Grab Bag Writing Challenge - January 2020
consider contemplate deliberate double echo follow image impersonate impression opinion ponder portrait represent speculate surmise
by February Fortescue
"Ah, Celestra Sims! Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to drop by. I'll try not to keep you too long. I am of the opinion you have an idea of why I've asked you here today?"
"Headmaster Hopkirk, always a pleasure! Well, to be honest, many of the portraits in your office have additional portraits in my studio, and they seem to think you are disappointed with the representation I've created of you."
"Yes, that's it exactly!" replied Headmaster Hopkirk. "I was under the impression that the image in the portrait would be my double and be able to echo my every movement, thought, and emotion. However, while the image looks like me, all it does is stare at me blankly. No amount of contemplation on my part has been enough to resolve this mystery and get the image to impersonate me. "
"Oh, Headmaster, I'm going to speculate that you've not followed my instructions correctly! The image in your portrait is neither a Legilimens, nor is she able to ponder or figure out what you are thinking or feeling. You are a Professor, remember? You have to deliberately teach her how to become you. She learns by watching and copying you."
Headmaster Hopkirk leaned back in her chair and considered what Celestra Sims said. "So I surmise then that you haven't yet figured out a way to make this easier? Couldn't you move some of my memories from my mind over to the image, instead? Wouldn't that make more sense?"
"No, sorry, Headmaster. It's been done this way for centuries. I'm just carrying on a noble tradition!"
Headmaster Hopkirk shook her head. "Before you leave, would you like a gumdrop?"
"Ah, Celestra Sims! Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to drop by. I'll try not to keep you too long. I am of the opinion you have an idea of why I've asked you here today?"
"Headmaster Hopkirk, always a pleasure! Well, to be honest, many of the portraits in your office have additional portraits in my studio, and they seem to think you are disappointed with the representation I've created of you."
"Yes, that's it exactly!" replied Headmaster Hopkirk. "I was under the impression that the image in the portrait would be my double and be able to echo my every movement, thought, and emotion. However, while the image looks like me, all it does is stare at me blankly. No amount of contemplation on my part has been enough to resolve this mystery and get the image to impersonate me. "
"Oh, Headmaster, I'm going to speculate that you've not followed my instructions correctly! The image in your portrait is neither a Legilimens, nor is she able to ponder or figure out what you are thinking or feeling. You are a Professor, remember? You have to deliberately teach her how to become you. She learns by watching and copying you."
Headmaster Hopkirk leaned back in her chair and considered what Celestra Sims said. "So I surmise then that you haven't yet figured out a way to make this easier? Couldn't you move some of my memories from my mind over to the image, instead? Wouldn't that make more sense?"
"No, sorry, Headmaster. It's been done this way for centuries. I'm just carrying on a noble tradition!"
Headmaster Hopkirk shook her head. "Before you leave, would you like a gumdrop?"
by Iverian Gnash
It started off normally. As I contemplated whether or not I should follow it, my brain deliberated the consequences of doing so. Finally, I had come to a decision and took off into the woods and the darkness after whatever was making such a noise. I surmised it could simply be a deer making its way through the woods down to perhaps the river for a drink, but I speculated it could also be a larger creature, maybe a unicorn. Traipsing off into the woods is never a good idea, I reminded myself as I continued walking through them.
Suddenly, I noticed the impression of something's paw on the ground – it was small, but not very much so, maybe representing the size of a large dog, though those were no dog prints. Something echoed through the trees, a sort of grunting noise that I couldn't make sense of. It was late, too late to be out, so I didn't know why I'd suddenly felt the urge to run into the woods after this creature. I pondered whether it was a magical creature or not then considered all the magical creatures it could possibly be with footprints like that. My opinion on what the creature could be wasn't a very good one as I hadn't studied creatures very much and was never particularly great at my Care of Magical Creatures classes.
The image of a few creatures' prints on the ground flashed through my mind, but none matched the ones I'd seen. I tripped on a branch that sat on the ground and fell. Quickly I picked myself back up and continued in pursuit of the creature, keeping as quiet as possible. Finally, we reached the river, but it didn't look like I remembered it. I also didn't see the creature from where I was standing and I assumed it had come here. Doubling back, I found my way through the trees to the other side of the lake. A beautiful portrait of a lake with the moon glinting off its surface came into view. That's when I saw it by the water's edge.
