Professor McFarlan

June 03, 2007 3:55 PM
OOC: Post under either part of class or both, which ever you like.

BIC: The assignments finished and turned in, Kathleen got up and stretched. Walking to her tent to deposit them, she looked up at the night shy as an admirer not a scientist. One couldn’t see star vistas such as this so close to civilization. It was breath taking. A muggle passenger jet flew overhead, its lights blinking. Kathleen wondered how many people on board chose to forego sleep in order to take in the magnificent view.

The parchments and charts neatly tucked away, she took up her guitar case and walked to the fire ring. Pointing her wand at the base of the wood, she muttered Incendio. Within moments a cheerful, warming blaze danced into the sky. Charmed to appear when the fire was lit, two of the picnic tables were covered with food.

One table held platters of hot dogs and veggie dogs. Next to them were the sticks to roast them on. There were also buns, condiments, veggie and fruit trays, chips and eating utensils. The second table was likewise weighed down with more roasting sticks, marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers. Nest to these was a cauldron of hot cocoa and several bottles of water and assorted flavors of soda pop.

Letting the students know they could help themselves, she winked at Professor Powell. “Perhaps I should have invited Professor Williams along to teach the Muggle are of S’more making.”

Taking her guitar out of its case, she sat in one of the camp chairs and checked the tuning then strummed a couple of chords. She glance up at the Defense against the Dark Arts professor with mischief in her eyes. “Well, Professor O’Leary, should we invite the Little People to join us in a merry dance?”
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Subthreads:
0 Professor McFarlan 4th & 5th yrs Class: Part Deux 1467 Professor McFarlan 1 5


Bella Santoro

June 03, 2007 9:46 PM
Bella waited rather impatiently for everyone else to finish with their assignments. The entire time she had sat on the chair with her eyes closed listening to the sounds of small conversation drift over her and wishing she could practice her guitar before she died of boredom.

The idea of interrogating Chris and Lexi came back over her and she squinted an eye open to see where those two were. Chris would probably be the easier of the two to talk to considering that they were friends now. After that odd afternoon where he had told her everything about his breakup (much to Bella's dismay), they two of them hung out more. Probably more so than Ben hung out with him.

Weird how that worked.

Of course, both boys were rather on the quiet side, so maybe that had something to do with it. Bella really needed to find some girl friends.

Lexi was a possibility, but... she would probably have to limit her conversations with the girl as Bella assumed Lexi wouldn't want any details into Ben's and her's relationship. Anne was out of the question cos that girl clearly wanted little to do with anyone else outside of her box. Dalila...maybe, unless her and Lexi were close and that could be just as awkward. None of the Crotalus girls cos they were all crazy.

So, basically, Bella was going to be friends with only the boys.

Professor McFarlan suddenly had the campfire going, startling Bella from her thoughts. She glanced around realizing that everyone had finished their assignments and that it was now time for play.

Spotting food on the tables, Bella stood and made her way over to see what there was to eat. The usual stuff like hotdogs (nasty), so Bella avoided those. However, on the other table were marshmellows, graham crackers, and chocolate. Such an odd combination. Bella could sort of understand why the marshmellows and chocolate were there, but for the life of her, she couldn't figure out where the crackers fit into the equation.

Tentatively, Bella picked up a marshmellow and a piece of chocolate and nibbled on the two of them while staring at the crackers with a look of perplexion. She siddled over to the person closest to her, "Hey, what're the crackers for?"
0 Bella Santoro Marshmellows and Chocolate and Crackers, OH MY! 0 Bella Santoro 0 5


Chris and Nicoletta Dupree

June 05, 2007 9:09 PM
S'mores equaled love, as Nicoletta took a bite of the ooey-gooey mess. She was glad that someone had told her about this. Who would have ever thought a muggle invention would taste this delicious? A bit of chocolate dripped out of the corner of her mouth. She stuck out her tongue to wipe it away, then looked guiltily around to see if anyone had noticed the unladylike behavior.

A couple bites later and it was gone. She could eat another one, right? A third one wouldn't be too piggy, would it? She convinced herself that since she had been forced to come on this field trip and camp in a tent, it would be excusable to indulge some. Getting up, she got the necessary materials to make another one.

Sitting next to the fire once more, she roasted the marshmallow. She had just finished constructed the treat when someone surprised her by ruffling her hair and cause her to drop it in the dirt.

A mock look of anger, blue eyes meeting blue eyes, she said, "You're going to pay for that."

A grin returned, Chris answered, "Who are you kidding? You haven't been able to take me since we were five."

"You owe me my s'more," she replied lightly with a smirk. Then, prodded, "So, the rumor mill has been making the rounds and from what it says, you and Lexi Stafford have been getting pretty close. Anything you want to share?"

Nicoletta raised a questioning eyebrow at him. She just hoped that he wasn't planning on getting to involved. Their parents had already made a match for him and as a result, he had already hurt one girl, but then she supposed she wasn't much better. At least, she and Adam knew it wasn't going to go anywhere.

Chris gave a sigh. He knew the inevitable had been coming. His sister had never managed to stay out of his business. Why would now be any different?

"I'm tutoring her. In this class, actually," he told her. Not that I wouldn't mind some other extracurricular activities with her.

She nodded. Then, giving him a meaningful look, she warned, "Just be careful."

Chris didn't answer, as an uncomfortable silence followed. He knew exactly what she was talking about and he didn't want to think about it. It brought up memories he didn't want, memories involving Kaylie and that look on her face.

Instead, he concentrated them elsewhere. Lexi. He wondered where she was. Had she finished her assignment? If she did, maybe they could go on a walk together. He found himself wanting to hang out with her aside from tutoring. Maybe he should go look for her.

"Hey, I'll see you later," he said to his twin, about to get up.

Before she could answer, they heard footsteps behind them. Both turned in the direction to see who it was.
0 Chris and Nicoletta Dupree A rarity to see us together 0 Chris and Nicoletta Dupree 0 5


Lexi Stafford

June 06, 2007 1:14 AM
Lexi Stafford hadn’t been expecting miracles with her astronomy work. It would have been completely foolish to imagine that, after essentially a week, she was suddenly going to become an expert on the subject. Even so, though, and to her great surprise, the assignment had proven almost ridiculously easy (alright, so she’d used the book more than she probably should have, and hadn’t quite located all the stars that she’d charted, but that was a minor detail).

Feeling immensely pleased with herself, she turned in her papers and made her way toward the bonfire that had appeared while she was working. She’d been on loads of campouts before, in her younger days before Sonora with muggle friends, so nothing was as new and exciting as it probably was for some of her companions, though she did find a great deal of amusement in some of the reactions to s’mores. Still, that didn’t manage to keep her occupied for long, and, with the absence of anything better to do after she’d made one for herself, she glanced around trying to find someone she was on relatively good terms with.

