12 Dec 2020, 03:59
Linked By Darkness Part 2
@Opeila Winters
“Ben Ecken...Erken...” Howard’s memory of the event was quite blurred as it had occurred shortly before his own trauma. “Sorry, I honestly can’t remember. He was in my year or perhaps a year younger. I have a hard time remembering, but it doesn’t matter much anyways. Haven’t seen him since.” A crushing blow to Opeila’s hope of interviewing the boy. Another victim among the many at Hogwarts. So many come...so many go.
Vladimir Athanatos. Howard’s eyes would squint as he thought upon the name. Had he heard it before, or perhaps a chance meeting? Either way, it was now set in his kind as he made a mental note to find out more about this mysterious Ravenclaw. “I’ll see if I can’t track him down or find out more about him and his connection. If he is that closely tied to these events, he must be questioned.” Opeila might fear him or maybe her expression was just one of pure disgust, but Howard had ways of making people speak.
“Sorry, no.” He answered her question about the mask. “It’s still a mystery to me. The staff might be the only ones who know more, maybe they’d tell you more.” There was no way that Howard would ever approach the staff for any reason. He was way too far down his dark and twisted rabbit hole to risk exposing himself now. He was the only one capable to digging himself out...if that’s even what he really wanted.
“Yes, it was her.” Howard’s expression would then turn quizzical as she brought up Thomas. “LeStrange? They are at odds most of the time, but hate? Don’t know if she can.” The case of Erin Ryan was far too complicated to sum up in a few words. His statement about her might seem weird, but it was true. Her emotional capabilities were stunted to say the least. “She took me there because the Hags told her to. They sought me out because I was seeking them out, even though I didn’t know it. I was in a bad place and I was desperate for a way out. They were able to sense it I think and when I went to them I fell prey to their power. Intoxicated by their abilities. I asked for power and they gave me this.” Howard would gesture to himself. “Not long after our meeting I was turned.” He spoke of his Dhampirism. “They held up their end of the bargain, but it comes with a hefty price.”
That was all he would be willing to give about that fateful night near the woods, at least for this moment. “I’m not sure I have anything else to give either, but you have given me clues that might help me against the Darkness. Anything else?” Howard would ask. If she went no further, he would begin to make his exit.
“Ben Ecken...Erken...” Howard’s memory of the event was quite blurred as it had occurred shortly before his own trauma. “Sorry, I honestly can’t remember. He was in my year or perhaps a year younger. I have a hard time remembering, but it doesn’t matter much anyways. Haven’t seen him since.” A crushing blow to Opeila’s hope of interviewing the boy. Another victim among the many at Hogwarts. So many come...so many go.
Vladimir Athanatos. Howard’s eyes would squint as he thought upon the name. Had he heard it before, or perhaps a chance meeting? Either way, it was now set in his kind as he made a mental note to find out more about this mysterious Ravenclaw. “I’ll see if I can’t track him down or find out more about him and his connection. If he is that closely tied to these events, he must be questioned.” Opeila might fear him or maybe her expression was just one of pure disgust, but Howard had ways of making people speak.
“Sorry, no.” He answered her question about the mask. “It’s still a mystery to me. The staff might be the only ones who know more, maybe they’d tell you more.” There was no way that Howard would ever approach the staff for any reason. He was way too far down his dark and twisted rabbit hole to risk exposing himself now. He was the only one capable to digging himself out...if that’s even what he really wanted.
“Yes, it was her.” Howard’s expression would then turn quizzical as she brought up Thomas. “LeStrange? They are at odds most of the time, but hate? Don’t know if she can.” The case of Erin Ryan was far too complicated to sum up in a few words. His statement about her might seem weird, but it was true. Her emotional capabilities were stunted to say the least. “She took me there because the Hags told her to. They sought me out because I was seeking them out, even though I didn’t know it. I was in a bad place and I was desperate for a way out. They were able to sense it I think and when I went to them I fell prey to their power. Intoxicated by their abilities. I asked for power and they gave me this.” Howard would gesture to himself. “Not long after our meeting I was turned.” He spoke of his Dhampirism. “They held up their end of the bargain, but it comes with a hefty price.”
That was all he would be willing to give about that fateful night near the woods, at least for this moment. “I’m not sure I have anything else to give either, but you have given me clues that might help me against the Darkness. Anything else?” Howard would ask. If she went no further, he would begin to make his exit.
