Cabin No. 17

by Guest Fri Dec 09, 2011 5:15 am

Alys panted hard and gave her trunk a final shove, settling it in a corner. She should have known her huge trunk would be no match for her skinny frame but somehow she had managed to push and shove her way into the nearest cabin below deck she could find. Sinking down into a seat, the girl closed her eyes, working to steady her breath.

Once she felt like she could muster the energy to move again, the girl sat up straighter in her seat, trying to look out the circular windows of her cabin. From what she could see, the docks was still pretty crowded with parents waving their children off, the ship screw screaming orders and the teachers trying to organize the whole thing. There had been so many people on the docks, Alys was sure she'd suffocate. Her Papa had seen her face and decided to cut Mama's last minute lecture on clean underwear short and had wished her a quick good luck and farewell.

Glad to be away from the crowd, the witch closed her eyes once again. wondering if she could possibly nap throughout the journey.

by **Viktoria Steinburg** Fri Dec 09, 2011 5:37 am

Viktoria wondered if she had imagined it but she was sure that she had heard someone aboard the ship, as a Professor she had decided that she would like to board the ship early just in case any students needed help with anything.

Of course because she had stayed behind no students had in fact needed help.

A victim of sods law Viktoria rolled off her hammock and ventured down the lower decks, peeking through all the different cabins until she saw the one that she thought was occupied and indeed it was by a young girl.

Smiling softly Viktoria knocked on the door with a small smile:

"Hey there, everything okay?"

Viktoria held out her hand to the girl.

"I'm Viktoria Steinburg, a Professor at Durmstrang."

by Guest Fri Dec 09, 2011 5:50 am

Alys opened her eyes blearily. confused for a minute as to where she was. Then it hit her, just like it hit her head, the glass on the circular window beside her. There was a woman in the room and she was a Lehrer.

"Uh.." the blonde mumbled, trying to sit up in a more presentable position. Was she in trouble already? No, the teacher was smiling and holding out a hand. Tentatively, Alys took the proffered hand and said "Guten tag, Lehrer Steinburg. I'm sorry, I must have dozed off."

(OOC: Apologies for my rubbish German, blame Google translate)

by **Viktoria Steinburg** Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:17 am

Viktoria bit her lip softly, it was obvious that she had interrupted the sleep of this young student and she felt a little bad for doing so, wondering if she should just go and leave her to it Viktoria smiled slightly wider and shook her head.

"No need for formalities! Just call me Viktoria, or Vikki if you want, I'm not one for the whole strict thing."

The girl seemed to be rather tired, she looked a little out of it, probably because she had just woken up and it was poor to have done that.

"What's your name?" she asked kindly

Viktoria smiled slightly and sat down on the bed opposite the window the girl was sitting at and waited for her reply, hopefully she wouldn't mind Viktoria intruding on her cabin for a few minutes longer.

(OOC: I know no German so I use translate when I need to as well xD)

by Guest Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:33 am

Alys stared at the teacher, barely comprehending her words through that nice smile the older woman was smiling. None of the teachers at her Muggle school had ever smiled at her this way. In fact, Alys was almost certain teachers were incapable of smiling.

"What's your name?"

"Alys, Lehrer Vikki," she replied as best she could. "Alys Diederich." And because she didn't want to sound stupid to the very first teacher she ever spoke to, she asked a question back.

"What subject do you teach, may I ask?"

by **Viktoria Steinburg** Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:48 am

Viktoria shifted a little bit, not really understanding why she was being stared at but she decided not to mention it, was her hair okay? Patting her hair she shrugged mentally, maybe the student was just trying to memorise her face, or maybe she was still asleep.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Alys. Youre the first student Ive seen so far today!"

With her smile still intact Viktoria felt herself grin, ah, her subject that she loved so dearly. She was thought of as silly by other professors, her subject far from academic but she loved it.

"I teach flying! Are you interested at picking it up at all?"

