lying in wait

but it is the grass that hides the viper until he is ready to strike.

[isaiahtravers]

julian--wood:

“So are you gonna enter this competition, or what?”

“no,” isaiah barely glanced up from the paper he was working on, “i find i’ve got better things to spend my time on this year. and the eternal glory promised by these schoolyard competitions never ends up being so eternal, somehow.”

[isaiahtravers]

@ofthundcrstorms

“you fell victim to one of the classic blunders---the most famous of which is ‘never get involved in a land war in asia’---but only slightly less well known is this: never go in against a sicilian when death is on the line.”

[isaiahtravers]

athenatravers:

( @isaiahtravers. ) || ( meme ; open. )

“You never accept a first offer. These grades are a jumping point to start negotiations.”

“that’s good practice, but i do believe years of experience have made negotiations with most of the professors rather hard, athena.” isaiah replied, eyebrow arched, “but if you need me to, i could have a word with them.”

[isaiahtravers]

@fletchedp

“so, why am i here?”

[isaiahtravers]

afia-nkore:

Afia was sure she was alone, in a random room of the school, in a jumper and shorts. She was listening to music, her body subconsciously moving to the beat. She was happy to have some time to herself, as she had been very social the other night at the party (only a little hung over, I swear). She sang the lyrics and jumped around, a huge smile on her face. She continued to do this until she heard the door open, causing her to freeze on the spot. 

isaiah had letters to write, schedules to make, and though his room was quiet enough, wanted a change of scenery, so he’d gone to one of the many empty rooms typically used for studying or practicing wandwork. what he’d thought was an empty room (most people were outside enjoying the new surroundings) turned out to be quite different. he cleared his throat, feeling it was rude to intrude on a personal moment. “these rooms are, uh, usually used for studying.” he nodded, “maladh actually has a small studio that some students use to practice dance---ballet and the like. i can show you if you’d like.”

[isaiahtravers]

aeoniiaan:

She hadn’t seen or spoken to Isaiah Travers since before she left her parents and Hogwarts. Their connection to each other was through their parents reminiscing over the past and old glories, something Leia always felt the need to spit on and set on fire. She never heard much about him afterwards, but knew he was betrothed to Sibella’s cousin. What kind of image were they really setting as a society if betrothals were still something that happened? A boring, stifling, heteronormative one. “Thank you for the advice,” she replied, “Isaiah Travers. I’m as well as one should be when they’re in an entirely continent. Or should I suppose you’re wondering which parts of the gossip around me is true and which is false?”

“actually, i’m not.” he answered easily; there was no use in pretending there hadn’t been gossip; they both knew better than that. and truly, while he knew what he’d heard, it wasn’t as though idle gossip were really one of his interests----leia rookwood’s familial issues had very little bearing on his life, none even. “i hope you don’t take it as an insult that my interests don’t lie in the petty gossip spread about your or your family, but i am glad that you seem to be well. i trust you’re enjoying maladh so far?”

[isaiahtravers]

beckham--finniganthomas:

“Okay – so what’s around here that isn’t surrounded by water?” The entire hotel – it was a hotel, right? The fact was still strange that the school was so close to muggles when Hogwarts was a day’s train ride from London. “Besides – I don’t think you can summon animals, right? I think I’ll just keep looking. Are you from Maladh or just happen to be familiar with this place?” 

“there are areas of the school that are quite dry, i assure you. it’s not a swamp.” isaiah responded dryly; how hard was it to look after a pet? “don’t most magical pets have the sense to return home anyway? we always allowed our kneazle free roam and she already returned when she felt like it.” he nodded then, “i am a student here----isaiah travers.”

[isaiahtravers]

beckham--finniganthomas:

“So – I gotta go out there.” It was more a pep talk for himself. Beckham was ready to go to bed after a full meal, but a tinge of guilt tugged at his heart strings to find Alyssa’s cat. The first day at Maladh and he had already screwed something up. 

The problem with out there was the fact that there were muggles; once he stepped outside the magical bounds, he was no longer invisible – and he wasn’t sure if the runic bracelet works to find his way back if he had to ask for directions. 

“Oi –” he called out to a nearby student, whoever was left that haven’t disappeared to the yacht party. “Do you think a cat would be going to a waterslide?”

isaiah turned, brows arching at being hollered at in such a manner----but students tended to not have as refined manners as they should. “a cat? ----in my experience, they tend to avoid water.” he sighed, “couldn’t you try, i don’t know, summoning it?” that seemed a bit inhumane, “or maybe----tempting it with a treat? i’m not really a pet-sitter.”

[isaiahtravers]

adelerosiers:

    “ALWAYS such a gentlemen,” Adele said, her voice kinder than it usually is – which isn’t surprising when it comes to Isaiah. Really, she admired it, the way he was so easygoing with others & while she knew it was born from being the perfect son who knew how to carry the family name and the politics that came with it, it didn’t make it any less awe-worthy for her. Looking at the person Isaiah was talking to, Adele’s expression changed slightly to something more bored, “it’s really just a better version of chicken and rice, you don’t have to look at it like it’s a bloody Hippogriff head or something.”

isaiah hid a smile, inclining his head in a quick farewell to the person he’d been speaking to as he turned to adele, “i suppose it’s never too early to start your campaign of psychological warfare,” he murmured lightly, a hand settling on the small of her back as he leaned in closer, so their conversation wouldn’t be overheard. because to him, it was an inevitability that adele would be chosen to represent maladh----who else would? “i was hoping to avoid zabini’s ostentatious yacht party tomorrow, but if you feel it would be more beneficial to go and----meet you fellow competitors, i could be persuaded to accompany you.”

