↬ September 2, 2013

[knightly]

And here I thought it was just meant to scare kids when they warned you in freshman year to never go off trail. I've taken that shortcut dozens of times and never gotten lost before, so... of course it had to happen when I had about a dozen new Ribbonfins to lead. Am I losing it in my old age? Or maybe I really do just have a terrible sense of direction.

Apologies to all the new students who had to wander around the woods with me, and a special thanks to Nathaniel Bird for finding us.

[WARDED TO RIBBONFIN SENIORS + NATE, IRENE]
Say that I were to go to one of these "Grotto parties." What level of... debauchery should I be expecting?

Comments

Ward.

[alapai.insanejournal.com]

They really aren't bad. Kind of fun. Live a little.

Same Ward

[knightly]

What? I am so lively. I won't even bring a book with me.

Same Ward

[alapai.insanejournal.com]

Really! I'll believe it when I see it.

Same Ward

[knightly]

Then maybe you will see it, Miss Alapai.

I'll need someone to help lead me, though. I have to admit, wandering that far into the forest after dark is a bit terrifying.

Same Ward

[alapai.insanejournal.com]

Good.

I can help with that. I'll lead you.

Same Ward

[knightly]

My hero. On the plus side, I imagine it'll be easier to sneak out, with one less prefect enforcing curfew.

Same Ward

[alapai.insanejournal.com]

Not often I'm called a hero. But yeah, it will definitely be easier.

[indiefolk]

Sounds like you need to ditch the armor and join Outdoor Exploration! Time to refresh some core Gooseberry skills, such as simple navigation.

[knightly]

Tempting, but I simply can't. LARP has claimed my heart.

[indiefolk]

Nothing I can do to sway said heart? LARP's not going to help you when you're lost in the wilderness with nothing but a knife and your wits, Ravi!

[knightly]

I try to avoid situations involving real knives. Only foam and latex for me, at a safe distance out from the main lodge.

[indiefolk]

You would love to wield a real sword. Don't lie to me.

[orangepip]

Don't feel bad! We took the scenic route!

[knightly]

Very scenic! And I was glad for the company. I always forget how beautiful it is out here until I come back.

[orangepip]

It's beautiful at Hogwarts too, but I'm not used to being able to wander around forests so that was pretty cool!

[cecaelian]

I think I did spot a few silver strands in your hair at breakfast.

[knightly]

I'll be all grey by February. There's nothing like being prefect after everyone's feeling stir-crazy from winter.

[cecaelian]

If Mr. Hightower is any example, you'll be looking quite dignified by then!

[knightly]

I can only dream of reaching Mr. Hightower-levels of gravitas and serenity. Lucky that we both mostly only deal with Ribbonfin-levels of stress.

[birdbrainy]

Here I just thought you were just trying to get an extra credit hike in there.

[Same Ward]
Ah yeah, you gotta come to the Grotto before you actually get old.

There'll be drinking. Dancing. Someone's gonna empty a bottle and start spinning it eventually, and someone else'll get in a fight with their boyfriend or girlfriend, and someone else will drink too much and probably just end up sleeping through to Monday.

[knightly]

If anyone deserves the extra credit, it's you. Now when I think of knights in shining armour, I'll think of Nate Bird.

[Same Ward]
And here I thought people would make fun of me for not polling any Azurcrests or Coppertales, but this is exactly why. Very practical, detailed advice. The unvarnished truth about what it is teenagers get up to.

Parties

[caritasmitis.insanejournal.com]

A lot of games involving alcohol and hormonal teenagers, so...

Ward

[valentinez.insanejournal.com]

...only the goodest, cleanest fun.

Re: Ward

[caritasmitis.insanejournal.com]

Silly me, how could I forget!

Ward

[knightly]

I'm writing this down. "Goodest, cleanest fun." I'm trusting you, Zoey.

Ward

[valentinez.insanejournal.com]

When have I ever steered you wrong?

Same Ward

[knightly]

Oh dear. Perhaps I can just be a wallflower. That's allowed, right?

Re: Same Ward

[caritasmitis.insanejournal.com]

I'm telling you now, Ravi, someone's going to try and drag you in!

Re: Same Ward

[knightly]

Forewarned is forearmed. Maybe I'll bring a sword to fight them off.

Re: Same Ward

[caritasmitis.insanejournal.com]

A teeny bit extreme...

[gdilevi]

You just took the scenic route is all to introduce them to the beauty of nature. It's good exercise.

[knightly]

Very true. Although I had to resist giving them the "and if you enjoy all this beautiful nature, consider joining LARP" speech.

[indiefolk]

Nature??? You guys just run around within sight of the lodge! Joins Outdoor Exploration! Feel the joys of really experiencing nature in all its glory! Altitude sickness after a long hike! Bug bites! A near miss experience with a bull moose!

[knightly]

Ah yes. Being threatened by large animals is what I've always felt was missing from my school experience.

[gdilevi]

If we can LARP while we do it, I'm in. WHY DO THEY HAVE TO FALL ON THE SAME TIME SLOT, HUH?? I'm taking Outdoor Education again this year to get my fix.

[alapai.insanejournal.com]

Outdoor Exploration is the best.

[gdilevi]

Should've just started roleplaying the second you realized you were lost so you could play it off as giving them a little taste of LARP-ing adventures.

[knightly]

Technically, I was roleplaying a bit. My character was a competent prefect who was not the least bit worried about losing a dozen freshmen in the woods.

[gdilevi]

Roll for perception check.

Same ward

[aerophone.insanejournal.com]

I've only been to one, but pretty much what everyone else has seems to describe that party accurately. You should go, make the most of senior year.

Same Ward

[knightly]

I suppose one party can't hurt. Get that out of the way on my very unfun senior year to-do list.

Same Ward

[icovington.insanejournal.com]

I have no idea.

[Warded to Ravi]
Are you really planning to go?

Isaiah

[knightly]

I'm considering it. Well... alright, I suppose I should decide to definitely go, as overwhelming consensus is that I need to loosen up.

That'll be a nice, quiet cabin for you all night. Unless you might be tempted into loosening up as well?

[decisive.insanejournal.com]

Do the paths change on their own?

[knightly]

Well... I've heard it as an urban legend, but I've never experienced it myself before now. (If that is in fact what happened, and not my terrible, terrible sense of direction.) Supposedly there's spirits in the surrounding forest that watch you and try to lead you astray.

Gooseberry loves its urban legends. I know of four or five of them off-hand.

[decisive.insanejournal.com]

Fascinating. We have the Forbidden Forest, and there's still not a lot we know about it. Sometimes Care of Magical Creatures took place along the edge. As the name suggests, students aren't allowed in.

What are they? I'd love to hear some.