Professor Kijewski
April 16, 2008 11:23 PM
Lesson 1 for First and Second Years by Professor Kijewski
Kiva in the clearing behind a heavy table where what looked like a tortoise crawled around on. It had been a rough couple of days for her for various reasons, but the main one had been her confrontation with the Headmaster. She knew her behavior hadn’t been appropriate, but his words had stung her. A very personal moment where she had gone to him to figure things out and he had twisted her words making her look as though she were an incompetent, desperate, fool of a woman. He had been her mentor and now everything seemed so tainted.She took a deep breath and gently shook her head. She wasn’t going to think about it now. Words could not be taken back, there was no point in dwelling on it now.
She could hear the footsteps of her newest students walking through the gardens in search of her clearing. The jewels on the shell of the creature caught her attention as they shimmered from the sunlight. A smile grew on her face while she watched the Fire Crab crawl around, exploring it’s surroundings. Her fingers gently grazed the shell while the students crowded into the clearing. When she felt that everyone had managed to find their way, she began the lesson.
“Good morning everyone.” She greeted as she usually did. “Welcome to Sonora and welcome back to the older students. For those who I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting just yet, I’m Professor Kijewski, also known as Professor K. I’m currently the Head of Aladren and your Care of Magical Creatures professor.” She introduced herself to them, walking around the table so that she was now standing beside it instead of behind it. “Now, I want to explain what this class is all about. The purpose of Care of Magical Creatures is for you to have a better understanding of the type of magical creatures are currently residing in our world. How to handle them and how to identify them. It’s really quite simple, but handling certain creatures can be quite dangerous. Because of that, I do have rules while you are in my class.” Kiva paused for a split second. The students always hated hearing the rules.
“While I am explaining the creatures there will be no talking. Lectures are meant for you to remain safe while learning. I explain in my lectures on the dangers that each creature may bring and if you aren’t paying attention than you will more than likely end up meeting our Medic on several occasions. The second rule is a courtesy rule for your peers. If another student is speaking, do not talk. It’s rude and you could potential miss something of importance as a result. Other than that, after the lecture is over, you are free to talk amongst yourselves. Oh, and feel free to discard your robes. In this class, they’ll more than likely just get in the way. Okay, now onto the lesson.” Kiva said, clapping her hand and startling the creature enough for it to shoot fire out of it’s tail-end.
Kiva cleared her throat to be sure everyone was paying attention. After a display like that, kids usually get a little over excited. “This looks like a very fancy tortoise, but in the magical world, this creature is called a Fire Crab.” She explained to them. “I don’t know why they are called a crab, but, it’s obvious why they have ‘fire’ in their name.” The Fire Crab continued to wander around the table, but was in no danger of falling off.
“The Fire Crab is in constant danger of being killed for its shell. Most of you might think that they take the shell because of the jewels, but the truth is is that Witches and Wizards use their shells for cauldrons.” Kiva knocked lightly on the shell, only to cause more fire to burst of it’s hind end. Kiva smiled but continued on as though nothing had happened. “In it’s native land of Fiji, there is a coastal protection reserve created in order for the fire crab to have a habitat where no harm will come to them. Now, does anyone have any questions or want to come up here to have a better look?” Kiva asked, looking out at her students.
OOC: Okay, for points, be sure to write posts at least 10 sentences in length. I’m looking for a lot of details and creativity. Also, feel free to write for the fire crab, but keep it simple. I don’t want a fire started or anything like that.
Subthreads: Care of Flaming Creatures? by Kyler Kent with Andrew Tudor, Kyler, Andrew T., 'Andy' Tudor, Andy Tudor
Turtles? Crabs? Fire? uh-oh. by Delany with Alexis Ashwood
This is new by Joey Phillips with Amelia Smythe, Joey
Sounds like the organic solution to lighters. by Laurie Cider with Josh and Renaye Warren, Raye and Josh, Professor K.
Hmm, a Fire Crab, sounds dangerous by Krisalyn Koli
something witty, something witty... nope by Mollie Buchanan
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Professor Kijewski
Lesson 1 for First and Second Years
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Professor Kijewski
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Laurie Cider
May 14, 2008 12:36 AM
WotW: And now I'm <i>prop</i>erly chagrined. by Laurie Cider
The notebook pressed against her knees held the few notes Laurie had added to the original ones from the lecture. Ordinarily, she might have presented the class- well, any class really- with more direct attention, but she honestly felt a bit put out by the subject. Fire Crabs were interesting for a few moments, but hardly relevant. The chances that Laurie would ever in her life come across one in the wild and need to rack her brain for important tidbits like: Please remember not to kill it and use its shell for potions- you‘ll end up in prison!- the chances of such a thing were incredibly slim. Still though, ordinarily, she would have pushed herself to pretend more interest if only because her fastidious little self hated to be disrespectful.But Laurie couldn't compel herself to do so. There was no real lesson direction other than observation and a request for additional inquiries. She had no additional questions of her own, and from the class so far, her observations of the creature had shown that five minutes of the cursory study they were provided had proven ample enough. Nothing thus far had changed from those first five minutes. Did Professor Kijewski really want her to push her way through the throngs of first and second year students just to get a bit closer to the sporadically spurting flames? She wasn’t disturbing the class, she had done as her professor had requested- she honestly didn’t see what else she was supposed to do.
