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A Recipe for Disaster
Topic Started: Jul 18 2008, 05:15 PM (934 Views)
Eresai Norwood
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How intriguing…the little boy before her had started off in the same sort of scraps she had. It had been those situations that had made her the type of person capable of surviving anything no matter who it affected and hurt. That cold edge tended to leave people uncomfortable, but Eresai found herself having to wonder what it would be like to share that same kind of devotion with another that had started out just as she had.

It was really strange to her though that he wouldn’t have more survival skills. Her eyes viewed him in peculiar honesty. In truth she had not once even considered using a wand to help out with the fire. Besides, did it look like she was packing a wand on her? The bikini was such that there was barely cloth covering the necessary elements of her body and the dagger. But she gave him the benefit of the doubt as she rocked back on her heels and considered using magic.

A wand would have made things much easier, but she had never gotten used to the idea of relying on magic to do things that should be carved into her instincts. Her hands took the brush from him with a smile before a shrug vibrated her body. “Nah, there’s no need. This is easier for me. In all honesty I don’t really like magic.” It was just an unfortunate way out of her life on the streets and in the orphanage. Without the gift who knew where she would be today. Magic would probably draw others to their presence, while this had an all-natural waft to it that gently floated through the air.

Closing her eyes to listen, the gentle sounds of birds above twittering and the muffled step of a rabbit nearby attracted her attention, bringing a smile to her lips. “So, dinner. Birds or rabbit?” The rabbit would be meatier, but there would be more birds to eat. Besides, she could supplement anything with the right mixture of seeds and berries.

Pulling a dagger, her fingers twirled the blade around her fingers as she crouched toward the tree that held the most signs of life. It would be immensely simple to take the life of either creature. If she could kill a human, what chance did a mammal have?
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Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern
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Donnan snorted a little at her choice. Birds or rabbit? As if he could stomach anything so thick. The berries had been the most solid form of food that he'd had in weeks. He supposed it didn't really matter which she killed. He might have a bite or two, but unless she could make rabbit stew, his share in the meal would be minimal.

"Whichever you prefer," he said, trying and failing to sound nonchalant. Oh, well. It wasn't like she hadn't already seen his vulnerable state. He might as well give up the game. It hardly mattered, at this point. "I won't eat much, either way. My stomach doesn't hold much of anything these days... Man, I would have killed for a rabbit last summer..."

The last sentence was said in barely more than a husky whisper, added almost as an afterthought. The truth was, he would have killed for a rabbit last year; namely, he would have killed a rabbit. With his penknife, which he wound up selling to a ten year old for a few knuts instead. Well, money was food, so it was basically the same thing, he supposed...

Only it wasn't. Selling the knife had proven to be a foolish thing in the end when he had nothing to defend himself against muggers and other people of questionable morals. He had learned street fighting pretty quickly, and his skills in evasion were unrivaled with the other kids his age... Fending for himself, though, like this girl was doing... It was one thing he hadn't learned last summer. The other things were basic continuations of his childhood; evading and fighting back had all been necessary when dealing with his drunken father, or even with Cessford. The cooking, cleaning, gutting stuff... He could figure it out if he needed to, he supposed; anything to survive... But it wasn't like there were rabbits hanging out in Knockturn Alley. Not live ones, anyway.

"Can you show me how to start a fire without?" he asked. He didn't bother to add how useful the skill would be come summer time, when he was cold and alone on the streets. She ought to know, if she really did grow up that way herself. And if she didn't know, Donnan wasn't going to bother trying to enlighten her. It would be a waste of time.
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Eresai Norwood
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Her step faltered as she listened to him spill about being unable to eat much of either. Her gaze sharpened as she looked him over quickly before returning attention to the matter at hand. Okay, so he wasn't exactly Mr. Incredible complete with all the rippling biceps and shoulders, but in all honesty Eresai hadn't really looked at him in such a way to suggest that he was too weak to even enjoy a simple meal. And simple was exactly what it would be.

