Equivalent Exchange

Abraxas Salah, twenty nine years old, alchemist, youngest son of the Salah family. 

[serpentsalazar-blog]

OOC -

Just a little thing to say that I will be unavailable to do replies from right now 24/1/2019 to Sunday evening (27/1/2019). 

I’ve got an interview early on Friday, and then I’m going to see some friends of mine from university over the weekend. 

The bad news is that my laptop isn’t coming with so I’ll have to hold off on doing replies until I am home :(

If you guys wanna plot with Sal or Abraxas then hmu, I’m available on Sal’s blog (mobile tumblr) or my discord (discord is usually the best bet tbh). 

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

sgiobalta‌:

“What are you studying so intensely that requires such concentration?” Rowena said in a way she hoped was conversational. She couldn’t help but be a bit nosy about what her students were learning. “I still expect you to join me for divination in the morning,” Rowena warned. She herself should probably get to bed soon in order to be fresh for the early morning class. “I’m sure you have, but you are here to learn and sometimes that requires flexibility.” She said, trying not to be annoyed at the arrogance of someone telling their teacher that they already knew how to study. “I’m afraid I can only offer you another hour in the Library and then you must return to your room.”

“I don’t often take a break from my studies, mainly because there is so much left for me to study, at the moment I’ve got a number of projects. A manuscript I acquired that I am slowly translating, I’m working on a new piece of alchemy that will change not only structure of solids, but the state from solid, to liquid, to gas and back again.” He paused and scratched at his chin before shrugging doing his best to remain casual and keep his projects as secret as he could. He didn’t like to share work with those he didn’t know. “I’ve also got my school work, but I’m already caught up on that of course.” He inclined his head gently in deference and respect to the head of his house. He might not agree with her interference, though he couldn’t blame her curiosity. “Thank you Master Rowena,” he said quietly, “I shall insure I’ve departed the library within the next hour and I will be more than prepared for our divination tomorrow. I’ve been looking forward to the class all week.” 

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

freddyhax‌:

“If you want I could hunt in the forest, winter hunting is much more fun than in the summer, and get you some nice furs. Obviously for a barter or something. I don’t do things for free.” Freddy grew up hunting, foraging and doing so around the forests of Hogwarts was relaxing for her, the twang of a boy or setting of traps. “Then there isn’t much of a difference. I’m smaller than the other people around me, doesn’t make me any less of a people,” she grinned, “therefore, carpet, mat, same potato different color.” Freddy swung her arms behind her head, “I’ve never flown myself, I rode a horse to Hogwarts, I want to learn to fly but I’ve not gotten the chance. I don’t have a broom, or a mat or a winged horse. I think you’ll like the castle, it’s amazing, I’ve never seen anything like it. But then again this is the farthest I’ve ever been from home.”

“I am sure that it is,” Abraxas agreed quietly, “however I don’t need you to go hunting for me, I’ve brought plenty of clothes with me and lots of furs. I’m more than capable of enchanting my clothes to keep more warm.” He paused and shrugged. “There is a difference,” he replied with a laugh, “you are not quite fully grown and therefore aren’t an adult. I am fully grown and therefore an adult. That is exactly the difference. Carpets and matts are both a form of furniture absolutely.” Pausing for a second, he quirked an eyebrow curiously, “You’ve never flown?” he was shocked, “Is that not a class they offer here?”

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

sgiobalta‌:

“Really?” Rowena had not really gotten to know their new student yet. She wondered if he was still used to the Egyptian sun and not the Scottish one. “Mr. Salah, I will let you stay if you wish, but it is past midnight, perhaps it is time to go to bed, I’m sure your books will be there in the morning.” She peered over his shoulder to see what he was reading, “A well-rested mind is far more efficient.” 

“I’d appreciate it if it is not too much trouble, I can even lock everything up after I’m done if you’d like.” He paused and smiled at her, dipping his head in deference to her suggestion. “I appreciate that you believe a well-rested mind is more efficient and I would agree,” considering the fact he’d risen a few hours ago his mind was as well rested as it was going to get, “however I have been studying and have developed methods of studying well before I began attending this school. It might not be conventional, but it is how I get it done.” 

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

frenziedollivander‌:

“I could have, but if you had asked these many questions while we were standing still it might have looked suspicious. This way was more natural.” effective, and more quick. He did end up talking a lot more then he planned to though.

“I understand,” Abraxas agreed. Though he didn’t appreciate the apparent secrecy, he also understood why this stranger thought it was necessary. “I’m Abraxas Salah, I’ve actually just arrived. I don’t know many people, that’s why I went along with this. Didn’t know any better for once I guess.”

