Wizards abound

[wizardsofourtime]

Wizards of our time |

[ brenton thwaites / 36/ homosexual/ male / him/him /pure-blood] ⸻ Atlas Black, is an(a) postgraduate COLLEGE OF ARCANE LAW & GOVERNANCE here, majoring in political manipulation & influence magic. they were born in Salam, but currently reside Salam  when not at wickerby. they’re known to be Debonair & Dedicated, but those that cross them have experienced their bigoted & backstapping ways. when they graduate they hope to become a politician/diplomat/Minister of god damn magic , and the world knows the expectations and reputation of wickerby students. greatness will come of them, one way or another. ⸻ Bobby / 30/ him/he / GMT+10 / none.

[ Manny Jacinto/ 40 / homosexual/ him/he /muggle-born ] Callisto Chen, is currently employed at wickerby academy of magical advancement as a professor ofdueling fundamental within the college of COMBAT MAGIC & DEFENSE. they were born in Manila, Philippines, but currently reside in New York, while teaching at wickerby. colleagues and students alike know them to be Intelligent & creative, though beneath that reputation lies someone capable of arrogant & manipulative, whether respected, feared, or quietly watched by the academy itself, their place within wickerby is undeniable. their research currently focuses on new combat spells, and whether by ambition or obligation, they remain deeply tied to the institution and the secrets buried beneath it.

[nicholas galitzine  / 87 /homosexual/ male / him/him vampire] ⸻  Ambrose Alderwood, is an(a) postgraduate of COLLEGE OF ILLUSION, PERFORMANCE & ENCHANTED ARTS, majoring in immersive magical environments. they were born in London, England but currently reside Los Angeles when not at wickerby. they’re known to be Bold,persuasive & extroverted but those that cross them have experienced self-destructive nature & impulsivewhen they graduate they hope to become a Magical Theartre Star, and the world knows the expectations and reputation of wickerby students. greatness will come of them, one way or another. ⸻ 

[ [Francois Arnaud, 40, Pansexual, male & him/he, muiggleborn ] ⸻ Damon Beaumont, is currently employed at wickerby academy of magical advancement as a professor of astrology & celestial magic within the COLLEGE OF DIVINATION & TEMPORAL STUDIES. they were born in Paris, but currently reside in Paris while teaching at wickerby. colleagues and students alike know them to be uninhibited & decisive, though beneath that reputation lies someone capable of Stubborn & Possessive. whether respected, feared, or quietly watched by the academy itself, their place within wickerby is undeniable. their research currently focuses on future prediction and whether by ambition or obligation, they remain deeply tied to the institution and the secrets buried beneath it. ⸻

[ louis partridge / 22 / homosexual/ male / him/he / ghostbound ] ⸻ Nikolai Skuratova  an(a) undergraduate student of COLLEGE OF OCCULT STUDIES & FORBIDDEN MAGIC, majoring in necromancy fundamentals

they were born in Novosibirsk but currently reside Vienna when not at wickerby. they’re known to be meticulous & intelligent, but those that cross them have experienced their impatient & apathetic when they graduate they hope to become a necromancer/ghost tamer, and the world knows the expectations and reputation of wickerby students. greatness will come of them, one way or another. ⸻

[mystxcmxn]

"Oh you would have done it cause you love even if i didn't say anything" he spoke with a teasing smile on his face. He pulled another one of the treats off the parchement to eat leaving two for his brother to toss out or enjoy later. "But the harlorts are much more fun and you look a lot less like our father with your jaw unclenched and that only happens after you have sex or are relaxed." There was no need for him too offer any type of real help to his brother's cursade. When they wanted to be each one of them was ruthless in their own regard. Atlas winning wasn't the outcome cause Bellatrix said it would be it was the out come cause that was the only thing that his older brother would allow. There was a humm on his lips as he absently flipped though the pages eyes scanning but really reading anything. "Have you looked into blackmaling the congress men so he has no choice but to pick you?" Now bella was started to sound like thier mother. A sligh role to his eyes as he looked up from the page he was reading. "I do know how to read the books left by prohpets are much more dense and absect then, 'Ordinance Code 6.22-M: Undisclosed possession of cursed artifacts by candidates or their affiliates is subject to immediate investigation by Magical Internal Affairs.'" He tutted his lips as he thought for a second "too bad hes not using a cursed object for anything for one his classes"

[wizardsofourtime]

"Well, that's undoubtedly true." He couldn't exactly deny that now could he? He adored Bella enough that giving him a little treat from time to time wasn't exactly off the table when it came to their relationship.

