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Closed Hazing Rituals PV Open to Durmstrang Students

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𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
Interacting as approved iNPC Nikolai Volkov
A firestorm ripped through the sky in a dazzling red torrent of flashes. What was a common sight for the majority of Durmstrang students awestruck the pale haired boy as he watched on while they streaked through the air visages of fire and lightning painting the enchanted air of the stadium with blazing colour. Every manoeuvre snatched at the boys breath, eyes straining to watch, mind constantly abuzz with worry and yet, despite the hazardous scene he was watching, the confidence in their formation, in each other was nothing short of astonishing. Durmstrang flew without fear, up there in the sky it was clear to see their dedication, and trust. How one could manage to retain such composure while being utterly lethal perplexed his mind as he observed. Quidditch had always been instilled to Nikolai as not only recklessly dangerous but a 'senseless waste of time' quoting his father in his head. No longer burdened by his families' opinions he felt the tantalising draw of curiosity pull him towards their practice and clutching a freshly purchased broom he lost himself to imagination envisioning himself up there soaring the skies alongside them.

Imagination blurred with delusions of grandeur within the young boys mind as he found himself miles above the ground flying with them. Draped in the signature dragon uniform the red robes flared over the black underlayers while tight dragonhide leather gloves kept him firmly gripped to the handle of his broom. He could feel the steady rapture of his heart racing, passion pumping through it deep under their draconic logo. Up here with the team he felt limitless. Gravity was no friend of the boys however and as he felt a bump on his arm he was felled back to reality by the welcomed presence of his dormmate. Joltingly reawakened he flashed a quick smile to the boy who's friendship was still fresh and left much room for discovery. "Hey Hans, isn't it incredible..." Gesturing towards the team who were suddenly descending his face lit up. Ecstasy taking a hold as he quickly turned back admiring the simplicity of the boys red shirt and black striped shorts, he fit in far more with the camp visitors than Nik ever could,"Sorry Hans I have to speak to Val. Actually you should come, if you want, perhaps you can help." The grin on his face was worryingly delirious as he went shooting off towards the group who were now locked in discussion.

In his approach Nikolai got the first proper look at his new favourite team. Each individual was perfectly unique and not to mention, despite his brain desperately seeking to deny the fact, utterly gorgeous. Being so close to his teen years hormones were a new deeply uncomfortable world he had to poorly attempt to navigate. His eyes were first drawn to the biggest of the lot whom, after many... many lectures from Valentin this summer, he know could identify as a beater. Big had been an underestimation for one of the three beaters he counted stood out amongst the others as a wolf amongst sheep with deep red hair he stood above the two darker haired boys sporting thick knee and elbow pads that looked well worn in, grass and mud littered the boys tight uniform that clung for life from his built frame. Gripped tight in his fingerless gloves was a bat of pristine quality indicating to Nikolai that in comparison to the rest of his Quidditch gear the item was of upmost importance. There weren't many names Nikolai knew in Durmstrang but Romeo Marchonné was as much a legend as Valentin himself. However, his gaze was not able to be held for long as flickers of radiant light began to sparkle from the darker haired boy next to him, which upon closer inspection seemed to be caused by a more than healthy dose of glitter. Nikolai smiled gently at the unkept nature of the boy, his gear seeming to be mismatched in places much contrasting to the exquisite makeup artistry that graced his delicate features.

With a roar of celebration the eyes were drawn to a secondary clump of individuals who seemed to be enthralled in the praise of their captain. Nikolai knew that feeling only too well, Valentin had a way of seeping all the pain and misery out of you and transforming it into enlightened optimism and hope, it was a marvel to both experience and witness. The three students were clearly chasers but all sported their personalities in different ways. One's individuality was clear in not only her surfer bracelet but unlike the majority of the team she clearly valued her appearance over safety as her shoulder length blondish hair blew open in the chilled wind. Watching it pick up on the breeze he could see the faint tints of red dancing with the sun, suddenly it made sense after all no helmet should shroud such a beauty. The two others stood out just as equally one a Norse goddess her delicate features turned powerful in her Valkyrie inspired makeup while the other seemed to be ornamented in an explosion of patchwork with words sprawled across his uniform in varying degrees of aggression. From this distance it was hard to pick out anything specifically but the large antagonising words of 'Anti-You' shuddered through his confidence slowing his approach but only for a moment.

