The Champion Tent

Where the Champs can RP before and after tasks...

"Merlin Hel, just relax, you're freaking me out." Nicolas said to Helena who had been hyperventilating.

"You're freaked out? I'm the one going to face whatever the heck is out there in a moment!" Diana said there was a high-pitched quality in her voice.

"Diana, you're worrying too much, you'll do fine." Nicolas said seriously.

Black bodysuit...

Black robes...

Black boots...

And something resembling dog tags to identify him and declare that he was clinically insane for doing this but would go down in glory if things turned for the worst hanging around his neck... a gift of sorts from fellow Conquistador Eduard Rosenberg.


Marvelous sense of humor, Eduard... alvays the optimist... Not!

A faraway look glazed over Boris Kaminski’s dark eyes as he heard the goings on of the other Champions. Could whatever was out there really sound that horrible? Then again, Boris wasn’t quite sure what exactly was taught at Hogwarts or Beauxbatons. With an air of arrogance, he considered the fact that maybe Durmstrang students learned more than the required average...

Regardless of how much he knew, or thought he knew, Boris had to do this: the whole of Durmstang counted on him. His family’s honor counted on him. If he failed... Boris would rather not consider the ramifications. Headmaster Orlov certainly wouldn’t be very understanding if he failed. Despite his desperation to come out on top, Boris stole a glance in Diana’s direction just to see how she was holding up. She was encompassed by Nick and another Gryffindor – Helena, if he remembered correctly.

With more nervousness than he’d care to admit, Boris slowly strode over to the mouth of the tent and pulled back the curtain just a little. The wave of bright sunlight blinded him momentarily. All he could see was the arena itself... anything within must have been magically cleared from his vision while he was in the tent.

Even if he had come up with words of comfort for the others in the room, he wouldn’t have uttered them. Boris might be arrogant, but he wasn’t going to jinx himself. It was a bad omen to speak positively of an event before it happened, in Russia. He’d been born and bred to believe the superstition. Perhaps now he’d find out for sure if it was an inevitable twist controlled by fate.

“Vot do you think is out there?” he wondered aloud but quietly; a wave of resolve and adrenaline-induced semi-calm washing over him.

"A Fire-breathing Dragon probably." Helena said. "Or a Sphinx... Merlin, what if it's an inferi?"

"Helena you are not helping..." Diana said, "Oh god, I feel sick..."

Ana slipped back into the tent and glanced around.

She noticed Diana and Boris, and edged towards her fellow Hogwarts student...And her gaggle of Gryffies... ((lol...she's paranoid again...))

It was then she felt a finger poke her shoulder.
"Darien?"

He grinned slightly. "Hey there..."
"So you're not talking to me-"
"Correction. I'm being supportive." Darien smirked.
"Is this because dad didn't want me to compete?" Ana demanded.
"Maybe. Hey look it's Diana!..."
Ana rolled her eyes. "And her gryffie gang...and Boris."

Darien growled quietly, turning away from his enemy. Then he remembered Boris...and Diana. His heart throbbed and he gazed at Diana, Ana rolling her eyes by his side.

He wanted to go over and wish her luck...but...he glanced away. She wouldn't want to see him. She'd want to see Boris, want him to wish her luck instead.
Ana frowned. "What---Oh."
Darien cursed telepathy. No doubt she had just seen the entire encounter between him and Diana. Was his mind that loud?

Yep.
Shut up Ana.

((aww...Darien's all sad ))

((Aww... my cold little Gryffindor heart is melting))

"Hey look who it is," Helena said nodding at the direction of Darien.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Nicolas said.

"His sister's a champion," Helena replied. "Remember?"

"Yes, but he isn't." Nicolas said.

"Well you aren't either..." Helena said.

"But he's a Vaight..."

"Nicolas just shut up," Diana said. She looked at Darien briefly but looked away again before he'd notice.

