Knockturned for The Better (Harry Potter Shopkeeper Quest)
- Thread starter Erien
- Start date
- Location
- Texas
It is if we have anything to say about it!
Videogamer921
oh god it’s him
- Location
- 10th circle of Hell; Ohio
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Counter-point: they tried to put a spell on us and are baby eaters
Dragontrapper
Homeless Draconis
- Location
- A Tower in the middle of nowhere
[X] [Fight it out]
Videogamer921
oh god it’s him
- Location
- 10th circle of Hell; Ohio
- Pronouns
- He/Him
He does his best and that's all that matters
DB_Explorer
Purveyor of alternate realities.
- Location
- San Diego, California
- Pronouns
- He/Him
sorry its against my faith
3.0 - Persecution
New
Erien
God's Weakest Soldier
- Location
- Georgia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[Fight it out]
Nikola and Trimsy had little patience for Grindelwald worshippers, and Nikola had even less patience for Hags it turns out.
Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!
—
Nikola looks around the room for the moment, to the coven surrounding him, now each brandishing wands. To the altar setup in honor of a felled dark lord, to the scratches on the wall and the bloodstains. "Should I be?"
The wands begin to swish, to flick, to cast. Nikola was already moving. His cloak snapping closed around his chest as his staff swung around towards the closest Hag. Those not from Eastern Europe or the Balkans beside tend to question the use of the staff. It doesn't, truly, give any advantages to spellcasting. A wizard's power is not based on the core of his implement, it is not based on the size of his channeling tool. Whether it was a staff, a wand, or an orb, didn't truly matter. It is simply a matter of culture and comfort. The staff is harder to conceal, it is harder to use.
And as the staff cracks against the head of the Hag and she goes flying into the wall with enough force to cause the room to shake due to the runic spells etched onto it, the strength of it is made apparent. The Hag lets out a shriek as she impacts, crumpling to the floor. Roughly at the same time as a spell reflects off the back of Nikola's coat with a flash of light to bounce back into the face of the Hag who cast it. Her arms raise, trying to defend herself in some fashion. But the spell, a purple, warbling thing collides with her chin, sending her back to the floor as piggish squeals begin to tear free from her throat. Nikola turns, watching her body begin to fold in on itself, hands and legs turning to short little stubby limbs. Before his attention is drawn-
A Hag has advanced to within a foot, her wand pointed at his head.
Then she begins to disappear. A warbling scream is all that comes out of her throat as her body twists then collapses in on itself much in the same way the ruins of your house did. Trimsy's hand raised as the Hag is crushed down further and further until all that remains is a small ball, an inch wide on the ground, dripping blood. Nikola only spares a moment to observe Trimsy's handiwork before he's turning again, raising his staff against a Hag poking around one of the columns. Her eyes are wide with fear, he has a rather good idea why.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" the Hag had been about to cast a spell when Nikola's charm lifts her body off the ground. His staff swings upwards in a wide arc, and the 'woman' collides headfirst with the ceiling with a loud crunch. She falls bodily to the ground a moment later. Nikola watches dispassionately as a spell narrowly misses him, the wall exploding outwards from some form of explosive charm.
He didn't plan on this being rather lethal, as he isn't particularly worried about the danger of Hags. But then, Trimsy has rather delightfully given her opinion on the level of lethality… and Nikola is rather not fond of Hags.
Smiling women with bloody faces.
Something very like a human, but not.
A necklace made of tiny bones.
Cribs falling silent.
Nikola stumbles as a hex collides with the back of his neck, pain lanced down his body. Then is swiftly ignored as he turns, his staff rising. Another charm, this time against his front, dissipates harmlessly. The Hag eyes his staff, terrified, then tries to dart behind one of the pilla-
"Confrigo." Nikola says calmly.
The pillar explodes, as does the left half of the Hag. She falls to the side, twitching, but useless.
"Tosser!" Trimsy shouts, diving out of the way as a hex collides with the ground just next to her feet. She scrambles on all four legs, diving behind a pillar. The hag tracks her with her wand, swishing it smartly.
"Locomotor Mortis!"
The hags legs slam together. Nicola rears the staff back, then jerks to the side as a spell clips him in the side, flames erupt along the edge of his jacket. And the hag that attempted to befuddle him earlier ducks behind the altar.
"Depulso."
A wave of force erupts from the staff, now pointed at the altar. And the heavy stone piece rockets towards the wall, carrying the hag with it. A loud crunch is quickly followed by a crash… and that leaves the hag laying on the ground, her legs pressed together, her wand still held in her hand as she flails in a blind panic.
"Expelliarmus."
