[Wednesday, August 25, 2004.] [It's been a day! A busy day. A first day! Of school. You are now coming upon the last period of that day. It's the passing period between seventh and eighth and some girls have orchestra!] (Just during the passing period?) (Yeah, they can't afford a real band class) [The teacher for this class, Dr. Hans, is standing by the doors into the band/orchestra room, greeting students as they enter. Most of them he already knows, for obvious reasons. He's an Asian man with a rumpled shirt and colorful tie, thick glasses, a receding hairline, and a thick accent.] [Get to it! You don't want to be late. Or maybe you do.] [Mini Start.] * Charlotte isn't late! She walks in carrying a violin case and exchanges a greeting with the teacher. ["Oh, Charlotte!" Hans seems delighted as she walks by and marks her name off. "Good to see you. You been practicing?"] * Charlotte smiles. "Yes, sir! Almost every day over the summer." * Veronica comes in too. She's changed shirts since P.E. and is wearing a short sleeve shirt instead of the tank and denim jacket combo she had earlier. She also has a case and her backpack but she's got a dark mood to her face. Odds are she hasn't noticed Charlotte yet. [He smiles. "That's what they all say, but I'll take your word for it." He turns his attention to the other students coming in, greeting them, and then gets to Veronica. "Excuse me, you are?"] * Charlotte glances at Veronica as she enters. She waves. * Veronica 's also just short of storming into the class. She throws her pack down heavily with a swear. She's muttering something along the lines of "Who does she think she is?" and various variants. * Veronica also hasn't noticed the teacher talking to her or Charlotte yet. Bad moods can do that to you. [The orchestra/band room is huge, as one would expect. There are increasingly high platforms around the conductor stand. A number of students are already taking seats and talking. A few are pulling out their instruments and rosining up their bows or tuning up, but nobody's doing much more than goofing off and talking.] [Pushed to the walls in back are percussion instruments. You don't use those. On the other side of the room is a hall off to the back, as well as a hall that eventually loops in the same direction in the other direction from where you enter. Those lead to practice rooms, the offices, instrument rooms, and the stairs down to where the choir and chorus practice.] ["Excuse me," Hans says, stepping in front of Veronica and trying to get her attention. "Young lady?"] * Veronica looks up at the teacher. "Huh? Oh. Winters. Veronica Winters." She then blinks and her eyes focus on Charlotte for the first time. * Charlotte waves again. * Veronica rubs her head. "Is everyone I meet on my first day going to be in all my classes? Geez." Hey, you're the newbie here. [Hans goes hmm and checks her name off. "Ah! A junior, but I've never had you before." He glances at her case. "You play viola or violin?"] ["Chaaaarlotte!" Charlotte hears behind her.] * Charlotte turns! * Veronica goes to where her pack landed and sets down the case, albeit far more gently than the pack. "Violin." [Charlotte turns to see a girl waving from a chair all the way up in back. She must've *yelled*. She's short and a little pudgy, with unnaturally black hair in a clip. She has freckles all over her face and glasses on. She's also wearing a short-sleeved sweater (seriously), a fairly long skirt, beaten up sneakers (without socks), and fishnet stockings. No, seriously.] [Charlotte would recognize her as one Monica Ashby. Monica's backpack is lying on the seat next to her, and she has no instrument out.] [Hans nods. "Can you wait here, please?" Other students enter, and he goes about greeting them.] * Charlotte waves to Monica, grinning. She's heads up to her. "Hi Monica." * Veronica waits and taps her foot. She's checking her surroundings. [Monica moves her bag to clear space for Charlotte. "How've you been?" She doesn't even wait for Charlotte to answer. "Oh God, Hans totally has something up his sleeve this year."] * Charlotte giggles. "You think?" [They look pretty ordinary! There's a piano nearby! And also a chalkboard over there, by the conductor's stand. A couple of the students are doodling on it.] * Veronica looks around for anyone else she recognizes. [Someone's unpacked his violin and is playing Bach's minuet on it. Nobody's paying much attention to him, but it's not bad.] * Veronica sits down and listens. Not like there's much else to do until the good Doctor gets back with her. [Monica