Home Sweet Hell.

[Damian Piper]

Putting on that ridiculous hat had not been difficult -- degrading perhaps -- but not difficult. As an added bonus (almost as though to counter the effects of the degradation) he had gotten to see the look on the Headmistress’s face when she finally understood the correspondence between his appearance and his name. To put it in proper perspective, for one to say that she had been ‘shocked’, was a complete understatement and far more classifiable as a fabrication. And now he found himself performing the equally degrading task of muttering a password to a dingy piece of wall in a corridor about as lit at the sky during a new moon…

He was a young man of class, not this dingy, dank corner of musk! No doubt the other…Houses…had far more cleaner and hospitable places of residence. Hell, this was a right bloody outrage, and the problem of course was that he couldn’t buy the Headmistress into making a bit more reputable. If this was their way of breaking him, of robbing him of his Durmstrang teachings and musings, then they soon would have one more failure to add to their already growing list.

So far Damian was most unimpressed by the school, by its inhabitants, by its leadership, he was unimpressed by all of it and yet both Jared and his father had given it such high praises – WHY?! He simply couldn’t understand what made this place so special, so sacred, that it required his attendance. Perhaps that was it right there; perhaps this was arranged to make the school look good. If that was the case then this really WAS a waste of his presence, not to mention a violation of his right to a decent education! Father’s money be damned, it would eventually be his fortune, why couldn’t he use his current piece to get his own decent education?!

As the stones gave to in their own special way and he was allowed entree into what would be his home for at the least the next several months, he found that while the corridors and halls were horrible, the living quarters were to say the least hospitable. The room was lit a dim green and while the walls were also of a shade’s variation of the same color, the trim and molding was a stunning and yet equally presentable silver. A fireplace stoked to counter the near last of the winter’s chill and armchairs that looked almost as comfortable – although he doubted they were – as the ones he had back on the estate. Perhaps this was where the schools budget had vanished to; perhaps this was what had made his father give it so much credit? Comfort over appearance…not the best form of expression in his opinion, but it would work for him once he managed to be able to stomach the rest of the schools appearance.

His belongings were nowhere in sight, and since he didn’t know which stairway truthfully led where; he would simply have to find out the hard way after all they were just stairs right?

Wrong.

He’d made it perhaps three steps up -- no doubt a courtesy on behalf of the school -- before they decided to give way in the fashion that no doubt everyone but him already knew about. Damn his brother and his lacking of a single kind-hearted brain cell (ignore the fact that Damian lacked just as such) toward his kid younger brother! No doubt he wanted Damian to look a fool…it was what happened when you had siblings in a rich family, the typical rivalry escalated into outright competition even when the family followed the traditional lines of succession.

“Jared you no good bloody arse…” the boy muttered as he hauled himself up and quickly dusted himself off. It wasn’t his fault per say, Durmstrang was his home, not this pile pf rubble and there was no one around to warn him but the question still remained.

Just where the hell was his stuff?!


(Mizart/Open)

[Esmerelda Mizart]

Es stumbled into the common room after a glorious walk with Dean. It was hard, being with him and not being with him. He'll never know just how much he means to her. So much had happened in her life, she didn't even know where it began. Well, obviously with her coming out of her mothers' womb but, that's not the point. The point is, when her brother died when she was only ten, it tore her family apart. Her mother and father walked around like Zombies pretending to live, for her sake. She could always see right through them. They must have thought she was naive, or something. Or thought, because she was a small girl, that she couldn't see the way they were dead inside. Perhaps they didn't even see it in themselves. But she was pretty sure they knew it all along and were just trying to hide it from her.

Even though it practically destroyed her, in her fourth year at Hogwarts, Es's parents had decided to have enough and divorced. Well, it was more her Mother's decision. She couldn't deal with it anymore, and her Father had had enough of dealing with her. She was always a 'free spirit', someone who couldn't stick around for long. Her Father was much more of a person who liked to settle down, an 'old spirit', some would call him. But he loved her mother. He'd had fun dating her, he'd had fun being married to her, until she practically went crazy after her son's freakish death.