The wand goes flying out of her hand and into Nikola's. It was a rather fancy thing, hickory wood and a golden cap on the butt end. A name was etched into it, partially scraped off. The last name was illegible besides the letter 'P'. But Nikola rather doubts the Hag's name was the 'Tim' as the first name on the wand denotes.
Pocketing it gently inside his coat, Nikola points his staff down at the woman.
"Diffindo."
Her head removes itself from her shoulders, and her life ends immediately. Nikola stares down at her for a moment, then presses his staff against the back of his neck to dispel the stinging hex placed there.
"What about her?" Trimsy asks, poking her head from around the pillar to point at the Hag sprawled out on the floor.
It is the one Nikola hit across the head then blasted into the wall. She is twitching, trying to move, but is rather unsuccessful about it. Her wand lies snapped beside her. Nikola stares at her for a few moments, then looks at Trimsy. The goblin is uninjured much to his relief, though she is breathing rather heavily. Too much excitement he supposes. "Are you alright?" Nikola asks.
Trimsy nods. "I'm fine."
"Wonderful." Nikola responds, then points his staff at the Hag.
"Accio."
"Diffindo."
Her body falls to the ground, her head follows it a moment later. Nikola looks around for a moment, listening, counting the bodies. Until, satisfied a few moments later, he points his staff at the nearest one. The hags one by one become simple marbles made of chalk, gathered. Crushed, then allowed to fall to the ground as little more than motes of dust. Then, sweeping his staff around.
"Scourgify."
The blood, new and old, disappeared from view. As did the dust, and the rubble shortly afterwards. Nikola looked over his work. All that remained was a temple, or the remains of one rather, with an altar pushed against a wall and the black box marked with Grindelwald's name. It lay in the center of the room, fallen over from the force of the altar moving. Nikola stares at it for a moment, then walks over and kneels down, observing it.
"So Trimsy, do explain your dislike of Grindelwald. You mentioned a 'nan', and I'm rather unfamiliar with what that is."
"Would rather talk about how ya just killed five women like they were nothing."
Nikola pauses, his staff hovering over the box. "Weren't you the one who wanted to fight them?"
"Well yeah, but there's a difference between a fight and a murder." Trimsy points out, her arms crossing over her overalls.
"In my defence you caused the first casualty." Nikola replies.
"Oh, I have no problem with them dying, it's just how easy you did it was rather scary."
Nikola shrugs. "I have a rather strong dislike of hags, and I see no reason to be anything less than as efficient as possible in combat."
"You aren't one of those death eaters are you?" Trimsy asks, her voice wary.
Nikola picks up the box gently and weighs it in his hands. It's light, and not particularly large either. Roughly as long as his torso and a quarter that in width. "I don't believe so. But then, I'm not sure what that is."
"Servants of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
Nikola shakes his head. "No, I was unaware of his existence until earlier this week. He didn't draw much attention in Europe." Then, he gently tucks the box underneath one arm and stands up again. "My apologies if I've frightened you."
"Wouldn't say ya did." Trimsy responds. "And aren't you going to look inside?" the goblin asks, pointing to the box.
"No." Nikola replies bluntly. "This box is trapped, jinxed, and warded. Just getting through the first layer would take an hour, and besides. I know someone who would be rather interested in purchasing this." He gently shifts it to a more comfortable grip, being careful to not let his finger touch the latches, then smiles down at the goblin. "What did you do to that Hag if I might ask?"
"Not allowed to say." Trimsy replies, smiling back up at him.
"Truly?"
Trimsy nods. "Can't talk about Goblin magic with non-Goblins. It's the rules."
It is a rather terrifying skill-set, Nikola notes. Even if he has only seen a small part of it. He also can't help but notice she didn't seem particularly bothered by the carnage either. "Alright, well, let's see what else we can find, shall we?"
—
A well made set of duelling wands, several cloaks of fine velvet, a rather macabre living portrait of a knight-filled battlefield in a time period Nikola didn't recognize, a box of black and red jewelry and more. Nikola walked through the halls, listening to Trimsy's advice and recommendations for what to do with the place. All the while Nikola collected artifacts and treasures, and disarmed a rather good deal of highly lethal curses-
"Hold," Nikola says, tapping his staff on the ground just in front of Trimsy. Then he kneels, tapping his staff against the ground. "Circumrota. Rotation charm at neck height. You were saying?"
"Right, he's going to need to replace a good deal of the roof. The charms put in place to prevent water damage have all faded away. Apparently those were less important than the murder charms the previous owner had been hiding around." Trimsy replies, writing down notes on her pad as Nikola wipes away the trap. "We safe?"
"Yes." Nikola replies. "If I may ask, what drove you to this line of work?"
