Laurie Cider

January 07, 2008 7:44 PM

Laurie Cider

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Dancing for Dunces™! by Laurie Cider

Laurie's nose wrinkled in skepticism. Before her laid scattered a dozen black footprints- footprints that were supposed to guide her in her quest for dancing knowledge. At first, she had thought the find remarkably serendipitous: the tossed aside catalog was left open to a page advertising, in bold flashing letters:

Dancing for Dunces! Turn Right that Second Left Foot in Mere Hours!


The product promised fluent expertise in the waltz, the foxtrot, and a number of other dances- all in mere hours™! And so, she had written home, asking her parents not for birthday presents this year, but birthday money instead. The kit arrived the day after her birthday, and Laurie had quickly hidden it under her bed, not wanting any of her more . . .judicious roommates to discover it. She waited until Friday evening, when most everyone would be occupied with writing letters to home, Quidditch, clubs, and the like. The Gardens had seemed the obvious choice, one for their size, and two because of their namesake nature. It was providentially easy to get lost in the Gardens' many twists and turns. Nearly every visit promised a new discovery, and that night was no different.

The hollow was tucked behind a curve of hedge that deceived the undiscerning eye into believing there to be no opening at all. The hollow only stood out at night, when the iridescent mushrooms that lined it glowed a pale, violet light. Velvet-soft grass coated the ground, and Laurie wasted no time in removing her shoes and carefully unpacking the kit. As her ordered mind dictated, she withdrew the sheet of instructions first. To her dismay, however, the directions were quite brief.

"Step one," she read out loud, her feet kneading the grass beneath her. "Place footprints on the ground."

The sheet did not describe in what way or pattern she was to place them, however, she obediently followed the paper. Once she was convinced that the footprints were all right side up, she moved on to the next step.

"Step two: Remove the controller from the Dancing for Dunces™ kit." She cradled the parchment covered disc in one hand, while she scanned the instructions for its third directive. "Step three: Turn knob to desired style of dance and partner type."

A closer look at the controller revealed that there were several sections dissected into the disc, each piece cut as if they were slices of pie. They were labeled things like Waltz, Lead, and Foxtrot, Partner. She turned the knob to the second choice: Waltz, Partner. Immediately, a tune filled the air, the notes falling into a recognizable waltz. The footprints that she had so carefully placed re-organized themselves into a new fashion and began flashing, one at a time, in three patterned steps.

"Step four: Follow the footprints as they light up." Being an obedient sort of girl, Laurie pushed aside her skepticism, and watched as the footprints went through their three step cycle several times before hesitantly joining in. She stumbled along, doggedly, determined that she would no longer be a Dancing Dunce™. Even though Talen had reassured that dancing would not be a requisite, she still wanted to prove herself capable.

Her first time practicing, however, was only proving her incapable. Her left foot stubbornly wanted to end on a four count, and her right foot was in the midst of an identity crisis. After twenty minutes of damaging her poor appendages, Laurie decided to give herself a well deserved break. Imagine her surprise- and dismay- then, when she finally lifted her gaze to eye level and saw that her terrible dancing skills had been on display for an audience of one.

"Um, exactly how long have you been standing there?" she voice out loud. Inwardly, she could only groan. How embarrassing. . .
0 Laurie Cider Dancing for Dunces™! 0 Laurie Cider 1 5


Josh Warren

January 07, 2008 9:00 PM

Josh Warren

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I wish I knew how to do the cool TM thing... by Josh Warren

Josh decided he liked the Gardens. The surrounding green reminded him of the fields and trees back at Uncle Mike's and the grassy lawn of a Quidditch Pitch, which he missed more than anyone else knew. He hadn't come here for any particular reason. Just to walk. And think. Josh followed the path, running a hand through his black hair as he breathed in the outdoor air. He kind of wished Raye was here, but she was in her girl-mode. Meaning, she was back inside Sonora, flipping through magazines of clothes and jewlery for the dance. She was going with Zane, which, in his opinion, was completely cool. Normally, Josh was very protective of who got near his twin, or Irene. It was his job! He was the only guy-relative they had here... Who else was going to look out for them?

