should have learned to bake/nanali

[Deleted]

With his sixteenth birthday fast approaching Apollo was faced with the horrible task of figuring out just what flavor cake he wanted to celebrate. Seeing as his mother lacked in skills in a kitchen this meant a trip to a bakery was required. How horrid to have to sample flavors of cake on summer holiday. He hovered over the glass that separated him and countless baked delights. It was amazing he was not drooling. After picking out and paying for a few small cakes Apollo was going to leave but he spotted someone and had to stop. "Hey Nanali," he said lightly as he approached her "Fancy seeing you here!"

OOC: starters are not my strong point, sorry LJ

@cavalyn

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(I RP the bakery owner Alpin Zephyr, so will throw him in here too.)

Alpin Zephyr smiled at the boy as he paid for the cakes. He always loved when the younger folk visited. Being a father of a wonderful girl named Viona, he also had a soft spot for young people.

"You enjoy those now, lad," he said in his Scottish accent. "And don't forget tomorrow is our weekly Discount Delights Day." Alpin then turned and went back to work in the kitchen.

Nanali looked up when she heard her name called. She smiled when she saw Apollo. Nanali was a Gryffindor, but she had several friends in Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Her girlfriend Peyton was in Ravenclaw as well.

"Hello, Apollo," she said in her regal voice. "This is certainly a pleasant surprise. Would you like to join me? I'm just sitting here and enjoying a bagel and my new book." She placed the book down to talk to her friend of course. "How has your summer been? It's hard to believe we are only two years away from graduation now, isn't it?"

It really was. It seemed like just yesterday when Nanali was in Diagon getting books for her first year. She was so nervous then.

@apollo

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There was something about Nanali that Apollo found so fascinating but he could hardly put his finger on just what that was, often he settled with the idea that it was just everything about Nanali. "Would you mind?" Of course seeing as she offered he felt it safe to assume he was not going to be a bother and sat himself comfortably across from the young lady. "I can't complain, it's been enjoyable enough. It is amazing really. I remember thinking how seven years seemed like such a long time, but looking back now it seems to have gone by in a blink. What about you though, been keeping busy?" A lot had changed since the summer six years ago, he still wondered just how much of it was for the better. He took one of the small cakes from his sack of goodies with the intent of having a taste, it wasn't too early for cake, right? "So what were you reading?" He inquired with great curiosity, he was always looking for new book recommendations.

@cavalyn

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Nanali simply smiled and motioned to the chair when Apollo asked if she minded.

"Well hopefully we can make the most of the remaining years at the school and use them to prepare ourselves for what we are to be," she said. "But you are correct. They have gone quickly."

Nanali sipped her juice as he asked if she was keeping busy.

"Yes, very busy," she said. "I've been helping my mother and father with the hotel, and working in my garden a good bit. A kind woman who works for my parents tends to it while I am gone, but I hope to make some progress with it before I return to school."

She then showed him her book.

"It's the new book in the Wayward Wizard series," she said. "I'm afraid I am hooked on it. Brayley Routh is such a brilliant writer. She truly knows how to capture the lives of young wizards and witches. What about you? Are you reading any particular books as of late? From what I recall, you are a bit of an avid reader yourself, yes?"

Nanali stopped to give Viona Zephyr a hug as the girl walked in to help her father for the day. Viona smiled and waved at Apollo as well and then headed back to the kitchen.

@apollo

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"Have you got a good idea on what you intend to do?" Nanali seemed the sort who would have everything all figured out for her life. Apollo himself knew what he intended to do. Having always been fascinated with the mind her had devoted much of his free time to learning what he could. He had high hopes of becoming and oblivator in the years to come, but he knew it would all depend on his N.E.W.T results.

"Oddly I've never heard of them, I guess I can get a little caught up in my own world." He said with a smile as he looked at her book, perhaps he would give them a read and see if they were to his liking. "Nothing too exciting really, I have a stack of books I hope to finish before the new term though. Homework can make it hard to find the time to enjoy the solace of a good book." As Viona came by Apollo offered her a small smile and a wave before she departed, he knew her from around the castle but between different houses and years he could hardly say he knew the young girl, but that was no reason to not offer up pleasantries.

