Occlusion PV

Ginyami had a difficult time cutting through the black rope binding Valentin, but not because of the dullness of the blade nor the toughness of the rope. Pushing against water resistance was one thing, but overcoming the resistance of the strands of Hydrilla swirling around Valentin at the lake bottom was quite another. So close to the sunken seeker, the strokes of Ginyami’s sawing pulled the deathly plant around his arms. He resisted with impressive strength for a boy of his size, potentially powered by desperation, and eventually broke free of most of the strands… just for the task to only ease slightly due to the continued presence of the infamous drowning plant. Yet, all Ginyami needed in order to free Valentin’s trunk was to cut a single coil, and with massive fraying he finally broke through the velvet rope. Having moved his hair out of his eyes to see better, Ginyami even managed to avoid cutting the white seeker in the process.

Once Valentin’s hands were freed, he was able to hold back the strands of waterthyme as Ginyami freed the boy’s legs from their second rope with perfect ease. The captain was no fool to meddle with the watery weed with his bare hands, however. Bringing around a sluggish loop of the cut rope, Valentin tied the plant strands together in a bundle to keep the worst tendrils away. Yet, the seeker wasn’t done showing off. In a massive feat of strength, the thin seeker broke completely free of the remaining waterthyme and, after grabbing onto Ginyami’s forearm, began kicking his legs to swim for freedom. Pulling with all his might, Valya’s force combined with Ginyami’s as they both tore the fox from the aquatic vines’ final clutches.

The sight of the Japanese boy filled Valentin with joy and optimism as new fervor animated his strokes through the water, and he held tight with unwillingness to let him go even though he now had to turn his keen eyes to the lake surface. Filled with glorious oxygen and the thrill of possible escape, Valentin focused and asked himself to clutch hard under pressure once more. Scanning the ice above for the entrance was no easy task, as crumbled white fragments had floated back up to fill in the ice’s holes. Yet, Valentin had trained high-stakes observation in an ever-changing range of adverse weather conditions. Finding what was needed was his dedicated skill, and by Stribog, he would do it now. Amethyst eyes shining as he pulled the slackening Ginyami with one arm, Valentin aimed for the tiny brown chair leg that marked the cracked ice through which they’d entered. As they approached the ice, bright with increasing daylight, Valentin pointed up at a network of black cracks above to show Ginyami where they could have the best chance of breaking out again. Heavy blocks barricaded their exit and would need to be pushed out of the way if they were to breath sky air again.

The Japanese boy’s body increasingly struggled to swim upwards as the oxygen deprivation of holding his breath for five minutes threatened to make him pass out. Still, once they drew near the surface, Valentin knew it was time to take his turn holding his breath. Pulling the black-haired boy against his side for stability with one hand and holding the back of his head with the other, Valentin pressed his mouth against Ginyami’s to transfer the gillyweed back and restore his ability to breathe. As he turned to examine the ice barring their escape and then back at Ginyami, now more visible than ever under the near-surface light, Valentin’s white hair glowed in a broken halo with the backlit glimmering shafts of dawn’s approach.

The time is now 07:17 AM.

Before spotting the man standing to his right, Romeo was still getting his bearings. Although he didn’t notice the splattering of the candle wax from when the table fell over, extinguishing not-exactly naturally, the sliced-off sheaves of Valentin’s hair would still present clear marks of a struggle. Just as surely as magical gypsy circuses existed, so too did the many wizard vagrants that had broken into the manor over the years. Romeo did not have a keen eye, but he did have a mind sharpened from countless pages in his years of bookworm curiosities. The fallen books held no secrets from even his quick glance, and so he spied countless numbers and tabulations from the ledgers that once sat on the table. The accounting books spoke in detail about the numerous cashflows that grew the Schnell family wealth, and row after row presented not only detailed asset descriptions, but where they were located and who had permission to manage them. Surely these could have presented only the most fascinating of holiday reading materials for young, thrill-seeking Valentin.

The Jobberknoll feather lay on the ground like a shard of fallen blue sky. Hugo had always said he used it because it was a momento mori that made him work harder. Midnight blue ink ran from its broken tip into a puddle on the ground that shimmered with iridescent purple like monster’s blood. Then, spotting movement, Romeo’s head snapped towards the man with the ebony wand. He was able to stabilize himself against the wall despite the force of the [body bind curse] locking his legs, hands, and torso tightly together. Professional work, really.

“Who gave a muggle the floo powder?”

"What gives you that impression? Was it the pajamas? It was the pajamas, wasn't it."

The lovely blonde man chuckled in a way that was almost reminiscent of Valentin. Certainly there was some resemblance, although the German man lacked the almond eyes and smoother Turkic curves of Valya’s jaw. While Hugo hadn’t in fact mistaken Romeo for a muggle, neither was he one to let the misfortunes of others spoil his good humor.

“Oh, you are a feisty one. This will be even funner, then.”

[redacted]

"Well, I do try to pay attention to my studies; caught me off guard a bit,” retorted the captive Italian. "Lovely dueling-quality ebony wand by the way, I don't suppose you have any idea where Valentin is, do you? Helping out a friend of his and all?"

