DH Skies
May 25, 2019 4:39 AM
Pre-Concert - Arrivals and Tour by DH Skies
The day of the concert was sliding pleasantly into a bright, warm summer’s evening. Given the weather charms around the school, to make the climate closer to Ireland than Arizona, you could never quite guarantee that, but they were in luck today - or the founders had had a little magic up their sleeves for midsummer events. Selina definitely thought this was preferable to the desert temperatures which must be baking the sand outside the protective bubble of the school.They had set up a transportation station just outside the bounds of the school in order to allow the families of students to travel in, the concert being open to immediate family members, meaning the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s) and sibling(s). The area was still protected from accidental intrusion by non-magical people; deliberate intrusion was, of course, being welcomed. Selina had ensured that parents of Muggleborn students had actively been offered a connection to the Floo network - it was a right that was, supposedly, available to all homes in which a magical person resided, but that was information that you had to go digging for, and be persistent in your application for. They had also been provided details of the nearest public access Floo points, and a letter of authorisation from the school which would enable them to actually see the buildings as well as be allowed to enter and travel by the network whilst not accompanied by the magical member of their family. For those who preferred the traditional Muggle way of travelling, they had been told to meet a man with a yellow flag outside the nearby coach station, which was also close to a large designated automobile parking area for anyone who would be driving themselves. Professor Wright (who, aside from the flag, was pleasantly inconspicuous) would then bring them to school by car. It was just the one car, regardless of the number of families travelling in that way, but they would all find it perfectly capacious. And all the Charms teacher had to do to operate it was place his hands on the wheel - the vehicle would do the rest. There were limits, after all, to how far a group of magical people were able to go in arranging fully non-magical transport, and unless anyone fancied a nice long walk in the Arizona sun, they would get in. Families had been asked to reply as to how they would be travelling in order to help the school make arrangements and troubleshoot any particular problems.
For those coming by magic, the transportation station was equipped with several fireplaces, a landing space for portkeys (for any magical families who had chosen to arrange these - it had been decided that it wasn’t a good idea to expose non-magical people as their first experience of wizarding travel) and it was possible to aparate in. In addition to these travel features, it was contained within a bubble charm which kept it to a pleasantly cool temperature, and equipped with chairs, water, and anti-nausea remedies for anyone needing some recovery from their journey. Professor Brooding was on hand at the transportation station just in case there were any particular difficulties that needed addressing (and because, as well as being a good problem solver, it was hard not to feel welcomed by her cheerful demeanor) though it really was just a landing space. Opposite the fireplaces was a door. The station was a simple platform and thus had no walls, and so the door simply… was there, rising up off the platform, much like the fireplaces. Families would step through this and find themselves in the foyer of the school itself. This had been hung with the multilingual banner made by a group of the students, which bid them all ‘Welcome’ in all the languages spoken by the students and their families. Proper refreshments were available here, and Deputy Headmistress Skies was ready to greet parents more formally. There was also the option to make themselves name labels, as it had occurred to her that plenty of parents had never had the chance to meet their children’s friend’s parents, and may only have corresponded by letter, although these were not mandatory.
Those who wished to be taken on a tour of the school had been advised to arrive before 6.30. Any parents who did not wish to join could travel in just for the concert, which would begin at 7.30. Once she was fairly sure anyone who wanted to join had arrived, she called for their attention.
“Good evening, and welcome to Sonora Academy. I am Deputy Headmistress Skies. We’re so pleased to be able to welcome you all here,” she added, smiling very genuinely at this. Parents often seemed so removed, given the boarding school system, and it was nice to have this chance to connect. She was especially pleased that they had been able to bring the Muggle parents in, who she was aware had some bridges to cross in understanding their children’s lives at times. “We are going to conduct a short tour of the school, after which we will take you to the Cascade Hall for this evening’s concert, which will be introduced by our Headmaster. After the concert, refreshments will be provided, and there will be some time for you to catch up with your children and with each other.
“If you’d like to follow me, we’ll begin with seeing the grounds,” she invited, leading them out of the large white stucco building and into the pleasant summer evening, explaining the weather charms as she went.
