Kings and Queens pv Finished

Banner Credit: Kim Sato

Hunter slowly yawned, stretching a bit as the sun glistened across the great lakes view. He could feel the slight warmth of the heating sun and the cool breeze flow through the curls of his hair. He could only feel slightly exhausted as he stated the next moves for both the white and black sides of the chess board. Reviewing strategy while barely having any sleep. The boy spent multiple of nights studying while a majority of afternoons sleeping. A night owl and a morning person, but the near middle of days typically was when all his energy was at an all time low. The quiet tone of the lake and crickets was soothing and much better than the sound of students rambling through the halls with their footsteps echoing as well. Yet, one sound was certainly distinct and noticeable... footsteps.

Hunter's ears perked up a bit from the sound, but he only gave focus as they become louder with each oncoming step. He gave the final command to the chess board, as the pieces moved to where he had a chance to take down the white queen with his black rook. Few pieces remained on the board, many were sacrificed as he leered up towards whatever annoyance was bound to bother him today.

Beatrice Langstreth, the new prefect of Ravanclaw had made her appearance. Even before she was a prefect she was an annoyance to Hunter, and the only thought in his ,and as to why she would approach him was to either warn him that she was going to keep an eye on him, or that she was going to possibly give him detention for their past mishaps. Luckily Hunter's paranoia was on a low when he was tired. He didn't care enough to be afraid nor had enough energy to prioritize and contemplate the various problems someone may try and do to him. He was hoping they wouldn't be arguing for the next bloody hour, and the look of her honestly left a slight distaste in his mouth. Burning his potion bag for having helped her with her memories (although she may disagree), and then having caused him to be an emotional wreck from their last encounter.

That regret he felt, he hated the fact he felt such... weakness. He needed to be strong, to further himself and his goals, yet how long was the heart his mother gave him to care and love going to hold him back? A part of him wished he could stop caring, to focus on nothing but his studies, to make the impossible possible. Hunter had shown Bea that he had the knowledge, the effort, the prodigal prowess to pursue and act as a great potioneer... yet the tears. The tears he had, the tears from her, that feeling of sharing pain with someone like her... he loathed it. She made him weak, and he hated that. Hunter wanted to be great and do great, but how could he when his heart held him back.

His facial expression didn't convey any of this, either Hunter was too exhausted to display emotion, or he had enough energy to convey a facade. As he looked up at the girl, he only looked back down waiting for her to possibly rant, scream, or lecture Hunter on some sort of talk of his mischief lately. Had she somehow received word that he was planning on burning a few Raven claws to understand burns better? Did she receive word of how Hunter brews outside of classes testing random poisons on himself and sometimes others.? In fact, did she know that the prefect she replaced had actually been a victim of Hunter's poisons? The boy could only wonder as he looked back down at his board waiting for the words - "Will you come to the Ball with me?"

Yup, like he thought. She was hear to start... wait.. what?? Hunter's thoughts took a minute to pause to rethink and understand what the girl had just said. He looked up back at her, noticing her closed eyes. With their history... something was certainly off. Despite his exhaustion, Hunter's mind began to run off with questions, why him? What was she planning? Was this a trap, is she desperate, or had the young girl actually developed feelings for the boy? Hunter leaned on the most logical idea that Bea was setting up a trap for him.

Hunter recalled talk about the upcoming ball, but hadn't paid much attention to it. He looked towards the great lake, reminiscing about the past relationships he had. He recalled, it was here as well where he met Judith Cohen, the first girl he had a crush on. They dated for some time, but they eventually fell out. Hunter doesn't believe she ever found out about his misdoings, but he always had that fear of what would happen if she did find out. Well, either way they were no longer together. Last fall ball was their last time together, and even then they hadn't done much which disappointed the boy. He tried, and Judith was the only one he was willing to protect against others... the boy sighed.

Then there was Sophia Nelson, a fellow prodigy in potions. Hunter didn't have a crush on her, but her skills as a potioneer were astonishing and he respected that. They were like fellow colleagues who would make mutual trades and assist each other from time to time. Yet... they too had a falling out. It again occurred here at the Great lake, where Hunter poisoned an upper year, Hanako Tone. Sophia stepped in, always trying to divert Hunter from his cruel ways. Yet how could he? He needed to understand, to find the answers to his questions, to create potions that would one day cure everyone of any ailment. Sacrifices were required and the boy looked down at the chess board he had. In the end, he and Sophia also stopped interacting. Both were attempts for Hunter to block out his heart, to hide the side his mother had given him since he was born. A side of kindness, love, and caring.

