Potioneering: Hard Mode
When: Friday, 31st May 2026 | Where: Near New Harbor, Maine
Who: @Elmo Break
Hjørdis sighed as she made her way through a forest and out towards the coastline. She was just outside of New Harbor in Maine, searching for something that she might be able to find here. As a magical ingredient, she was not sure if she could get it in the town, which was likely full of muggles. There may have been a magical area nearby, but she had no idea where it would be.
Whilst it would have been easier to go into a big city, like London, that imports ingredients, Hjørdis did not want to risk being seen. She was sure she could get it from Diagon Alley but it was just too risky. Their regular moves and efforts to hide would all go to waste.
Instead, she was here as the item she was looking for was from a magical creature native to North America. Specifically, it was found near the lakes. She had heard rumours of sightings off the coastline off Maine, so she made her way here in an attempt to search for it.
The potioneer was donning a pair of brown hiking boots, black leggings and a thin jumper to fight any wind - and to hide her wand up her sleeve. Her face was full of makeup, of course, but her hair was tied back into a high ponytail. She did not cover her face or bother dying her hair - it was not that recognisable, and she was literally on a different continent to where she normally resided. In fact, she had lived in several different continents and many countries in her lifetime, but America was not really one of them. This was one of the few times she found herself on this side of the world.
Finding potion ingredients herself took a lot more effort and time than she would have liked, but she did find that she kind of enjoyed it. She got to trek to wonderful places across the globe, get some exercise done and actually use her skills to hunt down things. It was kind of satisfying when a potion was brewed entirely from ingredients she had managed to forage or grow herself. It was like potion making but on hard mode, and she did quite enjoy the challenge. Today's ingredient, however, would not be an easy find. She had literally searched a couple of lakes or bodies of water in two other states already this week. Maybe third time's a charm.
This is my former staff account.
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
Potioneering: Hard Mode
Elmo was actually not out of Bar Harbor with the intention of selling sweets, like he had been previously. His wife wanted some fresh fish and lobsters freshly caught by him, and instead of going directly to the shores of Bar Harbor, he went to New Harbor, also in Maine. The distance between the two towns were approximately 3 hours if he were to drive, and he was. He liked the smooth, yet slight rumble from the motorcycle itself.
He was heading southwest from his house, having to smell the scent of dead fish and farmlands spraying toilet water all over their crops. The scent wasn't necessarily pleasant, but the breeze, oh the breeze. It would help tremendously.
When he got to the town, he took off the leather suit and helmet, pocketing them inside the saddlebags that he donned on his motorcycle with great care. Underneath all the leather he wore was a black and red wetsuit. Also in the saddlebags were flippers and snorkels. Debbie wanted fresh, Debbie was getting fresh.
He didn't have his wand on him, simply because, well, he could cast spells nonverbally and without a wand! He could probably get away with any magical mischief he felt so inclined to take if needed.
He had parked the motorcycle not far from a house that was probably.. what did the muggles call it.. wind b and b? But, hey, there was parking, and this one used a coin meter while the other ones started transitioning to the digital meters.
He pulled out a knut and dropped it in. Worst case scenario, they think it's trash and toss it out when they collect the money.
His hair was sleek and so windswept that he felt he was probably the most handsome guy in town- just with a loss of a hand and an eye. They'd probably think he lost it in war or an accident at work, but whatever. All he had to tell them was to stay away from pretty ladies with motorcycle loving husbands if they asked.
He walked up to the shores after crossing the street when it came to a T-intersection. The way the sun reflected off the water was simply a dream, like he could just pinch himself and wake up, feeling regret that these last few months were fake all along and that he didn't actually get fired by an evil lady who knew not of what she was doing.
He didn't have alcohol in his system as of that moment, but he did feel a little calm. The ocean helped a little. That, and he didn't really want to draw unwanted attention to him if he had to whip out the magic.
Though, as he looked around, mostly to see if there was a boat drifting onshore so he could just use it (borrow... ok maybe steal) instead of having to go rent one, he saw a woman donned in some weird outfit, something hikers usually wore. But she looked familiar.
"Oh god no." His mouth dropped as the words blurted out. "Go to Azkaban! They're missing a prisoner! YOU!" He cried out, but his face tightened up to meet the rigid, emotionless expression he wanted to put on to pretend that he wasn't actually shocked with her presence.