Trimsy shrugs her tiny shoulders. "Wanted to be an architect. What drove you to be a spooky bastard?"
Nikola chuckles. "I've just never met a Goblin architect."
"What, you think Goblins are only bankers? We have lots of professions. We just mostly keep to ourselves." Trimsy says, her voice carrying a good deal of annoyance.
"No, I didn't think Goblins were only bankers." Nikola replies. "I just stated I've never met a Goblin architect."
"Ah. Well, we're mostly doing work in caves and the like. Not so much on the surface." Trimsy explains.
"Well, you've done a lovely job so far." Nikola says.
Trimsy smiles at the compliment, then her eyes widen. The goblin darts off, running towards a large window. "Oh, druidic glass! You never see that anymore!"
She didn't seem to notice the axe burying itself in the wall just above her. The Goblin too short to be hit by it.
"You seeing this?" Trimsy asks eagerly.
"Indeed," Nikola responds. Then he raises his staff to undo the portkey built into the floor just ahead of her. He can't tell where it is going from just a glance, but any portkey in this place is likely a bad idea.
Her tongue sticking out of her mouth, Trimsy sketches down a depiction of the window, then turns to look at Nikola with a wide grin. "By the way, is that ghost stayin' in the shop now?"
"For the foreseeable future, she's our security guard."
"And… you aren't worried about that." Trimsy asks, tilting her head.
"Whyso?" Nikola responds.
Trimsy frowns. "Won't she scare off customers?"
"That's hardly something I'm worried about. It's Knockturn Alley, everything there is rather dark and gloomy to begin with."
—
*Later that day.*
Nikola rubs the black substance onto the end of the letter then holds it forth. Fluffi smells it for a moment, then bites the top of it and sprints off, passing straight through the door, the letter just as intangible as the rabbit is as she disappears from view. A note of the job being completed to the reverend, and now he simply has to wait for him to reply back. Nikola watches the rabbit go for a moment, then turns to look at Hesperance.
The ghost has been rather awkward for some time now.
Likely because he had returned to his shop to someone screaming in utter terror. The poor man had been looking through the window when Hesperance looked back an inch away through the glass.
"My apologies sir." Hesperance says, in a rather paradoxical tone that gives the impression that she is genuinely sorry. But is also rather annoyed she has to be. She turns her gaze to the window, her hands fidgeting in her lap. A rather pointless motion considering the fingers were passing through each other.
"There is nothing to apologize for," Nikola says with a small smile on his face. "It was to be expected from the moment I hired a ghost into my employ. Your existence is disquieting to others."
"I don't see why it would be." Hesperance says, straightening up and doing her level best to look dignified. "My personality and bearing has changed little since I was alive. And I have done no harm except remain in the house that has been since taken from me."
"Wizards, much like muggles, tend to be rather nervous around the dead. Much less the dead that are up and floating around." Nikola replies, moving around the counter towards the woman. His hand taps against the top of it, a faint knocking sound filling the room before he tucks his hands behind his back. "They remind them that their time on this earth is limited. In children we tend to cause fright and wonder. In adults we cause discomfort, wariness, and paranoia." Nikola comes to a stop next to the woman, looking out the same window towards the street outside. People wandered about, yet, as usual, none came inside.
"We?" Hesperance asks. She doesn't turn her head, but she stares at Nikola from the corner of her eyes. "You are a necromancer."
Nikola's smile grows a touch, amusement filling his voice. "Am I? What gave you that impression?"
"I am not familiar with many ghosts." Hesperance replies, and she turns her body slightly to face him, phasing partially through the chair as she does so. "But I have never met one that could touch things. Throw things in anger using magic, certainly. But touch? Sensation? Taste? That is the work of necromancy." Her eyes then flit down, to his jacket. "And your dress."
"Not a fan of black?" Nikola asks.
Hesperance purses her lips for a moment, opening it. Then closing it. Apparently trying to find something to say that wasn't inflammatory. "It is the color of mourning and overly avant-garde children." She failed.
"I find it helps me remain beneath notice." Nikola says, his tone relaxed. "One may walk around with a particularly large hat, star covered robes, and oversized pointy shoes that leave glowing steps in their wake if they want to get attention."
"And they do," Hesperance replies.
"And they do." Nikola admits. "But the boring man doesn't stand out as much. And I gain little by standing out. But I am no necromancer, I do not live in a cave ordering skeletons about. Nor am I a cheap conjurer living amongst muggles speaking to the dead. All my knowledge of those arts are more practical."
"In what manner might Necromancy be practical?" Hesperance asks.
