22 Aug 2023, 22:10
Long Romantic Strolls with... a Giant
Continued from here.
PV: @Hugh Lowe
In the realm of true circumstance, divergent characters often converge in unexpected, strained situations. They were about to traverse a path of their own making, with a storied and tense history, where they would either become rivals or unlikely allies. In this chilling dance of manipulation, power and self-discovery, the both of them will have to come to terms with their dark passenger, their selfish ambition and their suppressed rage.
Vladimir Athanatos, scion of one of the wealthiest men in Greece and his heir apparent. The son of an innovative, audacious and enigmatic wizard with his eyes on the Ministry of Magic, Vladimir is not particularly sympathetic despite the curse he suffered, the death he endured and his inveterate loneliness. Vladimir Athanatos was better known for his family, his wealth, and the dark legacy of a damned deal with a trio of crones. He has proven himself to be selfish, short-sighted, brash and willing to take his secrets to the grave. Ultimately, Vladimir's moral compass is viscously skewed. Born to a life of wealth and status, his affluence has been augmented through what some regard as dubious means. He sacrificed others as well as himself to satisfy his insatiable hunger for influence, love and independence. In the end: others were nothing more than a tool to further his nefarious yet failed plans.
Opposite Vladimir, Hugh Lowe, an unlikely companion. Hugh's towering presence concealed a troubled past, marked by rejection and a lack of acceptance from society. Hugh's deep-seated anger was derived from the societal prejudices of wizards and muggles. Being a part-giant he always was both less-than and older-than. The later did not always seem so bad, seen as a leader, a protector, he was looked up to both literally and metaphorically by his contemporaries, given responsibilities sooner and treated like an adult before his time. The dream of any child, only, it was given well before he was ready. Still a child, only on stilts. His outlook on life was forged in a crucible of personal hardships, not receiving the tenderness he was owed, never being the protected, always the protector. His face, his grimace, his perennially furrowed brow caused others to shirk from him. To assume the worse. Yet, beneath his intimidating façade lies a wounded soul seeking redemption in spite of his fatalistic, embittered nature. Hugh would soon find himself at an impasse as he made choices, terrible ones that would take him down a dark path from which he would never return. Never return the same in any case. A good, bad, or indifferent soul it might be, it would be stained red
He donned a hooded jacket before he left the Hippogriff cabin in the company of an agitated part giant. The lank youth looked somewhat squat next to the Gryffindor as he kept pace, two for each single stride of the part giant. A pair of blackout glasses over his eyes, the contrast made his pale complexion seem sickly. His face almost gaunt. His thin build drowned out by the long dark leather jacket that trailed behind him. The warm summer air contradicted his chosen attire, heavy boots and black gloves a bit out of season.
For whatever reason Hugh wanted to escape the nexus of activity that was his peers, his friends, the other Prefects and professors. Promises of safety and a better influence. Likely an impromptu trap, Lowe being physically mightier than Vladimir, he would rue the day he tried if he dared. Vladimir was the more practiced sorcerer and in a world of magic, brawn would only take a man so far. When they got far enough, to the point where their peers were nothing more than ants scurrying about from afar, Vladimir would come to a stop. "So..." his voice trailed off. "Away from a voyeuristic public, what now?" He would walk under the shadow of a tree and pull back his hood, but keep his tinted glasses on.
PV: @Hugh Lowe
In the realm of true circumstance, divergent characters often converge in unexpected, strained situations. They were about to traverse a path of their own making, with a storied and tense history, where they would either become rivals or unlikely allies. In this chilling dance of manipulation, power and self-discovery, the both of them will have to come to terms with their dark passenger, their selfish ambition and their suppressed rage.
Vladimir Athanatos, scion of one of the wealthiest men in Greece and his heir apparent. The son of an innovative, audacious and enigmatic wizard with his eyes on the Ministry of Magic, Vladimir is not particularly sympathetic despite the curse he suffered, the death he endured and his inveterate loneliness. Vladimir Athanatos was better known for his family, his wealth, and the dark legacy of a damned deal with a trio of crones. He has proven himself to be selfish, short-sighted, brash and willing to take his secrets to the grave. Ultimately, Vladimir's moral compass is viscously skewed. Born to a life of wealth and status, his affluence has been augmented through what some regard as dubious means. He sacrificed others as well as himself to satisfy his insatiable hunger for influence, love and independence. In the end: others were nothing more than a tool to further his nefarious yet failed plans.