There was Dalila, of course, but Lexi had noticed her going off with Jake earlier, which could never lead to good. Horrible friend of her, she knew, but Lexi hadn’t recovered from the last time Dalila had been upset about Jake enough to willingly go into another one (and, of course, she still felt guilty. It was going to have to fade one of these days, though, so she remained hopeful).Then there was Bella, whom Lexi didn’t know all that well, but whom she figured she should probably get to know, if she and Ben were planning to be an item for any extended period of time. However, that might end up being more awkward than Lexi could handle, so it would have to wait for another day.

There was always Ben, of course, but he was another she wasn’t in the mood for. Yes, they were twins, and she really did love him, but there were reasons they didn’t talk very much, at least at school, the least of which was their very different opinions on most things. Lexi had no delusions that the minute she opened her mouth, he’d pick up on some sort of ‘I’m more than slightly attracted to your roommate, whom I’ve been off flirting with after hours’ vibe, despite her best intentions. Then, being the hypocrite he was about such things involving his baby sister, things would get ugly. So, obviously, he was out as well.

So, all things considered, said roommate of her brother’s was the only person she really felt comfortable spending time with at the moment, and he probably would still have been the best choice anyway. Scanning the crowd gathered around the bonfire, she spotted him and his own twin sitting together. That made things slightly more complicated, as Lexi had never talked to Nicoletta (she made it a habit to avoid the Crotalus girls in her year as much as possible), but she was Chris’s sister, after all. She couldn’t be all that bad.

Still, it was slightly discomfiting, having both of them turn and look at her at once. “Hey, Chris, Nicoletta,” she said, smiling, if a touch nervously. She would never admit it, but the above-mentioned Crotali still scared her a little, even if they hadn’t done anything that she’d heard about in a long while. “Do you mind if I join you two? Oh, and Chris, for the record, you’re completely amazing,” she added as an afterthought.
0 Lexi Stafford More power to you, then 0 Lexi Stafford 0 5


Dalila Bastet

June 06, 2007 3:29 AM
After her conversation with Jake and her decision to get her mind off of him, Dalila was going to go up to the first boy she saw and ask him out. But what if he already had a girlfriend. Last year, Dalila wouldn't have cared. She would just be Dalila and laugh it off; but the situation with Jake had changed her a little bit. Made her a bit more cautious in her dealings with the opposite sex. So, instead of asking out every boy in fourth and fifth year, she veered towards the roaring fire that had just appeared. No, wait. There's food now. Food is better.

Dalila walked up to the tables of food and stood between them. Hot dog or S'more? Dalila was fifteen. She could make good decisions. She was an adult for the most-part. But she filled her palte with s'mores anyways and was halfway through devouring one at the table when someone walked up to her and asked what the graham crackers were used for.

Dalila half gasped and half laughed, alomst choking on her s'more. Who wouldn't know the ingredients to a s'more? The gasp was for who it was. Isabella Santoro:Jake's sister. The last thing Dalila wanted was to be reminded of Jake. She'd have to get used to reminders: she was on the Quidditch team with him. Deal. Dalila swallowed her mouthful of s'more.

"Hey, Bella, right? You really ,don't know about s'more? You purebloods are so deprived sometimes." Dalila grinned, trying to seem her normal self and hoping to Merlin that it was working.

"It's just basically like a sandwich with the graham cracker as the breas and the marshmallow and chocolate as the inside stuff. It's really good. Trust me."

Dalila finished the rest of her s'more to show how delicious it was and then tried to make conversation.

"Sooo...what's up?"
0 Dalila Bastet Better than lion,s tigers and bears by a long shot 60 Dalila Bastet 0 5


Bella

June 07, 2007 11:00 PM
Bella blinked at the reaction her question received. Apparently Bella was completely out of the loop as to why graham crackers would go so lovingly with marshmellows and chocolate. Of course, it could just be how the girl reacted to anything from what Bella knew of Dalila. Which was very little aside from what Jake had told her. And from what she knew from classes.

She nodded when Dalila asked of her name and then looked quite huffed at the Pureblood comment. Bella knowing nothing of s'mores wasn't because she was a Pureblood, it was because they never went camping. They never had the time. "I'll have you know, we know lots of muggle dishes." Bella said, though her words may have sounded like words of anger, there was humor in her eyes. "My family just doesn't go camping. Probably because Sofia and Paco are so uptight about their routines that the idea of being without a hot shower would kill them."

Bella looked doubtfully down at the graham crackers and Dalila described their purpose. She knew chocolate and graham crackers went together and chocolate and marshmellows went together, she just wasn't sure if marshmellows went with the crackers. But, Bella wasn't one to back down to something new, so she gathered up all the ingredients and set out to making her own s'more.

Her dark eyes glanced to the girl beside her as Dalila spoke up once more. What was up? Good question. "Not much. I was hoping this trip would be something fun, but if we're going to have to sing campfire songs and hold hands, I'll be going to bed early." Bella joked.
0 Bella Yes they are indeed 0 Bella 0 5


Connor Pierce

June 07, 2007 11:08 PM
If bibliophilia was a major determining factor in selecting them, Connor thought he might have qualified for a transfer to Aladren by the time he finished his assignment. The work had given him a whole new appreciation for his textbook and the Lumos charm, because his telescope wasn't in the same league when it came to the amount of assistance they'd offered him. He rationalized it as only being cheating when the teacher specifically said that they couldn't supplement the intended materials with outside sources. Nothing of the sort had been stated in McFarlan's speech.

Handing in his assignment with the other middle-speeders, he spent the little time left until the rest of the class finished playing a game where he tried to pinpoint the moment where each star became visible. It didn’t work out too well; there were too many of them, and watching it get dark enough for each one to appear was kind of like watching the hour hand of a watch. There was just enough change to make him think he saw something happening, but not enough to be sure until the moment was past and the thing he had been trying to see happen had already happened. The bonfire was lit just as he was about to get properly frustrated with the sky.

The light and the items it revealed banished any thoughts of watching stars and hour hands and similar pointless, time-killing drivel. For a fifteen-year-old boy who hadn’t eaten since lunch, they all took a back seat to food. Joining the line, he got s’more materials, a hot dog, and an orange drink before finding a seat by the fire.

Connor thought his family was pretty normal, as far as any family could really be called normal, but there were a few stereotypically normal-family things they had never done. One of those was taking a camping trip together. He suspected a lot of that went back to his sisters – Kris had been born a Barbie-wannabe, and Bev needed to stay where 911 could easily find her, just in case – and time constraints, but regardless of the reasons, it had never happened and he wasn’t entirely sure what people were supposed to do. So far, everything looked a lot like television depictions of camping: fire, guitar, less-than-healthy food, tents, the works – so that was somewhat reassuring. There were some things Muggles and wizards did the same ways.

