Magic School Recruiting (Open)

[Sunshine Swirl]

OOC: This is an in-character recruiting thread for a Role Play set at a "Harry Potter-esque" magic boarding school in Canterlot. Do your in-character introduction here. The actual role-play (with turns, etc.) will happen in a new thread.

# # # Canterlot # # #

SPOILER: Click to show

Sunshine Swirl tried on yet another hat.

“Honey, you’re going to miss your train if you keep fussing,” came a shout from the other room. It was Ink Well, her husband. He was a very punctual pegasus.

“I’ll be just another minute…” Sunshine called back.

Sunshine sighed and said to herself, "Stallions just don’t understand getting ready.” She tried on another hat. Under her breath she added, "Also, he's not the one who has to give a speech in front of all of Ponyville later today.”

She thought, "Ponyville. Ponyville. A town started by earth ponies. Some of them think we Canterlot mares are just bureaucrats or debutants. If I wear anything too fancy, they won’t take me seriously."

Sunshine floated another hat down from the back of her wardrobe and looked in the mirror. “Ugh, I’m just going to wear my Academy Mage Hat. It looks terrible, drab and formal but I think it will get the job done.”

“Are you ready yet?” her husband called again.

Sunshine tucked the scroll with her speech into her saddlebags along with a book to read on the train. She hoisted the saddlebags across her back and called back. “I’m all set!”

Ink Well trotted into the bedroom and gave her a hug. “Good luck on your talk.”

She hugged him back. “Are you sure you can’t come with me?” She hated traveling alone.

“Positive. Book deadline, I can’t take a break just now,” he said, giving her a squeeze.

Sunshine gave him a little kiss. “Okay, I’m off then.”

She rushed to the station and managed to board shortly before the train pulled out of Canterlot. Sunshine grabbed her book with her mouth and then floated the saddlebag up to the rack above her seat.

She settled in. "Time passes quickly when you’re reading a good book,” she thought.

# # # Ponyville # # #

The train arrived in Ponyville right on time and Sunshine Swirl made her way to the Town Hall. She was rehearsing her speech in her mind while the Mayor of Ponyville called the townsfolk to order. After a brief introduction, Sunshine Swirl took the podium. She looked out over the crowd.



It was a big crowd. Sunshine was nervous. Talking with students in a class was different than addressing a whole town.

She looked at the ponies gathered around the stage. Earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns. A bunch of parents with unicorn fillies and colts. "Future students of magic.” Sunshine thought. "I’ve got to make a good impression for them. I can do this.”

Sunshine began her speech.



Parents and foals, mares and stallions, fillies and gentlecolts. Thank you for coming today.

My name is Sunshine Swirl and I bring greetings from The Canterlot Academy of Magic.

As the mayor explained, the Academy is opening up a special class for students outside of Canterlot.

A semester at the Academy will help you focus and improve your magic. You will also learn how to memorize and make use of spells. Most unicorns master levitation, nightlight, and perhaps a spell related to their talent. With formal training, you will be able to master additional helpful magics to use in your chosen profession.

Young students who excel at this special session will be recommended to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.

Older students who excel will gain the opportunity to enroll full-time at the Canterlot Academy or to apply to the Manehatten Institute of Magic, the Fillydelphia Magic Conservatory or other prestigious school.

This first session will last three months. Students will reside at our Canterlot campus in dormitories for fillies and colts. The dormitory dorm-mare and dorm-stallion are strict but fair and will ensure a proper environment for education.

If you, or your foal would like to attend, we will be holding interviews each afternoon this week at the Town Hall.

I look forward to meeting our future students.

If you have any questions, please see me after this speech. I will be here at the town hall for the rest of the day.



Sunshine Swirl stepped down from the podium and took a deep breath. "That wasn’t so bad.” she said to herself. "Oh, I left out the part about the many professors of magic. Oh well. I guess most ponies would assume we have professors.”

She waited for the first pony or ponies in the crowd to approach her with questions.

