Zane Lucifer Bishop
Slytherin
[green]6th Year Slytherin[/green] Elemental Master of Metal
You people all have to learn. This world is going to burn.
Posts: 483
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Post by Zane Lucifer Bishop on Dec 10, 2007 16:34:55 GMT -5
She does seem something of a recluse doesn't she? Perhaps all headmasters and mistresses only show themselves at mealtimes and to make the occasional announcement. What does she do with all that time?
Zee found himself walking down the sixth floor corridor that would lead him to Caira LaPointe's office. He had not been on the sixth floor except in passing since his encounter with (and subsequent attack upon) Dylan Cooper, and as he glanced down the side hallway that lead to the Room of Requirement a painful and involuntary twinge of guilt wracked his stomach. He gasped and paused in his stride, allowing the pain to be expressed outwardly. Hiding the inward agony from the eyes of others was something he was growing more proficient at, but whenever he was alone . . .
Turning his attention to the task at hand, Zee started moving again. This would be quite beneficial if he were successful. As a prefect he would be able to stay out later legitimately instead of having to sneak about. More importantly, it would lend him a degree of respectability and grant him some authority with which he could begin a credible investigation into Dylan's assault that would lead away from himself. It may also afford him more time with Wysteria, though he wasn't sure if cross house prefect meetings were something that regularly took place.
Reaching the gargoyle that served as guardian of LaPointe's study, Zee immediately waved his hand and muttered the patronus charm. He knew he would not be able to simply enter, and perhaps knocking would have been enough, but Zee figured his own typical flair would perhaps help persuade her. The spell however fizzled and not even the silver smoke appeared. Frowning, Zee drew out his wand for the extra power it would grant him and forcibly removed all thoughts of Dylan and D'rorah from his mind, focusing instead on Wysteria, particularly at the Masque.
"Expecto Patronum."
This time the leopard shark appeared and began lazily drifting around Zee. Grinning, Zee cleared his throat and recited his introduction and request to the creature. Tucking his wand away and waving his hand toward the door to the headmistress' office, Zee watched as the patronus slide right through the solid material to announce him.
"Greetings Professor LaPointe. I am Zane Lucifer Bishop, recent transfer and Slytherin sixth year. If now is not a terribly inconvenient time, there is something I wish to discuss with you. I understand of course if I must wait, but I humbly request an audience. I am waiting just outside your door."
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Post by Caira LaPointe on Dec 21, 2007 22:58:45 GMT -5
Caira had been sitting at her desk, head bowed over stacks of paperwork, when a curious thing occurred. A patronus, a silver tiger shark to be specific, entered through her door and requested an audience with her on behalf of the casting student. It was difficult not to start at the sight of the patronus. For anyone who was a servant of the Shadow Mage, a patronus was not always a welcome sight. It could mean something as dire as someone having discovered her and come to begin the attack against the Mage's agents at the school (though of course, a mere patronus wouldn't deal much of a blow to any of them... it was symbolic).
This patronus, howeverm seemed somewhat benign. She laughed out loud at the Slytherin's brashness at requesting an audience. Of course, her door was always open; but most preferred to knock to request entry. Retrieving her wand from the edge of her desk blotter, she waved it in a small arc as she rose from her seat. The entryway to her office sprang open as she came around from behind her desk. "So then Zane, you've got your audience," she began with an amused smile. She gestured over to a pair of chairs by the fireplace, a pot of tea ready as always for whomever might decide to stop by.
"Please, have a seat and we'll discuss whatever it is that's on your mind over a cup of tea. It's time for a break from all that tedious paperwork anyway," she added with a warm smile and a wink.
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Zane Lucifer Bishop
Slytherin
[green]6th Year Slytherin[/green] Elemental Master of Metal
You people all have to learn. This world is going to burn.
Posts: 483
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Post by Zane Lucifer Bishop on Dec 22, 2007 0:53:24 GMT -5
A wide grin spread on Zee's face as the door swung open. Though he hid it well, he was close to dropping his jaw. He had of course known that Caira was a beautiful woman; being as public a figurehead as the headmistress of Hogwarts meant most everyone in the wizarding world knew generally what you looked like. He had never seen her up close however, and was surprised by the near ridiculous level her personal aesthetics reached.