Opposite Vladimir, Hugh Lowe, an unlikely companion. Hugh's towering presence concealed a troubled past, marked by rejection and a lack of acceptance from society. Hugh's deep-seated anger was derived from the societal prejudices of wizards and muggles. Being a part-giant he always was both less-than and older-than. The later did not always seem so bad, seen as a leader, a protector, he was looked up to both literally and metaphorically by his contemporaries, given responsibilities sooner and treated like an adult before his time. The dream of any child, only, it was given well before he was ready. Still a child, only on stilts. His outlook on life was forged in a crucible of personal hardships, not receiving the tenderness he was owed, never being the protected, always the protector. His face, his grimace, his perennially furrowed brow caused others to shirk from him. To assume the worse. Yet, beneath his intimidating façade lies a wounded soul seeking redemption in spite of his fatalistic, embittered nature. Hugh would soon find himself at an impasse as he made choices, terrible ones that would take him down a dark path from which he would never return. Never return the same in any case. A good, bad, or indifferent soul it might be, it would be stained red
He donned a hooded jacket before he left the Hippogriff cabin in the company of an agitated part giant. The lank youth looked somewhat squat next to the Gryffindor as he kept pace, two for each single stride of the part giant. A pair of blackout glasses over his eyes, the contrast made his pale complexion seem sickly. His face almost gaunt. His thin build drowned out by the long dark leather jacket that trailed behind him. The warm summer air contradicted his chosen attire, heavy boots and black gloves a bit out of season.
For whatever reason Hugh wanted to escape the nexus of activity that was his peers, his friends, the other Prefects and professors. Promises of safety and a better influence. Likely an impromptu trap, Lowe being physically mightier than Vladimir, he would rue the day he tried if he dared. Vladimir was the more practiced sorcerer and in a world of magic, brawn would only take a man so far. When they got far enough, to the point where their peers were nothing more than ants scurrying about from afar, Vladimir would come to a stop. "So..." his voice trailed off. "Away from a voyeuristic public, what now?" He would walk under the shadow of a tree and pull back his hood, but keep his tinted glasses on.
Aamon
30 Aug 2023, 19:23
Long Romantic Strolls with... a Giant
@Vladimir Athanatos
"Now there is no need for spectacles." Hugh replied with a smirk. "Anyone ever told you, you can be a tad dramatic?" He inquired with a half-joke. "I suppose it has its charm, in a way." He mused as he took two more steps and turned towards Vladimir. The boy was taller than most, but Hugh's half-breed physique forced even the likes of Vladimir to look up to him. It was hard not to have his mind wander to the matters of combat. As he suspected, the other boy was doing at the same time. The silence between their gazes certainly implied as much. But Hugh was never out for a fight. It were others that sought to challenge him instead. At least that's the way he saw the world. People were out to get him. And frail, egotistical individuals would always see him as the biggest target in a room.
"I know you're wrapped up in something sinister, Vladimir." Hugh spoke plainly, whilst his eyes scanned the perimeter for any unwanted ears lingering at the edges of the woods. "I'm just stuck having to guess whether you're a victim in all of this, or not?" He asked out loud. "I can't be sure." He admitted to the older boy. Which showed proof of doubt lingering in his mind. And he knew it, for he was testing if Vladimir would leap at the opportunity to exploit it instead of answering truthfully. "You and I both understand there's no trust between us, save for the fact that we can count on the other to show up meddling where they shouldn't." Hugh raised one eyebrow as a challenge for Vladimir to deny it.
"But we've been back and forth for some time now. And I've had to endure dangers far too many with your family's name attached one way or another. But your father... is a dark wizard. And here I am left to wonder if you are either an accomplice, an heir to his dark deeds, or just another puppet on a string."
