Professor Light
January 21, 2012 11:04 PM
Tomb Raider Training {I&II} by Professor Light
Ants in his room. Caesar stared wide eyed at them, watching them march in a uniform line across his desk, his hand clutching his wand hard, the urge to blast fire at them very very strong. One of them seemed to stray toward him out of the line and Caesar leaned back in his chair, the front legs tilting up as he kept balanced on the hind legs, his hazel eyes wild with both fear and rage retained from boyhood. It had been a favorite pastime; his belly and chin buried in the sweet smelling grass, the San Francisco sun massaging his bared skin, a shard of glass from a broken bottle gripped in his hand as he extended it over an ant hill, watching with innocent wonder as the sun which was so sweetly massaging him also was converted into carnal fire, bearing down not quite as sweetly upon the ants. He could still smell the char, the burnt bodies and little legs spasm.Now, always, they were out for revenge.
Caesar finally gave up his chair, stumbling out of it, bequeathing his desk for now to the little angry red soldiers. He tried to tell himself that they were lured to his room because he’d failed to be inspired to clean up the Charms classroom after the last Beginners class met (last week was devoted to understanding different levels of fire, ending on Friday with them being able to eat s’mores if they casted the correct amount of fire for the provided marshmallows themselves) but he couldn’t fool himself. He knew they were stalking him. ‘Maybe just one more class on fire.’ He had a vision of his own army of fire wielding eleven and twelve year olds attacking enemy ants, but decided to delay the war after he got his already planned lesson out of the way. Out of a small drawer he pulled out a large stack of papers just as the door to the classroom swung open.
“Afternoon, class.” He greeted the children as they began to file in. “Take your seats.” Over the break the classroom had become more personalized; posters of various winking wizard bands, his favorite Italian Quidditch players, his favorite magical philosopher Dalia Torrez, the walls were lined with shelves and shelves of books (from textbooks to novels, all related to Charms) and magical objects like remembralls and omnioculars as well as stocked with small dishes of candy. The seating had been transformed as well. Instead of desks the classroom was designed like a seminar, with two separate sets of stairs on each aisle of benched wooden seats.
“This is my favorite comedy,” Caesar sent the excerpted scripts through the air to his students as they began to take their seats, the copies of the play all entitled Corazón de Plata. “Silver Heart. It takes place in Old San Juan, right after the Goblin wars that had plagued the West Indies and Carribean in 1893. Three beings; a Duende - that’s the spanish word for Goblin - named Bolsatira, a Centauro - Centaur - named Perez, and a Mago - Wizard - named Rico. Bolsatira, Perez, and Rico all are searching for the gold lost during the Duende Wars.” Finished handing the plays out, Caesar held up his own copy, hazel eyes bright with enthusiasm. “Now, the play is brilliant because, well, the trouble they all get into is just hilarious. This is also a revolutionary moment in theater history and history of Western Society because of the message that Garcia - the playwright - puts out. Just look at the picture.”
The cover of the play showed the silver letters of the title Corazón de Plata dripping silver visages of a goblin, centaur, and wizard all kneeling at the bottom of the page, leaning into the hue of shining gold. “Garcia was making the point that all beings are united by their greed, and that wizards should just embrace that unity to have a world where pointless wars like the Duende could be avoided. It’s about as popular a theory today as it was in 1963 when it was first written and performed - not very. But, it did help push the issue of future magical creature/wizardry alliance.”
Though Sonora was an excellent school, and he was grateful to be there (considering he was just fresh out of his Charms apprenticeship), Caesar disliked the fact that there were no History of Magic classes, and neither was there Theater. Not even many clubs, though at least they had Quidditch for some. The school seemed more academically inclined than creative, even if the students individually expressed themselves creatively. He’d heard there used to be History and was hoping soon someone would apply for the job, but until then tried to get as much history and culture into his lessons. Charms was fluid; it overlapped with the other branches of magics, and could be stretched to cover other branches of the wizarding world. It’s why Caesar liked it so much. He liked the freedom to go anywhere.
