(Hogsmeade) Can't do better

[Cattrim Rallon]

"I'm telling you it's a good price." Beseeched Catt with a look of desperation creeping into his face, this transaction wasn't going well at all. Held up by two burly men who had of course divested him of his wand and now held him squarely by the shoulders; almost hovering off the ground, Catt was beginning to feel rather helpless.

"Times have changed my friend, the value of goods changes daily." Replied the stalk like man in front of Catt in his silkily smooth voice that went well with the extravgent silk tie he sported peeking through his trimly cut suit. The man's hooked nose moved in close to Catt as he whispered into his ear, "you've lost your touch, now you'll loose everything." Stepping back he smiled a sickly sweet smile then with a curt nod to the burly guards holding Catt he swept away, turning smartly on his heel and gliding away down the alley.

Catt knew what was coming and so immediately started talking, "let's be reasonable, we don't want no broken bones or nothing."
The thicker set man on his right leered at him his broken teeth glinting in the eerie moonlight shimmering into the alley, "no that'd be messy, a nice clean broken neck will do." There had to be a way out, there always was, it was just finding the damn thing. The two men had clearly done this before as they bodily pushed Catt against the wall knocking the breath out of him. then the punches to his abdomen rained in. One attacked whilst the other withdrew a gleaming knife from his belt, smiling insanely loving the torture. Catt's features were grim as he pressed himself against the wall as the knife hovered ever closer to his throat. He didn't want to die like this...not like this.

(ooc please feel free to jump in and be a witness, or even go in for a rescue attempt!)

[Polaris Stormwrath]

Smiling faintly as she walked down the small, bricked road, Polaris looked around in interest as her bi-coloured eyes shimmered lightly from the moon that was peeking through the clouds. She admitted that though she was still on the road, it seemed as she had gotten lost. This was, after all, her first time here. The street was becoming empty and barren as Polaris continued to walk on.

After a few moments of walking down the empty path way, Polaris heard a few faint 'thumps' and muffled voices. She quickly flattened herself against a wall and proceeded to where she heard the strange noises. Curiousity always did get the best of her. Coming to a small, darkened alley Polaris froze in her tracks when she spotted a man being held up by two burly men who weren't all that good looking while a third man who looked to be in a suit who was holding a knife to the man being held up by the guards.

Polaris' breath hitched as she watched this, her body almost frozen before she got an idea. 'I know I wouldn't want to be in that situation...let's see what I can do.' Quickly, she reached into a pocket hidden under her robe and pulled out a few small, round shaped looking beads. Polaris gave a soft snicker as she threw about five in to the alley way, hoping to distract the guards and the man with the knife enough so that Catt could escape. If not...she'd have to take serious action. Upon hitting the ground, the beads exploded in a flash of blinding light, mottled between the guards, suited man and Catt. 'Come on...get out of there...'

[Cattrim Rallon]

As another fist was driven into his gut Catt forcibly stood straight; doubling over would get his throat slit, already the knife was knicking it and allowing a trickle of blood to seep out. He wouldn't go down sobbing though or fall onto the knife, no they would have to forcefully slit his throat; he was outnumbered so it wasn't the very worst way to go he supposed.

He'd all but given up, until his atuned senses heard a little tinkle , he had just enough reflexes to close his eyes tight shut as the penetrating flash of blinding light struck. The two big men cried aloud as they were quite blinded for several seconds. Catt ducked instinctively as the knife flicked out to finish him. Summoning up his strength Catt didn't break free with brute force, but underhand tactics, he brought his knee up twice and left the two men reeling clutching their privates, but the one had enough sense to keep one hand clamped firmly upon Catt's shoulder. Grabbing the man's burly arm Catt chopped ineffectually at it then changed his attack bringing a quick jabbing blow into the man's throat. Gurgling the man stumbled backwards falling over his smaller companion who was already reeling on the ground.

