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portusnovus_ooc2020-11-11 05:41 am
portusmod) wrote in portusnovus_ooc2020-11-11 05:41 am
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Test Drive
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ℋ The Knight Bus
Two weeks to the start of term, everyone is gathered up for a trip to Diagon Alley, a magical shopping district somewhere in London. Professor McGonagall is chaperoning the trip and she makes sure everyone is all grouped up and accounted for before she proceeds.
"Right, right, gather 'round," she says shortly, rolling up the parchment she'd been using to tic names off. "You might find this next part startling, but please refrain from screaming."
Professor McGonagall sticks out her wand arm, much like she's trying to hail an unseen taxi. What happens next is a blink-and-you-miss-it moment as a large, purple, triple decker bus seems to squeeze itself out of thin air at an incredible speed, screeching to a halt in front of the gathered group. "The Knight Bus," McGonagall says coolly, putting her wand away.
"Take it away, Ern!" booms a jovial voice, once everyone is seated. Upon further investigation, the voice belongs to a small, shrunken head hanging from the rear-view mirror, much like a macabre car decoration.
With a loud bang, the Knight Bus is off. It moves at impossible speeds, already seemingly hundreds of miles away from Hogwarts in the blink of an eye as it speeds down lone country roads, swerving to and fro to avoid obstacles.
"Hold on tight, it's about to get real bumpy, eh!" the shrunken head booms out, cackling as the bus speeds to a halt to avoid muggle traffic that seemingly appeared out of nowhere as you realize you're already in a city.
The force of the stop is jarring, if you aren't holding onto something it's quite possible you'll go flying out of your seat. No sooner than the bus stops does it start again, the interior of the bus shrinking as it starts to squeeze through a narrow opening in the city traffic. It expands again as the bus finally finishes squeezing through, and all of a sudden you're thrown back against your seat as the bus takes off with another bang.
"The bus usually be much more crowded dan dis," the shrunken head says to no one in particular as the bus zooms along. "But da headmaster be reserving the whole bus for dis trip!"
Another hard stop, a sharp turn, a badly timed school crossing and several agonizing minutes later, the bus slams to a stop for the final time. "Leaky Cauldron!" the shrunken head calls out.
Professor McGonagall leads everyone off of the bus, to the door of an old, dingy looking pub on the corner. "This way, if you please."
"Right, right, gather 'round," she says shortly, rolling up the parchment she'd been using to tic names off. "You might find this next part startling, but please refrain from screaming."
Professor McGonagall sticks out her wand arm, much like she's trying to hail an unseen taxi. What happens next is a blink-and-you-miss-it moment as a large, purple, triple decker bus seems to squeeze itself out of thin air at an incredible speed, screeching to a halt in front of the gathered group. "The Knight Bus," McGonagall says coolly, putting her wand away.
"Take it away, Ern!" booms a jovial voice, once everyone is seated. Upon further investigation, the voice belongs to a small, shrunken head hanging from the rear-view mirror, much like a macabre car decoration.
With a loud bang, the Knight Bus is off. It moves at impossible speeds, already seemingly hundreds of miles away from Hogwarts in the blink of an eye as it speeds down lone country roads, swerving to and fro to avoid obstacles.
"Hold on tight, it's about to get real bumpy, eh!" the shrunken head booms out, cackling as the bus speeds to a halt to avoid muggle traffic that seemingly appeared out of nowhere as you realize you're already in a city.
The force of the stop is jarring, if you aren't holding onto something it's quite possible you'll go flying out of your seat. No sooner than the bus stops does it start again, the interior of the bus shrinking as it starts to squeeze through a narrow opening in the city traffic. It expands again as the bus finally finishes squeezing through, and all of a sudden you're thrown back against your seat as the bus takes off with another bang.
"The bus usually be much more crowded dan dis," the shrunken head says to no one in particular as the bus zooms along. "But da headmaster be reserving the whole bus for dis trip!"
Another hard stop, a sharp turn, a badly timed school crossing and several agonizing minutes later, the bus slams to a stop for the final time. "Leaky Cauldron!" the shrunken head calls out.
Professor McGonagall leads everyone off of the bus, to the door of an old, dingy looking pub on the corner. "This way, if you please."