Zee wasn't pleased by his internal reaction however and insisted to himself that he would not allow her beauty to distract him from his purpose in being there. Though it wouldn't be such a bad thing if things got a little . . . intimate . . .
Wysteria.
A pang of guilt hit him then, bringing with it another small wave of surprise. He was losing patience with this conscience he seemed to have grown. It was most inconvenient. Aside from keeping him from enjoying himself an awful lot of the time, he hadn't discovered any use for it. Focusing onto his current situation, Zee dipped into a shallow bow before striding into the room. He headed for one of the two chairs she had indicated.
"Thank you Headmistress. Please, call me Zee. I appreciate your time and attention and am pleased I could be a pleasant distraction for you. If this kind of hospitality is standard fare for your visitors, I think mayhaps I should have come calling sooner."
Zee continued to grin as he sank into one of the chairs. He had the urge to lean forward and chivalrously pour the tea for her, but thought she was unlikely to be impressed by a young man scrambling to serve her. Also he was her guest; it would be something of a breach of etiquette for him to serve the refreshments. Instead he sat back and set one ankle upon the other knee, resting his chin in his hand and pressing his index finger to his lips as he considered her.
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Post by Caira LaPointe on Dec 22, 2007 15:03:13 GMT -5
“Well then Zee, please call me Caira,” she replied at his introduction. “I just can’t stand being around people who thing my first name is ‘Headmistress’. She smiled warmly at his endorsement of her hospitality and sank into the chair opposite of him, reaching over to the tea service to pour two cups of tea. She handed Zee his teacup on a saucer and placed the cream and sugar on the table between them along with a few slices of lemon. Her own posture was relaxed, though she sat up straight—a testament to the years of charm school she had been through in her younger years.
“So,” she began, smiling as he considered her intently, “what was it you wished to speak with me about? I don’t have too many visitors here normally.” There was a very slight, almost undetectable lingering French accent about her words. Though she had practiced her English diligently, she had retained that hint of an accent, knowing that it sounded a bit exotic and that it made her voice more pleasant to the ear. There were many things in the political world that a touch of feminine charm could smooth over far more easily than hours of painful negotiations. Something about her was trustworthy, even the Sorting Hat had put her into Hufflepuff house as a girl… but perhaps she had been different then, before exposure to the real world had taken away the wide-eyed wonder and innocence of believing that those in power had only the best interests of their constituents in mind.
Yes, much about her had changed in the years since her youth. She had come to the realization that power and money were the things which effected change… passion was mostly pointless without the resources to carry out one’s visions and dreams. So she had begun cultivating both of those resources from a very young age, knowing the things she wanted changed. And now, as the most trusted advisor of the Mage, she had all the power and position she could hope to dream, even if she had to wield it surreptitiously and delicately. Well-versed now in intricate political movings, she knew the direction she was headed in. And so, as she sat her, smiling warmly at Zee and serving him tea, she was already secretly assessing him. Was he a potential threat? An asset? Benign? Would it be worthwhile to cultivate him to her service? Or was he another potential Lightfighter. Yes… time would tell…
((Sorry it took so long to respond in the first place. I didn't realize there was a post waiting for me.))
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Zane Lucifer Bishop
Slytherin
[green]6th Year Slytherin[/green] Elemental Master of Metal
You people all have to learn. This world is going to burn.
Posts: 483
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Post by Zane Lucifer Bishop on Dec 23, 2007 4:18:10 GMT -5
((Don't worry about it. It's good for me to learn patience. Heh heh.))
Accepting the saucer and cup with a pleasant grin and a slight nod, Zee placed two spoonfuls of sugar into his tea, keeping to himself his wish that there was honey available. He stirred the tea silently and tapped the spoon lightly on the edge of his cup before setting the spoon back on the tray. Zee set his rump all the way back in the luxurious chair and allowed the back of the chair to maintain his posture. As he sipped the tea he kept his eyes on his companion. He was somewhat surprised that she entertained guests rarely, if indeed she had spoken true. Between the pleasantness of the room and the comforting effect her presence seemed to have, he would have expected students to be lining up to make an appointment to see her.
