Deer in Headlights

[Orwell Brocken]

Orwell Kitchen Brocken was slowly exploring the different areas of the school, he was taking his time because with all the things that he had to do for school, the teen didn't have that much spare time to spare to exploring. He had far less of it than he was used to that was for sure, classes in his community didn't last long and he didn't have to stick to a curfew either. But, there was one place that he really wanted to go to, the Forbidden Forest. There were a number reasons why he wanted to go, one was that he wanted to see what made it forbidden, two, he didn't believe anything should be forbidden unless it was in danger of being destroyed, and the third was that he missed sleeping outside in amongst the wildlife and nature. He missed being able to wake up to the sound of the distant running river, the rustling of leaves, the sounds of the birds. He missed his home, and the bright-recently-dyed red haired boy was feeling it acutely as the exams approached and he was preparing to go home for the holidays, something he was looking forward to. Which was he'd left the books that morning and was stood in front of the forest feeling a little bit like he should be afraid before going inside. The teen ran a hand through his hair, wishing he had Archie with him, wishing that he'd thought to go get him before doing that, Archie was the braver one.

But, knowing that the longer he stood out in front of it the less likely he would be to go inside, so the teen made his mind up and just headed into the forest, gathering his bravery to help push him forward. He was immediately unafraid as he ventured into it and the castle became distant. He felt more at home in this supposedly scary forest than he had done in months while at the school, where he really only felt truly comfortable with Archie. Brock loved Hogwarts, he really did, but it was such a change from what he was used to, it was going to take a while before a forest felt less like home to him. Orwell smiled to himself as he made his way through the forest, paying attention to the sounds and the sights. Looking at the few creatures and following them, deeper and deeper. He imagined that most of these creatures were here freely and he was glad to see them. He was happy that animals just got to live in the forest without too much concern for the people, and castle. Brock couldn't help but feel amazing in this forest. He eventually found a small opening, with enough space for him to just lie down on the ground. Orwell sat down and looked around him, before lying down on the ground, his eyes looking up above him. This term had been good, a little crazy and strange but good. He wasn't looking forward to the exams, Orwell had problems with the fact that they had exams, but he wouldn't do anything about how he felt towards them. Content with this moment the teen just remained staring up at the sky, a smile on his face and calm present. This forest definitely didn't feel like it should be forbidden, but perhaps that was just because Brock felt comfortable in forests usually.
​

 

[Doriana Strati]

Doriana trudged along the soft, damp moss of the forest path. Someone would have thought that she was out for a picnic as she was carrying that wicker basket with her but her cause was a lot different. The girl liked the forest a lot and she was coming back almost every day, sometimes even after curfew. It was a different world than the one behind the ancient walls of the castle and she preferred more the one that mother nature had created. During her long visits she had made discoveries and friends. Today she was there to help a friend in need. In her basket she got tucked beneath a woolen blanket fruits from the kitchens and first aid kit 'borrowed' from the hospital wing. She preferred the animals' companionship. Maybe she felt that way because she was brought up among magical creatures but people looked to her so vain and complicated. He had only one human friend she could really trust and she was supposed to meet with him in the forest and fare together. It was much more comforting to be venturing in this forest along with somebody else. This forest was different.

The tree's soft whisper against the wind was like a lullaby, soothing and warm. It was so welcoming and calm.
The feeling of security was all around when, abruptly, everything changed. Her light smooth steps, turned to rough ridged stomps on the tough, rock path filled with twigs. She could no longer hear the tree's swaying movements with the breeze, they were replaced with the snapping sound of twigs being crushed somewhere behind her. For a second she could have sworn there was someone following her. Like her crunching foot steps were not alone. "Uli?" She stopped and looked behind her, calling for her friend but she got no response. Doriana jerked her head to get a quick glimpse of what she thought was a tall man, towering over her, but she came to realize it was just a thin tree, bending close to the path. Frightened of her surroundings, she began to sprint. Not all creatures in this forest were gentle. She had spent one night in a tree hollow when suddenly she found herself surrounded by a swarm of giant acromantulas. She had fared to deep in the forest that night but the giant spiders could roam freely since it was their domain. They could have reached this more 'safe zone' of the forest.

Clouds must have been flying above, blocking the sun because her surrounding darkened. The eerie, green forest past in a blur beside her as she kept sprinting towards a clearing she knew it was close. Doriana felt betrayed, like the sweet, welcoming forest had tricked her. There was still some light left above her but it was quickly being submerged by the thick canopy. She kept the slight feeling of safety in her heart as she was approaching the clearing, although she could definately hear twigs snapping under the weight of something. She could see light again among the tree trunks, a glimmer of hope. She weaved through the last trees and she emerged from the forest with a jump. The sunlight showered on her blissfully and she took a few steps away from the trees while she was trying to catch her breath. She could swear that she witnessed the tree tops swinging as she felt the ground beneath her feet vibrate as something big behind the trees was coming her way. She drew her wand and pointed towards the trees but everything went silent. She tried to discern movement among the tree trunks. Suddenly, the birds started chirping again which was a good sign. She drew back, closer to the clearing's safety, not letting her guard down yet. Her gray eyes remained fixed on the trees as she slowed down her breath. She blamed her imagination for getting panicked and she thought that possibly she came across a herd of centaurs thundering through the forest.