His eyes drifted, of their own accord, to look for Gwen, but a scan of the area didn’t reveal her. He was pretty sure she’d never been camping, either, and if there was a person capable of predicting how she’d take it, it wasn’t Connor Pierce. She wasn’t as prissy as the other Crotalus girls – well, not on most days, anyway – but she wasn’t exactly the outdoorsy type, either, and she’d been acting sort of weird since midterm ended. Weird for her, anyway, though he doubted the way she’d been carrying on was exactly normal for anyone. Normal was one of those acts he doubted she’d ever really pull off, but she’d been getting a little closer to it, lately, or so he thought. She’d been looking better…more put-together. Pretty. Not that she wasn’t always pretty. A lot of things about Gwen Carey were unreliable, but that wasn’t –

A train of thought he wanted to board. There probably wasn’t a guy at Sonora over the age of twelve who hadn’t noticed what she looked like, and she was all right as a friend on most days, but he sure as heck didn’t want to play the Jay to her Daisy. It wasn’t a safe or rewarding career option, and while he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do or even what he could do after Sonora, Connor did know that he didn’t want to be murdered. If half the stuff he’d heard or put together about Gwen’s nut-job father and generally nut-job family was true, an early death was about all anyone who tried to see her could expect to get. Besides, there were lots of other pretty girls without all the baggage Gwen had. He didn’t know any of them, but they had to be around.

To distract himself from the increasingly bizarre paths his mind was trying to wander down, he turned to the nearest person. Conversation wasn’t one of his strong points – he still mumbled a bit, if not as badly as he once had, and he had been infamous for drawing blanks when it came to sustaining a talk for years before he’d come to Sonora – but awkward chit-chat beat thinking about Gwen the way he hadn’t technically let himself think about her by a long shot. The novelty of their surroundings made as good of a topic as anything. “Great view, huh?” he asked, nodding towards the sky.
0 Connor Pierce This is...different. 68 Connor Pierce 0 5


Dalila

June 08, 2007 3:39 PM
Dalila winced at Bella's reaction. She just assumed that Bella didn't know about s'mores because she was a pureblood. But never going camping made sense too. Come to think of it, Dalila didn't find out about the wonder of s'mores until she went camping with one of her friends one summer.

"Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to..." And then she trailed off. Luckily, Bella didn't seem that mad, or mad at all, really, and Dalila watched her try to make her own s'more. And when she aswered Dalila's question,Dalila did two things: she laughed at the idea of holding hands and singing songs, and she thanked Merlin that Bella hadn't brought up Jake. If things continued this way, this could be a good event after all.

"I wouldn't mind a few songs, but the holding hands thing just goes too far. Plus, anything outside of school has got to be better than anything inside of school. Even if we did have to go bed early: have you seen those tents? They're amazing!"
0 Dalila Stupid enter key! 0 Dalila 0 5


Chris and Nicoletta

June 08, 2007 10:59 PM
Nicoletta smiled at the Teppenpaw. She had nothing against Lexi. She didn't know much about the other girl except for the important facts that she was a halfblood and her family had status.

When Lexi mentioned how Chris was completely amazing, she raised a mocking eyebrow at him. He gave her a glare in return, but a friendly grin to Lexi. He liked how her skin seemed to glow in the moonlight.

"So, Chris," Nicoletta began. "Why are you so amazing?"

He blushed slightly. He pretended to wipe his face with the sleeve of his hoodie to hide it, before answering, "Tutoring."

"Oh, tutoring," she joked, looking at both knowingly. Chris had said that he was before Lexi had showed up, but she wasn't sure whether or not to believe him. Afterall, she wouldn't tell him about the 'tutoring' that she was doing with Adam.

Chris got up quickly, already turning a bright red, a slight glare at Nicoletta, and then, turning to Lexi, "Do you want to go for a walk?"
0 Chris and Nicoletta Re: More power to you, then 0 Chris and Nicoletta 0 5


Lexi

June 09, 2007 1:06 AM
Lexi had never watched other twins interact before, not as closely as this, so she’d never gotten a chance to compare her and her brother’s behavior to a norm. Apparently, though, they weren’t that strange (well, besides the fact of how little they actually talked to each other), if Nicoletta and Chris were anything to go by.

She hadn’t expected to like Nicoletta so much, or at least the image she gave. She’d expected her to be a bit stuffier, or more reserved. The sense of humor that reminded Lexi’s of her own toward her older brother had not been predicted. The insinuations about what how she and Chris were involved hadn’t been, either, but Lexi had realized it was only a matter of time before someone said something. If Chris hadn’t looked so uncomfortable (she didn’t know who he thought he was fooling), Lexi probably would have enjoyed talking to his sister some more. However, things being as they were, she merely gave the other girl a completely innocent look in response to the skepticism, then turned to Chris. “A walk sounds great.”

She managed to resist the urge to laugh or tease him as well for several minutes, which was rather impressive for her. Once they got a reasonable distance away from the campfire, though, she couldn’t hold it in any longer. “So,” she asked, stopping and grinning up at him, “Does your sister think you’re doing illicit things with all the girls you talk to, or am I special? Oh, and you might want to learn how not to blush. It only makes you look guilty, and we both know how much fun the grapevine would have with that particular rumor. ‘Twould be a pity if Ben decided that’d you’d corrupted me, and reacted accordingly, when we’re done absolutely nothing.”

She turned back for a second toward the group they’d just left, only now realizing how sketchy the situation they’d found themselves in was. Yes, it wasn’t their first time to be alone together at night, but somehow things weren’t quite the same when they actually had things they were working on. The pitch couldn’t pull off the same romance that the desert could (yes, she knew the sort of things that happened on the pitch, or, more specifically, in the stands, but that was beside the point). And while she’d never have considered herself a romantic girl, it appeared the surroundings were getting to her. The surroundings and the very cute boy who’d blushed rather adorably when his sister had teased him. And the moon. She definitely blamed the moon. Somehow, it had driven her mad.

“You know, the gossip’s not going to change no matter what…I mean, people are going to assume the worst, so it won’t matter if we….oh, screw it,” she said finally, deciding that she was never going to manage to articulate what she was trying to say (particularly as she wasn’t even sure what that was), and just kissed him.

It was only a second or two, though it felt like much longer, before she came back to her senses and pulled away, eyes wide and cheeks burning. “Oh, Merlin, Chris, I’m sorry,” she said quickly, not looking at him. “I’m not sure what the hell came over me. I just…please, forget I ever did anything.” Although it wasn’t all that bad a kiss, a treacherous voice in her mind said before her sensible side could shush it, face going even redder.
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0 Lexi Though it's more trouble for the rest of us 0 Lexi 0 5


Chris

June 09, 2007 1:38 AM
After saying goodbye to Nicoletta, he and Lexi headed off for their walk. He was secretly thrilled that she had said yes. He knew that she probably thought they were just friends, walking along, hanging out, but he liked to think that it could be more, that there was a chance it was more.

