Prefect/House Meeting (all are welcomed) on Aladren Commons

Izabella Santoro, Head Girl

December 17, 2008 10:47 PM

Prefect/House Meeting (all are welcomed) by Izabella Santoro, Head Girl

Bella wasn't so sure she liked the idea of being Head Girl anymore now that she somehow had to put together or supervise or something with this school Concert thing that she was fairly certain would end in a disaster. At least, for her house. Aladrens weren't the most social creatures and most seemed to prefer their solitude or independent studies. In fact, Bella was almost certain that Quidditch was the only thing any of them ever did as a group. She vaguely recalled Zack in a group that dealt with some kind of game that Bella had no interest in and she had tried for a band, but ended up getting nothing but first years. Beyond that, Bella didn't think the Aladrens really knew how to do group work.

This concert was made for the sole purpose of entertaining the Pecari house. That was the only thing Bella could think of to explain it. She could see that entire house signing up to be involved in such an event while all the other houses struggled just to get people remotely interested in it. She understood and respected the tradition behind the sorting, but sometimes Bella wished they had just put people together for other reasons than personality. Maybe then things would have equaled out better for everyone. Of course, if that had happened Bella’s life could have ended up quite differently.

Then again, as things stood, maybe that wouldn’t have been such a bad thing.

Bella moved to sit beside Chris on the couch. She almost sat directly on top of him, which wouldn’t have really been anything new as she did that often, but instead squished herself between Chris and the arm of the couch. Using Chris as a leg rest, Bella turned her attention to those who had decided to join them for this ‘House’ meeting. “Okay everyone, we have a pretty large task in front of us with this concert thing that they’ve assigned all the houses.” Bella began, suddenly wishing that anyone else was the one taking the lead on this. She had no idea how to get the entire house in one this.

“We have all of one person signed up to be involved in the concert. I’m willing to sign up myself, but we really need to figure out how to get people involved on top of trying to figure out what exactly we’re going to be doing for this whole thing too.” Bella stated matter-of-factly. She felt that deciding on what they were going to do was going to be a lot harder than convincing people to actually join in. If nothing else, she could beg people until they gave in to her. “Does anyone have any ideas on how to get people interested in this event or anything on what you think we should do for the concert as the house-wide act?”

Bella looked out at those who had been kind enough to join their little meeting and prayed that someone had some sort of idea for them to work with.

OOC: I did receive permission from Chris's author to put him in that position. I hope everyone can join in as we really need to get started with all this! Let's be creative!

0 Izabella Santoro, Head Girl Prefect/House Meeting (all are welcomed) 0 Izabella Santoro, Head Girl 1 5

Daniel Nash

December 18, 2008 2:10 PM

An idea or two by Daniel Nash

Daniel was not entirely sure what exactly a House Meeting entailed, but he figured the best way to find out was to actually attend, so he was among those gathered around the Head Girl as she started it off. He sat up a little straighter at the news that nobody else had yet signed up for the concert and was a little relieved she didn't draw attention to him for being that sole volunteer. While he didn't mind getting singled out, he preferred it to be for something less likely get him labeled as some kind of overeager first year.

As Bella asked for input about getting more people involved, or ideas for what their act should include, Daniel looked around to see if anybody else had any ideas. Had he had any clue about what he could perform without someone else telling him what to do, he would have signed up for the solo. Neither did he really have any brilliant schemes for getting more people to join up. He knew Taylor at least had some acting skills, but he didn't want to put her on the spot by volunteering her in front of everybody.

On the other hand, putting people on the spot might be the easiest way to encourage people who might not otherwise feel comfortable enough to volunteer themselves. "We could draft everyone here," he suggested. "If we could have a bunch of people who are just given small roles - back-up singers, extras, or whatever - we could have one or two leads carry most of the group act."

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Anne Wright

December 21, 2008 11:59 PM

Some remarks and an idea. by Anne Wright

House meetings, unless they happened to double as Quidditch pep rallies or victory parties, weren't events Anne thought would appeal to her. However, it was always better to be up to date on what was going on, she was the official voice of the Quidditch team, and she felt sort of bad for Bella. The idea of making Aladrens play nicely together for a trivial, lightweight thing like a concert was daunting, and Anne had not felt a drop of envy for her roommate all year. The very least she could do was come for moral support, or something like that.

