kindle ; kindred
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 βπππππππππβgoβaheadβandβbarkβafterβdark,βfallenβstar,βi'mβyourβoneβcallβaway. β βsummary, this thread is happening on MAY 5TH, 2025, in the AFTERNOON with @PERICLES DRALT / wc: 534. [ with brief mentions of @DEALLA PRINCE. ]β Although the burn scars had been healed, Harlan could feel the phantom flames singeing his flesh. He'd never thought he would know what the smell would be like: acrid, pungent, but it was the psychological terror that stayed with him the most. Harlan had considered himself a fairly capable wizard, especially while under the tutelage of his Grandmother. He'd pick up most of the spell work with a keen sense of the machinations of how the incantation partnered with the wand movements. It all felt so different these days, especially while on a broom stick. More than the pain of his spell misfiring back onto him; there was a deep, unsettling embarrassment that he would fumble so spectacularly after returning with such confidence two years later. Perhaps, some things just didn't change. He'd arrive at the scene of the crime a couple days later with his wand and broomstick in hand. The grounds had returned back to the typical practice area that they had and Harlan had asked if there could be a few target dummies to be set up for him to practice. Harlan meticulously placed his things down on the floor that he expected he would need for later, peeling off his Gryffindor robes into an egg shell colored polo shirt and khakis. Hair tousled and in tendrils from the passing of the day. The afternoon would be the only time he would have to practice, he'd want to be in proper form for when he returned next year β hopefully as a fourth year, with only an advancement exam in his way from returning with his classmates. But for now, he'd have to focus on the task at hand. His mind pictured the two sixth year menaces of the Ravenclaw Racing Team. Both dazzling and spectacular in their own right, turning the Gryffindors into a laughing stock of a team. He'd learn their names after the humiliating loss. Dealla Prince and Pericles Dralt. If he hadn't felt so defeated, he'd truly be in awe of both of their presence on the field. They were the only casters from the other team, it seemed, and everything happened in such an effortless way. There was something about the both of them that really connected with the Gryffindor. His mind went to the teenager with frost-like hair, blinding like the sun. The boy pointed his wand at the very first target and with precision casting, he ensured the hard edges of the wand work was executed before speaking the incantation. " Lacarnum Inflamari. " The white cloth that had been draped over had been ablaze as Harlan stood there and watched the smoke rise from the target. It seemed to work fine now. There was simply so much to uncover, so much to hone in on, and so much more discovery to be had. Who knew magic could be that overwhelming? Who knew there were students already that had that level of mastery of their craft? It was quite alluring and almost had him wishing he was a bird to watch either of them so closely. For now, he'd just have to do what he could to improve and be ready for their re-match next year. |
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Last edited by Harlan Montgomery on 10 Jun 2025, 19:35, edited 1 time in total.
kindle ; kindred
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Pericles was dressed in his usual drab color palette with a satchel slung over one shoulder. Ignorant of the fact that Harlan was practicing to set his clothes on fire, he floated a neutral smile the other's way, unphased by arsonist activities. He had come to recognize the value in violence. Hogwarts had a knack for raking their psyches across metaphorical (sometimes literal) coals, until their minds built a scar tissue between them and the brutality of a life steeped in magic. It was better to get ahead this way. No House had claimed the space for exclusive training, what with the season being over, so surely there was no harm in co-ed practice. "Mind if I join you?" Peri asked with the casual ease that implied he wasn't expecting no for an answer, already striding towards the last target in line to give his former opponent space. That metal eye in his head swiveled Harlan's way. He was strangely tall for a second-year, with Adonis curls and defiant Gryffindor eyes.β β
| @Harlan Montgomery |
{ ππ₯π’π―π’ π΄ππ° π ππ¬πΆ: π π³π’π―πΆ π°π±π―ππ«π€π’, π’π«π π₯ππ«π±π’π‘ ππ¬πΆ. ππ₯π’πΆ π°ππΆ π₯π’ π΄ππ«π‘π’π―π’π‘ π³π’π―πΆ π£ππ― π¬π³π’π― π©ππ«π‘ ππ«π‘ π°π’π. }
(iNPC: Madhup Hexum)
kindle ; kindred
ββ |
