|
|
Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 7, 2008 21:02:45 GMT -5
Nicholas wasted no time in rushing to his office. He ran most of the way, the Charm cast upon him increasing his speed. Once he arrived to the familiar door, he let Lilianne down and unlocked it. Walking in, he wasted no time.
He cast his cloak to a high backed chair and briskly walked towards the back of the office. He waved his wand until the torches and fireplace lit up with a small roar of flame. The office was lit up completely by the time Nicholas got to the back and began to fiddle with the wooden chest.
A falcon gave short worried squawks in the corner.
"Gwydion, I'm going to need your help. Come over here friend. Come now." Nicholas said, giving a short whistle and tapping his chair. The peregrine falcon flew over and landed on the back of the chair to look at his partner while he fiddled with the trunk. "Lilianne, close the door behind you. We don't want any unwanted guests dropping by."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilianne Wesker on Feb 7, 2008 21:13:08 GMT -5
Lilianne shut the door as asked, then she turned back to look at the professor.
"Wh... What are you doing, Sir? I though we'd be going back to the common room to see your children...", she asked in her weak voice, as she shyly approached Gwydion.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 7, 2008 21:24:27 GMT -5
"If you can't do something smart, do it right." he said as he finally opened the latch. He gave a short triumphant cry as he began fishing around. Gwydion seemed to be more curious about the young girl and hopped a tad closer, tilting his head this way and that.
Nicholas began to pull out a few things; a pair of heavy leather gauntlets, a thick black cloak, a small leather pouch, a combat vest and a bolo.
"Should be good..." he muttered. He quickly began loosening the wooden training sword from his belt and placed that aside. He reached into the chest once more.
"I'm bringing a few things, in case there are more of those things around. Don't want to be caught off guard again."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilianne Wesker on Feb 7, 2008 21:34:28 GMT -5
"Oh... right... I understand..."
Lilianne glanced around her as a nervous reflex, realizing the Knight might be right about the trouble not being over. She patted her chest to make sure her wand was still in it's pocket.
As if it'd be of any use...
Lilianne stroke the bird with one finger as she waited for Nicholas to finish gearing up.
Her mind kept wandering back to her sister and Dr Lannsman's gruesome injuries. She fought to push the thoughs as far as she could.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 8, 2008 6:24:27 GMT -5
With a grunt of effort, there came a hard click from the box as Nicholas lifted up a section of the 'floor' and placed it beside himself. He then reached in again and pulled out a long boot knife along with its respected pair of black heavy combat boots, and three six inch weighted rods with leather wrapped handles in a shoulder strap.
Last came the silver sword in it's sheathe. Quickly, NIcholas removed his jacket and gloves, tossing them aside along with his scarf.
"It shouldn't take too long, dear. We'll be out of here before you know it. No worries. I know you want to be with your sister, but I speak with experience when I say it's best if you're with friends right now, until she's better to actually see anyone. They've probably patched her up well enough so you can see her tomorrow." he said as he went about slipping on his black combat vest, gauntlets and the heavy boots (whose laces tied themselves up magically).
Next, he went about arming himself.
Gwydion was going about being a grateful falcon from all the attention. He squawked a tiny bit every now it again almost like a cat would purr if it enjoyed the petting.
While attaching the pouch to his belt, Nicholas looked up to the young Gryffindor. "Lilianne, would you mind doing me a favor and pulling out the white and mottled brown and green quill in the front drawer as well as a piece of parchment to put on the desk?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilianne Wesker on Feb 8, 2008 8:26:35 GMT -5
"Maybe you're right, Sir... But it still doesn't feel right to be away from her..."
Lilianne went wide eyed as she watched Nicholas gear up. In other times she would have been pretty excited, but as it were, she just felt really out of place.
She was sick of being a burden.
She left the falcon to oblige when Nicholas asked for the parchment and quill, looking a bit puzzled.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 8, 2008 10:02:39 GMT -5
Nicholas kneeled to slide the knife into his boot, fixing the straps and placing the weapon to be easily drawn by him.
''All you need to do now is place the quill atop the parchment and I'll do the rest.'' he instructed. He stood back up after giving the strap a good tug. He tested drawing the weapon a couple of times until he was satisfied.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilianne Wesker on Feb 8, 2008 11:00:33 GMT -5
"Hum, okay..." Lilianne said before doing as told.
She then went back to busying herself with the falcon. She had always found a certain relief in caring for animals.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 8, 2008 12:09:19 GMT -5
Gwydion seemed receptive to the attention and playfully nipped at her finger tip every now and again.
Nicholas proceeded to then hook the bolo at the back of his main belt.
''Practicus.'' Nicholas said. The quill then lifted on it's own and seemed to be waiting for something. The Defence Against Dark Arts Professor then proceeded to slip the small bandolier of weighted rods over his right shoulder and across his right rib cage.
"Nathan, Nicholas here. Situation at Hogwarts demanding immediate attention. Students and..." Nicholas began, the quill jotting down on the parchment as quickly as possible. He stoppped at that point, unsure of what to say.
"...some staff and Althea as well were injured by beasts. Possible Dark Magic involved. Three spotted so far, have been eliminated. Two confirmed kills. St.Mungo's alerted for immediate medical attention. I need that favor repayed, children's lives could be at stake. Alert the others, just in case. Respond only if you're unable to come or if there is a change in your plans. Honor guide you, Sir Nicholas Gawain Lannsman, Order of Merlin's Blade."
