29 Jan 2022, 13:28
We Meet Again
Waiting on @Adelaide Barlowe. Hope you don't mind doing this instead of continuing the CYUT errand. I figure they could say they were meeting again after the holdiays and here they are. We can leave that thread behind.
The two had been put in the same group for the Celebrate Your Unique Talent Group before the holiday break where she had shared her ballet moves and he had shared how to moonwalk. Both dancing, yes - but both very different sorts of dancing.
Simon would never want to start ballet himself, but the sport did amaze him. How could someone even DO half of those things? Could the body really move that gracefully? Could it really bend that way? Well, he was pretty sure he couldn't but that wasn't the point here. He wanted to share more in Adelaide's passion and the two agreed to meet in the Rehearsal Room once a new term of classes had settled down.
It had been a whirlwind for him - the time since the errand to now. Simon had written a letter to his unknown father, had it rejected by the postal service, found a new address, and sent a new one off - yet to hear anything. He had found out a close friend of his died in an awful accident. He had taken on rat ownership. He had new assignments to tackle and harder exams to study for.
It was going to be nice to see Adelaide again and do something to take his mind off all the other stuff. Rascal, the new rat, seemed a exceptionally tired that particular day so he made sure he was comfortable and had everything he might leave and left him into the dorm instead of bringing him with him. He now sorted through the few albums there near the old gramophone that rested in the corner of the room, wondering if the Ravenclaw girl was going to want some music to go along with her dancing. He was eager to see her again. Maybe he'd strike up a new friendship with another Ravenclaw. He seemed to have luck with them.
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
30 Jan 2022, 00:04
We Meet Again
Mentioning:-----------------------------------
Outfit: x
She couldn't wait to share more of her passion with Simon as she practically skipped towards the Rehearsal Room. At least they had more time now to just talk ballet, and they don't need to worry about anything else. She entered the room, a smile gracing her features as she spotted the boy beside the gramophone. "Hi Simon!" She greeted him, "It's nice to see you again, I hope you enjoyed your break." Adelaide certainly had as she thought back to Nina currently chilling in her dorm. Now wasn't the time to gush about her new cat though, she could save that for another time.
"So, how exactly do you want to do this?" She asked, making her way over to the gramophone to look at the albums, "Do you want me to show you some moves individually or do you want me to do a routine? Or we could do both, we have all the time in the world."
3 Feb 2022, 17:25
We Meet Again
Getting the music ready for @Adelaide Barlowe's performance
"Well, if you've got a routine in mind, sure. Let's start there. You can inspire me and also make me realize I'll never move like that in a million years if I practiced for hours on end, and then we'll attempt some things and you can make fun of me if it so pleases you," he smiled playfully. Truly though he was looking forward to learning more - not so much because of ballet, but because he liked to share in others' passions that they held for life.
Besides, a nice break from reality never hurt either when you lost a friend.
Simon didn't know if the girl had any particular sort of music for a routine, but he knew if she did it probably wouldn't be available there. So sad that they couldn't just bring out their iPhone and put on Apple Music. Still, there was something to fill the silence beyond the hushed whispers of the portraits that hung on the walls, probably eager to see her performance.
Going over to the corner of the room, he took out the gramophone and moved it out so it was a bit forward and then selected an album. There weren't too many to choose from, but he found a good instrumental piece of classical music and placed it on before turning the crank. "Think this will work?"
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
13 Feb 2022, 01:26
We Meet Again
Mentioning:-----------------------------------
Outfit: x
"Hm?" She hummed, lost in thought. She snapped back to the present when she heard music start to fill the room. "Oh yes, this will do." She smiled as she made her way to the middle of the room. The Ravenclaw took a deep breath as she started to dance a routine that she had just recently learned. Once she finished, she bowed, her chest heaving. "I only just recently learned that routine over the break, so I might still need to tweak some things and smooth out some edges until it's perfect. How was it?" She asked the boy, eyes eager for some feedback.
