|
|
Last Year To Play (Basil)
Author: Jared
Date: 12-08-12 09:44
Basil Wynbourne, Slytherin, Beater
Sitting waiting for the Quidditch trials to determine the 2006-2007 house teams, Basil studied the bristles on his Peregrine G-70 Lightspeed. The Mark IX's bristles are looking a little ragged. He nudges Ivan Grimsby beside him, "Remind me to do a little clean up and repair on my broom."
"As if you'd actually need a reminder, but okay." Ivan's own broom is on the ground in front of them, looking in need of a little care and maintenance of its own. "I don't know why I'm going to try out. I'm not good enough to make a team, even the Hufflepuffs."
Eyes alighting on Aleydis Vanderbilt, a smile playing across his lips, Basil replies, "I don't know. The Hufflepuffs have had a pretty good line-up the last few years."
"Says the chap who does NOT have a crush on a certain Hufflepuff."
"I don't have a crush."
"You are making googly eyes at her."
Thinking his cool, casual glance her way was anything remotely googly Basil automatically responds, "Am not."
"You fancy her Wynbourne."
"Fancying someone does not always mean the same thing as crushing."
"Have it that bad, huh?"
Basil is saved from replying or denying or whatever he would have done by Coach Krum starting to divide students into groups for warm-ups and drills. He's further saved when Ivan is placed in Morgana Flowers group and he's shunted over to the group overseen by Spiridon Haynes.
Having kept in shape over the summer hols Basil has no trouble keeping pace during the stretching and sprints on the ground Haynes puts the group through. Once in the air, in his element, the broom sprints are (pun intended, sorry) a breeze. Flying set patterns wasn't difficult for Basil but some of the newer to flying participants did show their lack of experience on brooms during that phase, more so than they'd done on the simple sprints.
When Mark Farnon gets 8 of 10 on the first drill using bludgers, Basil was determined to best him, not because he dislikes Mark or because of any rivalry - on the contrary, he's always gotten on well enough with Mark and on past teams they've played very much in sync as beaters. No, it was simply trying to best Mark for the sake of it and nothing more. That and that deep seated notion of having to show superiority. The one he's trying to do better at not showing though this being a sport and this being tryouts, Basil sees nothing wrong with attempting to excell to ensure his former spot on the Slytherin team, especially given this is his last year at Hogwarts. He had ended up besting Mark by one, but just barely. Basil's one miss had been because of a first year behind him squealing in fright when a bludger had strayed and she thought it might hit her. That put his concentration off and he'd missed. The next one, he clipped the target instead of a dead on hit because in his frustration at missing the previous hit, he'd shifted his grip on the bat, so his angle when connecting bat to bludger was slightly off for the position of the target.
Basil did best on another of the beater drills, this one involving hitting someone posing as keeper as quaffles were also thrown. Every hit he made with a bludger during that drill not only found the keeper but interfered with blocking the quaffle.
During the scrimmages, Basil's first match was the fourth scrimmage in. The other beater on his team was a second year who was so busy trying to adjust his grip on the bat that he didn't get a single hit. After that match, Basil could tell the boy was highly disappointed in himself but as the boy had brought on the misstep himself by not being better prepared when the scrimmage began, Basil has a hard time feeling sorry for the younger boy.
Basil's next match is two games later. His beater teammate for this one is that little dynamo Jade Green. Between the two of them, they manage to keep the other team's beaters from getting in very many bludger hits. That's good for their team because their team's chasers this match are not working in rhythm very well and all seem to be on the klutzy side. As he reaches one of the bludgers, targeting the other squad's chaser Sadie Mickle who's moving in for a steal, Basil catches himself just in time from sending the bludger to his own chaser in possession of the quaffle. The Hufflepuff with the ball is just that painful to watch.