“Why thank you. It serves me so very well. As for Valentin, I’m sure he’s meeting his mother right about now.” The blonde’s smile, placid like the surface of a glacial lake, rolled into a purr of pleasure as he spoke. “If you’re missing him already, I can arrange your meeting as well… but what’s the rush? We were only just getting to know each other.” [redacted]

"That's really not necessary," wheezed the Italian. "I'm fully capable of speaking like a civil person."

[redacted] Only moments later, Hugo’s hands were in his pockets, ignoring the beater’s warning and withdrawing their contents. Pocketing the floo powder bottle immediately, [redacted] peeled a note and notebook out of his hoodie’s pouch by their corners. Romeo wouldn’t waste his chance, of course, and attempted to grab Hugo’s hand in the process – only to find he was again not as limbre as his brother. Flattening the paper over the top of the red leather notebook, Hugo began skimming the contents of the letter first. Yet, the beater was not one to simply watch someone take everything from him. Although the alignment of Romeo’s head allowed him a dangerous angle as he jerked forward for a head butt, Hugo’s experience won out as he did not lower his guard even when reading. As the blonde nimbly dodged, he did not even look up from the page. Romeo began falling forward from his own attack, bound up like a butterfly in a cocoon, but due to his excellent core strength, he saved himself from falling on his face. Rather, he recovered with a couple of hops and became free to stand away from the fireplace under his own power. Hugo flicked the pale letter with his nail, ignoring the attempt.

“A minor? Mm, a minor inconvenience, perhaps, but a major source of entertainment? Definitely. Oho, here he is giving you this address. ‘Romeo,’ eh? What a fun name. You two can still die together if you want – just ask. I make special exceptions if it’s in the name of love. Certainly it was bold of you to come if this was as much of an invitation as you got. Let’s see, what else… Owl breeding, eh? That’s new. I could use a few more of those right about now.” Once he finished reading, Hugo snickered and fanned himself with the sky blue stationary. “‘All my love, Valentin.’ What a sap. Love it. Maybe he keeps you around for more than your body after all, mn? Hahaha… Oh, yes, merry Christmas, Romeo. Merry Christmas.” Slipping the letter into his leather coat’s front pocket for later amusement, Hugo skimmed the contents of the red notebook and then pocketed that as well. “Don’t tell me you’re his personal medic...? What an injury-prone child he is indeed. A wonder he isn’t dead already. Oh wait, ha hahaha! Too late!”

Hugo raised a hand to half cover a wicked smile and stepped back as a belly laugh rocked him from head to toe. After giving himself a moment to recover, his gunmetal grey eyes settled upon the locket he held up in his right hand.

“Now, what’s this? Cheap resin, rather tacky. Doesn’t look like real gold at all. Don’t tell me you actually loved the albino. That would be so tragic.” Wedging open the locket with his fingertips, Hugo looked inside it not to find a picture of Valentin, but instead an amber glow. The man’s brows furrowed as his mouth dropped open at a sound that only he could hear. Taking a step back, and then another, Hugo’s confounded expression shifted to rage and then back to confusion. “The hell is this? I mean really, what the fuck?” It’s that stupid Beauxbaton boy’s laugh. “You’re not related or something are you? An heirloom…?” Squinting and leaning back in to examine Romeo’s face, Hugo’s head tilted in astonishment. “You are, aren’t you. What a cosmic joke. I should have known why you looked familiar. That sonovabitch. I know faces, but damn if this doesn’t take the cake. I wonder how much of him is in you. Well. Now I have to keep you for my own. I’ve got just the use for you.” Closing the locket carefully back up, Hugo hung the necklace about his own neck and smiled. “Actually, this thing is pretty cute. Yoink.”

-Hugo’s action: snagging Rome’s stuff, including something that has graced his list of top 5 possessions before*
-Hugo’s free action: commentating about Romeo’s belongings

-Val’s action: Spotting the exit
-Val’s free action: evading the waterthyme most helpfully and exhibiting the most clutch string of successes in his life

Valentin’s exposure survival time remaining: 32 minutes.
Ginyami’s exposure survival time remaining: 13 minutes.

*Before the start of next semester Rome will get his stuff back one way or another, but feel free to try to get them back yourself if you want.

Banner by Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood

Roleplaying as Ginyami Midorimori from Mahoutokoro
"English | Japanese"

Of all the things to hinder Ginyami, he had not expected plants to be the worst of them. How ironic. He failed to find amusement in the irony, however, as the waterthyme kept him from accomplishing the highest priority goal on his list just then. Evading wasn't much of an option when he needed to stay where he was in order to finish sawing away at Valentin's bonds, but fortunately he was able to fight most of them off somewhat with sheer strength and desperation. The numbing cold continued to seep into what felt like the very marrow of his bones and he knew he was running out of time. They both were. It was really just a matter of what killed them first - a lack of oxygen or a lack of warmth.