[ashl3yfox]

Vixen waited in the lobby of the town hall while her father signed her up for the magic academy that Sunshine Swirl had offered.Vixen was actually excited about going to this academy and was thrilled to hear that it would be to improve her magical capabilities.Vixen wasn't too worried about being away from home afterall she HAD spent a night in the everfree forest.Vixen looked into the saddle bag she had brought with her and smiled when she saw the various pieces of wood that made up her light travel armor.The travel Timberwolf armor was smaller than the other sets of Timberwolf armor and as a result had less of the purple hermit vine than the other sets and also covered less of Vixens body.Vixen closed her saddlebag and thought about what she was going to do first if she got accepted into the academy and figured that it didn't matter.Vixen felt a hoof pat her on the back and saw her brother David smiling at her."What's Wrong Tetra?Your usually more energetic than this."he asked."Nothing,its just that im going to be alone for three month's and you know how i feel about being alone for too long."Vixen said."You'll do fine Tetra."David said while hugging his nervous little sister.Vixen hugged him back."Thanks big brother."Vixen said.Vixen then thought about all the great times she was going to have at this academy and smiled.(First i have to get accepted.)Vixen thought to herself.Vixen giggled on the outside.Vixen then looked around the room for anypony that she knew and was slightly saddened when she didn't recognize anypony.Vixen felt extremely nervous when they finally called her up.She entered the room where the interview was and sat down.Vixen looked at Sunshine Swirl and said"H-hello my names Vixen Tetra Tremortin."

[Sunshine Swirl]

Sunshine Swirl sat at a long table in the first floor of the town hall. The required application forms were stacked on a much smaller table near the door. She glanced over at the stack of forms and noted that only about a third of them were taken. Less than she had hoped. She wondered if the other professors from the Academy were having better luck.

Chairs and cushions had been set up inside for those waiting to approach the table. Some young adult ponies were filling out the forms themselves. Some ponies were with their parents and filling out the forms together.

There weren't as many ponies waiting compared to the number that turned out for her speech. Perhaps the ponies in Ponyville were just simply a curious lot who weren't really thinking of applying to school.

Sunshine frowned for a minute. The thought struck her that perhaps the reason not as many turned out was her speech. Or maybe it was her hat...

Her mood was a unicorn stallion approached. He smiled briefly and placed a completed application on the table.

"Thank you," Sunshine said.

The stallion returned to his family.

Sunshine Swirl read through the application. It was well written. Everything was filled in completely. The Essay Section had 294 words, which was over the 250 word minimum. Most importantly, the formatting was correct. Everything that needed to be bold or underlined was exactly right.

Sunshine looked at the name, Vixen Tremortin.

She looked out into the room. "Vixen Tremortin, could you please approach the table?"

A young filly approached. Orange coat, two-toned mane with a bright teal stripe. She seemed pretty timid. Oddly dressed too, but then, Ponyville folks do have different customs than we in Canterlot.

Sunshine said, "I've read through your application, and everything is in order." She smiled. Levitating a stamp, she stamped the application:

"Congratulations. You have been accepted to the first extension program of the Canterlot Academy of Magic." she announced loudly.

A few of the waiting ponies tapped their hooves together in celebration, then continued working on their applications.

Sunshine Swirl spoke more softly and leaned towards Vixen. "But, there are some questions I have for you to make sure you know what you're getting into? Is that alright?"

Sunshine's nose was itchy. She wondered if it was her allergies acting up, being out in the countryside and all. She rubbed her nose with her hoof and continued, "First off, the school is in Canterlot. You may have visitors, and if you wish to travel home on weekends or breaks, that is permitted. Is that okay with you?"

"Next off, the living situation. You will be in a dorm tower with many other fillies. Each floor of the dorm has fillies roughly the same age. Younger fillies at the lower floors all the way to adult mares at the upper floors. You'll be sharing a large room in the dorm with 3 other fillies around your age. Now, sometimes fillies fight over things like who gets the top bunk or the nicer desk. That's natural, but not encouraged at the Academy. One of our goals is to teach our students how to live in harmony with others."