OOC - welcome to the concert! This post is designed to give background information so that you are aware of the arrangements made. It is also open for replies if you want to have parents chatting amongst themselves. The concert itself will be posted during the weekend, as will a post-concert thread for socialisation involving the students.
Subthreads: Party of two? No? by Mathias Stones (Evelyn's Dad) with Duncan, Angus and Whitney Brockert , Mathias Stones
Zdravstvuite, sonory! by Sem'ya Vorontsovykh with Professor Mary Brooding, Karl Hexenmeister
Wow, magic! by Damien and Patricia Ives with Abraham Jackson
A Maarten and two Sparks walk into a school by Stefanie Sparks plus Two with Marijke Lange (Mom: Kir & Ness), Stefanie and Peter Sparks
Fish out of water. by Arthur and Rosalie Hayles with The De Matteos
We have a problem by Holly Delachene with Raoul and Philippe with Florian Eckart and Agathe Zauberhexen
Working on my first detention before I even start by Anya Delachene, with Granddad Sparks with Tarquin Fox-Reynolds
A blast from the past by Ryan O'Malley
Arriving by The Priorys
13
DH Skies
Pre-Concert - Arrivals and Tour
26
DH Skies
1
5
Mathias Stones (Evelyn's Dad)
May 26, 2019 2:31 PM
Party of two? No? by Mathias Stones (Evelyn's Dad)
Mathias was not eager for the concert, and had honestly considered not attending. The previous year hadn't required nearly so much of his attention, and he hoped that the school would put a stop to it as soon as possible. Of course, some part of him was aware that attendance was an altogether Good Thing, whether or not it was actually any good at all.For one, there were at least a few professors, and probably some students, who would think of Mathias Stones as the bad guy in Evelyn's little adventure. They didn't get to see how hard he'd pushed her to pick up the magic she now seemed to be doing okay with, or the tears she cried over silly, muggle things, or the way she looked just like her mother, a woman who was supposed to carry enough magic blood to get them through. It just went to show that marrying for love was rarely enough; love was temporary, while blood potency and wealth were more substantive. He thought it all, but wasn't sure he meant it, particularly when he caught himself looking around for that familiar face in the crowd of parents arriving, and found his heart ached terribly when he didn't spot it.
Charity wasn't coming.
He wondered what Evelyn would tell her friends, if she had friends other than that Ness girl... boy... ah... other than Ness. That one was from a strong family background, and Evelyn maybe wasn't so keen to reveal her own family goings on, quiet as she tended to be.
Mathias had left Charles in the care of his own mother, a competent witch who wouldn't be so upset at his bursts of magic as these strangers might be, and was attending entirely alone tonight. There were a few other parents here and there who didn't have partners with them, and perhaps he wouldn't be alone on the outside. The inside, though, was where it hurt, and it kept him quiet until someone approached.
22
Mathias Stones (Evelyn's Dad)
Party of two? No?
1422
Mathias Stones (Evelyn's Dad)
0
5
Duncan, Angus and Whitney Brockert
June 02, 2019 6:31 PM
Nope. Of four. by Duncan, Angus and Whitney Brockert
Duncan gazed around the Cascade Hall.It had been awhile since he graduated and it was nice to see the old place. Juniper wasn't performing of course, but he still wanted to come see how she was doing. And possibly hex the crap out of Finn Scott if she wasn't doing well.He was just disappointed that he couldn't bring Araceli with him. Duncan very much wanted the girl he loved there with him but it was parents and siblings only. Even if he'd been married to Araceli, he wouldn't have been able to bring her. Which somehow seemed wrong to him. Sure, now, when they weren't even engaged, but if they were married ? It was unfair to exclude spouses of older siblings.
Maybe Duncan should do something about it. He was a Brockert so people might listen to him. He didn't believe in abusing the power of his family name but spouses of older siblings were family. Not that it would help him, since his sister was graduating but it would help others in the future.
The Teppenpaw alum spotted his parents and approached them. Mother did not look all that pleased to be here.
