Thank Merlin! on Cascade Hall

Josh Warren

February 16, 2008 12:06 PM

A little depressed. by Josh Warren

Second semester sucks. Josh had rejected Renaye's offer to join him for lunch. He wasn't really in the mood for her happy persona at the moment. So Rorrie was leaving, and she wasn't going to the dance. Laurie was going to the dance, but she was going with Talen. And he was kind of stuck. He wanted to go, but he sure as heck didn't want to go by himself. He didn't want Raye and Irene to hang around with him out of pity, like they had offered (minus the 'out of pity' part). Their concerned looks would get annoying. Plus, they had dates. Josh probably just wouldn't go. It was only a dance. He wasn't into the social crowd so much... He left that to Raye.

It was fun teaching Laurie the few dance steps he knew, and it was fun just talking to her there. They had mostly talked about the dance. She had been wondering about Talen, and that maybe he thought of their date for a dance as a date. He had wanted to help her out, but he may have just confused her. He may not have helped at all. He hoped that he had at least helped her with dancing. He didn't credit himself on being a good teacher, but he had managed to teach Laina... Why was this such a concern to him? Jeez. Josh exhaled and turned his mind to the ongoing Quidditch season he missed being a part of. But he was distracted from this as another person pulled up a seat next to him.

"Hi," he said.

0 Josh Warren A little depressed. 0 Josh Warren 1 5

Geoffrey Spinder and Stephen Baxter

February 21, 2008 3:49 AM

Misery enjoys company, they say... by Geoffrey Spinder and Stephen Baxter

The hall seemed to have quite a few people already in it by the time that Geoffrey had slunk down from Crotalus, but luckily enough there was still no sign of Jennifer. He paused at the door, to be doubly sure, and then moved to the nearest table where he picked a seat next to a younger boy. He vaguely recognised the youngster as being a first year in his own house because of seeing him in the commonroom, but couldn't put a name to him.

He hadn't really expected to be spoken too though.

"Hello," he said back, before examining the food on offer. He didn't bother being picky, and loaded his plate with some of everything on offer. The first bite was little short of ecstasy. He wasn't entirely sure why, as he'd been eating food every day and it wasn't any different from the usual fare. Perhaps it was because he was thinking about the food differently - thinking of it much as he had when it had been his main source of comfit.

He'd made his way through one plateful, and was scouring the place for signs of cake when he felt a hand land on his shoulder and looked up in sudden gutwrenching fright. She wouldn't have...

"There you are," Stephen said, pulling out the next seat along.

It was just Stephen. The colour started to return to his face and Geoffrey examined the first year beside him for a moment, trying to gauge what he was thinking of the situation he was witnessing. Stephen didn't seem to be paying attention to that though.

"I've been looking all over. I tried the pitch, I tried the gardens, I thought about the owlery, but then figured I should check here first. And here you are," he said, somewhat unnecessarily.

Geoffrey instantly felt suspicious. "Why were you looking for me?" he asked, dreading the answer.

Stephen paused, considered and then answered.

"I heard you did something that took some serious balls. And... I heard you got shot down."

Geoffrey stiffened. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, making to get out of his chair. Stephen reached out and stopped him.

"Yes you do," he said, kindly but firmly. "Now sit. I'm going to teach you the secret that will make this all better."

Geoffrey sat, grudgingly, knowing he didn't have any other choice. His misery came full force into his expression. "Nothing will make it better," he said, with conviction. "She hates me now."

"No she doesn't," Stephen said, "and anyhow, it doesn't matter. She's got Jake, so you've got to just deal with that and realise that you're one hell of a lucky guy. You're young, you're not ugly and you're living in a school where the girls outnumber us three to one. And," he added with the air of one giving a great gift, "there's a ball coming up, which means they're all going mad and praying for a date. This is what we call a serious opportunity."

Geoffrey looked rebellious, and Stephen rolled his eyes before leaning past to look at the other boy who was sitting at the table. "You get what I'm saying, don't you kid?" He asked before shaking his head and looking at Geoff again.

"Ok, that chick over there," he said, pointing at the nearest random girl who looked to be a bit younger than Geoff. "The younger ones are easier if you're having a hard trot - there's less worry about them being more experienced than you are, and... you can think of them as practice if you need to. She looks alright. Why don't you go ask her to the ball?"

Geoffrey looked at Stephen. "You're mad."

Stephen rolled his eyes again and looked past Geoffrey.

"Fine. Hey, kid - sorry, I don't know your name..."

39 Geoffrey Spinder and Stephen Baxter Misery enjoys company, they say... 0 Geoffrey Spinder and Stephen Baxter 0 5

Josh

February 21, 2008 6:38 AM

A wise saying by Josh

It wasn't long after the first boy had taken a seat that another came. One of them was in his house, but he didn't really know their name. He was lucky to know the names of the people in his year, let alone the ones a few ahead of him. Josh's heart sank when the topic came up that he had trying to avoid. From what he heard, the guy from Crotalus had asked someone, but was rejected, and now the other guy was trying to help him out. When it seemed that the subject had been flattened, one turned to him.

"Fine. Hey, kid - sorry, I don't know your name..."

"Josh," he replied, swallowing a mouthful of mashed potatoes. He looked over to the other guy, feeling he should tell him the thought that had occured to him, "From what I heard, it sounds like she said no because she has a date already, so... I mean, it could be a lot worse. At least it wasn't because of you." Josh gave a small shrug and looked back at the other guy at the table. He looked framiliar, and for some reason Quidditch came to mind...

"Hey, you're on the Pecari team right? You know my cousin, Irene?" Irene didn't actually play for the team, well, she did, but not as much as she had wanted to. Josh would love to see her really play, rather than the backyard stuff they do at Uncle Mike's. She had seen him and Renaye in their neighborhood league, but since she wasn't on an outside team they had never seen her really show off her skills. She was good, but he also knew she was the youngest that had tried out. Maybe that had something to do with the decision? Either way, as much as he would be jealous, he wanted to see her in the air.

0 Josh A wise saying 0 Josh 0 5

Stephen and Geoffrey

February 21, 2008 7:02 AM

Isn't it just? by Stephen and Geoffrey

"You're Irene's cousin?" Stephen looked the kid - Josh - over. There was something of family resemblence there, now that he was aware of the connection. "Yeah, I know her through the team. If you're that big of Quidditch that you recognise me though," he took a slight moment to grin, "then surely you know this guy! I mean," he doublechecked Josh's uniform, "Geoff here is only the deputy Quidditch captain for your house, Josh. Who, incidently, we're going to flatten this year. But Quidditch isn't what we're here to talk about."

"Can't it be?" Geoffrey asked somewhat wistfully. It had looked like Josh would be an enthused Quidditch fan, and had seemed a good chance to get Stephen distracted.

"No," Stephen said firmly. "We've got to get you back on the horse-"

"Why would I want to get on a horse? And I've never been on one before."

"It's a figure of speech - my dad uses it - not a real horse. It means, you've got to get back out there and asking girls out."

"But I've only done it once, and that was hardly a stunning succ-"

"Exactly, which is why you're going to do it again."

Geoffrey looked at the girl Stephen had pointed out earlier. She didn't look too bad. And she was... kind of pretty. She just wasn't Jennifer. He sighed and Stephen elbowed him in the ribs.

"Come on, it's not like it's going to kill you. Look, how about we get Josh here a girl too?" Stephen raised an eyebrow at Josh. "Unless you're a fast mover and have a girl already?"

Geoffrey wondered if there was a spell that would cause the earth below him to open up and swallow him right there, and bitterly regretted not knowing anything that would help. It would be just his luck that if he did go for what Stephen was suggesting that he'd bomb out again - and that Jennifer would enter the hall at just that moment to quadruple the humiliation.

39 Stephen and Geoffrey Isn't it just? 0 Stephen and Geoffrey 0 5

Josh

February 22, 2008 3:13 PM

It is just. by Josh

Josh nodded to the question. Some people said they looked a little alike... sort of. Josh's black hair and her brown hair didn't exactly match, but the light blue of his eyes and the blue in her's was similar. The one boy began to talk about Quidditch and Josh's intersted increased. "Yeah, I know her through the team. If you're that big of Quidditch that you recognise me though, then surely you know this guy! I mean, Geoff here is only the deputy Quidditch captain for your house, Josh. Who, incidently, we're going to flatten this year."

Josh gave a small laugh. "Sure," he said. He turned to Geoff, "And if you're ever, ever in need of a reserve or seomthing, my twin and I are more than willing to jump in."

But Quidditch isn't what we're here to talk about." Josh felt like giving a sigh, but resisted. However, Geoff said, "Can't it be?" and Josh agreed. He got the idea that Geoff was with him on the thought that the dance just depressed him.

"Come on, it's not like it's going to kill you. Look, how about we get Josh here a girl too? Unless you're a fast mover and have a girl already?"

Josh shook his head. "No date," he said, feeling awkward about saying it aloud. He wasn't scared that a girl would say no. Josh was more worried that he would end up going with someone he barely knew who turned out to be... a not-good date. There had to be other nice girls at Sonora than Laurie, now that Rorrie had left.

0 Josh It is just. 0 Josh 0 5

Geoff and Stephen

March 09, 2008 10:58 AM

I'm back! (also, Tag any girl from 2nd/3rd year) by Geoff and Stephen

OOC: Got the message about Rorrie. Sorry it took me so long to get back to this thread. BIC:

Josh had said something, Geoffrey recalled even while he wished that the earth could swallow him whole. He'd just been distracted by Stephen hijacking the conversation - as usual - so he'd not answered straight away. Flicking a wary glance Stephen's way he turned back to the younger Crotali.

