Yes, Claudine knew that she would sneak away for a bit to catch Heath’s audition. This was exactly what she did and was pleased when she realised that she had averaged just the right time when to do so. Even though he had already gotten started, it didn’t seem that she had missed a lot. The sixth year stood there, watching in awe at the boyfriend’s acting. Sure, she’d seen him on stage before but his talent never ceased to amaze her. Regardless of if he got the lead, she’d always be proud of him.

She hung around a bit longer to catch a few more auditions, which in her opinion were okay. Heath had been the best and no, she wasn’t being biased. Okay, maybe a little. Claudine’s attention shifted to Healer Poppy. Was the woman auditioning too? Because she certainly was being dramatic.

The girl winced at the sudden change in light, and willed herself to adjust to it quickly. And was that bread she smelt? It certainly was. Claudine didn’t know why but she suddenly felt very calm. All that excitement she’d felt seemed to have melted away. With Trent confirming the break, Claudine grabbed a bit of cinnamon bread then went off to find Heath. She was nibbling on the bread as she sought out that giant of a Ravenclaw.

Watching the others audition really made her worry that she would end up with a lame role, like the sheep or the donkey of the play. She couldn’t help but smile at her friends as they performed, feeling comfort that they were there with her. How fun if they all made the play.

Obviously the stress of auditioning had eased since she had finished her piece, but there was suddenly a very familiar smell in the air that made her feel… ahhhhhhhhhh… like there were no worries left to feel. Complete calm.

Right when she wanted to hear it the most, the Headmaster called a break. Remy let out a loud sigh and leaned back against her hands, momentarily closing her eyes and forgetting where she was.

Lisa had grinned at Avalon when she had recommended something light and comedic. She had thought the same; however, she didn’t have much time to offer her thoughts as the groups were being gathered together. She gave the seventh year a smile and a wave as she left to go join her group.

Her audition happened and she had returned to her seat, feeling a little more relaxed but also overthinking the audition completely. Sure she had emphasized words that had SEEM RIGHT… but were those truly the right ones? Lisa rubbed her face briefly and sighed before looking up to watch the next auditions. Wow! The auditions were all awesome!! She clapped her hands at the end of each audition. Remy rocked it so the littlest Nam jumped to her feet to give her friend a standing ovation and then she saw Heath’s performance. She LOVED his performance because it was STAR WARS! And he did it so well. Everyone has an awesome audition even Kinsay who had seemed super nervous at first - Lisa was really happy with her audition.

V; however, did look out of sorts when she walked in. Lisa watched her friend, wishing that she could go and ask her if she was okay but there wasn’t much time. She watched her do her dance (and V was seriously a good dancer) and applauded her friend. She’d come find her later.

She was waiting for the next person (who was Emmerson) to take the stage when Healer Poppy entered with bread. More bread? She wouldn’t say no… but thank goodness she was still growing vertically. If she wasn’t and with all the bread that she was eating, she would have started becoming more and more round like. Lisa’s eyebrows raised as Healer Poppy mentioned the light of the room. Why? Why was she always on about lights? She fished out her notebook jotting down three words. Light. Poppy. Bread. It was all she could muster out of her because she was feeling a little too relaxed. It had washed over her unexpectedly and she was starting to feel very sleepy….

When Trent called five, Lisa was super happy. She darted over to V to see if she was okay. “Great dancing!” she said with a smile before hooking arms with her and whispering. “Are you okay?” She didn’t like people who made her friend cry and she was VERY much hoping that it wasn’t Daniel Yoon that had made her cry. If he had, she knew that there would be some more digging to do there based on the first interaction that she had witnessed between the two.

Florrie had turned up at the auditions prepared to BLOW. EVERYONES. SOCKS. OFF. with her turn. Except, as the others performed, she found herself slinking lower and lower into her seat. Every person who went up on that stage and performed had her feeling something she wasn't used to - insecure. And she didn't want to get up there and perform, not anymore.

When Healer Poppy arrived, the Hufflepuff's initial reaction was to wrinkle her nose at the presence of bread, but after a moment she felt a sense of utter calm descend upon her. And the last however-long, of feeling nervous and like she couldn't go up and perform after everyone else had? All of that dissipated.

Just as Headmaster Trent announced that they were going to have a break?

"A break?" Florrie asked calmly - even that a difference to what usually would have been incredulity at the idea of a PAUSE when she was ready. "I guess that's fine, but I'm going next, okay? First up after the break," she informed the Headmaster, offering a serenely winning smile.