Ana rolled her eyes. "You are pathetic."
"I am not pathetic. I had every right to react the way I did-"
"And I have every right to be eating a cookie right now, but you know what?" She waved her empty hands. "No cookie."
Darien frowned, confused. "What. The. Hell. Does a cookie have to do with anything?"
Ana rolled her eyes. "Fine. Go over there and talk to her. Now. Pronto. Schnell, schnell."
Darien folded his arms. "No. Way. And Nick's over there."
"Fine. Stand here like an idiot."
"I intend to-Huh?"
Ana folded her arms. "You heard me. Stand here and look like an idiot...Brilliant!"
"I'm not doing-Oh you're hilarious." Darien glanced over at Diana again, ready to drop his gaze should she notice.

"Vot is wrong vith Inferi? I vould take them over a dragon..." Boris remarked darkly. That had been before Darien and Ana arrived on the scene...

He watched the conversation with a distinct interest. Was Darien the First Task, Boris wondered, with a dry humor? The Russian couldn't help but snicker at the mention of a cookie, wondering what the heck that had to do with anything.

Light laughter made the tightness of every muscle in his body loosen its hold just a bit. Boris had no idea what was going on between the Hogwarts students, but it was rather intriguing to listen to...

Ana rolled her eyes at her brother and raised an eyebrow at the random snigger from Boris.

Maybe her brother wasn't the only one with issues.

Or maybe Durmstrang was just crazy.

"Oh gods, you two aren't playing the 'Look then look away when the other looks' game are you?" Helena said.

"Is that even a proper game?" Nicolas said.

"Have you ever been in a relationship?" Helena scrutized him.

Nicolas grinned. "Well... we've never did that, it was mostly snogging really."

"Honestly, I'm going to Silenco you two if you don't SHUT UP!" Diana said. Diana then looked at Darien again.

"Ha! See!" Helena said.

"I am NOT playing!" Diana said.

Darien glanced away quickly trying to look casual and unbothered.
"You know you look very on-edge and bothered don't you?" Ana smirked.
Darien glared. "Oh shut up Ana."
"Just go over and talk to her if it means so much to you! And I know it does."
Darien said nothing.
"Oh yes, because Boris-the-insane is there..."
Darien frowned. "Boris-the-insane?"
Ana rolled her eyes. "He laughed at nothing a minute ago..."
"And the fact you were trying to compare me to a cookie isn't insane at all."
Ana glared. "It's called a metaphore."
"It's called...stupid!"
"So is your face."
Darien opened his mouth to retort and Ana silenced him. "You have nothing intellectual to say, so shut it."
Darien removed the spell and glanced at Diana again.

Nicolas walked over to where Boris was. "So how are you doing?"

----

"Oh gods, you're pathetic Diana." Helena said.

"Yes... your right... I need to focus on the task." However, Diana looked at Darien once again and this time met his eyes, her own eyes widened and she looked away quicky.

Darien almost jumped and swept his eyes away quickly.

"Um...Ana...Why don't you go tell her what the task is?"

Ana raised an eyebrow. "Why the hell should I?"

Darien sighed. "I'll give you five galleons."

"Ten."
"Seven."
"Nine."
"Seven and a sickle."
"Nine."
"Eight."
"Ten."
"Ana! Eight!"
"Darien! Ten!"
Darien glared at her and handed over ten galleons.
"We value your patronage brother."
Ana began walking towards the gaggle of Gryffies.

"The who did vot game?" Boris interjected, confused. At Diana's warning he didn't remark further even if it wasn't directed at him. After a few moments the Russian understood. "Oh."

The teen's expression darkened at the thought of Darien going over to speak with Diana. However, his ears perked up when he'd heard his own name. Boris the Insane? he wondered, finding that also funny. So, she thought he was insane, did she? Boris decided he would have to show her 'insane' one of these days... but how to do that?

At the defensive retort about Darien being compared to a cookie, Boris couldn't help but laugh a little louder this time. "Vell, cookies do have thick dough..." he remarked, striding over to a cot and sprawling out upon it while apparently Eleonore was taking her turn.

