Because it's either that or walking...

thirty-five;

2011-08-16T02:12:02Z

[Filtered to Teachers]

These murders are hitting too close to home. I've been picking up the Muggle Newspaper to stay updated and... I don't like how this is going. Can we really ignore this for so long?

[Private: Unhackable]

This feels... just like before. They aren't making people forget this time around, they're not afraid anymore. Asahi, what am I supposed to do...? I have a feeling that keeping Miharu safe isn't going to be enough soon.

thirty-four; heroes? what's that?

2011-06-30T22:48:26Z

[Filtered to teachers:]

Kind of an odd question, but does anyone know if we're going to have another retreat this year? I'm afraid I came in kind of late or I missed the news or something like that. I know it's a ways off, but... [ He's so boredddddd. ]

[/filter]

I think my cat got into my journal. It feels... different somehow. Lighter, perhaps? I don't think Raphael would be able to rip pages or anything like that, but short of that... I'll see if I can't figure it out. Has anyone else had this happen?

[Filtered to Dean:]

Can I ask you something?

thirty-three; Thobari needs a hobby

2011-06-25T18:21:36Z

It's a bit strange to be back home after so much time on the road. I want to go out and walk for a bit, but short of visiting anyone, I've already been everywhere in my estate. It looks like it'll be a ~~boring~~ calm summer this year... Maybe I could do some redecorating? Does anyone have any ideas?

[ Strikes hackable to friends. ]
Living in this house by myself is starting to become a bit depressing. Maybe I should consider moving somewhere temporarily, and leaving this place in charge of the groundskeeper? I know Grandfather wanted me to inherit this place, but without any guests it's far too empty for me.

thirty-two; back from parts unknown

2011-06-11T20:51:19Z

Well, I see everyone's busy with exams and everything, so I'll make this quick.

Hello, students! I apologize for my unannounced absence, but I'm back! For those of you who don't remember me, I'm Professor Thobari Durandal Kumohira, and I'll be helping Yukimi grade tests in the meantime, it seems.

I hope you've all had a great semester while I was away, and I wish you the best of luck on your tests! You're in the final stretch now, so give it your all.

[ Not gonna talk about shirts. At all. Because 'Likes older women,' 'killed Asahi Rokujou,' 'KEEPS SECRETS,' and 'TOBI' are embarrassing and totally not relevant to anything. ]

thirty-one; new year is almost here

2010-12-30T00:51:20Z

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and for those of you who don't celebrate it, that you're at least enjoying the holiday break! As for me, I've... been busy. ~~Taking care of Yukimi, for the most part,~~ but it's been memorable, to say the least.

The new year is fast approaching... I trust you're all working on your New Year's Resolutions? Last year, I resolved to walk a couple miles every week, but I'd never imagined that one month later, I'd end up returning to Hogwarts as a professor. It didn't pan out, needless to say.

But, anyway, have you all enjoyed this year? Looking back on it, I... I suppose it went pretty well. Ups and downs on all front, but we certainly were't at a loss for unique stories, were we?

thirty; gay is a good excuse for three posts in a week

2010-11-06T04:37:46Z

It's....... good to know that I was happy? ~~And that someday I'll tell Miharu about what happened...~~

[ asdfghjkl;;;; BUT BEING GAY IN THE FUTURE WHAT IS THAT? AND HAVING FUZZY MEMORIES ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS WITH CERTAIN PEOPLE IS NEVER FUN. NOT. GONNA. TALK. ABOUT IT....strikes unhackable, btw. ]

twenty-nine; alternate future!Tobi is dating Yukimi, fyi

2010-11-04T05:52:14Z

Everyone, I hope we're all staying calm after this strange turn of events. It seems the Castle transported us to different point in time. I checked my calendar, and it claims this is 2010, to be exact. It's hard to believe, I know. And although some of you are not here with the best intentions, I think it's safe to say that whatever magic occurred will revert itself soon enough, just as it always does. So try not to panic. ~~Trust me, I've been working here for a while now.~~

What this means is, it's safe to assume that our children are safe at home, as it's likely that only people in Hogwarts ten years ago were affected. ~~So I won't get mad at you, Yukimi, because it's not your fault you left Dawn at home.~~

Since that's the case, let's try and think back to what we were like ten years ago! It seems like such a long time ago, doesn't it? Times were a lot simpler then... ~~I was single, for one thing...~~

twenty-eight; what is what. [text]

2010-10-31T03:53:11Z

I can't find Raphael.

