CYUT Errand Group 7 PV Closed

OOC NOTICE

Players do not need to wait for another person's character to finish their talent before performing their own. For example, if someone else's character is playing the violin and no conclusion to the performance was mentioned, you may still post that your own character performed a dance. IC, if it doesn't make sense that two talents would be done at the same time, then you might write out your character reacting to another's talent, then showing their own once that talent is finished. There simply isn't enough time before the deadline for everyone's talents to [OOC] be performed at separate times.

This also serves as a reminder that the errand deadline is December 14th, barely over a week after the time of this notice. Please be certain to meet the word count requirement and detail your character performing their talent before that time. You may continue to role play in this thread following that date, but if the requirements are not met by then, you will receive no rewards for the errand.

OOC: Apologies for spamming the thread but I might be busy later this week so I wanted to make sure I make the deadline.

Well…at least someone is excited. Eun-ji side eyed Winnie, who obviously forgot everyone else existed once Mathias joined the group. Boyfriend? Wasn’t Winnie younger than her? She couldn’t even imagine having boyfriend last year. Oh well, I suppose love doesn’t have set age limits. She shrugged, refocusing on the boy’s performance. Whether it would get better or not, she would eventually clap at the end of the performance, though she did move behind the group to do some stretching while he carried on with the talking. If the theme remained consistent, the applause would be far less enthusiastic of course but it would be there nonetheless. Perhaps the performance wasn’t necessarily her taste but he gave it his best shot.

Once the space in front of them emptied, Eun-ji decided to take her chance. Winnie and Valerie might have had use of the space too considering their talents but she assumed the redhead would want to have at least a small exchange with her boyfriend first and she hoped Valerie wouldn’t mind waiting for a bit. The third year was done with her warm up so it was best she did her demonstration immediately. “I shouldn’t take long, you can take over once I’m done.” She informed both girls as she took off her coat, revealing her tulle dress underneath. The air was chilly but she would get warm by dancing so she didn’t mind.

“You can go and play for now if you want.” She waved her cat off and Mordred did so immediately. He did let Lindsey pet him before that since she was obviously being considerate but otherwise wasn’t too interested in hanging out with others. Instead, he found a grassy spot nearby to roll over in, while Eun-ji pulled out her pointe shoes from the bag and headed to the empty space in front of the group. “Well…as some of you might already know my talent is ballet. I suppose it’s not that unique but it’s very dear to my heart so I wanted to share the dance with you.” The witch wasn’t very fond of talking in front of “crowds” but her calm demeanor never gave that away. “Since this art exists in both muggle and wizarding world, I don’t think I need to do a huge presentation about it. I’d much rather show you. Of course, if you have any questions afterwards, I will gladly answer them.” At this point, she was done tying her laces so she carefully approached the radio. Eun-ji knew what it was like to have a prized possession destroyed so she was very cautious when operating the machine.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long before she found a lovely tune she could use. Eun-ji already decided not to showcase any classical piece. That probably wouldn’t be interesting for those unfamiliar with ballet. She would simply improvise and use the music to guide her (see below):

OOC: Please take two minutes to appreciate this beautiful young lady and her amazing skills

Contrary to the situation with talking, Eun-ji didn’t mind dancing in front of people. She was actually happy to do so and it showed. She almost felt bad when she was done with her piece and proceeded to do the final reverence for her small audience. “Thank you for your attention. If you want me to teach you something or perhaps want to try how the pointe shoes feel on your feet, you can. Obviously only if you can fit in them and there will be no dancing. That could result in serious injuries.” Even ballet dancers had to practice for years before attempting to move in the shoes. “I’ll leave the stage for others but if you are curious about anything, I’ll be around to show you or answer any questions you might have.” The witch added as she turned off the radio. Leaving it precisely in the state it was before she touched it.

interacts @Eliphas Dune | @Winnie Harper | @Eun-ji Lee Hunt mentions @Valerie Laurier | @Mathias Pride

outfit (minus bag) banner by liana kerr

Taking the notice of a portable chalkboard with all the names and talents written on, her chocolate brown eyes gazed earnestly at it for a moment. The names were…unfamiliar ones, with the exception of Eun-ji’s. Lindsey had surely heard that in class, and she could almost certain that the raven-haired girl was in possession of this exotic name. The rest remained in uncertainty. But whatever. The talents sounded interesting enough to watch.