Sunshine watched the reactions of the filly, then said. "To help with that, each dorm has a dorm 'parent" if you will. The Dorm Mare at the dorm you will be staying at is strict but fair. She enforces the rules and makes sure every pony has the best chance to learn as possible. Does that sound reasonable to you?"

Sunshine went on, "As far as food goes, the Academy has a fine student cafeteria. Of course if you have the bits, you may eat at the many fine restaurants in Canterlot, but if not, the simple fare at the cafeteria is very nutritious and will keep your strength up for your studies."

She leaned close and said, "And don't be afraid of any rumors or superstitious nonsense about the Academy. It is nearly 1000 years old, and there certainly are stories of hidden rooms, dark secrets, catacombs, and haunted rooms. Pay no attention to any of that."

Sunshine concluded, "Now, lastly, I'd like to understand why you want to attend the Academy. It's a big decision at your age. Why do you want to pursue the study of magic?"

[ashl3yfox]

Vixen was nervous when Sunshine Swirl stamped her application but eased up when Sunshine Swirl announced that she had just been accepted.Vixen then listened carefully to what Sunshine Swirl said about the living conditions.When Sunshine Swirl asked Vixen why she wanted to pursue the study of magic Vixen hesitate but gave an answer a few seconds later in princess celestias voice."Why do i want to pursue the study?Well i guess it would be adventure.I can mimic any spell i see with mixed results and perform advanced spells but i can't keep it up for more than a few seconds.But the main reason is adventure!My dream is to adventure all over equestria and discover what hasn't been discovered before!But without some good adventuring spells and a good magic endurance i can't really do much.So i guess my main reason is to learn all i can to help me adventure better.But i also want to find out what else my bracelets can do.I already know that one of them lets me change my magics glow and that my eye color changes with it.I also want to greatly improve my magical endurance so that i don't tire myself out as quick."Vixen said.Vixen then took out her sisters make-up kit from her saddlebag and expertly applied magenta eyeshadow and lipstick and then proceeded to continue her explanation."Sorry about that.Now as for the living conditions.Im perfectly fine sharing a room with three other fillies.As for food i have quite a few bits saved up so i might eat at the restaurants in Canterlot."Vixen said.After that Vixen asked one last question."W-when do we depart?"the orange filly asked.

[Sunshine Swirl]

Sunshine noted to herself that Vixen did seem to be a very good listener. That would certainly help her in the various classes at the Academy. That's a plus on Vixen's student ledger.

The answer in Princess Celestia's voice was a bit of a surprise. Sunshine had only personally met The Princess once, but she had heard enough public proclamations and addresses to recognize who Vixen was imitating. Imitating royalty, let alone The Princess herself, could get a student in some trouble both in Canterlot and the Academy. That's a minus.

"Ah, well. Adventure is quite an unorthodox reason to learn magic... but discovery and exploration, those are truly noble pursuits. Exploration is at the very foundation of science and knowledge." Sunshine said. That's probably a plus for Vixen, depending on how she can balance this thrill-seeking side of her with her discover and explore side.

When Vixen mentioned the bracelets, it gave Sunshine Swirl pause. She was still thinking what to say as Vixen touched up her face. This filly did seem a little eccentric in both clothing and manner. Well, perhaps it's just the way things are done in Ponyville.

"Vixen, dear, about those bracelets." Sunshine spoke with sternness and love as if to her own foal, "I would be very careful around magical items, especially ones with unknown properties. Magic does appear to seek balance. For every benefit there is usually a drawback."

Sunshine listened to the filly.

Vixen did seemed eager and enthusiastic to depart. That was another plus in her favor. Sunshine smiled, "We still have three weeks before the semester begins. Right now myself and my fellow professors are scouting for other students with potential like yourself."

She continued, "We'll send your parents all of the details and contact information. They'll be responsible for delivering you to Canterlot when the semester begins. If need be, we can have someone from the school meet you at the train station to bring you to the dormitories."

Sunshine stood and nodded to Vixen, "I look forward to seeing you when class begins. I think you'll find it an adventure in itself."

