Never in his twenty-five years of life had Courtney felt like more of a mockery of himself and his home as he did in this... get-up. Neon pink, an approximation of what a Capitolite might fantasize a D10 resident might wear. It was obscene.
And to be on literal parade? But - once again - as had been drilled into their heads since stepping on the train: it wasn't his choice, and apparently every choice made on his behalf was to "further his chances." There was certainly nothing to be done about it now. So here he was, in pink, synthetic leather and mesh, feeling like a fool.
"How long do these last, do you know?" He asked Prairie, who looked similarly laughable. "I want out of this as soon as possible.
THE BROTHERHOOD IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION ONE CAN WALK INTO AND BE A PART OF.
OSIRIS, one of Egypt's most important deities, was god of the underworld. He also symbolized death, resurrection. By the early Middle Kingdom (c. 2055–1650 BCE), non-royal Egyptians believed that they, too, could overcome death as Osiris had, by worshipping him and receiving the funerary rites that were partly based on his myth.
The realization that he was a mutant was not a fact that was welcomed with open arms and screams of joy, in fact, it took his family several weeks to even understand what had happened. It was just traumatic, the way he had collapsed on an already incredibly sad day, where everyone was still too shocked to process what happened to Levi’s father, scared of what that might mean for the both families, talks about if they should just run away and find different homes had already made its way to his ears.
Neither of the families needed another person to mourn and yet, that seemed like that would have been in the case, if Riley’s own mutation had not saved him for the first time on that day. He woke up, confused and in pain, his body still not yet fully recovered from the near-death-experience, his mind still hazy, he couldn’t remember what had happened and why he was laying in a hospital bed with everyone looking at him so worried.
The explanation was gentle, his own mother brushing his golden hair from his forehead as she quietly explained what had happened all over again, suddenly tears were streaming down his face, the pain and the anger for the loss of Levi’s father, a man who had treated him like a son, who always welcomed him with a smile was gone and only because he was a mutant.
Now that same fate seemed like it could fall on top of all of them. On his own family, on Stevie, on Levi and on himself. He was only a boy and he was scared for all of them and yet that anger and hunger for revenge slowly took over that fear.
MENTIONING: MARCH, 1991.
It seemed like the right thing, to follow Levi, to accept the same offer that he had, not only because he never wished to be parted from him again in any way, but also because he wanted that same feeling of revenge. And maybe, he wanted to feel more powerful, to get rid of that fear, to see himself free from the fear that that same group would come seeking for all of them, that they wouldn’t stop looking until they could kill all of them. They needed to be stopped and someone needed to be brave enough to do it, to bring some justice to this unfair world.
The Brotherhood made a generous offer that both him and Levi could not refuse.
He felt nervous more than anything, but he had wanted to do this to help Levi avenge his father whilst doing the exact same thing, however after seeing the group Riley felt nothing but anger.
It was difficult to see, the way the bodies dropped like they had been nothing but a heavy pile of meat and bones, not because Riley was particularly scared of Levi’s powers but because he knew how much he despised it, how long it took for him to get used to always wearing those gloves, to cover every inch of skin and how hard it had been for him to accept it. He knew that only something as important as this would make Levi use his mutation with such purpose.
And yet, just like it had started it was quickly over and as they both sink to the ground, the bodies of those who had wronged them, who had haunted them for years surrounded them, now lifeless and incapable of ruining any more lives. Riley shed a few tears as he held Levi, he could not believe that this was over and as he kissed the top of his head, he thought that at last the two of them had a chance at a life full of happiness.
While Riley has definitely proved that he is willing to do anything for The Brotherhood and how the organization has the upper hand since its members noticed him being an accomplice to murder, it was imperative that he also showed how his abilities could be useful.
BIOKINESIS is so much more than Riley thought it was and back then he had failed to explore his ability to its fullest extent, however, something was obvious from the start - Riley was exceptional at healing, probably one of the best around and the proof of it was so quickly his body healed itself after every single touch he shared with his boyfriend. He was constantly cheating death like it was just some child’s play and that could be something useful to The Brotherhood.
