The Thunder Echoes from the Mountains to the Waves

[Robert Shaw]

Oh insider trading was a wonderful thing, the aurors had changed their timetables since his last visit--even if it had been a routine witch. Now that would pose a problem to any other burglar, villain or thief but he held one advantage over all of them. He already knew the times! And with that little piece of crucial information he'd made it up six out of seven standard floors. The towers were of no importance, it was the rest of the school he needed to keep memorized.

As the wizard ducked up the hallway from shadow to shadow he suddenly realized just what ancient turf he twas treading on. And while the ruler of this domain already wished his immediate but unobtainable death there were others besides she whom he was worried about running into on this floor--all of which were youth. The aurors were nothing to him, nothing but youth themselves for the most part, but as in every schoolyard some youths were stronger than others, it was their choice of how to use their strength that made a problem...and most chose to oppose him.

As footfalls approached from ahead the man drew his wand and pointed it into the darkened abyss that was sporadically lit by torches. The soul coming toward him could be mere feet or they could be the corridor's length away but regardless of distance the person was, until classified, a threat. Hopefully it would be nothing more than a curfew breaking first year or better yet, a house elf...

(Widely open, just take into account what you're walking into.)

[arianna]

There was, perhaps, one good thing about her badge, Arianna thought. Even though she still wasn't certain why she, of all people, had been given the great privilege of becoming Quidditch captain for the Ravenclaws, Arianna did sometimes appreciate the perks. It wasn't necessarily not against the rules for her to be out after curfew, but she had found that when people (usually ghosts and teachers she didn't have classes with) did not look closely, they sometimes mistook her badge for one of the prefect's. Maybe they would let her be if they knew who she was, but Arianna hadn't bothered to try yet. Her system was working, so why change it up?

But just why was she up on this night? She had been working late in the newsroom, finishing up a few prints and would have just barely made curfew had she not forgotten her camera. Oh, she'd grabbed one of the lenses, but seemed to have left the rest behind. And since it was her own, there was no way on God's green earth that she would get to bed without knowing it was safely nearby. She reacted the same with her paint box; preferring to keep it stashed in her magically enhanced book bag instead of under her bed. The camera she would do the same with, but even with it's enhancements, her bag was getting a little full.

So perhaps it was Arianna's feet that the man had heard. She wasn't paying much attention to any sounds coming and going. Whispers from the paintings floated by, but she hardly heard a word. However, only meters from the convict (as Arianna referred to him), the girl halted. She had gotten the oddest feeling... Arianna couldn't be sure what it was, except it felt as though someone had just opened a window and let a cool breeze in, sending a chill down her neck. She looked around for somewhere to hide. Whatever it was, she wouldn't let it catch her unaware.

Of course, it was just her luck that, as she turned to search for a place to hide, that the lens, grasped loosely and forgotten in her hand, would slip from her hand only to shatter on the floor. Arianna couldn't stop the gasp that escaped her lips. It had been one of her less expensive lenses, but still had not been cheep. Though she could certainly afford a new one, the girl still felt a sense of loss for what now lay on the floor in many pieces. She wouldn't have much time to worry over it, though. Not with that.....man so close by.

Silently cursing her clumsiness, the Ravenclaw slipped behind a large urn, her wand close at hand. She would first observe what was giving her such a terribly creepy feeling and then see what she could do about it.

[Juan Marcos]

It was a ridiculous hour of the night, though it was only midday for Juan as he approached his office. Why they put the office of the Astronomy teacher on the 6th floor would forever remain a mystery to him. Having his office there meant that he had to go from the towers to the main building and then up the six flights of changing staircases to bring his books and plans to his office. Then, to catch his next meal, he had to go back down the stairs and exit the school and then actually catch his food. It was after this marathon that the vampire was returning to his office to take a well deserved five minute break in his comfortable, padded chair.

He was about halfway down the hall when he heard the distinct sound of footsteps. He himself had been proceeding silently, as only a hunter can, to avoid awakening anyone. But now his ears caught the sound of not one, but two sets of footsteps. One was quiet, someone obviously trying to avoid notice and the other was louder, hurried, and not so self-conscious. Both sets stopped and Juan decided to investigate. He was not sure what was going on, but he intended to find out. Besides, his nose had caught a familiar scent, one that he could not be sure about, seeing as he had only met its owner twice, but if he was right, the school had a huge problem on its hands.