ℋ The Leaky Cauldron
Before heading off to Diagon Alley proper, your little field trip includes a stop at the infamous Leaky Cauldron. On the outside, it looks a bit worse for wear, you're not really sure if Professor McGonagall is fooling you as she leads you inside. It just seems so... ordinary. Perhaps it's because it's sitting right on the corner of what's clearly a very ordinary street.
Muggles- non-magic folk- are going about their business, seemingly oblivious to the fact you and your group all just got out of a triple decker bus moving at the speed of light.
Nevertheless, Professor McGonagall leads you into the shabby tavern, where a tired looking wizard stands behind the bar. All around him, dishes wipe themselves clean, chairs push themselves into place at their tables and trays of drinks float around lazily, dispensing themselves to various tables around the bar.
"We might as well have a spot of breakfast while we're here," Professor McGonagall says, situation herself at the bar as she begins to make small talk with the barkeeper, Tom.
She leaves everyone to go about their business for the time being. The bar is pretty quiet, a few witches and wizards sitting about reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet, the wizarding newspaper.
Along with a menu of assorted wizarding treats such as cauldron cakes, pumpkin pasties and butterbeer, the Leaky Cauldron also has a smaller menu of normal foods such as meat pies, stews and the like.
Professor McGonagall doesn't appear to be in much of a hurry, so feel free to enjoy the calm, quiet atmosphere of the quaint street-side pub.
A chair pulls itself out for you, as a rag floats over and begins tidying up the table and Tom the barkeeper calls over, "Oi, what'll it be?"" as Professor McGonagall assures you the school will cover the expense.
Muggles- non-magic folk- are going about their business, seemingly oblivious to the fact you and your group all just got out of a triple decker bus moving at the speed of light.
Nevertheless, Professor McGonagall leads you into the shabby tavern, where a tired looking wizard stands behind the bar. All around him, dishes wipe themselves clean, chairs push themselves into place at their tables and trays of drinks float around lazily, dispensing themselves to various tables around the bar.
"We might as well have a spot of breakfast while we're here," Professor McGonagall says, situation herself at the bar as she begins to make small talk with the barkeeper, Tom.
She leaves everyone to go about their business for the time being. The bar is pretty quiet, a few witches and wizards sitting about reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet, the wizarding newspaper.
Along with a menu of assorted wizarding treats such as cauldron cakes, pumpkin pasties and butterbeer, the Leaky Cauldron also has a smaller menu of normal foods such as meat pies, stews and the like.
Professor McGonagall doesn't appear to be in much of a hurry, so feel free to enjoy the calm, quiet atmosphere of the quaint street-side pub.
A chair pulls itself out for you, as a rag floats over and begins tidying up the table and Tom the barkeeper calls over, "Oi, what'll it be?"" as Professor McGonagall assures you the school will cover the expense.
ℋ Diagon Alley
Professor McGonagall leads everyone to a stone wall in the back of the Leaky Cauldron, before she proceeds to whip out her wand. She raps pointedly on a few specific stones and before you know it, the wall in front of you begins to rearrange itself, stone by stone, as it forms an opening.
Before you stretches a long, crowded street packed with wizards and witches and magical folk of all kind. On either side of you, shops and stalls of all kinds stretch along the cobblestone streets that lead along this wondrous settlement, seemingly tucked away in the middle of London.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Professor McGonagall says shortly, stepping through the opening in the wall and onto the cobblestone street. "You'll be able to find all the supplies you need for school. Do go on, I haven't got the time to babysit all of you. If you have any questions, I shall be around. Stay out of trouble, or I'll have you out of here faster than you can say 'transfiguration'."
And with that, Professor McGonagall wanders off, though she's sure to keep an eye in case anyone runs into trouble.
A few places catch your eye immediately, Flourish and Blotts, a wizarding bookstore where you're sure to find all of the books you'll need for school. The Magical Menagerie has been alerted to the fact new students are visiting, so they've made sure to display the finest cats, rats, toads and owls to tempt anyone looking for a companion to accompany them to school.
Diagon Alley is also home to the famous wandmaker, Mr. Ollivander, whom you've had the pleasure of meeting already. His shop can be found here, where you may be lucky enough to witness new students going through the process of getting their own first wands, which is often time consuming and difficult, depending on the person. The shop itself is old and dusty, stacked high with boxes of wands and in a seemingly permanent state of dishevelment, though Mr. Ollivander navigates the space with decisive expertise.
