Disguised in shadow, Staz

[Josalynn Swann]

Her feet grazed the damp stone floor frustratedly. A splash of liquid entered the air as she kicked her boot through god knows what. Josalynn didn't really want to think about the possibilities contamining the black leather. Her nose wrinkled distastefully. She had been drawn to this site, the dungeons. Maybe it was the fact she could conceal her mood behind the willing shadows, blend into the background. Josalynn had always fancied just sitting there still in the blackness watching the passers by. To see there reactions when she decided to show herself suddenly, or roar from behind a pillar. It was childish, and Josy understood that but that didn't stop the urge blushing. The roar would definitely need some practise before she ever dared to unleash it upon a stranger. Now that would be amusing. Sitting in the common room making noises. That would give everyone the wrong impression, but maybe Zefron would help. It would make him smile anyway. The thought seemed to bright her mood slightly. She could imagine those dimples pinching the skin on his cheeks. All the dirty looks from the other Liberalis's would be blurred. Josalynn was shock back into reality as the ceiling dripped upon her head. She desperately hoped it wasn't some green slime. A hand instinctively brushed at the droplet. Her lips uttered a growl. "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" She screamed. Her foot stamped against the floor. If she hadn't been angry to start with, this would push her off the edge. Josy weaved through her blonde curls messily restoring it to its full volume. Once she felt calmer her feet continued to trapse along the murky corridor.

A shiver slipped along her spine. There was no warmth and comfort along the dark tunnel. The stone was drafty. A hand pulled violently at the zip of her jacket securing the red fabric closer towards her chest. The motion seemed to make no difference. A slight breeze drifted across her cheek. It was unpleasant, provoking her eyebrows to drop into frown. Her figure moved swiftly away from the cracked stone wall passing a classroom door. She was tempted to break in. It would only take a second to flick her wand towards the lock. Josalynn drifted sneakily through the blackness and tiptoed by the door. She couldn't quite see a light on, or any sign of life. You could never tell when you were being watched. A hand twined around the door handle first, just to check if it was open. The metal was resistance and showed no sign of moving. Her wintery- blue eyes slipped along the corridor, left to right, wearily for any on- lookers. They would show themselves if they knew what was good for them. She swirled her wand within her hand momentarily. Maybe it would entertain her, some unknown comapny.

[Anastazia Voitisin]

A day without classes. It was such a marvelous time. Of course... it was the weekend, so naturally expected... Even so. It made this particular day just a small bit more enjoyable than the previous five. Why Staz was on her way into the dungeons on a day such as this, she really had no clue... Perhaps it was the mere and simple fact that she liked dark places. And she still had awhile before she was meeting up with Tempe and Zef... no reason she had to just sit alone in the common room until then.

She was passing a corridor when she heard a shrill voice shout out in what sounded to be frustration. Turning her head, she was just able to catch a glimpse of a blonde-haired girl moving farther along the passageway. Of course, Staz in no way knew the girl personally... but they'd had enough classes together to where Staz felt confident she could recognize her when she saw her. And guess what? She had.

The older girl kept her footsteps quiet as she made her own way through the shadows. That is... as quiet as one could be in a stone corridor. It was still somewhat fascinating to her how simply moving slower than usual can dull the echoes into mere oblivion... Yes, Anastazia had done a bit of sneaking around in her lifetime, did you really expect anything different? She froze as the girl did, and shrank back against the wall as the younger one looked back and forth, as if to ensure that she wasn't being followed. Silly girl... If you're going somewhere worth going, then you're worth being followed.

Sure enough, within a moment her focused gaze had returned to the door in front of her, her wand in hand. It was then and only then that Staz decided to make her move. Of course, she really couldn't care less where this girl was going... No, she was following her for a very different reason. She didn't say a word as she approached directly behind the other, though as she neared she allowed her footsteps to shuffle across the stone... just enough to be heard by paranoid ears.

