A good ol fashioned whomping ~ - - Maharet/Seizel

[SEIZEL AURA CAPPER]

Seizel was tired after a long day of doing nothing in the common room, and found it even more boring just idling away on the Quidditch pitch practicing. It was seldom he found the game of Quidditch boring at all and needed someone or something to tickle his mind with. Even the expression itself sounded lame, but he would do what he could to get his jollies as his passive face said nothing. There was no hint of emotion, or trace of any sentient thoughts. Yet, Seizel was thinking a million miles per minute, and he always liked being four moves ahead of everyone no matter where they were. Wearing a common Ravenclaw vest since he decided to part of the tradition for a change.

Curly brown locks wavered as the wind blew through them while his blue eyes looked around his surroundings. He was on the grounds, and was now wearing a navy blue sweater with a Ravenclaw bird embroidered on the left sleeve. Finally just lounging near the one infamous tree known as the Whomping Willow, and obviously he wasn't frightened by it. Literally, it just amused him cause he would do the same thing if anyone tried trespassing on his turf too. Starting to let the wonders of this world amaze him for a moment, he soon took to circling the old, ancient tree. Having been around for both wizarding wars, it seemed awkward to still be standing in front of it without being whomped to death.

Seizel just made that word up and made him chuckle sincerely of course. It was always hard to tell where he'd show up next though, because to know what he was thinking, you'd have to think ahead of him. Even that feat was impossible, but he liked getting things done his own way. If in fact he wasn't getting anything done at all, and that was what made him so interesting. Was the way he never really had any set goals, and no one had ever brought out a darker side in him. After all, he knew countless people that used word play to attempt to get him to do something for them, but he always nudged out of it with the lamest excuse. Seizel wasn't dumb, especially since he and Deimos were quite the tag-team when it came to pulling pranks.

Seizel's own quidditch games weren't just about strategy though, there was some skill involved. Even as the wizard's chess captain, not many had beaten him in a game. Of course, even if people studied his moves, he -always- changed his strategy. Countless possibilities that always lead to his success. That was besides the point having some blue jeans on, and white sneakers to accentuate the fact he wanted to seem rather plain today. Not putting any effort into his dress code either. It was at least standard for the time being until he finally stopped staring at the damned tree.

There was really nothing fascinating to it, and it bored the hell out of him as he kicked some dirt at it hoping for a reaction. Suddenly the creaking of the tree surprised him but his wand was out as he instantly reacted to a branch nearly whipping him in the face. "Stupify"

[/color] was all he yelled as it shot at the tree. Knocking the branch back and angering it even more, obviously Seizel was having fun with it. Anyone could have joined in, but he was hoping not just anyone would relinquish him of this joy as he enjoyed the danger that came with this act.

A boring day had to be made amusing, and the whomping willow was definitely the first way to get rid of boredom.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]

[MAHARET AVIE ROSIER]

Herbology was such a useless subject. Maharet had been stuck in the stuffy, humid greenhouses recording the properties of Venomous Tentacula plants. The bloody thing had tried to nip at her on numerous occasions baring those spiky, dark red teeth to her. Her patience had wore thin and after completing what needed down Maharet had hurried packed up her stuff shouldering the simple, yet stylish, leather satchel and hurried out of the greenhouse wiping her hands off vigorously on the fabric of her jeans. They weren’t particularly dirty, in fact the single smudge of dirt that had managed to find its way onto her skin had been dealt with immediately but Maggie always felt grubby after being in the greenhouses.

The heels of her tan boots suck into the grass with each step that Maharet took but that didn’t hinder her in any way, she was used to it. A bit sulky from her traumatic experience in the greenhouses, as she walked along the grounds, Maharet decided that watching the violent Whomping Willow was just the thing to get her frustration out. Everything was too pleasant around her, she felt. There were giddy first years frolicking about the grounds laughing and smiling in the most annoying sort of way and as she passed them, the smile that she was obligated to give them as a couple waved eagerly to her, was terse. A slip up that she would have to remedy at a later time.

Before the tree even came into sight Maharet knew that it was in motion. She could hear it creak as the ancient branches swatted at something of annoyance. Her pace quickly slightly hoping not to miss watching some idiot child getting thrown across the ground after being caught in the gut by a vicious branch and then, as a Prefect, having to give them a detention for mistreating such a historical and important landmark. Instead Maharet’s gaze landed on Seizel, the tip of a branch grazing against his cheek only to be punished for having such audacity as to touch him with the stunning spell. What was more was that he seemed amused by it rather than infuriated. Before making her presence know, Maharet took a moment to pout over her misfortune. The Whomping Willow may have bested him once but it wouldn’t happen again.

Huffing, Maharet folded her arms across her chest, the action raising her teal, long sleeved shirt even more showing off her midriff. She definitely wasn’t wearing her regulation Ravenclaw uniform but it mattered little as her classes for the day were over and the Herbology assignment had been done on her own time, much to Maharet’s chagrin. A brow raised Maharet waited patiently for Seizel to bore with his torment of the Whomping Willow. At least the tress fury was allowing her frustration to melt away, albeit slowly and not in the way she would have preferred. Seizel was sure to give her an outlet soon enough. He challenged her intellectually, which she both loved and hated. He intrigued her, but Maharet also had to be very careful around him. His manipulation of people matched hers, but it was to fun to interact with him for Maharet to avoid Seizel.