The rabbit meat would be more tender, though with the cute little fire that was popping away it didn't really matter. It would be better to marinate the rabbit to the boy's liking. Taking off with a nimble step, Eresai quickly took down a pair of hares that were off to the side in the brush. While she had never enjoyed the killing process of small animals, it was better than starving. Walking back over to him, she pulled her dagger and sat down with easy grace.

Within moments the rabbits were shaved of fur and the meat had been carved out and placed on a smooth stone. Grabbing two sticks, she sharpened the ends and shoved them through the hares. Another two sticks of thicker lengths were jammed into the ground before the others were placed above the fire as a prop. While the mean cooked, Eresai began to gather more berries and leaves filled with sap and a few nuts, since he seemed to only vaguely enjoy those.

"A fire....okay. First, you have to have flint or something that reflects the sun." Motioning toward her dagger, she smiled. "I had this. Once you set up sticks in an upright triangle, stick brush along the edges and on the inside." Her eyes took in her little fire and put a frown on her face. "You also should have rocks surrounding it just in case..." With those words she began to surround the fire with pebbles and stones. "Using the shiney object, reflect the sun until smoke begins to rise from the brush. If you have flint, rub it against a stone till you see sparks on the brush. Then just wait for the flames...."

Eresai didn't think she had left anything out so her hands went to creating a mushy soup out of the berries and paste. This would marinate the meat beautifully. As she pulled the now neatly toasted rabbits from the fire and placed them on the stone, her hands brushed the sauce across the bodies. Chunkier berries and nuts with the same paste was placed inside the meat with the help of her dagger, then placed back on the fire for a few more moments of cooking.
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Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern
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Donnan had to admit that the food looked good. The skinning and gutting of the rabbit had been a bit gross, but it was hardly the first time he's seen such acts. Most of the time he'd been the one performing those feats, when money was scarce back home and trapped game was the only meat for him and Ailia at night. Besides, after spending months eating grease soaked scraps from fast food dumpsters, a little hair wouldn't scare him off of food.

But the way she had marinated it... He hadn't expected that. He'd been expecting the barest of white meats, scrounged up and possibly burnt so it was most assuredly cooked. Donnan wasn't a picky eater by far, but this... this actually looked decent. It had berries and nuts spread on it.

"If you can do this in the woods, I like to think of what you can cook when you actually have supplies," Donnan said, half in jest. In truth, though, it was a legitimate thought. The meal she had managed for the two of them was among the best he had seen in a long time. He actually felt his stomach purring with hunger at the sight of it, a rare occurrence these days, and though he didn't give himself to delusions that he would be able to eat as much as she, he might manage more than a bite or two.
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Eresai Norwood
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A smile played on her lips as Eresai listened to the soft grumbles of the boy’s stomach. When was the last time he had been given a decent meal? In truth, she couldn’t remember the last time she had gone without food for any other reason then her own choice. It had been years since she had degraded herself to that level even if it meant that she had to steal to find sustenance. Oh well, those years were way behind her and she fought hard every day to make sure she never got back to that life.

On stakeouts, she often found herself going without food for days, though water was one thing she tended to need on a daily basis. Back in France, Sai had been forced to go without food and water for over four days while she waited out her victim in the basement of his chateaux. Those had been immensely painful days and only the satisfaction of the man’s death had made her feel as though it had all been worth it.

The meat was finally at the perfect temperature with the previously pinked skin to a luscious light brown. There was an amazing aroma of fruit and nuts that made her own senses tingle, though her reverie was cut short with a laugh as she glanced over at the boy and his question. A shrug touched her shoulders as she turned back to pull the two hares away. One for each rock as she handed the stone to him. “Ey…I’m normally much lazier at home.” This much was exceptionally true. At home it tended to be a piece of fruit or maybe a vegetable. If she was feeling starved, there might be some meat involved. It just depended on her mood.

