|
Post by Ralin O'Faerlun on Jun 21, 2011 1:50:11 GMT -5
Ralin staggered as the pain and blood loss hit him, but Theo was there, a solid pillar supporting the wolf so he didn't fall. His brother cast a shield and then began healing Ralin's shoulder. The wolf sighed gustily in relief as the pain faded and the blood stopped pumping from his body. He was still winded from losing blood, but not enough to keep him out of the fight.
"Okay. NOW we kick its ass. GO! STUPEFY!" A crimson light flashed from Theo's wand like a bolt of lightning, hitting Krellith square in the abdomen.
Ralin lifted his snout and howled in agreement, his back legs coiled like a spring, pushing him forward so he slammed into the clockwork man seconds after Theo's stunning spell hit him.
Though the spell froze sent him staggering back, Krellith still moved inhumanly fast, somehow absorbing the force of the big wolf slamming into him and rolling with the blow. He rolled under Ralin's belly and swept his back legs out from under him.
Ralin went down hard, the breath knocked from his lungs as he slammed into the ground. Quick as a flash, Krellith was on him, trying to put his hands around the wolf's neck. But Ralin rolled over, massive jaws snapping at Krellith's arms. He caught one of his arms in his teeth, but the metal armor held against the blow. Still, Ralin hung gamely on, rolling to his feet and bodily throwing Krellith away from him, towards Theo, giving his brother an opening for another attack.
|
|
|
Post by Theo Bowre on Jun 26, 2011 22:23:22 GMT -5
"Overkill?" Theo winked at Ralin while Krellith's body bounced across the ground. He was making reference to his weaponry, which now occupied both hands: a beater bat in one, a wand in the other. Bowre caught the familiar sound of a bludger slicing through the air and batted the almost metallic orb at their attacker, hitting him in the back. Even as a left-hand shot, the force of the blow was significant; the reverb of metal on metal filled the immediate space with an ear-piercing clank.
"FREAKING SHIELD!" Krellith's armour was quickly becoming their Achilles heel. Between the wand fire and the bludger blows, they had only managed to make Mosrael's hitman tetchy; he absorbed every impact, falling only when Ralin's strength as a werewolf bested him. Theo wished Krellith would rust.
The beater was about to counter with another fruitless bout of Stupefy when his eyes grew wide.
"OH! Idea! Dammit, why didn't I - Defodio!" Blue light jetted from the tip of Boon's wand, striking Krellith's hip flexor and dislodging a palm-sized chunk of the metallic body suit. "HA! You glorified trash can!" He hollered across to Ralin, "Remind me to use that one on Germany!"
|
|
|
Post by Siara Brightweather on Jul 1, 2011 22:58:57 GMT -5
Siara Brightweather saw the Dark Mark just as Theo's patronus arrived. She was already shifted into her hawk animagus form before it finished its message.
Hogsmeade had just become the forefront of a new battle. A new war? These thoughts tumbled around in her mind as her grey wings pumped for speed, shooting through the air like a feathered dart.
Coming to the edge of the burning village, Siara could see several members of the Black Watch. Theo and - what she assumed was - Ralin fighting an armored being, and Maebh dueling in the distance, though who she was fighting from the rooftops, Siara couldn't see. She wanted to find the leader, the one who had cast the Dark Mark.
But as the Headmistress started through the wreckage, she decided to do damage control first.
"Aguamenti engorgo!" Massive flumes of water spouted from her wand, descending on the burning buildings. As the fires sputtered and died out, it became apparent that the dark marks burning on windows and doors would not be erased, leaving black tattoos on the buildings instead of embers.
Moving through the street, she helped the wounded, sending them to the edge of the town by the apothecary if they could move. Most of the residents of Hogsmeade were now out, either battling the fires, or helping the wounded. Siara was like a calm pillar in the center of the chaos, giving steady words to the frightened and hurt, lending her strength to others. She moved aside debris, and set to work stabilizing a storefront that was nearing collapse. With her wand, Siara began to conjure up wooden beams that could support it.
|
|
|
Post by Curse Kameren on Jul 3, 2011 15:28:13 GMT -5
Curse Kameren was in absolutely no condition for a fight when he received Theo Bowre's patronus. He was in his second night of delusions, going into his second day. He hadn't slept, keeping vigilant over his paranoid thoughts. Max was asleep downstairs, keeping out of his father's way so as not to provoke any further episodes. The visual hallucinations had died down, but the auditory ones were worse than earlier. He shouldn't be able to leave his home, let alone use magic. Fortunately for the Black Watch, one of the few things Curse was highly capable of in his delusions was attack.
CRACK.
