Finally on Quidditch Pitch

Coach Cooper

December 17, 2004 4:53 PM

Learning the Game by Coach Cooper

She studied her class with her brown eyes. Some seemed restless to go on the field (she knew how they felt), and others had no idea what was going on (she knew how they felt too). And there was only one way to satisfy all of them.

"Accio trunk," she muttered with a wave of her wand. Slowly but surely it came to sit by her feet. Reaching for the chain at her neck, she grabbed her silver whistle and blew for everyone's attention.

"Now," she said loudly, "We are going to learn to play Quidditch. Once you know it, it's pretty easy to understand, but it's a tad trick at first. There are four types of balls in Quidditch: the quaffle, two bludgers, and the snitch. First, let's talk about the quaffle," opening the trunk, she found the two bludgers struggling to get out of their bindings, "oh, common you two," she muttered quietly as she got the red leather ball, about the size of a soccer ball out of the trunk, "this is the Quaffle. You use the quaffle to score in any one of the other teams three hoops," she gestured to either side of the field, where the hoops stood high, "you get in the hoop, you score ten points. I want everyone in groups of three, then report to me. I will give each group a Quaffle. You will all hover- no higher than two yards for now- on your brooms and practice passing the Quaffle. Any questions?" \n\n

Subthreads:

Finally by Elizabeth with Jake

Attempting to be Invisible by Jenna H with Zoey

Skimming the crowd by Mia with Sally

OOC- Important Note by Coach Cooper

How did I miss this starting? by Stephen Baxter with The Craven Twins, Stephen

Yay! by Chrissy and Tally

0 Coach Cooper Learning the Game 0 Coach Cooper 1 5

Elizabeth

December 18, 2004 11:11 AM

Finally by Elizabeth

Elizabeth brightened when she heard that they were going to be able to actually at least start practicing. Her eyes flicked around the crowd of students, remembering annoyedly that she couldn't buddy up with her friends that she normally would. oh c'mon, someone I can join has gotta be here somewhere, I just can't see them... Elizabeth disguised her worry well and just kept searching descretly with her sapphire eyes... \n\n

0 Elizabeth Finally 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jenna H

December 20, 2004 10:30 PM

Attempting to be Invisible by Jenna H

Jenna didn't like flying. She was downright scared of heights. And now they were expected to get into groups and throw those big red balls at each other- while at flight? Flying most definitely was not for her. Clutching her broom, she brushed her long brown hair out of her face as she quietly walked off to the side. Maybe then no one would see her and try to group up. Maybe she might be able to get out of this after all.

Finally she sat high up in the bleachers wondering how the coach, or anyone for that matter, could enjoy flying. She had thought she had gotten out of having to do the excercise at all, when someone approached her.\n\n

0 Jenna H Attempting to be Invisible 46 Jenna H 0 5

Zoey

December 21, 2004 7:11 PM

Not a fan of flying by Zoey

Zoey was not a fan of flying. It was enough just to sit on the broom after calling it to her. Calling it to her had even been an experience, but flying? No thank you.

Zoey, whose long auburn hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, tried to be as small as possible, which was hard when one is 5'7 in a crowd of people who are hardly taller than 5'.

She climbed up some of the bleacher steps when she spotted another girl sitting a little ways down one of the rows. Zoey smiled and walked over to the girl,

"And here I thought I would be the only one who didn't want to fly." She said with amusement. "I'm Zoey, I think we met in Cascade Hall. You're Jenna right?"\n\n

6 Zoey Not a fan of flying 39 Zoey 0 5

Jenna H

December 21, 2004 9:25 PM

Re: Not a fan of flying by Jenna H

Jenna looked up at the taller girl. She thought she remembered her from Cascade Hall, but how could someone forget a person that tall?

Jenna smiled, "You are very much not alone. I'm scared to death of heights of any sort. Want to join me in trying to get out of having to fly?"\n\n

0 Jenna H Re: Not a fan of flying 46 Jenna H 0 5

Zoey

December 21, 2004 9:43 PM

Wouldn't I ever? by Zoey

Zoey sat down beside Jenna with a smile. Though she wasn't afraid of heights, she wasn't sure she could trust her life in a little stick that could fly to impossible heights.

"I would love to join you. I'm not afraid of heights per se, it's more like, I don't trust the broom." She looked down at the broom she was referring to with a slight frown. Honestly, how do they do it? She asked to herself before turning back to Jenna,

"Do you think they'll notice?"\n\n

6 Zoey Wouldn't I ever? 39 Zoey 0 5

Jenna H

December 21, 2004 10:16 PM

Hopefully by Jenna H

Jenna took a liking to this girl, "My big brothers always used to make fun of me, because when I was little I was so afraid the broom would drop me, and then once I crashed and died it would sweep me up. I still never like brooms, anyway. Who knows if the coach will notice? It's a pretty large class, two students could probably go unnoticed, with her having to watch so many kids riding around on these brooms."\n\n

0 Jenna H Hopefully 46 Jenna H 0 5

Zoey

December 21, 2004 10:34 PM

there certainly are lots of them by Zoey

Zoey couldn't help but laugh a little as Jenna recalled her childhood broom riding beliefs. Although Zoey was usually quiet at heart, she was finding it easy to befriend the students here without the help of her brother.

"I take it that this isn't anything new for you then?" It wasn't really a question, but more of a statement. "I just can't understand why they just don't play it on the ground. I'm sure it'll be just as fun." She frowned as she watched those below her on their brooms. If the game was on the ground, she would most certainly have joined it.

"Still, a broom so little as these, I just don't see how it all works. Call me stupid, but I don't think I'll ever understand the logic behind magic." She sighed before turning to Jenna once more,

"There are lots of students, but mainly girls. I'm hoping that in the future someone sprouts past me, otherwise, I'm afraid I'll always stick out of the crowd." She laughed. Her worst fear was that she would meet a boy, fall in love, and marry him, all the while have him only come up to her shoulders. She shuddered at the thought. "Anyway, what has been your favorite subject so far?"\n\n

6 Zoey there certainly are lots of them 39 Zoey 0 5

Jenna H

December 22, 2004 7:22 AM

Re: there certainly are lots of them by Jenna H

"Well, I grew up in a magical family, but I still can't understand the joy people get from flying," explained Jenna. She made sure she did not say she was a pureblood, because once you said that, everyone around here seemed to think you a snob.

"I don't think anyone will ever solve the logic behind magic, or how it works. It's a long debated thing, to my knowledge. But that kind of stuff isn't for me. My favorite class here is Potions. What's yours?" Jenna asked.\n\n

0 Jenna H Re: there certainly are lots of them 46 Jenna H 0 5

Zoey

December 22, 2004 3:42 PM

not really sure yet by Zoey

Zoey frowned for a moment. Her hazel eyes once again on those on the pitch below. Back at home it had always been science and math because there was logic behind them. You can explain the outcome to every equation, every experiment. But magic was a whole new world to her that didn't have the explanations that she desperately needed.

She turned back to Jenna and looked at her thoroughly. Her hazel eyes seemed to look through her for a moment as she lost herself in her thoughts once again. She shook her head to clear it and smiled sheepishly.

"Honestly, I don't know. Back when I went to my old school, before magic existed to me, I loved math and science. Everything was merticulous, everything is explained. When you can't solve an equation or if an experiment goes wrong, you can looked back over the steps that you created and figure out where you went wrong. So far, the only thing that comes close to that is Potions." She shivered slightly when she remembered the ingredients to the relaxer potion, "And so far, I am not a fan of those ingredients. I guess I'll have to wait and see how the rest of the classes go before actually deciding." She paused for a moment to think about everything she had read in the books before coming to Sonora,

"Although, Transfiguration sounds interesting, even without the logic behind it. It goes against everything Physics stands for. You know, changing the atoms in one object and transforming it into another. Seems so unbelieveable, impossible." Zoey had a far away look her her eyes once again and a smile played on her lips. Learning was everything to her, it was her water, her survival.\n\n

6 Zoey not really sure yet 39 Zoey 0 5

Jenna H

December 22, 2004 4:39 PM

Re: not really sure yet by Jenna H

Jenna furrowed her eyebrows for a moment in confusion. Who were Adams, and Physics? She had never heard of them before. They must have been muggles, or part of the sort of useless stuff muggles teach to their children.

"I can't do anything with a wand, not really," Jenna said sheepishly, "Well, I can, but I have to mimic my mother. It's creepy, but it's also the only way it works. I've always had problems coming to terms with the ingredients in Potions. I feel almost guilty when I go to Care of Magical Creatures to think I've used that animal's body parts in a potion. It's sort of disturbing to think about also. But I like Potions all the same, for the same reasons as you. I like to have things in order."

Jenna liked Zoey, they seemed to be quite alike, even though they came from totally different worlds. Like the need to have logic backing up a fact.

"By the way, who are physics and Adams, was it?" asked Jenna, confused. It seemed to be worthless, but who knew, it might be interesting.\n\n

0 Jenna H Re: not really sure yet 46 Jenna H 0 5

Zoey

December 22, 2004 5:16 PM

Oh geez by Zoey

Zoey couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. Never in her life was she asked such questions, nor was she sure she could explain them.

She pursed her lips in thought, trying to find the best way to explain Physics and atoms.

"Okay, first of all it's atoms, A-T-O-M-S," Zoey explained, being sure to spell out the word to her, "not adams. Atoms are the molecular structures that create matter. Matter is all substances, like this bench," her hand glided across the empty bench beside her, "or you and me. Molecules are made up of positively and negatively charged electrons, protrons, and neutrons. Every atom has a neuclues, much like the cells in our bodies." She pasued there to get a deep breath.

"The molecules combine to form an atom. Then the atoms combine to create the matter. How the molecules combine and the charges within the molecules helps to form different things, again, like the bench and you and me." She smiled to herself. Goes to show that I do pay attention. "As for Physics that is the science that explains everything; it formulas to explain why certain things are the way they are. Such as gravity or molecules of an atom." She paused again and looked over at Jenna,

"Sorry is all this is confusing, but this sort of thing as always been in my schooling. For someone who has never had it, I'm not sure that I explained it well enough for you to get the true meaning of it all." She then remembered something else Jenna had commented on and so she decided to say something more to it,

"As for Care of Magical Creatures class, I will now think of it differently. I didn't even think about the fact that we use those sort of animals for our potion ingredients. Kind of ruins the pleasure of it if you ask me."

