Breaking Point

Ember Stonefyre
Gryffindor

7th Year

Níl ach braon beag fola ort.

Posts: 214

Age: 17
Birthday: February Twenty-Eighth
Height: 5'4
Relationship Status: Single but hopelessly smitten.
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/thread/675/ember-stonefyre
Played By: Kailei
Allegiance: Light (Order of the Phoenix)

Breaking Point Mar 28, 2015 23:33:31 GMT

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Post by Ember Stonefyre on Mar 28, 2015 23:33:31 GMT

”Yeah, yeah. You guys go, I’ll get it.” Ember sighed, her face sweaty from a hard Quidditch practice. Things had gone well tonight. They’d managed to get down one of Potter’s more difficult plays, though, it was definitely going to be a good one for their next game. The Slytherin team wouldn’t even know what hit them. A play like that… It was unique and totally unexpected. No way in hell were they going to lose to the snakes, not this year. Last year had been a fluke, a simple stupid move on their old Keeper’s part. He’d quickly been taken off the team, much to love-sick over his new girlfriend to be trusted with guarding something as precious as the golden hoops. He hadn’t seemed to sad about it actually…

Having been late for practice once again, mostly due to getting distracted by a first year who was having trouble retrieving their cat from a tree, Ember had once again been granted the, er… privilege, of cleaning up the pitch, which mostly just entailed catching the balls and putting them away. The good thing though, was while they used the real Bludgers, they never got out the actual Snitch until game day. The Seeker usually just chased after enchanted golf balls… Some weird Muggle game played with sticks. Ember didn’t quite understand anything about the sports the Muggleborns raved on about. After all, what could possibly be more challenging or needing of skill than Quidditch?

Ember locked the last Bludger into place and shut the trunk. She lifted it, with ease, from the ground, and carried it towards the storage shed at the other end of the pitch, between the locker rooms for Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. She pushed through the door, using her foot to get the lever handle open, and set the chest down just off to the side. The shed was dank, dusty, full mostly of the old school brooms the first years used for their lessons. Damn, did it need cleaning… it wasn’t used much this time of year.

Lifting the front of her Quidditch robes, Ember was just clearing the sweat off her face, when something snatched her arm from behind. Her normally quick reflexes moved, but were not quite fast enough, after such a long hard practice, to move away before her other arm was grabbed as well. ”Guys! That’s funny!” The Gryffindor laughed, turning her head to see which of her teammates was trying to sneak up on her this time. Her smile faded quickly though, as she realized it wasn’t anyone from her team. Or her house.

Ravenclaw blue shone back at her, two familiar faces grinning menacingly as Morgan’s mates locked tight around both her arms, and using all their force and weight, tugged her backwards, hard. ”Let go of you, you assholes!” Ember flailed a bit, kicking out and rearing forward, trying to release herself from their grip, but her own usual strength wouldn’t have been enough against the both of them put together, even if she hadn’t been tired.

”Oooh look. What do we have here? A pure-blood with a bad attitude. And it seems, she hasn’t even got her little broomstick to keep us at bay this time.” Morgan laughed, stepping forward as his mates kicked at Ember’s shins, pushing her down into the grass. She pulled, still trying to get away from them, her eyes shooting in the direction of where she had left her beloved broomstick, just laying on the ground of the pitch where she’d landed. She would have picked up right after she’d put the chest away. Oh! Why had she been so stupid to just leave it there? She was supposed to be meeting her friend, Sophia Black for dinner tonight too. ”Ironic, that you don’t have it on you, especially right now, don’t you think?”

Last Edit: Mar 29, 2015 0:33:24 GMT by Ember Stonefyre

Sophia Black
Hufflepuff

7th Year

"Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn."