"Should I be concerned that your visions of me fucking are clear enough that you can give an opinion on how much I look like father?" As if they hadn't fucked before but hey, sometimes appearances are needed even if they were alone. Atlas watched the other flick through those books in front of him. There's a hum at those next words, mostly because Atlas had already considered that route and dismissed it.

"It's a disadvantage to cause the congressman I wish to work with any animosity towards me. It would work against any future recommendations I'd require from him. Thus, the better chess move is to make me the most obvious choice." He explained easily, even if he guessed that the other knew that on some level and just wanted to hear him explain those choices.

"True. I could plant on one of him, though, the risk of that is that I might get caught." And therefore put him in a worse situation. Not a better one. He's half expecting Bella to tell him he won't via that spookiness of him.

[occultcounsel]

The words were a challenge, a flicker of defiant flame in the deep shadows, and Addison felt a genuine, predatory thrill. He didn't smile, not outright. The expression that settled on his face was something more subtle, a quiet and profound amusement that reached his eyes and made them gleam in the lantern light. He savored the boy's unashamed ambition, the crudeness of the last remark—it was the raw material he excelled at shaping. A weapon, but one held by a novice.

Addison’s gaze didn't waver from Atlas's face. He let the silence stretch, allowing the boy's bravado to echo and then fade into a profound stillness. Then, he moved. Not away, but closer. His fingers, long and elegant, brushed over the cracked spine of the poetry book. He didn't pick it up. Instead, he leaned forward, placing both hands flat on the table on either side of Atlas's tome, caging him in. The scent of sandalwood and smoke intensified, a heady, masculine cloud that enveloped the boy.

"Lost hearts and forgotten seas," Addison repeated, his voice now a low, intimate murmur that seemed to vibrate through the oak table and into Atlas's bones. "You think that's quaint? You mistake the subject for the weapon, Mr. Black. Every great empire has been built on a verse. Every law designed to crush a bloodline is, at its core, a poem written in the language of power. Some of us just prefer to read it in its original form."

His eyes held a dark, hypnotic light, a blend of intellectual curiosity and something deeper, something possessive. He was no longer just a professor happening upon a student. He was a predator that had found its mark.

"And as for what else happens behind these stacks," he continued, his voice dropping even lower, a velvet rasp that was pure, unadulterated control. "That's for the boys who are still playing at being men. They seek fleeting pleasures because they don't yet understand what real power feels like. They don't know the satisfaction of… architecture. Of taking something raw and unformed and building it, shaping it until it is exactly what you desire. Until it needs you to give it form."

He leaned in another fraction, his gaze dropping from Atlas's eyes to his lips for a fleeting, charged moment before returning. He was close enough now that the boy could feel the warmth of his breath, an intimate contrast to the chill of the library. The proximity was an invasion, a test, and a promise all at once.

"Fucking is a messy, temporary thing," Addison concluded, the word spoken with a casual, dismissive finality that stripped it of all its intended shock value. "What I am interested in… is permanence. Now, tell me, Mr. Black. What kind of needle are you really looking for in that haystack?"

[wizardsofourtime]

There's no visible reaction to the way those hands seem to cage him in, he'd been far too well trained for such a simple act to give him pause, even if it was from a professor. Atlas was always used to being the one with the most power in any room he walked into or at least the feeling of it. Even if perhaps that fact wasn't always true. While he might have that...need for approval from an older man somewhere in his broken soul, it was a path that he knew could lead him astray from his own goals. Even as that intoxicating scent got stronger from the others' mere presence, he managed to keep his eyes locked on the others.

"Pardon if all the cleanness and the beauty, Brave rhythm and the immemorial sea, Ensnare us sometimes with their siren song, Forgetful of our murderous intentions. Through our uneasy peacetime carnival, Cold sweat of death holds us like a dew; Even this grey machinery of murder holds beauty and the promise of a future.” Atlas quoted that poem over at the other, the words flowing from his lips as soft and intimate as peers over at the other. "My mother is a fan of it but poetry is a weapon in the same way matters of the heart are. It's indirect." He countered with a little dig in of his smirk against his cheek. "Its power might be able to crumple Empires, but it's also better in hindsight. Lessons of old aren't always helpful for the current situation." Or at least, that's how Atlas saw it.