The professor approached with caution, until he was close enough to make out a figure braced and alert, searching the halls for possible threats. The owner of the second set of footsteps had, he could only assume, hidden somewhere when they too sensed the intruder’s presence.

At this point, Juan was sure that the intruder in question was indeed Shaw and knowing his abilities; Juan thought it best to come out and reveal himself before the man felt threatened and shot down with a curse where he stood.

He stepped forward quietly, but allowing his feet to make sounds as he neared the wizard and stopped about halfway to him, “And what brings you here at this hour señor?”

[jacquelynchaput]

It was a dare. A foolish one, but one she nonetheless took with pride, knowing that this would be the ultimate and most talked about prank she could have ever pulled off, and by herself. She had had just enough of her cardboard potion left to do the deed, and all she had to do was slip into the Astronomy's professor's office unnoticed. The catch was, it had to be done at night. If caught, she could just say that she was coming to see him to discuss some of the homework that he had assigned. She could get in major trouble for such things, but then she'd be remembered right? She would be known throughtout the whole school as the girl who tried to turn the vampire's office cardboard. Even if, she didn't succeed she was sure to get something. She could only hope that it wasn't a full wolloping of punishment.

Slipping as silently through the night, and up to the sixth floor of the castle as possible, she looked around ever nook and cranny to make sure she was not going to be running into any aurors, prefects, or professors. That's all she needed. To be caught before even getting to the office. At least if she got to the office, she could claim that she was performing one of the most incredible stunts known throughtout that of Hogwarts' history. If she failed, however, and only made it to one of the halls, those who dared her would say that it was just a curfew breach. Which, ultimately, didn't prove that she was there, by herself, performing a task that not many would even try to do. Not even for a dare.

The plan was set, the time was set, and now it was all or nothing. Tonight would be a night to remember. She just hoped that expulsion was not part of the bargin. There was no way she'd be able to explain to her father about testing the patience of a vampire professor. Not to mention, adjusting to the life of a normal teen agian. Well, as normal as Jax could be considered any ways. Finally, the sixth floor was where she was walking, checking to see around a corner, however, she found that she was too late. The professor was there, in the hall, talking to someone. Jax curiosity perked and so did her ears, as she kept herself as close to the wall, just barely looking around it. She was glad that she looked, for if she hadn't then she was sure to have been spotted. As she listened, she wondered if he was on his way out...and wondered if he left his office unlocked. It'd be awfully difficult to get in otherwise, for she was sure that he put a spell up to block spells that unlocked doors. She stretched to hear what was going on, almost to far from anything to see in the dark what was really going on.

[Robert Shaw]

(Alright folks more than enough people now, also kudos for being realistic as to who'd be logically on this floor)

The quiet footfalls had contineud and then abrubtly stopped, a sure sign of the approachee being a student, but the silence was broken by two more sets of feet, one also quiet, another student no doubt but the other, the other was heavier, stronger, an adult's and... CRASH!! And apparantly one student just made what would normally be a fatal error in the darkness. As the other quieter pair of footsteps halted, the remaining luod set continued near, pausing briefly in it's stride. And it, contained a voice, a voice he knew, a voice he certainly would never allow himself to forget.

"Mr. Marcos," Robert stated, allowing his teal-gray eyes to meet the red orbs of his...what the hell did you call a man who both intimidated but at the same time intrigued you? Marcos would be a prime catch for the cause and it was clear the man was at least somewhat intrigued by the opportunity as Robert was not dead...or pinned...or...anything as of yet. It was all another bonus.

"My business," Robert continued. "...is not yours to be concerned with. In fact it is already concluded." He finished while averting his eyes to the darkness. Marcos was clearly a minimal danger, the man was calm and collected. The students on the other hand--they were the danger. Possibly panicked, certainly cautious and most importantly ever hateful of both his presence and his name. These were not the ideal circumstances he'd hoped for. On the up side he'd avoided the aurors, on the upside, he was breating, and on the upside, well, he was still breathing normally.