rolls her eyes. "He's got some secret project going. OH. You know Jeremy? The football player? And Ivy Thorne, right? Well, they totally interrupted class last period."] * Charlotte blinks. "They did? What'd they do?" ["Yeah! Ivy's not even in it, and she just ran in with her gym uniform on and tackled Jeremy!" She gestures with her hands. "Like that. LATCH."] Wow! That's weird. * Veronica just keeps on listening. Doubtful she'd recognize anyone else in here anyways. [She nods a few times. "Yeah, so then... well, uh, Mr. Gillette excused them, and they went into the hall, and we didn't see Jeremy until the end of the period."] (It is her last period of the day; she probably recognizes some faces.) ["They were probably making out or something."] I guess. They used to go out, didn't they? That's what everyone says. (The kind of people she'd recognize most likely wouldn't be taking Orchestra. ^_~) ["Yeah, that's what everyone *says*. Camila told me Ivy's got some huge problem going, though. You know Camila, right? I don't know the specifics."] (But I'm letting it be up to Ard.) (Veronica doesn't recognize many people, no. A few, scattered familiar faces from classes, but nobody she really knows.] Um... Kind of. She's in one of my classes. [Monica blinks. "Yeah? Was she all... weird and stuff?"] * Charlotte nods. "Well, yes... But she seems nice enough." [Hans finishes and turns to Veronica. "Okay! Did you take any private lessons? How many years?"] ["Well, *yeah*. Ivy's always been nice and stuff. Or at least popular." Monica shrugs. "But if I looked like that, I'd be popular, too."] * Charlotte giggles. "Me too." * Veronica looks up suddenly at the teacher. "Not...really. We had a piano at our old house, but I didn't really play much." [Monica grins. "Instead, we're stuck in the back row in Dr. Hans' Orchestra of DESPAIR. Lucky us, huh?" She puts her feet on the seat in front of her.] [Hans blinks a few times. "You... never played before?"] * Charlotte nods. "Yeah, lucky us. Well, hopefully it won't be so bad this year." Not seriously, no. Nothing formal or anything like that. I do know how to read music though if that's what you're asking. ["You know what meter is, right? Time? You can name the strings on your instrument? Oh, good. Good good." He wipes at his forehead.] ["Are you *kidding*?" Monica asks Charlotte. "Did you get a look at what's sitting on the diabolical doctor's music stand?"] (The severed head of a student who confused Brahms and Bach.) (Darn right.) * Charlotte blinks and looks at that ebil stand. "What?" [Hans calms himself down. "Do you have Suzuki training?" he asks Veronica. "Any of the books."] [Monica leans over to Charotte. "Hoedown."] * Charlotte looks confused. "Huh?" * Veronica just gives Hans a confused look. ["Hoedown! You know, Copland? The beef commercials!"] Oh! Copland! * Charlotte grins. "Well, it's better than that Coca-Cola song." [Monica rolls her eyes. "God, remember the *last* time we had to sing?"] [Hans groans. "All right."] Unfortunately. ["We will need to figure out just how good you are. You will come in to my office tomorrow during your lunch period, right? Second half. You have no AP courses?"] * Veronica groans. "No...but I did have plans...oh alright." [Hans blinks. "Well, after school. You can after school today?"] Well...yeah, today would work. Not normally but...yeah, I can do it. ["There is a late bus if you need to take it." Hans looks up and over the students. "Ah, I have your stand partner picked out. She'll help you."] It's not the bus. I normally have practice after school. My what now? [Hans nods. "Yes yes. Practice." He doesn't seem like he heard her. "Come on, Veronica." And he heads up the stairs. Oh God, he's heading towards Charlotte and Monica!] * Veronica takes her case and walks after the incredible Dr. Hans! * Charlotte continues her conversation with Monica. Class hasn't started yet! [The tardy bell rings! The class keeps talking!] [Hans approaches the girls. "Monica, feet down," he says, and Monica brings them down. "Sorry, Mr. Hans."] * Charlotte turns to face Mr. Hans and stops talking as he approaches. [Monica isn't, either! Hans stops and clears his throat. "You," he says, pointing at Charlotte. "Are going to meet your stand partner. This is Veronica." He brings her forward with a pat on her back. "Veronica, you say hi."] * Veronica then looks at Dr. Hans and back to Charlotte. * Veronica stares at Charlotte for a moment, arms at her sides. "Um, hi." * Charlotte smiles. "Hi." [Hans smiles. "Very good. Veronica, this is Charlotte. She is pretty