The giant stepped forward and hunched over, bringing his face closer to the other's head. "With either options, the strings are there, I guess. But if it is the latter, we can yet sever those strings, Vladimir." Hugh's voiced cracked under the weight of his intent. He was practically begging for the truth. One outstretched hand, or even a finger, indicating that the person in front of him needed to be saved. "It's not too late to get out." It never should be, but Hugh also did not know the price that had been paid to have Vladimir stand here today. Part of him did not wish to try and guess. But Vladimir's father had shown blood magic.
It occurred to Hugh he had done this, somewhat, in public. Of course, he was a father to a son. Extreme reactions ought to be expected from a parent as their child lies dying. But the giant could not stop wondering if, maybe this time, the son was part of a greater plan. And his early exit off the stage would mean an excruciating plot hole in these theatrics of evil. At the very least, Hugh knew him to be a great actor.
INPC; Cassanora Browne
Race: Half-Giant // Ability: - STR: 16 EVA: 7 WIS: 10 STA: 20 ARC: 1 ACC: 7
13 Sep 2023, 01:40
Long Romantic Strolls with... a Giant
"Now there is no need for spectacles... Anyone ever told you, you can be a tad dramatic?"
"I am the son of a politician," of course he was dramatic. There was always a show to put on, be it for the media, for the stakeholders, the aristocrats, or the general public. A face that you want to portray, a story you want to tell. The veracity of the tale was secondary to the theatrics. The point was to leave an impression, be it good, bad or something else entirely and as far as he was concerned, he had achieved his goal.
An uncomfortable silence would follow. A period of defensive contemplation. Walking away from the relative 'safety' of the public was a risky scenario, Vladimir had an uncanny confidence as he strode alongside the part giant that made the lanky boy just starting to finally fill out look like a dwarf.
Hugh was the one to break the silence. "I know you're wrapped up in something sinister, Vladimir." Probably, if history was any indicator of his future entanglements.
The cool shade cast by the darkened wood heralded their near breech of the Forbidden Forest perimeter. Terrible memories, and more than a few regrets from years past. "I'm just stuck having to guess whether you're a victim in all of this, or not?" It was a matter of perspective or opinion perhaps. not that he would have an opportunity to answer, it was more along the lines of a rhetorical. "I can't be sure... You and I both understand there's no trust between us, save for the fact that we can count on the other to show up meddling where they shouldn't."
"Wouldn't it seem a bit mad to infect myself with a fatal curse and to tether myself to the whim of hags?" It was his opportunity to ask the rhetorical questions. It was not a direct denial, nor was it a confession.
"But we've been back and forth for some time now. And I've had to endure dangers far too many with your family's name attached one way or another. But your father... is a dark wizard. And here I am left to wonder if you are either an accomplice, an heir to his dark deeds, or just another puppet on a string."
"Vladimir is just a teenage wizard, looking to make friends after a tragic series of events," he claimed. He made no attempt to convince Hugh, there was no level of award-winning acting that would sway an already-formed opinion so why try.
Hugh lowered his face near the Ravenclaw's. "With either options, the strings are there, I guess. But if it is the latter, we can yet sever those strings, Vladimir."
Vladimir's hands would reach up, not far considering the kyphotic pose the part giant had taken, for his collar. If met, the cloth would likely feel cheap yet somehow substantial. "Look," there was a reason for holding this specific pose. To meet his gaze, even if momentarily. Vladimir looked wrong. Certainly handsome in a conventional manner, but that was simply first impressions. His face seemed thin, his cheeks hollow, his eyes dull and his flesh ashen. He lacked the youthful exuberance that one would expect from a young man, not that he ever had it, but it seemed less now. "Do you think that I would do this to myself?" A reminder of the events of years past - of the curse he took on, the affliction and death of his friends and his untimely death. He was far from innocent but his choices were generally to his detriment as he done the bidding of those hags year after year. The objective was never in his favor and in true hag-fashion, destroyed everything including the teenage deviant.
He even believed he had somehow won.
"It's not too late to get out."
A statement to be dissected from narration later - it was too late.
"I'm out," he claimed. Perhaps he even believed it. "Everyone is dead," he shrugged. To a point even him, but he was back on his feet and they were six feet under. "We won. I am free." That much he seemed certain of. He saw her die, he did the deed with his own hands.