A creature I'd never seen before – not even in a book. Its tail was dark green and scaly, like a dragon, but it had silvery hair that fell down it's back like a horse's. No dragon breed looked like that and it was incredibly small for a dragon. Suddenly it spotted me and I saw its eyes – bright red and gleaming – as it ran to where I was hiding as still as possible trying to impersonate a tree. My breathing slowed down as it reached me. Suddenly, there were more, all circling around me. I couldn't count them all, but I knew I was trapped. Before I could make a move, one jumped at me, teeth bared and eyes gleaming. I woke with a start.
It started off normally. As I contemplated whether or not I should follow it, my brain deliberated the consequences of doing so. Finally, I had come to a decision and took off into the woods and the darkness after whatever was making such a noise. I surmised it could simply be a deer making its way through the woods down to perhaps the river for a drink, but I speculated it could also be a larger creature, maybe a unicorn. Traipsing off into the woods is never a good idea, I reminded myself as I continued walking through them.
Suddenly, I noticed the impression of something's paw on the ground – it was small, but not very much so, maybe representing the size of a large dog, though those were no dog prints. Something echoed through the trees, a sort of grunting noise that I couldn't make sense of. It was late, too late to be out, so I didn't know why I'd suddenly felt the urge to run into the woods after this creature. I pondered whether it was a magical creature or not then considered all the magical creatures it could possibly be with footprints like that. My opinion on what the creature could be wasn't a very good one as I hadn't studied creatures very much and was never particularly great at my Care of Magical Creatures classes.
The image of a few creatures' prints on the ground flashed through my mind, but none matched the ones I'd seen. I tripped on a branch that sat on the ground and fell. Quickly I picked myself back up and continued in pursuit of the creature, keeping as quiet as possible. Finally, we reached the river, but it didn't look like I remembered it. I also didn't see the creature from where I was standing and I assumed it had come here. Doubling back, I found my way through the trees to the other side of the lake. A beautiful portrait of a lake with the moon glinting off its surface came into view. That's when I saw it by the water's edge.
A creature I'd never seen before – not even in a book. Its tail was dark green and scaly, like a dragon, but it had silvery hair that fell down it's back like a horse's. No dragon breed looked like that and it was incredibly small for a dragon. Suddenly it spotted me and I saw its eyes – bright red and gleaming – as it ran to where I was hiding as still as possible trying to impersonate a tree. My breathing slowed down as it reached me. Suddenly, there were more, all circling around me. I couldn't count them all, but I knew I was trapped. Before I could make a move, one jumped at me, teeth bared and eyes gleaming. I woke with a start.
by Maxim Trevelyan
Gary gently poked the still lump of blankets on the bed and pondered what brought on such a state of misery to his best friend.
“Noooo,” a weak response followed the action and a slim foot snaked from beneath the woollen covers and tried to push him away.
Doubling his efforts, Gary poked again, this time with an added impersonation. “Ooooh, such horror, such sadness, won’t someone save me?” in a high pitched voice.
Blond mussed hair poked out of the top of the blanket burrito and gave Gary a contemplating gaze. “See, you are perfect me, you can go and suffer instead,” Maxim offered, sighing softly, though he speculated that would not move him.
Gary pretended to consider such an idea, but shook his head. “What kind of impression will that give the staff?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. “Try-hard student ruining his image by skipping on the class?”
“...Try-hard student,” Maxim echoed with a snort. “I regret graduating to fifth year,” he complained and quickly jumped to his feet. The rush of blood to his head made Maxim stagger and he had to seek support on a wardrobe under the portrait of Prof. Llewellyn.
“If you want my opinion—” Gary started, but was interrupted by an ‘I don’t’ from Maxim. Glaring, Gary continued, “at least be a good representation of our house and just show up, even if you’ll be otherwise useless. Did I never not give you my notes to copy when you were like this?”
His friend was right, Maxim knew. He deliberated staying in bed once more and calling in sick, so to speak, but the cons outweigh the pros. He surmised it would be better to be a zombie in OWL class than just not be there at all. The professor and assistant were quite scary.
“Let’s go,” Gary motioned towards the door and both boys quickly left the dormitories for the classroom.
Gary gently poked the still lump of blankets on the bed and pondered what brought on such a state of misery to his best friend.
“Noooo,” a weak response followed the action and a slim foot snaked from beneath the woollen covers and tried to push him away.
