The Muggle Struggle
MISS NORMAL STUFF? MUG MAGAZINE MEET
NONPURE WRITERS UNITE
TIRED OF WIZARD ****?
4 TRU NORM MUDHEADS
NONPURE WRITERS UNITE
TIRED OF WIZARD ****?
4 TRU NORM MUDHEADS
Buffy had been trying out different ads for a muggle culture meeting followed by a date time and place. All written in dry erase marker on various windows, mirrors, and assorted surfaces throughout Hogwarts. On ones she thought would be found by students, but not professors. She had asked her brother for markers to write on walls when she felt inspired before leaving for Hogwarts. Worrying about Buffy getting caught Benji had sent her off with non-permanent markers. She had liked the ads with profanity of course, but those were erased quickly, leading to experiments with several types.
The idea had been hatched in letters with Buffy's brother. Benji knew she couldn't use electronics. She had told him that there was a giant antenna at the top of a hill on the grounds that fried phones and computers it detected. If she had told him that they were not allowed, he would of just tried to smuggle one in for her. She didn't want to risk telling him the truth of course. That the castle grounds were enchanted and wouldn't allow muggle machines to work. Not because it was a rule. She had no care for rules.
But there was an undercurrent of cruelty she had detected in the way wizards treated people that were foreign to their ways. Even among some professors. Sometimes it was it open, but it was more often a neglect of even considering that others didn't know the simplest things about their new world. Things like not warning students about dangers wizard children were well aware of. Sometimes with profound consequences. She didn't know what such callous people would do to Benji should he find out about Hogwarts and magic. People who didn't seem to truly understand their own power.
In any case, Benji also knew she was having trouble adjusting. What had followed was a bit of history lesson. In the 90s, female punk musicians and fans had gotten together and created their own movement to express their frustrations being part of a scene dominated by men, and later about society at large. The Riot Grrrls. One of the bands they always listened to together was a part of it. This was before the internet was popular so they communicated with small paper zines. That helped unite them and share ideas, and their struggle together. Being in a similar situation herself, Benji had encouraged her to start one herself with some other students. If she was having trouble adjusting to the culture and wanted to talk about it, he reasoned others must too.
Uniform vandalized with various paraphernalia while sitting on a table, not a chair, Buffy looked the part of muggle student revolutionary. She wasn't writing a manifesto though. She was just sketching some ideas she might like for the zine while waiting for anyone to show up.
- On the table beside Buffy lay a folded sign that read 'Mug Meet' along with fresh paper and quills.
- There were chairs available for those who didn't like sitting higher up.
- If anyone walked in she would look up from her work and say hi.
@Alex Dibenedetto @Willow Anderson @Freya Thomas
Strength: 0 Stamina: 10 Accuracy: 10 Evasion: 5 Wisdom: 10 Arcane Power: 0
Freya Thomas
The Muggle Struggle
Freya hadn't expected to find any advertisements about "normal stuff," but she had to admit that there was an ache in her soul as she thought about what she would be doing, right now, at Pipeline Plumbing. Though she had hordes of plumbing materials, no one that she had encountered, yet, expressed any need for it. The longer she lingered in the magical world, the more she pined for what her life had been.
Any other child would have jumped at the opportunity to have magical powers, but Freya loved her "Muggle" lifestyle, and had her parents not urged her to embrace the opportunity, she likely would have rejected the magical world. All Freya wanted was to be the next head of Pipeline Plumbing, though she could not imagine the business without her father and grandfather at the top. But her parents had insisted that Hogwarts was an experience that could not be wasted, and thus, there she was.
That didn't mean that Hogwarts had been perfect, and Freya was a natural problem-solver. She knew that she was stuck at the school, and thus in the magical world, for at least seven years, so she needed to find a solution. That solution hit her randomly, one day, similarly as to how randomly she had launched bludgers at members of her team while she learned her new position of second-string beater. She wasn't fully convinced of the propaganda in front of her, as even though she missed Muggle life, she did not advocate for calling anything "Wizard ****." But she figured, at the very least, this was an obvious solution to her current predicament, and it was worth a try.