"Sure, I'll definitely mention your interest to ..." and stopped as he remembered. "I'll keep you in mind," he ammended. "Although you'll have to wait until next year either way. Rules are rules." And Geoffrey preferred to work within the rules where he could. It was easier if there were set boundaries, kind of like the instructions for making a model broom.

Stephen reached over and noogied his cousin. "Back to the subject at hand," he said meaningfully with a grin directed at Josh. "Eh, don't worry about it, Josh. You're young. Plenty of time to find a girl to date - especially around this place. No reason to hurry. I mean, you'll still be here when the next ball comes around and can take one of them to that. Best bet at this point is a friend. Or friends. Firstly, it gets you in with the girls for the future, and secondly, girls can make pretty good pals. I didn't date any of them until second year, and I think I do pretty well for myself."

"Yeah?" Geoffrey interjected, feeling more than a little uncomfortable. "Who are you taking to the Ball?"

"No one yet," Stephen said.

"And you're lecturing us?"

"Nah, I'm helping you."

"Right, right. Could we please just talk about something else? I just... don't want to think about this kind of thing for the rest of the decade. I should be over it by then. Maybe."

"Nope," he was assured, "it's either stop stuffing your face, get up and ask that chick to the ball," Stephen pointed to the girl from before, "or I nag you about it until the end of time."

Geoffrey looked at Stephen for a long moment, but could only see good natured determination in the older boy's expression.

"I can deal with nagging," he said after a moment, mulishly. "Heck, you don't even know what real nagging is! You never met my mother."

"Yeah, but-" Stephen thought better of what he was going to say. "Ok, how about I help you with getting your broom fixed up over the summer? Good as Fido?"

"Why do you even care?"

"Because."

"That isn't an answer."

Stephen shrugged. "You going to ask her?" He swiped Geoffrey's plate and moved it out of reach. "Come on, I'll stop hassling you if you go for it."

"Fine."

It wasn't happy, it wasn't much other than resentful, but it was an assertation and Stephen grinned, a twinkle in his eye. He nodded in the girl's direction and Geoffrey stood, muttering dark things under his breath. He paused long enough to ascertain that Stephen wasn't going to let up and then moved slowly to the take the girl was sitting at. At least, thank Merlin, she wasn't surrounded by a gaggle of other girls, which seemed to happen far too often of late. It was like the closer the ball approached the more common it was to find groups of girls clumped together.

He paused when he reached her and then looked back at the other table. Stephen gave him a thumbs up and Geoffrey scowled back. Ok, time to get this over and done with.

"Hi," he squeaked out before clearing his throat and starting again. "Hey. Er..." how did you ask a random girl out, let alone to a ball? "Do you want to go to the ball with me?" He pushed the words out and tried very hard not to wince.

Back at their table, Stephen nodded with satisfaction. The kid was talking to the girl. Definitely a start, whatever he was saying.

"So Josh," he said, keeping most of his attention on Geoff, just in case the chick turned out to be an idiot or taken already, "how about it? Got a group you could arrange for the ball? Much better than going alone and you get the advantage of having multiple girls to dance with."

39 Geoff and Stephen I'm back! (also, Tag any girl from 2nd/3rd year) 0 Geoff and Stephen 0 5

Josh

March 16, 2008 10:43 AM

Thank Merlin! by Josh

"Sure, I'll definitely mention your interest to ..." and stopped as he remembered. "I'll keep you in mind," he ammended. "Although you'll have to wait until next year either way. Rules are rules."

"Yeah," Josh replied, feeling a little more miserable now. "Thanks."

"Eh, don't worry about it, Josh. You're young. Plenty of time to find a girl to date - especially around this place. No reason to hurry. I mean, you'll still be here when the next ball comes around and can take one of them to that. Best bet at this point is a friend. Or friends. Firstly, it gets you in with the girls for the future, and secondly, girls can make pretty good pals. I didn't date any of them until second year, and I think I do pretty well for myself."

Josh considered this. Going with a group wouldn't be bad... The only problem was, he would have to convince Renaye and maybe Irene to go in a group with their dates. His hopes lifted a little when he thought of maybe getting Laurie in their group. Being able to talk to her at least during the ball would make it a little more enjoyable...

"What do I wear to this thing? Can I just wear a nice shirt and pants, or is this a coat and tie thing?"

Stephen had eventually made Geoffrey get up to go ask that one girl he had pointed out earlier. Josh really hoped she said yes to him. Being turned down twice would majorly suck. As he was walking over, Stephen, not taking his eyes away from Geoff, said,

"So Josh, how about it? Got a group you could arrange for the ball? Much better than going alone and you get the advantage of having multiple girls to dance with."

Josh nodded. "Yeah," he said, pushing some of his black bangs out of his face. "I was thinking getting Raye and Zane, and Irene and Brett, and maybe Laurie and Talen. Problem is that doesn't do much for me as in those are all pairs for the ball."

0 Josh Thank Merlin! 0 Josh 0 5

Stephen

March 19, 2008 12:45 AM

That Merlin bloke gets a lot of credit by Stephen

"Wear?" Stephen looked at Josh. "It's a ball, right. I guess that means getting pretty spruced up. Something good. I mean, I suppose you could go the nice shirt and pants thing if you really wanted, but why not have some fun and go all out? Not every day you get an opportunity to do so, after all. And besides," he added with a wink, "we can't let the girls show us up too badly."

He glanced over to the table to see if there was anything new happening with Geoff and the chick, but it appeared to be... well, nothing worth watching just yet. Still trying to keep at least some of his attention there, in case the girl did the unthinkable and turned Geoff down (why would she do that? He was a good looking bloke, especially now that he'd lost the extra pounds. And a Quidditch player as well) he turned more of his attention back to the conversation with Josh, grinning slightly at the black fringe hanging in the younger boy's face needing to be pushed out of the way as he spoke.

"Yeeeaaah," he said slowly, dragging the word out. "You don't know any other girls? Single girls? Preferably more than one? That's the kind of thing you really need. More than a group of entirely paired up people, anyhow. You can't think of anyone else? From classes or whatever?"\r\n\r\n

39 Stephen That Merlin bloke gets a lot of credit 0 Stephen 0 5

Josh and Renaye Warren

March 19, 2008 7:25 PM

He's always at the end of movies TAG: Laurie and Cecily by Josh and Renaye Warren

"It's a ball, right. I guess that means getting pretty spruced up. Something good. I mean, I suppose you could go the nice shirt and pants thing if you really wanted, but why not have some fun and go all out? Not every day you get an opportunity to do so, after all. And besides," he added with a wink, "we can't let the girls show us up too badly."

Josh jerked his head to the side, smiling a little. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he said, taking a sip out of his glass. Josh has some nice stuff to wear to the ball, he would just prefer to wear something a little less dressy, but Stephen had a point. This was a rare thing and so he might as well take advantage of it. This included attending the ball at all. He was going to go because who knew when the next one would come around?

"You don't know any other girls? Single girls? Preferably more than one? That's the kind of thing you really need. More than a group of entirely paired up people, anyhow. You can't think of anyone else? From classes or whatever?"

Josh opened his mouth, no words formed in his mind on what he was actually going to reply with. However, words were rendered irrelevant as a hand landed on top of his hair, messing it up.

"Raye!" he exclaimed, pushing her hand off his head. "What are you doing here?" Renaye's green eyes were full of something that he had seen before. She had a secret and he was about to find out what it was. He could tell. "What?" he repeated. She tucked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear, a nervous habit that sent his senses alert. What had her so worried? It wasn't like her to be all... not chatty and bubbly.

"Okay," Renaye began. She stopped and turned to Stephen. "This will just take a second," she said with a smile, "I was in the dorm with Laurie, assessing her dress for the ball and Cecily came in. We were talking about the ball and dates and stuff. Laurie thought it would be cool to go in a group. I thought so too, but I didn't think Cecily would actually want to go with us. Turns out she did. I asked if you could come with us too because I didn't want you to feel ditched or anything. And then," she paused for a breath. Josh stared back at her. "She asked if you would want to go with her!" Renaye's hands went up, emphasizing the words 'with her.' Josh's jaw dropped. Cecily? The girl who hated his twin sister and did't like Quidditch?

"Why?" he said, his blue eyes showing confusion. Renaye rolled her eyes.

"I don't know," she replied, "but I just thought I should let you know what's going on. Are you going to go with her?" she asked intently.

"I dunno, may--"

"Do it," she said abruplty.

"Okay, what is going on? I thought she didn't like you or anything to do with you. And I thought you didn't like her either. And now you both want us going to the ball together?" Renaye nodded. Josh threw his hands up in the air.

"I don't understand girls," he said. He turned to Stephen. "Can you comprehend the reasoning behind this or is it just me that's lost?"

Renaye heaved an exasperated sigh. "Look, I know that you aren't all too keen on going to this ball thing, but just becuase you can't go with Laurie doesn't mean you can't go! I want you to go and so does Irene. We use to hang out all the time and we haven't as much this whole year. You're my fricken twin brother and I want us to go to this ball thing so we can hang out! I miss that," she ended, looking away towards the entrance of the Hall. Laurie and Cecily were approaching.

"Look, just please do it. That way she won't hate you too and you have no excuse but to come with us." She ended with a smile, but Josh caught the seriousness in her voice.

"Um..." he said, looking towards Stephen, "I guess that's settled then."

