Treasure Hunt - Sophie Heart

Posts : 1363 Join date : 2015-12-20

19a
You pick fire and walk down the right path. The trees start to thicken as you walk further down, and soon the leaves and branches form a canopy above you, blocking the sun. Still you press on forward, trudging through the path. It is eerily quiet, with only the rare insect chirping, but you don’t let that deter you as you keep going.

Finally, up ahead, you see a clearing; rays of light break through and light up your path, and you hurry forward to the clearing. To the left is a small hut, seemingly abandoned. It is old, windowpanes missing the glass, cobwebs covering parts of the wood. You head towards it and find the door is open. You enter and find a single chair in the middle of the room.

In it sits a house elf. He looks at you and smiles. “Some people say fire is destructive, but it isn’t always true. To the phoenix, it is life. It also represents passion, and without passion people are alive but aren’t living; there is no life.” He seems to be repeating something memoried. “Answer this question honestly to get your next clue: why do you fear?”

a) Answer the question in order to continue.

(OOC: You may use the House Elf in your post to reply to your character if you wish. They can have a deep conversation if you want them to.)

Guest

With Phoenix on her mind, Sophie made her way down the path, noticing as she walked that the trees were growing closer together, getting more dense. Soon enough, they began to form a canopy overhead, making it darker for her, but she wasn't concerned. Instead, she enjoyed it, tilting her head up to take in the sight of the trees above and wishing that Phoenix was with her.

Since she'd been on numerous rides through the forest, Sophie had come to expect to see and hear certain things. But as she walked, she realised that there was no sound at all in this forest. Well, a few insects made their noises, but there were no birds or rustling leaves or sounds of other animals. Curious, Sophie sped up her pace, finally reaching a clearing.

Looking around, she spotted a hut but with no sign of anyone living there. A closer look told her that no one had come here in a long time, evidenced by the amount of cobwebs and the decrepit condition of the place. Since there was nothing else there, Sophie figured that she would have a look inside. Perhaps there would be a clue of sorts in there.

To her surprise, the door was open, revealing a house elf sitting on a chair. He began speaking and Sophie smiled when he mentioned the phoenix; it was the very reason - sort of - that she had chosen the fire path. His question though, took her off guard.

"Why do I fear?" she repeated. "But I don't fear." She paused, her eyebrows furrowing a little. "At least not in the sense of being afraid or scared of something. I mean, if I were to live life in fear, I'd never be able to do the trick riding that I do or go on the adventures I've gone, or take the risks I've taken."

She paused again, thinking a little. Sophie wasn't a particularly deep thinker or inclined to be philosophical and so she took her time, playing around with the concept.

"There was that one time where I was a bit fearful," she continued, "but not like how some people are fearful. It was when Phoenix was taken away. I wasn't fearful so much as angry, but I feared because I cared about him and I worried what would happen to him. I was scared that I'd never get him back." She paused again, taking a breath. "So I think I fear because I care about something or someone and don't want bad stuff to happen to them. Actually, that explains a lot why Grampa and Gramma are always worried about me when I try out new stunts. They're scared I get hurt." That last part was a bit off topic but Sophie thought she did a good job answering the question.

Posts : 1363 Join date : 2015-12-20

22
The House Elf nods at your answer, seemingly satisfied with the explanation you’ve given him. He smiles at you. “Make your way out of the forest and over to the Care of Magical creatures paddock.” He says nothing more and you leave the shack behind. There is a path behind it with a sign indicating it is the exit and you follow it. It’s not as scary as the other one, with light from above guiding your way. However, the trees beside you are close together and thick, with hardly any gaps between them.

Suddenly, up ahead, you notice something blocking your path. A giant boulder is in the way! Upon closer inspection, it seems to be made of twine and interwound branches. It’s huge and in the middle of the path, so you can’t walk around it. The trees are too thick for you to be able to enter into the forest and find another path. It seems the only way to get rid of the giant ball is by magic.

What spell do you use?

a) Wingardium Leviosa
b) Flipendo
c) Incendio

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

Guest

As the House Elf nodded, Sophie smiled, glad that he hadn't lost himself in her sea of words. She actually didn't really talk all that much unless she was talking about Phoenix and horses in general. On that particular topic, she could talk for ages and ages. When he instructed her to go on to the Care of Magical creatures paddock, her smile broadened. It was one of her favourite places in the whole castle.

Thanking the House Elf, she left the small house and followed the sign, keeping to the path and wondering what she would encounter next. She loved everything she went through before, her thirst for adventure satiated with the day's happenings.

The walk was pleasant and Sophie enjoyed the feeling of freedom being out of doors always brought. Her mood, however, changed when she saw a huge boulder right on her path. Frowning a little, she went closer to see if there was any way around it, realising quickly that there wasn't. If she had Phoenix with her, this wouldn't be a problem as she'd just jump him over the rock as they'd done many times on their trail rides.

There was nothing else to it, she'd have to use her wand. Taking it out, she thought through spells and charms that she could use to get the rock out of her way. A few possibilities crossed her mind and she immediately crossed out the Fire-making spell. Fire in a forest could be disastrous and she wasn't about to be responsible for killing the lives within its boundaries. The knockback jinx could send it rolling to Merlin knew where. It could hurt things in its rolling path of distruction. The Levitation charm seemed the best option.

