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Broom Ride
Author: Kissy Isuki
Date: 06-12-16 11:35
A hand in the small of Everett's back, Kissy slowly walks alongside her almost 2 1/2 year old son as he flies a small broom around in a prescribed circle. He shrugs backwards against her hand. "Me do it, Mummy."
Behind them, on her own little broom, almost 1 1/2 year old Callista mimics her brother. "Me do it!" Unlike her brother, Callista causes herself to wobbly enough that if not for the spell belting her onto the broom or Cameron's hand to steady her, she would have fallen off. Of course, she's not even a foot off the ground so she would not have fallen far had she indeed taken a tumble.
One broom ahead of Everett is Emi Isuki. This particular broom is almost too tame for the 5 year old but for the moment she sees happy enough. Her mother Akina walks with Kissy but has a close watch on Emi. When Emi looks over her shoulder and waves Akina returns the gesture then pasts her swollen belly. "These two are tiring me out."
"Go sit. We shouldn't be much longer here."
"I'll take a rest soon. You know, I thought Zen and I were done with two but here we are expecting twins."
"With Ev and Calli practically back-to-back we're going to wait a bit before we consider another but it does seems as if half the women I know are either expecting, just had a baby, or trying to get pregnant."
Akina grins. "I know what you mean. We're everywhere."
Their conversation is interrupted when Kazuki, who'll be 7 in October, comes barreling up. "That was fun! I want to be on a team!"
Kazuki, with his father Zen with him, had been at the broom ride more suited to someone his age and size. Until recently Kazuki hadn't shown much interest in flying or Quidditch. The past couple of months though he's become fascinated to the point he sat enthralled through an entire professional match instead of quickly losing interest, squirming around, and wanting some other form of entertainment as he'd done on previous occasions.
Coming up behind Kazuki, Zen ruffles fingers through the boy's hair. "I told him we'd check out Little League."
The turn on the little brooms over Akina says as she moves to help Emi down only to have Zen beat her to it, "We can definitely check the league out, pet."
Everett, Callista, Cameron, and Kissy join them, Everett pointing across the grounds to where a petting zoo has been set up. "Can we go there?"
As no one has any objections the Weatherbys and Isukis start that for the petting zoo area, stopping along the way to take a break for ice cream.
(Maud) The Best
Author: Celeste Quigley
Date: 06-12-16 14:52
Rosalie Montgomery had come to visit her daughter to the school. Maud was happy to see her mother and she was looking forward to spend the entire day with her. After lunch at the Great Hall, they went to the grounds outside, for a walk. The sun was quite warm, but it was pleasant to walk under the massive shadow of the castle.
They were making plans for the holidays. Rosalie revealed to Maud that her father was thinking of taking her to Paris, to a place called Disneyland. Rosalie wasn't entirely sure what that was and it took a long time for Maud to make her comprehend the concept of a Muggle themed fun park. Then her mother mentioned the possibility of a trip to the beach, in the south of England, just the two of them. The best part of having divorced parents was that they both wanted to spend quality time with Maud, trying to give her the happiest memories possible. Perhaps they felt guilty she had to spend her time switching houses over her life, until she came to Hogwarts and gained some stability. But Rosalie noticed her daughter didn't seem too excited with the upcoming holidays.
"It's just I will not have much time to study," Maud explained, when her mother asked what was wrong.
"Study? But Maud, it is the summer holidays. They were created so students could have a break from their studies. Rest their heads, and recharge batteries for next year."
"I can't do that," she declared.
"I don't understand why you feel you need to study more. You have had excellent marks so far. Most of the teachers had praised you!"
"It is not enough for me."
There was an awkward silence. Maud crossed her arms, feeling defensive. She did not want to talk about this because she knew she would sound too petty. But she couldn't help feeling this way. She sighed, in very theatrical way, proper of an eleven-year-old girl.
"There is this girl…her name is Grace…"
The first words were hard to say but as she continued to talk, her speech started to flow. Maud had mentioned Grace Valentine in her letters home, but she had only described her as her roommate and colleague. Maybe she mentioned a thing or two she had said during a meal, but nothing too relevant. Maud never told her mother that lately she has been feeling frustrated because Grace seemed to do better than her in every class. The worst part was that she felt that she studied the double or the triple than Grace, and she still could not beat her. Rosalie let go a light laughter.