Viktoria chuckled softly and waved her hand through the air:

"You don't have to say yes just because I'm right here, honesty is preferred, id get excited if you said you were taking it and didn't come."

by Guest Fri Dec 09, 2011 7:26 am

"I teach flying! Are you interested at picking it up at all?"

Alys felt her blue eyes going round at the revelation. "Really? Oh, I was looking forwards to flying! When my letter came, Papa said there would be Quidditch and flying and I've never ridden a broom before," she rambled, not caring that the Lehrer might think her dumm. "Like I said, Lehrer Vikki. I don't know if I'll be any good but I promise I will try my best."

The witch took a deep breath, her eyes shining as she looked at the teacher with new appreciation. It was becoming clear to the girl that this would be a very different experience from her Muggle school.

by **Viktoria Steinburg** Fri Dec 09, 2011 11:06 pm

Viktoria smiled widely as Alys said that she was indeed going to take up flying, and that she was excited for it no less! She knew that the class would be amazing if the class was going to be full of people like her, it would be so amazing.

"Wow! I love your enthusiasm! I'll be glad to welcome you into my class, you'll be a welcome addition to it i assure you!"

Biting her lip as she looked at Alys she appeared to be calming down from her excitement, and Viktoria's own smile dulled to a small one, she knew that the other professors were nothing like her, so she would be sure to be as nice as she could to give the students a break.

"Never ridden a broom before? Oh don't worry about it! My class caters for all types of people, whether they've ridden a broom before or not."

by Guest Sat Dec 10, 2011 1:09 am

Alys had been curious about flying and broom related games since she was old enough to understand them. Sally, her parents neither owned a broomstick nor had the inclination of getting one. And over the years, Alys had just had to make do with riding her bicycle. It's not like she could fly anyway, amid all the Muggles they lived with.

But instead of telling the teacher all that, the girl simply grinned happily and said "Danke" to the smiling woman.

"Will first years be allowed to play as well?" she asked after a minute.

by **Viktoria Steinburg** Sat Dec 10, 2011 3:35 am

The simple speech left Viktoria a little bent out of shape she didn't quote know what to do about it, so she smiled and nodded graciously, it was going to be so much fun now that she had gotten into the flow of being a professor.

"You're welcome!"

Viktoria tilted her head to one side she wondered what she could be asking about, maybe Quidditch? So Viktoria nodded her head slowly.

"They are yes, but you have to get permission from the Highmaster."

by Guest Sat Dec 10, 2011 5:39 am

"The Highmaster?" Alys wasn't entirely sure who that was and if he would be willing to grant permission for first years to be involved in sports but chose to remain quiet about it. As she cast about for a polite way to ask the teacher more questions, her stomach beat her to it by letting out a rumble, making the blonde realize she hadn't had anything since supper yesterday. She had been too nervous to eat the pancakes Mama had been heaping on her plate at breakfast and her stomach was reminding her now how much she needed food.

Blushing, the girl looked away, hoping the teacher hadn't noticed.

by **Viktoria Steinburg** Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:17 am

Viktoria bit her lip, how could she not know who the Highmaster was? He was one of the most famous men in Germany, and the headmaster of her new school, but of course it could always be she knew him by a different name.

"Yes, the highmaster, like...the Headmaster of Durmstrang?"

Hoping that she had explained it fairly well Viktoria smiled wider but got a little bit worried when the girls stomach rumbled, had she not eaten recently?

"Hey, are you hungry?"

Viktoria frowned a little bit, you should always make sure to eat some form of breakfast. Especially on your first day of school!

by Guest Sat Dec 10, 2011 6:32 am

The girl continued staring at her feet.

"Uh, Mama said I should eat this morning but I... didn't feel like it," she admitted quietly to the Lehrer. No need for the flying instructor to know that she had been nervous and nearly sick to her stomach and watching Mama pour the sugary syrup had made her even more queasy.

"Is there a place where I can get some - well, maybe a sandwich a snack," she asked hesitantly. "I'm sorry to be a bother," Alys added politely just as Papa had taught her.

by **Viktoria Steinburg** Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:26 am

Viktoria smiled softly, there was something quite endearing about this girl, it seemed as though she was just nervous about starting school as anyone would be really and it reminded Viktoria of herself on her first day of school.

