sortinghat_logs | Silence of the Lamb

Entry tags:

Silence of the Lamb

WHO: Murdoc Donoghue and Kurloz Makara
TONE: Dark (Arts)
RATING: R?
WHEN: Backdated to during the week (October 23~)
WHERE: Murdoc's office
WHAT: Kurloz needs a little extra help with unspoken spells for DADA.

It's about four o'clock in the afternoon when Murdoc finally gets a brief moment alone to recline in his desk chair and relax. It's been a long day of classes for the Dark Arts Professor, but he isn't quite done yet. He's been giving one student in particular extra classes for some time now and today is no exception. In fact, today would be a particularly important lesson for the young man. He ponders, glancing toward a well sealed cupboard that he'd recently had moved into his office. A fine test of unspoken spells for the young man, he thinks. Boggarts, afterall, react more strongly to emotions than words.

Kurloz, the student in question, was a strange boy indeed. Though, he seemed reasonably amiable in the time Murdoc had spent around him, he's unsure how much of that stems from the fact that he's mute. In an effort to try get some important discussions across, he had been teaching himself a few signs in order to make the lessons run smoothly. It would be particularly important in a situation like this, but he's sure Kurloz is more than ready for it.

He'd warned him before the lesson what he would be taking on, of course, but he wonders if he knows what he's in for.

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Kurloz shuffles into the classroom quietly, knocking on the door beforehand to announce his arrival. He gives a small smile to the professor and might look a bit pale but he's game. He slowly signs out:

Am I late?

It takes Murdoc a moment to get that, but when he does, he waves him off with a casual flick of the hand. He hasn't figured out the sign for 'who cares' yet.

"Do you remember what we'll be studyin' today? Have you reviewed the chapters I asked?" He asks, not returning the smile but now glowering at the young man. It's important that he knows this before he starts.

Kurloz moves closer to Murdoc's desk and takes his textbook out from his bag. He sets it down on the edge of the desk and flips through the bookmarked chapters to show he's read them. He signs slowly with one hand so Murdoc can have more processing time:

boggarts

Murdoc nods as he does, humming in approval. Though, the rustling from the cupboard is probably indication enough for the younger man.

"So, as you should know, A Boggart is a creature that manifests itself into your deepest fear in a physical form. It is combated by somethin' we know as the Riddikulus charm. As you should also know, the charm is not one that is powerful through the incantation or wand movements, but through the concentration behind it. As such, it is one of the more powerful non spoken spells and fairly simple to master, if you are easily amused."

He takes a small breath before standing from his chair, walking around the desk to stand in front of the cupboard.

"You may want to consider that for a moment. If you have any questions feel free to bring them to my attention."

Edited 2012-10-30 11:00 (UTC)

Turning to stare at the cupboard, Kurloz's face is surprisingly calm despite how his stomach's tightening up with anxiety. He withdraws his wand from his pocket, absently twirling it between his fingers as his eyes remain fixated on the rattling cupboard. He honestly has no idea what will come out of that cupboard - well, he knows it's a boggart but he has no clue what form it will take, and that's the thrill of it. His classmates have had various experiences, some of them laughable and some downright terrifying.

Still, happy thoughts and fly the motherfuck out of there like Peter Pan or some shit, right?

He smiles relaxedly and signs slowly:

ready

Murdoc nods again, an action that has become a staple movement in most of his conversations with the mute boy. It made sense, really. It was a clear indication of understanding and confirmation, he just felt as if he was repeating himself. He doesn't quite comprehend the etiquette behind signed and silent conversations.

He steps to the side, giving the boggart and Kurloz the space they'll require but standing close enough to observe and interfere if necessary.

"On the count of three.." He says, stepping backward as he counts down, leaving a small pause in between each number. "One, Two, Three." He flicks his wand at the cupboard, sending the doors flying open. He keeps his wand at the ready, prepared to bark orders at Kurloz.

Kurloz frowns when nothing emerges after several rapid heartbeats. His wand slowly lowers as the boggart appears to remain in the cupboard, and turns his head to give the professor a confused look.

That's when he hears the first low chuckle.