Doubling his efforts, Gary poked again, this time with an added impersonation. “Ooooh, such horror, such sadness, won’t someone save me?” in a high pitched voice.
Blond mussed hair poked out of the top of the blanket burrito and gave Gary a contemplating gaze. “See, you are perfect me, you can go and suffer instead,” Maxim offered, sighing softly, though he speculated that would not move him.
Gary pretended to consider such an idea, but shook his head. “What kind of impression will that give the staff?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. “Try-hard student ruining his image by skipping on the class?”
“...Try-hard student,” Maxim echoed with a snort. “I regret graduating to fifth year,” he complained and quickly jumped to his feet. The rush of blood to his head made Maxim stagger and he had to seek support on a wardrobe under the portrait of Prof. Llewellyn.
“If you want my opinion—” Gary started, but was interrupted by an ‘I don’t’ from Maxim. Glaring, Gary continued, “at least be a good representation of our house and just show up, even if you’ll be otherwise useless. Did I never not give you my notes to copy when you were like this?”
His friend was right, Maxim knew. He deliberated staying in bed once more and calling in sick, so to speak, but the cons outweigh the pros. He surmised it would be better to be a zombie in OWL class than just not be there at all. The professor and assistant were quite scary.
“Let’s go,” Gary motioned towards the door and both boys quickly left the dormitories for the classroom.
by Prof. Tarma Amelia Black
We can only speculate what the cause of the storm was. The storm and its consequences, including the disappearance of a major geological formation and surrounding territories, is, so far, inexplicable. Did the echoing cry of the Thunderbird spark it off? Contemplating the image captured by a Muggle's camera, we are considering the fact that coincidence is, if not rare, exceedingly unlikely in this instance. It seems much more likely that a deliberate machination of natural elements, followed by something man-made (but representing, or impersonating something of nature) was the cause of this catastrophe.
Some people say that it has not really disappeared, it just appears to be gone and will reappear as soon as the ransom has been paid.
The President of MACUSA, in the usual double-worded verbiage of those in positions of temporal power, explained that it was his impression that the storm was definitely of natural origin, which his team of experts surmise was the result of drought followed by excessive rain, followed by the gleeful cry of the Thunderbird, winging off into the distance.
"It is my opinion that there are many aspects to consider as to why the Grand Canyon disappeared. We do not know it is actually gone, we can only ponder that its disappearance is valid and not an optical illusion (a very GOOD optical illusion, but still an illusion). In the meantime, we can gaze upon the many portraits which have been made of it, and hope that some sort of resolution presents itself soon."
It is noted by all who listened to his speech that no reference at all was given to the ransom demand – and the cause of it.
We can only speculate what the cause of the storm was. The storm and its consequences, including the disappearance of a major geological formation and surrounding territories, is, so far, inexplicable. Did the echoing cry of the Thunderbird spark it off? Contemplating the image captured by a Muggle's camera, we are considering the fact that coincidence is, if not rare, exceedingly unlikely in this instance. It seems much more likely that a deliberate machination of natural elements, followed by something man-made (but representing, or impersonating something of nature) was the cause of this catastrophe.
Some people say that it has not really disappeared, it just appears to be gone and will reappear as soon as the ransom has been paid.
The President of MACUSA, in the usual double-worded verbiage of those in positions of temporal power, explained that it was his impression that the storm was definitely of natural origin, which his team of experts surmise was the result of drought followed by excessive rain, followed by the gleeful cry of the Thunderbird, winging off into the distance.
"It is my opinion that there are many aspects to consider as to why the Grand Canyon disappeared. We do not know it is actually gone, we can only ponder that its disappearance is valid and not an optical illusion (a very GOOD optical illusion, but still an illusion). In the meantime, we can gaze upon the many portraits which have been made of it, and hope that some sort of resolution presents itself soon."
It is noted by all who listened to his speech that no reference at all was given to the ransom demand – and the cause of it.
by Sky Alton
You better be considering your next move,” Stephanie warned, echoed by a good number of the pieces on the board.
“Of course I am…” I sighed.
I stared at one of my knights like I was deliberating. But there was an outburst of laughter from over on the other side of the common room so of course I had to take a quick look. Someone had obviously cast a tickling charm as a second year was doubled over in fits of helpless giggles. Experience taught you to recognise the signs.
Stephanie let out a long huff. I looked guiltily back at her.
“Starting to get the impression that this game won’t be finished tonight,” she shook her head.