[isaiahtravers]

aeoniiaan:

Leia was used to crowds, but Hogwarts hadn’t been particularly large and Cakrawala could hardly be called one of the largest schools. Now, with twelve schools together in one ballroom, Leia couldn’t say she had ever been in a crowd this size in a long time. She looked down from the bustling and chatting mess of students to the plate in front of her. Rice and meat. It smelled good, and Leia honestly appreciated any kind of new dish that wasn’t Margo trying to make sure she didn’t only eat take out and Pocky over break. She looked up at the vaguely familiar voice next to her. Isaiah Travers. “It smells delicious. Can’t say I’ve ever had it before.”

isaiah’s memory was by no means flawless, but he prided himself on remembering faces, dates, events that may eventually come in handy for networking and more simply, just not offending someone at the right time. and he recognised leia rookwood, and he’d heard vaguely (through the pureblood grapevine that, while not filled with genocidal maniacs as it has once been, could be as insidious as ever when it came to gossip and scandal) what had happened with her and her sister. still, it would be extraordinarily rude to mention it. “ it’s a chicken and rice-based dish, and while some of the food here may be spicier than what you’re used to, i think this is a more mild dish, a good one to start out with.” he paused then, before continuing, “leia rookwood. i hope you’re doing well?”

[isaiahtravers]

andreeanaum:

Andreea glanced up at the older boy, appreciative of the gesture of good will. But it wasn’t so much the dish she was afraid of over the contents. “It certainly looks good,” she assured, not one to shy away from trying new things. “I was just wondering if there was a vegetarian option, one that takes out the chicken?” She foresaw this being a potential problem during their travels. Usually Aquaria could be accommodating to her dietary choices, and while she didn’t want to be fussy, she also didn’t want to be forced to switch up her habits. 

“the school’s accounted for that, actually,” considering the amount of international students with different cultures, tastes, and food preferences, he knew the school board and professors has been hard at work creating a menu to work for all appetites. “the elves have prepared vegetarian and vegan substitutes for most dishes where they can.” he pulled out his wand, “you just tap the side of the serving dish once for vegetarian, twice for vegan,” he showed her, watching as the dish was momentarily vanished and replaced with a similar platter, “the original dish will reappear once you’ve finished serving yourself.”

[isaiahtravers]

isaiah would have been feeling claustrophobic, if he were the type. the grand ballroom had never been so crowded; but instead of feeling overwhelmed, he observed the newcomers with a keen eye and even expression. they were the hosts, after all, and he had to present a good front, even if he had no plans in partaking in the tournament himself (adele was planning to enter, and for that reason alone he’d tolerate the noisy intrusions). turning to the person on his right, he smiled as they examined the dish in front of them warily, “it’s al machboos, a dish found frequently in this area. it’s quite good---filling, too.”

[isaiahtravers]

more intros more intros i s2g i only have three left, but this is my stoic burdened son isaiah travers. his stat sheet can be found here and more info is under the cut~

isaiah was born on january 20th, and is the eldest of three born to josiah travers. his mother, madalyn travers, died during childbirth and josiah quickly remarried. isaiah has two younger siblings, a brother and sister in that order, and he is quite protective of them.

his family stressed the important of his place as the eldest and heir and future head of their house-----the legacy and existence of the travers family is set firmly on his shoulders, and at a very pivotal time, too. they threw their lot in with the wrong side so far as the first and second wizarding wars went, but the travers are nothing if not practical and have adjusted course----clearly, in their mind, blood purity is out, so amassing power a different way became their goal.

at the end of the second wizarding war, josiah relocated to dubai and became an investor in one of the largest international apothecaries as well as involved in the uae ministry of magic. the travers family reputation has slowly improved over the years, though in the uk there are likely many that are still wary of them.

anyway, isaiah takes his job as eldest very seriously----in part because of his tremendous love for his siblings and the want to create a better life for them----and will always perform his duty to his house and family almost to the neglect of himself. in this respect, he comes off as very stoic and aloof, passive, calm, and unflappable.

however, under the surface he’s extremely strategic, intense, calculating, and kind of ruthless? like he’s not overtly violent for violence sake but he also would never hesitate to use lethal force if he thought it was best for his family and the people he loves? he’s the type though to let someone think they’ve won and bide his time and then strike in such a way that it can’t be traced back to him? idk he’s a scary mofo even if he doesn’t seem like it.

anyway!!! on the short list of people isaiah cares for is adele rosier, his betrothed. he always knew betrothal was in his future not only for the continuation of the travers line but as part of the rehabilitation of his family’s image? marriage to another pureblood is helpful in those circles, so isaiah was prepared to be sort of resigned to it and just deal as best he could with a loveless marriage that at best he could hope to have some civility and mutual respect in? ANYWAY in comes adele rosier like a beautiful deadly supernova and basically enthralled him from the get-go? he’s literally so in love with her so fair warning if you mess w/ adele he will come for you!

anyway here are possible connections~~~

pureblood society pals? lmao isaiah was really raised with that crowd and to some extent his parents kept up with their pals from the uk so ??

snarky rivals: isaiah may be passive but he’s by now means a pushover so ya holla at me!

[fymartells]

“Oberyn was ever the viper. Deadly, dangerous, unpredictable. no man dared tread on him. I was the grass. Pleasant, complaisant, sweet-smelling, swaying with every breeze. Who fears to walk upon the grass? But it is the grass that hides the viper from his enemies and shelters him until he strikes.”

– Doran Martell, A Dance with Dragons (via fymartells)