(Hogsmeade) Not good

[Cattrim Rallon]

Things were not going well, before they'd been going pretty poorly but the situation had been saveable. Now it just seemed completely dire. When plans went bottoms up Catt ran, like he was running now, as fast as his legs could carry him. Darting down the main street as a spell richoted off the sign of the three broomsticks, Catt dived down the next street, at full pelt he careered over fallen dustbins stacked outside the back door. Knocking them into his chaser's path. As a bin exploding behind him Catt cursed and strained to push his body to its limits, whatever it took to escape.

Sliding around a corner into a small alleyway the hulking man chasing chugged along, his breathing becoming heavy, and worsening considerably when Catt's fist drove the remaining air from his lungs. He'd lain in wait then pounced pushing the man back and to the ground, "that'll teach you to mess with folk," he commented wryly knocking aside his wand then pushing the groaning man's face into the dirt.
"If I were you I'd steer pretty clear of my business from now on, is that clear?" He demanded holding the man by his scraggily, umkepmpt hair. "What's that crystal? Good." With a stiff kick to the man's midriff Catt wheeled about then raised a hand with a grin, "oh almost forgot, I'll be taking back what's mine, thanks." On his knees gasping for breath the hulking brute could do nothing as Catt ripped the pouch from the man's belt.
"Cheers," his mouth split into a wide grin as he pocketed the poach. "A pleasure doing business with you." He nodded curtly then turned his back upon the brute as he strolled off down the alley, kicking aside fallen bins and walking right on through piles of rubbish.

Hearing the man's groans Catt's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, another job completed, even if the situation had looked pretty desperate for a second. Keen criminal eyes noticing a sparkle Catt stooped to the ground pulling a rusted piece of metal, that had it's old sheen still simly showing through in places. Pocketing the useful bit of kit, for few knew how useful that really was, he arose, to find a wand pointed in his face, "gorram," he muttered staring blankly at the wand.

[Gabriella De Conti]

((Are you going in a specific direction with this thread or can I reply???))

[Cattrim Rallon]

lol there's no real direction, so please feel free to jump right on in =)

[Gabriella De Conti]

Gabriella had been wandering through Hogsmeade, or rather following a certain individual through the streets. Said individual's name was Cattrim Rallon, a supposed new Rogue recruit. Gabriella didn't trust him and that wasn't just because she trusted hardly anyone. He was odd and she something about him didn't feel right.

She began using occlumency as she closed in on her stalkee; not at all surprised that as soon as she came close enough to capture him a fight broke out. She raised her wand and covered her head a bit more(no need to run into any minsitry officials today) before dashing down an alleyway in attempt to cut him off. She sighed as she sprinted along the streets...at least he fought well. He would fit in well enough if she ever learned to accept his presence.

She smirked as she saw him finish off his last opponent and creeped towards him and shoved her wand in his face. "Rogue?" she said with a slight laugh. "I doubt it; no rogue could be so unintelligent as to let someone sneak up behind them while they were pillaging their opponent." She said as she removed her wand from his face; keeping it raised though. She wasn't going to get her new wand swatted away...she had grown rather attached to it.

((I have no idea...))

[Cattrim Rallon]

Gaze travelling from the wand hovering all too close to his eye to the pretty face holding it, he groaned exaggeratedly; De Conti. Smiling he rather gingerly went to gently push aside the wand, it didn't budge.

"What have I ever done to you De Conti? Or may I call you Gabriella?" He asked with shrug of his shoulders, bright eyes flicking between her poised wand and her enrapturing eyes.

Keeping his hands in plain sight, even though he was tempted to try fighting back, just because he loved a brawl wasn't reason enough to cause one, and besides she was tough he was told.
"You know rogues ain't the smartest, we've all got our little faults, I have gorgeous women stalking me, what can I say or do to stop it?" He grinned knowing she'd take it as a joke, but wishing she'd remove the weapon pointing threateningly at him; unlike most people she knew how to use it.