Setting his teacup back into the saucer her held in his left hand, Zee quietly cleared his throat.
"So then, straight to business. Caira, I'm certain you're aware of the somewhat lopsided attendance the school currently has. Slytherin house seems to have more students than the other houses. I've considered this as I've been reading up on the history of the school in the library during my free time. It seems in previous times it was traditional for each house to have a pair of Prefects assisting the professors in maintaining order, one male and one female. Currently there is merely a single female Prefect for Slytherin and, not to impune Miss O'Connell's capabilities, but I've noticed that some . . . colorful characters seem to find themselves sorted into Slytherin. Colorful characters who seem quite adept at causing disruptions. I beieve something should be done to help maintain order within Salazar's House."
Zee paused to take a second sip of his tea. As he again set the cup down, his still-present grin grew crooked.
"I realize it may seem odd and notably presumptuous for a fairly recent addition to the student body to request the title of Prefect for himself, but I put forward as arguments for my case the facts that despite not having attended classes before, I am excelling in every subject I have undertaken; I am (I flatter myself) rather charismatic, an important trait for any leader; and I have already become . . . acquainted with three of the current Prefects. Well acquainted you could say."
Zee took a deep breath as he finished speaking, his smile regaining its original symmetry. He sipped his tea some more, looking completely at ease despite the importance the next words spoken would likely carry. He somewhat doubted she would simply agree and hand him a badge right there, but he felt certain he had at least made a decent argument. And the best part was he hadn't even needed to lie.
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Post by Caira LaPointe on Dec 23, 2007 16:51:59 GMT -5
Caira listened without interruption to Zee’s case. He seemed well-mannered… though, it wasn’t entirely straightforward. There was almost a deceptive quality about him. She did agree that it would be prudent to have another prefect for Slytherin house. Indeed, she had already gone about the business of beginning to choose new prefects for each of the houses. Traditionally, there had always been two prefects for each house… well, actually there had been four. Two fifth years, two sixth years, and then there were Head Boy and Head Girl. Of course, given the current size of the student body and the uneven distribution of students between years, there was no need for that sort of arrangement currently. But a second prefect for each house was something she had already been thinking about quite a bit.
In fact… she wondered if she hadn’t already seen his name as a potential candidate. “So, which Prefects are you already acquainted with?” she asked curiously. “Because… well,” she smiled in a carefully cultivated semi-exasperated way, “some of our current Prefects are… engaged in activities I find a bit troublesome.” She paused. “Take, for example, the Unforgivable Curse research of D’rorah Philosophy. The fact that she’s been placed in a position of authority makes me at least a bit concerned. And the others… well, I’ve noticed some odd things going on at Hogwarts this year myself.” She tilted her head slightly, as though assessing him. “If I were to make you a Prefect, would I be able to count on you to… be my eyes and ears, so to speak?”
She paused to take a slow sip of her tea, setting the cup back upon the saucer so carefully that there was no clink of china against china. “Because I don’t know that I’d be willing to appoint another Prefect who isn’t really willing to work with me and help me maintain order at the school.” She shifted back to her warm smile again, waiting for his response.
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Zane Lucifer Bishop
Slytherin
[green]6th Year Slytherin[/green] Elemental Master of Metal
You people all have to learn. This world is going to burn.
Posts: 483
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Post by Zane Lucifer Bishop on Dec 25, 2007 1:36:36 GMT -5
Zee's grin widened at Caira's initial question. Confident that his familiarity with the other Prefects would be a boon towards acquiring the title himself, he was surprised by the headmistress' apparent disapproval of not one, but perhaps all of the current Prefects. His surprise was betrayed by the minimal raising of his eyebrows. Unsure whether she had caught his slight reaction, Zee decided it best to confess his surprise. He may have to downplay his connection to D'rorah however. He wasn't entirely sure what side he would choose if it came down to it. D'rorah had been and would likely remain useful to him. Favor with Caira could clearly benefit him. For now he would simply try to appear neutral, which indeed he mostly was.
