With the capture of Verandi Farley and several high-ranking Trossach members, the British wizarding world has finally caught a break. The rate of rogue werewolf attacks have started dropping at a steady rate and, hopefully, things will stay that way. The Ministry is starting to loosen some restrictions, like not arresting werewolves standing on the street for loitering, however there’s still an obvious power imbalance between wizardfolk and werewolves.
The Cotswolds pack are continuing to advocate for the rights of werewolves and petitioning to change the legislation that has been set in motion by the current Minister for Magic, whilst the remaining Trossachs members are trying to stay out of the spotlight and keep a low profile… for now.
Whilst the British wizarding world seems to have calmed down, the same cannot be said for over in Northern Europe where a rebellion of magical creatures has risen. The state of things has gotten so bad that the European Ministry has enacted protocols to protect those under eighteen whilst their adult witches and wizards fight to keep control of their countries.
Students from Durmstrang have been sent to Hogwarts to keep them safe and those not old enough to attend school have been sent to live with relatives or designated British Ministry officials outside of Europe for the time being.
Will the low rates of werewolf attacks in Britain continue? How long will Durmstrang students stay at Hogwarts? Will the creatures usurp the wizardfolk in Northern Europe? Only time will tell.
SEPTEMBER 2019 It's been a very long, eventful summer in the wizarding world. A baby was stolen, several high ranking Trossach members were imprisoned, and werewolf attacks have drastically dropped as a result. What will happen now school has returned?
MAY 2019 An attempt to capture the beta of the Trossachs has been launched. Were the Aurors successful in their mission? Go read more here!
Post by ASTRID SØRENSEN on Aug 26, 2019 12:16:37 GMT
With her long braids over her shoulders, dressed in a jacket, cropped shirt and jeans, Astrid wound her way into The Three Broomsticks, shoulders a little tense. It had been a while since she'd visited England, almost a year in fact. The previous time she'd set foot in the country was last Christmas, and a simple glance at the decorative baubles lining the roof above the bar let everyone know that it was quickly approaching. Astrid hadn't look at her calendar in a while, but she knew it was coming up in a week... or maybe the next few days. She still needed to get presents for her parents, their partners and her siblings... oops.
As Astrid made her way over to the bar, she halted in her tracks for a split second as she saw a very sad looking plant wilting in the corner. Grabbing someone's glass off the table, ignoring the indignant 'hey!', she tipped the remainder of their water into the soil. Even if she wasn't here to tend to the plants herself, she was going to make sure that the bartender heard about it at some point tonight. They'd decided to own the plants, and they needed to take care of them. Astrid was well aware it made her sound like a raving vegetarian lunatic, but hey. She'd take the title on the chin as long as they tended to the plants.
Finally, Astrid made her way to the bar, quickly skimming over the menu before ordering a tequila. It was harder liquor than she usually drank but carpe diem, right? With a drink in her hand, Astrid whirled around to find a table - occupied or unoccupied, it didn't bother her - when she bumped into someone, liquid splashing over the side and thankfully mostly onto her jacket. "Shoot, sorry, man. I need to watch where I'm going," she apologised, setting her drink down on the nearest surface and shrugging out of her jacket, tying it around her waist. Luckily it was warm in here, especially given that Astrid's shirt was practically half a shirt. It was then she looked up, catching the face of her victim and immediately, a hint of a smile graced her lips because this lady was gorgeous. "I'll buy you a drink to make up for it, hey? As long as you swear not to hate me, else I'll be awfully sad."
Deep breath, Alicia had forced her smile for hours now. Her cheeks were in pain, there was no denying that... but as a trained professional athlete, Alicia could withstand this... humiliation. Her children had put out the Christmas cookies, had been The Night Before Christmas with both Alicia and Stan reading alternate lines as they'd done for the past decade and they'd nodded off to sleep so Alicia could drop the charade. Her husband, the cheating rotten piece of squib-shit, had been watching her every move; trying to use those small familiar touches that should have sent flutters to her heart but instead made her want to scrape her skin off and stuff it down his silver-tongued throat. Arsehole.
