Taking an interest on Library

Professor Flatt

November 30, 2008 2:39 PM

The <i>Aronos</i> Meeting by Professor Flatt

Professor Flatt chose the library for this term's inaugural Aronos meeting for one reason alone: it was not his classroom or his office. Beyond that, he had no specifications for space or location. He chose a spot near the back of the library, far enough away from the entrance that whatever noise or discussion might ensue wouldn't distract those well meaning students who had nothing better to do on their Saturday morning than to loiter about in the library.

He transfigured, after a great deal of brow-wrinkled effort, a piece of parchment and coal into a nicely sized blackboard, which he positioned atop a table. With the aid of his wand, he then situated said table in the exact middle of the space, which was cozied off by two stretches of uneven shelves, simulating a room within a room. The board had a number of items already written on it.

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He waited, his mood unusually patient, until a decent group of students had gathered before beginning his introductions. "Thank you for coming," he began, his pleasant tone sounding decidedly out of character with his usual demeanor. "Last year, several of you helped make the first issue of Aronos a success. You made the right choice in coming back.

"As you can see on the board, we have several key stories for this year's issue, the main one being on the end of the year Midsummer Showcase. We also need a piece on last year's Fair, a new staff corner item, Quidditch news, and a fluff school bit- it can be about a particular student or student interest, but something along those lines. We will of course include the requisite editorials and varied extra-curricular news items."

Flatt paused as a few additional bodies added themselves to the group. His more typical frown made an appearance and his tone lost a touch of its warmth when he continued. "Last year, there was talk of including a gossip column or advice panel to the paper, as well as including letters to the editor. Mr. Hodges was good enough to take up the Acting Editor-in-Chief position last year; we'll see if he continues this year. We'll need to discuss whether we want to shelve these or give them another attempt."

The board topics covered, Flatt fell into his office chair, the undeniably ugly piece of furniture having been requisitioned from his offices earlier that morning. "Let's begin, though, with introductions. If you wrote with us last year, place include your position. If there's a certain position or story you were interested in, please state so. You there, on the left, please begin."

OOC- For those of you familiar with the process from last term, we'll have a brief discussion period and then myself or whoever volunteers to act as Editor in Chief will start a second portion just for story claims. As the term progresses, I'll be e-mailing participants instructions on how to submit to me their pieces. Just as a reminder, you can view last term's issue of the 'Aronos' here. Let's make this year's issue even better than last term's!

Subthreads:

Taking an interest by Lucie Dupree with Amelia Smythe, Afton Stokes, Quentin Melcher, Laurie Cider

Afton Stokes- Editor in Chief - delegations here. by Professor Flatt with Afton, Amelia

0 Professor Flatt The <i>Aronos</i> Meeting 0 Professor Flatt 1 5

Lucie Dupree

November 30, 2008 7:28 PM

Taking an interest by Lucie Dupree

In her dorm room, Lucie had been practically bouncing off the walls, exciting for the meeting of the Aronos. She had wanted to join last year, but hadn’t done so for fear that she wouldn’t have enough time between school and Quidditch. However, she had ended up with more time on her hands than planned. She expected that this year would be similar, which meant that the school newspaper was a possibility. Of course, this was contingent upon actually being able to get a spot on it. She was only a third year and there might be a lot of older years there.

Even so, in her enthusiasm, she arrived a few minutes early and found a fairly comfortable seat. While she was waiting, she looked over the chalkboard that had been set up on the table. The first topic was in regards to the Midsummer Fair, which had been quite fun. There had been a lot of different booths and she felt confident in her ability to cover it if she was lucky enough to. The second topic was about the Midsummer Showcase, which she felt just as confident about her ability to cover. The third was easy enough. The fourth wasn’t fair since she would have a biased. Five wasn’t bad.

But it was number six that drew her attention. More specifically, it was the gossip column/advice panel. She had a knack for paying particular attention to those around her and she loved to talk, which sounded about right to run a gossip column. As for advice, she had her own form of odd logic that could provide others with a different prospective, which was a bit of the point to providing advice. It was seeing things in a way that the other person might not. If they already saw it that way, then they wouldn’t have needed the advice in the first place.