OOC: I know very little about physics, so that might be wrong, sorry if it is. As for Atoms, I know the basics, but I forget which are positively and negatively charged and such things as that. I wrote a lot though and am proud that I remembered any of that at all. I took chemistry when I was 16 that was over 5 years ago. Am quite proud of my memory.\n\n

6 Zoey Oh geez 39 Zoey 0 5

Jake

December 22, 2004 6:29 PM

want to be partners? by Jake

Jake was standing off to one side watching everyone else partner up with one another. His dark eyes caught those that were of a pretty blue. Wait, did he just say pretty? But, girls still ahve cooties don't they? Jake shook off the silent question in his head and made his way over to her.

His black hair cut short and spiked up every-so-often about his head. His robes were perfect as they should always be. His body lean from the Quidditch Minor kids league he had played in since he was 8 along with the work-outs he had done with his older brothers. If one were to look at Jake without knowing him, they probably would have found him to be stuck up and full of himself. But that was far from the truth.

If one were to look into his eyes and see his face lit up with his smile, one would see an eleven year old boy trying to be normal as he possibly can be as a pureblood. His dark eyes held a sparkling quality, like he was always having the time of his life. And his lopsided, goofy smile made him seem like the life of the party. A carefree individual.

Having finally walked through the crowd to the girl with the startling eyes, Jake had his famous smile across his face.

"Hi! I don't think we've met yet, I'm Jake Santoro." He bowed his slightly to her with a nod, "Would you like to be partners with me?"\n\n

6 Jake want to be partners? 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

December 22, 2004 7:31 PM

Maybe by Elizabeth

Elizabeth locked eyes for a second with those dark, playful ones. She looked the boy over as he walked toward her. She recognized the characteristic broom handling of a quidditch player and a pretty athletic one, from his physical build. From just that he looked like the the younger brother that her brothers wished she was. That wasn't saying she wasn't a good quidditch player, oh no, she was good, it was just that if she was a boy, her brothers would be able to play as rough as they'd liked.

She let her own white smile appear on her face as he introduced himself. She'd remembered vaguely hearing the name Santoro... It sounded Spanish, so if his family was from Spain, maybe she knew them. She was, afterall, nearly a quarter Spanish.

"Elizabeth Lavine," she said, "And sure, let's go." \n\n

0 Elizabeth Maybe 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Mia

December 22, 2004 9:35 PM

Skimming the crowd by Mia

Mia seemed to have lost anyone she recognized in the large crowd of students. Mia was always up for meeting new peoplen but usually it was when the people came up to her. Mia's breathing began to pick up as she worried about being partnerless or partnered with people she wouldn't like.

Mia tried to make herself look cool and collected. Mia pulled her long, dark hair up into a ponytail and leaned against her broomstick as she waited to see if anyone needed another partner. She really hoped that someone would ask her soon.

Mia was never the person to be picked last during games at school but she came pretty close . There were always a few people that were picked after her but still. Things were different here. Mia was in no mood to be a leftover.

'Come on, someone. Ask me before I have to ask around.' Mia pleaded in her head. But Mia was pretty sure that being magical didn't make you a mind reader.\n\n

0 Mia Skimming the crowd 0 Mia 0 5

Jenna H

December 22, 2004 10:04 PM

complicated by Jenna H

OOC: I think you got it all right. Ug, sorry about short posts.

IC:
This physics stuff was much more complicated than Jenna could have ever imagined. More complicated than anything she had ever encountered in the magical world. Thank goodness she didn't have to learn about that.

"I try not to think about the ingredients in the potions. Potions could be used for lots of beneficial things to help people- and animals. That's what I try to focus on, so it won't get to me," explained Jenna, "But you must be really prepared for school here though. Compared to that physics, and atoms, this must all be very easy."\n\n

0 Jenna H complicated 46 Jenna H 0 5

Jake

December 22, 2004 11:15 PM

But there is only two of us by Jake

Jake smiled down at the girl. Her eyes did fascinate him, though he wasn't really sure why. Maybe it's because I'm so used to dark eyes He thought with only a trace of amusement.

Jake studied her as she spoke. Lavine sounded familiar to him, so he was sure she was a pureblood who had gone to the parties. Or maybe you heard her name in class or something, doofus. Jake thought with a smirk.

"Nice to meet you Elizabeth." He stopped her from moving for a moment by lightly grapping her shoulder, "I would say we were set to go, but there is only two of us and three is needed." His eyes still shown brightly and his grin was still displayed across his face.

OOC: Didn't mean to actual say your character was moving, I just wanted Jake to prevent her if she were going to. Hope that's alright.\n\n

6 Jake But there is only two of us 42 Jake 0 5

Zoey

December 22, 2004 11:27 PM

indeed, it is complicated by Zoey

Zoey just looked at Jenna as if she had grown ten heads. Did she seriously just say that this magic stuff was easy? Zoey thought to herself. Her hazel eyes were as round as saucers.

"Yes, I will admit that Physics and atoms are complicated, but it is nothing, and I mean nothing compared to magic." She paused and looked around. "I mean, flying brooms, potions, ingredients that include a Newt's eye. I mean, seriously, what is a Newt?" Zoey let out a small note of frustration, "Sorry, I just don't like not knowing. I read allthe books I could about magic, but it hasn't helped explain anything, so I'm at a loss. Besides, wand movements and emphaisis on certain notes can be very compicated. And when you mess up on something, but you do everything right. There's no way you can figure out what exactly went wrong. It's all so frustrating. No offense, but I rather like my complicated Physics." Zoey laughed as she looked back over at Jenna.

OOC: not a problem, I can still work with what you've been giving me.\n\n

6 Zoey indeed, it is complicated 39 Zoey 0 5

Elizabeth

December 23, 2004 11:04 AM

Right by Elizabeth

(ooc: it's ok, she probably was going to move anyway, she had a mind of her own...)

bic:
Her eyes rested slightly at his hand on her shoulder, then flicked elegantly back up to his eyes. He was alright, for a boy her age. Elizabeth's grinned broadened as she laughed.

"Okay, then, if we must have three, you pick another person, since you seem to like finding people out of a crowd." she said, dropping her shoulder so that his hand had to slide off of it, "And by the way, have we met somewhere before? Possibly at a party? My family lives in New Orleans, Louisiana, maybe we met there..."\n\n

0 Elizabeth Right 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Sally

December 23, 2004 12:09 PM

Re: Skimming the crowd by Sally

Saly returned from the Hospital wing, cradling her still swollen arm. She then saw everyone pairing up.

She looked over to find someone she knew, and then she saw Mia.

"Hey Mia," she said, sliding up to the other girl. "What are we suppose to be doing?"\n\n

0 Sally Re: Skimming the crowd 0 Sally 0 5

Mia

December 23, 2004 2:11 PM

Thank goodness! by Mia

Mia jumped slightly as her friend Sally came up beside her. Mia was startled but at the same time she was totally relieved.

"Sally! Thank goodness you're here!" Mia exclaimed "We're getting into partners of three people so we can toss that red ball around in the air." Mia explained as she pointed to the ball the Coach was holding.

"I think she called it a quaffle or something. But by the look of your arm, maybe you shouldn't be in the air at all." Mia said as she looked at Sally's swollen arm wearily.

Mia didn't want Sally to go in the air if she was still hurt. She could end up hurting herself more. Then again, Mia wasn't sure if Sally would want to go back into the air anyway. Either way Mia would need to continue searching for partners. Mia got a little nervous again but covered it up with a large smile.\n\n

0 Mia Thank goodness! 0 Mia 0 5

Jake

December 23, 2004 4:14 PM

In need of a third person... by Jake

Jake, whose smile dropped only a little when Elizabeth told him to look for another person, turned his head to look out at the other students around him. He didn't know very many people. In fact, he knew quite a little amount of them. He was still amazed at how quickly everyone else seemed to be getting along.

Turning back to Elizabeth, he decided to address her instead,

"Actually, I don't know anybody here. I mean, not really anyway. Just a few faces and such. Maybe someone will just decide to come join us or we'll be able to work together." He smiled again as he looked her over. When she dropped his arm, he let fall down to his side without a second thought. She must still believe boys have cooties, but that's alright...for now. Jake only smiled brighter at her for doing that.

"Possibly. I've been to so many that it's hard to keep track, but your last name does ring a bell. I live in LA, though. Ever been to one of our parties? You would remember having to arrive in a terrible part of LA and being welcomed into a large spanish mansion. My family certainly does love their heritage." He said with pride. "Anyway, you might also remember an incredibly large family as there are seven of us kids." Jake frowned for a moment in thought. Why did the name Levine sound so familiar?

"Do you have any siblings? Maybe they were friends with mine in school or something?"\n\n

6 Jake In need of a third person... 42 Jake 0 5

Sally

December 23, 2004 5:09 PM

Re: Thank goodness! by Sally

Sally grimaced. "I'm fine. I'm completely cured. Hte swelling should go down soon.

"And I can deal with a few heights. I was just shocked, so I fell off. Will you be my partner?" Sally asked, hopefully. Mia would probably understnad if she wasn't very good, and Sally didn't want ot have to leave the other girl without a partner.\n\n

0 Sally Re: Thank goodness! 0 Sally 0 5

Mia

December 23, 2004 5:43 PM

Duh! by Mia

Mia gave Sally one more weary look and then smiled.

"Of course I'll be your partner. I don't suppose this should be too hard. It's just passing a ball around except we're in the air. I'll get used to it. I've always wanted to fly." Mia said with a huge smile.

Mia grabbed her broom and was about to mount it when she remembered something.

"Oh wait, the coach said three people. Looks like we're short one person. We need another partner." Mia said as she began to look around for anyone who was still partnerless.

Now that Sally was here, Mia wouldn't be so nervous to go up to someone. Friends seem to do that to her. She wasn't sure why but she wasn't complaining.\n\n

0 Mia Duh! 0 Mia 0 5

Jenna H

December 23, 2004 8:35 PM

newts by Jenna H

Jenna smiled back at Zoey, and tried very hard not to laugh at her wide eyed look. Perhaps because they each grew up around different things it was easier for them to do the things they knew best. However, Jenna still made a note in the back of her mind to look into physics, however confusing it seemed to be.

"Newts are similar to lizards, although the only thing I know about them is that their eyes are very powerful for magic," Jenna explained, "I really don't know much else about them. I suppose I might one day, because like you, I can't stand not knowing. I like being able to have everything out in front of me, it makes more sense that way, like you said."\n\n

0 Jenna H newts 46 Jenna H 0 5

Coach Cooper

December 23, 2004 8:36 PM

OOC- Important Note by Coach Cooper

OOC- to make it easier on all of you, you can have groups of two, and three if you want to.\n\n

0 Coach Cooper OOC- Important Note 0 Coach Cooper 0 5

Elizabeth

December 23, 2004 8:59 PM

Ah, by Elizabeth

That was it, Los Angeles, City of Angels. She'd definately been to a party there. Yes, that was it, she'd seen Jake at one of his parties. She smiled at him, remembering. He had an interesting party, one which she actually got away from her brothers and got time to spend with people her age.