Catt had never believed becoming a rogue would be easy, but it seemed they were actually a suspicious bunch, even if they were eager for support they were very careful about who gave it to them. Catt was still unfortunately untrusted, but he was working on changing that, persuading De Conti would be one of his biggest hurdles. Time to be himself then.

"Plus nobody but a rogue would pillage off an opponent, we live in tough times dontcha know. Now can ye stop wafting that deadly weapon in my face, next thing you'll be telling me you know how to use it." Catt grinned enjoying the teasing, it was only his rugged way and he knew De Conti wouldn't take it the wrong way, would she?

[Gabriella De Conti]

She rolled her eyes slightly, "Either will do Cattrim," she said lowly. She lowered her wand to her side and looked up at him trying to get a reading out of his face. If a group was trying to infiltrate the rogues they had certainly picked the right guy for it. She smirked at the memory of the Rose who had tried; she still had the wand from that encounter.

She chuckled slightly to herself, "More then your life is at stake if you call me unintelligent one more time old man," she said with a slight smirk. "And if you want me off your trail you're going to have to work a lot harder then that." She kept her wand at her side as she spoke. The last thing she needed now was to have to fight the guy; it might actually take effort to beat him.

"You know so little about Rogues it's pathetic. If you believe we're all a bunch of thieves then don't even bother to try and join; you won't get past me and you certainly won't get past Gobien.

Rule number 1: Not all Rogues fight for the same group and most don't fight for the same ideals. We're called Rogues for a reason you know and it's not because of our ragged appearance. We're disorganized, untrustworthy, and few and far between and if you can't live with that don't bother trying. If you want to tango with the Dark Arts go talk to Lana Jacoby; I'm sure she'd be happy to see you.

"I am neither a thief nor a murderer so leave all your petty prejudices behind when you speak to me unless you want your pretty little face to become rearranged. " She said and smiled brightly before pocketing her wand. "Now lets go discuss your values over some lunch; I haven't eaten in hours." She finished, winking at him. Now if that little speech didn't throw him through the loop she didn't know what would. Either way, despite his oddities and the fact that she didn't trust him whatsoever...she liked him. He definitely had spirit...she laughed aloud about this and whipped around in the other direction and started walking away.

"Are you coming or not?" she yelled behind her as she pulled up her hood and headed towards her hideaway.

[Cattrim Rallon]

A sigh escaping his lips as the wand was removed from his face Catt grumbled his thanks, then added brightly, "Gabriella it is then." With an effort of will he didn't look at her wand still pretty poised for action down at ther side, she was dealing all the cards for now.

"Hey less of the old," he grumbled looking particularly affronted, "Never said you ain't intelligent, only we're not the brightest bunch ever now are we?" With a dry chuckle Gobien replied smoothly "you can stalk me as much as you please, don't mean you'll get what you're after though. That elusive kiss," he added to dispell the growing tension, it could be sliced with a knife.

Eyebrows raising and grin growing as De Conti began lecturing him he first slipped in, "you think so?" Cause I know a heck of a lot about you. But Catt listened intently it was best to get it from her point of view, to see how she thought. "I've no fancy for dabbling with dark arts thanks, my agendas can be met without 'em."

"All past prejudices dropped." He agreed with palms raised in peace, smirking as she threatened him, "I'll bear it in mind that's fer sure. You've not killed anyone in cold blood I can believe, but nobody, what led you to this life?" He asked pushing in the oar, "I know I've my own." It was a simple, but blunt enough question, and showed how he was, he did things quickly and efficiently.

"Lunch sounds like a grand idea," he agreed as his stomach growled, "I haven't eaten for bloody days, well feels like it. You'll find my values are plain enough." He commented with a grin as he strode along to catch her up, "course I'm coming, wouldn't want to miss any fun now would I?"

[Gabriella De Conti]

Gabriella laughed lightly as he spoke about the ever elusive kiss. "Believe me if I wanted to kiss you, I already would have." She said with wink and let her eyes flicker to his lips. "Besides, I don't kiss men who are practically seniors," she said in a light tone. She always enjoyed banter

She raised an eyebrow, "You've not associated with any Rogues recently have you?