Her rationalization did nothing to quell the instant spots of shame that dotted her cheeks once Professor Kijewski called her and the Warrens out on their lack of enthusiasm. Her guilt only deepened when it seemed that the professor took their apathetic attitude as more of a personal slight than a reflection on their own proclivities. She opened her mouth to explain, and instead, only finished with an apology.
“I’m sorry, Professor Kijewski,” she said, her voice soft with contrition.
She wanted to add that no one had been napping, but somehow she didn’t think the rejoinder would be well received. She kept her eyes low and waited until the professor had moved back to the table. She made no move to join the table below, feeling no real desire, despite the public scolding, to force herself into the crowd. Instead, she straightened into a more erect posture and pulled her back into her lap to lean forward on.
She yanked her hair back into a untidy ponytail and pressed her pen to her notebook, waiting for some additional epiphanic element of the Fire Crab’s résumé to be shared. Her hid her mouth behind her hand and kept her words purposely quiet. “I feel like a jerk, but-” and her eyes narrowed in subdued frustration, “- but I don’t see exactly what we’re supposed to be doing. I took down notes, and I’ve been watching and listening. Nothing’s really happened, though.”
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Laurie Cider
WotW: And now I'm <i>prop</i>erly chagrined.
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Laurie Cider
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Renaye and Josh Warren
May 14, 2008 2:26 PM
and properly abashed. by Renaye and Josh Warren
Renaye enjoyed the sun. Arizona was so satisfyingly warming. It reminded her of summer back home. Renaye had just been about to make a note on how the weather seemed to lift her mood, when she got a reason to bring it crashing down. Professor K, whom she liked, had cleared her throat and was standing above them. Professor K was great teacher, Renaye always understood what she was saying and what she was talking about. However, CoMC just wasn't her fortay. Renaye couldn't get into it as much as others could. Animals were cool, but to an extent...Professor Kijewski had began to tell them that she would appreciate it if they would lend more attention to the lesson. Renaye nodded, a guilty weight falling on her previously light shoulders. She hadn't meant to insult her or anything. She had listened to the lecture, maybe not intently, but not so much less than the other students. Josh had been taking notes too. Renaye and Josh nodded, putting across they got the message loud and clear.
"Sorry," the twins said simultaneously. Professor K returned the Fire Crab, which Renaye suddenly had a lack of fondness for. Josh let out a long breath.
“I feel like a jerk, but I don’t see exactly what we’re supposed to be doing. I took down notes, and I’ve been watching and listening. Nothing’s really happened, though.”
Josh nodded in agreement. "Bad timing," he said, taking out his page of notes. "And a killer to a good mood. So, on a better subject," Josh turned torwards Laurie, meeting her brown eyes, a grin on his face. "Newspaper? You Editor in Cheif or something?" Josh remembered some of her pictures from her room and wondered if she had brought them to help her gain a spot. Professor Flatt was the head of the newspaper and Josh's favorite Professor. He had faith in this paper and was looking forward to seeing what touch Laurie put on it.
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Renaye and Josh Warren
and properly abashed.
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Renaye and Josh Warren
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Laurie
May 16, 2008 3:01 AM
*Repents* And done. by Laurie
"Newspaper? You Editor in Chief or something?""Hardly," Laurie replied, smothering her laugh behind her palm. "That actually went to your cousin's boyfriend, Brett. At least, I think he's her boyfriend." She shrugged. The social pages were hardly her forte. "I'm in charge of the photos, and I'm a staff writer. Right now Echo- he's a fourth year- has me for the extra-curricular section, mostly stuff about the cultural fair at the end of the year."
She bent her head to add another fact to her notebook, although hardly relevant to the actual lesson. As long as her group looked industrious, perhaps Kijewski would lay off. She glanced at her professor and the students gaggled about; maybe not. Her attention fell back to the twins, specifically to the male side of the duo. She couldn't help the wide smile that stretched across her lips; it was just like Josh to remember that she was going out for the paper.
"Incidentally, I'm supposed to ask people about their plans for the fair. Any ideas for a booth? It can be just about anything from what I've read. The groups can be made up of any number of students; I don't think it has to specifically be a club that presents one."
From what she understood, the point of the fair was to promote mutual awareness- not at all a bad thing considering the very different backgrounds within the student population. Purebloods and muggleborns were just the half of it; there were a good many international students, students from different ethnicities- and if one were to branch off from backgrounds and into hobbies and organizations, there were even more choices and opportunities. Admittedly though, Laurie had no ideas of her own. There were few things that she could consider herself an expert on; she loved mystery series, video games, softball, swimming-
Her eyes widened. “Oh! I can’t believe I never thought about this before.” She rushed on, the fair and its booths all but forgotten as she took off with the tangent. “The Gardens are huge, right? What are the chances that there’s a creek or lake or pond or spring, or something involving a body of water hidden in there? How awesome would it be to go swimming again? I can’t believe this never occurred to me. . .”