"Hey son!" Angus Brockert greeted his older child, apparently cutting off his wife mid-sentence, to her great annoyance. He was thrilled to be here. He looked back on his time at Sonora with tremendous fondness. In his day, Angus had been rather well liked and popular enough to get Head Boy though he hadn't been one of those obnoxious popular kids who played Quidditch and thought they were Merlin's gift to humanity like his cousin Eustace. Angus had been kind and friendly to everyone, and it paid off.
Sort of like his son. Indeed one of Angus's proudest moments as a father was when Duncan followed in his footsteps. The fact that his son was the first Brockert to get Head Boy-and first one to get Head Student along with Princess Serena- since Angus himself made it extra cool.
Not that he was disappointed in Juniper, the way his wife seemed to be. This irritated Angus to no end. Juniper was a sweet and lovely girl, very gentle and caring. And if Mr. Finbar Scott didn't want her, he was a bloody idiot.
Which would be literal if Duncan had his way. "Hey Father." He replied as Angus swept him into a bear hug. Mother was much more stiff and formal as she greeted him as well.
"Hello Duncan" Whitney Brockert was not as happy to be here as her husband was. Mostly, she was disappointed that Juniper was not performing and thus, she felt there was no reason to come. She had only agreed once Angus convinced her that there would be many important people there.
Spotting another family, Angus decided to approach. "Hello, I'm Angus Brockert of the Western Brockerts. I'm Juniper's father and this my wife Whitney and son Duncan. How are you doing?" He shook their hand enthusiastically.
Whitney smiled stiffly and asked them, her question a pointed one "Is your child performing tonight?"
11
Duncan, Angus and Whitney Brockert
Nope. Of four.
271
Duncan, Angus and Whitney Brockert
0
5
Mathias Stones
June 03, 2019 12:15 AM
Oh, great. by Mathias Stones
It had been a long time since he'd heard that greeting used, and smiled instantly at it. He'd been unfortunate to find work in a place that didn't care as much as they should about whether someone came from a good family or not. Granted, he'd sort of hexed himself in the foot by marrying a squib, but she'd come from a powerful family herself and love made him blind to the compromises their relationship would entail for himself and his future. Still, they'd managed one decent child at least, and the other was pretty smart, so it wasn't all bad.Putting thoughts of his "wife" aside before he turned to self pity, Mathias held out his hand and shook with the man who introduced himself as Angus. Angus Brockert. This was turning out to be a very helpful evening.
"Mathias Stones of the Oregon Stones," he said, falling into that old introduction with comfort and ease. Of course, a family like the Brockerts may not have heard of him, but their names were in the history books of magic families for a dozen generations, and each had turned out strong. That was worth something. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm well, thank you."
Whitney seemed less eager than her husband, and Mathias suspected his wife would have liked her. Unfortunately, he couldn't be sure whether or not Juniper Brockert was in his daughter's class, as he and Evelyn hadn't hardly talked about school. They hadn't really talked about anything. He'd been doing so much better, and she hardly seemed to care. It made him crazy.
"She is," he said, managing a proud face. He would've preferred she be backstage, where people didn't need to see her but could see her magic. He suspected she didn't have it in her to make that happen. She'd said something about flying, and he supposed it was good that she was athletic, even if unskilled. Of course, the scarred up arm was a constant reminder that she wasn't very athletic either.
"Evelyn is a first ye-- no. Second year." He flushed. "She's always been very involved in her studies, so I didn't see her much more when she was living at home during the school year," he laughed, passing his mistake off as a joke. "What about your girl?"
22
Mathias Stones
Oh, great.
0
Mathias Stones
0
5
Duncan, Angus and Whitney
June 07, 2019 6:31 PM
Angus-"It sure is!" by Duncan, Angus and Whitney
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stones." Angus replied warmly. The name was vaguely familiar, he thought they might be a family who produced people of decent magical ability, even if they weren't top tier society people like the Brockerts were. Still, that didn't mean he wouldn't converse with the man. Angus was the sort who was genuinely interested in what others had to say, no matter who they were, much to the chagrin of his wife.
Whitney, of course, was more interested in the top tier society people. She could not wait to get away from this man and go find them but she knew her husband. Juniper sure didn't get her reticence from him. She often wondered where it did come from. While Whitney wasn't as.... enthusiastic as her husband. she certainly wasn't shy . When she'd been in school, she had been pretty much the most popular girl in her class.