When Eun-ji greeted her kindly and assured her that they were barely starting, Lindsey returned the Ravenclaw a grateful smile. “Thanks! I am looking forward to yours as well.” she whispered back. “And he’s adorable.” this was meant for Eun-ji’s cat, before she turned back to the stage. The presenter was enthusiastic and clearly excited by his topic. But who’s this Levi? And what’s the purpose of this speech? Just for showing off? Confused and unable to form an opinion, Lindsey decided to remain silent. The boy’s efforts were worth of a good applause, though.

The redhead girl scooted up to her closely, stating loudly that the boy on stage was her boyfriend. Boyfriend. The word alarmed Lindsey. Again she took a look of Mathias, and then Winnie, then Mathias, before finally settling down on Winnie. “Your…boyfriend?” her words were with a bit uncertainty. Even though, she soon recovered herself, and started again in her usual encouraging and friendly tone. “Then, best wishes to you two! By the way, you are…” her eyes searched for the chalkboard. Winnie or Valerie, she could just give it a small try. “…Winnie, I suppose?”

Oh gosh, Winnie was standing so close to Lindsey, which just showed how obsessed she was. The couple seemed…young, at least younger than Lin herself. And young obsessions were dangerous. For some, there would be one day that it faded away, at a speed they themselves were rather be ignorant of. And as for others, this would just be a heartbreaking experience. Nothing more. When Winnie got refocused on Mathias, Lindsey would secretly shake her head disapprovingly. Nevertheless, she still clapped along with Eun-ji at the end of the performance - that was, like what already being said, to celebrate the boy’s efforts.

Shrugging a bit as she saw Winnie darting off to meet her boyfriend on the stage, Lindsey turned her attention to the youngest of all. In return of his inquiry to their talents, she replied pleasantly. “I’m doing archery! And…” her eyes widened a bit seeing the paper in the young boy’s hands. “are you doing origami? That certainly looks quite interesting.” she remarked.

Watching Eun-ji putting on her dance shoes and beginning her performance, a transient bitter smile passed the badger’s lips. She had never been a born dancer, despite how hard her mother tried to teach her. Granted, Lindsey did have gifts in sports and music, but she had always found herself ignorant of this art. She had tried, but failed, and therefore decided to just settle down on watching the ballerinas from a distance.

Eun-ji gave her performance in a confident air, skillfully spinning and showing all the beauty and elegance. Her skills were excellent, which meant years of hard work to Lindsey. When Eun-ji finished her final reverence, Lindsey would give her a thumb up with a genuine smile. “That’s a dazzling performance, Eun-ji!” Oh really, she wished she could possess this wonderful skill. At least she wouldn’t find the annual balls difficult to get over.

Once the area’s empty without performers (can be after someone else besides Eun-ji, I wouldn’t mind the order), she would take a step forward. “Maybe I’ll go next…I’d be using that space, performing archery. Archery can be found widely practiced in the ancient muggle word, and is still thriving these days as a kind of sport.” she said, while pointing at the section where the targets stood. “So, um, just be careful, I guess?”

Placing her hand on the bow and giving a small swing on the string, Lindsey took a deep breath. The sound was surprisingly pleasant and distracting, like it always had been when she was young. Gripping the bow tightly and varying the angles to have a better aim, her feet tapped the ground confidently. This shouldn’t be too hard. An arrow was drawn and placed on the bowstring, and, with a backward draw of the string that was carried out in full strength, it flew towards the nearest standstill target. Satisfied, Lindsey watched it landing on the bull eye. She then took a second arrow, and aimed at a farther one. This time it was slightly away from the bull eye, though still acceptable. A third was released intended to target a slowly-moving target, and the result was perfect. The arrow darted towards the target swiftly, and finally attached to it right in the middle.

