Absit Omen RPG

She shrugged lightly, she wasn't sure what the word even meant, how would she know what it was being talked about at all? She had simply heard the woman talk about it, if she knew she wouldn't ask would she?

"Tessa..." She believed it was the females name, she could be wrong but it sounded the right one. "Said something about objectifying me?" She shrugged again. "I don't know what it means at all." She sighed. "I'll ask her." She supposed it was the better option, especially as she believed she was starting to wear out the hospitality with him.

"I thought I told you my name before." Maybe he forgot, she doubted a human could remember for that long, but she also doubted he'd met many Centaurs in his time, she knows they don't tend to like outsiders, and she still agrees with it, Humans were not safe to be around for Centaurs, they brought war for a start.

"I'm Marida." She replied as she started to head to the door. "I'll see you at the training." She smirked as she got to the door.

She headed out to leave him be, she'll find the other members eventually, she needed to find Tessa to find out what she meant, if nothing else she seemed like the competent member of the group, who wasn't completely dumb and wasn't stammered by the appearance of a Centaur, but it was probably best to leave them alone until after the full moon, they were under stress, and she knew that Humans could easily snap.

With a small swish the door slammed behind her.

He was submitting to the idea of it, although not completely. Regardless it was a good sign, and showed that the human before her was not completely a fool. As the stars had foretold her, she was getting her way. This was good, he was not seeming to like the idea, she would prove him otherwise as to why it was a good idea, his team needed someone like her, it was a miracle there weren't more deaths or people being turned in their group.

"Good." She replied bluntly with a soft huff, as she straightened herself up, trying to act like it was never a question that he would accept her into the group, even though he has yet to fully accept her. He wanted her to join the next team exercise, she can do that, she was excellent at exercise, she could outrun all of them after all. And more then likely had greater body strength then them all.

The fitting as part of a team seemed odd however, by their own definitions, she does not fit. She is a 'Beast' to them, not on equal grounds or rights, admittedly she did not want to be classified as the same thing as Vampires, but regardless, she would prove she can work as part of a team. If worse comes to worst, she can let someone ride on her back to prove it so, an advantage she has over the humans, she can carry the injured out.

Although she liked the idea of physically grappling and wrestling with a werewolf, she was no fool with it, she would not manage long against one, they were still stronger then her, but she could hold them for a short while for the others to regroup.

"After this full moon." She nodded. "And I will not mention it. I do not have many to talk to." She then glanced at the door as she remembered the ones that were here before, she knew they ran off to avoid being in this situation, perhaps it was because they feared her, or feared the man infront of her now, he wasn't in a good mood so they could be scared of him.

She started to swing her body around to turn, miraculously or perhaps with great skill, she managed to avoid hitting or knocking anything. "Those in here earlier, if I am to learn to fit in, who were they?" She remembered one of the things they said...the female of them. "And perhaps later you can tell me what objectifying means."

He wasn't listening to her, it was getting very much on her nerves, she is a hunter, what other jobs are there for her? She can't serve as their so called Auror, how was she meant to restrain or capture a Wix? She can't use weapons on them, she can't use much in the way of magic. Although Centaurs can use magic she has never learned much, meaning that she was basically useless vs them, able to just wave a wand and kill her or disappear as soon as she arrives. How can she work as that? She can't, especially when not allowed to maim or kill them.

What other job can work for her? She cannot read or write English or any other human language, so that removes most other job's in the Ministry. She doesn't even know what those Unspeakables do and she doubted they'd appreciate her being there. The only real work she can do is bodyguarding or working with Level 4. Could she tend to some magical creatures? Sure, but she is also listed as a creature, she is listed as lesser then Humans, Dartmoor helps the ponies and looks after them but that doesn't translate well to Dragons and Nargles. Especially since most she can't counteract with magic so again she is at a major disadvantage, magic was the major changer, there is a reason why they've tried to stay away from Dragons.

She couldn't see any other role she would work in, and she wasn't going to mop the floors, with a small huff she shook her head.

"And what would they give me? I can't do any other job here, almost everything requires magic. If you tell them they wouldn't turn me down. I can't become a werewolf and I am physically stronger. I can be with you to respond, while you lot prepare or regroup or need to fall back or anything. I can distract and take on the werewolf. You've seen me fight, I can fight without killing them." She does not seem happy at the idea however. "I can directly fight while you have to rely on trapping and distracting."

She sighed and brushed her hair away from herself, pushing it towards her back. "If you need something to help your headache, I can make a remedy for that. I just need some herbs."

The others were rushing off to parts unknown, likely they thought was going to end badly and so didn't want to be caught here when they believed she would attack them as everything went wrong and she got rejected, or as she heard the girl say. They were going to get lunch, perhaps it was a mixture of both avoiding an awkward conversation and to avoid having to do work as they go for lunch. Either way it did not matter to her in the end.

She watched as he pulled out a chair to sit upon, as much as she hated admitting a failure, it was likely best they did talk here, after all she would not fit into that room he apparently worked in, why someone would accept being in a smaller room in a small room in a cave was anyone other then her's guess. She still didn't understand why they worked in caves filled with the scent of sweat and other bodily things. She walked through a corridor with a broken bathroom and even at the other end it still smelt up the place, how they lived like this, she supposed masochism.

