(Forest) Good morning sunshine

[robinvalentine]

Why was is that Robin Valentine always disappeared for three days of each month? Why was it that, when she returned, she looked like something mauled her? Where did she go? Robin often wondered if her fellow students thought this.

Now, it was night three that she was gone. The last night she would be away from the castle. Or at least, for another month, that is. She stumbled towards the direction in which the front of the forest was located, in what was left of her clothing. Unfortunately, she had been unable to retrieve her shoes. For they were torn to bits, shredded. Extreme pain pumped in her lower back, arm, and leg. Gashes. Fresh gashes. Fresh bloody gashes. She was amazed that she had any blood left in her body from this.

She fought back tears of pain, attempting to keep what little dignity she had left. Though it was dark out, Robin knew the sun would come up within an hour or two. The full moon had left it's mark on poor Robin's body. Why? Why me? She silently wondered in her head.

A twig rammed itself up Robin's barefoot, causing her a yelp in pain. "As if I wasn't already in enough pain.." She grumbled, pulling the twig out. Where was the entrance to the forest? Why couldn't she find it now? She'd been able to before.. But why couldn't she now?

"Merlin.. I need to find the entrance before students begin waking up.." She muttered rather loudly. It was times like these she wished she had brought her wand with. Though, it would probably snap in two..

Robin began panicking. She could sense the sun was slowly creeping up, threatening to get her caught. Was she lost? Had she gone blind? What was her problem? Why couldn't she find the stupid entrance?

[Cattrim Rallon]

Knocking aside the hasty blow that had no real power behind it, Catt ducked the woman's other swinging slap then grabbed both of her arm as she struggled violently against him, bringing a ridiculous heel down hard upon his poor toes he yelped in pain, "gorram woman," he cried leaping back as she went for her wand once again Catt lunged at her, sending them both toppling to the mossy ground beneath. With surprising agility though the lith woman used his own momentum to send him flying over her head. Landing painfully upon his back Catt cried aloud more in shock from being sent careering over her head than the actual physical pain. "Damn," he muttered expasperatedly. Instinctively rolling aside he was glad he did when her kick breezed past his ear rather than actually hitting his head. Rolling into a crouch, he span towards her as she screeched in frustration herself. "Come on," he coaxed as her eyes narrowed to slits and she flung herself at his chest. Toppling from his crouch onto his back with her atop him Catt couldn't help but grin, usually he'd love having a woman in such a position; not this one. Instead of rolling atop her so she could knee him in precisely the place he wished to protect Catt used his strength and as her nails slashed at his face he clutched her arm then yanked harshly. She'd have to follow her arm or else let it break. As she fell into a heap of leaves Catt lept to his feet just as she did the same.
"You're mine Cattrim Rallon," she whispered making Catt's features darken. They circled each other warily, eyes locked whilst hands drew inexorably to their weapons.
"I ain't gonna make it easy for you." With those words two things happened simultaneously; The Ministry officials spell erupted from her wand slashing Catt across the chest with the sectumsempra spell whilst Catt gun slid out of it's holster and his bullet shattered her knee.

Both fighters fell crying aloud in shock, outrage and pain. "I hope that hurts Rallon," screeched the official clutching her knee in anguish. "Not so much as yours Kiera," grated Catt gingerly touching the slash across his chest. Knowing the wound wasn't life threatening Catt pushed himself to his feet, tottering only slightly, knowing now was his opportunity he stumbled towards the prone witch, only to find her wand still pointed right at his head. "I've still got you pinpointed Rallon, drop the gun."
Letting his pistol fall through his fingers Catt answered, "that you have, but you can't take me in with a buggered knee, that's why I hit you there." He spoke with only a hint of satisfaction, Kiera looked up and rolled her eyes, "I can just take you out right here and now." She spat in an icy tone.
"If you were gonna do that you'd have finished it already." Seeing she could barely sit up to fondle her knee with on hand Catt took advantage and dived for the cover of a fallen hollow log, her counter stroke missed him by a whisker. As she moaned aloud and tried to maneouvre herself to get a clear shot Catt moved along quickly getting in around behind her. Before she could react to his presence he snatched the wand from her resisting fingers, literally prying it out as she screamed in frustration, still keeping her left hand upon her injured knee.