She hoped that Uli was safe and wondered if he would have thought to look for her at this clearing. It was here where the two of them had set free the animals used in transfiguration classes for practice. The forest was a much better home than cages and she expected that all of them had acclimatized to their new environment. She looked around, hoping to see one of the tortoises she had set free but what she found instead as she walked closer to the middle of the clearing, left her staring in astonishment. A boy was lying down and her attention was drawn by his bright red hair. Stricken by the fright she got earlier, she thought that the boy was attacked and he had received a blow straight on his head, blood dying his hair red. She catiously approached him, thinking that a troll could have been roaming around. "Are you alright?" She breathed as she went to check out if he was conscious.[/font]

 

[Orwell Brocken]

Orwell had been really enjoying just lying on the ground staring up at the top branches of the trees of this forest, it reminded him of home. He smiled to himself, it was nice to be somewhere so familiar to him, where if he closed his eyes it would be like he hadn't left home. While this forest was nothing like the forest he and his community lived in, it was by far the most interesting place in Hogwarts, it was the place most similar to what he knew, what he'd grown up with. Orwell didn't for a minute regret going to Hogwarts, he was truly in love with the school, it was just such a great place, but Orwell was so far into the term and he was a little homesick. It had been the first time that he'd left the community for longer than an afternoon, and while he hadn't thought he'd miss it, he missed the closeness of the people, he missed the freedoms he'd had. The school had so many rules that Orwell just did like in the slightest, it was just boring and pointless to him, the school restricted so much, and forced so much, he didn't understand why some of the rules were even the slightest bit important. He knew that the stuff he'd learned in the last semester was far more vast and magic oriented than anything he'd learned before, he hadn't touched on anything Ancient Runes related at all at home, it had been branded a pointless subject, now he loved it, even if he did question a lot of things.

The boy was just laying on the soft ground, a smile upon his face and feeling truly calm in his surroundings, but a voice asking if he was alright and than arriving in his field of vision broke his slight trance, he smiled brightly at them, "I am more than alright, I'm great!" he told the girl speaking pretty softly and quietly, more so than he usually did in the castle, though his excitement was still clear. He sat up slightly, propping himself up on his elbows and gave the girl a warm smile, "Did you get freaked out because of my hair?" he asked her, the nature of the question she'd asked made him think that maybe she had thought he was injured to some degree and that was why his hair was red, rather than a more normal colour, at this point Orwell could scarcely even remember what his normal hair was, so used to his multi-coloured hair. It had been so long ago he wasn't sure what it had looked like at all, what colour it was naturally, he would have to ask his parents to find out. He shifted his weight slightly, so he could sit up completely and extend a hand to her, "I'm Orwell," he told her brightly, it was easy to spot how at ease Orwell was with being in the forest, in this surround, he didn't know what lay in this particular forest but for Orwell it didn't really matter.
​

 

[Doriana Strati]

A wave of relief washed over her when the person lying down stirred and actually sat up to reassure her that he was more than fine. Panic had risen in her chest when she first saw him on the ground. She had heard rumors of a student found dead in the forest a few years ago. If history had repeated itself, she would have to rush back to the castle and inform the school's authorities. Of course in that case she would have to explain why she was in the forest in the first place but the first thing that crossed her mind was the well-being of the boy. She was pretty aware of the consequences for breaking the rules but it was worth it. There was nothing compared to the feeling of running through the forest, climbing a tree or observing the wildlife.

Doriana observed the boy and inevitably her eyes were drawn to the distinctive color of his hair. Although it was quite unusual, she thought that the color suit him as he was smiling at her.
"No, actually it's pretty awesome." She responded genuinely about his hair, regardless of her initial impression. She smiled back as she continued.
"It's just that I usually don't run across people lying down in the middle of the forest." She pointed out, although she was doing exactly what he did all the time. She was visiting the same clearing even at nightfall when the sky is cloudless and the moon mostly illuminated. It was the first time though she ever came across someone else who looked like enjoying the forest like she did.
"Doriana. Nice to meet you." The girl extended her free hand to shook his. She couldn't help but think of him as an elf, not the ones currently mistreated at the school's kitchens but those mentioned in fairytales. She pocketed her wand feeling now completely safe and balanced the basket's handle over her arm. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you. I just wanted to make sure you were alright." She shrugged apologetically.
"Do you know how to get back to castle?" She asked politely, eager to offer some help. She after all knew the this forest like the back of her hand. The boy didn't look like he was in need of directions but she had to make sure he was alright before leaving to mind her own business.