That left but 3 individuals one of course being Valentin himself the picture of sophistication and grace who surprisingly had clearly maintained hours in dulling his uniform to a matte perfection a clear contrast to his typical dress sense. Glowing off his gloveless finger was an alluring band of gold that sparkled in the daylight and held pridefully under his delicate fingers his smaller prodigy. Astrid was the one other name he had learned during this summer as Val positively beamed whenever he spoke of being a seeker and it had contented him to have such a talented second string to mentor and watch flourish in her skill. Astrid herself had donned her own makeup with red streaks framing her sharp piercing eyes that matched Nikolai's own, and a small leather charm bracelet adorning her wrist. Then there was the keeper. With honey-browned curls poking through his helmet and distinct eye liner matching that of the glitter beaters he stood particularly menacingly with light scarring dotted across his olive skin. It wasn't the physical appearance that made Nikolai wary, however, but the clenched fists wrapped in intricate leather gloves that seemed to be marked with symbology or potentially runology. Danger or at least mischief seemed to swirl through the boys grey eyes sparking them with a flitter of colour and paired with the alteration of his team number morphing the 5 into a symbol more related to the occult, he resolved to stay out of the keepers way.

Finally Nikolai caught up to the group and feeling rather small under the aura of the team around him he realised he had no real clue what his plan was. While running he had been too distracted in his analysis of the group he hadn't taken the time to develop what his actual strategy would be, after all they were clearly in a meeting and disturbing them seemed rude at best and life threatening at worst given the dominating stature of certain members. Breaking hastily in his run he looked to the ground desperately searching for the right introduction but hearing only ridiculous ramblings of proper etiquette from his mother he gave up. The moment, however, was short lived as upon raising his eye level back to the dragons he found himself to be the receiver of a number of pointed stares. It wouldn't be his shining moment as introductions went but if he was being honest he was never particularly talented at them in the first place.

Frog buried deep in his throat he managed to release himself from his stunned silence with a large whack to the chest. “Apologies!” Absorbing the assortment of faces that were now firmly planted on him, analysing his presence, he searched for the only one that mattered. No one else’s opinion was of any relevance when compared to the burning inferno that was Valentin Schnell and as usual when Nikolai found his face there was nothing, but warmth and joy returned in those empyreal eyes. The tight knit group hardly left a gap between them but hastily he grabbed his opening and slipped between a pair of chasers. Perhaps he was lost in the speed of his haste, but he could have sworn he saw the girl with reddish blonde hair wink his way. None of that mattered, however, as Nikolai found himself standing next to his intended, his brother. Smile beaming on his face, as it so often did these days, his excitement was undulating out overwhelmingly smothering the seeker with pride. “You were utterly incredible! Have you always been that talented a flier? I’m not surprised you’re the captain… eh co-captain I mean.” He quickly followed up throwing a glace at the intimidating presence of the red bear that staggered far above Nik. Returning his enchanted blue eyes to meet with Valentin’s own in an aurora of colour he continued “No one stands a chance against you all, I can’t believe what I’ve been missing out on this whole time! It’s exhilarating. Sorry for breaking up your post-practice discussion but I simply couldn’t resist. You see I bought this, and I thought if you weren’t completely busy there was a chance you could teach me the basics, it’s just I’ve never been allowed to fly before.” Clutching a Nimbus 1700 in his hands so hard it no doubt made the seeker wince he brought it in front of him desperate to learn anything to get him started.