Atlas didn't flinch or shy away from that darker look in the professor's eyes, he was, after all, a soul in search of power. There's a smirk as the other spoke about the filth behind the stacks. His eyebrow arched a few inches as he tilted his head. "And you what? Take matters into your own hands? Mold your lovers into what you desire, Professor? Build them into whatever form that you crave most?" He said, making no attempt to move as he leaned in closer, and there was that mere moment of dience between their lips. "Funny, you always stuck me as the time who would be choking students with his cock behind his office desk." The dirty talk flowed easily from Atlas, just as simply as anything else he said, even if there was a slightly darker edge to his eyes.

"And what would you do with all that permanence if you found it?" He asked with a little tilt of his head before he addressed that actual comment. "A way to cut the legs off my opponent for an internship with the magical congress. One that leaves me and the congressperson I'm hoping to work with clean." Thus, the obscure laws that he was looking into. His eyes found the older man's again without a hint of shame of the fact he was very much talking about ruinning a man's life here.

[occultcounsel]

The footsteps didn't hesitate. If anything, they slowed, each step now a deliberate measure of sound against the ancient stone. Addison Blake emerged from the deeper shadows of the bookstacks, not as if he'd been caught, but as if he had finally allowed himself to be seen. The soft lamplight caught the distinguished silver at his temples and the sharp line of his jaw, carving him from the darkness. He held a slim, unassuming volume of poetry, its spine cracked with use.

A ghost of a smile touched Addison's lips, though it never reached the assessing warmth of his hazel eyes. They swept over Atlas—the severe black robes, the rigid posture, the feigned nonchalance—and saw every tension in the boy's frame. He registered the way Atlas's knuckles had whitened around the tome, a telltale sign of a disrupted composure. It was delicious, this brittle performance of control.

"The night owl," Addison murmured, his words lingering in the still air of the library, "is often the only predator worth speaking to."

He moved with an unnerving grace, not toward a nearby table, but directly into Atlas's space, stopping just short of intimacy but well within the bounds of intimidation. The scent of sandalwood and something acrid, like recently extinguished cigarette smoke, preceded him, a familiar, intoxicating cologne that Addison knew clung to his own clothes. He placed the book of poetry down on the table beside Atlas's heavy tome, the soft thump cutting through the silence.

His gaze didn't waver from Atlas's face, watching the boy's reflection shift in the glossy surface of the table. He saw the flicker of defiance in those dark eyes, the tightening of that sharp jawline. He was a beautiful, tightly coiled thing, this Black heir. All potential energy and barely contained ambition.

"Magical Law and Jurisprudence of the Eleventh Century," Addison read the title of Atlas's book without looking down, the sound low and intimate, seeming to resonate in the bones of the old library. "Heavy reading for a night like this. Though, I suppose, the pursuit of power is a sleepless endeavor."

He let the statement hang, an observation that was also an invitation, a judgment, and a challenge all at once. He waited, a portrait of patient, predatory stillness, for the boy to break the silence he had so carefully created. He didn't need to press; he simply needed to be present, to fill the space with the weight of his attention. The control was already his, a silent thread pulling taut between them.

[wizardsofourtime]

"Always better to be predator than prey in any regard." Altas said baci without missing a beat as he tilted his head from the book to the owner of the voice. His eyes following the other as he moved oh so closer to him, yet, the Black Heir kept his face full of reaction ad that cafefully curated mask didn't falter for a moment even as that book dropped to the table in front of him. His eyes flicked to the spine long enough to notice the fact it was a poetry book, which, honestly seemed like a strange choice to be seeking out in the middle of the night if he was honest.

The man was older and a professor, two simple facts that perhaps stilled Atlas's snarkier impulses as the other read out the title of his book without regard for how rude that might come across. His fingers pressed against the leather of the book he tilted his head up to the other man. He didn't flee from that strange feeling of intimacy the other had created, those soft tones and thick tension as the other let those words hang in the air between them. His dark eyes, just peering up at the older man as he did, after several long moments of silence, would be the one to act first.