"Ahh I see, well I can understand that."

She said sympathetically.

For a moment Viktoria thought, as if remembering something then drew out her wand, pointing it at her hand and then letting her eyes close as she muttered a quiet charm, it made a sandwich appear on the palm of her hand, ham, and she grinned.

"Here you can have this, you aren't a vegetarian are you? Because I can make you a cheese one if you need me to."

by Guest Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:38 am

Alys gazed in wonder from the teacher's dancing eyes to the sandwich in her hand, not sure how to react. Not only did the teacher smile but she conjured up food too? A slow grin spread across her face as she realized how awesome her school year was going to be.

"Danke," she said happily, taking the preferred sandwich. "Not a vegetarian for sure," she said happily. And as she was grinning away, for the first time the girl noticed that Lehrer Vikki wasn't really that old. In fact, she looked no older than those apprentice Muggle girls who were just out of Jr. College back home. Maybe that's why she was so easygoing.

For the first time completely at ease with her decision to go away to school, Alys bit into the mouthwatering sandwich, hoping that all the other teachers would be just like this one.

by **Avangeline King** Sat Dec 10, 2011 11:24 am

Avangeline was still nervous about her first trip to school, she had hoped the adrenaline rush of boarding the ship would take some of it away, but that hadn't worked. The mass of students outside had pushed her onto the ship before she had gotten her nerves settled, now, with her trunk stowed away with numerous locking charms placed on it by her father, she was wandering the ship hoping to calm herself before finding a place to sit. Patting the head of the somewhat feral looking spotted kitten curled up in her robe's pocket aided in relaxing her.

She peeked into the rounded windows of the cabins, hoping to spot one that wasn't too crowded. She hadn't gotten to leave the house much growing up, dealing with too many people right now might not be a good idea. It seemed luck was with her as she peered into one of the cabins to find only two people inside it, a girl about her age from the looks of her, and a woman who looked like she was in her early to mid twenties.

Avangeline decided to gather her courage and knock quickly before opening the door and asking, "Can I sit here, please?"

by Guest Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:28 am

"Can I sit here, please?"

Alys swallowed her bite before turning to the newcomer who stood at the cabin. It appeared to be another student about her age. Looking up at the Lehrer for confirmation, she smiled at the girl and said "Of course."

Belatedly, she realized she should probably shake the girl's hand but that's a little hard to do when one has a sandwich in it and the other probably sports crumbs. So instead, she simply said "Mein Name ist Alys. I'm a first year."

by **Avangeline King** Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:03 am

Avangeline smiled brightly at the permission, stepping into the room and sitting down across from Alys. She spotted the food in the other girl's hands and knew why there wasn't a handshake. With a curious glance at the older woman in the room she spoke to the young girl.

"Hello, my name is Avangeline, but you can call me Ava if you want. I'm a first year too! Are you excited about school? I'm a little nervous about it." Ava admitted easily, talking quickly in her excitement about finally meeting someone her age, though she was still wondering who the other woman was in the compartment.

by Guest Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:13 am

"Very nice to meet you, Ava. Say, your name is really pretty." Alys admitted without thinking and then hurriedly made amends. "I mean, its very unique. I knew of only one other person with that name." The blonde stopped, wondering if she's already blown it.

"Uh, I was nervous too until Lehrer Steinburg here gave me a sandwich. I mean, I was hungry because..." Alys trailed of, unsure how much worse her mouth would make the situation. Finally, as a nonverbal peace offering, she held out the sandwich. "Want to try some, its ham."

by **Avangeline King** Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:54 am

"Thank you for saying my name is pretty, its a little odd I wasn't sure if people would like it." Ava said in appreciation, a light blush on her cheeks at the compliment. Glad for the offer of food to cover up her flushing she responded to the offer. "I would like a bite yes."