[SEIZEL AURA CAPPER]

Seizel was obviously enjoying himself a little too much, but he knew he had an audience now. Curious, he looked over for a moment, but that had been his wrong-doing, however, like Maharet, he knew the tree saw this as an opportune moment. Seizel had already pictured the next three moves the tree could possibly do to take him out and precisely did what he expected. Deftly avoiding all three blows and then moved right into the Whomping Willow's weak spot as he knocked hard on the wood near the root that was sticking up. Suddenly the whole tree shuddered and was now up-right enough that it seemed pacified. Seizel knew that such an ancient tree was quite the trade-mark, but he couldn't help messing around at times.

Being the 'perfect' quidditch captain did take a toll on him, but unlike Maharet, he wasn't a blood purist at all. Despite many beliefs, then again, he never really revealed that he liked many people at all. Since he was always a hard one to read as he scratched the whomping willow off his list of things to do. The next would be to talk to Deimos and attempt to gull him into a game of chess or a race using brooms. A simple and short list for someone so complex, seeming to sell himself short at times. Looking over towards Maharet, obviously tilting his head in curiosity. Seizel knew that he wouldn't get in trouble, cause that just meant he could always complain to someone about her beating him up.

Seizel knew exactly how to manipulate many of the lower years to pull pranks for him without being traced back to him, but Maharet hadn't been part of those yet. Especially when Deimos was in on the fun, there was no hope. Suddenly, he was struck with a million thoughts at once before he even spoke to her. Wondering if keeping to himself was best or talking to her would start off a set of intriguing mind games that would try to lull the other into a false sense of security. Ah yes, Maharet was third on his list to bug in case he got rather bored, but that wasn't a routine. It was on a whim if he wanted to talk to her, and right now he obvious wasn't going to explain his reasons for attacking the whomping willow.

"Guess they don't call it 'whomping' for nothing, it's 'whomping' fun, you should try it sometime, really takes off the stress. I suppose I never had any to begin with, and...yeah..it looked at me funny," he said to her, flexing his arm playfully. Just a gesture, but his smile was not rare at all, in fact he was always putting on that fake smile. Only a few had seen his -real- smile, one being Alaya, from Gryffindor, the champion yes. Not that she'd ever know that. Smirking as he thought of her for a moment getting caught in that thought before he got made of day-dreaming. Seizel often day-dreamed a lot though, but when he was, he was just as deadly.

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[MAHARET AVIE ROSIER]

Disappointing but expected, Seizel bested the Whomping Willow. He was big into Quidditch after all so his agility put him in a much better position to dodge wayward than say… her. A shudder later the tree froze in place, motionless, as any normal tree would be. Seizel seemed so pleased with himself too. He had a way of getting under her skin without any trying. Yet Maharet had this odd attraction to being around him at time, like she enjoyed being irritated by him. It was perverse, but then Maggie never did think that she was innocent. Once his attention was focused on her Maharet approached, slowly, with that extra bit of swagger in her hips that always did seem to make the boy’s have sweaty palms. Seizel, on the other hand, wasn’t much for her wiles. He was too smart to fall for it. Still, it was usually worth her while.

“Perfectly acceptable reason.” The smile on his face was feigned, but so was hers. Maharet stopped once she was an arm’s length away from him. That tip of the branch that had nicked his cheek was too small and insignificant to be anything to fuss over. It was an opportunity though, and one that Maggie wasn’t about to let pass her by. Her hand reached out gingerly touching Seizel’s cheek- a show of concern on her part. She didn’t typically do that for him though. Perhaps, with the sincere tone and the affectionate gesture, he would be thrown off enough for Maharet to have a much stronger opening attack than he did. It seemed, at least to her, that he was going for the classic Sicilian Defense- a sign of a coward. Siezel was smart, probably brilliant by most considerations, but he didn’t take enough risks.

His playfulness was cute at best. Counting him out based on his opening would have been very foolish on Maharet’s part. As any good Chess player would know, you had to think at least three steps ahead of your opponent and Seizel usually thought four. Something was off about this interaction though. He seemed, almost, distracted. Maharet looked Seizel over carefully looking for any indications of what preoccupied his mind. If she could figure it out she would be able to use it against him. Instead there was too much speculation and not enough reliability. Taking a step closer her features softened. “Would you like me to heal that up for you?” Kindness was never pointless for her. The scratch wasn’t worth being healed. Seizel’s body would take care of it in a few days, but that didn’t sway Maharet current strategy. She was one to adapt though, just as Seizel did.

Lately she had been lacking in control. He certainly wasn’t her first choice of easy targets to get that gratification from but Seizel would be one of the most rewarding. All that intelligence and cunning made manipulating him all the sweeter. Maharet licked her lower lip, moistening it sensually. She wasn’t attracted to him like she was certain other people, but Seizel didn’t know that. In fact, the majority of the young men the Maharet pursued did, and she had a feeling that they didn’t want to know. “Sorry.” She apologized removing her hand to clasp it with her other behind her back, bashfully. The prolonged touch had been intentional, of course. Maggie was a talented little actress though.

