Roland Kesser

[kesserorsayre]

junxashwxrth

“Roland, if any woman in your life would explain their minds to you, then you’d be living much less stressfully. Gussy and my own lovely self included in the bunch,” she gave him a playful eye roll before thinking on it. Those merchants were quite the set, their strut and manner gave Juno the type of smiles that were equally nervous and excited like they were a challenge. Juno never had bad instincts when it came to an adventure at hand. “You’re too good for the lot of us Ro, much too good,” the same couldn’t be said for most people, but Roland was cut in a class of his own in her own beloved opinion of him. The Gryffindor had always found herself in spots of trouble, in problems that Roland seemed to aide in nicking her out of, and she was eternally grateful as well as equally pissed her hide needed saving. But if it was Roland, she couldn’t fault him– he loved, he was loyal, she would always respect that of him. “Alright, say we can handle them, say we do manage to get her out of their clutches. What then? What if Gussy runs off again into the foul world to find more danger, God knows I do it weekly and we are in a castle,” Juno raised her brow, “she’s here now. You’re here now. We can fight them all day, but that won’t keep Gussy from doing what she wants.” Juno knew the feeling, but even still as much as she supported Roland’s endeavors, for hadn’t always endorsed her own but also aided her, she knew that sometimes danger was to be found because one wanted it. “We are not easy pickings, a dragon didn’t kill me, doubt some ship hands could manage it.”

“Yes, you do cause me your own share of headaches.” He teased, although truthfully, he’d always seen Juno’s influence as good for him. With her, he forgot to be so rigid. He could just be himself, without worrying of the appearances that Mother had always stressed upon him. He could feel like Roland, instead of a Kesser. “I’m not good enough, don’t be ridiculous.” If he was, none of this would ever have happened. Gussy would never have run away, and he’d know what to say to Lucinda to make things right with her. His dear friend was right in her advice, interfering with Gussy’s business was just going to make his sister act even more outrageously, she’d always been one to escalate like that. “She’s here, but she does not wish to talk to me, at least not rationally. She simply wishes to cast the blame anywhere else. Perhaps if I can just get some space between her and the crew, I can talk to her properly, and she’ll see sense. She’s a smart girl, she always was. I just need to remind her of that.” He’d seen Gussy acting silly in front of others, and couldn’t understand why, not when he knew just how intelligent she was. But that was one game he’d let her play. “If shiphands could get the best of me, I’d make a poor sailor.” He didn’t like to worry anyone, but his duties in the Navy had involved fighting pirates and slavers, so he was sure he could handle this. “What would I do without you, Juno?” 

[kesserorsayre]

emmelinelongbottom

“Do you have one of those families?” She asked, knowing the answer already. “Don’t worry, it’s been worse. It was a bit lonely. My grandmother passed away recently. She practically raised us and it’s sad to celebrate without her.” Her grandmother’s soothing presence would have made all of it so much easier.

Emmeline couldn’t help but smile at his assessment of her little sister, “I think you’ve hit your mark, sir. She is very sweet, but I always worry about her opening her heart up too much.” Emmeline bit her bottom lip. “She is so bright and has so much to give. It’s amazing after…after everything we’ve been through.” Emmeline sighed, she knew she was too cautious, too timid, and too proper. His own sister became the new topic and she looked at him with interest, “Who is your sister?” She was surprised he wasn’t with her. Perhaps things were worse for him, “I’ve found that the people who respond emotionally are sometimes the only right ones in the room. If she’s following her heart, maybe that’s what’s best for her.”

Roland chuckled softly, without humour. “My family is a complicated one. To say we have our dramas would be an understatement.” He’d never say anything that would embarrass his family, but since Gussy was already parading around the school, he couldn’t escape some of it. “I have recently been reunited with my sister, and it was not... a pleasant reunion.” He explained, realising the description fit both Lucinda and Gussy. “I am sorry for your loss.” Other than Gussy, there had never been any family he had been particularly close to. 

“I understand she is married?” Roland prompted, wondering why Emmeline would fear her opening her heart when she was already spoken for. “It’s impossible not to worry about our younger siblings, isn’t it? I can’t remember a time when I haven’t worried about Gussy.” The problem with the Kesser’s emotional outbursts was that it was always anger. Roland didn’t know how to talk to Gussy anymore, not without arguing with her. “It seems unfair that she can follow her heart, and I cannot, if that is the case. And believe me, emotions are not always right. I know that shouting at her will not help anything, but when she accuses me of falsehoods, I know she is as much in the wrong as I am.” 

[a-z-lyrics]

[kesserorsayre]

bellabruxa

“He certainly deserves my wrath,” she agreed quickly, “they say actions speak louder then words, but I don’t know if I’ll have the patience to wait for you to prove yourself. so, why don’t you tell me something, anything! Well, something that proves you are a decent men.”

