15 Apr 2025, 02:14
A silent night
Alina's fist closes around the handle of her violin case. It was a familiar weight in her hand as she began the rounds up the every changing staircases towards the rehearsal room. At least she's hoping she makes it there anyways. With the way the castle can sometimes be like a labyrinth, it can seem like pure luck. But she does make it.
Alina paces back and forth in front of the heavy oak doors. A part of her questioned the meaning of the note itself. She's never actually made it into the room, needing to work up the courage to actually open the door. Her internal anxiety seemed to flutter as she reached forward to yank the door open. Was there someone already practicing in there? Not likely, she couldn't hear anything. But, she couldn't help but worry about walking in on someone. Come on, be brave, Alina. It takes most of her body weight to pull the door open, to the thankfully quiet room.
Alina can only stare at the magnificent hall. Paintings hung on the walls, starring down at her. She can't help the feeling of intimidation that rakes up her spine. Playing in front of Markus and her family--- that's one thing, but she truly hated playing in front of others. It's a strange subconscious anxiety. It's like the paintings know, because all of the curtains swish in front of the moving images.
Alina can't help but check her watch, waiting for @Ellie Randensmith. She's never actually spoken to the girl, just a few notes is all. Maybe I should have spoken to her in person. She's worried about playing in front of the other girl, but the thought of her not showing up either is equally as paralyzing. She may be a Hufflepuff but damn she can be brave too. Is it rude to show up early? Maybe they should have planned to meet in the common room first, but since Alina made the invite, it seems only right to arrive early.
Gosh who knows. She thinks. Suppose we'll see.
Alina paces back and forth in front of the heavy oak doors. A part of her questioned the meaning of the note itself. She's never actually made it into the room, needing to work up the courage to actually open the door. Her internal anxiety seemed to flutter as she reached forward to yank the door open. Was there someone already practicing in there? Not likely, she couldn't hear anything. But, she couldn't help but worry about walking in on someone. Come on, be brave, Alina. It takes most of her body weight to pull the door open, to the thankfully quiet room.
Alina can only stare at the magnificent hall. Paintings hung on the walls, starring down at her. She can't help the feeling of intimidation that rakes up her spine. Playing in front of Markus and her family--- that's one thing, but she truly hated playing in front of others. It's a strange subconscious anxiety. It's like the paintings know, because all of the curtains swish in front of the moving images.
Alina can't help but check her watch, waiting for @Ellie Randensmith. She's never actually spoken to the girl, just a few notes is all. Maybe I should have spoken to her in person. She's worried about playing in front of the other girl, but the thought of her not showing up either is equally as paralyzing. She may be a Hufflepuff but damn she can be brave too. Is it rude to show up early? Maybe they should have planned to meet in the common room first, but since Alina made the invite, it seems only right to arrive early.
Gosh who knows. She thinks. Suppose we'll see.
16 Apr 2025, 17:01
A silent night
Mentioning/Interacting @Alina Carnell
It was after a feast in the great hall, Ellie had remembered that today was the day she could play with another musician. Ellie walked up the stairs to the rehearsal room on the fourth floor, taking turns, and trying not to get stuck as the staircases moved to different locations. Ellie was about to walk in to the room when she remembered she had forgotten her instrument. Ellie bolted all the way back down the stairs she had just climbed to the Hufflepuff common room. Argg I feel so bad to make her wait for me and my forgetful brain
Ellie made it to the common room and bolted up the stairs to her dorm. Grabbing her viola and sheet music she started to exit the room. But then she spotted a little doll her grandma had made her, grabbing that too, she exited the room. Maybe we can make it dance like we learned in charms!
Ellie ran back up the stairs to the ground floor. Then she ran up to the fourth floor. Now which room is the rehearsal room? She opened one door. Nope that's the lavatory! She opened another door. Perfect! She saw Alina waiting there for her.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Ellie said breathlessly, "I forgot to grab my instrument!"
It was after a feast in the great hall, Ellie had remembered that today was the day she could play with another musician. Ellie walked up the stairs to the rehearsal room on the fourth floor, taking turns, and trying not to get stuck as the staircases moved to different locations. Ellie was about to walk in to the room when she remembered she had forgotten her instrument. Ellie bolted all the way back down the stairs she had just climbed to the Hufflepuff common room. Argg I feel so bad to make her wait for me and my forgetful brain
Ellie made it to the common room and bolted up the stairs to her dorm. Grabbing her viola and sheet music she started to exit the room. But then she spotted a little doll her grandma had made her, grabbing that too, she exited the room. Maybe we can make it dance like we learned in charms!
