A Frank Conversation

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah closed the door to her room quietly, actually relieved to be out of the castle for a night. The circumstances weren't really ideal, what with Caitlin nearly losing herself in Shadow Form and Sam attacking D'rorah with a patronus while she was in Shadow Form. She undressed carefully, feeling the blisters on her skin protest as fabric moved over them, and went to the cabinet over the bathroom sink to find the ingredients for a burn ointment. It was a fairly simple application of her potions skills, and a few minutes later, she was on the edge of her bed, slathering herself with the soothing ointment and exhaling in relief. With any luck, this would have her blister-free by the time they got ready to return to the castle in the morning so she wouldn't draw any strange stares... or at least, no more than usual.

Fortunately, Light Magic was less insidious than Shadow Magic. Had these same sorts of injuries been caused by Shadow Magic, there would have been permanent disfiguration left behind... evidence of that fact covered her body in the form of a vast network of scars left from the night her parents had been killed and from an attack by Gat Soldier after he had defected from the side of Light and gone to serve the Mage. While she would have normally covered these scars, alone in a private bedroom she saw little need.

She finished her work quickly and threw on the lightest nightgown she could find, foregoing her usual austere, all-covering clothing for something that would not irritate her skin. She ended up in a pale blue satin chemise that fell just above her knee, the spaghetti straps leaving her arms and decolletage bare. Carefully, she slathered herself in another layer of the ointment, wanting to make sure that plenty of it soaked into her skin, before loosing her waist-length (and now mostly grey) hair from its tight coif and allowing it to spill down her back. Already, she could feel the blisters starting to recede and the pain of the burns beginning to diminish. She was just pulling back the covers for her bed when a knock sounded at the door. [blue]"Enter,"[/blue] she called quietly, already knowing who it would be from the mental presence that accompanied the sound. Briefly, she considered the need to cover herself... but then, he had witnessed the injuries through their mental connection when they had first joined. Unwilling to be seen with so few clothes on, however, she searched for something to cover herself with and came up with a robe of sorts that fell to her knees and covered her arms in three-quarter sleeves. It was certainly nothing she would have ever worn in public, but it would do for now.

[Bryan Kelley]

Bryan wandered through the small cottage that belonged to D’rorah. Their small group had retreated to the small dwelling after the excitement back on the grounds had receded. Rather than returning to the castle, they had retreated to the privacy of the small cottage. Bryan’s mind was still moving over the new information he had received that information. He had been less than happy when his brother had pulled himself into this war between light and dark. However, now the younger Kelley was irretrievably involved in what was going on, being the new Elemental Master of Water. It had not taken Bryan long to make the connection back on the grounds when D’rorah had told Sam to finish pulling the Hufflepuff prefect back. His attention had been partly occupied with performing the same action for D’rorah, but he had made the connection nonetheless. He certainly found it odd that two Elemental Masters would be in the same family, brothers nonetheless, but this was not the thing that was bothering Bryan the most.

The Gryffindor had left Sam and Caitlin to their own devices and D’rorah had settled into her own room. Bryan lingered in one of the hallways, his eyes transfixed on a window through one of the doorways that led into another room. His mind was processing the information of the evening, but it was also lingering on some thoughts that had started to bother the Gryffindor artist. Bryan was not normally the type to make any sort of confrontation or jump to complain about things. Yet, Bryan was beginning to feel that perhaps he needed to talk with D’rorah about things. He knew she wished to keep him safe, but at what cost? This was the second time that he come onto the scene after she had been in Shadow form. The first time she almost had not made it if it weren’t for Zane. Wasn’t Bryan suppose to be near to help prevent that sort of thing. He understood that it was the Shadow Warrior’s responsibility to protect her Elemental Master their Elemental light, but as far as he knew the Elemental Master had also the responsibility to protect and look after his Shadow Warrior. Yet, Bryan was feeling like D’rorah was not particularly letting him perform that duty, preferring to act on her own at times it seemed.