"It's heavy reading with a purpose. Like finding a needle in a haystack. Only you can use that needle to send an entire bloodline to dust." Atlas was utterly unashamed of his own naked ambition. He was his father's son after all, raised and molded to be the next in a powerful line of powerful men. A harsher burden on his shoulders than his siblings, but one that he never failed to try and carry. "Though certainly different from quaint readings of poems about lost hearts and forgotten seas." He pointed out with a little nod to the other's choice in late-night readings. Atlas could feel his senses being overwhelmed by that cologne, by the scent of that older man but he, at least for the moment, get that mask intact as he shifted back in his seat.

"I'm shocked any professor is up this late, I must confess. Normally, it's students fucking behind the stacks." He drawled lightly.

[arcanefolklore]

“And I assume you want to do this before he can even run for office? Ruin him entirely before he can even start a career.” There was an intensity that came from Atlas, perhaps it was all an act to gain their father's approval— he always tried to imitate the stoic man who raised the four of them. He wasn't always so intense and cold, Corvus saw the softer and kinder side to the oldest Black sibling. The one who snuck cauldron cakes for Corvus before dinners when he was young, or who entertained his interests in herbology like he was doing right now. 

Like his brother, every moment of his life felt like a performance. An act to be the perfect child for their parents, entertaining matches by his mother and trying to gain his father's approval even when the man was cold to the touch. Corvus didn't want to be perceived as too soft or squishy to be a member of their family. However, he seemed to light up whenever he talked about plants. “Dark and damp.” That grin didn't escape his lips. “Quite a misunderstood plant, too.” he continued. “Don't tell anyone but I'm growing some in an abandoned dungeon of the castle. Never know when you'll need it.”

[wizardsofourtime]

"Best way to prevent a sword at your back is to never allow them a chance to get one at all, Corvus." While it wasn't an exact quote of their father, it certainly held the exact same vibe and feeling of the man. Atlas had internalized quite a lot, being as old as he was. There was even a time when he could remember being the sole heir before the rest of his siblings came along. It had been a unique sort of pressure, one that had left scars and impressions that still lingered today.

There was an amused smile, however, at how eager the other was talking about a plant that most wizards wouldn't give a second thought to. "I feel like the proper thing to do here would be to admonish you for so clearly breaking the rules, but I can't fault your ingenuity." And he, more than anyone, approved of bending the rules to use them for your own ends.

A hand did reach out to brush his knuckles against the younger's jawline in a little, brief moment of intimacy that lingered for a beat or two before he dropped his hand to the table again. "And don't be silly, as if I'd ever reveal such secrets to those who have no business hearing such. Though I do have that you used that hidden stash of yours for something useful and not just pure indulgence of your love of such things." Atlas pointed out as he shifted back on his seat again.

[veiledxlegacies]

It was certainly not uncommon for the professor of political influence magic to be working late, often overlooking the thesis' that his students had submitted in how one's psyche could affect their susceptibility to their influence - though he often had other reasons for staying late in his office, too. Tonight was, certainly, no exception. Eyes closed, Vincent laid back in his chair as the student in between his legs worked his prodigious length with vigor, his hand on the back of their head. It was a pretty little thing, one that was determined to start to the new school year on the right foot, and Vincent was more than willing to help them out...

After a few minutes, he was stuffing himself back into his pants as the student left, and he breathed in slowly and deliberately before he rose to his feet and headed out of his office. Once he was sure it was locked and secured, he began to make his way down the hallway when he saw the tell-tale glow of a lantern coming from the library. A brow rose, curious to know what other student would be out at this hour, as he began to make his way towards the library.

"One has to make sure things are ready for the next generation of wizards hoping to step into politics... Not all of them are as natural at is as you, Mr. Black," Vincent spoke in a cool tone, his shoes clicking against the wooden floor as he walked around the table that Atlas was at so he could stand before him. "And what are we reading at this hour? Perhaps it's something I can assist you with?"

[wizardsofourtime]

"And by that, I take that means you were bending some pretty eager freshmen over your desk, Professor." Atlas drawled back as he pulled his eyes away from the book in front of him, peering over at the older, handsome man who'd been his teacher till his graduation into more specialized formal study. "Did they earn that high mark from you?" He added as he felt that smirk appear on his face at that compliment that dropped from the other's lips. Perhaps too easy a praise to earn such a reaction, yet- hearing it from the man at such a prestigious position in his life certainly thrilled Altas.