Hunter looked back up at Bea, a moment of silence had gone by without an answer. His look towards her was more curious, looking closely. This girl, she made the boy feel weak because she reminded him to be caring as his mother had taught him. There was a risk to being near her. Either she would make him weaker, or he could understand his weakness better and eliminate it. She could be the key, to ending the little empathy that still existed in Hunter. Again, the boy looked out towards the great lake, being reminded of the view he and Judith had shared. A slight chuckle came out the boy, perhaps he had lost his mind to the time he has spent at Hogwarts: "Sure, but why me and why should I go with you?" Were all the words the boy could muster. The tone was slightly cold, as the boy was still hesitant as to what Bea was scheming.

@Beatrice Langstreth

Interacting with: @Hunter Argentum

Banner Credit: Kim Sato

The boy let out another yawn, drowsy but not about to fall asleep. It took a minute, but the information was beginning to make sense and he was able to process the information a bit better. The yelling Bea had committed fell on deaf ears as Hunter was lost in thought. Yet, her response after his own question was fully heard. It certainly made sense, but if that were the case couldn't she have just gone to the ball alone, keeping an open eye on Hunter and the other students? Or was going to the ball alone far more embarrassing than asking a boy like Hunter? The boy was unsure, but it felt as if their was more reason than she gave. Again, due to his tired expression and feeling he merely brushed it off instead. He could think about it more later. Whatever she was scheming, Hunter was sure he'd be ready to go against it.

"Well that's good, for a second I thought someone used Amortentia on you to fall for me. Also, I'll offer you a congratulations to your new position, but don't think that doesn't mean I fear you anymore as I did before." To be fair though, Hunter was afraid of everyone to a rather high degree. If anything it was most likely a bluff to perhaps get on Bea's nerves, or a warning that she would still need to watch her back. With that though, Hunter unsheathed his wand: "Reparo." Swirling his wand to begin fixing the pieces that stood broken across his chess board. Moving the pieces back into place, he cleaned the board up rather nicely. The empire of both sides had been fixed, but the battle was still going to continue. A slight smirk went across his face as he wondered more and more as to what Bea was planning. Hunter if anything seemed too relax, more than usual. It was odd and off, the exhaustion he must have been feeling must have been pretty large. Yet no matter how tired he felt, the more he would scheme against those who opposed him.

As a bit of time went on, a slight memory of the words Bea had spewed went across Hunter's mind. He let out a sigh, a bit of annoyance now overcoming him as he looked at the girl: "Odd to call the person your going to the ball with an idiot you know. Especially with such a hateful tone." Hunter was very curious about that anger that Bea had. In his opinion it didn't quite match her well, as she basically went on a full tirade to yell at Hunter for having not answered sooner. He wondered if she was always that short-tempered with everyone she met. As Hunter pondered, a bit of wriggling occurred beneath his robe, and out came his pet lizard, Fenrir. He tried to grab the lizard, but it swiftly jumped on the chess board having knocked down a majority of the pieces. The white queen stood tall still, as did the black king on opposing side. The tiny "dragon" (lizard) rampaged a bit more before Hunter finally caught him. Hunter laughed a bit, as Fenrir was his only true friend at Hogwarts.

Eventually though he sighed, looking back at Bea as she sat: "Well, I hope your not popular. I prefer not being known too much by others. But besides that, we should discuss a bit on trust. Right? Why don't we talk a bit more. You get three questions, I'll answer all truthfully. In return, you have to answer three of my questions." The boy sounded a bit cheeky in this small game of theirs, what exactly did he already have planned for the poor Bea?

Banner Credit: Kim Sato

Hunter placed Fenrir on the board, to which the lizard curled up and placed its tail in its mouth similar to an ouroboros. Resting on the middle of the chess field sunbathing as he listened to Bea. Hunter merely pushed off Bea's comment about his fear of fires, truth be Hunter was specifically afraid of people in general. Their unpredictability is what caused him to experience a rather dreadful first year at Hogwarts. Originally excited, but now only fearing and becoming paranoid of every situation when it came to crowds or a few students.