Josh rounded a corner, his mind on the dance. He still needed to ask someone... Rorrie was great, she really was, but something was holding him back. It wasn't that he thought she would say no, but some reason that he just couldn't place... Josh turned again, not paying attention to where he was going. His ears caught the hint of a melody. He looked around with his pale blue eyes, searching for the source. He followed the sound, walking along the path. He finally rounded a corner to find someone... dancing? He looked closer and his insides jumped a little. Laurie was standing in the Gardens, apparently trying to learn a type of dance. Last time he had spoken to her was in the Library, when Talen had asked her to the ball. He stood in the clearing, smiling and watching for a few moments as she placed her feet on the steps. When she turned however, Josh jumped a little too.

"Um, exactly how long have you been standing there?"

"Not too long," he said with a reassuring smile, looking at the footsteps, "Practicing?"
0 Josh Warren I wish I knew how to do the cool TM thing... 0 Josh Warren 0 5


Laurie

January 08, 2008 1:24 PM

Laurie

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Insert symbol from Word, and then Copy and Paste! by Laurie

"Badly," Laurie admitted with a groan. "I think I lack rhythm- which is odd because I've only taken piano for th past three years. Granted, I'm nothing special at it, but still!"

She held up her hands in defeat. Most of her earlier mortification had faded. Aftert all, this was just Josh- now if it had been Talen who had stumbled upon her, she would have just died. For whatever reason, she felt this need to impress him. He always across so polished and assured. It was Talen's semming shyness around her, though, that endeared him to her, and so Laurie wanted to be able to hold her own at the dance. After all, she was twelve now- essentially a teenager, which meant her little girl days were over.

"I know Talen said I didn't need to dance," she began, a hand fluttering to take in the whole of the hollow, "But it's a matter of principle you know. I mean, I don't like letter people- friends- down."

Her means was somewhat lost in her convoluted words, however, the feeling behind them were easily translatable. She was a Crotalus for a reason, after all; more so than order or reason, Laurie felt the expectations of others- even when the expectations weren't there. She picked up on the hopes and thoughts of others, and placed those burdens on her shoulders. It was how she showed her care for others; it was her version of responsibility. Of course, though, such behavior brought upon unnecessary anxiety and stress.

She knelt, still barefoot, to poke at one of the footprints. "I can't believe I wasted my birthday money on this. . ."
0 Laurie Insert symbol from Word, and then Copy and Paste! 0 Laurie 0 5


Josh

January 08, 2008 7:37 PM

Josh

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*slaps forehead* It seems so obvious now! by Josh

"Badly," Laurie admitted with a groan. "I think I lack rhythm- which is odd because I've only taken piano for the past three years. Granted, I'm nothing special at it, but still!"

Josh smiled and nodded. He hadn't really worried about the actual dancing part of the dance. He was more worried about getting a date first. Josh wasn't that bad at dancing. He had been forced to attend one of Elaina's dance lessons before and the instructor had insisted that he help some of the girls. Who were about five at the time while he was eight. Amazingly, he still remembered the basics, which he was now grateful for.

"I know Talen said I didn't need to dance," she began, "But it's a matter of principle you know. I mean, I don't like letting people- friends- down."

Josh tensed slightly at the mention of Talen. Nothing against the guy, really, at all, but every time he thought about the dance he had the feeling like he had missed an opportunity. Good for him though... He got what Laurie meant when she talked about not letting her friends down. He would probably feel like an idiot if he didn't know how to dance and his partner was embarrassed or something. That would definitely suck...

"I know what you mean," he said, "I don't like letting friends down either." Josh observed as Laurie poked at one of the footsteps, commenting on how much of a waste it was. Josh didn't think it was a waste. It could be useful, but maybe you just had to work on it more...

"It's not a waste. May-Maybe I can help?" he said. "I mean, I had to do this stupid dance thing once with my little sister when I was younger. Once. But I still remember some of the stuff, so... If you want, I can share my knowledge." Josh wished he hadn't said anything. She probably thought he was weird and spent his free-time in dance lessons...
0 Josh *slaps forehead* It seems so obvious now! 0 Josh 0 5


Laurie Cider

January 09, 2008 4:09 PM

Laurie Cider

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I'm sure there's a non-cheating way to do it. by Laurie Cider

"It's not a waste. May-Maybe I can help?" Laurie lifted her head, hazel eyes wide. "I mean, I had to do this stupid dance thing once with my little sister when I was younger. Once. But I still remember some of the stuff, so... If you want, I can share my knowledge."