Has anyone seen him?

twenty-seven; planning plans

2010-09-18T20:56:48Z

Hello, everyone. First of all, your papers have been graded, and I'm very happy with the results we've had this week! Everyone is working hard, despite a few setbacks, and that's a good attitude to keep! Also, to my Gryffindors, I've reserved the Qudditch Pitch for practice. [[OOC: I've been really busy so I don't know what dates would be ic. ooc-comment me on what day makes sense?]]

Unfortunately, for those of you (minus the seventh years) who may have wanted your papers back, I have some bad news... Anna, my owl, seems to have gotten to them while I was out of my office. It seems she's making a nest? It's a bit odd, but I promise I'll be mindful of her next time so that this doesn't happen.

Filtered to Castiel. Hackable to Gabriel and Bob (And maybe Kallen since Thobari doesn't lock anything from her);
Castiel, I've asked Professor Dumbledore and he's given us permission to use the grounds for your.. ceremony, if you remember. I believe we could have it this week, if possible? ~~Summer break gave me enough time to prepare everything, so you don't have to worry.~~ Is there any date you're partial to? I already have a bit of a guest list in mind, but if there's anyone you'd like to add, well...

ooc; first assignment grades

2010-09-18T20:26:10Z

This is kind of bare bones, but just an fyi for you guys. Thobari appreciates hard work more than anything and is very lenient, so there ya go. Gryffindor's about to get a point spike.

Gryffindor
Yosuke; E
Duo; A
Otani; A
Takuto; E
Juliet; O
Shin; O
Alfred; E
Maka; O
Junpei: A
Wilbur: A

Total Points: 70

Hufflepuff
Sana; O
Tsubaki; E
Mori; E

Total Points: 26

Tell me if I forgot someone!

twenty-six; first assignment.

2010-09-05T21:37:42Z

I'm glad to see everyone is getting settled in and back into their day-to-day schedules. For our new students, welcome! I'm Professor Thobari Durandal Kumohira, or just Professor Kumohira if you'd like.

Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, I'll be your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor! To our fifth and seventh years, this is a very important year for you all, so I hope you'll all be preparing especially for your tests. I hope to instruct you to the best of my ability and hope we can have a great year together!

Here are your first assignments, to be handed in on September 15th.

First Years: Essay; What is a Dark Art? - 20cm

Second Years: Essay; What is a Dark Item? - 25cm

Third Years: Essay; What are the qualifications of a Dark Creature? - 40cm

Fourth Years: Essay; What are Dark Detectors and how are they used? - 55cm

Fifth Years - Sixth Years: Essay; Curses: How are they different from Spells and Jinxes? - 70cm

Seventh Years: Review and creating an outline for NEWTs.

[[Swiped from Yukimi, though the lengths are a bit different, take note!]]

Filtered to Gryffindors;
I'd also like to especially welcome you all to the new year. As you may or may not have heard, I'll be your Head of House this year, so if you need anything, please take it up with me. ~~We can't win the House Cup if you start by losing points...~~ Let's try to stay out of trouble, alright?

twenty-five; GUESS WHO'S NOT (comparatively) DEPRESSED AT ALL ANYMORE

2010-08-27T02:21:52Z

It seems I left my journal in my suitcase all this time. That's quite a shame; I actually think trying to make Lemon Drops was a lot of fun. I'll have to try again when I get back to school and find some time. ~~Though with my new duties, this may be easier said than done?~~

In any case, The conference has been instructive and things have been... good. I'm certainly looking forward to the new year.