@cavalyn

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Nanali smiled and nodded when Apollo asked what she wanted to do.

"I plan to be a Professional Herbologist," she said. "I have partaken in the hobby for some time out and really feel I can make a career out of it. But if not, I have my family's hotel to fall back on. It's been a joy helping them manage it already, at least when I am home from school during the summer and winter holidays." She then smiled at him. "And what about you? Do you know what you wish to do after you graduate from Hogwarts? You seem a very intelligent student, and I am sure there are a great deal of possibilities for you."

Nanali agreed that it was hard to read a book for recreation during the school months.

"Yes, it is difficult," she said. "I feel you have to make time for them, even if it is just a few moments before you go to bed." That was easy for Nanali because she often tended to luck out and get books she could not put down. How she managed to do so well with her studies when she had a good book she did not know.

@apollo

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He thought it smart that she had a back up plan should her initial idea fall through. So often students could become fixed on just one plan and assume it would work. "I might have intelligence but I can tell you I lack a green thumb." He'd tried his hand at different sorts of gardening magical and non-magical plants while he didn't always fail he hardly called his attempts successful. "I' hoping to become an Oblivator." It was hard to explain exactly why this job had lingered in his mind, but it was the only one he seemed to always come back to. "I think I could do very well in that field, but if I'm sure there are other jobs with the ministry that I will be qualified for."

There was definitely a sense of pride for Apollo with the idea of serving his government. Even more so at helping to protect the secrecy of their world. "They do help to provide a nice distraction, I find when I am stuck on my papers taking some time to clear my head with a book often helps me to solve whatever I've become stuck on." Apollo had an easy time with putting a book down no matter how captivated he became by the words. Studying would always come first for him, after all he wanted to make his parents proud and the easiest way to do that was with the best marks possible.

@cavalyn

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Nanali listened to Apollo speak of his future plans with great interest. She was always interested in what people planned to do when they left Hogwarts.

"I'm sure you have the skills to do many wonderful things for the Wizarding community, Apollo," she said. "But always think about what you WANT to do. Life is far too short to let go of our dreams, even for wizards and witches."

Nanali smiled when Apollo said he did read to help clear his mind. The two had a lot in common. Some made the assumption that the only people a student really had anything in common with were those in their House, but Nanali didn't believe that at all.

"I completely agree," she said. "I feel I do well in my studies, but it can get stressful. A good book that I enjoy can be most refreshing indeed." She then recalled something. "I was thinking about getting a book club together at Hogwarts this year. You are most welcome to be a part of it if you like. I will have to of course get the approval of the staff first, but I hardly think they will turn down something that encourages literacy."

@apollo

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"True, but if I don't get the marks then I am just going to have to find another dream." He smiled with his words. He didn't doubt his ability to get the marks, but he was not going to foolish enough to think that he would get his desired job, there would be work in achieving his goal. But the end result would be rather fulfilling

"Book club?" He asked curious of course. "I'll have to see, my scheduled is rather full this year, I was perhaps a little overzealous in my class selection." Of course it was more his want to be sure he had enough N.E.W.T results that he would had enough job options after his final year, should his fist plan not work out. "But if I find the time I will be sure to consider joining, do you have a plan for how you want to carry out such a club?"

@cavalyn

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Nanali just smiled and shook her head a bit.

"Do not second guess yourself, my friend," she said. "You will get good marks and you will enjoy a bright future. And even if there are obstacles, I believe if your are dedicated enough to your dream, you will achieve it. I believe in you."

Nanali was glad that Apollo was interested in the Book Club. If the club was approved, there was so much activity already for it, even if they just spoke of recent books.

"I hope you are able to do so," she said. "I am very anxious to hear your insight on some of the books we may review. But if not, I understand. I know how it is to have a packed schedule. Along with classes and the Book Club, I also have Herbology Club."

Nanali thought a moment when Apollo asked about her plan for the Club.

"Well it would probably be very simple," she said. "We meet once or twice a week, and we'll probably discuss a new book per week. Everyone gives their insight- favorite character, parts, and really if they like or dislike the book altogether. Nothing too complicated. Since we will have a Magical Literature class now, we might chat about that as well."