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor is also a popular destination for the younger crowd, offering an assortment of flavors, both magical and mundane to suit your sweet tooth. Today's special? Strawberry-Peanut butter! Have a seat outdoors and enjoy a nice cool treat while folk bustle about around you, shopping and chatting it up jovially.
Don't forget to swing by Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where she'll see to it that you're fitted with school robes in your size, and of course you can't leave until you've tried on a pointed hat or two. After that, why not head over to Gringott's Bank at the very end of the street and open up an account? You still have some money leftover from what the Ministry of Magic gave you and you have no idea how long you'll be here. It would be a wise decision to ensure any money acquire is safely guarded- no place safer than Gringott's for that!
After a few hours of exploring and shopping, Professor McGonagall rounds everyone up for another quick trip through the Leaky Cauldron, outside where she once again summons the Knight Bus to take everyone back to Hogwarts.
Before you stretches a long, crowded street packed with wizards and witches and magical folk of all kind. On either side of you, shops and stalls of all kinds stretch along the cobblestone streets that lead along this wondrous settlement, seemingly tucked away in the middle of London.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Professor McGonagall says shortly, stepping through the opening in the wall and onto the cobblestone street. "You'll be able to find all the supplies you need for school. Do go on, I haven't got the time to babysit all of you. If you have any questions, I shall be around. Stay out of trouble, or I'll have you out of here faster than you can say 'transfiguration'."
And with that, Professor McGonagall wanders off, though she's sure to keep an eye in case anyone runs into trouble.
A few places catch your eye immediately, Flourish and Blotts, a wizarding bookstore where you're sure to find all of the books you'll need for school. The Magical Menagerie has been alerted to the fact new students are visiting, so they've made sure to display the finest cats, rats, toads and owls to tempt anyone looking for a companion to accompany them to school.
Diagon Alley is also home to the famous wandmaker, Mr. Ollivander, whom you've had the pleasure of meeting already. His shop can be found here, where you may be lucky enough to witness new students going through the process of getting their own first wands, which is often time consuming and difficult, depending on the person. The shop itself is old and dusty, stacked high with boxes of wands and in a seemingly permanent state of dishevelment, though Mr. Ollivander navigates the space with decisive expertise.
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor is also a popular destination for the younger crowd, offering an assortment of flavors, both magical and mundane to suit your sweet tooth. Today's special? Strawberry-Peanut butter! Have a seat outdoors and enjoy a nice cool treat while folk bustle about around you, shopping and chatting it up jovially.
Don't forget to swing by Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where she'll see to it that you're fitted with school robes in your size, and of course you can't leave until you've tried on a pointed hat or two. After that, why not head over to Gringott's Bank at the very end of the street and open up an account? You still have some money leftover from what the Ministry of Magic gave you and you have no idea how long you'll be here. It would be a wise decision to ensure any money acquire is safely guarded- no place safer than Gringott's for that!
After a few hours of exploring and shopping, Professor McGonagall rounds everyone up for another quick trip through the Leaky Cauldron, outside where she once again summons the Knight Bus to take everyone back to Hogwarts.
ℋ Flying 101
With only a week to the start of term, there's a tense atmosphere looming over the school and Hogsmeade village. No one is sure how the year is going to go, but the Ministry of Magic is breathing down everyone's neck as the date approaches.
Professor Dumbledore doesn't want to start off the year on any sort of negative note, so he's decided to throw together an unofficial first lesson on the grounds of Hogwarts, where attendance is optional but highly encouraged and advertised. He sends out notices to everyone, though just what this lesson will be is kept secret.
On the day of the lesson, you're lead onto and across the Hogwarts grounds, until you reach a large, oval shaped structure with towers built around it, all decorated with different house banners. You're lead through the structure, out onto a large field with three large hoops at both ends, rising high into the sky much like flag poles.
All across the field, broomsticks are lined up ground.
"Welcome!" Dumbledore's voice booms from a podium set up to the side, his wand pressed to his throat, which you realize he's using to amplify his voice so that it can be heard clearly, "to your first flying lesson!"