[SEIZEL AURA CAPPER]

Seizel wasn't too impressed how Maharet had just stood there watching him, but she was indeed right to think that he could easily have his way if he needed to. Uninspired by his certain victory, and even flinching a little as she stroked his cheek, there was some sentient notion behind it that almost made him look down at her cleavage. Of course, he wasn't that kind of guy and obviously remained looking at her eye as the distasteful smile remained upon his lips. Just going to go with this witches schemes for now seeing as he didn't want to get his hands dirty by touching her back. After all the rumors he had heard from Deimos, and the other kids around, he knew how to get his information about everyone. Being the Quidditch captain did have him at a higher vantage point, and after all he was also best friends with the Head Boy and Head Girl. That made him all the more reason to be feared since using their friendship was to his advantage.

Seizel was scary when he was angry, and no one had ever pushed him that far..ever besides his father, whom ultimately regretted it. Since Seizel had learned most of his moves from his father in general, and thinking four steps ahead, he soon had an answer that his father couldn't even begin to fathom. The world was so much better with logic, and if everyone got along that way. Then there was no need for pointless conflicts, and still to this day people bickered using their words. Not saying any words in return to her, he waved her off as he passed by brushing against her shoulder. Even if she threatened to take house points away, Seizel could easily talk to Jaycen to get them back. As cunning as that was, he would have used at least four other Ravenclaw students to do it, and the more support he had the more Maharet's story wouldn't be believable. Life had a funny way of turning things around, and besides that the two heads of the prefects were on the Quidditch team.

Leaving that aside, he was now considering how to deal with her, use the calm collected approach, or just dive in head first without a second though. Nah, he wasn't prone to doing that, and usually he had to consider weighing other options too. Even starting to talk would opt in that he wanted to have a conversation in the first place, but he had started it. Cursing himself for that, since he figured he had to end it to get this swine out of his way. Amusing as that was, Seizel really didn't consider Maharet even partially equal on his playing field, only Deimos could actually intrigue him that far. Retracting his claws, he decided to play along for a bit, until he'd flee like the coward he was sometimes. Obviously, he could have put his intelligence to a greater cause, and if he didn't have a slight morality towards the good side he could have easily been persuaded to the other side if she had gotten to him first. Seizel was definitely not all that pre-occupied anymore and in fact wanted nothing less than just ultimate gratification at having bested her.

Since they liked to search for openings, but Seizel really didn't like giving many as he backed up a little further from her as obviously the touch was impervious to him. Besides he had better taste than to get involved with her, but that was her ploy as he then continued giving her his false bravado. "I'm afraid I'll have to pass," he said to her. Tracing a hand over his cheek sensually as if pretending it had effected him, yes, that was a good idea. Now he was currently thinking of a ploy and setting his trap...as she almost already fallen into it. Maneuvering himself around her as if examining her but he was just leaning up to whisper into her ear sensually. Seizel was finally trailing his hands along her shoulders lightly for a moment, but he stopped himself since he felt horrid touching her. It felt like he was betraying Alaya, so he memorized that for now, and kept to himself what he was thinking. Obviously it wasn't hard to catch him off his game some days, but today he was well prepared to defend whatever accusations she had as he whispered into her ear again. "Tell me, was healing going to involve finding some way to exploit a weakness?" he asked curiously, not dropping the smile, although his tone hinted a little bit of venom.

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[MAHARET AVIE ROSIER]

Him flinching at her touch amused her. Siezel usually was the composed sort so the small, and otherwise insignificant, reaction was more than enough for Maharet to get a sliver of satisfaction. Of course that wasn’t what she wanted. No, Maharet wanted Seizel to openly admit defeat and something as tiny as a flinch just wouldn’t cut it. Still, it was an opening that she wasn’t about to let go unnoticed. There weren’t any plans to give him detention or take off house points, the latter seemed stupid to her considering they were in the same house, but there were so many other forms of punishment available. It was finding the appropriate one for this particular circumstance that was going to require a bit of patience on her part. Maharet, admittedly, wasn’t the most patient of people, but if it was for a good cause she forced herself to show some restraint.

Not even so much as a glance at her body… Seizel was a steely little bastard. The gentle knock to her shoulder was irritating, but Maharet could let it roll off her back without a problem. She wasn’t looking to make Seizel angry and a snarky remark at that point seemed more likely to incite violence than a witty banter. He had submitted to her slightly by even acknowledging her presence, but the fact that he had been the one to speak first, Maharet felt, put her at an advantage. Seizel had been the one to set the tone of the situation and it had been her job to counter him. The kindness shown was a rouse of course. Respect for him only went so far, and that didn’t include her having any necessity to be nice to Seizel.

Nothing that Seizel did could be taken at face value, just as nothing that she did could be. His pass was expected, otherwise Maharet wouldn’t have offered. The thought of going through anything with Seizel made her skin crawl. The way that he operated could definitely be of use to her, but it wasn’t his style and something about changing him didn’t sit right with her. Perhaps it was the fact that she enjoyed this mutual manipulation of theirs. It was mostly pointless but too enjoyable for her to ever want to actually gain control over him. That wouldn’t be an easy task anyway and with as much on her plate as she already had, it would take too much devoting to even consider the possibility.

Being objectified didn’t intimidate Maharet in the least. She knew that she looked good, any guy finding a fault in her was simply laughable. Her true feelings didn’t stop Maggie from looking worried though. Following his progress as best she could without turning around it was safe to say that Maharet even seemed timid and hopeful that Seizel’s appraisal would be nothing short of complete approval. Her blue eyes looked to him expectantly, batting her lashes when Seizel’s hands moved over her shoulders. It was sickening that she was even pretending to be some silly little school girl, all tongue-tied and shy because her long-time crush was giving her the time of day, but it was for a good cause. Thinking of something embarrassing Maggie even managed to draw out a blush in her cheeks.