Freakish, you ask? Yes, freakish. The story was that Landon and his friends went on a hunt one weekend. He'd always loved to hunt.. This time, wild boar. Two days after they were supposed to be home, her Mother had the police out there searching for them. Oh, they found them, alright. At least, what was left of them. Five friends, plus Landon meant a whole lot of body parts every which way. Werewolves had found them hunting and tore them apart. They had no chance, even with their guns. It was very hard for them to even be recognizable. Her and her mother weren't allowed to see the body and it was her Father who had to stomach it by himself.

It was amazingly hard to transfer herself from the shy, troubled girl she was two years ago, into the confident, loving person she was today. There were three specific people who had helped her out of her shell. The first one was Nic Torque, a guy who was the exact opposite of her. He was confident, arrogant, ghetto, and definiately a booster for her self-esteem. He was always there for her, and full of sarcasm for every situation. It was therapeutic and she always had a snappy comeback. She felt like she could almost be herself around him. It was amazing. Then there was Dean, someone she'd just met in her sixth year. He was a great guy and their relationship started out very flirtatious. But they went slow, flirting the whole way. Then it finally happened, he asked her out. However, he disappeared before that could happened and that had seriously ticked her off and confused her.

Cause she wasn't exactly confident in herself so it had really hurt. Not that you're interested in hearing about all of that. So anyways, Brandon comes along and Bam! It's like love. Of course Dean's got to come back and complicate the whole situation. Yeah, they ended up kissing, and yes, Brandon was her boyfriend at the time. Anyways, 2 complicated months later and Dean and her are just starting to become comfortable around eachother again. They planned a hangout session and took a walk.

Es had come back from that walk feeling inspired and wonderful. Immediately, she had gone up to her room and grabbed her sketchbook. She didn't even need to leave the common room to know what she was going to sketch; It was going to be Dean and that cocky grin of his. Not...that she really noticed things like that about him anymore. They were just friends.. So she was on the couch, sketching, when the random boy came stalking into the common room. It was obvious that he didn't know where he was going as he tried to walk right up the girls stairs. She watched him fall and shook her head a tad.

"That would be to the girls dorm..."

She commented, going back to her sketching. Poor guy, guess no one gave him directions.

[Damian Piper]

"That would be to the girls dorm..."

Four months. All he had to do was wait for months and Jared would pay for this, not with his life of course. Blood was and always would be thicker, even if he did want both his family fortune and estate as soon as humanly possible... No, he would find a way to get back at him, his brother knew all about this school - or most of it - and yet hadn't told Damian a single ruddy word of it. It was a classic case of sibling rivalry at its finest point, the only difference between it ant the norm was that they didn't fight for attention, they fought for greed. They dueled for the right to be heir in a classic Cain and Able fashion, and well, they were brothers, and brothers and men and life just naturally told them to fight.

Now just because he was a young man of proper upbringing didn't mean he didn't get embarrassed. He had thought he was alone, he had allowed a false sense of security to befall him in an environment he knew not even the slightest thing about. His father would probably laugh his head off and then berate him if he heard of such. And seeing as this was apparently the house of those who were reputed, to say the least of them, it was quite probable that he would. Wonderful, perhaps if he was lucky the howler would arrive at breakfast so he could laugh it all off early. Literally.

Green orbs flicked from his current location, hands frozen in mid-dusting motion over to where a young lady of his own age sat upon the couch. While his mind registered that the voice had been female, he'd almost willed it to be nothing more than a proper squeaking elf as though it would change the circumstances. It didn't. She sounded bemused, disinterested, almost as if his embarrassing course of action was a commonality among them but why would anyone...no...mustn’t ponder the stupid things. She's talking to you...vaguely...talk back.