He finished with the bandolier, and proceeded with the silver longsword. He hooked that to his left belt loop with practiced ease and cleared the sword from the scabbard ever so slightlt to see if he had a clear draw. Satisfied, he slipped it back.
He grabbed the black cloak and moved to the center of the office to fling it over his shoulders. The heavy fabric made a loud woosh as it fell over his broad shoudlers, covering him in the black fabric. Finally, he closed the silver clasp around his neck. With the get up, he looked almost like a Wizarding world equivalent of a S.W.A.T member, without the helmet.
Swiftly, he moved over to the letter and began to roll it up tightly to feed into Gwydion's carrying case.
"I know it doesn't feel right to leave them there like this, but what else can we do but simply make a mess of ourselves? They're being taken care of. You'll only make yourself miserable. There are others that you could use your help. Think of the solution, not the problem. What can you do, instead of what you can't, didn't, or couldn't do. I speak from experience, from being in the hospital bed to beside it."
He stuck his arm out for Gwydion to hop onto. The falcon, reluctant to leave the girl's affectionate touch finally hopped onto it with a squawk. Nicholas smiled a bit.
"Sooner you get this done," he began, slipping it into the carrying case. "the sooner you get back to see her. Got it?"
Gwydion squawked in response.
"Good."
He moved to the window and opened it. "Nathaniel Brindel, remember him? Tall, white hair, mustache, big laugh?"
The bird, almost in response, flapped his wings and nodded. Nicholas, nodding himself threw his arm out. The raptor flew out into the winter sky towards his quarry.
Shutting it, Nicholas turned to Lilianne. "Shall we?" he asked, Placing his hands on his hips. The cloak opened enough so that his impressive array of weaponry was displayed. It was odd to see his friendly smile one his face.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilianne Wesker on Feb 8, 2008 13:24:50 GMT -5
Lilianne jumped slightly. She'd been gaping dumbly at Nicholas for a while now.
She had always felt dwarfed by the knight's natural aura that inspired awe and respect. But now that he was geared up, as if ready to take on an army of Dark Lords on his own, she felt positively microscopic in comparison.
"Yes, Sir..."
She made to follow him, looking up at him for instructions.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 8, 2008 14:38:52 GMT -5
"Well then." Nicholas said, taking a few quick steps towards the door. His right hand seemed to slip instinctively to his sheathed sword while he wasn't looking. He cracked open the door and finally looked through it. "What are we waiting for then? Common Room isn't going to come to us. Or is it you're just looking to bum a lift from me again?"
He tried his best to keep her spirits up, despite the fact his were scarping the bottoms of his shoes. He wanted to get going again; he'd spent too much time away from his children already but he wanted to be d*mn certain he wasn't going to be caught unaware and ill-prepared in case any other nasty things came after him with his two children in tow.
He looked to Lilianne. The poor girl looked something wretched. Part of him wanted to bring her back to the Hospital to look after her sister, much like how he was planning on spending the night beside Althea once the children were tucked in. but he knew it would just make her feel much more worse than she seemed to be taking it. Nicholas hoped that his words and small actions had helped her, but he wish he could have done more.
Can't take on the world, Nicholas. You're a good lad, but stop trying o shoulder the weight of the world on your shoulders. It'll just crush you. Do what you can, not what you wish you could.
His father had been right. He still was. Lilianne was still safe, and her sister and the others were going to make it. There was nothing more to worry about.
Still, he couldn't help but feel some strong degree of empathy with the girl.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilianne Wesker on Feb 8, 2008 20:46:07 GMT -5
"No, no, Sir... I was just waiting for you to tell me where to put myself, honestly, to walk in front or behind you... I don't want to get in your way if something else happens... I've caused enough pain for tonight.", she said in a very dispirited voice.
Lilianne's mood was definately matching her messy appearance...
He should be taking care of his family, and he's stuck dragging me around...
|
|
|
|
Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 8, 2008 23:51:36 GMT -5
"Could you walk beside me, please?" he asked. For a split second it sounded almost like a plea. His guard seemed to slip at seeing the young girl in so much pain. It was too much to bear, along with the crushing weight of his own guilt and fear. He wanted someone nearby, someone friendly to speak with, a comforting presence to say the least. Despite the weapons, the body impressive protection about him, his height and size, he seemed just as worried and...
Scared.
Not for himself, but still frightened.
"I'll need your help though. There's only so much I can keep my eyes on out there. I need you to keep looking around too. Two pairs of eyes work far better than just one."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilianne Wesker on Feb 9, 2008 10:07:12 GMT -5
"Okay... I'll do my best, Sir..."
... even if that doesn't count for much...
She moved to his side as they exited the office. Facing the dark corridors of the school, Lilianne couldn't help but to soon reach for Nicholas' hand as she nervously looked around.
As much as she didn't want to be a burden, she was still terrified and it was all she could do to walk forward.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nicholas Gawain Lannsman on Feb 9, 2008 10:37:47 GMT -5
Nicholas nodded once before heading out into the Hallway He offered a small supportive smile of gratitude before walking out. When she reached and grabbed his hand, he closed his own fingers protectively over hers. " No need to be frightened. You're my ward for now. I'll get you to safety. You've got the word of a knight, milady." he said. The words were spoken sotly and in earnest, with a slight shadow of a smile at the corner of his lips. He kept his voice low as he led her off, down the Hallways, his free hand never far from one of his many weapons. " You know, did I ever tell you about the first mission I had as an Auror? You see, it all started..." [Onto the common room?  ] |
|
]