A witch with close-cropped gray hair and a whistle in her mouth steps forward. "My name is Madam Hooch and I will be your flying instructor. Everyone, find a broom and position yourself next to it!"
Each broom appears to be old and well-used, their twigs bent askew and their wood worn by years of handling, some even have initials carved into them by students gone by. It's clear that these haven't been new for some time.
"Once you've found a broom, at the sound of my whistle I want you to hold your hand out above it and, with feeling, command it up. Nice and loud. Never mind if they're a little stubborn at first, just show the broom that you're boss."
Not every broom responds the same, some are tired and simply appear to want to lay there. Others shoot up with enthusiasm into your hand, while others roll about tiredly. For most, it depends on your fervor. If you really want and mean it, the broom responds in kind.
"Next, you'll mount it and then you'll kick off from the ground. Hover a moment, then touch back down. From there, we'll see how you feel and then perhaps you can try the obstacle course." she gives a wave of her wand and additional hoops and various obstacles appear around the field.
"Three, two, one..."
After practicing the basics for a while, Madam Hooch allows everyone time to free fly and to go through the obstacle course. After a while, when all the initial buzz dies down, she'll wander off and supervise from the side while everyone goes about flying.
Aside from flying, those who are more ground oriented are free to simply watch, or sit in the shade and take a moment to enjoy the scenery. Perhaps they'll wander away from the flying lesson and over to the great lake surrounding Hogwarts castle, where the tentacle of a giant squid can be seen occasionally poking out from below the surface, trying to swipe at any bird that makes the mistake of flying too low.
Professor Dumbledore doesn't want to start off the year on any sort of negative note, so he's decided to throw together an unofficial first lesson on the grounds of Hogwarts, where attendance is optional but highly encouraged and advertised. He sends out notices to everyone, though just what this lesson will be is kept secret.
On the day of the lesson, you're lead onto and across the Hogwarts grounds, until you reach a large, oval shaped structure with towers built around it, all decorated with different house banners. You're lead through the structure, out onto a large field with three large hoops at both ends, rising high into the sky much like flag poles.
All across the field, broomsticks are lined up ground.
"Welcome!" Dumbledore's voice booms from a podium set up to the side, his wand pressed to his throat, which you realize he's using to amplify his voice so that it can be heard clearly, "to your first flying lesson!"
A witch with close-cropped gray hair and a whistle in her mouth steps forward. "My name is Madam Hooch and I will be your flying instructor. Everyone, find a broom and position yourself next to it!"
Each broom appears to be old and well-used, their twigs bent askew and their wood worn by years of handling, some even have initials carved into them by students gone by. It's clear that these haven't been new for some time.
"Once you've found a broom, at the sound of my whistle I want you to hold your hand out above it and, with feeling, command it up. Nice and loud. Never mind if they're a little stubborn at first, just show the broom that you're boss."
Not every broom responds the same, some are tired and simply appear to want to lay there. Others shoot up with enthusiasm into your hand, while others roll about tiredly. For most, it depends on your fervor. If you really want and mean it, the broom responds in kind.
"Next, you'll mount it and then you'll kick off from the ground. Hover a moment, then touch back down. From there, we'll see how you feel and then perhaps you can try the obstacle course." she gives a wave of her wand and additional hoops and various obstacles appear around the field.
"Three, two, one..."
After practicing the basics for a while, Madam Hooch allows everyone time to free fly and to go through the obstacle course. After a while, when all the initial buzz dies down, she'll wander off and supervise from the side while everyone goes about flying.
Aside from flying, those who are more ground oriented are free to simply watch, or sit in the shade and take a moment to enjoy the scenery. Perhaps they'll wander away from the flying lesson and over to the great lake surrounding Hogwarts castle, where the tentacle of a giant squid can be seen occasionally poking out from below the surface, trying to swipe at any bird that makes the mistake of flying too low.
no subject
Try 21.
[Said through a mouthful of meat.]
It's hella stupid, but whatever. Hey! Yo, magic paper, can I get that beer now?
[Chloe turns back and takes the tabasco when Azula is finished with it, giving it a healthy glug all over her breakfast potatoes.]
So, feasts aside, what do you make of all this? It's cool and all, but I'm expecting to wake up any time now.
no subject
How tragic. In my country you would have already served in the military by that point. And if you're old enough to serve our nation and fight for it then you're old enough to drink responsibly.