new, too, but she practiced hard and is now very good. She plays the violin, too. You two will be stand partners, okay?"] * Veronica just glances at Hans, then gives a nervous grin to Charlotte. Ah, embellishments. * Charlotte nods. "Okay." Yeah...alright. ["Okay! You will be in group two." Hans smiles. And then smiles at Monica. And then walks off!] * Charlotte nods to Mr. Hans, then turns to Monica. "I guess I'd better get over there. See you later!" [Monica pouts. "Yeah, sure. Leaving me all alone."] Sorry! I'll make it up to you. ["You'd better!" Monica shakes her fist. "Get out of here!"] (Aw. Young love.) * Charlotte yelps and hurries away! * Veronica glances at Monica for a minute. "Excuse me?" [Monica blinks. "What?"] I have no idea what you're talking about. * Charlotte stops only a few steps, though. "Hey Veronica, come on! Our group's over here." Huh? ["I wasn't talking to you," Monica says simply.] * Veronica swivels around. "Oh!" * Veronica walks that way, casting a few glances at Monica. How rude! * Charlotte gestures towards group #2, where the violin players are. (Well half of the violin players.) ( Half is better than none! ) [Hans is wandering through the room, sending people to the correct section. Group two is currently in the second violin section.] * Veronica grabs her pack along the way to make sure it's in the right spot. [Monica rolls her eyes as Veronica glances back. Honestly.] * Charlotte heads over to her stand (It's designated "Charlotte's stand". Or maybe not.) and opens her case. (Hey, you're the rude one, missy) [Charlotte picks a random stand! Why not.] * Veronica goes next to her. Because she's assuming, since she's a stand partner, she should be doing that. [Hans gets in front of the class. "Attention," he says, and nobody does anything. "Attention, class!" Hans waves his arms. And the baton! Pay attention to the baton!] [Hans fails his influence roll and nobody does. "CLASS!" Hans yells and slams his baton down on his stand with a sharp snapping sound. Now they stop.] * Charlotte holds her violin, looking at Hans attentively. (On her knee, no doubt. Charlotte is such a teacher's pet.) ( ^^v ) * Veronica is getting her violin out, and looks about to whisper something to Charlotte but stops and looks at the baton. [Hans holds it in the air... and then drops it. "Welcome to Orchestra!" he says. "You students are going to learn something far greater than nearly everyone who goes through high school. Music! Many will say that music is not the most important skill you will learn in your lives, but it is the most enriching." Yes, Charlotte, he makes this sort of speech every year.] * Charlotte smiles through it anyhow. She might actually seriously like this class! Maybe. (She likes Hans because he is insane yet somehow cool.) ( Yes. He's an Asian guy with a German name! XD ) (Yes! XD) ( To be any cooler, he'd have to have an eyepatch. ) (That'd make conducting more difficult.) ( Probably, but it'd be cool. ) (He poked it out with his baton) [He gestures with his baton. "Here you will learn music. And you will learn to play well, and you will have fun doing it. Most of you know me already. I am Dr. Hans. I am your instructor for this class. So you know, you will have to attend three concerts this year. One one semester and two the other. I expect reports on all of them." There are a few groans from the freshmen, but most people just take this as a matter of course.] * Charlotte is one of the latter. * Veronica frowns but she doesn't groan. More work, ugh. ["You can go to any concerts you like," Hans says, "So long as they're professional." He pauses a moment. "Oh! And there are lessons during your lunch periods. Group one violins on Mondays, two on Tuesdays, violas Wednesdays, cellos Thursdays, and Basists on Fridays. Not this first week, though."] ["And this year, we have tuxedos!" That starts murmuring. "Yes. Tuxedos. We'll wear them in concerts." He smiles. "So today, I will be taking your sizes so I can let the rental place know and get them ordered."] * Charlotte raises an eyebrow at that. She casts a glance at Monica, waaay on the other side of the classroom. * Veronica whispers. "Wow, this school's getting fancy..." * Charlotte nods. "Yeah..." It's hard to tell if she actually heard Veronica, though. [Monica doesn't look like she's paying attention to the teacher or anyone else. Her feet are back on the seat in front of her, and her hands are folded behind her head.] * Veronica follows Charlotte's gaze, just for the hell of it. "Your friend doesn't seem all that interested." Monica? Oh, she's