Deciding that it would be the time to retire and let others have a chance to show off, Lindsey lowered the bow and turned to rejoin the group. “Leaving the stage for other performers, and I hope you have enjoyed it! But, if you guys are interested, I’d be more than happy to teach you some basics of it after all the performances finished. We can start from the nearest standstill target, and yes, it wouldn’t cause injuries if you take precautions beforehand. I’d be keeping an eye on you as well.” she offered pleasantly with a warm smile. Lindsey was in an exceptionally good mood today, and that had to thank for this wonderful chance provided by Professor Lécuyer - she felt reconnected with her childhood again, and energy moved up from her toes right to the very top of her hair.

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Banner by Winnie Harper

Contrary to @Mathias Pride’s obsession with Levi’s presence and thus, the absence of it, the boy was not a no-show. He was merely embarrassingly, yet fashionably late. See, that afternoon had been one of grand absurdity, what with his hair’s audacity to consistently flow to the right side rather than the ever-more flattering left. An intoxicating blend of narcissism and the aura of the chick-magnet strapped across his back would simply never permit him to step foot from the lion’s den until that mess was bottled, tame and domesticated. It was now, with the assistance of flex tape, or rather the mane’s equivalent: a ridiculous, very teenage-boy amount of hair gel. Those girls would be quite surprised to find he didn’t radiate the infamous scent of axe body spray.

The strands of a heavy winter were finally settling over the grounds, and their weight crushed the sun behind the horizon much earlier than the months prior. By the time Levi had made it to the grounds, only a faint opal hue lingered in the sky, and thin white beams from muted stars were hardly enough to properly highlight the glory of his growing hair. A frown sank across his lips, but it was long rid of once he merged with the herd of talented students basking in the soft glow of firelight. A quick glance around the small community and two things were made certain: the divine personification of karma had an issue with Levi, the issue being copper-headed and coated in tree bark, and that professor had used the entirety of his positivity reserves to force a welcome message onto the chalkboard.

Then, to register the rest of the scene, whatever mood of it was not drained by the two black holes of energy—perhaps that had been the performed talent. Part of him was thankful Mathias was off to the side, belting out his apparent favorite song, an overall tune eerily similar to yet another night suspended by the depths of a bonfire’s illumination. He’d throw a brief line that way, hardly caring if the looming professor heard him, “My, my, I sure hope I missed the main show, because that isn’t much of a talent you’ve got there.” Said purely for the illusion of the upper hand—the monstrosity had a perfectly fine singing voice, and in a way, his cadence was soothing. Perhaps that was the masking effect of lovingly comedic lyrics. @Winnie Harper’s pupils were bound to leak into ignorant hearts.

An unfamiliar girl (@Lindsey Springhall) was wrapping up an archery performance, pristinely carved and athletic features accentuating her. Tempting, but no, Levi found he was not exceedingly eager to try his luck with a girl who’d just proved she could shoot a moving target. A few other people were dawdling near, presumably having already performed and stolen breath. His eyes flickered back to the chalkboard. Ballet, poetry---how characteristic—and skateboarding. Quite an array of skills, a shame his hair had been such a menace this afternoon. There was something particularly enticing about a dance, but he’d raise no complaints, only a nod of appreciation toward the intact radio and the fact that death was not yet upon them.

Winnie was near Mathias, although failing to completely counteract the black fog that emits from his walking corpse. He looked different—no. Actually, he looked how he should, as though having not anticipated the presence of his girlfriend. Though, to Levi’s disappointment, there was nothing in her demeanor to show any disdain for this Mathias, this Percematt in his final form. She was bewitched, or better, beguiled. Spectacles weren’t hiding darkened eyes, and while the shade was the same as his reflection, there was something much more forbidden about the forest in the copper-headed boy’s gaze.