As the filly rejoined her father and brother Sunshine looked to see if anypony else was ready to speak with her.

[Blueberry]

Conversations started as Sunshine Swirl, a professor from the Canterlot Academy of Magic, finished her speech. One of the many unicorns stood still not saying a word, just staring at the ground. The grey mare known as Blueberry Muffin was deep in thought. Blueberry had known of this Academy and was wondering if she should apply to go. She had talked about this with her mother and father multiple times on this matter, they both agreed that Blueberry could go if she wanted. She had made her mind. "Academy of Magic here I come!".

Blueberry waited in the lobby as her mother signed parts of the application form before submitting it. Blueberry had done most herself the best she could but parental consent and stuff like that were on the form. Now that she realized the fact that she had to be accepted to the Academy, this made here nervous that she might not make it in. 'Stop thinking like that, there is no reason they would cancel my app... right?' she thought to herself. As her brown pelt coloured mother came back her worries simply vanished. "I've signed the forms and everything should be good to go" she assured Blueberry.

"Thanks mum" Blueberry replied back. Blueberry hugged her mum before leaving for the time being. Now the worries kicked back in and she waited uncomfortably for her name to be called. When her time came she stood up and walked up to the desk where Sunshine Swirl was waiting. Professor Sunshine Swirl had a near white pelt and a short rose mane with dark pink highlights. Blueberry stood in front of her desk keeping calm and standing up straight. Spotting her application at the same time, Blueberry awaited for what Sunshine Swirl was going to say. 'Hopefully good news' she thought to herself.

[Sunshine Swirl]

Sunshine Swirl looked out to the dozen or so ponies gathered in the ground floor of the Ponyville Town Hall. A few more good candidates and she could declare this trip a success.

She read through another application. Everything was formatted properly. The Essay Section had 282 words, good. This one had potential as well.

Sunshine placed the application on the table and called out the name at the top, "Blueberry Muffin"

A young light gray mare approached the table. She seemed calm and attentive. Sunshine appreciated this and made a mental note in her "plus" column.

Sunshine smiled and said, "Hello Blueberry. I've read through your application. It is well written and complete." She levitated a stamp over the application and brought it down with a thump.

"Congratulations. You have been accepted into the extension program of the Canterlot Academy of Magic." she announced.

Again, a few of the waiting ponies tapped their hooves together then went back to working on their own applications.

Sunshine touched the application with her hoof, "I see here that you work at your family bakery. Will they have a problem with you taking off for three months to attend a private magic school?"

Sunshine listened, then continued, "You seem to be pretty passionate about baking. It's marvelous to discover and focus on a special talent. I think you'll find magic school very useful in your trade." She thought for a second then added. "There is one professor, Tres Maneifique, who specializes in magic for the senses. She is, well, a little overbearing at times, but using magic to make delightful things that appeal to the senses is what she is all about."

"I'm sure you've mastered several spells like levitation, and perhaps even heating or cooking spells. If you study hard, and practice often, you'll be able to master other spells to help you in your talent. In fact, if you continue your education, someday you may be able to instill your baked goods with magical properties." Sunshine said.

Sunshine produced a scroll with a small map of the campus as well as a long list of rules. She slid the scroll over to Blueberry. "Now, onto the living arrangements. You will be staying at the mare's dormitory tower. It's quite nice. I lived there as a student myself. You will be allowed visitors during daylight hours, and you'll be able to travel home if you desire on weekends and holidays. There is a school cafeteria not far from the dorm if you wish to eat on campus."

"I will answer any questions you have now -- but first I have one final question for you." Sunshine looked Blueberry in the eye, "At your age, with your current talent, you could easily carrying on with the family baking business. Magic school is very demanding and time consuming. Knowing that, why do you want to go to Canterlot to attend magic school?"

[Blueberry]

Sunshine Swirl seemed to be a nice pony which made Blueberry relax a little. She noted about her application, giving a complement about it before levitating a small stamp over the application. The word 'Accepted' now printed on the application. A grin appeared across Blueberry's face as happiness rushed through her body. Before Blueberry could say anything Sunshine pointed out that she worked at her family bakery, wondering if it be a problem.