On the last hit he gets in for that match, Basil approaches the bludger from a southerly direction. The action is some distance away so he hauls his arm back to give the bludger a forceful hit with enough energy behind it to send the ball as far as it needs to go. As bat connects with ball, there's a splintering sound, the bat splitting in his hands. The bludger moves but not all that far and on an odd trajectory. Hand stinging from the way the bat cracked in it, as the whistle blows ending the match, he flies to the sidelines where one of the assistants is standing on the ground. Beatriz Basso examines Basil's hand, using her wand to pull out a few splinters of wood. The force of the hit when the bat split was enough to drive those few splinters through the glove Basil's wearing. Hand doctored, Basil returns to where Ivan is sitting.
"Hand okay?"
"Yeah, doesn't hurt really. It did before Beatriz Basso got some splinters out but now it feels mainly okay."
Ivan's name is called to let him know he's in the scrimmage after the one now taking to the air, one in which Aleydis is playing. With Ivan having gone to join the teammates he'll have for the next scrimmage, Basil is left alone to sit back and enjoy watching Aleydis play.
Trying Out For Chaser One Last Time (Etta)
Author: Jared
Date: 12-08-12 12:52
Sipping some water, waiting for another turn to be called in for a scrimmage match, Julietta takes a moment to look around at the faces in her immediate vicinity. There are just as many familiar ones as unfamiliar ones, most of those being first and second years. Third years, particularly those in her own house, she's more likely to recognize the faces of, especially those who were on teams in the past or who often participate in whatever pick-up matches they can get.
One face not in the crowd is that of Deak Bennett's. It seems odd to her not to have him here. Etta thought he might put in an appearance to cheer on friends, particularly Jack Emerson, but if Deak's shown up yet she's not seen him. Etta doesn't even know why she'd wonder about Deak. She's the one who broke things off with him and is the one who encouraged returning to a friends only status. She has to wonder if entering her seventh year boyfriendless is bothering her and she's just not fully realized that yet. If that's the main reason she has Deak on the brain, that then leads to the question of why would she be dwelling on him as a past boyfriend when she's not interested now in rekindling things. Or, at least she doesn't think she is. By the end of last term she'd had doubts a few times and imagined what it would be like getting back together with Deak were he open to the idea but, now, Etta thinks of him strictly as a friend, or so she tells herself anyway.
Gazing further afield of her immediate surroundings Etta spies Alexa Wenlock. She would go join her friend but Alexa's got a scrimmage match starting in less than two minutes, shortly after the current one ends. Marjani's in this next one as well. Olive is over with Zuberi, head close to his, deep in conversation so Etta doesn't want to go disturb them. Hunter Rabnott is flirting with a girl in his year. Alastor is in the air playing. She'd spotted Daniel and Hadrian earlier but now can't find them. She doesn't even know if they're trying out this year. Even though she's been watching and listening for names, it's easy to miss someone especially if playing in one of the scrimmages. Jill she's not seen at all this morning but knowing Jill, whether she's trying out or not, she's around somewhere because this is where most of the boys are today.
Eyes landing on Jack and Wiggy, Etta makes her way over to them. "Hi, I really wish you were trying out Wiggy. We could use you."
Wiggy grins at her. "I miss it but being on another team does keep me busy."
Jack makes a sound between a laugh and a snort. "If you did try out today, I'd be the first one lodging a protest at having to play against a professional player."
It's Etta's turn to laugh. "You'd do that to one of your best friends?"
"In a heartbeat."
"That's presupposing I'd make the team," Wiggy remarks.
"Ha! As if you'd not make the Gryffindor team." Etta makes a face at Wiggy for even suggesting he might not have.
"It would be a possibility," Wiggy says, "though I'd not be able to show my face at Puddlemere's practice this afternoon."
Jack lets out a full chortle then. "That would be priceless to see." Turning a tad more serious he asks Etta, "How were your warm-ups and drills?"
"Fine as far as I could tell. I was in Coach Krum's group."