[Josalynn Swann]

Her pallid fingers continued idly to twirl the birch wood. It was a action for disaster, but Josalynn paid no attention to the risks that she may electricute herself or something worse. Being attacked unintensionally my her wand didn't seem to alarm her very much. She would deserve the punishment if she commited the crime. Her back pushed gently against the heavy wooden door, not necessarily to open the door with brut force, just as a leaning post. The blackness had conseal a visitor, which now made her face know. The waves of brown surrounding the girl's face were familiar as they glittered in the speckles of light. Maybe the girl had the same intensions, or Josy had just chosen to invade the visitors hide out. It was a simple mistake if that was true but Josalynn wasn't about to ask questions. The presense of the older, more experienced girl didn't seem to bother her. There was something exposed in the contours of her cheeks that signalled no threat, but that didn't stop the girl wanting to hurt her. She was only human after all. Her blue eyes left the girl momentarily, flickering towards the direction she had come. Josy didn't fancy anymore unwelcome intruders. One was enough to deal with.

She noticed that the girl contined to stare at her like a piece of meal. Or it just could be the way the girl acknowledged another, Josy honestly didn't know. Her back raised from the door gingerly. Standing out in the corridor had started to agitate her. The breeze sliced across her arms making her body shift unvoluntary out of the way. Josalynn still had no idea why she had drifted down here. It seemed insane now she thought about it. The event gave her more insentive to open the door no matter if there was someone lurking inside. She had almost forgotten her new follower stood behind her. Maybe that was a back move, and the girl was some how dangerous. Josy thought of it as highly unlikely, and even if she was why would she waste her time on her? Her hand pointed her wand elegantly towards the key hole mumbling an incantation in union. The door buckled from the tight frame slipping slowly ajar. Josalynn stood for a minute waiting for some angry cries, however nothing seemed to break the silence. Well that was no less thing to think about. Her feet stepped over the boundary lines into the confines of the empty room. A smile perked upon the corners of her lips in satisfaction. That had been pretty easy. Now to deal with the girl.

Her figure span round on the spot to face the girl. Her legs bent at the knees preforming a curtesy. "It's an honour to meet such a prefect individual like yourself. Please allow me to bath in your mind blowing sneaking skills. They just took my breath away!" She spoke in a perky, sarcastic fashion. Josalynn didn't know the girl, so she decided to have as much fun as possible with her new toy. She didn't wait for a reaction, instead drifted towards a empty desk. The top was dusty making her nose wrinkle as she brushed some of the dirt away. Probably not the best idea but it allowed her to perch upon the top. Her legs swayed lightly to and fro. The action was tedious to any on- looker, which seemed to amuse her. Josy was disappointed that the girl showed no sign of moving, or any flakes of frustration. She tilted her head to the side and stared.

[Anastazia Voitisin]

The girl turned to look at her... and not a word was spoken between them. A bit strange, Staz would admit... most people would freak out at the sudden appearance of another in such a dark and secluded corridor. But Josalyn didn't... which, in all honesty, was a point in her favor. For yes, she was Josalyn, she'd sat rather close to her in their potions class. Anastazia wouldn't have paid much attention to her except for the fact that she'd taken Zefron as a partner... and still wouldn't have cared if Zef hadn't later confessed that they were now dating. Dating. For some reason, it still seemed strange to think of Zef having a girlfriend. But then again, he really had improved quite a bit since she first met him...

Still without a word, the girl had turned back around and entered the empty classroom... and also without a word, Staz followed. Her mind was reeling, trying to think of something to say to break into her reason for being here... but before she could come up with anything solid, the other had turned back around in a mock courtesy, sarcastically praising her on her stealth abilities. It took all of Staz's control not to roll her eyes and sneer. Instead, she gave a sheepish smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Sorry, I didn't mean to follow you... I mean, I'm not stalking you or anything..." No, she was rarely this humble... but it was the perfect opening to get her where she wanted to be. "I was just passing by, wanted to talk to Professor Rice about something... but I thought I recognized you down here..." She was rambling. Good. "You're a friend of Zefron's right?"

Okay, so this hadn't been the route she'd initially been planning to take... but it was a fun one, and it seemed promising. In a strange and twisted way, it was actually a lot more open and truthful than a direct confrontation. Of a course, a confrontation did sound like fun... But maybe she was still just a bit high off the bar fight she'd started the other night. Yes, that had been fun. And yes... she wanted more. But not now. Not yet.