Suddenly, Curse was in the thick of a battle in the center of Hogsmeade. He recognized Theo standing near him, but his hollow green eyes only lingered on his friend for a moment before turning to the wizard's opponent. It was an ugly mix of creatures, obviously some sort of animated body. A bit more sophisticated than an Inferius, but similar spells could probably affect it. Light and heat, then.
Curse bent down, his hollow eyes examining the metallic armor of the creature as he grimaced in concentration. The fire around them was apparently not enough to affect the creature, but if Curse turned up the heat, it might stop it. It would be an ugly, cruel way to defeat someone, but Theo's battering curses weren't doing what he needed them to. Curse reached out a hand in the direction of the creature, his eyes narrowing as he focussed. Heat, a searing, cooking heat. The creature was encased in metal, after all. If he supplied enough heat, the armor would cook the Inferius on its own. Its defensive armor would become its own attacker. Curse glanced at Theo for a moment as the heat hit the creature and it shrieked. Steam emanated off of it, and a sickly smell of burning flesh emanated off of the creature. Curse nodded, putting his hand down as the creature wilted. It would be severely weakened by the attack, enough so that Theo could take care of it without getting hurt. As long as he wasn't stupid enough to touch the armor.
The flames whispered and spoke to Curse as he moved through them trying to get as many civilians out of the way of the burning shops. Their safety was most important, but Curse also kept an eye towards the sky. Someone had sent up a Dark Mark, a nearly extinct emblem of dark magic. The Dark Lord was dead, so who was still honoring him? Someone older, possibly; Cedric was only a student during the Second War and the Battle of Hogwarts, if this was a long-disgruntled ex-Death Eater, why would they choose now to lash out? Or it could be a copy-cat, trying to instill the fear Lord Voldemort once did.
Or it could be someone else entirely, someone Curse didn't even want to consider.
As the flames engulfing the Hogsmeade Book Shop finally died down under Curse's Aguamenti spell, Curse's eyes caught the rigid form of the new Headmistress through the smoke. He ran up to her, squinting through the smoke. He looked up at the dark mark, then back at Brightweather. "Who caused this?" He shouted through the chaos, lending his support to Siara's relief spells as she tried to hold up a collapsing shop.
|
|
|
Post by Mosrael//Ranna on Jul 14, 2011 23:56:20 GMT -5
[[ Oh Curse, sorry but Krellith's not really similar to an Inferi, the armor's more like an actual skin than just armor, so heat won't effect it that much. ]]
As she danced out of the way of a spell, Mosrael laughed, a dark sound like an out of tune bell, ringing not with mirth and cheer, but disdain and mockery. Her duel with this woman was quite exciting, just the energy that Mosrael needed to direct the chaos around them. She released her mental talons from Maebh's mind, withdrawing from her mind. She'd leeched information from her mind, bits and pieces as the woman had a strongly shielded mind, but enough pieces to a puzzle that Mosrael would examine later.
Spinning gracefully on her toe, her skirt flaring around her, the masked witch sent a spell hurtling towards Maebh. A spinning crescent of dark purple energy, it missed the gypsy storekeeper and shot past her.
Beneath her mask, Mosrael smiled, her eyes reflected the dark fires burning all around, the shadowy mark in the sky.
"It's been lovely playing games with you," she mocked, sweeping one arm into a short bow. "But I have other places to be." Two freezing spells exploded from her wand, the other woman could easily dodge them. "Make sure your handsome friend passes along my message. But I want to use you as an example as well. Don't want you to feel left out!" The last sentence came out as a cruel growl.
As Maebh dodged the two spells, from behind came the spinning purple spell, a lashback energy spell. It hit her in the shoulder and back, slicing through skin and muscle before fading out. Mosrael pointed her wand at the edge of the roof where Maebh was standing. With a resounding crack, the shingles and wood crumbled beneath the gypsy's feet...
-------------------
Krellith shrieked and twisted around as the metal clockwork armor encasing him began to heat up, but the shriek cut off as the metal instantly cooled and where a piece had broken off, the metal twisted and reformed, sliding into place. The creature's armor resealed itself, and even the facemask covering its head reformed. Hissing in mirth, the creature took a step forward towards the man that had cast the heat-spell at him, but the man was soon lost to view among the wreckage, and so Krellith turned its attention back to the man and the wolf facing him.
Krellith held up a hand, and pieces began to form in a clock-work gear manner, building up until he held a long spear made of gears and metal shafts. That was the true basis of its form, the gears and pieces like a clock, working and moving together to give Krellith strength and form. Otherwise he was just a pile of dusty bones and black magic.