Viktor Krum started his group out much as his helpers for the day were doing, having the students stretch and do a few exercises to get muscles loose and warm and the blood flowing. He'd then kept them on the ground for a few drills before they mounted brooms. One such drill involved each of them standing in marked squares with a snitch fluttering all about within the square. The goal was to grab that snitch as many times as possible in the two minutes they were given. It sounds far easier than it was in execution.
Another of the ground drills involved Coach Krum having several group members line up at a time then lobbing bludgers at them rapid fire. As fast as the balls came in along the line, there was no way not to get hit at least a few times no matter the amount of ducking and weaving.
Once on their brooms, the drills were just as difficult if not more so. One involving a quaffle required sprinting through a mini obstacle course while avoiding getting hit with bludgers.
After filling Jack and Wiggy in on how her group's drills went, she asks the same of Jack. That then leads to them discussing their participation in scrimmages thus far. Etta's played in two but it's early enough yet in a full day devoted to the trials that there will be, she hopes, several more opportunities.
Having signed up only for her usual chaser position, Etta was a chaser in both those scrimmages. In one, both Alexa and Olive were her teammates. Though normally on opposing sides they have worked together in for fun games and on the IQT team so they quickly fell into an easy rhythm of working together. Being good friends furthered how well they were able to read each other, passing the quaffle well, working the ball down the pitch for scoring opportunities, and giving back-up and aid where needed. Etta even took a bludger for Olive when Olive was moving in for a goal and one of the other team's beaters was trying to stop her. Etta saw the bludger coming and darted into its path, taking a hit on her shoulder that still stings and where a bruise is now visible, so that Olive could get her shot off unhindered.
Etta's second match wasn't horrible but it wasn't great either. Her squad's other two chasers were far more inexperienced, one only a first year and the other, though a third year, never having tried out for Quidditch before. The match was a far more verbal one for Etta, with her constantly instructing the other two or shouting out words of advice and encouragement. Their squad lost but Etta knows she herself did well under the circumstances and she demonstrated her ability to be patient and helpful in a crunch situation.
Listen as Jack talks about his scrimmages, Etta also watches the match going on, Jack, Wiggy, and she periodically inserting a comment or critique into the conversation. That match and another are played then both Etta's and Jack's names are called to participate in another of the matches but playing on opposite teams.
The Future
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 12-08-12 12:58
"Here we are: one butterbeer and a firewhiskey," Madam Rosmerta said as she placed the two glasses on the wooden table. After checking if they didn't need anything else, she walked away in order to serve other clients.
Nate's hand moved in the direction of the butterbeer, however Tim stopped him.
"That one is for me. I ordered the whiskey for you. I can see you're in the need for something stronger."
Nate didn't refuse, and after giving a sip from the glass he studied his friend Timothy Gabble with precaution, wondered if he was trying to get him drunk or not. He had told him briefly about his break-up with Phyllida in a letter, but it seemed he was not going to escape with that ease. Tim wanted to know all the juicy details of the end of his best friend relationship with his girlfriend and so he had invited Nate to the Three Broomsticks at Hogsmeade for a chat. He even offered himself to pay for the drinks.
"Do I look that bad?"
"Let's just say you have seen better days. Now spill it out. What happened exactly?"
Nate told Tim about Phyllida's abrupt departure. How they had spent most of the summer together at his parents' house and suddenly one morning she wasn't there, the guestroom immaculate and empty as if no one had been using it for the past weeks. There was no goodbye, not even a note. However the silence of her departure said more to him than a long scroll full of excuses, or a loud argument that would involve broken dishes. The message was loud and clear: she didn't want him in her life. She had other priorities and worries: her father.
Soon his glass was empty and he was about to raise his arm and call Madam Rosmerta again, when Tim pushed it back down.
"Easy now. What kind of friend would I be if I allowed you to get drunk? I don't want you to make a fool of yourself in public. You want my opinion? You're better off without her. I honestly didn't think you two were going to last long, anyway."