His eyes followed Vincent as he moved around the table to stand at his side, his fingers curling around the book that he was reading to show off the title of it. Magical Congress Codes Vol.5. A thrilling title to be sure. "Depends on how you feel about cutting one's rivals off at the knees before they can even find a footing in the political field. Personally, I'm rather in favour of it." Atlas Black was ruthless after all- he was his father's son though and though. Morality was a bendable, changable thing in politics.

[mystxcmxn]

Bella had to admit he was used to this kind of thing. Even when he came with the best intentions, saying a little too much was a bad habit of his. It wasn't like he could take the words and put them back in his mouth. Atlas knew he meant no harm by it. "The bakery I got it from is superb. They make this pumpkin tart that I love, but it won't be in the shop till next month." He pulled his own treat from the wrapping and took a bite, making sure not to let any of the flakes land on his shirt.

"Voting laws?" He was a little curious about whatever scheme was cooking now that he knew there was undermining. "You'll win" his voice was simple. His brother was ruthless when he wanted to be, a trait shared among the eldest of their family. He let his eyes scan around the small little alcove they had found themselves in, trying his best to stay silent, but in the end failing as he always did. "Is this where you spend most of your nights tucked away here instead of in your or someone else's bed?" He pulled a book from the pile on the left of the desk really hoping it was the one his brother had already looked through. "so what is this man you dislike trying to acopmlish"

[wizardsofourtime]

Honestly, Bella would be the last person he'd ever expect to try to kill him. His twin, perhaps, but not Bella. It didn't stop those comments from putting him off the food a little bit. Unintended consequences and all that. "I'll be sure to put an order on hold just for you, dear brother, but I imagine you already knew that." He drawled softly, his smirk digging into the corner of his mouth.

"I know I will." He might not have been gifted with the sight, but he did have the sheer confidence of being the Heir to the Black Family. And he'd cut down any person he needed to if it helped him climb to the top of his personal mountains. His finger brushed along the edge of that ancient book for a moment before turning the page and letting his eyes run down the next set of complicated law codes. They did flick up as his brother's voice once again floated over towards him. "I think you'll find that this is a more useful way to spend my time instead of a night or two with some pretty harlot, Bella." Which was really stepping over the others' implications, regardless, most people found it rude if he pulled out some old law book post-fuck. At least doing it in the libary made some sense, and he could focus at night without the usual noise and clatter of the morning rush. His eyes flicked to that random book that Bella picked out of the pile; it wasn't anything really interesting. Just some old book on the magical congroess ordinance codes, nothing to enlightening. "He's gettiing in the way, Bella. There's a certain magical congressman I need to get a placement with. Ideally, taking him out now will help me." He pointed out as he dropped back into his seat. "You know that book doesn't have any fun pictures." He pointed ouwtih a little wave of his hand towards the book in the others hands.

[arcanefolklore]

being the youngest child, there was such a noticeable distance between corvus and his older brothers. the twins had each other, always paired together and seemed to understand the other better than anyone else and old enough that there was a disconnect with the blonde; and then atlas, his oldest brother was almost old enough to be corvus' father. he was sixteen when corvus was born, there couldn't be more of a distance between the two. 

of course his brother was studying for some law, atlas wasn't even in politics yet and he was already trying to find ways to take his enemies down. corvus understood there was a pressure that the heir had, one that was heavier than the pressure that he also carried on his shoulders. a constant act, always performing for the world around them. a demand for perfection at all costs. was it as exhausting for atlas as it was for him? “and when do you plan on cutting their legs off?” he didn't doubt this law existed, just curious if it'd be happening before midterms or when atlas took office.

of course his brother knew that corvus was here to find herbology books, perhaps he wasn't as stealthy as he would have liked to believe he was. or maybe atlas just knew how to read him, it was hard to lie to to your own kin. “easy.” he approached his brother, sitting across from him. “valerian and asphodel. the latter of which needs to be powdered.” while potions weren't his passion, it was a necessary course for his major and went hand in hand with herbology. 