A frown touched Bryan’s lips for a moment before he tore his gaze away from the window and the room and allowed his steps to take him down the hallway towards the closed door. He did not really want to disturb the Ravenclaw prefect, wary as he was to make any confrontation, but he had decided that this was a point he needed to clear up for himself. Bryan did not really see any better time than now, when they were in the privacy of the Ravenclaw’s cottage to bring it up. At school he would need to seek her out and unless they were in the Room of Requirement they would have to be careful about what they said. She was determined not to allow anyone to connect the two of them. Yet, the more Bryan thought about it, it was almost an impossible feat if either of them were to perform their duties in this partnership to their full potential.

Coming to her door, Bryan hesitated for a moment before he raised his hand up, forming a fist, and knocking on her door. A moment passed before he heard the soft Enter, permitting him to enter. “Hey D’rorah,” he greeted her, closing the door quietly behind him. Bryan had never called D’rorah anything except her full name, unlike his brother and other occupants of the school. Bryan had the habit of always calling people by the name he was introduced to them with. Hence, Caitlin was Caitlin not Caity, Zane was Zane and not Zee, and D’rorah wasn’t Dee. It wasn’t that he was against nicknames, just that he didn’t normally think of them.

His eyes lingered on her form for a moment, if only because he was not used to seeing her with so little. She was so meticulous in her clothes, clothes that usually covered every possible inch of skin. Bryan did not allow his mind to linger on her appearance, knowing it would only bother her. “I think we need to talk,” he stated, not really sure how to word what he wanted to say. He slipped his hands into his jean pockets, leaning against the door. “I know it’s the Shadow Warrior’s duty to protect her Elemental Master, but isn’t it also the Elemental Master’s job to protect his Shadow Warrior?” he asked her to lead into his concern. Bryan knew he wasn’t exactly trained in fighting, but this wasn’t the source of his concern. His source was being there to draw her back from corruption. It was even possible that if he had been warned earlier she was going shadow formed he could have been present to at least stop his brother from casting the patronus that had harmed her. Yet, that was a what if’s, and nothing was ever accomplished by worrying over the what if’s. However, it was still important to acknowledge them.

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah looked up briefly as Bryan greeted her, continuing to massage a bit of lotion on her forearm. [blue]"Good evening, Mister Kelley,"[/blue] she responded quietly in her usual formal manner. She missed the slight lingering of his eyes as she returned her attention to the ointment on her arm, wanting to make sure she worked it in as well as she could to the pained flesh so that none of the irritation would linger in the morning. The last thing she needed was to return to school covered in redness and blisters... surely, there were already enough rumors going around about her scars after the confrontation with Dylan in the common room. And of course, she preferred to draw as little attention to herself as she could manage in general, given that she was a known Shadow Warrior and her actions she presumed would be monitored.

She looked up from her application, however, when he began to speak. [blue]"Yes, that sounds correct,"[/blue] she replied carefully, brow furrowing slightly as she tried to figure out what track this conversation might be getting ready to take. [blue]"It is traditionally a relationship in which both parties strive for the protection of one another, due to the nature of the connection they share and the fact that neither can be wole without the other."[/blue] Her brow furrowed further as she considered her words. [blue]"I do not understand the reason for the question,"[/blue] she remarked, squeezing another dollop of ointment onto her fingertips and beginning to apply it to her face as she continued talking. [blue]"I understand you may be rightfully concerned for your younger brother. And please rest assured that I intend to assist Miss Collins in protecting him. Understanding that she typically disdains violence, I was concerned for his safety as well. Though, he has already begun weapons training, so with any good fortune, he will be quite capable of defending himself in most circumstances..."[/blue] she trailed off, realizing that this answer didn't quite lie in the direction of his question.