"Yes, I do remember your party. It was fun, actually, and I do remember your family. They seemed like fun people, a couple of them did look my brothers ages. Brett is 21 and Javon is 16, so maybe you've got a couple of older brothers or sisters fitting into that sort of timeframe?"

Elizabeth smiled again at him, she didn't really know anyone either, well, anyone that would still want to pair up with her. She sort of had a reputation now for being a pureblood girl, so many people now where more or less furious at her. She brushed it aside mentally and let her blue eyes sparkle as she grinned, hoping this guy would like her as a friend would. Merlin knew she needed more people like that. \n\n

0 Elizabeth Ah, 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

December 24, 2004 12:16 PM

Most likely by Jake

Jake frowned for a moment as he realized his mistake. He had told her that there were seven of them when in fact there were nine, including him. With a loud laugh that caused Jake to double over, he tried to explain his mistake through it,

"I...have...eight...siblings, not...six." Jake took a deep breath to prevent himself from continuing laughing, in case she thought him odd. "I don't really include Hannah anymore as she's 25 and old with a family of her own. Plus I consider Mateo and Jose to be one person because they are twins," Jake paused realizing he was letting his spanish accent to be heard, cleared his throat and continued, "They're only 8. John is 22, Julia is 20, Paul is 18, and Sofia is 16. So, your brothers could be friends with all of them really." Jake smiled goofily again.

"So, do any of your friends want to be our third partner?"\n\n

6 Jake Most likely 42 Jake 0 5

Zoey

December 24, 2004 4:51 PM

Good to know by Zoey

Zoey felt enormous pressure ease off her as she finally was told what a Newt was. She was surprised that it was only a lizard. Though now she would look at every lizard she sees with sympathy and pity. Poor little guys.

"You know, I have never known someone who was at lot like me, but completely opposite at the same time." She had a thoughtful frown on her face, "I mean, I come from such a different background than you, total different life, but yet, I can see us as easy friends because you seem to enjoy and hate the things that I do." Zoey smiled at the girl beside her. Okay, so maybe making friends isn't as hard as I thought it would be, she thought with amusement. \n\n

6 Zoey Good to know 39 Zoey 0 5

Jenna H

December 24, 2004 11:25 PM

freaky though by Jenna H

It was kind of scary, how alike and different they were at the same time. So different that they were alike, but so alike that they were opposites. Did that even make sense?

"It is kind of weird," said Jenna, "It makes me wonder what I would be like if I had the same upbringing as you- or you as me. Would we be totally alike? But maybe we're not so alike," she added almost as an after thought, wondering if anyone could loathe her family as she did her's, "I don't suppose you have any trouble at home."\n\n

0 Jenna H freaky though 46 Jenna H 0 5

Zoey

December 25, 2004 12:17 PM

No, not really by Zoey

Zoey had to think about that for a minute. It was hard being the only girl with four brothers, but she could always hold her own against them.

"I'm sure that we would probably still be able to get along. Although, I don't really know how I would be now if I always have had magic in my life...Probably not so much of a nerd as I am now. But who knows, right?" Zoey shrugged with a smile.

"You mean, besides siblings rivalry?" She asked with a laugh, "Not really. Dill and I are twins and the youngest of the bunch, so we've basically just helped each other out against our brothers. Ryan is way older than us. He's like 22 or 23 and Cole just graduated from High School. Les is a freshman this year." She paused for a moment as a memory filled her mind.

"Actually there was a time when things weren't all that great. I was really little then. Maybe 5 or 6. Don't remember exactly what happened, but my parents were thinking about getting a divorce." She closed her eyes to remember more clearly, but it was only bits and pieces, "I can't really remember, but my parents don't talk about it. They call it their 'bad year'. Ryan shoves it in their face though, whenever he is fed up with them. Luckily it isn't often because it always makes my mom cry." Zoey gave her an odd sort of smile. In truth, seeing her mother cry worried her. Obviously what ever happened during that 'bad year' was worse than Zoey had believed and Ryan knew about it. I'll have to remember to ask him about that

"Anyway, does your family have a lot of trouble?"\n\n

6 Zoey No, not really 39 Zoey 0 5

Elizabeth

December 26, 2004 10:52 AM

No, by Elizabeth

She smiled. Elizabeth wondered slightly what it must be like to live in that huge of a family. Afterall, there were only three of the immediate Lavine family, and that was a lot to handle, but nine? Merlin, that was insane! Elizabeth guessed though, that Jake was used to that kind of life, even though she couldn't fathom what it would be like to had that many siblings.

"Well, Javon might know Sofia, and Brett probably knows Julia and John if they're into philosophy and the like. That's all my eldest brother talks about these days, is the intellectual side of everything. Javon, though is more like me in that we can talk about and play quidditch for hours and hours and never get the slightlest bit bored."

Elizabeth heard the coach say that they only needed pairs, so she grinned and picked up a quaffle out of the nearby chest.

"C'mon, we only need pairs now, let's go." she added with an excited laugh.

She flew up into the air, but at a low level, as instructed by the coach, and floated there with the quaffle sitting in front of her, re-pulling her hair back into a less messy bun. \n\n

0 Elizabeth No, 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

December 28, 2004 1:48 AM

Alright, let's go by Jake

Jake's smile slipped only a fraction when he thought of his family. He didn't realize that he missed them, even if only a little. Especially Izzy and the twins. He had always had them around at home that he felt almost empty without them.

He jumped onto his broom and flew at the same level as Elizabeth. He thought it cool that she only had two brothers to worry about. Jake's family was so large, he constantly got everything mixed up. He always forgot who was into what, who was having all the drama, and everything personal going on with each of his siblings life, except for Izzy, who was more like a twin of his than his younger sister.

"I could always ask them if they know your brothers. It wouldn't surprise me, although, Sofia isn't into Quidditch, so I don't think your brother and him would get along." Jake paused for a moment, "Unless of course," in his best imitation of his sister Sofia that he could muster, "He is like so good-looking." Jake rolled his eyes at the thought of her saying that, "John is pretty philisophical, but he left the family because he doesn't believe in the pureblood ideals. Can't blame him though, sometimes. All this blood stuff seems...I don't know...stupid, but it's what the family wants and I aim to please the family."

Though he knew he would follow the path his father set before him, Jake wished he had the nerves his brother had to turn and walk away. He still kept in contact with John behind his parents back. Someday he would see him again. John had promised. He turned back to Elizabeth,

"As for Julia, she's training to be an Auror, but she could still know your brother Brett. Maybe they even dated." Jake said with a smile. He wasn't interested in his sister's lovelife, so he never asked whenever she came home happy with news of some new boyfriend she had.

"Alright, now toss me that quaffle."

OOC: We don't actually have to create a history between their siblings if you don't want to. I just thought it would be kind of funny to have it there.\n\n

6 Jake Alright, let's go 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

December 28, 2004 6:34 PM

Quidditch Time! by Elizabeth

occ: yeah, histories are awesome, but if I kind of powerplay a bit in creating them, I'm sorry... just tell me. :D bic:

Elizabeth threw the quaffle underhandedly, giving it just enough power to make its way to Jake's hands. She thought about what he'd said, and she couldn't disagree with him. Blood fights were a bit silly, but as he had mentioned, if it's what the family wants you to do, do it. Elizabeth's whole reasoning on her support behind the issue (in favor of purebloods) was because of her family's wishes.

She laughed slightly at his imitation of Sofia. "I couldn't tell you these things about Javon. He's my brother first of all, and secondly, guys aren't 'so good-looking', they're just competition or friends. Javon basically looks like I do, with the blue eyes, black hair and all that, but like I said, he's sixteen, and a guy, so maybe I'm not a good comparison." Elizabeth grinned, watching Jake's face for a reaction.

"And as for Brett, well, I wouldn't doubt it if he told me he had dated your sister, he's dated most of the pureblood girls his age in the US. Afterall, it was my parent's quest to get him to find a suitable wife, so he's been through the pureblood dating game."

Elizabeth sighed, missing her brothers. Afterall, they were her best friends before she came here, since there wasn't anyone else to play with around the Lavine Manor. It was all she could do to sneak away between her tutors (dancing, grammar, mathematics, grace, general wizarding science, advanced languages: latin, french, spanish) to play quidditch on the grounds. In the past few years, Elizabeth sometimes even got an hour to slip away to the inner city. Brett and Javon had always accompanied her, or if they couldn't, they'd cover for her if anyone asked for her whereabouts.

Elizabeth smiled, her eyes sparkling like her brothers' identical ones did, and looked expectantly at Jake.

"Well, c'mon, throw it back." she said, jokingly planting her balled fists on her hips. \n\n

0 Elizabeth Quidditch Time! 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

December 28, 2004 6:54 PM

Nice pass by Jake

Jake caught the quaffle easily when Elizabeth passed it to him. He was slightly surprised at how good she had the potential of being. Jake didn't know many girls who actually liked Quidditch enough to play it, though there were a few on the minor league teams that he played against.

"No, you think that now about boys, but you wait and see. One day, all of a sudden, you'll actually like males. You'll want to be attached to their hips, pat your pretty little eyes in their direction, even gussy yourself up just to please them. Turst me, I've seen it all happen before. I've got sisters, you know!" Jake laughed before continuing, "Not that it won't happen to me or anything. Paul warned me all about it before I headed here. He told me that every boy thinks a girl is girly but then one day it hits him, girls actually aren't all that bad. And I'll actually want to be around them." Jake shudder slightly at the thought of wanting something more than just a friendship with a girl. He had seen his brothers with girls and it sickened him.

"Not that you are all that bad," Jake commented to Elizabeth with a nod to his head in her direction. "Anyway, Julia probably did date your brother. She has had plenty of them. She even came to Sonora when she was in school, so if he came here, there's a good chance they did. Or at least knew of each other."

At Elizabeth's command, Jake threw the quaffle back to her. He threw it harder than he had anticipated and hoped Elizabeth wasn't so dainty that it knocked her off her broom. "Sorry!" He called out after it.\n\n

6 Jake Nice pass 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

December 28, 2004 8:20 PM

Thank-you by Elizabeth

One day, all of a sudden, you'll actually like males 'ha,' Elizabeth thought, 'like that will ever happen.' But Jake probably was right, afterall, he had sisters, he should know. Elizabeth knew all about how guys started liking girls, both her brothers having already done so years ago, but somehow she didn't see how any of the guys here could ever be that way.

