|
|
Post by Adrian Minister Jr on Aug 10, 2009 23:17:42 GMT -6
"This won't be the ordinary training session that you're used to," Adrian spoke as they trekked through the darkness. "You have learned much and I believe you are the most suitable for the task at hand." Adrian held up his wand, "lumos," he said as the sun was nearly out of sight. "You might be wondering as to what the task is exactly. But first," he began as he suddenly stopped turning to look at his follower, "I must ask. Are you brave enough to go into the unknown and still keep your wits about you?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Elena Jade on Aug 10, 2009 23:42:24 GMT -6
 Elena followed the young Defense Against the Dark Arts professor into the Amiraen Forest cautiously, keeping alert to her surroundings. She'd sneaked into it a few times before, but it never seemed to look the same twice, and she'd heard all sorts of stories about the creatures that lived there - and she'd heard eerie cries during her forays into the forest which she hadn't been able to identify.
"Well," she said, watching where she stepped. She thanked any and all powers that be that she'd worn silver flats today, instead of her customary heels. In fact, her whole outfit was fairly sensible - at least as far as her clothes went. Her black pants shimmered silver, and she'd paired it with a stylish black leather vest, while white lace wrist-length gloves completed the outfit. "Felix is really better at this than I am. Of course, he cheats. Slytherin influence for six years, you know."
Following Adrian's example, she drew her wand out of her back pocket and uttered, "Lumos." She could have simply conjured a flame, but she wanted to conserve her energy. She stopped in her tracks when Adrian turned to face her, and lifted her chin. "Of course I am," she said, determination in the set of her jaw.
[OoC: Outfit does not include bow or earrings pictured. xD] |
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Minister Jr on Aug 11, 2009 0:17:06 GMT -6
"Good," Adrian replied, "becuase this is not training, this is the real deal. The Ministry of Magic wants the school to investigate an illegal portkey placed within this very forest. No one knows how long it's been there." Adrian began walking towards their destination once again. "A student came across it last week and was luckily smart enough not to access it."
Adrian stopped as his ears picked up some movement in a near by bush, he raised his hand in motion for Elena to stop. Suddenly a bird darted off into the sky. "Figures," he muttered and continued onward. "Since the portkey was discovered," he continued, "no one has been able to get rid of it. The spell on it is too powerful for anyone to overcome it. Which is why we are here," he said as he stopped once again.
"The school has placed me in charge of investigating the portkey since I'm the only one with experience on the field. The reason that you are here is becuase you are more capable of defending yourself better than any of these professors. Don't get me wrong, they are quite skillful. Skillful, that is, in their specific subjects."
|
|
|
|
Post by Elena Jade on Aug 11, 2009 0:32:18 GMT -6
Elena raised her eyebrows, rather surprised to hear such a thing. "Really? You'd trust me with something of this importance?" she asked, with a pleased grin. It was highly flattering to hear someone so skilled at Defense Against the Dark Arts praising her abilities. She knew more than a few girls back at the school who would be positively green with envy if they knew the situation she was in.
She pressed her lips together, trying to swallow her smile and seem more professional. This must be what it was like to be an Auror.. "So what does this portkey look like?" Elena asked. It wouldn't exactly scream "capable" if she tripped over the damn thing and into wherever it transported people. "And where does it go to?" |
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Minister Jr on Aug 11, 2009 0:52:26 GMT -6
"It looks like a rotted tree," Adrian said as they kept walking, "it was actual dumb luck that the student found it. From what he told, he had tripped over something and landed at the base of it. He wouldn't of thought any different of it from the countless other rotted trees but this one had something particular about it. It has the symbol of the dark lord on the bottom of one the exposed roots. It looks like it has been there for some time, since the symbol is so faded that it is barely noticeable. That is the main reason as to why it's age or how long it's been there is undetermined."
"As to where it leads. That is the goal of our mission tonight. As to whether we'll come across any advesaries is questionable. Whatever destination it leads to is most likely older than the tree itself, therefore the place it leads to is most likely vacant. We're just here to find out if it's the cause of.." Adrian cut off as he realized he was saying too much.
|
|
|
|
Post by Elena Jade on Aug 11, 2009 12:07:15 GMT -6
"Excellent. That'll be real easy to spot, then. What with there being only one rotted tree in the whole woods and all," Elena said, mostly chattering to herself. "And an unknown other side! Better! It could lead to fire and death and doom. Oh, we could only be so lucky! What fun!"