[wizardsofourtime]

"When the time is right for maximum efficiency and cruelty. Why cause a wound when you can make sure they'll never think about taking another breath? Politically speaking, at least" Atlas clarified if only because he was aware of how intense that could sound. His attention was now firmly off the law books, however, as he looked over at the youngest, littlest Black boy as he watched him move over to sit across from him. 'Is it?" He said with a little tilt of his head, even as a small smile danced along his lips at the fact that his brother had gotten the surprise question correct.

Perhaps he was a little hard on his poor Corvus, even if he was a touch nicer than their father, but the striving for perfection was an endless treadmill of effort, and the only people to really help with such a burden were each other. "Very good, little brother." It's well-earned praise as the other made the point of even adding the process of one of the ingredients. His fingers rapped against the table as he leaned back in his seat. "All right, let's try something different then, if you're so awake and eager... how about the optimal growing conditions for Devil's Snare?" Those two dark, intense eyes were peering over at the younger boy, somehow both with expectation and...well, something else indescribable. Hope? Affection? Desire? Waiting to see if the other tripped and fell at such a simple question?

[arcaneacumen]

OPEN!

location: occ dean's office, in the dead of night

"the hour is very late," the professor drawled, candle light reflecting in his mismatched eyes as the flames danced across his office, "and those halls were never all that safe to being with."

it was not unheard of for the vampire professor to attend to his students and fellow professors at odd times, darkness suited him well and some of his subjects were meant to be explored when the pale light of the moon barely touched the earth. sometimes, they came with offerings. artifacts, tomes, themselves. blood was a valuable currency, zacharias knew better than most.

"what brings you here then?" he questioned, a small grin on his lips. "has my absence at dinner been felt?"

[wizardsofourtime]

Ambrose lingered in the doorway with all the drama one would expect of an ever-youthful vampire. "I'm not sure either of us has anything to truly fear in those hallways. And sleep is always beyond us both." Beyond some bigoted wizards, anyway. The reputation of vampires in the wizarding world was both a burden and an advantage at times. Ambrose moved into the other's office, his eyes on his sire as he let that soft smirk play along his lips, which somehow just made him look extra beautiful. Ambrose had the sort of beauty that in the past men would have gone to war over, and now that he was a vampire, it somehow simply made him breathtaking in the smallest, controlled movements.

He moved towards the professor's desk, and a single finger ran along the edge of it as he looked over at the older man- both in appearance and actual vampiric age. "I take it you're not going to accept boredom as a proper answer?" There was that little twinkle in his eyes as he leaned forward on the desk, his palms flat against the wood. "And I'm sure it has, more than you know. You can't hide away in your office all night all the time. Sir."

[mystxcmxn]

Sneaking up on people was never Bellatrix's strong point. It was hard to make sure you stayed silent with limbs as long as his, even more so when you are growing. It did not help that he was usually thinking of about 50 different things as he moved about the world. Even now he knew Atlas was going to be there and knew that he was going to be reading some dusty old book that would make the younger's head spin. The why, however, was the part that had his mind going a mile a minute. There was a smile on his face when the other's voice met him as he turned a corner. "You wouldn't happen to be particularly lonely or hungry, would you, big brother?" he asked as he moved to take the seat across from him, pulling a small snack out from his bag and placing it between them. "I am not the one that made it, so this isn't the one where you get sick" His eyes scanned the spine of the book. One, he would never really be interested. Seemed dense and not really worth this time. This is why he wasn't the heir despite being the third-born. "What is that one about?"

[wizardsofourtime]

His brother settled down across from him before he could speak, and he watched that tall, slender man settle across from him. He was always amused that the sheer height of his twin younger brothers made him feel oh so short in comparison. By now, he'd gotten used to the way his brother spoke; that non-linear way of looking at the world was a quirk that the other had had since birth. It could be off-putting if it were the first time. By now, Atlas simply let such comments slide unless Bellatrix was very insistent on which version of the timeline should exist.

Still, he eyed the snack when it was placed in front of them- while it might not be the version of the timeline where he got sick. The very idea of it made him a little more wary all the same. "Not as yet but I'll be sure to take a bite or two if the urge comes, little brother." If only he didn't offend the other by not taking a bite or two.