Posts: 258

Age: 17
Birthday: October 2, 2004
Height: 5'3"
Relationship Status: Single
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/thread/589/sophia-black
Played By: Imbeni
Allegiance: Light (Order of the Phoenix)

Breaking Point Mar 28, 2015 23:57:24 GMT

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Post by Sophia Black on Mar 28, 2015 23:57:24 GMT

Sophia was running late, since she'd gone to discuss a spell they'd been studying with her teacher. Ever since her discussion with McGonagall, she'd been showing just how much she knew in classes, getting the spells right the "first" time, even raising her hand to answer Professor's questions. It wasn't quite courageous, seeing that teachers were there to protect her in class, but she needed to start somewhere. Much to Sophia's surprise, though, showing her intelligence had brought praise and surprise, rather than the resentment and jealousy she'd expected. It seemed that, unlike when she'd been a small child, intelligence was respected by more mature people, and Sophia couldn't have been happier to find that out. Her name still made her a target, but at least now her tormentors knew she was not dumb or defenseless. Hermione's legend seemed to be protecting her, as most of the students associated smarts with power now.

She walked on to one end of the pitch, the plan having been for Sophia to meet Ember at the storage shed so they could walk to dinner together. It was hard to reign in her crush for the Gryffindor, especially since they were around each other so much now. Ember insisted still on walking her to class at the very least, though due to practice tonight, Ember had been unable to meet her. It was just before sunset, and the late evening sun cast a strange ethereal light on the pitch, making it hard to see details from long distances.

From the other side of the pitch, Sophia heard raised voices, and saw a gathering of three boys, two of them holding something she couldn't yet see down, and the other one standing up looking triumphant. They hadn't seen Sophia yet, and she didn't know who it was, but it didn't look like they were up to any good. Panic started to rise in Sophia's chest, but she roughly shoved it down. Instead of running, as she would have done before, she decided that information gathering would be more useful, and she hadn't been seen yet. Silently, she Disillusioned herself, then Silenced herself, and walked towards the group to get a better idea what was going on, going at a steady but slower pace just to be sure she wasn't noticed. A Disillusionment Charm wasn't foolproof, but in this light, it was all but.

Ember Stonefyre
Gryffindor

7th Year

Níl ach braon beag fola ort.

Posts: 214

Age: 17
Birthday: February Twenty-Eighth
Height: 5'4
Relationship Status: Single but hopelessly smitten.
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/thread/675/ember-stonefyre
Played By: Kailei
Allegiance: Light (Order of the Phoenix)

Breaking Point Mar 29, 2015 0:29:09 GMT via Tapatalk

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Post by Ember Stonefyre on Mar 29, 2015 0:29:09 GMT

Ember pulled harder against her captures, her bare knees digging into the dirt through the tears in her jeans. The earth was moist, the grass new and easily rubbed away until her skin was caked with the mud underneath. She didn't care though, all she wanted right now, was to be released from the grips of these stupid boys with their blood supremacist attitudes. "I swear, Morgan, if you don't let me go, right now, I will bash you're head in so hard, you'll skull'll be indented!" The Gryffindor shouted, her voice carrying with ease through the air.

"And yet, I don't think you'll be able to do that anytime soon. The day for you to rue standing against me, has finally come, bitch." Morgan sneered, laughing and tugging his wand from his pocket. He pointed it directly at Ember, getting it close until the tip was pressed into her throat, just beneath her chin. She glared up at him, her blue eyes set hard, not a single ounce of fear on her face. The worst he could do was injure her and physical pain was something she could deal with easily. Things like that were easily repaired, mended back together, usually by a specific pretty little witch who's skills at such things were remarkable. "You purebloods always think you're better than us, just because you were born directly into our world. You've no regard for our feelings. How much we suffered during the Second Wizarding War, all because of your kind. After this, we'll go pay a little visit to Black. Show her right and proper who's got the better, more pure, of bloods."

"You touch even one hair on that girl's head, and I will fucking kill you with my bare hands!" The Gryffindor raged, just the thought of Morgan going after Sophia next too terrible to think about. The Hufflepuff was delicate... Not nearly strong enough to deal with something like this.

Morgan didn't seem the least bit worried by Ember's thread. He raised his wand, pointing it down the pitch, wordlessly summoning. Ember's broom flew through the air, right into the boy's outstretched hand. "Wow. Vintage. You know what they say about old things though? They eventually lose their ability to be used properly. I'll just take care of it for you."