"The only albatross that remains I am afraid is you," he announced, relinquishing the grip he had on Hugh's collar if he ever had it all. An ominous statement said with a steady voice, a motion made by a steady hand despite the enfeebled form before him.
"You're the one going on about the benefits of a terrorist organization and failing to see the merits in dark magic," he sounded incredulous. "You're a wizard. A erm... massive wizard, but a wizard all the same. There was no wizarding organization blowing up trains, creating incidents at wizarding events, blowing up storefronts... these are muggle activities, making explosions. Murdering people. Dark magic does what? Gives someone a runny nose, barf up a slug, play some nasty prank." They taught dark magic in school. Knowing or practicing dark magic was not a terrible crime. It was something they were taught, something meant to be learned and understood. "All this focus on my big, bad dad doing some parlor tricks. There is no massive conspiracy, he is an old man that likes to make an impressive show."
"I am the son of a politician," of course he was dramatic. There was always a show to put on, be it for the media, for the stakeholders, the aristocrats, or the general public. A face that you want to portray, a story you want to tell. The veracity of the tale was secondary to the theatrics. The point was to leave an impression, be it good, bad or something else entirely and as far as he was concerned, he had achieved his goal.
An uncomfortable silence would follow. A period of defensive contemplation. Walking away from the relative 'safety' of the public was a risky scenario, Vladimir had an uncanny confidence as he strode alongside the part giant that made the lanky boy just starting to finally fill out look like a dwarf.
Hugh was the one to break the silence. "I know you're wrapped up in something sinister, Vladimir." Probably, if history was any indicator of his future entanglements.
The cool shade cast by the darkened wood heralded their near breech of the Forbidden Forest perimeter. Terrible memories, and more than a few regrets from years past. "I'm just stuck having to guess whether you're a victim in all of this, or not?" It was a matter of perspective or opinion perhaps. not that he would have an opportunity to answer, it was more along the lines of a rhetorical. "I can't be sure... You and I both understand there's no trust between us, save for the fact that we can count on the other to show up meddling where they shouldn't."
"Wouldn't it seem a bit mad to infect myself with a fatal curse and to tether myself to the whim of hags?" It was his opportunity to ask the rhetorical questions. It was not a direct denial, nor was it a confession.
"But we've been back and forth for some time now. And I've had to endure dangers far too many with your family's name attached one way or another. But your father... is a dark wizard. And here I am left to wonder if you are either an accomplice, an heir to his dark deeds, or just another puppet on a string."
"Vladimir is just a teenage wizard, looking to make friends after a tragic series of events," he claimed. He made no attempt to convince Hugh, there was no level of award-winning acting that would sway an already-formed opinion so why try.
Hugh lowered his face near the Ravenclaw's. "With either options, the strings are there, I guess. But if it is the latter, we can yet sever those strings, Vladimir."
Vladimir's hands would reach up, not far considering the kyphotic pose the part giant had taken, for his collar. If met, the cloth would likely feel cheap yet somehow substantial. "Look," there was a reason for holding this specific pose. To meet his gaze, even if momentarily. Vladimir looked wrong. Certainly handsome in a conventional manner, but that was simply first impressions. His face seemed thin, his cheeks hollow, his eyes dull and his flesh ashen. He lacked the youthful exuberance that one would expect from a young man, not that he ever had it, but it seemed less now. "Do you think that I would do this to myself?" A reminder of the events of years past - of the curse he took on, the affliction and death of his friends and his untimely death. He was far from innocent but his choices were generally to his detriment as he done the bidding of those hags year after year. The objective was never in his favor and in true hag-fashion, destroyed everything including the teenage deviant.
He even believed he had somehow won.
"It's not too late to get out."
A statement to be dissected from narration later - it was too late.
"I'm out," he claimed. Perhaps he even believed it. "Everyone is dead," he shrugged. To a point even him, but he was back on his feet and they were six feet under. "We won. I am free." That much he seemed certain of. He saw her die, he did the deed with his own hands.
"The only albatross that remains I am afraid is you," he announced, relinquishing the grip he had on Hugh's collar if he ever had it all. An ominous statement said with a steady voice, a motion made by a steady hand despite the enfeebled form before him.
