2 Nov 2021, 10:32
In the Interest of Motives
@Santario Martin and @Vladimir Athanatos
Too sweet? unable to resist? merlin... this guy was making himself more creepy without realising it. Not only that, but the way he awkwardly moved wasn't giving himself any favors. It was almost as if Vlad was trying to put on a mask, some that made him look imposing and threatening. Although, right now holes were starting to reveal themselves from the different personality he was trying to play. All Gray had to do was do what he did best, stay calm in front of annoying and inconsiderate students like him.
Even so, he wasn't expecting to agree with him so soon. Going out on patrols alone was incredibly dangerous, especially during the dark and uncertain times right now. He'd hold that against San, but not right now considering he needed to deal with Vlad first. Slowly folding his arms he glared at the towering boy unamused, almost as if he figured that the boy was harmless and disarming himself in the process "What am I going to do about it?" he before matching the boys step with his own, leaving them almost inches apart "You'll see in a few moments if you don't back down. And trust me, Vlad. I'm not here because of the fact I like her, I'm here to do my job as a prefect to look after a fellow student. Me being a white knight is as far as you actually having friends, so please hold your tongue for once" he said sternly, before the person he was trying to save spoke against him.
"Excuse me?" he said with a cold tone, his body suddenly snapping in the direction of San and taking a few steps towards her "You can't really talk Santario Martin, considering you decided to go on a little adventure without your patrol partner. I would have thought you'd have the brains to figure out how dangerous that was, but I guess being on your own is safer than me being there isn't it?" the boy would grunt, his head shaking slowly at the girl he admired "What's been up with you lately anyway? you barely speak to me on patrol anymore or anywhere outside of it. Hell, when I had part of my shoulder missing you didn't even visit me in the wing! so if anything is "bullshit" it's your behavior San, not mine" Gray said back with some aggression, seemingly sick and tired of how San had been treating him as of late "Have I done something wrong? or are you trying to push me away like everyone else who got close to you?!"
“This is only a foretaste of what is to come, and only the shadow of what is going to be.”
Stamina: 9 / Evasion: 10 / Strength: 9/ Wisdom: 7 / Arcane Power: 7 / Accuracy: 11
2 Nov 2021, 17:24
In the Interest of Motives
He was very much making himself out to be the reep, the monster. Was it for the sake of intimidating the Prefect, infuriating him or something else entirely? In truth it was the later. He was well aware of the reputation he had earned, the risk that his very existence put on others and the unfathomable guilt that burdened him. His mistakes. His presence. His cross. His friends suffered because of his mistakes, his breeches of morality and his continued presence. He had no intention of adding Santario to his list of actual victims.
Percival was focused on him. On what he was going to do about it. Percival's chance to be the 'big man' to intimidate, to be the white knight for his damsel. It was rather obvious, he did not need to crawl around in the boy's head to see that he was smitten.
"I gave her no choice," he lied. "Your quarrel is with me, unless this is more of a pot calling kettle... and you're just looking to bully the poor girl," he commented but he failed to keep the disgust from his voice. What did she see in this guy? He just called her stupid? Did he just mention missing part of his shoulder. His eyes brightened at that comment (I thought that happened after this thread so my apologies) and his eyes focused on Percival. Was there something that did not meet the naked eye?
He was tempted to involve himself further in this domestic dispute but the threads of fate had already determined certain fixed moments in a past that he had not yet created (in other words the ball is ongoing). "Santario, if you need to be walked back to your dorms I can," he said carefully. His suspicion on the wrong man, the accusing man. The angry man. "If he is more dangerous than I am," he clarified. A statement that if she needed help, he would give her an out. Otherwise he would pretend to be the villain in this scenario and let them return to their... whatever this was. It was passionate but he was uncertain if this was truly love, but whatever this misery was it was somehow preferred. Somehow he pitied them, their dysfunctional and potentially abusive relationship. He was probably worse he resolved.
He might just be taking Percival up on the those threats he just spouted. The reason why he sent that garish suit and the means to take the girl off his hands now a present mystery unless the suit is lined with an incendiary device. (I guess we will see the why in the coming posts.)
Aamon
2 Nov 2021, 22:57
In the Interest of Motives
Mentioning|-
Italizised are direct thoughts Vlad can hear if he is still in her head.
Percival’s words hurt, cutting through her like a hot knife cuts through butter. The arm held up, pointing at Vlad, slowly lowered to her side, her head dropping slightly, hair falling just well enough to obscure her face from their sight. She wished Thomas were here, she had told him to stay home and not return, but he was her grounding force. He would have had advice for this situation on top of a healthy lecture of trusting people, but the difference was that Thomas would have understood her reasoning. She wasn’t sure she could trust Percival to understand everything.