"Unhand her! Put her down, right fucking now!" Ember shouted, eyes going wide as Morgan, grinning, levitated her broomstick upwards. Realization of what he was about to do struck her, and she fought harder, nearly pulling down both of Morgan's friends. She needed to get to her broom. "Don't do it, Morgan. It was my Da's..."

And then his wand slashed through the air.

A resounding crack of exploding wood echoed out over the lake and forest, matching the one that struck through Ember's heart. She screamed, watching her beloved Nimbus 2000 burst like some kind of malicious firework above her. Her entire soul raged, but she fell motionless, eyes glued to the sky above, even after the debris had fallen, the light of the death of one of her three most prized possessions still burning against her eyes.

Last Edit: Mar 29, 2015 0:36:42 GMT by Ember Stonefyre

Sophia Black
Hufflepuff

7th Year

"Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn."

Posts: 258

Age: 17
Birthday: October 2, 2004
Height: 5'3"
Relationship Status: Single
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/thread/589/sophia-black
Played By: Imbeni
Allegiance: Light (Order of the Phoenix)

Breaking Point Mar 29, 2015 1:20:42 GMT

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Post by Sophia Black on Mar 29, 2015 1:20:42 GMT

Suddenly, Morgan was lifted off his feet and flung violently into one of the two boys holding Ember's arms, both of whom tumbled yards away from the Gryffindor in a sudden tangle of arms and legs. Morgan's wand landed next to Ember in the grass of the pitch as the Disillusionment charm broke and revealed Sophia standing just a few yards away herself, the sun beginning to set behind her. She'd chosen the approach specifically to blind anyone who'd be looking her way when she fired off her spell. The pair of boys made muffled noises as they landed, hard. Immediately, another silently cast spell flew at the third boy, who was still trying to figure out where the attack had come from. The red streak from her wand hit the third boy squarely in the chest and he tumbled over, unconscious, leaving Ember free. By now, Sophia had made it to Ember just as the other two were starting to extricate themselves and get their footing. A flick of Sophia's wand had Morgan's wand in her empty hand just as the other two boys got to their feet. Morgan, on seeing Sophia, hesitated, a hint of fear in his eyes.

"YOU! You'll pay for this, Black! You, Stonefyre, and that little nutter. Where'd you come from?" Morgan said, posturing. The other boy, somewhat smarter than his companion, pointed his wand at Sophia and shouted "Petrificus Totalis!"

Sophia had been ready for it, and her shielding charm was in place around herself and Ember well before the other boy had finished speaking his spell. She then countered with a flick of her wand, and the boy's wand flew out of his hand and landed at Sophia's feet.

"A great man once said 'Countered again and again and again until you shut your mind and your mouth'," Sophia said, the rage barely contained in her voice. "And dickless cowards who attack from ambush instead of facing their enemies honorably don't deserve the gift that's been given to them"

With another flick of her wand, The two wands in her other hand, as well as the wand from the pocket of the third boy floated into the air. With a final looking slash, all three wands simply vanished, as if they'd never even been there in the first place.

Sophia smiled triumphantly at her two conscious enemies, whose faces were stuck in shock. "A wise woman once told me that vanished objects go into nothingness, which is to say into everything. Now the three of you are as impotent magically as you are in...other ways. You have no chance now. Run along home."

Morgan, enraged, charged at Sophia, who silently flicked her wand and he was thrown back again, right into his still shocked friend, knocking them both to the ground again.

"Pick up your friend and go, or I'll vanish your clothes next so we can all see how small you really are," Sophia said calmly.

"You pure bloods! You fucking pure bloods! You...you'll regret this!" Morgan said, but he and his friend, unable to defend themselves magically, went to their third companion and carried him off the pitch, Sophia keeping her wand trained on them until they were out of sight.

Once out of sight, Sophia seemed to shrink, but kept her wand in her hand just in case. She knelt in front Ember and took one of the Gryffindor's hands in hers. The other girl seemed to be in shock, having not reacted at all since her broom had been destroyed.