βπππππππππβgoβaheadβandβbarkβafterβdark,βfallenβstar,βi'mβyourβoneβcallβaway. β βsummary, this thread is happening on MAY 5TH, 2025, in the AFTERNOON with @PERICLES DRALT / wc: 297. At first glance, through peripheral vision, the lion cub had noticed the bird of prey circling overhead and hadnβt thought much of the beast except that perhaps the smoke had caught its attention. Harlan had kept himself focused on the target dummies in front of him until the slightly taller teenager had seemingly corporealized out of nowhere to make himself known swiftly and without haste. There had been a brief moment where Pericles had materialized from his animagus form that Harlan had sworn he had seen a brilliant glow against the Ravenclawβs otherwise unassuming garb. The ivory locks gently falling as they may had made the otherwise prepared student stutter in his next steps as Harlan had to consciously remember to breathe and stop staring. In a defensive maneuver, the boy spun on his heel quick while gripping onto his wand to gain his composure quickly before turning back to Pericles and gesturing to the target dummy. β Please, iβd love to see you in action when itβs not spinning our team around like a puppet master. β Offering the other a slight laugh from the back of his throat, like his own version of a predator stifling the revenge he had been preparing to return back in full. Harlan was certain Pericles hadn't realized what he had sparked within the current second year but the desire he felt was palpable. It was important to give credit where credit was due, despite the mixed emotions Harlan had been still sorting through when it came to the other. β Iβm Harlan Montgomery, by the way. I donβt think weβve ever met before. β The Gryffindor would move himself forward far more than he would normally to meet Pericles where he was at, hand extended for a proper greeting. |
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kindle ; kindred
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Leaning his head to peer past Halran, he observed the smoking mannequin with an arched eyebrow. "You were practicing a fire spell...? Aren't those illegal moves?" Pear faked a tsk tsk. His stare hooded with a knowing look, yet in the world they were from, feigning ignorance was a form of politeness. He would pretend not to remember someone had to take a lap while still on fire (brutal). Instead, he carried on with what he hoped would be absorbed as helpful advice rather than condescension. "Not that I'm opposed to strategy trumping rules, but there are more devastating spells to use which won't run you the risk of a penalty lap. It's nearly never worth it to put yourself behind. Which year are you...?" It was phrased as a way to sus out what spells he may know, but from another angle, Pericles could have sworn Harlan had been around for longer.β β
| @Harlan Montgomery |
{ ππ₯π’π―π’ π΄ππ° π ππ¬πΆ: π π³π’π―πΆ π°π±π―ππ«π€π’, π’π«π π₯ππ«π±π’π‘ ππ¬πΆ. ππ₯π’πΆ π°ππΆ π₯π’ π΄ππ«π‘π’π―π’π‘ π³π’π―πΆ π£ππ― π¬π³π’π― π©ππ«π‘ ππ«π‘ π°π’π. }
(iNPC: Madhup Hexum)
kindle ; kindred
ββ |
βπππππππππβgoβaheadβandβbarkβafterβdark,βfallenβstar,βi'mβyourβoneβcallβaway. β βsummary, this thread is happening on MAY 5TH, 2025, in the AFTERNOON with @PERICLES DRALT / wc: 372. Talented, Good-Looking, and Charming. What the hell. It was as though the Mirror of Erised had floated its way down and a glance towards Pericles was how Harlan wanted to see himself β someone who exuded power, prestige, and a humility to disarm. The Ravenclaw had presence, that much was absolutely for sure. At only a glance of the how he's acted so far, Harlan knew that he was simply out-classed. It wouldn't stop him, but what were the conditions met for someone like Peri to exist? He'd simply probe to the best of his ability, perhaps there was a key in his backstory. " I appreciate the modesty, but everyone knows we were absolutely wrecked, Peri. " The nickname rolled off his tongue nicely, it felt natural to say like they had been friends for ages instead of only formally being introduced moments before. " Yeah, that was my first race. Particularly brutal, but i'm a fast learner. " The Ravenclaw duo might've been untouchable from a hopeful fourth year, but the others were still in arm's length to grip at and devour. At the notice of the smoking wand, all Harlan could do was smile big. The illegal moves where something they had to consider, especially against the upper years with a whole book of spells at their arsenal. " Sometimes, rules are just a suggestion, but don't worry. It's not like I was pretending the target dummy was you or anything. " Another cheshire grin, a coy smirk as Harlan listened intently. " Heard, i'll take that into consideration for next year's matches. " The elder teenager was making a fair point about a lap being absolutely detrimental, especially while being lit on fire. " I'll be a fourth year. I was, uhh, homeschooled for a bit. Weird paperwork stuff, exam in the Summer. But, I just got back to Hogwarts in April. " It was the best he could do to keep the waters murky, he didn't want to share much else to someone like Pericles. " I'm not lucky enough that you'd be graduating this year by chance? It'd surely make next year's broom racing much, much easier. " He had already asked and knew that Pericles and Dealla were sixth years, but he'd still make his fun, little comment. |
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kindle ; kindred
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The bold invitation must have been nothing more than a line of morbid humor. Pear casually swapped the subject back to Harlan's experience, looking thoughtful and sounding amiable as ever. "Welcome back, then. You'll learn the Summoning and Healing charms from year three, as well as the Ascension Spell and Gripping Charm. Then in year four, you'll learn the Broom Jinx. Your stratagem will change completely once you've caught up and grown your arsenal." To be asked if he was graduating earned an easy laugh from him, albeit mid-answer, his default smile wavered. "Afraid not, and there isn't a chance I'd miss out on Racing in my final year...." It was why he'd swapped from duelling, a chance to try a new sport for what could be the last time. Were there recreational adult teams out there? Would he even have time for play when he became an Auror in training? The soon-to-be-seventeen-year-old forcibly stuffed those thoughts into the recesses of his mind, adopting a relaxed posture while he forewent practice in favor of chitchat. Either one was a worthwhile distraction. "It's good that you joined a sport. Surely a team activity has helped with your transition?"β β
