Trying to find my way again [Headmaster's Office] on Cascade Hall

Kiva Kijweski

January 26, 2007 9:57 PM

Trying to find my way again [Headmaster's Office] by Kiva Kijweski

Kiva had spent much of the day organizing all of the letters she had been receiving from various parents as well as finishing up the letters to her contacts that she had been writing all week. It was a Saturday, so it was mainly just busy work for her until she took a few hours out of the day to visit her father.

Of course, the arrival of one specific letter changed all of that for Kiva and was the very reason she was making her way down the plant filled hallway (now void of one talking fly-trap that Kiva simply adored) to speak with Headmaster Bulla.

Reaching the, well, the wall to which hid the Headmaster's office, Kiva took a deep breath. Bulla had always made her nervous, even when she had been a student here at Sonora. He demanded respect and loyalty with simple looks and gestures. No matter what Kiva did, she never felt adequate enough to be a coworkers of his.

The fact that he had requested her for Deputy Headmistress was something that Kiva still couldn't wrap her mind around. At some point, in all of her years of knowing Professor-Headmaster-Bulla, Kiva must have done something right.

It had been a long while since she had been by this office. For a moment, she hesitated, her hand raised and ready to knock. Why was she hesitating? She didn't know how to go about this. How to say that she worried about certain students. Whether worried about their attitudes at this time or about their homelives, it didn't matter. She still worried. Well, at least she had evidence with at least one of the ones she was concerned about.

Taking another deep breath, Kiva knocked on the door. She wondered if there were easier ways of communicating with the Headmaster, but it was only a fleeting thought. "Headmaster, Sir, it's Kiva. I have some concerns I'd like to discuss with you." Kiva spoke, hoping her voice reached the other side of the wall.\n\n

0 Kiva Kijweski Trying to find my way again [Headmaster's Office] 0 Kiva Kijweski 1 5

Headmaster Bulla

January 28, 2007 9:30 AM

Just follow the arrows... I find they help by Headmaster Bulla

In all his years of teaching, his time spent as Deputy Headmaster, Manfred had never imagined that there was so much paperwork. The Wizarding Council wanted this report, the Magical Cabinet wanted that report, a newspaper wanted to write an exposé about students being forced to eat recycled textbooks - clearly rubbish, but it needed to be dealt with to avoid further problems. Seriously, where did they get those ideas? Was it a slow news week? - another wanted an interview to get his opinion on the WAIL movement... Manfred sent a longing glance in the direction of the small pile of parchment that made up his latest, and rather overdue, textbook. It was never going to be written at this rate. He hadn't even managed to catch the last few days episodes of Little Prairie Elf in the House on the radio. It was really beyond the joke, and his mind was starting to wander in the direction of the liqueur cabinet where he kept his vintage fire-whiskey.

All of which added up to the knock on his office door coming as very welcome indeed. Not that he noticed it at first, his minds focus already being taken by the idea of a quiet drink and a break at the end of the day, and his eyes focus by a letter from the council 'suggesting' that expenditures could be cut by a few ridiculous means. It was only when Kiva's voice wafted through the door that he realised he had even heard the knock and heaved a sigh of relief.

"Coming," he called back, taking a moment to stand and work the kinks out of his back before making his way over to the door and opening it. There was nothing like being a Headmaster to make one old before one's time. "I was sure I mentioned about- never mind. See that branch," he pointed at one just next to the office door. "If you give it a quick tug it'll open the door easily enough. When I'm around, anyhow. If it doesn't work you'll know that I'm elsewhere."

He made his way back to and around the desk, taking a seat and then recalling to gesture at one of the others facing him - a change from the Marnett administration - indicating that Kiva should take a seat.

"What is it you needed to talk to me about?" he asked.\n\n

39 Headmaster Bulla Just follow the arrows... I find they help 2 Headmaster Bulla 0 5

Kiva

January 28, 2007 9:08 PM

Do they show me where the Exits are? by Kiva

There was a brief, fleeting moment, where Kiva hoped against hope that Headmaster Bulla would not be in his office. Perhaps he'd be off walking the grounds, or off campus in some offical meeting with School Board Members. Or maybe, just maybe, he'd be asleep in his quarters.