"Ember? Ember, are you alright?" Sophia asked, and instantly regretted it. "Right, stupid question. Ok, I'm here, love. I'm here."

Last Edit: Mar 29, 2015 1:23:07 GMT by Sophia Black

Ember Stonefyre
Gryffindor

7th Year

Níl ach braon beag fola ort.

Posts: 214

Age: 17
Birthday: February Twenty-Eighth
Height: 5'4
Relationship Status: Single but hopelessly smitten.
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/thread/675/ember-stonefyre
Played By: Kailei
Allegiance: Light (Order of the Phoenix)

Breaking Point Mar 29, 2015 1:54:26 GMT

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Post by Ember Stonefyre on Mar 29, 2015 1:54:26 GMT

Ember saw Sophia, she saw everything that happened, and yet, she was unable to move a single muscle, her eyes still partially glued to the sky even though the shards of wood littering the ground in front of her had all completely fallen. She wasn’t even fully able to appreciate what a badass her mate was being at the moment, her entire being had just been ripped to shreds. Her broom… Her precious Nimbus… Was gone, and there was no way of getting it back. There was no repairing that kind of damage. If Morgan had just snapped it in half, maybe, but he had blown the beautiful thing to absolute bits. All that was left of it… was nothing more than a jumble of splinters. There were a few larger chunks here and there, like the very end of the handle where the name had long since faded to almost nothing, and a couple of twigs that had come loose before the explosion.

That broom had been in Ember’s life since the very beginning. Her father had taken her up on it when she was no bigger than a loaf of bread, fussing until even the old Celtic lullabies her mother sang could calm her. The only thing that had worked was the wind, the feeling of soaring out, and gazing upwards, at an unending expanse of stars while she was tucked up safe against her Da’s chest. And for years they had done that, until she was big enough to be given a broom of her own. Even then though, with the offer of a newer model, Ember had requested her father’s old Nimbus instead. So he had gotten a new broom, and she was given the old one at age seven, taking to it like a fish to water. She would have started learning earlier if her mother had allowed it, though, sometimes her Da had let her steer from the time she was three, still too small to control a full size broom on her own.

And now it too, had been taken away from her, so unexpectedly and cruel. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as the gentle spring breeze rolled over and flicked at her hair. She could hear Sophia shouting, and the pounding feet of the boys retreating. And then the Hufflepuff was before her, taking her hand and asking if she was alright. Merlin, no… No, of course she wasn’t alright. And Sophia corrected herself, quickly, obviously aware of the inner impact that was currently occurring within the Gryffindor’s being.

Ember’s eyes finally left the sky completely, and she stared, greeting Sophia’s hazel ones. Normally, on any other day, with emotional issues, Ember would have hidden herself away. She would have stuck a cork into her heart until she could be alone. But right now… It was too much.

The Gryffindor threw her head back as the tears started to fall, a keening wail released from the very depths of her soul, echoing through the air in a way similar to a wolf’s mourning howl. Her shoulder’s heaved and her head fell forward, landing on Sophia’s shoulder. She didn’t say a word, just outwardly sobbed until it became too much and she pulled away, turning her head as she vomited all over the grass.

Sophia Black
Hufflepuff

7th Year

"Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn."

Posts: 258

Age: 17
Birthday: October 2, 2004
Height: 5'3"
Relationship Status: Single
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/thread/589/sophia-black
Played By: Imbeni
Allegiance: Light (Order of the Phoenix)

Breaking Point Mar 29, 2015 16:06:45 GMT

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Post by Sophia Black on Mar 29, 2015 16:06:45 GMT

Just as Sophia was trying to wrap her arms around Ember to comfort her, the Gryffindor pulled away and...well, it wasn't pretty. Sophia moved deliberately, putting a hand on Embers back and making a gentle circular motion. She kept her wand in one hand just in case, not wanting Morgan and his friends to come back and catch her unaware while Ember was out of commission.