Freya knew that this group would attract, perhaps, the "edgier" crowd, so she decided to put aside her typical overalls and choose a cooler-looking cat sweatshirt with jeans. In reality, it was quite a dorky ensemble, but Freya never had a sense of what was truly fashionable. When she entered the library, though, Freya wasn't sure what to make of the girl in front of her, for the girl was even cooler-looking than she imagined. She looked as though she was trying to launch a revolution, even though she was only eleven years old. With Freya as the second person there, they looked like an interesting match, Freya with her childish outfit, which she still wore proudly, and the other girl with an older garb. Nonetheless, Freya reminded herself, this was a solution to her problem of missing the Muggle world, and she would give it as much of a try as she could.
Beside the girl, there was a folded sign that read 'Mug Meet," which was accompanied by fresh paper and quills. One of the things Freya had not gotten used to was quills, and since this meeting was not required for schoolwork, she did not grab either of the materials, instead opting to use the notepad and pencil in her pocket if the situation arose in which she would need to take notes. She took a look around the room, noting chairs available a bit away from the girl, but before she meandered over there, she smiled, held out her hand, and said, "Are you the founder, then? I've seen your signs around. It sure is nice to see some more Muggleborns around here. I'm Freya Thomas."
She motioned toward the chairs, adding, "Should I sit over there then? I'm guessing you have things to tell us."
Freya reached into her left pocket and fingered the flange that resided in there, which was normally used to create a watertight seal in plumbing. For now, though, it was one of the many materials of comfort for the wannabe plumber, who was thrown into this strange girl. It would keep her at peace while she listened to what this girl had to say, hoping that this 'Mug Magazine' would be the solution she was hoping for.
Any other child would have jumped at the opportunity to have magical powers, but Freya loved her "Muggle" lifestyle, and had her parents not urged her to embrace the opportunity, she likely would have rejected the magical world. All Freya wanted was to be the next head of Pipeline Plumbing, though she could not imagine the business without her father and grandfather at the top. But her parents had insisted that Hogwarts was an experience that could not be wasted, and thus, there she was.
That didn't mean that Hogwarts had been perfect, and Freya was a natural problem-solver. She knew that she was stuck at the school, and thus in the magical world, for at least seven years, so she needed to find a solution. That solution hit her randomly, one day, similarly as to how randomly she had launched bludgers at members of her team while she learned her new position of second-string beater. She wasn't fully convinced of the propaganda in front of her, as even though she missed Muggle life, she did not advocate for calling anything "Wizard ****." But she figured, at the very least, this was an obvious solution to her current predicament, and it was worth a try.
Freya knew that this group would attract, perhaps, the "edgier" crowd, so she decided to put aside her typical overalls and choose a cooler-looking cat sweatshirt with jeans. In reality, it was quite a dorky ensemble, but Freya never had a sense of what was truly fashionable. When she entered the library, though, Freya wasn't sure what to make of the girl in front of her, for the girl was even cooler-looking than she imagined. She looked as though she was trying to launch a revolution, even though she was only eleven years old. With Freya as the second person there, they looked like an interesting match, Freya with her childish outfit, which she still wore proudly, and the other girl with an older garb. Nonetheless, Freya reminded herself, this was a solution to her problem of missing the Muggle world, and she would give it as much of a try as she could.
Beside the girl, there was a folded sign that read 'Mug Meet," which was accompanied by fresh paper and quills. One of the things Freya had not gotten used to was quills, and since this meeting was not required for schoolwork, she did not grab either of the materials, instead opting to use the notepad and pencil in her pocket if the situation arose in which she would need to take notes. She took a look around the room, noting chairs available a bit away from the girl, but before she meandered over there, she smiled, held out her hand, and said, "Are you the founder, then? I've seen your signs around. It sure is nice to see some more Muggleborns around here. I'm Freya Thomas."
She motioned toward the chairs, adding, "Should I sit over there then? I'm guessing you have things to tell us."
