Inauguration M.A.P.S. HQ PV Members

“不入虎穴，焉得虎子。” Nothing ventured, nothing gained. It was an unspoken rule in the Yan Clan; To dare tread upon enemy territory and burrow deep in lethal boughs, lying low for the perfect moment to strike, to savour the delectable taste of the sweetest reward– Information. There was no greater feeling than swallowing the most sensitive of enemy secrets under their noses, shrouded under the darkness of night and the disguise of another’s skin. The thrill of gaining the upper hand and plotting the fatal downfall of fools left oblivious… The Yans knew it better than anyone, and true to his blood, Erast Yan was no different. A scorned viper, with itching fangs and a heart pounding for the rush of a hunt.

Perhaps it was that exact, twisted yearning festered and sent cracks running through his carefully-crafted, mask of sunshine propriety. Something must have gone wrong if such an audacious letter reached his hand.

“Our first rendezvous shall take place on the second rise, where corridors thin. Where knowledge sleeps without witness. Knock on the door that answers no one. Find me before mouths are busied out of words.”

To a passerby, Erast seemed curious, humming behind a contemplative hand. Underneath, a sour scowl unravelled, his eyes glinting with steel. Curious, sure. More than that? He was alarmed. The letter was painfully detailed, with vocabulary that ensnared with enticement and promises of something greater than oneself– Clear confidence in the discretion of their recruits, and good understanding of their nature. To have gotten on the radar of such a network… Suddenly, he giggled to himself. Who would have thought a peer could come up with something like this?

“Hm…”

Erast pinched the letter with one hand, and swiftly flicked his wand with the other. “Incendio.” He dusted his fingers off, turning to pet the barn owl pecking the ashes in befuddlement.

He cooed at it, booping its beak. He supposed there would be no harm playing along. Being at the heart of the enemy is what being a Yan was all about. Besides, he did promise his sisters to make friends, so he would be killing two birds with one stone. Who doesn't like a little excitement in life?

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Erast hated the excitement. For all he had chuckled to himself at the thought of being involved in a fun hobby club, the reality that he would have to be perceived by other recruits dawned on him only hours before the meeting. It was already bad enough that there were whispers in the halls about him and his recent, frankly undeserved promotion to prefect. If it went around that he was affiliated with a bunch of wannabe-spies and troublemakers, he would be throwing his and his family's face to hell! Frankly, this time could have been spent practicing his figure-skating for his competition or completing that blasted Potions assignment stuffed in his bag.

The modest pacing of his steps masked thrumming anxiety as he walked against the current of chattering students headed for dinner. A bite of dried persimmon sat lingering in his left cheek, his mouth too numb from anxiety. The instructions of the letter echoed in his mind, stringing together directions to the meeting location. Second floor, in a classroom abandoned by others… Quiet steps trailed towards the end of the hallway. Not a sound or soul in sight. That unsettled him– Was he late, or was this an ambush? His fingers twitched for his wand. This was a bad idea, he was an idiot–

Erast paused just before the door. He drew a deep breath.

To be perceived would be inevitable at this stage. However, to be perceived as lesser... Yes, that will have to do. He bit his tongue. Hard. Instantly, tears prickled his eyes, and he took the chance to open the door. The creaking of the door echoed and overlapped with the voice of a feminine voice from the centre of the room. The brunet caved in his shoulders and bowed his head. Teary-eyed, sleeve over his lower face– A skillful mix of pitifully anxious and apologetic. A coward’s choice to those who hunger for power, but a scavenger’s greatest asset. Or, just hopefully enough to distract people from his late arrival.

The room hadn't been a dusty, ramshackle mess as Erast had expected. Rather, it was rather neat, with desks arranged neatly in formation with the owner of that feminine voice in the front of the room at a lectern. He took an empty corner of the room, scanning the room– Only for his eyes to widen a fraction. Archer Duncan had always been an interesting part of his list of known people in this school. The senior student had given him one of the worst frights of his life, yet one of the best nights spent with a kindred soul up in the Astronomy Tower. Erast, despite himself, offered the tiniest wave at Archer, lips lifting excitedly despite himself. Strange for the older to be associated with such weird folks, but… it was good to see him well again.

The speaker, Valour Argentum, was just as audacious as her letter. Boldly declaring her intentions and expecting zero dissent or objection… Erast wondered if he should pry open a window in case a passer-by needed a free show.

“I demand commitment.” Argentum announced.

A smiling scoff was silenced in his sleeve’s fabric. This was certainly the most interesting club idea in school. Erast almost wished he had arrived on time.

Almost too quickly, Valour’s grand speech ended with a flourishing unveiling of what laid within her chest. While a thrum of unease rippled through at the thought of a targeted task, the wave of curiosity brushed all hesitancy away as Erast picked up his letter.

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Later that night, the brunet drew the curtains of his bed and sat with the letter. The wax seal gave way easily under his nail. Within laid a single tarot card and slip of paper. Upside-down Heriophant– How literal. He fished out the paper. “An act of subversion for a treat,” it wrote. Erast stared at it with a hand at his lips. Well, Cecilia and him did have a shopping trip long overdue. He always wondered what the sweets at Honey Dukes tasted like.