"I like her a lot. It's been hard without her," he noticed how his tone of voice was filled with lamentation and regret. Maybe Tim was right in saying one firewhiskey was more than enough. "If there was a chance to go back in time and mend things…to fix the mistakes I have done…"
"Mistakes? What have you done wrong? You gave her shelter; you tried to cheer her up, you…"
"I was harsh on her. I should have been more understanding."
"You're taking all the blame when you shouldn't. She's the one who left you, remember? And yes there is a way to go back in time, all you need is a time-turner. But why try to make the past workout? Just focus on the future."
Nate sighed and he started to play with his hands as he thought about what Tim had just said. Maybe it was the firewhiskey's effect but he started to feel that his friend was right when he said Phyllida had been the one who dumped him. He started to realize that at least she should have thanked him for letting her stay in the house and for all the help he had given her no matter how insufficient she thought that might have been. And perhaps Tim was also right in one thing: it has been two weeks now and he needed to move on. Focus on the future. He should think about his new job at the Ministry of Magic could be a good start, he thought.
"I'll try to move on and forget her," Nate finally declared.
"That's my boy! Hey Madame Rosmerta can we have more two butterbeers here, please? Thank you."
Nate could not help to laugh.
"I thought you didn't want me to have more drinks."
"Butterbeer is harmless. Besides we are celebrating."
"Celebrating what?" he asked as the new drinks were set on their table.
Tim just raised his glass and urged Nate to imitate him.
"To the future," he toasted.
"The future," Nate repeated.
The two glasses clashed in a pleasant tingling sound.
Only One Position Desired (Augustus)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 12-08-12 15:27
Standing with Caerwyn Valentine as those participating in the trials were being divided into groups, Augustus Hodfuffer had rubbed his eyes and stifled a yawn, listening closely for his name. He'd been wide awake a few minutes before and had no idea why he was suddenly yawning and heavy lidded. Hoping that once the warm-ups start he'd feel awake again Gus moved to join his group leader Stan Stanislaus.
Initially, Gus continued to feel draggy and tired but once they were through warm-ups and on to drills the tiredness began to pass. That or the adrenaline was kicking in again. Whatever the reason Gus was glad the energy drain wasn't bogging him down. By the time his group was starting a drill involving moving targets at a distance where they had to both bat bludgers at the targets to mimic hitting a player in motion during a match and throw quaffles at it in simulation of throwing to a chaser in motion, Gus was at 100% again and performing consistently and well.
In one of his scrimmages Gus, who is once again going out for the positions he's been playing the last few years, that of beater, was vying for the same bludger when the other beater lost his grip on his bat. The bat flipped up and smacked Gus in the face. His bloody, bruised nose went unnoticed for two or three minutes, the referees not having noticed the accident nor did the others working the trials because most eyes were on the seekers in pursuits of the snitch. Gus simply backhanded the dripping blood away and kept playing, swiping at the continued drops every so often. When his face was noticed be Imelda Weatherstorm, she'd tsked at him for not having drawn their attention when it happened. She'd temporarily patched him up so he could finish out the scrimmage and told him to see her after the match so she could better fix him up, unless he wanted to leave and go see the nurse. Not about to do that when he had no idea how long Madam Pomfrey would keep him, Gus obliged Ms. Weatherstorm, letting her act as medic when that match ended, promising to see the nurse once trials ended.
Though his nose and cheeks were throbbing, Gus had taken to the air again without a word when his name was called for another match. Caerwyn was the other beater on his squad and as they are used to working together, or as his mum sometimes says, "You two seem to share a brain," they were able to dominate control of the bludgers over the other team's two lesser experienced players. Gus's best work that match came when he was able to time a bludger hit so that it knocked the quaffle off course mid-throw in a goal attempt.
At some point during that match some tables appeared well off the sidelines with snacks and sandwiches. In one of those phases his mum says marks a growing spell, Gus is often hungry these days so once on the ground again he'd made a beeline for the food, only stomach only minding a little when Gus was stopped by a couple of girls wanting to pay him and his injured face some attention.