Sophia didn't know what to do. Physical hurts were easy, a quick spell and all was well. This...this was something else entirely. She thought briefly of casting a Cheering Charm, but rejected it. That would be like...like a band-aid on an arterial cut, absolutely pointless. She had to...to stem the flow somehow, but there was no way to do that here. What Morgan had just done was beyond despicable. Sophia had no word for that level of cruelty, which of course, was saying something.

Sophia simply rubbed her friend's back, staying knelt beside her until Ember came back on her own. Trying to force this, Sophia knew from personal experience, would be very harmful.

"I'm here for you, Ember. I won't leave you alone right now. I'm right here." Sophia said the only thing she could think of.

Last Edit: Mar 29, 2015 16:33:26 GMT by Sophia Black

Ember Stonefyre
Gryffindor

7th Year

Níl ach braon beag fola ort.

Posts: 214

Age: 17
Birthday: February Twenty-Eighth
Height: 5'4
Relationship Status: Single but hopelessly smitten.
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/thread/675/ember-stonefyre
Played By: Kailei
Allegiance: Light (Order of the Phoenix)

Breaking Point Mar 29, 2015 16:32:55 GMT

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Post by Ember Stonefyre on Mar 29, 2015 16:32:55 GMT

Ember sat there, unable to do anything but heave until her stomach was empty, and even then, her body tried to force it to let go of more. The absolute searing pain currently slicing through her heart was too much for her to even physically handle right now. She couldn’t remember a time she’d ever felt this bad, not since her Da had… Her Da’s broom. Her Nimbus… Gone. Unexpectedly and fast, just like her Da had been. One moment, he’d been sitting, laughing in his chair despite having felt sick all day, the next… She could still see the light as it had faded out of his eyes. Her eyes. Meghan hadn’t been there to stop her husband’s heart attack, and Ember had been much too young to even realize what was happening until it was too late. The Healers had said it was because he’d had a weak heart to start with… But Ember knew that had to be a lie, because no one she knew loved harder than her Da.

The sobbing increased tenfold, great fat tears flowing down Ember’s cheeks completely unencumbered by her trying to hold them back. There was no keeping them in, not right now, not after that. She barely noticed Sophia’s presence until the other girl spoke again, trying to sooth her, but obviously realizing that there wasn’t much to be done. If her broom could have been brought back to life, repaired, that might have worked, but there was no repairing something that destroyed. Even Sophia, with her incredible skills, wouldn’t have been able to bring it back had she tried. Sophia…

The Hufflepuff had fought….

Ember blinked, looking up at her mate, eyes wide and still overflowing, even more shocked now. She stared at Sophia, as though she were seeing her for the first time even though she had been there for a bit now. The Gryffindor coughed, her stomach finally allowing her to have a break, despite the rate at which it was currently churning. ”Mouse… I… You… Morgan…” She wasn’t able to find the words, brain short circuiting with the amount of information being sent her way. She couldn’t think straight through her grief.

Images of Sophia from her periphial vision flooded back. The Hufflepuff had been shouting at the Ravenclaws… and disarmed them. Taken them down all by herself without any help from Ember whatsoever. It was… astounding. She knew Sophia was exceptionally skilled, but she hadn’t known she could be so impossibly fierce. It was kind of… kind of… well, to be honest, it was kind of hot. Except, Ember was not feeling particularly appealed to such feelings at the moment. ”You did amazing.” She finally managed to get out, hoping it was enough.

The constant stream of tears kept flowing, the Gryffindor unable to stem them for even a second, as she reached out for Sophia. She wanted to be held, to be allowed to be the lady and her friend to be the knight this time, as hard as that was to admit. Then again, so long as she didn’t say it out loud, she wasn’t exactly admitting to any type of weakness, her tears had done enough of that for her already. ”I need… I need… Mouse…” She whimpered… Ember actually whimpered, hiding her face. ”My broom…”

Sophia Black
Hufflepuff

7th Year

"Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn."