She was undoubtedly attractive, but more than that, he loved the little things she did, the things that made her stand out. The way she spoke her mind and the little jokes she made, such as now. Talking about how his behavior, how it made him look guilty. If she only knew how guilty he was. What he really thought about when he saw her. He turned his head away slightly. His face was getting red again, an annoying trait, really. Men were supposed to be confident, not blushing school girls.

Turning back to her, his attention was drawn to the killer. The thing that really brought on such illicit thoughts. The biting of her lower lip was enough to drive him, or any other fifteen year old male, simply crazy. It made him wonder what they tasted like. Would it be like raspberries or maybe cherries? He knew it just had to be some sort of sweet fruit.

What was she saying? Something about gossip? And then, oh, she was kissing him! It was like she had read his mind, his thoughts, his wants. At first, he was surprised and had tensed, but then, relaxed, his lips responded naturally. All to soon she had pulled away and was apologizing. He didn't want to hear apologies.

"Don't aplogize." Taking action, he took her face in his warm hands and tilted her head slightly and captured her mouth with his this time. It was raspberries.
0 Chris I'm sure the rest of you will manage :P 0 Chris 0 5


Professor O'Leary

June 09, 2007 4:40 AM
Drake had been performing the rounds, making sure students were doing their work and not misbehaving. Now that the assignments were turned in, he had returned to where Professors McFarlan and Powell were. He didn't know Powell very well, but he had gotten the chance to know Kathleen a little better when she had visited his office. He liked that she had a bit of fire to her. Otherwise, he would be more paranoid about this trip. He had no doubt that she would fight to the death to protect the students. A trait that he most admired.

But that wasn't the only reason for paranoia. There was also the potential for mischief. Fourteen and fifteen year olds and being outdoors under the stars just did not mix favorably. He thanked Merlin that his daughter was not of age yet. Unfortunately, she was a teenager now, which meant she would be more interested in boys. A fact that he rued.

He gazed around suspiciously with green eyes, ready to pounce on the misbehaving teens when Kathleen caught him off guard. He turned to look at her. If ever there was a time for Drake to look like a deer caught in headlights, now was it. To join her would mean destruction of his reputation, for better or worse, but to turn her down would be rude. Not that he minded doing so, generally, but he had rather enjoyed her company, which just changed everything.

He settled for a questioning eyebrow raise. If it was important to her for him to join, then she would try to further persuade him and then, he would resign himself to doing so. Otherwise, he would just continue to patrol. He wasn't sure, which one was worse. Joining or knowing that he wasn't that important. A thought that irked him slightly for he generally didn't care what others thought.
0 Professor O'Leary A merry dance? 0 Professor O'Leary 0 5


Bella

June 09, 2007 6:00 PM
Bella had to keep an eye on some of the others around her to figure out what exactly she was supposed to do with all her ingredients. Okay, step one: light marshmellow on fire. Step two: blow out marshmellow. Step three: messily combined the burnt marshmellow with the chocolate inbetween the two crackers. Seemed simple enough and Bella did it all within a matter of moments. Really, catching a marshmeollow on fire wasn't all that difficult and that was the part that took the longest.

She took a timid bite out of the s'more and chewed it for a moment. She looked rather thoughtful as she munched. It actually tasted rather well. Sweet. A little too sweet and something she wouldn't be able to eat all that often, but a nice snack on special occasions. She'd have to make one for Ben if he decided to hang out with her tonight. The way things were going, Bella didn't think he was going to.

Dalila's comment about the tents made Bella pause in the middle of taking another bite of her s'more. Either all tents weren't created the same way, or muggles had a different view on how tents ought to be. "What do you mean?" Bella asked, clearly mystified by her remark. "Don't all tents come out like these?"

Movement across the campsite caught Bella's attention and she turned in time to see Lexi and Chris walk off together. A hint of amusement sparkled in her eyes and a playful smile dawned her lips. Oh, she was going to have fun with this. "Looks like Chris Dupree and Lexi Stafford have been doing a little bit more than just 'tutoring' if you know what I mean." Bella said quietly to Dalila.
0 Bella ... 0 Bella 0 5


Adam Whitney

June 09, 2007 7:22 PM
Adam had had many owls with his parents about this field trip. They had been completely against it. His mother even threatened to write to the Headmaster just to be sure that Adam couldn't go at all.

But, after many many owls of arguments, Adam finally convinced them that this camping trip won't be the death of him. He'd dress appropriately, stay by the fire, won't exert himself, and would keep his potions at his side incase he had an attack. He was 15 now, his parents needed to trust that he could make the right decisions.

Besides, he wasn't going to miss out on a trip like this just because his heart liked to be wonky from time to time, or his lungs liked to get infections whenever they felt like it, or that his immune system really liked to mess him up for entertainment. But it had been four years since his diagnosis, he had learned to deal with it long ago.

He just wished his parents could too.

Since having arrived at the site, Adam had kept to himself. First by picking a tent, then by doing all of his work. Adam wasn't very good at Astronomy. In fact, it was probably his worst subject. But, he did the work to the best of his abilities and tossed it off to the Professor the moment he had completed it.

Now that things were getting interesting, Adam went looking for something fun to do. Or, someone to entertain him. His blue eyes landed on the curly brunette that Adam had been secretly seeing. Or whatever it was that they were doing. He stood off and away watching her talk with her brother. It was odd seeing them talking. Once Chris wandered off with Lexi, Adam snuck over and sat down in the seat next to Nicoletta.

"Hello, Princess." Adam greeted her, his eyes focusing on the fire so that they didn't look as though they actually enjoyed talking to one another. "A fan of s'mores I see."
6 Adam Whitney Joining the fun 69 Adam Whitney 0 5


Nicoletta

June 09, 2007 9:35 PM
Nicoletta had teased Chris and Lexi about doing more than tutoring, and she felt her suspicions were more than confirmed as they left together. There was nothing for him to tutor her on right at this moment since the assignment was finished. A secretive smile on her lips, she began another s'more.

Mouth full of heaven, her, well, she wasn't sure what to call him since he wasn't her boyfriend, but he wasn't the definition of a lover either, she settled on her Adam sat nearby. Swallowing, her blue eyes shifted to the side, her head kept forward. They had become very good at being discreet, which was especially good considering the current politics going on within her group.

"They are rather delicious," she replied. Then, the light flirt, "I can think of other things that are just as good."