She finished rubbing in the current layer of ointment and set the pot aside, giving Bryan her full attention. [blue]"I apologize for sounding dense, but have I done something wrong?"[/blue] she asked finally. She thought back through the events of the night. Perhaps it hadn't been wise to rush off to find what she thought was a Shadow without her Elemental Master, but she had realized before arriving that it was, in fact, Caitlin. And with nothing to fight, changing to Shadow Form to pull her back would have been within her abilities... she stopped her internal speculation, preferring to hear directly from Bryan what was on his mind so that whatever it was could be addressed properly.

[Bryan Kelley]

After he spoke, Bryan trained his eyes on D’rorah. He didn’t particularly care to see her in this state. Not the state of undress, but the burns that had resulted from the earlier patronus spell of his brother. However, Bryan knew that worrying over that would not accomplish anything, even if he did keep thinking if he had gotten there a little earlier he could have prevented it. However, Bryan shoved that thought from his mind before he could finish thinking it. He had mulled over it enough during the time they had left the grounds and he had come to stand here before her. Now, he just had to finish through with his earlier resolution. It was true that Bryan preferred to remain background, and D’rorah’s plan to keep his identity a secret had certainly worked in his favor in keeping that background position. However, Bryan knew he couldn’t stay in the background forever, at least when dealing with D’rorah. He had a duty towards her as her Elemental Master, and he felt perhaps in her desire to keep him safe she was putting herself at undue risk.

Bryan remained silent when D’rorah jump to answer the leading question he had placed at her door. He did not interrupt her, even when her answer steered off topic. She had steered towards the recent Elemental Master and Shadow Warrior bond of Caitlin and Sam. Although it was a worry of his, Bryan had sorted through his thoughts on that matter. He knew enough of Caitlin and Sam, more so the latter from being related, to know those two would be all right in their partnership. Yes, he wasn’t particularly pleased that his brother now had a key role, like himself, in this war --- and it was certainly not from some form of jealousy or spite, but rather the wish to still protect the younger.

“I’m not really concerned with Sam in this matter. I admit I’m not thrilled he’s now even more involved, but he’s better at taking care of himself than I am probably,” he started to answer, before D’rorah asked if she had done something wrong. Bryan shook his head for a moment. He had not wanted this to be something like pointing fingers and saying you should be doing this better. Perhaps Bryan viewed D’rorah with rose colored glasses, but that seemed to be only for the fact that out of the entire school, she was the one with the most knowledge in this war --- on their side. She was the one who drew him into this war and had explained everything. He knew she wasn’t perfect, but he would probably always defer to her better judgement in most things. “No, or at least I’m not exactly jumping to say you’re doing anything wrong,” he stated with a shrug of his shoulders.

“I’m just wondering that in your desire to keep me safe, from keeping people from associating the two of us together, that you’re undermining my duties as your Elemental Master,” he stated after a small pause to gather his thoughts, to find the right words. Bryan was not exactly the social butterfly but he still had some social skills, but it did not always extend towards finding the right words. “As you said, the goal in this partnership is mutual protection, so how am I suppose to do that when you’re determined to keep our interactions in public limited, and also going off on your own for patrols near the forest or jumping into shadow form --- even if you’re sure you can handle it,” he added, recalling the sense of certainty he had received from their link earlier. He was smart enough to place two and two together to know she felt no danger entering shadow form earlier. “I’m just starting to see that in your desire to keep me safe and unknown, you are placing yourself at undue risk.”

He paused for a moment before he added in ending, “Which given our group of light fighters, is something that is dangerous, not only for you but for the entire group. As you seem to be the glue struggling to keep us all together, not to mention the most knowledgeable. And frankly,” he said, “I don’t want to see you hurt when I could have been there to prevent it. You’re apart of my family now D’rorah, and as you witness with Sam, we Kelleys stick together whether you want us too or not,” he ended with a shrug of his shoulders, sort of undermining the force his last statement had. However, that was more from the fact Bryan did not feel comfortable critiquing her when he did not know much about this war and his place in it yet.