Despite it being the obvious answer, she hadn't thought to ask any of her friends for help. She kept forgetting that the Warrens were Purebloods; they didn't act at all like the others she was acquainted with. Even Talen, who was nothing but nice to her, had an air about him- it was the same feeling she got from the rich snowbirds in elementary school who blew in every winter. They always arrived right after Christmas, dressed in the newest fashions, and complaining that the 'help' had been shoddy in their preparations. The snowbirds were never rude exactly, to natives like herself, but there was a lift to their noses and a certain smugness in their speech. Too many of the Pureblood at Sonora were like that. But not the Warrens, and definitely, she mentally emphasized with a smile, not Josh.

"I would owe you for life," she exclaimed, relief plain in her voice. "Well," she qualified just a moment later, "for at least a few months."

She straightened back to her feet, brushing away non-existent grass from her white skirt. She had dressed herself in what her mother always described as Sunday-wear. It was a stretch from her typical jean/corduroy plus t-shirt and/or jacket ensemble. Laurie had wanted to treat her dancing practice as a dress-rehearsal of sorts, but the still cool air necessitated the addition of a dark red sweater- a favorite due to its softness against her skin. As it was, with her bare feet and unsheltered legs, she couldn't help but shiver when a zephyr struck through the hollow.

At least, it was the wind that she blamed for her goosebumps and none of the unnamed, unknown motivations that might have existed- and she certainly not notice the strange tension that seemed to fill and swirl in the air between them when she held out her arms to their proper dancing positions.

"Okay, Teacher," she said, her voice a little amused, "share away."
0 Laurie Cider I'm sure there's a non-cheating way to do it. 0 Laurie Cider 0 5


Josh

January 09, 2008 9:56 PM

Josh

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Is there a cheating way to dance? Maybe, telepathy? by Josh

OOC: I am no good at dancing, so I'm taking the steps off of Wikipedia here xP
BIC:

"I would owe you for life. Well, for at least a few months."

Josh grinned and shook his head. "You don't owe me anything. Just save me a dance, and we're even," he said with a light smile, and, to his horror, feeling a slight blush creep into his cheeks. Laurie held out her arms in a pre-dance sort of way. Josh stepped forward, feeling a weird pressure about this. He hoped he remembered all the steps. His memory seemed to be flying out the window at the moment... Right. Breathe.

"Okay, Teacher," she said, her voice a little amused, "share away."

Josh wrinkled his nose at the word "teacher," though a smile was on his face. He wasn't sure what dance she wanted to learn, but then again, he only knew one. He reached out and took Laurie's hand, taking her other hand and placing it on his own shoulder.

"How about we never call me 'teacher' again, and I won't call you pupil," said Josh, placing his hand around her waist. He recalled the steps in his memory, making sure he had them right. It was no complex, super-cool, I'm-an-amazing-dancer thing, but it was what he had to offer. One, two, three, four, five, six... Okay.

"Okay," he began, "The basic steps is all I know, but it has six steps. Right foot back," he stepped forward with his left foot, her right. "Left foot to the side," he moved his right to the side. He continued, a pause after each instruction. "And have your feet come together. Then left forward, right foot to the side, and come together. One, two, three, four, five, six. How you doing? I didn't get it until I repeated this about ten times..."

Josh was glad he had run into Laurie. She wasn't like the girls that were all... "Tea-party," like... Her down-to-earth attitude was really captivating, in way that it made it hard not to like her. The sucky thing was, she already had a date to the ball. He had to keep reminding himself of this, as the question seemed to be popping up in his mind. It was a little bit depressing, but Josh was fine, in fact, he was great, with being friends. There was always the promise of tomorrow.
0 Josh Is there a cheating way to dance? Maybe, telepathy? 0 Josh 0 5


Laurie

January 10, 2008 7:25 PM

Laurie

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I was actually referring to the marker. by Laurie

"You don't owe me anything. Just save me a dance, and we're even."

Laurie cocked her head to the side, her eyes curious at the peculiar flush that stretched over Josh's cheeks. Perhaps she was only cold because of her bare feet; she shrugged it off, and then pointed out the obvious as she placed one hand on Josh's shoulder and another to clasp in his hand.