There was no reason to lie to him about her intentions. If anything the truth could only help her, maybe throw Seizel off and re-enforce the method that Maharet had decided to take, though she was still open to adapting should the occasion arise. “I respect you too much not to be honest about that.” The respect him part was true, so her statement did ring true, despite it only being a half-truth. “It was silly of me to think that there was even a weakness to be found.” Turning around to face him, and seeing that smile still on his face, Maharet swallowed hard, visible for him to see. Her gaze dropped to the ground, the toe of her boot coyly moving across the grass. “Is there any possible way that you could forgive me?” She was quick to look up at Seizel, under her thick eyelashes. How sweet she looked, innocent even.

[SEIZEL AURA CAPPER]

Seizel obviously was just using his current ploy and then automatically distanced himself by about five feet, considering he felt incredibly filthy touching her for a moment. Knowing exactly what rumors had gone around, but he knew she was proud of it. Sighing lightly, he kept that smile on his face making it look like he was just trying to determine if this was really a crush or not. No, he wasn't attracted to her, and he was already obliging himself into his conversation of course, now he was going to be an annoying guy. Oh yes, he had a plan, but then he smirked at her. Time for a little word game, to see how long she'd go with it, "That's the question isn't it, can I?" he asked playfully.

No hint of flinching or change in expression as he said it rather persuasively, and he could have just as much of a silver tongue as she could. Probably why they were both in Ravenclaw, but Seizel did view himself a bit higher over Maharet. Surely, giving her the time of day had been his first flaw, but he was just about to walk away when he was considering his alternatives once more. Thinking ahead of her was surely the best course of action, but now he had three other moves to make before-hand. As he considered the possibilities he went with the least obvious one. Letting her speak again, since that was how the conversation always unfolded.

Then he decided not to play that way and before she'd be able to open her mouth he soon started to speak once more. "Aside from that, I believe no forgiveness is needed in general, as there's really no point in doing so to just lead back to where we started," he boldly stated. Of course he was nodding sagely too as if it was a wise thing to say, but he wasn't really showing off or anything, just being arrogant enough to show a little bit of his ego. Even if she stroked it, he would come up with some sort of retort, but he was refraining from being a smart-ass. That would lead to his untimely demise with her.

Even if she was trying to pull this innocent act, he still gave her that steely look, considering her other assets. Using his peripheral vision of course, but he wasn't the type to go after her still. Oh no, he was constantly reminding himself about Alaya, but his facial expressions would never show what was going on within his mind.

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[MAHARET AVIE ROSIER]

Maharet watched him carefully. It was a habit of hers to examine other’s expressions, their body language as well, for any tells. With people like Seizel, who used manipulation as skillfully as she did, it was always difficult to figure out whether or not any given expression or gesture was genuine or not. Take Seizel’s smile for example, or more accurately his smirk. It would appear as though her rouse of having a crush on him was making him smug, but that interpretation wasn’t to be relied on. That smugness could have come from anywhere. More likely it was him being smug over her even trying such an obviously false method as that. He was underestimating her, which Maharet couldn’t say that she was particularly irritated about. Being underestimated meant that she had a better chance of surprising him. Pride was awfully good leverage.

She was just as good at twisting words as he was, and in her own mind, better. “But that is the beauty of starting over, it gives us a chance to crave a different path.” Maharet took a small, passive step toward Seizel. “Aren’t you tired of this whole revolving door scenario that we have seemed to be stuck in since first year? I’ve seen how brilliant you are, much better use could come of you than being argumentative and sly with me. Just think of the possibilities of us working together rather than against each other.” The proposal would have been very appeal, if not for Maharet simply blowing smoke regarding the matter. Actually, it wasn’t a bad idea at all. Seizel could be very useful, but he was good, or leaned toward that side more than would do her any good.

He and Deimos were quite the pair, she did have to admit, they were just about as good as Demetrius and Tristen. But that wasn’t what would be useful to her from Seizel. Heartthrobs were a dime a dozen, what he offered was cunningness, creativity, which happened to be in short supply when it came to the mass population of males at Hogwarts. What would be the best way to drag Seizel to the dark side though? Seduction of course, but not with sexuality, that bridge had long ago been burnt to a crisp. Maharet wasn’t interested in him and he wasn’t interested in her, despite her very obvious sex appeal it was something that he would never go for and honestly Maharet wasn’t willing to go there either. No, the seduction that was on her mind was of a different persuasion.

Seizel had too much potential to limit himself with goodness. There was something about him that gave Maharet the feeling that there was something rather dark lingering beneath the surface, a rage that accompanied with how intelligent and skilled Seizel was could be quite deadly. Appealing to it was a goal of hers now, as she looked him up and down slowly. There were so many avenues that could possibly be taken, finding the best route was the problem. Seizel was too self-aware to give her any hints. Instead she would just have to trick the answers out of him, subtext was key.

[SEIZEL AURA CAPPER]

Seizel was far too paranoid about her tactics right now to even consider continuing this conversation, but he was just using her as a brain teaser now. Obviously he wasn't going to continue taking her seriously, at least on the outside, but on the inside it was a whole different story. Brain mechanisms and nerves all clashing with one another to have a battle of the wills with her again, despite his amusing little blurts with her. The retorts and most likely common threats to one's intelligence always rearing up it's ugly head somewhere during their conversation. This time, he wasn't going to state anything that she could lead off of instead he walked around her again as if examining her like she was the prize at some beauty contest.