Altas glanced down at the thick book in front of him with a little suck of his cheek. "Obscure voting laws of the 14th century. I'm rather trying to find a way to undercut a certain Ravenback from..." He trailed off with a wave of his hand because no doubt the other would find it boring. "I'm using the law as a weapon to try and get a few points politcallly, Bella." He answered more simply.

[arcanefolklore]

there was an expectation you had to live up to when you were born into the black family, to be better than the rest of the world. while he was the youngest of their family and didn't have to carry the legacy of their family in the same way atlas did, that pressure was still there. he had a fondness for plant life and a natural talent with herbology, but his father said that was a waste for one of his sons.

he still invested in his plants, of course, but in secret and something he didn't talk about with others. there was a copy of a herbology book he wanted to get, getting it in the middle of the night seemed like the most natural time to check it out when he didn't have people asking questions. 

with a few books in his hand, he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw his brothers face in the candle light of some book. of course atlas would be studying at this hour. “oh, i wanted to find a book before it got snagged up.” not a lie, just not the entire truth. “why are you up so late, brother?”

[wizardsofourtime]

Atlas knew his baby brother's footsteps anyway, he'd listen to them half his life after all. Even if the age gap between them created a certain amount of...distance between them. They weren't like the twins after all, seemingly sharing a single brain-cell if you placed them in the same room and able to do some sort of twin telepathy that defied most magical conventions. Or at least Atlas had always suspected as much.

"At such a late hour?" Atlas's eyebrow raised as if the notion of doing so was somehow different to his own current situation. It was, somehow, different in his mind. Perhaps because he was the older brother and allowed such indulgences. Atlas's law book was placed onto the desk in front of him as his eyes landed on Corvus. His eyes dipped to the books in the others' hands. He had his suspicions about what those books contained, but his tongue held on the topic, at least for now. "Had something of a midnight thought of how to cut the legs off a certain rival of mine, metaphorically speaking, using an obscure law from the early 1400's that was never taken off the books. But of course that requires finding the law beyond some little filing cabinet in my head." He pointed out with a little wave towards his books in front of him as he dropped back against the seat, his eyes flicking back to his younger brother.

"So. Tell me... The roots of which plant are commonly used in the creation of the Draught of Living Death?' While it might be a surprise question- if the other was chosing to use the family name to go into herbology of all things, Atlas was going to make sure that he was the best version of that choice. Besides, the middle of the night was reserved for research, studying, sleeping or fucking. Might as well force the other to do one of those.

[magicalmisguidings]

finn was always in a library, not this one of course as there were many to pick from and law was not his....interest. but he had been reading a recently published paper on the ethics of homunculi and the author had quoted some long forgotten arcane law that he was sure the man had misquoted. that bothered him. in fact it had bothered him to much he had snuck out of his room in the middle of the night so that he could go and prove himself right. because obviously that was the most important.

now he had been caught, he he froze for a moment, like an animal that thought if they didn't move they wouldn't be seen. "i couldn't sleep." he said softly. when finn realized who it was there was pity in his eyes as he glanced over at atlas. finn hated the pressures of being a youngest son in a fallen house, how much more awful would it be to be the eldest in one that was still pureblood. "what are you doing up? also do you know the 16th century legal codes on creating artificial life?"

[wizardsofourtime]

Atlas finally glanced towards that oh so younger man with his eyebrow arched slightly as the other stilled like a statue in the garden for a moment. 'Ah" As if a simple answer like insomnia was enough of an explanation for being up this late. It wasn't, but Altas was hardly going to chase the proper answer from a student who looked like he was a youthful little thing. Atlas lowered his law book to place it flat against the desk before he leaned back in his seat to regard the other. "Honestly? I was following a thought I couldn't quite get out of my head when it came to a politcal rivals application of a certain law. Thus.." He waved his hand towards the book. 'Trying to find some sort of trick to cite to cut the legs out from under him." He said with a soft little click of his tongue before he focused on those next words.

"Why? Are you planning on giving the spark of life to something you shouldn't?" Because that was the only reason for Altas that someone might need to know such legal codes.

[wizardsofourtime]

open post: The School Library |

There were days when Atlas felt he had the entire world on his shoulders, the expectation of an entire family line that spanned generations of wizards and witches. Atlas knew exactly what expectation was: more power for a great house like theirs, to make the Black family name something to be equally respected and feared. To balance being Master of the House and Heir to the future of the Black Family name.