But, those thoughts flew off when she heard his muffled reply through the door. Closing her eyes, Kiva took a deep breath to brace herself for a talk she never thought she would have have to make with the Headmaster of this school. But, she had to believe that this talk will lead to something good. That, with everything bad that was happening within her life, something good was going to come at the very end of it.

She moved a couple of steps back when the door opened. Kiva blinked in surprise when he started on about a branch. It occurred to her a moment later that he was telling her how to open the office door if she needed a moment to converse with him. "Oh, right...branch." She muttered for a moment, staring at the branch before moving to follow him into the office and taking a seat when he gestured to her.

Kiva didn't immediately speak when Bulla questioned her. Instead, she glanced down at the crinkled letter in her hand while her other hand raked through her curls. Finally, the hand that was playing in her hand dropped to rest on the arm of the chair. Slowly she spoke in her usual soft, but uncertain voice. "When I had my lessons with the new first years and explained that only with parental permission they would be able to keep the puffskeins, one of the students approached me after class." Kiva paused there and finally looked up at Bulla.

"Ms. Liddowe explained to me her reasonings as to why she couldn't ask her father for permission." At this point, she set the letter down on Bulla's desk for him to take. "I had her have her Uncle write to me to explain it, but, the jist is that her father was neglectful and abusive. She's been living with her uncle, but, I doubt it's legal. I...I wasn't sure what to do about it." Kiva ended rather lamely. The crease in her brow and the way she stared up at Bulla showed both her worry for the student as well as how she handled the situation thus far.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

0 Kiva Do they show me where the Exits are? 0 Kiva 0 5

Manfred

January 30, 2007 9:12 AM

Nope. For that you want the <i>exit</i> signs by Manfred

"I...I wasn't sure what to do about it."

Kiva's wasn't the only brow that creased. Manfred sat there for a moment in silence, his eyes on his deputy without really seeing her as his mind turned over the news, and then he sighed.

"No, it certainly doesn't sound legal. This has the potential to turn into quite a nasty situation if not handled correctly. Liddowe.... Liddowe..." he considered, trying to put a face to the name. It wasn't as easy as it had been in previous year - not teaching a class certainly played a role in that. "Muggleborn?"

His Deputy's worry finally broke through to his attention and Manfred let his face soften, but just a smidgeon. He might have a soft spot for her, but that didn't mean he could let himself completely or even halfway relax from his usual outlook on how he should present himself. He had a job to do, a proper image to maintain.

"You've given us a good start to sorting it out, thank Merlin. Have you got the letter here with you?" he asked.\n\n

39 Manfred Nope. For that you want the <i>exit</i> signs 0 Manfred 0 5

Kiva

January 30, 2007 3:50 PM

You don't have arrows pointing the way? by Kiva

Kiva sat in her chair, looking expectantly up at the Headmaster. She didn't like it when he was silent. She thought for sure, he was casting his judgement upon her. She felt that way ever since the catastrophe of her first year of teaching and the Craven twins. Kiva felt that every single move that she made when it came to the safety and the lives of these students, she would be scrutinized and criticized.

As far as she was aware, she had never been condemned for any actions that she has taken thus far, but there was always a first for everything. Bulla's silence wasn't helping Kiva feel any better about it all.

When he finally did speak, it was a question that Kiva hadn't a definite answer for. "No, I don't think she's a muggleborn." Kiva said slowly, trying to recall any information Irene might have given to Kiva during their short conversation.

"I believe she told me her father was a muggle, said nothing about her mother than the fact that she's passed on. Also, her Uncle is her mother's brother, I believe." The last part was only an assumption, but the fact that Irene had said he was picking up some of her mother's things, it was only logical that they were the two that were blood related. "I could be wrong on that last part though. It was just something she said that makes me believe that."

The fact that Bulla wasn't yelling or telling her she was incapable of doing even the smallest of jobs, but was rather telling her she had done something good allowed Kiva to relax a bit and take a breath. "Yes, I did." Kiva said, tapping the letter she had placed on his desk and gently guiding it closer to the Headmaster. "It doesn't state much about the past, but more of the situation at this current time with her father." Kiva paused and sat back in her chair.

