Declan Chatterjee
September 27, 2006 3:41 PM
First lesson: 1st and 2nd years! by Declan Chatterjee
Declan could only imagine, he reflected as the first students began to trickle into class, just what the first and second years thought of the classroom itself. Every centimeter of the walls that wasn’t hidden by windows, doors, or bookshelves was plastered with posters of stars, comets, nebulae, planets, and diagrams, both Muggle and magical. The ceiling had been enchanted to show the night sky all day—at the moment, it displayed the typical January constellations. On each desk lay a cut-out of one of the eight extraterrestrial planets.Soon the chairs were mostly filled and the room was full of the typical pre-class chatter, and the young professor moved away from his desk and towards the door. One last late student stumbled in, mumbling excuses before Declan could close the door and begin the lesson. He tutted good-naturedly.
“Let’s try to be on time, shall we?” he asked the class as a whole. He clapped his hands together, then. “Well then, as we’re all here, let’s get started. I’m Declan Chatterjee, your new Astronomy professor—you can call me Professor Deck, if you like. As I understand it, Professor Dione left off with the solar system, correct?” he looked to the second years for affirmation. “Well, we’ll cover a bit of that in the beginning, just to put the first years up on the same footing as you astronomical veterans. You may all notice a vaguely circular image on your desk, and some of you may have correctly conjectured that that is, in fact a planet.”
He smiled at them. “Now, those of you who keep up with Muggle news—and I’d suggest you do, at least Muggle astronomical advances, as we will be discussing them in this class—may have heard that their classification system no longer has room for Pluto as a planet. In this class, we will be treating Pluto as a planet, simply because the magical planetary classification system differs wildly from that used by Muggles. So ‘My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas’ will still serve you well in my class.
“For this lesson I would like you to group up according planet—therefore, Mars with Mars, Uranus with Uranus, and the like—and compose a list of everything you know about said planet. These can be scientific facts, Muggle or magical, or mythological stories associated with your planet, or magical properties it might have—anything and everything is fair game. The group that knows the most about their planet will get a reward at the end of class. Does everyone understand? …Good. Now, get started!” he made a little shooing gesture with his hands and grinned at the scraping of chairs and babble of voices that ensued. This teaching thing really was quite fun.
OOC: Hop to! I’d like to have someone do each of the planets—let’s not have ten people on Venus and neglect poor Neptune. And keep in mind that Earth was not one of the options. Other than that, you know the drill: a good length (at least two decent-sized paragraphs), and keep it realistic!
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Subthreads: Mars by Saul Pierce with Professor Deck, Professor Deck (and a cameo courtesy of Leo Idoya), Echo Elms, Elly Eriksson, Anonymous, the girl EE
I like Pluto by Grail Markner with Leo (and just a little Gil), Nikki Ramirez, Leo (and a little Professor Deck)
Venus over here! by Elly Eriksson with Caedence redoak, Elly
Neptune by Echo Elms with Saul
Jupiter by Eavan Valentine with Gil Idoya, Eavan, Leo
Mercury Group by Helena Layne with Devian Dupree, Devian
Saturn by Ginger Silverstein with Amber Carey, Adam Brockert
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Declan Chatterjee
First lesson: 1st and 2nd years!
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Declan Chatterjee
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Elly Eriksson
September 28, 2006 6:16 AM
Venus over here! by Elly Eriksson
Elly was having a good day so far. She’d slept well, eaten well, gossiped at bit, and discovered she could make her elbows touch each other behind her back. She was also quite looking forward to the astronomy lesson. Although Elly didn’t know much about planets or anything useful, she did like to sit outside at night and look at the stars. It might be cool to learn more about them.Saul the Guide led the way, as usual, but Elly was beginning to think he might be a bit abnormal. She’d always known he was a bit strange, and seeing him interact with Simon further enhanced the impression, but on the way to the lesson he’d gone on about things that had no relevance and didn’t really make sense. At all. Still, if a bit weird, he did seem nice enough and Elly had got to know enough of the Pecari second years to know that they were definitely not all nice people.
