S.N.O.G copied thread

Harvey was very quickly caught in a whirlwind of chaos as the proposed night of tutorage quickly devolved into madness. “I know what snogging is.” The words muttered under his breath were the only ones that would escape his lips before he was left mouth agape by the scene around him. There would soon be a rants about poisoning and muggles bathing in feces. Harvey had seen many of them growing up in London and never once had he seen any of them covered in poo. Not to mention anyone with a brain could deduce that no human, even a damn muggle, would do such a thing.

If that wasn’t bad enough, soon many others would enter the room and some of them not exclusively gentleman. “I thought this was for males only.” Again the part-goblin would mutter to himself. He was here to learn from some older students about how to conduct himself in the international Wizarding society, but it became apparent that this was just a drinking party meant to give them a chance to kiss girls. Harvey was still a year or two off of being consumed by that thought. It wouldn’t take long for the scene to go from silly to wild as crackers went off and the effects of the alcohol took place.

When the chaos master himself hopped into the center of the room and began to spin the bottle, Harvey knew he had signed up for the wrong kind of gathering. This was surely not his scene. He’d slink away and make for the safety of his bed!

Harvey leaves the thread.

Luckily for Matt his hallucinatory outburst had seemingly gone unnoticed by the masses as they formed their group. Overshadowed by the domineering presence of Colin collecting his minions into cult formation to play the game he had mentioned earlier Matthew was about to sit and join. He didn't particularly have any interest in playing after all his mind had only really thought about one person in that way despite having kisses too. It's not that his kiss with Nikolai wasn't special he just worried it was for the wrong reasons. Viva on the other hand had been a moment of pure adrenaline but it had almost tore their friendship apart. No kissing had not particularly done well for the young snake so far and he wasn't sure how thrilled he was to continue that trend. Thoughts became broken as Colin began a light show dazzling the room with showers of green, purple and blue and summoning bubbles and flowers that flew in every direction excentuating the parties decor.

Yet a party was nothing without music and while the drivvel wizarding music Prat had put on hadn't completely defeaned him it has nothing on the Muggle world. Fishing out his record player he grabbed the 'Sixpence None The Richer' vinyl with it's weathered Anglo biblical art flipping it through his hands in practiced flourish. Placing it on and adjusting the needle he set the tone for the evening to come. The angelic tones of Leigh Anne Bingham Nash drifted them into the sea of chaos with the ever wonderful 'Kiss Me'. A smirk playing as the whistful song began playing, reminding him of dance parties with his father.

Just as he was about the sit he felt the soft brush of pristine fur graze against his pyjama bottoms nuzzling him with the sweetest purr he ever did hear. Eyes immediately widened the welling tears that had conjured now turned happy as he dropped to his favourite feline and began giving the gorgeous tabby scrunchies to the head. "Zeno, Ive missed you so much, where's Archie?" Looking back up at him with irresistible eyes the feline was not one for free information, no the stubborn boy would demand payment for such crucial information. Now closer to his bed he gripped his satchel and rummaged through until he found a small tin of cat treats. They had become a common purchase for the boy, at first to win the tabby over but now to spoil him rotton. His heart broke slightly to think that Archer wasn't here next to him repremanding him for the generosity but as Zeno began to devour he tipped his head towards the far end of the room where Archer stood hauntingly. With a small head tilt towards him Matt smiled back towards the boy, a somber understanding to his stare.

The second he saw the lingering grief that etched itself so deeply into his features he found the euphoria begin to waver. Those haunting brown eyes had lost their spark, warping rich hazel to a dull chestnut, the specks of olive and gold now muddled. The hurt it conjured was sobering for it was a pain he had lived with his entire life, a pain he had just been reminded of clearing his confusion. Turning to Prat he picked the furball up and positioned him in the circle where he had almost sat moments before and with no authority at all given the restrained giggles he experiences as the cat snuggled into his chest asked, "Prat can you look after Zeno for a moment." Assuming the boy would agree he left the cat stood cooing at the joy of his well deserved reward and although the boy's face was a portrait of surprise and confusion how wrong could he go. As Matt left, Zeno watched him a longing stare matching his own towards the boy, just as desperate to bring comfort to him.

