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Post by Mandrake Black on Mar 11, 2007 1:45:13 GMT
Mandrake stood in a little clearing in the forest as an October wind whipped his face. His long black cloak was tight against him and he wore black leather gloves. In his hand was his wand. He stood waiting for her. She was late.
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Post by Marishka Mayfair on Mar 11, 2007 1:51:30 GMT
Marishka swore gruffly as as stepped on the hem of her robes, consequently tripping down onto the sloping lawn that led to the Forbidden Forest. She was grossly late for her and Mandrake's meeting, having found the sealed scroll informing her of the time and place that morning on the end of her bed. In such a hurry she was she now had indigestion from rushing her dinner, and her knee throbbed achingly as she pushed herself from the ground to resume her clumsy run along the wet grass.
Dashing into the trees, Marishka threw herself against a tree trunk several times the width of her own body, looking behind her in search of any ministry officials. Thankfully there were none in sight, and as Marishka pushed on she eventually came to the clearing the Alliance meeting had taken place in several nights ago.
Stood in the centre was Mandrake, looking less than pleased. 'Sorry sir,' she breathed, pacing over to him, strands of hair stuck to her face.
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Post by Mandrake Black on Mar 11, 2007 2:05:15 GMT
Mandrake faced her slightly annoyed. "Punctuality is important. Being late is something that I hate about people. Shows a sign of unwilling in them. But more to the point. Have you ever had any experience dueling at all? Do you know any curses, or defense spells? I need to know where your at." and mandrake pulled his robe tighter against him.
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Post by Marishka Mayfair on Mar 11, 2007 2:15:33 GMT
Marishka huffed silently to herself, annoyed but knowing it would only waste time to start an argument about commitment now. 'I've been in been duels, but nothing serious. Just a few with my friends,' she said dismissively, knowing that such controlled battles were useless in the real world. 'I know spells though... plenty. Curses are my speciality...' she grinned in a self-respecting manner.
Pulling out her wand, she aimed at a dead looking bush she had grazed her arm on a moment ago, shouting 'Incendio!'
The tried leaves leaped into flames, making the bush look at though it had long yellow hair that trailed feverishly into the air. She knew it was smiple, but it was also very easy. 'I'm better at offense really,' she added pompously.
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Post by Mandrake Black on Mar 11, 2007 2:27:39 GMT
"Well I'm glad I have finally found someone who knows what dueling is about. Now a good offense is no good if you don't have a good defense. A great spell to defend that even the ministry uses is the Protego charm. I'm sure you know what it is, but in case I will explain it. It forms a shield around you that blocks most jinxes and curses. A very handy one. You simply wave your wand and say clearly 'Protego'. Now lets see if you can do it." and without giving her a moment to think he pointed his wand at her and spoke calmly "Stupefy!"
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Post by Marishka Mayfair on Mar 11, 2007 2:33:57 GMT
In eagerness to prove herself, Marishka had been itching to cast it the whole time Mandrake continued to talk. The moment he silenced himself and aimed the stunning spell at her, she shouted 'Protego!' A white, near-transparent shield burst from the tip of her wand, deflecting the stunner and sending it up into the sky.
She let the shield fade. 'Please - I want to learn real magic, not this nonsense they teach you at school.' she looked toward the castle almost scornfully. 'Show me something bad.' she said challengingly, a malignant little sneer on her face.
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Post by Mandrake Black on Mar 11, 2007 2:41:52 GMT
"I see you have a thirst for evil. I admire that. Well have you ever tried the Cruciartus curse? A very nasty one indeed. One I use often. Its simple pronounced 'Crucio' but the incantation is not enough. You have to want the person to feel pain. You want to hurt them, and later kill them. Its a dark spell alright, but I don't know if your ready. Go ahead and give it a try on me. Don't worry if you do succeed I will easily stop it." and Mandrake faced her and waited.