His eyes narrow as he resumes staring hard at the cupboard, a pale hand appearing from within to grip the sides of the door. His confusion only intensifies when the hand is followed by an arm, then a head, tousled black hair obscuring the creatures face as it slowly steps out of the cupboard.

There's a steady dripping noise, which Kurloz then sees is from the blood leaking down a familiar looking wand held in the other hand. It takes him a moment to realize that this thing is splattered in blood, the crimson liquid trailing down in thin gory rivulets along its arms, the front of its shirt, the black fabric glistening where the blood has supposedly gathered.

It's not until the boggart lifts his head that Kurloz realizes its assumed his shape, albeit with a wide, unhinged grin stretching his features, indigo eyes too open, pupils too dilated.

He lowers his wand completely and stares at Murdoc, confused because he certainly doesn't fear himself... does he?

Murdoc returns the nod by lifting his head in the direction of the cupboard, urging the boy to stay focused. A boggart would take any moment of vunerability and use it against him. He notes that Kurloz should know that, but he holds back any distracting commentary for the sake of observing.

The chuckle makes him straighten, staring straight at the cupboard and focusing on the hand as it appears. An eyebrow raises as the figure drags itself from the cupboard and he tenses as it becomes more apparent who it is. A duplicate. It's not the first time he's seen a fear projected in the form of one's self before, but it had not been quite as gruesome. This seemed a little more intimate, a little more personal.

He studies it carefully, paying close attention to it's face and finding it offputtingly familiar. The face, the smile and the eyes seemed strikingly recognizable. Yet, it's not Kurloz that he's thinking of. Curious.

He turns his attention back to the boy, stunned to see his wand lowered.

"What are you DOIN' boy?" He waves his hands at him with an urgent scowl. "Raise your wand and focus!"

Kurloz shakes his head to snap out of his confusion and lifts his wand, eyes narrowed on his doppelganger. The thing laughs louder at Kurloz's unease and moves a step closer, licking the blood from its teeth.

"Still so scared, aren't you? WEAK PATHETIC EXCUSE OF A MOTHERFUCKING LAMB IS WHAT YOU ARE!" it taunts in Kurloz's voice, deepening into the velvety tone it would reach one he finished with puberty. Laughing again, it flicked blood from its fingers at Kurloz, making the boy flinch when one drop hit his cheek. "What's the matter? Still all sorts of fucking PUSSY-FOOTED ABOUT THIS SHIT and what you could UP AND BE!" it crowed, lifting its arms in a 'ta-da' manner to better show-case itself.

Kurloz frowned and quickly tried to think of how to make the thing stop talking, the laughter corroding at his self-confidence in ways that had nothing to do with humiliation but genuine fear. At another deep laugh, he grit his teeth and suddenly the boggart's mouth is sewn shut, a surprised look growing on the thing's face as it claws at the thread.

Kurloz only has a moment to grin in grim triumph before the thing's forced its mouth open, the threads pulling taught and ripping through delicate flesh, adding to the bloody trail down its front. "NOT SO FUCKING FAST LITTLE BITCH!"

Murdoc very nearly shudders while he watches the two near duplicates interact with one another. He takes a deep breath to calm himself, straightening in the seemingly likely event that Kurloz cannot control...well...himself.

He keeps a careful eye on the situation, but he doesn't want to step in so quickly. Kurloz is understandably taken aback, but he knew what he was getting into. He had said he had understood and so he would be given a fair chance to take initiative.

He takes note of the mouth binding. A cunning trick, but not as it should be. He cringes as the boggart easily rips through the spell, knowing it would not last. He won't watch any longer, so he steps forward and casts the Riddikulus charm wordlessly and seemingly, with ease. It takes a good deal of focus and concentration. Something Kurloz will have to master, given his situation.

He sends the boggart backward into the cupboard and seals it shut again, turning on his heel to face Kurloz.

"You need to act much faster, lad."

Kurloz recoils when Murdoc suddenly steps forward, wand lifting instinctively to protect himself. Seeing ~~himself~~ the boggart disappear, Kurloz lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, a cold sweat having broken out across his back.

When Murdoc turns to him he jerks minutely, wand lowering as he slowly regains colour in his cheeks as he nods glumly to the professor's observation. He wipes his sweaty palms on his robes and runs his fingers through his hair before signing out with hands he refuses to let tremble:

I'm sorry. I know better what to expect now.