Freya reached into her left pocket and fingered the flange that resided in there, which was normally used to create a watertight seal in plumbing. For now, though, it was one of the many materials of comfort for the wannabe plumber, who was thrown into this strange girl. It would keep her at peace while she listened to what this girl had to say, hoping that this 'Mug Magazine' would be the solution she was hoping for.
The Muggle Struggle
Willow didn't realize not having people to talk about muggle things with her would be such a hard issue for her. Once she started seeing all the seemingly drawn on signs to the wall she took note of it, it would be nice to talk to some muggles. She had been able to bond with someone about all the things she missed, but she hadn't talked to them in awhile and the ache in her heart that came from missing home would arrive every now and again. While her family did spend a lot of their time disconnected, she couldn't help but miss technology as well. She didn't have her own phone but was allowed to use her parent's. They almost got her one until they realized she wouldn't be able to just call them from Hogwarts, she'd have to owl them from now on. She longed for dancing around her room playing her favorite songs, and singing in the car with her parents. There were so many basic experiences that she didn't realize she would come to crave and miss so much.
There was also an anger residing in her that her parents wouldn't get to experience any of this, they weren't allowed at her Quidditch games or at Hogwarts because they couldn't even see it. She found it a bit ridiculous that Hogwarts essentially forced her to isolate herself from her parents in certain ways, people that she had always been so close to. She envied those that grew up knowing that the wizarding world existed and got to visit Diagon Alley throughout their childhood, and found solace in knowing that they would end up in Hogwarts someday rather than having their entire life tossed upside down and being shooed into a boarding school with little to no support in helping muggles transition.
She was excited to meet fellow muggles and be able to talk about this issue, as a decent amount of people she would talk to about this would never get it since they were half-bloods or purebloods. In a rush she had quickly went to change so she didn't have to continue to exist in her dark robes. She was wearing a black button-up shirt with flowers on it paired with some cuffed wide-leg khakis, yellow vans, and a bandanna tied up in her hair. She waltzed into the room, excited to see two people already here. "Hiya! I'm Willow it's lovely to meet you both." One of them was sitting on the table and one in a chair, and she had a strong urge to sit on a table. She pulled herself up on the table, sitting with one leg hanging off and the other crossed in front of her. She looked excitedly around at the supplies not even sure where to start with all this.
"I don't know whether to cry or scream or do both. It feels like I've done more than enough of both. And it feels like I haven't done enough." - Mason Deaver
Stamina 12 ∴ Evasion 12 ∴ Strength 5 ∴ Wisdom 12 ∵ ArcPower 10 ∵ Accuracy 15
Stamina 12 ∴ Evasion 12 ∴ Strength 5 ∴ Wisdom 12 ∵ ArcPower 10 ∵ Accuracy 15
The Muggle Struggle
There was a question on Buffy's mind. One she wanted to ask the other two. She felt it was relevant not just to her, or even them, but all who had come to Hogwarts. Not knowing what it was. Really was. But in order to answer that question properly she needed some other bits of information. Other questions. And of course, names first.
"Hey Willow, I'm Buffy." The eponymous Buffy said. She gave the other two a look to see if they responded. She would then continue, "Cool of you to come." Buffy gave a relaxed smile, she was genuinely pleased, but pleasantries being supper before dessert to Buffy, she went straight to what was on her mind, "Hogwarts is weird. Good weird, bad weird, sometimes just hard. Everything is just so" Buffy paused for the right phrase, "different."
She paused again, but to let the others think and speak, rather than think herself. Buffy generally had strong opinions, and shared them the same way. But those opinions also had a strong anarchic streak, confident enough in their own individuality to never consider others' views as influencing or hurting her own. Even those that were very different. She gave the other two girls the space to speak if they chose to.
"Was Hogwarts a mistake?"
Buffy then asked. Only four words, but this was a very large question to her. One that she had trouble expressing the enormity of in words. But in the intimacy of her own mind she felt its true nature. Beyond mere separation from the world, they would gradually come to rely more and more on their wands. At the same time skills their peers in the muggle world gained would atrophy.