"So, what do you want to do now? Do you think you'd be up for trying some turns? Such as a pirouette or a fouette? Or if you really want to, we could start at the very basics with a plie or releve, but that might be a bit too boring since I'm going to guess that you don't want to take up ballet for real, so we could mess around a bit." She demonstrated a pirouette and then a fouette, so in case Simon wanted to attempt it, he knew what she was talking about.
20 Feb 2022, 14:04
We Meet Again
Ready to be the student for @Adelaide Barlowe
Ballet seemed like a LOT of work and sometimes he wondered why someone who did it just didn't do another form of dance. Sure, there was spins and jumps and leaps and things that made it look elegant and all, but there were easier ways to feel the music. He realized though that it took a lot of skill, strength, and determination.
"Well, it looked pretty perfect to me," he spoke of her routine that she said she still needed to work on some. For someone that had just learned it, it was impressive and yes, he had actually seen ballets. It was a yearly tradition that he and Aunt Maggie see The Nutcracker at Christmastime and that wasn't the only one he had been to. Most times the symphony orchestras would play live for the ballets in London, so that's mostly what he went for, but the dancing was a nice addition as well.
"Sure, I'll try some of your fancy french word things," he said and smiled widely to her. Things. "I meant moves. Let's start with the pirouette. It sounds more fun to say." Whether it would be more fun to do, or attempt, he didn't know.
Simon glanced up to some of the portraits on the wall who were watching with lots of curiosity and he shook his head. Oy. They certainly loved when he came in and played his guitar and they loved when he played on the piano. Sometimes he sang. A couple times he danced. But this? This sort of thing was going to be something entirely different for them to witness.
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
26 Feb 2022, 23:27
We Meet Again
Mentioning:-----------------------------------
Outfit: x
She let out a laugh at his comment, "Yes, they are quite fancy French words. Did you know that ballet actually originated in Italy? But since it became formalized in France, the names of the moves are in French." The blonde wasn't sure whether Simon was the type of boy to be interested in the history of ballet, but Adelaide still felt the need to say it. It was interesting to her. "You aren't here for a history lesson, though," She said, moving on, "I'll talk you through step by step how to do it. Hopefully hearing me explain it won't be too boring or confusing for you."
She straightened her posture before getting into fourth position, "First you need to get into fourth position, which looks like this," Both of her legs were turned out equally, with her toes pointing away from her body and her right leg was directly in front of her left. "For your arms, if your right leg is in front, then your left arm is going to be extended in front of you," She extended her left arm in front of her, "The opposite if your left leg is in front," As she was explaining, she was also demonstrating what she was talking about to Simon, so he could see what she meant instead of trying to just guess what the fancy terms meant, "Then, you want to spring up into retiré position and turn. Complete the turn, then finish in fourth position."
"It sounds quite simple, or maybe that's just because I've been doing it for years. But I certainly don't expect you to get it perfect on your first try," Realizing how rude that may sound, she quickly added, "No offense, but most people, especially if you don't do ballet, find it difficult the first try. Just, try your best!" The Ravenclaw gave Simon an encouraging thumbs up before stepping back to allow him room to attempt a pirouette.
4 Mar 2022, 23:57
We Meet Again
Failure and change of plans with @Adelaide Barlowe
If this girl was expecting some kind of a miracle here; she wasn't going to get one.
He started off strong, standing in the right stance (although he wouldn't remember what position she called it) and he even too the initial step correctly to get the stance. In fact, he was doing REALLY well so far and got his one leg lifted to prepare for the turn but that's where it all fell down - including the dhampir boy.
He attempted the turn and it not only did not look pretty but it didn't sound pretty as he THUD fell to the floor. "Alright, alright, you know what?" he said with a sigh as he sat there on the floor looking up to her and smiled. "Maybe, just maybe, I should leave the dancing up to the ballerina. I could play the piano and accompany you if music helps." That way it would be a win win for both of them.
