Silent Explorings (OPEN)

[Dragomyra Zykarn]

Dragomyra's urge had gotten the better of her, and she silently slipped from her Commonroom, and out into the dimly lit corridors. She stayed within the shadows, as was her normal routine. The corridors were completely devoid of other beings.

She moved silently on her feet, as she slipped passed a few doors. Not knowing what lay behind those doors. 'Probably classrooms...guess I'll soon find out on the morrow.' she thought to herself as she slipped passed one that had a soft glow permeating from the crack beneath the door.

She stopped just past the door and listened. Voices could be heard from within. The voices sounded too muffled to actually hear their words, but from the sound of it, the male's voice didn't sound too happy.

With a shake of her head as she thought to herself 'Seems like drama everywhere you go.'

Dragomyra slipped quietly passed a few more doors, making her way down the corridor. She made a right turn, then a left. Soon she had no clue where she was and sat down in the shadows of the corridors for a brief rest, before exploring some more. She had hopes of finding the kitchen, and perhaps a small snack in her exploration.

She drew her knees up to her chest, resting her chin upon them, as she pondered which way she would go next.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise had gotten used to sneaking into the Hufflepuff Common Room later than they were technically supposed to. He couldn't give up his nights in Diagon Alley, and he couldn't bear to cut them any shorter than they already were. He dreaded curfew, even when he ignored it and slipped in the gates just before they closed for the night.

The Common Room was down near the kitchens, but he tried his hardest to avoid them, and so he was skirting through the shadows of the basement corridors, trying not to think too much about how easy it would be to just tickle the pear and go in. The House-elves were so eager to give him whatever he wanted, even when it was something he shouldn't have.

He didn't see the girl curled up on the stone floor. He was always watching the next torch or candelabrum on the wall, highly aware of how reflective his white-blond hair was in the light. He couldn't be seen and keep getting away with this! He was distracted, and so he was only aware of the girl as he stopped just short of tripping over her.

He shrank back reflexively, his hand reaching for the wand tucked away at his side. "Who's there?" he demanded.

[Dragomyra Zykarn]

As Dragomyra sat in the shadows of the corridor, she closed her eyes. Lost in her thoughts, she missed the sounds of another being approaching her. Unusual for her really, since she was usually observant. As she heard the voice, her head popped up off of her knees, staring into the shadows, where she could see an outline another being standing there, demanding who was there.

Dragomyra quickly stood up, and faced the outline in the shadows, where the voice had come from. She quickly assessed her surroundings, and soon realize the being was alone. "Dragomyra." she gave her name and then quickly added "Who are you?" she asked softly, though her tone had an edge to it.

She stepped back slightly to put some space between them as she awaited the reply.

[Markise Sterling]

"Markise," he said, his voice determinedly strong, despite the probable warning he heard in the girl's voice. He didn't recognize her, and that was enough to put him on his guard even without that undertone of danger. He'd held back his last name, but now he realized how little good it would do when his first was so recognizeable He hoped that the name she'd given him was real, so they'd be on even ground. The name seemed too strange to have made up on the spot, so he had hope. At the least, he could tell that she wasn't one of the prefects.

"It's past curfew," he went on, as though he wasn't out just as late as she was. He wasn't above bluffing his way out of trouble, and this late, he could only assume this was trouble until he knew otherwise. He'd far prefer slipping past her and heading for the dorms, but had learned the hard way about turning your back on people.

[Dragomyra Zykarn]

Dragomyra sensed no danger from this being despite how determined his voice had been. She had always had the uncanny sense for danger, which almost always drew her to it, rather than away from it. She didn't recognize the name he'd given, but then again she wouldn't know many people being pretty much home schooled, or rather learning everything on her own back in Romania.

Curfew? This word was new to her...well not that new, she knew what it meant, but had never had one forced upon her. She did what she wanted, when she wanted and how she wanted to do things. No one had told her there had been a curfew here....yet, not that it would matter to her.

"So it is...are you some sort of curfew officer of this school?" that edge still in her tone, almost daring him to drag her off to some Professor or to the Headmistress. Her eyes now narrowed at him, as her arms crossed her chest, fingers just barely touching the end of her wand hidden inside the designer leather jacket she wore.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise didn't at all want to start a fight. He'd been there before—been here before, in a battle over curfew—and he didn't want to do it again, no matter what state he was in or who the other party was. He didn't see the girl's wand in the darkness, only knew that he didn't want this to escalate, and so while his hand remained hovering over his wand pocket, he made no move to draw.