In all honesty, though, this was fun for her. El had a bit of a habit of plunging into things headfirst, without much consideration for the consequences, or the possible looming death.
Elena might not have noticed the significance of what Adrian was saying if he hadn't cut off so suddenly. "The cause of what?" she asked curiously. |
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Minister Jr on Aug 11, 2009 15:51:28 GMT -6
"The cause of something I'm not permitted to talk about," he replied. "The perticular rotted tree that we seek is now has a spell surrounding it. Those who do not know the secret password cannot pass through it. It also is quite effective since the barrier spell is a blue shimmering circle of light, one that we would not be able to miss in this darkness."
"Also, as far as being teleported into a pit of fire or what-not is quite unlikely, considering the person who placed the counterpart to this portkey would have to be within the deadly place him or herself. That in itself is quite odd as well. Most portkeys of this nature are only solo portkeys made in the fasion of something small like the legendary Tri-Wizard Cup. Something as big as a tree is nearly impossible to teleport along with the people using it. To this conclusion, it is a nearly unanimous opinion that there must be a counterpart."
Adrian shifted his wand from his gloved right hand to his left, stopping again suddenly. He raised his right hand out in front of him. "Who goes there," He called loudly into the darkness. The lumos spell from a wand is only so affective in the pitch blackness that had now overcome the Amiraen forest. "Reveal yourself," he demanded, "Or I'll vaporize you."
Past the glow of Adrian and young Jade's wand were just the slight contours of the bushes and trees. Any pair of untrained eyes would not notice the particular bush which seemed to have a smoother line to it, instead of the jagged edges of the leaves as they poked out at all angles. "Is that you Mr. Minister?" A grim and dark voice spoke, pronouncing everyword carefully.
"Lupus, is that you?" Adrian asked lowering his hand and raising his wand up in order to get a better glow. Suddenly a fierce looking wolf came into the glow of their lumos spells. "Who else do you think it is?" The giant black wolf replied.
|
|
|
|
Post by Elena Jade on Aug 11, 2009 21:58:08 GMT -6
"Oh, well, the pit of fire I'd be fine with. It's just the death and the doom I'd not be too keen on," Elena commented. "But what cause could someone have to put a portkey in the middle of a forest, right next to a school?"
She never got the answer to her question, though, if Adrian even knew, because they were suddenly interrupted. Elena raised her wand straight out in front of her, sparks crackling at the tips of her free hand's fingers as her power swam just below her skin, ready to be called forth.
When Professor Minister seemed to recognize the intruder, Elena let her power simmer down again, the sparks no longer jumping from her fingers. She kept her wand up cautiously, though, and asked Adrian, "Is he on our side?" |
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Minister Jr on Aug 11, 2009 22:39:08 GMT -6
"Yes," Adrian said with a slight grin, "Lupus works for the Ministry of Magic." An odd grin crept upon the wolf's mouth, it was quite an odd site to be seen. "It's been a long time Adrian," Lupus said with a bit of a chuckle, "ever since I pulled you out of that mess at the Malfoy cemetary."
"Hey, that whole mess was your doing!" Adrian shot back clearly a bit agitated.
"Don't tell me you're still upset about that?"
"Maybe, it wasn't exactly a fun night or anything." Lupus burst out in laughter, "oh give up the grudge."
"Yeah yeah," Adrian said shaking his head a little, "So I guess you're here on guard duty?" The beastly creature nodded slightly, "yep and I should of known you'd be the one investigating." He paused for a second taking notice to Adrian's pink haired follower, "Who might this pretty thing be?" he asked walking towards her. His frame was so massive that his head was up by her chest without even getting on his hind legs.
|
|
|
|
Post by Elena Jade on Aug 11, 2009 22:56:08 GMT -6
Elena couldn't help but grin at the exchange between the two, lowering her wand, but keeping it in her hand - they were still in the Forest, after all. These two reminded her of herself and Felix, in a way.
"Elena Jade," she introduced herself, starting to stick out her hand to shake Lupus's before she realized that might be a bit of a faux pas. "Er, I would shake your hand, but.. I don't have any treats on me, and I don't want to get your hopes up." Alright, so that might have been a worse faux pas. She was definitely ruling out a career in public relations. "Um, that was a joke, by the way." |
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Minister Jr on Aug 11, 2009 23:22:36 GMT -6
"Oh I wouldn't be interested in any treats, I only eat flesh," Lupus replied with a sinister look.