“In this play there is a scene in Act 4, Scene 2,” Caesar waited for the students to flip toward the page. “when Rico finds a chest of what he thinks contains the gold they’re all looking for. Garcia casted an actor in the play’s original run whom could actually perform the advanced charm to unlock the chest Garcia had inherited in the playwright’s travels. The spell, Aperi Rumpivi is a more advanced form of the spell Alohomora which the first years are going to learn today. Alohomora can unlock most objects and doors when the obstacle is locked with Colloportus, the spell the second years will be learning today.” Caesar flicked his wand and a sign up sheet raised in the air to settle against the wall, a floating open ink bottle and quill accompanying it. “It takes three years for the average wizard to master Aperi Rumpivi as it causes a terrible strain, but if any of you are interested in learning the groundwork for more advanced charms such as that one, I will be offering private sessions outside of class. You just have to sign up to let me know that you’re interested.”
Caesar swept his wand through the air and sizable treasure chests of various appearance appeared in front of all of the students’ desks. “Some of these chests are opened, some of them sealed shut. I want the first years to go around opening whichever sealed chests they choose, and the second years to close them.” There was enough space in each leveled row for students to comfortably walk without forcing others to stand to make room. “First years, pay attention.” Caesar walked up to a first row student’s treasure chest covered in seaweed and an ancient Germanic crest he could barely make out. He made a backwards S shaped motion with his wand before tapping the tip against the lock. “A-LUH-huh-MOR-a!” He exaggerated the sounds and a flash of pale blue light emitted from his wand point. There was a click and the chest opened. “You’ll find little trinkets like trading cards or candy each time you open the chests.” He peered inside the chest. “And apparently tuna fish sandwiches.”
“Now to close the chests, second years, you go” Caesar made a rough P like motion with his wand before tapping hard against the lock of the trunk. “Cul-loh-POR-tus!” A yellow light, a click and the chest was shut. “Alright, if there are any questions, just ask. Begin!” He made his way to his desk before remembering the stupid ants were still there. Angry and vengeful and he just knew something bad would happen if he dare smite them himself. He dragged his chair to one of the poster clad walls, glancing up at a picture of him and his sister Ava Marie who were both grinning down at him before he relaxed in his seat and watched his students make a go of it. He tried to judge by their performances which would be the ones that might be interested in signing up. ‘Not that one,’ He bit back a laugh at one so far unlucky student. ‘Aw, keep trying. You’ll get it.’ He kept up an internal part mocking, part encouraging commentary as the lesson continued on.
Subthreads: I didn't know tombs had candy by Waverly Canterbury with Sullivan Quincy, Waverly
In need of a first year, apparently by Linus Macaulay with Alicia Bauer, Aladren, Linus
Yeah, I'll try to apply the spell in a more practical way. by Nora Dobson with Cepheus Princeton, Cepheus
This is a good skill set by Jhonice Trevear, Pecari with Jorge Garcia (Pecari)
Somehow I don't think I'll ever be doing that. by Valerie Lennox with Theresa Carey, Pecari
Shouldn't that involve more deadly curses? by Alexandra Devereux, Crotalus
Do we have to fight mummies? by Evan Brockert, Aladren
I have questions. by Thad Pierce, Aladren with Professor Light, Thad Pierce
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Professor Light
Tomb Raider Training {I&II}
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Professor Light
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Nora Dobson
January 28, 2012 6:04 PM
Yeah, I'll try to apply the spell in a more practical way. by Nora Dobson
Nora took her seat in Charms, eager for class to begin. She absolutely loved to learn new things, plus classes gave her ample opportunity to observe the behavior of both her classmates and the professors. Take ProfessorWhich in general the second year found easier to take. She didn't have a problem with her Transfiguration teacher but in general Nora preferred people who were quiet and intelligent, which was why she far preferred Sally's company over Kitty's.
Professor Light was a bit odd. Today he was handing them a play and apparently trying to teach them some sort of moral lesson with the subject matter. Nora didn't object to the idea of not fighting pointless wars. War was something that risked lives and cost money and if you were going to do those things-not that the Aladren ever worried about money-you should make it worthwhile. Make sure it was a cause that really mattered. Not to mention war involved killing people that probably weren't the problem anyway. Nora thought this ridiculous. If she was ever going to kill someone, she was going to make it worth her while and kill someone who she felt deserved it.