29 Dec 2020, 01:11
Linked By Darkness Part 2
@Howard White
And there he crushed the little excitement again. Ben was gone. Was it surprising that parents pulled their child out of Hogwarts after it was chosen as victim, as tool for a harmful end?
Her father would have never let her leave the house again if he knew what happened in her first year. "Does anyone know what happened to the mask after? Or is it spooking around in Hogwarts somewhere, possibly on someone's face even?"
Opeila nodded when Howard said he would track him down. "You don't know him, do you?", she asked. "I mean, yes you are right, he needs to be questioned. I tried to once before, but some idiots decided to rather pick a fight and get people hurt, instead of using their brains. But how are you going to track him down? I can help you, if you want. I'd actually really appreciate if we could work together in that case."
Opeila didn't know the Hufflepuff at all really. Only that he had a connection with two people she didn't trust and maybe even disliked. Only that it might be the chance to get a grasp of what they were fighting against.
Besides he actually seemed willing to share what he knew- other than Lestrange.
Her eyes widened when Howard told her that they turned him into a dhampir. "You- you asked to be a dhampir?" That surprised Opeila a lot. Not that she disliked vampires, though admittedly, one person surely caused her to have a lower opinion and to be less open towards them.
But she was stronger than that and Howard did nothing to her. She was just surprised that it was something she asked for.
Opeila had caught what he said about Erin Ryan. He didn't know if she could hate.
The Slytherin decided not to ask further. Erin Ryan was a person Opeila was not even beginning to understand, everything she got from her so far had been weird and/or unnessecarily violent.
"Where were they? Where did Ryan take you? Was it the dungeons?" She had tried to contact them there before, unsuccessfully. "Is it possibly to find them? To talk to them?" Opeila still had tons of questions. Apparently some that Howard was unable to answer as well. But it was a step forward, it definitely was.
And there he crushed the little excitement again. Ben was gone. Was it surprising that parents pulled their child out of Hogwarts after it was chosen as victim, as tool for a harmful end?
Her father would have never let her leave the house again if he knew what happened in her first year. "Does anyone know what happened to the mask after? Or is it spooking around in Hogwarts somewhere, possibly on someone's face even?"
Opeila nodded when Howard said he would track him down. "You don't know him, do you?", she asked. "I mean, yes you are right, he needs to be questioned. I tried to once before, but some idiots decided to rather pick a fight and get people hurt, instead of using their brains. But how are you going to track him down? I can help you, if you want. I'd actually really appreciate if we could work together in that case."
Opeila didn't know the Hufflepuff at all really. Only that he had a connection with two people she didn't trust and maybe even disliked. Only that it might be the chance to get a grasp of what they were fighting against.
Besides he actually seemed willing to share what he knew- other than Lestrange.
Her eyes widened when Howard told her that they turned him into a dhampir. "You- you asked to be a dhampir?" That surprised Opeila a lot. Not that she disliked vampires, though admittedly, one person surely caused her to have a lower opinion and to be less open towards them.
But she was stronger than that and Howard did nothing to her. She was just surprised that it was something she asked for.
Opeila had caught what he said about Erin Ryan. He didn't know if she could hate.
The Slytherin decided not to ask further. Erin Ryan was a person Opeila was not even beginning to understand, everything she got from her so far had been weird and/or unnessecarily violent.
"Where were they? Where did Ryan take you? Was it the dungeons?" She had tried to contact them there before, unsuccessfully. "Is it possibly to find them? To talk to them?" Opeila still had tons of questions. Apparently some that Howard was unable to answer as well. But it was a step forward, it definitely was.
12 Jan 2021, 04:04
Linked By Darkness Part 2
@Opeila Winters
“I’m not sure.” Howard answered Opeila’s inquiry to the whereabouts of the mask. “I think it was lost again after the incident. Or maybe that’s just what they told us so they could hide it again.” He really didn’t know too much about for he was not there to witness the event and the staff would never tell the students about the location of such a powerful artifact. Whether is was safe guarded or now in the hands of yet another that wished to abuse its power was a mystery. At least to Howard anyways.
Howard shook his head no as she asked if he knew this Vladimir Athanatos. In a school this size one might know most of the students by name but he did not know him on any intimate level. As Opeila offered to join him in trying to track down and interview Vladimir, Howard would pause and take the moment to look into her eyes. He was often one to fly solo, preferring to rely on his own strengths when taking on such a task. However, there was a look in the Opeila’s eyes that told him that she was passionate about finding the answers to this riddle. Not to mention that if Vladimir was as connected as he seemed, it was possible that he was also dangerous. Howard was more than capable of being dangerous himself, but to underestimate anyone connected with the darkness was foolish. “Alright then. Partners?” He extended his hand to shake on the agreement.