There was a tiny smirk on his face before the boys spawned their 'courteous thank you' for her insight and wit. "And you would be a girl. Now that we've both stated something plainly obvious to ourselves respectively can we move on to something a bit more substantial, like where in the name of hell my trunks got stashed?" Alright, so retaining his pissed attitude and being a smart ass probably wasn't the best first impression to portray. Nor was it most highly recommended course of action, but it was his comfort zone and right now, he really wanted to feel comfortable instead of cornered. Damian Piper did not get cornered.

[Esmerelda Mizart]

She glanced at the young man after commenting, helpfully, about where he was trying to go. However, her gaze quickly returned to the sketch that was set before her. It wasn't that Es wasn't interested in him, or rather, who he was; But she was trying to get the sketch finished before it left her. Not that Dean's face could ever leave her, it haunted her somewhat. The unfairity of his role in her life, the way things had worked out. It just wasn't fair. But, life wasn't fair, was it? That didn't mean she didn't see his face whenever she was alone and her thoughts returned to the past. She thought of a lot of faces when she returned the her memories of old. Like her mother, for instance, who was married to a french puffball that has two daughters; Her evil stepsisters, she could say. But supposedly they were really nice, she didn't know personally, she'd never met them. Her Mother didn't visit often, or ever.

Another face she thought of was her Father, the frail man that did everything for her. The reason he was still alive was probably to keep her happy. And she loved him dearly, he was her Father afterall. He encouraged her in everything she did, never resentful that she was magical and he wasn't. She'd gotten all of her magic from her mother, the only trait she received from the woman. Es couldn't believe how little she'd told Dean about her and yet she'd told Brandon everything. Funny how that worked. So easy to open up to Brandon, almost instantly after she met him, she was like an erupting volcano, overflowing with words never spoken. It had always been that way with Brandon. And with Dean, their relationship had always been shy and slow. It was something she was grateful for, that he hadn't pushed her. No, Brandon didn't push, it just kind of happened.

Anyways, her thoughts returned to the boy who had been silent for what seemed like forever. Although he might think stupidity happened often, it didn't. They were a smart house, it was practically what they were known for. For their cleverness, coyness, and secret-keeping. She was all of the above and more, but had always thought that she belonged more in Ravenclaw. However, Slytherin had served her far more well than she thought possible. Back on subject, she didn't usually laugh at new people she didn't know just because they someone didn't instruct them on how things worked around here. Infact, she was the Prefect, shouldn't she know about a new arrival? Oh well. Her ice blue eyes shot up to look at him when he finally spoke, sarcastically and smart-alecky. Lovely...just what I needed. Es thought with a mental roll of the eyes.

"Obviously both of these comments weren't distinctly known to you, or you wouldn't have tried to walk up to the girls dorms."

Her reply was dripping with sarcasm, though not the rudely cynical kind. It was apparent that she was just a sarcastic kind of gal, but was not trying to be mean. She thought she'd just give him a taste of his own medicine. Her eyes went back to her paper as she continued.

"Since you're a boy, if that, than your things would be in the boys dorms.. If you'd like me to show you, I'd willingly do it to get myself out of your expensively shampooed hair."

Expensive? Why, that was just a guess. But by the debonair attitude he was giving off, she could guess that he'd grown up with silver baby toys and the best of the best clothes.

[Damian Piper]

(Ugh, sorry. The muse hasn't existed lately)

Oh she was good...she was very good. Her initial reply was a bit flawed because he had stated what he clearly knew, and she had stated what she clearly knew. There was no error, merely misunderstanding. Just as there was with everything else in the wizarding world, misunderstanding, misdirection, misgiving and misalignment. Little was pure, little was straightforward, everything was tainted by perspective and what was 'right'.

She had practically, no, she had definitately insulted him and that could not be left to pass. Although he did have to admit, she certainly had spunk. "If I knew the way, I would gladly save you the trouble. And although I would presume that if one stairway is not the answer that the other would then be so, is such the case or am I expected to sleep on these..." He tapped the stone floor with the toe of his shoe. "More uncomfortable surfaces...?" Of course he knew his answer already, but pushing buttons had become a hobby, and what better way to tread new waters than by seeing where the sandbar ended?

