Welcome to Gaia! ::

”Good afternoon Yukon,” August greeted when the boy arrived. Next to arrive was a new face. He skimmed over her application and offered his hand with a cordial smile. ”Welcome to the Daily Dragon, Miss Elaina. I’m August, our Managing Editor.The first meeting of the year we usually figure out assignments, and share ideas. By the second meeting the Editor-in-Chief and I will have specific assignments for upcoming articles and schedules for longer features or series. ” He hesitated, wondering if he was lecturing again. ”In any case, feel free to talk to the other members, like Yukon here. He's got two years of experience and his writing is always improving. We’ll get started once more people are here.”

He offered her a cookie and waved to Eion in time to collect the form. His smile slipped from simply polite to almost proud when he saw the slight change in Eion’s name and he looked up to meet the young boy’s gaze. They’d talked about names last year, and was happy Eion had decided to get it changed, and hoped it was a name Eion could now be proud of. He made a note to ask what the M stood for next study session, but for now just looked up to offer Eion a secret, understanding grin.

A moment later, he was greeted by a poke. ”Vespera,” he greeted. As long as the pokes weren’t silverware or...well, quills were fine anyways. ”Uh huh. I have been taking your...recommendation into consideration. ” he replied awkwardly. He moved to polish his glasses, again feeling terribly underdressed. It wasn't just the tie thing. He'd totally worn jeans to a Daily Dragon meeting before. It was just...whatever. You know what, it was probably because Lane wasn't here that he was stuck thinking about wardrobe. ”But I’m really only a year…younger.”

Yeah, he’d heard that line before. And right now, he didn't need to be feeling things. August cleared his throat. ”Speaking of, Lane wasn’t with you? He was obviously here earlier to drop off cookies,” August commented quietly to Vespera with a glance at the door. Rationally, he figured Jonah was simply at the toilet or grabbing supplies. But he would take any excuse to hate on Middle Lane. ”I swear…”

Weslyn took a deep breath and pretended to be fascinated by her notebook as the girl who was singing and dancing through the hall made her way to the Daily Dragon room. Wes had meant to come with Yukon earlier, but had taken too long changing clothes after class and now it was her fault she was alone in the corridor. She waited outside the door and counted to ten before opening the door.

There were a lot of people here. Wes nervously found Yukon and sat next to him, only getting a form when bid. She stared at the form for a while and almost put it back-- she didn’t really have any ideas--before remembering the song the loud girl had been singing and doodling something onto the form.

Name: Weslyn Knolle
Year: first
House: Hufflepuff
Any experience: none?
Why do you want to be an artist for the Daily Dragon?: Yukon likes the Daily Dragon? I can’t write really well ( I can’t draw really either) but if I can be helpful I’m willing to learn.
Please produce an example of your work:
A Pom Pom crab with a notebook and stick labelled “It’s a Pom-pom-razzi”. Lots of erase marks.
This position has a deadline, do you understand and can you abide by the deadlines given?: I think so.

August headed to the Daily Dragon early after class to get everything ready: Forms, parchment, typewriters and of course, the traditional Daily Dragon cookies--courtesy this year of his lovely girlfriend. Girlfriend. First year me would have thrown a fit to think I’d have a significant other while still in school. He smiled a little, took one of the peanut butter and marshmallow almond cookies, and left the other flavors for the newcomers.

Everything set up, August took out his list of ideas compiled over the summer out, and spent the waiting time reviewing his Mythology textbook and notes. He had a list, ranked in order, of people to ask to be his Managing Editor. Hopefully though, Annie would accept the position. He thought she could breath a fresh, artistic perspective into the newspaper, and was looking forward to working more closely with her.

Weslyn put her ear against the door and counted a few seconds before walking in.

Last winter, she had come to submit a drawing and heard Jonah and August—usually the gentlest pair of editors--arguing. Mostly, she found, they would just be passionately debating over a sentence of the paper or format option and there would be some laughing or playful mockery. After about ten minutes of quiet, she had gone in and everything had seemed normal. Maybe she had just imagined it. Wes couldn’t even imagine them angry!

But then January she had stood frozen outside, not even sure if they were yelling about the paper. Juniper had come along, kicked down the door, and snapped at them to take their bickering out of the club room. Later that month, the head girl had passed by in time, and stepped in to tell them both she was very disappointed in them and to apologize. Weslyn had been mortified when they did, thinking she’d gotten them in trouble. They’d never so much as raised their voice or seemed disappointed in front of her! Thankfully, whatever their more heated arguments were about, after mid-February they settled back into the usually scheduled debates.

Thus, Weslyn was a little cautious but not so much that she felt like waiting for Yukon to arrive. Weslyn was delighted to find Annie was already there. Wes herself didn’t really do much at the Daily Dragon--just drew the occasional sketch if they needed something. But Annie was definitely much better -- she had oils and inks and carcoals--she was a bona fide artist like Kenny! Watching and learning from the older Hufflepuff during meetings was definitely Weslyn’s favorite part of the newspaper.

”Annie, Weslyn, welcome back,” August greeted, looking up when he heard the door open.

”Thank you, Good afternoon,” Weslyn murmured and went to fill out the artist form. She revealed a brand-new sketchbook she'd gotten while shopping for school supplies and was about to ask Annie if she'd show her more drawing techniques when August asked for a moment at the same time: "Anni--oh! No, no, I'm sorry, I can wait!"

Name: Weslyn Knolle
Year: 2
House: Hufflepuff
Any experience: Just last year in Daily Dragon and Art Club
Why do you want to be an artist for the Daily Dragon?: Yukon is here! And I like learning to draw from Annie.
Please produce an example of your work [A quick pencil sketch of a mermaid holding a necklace and a spear.
This position has a deadline, do you understand and can you abide by the deadlines given?: I’ll do my best!