Hating the idea of dying in such a pointless, anticlimactic manner, the Japanese boy powered through, eventually succeeding in slicing part of the rope and allowing Valentin to free his hands. From there, the able seeker aided Ginyami in freeing his legs by holding back the Hydrilla with a length of the rope that had previously held him captive. Thanks to him, Ginyami cut through the remaining bindings like a hot knife through butter. Valentin, too, displayed impressive strength in tearing away from the waterthyme himself before grabbing his peer's forearm and attempting to help him break free from their leafy grip as well. At long last, both boys escaped the underwater plant and began swimming upward toward the frozen surface of the lake.

Sagging with relief that Valentin was free, Ginyami began to realize just how tired the icy waters were making him, particularly after the struggle against the waterthyme. He was grateful for Valentin's grip on him because his own strength was beginning to wane, especially with the air in his lungs going stale. Still, he did his best to keep up with the speedy seeker and gazed upward when he pointed at the cracks in the icy ceiling punctuated by the bit of broken chair leg from before. Ginyami nodded and reminded himself that they weren't out of the woods - or, rather, the lake - just yet and that cutting Valentin free from the chair would all be for naught if they didn't get back onto dry land with fresh air soon. He just needed to be strong and persevere for a little longer.

Before he knew what was happening, though, Valentin had him against his side with his hand at the back of his head and pressed his mouth against his for another transfer of the gillyweed. Ginyami, who hadn't expected to get it back, was nevertheless grateful for the opportunity. He just hoped they both got free of the mess they were in before it had to be passed back once again. Surging with a newfound energy as one of his body's screaming needs was instantly met, Ginyami gave Valentin a reassuring nod before attempting to swim up and dislodge the ice near the broken chair leg with force from his shoulder.

HP: 1100/1100
Stats: STA 11 / EVA 11 / STR 5 / WIS 7 / ARC 6 / ACC 11
Abilities: Charmer / Fearless / Foulplay / Evasive Maneuvers
Inventory: a switchblade
Action: Attempting to dislodge the ice on the surface of the lake near the chair leg
Interacting with: Valentin Schnell (@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood)

¤ | Ω | ¤

Nec Temere, Nec Timide. Durmstrang Institute's

Romeo Giovanni Marchonné [6'2" | 193lbs]

"English." "Italiano. Italian." "Russian."

| Faint Scar on Left Eye & Mangled Right Ear | \ Fingerless Glove on Right Hand, Bite Scar on Forearm / | Lichtenberg Figure on Right Arm and Down Back |

Valentin Schnell
@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood

Not stories or personal literature in the books, but numbers and ledgers. Surely that wasn't something a normal person would like to spend their afternoons reading on a daily basis unless there were no other forms of entertainment or if they had a job to do concerning these sorts of numbers. Freshly pulled, however, I was under the sneaking suspicion that they had not been selected solely in the elegance of their writing for the sake of entertainment. I didn't know enough about the Schnell family to make any assumptions, but those numbers certainly looked as if they were pertaining to some level of finances. Curious. The fresh ink on those pages didn't really match with the spilled blue content that lay splattered on the floor in the center of the likely kerfuffle that happened due to the presence of Valentin's hair. The blue ink was recent, too; shiny and reflective compared to the inked black words of the books. Had the blue ink been used?

But this was something to question later; there was still the matter of my self preservation to be had as my gambit had fallen short of success and had instead left me in an even more undesirable position than before. At least I was further in the room, though, allowing me a perusal of exits. The most desirable looked to be the window, dependent on how high off the ground it was. I didn't trust my ability to slip out via stealth or mad dash. I glowered as the man observed my belongings, starting to take note of the faintest similarities between Valentin and he. A relative, perhaps?

And yet, the more and more he spoke-- jabbing at my pride here and there-- the insinuations of his words made my blood boil further, pinking my face ever so slightly as I shivered with the need to throw out a fist into that snide, pompously laughing face. 'Meeting his mother'... I didn't need to be told at face value what that was supposed to mean. Gritting my teeth stubbornly, I couldn't help but marvel ever so slightly at how quickly the moods of this individual had changed about; how at first he had appeared calculated, cold. This other half... seemed far more ebullient, almost maniacal as the laughter over the letter he had taken from me insinuated. Where was Valentin? You didn't have to tell me that he was in danger, only where. How had he planned to kill Valentin? And here I was, essentially helpless after swearing that I would never let anything happen to the ones that I loved most. So much for saving them when I could hardly save myself from this sort of abuse.

"Personal research." I growled as he remarked on my notebook."It's good to have some level of medical knowhow. What did you do to Valentin."

But it seemed that the locket seemed to attract the most attention, as he scoffed over its cheap quality. I continued to stare defiantly, though my eyes did soften a touch at the mock of 'loving the albino'. I... wasn't entirely sure how I felt on that matter... How I should feel on it. Such a simple this or that question, but one that perhaps caused one of the most distressing internal battles for me to fight; far more frightening than any physical confrontation that I had ever encountered... and perhaps for a reason considered laughable by others.

