Early Years

The man's eyes narrowed darkly.
Charles was getting cold feet, Descole could tell.

"I'm sorry, sir, but the store is closed... I can't hlep you at this time.."

(( heading to bed. Night. Talk to you tomorrow. c: ))

-In no mood for games, the young Strayer prodigy went behind the counter and approaches the man wordlessly with my wand drawn.-

Night Cyn

The Death Eater looked down at the Strayer's wand.
instantly, he backed toward the desk, pulling open a small drawer and shuffling through it quietly, as if to find something.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you want.."

-With an calculated wave of my wand I snap the draw closed.-

"You to come with us."

The man's eyes narrowed harshly, his pushed-up nose and his thick face screwing up in a scowl of anger.

In a moment, his own wand was drawn.

"Sorry, boy. I don't take orders from nobody."

"Well, lucky for you. You don't obey, and you're dead... you understand..?"

Descole spoke with the coldness of years to come.
There was the sound of metal scraping against metal as he drew his sword, standing by the entrance.
"And I really don't want to stain my blade.."

-I would stop him if he came too close to killing him. Murder is not allowed.-

"Expelliarmus!" -The skill I would come to be praised for prevails as his wand flies from his hand.-

"Surrender now or force will be inevitable."

"Bubblehead, Strayer! Now!"

Descole had his wand out in an instant as he shouted to Fade, using the charm to protect himself as Charles grabbed a vial from the counted and threw it onto the ground.

Hallucinogenic gas flooded over the floor and filled the room, fading into to air- and yet it still lurked.
And once breath would mean dizziness and massive hallucinations. Dangerous to the lungs and brain.

Charles, however, had his own protection up.
But that didn't matter.
The gas mask was strapped tightly to his bulky face, but it didn't take much to remove it.

swish! Ker-shink!

Descole's sword buried itself in the wood behind the counter, a sudden thick smell of blood shooting through the air as the blade sliced through both Charles' scalp, and the strap of the gas-mask, opening him up to his own weapon.
And Descole kept the bubble over his head, eyes dark from under his mask.

-No sooner had the words left his mouth my bubblehead charm was up and ready. I lunge forward and put my hand on Descoles arm.-

"Enough. Our orders were to bring him in."

It was a good thing Fade had put his hand on Descole's arm.

It stopped the boy just as he was going to empty a cartridge into Charles' skull as the man stumbled and gasped in the gas, leaning against wall and looking as if he was incredibly drunk.

Jean paused, the gun aimed right at the man as he turned his face to Fade.
"... yes, and that's what we're doing. Bringing him in. Alive... or dead.."

"It is against my code to kill or allow death when it can be avoided."

"I will not allow you to kill this man. He will be sent to Azkaban, interrogated, and justice will have been served. -Cold as the winter, dominate as a commander.-

Descole wrinkled his nose, giving a harsh laugh.

"Why on earth would we avoid it..? It's the easiest way out of this! And with all the evidence of murder, either the Dementors will have him, or he'll be dead anyway. It's not worth taking the Ministry's time with his useless life."

"Because moral foundation and due process is what separates us..." -I gesture to the two of us.-

"And them." -I gesture to him as I walk over to put my arm under his to help him up and hold him in place.-

"He tells us more information alive than dead. Stand down."

A grown of hate, Jean clicked the hammer back in place gently, so there was no risk of the gun firing into his own leg from his belt.
Pressing it into his belt, he spoke carefully and sternly.

"Wait at least one moment while I get what I want.."

The boy stepped forward at Charles leaned against Fade, looking around as if being surrounded by pink elephants.
Pulling his sword from the wall, Descole kneeled slightly and sliced open the man's thin shoe.
Almost instantly, a bright red gem tumbled out onto the floor.
It was large and well-polished.
Descole picked it up, examined it, and put it into a pocket on his belt, sheathing his sword.

And he gazed at the Strayer boy, eyes narrowing.
So much thought. And opinion.
Descole felt a hardening despise grow over his heart.

"... come on, let's go."

-This sort of man is what Sir Progenitor warned me about. Aurors who were motivated by justice. Ones who had only self interest on the forefront of their thoughts.-

-Beast.-

-But I disapparate to report back to my superior.-

Descole took one more look around the room, spitting in disgust as he disapparated right after Fade.

Damned Strayer.
That family would taste it some day... bitterness and pain. And if they pressed him too far.
Then he might just be the one to inflict it on them.