"I confess I am surprised by your disapproval of some or all of your Prefects. I had assumed that as they were Prefects, you had them as such for a reason. Perhaps that was a mistake. But no matter, you are the headmistress. You may do as you please. Miss Philosophy is indeed one of the three I've met. The first in fact. She provided me with a tour of the castle my first morning here. As for her affinity for the darkest of spells, I agree that such research, while potentially beneficial from a defensive standpoint, is best kept under close supervision rather than left to the independent free time of a student. I confess that I do have an amiable relationship with her however. And Wysteria Edwin, and Keaira O'Connell."
Taking a moment to again stir his tea, Zee actually used the pause to try and gauge Caira's reaction. It was a difficult line to walk, trying to ingratiate himself with her without appearing a limp-wristed yesman. Again tapping the spoon lightly on his cup, he set it down, took a small sip, and continued.
"If you'll forgive my impudence Caira, I don't see how I will be able to see and hear things you cannot. Do not misunderstand me, I would be pleased to be your eyes, ears, and any other part you requested. I'm just not sure what you hope to gain from my insight. Brilliant as I may be, I remain a humble student. I do give you my word however that I am quite willing to work with you in any fashion you choose."
Zee smiled charmingly and took a long sip of his tea, closing his eyes as he did so. He really had no idea how she would react, thinking she would likely be amused and politely ignore his flirtation.
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Post by Caira LaPointe on Dec 25, 2007 12:06:52 GMT -5
Caira had to chuckle to herself at Zee's flirtatious manner. She wondered if this were the way he dealt with all of the females he met. She wondered if she could perhaps play that to her own advantage for the moment.
"Honestly Zee, I need eyes and ears who are willing to give me the information they gather. I've felt like the staff and prefects are holding something back from me this year... I keep asking them about the Shadows in the forest. Even D'rorah, who I believe was actually captured by them refused to talk. Keaira refused to tell me anything helpful. Alessandro Darko... he's not a prefect, but he came here saying that he had something important to tell me but still didn't give me what I feel is the full story."
She set her teacup aside and leaned forward slightly, gazing into his eyes with her own. "What I need is an ally. I need someone like you who will actually tell me what's going on around here. I need to find out more about the Shadows in the forest... more about what happened the night Mordred took a group of prefects and students into the forest to rid it of Shadows and Dementors. I need to find the ones who have the ability to fight these Shadows... so-called Shadow Warriors."
Rising from her chair, she came to stand behind Zee's chair and leaned forward into the space just over his left shoulder. Her voice was suddenly quiet and somewhat breathy. "If you'll do a favor for me, I'd be happy to make you a prefect... unfettered access to the restricted section of the library... a bit of authority over your peers... the perfect springboard to even greater ambitions. Who knows? Perhaps next year you could even be Head Boy. There are certain research privileges which come along with such things, access to restricted areas of the castle." She paused, guaging whether or not he seemed intrigued. If she was reading him correctly, he most certainly was intrigued by her offer.
"One little favor and that Prefect position is yours..." she said with a quiet smirk. "I want the research notes of D'rorah Philosophy... not the ones on Unforgivable Curses, but the others... the ones she compiles from all those texts in various ancient languages. I think she's found the key to some greater power in those books... and you and I could share it together."
She let her words hang in the air as she stood over his shoulder, her voice almost seductive in its dulcet tones.
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Zane Lucifer Bishop
Slytherin
[green]6th Year Slytherin[/green] Elemental Master of Metal
You people all have to learn. This world is going to burn.
Posts: 483
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Post by Zane Lucifer Bishop on Dec 26, 2007 4:03:53 GMT -5
As Caira leaned toward him, Zee found himself unintentionally doing the same. His tea however remained in his hand. It was hard to focus on anything but her eyes. Something about them, some quality they held reminded him of Tawny's. He couldn't place his finger on it as they certainly looked nothing alike. It was difficult for him to care though as he sat there gazing into Caira's light brown eyes. Zee had just begun opening his mouth to speak when she stood and moved around behind him.
