For the Time Being (Cian)

[Kestrel Olander]

Kestrel paced the courtyard restlessly. She truly regretted entering the competition, but in her defence she hadn't thought it likely that she would be chosen. Yet she was and she wasn't the least bit prepared. "This was a mistake," she murmured to herself. The root of her worries was the Gryffindor champion. She had heard the rumours of the fight in the Great Hall; and even before that at that party the week before they were chosen as champions. She had seen how he had reacted, seen the almost feral look in his eyes. She had no desire to be in a tournament with someone who was not mentally stable. There was no telling what he would do in that state, especially in a tournament where they could end up killing each other. The clocks ticking broke through her thoughts and she whirled around with her wand out, casting a non-verbal Immobulus. "Damned thing," she muttered softly in annoyance.

[Cian Dawson]

Me, a tournament champion... Father will be so proud! Cian was just getting some fresh air when he heard a voice he thought he recognized. He silently made his way down the Clock-Tower Courtyard and spotted the Araneae champion, Kestrel. She seemed slightly in distress as she paced. When she suddenly cast a spell pointed in his direction, he quickly cast Protego to shield him from the spell, whatever it was. The spell bounced off his shield and vanished into the air. "A wee bit jumpy are we, Lassy?" he asked stepping out from the shadows.

[Kestrel Olander]

Kestrel turned her head slightly in the direction the voice originated from. She was greeted by the sight of the Emperor, Cian. "The clock was grating on my nerves," she said simply, already composing herself into the picture of calm. "I'm sorry if my spell was headed for you," and truly she was. She wasn't aiming, she simply wanted the thing to be quiet. With said quiet now achieved, her mind was able to start forming an idea. "You are a first year too, no?"

[Cian Dawson]

Cian looked up at the clock and noticed that he must have only gotten a small portion of the spell as the clock has stopped ticking, and running all together. "It's quite alright. I got my shield up in time," he said smirking. At Kestrel's question, he nodded, "Aye, I'm a first year, as well. Forgive me, I'm not sure that we have been formally introduced. I'm Cian." He held out his hand in a gentleman's gesture to the Araneae.

[Kestrel Olander]

"Kestrel," she said taking his hand and releasing it a moment later. "Exciting isn't it?" She took a seat on a nearby bench and politely patted the space beside her. "Being chosen during our first year. I don't think many get the opportunity." Her voice was soft and airy; too lax to be as excited as her question proposed. She didn't feel the need to rush what was on her mind yet at the same time, she wanted to blurt it out.

[Cian Dawson]

"Pleasure," he said as Kestrel introduced herself and quickly let his hand go. He nodded as he sat next to her on the bench. "Honestly, I didn't see myself getting chosen for that reason. But, the cup picks who it does and only it knows why," he said. She didn't sound excited at all even though her words said she was. Cian could not only hear it in her voice, but he could see it in her body language. Cian set his ankle on the opposite knee and crossed his arms across his chest. "But, it is rather interesting that such a mix was chosen to compete," he added, taking a deep breath of the fresh air.

[Kestrel Olander]

"We are an odd bunch. Why do you think it chose you?" She asked truly interested. It was true that no one knew why it picked who it did and she herself wondered how it did. Though of course she would never know. What did it see in you? What potential do you hold?" Kestrel wasn't entirely focused as she asked these questions. When she realised she was spouting the first things on her mind, she promptly shut her mouth and moved back; having leaned toward Cian slightly as she spoke. "Forgive me," she said, a small bit of colour dusting her cheeks.

[Cian Dawson]

Cian smiled at the girl as she colored slightly and leaned away after the long string of questions. "No need to be sorry, Lassy. It's quite alright," he said, he accent touching his words. "As for why I think it picked me.... Well, maybe because I'm good at strategy and dreadfully patient," Cian let out a small chuckle. "My father taught me. We play chess the Muggle way to help with both of those skills," he added linking his hands behind his head. He turned his brown eyes on Kestrel, "Why do you think it picked you?"

[Kestrel Olander]

"Muggle chess? I guess that would be a good way to strengthen the mind," a small smile graced her lips. She took a moment to think. In the end she shook her head. "I don't know honestly. I have a good handle on my emotions most days." Not counting today, she thought. "But that's about it. Not very useful," she laughed softly.