And that is how every single day he comes in for another shift at The Brotherhood’s hideout and heals whoever needs it, at the expense of his own health, no matter what it takes, he keeps everyone safe (even if he does complain about it a lot).
A song that represents your character’s childhood.
Tip Toe - half•alive
Demanding my mind be set free
From wanting the things I don't need
My pride is hiding its lies behind all the dreams
Living inside
Delusion is weighing me down
It's taking the hope that I found
And giving me nothing back
A song that represents your character’s family/relationship with parents.
Death, Thrice Drawn - The Scary Jokes
It's quiet now
I doubt if any thoughts will ever come again
But there's a sense of some lone consequence
Wheezing down my neck
It's fine, we're fine
I'm doing everything that I'm supposed to do
I'd burn it all, I'd set the world on fire just to be with you
A song that represents your character’s best friend.
Blood and Bones - The Blake Robinson Synthetic Orchestra
In search of new shiney buddies, to share with them my worries
And my joys and my toys and my secret jars of poison!
I searched up high... I searched down low
But... no matter where I look no friends began to show
And so I made a list of killers, and wrote them all letters
Asking lots of friendly questions... with all the best intent they told me
A song that represents your character’s first crush.
Bust your Kneecaps - Pomplamoose
Johnny, you told me
You were no fool, you were no chump
Then you got cold feet
Now all you'll be is a speed bump
It's something we call
Oh, just a small family business
And the family won't like this
A song that represents your character’s teen years.
Novocaine - The Unlikely Candidates
Novocaine, I keep it coming so I feel no pain
I tell my girl that I'mma change my ways
She knows I'm never gonna change
A song that represents your character’s first heartbreak.
Feel Better - Penelope Scott
Because someone loved me
Someone fucking loved me
On my filthy life I loved someone I barely knew
God dammit I was worth something
I fucking learned something
And it felt better in my mouth than fresh warm food
A song that represents your character’s motivation.
Great Vacation - Dirt Poor Robins
And we'll see what you can do
To try to buy and lie your way outta this one, pal
'Cause the world is gonna be
Gone, gone
A song that represents your character’s current crush.
An Unhealthy Obsession - The Blake Robinson Synthetic Orchestra
Some call it stalking, I say walking just extremely close behind
I'm sure if I sat down and asked you, well you really wouldn't mind
You've got those eyes that drive me crazy
And I've got eyes to watch you sleep
A song that represents your character’s favorite song to sing in the shower.
Courtney - The Narcissist Cookbook
Courtney did it!
She did it!
Courtney did it!
Courtney killed Cobain!
(Its a song about suspected murder and conspiracy theories, like... of course he would)
A song that represents your character’s sexuality.
The Cult of Dionysus - The Orion Experience
I'm feeling devious
You're looking glamorous
Let's get mischievous
And polyamorous
Wine and women and wonderful vices
Welcome to the cult of Dionysus
A song that represents your character’s enemy.
Starkiller - Bear Ghost
I've been watchin' you for quite a while now
It's getting all too hard to bite my tongue
I know you've caught my gaze, and you've tried to look away
But I think it's time we had a little fun
A song that represents your character’s job.
Everything Moves - Bronze Radio Return
Lately I, can’t decide, run or hide
Oh and when I do, I’m sure I’ll end up moving too
Suit and tie, sell or buy, laugh or cry
What’s a guy to do, when nothing's standing still for you
So many angles, so many lines
So many ways to see the sunrise
A song that represents your character’s fatal flaw.
Kitchen Fork - Jack Conte
Wake from the scar, still feelin' sick
Where did it get started?
Where, oh, where did this come from?
Oh my God, my head's a gunI let myself go
A song that represents your character’s biggest regret.
Feed the Machine - Poor Mans Poison
Fear is on the rise
And there's blood all over the ground
Let's all just blindfold the poor
We must remind them what's in store
We got 'em now
Just break them down a little bit more
A song that represents your character’s current state of being.