"Brett actually did go to Sonora, he was in Aladren though. What house was your sister in?" she asked, "As for Javon, my parents had already, well... passed on when Javon was ready to go to school, so my Aunt Rose and Uncle Wiliam sent him to a school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Anyway, you're pretty good at Quidditch, did you play league back home? My Aunt and Uncle wouldn't let me join because it's improper for good pureblood girls to join quidditch leagues."

Elizabeth laughed slightly as she easily caught the quaffle that was soaring through the air. the red ball landed in her arms a bit roughly, but there was nothing unusual about a hard pass. It was even a little light compared to some of her brother's passes. Throwing it back with bit of a spin, Elizabeth called back to him.

"Sorry for what?"\n\n

0 Elizabeth Thank-you 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jenna H

December 28, 2004 9:18 PM

just me by Jenna H

Jenna nodded as she listened. She was actually a bit suprised that Zoey's family wasn't one of those happier families, she didn't seem like it. But then, you never knew, really.

"My family has no problem with marriage. My two brothers are the perfect sons, and my sister is the perfect daughter. We live in an expensive house with expensive things, and have much more money than we'll ever need," Jenna began, her voice saccharine. But the toned changed as she talked about herself, "everything is absolutely perfect, except for me. The rebellious daughter who doesn't always believe what her parents tell her. Who has no social skills to speak of, and doesn't get everything right the first time. The one who thinks maybe everything isn't decided by a person's wealth, or who they're related to, or if they are a pureblood or not. I am the flaw of the family- at least, that's what Jordanna, my sister, has said," she explained.

It got her angry to think about her family, and what they stood for. She let out a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down. After a minute or so she said, "Sorry I got kind of riled up, it's just makes me so angry that people could think the way that they do, I kind of forget myself." \n\n

0 Jenna H just me 46 Jenna H 0 5

Jake

December 28, 2004 11:00 PM

You are ever so welcome by Jake

Jake laughed as Elizabeth answered his apology. So it was like that was it? He was mildly surprised once again as the quaffle came back to him with a spin. Dare he say that he was actually impressed by a girl?

"Julia was in Teppenpaw like me. Not that that says much of anything. I know more people outside of my own house than I do within it. I'm sure it was the same back then as well." He shrugged before continuing and answering her other question,

"Yes, actually I was in a Quidditch League. It was fun. I was in it for three years and will be in the summer league when I head home after next term. I'm hoping to make a career out of it. My parents don't think that it's a proper career for a Pureblood to have," Jake frowned at that thought. He knew that it was more of his Grandfather and Uncle talking than his parents, but those men always were able to control his father and mother easily," but I tell them I'll do it for a few years and then settle down into something they would prefer. Something more proper"

Jake didn't like having rules set forth for him to follow for the rest of his life just because of his lineage. He wished desperately for John to come home and prove to his family that none of that matters, but John wasn't powerful enough to show the entire world that to change the ways of the Purebloods. When Julia fell in love with a halfblood, who are far more acceptable than muggleborns, the family nearly disowned her like they had John and Jake had almost lost another sibling. But Julia couldn't go through with the wedding she had wanted with the boy and so, instead, she took a broken heart and threw herself into training.

Even now, a year later, Jake still sees the pain in her eyes when she's home for vacations. He secretly hoped she would meet a Pureblood and fall in love with him so that Jake wouldn't have to see the saddness there anymore. Shaking off the memory, Jake looked back at Elizabeth. His eyes weren't as sparkling as they had been when they had first started and his smile was more forced. Jake, young as he was, wanted to protect all of his siblings from any sort of pain. Even when it's the family that causes it.

"How'd you get so good at Quidditch if you weren't allowed to play?" He asked. He threw the quaffle high as slightly away from Elizabeth to see just how good her skills were.\n\n

6 Jake You are ever so welcome 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

December 29, 2004 12:56 AM

Easy by Elizabeth

Elizabeth's broom took her a few inches higher as she reached her hands up to catch the quaffle. In a matter of seconds, she was back in her original position, throwing the ball back to Jake. She noticed when he was talking about his family's expectations that the playful smile hardened, and his eyes faded slightly.

Elizabeth knew how he felt, she wasn't allowed to be a quidditch player either, even though she'd like to be. Pureblood girls were supposed to marry and bring up pureblood children, not have jobs, much less the job of a quidditch player. Imagine the reception she'd get from her family if she came home, saying she'd signed on with a quidditch team. They'd exile her. Disown and dishonor her. Elizabeth wasn't keen on the idea of being disowned.

She laughed at Jake's question and answered him, trying to lighten up his suprisingly eerie disposition:
"Easy. My brothers taught me how to ride a broom and all the drills to become good, so every spare moment between my tutors, I went out and rode on the plantation grounds. They've been quidditch pitch equipped ever since my french anscestors brought the game when they built the manor. So, that's how I got to be good at it. Secret practices and brothers who are willing to help out."

\n\n

0 Elizabeth Easy 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Zoey

December 29, 2004 11:09 PM

That's horrible by Zoey

Zoey frowned noticeably when Jenna spoke of her family and how they saw her as the problem. She was quite glad that her family was as close as they were with one minor issues from time to time.

They weren't perfect. In fact, far from it as far as Zoey was concerned. They didn't have lots or money, nice cars, and they didn't care about the types of clothes that they wear. But, if any one of them were to be in trouble, or needed help of some kind. Her family would be by their side in a heartbeat. No one ever questioned that. The love was always there.

"That's really really sad." Zoey said when Jenna had finished. "I don't know what I'd do if my family thought such things about me. Actually, even though I never had magic, or at least didn't know that I could do magic, I'm glad I didn't grow up knowing the different social classes. You have to do so much in order to keep your image. So much even to be accepted by your family. I don't know, it just doesn't seem far, I guess." Zoey gave Jenna a sympathetic smile before looking back at their class. She felt awkward but in a good way. Somehow she now felt a little bit closer to this girl. Even if it was only the tiniest of bits, it was enough.\n\n

6 Zoey That's horrible 39 Zoey 0 5

Jake

December 29, 2004 11:15 PM

Brothers rock by Jake

Jake laughed. Brothers were always so cool. Not that sisters couldn't be. Julia was pretty cool and Izzy was a blast. It was mainly Hannah and Sofia who were the annoying girls.

"Yeah, my brothers taught me a lot too. We had to go to a designated area when we went to practice Quidditch. The Magical Ministry created a Magical Park for everyone Magical in my community. You'd be surprised by how many people are witches and wizards in the bad part of LA. Still weirds me out." Jake rubbed his head of short black hair unconsciously as he thought of home and the park.

"Aren't tutors the worst? I hated learning all that stuff. I mean, why would I need to speak five different launguages? Unless I work in the ministry for foreign affairs, it's totally useless!"\n\n

6 Jake Brothers rock 42 Jake 0 5

Jenna H

December 30, 2004 12:29 AM

Not really by Jenna H

Jenna could just see the sympathy radiating off Zoey. She liked her, but Jenna didn't want her sympathy. It made her feel like a charity-case, but she had plans so that she wouldn't need sympathy, or her family.

"I guess it is pretty bad, but I'm used to it. Besides, the more I learn about the world outside my family, the less I care about their approval or my image to other people like them. I don't agree with their ideals, so of course they couldn't approve," Jenna shrugged with a half-smiled, "and one day, when I graduate from this place, I plan to work in a potions lab, change my name and disown my family. It seems kind of harsh, I guess, but it's the only way I get by, day by day."\n\n

0 Jenna H Not really 46 Jenna H 0 5

Elizabeth

December 30, 2004 10:07 PM

yeah, tutors are a drag... by Elizabeth

She sighed in agreement. Tutors seriously were annoying. Every moment it seemed, her aunt and uncle had another subject and another bothersome tutor to add to her already built-up academic repitoire. Elizabeth detested every single minute of those torturous lessons, but as she'd learned from personal experience, good little rich pureblood girls don't complain about their duties in life, having tutors being one of them.

"Yeah, brothers are great fun." Elizabeth said, shifting her weight slightly on her broom, still waiting for him to throw back the quaffle.

"There are nearly a million witches and wizards in the Greater New Orleans district. It kinda freaks me out too, when I think about it. I mean, I live on the far outskirts of town because people didn't live inside cities when our manor was built, but still, being that close to so much magic is a bit... daunting. D'you know what I mean?" she asked, trying to search for Jake's answer in those deep eyes before he said anything.

\n\n

0 Elizabeth yeah, tutors are a drag... 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

December 31, 2004 6:42 PM

Not really by Jake

Jake lobbed the quaffle back to Elizabeth, not really caring whether or not it made it to her or anything. He was already bored with this game. He obviously loved Quidditch, but he was a beater, not a chaser afterall.

"I don't really understand what you mean. I'm not really around a lot of magical people except for when I go to the park or play Quidditch games." Jake shrugged. He sometimes wished he had more magical friends or neighbors to hang out with, but no respectable Pureblood would move into the neighborhood in which Jake grew up in. Not to say his family wasn't respectable, his father was just eccentric.

Jake looked around at the other students. It still surprised him by how many people have never flown or didn't like Quidditch. Jake had always assumed it was in everyone's life. How long do we have to through the quaffle? I want to hit some bludgers or do some dives, anything really.

"So, what position do you play?"\n\n

6 Jake Not really 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

December 31, 2004 7:07 PM

What position? by Elizabeth

"Isn't it obvious?" Elizabeth said, grinning from ear to ear, "I'm a chaser."

She caught the ball, understanding the carelessness in his throw as his boredom. To a chaser, this was just a light, normal practice, but to another player, it could be just about as boring as watching slugs inch across a quiddith pitch. Elizabeth smiled at him, trying again to brighten the mood he was in. She didn't know him well, but in general, anyone who was happier was more fun to be around.

"Well," she said, replying to his primary comment, "The only other people who live around me are miles away- the grounds and all keeping us at a distance." she looked at the ball in her hands distractedly,

"Many of them are pure wizarding families, and many are not, but the proper wizards always come to our parties. That and the fact that Brett and Javon work on the New Orleans Wizarding Council tells me that there must be more wizarding activity other than the wizards we know. Voodoo and all that trash in the inner city, cloging up the magical works. Even the strongest ministries can't weed them out."