The classroom was fairly noisy when Elly entered, and she guessed maybe the teacher hadn’t arrived yet, but as she took her seat, she noticed him by the door. She wouldn’t necessarily call any of the other professors at Sonora strict, but they certainly would expect their class to be quiet. Elly drew her pink feather quill and some parchment from her bag and laid them on her desk. It was only then she noticed the cutout of a planet lying there, and that there was a different one on each desk. For a split second Elly considered she should have chosen her seat with more care, but a moment later she decided she didn’t care either way, and leant back in her chair as the lesson began.
As soon as Professor Deck started talking, Elly found she liked him. She hadn’t noticed it before but she’d had to listen properly while most other people at Sonora were talking. Professor Deck’s familiar accent allowed her to just sit back and only half pay attention, which was always a bonus. His mnemonic was different from the one Elly had been taught though: My Very Easy Method Just Speeds Up Naming Planets. The pizza one was much cooler though, and she resigned to use this one in future.
Grouping up according to planets? What was it with teachers and group work these days? Not that she minded – it was always good to be able to chat in lessons, but Elly was always worried she would end up working in an incredibly uncomfortable threesome with that Tallow boy and that blonde Mexican. Elly looked at her planet. Venus. Well, she didn’t know much about Venus, except that some writer once said that women came from Venus, which was obviously complete rubbish. Elly stood up, making her easily the tallest in the room, and held her mini-Venus above her head. She grinned at her own ingenuity and waited for her group members to flock to her.
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Elly Eriksson
Venus over here!
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Elly Eriksson
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5
Caedence redoak
September 29, 2006 8:28 PM
cant avoid me forver! heh heh! by Caedence redoak
Caedence scowled. For the past few days, nothing was going right. She couldn't even get to hex the nose off that stupid Carey's face! Then she got caught and was in trouble. Finally Elly was completely avoiding her. Taking her wand out of the handmade black pouch Elly had given to her, she twirled it in her hands waiting for class to start.What a stupid idium. Talking about pizzas! And why was he even BOTHERING to mention that pluto was a planet? If it was, then say nothing and mention it when someone asked. Scowling at her desk, she saw a vaugely familiar planet. She didn't know, nor care, what it was. She just scanned the room for others of its kind. She paled when she saw Elly holding it up. Grumbling for a bit to herself she worked up her nerve. Then, with the happiest face she could muster, which was just plain nuetral in appearence, she approached her. "hello elly" she said pleasent as can be to her. "what planet is this? I have it too." she added showing it to her roomate\n\n
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Caedence redoak
cant avoid me forver! heh heh!
94
Caedence redoak
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Elly
September 30, 2006 4:37 AM
Apparently not, but is that a bad thing? by Elly
As Elly stood with her planet held high, she watched the other students begin to form their small groups. It was a short while before anyone approached her, and Elly was only mildly horrified to see that that person was Caedence.“Hello Elly,” Caedence said, in a voice so obviously forced into pleasantry it made Elly wince. The two girls hadn’t really spoken since the incident in the gardens, and although Elly disliked the awkward air it had created between them, she just didn’t know what to say. “What planet is this? I have it too,” said Caedence.
Elly peered at the cut-out she was being shown, and couldn’t deny it was identical to the one she had been holding above her head, but was now held limply at her side. “It’s Venus,” Elly said, suddenly doubting what she was so sure of just moments ago. “Uh…” she scanned the walls for a poster of their solar system and found one without too much difficulty – the walls were plastered in them. “See there,” she said, pointing to it so Caedence would see, too, “that poster. This one’s Venus, right?” Having just clarified both to herself and her partner she was correct, Elly turned back to Caedence and started absent-mindedly fiddling with the mini-Venus still in her hand. “Look, about the other day,” Elly began, “I wasn’t trying… I mean, I didn’t want to get in your way. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Sorry if I didn’t… well, I’m not sure it came across that way.” She knew she wasn’t making much sense, but the hollow feeling that had settled in her stomach seemed to be sucking her brainpower away. Elly hated feeling like she’d disappointed her friends, and she hoped Caedence wouldn’t start shouting again. Elly bit her lip, secretly wishing she’d never said anything, and inwardly praying for someone else to join the group to make it less awkward.