[Josalynn Swann]

Sorry? The girl was sorry for following her. That amused Josy. It was obvious in her eyes that the girl had had a motive to follow Josalynn down here, she just chose not to reveal it. She seemed to automatically ignore all the pleasantries. This girl wanted to know more, more about her. No random person would want to know about her relationship with Zefron, or the time she blew up a cauldron in the grounds, or any other rubbish that her life consisted off. The girl was here for a reason. Each movement the stranger made illustrated hidden confidence. Josy would just have to play it by ear. There was no threat she could see. The girl generally just wanted to talk, which made her slightly nervous. Her manners weren't really up to scratch, the courtesy had proved that. It probably had sent the wrong message, like the girl's presence angered her or something. This was not the case. Josalynn was excited for the visitor to be here, although she didn't show it. The day had been boring without anyone to slowly manipulate. Josy wouldn't go that far with this girl, that was just asking for trouble right now. She noticed the darkness in the girl's pupils and the way each movement she made reflected a sort of attitude. Her conscience alarmed her that this wasn't someone to toy with, but that made it even harder to resist.

Did the girl really expect her to believe she was searching for a Professor? She didn't really seem the type to worry about school work on her day off. More like someone to miss a class here and there. Josalynn tossed a hand through her blonde hair tentatively. Each finger loosened the knots between the threads curling the waves neatly over a shoulder. She wanted to punish herself for not seeing this sooner. The girl was here on Zefron's behalf. Some wanabe protector here to threaten her if she even laid a finger on the boy. Well it was a little too late for that. A smile tainted her lips effortlessly as she persisted to swing her legs upon the desktop. "I suppose you could say that." she twittered, flashing her blue eyes towards the girl. So the girl knew her, that was a little taxing. Well, Josy didn't have a clue who she was so she would play for a little longer. There was no harm in it, she hoped anyway. "Are you his guardian angel?" Josy stopped the sudden fit of laughter in her throat. It would only make the situation worse.

[Anastazia Voitisin]

Staz figured the girl wouldn't believe she had really been looking for Professor Rice. After all, there hadn't been a single one of her classes so far that she'd seemed overly eager to be in, but of course... they hadn't started Necromancy yet. Last she heard, there were only two in that class, herself and the Durmiversity girl in their Potions class. Rice had mentioned wanting to teach it on more of an apprenticeship sort of basis, which thrilled Anastazia to no end. But that was really no matter. She'd only bring that up if the girl persisted on where she had been going. For the moment though, she didn't seem overly concerned with that part of her story.

Josalyn admitted to being friends with Zef, to which Staz gave a small smile, wandering over to another empty desk and slipping on top of it. No need to stay standing the entire time, it would just make things awkward. Her next comment though, made her release a soft laugh, as she shook her head in amusement, her eyes cast down towards the dusty floor. "If I am... he really got screwed on that deal." Sure, she would kill anyone who dared to hurt him... but that didn't make her his guardian. Just his friend. "I'm no angel." Her voice was softer, reflective, as the last year or so played before her eyes. Sure, there was a time when someone might have considered her as an angel in disguise... but that conception had been distorted and dismissed long ago.

"I don't really know him all that well..." True, they were close, but there was still a lot she had yet to learn about him. "I was hoping you might be able to tell me about him." Her voice was hopeful, as were her eyes as she looked up to meet the other girl's gaze. She had no idea if Josalyn would fall for this act... but she prayed she did. Not because she was scared of what the other girl might do if it didn't work, that thought never even crossed her mind. Three years older, with three years more experience and training... and not to mention being one of the stronger students in her year... There was nothing this girl could do that would scare her. But it made things easier this way. And a bit more fun. Not to mention, she had no other idea how to go about it.