She threw the ball up and down to herself, tossing and catching, tossing and catching, then in an instant she reversed modes and threw the ball at Jake. Not too fast, not too hard, but just enough power to take him by surprise. \n\n

0 Elizabeth What position? 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Zoey

December 31, 2004 7:19 PM

I would too by Zoey

Zoey frowned once more. She wasn't one for such conversations as this one. Her family had always been her family, she couldn't explain them and never needed to try. But she had always respected them and loved them. She couldn't fathom having to live a life where she couldn't respect them or they respect her. A life without family just seemed empty, but a life with a family as Jenna's didn't seem worth the effort at all.

"I'd do the same." Her voice came out harsh and monotoned, but she meant it with conviction. Her Grandfather's voice harsh in her ears on that faithful day the owl arrived

Your a witch, a traitor to our world. You service the devil, the both of you do. You should run and hide, be ashamed for what you are! You shamed the family name. You are worthless to me.

She had cried when he spoke that to her. Her mother's father. Her grandmother just told him to shut-up and proceeded to hug her and Dillon, but his words still stung. Why he believed such things, Zoey would never know. He walked out on them that day. Moved into his brother's house. Didn't even say good-bye. Yes, if her family had been as ruthless and cold as her gradfather, Zoey would have cut of all ties to them. She would have turned and walked away. Never looked back.

"I would run, run and never looked back."\n\n

6 Zoey I would too 39 Zoey 0 5

Stephen Baxter

December 31, 2004 11:14 PM

How did I miss this starting? by Stephen Baxter

It was good to be reunited with Fido. Stephen had arrived on the field early, just to be sure of finding Fido before anyone else could, and had then spent the minuted before class started making a fuss of the broom, who seemed to enjoy every second of it. When the teacher started talking, he gave the broom a firm look and told it to 'stay', before he allowed his attention to focus on what was being said.

Apparently they were working on ball handling skills. Airborne ball handling skills. Stephen allowed a confident grin to emerge on his face - this was going to be a total cinch!

"No!" he called out in response to the Coach's question about questions, before he allowed his eyes to scan the crowd that were his classmates. "Don't all rush in at once," he said in a loud clear voice waving his hands to catch attention. "I know you all will want to be in a group with me and Fido, but I can only take on two of you. So who wants to have some real fun?"

He hopped onto Fido and encouraged the broom to take him up a small distance, so he could see over the heads of the crowd, and hopefully see someone who'd be fun to work with in this class.

"Hey you," he said, pointing at the person he had spotted. "How about it? Want to be in my group?"\n\n

39 Stephen Baxter How did I miss this starting? 49 Stephen Baxter 0 5

The Craven Twins

January 01, 2005 1:05 PM

Hope you don't mind me thread hogging you by The Craven Twins

Ash and Sorrel low fived when they heard they would be learning the game today. It was much like a high five, but done subtly at the side, and was followed by them knocking their fists against each other. It also formed the start of their secret handshake that they'd invented when they were five, and was - consequently - very long and complicated, and involved blowing a loud raspberry at the end, which was why they didn't do it in full very often.

However, their triumphant looks didn't last very long, as the teacher pulled out the Quaffle, and informed them where their focus would lie this lesson. Why did everyone focus on the Quaffle first? Just because it was the most accessible aspect of the game and had the least dangerous ball... It was no fun.

They glanced around a bit as they were instructed to form groups of two or three, and were beginning to think it would be best just to settle for working as a pair (in which case they could try and knock each other off their brooms with the Quaffle).

"I'll go get us a Quaffle," shrugged Ash, wandering off towards the supplies. Sorrel rolled the handle of her broom around between the palms of her hands. Two feet off the ground? Her feet would be skimming the grass. It was stupid putting a height restriction on the more experienced players. And how were the new ones going to learn anything like the real game? It was ridiculous. If people didn't want to go high, they wouldn't. It was no reason to punish the rest of them.

Sorrel turned as someone hailed her, smiling as she recognised Stephen. Either he'd gone in for theatrics again, or he hadn't recognised her from the back. It was fair enough really, if he hadn't, she always wore her hair in the same style, except for Quidditch and sparring practice. It was tugged up into a stubby ponytail to keep it well out of her way.

"Sure," she said, mounting up and kicking off to hover by him. "Ash is just getting a Quaffle," she added. Asking her to play was effectively asking him to too. They came as a package, so it didn't occur to her to ask if it was ok for him to join them. In this instance, it probably wouldn't be an issue, but assuming Ash was welcome where ever she was was something that might cause a little friction if she wasn't careful. \n\n

0 The Craven Twins Hope you don't mind me thread hogging you 0 The Craven Twins 0 5

Jake

January 01, 2005 6:32 PM

We have that problem too by Jake

Jake caught the quaffle a little roughly. He had been watching her throw it around herself with his eyes, but he wasn't really paying attention to the actual movement of it. When she threw it his way, he was caught off guard, but his reflexes were fast and he was able to catch it without much difficulty.

"We have voodoo problems in LA as well, but probably not nearly as much of a problem as it is for you." Jake smiled lopsidedly to Elizabeth, the sparkle returned to his eyes. Jake was never one to stay down on the emotional scale. He was one to always have fun.

"As for parties....We have plenty of those, but not nearly as much as other wizarding families. Most of our family friends prefer us to go to their houses then they come to ours. They are afraid of the crazy muggles that live around us." Jake rolled his eyes at that statement. It was the exact thing that his mother's best friend had said to her, which only caused my mother to laugh.

Jake's family was anything but normal. Yes they were a proper Pureblood family, keeping to the ideals of the wizarding world, but they didn't hate muggles. In fact, muggles fascinated his family, which was the main reason his grandparents had their mansion built in the worse part of LA, back when it hadn't been so bad. It was also the reason his father maintained and raised his family in the same Mansion.

Deciding to get to know Elizabeth some more, Jake changed subjects,

"So, how are you liking Sonora so far?"\n\n

6 Jake We have that problem too 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

January 02, 2005 12:56 AM

Yeah, I guess thats just how it goes... by Elizabeth

Elizabeth smile brightened after seeing his disposition do the same. Jake was turning out to be one of the people she liked to be friends with- someone who is pure of blood, but doesn't mind having fun. She always thought she had something of a knack with making people feel better, or cheer them up in some manner. She was glad now that she had uses for that skill unlike her previous ones, which included comforting and helping out mudbloods.

What foolishness, how stupid of me. she thought, mentally slapping herself, If any other Lavines knew about that incident, they'd have my head. Or my reputation. I don't know which is worse.

"Well, It's fine, I guess. Brett told me all the secrets that he knew so I'd know what to expect, so nothing's really a shock. The common rooms are pretty similar too, save the entryways." Elizabeth shrugged nonchalantly, gazing around a bit "Their grounds and pitch are nice, nothing like the desert climate around here. So what about you? You should know most of the stuff going on here with your sisters and brothers..."

\n\n

0 Elizabeth Yeah, I guess thats just how it goes... 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Stephen

January 02, 2005 2:39 AM

Nah, it's cool mate. by Stephen

OOC: thread-hogging means you like my character... I hope. BIC:

"Excellent, man... um... du- no... Sorrie," Stephen settled with a smirk. "Maybe you and Ash can show me a little of that jousting thing if the Coach turns her back at some point. Oh, and this is Fido, by the way," he introduced her to his broom and gave his faithful mount a pat. "He's being a good boy today."

As if to contradict Stephen's words even as they were coming out of his mouth, Fido lurched up a foot and then came to a sudden stop. Stephen
was jerked up, and then down again.

"Easy boy," he cautioned the broom in a voice that didn't really encourage his words to be heeded. A wild grin had broken out as he thought about what Alan would say if he could see him now. This was so much cooler than trick riding, because he actually got to stay in the air. Recklessly, he directed the broom back downwards, nearly hitting Sorrel before he pulled Fido up.

With an apologetic shrug, he settled his gaze back over the crowd again, looking for Ash.

"Hey!!" he shouted when he thought he spotted the other boy near the Quidditch supplies. "Ash, dude. We're waiting - hurry it up, will ya!"
\n\n

39 Stephen Nah, it's cool mate. 0 Stephen 0 5

Jake

January 02, 2005 10:01 PM

I suppose that's true by Jake

"Yeah, the common rooms are nice, a little hard to get too, but nice." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Except mine is so quiet. I hate the quiet. Mainly because I'm not used to it so it weirds me out." He shrugged with his goofy smile still on his face.

"I never really talked to my siblings about school. Hannah and Sofia went to Magical Academy for Witches and Wizards up in Northern California. John, Paul, and Julia came here. Julia and I don't really talk about school, whenever she did, it was always about boys. John left the family a couple of years ago before I cared to even ask. And Paul only talks about either the girls or Quidditch. So, I usually only talk about Quidditch with him." Jake rubbed his head again, making his short black hair look wind-blown.

"I guess we'll just have to find out the secrets of Sonora all on your own." He commented with a wink to Elizabeth.\n\n

6 Jake I suppose that's true 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

January 03, 2005 1:08 AM

I guess we will by Elizabeth

Elizabeth laughed, rolling her ice blue eyes at Jake's wink. Elizabeth, dare she say it, respected and liked a boy her age. She was a little taken aback to notice that he wasn't gross, or even one of those boys who automatically labels every girl as a pink-loving frilly girl. Most boys who liked quidditch were that way- they never gave a second thought to the idea that a girl like Elizabeth could be good, perhaps even better than themselves.

Elizabeth had to bite back the domintating urge to ask him about his brother John's disappearance, as it would be a cardinal offense in the social world. Asking about another's family member who had obviously gone awry was breaking one of the top twenty or so rules of ettiquette in the pureblood world. Elizabeth decided to change the course of the conversation completely and so in that spirit, she started off by asking him about something random. Of course, the first topic that came to Elizabeth's mind was- do you believe it?- quidditch.

"So, so seem pretty uninterested in all this quaffle stuff, so that means either your a beater or a seeker. Which one is it?" she asked with a playful grin, duly noting the constant hair messing Jake tended to do. \n\n

0 Elizabeth I guess we will 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Chrissy and Tally

January 03, 2005 4:40 PM

Yay! by Chrissy and Tally

Chrissy and Tally were partners. Nothing new with that. They would always be partners when it came to Quidditch. They each knew each other's move, tricks, strengths and weaknesses when it came to Quiddtich. It was a bonus that they happened to be working with a Quaffle, their favorite ball. They were both chasers.

Tally threw her long brown hair up into a messy bun while Chrissy pulled her short curly blonde hair into a high pony-tail. Tally smiled evilly at her,

"Cheerleader want-to-be." Causing Chrissy to punch her in the arm. "I'll get the quaffle." Tally said as she ran off laughing.