Drawing back his arm, Krellith charged the wolf, with the spear held to strike once he was in range.
|
|
|
Post by Maebh Breandan on Jul 15, 2011 0:23:58 GMT -5
The hellish laughter grated on Maebh's nerves. she was usually such a cheerful soul finding something to be happy about in almost any situation. This was not one of those moments. Then again, at least Reckony wasn't fighting this lady. While she admired the barkeeps strength when it came to magic he was a bit inept and in this situation it could cost him his life. An image of the handsome man formed in her mind and V tried quickly to shield it from the masked lady. It was the last image the woman had stolen from her before releasing Maebh's mind with a mental shove. V quickly regained her footing, taking several deep breaths. The shooting pain was gone but the effects still lingered, slowing down her reaction time. Still, it was rather easy to doge a spinning purple spell. Later Maebh would realize it had been far too easy. The gypsy dashed after the masked lady, her own voice taunting,
"Really, you should lay off the fire whiskey my Grannie can aim better than you and she's blind!" Maebh shouted as she fired off several more spells. It probably wasn't a good idea to taunt a clearly mad witch, but V felt confident that she could handle herself. The masked lady had barely gotten past her mental defenses and while only a few of her spells struck Morsael the same could be said for the lady's. It seemed like a well matched fight.
"It's been lovely playing games with you," she mocked, sweeping one arm into a short bow. "But I have other places to be."
"Of course! Destroying lives is a taxing hobby!" Maebh taunted as she easily dissaperated away from the spells. She reappeared on a low roof of a shed, a block closer to her shop and a straight line forward from where she had previously been. It had taken only a second to move, and Maebh rolled her eyes as the woman's words washed over her.
"Make sure your handsome friend passes along my message. But I want to use you as an example as well. Don't want you to feel left out!"
A retort died on her lips as the purple spell she had forgotten about slammed into her back. A burning sensation blossomed in the upper right hand corner of her back spreading through to her shoulder and chest. Maebh gasped and her eyes involuntarily glanced at her chest. She could see nothing. The fabric of her shirt was unharmed, but Maebh could feel the pain radiating, feel the sticky blood sweeping out of long slashes. Before her mind could wrap around the injury an ominous cracking sound distracted her. The firm footing beneath her feet crumbled and Maebh tumbled off the roof. A scream ripped out of her chest as she fell. Fear ripped through her as she watched the ground close in. Her wind slipped from her fingers and Maebh curled up and rolled when she landed. The impact jarred her shoulder and she gasped on the ground as the debris from above pelted her, several chucks of tile hitting her already bruised ribs.
Oweee. Maybe next time she'd learn not to taunt a crazy person. Maebh laid on the ground trying not to move. It hurt a lot. In a minute she'd get up but for now she wanted nothing but to lay perfectly still. Light as a feather and unmoving as a board.
|
|
|
Post by Siara Brightweather on Jul 15, 2011 1:25:18 GMT -5
[[Posting Mosrael and Siara to save time]]
Mosrael apparated beside the gypsy woman, standing over her and scrutinizing her handiwork. "You're a skilled witch," she sneered quietly, bending over to speak in her ear. "And I'd recruit you, but it's clear from your mind that you wouldn't accept. I'll leave you to the care of your dear Reckony Pike," dark eyes became slitted behind Mosrael's mask. "I won't kill you...unless you're fool enough to follow me. Here's something to remember me by..."
The Mistress of Masks wasn't the sort of dark caster that hurt others for fun or whim. No, everything she did had a purpose, even defeating Maebh and then wounding her further. It was a message, one that would tell the wizarding world that she wasn't just a dark witch with grand aspirations of power. She was serious, and wanted them to know that she was a power to be reckoned with.
Straightening, the lithe woman raised her wand, and pointing the tip at the prone witch at her feet, opened her mouth to cast a spell.
-------------------------
Siara turned to see one of her staff members, Curse Kameren, at her side. In response to his question, she shook her head, throwing a blast of water at the nearby burning building.
"I've no idea, I just arrived moments ago, but I'll bet whoever it is will be further in. Finish up here, I'm going ahead!"
Siara gripped her wand in a steady hand and strode further into the gaping mouth of chaos, nimbly dodging around piles of debris, flying embers, and even sending a direhound running in the other direction with a well aimed spell.
Finally, she reached the square, and as the plumes of smoke wreathed around her, the tall Headmistress saw a sight that made her blood run cold and yellow eyes narrow in fury.
A dark-masked witch was bent over Maebh, her wand raised.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" Siara's wand was up and the spell cast within seconds. It hit the dark witch squarely in the chest, slamming her backwards.
Mosrael jumped to her feet, looking around for her attacker. Dark eyes met golden ones, and Siara knew that this was the one who had started this chaos.
