Searching ((open))

[Gabriella De Conti]

The night was dark and the forest was darker; the dense trees blocking any moon or starlight from entering into the wood. She mutterd lumos under her breath and a shot of light sparked from her wand. Smiling at the fact that she could see once more she picked up on a trail and began to walk on it, keeping her light dim and just far enough ahead of her to see and not attract attention. If she was found on the school grounds at this hour; it would not be a good thing. She would more then likely be identified as one of the rogue wizards and hauled off somewhere for questioning.

She shook the dangerous thoughts out of her head and began to search the ground around her.
"Knowing the plant's name might've been a good start," she muttered scathingly under breath; silently cursing the lack of herbologists in the Rogue Wizards. She was looking for something of upmost importance and all she got was that the flower was pink, the stem was green, and the leaves were pointy. It was not a lot to go on. She scowled at the blue flower, accusing it of traitory for not being pink.

"Bloody forest filled with plants."

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn had been tracking this rogue for many days now, in fact a few years, and once again she had picked up the trail. The Forbidden Forest had always frightened her as a child but now, fear had left those places vacant. Nothing was left in her heart but her determination. Nothing was left to do but to do her job.

She bent down on one knee, wiping a leaf off a foot print she had found in the mud. She wiped the mud softly, calculatingly, then looked up and around. The forest stretched out before her and around her for as far as she could see. The footprint lead into the forest and it was clear that all Quinn could do was follow.

So she stood up, dusting off her knees and sighed heavily. "This time, you will not get away," she thought. She took her wand out of her pocket and rolled it between her hands, warning it and herself up. She took deep steady breaths, calming herself, before setting out after the tracks left on the ground.

[Gabriella De Conti]

She looked behind herself periodically, carefully searching for any type of movement in the trees behind her or the dim light of a wand or lantern.

She continued on her way, slowing her pace slightly and began paying more attention to the ground. The forest was lense dense where she was and she saw flowers at more frequent intervals. Gabriella grinned hoping she was one step closer to finishing her task.

And then she saw it, a pale light shining just ahead; barely visible. She cursed under her breath, thinking it another witch or wizard in the distance. She shook her head; she was a capable duelest and quick thinker; she could likely take anyone else who was wondering about in the forbidden forest at night.

She noticed however, that the light was somehow directly beneath. She nearly let out a cry, but held it in long enough so that it merely escaped as a sigh. What she had been worrying about fighting was without a doubt the flower she was looking for. Pink, green, pointy, and undoubtedly had some magical power. She carefully followed the steps to retrieving the flower for it's home in the mud and placed it carefully inside her sac which she proceded to shrink and place inside her pocket.

With a cocky grin she turned around only to see her many footprints leading up to where she was right now. She didn't even have to wonder if she was being tailed by some red rose or ministry person; she knew it. She silently cursed her stupidity and held her wand out; she was going to wait for the person to come to her.

[Quinn Locksley]

The air in the forest was cold, damp, reeking of decay. Every breath Quinn drew in was lined with an almost choking, thick moisture but she ignored it, she was trained to ignore. What she could not ignore was the trail that lead her to her prey.

She checked the prints again, making sure she was still following the same prints. She sized up these prints with the ones she had originally followed. Identical, she smiled, "yes!" She stood up and began to walk more brusquely, the trill of the hunt rushing excitement in her veins.

Quinn looked around the forest slightly amused and surprised to see that it was beginning to thin. She kept to the shadows, looking around curiously. Then she spotted it, a figure bending over a plant, some sort of flower. A wicked smirk wiped her lips. As the figure deposited the flower into her sack, Quinn stepped out of the shadows.

The figure turned to reveal a familiar face, "Gabriella De Conti, fancy bumping into you here." She walked closer to the women and said, pointing her wand at her said, "Expelliarmus." Her wand flew out of her hand landing near the thickening underbrush of the forest. She shook her head and, still walking closer to her, said, "tsk tsk, you should have known that I would have come for you and you should have covered your arse better. It's not like you to be sloppy."

[Gabriella De Conti]

"I admit I am quite ashamed with myself." She said smirking slightly; despite the fact that she ahd jsut lost her wand. "And I am inclined to not lie at the moment, I am not terribly happy to see you at the moment.

"Although I'm not surprise, you always were good at stalking folks weren't you Quinn?" She said and began moving towards her; rather strutting towards her actually. "And indeed I am quite impressed, why you're probably the only ministry hit witch intelligent enough to use their wand. I applaud you at your ability to disarm me." She said smirking as she sat down next to a tree not too far away from Quinn. Her mind dropped any form of thought as she began to close her mind to any intruder. Much as she was trying to destabalize Quinn; she kenw she was a worthy opponent.

Gabriella glanced up a the stars, "It's lovely night is it not."

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn tried to get into the rogue's mind but, clever, she thought. She tried to ram the barriers around Gabriella's mind but she could not get it. "You're learning fast, Gabriella," she grimaced, taking one step closer to her.