His lips came to mind. Then, the ponderment if there was anywhere that they could be alone and unseen in this desert area. It would be a shame to waste the beautiful night, pretending to hate each other.
0 Nicoletta What took you so long? *smirk* 0 Nicoletta 0 5


Adam

June 09, 2007 9:55 PM
Adam never knew how to take Nicoletta. Usually when they were alone together, she allowed just enough room for Adam to stray. They both knew that it was all only physical. Or, that's what Adam kept telling himself. Yes, he was completely attracted to Nicoletta on her looks alone, but the more he got to talking to her, the more he liked her for her personality as well.

And that was dangerous territory for him. If he ended up actually falling for her for more than just her lips, it'd be hard having to actually say it was over. He had no idea what Nicoletta thought of it all, for all he knew, she simply used him when she was bored.

At some point though, Adam knew he was going to want more than just a makeout session behind the stands or in a broom closet. He hoped to keep all that at bay for as long as possible.

"I'm positive that you could." Adam replied casually, keeping the smile from his face without faultering. He was well practiced with that now. "Maybe you'll get a chance to tell me what those are sometime."
0 Adam Can't seem too eager, now can I? 0 Adam 0 5


Nicoletta

June 09, 2007 11:11 PM
With the addition of Adam, Nicoletta had put the s'mores away. It would just not do to become a chocolate mess in front of him. Though, it would have been a good reason for keeping a smile off her face.

"Perhaps, I could tell you about it tonight," Nicoletta mused. The problem with discretion was that one missed out on all the amusing reactions by the scandalous things said.

Then, a thought struck her. Her brows furrowed together. Yes, they were very discreet, but was he with anyone else? He was very good at playing the game and she would never know. I'm not jealous. But she had someone else, someone that wasn't Adam. The opposite could be just as true, and even if it was, she wouldn't be able to say anything about it. She wondered about his thoughts on other girls.

"Chris and Lexi seem to be getting close," she remarked, seeing if there was any reaction to Lexi's name or if he would say something about her. She knew that she would try to continue naming girls to get a reaction. She wanted to know. She couldn't seem to stop herself, "My cousin is interested in Morgaine..." She didn't know if he actually was or not, but she knew the girl was in Adam's house. I'm not jealous.
0 Nicoletta I suppose not 0 Nicoletta 0 5


Adam

June 09, 2007 11:50 PM
Adam picked up a stick and poked it into the fire. He doubted that the two of them would be able to sneak off together without anyone noticing them. Besides, he was pretty sure the Professors had their eyes on all of them like hawks. Besides, keeping it a secret was Nicoletta's idea, she seemed like she was walking a tight rope with this idea.

"Maybe." Adam answered, keeping his tone light, his brows furrowed as though talking with Nicoletta was making him frustrated. They were sitting around the campfire, who knew who was listening and who was watching them closely.

"I've noticed." Adam said. "I thought he was dating that Tepp chick though?" Adam questioned, amused that Nicoletta's twin was getting as much play as she was, if not more. The mention of Morgaine caused an involuntary laugh to escape him. "Good luck to your cousin. She is as cold as steel. Got to love that attitude." Adam vaguely wondered why Nicoletta was telling all this to him, but decided that she was probably just making small talk.

Deciding to stick with this couples theory, Adam added, "I know Bella's dating Lexi's brother. Merlin knows who's with who with the fifth years."
0 Adam Discretion is our friend 0 Adam 0 5


Nicoletta

June 10, 2007 12:23 AM
Nicoletta's tongue was creating a bump in her cheek. She was rather frustrated by the secrecy at the moment, though she knew it was necessary. Sometimes, she envied Chris for doing as he wanted, even if it was only temporary. She swallowed the sigh that was built up in her throat. She just hoped the end result was worth it. Of course, it would be. She would have everything she desired. Are you sure about that? A nagging voice whispered.

Ignoring it, she brought the conversation back to Morgaine. Adam liked her attitude. "Morgaine's rather pretty," she said slowly, concentrating on making a disgusted face, as a couple people walked by. It wasn't hard to do, given that her stomach was twisted in knots, waiting for Adam's agreement or disagreement.

She knew what she really wanted to ask. She wanted to know why her. She wanted to know why he agreed to this charade they put up. She knew that she liked him, more than she should. And ironic as it sounded, it made her more aware of inappropriate behavior, how wrong it was, but she didn't want to stop either.
0 Nicoletta For better or worse 0 Nicoletta 0 5


Adam

June 10, 2007 12:44 AM
Adam grabbed a hotdog and stuck it on his stick. He had realized that he hadn't eaten anything since lunch and, despite wanting a s'more, he knew he couldn't really handle all that sweetness. He got sick off of sweets if he ate too much of them. So, he'll stick with the hot dog and soda and fill up that way.

Adam glanced at Nicoletta with a perplexed look. He had no idea where she was going with all this. Or why she seemed so stuck on Morgaine. Maybe she was worried about her cousin being hurt, who knew. As far as Adam was concerned, Morgaine didn't seem the type to get involved with anyone. But he was no expert on Morgaine.

He liked her, sure, she had been kind enough (even with the fiesty attitude) to help him sort of figure out his potion. But aside from that random conversation, Adam hadn't seen or spoken to Morgaine. Though, he was a bit surprised he didn't see more of the girl considering Connor was like, dating her sister or something.

"Yeah, I suppose she is." Adam answered truthfully. "I never really thought about it, I guess."
0 Adam In Sickness and in Health 0 Adam 0 5


Nicoletta

June 10, 2007 1:03 AM
Nicoletta mouthed a small 'oh' when he said he didn't really hadn't thought about it. If he didn't think about it, then he must not be thinking of her, which was somewhat of a relief, but it didn't leave out all the other potential girls that he could think about. She hated that she was doing this. She didn't even know why and really didn't want to be.

"Jordanna's been pretty MIA lately," she stated slowly. "I wonder if she has a beau on the side."

She glanced at him sideways. The words coupled with the look could be taken so many ways. It could be taken to questioning if he was that boy. It could also be a remark on their own relationship. For her, it was a bit of both. Being out in the middle of nowhere really gave one too much time to think and question.
0 Nicoletta A dangerous road of words 0 Nicoletta 0 5


Adam

June 10, 2007 1:18 AM
At the mention of Jordanna, Adam actually looked over at Nicoletta with a frown. What was her deal? Since when did she give a flying hoot about whom anyone else was dating. More so than that, wasn't Jordanna her best friend, wouldn't she know that already?

But the look on Nicoletta's face clearly showed that she didn't know. And, more than that, she looked as though she might be accusing him of being the other guy.

Adam had to bite back anger. What right did she have to question anything that Adam might have been doing? Nicoletta was the one who needed this to be a secret. She was the one who was in a relationship with some boy who met the grade in a way that Adam never could.