Atlas had always known what his ultimate goal was, powerful magic and political power in equal measure. Perhaps it wasn't all that surprising to find the Eldest Black boy with his head in a tome about some old arcane law in the dead of the night. A single lantern was lighting up the room around him as he ran his fingers along the old pages, a little frown dancing along his face as his eyes ran over the words. Atlas was dressed in rather severe black robes, a high collar pressing against his sharp jawline. He looked the picture of the future Minister of Magic. Even in private, his movements seemed practised and careful as if he didn't drop the facade of who he was even now. Of who he wanted to be.

His head turns at the sound of those footsteps behind him, his finger gripping the page of the old book a little tighter.

"Hardly expected anyone else to be playing the night owl this late." Atlas's voice cut through the dark as he caught the other by surprise, no doubt.

[seaside-storm]

BRENTON THWAITES as NIGHTWING Titans (2018-2023) 1.05

[wizardsofourtime]

Blog Refresh from here on out.

[magicalmisguidings]

"You don't own the forest, and you are just out here in the open doing hot shit like turning into an eldritch being. What should I do just avert my eyes when I see a beautiful twink turn into a hot as hell tentacle monster? I think it would be more rude to not look. You're a work of art. If I could change anything I'd give you like four arms maybe? Possibly more chitinous armor on the joints." This was Lucian's aesthetic to a tee. A dark forest, an ominous aura, an 8 foot tall monster with writhing tentacles? Well hello nurse. He couldn't really ask for more.

"I wish I could turn into something like that. The best I can do is this." While it wasn't real and all illusion casting, Lucian unhinged his jaw before a torrent of insects and black bile poured from his mouth, squirming centipedes and and writhing spiders. Wiping his mouth on the back of his hand he beamed at the other. Then unfortunately the illusion dissipated and swirled back into a reality.

"I like your whole vibe. A lot. I think I have a boner now actually. Scratch that I do have a boner now."

[wizardsofourtime]

Niklaus's fingers pressed into the wood of the tree instead of them as those deep, empty eyes found Lucian's form as he spoke. Honestly, he wasn't expecting anyone to call his current form "hot shit" and yet, here it was. He just let the other ramble on as his own transformation kept moving, turning less and less human by the moment. "Well, sorry for not having the right amount of arms-" the words almost seemed to strangle out of him. The tree he was leaning under splintered and cracked with the strength the current monster had. The Russian twink's head did tilt as the other let that rather gross swarm of insects and bile drip from his mouth, but he hardly seemed put off by the intense illusion.

There was an almost haunting laugh at those next words and the towering, almost nine-foot monster finally moved from his place. The tentacles curled and moved along the ground as they spread out from his back. There's a dark chuckle at those words,.s and his smile seemed to widen on his face, inching up his face far too much in a monstrous mask of a smile. "Do you know? Maybe we should fucking check that." One of those tentacles flicked out through the dark to curl around Lucian's neck, lifting the demi-god up as another tentacle curled around the boy's leg and moved up to brush over the others crotch to check that boner for himself.

"Let's see if you're lying..."

[vileblccds]

if cassidy was southern comfort, forrest was straight hick. he was well-intentioned, of course, been here long enough to start to break out of his bad habits. he'd come to enjoy the friends he made here, definitely was a one of a kind experience.

" probably ain't as good as the homebrew back home, but i can get down with that. " donned in a cutoff tee and a pair of faded jeans, he gives cassidy a once over. "i get it, you're one of 'em pretty southern boys, but that charm don't work on me." he teases, grinning wide as he gives a soft blow to the man's stomach.

" what're you drinkin' cass? "

[wizardsofourtime]

"Oh. I'm reduced to a Pretty southern boy?" Cassidy's charming smile flashed like a thousand watt lightblub as he lets that soft punch land on his body and he chuckled, pretending to hold his chest. "You wound me, darlin." He drawled before he stood up straight again and swung a blow to the others bare arm in retaliation. "I like to think I'm at the very least a very pretty southern boy." he countered as he leaned against the bar. "And my charm works on everyone, dude. " He adds without a missing a beat as he winked over at the other before glancing back at the various drinks behind the bar.

"I an't a complicated man. I usually just go for a pretty basic ass beer." He pointed out with a little wave towards the taps of beer near the front of the bar.