Her fingers gently tore off a piece to plop in her mouth as a sigh of contempt escaped her throat. Yes, this was delicious, though it was really sad that she ate better when she was out in the middle of nowhere than in her own kitchen. To be fair, she would have preferred turkey or something than gamey hare but still. With limited options, this was good.
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Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern
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Donnan took the meat she handed him without a word, tearing off a big chunk of it with his teeth and chewing contentedly. It was really quite good, the fruit and nuts adding extra flavor to a meat that was already far from bland. Besides, eating gave him something to do other than think about the night ahead of him, and that was always good. He really didn't like the dark much, despite having spent many a night curled up on the side of the street, trying not to be seen. Out in the woods was different. Animals didn't have to see him to annoy him, after all. They could smell his scent, and there was really very little he could to about that fact. He'd just have to grin and bear it, he supposed.

At least he wasn't going to be alone, he thought, glancing over at the girl who'd saved him. A guardian angel of sorts, he thought sleepily. The thought amused him to no end. Since when did he believe in such stupidities? He was far too old for fairy tales.

Donnan almost marveled at her when she said that she was lazy when she was at home. He couldn't ever imagine looking upon food so casually. If he had the money for food, he'd be a right chef, he knew, if only to make up for the days he'd gone without.

Donnan had a sleepy feeling within him, and a kind of peace around him. Before he knew it, he had begun to sing, his voice clear and even in the night, more clean cut than when he spoke, if still quite quiet. It was a kind of sad tune, and he didn't even know where he'd picked it up anymore.

"Don't know what I was looking for when I went home, I found me alone. Sometimes I need someone to say 'you'll be alright, what's on your mind?' But the water's shallow here and I am full of fear and empty handed after 2 long years. Another sunny day in california, I'm sure back home they'd love to see it, but they don't know that what you love is ripped away before you get a chance to feel it... Back home I always thought I wanted so much more, now I'm not too sure, because sometimes I miss knowing someone's there for me and feeling free... Free to stand beside the ocean in moonlight and light myself a smoke beneath the dark atlantic sky. Another sunny day in California, I'm sure back home they'd love to see it, but tehy don't know htat what you love is ripped away before you get a chance to feel it... Everybody here is living life if fear of falling out of line... Tearing lives apart and breaking lives and hearts just to pass the time.. and your eyes get red in the back of your head, this love can make you blind. Put it all behind you and you'll feel just fine. Another sunny day beneath this cloudless sky, sometimes I wish that it would rain here, and wash away the West Coast streaming from my eyes, there's nothing real for them to see here... Another starry night in California, I'm sure back home they'd love to see it, but they don't know that what you love is ripped away, before you get a chance to feel it."

He trailed off at the end, his voice ringing in the darkness. For a moment, he was ten years old again, singing Ailia to sleep as the willow tree whispered outside. He didn't remember his true location, or that he was with a person who might not take kindly to a boy singing in the wilderness. All he could think was that he was at peace, for once.
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Eresai Norwood
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Eresai was careful to pick around the dark meat. If there was one thing that made her nauseus it was dark meat. So her fingers carefully picked off all the white, flaky meat that made her taste buds water. Occasionally she would glance over at her companion only to turn away with a smile at the sight of him actually eating on his own. It had been hard earlier with her having to feed him. This was the fighting side of him that she enjoyed watching come to life.

Leaving the rest of the rabbit on the stone for him to grab if he so chose, her eyes drifted above her to the radiant appeal of the stars. There were so many tiny flares of gas that it was amazing to her steal such a magnificent art could exist. Her room warden used to take her to the roof of the orphanage to lay out and gaze for hours. Between the the other orphans and herself they would spend a good sum of the time trying to pick out constellations and making up the rest all in an attempt for the pride and attention of their warden. Though, in hindsight, that had really just been a mistake. The women, while kind, was only do that little act because she pitied the children. Whilst up there, she would spend the entire time looking anxiously over her shoulder to make sure nobody was coming.

Pulling her knees to her chest, Eresai rested her chin against the leg. It was going to be a long night, though it felt shortened as his voice rang out through the forest. Sai could sing, though she hardly ever did anymore. She used to sing some of the smaller children to sleep against the pain and hardship that darkened their dreams. Pushing back a lock of her hair, her eyes turned to gaze at him till the song ended upon which a smile crossed her lips.