"Maebh!!" Siara shouted the woman's name, hoping for any sign that she was conscious.
But then all of her focus was drawn to the mysterious dark witch. Her stern face set in cold, determined lines, Siara stalked forward, casting several spells at the masked witch. As if the smoke swirling around their feet was a whirlwind, Headmistress and Dark Lady were drawn into the pattern of a duel, dancing and dodging as spells were cast back and forth.
|
|
|
Post by Theo Bowre on Jul 15, 2011 1:38:29 GMT -5
Theo was speechless in the presence of Curse's wandless magic; he had seen glimpses of the former Auror's work in the past, but witnessing it in such close proximity filled him with great humility. He moved to thank the Potions Master for his efforts against Krellith. He was gone almost as instantly as he arrived. Despite the gravity of the situation, a small and thankful smile tugged at the corner of Theo's mouth as he thought on the friends who had answered the call to arms. It quickly disappeared as Krellith self-healed.
"Lucky, be careful. He's shift-" Before the beater could finish, a woman's scream broke the air, followed immediately by an explosion of wood and brick from a nearby building. Theo's heart came to an immediate stop; his eyes brimmed with unshed tears. "MAEBH!" He watched as the gypsy was pummelled before him, landing heavily on the ground and becoming instantly buried in the falling rubble. He was about to dash for her when the clockwork giant rose with a sickening grind, producing a spear seemingly from no where. The long dart was an extension of the metal armour itself and glistened in the surrounding firelight. Krellith raced for Ralin.
"LUCKY! WATCH OUT!" Theo's boots found their grip against the charred debris as he sprinted with adrenaline-fueled speed for Krelith and his intended target. They had already lost so much; he wasn't going to lose his little brother too. Boon reached the iron man just as he rose his arm to strike the wolf; he t-boned him with every ounce of strength he had left, and the resulting impact sent both Krellith and Theo in to a tower of crates. The cascading wooden boxes covered all three men and left silence once the dust had settled.
|
|
|
Post by Reckony Pike on Jul 15, 2011 2:31:50 GMT -5
Embers and smoke assaulted Reckony's eyes, leaving him blind as he raced through the burned remains of Hogsmeade village. A clap of thunder could be heard breaking the heavens above and the single strike of lightning that bore the deafening noise led the barkeep almost exactly to the centre of a violent violet firefight. He heard a scream. He felt the roof of the building collapse.
"MAEBH!"
Reckony's head whipped around at the sound of his best friend's voice; Theo's despair was palpable and brought the barkeep to a point of immobility. Maebh. Why was he calling her name? The scream. It's not you. It wasn't you. Oh my God, it wasn't you. Reckony looked at the pile of wood and brick that littered Maebh's once impeccable store front. There was so much. It was impossible for anything to be alive under...
Ash fell about Pike like snowflakes. He was numb. The barkeep stood removed from the destruction, seeing only the wildflower meadow outside the village. Hearing nothing but silence. The fire slipped away, the buildings disappeared. He squinted as a fluid form approached him through the snow-ladden lupine. Maebh's green dress tugged against her hips as she took exaggerated steps through the meadow.
Where are you?
Maebh's smile reached her eyes, giving Pike a look of mischief. A gentle wind played with her hair and she tugged at his hand as she passed, sinking slowly in to the ground just right of his position.
Reckony once again became aware of the taste the smoke. A mountain of burning wood filled his vision where the image of Maebh vanished.
"I'm coming." Reckony tore through the debris with bare hands, caring little for the fire that singed his skin. He called Maebh's name over and over, the sound echoing in his head much louder than it did outside. Seconds stretched to minutes; solid, ragged pieces constantly met his reach until at last a soft whisper of skin brushed against his. A flutter of electricity coursed through him. "V!"Pike removed a plank, revealing the gypsy's pale face; he knelt down beside her head, placing it gently in her lap. He began to whimper.
"Please. Please. Wake up, baby. Wake up." The barkeep's calloused hands brushed tendrils of hair away from Maebh's face and held tightly on to her hands. She was the only thing not on fire at the moment, and Reckony panicked at the chill of her skin. "Please." Reckony kissed Maebh's bruised left hand, continuing to hold it as he leaned over her face, watching for a breath. His lips found their way to her skin, taking her upper lip and tugging it softly until his lips parted and he kissed her fully and passionately. Despite everything that had happened, Maebh still had the scent of flowers. He breathed air in to her lungs. "I love you. I love you. I love you."