When Nick approached, Boris locked nervous eyes with the other boy; his best friend. "As vell as can be expected..." he replied neutrally, not wanting to say that he was honestly scared for his life while in front of Darien. "I vonder if all of the previous Tournaments had a... vot is it called? A peanut gallery...?"

As though to clarify his question to Nick, Boris jabbed a thumb in the direction of both Vaights.

"Hey...Diana...Helena..."

Ana folded her arms.

"Want to know what the task is?"

Helena folded her arms, "Why, are you going to tell us?"

Diana looked at Ana Vaight.

--

"A peanut gallery?" Nicolas grinned. "I don't think so..."

"Well Boris, I wish you good luck, I know that isn't part of your Russian herritage, but where I'm from, it's buena suerte."

"Let's just say a certain someone...Not me...Has convinced me to inform you. I have completed the task after all."
She smirked.
"All you have to do is fight your way past two huge trolls, break into a cave and find a portkey jewel. Simple."

"How do we know you aren't lying, Vaight?" Helena said.

Diana raised a hand at her. "What? Your saying you believe her? She's your family's enemy! She could easily have made that up to mess you up!"

"I believe her," Diana said looking at Ana. "And tell Darien... Thanks..."

"I have better things to do than make up lies to trick you."
Ana rolled her eyes.

Ana did not reply, but turned to go. Then she changed her mind.

"Well at least one of you two has a brain cell. Oh, and just so you know...He doesn't hate you...yet."

She might not like them being together, but Darien's depression was annoying.
She wandered back over to her brother.
"Did she know it was me who-"
"Yes."
Darien swore quietly. "What did you say to her?"
Ana rolled her eyes. "I said you have smelly feet."

((lol))

"I hope so..." Diana said sadly.

"How could you believe her? Dar-hole could have sent her to give you the wrong information as pay back for going with Boris to the Ball."

"I don't think she's lying." Diana said simply.

"Whatever, if your head gets eaten by dragons, don't look at me..."

Darien glanced across at Diana, face unsure and slightly wary. But his eyes betrayed the hurt inside him.
Ana rolled her eyes again. He was actually obsessed.

"Then I take it ve are to feel special?" Boris asked with a laugh, "To have entertainment vhile ve vait for fate to decide vot becomes of us..." The second half of the remark was said quietly so only he and Nick could hear: the better to not upset Diana with.

The teen smiled at his best friend. "I appreciate the sentiment, Nicolas... perhaps ve Russians are just pessimists," he replied. Most of it was serious, while just a twinge was said in play.

Sitting up, Boris observed the goings on at the other side of the tent from his place on the cot. "Should I... vish your cousin luck? Or is she not doing so vell over there?" he inquired quietly, the previous amusement fading back to the gravity of where they were and what he and Diana were about to do.

Nicolas chuckled. "What becomes of you two, while I merely sit and watch." Nicolas corrected.

"Nah, you shouldn't." Nicolas shook his head. "You're ancestors might get angry at your optimism and curse the both of you." Nicolas joked. "Better be safe and pessimistic."

--

"What?" Diana said. She'd kind of zoned into her own little world of fears.

"I said would you like some water?" Helena repeated.

"...No, it's alright thanks...." Diana said. She didn't think her disgestive system would work right now... she'd probably spit all the water out.

"That's vot I meant, of course," Boris mimicked the chuckle.

At Nicolas's joke, the Russian shook his head and laughed. "Who cares about my ancestors? They're dead," Boris returned with a slightly grim grin. "Besides, if it is..." Boris had wanted to say 'buena suerte' but didn't trust himself to handle the words with his foreign-accented tongue, "... part of your culture to do so, I think I might be able to get avay vith it," he added, tone light-hearted.

"Vone moment..." Boris trailed off and took the few lead-leaden steps required to reach the pair of Gryffindors.

Approaching Diana and Helena, the Russian asked the pair quietly, "How are ve?"

Helena nodded at an incomer. "Look who's coming now."

"Who?" Diana said whirling around.

"Boris." Helena whispered under her breath.

"How are ve?"

"Just peachy," Diana answered, but not unkindly. "Yourself?"