His muscles tensed just slightly as she leaned over him. He had been the one to begin the flirtatious nature of their conversation, but he hadn't expected her to reciprocate and certainly not to take it the step further that she had. Also he felt more vulnerable with her so close behind him. Diplomatic and charming as she was, Zee doubted very much that she could have become the headmistress without some considerable power in her wand arm.
The things she was offering him did not immediately tickle his fancy terribly. While he certainly had a streak of the common Slytherin ambition, he wasn't incredibly interested in authority as much as simple influence. He was a diplomatic creature himself, preferring to coerce and manipulate others into doing his will than to force them. He would resort to that if he must however. The imperiused state of his parents was a prime example. Perhaps it would be advantageous to become head boy, just in case he needed to fall back on the title.
It was the promise of access to restricted sections of the castle and research privileges that most intrigued him. That seemed something he would be hard-pressed to acquire from any other source. Zee was surprised at how well she had managed to so entrance him. That realization however broke the enchantment enough for him to calmly finish his tea before responding to her. Leaning forward to set his empty cup and saucer down, Zee stood and turned to face the headmistress. He still wore his trademark grin, but it seemed a little thinner than before. He was a little wary of her suggestion that they could share whatever power was retrieved from D'rorah's notes. Those willing to steal power were rarely in a mood to share it. He should know; he was one of them.
"You're asking me to likely risk a carefully cultivated relationship in exchange for some promises of certain allowances, one of which I already possess. I gained access to the restricted section of the library from Professor Cage shortly after I arrived at the school. It is there that I've often sat with Miss Philosophy as she worked on the very research you are so eager to acquire. A shame you have no interest in her Unforgivable Curse research, for that currently resides in my room in the dungeons.
"I am familiar with Darko as well. Mordred however I have not met. I assume you mean Mordred Kade. This is the first I've heard of him leading a group into the forest. I am sorry to hear that you've had such trouble in gathering information. Perhaps I could offer you an interesting tale of the night Miss O'Connell returned to the school. Call it a show of good faith that I will indeed be your senses about the school. I do after all wish to be the ally you've been wanting, despite being unsure of what you offer in return. It seems you are difficult to resist Caira."
His smile strengthening some, Zee held his hands out to his sides in a mock show of helplessness.
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Post by Caira LaPointe on Dec 26, 2007 20:48:09 GMT -5
"The night Keaira returned to the school? From her stay in the... 'hospital'?" replied Caira. "Alright, I'll bite. I'd be intrigued to hear what you may have observed during that encounter. However, I should note that Professor Cage has vacated his position at the school... he was... "sick of dealing with snot-nosed brats and their imbecile parents," if I recall correctly. So you might yet find my offer to be useful." Her smile shifted to a slight smirk before she returned to her seat to listen to Zee's story about Keaira's return to Hogwarts.
"She is one of the students who was a part of the expedition into the forest that I mentioned earlier. The one Mordred organized that ended in the death of a student and the disappearance of D'rorah Philosophy. Yes, I would be quite intrigued to know what you have to say of her."
She suspected Keaira herself of being a Lightfighter, though with the tight-lipped nature of those who would know, it remained an unfounded suspicion. "Perhaps... if your story is good enough, I can offer something a bit more useful than just a position as a Prefect," she added silkily as she settled back into her chair.
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Zane Lucifer Bishop
Slytherin
[green]6th Year Slytherin[/green] Elemental Master of Metal
You people all have to learn. This world is going to burn.
Posts: 483
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Post by Zane Lucifer Bishop on Dec 28, 2007 17:36:03 GMT -5
Zee nodded in confirmation of the night he spoke of. He had not been present when Keaira evidently collapsed in the Great Hall and so knew nothing of what had caused her absence. He'd assumed the stories of her stint at St. Mungo's to be truth. Given the tone with which Caira had referred to it, perhaps he'd been wrong. As he turned and sank back into the chair he'd vacated to once again face his hostess, he grinned crookedly in amusement at Caira's riposte that Professor Cage was no longer Professor Cage, merely Danny Cage.
