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Post by Eoin Tynan on May 30, 2011 22:15:55 GMT -5
[[Even though the other thread is still opened, figured I'd start this since it has the potential to be fun, anyone can join! Posting both Echo and Eoin ]] Eoin Tynan, Head Auror, knocked on the heavy wooden door leading to Arianna Blackthorn's offices. Beside him stood Echo Ashaelyr, her hands cuffed in front of her. The blackened right hand had made several people in the lift nervous, but it didn't bother Eoin. Arianna had explained things to him, and he knew from her that the woman was of sound mind, a victim of the system, and the demon that had infected her. He opened the door, stepping into the office with Echo following behind him. "Miss Blackthorn?" The curly-haired man looked around. Her office was empty, but he had told her via paper messenger bird that he was transferring the prisoner today. "Wait here ma'am," Eoin smiled calmly at the woman while he walked into the adjoining room. Echo appreciated the man's kind nature, he had quick, clever eyes but they were cheerful, and he treated her nicely despite her 'prisoner' status. She waited while he looked in the other room, examining the office. It was a mess. Either Ari had released a bunch of blue pixies into the room, or she was one of those kinds of researchers that got swallowed by their work and had a strange sort of organization. The more she knew about Arianna, the more Echo found herself liking the woman.
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jun 1, 2011 21:30:55 GMT -5
No rest for the wicked or the good at heart. There was a lot to be done before Echo arrived. Arianna had transformed a corner of her experimental lab into a room for Echo to rest while tests were being preformed. The woman was kind enough to allow Arianna to poke and prod her the least she could do was give her a bit of privacy. It was the least she could do. Echo could be a career maker for Arianna. It was a chance of a life time to be able to study demon magic, but that wasn't the only reason Arianna was helping Echo. She liked the girl. There was something plucky about the demon hunter that called out to her more emotional side. Someone needed to help her. Medical staff wouldn't touch her for fear of contamination.
Arianna stepped back wand poised to correct something. The small corner resembled a young woman's bedroom. Or that of someone just becoming an adult. Arianna wasn't sure how young Echo was but she doubted she was very old. Despite her battle scarred years there was a youthfulness about her. A young person who grew up far too quickly. The area was partitioned by several bright curtains attached to the ceiling, runes were stitched in sliver thread as decoration and protection. A small cot buried under pillows took up most of the space. A sliver, rune etched mirror floated along one "wall" and posters of outdated qudditch stars hung on one side. A wanted poster also served as decoration. It was all she found in the department.
Footsteps sounded the approach of someone. She turned to find Eoin.
"Hello, I was just readying a section of the room for Echo. Despite this being a lab I wanted her to feel comfortable. Do you think she'll like it?" Arianna asked a little nervous, she had never decorated the place for someone else before. The lab was actually quite cold. The clutter of her office was gone. The room was utterly clean, drawers lined one wall filled with equipment. A large table set in the middle of the room, a sparkling force field around the top. This was where she and her assistants did experiments.
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Post by Eoin Tynan on Jun 1, 2011 22:33:33 GMT -5
The fair-haired man smiled and nodded, pleased that Echo had allies within the walls of the Ministry. If he could choose anyone to administer the experiments and tests to Echo that the Ministry expected of such a prisoner, he would trust the task to Arianna and her team. They would treat Echo with the respect befitting a woman, and not a creature.
"Yes, it looks lovely. I'll make sure to send meals down for you and her. And not prisoner gruel. She will be treated like a guest if I have anything to say about it." He placed a hand on her shoulder and fixed his keen eyes on her face. "But I don't know how long I can keep Daksmer and his bunch away from her. Technically she's in the jurisdiction of the Law Enforcement division. Until we get her officially in your department's control, and even after that, Daksmer may try something."
He frowned. Something about the whole situation was troubling him. "Be alert, there's some other work behind all of this. But if you need anything, send word to my office directly."
Eoin walked back to where he'd left Echo. Waving his hand at the cuffs 'round her wrists, he removed them and gave her an encouraging smile. "You won't need these any more. And remember, you have friends here."