"Play nice, she's one of my students," Adrian said scanning their surroundings.
"Really? What where you two planning out here in the dark woods? Perhaps a little student teacher fun?" The wolf asked with a bit of a chuckle.
"Get your mind out of the gutter!" Adrian said a bit flustered, luckily the darkness of the night concealed the redness that was swarming through his face, "you know why we're here!" Lupus burst out in laughter at Adrian's quick reaction, "you were always an easy one to pick on. Don't take it personally though."
"Oh whatever, how far to the portkey?" He asked in hopes of changing the topic at hand.
"Not too far back, you'll be able to see the blue shimmering glow from the boundary spell soon." Lupus replied as he turned to look at Elena again, "so, you must be quite a duelist for the Dark Arts professor to take you along."
|
|
|
|
Post by Elena Jade on Aug 12, 2009 0:22:53 GMT -6
Elena raised her eyebrows at the wolf's comment about "student-teacher fun", and an amused little smile tugged at her lips. Yeah, that was likely - out of all the girls in this school, part-Veelas and all, throwing themselves at him, he'd totally picked her to start an illicit affair with. The wolf was clearly just a little bit daft.
With a little grin at Lupus, Elena replied, "I suppose I'm not bad. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve. 'Course, it could just be that I'm the foxiest student of the bunch." She scanned the darkness beyond the wolf, and thought that she might have been able to discern the barest of glows in the distance. "That way, you said?" she asked, already heading in the direction of the glow before she'd even finished the question. |
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Minister Jr on Aug 12, 2009 0:40:20 GMT -6
Adrian was certainly glad that it was dark out after Elena's comment about here being the foxiest student being the reason for him bringing her along. He was always one to be easily flustered and embarrassed. "Catch you on the way back Lupus," he said to the wolf as he now found that he was the one doing the following.
"Sure thing," Lupus replied sniffing at the air, "smells like I got another wandering creature to scare off." At that he trotted off into the darkness.
Adrian looked ahead to see if he could see any type of glow. He could definitely make out something. It certainly wasn't the moon since that was directly overhead, not that he could visibly tell since the trees blocked out most of the sky from view except for random opening in the tree tops.
A slight smirk crept across his face as he noticed that Elena's silver pants were lit up like a disco ball from the glow of his wand. Each step she took made it even funnier since the motion made them look like a spinning disco ball no less. His eyes darted away from her pants as he realized he was basically stairing at her behind.
"Sorry about Lupus," he said as he hurried up beside her, "he's kind of a pig. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to know any better since he doesn't spend much time in civilized society."
|
|
|
|
Post by Elena Jade on Aug 12, 2009 1:06:37 GMT -6
Elena smirked over at him and said wryly, "A pig? I do believe you need glasses, Professor, because I'm fairly certain that was a wolf." She waved a dismissive hand. "It's cool. He's not the first, and certainly not the worst. Innuendos are not unfamiliar to me." Especially since she'd said plenty of them herself, teasing her friends. Shy, she was not. "My poor virgin ears will stop bleeding in no time," she couldn't help adding cheerfully.
She really hoped that the faint light she was following - though it was starting to grow stronger - was in fact the portkey, and not just some phosphorescent plant. Or some phosphorescent ravenous monster made of fangs. Although that could be interesting. Still, it wouldn't speak very highly of her investigational skills. |
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Minister Jr on Aug 12, 2009 1:37:30 GMT -6
Adrian laughed at Elena's remark, which was quite rare for him to do around a student. He usually kept to being serious and professional around students, but their coming across Lupus made that a bit difficult. That and he found Elena to be a refreshing difference to most of the students, who were dull in comparison.
"Yes, well I guess I didn't notice his sharp fangs and all," he replied with a smile looking down at her. We must look fairly odd, he thought now realizing how different they looked. Her being quite short in comparison to him. That and her outfit was a complete opposite from his traditional wizard robes that usually chose as his attire. I doubt any creature would think us as formidable opponents, he thought to himself. Or maybe if they recognize the robes of a wizard they might think twice.
"Though I hear they like attacking foxy girls." Did I just say that out loud? He thought to himself realizing his blunder. "I mean.." Think quick! Think quick! Think quick!
|
|
|
|
Post by Elena Jade on Aug 12, 2009 2:19:42 GMT -6
Elena glanced over at him, looking briefly startled upon hearing him laugh, though the expression was quickly replaced by a grin. She hadn't expected him to laugh - he was usually so serious. She found that she rather liked the sound. "Yes, well, the fangs are very easy to miss, what with being so large and sharp, but a knowledgeable professional like me knows how to spot them," she said, watching where she stepped as she navigated over the detritus littering the forest floor.