"You're generalizing. When I said Rogues were unorganized I meant that Rogues are usually found to be working alone or in small groups. We're not a social bunch for the most part and are highly arrogant and selfish. Any Rogues I associate myself with are more intelligent then the majority of the Ministry. I suggest you don't suggest their lack of intelligence when you're in front of them. Gobien has no problem with killing and you don't want to anger the others.

"And if I hear you so much as insult them again I will torture you for information on whatever group you're actually working for, heal your wounds, obliviate your mind and send you on your way." She said smirking as she glanced around quickly; her hand grasping the wand in her pocket. A little threat never hurt anyone. "These people come from all walks of life and they can and will do almost anything to succeed...that's what makes them dangerous.

"I don't think so, I know so," she said smirking slightly. "And no, I have never killed anyone to my knowledge...I'm rather attached to keeping my soul whole. So I stupefy, maim, trip, and occasionally use brute force to knock out my opponents." She said

"I was a Ravenclaw ;I had some of the highest NEWT scores in my year, possibly the highest. I could've done anything but I wanted to help...I wanted to give something back to the community that saved my family. So why did I become a Rogue? I worked for the ministry for a grand total of 2 months before walking out; didn't take me long to figure out how corrupt that body of government was. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. And I am far too pessimistic and cynical to join the Red Rose League.

"Because ff the Roses win this war they will put one of their men in charge and the people will be thrilled and they will be just as devastated when in a few years all the high morals and foolish ideals crumble and fall into some other corrupt form of government. If you remember, after Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix won the last wizarding war...this wasn't supposed to happen again." She said slowly as they reached the edge of Hogsmeade.

"I hope you're in shape Cattrim because this will be a nice long hike. Although I do promise the food is worth it. We got an in at the school to nick us some food. All I have to do is multiply it!" She said with a grin. It had been forever since she had eaten proper food and she was certainly glad of it. And she was also glad the hike wasn't really all that far. She smiled as she headed up into the mountains and it wasn't long before she saw the mouth of the cave opening towards her.

"I'm glad you're hungry Mr. Rollan because it means I won't be the only one consuming large sums of food in the near future."

[Cattrim Rallon]

Always one for a little banter, even when it got out of hand and escalated to a fist fight, a brawl was always exhilarating whereas a proper duel was far too much trouble, and had rules which were obviously bad, Catt grinned at De Conti's quip and responded smoothly, "I don't suppose I would have been able to stop it no, but damnit I ain't practically your senior, fitter'n most men my age I've been told." He nodded his head with a smile, "yeah you'd better believe it."

"Well not the ones you're with it seems," Catt shrugged his shoulders, anyone could make mistakes, and he just made a fair few. "Fraid I am." He admitted with a look of geniune innocence, "It's fair to say I ain't the most learned of men, and women beat me hands down usually." It was fairly true, his education had been pretty poor but his natural wit and quickness got him out of tight spots, he was a decent strategist and businessman too, it definitely helped in his line of work. Normally he would have bridled thinking that anyonne could be beat him a straight fight, not necessarily a fair one of course, but she was right, he couldn't afford to anger this lot, even if he could escape that wasn't part of the plan.

"Death ain't exactly high on my list of priorities at the minute, fancy a long life meself." For that he received what he knew to be a very real threat, though if she believed she could beat him easily then perhaps she was the fool. But Catt guessed it was just a scare tactic. "It's just me Gabriella, I mean no offense by it," he said through gritted teeth. From Gobien's reputation Catt knew he'd have no problem at all with killing him off. Even if Catt was no slouch in a fight a hovel of rogues was enough to beat down anyone.

"Is agreeing that they're dangerous insulting them?" He asked with a raised eyebrow and smirk. "And what about saying that you're a damned dangerous piece of work? I offer it as a compliment."

Catt listened avidly to Gabriella as she divulged her history and reasonings for joining the rogues, what she said was interesting, very interesting, viewing the Red Rose League from the outside had a completely different perspective depending upon where your own allegiances lay.

