Open Old Stomping Ground

[Ethan Alexander]

Open after Verity posts with Cecras

Ethan knew that the forest was technically forbidden and even though he had even gotten caught once, he wasn't about to stop going in. He was a sixth year after all, and in all his years he had never even found the slightest thing that would cause him alarm. It helped that his hideaway wasn't all that deep into the forest. But it was still sturdy and holding strong, He hardly had do to any work to it as he returned for the year. Today he was making heading right for it with some books and his journal to do some reading. He had even thought ahead and had grabbed an apple from the lunch table to snack on as he went. Ethan took a bite of his apple and the crunch sounded a bit funny so he stopped to listen for the sound of anyone, or anything approaching. But after a moment when there was nothing he continued on his way.

 

[Cecras]

Cecras was disgusted to discover that another Centaur had debased themselves to the servitude of human. He saw it as a betrayal of their proud heritage, a surrender to the very species that had long encroached upon their sacred lands. As his protective instincts surged, Cecras found himself growing increasingly vigilant, patrolling his territory up to the very boundary, venturing closer to the human territory than usual. On this particular patrol, Cecras stumbled upon a structure unmistakably crafted by human hands. He halted in his tracks, his gaze narrowed with suspicion as he surveyed the foreign construction with interest, and annoyance at it's very existence.

 

[Ethan Alexander]

Ethan kept his eyes on the ground in front of him. He knew the way by heart by now and was more concerned with watching his step. But as he turned the last corner he finally looked up and stopped dead in his tracks. For a moment he was totally stunned. After countless trips into the forest and wishing to see some kind of creature he thought he might be dreaming when he saw a centaur standing right in front of him. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do and everything he had learned in class and from books left his mind in an instant. "H-hello?" he called out, uncertain if he should have run or said something more polite.

 

[Cecras]

Cecras observed the structure noticing it seemed to have bsen crafted without magic, by the hands of a human. It appeared innocent, likely the handiwork of a young wand carrier exploring their abilities. However, its presence encroached upon centaur territory. When the voice greeted him, Cecras looked up, his bow remaining steady by his side. "Hello, young wand carrier," he spoke with a firm yet measured tone. "You are aware that the forest is off-limits to the young, are you not?"

 

[Ethan Alexander]

Ethan was still stunned as the centaur spoke and was only broken out of his surprise when he noticed the odd way he spoke. "That's me....a wand carrier?" he said in agreement even though he was sure his confusion was apparent. At the next accusation he could feel his face get warm, he was caught and unlike the time with Weston there wasn't even the chance to pretend he hadn't been trespassing. He opened and closed his mouth a few times as he tried to think of something to say that might get him out of this. But he had never been a very good liar. "Yes." he said finally. "Are....are you going to destroy my shelter?" he asked and was surprised how much emotion was in his voice. All at once he overwhelmed by the thought of losing something that he had held dear since he was eleven.

 

[Professor James Cade]

Forest duty was one of the worst jobs for a professor for no other reason than it was outside. James preferred to spend his evenings in the comfort of the castle and if things were quiet, he could duck into his office or lay out on one of the sofas in the students lounge, which seemingly still seemed to be a popular spot for after hours meet ups, it was comforting to know students were still as stupid as they had been when James was one.

Thankfully, it was still reasonably warm outside even with the drop in temperature that always followed the darkening of the sky. James walked around the border of the forest that was accessible to the students and at first all seemed quiet, that was until he ventured slightly into the forest and into the first clearing. There had been the slightest hint of a voice that James heard that caused him to go deeper into the forest, it was not that of a student of that he was fairly sure, it sounded too mature.

When he found the source of the voice, he found two people and his concern for the situation was etched on his face. Centaurs weren’t dangerous, per se, but they were proud beings who didn’t take too kindly to trespassers on their land, of which they considered the forest to be. “Good evening,” James called announcing his presence to both the centaur and the student who had no business in the forest. “My name is James Cade, I’m a professor from the school, He then turned his attention to the student, a sixth year he recognised from his class. ”Mr Alexander I suggest you take a step back,“

 

[Cecras]

Cecras gazed down on the human, his expression stern but not unkind. "Yes, you carry a wand." He watched as the boy struggled with his words. When asked about his shelter, Cecras's eyes softened momentarily. "Destruction is not a centaurs way."

As James Cade arrived, Cecras shifted his gaze, his posture remaining dignified and calm. "Good evening, James Cade," he acknowledged with a slight nod. "Your pupil has encroached upon our land, but I sense no malice in him." He looked back at the student. "Your shelter should be dismantled, but you may do so yourself." Cecras decided.