"Though I hear they like attacking foxy girls." At that, Elena's head snapped up and she almost tripped over a raised tree root, but managed to right herself in time. She very determinedly pretended that hadn't just happened, and said smoothly, though humor gleamed in her eyes, "Ah, it seems I really am doomed then. But such are the dangers foxy girls must face valiantly. Promise me you'll avenge my tragic but terribly foxy death?" |
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Minister Jr on Aug 12, 2009 2:45:34 GMT -6
I should just stick to being quiet, he thought to himself as she looked up at him. He tried to fight back a grin as she replied but failed miserably.
It seemed that he was caring less and less about how professional he seemed the further they were from the school. Not to mention the chances of others seeing him act in such a fashion was slim to none in this dark forest. Though he wasn't one for being professional back when he was an auror. No, he was perhaps anything but professional. More so wreckless than professional. Feeding off of his emotions countless times. Breaking Ministry laws such as the usage of forbidden curses. Things such as that though, were secrets of his to be kept locked up.
"If that is what you wish then I will most certainly avenge you if you were to perish in such a foxy fashion. Will you avenge me if I am to be killed, in a terribly hunky fashion?" He asked as he pretended to walk like a macho type guy would.
|
|
|
|
Post by Elena Jade on Aug 12, 2009 3:09:41 GMT -6
"But of course," Elena replied. "I would consider it a very grave and necessary duty. Though I would then certainly be killed as well, as your fangirls back at the school would be in a mournful rage over your hunky death, and naturally would blame me and my feminine wiles, luring you into the dangers of the Forest. They would tear me to shreds, I'm afraid. Itty bitty, foxy shreds."
She was assuming, of course, that he knew half the female population at ADSGMP thought themselves in love with him. It seemed like it would be painfully obvious, the way they tended to throw themselves at him. Elena felt a little bit sorry for the girls - and a couple of the boys if she wasn't mistaken - but she felt even more sorry for Adrian for having to deal with them. Though she supposed all the free chocolates would be a perk, if in fact his admirers gave him chocolates. Surely around Valentine's Day, at least. Why was she speculating about this, now? She wasn't entirely sure. |
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Minister Jr on Aug 12, 2009 22:42:04 GMT -6
"That is true," Adrian said with a sigh. "I've heard that the female to male ratio is at an all time high for the Defense against the Dark Arts program. They certainly would blame you for the tragedy of their broken hearts or for the jealousy of their hearts," he said with a shrug and a smile.
Finally the blue shimmering glow was entirely in view, as was the rotted tree it circled. "Here we are," Adrian said as they were just a few feet away. "Time to be serious again," he added as his face suddenly became serious. Even the look in his eyes became suddenly cold. The tip of his wand faded dim as the light from the spell was sufficient enough.
"Repeat what I say Elena if you don't want to feel such a pain that you won't forget," Adrian said as he came closer to the boundary spell. He cleared his throat before speaking.
"To take from the Earth..
is to nourish thy self and others.
To feel the Wind..
is to be free and enjoy all life.
To light a Flame..
is to find your way in the dark.
To dance in the Rain..
is to bathe in the tears she can no longer hold back.
To know the Spirit..
is to take in all Elements and live life in harmony."
The blue circle dimmed for a split second and Adrian walked forth. He passed through the blue light without second thought and looked back at Elena, "you only have to repeat the one that pertains to your house. To light a Flame.. is to find your way in the dark."
|
|
|
|
Post by Elena Jade on Aug 13, 2009 18:06:27 GMT -6
"Nox," Elena murmured as they stepped into the area well-lit by the boundary spell, dousing the light emanating from the tip of her wand. She watched and listened carefully as Adrian incanted the counter-spell to the boundary, intrigued. Something so specific to ADSGMP couldn't be mere coincidence - it had to mean that whatever reason the person who put the portkey here had, it had to do with the school. But what could someone want from a school for mages? Perhaps a historical place like Hogwarts might have relics or something that someone may wish to steal, but why ADSGMP?
Elena stepped up to the light, and said, enunciating carefully, "To light a Flame.. is to find your way in the dark." She watched the light dim briefly, and quickly stepped through to the other side, next to Adrian. |
|