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Post by Marishka Mayfair on Mar 11, 2007 2:58:03 GMT
Marishka's face lit up disturbingly at the mention of the Cruciatus Curse. The Unforgivables were something she had always been very fascinated with, but being so needlessly frowned upon Marishka had never really had the opportunity to try one out... or really felt enough hate toward someone to enjoy hurting them that much... not to the point of death at least. She admitted she was never without a cruel tone in her voice, and forever degrading and harming those around her - but even she knew that was all superficial. That was just fun. It wasn't out of hatred.
For a long time she was quiet, staring up at Mandrake with a calculating expression of her face, wondering what emotions in her it would take to conjure up a powerful enough blow to have a decent impact. 'I don't hate you... I don't think.' she said as an after thought, having always been confused on where the line between dislike and hate was drawn. 'I just wouldn't enjoy it enough.'
Marishka narrowed her eyes suddenly. 'Would you be able to use it against me?'
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Post by Mandrake Black on Mar 11, 2007 3:04:51 GMT
Mandrake sighed. "I'm not really sure. If it was any other student yes, but there is just something about you. Its almost as if I actually think of you as a friend. For now. I would like for you to at least try the curse. Even if you fail." and Mandrake got an idea. "Not a coward are you?"
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Post by Marishka Mayfair on Mar 11, 2007 3:20:15 GMT
Marishka could understand Mandrake's opinion of her. Who didn't love Marishka? She certainly did.
Her lip curled as Mandrake asked her if she were a coward, an indifferent look on his face. 'No,' she said defensively, not picking up that the man was deliberately trying to aggravate her. 'I'm not afraid of anything!'
Right?
Taking a few steps back, Marishka raised her wand and let her gaze burrow into Mandrake's intensely, drawing within herself every possible bit of nastiness. Many people she would love to hurt ran through her mind - Brian Chase, Henry Boggleworth and Ariane Winchester being at the forefront - but she knew that it was Mandrake she needed to want to hurt, not just people she wanted revenge against that had nothing to do what she was doing here and now.
Marishka was suddenly angry at herself. Of course she could do this! And who was Mandrake or anyone else for that matter to say she couldn't? I wouldn't live it down if I didn't do this... penitence is weakness... ENJOY this!
A rage filled Marishka, happy and savage. 'CRUCIO!'
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Post by Prof Octavious Everritt on Mar 11, 2007 4:29:42 GMT
Stepping from the shadows on a top a rocky cliff, Leigh held his wand out, knowing Mandrake was up to no good, like usual. Not caring that a student was there, Leigh raised his wand, narrowed his eyes and cried:
'Expelliarmus!'
His spell fired quickly, striking the students hand before her spell could strike Mandrake. Shocked and surprised looks focused on Leigh, a smile appearing on his face as he lowered his wand and waved his finger in a disapproving way.
Shiela, his mind linked dragon stalked after him, appearing soon and flaring her wings wide in a threatening way as a deep growl escaped her throat, her tail pounding the ground, the leaves of the trees shaking slightly.
'Now, Mandrake, you're teaching an Unforgiveable Curse without me? How fortunate it was for you, girl, that I was tracking you in the forest, the more you try and hide the easier it is to smell the fear radiating from your body as you ran.' Leigh spoke, crossing his arms, a smug smile appearing on his face. 'I've been thinking, Mandrake about that proposition you told me about... What was it? Power? I'll gladly help... if you grant me a favour?'
Leigh jumped from the cliff, the few dozen feet drop allowing his dragon to land before him comfortably as he used her tail to bring himself down onto the ground and one smooth motion. He looked at Mandrake again and smiled.
'The favour is for you to kill Morziak... tonight.' Leigh said, cutting straight to the point.
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Post by Marishka Mayfair on Mar 11, 2007 11:15:56 GMT
Marishka hissed as a disarming spell hit her from out of nowhere. 'Was that you?!' She demanded, looking at Mandrake. It was than that a male voice echoed from above them tauntingly, and Marishka looked up the cliff to see a blonde haired man standing tall with his gaze cast down on them. For a moment Marishka was simply startled (and angry at his comment about fear) - but then she saw the dragon looming behind him.