"No it won't be a problem. While I'm gone they will manage without me just fine" Blueberry answered.
Blueberry listened as Sunshine Swirl talk about Blueberry's passion on baking. Also notifying her on professor Tres Maneifique, she sounded interesting as she went on about specializing in senses. Blueberry has mastered levitation over years of floating multiple items such as ingredients at once and had a few cooking spells in her list.

Sunshine also told of instilling goods with magical properties. She had heard of such spells but had never know any herself. Thinking of the possibilities of what she could learn was making Blueberry excited. She examined a scroll Sunshine handed over as she went on about living arrangements, all so far was fair. Sunshine's next question got Blueberry's full attention. Why join the school? Why not continue the family business. She asked herself this many times before.

"I could continue from where I'm professor and do quite well, but, I promised myself I'd one they put our bakery on the map. What you have just told me makes me believe this goal even more. I'm also still young and the Academy seems like a golden opportunity I can't pass up. Learning is also in my nature, I kind of have a 'thirst' for knowledge in a way and I believe at the Academy I can perfect my magic capabilities for the future. I'm not sure if that is the best reason but I believe it is" Blueberry finished.

"For questions I have, when will the semester start? I'm quite excited. I...don't think I have any more questions for you. Also, than you for this opportunity" Blueberry finished. A dark blue aura coated the map and list of rules as she levitated them be her side while she waited to see if she needed to know anything else or receive any further instructions or questions.

[Sunshine Swirl]

Sunshine Swirl took great pleasure in stamping "Approved" on applications. Perhaps unicorns were born bureaucrats? She watched as Blueberry Muffin's face turned from apprehension to delight.

Sunshine listened to Blueberry discuss the situation with the family bakery. Perhaps this was a good time for her to take a break from the bakery to hone her skills. Magical skills of course, but also life skills. It seemed that this would be the first time that Blueberry would be away from her family for any significant length of time.

She explained to Blueberry the possibilities that dedicated study could bring to her baking craft. The young mare's face really lit up when Sunshine mentioned the possibility of enduing baked goods with magical effects. Sunshine wondered if she maybe oversold the school. It would take more than three short months to learn to do something like that...

Finally, Sunshine asked the question required for each applicant and listened carefully to Blueberry's reply.

Sunshine nodded as the young mare explained her reasons for attending school. She seemed to be dedicated to her trade -- something Sunshine admired. She had noble aspirations too, taking her family's business to new levels. Improving herself. Sunshine liked students with attitudes like this.

Sunshine listened to Blueberry's questions. She answered, "The semester starts in just about two weeks. That should give you time to pack and make preparations. You'll be responsible for your own transportation to the school grounds. It is a bit of a walk from the train station and if you've packed a lot, you may wish to hire a carriage to take you to the school."

Sunshine smiled, "You're welcome, Blueberry. I'm so glad you applied to the school and look forward to seeing you there."

Sunshine said, "The rules and instructions are on that scroll. If you or your parents have any questions, they can write to me at the school."

She waved, "I'll see you in a couple of weeks, Blueberry."

As Blueberry trotted away, Sunshine scanned the room to see if anypony else was ready to apply.

[~Silly CC~]

((Mind if I join in? I've got Bubles who would love to perhaps take internship or even do some extra studying since she was more focused on science at the school before ^_^))

A young-adult unicorn mare smiled as the speech finished, trotting towards the interviewing room. A stack of forms lay next to an older mare with a cream coat and short red hair; Bubbles took a sheet in her blue magic and trotted to a little cushion with pen and paper in its glow. She sat down, her choppy toxic slime-colored tail bouncing lightly, and began to fill out the form. The questions weren't anything new to her, besides some words being "magic" instead of "science," but it was still a quick fill-in for the mare.