"You're the one going on about the benefits of a terrorist organization and failing to see the merits in dark magic," he sounded incredulous. "You're a wizard. A erm... massive wizard, but a wizard all the same. There was no wizarding organization blowing up trains, creating incidents at wizarding events, blowing up storefronts... these are muggle activities, making explosions. Murdering people. Dark magic does what? Gives someone a runny nose, barf up a slug, play some nasty prank." They taught dark magic in school. Knowing or practicing dark magic was not a terrible crime. It was something they were taught, something meant to be learned and understood. "All this focus on my big, bad dad doing some parlor tricks. There is no massive conspiracy, he is an old man that likes to make an impressive show."
Aamon
22 Sep 2023, 23:59
Long Romantic Strolls with... a Giant
@Vladimir Athanatos
Hugh smirked as Vladimir proclaimed himself mad for being linked to the curse. "Mad, yes. But accidents also happen." He shifted his weight to one leg and let his shoulders sag. "Though, your answer tells me things are not as black and white as I had hoped." But as he looked upon Vladimir's sallow and pitted complexion... all he felt was sympathy.
Until he felt confused and filled with doubt. Vladimir seemed convinced and was, in turn, convincing. Hugh wanted to believe and let it all rest. The two of them should have no affairs to discuss if Hogwarts had been anything like a normal school. But it wasn't and neither were they normal students. He gritted his teeth and pointed at Vlad from head to toe. "Look at yourself. Is that the face of freedom?" He growled like an aggravated bear as he began to pace around.
It was when Vladimir began to attack SCARAB, that Hugh snapped.
"Merits? A runny nose? Dark magic kills! It's created a dark curse, tried to transform a girl into a hag, and looking at you, dabbles in the undead. Because that's what you look like: a bloody corpse! I've told you the train incident made no sense. Cowboys in England? Are you daft? Only a pureblood would think that as a suitable disguise. Your big bad dad is behind some of this, perhaps all. And through dark magic, this school is endangered."
Hugh's breath was heavy as he felt like punching something. Maybe he ought to aim it at Vladimir's regretfully handsome face. Instead, he opted to simply clench his fists and hide them behind his back. "Why do you defend him? Just because he's your father? What did he ever do for you, other than cause pain?"
INPC; Cassanora Browne
Race: Half-Giant // Ability: - STR: 16 EVA: 7 WIS: 10 STA: 20 ARC: 1 ACC: 7
8 Oct 2023, 20:05
Long Romantic Strolls with... a Giant
"Yes," Vladimir answered bluntly. "Everything comes at a cost and someone has to pay it, nobody gets everything that want for free," Vladimir's tone was sharp. "Do you honestly think that you have earned everything that you have? That you deserve any of it? That it won't be soon lost to you because it was never yours at all." That meant everything, his power, his friends, the trust others had in him, everything he had because he had so much. Was any of it is and did he deserve any of it. Moreover, "...and how easily can it all be taken away?"
"And yet we practice dark magic casually. All those hexes and jinxes, all those curses and poisons we cast and boil... You're a hypocrite Lowe." He seemed to hiss. "The difference between a charm and a hex, jinx or curse is a matter of preference. Do you think it would be any less cruel to transfigure someone into a potted plant? To teleport some unknowing beast from a familiar realm to our own?" Wizards look for and define the world in terms of their own benefit. The mores of a society that is based on secrecy, half-truths and prestige through heraldry and blood. "Wizards are by nature cruel, we are just selective in how we define it."
"Yes, cowboys in England... a ridiculous notion because they had no cows with them or boys," it sounded smarter in his head. A pureblood, his exposure to the concept of a 'cowboy' was limited at best. For all his assets, his lack of muggle-life exposure was shining through. "But the part that you keep overlooking is, they were not on my side either! And maybe it does not matter who or what they are. They are definitely willing to kill and if they could have killed someone that day, I was dying with them." He was trying to get the students in the rear car to move forward. He tried to pull Opeila away from that man. He was blasted out of that car with the rest when that car was blasted off the track. It was there he was dying and while he would not know it and Hugh might find himself unwilling to consider it, delaying Thaddeus' opportunity to heal his dying son was not going to go well for someone. It would have been more questionable if he just let Vladimir die in Hugh's arms.