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Laurie
*Repents* And done.
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Laurie
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Josh and Renaye
May 16, 2008 7:22 PM
We'll just follow your lead =) by Josh and Renaye
"That actually went to your cousin's boyfriend, Brett. At least, I think he's her boyfriend. I'm in charge of the photos, and I'm a staff writer. Right now Echo- he's a fourth year- has me for the extra-curricular section, mostly stuff about the cultural fair at the end of the year.""Awesome," he said, grinning in a I'm-not-surprised sort of way, "I knew you'd make it! Brett's editor? That's kind of cool." He looked over at Renaye who nodded, smiling supportingly at Laurie's news. In addition, Laurie asked them on their plans for the cultural fair. Josh hadn't really thought of anything that he could really do for the fair. A Quidditch booth would, of course, be very cool indeed, but he wanted to do something a little more creative with his booth, if he had one. Renaye looked over at him, head tilted in wonder of the same subject. Before either could speak, however, Laurie exlaimed as an idea came to her. As she continued, the twins both found smiles spreading on their faces.
"I bet there is! We should definitely go looking for it! We can either keep it secret, like our own little spot, or we can make that our booth, a tour to the swimming hole. We could even blindfold them and then take them there," Renaye rambled, becoming very excited by the prospect of going swimming again. Josh loved the idea of swimming again, thinking of the fun the three of them had had over the summer. The Gardens in general held great memories, let alone possibilty. Just last year the three of them, Zane, and Irene had been walking down the garden paths talking, just first years. Later that year he had stumbled across Laurie, training herself to dance, with eventual help from himself. It had been strangely exciting, though they were dancing to light calm music. He liked the Labyrinth Gardens.
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Josh and Renaye
We'll just follow your lead =)
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Josh and Renaye
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Laurie
May 18, 2008 1:28 AM
Fantabulous by Laurie
"Oh! Oh! I'm really liking this idea! And this is why I love you guys!" Spontaneously, Laurie threw herself at the twins, managing to tackle both of them down with her energized hug. Her actions managed to time themselves perfectly with the end of class bustle. She pulled back, all smiles and optimism, her earlier lethargy completely defeated. “We’ll probably have to wait until the weekend.”She yanked free her planner from her knapsack and considered her itinerary for the two days. Saturday morning was blocked for research on her charms essay and potions project. The afternoon was penciled in as photography time, something easily rescheduled for the next day. Or, for that matter, she could kill two birds with one stone and bring the camera along; someone might have need of a Gardens shot. It all depended on whether the twins had Quidditch duties or whichever. She closed the planner with an efficient snap and stood up, gathering her bag and pulling the table clothe out from under Josh with exaggerated motions.
“We could start scouting on Saturday, maybe bring along a picnic lunch from the kitchens. Do you guys have any Quidditch stuff then? And maybe we could even see if Zane or anybody else wanted in on the adventure?” Her earlier recalcitrance was completely forgotten; there really was nothing quite like a new project to get Laurie’s blood going. She thrived on planning, simply thrived.
OOC- I'll start a new thread in the Gardens then and just tag in anyone who might have joined in, okay?
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Laurie
Fantabulous
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Laurie
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Professor K.
May 18, 2008 2:49 AM
OOC: by Professor K.
While I understand that you may be anxious to move on to other posting areas, please remember that this is where fuzzy times comes into play. Please be advised that it is the Professor's decision when a lesson ends due to the fact that they may have other intentions for the lesson that may not be obvious to the students (i.e.: a second part to the lesson). Your post implies that my lesson has ended and that I have dismissed you for the rest of the day. As the Professor, the ending of the lesson is my decision or you may receive my consent to allow you to end the lesson. As it stands, the lesson is still continuing, giving all students a chance to post and earn house points. Please take this advise into consideration for all future lessons with both myself and other Professors.
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Professor K.
OOC:
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Professor K.
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Laurie
May 18, 2008 12:31 PM
OOC by Laurie
I apologize if my wording ended up coming across as overly presumptuous; it was not in any way my intention to supersede your authority as the Professor and ultimate power in designating the end of a classroom setting. I thought by keeping the wording intentionally vague 'end of class bustle' that that would give more than enough leeway to interpretation. Considering the amount of activity underdone by a majority of the posting, I believed the 'lesson' to be in its second half, at least for the thread that I'm involved in. Again, this was not in any way intended to take away from your authority. I just believed that interpretation of time was an option when writing our posts.We may all safely interpret Laurie's phrasing of 'end of class bustle' to refer to the latter portion of class when students might begin to get restless.
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Laurie
OOC
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Laurie
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