"What other hidden talents do you have?" While spoken with a light air, Sai truly was interested. This was just the in she needed to see if he would ever be the type to prepare to be a spy. His answers would determine her questions, but most importantly it would determine if he could be trusted.
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Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern
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Donnan corked an eye at her, amused by the question. Hidden talents? It was a kind of backhanded compliment, the way he figured it, almost like saying he was a good singer. He found that amusing. The actual question, though... It was a puzzle. How did you tell someone what "hidden talents" you possessed without sounding like a self centered prat?

"I don't know anything about talent," he said at last, picking absently at a blade of grass. "I don't even know if I think talent exists, beyond the arts. I can sing, sort of, and write, sort of, but as far as I'm concerned, beyond singing, writing, drawing... Talent doesn't exist. What people call talent... It's hard work put into practice. Take for example... Someone might say I'm a talented duelist. I'd tend to disagree. I'm no more talented than the next bloke, except after being hexed within an inch of my life on several occasions, I took it upon myself to spend my free time in the Room of Requirements practicing blocks and hexes."

He gave her a mournful look, but his eyes weren't really focused on her. They were focused on a memory far away and almost out of reach, of the lonely hours he spent practicing his dueling so that the next time he faced an opponent, he wouldn't be left helpless and vulnerable. He thought about the track where he used to see how far he could push himself with his injured leg, pain and anguish having no bearing against the fear in his heart of what would happen to him if he didn't learn to work with it.

"You know what my talent is?" he asked her, looking quite serious now. "My talent is anger... I'm angry at my weaknesses, at my vulnerabilities, and that allows me to work through them, and push myself.. And I'm angry at my enemies, and that allows me to see past them and achieve whatever ends I want. It's not a noble talent, like some people claim to have. It's just an emotion, and it spurs me onward. Anger... and fear."
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Eresai Norwood
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Rude as it may be her thoughts were no longer on the boy beside her. He seemed to have this lack of confidence that scared her. How could she believe he was ready for a place in her world if he wasn’t even capable of speaking about himself without questioning everything he was capable of doing. Eresai knew how simple her question was for herself, because she knew exactly how far she could push her limits. She was good at archery; she was bad at gardening. Ying and Yang. Those were her talents, and she wasn’t willing to give up what she knew she was capable of or let others question those things.

Amusement flittered in her eyes as he finally began to answer with emotion. The emotion present in his voice was what drew her from her little moment of the mind to listening to the appealing clash of his words and his features. Should that be what it took to get her to pay attention? Sheesh, already she felt like a bad person. This was not a good start to their little relationship. Besides, it wasn’t the fact that he was finally admitting to having human feelings but the contents of his answer. Yes, Sai was angry….she had been for a really long time. As a rule, however, that anger or fear had never controlled her life. Sadness filled her eyes as she wondered at how much easier life would have been had she let it. The deaths, murders, and pain wouldn’t affect her so deeply had she let those emotions drive her life. There was the crucial difference between the two of them.

Rotating to fully face him, she cocked her head to the side as though delving into his mind. “Would you use that fear, that hatred to govern your life if it meant rising to a better position in the world?” Yes, it would mean many much greater things for him. Their line of work was not highly sought after because of how grueling it could be, but those who were willing rarely went without. They wanted to keep their agents happy. At least, to a point. They also wanted to make sure those who joined them understood how hard life could be during the stake outs. Many a time had been spent in raging storms just waiting out a victim. Could he do it? Her eyes bore into his as she waited for a response that would forever shape his future.
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Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern
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Donnan cocked his head slightly to the side at her question, wondering where she was going with that. It didn't seem to make sense to him. Let his anger govern his life? Well, it was already doing that. As for a "better position in the world"... He'd never been particularly ambitious; or at least, he had never been the type to put forth a great effort in order to be in the spotlight. He didn't particularly like the spotlight, and the well sought after jobs didn't particularly appeal to him. They were too... Pristine. Innocent. Fake.

