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

[corruptedsouls]

[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.]

[count_to_peace]

[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.]

[corruptedsouls]

[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...

[count_to_peace]

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.]

[corruptedsouls]

[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.]

[count_to_peace]

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

[corruptedsouls]

[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...

[count_to_peace]

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

[corruptedsouls]

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

Hungry.

[count_to_peace]

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

[corruptedsouls]

[He's relucatant -- very reluctant -- to let go, but he does so anyway, watching Zechs go above the table.

He doesn't follow, however, shifting uncomfortably and curling up again.]

[count_to_peace]

[Don't worry, Zechs is offering a hand and a spot next to him.]

You can't eat below the table.

[corruptedsouls]

[He really doesn't agree -- he's eaten in caves, what's the difference for under a table? -- but the sight of Zechs' hand is enough to spur Tobias forward, gripping the one with both of his and managing to take the seat, shivering in fear now that he's out and exposed.

He buries his face in the blonde's shoulder after a moment, making a little noise.]

[count_to_peace]

[It is a bit colder above than below, but there seems to be warm soup on the table for them both now.]

Good timing. [Zechs gives Tobias a gentle pat to the shoulder before indicating that there's food for them.] You'll get warm with this.

[corruptedsouls]

[His eyes glitter a little at the food, but almost as fast as he reaches for the bowl it's gone, the soup drained so quickly that Tobias might as well be the Flash for eating food.

He is, of course, licking the bowl like some sort of starved dog. Seems the skinniness of the kid wasn't just for show...]

[count_to_peace]

[Zechs blinks and watches quietly. That isn't very normal for a child to behave. He does gently put Tobias' bowl down back onto the table, indicating that it isn't necessary. The bowl fills up again for Tobias, but this time Zechs intervenes.]

You can go a bit slower this time.

[corruptedsouls]

[He blinks a little at the suggestion, looking back down to the bowl a bit uneasily. He isn't used to going slow -- grab what you can, down it as fast as you can, or it'll be taken from you -- but he nods a little, willing to at least try.

Though he still drinks it straight from the bowl, he at least does so at the speed that a normal human would, and is somehow managing to not spill any of it on him. Skills, man. You gotta drink carefully but fast!]