Mia Kerova

March 21, 2005 6:59 PM

So...this is <i>supposed</i> to happen...right? by Mia Kerova

Mia had looked sharply at Mims when he started ordering the Pecaris around. She wasn't quite sure what he had against her house but whatever it was, he needed to get over himself already. Just to spite him, Mia took her time to lean herself up from the floor and brushed herself off a bit before walking a bit closer to the portrait.

She was about to tell him off just because he was prying on her already agitated nerves when his portrait slammed open. Silk hissed at the slamming and leaped up into Mia's arms. Mia jumped slightly and her heart rate definitely went up. She didn't know that there were things hidden behind the picture frames. She'd have to investigate that further sometime.

Mia cocked her head to the side at the large and colorful hole that was behind Mims's portrait. She stroked her cat under the chin while staring intently at the hole. Suddenly there was a pull on her body and the next thing Mia knew, she wasn't in the same place as when she started. She didn't even seem to be in the school anymore.

Bright hazel eyes scanned the new surroundings. It was a desert, and lots of it or so it seemed. It looked like what you'd see outside the school grounds where magic didn't keep plants growing. Mia wasn't sure what kind of gift this was supposed to be but she sure wanted an explanation.

"Um." Mia started with raised eyebrows. "Yeah, uh what's going on?" she asked no one in particular, more as a general question for anyone who could give her an answer.

Mia wasn't sure what she was expecting but what ever it was, this definitely wasn't it.\n\n
0 Mia Kerova So...this is <i>supposed</i> to happen...right? 0 Mia Kerova 1 5


Stephen Baxter

March 22, 2005 6:09 AM

I guess so by Stephen Baxter

Stephen was so surprised by the way he had been sucked through the passageway behind the portrait that he just sat there on the ground for several moment, gazing at the desert in front of him, gaping.

"Yeah, uh what's going on?"

His head snapped around and he realised for the first time that he wasn't alone. Sorrel, Ash and Princess had come through too.

"I," he started of in an entirely uncharacteristically hesitant voice, "erm..." Stephen shook his head and after a second jumped to his feet, his shoes slipping slightly on the sand that was all around them, under them and apparently caught up in his clothes from when he had been sitting. He shook himself entirely, spraying sand (and a bit of the potato which was proving itself entirely too tenacious) which was rather around him and then looked around properly.

"Hmm," he commented, moving towards Princess. "I bet the Gump kicked us out of school! I knew he was up to something with all that wand waving and talking with Marnett and Connell, and now he's somehow changed our reward thing so that it kicked us off the grounds! Man!" Stephen squinted as he looked around, trying to work out which way the school was. "Either that, or this is a survival test. You know, those ones where they drop you in the middle of the woods - or in this case the desert - and then you've got to make your own way back."

The second idea seemed more likely than the first, Stephen decided, warming to it. Or maybe that was the fact that it was rather hot around this spot. Either way, this was actually really cool. He started to grin and he patted his pockets until he located his wand.

"Anyone want a drink?" he asked, thinking for a second before he recalled the movement and incantation. "Aquor."

Nothing happened.

"Aquor!" Stephen tried again, giving his wand a solid shake as he did so. "Aww man, do ya reckon they did something to our wands too? No fair, dude."

It was really starting to get quite hot.\n\n
39 Stephen Baxter I guess so 49 Stephen Baxter 0 5


Leith Clurican

March 22, 2005 2:13 PM

Settin' yah up by Leith Clurican

"A hundred t'ousand welcomes, lads an' lassies." The Irish brough rang out over the desert as a short, stout man of three feet tall approached from the distant horizon. He was quite the pleasant looking fellow, with a warm, friendly face that appeared to be drawn in a permanent grin and a gait that could be described as nothing but jovial. He had a hop in his step that caused the grown man well into his forties to seem childlike. Yet, it was a mystery for sure how he could move with such ease as his form was weighed down by a heavy coat and top hat reminiscent of a different era.