She also didn't see what was comical about the play. Nora supposed that was because adventure stories had never been her thing. Perhaps it was funny-and it wasn't as if the Aladren was totally lacking in a sense of humor-because their greed made them do stupid things and the fact that they got into such situations that led to trouble made them idiots in the first place. Nora had always taken bravery and adventurousness as being moronic. It was one thing to display courage when having to do the "right thing" but deliberately go looking for danger was just plain dumb.
Eventually though, the professor got to the point. First years would unlock treasure chests and second years were going to lock them again. That meant Nora had to work with a first year. Great. She scanned the room for one she'd not observed as being hyperactive or mentally deficient and approached one who met her qualifications. "Would you please work with me on this?"
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Nora Dobson
Yeah, I'll try to apply the spell in a more practical way.
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Nora Dobson
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Cepheus Princeton
January 28, 2012 6:33 PM
Let me join you. by Cepheus Princeton
Not really looking forward to classes again, Cepheus had to drag himself to Charms. Though he enjoyed learning, he felt like most of what he was being taught as first-year was remedial and he knew so much already because of his family. One didn't come from a pureblood family like his without some knowledge of spells, charms especially. He fancied skipping this class, but he supposed he'd better get to it so no one could tattle on him for not going. The first-year was more than reluctant, but felt like he had no choice.If there was a class he enjoyed after Potions because he was so good at it, or Transfiguration because of the challenge, he enjoyed Charms. There was a lot to learn, and most of the charms they learned were pertinent to their everyday lives. He just hoped that the professor would hurry and teach them something he didn't already know.
He sat down in the classroom and, when he was handed a play, felt like going back to bed. Or better yet, home in England. He didn't fancy reading a play. He hardly fancied any sort of artistic expression. His childhood tutor had torn his hair out over his horrid paintings. That had been part of the reason why he no longer liked painting, and also why he hated his fine arts tutor. Books on adventure, now, that was something worth reading. The fact that books and plays were alike did not occur to Cepheus.
He didn't listen to most of the lesson until the instructions of what they were to do. Cepheus was definitely interested in signing up to learn a more difficult spell. When they were allowed to get up, he quickly got up out of his seat and went to the professor. "I'd like to learn the more difficult spell," he told him. Though he was small for his size, he held himself up like an aristocrat. After he had signed up for more lessons, he turned and looked around for a second-year.
He didn't have to look far. "Certainly," the first-year Crotalus replied. "I'm Cepheus Princeton, from London." He was tired of saying he was from London, but that was what the Americans knew. He didn't blame them, mostly because he didn't know a single city in America. He blamed his geography tutor. "Shall we go to a chest, then?" he said after the introductions were finished. He walked over to a brown and gold chest. "Alohomora," he said, and the chest, not to his surprise, opened.
Cepheus looked into the chest, wrinkled his nose, and then looked at the older girl. "Looks like we got stuck with the sandwich. Fancy anything in here?" There were a couple trading cards, a sandwich, and some hard sweets. He only fancied the cards, but he could do without the rest. But he'd been taught ladies first, so he'd let her choose. He looked at his watch longingly. "I really wish we were learning something more challenging," he sighed.
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Cepheus Princeton
Let me join you.
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Cepheus Princeton
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Nora
February 04, 2012 3:59 PM
Certainly by Nora
Nora nodded. "I am Nora Dobson, of the South Dakota Dobsons." She introduced herself. Of course, the Aladren knew who Cepheus was. She made a point of knowing who people were. For her own interests rather than out of any real politeness. Nora needed to know things about people, in part who she would know was worth associating with.She did not base this as much on blood or social standing as she did on whom she could tolerate. The second year had very little patience for the stupid or the hyperactive. Granted, she didn't see much of the latter who weren't also the former, but the former was possible without the latter.