not really into Orchestra that much, I don't think. Just had an extra period to blow? * Charlotte nods. * Veronica shakes her head. "I hate people like that. I've always been taught that every second counts. Not that I use it, but I try." * Charlotte raises an eyebrow. "Really? You were groaning about the homework in English earlier." Yeah. Doesn't mean I won't do it. ["We pay for the jackets, cumber bunds, and ties," Dr. Hans continues, "but you need to wear a white dress shirt and black slacks or a long, black skirt. No jeans. And dress shoes." There is some whispering in class, but Hans doesn't seem to notice.] * Veronica sighs and closes her eyes. "I just don't get Shakespeare though." * Charlotte glances down at the teacher and frowns. * Veronica leans back in her seat now since it doesn't seem like the teacher is anywhere close to stopping yet. ["*Black* dress shoes," Hans says, eyeing someone in the viola section. "Anyway, it is just for concerts. Dress rehearsals don't actually have to be in dress." Not many kids laugh at his joke.] Well, if you like we can make plans to visit a concert later. We've got to do that anyway, so we may as well go together. What got you into this anyways? ["Most of you know this already, but for new people, there will be stand switching so you don't always sit in the same place. Nobody learns music well only sitting in the back or the front."] * Veronica chuckles. "I like that...and maybe later we can go to a tournament." Oh, I don't know. I just decided to try it and found out I liked it. I've been practicing for years now. I just needed a new hobby. To get my mind off...things... * Charlotte nods. After a while, she asks, "What do you mean, a tournament?" * Veronica stops for just a moment, then continues. "But it's not like I'm completely green. Like I was telling the teacher, we had a piano. And I've been trying to teach myself from tape and such...guess it doesn't always work though.." [Hans waves his baton. "And violins, you will be both firsts and seconds, whatever group you're in. You will be playing each one about evenly throughout the year. So don't get too comfortable!" He stops. "Anyway, this is just a period for you to get used to things. Talk, have fun, ha ha. I will be passing out music for you to look at tonight. We're going to start with Hoedown, by Mr. Copland."] * Charlotte shakes her head. "It's best to learn from an actual teacher." * Veronica grins at that and turns fully to Charlotte. "Kick boxing, of course. I mean...there's others but they're not nearly as exciting..." [There's a high-pitched 'yee haw!' from the bass section. Hans looks over. "Yes, very funny Alan, sit down."] * Charlotte frowns. "Oh. I don't... really like violence." * Veronica puts her fist into her other hand. "I'm so psyched about this October. Master Chun's really letting me let loose!" ( high-pitched bass! ) (YES.) * Veronica looks at Charlotte. "It's not really violence. It's a lot of discipline and training...hard work for your body, you know?" Plus..it's good to defend yourself, ain't it? I mean...in this world, a girl's gotta protect herself. ["So, get to it. Have fun." He waves with his hands and walks off to get music from his office.] [The room degenerates into talking and goofing off with instruments in about .5 seconds.] * Veronica shrugs. "But if you don't like violence, I guess we could catch a game." * Charlotte shrugs. "I guess," she says. But she sounds unsure. So she changes the subject. "I can't believe we're getting tuxedos this year. Yeah. Can you believe it? Gah, it'll be so stuffy... * Veronica sighs. "Oh well. I signed up for it, I guess." * Veronica bends down and opens up her case to take out her violin. It looks fairly new. * Charlotte nods. (And if Veronica knows *anything*, that violin is not machine made.) (Gah, those suck.) (It's a Stradivarius.) (Stradivarius. Polished so it looks new and shiny!) * Veronica puts a cloth on her shoulder and places her violin on top. "Hey, maybe you could give me a few pointers. I mean, I don't want to seem completely green infront of Dr. Hans." ( Uh... rewind the clock about five years and get a private teacher?) * Charlotte stretches her arms over head. She smiles at Veronica. "Sure." (*snickers*) [Hans returns and starts passing out music! He sets a second violin Hoedown part on the stand in front of Charlotte and Veronica and moves on.] [Charlotte sees the music and it looks hard, but not impossible. Get some practice in and she can do it. It's not really sight readable.] * Veronica checks the stand for any music to