30 Jun 2024, 22:45
The LaRue Family Summer Extravaganza 2024
Setting: House LaRue - Holyhead, Wales
Date: July 1st, 2024
@Pax Zhang
It was that wonderful time of year again and Lemmy was bursting at the seams with excitement! It was the biannual fundraiser that the LaRues hosted at their boarding house in Wales. The LaRue Winter Bash had come and gone, but now it was time for the Summer Extravaganza! Their property was large, with vast gardens surrounding the house. A cool ocean breeze swept across the property keeping the guests cool on the warm summer evening and a festive spirit was in the air.
Charmed lanterns bobbed up and down as they floated above. In the clearing before the grand staircase that lead to the entrance of the house a dance floor had been erected. Nearby the caterers had set up tables with an array of food to delight all in attendance. A small stage was off to the right and hosted a local band that would provide some of the nights entertainment. There would be an auction for one of Arlo LaRue’s prized pieces of Goblin armor as well as a free raffle for those of lesser means. It would be another night for the storybooks and little Lemmy was ready for some fun!
“Look out!” The youngster shouted as he weaved in between the legs of the attendees. One hand carrying a decadent dessert that his mother had forbade him from having before a proper supper. Little did she know that the devious part goblin had other plans. Lilian would holler after him, but only half heartedly as a beaming smile lit up her face. Tonight was for charity and fun. The rules could slide for just one evening.
Everything was in place and the festivities would begin soon as most of the guests had arrived. It was a typical event that one of wealth and means might have grown accustomed to, but the guest list was anything but. All around them witches and wizards from all walks of life enjoy the many entertainments, but dotted throughout them were folks that many might not be used to mingling with. Tonight’s fundraising was for all in need, but with a specific focus on those that were half-breeds and other magical races. The LaRues were fortunate enough to live in peace, but that was not true for many like them that had to deal with the prejudice and intolerance from parts of the magical community. So, tonight would be for them. For food and safe housing, for education and the continued fight for equal rights. They had even invited a representative from the Ministry of Magical Creature Welfare. However, while the cause was serious, that didn’t mean they couldn’t all have fun.
Lemmy continued to run around laughing as he ate his sweets and said hi to familiar faces. There was the Robinsons whose son had unfortunately been turned werewolf. Then there were the Boltons who towered over the crowd as they were both part giant and even the Bourdains had arrived whose Dhampiric features were always so striking. Yet there were some faces that Lemmy had not seen before and the mystery was just too exciting to pass up. His little legs moved at top speed as he beelined it towards the potential new friends! “Hello!!” The sugar was rushing through his veins. “I’m Lemmy LaRue. This is my family’s house.” A long index finger pointed out the obvious. “I’m so happy that new faces have come to enjoy the fun. Where are you from? No wait, let me guess! Well, actually that could take a while…” Lemmy would continue on as the thoughts came flooding out of his mind. Best to just interrupt…
13 Jul 2024, 19:16
The LaRue Family Summer Extravaganza 2024
They/SheAt first, when Pax's dad had insisted for them to accompany them to this fundraiser, Pax hadn't been the most enthusiastic to attend, especially as he had phrased his reasoning as 'expanding Pax's worldly knowledge'. That had insulted Pax if anything at the time, but upon arriving at the venue, they were actually surprisingly impressed. Their dad had warned them to dress up a bit more formally than their usual athleisure, however they weren't prepared for the largeness of the event.
The place was beautifully decorated, and packed with all kinds of magical folk, not just witches and wizards. Their dad had informed them on the way here that this fundraiser was for the welfare of magical creatures, though they can't say they were expecting this big of a turnout. They supposed that was a good thing though, that so many were here to support this cause. Though they couldn't help bit feel a bit out of place, with the majority of the others here either young children or adults.
As soon as they entered, Pax noticed the wide array of food that had been put on display, and instantly bee-lined towards that. With a full plate, they returned to their dad, who hadn't made it much further from the entrance after being inundated with various (and presumably important) people. As they smiled politely, not really paying much attention to the topics under discussion, they were shocked out of their daydream as a young kid, bouncing with energy, approached the group, and they felt a gentle nudge from the father.
"Why don't you hang out with Lemmy here for a bit? I have important things to discuss with some people here."