"Defending who? My father? My father is a great man. An asshole sometimes. But he is also your," yes, Hugh's "best chance at getting any positive recognition in the wizarding world. Do you think that allying yourself with known terrorists is better than allying yourself with someone that says you deserve 'fair consideration' even if their heart is not in their words?" He was of course referring to his father, to his family and to a lesser extent the sum of wizarding kind. SCAR was never going to be forgiven for their trespasses. SCAR was going to leave a mark, rather than a footnote on history and unless a group that uses violence is able to undermine a millennia-old societal structure within his lifetime, he was only going to experience loss and suffering. "Everyone has to make concessions, SCAR is not looking for a fair shake."
"So, what has my father done for me. He has given me life, purpose, a name, a future, a legacy, every tangible item, every promise and every phrase in my favor to earn favor and to garner favor on my behalf. He protect me, teaches me and has given me everything I can think of, even things I have never even considered. The problem was never him, it was me." had he come to his father years ago, he could have avoided the suffering he endured. The spread of the hag's curse, like a contagion.
Of course, as resolute as Vladimir sounded, he was not being completely honest. He had concerns. There was a creeping sense of paranoia within him that was spreading like a cancer. There were several incidents that were 'too well-timed' for his liking. A family that deals in fate as this one does, how did he transgress so far without being identified?
Aamon
25 Oct 2023, 22:19
Long Romantic Strolls with... a Giant
@Vladimir Athanatos
"Of course, I bloody deserve what I have." Hugh replied with rapid fire. "You think people like me have lots of chances to make it in your father's world? Don't you think I've fought and struggled for every inch of it?" Anger flickered in his eyes like a chainsaw taking a few pulls to get the teeth turning. Did this upstart purebred really think this play would be fitting for a guy like Hugh? What was he trying to accomplish? Get his head smashed in like his little brother's?
Vladimir wasted no time on each subject, jumping from one argument to the next. It was like they were having a showdown of all the information they'd gathered over the years. Hugh's own memory banks sprung to life as he scratched his sideburns whilst was called a hypocrite.
"Except there is a clear difference with dark magic." Hugh interjected again. His finger lashed out and pointed to Vladimir's face. "There's a toll to be paid by the user. However, you are right about one thing..." The giant straightened himself to his full height. "Wizards are cruel." His hand fell down. "Like your father. A cruel man that is having his son basically look like a walking corpse." But Vladmir had already moved on to the next session. The faithful day of the train wreck this time.
"The cowboys weren't on your side, correct. It's why I'm not accusing you for the train. It was your father that did not expect you to be there that day." Hugh had all his answers ready. Vladimir was still blind to the fact that the giant was pushing him in a corner, one step at a time. Or perhaps he simply did not wish to see it. "You were the unexpected variable that day. The reason his plan had almost cost him something." Hugh grinned a vicious smile. "The reason he panicked and showed us his true colours. Not the pretty paragon he tries to be for the press."
"At the very least, they'd give people like your dad a run for his money. I say they are being framed for violence the majority would not commit. Solitary members seeking to shock, just to get a reaction from the crowd. It's a massive pushing game. And up until now, the ministry and the families backing them, have been pushing too far." Vladimir might have called Hugh a hypocrite earlier concerning his views on dark magic. But in reality, this would have been the better point to out him as one. Because Hugh did not mind SCARAB's violence. Not really. Though he could barely admit it to anyone, or even himself. It was a half-giant's lifelong struggle to fight the raging fires held within. The ever sizzling volcano waiting to erupt. He wouldn't mind setting fire to the ministry himself were he given the chance. And with his grandfather looking over him these days, a lifelong ministry man himself, he might just be able to get close enough.
Hugh's face folded into an ugly grimace of disgust.
"You're a fool, Vladimir." The giant took a step back. Physically showing his loss in faith for the other boy. "Play the puppet." He laughed. "But the next time I find your father in the same room. You better wish I don't get a clear shot."
INPC; Cassanora Browne
Race: Half-Giant // Ability: - STR: 16 EVA: 7 WIS: 10 STA: 20 ARC: 1 ACC: 7