Keep it under control… Just breathe… The rage does not need to consume you. Breathe. Despite her trying to calm down anger would still leech into her voice as she addressed her patrol partner. “We can do this, Percival. Right here, tonight. However, I swear to you on my life that if you continue to aggress on him in any way, you will have to deal with me. Let him leave peacefully. If you know anything about me at all, you know that my word is my bond, and I have never broken it.” Her heart started to beat harder as adrenaline flooded her system. She breathed in deeply before turning to Vladimir, looking up at him, leaving her back fully to Percival. I do not want a fight… I am so tired of fighting already.
The look in her eyes would not convey the intense fire boiling in her veins; in fact, she would seem saddened as she reached forward, attempting to place her arm on his forearm just as she had the night of the most recent blossom ball. If he withdraws from her, it will not change what she says though she will look hurt. “Vladimir, I truly appreciate your offer, but I would be quite devastated if you were hurt because of me. It is now that I understand what you have been trying to do for me.” I am sorry I am such an idiot She understood now that he was genuinely trying to protect her, something she could not appreciate before, but she did now. “Everything that I said to you that night, I still very much mean.” I wish things could have been different… For the both of us. Life is such bullshit “In case I do not get the chance to say this at any other time. You deserved so much better than you got, but please. I ask you just return to your house. I will be fine. I give you my word that I am not in any danger from Percival, other than perhaps harsh words.” Words that were well deserved considering she had left the boy confused and hearing things that were never meant for his ears.
Healing Sage: +30% healing | Prodigal Charms | Impartial | Fearless
Stamina : 10 | Evasion : 7 | Strength : 3 | Wisdom : 12 | Arcane Power : 10 | Accuracy : 15
Stamina : 10 | Evasion : 7 | Strength : 3 | Wisdom : 12 | Arcane Power : 10 | Accuracy : 15
17 Nov 2021, 22:56
In the Interest of Motives
@Vladimir Athanatos and @Santario Martin
"Vlad, in the most respectful way possible can you please just shut up?" the prefect said back to the prodding fifth year, who increasingly tried to push his buttons "You can have the confidence that I can control my emotions. Never in my wildest dreams would I think of harming San, not now, not soon, not ever!." It was true, Percival wouldn't even think of laying a hand on her even in the worst of situations. He admired the girl too much now, doing such a thing would snap his soul in two.
Looking back to San, he listened closely to the anger seeping from her voice and shot a quick glance to the taller lad in question. If he let him go now, what else would he do further down the line? only time would tell him the answer. Gray seemed to ponder for a few moments before finally motioning his head to the door, accepting Sans request to let him off the hook "Go, get out of here. Santario will be more than safe with me Vladimir, you have my word" he would say with annoyance in his tone, miffed that Vlad even him to be a threat to her.
A look of concern soon flashed across his face as he folded his arms and glared at the girl with a stern look. Even if Vlad was on his way out or hadn't even moved, he didn't even care if he heard what he was saying "San, I trust you enough to know what you're doing with Vlad. Please don't make me think twice about that," San knew Vlad more than he did, after all, maybe she saw something in him that he didn't see "Now, can you please explain to me what's going on? your behavior has been making me worry about you. Be honest, what happened?." there was no nonsense in what he was saying, now he was really putting Sans promise to the test.
“This is only a foretaste of what is to come, and only the shadow of what is going to be.”
Stamina: 9 / Evasion: 10 / Strength: 9/ Wisdom: 7 / Arcane Power: 7 / Accuracy: 11
18 Nov 2021, 22:19
In the Interest of Motives
He would not linger, there were no sweet or flowery words for the girl. His face remained stoic as assurances were made. He had no additional threats for the guy that did not deserve to be there, but as he had learned a long time ago -- life is not fair. He did not need to deserve a thing to have it. Life, much like people are terribly strange. There was not always a greater meaning, some sort of logic that compelled people to do what they do. People were irrational and their choices confounded him. If only he too could control the threads of fate.
@Santario Martin and @Percival Gray would give him their word, but their word was just that a word. There was nothing that bound them to the promises they made. There was no higher being or greater purpose that assured him that the playing field remained level. In fact Santario had no way of knowing for certain safety could be found at Percival's side, but debating semantics would have been an exercise in futility.
With a nod, he would wordlessly depart. Little did he know, this was the last time they would speak. This was good-bye.
@Santario Martin and @Percival Gray would give him their word, but their word was just that a word. There was nothing that bound them to the promises they made. There was no higher being or greater purpose that assured him that the playing field remained level. In fact Santario had no way of knowing for certain safety could be found at Percival's side, but debating semantics would have been an exercise in futility.
With a nod, he would wordlessly depart. Little did he know, this was the last time they would speak. This was good-bye.