0 Josh and Renaye Warren He's always at the end of movies TAG: Laurie and Cecily 0 Josh and Renaye Warren 0 5

Amber Carey

March 19, 2008 10:39 PM

Welcome back! by Amber Carey

Though her eyes had glazed over some minutes earlier, Amber kept turning pages in the book Gwen had shoved at her after she complained of boredom. She appreciated the gesture, but the long, wordy sentences in the tiny font of the dusty old book that kept making her sneeze were even more boring than the walls had been. If Gwen actually had actually read this thing, she was even weirder than Amber thought, but all her instincts told her that her cousin had never even looked at the title. It had become something of a custom with Gwen to carry around thick books she never read, so everybody would think she was taking CATS seriously. Amber couldn't see the point.

Shaking her head and squinting, Amber read the title of the chaper she'd just landed on. Impact of the Revolution of the Muggles On the Magical Society of France. Yep, this was definitely a prop. There was no reason for Gwen to give a hoot about the French Revolution, and genuine concern for her CATS couldn't be the reason, because she'd been saying, quite cheerfully, that she was going to fail her History of Magic one for months. Her cousin was definitely going to be in for a little heck when Amber saw her again.

She flipped ahead to the next chapter: Relations Between the French Government and the Emperor Napoleon. If this was standard fare for upper-year History students, Gwen was going to start a tradition of fair-haired Carey girls doing hideously in the subject. The only reason Amber had learned that 'Napoleon' was the emperor's given name was because of the Stonewall Jackson song; before that, she had thought it was his surname. Disgusted, she closed the waste of ink and paper and pushed it out of her way. The waterfalls were, by a huge margin, the more entertaining option.

Amber wondered if she was getting too used to the Wizarding world. Lately, Gwen and Morgaine both seemed to be all over the place and into everything, but her life had just gotten duller and duller. She was only just realizing how much she had relied on Gwen for entertainment; now that Gwen spent a lot of her time fluttering around playing at being a belle, a scholar, and a good sister (the Carey sisters had made up to some extent a few weeks earlier; relations were still on the formal side, but getting better), Amber was left to her own devices a lot in a world that no longer seemed quite as mysterious and interesting as it had when she entered it.

She'd never expected that to happen. Wizarding culture and abilities were just too alien to a not-Muggleborn from the mapdot of Abigail, North Carolina. She wondered what would happen if she asked Gwen for a book about whether it was a her-thing or something real Muggleborns had to deal with a lot and ended up choking on a laugh. Sitting up as she got her breath back, she found herself looking at a boy.

She knew who he was, of course - Gwen played Quidditch with him, and Amber heard a lot about the people Gwen was on the team with. She doubted many of them would think too much of her cousin's evaluations of them, but Geoffrey Spindler had yet to do anything to warrant really scathing remarks; Gwen had actually complimented him as a Chaser a few times. "Hi, er, Geoffrey," she said. Hopefully he wouldn't get offended by her using his first name. She normally didn't care about the sensibilities of purebloods, but being on the receiving end of one of Gwen's public fits for offending the Crotalus Assistant Captain wasn't a prospect Amber relished.

She had just opened her mouth to say she didn't know where Gwen was when he squeaked out a "hi" in return, stopped to restart, and then asked her to the ball. Amber just stared at him for a moment, confused and about half-sure that she had heard him wrong. Gwen and her father had both got very excited about it, but Amber hadn't even planned on showing up at the ball until Andrew had sent along dress robes and instructions about how to behave. The idea that any of the boys might ask her to go with them had never even occurred to her.

Over Geoffrey's shoulder, she saw Gwen, whose presence she hadn't noted before, freeze, her eyes fixed on them. She'd never hear the end of it now. "Uh..." she said, in a very, very brilliant beginning. "I mean...sure. That sounds, uh, nice." She laughed, still a little confused as to what was going on. Here was hoping that was the right thing to say, and that this wasn't some practical joke. Crotali were not generally much for jokes, but there had to be a first time for everything. Careys weren't usually Pecaris, much less Teppenpaws. This almost had to be the weirdest thing that had happened to her since she found out she was a witch.

0 Amber Carey Welcome back! 84 Amber Carey 0 5

Cecily Smythe

March 20, 2008 6:20 PM

Haha. My sides are splitting. by Cecily Smythe

It was far too late for Cecily to retract her offer. She might regret ever having opened her mouth. Still, she tried to focus on the positives: Josh was a pureblood, and in Crotalus, plus he was a date (as opposed to no date at all), and Cecily always had the back up of other friends, or (she shuddered) Lucas, if things really came to their worst. Plus she knew she would look far lovelier than either Laurie or Renaye, so she needn’t worry about being seen with them. Besides, both girls had managed to secure respectable, pureblood dates, so all in all it wasn’t such a bad idea, after all. Cecily mentally crossed her fingers that Josh would accept; having made the offer, it would be simply unbearable to be refused.

For a moment, Cecily thought Miss Warren herself was going to refuse on her brother’s behalf, but luckily she merely opted to leave the room in search for him. Cecily nodded at the suggested plan, but didn’t deign to speak further until Renaye was out of the room. Once the footsteps had faded away, she turned back to Laurie. “I’m just going to freshen up a little before we go to the Hall, then,” she said. “Let me know if you need any help getting out of your dress.”

When they were both ready, Cecily and Laurie headed down to the Hall to find the Warren twins. Cecily had changed into a denim ankle-length skirt and a cream wrap-around cardigan, and had tied her shoulder-length brown hair into low pigtails. It was a far less refined look than she usually sported, but she didn’t want to go scaring her date on their first official meeting, so she tried to look as un-threatening as possible.

When she finally spied Renaye, Cecily noticed that she was with two boys; one of them was Joshua, but the other was an older boy. Cecily was always wary around the older students because she never knew which of them would be likely to report her to their parents, who in turn might speak with Cecily’s parents, who would then find out everything that Cecily had been doing – that was almost never good news. It wasn’t that Cecily was bad, per se, but she knew she could never live up to her parents’ expectations. Still, she would try. She didn’t say anything in greeting as she and Laurie approached the twins, but waited silently to be introduced (and to return to her habit of ignoring Renaye).

0 Cecily Smythe Haha. My sides are splitting. 122 Cecily Smythe 0 5

Laurie Cider

March 20, 2008 8:37 PM

Planning, once again. by Laurie Cider

Laurie listened, very much pleased with how everything was heading. Not only was she going to have all her friends with her during the dance, but it seemed like there might finally be some good feeling added to her dorm room if all went as she hoped. It could be a oppressing at times, the silence that existed between most of her roommates. She nodded enthusiastically to Renaye’s suggestion. “Sounds excellent.” Her hands were already half way behind her waist, aiming for the hidden zipper that held her bodice together. “I’ll be down in five.”

“I’m just going to freshen up a little before we go to the Hall, then. . .” She heard Cecily reply from behind the curtain of hair that had fallen across her face as she groped with the suddenly incompliant zipper. “Let me know if you need any help getting out of your dress.”

Laurie winced as the zipper gave (finally) and caught her finger. “Thanks. I think I got it.” She gave a brief wave as she disappeared back into the bathroom and toward her neatly folded clothes from earlier. She considered her dress as she stepped carefully out from it, smoothing down invisible wrinkles. She felt a little . . . less, somehow, without it on. She lifted her eyes to the room’s largest mirror, a huge, etched monstrosity. Blondish, brownish hair; bluish, brownish eyes; wide mouth, long nose; unremarkable complexion, equally unexceptional posture; anonymous jeans, faded striped t-shirt; the entire ensemble, from head to toe, screamed ordinary, average, in summation, Laurel Cider. It was like hitting midnight, except there was never any glamour to begin with; there was only her slapdash charm-worked dress. A muted sound from the dorm room brought her back to the present. She gave her reflection a stern glance. All that concern on clothes and hair had brought out the brooding side of her. Purposely, she grinned; she had much better thoughts to focus on.

The moment she took in Cecily’s freshened appearance, however, her smile dimmed. She followed after her friend, silently, staring more at the empty space ahead of her than the portraits she normally greeted when walking the hallways. The Cascade Hall was crowded, as was usual; the twins weren’t hard to spot. Laurie recognized the older boy with them immediately- it was difficult not to know who Stephen Baxter was. Before her first week at Sonora had ended, she had been told more than a handful of (probably exaggerated) stories of his exploits. She greeted Renaye with a tap on the shoulder, and threw Josh a quick smile.

“Hi, hi.” She considered waiting for Renaye to begin introductions, but then some of her earlier excitement overtook her. “Okay, so this is going to be great: Things are so much better when there’s a group. Since all of us, except for Talen, are from Crotalus, I thought I might head down earlier, meet up with Talen, and grab us a table. What do you think?”

0 Laurie Cider Planning, once again. 0 Laurie Cider 0 5

Geoffrey

March 21, 2008 8:40 AM

Why thankee, little lady by Geoffrey

Ok, Geoffrey thought to himself, as her knowledge of his name managed to make it past the whole having asked a complete stranger to the ball thing. She knows your name, and you haven't so much as got a clue as to hers. Robes? Looks like she's a Teppenpaw. Well, that's a start. Ok. So, she's almost certainly not in your year. She's not in your house. This is not looking good. Wait. Wait... what?

She had accepted. And now she was laughing. What was he supposed to do now?!

He had a date to the ball. He had a date to the ball, who was laughing at him and he didn't even know her name. His strongest urge was to turn around and ask Stephen, but he managed to master it, already sure he'd made a fool enough of himself - if that laughter was anything to go by - without seeming completely inept.

She was younger. Stephen had said that was better. That they were easier to handle when they weren't... well, older.