"Touché Miss LaPointe. I never doubted the usefulness of your offer. I may have simply underestimated it. I assure you I'll not do so again."
A second nod was all the outward response Zee gave to the revelation that Keaira had been involved in the earlier incident in the forest of which he knew little. Every new piece of the puzzle he received seemed to solidify the connection between the current prefects. He would need to speak with each of them in turn. Zee may not have been terribly comfortable with all the information he was receiving, but it still annoyed him to not know.
One, and then the other eyebrow arched slightly at Caira's final offer. It was vague, truly promising nothing and yet hinting at quite a bit more. She was playing on Zee's severe curiosity well. Clearly she was no novice to "diplomacy" and manipulation. Zee was sorely tempted and as he'd already decided on telling her, saw no reason not to go for it.
"Well, as you may or may not know, there was an incident of sorts when Keaira reappeared. It actually started before that, though perhaps only by a couple dozen minutes. I was . . . out enjoying the night air when I saw two students heading into the forest. Naturally I was concerned for their safety and so ventured after them."
The laughing smile on Zee's face showed he was well aware of both the illegality of his presence outside the castle walls at night and the fact that the students' safety wasn't Zee's biggest motivation for following them, and she undoubtedly knew it. Once again, his need to know.
"I found the students to be Jacques Broken and Caitlin Collins, 6th year students of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff respectively. I'm still not sure why they were there. As far as I could tell, Jacques is less than what you would call a bright young man and seemed to think wandering the forbidden forest at night a good way to find adventure. Caity had followed him out of concern.
"Soon after I revealed myself to them, a fourth student arrived. Alessandro Darko. Perhaps this is what he wished to speak to you about? I'm not sure when he approached you. Regardless, he likewise seemed very concerned about all of our safety. Was he part of Kade's little troupe as well? He seemed familiar with the severity of the danger. He immediately demanded we all summon patronuses, which we did.
"In the nick of time too, as mere seconds after we encircled ourselves in the soft silver light, the entire world around us grew impenetrably black. The shadows had sensed us I believe and had come seeking an easy meal. They'd completely surrounded us and we weren't sure which direction would lead back to the castle."
Zee hesitated slightly. He didn't feel it would be prudent to mention that when he'd looked at the shadows there had been whispers in his mind. Whispers of invitation. And yet he somehow felt an urge to tell Caira about that part. His pragmatism overruled however and he continued with the story.
"Our patronuses leading, we picked a direction and ran. Darko was up at the lead and I'm not sure what exactly happened, but there was a burst of flames and some screaming. Darko was on the ground, his patronus gone, but the shadows that were closing in on him burst into swirls of dark dust as Keaira showed up. She then took up the lead and brought us back to the castle.
"Almost. An unusually large shadow blocked our path and our patronuses seemed almost powerless against it. Darko threw flames at it while I tried to hold it back with my patronus. Only Keaira had any real ability however. She killed it with some arcane chanting I wasn't familiar with. I wonder if she in one of these 'shadow-warriors.'
"After that we regrouped and reentered the castle. Darko tried to act completely ignorant about everything, but Keaira gave us some information at least. Not much. It seems no one will speak openly with me about what it is that is happening. Something however is unquestionably happening."
One elbow planted on the arm of his chair, Zee rested his chin in his palm and gazed curiously at Caira, wondering if she would reveal anything. She knew something about what was going on, clearly. Zee wasn't sure if he was comforted by this belief or not. It was reassuring to know the headmistress wasn't oblivious, but from his discussion with D'rorah, Zee wasn't sure what Caira's knowledge implied about her.
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Post by Caira LaPointe on Dec 29, 2007 12:45:38 GMT -5
Caira listened to Zee's recounting of that night, nodding a bit as he went along. Everything he told her jived with the information that had been brought back from her own scouts. At the very least, his information seemed to be trustworthy.
"You're very observant," she remarked as she settled into her chair, another warm smile having appeared on her face. "And very ambitious. I wonder Zee, have you ever heard of Shadow Magic?" She smirked a bit, of course he had not... it wasn't the sort of thing one found mention of in the library or heard about over the breakfast table in the Great Hall.