The conversation would swing back towards the subject of the Hags. “No, I didn’t ask to become a Dhampir.” Howard began to explain. “What I sought was power, but this is their way. In a sense I have become more powerful than I was before, but it cost me part of my humanity. The deals they strike come at a heavy price.” This was his truth or at least that was what he believed was true. Whether the Hags actually had anything to do with his turning could not be proved. Was it possible that their dark magic could have guided him on that fateful night? Or was it Howard’s dark desires that pushed him down the path towards his creator. Either way he was the perfect prey for the Hags.
“Yes, it was the dungeons.” Howard answered her question freely for he knew that he could not take anyone to them. “Someone else might be able to take you, but I can’t. I owe them payment and cannot return until I have what they seek.” Opeila might be shocked that he was still willing to work with them, but it was the only way he believed he could find the freedom that he was looking for. Again, Howard was their perfect prey. “You’ll have to find another guide, but I warn you Opeila, it will cost you.”
“I’m not sure.” Howard answered Opeila’s inquiry to the whereabouts of the mask. “I think it was lost again after the incident. Or maybe that’s just what they told us so they could hide it again.” He really didn’t know too much about for he was not there to witness the event and the staff would never tell the students about the location of such a powerful artifact. Whether is was safe guarded or now in the hands of yet another that wished to abuse its power was a mystery. At least to Howard anyways.
Howard shook his head no as she asked if he knew this Vladimir Athanatos. In a school this size one might know most of the students by name but he did not know him on any intimate level. As Opeila offered to join him in trying to track down and interview Vladimir, Howard would pause and take the moment to look into her eyes. He was often one to fly solo, preferring to rely on his own strengths when taking on such a task. However, there was a look in the Opeila’s eyes that told him that she was passionate about finding the answers to this riddle. Not to mention that if Vladimir was as connected as he seemed, it was possible that he was also dangerous. Howard was more than capable of being dangerous himself, but to underestimate anyone connected with the darkness was foolish. “Alright then. Partners?” He extended his hand to shake on the agreement.
The conversation would swing back towards the subject of the Hags. “No, I didn’t ask to become a Dhampir.” Howard began to explain. “What I sought was power, but this is their way. In a sense I have become more powerful than I was before, but it cost me part of my humanity. The deals they strike come at a heavy price.” This was his truth or at least that was what he believed was true. Whether the Hags actually had anything to do with his turning could not be proved. Was it possible that their dark magic could have guided him on that fateful night? Or was it Howard’s dark desires that pushed him down the path towards his creator. Either way he was the perfect prey for the Hags.
“Yes, it was the dungeons.” Howard answered her question freely for he knew that he could not take anyone to them. “Someone else might be able to take you, but I can’t. I owe them payment and cannot return until I have what they seek.” Opeila might be shocked that he was still willing to work with them, but it was the only way he believed he could find the freedom that he was looking for. Again, Howard was their perfect prey. “You’ll have to find another guide, but I warn you Opeila, it will cost you.”
7 Feb 2021, 14:24
Linked By Darkness Part 2
@Howard White
This was not good at all. No one knew where the mask was? It could be on anyone, anywhere? Great. More reasons for the little girl to get paranoid. She nodded. Well, she couldn't do anything about it right? Better hope that it was actually a lie so it could stay hidden. Better hope that the professors had it safe with them.
Opeila held her breath after asking to team up. This was a difficult question and she knew exactly that she would be thinking it through very much, if someone asked her the same. Trusting the wrong person could get her dead. Teaming up with Howard could also get her dead, if she thought about it. But what really were her options? It seemed like Opeila was on the edge of dying every other month, so what exactly did she have to lose? Maybe they could find a way to end it and that was worth it.
The Slytherin was relieved when Howard agreed and extended his hand. "Partners.", she agreed with a nod and took Howard's hand.
Opeila frowned at Howard's explanation. Something seemed off about it. "... Dhampirs have to be born that way or turned by another, don't they?" Who turned you?
Opeila nodded when Howard confirmed that they were in the dungeons. "In that case I guess they are simply not interested in me." She had tried to contact them at the beginning of the year, hoping that they could help her. Her grandmother and her mother died past summer and part of the Slytherin considered to go and try again.
