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gooseberryhigh2018-07-19 09:00 am
goosemods) wrote in gooseberryhigh2018-07-19 09:00 am
Entry tags:
10 YEAR REUNION
10 YEAR REUNION
Where once they declared this Gooseberry Alternative High School, the signs now say Merrill Memorial Research Institute. The Merrill Institute is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to studying the surrounding area and funding unique projects for the betterment of the magical world. It attracts many brilliant minds, and Mrs. Bloom is constantly flooded by applicants seeking funding and research space.
[Merrill Institute Employee A] delivers a speech welcoming back former Gooseberry students, and details some of the Institute's achievements in the last few years. Although it's obvious that part of the reason for this event is to find new donors for research, the employees of the Institute also genuine in wanting to give Gooseberry alumni the opportunity to reconnect and see how different things are around the forest. Ms. Vector also talks about how proud she is of all of her former students, and how the teachers did their best to turn out bright, motivated young adults. There's a solemn moment as she remembers the Institute's namesake, Mr. Merrill, but Vector concludes her speech by honoring his memory with a special spell designed by Mr. Merrill: she lifts her wand high and blasts glittering blue and white confetti at the audience, a gesture which is taken up by several other members of Institute staff.
The bones of the lodge are the same, but is now filled with labs and office spaces, and a wing of temporary lodgings. The Atrium has been decorated with photographs of all the graduates from their high school years. It highlights accomplishments, team photos, bonding activities, prom events over the years, etc. Nature has reclaimed the campsites on the far corners of the campus (the cabins still stand, but have been emptied of furniture and now are more likely to house raccoons than teenagers), but several large magical tents have been set up along Goosey Trail, in case you're nostalgic for camping.
There are two goals to the reunion: catching up with your old friends, and getting roped into helping the school. Institute staff are very interested in seeing if some more enterprising alumni would like to help fund existing projects, or bring their research to Gooseberry. Lilika Ignacz gets into a serious conversation with Mr. Oakes about their feelings on taking up residence for a year or two, so they can work with the Institute in their advanced field of study.
During the late night party, a very drunk Rosemary Stoker gives another speech, which is somewhat less professional or coherent than the earlier one. But their speech is interrupted by the appearance of something leaving the treeline: an antlerless moose calf, with fur so white that it seems to glow like the full moon. The young moose stands watching them, long enough for Micah St. Clair to get a photo (or phone recording) of it, before it scampers back into the shadowed forest.
Cool wind blows through the trees, making them shake like soft whispers. Hello again. I missed you.
» MEET & GREET: Everyone arrives in the atrium of the lodge, which has been decorated with a large banner reading WELCOME BACK, GOOSEBERRY. Everyone's yearbook photos have been displayed proudly in 11x7" on the walls. Mr. Merrill's portrait, rescued from the old sauna, has a place of honor above the big fireplace, and greets all of his old students by name.
» AROUND CAMPUS: Although the campsites have gone to seed, the trails and other facilities are largely maintained. Where the Ornery Oak once stood, a young oak now grows, branches swaying gently whenever someone comes too close. Already it's much taller and stronger than you'd expect from a 10-year-old tree.
» PARTY: The children have all been sent to bed, and the adults head out to the lakeshore. There's an open bar and a bonfire, with plenty of seating. Party music that was popular a decade ago is playing.
» DRINKING GAMES: If you would like to play some drinking games, post them here with the rules! Get these responsible adults wasted!
» LATE AT NIGHT: If there's anything going on after the partying, be it in your rooms, tents, or elsewhere, put it here.
» OOC - DISCUSSION
[Merrill Institute Employee A] delivers a speech welcoming back former Gooseberry students, and details some of the Institute's achievements in the last few years. Although it's obvious that part of the reason for this event is to find new donors for research, the employees of the Institute also genuine in wanting to give Gooseberry alumni the opportunity to reconnect and see how different things are around the forest. Ms. Vector also talks about how proud she is of all of her former students, and how the teachers did their best to turn out bright, motivated young adults. There's a solemn moment as she remembers the Institute's namesake, Mr. Merrill, but Vector concludes her speech by honoring his memory with a special spell designed by Mr. Merrill: she lifts her wand high and blasts glittering blue and white confetti at the audience, a gesture which is taken up by several other members of Institute staff.