Cepheus Princeton, however, qualified. He both appeared to be, if not a bit stuffy, at least relatively well-behaved in class and had an IQ higher than that of a brain damaged puffskien, a creature Nora had never regarded as particularly intelligent. Anything that ate the boogers out of people's noses couldn't be too bright. Though at least in the case of dumb animals, Nora couldn't blame them because that's just how that particular species were. People, on the other hand, were perfectly capable of thought and intellect and she would rather her grade not partially depend on an idiot.
Nora followed Cepheus over to a chest which he promptly opened. She once again appreciated that he wasn't going to fool around. "Not really. I suppose I could take the candy." The second year wasn't one of those who was motivated by stupid trivial things like sweets. In fact, Nora regarded those who made a big deal out of things as less intelligent, interested in the more inane things in life. Not that she hated cookies or candy or anything like that. In fact, the Aladren was rather fond of cupcakes to be honest. She just didn't think things like that were the be-all-end-all. "I'd take the sandwich as well but I'm not really hungry at the moment and it won't keep. Besides, it could be quite old already."
She looked at Cepheus with a bit more interest. "What sort of harder spells?" Nora was perfectly capable of both locking and unlocking a chest herself and she quickly locked the chest again. "I think professors have to gears things to a variety of skill levels. Because some people less capable either to do lack of brains or magical talent."
Nora continued. "Also, I don't really see a point to that whole spiel in the beginning of class with the play, did you? Why did we have to go through all of that just to learn how to do two rather simple spells?" To the second year, it felt just slightly preachy and she hated when people got all moralistic and superior acting.
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Nora
Certainly
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Nora
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Cepheus
February 06, 2012 7:45 PM
We'll be fast friends then, I hope. by Cepheus
Ah, another pureblood. Cepheus was glad he was meeting more and more of them. Perhaps America wasn't teeming with mudbloods like his family had assumed. "Lovely name Nora is," he said. He didn't know many people named Nora, and it was rather...unique. Not like Cepheus, of course, but unique for American purebloods, he supposed. He just hoped this girl wasn't like one of his cousins back at home: stuck up on themselves for being so pampered all their lives. It was irritating how stuck up Devon could get. Cepheus mentally scowled at the thought of him.Cepheus handed Nora the candy after opening the chest and stood back with the rest of the things. He put the trading cards into his robe pocket and placed the sandwich with a grim look on his face. "I agree," he replied to her sandwich remark. He didn't fancy eating a sandwich he'd found in a chest either.
When Nora seemed interested in harder spells, Cepheus leant back against a desk and twirled his wand in hand, anxious to do something more with it. "You know, the one he's offered to teach privately to students. And things like the disillusionment charm, memory charms, protective charms, duelling charms, and the like." He was interested in the duelling part mostly, anyway. Mischief was easier when he had more spells to use, though no one was really stopping him from learning except himself. He just didn't fancy studying on the weekends when he could be sleeping in or playing out of doors.
He was glad when Nora locked the chest quickly. She didn't seem like she lacked any brains or magical talent. "I suppose it's to make us learn more about culture or whatnot. Learn to appreciate it. Though it's strange that they would have something like that in charms class." In Cepheus's experiences with tutors, he'd always had a separate class of literature or art to force him to appreciate culture. He wasn't terribly fond of being forced to do anything, really, so he was glad there wasn't a class like that here. But if they were going to do things like this during charms...
"It didn't seem relevant to the spells either, except to give them context and make this activity seem more adventurous, I suppose." If the professor had wanted to make it adventurous, he should've made this some kind of scavenger hunt. "Anyway, I don't want to dawdle. Let's get this class over with. God, I envy you being a second-year." He sighed and went to open another chest. This one was blue and a bit too close to the first-year muggle-born he had met on a couple occasions for his liking.
When he looked inside, there were more sweets. Cepheus was growing tired of this already. As much as he liked sweets, there was such a thing as too many and he hadn't even had one yet, though he usually didn't trust the sweets he found in classrooms. "Care for some chocolate or the peppermint drops?" he asked.
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Cepheus
We'll be fast friends then, I hope.