"I delve into my anger every day," he answered, cautiously, "But I don't particularly know what you mean by 'a better position in the world'. Any position in the world is better than homeless, penniless, crippled second year student, wouldn't you agree? If you're asking me if I want to go into politics or something, not really. I don't make speeches."

Well, it wasn't exactly like she was being clear in what she was asking from him. He didn't really know what she was talking about, and his twelve year old mind wasn't used to adults asking him what he wanted to do with his life, and what position he wanted.

"All I know is that when I-" he was going to say, 'when I grow up', but it sounded too childish, and he changed it to, "When the time comes... I don't want to be vulnerable.. To anyone. I don't want to be scared any more. And I want to be able to... To make a difference. To do something significant... And I don't want to live on the streets anymore... If I could have all that... I'd do anything."
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Eresai Norwood
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Oi, at least he seemed to get the fact that what she was asking was of the utmost importance. Other than that he seemed completely lost, as was this situation. And politics? What the hell? Seriously, she had not been the most clear in her question but there had definitely been not political undertones. In her world, politics didn’t really exist other than to decide whom she would kill for the time. It was absolutely crucial that she never choose a side such as Democrat or Republican. Eresai remained a firm Moderate, going exactly where she was needed to do whatever she must.

This was pointless. She could feel it in her blood even as he admitted to wanting to do whatever it took to stay off the streets. That was easy. Anybody could get out of such a situation with a little ambition. Before becoming a spy, she had learned her hand at picking pockets and been quite successful. He could easily do the same. As for ever being a spy…well, Sai was beginning to have serious doubts as to why she ever thought he would be right for such a job.

“But could you do anything? What if it meant killing a grown man twice your size? Or how about a child barely up to your knee?” That had been a sad moment for her. The deaths of children always hit her the hardest, though she had fought hard to make it less of a problem for her, at least, on the outside. Even now her voice was monotone as she stared past him into the forest awaiting his answer. Few people had those kinds of guts. They were tough enough to say they would do anything to be better in life, but when push came to shove they always ran. Why should he be any different? Sai had been able to accomplish such a hardness not by sheer will but by forcing herself to think of the bigger picture – the one only those in her line of work could see. Plus, it would require that he be devoted to the training. He would have to learn how to kill with whatever he was given at the time. A small smirk played on her lips as she remembered the time she had strangled a man to death with a rubberband. That had been a slow death from which she had derived entirely too much pleasure.
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Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern
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"I have no problems with death, or with causing it," Donnan said cautiously, "Depending on the reason. Murder for murder's sake isn't really my cup of tea. If there's a reason behind it..."

The idea of murder revolted some, but although he didn't relish the idea of strangling a little kid, he really didn't see the big deal when it came to death. After all, they went to another, supposedly better, place. Death was an important factor in life, too. The threat of it could cause people to change what they did, could manipulate them... Besides, that was what war was all about, wasn't it?

He leaned forward a little, so his pale knees were pressed firmly into the forest floor and the firelight flickered over his gaunt face, making him appear more skeletal than ever. "What, exactly, are you insinuating?"
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Eresai Norwood
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The remnants of a smirk remained on her lips even after the boy had finished speaking and her eyes began to roam off into the woods. Murder for murder's sake...those were an interesting choice of words. All to often the only reason she killed a person was because it would make the person she was hired by very rich. Did that count as reason? In her mind it should even if only because it paid her bills and kept food on the table, though she had to wonder if he would agree. Not that that was her problem in the least.

If by some miracle he were able to become an agent, it was highly doubtful she would ever have to work with him again. There were dozens of agents scattered throughout the Hogwart's premise, though she had only been given clearance to know a select handful. It was much to dangerous and suspicious for a number of highly cautious people to suddenly be hanging around each other. Seriously, it was basically like putting chickens in a barrel and shooting for dinner. Easy. Anyway, he would probably be assigned to one of them even if only to lead people off of her trail. This little meeting of theirs would not fly in the real world. If anyone were to see them now...well, then it better be the only time they ever meet again.

