Aromatic Influences Solo Closed

Date: December 29th 2024

Absence was more than distance between the two blood brothers, there was an absence of soul that companioned it and drained all colour from the world. Despite all his efforts and the lethal judgement of his therapist the two boys hadn't spoken a word about the incident. While Kazan had been a breath of relief that was much needed for reprieve, Val's trip to Greece felt like running. Nikolai couldn't help register the ache of his heart at the seemingly irreparable bridge that fell before them, a chasm so wide it seemed futile to cross. It didn't stop him of course, each day he tried to resettle the planks one by one but the wind blew destructively each time resetting his progress.

While his brothers silence on the matter was disparagingly frustrating the silence of the estate without him was cataclysmic. Nikolai had plenty of experience with sentient magical properties but while his own creeped listening shadows along walls and darkened spots meant to induce fear in children the Schnell estate just seemed forlorn. The very walls devastated by the looming break of their bond, the flowers hung melancholic and colours drained, even the chill of winter seemed more crisp within the building as if the hearths weren't able to burn brightly under the weight. When not in his room Nikolai aimlessly stalked the empty halls tracing the edges of windows as his stare lingered on the grounds emptiness claiming his soul, a hunger unable to be satiated.

The new half-crup huskie pup Alpine was the only distraction from the monotony of his present existence. Just one of the many blessings of that Christmas Eve Nikolai and the puppy had become completely inseparable. Every time the little devil wanted for anything he was instantly smothered. Alpine very quickly became a symbol of devotion and he was integral in Nikolai's healing, for one looking after something else made him appreciate not only what those around him had done for him but the level of reverence he owed to look after himself. The second was less important from a functional standpoint but invaluable emotionally, with Alpine around Nik found himself laughing like he used to. Totally absorbed in the adoration of his new friend that was the very definition of purity. Alpine lived for cuddles and would curl up in Nikolai's lap as he maintained his other coping mechanism, studying.

Reminiscent of Nikolai Volkov the Vol'ka had regressed to burying himself in education and literature and wishing with all the might he could summon that the world would close around him in that old familiar comforting blanket. Only that wasn't his reality any longer, where Nikolai was once quite comfortable in shutting out the world and rejecting human interaction he now yearned for his friendships. Not the state they currently resided but how they were before, when they helped him burn. The young Russian resented the thought that Alpine may never see him burn so brightly again, the pup seemed ecstatic whenever he could bubble the raucous laughter from deep within the boy but wise even as a baby the soft fur found its purchase in his lap when he required the solace of quiet.

After a particularly rigorous studying session researching charms and other spells far beyond his years and quite unfortunately his capabilities he shrugged off the isolation and re-joined the world only to find two large, utterly adorable, eyes staring up at him. One an icy electric blue like Nik's own while the other was a blend of lightning and earth with deep rich browns similar to Hans, sectoral heterochromia, unique and completely perfect. Truly the pup could do no wrong and it was futile while also not for a second being a desire to resist his every wishes. Mouth instantly falling to a large toothy grin he braced himself as the half-crup flung himself at his face fork tail wagging playfully as he licked all negativity away from Nikolai's face with adamant adoration. Satisfied in his duties Alpine continued his bouncing off the bed and turning back to face the boy decided it was clearly treat time for all his hard work.

With no intention to disagree Nik began to follow the excitable puppy down the halls of the estate when his little button nose picked up a scent and shot off up the stairs searching with purpose until he settled upon the door of Valentine's room. Crouching low, slower than he would have liked with joints still tirelessly aching in places he spoke softly to Alpine while ruffling his ears, "What is it boy, I know there's lots of magic in there that you can sense but I thought you wanted a treat?" Refusing to communicate with him in response Nikolai felt quite miffed as Alpine simply stuck out his tongue panting rapidly at the door and scraping under the doorway desperate to get inside. It was common knowledge in the wizarding communities that crups even if not full blooded were excellent scavengers and always the curious historian Nik couldn't resist the wonder of what Alpine had caught the scent of.

The act would be an invasion of privacy and potentially another crack to their already unstable foundation but Nik couldn't help but reach for the handle instinctively and twist allowing the scallywag to shoot through the crack and bound along until he found the source of his curiosity. As always Nikolai's breath was hitched the moment he entered the room. Dazzling above him was the crystal dome that reflected dancing beams of light into the room making the whole space feel as ethereal as Val was himself. Light refracted off of each perfectly set crystal in such a way that let them linger in the air pure rays of golden thread lacing the space with comfort. For a second basking in the warmth the distance didn't seem so far. The room seemed unaffected by the estates outlook and remained defiantly optimistic of the light between them as it wrapped around him.

Was it the truth though or simply an illusion. Nikolai couldn't be sure so making his way over to Alpine he found him endearingly failing to stretch his tiny paws up to Val's desk towards what seemed to be some kind of vial or potion. Mostly consumed there was a faint liquid at the bottom that much like the room shimmered with its mother of pearl sheen it fit perfectly in its setting. Whatever the vial was lay open and seemed to be making his new half-cruppy extremely excitable. Stoppering it with the nearby lid he watched as almost instantly Alpine grew disinterested and meandered off back towards the door clearly determined to get back on track to treats. Two things were surmised from this, his puppy was utterly insatiable and for that he found his lips breaking out in wide smile once more, but the second was that this was most definitely some kind of potion and not one the young boy recognised.

Raising it to his nose he unstopped the potion for mere seconds allowing the aroma to fill his nostrils. The smell was nothing like he had ever experienced, rather than simply playing on one of his senses it seemed to inspire them all with something akin to memories filling his mind. At first the scent took on the pleasant spring scent of snowdrops, light pollen dusting through his nose before it switched to a much richer plum scent with hints of Russian vodka, the stinging pain of late nights with his brothers on the beach. Before it could settle the scent of the sea picked up as he could practically feel the ocean breeze in his hair, then vinegar but not from chips by the sea, no it was more acidic like the developing of film from a camera. Clearing away the acid brought him a breath of crisp mountain air the wind so pure and clean with pine and light sweat from hiking. The scents danced along into the deepest parts of his mind together all mixing one by one in an intoxicating aroma daring him to taste it.

After everything he had been through Nik vehemently refused to accept the potions temptation and with his duellist reaction speed stoppered the bottle concealing the dangerous concoction. Just before he did a final smell worked its way into his mind, a scent he recognised all too well as the gentle aroma of home. Not the amber tower but the first place he had ever considered home, the aroma of crackling fire and non-magi aftershave that lingered on the many clothes he had stolen. The scent of his dorm room at Durmstrang, of the place he had first felt safe and the person who helped make him feel that way. Utterly perplexed and more than a little concerned about everything that had just happened Nikolai found himself pocketing the vial intent on understanding it at a later date. Whatever it was was powerful and that made it dangerous in Val's currently unstable hands. Paranoia and power were never an acceptable combination.

As the crystal shine fell behind him and he left the room he buried the aromas to the back of his mind each one in front of the last locking it in place. Whatever the potions affect was unclear but there was no logical reason for its disturbing analysis of himself, he was sure of it. He had to be.