Ellie ran back up the stairs to the ground floor. Then she ran up to the fourth floor. Now which room is the rehearsal room? She opened one door. Nope that's the lavatory! She opened another door. Perfect! She saw Alina waiting there for her.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Ellie said breathlessly, "I forgot to grab my instrument!"
18 Apr 2025, 01:16
A silent night
“Don’t worry about it!” Alina says, laughing nervously, running her fingers through her hair. She nudges the case over with her foot, lowering it down to lay on the ground. Alina drops to the ground, unzipping the case. I got this far. She thought. Of course we’re both musicians---and I don’t know how to fill this silence.
She notices Ellie brought music… and it dawns on her that she hadn’t planned that far ahead. When practicing at home, she’d find music online. That, or she improvised. Her brother Markus had been good at listening to music and being able to match the notes just by ear. She wondered if he was someone who had perfect pitch. She certainly did not.
“I’m glad to see you brought some music. I’d usually get it from MuseScore or somewhere online. I don’t know. ” Alina grins nervously. “I didn’t think ahead to print it out and bring any with me.” She gestures a bit with the end of her bow, if only to give herself something to fiddle with.
Alina stands, clipping on her tuner, but it doesn’t turn on. I feel like I should have expected that. I’m just going to really hope I didn’t permanently break it. She stiffens her posture, trying to listen as she tunes the strings one by one with her hearing alone. God, I feel like there should be some magical way to take care of this. Maybe I’ll learn it some day, or one of the prefects knows… who knows? Okay someone around here knows. Maybe she should check out the library. Ellie might come with me if I ask? Later--- focus on right now. Besides, we might be able to find some sheet music in the library or something too.
“Did you bring anything exciting?” She finally asks.
Mentioning/Interacting @Ellie Randensmith
She notices Ellie brought music… and it dawns on her that she hadn’t planned that far ahead. When practicing at home, she’d find music online. That, or she improvised. Her brother Markus had been good at listening to music and being able to match the notes just by ear. She wondered if he was someone who had perfect pitch. She certainly did not.
“I’m glad to see you brought some music. I’d usually get it from MuseScore or somewhere online. I don’t know. ” Alina grins nervously. “I didn’t think ahead to print it out and bring any with me.” She gestures a bit with the end of her bow, if only to give herself something to fiddle with.
Alina stands, clipping on her tuner, but it doesn’t turn on. I feel like I should have expected that. I’m just going to really hope I didn’t permanently break it. She stiffens her posture, trying to listen as she tunes the strings one by one with her hearing alone. God, I feel like there should be some magical way to take care of this. Maybe I’ll learn it some day, or one of the prefects knows… who knows? Okay someone around here knows. Maybe she should check out the library. Ellie might come with me if I ask? Later--- focus on right now. Besides, we might be able to find some sheet music in the library or something too.
“Did you bring anything exciting?” She finally asks.
Mentioning/Interacting @Ellie Randensmith
19 Apr 2025, 15:38
A silent night
Interacting/ Mentioning @Alina Carnell
“It’s ok if you didn’t bring any music!” Ellie says noticing that Alina’s not holding any music sheets, “Devices like electronics don’t work in hogwarts but we’ll find something so that we can play!”
Ellie reached in to her music folder that was a little ripped and had seen better days, and pulled out a song.
“I like this one.” She show Alina, “It’s called Legend of Dark Mountain. But it’s in viola so…”
Ellie trailed off. Violin and viola notes were not the same. Even if the viola and violin looked the same one used a treble clef and one used alto. Ellie looked at Alina and shrugged. They could go look somewhere and try to find music.
“And when we do find music, I brought a doll that I can make dance!” Ellie said even though it wasn’t really revalent.
Now where could they find music was the real question. It’s not like they could just walk somewhere and POOF! There is sheet music for both of us, violin and viola! If only… Wait! There might be!
“We could try walking past the room of requirement and wish for music for both of us!” Ellie said hoping this would work.
“It’s ok if you didn’t bring any music!” Ellie says noticing that Alina’s not holding any music sheets, “Devices like electronics don’t work in hogwarts but we’ll find something so that we can play!”
Ellie reached in to her music folder that was a little ripped and had seen better days, and pulled out a song.
“I like this one.” She show Alina, “It’s called Legend of Dark Mountain. But it’s in viola so…”
Ellie trailed off. Violin and viola notes were not the same. Even if the viola and violin looked the same one used a treble clef and one used alto. Ellie looked at Alina and shrugged. They could go look somewhere and try to find music.
“And when we do find music, I brought a doll that I can make dance!” Ellie said even though it wasn’t really revalent.