Meeting the group of young ones, Headmaster Clurican removed a gold pocket watch from the inside of his coat. "Yes now, we have a wee bit of time a'fore the magic starts. I s'pose I should be geddin' yah acquainted with what's gonna happen. Oh, you're gonna to enjoy this, that you are." He replaced the watch and looked between each child in turn. These were new ones and of the littlest kind, though not little compared to a man of his own height. He could tell they would be a fun group, the sort that didn't fear living life for what it was, a bag of laughter (and how he did love laughter) and spirit.

"You won't be needin' that, lad," Clurican said while gesturing to the boy with his wand out in the open. "Today, you all will need somet'in' much more powerful than that of magic, now. Your own mind will get you where yah need ta be. So," he began, rubbing his hands together as impatient as he was, "we're goin' on a trip, but first, yah need to look the part." As though expecting something from above, Clurican turned his head towards the large expanse of blue. For a moment, he simply gazed at the sky, standing as a statue would with his arm raised above his head. Then, he snapped his fingers and in an instant a mass of colored clothes appeared falling towards the group, shoes bounced off the ground, and other accessories did likewise. "Take your garb an' be quick about it." Across the ground lay the costumes, all in the simple style of the puritan age of America. They were very plain clothes that were made so not to stand out in the slightest and would remind most of the pilgrims, even down to the large white collars and wide brimmed hats. What these children would think of these costumes was anyone's guess.\n\n
0 Leith Clurican Settin' yah up 0 Leith Clurican 0 5


The Craven twins

March 24, 2005 2:08 PM

It's all a set up! *gasp* by The Craven twins

(OOC - I worked this through with Clurican, I'm not 'writing for another character').

BIC
Prompted by Stephen's poking of him, the twins had been all set to do some research into whether portraits were ticklish or not, when Mims had barked at them. Normally this would have only been added incentive, but he'd threatened to take the reward away from everyone, and - whilst they were happy to lose points and goof around - they didn't want everyone to hate them. Now did they want to lose the reward for themselves.

They had been astounded when Mims swung back to real what could only be described, using the highly technical and scientific terms of 'a cool swirly thing'. It only increased in coolness as it jerked them off their feet and flung them back down again. They disentangled themselves as Princess and Stephen debated what had just happened.

"Perhaps that was the reward," said Ash doubtfully, "It was pretty fun while it lasted..."

"Bit short though... And why would they catapult us outside...?"

As they pondered this, a funny short guy, who walked like he had Flubber on his shoes, bounded up to them. Sorrel and Ash looked sidelong at each other and surpressed a laugh. He looked like someone's really tasteless idea of a leprechaun.

'Today, you all will need somet'in' much more powerful than that of magic, now. Your own mind will get you where yah need ta be.'

"Bad luck, Sorrie," said Ash, elbowing her gently. She gave him a look that would sour milk.

"Bad luck on you," she retorted, as the clothes were laid out, "You have to wear tights!" she laughed gleefully. Ash didn't seem overly bothered, as he sauntered forward and grabbed up a bundle of clothes.

"You," he observed, smirking, "have to wear a dress."

Sorrel turned beet red, letting out an enraged snarl.

"No - way!" she declared, making a snatch at Ash's costume.

"Hey, there's no way I'm wearing it," he said, trying to tug the boy's garb out of her grip. "Be a good little girl now, Sorrie," he grinned wickedly. Sorrel simply huffed as she yanked as hard as she could at the costume to get it out of her brother's hands. There was a ripping sound....

Doubled over in hearty laughter, Clurican grasped his round belly with both arms looking for breath between each chuckle. He had thought this would be an amusing group, and by Merlin he had been right. The two kiddies fighting over a set of clothes was all he needed to confirm this belief. Calming down a wee bit, just enough to give him space for a few words, Clurican walked over to the children, not with the intention of breaking the two up, really.

They were bickering as he got there, hands still fiercely gripping - though no longer tugging - the costume.

"Look what you did!"

"Me?! It was you!"

"You were the one trying to pull it off me..."

"Well, if you'd have let go!"