Bella's speech only increased Anne's pity for her. She felt a vague desire to sign up for something, just to be helpful and whatnot, but quashed it. She had a Seeker to train, six RATS to pass, and a future to decide on. The due dates were all still far away for those tasks, but she already felt as if she barely had time to breathe. She did not have time to perform in a show, even if it would put her in front of an audience after Quidditch season, help Bella, and lead to more glory for her beloved House. There. Was. No. Time.

Her brown eyes came to rest on the head of a talkative boy, one she didn't recognize. Probably a first year; though she didn't have much to do with anyone not on the team, she did spend enough time in the common room to at least be able to pick most older students out by face. To her alarm, the boy wanted to draft everyone into the production.

That wouldn't do. She had no time for that. Her team had no time for that. Since they had lost Zack and Zoey and Ben, half the team was in training, and she wanted to win a championship in her seventh year so bad she could taste it. She was going to be driving them as hard as she could until the final game. Clearing her throat, Anne started to inform Bella of those facts and said something totally different.

"I'll help out, Bel. Geoff and Gray can, too. I think we all have time." She brushed her hair back, then began to twist the ends of it between her fingers. "It might help with recruitment if we had a specific thing we're doing posted. It kind of feels aimless like this, and no one likes that. I've got several plays upstairs, and you and Geoff both have music portfolios."

And that was how Anne Wright came to see that she was completely out of her mind.

16 Anne Wright Some remarks and an idea. 59 Anne Wright 0 5

Bella

December 25, 2008 11:18 PM

Some gratitude in return! by Bella

Bella looked eagerly out at the small gathering (she didn’t expect many people to come to the meeting) of Aladrens for someone to let them in on a secret to getting people to sign up. Her dark eyes landed on a boy, she didn’t know who he was other than probably a first or second year, as he spoke up. Although his idea seemed like a good one, Bella knew better than to force anyone into something they had no desire to do.

However, before Bella could explain how forcing people to be apart of the Aladren Concert would only end with everyone hating her, Anne caught her attention by clearing her throat. Anne had been Bella’s roommate since her very first year. Bella liked Anne. They got along just fine, they didn’t get into each other’s personal spaces, and they had an understanding of one another. They had a great roommate relationship and Anne was probably the closest female friend that Bella had at Sonora. But Bella also knew everything that Anne had to deal with and how terrible Anne was at handling stress. So, when Anne volunteered herself, her ‘future’ husband, and little… cousin? (Bella still had yet to learn what relationship Grayson had to Anne), Bella thought she’d gone and lost her mind.

Recovering from her surprise, Bella grinned uncontrollably at her roommate, “Have I told you lately how much I love you, Anne?” Bella asked before turning her attention on Chris and nudging him with her leg, “You see this, C.G.? This is why you have to date brunettes.” Bella informed him. “They’re kind, considerate, intelligent, and compassionate. Not like those crazy, selfish, horribly mean Reds that we know.” She knew it was a bit immature to say that, but she couldn’t help it. She needed Chris to get past his previously torturous relationship with the Teppenpaw Prefect and get back to being the Chris she had become best friends with. Especially if they were going to get through their Seventh Year together.

Turning back to everyone else, Bella thought about what they could do. “Yeah, maybe we could do a musical or something. You have plays, but I don’t know if everyone can pull off a play. How long did they say each act was?” Bella asked Chris and the other prefects, “Like 20 minutes? On top of that, whoever gets the Solo can’t be involved in the whole House concert. It doesn’t make much sense to me for that, but it’s the rules. So, we need to make sure that whatever we choose to do isn’t going to be dependent on one person if we end up not being able to have them for the House Concert.” Bella commented. This was going to be really very hard to put together.

“I’m sorry; I don’t know your name.” Bella said to the boy who had first spoke up. “I like your idea of drafting the whole house, but I know that that will only get people to hate us. Seventh Years and Fifth Years have their RATS and CATS exams and forcing them into something they might not want to do otherwise would probably not be in our House’s interest.” Bella explained. She sighed loudly. She really wished Aladrens were more social… and creative. “Geoff plays the violin, right?” Bella asked. She could never remember if it was Anne who played the piano or Geoff. They were like one and the same minus that random year they hardly seemed to look at one another. “I wish I knew what everyone else’s talent was. It would be so much more helpful to figure out what we could all do as a group. Anyone else have any ideas?”

