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Boy Crazy to the Extreme
Author: Araxie Loren
Date: 11-04-12 04:27
"Oh my God! I can't believe we are actually here Nichole!" Araxie squealed as she and her best friend had found a perfect spot between both stages so they could drool over the hotness that was going to be occupying them for the duration of the day.
Charline and Matthew settled on the blanket and were currently enjoying the show as well, but not as much as Araxie and Nichole who had both managed to, in their wandering around get pictures and autographs of most of their favorite people, including Xavier Schoonmaker from Wicked Wizards of the West and Cleaver and even Fletcher and Fallon Morgan from the British National Team.
At the moment, they were scanning and looking or other individuals from various bands and National Team members that they could get autographs from while Dynamic Duo performed...that was another one that had a couple of hotties that had attended Hogwarts and had a member of the British National team on it...namely Kody Reese-Emerson, and they would be seeing if they could get his autograph after they finished their current set.
They had both witnessed at least the ending of some excitement between a few individuals just of to their left before turning there attention back to the band, it wasn't anything that concerned them and if it got too heated the aurors that were working the security for the event would take care of it.
"OH MY GOD!" Nichole squealed, pointing toward the WWN booth. "THAT is Toby Beck!"
"Can we go meet him Char?" Araxie asked, nearly bouncing with excitement at meeting another member of the British National Team.
"Go ahead, but remember your manners girls." Charline said with a shake of her head. She never remembered being this boy crazy when she was Araxie's age, but times change.
Araxie and Nichole got up and nearly ran toward the WWN booth. She waited until the couple near Toby and Bronwyn, his wife finished before seeking to gain his attention for but a few moments.
"Mister Beck, excuse me, but could my friend and I get an autograph and photo with you?"
Handful of moments later autographs and photos tended to Nichole and Araxie ran back to their blanket and plopped down in delightful giggles.
"Oh! I think I saw a couple of members of the Weird Sisters on the way back. I want them to sign my shirt!" Araxie said, plucking up her favorite Weird Sister's t-shirt and grabbing Nichole and heading over to where she'd seen them.
A few more moments later and they were satisfied. Grabbing a couple of snacks out of the picnic basket they munched on their food while listening to the end of Dynamic Duo's set and then getting ready for The Kneazles to take the stage at quarter till the hour.
Crazy in Love
Author: Ella
Date: 11-04-12 12:10
Ella leaned into Zane, who stood behind her with his arms encircling her middle. They swayed along to the music; Cassandra's Orb was on stage, singing one of their newer songs. Ella ran her fingertips along the smooth skin of Zane's arms and was rewarded with a kiss in the spot where her shoulder met her neck.
She'd spent all summer with Zane at his new house in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. The house, white stone with black trim and reddish-black gables, stood inland, but the sea was within walking distance. Nearby High Street, which ran along the shimmering blue water, boasted a number of restaurants. Most were Muggle establishments, but an old wizard with wild gray hair and yellow teeth ran a fish and chips pub near Alley Dock. Zane and Ella ate there a lot.
She often wished that her father wasn't visiting his parents in Gibraltar this summer so that he could see Zane's new house and eat fish and chips with them by the sea. Ella remembered her father saying that he needed to see his parents more often because they were getting older and couldn't travel much anymore. She reasoned that maybe she should pay Granddad and Granny Harville a visit too, but she had yet to make any plans to do so.
Zane kissed her neck again and asked, "Do you want anything to eat or drink?"
"Sure," she said. "Something cold, like an ice cream cone or shaved ice."
"I'll be right back," he told her. He kissed her again and then melted into the crowd on his way to the concession stand.
Ella stood alone for a short while, smiling to herself and swaying along to the music, when Francis suddenly appeared in front of her. He looked extremely angry and had his hands clenched into fists at his side.
"What the hell, Ella?" he asked her. He had to shout to be heard over the music and the noise of the crowd.
Ella blinked at him. "What, Francis? Why are you so upset?"
He spluttered at her for a minute. "Are you serious? What are you doing with him?"
"With Zane?" Ella asked, and her whole expression softened as she thought about him. "Well, we're in love. I really think he's the one, Francis."
He opened and closed his mouth a few times. "So what you told me at the lake… it was all a lie, then?"
Ella furrowed her brow and then said, "No, it wasn't a lie. I loved you, Francis, but I've discovered that I love Zane more."
"The guy who stalked you? The guy who frightened you?" Francis bewilderedly asked. "Are you out of your mind?"
"Maybe," Ella said, the dreamy smile still plastered all over her face. "Crazy in love."