Before he could make his way the now suitably drunk Aamon shouted across the room commanding him over and Matt had to cool the warning flash of anger that rose as he did. Reminding himself the boy was just a child and had no concept of the others pain he used his calming aura to self soothe and aided by the buzzing that still rushed his brain he succeeded. Tapping Aamon on the shoulder he said, "I'll handle him boyo you go enjoy the game."- Then in a light whisper making sure Nabi couldn't hear him he said, "Though it looks like you're doing pretty well without the bottle." Smiling lightly with giddy butterflies floating in his stomach he then spoke to both as he said, "Oh and Mr cat enthusiast watch out for Zeno he doesn't always take well to strangers." Not thinking too deeply on the weird expression Aamon was making he strode off slowly not wanting to spook Archer as he approached. His mind was still finding difficulty keeping purchase on any thought and he chided himself on not warning Prat of Zeno. How bad could it possibly go, he hoped unsuccessfully.

Reaching Archer's side he stood for a moment not saying anything as they settled into each others company. Euphoria was now definitely buried and even the buzz of the cider couldn't quite reach his mind as the silence spoke wildly of the pain they shared. A bond no one deserved but still existed. "Hey Arch, I won't bother asking how you're doing, I can imagine. I know you'd probably rather be alone but I'd love it if you'd join us. Distractions aren't a cure but they can help and i'd love for you to be there if you can manage it." Each word lay so heavy on his tongue and heart, weighing him back down to reality. There was no right thing to say he knew from years of people trying but sometimes just being with people that understood helped. Matt always felt seen when his father was with him and he wanted that for Archer. A simple wish for him not to be alone through this. Even if that loneliness had to be broken by a former adversary.

A brighter smile tried to make it's way onto his face as he bumped shoulders gently with the boy nodding towards Zeno who was suddenly surrounded by two other cats in some kind of feline mafia. Their meowed conversations seemed very serious and there was a good chance intense treat negotiations were being made between the three. "I also have it on pretty good authority that Zeno would like you here, he told me himself." Sensing a signature eye roll was only moments away he doubled down feigning surprise, "What?! Did I not mention I spoke fluent Zeno." A light laugh escaped him before his face became once again knowing kindness and he moved his hand to grab the shoulder of the other pulling him into a side embrace, "Seriously though only if you're up for it. I dont mean to push you but I also do, the shit truth no one tells you is that the only way forward is through."

Suddenly the room erupted in a fit off "ooooohs" and "ahhhhs" with wolf whistles, cheers and jaunty laughter filling the rest. It seemed that the bottle had reached it's first pairing though seemingly the ring leader was busy burying his face into the smokey enchantress to coordinate anything. Typical. Staring at the boy with his new stillness from his conversation with Archer he remembered the journals. Precious memories of Matthew's own mother than had been robbed of him by the blonde haired ass. The party had not gone to his expectations in the slightest and yet no matter the thoughts that raced through his head he found himself no longer able to conjure his aggrieved anger from before. Everyone was having fun, everyone was laughing and happy and he was making friends and moments he'd remember for a lifetime. He was living a present while clinging to the past. Of course he was still devastated and furious deep down at the loss but blaming one person for it wasn't entirely fair. Matthew still needed the truth but fury no longer seemed the solution.

With the chaos ensuing he left Archer walking back towards the group and with friendly questioning in his tone said, "Well? It's now or never." Taking gentle footsteps backwards he held his hand out in reassurance and only then did he see the fiery red hair of a girl shifting in the shadow of the windowsill who's eyes had in being drawn to the commotion spotted her cat in his negotiations. Smiling slightly brighter he twisted his hand so that it offered out to her as well and with a lighter heart void of such furious hurt he said, "Hey you should come too, sorry I can't say I know your name? You don't have to play just join us, no one should be alone and anyways it seems your cat has already held you a place though you can sit on my bed if you don't want to be in the circle!" Knowing that he had done all he could the decision was now up to the individuals. Unlike the rest of the crowd he wouldn't command them to join but he hoped they did.

Running over he found the rush of movement reignite the spike of joy as his head took a whirl and he clutched onto his bed for reassurance. Giggling manically he watched as a cacophony of voices of all levels of enthusiasm informed him that Prat and Nabi, presumably one of the girls though Matthew had no clue, would be the first victims of the game. With trepidation at the unknown of what would follow his brain reminded him of his own genius and he ran over to the night stand bring out a bottle of firewhisky and shouting back to the crowd said, "I hope you're all still thirsty because the only way you get out of a kiss is with a shot of the hard stuff!" The red liquid fire sloshed around in the bottle with temptation in it's cinnamon twang. "Peer pressure is not ok Matty" utterly baffled he swiveled his head rapidly expecting to find the voice of his father but meeting only the stone wall. Confusion beyond belief at the events he corrected himself, "Unless youre not drinking then I guess you can do a truth or dare or something." With that the rules were set and the first match paired, whatever happened next was as much up to fate as anyone.

