(Forest) A Roguish Rendez-vous

[Gabriella De Conti]

Gabriella hid in the shadows of the forbidden forest awaiting her companions. She was not sure what constantly brought her to the forest but the smal dark shadows had always calmed her.

She shivered slightly as a cool breeze swept through her; silently praying for colleagues to show up quicker. She glanced at her watch vaguely wondering why she had always been inclined to show up early as oposed to on time.

She glanced up towards the dark castle almost hoping that someone would find her here tonight. She had been hiding for so long(according to her) it was almost sickening. She yearned for a little squirmish or battle. She needed a little excitement.

[Jake Gobien]

Steeling through the forest at a quick pace, that would have bordered upon a swift run if not for the necessary precaution of making as little noise as possible. Snapping dried twigs would reverberate throughout the forest, and even the leaves rustled conspicuously when trodden upon. This place wasn't designed for humans, mother nature had other creatures in mind for it as Gobien knew humans couldn't easily adapt to the perpetual darkness and general dismal nature of the forest.

The hardened rogue was struggling to survive himself and he was completely accustomed to harsh landscapes and scenery. Gobien was determined to be punctual to their meeting of sorts, it hadn't been particularly well organised, as with everything the rogues did. He guessed they would accomplish little too, but it was still worth the time and energy expended, for the off chance they'd make a breakthrough.

With weary limbs still recuperating from pure exhaustion that had swept over him for some time now, Gobien soldiered onwards towards the spot where they would converge together, everywhere tended to look similar to the untrained eye, but with magic to help and quick wits he was learning the routes fast. Arriving on the dot, being a punctual and resourceful man, the weathered rogue stepped out into the small clearing with wand, as always, at the ready, Gobien peered about seeing nobody present, until he caught the slightest whisp of a cloak movement. "Flobberworm," he called the password; if he didn't receive a direct punctual answer he'd attack without further warning.

[Gabriella De Conti]

Her ears were ready to pick up the slightest sound as she glanced at her watch knowing they would soon start arriving. She held her wand up at the ready hoping that they hadn't been found out. An attack by the ministry would be devastating at the moment.

She heard a faint rustle in the forest and immediately turned around to face the dark wood; her wand at the ready. She waited a moment until she heard the password being spoken.

"...are highly fascinating and intelligent creatures." She said calmly speaking the reciprocating password. She wondered vaguely if they were slightly drunk when they came up with them. She chuckled lightly and lowered her wand slightly.

"Gobien I presume," she said quietly.

[Jake Gobien]

Releasing the sharp intake of breath that he had held, with a soft sigh, Gobien winked as his fellow rogue stepped out from the shadows. Wand still poised in readiness, but no longer pointed threateningly towards De Conti, Gobien peered around, wondering if anyone else really would appear, the rogues were few and far between completely disorganised and really untrustworthy in the end.

"Only if you're a complete bookworm," he finished reeling off the password with a grin. "Yeah De Conti it's me, a little worse for wear but regaining my strenght steadily enough." The last time the two had met Gobien had come away with a resounding headache, not from excessive booze drinking but from trying, and failing, to save her when fighting Locksley. He'd have to get the Ministry official for that sharp shot, admittedly he'd tried attacking from behind, but he was a rogue, it was expected of him and it was about time they caused some major disruption. Their bark appeared worse than their bite, and that had to change drastically and quickly.

Perching upon a fallen tree, probably cast down by a bolt of freakish lightening or something far worse given the nature of the forest, he smiled at his companion knowing she was a tough person to have around, the perfect partner in a duel, that was for certain.

"Are we meeting for a reason? Or simply an idle chat over a drink?" He asked, his voice tinted with dry sarcasm, not meant to offend but to highlight their real lack of action. Knowing it wasn't her fault didn't help, he needed someone to offload upon, and it couldn't be himself.

[Gabriella De Conti]

She sighed a sigh of relief as the final portion of the password filtered through her ears. She was glad to see Gobien, which was slightly odd.

"I'm glad to hear you're feeling alright after our last little encounter." She said smiling sheepishly as the memory of it floated across her brain. "Thanks, by the way. If you hadn't of been there to distract her I would've been in a ministry holding cell somewhere." She said with a smile; being uncharacteristically sincere.

She listened to his bitter tone and the words that came with it and she frowned slightly. He was right. They were unorganized and not considered a threat by anyone. Still-if their last battle was an inidication-they would be a fomidable duo and if they couldn't succed in organizing the Rogues then no one could.