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Elly
Apparently not, but is that a bad thing?
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Elly
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5
Caedence
October 01, 2006 6:15 PM
only if she's in a bad mood...oops! by Caedence
“Look, about the other day,” Elly began, “I wasn’t trying… I mean, I didn’t want to get in your way. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Sorry if I didn’t… well, I’m not sure it came across that way.” This set Caedence's already hot temper on fire. "It did not come across that way! I had a duel of a personal matter Elly! You...I mean....Ugh!" She lost her words at that point noticing how squirmish Elly was. Suddenly she couldn't summon up her signature storm."You really are..." apparently she couldn't find an adjective, so she started a new route " Just listen, alright? I didn't want you hurt Elly! Morgaine is psycotic! She'd kill you as soon as me if you'd have gotten in the way! I know that I would have come off with more than a bruise," at this part she winced; her back throbbed as if her bruise wanted to remind her of its presence.
"If Proffeser K didn't intervene. But I dont care! I dont care! " She repeated in a hiss, "I wanted to get her back! I didn't need, nor want, you to get in the way and get hurt! It wouldn't have been my fault, for it was you who wanted to follow me! But none the less, you would have been hurt. I did not harm your gift to me, nor have I placed my clip in my braid for you, so don't worry. There is no lasting damage that I can see. I forgive you, but do try to be careful? You might not get off on just a poorly cast expelliamus next time." She gave Elly a weak grin.
Inside, Caedence was split between fury and forgiveness. She didn't want to make an enemy, so she chose the latter, but that didn't erase the boiling anger that had been filling her stomach. She fiddled with her ruby clip; her challenge symbol. Until her and Morgaine could meet in battle, or untill she proved herself not to deserve it, Caedence was inclined not to take it off. Finally, with a slight shake of her head she came to a desicion. Elly might find its presence intimidating. She didn't even come to grips that maybe, just maybe, it was Caedence herself. She took it off. It wasn't a fight that was worth it, and besides, the one to loose face that night wasn't Caedence, so Morgaine had surrendered. She slipped the clip in her pocket. Finding another in there, she realized that Meredith hadn't recieved hers. Caedence shrugged to herself. Oh well, guess she loses out.\n\n
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Caedence
only if she's in a bad mood...oops!
94
Caedence
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Elly
October 03, 2006 4:46 AM
Would this be an appropriate moment to run and hide? by Elly
Elly could sense that Caedence wasn’t really as angry as she was trying to make out. Undeniably, there was some anger there, but it was having difficulty making itself known. Elly had to hold back a smile at Caedence’s suggestion that Morgaine may have killed her. Elly knew Morgaine certainly wasn’t capable of killing anyone, especially in the state she had been at the duel – she had really looked as if she ought to have been in bed. Still, even through Caedence’s unique way of phrasing things, Elly got the message: I want to be your friend.Elly had begun to smile again as Caedence sighed and took the clip from the bottom of her braid. There were so many things that Elly didn’t yet know about Caedence, and she had no idea what the significance of the hair clip was, but it seemed to clarify something in Caedence’s mind at least. When the girls’ eyes met, Elly again felt the need to give Caedence a hug to show her things were fine between them, but again she wasn’t sure how Caedence would take the physical contact. Instead, she stuck with a disarming smile.
“I understand why you had to duel,” Elly said, not adding though it’s not what I would have done, “and I understand why you didn’t want me there. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” She refrained from following that with and you certainly came off worse than me. “We’re friends, we stick up for each other, right?” Elly smiled again at Caedence and, considering the conversation closed, she retook her seat, indicating for Caedence to take the seat next to her. For once it was a relief to Elly that they had some work to do – hopefully it would keep her mind distracted enough that by the end of the lesson things between her and her roommate would feel normal again.