 

[Orwell Brocken]

Orwell just smiled at the girl shifting slightly so he could pull down some of the strands of his hair, just so that he could look at the colour of it, smiling happily when she told him it was awesome, "I do love it," Orwell agreed with a bright tone, he loved his hair, all of the colours it had ever been, he loved having it be the different colours. He found joy in seeing what he looked like with various colours, he liked experimenting and being able to just be free with whatever he did. He thought of his hair as a figment of his all over the place and free personality and life, not so free now that he was in school, and far more limited in what he could do. At what she said Orwell had to give it to her, even in his community, who lived in the forest they didn't often see people lying about on the ground, he was often the one to be doing it, always finding it calming, just taking in the sights and sounds of the world around it as it moved seamlessly. Orwell just smiled at her, "That kind of thing doesn't too often at all does it," he said in agreement, "I lie about in the forest all the time, I like watching the clouds move, and the tops of the trees, its calming," he told her, as a way of explaining why he had indeed just been lying on the ground, it probably didn't help much saying it was actually the kind of thing that he did often, but that didn't really matter.

Orwell shook her hand and returned the smile, "And you Doriana," she seemed nice, a little younger than him perhaps but she seemed like someone he wouldn't have too much trouble getting along with, like him, she seemed at ease in this forest. It was then that he noticed she was carrying a basket of some kind, and this peaked his interest, he wondered if it was something for the animals that lived in this forest, Orwell didn't know what kind of creatures lived here, and he imagined that it was nothing more dangerous than the last forest he'd been in, which had been his home, so he was sure this would be perfectly fine too. He figured there were a couple more magical creatures, but Orwell was sure he could handle it, however, for now, he was more focused on the basket, "What's in the basket?" he asked curious and keen to find out, which came out just after she had apologised for disturbing him, he just shook his head at her, "Don't be silly, you did a good thing, even if there is nothing wrong with me," he told her brightly, thinking it silly to apologise, if he had been injured and she had opted to not come see, then he would've been stuck. Orwell was glad she'd taken the time out to see if he was alright, it was the nice thing to do, "Oh yeah, I'll be fine, forests feel more like home to me than the castle, so I'll be fine getting back, don't you worry. You will too right?"
​

 

[Doriana Strati]

To her eyes, there was nothing wrong with someone lying down on the grass to gaze the sky. She was daydreaming the same way while watching the clouds changing forms over her but most people couldn't see the beauty of this. "I thought I was the only one." She admitted, letting him know that he wasn't the only one. "Strange how I've never seen you before." She mused, also revealing that she was trespassing more than regularly but she felt comfortable enough to confess this. It turned out they were both taking the rules lightly. Orwell didn't look old enough to be a prefect. Not that a prefect would have been basking in the middle of a clearing deep in the forbidden forest.

The boy asked straight out about the content of her basket and caught her unprepared. At first she was considering to jest about going to visit her sick grandmother, thinking that she might be looking a lot like red riding hood. She didn't know exactly what to answer when in her basket she had things she had taken illegaly from the castle. Her end was well-intentioned but this would be hard to be explained. "I can't tell you." She refused to disclose such information and mischief flashed in her gray irises. "If I did tell you I would have to obliviate you afterwards." She teased with a soft chuckle and tucked a tuft of her brown hair out of her face as the wind picked up. "Actually I was looking for a friend." She revealed worried and looked at the edge of the clearing but there were no signs of her best friend. "I think he got lost again." The girl sighed. For once more she had to search for him. "Are you up for a walk? You seem like you know the forest pretty well and could use some help." She requested his assistance, thinking that some company would her search more pleasant if not easier. "If you help me, I might tell you what I have in the basket." She slyly tried to pique his curiosity and invited him to join her.

 

[Cain]

Hope you pair don't mind me dropping in!

---

Cain had been trying to find his bow for nearly two moons now, and it was becoming difficult to hide the fact from his father. Abel had been trying to help him by either distracting their parents and the herd while Cain trotted off, or joining him on the hunt. The young colt had left his twin brother, Abel, some time ago, and the sound of his hoof-beats no-longer reached his ears, but he continued onward, attempting to retrace his movements before he misplaced his bow. He felt like he had searched the entire area of the forest, but knew that he had only spent his time in the centre as to avoid suspicion. Now, however, it was time to slowly expand his search to further outside his usual grazing areas, as he and his brother frequently pressed the borders in order to gaze at the stars in new clearings, or even spy the castle on some occasions, with its false lights and stone walls. How anything could live within such confines was beyond him, but he did not pretend to understand his strange, bi-peddled neighbours.

His pouch brushed against his chest as he carefully cantered through the forests, his brown eyes looking for any sign of his bow, while his nose continued to keep watch for anything that should catch its attention. And so it did. He paused in his search for his bow when he smelt something sweet. He looked around, moving slowly in the bristles, and shrubs between the trees, hunting the source of the scent until he saw a young female. He rolled his eyes momentarily, finding the constant visitors disturbing. He had never interacted with the bi-peddles, as his mother repeatedly told he and his twin that they were dangerous. Even the little ones, as they could accidentally attack in fear. However, he knew that his brother Abel had onces before interacted with the young of the castle, and he was not harmed at all. It was one thing that his brother had experienced that he had not, and to say that he was slightly jealous of this would be an understatement.