[Cian Dawson]

Cian's crooked smile spread across his face at seeing her smile. At hearing her opinion about herself, Cian shifted so his side was against the back of the bench. He put one elbow on the back of the bench and propped his head up with the back of that hand. "I don't think that is not useful. Keeping control of your emotions allows you to keep focus when others might break down. It's a good skill to have," he said. "Also, I bet there is more to you than you think. You just can't see it since you live with yourself," he added.

[Kestrel Olander]

"I hadn't thought of it that way before." She turned her gaze to her lap. It was a nice thought to have; perhaps there was something she couldn't see but she ha the sneaking suspicion she wouldn't have long to find it. "I have something I need to ask you." Kestrel acted on her earlier thoughts. "It's about the tournament."She stopped there a bit hesitant. She wasn't used to relying on another but she felt he needed the help and she would ask for it.

[Cian Dawson]

Cian raised her eyebrows and smiled a little, as if to say see, something to think about. When she said she needed to ask something him something dealing with the tournament, he linked his fingers in front of him, still with one elbow on the back of the bench. "Well, go ahead, Lassy," he said when she seemed to hesitate in asking.

[Kestrel Olander]

"I...I want to form an alliance." After those first words, the rest became easy. "It occured to me that they might do the same if they haven't already. I do not care much for glory, but I want our school to take the victory. Which ever one of us that wins it," she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "At least they won't." 'They' referred mostly to the Gryffindor champion. She didn't think he deserved such a thing, he seemed...twisted. Kestrel glanced up at Cian once more. She wasn't sure if she was wrong to ask and she wouldn't be surprised if he refused; but she felt the need to try.

[Cian Dawson]

Cian's face showed a small amount of shock, but nothing too serious. He hadn't been expecting that particular kind of question, but then again, maybe he should have. He straightened himself to a proper sitting position and placed both elbows on his knees and touched his fingertips together, thinking. An alliance might prove wise in this case, and a win for their school would was something grand, indeed. If he was honest with himself, he knew that the Gryffindor champion was one tough bugger, but that Hufflepuff was nothing to mess with either. After thinking it over, her turned his brown eyes on Kestrel. "What will our alliance entail, Kestrel?" he asked. He needed to know what she was thinking so he could make a calculated decision on the matter.

[Kestrel Olander]

He hadn't rejected her. She was able to relax slightly. Kestrel was silent for some time; she hadn't thought that far ahead. Afterall, it was a last minute decision. "There is not much I'm expecting. I just want your help to keep them apart and to keep each other safe; well as safe as one gets in a tournament like this. It will be harder to win if one of us is indisposed. We can't let it get to a point where it is two of them against one of us. Of course I don't expect to focus entirely on them. It is a tournament after all and I wonder how I would fair against you," she smiled lightly before her face fell back into a serious state. "Although we can't guarantee that every task will be a free for all; even though that would be ideal in helping each other. There could very well be solo tasks where we all get the same thing right after the other. If that is the case, then best of luck to you on your task," she said sincerely. Kestrel looked up at Cian nervously, letting her insecurities break through. "I'm unsure if that was clear or if there is something I am forgetting. I didn't intend to propose this at first," she said softly. "I am not the best at this." She bit her lip lightly and fisted her hands in her skirt.

[Cian Dawson]

Cian listened intently to Kestrel's proposal of their alliance. When he saw her nerves get the better of her, he reached out and put his hand over hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I think your plan is a good one, Lassy. While I don't know what the challenges are or how they will be run, I think if we can help each other, even a little against the other, that will be enough. Granted, like you said, this is a tournament and nothing is for 100% certain. But, I think that we might be able to help each other a bit," he answered her evenly. He could tell that she was uncertain about the tournament and what they might be up against, but that was a risk she took in putting her name in the cup. "It will be alright..." he said trying to reassure her. "If you are alright with what little we might be able to aid each other either in safety or numbers, then I will take your offer," he said finally with a half smile, his brown eyes holding the seriousness of the matter solid.