It didn't stop the pain in my chest, though, or the visible heartbreak that I could see in Val whenever I had to try and gently brush it away. It simply left me somewhat deflated. Confused. Hurt.

"He's not dead because I do care about him." I murmured. "I've saved him before, and I'll be damned if I can't do it again." Brave words, words that I didn't know that I could back up with physical action... especially not if I was tied up and preoccupied here. If Valentin was dying, I was wasting time. Time was flickering away and I couldn't do anything about it. "Dead or alive, I'll find him. This much I promise you." And this I did swear as the man's face revealed a plethora of emotions in short order. Alive, I would save him and bring him back like I had before. Dead, I would bring him home. But I would find him. Valentin would not die if I could help it.

My eyes flicked up again just in time for an exclamation that startled me with its sheer suddenness. Unconsciously trying to turn my head away as the uncomfortable scrutiny was turned on me intently once more, a flicker of worry crossed my features before cold shock settled in. 'You're not related or something... you are!'

Related? "Related to who?" The words tumble from my lips in a pointed question before I can hold them back. Biting the side of my cheek to prevent myself from talking more, I try to force myself to listen as opposed to speak. Maybe I would discover more simply from staying quiet and taking in new knowledge... but the clock... that ticking, obsessive Chinese torture... ticking inside my head that swelled and ebbed in beautifully terrible tandem with the buzzing in my mind. A cosmic joke...? How much of him in me...?

I felt something, perhaps not quite bile, rising in the back of my throat. It was a sickening feeling, of being so close to a solution and yet so far away and not in a situation where I had the luxury to keep asking and interrogating. Time on the clock... time that was ticking away and I was losing the opportunities to act in a meaningful way. Valentin was dying or dead, and I had the selfishness to even so much as consider trying to hold a dialogue over what could quite easily be a red herring. How I wished I could have both the cake and the ability to eat it too. I didn't like the way that the gentleman was talking, it sounded a little too similar to how a villain spoke to a protagonist right before things went sideways for the protagonist.

As the last of my things were taken from me, not that many of them were of particularly substantial monetary value and most could have been replaced quite easily, I strained against the magical force that held me to where I stood, hoping with all my strength that I would be able to break the arcane power. As a rule of thumb, I had learned that in dueling few students capitalized upon the physicality that would help them overcome a restrained condition. However, I was not a duellist but a beater. Between natural strength and my trainings I had made good on my athleticism and would not try to use it now in my favor.

How much good would it do? God only knew... but maybe if Valentin wasn't dead... this would buy him time. I knew my Hell-Chaser. He didn't lay down and die, he fought with death itself to keep living. I had seen it once before firsthand... I would not be surprised if it happened again, but I had to be there to help him pull through if I could; to give him his best chances at survival.

I'm fighting, Valentin. I hope to God you are too.

Action: Sulk | Confusion | Try to Break Petrification
Would like to make a break for the Left stairwell to seek cover if possible

Reducio

Stats:

Ω Stamina 870/900 | Evasion 7 | Strength 15 Ω
Ω Accuracy 15 | Wisdom 9 | ArcPower 0 Ω

Abilities:

Ω Obnoxiously Strong | Perfectionist I | Martial Artist | Healing Sage I Ω

Inventory:

Ω Letter from Valentin | True Love's Locket | Medicine Notebook | Floo Powder Ω
Ω Clothing (Pajama/Nightwear): Grey Sweatpants | Hooded Sweatshirt Ω

With the power of fresh oxygen rushing to his brain, Ginyami pushed up on the slab of ice Valentin had identified as barring their exit. The Japanese boy felt the coldness of its surface sucking away his body heat, that little warmth powered by his limited life energy, but there was still time – 13 minutes before exposure would kill him, and a total of 32 for the survivalism-hardened Durmstrang beside him under the water.

The whitish-blue block jostled above the dark-haired boy’s touch, but it was heavier than expected. He would need to put a bit of momentum into it, and after gathering into a spring-loaded position, Ginyami launched the corner of the ice sheet up and out just far enough that it caught onto the craggy rim of the ice hole. From there it was as simple as putting his hands around the rim and finding a stable hold for pushing himself out and onto the surface. Splashing loudly from the loss of motor control brought on by the onset of hypothermia, it could have been pure adrenaline that forced his muscles to work despite the formation of ice crystals weaving together inside his flesh and threatening to lock him in place. It did not have to be an elegant exit, however, as the sweet gust of atmospheric oxygen greeted him whenever he might remove the gillyweed from his mouth. Valentin was not far behind, and as Ginyami turned he would see the long white arms of the seeker reaching out and finding a rough edge to sink his weight into as he also pulled himself to the surface successfully.

Val coughed up a bit of lake water and removed a sprig of hydrilla from his throat using one long finger, and it was then that Ginyami would see massive bruises, abrasions, and gashes across the frost-white seeker’s upper body, particularly concentrated around his face but also numerous across his neck, back, and torso. His lips and extremities were a combination of bluish white, red, and grey, and his sopping clothing half-clung, half-froze to his skin.

Reducio

Like this but clearly beaten-up.