He smiles awkwardly.

Again?

Edited 2012-11-06 14:47 (UTC)

Murdoc exhales, leaning back against the cupboard for a moment and giving Kurloz enough time to adjust himself. He barely raises an eyebrow at the raised wand, at least the boy is somewhat alert. He'd felt like he'd intended to let the boggart consume him right then and there with only that small show of defiance as a means of protecting himself.

Then he remembers he's a man hardened by years of experience. The boggart had been jarring for him, but nothing he hadn't seen before. For the boy, it must have been awfully traumatic. However, if such traumas and thoughts impact him, it's Murdoc's job to have him overcome them.

He steps forward, clapping a hand on his shoulder and giving him a small shake to make him more alert.

"There's a good lad. Remember that it's all a form of manipulation. Your hesitation is your weakness."

He says, stepping back and waiting until Kurloz is ready before flicking the doors open again.

Kurloz stares up at Murdoc with wide eyes when the man gives him a shake, nodding mutely and gripping his wand more firmly. He's still a bit paler than usual as he shakes himself, taking a deep breath and staring at the cupboard.

His mind scrambles to think of ways to make that thing somehow funnier and he just... draws a blank. At the very least he's pretty sure he knows how to make it less frightening?

As the doors fly open he swallows hard, watching as the boggart reemerges, chuckling in that infuriating voice that sends chills down Kurloz's spine.

Biting his cheek, Kurloz forces himself to concentrate and flicks his wand at the boggart. In a flash the blood turns into a myriad of different colours, as though the creature had been splashed with different paints all over. The boggart staggers back and stares down at itself incredulously and Kurloz grins, finding the sight of the creature so confused funnier than the paints.

The moment doesn't last though, and the boggart snaps his head up, glaring at Kurloz before cracking a wide grin. "Weak, motherfucker. TOO WEAK! You want to play with paints?" Kurloz frowns and the creature gestures a sign at him that makes him go deathly white immediately.

Mituna.

"JUST AS WEAK AS YOU," it snarls, licking the yellow 'paint' from it's lips. "Let's put that brother out of his MOTHERFUCKING MISERY HUH? WE'LL UP AND PAINT THE FUCKING WALLS RED-"

"DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE!" Kurloz roars, voice deep and cracking from lack of use, his wand lashing out and several unvoiced spells cast. The creature falls back closer to the cupboard as several deep gashes appear all over it's body, blood the colour of Kurloz's favorite ink spilling out in lurid indigo splashes to drip along the floor. Another vicious flick of the wand and the boggart's tongue lands, dismembered, on the floor with a wet splat.

Murdoc is much more alert this time around. This is nothing he can't handle, of course, but it's a particularly gruesome boggart and he will freely admit it. It's obviously clinging to some deep rooted insecurities, ones Kurloz himself may not even be aware of. The human mind is terrifying enough without the darker creatures manipulating the many weaknesses it holds.

The voice is enough to chill Murdoc. He knows it. It's familiar. Why is it so damn familiar? He can't put his finger on it, but it makes him twitch with barely contained frustration. It's making it so much harder to concentrate.

It's almost like watching tennis, keeping track of the back and forth between Kurloz and his boggart. He isn't about to say it out loud, but he's impressed. The boy is talented, such talent could easily be manipulated. It's probably a damn good thing he's having private lessons with Murdoc. Murdoc trusts Murdoc.

That sign looks familiar. The reaction certainly confirms that it's sensitive. The yelling has him watching wide eyed and then. He hardly realises the importance of it. Kurloz spoke? That was his voice? Honestly. his first thought is 'Why am I bloody well giving him lessons on unspoken spells if he can speak' but he's quick to end that train of thought.

"Riddikulus, Kurloz! You aren't fightin' it, you're banishin' it. You need to will it away, not engage it!"

Kurloz doesn't realize at first that he's broken his vow of silence and keeps sending spell after worldless spell at the boggart, just yelling with uncontained rage with each lash of wand. The skin and muscles are completely disintegrated from one arm, large jagged stitches sew the thing's mouth and eyes shut, bones are audibly heard wetly cracking into pieces inside it's body.

