Jacob Clark
Gryffindor
Fourth Year
Our Hogwarts' Host Club President
Posts: 1,095
|
Post by Jacob Clark on Aug 5, 2011 6:56:21 GMT -5
((Sorry, work pounced on me when I arrived, and I didn’t have time to reply until now))
With new found confidence, Jacob felt ready to challenge of letting her know a little more about himself. He wasn’t sure where to start. Should he begin from birth till now or just some highlights? He decided that the highlights would be more interesting. “Well, my parents are Ministry employees that hunt for magical relics and rare spell and potion components. I was born somewhere during their adventures and assignments and have accompanied them ever since. In fact, my only time away from them has been my time at school. It was a posh primary boarding school down in London and now here.” He didn’t want to boar her to death with the details, or sound too proud of himself, so he drove on in a different direction. “So I’ve been dying for some excitement. I don’t care what or from where, but just something to do besides sit down in a class.” Then he continued with a more sarcastic tone, “But being in class is just so fun that I would never think of missing a precious moment.” He normalized his tone and continued, “Being at (Our) Hogwarts has been pretty good though. I’ve made quite a few friends and started a club, not that it’s big or that you’ve even heard of it, but perhaps. It’s called the Host Club, have you heard?” Jacob knew that not everyone had been to the Host Club events, or even heard of it for that matter, but he was willing to try the query.
|
|
|
Post by Jenny Bay on Aug 7, 2011 5:35:09 GMT -5
((Ugh... I cannot think of what to write... hence the delay in reply but... yeah...))
Jenny listened as he spoke and wow - his life did sound a lot more exciting than hers. "Host club?" Jenny racked her mind for anything to do with a Hogwarts Host Club but nothing came to mind. "No. Never heard of it," she grinned. "What exactly is it? It kind of sounds like a posh name for a strip club... No wait - that's a Gentleman's club... Never mind!" Jenny laughed nervously, slightly embarrassed. "So... anyways - what is it?" Suddenly it occurred to her that he had said that he had started the club which... wow... was a pretty big achievement for a 4th year. Jenny herself had never even considered starting a club but then again, that was just because she was lazy.
|
|
Jacob Clark
Gryffindor
Fourth Year
Our Hogwarts' Host Club President
Posts: 1,095
|
Post by Jacob Clark on Aug 8, 2011 5:46:29 GMT -5
Like a splash of cold water, her words struck him in the face. Obviously there needed to be a massive advertising campaign that would help clear-up misconceptions about the club. Hopefully, not everyone’s first impression would be that the ‘Host Club’ was some sort of strip club. Her ‘never mind’ and nervous laugh was what broke the mental flagellation that was accosting his mind. “It was out of my own concern for the social health of the school that the idea started, but one of the club’s main functions is to endeavor to ensure the happiness of every young lady at the school. So no, the Host Club isn’t a strip club, but more like a place where young ladies can come and enjoy a carefree time away from the pressures of school. It’s an escape from the monotony and hum-drum, but also a chance to enjoy some leisure time without having to wait for the next Hogsmede weekend. In fact, this month’s event is going to be a Beach Bash in the Room of Requirement. I’d love to have you come.”
|
|
|
Post by Jenny Bay on Aug 8, 2011 6:35:50 GMT -5
Gauging his expression, Jenny felt immediately bad about not thinking before she spoke - of course Hogwarts would never have allowed a strip club. Why had she even said that? She abruptly stopped mentally beating herself up and snapped to attention as he began to describe what it actually was. She nodded slowly as he explained it and grinned at the invitation to a beach bash. "I'd love to come!" she said enthusiastically. There was a nagging question but this time Jenny had the presence of mind to think it over before she blurted it out. She evaluated the question carefully and decided that it probably wouldn't cause offence. "There's one thing I'm wondering though... Why is this just to ensure the happiness of every young lady? What about all the ickle firstie boys?"