"Yes lad, how dare she," Clurican smacked his knee in good humour as another spurt of laughter came forth. "How dare the lassie try to nick your garb, eh? And..." He was now pounding his leg with his fist as the laughter became more violent. "How dare this lad here call you a girl. Hoo! Tis a merry bunch we have today, a merry bunch, that it is." Standing to his full height of three feet again, the laughter leaving him as suddenly as it arrived, Clurican snapped his fingers. The lad and lassie were dressed in the proper garb of a Puritan male now, stockings and all.

Ash had been ready to protest that Sorrel dared very easily - who did this guy think he was, trying to pal up with him against his sister? - when a statement was issued to Sorrel which would have provoked the same reaction in her, had either had time to react, and had both statements not been cancelled out by the other. Their opportunity to say anything was further taken away when, with a simple snap of his fingers, both their wants were granted.

"Thanks," they both managed, way out of their usual synchronisation for such statements, staring down at themselves and at each other.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
0 The Craven twins It's all a set up! *gasp* 0 The Craven twins 0 5


Mia

March 24, 2005 4:46 PM

So we get to do cosplay. That's pretty cool. by Mia

Mia looked over at Stephen when he walked her way, talking. He attempted to use his wand for water which Mia would have been grateful for. It was pretty hot out there, where ever the group was. However, his wand didn't work for him. Mia sighed and went to absentmindedly stroke her cat but she felt nothing in her arms.

She quickly looked down and patted her body as if checking for keys. Like a cat might fit in your pocket or something. Mia spun around to see where her cat went but didn't see her anywhere in sight. Mia huffed and brushed her hair from her face when she realized her cat must not have been pulled through to where ever they were when Mia was. She hoped Silk was scratching up Mims' picture for not letting her through.

Just then, Mia noticed a very little man making his way over to the group. He spoke in an Irish accent and he was way too cheery. This caused Mia to raise her eyebrows. He said the students would need their minds to get where they needed to be. Mia was slightly more intrigued. She always found herself to be pretty smart so she should be able to do what ever was needed. Then again, she reminded herself that this was magic and probably wouldn't be what she expects. It never was when magic was involved.

He then told them they had to change before going anywhere else. She watched him for a moment as he looked up at the sky. Nothing was happening. Then he snapped and clothing fell from the heavens. Mia swiftly dodged a shoe or two before everything stopped.

Mia quickly cleaned her glasses to make sure she was seeing what she thought she was seeing. She was. She saw what looked like costume clothing from the puritan age that had fallen from the sky. It was like having a history lesson doing cosplay. Mia hadn't dressed up in years. She used to play dress up with her neighbor when they were little kids but that was a while ago.

Mia saw the different types of clothing for girls and boys and automatically wondered what Sorrel would do when being made to wear a dress. As if reading her mind, she saw the twins begin a tug of war over some of the boys' clothing. Mia rolled her eyes and picked up one of the dresses. She slipped it on and it seemed to fit like it had been made for her. Mia put on the rest of the girls' attire and looked down at herself. She didn't look half bad, though it just gave more incentive for 'Princess' calling.

She looked to see how everyone else was progressing and the little guy seemed to be having quite a laugh at the twins. He had settled to give them both boys' clothing. Boy, way to ruin Mia's fun. What she wouldn't give to see Sorrel in a dress. It definitely would've perked her mood. She smirked at the thought.

Mia did a double take of herself before looking back at the little guy and leaned her weight on one foot, waiting for them to get out of this heat and get to whatever the present might be. She was positive that getting to keep the clothes wasn't the gift.
\n\n
0 Mia So we get to do cosplay. That's pretty cool. 0 Mia 0 5


Elizabeth

March 25, 2005 7:33 PM

Whatever that is by Elizabeth

The second Elizabeth looked about the new surroundings all the Pecaris had been dumped into, her mind registered one thing- heat. It was insanely hot, wherever they had ended up, which seemed to be in the middle of an arid desert. That was okay, but the constant nagging thought in the back of her head wouldn't let go- what were they doing here?