Roland opened his mouth and closed it again, honestly not sure what she expected from him. “You have made my mind go completely blank, I’m embarrassed to admit.” He couldn’t help but smirk, getting into the spirit of things. Flirting was a pleasant distraction. “You must be accustomed to such behaviour from men. You cannot blame us too much when we become imbeciles in your presence, it’s really your own fault.” 

[kesserorsayre]

milokistky

Milo had remained blissfully oblivious to Gussy and Roland’s drama. Even at the feast he had spent most of the time eating cookies even while Hei tried to explain the truth to Roland about Gussy’s happiness. So when the attractive young man approached him he had a completely different idea.

Until…that is…he started talking. “Work for me?” He tilted his head, assuming this was a customer who had become smitten. “Sir, she is owned by no one, not me and least of all you. Whatever time you spent with her was probably pleasurable, but she is free to do as she wishes.” He crossed his arm, not doing the whole puffed-out chest thing very well, but willing to protect his friend. “Is that all?”

Roland nearly gagged in disgust. “I am her brother!” Granted, they looked nothing alike, as they were technically cousins, but for all intents and purposes, he was her older brother, and he would take that responsibility seriously. He’d always tried to be the dutiful son and brother. When that hadn’t worked, he’d become the dutiful sailor. In the hopes of being one of the first again, he’d given up on all his ambitions to come to Hogwarts. 

He took a step closer, hoping to provoke the captain into a fight. “I will not let my sister be used by anyone. She deserves a better life than this. Either you cut off contact with her, or I’ll cut you down.” 

[kesserorsayre]

emmelinelongbottom

He seemed receptive enough but didn’t take the opportunity to talk about himself. Interesting. She took a sip of her drink, smiling, “Well, Roland, you must Call me Emmeline then, or Em if it’s too much of a mouthful.” It was a nickname usually reserved for her sisters, but if Evie was universally called that then Emmeline could expand her own nickname.

“Christmas was fine, we had a bit of…drama over the holidays.” It wasn’t significant, just Evie’s annoying husband and Emmeline threatening to kill him under her breath, which he then heard… well okay there had been some drama. “We did have fun. Have you met Evie? She’s usually the first to befriend everyone.” She chuckled, thinking that whatever family situation he had must be less insane than her own. “Let’s just say three Longbottom women in one house is quite a number.”

“Of course, Em.” His smile warmed a little more, although it became tight when she mentioned drama. “I am sorry to hear that. There is nothing like family to cause drama, is there?” His own Christmas had involved a screaming match between him and his mother. Or more accurately, he’d ended up yelling at her when she was so cold about abandoning his sister. It made him wonder what she’d done to Gussy, but she’d refused to answer any further questions. 

He had met Evie, and while he was sure she was a nice person, he hated to be paired up with her in class. She was so easily distracted, and she’d even forgotten to bring her wand to class once. “She’s a sweet girl. But I can imagine, it must get very loud sometimes.” He lifted his own drink to his lips. “I’m rather dreading speaking to my sister, truth be told. I have some news for her that.... I’m not sure how she’ll handle. She’s not known for her rational decisions. We tend to respond rather emotionally when it comes to family.” 

[kesserorsayre]

junxashwxrth

There was always something immediately comforting about Roland in her space, now matter how far away the pair were from each other for any given amount of time. Hogwarts, for all that she didn’t want to be there, had thrust them together almost daily and it was wonderful. “Well that’s just dumb, I mean, sure our families can be a lot,” his was even more out of step than her own, “but why would she go after you?” Roland tried his best, that much could always be said of him. So she waited for him to gather his thoughts, she’d always go to the ring for him, and she waited. Juno was patient as he gathered his thoughts and carefully went through the plans. “Don’t you think that may… I dunno drive a further wedge between you two? Is she there against her will? Does she want to be with them? You don’t approve, I get that, but forcibly removing her… she might just balk and I doubt it’ll be pretty,” Juno didn’t know Gussy well, if she was going to be honest, mostly in passing with Roland, but she knew she was of a fixated mind. She could respect someone like that. “You know I’m always willing to be your back up, and confrontation is what I do best,” her smirk was reckless, “but hose merchants aren’t easy pickings Roland,” she warned him she could tell, by the way, they walked and their eyes. Juno was wary,  but if Roland asked for her at his side, she was never going to deny it.