He raised his hand to push aside a bit of hair and surreptitiously make certain that his tight dark curls were neat. He knew that his robes were clean and that he was just about as presentable as he could be all things considered. It was just very difficult to remember that, because she had accepted and then laughed at him. And, although it wasn't derisive like he recalled his mother's being it was still... he wasn't sure what it was still, but he knew it made him more uncomfortable and more uncertain about what he was doing.

Which he really didn't need right now, because he was already full up on both.

"Right," Geoffrey said, trying both desperately to work out if he did know her as she seemed to know him (and not wanting to ask and seem even more ridiculous), and what happened next. "Right well, that's.... that's good. That's good. Right. So..." was he supposed to arrange anything else? A meeting spot? "Should we meet out next to Mim's Portrait before it starts?"

39 Geoffrey Why thankee, little lady 0 Geoffrey 0 5

Stephen

March 21, 2008 9:27 AM

I guess this is my cue ;) by Stephen

Things were certainly happening. Over at the other table Geoffrey had taken on a tense stance and Stephen was frowning and distracted as first one and then another then - this was kind of impressive - a third girl came down to join young Josh.

He pushed aside his frown to grin at Josh and his harem.

"Looks like it," he said cheerfully. "And it looks like it'll be all right for you at the ball too," he looked at the last two girls to join the group. One of them, presumably, was his 'date'. "As for understanding girls, I don't think it'll ever happen. I'm afraid that all we can do is appreciate them, nod a lot and accept that they're all some kind of alien species."

He winked at the girls and stood up.

"Pleasure meeting you all," he told them, "I'm sure I'll see you all around. But, if you'll excuse me, I think I've a cousin who might need a bit of moral support. See you all at the Ball."

He moved away from the table, but not over to Geoff. Instead he circled a little, so that he could see his cousin's expression and see if he could get a better idea of how things were going.\r\n\r\n

39 Stephen I guess this is my cue ;) 0 Stephen 0 5

Josh and Raye

March 22, 2008 11:30 AM

Stage Right... by Josh and Raye

“Hi, hi. Okay, so this is going to be great: Things are so much better when there’s a group. Since all of us, except for Talen, are from Crotalus, I thought I might head down earlier, meet up with Talen, and grab us a table. What do you think?”

Josh nodded in agreement. Cecily was standing quietly near them. Josh gave a small smile, figuring he should be nice for now. He just hoped nothing would be said about Renaye while he was around. He returned Laurie's smile with a little more enthusiasm. Renaye caught his eye and patted him softly on the top of his head. Josh pushed her hand away, but Raye just laughed quietly.

"So," Renaye began, "Josh, this is Cecily. Cecily, likewise." She avoided eye contact with Cecily, not liking the idea of them going together, but her wish of Josh being at the ball overcame her dislike of her other roommate.

"Pleasure meeting you all," he told them, "I'm sure I'll see you all around. But, if you'll excuse me, I think I've a cousin who might need a bit of moral support. See you all at the Ball."

Renaye waved and returned to the group. She nudged Josh with her elbow, hoping he would take the hint. She knew he wouldn't want to ask Cecily in front of all the other people, even if it was only her and Laurie. Still, Josh didn't like being outspoken in front of people. Josh gave her a wide-eyed look that said that he clearly didn't want to ask at that moment. Renaye rolled her eyes and jerked her head towards Cecily. Josh's eyes darted to Laurie for a small second before turning to Cecily.

"Do you... Um... Do you want to go to the ball with me?" He said, his light blue eyes directed away. He was lucky because he didn't really have to wonder what her answer would be, as she was the one who suggested it. But in the moment, his mind started turning all the possibilities over. What if she decided that she didn't want to anymore? What if she replied with, "Actually... I don't really thnk I want to anymore." That. would. suck. So Josh just sat and awaited her answer.

0 Josh and Raye Stage Right... 0 Josh and Raye 0 5

Amber and Gwen

March 22, 2008 10:03 PM

Any time, good sir. by Amber and Gwen

Why in blazes had it never, in three years, occurred to her to ask someone if desperation telepathy was real? It was as much of a staple of Muggle fantasy as hats, black cats, and cauldrons. It should have been on the list of questions she had asked Andrew in that first week of realizing it was not all some weird practical joke being pulled by her nutso gay vanishing act father. If she could summon her cousin - who, at sixteen, had to know something about boys even if her date to the Ball was imaginary - over right now, she'd never complain about Gwen being annoying again, or at least not out loud.

"Sure," she repeated automatically when Geoffrey declared a meeting spot. She did not ask the question she was thinking of, which was why on earth he'd asked her. She could get it if it was between her and Morgaine or something, but Sonora was full of single girls, most of them prettier and smarter and - the system annoyed her, but it wasn't going away - an awful lot better-connected than she was. "That sounds - " a repetition of 'nice' would either be taken for odd humor or idiocy - "good." Help me, Gwen. I'll be nice to Morgaine if you'll smooth this over for me, right up until she calls my mother names again. Promise.

Either her nosy, meddling cousin could restrain herself no longer - Amber still didn't know how much of a joke Gwen's comment about making up with her sister so she'd know what color robes "Mora" was wearing ahead of time had been - or telepathy really existed. Gwen's smile was very bright and unconcerned as she entered the tableau. If she noticed how weird that tableau was, she wasn't showing it.

"Hello, hello," she trilled, passing Geoffrey to sit beside Amber. "Amy, honey, I need my book back after we finish, so start reading if you want to finish another chapter. Geoff, dahlin', how are you? Has practice been changed? I wouldn't use Amy for a messenger if I were you - she'd forget." Gwen seemed to have gone with Amber's own original assumption of Geoffrey wanting Amber to tell her something.

Amber wanted, badly, to bury her face in her hands. Instead of doing that, she declared every single silent promise she had made her cousin in the past few minutes completely null and void. Why had she forgotten that, though the point back in the beginning had been for it to be the other way round, she did a lot more looking after Gwen than Gwen did looking after or helping her?

0 Amber and Gwen Any time, good sir. 63 Amber and Gwen 0 5

Cecily

March 23, 2008 4:00 PM

Rapid exit by Cecily

When the small group had congregated, Cecily was relieved when the older boy left. Even if he had heard about the recently arranged pairing, he couldn’t deny Josh’s pureblood status, and the ball would be well-chaperoned by staff, so Cecily wasn’t too nervous about the potential consequences. Instead, she looked to Josh, who, to his credit, offered a small smile, which Cecily returned. It couldn’t hurt to be nice, after all – Josh could even be the polar opposite of his awful sister. Cecily mentally kept her fingers crossed for this best-case scenario.

After the female Warren finally got round to the introductions, it was sweet of Joshua to actually go through with the formality of asking Cecily. It was the least she could do to respond with politeness. “Yes, thank you,” she replied, “I would like that very much. Perhaps, during the evening, you could explain to me why your sister hates me so much. I’ve already been invited to prepare for the evening with several of my friends, so I can meet you in the Hall, if you like. Okay? I look forward to it.”

With a small smile, Cecily turned on her heel and walked sharply back out of the Hall again. Evil twin or no evil twin, she had a date for the ball, and nothing was going to stop her from having a good time.

0 Cecily Rapid exit 0 Cecily 0 5

Geoffrey and Stephen

March 24, 2008 9:05 AM

evening out numbers ;) by Geoffrey and Stephen

"Hello," Geoffrey said automatically in response to Gwen's unexpected arrival and greeting. She seemed to know the girl and, in a move that seemed Merlin-sent, suddenly he was given to know her name.

The relief that streamed thought him was almost enough to make him collapse, but he mastered it and smiled pleasantly instead, directing it first at Amy, and then at Gwen who had started talking to him directly.

"No, practice is still the same," he assured the older girl. "Jennifer," he tried and almost completely managed to remain impassive as he said the team Captain's name, "hasn't said anything to me about any changes in any case. And I'm sure that Amy would prove an effective messenger if she needed to, although that was nothing to do with this. Amy is going to the ball with me."

He'd said it. It was real. He had a date, and his date had a name. Amy. It was quite a nice name, actually. Quite a nice name. He felt much better all of a sudden. Gwen knew Amy, so there was a connection. Amy was his date. Stephen had clearly been onto something. And, as though summoned, he felt an arm slung around his neck as Stephen came up behind him and captured him for a noogie.

"Well, Champ?"

Geoffrey tried to wiggle out in as dignified a manner as possible. "Stop it," he hissed. "Stop-" he succeeded or Stephen decided to have mercy, and he was just kept in place by the arm around his shoulder. He gave Stephen a disgruntled look then let out a breath and tried to regain his dignity. "Stephen, this is Amy, my date for the ball. And I think you know Gwen already. Amy, this is my cousin, Stephen. You've probably heard of him," he elbowed Stephen in the side and neatly ducked and stepped out from under his arm. "He's kind of hard to miss," he tried to get his hair organised and neat again, a somewhat rueful look on his side.

Stephen chuckled and rubbed at the spot Geoffrey had managed to hit.

"Don't worry about him. He's just a bit sore about-"

"I'm not."

"Fine. He's not sore-"

"Did I mention that Amy is my date?" Geoffrey asked, semi-defensively.

"Yes, indeed you did. Amy, you have my heartfelt sympathies."

"Stephen? I think you've helped enough now."

"Hmm? Relax, Geoff. I was kidding. You know I was kidding right, Amy?"

"How about you kid somewhere else?"

Stephen rolled his eyes and turned to Gwen. "Youngsters these days! How are you, Gwenny. Haven't seen much of you lately - been holed up in the library studying?"

