and nights like these (rowan)

[mattie amherst?]

But Mathew loved the night. Or at least the night loved him. He felt the night on his skin like a promise or an old friend. Like a cloak from freedom and all danger. The night provided for him. It was a welcoming feeling that washed over his whole body when the sun became dim and the moon lit up the sky. Mathew had taken this chance to escape from his imploding dorm walls. It was as if his room was getting smaller and smaller around him and no matter his efforts to keep his mind busy and away from what his near future held for him.

Mathew had not been able to sit still for the past week. None but a few select individuals knew the exact cause of his impatience. For only a few knew his darkest secret. It was the waxing moon that was causing the current disruptions in his life. It was the reason that he pacing the school like a mad man. His hands twitched uncontrollably however, when he passed a fellow pupil he calmed the urges and plastered on a content face. No one could ever know that once a month he turned into a monster. No one could ever know that he was not who he said he was. He was a liar when one reached to the core of what they were.

Mattie did his best to skate by the students who he knew would call out for his company. The halls were still bustling even in these latening hours. Classes were beginning to start up again soon and his schoolmates were attempting to fit in the last few days of socialization before it was time to buckle down again. It was only when he heard the familiar caw of a young girl who he had merely escaped the clutches of once before. It was as if the sound of her screeching his name was heard above all other noises. Mathew’s mix matched eyes crawled quickly over the room searching for his escape. Searching for his way out. A hidden door, a secret passageway. He would take anything at this point to escape the horror that was to follow if she muscled her way through the small crowd and reached her destination. There was only one door close enough for him to make a quick retreat. Mathew carefully opened the door and slipped inside being careful to fully shut the door behind him. He even took a moment to ensure that he locked it or at least he tried to. He couldn’t take the chance to allow her to follow him.

Once he was safely inside he knew immediately what he had walked into. He was exactly where he was not suppose to be. A wicked smile flickered on tanned skin. Not being where he was suppose to be was his specialty. Mattie quickly began to saunter down the hall. It was now his mission, his duty, to discover exactly why it was so forbidden!

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[rowan elliot]

❋

Rowan was, most certainly, not a people person. She would go out of her way to avoid people. She would be downright rude to them to avoid having to deal with people. She liked to keep to herself and would like even more for it stay that way, if only she would stop stumbling in to people and vice versa! It would seem every where she went people were just waiting around the corner to bug her. She couldn't even escape it in her dorm or the library anymore - the places she normally went when things became too much. Which was basically whenever people were around. Her roommates weren't too bad but they talked and she was sure she'd caught Jasmine staring resentfully at her things at least once a day and Lucrezia was much too loud for her tastes. As for the library, she'd had a run in with another girl from her year once already and she didn't like the thought of running in to her again nor anyone else. Therefore, it was time to find a new place to hide from the world, somewhere she could be herself without having to worry about the world around here. She'd spent nearly the entire week thinking it over, brainstorming all the places that would fit her needs. 

The first location that had been on her list was the catacombs. While they were not necessarily banned, very few people frequented them. They were creepy and cold and best of all, silent. Rowan had truely believed that the catacombs would easily become her new haunt, it seemed so perfect in her head. But this idealisation only made the truth that much worse - she simply could not stand the place. The walls were covered in persperation, it was too cold, the smell was horrendous. Yes, Rowan who had been brought up in an upper-class home simply could not fathome spending her time in the catacombs. It was with deep regret and certainly annoyance that she left the place, stomping on to her next destination. It was always disappointing when things didn't turn out the way it was expected but Rowan always took things such as these to heart, always felt these sorts of things much deeper than strictly necessary. 

Next up was the Forbidden Corridor. The reason she hadn't chosen this destination first was because she was very much aware that if she were caught there, she'd have a detention. For obvious reasons, Rowan did not want a detetion. She was not the detention kind of person as it usually resulted in nasty jobs she had house elves at home preform. However, she had been there a few times before to take photographs as its air of mystery appealed to her, as it probably did to everyone. People always were, for the most part, tempted by the things they were not allowed to have. As she thought this, Rowan began to become more excited at the prospect of exploring the forbidden corridor and the burn of the catacombs began to be soothed. She could almost feel it in her bones that this was it, this was where she was going to find her necessary peace and quiet. The anticipation build more and more with every step she took towards the hallway.