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah nodded as Bryan expressed his sentiment that he wasn't thrilled that Sam was more involved, not entirely agreeing with the sentiment that he would be better at taking care of himself. She held her comments to the end, waiting until he was finished speaking before she responded herself. She had been so used to fighting alone before she found her Elemental Master that she had never considered that she was doing anything out of the ordinary. He was right... she wanted to keep him safe. She didn't want him or his family to endure any loss because of this war. She knew how close the Kelley's were... and how devastating it would be for anything to happen to any one of them.

And then, selfishly, there was the fact that she simply wasn't sure she would be able to survive the loss of another Elemental Master without corrupting... or perhaps simply dying. He had a point though... she was placing herself at risk by patrolling without him, by rushing off into unknown situations without him. And if something happened to her, that would leave Bryan vulnerable as well. The statement that she was part of the Kelley family now brought a slight smile to her face. She missed being part of a family... the absence of her parents was a tangible hole in her life, though she never openly spoke about that with anyone and tried not to dwell on it.

[blue]"Thank you,"[/blue] she remarked quietly after he finished, appreciating his concern and the statement that she was a member now of the Kelley clan. [blue]"I never before considered the manner in which I act so much on my own. When I first began fighting on behalf of the Order, I had no Elemental Master. I suppose I learned several bad habits during that time,"[/blue] she smirked slightly as she made the statement. [blue]"You are correct. It is your role to protect me as much as it is my role to protect you. In failing to involve you, I have been placing both of us at risk. It was fortunate that you arrived when you did tonight. Had I thought to call you to my side when I first sensed the presence of a Shadow on the school grounds, I might have been spared all of this,"[/blue] she added, gesturing to the receding blisters on her arms.

She took a deep breath, considering how things would move forward from this point. [blue]"I still believe secrecy would be prudent... there is no need to reveal your identity as an Elemental Master unnecessarily. The longer that is delayed, the safer you will be. However..."[/blue] she paused, her face grave as she continued speaking. [blue]"I feel that it might be wise to inform the remainder of your family... or at least your parents, of what is happening. Now that Sam is an Elemental Master as well, it will make them a doubly-tempting target if your identities are discovered."[blue] Now that she had a family of sorts again, she wasn't willing to leave them open to attack. [blue]"I can assist in warding their home against Shadows... or we could bring them here, where they are closer, in order to keep them safe."[/blue]

[Bryan Kelley]

Bryan caught the small smile that had graced D’rorah’s lips when he had mentioned that he considered her apart of his family. Bryan was probably the only or one of the very few people who understood how the older Ravenclaw felt, with the loss of her family and that continued loss as she grew into her adulthood. Granted, he did not understood from having experienced it himself, as so far the Kelley clan was still one large happy family, but rather from when he had experienced her memories when they had formed their links. Bryan could only imagine how lonely it felt not to have one’s family anymore. He would admit that sometimes he wished the Kelleys weren’t so large and busy-body, but in the end he wouldn’t trade them for the world. It was hard to imagine life without them. It seemed almost easy to forget that D’rorah’s parents were no longer around. The Ravenclaw did not exactly wear her emotions out on her sleeve. His history all just became apart of the mystery that was D’rorah. However, Bryan certainly did not mind sharing his family with her. The Kelleys would warmly welcome anyone into their family circle. It certainly seemed that the “more the merrier” aptly applied to them.

However, the small smile also helped to alleviate some of the awkwardness that Bryan felt in bringing the matter up. He did not want to offend D’rorah, which her question of if she was doing something wrong had started to lead him to believe he might. Yet, the Gryffindor was usually the quiet one, watching what was going on around him to be stored and pondered over. He was definitely a stark difference from the younger Kelley, who would probably talk off his tongue before he sat in complete silence, which had already been well noted by now.