"Not unless you are," he said after a moment. He knew she wasn't; it was an attempt at humor, and he hoped it could help relieve some of the tension in this dark corridor. He calmed himself enough to recall that she'd been on the floor, and his Hufflepuff side kicked in. "Are you okay?" he asked, a bit softer now.

[Dragomyra Zykarn]

She gave a soft sarcastic laugh. "A job I'd never qualify for, nor would want it." she replied. She did however...lower her arms to her side, her wand remained inside her jacket.

"Okay? why do yo ask?" she said, then suddenly realized how it must have looked as he had silently came upon her. With a wave of her hand, "Oh yeah I'm just great." her tone a bit sarcastic. "If you call going to a school, where my surroundings are not familiar is okay, well I'm just great I suppose." she added. In fact any school would be unfamiliar to her, since this would be the first time she had stepped into any school.

She had survived this long on her own with her parents' old books...what few she was able to salvage and keep hidden. Only problem, is that she was only able to learn enough to just barely manage getting into the fifth year in this school. Had she been able to find everything, she would of had no need to enter any school...unfortunately she hadn't and now was here in this school.

"Actually I was only taking a small rest before continuing my exploration....I had hopes in finding the kitchens, perhaps grab a small snack before finding my way back." she finally said after a few moments. In truth she had no clue if she was on the right track to the kitchens or not, but was positive she'd eventually come to the kitchens, as she familiarized herself with her surroundings.

She had relaxed some by now, feeling this boy was just another student as she is. She still remained in the shadows, the torch above her had not been lit since she had came in this area of the corridor. She now pulled her wand out "Incendio" she whispered, watching as the torch flared to life. Smoke curled it's way to the high ceiling. Turning back, her emerald green eyes reflecting in the fire light.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise had a bad feeling about this girl, so his hand stayed in place near his wand. He hated the corridors at night, most especially the poorly lit ones, and there was no pushing away the ominous feeling they gave him. All because of one night that had altered his life forever. He wasn't sure how to feel about that night anymore, not with Ariel...

Markise pushed his thoughts and memories away. This was no place for them, not when he and the girl—Dragomyra—seemed to be forming a tentative truce.

"The kitchens are close," he said at last. He could show her where they were. It would be easy to just walk with her there, show her how to get the portrait to open and walk away. He could be in his dormitory within half an hour and forget this had even happened. "It's just a couple corridors over and to the left."

[Dragomyra Zykarn]

Dragomyra could now see her surroundings better than she had when she first came into this corridor. She placed her wand back in its' place inside her jacket and looked over at the boy as he spoke. Her eyes flashed in the direction he spoke of.

With a nod, and one of her rare smiles she gave him thanks. "Thanks, I'm sure I can find it." She then turned to head in the direction. She guessed she was just too tense or something that gave her the impression of people staying away from her far away. Most didn't even speak to her...so she guessed this boy had one up on those others. Atleast he spoke, even if it had been in a sort of defensive way, as she had with him.

Stopping, she realized she needed to atleast try to be nice for now anyway. She felt like an alien in a new place...alienating everyone from her. She turned her head back to him. "Would you...um...like a snack too?" she asked in an unsure tone.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise wanted to snap no. It would be easier that way; he could go back to the Common Room, slip into the dorms, and forget any temptation he might be feeling. If Ariel didn't kill him, the guilt would. Unless he drowned it deep enough. It was a dangerous thought, one he shouldn't have been having, but it would be so easy to say yes. He wanted to say yes.

Markise started rationalizing why he'd be fine. He'd go with her, they'd sit down at one of the tables, and the elves would bring them something to eat. They'd talk, he could tell her about the school and pretend he was imparting vast wisdom. It would be fun.

But Ariel...

Ariel wasn't here, and he was just going to grab a snack. He'd be fine. He nodded.

"It's... this way," he said, gesturing toward the turn that would bring them closer to the kitchens. He knew he should say more, but for the moment, he was caught up in the fact that he'd said yes.

[Dragomyra Zykarn]

Dragomyra gave a nod as he stated which way. It wasn't really a yes, but atleast he was willing to show her where the kitchens was. She walked silently with him, still keeping space between them. She glanced over at him for a moment, "So...if you're not some sort of Curfew Officer...then why are you out after curfew? I mean I know why I am out, it's only logical that I seek out the kitchens, since I didn't have a chance to eat dinner. And...familiarize myself with this place...of course. I need to know where all the nooks and crannies are, the secret entrances and exits, etc..." she said as they came to a painting of a bowl of fruit.