"This is not a competition Maud. You are not in the school to beat anyone. You are here to learn and dominate spells. I know that at your old school you were used to be one of the best, but I don't want these feelings lead to a sour relationship with one of your colleagues. And your father and I, we do not care if this Grace or anyone else is very good. We only care that you are good and work hard to achieve the best results possible. We are very proud. Now, that said, no one can be good at everything, like you say she is. I am sure there must be one thing you are better than her. It is just a matter of finding out."
Maud grinned, feeling a little bit more relieved, but not completely. It was good to know that her mother did not care if Grace was better than her in terms of academics. However, she knew she would not truly rest until she found out that one (or maybe more) thing she could do better than Grace.
Stratfords at Spring Social
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 06-12-16 18:23
Lysander sat under a tree with his legs stretched out in front of him and held a sleeping Dylan in his arms. After a full morning of fun around the Hogwarts grounds, the 1 1/2 year old was all tuckered out. He was sleeping hard and would probably go for a few hours more, but Lysander didn't want Dylan napping all afternoon, only for him not to be tired at bedtime. He decided to allow him another half hour of rest but no more.
Across the lawn, Charlotte and Noah were tossing a frisbee to one another. The frisbee was a kaleidoscope of colors and made a whirring noise each time it passed through the air. Liam was on Charlotte's side of the grass, lunging to catch the frisbee any time it passed out of her reach.
It had been Lysander's idea to invite Liam and Noah to Spring Social. Charlotte wanted to see Grace, and Noah would benefit by visiting Hogwarts and meeting new people before he started there next fall. Liam's wife and daughter had also intended on visiting but had canceled at the last minute after both Midori and Sophia woke up with sore throats. So far, neither Liam nor Noah showed signs of also being ill.
Liam eventually trotted over to sit in the grass next to his older brother. He gazed down at the sleeping toddler and smiled. "They grow up so fast. Sometimes I miss mine being that young but I don't think I'd want to do it all over again."
"No?" Lysander asked. "You're still young."
"Two is enough, and I already have the best of both worlds. A boy and a girl."
"Me too," Lysander said. He looked at Dylan and asked the question that had been nagging him ever since Julian had said something to him about it. "Do you think Dylan looks like me?"
"You know I thought he was your love child the minute I saw you two together," Liam said. "I didn't buy your story about finding him on your doorstep and adopting him out of the goodness of your heart."
"Except that's exactly what I did," Lysander replied. He knew Liam wasn't trying to make him angry, but he could feel himself growing hot all the same.
"I know, but you have to admit that you two do resemble one another. I'd say he's adapted to his surroundings, or maybe it's how a person's pet starts to look like its owner, or is it the other way around…?"
"Did you just compare my child to a dog or cat?" Again, Lysander knew that Liam wasn't trying to get under his skin, but Lysander had always been sensitive.
"Have you ever considered getting a paternity test?" Liam asked, ignoring the question. "Could it be possible that some girl you slept with got pregnant and left you the child?"
Lysander didn't immediately answer. He wanted to give Liam an adamant no, especially since he held such a high torch for Chyler even after all these years and rarely committed to other women. His one night stands were few and far between, too. Unfortunately, Lysander couldn't be certain. If Astrid had born his child, then she probably would have said something and not left the baby on his doorstep. The only other possibility…
"Get the paternity test," Liam said, having seen the emotions flicker across Lysander's face. "It'll give you some peace of mind. Otherwise, you'll keep wondering."
Lysander finally nodded his head. "Yeah. He's my son all the same, but it wouldn't hurt to know the truth once and for all."
Winning Prizes and Giant Gobstones
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 06-12-16 18:55
Bob Copperpot whoops with delight. "What prize do you want, Libby?"
Libby studies the options before raising a finger in a vague point. "The Angus cat."
The attendant looks confused as to which of the three cat prizes is an Angus cat. Bob nods at a long haired gray and white stuffed cat that's swishing its tail. "That one. Looks a bit like our Angus."