Obviously he was looking on disdainfully as if she didn't make the cut and snorted to emphasize his point to her. Just to hurt her pride a little, but he was just acting like a prudish snot on purpose. There was no way in hell he'd consider ever going out with her, and like before he knew that was a dead-end avenue. Of course, he was no fool when it came to seduction since he had used in Maharet in return, and they both had been disgusted by how friendly each of them were being. Seizel had made it blatantly obvious that he was just playing her to taunt her into a false sense of security, so he soon ventured to another avenue.

Attacking her physique wouldn't do a thing and attacking her intelligence would just make him look like an asshole to her...that would promptly end this conversation though. Or abruptly turn into a duel, one way or another, someone was going to get shot down, and he found her challenges particularly enjoyable. Deciding to hear her out for a few minutes, while he was still tuning into her annoying drivel. Yes, Seizel was considering her chatter annoying drivel now that almost made him yawn, but he stifled it...it was also very obvious. After all, nothing was worse than showing your partner they were indeed boring you to death so you could go on about your business.

Maharet wouldn't let up, Seizel knew her, but that didn't make it easy for him at all. "Work together, that kind of disgusts me actually, you think I'd be willing to cope with your savvy sloppy ways of working?" he demeaned her on the spot in no time flat without a second though. Obviously, he was now showing his darker side, but his expression remained, that smug steely look. Eyes focused on her own, however, now she was dealing with an opponent far more deadlier than his previous goody-two-shoes nature showed.

Now it was really turning into a battle of wits, and he was obviously looking to have his ego tempted a little more...obviously she was doing well so far in attempting to bring out his darker half. Although, he had good reign over his self-control right now he was doing his best not to show this was an act. As it was, he showed no hesitation either while keeping his stern look about her. Fun was what he strived for and Maharet had been second on his list since he sort of pre-ordained this...well not really he was going to seek her out eventually.

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[MAHARET AVIE ROSIER]

Him circling her mattered very little to Maharet. Regardless of how displeased his expression was she knew better, or maybe was just too confident, to be wounded by Seizel not thinking she was a perfect ten. If he didn’t he was an idiot and if he did and just was pretending otherwise… he was still an idiot. So either way, that particular tactic, was a lose-lose for him. If there was one thing that she was absolutely certain about in life it was that she was sexually desirable. Maharet worked hard to be that way too. She took care of herself and put an effort forward without going overboard and letting make-up and hair spray snuff out her natural beauty. At his snort Maharet simply raised a brow.

It did annoy her slightly that Seizel was demeaning her methods. In the end Maharet had always gotten what she wanted so that was the only thing that mattered. How was his way any classier than hers? Regardless of what Seizel did the fact still remained that manipulation was manipulation, he didn’t have any right to think her lesser than he was because she went a different way. Smiling, despite the way she felt about Seizel in that moment, Maharet shook her head lightly.

“Of course not.” She said sweetly. He had left himself open though and Maharet couldn’t bring it upon herself not to take such an opportunity when it was so willingly given. “Willing or not you couldn’t handle the way I do things. It’s quite all right, not everyone has the ability to do things like I do. It doesn’t make you incompetent, per say, just different.” The false kindness was far too condescending to be mistaken for anything but what it truly was, an insult. Seizel had all but dropped the whole façade but Maharet was keeping hers up, if only as a thin veil.

“By working together I simply meant that it is possible despite our differences.” She continued after a moment to let her previous statements sink in. Maharet sighed softly moving a little bit closer to the Whomping Willow, still out of its reach, despite it still being paralyzed. “It was just a suggestion, but I can see now that it was silly of me to even think of. Your too…” What was the word she was looking for? So many could fit and be accurate. “Nice.” Weak was also an option, one that had been held on the tip of her tongue. “I’m afraid you’d get eaten alive in my league and then who would I spar with? Best you keep safe.” She had already gotten his darker side to show a sliver of itself, perhaps goading him might bring it out a little more. Worth a try at least.

[SEIZEL AURA CAPPER]

Seizel almost brazenly jumped at the opportunity she had presented herself to him, but he merely just took the stab with a kind-hearted smile only to sicken her further. Obviously he was winning in his own state of mind since she obviously had no clue of how he truly operated at times, although his work wasn't sloppy in no way. Even if his methods were too nice, there had been a few incidents that he personally attended to, and subdued some rambuxious Slytherin's that wanted to cause a scene. Amusing as it was to him to show them their place, he merely stated that he was a fifth year Ravenclaw and his name was Caesar. Funny as it seemed at the time, it didn't come back to bite him.

After all he had decided to don a mask the entire time for that charade, but no one would ever know who had done it ever. Seizel was brazenly cunning when he wanted to be and right now he was just stretching his logic. Not letting her notice the dung he had left in the wake of the trail she was traveling, obviously a childish ploy. Of course it was just to hurt her ego a bit, considering he knew fully well what was going on, it would look like boomslang venom though. Nothing too horrible, but it would stick to her feet or whatever she was wearing if she didn't notice it in time. Even if the prank was childish, it was still enough to tip the conversation in his favor.