Topic Left
Aamon
18 Nov 2021, 23:04
In the Interest of Motives
Vladimir left without another word, and a part of her felt hollow or perhaps vulnerable. He had been protecting her, and now that was fleeting, and sooner rather than later, it would be gone. Not that she would know it now, but she would come to regret this night and one other when it came to the Raven. Vladimir would be another name in the list of people she has failed. She would have to get smarter and much quicker if she was to survive. Her carefully woven network of people she had surrounded herself with to provide protection was slowly crumbling, and most of it was her own doing. Though, the slug that moved in her left her little option if she still wanted to protect those that she held dear.
Mentioning|Vladimir Athanatos | @Thomas Lestrange
Once they were alone, Santario picked up her Pashmina while listening to what her patrol partner was saying and wrapped it back around her shoulders. Her wand would be slid home in the pocket on the inside of it. “He was not always a villain, and he was villainized far more than he deserved. Vladimir, also never did anything to harm me. I am sure he has lied to me and withheld information, but he has protected me. More than anyone else can say.” Silently, she thanked Merlin that Thomas could not hear those words leave her lips no matter how true they were. “Vladimir was helping me with information on my parents’ murderers. Something he selflessly experienced firsthand through my own eyes. HE felt my pain and my suffering and took in it, experienced it. He has been helping me and protecting me ever since.” Her sapphire eyes slightly more dull than usual glared daggers at Percival.
“So let us readdress going on adventures without our patrol partners. How about the night you disappeared on me when we had a plan? Left me hanging? The next thing I know, Monsieur Brumby is giving me the third degree about you being in the hospital with a chunk taken out of you. Was attempting to take on Erin by yourself some moronic attempt at being a white knight? Because YOU COULD HAVE DIED!” Santario’s voice slowly escalated into a yell. The same carefully concocted lie she fed to Brumby, knowing Percival didn’t remember enough about that night to be able to contradict her. Plus the added bonus of a guilt trip shifting blame.
“It is absolute BULLSHIT that I have to deal with you on this kind of level. What is even worse is that I do not have ANYONE that I can talk to about it because MY BEST FRIEND IN THIS WHOLE BULLSHIT SCHOOL IS NOT COMING BACK! I had one person in this whole school, and now he is gone and you just when I thought I had someone else I could trust you go and pull this stupid stunt. So you are right. I am pushing people away because I am being proven time and time again that I should not rely on people.” Her anger was palpable, and she flowed in and out of shouts and speaking through a clenched jaw. Percival should not have to ask who her best friend was as her friendship with Thomas Lestrange was not a secret. They ate together, studied together, and sat together in classes for at least the past year until he did not come back this year. “Not like I have a long life to live anyway…” She mumbled, looking away from him, drawing her arms tighter around herself.
“So what do you want from me, Percival? It is not like you even know me that well. I bet you could not even name three things about me that have nothing to do with school.” She was probably wrong depending on how much the boy paid attention, but it was how she felt.
Healing Sage: +30% healing | Prodigal Charms | Impartial | Fearless
Stamina : 10 | Evasion : 7 | Strength : 3 | Wisdom : 12 | Arcane Power : 10 | Accuracy : 15
Stamina : 10 | Evasion : 7 | Strength : 3 | Wisdom : 12 | Arcane Power : 10 | Accuracy : 15
23 Nov 2021, 12:26
In the Interest of Motives
@Santario Martin and @Vladimir Athanatos
Looking back for a few brief moments he saw the back of Vlad walk out the door, unknowingly leaving them for the final time. He was afraid to admit but San was right, many of the students thought of him as an evil, cruel boy that was made into a villain by the opinions of others. Gray on the other never saw him in that light and treated him like any other annoying student that crossed his path. He didn't know the full story with the unusual boy, but Vlad didn't deserve the treatment he got from the judgemental brats.
"The way others treat him is something I'll never understand..." he said as he looked back to San, who was staring daggers into his soul.
For once in his life Gray was stunned into silence, he offered no resistance as to what San was saying about his role in the attack. Was he really that stupid? all the prefect could do was stare with a mixture of sorrow and confusion as he watched San scream her venomous accusations. He could barely remember a thing from that day other than walking down a corridor with San close to him, a memory which was deeply implanted into his mind. The only reason he could think of for leaving her was to protect his friend from serious harm. Percival didn't want to see the nervous girl hurt and knowing him he'd be all for taking one for the team.
The thing that tore a hole through him was when he heard the lowered mumblings of her not having long to live. He slowly lowered his head and brought a shaky hand to wipe away a tear that had escaped his icy blue eyes. San clearly wasn't right, it would of been a lie to say he was fine either. Both of them were exhausted of the fighting and the horrors they saw in the past few years, only now was it starting to bubble out of control.