Then he was gone, closing the door behind him.
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Post by Echo Ashaelyr on Jun 1, 2011 23:49:50 GMT -5
[[Oh Ari, she's 28 btw ]] Echo was left alone in the entranceway, but for a moment she silently thanked the Head Auror for his genuine care for her. She'd stumbled into a huge mess in Hogsmeade and London, but it was balanced by the fact that she'd also apparently made some friends as well. The woman, shaky from her two nights in the small cold prison cell, rubbed her wrist (avoiding the blackened one - Merlin she wished she could cover the hideous thing with her glove) and walked into the adjoining room. Into a lab, but not what she expected. It was brightly lit, clean and organized, and in the far corner of the room a curtain was pulled across a section of the room. There were tables, shelves, a medley of all the sorts of things a person would need to study and uncover secrets of the Mysteries departments. She couldn't suppress a shiver at the sight of the lab, however pleasant it seemed. Her instinctive distrust reared its head, and she held back from taking a step further into the room. Here she was a test subject, something some members of the Mysteries Department would desist seeing as a person and more of an object to be examined, poked and prodded. Already she was seen by many, thanks to Daksmer and those who thought like him, as more of a creature than a human. Could she trust Arianna to treat her any better? But did she have a choice in the matter, was the true question. Yet...Echo felt that if she didn't try to trust Arianna, and work with her on her studies, then she wouldn't get anywhere. After all, wasn't she searching for answers? The unknown beckoned and frightened her. But she wasn't a demon hunter for nothing. Her stubbornness and courage took over, and the scarred woman squared her shoulders. She was going to give Arianna all the help she needed. She wouldn't be a test subject, they would be a team, both working to unravel the mystery. "So, do they have good food here?" She asked, a touch drily in an attempt to break the silence and catch Arianna's attention.
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jun 15, 2011 2:06:49 GMT -5
ooc: hope you kids don't mind me joining ^^
ic: The small fireplace in the corner of Arianna Blackthorn’s quarters suddenly birthed a loud, green flame. White sparks flew out as a pair of long legs preceded a form awkwardly struggling with the fireplace. “Uggh, ouch.” A familiar voice grunted, long gnarled fingers pushing on the fireplace before Curse Kameren finally got himself free. “Apparently you didn’t set the expansion charm yet,” he dusted himself off, glancing between the two women. Curse was dressed rather nicely, in a collared shirt, tie, and dark grey slacks. His Wizengamot robes hung loosely around his thin body, a little disheveled from his struggle with the fireplace. His hair was slightly more in-control than usual, though now dusty. An unlit cigarette hung precariously between his lips.
“Sorry, never use the Floo Network, but Mysteries doesn’t let me apparate and I can’t have anyone knowing I’m here,” Curse smiled, taking Arianna’s hand lightly, only for a moment, in greeting. He smiled at Echo, but didn’t move towards her for fear of accidentally setting off his curse. He put the cigarette back in his pocket. He knew Arianna would bloody kill him if he lit up in her office. She always hated his smoking. “Thought I’d stop by and help out if I could before I have to go to trial.”
Having had a position of power and regard in the Ministry, Curse was an honorary member of the Ministry’s government. He sat on the jury for many cases, though with his extensive auror experience he more often felt comfortable in the prosecuting auror position. Hopefully, he would work it out so he sat in on Echo’s trial, playing devil’s advocate to keep her out of Daksmer’s clutches. He had friends in the Wizengamot. He attended more trials recently, trying to get back in contact with those friends. They may prove helpful, later on.
“I could assist you with whatever it is you’re up to, or just do research. Glad to see you’re alright, Echo. Heard word from Mort, telling me you were safely transferred.” Curse took a step back from the two. Was he intruding? He was rubbish at telling when he wasn’t wanted. It had often proved to cause him trouble. He smiled awkwardly as he glanced between the two women, his eyes lingering on Arianna.