39 Geoffrey and Stephen evening out numbers ;) 0 Geoffrey and Stephen 0 5

Renaye and Josh

March 24, 2008 1:33 PM

Re: Rapid exit by Renaye and Josh

Renaye smiled as Josh stumbled a little through his question. He was a good kid. She wanted him to have a god time with them. She was grateful when Cecily began her reply with, “Yes, thank you,” she replied, “I would like that very much. Good. Raye was glad that she was being nice to him. Josh was her best friend, along with her brother. Josh looked like he was relieed that the wholw deal with asking her was over. Perhaps, during the evening, you could explain to me why your sister hates me so much. Renaye's eyebrows jumped up and she almost gave a laugh. Almost. Josh's mouth opened as if to speak and turned to Renaye, not sure of how to reply. Renaye simply shrugged. Cecily continued, I’ve already been invited to prepare for the evening with several of my friends, so I can meet you in the Hall, if you like. Okay? I look forward to it.” Josh nodded.

"Yeah, me too," he said. The weird thing was, he was looking forward to the ball now. He didn't feel like he was just tagging along with the group. He felt like he was actually a part of this whole deal now. He was surprised that Cecily had been so open about the fued between his twin and she, but it seemed normal to Renaye. That probably wasn't a good thing that the despute between them was so normal. She said that they would talk about it at the ball, and Josh was willing to do that. If he could figure something out where maybe they wouldn't hate each other so much, that would be something accomplished for his sister and something he helped with. He looked over at Raye, who was smiling at him.

"What?" he said. Renaye shook her head and reached over to ruffle the dark hair on his head.

"Glad you're coming little brother," she said. Josh flattened his hair.

"I'm older than you!" he said. He turned towards Laurie. "She's so weird..." Renaye laughed.

"You love it," she said. "So Laurie, what are your predictions on how this pair will work out?"

0 Renaye and Josh Re: Rapid exit 0 Renaye and Josh 0 5

Laurie

March 24, 2008 9:37 PM

Mental soliloquy time! by Laurie

”She’s so weird." Josh told her, plainly looking for support. Laurie grinned. “Which I’m sure is all due to your influence.”

Thirty seconds later, and her brows rose in thoughtful contemplation. Her considerable imagination began its wandering, a myriad of possible events displaying themselves. Josh could mention his mania for Quidditch, Cecily would show disdain, perhaps make one of her less opportune comments, Renaye might overhear, and then the dance would erupt into a full-out brawl. Or, some older year might spot Cecily, fall madly in love, and decide, in a crazed impassioned vie for her affections, to challenge Josh to duel, but throw the first spell without warning. The dance would still end in a ruckus. There was also a third possibility, however. Cecily might take a liking to Josh, find him charming or some other old-fashioned adjective that fit the cliché. Josh might return the feeling; Cecily was a very pretty girl, after all. Renaye would probably insist upon a drug test for her brother, and Laurie- well, she would . . . that is . . . Her brown eyes widened.

She didn’t know what she might do.

“My prediction?” She repeated, slowly. “I think . . . it will go well. Cecily’s not as bad as all that. Sure, she has her moments, but I think that’s just how she’s been raised, you know? I guess, though,” she added, a finger tapping on her lips thoughtfully, “we won’t really be sure until the dance is done and over with.”

She gave Josh a sudden wink, being a firm believer in fair play. “I think the better question is: what do you think about Zane and a certain Quidditch-crazed blonde we know? I’m thinking destiny is in the making.”

0 Laurie Mental soliloquy time! 0 Laurie 0 5

Josh and Renaye

March 25, 2008 2:42 AM

"Soliloquy"... What a word! by Josh and Renaye

“Which I’m sure is all due to your influence.”

Josh laughed and nodded. "Of course," he said, "She looks up to all that I do." He gave Renaye an elbow to the side. She grinned over at him.

"Sure..." she said. “My prediction?” She repeated, slowly. “I think . . . it will go well. Cecily’s not as bad as all that. Sure, she has her moments, but I think that’s just how she’s been raised, you know? I guess, though we won’t really be sure until the dance is done and over with.”

Josh was grateful that she didn't predict disaster. He was concerned with how everything would go already. Her prediction actually helped, even though it left everything pretty much in the air. Renaye seemed to think it was a decent answer. She probably would have gone and continued on her tease-Josh spree, but Laurie jumped in on his side of the battle.

“I think the better question is: what do you think about Zane and a certain Quidditch-crazed blonde we know? I’m thinking destiny is in the making.”

"I don't know... I don't think Renaye can handle that Zane's better than her at Quidditch," he said, a playful grin being directed first at Laurie and then to Renaye. Renaye's jaw dropped. She let out a laugh that said plainly, "You shouldn't have said that." Josh stuck his tongue out at her.

"Oh that's mature," she said, laughing all the same. A look dawned on her face and Josh saw trouble ahead. He was about to pay for the Quidditch comment. She turned her attention to Laurie, "Okay, Josh," she began. Josh felt his blood run cold. He knew what she was about to ask. He prepared to stand up and leave, but Renaye threw an arm around his shoulders, keeping his already paralyzed feet on the ground. "What do you think about our dear, beautiful, Laurie and her man-of-the-hour?"

Ouch. Josh kept his face as calm as he could, but his mind was turning furiously. He had no idea about how to reply without flat out lying. He could say the honest truth, something along the lines of, "Well, if I had asked her first..." But that didn't seem like it would fly at the moment. He could shrug and say, "I think they'll have fun." Instead, Josh directed his gaze away and said,

"I think I'm jealous of the fun they'll be having," he said with a grin that could incline that he was joking. Darn Renaye and her knowledge of exactly how to put him on the spot...

0 Josh and Renaye "Soliloquy"... What a word! 0 Josh and Renaye 0 5

Laurie

March 25, 2008 11:48 PM

I'm still waiting for Apotheosis to make a come back. by Laurie

"What do you think about our dear, beautiful, Laurie and her man-of-the-hour?"

Laurie knew that this was just good ole joking between friends, but the exaggerated compliment made her feel a tad self-conscious. It wasn't so much that she suffered from a low self esteem, but when it came to personal asthetics, she was very much a realist. Her nose was too large for her face, her mouth too wide, her hair rather straggly at times- but, for the most part, these were things that were acknowledged subconsciously, addressed, and passed over. Just as she spared herself only a minute or two of time in front of a mirror a day, she gave thoughts on her looks even less attention. She gave her unease a mental shrug. Jokes were just jokes, after all.

"Right, because I have twenty-three other men for each of the other hours." She rolled her eyes, grinning. Josh's words stopped the smile from spreading, though.

"I think I'm jealous of the fun they'll be having."

Even though Josh's mouth was curved in a smile of his own, Laurie didn't hear any humor in his words. They left her feeling oddly lost, as if there was some sort of inside joke that no one had thought to share with her. She considered the afternoon's events, the multiple conversations that had shaped her future plans. Throughout it all, she had only really thought about her happiness, what she wanted. Now that she really considered it, Renaye and Cecily completely disliked each other, Josh probably would have preferred to go with a girl of his liking, and while Cecily seemed okay with things- Laurie knew, deep down inside, that given a better opportunity, Cecily would ditch them all in a second.

Was it really fair for her to force her friends into something just because it made her happy to have them all together? "You're right," she admitted softly, more to herself than to the twins. "Listen guys, I'm sorry. I know I'm throwing this whole group idea at you, and Josh, you might have had plans already, so it's okay if you'd rather not do the group thing. I'm sure I can patch it over with Cecily if that's the case. Because you should definitely have fun that night."

0 Laurie I'm still waiting for Apotheosis to make a come back. 0 Laurie 0 5

Josh and Raye

March 26, 2008 11:34 AM

I'm waiting for the 90's comeback. by Josh and Raye

"You're right. Listen guys, I'm sorry. I know I'm throwing this whole group idea at you, and Josh, you might have had plans already, so it's okay if you'd rather not do the group thing. I'm sure I can patch it over with Cecily if that's the case. Because you should definitely have fun that night." Josh looked up and shook his head.

"No, no, no," he assured her, "I wasn't even going to go to the ball. The group is what's getting me to go! What I meant... What I'm trying to say..." Josh let a breath out slowly. He threw a glare at Renaye, who seemed paralyzed at the reaction from her simple teasing. The last thing he wanted right now was Laurie to feel bad becuase of him. Seeing the panic on his face, Raye jumped in.

"Don't feel bad," she said, "Your group is getting to Josh to go to the ball! You did want to go, right?" Renaye turned to Josh.

"Yeah, I just didn't want to go as the only one without a date. Really, Laurie, everything's fine. I didn't mean that I wouldn't be having fun, I meant..." he trailed off for a moment. "I don't know what I meant. Forget about it."

Renaye, being a smart girl, said nothing. She felt bad about setting Josh up like that. This wasn't fun anymore... Renaye stood up, ready to head out in search of Irene. Someone had to cheer her up now. Josh was good at patching things up, so she figured she'd leave him to it without her presence.

"I'm going to go find Irene and try to pick my dress, okay?" She said, "You just try not to screw up again while I'm gone, mmkay?" Josh threw a playful punch at her arm as she left, laughing slightly. Turning to Laurie, Josh said,

"Really, there's no problem. Want to forget I said anything?"

