☽ w o l f ☾

“No – wait, Roan – w-why would we go talk in private w-when… w-when we need to tell them – !” Her mind was working faster than she could comprehend it. The only vampire she really knew was Joel, with his sweet smile and the way he sometimes smelled of dusty books. She hadn’t ever dealt with a dangerous kind – he would never hurt her, yet she’d always been told his kind didn’t like her’s. They were natural enemies, pitted against each other since the beginning of time. And if they were sneaking in and out of the castle and changing memories – and after the wedding travesty – they needed to go straight to the rest of the guard.

She looked frantically over her shoulder one last time at the milling werewolves. Had any of them woken up with a similar bite on their shoulder, not knowing where they’d been? Saria wanted nothing more to turn around and keep trying to tell Roan to tell them straight away, but something in his tone felt strange. Why wasn’t he has panicked as she was?

Reluctantly she let her mentor steer her away from the crowd and into the shade of the building. The collar of her dress still hung low, and every now and then, it throbbed dully. It wasn’t painful. It was more… like a different feeling all together, yet she couldn’t find the words to describe it.

“What did… what did you mean by n-no? What else could it be?” Her heart was still beating hummingbird fast. “Oh… what if someone else is hurt? We need to go help, and tell, o-or look!”She thought he’d know what to do. Roan always had thee answers. He was kind, and smart. Responsible and willing to take care of other people – and so she looked up at him, praying he might know what the mark was, and maybe… maybe even tell her she was going to be alright.

As he lead her out of the gate and into the shadow of the barracks, Roan tried to kick his brain into gear so that he could give Saria a coherent explanation for the new bite mark on her shoulder. After all, there was nothing else that bite could be. He’d seen what bites from vampires looked like on werewolf skin—their unique venom left ugly red scars that would never fully fade, just eventually dull into dark scars that were hard to look at. The bite of a vampire and the bite of another werewolf were as different as night and day. But not only had Saria never seen a real vampire bite scar, she apparently had never seen the kind she now possessed. It made sense that the inexperienced omega was in a panic, but Roan wouldn’t be able to help her if he couldn’t explain in cohesive sentences.

He let her speak, nervous energy practically vibrating off of her, until to a stop under the eaves. “Okay, sunflower, steady on.” Roan patted her hair gently, trying to soothe her the same way he soothed his sister or his brother when they got worked up. “No one else is hurt, and I promise, if there was a vampire runnin’ ‘round biting people, we’d all know. You haven’t been attacked. ‘Kay?” He looked into her eyes, searching for a sign that she was processing what he was saying, that his words and his tone were helping her settle down. This was a big moment for a werewolf, and it hurt his heart that she didn’t have anyone else in her life to help walk her through it. But it was also a kind of honor to be the first person she’d come to, and to be the one to help her through this.

“Right, so, first things first, love,” he went on, his hand moving from her hair to her other shoulder, the one not newly marked. It was more of an instinct, his need to avoid touching the pale scar, but even as he thought about it, he knew why he couldn’t bring himself to touch it. He didn’t make it, obviously, so he had no right to do so. “Has anyone told you about True Bonds?”

“I don’t think that really applies to me, mate. Not like I’m in any kind of relationship at the moment.”

For something they secretly wish didn’t exist

"My heart.”

For something that scares or disturbs them, but they refuse to tell anyone

"I find rats incredibly disturbing. I’m also scared of the possibility that I don’t have a True Bond. Both are things I’ve never told anyone.”

For something they secretly wish they could do with your muse

"Sorry, mate, but my only answer is arrest her for crimes against the crown. Namely piracy.”

“Yer guess is as good as mine. Ester’s been out of my life for so long, I didn’t ever think I’d see her again. So what she’s doing here now after all this time...? And the moment she saw me, she turned tail and ran. So I have no clue what’s happening there. As for Serafina, we were together once, and she decided she was done with me. Haven’t seen her since. As usual, women seem to universally agree that I’m not worth their time.”

☽ ROAN Ó FAOLÁIN ☾ — Task #3: Mischief Managed

WAND

Yew “Yew wands are among the rarer kinds, and their ideal matches are likewise unusual, and occasionally notorious. The wand of yew is reputed to endow its possessor with the power of life and death, which might, of course, be said of all wands; and yet yew retains a particularly dark and fearsome reputation in the spheres of duelling and all curses. However, it is untrue to say (as those unlearned in wandlore often do) that those who use yew wands are more likely to be attracted to the Dark Arts than another. The witch or wizard best suited to a yew wand might equally prove a fierce protector of others. Wands hewn from these most long-lived trees have been found in the possession of heroes quite as often as of villains. Where wizards have been buried with wands of yew, the wand generally sprouts into a tree guarding the dead owner’s grave. What is certain, in my experience, is that the yew wand never chooses either a mediocre or a timid owner.”

Phoenix Feather “This is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike. Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalise, and their allegiance is usually hard won.”

13 in. Long “Wands which length is between 12.5 and 14 inches are larger than average, yet not rare to be seen. Wizards and witches who own commonly big wands usually perform louder and brighter spells than others, for their magic style and personality is of dramatic inclination, and they are moved by emotions on most cases. These wands work well for selfless owners, whose magic is preferably directed to serving others.”