While she was pondering all of these things, it seemed that other people had shown up and the meeting was beginning with Flatt in the lead. Her blonde head tilted slightly, as he actually thanked them for coming in a pleasant tone and decided to take that as a positive note and all the more reason to join. He went on to mention the topics, which her opinion didn’t change the least on, and then started them off with introductions. Having been on his left, it appeared that she would be first. It was a really good thing for her that she didn’t get nervous being the sudden center of attention.

She stood up since it seemed appropriate to do and gave a small hand wave, as she began, “I’m Lucie Dupree, a third year. I wasn’t on the paper last year, because I wanted to make sure I had time to dedicate to the Aronos first. I really enjoy writing and am most interested in the gossip column/advice panel.” With this, she took her seat so the next person could go.

0 Lucie Dupree Taking an interest 114 Lucie Dupree 0 5

Amelia Smythe

December 18, 2008 11:44 AM

Renewing my interest by Amelia Smythe

In all honesty, doing the paper last year had been quite fun. Besides, Amelia was thrilled to have been the only first year involved, and attending the meetings although told not to. This year, she was not only allowed to be a part of the editing staff, but also had year's experience to recommend her. She didn't think that anyone paid a great deal of attention to her articles, but they had been enjoyable to write. This year she wanted mroe recognition; she wanted to write an article that people would really notice. The clubs coverage had been a laugh, but Amelia wanted to try aomething with a little depth to it. She was fairly sure that Flatt thought she had as much depth as the shallow end of a toddler's paddling pool, but she didn' really care what he thought, anyway.

When Flatt asked what everyone would like to do (in his usual friendly manner), Milly had to forcibly stop herself from rolling her eyes when Lucie Dupree said she wanted to make sure she had enough time to dedicate. It was a school paper for crying out loud. But then she wanted to do the gossip column, a.k.a. Airheads Anonymous. When it was her turn to talk, Amelia tried not to look too smug.

"I'm Amelia Smythe," she directed the introduction mostly at Lucie and the others who might not yet know her, "and I'd like to continue with the staff interviews I started last year. I'd like to try something new, too. Maybe the pop piece or... are we allowed to write anything about that Jenkins guy?"

0 Amelia Smythe Renewing my interest 121 Amelia Smythe 0 5

Afton Stokes

December 22, 2008 9:25 PM

Stepping up by Afton Stokes

As Afton entered the library for the Aronos meeting and took her place with the others that were interested, she thought back to her conversation with Saul. All she had wanted to do initially was expose corruption, if there was corruption to be found. Or write scathing exposes. She felt this was important. Institutional corruption couldn't go on if it was there. Plus, it was just plain entertaining.

The other thing Afton wanted to do was make sure everyone got a say, that the paper was as unbiased as possible. What better way than to lead it?

She scanned over the list of topics, frowning. They were all good and necessary things to cover but Afton was hoping for something more...interesting. Something honestly entertaining or a bit deeper. The other pieces seemed no more hard journalism than Professor Flatt's idea of a pop piece. She liked Amelia's idea about Mr. Jenkins for one thing. Another thing she would have liked to see was something on the Head Boy and Girl stuff, though she didn't want it to endorse any particular candidate, including herself. As for the Quidditch coverage, Afton knew it was probably important to a lot of the students, but she had no idea how to make it non-partial since people were all bound to be partial to their own house. Comics would have been good too, if she could find anyone who was interested in doing so. Afton liked the idea of student interviews too-if it wasn't just one particular type-any particular type-being interviewed.

As soon as Amelia was done, she stood up."I'm Afton Stokes, and I would like to be Editor In Chief. I heard from a reliable source that Mr. Hodges was avoiding the paper this term."