Mischief managed...

[arianna]

Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no. Arianna was certainly in trouble now. Of course the astronomy teacher had to be out at this late hour. His whole life (if one could call it that) revolved around nighttime. If only one teacher were allowed to be up at night, it would be him. Worst of all, there was something about the man that the girl couldn't resist. Not even having a boyfriend, someone she really cared for, could dim that attraction. It was possibly a good thing the man was not wild, or adept to charming students; Arianna would probably lose that battle and do whatever he wished. The same would be true if he caught her tonight and set her to the cruelest detention he could think of.

Of course, any thoughts of her and the vampire professor quickly vanished when the next voice was heard. Shaw. Yes, she knew that voice well. How could she not after so many classes with him? And so many chats afterward to clear up any questions she might have about the difference between this plant and that and why one was used in a potion when the other was no, despite the fact that both had similar properties.

Oh, yes, the girl was angry. Fuming, even. After what he'd done to Drew....And did he have anything to do with her own incident? The one that left her with this danged brace that, should she have to escape, would cause more trouble than not? Had he convinced Krissy to be involved, also? It was all enough for the girl to jump out and hex the man. She certainly had an advantage. Even if he had heard her, he didn't know where she was. Arianna was also fairly good at silent spells. The good ones she still needed work on, but those she had down pat could still hamper his progress to...whatever he was doing here.

But despite all that. Despite her confidence that she could take the man down, Arianna still had to be logical about everything. Never go for an opponent when emotions can get in the way. It never helped. Usually, it made one more reckless. Arianna couldn't afford that. No one could. Plus, she still had Marcos to worry about...who, though Arianna still wished to believe a good guy, now couldn't help wondering if Drew was right. What if this was a planned meeting between the two? Certainly their greetings didn't say as much, but they did seem to know each other. Perhaps in pretending not to know the other's business they had planned to throw any listeners off. Odd logic, of course, but logic nonetheless. But whatever was going on tonight, Arianna was now caught in the middle of it. Moving a muscle could get her caught and in bigger trouble more quickly than if she remained and perhaps listened in. Hopefully she could stay here just a bit longer and not give away her position.

[Juan Marcos]

Juan listened silently as the ex-professor declared that his business was concluded and none of the vampire's concern. He kept his garnet eyes glued to Shaw's face, resisting all temptation to look in the direction of the students' breathing. Yes, students... plural. Now there were two of them, creating a rather unstable situation that could very possibly blow up at any moment. Two nervous students trapped in a corridor with a vampire and a criminal who were already in the middle of a tense exchange was a disaster waiting to happen.

No matter how many times Marcos met the man, he never ceased to be amazed at how calm and collected he was. The vampire was used to quickened heartbeats as he approached; heartbeats at a pace similar to the students' current heartrates. But this man always managed to maintain a cool and controlled demeanor. He was not afraid. And he was dangerous.

The professor considered himself very lucky that he had not been brought to his knees by some curse or another. He was incredibly surprised that the man had not drawn his wand on him or fired a spell. As a matter of fact, the man had not attacked him on any of their previous meetings either. Still, the piece of wood held firmly in the man's hand did little to put him at ease. He would have to remain on his guard.

"Señor, I do not think that you fully understand my position," he replied slowly, "I am a professor here and it is my job to take care of my students. You, no longer teach here and are a wanted man. Therefore, it is my job to find out why and how you are here, and if need be, force you out by any means necessary."

The vampire let an appropriate amount of time pass for emphasis, "Do we have an understanding señor?"

[jacquelynchaput]

Jax had no clue that anyone knew she was there, nor did she hear every word that was being spoken. The conversation being had was too far away, and all she could hear was every other word. Though, she did catch one word that frankly freaked her out; 'criminal'. What kind of criminal would be in the halls of Hogwarts? Where were the Aurors now when it looked like they were needed? Jax didn't move, except for the small crouching to the ground. She couldn't get any closer, not without being caught. But maybe if she positioned herself just right, she'd be able to hear better.