He liked pushing his luck, what more could he say? and it was this same likeness that tended to get Jared more a smigen peeved than brotherly with him...but no matter. If Damian had his way, Jared would not be the heir for long and he would not be here. Why then should he make himself enjoyable to the populace? Of copurse this was all dependent on just how lucky he was and if his little mutterings, musings and plottings paid off.

"Are you normally this anti-everything, or is it just my unlucky day?"

[Esmerelda Mizart]

[Awww...tis okay. Mine has been gone as well.]

She knew she was good. It was what gave her infectious confidence that kept the smirk on her face as she attempted to finish her drawing. She didn't need all of her attention on him to insult him, as demonstrated, but it was nice. It gave more energy and fun to the situation as a whole. Unless you liked being insulted by a chick who wouldn't even look at you. She knew it was a tad flawed but that was the thing about sarcasm, it didn't need to be perfect, because you were being sarcastic.

Es knew he wasn't done with his cynical attitude; Certainly not, don't let the girl one up you, or you'll be a sure loser for life. Whether he thought this literally about himself, or just didn't like being insulted by a chick, or in general, [but then again, who really does?], she was prepared for another round of scornful wisecracks. He was annoying, that was for sure; Nonetheless, she appreciated the entertainment and spice she had been looking for in her pathetically bland life. [Yes, that's what we call sarcasm people.] Her blue eyes shot to him as she looked up, suprise evident on her face.

"Didn't you know? All of the boys sleep on the stone floors. It helps build character. I hope you brought your teddy because you don't get a blanket either."

Hah! Lie. But, very funny lie. She had already figured out that he was a clever boy, so she knew he wouldn't believe it for a second. But, as far as entertaining went, that was very entertaining. At least, for her it was. This conversation was almost too sarcastic for her. But it was fun. Es closed her sketchbook and looked to him when he asked her a certain question.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was being anti-anything. I was just trying to make pleasant conversation."

She replied innocently. And with that, she grinned at him. Take that.

[Damian Piper]

(Sorry, think the verbal line give you a good deal though.)

"Didn't you know? All of the boys sleep on the stone floors. It helps build character. I hope you brought your teddy because you don't get a blanket either."

Ouch. Just bothering to think about that made Damian feel more uncomfortable (not to mention unwelcome) than he already felt. Stone floors did not bring about character, stone floors brought undesired neck cramps, dust lines, dirt spots, outright filth and the least welcome of them all: personal degradation. Now it was apparant she was doing nothing more than trying to irk him, the corresponding problem was that she was winning her battle quite easily. He hated this school, he was beginning to hate these people, and he wanted his old room at Durmstrang back. And what the galleons was that bit about a teddy? Everyone knew you either had a stuffed krup or you were nothing. Merlin!

"Right. Lads to the floor...and I suppose you get to have the privledge of the loveseat couch there for your beauty slumber, what with you apparantly being the self-appointed queen of this commune?" Damian replied, green orbs flicking briefly toward the other stairway. He had the answer he needed, and normally that would have been grounds enough to walk away but no one challanged his attitude. Hell, no one challanged him and got away with it - decent looking or not. His things could wait now...

he had other matters to attend.

[Esmerelda Mizart]

The thought of sleeping on the floor was quite horrendous considering who knew when these floors had been last cleaned properly. The castle was huge! It could have been months, or years since the elves did the jobs they were supposed to do. She wasn't much for animal abuse and all that jazz, but if they had a job to do, they'd better do it. She could feel his uncomfortableness and it was enough for her to give him a radiant smile. She loved making new Slytherins feel at home. Es watched him squirm as he tried to come back with a good reply.