"I can offer you Shadow Magic... a very powerful, rarely held talent which would give you power and influence over the creatures you find in the forest." She rose from her seat and walked slowly around the room. "You see, the funniest thing happened when I attempted to contact your parents as I was considering you for the Prefects position." She paused in her walkng and directed a smile at him. "Yes, even before you came to ask for it. You see, while I was speaking with them they seemed... a bit... odd."
She continued her slow circle around the room without speaking for a few steps. "And I wondered what might have happened to them to make them behave as they did. And then it occurred to me..." her smile shifted to a smirk. "... they were under the hold of an Imperius Curse. And what I realized once I realized that was just how much you must have wished to come to Hogwarts and just what sort of things you might be capable of with the proper encouragement."
She stopped in front of her bookcases, considering them for several long moments with her back to Zee as she waited for all of that to sink in. "And I realized that I had found someone with excellent potential for Shadow Magic. Because you see, it requires that you are able to think darkly and act with dark intentions." She turned back to face him, catching his eyes. "And it seems you'd have no difficulty whatsoever in succumbing to... shall we say darker inclinations."
"Unlike anyone else here, I can offer you the opportunity to join with a Shadow. And, once you've mastered control of it, you would be able to use its magic just as freely as you use your own." Conveniently, she left out the fact that most chose Shadows which were too strong and were driven insane by them... and that those who were able to resist madness were slowly taken over by the Shadow as they used its power. That really wasn't important for now. If she could entice him enough, he would join with the Shadow... she's purposely see it was a weaker one so her new protegee wasn't destroyed, but he'd soon find himself under the control of the Shadow and would be an excellent asset to her mistress. Also, best not to mention that there was no separating from a Shadow once he had joined with it. From time to time, Shadows could inhabit muggles temporarily... leading them to commit crimes or indulge in drugs or alcohol in order to sate the Shadow's desire for that which they could not have on their own.
But witches and wizards could only be inhabited by a Shadow if they specifically invited it in. And that invitation was permanent. In the past, Shadow Warriors who had attempted to separate a Wizard from his Shadow had only managed to destroy bothl... though with the research of that pesky Ravenclaw girl... "Would you be interested in that power, Zee? In having the ability to use Shadow Magic?"
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Zane Lucifer Bishop
Slytherin
[green]6th Year Slytherin[/green] Elemental Master of Metal
You people all have to learn. This world is going to burn.
Posts: 483
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Post by Zane Lucifer Bishop on Dec 29, 2007 22:43:36 GMT -5
Countless alarms went off in Zee's head as soon as Caira mentioned Shadow Magic. He indeed knew something of it from his conversation with D'rorah, though not much. She had told him that the Shadow Mage would likely offer him access to Shadow Magic, and here he was, sitting in Caira's office and having to decide who to trust. He didn't trust anyone, but he couldn't put off choosing a side much longer.
Zee was immensely glad that she turned away from him after revealing her knowledge of his parents imprisonment of sorts. As if he weren't already panicking enough about the revelation that Caira was on the Mage's side (if not the Mage herself), now she held some power over him. If she informed the Ministry about his parents . . .
His face clearly showed his distress. He had had some inkling of Caira's allegiance since fairly early in their conversation, but he hadn't wanted to believe it. And yet a part of him had. Despite the panic, despite all of D'rorah's warnings, a small voice told him to take her offer.
We will have power. We will be stronger than we are now, even more than before we played with the Cooper boy. We will have to pay a price, but who's to say it isn't worth it? Miss Philosophy? She doesn't want us to have power! Take the offer!
Zee gripped his jaw with the hand he'd been resting his chin in, keeping himself from crying out in frustration. When Caira turned back to face him he appeared to have been merely considering all she'd said. As he met her gaze he let the part of him that wanted to accept her offer take control. Whatever he ultimately decided, he had to keep her believing he was intrigued.
