accio_rp | The Inspection

On the whole, the weather had been temperamental lately. One minute, it was absolutely bucketing it down, and the next, it was bright sunshine. The amount of rain had turned the ground into a muddy mess, but at least the tents provided perfectly adequate shelter, and a gazebo had been erected over the community dining table to protect everyone from the elements.

Despite the temperamental weather, however, it had been fairly warm throughout the past two weeks, so the chill in the air during dinner that evening was particularly noticeable, even before the dark, hooded figure by the Ministry's representative's desk had been seen.

Nervously, the Ministry representative approached the table.

"I'm afraid we have a visitor," he said, addressing everyone at the table and hoping that anyone not there could hear him. "This is a Dementor, one of the Guards at Azkaban. It's a high security prison. He's just here to, well, ensure that a certain escaped criminal isn't hiding amongst you.

"I don't expect he'll be here for more than an half an hour, so do try not to worry too much. They can make people rather, well... uncomfortable."

Bowing his head slightly, he left the Outsiders to their meal.

[And so, a Dementor is lurking around the camp, just in case one of the Outsiders is secretly Sirius Black. They're known to sap the happiness out of the environment, and - in cases where there are true horrors in someone's past - cause traumatic memories to resurface.

The chilly, depressed feeling can be lifted by the deliciousness of chocolate, though the Outsiders will need to discover this on their own. Good thing there's dessert.]

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...hmm? [Zechs felt that...whatever it was, and then a terrified squeak before looking under the table. Oh, it's a boy...]

Hey, what are you doing under there?

[Instead of replying, the boy shrinks away from him, trembling so severely you'd think he was in a blizzard and freezing to death.]

...

[It's a whispy sort of sound, as if he has to consciously breathe, and hard.]

[While he'd rather not get dirty, Zechs saw little other option than to join the boy beneath the table when he didn't get an answer. So he slips down, managing to fit without bumping his head.]

Worried about that dementor?

...!

[Another sound, this one more alarmed, as if Zechs is the most terrifying thing this kid as seen. He pulls away as the blonde main joins him, looking at the other with wide eyes and all the demeanor of a rabbit ready to bolt from a fox.]

...

[Nod.]

You're not the only one. [He pulls the collar of his jacket higher.] Something just isn't right about them. But you won't have to worry much, I think. It won't be here long.

[He tries to smile softly, if only to make the boy feel less frightened.]

I'm Zechs.

[The soft smile draws his attention and he can't help but stare at it mystifiedly, as if he's never seen such an expression before. His own fingers brush a bit at his own mouth, making his already quiet response even harder to hear.]

To...bias...

It's nice to meet you, Tobias. [Zechs peers around under the table before looking to the boy again.] Are you going to stay under here for the rest of the day?

[He nods a little, rubbing his arms somewhat and looking around nervously himself.]

...I'm... scared...

You pretty much have every right to be. I think most of us are, too. Even myself.

[Tobias perks up a little at that, giving Zechs a warily-curious look.]

Why...?

This world is nothing like my own. There can be dangers here for all of us. [He gives a light shrug.] Not as if it couldn't be handled, but that worry is still there.

But... why...?

You... are... a person. You... aren't... scared of them...

[His voice is hoarse -- beyond so, as if it hasn't be used in years. It seems to actively pain him to speak.]

[Zechs notices that cracking voice, and makes a note to get the boy some water.]

Them? The dementor? [There is a light shiver running over him. He really needs to focus on the task at hand...] I think everyone fears the unknown.

[He shakes his head, pointing at Zechs.]

You.

[...Does he mean people in general?]

[Zechs blinks, not understanding what the boy meant at first, but it starts to come together. So, he's afraid of people...]

They'll be the least of your worries, I can guarantee that.

[He shakes his head suddenly violently, clearly disagreeing. He hugs himself a bit more tightly, though, burying his face in his knees and whimpering softly.]

[Now, he didn't think he said the wrong thing...

Zechs silently places a hand on the boys back, rubbing soothing circles.]

If you're going to be doing all this worrying, you should at least do it on a full stomach. [He'll wait however long before the boy calms down.]

[The moment Zechs' hand comes in contact with Tobias' back, the boy goes rigid, crossing both his arms over his head with a terrified noise and a sudden relapse into violent shivering.

...As it does nothing but rub, however, he shifts slightly, looking at the other male in bafflement and confusion.]

...People...

I understand, trust me. [People like those associated with Romefeller had nothing but their own gains in mind and thought nothing of the wellness of others. He can understand how people can be downright awful.]

[He lets the silence fall back in place at that, looking up as if trying to imagine the people above them eating. After a minute or so, however, he suddenly turns around, burying his face into Zechs' chest with a soft noise and clinging.]

[The move is pretty unexpected, but Zechs welcomes it nonetheless. He continues relaxing the other with the back rub.]

[It seems to be immensely soothing, as the boy's trembling eventually tapers down into nothing, the only sound a soft, quiet whimper from the sack of bones that should have fallen over long ago.]

...warm...

I'm glad you think so. [Zechs chuckles softly.] Do you think you can manage eating something?

[He nods a little, slowly murmuring into Zechs' chest like a comforted little child.]

Hungry.

Good to hear. [Zechs gives him a pat on the back lightly before moving to emerge from below the table.]

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