The bones of the lodge are the same, but is now filled with labs and office spaces, and a wing of temporary lodgings. The Atrium has been decorated with photographs of all the graduates from their high school years. It highlights accomplishments, team photos, bonding activities, prom events over the years, etc. Nature has reclaimed the campsites on the far corners of the campus (the cabins still stand, but have been emptied of furniture and now are more likely to house raccoons than teenagers), but several large magical tents have been set up along Goosey Trail, in case you're nostalgic for camping.
There are two goals to the reunion: catching up with your old friends, and getting roped into helping the school. Institute staff are very interested in seeing if some more enterprising alumni would like to help fund existing projects, or bring their research to Gooseberry. Lilika Ignacz gets into a serious conversation with Mr. Oakes about their feelings on taking up residence for a year or two, so they can work with the Institute in their advanced field of study.
During the late night party, a very drunk Rosemary Stoker gives another speech, which is somewhat less professional or coherent than the earlier one. But their speech is interrupted by the appearance of something leaving the treeline: an antlerless moose calf, with fur so white that it seems to glow like the full moon. The young moose stands watching them, long enough for Micah St. Clair to get a photo (or phone recording) of it, before it scampers back into the shadowed forest.
Cool wind blows through the trees, making them shake like soft whispers. Hello again. I missed you.
HOW THIS WORKS:
- This IC/OOC takes place Friday, July 13, 2025. Feel free to backdate (or technically forward date...) your journal posts as necessary.
- All former Gooseberry students have been invited, i.e. everyone may post in this IC/OOC.
- Even if you didn't fill out the planning meme, you can still participate!
- You may NPC spouses and children!
- If you would like to "update" your PB to reflect their new age you may, but it's not required.
- The Anti-Apparition Zone has long since been torn down around the Merrill Institute, so you can arrive by Apparition, Floo, or driving.
- The festivities start at 6:00 PM, and there's a buffet dinner. Guests may choose to stay overnight in the lodge or in a tent by the lake. They're magical tents, so they're roomy and furnished.
- At 10:00 PM, there will be a party outside on the lakeshore & docks that's 21+. Children are not allowed to attend, and if they show up their parents will be asked to take them back to bed. There's an open bar, so feel free to get drunk on the Institute's dime. (Assume there are house elves, staff, etc. who will watch your kids. We just don't want your fake babies at the raunchy party.)
- If you want your characters to go elsewhere on campus besides the lake and the lodge, just note it in the subject line. There are some restrictions:
- While you can visit the old campsites, they've been emptied and have fallen into serious disrepair. The security and maintenance charms have long since expired. The cabins and washrooms were locked but can be broken into; some windows are probably already broken.
- You may tour the lodge's labs to see examples of the different research that's going on. Sensitive research labs are secured, but can be opened by employees with the proper clearance.
- You can no longer find the Grotto. It's as though it doesn't exist. The small path you used to take when you were a kid is a very boring, non-magical feeling loop. It makes you feel wistful, though, like thinking about an old toy you lost...
- Everyone who stayed overnight will have a light breakfast before going home at 10:00 AM.
» MEET & GREET: Everyone arrives in the atrium of the lodge, which has been decorated with a large banner reading WELCOME BACK, GOOSEBERRY. Everyone's yearbook photos have been displayed proudly in 11x7" on the walls. Mr. Merrill's portrait, rescued from the old sauna, has a place of honor above the big fireplace, and greets all of his old students by name.
» AROUND CAMPUS: Although the campsites have gone to seed, the trails and other facilities are largely maintained. Where the Ornery Oak once stood, a young oak now grows, branches swaying gently whenever someone comes too close. Already it's much taller and stronger than you'd expect from a 10-year-old tree.
» PARTY: The children have all been sent to bed, and the adults head out to the lakeshore. There's an open bar and a bonfire, with plenty of seating. Party music that was popular a decade ago is playing.
» DRINKING GAMES: If you would like to play some drinking games, post them here with the rules! Get these responsible adults wasted!
» LATE AT NIGHT: If there's anything going on after the partying, be it in your rooms, tents, or elsewhere, put it here.
» OOC - DISCUSSION