|
|
|
Post by Maebh Breandan on Jul 15, 2011 3:03:03 GMT -5
With her eyes closed, she could almost pretend she was anywhere but in Hogsmeade. Then the silly mask lady had to ruin it for Maebh. It was damn near difficult to escape mentally when the person who had put you in the situation was standing above you. One large eye peeled open to stare at the masked lady. Maebh tried to grab her wand but her right arm wouldn't move. Weird. She tried again but nothing happened. As the masked lady spoke to her, Maebh lifted her head slightly to get a good look at her arm. Nothing was on top of it. Only a few piece of tile and roof compressed against her chest. For some reason her free arm wouldn't move and it terrified Maebh,
"You're a skilled witch," "And I'd recruit you, but it's clear from your mind that you wouldn't accept. I'll leave you to the care of your dear Reckony Pike,"
Maebh fell back, glaring defiantly at the masked lady. if she hurt Reckony, Maebh would kill her. "I won't kill you...unless you're fool enough to follow me. Here's something to remember me by..."
One second she was there and in the next, as darkness danced at the edge of her vision, a loud rumbling could be heard and the mask lady was replaced by a torrent of material. The apothecary front collapsed on top of the gypsy and she knew nothing.
Maebh floated among the stars. Everything was peaceful and there was no more pain or sadness and everything was one continuous say. She was ambling along with her dear Great-Grannie Mae who had died when she was seven when a sharp light nearly blinded her. Life.
Maebh hesitated for a brief second. That light meant pain, throbbing, pounding agony and destruction. It also meant love and friendship. Reckony. So many possibilities there. With one last glance at Great Grannie Mae and a promise to be back one day, Maebh dived towards the light...
Slowly sensations began to penetrate the pain laden fog of Maebh's mind. There was something else besides pain. A gentle insistent pressure that caressed her. Instinctively Maebh reacted, her own lips moving just a bit against Reckony's. The words "I love you" were pressed into her lips as Maebh's eyes fluttered open. Her first thought was how, this was a very, very nice way to come awake. Even though she was a bit scared at the fact that someone other than blood, loved her. What did that entail? How did she know if she returned the favor? Too much thinking for the moment. Was she even sure he had said the words?
Ignoring the pain, Maebh closed the scant inches that were between her and Reckony when he had pulled back slightly. She kissed him, now fully awake. Her uninjured left arm, circled around his neck in a kind of hug. It felt very nice to be in his arms.
|
|
|
Post by Reckony Pike on Jul 16, 2011 1:36:47 GMT -5
((Posting Reckony and Theo in this thread.))
"Maebh," Reckony whispered silently. He looked in to the woman's eyes as if seeing her was yet another apparition. He felt the pressure of her arm behind his neck, he felt the impression of her lips. He wanted to believe it was real but his mind could not yet accept it. "I thought I had lost you."
Reckony placed his hands behind the gypsy's head and shoulders, intent on resting her back down so that he could assess her injuries. He tried to keep the atmosphere light, suggesting that her demolished store front was just a cover to get him to come over again to repair the door. His smile disappeared once the arm he placed behind her shoulder and back came back covered in blood. Pike swallowed hard.
"My darling, I'm just going to roll you on your side." Reckony knew nothing of first aid but he had seen enough Quidditch matches to know a thing or two about moving a patient to assess damage. He gently draped her right arm over her chest and maneuvered her right leg left of centre. He started to perch her on her side when a small groan and an unstable middle suggested that perhaps Maebh's ribs were not intact. This wasn't going to work. "I need to get you out of here. We'll use the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts. Love, can you make it if I carry you? I'm so sorry, Maebh. I know it hurts. Just a little bit further."
"Maebh? Is she okay?"
Reckony's attention was suddenly pulled away by a familiar, worried voice and he looked sideways over his shoulder to spot the approaching figure of his best friend, Theo Bowre. It was evident that Theo's experience in the firefight was lengthy: he was covered in grit, his arms and face were covered in lacerations, and his exhausted posture suggested that he was hiding what was not outwardly apparent. It was highly likely, Reckony considered, that Theo fought more than he had this day. Pike knew he was late to the party. But where he otherwise might have sympathy for his brother in arms, he found himself considering where Theo had failed. Pike looked back to Maebh, softly caressing her cheek and forehead before bringing himself to his feet.
Pike looked over Theo's shoulder, spotting a litter of crates and the area that must have served as the beater's arena, before returning his gaze. His eyes hardened.
"Is she okay?"
"What do you think?" The barkeep's voice was harsh. He could taste bile in his mouth; the acidity within him grew as he started putting the pieces together. It was Theo who had screamed out Maebh's name. He knew she was there. He knew she was in danger. "Where the hell were you?"
"I was cut-off by a-"
"WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?" Pike started to pace in front of the beater, his hands shaking with adrenaline.