Despite just being tired, that was most likely the other reason Hunter wasn't acting his usual self. Or rather, the usual that most students met and talked with. The situation was rather perfect, the boy was out in nature reminding him of the times he studied at home, he wasn't near crowds of individuals,the one person he was talking with was someone he knew, and he was of course tired. There was no need for fear or paranoia. The countless thoughts that ran through his head were gone for the time being. Relaxing and blissful, the best explanation as to why Bea was surprised by the way he acted of actually smiling and laughing. Of course, only his pet Fenrir was really capable of doing all that.

He let out a sigh, but it was more close towards relief of stress than being annoyed, "Do I know Gaelic?" The boy repeated the words Bea had spoken: "Understand, yes. Speak it, not really. Grew up around many people who spoke it so I was taught the language, but I didn't really practice it much as I was home schooled and we spoke Swahili in my household. Most likely the reason my accent isn't as strong." Indeed Hunter's accent was always a bit odd to some. A strong mix of African and English tones, but a slight scottish one could be heard every so often: "Apology accepted."

"I make enemies here and there, but just as many accomplices too. Everyone has enemies at hogwarts, whether you like it or not. In truth though, I don't view anyone as an enemy yet...well... except one, maybe." Hunter gave the response to Bea for her response on why he needed to be kept watch on. Like in chess, he was careful on where to place his pieces, where to move and when to act. He understood what he did and was going to do. Sacrifices were required, but he was accomplishing much for his young age. As for the last comment, it was a truthful speech. He even paused a moment to look at the great lake, to reflect a bit before adding, "I know what I've done and I know who considers me an enemy. I keep watch of them, but I hold no malice... well, except for that one time a certain girl burned my potions." He eyed Bea a bit, only slight forgiveness was given since his retaliation for her act was rather brutal for the both of them. Yet that was the truth whether Bea believed it or not. Hunter knew who disliked him, but he didn't dislike them unless they attempted to get back at him. Of course its fair play, but for a child to be the one with the upper hand is always sought out. In general, no one liked being retaliated towards.

With time passing by, Hunter noticed Bea picking at her skirt. His eyes slightly jerked away realizing or rather assuming she most likely wasn't enjoying or wasn't going to enjoy this talk much. With his fears gone, the boy picked up the black king chess piece and twirled it around: "Why potions..." Again, repeating Bea's question.

Slight paranoia of wondering what this girl was scheming came to mind, but Hunter reached in his cloak and took out a chocolate frog to nibble on. He even took out a second one and placed it on the board for Bea if she had the courage to do so. If there was one weakness Hunter had, it was sweets. Although oddly too, he could be found munching on murtlap tentacles like they were gummy worms. On some occasions he'd have purple hair growing from his ears, but today wasn't that case.

As he munched on the frog, he looked towards the sky: "It's just family trade I guess." The boy continued chewing the sweet chocolate, thinking of everything he should and shouldn't say: "Argentum, a pureblood family specialized in potions. Those born in it are just born with some gift for potions, so I was just destined for it. Yet, I suppose that doesn't answer why I pursue it, does it?" He looked towards Bea, he suspected the girl wanted as much information as she could about the boy. After all, the more he told the more likely she was bound to trust him, right? "Or perhaps a wonder more on why I've used potions on others." At that point Hunter had finished his chocolate frog, to which he merely took out another. If Bea were to ask how many sweets the boy carried with him, she'd certainly be surprised: "Well my father told me all sorts of stories, investigating dragon lairs, fighting 100 murtlaps, acromantula hunting, all sorts of tales of adventuring to collect potion ingredients. I use to want to be like him, to be great and follow in his footsteps. So I went to my Nyanya, or..." Hunter paused looking at Bea for a quick second "seanmhair" having changed the Swahili word for grandma to Gaelic for better understanding: "And she's taught me everything I know about potions. Eventually it just became fun to brew with her, and my mother was proud of it. My dad on the other hand..." yet Hunter paused. Just how much was he going to reveal. He paused for a quick second, looking at Bea, then towards the great lake as he paused.