"Oh...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so rude. I request your humble assistance at trying to figure out how to work out this situation we seem to be at a stand-still...again. I don't have any real motive to actually help you per se, unless you sweeten the pot for me. What do I get out of usi-I mean working with you," he said to her, letting her catch the last part. Yeah right, Seizel use her? Well he was already well on his way since his facade was working. No hurt showing in his eyes as she seemed to have made his pride more boastful. That aura was the same one that usually annoyed her, showing his nicer side again, leaving the darker side of him to rot away.

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[MAHARET AVIE ROSIER]

He was incredibly insolent. She was pretty sure that Seizel did it on purpose to try to get under her skin. It wasn’t a particularly difficult task really; it was getting her to show it that was the hard part. Maharet stood her ground though keeping what little control she had over her rage at bay. The last thing she needed was to give Seizel the pleasure of knowing without a shadow of a doubt that he had gotten to her. Maharet simply had to satisfy herself with imagining horrible things happening to him. It subdued her fury, always had.

Mirroring that stupid, kindly grin of his, though finding it annoying, Maharet kept her tone sugary. “I’m sure something can be arranged to sweeten the pot as you said. Did you have something particular in mind?” Giving Seizel an opportunity to take control of the conversation, the first time since she opened her mouth to speak really, it had been on purpose. For someone that talked an awful lot Seizel had very little to actually say in her opinion. He gummed up the works with his long windedness and Maharet thought it was just some egotistical desire to hear his own voice. She wouldn’t have been surprised if that were true.

She hadn’t missed him almost saying that he could use her. It was such a laughable thought. Maharet didn’t get used; she was the one that did the using. Even if she was, in some way used it was only so she could use that particular person. It either canceled it out or over ruled whatever use she was being used for. Regardless Maharet never did anything that she didn’t want to do in the first place, or need to in order to get what she wanted. That was the logic that she used when it came to such things and would be sticking with it. The alternative was simply unacceptable.

[SEIZEL AURA CAPPER]

Seizel's mind continued to reel and yes he was being a prudent selfish pint-sized fool at this moment to not accept her help, but to do that he'd have to be rather stupid. Just to stoop to her level, but he didn't say anything just making weird gestures in the air to mock her further. Mimicking the way she was acting for a moment, and it was obviously a ploy to quell her rage or at least perhaps provoke it further. There was nothing modest about it, but he also knew that dissing her family's name would indeed be a scorcher but he wasn't going to bring lineage into it. Seizel was just as much of as a pureblood as she was but he really got along with everyone.

As for being too nice, well he was going to keep playing that card and apologize for nothing just to tick her off. Surely he was ready for the consequences, but he supposed quarreling would be of no use. Speaking would be too simple so instead, he merely just kept his ground still carrying on with that sincere grin that regarded her as a fool, but he was already analyzing his options, thinking at least three steps ahead, determining each consequence of his words. Now adding a fourth step to that plan, and the tacking on a fifth, yes he was that calculating when given enough time with silence to guard his mind.

One of the many qualities that made him a dangerous individual, but his work was not as sloppy as Maharet suggest it, after all he could set up a trap without her even seeing it. Like the boomslang venom on the ground. Seizel had to give her credit for not losing her cool as he had laid a few more on the path she would have traveled if she kept going that way. It was his own way of saying, 'You weren't expecting that?!' in a snide way. Seizel's ego gained a morale boost from that, but he wasn't getting one from Maharet right now. If there was anything in it for him, he had to say just one thing. "I'm allergic to bullocks and have no interest in working with anyone honestly," he immediately side, eyes serious now.

If there was one thing he knew about Maharet, her mysterious ways were just as horrible as his at times, but right now he knew her mind game. Not even saying anything else, he just ended the conversation with that probably. Of course, he was waiting to hear a retort and perhaps attempting to retaliate. Not even bothering to go for his wand since he obviously had a sharp respect for her, but right now he considered himself rather proud to have one-upped her like that.

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[MAHARET AVIE ROSIER]

His exaggerated, flourishing hand gestures designed to mock her did make it a little harder for Maharet to restrain herself, when jumping Seizel, holding him down, and shoving bamboo shoots underneath his fingernail to give him something to wave his arms in the air about was much more desirable. All she could do was picture such a thing happening to him though. For one thing she was fresh out of bamboo, but more importantly, though it didn’t seem like it at the time, doing so would not only make it obvious that Seizel had irritated her, but it put her reputation in jeopardy. Most of the things that she did weren’t so blatant as that, which made it easier to deny them ever happening if, on the off chance, someone even found out that she was the one to have cause any distress in the first place.

Maharet took a small step almost letting her emotions get the better of her, and thus Seizel too, but stopped herself before she could get anywhere. It could wait until later. Seizel would get what she thought was coming to him in due time. Patience might not have been Maggie’s strong point but she was capable of it. She just had to remind herself that there were other, more efficient ways to deal with those that crossed her. This hadn’t been the first time that Seizel had done so though. And each time that he had Maharet had told herself that very thing, but after she cooled down the only thing that came of their encounter was a greater respect for Seizel and because of that Maggie had never attempted to harm him in any way.

His reply put her back in the game though and a smile smoothed over her features riding it of any frustration that might have found its way to the surface. Allergic to bullocks… Seizel wasn’t as smart as he though he was, or was seriously underestimating her at the moment. Her gaze traveled down to his groin, eyebrow raised. “That does explain a lot.” She quipped in a suggestive tone. Using such a versatile expression as bullocks he had left it wide open for her to misinterpret his meaning. “Working with someone might make your sensitive ego feel threatened. I understand.” Maharet nodded feigning sympathy.