Posts: 258

Age: 17
Birthday: October 2, 2004
Height: 5'3"
Relationship Status: Single
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/thread/589/sophia-black
Played By: Imbeni
Allegiance: Light (Order of the Phoenix)

Breaking Point Mar 29, 2015 16:48:57 GMT

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Post by Sophia Black on Mar 29, 2015 16:48:57 GMT

Sophia quickly folded Ember into her arms, holding the Gryffindor close as the pair of them knelt in the grass. The smell of vomit from beside them didn't even phase Sophia, gross as it was. Her friend needed her right now.

This was an odd feeling, being needed. Sophia wasn't at all used to being...relied on. In the past, she had always relied on others to support her, to help her, but now, doing the helping, doing the protecting...

The role reversal wasn't lost on Sophia, but she had other things to worry about at the moment.

"Ember, I know you're hurting, but I'm afraid if we stay here, Morgan may come back with friends. Do you know someplace close we could go and be safe?"

Ember Stonefyre
Gryffindor

7th Year

Níl ach braon beag fola ort.

Posts: 214

Age: 17
Birthday: February Twenty-Eighth
Height: 5'4
Relationship Status: Single but hopelessly smitten.
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/thread/675/ember-stonefyre
Played By: Kailei
Allegiance: Light (Order of the Phoenix)

Breaking Point Mar 29, 2015 17:12:01 GMT

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Post by Ember Stonefyre on Mar 29, 2015 17:12:01 GMT

Ember melted, burying herself against Sophia and snuggling into her shoulder as she kept crying. She probably wasn’t going to stop doing that for a bit, but the tight hug was helping. She sniffled, breathing in the delicious scent of her mate. Sophia had always smelt impossibly intoxicating, but right now it was so brilliantly wonderful, Ember thought she might die. Then again, she had gone borderline dead the second her broom exploded in the sky above her. It was odd… feeling so sad and yet enjoying something completely unrelated at the same time.

”Yeah…” The Gryffindor nodded after a moment, pushing upwards and taking Sophia with her. She didn’t want to let go, needing the warmth of the other girl right now, feeling like she might break completely apart without it. Had Sophia not come… Morgan and his mates probably would have left Ember beaten up on the pitch for the night and she probably would have stayed there, unable to move. But with Sophia here… It took the edge off just enough for her to get off the dirt. ”There’s um… the old groundskeeper’s hut. The old one retired to do something with dragons, so we’ve not got one at the moment… I… I don’t…” She gulped, shaking her head and whispering. ”I can’t go back to the castle like this…” She admitted, feeling both impossibly foolish and embarrassed. There was no way she could show her face up at the school right now, not when she was in such a delicate state of emotional distress. No one would ever let her life it down, the supposed strong Gryffindor who’s only weakness was supposed to be her fondness for sugar quills. Sophia seeing her like this was bad enough… But it was too late to fix that. ”I’m sorry… I’m not… I can’t… You must think this is ridiculous.”

Sophia Black
Hufflepuff

7th Year

"Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn."

Posts: 258

Age: 17
Birthday: October 2, 2004
Height: 5'3"
Relationship Status: Single
Character Social Profile: http://geminio.freeforums.net/thread/589/sophia-black
Played By: Imbeni
Allegiance: Light (Order of the Phoenix)

Breaking Point Mar 29, 2015 17:25:39 GMT

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Post by Sophia Black on Mar 29, 2015 17:25:39 GMT

"No, I don't. I think you're absolutely remarkable, and stronger than anyone I've ever known," Sophia said gently, helping Ember to stay on her feet by sliding her free arm around the Gryffindor's waist. Sophia still kept her wand out, just in case. "Let's get to the hut where we can be out of sight. The light's fading, so we'll need to hurry. First, though..."

Sophia swished her wand, and all traces of vomit vanished from the ground, their clothes, even the smell of it from the air. "I'll cover our trail once we get to the edge of the pitch. I don't want those...those idiots figuring out where we've gone."

Sophia started walking, keeping her arm around Ember for both physical and emotional support, and guided the pair of them towards the hut. At the edge of the pitch, Sophia pointed her wand behind them, and the grass of the pitch where they'd stepped came back up, leaving no trace of their passage.

Last Edit: Mar 29, 2015 17:25:49 GMT by Sophia Black