Her head tilted to the side as she watched him move closer. His skin was unbelievably pale, moreso than her own had ever been. It wasn't her place to judge the people pinned by her agency, though she sort of doubted their authority on this one. However, she had been in the same boat once. Maybe they had plans to replace the leg or even put him in undercover somewhere. Nonetheless, she was supposed to sort him out. Maybe answering his question with an air of truth would help. "Honey, I don't insinuate." Silly really. There was no need to use that kind of cover unless she was trying to get him in bed only to kill him. She was a very honest person unless it dealt with work to the point that many were scared of her mere presence. "When you were..." Her voice trailed where it would have said child. Was that rude? He was still quite young..."younger, did you dream of being a fireman, lawyer, doctor...spy?" There, that was a fairly decent mix of jobs.
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Donnan Lachlan-Kentigern
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Donnan rolled his eyes at her. Why did people act like little kids were always so innocent, so unknowing. He'd never been the stupid little kid type. He'd been taking care of the family and the household since he was five years old, and even before that he'd mostly protected Ailia.

"When I was younger," he said bitterly, "I dreamed of being alone. That's it. Firemen work with lots of other people, so I wouldn't want to be that. Lawyer? Nah, they have to talk too much. Doctors have to deal with kids and snot and.. Yuck."

He cocked his eye at the idea of a spy. He'd never really thought of it, but now that he did, it seemed like it could be a decent profession. How did you get into that, though? It wasn't like you could go up to the Ministry of Magic and be like, "Hey, I want to be a spy!" He doubted that would go over well.

"I don't know how you would become a spy," he said calmly, and he left it at that.
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Eresai Norwood
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Funny, Eresai had never exactly dreamed of being alone, though she was sure that was an element of what she had felt. In her younger years, she had moreso found herself dreaming of being given the option of being alone, hence all the times she had flown the coop so to speak. Among the children of the orphanage, there had rarely been a free moment to even think by yourself let alone be by yourself. Everything happened with the others. You ate together, bathed together, worked together, slept together and began the process all over again the next day - together.

She had learned a while back that although she had thought she wanted to be alone and that was why she had always fought to escape, it was for a different reason entirely. She hadn't been escaping the people. She had been escaping what was happening to those around her. Something about her screamed out against the injustice and fleed as a result. Now, as an adult, she was even more of a stranger to the concept of being a social butterfly. Her heart longed for the company, but her history screamed out in protest at the very mention of people. Oh well, it had really ended up being for the best. Without the hard exterior, she never would have made it as a spy.

Her eyes had turned almost said as she turned back to the boy. It would be better if he just became a doctor or even a fireman, despite all his objections. If this hadn't been her assignment, she felt sure her mouth would stay closed at this point, but Sai had never failed before. Why start now? To match the despair in her eyes, a ghost of a smile touched her lips. "For people like us? You don't. You have to be invited by a member of an elite group."

Oi, it sounded so direly important, but for the most part that was true. Those with...magical...capabilities were more lucrative in the spy world, but they were also harder to train, thus there wasn't a program. Too often wizards and witches would try to justify the profession with a few easy spells only to start to leak their existence to the muggle world, since more often than not the targets were muggles. As for the elite group part, yea, that part was the half-truth. Honestly, there was a headquarters somewhere that occasionally sent out first contact missions, but using their agents of elite groups such as her own - Emerald Isle. There were others, of course, but that was the only one she was allowed to know much about. After that, if the decision was a yes, owls would be sent from the agency concerning events and the like. If the answer was a no, well, Sai had never known the contact to live past that night.

It had actually been quite lucky that she had saved this particular boy from the water. It had not been but a day or so back that she had first received his picture and information. After that, she had simply been waiting for the time to strike up this conversation away from prying ears. Well, it was now or never. "Well, kid, would you like to be put through the ropes to see if your made of the right stuff to be a spy?" Gah, she hated this part. Knowing that the dagger she was carrying could potentially be driven through his neck for having said no or knowing that she sacrificed his life for a life of crime on the streets. It was a tough world.
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