In Want Of The Hufflepuff Keeper Position (Glori)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 12-08-12 16:06
Munching on some slices of fruit she'd gotten from the tables of food that had shown up a short while ago, Glori Hodfuffer watches the scrimmage match taking place, paying close attention to one of the keepers. That particular trials participant is Waldo Smee, a boy from her house and year trying out for the same position she is, that of keeper for Hufflepuff. He's been putting on a good enough showing today, unlike a few of the others hoping to be named Hufflepuff's keeper this season. Good enough that Glori has begun to have a few doubts about how well she's been doing today. Knowing that those sort of doubts can play havoc with her performance, she's tried not to dwell, tried to focus on just doing her best and telling herself she's the one who's been on the team, not Waldo. It's easier said than done and even now, with her going up again when this match ends, Glori finds herself frowning as Waldo successfully blocks another goal attempt.
Earlier in the morning before she saw how well Waldo was doing, Glori had been in Spiridon Haynes group, thinking that he's cute enough females playing against him must find his looks distracting. That led her to rolling eyes at herself. She's at the trials to make the Hufflepuff team, not be flirty fifteen with all the cute males running around today. That some of the girls are here solely to do just that makes no difference.
Warm-ups were no problem though she was eager to get on with things and get to the match play. Glori did well enough on all the drills but was best on the ones geared more for keepers. On the one that involved nothing but blocking incoming quaffles from passing through the hoops, she was able to block every single shot.
The current match coming to an end soon, Glori asks her brother Wiggy to hold the small bowl with the rest of her fruit and goes to join those on her team this scrimmage. The whistle blows to end the action above and as those players coming in for landings, Glori heads up to position herself in front of the three goal posts she's been told are hers.
In under a minute after the quaffle's been put into play the other team is within perfect scoring range. They'd taken the red ball straight away and were able to quickly bring the game to Glori. The first shot is such a bad one, thrown without real thought or aim, Glori doesn't have to work very hard to rebuff it. It bounces off her finger tips and is caught on the rebound by another of the other squad's chasers. The girl, a Ravenclaw called Penny, moves away from Glori to better line up her shot. She takes her time, releasing the quaffle just a split second before she's hit with a bludger. Penny's effort is a good one but Glori is able not only to stop the ball but she catches the quaffle in the process. Tossing it to one of her teammates, Glori watches the action as it heads down the pitch away from her.
She keeps the other team from scoring the rest of that scrimmage but as the match ends and she goes to retrieve her fruit from Wiggy, Glori can't help thinking that Waldo may still be edging her out.
Saturday's First Kiss
Author: Melinda
Date: 12-08-12 16:41
My birthday had been five days ago, and of course I couldn't get off work to celebrate them during the week, but that's quite alright. With Cam at school a couple of hours a day and with tutors for a couple of hours during the week as well I only got a couple of hours with her a day as it was. But, we'd vowed that this Saturday would be a celebrate Mom day for my birthday.
We'd spent the morning having breakfast in bed, Cam made me breakfast and it was super tasty! We then spent the day shopping in the village and Cam used some of her pocket money to buy me a cute little top from Gladrags and then we went to lunch at Crown & Cauldron and then we headed home where we spent several hours playing some muggle board games.
Remedy had come over around three and she and Cam had gone over to see if Crew was up for a game of footie or something. I, currently was enjoying the fact that I had the house to myself and took a hot shower before grabbing my book and heading out into the front yard and settled beneath my favorite tree with a mug of tea. Bare feet curled beneath me, I opened the book, I could hear the kids playing a couple of houses over at the Morgan's, knowing well that Fallon would come over if something happened.
I'd been reading for a little while when a shadow passed over my book, and I looked up into the delightful blue-eyed man that had caught my attention some time ago at Petals and had turned out to be the father of my daughter's new friend.