"If you're asking whether or not I might be that beau, the answer is no." Adam said, his voice low with his frustrations. "And if you wanted to know whether or not I'm seeing someone besides you, next time just come out and ask it." He stood up and brushed off the back of his jeans.

"I'm not the one who has anything to hide, remember, Princess." He wasn't even sure why he was so upset about it. He should have thought it was cute how territorial she seemed to be. But, the truth was, she was the one who had the boyfriend. She was the one who had the secret life.

She didn't have the right to ask him not to have one too.
0 Adam You started it 0 Adam 0 5


Professor McFarlan

June 10, 2007 1:23 AM
Kathleen almost laughed as Professor O’Leary answered her invitation with a sardonically raised brow. She could tell was torn between being polite to her and doing is duty. She understood his need to stay in character around the students. Actually, his reputation as a stern taskmaster could make life a bit easier for them when the teens got their fill of food and started looking for other ways to pass the time besides sleep. They would be less likely to push the limits with him around.

She was also glad to have him there…just in case the unexpected happened. Kathleen didn’t really worry about that. This old rock sticking up in the middle of nowhere only gave off good, welcoming vibrations. There wasn’t a hint of residual dark magic anywhere when she’d scouted the place earlier. Still, it was best to be safe. Besides Professor O’Leary’s presence might be a true comfort to students who might be feeling particularly vulnerable away from the relative safety of Sonora.

Remembering their meeting which almost ended before it’d begun, Kathleen got to see a glimpse into Drake O’Leary’s inner-man. She found him most pleasant company. From what she’d seen of Briony, he was an excellent father. Kathleen had never seen her without a smile or heard an unkind word pass her lips.

At least he wasn’t as paranoid as the last person she’d tried that question on. When she asked if they should invoke the Little People to an old retired Auror, he went a bit crazy, shooting defensive spells everywhere berating her the entire time not to even suggest a dangerous thing like that. Never could take a joke, that one.

She replied to the professor’s silent communication by allowing her smile to widen wickedly as she began a haunting tune and let the good professor make up his own mind as she sang in a clear soprano voice.

There is a place on the east
Mysterious ring, a magical ring of stones
The druids lived here once, they said
Forgotten is the race that no one knows

The circled tomb of a different age
Secret lines carved on ancient stones
Heroic kings laid down to rest
Forgotten is the race that no one knows

Wait for the sun on a winter's day
And a beam of light shines across the floor
Mysterious ring, a magical ring
Forgotten is the race that no one knows


OOC: In respect to copy right laws lyrics of Newgrange composer: Brennan. Published: BMG Songs Inc
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0 Professor McFarlan Step Lively 1467 Professor McFarlan 0 5


Nicoletta

June 10, 2007 1:48 AM
Adam had been pushed too far. She had pushed him too far. She bit on her lower lip. He was really angry with her. She hated the way he turned the endearment to something nasty. She knew she had no right to pry into his life nor any right to tell him what to do, especially when she was the one that was living multiple lives. She had no right to tell him not to do the same.

She glanced up at him. He was getting ready to leave and he would be leaving angry. Their relationship, or most likely former, as she most likely screwed it up, was messed up. All they did was kiss and argue. She knew where the arguing stemmed from. It was this, what she did here. The fact that she couldn't claim him for her own.

She rubbed her temple. The emotional strain was beginning to give her a headache. She stood up, too, brushed herself off, threw him a glare that was mixed with hurt and stormed off to her own tent.
0 Nicoletta So I did 0 Nicoletta 0 5


Professor Powell

June 10, 2007 12:02 PM
Professor McFarlan really had chosen a magnificent spot for her field trip. The flat expanse of land and the balmy warmth of a cloudless night were perfect ingredients for the occasion. Sadi was immensely pleased that her colleague had approached her to accompany the excursion.

While the students began their assignments, Sadi strolled calmly among them, ensuring everyone was behaving sensibly. She knew the tendency for teenagers to become a little excited by treats such as this, and wanted to ensure that no mishaps occurred as a result of their relaxed conduct.

When Kathleen lit the bonfire, Sadi returned to where her colleagues had previously settled. She took a seat and was shortly joined by Professors McFarlan and O’Leary; she smiled warmly in greeting. The calm sky, the beautiful stars and the open air had invited a sort of euphoria in Sadi, whereby she felt as though everything, just for that moment, was right with her life. It was a most peaceful feeling.

The students began to help themselves to the food, and Sadi laughed at Kathleen’s comment regarding the s’mores. Sadi and Toma had held camps not far from their house for Jera’s enjoyment in the past, and the sweet treats were amongst her daughter’s favourites. Kathleen sat down then to play the guitar, and Sadi felt as though the trip was a huge success. With any luck the students had learned something, as well as having a good time.

In need of a drink herself, Sadi pulled a flask from her overnight rucksack, and poured its hot contents into a conjured mug. “Can I persuade you to take some Chamomile tea?” she asked Professor O’Leary, offering the mug towards him. She didn’t know him well at all, and would be pleased to further their acquaintance if he was similarly inclined.
0 Professor Powell Or sit back and relax. 0 Professor Powell 0 5


Dalila

June 11, 2007 11:49 PM
After her fifth s'more, Dalila decided that enough. Maybe a hot dog later on the night. She stared at the table of hot dogs in thought, until Bella's question brought her back to the conversation.

"Well, I just meant that if you look inside them, they all have a different...theme," Dalila decided was the best word she could cmoe up with.

"The one I threw my stuff into looked a medieval castle; and I accidently went into another one and it look like a cave. The tent my mom owns looks like a run-down apartment. And it kinda smells like sweat and flowers - A weird combination."

Dalila looked a bit confused when Bella smiled. She had n't said anything funny, really. But when she followed her friend's eyes, recognition dawned. Her roommate was walking off with Chris Dupree. She vaguely recalled Lexi talking about going to be tutored in astronomy. At the time, Dalila only felt slightly insutled that Lexi hadn't asked her first, since Dalila was so good. But now, there was a very good reason for blowing Dalila off. And she giggled and whispered back to Bella.

"It certainly does look as if they're studying something more than the stars. I'm so asking Lexi about this tomorrow."
0 Dalila hmmm 0 Dalila 0 5


Earl Valentine

June 12, 2007 1:55 AM
Staring at the stars was boring. Then again, staring at star charts was even more boring. And being out of school, even if only a few miles outside, was worth any work he had to do. Still, he put off his assignment as long as possible. He found a tent, chose a bed and laid out his sleeping bag. he then wandered around the camp saying 'hi' to peopel he knew and staying away from Professor O'Leary, who look more like a vampire than ever stalking about in the dusk.