Then the jovial little Irish man appeared, and clothes fell all around from the sky! Not only were they just clothes falling around, they were traditional clothes that looked like they'd come straight from a puritan colony. The women's dresses were falling near to Elizabeth, so she reached out and caught one. It was her size, and as she slipped the dress on, she became fully aware of how hot her extremely long ebony hair was.

Oh well, I'd better put it up... She thought to herself, dipping her hand into a pocket that didn't exist for her wand. Duh Liz, these don't have pockets... Just as she went back to her robes pocket, she remembered the small man's words- their wands weren't going to work. She'd have to put it up manually, and that would take a while.

Elizabeth sighed, her bright blue eyes fully adjusted to the bright lights. She pulled her hair up in a high ponytail and started wrapping the thick tresses around it to make a bun. Afterall, she had a little time, since everyone else seemed to be getting dressed too. But the man had to be telling them what they were supposed to be doing out here soon... \n\n
0 Elizabeth Whatever that is 0 Elizabeth 0 5


Leith Clurican

March 27, 2005 10:47 AM

Not just a game a dress-up by Leith Clurican

"C'mere lads an' lassies. Come 'round, we're 'bout to get started now." Clurican rocked back on his heels and wrapped his small, chubby hands around the lapel on each side of his coat. He now had approximately one minute for his introduction to the Mirage chamber. Every year he changed the speech slightly, trying to slip up the older ones that would otherwise stand about bored. And if there was one insult that he found the most insulting of them all, it was being called boring.

"Right, not'in' that you see here today is real." Clurican paused, his face appearing on the edge of mirth. "Yes, yah heard me right, lads. This desert's not real, your garb is not real, and I'm just about as not real as they come. Where we're goin' today is not real as well, though it once was, many, many years a'fore, a'fore even yah granddad's were wee babes. So, your all a bit gone in the head for seein' somet'in' not real now, aren't you?" The last few words were stinted by uproarious laughter, the over exaggerated sort that often caused a once humorous joke to pale in comparison.

Clurican was barely able to subdue the merriment as he loved to cod around for his own enjoyment, but the time had come to move on with the trip. "Right, so, as much as I hate to be holdin' yah down, there are a few rules to the mirage chamber you lot are in now. As we're all not real here, you won't need to be worried 'bout us folk hurtin' you, but if any of you go 'round messin' with us, you won't be here long. If yah need any help, all yah lads and lassies need to be doin' is call for me. I'll assist yah as best I can, don't yah know. Right, here..." Clurican removed his gold pocket watch once again and watched as the minute seconds hand slowly wrapped around. "we..." He snapped his fingers, changing his own garb into that of a Puritan, though with an unusually tall hat so to give himself the extra much needed height. "go..."

The scene seemed to dissolve around the group, first fading into complete darkness where one could see not even an inch before their own nose. As soon as the darkness reached it's pinnacle, the room lightened once again, though this time a very different scene was wrapped around them. They were in a small room, but a very crowded one, full to capacity with the town folk dressed in the same Puritan costume. Everyone's attention seem to be drawn towards the front of the room and whispered words flew about, the word "witch" being the most prevalent.

Headmaster Clurican leaned into the group of children and whispered at a barely audible level, "We're in Salem, lads an' lassies, the American witch's and wizard's home sweet home. An' there," he pointed to two girls hardly seen through the thick crowd of people, "are witches, ones like you lassies. It's not oft that they catch a true witch, don't yah know." Standing on the tips of his toes, the short Irish man attempted a better look at the court proceedings, still rambling away about the children’s task today. "You'll be saving them, yah know. Save them from the dreaded gallows. But you'll have to be dog wide today, that you will. Think yah can do that?"\n\n
0 Leith Clurican Not just a game a dress-up 0 Leith Clurican 0 5


Judge Henry Williams

March 27, 2005 4:39 PM

And so the trial begins by Judge Henry Williams

The crowd that had gathered in the courtroom was a rather large one. It seemed as though the entire town had come to bare witness to the proceedings that were to occur on the day in the town of Salem. The judge that was presiding over the trial was Henry Williams. Judge Williams was a short man, slightly over-weight with reddish-brown hair and a full beard. his dark accusing eyes swept the courtroom before coming to rest on the two young girls before him.