She opened her sketchbook once again and finished some touches, waiting for his reply. Dean didn't look quite right. His smile wasn't perfect, like it was in the picture. It was somewhat crooked and quirky, that's what made it perfect. But it wasn't perfectly symmetrical. She erased half of it, attempting to get the one she knew. Without it, this picture was incomplete and not Dean. Es's ice blue eyes shot up as he finally answered her. Oo..nice one. She smiled at him, batting her dark eyelashes dramatically.

"Self-appointed I am not. Queen? Not so much. The couch? I wouldn't sleep on this. I have a bed, just like every other person here, including yourself."

She paused.

"Oh, did you think you actually had to sleep on the floor? No, darling, we do treat you alright here. Maybe even a little better if you have a good attitude about things."

She eyed him up and down.

"Good luck with that."

Es closed her sketchbook again and put her sketching pencils into her art bag, something she used to carry around a lot of art utensils. She sat up, and smiled at him. Not caring that they had just had a serious sarcastic war for the past five minutes.

"So what's your name, kid? I'm Es Mizart."

[Yech. Will improve in future posts. XD]

[Damian Piper]

"Self-appointed I am not. Queen? Not so much. The couch? I wouldn't sleep on this. I have a bed, just like every other person here, including yourself." A pause. "Oh, did you think you actually had to sleep on the floor? No, darling, we do treat you alright here. Maybe even a little better if you have a good attitude about things...good luck with that."

Ouch on all accords, normally he would have retorted right off somehow, but this, this left at a moment for a loss of everything. Not only had she managed to counter his remark but she had managed to slip in a rather cunning insult in the process. The question now was just which did he respond to first and was this young woman merely humoring him, or humoring herself? The young man watched in continued silence as his compatriot packed up her things, smiled at him and introduced herself as though nothing had happened.

"So what's your name, kid? I'm Es Mizart."

Can one say DUMBSTRUCK? It was so contrary to the emotion he'd been receiving, had she really only been humoring him? Ha, yeah right this was just the lure, this was just a test thing, an initiation of sorts. And what the devil was she thinking by calling him 'kid'? He wasn't one of those little midget brats he'd seen running around playing tag or ... whatever it had been. And yet alas, as much as a mere test it all seemed, it was rude not to deny one of such...character...his name. Oh she was good.

"My name shouldn--" The boy began before deciding to drop the tone for now. If she was willing to be cordial, albeit suddenly but cordial then he should show the same respect. "Damian Garret Piper. I suppose this is where I normally say that it's a pleasure." There was a slight smirk to his face, in fact it almost could pass as the smallest of smiles but that couldn't possibly be right. He had nothing to smile about.

[Esmerelda Mizart]

Oh yes, she had just called him 'kid.' Heck, she knew she couldn't be that much older than him because he looked about the same age as her. Maybe a sixth year, like Brandon. Perhaps they could become friends. But then again, with this boys atittude, he'd be lucky to make any friends. She was trying, at least. Okay, she didn't usually have a sarcasm war with someone when trying to be their friend, but he asked for it. He obviously deserved it and needed one. She did feel a tad bad about kicking his butt, but she also felt awesome. Infact, she couldn't keep a smile off of her face as she watched the astonished expression that crossed his face as she suddenly went somewhat bi-polar. Then again, she'd been doing that alot lately. If Dean didn't know her so well, she figured he would probably avoid her for awhile.

No, it wasn't an initiation or something they did to all of their new comers, it was spontaneous, really. She didn't do stuff like that often, or ever, really. However, she was the Prefect, if he thought it was his initiation, let him think that. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he began to talk. But stopped in the middle of what seemed to be the beginning of a nasty reply. She smiled brightly at finally learning his name and nodded.

"And then I would reply with, the pleasure's all mine?"

She asked, arching her brow. She studied his face. He definitely looked like he should be in here and he was somewhat dashing. He looked like someone who would be very powerful someday, or perhaps was powerful, even now. Maybe it was just all of Daddy's connections.. She noticed his smile smirk, and just smiled back.