She did not know what she was playing at by just sitting there. Quinn looked her up and down, calculating what she might do next. "Accio wand," she cried, knowing that it was the one thing that could help De Conti escape again. The wand flew into Quinn's outstretched hand and she quickly pocketed it.

Quinn blocked her mind too. It was a clever move on De Conti's part and Quinn kicked herself for not thinking it first. But now, she could not extract that one second of weakness on her part. "And I applaud you for having escaped from my clutches one too many times," Quinn said with disgust and hatred, but the utmost respect and countenance.

[Gabriella De Conti]

"One too many times for you, none too many for me. I have to admit though it really is getting quite dreary escaping from you all these times.

"To your credit however, you certainly make my life more exciting." She smiled and reached to scratch her back discreetly feeling for the wand she had forgotten to return to one of the Red Roses she'd captured. She smirked once more and continued, "Not to mention I do believe you get more and more intelligent each time we meet; something I never deemed possible when I first evaded you Quinn."

She stood up once more and began walking around the small clearing; circling her worthy opponent. She grinned, they certainly were well matched in skill and brains and both had a certain amount of arrogance to go right along with it. She smirked as she felt a brush of magic touch her mind, she would not get through her barriers. She knew it pointless but she made the attempt to cross into Quinn's mind. She barely touched it and she knew she would do herself more harm if she attempted further.

Gabriella smirked as Quinn quickly summoned her own wand and for the first time was glad she had the memory of a goldfish. "Clever move Locksley," She said with bitterness. "And here I was trying to manoever my way towards it. To think if I was a lesser witch I might actually give myself up; but I suppose you know that I'm far to good and far too proud for that sort of dangerous move."

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn felt a slight tingle in her mind as Gabriella, in turn, tried to break into her mind. It was an unwarranted attempt but Quinn admired her for trying. She smirked slightly, thinking, it's nice to see that I still haven't lost my touch with this one! She wiped her face of emotion and stared at the woman as she strode around her. "And you have learnt much as well, it would seem," she said, condescendingly.

Quinn had her wand on the rogue the entire time, making sure that at any moment she could strike. Eyeing her suspiciously, Quinn thought she saw a flicker of hope in her eyes, this Quinn didn’t like. She wanted to squash out that tiny flame with all the brut force she could muster. She shook her head, decisively, and said harshly, "hands where I can see them, De Conti, I'd hate to be forced to ruin that pretty face and I won't let you get away again. So stand still!"

[Gabriella De Conti]

Gabirella laughed and placed her hands on her lap. "You sure seem frightened for a witch who has an unarmed witch cornered. Scared I'm going to try and attack you with a twig? Even I am not that powerful Locksley."

She stopped and sat down with her back against the tree once more glad she was unerving her opponent. "Never thought you'd be frightened of an unarmed opponent Quinn, you dissapoint me, one might think you're a Red Rose or something of the sort; not just a corrupt ministry official. tsk tsk.

"You know, something dreadful is digging into my back," She said, an arrogant smirk playing on her lips and once again thanked Merlin for her stupidity. She carefully reached behind her back, grabbed the wand and rolled out of the way of any curse Quinn might have fired at her.

She smiled as she pointed the wand at Quinn. "It seems we're almost equally matched now Locksley, I won't be using my own wand."

[Quinn Locksley]

Quinn let out a bark of a laugh. “Frightened? HA!” she exclaimed, “the only thing that frightens me is that this forest-” she looked around at the trees tensely “-shall swallow me up before I had the pleasure of handing you over to the Dementors myself. I hear it is almost unbearable to witness but for you I will do my best.” She laughed long, mirthlessly, savouring the thought of this troublesome rouge being kissed by the Dementor. “And believe me, De Conti, I shall deliver you to them, make no mistake about that.”

The air in the forest was tight, at though some ominous evil force was invading every breath that she drew. She kept her wand on the witch as she sat down, not trusting her to fight fairly even when she was disarmed. She eyed the woman suspiciously. Quinn frowned deeply, dark shadows engulfing her face. “I take much offence at being equated with Red Rose scum,” she spat, “I am disappointed that you should think so little of me.”

As Gabriella reached to her back, Quinn tensed up, her wand arm becoming rigid, and she roared, “hand where I can see them, De Conti.” She did not heed her warning, so Locksley spat out, “Petrificus Totalus.” The red jolt of light hit the tree. Quinn’s eyes went wide; she had rolled out of the way. “And you think that that means we are evenly matched? Your ignorance amuses me, De Conti, now you merely have an annoyance that I must get rid of.” The two witched stared at each other and Quinn understood that they were, indeed, evenly matched!”

[Gabriella De Conti]

"I thought once that the ministry and the rogues should unite against those righteous fools and then I realized I would have to fight along side you and the thought disapeared as quickly as it game.

