to see if anyone particularly wanted the role.

“Thank you,” she found herself, blinking slightly in surprise at David's assessment of her abilities. She had been pleased that she had managed to contribute to their previous challenge, and that David's reasoning for choosing her wasn't that she was just the first year, and needed putting out of harm's way. Or, if it was, at least he was dressing it up as flattery. “It's hard to say, not knowing exactly what's in store... All I can say is that I am also fairly athletic, so if anyone else feels they won't be able to meet the physical side... Well, I imagine that I can. But I'm happy to do what everyone feels is best.”

13 Francesca Wolseithcrafte How do you pick a brain from a group of Aladren? 250 Francesca Wolseithcrafte 0 5

Brianna Japos

March 20, 2013 8:59 PM

How Leaderish of you by Brianna Japos

The start of term was going rather nicely, if Brianna said so herself. Although she had not been expecting anything regarding the ball other than being another wall flower, she had been taken aback when Linus had asked her to go with him. She probably shouldn’t have really been too surprised because it was Linus and he was always nice to her, even more so this year because of her circumstances, but it had still been nice to have been officially asked to the ball by someone.

Although it had been a very difficult year for her for many different reasons, she also felt like this had been one of the best years. She had come back from summer feeling exposed, out casted, embarrassed, ashamed, and a number of other things. She could barely walk ten feet. She had been so terrified of asking for help and that everyone would laugh at her or be angry with her because the truth had come out over the summer. But that had not happened. Josh, Linus, and Valerie had all come forward to help her. No one seemed to judge her, at least, not outright, even with being placed into the challenges with a group of boys. And, after half a year, she could handle walking much better. She had solidified her friendships with the three aforementioned and even learned more about herself in the process.

The year wasn’t perfect. She still had a lot to learn and she still had a lot of anger and other emotional issues that she was working out, but she felt pretty confident about it.

She was in the middle of dinner when Derry approached her. She wasn’t really surprised since the notice had gone up. Brianna wasn’t going to lie and say that she wasn’t worried. The idea that it would be physically taxing concerned her greatly and she had no idea how she would do it. The overseer spot seemed probably ideal for someone with ambition or with a big head about themselves. At least, labeling it ‘the brain’ had her believing that Aladrens would be falling all over themselves for that title.

This wasn’t to say that she was surprised when Derry asked her if she wanted the position. Considering it was the least physical demanding position of the group, it was obvious that she would be the best one for it. It helped that she made top grades and read ahead. “I have read the notice and accept the position. Probably for the best. I doubt I’d be of much help with the physical work of it.”

6 Brianna Japos How Leaderish of you 203 Brianna Japos 0 5

Thad Pierce

March 22, 2013 11:55 AM

Draw Straws? by Thad Pierce

Thaddeus tried not to look too pleased that his name was the first nominated (if only by seconds) for the overseer position, and that the recommendation came from the Head Boy himself. That had to count for something. He wasn't quite sure what, but definitely something.

He allowed Francesca to humbly accept her nomination before doing likewise. "I'd be honored to be our overseer, though, like Francesca, I've probably had more physical training than some others in the group." He was part of the Aladren Quidditch team, after all. They were somewhat notorious throughout the school now for being aggressively competitive.

"Also," he added, "no offense meant to Francesca, but we don't know exactly what is expected from the overseer except the use of brains. We might want to put in someone with a little more advanced knowledge than a first year would have had the opportunity to acquire so far. I additionally nominate Evan."

On the off chance David or Ayita took offense to him nominating another fourth year for 'advanced knowledge' over them, he added, "We may need the practical applications of advanced spells as part of the main group, so I think we should keep our advanced students directly involved in the physical challenge, unless you guys have a good reason to think otherwise."

1 Thad Pierce Draw Straws? 213 Thad Pierce 0 5

Ayita Jareau

March 23, 2013 11:54 AM

Rock, paper, scissors could also work by Ayita Jareau

Thus far in the year’s set of challenges, Ayita had been essentially worthless. She had provided little to no help on the first, so she was fairly certain she would repeat that performance in the next. While she did try, she found it difficult to articulate her thoughts with her particular team. Somewhere along the line, she had evidently closed herself off; being shoved onto a team with students she hardly knew added a sense of pressure and insecurity she had not experienced much prior.

In theory, she supposed her distance was a side effect of the transitions she faced. The grey-eyed Pecari was fairly comfortable with her adoptive parents. She was fond of Chloe and Emery, too, and she felt additionally close to Angel. However, it was perhaps the serenity in those relationships that troubled her adjustment to the newest family member. It was silly, Ayita knew, to feel threatened by a baby, but it was a change; while it seemed less and less like one of the others would be removed to make room, it was still… odd.

A lot of things still felt so foreign and strange. These challenges were strange. The brunette liked the idea of Overseer because it meant an acceptable sort of separation, but strategically she knew she was not the best candidate, with her apparent communication deficiencies. “I think you or Evan would be fine,” she commented directly to Thaddeus, since he was the one speaking last.

The sixth year was not particularly one for physical strength—her thin frame left much to be desired in terms of muscle mass—but she supposed she would do less damage as one of the group than as the Overseer. Eventually, perhaps there would be something where she might actually be useful, but for now, she waited, coasting along. Ayita felt almost like deadweight on her team, and she wondered if any of her teammates were upset about being stuck with her. They had every right to be. She really wanted to be helpful, but unfortunately, she just… was not.

12 Ayita Jareau Rock, paper, scissors could also work 195 Ayita Jareau 0 5

Thad Pierce

March 26, 2013 11:33 AM

Or we could be democratic and VOTE by Thad Pierce

OOC: Having spoken to some of the authors, I am jumping this thread up to the vote so we can sort out our overseer quickly. BIC:

The discussion continued. Evan accepted his nomination. Francesca pointed out that while she was athletic, she wasn't exactly strong, and suggested that if they were working individually, they could simply have an advance student go first, so even if the overseer was younger, they would know what to tell the others.

So then it was down to the vote. "All arguments have been made," Thad declared, trying to sound official. "I have prepared ballots, please take one." The slips of parchment were nothing special, just small rectangles with a place to enter the name of an overseer candidate. "Please enter the name of whoever you would like to see as our overseer and place them in the ballot box."

Thad put a narrow box onto the table that his family had used to transport some disused wands when they moved over midterm. Father had sent it upon request when Thad told him he needed a small box for their team's next challenge. His parents had been very glad to get another box out of the house and hopefully asked if Thad needed any more - perhaps bigger ones - which Thad had promised he'd keep in mind if anything came up.

He wasn't quite sure what to write on his own ballot, torn equally between himself and Evan. In a monumental effort of self-sacrifice and team interest he scawled out a four letter name that could probably still be made out to read 'Evan' instead of 'Thad'. With effort. Oddly, the 'a' that made up the third letter of both their names was clearest.

OOC: We can continue here if we like, but I am putting up the ballot box on the OOC page so people can vote without taking the time to write out a whole post.

1 Thad Pierce Or we could be democratic and VOTE 213 Thad Pierce 0 5