“So what do you know about Venus?”
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Elly
Would this be an appropriate moment to run and hide?
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Elly
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Caedence
October 03, 2006 9:33 PM
Nope...but maybe she's scaring everyone else? by Caedence
Caedence sighed. Of course Elly didn't aprove of her duel! It was evident on her face. But it wasn't even her buisness! She allowed a glare to pass over her face before letting it fade again. “We’re friends, we stick up for each other, right?” Elly's words hit her like a bomb. Friends? No, she couldn't mean that. Caedence ignored the comment. Knowing elly's desire to be touchy feely, she gave her a brief pat on the shoulder. Not too much too fast after all. She allowed a small smirk to grace her lips as well."Venus..venus..." she was having trouble thinking of some facts, "well, it is a planet. well duh...well I think it has really slow wind on the outside layer, but really really fast on teh inside layer. Like maybe 350 miles per hour. Dont ask, father has some pretty useless facts uner his belt. But I also know it is the greek goddess of females or something like that. I dont know if i'm right. but oh well."\n\n
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Caedence
Nope...but maybe she's scaring everyone else?
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Caedence
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Elly
October 05, 2006 4:18 PM
I think they're used to her by now by Elly
Caedence seemed unsure for just a moment, but then sat down and even managed a small smile. Elly picked up her quill again, and began to take notes on what Caedence was saying – something about wind.Venus has wind Elly wrote. She looked at it and found the comment highly amusing. She stifled a smirk, unwilling to demonstrate her immaturity, and for once thanked her lucky stars that Meredith wasn’t there, otherwise the two of them would be in unstoppable giggles by now. She thought she’d better specify, so added - fast on inside, slow on outside She didn’t know if it was right or not. Actually, she didn’t know anything about Venus, really. Caedence also said something about Venus being the Greek goddess of females, or something. Elly guessed that would explain the whole ‘Women are from Venus’ thing, so she wrote that down, too.
“Well, I’ll be honest,” Elly said, placing her quill down, “I know as much about Venus as I do about any of the planets. That’s a hole heap of nothing.” She didn’t think that was enough effort though, so she sighed and thought about it a bit harder. “You can see Venus at night, can’t you? It’s really bright, like a star, but sort of twinkly.” Elly added that to her parchment, and then showed the really short list to Caedence. “Not much, is it? Where’s an Aladren when you need one?”
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Elly
I think they're used to her by now
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Elly
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caedence
October 05, 2006 11:30 PM
can you EVER be used to me? by caedence
"Where's an Alarden when you need one?" Caedence shook her head. Not in our group, she wanted to say, but instead said, "We need anyone else. We're smart enough! If my years at muggle school have tought me anything, its that you have to think outside the box. What do we know about planets? Now, I only know that they are specified by size somehow... do you know? Or what they are? Ask me about stars and I could tell you, not planets really."She paused for a bit to allow Elly time to think, then she went on. "And besides, if all else fails, tell them Venus stands for 'very'!" She allowed another smile. What was it about this girl that made Caedence so...normal? She was making jokes, smiling, and fighting as if with a friend. Not being able to take being mad, she made up. Where had her grudges gone? Where had her anger gone? Where was Caedence? She sighed. Did she have a friend? No, of course not! Just an ally, and who was a greater enemy than your allies? So then Elly would never be more than an ally, Caedence decided. Then why did she like being such good "allies"? She shook her head, best think about the task at hand.\n\n
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caedence
can you EVER be used to me?