read. Then Dr. Hans provides! She still looks for music to read. That's tasteful. (And simpler, but she doesn't say that) [Veronica sees the music and it's the hardest freaking thing she's ever seen. It's all black and black and OH MY GOD WHERE IS THE WHITE SPACE?] So, um, how much do you know about violins and music? Well, my grandmother used to play piano, so I know how to read it. I know the scales at least... * Charlotte nods. "That's a good start." Looks like he's got high expectations of us though. Though really, I'd pick better music than THIS. Eh, I've been practicing during the summer, but like you said, you really need a teacher. * Charlotte nods. "At least to get started." [That's surely the first thirty-second note Veronica's ever seen. And a bunch of them in a row, too.] So you know what all the strings are? * Veronica nods. "Yeah. My fingering look okay? It's always been a little off I think..." * Veronica puts her fingers up near the neck. * Charlotte checks! "Move your left hand up a bit more." * Veronica nods and shifts it up. * Charlotte looks it over again. "That should be good, I think." Try this first line? [The general noise is increasing. One of the violinists in group one has actually started playing Hoedown. She sounds really good.] * Veronica makes a face. "Hoedown...eww...okay..." She tries it out. (Ha ha ha oh dear.) (Not what she wanted to practice on, but Charlotte insisted!) [Veronica starts, and she doesn't get anywhere, because it sounds *awful*. Her violin's out of tune.] It's a bit hard to start out with, but we don't have any other music... Maybe I can lend you some later. * Veronica winces and takes her violin down. "Yeah..." * Charlotte points it out! "Oh, your violin's out of tune!" So I noticed...I always forget that part. (Charlotte is smart! No wonder she has such a nice Notice modifier.) * Veronica goes to work tuning her violin. ( ^^v ) [Hans materializes by the girls again. "Ah, Veronica! You can tune your own instrument. Beautiful, beautiful." He smiles at Charlotte. "How are things going with you two?"] ( There is a disturbance in the Force! ) * Charlotte smiles at Hans. "Pretty good so far!" Ok, maybe it's a lie. "Um, Dr. Hans? Do you have any music we could practice on? Easier than Hoedown, I mean." [He smiles. "Oh, absolutely! You are both welcome to borrow from the library, you know." Pause. "The music library, though the one with the books isn't so bad."] * Charlotte grins. "Thanks." ["I'm going to be seeing Veronica after class, so perhaps we can do something then." He looks to Veronica. "You really should be seeing about getting a private teacher. I can give you some phone numbers if you like."] * Charlotte nods. (They mostly lead to pizza joints and singles lines, though.) * Veronica rubs her head. "I don't know...I'm not sure my parents can afford it..." ( Woo hoo! Deep dish!) (... That was one of the singles lines.) [Hans blinks. "Well, what is that practice for?" Seems he did hear it!] Huh? Oh. Muay Thai. [Hans nods. "And you have lessons for that?"] ...yeah? But...I don't think it's as expensive...and two lessons... ["Good! Then you can get them for music, too. We will find you someone affordable. The lessons I give are often group ones. They don't offer much individual attention, and you could use it." He smiles and walks off to talk to other students.] * Veronica gets a confused and despairing look of someone who's being railroaded. I'm not sure but I think I was just insulted. * Charlotte chuckles. "Don't worry. If you like you could practice with me sometimes." I won't even charge. * Veronica blinks and looks at Charlotte. "You would? Gah.." She takes a deep breath. "You know, you're awfully nice for someone I just met..." What, would you rather I be mean? * Charlotte grins. I don't mind. I have to practice anyway, so we might as well do it together. * Veronica grins. "No. Because then you'd be like Camila." Where's the music library anyways? It's in the instrument room. * RDMgryphon is now known as RDMenchi * Charlotte stands up. "Come on, I'll show you where." * Veronica nods. "I must have missed it first time through. You would? Thanks." She smiles. ( I like you until you say something I don't like. Then I beat you up.) * Charlotte nods. "Sure!" She heads over to Dr. Hans. "Dr. Hans, we'd like to get some music out of the library now." [Hans looks over. ["Go ahead, Charlotte," he says. "Let me know what you take."] Okay! * Charlotte heads out of one room and towards the other! * Veronica stands up and follows Charlotte. * Charlotte walks to the