He paused, however, when she suddenly sprinted away from him, though he doubted she had seen him. He could hear his mother's words ringing in his ears, but his nose told him that there was something interesting to be found, and so he trusted his eyes and followed her. She sprinted, but he with his powerful legs did not lose her at any point. What stopped from from approaching her, however, was that she ran towards another - a wizard - with a most peculiar hair colour, as red as blood. How did he have such colour like that? Cain chewed on his lower lip, wondering if now he should approach - there were two of them, and he was only young. He was reaching what they would call his twelfth year in but a few months, and so while he was confident that he could outrun them, and would be stronger, he had no idea what they were capable of - nor did he know how to speak to them. Abel had not detailed his conversation during his encounter, only that they had not caused him harm. These were sure to be different people, however.

He approached, but did not entirely enter the clearing. He remained next to a tree that he could duck behind should they frighten him, but now he was sure they would be able to see him in the darkness, as he was in a point of light. He straightened his pouch that was slung across his bare chest and attempted to steady his beating heart and restless chestnut legs. He flicked his tail nervously as he spoke, addressing them quietly when he heard a pause in their conversation. Hopefully, he was not being rude - and hopefully they actually heard him. "I... I am Cain."​

<i></i>

 

[Orwell Brocken]

Orwell shrugged at her when she said she hadn't seen him before, "I just transferred into the school at the start of the semester, that's probably why," Orwell gave her a small smile, with a slightly apologetic expression on his face, as if apologising for the fact they had only just met. Despite the fact he'd just met this girl he felt like he could very easily warm to her, she seemed nice enough and he was curious enough about what was in the basket to keep talking. Especially when she then told him that if she did tell him what was in the basket that then she'd have to wipe his memory, that just made him more curious about it, he was a Ravenclaw, being curious and asking questions, wanting to know everything he could that was in his nature. That was what Orwell spent a lot of his time doing, he would read and read and read. Trying to find out all that he could, he always wanted to be sure that he knew all of the facts, all of the opinions before he came to his own, so for her to tell him that she couldn't tell him was hard for Orwell, "I promise I won't tell anyone," he told her hoping that this would encourage her to let him know, he was barely listening to what she was saying following that his mind was so focused on the basket and finding out what was inside. It was only as she offered a walk, that he paid closer attention, already agreeing when she followed saying she might just let him know what was in the basket in exchange for helping her out, "Of course," Orwell wasted no time in getting to his feet. He brushed himself down shaking his head slightly to get lose dirt which had been caught in it out.

However, as Orwell had been about to ask Doriana about where she and her friend had agreed to meet, his attention was drawn to the half man, half horse creature that seemed to have emerged from within the forest. A Centaur! Orwell couldn't believe how lucky he was, this was a stunning creature, he just stood in awe of it, the centaur introduced himself to them and Orwell smiled just o-so brightly at him, just absolutely in revered by the sight in front of him, "I'm Orwell, it is incredible to meet you Cain," he told him, with absolute honesty. Though Orwell had lived in a forest his entire life the forest itself was not a magical one like this one appeared to be, he was sure that magical creatures lived within it, but he didn't know, he had never seen one before, he'd only ever read about them. Orwell very suddenly realised he was staring at Cain, and upon this realisation his cheeks almost went as dark a red as his hair, "I'm sorry that I'm staring, I've never seen a centaur up close and they're such beautiful creatures," Orwell smiled at him, "I absolutely agreed with the uprising in the 1990's over the reduction of Centaur designated land in Hogwarts Scotland, such amazing creatures should not be forced to live in progressively smaller areas, I definitely believe they should be allowed to roam as freely as they want," he told both Cain and Doriana looking back at her. He didn't really know what else to say, he wondered if Doriana would have something to say, "We were about to look for her friend, she lost him somewhere in the forest, do you want to help us find him?"
​

 

[Doriana Strati]

Happy that he was about to join her, Doriana was going to ask him how he liked the school so far when she felt again the eerie feeling of being watched. Her heart skipped a beat when she spotted a figure standing by the trees but relief brought a smile back on her lips when she realized it was a young, male centaur."Hi Cain." She said politely like she was greeting another child of her age. Cain looked like he was at early adolescence like her and Orwell. There was bewilderment in the air, a distance was kept between the two humans and the young centaur who seemed to be nervous as well. Doriana noticed the body language and his flicking tail. Like all the Stratis, she had been educated by a centaur at her early years of learning. She knew though that centaurs weren't respected everywhere in the same way her family did and relations between humans and centaurs were tensed. The ice was broken by Orwell who openly expresses his fascination and also made a reference to the centaurs' uprising at Hogwarts Scotland. She eyed the boy in admiration. Most people were unaware of the event when she had read papers about it. She got to like Orwell even more for what he had just said.