"The way Irene explained it, her father started drinking after her mother died. Because of that, he stopped paying any attention to her. I can only assume that that also meant he stopped giving her her essential needs. By the way she made it seem, when her uncle came and took her away, he saved her. I don't know if that means she was horribly dehydrated or in the midst of starvation or if her father abused her physically, but whatever it was, it was horrible for her."\n\n

0 Kiva You don't have arrows pointing the way? 0 Kiva 0 5

Manfred

February 22, 2007 9:57 PM

The glowing green signs tend to do the job adequately by Manfred

OOC: Sorry about the delay. BIC:

Someday I'm going to get those adoption papers for her.

"Someday?" Manfred commented, having finished looking over the letter and then returned to that point to read it again. "If the situation is truly as dire as the picture painted then 'someday' really should have been 'some time ago'. Why is it," he asked his deputy rhetorically, "that people leave things until the last minute? Until it may be too late? Why can't they plan for the future?"

Although, especially with the situation with Lucinda Marnett, Manfred himself was guilty of that crime too.

"The Uncle's name is somewhat familiar, although I'm not certain where from. I think we can safely settle on 'half-blood' for the moment though. But either way, the damage is done. And now that we're aware of the situation it would be foolhardy to not let the proper authorities know too." He sighed, reaching out and selecting a clean piece of parchment, quill and ink. "I'll write a letter to the Council's Child Welfare division - I know the assistant to the head, so that should help - and they can look into the situation. Much better than us trying to deal with it ourselves. Muggle-Wizard relations are a nightmare at times."

He had already started to write the letter as he spoke, and continued to do so, voicing his thoughts more so than actively speaking to his deputy.

"Do we know if Irene is going home for midterm? Or, no, it probably doesn't matter. I expect that whoever the division sends out will prefer to speak to each of the participants without the others around. And without prior warning, so they can be sure they don't just get a glossy picture. We will probably have to arrange for someone to be there with Irene if an interview does happen here though, as she is a minor - you or Connell, would probably be best."

To Agnes Fisher,
Assistant to the Head of Child Welfare Division
Wizarding Council

Greetings.

I write to you in regards to information about a student at Sonora Academy that has recently been brought to light. Irene Liddowe, a first year Pecari, is apparently living with her blood uncle, Mike (possibly Michael) Warren - presumed to be brother to her deceased mother - but there seems that it has not been made a legal situation. The muggle father, one Damon Liddowe, is reportedly an alcoholic and neglectful.

With the situation as is, Miss Liddowe living with her uncle while her father remains her legal guardian and has apparently been making moves in an effort to regain her, and a perceived danger to the child, it seems pertinent that a legal solution should be reached as soon as possible.

If at all possible, could Miss Liddowe's case be fast tracked? The sooner this situation is sorted, the easier things will become for everyone involved.

Regards,
Manfred Bulla
Headmaster
Sonora Academy

He considered a PS, enquiring about his brother Nathaniel - who was the reason he knew Agnes; the two were engaged and due to be married in about seven months time - but it wouldn't really be keeping with the serious and professional tone he preferred to have in official letters. After blowing on the ink gently to help it dry, Manfred rolled it up, set the official school seal on the edge to close it, added an address and handed it to Kiva.

"With any luck that will see something happening to sort things out. That should be that. Unless you think there's anything else?"\n\n

39 Manfred The glowing green signs tend to do the job adequately 0 Manfred 0 5

Kiva

February 24, 2007 10:25 PM

We have arrows incase of fire. by Kiva

Kiva was unsure of whether or not the Headmaster was actually talking to her or whether he was simply talking outloud to himself. He was making a vaild point, of course, but there were certains things in life that a person puts off because...well, simply because they thought they had the time to do so. Because, nothing had been a problem before then and so, they didn't think it was necessary to rush it all.

But she kept all of her thoughts to herself. She doubted any of it would have made much difference anyway. Most of them were about her own actions dealing with her father and how she had believed they would have more time together. Now that she knew it was only a matter of days, Kiva wished she had done certain things in her life differently. Perhaps she should have made more of an effort in school to meet people, perhaps then she would have been married with a family so that her father would have had some time with them, but, none of that was relevant now.