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jun 18, 2011 23:11:35 GMT -5
"Yes, it looks lovely. I'll make sure to send meals down for you and her. And not prisoner gruel. She will be treated like a guest if I have anything to say about it." He placed a hand on her shoulder and fixed his keen eyes on her face. "But I don't know how long I can keep Daksmer and his bunch away from her. Technically she's in the jurisdiction of the Law Enforcement division. Until we get her officially in your department's control, and even after that, Daksmer may try something."
Arianna met the auror's gaze as he warned her about Daksmer. That hit wizard was more than a little annoying. How could some one so inept be so cocky? It was bizarre and he gave Ari the shakes. There was something not quite right about him. Yet, she had no proof and couldn't really describe exactly why he made her wary. It didn't help that she had angered him, but he needed to be put in his place. Normally, someone in her department would have been notified about a contaminated human, not hit-wizards. He had broken protocol not her. Even if someone had given him the go ahead in the capture he should have had someone with the ability to contain out of control magic.
"Right, I'm setting up identity spells, that will only omit authorized people."
"Be alert, there's some other work behind all of this. But if you need anything, send word to my office directly."
Arianna watched as the man left and before turning back to her preparations. Nibbling her lip, Ari worked. Would Echo like it? Arianna wasn't sure what color scheme Echo would prefer in her little make shift room in the corner.
A voice broke into Ari's thoughts and she turned to see Echo in the doorway.
"So, do they have good food here?"
"It isn't half bad, Eoin will bring us meals. Oh! I created a small space for you over here," Ari stated as she walked over to the curtain and pulled it aside to reveal a cot piled high with a fluffy comforter, and colorful pillows.
"it isn't much but you're not an object even thought you can't roam around freely. There is a protective ruin circle around the bed and if you touch this symbol here on the curtain it will activate. "
Arianna's little tour was interrupted by a flash of light and grunts of pain. Oops. Ari had had a feeling that she had forgotten something when she moved into her office.
“Apparently you didn’t set the expansion charm yet,”
"That fire place doesn't get much use. The one in my office, not my lab has the charm, dear," amusement evident in her voice. So, Curse Kamren had decided to finally join them. Ari had been wondering when he would show up. He couldn't resist the urge to check on his friend forever.
“Sorry, never use the Floo Network, but Mysteries doesn’t let me apparate and I can’t have anyone knowing I’m here,”
"Mysteries doesn't allow anyone to apparate," she pointed out dryly as Curse took her hand. Ari smiled into his eyes a bit before he let go. They didn't need words to express their pleasure at seeing each other.
“Thought I’d stop by and help out if I could before I have to go to trial.”
"What case?"
“I could assist you with whatever it is you’re up to, or just do research. Glad to see you’re alright, Echo. Heard word from Mort, telling me you were safely transferred.”
"Speaking of Mort. He think's we're married. I didn't correct him but thought you should know that he refers to me as Mrs. Kameren. Don't want you confused." Amusement twinkled in Arianna's dark eyes. There was some humor in the moment and a bit of longing. Best, not to dwell on the pain.
"Echo and I were just settling in. My research assistants are home for the night. You'll meet them tomorrow. I share this lab with them. Sometimes other researchers will use this space as well."
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Post by Echo Ashaelyr on Jun 21, 2011 2:18:10 GMT -5
The stoic woman was taken aback when Arianna revealed the space she had created for Echo. More and more Echo was coming to realize that these people she's stumbled upon - Curse, Arianna, and their friends - they actually genuinely cared about Echo and her well-being. Arianna's thoughtfulness touched Echo deeply. It was clear she was trying to make Echo feel at ease as much as possible.
Smiling, Echo met Arianna's gaze. "It's lovely, thank you so much. I'll admit, I didn't really expect you to take care of me like this..." the scarred woman shook her head. "Well, I'm having to revise my opinion of you and your friends. I suppose I'm just used to everyone treating me like I have the plague or something."
Just then Curse arrived, and Echo noticed something she had missed the last time Curse and Arianna were with her. There was a definite tension between them, not negative, but something. Was it affection, even...love, perhaps? Inwardly Echo smiled. She would have to pay better attention.