Grabbing his effects from the two men crying aloud, mainly afraid of having lost their sight utterly, Catt quickly slipped his gun and knives back into his coat. He hadn't banked upon sly Nathan, the slick suited man, coming back to check upon the kill. Not even coming alone but with two more bodyguards, who immediately lept for their wands. Catt waved and barely dodged their shots running off up the allley away, and seeing his saviour Catt had no time to thank her and so simply shouted, "run!" Grabbing a hold of her hand he added with a grin, "time to get out of here." Then he set off at a run guessing she'd be able to keep up with him easy enough. "Anymore bright ideas?" He asked hopefully.

(ooc lol I've just got the image of the Doctor and Rose or Martha in my head now haha)

[Polaris Stormwrath]

Polaris laughed as 'her hand was grabbed, now running along side of Catt with easy effort. "Yeah, how about we get you bandaged and then hide before even more come!" She said, a wide smile on her lips. Excitement and a good chase with a chance of getting injured always fueled her and kept her on her toes; she loved it.

Reaching in to her pocket with her free hand, Polaris pulled out a hat with a wide brim and a scarf and handed it to Catt. "Here, put those on." She said while taking the lead and ducking in to a small, vacant building. Why there was a vacant building around, she didn't know, but took advantage of it. "Hopefully they won't find us in here, and if they do..they'll think we're just passing through." Polaris whispered while catching her breath slightly through pink lips.

[Cattrim Rallon]

Somehow it seemed like the girl was no stranger to running from people, ust from the joyous look in her eyes Catt could tell she loved adventure, for he shared much the same enthusiasm for it. She was quick to come up with the vagueries of a plan and Catt agreed with it; hiding sounded good after that hiding he'd just been given. Where she'd got the crafty little 'bouncing beads' as he called them, he didn't know. They weren't conventional for students, of course he had them, but as people were often eager to point out; he wasn't the youngest of men.

Skidding around the corner and nearly ending up in a dustbin Catt grinned as a spell flew harmlessly overhead, even if it had been pretty close he was still smiling, for he was alive, so very much alive. Gratefully taking the scarf he wrapped it several times about himself, for it was long and winding, and he drove the red brimmed hat upon his head. Not even his mother would recognise him. The red even complimented what he was wearing. Tilting the hat so his face was clouded in shadow he quickly followed the slipping inside the building and firmly closing the door behind him. Leaning heavily against it he looked about, they stood inside a small kitchen with the usual utensils littered about the cupboards. Jumping to the window he closed the blinds then peeked carefully out of them, watching the men pound on past.

"Looks like they won't find us...yet." He breathed a sigh of relief turning to the girl with a grin. "So why'd you help me?" He asked quizzically, "what's in it for you?" He needed to know why. Why had she helped him?

[Polaris Stormwrath]

Polaris looked back to him with a grin of her own along with a twinkle in her eyes. "Yet. And what's in it for me..?" She furrowed her eyebrows for a moment in thought. "I had actually never thought of that. Nothing, I suppose." She replied, giving a shrug.

Turning to look around the darkened kitchen, her eyes adjusted to the lighting, or what little of. She brushed off a bit of dust from the counter where she decided to lean against before turning her eyes back on him. "I know that if I were in the same position as you, I'd be hoping someone would come by. Not ready to die yet, I reckon. Life is to valuable to be wasted by being spilled out on to the alley ground." Polaris spoke in accent while almost whispering the last part. "Aye?"

[Cattrim Rallon]

"That's good," Catt smiled for he was immensely glad the girl had simply followed her instincts and general values rather than having an alternative motive. Personally he'd have first thought of how the situation could be advantage for himself, not because he was overly selfish but because his line of work demanded it. Not many people were in his position with so many varied difficultie before him. He had to be incredibly careful in what he did, even with what he divulged to this girl now. Luckily she wasn't giving him the third degree, but there was always time for it.

Keeping his eyes peeled Catt peered through the blinds keeping a wary eye out for their inevitable return. He could hear them noisily banging upon doors further up, eventually they would realise the pair had already snuck aside earlier.