Nikola raises a hand, then, gently, places it against Hesperances cheek. The woman shrieks, her form briefly losing cohesion as she darts back and goes through his wall. Distantly, another shout rings out, likely in alarm from the sudden appearance of a ghost sticking halfway into the adjacent building. Then she surges forward again. Her hands darting down to grab Nikola's hand and grasp it with both of her own. Her fingers dance along it, pressing into his skin, holding it up, shock fighting with glee on her face.
"H-how is this possible?" Hesperance asks. All bearing gone from her voice.
"A rather unfortunate accident." Nikola explains, doing nothing to take his hand back from the ghost.
Her eyes flit to his own, and she pauses. "An accident?"
Her hands had moved up his arm to his face seemingly without her even noticing. Nikola didn't comment. "Indeed. It's a rather long story that I am in no urge to speak at the moment. Regardless, I am a rather practical necromancer and I would ask you to cease your fondling of my hair."
Hesperance snatches her hands back like they have been burned. "I… apologize for my impropriety. It… it has bee-"
Nikola raises his hand. "It's fine. I would imagine it has been quite some time since you actually touched something."
"Before that cup of tea?" Hesperance replies, then looks to the floor, saying nothing, yet everything.
"Quite." Nikola replies. He stares at the woman, her eyes still not meeting his own from likely embarrassment. He knew it is a rather stupid idea, anything that drew too much attention is likely a poor decision. He isn't in the country entirely legally, despite going through the Ministry. And, indeed, while his 'cover' had been blown already, and he is being hunted by something already.
… His pity has damned him more than once. What is one more time? With a sigh, Nikola walks back to the counter. Grabbing the empty teacup and opening up the rune-locked box. "I'm still working on the flavor. You wouldn't mind being a taste-tester for me would you?"
"Is a moth drawn to a gas-lamp?" Hesperance asks.
Nikola pauses, turning to look at the ghost.
"... That means I wouldn't mind." Hesperance says lamely.
"Wonderful," Nikola replies. "Now then, I would suggest staying out of sight for now when shoppers come in. Now, I would invite you to walk with me as I visit a confidant of mine to sell this box to." Nikola reaches over to tap on the black box sitting atop the counter. "And as we do, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself Hesperance."
The ghost eyes him warily. "For what reason do you want to know?"
"Because you live in my home." Nikola replies bluntly. "Do I need any other?" then, tapping his staff gently against the ground to reactivate the wards, Nikola steps out of the shop and into cool, but humid afternoon of London. Glancing back, he sees Hesperance hesitate for a moment before following after.
The ghost looks around the street warily, a brief look of disgust flitting across her features before she controls it back to a careful, neutral expression. Then she looks at Nikola, nodding and floating after him as he begins to walk. "I would trade with you equally then sir."
Nikola smiles. "What do you wish to know?"
—
Worldbuilding nonsense, and some plot points for the future.
Choose up to two. This is plan, not popularity.
—
[] [How did you learn Necromancy?]
Some people say the strongest magic is love. Actually it involves the soul of an innocent.
[] [You are a foreigner, what is your home like?]
Judged from the moment of birth. Fighting others for your position. A moment of weakness.
[] [Are you alone here?]
A family lied to. Enchanted. Trapped. A kind figure cruel.
[] [Why help me?]
An unfortunate face. A lifetime of guilt. A plea ignored.
—
Auction and Greyback next chapter.
Nikola and Trimsy had little patience for Grindelwald worshippers, and Nikola had even less patience for Hags it turns out.
Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!
—
Nikola looks around the room for the moment, to the coven surrounding him, now each brandishing wands. To the altar setup in honor of a felled dark lord, to the scratches on the wall and the bloodstains. "Should I be?"
The wands begin to swish, to flick, to cast. Nikola was already moving. His cloak snapping closed around his chest as his staff swung around towards the closest Hag. Those not from Eastern Europe or the Balkans beside tend to question the use of the staff. It doesn't, truly, give any advantages to spellcasting. A wizard's power is not based on the core of his implement, it is not based on the size of his channeling tool. Whether it was a staff, a wand, or an orb, didn't truly matter. It is simply a matter of culture and comfort. The staff is harder to conceal, it is harder to use.
And as the staff cracks against the head of the Hag and she goes flying into the wall with enough force to cause the room to shake due to the runic spells etched onto it, the strength of it is made apparent. The Hag lets out a shriek as she impacts, crumpling to the floor. Roughly at the same time as a spell reflects off the back of Nikola's coat with a flash of light to bounce back into the face of the Hag who cast it. Her arms raise, trying to defend herself in some fashion. But the spell, a purple, warbling thing collides with her chin, sending her back to the floor as piggish squeals begin to tear free from her throat. Nikola turns, watching her body begin to fold in on itself, hands and legs turning to short little stubby limbs. Before his attention is drawn-
A Hag has advanced to within a foot, her wand pointed at his head.