Kiva briefly wondered how exactly Bulla knew someone from that department, but thought better of actually asking him. Knowing something personal of Bulla sort of set Kiva on edge. He was always one of authority, had been her professor once, she preferred to know little about him. Though, that was probably the little girl in her who liked to keep people at a distance rather than deal with them.

She opened her mouth to respond to his query about Irene, but closed it when he kept on talking. Kiva was having a hard time deciding when it was appropriate to actually speak. She sat quietly in her chair until Bulla was finished with his letter. Once she had that in her hand, she stood up. "No, Sir, I don't believe so." Kiva responded, moving away and towards the door. "I'm sorry that I had to force this on you so suddenly. If it isn't one thing, it's another, right?" Kiva gave an awkward laugh before returning to a more sullen disposition.

"Headmas-er-Manfred," It was rare for Kiva to ever call him by his first name, but she felt that if she used it now, he would understand that she was talking to him as a person rather than a Headmaster. "My father..." She paused and started again. "I'm not exactly sure if you know the reasoning as to why I took this teaching position to begin with, but...it was because of my father." Kiva wasn't looking at him, but at the desk infront of him, finding it difficult to look him in the eyes.

"Over the last couple of weeks, he's fallen into a coma and grown weaker. The doctors don't think he'll pull through for the new year. If that's the case, I may have to take leave for a little while longer after Midterm has ended." Kiva's voice remained soft and slightly subdued as she spoke. She didn't like admitting to others exactly what was happening at home. Not even Tarquin, the closest Staff Member to her, knew about her home life.

"I just thought it would be best to tell you know in case you needed to prepare for a substitute. I'll let you know for certain just how long I'll be gone. It's likely that you'll need someone to step in for Aladren for a couple of weeks, but I promise to return as soon as I can."\n\n

0 Kiva We have arrows incase of fire. 0 Kiva 0 5

Manfred

February 25, 2007 9:22 AM

That reminds me of something I've got to update in my lj by Manfred

"All too true," Manfred said, with a brief smile which faded again as quickly as it had come. The strained nature of Kiva's laugh didn't seem quite right, and he though for a moment, trying to see if he could come up with reasoning behind it. He settled back into proper seriousness as she spoke again, from nearer to the door, realising that it was an unusual occurrence for his deputy to refer to him using anything other than his title.

To stay at his desk quietly and listen went entirely against his long-suppressed Teppenpaw instincts, but Manfred managed it none the less. He owed it to both Kiva and to his position of trust and authority to act in the proper way. It gave him plenty to think about, however, behind his calm, unflappable expression.

"Of course," he said, when she finished. "Take as much time as you and your family need." In a purely logical, clinical sense there was the point that if she returned too early, there was the strong chance that she wouldn't be emotionally stable enough to be dependable in her role. More sympathetically, there was the point that she needed the time to be there with her loved ones, to be alone if she needed that, to be away from the school. "Thank you for letting me know. I'm certain we'll be able to work out some arrangement."

There was a slight pause.

"I'm sorry, Kiva. Please, accept my sympathy for you and your family during this trying time. If you need or want to leave before midterm that can be arranged too."\n\n

39 Manfred That reminds me of something I've got to update in my lj 0 Manfred 0 5

Kiva

March 01, 2007 11:27 PM

Of course it did... by Kiva

Kiva finally braved enough courage to actually look the Headmaster in the eyes once she had finished speaking. She had grown used to others actually leaning on her for support, much like Tarquin had done the year prior, or Irene with the issue of her father. Kiva had never needed a reason to talk about herself in such a manner. It was foreign and something she didn't like in the least. Especially when it was with someone whom she looked up to.

She knew that her leaving for awhile would cause a strain on Bulla and the rest of the faculty and that wasn't something she wanted to do, but there wasn't anything she could do to prevent it. But the sincere sympathy the Headmaster gave to her came as somewhat of a surprise for Kiva. She expected it, but it was a bit strange receiving it none the less.

"I don't think it'll be more than a month, if even that." Kiva answered, her voice slightly subdued in thought. "I don't want to cause the school any more inconveniences than my absense will already cause." Kiva had opened the door but before leaving, turned back to the Headmaster. "Thank you, Manfred." She offered him a smile, "I'll let you get back to your work." And with that, she exited his office and closed the door quietly behind her.\n\n

0 Kiva Of course it did... 0 Kiva 0 5