Gooseberry High

( Shortly before curfew, Cecil shows up at the Coppertale camp (...again) with a delivery for Hazel. )

( Shortly before curfew, Cecil shows up at the Coppertale camp with a delivery for Chris. )

[Posted early Friday morning.]

( DETENTION NOTICE )

This is a notification for all students regarding a change in rule enforcement.

( Please take the time to read it in its entirety. )

[Warded to Levi]

[...]

I know we already discussed this. And that it isn't a surprise. But I hope we're all ri

Hopefully this will go better than I'm anticipating, but

Can I see you later? Before you go to Astronomy tonight? [...] Nothing serious. It'd just be nice, that's all.

[Warded to Levi]

I know that some people are going to be trying their luck with the Ornery Oak today, but [...] we've been down that road once, right? No need to go down it again? Please? Since I know that you love me and you know that I love you. And since the ribbon is still there. (Yes, I checked.)

[...]

And. I wanted to ask. Do you have anything in mind for Valentine's Day? I know it's difficult since we're at school, but I'd like to make it special. There are a few things I have in mind, a few things that I'd like to do for you, but what do you think?

[Warded to Prefects]

I'm going to try to spend some time by the Oak today if anyone would like to join me. I know that we can't keep people from trying to tie a ribbon on the branches (especially not this time of year and especially not with the traditions), but I think it might be wise to be on hand just in case things get out of control or anyone gets seriously hurt. Maybe our presence will even deter a few people.

( Pippa pushes a small parcel into Cecil's hands at breakfast this morning before scurrying away. )

[Posted early Saturday morning.]

After Ms. Vector's announcement the other day, there was a prefect meeting to discuss everything that was said. While we won't be enforcing everything as strictly as the staff requested, there will be some changes to the rules for the time being. Please take the time to look them over and keep in mind that this is being done to ensure that everyone here is safe. These rules are effective immediately.

( The changes are listed below.  )

If you have questions about any of this, please direct them to me or Maggie through this post. Thank you.

I've told a couple of you this, but after talking through some things with a very supportive and insightful friend (thank you, Rafael), I've decided to go to culinary school after graduation. So [...] I'd like to get more practice. I'm going to be completely Type A about this and put a schedule together for myself, probably focusing on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

If anyone's willing to be a taste tester for me from time to time, let me know? I'd appreciate the help and I'd really value honest opinions about the taste and the aesthetics and all of that, so please don't worry about hurting my feelings or anything. I'm tougher than I look (and sound and act, etc.), I promise.

[Warded to Diego]

Do you remember last month when we talked about the Anonymous Post? And you said that you wanted to put in the effort to make the conversations more positive and do more about the bullying? During our prefect meeting yesterday, a lot of people felt the same way. I think, whatever you decide to do on Saturday, you'll have the support of the prefects. I just wanted you to know that.

Hopefully, it'll make a difference.

( PREFECT MEETING )

[Warded to Prefects]

I just caught Diego one of my cabinmates trying to sneak back in after some kind of party in the woods last night. If you're awake, please check to see who is and isn't in your cabin before going anywhere else. I don't want to be a hardass, but we need to make sure that everyone is getting back safely and we can't just let this slide. I don't want to make the Parent-Teacher Conferences any more stressful for some people than they already will be and I'm willing to put off punishment until after the weekend, but this kind of behavior is dangerous and I don't want to let everyone think that it's all right or sanctioned by the prefects. It isn't. We already let the parties at the Grotto continue and that should be enough of a compromise.

I'm keeping an eye on the camp now and noting anyone that I see coming back this morning. I won't ask any of you to do the same, but please let me know who's missing from your individual cabins.

If you're asleep and don't get this message until later on, don't worry. But I know a lot of us are early birds, so I wanted to reach out for assistance. I will need a full headcount from every camp before breakfast, though, just to make sure everyone's back in one piece.

Thank you all for your help.

( Cecil received a letter from his sisters! Which prompted a question for his peers. )

[Posted to the journal after receiving the letter.]

For those that don't already know, I've got three younger sisters. And all of them want to come next week. Obviously, they can't, so they've decided to have some kind of [...] competition to see who will be tagging along with our parents. I got a letter today asking me to ask all of you for suggestions on questions and challenges they can complete for the "Gooseberry Games." So I am. Any ideas? I won't tell them to do anything dangerous, so don't go there, but I know they'd appreciate the help. They seem to be having fun with this.