@Hjørdis Jensen
He was heading southwest from his house, having to smell the scent of dead fish and farmlands spraying toilet water all over their crops. The scent wasn't necessarily pleasant, but the breeze, oh the breeze. It would help tremendously.
When he got to the town, he took off the leather suit and helmet, pocketing them inside the saddlebags that he donned on his motorcycle with great care. Underneath all the leather he wore was a black and red wetsuit. Also in the saddlebags were flippers and snorkels. Debbie wanted fresh, Debbie was getting fresh.
He didn't have his wand on him, simply because, well, he could cast spells nonverbally and without a wand! He could probably get away with any magical mischief he felt so inclined to take if needed.
He had parked the motorcycle not far from a house that was probably.. what did the muggles call it.. wind b and b? But, hey, there was parking, and this one used a coin meter while the other ones started transitioning to the digital meters.
He pulled out a knut and dropped it in. Worst case scenario, they think it's trash and toss it out when they collect the money.
His hair was sleek and so windswept that he felt he was probably the most handsome guy in town- just with a loss of a hand and an eye. They'd probably think he lost it in war or an accident at work, but whatever. All he had to tell them was to stay away from pretty ladies with motorcycle loving husbands if they asked.
He walked up to the shores after crossing the street when it came to a T-intersection. The way the sun reflected off the water was simply a dream, like he could just pinch himself and wake up, feeling regret that these last few months were fake all along and that he didn't actually get fired by an evil lady who knew not of what she was doing.
He didn't have alcohol in his system as of that moment, but he did feel a little calm. The ocean helped a little. That, and he didn't really want to draw unwanted attention to him if he had to whip out the magic.
Though, as he looked around, mostly to see if there was a boat drifting onshore so he could just use it (borrow... ok maybe steal) instead of having to go rent one, he saw a woman donned in some weird outfit, something hikers usually wore. But she looked familiar.
"Oh god no." His mouth dropped as the words blurted out. "Go to Azkaban! They're missing a prisoner! YOU!" He cried out, but his face tightened up to meet the rigid, emotionless expression he wanted to put on to pretend that he wasn't actually shocked with her presence.
@Hjørdis Jensen
You've gotta break some eggs to make an omlette, something something.
Potioneering: Hard Mode
Who: @Elmo Break
Her silver hair shone brightly against the light, reflecting in the body of water nearby as she made her way over to the edge of the water, looking out into it. She was contemplating where to go, trying to spot some sort of sign or indication of the creature's presence or nest. She really did not want to dive into the water, not at all.
Staring into the water, she froze instantly - even more than before. The words in the air hit her in an instant. Azkaban? A wizard, for sure. But to indicate there was an escaped prisoner around? That was unusual. Spinning on her heels, she prepared herself for the worst. She had no idea if the voice was talking to her until she turned and spotted the source staring at her.
Her gaze fell onto a man missing a hand, donning an eyepatch. She stared blankly at his face for a few moments, trying to work out who he was and how he recognised her. He was definitely familiar but surely she would recognise someone in such an outfit. Then it clocked. That awful person, she had once had the displeasure of meeting when they both worked at a certain wizarding school.
For many years, Hjørdis had practised her emotionless expression to avoid accidentally conveying information that she did not want to share. This was imperative for her survival in her previous lines of work. People often did not know what she was feeling and only one man, with the help of many children, had managed to break through that outer shell of hers to see her.
Whilst Elmo was not one of them, she did recall feeling particularly angry at him. That anger immediately reappeared, though her face did not show it. Did he really need to draw attention to them? Her gaze scanned the scenery behind him to see if there was anyone else around that might overhear. It was quiet, for now.
"Are you looking at your reflection?" She asked, in a matter-of-fact tone. Of the two people present, only one had tried to hurt children. Specifically, children under his care and that was a punishable, unforgivable crime.
One edge of her lip curled up in a rather sinister-looking smile as her eyes flickered to the hand as though she wanted to laugh before returning to his face, "To what do I owe the displeasure?" Hjørdis asked him. She had no intention of making polite conversation with him, but she had come all the way here for a purpose, and she was not about to run away because he was screaming like a little crybaby!
This is my former staff account.
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
Potioneering: Hard Mode
Elmo's face twisted into something considerably horrid; a cross between both disgust and dramatized horror. The presence of that horrible lady being there was the equivalence of her being covered in seaweed and crawling out of the ocean with unpaid child support.