When D’rorah began to reply, Bryan remained silent throughout her speech, listening to what she had to say in response. It was with some relief that Ravenclaw understood what he was saying, that what he was bringing up wasn’t just utter nonsense. But then, even if he was bringing up utter nonsense, it seemed within D’rorah’s character to give it adequate thought before she would reply, either accepting what he said or dismissing it and clarifying things. Once she finished speaking, Bryan said with a small chuckle and smile, “Well, I didn’t exactly mean we’d go screaming about my Elemental Masterness from the top of Hogwarts’ highest tower. Just more towards toning the protection and secrecy down some so you’re not placing yourself at risk anymore. As I understand the importance of keeping my identity secret for as long as possible, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of putting yourself in more danger than need be.”

Bryan grew silent for a moment after this, contemplating what she said on informing the Kelleys of Sam and his involvement. “We should at least inform my parents first, as they would know how best to approach my aunts and uncles and if it should be done,” he said at length. “However, I don’t really know how good an idea it is of having them move here. As wouldn’t that draw attention to them, moving here, especially if it some how gets out that either Sam or I are an Elemental Master?” he asked, thinking it through. The Gryffindor had shifted from his former position with his hands in his pockets to having his arms crossed loosely over his front. “My dad can help with the wards if you show him how to do it. Sam gets his wandwork from him, despite’s Dad’s preference for potions. But it’d probably be best to see what they say and probably trying to keep them from jumping up to help first,” he said. Bryan could not really see his parents pulling the protective route of pulling both boys out of school, and hence out of the war. He knew they wouldn’t be particularly thrilled that their boys were involved in something like this, but once they understood the gravity of it, they would seek to assist in whatever manner they could. It was the whole “if one Kelley has a problem, eventually it’s the entire Kelleys’ problem.”

“Will you be coming along for that chat?” he then asked her. Bryan knew it was another area where attention could be drawn to them if D’rorah came along, or was even noted helping the Kelleys. However, he couldn’t help feeling that having D’rorah there to help explain things would help in matters, but perhaps she wouldn’t care for being dragged into the middle of a family thing. There was little doubt in Bryan’s mind that she would be quickly scooped into the thick of things in the Kelley household, especially once her ties to the two boys became known.

Bryan then paused before saying, “We should probably talk with Sam on this too.”

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah smirked and almost smiled as Bryan joked about not screaming about his Elemental Masterness from the top of Hogwarts' highest tower. It was certainly an interesting mental image he conjured, akin to a raving town crier. She listened quietly to the rest, waiting out his moment of silent contemplation without interruption. When he finished speaking, she began to reply.

[blue]"If we were to bring them here, it would have to be done subtly,"[/blue] she confirmed. [blue]"For now, bringing them closer to Hogwarts is likely not necessary, but the wards I insist upon. I can find a way to visit without drawing much attention to myself in order to place them. I will simply travel separately from you so that we will not draw the attention of traveling together. And, while I understand that we were just speaking on the dangers of constant separation, I would draw far too much attention if I were to travel with you."[/blue] She paused, smirking slightly at the thought of Sam's reaction if they were to visit his own family without him. [blue]" And you are correct, your brother will have to be involved as well."[/blue]