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caedence
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Elly
October 08, 2006 5:27 PM
I think I'm getting there ;D by Elly
Elly was impressed by Caedence’s determination. Neither of them knew anything about what they were supposed to be doing, yet here Caedence was, insisting they didn’t need any help and resolving to work harder. Elly had rarely seen such a strong will in anyone before she met Caedence, and that’s why she respected her. She asked again what Elly knew about the planets, and Elly shrugged, playing idly with her quill. Apparently this determination stuff wasn’t contagious.There was a pause, and then Caedence said, “If all else fails, tell them Venus stands for ‘very’!” Elly smiled, a bit caught off guard by the unexpected display of good humour, then she laughed. A proper laugh, that she thought may have caused others to look round at her. “Caedence, you’re brilliant,” Elly said, beaming at her.
Elly shifted her weight in her seat and dropped her quill back onto the table. “Alright,” she said, heavily. “Let’s try harder. I’m guessing you know as much about the magical properties as I do? That’s nothing, by the way. I think Venus might be a lot like Earth, though. I think I remember something like if we were any closer to the sun, we’d be just like Venus. I guess that means there’s the same sort of atmosphere or something.” Elly gave up again and slumped in her seat, suddenly lethargic. “Oh Caedence, I don’t know!” she sighed. “Write anything, I don’t care. I’m sorry.”
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Elly
I think I'm getting there ;D
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Elly
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5
That girl who fights alot (or caedence...lol)
October 08, 2006 5:50 PM
Man....tough work this class is! by That girl who fights alot (or caedence...lol)
Caedence was stunned. Elly was... giving up? That can't be! This must be Elly under the imperious curse. Or Elly with her brain swapped with a slug's! This wasn't Elly. And, for some reason, this also ticked Caedence off."Elly, what is the matter with you? Show some guts! Show your mind! Are you a witch or not?" her voice was now decreasing in volume into a deadly hiss, "You may want to give up, but I wont let you! Now, either turn back into my friend, or continue being the zombie freak you've turned into! Got it?"
Only after did Caedence realize that maybe Elly just couldn't think of anything. It made her feel guilty in the pit of her stomach. But one more thing gnawed at her. Did she just call Elly a friend? No, that wasn't it. She wasn't a friend! To clarify matters she added in a normal tone, "Now come on! My roomate had way more smiles than you do now. Come on Elly, if you get this, just one more fact, I'll teach you martial arts!" She smirked at Elly, but she was serious. The girl needed a hobby and martial arts was the best one out there. At least Caedence though so. (ooc: I think it is one of the best! I love martial arts! ^_^)\n\n
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That girl who fights alot (or caedence...lol)
Man....tough work this class is!
94
That girl who fights alot (or caedence...lol)
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5
Elly
October 11, 2006 5:20 AM
Tough work, and I've had enough! by Elly
Elly stared incredulously at Caedence. She was obviously in a very odd mood today. Elly hadn’t been snapped at by any one person in her life the amount than Caedence had managed to snap at her in just one week. Elly had plenty of patience, but there was a limit. She’d had enough.She leant over, took her Astronomy book out of her bag and dropped it on the table in front of Caedence. “There are all the facts you need. Good luck.”
Elly picked up her quill and her bag, and stood up. She stalked away from to table to find another group, leaving Caedence to finish the work on her own.
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Elly
Tough work, and I've had enough!
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Elly
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Caedence
October 11, 2006 3:46 PM
.......elly scares me....... by Caedence
Caedence stared after Elly's back. What in the world had gotten into her roomate? Where had all the smiles gone? Where were the maniacal giggles? What in the world is wrong with her?It's you, idiot a tiny voice in her head told her. Shrugging her shoulders she ignored it. Yeah, sure, it was really her fault. Whatever. Let her do as she wanted. Glaring fiercely for a few more moments, she turned the scowl to her book. Whatever. This class was stupid anyways. It isn't like she cared. She took the Astronomy book and slipped it in her bag. She would give it back to Elly next time she saw her. With a sigh, she leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and gave up on the class. To amuse herself she ran through all the techniques of high kicking as opposed to low kicking.\n\n
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Caedence
.......elly scares me.......
94
Caedence
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5