Now where could they find music was the real question. It’s not like they could just walk somewhere and POOF! There is sheet music for both of us, violin and viola! If only… Wait! There might be!
“We could try walking past the room of requirement and wish for music for both of us!” Ellie said hoping this would work.
21 Apr 2025, 02:07
A silent night
"Is that why my tuner wouldn't turn on?" She asks, somewhat arbitrarily, looking down at the little device, turning it over in her fingers. “You must be able to tell by ear, then? You know, to know if you’re in tune.” She drops it back into the case, shutting it with the base of her heal.
"Admittedly I am not great at transposing the music. I think that's the term for it. I don't really remember." Alina says. "Isn't alto the one that looks sort of like a backwards fancy 3?" A lot of the music she could find was already composed for violin. She swipes up and down along her bow with the rosin in her case. I should have made sure to get more before I left home. Maybe Markus, or Mom or Dad could send some here. Though I have no idea how that works.
She shuffles over, peering over Ellie’s shoulders at the piece of music. I don’t think I’ve heard of it before. That’s not surprising considering the exposure she’s had to music consists of beginner’s classical music, movie soundtracks if she could find them, or whatever piqued her interest at the time.
Interacting/Mentioning: @Ellie Randensmith
"Admittedly I am not great at transposing the music. I think that's the term for it. I don't really remember." Alina says. "Isn't alto the one that looks sort of like a backwards fancy 3?" A lot of the music she could find was already composed for violin. She swipes up and down along her bow with the rosin in her case. I should have made sure to get more before I left home. Maybe Markus, or Mom or Dad could send some here. Though I have no idea how that works.
She shuffles over, peering over Ellie’s shoulders at the piece of music. I don’t think I’ve heard of it before. That’s not surprising considering the exposure she’s had to music consists of beginner’s classical music, movie soundtracks if she could find them, or whatever piqued her interest at the time.
“The room of what?” She asks. “I don’t remember the prefects every mentioning it, nor seeing that room label anywhere in my explorations. I don’t think I know what you’re talking about.”“We could try walking past the room of requirement and wish for music for both of us!” Ellie says.
Interacting/Mentioning: @Ellie Randensmith
24 Apr 2025, 00:14
A silent night
Mentioning/interacting with @Alina Carnell
”Yes the alto clef is that one. Sorta looks like a fancy B. And yeah, that's probably why the tuner won't turn on" Ellie said responding to Alina "I can't tune at all by ear but my Viola is magical so it magically tunes itself. Are you a muggle-born then? Sorry if that sounds rude!”
"Also the room of requirement is this room the only appears when you really need something" Ellie said "It was famously used for Dumbledore's Army back in the 90's by Harry Potter."
Well that was a random history lesson but it was a well known fact so... Anyway. Ellie took out her wand. Pointing at the doll she she had brought she cast the spell "Tarantallegra". It wasn't working. Blushing a little bit when it didn't work Ellie tried again, this time getting it. The doll stood up started dancing and stopped like "umm where is the music?" Ellie laughed.
"It's probably waiting for music!" Ellie said, "If only I was good at transcribing viola to violin!"
Ellie looked at Alina as the doll went dead again.
"Well you want to try the Room of Requirement?" Ellie said "Its on the fifth floor."
"Also the room of requirement is this room the only appears when you really need something" Ellie said "It was famously used for Dumbledore's Army back in the 90's by Harry Potter."
Well that was a random history lesson but it was a well known fact so... Anyway. Ellie took out her wand. Pointing at the doll she she had brought she cast the spell "Tarantallegra". It wasn't working. Blushing a little bit when it didn't work Ellie tried again, this time getting it. The doll stood up started dancing and stopped like "umm where is the music?" Ellie laughed.
"It's probably waiting for music!" Ellie said, "If only I was good at transcribing viola to violin!"
Ellie looked at Alina as the doll went dead again.
Ellie hands the paper to Alina.Alina shuffles over, peering over Ellie’s shoulders at the piece of music.
"Well you want to try the Room of Requirement?" Ellie said "Its on the fifth floor."
29 Apr 2025, 02:02
A silent night
Mentioning/interacting with @Ellie Randensmith
Alina watches in awe as the doll begins to dance in the air. It’s little limbs floating and gesturing in choreographed sequence. I wonder if you have to think about what the doll actually does? Is the sequence of moves pre-decided? It could be object based. Maybe the doll dances one way and…what else could this possibly be used on…---whatever it is would dance another way? Is it style dependent? Maybe to a caster’s discrepancy. Alina can’t stop the mountain of questions building in her head.
She made this so awkward didn’t she? Alina lowers her head just a bit, feeling embarrassed at the question.