"Thanks Curse. Oh, I forgot to ask, what happened to my sword? And the glove, any chance at retrieving those?"
She looked around the room, and squared her shoulders. "Well Arianna, did you want to begin now? We're both here, might as well start, if you'd like. Merlin, I don't even know what you plan on doing, what kind of experiments you're planning?"
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jun 22, 2011 1:57:53 GMT -5
"Mysteries doesn't allow anyone to apparate," she pointed out dryly as Curse took her hand. Ari smiled into his eyes a bit before he let go. They didn't need words to express their pleasure at seeing each other.
"None of the departments allow anyone to apparate," Curse pointed out with a crooked smile. He had always prided himself on his ability to bend rules at the Ministry, specifically ones that inconvenienced him. He was able to apparate into every department of the Ministry, with the exception of Mysteries and the Minister's office. But that changed depending on who was Minister. Curse wrapped his fingers in Arianna's briefly, her touch sending a pleasing electricity through him. His eyes lingered on the Runes Researcher for a moment before he addressed Echo in greeting.
“Thought I’d stop by and help out if I could before I have to go to trial.”
"What case?"
"I have absolutely no idea. Didn't read a page they gave me. Max has been trying to take up potions and I have to stay a step ahead of him, so no time for reading." He smiled as he straightened his robes, as if a cleaner aesthetic will somehow hide his unprofessionalism. However ignorant he sounded, Curse was an expert in the Wizengamot, one of its youngest members. He knew what he was doing more than most, and even without reading up on the trial he could glean what he needed from the proceedings. "It should be helpful for Echo if I'm back on the Wizengamot schedule, though. At least you'll get one vote of not guilty." The tone of the wizard's voice was playful, but there was a sort of bitterness in the delivery that left a bad taste in his mouth. He didn't like the possibility of not being able to save his friend. There was no other option but success to him, especially in this situation.
"Thanks Curse. Oh, I forgot to ask, what happened to my sword? And the glove, any chance at retrieving those?"
"I have them." The professor nodded, meeting the burned woman's eyes steadily. "You can retrieve them when we get you out, but in the meantime I can't give them to you. They know I have them." Curse couldn't be seen aiding Echo before the trial, at any cost. That was why he hadn't visited until now. Spinning on his heel, Curse headed for the bookshelf, inspecting Arianna's collection as he spoke. "Besides, I hardly think the Ministry would be accepting of the idea of me giving their prisoner a sword. It will have to wait. In the meantime, if you ever need anything and Arianna isn't here, ring Mort. He's an old friend."
"Speaking of Mort. He think's we're married. I didn't correct him but thought you should know that he refers to me as Mrs. Kameren. Don't want you confused."
Curse's fingers stopped on the bookshelf as Arianna's words rang through his head. The muscles along his back seemed to tense awkwardly, the tips of the wizard's ears turning a hot, bright red. Busted. "Yes, that. Sorry, I'd rather fallen out of contact with Mort when I left the Ministry. I figured he'd listen to you more readily if you were my wife." A leather bound book caught his eye and he pulled it off the shelf, quick fingers flipping through it as he read each page. That was an awkward trouble for him, one Curse would have preferred Arianna bring up in private. He always felt a bit uncomfortable with how much others knew about his personal life, even friends like Echo. Discussing Mort's mistake in front of her bothered Curse. Though, he supposed he deserved it. He could have given Mort or Arianna a head's up on the other.
"Echo and I were just settling in. My research assistants are home for the night. You'll meet them tomorrow. I share this lab with them. Sometimes other researchers will use this space as well."
"Well Arianna, did you want to begin now? We're both here, might as well start, if you'd like. Merlin, I don't even know what you plan on doing, what kind of experiments you're planning?"
Curse took a step back, his long legs folding up cross-legged on top of a research table as he rapidly read through the book he had. Emerald eyes glanced up from the book to the women, then back down. "My plan is to get you out of here. Don't mind me, I'm studying. Ari, do you happen to have a copy of Magical Creatures Law lying about? I have a bit of an idea."