0 Josh and Raye I'm waiting for the 90's comeback. 0 Josh and Raye 0 5

Laurie

March 26, 2008 2:12 PM

Typing is rather difficult with a sprained wrist. by Laurie

Ever since she was very little, and according to baby stories from her mom and dad, Laurie had been something of a crybaby. Her mother's favorite story to share, whenever Laurie had invited over friends for sleepovers or dinner, was about when Laurie had first watched Bambi. The story went that four-year-old Laurie watched, ever attentively, the first half of the Disney film. But something was wrong with the video cassette- the film stopped right before Bambi's mother was killed. Well, again, according to her mother's storytelling, Laurie had refused to leave the living room insisting that Bambi's mother might survive this time- her mother had explained how the movie progressed from that point. Four-year-old Laurie tearfully proclaimed, between hand-in-mouth sobs, that she would help Bambi's mom get away.

The thing was that the story alone might not have been all that embarrassing- after all, what girl hadn't been tearful when watching Bambi? Except that every time her mother told the story, Laurie's eyes would well up, and she'd have to hole herself in the bathroom for a good ten minutes, with the sink running, to drown out the sounds of her crying. It was a well affirmed fact that she cried rather easily. A scrape on the knee, a greeting card commercial, those terrible drunk driving psa's that showed home videos of people killed in accidents- they all caused a crying spell. Laurie attached the behavior to her mind's easy ability to dream up feasible scenarios.

Perhaps that was why it was so easy for her to go from cheerful smiles to somber introspection. It was, she admitted to herself, a little manic. It also didn't hurt that she was very much susceptible to guilt. Which she was now feeling because she obviously jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"Shoot. I over-reacted, didn't I?" Her lips turned sheepishly. "Sorry. It's just that I tend to get caught up in things sometimes, and I forget that not everyone feels just like I do, but I somehow manage to bully them into doing it my way through pure exuberance. So," she slowed a bit, her confession turning more bashful. "I promise to forget you said anything, if you promise to forget that I jumped the gun. Oh," her eyes lit up, "and if you pass me that platter there. I sort of missed lunch."

0 Laurie Typing is rather difficult with a sprained wrist. 0 Laurie 0 5

Josh

March 26, 2008 6:57 PM

offers bandage by Josh

Why did it seem so imperative that Laurie not be upset, not necissarily at him, just in general? It was like the first day here... Josh had seen her in the common room, her eyes displaying that look one ususlally had when they were on the verge of tears. Thinking back, Josh wasn't sure why he had wanted to go over and help her out. He just did. Renaye hadn't told him to do it, it wasn't something he usually did, but he had gone over to her and ended up talking about time differences and homes. It just seemed like Josh didn't like it when she wasn't happy. Oh Merlin... He sounded like he was coming from a soap opera...

Sorry. It's just that I tend to get caught up in things sometimes, and I forget that not everyone feels just like I do, but I somehow manage to bully them into doing it my way through pure exuberance. So, I promise to forget you said anything, if you promise to forget that I jumped the gun."

Josh nodded. "Forgotten," he said, smiling in a more reassuring way. Oh," her eyes lit up, "and if you pass me that platter there. I sort of missed lunch." Josh took the plate she had gestured to and passed it her way.

"That's a good idea," he said, "I'm starved." Josh looked around the Hall. Come the day of the Ball, this place would be decked out in all sorts of stuff for the dance. Josh was glad he would be going now. He really didn't want to miss it, he wanted to go and have a good time. The problem was that the lack of a date would mean an addition in awkward moments. The ball seemed to be the only topic of conversation these days, and the sad thing was, Josh couldn't stop talking about it either.

"So," he said, "Do you really think Cecily expects me to be all gentleman-ly?"

0 Josh *offers bandage* 0 Josh 0 5

Amber and Gwen

March 26, 2008 9:46 PM

Keeps things fair and equal. by Amber and Gwen

For a moment, the look on Gwen's face was priceless. If she had been writing a low-quality novel, Amber would have said her cousin had been struck speechless and made to doubt her own hearing.

It didn't last long. She gave Amber a quick, speculative look that promised an interrogation later and then, more surprisingly, smiled at them. "Well! Isn't that lovely?" She looked, Amber noted, really pleased, quite as if she had arranged the whole thing. If Amber hadn't known much better - who in their right mind would trust Gwen Carey as their matchmaker? - she might've thought she had.

Before Amber could really make up her mind about whether Gwen had meant it as a rhetorical question, another boy, three or so years older than her at least, joined in and addressed Geoffrey. Looking at it, Amber thought she saw why rumors spread so fast at Sonora. With so many people showing up, the only weird thing would be the good story that didn't make the rounds before the day ended.

From the corner of her eye, Amber saw Gwen lean forward in her seat a bit as the two boys began going back and forth, as if she was watching a tennis match. Amber tried to give her a subtle kick under the table. She was already annoyed with Gwen for apparently making everyone that she knew and Amber didn't think Amber was really an Amelia, and nothing her cousin had done so far in this conversation had helped to redeem her. Fortunately for Amber, Stephen decided he'd rather talk to Gwen, which kept Gwen from retaliating.

"Constantly," she replied, shaking her head. "If they'd let me take the CATS today, I'd do it. I'm tired of waiting for them." Gwen sounded, Amber noticed, the most normal she had since she'd "wandered" over. She thought she might do a bit of interrogating herself later, if she survived Gwen's best efforts to prove she was Torquemada reincarnated. "They say I'll change my mind when they get here, though. How're RATS levels?"

Amber could stand no more. If she left it much longer, Gwen would suggest they split into teams and play Go Fish, or go on a scavenger hunt, or something equally as ridiculous. It fit with the mood her cousin appeared to be in, anyway, and Amber knew from experience that Gwen would sometimes demand to do whatever popped into her head in said mood. Amber was almost sure she did it just for meanness, though she didn't quite rule out a failed attempt to break the medieval Carey mold and make contact with the modern world. "I'm gonna run to the library," she said, not sure anyone was listening. A standard occupational hazard of knowing Gwen. "Got a book I need to return." She looked at Geoffrey, unsure of what she was supposed to do. "See you later, then?"

0 Amber and Gwen Keeps things fair and equal. 63 Amber and Gwen 0 5

Laurie

March 26, 2008 11:02 PM

And it's even harder when said wrist is in a splint. by Laurie

Laurie carefully separated her green beans from her potatoes, frowning as the beans rebelled against their segregation. She took her time, squaring off her ham from the sides, ensuring that there was defined line between each of the different staples. She then cut her green beans into proper mouthfuls, the ham came next. She never mixed her foods; even when arranging bites, first she would eat all the ham, then the beans, and finish with potatoes. It had been noted, on more than one occasion, that her eating mannerisms were a perfect example of fastidiousness. It was not something that bothered her.

She considered Josh's question between bites. "Probably. Cecily's kind of stuck in the Tudor period or something. Which is odd, because she seems too independant to enjoy the subservient attitude of women from back then."

She shrugged, brushing a hand back through her hair as she went. Her brown eyes paused in reflection. "You know, honestly, I'm surprised she went along with the suggestion. She's never hidden the fact that she's not a fan of Renaye, and considering you're Renaye's twin, well . . ." She pushed back on her now emptied plate.

"Thank-you though, for agreeing to it. And who knows? Maybe Cecily loosens up when butterbeer's being passed around." Laurie gave a confiding grin. "Plus, as we both know, you definitely know how to dance, so that's bound to make a good impression."

She weighed, briefly, whether or not her stomach still had appetite enough for dessert. An ice cream sundae seemed like a particularly tempting idea. "I guess technically, if you look at it properly, I now owe you a favor for going along with this." She lifted her eyes back to his, humor plain in their expression. "So, any school work you need palmed off, any socks or favorite t-shirts that need mending? I'm not half bad at the sewing gig. Plus, I still owe you from the dancing lesson. Make that two favors then."

0 Laurie And it's even harder when said wrist is in a splint. 0 Laurie 0 5

Stephen and Geoff

March 27, 2008 7:59 AM

And as we really should make it to the ball itself... by Stephen and Geoff

"Hard," Stephen summed up. "But so far I've found that working and studying and then pretending that they don't exist has helped make it a survivable experience. So far anyhow." He sent a crooked grin over to Geoffrey who had been watching him with a pained expression, but was now looking closer to bewildered.

"Uh," Geoffrey was saying, but not to Stephen. "Ok. I guess you'll have to see me later." Stephen raised an eyebrow and Geoffrey stumbled into an attempt at a joke. "It's too late to back out of being my date to the ball now. Bye, Amy." He finished, feeling somewhat lame, but also happy that he wasn't so pathetically hopeless now that he could at least put a name to his date.

Stephen shook his head over the poor delivery, but gave his cousin a sly wink to acknowledge the effort. Geoffrey, realising that that would mean he'd be there, alone with Stephen and Gwen decided that perhaps it was time for him to scamper too. It wasn't like he'd planned on being in the hall for too long in any case. He still didn't want to run into the Captain just yet.

He might have had a date, but that didn't instantly or even particularly change the fact that he had been crushed by the girl he was fairly certain he liked and respected most in all of the world. It just made the rejection... slightly less of a sting.

"I suppose I should be going too," he said, more for Gwen's benefit than for Stephens.

"Still trying to avoid-"

"Got some homework that needs doing," Geoffrey rushed to interject. "See you later," he said to them both before beating a hasty retreat.

Stephen watched Geoffrey go and then turned to grin at Gwen. "Someone needs to remind me to get my hands on a camera before this ball. Or at the very least find someone else who will take photos for my amusement. I get the feeling it's going to be interesting."

39 Stephen and Geoff And as we really should make it to the ball itself... 0 Stephen and Geoff 0 5

Josh

March 27, 2008 6:11 PM

Are splints signable? by Josh

Josh pilled his plate up with food as Laurie seemed to ponder his question. He took bites during her response of, "Probably. Cecily's kind of stuck in the Tudor period or something. Which is odd, because she seems too independant to enjoy the subservient attitude of women from back then." Josh figured as much for her response to his question. Cecily gave him the impression that, even though she was eleven, she was going to act much older. That was no fun.