The more rational part of her knew that it was a terrible idea. The hags' darkness almost killed her. Who was to say that they wouldn't just finish what they started?
Howard said that he owed the hags payment and couldn't return until fulfilling their bidding. "What did they ask for? What do you need to find?" Maybe she could help him...
12 Feb 2021, 03:44
Linked By Darkness Part 2
@Opeila Winters
“Yes, they do.” Howard confirmed Opeila’s question of Dhampir origin. “Most are born, but I am what they call a thrall.” He explained, perhaps to her surprise, but it only took a slight prod for him to open up. A common misconception about Howard was that he was a closed book. However, that was only the defensive facade he put up against those that would judge him. If you came to him as an equal, he in turn would do the same until proved differently and would be quite open about himself. “I barely know the one who turned me. She was not with me long.” Opeila might note a touch of sadness with his last statement. There would always be a sense of abandonment when he thought of Morgantha.
“Consider yourself lucky then.” Howard would raise a brow as it almost seemed as if she was disappointed that the Hags had paid her no attention. “Or maybe they sensed your will was too strong. How far would you have gone to achieve what you wanted from them? What would you have actually been willing to sacrifice?” His blood red eyes would fall to his clawed hands. Another nonverbal warning of what it could cost to dance with the devil. He would go on to deny her request to take her to them. Howard had enough guilt and didn’t need to add the harm of yet another student to his plate.
Opeila’s next question would give Howard pause as he looked her over. Divulging the information was not the hesitation. No one would believe her even if she chose the betray him. However, he was a bit concerned with how she would react to his quest. It was one thing to agree to track down a student for more information, but she seemed almost terrified of the dark subject they spoke on. Only one way to find out if she had the spine. “Why do you think I asked you about the marks?” Howard would point to the black that ran through her veins. “They want the darkness that comes from the woods.” There was another item he needed, but one step at a time.
“Yes, they do.” Howard confirmed Opeila’s question of Dhampir origin. “Most are born, but I am what they call a thrall.” He explained, perhaps to her surprise, but it only took a slight prod for him to open up. A common misconception about Howard was that he was a closed book. However, that was only the defensive facade he put up against those that would judge him. If you came to him as an equal, he in turn would do the same until proved differently and would be quite open about himself. “I barely know the one who turned me. She was not with me long.” Opeila might note a touch of sadness with his last statement. There would always be a sense of abandonment when he thought of Morgantha.
“Consider yourself lucky then.” Howard would raise a brow as it almost seemed as if she was disappointed that the Hags had paid her no attention. “Or maybe they sensed your will was too strong. How far would you have gone to achieve what you wanted from them? What would you have actually been willing to sacrifice?” His blood red eyes would fall to his clawed hands. Another nonverbal warning of what it could cost to dance with the devil. He would go on to deny her request to take her to them. Howard had enough guilt and didn’t need to add the harm of yet another student to his plate.
Opeila’s next question would give Howard pause as he looked her over. Divulging the information was not the hesitation. No one would believe her even if she chose the betray him. However, he was a bit concerned with how she would react to his quest. It was one thing to agree to track down a student for more information, but she seemed almost terrified of the dark subject they spoke on. Only one way to find out if she had the spine. “Why do you think I asked you about the marks?” Howard would point to the black that ran through her veins. “They want the darkness that comes from the woods.” There was another item he needed, but one step at a time.
27 Feb 2021, 19:37
Linked By Darkness Part 2
@Howard White
Opeila had spent too much time around Slytherins, it seemed, especially the Snape Dormitory ones. Jack Burnett, Selim Faust, even her best friend, Flash Holmwood, were rather closed up about themselves. And so was Opeila. Or so she became at least. She simply got used to having to trick information out of someone or trade every word for one of her own. Howard giving information out like that was so new to her that it almost alarmed her. There had to be a catch right? He was lying. Or setting up a trap.
The Slytherin made a mental note when Howard told her about him being a thrall, as well as the little he seemed to know about the person who turned him. One- it was a she. So a vampire or dhampir woman. Opeila only knew one female dhampir at the school- had Howard's turn been an accident? Did a student lose control? No, that didn't make sense with his next words, that she wasn't with him for long. Was he sad about it? Was that a dhampir thing, that they had a... sort of connection to the one who turned them?
"Do you know who turned you?", she asked.