"I'm going out for the night. I'm taking the cookies," Alicia informed Stan as she fastened the clasp of her tightly tailored, floor-length velvet coat. "Don't forget to put the presents out; I don't care whatever else you do," the woman turned on her heel and used the floo to get to the one place she could forget about her non-magical marital problems. The Three Broomsticks.
The smell of stale ale and familiar hum of the witches and wizards in the establishment quickly brought a calmness to Alicia. It wasn't as amazing as the feeling of thousands of wizard-folk screaming your name in a stadium, but it would do. Alicia made her way from the fireplace towards the bar, her dark velvet coat dragging just that tiny bit on the dusty floor as she did so. For the most part, people parted to make way for the famous woman; she had that air about her that even if you didn't follow Quidditch, they still knew she was important.
Alicia was almost at the bar when all of a sudden braids were flung and drinks were splashed and after a small gasp escaped the woman's lips - and a good few seconds of pregnant pause in the surrounding conversations as people waited to see how Alicia Spinnet would react - the woman found Astrid's instant apology and slight smile completely refreshing.
"I love your hair," Alicia said with a gracious smile; the braids always reminded her of her mother. Of the old tradtions and whilst she could never pull the look off, she certainly admired it in others. "It's Christmas - let's drink and make merry... just don't get me trying to sing auld lang syne, I'll mumble my way through all the lyrics."
"There's a seat over there, I'll get more drinks and be over in a sec. Barkeep? A ... whatever this lovely lady's drinking? Water?" Alicia asked with a quirk of her brow because the liquid was clear but hopefully alcoholic. "And your biggest pitcher of mulled wine." Alicia unclasped her coat and hung it on a chair and sat down, gesturing to her new friend. "I'm Alicia and I need to get a little bit drunk tonight. What's your name?"
Post by ASTRID SØRENSEN on Aug 27, 2019 9:24:22 GMT
The fact that people had actually stopped talking to stare at the two of them completely went over Astrid's head... whether it was because she was that oblivious or that she just didn't care was up for debate. Reaching up to finger the ends of her braids at the compliment, Astrid's smile only grew bigger because this woman knew what was up. "Thanks. When I was over in Haiti, a woman I made friends with offered to do them and I've kept them in ever since. They're real easy 'cause I can tie 'em up or rock an undercut or side cut when I want to. Just uber versatile."
The woman that Astrid still didn't know the name of was telling her to go sit down and with a shrug, she did as she was told. This woman seemed cool, so why make a fuss? She was here to chill out and make a couple of friends after all. She seemed to have lost most of hers when she'd went into St. Mungos and well, that had been really shitty considering her time locked up in the psych ward? It blew. Hardcore. "It's tequila. Catch me drinking water in a bar just about never," Astrid said with a laugh and a shake of her head.
It only took a few seconds before Astrid was drawing her legs up onto the chair, sitting cross-legged as she stretched up. She didn't imagine she'd be very comfortable here for long - in fact, she gave it five minutes before she got bored and changed positions. "Drunk? Perfect. I think we'll be best friends after tonight," Astrid said with a grin. Leaning over the table, Astrid struck her hand out for a friendly handshake. "Astrid. What brings you here besides getting drunk? People usually have a reason behind their actions."
That smile though. With the compliment, the pretty lady was fiddling with her hair and told her about where she had gotten them. "Haiti, wow, are you from there?" It sounded so very exotic, so very far away and all beach palms and warm winds in Alicia's mind. So different from what Alicia's life was right now ... if she wasn't the enjoying coaching the kiddies at Hogwarts that would probably be where she'd go tonight. Never to return."Merlin, you'll have to tell me more about it."
When Astrid replied that she was drinking tequila, Alicia laughed and the barkeep added it to the order. "So that's a no to the water then? Your best tequila, please. Just bring over a bottle," the woman wasn't exactly a drinker of spirits - beer and wine after a hard game with teammates was a regular thing but she was too much of a workaholic to get wasted and ... that's usually what happened with only a couple of drinks. "Nevermind the wine, actually. Just another glass... and lime wedges?"