“Yeah, if you know where it is, it’d be cool to check it out.” She says, trying to cover up the previous statement. “I don’t know if you had music in mind? I’m struggling to come up with things that aren’t… I don’t know if it's muggle-inspired. I suppose it could be fine, but I don't know if the wizarding world knows all that much about pop culture.” She trails off, fiddling with her instrument to hide her anxiety.
Alina watches in awe as the doll begins to dance in the air. It’s little limbs floating and gesturing in choreographed sequence. I wonder if you have to think about what the doll actually does? Is the sequence of moves pre-decided? It could be object based. Maybe the doll dances one way and…what else could this possibly be used on…---whatever it is would dance another way? Is it style dependent? Maybe to a caster’s discrepancy. Alina can’t stop the mountain of questions building in her head.
“Are you sure? When I was up there the only room I saw was the transfiguration classroom.” Alina asks. I still have no idea what she’s talking about. “Maybe when we get back you could show me how to do… whatever it is you’re doing?” Alina says. “With the doll.”"Well you want to try the Room of Requirement?" Ellie said "Its on the fifth floor."
She made this so awkward didn’t she? Alina lowers her head just a bit, feeling embarrassed at the question.
“Yeah, if you know where it is, it’d be cool to check it out.” She says, trying to cover up the previous statement. “I don’t know if you had music in mind? I’m struggling to come up with things that aren’t… I don’t know if it's muggle-inspired. I suppose it could be fine, but I don't know if the wizarding world knows all that much about pop culture.” She trails off, fiddling with her instrument to hide her anxiety.
5 May 2025, 16:15
A silent night
♬♩♪♩Ellie Randensmith♩♪♩♬
Mentioning/interacting with @Alina Carnell
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Mentioning/interacting with @Alina Carnell
______________________________________________________________
Ellie could tell Alina was feeling unsure.
"Don't worry if you didn't see it!" Ellie said "In order to see it you must walk past it with a real purpose in mind!"
Of course Ellie most likely would not have known that except for the fact that her Uncle had told her about how he found it as a kid and she had committed every detail to memory, hoping to find it when it was her turn to go to Hogwarts!
Ellie, lost in her thoughts, almost didn't hear Alina's next statement "Hmm" Ellie said, then grasping what was said, "Muggle music? Hmm never heard a song that is muggle except for a few classical ones! What's pop culture?"
Ellie hoped it didn't sound stupid, not knowing what pop culture is or was. Ellie didn't want Alina to think of her as dump or stupid! Alina seemed like a really neat and talented girl! Hmm, muggle music sounds really fun to play! And if pop culture is anything like popping bubbles! Maybe pop culture was the sounds of popping bubbles?! But how could we play that then? Ellie thought, not daring to say it and sound even stupider! Blushing she started playing pizzizato on her instrument.
30 May 2025, 01:15
A silent night
I have permission from @Ellie Randensmith to godmod her character for my turn here.
What makes up a real purpose? Alina wonders. Is there some sort of moral compass that judges whether someone is using the room for a good purpose or a bad one? How does the room know when you walk by? Is it magic imbued in the castle? Or is it a spell cast that reveals the room?
“Anyways, you were going to show me this “room of requirements” right? That I can’t see unless I walk by with intention?” She asks. “It’s…upstairs right?” Ellie nods. Alina starts towards the door, pushing it open by leaning into it since her hands were full. Ellie follows her out of the room, and the two girls head for the closest staircase.
What makes up a real purpose? Alina wonders. Is there some sort of moral compass that judges whether someone is using the room for a good purpose or a bad one? How does the room know when you walk by? Is it magic imbued in the castle? Or is it a spell cast that reveals the room?
“I guess it’s not really “Muggle music” so to speak.” Alina starts, gesturing with her bow as she speaks. “Do you know what a speaker is? They're little boxes that play music…” She reaches for the little tuner in her backpack. “It kinda looks like this thing, but… anyways it’s not important. There’s a lot of music that gets played through these little boxes. A lot of that music is what’s popular to a lot of people at the time.” I’m rambling, just tie the story back. “Anyways, things like music, and TV shows, and Movies, that a lot of people all like make up what’s called “pop culture”. It’s short for “popular culture”, and is all of the popular media.” Alina stops to catch her breath."Muggle music? Hmm never heard a song that is muggle except for a few classical ones! What's pop culture?"
“Anyways, you were going to show me this “room of requirements” right? That I can’t see unless I walk by with intention?” She asks. “It’s…upstairs right?” Ellie nods. Alina starts towards the door, pushing it open by leaning into it since her hands were full. Ellie follows her out of the room, and the two girls head for the closest staircase.