“Sorry,” I tried to look contrite.
“Never mind,” she began to put her chess pieces away while they loudly and snidely gave their opinions about the abandonment of proceedings.
“You’re a rubbish player anyway.”
“Always have been,” I confirmed, grinning, “No idea why you even try anymore.”
“Was this airy-fairy, contemplative act a ploy to get me to accept the inevitable,” she asked, snapping the lid shut on the chess box, “Or do you want me to speculate on what’s got you impersonating a love-struck mooncalf?”
“What an image.”
“Stop avoiding the question.”
“I don’t know,” I shrugged.
“I’ll take that as a yes to wild surmising then,” she mumbled. I glowered half-heartedly.
“It’s just strange, okay?” I tried again, searching for words to describe something I hadn’t even really been aware of up until now.
“Knowing this is our second to last term… Like ever.”
“You’re getting sentimental,” Stephanie nodded.
“Not even that,” I folded my arms, “It’s just weird, you know? Knowing that we won’t be part of each others’ lives after June, not in the same way.”
“I’ll miss you too,” Stephanie reached over and patted me on the head.
I shrugged her off, grimacing. I wasn’t even sure it was that, though of course I would miss my friends. I’d miss the school too and all it represented, though maybe I was ready (part of me was ready, anyway) for something a little more exciting than what I found within the castle’s walls. But mostly it was just weird to think that whatever the people I’d grown up with did next, I wouldn’t be there to see it. They’d be off having lives of their own. And I’d have to as well. It was kind of exciting and terrifying to be pondering. It made me feel squirmy and distant, as though I was floating just slightly out of my body.
“If you’re restless, let’s take a walk,” Stephanie said, waving me to follow her towards the portrait hole.
“I’m fine.”
“And I’m bored. Quick march, on the double.”
“I think it’s at the double…”
Steph ignored that and snagged my arm, speeding up.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“I have no idea,” she said, grinning, “We’ll know when we get there, I suppose.”
You better be considering your next move,” Stephanie warned, echoed by a good number of the pieces on the board.
“Of course I am…” I sighed.
I stared at one of my knights like I was deliberating. But there was an outburst of laughter from over on the other side of the common room so of course I had to take a quick look. Someone had obviously cast a tickling charm as a second year was doubled over in fits of helpless giggles. Experience taught you to recognise the signs.
Stephanie let out a long huff. I looked guiltily back at her.
“Starting to get the impression that this game won’t be finished tonight,” she shook her head.
“Sorry,” I tried to look contrite.
“Never mind,” she began to put her chess pieces away while they loudly and snidely gave their opinions about the abandonment of proceedings.
“You’re a rubbish player anyway.”
“Always have been,” I confirmed, grinning, “No idea why you even try anymore.”
“Was this airy-fairy, contemplative act a ploy to get me to accept the inevitable,” she asked, snapping the lid shut on the chess box, “Or do you want me to speculate on what’s got you impersonating a love-struck mooncalf?”
“What an image.”
“Stop avoiding the question.”
“I don’t know,” I shrugged.
“I’ll take that as a yes to wild surmising then,” she mumbled. I glowered half-heartedly.
“It’s just strange, okay?” I tried again, searching for words to describe something I hadn’t even really been aware of up until now.
“Knowing this is our second to last term… Like ever.”
“You’re getting sentimental,” Stephanie nodded.
“Not even that,” I folded my arms, “It’s just weird, you know? Knowing that we won’t be part of each others’ lives after June, not in the same way.”
“I’ll miss you too,” Stephanie reached over and patted me on the head.
I shrugged her off, grimacing. I wasn’t even sure it was that, though of course I would miss my friends. I’d miss the school too and all it represented, though maybe I was ready (part of me was ready, anyway) for something a little more exciting than what I found within the castle’s walls. But mostly it was just weird to think that whatever the people I’d grown up with did next, I wouldn’t be there to see it. They’d be off having lives of their own. And I’d have to as well. It was kind of exciting and terrifying to be pondering. It made me feel squirmy and distant, as though I was floating just slightly out of my body.
“If you’re restless, let’s take a walk,” Stephanie said, waving me to follow her towards the portrait hole.
“I’m fine.”
“And I’m bored. Quick march, on the double.”
“I think it’s at the double…”
Steph ignored that and snagged my arm, speeding up.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“I have no idea,” she said, grinning, “We’ll know when we get there, I suppose.”