Something in the boys eyes changed as he spoke, what had for so long been piercing, steeled and cold were now closer to resembling that of a new-born puppy. Twelve years in Nikolai Mikhailovich Volkov was officially granted the feeling of being a kid on Christmas day and he supposed due to their similar white hair and affinity for gifts Valentin made a pretty perfect Ded Moroz. Santa Clause
Specifically mentioning the following; Hans Jenssen, Valentin Schnell, Romeo Marchonné, Slava Aleksandrovich Preobrazhensky, Amina Petrovic, Greta Fransson, Felix Kolbeck, Astrid Théa Olsen & Hanya Cyprian Ambroży
@Archer Duncan@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood@Piérre Marchonné@Ruby Cazares@Ileen Knight@Evelynn Decipio@Winnie Harper @Anastasia Varney@Astrea Soleil Neptune
Last edited by Matthew Campbell on 8 Aug 2024, 04:13, edited 1 time in total.
Nikolai Volka // "Light, light: do not go
I sing you this song and I will sing another as well." // Matthew Campbell
Closed Hazing Rituals PV Open to Durmstrang Students
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As the pattering of distant-but-approaching running feet triggered in Valentin’s subconscious, the seeker’s scarred hand lowered to his belt where hung an ancient Turkish knife in a sheath. He had been wearing it for self defense ever since nearly being murdered in Germany, as he had no wish to go the way of his mother and father. The crowded environment of the London Quidditch Stadium could have harbored any number of unsavory visitors, be they crazed fans or a hit man hired in another attempt to deprive Schnell of his family fortune. While one would not know it from the intensity of his love when showering his friends with affection, Valentin was a survivor who would not so readily forget the true breadth of possibilities owed to the human soul.

“Stay in the moment even when you don’t know if they’re coming for you,” Valentin continued in his team debriefing. “Not knowing the opponent’s location makes it too easy for the mind to wander and remember the bludger’s pain, and even if you don’t fear the blow itself, the ambiguity’s distraction itself could prove fatal. You have to fly as if every moment were your last without caring that it might be. Hanya gave us a good example of that with his dive. I want you to work on this, Astrid. You’re fierce, no doubts about it, but don’t let the thoughts crowd out your powers of perception. The team has your back, and with Felya here now you especially—” Valentin turned to face the runner who was just breaking onto the scene. “…Have nothing to worry about.”

Throwing his arms wide open, Valentin’s subconscious knew before his eyes even settled on the enthusiastic form of Nikolai Vol’ka. The collective gaze of the team also fell upon the newcomer, the stranger, but Valya was already walking forward to embrace him.

“Apologies!” called the blonde.

“My darling dear Kol’ka,” replied Val, eyes beaming with unshackled joy. “Wonderful for you to join us.” Assuming the other did not resist, Valentin threw his arms around Nikolai and picked him up in a slow twirl of a hug. Putting him back down and reaching his hand out to stroke the top of the other’s head while holding him in his other arm, the captain faced his team. “Everyone, this is Nikolai Vol’ka, a member of my household and a shining embodiment of Durmstrang itself. Let’s make him feel welcome.” Although Valya’s voice rang with the clear tenor of pleasure, an amused turn of his pitch suggested a secret message to the team. They knew their Frost Captain had, in equal measure with his bottomless love and support, an unrelenting hunger to challenge those around him. A mischievous gleam in his eyes evoked a subtle smile. Oh yes, Valentin would strive to help Nikolai’s dreams come true, and he would make him work for it. Reality would require adaptation under fire one way or another, and it was better for Nikolai to grow strong under the nourishment of tough love than be thrown straight to the steely machinations of societal structures.

A slight smile at Kol’ka’s compliment warmed the Frost Captain’s face, less from pride in himself than in Nikolai, whose passion and enjoyment never failed to charm him. Shaking his head humbly, Valentin’s voice rumbled low. “Nay, Kol’ka, it has been a journey and I owe my success to others putting me back together after my mistakes send me crashing down. The spirit of Durmstrang is not only ambition and an ever-burning desire to learn, you see, but also solidarity.”

“No one stands a chance against you all, I can’t believe what I’ve been missing out on this whole time! It’s exhilarating. Sorry for breaking up your post-practice discussion but I simply couldn’t resist. You see I bought this, and I thought if you weren’t completely busy there was a chance you could teach me the basics, it’s just I’ve never been allowed to fly before.”