Jumping away Catt moved around before her again, retrieving his fallen weapons, his two guns and wand that she'd managed to take earlier on the struggle. "Now I ain't gonna leave you here to die, but you've gotta let me get away, safe and free, so don't come running after me." He warned guns concealed once more and wands trained upon her. She glared furiously at him, quivering with rage and pain that she couldn't even begin to express. "There you go," he called throwing her wand high up into the air. Kiera's eyes flew up and she reached out her hand to catch the wand out of midair, she just managed it, but Catt was already long gone, racing through the forest at a fair old pace.

He'd escaped barely, that call had been far too close for comfort, so now he headed back towards Hogsmeade with all haste, it would take a while and there would doubtless be more officials about.

All too soon he heard footsteps again, "as if I haven't had enough excitement for one day." He muttered creeping up upon the footsteps. It was better to deal with whoever they were rather than let them still be around behind him. With wand pocketed but still close to hand as he was a quick draw he stepped out towards them from behind a large hulking tree, completely taken aback at finding a bleeding girl before him. Countering his surprise he asked in a worried voice, "y'alright girl? Ya'll look as worse for ware as me, if not worse." She ain't Ministry at least, but still she could pry Catt wondered, "and what are you doin' in here anyways?" He asked bluntly, prefering to get directly to the point rather than dilly dally about.

[robinvalentine]

A scream? Why was there a scream echoing throughout the forest? Some creature killing another for food most likely. From the corner of her eye, she saw something streaming through the forest. Damn, the sun. In worrying about being caught by fellow students, her pace quickened.

Footsteps. Merlin, there were footsteps heading towards her. Panic froze her on the spot. Was it a centaur? It had to be. Maybe a unicorn? Something living within the forest. It must be. Who else would be out here? Besides creatures thriving for the taste of flesh.. Or some crazy murderer attempting to get into Hogwarts... Something along those lines. Robin stood perfectly still. Waiting for, whatever it was, to show it's face, so she should could take off running, whether there was pain or not.

To her surprise, a man stepped out from behind a tree. Relief filled her. Until she began thinking about the murderer possibility again. Once again, to her surprise, the man spoke in a worried tone, asking her if she was alright. Should she answer? Might as well. She might be blasted down on the spot otherwise.

"Uh.. Er... I'm fine." Taking a glance towards where the streams of light were coming through, she turned back to the man. "I'm just taking.. a..er... midmorning stroll?" It was the only excuse she could think of. And it was obvious in her tone she had made it up. Perhaps the man wouldn't detect it? Hopefully he wouldn't. Otherwise she might be in for some questioning.

Her arms and legs screamed in pain, though she refused to move. She wanted to make sure he wasn't about to attack. If he was, she'd take off running. Just like that. Robin had a talent for taking off. It was part of her everyday life. Her crimes and pranks had taught her to take off running, get as far away from the scene as possible. And, being out here once a month, had taught her to take off running as well. More then once had someone come out here, when she was torn up, literally.

Now, Robin waited silently, hoping the man would go about his business, and not question her. She was the worst at making up excuses to questions. And there was no way she'd be able to make up an excuse to anything involving werewolves.

[Cattrim Rallon]

Folding his arms Catt looked at the girl in a way that cried out do you think I was born yesterday? He curbed his tongue though and didn't say it. Instead he looked at the state of her, she'd have to admit it herself that she looked a state. "Fraid I ain't gonna fall for that, cus you really don't look fine," he winced at seeing just how many gashes she had on her.
"You need a doctor missy." He recommended, so did he but for him the wound was just a scratch, she was still young and developing. "Looks like you've bin attacked by sommit fierce," he mused trying to get a look at the gashes; to see if they were bite marks or claw wounds.
"There's plenty of scary things in this forest, and I aon't saying that to scare you, it's just plain fact." Her wounds were curious his gaze was enraptured by them...suddenly it clicked, it wasn't just some creature that had attacked her; it was herself. The time was enough to make him know the truth of it. Eyes widening in shock he stumbled back, "you ain't," he breathed in disbelief, "no it's just coincidence, ain't it?" He demanded knowing she'd be as confused as he was.