She was slightly disappointed that Seizel had made that retaliation so easy. It was almost too easy in fact. Maharet wasn’t much for letting a perfectly good opportunity pass her by though. He probably knew that though. Still the comment must have stung whether it was meant to be taken as bait or not. It was a strange strategy to use, if that was what Seizel was doing, to give your opponent something to feed off of that made you look weak and degraded you in any way didn’t have much reward. The tact was tactless, unless he was drawing her in for something? Maggie’s guard went up immediately with that thought in mind.

[SEIZEL AURA CAPPER]

Seizel was glancing around him curiously even as he noticed her gaze shifting downwards, but he honestly didn't let it bother him at all. No matter how much it stung, his face steeled itself against her own and then a wicked smile crossed his face. The usual that meant she had fallen right into his trap and then decided to actually go with it right then, unable to stop himself from just glancing over her form for a mere moment. It wasn't like him to actually just ponder this moment, but with any other opponent he would have conceded their win by now. Seizel always had to prove that he could always come out on top and normally his darker side just involved him dealing with matters more personally. Of course, there was never -ever- any evidence left behind whenever someone pissed him off to that extent.

Luckily, patience was one of his virtues, and he was using it to his advantage with Maharet pretending to spout off things she knew, especially when he didn't have a reputation of sleeping around with anyone. "What ego? All I hear is the muffled caw of a wounded raven," he said in return, not even thinking about the response. "Of course, to even harm my ego, I actually have to regard you as a human being," he taunted, the dark side now showing itself more, and the fear that it emanated from his just words was no play-thing. Well it was to drive fear into her, but he knew that it would do the opposite, of course this was his full act. Finally having put on the charade long enough, he soon clapped at her. As if mocking her for this whole debauchery, and he was laughing too, to make it even worse.

Amused by her little desplay of testimony to her wit, and he knew that she prided herself in this game. Not that Seizel was playing it, as he already figured he'd won without even giving her a reply as to why he thought so. Checking off an imaginary list in his own amusement, was he really trying to annoy her? Well, it didn't matter, he was going to press every button he could and then got an idea. "So..." gesturing to her body, "On a different note, serious joking aside, venting off some steam?" he asked non-chalantly as if what happened before never took place just forgetting it. It was one of his ruses to really tick her off like they were buddy-buddy, but she had to be careful. Seizel had honestly never gone this route before, but it was a new ruthless tactic he was developing for enemies.

Using it on Maharet wasn't exactly a smart move, but he did have his reasoning for do it since she did have the nack for not blindly mauling him when he did something so simple as insult her. Surely the insult earlier would have set her rage further up on the scale attempting to make her show one little wrinkle on her face.

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[MAHARET AVIE ROSIER]

Seizel seemed to enjoy trying to ruffle her feathers smirking at her the way he was, it was the only logical explanation. How he could be smirking over just having his manhood called into question was beyond her. Usually it was a sure fire way to get a guy to be defensive, but instead Seizel put up that front that he was unfazed, even to go so far as to appear amused by her insinuation. Of course Maharet had no knowledge of whether it was true or not, though chances were it wasn’t. It still should have been, at least, a small blow to his oversized, pompous ego. There were five basic methods of torture and Maggie was slowly filing through all of them deciding which would be best to start with when she inevitably went after him, blunt seemed like a good place to start. Still, deep down she knew that no matter what he said or did now she wasn’t going to actually harm him. The thought was still nice though.

“Really?” Maharet questioned innocently pausing a beat as though to listen for whatever sound that Seizel had claimed he had heard. “Hmm, funny, I don’t hear anything. It must be an internal thing.” She turned it back around on him. Wasn’t he just so bloody clever? But he was a Ravenclaw too. As for him not regarding her as a human being that didn’t bother her. Human beings were weak. They were subject to such emotions as love, compassion, pity, regret, guilt, none of which could really help you in the long run. The only one that Maharet willingly let herself dip into was love and it was only a partial, as lust was her main concern. What she felt for some people wasn’t love, was it? No, it couldn’t be, it was nothing more than fondness. Seizel could have his humanity. Maggie was content with her superiority.

His change in tactic did throw her off a bit. She hadn’t been expecting it, for one, but more predominantly, she didn’t trust it. Being as insincere as she was it was hard for her to believe that others were sincere themselves, especially people like Seizel who she knew better about. The question was; should she play along or call him on his bullshit? Maharet offered an amiable smile. Forgive and forget seemed to be the illusion here. What harm could it do than to play along and see where Seizel was trying to lead her? “A little bit I suppose, you do seem to be able to stimulate my mind, a rarity.” Most were too stupid or weren’t the type that Maggie could allow herself to drop the façade around.

“The same could be asked of you though.” Maharet gestured towards the tree. Seizel had been out there tormenting the thing, not to mention he had encouraged her into a conversation, so obviously there was some motivation behind his actions. He never had struck her the type to do things on whim; there was always a reason, usually logical, behind everything that he did. But even Seizel indulged in impulses. Still, it didn’t seem likely that he was out there without some steam of his own to vent. Even whims were motivated by emotions.