"I'm sorry. We became separated."
"Shut up..."
"She took one of the attackers, Ralin and I the other."
"Shut up. Shut up."
"I lost sight of her."
Pike twisted awkwardly and spun his fist with an intensity forged by grief. The blow caught Theo's upper cheek, causing the man to stumble backwards. He found his feet and stood to face Pike again. His face spoke of regret.
"She's our friend. SHE'S OUR FRIEND! You swore to me, you swore to me that if I couldn't be there that you'd protect her. You swore, Theo. And the first chance you get, you run off to help the werewolf and you forget where your ties are. We're family first. But you know what, it doesn't matter. We're done. You don't go near her, you understand? If you're not fit to do your job than get the hell out of here."
"I'm so sorry."
"GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!"
Reckony stood his ground as Theo departed. He watched the man retreat down the remnants of High Street, stopping to help a witch who was missing her son. He watched until he could breathe again. Those who were gathered around were given a stern warning... "I don't want to talk about it"...and he returned his attention to Maebh's limp form, pulling the witch in to his arms and cradling her like she weighed nothing.
Between the apothecary and Hogwarts, all Pike could think about was how he was about to lose the one person who truly mattered to him, and how she would never know just what she meant. He reached around his neck, grabbing at the chain that held his gradmother's Claddagh ring, and clasped the tarnished band in his first. His fingers found Maebh's and transferred the heirloom in to her grasp.
"Just a little bit further."
|
|
|
Post by Curse Kameren on Jul 16, 2011 6:23:38 GMT -5
"I've no idea, I just arrived moments ago, but I'll bet whoever it is will be further in. Finish up here, I'm going ahead!"
The building shifted slightly as Siara ran off, leaving Curse to support it. He quickly picked it up, though, doing his best to shift it into a stable position so he could go help others. He was helping a woman get her children out of the path of destruction when he heard Theo again:
"LUCKY! WATCH OUT!" The creature Curse had tried to destroy had healed itself, attacking with more force. Then the metallic armor wasn't armor at all, if it could heal itself, it was skin. And if it was self-healing, perhaps it would be easier just to subdue the creature, rather than kill it.
A plan formed in Curse's head and he crossed to a nearby light pole, just far enough away from the fight that Krellith didn't notice him, but still directly in the creature's path. He winced as he cast the spell; it was a highly experimental spell, something he'd invented himself as a part of his doctoral thesis. He sighed in relief once the spell started its magic, though. The pole magnetized, pulling all metal objects in the area towards it. Curse ducked, getting out of the path of several smaller metal objects, keeping his empty green eyes on the creature. As the wooden crates came down, suddenly the creature was pulled backwards. It tried to fight, but the magnet Curse made was too strong. Curse stumbled backwards out of the path of the creature as it finally made contact with the lamp pole, the magnet's grip too strong for the creature to move. Thank Merlin that worked.
"Maebh!!"
"MAEBH!"
Curse turned to see the fallen gypsy where the others were running, but as soon as his emerald eyes fell on the scene, they were locked on her opponent. His eyes widened. This had to be a delusion. No. Merlin, no. Please let it be a delusion. This could be real. The Potions Master's body felt numb as his mind screamed. This was the woman who broke him. She was the one who shattered his mind, the one thing he held sacred. The only one to truly best him.
"Mosrael." He breathed it, afraid to say the name like he had been years ago for the pain it would bring him. Krellith's flailing for freedom backfired onto Curse, hitting the ex-auror in the chest and sending him backwards onto the ground, but he couldn't feel it. His mind was being tortured at the mere sight of her, his hollow eyes staring forward at nothing at all as he felt blindly through the pain. He just wanted the pain to stop, wanted the part of him she'd shattered to be whole again. The old curse was blind to compassion, however, and burned inside him. He curled into a ball, his eyes closing as he waited for the pain to stop.
|
|
|
Post by Maebh Breandan on Jul 16, 2011 12:45:31 GMT -5
"Maebh,"
Her named washed over her like a silent caress. Gently, Maebh kissed Reckony, a strong need to feel something other than pain rushed through her. Feelings she hadn't yet explored within herself let alone talk about them were thrown into that kiss. With each brush of their lips, the pain receeded, growing smaller and duller in the back of her mind.
Pike pulled back first, and their gaze met, feelings dancing in their eyes. They had come so close to losing each other. Maebh had never thought she could die before finding love but she could have to day.
"I thought I had lost you." "Lucked out eh? I'm--not easy to get rid of," She teased lightly, wincing in pain as Reck lowered her down on the ground. The pain returned with a vengeance. It did not like being ignored. "Gypsies have nine lives," she joked, "And this one likes custom doors," she said with a grin as Reck teased her about her destroyed shop. Ugh, she didn't want to have to deal with the damage.