"Yeah I ain't nowhere near ready to give up on life, I don't guess I ever will be ready for death even though I face it everyday." He mused aloud his eyes still fixed outside. "We need to move further in," he motioned for the girl to go first as he heard footsteps pound their way again. But the door was jammed so Catt quickly gave it a sharp kick diving right on through into the dusty hallway beyond, just as the backdoor flew off its hinges as a spell blasted it in. Slamming the hallway door Catt grabbed the girl pushing her into through into what looked like the living room. "Stay there, no matter what happens," he urged with a fleeting grin. Ducking quickly back into the hallway Catt ran for the front door as the two men blasted down their last obstacle. With a cry as they saw the last glimpse of his coat as he lept for the front door, they raced after the rogue determined to catch him...

[Polaris Stormwrath]

Polaris smiled and gave a nod. "Yeah.." The footsteps were pounding closer to where they hiding and were going be arrive at their current position any minute now. "What're yo--.." Polaris hardly had enough time to ask her question before Catt blasted down the locked door infront of them. Coughing softly as the dust arose from the hinges and varnished wood, Polaris was quickly shoved in to the room. "Hey!" She retorted as she furrowed her eyebrows. She hated being pushed around, even if it was for her own good.

"Stay there, no matter what happens.." He urged with a fleeting grin just before he disappeared through the darkened hallway and out the door. Polaris clenched her fist, not only in anger that she was left behind, but for his wrecklessness as well! He could get captured again! Perking her ears just slightly, she heard the sound of a few spells go off in wake of Catt along with the heavy footsteps of three men following suit.

After a good ten minutes of pacing around the dusty, dim-litted livingroom Polaris grew impatient. Giving out a low growl she said outloud, "How the hell does he expect me to stay here while he's out running from Thor knows who! And if they catch him, I'm sure they'll skin him alive, or worse!" Polaris gave another growl of frustration before shifting into her animagus form and bounding out of the house and on to the lightly snow covered path illuminated by moonlight.

I should be able to track him down easier this way...just follow his scent, the sound of quickened paces and heavy ones too and search for foot tracks. She thought to herself while sniffing the cold air around her. Picking up the scent of her hat and scarf, Polaris bound off in that direction, determined to give the man a piece of her mind once she caught him.

[Cattrim Rallon]

Slipping outside Catt cunningly pressed himself up against the wall and had not even a second to wait as the thugs flew out of the house. Deftly sticking out his foot Catt tripped the quicker thug who barreled out into the busier street landing heavily upon the ground. Catt sped off in the opposite direction as a squinty eyed man sped out of the house firing spells off haphazardly after him. Darting across the street people were struck dumb momentarily and simply stared, until Nathan came out bellowing for his two bodyguards to "seize that man," as the one picked himself up from the dirt and began firing, the squinty eyed one gave chase. Catt winced as spells barely missed his skull but he made it across the street and into another side alley. At full pelt he carried onwards then ducked in behind a large wheeley bin.

Gun in one hand and wand in his other he opened up just as the three men rounded the entrance to the alley. The squinty eyed man ducked but his fellow was more unfortunate and was barreled backwards by a well placed cry of, "stupefy," he collapsed prone upon the ground. Nathan crouched behind another of the commercially sized bins as the squinty eyed man was ordered forward, "Tom get him!" Catt chuckled as Tom peered out from behind his own bin, then as he stepped out Catt fired a shot from his pistol at the man's abdomen, he fell with a cry clutching his stomach and dropping his wand. Nathan's eyes grew wide as Catt rolled out from his cover firing a disarming spell at the businessman. But his aim wasn't on and it crunched into the bin instead. With a laugh Catt brought his gun into play and fired a few shots at the bin; designed to scare Nathan, who promptly cowered away. But summoning up his dregs of courage he darted back into the street as the hunter now became the hunted. Pocketing his gun Catt jumped over the prone thugs and ran after the corrupt businessman, he was the faster and would soon catch up.