"I'll be doing Lillian's monologue from Stories, buy Morris Panych." Florrie added, seemingly as an afterthought.

Yes. Yes. A break. It was going quite according to her plan. With many already reaching for bread, the healer helped herself onto the stage.

“AheeEEeeMmmM. May I have everyone’s attention please? I have just one announcement. It’ll be posted later for those not here and it’s just wwooonddeerrfuuull news!! From now on, all classes will have bread. All the sorts you want. It will take extra work on my part but I’m sure the elves will love to help!”

She already had them helping. A bit of elf magic added nicely to the taste. No complaints yet, not from any who had actually tried them.

”There’s no reason the students need to be starving at all times of the day. How are they ever going to learn? It’s preposterous and I won’t hear of it.”

The little dears were welcome. Now they could have classes with a lot more comfort…and calm. They could thank her at the end of the year.

Kinsay was feeling all sorts of awful about her audition, but Kale’s encouragement helped as did Teddy’s hug and Phoebe’s cuddles. The way her friend’s cheered didn’t go unnoticed, but it was all a little hard to acknowledge in the moment when all Kizzy wanted to do was melt into the ground. Everything was fine.

After managing to settle down a little, Kinsay made sure to cheer loudly for everyone who went up to perform, just as her friends had done for her. It was really nerve-racking up there. She knew. So everyone got applause. Kale also received a big smile as he playfully jumped down to where the rest of them were sitting. Kins couldn’t contain her fully-belly laughter as he draped himself across Teddy’s lap and honked her brother’s nose. Teddy was flushed, did he know? Hehehe. Kins watched him curiously, momentarily distracted, before jumping up to her feet to join him in a standing ovation.

Settling back down into her seat, Kinz continued to clap quietly for Cece as her friend made her way up to the stage. Her Alice was so whimsical and soft and just so perfect. Kizzy made sure to cheer lots. It was nice to see her friends in their element, it took Kinz’s mind off of the residual, nervous way her stomach was still feeling.

With Nemesis up next, Kiz paid special attention. She smiled up at the stage, in case he ever looked over. Faye did a wonderful job too and Kiz made sure to cheer loudly, but then quieted herself quickly to pay extra special attention to Teddy. She gave him a mighty high-five as he stood up, but then sat in quiet reverence as he began reciting his piece. When he spoke, she could feel his words in her whole body. That was Teddy’s talent. He was so good at making people feel things. It was so fitting that Phoebe was called up next. Kinsay was beaming the WHOLE time her big sister was up on stage. Her hero. She, like Kale and Teddy, received a standing ovation (and also BIG CUDDLES when she came back to her seat). Hi, Fifi. That was awesome.

Kinz was feeling all sorts of exhausted now, but she still made sure to cheer after Ivy’s emotion-filled performance and Heath’s dramatic monologue. But. Um. Everything after that was a blur, until the arrival of Healer Poppy and BREAD. Kinz was quick to her feet, grabbing a few different slices and bringing them back to her seat to share with Teddy and Phoebe while they waited for Emm’s performance; Kins was SO eager to cheer for her friend.

…..

Actually. She had been eager before, but not anymoreeee. Now she was just zen. Soooo peaceful. No emotional highs or lows. No thoughts. Head empty.

This bread was so good. She especially liked the sweet bread. And it was so nice that they’d get to have some in their classes from now on. So nice. ”Healer Poppy?” Kinz raised her hand slowlyyyy. She had one (1) question. An important one. ”What’s in the bread?” Because this was the best bread she had ever eaten and Kinsay James needed to know. She NEEDED to know so she could ask her parents to make some for Christmas dinner. Mmmm. So yum.

Violet's headache had returned with a vengeance and the brighter lights seemed to hurt her eyes for some reason. She had been confident she knew her audition piece just a few minutes ago, but now her thoughts were spinning and she wasn't sure she remembered how it started. And now they were taking a break? She had really hoped she could go next, before she forgot what she was doing all together.

Then her ears picked up at Kinsay's question. It was a very good question, and one Violet wanted to know the answer to. She was vaguely surprised that no one had asked it before.

Misa was growing ever increasingly tolerant of the perpetual smell of bed. She vaguely remembered a time when it had such a strong association with her old life that she wanted to cry.

But now... now the smell of bread was nice again. Comforting. Made her wonder why she ever had a problem with seeing and smelling it.