Flat on the ground she focused on breathing in an out and struggling to keep her eyes open. The shift in positions had sapped her strength. She wasn't that badly injured right? Just a few scrapes and bruised ribs. Her shoulder just looked messy right? The fear and worry in Reck's eyes though told a different story. Why were his hands so red? They glistened in the pale light. Wait, blood. Her blood. It wasn't just his hands, but his arm to. So her back was also bleeding. Was that why she felt so light headed?
Maebh nodded and clenched her teeth when Reck turned her on her side to assess the damage. He had barely moved her when she cried out at the pressure on her ribs. They were not supposed to move like that...
"I need to get you out of here. We'll use the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts. Love, can you make it if I carry you? I'm so sorry, Maebh. I know it hurts. Just a little bit further."
Maebh sucked in a short breath, moving hadn't helped her ribs and deep breaths were hard to come by. She had broken ribs before. She could manage. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. She gave out a breathy "I'll manage" when a familiar voice overpowered her words.
"Maebh? Is she okay?"
Theo. Was he hurt? Where had he gone? Maebh had lost track of him somewhere in the fight. He'd gone after that tin can of walking catfood. what if he was hurt? Maebh tried to get a look at her old friend but a piece of a cauldron from her porch blocked her view.
Maebh glanced at Reck, he hadn't immediately gone to Theo which had to mean the man wasn't seriously hurt. With one last look of longing and a caress, Reck had stood up. Maebh held in a whimper by biting her lip. His light drove the pain away. It was easier to focus on something else when they were in your field of vision.
"Is she okay?"
"What do you think?" The barkeep's voice was harsh. He could taste bile in his mouth; the acidity within him grew as he started putting the pieces together. It was Theo who had screamed out Maebh's name. He knew she was there. He knew she was in danger. "Where the hell were you?"
"I was cut-off by a-"
"WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?" Pike started to pace in front of the beater, his hands shaking with adrenaline.
"I'm sorry. We became separated."
"Shut up..."
"She took one of the attackers, Ralin and I the other."
"Shut up. Shut up."
"I lost sight of her."
They were fighting. About her. What was all that about anyways? She was a grown woman and this was a battle. She'd gone off on her own, knew what could have happened. Why was Reck flaying his friend? A darkness ebbed at her field of vision and Maebh pressed her eyes closed. Sleep, she just wanted to sleep but she also wanted to listen.
"She's our friend. SHE'S OUR FRIEND! You swore to me, you swore to me that if I couldn't be there that you'd protect her. You swore, Theo. And the first chance you get, you run off to help the werewolf and you forget where your ties are. We're family first. But you know what, it doesn't matter. We're done. You don't go near her, you understand? If you're not fit to do your job than get the hell out of here."
"I'm so sorry."
"GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!"
"Don't fight," she croaked out but she doubted they had heard her. A few minutes later she was cradled in Reck's arms, her head resting on his chest. Everything seemed to hurt as they made their way to the castle.
"Don't hate Theo...it wasn't his fault," she mumbled. Maebh was semiconscious when something round and cool was pressed into her fingers, instinctively her fingers closed around it, clutching it close.
|
|
|
Post by Theo Bowre on Jul 16, 2011 17:59:56 GMT -5
"Put your arms around my neck, little man. There you go. I've got you."
Straddling a teetering pile of desecrated furniture, Theo wrapped his arms tightly around the shivering form of a young boy and pulled him up from the rubble. He benefited from his years playing Quidditch; balance was something he had come to master and it served him well when villages were demolished by the minions of evil.
Behind him the boy's mother shrilled. She couldn't get to the boy fast enough.
"He's okay. He's okay," he reassured her. Theo gently lowered him in to his mother's waiting arms then negotiated his way down the pile, quietly escaping behind the crowd of onlookers, most of whom knew the family of the child well. He wanted to avoid conversations at all costs. His body hurt, his heart hurt, and he desperately needed some ice. Realizing his retreat was limited to a small alley off High Street, he double-backed towards the apothecary but kept to the shadows so as not to be seen by anyone. His eyes caught sight of a lamppost. By some obscure magic, a half-ton of metal was wrapped around it: metal shingles, iron wheels, a dozen cauldrons.
