The Inspection

[acciomod]

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.]

Comments

[count_to_peace]

[Zechs makes his way through the crowds of Outsiders like himself before entering a much clearer area. He doesn't try to mask his footsteps now. At the unsure greeting, Zechs makes himself known.]

Didn't mean to sneak up on you. [He steps forward more, keeping a good distance between them but well within hearing range.] Are crowds not your thing?

[unerasable]

Oh, that's okay. [He does his best to smile. It's not the easiest thing at the moment.] I don't mind them, but I guess I didn't feel like eating. [And he rubs the back of his neck through his coat.] I just got here today. It's kind of a lot to take in.

[count_to_peace]

I doubt you're reacting the incorrect way to all of this, in truth. [He looks back to where they came from, looking at all the new arrivals milling about.] It is a lot to take in, and luckily we have the time to let it soak in as well.

[unerasable]

Uh... [A little, nervous laugh.] Is there an incorrect way? I know I never really did anything like this before...

[Then he pauses again. He might not be in the best mood, but it can't hurt to try and make some friends around here. Particularly if they seem to be more on the ball than he currently is.]

Oh, I'm Alphonse, by the way! Nice to meet you.

[count_to_peace]

[He chuckles softly.] Likewise.

I'm Zechs. Nice to meet you as well.

[unerasable]

[He nods, feeling a bit happier.]

So... when did you get here? If you don't mind me asking. The way they were talking about it, it sounded like this whole set-up is pretty recent, right? I'd like it more if they didn't always have... those things hanging around. [His head-tilt is rather vague, but there's only really one thing he could be referring to, and the Ministry representative brought it in.]

[count_to_peace]

I only arrived a day ago, but that wasn't here. It's certainly new to me, as well.