"You weren't taking no midmornin' stroll, tell the truth." He coaxed his voice not so worried as before and the curiousity gone. He might have worked it out, but he wanted her to tell him it. "The moon kinda gives it away," he shrugged his shoulders knowing she knew what he meant now. "But don't worry, I won't rat you out to no-one, got no reason to."

[robinvalentine]

Obviously, he hadn't fallen for her bad attempt to lie. Did she look that bad? Were the gashes that big? "Really?" She asked, some sarcasm within her voice. "I hadn't noticed." Looking about herself, in the now morning light, she could tell that they were that big. And it was that bad. A low groan erupted from her throat. More bandages. More excuses. Lovely, simply lovely. Couldn't she go one full moon without being attacked from the monster within?

"Er.. Yes. I was attacked. That's it.. Attacked.." Yellow eyes flashed towards the sun now. Ugh. Though, students wouldn't be walking about the corridors for another hour. She still needed to get to the Hospital Wing, then to her dorm to change, without being noticed. And, with the sun now up and joyfully spoiling her chance to get away, she was bound to be noticed.

Slowly, Robin began inching towards the entrance, while he told her about the forest. "Well.. I was attacked by one of the 'scary things'.. Stupid me, out for a midmorning stroll.. I was attacked.. That's all.." She noticed he was looking at her gashes carefully now. Fear painted her face, as she attempted hiding them, though she was out of luck. He began guessing, and hitting it right on the spot.

Stopping her inching away, Robin's eyes widened as well. "No! It's not what you think! I was.. doing this for a dare! A class assignment! Then I was attacked! I swear!" It was impossible to slip past his assumption. Again the words 'why me' fell into her head. Even though the man said he wouldn't tell, she didn't trust him. How could she? She was simply not going to trust someone with the key to her missing nights. "Why are you out here?" She shot out of no-where. Fear and panic was getting the best of her. Pain was attempting to get her to run. But her conscience was telling to her stay. No, remain where she was until further notice.

[Cattrim Rallon]

Seemed like the girl didn't know just how bruised and battered she looked, beneath her gashes she looked a pretty girl, but there was no way Catt ould be fooled by a pretty face fluttering her eyelashes. Luckily she wasn't trying such a route.

"You were attacked? By whom?" He asked with a twinkle in his eyes he stood with arms crossed appraising her, he thoroughly admired the way she was skirting around the truth, it really was an admirable effort though probably futile in the end. "You don't seem overmuch frightened by what attacked you, so my guess is you've sommit to hide. Which is all well and good, I'd like to say I ain't gonna pry. But it's just too interestin' those gashes." He smiled in what he hoped was a comforting way, he really did mean her no harm in the slightest, he just had to know.

Catt's eyebrows raised incredulously and he fixed the girl with a look saying do I look like I was born yesterday? "A dare I can imagine easy enough, but bein' told to come in here by the school; no way. They call it forbidden for a reason missy." Of course then the tables were turned quickly upon him, his face fell, his brow wrinkling, "well...I've good reason to be out here, keeping it safe for people, you know." He couldn't exactly tell her the truth nowcould he? Oh I'm a smuggler finishing a business transaction wouldn't go down well.

"Looks like neither of us is gonna know what the other is up to." He laughed gruffly finding the irony highly amusing, but at least he could guess her reasoning, his was just obscure.
"I ain't gonna keep you miss, ye can turn tail and go back," he waited a moment for his words to sinkin then added with assurance, "but I know you're not going to. This is way too interesting. You want to know what I'm up to, just like I want to know what you're about, why not trade?" He asked with a shrug, not that he could tell her the whole truth. Leaning back against a tree in a relaxed fashion he calmly awaited her response, the one he wished for hopefully.

[robinvalentine]

By now, the sun was causing beams to stream through the forest more and more. A small, unnoticeable shrug, filled her shoulders. She'd been late for something like this before, and now she was caring less and less. Missing out on classes seemed better then attending them. Sure the professors found it a sorry excuse, but it was an excuse.

Of course, he had to ask such a question. This took some pondering for Robin. "Uh.. Er.." She mumbled. "A... Er... Boggart?" Were there even any of them in the forest? It was possible, wasn't it? Again, another question that would take some thinking. Lying was something that took up to much time for thinking. "I've been attacked by ... the boggart... before. So, I wasn't to afraid. "Are the gashes that bad?" She mumbled silently, taking another look at them. There was more light, and she could tell, that the pain was nothing compared to looking at it. A shiver ran down her spine, which caused small pain.