He kept his steel gaze upon the girls for a few moments, waiting to see if one of them would buckle from beneath his stare. His ears were trained on the crowd behind the girls, every-so-often he would hear someone from the crowd hiss accusingly at the girls, while others whispered for the girls' defense. Henry's face remained blank throughout the entire trial. Not once had he given away whether or not he truly believed what these girls were being accused of. Finally, he lifted his gavel and slammed harshly against his bench three times in hopes to silence the crowd. In his rough voice, Henry began,

"We are here today to stand trial for the accused, Miss Hermia Rutherford and Miss Emily Rutherford. The accusation...Witchcraft!" Henry paused as many of the townsfolk voiced outcries while others wept for the girls. He used his gavel once more to calm the crowd, "Silence, I shall have silence in my courtroom!" Henry exclaimed, his voice loud and booming above everyone else. His eyes returned to the girls before him as he silently judged them. His voice was cold and demanding as he asked them for their plea, "What say you?"\n\n
0 Judge Henry Williams And so the trial begins 0 Judge Henry Williams 0 5


The Accused

March 27, 2005 5:16 PM

And so history repeats itself by The Accused

The two girls cowed at the front of the court room looked singularly unremarkable. The only way their clothing differed from that of the townsfolk and the students around them was that it was ripped and the older one had lost her bonnet, as if a mob had kindly escorted the two to the court house. They clung to each other, looking terrified. One blonde and one brunette, both occupied the grey area between ‘child' and ‘young woman'. The younger of the two was, at fourteen, only a few years older than those students who would be trying to rescue her. Perhaps it was just imagination, brought about by the pressure of the situation, but the students would be forgiven for thinking that, whilst Hermia's brown eyes swept round the courtroom in general, Emily's stared straight at them, just for a second, but very deliberately.

"We din't do nuffin', swear it," said Hermia into her sister's hair. She couldn't look at the judge. He terrified her, and would have even if she hadn't known that there was a good chance he could see that she was lying in her face. "We was just quietly mindin' our own. We ain't done nuffin' what would hurt nobody." That bit she said earnestly, managing just to look up at the judge. It was true. Her magic was worse than second rate. She barely got anything right, but even if her wand work had always been perfect, she had never cast a charm to hurt anyone in her life (though, if she got out of here alive, she would now be sorely tempted). The most damage she had ever caused was when her Potion making went wrong, and - illiterate and common as muck as her mother was - Mrs. Rutherford had enough prudence not to let her eldest daughter near a cauldron any more, save to mix a stew.

If there was any member of the Rutherford household that should be being called up, it was Francis. He was a far finer wizard than either of his sisters were witches, but his gender had bought him almost unshakeable security. He stood next to the Sonora students, running his hands through his brown hair, wishing he could do something. He was a reasonable wizard, especially in comparison with his sisters, but he wasn't good enough to help them. All he could do was pray that Hermia didn't say anything stupid. He supposed that, in the Bible, greater miracles had happened....

"Let them go..." he whispered, "Williams.... God... Somebody... Let them go free..." \n\n
0 The Accused And so history repeats itself 0 The Accused 0 5


Elizabeth Lavine

March 27, 2005 6:18 PM

Maybe not... by Elizabeth Lavine

Elizabeth shivered, rubbing her arms clad in their puritan costume. The courtroom itself was extremely hot, everyone wearing thick clothing and there being no real sufficent ventilation, but she was still feeling very cold. It was a feeling Elizabeth got sometimes, when things weren't going as they were supposed to. This situation definately qualified as one where things weren't going the way they should.

Her sapphire eyes fluttered around the students near her, wondering which she should say something to. A lot of her house wasn't speaking to her, or probably didn't ever want to speak to her again. As she spotted their faces, she thought about whether or not ot say something. After all, they had to figure out a plan as to how to save the two. Mia... We're not on speaking terms anymore... Stephen... he's alright I guess, but Aunt Rose would have a fit if word ever got back to her... Sorrel and Ash... well, I guess they're my best option here. She resolved, and tried to move herself to where the two were standing, both clad in boy's clothes.