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jun 27, 2011 13:35:24 GMT -5
"It's lovely, thank you so much. I'll admit, I didn't really expect you to take care of me like this..." the scarred woman shook her head. "Well, I'm having to revise my opinion of you and your friends. I suppose I'm just used to everyone treating me like I have the plague or something."
Decorating was not Arianna's strong suit, so when Echo really seemed to like the simple accommodation it made Ari, well happy. It was nice to do something for someone. Besides, if Echo had to stay in her department she might at least have a nice cheerful space.
"People avoid and or lash out at what they don't understand. It isn't an excuse for rotten behavior but just what happens." She quipped before Curse stormed into her office, taking the extra oxygen with him.
Ari shook her head, a smile on her face as Curse complained about not being allowed to apprate. Then he all but admitted that he had figured out a way to do it in some departments. Rule breaker that one.
“Thought I’d stop by and help out if I could before I have to go to trial.”
"What case?"
"I have absolutely no idea. Didn't read a page they gave me. Max has been trying to take up potions and I have to stay a step ahead of him, so no time for reading."
"If you need someone just to watch while you study in the other room, let me know. I could even cook dinner." She teased slightly. Curse was a top notch potion maker but a horrible cook. Ari was adequate and at least people ate her cooking and could identify what it was.
Things were going fine when Ari made the mistake of being their personal lives into the conversation. While Curse didn't mind talking about his son in front of echo, the mention of their romantic relationship set him on edge. She hadn't meant to rebuke him when she mentioned the fact that Mort thought they were married. In a strange way it was kind of sweet.
"Yes, that. Sorry, I'd rather fallen out of contact with Mort when I left the Ministry. I figured he'd listen to you more readily if you were my wife."
"Ok," She said softly, as Curse turned away from her to look in a book. His body language screamed, not now as he retreated a bit.
"Echo and I were just settling in. My research assistants are home for the night. You'll meet them tomorrow. I share this lab with them. Sometimes other researchers will use this space as well."
"Well Arianna, did you want to begin now? We're both here, might as well start, if you'd like. Merlin, I don't even know what you plan on doing, what kind of experiments you're planning?"
"Yes, the assistants are not needed right now..." My plan is to get you out of here. Don't mind me, I'm studying. Ari, do you happen to have a copy of Magical Creatures Law lying about? I have a bit of an idea."
"hmmm? Oh it's in my study, should be on the book shelf, if not then one of the stacks." She said a bit distracted as she waved him through the open door which led to her cozy, cluttered study/office.
"Okay, first test I was thinking about doing is a dating test, to see how old the magic is. Perhaps even the origin. Just because you were recently bitten doesn't mean the magic isn't ancient. "
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Post by Echo Ashaelyr on Jul 8, 2011 15:17:03 GMT -5
Echo watched the conversation between Curse with interest, noting the unspoken dialogue as well. It was clear that there was something between them, linking them. But that affection was overshadowed by something else. Pain? And uncertainty. Yet Echo could tell that they both cared for each other deeply. She became determined to help them, if she could.
More and more, Echo was reluctantly beginning to accept these people as her friends. Her mind rebelled at the idea of tying herself to others. Past experience had long since tempered her desire to have relationships. People were too quick to turn on you, if they learned about a dangerous weakness that you possessed. So she remained friendly, but there was something in her heart that still remained closed, protective of a spirit that had been damaged once too many times.
People feared what they did not understand.
If Curse and Arianna detected that wall she'd built around herself, would they draw back? Echo realized that Arianna was replying to her question.
"Very well," Echo stepped over to Arianna, taking off her outer shirt and laying it on a chair. Underneath she wore a sleeveless leather vest and jeans. The darkness crawling up her arm, eating the mortal flesh and bone and transforming it into dark, twisted flesh, was bared to the bright lights of the room.
Could they tell what made Echo's stomach twist? That the infection had grown since her arrival, it was now at her elbow.
"What do you need me to do?" Echo's voice was steady as she raised her arm and flexed the fingers.
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