Her new drinking buddy was very... flexible. Alicia made no attempt to hide the fact that she saw Astrid's quirky way of sitting at the table and the same small smile crossed her deep red lips. Easily grasping the offered hand, Alicia shook it, "to new friends, hey Astrid?" she took the bottle that arrived at the table and poured herself a shot of tequila and gestured to Astrid if she'd like a top-up. "Hmmm I'm drinking because old friends need to be forgotten. At least for a night," Alicia glanced at her wedding band and silently cursed herself for not having taken it off before coming to the bar. Wait, why? just because her husband was a lying, cheating, rotten piece of excrement didn't mean she had to be, right? Still, smiling at Astrid she tucked her left hand under the table whilst she raised the glass towards Astrid as a "cheers!" and knocked back her first shot. The sour pinched face was not her most attractive and she shook her head. "Merlin, I hope that starts to taste better soon," Alicia laughed and turned her attention back to Astrid.
"So Haiti - what's that like? What brought you back to this dreary old island?"
Post by ASTRID SØRENSEN on Sept 10, 2019 11:57:38 GMT
The woman's question about where she was from had Astrid laughing and shaking her head. "The accent doesn't give it away? Nah, man. British, born and bred, same as my parents. My dad's parents are Norwegian though which is where my last name comes from. People think it's 'exotic' and shit but nothing exciting really," she said with a shrug, before shaking her head and winking. "Doubt you wanted my family history but there ya go. Now you know more about me than I do about you... for now."
A bottle of tequila had Astrid's brows wriggling, especially as the woman passed on the wine. "Reckon we'll get to the worm?" she joked, leaning forward. Gosh, this woman was stunning especially as she laughed, the happiness reaching her eyes. Astrid loved seeing people enjoy themselves, and it definitely rubbed off on her. She'd come across the term 'empath' in her studies of the art of Divination and she definitely related to it.
As Alicia took her hand, giving it a wave, Astrid was definitely took her time to withdraw from the handshake. After all, the palm of the woman was warm and her fingers definitely did things that make her imagination run wild. "To new memories," she said, raising her glass so Alicia fill hers up too. It was then that she saw the glint of a wedding band, as well as Alicia's glance towards it. "Congrats. I couldn't do the whole commitment thing. It's just not my vibe, being with one person for ever. I mean, there's a whole world of new people to explore, a whole world of possibilities. I could never just limit myself to one." A cheeky grin had passed Astrid's lips at this point. She definitely didn't hate on married people, that was their choice and she respected it, but for her? No thanks. Never gonna happen.
Shooting back the shot herself, Astrid's let out an 'ah' as the liquid hit the back of her throat. It wasn't the most pleasant, but still she joked, "Tastes better the more you have, don't worry."
Alicia was asking her about Haiti and leaning back in her chair, Astrid relaxed as she let the memories of the beautiful country wash over her. "It's gorgeous, definitely different than this dreary old island. It's got the most gorgeous beaches, and it feels like freedom. I went snorkeling and I swear, it was the most magical thing," she said, wishing she could just apparate back there and technically she could but she had responsibilities here in England now, which brought her to her next response. "I just felt drawn back to Scotland, I guess, and I saw a job opening that was just... 'calling me.' It felt like fate, in a way. Like... taking this job, maybe I could make up for some of my shortcomings in the past, man."
Shaking her head because she didn't want to focus on that time in her life, Astrid shot Alicia a friendly smile. "You work around here?"
Grinning with how idiotic her question had been - now she thought of it- Alicia laughed along with Astrid. ”I was so dazzled by the hair and Haiti I didn’t even think about the fact you sound like every other wizard in here,” Alicia admitted without a worry. No matter what her squib husband might say, Alicia could always admit when she was wrong - wasn’t her fault it rarely happened.
”If we do get to the worm I am definitely not fighting you for the pleasure,” Alicia replied, wrinkling her nose at the tradition of downing the soaked worm. Like... no. Wait, hello. Alicia realised that her hand was still in her new friend’s for ... for longer than normal and she almost blushed because yes, yes hello friendly lady. It was a flirt right? Alicia had not paid attention to such things for so very long that she’d almost forgotten this particular side of life. Or ... maybe it was the tequila and loneliness that made her think things?