11 Afton Stokes Stepping up 77 Afton Stokes 0 5

Quentin Melcher

December 29, 2008 2:22 AM

Err...replying to your post. by Quentin Melcher

Along with wanting Quentin to get exemplary-or at least passing grades-the elder generations wanted him to be "a well-rounded individual" (which was an irritating phrase, because it made it sound like they wanted Quentin to be perfectly circular which was physically impossible for any human being to ever be, even if they were excedingly fat and had a circular torso since one's head and legs also needed to be taken into account) and participate in extra-curriculars, preferably more intellectual ones if they were offered. Quentin was relieved that this did not mean he had to play Quidditch since while not afraid of it in the least beyond a healthy level of self-preservation, he did not find it to be an intellectual pursuit and thus rather a waste of his time.

The newspaper, on the other hand, was entirely different. It would improve Quentin's writing skills and improve his mind. He could learn the inner workings of a newspaper and plus, asking questions just came naturally to him.

He began to talk once Afton was finished. "My name is Quentin Melcher and I would like to do interviews if possible." He knew Amelia had already said she wanted to do them but perhaps they could have two interviewers. One could do staff and one could do students or something.

What Quentin really wanted to do was ask why said pieces were needed. Need suggested it be an absolute requirement like food and water. Quentin personally did not see that it was a requirement as he had never seen someone die without Quidditch news or a piece on a Midsummer fair (which would not have been in the middle of the summer anyway, because students were out of school by the middle of the summer and was not technically last year, because it would have taken place at the end of the term like this term's concert, which would technically be taking place next year, as in after January first.The fair had been after the previous January first, making it this year but last term .) Unfortunately, however, Mr. Flatt said
that Quentin could only ask questions in his office. He could have asked Afton, but she was not the one who had said it was needed. He would however, like to ask her who her source was and why she thought said source was reliable. Quentin was just about to ask her, when someone else began to speak before he could get the chance.

11 Quentin Melcher Err...replying to your post. 129 Quentin Melcher 0 5

Laurie Cider

December 30, 2008 8:25 PM

And rounding it out, I guess. by Laurie Cider

Laurie had watched, from a safe distance, the various preparations her History of Magic professor- and Aronos faculty sponsor- undertook, including the noted newspaper needs on the board. She was reminded of the year prior and her over-preparation for the initial meeting. She had the same folder with her, its contents far slimmer this time around, consisting only of the notebook she had dedicated to newspaper affairs and the photographs she had taken during her breaks at the Midsummer Fair last term. She planned on handing them around and getting a better handle on what would need material this time around.

Once it seemed obvious that the meeting had gained its full run of participants, she slid into an open seat toward the back, noting with some surprise the presence of first years and the lack of presence of some of last year's staff. A particularly glaring absence came in the form of Brett Hodges, who she had assumed would take up the continued mantle of Editor in Chief. She hid a smile behind her hand; apparently he was on the run. Dalila was absent as well, which was probably due to Quidditch needs and the end of the year exams. Talitha's absence seemed curious, but Laurie supposed the older girl had background issues like anyone else.

She gave her year-mate Lucie a quick smile when the girl finished. The Aronos totally needed a gossip column of some sort- anything to encourage extra participation from the students. The first issue had been warmly received, but this time, Laurie wanted the second release to have anticipation and excitement behind it. Amelia was still there and after she finished, Laurie made a mental note to speak with her after the meeting to discuss schedules and the like. Laurie already had more than a handful of photographs needing developing of the mysterious Jenkins visitor. Granted, most of them consisted of his form seated with quill bent to parchment. The next girl who spoke- Afton Stokes- Laurie recognized as a transfer from Salem and she had to smother another smile behind her palms at the offer for Editor and mention of Brett.

All anyone needed to see was last year's yearbook entries to figure that one out.

And then there came the first year, the second boy of the lot (Echo being the first and still silent member of the group); she decided to keep her hand plastered to her lips. She could only imagine what sort of role Flatt would give the poor kid. "Ah, right," she said, standing, her tone still slightly bemused. "I'm Laurel Cider, third year in Crotalus. I was the staff photographer last year." The camera seated to her right declared that to be a statement of the obvious. "I also helped out Echo with some of the House articles and research. I'd like to keep doing that, if it's okay, that is, with the Editor." Her head inclined toward the alluded-to sixth year.