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MODERATION

As the evening reaches it's new stage @Colin McCoire summoned the group into a circle and starts us off by spinning the bottle. Seeing the snowflakes Matthew conjures he mixes it up further creating green, purple and blue sparks showering everyone gathered in the dorm with glistening light! Conjured bubbles floated from his wand into the air drifting into all corners of the room, followed by flowers of all variations spewed out towards Aamon and Matthew! Flowers landed in Elisa's hairand others on @Claire Lewis! The young girl having sought comfort by sitting next to him and whispering away as friends smiled brightly as a sunflower landed in her lap. The girl had already drawn the wrath of one @Ava Winchect who had happily partaken in the alcohol unlike the first year when offered by Prat. Spurred slightly by jealous but far more by their past history she found herself lingering under Colin's stare and as a red rose appeared for her from the tip of his wand the two launched into the first snog of the evening. While Ava instigated Colin was by no means a bystander. But how would the poor Claire react left on the sidelines with her sunflower. Colin found his head spinning with dizziness whether from the kiss or the booze was uncertain but who cared he was in cloud nine.

While the chaos unfurled and the group formed @Aamon Athanatos offered @Nabi Park some cider who accepted thankfully experiencing some curious feelings about his cuteness that softened her harsh exterior. The boy then tiptoeing towards Zeno the adorable fur ball stopped suddenly hearing the cruel strict reprimands of his father. Calling over to Archer demanding through the blur of his drunken haze he is guided to sit down by Matt ensuring him he'd handle it and to mind the kitty as he isn't the friendliest to strangers a warning not given to Prat. The pair sat and the game began Aamon entranced by the bottle. While they left it seemed Nabi had forgotten all about the wannabe arsonists but the boy was too endearing to be ignored so melting expression of warmth she let herself be dragged in. @Elisa Shakestra then proceeded to join the girl taking up her other side. The blonde heiress had chuffed a fair amount of her flask and was beginning to feel rather dizzy from the and makes her way to the group intrigued by the stabby Ava taking a seat next to Nabi.

@Archer Duncan tepidly entered the room suppres by zeno who instantly moved to play with Matt and persuade him with no resistance for treats. Aamon tries to get him to come over but Matt interceded joining Archer asking him to join the game even just to be around people for a while. Slightly sobered from the interaction he hoped the boy would join along with @Astra Norrick. The girl that had been hiding among the shadows of a hidden windowsill was finally spotted by the Muggleborn. Having hoped to find her cat and leave she would find fate a cruel mistress as Hermes had struck up an alliance with the two others in the room and he showed no intentions of leaving.

Zeno sits gracefully in the place Matt left before meeting up with Hermes and Greebo forming the Slytherin cat coalition of 2025 also known as the Feline Mafia. While they may seem cute as buttons the three are surely scheming. Before he is joined Zeno is handed off into the care of @Prat Pass by Matt who seemed to watching him in a strange manner. As Prats drunkenness began to develop into hallucinations he heard the spitting imagine sound of his grandfather tutting at him in disgust. Turning to find him standing behind Matt he understood that it hadn't really been him the distate had been aimed. Spouting purist views he leveled cruel eyes on Prat condemning him for allowing such a creature to sit near their sacred lineage, "So this is the filth you surround yourself with, you bring dishonour to our entire family Prat. I knew your parents were far too soft on you but this is shameful. You shall never achieve greatness by lowering yourself to such vermin." Heart in his throat he stared helplessly at the boy who just shrugged it off walking towards something. As quickly as he was gone the vision cleared and he found himself thoroughly confused just in time for the bottle to spin right towards him marking him as the first victim. Someone grabbing the bottle spun it again and to his deep sadness it didn't land on Ava who had just been tainted by the wolf but on Nabi instead.

@Harvey Barrows seeing right through the facade of what the evening was devolving into decided to hedge his bets and slip out before anyone could stop him. Disappearing into the blue smoke and returning to his bed for blissful sleep untainted by the cider and feeling thankful for the escape.