At Murdoc's prompting Kurloz turns with a snarl twisting his features, glaring at the professor for a moment with wild eyes for daring to interrupt him serving some RIGHT AND PROPER MOTHERFUCKING JUSTICE. His mouth splits in a feral grin and he whispers, voice rolling deep and thick like smoke:

"Not yet."

As he keeps tearing into the thing and whittling it down into a pitiful mess on the floor, he distantly registers that the laughter hasn't stopped, but doesn't realize it's coming from him now.

Finally, when the boggart's a quivering mess on the floor, Kurloz grins viciously at it and flicks his wand, silently casting Riddikulus and sending it disintegrating into smoke and swirling back into the safety of the cupboard.

In the silence of the aftermath he stands there breathing heavily, exhilarated and still grinning with triumph.

Edited 2012-11-11 16:49 (UTC)

Murdoc straightens, keeping his wand steady and meeting Kurloz' aggressive stare with wide, confused eyes. He's a little shaken by this, if he's honest with himself. This is beyond what he expected from the quiet, almost docile young man.

He allows him to continue, knowing that stopping him would not do well for either of them in a situation like this. He watches silently as he attacks, noting the skill of the other boy's attacks

Giving him a moment to relax, he clears his throat and takes a step closer. He's not in Kurloz' face, he's too wary for that. He keeps his distance while narrowing his eyes at him, speaking up.

"Mind explainin' that?"

Kurloz keeps breathing loudly, dazedly turning to focus on Murdoc, at first not understanding what the professor's asking. He defeated the boggart, didn't he? He showed he wasn't a slave to his fears... right?

Then he feels the lingering buzzing sensation in his throat from using his vocal chords for the first time in over a year.

His eyes widen with horror and his hand flies to his mouth, a choked noise escaping his lips. He begins to tremble all over as he shakes his head, denying what he'd done - what promise he'd broken. He begins to feel sick, ready to retch and potentially have a second encounter with his lunch, slowly beginning to hyperventilate. He lets out a panicked moan and works his jaw, determinedly putting his tongue between his teeth, eyes screwing closed with focus as he tries to bite through the thick organ again.

Murdoc opens his mouth to explain both his concerns and impracticalities behind Kurloz' methods. He had made himself more a slave than he'd realised. By succumbing to the taunting and ignoring the simple, clean cut method he'd compromised himself.

He tightens his lips as Kurloz looks shocked, unsure of how to handle the situation. He supposes he deserves a moment of peace to sort himself out, so he keeps the small distance between them.

He's about to reach out and pat the boy on the back as he retches, maybe fetch him some water, when he starts to chew. That's when he works on better instinct, he flicks his want at the boy and chants "Immobulus." before stepping closer to the now frozen student. "Control yourself, Makara."

Kurloz's eyes snap open when he's suddenly frozen, a hoarse cry of frustration working up his throat and slipping through his teeth. His body slowly falls to his side, leaving him seemingly lying down on the floor and bitter tears leaking from his eyes, trickling across his nose and cheek to the floor.

He focuses on breathing from Murdoc's command, closing his eyes and letting the hysteria pass - it's not as if he's going anywhere any time soon - and gradually feels his body relax despite being frozen in position. He swallows, feeling the revulsion again at the slight tingling at his throat, and tries to ignore it, letting his face settle into a blank expression, staring into the distance on the floor, slowly going down the rabbit hole of his mind.

Murdoc crouches after Kurloz, carefully shifting him into a less awkward position and propping him against Murdoc's desk behind him so he isn't just lying there. It seemed strange to have him just strewn about on the middle of the floor, almost heartless. He hopes he isn't coming across as too harsh, but he's quite terrible at comforting. He doesn't want to dote on the boy either, this is a terribly tricky situation.

With a wave of his wand he summons a glass and taps against it to fill it with water. He crouches in front of Kurloz, patting at his face to get his attention and trying to make eye contact.

"If I unbind you, will you try that again?" He asks, holding the water away from the boy in preperation for unfreezing him.