The Nimbus 1700 in the boy’s hands drew Valentin’s eye, and he began to consider the flaws and strengths of its construction. Especially since December, Valentin had been investing more study into the craft of fine and experimental broom making, and immediately he felt a pang of hunger in wanting to test the quality of the broom’s enchantments. Oh, the improvements this broom could enjoy… purred the captain’s mind, eyes drinking in its details. It reminded him of the broom #3, Charles Alluring, had thrown away on that evening he came out to Val. Nikolai might even find the old discarded Nimbus on display during his wanderings of the Schnell Estate, as the White Niffler was a collector of items thrown away by people he loved. Visitors to the open Quidditch Museum he ran at the estate in Kazan would see a variety of artifacts with or without context, and their team itself would recognize certain nostalgic items carefully tended in its exhibits. Some special historical items even came out of the collection to serve again with Durmstrang’s current team when needed.

“What a perfect idea, Kol’ka. What do you say, guys? Shall we teach this young dragon to fly?”
Basic Stats:
STA 8 - EVA 20 - STR 3 - WIS 20 [24] - ARC 1 - ACC 17

Abilities:
Keen Eye / Charmer / Evasive Maneuvers / Fearless / Comprehend Languages: Parseltongue & Veela
@Matthew Campbell (Nikolai Vol’ka)
★ Valentin's Ency ☆ ☄ койрыклы йолдыз килә-ә ☄ ☽ Aida's Ency ☾
Closed Hazing Rituals PV Open to Durmstrang Students
Image posted by the member
Roleplaying as Hans, all dialogue in Russian unless otherwsie stated

Hans missed the Muggle realm.

July the year prior, he had been at the pool during this hour, training for nationals. July this year, he was now simply a spectator to an absurd sport done on broomsticks. How fickle was life in her drastic changes. And somehow, he was required to love both. A laugh almost escaping him at the ridiculous metamorphosis he had brought upon himself, he now felt more trapped as the butterfly than he had ever been within the chrysalis, that suffocating silken cage. He had once been a caterpillar too, those hazy yet vaguely familiar memories of sun-drunk noons and rolling in soft sand. Going into his third year, such memories were now nothing but vignettes, gradually fading into the background of his mind before slipping away entirely. Now only left with hastened flashes of everything he knew, from lake days with his friends, the oddly comforting crowd, and the blazing sun, to talking back to his coaches during football practice. Perhaps one could not be so rash to nudge all the blame onto his exposure to the Wizarding World. For after all, what Hans missed his younger self, even if he struggled with putting such thoughts into words.

Elbowing the passionately daydreaming Nikolai, if only to distract himself from his own daydreams, he murmured his dorm mate's name to catch his attention. 'Hey Hans,' he said with a brief smile, 'Isn't it incredible?' Following the piercingly electric eyes of the boy as they traced the team's path downwards, Nikolai continued before the German had a chance to reply, 'Sorry Hans I have to speak to Val.' Briefly casting his gaze at the fellow third year, Hans stood up and stretched, in time to hear his continuation of, 'Actually you should come, if you want, perhaps you can help.' With a quick 'Sure,' the wizard gathered his refreshments from the concession stand and followed him as he broke into a run. White-haired, amethyst-eyed Valentin Schnell, the glorious, exquisite marble carving of a young man, turned to embrace the sprinting figure of Nikolai, the traveller no longer lost yet still racing back to his Polaris. His gait still casual, Hans hung back to watch as the seeker pulled the Russian up in a hug, twirling in a meteor shower of rapture.

Coffee eyes flitting over the assembled members of the Quidditch team as he reached his rathe friend, Hans' gaze lingered over some, while completely skipping over others. Astrid, lucky number seven, the rose among weeds, scarlet makeup as perfervid as her zealous personality, vivid hues bringing out the subtle grey of her ice-blue eyes, stood behind her mentor in her gossamery grace. Never had timeworn converses looked so fine on anyone. The next individual to be subjected to his attention was the team's Herculean beater, and with a size as colossal as his, Hans wasn't surprised that he had noticed him so swiftly. Durmstrang's very own valkyrie had chosen to embrace her Scandinavian heritage with war paint across her eyes and under the afternoon sun, she had never looked more like the Freyja to Astrid's Idun. One of the more... individualistic of the group was the all too familiar face of the chaser, uniform patched with an array of pins, one which the German took personally: "Shouldn't you be fucking off or something?" With a sudden flash of brunet curls catching his attention, barely peaking through the well-built crowd of athletes, was the oddball flower child Hans had first came across not song long ago in one the camp's more peculiar tents. The rest were an indistinct blur of red and black and, after brief moments of eye contact with those who would allow it, he turned to Nikolai, catching the pure ecstasy lined on his young face.