Doriana nodded with a warm smile as Cain was most welcomed to join them. "Please come." She took a step towards the young centaur to show him that he was trusted. "We need someone who can track down and read tracks of humans or animals." She already assigned to Cain the job of their tracker. She knew that centaurs could see things that humans were too blind to notice. The girl thought that in the end she would have to reveal her little secret, the reason she was wandering in the forest with that basket but she felt like she could trust both of them. "So would you accompany us?" She asked him if he was willing to become part of their search party.

 

[Cain]

Cain's hind hooves scratched into the ground nervously as his presence was revealed, but paused his nervous movements as he was greeted. He looked between the pair, and took a very slow, cautious step toward them, his eyes never focusing solely on one. He was still concerned about them, but now he had other worries - like how very upset his father would probably be should he be seen doing this. In fact, he doubted any of his herd would be pleased - he didn't want to think about what his mother would do. However, at the boy's staring, Cain took a moment to look down at himself to see if he had something particularly eye-catching, but could find nothing. He moved his shoulders in a motion that was almost a shrug, as the boy explained himself, before smiling meekly as the male of the two began speaking of things that Cain had played no part in - seeing as he was a mere colt and lived far from Scotland, as far as he could figure. However, he understood what he was trying to say, and so nodded along as Orwell continued.

"Thank you, Orwell," he said, as the wizard finished. He couldn't help but think that, if there were more like Orwell, things would be much easier. He took a few move steps towards them, his nostrils widening slightly as the sweet smell was caught once more. They certainly smelt nice, and this was to their benefit, drawing Cain slowly closer. He was surprised, however, when he was suddenly invited to join them - and grew very concerned at hearing that the girl (whose name had not been shared with him) had a friend that was lost within the forest. Why did students always seem to become lost? They should be taught how to read the stars to guide their actions, or at least remember the general direction of their stone-built home. Cain had never found himself truly lost. He began taking a step backwards as the girl stepped towards him, and looked away as it was suggested that he help track her friend down. He was quite sure that he could do it, but that was not his worry.

"I..." He hesitated, before standing tall and taking a deep breath. "I will help." He had to, he couldn't let some student wander around in the forest. His own father had once shot one of them - dead. Not injured. Not a little sore. Utterly dead. Surely the students would have been told such things, but it seemed they had not as they persisted in coming in and becoming lost. He looked at the girl. "Your friend... does he smell like you?" He looked off into the forest, chewing on his lower lip in thought. "We better hurry," he finally said, taking the last few steps to now be considered standing with them. "You are not safe here, especially not alone. We must find him before he stumbles upon something he ought not to." Such as, for example, his father. He didn't think his father would hurt a student, but mistakes could always happen... again.

"Are you ready?"​

 

[Justin Cliffeton]

Justin was doing a routine walk through the Forbidden Forest to make sure that nobody was where they shouldn't be; it had been a fairly boring day, he didn't even have to teach during this semester. Easy as pie, in his opinion; so he had chosen today to go and check for some troublemakers. It was something he had done a bunch of times before, but usually he didn't end up finding people while he looked. Today was going to be a different day, it seemed, as he heard some people talking off in the distance. Justin approached them quietly, and carefully; he didn't want them running off before he was able to catch them. He spotted them close by and called out.

"Well, well, well.. what brings you two out here?" Justin asked, a disapproving look on his face. He wondered what they would have to say; he also noted the centaur. Well, this was definitely going to be interesting.

 

[Orwell Brocken]

Orwell could scarcely believe what he was seeing, other than standing with a girl who made him curious, there now stood a centaur amongst them, the boy had never thought he would ever see one, he'd obviously read about them living in the forests of Hogwarts Scotland but he had not heard about them living in this forest. He knew that while for his community he was pretty normal for everyone else really, he wasn't, his long winded statement about standing with the centaurs would've been celebrated in his old community, now despite the fact he wouldn't take it back, if did in fact feel a little out of place. Although at the look he noticed from Doriana and the thanks from the centaur, Orwell thought he'd done right. He didn't feel like he should question his actions any further. They were together in this forest and he was ready to help Doriana find her friend, the help of a centaur, he felt would be a great addition, "Thanks Cain," he told him, his tone warm and grateful, for he was those things, they would have better luck with him in the mix. While the Ravenclaw was fairly certain of his ability to track in the forest he knew he would be no match to that of a centaur and Orwell was not as familiar with this forest as he was in the one he lived. He knew from the fact they were with a centaur that this forest was far more magical than others, and definitely more magical than his. He looked back at Doriana, after all he didn't know the person whom this girl had lost so was leaving her to fill in the centaur as to if he did or not smell like them. Orwell had nothing else to do with his day, and being in the forest was where he felt most at home so he wasn't pressed to find the boy though he was sure they should find him quickly.