Elizabeth tugged on her bonnet, making sure the strings were tied right. After all, she wanted to appear normal to the rest of the colony people. The students needed to appear as traditional and proper as possible to earn the initial credibility to say something for the two girls. Being a young girl in the puritan colony really meant that Elizabeth didn't have any voice at all, so getting a boy would help. Men, afterall, were considered more credible, no matter what age. When Elizabeth was close enough to them, she lowered her voice so that only the two could hear.

"Hey, Sorrel, Ash, we've got to do something about those two. Have you got any plans?" she whispered, eyeing the two young women being interrogated. \n\n
0 Elizabeth Lavine Maybe not... 53 Elizabeth Lavine 0 5


Patience Treadwell

March 28, 2005 10:15 AM

nosiness is a gift by Patience Treadwell

She might have been small, and young, but Patience was anything if not curious. At four she understood what made her parents different and learned what to say, and what not to say. By five, she had come to figure out the others like them in Salem, if only by watching and listening. Curiosity paid off when it answered your questions.

Course, then she often had more questions, so the curious urges in her never died, but only found more to feed on.

Seeing the group of kids not far from her, she watched them, and it didn't take long for her to recognize the look many had in their eyes, the look of one seeing a familiar in a bad position. After seeing many of these trials lately, she had come to see that look on the faces of their kind when it was truly one of their own being accused.

Short by even a seven year old's measure, Patience quietly slipped off the bench she shared with her mother and inched her way amongst the crowd of kids. The one that drew her attention was the girl in breeches. Did she want to stand out like that? It'd be a miracle if the Reverend didn't address it!

As she weaseled her way into the kids, curious as to why the girl closest to her was dressed as a boy, and heard another girl speak, but couldn't make it out.

Stepping closer to the girl that spoke, Patience reached up and tugged on the skirt of her dress until she got her attention and whispered, "What did you say?"\n\n
0 Patience Treadwell nosiness is a gift 0 Patience Treadwell 0 5


Elizabeth

March 28, 2005 7:48 PM

Really? I'd never thought of it that way... by Elizabeth

Elizabeth nearly jumped when she felt a little -yet extremely insistant- tugging on the back of her skirt. Upon looking down to see what was causing to tug, Elizabeth noticed a very small little girl that looked only a few years younger than themselves. The first thought that came to her was shock- she hadn't realized anyone was looking at their group of students, much less listening to Elizabeth.

Taking a breath and bringing forth her most nonchalant expression, Elizabeth turned around and bent down to the girl's level. She wasn't sure whether or not to just dismiss the girl's question, or make up some false answer to her question. Remembering her former self, Elizabeth noted that had she been the little girl, just a simple answer to a question would only spark further questions. Those further questions were something she was trying to avoid being asked.

Whispering again, Elizabeth decided to try the simple answer: "Nothing really, I was just asking, since we just got here, what these two did." she stood back up fully and looked back at the terrified girls up at the front.

I hope that Ash and Sorrel heard me... but they shouldn't say anything while this little girl is here... later, maybe, but saying something to me about getting the two witches out now could seriously hurt our efforts. After all, if this girl is anything like I was when I was that age, any info leaking out would be known in seconds. Elizabeth thought, trying to be extremely interested in what the judge was doing at the moment. \n\n
0 Elizabeth Really? I'd never thought of it that way... 0 Elizabeth 0 5


Patience

March 28, 2005 9:59 PM

course not, only I did by Patience

Hearing the girl's reply, Patience, naturally, wasn't satisfied. After all, she knew the answer.

Tugging again, and more insistent this time as she hated to be brushed off, as older people tended to do, she whispered back, "Well, I can tell you that." With a grin on her face, she nodded to the Rutherford sisters.