Do it All the Time - I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME
We're taking over the world
A little victim-less crime
And when I'm taking your innocence
I'll be corrupting your mind
Your character’s theme song.
Mask of My Own Face - Lemon Demon
At all the people hissing, knowing I'm the one they hate
And at the big finale I would tear my face away
And smile as they grip their own and try to do the same
Iskra’s family is a relatively affluent crew of art dealers and lowkey conmen and art smugglers whoops lmao, and so she’d have brushed shoulders with a fair number of people in a fair number of places. This is where she learned to crave travel, and to dislike staying in one place when life gets too stagnant. She ran in high-society circles all over Europe, and was paraded around as the perfect little groomed-child until her brother was adopted, and so I would love to take this connection and split it into a number of facets. I’d love to have someone who grew up being primped and groomed and who ran in the same circles; I’d love to have someone whose family was close to the Gills because of their shadier art deals; I’d also love to play with the idea of someone who liked her brother more than they liked Iskra. It could be fun to have someone who Iskra went through her ‘screw this family’ phase with, since she picked up and traveled all over -- so the possibilities are endless!
RIVAL / ACADEMIC ADVERSARY / FRENEMY:
Iskra is a textbook try-hard. She’s a lowkey nerd, and always tries too hard to be at the top of every class, to head up every club, to excel at every extracurricular. This connection is pretty simple -- I’d love to have someone who’s just as good at their classes, who’s just as well-read (maybe even published in the same journals as she!), and who always guns for the same positions in clubs and organizations around campus. She’ll be political, pretend that it’s all in good fun -- but why say no to the spice?
BENDER BUDDIES / PARTY PALS:
As I mentioned above, Iskra started her habit of jet-setting in search of parties, adventure, fun, and notoriety early on. I would love to establish a connection with someone who partied with Iskra somewhere abroad, and who now can never say no to a good wine night. She relies a little too heavily on her Cabernet Sauvignon, but she figures that a habit you picked up on a yacht in Cannes is one you shouldn’t be ashamed of neglecting to kick. I would just love someone who has history with Iskra’s proclivity for opulent and overblown parties abroad, and also someone who she can get a little wine drunk with. Give me Gatsby or give me death.
Watching The Bachelor is not optional. It’s mandatory. Sorry in advance. Iskra is secret reality tv garbage. We love to see it.
CONFIDANT / PROTECTOR:
Ok, so Iskra is prickly and judgy and all, but.... if she sees someone being picked on, she’s going to say something. She’s headstrong, and political, and calculating, and haughty, but damn if she doesn’t know what it feels like to feel really, really small. I would love to establish a connection with someone in which Iskra can take someone under her wing; she would be a wonderful confidant for someone who really and truly just needs someone in their corner, and who needs a little propping up by someone headstrong enough to do it. The epitome of “the strong must protect the sweet”, if y’all know that meme. Iskra doesn’t have a motherly bone in her body, but she is as outspoken as they come, and cannot -- will not -- look away when someone is being stepped all over. She wants people to be their best selves, and I’d love to explore that.
Blow out the candles. This next task is all about your characters childhood, a moment, a memory, a time before they became who they are now. I want to see something raw, innocent or not. Show everyone the very root of who your character is, the person they embraced, the person they are running from, the people they once were. Anything’s on the cards for this task as long as it’s before your characters sixteenth birthday. It can be in the form of a self-para or the form of an open letter of some kind. The deadline for this task is May 18th. Please like this to show me you’ve read it! Don’t forgot to tag your tasks dhtask.
Black Walnut
“Less common than the standard walnut wand, that of black walnut seeks a master of good instincts and powerful insight. Black walnut is a very handsome wood, but not the easiest to master. It has one pronounced quirk, which is that it is abnormally attuned to inner conflict, and loses power dramatically if its possessor practises any form of self-deception. If the witch or wizard is unable or unwilling to be honest with themselves or others, the wand often fails to perform adequately and must be matched with a new owner if it is to regain its former prowess. Paired with a sincere, self-aware owner, however, it becomes one of the most loyal and impressive wands of all, with a particular flair in all kinds of charmwork.”