Francis shook his head. "When were you going to tell me about this… this revelation?" he asked. "Were you ever going to tell me? I take it the reason you stood me up at Quidditch Con is because you had rediscovered your feelings for Zane already?"
"Quidditch Con?" Ella asked. "I guess I forgot that we had made arrangements to go together. I am sorry I hurt you, Francis."
"So when did you get back?"
"Get back from where?"
"From the Isle of Wight?"
"Oh, I didn't go there this time. I went last summer, remember?"
Francis narrowed his eyes. "But your dad said," he started, but then he waved his hand. "Forget it. I can't stand the sight of you right now, Ella." He started to turn and leave, but then he spotted Zane approaching with two snow cones in hand. Francis longed to get in another fist fight with the guy, but he curbed the impulse and forced himself to walk away.
Zane handed Ella a pink snow cone and asked, "Was he bothering you?"
Ella looked at Francis' retreating back. "Francis? No, he wasn't bothering me at all."
Un-Bleeping-Believable
Author: Errol
Date: 11-04-12 12:22
Bored of being in the house, bored of making use of the pool, bored with lounging by the pool, Errol takes the portable WWN receiver to a corner of the front garden where he sits cross-legged against a tree trunk trying to find a station doing a delayed broadcast of Emrys Fest. If he had know for certain of a station he could have picked up from here doing a live broadcast, he might have pulled himself out of bed at dawn to give a listen. After a great deal of fiddling with knobs and antenna Errol finally finds a station carrying a delay of Emrys Fest. Based on the song playing, the band is Charmed. Pulling out a crumpled page from a Daily Prophet after its owner was done with it, he looks over the festival line-up, pleased to note that he's only missed one of the bands entirely, The Order of Merlin, and however much of the Charmed set has already aired.
After getting more comfortable, ending up with a lounge chair from beside the pool, Errol settles in with a book and a bowl of munchies, desperately wishing he had been at Emrys Fest when it began this morning. He had wanted to beg Uncle Ross but was worried enough about pissing his uncle off to the point he'd not be allowed to join the Flynn's in Sacramento he'd ended up not saying a word. After getting back from there a few days ago, he had looked for a way to broach the subject but Ross was seldom home and when Errol was able to pin him down for a few minutes the response was, "You have nowhere to stay there and don't have access to any money to even get in if you did go. I won't impose on the Flynns so don't even bring them up. You've got a wireless. See if you can find an airing of it." And that was that. Ross had taken off again before Errol had a chance to let him know he did have money for a ticket and not from what little money Ross had given him for his time with the Flynns.
Then again, if Uncle Ross knew that Errol has always held some money back from things like allowance and gifts instead of putting most in his bank account, Ross might expect Errol to hand it over. If he'd had a chance to retrieve his stash, Errol would have taken it to Hogwarts with him. As it was, he'd barely been given any time to pack and what little he was given, Uncle Ross was right there with him to help and speed things along. Knowing now he's being sent back to Hogwarts, Errol already has the money secreted away in his trunk. If things are the same for sixth year as they were for his fifth, with Errol restricted to the school and therefore never needing any coins to spend, he will at least have something with which to participate in Secret Santa without having to beg his uncle again.
Errol would very much like to know if he'll be on lockdown again at Hogwarts. He'd like to know why he is on such tight restrictions here at home, especially after Uncle Ross had admitted to having long know of Errol's innocence and that there were other reasons for the house arrest. Problem is, Ross has been around so rarely and when he has been, if Errol broached the topic Ross quickly shut him down with a warning of, "Don't push it right now or I might have to reconsider your trip with the Flynns." Now that said trip is over, Ross has nothing really to hold over Errol to keep him from making an issue of it. He thinks that's why Uncle Ross has been around even less, leaving Errol under the watchful eye of Della, a positively ancient house elf who cares about Errol but loves Ross to the point that she'd rat Errol out to Ross less than half a heartbeat if he attempted to break the charms around the house or looked to be searching around the fireplace for enough floo powder dust to scrape up and use.
A song Errol particularly dislikes is playing so he nudges down the sound until it's over. He's reaching to turn it back up again a couple of minutes later when his name is called through the hedge. "Errol? Errol, why won't the front gate won't let me in?"
If his wand weren't under lock and key at the moment, Errol would consider practicing a muffling spell of some sort to block out the voice. As that is not an option, he considers the actual ones. Get up and move to another part of the yard, go inside, or go over to the hedge. He doesn't want to speak to any of those who claimed to be his friend yet acted as anything but. Though fairly certain of the reason for it, he also has so badly wanted one of those involved to explicitly state to him why everyone pointed the finger of blame at him that there have been times the thought of a face to face explanation has driven him to distraction at time. That burning desire to hear it for himself wins out.