Would they become the way she saw the rich and powerful, capable of asking others to do any number of things, while struggling to do something as simple as cook rice without a spell? They would likely never work in fast food while working on a medical degree. In fact, entering a university for any type of degree might require forged papers. Any science would be exceedingly difficult, spells that could calculate for them only gave them the equivalent of a calculator, not enough to pursue even biology. Buffy was not so much interested in such things, but she had an inkling that she was giving up more than others seemed to recognize, either peers or professors. Was she to mourn this potential Buffy? A Buffy that would never be? Should she resist or rebel? How? Could she change her mind, leave back to her brother and the normal world?
Of course, given the way it weighed on her own mind, Buffy did not expect the answers she sought from the others. But that was sort of the point of the meeting. Less to answer questions they faced definitively, but give a space to ask them. Talk about them. And then, perhaps, share their findings.
Sorry for the delay. I was feeling really stressed, but now am much better.
@Willow Anderson @Freya Thomas
"Hey Willow, I'm Buffy." The eponymous Buffy said. She gave the other two a look to see if they responded. She would then continue, "Cool of you to come." Buffy gave a relaxed smile, she was genuinely pleased, but pleasantries being supper before dessert to Buffy, she went straight to what was on her mind, "Hogwarts is weird. Good weird, bad weird, sometimes just hard. Everything is just so" Buffy paused for the right phrase, "different."
She paused again, but to let the others think and speak, rather than think herself. Buffy generally had strong opinions, and shared them the same way. But those opinions also had a strong anarchic streak, confident enough in their own individuality to never consider others' views as influencing or hurting her own. Even those that were very different. She gave the other two girls the space to speak if they chose to.
"Was Hogwarts a mistake?"
Buffy then asked. Only four words, but this was a very large question to her. One that she had trouble expressing the enormity of in words. But in the intimacy of her own mind she felt its true nature. Beyond mere separation from the world, they would gradually come to rely more and more on their wands. At the same time skills their peers in the muggle world gained would atrophy.
Would they become the way she saw the rich and powerful, capable of asking others to do any number of things, while struggling to do something as simple as cook rice without a spell? They would likely never work in fast food while working on a medical degree. In fact, entering a university for any type of degree might require forged papers. Any science would be exceedingly difficult, spells that could calculate for them only gave them the equivalent of a calculator, not enough to pursue even biology. Buffy was not so much interested in such things, but she had an inkling that she was giving up more than others seemed to recognize, either peers or professors. Was she to mourn this potential Buffy? A Buffy that would never be? Should she resist or rebel? How? Could she change her mind, leave back to her brother and the normal world?
Of course, given the way it weighed on her own mind, Buffy did not expect the answers she sought from the others. But that was sort of the point of the meeting. Less to answer questions they faced definitively, but give a space to ask them. Talk about them. And then, perhaps, share their findings.
Sorry for the delay. I was feeling really stressed, but now am much better.
@Willow Anderson @Freya Thomas
Strength: 0 Stamina: 10 Accuracy: 10 Evasion: 5 Wisdom: 10 Arcane Power: 0
Freya Thomas
The Muggle Struggle
The girl who had followed Freya had an outfit that she could see herself wearing, though she knew, deep down, that it was a little too stylish to be something she'd fully feel comfortable in. Nonetheless, the large floral print of her shirt made the girl feel as though she had found a friend, and before the girl even spoke, she felt confident that this meeting would be worth it, no matter any questions she had about its purpose.
It seemed that the chair question would fall upon lost ears, as the pair of students introduced themselves, instead. Freya was a little confused why Buffy did not refer to her by name as she did Willow, but perhaps she had been a little too nervous, not cool and confident enough like the blonde-haired newcomer. With a small smile, she declared, "I'm Freya, nice to meet you both," though she still fingered the flange in her pocket. It grounded her while she tried to make sense of the sight that was before her.
And grounding she certainly needed, for Buffy's large question was not one Freya had been expecting. Was Hogwarts a ... mistake? She needed a moment to understand, yet, as she pondered the question, blonde brows creasing, hair being ruffled, she realized she still did not quite comprehend. "Was it ... do you mean, was it a mistake that they took me?"