[ SOMEONE seems happy. Unfortunately, no, he didn't "get lucky," but he did make ~~out~~ up with Kallen. Annnnd, since they're sharing the same room; there be cuddles. Lots of cuddles. Because that's just how they roll. ]

twenty-four; Gryffindor's New Head of House is friends with ghosts (what a loser)

2010-08-21T19:12:40Z

It seems like Anna delivered something to me on time for once! ~~I wish she'd get in the habit of it, really...~~ The letter in question was from Dumbledore. I'm quite honored; it seems I've been appointed Head of House! So as a note to all you Gryffindors out there, don't think that because I'm so lenient in class, I won't be strict as your house's Head. ~~But in any case, let's beat Slytherin into the dust, alright?~~

[Filtered to whoever read Gabriel's last entry, this includes Gabriel too.]
I realize I may have worried some of you because of an altercation I had with Gabriel and Castiel. I think we've managed to work out most of the problems that went into that misunderstanding, but I'd like you all to know that I'm perfectly fine. ~~And not, in any way, Gabriel's "bitch," though he would claim otherwise.~~ [[oddly enough, those strikes are only hackable to Gabriel. And Castiel if he tries reallllly hard.]]
[/Filter]

It seems I'll be apparating to Monaco after all! Maron, I truly owe you. I'm looking forward to the teacher's conference and then it'll be just a few more days until classes start! This year is going to be exciting, isn't it?

twenty-three; teacher's conference? busybusybusy (tl;dr much?)

2010-08-14T02:44:08Z

Well, thankfully that crazy journal business is over. I hear some people were getting attacked? That's unfortunate. My journal seemed ~~to be taking pity on me~~ very affectionate, to be honest. I suppose it doesn't blame me for losing it those times earlier in the year.

In any case, it's worth mentioning that I've taken in a second cat, at least partially. ~~I think?~~ Castiel entrusted Lilith to me, and although she's blind, you'd never guess that by how she acts. She and Raphael fight almost constantly, but they're from the same litter, so it's playful ~~I hope.~~ I've had to separate her and Raphael several times now; he's much larger than her, since she's been alone all this time... I sincerely hope the two get along eventually. Well, Lilith seems to particularly enjoy being around Castiel, so maybe if she only sleeps and eats in my room, it will be alright.

...It's a little funny; at the beginning of the school year, I never would have guessed I'd be dealing with two kittens and a ~~still~~ headstrong owl. Cats are... well, they're certainly a handful. [unhackable (50% to Maron)] ~~At least it gives me something to think about outside of Yukimi and... less pleasant things.~~ [/unhackable]

Speaking of owls, Anna finally decided to give me the invitation to the Teacher's Conference. It's in Monaco!? H-how are we even going to get there...? Please don't say "portkey," please.

[Private (why would you even hack this, Gabe.)]

[ Really it's just some incoherent squiggles that vaguely say "Kallen," "she's not angry anymore," and "not giving up" as well as... happy looking notes. A WHOLE PAGE OF THIS. Easily skippable if you're not interested in humiliating Thobari. And I do mean you, Gabriel. ]

[/Private]

[Filtered to Castiel]
I actually have something I wanted to ask you as well, if you don't mind...

CLASS SIGN-UPS

2010-08-01T22:56:18Z

Defense Against the Dark Arts

Professor: Thobari Durandal Kumohira
Years: First through Seventh
Houses: Gryffindor and Hufflepuff

Note: Class is required for all students, years 1-5. For years 6-7, the class is only available if they received an E or higher on their OWLs. Required for students enrolled in Pre-Auror Studies, as well.

twenty-two; Still waiting for Kallen, mind you...

2010-07-31T19:56:25Z

[ A whole page of scrawled notes on funerals. LOTS OF IT IS SCRATCHED OUT, mostly the parts that remind him too much of his grandmother's. And his grandfather's. Which is almost everything. Oh, and he doesn't realize he posted that, so feel free to ask him what all the chicken-scratch is about. ]

I think... Raphael actually likes me? I was doing some research on cats ~~among other things~~ and found that some "use biting as a cleaning method." So maybe Raphael doesn't hate me after all. That's sweet. Sort of. I suppose now I have to warm up the idea that he's going to keep biting me for as long as he sees me as his owner.

Maybe I'll start wearing gloves.

[Private to Castiel (but I guess Gabe can hack it, since, you know.)]
I'm alright with planning the ceremony into the school year, but... Should I set up a list of people you'd like to attend?

