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Angie · 05-22-2017, 03:24 AM

Focused as he was on pushing through the thickness of the fog, it took Levi a few minutes to notice that something, outside being technically alone in the dark forest, was amiss. Though nerves were possibly still part of the equation, there was something acute to the way the back of his neck prickled. He stopped on his tracks, the crunching caused by his feet stepping on twigs and branches and fall leaves stopping at once. It gave a sense of finality to what felt only like the beginning of something slightly sinister; it was eerie. And for the first time, at last, he was able to give a name to the realization that brushed the edges of his mind long enough for it to take full shape: He was being followed.

At the very least, someone was watching him, and they were close. They didn't have to be breathing down his neck for the boy to know as much; he knew his body and he knew his senses well enough to know the goosebumps he felt dancing on the lines of his skin were not a lie. Mercifully, self-awareness and acceptance of his current situation remained key.

Levi held himself still, focused on the sound of his own breathing and ignored the way shadows seemed to lurk at every corner. It was an exercise in which he spent almost two potentially precious minutes, one that allowed him to fool his heart into slowing down to a beat that was almost normal. He turned his head to the left, at first a fraction, and then enough for him to be able to look over his shoulder without having to turn around and lose the advantages of his peripheral vision. But there was nothing; only dust and shadows and fog and darkness.

Though the silence that surrounded him hadn't gone unnoticed, the severity of it did not become a factor until it was gone. The scream that broke into the night made him jump and the intensity of his bluebell flames decreased significantly. By the time the second scream slashed the air, Levi dismissed the now tenuous flames and cast lumos instead. Before his mind could fully consider his options, his feet moved, quickly and on their own accord, an automatic response to what was an unquestionable call for help.

But the fog wasn't getting any thinner, and the further he pushed into the forest, the absence of warmth that came with the now defunct fire became more pointed. By step nineteen, the boy slowed down, and when he reached twenty-five, he stopped, completely. Levi could not tell if it was his own breath he was seeing or the fog itself clinging to his very frame. It was irritating and confusing enough to sharpen him back into focus and grant him the clarity that in his haste of finding the source of the screams, he'd lost.

The screams had sounded human--more than that, he'd felt they were human. But feelings could be blinding and there were plenty of ways one could disguise their voice. Deception in a forest like this wouldn't be unheard of; probably, it was more like a prerequisite of sorts, if you will. A new Erkling species? Vampire? Banshee? Though a banshee's shriek was meant to be deadly and he'd yet to drop dead. A comforting thought, no doubt. Perhaps it required closer proximity? Levi craned his head around, assessing his surroundings again, ignoring the way the cold seemed to be slowly, but surely, getting through his layers of clothing.

Subtlety was an option. But what was subtlety in a place like this? If he was being followed and could not spot anyone--or anything--doing so, pretending like he could catch anything unaware was just silly. Besides, the fog wasn't letting up and visibility would be welcome for a change.

He was a Gryffindor. He could make an entrance--or in this case, at the very least, he could make himself known and seen. Not necessarily a punch first and ask questions later situation, here; but close enough that whatever it was that was making the sound or causing it would have to know he was coming. His mother was raised a polite boy, after all; it only made sense that he send them a fair warning of his imminent arrival.

"Ventus!"

If the fog was natural, it would move, at least long enough for him to be able to get a good look at what lay ahead. If it was man made it would not--and if it was man made... well, that was just one clue he didn't have at the moment but would then and would deal with it accordingly.

One incantation later, Levi held the bluebell flames on the palm of his left hand again, shot a quick look over his shoulder and tentatively began pushing forward, again.

05-22-2017, 03:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Angie DoM Veela Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Themyscira Posts: 37,610 Hogwarts RPG Name: Nerissa M. Tate Sixth Year x8	Wowza! Focused as he was on pushing through the thickness of the fog, it took Levi a few minutes to notice that something, outside being technically alone in the dark forest, was amiss. Though nerves were possibly still part of the equation, there was something acute to the way the back of his neck prickled. He stopped on his tracks, the crunching caused by his feet stepping on twigs and branches and fall leaves stopping at once. It gave a sense of finality to what felt only like the beginning of something slightly sinister; it was eerie. And for the first time, at last, he was able to give a name to the realization that brushed the edges of his mind long enough for it to take full shape: He was being followed. At the very least, someone was watching him, and they were close. They didn't have to be breathing down his neck for the boy to know as much; he knew his body and he knew his senses well enough to know the goosebumps he felt dancing on the lines of his skin were not a lie. Mercifully, self-awareness and acceptance of his current situation remained key. Levi held himself still, focused on the sound of his own breathing and ignored the way shadows seemed to lurk at every corner. It was an exercise in which he spent almost two potentially precious minutes, one that allowed him to fool his heart into slowing down to a beat that was almost normal. He turned his head to the left, at first a fraction, and then enough for him to be able to look over his shoulder without having to turn around and lose the advantages of his peripheral vision. But there was nothing; only dust and shadows and fog and darkness. Though the silence that surrounded him hadn't gone unnoticed, the severity of it did not become a factor until it was gone. The scream that broke into the night made him jump and the intensity of his bluebell flames decreased significantly. By the time the second scream slashed the air, Levi dismissed the now tenuous flames and cast lumos instead. Before his mind could fully consider his options, his feet moved, quickly and on their own accord, an automatic response to what was an unquestionable call for help. But the fog wasn't getting any thinner, and the further he pushed into the forest, the absence of warmth that came with the now defunct fire became more pointed. By step nineteen, the boy slowed down, and when he reached twenty-five, he stopped, completely. Levi could not tell if it was his own breath he was seeing or the fog itself clinging to his very frame. It was irritating and confusing enough to sharpen him back into focus and grant him the clarity that in his haste of finding the source of the screams, he'd lost. The screams had sounded human--more than that, he'd felt they were human. But feelings could be blinding and there were plenty of ways one could disguise their voice. Deception in a forest like this wouldn't be unheard of; probably, it was more like a prerequisite of sorts, if you will. A new Erkling species? Vampire? Banshee? Though a banshee's shriek was meant to be deadly and he'd yet to drop dead. A comforting thought, no doubt. Perhaps it required closer proximity? Levi craned his head around, assessing his surroundings again, ignoring the way the cold seemed to be slowly, but surely, getting through his layers of clothing. Subtlety was an option. But what was subtlety in a place like this? If he was being followed and could not spot anyone--or anything--doing so, pretending like he could catch anything unaware was just silly. Besides, the fog wasn't letting up and visibility would be welcome for a change. He was a Gryffindor. He could make an entrance--or in this case, at the very least, he could make himself known and seen. Not necessarily a punch first and ask questions later situation, here; but close enough that whatever it was that was making the sound or causing it would have to know he was coming. His mother was raised a polite boy, after all; it only made sense that he send them a fair warning of his imminent arrival. *"Ventus!"* If the fog was natural, it would move, at least long enough for him to be able to get a good look at what lay ahead. If it was man made it would not--and if it was man made... well, that was just one clue he didn't have at the moment but would then and would deal with it accordingly. One incantation later, Levi held the bluebell flames on the palm of his left hand again, shot a quick look over his shoulder and tentatively began pushing forward, again. __________________