As Astrid spoke her congratulations and commitment, Alicia forced her smile to stay in place as she poured another shot immediately and downed it. It wasn’t nearly as bad as the first shot. ”Mmm, yes apparently neither could my husband,” Alicia finally replied. It was a sore spot that Alicia regretted commenting on - whilst Astrid didn’t seem like the type to run to the tabloids, people did strange things for money. This story was just the kind of stuff the bored housewives and misogynistic husbands would laugh over with their morning coffee, Alicia knew.
The woman watched Astrid intently, imagining her walking along the beaches and snorkeling and yes... it sounded magical. It sounded perfect. Closing her eyes, over the thrum of general pub noise Alicia could almost hear the breeze through the palm trees. Wouldn’t that be perfect? Alicia opened her eyes once more though when Astrid said she had been drawn back to Scotland. Curious, Alicia was about to ask why when the question was answered swiftly. Alicia nodded emphatically as she wrapped her fingers around another shot.
”I hear you. When opportunity calls, you’d be stupid not to answer. I’ve had a similar change in career recently, shaken things up a little. Change is almost as good as a holiday, they say,” Alicia laughed because she’d have preferred Astrid’s getaway than teaching kids how to ride their brooms properly. ”I used to play and coach for the Holyhead Harpies, I live for Quidditch and female empowerment, what about you?” Alicia didn’t realise it, but she was trying to steer the conversation back towards a flirting zone. Just to see if she might be able to flex that old muscle.
Post by ASTRID SØRENSEN on Nov 6, 2019 8:36:24 GMT
Dazzled. Speaking of dazzling, Merlin... Alicia was gorgeous when she grinned, and also when she... maybe flirted? Astrid wasn't 100% because sometimes it was hard to determine with women - were they just being nice, or were they hitting on her? Regardless, she wasn't about to let the opportunity to flirt back slip through her fingers and Astrid leaned forward with a coquettish smile. "Maybe I'll let you touch it later, if you're so dazzled and all," she said, fingering her braids before flicking them over the curve of her shoulder.
"We'll just have to leave it in there. I don't eat things with a face," Astrid said, shrugging. Maybe it was slightly hypocritical, given she was drinking liquor with a literal worm at the bottle of the bottle, but she wasn't going to swallow it and let it work it's way into her system. Astrid didn't miss the way that she and Alicia were still holding hands, palms clasped together, and Astrid winked at the older woman playfully. "I can read your palm, if you like. I've heard I'm good at it, from skeptics and all."
Whilst the idea of taking Alicia home was mostly a fantasy before, given she was married and all, it turned out that it... may... be a possibility as the woman announced her husband wasn't good at commitment after taking a shot. "Who'd cheat on you?" she said, her head shaking because why enter a relationship in the first place if you were only going to cheat later? Alicia, understandably, looked quite... miffed about the matter and after taking a shot of her own, Astrid asked, "Are you two separated now?"
"Change is definitely refreshing. I get bored doing one thing for too long," Astrid admitted, before her eyes widened. The Holyhead Harpies, wow. She wasn't a big Quidditch fan admittedly, but she could recognise what a big feat coaching and playing the team was. "Impressive. I slept with a chaser who played for the Harpies once." What a hell of a night that was. She could still visualise just how athletic the woman was, equally talented in the bedroom as she was on the field.
At the question of what she did for a living, Astrid shrugged. She didn't want to curse her future job by admitting she had no real clue what she was doing as it was her first ever teaching post, and so instead she decided to dodge the question entirely. "I haven't really held a steady job before. I dunno, is that off the beaten path for a 25 year old? I've been busy doing other stuff like travelling and... well, recovering," she said, before cluing on on just how vague that sounded. Not exactly one to shy away from her past, Astrid shared, "I was in St. Mungos for a couple of months, in their idea of a 'psych' unit. I'm good now, but that's why I was travelling - trying to find myself, figure out what I really want to do with my life. Turns out pursuing the whole 'Seer' thing was the answer."