Errol takes his time getting up and going over to the high, thick hedge where part of a face is visible through a small break in the foliage. As soon as he's come to a stop he's asked again, "Why won't the front gate let me through?"
"No visitors allowed."
"If I go down to the wall part, could I climb over?"
"No."
"But I've been wanting to talk to you all summer and you've not been returning my owls."
"I've not gotten any of your owls."
"Not a single one? I've sent one every day since vacation started."
"None before that?"
"No, but Lane did a few times. He said the letters always came back undelivered."
"So you decided not to bother."
"You don't have to say it so snottily."
"You're expected smiles and hugs from me at the sight of you?"
"Not exactly, but I didn't think you'd sound so mad or look so angry."
"Seriously? You didn't expect me to be mad at you? I never took you for being so dense, Dayna."
"When did you get to be such an unforgiving bastard, Errol?"
"Gee, I don't know. Maybe it was the night I was accused of attempted rape, blamed for a drowning, and questioned as to whether I raped the victim before she died."
Dayna goes quiet but her eyes visible through the hedge are steadily fixed on Errol. He looks at her once then looks away, expecting at any second she will attempt to give some lame ass apology. It takes her a full fifteen seconds, he knows because he counted, before she makes that effort. "I'm sorry, okay? You don't know what it was like. Frank was putting pressure on all of us. He made us blame you and claimed everything would be fine, that you'd get a slap on the wrist. We didn't know yet about Sarah. I guess even if we had we would have done what Frank said."
Errol comtemptuously replies, "Sarah was dead and I got the blame. You were saying I'd tried to rape you. Lane and Wally backed up the story against me. My girlfriend, my two best friend, and others who called themselves my friend backed the story Frank wanted told. Everything did not turn out fine, Dayna. I might not have been sent to prison but I have been confined on house arrest and still am. I was never allowed to leave the school where I was sent, not even in field trips. I didn't get to come home for Christmas or Easter. I have spent summer vacation cooped up here. I can't write to anyone. I don't get letters. I can't fire chat and I can't even step foot off this property. If Della finds out I was even talking to someone through the hedge, she will tell Uncle Ross and then I might not even be allowed outside anymore. If you call ruining my life as everything turning out peachy, then sure, it's good."
Dayna sniffles. "I thought you'd understand I couldn't let my dad lose his job."
"It never occurred to any of you to say there'd been someone else out there that night? Or, I don't know, to all gang up against Frank and tell the truth? If you'd all spoken against Frank, it's possible that Mr. Gresham wouldn't have fired any of you because he'd be under enough scrutiny as it was, he'd not want more bad press over firing the parents of the kids involved."
"There wasn't time to think. Frank was aggressively pressuring us. You have no idea."
"I can't say I have much empathy for any of you for letting him dictate the story after what all of you lying has done to my life."
She sniffles again, swiping at the corner of one eye. "Why do you have to be so nasty? Try to see it from where I stand."
"Frank tried to rape you, Dayna, and then you turn around and let him point the finger at me. Now you're going to stand there and blame me for not being nicer to you about the whole mess? Un-fucking-believable."
Disgusted, Errol turns his back to her and walks over to gather up everything. She makes a half-assed attempt to say he's misunderstanding what she means but he shuts her out but turning up the volume on the wireless as high as it will go. He ends up back at poolside, mainly because the backyard is far too big for her to talk to him even if she could get above the stone wall the borders much of that portion of the yard. At least after hearing what Dayna had to say, Errol's no longer in any great rush to hear Lane's and Wally's side of things.
Becks at Emrys Fest
Author: Beck
Date: 11-04-12 13:36
Alanna and Jared were stretched out on a red and white checked picnic blanket, a fair distance away from the stages and the crowd. They'd discovered that they could hear the music just as well, if not a little better, when not up close. From their spot across the lawn, the music wasn't so loud that their ears felt as if they were stuffed with cotton.
Sunlight catching the engagement ring on her finger drew Alanna's attention to it. Of course she had said yes after Jared had asked her to marry him at the London Butterfly House. He had planned every detail of that night to perfection, and Alanna would never be able to forget a single moment of it. It was the type of story she couldn't wait to tell her children and grandchildren.
She looked at Jared, her fiancé, and smiled at him. He nudged her shoulder with his and smiled back.
---
Elsewhere, Ariella and Lawrence stood together in line to get something to eat. They had both been overcome with a sudden case of the munchies and spent the wait in line debating what they hungered for the most. Ariella was leaning towards nachos, but Lawrence had yet to make any sort of decision.