"Somehow, they weren't careful enough. They got caught," she added, as if that was answer enough in and of itself, but for the budding gossipmonger she was, Patience wasn't slowing down yet. Nodding towards the boy across the room staring at the accused withces, who looked to be whispering to himself, she continued, "That's their brother, but he's not been accused. Probably won't be. They," she nodded to the side of the room holding the majority of the muggle as she once heard her mother call them, "don't understand and think it's mostly girls."

Then as another thought occured to her as qucikly as the ramblings of her answer, Patience asked, "How is it you just got here? It's a two day ride from Provincetown and no one dares take a broom past their threshold now a days." \n\n
0 Patience course not, only I did 0 Patience 0 5


The Craven Twins

March 29, 2005 6:02 PM

It's a sibling thing by The Craven Twins

OOC - I'm going with Francis being next to the students, cos that's what it says in his post, and his was first. And sorry to pretty much ignore Patience (though, by all accounts, that's a skill and a half) the twins' interest doesn't lie with her but here's about where they should come in...

BIC
The twins were finding the little Irish guy more and more disturbing by the second. Not even their clothes were real? Surely that meant that all the Pecaris were naked... Both twins snickered at the simultaneous, shared thought. They didn't feel or look naked, and neither twin could quite comprehend how, even with magic, clothes that they could not only see but feel couldn't be real. It was one of those things that the second you felt just about to get your head around it, it slipped away again.

They usually played most things fairly cool, but even the twins had to gape in wonder as they found themselves in Salem. They also found themselves sweating slightly, in spite of the drop in temperature, and fact they (supposedly) didn't have any clothes on. Was it really safe to send a group of school age witches and wizards back here? They reminded themselves that it wasn't real, which helped a lot. Though they still would have rathered their wands worked, even if that would attract rather a lot of attention to them in this time. And the best they could probably do would be shoot water at the judge, which wouldn't really put him in a very good mood with them.

They were staring down at the witches when Elizabeth squeezed up beside them. It was hard to tell from up here, because they were bound to look small, but the witches seemed rather young. The man next to them was muttering desperately, and seemed to be pro-freeing the witches, which meant they were safe to talk in front of him. They were about to ask him who he was, when a small child came up and began pestering Elizabeth incessantly.

Much as they wanted to murder the kid, she did seem a rather useful source of information. At her words, two pairs of eyes flicked around and locked back on the man next to them's face. They switched from there down to the girls in the courtroom, then back. They hadn't stopped to think why he looked so much more troubled than anyone else in the room, but now they understood. Really understood. One of the very few things to tug on the heart strings of the Cravens was pulling madly.

Ash tentatively tugged on the guy's sleeve. He would have been surprised by how real and weighty it felt, but he'd forgotten for now that this wasn't real. It all felt real, and it felt like it was really hurting someone real.

"We'll help, we swear," he said softly. He slipped his hand through Sorrel's and squeezed it. She squeezed back.

"Are you close to them?" she asked. \n\n
0 The Craven Twins It's a sibling thing 0 The Craven Twins 0 5


Judge and townfolk

March 30, 2005 2:16 PM

For and Against the Accused by Judge and townfolk

The statement from the eldest sister caused an uproar from the crowd. Henry sat on the bench, his brown eyes staring down at the girls below him. He was always seen as a hard man when it came to the townsfolk, but he was a good man all the same. Whether he believed them to be witches wasn’t really for him to say. His job was to do what was right by the court.

He looked around the courtroom for a moment, allowing everyone to have their say. He remained emotionless on the outside, but some of their words stung him deeply,

“WITCHES! That they are! I want justices for what they’ve done!” One of the more proper woman of Salem cried out, pointing an accusing finger at the girls. “Consorting with the devil. Allowing their bodies to be used for his own pleasures…It’s a sin and deserving of punishment.”

“Oh quiet yourself before you have yourself an attack, Lucille.” Susan, Henry’s wife, stood and motioned at the other woman. “These girls have done nothing of the sort, and you all know it. This is unjust and despicable-”

“SUSAN! Are you telling me that you believe what these girls are telling ye? You honestly believe them not to be witches? Cursed you that they have! Under their spells is where they’ve got ye!” Lucille cried out.