[SEIZEL AURA CAPPER]

Seizel soon imitated a robot the instant she mentioned emotions, and just gave her an inanely blank stare for an hour just to amuse himself. Chuckling inwardly like a wild boar, but he kept that to himself, better not to anger the beast further. Yes, he was ruffling her feathers, and he could tell he was doing an immensely good job. That almost brought a smirk to his face, but he was growing bored with her. Once he was bored, that was it, he'd walk off with no words, but she hadn't won in fact. If he didn't answer her, she'd pursue him to get him to answer, and that was the best part of his folly. Yes, he did over-think things beyond normal, but now he knew she was falling for his ploy.

Or she was trying to work it from the inside out as he quickly wove a dangerous snare in his mind one that would leave her catatonic and crawling back for more again. Even if Seizel was human, like she so said, and then he did some motions with his hands like that of a robot. Just humiliating her without words, and then finally he was leaning against a tree nearby that wasn't anywhere close to the huge tree. What would make her assume that he was venting any anger at all? Eventually he just got bored, boredom wasn't a fun thing for him, but he loved it. Considering boredom was the only thing that helped him come up with other ideas.

Looking around the area for any signs of a good area to lure her to, but he wasn't going to mention that he was mocking her at all. Oh no, he soon stopped before she could even comment on that strange action of his. Seizel knew she'd catch on to what he was doing, a robot was a sentient object without feelings and also muggle-related. Yes, he was torturing her with the muggle world applications now, and was certain to have hit...one of her many other steel nerves. Perhaps he should be a little more respectful considering he did regard her as an equal species of an intellectual nature. "I'm sure you've been bored before, I just happen to release steam in a different way....but that would mean I had any emotions to begin with," he paused.

Now his gaze was steely once more, but there was no smile, no glare, just a serious face that indicated he was now starting to regard her more with interest. Obviously back to their usual climax where they both agreed to each other being on equal turf for a change, despite how much they wanted to try to deny it.

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[MAHARET AVIE ROSIER]

His silence and blank expression was not appreciated. Maharet knew that Seizel wasn’t so stupid as to have absolutely nothing to say to her and yet…Her arms still deftly crossed as the moments passed with nothing to show for her willingness to oblige his cockamamie subterfuge her fingernails drummed against her arm patience slowly wearing. How could he just stand there and stare at her without any indication of what he was thinking? Maggie hated people who were stoic. It made things all that much harder and as much as she enjoyed a challenge, she didn’t like having nothing to go off of. It made her feel uneasy and always second guessing herself. That sort of feeling of vulnerability didn’t suit her at all.

The longer that he stared, the more Maharet wanted to be the one to break the silence. And there Seizel was just leaning against the tree keeping his gaze fixated on her, not even so much as objectifying her, which she handled much better than what he was doing now. She bit her tongue though, standing perfectly still for a while, and tried to make her drumming come across as idle rather than irritated. When Seizel finally did speak up Maharet exhaled her pent up frustration. “Quite recently in fact.” She shot he had bored her with his tight-lipped stunt.

Seeing the look that he was giving her though Maggie put it behind her. They were now on an even playing field so she wasn’t going to ruin it by dwelling on what had just happened. Walking over to him, really not fancying having to raise her voice to speak with him any more. Maharet sighed. They were too evenly matched for either to walk away feeling superior, despite how hard they both tried. “You have emotions.” Maggie brought up. “As inhuman as you think I am, so do I.” What an insight, one that he deserved given that Seizel was her intellectual match. It was only right to level with him. Not that Maharet was motivated by doing the right thing, but she did feel it acceptable to inform Seizel of this tid-bit, or admit it.

As to what emotions Maharet had though, it wasn’t something that was included in her share time. If he asked though something could be arranged. A little tit for tat. How honest she would be depending on the question that he asked. Maggie couldn’t very well go and tell him all her dirty little secrets. That would be a bad idea. Seizel wasn’t exactly an ally, and even allies weren’t really to be trusted. At least that was the mentality that Maggie had.

[SEIZEL AURA CAPPER]

Seizel realized he had better things to do now and he had promised Alaya he would meet her shortly along with Deimos, oh yes, that would be a fun meeting. In fact he was looking forward to it after his 'debate' with Maharet, no matter how trivial it had been. Yes, he had attempted to demean her in every way, but he knew he had almost brought her to the point of a seething boil. Seizel had a cure for those as he soon pretended to toss something at her for a moment as an act to make her think he was. Of course, he didn't, just empty air, but he had made his eyes follow the object with obvious interest.

Curious if she'd fall for such a ploy, but that was one of his most childish tricks he could think of. Obviously not saying much else seeing as how he finally agreed with her on something. Getting what he needed out of her, all he said was "Bye" he then walked in the opposite direction. Obviously chum in the fact he had gotten her to admit her emotions, but he knew the next time they met, another battle of wits would ensue. Seizel was rather good at staying silent though as his patience had now wore thin. Being the first to walk away wasn't admitting defeat, more like he was stooping above her level by not continuing the conversation, leaving it where it was.

Of course, Seizel did have an agenda to attend to and didn't want to adhere to her own rules, besides she really couldn't control him. That had bored him when she told him what she thought and inanely she had lost...so she would probably be chastising herself over that for a while. Leaving her without a thought as to why he walked away, his face still a steel-cold gaze until he just wanted to laugh hard, letting her follow him if she wished for a different answer than that. Not that he cared to mention anything.

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