Ava took the sandwich held out by Alys and pulled a small piece off, munching it happily. "This is really good!" She complimented before holding the sandwich out for Alys to take back if she wanted more.

"At least now I know I wasn't the only one nervous about today. I was afraid everyone would already know each other. Do you know anyone around here? All I really got to see was the inside of father's manor." Ava was reaching for a topic, she wanted to keep Alys talking, but hoped she wouldn't stumble onto anything the other was too nervous to talk about.

by Guest Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:05 am

"No, not really," Alys replied honestly as she took the sandwich back. Imitating Ava, she too broke off a little and popped it in her mouth before extending it to the other girl again. After all, it was certainly enough to share among two people.

"I was so suffocated out there that my Papa just took pity on me and let me board. And then I found this empty cabin and I think I must have gone to sleep for a minute because the next thing I know, Lehrer Steinburg was here." The girl grinned, sheepish. "I don't envy Mama and Papa trying to make their way back in that crowd," she gestured to the docks with her free hand.

by **Avangeline King** Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:20 am

Ava took the sandwich, tearing off another piece, feeling glad to have someone that wanted to share something with her, even if it was just a tasty ham sandwich. Holding it back out she swallowed her bite and replied. "I know the crowd was awful. Father helped me get my trunk aboard but had to leave quickly. Your parents should be alright if they stay put a few minutes and leave after the ship does, that way they won't get tossed around by the students coming in to catch the boat."

"I hope the other kids are as nice as you," Ava caught herself and blushed, "I mean I'm not used to people, if they were too mean for no reason I might not be able to handle it. I have been taught how to defend myself, but I'm just a first year I bet I couldn't hold a candle to the upper years." Ava admitted her worry. Father wouldn't be happy about her admitting her problem to a stranger, but Alys had been so nice Ava wasn't worried about her using it against her.

by Guest Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:33 am

Alys laughed, taking the sandwich back. "You have no idea. My Mama doesn't know the meaning of staying put. She has to be doing something every second of every day. Papa says she even multitasks when she sleeps."

The blonde broke off another piece and inserted in her mouth as Ava confessed her worries of not being able to defend herself.

"Well, whatever you know, its more than I do," she said after swallowing the morsel of food. "I have never dueled anyone before, not even for practice," she admitted, handing the sandwich to Ava again.

"And people are easy to handle," she said cheerfully. "If they're mean and bigger than you, you just run." She let out a laugh to indicate she was kidding.

by **Avangeline King** Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:51 am

Taking the sandwich back, Ava responded "Your mother sounds a bit like me, I don't like sitting still. I would rather be up and about. I don't know the number of times our house elves had to rescue me from some dusty old room in the manor." Ava smiled a bit at the memory.

Pulling off a piece of sandwich Ava continued talking, "Running is not a bad way to react if you're caught by someone bigger and meaner than you, if you haven't been taught how to fight running is your best alternative. Father wouldn't show me the incantation of any spell until I could dodge his casting 10 times in a row, he did that before every lesson." Ava giggled a bit as she realized how serious that sounded.

"It wasn't all bad though, I learned some neat tricks from him. Maybe if we end up in the same house I could teach them to you after class? Everyone should be able to defend themselves, even if it is just knowing how to get away." Remembering the food in her hands, Ava held out the sandwich and nibbled the piece she had already pulled off.

"Where did you go to school before now? I was home schooled by Father." Ava was curious what it would have been like to go to a normal school rather than being stuck at the manor all the time.

by Guest Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:01 am

"Woe," Alys could feel her eyes growing wide as Ava told of her father. "Your Papa sounds awesome. Mine would never teach me something cool like that," she said amazed.

"Maybe if we end up in the same house I could teach them to you after class?"

"Thanks, I'd like that very much." Ava took the sandwich back and broke of another bit. Together, both girls were making quick work of it.

"I went to Muggle school before this, and Mama and Papa tutored me in basic magic at home. Muggle school was okay except for Mathematics which can make you really bored. But recess was always fun because you got to get out of class for a bit."