"Technically, we're already dancing," she stated matter-of-factly, the impish tone in her words nevertheless evident. She followed closely as Josh led her through each movement, step by step, going slowly enough that she could put it to memory. Back and to the side- together; now the other foot: back and to the side- together. Her head bobbed up and down as she both attempted to master learning the steps, watching Josh's careful movements, and not completely ignore the fact he was talking to her.

Unfortunately, her multi-tasking abilities were only at adept-levels. She caught up with her partner's words midway through. "-get it until I repeated this about ten times..."

"Oh no, don't worry- you won't have to do it that long," she immediately insisted, misunderstanding his question and letting go of his hand at the same time. She hurriedly reclaimed it, wincing as she tripped over her left foot in the effort to catch up. "It's Friday after all, I'm sure you probably had plans or homework or whatever already."

She hesitantly, and then with more purpose, raised her gaze to meet his, reminding herself that when she was with Talen, she wouldn't be able to stare at her feet. No one danced, eyes to the floor, after all. It struck her, almost absently and rather belatedly, that Josh's eyes were blue, a really pale blue. . .and not green like his sister's. In fact, Laurie realized as she regarded his features more closely, having really never been quite so near to her friend's face, that if not for having been told they were twins, she might never have guessed Josh and Renaye were siblings- let alone twins.

A stray thought struck her, and she blinked away her prior musings. "So is Renaye really going with Zane?" The question landed a bit abruptly, so she continued, trying to explain where it came from. "I was just thinking that you and Renaye really don't look at all like twins, and that your eyes are this really nice blue, and hers green- but, okay. . .so that doesn't quite explain why I asked that."

She laughed, and then her hazel eyes widened as another realization dawned on her. "Oh my gosh, I'm dancing- we're dancing!" She broke from the movements, spontaneously pulling Josh in for a quick hug, still excited from her (short-lived) achievement. She let go almost immediately and then re-took his hand. "Shoot, I messed it up. Mind trying this one more time?"
0 Laurie I was actually referring to the marker. 0 Laurie 0 5


Josh

January 11, 2008 9:59 PM

Josh

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Man... I guess we all have our days. by Josh

"Technically, we're already dancing," said Laurie. Josh let out a light laugh. "That we are..." he said. Laurie wasn't bad at picking up the steps. She looked focused and intent on making sure she was getting the dance right. It was cool that she wanted to succeed at this for the ball. Josh continued the steps, trying as hard as he could to try to look good at this dancing thing. After a quick stumble, Laurie regained her composure, trying again, but saying,

"It's Friday after all, I'm sure you probably had plans or homework or whatever already."

Josh shrugged. "Actually, not really. I just came out here to walk around. I'd rather stay out here than sit around trying to get some homework done," he said with a grin. Laurie raised her head, looking up. Josh noticed the color and shape of her eyes. He wanted to tell her how nice her eyes were, but he was sure she would think he was weird. Plus, he couldn't like her. She was going to the ball with Talen. Well, that didn't really mean he couldn't like her, but it did mean that she was already taken. But it didn't mean they were dating, did it? Josh was confused.

"So is Renaye really going with Zane?" She continued, I was just thinking that you and Renaye really don't look at all like twins, and that your eyes are this really nice blue, and hers green- but, okay. . .so that doesn't quite explain why I asked that."

Josh noted that she had mentioned his own eyes and considered the thought that maybe mentioning hers wouldn't have been as weird as he though... He laughed along with her and replied,

"Yeah, Raye's going with Zane. I think she's pretty excited about it. And I get what you mean. Raye and I are really different, looks-wise." Suddenly, Laurie's face lit up with excitement and exclaimed that they were actually dancing. Josh couldn't help but smile back at her reaction. She pulled his in for a hug and, oddly, without much though to it, Josh put his arms around her, returning the quick hug. Crap. Okay, he wasn't going to deny it anymore. He liked Laurie, even though he knew that she was going to have the time of her life with Talen at the ball. Suddenly he didn't feel so excited to attend the ball anymore.

"Shoot, I messed it up. Mind trying this one more time?"

"I've got as much time as you need," Josh said, replacing his hand around her waist. "Just relax and I think you'll find that it just comes naturally. You'll be killer at the ball, just wait."
0 Josh Man... I guess we all have our days. 0 Josh 0 5


Laurie

January 16, 2008 3:13 PM

Laurie

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Or weeks even. . .like this past one. by Laurie

"Just relax and I think you'll find that it just comes naturally. You'll be killer at the ball, just wait."