This prompted Jenny to muse about starting a host club for guys... A group of gorgeous women... Ensuring the happiness of all the males at Hogwarts. A sly grin slid onto her face, which she quickly hid and waited for Jacob to answer her question. Maybe it was because the boys were inducted into the host club to be the ones who ensured the happiness of the girls. She found it slightly sexist... but in a good way. Being a girl had its benefits sometimes.
|
|
Jacob Clark
Gryffindor
Fourth Year
Our Hogwarts' Host Club President
Posts: 1,095
|
Post by Jacob Clark on Aug 8, 2011 7:19:36 GMT -5
“They can come too. We’ve got nothing against ‘ickle firstie boys’ or even old curmudgeon staff members, but we have our priorities. *wink* We even have two adorable firsties on the staff, Mr. Fitz Wentworth our Vice-President and Ms. Caerwyn Kynward our Manager.” The invitation accepted, Jacob went on to explain about the activity. “So the Beach Bash will have all the amenities of a tropical beach resort, but without the need to leave the castle. We’ll even have some swimwear options available, in case you didn’t pack the right one. Coqueiros…I mean coconut trees, sun, surfing, and a whole lot more.” Toward the end his eyes wandered toward the shore where the ice still met the rocky ground, a mental shiver ran through his mind. He was thankful that the charm was working. Even the slow, but steady fall of tiny snowflakes was relenting to the charm’s effects, melting on contact with his suit coat. He turned his gaze back to her and asked, “So enough about me and the Host Club…what about you? What makes you tick Jenny Bay?”
|
|
|
Post by Jenny Bay on Aug 10, 2011 7:07:52 GMT -5
Jenny smiled, listening to him explain everything. She was glad that they had thought to include swimsuits because she hadn't brought anything like that to Hogwarts with her. She could only recall venturing into the Room of Requirements once and that had been as a first year so her memory of the trip was a little hazy. She vaguely recalled getting lost and stumbling into the room which had been filled with clutter. Someone else had visited the room as well and she had found them in there... That was the extent of her recollection of the place. She did love the idea of going to the beach again though - it had been years since she had last gone. She found herself drifting into a daydream but was snapped back out of it by Jacob's question.
A wry smile turned up her lips "What makes me tick hey?" She thought about how she should answer that question. "You sure you want the inside scoop on Jenny Bay?" she asked, challenging him. "It's not very pretty." She wondered where she should start. She suddenly had the urge to tell this stranger everything - about the ruins her family was in and her grief that they would never be the same. But that would be silly - to spill her guts to a boy she had just met. That wouldn't be a smart move. "Not very interesting either though... Plain really. I make average grades, I hang around with average people and I do average things. I have an average family and will no doubt grow up and have an average family of my own... It's all very average," she drawled. Hoping that she hadn't overdone it too much - it was actually close to the truth - she looked up, watching his expression.
|
|
Jacob Clark
Gryffindor
Fourth Year
Our Hogwarts' Host Club President
Posts: 1,095
|
Post by Jacob Clark on Aug 10, 2011 8:57:18 GMT -5
He was in partial shock at her answer. ‘Average’, he could tell that is girl was far from average, but he didn’t want to dig anything out of her that she was unwilling to share. He was too open sometimes; willing to share deep secrets with even passers-by. He thought about her statement of an average life and then recalled that he’d just gotten finished telling her about some fairly unusual things that his family did, which could have be construed as more than average. He didn’t want her to think of him as a braggart or some sort of show-boat. He noted that he’d need to be slightly more reserved in order to not appear arrogant or pompous. “Average really? I wouldn’t have imagined average would have been the word, but then again average is a fairly subjective analysis. One person’s average is another’s exciting…or boring I guess. So self-professed average yet very intriguing Jenny could I interest you in a little Ice skating? The lake should be frozen enough to support a few prancing dragons at this time of year. So what do you say?” He couldn’t feel the cold any longer, and was enjoying his time with her so much that he searched for an opportunity to extend their time. He’d used the summoning charm ‘accio’ several times before to cover greater distances than this. He’d just need to get his backpack, and he’d have all his equipment, which included six sets of ice skates in both figure skating type and the hockey variety. All the skates were the type that you strap onto your own shoes or boots. This was one of those times that Jacob wished he’d brought the bag with him.
|
|
|
Post by Jenny Bay on Aug 11, 2011 2:34:08 GMT -5
Jenny smiled gratefully as he didn't press any further on the subject. Then he mentioned ice skating and her smile froze. "Ice skating hey?" she laughed nervously. "Well..." immediately her brain sorted through all the things she could say and the consequences from them. She could say that she hated ice skating but that would be an extreme conversation killer. She could say that she didn't agree that the ice was thick enough... And so on. Eventually she decided on her final decision - the truth. "About ice skating... I can't - I mean, I've never learned how to ice skate and I so do not think it would be a pretty sight." Ice skating? Honestly, why couldn't she have just learned how to ice skate before. Then she could have happily agreed and they would have had fun while they skated around.