(( And either cut or keep going, whatever you want to do. c: ))

I personally think we're all good! Good idea, that was a fun story and it helped explain a lot!

(( thank you. It was a lot of fun, and it was nice to have Fade and Descole do a small mission together.
Thanks, Crouch. c: ))

Oh hey! I ahve an idea! Here, check out the duelling page in a few minutes.

(( okie dokie. c: ))

-I suppose I should be proud of this moment. Not one but two of my sons have candidacy for the title of Head Strayer.-

-Sound, Crest... Artemis, Steven, you've done your father proud and it now is my sole privilege and torment to name one of you as the future leader of the Strayer family. I regret not being able to give the title to both of you.-

Papyrus: "All residing council members. Papyrus reporting."

Taijutsu: "Taijutsu reporting."

Progenitor: "Progenitor reporting."

Reflex: "Reflex reporting."

Fade: "Fade reporting."

Progenitor: "Our first and only matter to discuss is the future of this family. Fade, as you know two of your sons have both shown remarkable promise while the third has shown to be set for stalwart mediocrity."

Reflex: "Yes, we must choose between Sound and Crest. I have examined both of them and the both of them have achieved the highest marks we've seen since you, Fade."

Fade: -Despite it not showing on my face, I'm so proud of my sons. Even Artisan.- "Let us vote. As with tradition, the council members vote first and the Head shall make the last vote."

"All in favor of Sound?"

Reflex and Papyrus: "Aye!"

"All in favor of Crest?"

-Progenitor gives Taijutsu a curt nod and both raise their hands.-

Fade: -Those two... Taijutsu has always had a peculiar loyalty to Progenitor, not that he isn't a wise man worth following but this goes beyond basic admiration.-

"It is a tie. Please discuss your reasons."

Papyrus: "Sound is the most logical choice. He's incredibly skilled, has a true knack for criminology and has truly been worth being called a prodigy."

Progenitor: "Be that as it may, Crest has shown to be just as capable and in some cases more talented. His magical skills have even surpassed Sound's in a few areas."

Taijutsu: "Agreed, and Crest's has the most pride and resolve and gumption and ability to get the job done out of either brother."

Reflex: "Be that as it may, no one has more desire to protect the innocent than Sound. He has an uncanny devotion to justice which even us at this table might not be able to match."

Progenitor: -If they knew his true heritage, they wouldn't even consider him as the Head.-

"Devotion is well and good, however the strongest of us should be the one to lead. It wouldn't be fair to the others of equal devotion. Is not everyone who lives in Honora Castellum just as devoted to the Strayer cause?"

Papyrus: "Oh you're not fooling anyone Progenitor, you only want Crest so adamantly because he was your personal apprentice."

Progenitor: "I know true potential when I see it."

Reflex: "You must be blind then as Sound to me has in spades what Crest doesn't have."

Fade: "Enough. Let us hold off on this until I can make a decision... council adjourned."

------------------------------------------------------Later---------------------------------------------------

Progenitor: "Fade, you must reconsider."

Fade: "Why, because my opinions differ from yours?"

Progenitor: "No, because it's a mistake."

Fade: "No it isn't. At this time Strayers need a leader they can look up to. I confess, my repute will be difficult to match, however I know Sound can do it."

Progenitor: "Crest could've done it too!"

Fade: "I'm not saying he couldn't have, but I believe my other son is better."

Progenitor: "Why don't you put that other son of yours into the head position while you're at it."

Fade: -I glare at him slightly.- "I'd advise leaving now before this gets out of hand."

Progenitor: "Forgive me... head strayer." -I walk out.-

Things are falling out of my control. I need to set things right again...-

This era of Hogwarts was much earlier than it is now, Abonacci was simply a seventh year boy, getting ready to leave and get a job to support his girlfriend. With a lazy smile on his face, he peered around, wiping his greasy face on his sleeve.

-A rather sickly boy, not physically... anything. He was a spitting image of a praying mantis, and only his hair and the white pigmentation of his skin was enough to distinguish him.-

"Brother... how are you?"

You still look awful. he slicked back his own black hair, it was long for a man, almost reaching his shoulders. Abonacci was also coated in acne, he was disgusting. 'Not doing too bad, just preparing my leave, and yourself?'

"Oh... ummm yes... yes..." -I was ready, but I had wished to see HER again...-