Her clothes crunched a bit as she knelt, and she stopped suddenly. Wearing her blue windbreaker was not a good idea. And neither were it's pockets, especially for the potion bottle that was inside of them. Just barely catching what was about to occur, she realized that the bottle began to fall from the pocket it was held in. Gasping slightly, she moved around and caught the bottle with her one hand, only to have her other slap the ground to catch herself. Her eyes opened widely as she noticed the small echo the slapping had caused. Her breath shook, and her heart beat quickened. If there was ever a time the girl would actually admit that she was frightened of being any where, it was there at that precise moment. In her mind, she was caught.

She moved behind the wall, clutched the bottle to her chest, closing her eyes tightly. She could run right then, and she doubted that anyone would follow her. Whoever the man was talking to, he looked engrossed into the conversation. She could make it back to the common room, and she'd finally be safe. Opening her eyes, she looked just barely around the corner again, hoping that her presence, wasn't realized, or worse. Compromised.

[Robert Shaw]

Engrossed? Oh yes Robert was engrossed, but not simply within the conversation of the man before him. No, the entire corridor was under the ever watchful eyes of his ears and as a sound from behind him reached his ears it confirmed his fear. Whicever way Marcos should allow him to leave--if he should allow him to leave, there was a student in his way. Either students or a pair of extremely stupid aurors. Robert's eyes focused on the vampire's red orbs, a mistake most likely on his part however the students while a threat; were not his immediate worry.

"I believe Mr. Marcos I understand you perfectly. I was in your shoes once, and while serving them I upheld the same code, the same rules, however I do not hold that position anymore and therefore while I understand your disposition, and would like to leave...." A pause. "There are young ears afoot both fore and aft with younger hands and shorter fuses. I'm afraid that being killed or maimed is not on my evening itinerary so until I have a path, the current arrangements shall have to suffice."

If the man thought Robert to be calm, he was actually correct. Robert was calm, only because he had nothing to lose, he'd had nothng to lose and everything to gain for the past year and a half. The vampire did not intimidate as he would others, no he intrigued Robert. Any mortal or creature willing to stand before an armed man, unarmed, was either brave, foolish, or powerful. The question was which single or set of those traits was proper to bestow upon him.

Yes. Marcos would indeed be quite the catch if found convincable. He was a man of caution and without noticeable fear. Of course, there was also the fact that he was barely trusted by Ministry, child and parent alike. Yes from Robert's viewpoint the man was in quite a bind but equally couragous for not bowing out.

He who has lowered his head to one hippogriff can easily bow to another...perhaps he could make the Deva could be that other?

[arianna]

Arianna, unlike Jax, was only a mere...three yards from the whole conversation. She could hear every single word spoken and while it gave her a sense of empowerment (after all, what greater advantage could one have but to know your enemy's secrets?), she also slowly started to worry even more. The girl had already been caught once for being in the wrong place at the wrong time and still was paying for it. If Shaw found out that she was once again another ear to hear his crimes, what would he do to her this time? Arianna really didn't want to know and she felt a slight relief, and perhaps an odd sense of pride, at Marcos' words to the man. Even if the Astronomy professor's allegiances were questioned, something about his words and the way he faced Shaw let the girl know just how serious he was about keeping the students safe. She could, for now, relax the grip on her wand. Arianna wouldn't put it away, of course. No, she would keep alert and watching. But the threat of her own safety wasn't so pressing.

Of course, she also couldn't help wondering why the man was here. His business was already done, he'd said. If that was so, what was he still doing in the castle? He clearly wasn't heading back out. So, just where was he going? And what was he doing?

Arianna was quickly brought back to reality as Shaw's current words reached her ears. She couldn't believe him! It had all been an act, hadn't it? He had pretended to care, pretended it mattered to him that the students were safe. Once he was out, he had been able to shed the masks and be who he really was. Arianna had never met anyone so despicable. Had she been in another place, without a teacher standing between her and Shaw, she would have stepped out of her hiding place and hexed him with everything she could.