Her yellow eyes shot a glance at him. "So, I'm guessing that scream from within the forest was from you?" She asked, suspiciously. He could have been fending off something that screamed. But what would have such a feminine scream? Rampaging female centaur? Possibly..

"Obviously..." Robin mumbled. She didn't want to give up her side of the story, she would probably continue her theory on the boggart attacking her. And she would probably say that the boggart was a werewolf. She would be only half lying then. Basically ignoring the fact to turn now and leave, she stood still. She wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to find out what he was really up to. "Alright. You first." She demanded. Robin could swear she heard something up ahead ruffling around in the forest. Probably a bird or something ready to kill us.. She thought, before focusing on the man before her.

[raquel]

A midmorning stroll through the forest? Maybe she was just as crazy as her veela mother. But here she was as usual out in the forest. By now she knew her way around by heart by the location of what creatures she sees. Unicorns, too far north; Spiders and Aragog, too far west; ect. But here she was in the muddy morning and she swore she could hear voices up ahead. Sounded like a nervous girl and man--an old man, a professor? or one of the rogues that supposedly made their home here? Well, she was too far to tell so she gently put her hand in her pocket and gripped her wand just in case before she entered the clearing.

A beaten up.. Gryffindor girl and an old man. This didn't look good to her. "What on Earth is going on here?" She said, as if she were a prefect with complete control of what went on in the forest. She went over to the girl and quickly looked her over, she looked horrible. She pulled out her wand and put it in her pants pocket before she shrugged off her cloak and put it around the girl to conceal some of the wounded flesh. She had plenty more cloaks, and she wasn't going to let the old man get a nice but nasty view.

[Cattrim Rallon]

The first rays of the rising sun were long gone, now beams filtered through the thick foliage and each could see the other clearly. Neither would win a beauty contest in their current state, but Catt would never want to anyway.

Catt couldn't help but grin and admire her as she came up with another answer of what had actually attacked her. It was plausible he supposed, but it was still fishy and Catt's sense of smell was pretty sharp. As was his tongue sometimes, "a boggart?" He scoffed really hding his fear for them. "I hear there are a few of the nasty little buggers in here." He added hurriedly, he didn't want to offend her; only find answers.

When she worriedly enquired about her gashes he shrugged, "well I've had worse," he conceeded, "they're not life threatening so you needn't worry or nottin' but kid..I mean young adults like yeself shoudn't be hurt." He tried the compassionate adult but soon changed, "meh who am I kidding a bit of adventure is good for you."

So it sounded like she'd heard the scream; he should have known. Why did women have to scream at such a pitch that damaged his earlugs, that's what he wanted to know. He chuckled to hide his guilt though and replied dryly, "I give more of a yelp than a scream, and I'm just running from that screech," cause that sounds good, now I can be linked to it. He cursed himself.

Quickly she was turning the tables upon him, but he already had his story relatively straight; he'd used it before, countless times. "I work for the Ministry," he lied with a straight genuine face. "I'm a tracker for them you see," now he could also find what information students knew about goings on within the forest, "searching for Rogue Wizards, I don't suppose you've seen any signs of them?" He demanded with a dry chuckle, he was a fair hand at tracking and could follow most people, and the Ministry was employing anyone these days, he could easily work for them really. She couldn't know the real truth, that would endanger her, even if it would help him.

The situation had been entirely under his control, until another one of them turned up; immediately going on the defensive naturally. "I'm making sure she doesn't know nothing she ought not to, and now the same will go for you too." Catt countered smoothly feeling his hackles rise at the girl's clear disdain for him.

"So why are you here then?" He enquired kindly his features creased with clear curiousity.

[robinvalentine]

Just before the man was about to answer her demand, another girl, by the looks of it a Gryffindor much like herself, had coming running to her side, demanding what was going on. She quickly was attacked with a cloak going over her shoulders. She wasn't quite sure why this girl had come, but the cloak felt warm on her shoulders. "Thanks." She said, though was attempting to get the cloak off, just so she wouldn't bloody the cloak up. It seemed like the girl had come to a conclusion that the man before them had harmed her, which he hadn't.