Supple Flexibility “The wands characterized as brittle, quite or fairly bendy, quite or fairly flexible, pliant, supple, and whippy, are considered ‘flexible wands’. These usually fall in the hands of owners who like to progress quickly in life and face changes without hesitation. … The wizards and witches best suited for supple and whippy wands are adaptive in a more cautious manner, and even if the supple wand and its owner may take a little longer to learn from each other, their results are usually the most reliable.”

HOGWARTS HOUSE

Gryffindor — brave, courageous, chivalrous, daring, bold

Roan is truly a paragon of Gryffindor’s virtues. Courageous and selfless to a fault, he will never hesitate to use himself as a shield for others. This holds true for virtually any situation. Physically, he is a warrior to the core, a defender of his king and his people who will happily place himself in danger if it means others are safe. Emotionally, he is always ready to take the brunt of others’ emotional outbursts so that they can feel better, or so that someone else will be protected from them. Though it doesn’t come to the forefront often because of his preference for pacifistic conflict resolution, Roan is surprisingly quick-tempered when angered or riled. He won’t hesitate to go after someone who insults or harms those he loves and considers under his protection, and will do so with a ferocity befitting his werewolf nature. Roan’s biggest fault is typical of nobler Gryffindors: he is perhaps too willing to run headfirst into peril if it will mean those he loves are safe, and rarely thinks about his own well-being if he believes someone else’s need is greater.

PATRONUS

Irish Wolfhound

“A mix of power, swiftness, gentleness, and reliability are the defining traits of the massive Irish Wolfhound. Those who cast this Patronus are seen as an imposing force but really are absolute sweethearts. Nevertheless, the Irish Wolfhound can be extremely aggressive when the need arises, particularly when protecting its loved ones. There is no doubt that loyalty is among the most obvious traits of the Irish Wolfhound. Of course, Sirius Black (Padfoot) would agree!”

Could there possibly be a more fitting animal for Roan’s Patronus? Extremely large and seemingly a little rough around the edges, Irish Wolfhounds are in fact reserved and intelligent creatures, quiet and easy-going, and known for their loyalty and devotion to their families. They were originally bred as wolf hunting dogs, and thus when provoked can be incredibly ferocious, particularly if their pack or family are in danger. But despite their imposing demeanor, they are gentle and sweet and beloved for the close bonds they form with others.

OTHER

Ilvermorny House — Pukwudgie “Pukwudgies are defined by their passions and desires, by how they feel, and by whom they love. They form deep connections, wholly commit themselves to everything they do, and defend their people and passions with ferocity. Pukwudgies are caregivers, protectors, and loyal friends. They will use all their talents, values, and potential to pursue their passions and protect the ones they love.”

“I think so. If nothing else, I think determination will make her more than willing to put the effort in. Try her hardest, you know. And that’s often a bigger barrier to someone learning than anything else. A lot of people think you have to have a natural talent at fighting, but that’s a load of shite. Dedication makes all the difference. And Arielle has dedication by the boat-load. I’ll have to figure out a sort of lesson plan for her, of course, given that she’s behind where most of my new recruits are when they start. But I’m sure she’ll pick it up quick enough.”

@ariellefleur

“I….” He pauses a long while, brow furrowed in thought. “I don’t know. I have no idea why she would want to, given that she’s the one who decided I wasn’t right for her. I suppose I might say yes on instinct, spur of the moment-like. I really loved her, you know. She was everything to me once. Now, though, I have much else I have to live for, and I just don’t know if I’m… if I’m good enough for anyone. If I had a chance to think rationally… we’d have to sit down and have a long talk first before I could make a choice. I wish to believe she’s the same good person I fell for years ago, but time changes people, even the fae. I know it’s changed me.”

@cstcrt

“I’ve served the Valentina family for years, first as a simple guard, and now as the commander of the guard. I’ve known Arielle since she was small, and whenever I was assigned to watch her and her family personally, it was a rare treat that I enjoyed immensely. I’m honored that her family decided I was worthy of spending more time with her, even when she was assigned a personal bodyguard. And now that she’s grown into a princess we can all be proud of, I’m more honored than ever to have her trust. She’s a little like a sister, in a way, not that I would ever say that to her or anyone else. But I think of her in the same way I think of my own sister Kelly.

“Saria is a little more involved. We first met… well, on a full moon. And… you know, we, uh…” He coughs. “Well, we did what alphas and omegas do on the full moon. It was not a great experience for her, upon waking up, because she was very very new to everything that being a werewolf entails. I felt horrible that she reacted so badly, and I wanted to make sure she was alright after that. We’ve never slept together since; she has also come to be something like a little sister and that would feel wrong in so many ways. I just want to protect her and help her find her place with our people. She doesn’t need to be afraid of what she is. I just want her to be happy.”

@ariellefleur @xxsariayoung

“Never. It was my fault the Kieran died. I could have done more to protect him, but I didn’t. I know she’s sorry, but people in pain are more honest than we want to give them credit for. And she was right to hold me accountable. I only hope that someday I can earn her forgiveness. Really earn it.”