"A break sounds nice." she agreed in a light airy voice. She plopped down on the edge of the stage and swung her legs in the open air. A good break was good for the creative mind and for centering. Yes.

Dahlia still wasn't entirely sure this was the best idea but she did love pretending and that's exactly what acting was. Pretending. Being another version of herself and having a good time doing it. She pretended alllllllll of the time, constantly. So there really wasn't anything for her to be worried about.

Yet she was.

Her hands were slightly shaky and a bit sweaty too. It was getting hard to swallow and breath with her throat being so dry. Everyone was so good as they stood up there on the stage one by one preforming their favorite poems, plays and stories. Lia slumped down in her chair, hugging her knees to her chest trying her best to not allow her nerves to get the best of her. Would anyone notice if she happened to slip out of her now and not try out?

Just when she was thinking it was all too much, in walks Healer Poppy rambling about lighting and bread. The sweet sweet scent of bread. All kinds of bread quickly filled the area and within seconds Lia found herself feeling totally calm. So calm in fact, that she stood up and walked onto the stage with all the confidence in the world when her name was called.

"Hello, I'm Dahlia Jane Donovan and I'm going to be doing a piece from Peter Pan." Taking a small step back and quietly clearing her throat the second year Ravenclaw then began her very own version of 'You Can Fly'. Because who didn't wish they could fly as a small child and want to go off to Neverland? Uhhh, she did!

She did her very best to play each part. Peter, Wendy, John and Michael. Giving each one their own voice so they could be told apart. The mention of needing 'dust' had her pulling gold shimmering glitter from her pocket which she sprinkled upon the children (herself). Jumping about the stage as the child had in the movie and play upon their beds and making like she was really flying along in the sky, spinning and twirling all about no doubt making herself dizzy. When her audition was over she returned to the center of the stage. "Thank you!" With a warm smile she walked off the stage and returned to her seat. That hadn't gone so badly.

V was very contently chowing down on the bread, feeling much more at ease and waaaaaay less stressed as her BESTIE LISA approached her. "Oh. I was crying because I was late. I overslept, and it stressed me out," she said very calmly, as if she were describing the weather. "But I feel good now. I got to DANCE and this bread is hitting the spot!" she beamed and patted Lisa's hand affectionately.

Kinsay's question was a really good one. "Yeah! Because it is SOOOOO good, Healer Poppy!" she beamed and gave her TWO thumbs up.

Gabi hadn't signed up to help with the auditions, because she had a LOT of very important deputy headmistress things she needed to do. BUT thankfully for everyone, she'd been so productive lately! Her mood had changed dramatically and she just felt so carefree...it actually helped her not to stress about everything, which in turn had made her very very productive!

So why not grace everyone's presence by attending the auditions? She was sure the kids could use a supportive word of encouragement from her!

The moment she entered the room, she felt herself smiling softly as a calm feeling overcame her. After last term, she really truly felt at PEACE now in this school. That had to be it. "Did I hear someone say bread?" she asked with a grin as she walked in, trying not to seem too eager as she smelled the unmistakable smell of melon and bread mixed together. Normally she didn't do carbs but this term she'd been making exceptions...

Why that Ravenclaw (Dahlia) decided to do a performance while they were on break was testament enough to the fact these children were overworked and didn’t know when or how to take a break. It was sad really, to never be able to fully shut down. It was obvious they were being pushed too hard by the staff.

Healer Poppy turned to the incessant third year Gryffindor girl at the question of the bread.

“No no, you don’t need to worry about that, a secret recipe, formulated with care. Nothing you need to concern yourselves with.” Nothing any of them needed to concern themselves with. The bread was good and that was all they needed to know. There were very few secrets the woman kept, this was one of them.

Her smile returning, Healer Poppy levitated some bread over to the former healer. “Help yourself. We were just talking about how great it was. I think that’s all for today, children. No need to fuss yourselves any further. I’m sure there’s enough for your professors to go off. Have some bread on your way out.”

Wait, what? Auditions were over? But Violet hadn't even had a chance to do anything yet, how could any of the professors have any idea of what she could or wanted to do? She felt vaguely that she should feel extremely disappointed by this, but with her head spinning from the increasing smell of the bread, she just felt kind of floaty and numb and couldn't bring herself to care very much.