He grumbled, and scoffed at her words turning the knife back towards him. "My reflection? Sweetheart, if I wanted to look at something ugly, I wouldn't be here, I'd be looking for whatever broom closet you call an office these days."
Maybe it wasn't that good of an attempt to insult but whatever. He wiped his sweat off of the wetsuit sleeve, the sun beating down at a temperature equivalent to something ungodly and unholy.
He met her curled up lip with his own curled up lips with a wicked glint in his eyes. "Displeasure? Oh honey, trust me the feeling is mutual. I came out here to get some lobsters for my wife, enjoy the breeze and not have to think about the time some emotionally constipated deputy headmistress got me fired for a..." He took a bit to think about the word because while he knew the reason for him being fired was a completely valid one, he wanted to try and paint himself as innocently as possible. "misunderstanding, and what do I find? The bloody wicked witch of the United Kingdom, standing on MY coastline."
He leaned in to whisper as if to mock her. "Almost feels like stalking.. should I get MACUSA? Are you here to ruin another man's career? Because.. newsflash! I don't work for you anymore. You can't fire me twice, batty woman. Now.." He stepped towards the crashing shores and waved a farewell, getting ready to dive in. "If you'll excuse me, some of us have wives to feed and lives to live, so I dunno.. go leave me the hell alone, you won't find what you're looking for here. Go get a hobby that isn't me."
@Hjørdis Jensen
He grumbled, and scoffed at her words turning the knife back towards him. "My reflection? Sweetheart, if I wanted to look at something ugly, I wouldn't be here, I'd be looking for whatever broom closet you call an office these days."
Maybe it wasn't that good of an attempt to insult but whatever. He wiped his sweat off of the wetsuit sleeve, the sun beating down at a temperature equivalent to something ungodly and unholy.
He met her curled up lip with his own curled up lips with a wicked glint in his eyes. "Displeasure? Oh honey, trust me the feeling is mutual. I came out here to get some lobsters for my wife, enjoy the breeze and not have to think about the time some emotionally constipated deputy headmistress got me fired for a..." He took a bit to think about the word because while he knew the reason for him being fired was a completely valid one, he wanted to try and paint himself as innocently as possible. "misunderstanding, and what do I find? The bloody wicked witch of the United Kingdom, standing on MY coastline."
He leaned in to whisper as if to mock her. "Almost feels like stalking.. should I get MACUSA? Are you here to ruin another man's career? Because.. newsflash! I don't work for you anymore. You can't fire me twice, batty woman. Now.." He stepped towards the crashing shores and waved a farewell, getting ready to dive in. "If you'll excuse me, some of us have wives to feed and lives to live, so I dunno.. go leave me the hell alone, you won't find what you're looking for here. Go get a hobby that isn't me."
@Hjørdis Jensen
You've gotta break some eggs to make an omlette, something something.
Potioneering: Hard Mode
Who: @Elmo Break
Hjørdis was baffled by the weird insult that seemed to be aimed more at him than herself. But hey, maybe he just had really low self-esteem. "At least we can agree on one thing..." She murmured when he said he was ugly. She agreed, especially on the inside.
With a smirk on her lips, she shrugged, "Well, you're looking at my office," She replied, quite pleased that her work was actually bringing her to different places around the world, rather than being stuck in a castle with screaming children for once.
She could not help but roll her eyes at his 'oh honey'. He seemed like the type of guy who would say that and she hated it even more. Only one person could 'honey' her and it was not him. Though, she did quirk an eyebrow at the 'wife' part. Some poor soul married this fool? Well...
A misunderstanding. A misunderstanding. Oh, there was absolutely no misunderstanding except for when he was hired in the first place. Though it did bring her relief that he seemed to know very little about the Ministry of Magic. She did not think he would have known anything about it - only the Headmaster and the other Head of Houses knew at the time when this man was fired. But the fact that he brought up azkaban, which was a slightly touchy subject for her what with her best friend being locked up in it for a crime that she knew he did not commit, made her hesitate if only for a moment. "I feel like you have a misunderstanding with the meaning of the word," She concluded, deciding that he clearly failed to grasp the definition if he thought being drunk and trying to use unforgivable curses whilst yelling at children was... well, forgivable.