. "You know, honestly, I'm surprised she went along with the suggestion. She's never hidden the fact that she's not a fan of Renaye, and considering you're Renaye's twin, well . . ."

"Yeah," Josh said, swallowing his mouthful of potatoes. "On that topic, if she says anything, you know, not nice, about Renaye, I'm not expected to be nice am I? I know it's going to come up, but I just saying; The evening may not end with she and I on good terms."

"Thank-you though, for agreeing to it. And who knows? Maybe Cecily loosens up when butterbeer's being passed around. Plus, as we both know, you definitely know how to dance, so that's bound to make a good impression." Josh smiled shyly. That was one thing he did have going for him. He would have to thank Laina for dragging him to the right dance class, as weird as that sounded. Cecily, he expected, probably knew exactly how to dance, and well. The thing was, Josh had more fun when he or his partner messed up every once in a while. It gave them something to laugh about. When he was dancing with Laurie, it was fun teaching her the steps and at the same time being able to talk to her. He didn't want to know what he was doing, which definitely sounded weird.

"Don't worry about it. Maybe it'll turn out she only has it out for Raye, which is still a big minus in my book, but then she might not hate me straight off." He paused. Something was bothering him. "Can I ask you something? Is it bad to not like her because of the thing with Renaye? I mean, she hasn't done anything to me. In fact, she's doing me a favor, going with me to the ball. I'm going with her, but, to be honest, I just don't like how she is towards my sister. How judgemental is that?"

"So, any school work you need palmed off, any socks or favorite t-shirts that need mending? I'm not half bad at the sewing gig. Plus, I still owe you from the dancing lesson. Make that two favors then."

Josh smiled and nodded, holding back the response he really wanted to say. 'Just make it two dances,' was his intended response. Instead, the words that came out were,

"I'll let you know," he said smiling, his eyes meeting her shining brown ones, "I doubt I'll be asking though." As sad as it was, it was true. He probably wouldn't ask her to dance at the ball, each having a date might make that a little awkward. He didn't have anything else that he would want from her.

0 Josh Are splints signable? 0 Josh 0 5

Laurie

March 27, 2008 7:25 PM

Sometimes, but not this one. by Laurie

“Can I ask you something?” Josh asked her.

Laurie nodded encouragingly. “Of course.”

“Is it bad to not like her because of the thing with Renaye? I mean, she hasn’t done anything to me. In fact, she’s doing me a favor, going with me to the ball. I’m going with her, but, to be honest, I just don’t like how she is towards my sister. How judgmental is that?”

“It’s not judgmental at all!” She reassured. “Renaye’s your sister, your twin. It’d be weird if you didn’t feel protective over that, and even weirder if it didn’t bother you that someone is so open about disliking her.” It was something she had considered before, in those moments before sleep fell over her, when her thoughts struck through her mind without any real direction. Her friends’ twinness was something that interested her. She had known twins who celebrated their similarities, sought out ways to become even more singular in their identity of two. The Warren twins were different from that, at least from her observations. Josh was the quieter of the two, there were certain things she felt more comfortable telling him than Renaye. But then Renaye was fun! She promised adventure and activity and enthusiasm. There were things Laurie would go to Renaye for first. That was why over Christmas, she had sent two separate cards.

She felt the need to explain her understanding, suddenly. “At the same time, though, it would be okay if you became friends with Cecily- even without Cecily changing her mind about liking Renaye. I mean, you’re still you, right? There are bound to be people who eventually you both can’t always like, right?”

Laurie gave in to the temptation and reached for the dessert tray, charmed to hold much more than its ten inch long length. Two scoops of vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, pecan pieces, and a single candied cherry: the first bite was bliss. “I am such a glutton for sweets,” she admitted without shame.

“I’ll let you know. I doubt I’ll be asking though.”

Her lips frowned around her spoon. “Hey now, that’s not fair. I know I’m not terribly talented, but don’t knock my handiness with a nee- hang on.” An idea struck; a most excellent idea, one she was certain her parents would be more than happy to agree with- especially her dad. After all, the Warrens had partly inspired his idea of a Quidditch themed cookbook; two new mouths to try out his not-yet-perfected recipes would be particularly enticing. “How about this then? How about you come down over the summer? My brother Tim has camp for six weeks; you could come then. We’re only two blocks from the beach- and if there are too many tourists, we have a pool out in the lanai.” She paused to take in another mouthful of her sundae, before a second thought struck her mid-melt. “And Renaye, of course. You guys wouldn’t have to stay the whole six weeks or anything, unless you wanted to, but,” she couldn’t help but grin, very much excited by the whole proposition, “it would be an awesome way to spend the summer.”

0 Laurie Sometimes, but not this one. 0 Laurie 0 5

Josh

March 27, 2008 8:47 PM

Darn... Can I sign anyway? by Josh

“It’s not judgmental at all!” She reassured. “Renaye’s your sister, your twin. It’d be weird if you didn’t feel protective over that, and even weirder if it didn’t bother you that someone is so open about disliking her. At the same time, though, it would be okay if you became friends with Cecily- even without Cecily changing her mind about liking Renaye. I mean, you’re still you, right? There are bound to be people who eventually you both can’t always like, right?” Josh went over her response in his mind for a few moments. He was sure Cecily was nice when she had a good opinion of you. He wasn't quite sure where he stood with her at the moment, but there was this weird openness of it. He didn't feel the need for her to like him. If she did, cool, sorta. Being okay with her would mean that Renaye would be on the other side, which he wasn't okay with. At all. If she didn't, he was okay with that too. Ultimately, though...

"I don't have to decide whether or not I like her ahead of time," Josh said, more to himself than to Laurie, "I just need to know that I don't like that she's so... you know, to Raye. That's the problem I have. Other than that, I just need to get to know her. Maybe we can figure something out at the dance about the whole Raye vs. Cecily thing... I couldn't be friends with her if she insisted on hating Renaye though."

Josh watched as Laurie picked a great looking dessert. “I am such a glutton for sweets.” Josh laughed and reached over for one himself.

"It's contagious!" he said before taking a bite of the sugary mixture.

“Hey now, that’s not fair. I know I’m not terribly talented, but don’t knock my handiness with a nee- hang on.”

Josh was pretty sure she was kidding. He didn't mean that he didn't think she could saw or something... Laurie seemed to have something else on her mind though, as he soon found out: “How about this then? How about you come down over the summer? My brother Tim has camp for six weeks; you could come then. We’re only two blocks from the beach- and if there are too many tourists, we have a pool out in the lanai. And Renaye, of course. You guys wouldn’t have to stay the whole six weeks or anything, unless you wanted to, but it would be an awesome way to spend the summer."

"That would be so awesome!" Josh exclaimed, breaking his normally quiet nature. He diverted his eyes towards his sundae, a flush creeping into his cheeks. His voice decreased to its normal decible when he continued. "Renaye and I have a summer Quidditch tournament we were going to do, but that's in August..." Josh took a large bite of ice cream, finishing his sundae. "A few weeks in your company sounds like a more than fair trade for two favors." Josh, yet again, as what usually happens when he's in Laurie's comforting presence, spoke without thinking. And he didn't even have his ice cream to distract himself. His pale blue eyes instead focused on the dessert plate still in front of them. Josh reached out for a brownie with colorful sprinkles sitting on the tray. He really wasn't hungry. Josh broke the brownie in half and offered the larger half to Laurie. He hoped her sweet tooth would fail him in his hopeful distraction.

0 Josh Darn... Can I sign anyway? 0 Josh 0 5

Laurie

March 27, 2008 10:40 PM

Only if you use a purple sharpie. by Laurie

“Maybe we can figure something out at the dance about the whole Raye vs. Cecily thing. . . I couldn’t be friends with her if she insisted on hating Renaye though.”

Laurie nodded, arranging the few green beans left on her plate in a neat row. “It all stems from when we all first met. The room’s full of Purebloods, and I mean like purist Purebloods. I showed my ignorance right away, and Renaye strolled in during the midst of it with her broom and immediate desire for the pitch, and well, it was just a really strong clash of different personalities. I think Cecily was more insulted by the fact that there were girls who didn’t mind doing sports and stuff. Anabel wasn’t a particularly good influence either. I never thought a girl could be smarmy, but that’s the best word for her. . .”

In all truth, it was Anabel she really couldn't tolerate. The girl was never concretely unpleasant or flatly rude- but she was subversive. Anabel aimed her insults and snobbery in such candy-coated, sugary tones, that one could never directly retaliate without coming across as petty or snide. Laurie coudn't stand it- and the way poor Addie seemed to live and breathe on a nice word from the girl- ugh. She released a well practiced sigh; her roommates and the current state of affairs had prompted it on many an occasion.

“I am so looking forward to next year. I’m hoping we might all have a chance to make a second impression, maybe focus on similarities and not hone in on our differences quite so much.” Her words were optimistic, which matched her mindset, but her sensibilities very much disagreed.

”A few weeks in your company sounds like a more than fair trade for two favors.”

She returned Josh’s smile warmly. “Excellent. I’ll owl my parents tonight; they finally decided to join the St. Pete owlery, so I should get a response right away.” Josh surprised her by waving a piece of brownie, coated in sprinkles, beneath her nose. She groaned but took the piece regardless. “It is a singular miracle that I’ve never had a cavity.”