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

eleonoraxaltieri‌:

She gave another little snort of amusement before becoming entirely captured by talk of the mysterious manuscript they’d found, become rather excited when he practically confirmed that he’d brought it in his own way. But then she cooed a little at the thought of a cipher, “Ooohh, you know I was wondering— Hogwarts has a rather extensive library here. Perhaps there’s something in there that might help lend a bit of a clue. You’ll have to go over what you’ve found since I left with me, though.”

“I’ve managed to locate a few clues, however the issue is not only finding the relevant clues, but locating them in the relevant texts. Whomever encoded the manuscript really knew what they were doing, this is the first instance which I couldn’t break.” Codes, puzzles and all the other sorts of locks that could be broken with the mind were a challenge that Abraxas could not hope but take on. He felt compelled to do so, to say nothing else. “I could do with some help,” he admitted, “from someone who really understands what I’m trying to do.” 

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

hufflepufftm‌:

“It hasn’t happened to us yet, I would love to meet the person who can be none of those things. But, if this was to happen, I think they would go to my house, or to the house whose traits they most admire.”  but she is quite sure it’s impossible to not be at least one of these things, the person would either have to be the most boring human being on the planet or the most complex one.  “But I think we can fit a hammock into the greenhouse.”

“Are they saying this about the school?” she asked eagerly, curious about what people were saying of the school. “What else are they saying about us?”

“Yes, Rowena Ravenclaw. She is brilliant, you will love her I am sure.”

“It would certainly be quite the character to avoid all of the traits that you’ve espoused,” Abraxas agreed with a gentle nod, “either way, I think that it is encouraging that there is always somewhere, for someone to find a home in Hogwarts. That is what this place really needs to be.”

“No one has told me anything,” he said quietly, “well no one in particular, but when asking after specific rare tomes and books I was frequently sent your way.” 

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

(A star chart that is enchanted to move with the stars, throughout the year, a potions’ set, and a strange device are set out before him at breakfast before the feast along with a note) 

Dear Abraxas, 

You have made me proud this year. Here are some items that I hope will assist your studies this year. The central device is something of a puzzle, being in my house, I’m sure you’ll have fun figuring it out. 

Rowena Ravenclaw 

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

hufflepufftm‌:

“Godric wanted students who are courageous, chivalrous and daring. They are the ones who question me in class the most, Godric might not have chosen anything that directly links to intelligence, but they don’t give up on their chase of knowledge. Now Salazar, he is looking for cleverness, cunning, determination. These students know what they want, and how to get it. And, as for Rowena’s house, wit, intelligence, creativity and acceptance. They are all so very clever, and they see things that most people overlook.” 

“Everyone has their favorites.” it will be good to have another friend among the students, another ear to hunt for information and discontent among the students. “You will love the library. Rowena outdid herself.”

“Well it certainly sounds as if you’re all looking for something very specific, what happens if someone doesn’t meet any of the criteria?” he asked with a gentle smile, “is there a not quite any of the other four houses, house?” he chuckled a little bit at his joke. 

“If you count me as one of yours then I’m truly very lucky,” he said with a smile. At the mention of the library, Abraxas laughed. “I’ve been itching to get a real look at what I hear is one of the most impressive collections of knowledge in Northern Europe. Rowena is the head of Ravenclaw?” he asked curiously.

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

holdempuff‌:

“That definitely won’t count. If we were to count those, then they would have the advantage of pummeling us with the snowballs and receiving all the points, while we will not be able to hit them back. I don’t understand. The rules were made, I would have thought they know better.” He glanced at the mug of tea in the other man’s hands. “That looks warm. Did you get it from the tent?”

“Perhaps they didn’t care whether or not they were breaking the rules, and they are simply out to get you?” He laughed gently and shrugged. Before taking a long sip of his tea and nodding. “It is warm, and yes, I got it from the tent, Helga has a kettle going near constantly and tea and other hot drinks available for thos in need. Grab some if you want and I’ll keep an eye on the game.” 

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

frenziedollivander‌:

“No one in the other side interests me.” he quipped back, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “I wanted to make you calm, and yes, I realize now it might not have been my best idea,” his life is a long line of bad decisions, with some moderate fun in the middle.  “But, we are almost outside of the great hall, so I think, in the end, it worked.”

“That’s a positive way to look at it,” Abraxas replied, feeling his eyes tumble over themselves as he rolled them and sighed for a second before shrugging in defeat. “If you needed someone to walk with you out of the great hall, all you needed to do was ask.” 

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

eleonoraxaltieri‌:

Eleonora gave a little snort of amusement, finding Abraxas’ frankness as amusing as always. “I’m sure there’s absolutely no correlation there,” she teased a little, the beginnings of a smirk on her lips. At them mention of the manuscript, most any other thought went from Eleonora’s mind, and a rather determined light entered her eyes. “And have you made any headway? Do you have it with you?” She’d been sorely disappointed when she’d had to leave the project behind, but a struggling town had needed her. “Perhaps there’s someone here that’s more familiar with the text,” she started eagerly.

