›› game of pool • sdw/lhj • 120801
"Oi, you there, Iskandar, right?"
At this, he halted to a stop, turning around slightly towards the source of the voice. The Gryffindor had been walking around the city of Edinburgh, having parted ways with his parents who were here for some sort of banking conference with the International Firm of Goblins. He had been content with exploring the city on his own with only a map, some muggle money and his wand tucked in his pocket. He loved exploring cities this way -- unplanned trips, numerous alleys hidden away in dark corners and the occasional pick up lines from foreign women and sometimes men.
He blinked, his eyes examining the man who knew his name. The male was a bit startled that someone knew his name but then his parents were somewhat famous in the wizarding world after the Daily Prophet had interviewed them last summer. Running a hand through his black hair -- he had decided to let his hair rest for the summer, he was thinking of dyeing it brown once school started -- he replied with a gruff 'yeah'.
"Good, come with me," the other replied in accented English. The man was definitely not from this area, Iskandar noted. Sounded Italian actually, but then Iskandar wasn't that well versed when it came to identifying different accents belonging to the European languages.
Frowning at the brief, cryptic order issued by the shorter yet stronger looking man, he cocked his head to his left before replying slowly, "What for?" Despite his thirst for adventure and the unknowns, he had been taught by his parents to be at constant alert for anything suspicious -- running around in cursed tombs and pyramids filled with traps sure did teach him a lesson or two in toning down his desire to explore. There was something fishy about the man standing a couple of feet away from him.
"A challenge. Up for a game of pool?"
A game of pool? What could be so interesting and challenging about pool? It wasn't as if he'd have to fight people or decode old riddles. No, there was definitely something suspicious going on here.
"What's in for me?" he arched an eyebrow, not convinced by the offer. He'd be better off exploring the city and maybe visiting the museums available. Hell, he'd even go to the Edinburgh branch of Gringotts and talk to the goblins there for the latest scoop on who banked what.
"Why, that would be ruining the fun. Where's the Gryffindor in you, young lad?" the other mocked him, playing with a -- was that a gun in his hand? The fifth year widened his eyes slightly, looking around frantically, wondering whether others could see the gun.
"They can't see me. But you can. You've been chosen," the elder male drawled lazily, loading the gun as he spoke.
Chosen?
"Fine," he said, his curiosity perked up by the cryptic statements the other had made. After all, decoding puzzles was his forte.