As the game would progress into a second round Aamon and Claire would be thrown to the firey pits of a trial by fire. Then luck would show a rather cruel twist as Prat was once again selected though this time falling upon his own cousin. The whole group unilaterally deciding to reprimand the bottle for such diabolical suggestion.

Date: 2025.02.01 | Note: Thoughts, Speech, Aamon |

The bottle was spinning, with no signs of it pausing soon.

Nabi still did not know why the bottle was spinning, but the sight was hypnotizing. Her eyes never left the bottle even as it eventually came to a stop, the rim pointing straight at her.

She tilted her head slightly, confused as to what was to happen. The sound of the others oooing and ahhing filled the room, there was a low mutter from the girl beside but Nabi could not hear it. She glanced around confused, What does this mean?, looking at Aamon who was still standing beside her, hoping he would know.

Not that he would make much sense...

Nabi looked to see the young Prat stand up, swaying slightly with the confidence of a drunken sailor— he walked like one too. A voice finally answered her unsaid question, realizing she was to kiss the drunk Prat. Bloody hell, what? no-

Her mind began to think of a million ways and outcomes, Prat getting closer with each shuffled step. A soft meow drew her attention, and her eyes flickered down to see a cat of orange coat, the cat she had been following with Aamon only moments prior. Her eyes narrowed in thought, and Aamon's words echoed in her head I need to give it a head kiss...

As if she had gotten an epiphany, her eyes widened slightly, That's it!... and just in time... Prat stood before her, swaying slightly, the cat still in hand as he leaned in slightly. Waiting— expecting a kiss, not knowing what is to come. Nabi took a step closer, she knew she had to be quick for her plan to work. Looking slightly up at him, she noticed his drunken confidence falter momentarily.

Hesitance.

She hummed softly in thought, still looking at him.

He could be her first kiss...

Leaning forward, her hands took the cat and held it between them before Prat could even register that he was kissing the cat. It must have disliked being held and kissed as it retaliated and clawed Prat.

Oh goodness... I am so sorry... Her eyes widened and she attempted to remove the cat from Prat. "my apologies... I did not expect the cat to attack...you..."

Saturday
February 1st, 2025
Afternoon

Outfit: (but darker green!)

Reducio

Claire trusted Colin, she really did, so she accepted his flask and took a small sip of what he'd called 'scumble.' It was like wine, to her taste buds, but with apples instead of grapes, and it was a whole lot stronger, if she wasn't mistaken. Her face scrunched up slightly, but she wouldn't dare spit it out. She was one of the youngest ones here, and she certainly didn't want to appear as young as she was.

"God, Colin, that was-" but before she could focus her vision through the burn in her mouth and tell Colin exactly what that scumble was, he was conjuring a phenomenon of bubbles and flowers and beauty that a pre-Hogwarts Claire would never have believed possible.

But then, as suddenly as his wide volley of spellcasts began, it ended with him staring at one of the upperclassmen. Well, one of Claire's upperclassmen. Upperclasswomen. Whatever. She was probably about the same age as Colin, Claire thought, and there was an intensity between their gaze. The bottle hadn't even stopped spinning, but the way they leaned in...

A giddy rush of laughter and joy escaped Claire's throat as they kissed. She felt scandalized witnessing such a private thing, but it was also so very exciting. This was the sort of thing Rose used to tease her about when she'd learned Claire was going to a boarding school.

"You'll be meeting boys and girls and kissing everyone you come across," Rose had teased back in July, and Claire had smacked her shoulder and argued that, no, she was eleven. She had no interest in that.

But now, she was twelve, and watching it happen from the outside, it felt like she was partaking without actually partaking, and that was almost relieving. But as @Colin McCoire and @Ava Winchect's lips actually met, Claire looked away with a darkening tinge of red on her cheeks and found something else to occupy her vision.

There was, of course the handsome boy with the brown hair - @Aamon Athanatos - going on about French, which Claire assumed she'd missed due to her late arrival. Then, Claire assumed in his slight intoxication, he was going on about giving the cat a head kiss? It was all very confusing, but Claire followed his and Nabi's gaze to the bottle once more, and it finally came to a stop.

Claire took another sip from Colin's flask, which he'd apparently forgotten in the wake of his smooch session. It went down easier the second time, so this sip was bigger than the last. She saw the spinning bottle begin to slow, and, for a brief second, she stared at it with wide eyes, afraid that it was honing in on her, but then, to her relief, it pointed elsewhere.

She took another sip of the scumble. It really was an acquired taste.

