gooseberryhigh | (no subject)

[Warded to Tess]

We need to discuss what we want for Coppertale regarding house parties. Magdalen and Cecil have given senior prefects the authority to decide what's best for our house.

So. If Ribbonfin and Ebonhide are going to disallow all drugs and alcohol at parties outside the Grotto, we should too.

We need consistency and camaraderie. The prefects need to have a unified front. It will be better if as many of us as possible support this decision. It will be unpopular, so we can't waver. We need to be seen as a strong, cooperative team. No weak links amongst the seniors. The younger prefects will soon realize it's not so bad, their friends will forgive them, and they can blame us for being hardasses. I don't know what Azurcrest will do, but the other three houses should be together on this... Especially if Azurcrest decides to enforce more rules. They will need our help, they will need to see no one is bending.

Coppertale's biggest problems are not drinking and smoking anyway. It's fighting. Going too hard. That mixes badly with alcohol. If it happens in the Grotto, we deal with it, but it should not happen where we live.

Magdalen asked me to make the announcement of the policy change when everyone has finished talking.

[Warded to Senior Prefects + Maggie and Cecil]

I will be making an announcement of the new expectations at camp parties as soon as we're done talking to one another.

My understanding so far is that Ebonhide and Ribbonfin are going to allow no use of alcohol and drugs at campsite parties. Azurcrest and Coppertale are still discussing. Are there any other nuances I should be aware of?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm discussing the specifics with Quinn and Jesse now, but Azurcrest will be taking on restrictions similar to those of the other camps soon. I'll make sure that everyone gets the details as soon as I have them.

Alright.

You know we have your back. Are you ready for the arguing?

Thank you, Rafael. I appreciate that. And I'm hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, yeah.

It'll be bad, but not as bad as you think.

Ravi said the same thing and I hope you're both right. You probably are. But it's hard not to worry.

I know. Of course you are worried.

Some of them will feel hurt and betrayed. They will be angry with you for a time, call you unfair, say this is just Azurcrest's way, and accuse you of merely going along with what the rest of want. But it's important that you stay strong and don't let them see any chance of you relenting. You are their friend, but you are also their Head Boy. You deserve respect. You are a leader.

Yeah. That's how some of them will feel, even some of the prefects. But after everything we've talked about, I can't unsee these problems and I'm not going to back down from this. That much, I can promise.

But I've always taken care of Azurcrest more than I've led it. I've been the one to make sure what needs to get done gets done. I've offered support and encouragement more than I've ever disciplined. I've tried to help them where I can without pushing. I don't know if they respect me, but I do think they trust me and I don't want to lose that. But I'm going to have to change some of my habits if I expect them to change theirs and I don't know what that will mean. ~~Sometimes I wonder if you or Ravi should've been~~

[...]

Sorry, Rafael. I'm just thinking about this too much right now. I should probably give it a rest.

If you need to talk while you think, then keep talking. If I didn't want to hear it, I would tell you.

Trust does not mean that you can't exert any authority. If all they ever want from you is to be taken care of, then they are taking advantage of you. I know it's how you've always been with them, but they need to learn to trust your decisions as much as they trust that you love them.

Trust also comes from them knowing you would protect them. I'm sure you and I can both think of at least a few Azurcrests who could drink and smoke less, and probably started too young. Perhaps a few more who wish things could be quieter. You have to be their ally.

Thank you, Rafael. Everyone in Ribbonfin is in agreement with the new rules, and will back up the other houses in whatever they choose.

Not for the first time, I don't envy what the rest of you have to deal with. But thank you for supporting me and Ribbonfin. It means a lot, honestly.

I'm encouraging solidarity. We will have better luck if there is only one set of rules to follow.

What you said was right. We are all just seeing now how we let things slip. Even me.

I was concerned for my house. You, and Maggie and Cecil, are the ones pushing to make this happen across the school. I wouldn't have thought to ask for that.

Although, you know, Rafael... that almost sounds like you think I'm stricter than you.

Oh no. No, no, Ravi. Dear, sweet Ravi of the gentlest heart. You do not get to be self-righteous one time and steal that title from me. My reputation has been earned through years of being an asshole.

Would you want to fight me if I said I don't think you've been mean at all lately?

You take that back.

I've even heard a freshman in Coppertale call you their favourite prefect.

I know that freshman. She lies and says that in a vain attempt to make me go easy on her.

She's still saying it. Are you telling me simple flattery now works on Rafael Ramirez?

If that rumor got out, I think I would be dissuading many more ambitious suitors than I am right now.

Maybe it has, and they're all just working up the courage to talk to you. You can be a bit intimidating.

Thank you for taking such an unpleasant task head on, Rafael. It means a lot to me (and I'm sure a lot of other prefects, too).

You're welcome, but I'm happy to do it. We all have our place. We're a team.

I don't tend to think too harshly of a little alcohol or whatever in general, and I've tended to leave people alone as long as they're not causing trouble or being unsafe.

I do agree that we probably shouldn't be allowing it, though. At least not anywhere but the grotto. It says something about us if we let it go on right under staff's noses, I think. And it will be easier if we present a unified front.

I hope Azurcrest will decide to do the same, but I doubt it.

I don't think we need to ban it outright either. We just need to control where it can be used and who it being exposed to it. As much as the younger prefects complain about it going underground, I think that is exactly where it needs to be. Underground, out of the line of sight of staff and younger students.

Actually, it sounds as though Azurcrest will be joining us. I worry about the reception Cecil, Quinn and Jesse will receive, but it's probably never seemed as though they could enforce rules like these. With the rest of us supporting them, they will finally have something to lean on.

True. And we shouldn't forget that it is illegal. Younger kids shouldn't feel pressured into it, and it shouldn't be ubiquitous around all the cabins. Gotta learn to hide that shit, like we all hide it from our parents at home.

Really? Huh. Well, that's for the best.

(no subject)

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Rafael/Cecil

Rafael/Cecil

Rafael/Cecil

Rafael/Cecil

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

Senior Prefects + HG + HB

[Rafael]

[Tess/Rafael]

[Tess/Rafael]