Chrissy hopped onto her broom and almost took off high into the air before she remembered that the coach had told them to stay low to the ground. Not very fair for all of us who know how to fly, if you ask me. Tally soon joined her and the toss of the quaffle soon began.

It was easy to throw the ball back and forth between the two of them and Tally wondered how someone couldn't do this. It's as easy as pie She thought with only the slightest of frowns upon her face.

"Maybe we should get a third partner, then it can get more exciting?" Tally called out to Chrissy.

"Well, go on then, choose someone." Chrissy replied. Tally looked around at the people surrounding them. Most were paired and already enjoying themselves. Her frown deepened.

"I don't know many people and they all seemed to be paired already." Tally commented back.

"Well, if anyone wants to join us so that we can be a threesome, they are welcomed to, but until then, lets just keep throwing the quaffle." Tally nodded.

And so, bored as they were, Tally and Chrissy continued throwing the quaffle back and forth to one another. Hardly making mistakes as they had done this with one another for years. Both waiting for either a third to join them or the coach to get on with the lesson.\n\n

6 Chrissy and Tally Yay! 47 Chrissy and Tally 0 5

Jake

January 04, 2005 1:00 AM

Only the best position by Jake

Jake threw the quaffle back to Elizabeth with ease. She seemed cool to him, which was saying something. He had met two other female Sonora students that were worthy of conversing with him as he felt it. Meaning, they weren't girlie. Tally Adams, another Teppenpaw, and Sorrel Craven, another Beater. Both were rough and didn't mind getting down and dirty. He respected them for that. Elizabeth was now placed upon this list as she was a Quidditch buff.

"I'm a Beater, of course. The best position in my opinion. I get to wack balls into other people, how cool is that?" Jake asked loudly. His eyes were shining with glee at the thought of him, once again, being able to pick up his paddle and taking a swing at a bludger. He really hoped he'd be able to make the Teppenpaw Quidditch team once he was eligible.

"You know, the longest game I was in lasted 6 hours long. 6 HOURS!" Jake beamed with happiness. He still couldn't believe it had lasted that long, although it had felt much longer. His arms could barely move the next day. "Then Whitney finally caught the snitch and won the game for the team. We threw him up on our shoulders and marched him into the locker room. He became our hero for the rest of the season because he ended that brutal game." Jake shook his head at the memory. Adam Whitney was Jake's best mate back home. He would (hopefully) be coming to Sonora next year along with Jake's sister, Bella.

"Seriously though, it was a wicked cool game."\n\n

6 Jake Only the best position 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

January 04, 2005 5:33 PM

Wow by Elizabeth

Elizabeth, catching the quaffle in her skilled hands, smiled. Beaters were almost always one of two things to chasers like herself. Either they were your very best friends on the pitch, or they were your dire enemies. Considering their houses, Elizabeth guessed that the latter might eventually be true, but for now, being friends with Jake was good. He was obviously a very skilled player, and not to mention pretty well connected.

"What a game," she said after his retelling of the 6 hour match, "I've never played in a match that long. Normally the matches between my brothers, his friends, and I are fairly short, and end with two of them battling it out in the air for the snitch."

Elizabeth laughed slightly at this: her brothers friends never exactly played fair. A lot of times when she was about 8 or 9, their friend John, who was played keeper, would tackle Elizabeth if it appeared as though she was trying to make a crucial goal. Boys were like that to their younger opponents, especially if that person was their best friend's younger sister. It didn't bother her much, it just came with the territory: little sisters became tougher that way, since they had to work extra hard to win total respect.

"That's interesting about your friend Adam, I've heard the name Whitney. Might his family be a mutual friend of ours?" Elizabeth asked, a little cold seeping into her question. If this Whitney was a pureblood, Jake would most likely answer yes, confirming her suspicions. If not, then Elizabeth would know that it was a topic that she would not discuss further. \n\n

0 Elizabeth Wow 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

January 04, 2005 5:51 PM

Yup, it was brutal by Jake

Jake smiled when Elizabeth commented on his Quidditch game. Most memorable game in his opinion.

"Yeah, when our family and friends get together to play Quidditch, we have no rules. Anything can go." Jake loved it when his friends and family came together during small parties or holidays and just had fun. Quidditch was usually always at the top of the list of activities to do together. Although, sometimes it was a little too rough and people got hurt. Not that Jake minded though. As long as he got to play.

He frowned slightly in concentration to Elizabeth's question. He was almost certain that if the Levines went to Santoro's parties, they most certainly went to Whitneys' parties as well.

"Yeah, you probably would know them. His dad is second in command to the Minister of Magic. Actually, I think the Minister's daughter goes here..." Jake said, though he wasn't really sure. "Anyway, Whitney is my best mate. We grew up together. Our father's work together and our mother's gossip together. He lives in LA like myself, but in the better part of the city." Jake added, thinking maybe his place of residence might trigger a memory for Elizabeth.

"Actually, Whitney might be coming here next year, so you might meet him or something." Jake said with a smile.\n\n

6 Jake Yup, it was brutal 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

January 04, 2005 6:19 PM

Ah yes by Elizabeth

She smiled, now remembering where exactly she'd heard the name. A party, silly girl, she thought to herself, you've been going to their parties since your mother left the hospital with you. Elizabeth's eyes flashed a darker clear blue with mixed emotion. Her mother and father's dead certainly had a big hold over her, since they'd died five years ago. She still had momentary random flashbacks of them, and the more she met up with the people they were friends with, the more she missed them. Anne and Matthew Lavine were dear, wonderful parents to Elizabeth, and their pureblood mania aside, she loved them.

"I've met him, I believe, but only just. At parties, you know, when your parents introduce you to everyone in the room. I think that was were we met. My parents then my aunt and uncle have taken me to their parties since I don't know when." she smiled.

Despite their absence in her later life, Elizabeth still loved talking about her parents' lives. They were incredible, really, her father being the Head of Louisiana State Wizarding Council, and her mother being the beautiful social butterfly who hosted out of this world parties. Not to say anything bad against her Aunt Rose and Uncle William, they were both important New Orleanians, and loving godparents, but her mother and father were those things and more... Elizabeth missed them loads, and so did her father's sister and brother, yet they carried on life, having parties and conducting businuess as all was well. \n\n

0 Elizabeth Ah yes 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

January 05, 2005 5:02 PM

The infamous pureblood parties by Jake

Jake's smile slipped a little. It was odd that everyone who was pureblood knew everyone else who was pureblood, or at least have heard of them. Not that Jake minded that sort of life. It was all he knew afterall, but still, being as well known as they all seemed to be, one would think them to have more friends. Yet, Jake only had a handful of friends.

"Yeah, Whitney's paarties are always rememberable. And their chef makes wickedly good desserts." Jake always went there for their desserts. So worth going to the parties in his opinion.

Jake caught something that Elizabeth said, [m]y parents then my aunt and uncle have taken me to their parties...

"Your Aunt and Uncle? Why didn't your parents just continue taking you to their parties?" \n\n

6 Jake The infamous pureblood parties 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

January 05, 2005 6:01 PM

Oh.. my parents? by Elizabeth

Elizabeth's smile faded and the sparkling clear vanished from her eyes. She wasn't exactly ready for that kind of question, so it caught her by surprise, although it really shouldn't have. She was the one who had to mention it in the first place. Elizabeth took a deep breath, letting it out in a long sigh.

"My parents, Anne and Matthew Lavine died five years ago when I was six. My brothers were eleven and sixteen."

she cleared her head, trying to fight back the urge to scream from either frustration or sorrow. It was hard keeping the cool facade and still make sure her emotions didn't bottle up for too long.

Jake's parents probably knew of the Lavines death, it was all anyone talked about for months after it. She guessed that, like many of the families, Jake's parents hadn't told him. It was only natural to want to protect your kids from loss.

'accident', the replay of her conversation with her Aunt Rose rang in her mind, 'they keep telling me it was an accident. Aunt Rosie, what happened?'

Elizabeth's aunt never really answered her. In truth, it wasn't an accident at all. Elizabeth's father was a wizard who worked on thin ice. He tried as magical governor to keep peace with both sides of the pureblood/mudblood spectrum, but someone had just decided that he was too much to one side.

That horrid person killed him and his lovely wife one night after a party. No one would have known for a long time about their murder had her Uncle William forgot stop to ask about his younger brother and sister in law's whereabouts. Turns out Elizabeth's mother and father were ambushed out in someone's gardens and after they'd been murdered, they were tossed away somewhere nearby. Elizabeth didn't know the last part until Brett one day told her, when she was about 10.

"It was a long time ago, I'm okay with it now. I was little when it happened, so it just took a little getting used to. That's why I like quidditch so much, it was the first thing I did after I heard the news. My aunt told me and I grabbed my broom, raced outside and flew for hours. Javon eventually flew out and found me in the garden." she sighed again, hoping she didn't weigh things on Jake he didn't want to hear...\n\n

0 Elizabeth Oh.. my parents? 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

January 05, 2005 8:40 PM

Oh, sorry that's horrible by Jake

Jake watched Elizabeth's features change at the mention of her parents. For a moment, Jake worried that he had gone to far with the question.

My parents, Anne and Matthew Lavine, died five years ago.

This wasn't something Jake had been expecting. The names rang a bell in his head. He was six when they died, so if his parents spoke of them, he had probably heard something, though he couldn't remember.

Jake watched Elizabeth as she spoke. Though she said she was alright with all of it now, her features said otherwise. Jake couldn't imagine life without his parents. They were everything to him. It was hard enough saying good-bye to John.

"Yeah, Quidditch is good for many things. Soothes the soul of sorts" Jake said quietly. Actually, Quidditch had the same power of Jake. Whenever he was upset of angry or confused, he ran to the park and jumped on his broom.

"How did they die? I mean, if you don't mind my asking."\n\n

6 Jake Oh, sorry that's horrible 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

January 06, 2005 5:50 PM

the Story by Elizabeth

"I don't mind," she said, feeling somehow that Jake was absolutely right about Quidditch. It did allow the muscles to take complete control over the body, so the mind didn't have time to worry you.

Elizabeth felt a little weird telling this near stranger her parent's story, but she didn't mind. Actually, it probably would be a relief to finally tell someone about her parent's death. She hadn't been allowed that kind of chance... No body wanted to talk about it. Her brothers shoved it under the rug, and her Aunt and Uncle, who were her father's siblings, surely didn't want to talk about their brothers death.