Imagine the sort of praise she would receive if she caught him! Let Drew run off on his little adventures with Raynor. Arianna had remained and caught the worst criminal of all!

It was then that the girl decided to screw it. Forget her fear. Forget her worries about what they might do to her. She had already very nearly been killed by Shaw's people, what more did she have to fear? Nothing, but to let them put another through what she had been through. He already knew she was there anyway. Might as well put a face to the student, right?

Tucking her wand away, where it was hidden yet quite accessible, Arianna stepped out of her place, no longer afraid of detentions of losing points. After all, what importance did they have in the whole scheme of things? Besides, two against one was far better odds than what was currently going on. Arianna didn't do anything more, though, to announce her presence. She simply stepped out, arms folded under her breasts, letting her steely gaze settle on the invader, quietly observing him.

[Juan Marcos]

As usual, it was the actions of a student that had forced Marcos into a corner. Now that one of them had stepped out, it would only be a matter of time before Shaw identified them or lost his patience. Juan recognized the girl's scent and the sound of her footsteps as she came out behind him and made a mental note to speak to her after class, if they survived this. He thanked whatever higher being there was that she had been behind him and not Shaw. This, however, left one other behind the man and the professor silently hoped that the other student would not, by Arianna's example, gain the courage to do the same.

He would now have to act; he would have to make a difficult decision and do so quickly. The situation had now become too unstable. The students were unpredictable, angry, and, of course, teenagers. The way he saw it, he had two options: distract or fight Shaw and demand the students retreat or allow Shaw to leave.

The first option had several fatal flaws: A) As Juan had learned in the past, students could be stubborn and these two might refuse to flee, B) Shaw was an accomplished wizard and could probably do plenty of damage even with Juan as a distraction if he really wanted to, and C) In the confusion that ensued, more students might come flocking to the scene and chances were many more would get injured by accident. That left the second option... Which had only one flaw: there was a student in the way in both directions that the man could travel.

Juan closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh as he put a hand to his temple. He now saw that there was only one feasable way out of this proverbial time bomb of a situation and the students were not going to like it any more than he was. The vampire hated to even contemplate what they would think of him, as actions were so often misconstrued, but he knew what he had to do. It was really for their own good and the safest way to end this.

He opened his eyes and said slowly, almost hesistantly, the only sign the vampire had given of emotion thus far, "I do believe that a fight is the last thing on my list of things to do tonight as well, therefore, I would like to avoid one. I would also like to avoid doing anything to you that I would not do in front of any of my students, if you understand my meaning."

Seeing as he was sure he already knew about the students, Juan hoped that Shaw got the message: there are students here, I don't want to fight you fang and claw, but if you make a move, I will. He also hoped that Shaw had not yet noticed Arianna behind him. The professor was worried that should he figure out who she was, he might come after her when she was not in the presence of a staff member or inside of school grounds.

He chose his next words carefully, "I have a proposition for you señor, that may solve both of our problems. If you agree to put away your wand. I will..."

Marcos stopped, barely able to believe what he was about to say, he sighed again and continued, "I will help you get out of the castle."

He inwardly flinched, knowing who's ears were listening and waited a moment, adding a, corollary, if you will, to his offer, "But I warn you. Should you harm any of my students. I will hunt you down myself, with or without approval from the fools in the ministry and personally tear the flesh from your bones. Do I make myself clear?"

He stared the man straight in the eyes, his own red ones narrowing to feral slits as they had a tendency to do when he was tense or angry. Yes, he would help the man, but he would make it clear that it was not because they were by any means, friends.

((The writer apologizes for the length. I can change it if you would like.))

[jacquelynchaput]

As Jax peeked around the corner, it seemed as if if she had been noticed she wasn't one to be delt with or worried about. She let out a slow, shaky sigh, and stood back up, her coat scrapping across the wall as she did so. She was going to leave, whatever was happening was above the thirteen year old's head, and if by chance there was something that went completely wrong, at least she could deny ever being there. That was when she heard foot steps from behind her. Her eyes grew wide and she held her breath, as she thought someone was in fact coming to get her. A small, worried whine escaped from her vocals, as she knew that if they were coming to get her she'd rather be faing them then not.