"Really? You're going to suck out my soul before anything else. I thought the ministry was more intelligent then that; well I don't have anything to fear now do I. I thought I might be forced to betray my comrades first, I'm glad that is not the case." She showed no emotion on her face, despite the fact that becoming another souless creature in this world was one of her biggest fears. Being a member of the ogue wizards you quickly learned to hide all emotion.

She held on to the wand tight in case Locksley tried to disarm her once more. Gabriella had always been a quick learner. She glanced up at the sky that was starting to brighten; it was no longer the endless darkness that once been above them and she knew she had to finish quickly.

"STUPEFY!" cried Gabriella and once again rolled over to dodge any returning attack; she'd never been one for shield charms.

[Quinn Locksley]

"O trust me on this one,” Quinn said nastily, “by the time I’m finished with you, you’ll be begging for death! And it will come all too quickly if those above me have their way.” She giggled at the thought of this rogue being tortured by herself, of course. “It should be fun!” She raised an eyebrow and relaxed it in one motion, teasing her, begging her to make a move. Finally, the witch made her first move.

"STUPIFY!" she cried.

Smiling cheekily, Quinn swung her arm in a wide circle as she cried, “Protego!” A glowing green shield appeared in front of her as wide as her arms could reach. As the spell hit the shield hit the shield and reflected off, Quinn laughed wickedly, cackling, “is that the best you can do, De Conti?” She looked at the woman on the floor and for a split second did nothing; then she said, waving her wand in the appropriate configuration of moves.

“Petrificus Totalus,” she cried, and watched the jinx that caused the whole bady to go ridgid fly towards the witch.

[Gabriella De Conti]

Gabriella would've smirked up at Quinn had she the capability; unfortunately her body was rigid. She saw the gloating look in Locksley eyes; she honestly thought that Gabriella could be defeated that easily.

Her wand still gripped in her hand she wordlessly did the counter-curse. She stood up quickly and smirked up at the shocked witch.

"You do realize that petrificus totalus does not in fact restrict the mind flow; that's why it' safe to teach eleven year olds. I admit I am insulted that you think I could not perform the easy counter-curse non-verbally. Looks like I'm not the only sloppy girl here tonight."

With one eye she glanced up at the night sky which was getting steadily brighter. Her urgency flowed through her and she put her poker face on; and by poker face she meant her trademark smirk. Non-verbally she sent the stupefy curse towards her opponent and yet she continued speaking, "To think I thought you might actually know more then the average eleven year old. I feel so pathetic now that I actually let you immobilize me." Her tone was cutting as she spoke, though her main efforts had went towards her stunning spell.

It was a talent she had, being able to focus her mind on two completely different things, most called it muliti-tasking but with Gabriella it was something more extraordinary then that. She'd worked hours, days, months, to be able to do that and it was something very few witches and wizards were capable of doing. The amount of energy it took as it drained your body was astonishing; Gabriella, however, didn't let thta show as she watched the unexpected stream of red light soar towards her opponent.

[Quinn Locksley]

Not surprisingly, Gabriella countered the but it was just enough time for Quinn to start towards Gabriella. She knew she could not kill the rogue, though she desperately wanted to, she in stead had to subdue the lady till a more suitable time for … extraction of information. It was just the subduing that was the tricky part, this rogue had escaped impossible situations and subduing her with any certainty always had it’s uncertainties.

She had planned to physically seize the rogue but found herself on her back. How stupid could I get? she thought angrily, and would have cursed herself had she been able to. What was she to do now, stupefied, stupid and the witch would get away? She stared wide eyed at the rogue. What is she going to do? she thought, while trying to think of a way to get out of this pickle.

[Gabriella De Conti]

Gabriella allowed herself a second to gloat about her latest victory before choosing a different path out of the forest. She non-verbally disilliussioned herself glad she would need no lighting spell to escape the forest. She stared once more at her stunned opponent and Gabriella could almost feel her mind calculating her next move.

Before she she took another step she put a charm on her boots giving her an almost Elvish quality which would leave no imprint. She thought for a moment whether she missed something and just as she was about to tear off down the chosen trail when she realized she was still using the Red Roses wand. She quickly summoned her own wand and tore off down the path.

She needed to get out of the forest quickly before a student, teacher, or creature discovered her presence. The last thing she needed now was more trouble; she carefully felt for the presence of the rose in her pocket and smiled thankfully that it was still there. With a smirk she continued to pace down the trail at a slow jog; checking behind herself every so often to make sure her charm was good and that Locksley still wasn't following her. She knew she should've taken in the stunned witch for questioning and if her leaders ever found out about her decision to leave the witch there she' d be in trouble especially since Quinn would definitely get herself out of trouble somehow. And yet Gabriella couldn't bring herself to send Quinn to be tortured for information and then have her memory modified. It was a form of respect for a worthy opponent she supposed; either way Quinn would not be turned in that day.