library/instrument room, yawning as she goes. "Phew. I'm tired. You know they gave me P.E. early in the morning?" Really? That should wake you up! Except when it rains like this, they revert to boring stuff like laps and such. * Veronica frowns. "I've got Freak Girl in my class..." * Charlotte shakes her head. "Not really. I use up all my energy then, and by the end of the day I'm tired." She pauses. "Freak Girl?" [Look at them go! They enter the instrument room. There are a few racks and a stand for the basses. Some cellos lie on their sides. Along one wall are file cabinets.] * Veronica gestures vaguely. "You remember. Ivy. That girl we caught during lunch." Oh, Ivy. How is she? She had a freak out during class. And.... * Veronica sighs. "I don't really know. Something's up with her, but she's so damned closed-lipped about it." She asked to see Jeremy you know. * Charlotte nods. "Yeah." * Veronica blinks. "You do?" * Charlotte also heads over to a filing cabinet and starts rooting through it. Well, she didn't say anything in English or Lunch. She doesn't say anything, period. At least not that I've seen. I had her write it down. But...here's the thing. I don't think she used to be like that. I mean, it's a pretty easy conclusion, but her friends seemed confused by how she acted too. * Charlotte nods. "Well, she *used* to. I mean, we weren't close friends or anything, but I've seen her around." You're new at this school, huh? I didn't see her much either. Eh...no, not really. I just don't pay attention to the prissy girls. * Charlotte nods. "But she wasn't like she is now." * Charlotte pulls out a music sheet. No way...I think that kind of thing would stand out... And she was drawing...oh forget it. Why am I even talking about her? She won't talk about it. * Charlotte nods. "Something must have happened over the summer. What was she drawing?" And she said Jeremy would but... But what? * Veronica sighs. "I guess I kinda overreacted. She makes me so mad, though." Oh. You remember. That drawing at lunch. Oh yeah. I mean...I don't remember her being goth or anything. * Veronica holds out her hand for the music sheet. * Charlotte tilts her head. She hands the music sheet over. "It's Bach's Minuet. It should be pretty easy." * Veronica looks at it. [It doesn't look too bad. Lots of eighth notes.] [It'd take Veronica some practice to play it well, but she should be able to sight read it.] * Veronica nods. "Hold it up for me? I don't want another interference from Doctor Drill Sergeant." * Charlotte nods and does that. "He's actually nice once you get to know him." * Veronica nods and makes sure her instrument is tuned this time and tries to play. A little slower than normal to start. [Veronica makes a number of mistakes as she plays, but it's recognizable.] * Veronica sighs and takes the violin away. "I guess I still do need practice." Lots of practice. * Charlotte shakes her head. "That's pretty good for a first time!" You're just saying that, I know. No, really. Really? * Charlotte nods. "If I could've been half that good when I started, I'd have been really happy." Mmm... * Veronica raises her violin again. "Let me try again." * Charlotte nods. [There's definite improvement the second time around. Still some mistakes. Her second finger is consistently flat. But she doesn't go back nearly as much to correct herself.] See? With a little practice, you can be really good. Yeah, I guess so... * Veronica winces. "But there's no way I'll be able to try Hoedown in time." Sure you will. You just need to practice. ( That's like HOMEWORK!) Well..can we take these home? I'll work myself up to it, I guess. * Charlotte nods. "Yeah, we're free to borrow them. And really, practice is all there is to it. I mean, you didn't get good at fighting without practice, did you? Playing an instrument is like that." (They even sound the same: violence and violins. See?) (That's how Veronica ended up in this class. "I'd like to sign up for something involving lots of violence.") (...) (Too right!) * Veronica chuckles. "Yeah. You're right." * Veronica takes back the sheet music. "Let's head back, why don't we?" * Charlotte nods. "Yeah." Let Dr. Hans know you're borrowing that. I know. * Charlotte heads back to the music room. * Veronica heads back for the music room. [It's still noisy! Hans is still talking to some people.] * Charlotte heads back the stand and sits down, yawning again. * PsychoGirl is now known as Veronica * Veronica sits down too and inspects her sheet. Both sheets. * Charlotte looks over Hoedown again, and tries to play a bit. [Mini End!]