"Well... Er.. One attacked me. And I believe it was the same one as before, so it's why I'm not all shaken up." Robin was holding her ground as best as she could. What with the pain, and the possibility she might let the actual truth were to slip.

Another glance would look at her wounds, and another glance would look at the girl's face. "So have I.." She mumbled lowly, hoping neither of them had heard. 'Course, that was a long while ago, the first full moon for this thing to happen. She gave a little grunt at his comment about how she being to young to be severely hurt, but felt a little happier when he finished his comment.

Robin felt the cloak flutter behind her, and it touched one of the wounds on her back. She gave a small wince due to it. Merlin, if only I'd brought my wand like the nurse instructed... Ah well, in due time I'll get there. She thought silently to herself. When he began talking about the ministry, she awoke from her thoughts.

Scanning his features, it seemed likely. "Not recently." She said, shrugging. It was hard to tell if he was lying or not, and she kept debating so. If he was lying, he was quite good at it. But she pushed it aside as he addressed the other girl. Robin answered his question, whether it was for her or not, because they had made a deal. "A dare. I was dared here. And then I was attacked." That's it. Perfect. Nothing to it. Simply that. She shrugged lightly. "Stupid of me to have done it." She never looked at him whilst she said her little fib, in case he was better at detecting lies then what he was letting on.

[raquel]

Racquel put her hands on her hips. "You work for the ministry, if so, where's your ministry ID? What's your name? Where's your proof?" She said, skeptical about his story. Ministry people didn't dress like that, and certainly didn't waste their time with random children in the forest when they should be looking for the cult of rogues. "And I have seen rogues around these parts, most everyone that goes into the forest knows they're there. Hiding from the ministry like a bunch o' chickens." She snorted, turning her nose up at the thought of them but carefully scrutinizing the man for any tell-tale reactions to which side he was on.

She'd also heard rumors that the ministry was corrupted and that the rogues were actually the 'good side', though that's hard to believe. "Even if your not ministry, I won't tell. 'Tis none of my business, but if you go around beating on girls that is my business and I will not let you get away with it." She snapped, finally finished with her long commentary that hopefully distracted him from the reason she was here. Racquel frowned a bit and looked back to the girl. "I don't know many healing charms, missy, but if you know some I'll let you borrow my wand." She offered, since the girl looked like she was some pretty bad pain.

[Cattrim Rallon]

One thing Catt had learnt was sticking to your story, you could say he was experienced, it didn't make him old, he'd just seen a fair bit of the world is all. Even if both girls claimed they wouldn't rat on him he still wouldn't put it past them. He'd learnt to be cautious, besides admitting he'd lied, in a way, would only prove he was a liar, and then they wouldn't believe a single word he said. In the end he had to protect them, and this was the way he thought best.

He continually listened to the first girl's story, he could poke holes at it, but she was trying to cover something up, and she had to be doing that for a valid reason. Just as he was lying she probably had just as good reasoning, if not better. He wouldn't pry even if his superstitions were on high alert.

"Not necessarily stupid, ya'll should have learnt from this experience." He shrugged but his eyes sharply alighted upon the second girl who stood tall and defiant before him. He kept his expression not carefully as that would arouse suspicion, but reacted how he guessed she'd expect from Ministry personal. "We ain't all people in sharp suits if that's what you're thinkin' missy. I'm a tracker, not properly on the books so to speak, finding my payroll would be a challenge don't ya know. That don't make me any less Ministry though." He acted as if his job was a bit of a sore spot, how people reacted to it at least. "I'm a tracker, paid to find people, that's why I found you," he gestured to the first girl.

"If you think I assaulted this girl then you're more stupid than you look," he shook his head giving her a look of derision, "just cause I'm prowling about a forest don't make me a rapist or nottin'. I can see why you jumped to that conclusion though." He shrugged, "I'd get back to tracking me rogues, but you had best be escorted back to safely. If that's ok with you?" He asked them both, particularly the second girl who seemed most suspcious of him.

"I know a fair bit about healing if ya'll need it." He offered his services with a smile, he really would be happy to help out. Now he just had to hope they bought the quite possible story.