"You found out their damnable ways pretty sharpish then," he congratulated with a note of pride in his voice, "me I've never ever trusted them, but you'll know that of course. You'll know my line of work; being a smuggler and all." No smile brightened his features then, "my life isn't so very different from yours I believe. We've all choices to make in this, I'm just...undecided as yet." Catt was and always would be his own man, any government he believed to be a bad idea, they meddled in things they knew nothing of.

"I fear the same," he agreed with a small shake of his head as if in sorrow, "it's all shot to pieces really, anyway you turn there's sommit wrong with it. Never a clear cut way. Things rarely turn out how we expect them to." He mused aloud as they reached the outskirts of the village, subtly checking that they weren't being followed Catt stepped into line with De Conti, prefering to stand shoulder to shoulder to her, he wouldn't skulk around behind; no back stabbing...

"Have you seen this body?" He joked knowing he wasn't the fittest man alive, but was nowhere near bad either. As the small cave came into view Catt smiled, it had a homely feel about it somehow, pretty rugged but overall welcoming, unless he started seeing cuthroat rogues perhaps, but he knew rogues weren't nasty pieces of work, and even if this lot were he'd still deal with them...somehow.

"I could eat a horse," commented Catt wryly as he stepped inside...

[Gabriella De Conti]

She raised an eyebrow, "Indeed." She said slowly, "I could make some sort of gross sexual mark about you sleeping with minors but I think I'll refrain."

"I am sure you did not just state that you're not very learned because even women can beat you?" she said with a slight glare. She was not a feminist by any means, but she was curious as to how he would react. He seemed very defensive, as if he was trying to prove himself to her. Under normal circumstances she might have found it cute but right now it made her trust him even less.

She glanced up at him. Indeed, she did know he was a smuggler-a good one if what she heard was true. And that was always helpful as it meant he had connections. "In a war, people get killed if there undecided so I suggest you make your decision soon Rolan." She replied in a matter of fact tone.

Gabriella then preceded to multiply a few chicken wings and some bread. "Things never turn out how you expect them too," she replied bitterly as she ate a piece of bread. She sighed, Hogwarts food was heaven.

"Believe me, I've seen better bodies then yours," she said laughing slightly. "And we have almost everything but horse; house elves tend to frown on making that sort of thing." She said in a light joking manner.

"So why do you want to become a Rogue anyways? It's not a big change in lifestyle from being a smuggler. At least with smuggling things you won't get the likes of Locksley tracking you; which by the way I suggest you try to avoid."

[Cattrim Rallon]

Chortling Catt answered back swiftly, "you call yeself a minor do you?" He stifled his laughter but his look of incredulity was plain, they were by no means leagues apart, maybe that's why she was saying such things. "I'll take your refraining as a kindness." He grinned then his eyebrows raised in surprise, he hadn't said anything of the sort; clearly she was mixing his words to try and throw him, it wouldn't work quite so easily though.

"I ain't sayin' nothing like that, men tend to outsmart me, but women outsmart me even easier..take it as a compliment." Catt added with a roll of his eyes, "women sometimes hide their emotions better is all." He explained with a shrug, "it unsettles me."

Hearing her words about decisions he believed she couldn't know just how true her words rang. Eventually he'd have to make the painful choice, but he'd delay it for as long as possible. At least he'd give that impression, few really knew what Catt thought, and only one knew him well enough to support him.
"Oh I ain't planning on gettin' killed anytime soon, I'm careful... don't worry." He finished mockingly as if she cared anything for him.

Trying to surpress his urge to wolf down the food that appeared before him Catt settled upon a rock and began eating their frugal meal, unless she whisked out more. "Great stuff, still remember it like it were yesterday, hogwarts food; glorious and still is."

Hearing her joking remark he choked upon his chicken, nearly swallowing a large chunk whole. "Scuse me? I can say the same of you too missy." He remarked truthfully, feeling rather put out by her comment; she really was a tough one. He brightened his mood though with a smile agreeing, "well yeh I know what you mean, not the peak of physical fitness, but I'm alright in fist fight, or any other fight for that matter." Grinning the countless scuffles and actual battles he'd striven through passed briefly before his eyes.