Though Bryan had said he had come to consider her a part of the family, she had her own doubts about the reception she would receive. She felt like an outsider, mostly because she had faced the derision of her peers throughout much of her academic career. An entire family... especially when she was the link that had drawn their two eldest sons into a dangerous war, didn't exactly seem like an ideal environment for cultivating acceptance. She refused to dwell on it though, knowing that whatever happened, they would simply deal with it at that time. There was no point pining for a family she didn't technically belong to... at the same time, she wouldn't force optimism that she would be welcomed into the fold. D'rorah had always been an independent creature... so while she appreciated the possibility of some sort of family to belong to, she wouldn't hinge her happiness on it. [blue]"I can have your father help with many of the wards, but the ones dealing with Shadow Magic I will have to lay myself. I should have enough Shadow Dust to adequately protect whatever home you have. But the dust itself is dangerous. I will enclose it in a casing so there is no danger that anyone might inhale it. Inhalation by anyone other than a Shadow Warrior would mean death."[/blue] She recalled a time Dylan had been at her home... and in searching for a sock, he had managed to inhale a particle from the protective line of Shadow Dust that lined her floorboards. He had nearly died that day, saved only by the fact that D'rorah was able to use a collection chant to extract the particle from his lungs. That day had been unpleasant, to say the least. For several minutes, she thought he had in fact died... it had been one of the most frightening moments of her life. Since then, she had gone back and enclosed all of the dust that lined the floorboards around the perimeter of the house in a special casing to avoid any future incidents... even though she and her fellow Shadow Warriors could handle the substance safely, Elemental Masters had no Shadow within them to protect them from the deadly dust.

She would have to go Shadow Hunting soon... after protecting the Kelley residence, she would be running much lower on dust than she would like. But that was an operation to undertake at a later time... certainly, it would have to be done after this trip to Bryan's and Sam's home. [blue]"I apologize that your family must be brought into all of this... I had sought to limit the likelihood that they would ever need to worry about any sort of danger from the Mage. I promise, I will carry out my functions as inobtrusively as possible while we are there. And I will take extra precaution to ensure that I do not draw any outside attention to my presence."[/blue]

That was her main conern right now... keeping Bryan and Sam's family safe. She had the unity of the Lightfighters to worry about as well, but she wouldn't allow this war to destroy yet another family. Enough people had lost their loved ones already.

[Bryan Kelley]

The Kelley family was unconventional at best. They were a close knit group. Cousins were often thought of as siblings. Aunts and Uncles as additional parents, and in some cases as siblings. However, they were often a group that could be depended upon. If one Kelley was in trouble, by one form or another the rest of the Kelleys would somehow get involved. This extended even towards family friends. Their extended family just seemed to keep growing as most of the Kelleys had, for lack of better words, large personalities. They were the type to do whatever they did in large amounts, in a way to draw people in. These traits were seen easily enough in the Kelley brothers. Sam encompassed himself in his wandwork and in team sports, placing his whole self into these activities while Bryan choose a more artistic route, yet both boys were easy enough when dealing with people. If there were to be any frowns in the knowledge that the boys were in something dangerous, past initial reactions, of course, it would be from Bryan’s and Sam’s mother, Daphne. She was a muggle woman alone in the midsts of a magical family. However, Daphne had since molded into the group to be an intimidating figure herself, and not just to her children. However, even she would not hold her boys back or hold a grudge against D’rorah for drawing them in. She knew the feeling of being rejected. Her own family, the Pernells, did not exactly welcome the notion of magic in their midst. Those were always strained family meetings. Daphne’s family still held a distant relationship with her for marrying a wizard, and in turn having magical blood children.

So perhaps it was easy for Bryan to easily think that D’rorah would be welcomed into the Kelley’s midst. He didn’t assume it would be all roses from the get-go. As he wasn’t silly enough to believe his parents would be thrilled that their boys were involved in some life-threatening situation, but some things could not be changed. However, once everything was explained, Bryan drew his mind away from the thoughts and D’rorah made her reply. A smirk touched his lips when she spoke about bringing the Kelleys subtly into Hogsmeade, if he did that at all. He could not really see his family being subtle, but then he lived in the midst of the chaos that he called his family. It was hard to judge something really accurately while one was in the middle of it. It often took an outside observer to really judge anything.