"I know it's a few days late, but happy birthday Mel.." He said, taking the chair next to me after offering me a wrapped box.
I couldn't help but smile as I opened the gift and found a simple perfume set - it was my favorite scent too. A muggle brand called Cool Water and I wore it near constantly.
"It's perfect Jeff, thank you very much."
"Welcome. It's from Remy and I."
"Well, it's perfect and I had just been thinking about buying another bottle, now I don't have to."
I leaned over, intending on giving him a quick, friendly peck on the cheek, but he turned his head at that moment to say something and I caught his lips with mine. It was a brief thing, quick press of lips, but there had been a shock there.
"I..I'm..." I blushed, usually never flustered around guys (no matter their level of hotness) and took a sip of my tea to cover my nervousness.
He didn't say anything, but merely leaned over and with his palm cradling my cheek pressed his lips to mine in a slightly deeper kiss.
When it broke, I sighed and sunk back into my chair, eyes closed for a few moments before I turned and looked at him.
"Have you wanted to do that as long as I have?" He asked, a sheepish smile on his lips.
I chuckled and nodded. "Pretty much."
We spent the next few hours talking a bit more and just relaxing under the tree in my front yard listening to the kids play over in the Morgan's front yard (as was usual for them on the weekends).
The Marchbanks (Leo, Hydrangea, & Baron)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 12-08-12 17:04
Baron Marchbanks, Slytherin, only use in whatever position might need filling as discussed
All three of the Marchbanks siblings are in attendance at the pitch where the Quidditch trials for the 2006-2007 team are taking place. Leo is there strictly as an observer. He's was already a fairly decent flyer before his first lesson with Viktor Krum and he knows how to play Quidditch. He did consider trying out today just for the experience of it but decided that as someone who is still not the most coordinating person around, he'd give himself more time before making a total fool of himself in front of Krum and other Quidditch professionals.
Hydrangea has tried out in the past but having concluded she prefers playing simply for kicks, she's come to the pitch to cheer on friends and relatives and as something more fun to do than sit around in the castle pretending to study and work on homework assignments. That she is now fifteen, though only a fourth year thanks to that whole Happy Haven debacle, she also views the day as a perfect opportunity, and the best so far in time since taking the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade, to scope out the lads and see who might be boyfriend material or, at the very least, flirt worthy.
Baron, on the other hand, is participating. He's not the best Quidditch player around though he can hold his own in any of the positions, Baron is certain that with others who are better than he is trying out today he has no hope of making the Slytherin team. As a future British Minister of Magic, Baron's goal today is to put himself out there, show he's not afraid to take a chance, get to know a few people better and to get acquainted with some of those younger than he is. It's never too early to start garnering political support.
One of Viktor Krum's group, Baron went through the stretches and other warming up activities, thinking that he should get into a habit of doing this sort of thing a few times a week. Someone in fit shape cuts a better figure for pictures so if he gets in the habit now then when he is Minister he can use being in good physical condition as part of the confident aura he will project.
Baron's favorite drill turns out to be one in which Krum has the group members flying at varying speeds and at varying distances from one another, passing off a quaffle as a third person flies between them attempt to steal. The challenge is in trying to figure out timing all the while making a good pass. Doesn't matter how good your timing is if you can't throw to save your life.
In Baron's first scrimmage he was put in as a chaser. Working with the other two on his side he wove in around players and ducked a bludger to get the quaffle into scoring range. There, he'd passed off to another chaser who had a better opening than he did. That ended in a goal for his team, which made Baron pleased at having helped put those points on the board.
In another match as seeker, Baron thought he had the snitch. It was right there within reach. A bludger got him in the shoulder, causing the arm he was reaching with to jerk, and that allowed the other seeker to dart in for the capture.