She tugged on his hand and rested her cheek against his shoulder. "I've decided to apply for an internship at the Ministry of Magic," she said to him.
"Have you?" he asked, his eyes still roving the menu board.
"Yes, with the Department of International Magical Cooperation. I thought if I could find a position there, even as a lowly file clerk, then I might have a better chance of getting hired on after I graduate from St. Emrys. Like Alanna managed to, you know?"
She had finally decided to focus on international studies, rather than education or inventing.
"That's a good plan," Lawrence agreed. "I think I will go with nachos too…"
---
Anthony stood in the crowd with Alex seated on his shoulders. Earlier, Dynamic Duo had taken the stage. While they weren't exactly professional musicians, they had come incredibly far since Drake and Kody had first started the band back at Hogwarts. Anthony had signed his share of autographs today, but he found it a little bit difficult to do when trying to keep a solid grip on Alex's ankles.
Alex tugged on Anthony's hair. He had decided that he wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument, but hadn't yet decided between his two choices: drums or guitar. Anthony and Plum were both hoping Alex chose the guitar, since they could already imagine the headaches they would get if they had to buy Alex a drumset.
But maybe they could soundproof his room…
---
Toby offered Orion his hand and said, "It's nice to meet you too." Then he nudged Bronwyn, who usually wasn't struck speechless.
"Yes, it's nice to finally meet you," Bronwyn agreed, also shaking Orion's hand, "though I can't say Desi has said much about you." She shot her best friend a pointed look.
Toby could tell that the two were sharing some sort of unspoken conversation, but it was the type that only people with two X chromosomes seemed capable of understanding.
"So, how long have you two been dating?" Toby asked Orion, while Bronwyn and Desi continued their unspoken discussion.
"Not very long," Orion said, "but long enough to have heard all about Desi's friendship with your wife."
"Funny!" Bronwyn exclaimed, meaning to sound sarcastic but not really managing the effect. "Desi's not mentioned how you two got together."
"Well, it's a long story that I can tell you later," Desi said, staring meaningfully at Bronwyn.
Bron quirked an eyebrow and said, "Fine. The Wicked Wizards of the West are about to go on stage. Isn't it exciting, Desi? I think Xavier's back in his element, don't you?"
"Yeah," Desi casually replied.
Toby put an arm around his wife and drew her towards him. He knew that she knew that Desi would tell her everything, but he also knew that she still wished that she had been in the loop all along. He pressed a kiss to her temple and felt her relax against him.
Moments later, Xavier's band took the stage.
Fifth Wheel
Author: Zabrynna
Date: 11-04-12 15:50
Nolan and his date, who is a new one called Faith, are visible from where Zabrynna is, arms entwined as they dance to the slow tune being played, one of the last Casandra's Orb will perform this Emrys Fest. Mariposa sits in the chair next to Zabrynna, a hard cider on one hand and a cheesecake on a stick in the other. "You've been quieter than usual all day. Not having a good time?"
"I am, I promise. I'm just feeling, what's that Muggle expression, a fifth wheel?"
"Third wheel is the expression I believe."
"Fifth wheel makes more sense, particularly today."
"You shouldn't feel that way."
"Dad and Faith. You and AJ. Me."
"There are others we've been with today."
"All of them with dates or they are children, and even some of the children have dates."
"You could have come with that nice person you were telling me about, Hugh? Hugo?"
"Howard."
"Where did I get Hugh and Hugo from?"
"I have no idea."
"Anyway, there is Howard. Why didn't you want to come with him?"
"If you spent more than two seconds with Howard you would know. He is nice, that's true, but he brays when he laughs and he laughs a lot. It's very grating."
"What about the one from one of my classes I introduced you to, Odin?"
"He's engaged."
"He is? Since when?"
"Since a year ago March."
"But he went out with someone from out class once."
"Plays the field while already engaged. Now you see why I'm not keen on him."
Mariposa very much wants to bring up Declan but with Zabrynna denying anything could ever happen between them and Declan in denial over what AJ and she both know are his increasing feelings for Zabrynna, she decides it's best not to mention him even if he is standing only a few feet away in conversation with AJ. He rounds out their numbers so even though Declan and Zabrynna are not here together, she does wish her sister didn't feel as if she were an add on in the way of those coupled up.
As if sensing he's being thought about, Declan looks their way. Whatever AJ and he were talking about must have come to an end because AJ then also turns and starts the sisters' direction. He sits on Mariposa's other side, reaching to take a drink of her hard cider. About that same time Zabrynna stands, stretching slightly.