It was just that she was selective about who she wanted to associate with. One couldn't rise to the top if they weren't. For all Whitney knew, Mr. Stones would try to use her husband to get ahead in the world. That's why you could never be too careful around the lower classes. And knowing Angus, he'd get sucked in. Still, she shook the man's hand as well, for appearance's sake as did Duncan.
"Oh that's nice." Angus replied. "Juniper is a seventh year, so basically she's about to graduate. She won't be performing tonight though, it's never really been her thing. She's always been good at her studies too, especially Care of Magical Creatures and Transfiguration. Juniper is also studying to be an animagus." There was no denying that he thought this was a great accomplishment.
11
Duncan, Angus and Whitney
Angus-"It sure is!"
271
Duncan, Angus and Whitney
0
5
Mathias Stones
June 10, 2019 12:19 AM
I'm glad to have met you tonight. by Mathias Stones
Mathias realized with some self-disgust that he had no idea what Evelyn was good at or if she was actually good at anything. Her mother was as good a potions brewer as any squib could be, and it was certainly in her blood, so that was a strong possibility. But what if she was terrible at it? He didn't know that he wanted to risk that."You must be very proud. Transfiguration was a favorite of mine when I was in school, although I never became an animagus," he said, smiling. If he was honest, the idea of having to be mostly quiet through the whole process was enough for him to decide against it. He had too many things to say for that to be a good option. Did Evelyn want to be an animagus? It would certainly be helpful if she could be a mouse or something.
"What are her post-graduation plans?" he asked, hoping to get ideas. What did young magical graduates do these days anyway? "She's coming into an adulthood with quite a legacy behind her," he said, nodding again to the family name she had inherited.
The thought that he may have to do this all again in ten years was almost too much for him to bear, but at least he'd have a kid he could be proud to boast of next time. He sent a silent prayer to whoever was out there that Charles James would never be too interested in concerts and things.
"Have all of yours started school already?"
22
Mathias Stones
I'm glad to have met you tonight.
0
Mathias Stones
0
5
Duncan, Angus and Whitney
June 11, 2019 3:31 PM
Thanks by Duncan, Angus and Whitney
"Oh very much so." Angus replied. Most witches and wizards never accomplished that, or even tried. Possibly because it was something that had to be regulated and registered, which really wasn't a problem for his family. Not only that, but Angus had cousins who very firmly believed there were unregistered animagi who worked as spies. And also very firmly believed that some of their own relatives were unregistered animagi who worked as spies.Anyway, either that or people didn't become animagi because they just...weren't all that great at Transfiguration. However, Juniper was and she'd always loved animals, so this was a terrific way to fuse his daughter's two best subjects, one of which involved her greatest passion in life.
Whitney wasn't as impressed as her husband. She didn't necessarily think being an animagus was a bad thing per se, but she certainly would have rather had a daughter who was a social butterfly than an actual butterfly. "Oh, she'll be getting married as soon as we can find a suitable husband for her." The implication in her tone was that they hadn't found someone good enough rather than there being a problem with Juniper herself, even though that was more what Whitney was concerned about.
In fact, she found it odd that Mr. Stones should ask what the Teppenpaw would be doing after graduation. Certainly a Brockert girl would not be working . They had been born into a station in life where they did not have to.
"Oh, it's just the two of them." Angus answered, gesturing at Duncan.
"I graduated several years ago." Duncan stated. "Now I'm a therapist, working mostly with ghosts who are either experiencing transitional issues or had issues when they were alive that they still want to discuss."
Whitney honestly wished her son had not added that last part. It was made him seem so...strange and while Mr. Stones' opinion was not really of any value to her, she never wanted anyone to think her children were anything but perfectly normal and respectable.
"What about you?" Angus asked even though Miss Stones was a little young to know what she wanted to do with her life. "Any other children?" The other man seemed to be here alone but Angus felt it wouldn't be tactful to ask about the man's wife.
11
Duncan, Angus and Whitney
Thanks
271
Duncan, Angus and Whitney
0
5