Bryan remained silent, listening at D’rorah spoke. He nodded his head at certain parts, feeling no need to interject anything in the middle of her speech, though a frown touched his lips at the mention of Shadow Dust killing those who weren’t a Shadow Warrior. It wasn’t a particularly pleasant thought. A slight smile touched his lips at her apology though. “It’s not really something you can apologize for, D’rorah,” he told her when she had finished speaking. “This is a war and Sam and I are now key players in it. Our family would have gotten involved at one point or another. Whether from people trying to use them to get at Sam and me, or their getting themselves involved. Just imagine what you went through with Sam and times that by, oh, I don’t know, some large number,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders. “It just turns into something that is inevitable. Just like I can’t promise that while you try to be unobtrusive that my family won’t turn obtrusive.”

“Should we talk to Sam about this tonight, or should I just jump him sometime in the common room later on it?” he then asked. Granted, he never was bothered with bothering his brother despite the events of the day. Sam was much the same way, perhaps he was a little worse than Bryan in that area. However, he was inclined to think that perhaps D’rorah would suggest letting him relax for the night after melding with his own Shadow Warrior and helping to bring her back from Shadow form. However, it was a question Bryan felt he should ask. As it was, he was sure he was probably bothering D’rorah at this time. She had suffered through burns and blisters from a patronus, and he came to have a conversation with her, which wasn’t exactly the most sensitive thing to do in the events of the evening. Bryan mentally shook the thought from his mind.

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah pictured what Bryan had said, having to go through what had happened with Sam by a multiple of ten. That would be interesting. Sam had come to her immediately demanding to know what she was doing with his brother. And while the encounter hadn't been particularly difficult for her, multiplying it by ten times was not something she was interested in dealing with. Especially if there were all going to be a mouthy and pushy as Sam had been. But then, even for those flaws, she felt they worked well together and respected one another. Sam was certainly willing to work hard in their training. And he had proven just a while ago at the lake that he was a team player.

She was slightly worried about the possibility of the family taking her clandestine operation and turning it into something far more obtrusive. A roomful of people related to Sam Kelley would be an interesting challenge indeed. But then, they were related to Bryan as well, so perhaps that would be some quiet contemplaters among them. She shook her head slightly as Bryan asked whether they should talk to Sam tonight. [blue]"He will need to rest after this evening. I know for a fact that he had a very early morning. And I am quite certain it was a busy day all through the day... so rest is in order. I had thought we might be able to discuss things in the morning over breakfast before returning, but I believe it would be wiser to return to the school before any of the others have woken."[/blue]

She looked down at her arms, already beginning to heal from the blisters and leaving behind red-irritated skin, and hoped the ointment would finish working its magic before the morning came. The thought of being seen in her current state of appearance was not appealing to her in the least, especially considering the fact that in her current state, she didn't really want fabric covering her all over and dragging over the irritated skin. With that thought in mind, she absently retrieved the jar of ointment once again and began another application. [blue]"The next time you speak with your brother, do me the favor of mentioning that his next run will be especially grueling,"[/blue] she remarked with a mischievious smirk. She wouldn't be as petty as to retaliate for having been burned with his patronus light. He'd had no way of knowing it was her. [blue]"And congratulate him for doing a very competent job with his patronus and for pulling his Shadow Warrior back quickly."[/blue]

[Bryan Kelley]

Bryan rarely considered his role within his family; well, rather his own personality in comparison to the rest of the Kelley clan. In truth, the majority of the Kelley’s were all large and loud personalities, much in the same vein as Sam. Whereas, it was probably more accurate to label Bryan as the black sheep in the Kelleys. He was a silent and background personality. One who preferred to stay on the side lines or in the background watching rather than in the thick of things adding his own voice to what was always going on. Perhaps in her quiet nature, he took after his mother’s family instead. He certainly was not as loud and boisterous as the rest of his Kelley relatives and siblings. Yet, Bryan rarely stopped to think about it. Even in his quiet nature, he usually still felt in the thick of things with his family. As there was always one aunt and uncle or cousin who prod at him for some sort of conversation, to draw him out. Yet, Bryan did not notice that D’rorah felt that perhaps his family could not be as bad as Bryan made them out to be, based on the fact that the same family had also produced a quiet person as he. However, every family were free to have their black sheep.