"To be fair, if I was here to ruin your so called career, it would not be another man's. And secondly, I was here first. I clearly did not want to ruin my eyesight with your presence either," She responded. He came here to get lobsters from... England? Or did he live here? She had no idea, she did not pay much attention to small men. Did this place have good lobster? Hm. Maybe she ought to bring some home...
But she was here for a much more important reason than whatever his weird obsession with himself was. Clearly, he thought the world revolved around him, "Go right ahead. If some poor soul is unfortunate enough to be married to you, I do hope you feed her properly in compensation at least," She replied as she scanned the area once more.
Now... where would she find a Horned Serpent?
This is my former staff account.
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
Potioneering: Hard Mode
Who: @Elmo Break
Leaning down near the edge, she examined the bed of the water nearby. There was something stuck near one of the wooden beams but it was a little far away and hard to see. She stared slightly at the foreign object, trying to make it out. It looked like it might have been scales. Perhaps there was a nest nearby and the scales had washed up here. This job would be far easier if she had just found a tracker to do it. The silver haired woman did not need to go on hikes to do this but... sadly, her new lifestyle had forced her to be more independent. A part of her did quite like that she got to learn more about creatures, their habitats and where the ingredients actually came from. Many decades ago, she had dreamed of doing just this - tracking down rare creatures - but for a different purpose, as a magizoologist.
She had never dreamt she would end up interested in alchemy if she was honest but she had always enjoyed brewing potions, despite the fact that she had previously thought the ingredients were 'icky'.
Standing up, she scoured the view before pulling out a piece of parchment that was heavily folded. Unfolding it, she scanned it. If Elmo looked over, he would see that it was a map of the local area. As she looked at the coastline, following it on the map, she could not help but wonder if perhaps she was meant to go a little further into the water. Perhaps there was a little cove or nest in one of the little nooks that the water made or... "Bar Harbor?" She whispered as she noticed a different town. New Harbor... Bar Harbor. Wait- maybe she was meant to go to the latter and ended up in the wrong place. Sigh, this was not going to be easy.
Maybe she could rent a boat from somewhere. If possible, the witch most definitely wanted to avoid actually having to go swimming. Getting her hair wet was not something she wanted to do.
OOC: Sorry, just wanted to get the thread moving along as there hasn't been a response in a while.
This is my former staff account.
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
Potioneering: Hard Mode
Who: Elmo Break
Hjørdis sighed softly as it appeared she was in the wrong place for the item she needed. She knew it would not be easy to source a horned serpent and to acquire ingredients for potions without being able to just get them from an apothecary easily. However, she was determined to try and find rare ingredients where she could and to create her own recipes. It would take time, but it would end up being worth it. Perhaps. Hopefully.
The silver haired potioneer folded up the piece of paper after making a note of where to go. She needed to do a bit more hiking before she could reach the cove she wanted to try and get to, perhaps find a ship from somewhere if she was not intending on going swimming. It might have been easier to go towards Bar Harbor at this point but whilst she was here, she figured she may as well go and find out.
Glancing over her shoulder towards the man that had started shouting at her, "Excuse me," She said civilly, turning on her heel and leaving the area. There was no point in exchanging with him further now, and she was not entirely sure that he could help. Besides, she did not trust him enough to ask him for help. Whilst she was a naturally cold individually, she also was still civil. There was no need to walk off without saying anything so she excused her and made her way up the coastline, heading towards the cove she had spotted on her map. When she was closer, perhaps she could see if she could climb there or if she would require a boat to somehow access the area.
Maybe she would end up going back home empty handed... But she figured, she could probably stop by a random apothecary and get some basic ingredients nonetheless so the trip was not entirely wasted. Being spotted in a random city thousands of miles away from where she actually lived did not super matter in the grand scheme of things. Besides, the best part of travelling so much was that different apothecaries had different ingredients. What was commonly found in one country might actually be much rarer in another.
Oh. She should probably also bring back some food or something as a souvenir from her travels for her counterpart. With that, her adventure continued for a while before she realised she would have no luck, brought some snacks from a local bakery in Bar Harbor and left the area as quickly as she had come.
OOC: I missed the fact that Elmo has deactivated, sadly, so finishing the thread now.
[Thread Finished]
This is my former staff account.
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)
I also play: Serena Towers (Graduated PC), Arjan Oberoi (Graduated iNPC), Xiomara Torres (Current Student)