Note: This workshop is ROLE-PLAY and in character discussion. Please remain in character and keep any OOC chatter to a minimum within tags/parenthesis (( )).

As you make your way to the grounds thinking about the cold weather and having a workshop outside you notice a blue tent covered with a thin layer of snow next to the Green Houses you decide to take a closer look. Near the entrance there is a sign that reads WORKSHOP PLANNING AND TRAINING WORKSHOP. You found the right place and walk closer for a better look. Inside you see a friendly face and wild blue hair.

"Sit wherever you like. We have beanbags and really comfortable chairs, but you can place your items and bag on the side tables." You look around but realize there are no side tables, but before you ask Gaia says "They will show up as they are needed. This way it helps everyone walk around without bumping into them." Grinning Gaia continue to welcome students by the entrance as you go explore the tent.

((This Workshop will run from 1/9 - 1/18))

Magnus sauntered carrying his ever present sketchbook. His new prefect badge on his chest slightly sideways, as if he hadn't noticed it wasn't pinned on properly. "'Ey Gaia," he said brightly, "'Ow are you? 'Ave a nice 'Oliday?"

Mac was gratedul that she hadn't got lost! She hurried inside threw a quick friendly "Hi" to Magnus and settled herself in a beanbag. After a couple of minutes to think, she opened her bag, and pulled out a quill and parchment. Mac wanted to take good notes. She wasn't gonna miss a minute of this!

"Hi," Magnus said, "warming up any?" The boy had started drawing automatically. The lines started taking shape and soon he had drawn Mac's rooster. When realised what he had drawn he tapped the page with a severing charm and handed it to the girl. Then his pencil was flying again, working out a detailed view of the tent they were in.

"Oh wow! Thank you! You're really good! That looks JUST like Zapata! His name means 'shoe' in Spanish because Momma says that's what he would taste like if she boiled him up-so I get to keep him. This tent is much prettier on the inside. I was afraid it would be cold in here, but I'm toasty warm...thanks to you." She pulls the neck of her robe down so Magnus can see that she is bundled up in both of the sweaters and the scarf.

(not sure how long I'll be awake tonight, so if I flake on you, I fell asleep)

Magnus blushed as red as a beat. He rubbed the back of his head. "That's a great name and story." Thank she thanked him again for the extra clothing to keep her warm and he blushed again. "No worries, got an owl already. Mum told me she's sending you a thick blanket and 'opes you don't mind that it'll be of the Holly Ead Harpies. Cos she can't 'elp 'erself really. Used to play for 'em. I guess the blanket'll arrive some point today, probly find it on your bed as I suspect she'll just send our 'ouse elf to drop it off."

(( haha no worries, probly off to bed shortly myself. Haven't been feeling too well today.))

Mac is impressed. "Wow! You have a house elf? All we have is an old duppy! And she played for the Holyhead Harpies??? Amazing! My hero, Myron 'The Siren' Gabbingsly used to be their announcer! I'd love to be a Quidditch announcer if I could quit talking like a hayseed. But it's hard to change the way you talk. I didn't even know I talked funny, but a rude boy on the plane pointed it out, and I don't even know if I can ever talk different. Maybe there is a book in the library or even a spell for that."

She takes her quill and makes a note on her parchment. 'Research talk better spell'

"What's a duppy?" the boy asked. "Yeah, Dad inherited 'er when 'is mum passed but we don't put 'er to work often. If Dad 'is way we'd not have 'er at all, but 'e worries what freedom would do to 'er." He nodded, "Yeah she's always been good at Quidditch. Was the Captian, played on Ravenclaw. And she was er, is, particularly brutal. She crashed into Dad' broom trying to nab the quaffle. She visited every day in the 'ospital wing till 'e came round and then they started dating." He laughed, "What and you don't fink I sound funny? Trust me aint nofing wrong with the way you talk, but if you really don't like it--then you just 'ave to take some classes during 'olidays on proper speach. The orphanage 'ad a posh lady come round and try on me but she kinda ran away screaming cos I slaughter the Queens English I do. At least I don't do the rhyming cockney though..."

Mac thought for a minute before she answered.

"A duppy? I'm not really sure what it is. I'd guess it is a low ranking ghost. At least it looks like a ghost, and it can go through walls like a ghost. But it can't talk, and if you see it, you often get bad dreams. Momma would get irritated with it an' cook up a big pot of stinkum to try to run it off, but either the duppy liked the smell of the stinkum, or Momma made it wrong because it never seemed bothered by the smell. It doesn't sound like you slaughter the Queen's English to me. Everyone here in Britain seems to talk fancy to me. When you talk, it sounds fancy to me. What do you mean rhyming, do you mean like Dizee Rascal? My cousin likes him, but Momma didn't want me to listen to him because he uses a lot of cusswords."