[Kestrel Olander]

"Thank you," she breathed. She let her head lean back on the bench until she was staring up at the sky. She heaved a heavy sigh. "I've never been so nervous in my life. Not since our first day when the headmistress held that sword to my neck," she laughed. She didn't care to let her emotions show around Cian anymore. He had already seen more than she had cared to show before. She turned her head towards him. "I think it would be best if we knew what the other specialised in, what we're weak at. I am not exactly keen on divulging my weaknesses but it would benefit us."

[Cian Dawson]

Cian let out a light laugh at the memory of all of them being sorted. He was slightly nervous as well when the Headmistress added a cut to his neck, too. When she asked about strengths and weaknesses, he sat back and thought for a while. "Well, I know that I'm highly observant. Let me show you, there is a statue at the far end of the courtyard. See it? I've only been here this one time and never explored the area. Plus, I've only ever glanced at that satute. But, I can tell you that the statue is of a witch holding a raven and is surrounded by white and blue flowers. It's a favorite among students who wish to, how do I say it, get away from it all with their special someone. You can tell by the way the stone is smoother at the feet of the witch. That is where people frequently sit," he smiled as he finished his description, and then pointed in the direction of the statue. "See?" he asked.

[Kestrel Olander]

At his words, Kestrel peered at the statue until she saw the smooth surface he had mentioned. She never would have caught that; never would have even thought to look. She glanced back at him curiously. "That is interesting; being able to tell all of that by simple details. I'm going to have be careful around you, Cian." She said lightly.

[Cian Dawson]

Cian smirked at Kestrel. Her last comment showed she was wiser than she let on. "I already told you about my other two strengths: patience and strategy. All three of them together, and well... You can imagine what that allows one to be able to do," he said evenly, a glint of his cunning darkness flitting across his brown eyes. "Now, as for weaknesses," he said crossing his arms across his chest, "I know that I care, deeply, about anyone who I get close to." He glanced downwards, biting his bottom lip slightly, "To the point that I may even give my life for theirs." It was this weakness he wasn't fond of, given his strengths, but it was something unique about him. "Fiercely Loyal, my mother calls it," he added looking at her. He took a deep breath and let it out through his nose. "What about you, Kestrel? Strengths and weaknesses?" he asked, evenly. It wasn't like him to talk about these things with anyone, really. He felt slightly uneasy with it, but he knew for the sake of their new forming alliance, it needed to be done.

[Kestrel Olander]

"Being able to care for someone like that may have it's advantages. I don't know what they are but everything has both it's pros and cons. At least I think so." He breathed out and she smiled gently. It seemed this was as hard for him as it was for her. She turned so her back was on the arm rail and she was facing him. "My strengths," she murmured, her face scrunched up in thought. "I suppose my strength lies more in my reflexes in duelling. I'm quick to counter and dodge." She crossed her arms and took a moment to to think. "My weakness," she started slowly. "Is my emotions I guess. I can't bring myself to raise my wand at someone, not to attack them anyway. Hence why I dodge and counter." She shook her head. "I've tried before trust me, I just can't do it. No, I'm lying. I've attacked someone before but that was different; I couldn't control myself." Kestrel didn't plan on elaborating. It wasn't an incident she wanted to remember.

[Cian Dawson]

Cian was a little surprised that this girl, a fellow WolfClaw couldn't attack another. He wondered if it came down to it if she would be able to. When it really mattered... "Kestrel, what happens if you have at attack? What if defense isn't enough?" he asked. He didn't want her to feel bad, but he wanted to her think about what if she was faced with that situation. It was possible that such a moment could arise in the tournament. "Countering and dodging are great skills to have, though. Quick on your feet and quick thinking," he said thinking.

[Kestrel Olander]

Kestrel opened her mouth to speak but when nothing came out, she shut it. This happened several times before she was able to organise her thoughts. "I would like to believe that when the time comes I will be able to. I don't think the goblet wouldn't have chose me if I couldn't. Wouldn't be a very exciting match right?" She joked. At least she hoped it wouldn't have. "I doubt I'll make the first move though."

[Cian Dawson]

"Not making the first move isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as you can see several potential moves and plan what you would do based on what move your opponent makes," Cian said with a small smile. he believed that she was perfectly capable of making the first move if she needed to. "The goblet saw something in you that you might not be able to see yourself. I don't believe that it would have picked you if you didn't have the skills needed to perform in the tournament," he said putting his head back, looking up as the passing clouds.

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