The man fled for the next alley which suited Catt fine, what he did wrong was look back at his predator, anyone knew just to keep their head down and flee, except Nathan it seemed. With a cry Catt lept upon the slighter man barreling them both into a stack of crates before them. With a crash th pair crunched into the crates which splintered under the impact. The two men lay partially dazed as a shadow entered the alley. Catt just prayed it wasn't another of the rich man's seemingly inexhaustible supply of thuggish bodyguards.

[Polaris Stormwrath]

Finally...I found him. Chilled breath froze as it exited Polaris jaws in an attempted to catch her breath. Still breathing a bit heavily, she walked foward through the alley way slowly as the light coat of snow crunched beneath her black paws while a low gutteral growl was emitting from her throat. Polaris had her golden orbs dead set on Catt, watching him struggle with the corrupt businessman. Soon her eyes travelled to the man whom Catt was struggling with and gave a threatening snarl as the fur on her back bristled slightly. Oh, he's in a lot of trouble... Polaris thought as she continued to walk forward. Why had she cared about the rogue wizard so much? Why didn't she just let him to handle the men, he seemed perfectly capable.

[Cattrim Rallon]

Feeling a jagged edge of the cracked crate digging into his back Catt grunted then rolled off it; onto some more shattered shards of the crushed crates. "Damnit," he cursed breaking off a chunk that protruded painfully into his arm. Nathan was faring better as he stumbled to his feet and brought his loafers down hard upon Catt's leg, crying aloud Catt swiped Nathan's legs from under him then pushed himself aloft. The two men quickly arose but Catt got in the first punch to Nathan's jaw that sent the smaller man back against the wall. Seizing his gun Catt brought up to Nathan's head snarling, "give me some reasons for not blowing your brains out." As Nathan's eyes grew wide in fright the fight went out of him and he sagged, "I ain't got all day," commented Catt dryly trying to frighten the man. He wouldn't kill him, not like this at least.

"Uhm," Nathan mumbled inaudibly and Catt knew time was far too pressing so he whispered into the man's ear, "you double cross me again and there'll be hell to pay, is that clear?"
"Crystal," replied Nathan more smoothly now, for he had seen something Catt had not. But the change in the man's tone was enough and Catt isntinctively dropped, the spell missed it's intended target slashing Nathan's lovely suit instead. Catt's experiene fared him well as he span firing off a number of shots from whence the spell had come. Hearing no cry of pain Catt guessed he'd missed then realised he was running perilously low on ammo, precisely nothing. Darting away instead of waiting to be pounced upon his sharp eyes caught movement in the shadows, it was too large for a plain tabby cat, maybe a dog. But Catt couldn't stop to find out as he hurtled for the main street once more.

[Polaris Stormwrath]

Polaris grunted as she stared at the man in the suit before closing in on him, circling around him like a shark. This man is becoming a pain, perhaps I should get rid of him..? Well, no..Ask questions first, kill later. Or..No, why didn't the man just kill him when he has the chance?! Polaris had struggled mentally before letting out another low growl. Turning heel and running after Catt, Polaris shifted from her more threatening form and took chase.

"Hey!" She shouted as she eventually caught up with him. "You're..You're..Bleeding!" Polaris said inbetween breaths as they ran. How far were they going? Why was she following him? "I think..you gave him quite the scare..back there! Why don't we..stop and..get you healed?" She continued to talk every few breaths while keeping along side of him.

[Cattrim Rallon]

People, ordinary people in the streets, just going about their daily lives content just to continue with their daily monotonous routine of the same thing day in day out, these people gawped in amazement coupled with amusement as Catt raggedly ran past them. Shouldering one young fellow out of his way who wasn't quick witted enough to jump aside. Catt laughed happily as he ran, this was what life was all about; the chase, the excitement and amazing adrenaline rush, literally fighting for his life was actually fun and exhilarating. It of course helped that he was winning and wasn't having fear gnawing at him.

It was when running for his life was when he felt the most alive, so the excitement and concentration written upon his features was a picture. He didn't stop running, not even when he heard the feet catching up with him, head down and go, that was the way of it. Then he of course recognised the voice and slowed his pace. "So we meet again," he laughed having hoped they would. "Just can't leave me behind can you?" He chuckled really showing his appreciation for her concern.