"It was after a party one night," Elizabeth began, her eyes permitting a little bit of their original glitter. 'Exactly like her mother and brother's' she was always told. "My mother and father were out in the gardens at one of their good friend's manors. Someone just, attacked them, out of the blue. My father was a wonderful man, but being the Louisiana Wizarding Governor, many people didn't like him. They never figured out who killed them. My uncle was the one who asked someone where my father was, and when the servant returned from his search, he told him that both my mother and father were murdered.

"I dont' see why someone would have done that. It was horrible, if they didn't like him being governor, why didn't they just wait for the next election?" she looked off into the distance, unable to meet Jake's eyes. \n\n

0 Elizabeth the Story 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

January 06, 2005 7:15 PM

honestly, that sucks by Jake

Jake sat on his broom in silence. That was some way to lose your parents. That was some way to find out about your parents as well. And it was scary to realize that people murder people just because they didn't like them.

Not that Jake wasn't already aware of that. Pureblood and Muggle wars had been going on long before Jake came into existence. Magical killing muggles. Magical killing magical because they married a muggle, or had muggle relatives, or believed muggles to be equal. That was normal in a witch and wizard's life.

Plus Jake was raised with gunfire and gang wars surrounding his house. Muggles killing Muggles. Life's cycle was what it was. All of it stupid, unjust, and disturbing.

He looked at Elizabeth, his eyes shown truth and understanding of what she had spoke. He didn't show her sympathy or pity, she didn't need any of that. He just showed her that he understood.

"I can't tell you that I know what it's like to lose someone close to me to death. I don't know. I know what it's like to lose someone because of their choices. Because of our choices. But it's not the same, even if it feels like it." He paused for a moment, unsure of what to say. "People are vicious, Magical or Muggle. It doesn't matter. Someday justice will be paid to your parents and the murderer will be caught." He smiled sadly at Elizabeth, but he meant every word of it. \n\n

6 Jake honestly, that sucks 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

January 06, 2005 7:26 PM

Thanks by Elizabeth

ooc: I don't remember, but I think I was holding the quaffle... if I wasn't then, oops.
bic:

Elizabeth smiled, her way of showing Jake that she appreciated his support. She also was glad he didn't give her any sympathy. Really, though people thought that it helped, it really didn't. People pitying you was a terrible feeling, that they were better than you, lending their help. Elizabeth HATED people pitying her. She'd gotten enough of that from the year that followed her parents' death.

"Thanks Jake." she paused, collecting her thoughts, "You're really a nice guy. And a good friend."

She threw the quaffle back to him, reminding her that she was still on a broom a couple feet from the ground. Elizabeth had forgotten that she was there in the first place. Sometimes she completely forgot where she was or what she was doing when she flew. It went the same way when she thought or talked about her parents. Life was rough, but she got through it, whatelse could she do? \n\n

0 Elizabeth Thanks 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

January 06, 2005 7:59 PM

Your welcome by Jake

Jake caught the quaffle easily and held onto it for a moment.

Thanks Jake, you're a really nice guy. And a good friend.

"Aw shucks." He said and pretended to be embarrassed. "You're only saying that now. But, you'll have to remember that I'm a nice guy in case I do something stupid in the future." He said, only half joking. Sometimes he took his jokes a little too far without meaning too.

"Anyway, my brother, John, was the one that taught me that justice comes to those who deserve it. And I believe him. He's a smart guy, even if nobody is willing to listen to what he has to say."\n\n

6 Jake Your welcome 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

January 06, 2005 8:22 PM

I'm glad! by Elizabeth

Elizabeth smiled as he talked about his brother. He must admire him a lot, she thought to herself. It must be like my brothers and I with everyone... They're great friends and companions. Jake obviously missed his brother, and Elizabeth, with a twang of pain, felt the same way. Even though hers were only a couple states away, and still reachable, she missed them. Elizabeth missed the feeling of protection yet good-natured competition they radiated.

"I will; but only if you're still a nice guy." she added with the little edge she tended to put on everything.

"And I think your brother is right. You know what they say, 'fortune favors the brave'. I bet if that's true, then forture probably will not favor the cowardly, like my parent's murderer. Sorry, that sounded pretty morbid, didn't it?" she grinned again, letting her sapphire eyes sparkle with her smile. \n\n

0 Elizabeth I'm glad! 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

January 06, 2005 10:59 PM

Happiness is what I aim for by Jake

Jake laughed as Elizabeth fake threatened him.

"I'm always a nice guy!" He said through his laugh. "And it did seem a bit morbid, but nothing I can't handle." Jake was a male after all. His friends and him have read books with gore, he had seen people die, he had heard news of deaths. A simple statement from Elizabeth was nothing compared to the things him and his friends have made up or said.

"Yeah, my brother probably is right. Anyway, how as your stay here at Sonora been so far?" Jake asked if only because he wanted to lighten the mood a bit more.\n\n

6 Jake Happiness is what I aim for 42 Jake 0 5

The Craven Twins

January 07, 2005 2:50 PM

And sorry I took forever to reply..... by The Craven Twins

OOC - Yes. Either that I'm trying to get in with you so you are unsuspecting as I plot your ultimate down fall! Mwa ha ha! Ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!! (But it's probably your one).

BIC:
"Girls can be dudes you know, Stephie," Sorrel mock glowered at him, giving him a gentle push. "And we don't have our stuff with us," she sighed, in relation to the jousting comment, "And if we did, I bet she'd watch us like a hawk," she muttered sullenly. She was convinced the coach did not want them to have any fun.

"I still think it's weird you named your broom," she told him, as it jerked him into the air. "Though I must admit I like its attitude problem. It'll go up in my estimations if it throws you by the end of the lesson," she grinned, swerving slightly to avoid his hazordous decline.

***

Ash turned as his name was shouted by someone who was definitely not his sister... He turned to find his room mate/acquaintance/Sorrel's friend. Looked like she'd found them a team mate.

"Yeah, cool - coming right up!" he yelled, whipping the Quaffle at Sorrel's head. Hard. She reached up and whacked it, volley ball style. It shot back at Ash, who was mounting up, knocking him in the shoulder.

"Haha!" she crowed.

"Oooh, nice one," he rolled his eyes, collecting the Quaffle, and joining them in the air. "But the point is to catch the ball. This big red thing, here, see?" he asked, in a very slow 'one - plus - one - is - TWO' tone.

"Not if you're Keeper," she countered.

"But she told us to play Chaser."

"Oooh, teacher's pet!"

"Get stuffed," he shoved her hard. Used to it, she maintainted her balance. She poked her tongue out and called him it again, shoving him back. They wound up in a mini kind of air wrestling, until they both fell all of the two feet they were allowed to rise to. They landed in a heap, Sorrel looking up.

"Oh yeah..." she remembered, seeing Stephen. "So, did our expert demo fill you in on what you have to do?" she grinned, as she and Ash rejoined him in the air. \n\n

0 The Craven Twins And sorry I took forever to reply..... 0 The Craven Twins 0 5

Elizabeth

January 07, 2005 4:47 PM

You must mean my catastrophes so far by Elizabeth

Elizabeth sighed, putting her hands on her hips. She then started to list things that had happened to her since her arrival. It was quite a bit of interesting things, she had to say, but nothing Elizabeth wasn't used to. Her life usually had a couple arguements and family issues. It was getting better now that she'd promised her grandparents, aunts, & uncles that she would obey their "by laws" and make them proud.

"Alright. One- got to school and my body changes colors completely. Two- I defended a mudblood against one of my family's oldest friends. Mistake. Three- Got a letter from Brett, saying that I needed to uphold the honor. Four- Broke off about... four or five friendships, which, needless to say, didn't end well. Five- met and re-aquainted myself with said family friend, met Chrissy Mathers and other people in my classes, met you, and so far things have been smooth sailing. Although, that might not be the case later... I haven't seen any of those people as of yet." Elizabeth finished the re-telling, her eyes and grin retaining their playfulness. It was past, and what was to lie ahead was later, so she woudln't worry about it.

"What about you? No doubt you've had something interesting happen to you." \n\n

0 Elizabeth You must mean my catastrophes so far 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

January 07, 2005 5:08 PM

Nah, not nearly that exciting by Jake

Jake laughed as Elizabeth recounted her time here at Sonora. Quite the popular girl. He was a bit caught off guard as she casual used the word 'mudblood' in her sentence, but Jake didn't comment on it. The word was anything but new to him, but he never used the word himself.

"No, actually I don't have anything fascinating happen to me here...yet. I had my body change colors, I used the knockback jinx on Tally Adams, who then did it right back to me. That was pretty cool. I saw some kid dance with a kneazle on his head. I met a set of twins, Ash and Sorrel. They were certainly something else. I met a girl named Sally, a bit obtrusive if you ask me. And then I met you." Jake paused for a moment, "Oh yeah, and I met a girl name Jen. She found her way into my common room somehow. A bit odd that one is. But, other than that, nothing exciting has happened. I live a fairly boring day to day life." Jake said with a wide grin. \n\n

6 Jake Nah, not nearly that exciting 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

January 07, 2005 5:37 PM

Not that bad by Elizabeth

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed fractionally at the mention of some of those names. Sally. Sorrel & Ash. She hadn't met Ash, but Sorrel was one of the girls we wasn't allowed to be friends with. She and Sally'd gotten into an arguement because the foolish girl had started telling her how to live her life. I mean, the girl didn't know her life, she had no businuess telling Elizabeth Anne Lavine what principles were the right ones to live by.

People who thought that they were helping a person by telling them what to do with their life bothered Elizabeth. It probably was because everyone had told her exactly what to do after her parent's death. Elizabeth wasn't one to listen to people other than her family, especially people she'd known for little over a few days. Especially people like that who were of a lower class then herself. Not that that was a problem by itself, it was the compounding effect of all those factors.

She sighed, trying to relax her narrowed eyes to their original sparkle, saying "Don't we all? Life's pretty boring unless you give someone a reason to make it interesting. In which case, the 'interesing thing' might not be a good thing."\n\n

0 Elizabeth Not that bad 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Stephen

January 07, 2005 6:35 PM

Sorry doesn't cut it... I'll forgive you this time though by Stephen

OOC: Downfall? *looks around nervously* But then you wouldn't be able to help me with... actually should talk about that another time. BIC:

Stephen grinned and stuck his tongue out at Sorrel.

"Fido's not going to throw me, now are you boy?" he finished up patting his broom, which was now quivering, in a reassuring manner. Stephen interpreted the quivering as indignation that any could have so much as imply that he would throw Stephen. "See?!" Stephen said to Sorrel when the broom had calmed down a little. "He's a good boy - and you just insulted him... and me! You think I'd fall off?"