Morgan was sorely unprepared for this audition, but he was only doing this on impulse anyway so it shouldn't have been all that surprising. Luckily there were script things already there for those less than prepared and the sixteen year old quickly glanced through them till he found one that looked remotely interesting. Or it seemed to be about a shark which was cool. What was annoying though was that he seemed to be one of the last ones to get to audition so he was getting really fidgety while he waited for his turn.

Sure, he hyped up his friends when it was their turn, giving big applause to their performance. But he was starting to get impatient because practically the whole school was here. Good thing there were snacks though and he helped himself to Healer Poppy's freshly baked bread. Yum!

Eventually he started to relax, not that Morgan was really aware of the gradual zen that seemed to take over. He just.... didn't feel that impatient anymore. And then.. well he just decided that it was his turn, finally!

He hopped up from his seat with script in hand and took his place at the front of the room. "So, I guess this is a part from a muggle movie called Jaws? I think it's about a shark.." Morgan hadn't seen it or anything, or even heard of it, but that's what it seemed like from skimming the monologue. And he hadn't even practiced it while he waited his turn, so he was just going to wing it here.

"I understand you’re having a little shark trouble," he started, trying to dramatically emphasize a few words here and there for effect. "I know you have a visitor off your southern shores. I think it could be my shark. I’m interning at the American Museum of Natural History, but the Oceanographic Research Institute in South Africa is co-sponsoring my thesis paper arm in arm with the Natural Institute of Health and the Marine Fishery Service." There were a lot of big words there that didn't come out as effortlessly as he would have liked... but an attempt was made. "I’m trying to prove that the shark that killed Christine Watkins last Friday was the same rogue that savaged these." Here Morgan mimed handing over a sheet of paper. "The trail of a rogue shark leads all over the world. This is only a theory. It has never been authenticated, but there is a wonderful chance that the shark that killed the Watkins girl and the man-eater I tagged off the Great Barrier Reef are the one and the same. Off and on I’ve tracked it to New Zealand, Santiago Bay, Cape Town South Africa… uh … the Gulf of Guinea, then West Palm Beach, Florida last December... and finally I predicted it would follow the warming Gulf Stream into the Northern Seasonal Zones, and release an attack pattern along the Jersey Coast. I was off by just three hundred miles. It hit you instead. All I’m asking is for a little future cooperation. I could predict future outbursts of attack activity in the area. Use me… Let me use you."

Finished, he gave his audience a bow then tossed his sample script back into the pile. Just in time to be told they were done for the day. Sweet! "Thanks for the bread, Healer Poppy! It's delicious," he added as helped himself to more on his way out.

Alas, Pax didn't get to finish her second mannequin, though she got almost all the way done - prosthetics including a nose and a chin that both looked like they might take someone's eye out if the mannequin happened to be thrown in the direction of, say, a certain annoying so-called healer. Not that Pax did. Instead, when the woman arrived and began with the bread again, she subtly adjusted the nose jewellery she wore and remained silent, more wary than calm though she was careful to stay relaxed. She shot a little look at Peralta as they were summarily dismissed by the healer (some audition huh), and then went for the door.

On second thoughts, Pax grabbed some bread on her way out. For..... later.

Dahlia was in noway aware that she had done her audition during what was supposed to be a break for the them all. The scent alone from that bread had mellowed her out enough where all she had wanted to do was preform and do her very best. Which was what she had hoped she had done. There was nothing else she could do now. The rest was up to the judges.. er Professors and Headmaster.

Well there was one thing. Umm, make that two. Healer Poppy was telling them that auditions were over now and that they could leave. So she was going to leave but first.. she was going to get herself some of that amazing bread. She walked over to get some taking a slice or two of her most favorite, the strawberry kind. "Thank you for the bread, Healer Poppy." Lia smiled warmly in thanks. Waving at everyone else still there and thanking all of the Professors and Headmaster once again before she left.

Remy gave a little curtsey in response to Lisa's standing ovation. That girl was such a precious gem. She was trying to watch Dahlia's performance, but seemed to be distracted with nothing. It was just sooooooo mellow in this room. Must've been the bread, because she certainly wasn't feeling mellow when she first walked in.

UGH - Remy felt glad when Healer Poppy declared auditions over. Not just relief, but she just wanted to chill out, man.

Rising to her feet, Remy grabbed some more bread and didn't hesitate to start munching on it as she headed out. "Thanks, Healer Poppy. Bbbbyyyyee, everyone." Wave, wave. Bye, bye.