Pausing in front of the entrance, Rowan took a deep breath and ran a hand down the front of her dress. It was black today with a fitted bustier and a deep plum lace overlay on the flowy skirt. One of her favourite dresses, even though she was of the opinion that black was not a very flattering colour on her. Then she took her first step down the hallway, then another, and another, on and on until the light from the hallway that branched down the corridor was no longer in sight. She was truely emerged in the forbidden in the corridor. Rowan continued her walk until, unexpected,  she spotted a silouette furthur down the hallway and took in a quick gasp of air, almost as if she'd been burned. Merlin, yet another failure! This corridor was supposed to be empty as it was forbidden, why would anyone be down here? Irritation pulsed through her, annoyance at this stupid stranger who was ruining her mission "What are you doing here?" she asked loudly, seeming even louder due to the silence of the corridor. "It's forbidden, so you hould leave." The last comment was not saod as if it were a suggestion, it had too much of a cold bite to it. 

[mattie amherst?]

Being a sixth year, a past prefect and a class a gentleman meant that Mattie never gave much thought to being caught doing anything. Forbidden or off limits just made him chase after it that much more. It was as if it was provoking him to do what he was not suppose to. He liked the idea of not having any boundaries, perhaps that’s why he liked the fact that his parents were never home growing up. It meant that parties, staying up late and girls were never that far out of reach. Despite his parents’ “rules” (which were more really like suggestions), Mattie always did what he wanted. After all, they were never there long enough to see him through the end of any punishment if he did get caught.

Without ever turning around, Mathew could not help but to raise one cocky eyebrow in the dimly lit corridor. ”shouldn’t you take your own advice?” his deep French accent rang through the emptiness and filled the void. It was almost terrifying to hear someone talk in a place that he had many a times silently paced. It was like an oasis that was untouched by any soiled hands. Hearing her piercing demands tainted his perfect habitat. Mattie turned quickly on his heel and started at the young voice. He was going to face the perpetrator and deal with her swiftly.

”They expel little firsties for behavior such as this, you know?” Mathew stated solemnly before stepping closer to the mysterious girl. It was not a typical first year that easily and knowingly stepped into any forbidden place. And if they had enough guts to do it, they most definitely did not call out to dark figures in such a place. If any girl had the courage to venture into the darkness, Mathew most definitely wanted to meet her. Running a hand through his dark mangled locks he took one final step till he could clearly see his company.

His mix-matched eyes narrowed on the petite girl. A soft chuckle erupted from his cupid bow lips. She was all chestnut curls and no bite. Mathew turned away from her and shooed her with his hand ”Get out of here before you get in trouble. They might call your mommy. Wouldn’t want that now would we?.” Mathew shook his head at how foolish he could be. He thought for a single moment that he had found his match but one look at the girl’s porcelain face and he knew that she was just another naïve child looking for a thrill.

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[rowan elliot]

Rowan's lips pursed as she was hit with the realization of how stupid her suggestion had been, considering she was technically breaking the rules herself at the moment. It irritated her when she made a fool of herself like that, the feeling of foot-in-mouth was the worst. However, she also refused to be pushed around by this self-righteous male. Arms crossed over her chest, eyes narrowed, Rowan assumed her usual stance of intimidation. She was quite tall for a girl her age and, as such, liked to draw herself to her full height for added effect. "No, I don't think I will be," she informed him, voice calculated and measured, a speech technique she'd learned from her last verbal spar.

The brunette nearly scoffed at the older boy's attempts at scaring her off, he had no clue whom he was dealing with. She had four elder sisters who were all easily scarier than him. "Ouuuh, you have my quaking in my little firstie booties," she moved, shoulders emulating that of someone who was actually shaking in fear. Her eyebrows raised towards her hair as he walked towards her and her opponent came in to view. Objectively, he was attractive enough. A few years older than her and clearly an upperclass man. They all had a distinctive odor of cocky importance. "This is hardly my first time bending the rules to suit myself," she informed him, trying to explain that she was hardly afraid of him or the potential consequences he would use against her.

Rowan could tell from the guy's expression as he took in her expression that he wasn't intimidated by her but it just made her all the more determined to prove him wrong. Many of her actions were fueled by spite and his underestimation of her would be his downfall and she would gladly do it wearing her heels. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she eyed him up and down. He clearly tried to have the whole dark and mysterious thing going on. "Look," she began, "Whatever misconceived idea you have that you'll be able to scare me off stops here." She took a pause of effect, dropping her crossed arms to her side and tiled her head to the side in consideration. "I've met kittens more fierce than you." She nodded her head in assent to her statement, as if agreeing that that was the description that fit him best. Honestly, who did he this he was? This guy, merlin.

[mattie amherst?]