[Josalynn Swann]

This really was an unusaul setting for this sort of encounter. The girl had obviously bargained on Josy being down here. It was the prefect place for hidden threats and mischief. No one would even think of looking for her down here, in the darkness. Josalynn liked this girl's thinking. She seemed to reveal some smarts already. Maybe this was a battle Josy was never suppose to win, her competitor was too highly skilled. Her figure turned lightly on the desk top, pulling her legs up to her chest. She honestly didn't want to show any sign of weakness, and banging her legs on the metal below would just be embarassing. Her blue eyes gazed in the older girl's direction. It was strange talking to someone without even knowing their name. This girl wanted this to be some secret, no giving Josy her name and asking questions the girl probably knew the answer too. That was the key. This was some kind of set up, and for once it couldn't have been under the influence of her brothers. Her head tilted to the side. A ripple of blonde hair followed caressing the top of her cheekbone. So Josalynn's little visitor wanted to play rough, that was fine with her. She was more than happy to give the girl what she wanted as long as she got a little amusement out of it.

The girl's laugh seemed to be tainted with devotion. She knew Zefron, which Josy wasn't worried about. He wasn't exactly hard to miss in the middle of the corridors, especially if his cheeks were giving off that glowing red Josy found so entertaining. This girl was definitely an acquaintance of his at the very least. Josalynn didn't trouble herself with that, she had more important things to think about. How was she going to reply to this stranger? She'd been caught out, which she hated. It give her less space to play, to tease around the boundaries of this girl. Was Josalynn dancing with the devil? The girl had made it quite clear that she wasn't a saint, and those sadistic smirks she exposed every so often seemed to express that theory. This girl was trouble and Josy had began to realise it, however tried her best not to display any element of distress. A hand flicked lightly through the threads of gold teased across her face, pulling them messily behind her. She smiled. A fake comforting smile that softly broke away the dark demeanor of this girl. Her hands intertwined resting on her lap. So this was all about Zefron. Well Josalynn would expose everything she knew about the boy, even the personal moments if the girl so desired.

Josy fould it hard to find a place to start. There was so many aspects of Zef she truly admired, and loved. Her body fidgetted slightly on the hard wood surface. It definitely wasn't the comfiest objects to sit on but she would cope with it for now. "You want to know about Zefron huh?" Josy asked just for clarity. It was more rhetorical than anything. "He is the type of boy that graces you with a sense of innocence, like he is speaking to you almost by accident. However, once you become closer to the curly haired idiot he reveals so much. You'll never believe how confident he can be. He breaks from his shell..." The question had provoked emotion, and Josy was disappointed with herself for exposing so much. That would really work against her later on.

[Anastazia Voitisin]

It wasn't long before the other girl began to answer her... and the dreamy expression in her eyes and giddily affectionate tone in her voice told Staz all she needed to know. But of course, there was no way she was going to just get up and leave so soon. So Josalyn genuinely liked Zef... big deal. That wasn't really why she was here. Okay, so it was part of it... but there was more. The term "idiot" had raised a question in her mind, but she kept it to herself, having to sort it into context and finding it being used in an affectionate sort of way. Strange... but understandable, if that was the type of girl she was. Even so, Staz decided to pay a little bit closer attention from now on... just in case she missed something.

A smile of her own lit up her face... one that every girl would know quite well. After all, any girl would be lying if she claimed she'd never worn it herself. It was the smile one wore when daydreaming about the one you want to be with... mentally admiring the traits that attract you so in the first place. Of course, Staz really had no interest in Zef in this way... She may flirt with him on occasion, but it's all in a friendly - even sisterly - fashion. But it wouldn't be the first time she'd imitated that particular expression with flawless perfection. "Now that's a side of him I wouldn't mind seeing." She murmured, as if almost a slip of the tongue, referring to the more confident side of Zef.

Of course... she'd already seen that side of him... part of her wondered if she'd actually been the first to see it. Considering how incredibly shy and reserved he'd been the first moment she talked to him... then how he'd practically tackled her a hug just later that day. Yes, she was proud of herself for her part in Zef's newfound confidence... but she didn't need to tell Josalyn that. Not yet at least. "Though his innocence is quite adorable, isn't it? The way he blushes when you say something he's not quite sure how to respond to... and it almost makes you wonder if it was the first time he heard it..." Adorable? In a kind of way... but not quite to the extreme she was making it out to be now.