Bubbly Beaker was no stranger to a school of magic, though she was originally a graduate of Celstia's School for Gifted Unicorns, and was ready for any interviews, admittance exams, or references the instructor may ask of her. Her studying at Celestia's school was mainly scientific magic studies, like potions and things of that sort, so she had lately been interested in expanding her knowledge of magic. She hadn't noticed a sheet for internships, so she decided to just add a note in her application form.

Adding her signature at the end, she sighed in approval of the sheet. It was definitely thorough, and she believed it would be a good length for this school. She had a few vague memories of the rival school from her days at Celestia's school, but none of great value. The academic decathlon was probably the only time she remembered interacting with the school, and even that was in competition. Would they have the decathlon available this year, and would that mean facing up to her old school? That could get awkward, especially as some of her friends had stayed at Celestia's school for internships and advanced studying, while hers stopped as science wasn't the main focus of the magic school.

She stood up and trotted over to the table, smiled, and went back to her cushion to wait for her name to hopefully be called.

[Sunshine Swirl]

The day was nearly over, and Sunshine Swirl was looking forward to catching the train back to Canterlot. She had one more slot to fill, and only a few applications left.

The first application was for a young colt named "Rusty Nail". Sunshine read through it. Okay, the basic details looked good. Now on to likes and dislikes... Hmm. Likes fire and blowing things up. Dislikes being told not to do things. It got more troubling from there, especially the big paragraph on revenge in the personality section. Sunshine surveyed the room nervously, then very quietly floated Rusty Nail's application to the rejected pile.

The next application was for a young mare with a very solid educational background at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. It was a strong application, everything was filled out with precision. The essay section was only 150 words though. There was a note asking about internship positions - so Sunshine decided to be lenient. The Academy was short staffed for this special session, so perhaps there would be room for a teacher's aide.

Sunshine looked up, and called the mare's name, "Bubbly Beaker, would you please come to the table?"

A young light gray mare with a green mane and square rimmed glasses approached the table. She seemed confident and cheerful but maybe a tiny bit nervous as well.

Sunshine floated the application to the tabletop in front of Bubbly, "Bubbly Beaker, as you know, the Canterlot Academy of Magic is a very selective private school. We choose our candidates based on both their merits and their motivations. I've read through your application and found it to be well written."

Sunshine levitated her stamp, and with a thump, stamped the application.

"Congratulations, you have been accepted into the Canterlot Academy of Magic extension program." Sunshine said. "I do have a few questions though."

Sunshine placed her hoof on the application where Bubbly Beaker wrote about internship possibilities. "The classwork for this semester will be quite intense, even for someone with your academic background. Are you sure you want to take on the extra work of an internship?"

Sunshine listened to Bubbly's response.

"Now, on to the living arrangements." Sunshine continued. "The Academy has dormitories within its walls; one for mares, one for stallions. As an older student, you'll be housed in one of the upper floors of the mare's dorm tower. There is a cafeteria off of the main courtyard with meals provided to students. Of course if you'd like, there are many fine restaurants and café's in Canterlot. Also, if you are accepted as an intern, say as a research assistant, or teacher's aide to one of the professors, you will also receive a small stipend."

Sunshine asked, "Do the living arrangements sound reasonable to you? Living in Canterlot for a semester won't be a problem, will it?"

She continued, "Now, the school is nearly as old as Canterlot itself. In a thousand years students have had time to make up many rumors and tales of hidden rooms, dark secrets, catacombs, and professors who are actually evil fire-snorting winged creatures made of black smoke. Pay no attention to those stories. They're just tales that the older students spread to scare the young ones."

"I will answer any questions you might have, but first, I have one last question for you," Sunshine said. She looked into Bubbly's eyes, "Why is it that you want to travel all the way to Canterlot to continue your studies in magic?"

[lolpop234]

(waits in lobby) ohhhhh im so scared. what if i dont get in. no get a hold of yourself if pinkie and twilight thinks you can do it then you can. i have trained hard for this. mother zecora said said if you believe you can do it then you can do anything.(i get called in. i start to sweat, i show examles of magic i have learnt. i then leave.) oh gosh did i get in?