Sitting back, then remembering that there was nothing there to support such a position and hastily getting himself back into a more conventional broomstick-riding position before he did fall off and give Sorrel and her brother an excuse to laugh at him, Stephen watched the floorshow between the twins with interest for a little while before becoming a bit edgy. All the attention seemed to be going elsewhere and he was feeling left out.

It placated him a little when Sorrel remembered he was there too and the two rejoined him.

"Oh yeah," he told them. "I definitely picked up on the 'Keeper beats Chaser' bit. And you know, Keeper is actually a position that I think I'd know - it's protecting the goal right?"

He had carefully been edging closer to the pair during the entire time he was speaking. Snatching the red ball he laughed and rose a little higher than the restricted two feet. He was preparing to hurl it back into the spot directly between the twins when he noticed that the ball felt... odd.

"Huh? What kind of ball is this?" he asked turning it over and over in his hands.\n\n

39 Stephen Sorry doesn't cut it... I'll forgive you this time though 0 Stephen 0 5

Jake

January 08, 2005 6:12 PM

Life's always a ball by Jake

Jake tossed the quaffle back in Elizabeth's direction. He had noticed her facial expressions as he spoke of his lack of adventure here at Sonora and the people he had encountered.

"So, I take it you either have met these people on not so great circumstances or they did something nasty to you." Jake commented to her. They had all seemed nice to him, so he didn't really think they would do anything mean, well, many the twins, but it would have been all in good fun.

"Anyone who can make my life interesting without having to involve Quidditch is always a good thing to me." Jake said with a laugh.\n\n

6 Jake Life's always a ball 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

January 08, 2005 8:45 PM

whatever you say... by Elizabeth

She grinned a bit mischeviously, her arm and hand muscles reacting in a subconscious manner, moving towards the whizzing quaffle. Her brilliantly white teeth peeked out from behind her grin, showing the mixture of guilt in, and yet love of making trouble. Elizabeth's desicion to follow in her family's pathway had caused a bunch of people she knew to become angry, which also incidentally caused people like her family and their friends to regard her as choosing the correct path.

"Yeah, you could say that we aren't exactly on great terms... But it wouldn't be them doing the upsetting; it was me. Some people seem to just despise you if you believe in pureblood hierarchy. Then again, they would be the people at the bottom of that sort of food chain, so to speak." she lobbed the red ball back at Jake, that grin still intact.

Elizabeth and her family seemed to make wvaes wherever they went. First her anscetors in the plantation world, then her father, brothers and grandfather in the political world, then Elizabeth and her mother in the social world. Some people just couldnt help being outspoken and different. The Lavines were just some of those people. Even her twin cousins Helena and Hermia Terpsichore couldn't keep from changing things up in their surroundings.

"I guess people like me can't stay still, we can't conform one way or another. I always feel like I can't fit exactly into a set form, so people usually don't like me for it. I'm too complicated." she sighed annoyedly, "People jsut can't look at me and think at the same time, 'she might possibly have the ability to play quidditch.' Some people cant' see me playing quidditch with my brothers and still see the same person at a party all dolled up."

Elizabeth just didn't fit in a neat little box like pureblood girls should. They should be charming, sweet, intelligent, but only enough to navigate through a dinner party for their rich pureblood husband's boss. Elizabeth, unfortunately was trying to be all that, and more. Life could be a ball, but it was trialsome at times. Those kind of times were perfect for talking to people like Jake. \n\n

0 Elizabeth whatever you say... 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

January 08, 2005 10:37 PM

'cause what I say, reaks truth by Jake

Jake watched Elizabeth with a look of perplexion on his usual playful features. Pureblood hierarchy? Bottom of the food chain? Jake knew the 'laws' of the Pureblood ways, but he hadn't really ever given them nuch thought. Apparently Elizabeth had. Jake caught the ball easily but didn't return her grin.

He frowned as he listened to her speak about the people here at this school and how she had somehow caused a rift in them. If she was on bad terms with any of the people Jake had met, he could only think of one, Sally. From his talk with her, she was a muggleborn. He knew Sorrel and Ash, as well as Tally, to be half. Even though Purebloods believed a person is suppose to have pure and clean blood, halfbloods were acceptable to be made as friends. But only friends. Marriage, in some cases arranged marriage, is only allowed to be with another pureblood.

"So, I take it that it's Sally who you aren't friends with?" Jake turned to see Sally with another girl Jake didn't know. He wondered what she thought of Elizabeth. "If you don't keep still long enough, you'll end up losing everything, including yourself."\n\n

6 Jake 'cause what I say, reaks truth 42 Jake 0 5

Elizabeth

January 09, 2005 12:22 AM

yeah it does... sometimes. by Elizabeth

She shook her head slowly, running through her head what he said. Elizabeth knew he was right. If she kept moving about like she had before, she'd have no place to stand. Hell,Elizabeth thought to herself, having shaky ground to stand on is a lot better than having none at all. Elizabeth promised herself right then and there that she'd do no more moving about, she needed to ground herself for once. She was just going to have to downplay somethings, and playup others. Everything would be perfectly fine if she could just keep a cap on things, which Elizabeth was getting used to lately.

"Yeah, we aren't friends. Maybe even enemies. I can't really tell, we had an interesting final arguement." she sighed, again, seeing Jake look over at Sally and Mia Kerova. "I know that Sorrel and Ash's family has been... undesirable over the years, as my family would say. That girl talking to Sally, that's Mia Kerova, another ex-friend. Muggleborn."

Elizabeth's eyes flashed suddenly, hoping Jake would understand her use of the word. She'd noticed his slight reaction to mudblood, and made a point to use the more "appropriate" word. Some people encouraged the word, but others didn't appreciate it's use. Elizabeth was trying to find her stability in friendships, and Jake's was one she didn't want to be put in jeopardy because of her word usage. \n\n

0 Elizabeth yeah it does... sometimes. 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

January 09, 2005 12:47 AM

what? I'm all knowing! by Jake

Jake nodded his head slowly as Elizabeth explained the rift between her and Sally. He turned away from the girls, the other now he knew to be named Mia, and looked back at Elizabeth. He smiled at her and threw the quaffle back her way,

"How come Ash and Sorrel's family is undesirable?" He looked in their direction, having heard Ash's name being shouted a few minutes earlier by a bot Jake did not know, but remembered him being the one to but the kneazle on his head, "They are halfbloods, aren't they? We are allowed to associate with halfbloods." Jake gave her a puzzled look, apparantly he was missing something in her logic and he was hoping she would explain.

"What kind of argument did you have with Sally? I figure it's related to the blood wars, of course, but Sally's a muggleborn, does she even know what it all means?"\n\n

6 Jake what? I'm all knowing! 42 Jake 0 5

Sally

January 09, 2005 2:06 PM

Re: Duh! by Sally

Sally nodded, but then the coach yelled out that they could have just two people. She asked, "Will you be okay with just me?" and then she slowly mounted her broom and kicked off.

She prepared herself for the dizzyness, and didn't let it shake her as it had before. It wasn;t as bad as she had thought, but it was still somewhat uncomfortable.

She leveled herself, still hanging on desperately, and then, slowly, took her hands off of the handle to prepare herself. "Ready to go?" she asked Mia, who was still on the ground.\n\n

0 Sally Re: Duh! 0 Sally 0 5

Mia

January 09, 2005 2:25 PM

OOC: yay! you're back! lol! by Mia

Mia looked at Sally and laughed.

"I was born ready!" Mia called out with a smirk although she was sort of nervous. She had never flown on a broom let alone flown in the air at all.

Mia readied her broom to be mounted but then almost forgot to get a ball. She quickly grabbed one and then grabbed her broom again. Mia squeezed her eyes shut and prayed that she didn't fall as kicked off from the ground. It felt like she was speeding up on a rollercoaster. Mia stopped and steadied herself a bit.

When Mia opened her eyes, she looked around and saw that she was in fact, in the air. Mia's smile grew wider as she kicked her legs back and forth like a little kid on a swing. She realized she was a little higher than Sally so she leaned forward a bit and descended a little.

"Okay, so we're playing catch in the air. That's not too unusual... as long as you take out the 'in the air' part." Mia said with a laugh. She took the red ball in her right hand and tossed it lightly over to Sally. Her left hand holding on to the broom beneath her, very tightly.\n\n

0 Mia OOC: yay! you're back! lol! 0 Mia 0 5

Elizabeth

January 09, 2005 3:12 PM

you are what you think you are by Elizabeth

Elizabeth caught the quaffle, glancing at it momentarily, as if it had written upon it the answers to all lifes questions. Which, in a way for her, it did. Have a problem? Lets go play quidditch. Need to relax? quidditch. The game was her stress release valve, her favorite thing to do when there's nothing else.

"Well, Halfbloods are generally accepted, but they're friends with people who more or less hate me, so I guess they can be my friends technically, but chances of their wanting to be are quite slim."

Elizabeth shrugged slightly, as if 'there was nothing she could do about it, so why bother?'. She tossed the ball back at Jake, thinking about what he'd said. "I figure it's related to the blood wars, of course, but Sally's a muggleborn, does she even know what it all means?"

"Well, I don't think any muggleborns here at this age really understand it like a pureblood would, but I guess she got the general concept. Sally was trying to tell me what to do, and I don't know it sort of got me all miffed, and things went downhill fast from there. So enough of all this bloodwar talk, it just doesn't do for a topic of conversation while playing the happiest thing in the world- quidditch of course. What's it like being in Teppenpaw?"

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0 Elizabeth you are what you think you are 0 Elizabeth 0 5

Jake

January 09, 2005 10:39 PM

I am what I <i>know</i> I am by Jake

Jake smiled lopsidedly at Elizabeth once more, catching the ball with ease. He thought about what she had told me of Sally and how she had tried to tell her what to do. He almost laughed out loud at the whole hypocracy of the whole ordeal. Elizabeth is being told what to do by everyone and she chose the people she believed she needed to obey. Whether she truly wanted to live her life this way, Jake would never know, but if she wished to change her mind, it seemed already too late.

What's it like being a Teppenpaw?

"Boring. There is nobody ever around. I mean, I know Tally already, but I hardly see her. I think she usually hangs out with that girl over there." He pointed in the direction of Tally and a blonde girl, "So, she's usually off doing something. Other than her, I know no one, not even any of the guys. It's dull and boring and in great need of excitement. The only excitement I got in that place was when that Jen girl staggered in on accident or whatever." Jake paused and shook his head in bewilderment to his boring house. He hoped that the excitement increased over the course of the year.

"What about you? What's it like to be a Percari?"\n\n

6 Jake I am what I <i>know</i> I am 42 Jake 0 5