Treasure Hunt - Stephanie Richardson

Posts : 1364 Join date : 2015-12-20

25a
You decide to use Incendio to try to move the ball of twine and interwound branches from your path. You raise your wand and perform the spell. You watch as the spell hits the ball, engulfing it in flames. Slowly, but surely, the ball starts to shrink in size as the twine and branches burn from the spell. You are held up momentarily whilst you wait for the ball to be reduced to ashes.

With the path before you now clear, you make your way out towards the exit of the forest and find yourself at the paddock.

You find yourself faced with a Centaur.

The Centaur considers you for a moment, but they have a far off look in their eyes, as if considering some other worldly ideologies. A few more moments pass, before the Centaur’s attention finally makes it’s way to you. “The planets’ alignment is almost complete,” the Centaur says in a far off voice. “Upon such a time, it is unknown of what consequences you may face…

“Who are you really? Describe yourself without using your name, or any attributes given to you by society and really think. Deep down, who are you?” the Centaur adds, not really making any connection to their earlier words. Sense, though, was never truly something that Centaurs ever made.

a) Answer the question in order to continue.

Guest

If there was one thing that she was good at, it was magic. With no doubt at all that her spell would work, Stephanie casted it and watched in satisfaction and pride as the ball went up in flames. It took a while for it to dissolve to ashes but it was eventually gone, freeing up the path before her. Carefully so that she would get as little of the ash on her as possible, Stephanie stepped over the pile of ash before continuing down to the paddock.

Right in front of her was a Centaur. It was so unexpected that Stephanie caught a breathe in her throat before recovering her senses quickly and giving it one of her practiced smiles. He spoke of planet alignment and consequences, both of which Stephanie didn't know what to make sense of. Then he seemed to interrupt himself, posing a question to her.

"I'm Ste-" she began before cutting herself off. It had been such an automatic reaction to say her name. But the Centaur had said to not use her name or anything society defined her as. That meant she couldn't even say that she was a Pureblood. She parted her lips slightly to speak again but closed them when she didn't know what to say. Who am I? She was Stephanie Richardson, that's who she was. But who was she beyond some letters stringed together, beyond the sounds people made to get her attention? Because that's all a name really was, just sounds people made and tagged on you.

Clearing her throat in the most lady-like manner, she tried to answer the question. "I'm an independent girl, someone good at Potions and magic. I had ambitions and goals, but now they've changed a little and I'm making new ones." She paused to think a little before continuing. "I know how to behave in society and am often admired by many, though I've just found out recently that the reason for that might not be what I thought it was. I'm someone who doesn't give up, even if the going gets tough. I stick it out and I come out on top in the end." She stopped to take a breath. "That said, I'm still trying to find out who I really am and what I'm capable of. I think one's identity is a journey, and not something that can be summarised in a few sentences. We discover something new about ourselves every day and every time we face a challenge."

Throughout the length of her speech, she kept her head high, her pride shining in her eyes. She may not fully know yet who she truly was beyond her name, but she would find out.

Posts : 1364 Join date : 2015-12-20

26
The Centaur seems to have been (half) listening to your answer that you gave, but their eyes were not completely focused on you. Whether your answer was to the question was satisfactory or not for the Centaur, you will never know, for they do not acknowledge you in the slightest once you are finished with your answer.

Instead, the Centaur merely raises their arm, pointing to the Quidditch Pitch which can only just be seen off in the distance. With that, they turn and trot off, almost tripping over a rock in the process as they mutter to themselves about the planets, and the impending alignment.

With no further instructions, you decide to follow the ‘clue’ that the Centaur has given you. On route, however, you notice something glimmering in the sun, catching your eye as you move close.

What do you do?

a) Keep heading straight towards the Quidditch Pitch.
b) Move towards the glimmering object, and investigate.

(OOC: At the end of your post, please make your choice clear by writing it in another colour, or bolded.)

Guest

Stephanie watched the Centaur closely after she gave her answer, waiting to see if it as acceptable. It couldn't be wrong, right? There was no correct answer to this kind of question. And who was the Centaur to know who she really was? Even if she she told a completely lie, the Centaur wouldn't know her from any other Fourth Year Slytherin Blonde.

When he pointed to the Quidditch Pitch, Stephanie briefly glanced in that direction before returning her gaze to the Centaur - thinking that he might say something in addition to his action - only to see him turn around and clumsily trot off. That was weird, but nobody knew what Centaurs were thinking half the time. Shrugging, Stephanie headed in the direction the Centaur had pointed.

It was going to be a relatively long walk to the Quidditch Pitch and she sighed a little. Her legs were already aching from the day's efforts and all she wanted to do was take a shower, wash off the muck that was on her, and collapse in her bed. But her determination to finish this thing won out and she put one leg in front of the other albeit slowly.

As she walked, something shiny caught her eye and she paused. Should she go straight on to the Quidditch Pitch or go and see what it was? If she went straight on, she would be obeying the Centaur and it would probably bring less trouble than veering off the path to satisfy her curiosity. But she needed to know what it was. The worst thing it could be was another obstacle she had to overcome.

b) Move towards the glimmering object, and investigate.