He shook his head, as if disapproving himself and continued eating his chocolate frog and where he left off, "Well, that's how it started I suppose. Eventually I spent more time with my mom and grandma who are both Healers. I grew interested and have studied much about anatomy and such, but what good was it? There is a clear line between experience and studies. So like my dad would, I decided to invoke on an adventure and poison a few students. The better I understand my potions, the better I can reach higher heights to cure such illnesses. I even poison myself from time to time trying to make new potion recipes." Hunter stopped rambling at that moment though. Perhaps he shouldn't had said that last part to a prefect, but he bet Bea didn't care if Hunter was poisoning himself. If anything, she probably hoped he'd choke on the bezoar's he had to consume to stop the poisons from possibly killing him.

"Well hopefully that answers your question, so it's my turn." To which Hunter ended up finishing his 2nd chocolate frog, and again... taking out a third one. His sweet tooth had no end, and it seemed they were gonna be their for a bit. Yet, unlike Bea. Hunter already knew part of the question he wanted to ask. He reached in his cloak again to retrieve a journal. Opening it and finding a certain page, he read in his own head. Putting the book back, he knew what to ask. Yet he offered another chocolate frog saying she would need it to calm her nerves and continue the game fairly... "So, what is your happiest memory of Thanatos?" The boy didn't look or sound sly, but curious. Yet a part of him knew, that he most likely gave a different interpretive gaze to Bea based on the question.

@Beatrice Langstreth

Banner Credit: Kim Sato

@Beatrice Langstreth

"Waste of a question?" Perhaps it was, but Hunter was overall just tired and was trying to get a point across Bea's mind. She had that memory, and at best had placed it at risk if she had received a forgetfulness potion. That was the main reason Hunter had even given her a memory potion, as the forgetfulness potion was a dangerous item to use that didn't have an exact measurement of what memories would be kept and which ones would be loss. He rolled his eyes, and could feel the slight annoyance of Bea's response growing in his head. Each words she emphasized treating the boy like an idiot only made him groan in the depths of his mind. In his very egotistic head he was calling her an idiot in belief she had no clue of the dangers forgetfulness potion had. It was rather true, Hunter had a big of an ego when it came to intellect.

Well either way, he knew what her kindest memory was, she actually opened up her feelings... oddly to the boy who caused her such trouble and karma, and they were getting to know each other a bit better. Was this trust the boy was feeling? Well perhaps, but who trusted who more? Was he trusting Bea more, or was Bea trusting him more? No matter in the end, Hunter would be cautious of the girl who burnt his bag and decided to spend time within him during this evening. He actually enjoyed the small company, but he was beginning to admit in his head that she was just starting to give him a headache. No matter how much time the two would spend together, they both were bound to reach each other's limits. Then it became a question, of how long would the two of them be able to bear each other's presence during the ball. So many questions, but such little time. With that in mind though, Hunter felt it was about best time to leave so he wouldn't have to endure a headache on his way back to the common room. Leaping off the branch of the tree he laid upon, he landed almost on top of Bea but luckily he merely landed perfectly fine beside her and his chess set; most likely due to experience. He gave a minute before answering Bea's question. He snatched the white queen piece from her, and placed in on the chess set. He then placed the black king piece on the board beside it. A second went by, and the boy stated, "King take Queen." To which without hesitation, the black king piece took it's chair and swung it at the queen piece causing it to break into a couple chunks. Perhaps a surprise to Bea, but not one to Hunter. His expression didn't change and all he did next was cast the repairing charm on the queen piece to rebuild it back to its original form.

No matter how many times the queen took down the king, or in this case the king took down the queen they would always comeback just as strong, perhaps with a few very minor imperfections. Yet there was a fun rule in chess. The queen piece could be taken, sacrificed, used just like the pawn. It was the strongest piece, worth the most points and treated as the most important piece on the field. However, the king piece is what really mattered. It could never be destroyed, only placed in check or check mate. Only captured, never harmed and was the true piece that mattered the most. Hunter only smiled from this small thought. The king was the one who pulled the threads, using the other pieces as pawns. Picking up his chess board, and allowing Fenrir to run back into his cloak. He merely answered her question with his own final third question while walking off: "Depends, how much of a nuisance will you be?"