Gripping her want tightly she decided to peek around the corner one last time. Just to make sure that if she jumped out to defend herself, then there would be good reason for doing so. What she saw behind her professor though, was not anything Jax Chaput would forget for a very long time. Behind her professor, was her captain. Her eyes opened wide, and she'd be able to tell that figure, from a million miles away. It also helped that they were both on the quidditch team, she was used to looking at her teammate for a bit aways, and being able to tell them apart from not only each other but the other team as well. Course, the brace didn't didn't hurt for the recognization either. Her heart started to race even more, what was she going to do? She couldn't leave Ari there by herself. Not if something bad happened.

Putting her hand in her pocket, she remembered the potion. The potion that seemed to turn everything but the bottle it was kept in to cardboard. There was enough left to turn a whole office into cardboard, and Jax knew for damn sure that there was enough to do it to humans too. Not yet though, her body wouldn't allow her to move. It was frozen with fear for her captain and for her self. But what really killed her in this whole situation was a statment that her professor asked very clearly to the person who was still in the shadows from where Jax was standing. He had offered to help him out of the castle.

Jax wanted to yell that he didn't have to because she had a potion in her pocket that would help. But yelling at that precise time seemed really stupid, especially since she had nothing in between who her professor was talking to and herself. For all she knew, he could have been a vampire too, and his speed would catch her before she could even give the potion to Marcos. No, it wasn't time yet to help. But she wasn't about to leave anymore either. If anything went astray, then she'd be there to help. Her pranks would have to wait. Jax knew that this was serious business...


....especially since she saw her professor putting his life before Ari's and hers. Jax knew he wasn't a bad teacher, and if she had survived this...she'd make sure everyone knew it.

[Robert Shaw]

As the girl, rather, young woman from Ravenclaw appeared he could tell from her posture that she'd heard all. So someone on the more involved, more important level had finally seen a piece of his flag, his 'true' colors. They had no idea of his disposition, to be so deep in cover and under such a watchful set of trained eyes, the same set he'd once called friend. To be under such sight and know that the slightest miscalculation could cost you your dream, your position and everything you strove for years to keep a secret until the time was right. No none of those present knew that, except maybe Marcos and even then it was only a partial understanding. Only one in this building knew what it was like, to be on his level, and they were comparably speaking a mortal ghost in these halls. Nothing gained nothing lost there.

As the vampire spoke, his ears listened while his eyes searched the Ravenclaw behind him for anything more than the death glares of hostility he was presently receiving. He could see none but that meant nothing to say that it was not there, he was not as in-tune with the movements of mortality as the man opposite him. In truth it was quite comical, while Robert remained calm, collected, he was trusting his safety to a man who by all rights should be turning him in, had this been a lone warrior's meeting the outcome would most likely have been far different.

As the man made his proposal Robert couldn't help but internally smirk, he was bound by role, bound by emotion and bound by a fear of failure protect. No, Juan Marcos was no ordinary vampire, he was a new generation, a generation of his own. He was a generation that unlike those past who'd fled to hills actually gave a damn about what happened to the rest of mortality beyond it being a food source. Now came the Deva Lieutenant's own dilemma, accept or refuse. To refuse meant risking crossing more wires than ere necessary, but to accept, meant trusting this man, to a bare minimum of the fourth floor. The real question was not a trust of life, but a trust of action, once away from the students what would Marcos do, was he, like Robert a man of the ruse?

"Indeed. Consider your proposition accepted and our negotiation table closed. It seems, Mr. Marcos I will be in your debt for a second time," Robert replied; pocketing his wand where, much like the Ravenclaw's, it would be quickly on-hand if necessary. This was twice Marcos had opportunity to take his life or turn him over proper and he had not. One if by land and two if by sea said the tale of Yankee Paul Revere, but what could a third sparing lantern mean? Why was he allowed to breathe when he was in fact the soul owner of the darkened clouds billowing over all Brittan and Scotland?