Then she begins to disappear. A warbling scream is all that comes out of her throat as her body twists then collapses in on itself much in the same way the ruins of your house did. Trimsy's hand raised as the Hag is crushed down further and further until all that remains is a small ball, an inch wide on the ground, dripping blood. Nikola only spares a moment to observe Trimsy's handiwork before he's turning again, raising his staff against a Hag poking around one of the columns. Her eyes are wide with fear, he has a rather good idea why.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" the Hag had been about to cast a spell when Nikola's charm lifts her body off the ground. His staff swings upwards in a wide arc, and the 'woman' collides headfirst with the ceiling with a loud crunch. She falls bodily to the ground a moment later. Nikola watches dispassionately as a spell narrowly misses him, the wall exploding outwards from some form of explosive charm.
He didn't plan on this being rather lethal, as he isn't particularly worried about the danger of Hags. But then, Trimsy has rather delightfully given her opinion on the level of lethality… and Nikola is rather not fond of Hags.
Smiling women with bloody faces.
Something very like a human, but not.
A necklace made of tiny bones.
Cribs falling silent.
Nikola stumbles as a hex collides with the back of his neck, pain lanced down his body. Then is swiftly ignored as he turns, his staff rising. Another charm, this time against his front, dissipates harmlessly. The Hag eyes his staff, terrified, then tries to dart behind one of the pilla-
"Confrigo." Nikola says calmly.
The pillar explodes, as does the left half of the Hag. She falls to the side, twitching, but useless.
"Tosser!" Trimsy shouts, diving out of the way as a hex collides with the ground just next to her feet. She scrambles on all four legs, diving behind a pillar. The hag tracks her with her wand, swishing it smartly.
"Locomotor Mortis!"
The hags legs slam together. Nicola rears the staff back, then jerks to the side as a spell clips him in the side, flames erupt along the edge of his jacket. And the hag that attempted to befuddle him earlier ducks behind the altar.
"Depulso."
A wave of force erupts from the staff, now pointed at the altar. And the heavy stone piece rockets towards the wall, carrying the hag with it. A loud crunch is quickly followed by a crash… and that leaves the hag laying on the ground, her legs pressed together, her wand still held in her hand as she flails in a blind panic.
"Expelliarmus."
The wand goes flying out of her hand and into Nikola's. It was a rather fancy thing, hickory wood and a golden cap on the butt end. A name was etched into it, partially scraped off. The last name was illegible besides the letter 'P'. But Nikola rather doubts the Hag's name was the 'Tim' as the first name on the wand denotes.
Pocketing it gently inside his coat, Nikola points his staff down at the woman.
"Diffindo."
Her head removes itself from her shoulders, and her life ends immediately. Nikola stares down at her for a moment, then presses his staff against the back of his neck to dispel the stinging hex placed there.
"What about her?" Trimsy asks, poking her head from around the pillar to point at the Hag sprawled out on the floor.
It is the one Nikola hit across the head then blasted into the wall. She is twitching, trying to move, but is rather unsuccessful about it. Her wand lies snapped beside her. Nikola stares at her for a few moments, then looks at Trimsy. The goblin is uninjured much to his relief, though she is breathing rather heavily. Too much excitement he supposes. "Are you alright?" Nikola asks.
Trimsy nods. "I'm fine."
"Wonderful." Nikola responds, then points his staff at the Hag.
"Accio."
"Diffindo."
Her body falls to the ground, her head follows it a moment later. Nikola looks around for a moment, listening, counting the bodies. Until, satisfied a few moments later, he points his staff at the nearest one. The hags one by one become simple marbles made of chalk, gathered. Crushed, then allowed to fall to the ground as little more than motes of dust. Then, sweeping his staff around.
"Scourgify."
The blood, new and old, disappeared from view. As did the dust, and the rubble shortly afterwards. Nikola looked over his work. All that remained was a temple, or the remains of one rather, with an altar pushed against a wall and the black box marked with Grindelwald's name. It lay in the center of the room, fallen over from the force of the altar moving. Nikola stares at it for a moment, then walks over and kneels down, observing it.
"So Trimsy, do explain your dislike of Grindelwald. You mentioned a 'nan', and I'm rather unfamiliar with what that is."
"Would rather talk about how ya just killed five women like they were nothing."
Nikola pauses, his staff hovering over the box. "Weren't you the one who wanted to fight them?"
"Well yeah, but there's a difference between a fight and a murder." Trimsy points out, her arms crossing over her overalls.