The attendant smiles and nods in understanding, passing over the chosen prize. Hugging it to her Libby asks, "Where now, Dad?"
Libby is not usually this solicitous. Rather than asking or requesting she tends to order and demand. Bob and Connie have long wondered how their younger child is so different from older one. Were they too lenient with her? Too quick to give in? According to Georgia they were both but as Libby's sister Connie and Bob consider her somewhat biased.
"Dad?"
Bob gives a start. "Sorry. I was thinking. Are you game for the giant gobstones?"
"Yes!"
Bob calls out to Connie who is deep in conversation with his sister Alice Trainor. "We're heading to the gobstones."
Connie nods as Alice's daughter, Bob's niece, Edwina comes rushing over from whatever game she'd just been playing, a bag of just won hard sweets clutched in her hand. "I'll go too. That all right, Uncle Bob?"
"Sure, the more the merrier."
Edwina and Libby leave their prizes with their mothers then hop and skip ahead of Bob to the gobstones. There, as they wait for a go, Bertie Nutcombe and his father walk up. Bob reaches out a hand to shake. "Reg, how are you?"
"I'm good. And you?"
"Excellent. Having a grand time with Libs. Just you today?"
"At the moment. The wife was here for awhile earlier. Her dad's doing poorly and she offered to help her mum out this afternoon."
"Sorry to hear that. I know your in-laws. Good people."
As the two men talk Edwina, Bertie, and Libby compare what games they've played today and what they've each won. Entirely off topic and out of the blue Bertie tells them, "I'm definitely getting to take Fitness & Athletics come September."
Edwina makes a face. "Nothing against being sport but don't we have enough to keep up with without adding another class?"
"We have to take more come third year," Bertie points out.
"I know and I don't like it. They make us do too much. When we have pick electives for third year we should get to drop two other classes," Edwina gripes.
"What two would you not take?" Libby asks.
"History because it can be deadly dull at times and Astronomy because while starts are pretty I hate having to be up late for it. If I'm going to be up late it should be for something fun, not work."
Before they can talk more about this or something else, the current round of gobstones ends, the giant faux gobstones disgorging their passengers. The three first years along with Bob and Reginald each pick a gobstone. It's only after their match begins that Libby and Edwina see that Edwina's brother Sylvestor and father Archie are also in gobstones for this match. They hadn't even seen them in line. Edwina's surprise is short-lived when Sylvestor directs his gobstone into hers, attempting to force her out of the large circle. Putting all her strength into it, Edwina is having none of that!
Obnoxious, Rude, Condescending, And Overbearing
Author: Sage Porter
Date: 06-14-16 21:42
"Too bad that girl had to leave before Birdie and I got here."
Sage glares at his father, torn between saying something and keeping to his vow to be done with the man and thus remain quiet. As if sensing his internal war Saffron comes to the rescue. "That girl's name is Georgia. As she's going to be your daughter-in-law it's past time you remember it."
"Are you sassing me?"
Sassafrass smirks. "Better not be. Being sassy is my job."
"Not you too," Lohengrin snaps. "As your father I deserve respect."
As usual Birdie doesn't join but nods along with anything Lohengrin says. This has Sassy snarkily asking, "Is that all you can do? Agree with everything Da says no matter what comes out of his mouth?"
"Don't talk to your mother like that," Lohengrin practically snarls.
Sage can no longer hold his tongue. "Stepmother. Birdie is our stepmother," he sharply reminds. In a softer voice he says, "Sorry, Birdie. No offense intended. I like you."
He looks back at Lohengrin. Mindful that they are in the Great Hall with other people all about he works hard to keep his voice modulated so as not to carry far. "As for you, Da, you're the one who needs show some respect. You expect it of others but are rarely respectful to anyone. You tend to be obnoxious, rude, condescending, and overbearing to pretty much everyone."
Lohengrin opens his mouth to reply, probably with something obnoxious, rude, condescending, or overbearing but Sage cuts him off. "Save it. I'm leaving."
As his father sputters Sage ignores him, telling the others goodbye and stopping at a game booth before leaving the Great Hall to tell Aaron, Neil, and the children, including his little sister Senna, goodbye.