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Daniel

December 27, 2008 12:59 AM

putting myself out there by Daniel

Danny turned toward the older girl who spoke up after him as she volunteered not just herself but two other people as well. Maybe it would be okay to volunteer Taylor. On the other hand, the girl probably knew those two better than Danny did Taylor.

"Daniel Nash," Daniel told the Head Girl when she prompted him for his name. Before she could do something like say 'Oh, so you're the one single person who signed up already,' Danny decided he might come out sounding like less of a dork if he offered that information himself. "I signed up as an actor for the group act," he informed her.

Since it seemed like she was concerned about having someone lead the group act when they were needed for the solo, he further added, "Acting doesn't really work without other people to play off of so I'm no good for the solo, but I have been a regular cast member on a TV show for the last year, so I've got some experience carrying a scene."

He debated another moment, then decided he could at least put out the fact of Taylor's talent, if not actually volunteer her. "Taylor Li, who's also a first year here, had a couple of lines in the show, too, so I can ask her if she wants to join up." Given what she'd told him about why she'd been on the show, he kind of doubted she would but, maybe without her mom around, it might seem more like fun and less like work.

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Anne

December 28, 2008 9:00 PM

Answering a question. by Anne

Anne felt herself start to blush as Bella sang her praises to Chris and the rest of the room, but decided to laugh it off. "It's nothing, really," she demurred, but then smiled teasingly at the Head Boy. "I am single, though, Chris, so if you get bored sometime..." She trusted him to recognize humor. Chris was a catch, but he was also on the team. The politics of dating someone who was her subordinate half of the time sounded complicated even by her standards.

Once the Head Girl finished her expression of gratitude, it became business time again. Anne nodded as she talked about time constraints. "Noted," she said. "Didn't know that." It made sense - there were eight acts to get through, and four of them were bound to be large-scale - but it hadn't really hit home that the other Houses were involved before. Gray's reading voice being inferior aside, she thought her one and only one-act would still take a group an hour to put on. No solution she had would fix the soloist-having-no-group-part problem, so she kept her mouth shut about that.

As the first year - Daniel Nash, she liked his name - spoke about his show experience, it occurred to her just what she had gotten herself into. If everything went perfectly, Anne would win the Championship, ace her RATS, and play her part in the concert flawlessly with barely a break between them. And that was if things went perfectly. She. Was. Insane. If she had an iota of good sense, she'd find a way out of this, but it wasn't in her to do it to Chris and Bella.

After Daniel finished (did Bella even know what a TV was?), Bella asked about Geoff's music. "Yep," she confirmed. "The violin. I'm piano." Or rather, she'd been piano. She hadn't practiced in years. Maybe if they could get a piano, she could whip herself into some kind of shape...

No. No more to do. "He has it with him," she added, resigned to making this up to him. "And practices." Where, exactly, he found the time, she wasn't sure, but he did. A concert had been a highlight of the previous Christmas.

It was going to be lonely without him and Lenny this year. They were, as she'd encouraged them to do, going home. She knew she needed to deal with her last midterm at Sonora on her own, just like the first one, but she'd miss them just the same. The school was always so quiet at midterm...

Bella's voice jolted her back into reality. She had no more ideas, and pointing out her ability to sing and, if she had to, dance could wait. So could figuring out what Gray could do, since she doubted his ability to write would be of much help to them. His stories were amusing, but they weren't up to literary standards yet and would be tough to incorporate into a larger act, anyway.

16 Anne Answering a question. 59 Anne 0 5

Paul Tarwater

December 29, 2008 5:30 PM

Just a side post by Paul Tarwater

Paul did not like the idea of a house meeting, he did not want to go to a house meeting at all. It was about that concert, he knew, and that concert was something Paul didn’t want to do either. How silly the idea was, of him up on stage trying to entertain people that he didn’t like anyway. But he was a Prefect now, he had to do this kind of thing, and the thought plagued him horribly. He tried to look nice though, as nice as a boy with two pairs of pants and five shirts, all hand-me-downs, could look. As nice as a boy with insomnia and a permanent frown on, could look. Heading downstairs, with black hair that couldn’t hide him anymore, Paul sat close by Bella and Chris, looking down and away from everyone else.

His hands were folded in his lap while he listened to the ideas, hearing Bella and Anne tease Chris for reasons Paul wouldn’t understand. He wasn’t in the loop of the people older than him, or younger than him, or even people the same age as him. It was fine, he liked to keep it that way, he didn’t need to be in any sort of loop of anything, just needed to get through Sonora and out to the working world (Mother wanted him to go to college, he loved Mother but really what a stupid idea, they had no time or money for that!). He would be out of the loop for this whole concert thing too, had he not had the badge that he shouldn’t have anyway.