She moved the wand just as she'd learned in class and said, "Wingardium Leviosa!"

a) Wingardium Leviosa

Posts : 1363 Join date : 2015-12-20

23a
You decide to use Wingdardium Leviosa to move the ball of twine and interwound branches from your path. You raise your wand and perform the spell. The spell hits the ball and you watch as the spell takes effect and the ball of twine is lifted high above you. There is no place for you to put it down, however, and, carefully, you step under it and move the ball behind you before carefully lower it back to the path.

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

Concentration showing on her face, Sophie levitated the obstacle, watching as it ascended high into the air. What now? There was no space on either side of the path to deposite the thing. Doing the only thing she could think of, she walked under it until she came out the other side before lowering it back to its original position.

With a sigh of relief, Sophie continued her way down the path, exiting the forest and locating the paddock easily. Nothing prepared her for the Centaur that was standing there. Her mouth almost dropped open in a rude gape and her eyes almost bugged out of her head. But working with horses had taught her to be in control of her body and she just managed to keep her awe and excitement under wraps.

Centaurs were another type of creature (could they actually be classified as a creature though?) that Sophie found absolutely fascinating. Of course, she knew that she could never treat them like a she would a horse. The Centaur had a human body for its top half and therefore a human brain. She found it weird and captivating at the same time. At least a Hippogriff was still a creature although it was a mix of two kinds.

Stunned into silence, Sophie listened as he talked of planets and consequences, none of which she actually understood. But he stopped himself halfway, abruptly asking her a question that made her frown. She'd never been particularly inclined to philosophical questions or questions that made her think about life and all that stuff. It wasn't that she was shallow. It just never occured to her to think of things like that.

Growing up in school back home, she'd been called all sorts of names: Horse girl, horse face, weirdo, and goody horseshoes to name a few. She was 'honey pie' to Gramma and plain Sophie to Grampa. But who was she besides that? Who did she defined herself as? A thought occured to her. A horse already knows who it is. Do you know who you are?

"I'm a girl who understands horses," she began slowly, taking time to choose her words. "I speak their language, a silent language. I look at my horse and I see my hopes, my dreams, my soul. A mirror shows me a person. My horse shows me myself." She paused then thought that she should add something of her personality. "I'm someone who takes risks and who faces the consequences without fear." She stopped, wondering if that answered the Centaur's question.

Posts : 1363 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

When all she received was a raise of the arm, the Centaur pointing to the Quidditch pitch, Sophie raised her eyebrows a little. All through her speech, she'd noticed that the Centaur wasn't really paying attention to her, but she'd carried on talking anyway. Then he trotted off without a word. Well, that's rude. Someone ought to teach you manners. At least he hadn't told her she'd answered wrongly.

Shaking her head, Sophie walked in the direction the Centaur had pointed, towards the Quidditch Pitch. She'd been there before, even imagining a few jumping courses she could set up on the field. Of course, she never actually did anything because she'd have to get permission. But she'd drawn out a few designs in a notebook in the event she ever got a green light for something like that.

It was an uneventful walk with Sophie not coming across House Elves, Centaurs, or strange obstacles in her path. But as she neared the Pitch, something shiny made her stop in her tracks. She squinted, trying to figure out what it was, but from this distance, she couldn't see clearly. Curiosity took over, and her feet began to move in the direction of what she'd seen.

b) Move towards the glimmering object, and investigate.

Posts : 1363 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

Drawing closer to the thing that caught her eye, Sophie saw that it was a mirror. She was about to shrug and walk away - she really had no use for a mirror - when something about it made her stop and walk closer. Inspecting it, she saw that it was a rather old and seldom used mirror, but it seemed to be an expensive one judging by the gold frame. Why would there be a mirror just standing here?

Glancing around, Sophie saw that she was alone. Looking closer, she saw that ther were words across the top of the mirror. She frowned as she mouthed the words out. That certainly wasn't English. An idea popped into her mind and she tried reading it backwards. ishow no urfac ebu... No, that didn't work either. She felt like she was examining a horse, working out why it wouldn't load, or accept tack, or jump. Except this was with words. She then began tackling each individual word, thinking that the spelling was just scrambled up. She managed to work out 'desire' but got stuck after that. The only other word she could form from stra was rats. Desire rats didn't make much sense.

Dropping her eyes from the text to the mirror, Sophie took another step closer. At first, she just saw her own reflection - the dirty clothes, the messy ponytail, the warm brown eyes. Looking into mirrors wasn't part of her habit; some mornings, she didn't even bother looking into a mirror - horses didn't care what you looked like - but she found herself drawn to this one.

As she stared at her reflection, she noticed something unusual. She was seeing other images. There was a man - a handsome one - smiling at her. Then there was a woman, a lady who Sophie noticed looked a lot like her. And the man had his arm around the woman's body, smiling at her. Then there was herself riding a flying Hippogriff together with a whole herd of the creatures.

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