| @Harlan Montgomery |
{ ππ₯π’π―π’ π΄ππ° π ππ¬πΆ: π π³π’π―πΆ π°π±π―ππ«π€π’, π’π«π π₯ππ«π±π’π‘ ππ¬πΆ. ππ₯π’πΆ π°ππΆ π₯π’ π΄ππ«π‘π’π―π’π‘ π³π’π―πΆ π£ππ― π¬π³π’π― π©ππ«π‘ ππ«π‘ π°π’π. }
(iNPC: Madhup Hexum)
kindle ; kindred
ββ |
βπππππππππβgoβaheadβandβbarkβafterβdark,βfallenβstar,βi'mβyourβoneβcallβaway. β βsummary, this thread is happening on MAY 5TH, 2025, in the AFTERNOON with @PERICLES DRALT / wc: 406. There was an effervescent aura in the air that made what could've been a rather intense conversation float and glide with ease. There surely wasn't much that a second year and a sixth year could have in common but instead of focusing on their differences, Harlan was quick to notice how Pericles offered an olive branch in showing interest into the moment right in front of them. What a rare attitude for someone so formidable and prestigious to also show extreme humility and grace. He'd remember this level of consideration moving forward and would pay it forward one day, when an opportunity presented itself for his own kindness to bloom. " You're much more likable when you're not making a fool of the Gryffindor Broom Racing team, so i'll save the heat for the track. " A quick deferral from the intensity of what the moment could've been, while the bite of humor and sarcasm amongst broom racers flourished. It was in the playful jests that a part of him wondered if he was meant for Ravenclaw. He had the interest in academics too, but after meeting Pericles and the lot of them, he appreciated the conversation and quips they could volley back to one another. It was a refreshing change of pace from some of the second year Gryffindor questions he was forced to listen to in class while waiting to promote to where he should've been. " I look forward to it when the time comes then. " Harlan nodded, perhaps with a diverse arsenal, he wouldn't end up like a meteorite in his next match. " Then, i'll see you on the pitch, if I make it next year. " A stifled laugh, his mind already wandered to the thought of Quidditch but he'd keep that for the moment. Harlan knew when something wasn't meant for him and the Ravenclaw Broom Racing Team seemed absolutely untouchable. " It's been alright. Few of them have been cool. Still just finding my rhythm again. " Shuffling his feet against the grass as he diverted his gaze for a moment before returning to meet Pericles to now turn the conversation around and ask him a question. " What about you? How did you know that Broom Racing was absolutely your sport? " Despite the serious nature, he attempted to keep it as light as he could muster. " You and that other witch, Dealla? Seem like naturals on the track. Quite frightening, if I can be honest. " |
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kindle ; kindred
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What might have led to a spar was dispelled with a roundabout compliment, earning a laugh. It was an airy sound, more a hum than anything jovial, yet it morphed Pericles' provoking grin into one of appeasement. Harlan either wasn't as competitive as his contemporaries, or he was too practical to take on a skewed fight. The Ravenclaw could appreciate either trait. To talk of "making it next year" and "finding a rhythm", he nodded knowingly, acknowledging the merit of weighing one's options. Adamantly as he was bound to Racing for his final year, Pericles didn't leap to keep Harlan converted. "If you don't," he offered, "I would be glad to give you more useful advice. Can't go telling you anything too useful if we're meant to be competing." His chosen target was forgotten in favor of conversation, though speaking about sports felt adjacent enough to practice. The question lured him into a thoughtful stillness broken only by the odd swivel of his enchanted eye.
"I enjoyed duelling, but I've been at it since my second year. It began to feel as though I was going through the motions. You can only cast Flipendo so many times, really, before getting tired of it." Pericles' smile took on a wry shape while his hands slid into his pockets. Fourteen matches with seven wins and seven losses was certainly a career to reflect on. "Determine what it is you're looking for. I wanted to practice my ability to give and take spells. With racing, I can do that and much more. Potion application, casting, aerial navigation...." Logicality traded for sentimentality as he warmed from the mere mention of @Dealla Prince, to which he tacked on, "...not to mention, Dee left duelling, and it wasn't the same without her. She's been my partner from the start. I suppose it shows in our racing. A teammate you can trust, or even a reliable practice partner, can change an entire sport for you. I hope you find what you're looking for."β β
| @Harlan Montgomery |
{ ππ₯π’π―π’ π΄ππ° π ππ¬πΆ: π π³π’π―πΆ π°π±π―ππ«π€π’, π’π«π π₯ππ«π±π’π‘ ππ¬πΆ. ππ₯π’πΆ π°ππΆ π₯π’ π΄ππ«π‘π’π―π’π‘ π³π’π―πΆ π£ππ― π¬π³π’π― π©ππ«π‘ ππ«π‘ π°π’π. }
(iNPC: Madhup Hexum)