Without leaving much of a choice, the adults moved away, leaving Pax with the kid, who they'd just learnt the name of. "Uhm, hi," they replied, cutting off the boy. "Nice to meet you, I'm Pax. From London, if that answers your question."
Not really sure what else to say to the overeager child, they offered their hand for a handshake, accompanied with an awkward smile. "Thanks for hosting this fundraiser, it's a really great cause you guys are raising money for."Reducio
21 Jul 2024, 01:30
The LaRue Family Summer Extravaganza 2024
@Pax Zhang
Just as little Lemmy was about to continue his verbal assault on the newcomer, they would fortunately speak up and introduce themselves. “Pax Zhang!” The young boy repeated with a thrill in his voice. “What a marvelous name? I’ve not heard it before. What are its origins if I may ask?” This was the best part about meeting new people! Lemmy squirmed with excitement as the new name slid off of his tongue. What a big world they all lived in and he couldn’t wait to spend a lifetime exploring it! “London you say! Now I have been there quite a few times.” Lemmy would nudge Pax with his elbow gently unless they avoided it and he wagged his eyebrows as if to say ‘look at me!’. “Such a wonderful city! And the Muggle capital as well. Oh! Have you ever seen the royal family!? Grandpa Larluff explained to me that Goblins have royalty too. Isn’t that amazing?” The boy spoke as quickly as his thoughts came to him, but hopefully the infectious smile would make up for the verbal onslaught.
Lemmy would eagerly grab Pax’s hand as they offered it in greeting. Although the lad was quite a bit smaller than his peers, Pax may notice that his hands and fingers were rather large. Perhaps they even engulfed theirs during the shake. “It is a pleasure to meet you too, Pax! Oh and hosting this ball has been the pride of the LaRue family for quite some time now. Back to even when Grandma and Grandpa were young. Like a million years ago!” Lemmy burst into a fit of giggles at his own joke regardless of how it was received. “Have you met many other half-breeds before? Oh my goodness! You must go to Hogwarts?! Are there many there too? I’m so excited to start in September! Maybe I’ll be in Ravenclaw like my mom! Dad couldn’t go though, because he’s half-Goblin.” Lemmy said the last part in a bit of a whisper and shot an over exaggerated expression of worry towards Pax before resuming his bright smile.
18 Aug 2024, 04:33
The LaRue Family Summer Extravaganza 2024
They/SheWhoever had raised this young boy, Pax had to credit them on raising him with good manners as he began to inquire more about their name.
"Uhm, well, Zhang comes from my dad's side of the family, and I think it means something to do with bows and arrows? As for Pax, it's a Latin word meaning peace, and, uh, I chose it myself actually."
They puffed up a little with pride. It was rare for them to get to share the origins of their name, and the fact that they had been able to select it themselves was rarely something that came up in conversation. However, there was little time to rest as a new onslaught of questions were asked by Lemmy.
"Oh, have you?" They responded, appearing interested in what he had to say, though the subtle elbowing had thrown them off slightly. "What parts of London have you visited? I can't say that I have ever spotted the royal family - though goblins have royalty as well? That is actually pretty cool. Does it function like the British royalty much, or is really different? Also, I suppose your Granddad Larluff is a goblin?"
This detail was genuinely intriguing to them, and the curious look on their face was authentic as they asked more questions. They had been encouraged to attend to learn more after all, so they hoped they were doing their father proud by inquiring more into the ways of goblin society.
The boy had enveloped Pax's hand in the handshake as he eagerly shook it, yet despite his cheery tone, Pax couldn't help but notice the contents of what he had said. "Yup, I'm a Hogwarts student - Gryffindor at that. I think there are a fair few half-breeds, yeah. I know a couple, at least that I can think of from the top of my head."
Unclasping their hand from the kid's, they furrowed their eyebrows, looking at the kid with a mix of confusion and concern. "But your father couldn't attend? Just because he's a half-goblin? That seems really unfair."
The fact that someone was denied the opportunity for an education simply on the basis that they were part-goblin seemed ridiculously unfair to Pax. It wasn't anything they could control, after all.