"I'd prefer the drink," she said smirking slightly. "As of now we are waiting for our final companion. I managed to convince the wandmaker, Helia Ollivander, to join us. After she arrives I thought we'd take a stroll through the forest, you know get to know eachother." She said, the sarcasm apparent in her voice.

[Helia Ollivander]

"Damnit..." mutterred Helia as she hastened through the forest. This would be the second time in a single day she was late for an important meeting. She closed her eyes and began humming and odd little tune, skipping over fallen logs, ducking beneath low hanging branches, swerving around rocks and holes and bones and other familiar forest obstacles. It felt good to be back on Hogwarts grounds, and especially back in the forest where so many of her misadventures had taken place during her school years.

'I don't know many students who haven't had their fair share of mischief in here though...' she thought distantly, and in that moment of distraction she tripped over a blackberry bush and crashed into a clearing only to be met by, "Oh, why hello Miss de Conti," she said looking up from where she had fallen on the forest floor. "Mr. Gobien, I presume," she said, trying to sound as business-like as possible, despite her precarious position. She pushed herself up off of the ground, dusted herself off and shook as many thorns out of her cape as possible before continuing, "Sorry I'm late. Had to retrieve a package from one of the school's Professors and lost track of time. I do hope I haven't inconvenienced you."

[Jake Gobien]

Being reminded of their last brief encounter hadn't been top of Gobien's list of issues; mainly because it had ended with a very sore head from a particularly well placed spell. Yet he was still grateful that she thanked him, "perhaps next time I'll be of even greater help, and my jinxes may actually hit their mark," he grumbled knowing he'd been up against one of the best did nothing to stop the blow to his pride. His attack had been sly from behind but under the circumstances it had been crucial, yet Locksley had still managed to escape largely unscathed. She was probably on their trail even now.

Lightning his tone he remarked, "a drink would indeed be preferable, even clear refreshing water would be a godsend to help quench my thirst." Having been keeping a sharp eye on the surroundings though still appearing relaxed in his posture, his roving eyes showed different, he now brought them back to rest upon De Conti.
"A wandmaker you say?" He could barely believe they could have such a companion in arms. "That's very interesting indeed, and she'll be incredibly useful, yes we can make good use of her." He mused his eyes becoming vacant momentarily; until a figure crashed down at their feet, wand pointed at her throat within an instant he saw the glance of De Conti and stepped back; clearly this was the wonderful wandmaker then.

"Indeed," he agreed about to offer her a hand to help her regain her feet he was pleasantly surprised at her agility and the smooth posture she adopted. His eyebrow arched though at how young she appeared, and he guessed it wasn't simply a spell, no those eyes hadn't seen such dangers as his own hardened eyes, but then again few had.

After puzzling over her a moment his mouth crinkled into a smile, he decided on first impressions that the girl would do alright. "No don't worry we're not inconvienced at all, the package was doubtless important or else you wouldn't have seen fit to arrive ever so slightly late." He remarked with a shrug of his shoulders and a grin, "let's take a walk then ladies, do follow me," he gestured stepping quickly off and knowing they would undoubtedly be hard on his heels.

[Gabriella De Conti]

"Indeed," she said slowly. "She's a lovely girl as well. Slightly reminiscent of my old self at times."

She chuckled slightly as Helia came barreling through the forest and proceeded to fall down. "Impressive entrance Ollivander; don't believe I could've pulled off something as elegant as that myself."

She glanced over at Gobien; doubtless he was sizing her up and debating whether she was fit to join their ranks. She smiled as he grinned at their new companion...she had passed his initial test.

"A walk," she said with a smirk. "Sounds like a lovely idea! Eyes open ladies and...gent." She finished with a slight laugh. She was giddy from the cold and thought of something potentially exciting happening. She was being louder then she should've been but she was feeling reckless. She had spent far too much time hiding secretly and the thought that a fight could occur was more then she could bare. "Let's hope we find something exciting and worthwhile aye!"

[Jake Gobien]

On hearing De Conti's comment Gobien stifled a loud laugh turning it into a ragged cough. He really didn't know if he could handle two people like De Conti; her boundless enthusiasm for danger that neared recklessness most of the time could be a little wearing; luckily Gobien loved excitement himself. That's what made their team so effective.

