Headliner office A Pondering of Projects PV Alyss Gilmour

Image posted by the member
june 16 | early afternoonspac
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english | french | thoughts
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The summer was very, very fast approaching, and Mahlioz really needed to get their Headliner work done before the deadline. Editing took so much time. It was a job they quite liked, to be honest - it wasn't something that took over their life, but it gave them some extra few sickles and experience with writing and editing. And it was fun to take part in a bigger purpose. Especially when they got to see the articles before they even came out. They knew all the rumors now and were aware of much, much more than they had been before becoming an editor.

So today, in hopes of focusing, Mahlioz went to the Headliner office to edit their designated articles. Usually they would have gone to the library or worked in their dorm room, but they couldn't concentrate in either of those places, and there were a lot of people in the library what with all the exams going on. Those were the reason Mahlioz was almost running late with editing. Studying was hard.

The editing itself was going alright - not too many spelling mistakes, a couple syntax errors. But yet again, Mahlioz found herself distracted. She loved reading these articles, but sometimes they got so boring - not by any fault of the writers, of course, but even at Hogwarts life sometimes felt plain. How she wanted to read a fantasy novel. She was almost done, perhaps she would go read one after. But for now, she stuck to the regular, not-as-exciting-as-books articles.
@Alyss Gilmour

Headliner office A Pondering of Projects PV Alyss Gilmour
Image posted by the memberBanner credit to: Novalie Moon
June 16th, 2025
Headliner Office
“English”
“Gaelic”
The manuscript. Often a draft of a document, when it is submitted to publication. This is the step that comes after the various drafts, often each in different stages. The very, very first draft is the one that gets ripped apart. By the editor, publisher, or even the author themselves, it is oftentimes the most butchered, with highlights and scribbles, sticky notes and question marks scattered along every page. Alyss had the first draft in her hands as she carefully padded into the Headliner Office, trying not to cause the floorboards to creak or door to slam. Although it wasn’t late in the day, it felt wrong to simply amble into the office as if they were going to be working on anything that was actually related to the articles that would be published.

Quite the opposite, Alyss was here for fun. She had been writing about alternate worlds, and fun magic in her free time, often involving dragon riders— after all, they were the coolest. But, the dorm rooms were filled with people trying to have a good time before finals, and the library was so crowded with people studying for finals, that Alyss felt guilty putting quill to page for a storybook. So she was now in the Headliner, the one place she knew the she could simply sit down and write, and no one would judge her.

That was how she found herself, hunched over this draft muttering to herself as she read the same sentence over and over again, aware that it sounded wrong, but unsure of how to fix it. This was why the editors at the Headliner were angels. They fixed Alyss’ grammar mistakes of effect vs affect, toward vs towards, and so many more. They were the reason that Alyss’ articles actually sounded good after she wrote them, and she simply couldn’t replace a good editor when it came to this.

Sighing, Alyss readied herself to walk out. She didn’t have the money to pay for an editor, and simply could not do it on her own. She would have to take it home over break and have her mom look it over, with the hope that she wouldn’t judge her daughter too harshly. That was, until Alyss realized that she wasn’t alone, in the Headliner Office. Mahlioz was there, someone Alyss had met during the Racing Rager in the Slytherin Common Room. A fellow snake, they had been kind to Alyss, so perhaps asking them for a hand wouldn’t hurt, at the very least.

“Hey. Uhm, Mahlioz? You remember me? I’m Alyss.” She offered in greeting as she stood beside their desk, hands already fiddling with their draft. “Could I bother you with something, or are you busy?” She asked, a small smile broaching onto her face as she glanced down at what Mahlioz was working on, eyes settling on the Headliner articles set to be released.
Reducio
Pings: @Mahlioz Evethisawe
Note: This wasn’t late, Mahlioz was just insanely early, trust ^^

Headliner office A Pondering of Projects PV Alyss Gilmour
Image posted by the member
june 16 | early afternoonspac
⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘
english | french | thoughts
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Mahlioz was beginning to think they were finally done (though a reread would probably prove them wrong) when they were interrupted by a familiar voice. It took them a second to place it, though they didn't exactly need to, because Alyss introduced herself again. "Oh - yes! Hello." She had met the first year back at the rager in January, and now that she was thinking about it, she remembered learning she had joined the Headliner, but had completely forgotten about it since.

The girl seemed a little nervous, asking whether Mahlioz was busy. They had to admit they were rather surprised - it wasn't often people asked them for things, honestly, and they didn't know Alyss that well. But they were the only two people in the Headliner office at the moment. And Mahlioz's curiosity was piqued.

"Sure, of course," she responded, scanning the article she had been editing one last time before setting it to the side. "You'd be a welcome distaction." As though the Headliner itself wasn't a distraction from the rest of the stressful facets of life, for her. But reading Hogwarts gossip was getting to be a bit much. "What's up?" It was only then that she realized Alyss was holding something - a small stack of papers. More headliner articles? She certainly hoped not. And it was too late for this edition, wasn't it? The third year was dying to know what they were.
@Alyss Gilmour

Headliner office A Pondering of Projects PV Alyss Gilmour
Image posted by the memberBanner credit to: Novalie Moon
June 16th, 2025
Headliner Office
“English”
“Gaelic”
The papers in Alyss’ hands suddenly felt clunky, as if they didn’t belong. A pit seemed to open in her stomach, and her mouth tightened. Not only was she asking a favor of a mere acquaintance, but also showing someone else her passion, pride, and joy. It felt like a tall task, something that took a moment for her to actually begin. “I- uh, I’ve been writing a little… story of my own in my free time, but I… I know it’s in desperate need of an editor.” Alyss paused, swallowing. “I was wondering if you’d be willing to look it over? See if it’s decent?”

She glanced down at the cluster of pages, thinking on the times that she had given over her articles for editorial review. How was this different? It shouldn’t be, right? But oh, it was. The paper crinkled in a web that had clearly been created long before, illuminating a certain amount of time that had been poured into it. “I’m not really sure what I can offer in return but… I would really appreciate it.” Alyss spoke, her eyes rising back up to meet Mahlioz’s. The smile that had been placed upon their face had remained there, in an attempt to hide the amount of anxiety that was plaguing the girl.

“I totally get if you’re too busy, this is just a silly passion project anyways.” Alyss offered, giving the older year an opportunity to politely decline the extra amount of work that Alyss was requesting they complete. After all, Mahlioz had to be busy. It was the very end of the school year, and even Alyss had found herself worrying about the future—and she was a mere first year. As a third year, they must have additional classes and responsibilities, which meant less free time to entertain such dreams and coping mechanisms.

Alyss took a breath for a moment, trying to slow down. She was doing nothing wrong. She was asking for an acquaintance(?) friend(?) to do her a favor, something that Alyss did not normally ask for. Although it may not be particularly convenient, favors rarely were. In addition, Alyss was willing to pay her back in some form later on, if she ever had something of value. The Headliner Office was quite literally a place for writers to write to their hearts content. Asking someone who held nearly her same position to assist her was rather mundane. She was okay. Everything was okay.
Reducio
Pings: @Mahlioz Evethisawe
Note: I locked in guys!!