She could practice dance and listen to music and have a friend to meet up with and he could watch her dance and practice his music and have a friend to meet up with. Sounded like a pretty good combination to him - and less painful too!
[Word Count: 208]
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
11 Mar 2022, 22:33
We Meet Again
Mentioning:-----------------------------------
Outfit: x
"You play the piano too?" The blonde questioned excitedly, "So do I! I don't love it as much as ballet, but it's still really fun to play. How long have you been playing it? Maybe we should do a duet some time!" She said, in a slightly joking tone. The Ravenclaw didn't want to seriously suggest doing a duet on the piano because she wasn't particularly fond of the idea of getting turned down immediately, so she had phrased it as a joke; but if Simon seemed to like the idea, she would be more than willing to do it. "But yes, your idea of playing the piano while I dance is definitely better than teaching you ballet. Since that clearly didn't work out very well." Another laugh escaped, but she quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
Once she regained her composure, and had stopped replaying Simon's fall in her mind, she asked, "What other things are you interested in? I feel we have a lot in common, honestly. Dance, for starters, and now piano." Even though they had strayed slightly from what Adelaide originally came here for, she wasn't exactly mad about it - it was always fun to find someone who shared the same interests as you.
18 Apr 2022, 03:56
We Meet Again
Exchanging hobbies and interests with @Adelaide Barlowe
He could tell she was trying her best not to be impolite at the humor she found in his fall but he smiled to show her that he was cool with it. Simon got up off the floor slowly and shook his head, glancing down as if it were the floor of the Rehearsal Room that had let him down when obviously it was himself and throwing off his center of gravity by trying to do a maneuver that was beyond him.
"I do play the piano and am much more skilled at that," he laughed, making his way over to the piano which wasn't too far off. "I've been playing since I was four so many years." And lots and lots of practice. When one couldn't go outside as much as other children, one had to find indoor activities to occupy their time. That, combined with the fact that he just didn't sleep well meant that he had a lot of extra time to devote to his music.
He sat down at the bench, as if staking out his territory and telling her that this was his space now. He would play while she danced and it would still be a way the two could share some time together without him breaking a bone and making a trip to the Hospital Wing.
"Other interests would be playing the guitar, writing my own songs, and I like to sing and I like to listen to music. Beyond music, I enjoy reading, wish to learn how to draw better than I do. I'm on the broom racing team so I like to practice, going high, going fast. Back home in London I played hockey and squash.
"How about you? What is Adelaide Barlowe doing when she's not in class or practicing her ballet?"
Be kind to one another. (*iNPC is Miles Thatcher)
11 May 2022, 13:27
We Meet Again
Mentioning:-----------------------------------
Outfit: x
"Could I hear you play first?" She questioned, gesturing to the piano that Simon had sat down at. The Ravenclaw was equal parts excited and intrigued to hear Simon play, as most of today had been her showing off her skills, so she supposed it was fair that Simon now had room to show off what he was good at (and not make a fool of himself attempting something he was not good at).
"Woah," she laughed, "you certainly are a busy bee. I love how passionate you are about music, though. Would it be too much to ask someday if I could hear some songs you've wrote?" Adelaide made a show of pondering his question when he asked about her own hobbies, "Well," she said finally, "as I've said, I also occasionally play the piano. I do enjoy reading, too, and you can frequently find me in the library. I also really enjoy studying, which may seem weird, but there's just something about learning something new and gaining more knowledge that makes me very happy. I also want to join the Ravenclaw Duelling Team, but I haven't signed up for it yet, I think I'm going to wait until my second year to do that. I do obviously enjoy hanging out with my friends, but I have to admit I'm more of an introvert."
"I've also been meaning to find some new clubs to join and to try new things, do you have any recommendations?" She asked Simon, as he seemed to be the type of person to be in quite a lot of clubs. The boy screamed extrovert. "I'm only in the Archery Club as of right now."