Laurie's nose wrinkled; she remembered her latest letter from home. Her mother had gushed, and she could practically hear her dad's guffaw through the words. Both had gone on and on about how quickly she was growing up, and how she was a young lady now, and more rubbish about needing to put her hair up and stuff like that. It had made her feel oddly, half a flushed embarrassment and half an awkward discomfort. They had spoken of Talen as a 'date' and used terms like proper etiquette and better keep his hands to himself. There had also been an inserted card, the envelope requesting to be delivered to Talen personally. Laurie had thrown it away, not daring to read it and definitely refusing to pass it along.
Her parents had the wrong idea; this was not a date. Talen was a friend, and the ball was really only something big for the older students. She imagined that Talen probably just wanted the opportunity to talk and maybe meet some new people- make friends and the like. She was going because, well, it looked like fun, and everyone she knew was going to it. There'd be music- her first introduction to wizarding music- and food, and dancing, and well, she just knew she'd be disappointed if she didn't go.

And now that she could dance properly, thanks to Josh, she'd also get the chance to show off a new skill, maybe surprise a few of her house mates. Being a halfblood wasn't something to be ashamed of, and so she felt no sense of inferiority compared to some of her classmates. There was, however, this feeling, almost a compulsion to make that lack of difference more obvious to those who might think it so. Perhaps showing up at a dance finely dressed and capable of performing an elegant dance without falling flat on her face was a bit too Pygmalion-esque for a shout of: So there! Nevertheless, Laurie wanted to do it, and do it well.

There was one thing, however. . .

"Josh, you're a boy, so you should know these things." She lifted her eyes, a frown of potential distress in her features. "You don't think Talen's getting the wrong idea from this, do you? Because it didn't really occur to me until I got this spastic letter from my parents that sort of insinuated that possibility. . ."

She sighed, the movement more a slight pursing of her lips than any escape of air. "I'd ask him, but then if he did mean it in a more than friends kind of way, then things might get a bit. . .well, strange, and I don't want that to happen."

The music stopped, and the footprints that littered the ground, ignored for quite a while by then, ceased to go through their patterned illuminations. Laurie pulled back slightly, and dropped her arms; one hand, by habit, fixing upon a crease in her skirt, her thin fingers alternating between grasping and releasing the soft, white cotton. "What do you think? Should I just not worry about it?"
0 Laurie Or weeks even. . .like this past one. 0 Laurie 0 5


Josh

January 22, 2008 6:59 PM

Josh

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This week was very... sleepy. by Josh

"Josh, you're a boy, so you should know these things. You don't think Talen's getting the wrong idea from this, do you? Because it didn't really occur to me until I got this spastic letter from my parents that sort of insinuated that possibility... I'd ask him, but then if he did mean it in a more than friends kind of way, then things might get a bit...well, strange, and I don't want that to happen. What do you think? Should I just not worry about it?"

Laurie pulled away as the music slowed to a stop. Josh's mind was working, not really sure what to say. His honest answer was "Yes." If it was him that had asked Laurie, and she had said yes, he would think that she had liked him in that more-than-friend way at least a little. Laurie was his friend, though, and she wanted his honest opinion. Telling her something just to make her feel better could lead to something worse in the future. He didn't know Talen very well, but just from his point of view...

"Honestly?" he said, placing a hand on the back of his neck for a moment. "I think... Okay, I don't really know Talen well or anything. I've barely talked to the guy at all. But if it were me... I would probably have the wrong idea." Josh mentally slapped himself. He just said 'If it were me.' Stupid. Now that he had said everything out loud, he regretted it. She might feel guilty about Talen now or something like that. He didn't want to lie, but if what he said made her feel bad then he hated being the person to cause it.

"Sorry, I just... I didn't want to lie cause I figured you wanted the truth on this," He said, averting his eyes towards a random hedge just over her shoulder. "When he asked you, I figured it was because he liked you... I don't think you don't have to bring it up to him. If it comes up, then you can tell him you think of him as a friend, but if you just start to talk about it, well... it might get weird."
0 Josh This week was very... sleepy. 0 Josh 0 5