“Nonsense, Lucille, they haven’t gotten me under nothing.” Susan shot back, her youthful face twisted in fury, “They are just children. Henry, think of Jacob, he is but 16, these girls are hardly any different. To believe a bunch of bratty little girls who are bored with their lives over others who have done nothing to nobody, I don’t see the justice in that!” Susan pleaded. Henry loved his family dearly, but he could do nothing but continue with the trial. Picking up the gavel while the argument between the townsfolk continued, he slammed it back down a few times until they were quiet.

His eyes once again, took in the crowd around him. They paused briefly on a group of children in the back. His lips twitched slightly, but one couldn’t be sure of whether it was for a smile or in irritation. His eyes returned to the girls, “You have been accused of Witchcraft and your plea is Not Guilty. Let’s be on with it then.” Henry lifted his gaze back to the court, resting them on the prosecution. His voice was cold and held nothing more than authority, “Begin.”\n\n
0 Judge and townfolk For and Against the Accused 0 Judge and townfolk 0 5


Mia

March 30, 2005 5:28 PM

Which ever one means they go free by Mia

Mia had to raise an eyebrow when the little guy said nothing around the kids was real. Not even their clothing. When the students were taken to a little courtroom apparently in Salem, she had to wonder if the guy was telling the truth or was just saying that so they wouldn't be as worried about their task. Somehow, the kids had to save two girls from the gallows. That gave Mia the chills.

Mia ignored the happenings of the students for the time being and her attention was taken by the judge and the two girls who seemed scared out of their minds. When she understood what exactly was going on, Mia silently gasped and clenched her hands together as if to pray. She knew she'd be scared too if that was her up on the stage next to the judge. He didn't seem very friendly at all and it all seemed too real.

One of the girls began their plea of innocence. Mia heard a man mumble to himself for the girls' freedom. She tore her eyes away to see which person was on their side. A man who was standing a little ways away seemed really upset by all of this. Mia saw the twins near him and they seemed pretty touched by the happenings as well. She also saw Elizabeth and a little girl who seemed to demand her attention. She didn't catch the whole of their conversation but did catch that the man next to the twins was the girls' brother. If he was as worried as he seemed then their family must be close. Mia was slightly jealous yet glad that there were people who could have that as much as she wanted it.

When the pleading girl finished, the crowd went into an uproar. One woman was being particularly dramatic about it. Mia glared in the direction of the voice saying how the girls were consorting with the devil.

'Oh please.' Mia thought to herself with a disgusted roll of her hazel eyes.

She was quite happy when another woman, Susan she believed the first woman (Lucille) had called her, spoke in the girls' defence. At least some people here had some sense. That made a small smile appear on Mia's face. The happiness was short lived when the judge continued. She saw him look to someone else and told whomever it was to begin. She couldn't quite see past all of the taller people in the room but through some of the gaps between people, Mia had a good view of the scared girls. The judge didn't even seem to care that the lives of two girls were in his hands.

Mia's heart was racing and time was ticking just as fast. So much for this not being real. If it wasn't real than why in the world did it seem so real? Mia was scared for the girls and she wanted to just jump up and say something, anything to help them. She was never too great with words though. Luck was usually in the picture when she said something witty and clever to get someone out of trouble.

Mia's mind was drawing a blank as to what to do for the girls. Acting on impulse as she might've normally done would no doubt get her into as much trouble as the two girls on stage. She looked to the other kids from Sonora and sidled a bit closer trying not to draw much attention to herself. She prayed that someone had some sort of plan by now because Mia would freely admit that she was no good under pressure.

"So much for not being real." Mia muttered to herself and shook her head. She stood close to the students. She didn't speak since for now, she had nothing to contribute save for her worries and she didn't think those needed to be repeated. The others probably shared the same worries she did at the moment. She did listen out to hear any plan that might be formulated. She did not and would not miss an opportunity to help where ever she could.\n\n
0 Mia Which ever one means they go free 0 Mia 0 5