Posts : 1364 Join date : 2015-12-20

28
The glimmering object proves to be too much temptation and you decide to make a quick detour to go and see what it is. A short walk away is a mirror. With a golden frame that look to be old and dusty, it stands in the middle of the field. Nobody else is around it or in sight, and you move closer to examine the old mirror. What is it doing there? You don’t know, but it seems to be inviting you closer, and you move forward.

There is an inscription on the top of it that reads ‘erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru on wohsi’ and nothing more. You stare at it for a while, trying to puzzle out the meaning. The mirror beckons you closer and, almost subconsciously, you obey, stepping over so you are right in front of it.

You peer into the mirror and see yourself -- but hang on, it’s not just you. There’s something else as well.

a) Describe what your character sees in the Mirror of Erised. Whether your character realises this is the Mirror of Erised or not is up to you.

Guest

Her mind made up, Stephanie headed towards the whatever it was that was shining. Nearing the place, she saw that it was a mirror, and from the looks of it, and expensive one. The frame was gold and if polished, Stephanie was sure that it would shine. What puzzled her was why a mirror was in the middle of nowhere. There didn't seem to be anybody around to explain that so she looked closer. Perhaps there would be a clue of sorts?

She looked closer and made out words. The moment she read them, she knew that she was looking at the Mirror of Erised. She had heard about the mirror and knew that it would show her the deepest desires of her heart. Would it be wrong to look into it? She had thought that she knew what she'd always wanted - popularity, fame, wealth, status. But since her conversation with Toryn, she wasn't sure any more.

Taking a deep breath, Stephanie stepped up to the mirror and looked at her reflection. At first, all she could see was her long wavy hair, her blue eyes, and her trim figure. But as she kept her gaze on the glass, her reflection began to morph. There she was, the same figure, the same eyes, the same hair. But she was laughing, looking happier than she'd ever been before as she talked with Muggles and Muggleborns. Toryn was there too, to her surprise. She looked free, free from the restraints of her name and blood status, free to be who and what she wanted to be.

Posts : 1364 Join date : 2015-12-20

29
You realise that you have been spending quite some time staring at the reflection of you. How much time has passed you are not sure, but you do know it has been a while, and you force yourself to turn away from the mirror and head over to the Quidditch Pitch.

It’s large, but as you glance around you realise that both the pitch and the stands are empty except for a broom and a chest in the middle of the pitch.

After noticing the empty stadium, you notice the sound of wings above you. Looking up, you notice that there are keys -- with wings -- flying around. You can’t really tell from where you are standing which key could possibly fit the lock, but you can see that there is a lock on the chest.

There are no instructions awaiting you on this task.

What do you do?

a) Get on the broom and try to catch one of the keys.
b) Go to the chest and try to open it.

(OOC#1: You can use a broom that is limited to how high it can fly if your character is not a good flier, but unless stated in your post, it would be assumed the broom has no limitations.)

(OOC#2: At the end of your post, please make your choice clear by writing it in another colour, or bolded.)

Guest

As she watched herself in the mirror, a tear slid down her cheek and Stephanie hurriedly wiped it away. She couldn't help it; she just looked so...happy, happier than she'd ever been at balls and shopping sprees. The mirror couldn't like, could it? This was what she truly wanted, deep down in the recesses of her soul. Perhaps it was time to follow that.

With difficulty, Stephanie tore her eyes away from the mirror, but her thoughts never left what she had seen. As her feet took her to the Quidditch Pitch, her mind stayed with that revelation, mulling over it and going through a hundred "what ifs".

A glance up told her that she'd reached her destination, but the only thing worth noticing was a broom and chest accompanied by the sound of wings. She turned her eyes to the sky, seeing flying keys. She knew better than to assume that one of the keys fit the lock. The chest might not even need a key and she could always try Alohomora like she did with that first chest. That would certainly be quicker than flying up to catch one of those keys.

Taking out her wand, Stephanie stepped closer to the chest.

b) Go to the chest and try to open it.

Posts : 1364 Join date : 2015-12-20

33
Deciding to forgo the keys and flying, you make your way over to the chest. It is fairly old, but the lock on the front looks odd. Closer examination proves it to be a false lock, and as you go to touch it, it springs open before you! The chest is now open, and you move forward to get a look at what is inside. Inside is a rolled up scroll and a small velvet bag, drawstring pulled shut.

Picking up the scroll first, you unroll it and two small squares fall to the ground. You ignore them to read the message:

Congratulations! You have completed the treasure hunt. Enclosed are two vouchers, one for Honeydukes and the other for Flourish & Blotts. In the bag you will also find some treats as your prize.

You pick up the vouchers and the velvet bag and start back to the castle.

CONGRATULATIONS ON FINISHING! We hope that you have enjoyed the treasure hunt. Feel free to let us know what you thought of it. Smile

<3 Sincerely, The HaB Admins.

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