Howard's reaction to Opeila's guess that they were not interested in her made her think. What would she have been willing to sacrifice? Again she saw Victor getting stabbed by the shadow, then the spider's attacking her house. If Vladimir was working together with the hags... had Victor been his sacrifice? "...Not enough.", Opeila realized. She would have never been able to go to such lengths. Sacrifice her friends' safety, or generally the safety or life of anyone in the castle. No wonder that they didn't show. Considering what they did so far, Opeila's interests had to be contradicting theirs.
His next words simply confused her. "Hold on- they want the darkness? I thought you just said... They were the ones controlling it?" What darkness had Opeila seen so far? The one that stabbed Victor. That had been the hag darkness, right? But... What about the spiders? There were spiders in the forest... Were there two different forces working against the school? That would be truly alarming. Had she been focusing on one enemy while there was another breathing on their necks?
10 Mar 2021, 03:27
Linked By Darkness Part 2
@Opeila Winters
“Morgantha.” Howard’s tone carried a mix of longing and sadness. It was an odd feeling when he thought back on her. On one hand she had damaged him, in fact, she had technically killed him. That night she had held him in her arms as his heart took its final beat. Had she not chosen to resurrect him that would have been the end of Howard White right then and there. The price of salvation was part of his soul, a part of his humanity that would never be returned. On the other hand he was her creation. It wasn’t like the love he had for his birth mother, but there was still a deep connection. He owed her his very existence. Whenever he thought on her these two emotions would swim through his mind and body. She was both his destroyer and his creator. It was complicated to say the least. “Like I said, she wasn’t around long. I have no idea where she could be now.”
Howard would simply nod as Opeila confirmed that she was not willing to sacrifice enough to gain the Hags attention. “Keep it that way.” Again he would warn her. A part of him envied her strong will. His dark tendencies had driven him right towards the crones, but as he ran a fingertip idly over one of his elongated nails he couldn’t be sure that he wouldn’t have done it the exact same if given a second chance. Howard had made his sacrifice and the power gained would prove both a curse and a boon. The give and take that would come to define his life.
“There’s...two covens.” His eyes bounced around as it only now occurred to him that he might be one of the few who was privy to this knowledge. “The ones in the dungeons and the ones in the woods. I don’t understand the darkness though. It could be their creations or perhaps it just responds to both groups? Either way, they need a sample of the darkness that belongs to or has aligned with the other coven.” Howard would take a moment to let that information set in before continuing. “It’s scary, I know, but it might work in our advantage. Better they war with each other than focus on us.”
“Morgantha.” Howard’s tone carried a mix of longing and sadness. It was an odd feeling when he thought back on her. On one hand she had damaged him, in fact, she had technically killed him. That night she had held him in her arms as his heart took its final beat. Had she not chosen to resurrect him that would have been the end of Howard White right then and there. The price of salvation was part of his soul, a part of his humanity that would never be returned. On the other hand he was her creation. It wasn’t like the love he had for his birth mother, but there was still a deep connection. He owed her his very existence. Whenever he thought on her these two emotions would swim through his mind and body. She was both his destroyer and his creator. It was complicated to say the least. “Like I said, she wasn’t around long. I have no idea where she could be now.”
Howard would simply nod as Opeila confirmed that she was not willing to sacrifice enough to gain the Hags attention. “Keep it that way.” Again he would warn her. A part of him envied her strong will. His dark tendencies had driven him right towards the crones, but as he ran a fingertip idly over one of his elongated nails he couldn’t be sure that he wouldn’t have done it the exact same if given a second chance. Howard had made his sacrifice and the power gained would prove both a curse and a boon. The give and take that would come to define his life.
“There’s...two covens.” His eyes bounced around as it only now occurred to him that he might be one of the few who was privy to this knowledge. “The ones in the dungeons and the ones in the woods. I don’t understand the darkness though. It could be their creations or perhaps it just responds to both groups? Either way, they need a sample of the darkness that belongs to or has aligned with the other coven.” Howard would take a moment to let that information set in before continuing. “It’s scary, I know, but it might work in our advantage. Better they war with each other than focus on us.”
30 Apr 2021, 23:24
Linked By Darkness Part 2
@Howard White
"Morgantha."
Opeila repeated the name Howard had told her, trying to remember if she had ever heard this name. "Who... Who is she? Do you know why she was in Hogwarts?", she asked carefully. Opeila had not missed the change in Howard's tone and she made another note about that in her head. She needed to write all this down later... The Slytherin was almost a little frustrated that she still couldn't sort out this mess of information. It didn't seem to connect. Or- there were a lot of possible connection points, but there was no proof for anything. Just new names. And some old ones as well.
