Bahr al Jabal

Persephone's smile had vanished in a moment's notice.


"Pride comes before the fall, Crouch. There will be people able to beat you easily, so it's best you keep your humbleness as a good level."

-I scoff at the notice.- "Oh please... like anyone could ever defeat ME easily? I was taught by the Dark Lord himself..."

Persephone giggled lightly.

"Oh, besides that Auror man...? What was his name again..? He's rather famous, isn't he..?"

"I'll have you know he worked hard to take me down and I was having an off day! I underestimated him!"

The woman smiled and nodded slightly.

"Of... course. You know, it's fine to admit your failures and feelings to me. That's what you're here to learn for, correct? To get better. To.. beat them.."

-I sigh in reluctance.- "What do you want to know?"

Persephone blinked, eyebrows raising.

She smiled kindly, in an almost motherly way.

"I don't want to know anything. I'm here so you can tell me about what's on your mind. What you want to tell me. I won't force anything from you..."

"The only thing anyone needs to know about me is I live for my purpose..."

"I've duly noted."

She smiled again, lifting her chin.

"As do I. And we do disagree on a few things, so I only ask that you hang it out with me."

(( sorry that we've drug this out so long. School's started, so I have to go to sleep so I'm not dead when I go. Gnight~ ))

Okay night Cyn!

"As you wish..." -River, I shall take our revenge,..-

A nod, Persephone now turned her head toward the bird, that was still attacking others of it's kind under the curse.

"Now, let's move on. The next curse, shall we..?"

-I nod my head.- "Right!" -I concentrate again.-

Instructor mode clicked into Persephone and she spoke clearly and smoothly.

"Now, now.... remember. Bliss... overwhelming, enough like in a dream-state... think your happiest, then aim and fire your curse. Preform when ready."

-Happiness? How is it a guy that smiles so much has so little to be happy for? Everything I seek to take revenge for... am I happy about it?-

-Don't be stupid, I am the trusted agent of the Dark Lord! I have a lovely daughter and future wife! I'm very happy!-

-I perform the spell after snapping my eyes open.-

The bird was hit, of course, with the spell.

But this one seemed to be a little bit more difficult.
The bird dropped a bit, stopping it's rampage against the others of it's kind.

It seemed to relax, letting out a twitter. But then it fluttered it's wings, calling out in slight fear.

"Now, now, Crouch. Keep concentrating. More bliss... more happiness. Almost like preforming a Patronus...! Don't get upset, just keep at it."

-More? What more did I have?-

-I think about the day the Dark Lord found me, when my life had validation again, purpose.-

The spell seemed to grow stronger.

The bird dropped more, it's sing-song tunes pausing weakly, growing tired.

"There you go! And here... Ahah!"

Unable to keep itself aloft, the animal let itself give into the bliss, dropping right into the water and floating on it's surface for a moment befor beginning to sink.
But it didn't move, or struggle, or make a sound. Just sat where it was as the water began to sweep over it.

Persephone grinned.

"There you go, Crouch. You'll still need a bit more blissfulness for larger things then the bird. Especially a human- but you've got the basics."

-It was strange, being forced to be happy. For all my grins, THATS what I struggled with?-

-Crazy grin- "Makes sense..."

The woman remained quiet for a moment, looking Crouch over with a calculating look.

"... so tell me, Crouch, what was it like, trying to bring such.. joy into you? Tell me truthfully now, the more I know,t he more putty I have to mold."

-I pause and think for a minute.- "How can I put this?"

"Like this I guess... it was like... trying to grab fog." -I try to grab onto some of the surrounding fog around us.-

Like grabbing fog...


"Hmm..."

Persephone nodded slightly, a scowl and a concerned look in her eyes.

"So, it's much harder for you then for others. What were you thinking of..? What does bring you joy?"

"At first I thought about my usual games... but then, I thought of my loyalty and status to the Dark Lord, my daughter and my future wife..."

A slow nod, the woman smiled.

".... I see... and those are, indeed strong feelings. I have no doubt you've been through a lot. It's a hard spell, yes. Just try and focus all your being into that joy... it will come easy over time."

"Yes... I presume it will... and now the last one..."

-I am eager to be rid of the joy. Without joy, you cannot feel pain.-