"Yeh just slightly," he agreed, darting a quick perfunctorary look back, it looked like they weren't being followed, looks could always be deceiving though. That old lady ahead of them crossing the road and leaning heavily upon her walking stick could prove to be a masked murderer. One could never tell.

"That was the general idea," he laughed joyously, "I just hoped I didn't scare you away, seemed I was right." He grinned but agreed to her idea and slowed for them both to catch their breath back. "Gotta keep moving though, it's just a scratch, I've had far worse." He turned his head and smiled, the next thing he knew he was lying prone upon his back a large pain firing throughout his chest. His ears exploding from the noise. He'd been right, the old lady really was a danger. That stick was no ordinary stick, and as he lay struggling to get his breath back she turned with a cackle to the girl, he just hoped the girl was quick and escaped...

[Polaris Stormwrath]

( Holy..I didn't know it was this long. Sorry bout that!)

Polaris laughed softly along side of Catt as he made his first joke. "I don't think so, not after this!" She replied with enthusiasm moments before Catt hit the ground. As soon as his back touched the bricked rode, she immediately ducked and looked around for the source of the 'shot'.

"Hey! Are you alright?!" Polaris asked as she looked over to Catt, her eyes wide in worry as she locked gazes with him. "Don't worry.." Was all she managed to whisper out as she then followed his gaze to where the elderly woman was cackling, looking straight at Polaris and pointing her stick.

While scrambling to her feet, Polaris looked back down to Catt. "Stay there..you don't need to be injured any more than you already are." She repremanded him. Not that he has the ability to go anywhere else anyways in his condition...

As her heart beat quickened, she looked around the streets, once more catching the sight of the old woman. It's almost as if time had stopped for Polaris and her brain began to malfunction when she decided to run towards the perpetrator. Reaching out right as she dove on the woman, effectively tackling her to the ground, Polaris sneered and narrowed her eyes as she attempted to apprehend the cane. She did admit that she felt bad for tackling and wrestling this old woman, but it needed to be done. Continuing to wrestle with the woman, Polaris was surprised that she was stronger than she had originally thought as the cane was slowly being tugged from her grip.

"Look, Granny, or who ever you are, let go of the cane and no one will get hurt! ...Any further!" She almost shouted while taking a quick glance back to Catt. As if out of nowhere, a sound suddenly whizzed by Polaris' shoulder, grazing it just slightly. Polaris tensed up at this, not knowing if it was a spell, bullet or something else of that nature. The elderly woman gave a cackle before throwing all her weight into her right hand to shove upwards, catching Polaris off-guard and smacking her right the cheek and forehead. "Gah! You old hag!" She retorted with a snarl before lifting her hand to send a punch down at the woman, but something had stopped her right before she reached the skin. Do it...She urged herself, but couldn't bring herself to do just that and froze.

Taking advantage of the situation, the elderly woman threw Polaris off of her and on to her back, pointing the cane directly at her face, giving Polaris a good detail of the very grain the cane was composed of. Still frozen, thousands of memories, past and present coursed through her mind before one stuck out. "That's it...” Whispered Polaris before whipping out her wand and pointing it at the woman, not wasting a moment to shout out “Expelliarmus!” This resulted in the elderly woman’s cane to fly off somewhere a good hundred feet from her.

The elderly woman sneered as Polaris scrambled to her feet to run back to Catt’s side, still checking if he was still conscious. “Hey...stay in there...we’ll get ya somewhere safe, just hang in.” She cooed softly while looking down to Catt before turning and taking up her wand once more to the old hag. “And just for safe measure..Immobulus!” Polaris called out, causing her to grin as she watched the woman freeze, completely immobilized.

Giving a nod, she turned back to Catt before giving a slight whimper. “Hey, can you walk..? Come on…at least respond. And don’t go towards the light..” Whispered Polaris, worried as she lifted a hand to rest on Catt’s cheek, giving it a few gentle slaps to attempt to keep him awake while looking down to him with sympathetic bi-coloured eyes.