[...]

This seems like a terrible idea. But maybe that's just the overprotective big brother talking?

[Warded to Addy]

If you've got time next week, could I introduce you to my sister? You know, whichever one wins the games. [...] They're thinking of applying here next year and I think it could be good for them to know someone. At least a little, anyway. It's hard to change schools, you know?

[Warded to Levi]

Cleo, Daph, and Mel wanted me to tell you 'hi' for them and ask how you are again. I think you made a good impression on them over the break and you'll probably have to get used to this on a weekly basis. ♥ That's what you get for being fun and charming, I guess.

During dinner, Mr. Merrill leaves the following notes with his senior and junior prefects, and the Head Boy:

( Memo to Cecil Honeychurch )

( Memo to Quinn Cunningham )

( Memo to Jesse McBride )

( Memo to Reece Downing )

( Memo to Katya Ivanova )

( OOC NOTE )

I always miss how the Divination Tower makes me feel when I'm away for little a while. There's something about that smell of incense and old books and a thousand cups of brewed tea. There's something about all of the relics and the star charts and the divining tools too. I can't explain why it helps me focus or why it makes my mind clear, but it does. Sometimes I wish I could do all of my studying here instead of in the library or back at the cabin, but that would probably be taking advantage of Mr. Chettri's kindness.

I'm really going to miss all of this.

[...]

And I guess this is all just a very long-winded way of saying sorry I'm late and I'll be home soon, Azurcrest. I didn't fall into a snow drift or anything; I just got caught up in my studies and having tea with Mr. Chettri. Though, I do still have about twenty minutes until curfew.

[Warded to Diego]

I meant to mention this to you before, but I guess it slipped my mind until I came back to Mr. Chettri's class today. I did a reading with the bees before the break and the result was actually fairly clear. But [...] sort of strange too? It left me with the sense that I'd see my parents soon, but far from home. Here or near here. And it felt like being with them -- warm and protected and supported -- but outside of that there was some tension and anxiety. Like things weren't quite right just outside of that. What do you think that means? I'd be happy to see them, of course, but why would my parents come all the way out here? Maybe because the triplets decided to apply to Gooseberry? But they didn't say anything about that.

Maybe it was all just wishful thinking or being homesick, though?

I mentioned it to Mr. Chettri a little while ago and he looked surprised and then sort of flustered and said he didn't know what that meant. He didn't offer to talk through it with me or anything like he normally does. [...] I hope I didn't upset him by staying in the Tower so long today.

I feel like shit today. I might be catching something, so here's your warning: no one let me into kissing games when we go back to school next week. Keep your lips off me.

[Warded to Cecil]

I saw you writing comments so I know you were reading it.

Are you okay, man?

[Warded to Ravi]

Thanks for coming. I had a lot of fun. I'm kind of disappointed it was just one night, but we might have ended up completely hating one another, so it was the best plan at the time. (You weren't just pretending not to hate me, right???)

Also I wanted to say that... I'm glad the anon post didn't completely ruin things. It was easier being with a friend. So I'm glad we got to hang out during it.

A letter is delivered to Cecil by an affectionate owl that he might recognize as belonging to Diego's mom. It arrives before the party at Tabitha's.

( When he opens the envelope, a sprig of juniper falls out. )

( Before class, Diego gets some birthday wishes and some birthday gifts from Cecil. )

Presented to Cecil just before the bake sale begins.

( Thank you, Cecil. )

( Happy Birthday, Levi! )

[Warded to Levi, Diego, Jesse, Ryan, & Quinn]

Once you're all back tonight, we need to talk about this afternoon.

[Warded to Seniors in Transfiguration]

I know we're all busy and I hate to impose, but would anyone be willing to tutor me in Transfiguration for a while? Or, if anyone else is having trouble, maybe we can put together a study group and help each other? It seems like I've been falling a little more behind every week and I'd like to catch up again before it gets to be a problem.

I can bring snacks?

I can always go talk with Ms. Rhee too, so please don't feel obligated.

[Warded to Levi]

Do you want to do something after rehearsal on Thursday? I know there's an official party later this month, but I'd like to celebrate with you on the day too. What do you think, birthday boy? ♥