"Elegant is one way of putting it," grinned Gobien smirking to show he meant the the young lady no offence; she didn't seem the elegant type anyway.

"I'd offer you both my arm but that would hinder movement, we've got to keep our wits about us," he agreed grimly, having spent far too long watching the shadows and jumping at the whistling of the wind; he sorely needed a good night's sleep free from fear.

"Worthwhile would be good," he agreed, "but excitement might e too much for my old ticker," he joked with a broadening grin, "follow me then ladies." He commanded quickly setting off at a reasonable pace. "So Ollivander why would a reputable wandmaker such as yourself tarnish your reputation with thieves and scoundrels such as us." He grinned wickedly to prove his point, and his neglected state really did make him look bad, but really he was still a good man; deep down. He hoped Helia would defend their cause, if she simply agreed with his statement then he would be shocked and would really begin to doubt how determined she was at defending their cause.

[Gabriella De Conti]

"Heaven forbid," she said mockingly. "Imagine us having to walk all by ourselves with no arm to hold on. I might trip over a tree root." Gabriella chuckled to herself and then she stumbled over a tree root. She let out a curse. "Not a word."

"Wouldn't want to give the poor old man a heart attack; would be such a shame." She said brightly as she slowed her pace and became more cautious as they walked further along the path. The noise in the forest died down and Gabriella frowned as she raised her wand ever so slightly. No ministry ambushed today. "Helia," she said, knowing the young witch wasn't going to like what she had to say. "If we happen upon any ministry officials it might be worth your while to dive into the bushes before you're seen." It would also be worth their while...it was so hard to find people you could trust and who could gather information discreetly. Helia was one of those people.

[Lana Jacoby]

Lana Jacoby didn't do tracking, she wouldn't stoop down in the dirt, run it through her fingers and smell it, no way; never. She employed somebody else to do that. He was the typical little tracker, a dimuitive runt with eyes that never stayed still, as if he was hiding something. Which he was, that was why he was completing this job for free as Lana knew that dreadful secret and was using it as the perfect leverage to make him do precisely what she willed.

Right now she needed to find some damned rogues, and this little man, both in stature and standing, was going to help her achieve this goal. He sniffed about in the dirt, much like a dog and as he stooped running the dry crumbly soil between his spindly fingers and taking a whiff Lana's boredom got the better of her and she kicked him over. "Get moving man," she whispered icily as he cringed away wringing his hands and answering, "it takes time marm, there are plenty of tracks they..."
"I don't want excuses," she fixed him with a strong glare, "move." With the tiniest little wimper the man hurriedly continued his task leading Lana ever deeper. She stepped lightly over fallen branches and broken roots, seemingly gliding serenely along with no apparent effort.

Time past slowly and Lana's patience with the tracker's incompetence and pure uselessness wore increasingly thin, until he held up a hand for silence. Stepping up to him Lana looked about seeing nor hearing anyone.
"They're up ahead," he sneered seeing her confused expression. Eyes flashing she tilted his head with a nailed finger to gawk up at him.
"Lie and you're dead," she stated with cold certainty. Struggling to not gulp the man did and Lana's sharp nails sliced a small cut, allowing a little trickle of blood to slide down his neck. With fear instilled within him Lana swept away, following his pointing finger.

The man fled scampering away with a deep scowl set upon his face, one that looked very set in.

Lana made no effort to keep quiet only moving swiftly after the rogues, within seconds she could hear their murmuring voices, glad the tracker had been true to his word, as dealing with him would have been messy. She was still a way behind them but she coughed a small ahem, and smiled sweetly as they wheeled around, "Gobien, how lovely to see you again. This must be De Conti, and the wandmaker too, what a quaint little gathering, in such a picturesque spot too." Her tone was sickly sweet as she recalled the information her more reliable sources had supplied, Miss Ollivander being married with two children seemed highly unlikely, and De Conti didn't seem the type to teach little children broom safety. She'd have to purge her sources to decipher who really did supply the most accurate data. Nonetheless she had a lot to go on, but did they know her? Gobien certainly would have done his homework, but she wasn't sure about how smart the other two were, deadly quite likely, but that just made the challenge all the funner.

[Gabriella De Conti]

Gabriella slowed as she heard footsteps following behind them. She frowned as she lowered her voice and raised her wand. She may have prayed for excitement but the last thing she needed was getting attacked from behind; she had her reputation to upheld. She smirked as she heard the cough coming from behind. If they were ministry it would take all of five seconds to deal with someone that ridiculous.