The other student behind him seemed to have either left or had a brain in her head to stay both put and silent. He was not in the mood for stupidity, though no doubt soon it would rear it's ugly head and bite him painfully in the arse. No doubt. The Ravenclaw behind Marcos still stood fast, a classic depiction of a walking-wounded sentry in her post with nothing more than a side arm to her protection. Perhaps words were needed with her as well, if only to quell her sapphire-colored eyes that seemed covered with invisible flames of red.

"Miss Kailas." Robert acknowledged plainly, the girl could speak for her own provided Marcos allowed such. No doubt he would have longer nights than this in his near future.

[arianna]

If anyone was expecting Arianna to do anything stupid, she would not. Perhaps stepping out of the shadows did not seem like a smart thing to do, but in Arianna's mind, it was. She wanted to look upon the man whom she and many of her fellow students had once trusted and believed to be good. He probably never expected her to come into his fold, not after Drew's and her own experiences with the Deva, but she had to be sure that he knew she would fight them. Whatever it took, she would defend what was right.

Of course, Arianna was a bit shocked, confused even, that Marcos would offer to help the man out. Why not take him out now? The two of them together should be able to do it, even with just one wand between them (she still wasn't aware that there was another student nearby). She was, after all, an adult by all rights in the Wizarding world. And despite having less experience than either of these men, she did, nonetheless, have experience. More so than most within the castle; student or teacher, with one or two exceptions, of course.

These feelings quickly passed over, though, as a small voice whispered in her ear that it wasn't time. Take him out now and others would come. They would never stop coming. There would always be more. The Deva had roots deeper than even Arianna could grasp and getting rid of Shaw would be but a wound on the tree which would quickly heal over. To kill a tree one as two options: start at the top and work down, or drill into the core and poison it. Arianna could already see in her mind's eye which would be quickest and vowed to herself that she would find a way to assist in the matter. Even if she had to form her own resistance, the young woman decided right then and there, as she stared Shaw down, that she would discover a way into his his little crowd and destroy it. And Shaw himself? Well, he'd get his, of course. Arianna only hoped that fate would allow her to be there when it happened.

And now the man addressed her? Arianna had many words she would like to say to him, but kept her tongue. Instead, she merely lifted an eyebrow, inquiring as to why he would speak to her. If he had words for her, let him say it. She wouldn't be wasting her breath on him tonight, but an ear she could lend, if but for a moment.

[Juan Marcos]

So Shaw did know that it was Arianna in the shadows behind him. This was not good, not in the least. Now the vampire would have to keep an eye on the girl whenever he could in an effort to avoid any more incidents like those that had involved her and the Thornton boy. At least the professor did not feel the searing death glares of the students focused on him as of yet. They still seemed to only be directed at Shaw, the former Herbology Professor. Perhaps things would turn out alright after all.

"Miss Shriver," Juan commented, eyes still focused on Shaw, "Please return to your dorm room at once. I will deal with you later."

He paused for a moment and then addressed the other student as well, he was sure that the man knew of them anyway, "And you, down the hall, as well. You both chose a very bad night to pull a curfew breach."

Yes Juan cared about the students' safety. He was a professor and not caring would go against the very nature of what he was, or what he was trying to be anyway. Shaw had done just that: gone against the very core of what being a professor meant. But Juan had not always cared. Being a vampire, he'd lost the ability to care, or at least he had thought that he had. Eternity can become wearisome, especially when you lose all that is dear to you and each time you gain something new, you watch it waste away before you. But something had changed; Juan had been able to regain some of himself, he had another chance to care, to act, well, human. And he wasn't about to screw it up yet.

"Senor," he said coldly, "If you would please follow me. And I will warn you now not to attempt to betray me. I have little patience and it has already been sorely tried tonight."

The vampire did not trust Shaw any farther than he could throw him... Maybe that wasn't the best metaphor in his case. The point was, his senses were on full alert and although they'd made an arrangement, he was fully prepared for Shaw to go back on his end of the deal. Marcos still had no idea why this had carried on for so long. He couldn't understand the man or the motives behind his actions and quite frankly, it infuriated him. The vampire could usually judge people at a glance, but not this one. It angered, and yet, intrigued him. But he knew he was gambling with an armed bomb and eventually it was going to explode in his face.