"I have the photos that I took from last term's Fair, and a couple from the end of the year Feast." The Crotalus House featured predominately in the later group. She pulled the photos free from her folder and handed the pile off to the first year, Quentin, to pass around. "Um, it was pretty informal last year, and I don't know how organized we want to get with it this time around, but if you can give me a couple days notice of the when and what and such, I can generally match your scheduling needs."

0 Laurie Cider And rounding it out, I guess. 0 Laurie Cider 0 5

Professor Flatt

January 15, 2009 5:36 PM

Afton Stokes- Editor in Chief - delegations here. by Professor Flatt

OOC- Afton can post any assignments she wishes to give here to her underlings. As Editor she has final say in who does what. Delegate away.

0 Professor Flatt Afton Stokes- Editor in Chief - delegations here. 0 Professor Flatt 0 5

Afton

January 19, 2009 4:39 PM

Delegating by Afton

As soon as everyone had introduced themselves, Afton stood back up. She gave the group a friendly smile and began to speak. "Okay, most of you have said what you would like to do. Lucie," She addressed her fellow Teppenpaw, "you obviously will be doing the advice and gossip columns and Laurie, you can keep doing the pictures and helping out on various research with articles like you did last year."

She looked from Amelia to Quentin. "Both of you want to do interviews. Amelia, which would you like to do, staff or students? I would also love if you did an article on Mr. Jenkins." Afton told the second year. That was interesting and controversial.

The sixth year looked back at the board. "That leaves a piece on the Fair last year, the Concert this year, and Quidditch. For the fair, I would like to have it covered by someone who was here last term. Does anyone want to take that or the Concert?"

Afton's eyes focused on the Quidditch news next. She had to make sure this was impartial but house bias was inevitable. Unless..."For Quidditch, I would like multiple people doing articles. I want someone whose house isn't playing in a game to cover said game. For example, if Crotalus is playing Aladren, I want it covered by a Teppenpaw or Pecari in order to eliminate any house bias in the article."

She gave the group another smile. "I would also like to see coverage of the Head Boy and Girl elections. However, like with Quidditch I want to keep it and all articles aside from editorials, non-biased . I don't want the paper to be seen as endorsing any particular candidate or team or anything. Controversy is all right, if there's an issue out there or corruption or something else newsworthy, I want to see articles on it." Afton said enthusiastically. "So does anyone else have any ideas for articles that haven't been mentioned?"

Afton looked over the group again. It seemed rather...small. "Also if anyone knows anyone else that would be interested in the paper or good at it, please encourage them to join." She didn't want them to force others, but it would be an awful lot of work for such a small staff.

11 Afton Delegating 77 Afton 0 5

Amelia

January 21, 2009 11:03 AM

Being delegated by Amelia

It seemed that a new editor in Chief had been chosen. Amelia didn't mind either way. Brett had been okay, but he was a pecari and a Muggleborn, and he was only in fourthe year now. This Afton Stokes who Amelia didn't know looked like she was capable of taking control. Milly especially liked that she was given the choice for interviews.

"I'd like to do staff," Amelia replied immediately. "I did an interview with Ms Yuma, the counselor last year. I think this issue I'd like to interview Coach Fox on her return to professional Quidditch, or maybe the new transfiguration professor - do like a review of the past five tranfig teachers and see if there's a reason they keep scurrying off," she said with a smirk.

"I'll find out everything there is to know on Professor Jenkins," Amelia smiled sweetly. She would start by asking Professor Flatt; she'd heard from Cecily about Mr Jenkins being in their lesson. Cynthia had commented on their intruder having something to do with Salem's closure, so Amelia would talk to her relatives about him, too. Her Uncle Algernon was spome kind of politician, and from what Milly understood he worked a lot with the schools.

"I'm happy to do anything else people ask of me," she added. It wasn't an exam year for Amelia and she didn't play Quidditch (what a thought!) so she had lots of spare time to fill, anyway. "There were some Crotalus girls who wrote articles last year," Amelia told Afton, not mentioning that one of the girls had been her sister. "Maybe they would like to write something again?"