[She raised her notably non-alcholic drink in a sort of toast before tucking into her own meal once more.]
I feel similar. Any moment now I expect to wake up having been tricked by some spirit or a plot from one of my enemies. But if it isn't a dream or some kind of trick, it would be a wonderful opportunity wouldn't it? The kind of power that would normally be out of reach right at our fingertips? Who could resist?
no subject
She'd, uh, probably end up in jail pretty fast for deserting.
Azula's comment about spirits has her more intrigued though, curious what sort of weird shit is normal for her over there. Up until Max developed her timey wimey powers, life had been pretty normal. Now it seems like anything is possible.]
Is it normal for spirits to fuck with you like this? Where I'm from, it's mostly like dudes going into abandoned houses with cameras to try and "communicate with spirits". Super fake shit, y'know?
no subject
[She considered for a moment keeping more of her world a secret, but it seemed pointless. And if she started making allies now it might come in handy down the line.]
In my world there there are places where the spirits dwell and should you offend them, they don't tend to hold back on punishing you. They tend to be a petty sort in my experience but they have enough power that you might think twice about defying them.
[Azula has never at any point in her time thought twice about defying any spirits in her path and despite how it has turned most of the spirit world against her, she has no intention of changing her mind.]
no subject
You think the spirits from your world are responsible for this? Can they do that?
no subject
[Here Azula shrugged and Chloe would be witness to a rare moment where Azula didn't pretend to know everything.]
The most powerful spirits I've personally witness can steal a persons face, replace it with a new one, and remove or destroy their memories effectively creating an entire new life and leaving the person unaware they had ever been anyone else.
[While her voice was cool and collected about it she was focusing very intensely on her food suddenly and stabbed at one of the sausages a bit too aggressively. But that was all she was giving away.]
This could all just be an elaborate illusion, some kind of nasty joke played on me where you are just some figment created to make me question the reality of the situation. But until I know for sure I'm more curious to see where this story goes.
no subject
Oh, well... that disproves the spirit theory then, because I'm pretty sure the world doesn't revolve around you, girl. My life got flip-turned upside down too.
[Not that she really had it great back home, but this is still a pretty jarring experience in the grand scheme of things. Actually, this place is much more preferable so she hopes it's not a dream.]
no subject
You've only just met me. Give it time and you'll see that yes in fact the world does, or should revolve around me.
[She laughed as if she wasn't deadly serious about that.]
But even if it is something less directed at me personally I'm not sure I am willing to accept this was some kind of natural occurrence. I think someone wanted us here. I'm just not sure why yet.
no subject
If you wanna keep huffing your own farts, go right ahead. I can give you privacy.
But anyway, you're probably at least right about that last part. This kinda shit doesn't just happen.
no subject
Is that a common saying in whatever backwater swamp you grew up in? The least you can do is spare me when we're eating.
[She'll need to have a sip of her drink to clear that mental grossness from her head.]
I intend on learning as much as I can while we're out today. Once we're at their school we'll be cut off I imagine. That will allow them to control the narrative.
no subject
[Chloe cocks her head to the side, trying to figure out what Azula means by that. It sounds vaguely conspiracy theoryish.]
The narrative of what? You think the school is in on the whole thing?
no subject
[Azula's trying to keep her expression neutral and her voice soft in case someone is listening in, but there are people everywhere and the bar is busy so it's unlikely.]
What do they have to gain from treating us so kindly, giving us everything we need and then letting us go on to live our lives in their world?
no subject
[Chloe doesn't get the kind of vibes off Dumbledore that you get from creeps who go around kidnapping people.]
One of the teachers at my school turned out to be a serial killer. They all have a distinct odor, my theory is it's all the bullshit that comes out when they act like normal humans.
[She pushes her food away, finding her appetite isn't what it just was a moment or two ago.]
All I'm saying is I don't get those vibes from the dude with the sick beard.
no subject
Well perhaps you're right and I'm being overly cautious. But it doesn't hurt to keep an open mind and learn as much as you can from outside sources. Some of the most important lessons I've learned were after I graduated after all.
[And some of the harshest. Chloe may have been willing to take Dumbledore at his word but Azula couldn't do that. There was just too much she didn't know yet.]