He went in as keeper another time. Though the opposing team did get the quaffle past him twice, Baron stopped the red ball five other times. Wanting to showcase his ability to be well rounded, he'd even put his name down for beater. In one of those matches, Baron sent the bludger at another boy who was in the process of catching the quaffle on a pass from a teammate. The bludger slammed the chaser in the hand he'd just caught the ball with and either fractured or entirely broke one finger. Baron felt badly about that but it wasn't something he'd planned or wanted to happen. Injuries like that are a drawback of playing Quidditch. Nevertheless, he'd made sure to apologize and asked how the finger was after the bloke had had his hand seen to.
Sitting in the stands munching on a sandwich, Baron is greatly enjoying the scrimmage currently taking place and wondering when, and if, he'll be called for another match.
The Big Deal
Author: Errol
Date: 12-08-12 19:46
Like many other Hogwarts students Errol had made his way to the pitch this morning after breakfast. He'd arrived to find some of his friends, including Megara, already there. When he'd gone to join Megara, his roommates Alastor and William, and a couple of others from Ravenclaw whatever conversation they'd been having came to an abrupt halt at the sight of Errol leading him to believe they'd been talking about him.
He wanted to ask about it but thought it best to wait until he was alone with Megara. That takes awhile but finally when some are participating in one of the scrimmages and others have gone down to check out the food now available, Errol turns to Megara to ask what that had been all about. As if anticipating the question she cuts him off with a comment of her own.
"I still think you should have tried out today."
"I'm not that good at Quidditch. You've seen me play."
"You're better than you think."
"Why don't you try out?"
"I have some years but while I do like playing every now and then I mainly prefer to watch."
Her remark seems a good place to drop this line of discussion and switch to another. Before she can beat him to the punch again he says in a rush, "Why were all of you talking about me?"
"We weren't."
"You all just suddenly stopped talking and all looked guilty as hell for some other reason then, exactly at the time I reached you."
"Yes, that's it. A coincidence."
Megara sounds hopeful and looks overly hopeful that's the end of that. Errol presses on. "I'm not buying it. I'll just ask Alastor or William later."
"They won't say anything."
"You realize that makes it sound like you were talking about me."
"What I meant to say is that they won't have anything to say because there's nothing to say, because we weren't."
"Suuuuure."
"Tell me what I want to know and I'll tell you what you want to know."
"How can you tell me what I want to know when you claim there is nothing for me to know."
"Supposing there were?"
"I'm not ready to talk about it, Megara."
"Then I'm not either."
"So I'll ask one of my roomies."
"Why must you be so difficult?"
"Why must you?"
"Because it's one of my lovable character traits."
"Loveable? Try annoying."
"You know I can sneak into your room some night and inflict pain when you least suspect. Eventually, you'll tell me everything."
"I never said I wouldn't. All I've said is I'm not ready yet."
"Is whatever it is why you have nightmares?"
"Who says I have nightmares?"
"Your roommates among others."
"Is that what you guys were talking about when I got here?"
"Maybe, and I'm not a guy if you hadn't noticed."
"It's just an expression. Lots of people have nightmares."
"You didn't last year but now you do and it's after coming back looking like someone had used you as a punching bag."
"How do they know I have nightmares?"
"You make noises. Cat says you are emotionally traumatized."
"I do? You talk about me to Cat?"
"Well duh, she's my roommate; and, yes, you do. Sometimes your roommates aren't the only ones who can hear."
"Oh. I didn't realize."
"Just tell me already."
"Now's not the time."
"Then when?"
"I don't know."
"You tell me that every single day."
"And I'll keep telling you that until I'm damned good and ready."
"But whyyyyyy? Can't you must admit your uncle gave you a thrashing?"
"I've told you Uncle Ross didn't do that to me."
"Who did? What is the big deal?"
Frustrated and more than a little angry at this point, Errol leans in close to Megara. His voice is low and deathly quiet. "The big deal is I was kidnapped and after several days, tortured, and by the time it was over and I was free, I'd killed someone. Happy now?"
Without waiting for a reaction or response, Errol jerks to his feet and stalks off, leaving the pitch and Megara without a backward glance.