"In my defence you caused the first casualty." Nikola replies.
"Oh, I have no problem with them dying, it's just how easy you did it was rather scary."
Nikola shrugs. "I have a rather strong dislike of hags, and I see no reason to be anything less than as efficient as possible in combat."
"You aren't one of those death eaters are you?" Trimsy asks, her voice wary.
Nikola picks up the box gently and weighs it in his hands. It's light, and not particularly large either. Roughly as long as his torso and a quarter that in width. "I don't believe so. But then, I'm not sure what that is."
"Servants of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
Nikola shakes his head. "No, I was unaware of his existence until earlier this week. He didn't draw much attention in Europe." Then, he gently tucks the box underneath one arm and stands up again. "My apologies if I've frightened you."
"Wouldn't say ya did." Trimsy responds. "And aren't you going to look inside?" the goblin asks, pointing to the box.
"No." Nikola replies bluntly. "This box is trapped, jinxed, and warded. Just getting through the first layer would take an hour, and besides. I know someone who would be rather interested in purchasing this." He gently shifts it to a more comfortable grip, being careful to not let his finger touch the latches, then smiles down at the goblin. "What did you do to that Hag if I might ask?"
"Not allowed to say." Trimsy replies, smiling back up at him.
"Truly?"
Trimsy nods. "Can't talk about Goblin magic with non-Goblins. It's the rules."
It is a rather terrifying skill-set, Nikola notes. Even if he has only seen a small part of it. He also can't help but notice she didn't seem particularly bothered by the carnage either. "Alright, well, let's see what else we can find, shall we?"
—
A well made set of duelling wands, several cloaks of fine velvet, a rather macabre living portrait of a knight-filled battlefield in a time period Nikola didn't recognize, a box of black and red jewelry and more. Nikola walked through the halls, listening to Trimsy's advice and recommendations for what to do with the place. All the while Nikola collected artifacts and treasures, and disarmed a rather good deal of highly lethal curses-
"Hold," Nikola says, tapping his staff on the ground just in front of Trimsy. Then he kneels, tapping his staff against the ground. "Circumrota. Rotation charm at neck height. You were saying?"
"Right, he's going to need to replace a good deal of the roof. The charms put in place to prevent water damage have all faded away. Apparently those were less important than the murder charms the previous owner had been hiding around." Trimsy replies, writing down notes on her pad as Nikola wipes away the trap. "We safe?"
"Yes." Nikola replies. "If I may ask, what drove you to this line of work?"
Trimsy shrugs her tiny shoulders. "Wanted to be an architect. What drove you to be a spooky bastard?"
Nikola chuckles. "I've just never met a Goblin architect."
"What, you think Goblins are only bankers? We have lots of professions. We just mostly keep to ourselves." Trimsy says, her voice carrying a good deal of annoyance.
"No, I didn't think Goblins were only bankers." Nikola replies. "I just stated I've never met a Goblin architect."
"Ah. Well, we're mostly doing work in caves and the like. Not so much on the surface." Trimsy explains.
"Well, you've done a lovely job so far." Nikola says.
Trimsy smiles at the compliment, then her eyes widen. The goblin darts off, running towards a large window. "Oh, druidic glass! You never see that anymore!"
She didn't seem to notice the axe burying itself in the wall just above her. The Goblin too short to be hit by it.
"You seeing this?" Trimsy asks eagerly.
"Indeed," Nikola responds. Then he raises his staff to undo the portkey built into the floor just ahead of her. He can't tell where it is going from just a glance, but any portkey in this place is likely a bad idea.
Her tongue sticking out of her mouth, Trimsy sketches down a depiction of the window, then turns to look at Nikola with a wide grin. "By the way, is that ghost stayin' in the shop now?"
"For the foreseeable future, she's our security guard."
"And… you aren't worried about that." Trimsy asks, tilting her head.
"Whyso?" Nikola responds.
Trimsy frowns. "Won't she scare off customers?"
"That's hardly something I'm worried about. It's Knockturn Alley, everything there is rather dark and gloomy to begin with."
—
*Later that day.*
Nikola rubs the black substance onto the end of the letter then holds it forth. Fluffi smells it for a moment, then bites the top of it and sprints off, passing straight through the door, the letter just as intangible as the rabbit is as she disappears from view. A note of the job being completed to the reverend, and now he simply has to wait for him to reply back. Nikola watches the rabbit go for a moment, then turns to look at Hesperance.
The ghost has been rather awkward for some time now.
Likely because he had returned to his shop to someone screaming in utter terror. The poor man had been looking through the window when Hesperance looked back an inch away through the glass.