Orwell didn't really understand what Cain was saying about it being dangerous, in all his experiences with forests, yes they were dangerous but it didn't amount to rushing, you had to just be careful and respectful. Orwell grinned at them, as he then pushed forward, however the were stopped when an older man, a teacher he assumed stopped them, asking what brought them out here, to the forest, he frowned at the man, they were allowed to wander around the forest, weren't they? It was a forest after all, surely it didn't matter what they did, where they went. What made this forest more dangerous that any other forest that merited people not being allowed in? "We're looking for her friend," he told the man simply, as if it was absurd that he was asking that with a disapproving tone, after all what was dangerous to them would be dangerous to him. "We are neither bothering the wildlife nor are we doing anything wrong," Orwell told him, before then motioning behind him to the centaur and the girl, "either you can help us out, or you can leave," it was not even a mere thought in Orwell's mind that he was doing something wrong, he didn't get that a forest could be forbidden and was staunchly opposed to the private ownership of land. It didn't cross his mind that he was perhaps doing something wrong or that his response would likely get him in more trouble.
​

Sorry about the lateness and terribleness/mistakes I'm having to RP from my phone.

 

[Doriana Strati]

The tension that was filling her every time she was in this forest, slowly melted into nothing when Cain agreed to join their little quest.
"Thank you so much!" She beamed grateful at the young centaur. Then she frowned slightly at his question. "Umm...I guess so." She replied reluctantly. She wasn't sure if this was true. Doriana was aware of the acute sense of smell centaurs had but couldn't tell if there was any distinguishes from human to human. She glanced as well at the trees surrounding the clearing and she nodded in agreement.
"Yes, let's get going. We have set a meeting point with my friend not far from here. In case we get separated we have agreed to get there in order to find each other." She told them. She took a moment to orientate herself and find in which direction they should continue.
"This way." She began pacing back to the trees, taking the lead. The witch, the wizard and the centaur were about to enter the forest again when a voice behind them caught them of guard.

It smelt like trouble this time. Fear grew in her chest waiting to take over her. As they turned around to see the newcomer, her worriment was confirmed. A professor had entered the clearing and this was no good by any means. That disapproving look on his features was enough to affirm that she and Orwell weren't going to get out of this easily. Doriana tightened her grip on the basket's handle. She knew that in case she was requested to present the basket's content to the professor, she was going to be into serious trouble. It wasn't the food the house elves had kindly offered her. The medical supplies such as bandages and vials of murtlap essence weren't exactly borrowed from the hospital wing. She was about to say something but Orwell spoke up first. Doriana's admiration only became stronger for him as the boy bravely addressed the professor. He was oozing an effortless confidence that it was hard not to adore. She had to speak up herself as well and defend him in some way. She recalled that he was new at the school and perhaps he didn't know the rules. "That's true." She confirmed Orwell's statement about searching for her friend.
"I was worried and instead of searching on my own I asked for their help." She gestured both at her companions. She didn't know if Cain was in trouble as well but she was willing to cause a distraction and give him the opportunity to run back to his herd. It was her fault that the two of them were involved in this and she was going to make her best to get them out of this.
"We'll get back to the castle when we'll found my friend." She promised to the man. The chances he was going to let them walk away were pretty slim. He was either going to force them back to the school or join them. The last option was better but it wasn't something she was feeling comfortable with. She and her friend had a little secret that had them coming again and again in the forest. Doriana was fine with Orwell and Cain knowing. It wasn't the same case with the professor.

 

[Cain]

Cain had no idea what he should do. As soon as the adult - the professor - arrived, he immediately froze in his place. The young ones were like him, so it seemed, and he felt comfortable in the fact that they would not cause him harm. He had never met an adult bi-peddled before, and he did not look pleased. He did not look as mad as Cain's own father would have been, had it been him showing up in place of this man, but he decided that silence on his part was best needed. Orwell and the as yet unnamed girl would probably be able to handle this better than he could. Explain everything, apologise for trespassing, and leave - Cain would probably continue looking for the third student apparently in the forest and get him out himself, and everyone would be happy. He shifted on his hooves, his front legs digging into the ground nervously as Orwell spoke, and pretty much said exactly what Cain would not have said to anyone that had authority over him. In fact, he would never have spoken that even to his own brother, whom he was slightly older than. However, then the girl seemed to agree with Orwell, enough to not correct him. Perhaps this kind of attitude was natural for them.

Not knowing exactly what he should do, he lingered near the pair quietly, looking between them and the professor repeatedly as if it would magically fix everything. But he felt a little self-conscious, standing there doing nothing to explain the situation. In fact, his presence was probably making it worse, but now he was concerned that any fast movements on his part could cause trouble. He puffed his chest out slightly, trying to appear calm. "They speak the truth," he said, nodding to his newly-met student companions. As far as he knew they were, anyway. Surely the priority here would be to collect that student and get him out, rather than these two. They were at least with Cain, that other one could be getting into all sorts of dangers.​

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[Justin Cliffeton]

Justin raised his eyebrow towards the children, and their centaur friend. He was at a complete loss as to why they were in the forest, let alone why they were with a centaur! He doubted there was any good reason for them to be here, and even if they were looking for a friend, they would have been a lot better off coming and finding a Professor to help them! He glanced towards Orwell, at least he thought his name was Orwell. "For starters, the attitude most definitely is not appreciated; secondly, this area of the grounds is Forbidden for students to enter, so you are definitely doing something wrong in being here." Justin sighed deeply, he remembered a time when he had been a student in their position, but as a Professor now he would have to 'lay down the law'. "As a consequence, you will both join me on a trip to your Heads of Houses after this little misadventure." Justin finished, giving them a stern look.