“Apologies for my late arrival,” He directed toward the overseeing professor before turning to the group of students. “Disappointing having missed performances.” The volume of his voice was slightly raised from his typical speaking level, a desperate attempt to drown the cascading notes of the world’s most elegant and stupid Rick Roll. There was a failed attempt to hide his repulsion. Mercy was off his back within the second, covering the prior expression with amusement, and a dim flicker of hope for any reputation he might gain within the evening. Of course, he was not aware that he had apparently dated his sister. That can do things to a guy’s rep.

Positioning his fingers and backing toward the stage-like area, Levi strummed a quick basic chord. “I’ve been playing guitar since I was young.” As though he was not still twelve. “It isn’t quite as difficult to pick up as people think, it can just be intimidating. The trick is to keep with it, I suppose, and if the passion is there, the rest will follow.” He had taken these words from a self-help book. “Over the previous summer camp, I realized there was a song—a classic one—that somehow I had neglected, and my compulsive liar over there,” cocking his head toward Mathias, “reminded me. I think this is a really good time to demonstrate.”

Did this help deter rumors that he and Compulsive Liar had a brief fling, first year? Not at all. But few things would. There was no concrete evidence against the claim or Mathias would be tethered to a limb by now, so interest in proving him wrong or denying accusations had become less and less relevant to him. Throw in the events of the ball, and it was more fun to smile through the bloody fight, let their hostility manifest in a way that didn’t make Levi look like he was crying wolf. No, he was tired of playing the long game. Damn it if they knew how much he hated the boy, they’d understand had the events of the last year been made public.

With this in mind, his eyes drifted shut, drowning out any voices to allow Mathias’ singing to come into focus. It took about ten seconds for him to register where they were, appropriately adjusting his digits then proceeding to join the damned boy in the arrangement. If the instrumental company was enough to shut him up—doubtful but possible—Levi would take up the lyrics, glaring at his subconscious for having memorized them. A few times, it could be noted that his fingers were late to change chords, transitions only half-seamless, evident that he had not been particularly invested in mastering the song. Further, Levi was not much for the repeat button. Once the current loop ended, his playing would cease and a laugh would fall from his lips. “I saved him there, acapella doesn’t suit. If you’d like me to show you anything, do feel free to ask, I’d be more than happy to share a tutorial to a better song with any of you. We could start with learning the very basics, perhaps pick things up another time.” Self-advertisement. Classic.

WC: 1157/800

DATE ▪ 11/23/21 OUTFIT ▪ X | X | X

INTERACTIONS: ▪ @ ▪ @Levi Drakos ▪ ▪ @Mathias Pride ▪ @Lindsey Springhall ▪

MENTIONING: ▪ @Eun-ji Lee Hunt ▪

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The display of talents had begun, and Eun-ji had performed a beautiful dance that left Winnie wondering if she could float through the air with the way she gracefully moved across the stage. She had no idea her housemate was so talented. She barely had time to process the dance when Lindsey responded to her. "Oh, t-thank you, he just took me by surprise." She offered the girl a smile before realizing how close she was standing to her, quickly taking a step back, her cheeks burning a dark red. "Y-Yes that's me... You must be Lindsey?" She deduced after a glance towards the names on the board. It was soon after that the Hufflepuff would take to the floating targets, her skill in archery leaving the young Ravenclaw impressed. Why was everyone so talented? She suddenly felt self-conscious about her own talent.

The sudden grab of her arm halted her in place and she released a sharp gasp. It wasn't that it hurt, it was just unexpected. There was a glimpse of something, a trait that she had seen when Matt had hissed into her ear during her birthday party. Previously unknown confidence, pride even (pun unintended). "I... What?" Winnie stared at her boyfriend in disbelief. "But... It is true, you... You told me it was." She managed to break through her flustered state to point out, her brows knitting together as she silently analyzed his expression. Why was he acting like this? It was one thing to change his clothing but to suddenly take on an entirely new personality... Unless this was all part of his talent? Maybe he was acting more confident so he wouldn't get nervous while performing? Winnie had heard about method acting, perhaps this was some form of it.