"I'm glad to see he's still proud of his heritage though. And that you are as well. You ought to be proud of these sort of things, you know? And at least that law's changed now, so you can go to Hogwarts."Reducio
28 Aug 2024, 04:01
The LaRue Family Summer Extravaganza 2024
@Pax Zhang
Lemmy listened with wide eyed enthusiasm as Pax explained the origin of their name. Who could have guessed it was possible for his eyes to bulge further as he learned Zhang was tied to bow and arrows. “Woah! Really? That’s incredible!” It did bring a fit of giggles to his lips as it made him think of his own name. “My name is tied to an old French word for road! Isn’t that silly?!” Not quite as impressive as a weapon, but names were interesting, but didn’t mean all that much. “That’s really quite wonderful that you chose your own name and for it to stand for peace is such a nice touch.”
“Oh!” Lemmy perked up again as the conversation shifted to London. “I’ve been the Chelsea for a football game. Grandpa, Dad and I are big fans of the Muggle sport. We’ve also been to Soho for a bit of shopping and then there’s of course Diagon Alley. We have to be a little careful out in public amongst the Muggles because of Grandpa’s appearance, but usually a scarf and a big hat take care of any concerns!” He took a deep breath as his quick words left him slightly breathless. “Yes! The Goblins do have Kings and Queens. It is quite different from Muggle Royalty though I believe. Usually the most goblin becomes ruler instead of it being passed down through the family line. They are quite secretive as well. Even we don’t know who rules currently although there are whispers of a powerful Queen.” Part of that was just rumors from his Grandpa, but it was possible. “Yes! Larluff is a full blooded Goblin. Grew up in a tribe somewhere in Northern England I believe.”
The idea that there were other half breeds at Hogwarts was something that Lemmy couldn’t wait to see. Not only was it an opportunity to make friends that came from mixed backgrounds, but they were also amongst the first students in recent years to be allowed to attend the school. What an exciting prospect! “Indeed. It is quite a shame that father wasn’t allowed to attend school, but he doesn’t seem too mad about it. He tutored under Grandma who is super smart and learned his trade from Grandpa. Not to mention that he had been quite successful, but I am so happy that I am able to attend.”
The change to that legislation was part of a whole that had brought them all here this evening. The integration of half breeds into the magical education system had been a hard fought victory for people like the LaRues and the many other families like theirs. “So, tell me, Pax. What brings you and your family here tonight? What does your father do? Actually, that makes me think. Are any of the students activist at Hogwarts? I do hope to help make a difference as my family has done. What do you think?”
30 Sep 2024, 00:16
The LaRue Family Summer Extravaganza 2024
They/She"Oh, that's so cool!" Pax agreed, hearing the kid seem so cheerful about his own past. They had to admit, they were somewhat ignorant about their own heritage - well. Ignorant wasn't the right word to use, but they just didn't know as much, especially as they weren't surrounded by it nearly as much as they were at home. In fact, due to how busy their father had been the last few years, they hadn't even been able to return to China to visit their family.
"I'm glad everything worked out now," they nodded, though Lemmy's story still echoed in their head as the conversation continued. They hadn't been this excited to attend magical school when they'd first gotten accepted, though they'd always had that expectation on them, so perhaps it was a given. Maybe that was a privilege they hadn't realised until now, hearing how excited Lemmy seemed to be. It made them re-evaluate their views.
"Uh, well, my dad's actually working with the Ministry now," Pax informed the kid. "He noticed, when he used to work as a healer, how some of them would prioritise helping humans over half breeds, and they would use the excuse that they didn't know how to treat them, and he didn't think that was right. Because it wasn't. So he's trying to help them get better access to healthcare, and teach healers how to treat non-humans properly whilst still being respectful."
That was something they really admired about their father. He'd seen an injustice in the world, and now dedicated himself to helping right that wrong. Pax often wondered if they'd ever be able to achieve anything that admirable.
"I'm sure there's some activist groups," they continued, though it embarrassed them to say that they weren't able to name any off the top of their head. They'd been a little preoccupied with quidditch to consider these sort of things. "And it's really admirable that you want to keep this fight going. After all, the war's not fully won yet, right?"
As they spoke, they felt a small bit of guilt creeping in. After all, there was so much that they could be doing really, especially with the connections they were privileged to have, but weren't. "You know what," they said. "Count me in. Any fundraising, any activism work you do at school, let me know. I want to help."Reducio