"As noble as your intentions are, you would have been better off coming and finding a Professor at the castle, this place is very dangerous and you could have been injured, or worse." Justin remembered back to an incident that had taken place a few years back where one of the professors had in fact died. He frowned at the thought. "I will accompany you to find your friend, and then we're going straight back to the castle." He said, sighing. He definitely didn't want to have to walk around the Forest.

 

[Orwell Brocken]

Orwell was glad that at least Doriana and Cain were agreeing with what he was saying, he was really hoping that the professor didn't join them in their search, not that he didn't like professors but he just would rather that the man didn't join them on this search, he didn't think he would be of much use, and in his experience with the professors in this school they didn't really care about things, or care about the forest. He glanced at Doriana he nodded along with her, and then to the centaur who at least just said that they were telling the truth which he thought was the best thing, at least that the professor knew that they were telling the truth about it, he assumed that would mean that they would fair better in the grander scheme of things, if this man was looking to get them into trouble, though Orwell failed to see how they could get into trouble for something so normal, they were in a forest, he failed to see how this place, this forest was any more dangerous than any other so failed to realise that he was somewhere that was actually forbidden, which was why he was so confident although even if he knew he was sure that he would've had the same amount of confidence about it. Orwell, failed to sometimes follow the rules, especially if he either didn't understand them or like them. He flashed a smile at both Doriana and Cain, before he then glancing back at the professor.

He frowned at the professor, what attitude? Was he looking to give him into trouble for his confidence, for his blunt way of talking to him, they were equals in Orwell's mind, were they not in his, the next words brought more confusion to his mind, he didn't think it was forbidden, "Why is the forest forbidden?" he questioned as soon as the professor had said they'd have to go to their head of house as soon as this was over, Orwell didn't care so much about getting into trouble. He looked around the forest and then back at the man, "Forests are dangerous, but they shouldn't be forbidden, you don't own the forest, you can advise for people to not go in, but that doesn't mean it should be forbidden," Orwell had a huge issue when people thought they could own forests that they could forbid people from entering, land he believed should be in public hands, not privately own, so he opposed being forbidden from them. He knew they had to find Doriana's friend but he wasn't willing to just let the professor's words go, "Any forest is dangerous, you can be injured or worse in any forest, but come on, let's go," he motioned for Doriana to show the way, hoping they'd find her friend soon.
​

 

[Doriana Strati]

The professor was disapproving and even cleared out that he was going to take them to their Heads of Houses to face the consequences of their trespassing. It was the first time she was caught at the act of wandering in the forest and she wasn't sure what kind of detention she was going to have. She shot another glance of admiration towards Orwell who hadn't gave up yet defending their case but Doriana knew that there was no way out of this situation. The professor told them he was going to accompany them to find her friend and then they were all going back to the castle. She really wanted to find Ulysses. The boy wasn't as good as her when it came to navigating in this sea of trees but at the same time she didn't want the professor to find out about the reason she was visiting the forest so regularly. If they were going to find her friend then this was possibly going to happen where her little secret was located. She had no other option but to adhere to the professor's demand.

The girl took a silent, deep breath and clenched her basket. "I think I have an idea where he might be." She said about her friend and looked around her, taking a moment to orientate. "Please follow me." She invited the group, trying to be as polite as possible with the professor. Doriana led the way and was the first one who walked amongst the trees again. She guided them for what it seemed quite some time. She had to stop a couple of times and look for the subtle tracks she had left on the bark of trees during her last wanderings. They were helping her navigate without getting lost. They were getting closer and she was getting nervous about her secret being exposed.

She brought the group before a rocky outcrop which was towering over the tree's canopy. Bushes and smaller trees were growing on its treacherous surface and it had something eye-catching that was beckoning the unsuspecting wanderer to climb it and explore it. It was surrounded by bushes and smaller rocks. On one of them was sitting Ulysses Viteri, her friend. He must have forgotten they had agreed to meet at the clearing before reaching this part of the forest together. As they approached him, she cast him a warning look to caution him to be careful with what he was going to say. "Ah! Finally!" she said relieved and smiled. It was a forced one. She hadn't forgotten they were still in trouble. Now she had dragged into this her best friend who could have returned to the castle without being noticed but at the same time, she couldn't let him wait there for her when the professor was intending to take her back to the castle. "I had warned you, you'll get lost." She shook her head and rolled her grey eyes disapprovingly. She glanced briefly towards the foot of the rocky outcrop which was filled with shrubs. "Now that we found him we should get back to the grounds." She suggested. She wasn’t willing to linger in these parts any longer.