@apollo

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To she he didn't like Nanali's praise would be a lie, but that didn't mean he was going to peacock up, he accepted it with a warm smile of graditude. "Thanks, Nanali, it means a lot that you think so." He listened intently to her plans on the book club, it did sound like a good club to be in but he knew he would have to balance his time between classes and possibly quidditch since he planned on trying for the team. "Even if I am unable to join the club I do hope you will still give me book recommendations. It does sound like you have it very well thought out thought. Perhaps you might want to consider a new book every other week - that is if you account for readers who might be a bit slower then others, of course, slower readers might not be inclined to join such a club." Not that Nanali had asked for his in slight, but Apollo couldn't help it, he had a thing for thinking of different factors.

"I was a little disappointed when I found out about the Magical Literature class, I realized too late. But its'd for the best I guess, its not as if I would need the N.E.W.T." Apollo had tried to limit the number of classes he took just for the pure knowledge, after all he needed to focus on getting the N.E.W.T scores where they were needed.

@cavalyn

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"You are most welcome, Apollo," smiled Nanali in response to Apollo's gratitude. "Any support you require from me, I will be happy to give you."

Nanali then nodded about the books.

"Of course, I'll be happy to," she said. "I usually keep a list of what's good for the purpose of recommendations for my friends. I will of course be using such a list for the Book Club. And while your suggestion is sound, I actually would not require the members to read books we discuss in their entirety. They could discuss as much or as little as they want, or just sit and listen if they dd not take interest in the chosen book. I am very fair."

Nanali was surprised that Apollo didn't sign up for the Magical Literature class, despite the lateness in which it was added.

"You did not return the owl about it?" she laughed. "When I received mine about it, I responded in a heartbeat. I was thrilled to find out that Hogwarts finally had a full class that discusses literature. I hope that the development of this new class will help encourage the staff to accept the Book Club. Perhaps the two could go hand-in-hand."

@apollo

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"What if someone discusses a part of a book that someone else hasn't yet gotten too? It might discourage or disappoint them. It seems tricky to me, trying to sort out the details of how a club should run, I guess its a good thing you will be doing it though, you do have quite the talent of sorting such matters." Apollo had a lot of respect for Nanali, so he tried his best to not come off at rude with his comments.

"I guess I just felt it was more important to leave some room for studying the courses that I actually needed an N.E.W.T in, reading is more of a pass time to me rather then a passion." Apollo had a hard time explaining his reasons for anything and more often then not tended to just avoid it all together. Maybe he could have elaborated more, explained how the idea of overloading himself was concerning and how he wanted to guarantee his spot as an oblviator in the years to come; but he didn't.

@cavalyn

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(This is a Summer thread, so going to wrap this up.)

Nanali listened patiently as Apollo cautioned her about book discussions. She understood his concern, but she had already mapped out a plan very well for such situations.

"Do not worry, my friend," she said. "I have indeed anticipated such drawbacks, and have prepared for them. Plus, many who join do so because they are avid readers, and I feel for the most part will have covered the discussed material by the meeting."

Nanali could understand why he couldn't take it, though to her he came off as talking down a bit about the course, and reading in general.

"I see we must agree to disagree on the topic of reading then," she said politely. "I feel reading nourishes the mind and allows it to function well when one engages in other activities. It may sound odd, but reading helps me a great deal when I work in my garden at home or help my family with the hotel."

Nanali then saw the time and rose.

"Forgive me, Apollo, but I depart," she said. "My family is hosting a large event at the hotel this evening and I must help them prepare. But it was lovely seeing you again."

And with that, Nanali departed.

(Done on her end)

@apollo

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Apollo did feel as if Nanali had mistook what he had meant as he only meant it was more important for him to allow himself time to study the in the courses that were required to become an obliviator, he still felt reading was important - he was a ravencalw after all. But he wasn't going to argue with Nanali, as she said they could agree to disagree he wasn't going to try and make her understand his reasons for not taking the class.

When Nanali rose so did Apollo. He offered his friend a friendly parting hug and hoped this visit had not bared any ill will feelings. "Do take care Nanali, I look forward to seeing you when the term starts!" As she left Apollo sat again and finished his cake before departing himself, there was still a lot he had to prepare for.

(end)

@cavalyn