"I suppose everything but horse will do fine." He agreed with a laugh, but then came the question that nearly wiped the smile from his face. But he'd been ready for it so he kept up his high humour.
"I'm starting to believe in your values, they make sense, and I feel like I could contribute somehow. Plus I've had Magical Law Enforcement after me before course I rightfully fear Locksley's reputation and skill, but if she came after me it wouldn't be easy to drag me down." He patted his pocket where a gun lay concealed, he didn't just use magic to win a fight, Ministry armour stopped magic but not a flying bullet. He'd learnt that pretty quick, and they'd learnt to duck pretty swiftly too when his sharp shooting had gunned them down. They'd lost his trail then, that was for sure.

"I'll try not to bring Locksley's wrath down us, but if it's necessary we'll just have to deal with her now won't we?" He smirked knowing he could take her down given the right opportunity, only she had far more chances and opportunities to kill him than he her.

"So Locksley's after you is she?" He knew she was, but he needed Gabriella to tell him. He wouldn't divulge anywhere near half of what he knew.

[Gabriella De Conti]

"I'm not a child but I'm certainly not as ancient as you are," she said with a slight laugh. "And you need not take it so personally, I mock the elderly all the time and by elderly I obviously mean anyone over the age of thirty...Don't I McAvoy?" she said seeing another Rogue come into the cave. He shot a quizzical look towards Cattrim and Gabriella just smirked.

"All the time," he replied; still wary of the newcomer.

"Henry McAvoy meet Cattrim Rolan; he's wants to become a Rogue." She said with a smirk as the older Rogue nodded. "Anything to report."

"Nothing worth reporting here," he said glancing towards Rolan. "Good day Gabriella," he said stoically before walking deeper into the cave. Gabriella nodded in response as she listened to Cattrim defend himself against her attacks against his character. She smirked, "Anyone who wants to be of use in this war has to disguise their emotions. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve?" she said already knowing the answer before she had even asked the question. Smugglers were always good at hiding what they didn't want to be found and Cattrim had an unusual amount of talent in that area.

She raised an eyebrow, "Just make sure you don't get captured and divulge any information about our whereabouts." She said with a small smirk. Not that it would matter anyway, Rogues were wanderers. They had this cave for larger gatherings and as a general meeting point after battle but for a base it was far too open to be of any use. Some Rogues stayed here but most were scattered across the countryside.

"Touchy," she said smirking at his reaction to her remark. She knew she wasn't in the best of shape; she ate rarely and poorly and she didn't run nearly as often as she should or would like to anymore. "You should've seen my body when I was healthy." She said laughing lightly.

"My values? Indeed." She said raising an eyebrow slightly. She had no idea how to reply to that one. "Glad I could be of some aid in this interview.

"I heard rumors that you used muggle weapons; how interesting." She said slowly. "Funny, I never thought you were the vile dishonorable type; I suppose I just don't know you well enough though." She said smiling. It was, in her opinion, slightly horrible to attack someone without themselves being able to defend themselves but it was also intelligent. Gabriella was slightly surprised. "Not that that's a problem in any way aye?

"I want to deal with Locksley," she said bitterly; her eyes darkening slightly. Their two personalities clashed as soon as the two had met; partly because they are so similar and partly because they are so different. Either way they had an intense rivalry that would not be ended until one of the way was permanently out of the others way. "And if you didn't know Locksley was after me along with my entire personal history, frankly Cattrim, I'd be disappointed." She said smirking.

"Hogwarts food is fabulous; it'd almost be worth becoming a teacher for," she said chuckling slightly. "I'm afraid I'd be a horrible teacher however; far too arrogant." She said smiling as she took a sip of pumpkin juice.

"Next question: What organization sent you and why? Under-cover ministry? A White Rose perhaps? Maybe even a Red Rose; I hear they have spies everywhere." She said as simply as if she was asking him to pass the chicken. She, at that moment, had no idea whether or not he was a traitor. He was a hard one to read but perhaps she'd gain something by his reaction.

((Wow, we've got some nice long posts going on here...lol))