"I've been here practically all day but haven't made the rounds to see what the vendors are selling. I think I'll do that now."
Declan had been in the process of grabbing another of the chairs to set next to AJ. "I haven't done that either. Mind if I come with?"
Zabrynna shakes her head, "No, of course not."
Because of the music, Declan and she end up walking closely, his head bent towards hers. His proximity has her heart beating faster than the solo taking place on Stage One by the The Wicked Wizards of the West drummer, that band going on immediately after Cassandra's Orb finished up a moment ago.
At one booth there are some outrageously silly sunglasses. After trying on a pair that resembles the eyes of a fly and another pair that looks like a giant pair of smiling lips, Zabrynna reaches for a pair in which the lenses look to be like the centers of sparkly dew dropped sunflowers. She tilts her head up towards Declan to ask, "How do I look?"
Time with Sebastian
Author: Arlington J Montgomery
Date: 11-04-12 16:41
Emry's Fest had been great this year. Arley and Sebastian had attended the event for several years now, and it was always a good time. Sebastian and Arley had broken away from the rest of the Morgan clan not long after they arrived. The bands had been amazing, and at the moment the boys sat a little off to the side of stage two in the shade. Arley was leaning against a tree while Sebastian snuggled against him.
"I'm glad you finally calmed down, Seb." Arley said with a grin. Sebastian always enjoyed the atmosphere of the day-long concert, and Arley couldn't help but grin at his partner. He was so happy now, happier than he ever imagined he would be.
"I love you Sebastian." Arley ran his hand through Seb's unruly blonde hair.
Sebastian smiled to Arley in return, "Yes, I know you do. I love you too, I always have. What is running through your mind? You haven't said much about your nightmares lately."
"I was just thinking about how amazing you are. I wanted to thank you for everything."
"I have done nothing that special, Arlington. Well I do put up with you…" he teased before he lightly kissed Arley. Arley just chuckled in return.
"You know I was teasing, sweetie. Although you did not answer my earlier question." He turned to rest his head on Arlington's shoulder. "Is everything alright, you still toss and turn in your sleep."
Arley sighed; he couldn't avoid talking about this again. "Honestly, it's been rough. I haven't had the dreams as often, but I can't get rid of 'em. I don't know what to do anymore." He leaned his head over to rest on top of Sebastian's. "I don't know what to do anymore. I think my father had something to do with my mother's death."
Seb nodded slightly, "Yes, we do know the jerk is capable of horrible things. We could look into the investigation maybe?"
"Let's wait a little, maybe we can talk to Desi and Fallon about it sometime this summer? I think I just want to know who killed her, if my father was involved…well at least the man is still in prison in the States."
Seb nodded, the music was still playing and he hadn't meant to draw his boyfriend into a darker conversation. He needed to change the subject again. "Fallon mentioned that we should have kids. Again." He smiled, he still thought the two of them would be excellent fathers, and it seemed most of the family agreed as well.
"Yeah, she did. I think I agree with her, too."
"You do? Really?" Sebastian couldn't hide the grin as he jumped up and pulled Arley to his feet. The boys shared a quick kiss and Arley wrapped an arm around Seb's waist. "I guess we can start looking into adoption? That seems like the only route I'd like to take. So many kids out there need homes; however, I'm not sure what the rules are here. We'll figure this out together, alright hon? We make an excellent family."
Seb nodded in excitement, "Yes we do! We are perfect together Arlington. You know I still remember the first time I saw you."
"Oh yeah, in Hogsmeade. You were coming out of Honeydukes with that massive bag of candy." Arley smirked, "You're still addicted to sweets to this day, Seb."
"I know, I know. C'mon let's go see our friends one last time before we have to head home." The boys then meandered over to Bron, Toby, Desi and a new guy, Orion.
"Hey guys, we're gonna head home in a bit." Arley said. "It's been a long day and we need to get home."
"Yes, we require rest." Seb said with a giggle. "Wait, who are you?" Seb attention turned to Orion. Both boys were shocked as the man said he and Desi were dating. Arley couldn't help but look a little hurt, and he shared a glance with Bronwyn that said 'she didn't tell you either?'
"Oh…that explains why Driver stormed past us when he went home early. He wouldn't talk to us."
Seb picked up on a look of, was that irritated and upset on her face? He couldn't be sure, but he was always eager to keep everyone on friendly terms and happy.
"Well this has been an amazing event, Bronwyn. Has everyone enjoyed themselves so far?" He smiled and leaned back into Arley's protective arms.