It was completely dark before Earl even began to look at the stars. And he really couldn't make heads or tales of them. Sure, the dippers were easy to find, but after that, they just looked liked stars. After a few frustrated minutes he pulled out his book and used it. He was fine if he didn't actually have to look for the shapes.

But it was still dull, and Earl spent half the time staring at the other people. Most had already finished their assignments and were milling about in small clusters, talking about Merlin knows what. But the more he looked around, the more people he noticed split off into couples and head off to remote areas not lit by firelight.

And that got Earl to thinking about something he hadn't thought about in a while: Asher. She had simply vanished off the face of the Earth one day; no note, no nothing. He had liked her, really liked her and he was probably never going to see her again. He was fifteen years old. He had never even had so much as a kiss. It was downright depressing.

He had just barely finished up the assignment(the extra credit question left blank) when the sounds of a guitar and Irish singing came from nearby the roaring fire. But the thing that dragged him away from the nice patch of desert he had sitting on for the past hour or so was the smell of hot dogs. His stomach rumbled at the scent and he immediately stood up and jogged over to the table. Earl piled a plate with three hot dogs and managed to juggle a cup of soda before sitting down by the fire and digging in. Halfway through his second dog, he heard the person next to him speak.

“Great view, huh?” Earl turned toward the voice and with his mouth full of hot dog, he answered as best he could.

"Aw, ya. Itsh nysh," Earl managed to get out. He swallowed his mouthful and continued. "Gotta love stars...Hey you're in Pecari, right? Earl Valentine." Earl held out his hand. He remembered the face from classes, but couldn't put a face to the name.


0 Earl Valentine In a good way or a bad way? 67 Earl Valentine 0 5


Connor

June 13, 2007 1:57 PM
Connor decided to take what his neighbor was saying around his dinner as agreement about the view. The other guy was definitely in his year – he’d seen him around too much for him not to be – but he was a little unsure about the name. That shouldn’t have been a problem, considering that there were only five guys in their year, but they all tended to keep to themselves. Connor thought he was talking to the only fourth-year Crotalus boy, but not sure enough to say anything. He sort of hoped he was wrong; vague as she was, Gwen did usually stay somewhere near the mark when she was describing things, and her descriptions of her Housemates were far from flattering.

“Yeah,” he said when asked about his House. Gwen wouldn’t have given him any points for being able to figure out that he was talking to someone who didn’t have a clue who he was, he didn’t think; it was kind of easy to pick up on. Maybe she was right, and Betty was the only one who’d noticed that they were friends. Anne had a reason to be interested in who Gwen knew, since Gwen was apparently the only biological relative the Aladren had that she semi-liked. Earl – he’d been right about who he was – didn’t, not really. “The quietest year in the House. Connor Pierce.”

He shook hands, then promptly hit the usual blank wall. This was why he generally only talked to Gwen; once she got going, she could talk enough for both of them and a few others. It might not make much sense, if she was in one of her less-normal-than-usual moods, but it saved him from having to think to say anything much. “You’re in Crotalus, aren't you?” he said, continuing in the vein of conversation Earl had started. This conversation was highly useful, as Gwen became even more of a taboo subject than she had been. Her Housemates didn’t like her very much.
0 Connor Good, I think. 68 Connor 0 5


Bella

June 13, 2007 8:40 PM
OOC: Did you ever get my IM? I'll email you just in case. BIC:

Bella looked Dalila over closely. She wasn't sure if Dalila was a Pureblood or not. Her original statement suggested that she was a muggleborn, but her last statement would have one assume she was at least a halfblood. Not that it mattered, Bella was terrible with 'proper' names when it came to those in America since her family really only associated with families in both Mexico, where her father was originally from, and Spain, where her mother was from. And even then, Bella hardly paid it any mind.

"Sweat and flowers?" Bella questioned before breaking out into a loud laugh. Really, she could imagine such a smell. It was like Paco and Mercedes apartment. His gear after a fun game of quidditch masked by some air freshner spell that Mercedes had discovered. It was really quite horrendous. "I can imagine how gross that must be in to camp with." Bella commented through her giggles.

At least Bella wasn't the only one to think that there was something more between Chris and Lexi. Chris was a nice guy (too nice...) who was going through a lot and though she didn't know Lexi much at all (something that she would have to rectify at some point), she was glad he could find comfort in her. Or whatever that saying was.

"Okay, you interrogate Lexi and I'll latch myself onto Chris." Bella commented. "I mean, I suppose I could just have Ben do it since they're roommates and all and Ben'd do that for me, but since it's with his sister, I'll be nice and do it myself." Bella paused before adding, "I wouldn't want Chris and Ben to be anymore awkward with one another than they already seem to be."
0 Bella Moo 0 Bella 0 5


Earl

June 14, 2007 9:50 PM
So he guessed right. Connor Pierce from Pecari. Earl silently congratulated himself on remembering who this guy was. and bit into his hot dog again.

"Yeah, Crotalus. The only guy in my year." Earl took a swig of his soda and continued. "Which has it's ups and downs, of course. Gotta love pretty girls everywhere. I just wish they weren't so -- what's the word...bitchy." Earl grinned at Connor, figuring he would what Earl was saying. It was known fact that the fourth year Crotalus girls were scary in more respects than one. Asher was the only girl in his house and year that he didn't find annoying and creepy. And maybe that girl, Laura Whatsherface, that left a few years back.

Earl finished off his hot dog, giving himself time to think of a nother topic of conversation, but he might as well just stick with the topic of girls. As far as Earl knew, it was the only thing he could think of that they both are interested in. Unless Connor was...naaa...

Earl took another gulp of soda to wash down the hot dog and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "So, who do you think's the hottest girl at Sonora?"
0 Earl Good is good 0 Earl 0 5


Professor O'Leary

June 15, 2007 8:32 PM
Drake was thankful that the subject matter hadn't been pressed. He was getting a bit antsy now that it was getting dark. His suspicious mind on alert for the students were bound to be up to something with the cover of night, but he held himself in check rather than further stalking. He knew the trip was also meant for fun and that he wasn't exactly seen as such.

He was grateful for the distraction that Professor Powell offered in the form of tea. Ironically, enough, he wasn't much of of a tea drinker, but preferred hot chocolate. However, drinking the tea would give him something to do with his idled form. Taking it with a 'thank you', he went to sit in an attempt to relax. Quite a feat for him, as he believed one should always be on their toes. He took a seat closer to Professor McFarlan, feeling more comfortable to do so after their brief time spent together.
0 Professor O'Leary Relax? What's that? 0 Professor O'Leary 0 5


Connor

June 17, 2007 1:24 AM
Connor wasn't particularly fond of hearing Gwen - and the others, though he didn't really care what the rest of the fourth-year Crotali were called - referred to as a female dog, but he had better sense than to defend her. To begin with, he couldn't do so without either defending them all or revealing that he knew Gwen at less of a distance than most, and neither of those was very practical - in either case, he looked crazy, and in the second, she went postal on him. In addition, he'd thought of Gwen in very similar terms before, so he wasn't really able to call Earl down.