The first year, Danny or something like that, mentioned an act saying something about being in some... Tee Vee thing that Paul knew nothing about anyway other than “useless Muggle technology” (had it been useful Muggle technology, Paul certainly would have known more, of that he was sure). His eyes widened at the thought of an entire play, and he almost opened his mind to voice against it. Thankfully, twenty minutes would be all they had, and while the thought of everyone being in it hurt him, he knew he could think of a few excuses for that one too.

Paul spoke up simply, when Danny voiced against acting alone. He had no idea Layne played the violin (he knew nothing, this was understandable), “A short one act might work, with a little music in the background,” his voice was very, “For some short plays you only need three or four people, some may play a different role if we come up short. Dan here, that Taylor if she agrees, and maybe a few others who think they can support an act.” Paul wasn’t one of those people at all, at all, “And... more people working behind the stage. The one’s who can’t do the artsy suff,” his voice was still small, but more firmly adding him into that section.

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Chris Dupree

December 31, 2008 10:26 PM

Finally joining in by Chris Dupree

Having had duties as a Prefect, the transition into duties as Head Boy didn’t really faze Chris. However, he wouldn’t lie and say that the entire idea of the concert wasn’t a bit confusing when it was initially brought up. He had been taught at home before coming to Sonora so there was no elementary school experience of putting on a show nor did he have any other experience that would actually be helpful in this area other than the normal idea of play and pretend that children were wont to do, but regardless of such matters, a meeting was to be held and ideas discussed.

Feeling Bella pressed against his side came as no surprise to Chris since there were few personal boundaries between them, but he couldn’t state that same in regards to her immediate leading of the meeting. Though, perhaps, he really shouldn’t have been. He had thought she had everything it took to make a great Head Girl, which is exactly why he had voted for her for the position. Bella had always seemed to him a ‘people’ person that had just never had the people until now. He had no doubt of her ability to get the fire going, or at least a small flame.

Sitting back against the couch, Chris nodded in support of Bella’s to the point attitude in what needed to be accomplished. It was very Aladren-like in his opinion and was pleased to see another Aladren respond so quickly. This one he didn’t immediately recognize nor did he agree with the suggestion of drafting everyone, yet at least it was an idea, more than he had. Not to mention, the kid had a clue as to actually how to go about the actual performance, which could be quite needed. Organization being key and all that.

Having one raindrop of a thought seemed to unleash the beginning of a brainstorm as now Anne contributed her own points, which were rather valid. He knew that it was easier to know to sign up for Quidditch and clubs, because people actually knew what those things were about. Not many people really knew what was going on for their performance. A focus would deal with that. With the recent mention of acting, plays, and music, he was struck by the amusing idea of the entire performance being a musical done by the brainy House and while funny thought it better not to voice.

Unfortunately, this led his mind to wandering to a musical of school subjects and things like dancing numbers and cauldrons. It was a little disturbing and as a result of being semi-lost in these thoughts, he nearly missed what Bella said, which resulted in a slightly uncomfortable shift with the obvious reference. He and Lexi had an odd sort of on again, off again relationship that was currently in the off mode and thus far had stayed that way for a good bit of time. In truth, he hadn’t seen much of her since they had gotten back to school, which had been unlike summer.

Before he could actually retaliate, though, his attention was drawn to Anne. He recognized the words were just in jest, but it was a bit of a shame. Granted, he had a preference for the reds, then blondes, and ending with brunettes, but while he would never admit it for various reasons, Anne was someone he had noticed before. She was incredibly attractive, but he thought that this was normally missed for the reason that he had taken attention to the fact, which was her take-charge mind-set. He always liked a girl that exuberated knowing what she waned.

Yet, oddly enough, it was the girl that didn’t know what she wanted, or at least hadn’t, that he had kept going back to. He really had issues, but despite that, there was nothing wrong with a bit of fun with another girl, even his Captain, if only in jest. With a half grin, he replied, “I do get bored quite often.” While he was merely joking, the statement was true. He had never needed to devote much time to schoolwork and for the longest time hadn’t bothered since his life had been written in stone up to recently.