The bottle had chosen another two sacrifices, this time settling for @Nabi Park and @Prat Pass. Nabi, it seemed, was turning into a babysitter for all the intoxicated boys in the room, and it was a task that Claire didn't envy, but her strategy to involve the cat to lessen the kissing was nothing short of brilliant, and Claire found herself giggling at the innovation and creativity, and her laughter only deepened as the cat clawed and scratched at the boy who'd just kissed it. It was so silly and outlandish.

Claire found herself sipping on the scumble to quiet her own giggles. She had never been much of a cat person, but she found herself considering it. She leaned forward to get a better view of Prat's face.

"Y'alright, there?" she asked Prat with a smile that strained as it held back the giggles that threatened to burst free.

Her eyes drifted to another figure lingering outside the circle, and she beckoned @Saunders Napier over. The poor boy seemed completely out of it, if Claire was a good judge of that sort of thing.

"You can sit down, you know," Claire teased him, patting the space beside her and Colin.

But then, as things had a tendency to do at Hogwarts, the dial of the evening turned up to eleven as @Matthew Campbell rejoined the group with a bottle of... whiskey? Was that whiskey?

Claire had never had whiskey, but she'd seen her aunt and her aunt's girlfriend after drinking it. She and her dad had spent many nights pranking the two women after their indulgences, when they were sprawled unconscious on the couch. He'd always told her it was fair game, since they'd gotten drunk in front of him and Claire.

Claire stared at the bottle of firewhiskey with wide eyes. Just how far were these people going to go tonight?

But alas, Claire was not spared the bottle's wrath, and the bottle did bring upon her the expectation of quite a snogging with the handsome boy who'd been going on about kissing cats. She half-stood, half-knelt in place and leaned in closer to him, grinning as if she was just doing any other school-yard dare.

"I'm no cat, but what do you say?" she asked Aamon, and despite the blush on her cheeks, she wasn't really afraid. A bit embarrassed, yes, but not afraid.

ACTION: sipping on Colin's flask, watching the kissing and kissing-related shenanigans, giggling, asking Saunders to join us in the circle, staring wide-eyed at the firewhiskey, waiting for Aamon to kiss her if he's brave enough

As the bottle spun, a sense of mystery spread in the room, wondering who'd be the first couple to snog, Elisa herself was more interested in the content of the flask and the jolly demure of the room compared to the fact of snogging, suddenly blasts were heard as Colin began to crazily throw spells everywhere before flowers began to fall, some fell on her hair, Elisa quickly gathered the flowers in hand, she couldn't deny the fact that they were beautiful but perhaps were used in the wrong moment.

Just then the room filled with gasps as Colin and Ava inaugrated the event with a snog, it wasas if the two were waiting for this moment for long, Elisa focused her sight on the bottle as her way of giving the two privacy, just then the bottle stopped, it's first victim being the girl next her and her stupid cousin, Elisa widened her eyes to look at the moment when the unlucky girl would lose her kiss to Prat when suddenly a cat was held between as it scratched Prat, she couldn't help but control her laugh, the rat deserved it

After another round of a not so spicy kiss with the girl getting a head kiss, the bottle spun again, this time being too evil as it declared its next victims as her and Prat, her eyes widened as an expression of disgust slowly covered her face as she spoke up "Matthew, I'll take the whiskey instead", afterall who's kiss their cousin? The young girl held the glass of whiskey and drank it in one breath, it was weird, quite bitter as it hit her throat with a surge of intense heat, one thing she was sure that she wouldn't be touching this liquid again ever.

Though he trusted the cat in Matt’s care attentive eyes still followed the tabby as he practically dove into the cat treats. Despite his observance Archer was not what he used to be, his gaze no longer drifted out of pure curiosity but for an uncertain fear. Of what was the constant question he asked himself and for once he had no answers. Although distance meant Archer could not hear his feline he could almost sense the satisfied purrs as the cat indicated towards where the boy stood against the far wall. Feeling a bittersweet pain seeing Zeno still so full of his frisky joy Archer ducked his head away, allowing the cat to enjoy himself with the person who could actually return his bliss. Lately he had felt guilty whenever he saw Zeno scratching impatiently on the door and despite the cat’s independence more often than not he wondered if he was responsible enough to care for another living being when his own life was a maelstrom of unyielding sorrow. When a familiar smile came his way the Duncan was forced to look up to acknowledge it and he managed the feat with little reluctance for now Matthew had become a presence more reassuring than just blatant solitude.