It was still one thing, though, for him to think that about her and another to hear that someone else thought it, too.

He laughed shortly - never let it be said that he was a bad liar - and took a swallow of his orange drink. "They've got themselves a rep, all right. You can hear some crazy stuff, if you listen for it." Or if you ended up playing a captive audience to a disgruntled House outcast, but Connor thought he might be unique in that. Crotali kept to their own kind, or so it often seemed. He was almost sure that, for most of the non-Crotali in the school, Jordanna's set was lost in a swirl of rumors and gossip, which might or might not have a basis in truth.

There was a period of quiet, which Connor used to finish his supper. Though he figured he shouldn't have been, he was slightly taken off-guard by the way it ended. He had never fielded that question before, and he didn't much want to. Instead of his usual problem of not having anything to say, he had an answer come to mind too fast. She was still out of eyeshot, but he could see Gwen like she was there, only looking slightly better than she was likely to be doing on a graded camping trip with all her dear "friends".

Maybe it was her paranoia or whatever rubbing off on him, but saying her name didn't seem very smart. If Gwen could be trusted at all to tell the truth, Catherine Raines had some kind of sixth sense that let her find out everything about everyone in every year, and there was that news was known for traveling in relatively small groups. That left him with a very short period of time to invent an answer. He didn't want to get beaten up by anyone's boyfriend, or have his eyes clawed out by some girl who heard something wrong, or...Yeah.

There were a lot of pretty girls in the school, both older, younger, and the same age as himself. That was a well-known and accepted fact. He considered saying some really stupid, out-there name like Morgaine's, but decided he liked living and doing so with all of his limbs. Not that the dark horse of a name he ended up saying was that much better, when all things were considered. "Anne Wright's pretty hot, if she's not moving or talking and that pair that follows her around all the time are out of the picture." The stipulations were quickly added to cover Anne's impressive reputation, second only to that of the Crotalus girls in their year, according to his limited understanding of the political situation.

She was rather likely to kill him if she found out that he had said that about her, but she was still safer than Gwen or Morgaine. Apart from her pet Beater, his sister, and on some days Gwen, Anne didn't really have friends; she might have given him a run for his money for lack of connections to the grapevine when he wasn't talking to Gwen. The Carey sisters didn't really have friends, either, but Gwen lived with Catherine. She heard things. "Who do you think?"
0 Connor *had a semi-witty title, but forgot it about midnight* 68 Connor 0 5


Earl

June 18, 2007 8:28 PM
Earl finished off the rest of his meal as Connor pondered over the pretty girls in the school. Finally, he said mentioned Anne Wright. Earl nodded in agreement.

"She's not bad..especially when she's not speaking or moving." Earl laughed at all the contigencies of Anne's hotness. Some girls were only attractive when not clouded by things like friends and personalities. But when Connor asked him the same thing back, Earl had to think hard about it. His first thought was Asher, but she wasn't there anymore. So, he wracked his memory, trying to think of all the hot girls at Sonora. The only ones he could think of were on Quidditch teams or in his house. So he named a few from Quidditch.

"Well, Lizzie's okay. And Lexi. She's pretty hot. And I don't gotta mention the Hens to you. They're probably the best looking girls in the school, but I wouldn't go near them with a ten-foot wand."
0 Earl Fairy Godmother's spell end or something? 0 Earl 0 5


Professor McFarlan

June 18, 2007 10:37 PM
Kathleen finished her song and decided to relax a few moments before doing another set. They couldn’t have asked for a better night. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and while it was chilly enough to make the fire feel comfy, it wasn’t bitterly cold. The students seemed, for the most part to be having fun. Of course one couldn’t see a thing beyond the light of the fire. Kathleen decided it was time to check in with her assistant. She removed a cameo broach from her sweater and addressed it.

“Good evening to you, Maggie, any news for us tonight?”

Good Evenin’, Katie Darlin’. a friendly voice emanated from the ivory bust on the broach. No mischief is going on really. Nothing to worry your head about. There is a couple who shared their first kiss, a pillow fight in one of the tents- oh, it is a grand brawl. There is a game a great loud of exploding snaps in another tent. Two broken hearted lambs are crying their hearts out, the poor dears. Nothin’ out of bounds, Katie Darlin’. I’ll be sure to let ye know if a firm hand is needed.

“My thanks to you, Maggie, Dear,” Kathleen reattached the broach to her collar. She flushed a bit as she explained. “I took the liberty of enchanting a objects to be our eyes and ears in and around the tents. They report to Maggie and she reports to me. Can’t use her often, she’s antique, gets a bit tired if I wear her too often.”
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0 Professor McFarlan In With the Good Air and Out With the Bad Air 1467 Professor McFarlan 0 5


Connor

June 21, 2007 2:10 PM
Connor added Earl to the mental list of people who most likely didn’t like Anne. He didn’t know when he’d begun making lists like that, but figured it was just another Gwen trait that had rubbed off on him and stuck; it was probably her style, keeping up with people. He was sure that he had fewer lists than his friend, but of the few that he had, the only one less balanced than Anne’s was Gwen’s. He could see why, between her being a pureblood with snotty cousins and her having a personality like a Mack truck, but had never been able to see why they got along pretty well. The same went for Gwen, with all her mood swings and perspective shifts and whatever.

Who knew. Maybe he just had a talent for attracting people nobody else could stand. It wouldn’t be the weirdest thing he had ever heard of happening in the magical world, or in his own world, for that matter. Everyone had to be good at something.

Lizzie – probably Elizabeth Lavine. She was all right, if you liked dark girls…which, of course, he was claiming he did. Lexi was immediately recognizable; he had never been much into Quidditch, but homicidal Teppenpaws weren’t the most common of things to hear about. Connor nodded before he thought about it, amused by the picture of a ten-foot-long wand. That would be a pain in the rear to use…

Wait. Did most people know who the Hens were? This was one of the times where he had to wonder if Gwen was worth this kind of situation. The complications were all of the kinds he was naturally rather bad at dealing with, and he wasn’t naïve enough to think they could go six months without the bottom falling out in some way or another. Of course, he’d also been in the game long enough to know that, after only a little while, he’d either forgive her or just let it all kind of go away. It had always been that way.

Associating a really hot, closely-knit group referred to as Hens with the fourth-year Crotalus girls was logical. Those four had made their own reputations, and they centered on a mystical ability to make everyone else look inferior beside them. “Know what you mean,” he said. “You’d think they were made out of ice or something.”
0 Connor More like my blood caffeine level got too low. 68 Connor 0 5