As D’rorah spoke in response to his question, Bryan nodded his head in understanding. Her words towards letting the younger Gryffindor have his rest were not met by surprise on Bryan’s part. He had expected the Ravenclaw to say as much. However, he still had wanted to be sure, but then, it seemed aside from himself, they all needed rest. Bryan was the least scarred of the group. He was reminded of this fact when his eyes look at the blister burns that touched the Ravenclaw’s pale face. A smile touched his lips at her message to relay to his brother. He nodded his head once, “Will do.”

“Unless you have anything else you want to discuss,” Bryan started. “I’ll let you get back to your rest. Just remember no more solitary missions on your part. I’m sure neither of us want to learn the lesson the hard way through experience,” he told her. He knew that bringing the topic up to D’rorah tonight would provide her with food for thought, but as she said she had developed bad habits during her time without an Elemental Masters. Bad habits were often easy to slip back into despite a person’s best interest and intentions. Perhaps by reiterating their conversation before he left by commenting on the consequence of not changing her habits, and having something undesirable happen in result to drive it home rather than the conversation itself. He knew neither of them sought to allow something to happen in result. Bryan certainly did not wish to get into any sort of trouble, nor did he wish for D’rorah to come into any. Neither result were desirable. Despite her inclination towards perfection or being in control, Bryan knew that the Ravenclaw was still only human and capable of mistakes.

His hand gripped the doorknob as he waited to hear D’rorah response.

[D'rorah Philosophy]

D'rorah nodded slightly as Bryan finished speaking. [blue]"Certainly, I would not wish to learn... the hard way, as you so aptly put it,"[/blue] she replied, parroting his colloquialism in a manner that was intentionally slightly awkward, a slight smirk on her lips as she did. [blue]"I do not believe I had anything else to discuss this evening. But yes, all humor aside, I do intend to avoid any further missions alone. I would rather not end up burnt to a crisp by your younger brother if I can avoid it."[/blue]

She offered a smile as he turned to leave. [blue]"Thank you again for everything, Bryan. I am certain we will talk again soon."[/blue] It was pleasant, to have such a calm presence to be paired with. [blue]"Sleep well."[/blue] With that, she returned her attention to applying the ointment one last time, ready to drop off to sleep for the evening as soon as she was done. Once he had gone, she threw aside the robe she had hastily donned, finished the application of the last layer of burn ointment, and settled in for the night. She knew they would have to leave early in the morning, but she was confident returning to the school would go without much trouble.

[Bryan Kelley]

Perhaps his wording had not been the best, but then words were not really Bryan’s strong point. He could probably draw everything he usually meant to say rather than speaking them. He wasn’t a writer where a person could express things in eloquent words. Bryan lacked the ability to gather better phrasing to express what he wanted to say. However, Bryan did not normally dwell on it and even now he didn’t dwell on it as D’rorah picked up on what he meant to convey in his statement. Besides, he didn’t want to kick a dead horse no more than he needed and with D’rorah it never seemed one had to kick it much. He nodded his head in response as she pushed the humor of the situation aside, although a smile touched his lips as she seemed to end on a humorous note with being burnt by Sam. Granted, both of them knew that it was an overstatement.

A smile touched his lips once more when she thanked him. However, it was her expression of thanks that really brought the small smile, but rather her use of his first name. Bryan had become well aware of the fact that D’rorah used formal tones when addressing people. He could recall her explaining to him that she always referred to such tones when they had met, when he had asked her to call him by his first name. It wasn’t a common occurrence to meet people who addressed others only by their formal name. So, her use of his first name was not something to just dismiss lightly.

“You’re welcome, Dorah,” he said to her. “Sleep sweet,” he finished with a smile before he turned the doorknob and left her room, pulling the door firmly shut behind him. He then moved to return to his own bed.


[Finished.]