"S-san... I'm sorry" he stammered in a broken tone as he continued to look at the floor in shame "I barely remember a damn thing from that day, but I'm sure if I did that it would have been to protect you" the boy croaked as his feelings started to betray him, revealing a side that deeply cared for the person before him "I know I could have died, but if it was to save the wellbeing of other students in the future and keep you out of harm's way, I'd do it all over again" that was the honest truth, even if it was a pesky muggle born he'd do anything as a prefect to keep them safe.
It was no secret that she was best friends with Lestrange up until he left the school last year on circumstances he didn't know. She trusted the boy with all her heart, and when he disappeared it was hard for her to fill that black hole "I know Lestrange meant a lot to you, and I'm sure he still does. But I can't be like him, I can only be who I really am." compared to earlier his voice sounded quite down and hurt from what San had said. He could take harsh words from people he didn't think about, but when it came to people he loved it was a whole different sorry "I didn't do it for no reason San, nor for myself. I keep your interests to heart and always give you my full honesty, even when you're wrong. For the months we've been studying together and been patrol partners, not once have I been dishonest or disloyal. Even you know that San..."
Percival was trying his best not to escalate the situation, but sometimes he had to be blunt to get his point across. At that point she didn't seem to be thinking straight, she surely would have noticed what he'd done for her up until now.
Hesitantly, he slowly took a few steps forward to the girl and placed the nervous right hand on her shoulder. Offering San a small, encouraging smile he remembered all the things she told him and the little mannerisms she'd do every time they'd meet. Like how she always nervously put a hand through her hair anytime he was getting too close "Believe it or not San I pay attention to everything, especially if it's someone I respect with my soul. When a person speaks gaelic, has a keen passion for photography, and loves gardening more than I do it's kinda hard to forget" he explained softly "And trust me, the San I'm thinking about will grow old think about these times with great fondness. The good and bad times is what makes the adventure worth finishing because everyone wants to see a happy ending"
“This is only a foretaste of what is to come, and only the shadow of what is going to be.”
Stamina: 9 / Evasion: 10 / Strength: 9/ Wisdom: 7 / Arcane Power: 7 / Accuracy: 11
24 Nov 2021, 19:31
In the Interest of Motives
Percival’s reaction provoked feelings of guilt like a dagger piercing her heart as his voice broke and he looked away. She hated every moment of this as lies tumbled from her lips, knowing full well he believed her. She had never lied to him before she had been infected with the parasite, and now, she was doing it in the worst way possible. When he found out, she was sure he would never forgive her, but in the end, that was probably for the best anyway. She listened to his rebuttals, and when he took a few steps towards her, she did not retreat though her body wanted her to. “I know you have never been dishonest or disloyal…” She whispered as shame consumed her.
Mentioning| -
His hand rested on her shoulder, and she noted the hesitancy in it; she should be pushing him away. She needed to push him away for him, but all she wanted to do was hug him. She wanted to be wrapped in an embrace and be told everything was going to be okay, even though it wouldn’t. She had failed him once already; what would he do when he learned she was doing it again… Right now? She wanted to just fall apart and cry, but she fought it instead, allowing her anger to shove it down because that was the only thing that could stop it, for now. He spoke about her growing old, and she closed her eyes, trying to force tears back. He didn’t get it.
“You wanted to protect me, but did you ever think about what your death might do to me? Until you, Thomas was all I had, and any notion of you trying to replace him is ridiculous. Thomas is irreplaceable in my life; nothing and no one will ever change that even if he does not come back. I do not want you to be like him or to replace him. I like you for who you are, you moron.” Santario stepped backward from him, now out of his reach, taking a deep breath, and looked at him again. “Percival. I will not live a long life. You just… Cannot understand. I have been working on two things: killing the hags that cursed Thomas and getting revenge against the three who murdered my parents. I do not expect to live through at least one of those things. I have accepted this. It is for the best that you… Forget whatever it is you think you feel about me.” Her jaw clenched, and she looked at a suddenly fascinating trophy.
It wouldn’t help though, Santario couldn’t fight it anymore, and tears started to flow down her cheeks. He needed to forget what he felt for her so that he could kill her when it was time, or perhaps, even before then. She couldn’t stand it if he tried to defend her even as she was. He needed to be able to be objective and do what needed to be done, and she didn’t believe he was in a place to do that right now. “I do not need flights of fantasy or to daydream about things I cannot have and do not deserve. I need to stay on course and do what needs to get done. No matter what.” Despite the tears, her voice was strangely calm and steady. “I have been selfish and unfair. I allowed you to get too close, and for this, I am deeply sorry. Someday, perhaps, you can forgive me.” She wished she could just drop dead right now.
Healing Sage: +30% healing | Prodigal Charms | Impartial | Fearless
Stamina : 10 | Evasion : 7 | Strength : 3 | Wisdom : 12 | Arcane Power : 10 | Accuracy : 15
Stamina : 10 | Evasion : 7 | Strength : 3 | Wisdom : 12 | Arcane Power : 10 | Accuracy : 15