Ecstasy however, decided to leave Hans out of her blissful touch today. His heart was not beating on the right track and he felt as if his intestines had been taken out of his stomach, stretched out, and haphazardly stuffed back in once more. He could not define whatever emotion had so suddenly crashed down upon him but the last thing he would do was let it define him. 'Have fun,' he said finally, turning to leave before throwing his head back, to add to his previous remark with, 'And try not to die!' He had kept his tone at its usual light yet sarcastic jest, and as he offered one last cocky grin as a goodbye, nothing seemed out of place to the casual observer. But taking a few steps backwards before turning entirely to retreat to a seat just within earshot of the team and Nikolai, he took a half-hearted sip of his drink as he threw the finished food’s wrapping paper into a nearby rubbish bin. His smile faded off his face all too quickly, as if wiped off by a wet towel.

Note: permission has been given from Nikolai's writer to say that he did not resist Valentin's hug. From this point onwards Hans would mostly be observing however, he is within earshot and would respond to direct conversation. If the ere are people directly asking him to stay, please disregard the last two sentences.

@Matthew Campbell as Nikolai Vol'ka
you will burn and you will burn out; you will be healed and come back again. and i will wait for you.
Archer Duncan | Anthonie Engelbrecht
Closed Hazing Rituals PV Open to Durmstrang Students
Image posted by the member
norwegian ❅ russian ❅ english ❅ swedish
july 20
quidditch stadium
quidditch drum uniform + [x][x][x]
@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood
@Matthew Campbell
@Archer Duncan
i know i'm just a girl - but can i change lives
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Quidditch practice was one of Astrid's favourite things. She got to fly on her Silver Arrow, learn new things and catch the snitch. It was really a freeing feeling, being in the sky, being focused on several things but one in particular. Three days after being attacked by a slug, she needed that. The leaf pendants of her father's bracelet dangled at her wrist when she put foot to ground, practice over. She then sat in amazon style on her broom, listening to Val's debriefing. She nodded, taking note of the constructive criticism he was giving her. The whole team was more or less focused and the seeker admired once again Greta's Valkyrie makeup. It was so pretty on her.
Hearing footsteps coming behind her, she turned her head to see who was approaching. Two boys, one she kinda knew, one she only knew by face. Hans stayed back a little while the other kid - he was taller but he looked younger than her so yeah, a kid - walked towards Valentin. The white haired boy tightly hugged the blonde, smaller boy before presenting him. “Everyone, this is Nikolai Vol’ka, a member of my household and a shining embodiment of Durmstrang itself. Let’s make him feel welcome.” Was the kid, Nikolai, one of Val’s protégé? It would make sense to Astrid since the seventh year basically adopted everyone, herself included, and Nikolai lived with the Schnells so yeah, he must be a protégé.
The girl got off her broom, made a step towards the boy and extended her hand for a handshake. “Hi, I'm Astrid, second string seeker of the team. Nice to meet you!” There were moments like that where she was grateful for the fake snow falling around the stadium. Without it, the air would have been way warmer and the red streaks she had painted around her eyes wouldn't have looked so neat. Presentations made, she went back to her broom, sitting like she was before. She smiled hearing the compliments the newcomer told the team. “You see I bought this, and I thought if you weren’t completely busy there was a chance you could teach me the basics, it’s just I’ve never been allowed to fly before.”
Valentin replied with “What a perfect idea, Kol’ka. What do you say, guys? Shall we teach this young dragon to fly?” A grin appeared on Astrid's face. Did the boy know what he was putting himself into? It will be funny, maybe not really for him, but it will be funny. The girl nodded, still sat on her Silver Arrow. “Yeah, we could teach him.” She could only approve Hans' last comment.
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sta ● 11 | eva ● 9 | str ● 6 | wis ● 10 | arc ● 7 | acc ● 9
fearless - obnoxiously strong - keen eye - charmer
charmer opponents none
Action approving Val's suggestion
Post 1
Astrid Théa Olsen
"i will make you believe you are lovely"
PC=============
Anastasia Blackwood-Varney
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