0 Amelia Being delegated 0 Amelia 0 5

Afton and Quentin

February 06, 2009 4:08 AM

Struggling to maintain my patience/Testing Afton's patience by Afton and Quentin

"Excellent," Afton replied. She turned to the first year boy, "Quentin, you okay with interviewing students?" He nodded in response. "Good," said Afton, "but make sure you don't choose all students from a particular group. I realize it might be intimidating to talk to older students for a first year," What she didn't realize was that Quentin never was intimidated about asking anyone anything ever. "but I don't want the paper to be or even appear biased towards anyone in any aspect." She paused thoughtfully. "Except the editorials, editorials are biased by nature."

"Excuse me?" Quentin interjected. "What do you mean by 'group'? Do you mean like house or year?"

Afton replied, "House, year, clique, blood type. Pick students randomly if you can." She was about to go on when Quentin spoke up again.

"By blood type, do you mean like pureblood vs muggleborn vs half blood or like, type A, B, O?" Actually come to think of it, Quentin didn't think pureblood and half-blood were accurate terms either. While pureblood could be considered so,it suggested blood having nothing but blood components in it so the alternative of unpure blood meant the blood had other things in it that were not blood. Half-blood sounded like either half of a person's blood was something else, or they only had half as much blood as they were supposed to, in which case they would likely be dead. From now on, Quentin was going to say all magical background and partial magical background. Perhaps muggleborn should be changed too. Muggleborn made it sound like they were born a muggle and acquired their magic later. Non-magical background would work just fine.

The new Editor-in-Chief gave him a weird look. "The former. How on earth would you know the latter?"

"I wouldn't." Quentin answered, "but you didn't specify so I thought I'd ask, because I want to be completely accurate and make sure I did exactly what you asked." He was glad it was the former because he wouldn't know how to find out who was type O or A or whatever.

"Okay..." That kid was kind of strange but he seemed willing to please. And he seemed to like asking questions, which was good for an interviewer. Afton went back to Amelia "I think the transfiguration professor article is an interesting idea. I like the whole aspect of finding out why there's such a high turnover. Although if you would strongly prefer to interview Coach Fox, go ahead. Don't be afraid to ask them tough questions either.....yes, Quentin?"

"Does this go for me too or just Amelia?"

"Both of you." Though Afton was starting to think in Quentin's case it wouldn't be an issue. "Wait, on second thought, be a bit gentler with the students please." Given his earlier comments, she figured she needed to specify that as well, especially since she had just told Amelia she could ask staff members tough questions. "I don't want them to be embarrassed. Don't ask anything that could lead to them to be bullied." Afton certainly didn't want to be responsible that. She would feel really guilty. Plus, if Quentin asked them embarrassing questions no student would want to be interviewed. "Besides, it's a fluff piece-"

"Wouldn't a fluff piece be a piece about fluff?" The first year replied.

"A fluff piece is a piece that isn't tough journalism." Afton responded. "It's what's considered soft news. It's lighthearted and not controversial. It's not considered hard hitting or gritty or serious."

"Oh,so...I should ask silly questions?" Quentin inquired.

That's likely anyway Afton thought. The Aladren was making it very difficult for her to carry on with business. She was beginning to wonder if this was karma for her conversation with Saul. "Just don't ask anything that's too controversial okay? That's not what this part of the paper is for."

Quentin replied. "Okay, so what's it for?"

The Teppenpaw sighed. "To get to better know your fellow students. Trust me, some people at this school could really use it." Afton answered. "Amelia, same thing about Mr. Jenkins as the teachers. Don't be afraid to ask him anything either."

She went on, before Quentin could get another word in, "And it would be fantastic if you could see if those girls would write another article or two." Afton looked over at the board then back at Amelia. "Would you like to do the fair write-up? Or cover the concert?" She asked the second year.

Afton then addressed the group. "Does anyone else have anything else they'd like to write? Or know anyone else who might like to join?"

OOC-Sorry for all the banter between my characters, Quentin wouldn't shut up...as usual. :)

11 Afton and Quentin Struggling to maintain my patience/Testing Afton's patience 77 Afton and Quentin 0 5