“Ff… Fancy meeting you at a place like this,” whispered Valentin, trying to force himself to shiver. After clearing some more water out of his throat, he put a hand on the boy’s shoulder and tipped his head towards the mansion. “Thanks for coming. Let’s go inside. We can find things for drying off in there and get out of the wind…” It wasn’t as if Valentin didn’t admire the fine qualities Ginyami had shown so far, but he wasn’t about to get into it now when the clock was ticking. “Hold onto my shoulder, just above the cut please. I’ve been ice walking since I was a toddler.”

Valentin began picking his way across the ice, and luckily his vision was still clear enough to pick out the telltale discolorations and textures of thick and thin ice even if his limbs were too devoid of sensation to register the vibrations running up his legs. Ginyami would find that, if he kept his hand on Valentin as asked, the seeker’s bodyweight would pull and push him in the direction they needed to go to clear the ice field without falling back into the dark waters. It would require a special trip to reclaim the items now wedged into the bottom of the lake.

Finally reaching the clump of reeds that marked solid ground, the pair stepped into a crunch of frost-lined sedges and continued up to the main door. Avoiding clusters of broken glass as he pushed with his opposite shoulder, Valentin held the door for Ginyami until they were both inside. The heavy oak slammed shut behind them, as Valentin hadn’t felt it slipping from his tricep at all. It was certainly nice to have the wind off of them, but the interior was quite a bit darker than comfortable despite the approach of dawn. Without a word, Val continued forward by memory and turned towards the leftside stairwell before halting with a jolt. A heavy clunking of feet reverberated from the tops of the old, decaying steps, and Valentin’s muscles coiled as if to leap into hiding. Squinting with focus, Valentin realized he knew that cadence all too well. It wouldn’t have been the first time that rhythmic footfall preceded some of the most unforgettable moments of his life.

The time is now 07:22.

Amusement shone in Hugo’s iron grey stare as he sized up the trapped Italian eye-to-eye.

"What did you do to Valentin."

“Hm? I taught the spoiled brat to obey. You should have seen it: that moment I broke him so perfectly that he didn’t even cry. Don’t worry, you can still make a good show for him now as he watches from on high.” Looking Romeo up and down with a libertine smile, the blonde chuckled. “I can help make it entertaining, too. Ooh, and I’ll bet your deliciously sick father would have some ideas of the spectacle we could put on with you. How about a nice little family reunion? Is that what you’ve always wanted? You have his eyes, you know. Well, his eye anyway. How funny you are, dressing as a muggle despite coming from such a stylish pureblood.” Tapping the side of his face with one finger, the older man narrowed his eyes. “Dead or alive you’ll find him, you say? Don’t be in such a hurry to die. You still have so much spark, such potential to live out, if you could just let the albino die in your heart. There are so many others out there who could please you.” Hugo’s hand dropped to his chest. “Don’t throw your future away just because you lost him.” The man ran his fingers over the surface of the gold-tone locket hanging from his neck, furrowing his brows not just in thought but with sadness. The speed at which his face changed would have made even Valentin look sluggish. “Besides, you still have family. Oh! Do you have siblings? Tell me, did that old scoundrel pump out a brother for you as well? What’s a family reunion if it’s not complete? Ha ha ha…”

Romeo strained against his bonds and, bursting with rage, exploded out of his bindings. Still, if the clock really was running out for Valentin, the beater couldn’t afford to dawdle here any longer. Sometimes being a minute earlier would have made all the difference when it came to saving a life, after all. Hoping to make a break for the left stairwell, Romeo’s powerful athletic legs pushed against the ground as Hugo’s undulating wand flared with reddish-purple light. Yet, just at that moment, a tortoiseshell cat appeared at the doorway mewling in apparent distress. The sudden movement caused Hugo’s hand to jerk and miss his shot – the jolt of arcana dissolved harmlessly into the ground, and Romeo now had a cat to dodge on his way towards the stairs. For as powerful as the beater was, however, he was not of the most agile build and ended up accidentally striking the mangy feline with his foot. Yelping in pain, the cat tried to crawl away, affording Romeo just a bit more time to escape. Still, should Romeo linger and try to attend to the animal he would be putting himself at a strong disadvantage for surviving and quite possibly helping Valentin survive. Romeo did make it to the stairwell, either by momentum or by intent, and it was there that he would find his albino. If Ginyami had accompanied Valentin up the stairs, he would also see the 6’2” beater recovering his footing in trying to not plunge down the steps face-first.

“Romeo!” cried Val, albeit confused at if this was truly his co-captain or another illusion. At this point though, Valya just didn’t care anymore. Throwing his arms around him, Valentin’s ice-cold body was shocking to the touch while the Italian was so very, very warm. Hunks of hoarfrost clung to his white hair, and his plethora of injuries screamed out to the medic’s trained eye: advanced frostbite, lacerations, contusions, abrasions, cyanosis, friction burns and traditional burns galore pronounced that Valentin hadn’t had a very good stay at the manor thus far. Though full of gratitude, the seeker’s intense amethyst eyes peeled to the side as he scanned the scene for if Hugo was still around… and indeed he was.