Looking at her with a deadpan expression, Abraxas laughed and shook his head. “Oh well the bad news is that you’re wrong.” He shrugged gently and looked at her with a curious smile. “I might have brought it with me, although headway has been slow. “Very little, I’ve confirmed that the language it is written in is not an already known language, at least not one that has been discovered, which makes me believe it is an artificial cypher of some variety.” He paused for a second and shrugged. “I’ve discovered a few clues, and made some headway in translation, but there isn’t much I can do without the key.” 

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

freddyhax‌:

“Warming spells do the trick, so do furs, I didn’t have many furs where I came but there is good game hunting in the forest and the village will fashion you things if you pay or barter with ‘em.” she leaned forward with a grin. She had come to Hogwarts and since then had seen so many people, from a thousand different places she’d never visit. “Well sorry,” she rolled her eyes, “aren’t they just the same words for the same thing? One just sounds more fancy.” Freddy hummed as she listened to his quips and tilted her head at his smoking. “I was curious, most people fly on brooms, a few people are on winged horses once in a while. But not flying mats, and I’m no welcome party, I just like watching people.”

“I’m going to have to spend a fortune on furs to remain warm in what is perhaps the coldest place I’ve visited since Moscow,” he paused for a second and rubbed his hands together to try and warm them. “Mats are smaller than carpets, that is the main difference.” He paused for a second and laughed. “Outside of Egypt and the region surrounding the dead sea there is less Flying Carpets, as you moved north brooms become the prevalent method of magical flight.” He paused for a second and laughed. “Well, either way, I think I’m going to head inside.”

[sgiobalta]

Snuffing out the candles at the end of the day was not something that had to be done by hand. The house elves did it through out the castle, and even then it was only in rooms that weren’t spelled to let the candles out on their own. However, in the Library, Rowena preferred to perform the task herself. Tonight, however, she was not alone.  She smiled at the student with their nose in a book. “While your love of the library is admirable.” She said gently, hoping to rouse them from their reverie. “I’m afraid it is very late. Perhaps you should go to bed. 

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

Raising an eyebrow gently, Abraxas turned to his head of house and shrugged gently. “I’ve got lots of reading that I still plan to do this evening I’m afraid, however if you need the library vacated then I can always work in my room.” He placed the rather heavy tome on the table, holding it open to his current page. “However I’d prefer to continue working in here.”

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

hufflepufftm‌:

“Each one of us decided made a sketch of what traits we think are important in a person’s life, who we wanted to teach. I choose hard work, loyalty, patience, dedication. All of the things we need to become our best selves. But, if that doesn’t apply to you, I will still accept you. Everyone is welcome in my house. Everyone is treated the same.” 

“Because I’m the only person you know here?” looping her arm through his, she petted his hand fondly, grinning as she spoke, “you’ll be surrounded by friends and admirers in no time.”

“That is truly admirable, what are the other traits that the other founding members decided upon?” Abraxas asked curiously, his eyebrow wondering where the place for those who were truly intelligent lay. He believed he embodied most of the traits Helga had described, perhaps he wasn’t as loyal as he could be. But you could never be sure what the other options could be. 

“I’m allowed to play favourites with the founders aren’t I?” he asked with a laugh, “although finding friends and admirers isn’t exactly why I came here, my real interest is my studies.” 

[eleonoraxaltieri]

— - Send me a  “ 💋 ” for our muses to get caught underneath the mistletoe!

[alchemistabraxas-blog]

eleonoraxaltieri‌:

Eleonora grinned at his response. “It’s a bit silly to try and predict the future when it’s constantly changing, isn’t it?” Divination was nowhere near exact enough of a science for Eleonora, and more often than not she simply gave up on the subject, or in the case of classes, made things up. “It is a good way to meet people, it seems,” she chuckled lightly. “Projects?” she asked with some interest, always curious about others works, especially when she already knew how capable Abraxas was. “Anything I’d be interested in?” Vaugely she thought back to the scroll they’d not been able to make sense of, it being something of a big white whale for her. “Well why would you Apparate when you have such a lovely carpet?” she said with some envy. 

“Silly, foolish, arrogant, these are all words that would provide an apt description for divination. However, I’ve never been much good at it and perhaps that is why I dismiss it so readily.” He paused for a moment, scratching at his chin thoughtfully. “Perhaps, although I can’t promise that you’ll be anymore encouraged then when we lasted discussed this specific project. I’m still attempting to translate the manuscript that we recovered from the vaults of the Dome of the Rock.” He paused for a moment and nodded. “Exactly, why give up the opportunity for a luxury trip?”