She backtracked for a moment, between crumbling the brownie into more sizeable pieces. “I hope that the dance can make things better between all of us. It sucks sometimes walking into that room and immediately having to put your words under watch, or feeling that your t-shirt that day somehow made you subhuman. It just- I really think that at the very least we might all come to some kind of understanding, you know? It makes me wish that that whole boys’ room/girls’ room thing wasn’t as strict. I used to share a room with my brother, and Renaye’s your sister. . .” She popped in a piece of brownie that she had managed to roll into a ball. “Silly, right? I just don’t deal well with contention, and that room is strife with it.”

0 Laurie Only if you use a purple sharpie. 0 Laurie 0 5

Josh

March 28, 2008 11:22 AM

Sweet! signs <i>Your imaginary friend</i> by Josh

“It all stems from when we all first met. The room’s full of Purebloods, and I mean like purist Purebloods. I showed my ignorance right away, and Renaye strolled in during the midst of it with her broom and immediate desire for the pitch, and well, it was just a really strong clash of different personalities. I think Cecily was more insulted by the fact that there were girls who didn’t mind doing sports and stuff. Anabel wasn’t a particularly good influence either. I never thought a girl could be smarmy, but that’s the best word for her. . .” Josh tried to imagine living in a room with as many people that were in Raye's dorm and only getting along with one. Ouch. If it was a room full of guys that didn't like him, that was okay. Guys aren't as... tretcherous as girls. Girls fight with words and sneaky actions. Yeah, Josh wouldn't be able to do it and he wasn't sure how Renaye and Laurie did it.

“I hope that the dance can make things better between all of us. It sucks sometimes walking into that room and immediately having to put your words under watch, or feeling that your t-shirt that day somehow made you subhuman. It just- I really think that at the very least we might all come to some kind of understanding, you know? It makes me wish that that whole boys’ room/girls’ room thing wasn’t as strict. I used to share a room with my brother, and Renaye’s your sister. . . Silly, right? I just don’t deal well with contention, and that room is strife with it.”

"I don't know how you guys do it. Renaye told me that you're like her savior. She would be in some serious trouble without you in the room. Raye can ignore the negative stuff, no problem," he said. "Renaye's somehow, don't ask me how, finds a bright side to everything. There are only some, very rare, times when she gets really upset and doesn't bother with the bright side. Did she tell you about the deal in Japan over break?" Josh inquired. Renaye had talked to Irene about it, and Josh was there, so he heard all her feelings being screamed at Mom and Dad. He wasn't sure how much Raye talked about it. Josh never talked about it. Sometimes he got to thinking about it, but he didn't let it get him down. Yeah, Mom and Dad traveled. A lot. So much that they hadn't been home in about a year. If they really cared, they might show up every once in a while, maybe for Easter. Or the twins birthday. Or maybe even take some time off for Christmas. Nope, instead, they ship them out to Tokyo to spend a total of about 12 hours together before running off to another engineering meeting. They couldn't take two minutes to listen to their stories from school, or about the championship game he and Raye had started in, nothing. It seemed like they were there merely because they were suppose to be together for Christmas, not because they were wanted. Elaina, even though she was only seven, had burst into tears, asking, "Why don't Mom and Dad want to see us on Christmas instead of the work people?" Josh didn't have an answer.

0 Josh Sweet! *signs <i>Your imaginary friend</i>* 0 Josh 0 5

Laurie

March 28, 2008 8:36 PM

Aw, shucks. That's nice of you. by Laurie

"I don't know how you guys do it. Renaye told me that you're like her savior. She would be in some serious trouble without you in the room. Raye can ignore the negative stuff, no problem. . . Renaye's somehow, don't ask me how, finds a bright side to everything. There are only some, very rare, times when she gets really upset and doesn't bother with the bright side. Did she tell you about the deal in Japan over break?"

"Nothing directly, no. . ." But Laurie had managed to put a few things together. From day one, she knew that her friends had a rotating household, but not in the more conventional sense of having divorced parents. Their parents were together, just not always together with the children as well. "I mean, I know that your parents are busy, and travel a lot, so that they're not always around."

She knew she was lucky when it came to her family. There were no dramatic secrets or hidden skeletons in their closets. Her parents fought maybe once a year, and always made up within an hour. Their photo albums held all the typical pictures, years of birthdays and holidays. Her mom's jewelry box had a drawer filled only with their baby teeth from years of pretending to be Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny. Her worst memory was when her dog was run over by a car. She had a happy family in every way, and she loved that. Her family life made it difficult, however, for her to feel empathy. She didn't have a past experience to tap into and find feelings to relate with.

That didn't prevent her from caring, though.

Or from listening. "What happened?"

0 Laurie Aw, shucks. That's nice of you. 0 Laurie 0 5

Josh

March 28, 2008 9:10 PM

I do what I can. by Josh

It was never like Josh to be open with anyone but Renaye or Irene. He was just a generally to-himself person. Maybe it was because of Renaye's tendency to voice what he was thinking, but he just never had to say much. Raye just said it all. Some people ask if they finish each others' sentences. Renaye grins at Josh and replies, "Don't have to! He doesn't say anything for me to finish. That gets a few laughs.

"I mean, I know that your parents are busy, and travel a lot, so that they're not always around. What happened?

Josh took a bite of his brownie. "Well, you know how outspoken Renaye is. She... um... wasn't happy, when we found out we were headed to Japan. They've been away for a year now and we've been staying with our Uncle and Irene. We get use to it. Come Christmas, they usually come home. They came home, but only to pick us up to fly to Tokyo. They didn't want to spend too much time away from the engineering project," Josh grimaced. "That was the problem. Mom and Dad have never taken time off, even for their kids. Elaina, my little sister, she's seven, barely remembers what they look like half the time. I would bet my life that they would skip our graduation for a meeting with the advertising company. "You understand, right? We're just trying to give you a good future." Well, they're missing everything that we want them here for," Josh paused, forgetting where this was even going. He'd never spoken to anyone about this and it was all coming out.

"I mean, I was the one to teach Elaina how to walk! I was six! Uncle Mike is in 95% of all of our family photos. They're never there and once we are together, it's in Japan. It was Christmas morning and they had a meeting at nine A.M. Our flight was early the next morning. The whole time we were there there was a total of twelve hours where they talked about the new line coming out, not giving a care for anything their kids might have done in the past year at their first year at Sonora. The broom's not even that good! The speed is fast, but it takes twenty minutes to get it there and it can't turn for crap and forget about a good balance--" Josh halted his ramblings and sighed. He ran a hand through his dark hair getting a hold of what he was suppose to be talking about.

"Anyway, everything I've just said to you, Renaye screamed it at Mom and Dad Christmas morning. They tried to defend themselves, but Renaye's got a head of steam when she gets going. There really wasn't much response after she asked them where their priorities were."

Josh realized just how much had just talked. Looking down in his hand, the remainder of the brownie was squished in his palm. He wasn't sure what Laurie was thinking, but he did feel the need to explain his continuous rant.

"I didn't mean to go on like that. I've never talked to anyone about this, so you were on the recieving end of the rant," he said, lifting the corners of his lips in a small smile. He didn't want this to be a really big deal. It was normal, after all, them being away and that wasn't about to change.

0 Josh I do what I can. 0 Josh 0 5

Josh Warren

A little depressed. by Josh Warren

Geoffrey Spinder and Stephen Baxter

Misery enjoys company, they say... by Geoffrey Spinder and Stephen Baxter

Josh

A wise saying by Josh

Stephen and Geoffrey

Isn't it just? by Stephen and Geoffrey

Josh

It is just. by Josh

Geoff and Stephen

I'm back! (also, Tag any girl from 2nd/3rd year) by Geoff and Stephen

Josh

Thank Merlin! by Josh

Stephen

That Merlin bloke gets a lot of credit by Stephen

Josh and Renaye Warren

He's always at the end of movies TAG: Laurie and Cecily by Josh and Renaye Warren

Amber Carey

Welcome back! by Amber Carey

Cecily Smythe

Haha. My sides are splitting. by Cecily Smythe

Laurie Cider

Planning, once again. by Laurie Cider

Geoffrey

Why thankee, little lady by Geoffrey

Stephen

I guess this is my cue ;) by Stephen

Josh and Raye

Stage Right... by Josh and Raye

Amber and Gwen

Any time, good sir. by Amber and Gwen

Cecily

Rapid exit by Cecily

Geoffrey and Stephen

evening out numbers ;) by Geoffrey and Stephen

Renaye and Josh

Re: Rapid exit by Renaye and Josh

Laurie

Mental soliloquy time! by Laurie

Josh and Renaye

"Soliloquy"... What a word! by Josh and Renaye

Laurie

I'm still waiting for Apotheosis to make a come back. by Laurie

Josh and Raye

I'm waiting for the 90's comeback. by Josh and Raye

Laurie

Typing is rather difficult with a sprained wrist. by Laurie

Josh

*offers bandage* by Josh

Amber and Gwen

Keeps things fair and equal. by Amber and Gwen

Laurie

And it's even harder when said wrist is in a splint. by Laurie

Stephen and Geoff

And as we really should make it to the ball itself... by Stephen and Geoff

Josh

Are splints signable? by Josh

Laurie

Sometimes, but not this one. by Laurie

Josh

Darn... Can I sign anyway? by Josh

Laurie

Only if you use a purple sharpie. by Laurie

Josh

Sweet! *signs <i>Your imaginary friend</i>* by Josh

Laurie

Aw, shucks. That's nice of you. by Laurie

Josh

I do what I can. by Josh

offers bandage by Josh

Sweet! signs <i>Your imaginary friend</i> by Josh