 

[Ulysses Viteri]

Ever since he had met Doriana Strati, Ulysses had been finding himself entangled in mostly unlawful activities occurring always after curfew. Of course they weren't the first students who have been out of their beds late at night but they were possibly pioneers of smuggling animals that belonged to the school. His Gryffindor friend was completely against the imprisonment and mistreatment of animals. She considered that the animals used during classes were poorly-treated and deserved something better than having a wand pointed at them and then spend the rest of their lives behind iron bars. The boy was against the violation of school's rules but he had find her motives chaste and as a person who liked helping others, he couldn't let her venture in the forest on her own.

So he had been joining her, carrying with her crates of small animals that they were sneaking out of the castle and in the end, releasing deep into the forest. It felt right and it was really fulfilling so it got easier to be persuaded and follow her in reckless, after-midnight meanderings. During one of them, they stumbled into something extraordinary in the forest. A stray, wounded, female unicorn foal. Doriana believed it was orphaned, its mother possibly killed by forest predators, hence the foal's its wounds on its hid leg. The two second years decided to not leave the golden foal to fate and nurse it back to health. They found this outcrop deep in the forest, consisting of small cavities and they sheltered the unicorn. Then they arranged shifts and they had been visiting the foal, that Doriana named Cornelia or Corny as she preferred to call it most of the time, to bring medical supplies and tend the wounds. Food proved to be a bigger issue. Corny was too young to graze or feed on vegetables and fruits. However, while Doriana was looting the hospital wing's supplies, she came across some bottles reading 'Unicorn Milk'. Many unicorn products were used in wandlore and healing but what could be used for healing purposes was also food for Corny. The foal was growing stronger by the day and her wounds were healed. They kept visiting her and spending a lot of their free time at the outcrop. Ulysses had ended up doing homework there sometimes in the forest, when his shifts were in the afternoons. They were planning to do this until Corny was strong and old enough to fend on her own.

Today they were supposed to go and see the young unicorn after their classes, escort it to its daily walk around the forest since exercise was necessary to grow healthy again . Ulysses couldn't recall if they had arranged to meet at the clearing first or meet up at the rocky outcrop. He went for the second. Thinking that he was going to be early, he stopped at some point to collect in a pouch some dittany leaves that he found on his way. He was sure they were going to come in handy one day in potion-making. When he arrived at the outcrop, Doriana was nowhere to be seen. He wasn't worried about her. Firstly, she knew the forest pretty well for a second year and she was moving fast and stealthily. Secondly, she was a hopeless latecomer. He was set up numerous times. He thought that one more wouldn't make a difference so he called Corny to give her some water and pet her while waiting. The foal didn’t respond to his call. Ulysses searched the cavities concealed by the shrubs, he even climbed up to have a better view of the surroundings but Corny was nowhere to be found. He thought that maybe Doriana wasn't late for once in her life and she got there earlier, maybe taking Corny for a walk.

So he settled down on a rock and decided to wait for them while arranging the dittany leaves in his pouch along with the rest herbs and fungi he had gathered during his recent forest wanderings. It wasn't long until he heard footsteps. He was about to complain about being left alone, when in his field of vision appeared not just Doriana. Another student was following her that he recognized as a fellow Ravenclaw, a young centaur and more disturbingly, a professor. He stood up immediately finding hard to swallow. It appeared like the professor had swept through the forest and had caught all the trespassers currently in the forest. The centaur though wasn't really fitting this impression. Perhaps he was helping the professor but then again, centaurs weren't that eager to assist humans. His light, green eyes met hers and he distinguished a silent warning.

When she talked he knew he had to follow her lead. "I'm sorry." he sighed disheartened. "I just wanted to look for potion ingredients. I thought I could find my way back to the grounds but the trees look so similar and I ended up deeper. Then I stumbled across this outcrop and I thought it would be safe to wait here for someone to find me." he explained with his head lowered, looking down at the ground. He wanted so badly to tell her that Corny wasn't around but he knew she didn't want anyone else to find out that they were coming often this far in the forest.

Out of Character:

It turned out to be longer than expected but I needed to introduce in some way my character into this.

 

[Cain]

Cain followed the young witch, keep a careful distance from the group. As they went through the forest, he kept his nose and ears open, hoping to not catch the scent of another centaur. The last thing he needed was for someone to tell his father what he had been up to. He paused at the edge of their destination, spotting the student immediately. He seemed well enough, with no signs of injury on him or the surroundings. The young centaur peered up at the stars, his hind legs shuffling as he did so, before looking to the only human whose name he actually knew - Orwell. "I will go now," he stated, his eyes now flickering between the older human, the girl, and this new boy. Too many people for him to remain comfortably, and the night was beginning to disappear. Besides, they found the boy now. It was time for them to go. He inclined his head slightly as a motion of his departure, and trusted that they could see themselves out, and began galloping back through the trees to find and tell all to Abel.​

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