[100% Unhackable, sorry Gabe.]
And, uhm, if it's alright for me to ask, what was it that made you decide you wanted to go through with this? If you're having second thoughts, it's alright to simply call it off...

twenty-one; looonely~ I was so lonely~ I had nobody~ for my own~

2010-07-24T02:48:53Z

It's been a quiet week at the Castle, hasn't it? ~~Has anyone seen Kallen around? I haven't heard from her...~~

I'm... still around, I suppose. Staying positive and working with Raphael on surpassing his biting phase. He listens to me now, which is an improvement, but... [ pauuuse for sighs. ] I don't think he and Anna will ever get along.

At least the Castle hasn't pulled anything strange recently. Though I hear we have a new poltergeist, so maybe I've just been lucky.

~~Lucky, huh...? Yeah.....~~

How're things for everyone else?

[[strikes hackable, my broskis.]]

twenty; [voice, filtered to staff & ADULTS.] talking about my feelings is what I do best.

2010-07-17T03:57:46Z

Well... It's been a hard couple days, but I've been managing. Keeping myself busy... between Raphael and my DADA preparations, I'm fully aware that I'm trying to distract myself from the problem here. [ Here there's a nervous laugh. ] I can't very well hide, can I? That's not who I am ~~anymore~~ so...

Kallen? Could I speak to you? In person, preferably. I'm in my office, but I can go to you if that would be more comfortable.

[ pause. pause. still recording here, Tobi. ]

Oh! And... Professor Bainbridge, I got the supplies you ordered. Would you like me to take them down later?

nineteen; [voice] in which life is not excellent and my cat chews through my fingers.

2010-07-12T05:20:44Z

[ Thobari's room sounds awfully quiet (Anna is out). Except maybe for a tiny meowing sound in the background. Raphael has taken to consoling him by chewing on his fingers. Thobari doesn't even seem to care. ]

I... I don't understand. I tried, really I did, but... ~~This is just like back then. There are no second chances; only the decisions we make and I... made the wrong one once again.~~ I wasn't strong enough. I'll never be strong enough.

...She'll be happier without me. It's understandable, of course. I knew about it, and yet... I couldn't stop myself. I should have known that I'm still so weak... I can't save lives, I can't save relationships; I can't save anyone.

Times like these make me wonder why I keep trying so hard.

[[Okay, so this post is 100% unhackable to Kallen and everyone else, basically. For Yukimi, Spencer and Kate, it's like 40% hackable, so you might hear some stuff about him being weak and whatnot. For Maron, this is 90% hackable (everything but the strikes) and for Cas, yeah, it's 100%.]]

eighteen; life is not dandy

2010-07-10T07:00:41Z

[Filtered to Kallen;]
Kallen, I... Are you alright? You left in such a hurry that I... Did I do something wrong?
[/Filter]

Raphael's demeanor has improved a bit. I think it has to do with the fact that I've so far protected him from Anna. ~~I don't know what that says about me, of course, protecting Castiel's killer from what sounds like the only woman he ever cared about...~~ I still don't think I should take him home as he is; it's taken him long enough to adjust to my office and my chambers; I don't think a kitten his age should be moved around quite so much.

As for Anna, she seems very restless lately. I've been sending her out on a lot of miscellaneous errands to get her out of my office, but insofar it hasn't worked much. She's always squawking at Raphael (when she isn't trying to attack him) and quite honestly, it's starting to worry me. And since sending her to the Owlry isn't an option, well...

Is anyone good with pets? Spencer's busy, and not many people are left in the castle, so... Castiel? You named them, right? Would it be too soon to ask for your assistance?

[[ strikes not hackable. Also, my internet has been really unreliable lately, so expect sporadic replies :< ]]

seventeen; I REMEMBERED WHO "RAPHAEL" WAS

2010-07-05T21:53:27Z

Well, summer is well underway and already I'm back at Hogwarts. The kittens Castiel found are indeed a bit... lively. Mine won't stop biting me; I had to tear off a bit of an old robe and give it to him to nibble on, but it looks it's going to take a while to train this out of him. ~~And I don't know the first thing about cats, really. How do you train cats?~~

I'm actually a little worried that he might not get along well with Anna, my owl. She's possessive of me enough already, if I take a kitten home, she might attack. ~~Am I that bad with animals?~~ If that happens... I suppose I'm going to have to keep them separated.

[super-ultra-private to Castiel]
Castiel. Raphael was... Am I remembering this correctly? Didn't you say Raphael was the name of the brother who killed you? Why would you name a cat after him!? And why would you give him to me!??