She didn't wait for an answer, and simply continued, voice wavering in confidence once more, though she pressed her hands harder to the plumbing device, hoping that it would feign bravery for her: "I guess ... I don't really understand why I'm here. No one else in my family has magic. Why me?"
Freya wanted to say more, but she thought that it would be best to see what Willow said. Willow, who came off as so sure of herself. Certainly she'd have enough courage to tackle the question with a response that would bring comfort to the Muggleborn who wasn't quite sure about magic, in the first place.
It seemed that the chair question would fall upon lost ears, as the pair of students introduced themselves, instead. Freya was a little confused why Buffy did not refer to her by name as she did Willow, but perhaps she had been a little too nervous, not cool and confident enough like the blonde-haired newcomer. With a small smile, she declared, "I'm Freya, nice to meet you both," though she still fingered the flange in her pocket. It grounded her while she tried to make sense of the sight that was before her.
And grounding she certainly needed, for Buffy's large question was not one Freya had been expecting. Was Hogwarts a ... mistake? She needed a moment to understand, yet, as she pondered the question, blonde brows creasing, hair being ruffled, she realized she still did not quite comprehend. "Was it ... do you mean, was it a mistake that they took me?"
She didn't wait for an answer, and simply continued, voice wavering in confidence once more, though she pressed her hands harder to the plumbing device, hoping that it would feign bravery for her: "I guess ... I don't really understand why I'm here. No one else in my family has magic. Why me?"
Freya wanted to say more, but she thought that it would be best to see what Willow said. Willow, who came off as so sure of herself. Certainly she'd have enough courage to tackle the question with a response that would bring comfort to the Muggleborn who wasn't quite sure about magic, in the first place.
The Muggle Struggle
Interacting with @Freya Thomas @Buffy Pfalzgraf
Well, they were all getting right into weren't they. She was glad that she had some of her hair pulled back otherwise this would be an impossible conversation to have. In order to concentrate she had to have her hair up, she didn't know why it was just part of how she got in the zone. At this point, Willow pulled up both of her legs to sit criss cross apple sauce on the table littered with zine supplies. She spoke up after a couple moments of silence filled the air. "Everything is different. But I don't think that's necessarily bad, like you said there's good weird and just weird weird stuff. Like all the magical creatures and plants. I see it as a privilege, I guess, to be able to experience the weird. I'm just sad that my parents can't fully experience it with me." That was a huge issue for her, the fact that she couldn't share what was becoming a huge part of her life fully with them. They would never get to see her play Quidditch, they would never even be able to fully know what the school looks like in all of it's magnificence because they will never be able to see it.
The next question threw her off though, was Hogwarts a mistake? She had never thought about it as one. Her attention turned to Freya as she spoke, she made a good point. Why her? "It is weird isn't it. In a history of muggleborns why is that suddenly one of us has magical talent? My parents pretty much shoved me into this too, as if to turn this down would be the worst thing imaginable. I didn't really have a say in the matter. Now I'm trying to catch up with everyone that has grown up with magic being their whole lives. It feels like there's an unfair disadvantage to muggles. It's not like we get extra help or assistance in the transition. They just kind of dump us off the boats and expect us to fly immediately." She paused feeling like she was talking a lot but just needed to blurt out one more thing. "Suddenly all the expectations I had for muggle life are gone, and I have no clue what to expect in a wizard life."
She looked down at her hands, there was so much she didn't realize she had to release, and it suddenly felt like the weight was now being shared with the two girls in a small room.
"I don't know whether to cry or scream or do both. It feels like I've done more than enough of both. And it feels like I haven't done enough." - Mason Deaver
Stamina 12 ∴ Evasion 12 ∴ Strength 5 ∴ Wisdom 12 ∵ ArcPower 10 ∵ Accuracy 15
Stamina 12 ∴ Evasion 12 ∴ Strength 5 ∴ Wisdom 12 ∵ ArcPower 10 ∵ Accuracy 15