Keeping his face from dropping as Zeno was handed to Prat, whom, although Archer respected for captaining at such a young age, was a stranger to Zeno nevertheless, he pushed himself not to think about anything else other than the cat and the party. It was difficult for his mind not to wander, not to replay conversations he botched with quietness or think back to the glaring mistakes looking at him in steely green, or inevitably the licking flames he still remembered so vividly…. Exactly why he was forcing himself to stay grounded in the present as Matthew made his approach.

Just before the brunet arrived at his side came a boy Archer failed to recognise. Aamon Athanatos (though it was a name he would not remember even if he would learn it tonight) was a boy about his height and like most others was not proving to be a young man of much interest to the Scot. He was a drunken figure, and for that Archer raised his already high guard as he shouted far too loudly demanding him to join their frivolous game. Voice slurred despite the evident urgency in his urging for the wallflower - as he had perceived - to join Archer waved his hand in direct refusal. His insensitivity did not provoke the snake - after all no one, much less him, could have known - but it did remind him of the great mistake he must have made in venturing out of his room. Sometimes Archer did not know if he needed the decibels lower so he could numb the pain away or higher so he could become oblivious to it, and now either seemed particularly terrible. Staring once more at hastily laced boots he had very little hopes for company, though Matthew’s would be one he would welcome.

A hello caught in his throat as Matt too remained wordless. Unfortunately their understanding was one of shared experience and not speech. When he finally spoke the words were surprisingly soothing in comparison to the background noise they thankfully drowned out. Still leaning against the wall all Archer turned his head to look Matthew in the eye as furrowed brows slightly relaxed. He knew every word he spoke was truth even if it hurt believing them but as their mutual distaste dissipated Archer found out Matthew’s talent was spreading calmness simply by being in his presence. Distractions weren’t a cure yet he realised distractions were all he had been trying to search for, and all of them had failed, from burying his nose in a book or his mind in never ending studies. Neither even yielded results — he was to scatterminded to retain any information nor to even write answers properly, his even sloppier than usual handwriting probably the largest contributor to his demise. These methods were once he had quickly given up hope on but socialisation was one he never even tried. In fact Archer rarely saw engaging in pointless small talk as a respite, and he knew deep down the reason for that was he would never be a part of them.

As Matt bumped Archer in the shoulder playfully gesturing towards where Zeno conspired a ghost of a smile played at his lips. Inspite of the predicted eye roll he gifted Matthew Archer pushed himself straight from his leaning position if only to get a closer look. He would not admit he was particularly interested in what his feline was scheming but still he knew it was better than wallowing in the depths of a shattered psyche. Surprise overwhelming him in the middle of the thought as he was pulled into a side embrace. The past weeks Archer had been treated like a glass figurine about to break any second, and while he knew they were probably correct to handle him with the utmost caution. Despite knowing perfectly well it was dehumanising every time they reminded him to stay in bed a little longer or to eat a little more as if grief was all that defined him. The only way forward was through…. “Thanks,” Archer said finally as they pulled away, then a soft sighing response to the shit truth Matthew spoke of, “I know.”

Watching in admiration as the crowd burst into laughter and then feeling panic threatening at the edges of his consciousness as his only comfort made to leave Archer followed for he didn’t know what else he could have done. “Now or never,” he repeated, though not exactly high-spiritedly, “Right.” After having taken so many literal ones on adventures he would rather not recall for the yearning pain that always followed today’s was a leap he never expected to take. Greeting him however was the most unexpected sight as he turned his attention once more to the gathering of joyous people. Zeno had left scratch marks on Prat’s usually finely composed face with a trail of blood behind them, who actually seemed to have hardly cared. “My apologies, captain,” he said, with an absent mindedness that should not be mistaken for ingenuity, as he sat down at the edge of the circle, though still completely oblivious to the objective of this game and probably uncaring.

Signalling for Zeno to come to him he needn’t have to as the cat trotted over from his own conversation to leap into his lap, cocking his head accusatorily as if to demand why he hadn’t arrived sooner. Managing to whisper to him an apology his attention was snatched away as Matthew held up and sloshed a bottle of whiskey. “Can I have some of that, actually?” He asked almost without hesitance, gesturing towards the beverage with a furtive glance at Matthew, perfectly aware it was not a drink he was supposed to down but indifferent to the fact as he and been to most things.

@Matthew Campbell, @Prat Pass, @Aamon Athanatos