Is there something you aren't telling me? We need to talk about this! Now that I'm in Hogwarts, I'd like to deal with this in person, if possible.
[/filter]

sixteen; stay calm. stay calm.

2010-06-28T20:20:48Z

So... It's obvious we've... switched bodies. Somehow. I'd like to ask everyone to remain calm. If the Castle is indeed to blame for this, then it'll likely wear off soon.

This looks like... Miss Fa? ~~I'm doing my best not to startle your family, but they're finding it hard to believe that I'm a professor...~~

...I guess this puts a bit of a damper on my summer plans.

fifteen; wait, why am I singing? [comments all in voice]

2010-06-17T06:21:05Z

[ The writing is kinda scrawled, like he's fighting himself to write or something. ]

What's going on? Everyone, I--

[ off-key singing, you has it now. ]

I won't tell nobody
I'll just scream it in my mind
Nothing good in life is scripted
It's not like we predicted
That the one you want
Is gonna be the one you thought

[Filtered to Yukimi. That's right.]
I won't tell nobody
But I won't live like a prisoner
Nothing has to be so perfect
Can you tell me was it worth it?
Because her heart can't lie
And even though her face may try
Love can keep you up all night
[/Filter]

[ooc; in the end, I couldn't resist starting with a Backstreet Boys song; Love Will Keep You Up All Night.]

fourteen; a new owl at the end of the year, what was I thinking?

2010-06-04T04:13:12Z

[[Strikes are all 60~100% Hackable, depending on how close you are to him.]]

This is it, everyone! The final stretch! I hope you're all studying your hardest! I'm rooting for you all, even those of you whom I don't teach. And I'm not discussing the guests we had outside of that strange teacher and the rather sweet student. Castiel, this is directed at you.

As for me, I have some... rather strange news? My owl, Black, passed away last month. (And yes, his name was just "Black.") He was quite old, so I can't say I was too surprised. ~~It's a bit sad, considering Grandpa got him for me, but, well... it's inevitable.~~ Well, regardless, that isn't the strange part. The odd thing happened last weekend, when I decided to make a quick run to find a new one. That's not to say that the ones the school provides aren't excellent, but we tend to get a lot of post over the summer at home-- but I digress.

Long story short; as I was walking by, this owl began squawking incessantly at me. The owner of the store came to see what the fuss was about, and was surprised. It turns out the bird was a female Madgascar Red Owl, ~~very expensive~~ and for as long as the owner had her, she had always been very quiet. I assumed she didn't like me, but the moment the owner opened her cage, she flew up and perched on my shoulder, quiet as can be. I couldn't get her off to be honest, not without her squawking angrily again, so I ended up purchasing her, only... As soon as I got back to Hogwarts, she flew off my shoulders and that was that. I didn't even have time to give her a name.

She did reappear a few days later, of course, but she's a bit odd. For starters, she gets my mail wrong. I've been finding it in my office, in my room, in the classroom? And even in random places that I don't frequent very often. She's completely unpredictable; sometimes she'll fly in and perch on my shoulder once again, gazing at my surroundings like a hunter stalking its prey. It's more endearing than worrisome, I suppose, but I do hope she doesn't strike at anyone when she's looking like that. For some reason, she's oddly possessive of me.

In any case, if any of you happen to see any post addressed to me, can you stop by my office and hand it to me? ~~I also need to buy a better perch for my owl, my shoulder is starting to hurt.~~ I've been calling her "Red" for a few days now, but I don't want to continue my grandfather's trend of naming birds after colors. Do any of you have any suggestions?

[[ooc; if anyone wants to say they got some of Tobi's mail, feel free! It's probably all junk, bills, or letters from old co-workers who take pity on him. Unless you want to plot amoungst yourselves and have letters you might have sent Thobari end up in someone else's hands.]]

thirteen; 4th wall? What's that?

2010-05-29T23:44:45Z

Well now, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all our guests!

Since most of you are fresh faces, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Thobari Durandal Kumohira (I'm half-Japanese) and I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts to all our Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors.

Feel free to stop by my office if you have any questions about anything. I trust you've been enjoying a warm Hogwarts welcome?

[[4th wall tiem! Feel free to pesterpesterpester~]]