She smirked even more recognizing her adversary; a Rogue by the name of Lana Jacoby. Gabriella knew her to be deep in the dark arts and the idea of pure-blood superiority.

"Well if it isn't the infamous Lana Jacoby; what a pleasant surprise;" she said with a smirk. "How kind of you to join our little party here." She finished quietly. She didn't know what to think of the Rogue but she definitely didn't trust her. She kept her wand raised as she attempted to read her companion; she gained nothing from her facial expression or posture. Lana Jacoby was definitely a mystery.

[Jake Gobien]

Noticing De Conti slow and listen out, Gobien cursed silently, he sorely hoped he wasn't becoming too old for all this. Usually he'd have been first and foremost in hearing even the slightest rustle of leaves, clearly he was losing his touch.

Tossing aside his fear of growing old and decrepit, he'd come to that when his back was stooped and his hair thinning and wispy. He wheeled about on hearing the small cough, his wand poised at his side rather then pointing threateningly; that would just give the wrong impression. Only then did he recognise the cold voice and the figure approaching. Struggling to keep his wand down, Gobien's eyes narrowed to dark slits as he glared copiously at the approaching lady, in fact woman, he'd never call her a lady even if she had all the airs and graces for it. A heart of malice rested within her bosom, it just wasn't natural.

"I'm ecstatic," he muttered sarcastically his tone dark and his features losing their light. Visibly having to control his temper Gobien tore his suspicious gaze from her; even seeing his torturer was bad enough, the pain flickered within him, but he quashed it down, now wasn't the time to act rashly.

"It wasn't lovely for me the last time Jacoby, but with your black heart I know you took the greatest pleasure in my pain." Gobien spat out is words his lip curling in a small sneer, but then his plan revolved in his mind again; using her was necessary. With an effort he smoothed his features and looking at De Conti instead, for he could take strength from her, he added in a pleasant tone, "but I'll forgive, shan't forget it o' course, but that'll have to do." He shrugged at De Conti and asked, "can't say fairer than that can you?" He was determined to show Jacoby their strong united front.

"So why are you here Jacoby? Isn't the forest a little dirty for your standards?" He asked dryly his fingers flexing subconciously and balling into fists.

[Gabriella De Conti]

She glanced towards Gobien who had tensed up as soon as Jacoby had spoke. Something had definitely gone on between them, though noting his lowered wand she too lowered hers but kept her firm grip on it. She closed her eyes for a moment and immediately began using occlumency against any unwanted visitors to her mind.

She suppressed a glare in Jacoby's direction as the word torture filtered through her ears. She met Gobien's eyes and realized he was obviously up to something. She resisted the urge to smirk or laugh aloud; Gobien was one of the few people who was capable a terrible experience to their advantage.

"I'm afraid I'm in agreeance with my companion here." She said motioning towards Gobien. "What plot brings you so deep into the forest?"

[Lana Jacoby]

Their differing reactions to her arrival were wonderful, De Conti was clearly dubious of her but was managing to keep her emotions on a tight lease. Whereas Gobien was letting it out, and she delighted in it, but she'd expected and really desired far worse, he was merely sarcastic and gave what he imagined to be a sneer it seemed, how pathetic. Yet her hunger at seeing his anger aside she had to admire how he dealt with the situation. Others would have foolishly lept to attack her, and it would have been their final act quite probably, for then they would forget everything, if there was only one thing Lana was good at, it was memory charms.

"Oh Gobien," she purred, "there is no need to forgive, I much prefer your contempt, and fear." She stood close to Gobien drawing a slight finger along his chest; if he wasn't a whirlwind of emotions now then he was cleverer than he looked.

De Conti soon backed up her companion; clearly they were as thick as theives, mayhap they thought themselves inseperable, but Lana would see about that. "Why do you think I come not just to enjoy a stroll in the woods?" She asked sweetly shooting them a look of purest innocence. "But you're right of course, I come with an clear aim, that is to guide and direct you," seeing their shared look of incredulity she added, "I know things you've no way of knowing; the Ministry are gathering a sizeable force now to hunt us down and quash us like bugs. Real trouble has found us at last." She intoned, "but I don't expect you to believe me, you'll see for yourself soon enough." She smiled wickedly at the two wondering if they would fall for her tricksome words, or were they?