Which indeed he was. Leaning forward hungrily as she described the power he could wield. He wanted that power, but he had seen the Shadows up close, and he wasn't sure about having one inside him. He stood up at her final question and took a step toward her, looking as if he would pounce right then on any Shadow that showed itself and try to swallow it. But he paused and cocked his head to one side, apparently reconsidering.
"Do you have a Shadow in you Caira?"
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Post by Caira LaPointe on Dec 29, 2007 23:35:46 GMT -5
Caira was pleased to see that Zee seemed to be quite interested in her offer. Good, it would make things so much simpler if she didn't have to ply him with anything more than she already had. She allowed a smirk onto her face as he sauntered over, looking so greedy for power that his eyes were nearly lit with it. And then, just as she thought he would accept, would take her offer of power, he seemed to rethink his decision.
His question, so seemingly simple, was the absolute worst he could have thought to ask. She couldn't straight out lie to him. True, she had been manipulating the truth subtly throughout the conversation, weaving a web of intrigue to tell the story she wished to tell. She couldn't lie outright... not only would it break the rules of their game, but Zee would almost certainly know if she did. At the least, he would ask her to demonstrate the power, to show what he would be capable of... and she would not be able to provide him with that demonstration.
Her face blossomed into a warm smile. "No Zee, of course I don't have a Shadow. Do you really think the Ministry would allow a Headmistress to be put into place who had joined with a Shadow. Besides, this castle has all sorts of barriers against Dark Creatures... true, they can be breached, but living here full time would be draining. And my work is here." She gestured to the room. "I've had to give up that power in order to serve my mistress... but she'll reward me when the time comes. I'm just having to wait for it, whereas you could have it all right now." She used her most convincing tone of voice, lowering it slightly so that it almost sounded seductive and slowly circled him, considering him from all angles. "All that power available to you if only you agree..." she whispered, waiting for his answer.
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Zane Lucifer Bishop
Slytherin
[green]6th Year Slytherin[/green] Elemental Master of Metal
You people all have to learn. This world is going to burn.
Posts: 483
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Post by Zane Lucifer Bishop on Dec 30, 2007 0:43:52 GMT -5
Of the few things Zee hated doing, jumping to conclusions ranked high. He wouldn't assume something to be true until he'd seen irrefutable evidence. Yet he had a hard time not thinking that the simple fact that Caira didn't possess a Shadow herself meant they weren't actually as grand as she had intimated. He also had a hard time not believing her. He immediately assured himself that he would not accept . . . unless he became convinced it really was the best choice.
That resolve started to melt soon after Caira flashed him her smile. While his rational mind was arguing that she was merely playing him the way he had played others, the fact that he wanted to believe her, that her voice was so welcoming, so sweet, made it nearly impossible to resist.
Yes yes, she simply cannot have one. Sad for her, yes. But we can! Take it!
Zee likely would have given in, would have traded his soul for what he thought would be immeasurably more power than he'd ever have from any other source. But all of Caira's reasoning for her not having a Shadow applied to Zee as well. He was still at the school and he absolutely didn't want to leave. If the place was as warded as Caira claimed then it hardly seemed a viable option for him to bind himself to a creature of darkness.
And if the Ministry would know if she had a Shadow, then wouldn't they know if he did? Would everybody know? Did your appearance change dramatically when you bound a Shadow to yourself? Zee's pride and joy had been his ability to blend into the school, to convince others that they were safe around him. He would hate to give up that ability. Whether he worked for Caira or not, joining himself with a Shadow seemed contrary to Zee's desires.
He shivered involuntarily as Caira circled him, her voice tingling his spine. Her ability to tempt him even after he'd determined that he didn't really want to accept disturbed him. She was at least as good as he was at this game. He followed her with his eyes, a wry grin on his face.
"I appreciate the offer Caira, truly. And I can't tell you how enticing you are. But I'm afraid that if it would mean leaving the school, I cannot accept. I like it here and plan to stay as long as I can, if I was willing to go to such extreme lengths to get here, I'm sure you can appreciate my desire to remain. I don't imagine I could perform well as a Prefect if I were forced to hide myself in shadow. No my dear, this is a face meant to be seen."
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