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Cepheus
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Nora
February 14, 2012 5:17 PM
That would be acceptable. by Nora
"Thank you." Nora didn't know quite how else to answer that. She'd never thought of her name as lovely or anything else. Nor was she the one responsible for it given her parents chose it. So, she supposed that they deserved the credit. Still, it was a compliment and while Nora wasn't as big a sucker for them as some people, she could appreciate one. "Cepheus is an interesting name." It was and even if he hadn't specifically mentioned being pureblood, she probably would have guessed it by his name and mannerisms.The Aladren nodded. "I might have to take him up on those private lessons." Nora was typical of her house in that she wanted to learn stuff. She could probably do a lot with the charms Cepheus had mentioned. Plus, if she ever needed a more advanced way to lock up her stuff it would be useful to know the more advanced charm. Not that Nora knew when she'd ever have to. Portia knew well enough to keep out of her things and even Evan had learned to do so and he wasn't around her stuff that often anyway. Of course, Nora trusted Sally to respect her privacy completely. That only left Kitty.
"Personally, I look forward to learning silencing spells myself." The second year commented. When you had a roommate like Nora's, those were an absolute necessity. Though certainly Kitty wasn't the only person like that at Sonora. Pecari was filled with people like the other Aladren. In fact, Nora often wondered why Kitty hadn't been sorted there instead.
The second year paused. "Come to think of it, booby traps might come in handy as well." Nora was not the type to let someone who wronged her get off easily. She was not evil, not like Grandfather, but nor was she going to take any kind of crap from anyone either.
She shrugged. "I guess. Seems like an awfully pointless thing to do though. This is supposed to be a Charms class, not a class on culture. Besides it sounded to me like he was trying to be all up himself about some sort of morality to me." Nora hated being preached at that way. It was like telling them they were all greedy and prejudiced or something because they fought with goblins. "I can learn about culture on my own if I so choose."
"Agreed" Nora enjoyed classes so she didn't care about rushing through this but she would rather practice the spell than waste her time making idle conversation. She followed Cepheus to the next trunk. "I suppose I can take the chocolates." Even if she didn't eat them, she could always use them to bribe Kitty into shutting up. That girl seemed the type to be swayed or distracted by candy or shiny things. "If you don't want either, I can take both."
OOC-Sorry I've been so slow to reply.
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Nora
That would be acceptable.
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Nora
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Cepheus
February 15, 2012 12:41 PM
Perfect. Shall we shake on it? by Cepheus
Cepheus wasn't sure exactly what Nora meant by saying his name was interesting. The word "interesting" wasn't exactly a compliment in his household, more like a filler word. But nevertheless, he took it as a compliment. "Thank you. I'm named after one of the constellations." Cepheus could see the stars quite clearly back home, but he had never been able to really pinpoint the constellation he had been named after.Silencing spells. They were so useful. Cepheus had once, in anger, silenced his younger brother with a bit of careless magic as a child before school. Rupert liked to talk, sometimes a bit too much, to the point where it became very irritating. Booby traps were fun to imagine, but he had never tried to make one. It wasn't exactly like he had a reason to make one either. His brothers knew better than to cross him and his mates were perfect. His cousins, well, he didn't live with the annoying ones, and he couldn't set a booby trap for them at family gatherings. That was just irresponsible.
It wasn't difficult for Cepheus to judge someone, but not any more difficult for him to like someone. He liked Nora already. She seemed to have passionate opinions about things and he respected that. It helped that he agreed with her. She would be a strong friend to have. His father's assumptions of Americans weren't exactly true, he was learning. Father hadn't really met an American wizard before, so his opinions about them were rather far-fetched.
"Have them," he said, and handed over the rest of the sweets. He didn't fancy developing a sweet tooth during his stay here. He supposed knowing that Nora had a sweet tooth was a good thing. Father had taught him that it was good to find out ways to compliment a person as well as find out their weaknesses. Cepheus was a little slow on remembering weaknesses, but he didn't find them too important at the moment. "Have you studied different cultures before?" he asked curiously as he leant back on a desk, wondering if wizards all around the world learnt the same things.
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Cepheus
Perfect. Shall we shake on it?
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Cepheus
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