"My talent..." Oh, that was right, the entire point of the day was to share your talent. "You'll perform next to me?" A slight smile curved onto her lips, the dismissive statement ignored. She assumed he was staying next to her to calm her stage fright. Yes, there was her sweet Mattie. "Thank you, Matt."

He would kiss her and she would not stop him. Since drinking that spiked strawberry juice Winnie had not backed away from her boyfriend's touch. This kiss was different from the others, a bit too long, not a simple peck on the lips like she was used to. "Matt..." She gasped, left breathless from both the length and the fact they were still on stage. The Winnie Harper of another time would deny her attraction to Mathias Pride tooth and nail, but this one could not stop the steady drumming in her chest. "You... You look good today." Was all she managed to mumble.

Painted fingers opened up her satchel and gripped the leatherbound notebook that contained her innermost thoughts, which were carefully crafted and placed into the form of poetry. There were a few she could read, the main theme of her poetry usually circling around one subject; love. The scribbles of her feelings for Mathias made up a good chunk of the notebook, so it was only natural that she would select one about him. Positioning herself at the opposite end of the stage, she cleared her throat as if the action would shake away her nerves. "This poem is about a boy with hazel eyes." Her gaze flickered upwards so she could cast a smile towards Mathias, "It is a quatrain, which means the poem is made up of four lines per verse. The rhyming format is ABAB, which means the first and third lines will rhyme, as well as the second and fourth lines." She explained to whoever was watching her, about to start her performance when something, or rather someone, halted her actions.

Her heart jumped to her throat at the boy's very presence. He had apparently decided to style his hair differently that day as well. It seemed carefully arranged in a way that told the world that he both cared and could care less about his appearance. The air seemed perfumed with the scent of the sea as he made his way up to the stage, bringing with him that subtle hint of breezy mint. A breeze that could very well be the harbinger of winter's icy arrival.

Or perhaps the chill of a cold shoulder, for Levi had not so much as acknowledged her existence.

Where was his greeting and the use of the decided nickname he had used during her birthday? Part of her felt relieved, but another did not like being ignored. It mattered not, she would narrow her eyes in his direction regardless, a forceful reminder to herself that she would not be enthralled with his performance this time, that he was interrupting, no--piggyback riding on Mathias' own.

She cleared her throat as loudly as she could. "As I was saying before I was interrupted. This poem is about a boy with hazel eyes..." She paused, remembering Levi shared an eye colour with her boyfriend. "... It's a poem about my boyfriend. " She quickly added in.

Her mouth would open as her eyes scanned over the poem she had given Matt during the fall ball. No words escaped her lips. Was she experiencing stage fright again? No... There was something about Levi's presence that sullied the moment, a stain that spread across the parchment she had written her feelings on. A small frown tugged on her lips, and she suddenly flipped the book open to a different page. "Actually... A change of plans. I'll be reciting a poem about misplaced trust instead."

"My naive feelings for you were misplaced,
For your lips were flavoured with poison,
The strawberry bait you have laced,
And I, a plaything; this year's foison.

Your reign of terror will find its end,
You can't play with my trust anymore,
My strings aren't yours to pull and bend,
I've picked my heart up off the floor."

After she had finished the poem, she would slam her book closed and toss it back into her satchel. Then, regardless of whether or not anyone had applauded, she would dip down into a curtsy.

Word Count: 665 + 365 + 1025= 2055/800

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D E A D L I N E

The word and errand requirements were met by the following students:
@Winnie Harper | @Eliphas Dune | @Levi Drakos | @Lindsey Springhall | @Eun-ji Lee Hunt | @Mathias Pride

Rewards should be handed out before the end of the day. If you have any questions please feel free to owl me. I encourage all of you to continue roleplaying in this thread as I will not be locking it. Have fun, everyone!