Third Seed; [Action]

[nearlychosen]

[Good evening, Luceti. It's just past sunset, and neighbors around House 26 might have noticed Neville outdoors a bit later than usual, fussing with an overgrown potted ivy. A wave of a wand and a cheated mumbled incantation later, the plant has grown to twice its size. From there, it's a bit of a boring magic show while he works with ineffective spells, some of them providing mobility to the little vines; mostly, though, there's nothing. Fully engrossed in his work, he doesn't notice some of the vines loosely coiling around him until they begin contracting against his forearms. He yelps in surprise and sets to work stunning the wispy strands, which might have been easier if he'd work on mobilizing it before it was the size of a rather large cat.

Little help?]

Comments

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

The one at home is primarily used as a security measure. It eats trespassers. [And since he has no idea who Naoya is, that's all the information he's willing to dispense just now.]

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

Naturally.

You used a wand, though? [He thinks that's what those are called. He has seen Draco use it before.

And good thing he doesn't, else Neville really wouldn't tell him anything.]

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

I did. I'm a wizard. [He puffs a bit as he says that, feeling both proud of his heritage and a little silly about how it sounded on the way out.

And yes, this is absolutely true.]

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see.

Do you know a Draco Malfoy?

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[That was a bad question to ask. His demeanor shifts tangibly, tense and suspicious. Was he sent as a spy?] What of him?

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

[Naoya will just smile at that. Not that he's out to make any friends, but he is always out to tease Draco. Let's see what he can learn.]

I know him, that's all.

I'm not a wizard though, as you can tell.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

You ought to keep better company, if that's the case. Malfoy's dangerous.

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

Hm? Why?

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

He serves a violent master. He isn't to be trusted.

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

How funny that he never told me that. [Naoya does indeed look amused.]

Thank you for the warning, Mr...?

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

I'm sure there's much he doesn't mention.

Call me Neville. [He pauses, expecting the stranger to fill in the gap with his own name.]

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

He is rather secretive, yes. [He pauses, debating. He doesn't exactly want Neville to start casting spells at him or alerting Batman or anything of the like.

The other name he's been going by will have to do.]

Qayin.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Qayin. [He certainly doesn't sound like it's much of a pleasure, though.] If you're on your way to meet with Malfoy, don't bother. He's not there.

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

As is to you, Neville.

Oh?

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

Rumor has it that he's been kidnapped. And good riddance.

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

Really. [He actually looks a bit thoughtful. He'll drop the subject now, though. He's gotten enough information.]

I wasn't on my way to see him in any case, just passing by. Couldn't help but notice the ivy, as I have a bit of a green thumb myself.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

... So it seemed. [That talk about ivy tickled Neville's nerd-passions in all the right places. If it wasn't for Malfoy, they might've been besties by now. Stupid Malfoy.]

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

Is it really worth it be this cautious? You're acting like Draco and I are best friends, and to be honest now I'm worried that I knew nothing about him.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

It's possible he's charmed you. [Though he's watching this Qayin person slightly more appraisingly, considering this new option.]

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

And if he charmed me, how would I know? Or moreover, how could it be undone?

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

Can you tell me much about the kinds of encounters you and he have had?

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

[He won't tell Neville this, but he is quite curious how this charming business works. He's quite sure it didn't though, as he would notice any gaps in his memory, but it still is interesting to know.]

We talked briefly over the journals, mostly about magic from your world and mine.

We did meet however, and he did use a spell on me. It produced some sort of boils.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[It's unfounded curiosity, bordering on the grey area between legitimate magic and Dark Arts.]

Did you ever have a row with him? Has he managed to change your mind or make you reconsider your original viewpoint?

[invidia-keeper.livejournal.com]

[Far be it from Naoya to actually have concern for anything that's sacrilege, though.]

No, we haven't.

[He laughs at this.]

Not at all. I'm quite stubborn.

[nearlychosen.livejournal.com]

[But still.]

[He smiles weakly at that, relieved.] Then it sounds like you've been spared after all.