Kurloz's eyes blink at the patting but it takes a while for them to focus on Murdoc's face, and even then there's something... missing. He stares into Murdoc's eyes for a moment, not quite comprehending what's been asked of him for some time. Then a quiet whisper can be heard in the professor's ears even though Kurloz's lips don't move, and it's quite clearly the boy's voice.

"No. I'll behave."

His eyes immediately grow unfocused, slowly blinking and swivelling lazily to stare blankly around the classroom. Even in his frozen state it's obvious he's exhausted and withdrawn into his mind - so much so that he's practically a puppet propped up against the desk.

Murdoc stares back at Kurloz, trying to keep his expression as solid and calm as he can manage. He makes eye contact and refuses to break it until Kurloz does.

Wordlessly, he unfreezes him and holds the water out for him. He keeps the steady expression and his moves are calculated and slow. He doesn't want Kurloz to snap again, after all.

Kurloz makes no move to reach for the water, still staring listlessly around the room. He blinks tiredly and eventually closes his eyes completely, hands twitching a bit before he begins to doze. His eyelids twitch as his eyes flicker under them restlessly, but that's the most movement he's making despite being freed from the spell.

Murdoc frowns, placing the water close enough that he knows it's there to drink but far enough away so that he doesn't happen to knock it over again. He keeps a close, suspicious watch of him. He's close to letting him sleep, but he imagines it can't be at all comfortable, so he speaks up.

"Perhaps I should accompany you to the nurse's office."

At the mention of the nurse, Kurloz's eyes snap to focus on Murdoc's face with keen ferocity and he quickly signs out:

Don't Owl my mother about this.

Murdoc tilts his head to the side, giving Kurloz a confused look before following it with a flat one.

"Do you not think your mother is entitled to know such a thing? It's terribly concerning, Makara."

Kurloz sits up, obviously struggling, and sluggishly shakes his head, only his eyes and hands alert.

My mother worries enough about me as it is. She doesn't need to know I had a small relapse. She stopped eating the last time it happened.

He sighs quietly and rubs at his eyes, smudging the eye liner before slowly signing:

Please.

Murdoc sighs, drawing back a bit to rub at his face. Hell if he knows what to do. He hardly knows how to teach, he doesn't understand any of the emotional consequences of it. Or maybe he does more than he wants to believe. He just really doesn't know what to do. A nurse will know. A nurse is a good option.

"You're old enough to make your own choices." He says, finally before standing up. "Come along. We'll be going to the nurses office now."

Taking a bracing breath, Kurloz struggles to his feet, leaning heavily against the desk. He pockets his wand and signs:

Ready when you are.

Murdoc watches him struggle for a moment before he takes a wordless step forward and reaches for Kurloz' arm. He hooks his arm under it and pulls the boy next to him, making himself a human crutch.

"It will do neither of us any good if you collapse in the hallway." He grumbles, pushing open the door and leading them both out. He resists the urge to sigh, but that was a damn tiring lesson.

Kurloz sighs for him, leaning against the professor and wobbling for the Hospital Wing and signing tiredly:

Sorry about this.

Murdoc walks at a reasonable pace, trying not to be too fast so that the lad can keep up, but he doesn't want to linger and attract the attention of his peers. That's the last thing either of them need right now.

"S'alright. Just know that we'll be talkin' about it in the future." He says in a stern voice, leading the boy into the infirmary and sitting him down on a bed.

"You sit tight, I'll fetch a nurse." He gives Kurloz a nod before turning on his heels to find one of the workers for the boy.

If you insist.

Kurloz watches the stern professor walk away and sighs, what little energy he has left slowly draining and making him slump to lie on his side. He stares blankly before him, focused more on the feel of his tongue running over the backs of his teeth.

When Murdoc returns with the nurse, he's explaining the situation in the vaguest manner possible in hushed tones. Boggarts, you know. They have funny impacts on people. It's not long before the nurse waves him off and he takes a few steps back whilst nodding at Kurloz.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Makara."

He nods again before turning on his heel, taking his leave from the infirmary.

Kurloz's eyes flick up to blink at the nurse and the professor who soon retreats. As the nurse begins to check his vitals and whatnot, Kurloz closes his eyes and sighs, a gentle flicker of gratitude brushing at Murdoc's mind as he leaves.

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Silence of the Lamb

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