'Odd painting.' she thought to herself. She slowed herself to stare at the painting. There seemed to be something odd about the painting, but she couldn't figure out what it was. She gave a slight shake of her head as she waited for him to reply.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise glanced aside at Dragomyra, as though by looking at her he might instantly figure her out. But no, as much as he knew people in general, he didn't have her pegged, so it wouldn't do any good. He figured it couldn't hurt to keep talking, though. She knew his name, and she knew he was out, so she couldn't incriminate him any worse with the truth.

"I own a shop in Diagon Alley and closed up late tonight," he said. It sounded just as good as it had all those times he'd told himself it would work, and really, why shouldn't it? He had closed shop late. It was nobody else's business why the shop had been open after hours, and besides, he'd made it in before the gates closed.

He noticed Dragomyra eying the painting now and obliged, reaching out to tickle the pear just so. "Like this," he said softly. The pear remained still a moment, then began to jiggle, finally transfiguring into a door handle. "Ladies first," he said, pulling the door open.

[Dragomyra Zykarn]

Turning to glance at him, "Really? You own a shop? Nice!" she said as she turned to look back at the painting as he reached out and tickled the pear. Watching, for a few moments, Dragomyra thought at first nothing was going to happen.

Then suddenly, the pear turned into a door handle.

"Wow" she whispered. "Never would have guessed to do that. I knew something wasn't right about the painting, but wouldn't of guessed it being a hidden door like that." she said quietly as she looked around herself. So many things are not what they seem. Dragomyra decided she was going to be determined to find 'all' the secret passages, doors, and rooms.

She reached out and pushed the handle, opening the door into the kitchens. Glancing at Markise she then went inside where she was met by an elf...a house elf to be exact, who gave her a bow and asked how he may serve her. Looking back at Markise, "Is there anything good that you suggest?" she asked, then looked at the various shelves of food. Types of food she'd never had, nor heard of.

Dragomyra decided on something to drink first. Looking at the elf before her, she gave a small smile. "Something to quench my thirst would be nice I suppose." she said.

The house elf's squeaky voice piped up, "May I suggest Pumpkin Juice?" he said. Dragomyra wrinkled her nose a moment. and looked back at Markise. "Is that stuff even any good?" Turning back to the elf. "Is that all there is to drink?" she asked more to herself.

[Markise Sterling]

Markise's pale blue eyes widened slightly at the question, even if it wasn't for him. They had cooking sherry, he knew that much, but it was salty and near-impossible to drink without a massive case of desperation. Sad, considering he'd been thinking about it. If they had something better, even if it was only for the faculty, he'd never been told.

"Pumpkin juice is okay," he told Dragomyra. He hoped the house-elves didn't recognize him, hoped one wouldn't show up at his elbow with a familiar bottle. As foul as cooking sherry tasted, he wasn't entirely sure he'd be able to refuse. "I don't know what else they have," he lied, even if Dragomyra hadn't asked him to begin with.

[Dragomyra Zykarn]

Looking back at Markise as he spoke, she gave a small nod. "Pumpkin juice it is then, and some of those pastry looking things over there as well please." Myra said as she turned back to the elf. As the elf ran off, she picked up some of the chocolate piled on a plate on a nearby table. Looking back at Markise and whispering low enough for only him to hear.

"Besides... " she said as she slipped her hand into the inside pocket of her jacket. "...even if the pumpkin juice don't taste very good, I have a little something to spruce it up. A cinnamon tasting liquid that will make any awful drink taste better, and...trust me when I say you'd be happier with it." she gave a grin of pure evilness.

Just then the elf came back and handed her the drink and pastries. Looking at Markise, "Same for you?" he asked him.

Myra took a small sip of hers, making a small disgusted face, and then as the elf's back was turned, she slipped two drops of her stuff into the mug. Tasting it again, "Better." she whispered to herself. The drink warmed her body, and with a few more sips she could already feel the stuff starting to take effect.

"Wanna try some?" she whispered as the elf headed off to find something else.

Dragomyra bit into a pastry, then ate a bit of the chocolate she found on the table. She gave a pleased smile, they tasted really good and she love chocolate.