Unicorn Hair
“Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard. Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may 'die' and need replacing.”
14 ½ in. Long
“The wands measuring more than 14 inches are very unusual. Wizards and witches who have great self-esteem are preferred for these wands, because these owners mostly seek recognition and like to exhibit their prowess, being very honest about their personalities to everyone around them. They may, however, not consider their own points to be amended in some cases. If these wizards and witches come to accept some characteristics as flaws and learn how to hold them back eventually, the wand will increase in magical efficiency.”
Unyielding Flexibility
“The wands described as hard, rigid, solid, stiff, unbending, and unyielding, are regarded as 'rigid wands'. Most wizards and witches who use magic in a more traditional way and are rigorous when taking decisions are chosen by these wands. ... Stiff and unyielding wands tend to find in demanding wizards and witches their perfect partners, and the magic produced by stiff wands are the hardest to be undone. ... In many cases, the best wands for duels present unbending or unyielding rigidity.”
Lukas is defined by his ambition and his determination. He has the mind of a Ravenclaw, but it is how he puts his intellect to use that sits him firmly with the serpents. His primary goal is to achieve recognition for his accomplishments in spite of the misfortunes that befell him, and in doing so restore honor to his family name. Even though he was stripped of his childhood dream of becoming a knight, he was resourceful enough to put his other talents to use in a way that he arguably finds more fulfilling. Many Slytherins will be all too familiar with the feeling of a few bad seeds tarnishing their house’s reputation, and that is a reality that Lukas lives with and fights every day. Not that he’s always successful. He can show some of Slytherin’s more negative qualities in his suspicion of everyone outside of his own circle (which is presently nonexistent), and his rough demeanor often leads others to think his ambition and shrewd intellect are being set to nefarious purposes. But beneath it all lies a loyal heart that could attach itself firmly to those who prove themselves worthy of his trust and respect.
PATRONUS
Field Mouse
“Generally small in size, field mice have to rely on their speed and wits to survive. Their senses are sharp so as to easily detect their predators, which are abundant. Field mice are incredibly adaptable, able to live wherever they can find shelter and food. You’d be wrong to underestimate the adorable little field mouse Patronus; it will surprise you with its ingenuity and resiliency.”
“... Never forget, though, that one of the most famous Patronuses of all time was a lowly mouse, which belonged to a legendary young wizard called Illyius, who used it to hold off an attack from an army of Dementors single-handedly.”
The first time Lukas casts the Patronus Charm would be the last time if he had his way; such a tiny and fragile Patronus would just add insult to injury in his book. He’d view it as confirmation that he’s weak and a failure, and would hide it for as long as possible. However, he would be surprised to find that it’s a great fit for him. Resourceful and easily underestimated, the field mouse survives by outwitting its opponents and adapting to suit its circumstances just as Lukas has. People overlook him or write him off because of his disability all the time, and are often surprised at just how much he has accomplished in spite of (and because of) that supposed shortcoming. Anyone who thinks him easy prey is stunned to find he is made of much sterner stuff than previously thought, and his ingenuity in devising new weaponry and accessibility always gives him the advantage on his home turf.
OTHER
Ilvermorny House — Thunderbird
“Thunderbirds are defined by their experiences, by their motives, and by the choices they make despite their circumstances. They are soul-searchers, travelers, breakers of boundaries, and those who defy expectations. To a Thunderbird, there are no coincidences or accidents; Thunderbirds can have grounded and self-possessed as well as trailblazing and tumultuous personalities.”
Boggart — Rejection, Humiliation
Lukas’s boggart could take many forms to achieve the same result, but most likely would show Lukas being mocked, ridiculed, and publicly humiliation. Think that one scene from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. That level of humiliation. His greatest fear is utter rejection by anyone and everyone, his reputation sullied beyond repair, his life’s work derided and destroyed, forcing him to retreat from society completely. He may act like he prefers to be alone, but in truth he fears the isolation of such a complete banishment from society.