"Oh," he said, "that sounds kinda cool. I ain't ever seen a ghost like that. Fancy eh? Blimey though most people would say I sound dead common." He scratched his head. How to explain the slangs of Cockney accent. "Okay, lemme say somefing ta you in cockney rhymin' and then repeat it without. Its basically fancy slang. Mostly used in dodgy affairs you see. So the coppers don't know what you say." He took a deep breath and started, "today I 'ad to go apple and pairs to find me shoes which wouldn't you know where in me chest the whole time. I can't adam and eve it really. Then with Darby and Joan I went back to 'eading out the 'ouse." He paused and then translated, "Today, I 'ad to go up the stairs to find me shoes which wouldn't you know where in me chest the whole time. I can't believe it really. Then with a moan I went back to 'eading out the 'ouse. That's what I mean. Who's the Dizee Rascal bloke? 'E a friend of yours?"

"Whoah! I would have never understood that in a million years! When you say the coppers, do you mean like the cops-police? We didn't have police officers where I was, just the sheriff and his deputy, but they didn't trouble themselves with the likes of us. One time the truant officer did come out to our place because Momma had plumb forgot to send me back to school one year. Momma would flat out pitch a fit and fall in it if I knew Dizzee Rascal. He is a rapper from London. My cousin has her own tiny radio, and she listens to his music on it. But Momma caught me listening to it with Celeste one day and she whupped me good. Momma has skills with a broom that I'd guess are very different from your mum's. Like I said before, Mr. Rascal uses an awful lot of cusswords."

He nodded. "Yeah coppers are police. I knew 'em well, cos they kept finding me and bringing be back when I was out when I weren't supposed to be or they caught me in places I weren't supposed to be in. That's kinda funny, forgetting about school," Magnus said with a smile. "I've never 'eard of him before but that don't mean much really. Don't sound worth listening too then, not if you'd get in that much trouble."

Merlin finally found the sign that said WORKSHOP PLANNING AND TRAINING WORKSHOP and sighs. "About time, been looking around for a while." He giggles because he knew he was actually distracted on the way there by enchanting snow to throw at a few students that were having a snow fight. He smiled at Gaia but never mentions he actually went to get snacks. "Hope lots of people come." Merlin made his way to the table and took tea with mini cakes before sitting on a beanbag and hiding well his snake that was starting to get out of his robes. 'No pets' Now he silently waited while eating and observing everything was going smoothly. 'I hope I don't have to do much, didn't sleep last night and may fall asleep now.' He drinks some black tea in hopes to get more alert.

( )

Eirik made his way down to the tent. He knew that his friends would be along soon, but he wanted to reserve a spot for them. As he walked in, he saw a few people he didn't know, but saw Merlin. There were beanbags around him available, but ah...tea ! His prefect had helped himself to some, so he thought it a good idea himself.

After making tea, he walked over to Merlin. "Morning," he said, yawning. "Or whatever time of day it is," he said, chuckling. "It feels like morning. I swear I was up all night getting homework done. Mind if I join you...?" he asked.

Merlin blinked a few times when he heard 's words. " Legilimens?" He nervously smiled. "Thunder won't interrupt, he is a good boy." He closed his eyes for a bit but then heard said morning. "Good Mor-afternoon? Whatever, have a seat. I stayed up late doing homework too, plus this seems like it will take longer than I wish. Not many have joined yet and even when I'm here I wonder how helpful can my mind be right now." He yawns while covering his mouth. "Want cakes? They aren't that great, I don't know what is wrong with the elves lately."

Merlin rolled his eyes after told him she was a seer. "Great, I hope you are wrong because he normally behaves and I don't want to be the prefect that broke the rules." Then just to make sure nothing happens he put a spell on his snake. "Sleep Thunder" Merlin gave a funny smile to Gaia and a thumbs up to assure her nothing will happen now, but was glad he didn't eat any more cakes.

[img align=left]http://i.imgur.com/1uNQkS8.png[/img] Gaia shrugged "in theory you aren't breaking the rules. This is a fun workshop. The no pets rules was to help members stay focused and get the most out of the workshop. Enjoy your nap."

(())