[Courtyard] Don't Make Me Eat You

[Erys Grace]

Surprisingly enough, it had been a nice January day. The snow in this area of the courtyard had melted with the warm winds, so it was free and dry to lounge around in. For a change of pace, instead of being down in the dungeons Erys was outside, enjoying the last streaks of sunshine against the darkening sky as everything finally faded to black. There was a full moon out, casting dappled silver light in the middle of the courtyard. She herself preferred the blackness surrounding, where the speckles couldn't reach her. Shadows were sanctuary to her. Everyone except newcomers recognised her cat form now, so she could take to the bushes and leaves without being noticed. She could do whatever she wanted; be alone, spy on people.. Or just sit there and think. Which was what she was doing right now, as various stragglers came and left the courtyard. A couple or two here and there, then that was it.

A pair of eyes peered out from behind a pillar, as they glittered yellow from reflecting the light. Wrinkling her snout, Erys pressed a paw against damp soil, moving forward to sharpen her claws against the stone pathway there. Lifting her nose to the air, the Slytherin tasted it, narrowing her eyes as an all-too-unfamiliar aroma wafted towards her. Someone else was coming, whom the identity remained unknown to her. More fresh blood to the school? They arrived every day, it was highly likely. Licking her lips with a very cheshire grin, the animagus slunk forward, crouching down, trying to locate them as soon as they came within range. A Slytherin? A Ravenclaw? Maybe a PeachPuff, or a Gryffindork. Whoever it was, it didn't smell like a girl.

Twisting her ears, hearing hushed footsteps, Erys coiled her muscles beneath her before darting out from the bushes, aiming to flash in front of his legs to trip him before hiding back in the shadows again. Whoever it was, if they fell they'd end up with a sore butt.[/color]

[nikojones]

It seemed the day was yet another boring one for Niko. Nothing interesting at all had happened all day, except the librarian falling over in the great hall, but then again, she always seemed a little ditzy so it was no surprise to him. Still, it was funny nonetheless and Niko found himself laughing at the poor woman’s misfortune. Silly mare.

It was becoming dark, and while he was wasting his time in the great hall, just merely playing with the scraps of food, he could be doing something at least a little more productive, even if it was taking a little walk outside to enjoy it while it was pleasant. You could never tell in Scotland what the weather would be like from one day to the next, and being so unpredictable, most students took pleasure in the good weather while they could.

Stretching his arms up to the sky, his back cracked as it lengthened before he quickly stood up and walked out the great hall doors. Saluting some fellow Gryffindors as they escaped off up the stairs to bed, he opened up the door to the courtyard and instantly got hit with a blast of cold night air. It was shocking yet refreshing all at once, and caused Niko to lose his breath momentarily.

Peering around, there were few people hanging around the courtyard, simply looking quite chilly. He saw a small flash of yellow near the ground and frowned at it, questioning himself as to what it would be. Focusing his eyes on the spot where he saw it for a moment, he could see nothing further in the darkness and decided to walk the opposite way to an empty bench, yet he continued to glare at the corner, narrowing his eyes to attempt to focus on what lay within the darkness.

[Erys Grace]

Silently growling as he moved - how was she to trip him now? sitting down like that, pah - the Slytherin glanced away from him, causing the yellow circles that were her eyes to vanish from his view. Slinking throughout the bushes, careful not to step on anything that might snap, crackle, pop, Erys peered out from behind a stone pillar, this time grinning so her teeth flashed from the darkness. He couldn't see what she was, she could be a house elf, or someone's precious pet. The exotic splotches on her pelt, his eyes failed to notice. Too dark for them, such human things. It was like he was handicapped, for god's sake. Poor thing.

Sneaking back behind the column, still masked by shadows, Erys smoothly transformed back, pressing her back against the rock and closing her eyes. "Are you afraid of the dark, little Gryffindor?" Rang her eerie voice, followed by laughter so haunting it could've been mistaken for that of a ghost's. A snake such as herself, and many of her kind, had to possess it. You cant call yourself a true member of the serpent house if you didn't have the creepy aspects down pat. Concentrating and crouching back down, Erys was a feline once again, a blur as she wove over an upturned root to make her way behind him. Such fun this was, playing with Gryffindors.

Without making a sound, Erys morphed back behind him, leaning forward if only to purr as her lips hovered inches from his ear. The gesture was nothing short of teasing, as he was clearly not the apple of her eye. No, that was someone else. For now, it was all tricks. All work and no play made Erys a very dull girl, after all.[/color]