This girl had more bite to her than his first glance had revealed to him. He was certain that she would back down the minute that he spoke. His voice was that of a leader, that of someone in charge. It was something that he had grown recently accustom to. He was finally beginning to like it too. He was starting to think that maybe it was not so bad to be in control of the situation. A slow smirk danced its way to his lips. This could be fun. She could be fun. They both seemed to be so cynical that they just meshed together perfectly. If a battle of wits is what she wanted that is what she would get. "Why are you so worried about me?"

Mattie slithered closer to the lanky figure. "After all, it's yourself that you should be paying more attention to." Mathew locked his arms behind his back and slowly began circling her like prey. "Out wandering the castle, in a forbidden corridor, talking to strange, dashing men." His tongue tisked against the roof of his mouth. "They put people in Azkaban for less, you know?" Running his hands through his long mane, Mattie took a deep breath before beginning again. "Oh you’d do well in prison, cute little thing like you.” Mathew’s smirk now turned devilish as he stopped pacing.

”Unless it was me that you were coming for.” Mathew could not help but to suggest that, after all, most first years would go to the moon and back just for a smile from Mathew. However, he could tell that this girl was not just some silly school girl. She had potential. Or at least she appeared to be. Recently, Mathew was learning that no one was who they said they were. Everyone was putting on a façade, a mask to hide who they were inside. Even Mattie was guilty of doing it. No one could know who he was or why he escaped so often from the castle. Not even his family knew that he was truly a monster underneath it all.

This new face had hi forgetting his true purpose for prowling the school and the moment that he was reminded of it his hands started slightly shaking and his pulse skyrocketed. Maybe it was for the best that he had run into this girl. She was something that distracted him enough to forget that it was almost a full nightly orb.

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[rowan elliot]

Rowan was tempted to laugh at the older boy. It was clear from his demeanor that was accustomed to getting his way and it was amusing how it reminded her of a spoiled child. She listened patiently to his spiel, assuming a bored stance as he went on. At one point, when he spoke of minding herself, she began coming her fingers through her hair and held it up to inspect for split-ends. She had heard this all before and it hardly worried her. "Dashing?" she parroted back, condescending ire in her voice. "I have met many dashing men and sadly," she eyed him up and down, "you fall a little short." The statement was only half true, she had met many men but, had Rowan been any other girl, there was no doubt that she would be swayed by his charms. However, Rowan was indeed herself and she had much larger worried than cute boys. It would take more than good looks and confidence to win her over.

Especially when they really thought threatening Azkaban would frighten her. She was distinctly aware of the consequences of being caught wandering the Forbidden Corridor and prison was a little over the top. Lips turning up in a smirk, Rowan decided she would play upon the male's words, establishing that she could be just as confident as him. "Oh, I'm quite certain I would do just fine anywhere," was thrown at him with a quirk of her head. "Like here, for an example." She sniffed at him in mild distaste, being reminded why she was even bothering to talk with the older boy. Rowan looked down and watched her hand run down the front of her skirt before raising back up to look him in the eyes. "I see that, once again, you're getting a little too sure of yourself," she said with a small laugh to her town - had she been the type, she would have probably giggled.

Rowan's eyes narrowed as his shaking hand caught her attention. Whatever was the matter? Was she really angering him so much? She could hardly rationalize such as she was only just building momentum, if he persisted to irritate her she was willing to just get meaner. The brunette looked back up at him with question in her eyes and wondered if this whole conversation would soon be over with, it was becoming redundant in the way all arguments tended to be. "I'm certain that a man as dashing," she smirked and quietly scoffed, as if they mere idea of him being anymore than an average person entertained her, "as you has things to do. So, go and do that. Away. From here." Rowan could only hope the male was half as intelligent as he probably though he was and would get the less-than subtle hint that it was time for him to leave. Twirling a strand of hair around a finger, if he wanted to be charming he could go flirt with another girl elsewhere.

[mattie amherst?]

Mathew straightened his spine and his stature rose as she accused him of not being dashing. He knew for a fact that he was but it still caused him to question what he knew. He had grown up with a father who did not stick around for very long but the time that he was around he had taught Mattie everything that Alisaunder knew about being a gentleman. It was all that Mathew could say that his father figure had given him. It was a gift to know how to behave in society. Or at least that was what he had told Mathew. So now that this young woman was denying that he was charming and debonair, he was beginning to question for the first time what his father had told him years ago. ”Well you aren’t you little miss sunshine.” Mathew scoffed. He wouldn’t let this one girl drag him down. He had a million others to boost him up anytime he wanted. Plus, it might be good for his fat head to shrink a little. It was always good to have some kind of reality check.