The Hufflepuff nodded when she told him that she wasn't willing to sacrifice enough and told her to keep it that way. Once more a cold shudder went down Opeila's back. There were dangers around and in the castle, right between the students. And the worst were the ones that couldn't be seen. The students that were willing to make the sacrifices the Slytherin knew she couldn't make. Vladimir. Marion? Howard... Opeila couldn't tell if he felt regret. He said that he didn't have a choice, but Opeila had a feeling that there was a whole lot about his involvement that he didn't tell her. Not that she could blame him, what was she other than a stranger after all?
Opeila's eyes lit up when Howard told her about two covens in the dungeons and the woods that needed a sliver of the darkness. "Shit...", she murmured. The Slytherin had gotten more used to cursing in the past months, but it still felt weird. Lady Margary would have scolded her. "I- I think the darkness can be extracted from the students that were bit by the spiders.", she started. "A boy from my house tried it out, he took blood from me when I was half unconscious after the attack and sent it home. Halfway it broke out of the vial and turned his owl into some shadowmonster that his father had to kill. He sent the dead bird back in an envelope."
Thoughtfully she stared at the ground and frowned. "So that would mean... The attack was in our common room, that is close to the dungeons. The attack likely came from that coven then. If the forest coven would need that darkness- I am either wrong, they already have it or they have no clue about the attacked students." Opeila looked at Howard. This was new information and not bad either.
29 May 2021, 04:02
Linked By Darkness Part 2
@Opeila Winters
"No." Howard answered both her questions about Morgantha with a quiet denial and a slight shake of the head. He may never know what had brought her there, but the memories of that night would stay with him forever. The snap of the twig that caught his attention, the shadow monster that chased after the pale woman, the searing pain in his neck before everything went dark. The recollection would come to him often, usually in the dead of night as he lie awake while his peers slept. How different life would have been if he had simply chosen just to run away, but no, his dark curiosity and attraction to power had demanded he follow. A part of Howard would always be convinced that the Hags had played apart in that fateful night. That they had used their wicked magic to steer him down that path, but was that really the truth? Had he never met those vile dungeon dwellers would anything have changed the course of that day? Or was it that very desire for power and the lust for darkness that had placed his feet on that shadowed path? He shook away the thought before his eyes return to Opeila. "I've no idea what brought her there. Probably never will."
Howard would simply nod again as the curse word slipped from her mouth. The fact of two covens would have been enough to scare anyone, not to mention those that had just matured from childhood. However, her next statement would cause his eyes to widen. "Are you sure?" A touch of excitement may be picked up in his tone. Not that he was thrilled with the task at hand, but a chance to be done with it was hard to pass up. His blood red eyes would quickly scan over Opeila as a flash of darkness crossed his expression. The curse lay just beneath her skin. It had been extracted before...what if? Howard would again shake away the dark thoughts. "I mean, I'm surprised it could be so easily extracted." An attempt to cover up his slip before nodding again at her next words. "I've seen the shadow monsters before. The night I was turned. It was the very reason I followed after Morgantha in the first place. She was being chased by one and was critically injured by it. I can't imagine the connection, but there most be one. If only..." He let the thought drift. No need in hoping for the impossible.
"That's what I'd think." He agreed with her conclusion. "The only thing that's got me thinking is why they would send the darkness to attack like that. It's so...aggresive?" Howard questioned his own thought. "From what I've experienced they seem to work in the dark. Use manipulation and trickery to spread their chaos and influence. To just lash out like that? I wonder if they are loosing control of the darkness while they combat each other?" His eyes drifted away from her as thought on it. If there was any truth to his worries everyone was in danger.
"No." Howard answered both her questions about Morgantha with a quiet denial and a slight shake of the head. He may never know what had brought her there, but the memories of that night would stay with him forever. The snap of the twig that caught his attention, the shadow monster that chased after the pale woman, the searing pain in his neck before everything went dark. The recollection would come to him often, usually in the dead of night as he lie awake while his peers slept. How different life would have been if he had simply chosen just to run away, but no, his dark curiosity and attraction to power had demanded he follow. A part of Howard would always be convinced that the Hags had played apart in that fateful night. That they had used their wicked magic to steer him down that path, but was that really the truth? Had he never met those vile dungeon dwellers would anything have changed the course of that day? Or was it that very desire for power and the lust for darkness that had placed his feet on that shadowed path? He shook away the thought before his eyes return to Opeila. "I've no idea what brought her there. Probably never will."