"If I could explain anything Gussy did, I'd be a much happier man." It hurt to know that she was upset with him, but he was sure it wasn't actually his fault. He couldn't think of anything that he'd done to warrant her accusations. Juno was right, arguing with her wasn't going to make their relationship better, but that was a separate matter. "I can live with her hating me if it means she's safe." It wasn't ideal, but he wanted to make sure she lived safely, and he'd pay whatever price he had to. There was nothing Roland wouldn’t do for the people he loved. He never did anything by halves, putting every effort into everything he did. This was no exception "The very fact they're dangerous is why Gussy shouldn't be with them. But we can handle them, if it comes to that. We're not easy pickings either." Juno was unpredictable in everything but her loyalty, and Roland was skilled at both physical fighting and magical dueling. 

[kesserorsayre]

@milokistky​

Since Gussy would not listen to reason - maybe a small part of Roland knew that yelling at her was not the best way to get her to listen to him, but that was not the point - Roland had decided the first step was to make sure no one was buying Gussy. He’d interfered where he could, getting into fights with some of the men who dared to flirt with her in front of him, but the person he really wanted to speak to was constantly out of his reach. 

But not today. Today, Roland was finally getting to speak to the captain of the crew Gussy worked for. Marching towards the man, his hand rested on his weapon. “I hope this message has already gotten to you, but if not, Gussy Kesser is now free of you. She does not work for you any longer.” 

[emmelinelongbottom]

@kesserorsayre

Emmeline had made a few friends at school, though she was usually quite solitary. Even Tomas was her friend, though he’d probably get mad at her for saying so. Still, she had felt for a while like the only person who didn’t have a lot of friends. Unfortunately, Mr. Kesser seemed to have taken that title. She knew him well enough from classes, but often during meals he was alone. 

She excused herself from her sisters and brought her plate from the ravenclaw Table to the Hufflepuff one. “Mr. Kesser?” She said gently, sitting next to him. “How was your holiday?” It was a bold move, especially for Em. She waited for him to be offended and tell her to leave. 

[kesserorsayre]

With all that had happened regarding his family, and his own more reserved nature, Roland had not made many friends at Hogwarts. Truthfully, he’d argued with more people than he’d gotten along with, but that was Gussy’s fault. Alone at lunch once again, the lieutenant knew his friends were likely somewhere causing trouble, but he was hoping to see one of his sisters to talk to them. There were important things to discuss. 

“Hmm?” Hearing his voice, he glanced over at the woman with a polite smile. She was in some of the same classes as him, a bright student. He enjoyed class discussions with her involved. “Miss Longbottom. Please, call me Roland.” Kesser was just a reminder of his family issues. “It was fine. How was yours? Did you and your sisters have a nice time?” From what he could see, the Longbottoms were much happier a family than his. A part of him was jealous. 

[kesserorsayre]

puffls

“Of course, but I will need you to promise me that you won’t tell anyone else of these passages. Or at the very least, not my siblings. I cannot have them predicting where I will run off to next,” Henrietta said, in mock seriousness. “You say that now, but you might miss him when he’s gone.” She cracked a smile, and even though she said it teasingly, there was something heavy in her words. “And it’s nice to meet you too Roland.”

Understanding the complexities of siblings very well, Roland nodded. “I give you my word that I will not betray your secret passages to your siblings.” There were very few people in the world that Roland loved, and when he did love, it was with his whole heart. The loss of any of them would shake him to the core, but he would still always threaten his best friend. “Ah, perhaps you’re right. I’ll just assign him to the worst duties when we return to work.” 

[kesserorsayre]

missxraider

“I haven’t been told?” She asked curiously, wondering what a man who she had never even heard of before could know that was relevant to her. She took the letter and read it once, then twice, and then a third time. She looked back at him with a tense smile,”Well, sir, I fear you have been misinformed, I have not been looking for a husband and I do not require. You can inform your mother that there is no marriage on the table.”

Patience was something that Roland worked on every day, forcing himself to keep quiet as she read the letter. When she finally looked back at him, he held his hand out for the letter to be returned to him, eyebrow quirked. “Very well. I would speak to your family, however. Mother would not risk embarrassing herself with incorrect information, which means someone on your side must have spoken out of turn.” He held onto hope that there had been some miscommunication, something that would free him from this duty, at least for now. 

[kesserorsayre]

junxashwxrth

Juno leaned into his side, physical comfort was her forte, she’d never been good with soft light words. Her mother said she lacked tact not empathy, and right now she wished she could be as direct and easy with her words as her brother was. Yet another shortcoming, being unable to offer vocal aide to her obviously an ailing friend. She twitched an eye as he spoke, his sister or not she was hurting him. That didn’t sit well in her chest and Juno felt that vindictive swell in her breast that needed to make sure he was alright. “She what?” there was a dark burnt edge to her voice, and Juno frowned, reaching to knot her fingers around his shirt, “She blamed… you?” Him? Her brother, who cared for her so obviously and whom Juno was unafraid to pronounce she loved genuinely because he’d always been so good. The Gryffindor gave him a lot of shit, and maybe cause a little too many problems for him to try and sort through, but blaming him? “Then what are we going to do about it?” she was going to sit right at his side, thick and thin, there wasn’t much of another choice for her.