“You killed her, you bastard!” hissed Hugo, spittle flying from his lip. Valentin had no idea what was going on, but he knew enough to not just stand there. Quidditch had taught the captain enough about broomclog that he didn’t need to think twice before thrusting himself away from Romeo so that they would pose more targets and become harder to hit. Furthermore, it wouldn't have been the first time Valentin thought offense could be the strongest defense. Diving for Hugo's wand in the hopes of taking it away, even the nimble niffler was no match for Hugo's fine footwork.

Spotting the newcomers as he dodged, Hugo curled back behind Valentin even as the seeker tried, and failed, to evade. Pointing the tip of his wand to the boy’s throat, the blonde’s steely eyes pointed at the others like daggers. “Ugh, haven’t you ever heard that three is a crowd? I guess Valenka wanted to participate in the play enough to come back from the dead, but where the hell did you come from?” The blonde’s words, spat in contempt at the presence of the Japanese boy, seemed to have lost their German accent. “Whoever you are, you can watch too, it’s okay. The bigger the audience, the better, but remember – the crowd doesn’t get to participate. If I have to push you to the farthest back row seat in Heaven I will…” Jabbing his wand into Valya’s battered neck, the man’s eyes narrowed. “…Even if it means that Snow White is the first to go.” Valentin, dripping and cold, searched Romeo’s and Ginyami’s eyes for hints about what they might do. Could the captain not only read his co-captain, but the Japanese mask-wearer as well?

Banner by Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood

Roleplaying as Ginyami Midorimori from Mahoutokoro
"English | Japanese"

Spitting up the gillyweed as he gasped and choked on the frigid, fresh air, Ginyami could hardly believe they had finally broken the lake surface. He glanced back to see Valentin reach out for the ice onto which he could pull himself up and hastily did the same. Soon they were both out of the water and expelling it from their lungs through violent coughing. When Ginyami witnessed the myriad of wounds and injuries marring the seeker's alabaster skin all over his upper body, his eyes widened in shock. Just what had happened during Valentin's visit with the letter-writer?

"Wh-wh-what h-happened to you?" he forced out, but his voice came out so quiet, he wasn't sure Valentin heard. He didn't have the energy to shout or even speak much louder than a whisper because his own body was beginning to tremble with withheld shivers. He wanted to throw his arms around the other boy and stay there together until they could get warm again, but the last part wasn't likely to happen while they were still outdoors and wet.

With some reluctance, as he wasn't sure what they would find within the very building that he had seen Valentin fly out of, Ginyami nodded at the frost captain's direction and obeyed his instructions to hold onto his shoulder. Careful not to touch his cut, he accompanied him like that across the ice, trying to see what might have been Valentin's indicators for where it was safe to step and where it wasn't. Little by little, the captain's keen eyesight and weighted guidance got them off the frozen lake surface and back onto the reed-edged shore. From there, it was much easier to make their way across to the main door of the manor.

Ginyami hated that Valentin was the one to push open the heavy door while he was in the state that he was, imagining he must have been in a lot of pain even without putting pressure on his bruised and battered body, but there wasn't much he could do for him just then. His peer was already holding open the door for him. So the black-haired young man entered as quickly as he could before the entrance shut fast behind them. Ginyami squinted in the suddenly dim light as he tried to make out their surroundings. Again, the urge to ask about Valentin's wounds and what had happened seized him, but a new dilemma stayed his tounge. Someone else might have been in the manor and might have heard them if he tried to talk to Valentin now. Perhaps that was why Valentin himself didn't say a single word once they were inside.

Hardly daring to breathe, let alone shiver, the Japanese teen tried to follow his companion through his childhood home until he came to a sudden stop. The sound of heavy clunking could be heard from the steps above them and Ginyami frowned, trying to peer upward toward it with narrowed eyes. Valentin's response to the noise didn't escape his notice, either. Was there an enemy up there? Was it whoever had been responsible for causing Valentin the harm he had obviously undergone?

It seemed they were about to find out. After some words and the sounds of a scuffle, Valentin swept up the stairs and Ginyami followed right after him. Romeo was there at the top and seemed like he would nearly topple over into them, but miraculously, he managed to keep from doing so as Valentin called out his name. The frost captain embraced him then and Ginyami found himself more full of questions than ever. When had Romeo gotten there? How long had he been there? It couldn't likely have been longer than they had been in the lake if Valentin was surprised to see him.

“You killed her, you bastard!” someone cried, and Ginyami jerked his head toward the unfamiliar voice. He took in the handsome stranger with calculating regard, noticing his resemblance to Valentin and wondering if this was, indeed, the Durmstrang student's father. After pushing away from Romeo, Valentin appeared to go for the adult man's wand, but to no avail. The man suddenly had his wand pointing at Valentin's vulnerable throat as his gaze cut across to the other teenagers. He then began to address them, asking them if they hadn't heard that three was a crowd and questioning where the hell Ginyami had come from. He didn't give him a chance to answer, however, as he told him that whoever he was, he could watch too, but that the crowd didn't get to participate. Ginyami clenched his teeth at that, not liking the sound of it. If only he'd had his wand...but even then, could he have done anything in a situation like this?