Howard would simply nod again as the curse word slipped from her mouth. The fact of two covens would have been enough to scare anyone, not to mention those that had just matured from childhood. However, her next statement would cause his eyes to widen. "Are you sure?" A touch of excitement may be picked up in his tone. Not that he was thrilled with the task at hand, but a chance to be done with it was hard to pass up. His blood red eyes would quickly scan over Opeila as a flash of darkness crossed his expression. The curse lay just beneath her skin. It had been extracted before...what if? Howard would again shake away the dark thoughts. "I mean, I'm surprised it could be so easily extracted." An attempt to cover up his slip before nodding again at her next words. "I've seen the shadow monsters before. The night I was turned. It was the very reason I followed after Morgantha in the first place. She was being chased by one and was critically injured by it. I can't imagine the connection, but there most be one. If only..." He let the thought drift. No need in hoping for the impossible.
"That's what I'd think." He agreed with her conclusion. "The only thing that's got me thinking is why they would send the darkness to attack like that. It's so...aggresive?" Howard questioned his own thought. "From what I've experienced they seem to work in the dark. Use manipulation and trickery to spread their chaos and influence. To just lash out like that? I wonder if they are loosing control of the darkness while they combat each other?" His eyes drifted away from her as thought on it. If there was any truth to his worries everyone was in danger.
30 May 2021, 00:14
Linked By Darkness Part 2
@Howard White
Opeila couldn't deny that she was a little disappointed that Howard didn't know more about Morgantha. It seemed that this mysterious woman who turned a student into a dhampir knew things. The Slytherin was curious, very curious what this woman had to say. At the same time she was terrified. How did all this happen? Why was all this happening in a school? What was so interesting about this school that made it a target to all these attacks? There had to be a reason for it all... Opeila prayed that they would all live to see the day it was all solved.
It seemed that Howard didn't know that the curse could be extracted, but his excitement was surprising. He said that it was what the hags were looking for. Shock would have been fine. Concern or fear as well. It would have been a logical reaction, considering the damage that hags could do with the darkness. But instead... there was excitement. Opeila paused and returned his stare. For the first time she questioned if she was telling him too much.
Howard had a task to fulfill. He knew what the hags wanted. And his stare as well as the excitement in his voice spoke a very own language. How blind had she been?
A chill ran down Opeila's spine and the little girl got off the table to walk over to a window. "That is your task, isn't it." It was a statement, rather than a question. He was a student, so Opeila had made the terribly naive assumption that he would do nothing to harm them. But even if he was on their side at heart, there was danger directed at him personally. Who could blame him for trying to save himself? Opeila would not be able to blame him if he attacked her in this room here and now to fulfill his task. She had gotten off the table to be ready to fight if it actually got that far. One day, she would talk her own head off...
Howard talked again, seemingly trying to explain his excitement logically to then get back to Morgantha. "Wait- she was injured by a shadow monster?", Opeila repeated, frowning again. "Well that doesn't make a lot of sense... Unless..." Opeila's eyes widened. "Unless it does." She lifted a finger. "Let me summarize- The dungeon coven attacked us with those dark spiders. So they likely are in charge of the darkness. Taking your reaction you need to get a sliver of that to the forest hags. If you are a tool for the forest hags... What if Morgantha works with them too and she turned you so you could serve them better? What if that is why the dungeon coven sent a shadow monster after her? Does that even make sense?" It seemed logical to Opeila.
"I have suspected Vladimir, Victor and so on to work with the hags for a while. So if Victor got killed by darkness... He worked with the forest coven against the dungeon ones. Are we living on a battlefield? Is that what all this is? The dungeon coven has the darkness and the forest coven is using student after student as a long living source of meatshields?" Maybe Opeila was assuming to far. But maybe, maybe she was not. "Thomas, Erin, Marion, Victor- they are all Slytherin. Was the attack an attempt to get rid of the majority of the forest coven's servants?" Then there was only one more thing. "I... I think that Vladimir let the spiders in. Or used me to let the spiders in, whatever. Is it possible that there are students on both sides? Is Vlad working for the dungeon coven?"
Opeila walked back to her table and leaned her back against it. This was so... terrifiying.