Theo averted his eyes and looked to the ground instead, moving as fast as he could without drawing attention. The debris in his field of view was mounting. Several small fires still flickered in the fading light and streaks of charcoal scorched the cobbles, like scars upon flesh. Approaching the final set of shops before the alley of his escape, Theo's attention snapped to a set of boots lying behind a discarded tapestry. Bowre drew a sharp breath, wondering whether he had stumbled upon a body. He knew that the village had casualties; he had seen the faces of the deceased. But he could not in good conscious continue without checking on the unfortunate soul. There was still a chance he...or she...was alive. Theo jumped over a stack of fallen crates, seeing legs, then a hand. He flinched when the limbs started moving.
"Whoa, whoa. It's okay, buddy. I'll help you." Theo placed a comforting hand on the subject's pants leg, removing the items that obscured the man's face from view. Upon clearing several singed books and the remnants of a crystal candelabra, he was able to make out an identity. For the third time that day, his heart faltered. "Curse?" Theo crouched protectively over his friend, scanning his features with grave concern. "Open your eyes. Curse, it's me. Open your eyes, mate." It was futile. The Potions Master had withdrawn entirely in to himself, locked in a fetal position and shaking with almost feral tremors. He was ice to the touch yet drenched in sweat, fully engaged in a battle that only he could see. The sight terrified Theo.
Bowre grabbed the man by his jacket lapels, pulling him away from an encroaching fire and in to the empty confines of a shop that had closed down weeks before the attack. He knew Curse was an intensely private man and Theo felt guilt at finding him this way, as though he was an unwelcome visitor in Kameren's tortured psyche. The beater knew nothing of dealing with such matters: whether the man's state was the result of a spell or a trigger, he was helpless to do anything about it. He would, however, do everything in his power to keep him safe while he was so vulnerable. Theo stumbled backwards over a rolled rug, landing hard against the brick wall. He breathed heavily and heaved Curse towards him so that he had the man in a protective hold. Both their heads rolled back. The beater felt like he could cry. He spoke to Curse, even though he knew he couldn't hear him.
"You've got mad skills, Kameren. That must have been you with the lamppost. I give you style points for that. I can't, I can't help you, mate. I'm sorry. I'm useless. But we're going to call someone. Okay? You're just going to have to stay with me for a bit longer. Okay, Curse?"
Theo bit his lip and used the last of his energy to lift his wand.
"Expecto Patronum." A whisper of light streamed forth from Theo's wand, churning like smoke until the contorted image of a grey tabby cat danced about the room. "Arianna Blackthorn. Curse needs immediate assistance in Hogsmeade. Empty store off alley. Please hurry. Theo."
Bowre laughed softly out of fatigue and desperation. His patronus was kind of peculiar.
"That's my cat." He patted Curse's chest before sinking against the wall with his human cargo.
|
|
|
Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jul 16, 2011 18:59:13 GMT -5
There was something about old leather and dry parchment that calmed Arianna. Cross legged on the couch, several very old books spread out in front of her. Carefully, Ari lifted one onto her lap, her fingers caressing the cover. Books were amazing things, almost like lovers they imparted secrets. She felt safe with books, they protected and mentored her. Gently, Ari stroked the spine and the book loosened in her grasp, it's cover falling open. This was a temperamental book that required attention before it allowed you to glean it's pages. The book was about to fully open so Ari could read the runes when a blue blur startled her. A small curious looking cat stopped in front of her, causing Ari to flinch. The book was not at all happy by the jarring movement and it ruffled it's pages before clamping shut. Thoughts about the book were pushed aside as the patronus relaid it's message.
"Arianna Blackthorn. Curse needs immediate assistance in Hogsmeade. Empty store off alley. Please hurry. Theo."
Fear coursed through her. What in the world? Why was Curse in Hogsmeade? Where was Max and why did he need assistance...surely he wasn't having another episode. Hair a curly mess and still in her pj's Ari snatched up her wand and appraited. The walls of her apartment faded and she found herself in the middle of a war zone. "Blood hell" she cursed, certain that she had miscalculated. Somehow she had traveled to a different location. Then she saw the sign of the shop near her. Honeydukes. She was in Hogsmeade. Ice formed in her stomach at the sight. Never had she seen such a thing, not in recent years. Who could have done this? Ari stumbled forward, she had to get to Curse. She found the alley and what looked like an empty store.
"Hello?" Ari cried out as she entered the store. A few steps in she spotted Theo sunk against the wall clutching something. The hair on the back of her neck pickled. It was Curse. Bitting her lowerlip, Ari dashed towards them.
"What happened?" She asked as she sank down onto the ground. Curse 's eyes moved around in their sockets, his skin was clammy and pale. He was lost in his mind. But why? Had someone attacked him? Something traumatic or powerful had triggered this. Curse had been healing.
Slowly, she reached out to brush a strand of hair off of his face. "Shhh, Curse it's Ari. Everything is alright. Max is safe, you're safe."
|
|