'Look out!' She shouted, quickly rushing to retrieve her wand and spinning round to aim it at the beast. She stopped however when the man jumped from the cliff face, the dragon immediately taking flight and descending with him as if by command. It seemed uncaring that the human had used its tail as something to hang on to, and Marishka lowered her wand carefully, eying the two of them with much apprehension. She forced herself to take a few steps back when he approached Mandrake.
Morziak? Whose Morziak? Why does he want him dead? Marishka thought with a frown as the man continued to speak, ignoring the Slytherin entirely. He wants to join Mandrake... he must be alright. As much as she resented it, witnessing this murder plot scared her. She was sixteen and had to admit she had never been in a fight she knew she could not win... would Mandrake ask her to help to prove herself?
Leaving some of her wariness, Marishka took several small steps forward, trying to see the man's face better. 'Why can't you do it yourself?' she questioned with an accusing glare, wanting to hear more.
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Post by Prof Octavious Everritt on Mar 11, 2007 11:35:11 GMT
Leigh looked over his shoulder at the girl, his eyes narrowing in a cold glare. 'Easy,' He said coldly, 'Morziak knows when I'm nearing him, and as such I cannot strike at him like I did with you, but Mandrake here is a known killer, he should be able to kill Morziak as he is now mortal.' Leigh looked back at Mandrake, and saw the coldness that surrounded his being.
Ever since being revived in his own body, Leigh could see the aura's of the people who were around him, the auras a sign that they possessed a strong spirit and unrelenting passion for what drove them. The girl had a weak mind but strong aura, Leigh knew, and only training would make her mind stronger.
'So, how about it, Mandrake, from one formerly dead man to the next... Can you kill an immortal?' Leigh said, leaning against Shiela's thick leg as he growled, crossing his arms and smiling smugly. 'I'll even up the ante a little... You can control Shiela's powers as your own if you so wish. The powers of a dragon flowing through your own being, a sweet deal if you ask me.' Leighs smile grew further smug.
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Post by Marishka Mayfair on Mar 11, 2007 12:12:38 GMT
'Aren't you mortal?' Marishka asked him with a raised eyebrow, coming to stand next to Mandrake now. She looked up at Mandrake regardfully, wondering if the stranger was really telling the truth - had Mandrake already killed? She felt foolish, for the idea had not before occurred to her although she knew it should have. There must have been something about Mandrake to make him so... ill-intent. This was obviously it.
Marishka knew he had once been a teacher. Had it been a student?
She looked back at the man now, taking no interest in hiding her distaste as she looked him up at down. How dare he invade them like this! How had Mandrake let their location and timing become such a poor secret? And to this disturbed man of all people! Marishka longed to speak privately to Mandrake once more, and she closed her eyes, listening hard to the wind, looking for that misleading sibilance that sounded uncannily like serpents.
She found it. 'Don't listen to him, Mandrake.' she hissed, looking from one man to the other, knowing she was now talking paseltongue. 'He's a fiend - he's using you! Tell me who Morziak is... tell me who HE is!'
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Post by Mandrake Black on Mar 11, 2007 16:35:34 GMT
Mandrake watched as the whole seen appeared before him. Leigh Addis who was not quite an enemy and not quite a friend had a appeared offering a deal that Mandrake would gladly take. He knew Morziak was a powerful man alright, but what did Mandrake care? He had one more. He was about to reply when Marishka spoke to him in Parseltongue. He turned to her and spoke in the snake language, " Leigh Addis the man before you used to be the defense against the Dark Arts professor before Morziak took his soul. I'm not really sure how Leigh escaped him, but that doesn't matter. I don't know much about Morziak. I don't even know if he is human. He is a very powerful being that fed off peoples souls. How he is mortal once more I don't know, but I am going to find out." and Mandrake turned to Leigh, "Before I answer your offer, you have to answer a question of mine. How is Morziak mortal once more?"
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