The only other thing to keep his mind active (Quidditch was more physical) was his responsibility as Head Boy, one of which was currently going on. He nearly chuckled at Bella’s mention of his previous thought of a musical as something that might actually be possible and the imagery came back to mind while people began listing talents. He wasn’t fully surprised when Anne mentioned playing the piano. She always struck him as a bit of an overachiever, not necessarily intentionally, but still one.

Geoff playing the violin on the other hand was quite the astonishment. He had never pictured the younger year as being musically inclined. He just always figured him one that while smart was more of a jock. Though, he wasn’t quite sure where that conclusion had come from, but then, he was sure that most people didn’t know that his little cousin, Talen, was a musical prodigy. It was really amazing how little one could know of another person. He didn’t think he knew that much about anyone outside of his little circle.

He certainly had no idea what the first year, Daniel, was talking about with his acting experience or who Taylor Li was, but at least, he had a clue as to what acting was and could say without a shadow of a doubt that he wasn’t capable of it. “That’s a thought,” he contributed over Paul’s point of needing only three or four people and the others could do behind the scenes stuff. “I can help do scenery or something.” He glanced over to Bella. “You know, you should consider the solo act. You could have some fun with it.”

0 Chris Dupree Finally joining in 0 Chris Dupree 0 5

Bella

January 06, 2009 9:43 PM

Nice to see more faces. by Bella

Despite the fact that Bella and Chris were closer on levels she didn't think she had with Ben or him with Lexi. Despite the fact that Bella teased, sat, joked, cuddled, and just about everything else a couple did with each other with Chris. Despite the fact that Chris was the one true person aside from her mother that Bella trusted. Bella and Chris would always remain Bella and Chris. She wasn't exactly sure why that was. For all intents and purposes, the two of them acted as though they were a couple, but the desire for the two of them to have a romantic relationship just wasn't there. It never had been and it wasn't something either of them seemed to care to question. But that didn't mean that Bella would let Chris off the hook for anything or any relationship that she didn't agree with. And that meant a very specific girl at this moment in time.

Practically sitting on him had the advantage of feeling the shift in his weight at the snarky comment she had towards his ex. Feeling more smug than she probably should have been by making him uncomfortable, Bella's gaze returned to Anne with a raised eyebrow. She had no qualms about her roommate and Chris starting a relationship. Merlin knew Anne needed some sort of stress relief, but the single part threw her off slightly. "Single?" Bella blurted while Chris attempted to flirt. She sat up as well as she could stuffed between the arm of the couch and Chris trying to see if Geoff was around to have heard Anne, but not seeing him, Bella suck back down again. "Careful now, your husband may get upset hearing you say that." Bella warned.

Back on the subject at hand, the first year, Daniel, spoke up again. Bella didn't know much about acting having not really experienced it herself growing up. She lived in LA, so she knew the basics that it got people famous and Ben had taken her to Broadway plays when she had been in NY to visit him, but that was the limits of her knowledge on the subject. Daniel continued on with the subject, bringing up experiences that only left her staring blankly at him. She hadn't a clue as to what in the world he was talking about, but that was fine, he seemed like he knew what acting was all about and she'll have to use that to Aladren's advantage. "Yes, ask Taylor." Bella immediately agreed. The more actors, the better. "We'll definitely try to exploit that talent."

When Anne confirmed to Bella what Geoff played, she nodded while chewing on her lower lip in thought. It seemed like a play of some sorts was definitely going to be their base for this whole operation. The newest Prefect…oh, what was his name? Her brothers were in his year. She knew it. She knew that she knew it, but his name was failing her now. Either way, he seemed to be in agreement to having some sort of play.

Still thinking about what they could possibly put together, Bella’s eyes went wide when Chris suggested she go after the solo. “Are you high?” She asked rather incredulously. Granted, Bella loved to sing and play her guitar. She felt right when she did it. But her music wasn’t always so appropriate, especially for a school function. As much fun as taking the stage would be, Bella didn’t think Headmaster Bulla would be anymore impressed with Bella singing abilities than he was with her dance outfit at the fair. “You do remember who you’re talking to, right?” Bella stared hard at Chris for a moment as though trying to find some punch line before returning to the group act. “So, we’re all in agreement that it should be an act or play of some kind. Now we have to hope that some more people join up. I have no problem working on music with your hus-“ Bella stopped herself, looking at Anne, “with Geoff, but we’ll definitely need more volunteers, especially for behind the scenes stuff.” Sighing, Bella slumped even moreso against the couch. “Why oh why is this so difficult?”

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