When she dismissed him, he for once did exactly as she requested. He chuckled to himself as he began to slowly sashay down the cobblestone corridor. His hands linked behind him, he hummed softly. He peered over his shoulder, stopped and motioned for her ”Well aren’t you coming?” If he was going to get in trouble, he would rather get caught with her. She was snarky enough company, he liked her witty remarks. Plus if they really did get caught then he was sure that he would be able to say that he was just going in after her to stop the young woman from getting hurt. Oh how gentlemanly of him!

Now was not the time to get out of control. It was not the time to let this petite figure get the best of him. He had to clear his mind, he was not use to people not liking him. Well, he was not use to girls not liking him. Many guys never liked the fact that he hung around their girlfriends or sisters and for good reason. Mathew couldn’t be trusted. He shouldn’t be trusted. If his dear innocent cousin, Kabriel ever tried to get with a guy like Mathew, he would be required to lock her in a tall tower for the rest of her life.

The Cossu began again to pad down the hall partly because the idea of getting caught excited him. The idea of being caught with someone like this girl was even more of a natural high. It had been longer than he cared to admit that he had been in trouble. When he was only a few years young he was caught riding his bike around campus, smoking in the corridors and fraternizing in the girls dorms. It was truly what he was born to do. It was really the only thing he was good at since he learned about magic. it was the only thing he was suppose to mess up. He was not supposed to be good at being a monster. It was not something he was suppose to be proud of. Was it? Was he meant to be proud of the fact that he could change at will unlike his friends? Was he meant to boast about his form to his family? It didn’t seem right to him. It didn’t seem natural. Mathew’s shaky hands balled tightly into controlling fists and then relaxed his obtrusive bulging arms.

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[rowan elliot]

A small huff of air forced it's way out of Rowan's mouth at the sunshine comment. Had it been more intentional, one might have called it a scoff but really, it had been too unconscious for that. It was clear to even a blind man that Rowan was far from a ray of sunshine. It wasn't only her personality that was dark, but also her appearance. Dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, olive skin tone. Her outward appearance reflected her nature well, although perhaps a bit too pretty for someone as unfriendly as Rowan. She knew the older boy was taunting her, the way she had been taunting him only a moment before. But for some odd reason it struck here in a weird way, jarring her coolness in a unusual way. Narrowing her eyes as the male, she twisted her lips into a mockery of a smile, tilted her head in a way she had seen maybe girls and sarcastically said, "Oh, why thank you," her lips gave up on the false smile and turned down in her signature unimpressed from, "It's always nice to be reassured of my sunny personality by strangers." For all the show that she put on, truly the intent was to prevent the male from seeing how uncomfortable his comment had made her. 


Afterall, it wasn't like she didn't know she wasn't a brilliant and sunny persn. Sometimes she was even intentionally cool, like she had been to the older male. It wasn't his fault he had intruded on what she had wanted to be her alone time, but he had provoked her in a way that no one else had in awhile. Which was why she was shocked when he turned to go. She watched him go for a moment, wondering exactly what she had said to get him to go so easily all of a sudden. But before she could relax, he had paused and she was on high alert yet again. Of course it had been a farce. But then it wasn't, he really was going, and expected her to come along. Raking a hand through her long hair, she stared coolly at him and asked, "And what would I get from coming along?"


She knew that the must be a hidden motive behind the invite. Furthermore, she had come to this corridor to escape from people. Why in the world would she join the older male on a stroll, especially one who seemed so rough around the edges. He was not at all like the other men she knew, the polished boys from home or the few Sournois boys she interacted with in her house. There was something about him that was different, in the way he challenged her and didn't seem afraid of her the way most were with her cold separation from most of humanity. She herself was not all that intimidating, though tall her thinness often made her appear smaller than she was and while her face held a somewhat exotic look, constantly formed in an expression of disinterest, it lacked the sharp edges her elder sister Epaulette had. However, by now the majority of people who knew her, knew to be avoid her. 

Letting out a heavy sigh, as though she was heavily burdened, Rowan took a step forward, enjoying the satisfyingly loud clack of her shoes against the floor and the flow of her dress as she moved. Then she took another. Without any prompting, it appeared her body had decided it was going to follow after the male. And despite the feeling that this was going to be a mistake, she decided to see where things would lead. Her idea of solitude was already shattered, why try and save something that was already destroyed? "I'm Rowan," she offered, possibly the kindest thing she had said to him. Not knowing what to do with her hands as she walked, they found their way into her hair, as they always seemed to, twirling and raking their way through.