"My apologies sir." Hesperance says, in a rather paradoxical tone that gives the impression that she is genuinely sorry. But is also rather annoyed she has to be. She turns her gaze to the window, her hands fidgeting in her lap. A rather pointless motion considering the fingers were passing through each other.
"There is nothing to apologize for," Nikola says with a small smile on his face. "It was to be expected from the moment I hired a ghost into my employ. Your existence is disquieting to others."
"I don't see why it would be." Hesperance says, straightening up and doing her level best to look dignified. "My personality and bearing has changed little since I was alive. And I have done no harm except remain in the house that has been since taken from me."
"Wizards, much like muggles, tend to be rather nervous around the dead. Much less the dead that are up and floating around." Nikola replies, moving around the counter towards the woman. His hand taps against the top of it, a faint knocking sound filling the room before he tucks his hands behind his back. "They remind them that their time on this earth is limited. In children we tend to cause fright and wonder. In adults we cause discomfort, wariness, and paranoia." Nikola comes to a stop next to the woman, looking out the same window towards the street outside. People wandered about, yet, as usual, none came inside.
"We?" Hesperance asks. She doesn't turn her head, but she stares at Nikola from the corner of her eyes. "You are a necromancer."
Nikola's smile grows a touch, amusement filling his voice. "Am I? What gave you that impression?"
"I am not familiar with many ghosts." Hesperance replies, and she turns her body slightly to face him, phasing partially through the chair as she does so. "But I have never met one that could touch things. Throw things in anger using magic, certainly. But touch? Sensation? Taste? That is the work of necromancy." Her eyes then flit down, to his jacket. "And your dress."
"Not a fan of black?" Nikola asks.
Hesperance purses her lips for a moment, opening it. Then closing it. Apparently trying to find something to say that wasn't inflammatory. "It is the color of mourning and overly avant-garde children." She failed.
"I find it helps me remain beneath notice." Nikola says, his tone relaxed. "One may walk around with a particularly large hat, star covered robes, and oversized pointy shoes that leave glowing steps in their wake if they want to get attention."
"And they do," Hesperance replies.
"And they do." Nikola admits. "But the boring man doesn't stand out as much. And I gain little by standing out. But I am no necromancer, I do not live in a cave ordering skeletons about. Nor am I a cheap conjurer living amongst muggles speaking to the dead. All my knowledge of those arts are more practical."
"In what manner might Necromancy be practical?" Hesperance asks.
Nikola raises a hand, then, gently, places it against Hesperances cheek. The woman shrieks, her form briefly losing cohesion as she darts back and goes through his wall. Distantly, another shout rings out, likely in alarm from the sudden appearance of a ghost sticking halfway into the adjacent building. Then she surges forward again. Her hands darting down to grab Nikola's hand and grasp it with both of her own. Her fingers dance along it, pressing into his skin, holding it up, shock fighting with glee on her face.
"H-how is this possible?" Hesperance asks. All bearing gone from her voice.
"A rather unfortunate accident." Nikola explains, doing nothing to take his hand back from the ghost.
Her eyes flit to his own, and she pauses. "An accident?"
Her hands had moved up his arm to his face seemingly without her even noticing. Nikola didn't comment. "Indeed. It's a rather long story that I am in no urge to speak at the moment. Regardless, I am a rather practical necromancer and I would ask you to cease your fondling of my hair."
Hesperance snatches her hands back like they have been burned. "I… apologize for my impropriety. It… it has bee-"
Nikola raises his hand. "It's fine. I would imagine it has been quite some time since you actually touched something."
"Before that cup of tea?" Hesperance replies, then looks to the floor, saying nothing, yet everything.
"Quite." Nikola replies. He stares at the woman, her eyes still not meeting his own from likely embarrassment. He knew it is a rather stupid idea, anything that drew too much attention is likely a poor decision. He isn't in the country entirely legally, despite going through the Ministry. And, indeed, while his 'cover' had been blown already, and he is being hunted by something already.
… His pity has damned him more than once. What is one more time? With a sigh, Nikola walks back to the counter. Grabbing the empty teacup and opening up the rune-locked box. "I'm still working on the flavor. You wouldn't mind being a taste-tester for me would you?"
"Is a moth drawn to a gas-lamp?" Hesperance asks.
Nikola pauses, turning to look at the ghost.
"... That means I wouldn't mind." Hesperance says lamely.
"Wonderful," Nikola replies. "Now then, I would suggest staying out of sight for now when shoppers come in. Now, I would invite you to walk with me as I visit a confidant of mine to sell this box to." Nikola reaches over to tap on the black box sitting atop the counter. "And as we do, why don't you tell me a bit about yourself Hesperance."
The ghost eyes him warily. "For what reason do you want to know?"