Used to her ways, and just as terrible at words, Roland appreciated the way she leaned into him, his arm moving to rest on her shoulders. It had always been easy being friends with her. Her rough edges brought out what he saw as the better part of himself, the part that was willing to take risks. Too often, he got himself so caught up in his head, but she always pulled him back to reality. “Me, mother, everyone but herself is to blame.” While he also blamed their mother, it stung that Gussy could say such things about him. He had thought they were close, but clearly not. “I don’t know.” He admitted, which was a rare thing for him. Roland always had a plan, always knew what he’d do next. The Sorting Hat had considered placing him in Slytherin for that very reason. “First, I think, is to find that damned captain and make sure he knows Gussy is no longer in his employ. By any means necessary.” Which meant he was ready to duel the captain for Gussy’s sake. “I spoke to one of the crew, I have a feeling that if she is around when I confront the captain, I may need backup.” 

[kesserorsayre]

stardustedmalfoy

“Since the school started.” she jumped at the chance to move somewhere else, especially a place that was described to her as a fortress. The Malfoy ancestral home, once a sanctuary in her mind, became a sad lonely prison. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before.” which, honestly, isn’t that uncommon, but she at least thought she had met all of the Hufflepuffs.

“No, I have not been here long.” Roland explained. “And I have been preoccupied with catching up.” And dealing with family matters. While he enjoyed learning, Gussy was his real reason for attending Hogwarts, he would have stayed in the Navy had he not received word that his sister was here. As both she and Lucinda were here now, he would be staying. 

[kesserorsayre]

bellabruxa

“How can I know which one is the man and which one is the boy? It’s not a matter of age, and you can’t do a spell and ask for only real men to show up in front of you.”  if it was a matter of age Gunnarr would be a man. “You call yourself a man, but how can I be sure you aren’t a stupid little boy pretending to be something he is not? Where is the proof, what are the signs?”

Roland had no idea how to handle this situation, her words didn’t clear up the matter any further, but he was willing to try. “Unfortunately, it is only behaviour that can separate the boys from the men. What would you like me to do to prove that I am unlike whomever has incurred your wrath - most deservedly, I’m sure.” 

[kesserorsayre]

rosemarieheap

“I’m sure most people would agree with that, though there is something to be said of just letting the castle take you where it wants.” Rosie had many times and she was often finding more and more secrets and creating her own. “I’m only good at navigating on the sea, though I have come to understand Hogwarts a bit more than regular land.”

Roland had never been good at going with the flow. While he was sometimes influenced by his friends to make foolish decisions, he did so by making plans for every eventuality. It was only when it came to his family that he didn’t think straight. “You sail? I’m afraid that navigation is the one part of sailing that I cannot grasp satisfactorily.” He could use maps, but it took serious concentration.

[kesserorsayre]

gussykesser

“I keep every cent I make, the captain does not own me.” Gussy paused before setting her jaw,”You should be thanking the crew anyway. They helped me out of a situation where I wasowned.” She reached out and grabbed his hand,“Why must you do this! Speak to me, listen tome! I am no longer a child, I make my own decisions!”

“You were owned?” Fury filled his voice at the idea that anyone could treat her as such. “You should have written to me.” Roland would never hesitate to run into battle for those he loved. He made no further attempt to leave, but he was just as stupidly stubborn as her. “If you stop acting like a child, I would treat you accordingly. You haven’t shown excellent decision-making skills thus far.” 

[kesserorsayre]

gussykesser

“I have always cared, though it is much easier to pretend I do not,” She told her brother in a clipped tone. He might not have had enough energy in him to care when she had to run away, but she had ran with guilt heavy in her heart. “You may not wish to be my brother anymore, or to be associated with me, but I am your sister. It is my duty to care for you.” She could not simply sit and wait for him to get better on his own as well. “I am not here to yell. I am here to sing, if you would like me to lull you back to sleep as I used to.”

Why were both of his sisters so ridiculously stubborn? Neither Lucinda or Gussy seemed to listen to anything he said, no matter how many times he said he cared. “No, it is my duty to care for you. You’re my little sister.” How couldn’t she see that the reason he argued so much with her was because he cared? He didn’t want to see her get hurt by anything, even if she’d always been capable of looking after herself. His gaze softened, finally looking up at her properly, remembering all the times she’d sung to him when the stress Mother placed on them went straight to his head. “I would like that.”