[Josalynn Swann]

Her nose wrinkled as dust fluttered unpleasantly up her nostrils. This room really was the place to be. To be honest, this room actually was a boom site. She shock her head side to side trying to dismiss the foreign body. It was rather dramatic but Josy really didn't care about the witness. Both girls seemed to have some sort of understanding. They wouldn't get angry unless it really called for such an emotion. For now Josalynn was calm and polite. She could just as easily change into a more aggressive persona, however the girl with her was a lot older and most possibly more skilled. She wasn't ready to fight a losing battle. Anyway they were only chatting. What was the harm in that? A pallid hand weaved delictaely through her blonde hair. The threads had been thrown out of place by the sudden movement. This girl must have thought the display was hiliarious. They weren't exactly friends anyway. Her blue eyes seemed to widen as the girl flashed a smile. Josy found it hard to place. Was it really down to her humourous sneezing? The curve was too gentle in the corners of her lips, too sentimental. Josalynn couldn't quite tell if the girl had broken into a daydream or she was just trying to freak her out. Her head tilted to the side, trying to view the emotion exposed on the girl's face. This wasn't some stranger. Her hands folded into her lap helping to calm her frustration. "Wouldn't everyone..." she mumbled lightly.

All the dominant Josalynn had had at the start of this little chat was lost, but did she ever have it? It was obviously the girl was doing her bit as Zefron's friend. On the other hand she could just be from psycho wanting Zef all to herself. Some how Josy found that highly unlikely, not that she was meaning any bad towards Zef he just wasn't that guy. The guy that all the girl's fell for. He was special and unique, and maybe that was why he had caught Josalynn off guard. She had always liked the bad boys, someone who she could toy with without them knowing. However, Zefron was intelligent enough to know when she was trying to malipulate him in the nicest possible way. It was a tendency she would grow out of eventually, but for now she enjoyed it. The words that uttered from the older girl's lips explained it all. She knew efron, more than she would have liked to admit. Josy wasn't sure if she'd intentionally spoken of his blushing. She could agree that it was hard to miss. That ruby glow so cute and meaningful. The corners of her pink lips curled instantly into a smile. So this was all a game after all. Her legs shuffled upon the desk. "He plays the gentleman quite well. The innocence is rather funny after a while." Many she shouldn't mention why. That was too personal for this conversation. Josalynn stopped, wondering if she had said too much.

[Anastazia Voitisin]

The girl was catching on… Staz could tell. Oh well, it wasn’t like she was a perfect actor. And she knew Zef wouldn’t fall for a stupid one. At least, she prayed not. They’d seriously have to have a talk if he did. Slipping off the chair, she meandered idly through the abandoned classroom, trailing her fingertips through the dust on the desks as she went. “So… you know if he’s seeing anyone?” Finding her way over to the closet in the corner, she pulled the doors open, having to apply a bit more force than she’d wanted to as they’d been stuck shut for quite some time. Surprisingly enough, there were a few items left in there… covered in dust and grime, the label parchment worn and faded. Forgotten by the last teacher, apparently. Or… stored here by someone that didn’t want them found? Curiosity piquing, she began to rummage through them, peering through the containers when she couldn’t read the labels. Bezoars… egg of newt… toad stool… dragon talon… Wait, dragon talon? Picking up the jar, she peered at it thoughtfully. Might have to come back for that one…

Suddenly realizing she was in the middle of a conversation, she set the jar down and kneeled to open the drawers. “Not like it matters…” Nothing interesting in there. Closing it roughly, she pulled open the next drawer. “Girlfriends only add to the challenge of finding how just how long his innocence will last…” Crossing the line? Perhaps. But that was really the entire point of this conversation. Finding out just how far the other girl will let her go before putting her foot down. Honestly though, Staz was starting to get rather bored of this. She needed to find something that would make her snap… hard and fast. If she got herself slapped for it, great, it’d give her a reason to show the girl just what would be in store for her if she ever so much as thought about hurting Zef. But she never really had liked the direct approach… it was far too predictable. Straightening, she closed the doors to the closet, turning and looking around to see if there was anything else for her to explore.