"Because you live in my home." Nikola replies bluntly. "Do I need any other?" then, tapping his staff gently against the ground to reactivate the wards, Nikola steps out of the shop and into cool, but humid afternoon of London. Glancing back, he sees Hesperance hesitate for a moment before following after.
The ghost looks around the street warily, a brief look of disgust flitting across her features before she controls it back to a careful, neutral expression. Then she looks at Nikola, nodding and floating after him as he begins to walk. "I would trade with you equally then sir."
Nikola smiles. "What do you wish to know?"
Worldbuilding nonsense, and some plot points for the future.
Choose up to two. This is plan, not popularity.
[] [How did you learn Necromancy?]
Some people say the strongest magic is love. Actually it involves the soul of an innocent.
[] [You are a foreigner, what is your home like?]
Judged from the moment of birth. Fighting others for your position. A moment of weakness.
[] [Are you alone here?]
A family lied to. Enchanted. Trapped. A kind figure cruel.
[] [Why help me?]
An unfortunate face. A lifetime of guilt. A plea ignored.
—
Auction and Greyback next chapter.
- Location
- Texas
Well. That was damn brutal. And effective!
I mean, at the point one's already dead, you're already an accessory to murder, might as well clean up. Assuming of course that the ministry even considers killings hags to BE murder.
Morrigan will be delighted!
I get the feeling she might get a little clingy from touch starvation after this.
[X] [Are you alone here?]
A family lied to. Enchanted. Trapped. A kind figure cruel.
[X] [Why help me?]
An unfortunate face. A lifetime of guilt. A plea ignored.
All four options seem to feature regrets of the past, but these ones seem the most curious to me.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] [Are you alone here?]
A family lied to. Enchanted. Trapped. A kind figure cruel.
[X] [Why help me?]
An unfortunate face. A lifetime of guilt. A plea ignored.
These are personal questions that, in my view, seem the most likely to allow for a closer relationship to form between them both. They also seem to show the glimpses of Nikola's past that I find the most interesting to learn more of and of how they may have shaped his actions and principles.
A family lied to. Enchanted. Trapped. A kind figure cruel.
[X] [Why help me?]
An unfortunate face. A lifetime of guilt. A plea ignored.
These are personal questions that, in my view, seem the most likely to allow for a closer relationship to form between them both. They also seem to show the glimpses of Nikola's past that I find the most interesting to learn more of and of how they may have shaped his actions and principles.
- Location
- United States
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] [How did you learn Necromancy?]
[X] [Are you alone here?]
[X] [Are you alone here?]
- Location
- Planet Earth
Mmm, evil evil little vote there, I want all the backstory dammit! If I need to pick a specific two though, hmm, I think the following two are most fitting for Hesperance to ask here and now.
[X] Most Fitting Of Curiosities
-[X] [How did you learn Necromancy?]
Some people say the strongest magic is love. Actually it involves the soul of an innocent.
-[X] [Why help me?]
An unfortunate face. A lifetime of guilt. A plea ignored.
[X] Most Fitting Of Curiosities
-[X] [How did you learn Necromancy?]
Some people say the strongest magic is love. Actually it involves the soul of an innocent.
-[X] [Why help me?]
An unfortunate face. A lifetime of guilt. A plea ignored.
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[X] [Are you alone here?]
[X] [Why help me?]
[X] [Why help me?]
[X] [Are you alone here?]
[X] [Why help me?]
[X] [Why help me?]
Erien
God's Weakest Soldier
- Location
- Georgia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I do my best!
[X] [How did you learn Necromancy?]
Some people say the strongest magic is love. Actually it involves the soul of an innocent.
[X] [Why help me?]
An unfortunate face. A lifetime of guilt. A plea ignored.
Some people say the strongest magic is love. Actually it involves the soul of an innocent.
[X] [Why help me?]
An unfortunate face. A lifetime of guilt. A plea ignored.
- Location
- Who knows?
[X] [Are you alone here?]
Look they've been mentioned enough I really wanna know. And don't you think i missed you aidestelpung the Trimsy backstory!
Look they've been mentioned enough I really wanna know. And don't you think i missed you aidestelpung the Trimsy backstory!
- Location
- Texas
Holy crap that'd be terrifying to see. In the fight he seems to shrug off everything thrown at him, but the way he just turned the crime scene into just nothing is as impressive as it is intimidating as all hell.
Goodness he's fun!
[X] [How did you learn Necromancy?]
[X] [Are you alone here?]
The dude is all about the familia, so dammit I wanna finally hear about them!
Erien
God's Weakest Soldier
- Location
- Georgia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
The goblin mystery shall continue.
Thank you!