Tightening his hands into fists at his sides when the ebony wand was pressed against Valentin's neck, the Japanese boy forced himself to remain calm as best he could. Panicking, raging, or otherwise giving in to his emotions just then wouldn't have done any good. Instead, he took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and opened his mouth to speak, his dark eyes piercing into the threatening man's cold blue ones.

"Let us not be too hasty," he urged, putting up his palms as he tried to speak without shivering too much. "What is it that you want?"

HP: 1100/1100
Stats: STA 11 / EVA 11 / STR 5 / WIS 7 / ARC 6 / ACC 11
Abilities: Charmer / Fearless / Foulplay / Evasive Maneuvers
Inventory: a switchblade
Action: Attempting to find out what the stranger wants
Interacting with: Valentin Schnell (@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood) & Romeo Marchonné (@Piérre Marchonné)

¤ | Ω | ¤

Nec Temere, Nec Timide. Durmstrang Institute's

Romeo Giovanni Marchonné [6'2" | 193lbs]

"English." "Italiano. Italian." "Russian."

| Faint Scar on Left Eye & Mangled Right Ear | \ Fingerless Glove on Right Hand, Bite Scar on Forearm / | Lichtenberg Figure on Right Arm and Down Back |

Valentin Schnell & Ginyami Midorimori
@Aida Mòrsgor-Ama Ellwood & @Jack Burnett

As disgusting as many of the implications that this... person made... I was committing them to memory just as quickly as they were being spewed towards me. Even if the words were far from delightful, information was information no matter how crude. Additionally, I had no way of knowing how much truth was carried in those words, so perhaps all of this was a ruse or a creation of fantasy. Perhaps that would be the only comfort that I would have in this grim and grimmer situation unfolding before me. "If I had known that I was going to attend a party the likes of this beforehand, I would have dressed for the occasion." I retorted evenly as I tried to force movement back into my body. Valentin was not dead. He had scraped too much with it, had drunk at its table so many times that he truly did live up to his own nickname. Especially with his friends to back him, to snatch him away when he did happen to get too close.

Flinching a bit at the touch on my cheek, my gaze didn't flicker from those eyes. If a staring contest were were going to have, then I would certainly play the game. ". . ." There was only a small, disgusted twist at the corner of my upper lip at the suggestive final sentence. "I'm afraid memories don't work like that." A small narrowing of my eyes as I focused on getting even closer to breaking the enchantment binding me in place. "I don't forget just because they're out of my sight."

The moment that 'siblings' were brought into the question, though I was rather good at hiding my thoughts through a stone face, my eyes were a different matter (especially true via the direct eye contact that I was maintaining with a gusto). There was no way that this individual knew anything of my family or even of Piérre himself. I certainly would not endanger my brother so foolishly. Instead, I continued to analyze the strange fidgeting that I was observing in this individual. What was it that he had heard in the locket... It seemed almost as if the words they spoke would likely better reflect their own feelings as opposed to my own.

With a final, concerted effort, I broke the bindings of the spell and twisted towards the stairwell that I had observed prior. I didn't know the way through this house, but I was with the hope that this house would follow the architecture of most other houses and have an exit through which I could make an escape... and maybe find Valentin.

Blood singing again, I threw my entire weight in desperation towards the dip in level that corresponded with the flight of stairs. If I could duck down there... maybe I would be able to slightly evade the pinpoint accuracy that this individual had previously displayed.

As I started to duck in anticipation of assault, it seemed that I happened to flush out a cat that must have been hiding somewhere in the vicinity. Without time to readjust the momentum with which I was charging, the feline received the short end of the stick as my foot made contact with it and sent it scampering off. Well, at least it wasn't Figaro... Piérre would have reamed me out if I had even accidentally laid so much as a finger on his hellcat.

Did I feel bad for hurting the creature? Yes, absolutely. But, on the other hand... I didn't really have time to turn back. Maybe if I wasn't being chased down by what I had to assume to be some level of sociopath would I be able to take care of the critter, but this was not a luxury that I could currently possess.

No sooner had I began my descent that Valentin and I nearly ran right into each other's arms with the force of my rapidity. He was alive! I knew he was! But I didn't have time to marvel; I wanted him to stay that way. "VALENTIN. FUCKING TURN AROUND!" I bellowed as I tried to take his shoulders and direct him back from whence he had come. I didn't even notice the presence of Ginyami joining up from behind. "GO! GO, GO, GO, GO!" Trying to push and push him back, perhaps almost enough to shove him down the stairs if Valentin wasn't convicted enough to keep his feet, in my arms he was freezing cold and he certainly didn't look any better than he felt. How long had he been outside for? What in the world had happened to him in the interims of my absence?