Even better - she should have become a figure skater. That would really have impressed Jacob - wait... Why did she want to impress him at all? He was hardly worth the effort... or was he? She was pretty sure she had already achieved a "friend" status with him and it would be great to start off with a friend who was president of the Host club... After a moment of thought she decided he was worth it. It was worth getting to know him - either he would turn out to be a good friend and/or he would be a social foothold for her climb up. That's right - Jenny was looking to become more popular. To stop forever being the rejected girl who hung back and no one noticed. In her escape from home, she wanted to experience life to the fullest. Something she couldn't do from the bottom of the social ladder.
|
|
Jacob Clark
Gryffindor
Fourth Year
Our Hogwarts' Host Club President
Posts: 1,095
|
Post by Jacob Clark on Aug 11, 2011 5:10:44 GMT -5
Jacob might have been a thrill seeker and a real extrovert, but he felt like Jenny was missing out if she didn’t fly or skate. For a moment his mind raced through a bevy of activities that were more ‘common’ that perhaps they could do together, but for half of them involved rolling around on the snow. He decided that he’d attempt to teach her how to skate. He’d taught people how to fly before, so how hard could it be to teach a terrestrial skill like skating. There is only one plane of motion for beginners anyway. He did have that ‘feather-fall’ belt too, which would cast an immediate ‘aresto momentum’ if she began to fall to the ice. Well he knew one thing he’d need the bag and it would take a little bit for it to arrive. He got his wand out and pointed it in the direction of the castle and cast, “Accio Backpack.” He put his wand away and kept an eye out for the flying backpack while he spoke in an almost reflexive out loud mumble, “No flying and no skating…hummmmmm…well that probably means no skiing or snowboarding too. We need to figure a way out that you can diversify your winter sport skill set.” His tone returned to his animated normal speech as he snapped his finger, “I know…Jenny would you like to learn how to ice skate? Now I know you might be slightly apprehensive, but it is great once you get your balance all figured out.” He winked and continued, “it’s almost like flying, but still on the ground.” He put both hands up slightly and continued, “Of course, you could just say no, and we could just make snow angels or something…”
|
|
|
Post by Jenny Bay on Aug 11, 2011 7:00:08 GMT -5
Jenny immediately began to feel nervous when Jacob presented the idea of him teaching her how to skate. She would look kind of silly... like Bambi before he could walk properly. She laughed at the idea of snow angels and then, in a resolved tone she said, "Skating sounds fun." Even as she said it though, she was still trying to convince herself it was a good idea. But what harm could it be? She might damage her dignity a bit but who knows - maybe she would turn out to be good at it. "Yes," she confirmed, "I will know how to ice skate before the day is over." She looked out onto the ice with a new attitude. It no longer looked so daunting, after all how different could it really be from walking?
|
|
Jacob Clark
Gryffindor
Fourth Year
Our Hogwarts' Host Club President
Posts: 1,095
|
Post by Jacob Clark on Aug 11, 2011 9:33:03 GMT -5
((I would have responded earlier, but work has been busy today))
Jacob was ecstatic that she decided to concede to the skating. He was up for most things, but skating was pretty high on his list. “Skating it is then; this way if you please.” He bowed quickly with a flourish of his hands indicating the lake, and started walking with her toward the edge of the lake. Ideas of what to cover first during the lesson started to crowd his mind until his wand started vibrating slightly inside of his pocket. He quickly turned as the bag was just about to plow into him. He had to catch his breath for a second, “guess my bag made it.” He said holding up the bag. He started again toward the edge of the frozen lake.
He knew exactly what he needed from the bag, and about where it should have been. He concentrated on each object before putting his hand into the opening. The sensation was peculiar as he put his hand into the climate controlled environment. First he pulled out a heavily insulated quilt with an impermeable charm on it and laid it down on the edge of the lake shore. “This way we don’t have to sit in the snow to put the skates on.” Next he dug out the feather-fall belt, which had the appearance of a flat hemp cord with a buckle that could be fastened into any of the belt holes along the length thereof. “This belt, while a total fashion atrocity, has a charm that will prevent your fall. You can just strap it around you waist while I get out some skates.” He concentrated and searched for two pairs of skates. Jacob found the skates and put them down on the edge of the quilt and sat down.
|
|