The shouting of the man behind me caused me to flinch and grit my teeth as I kept trying to encourage Valentin downstairs so that we could make an escape. "Come on! Go!" I pleaded, but Valentin had a different idea entirely as he swooped past me and attempted to directly assault the wand hand of the uncannily quick man. My fingers slipped off off Valentin's sopping shirt and with a catch of my breath I found that it was not I that was able to hook my fingers into the clothes to as to snag the errant seeker but rather this antagonist.

"VALENTIN! FUCK!" I cussed out loud without holding back. Teeth bared like a wild animal, I took a step back so that this hostage situation could properly progress.

Addressing the situation with eyes that glanced around my immediate vicinity for anything at all that I could take advantage of, Ginyami seemed to be the first to react to the situation with an admittedly rational approach. While it was true that we didn't know why all of this was being done, that I also wanted to know what was going on in this situation, we didn't have time and this moment would be resolved in one way or another with disastrous results no matter the response Ginyami received.

Yet, with distraction came opportunity. Tensing and untensing alternatively, my eyes focused on Valentin's as if willing him to understand what I was going to attempt. My only tell was a brief flick towards his holder's feet before my gaze returned to Valentin's direct gaze. As if willing him to understand, I acted as quickly as I could. Insane I could have been for trying to do something that I had already failed once at, I already knew that this was intended to be more distraction than it would be effective. Even the smallest disorientation could be enough to change the tide, enough for Valentin to attempt to struggle away or long enough for Ginyami to take him and pull him away for himself. Just one moment of hesitation, just one moment when the eyes flicked away from where the wand was focused on Valentin, and it was all over.

Just one second. Only one. I just... needed...

Just as the antagonist was about to speak, indeed, just as the lips would part for whatever reason. My leg lashed out like a bolt of the blue with as much anger and force that I could muster to myself.

Reducio

Except Faster at the Pivot & Carrying as much Momentum as Possible

I didn't have to aim to make contact, even the act of dodging would be enough to shake focus... at least that was my hope.

If I did happen to make contact, such a crippling blow could be devastating to deal with. I didn't pull punches, I pulled kicks even less. Regardless, I had to try. This was one of the last moments, if I hesitated I would lose the chance, and if I did nothing then what was the point of trying?

Action: Going for "Hugo's" Ankles to Knock/Distract Balance
Martial Artist 'Kick'; -2 to hit, deals [100xStrength (17)]1.1 / 5 = 374hp Total

Reducio

Stats:

Ω Stamina 870/900 | Evasion 7 | Strength 15 Ω
Ω Accuracy 15 | Wisdom 9 | ArcPower 0 Ω

Abilities:

Ω Obnoxiously Strong | Perfectionist I | Martial Artist | Healing Sage I Ω

Inventory:

Ω Letter from Valentin | True Love's Locket | Medicine Notebook | Floo Powder Ω
Ω Clothing (Pajama/Nightwear): Grey Sweatpants | Hooded Sweatshirt Ω

Although Romeo tried to warn Valentin against approaching, the white lightning could only think of one thing at that particular moment, making the beater’s words come to Valya as abstractly as notes of music. However, seeing Hugo appearing behind #4 was enough to make the seeker stand away, only to be captured by an incredibly fluid grab by the older blonde.

"Let us not be too hasty," urged Ginyami, trying not to shake. "What is it that you want?"

As Hugo opened his mouth to speak, however, his steel blue gaze caught the movement of Romeo attempting to take advantage of the potential distraction. Hugo moved deftly to the side of the powerful athlete’s sweep, making it all look a bit like child’s play despite dragging Valentin in tow.

“So much for negotiations. I know your faces now. Don’t worry, we’ll meet again so that I can clean up. It was nice to meet you, Romeo, and… you, negotiator. I'll figure it out. Nebulus!” With a swish of the ebony wand, a wash of smoke filled the eyes of Romeo and Ginyami and blinded them. Hugo’s hand covered Valentin’s mouth as sounds of a struggle and muffled words showed that the seeker did not wish to leave with him. For as desperate as Val had been to reclaim some fragment of his original family, now he was about to be stolen away from his dearest ones. The irony would not escape him even as he writhed within the grip of his “father.”

Try as he might to evade, Valentin could not find his way out of the sinuous binding arms of his captor. It was as if Hugo’s body were made of something else altogether, with how fluidly it seemed to shift in angle. A desperate, muffled cry broadcast where Valentin was being dragged, vaguely, but it would be difficult for Ginyami and Romeo to make an effective attack with so much smoke in their eyes. A sharp cry rang out as the seeker's failed attempt to resist resulted in a sprained wrist, and allies could tell that Valentin was being dragged outside, particularly with the sound of the oaken door slamming behind them.

By the time Ginyami and Romeo might blindly find their way out of the smoke, Hugo would be crossing the ruined bridge across the manor’s half-frozen lake with a struggling, screeching Valentin in tow.

If not intercepted, Hugo will leave with Valentin next round. They will be going slowly due to the struggle, so your boys will be able to catch them if they run. Over the unstable ice, even, if not careful... Enjoy.

@Piérre Marchonné, @Jack Burnett