The main point though from him.

"Why?"

That was a question, one she had already answered to herself multiple times and kept going over if there were better ways, but there simply wasn't another way she could think of unless she spent more time working things out, but the more time she spent the more she would damn them and the more the fault would be on her as to why they would die out.

"You've met a few centaurs I imagine. We don't just accept things, especially from others. We don't have the land anymore, or the ability to farm, and as you may imagine we need to eat alot, but horses only eat plants. So we are limited on food, unable to farm as we must keep moving to avoid the humans as your Ministry dislikes us being spotted. Only a few generations ago we numbered higher then we do now." She laid her body down so she would be more face to face with him, however even then she did stay slightly taller than a sitting human, but it was best she could manage.

"If I can prove that we can be useful. And get them to accept aid for work, like a job so we don't just accept aid for nothing. We might survive, we might even get some of our territory back. I am not saying to inte....int..." She huffed in annoyance as she tried thinking of the word. "Combining, that won't happen, I'm perhaps the most tolerant and I hate it here. But helping eachother. We cannot be turned into Werewolves, or Vampires." She resisted the urge to spit to clear her tongue of the word. "We are stronger and tougher. There is benefit to this, if I can prove that I am, and so Dartmoor, is worth working with on this, then we might survive, you might get less werewolves and less injuries."

She stared down at him, shifting her hair to clear her eyes so she could stare directly in, she hated having to ask for this, it showed over her features also, but she knew that ultimately she wouldn't have the upper hand with Humans, certainly due to the fact that they outnumbered her, she could easily take ten out if needs be but that wouldn't get her anyway.

She thought she was doing a rather good job, its just not her fault that he was mistaking her excellent performance as being bad at it. She wasn't taking no for an answer, not that easily atleast. Go speak to Spectre he said, like that would work, he would turn her down for fears of inciting disorder with centaurs or some such, and thats if she would even be able to see him. He was always busy it seemed and likely avoiding her, intimidated by her? Quite possibly, it made sense, she was bigger and stronger and they hadn't met too preferably so there was that.

"Didn't take you for a coward." She smirked and crossed her arms, staring down towards the werewolf hunter. "You think he will just allow me even if I can talk to him, he is..." She thought for the word, annoying? Finicky? "A politician." She believed that was the right word. "He won't allow something that could put me at risk unless there is a reason. But you've seen me fight." She took a step backwards so they could more easily eye to eye.

She was set on this, the Ministry was having problems with Werewolves, either due to attacks or being attacked, they needed something to change the tides, she didn't like the idea of protecting them so much, but it was probably the best way she can prove herself to them, and by extension represent the Dartmoor group better, if they came to understand the skills available, they would be given more freedom, more of their land could be returned and aid could be given to them. Allowing them to live for more generations then the currently dwindling numbers.

"If you let me join, I will do whatever training you want me to and beat it, I will even help protect, I'm fairly certain you could do with someone who can physically wrestle a werewolf without risk, couldn't you." Her tone turned from the mocking and half amusement to a serious degree, she was out of ideas of how to work with the humans and do something that could help those on Dartmoor, this seemed to be her best shot at it, they won't just accept help and the Ministry won't just give help when its easier to placate the humans in the area.

The humans were up to something, one was taking cover, trying to hide, it won't do them well, they would be smelt quickly and even climbing the tree would not help them, werewolves were fast, had claws and could probably knock the tree down if desperate enough for the flesh of that man, was covering them? IF there were additional werewolves around? That didn't seem likely, but neither was this one being around, that also was not likely, they'd have to move camp soon, too many werewolves and too many humans prodding about was not good for them, the humans would likely take this as an opportunity to remove more land from them.

Another took to setting out caltrops, that was a good idea, she wished she had some but they were annoying traps as they couldn't retrieve them easily and she could harm herself on them easily, and besides other then fighting werewolves was it useful, maybe if the humans wanted a war but they could build better traps for that. Regardless they were increased and laid out, creating a perimeter, they were trapping themselves inside also, without as much room to maneuver they were restricting Marida's own combat capabilities, speed was a valuable asset and by creating a sector to fight they removed that. She would have to rely on her strength which is never a good thing to purely rely on.

Then came the noise, a horrible droning noise screaming in the back of her head, the damned horn they held, what was she doing? Was she trying to anger them? Was this really a trap for the Centaurs? To kill them off as revenge for the werewolf? Is that why they were so nervous as they were setting it up? Saliva pooled in her mouth, the noise attacking her nerve, but she swallowed it back, and her annoyance at the insufferable horn. There are much better horns, ones that don't hurt those you're apparently to fight with.

Marida walked past the horn blower and spat on the ground next to them, glaring daggers at them as she shifted the weight of the blades in her hands but then moved to catch up with the leader of the group. "You think your toys can kill a werewolf?" She snarled, her doubts going from her mind now, these humans were annoying her and she was looking forwards to them leaving, the sooner the werewolf is dead the sooner they are gone. "You will need better gear, for instance silver arrows, or perhaps you have a spear in your pocket for me."

The howl. There were others. The others weren't safe. The 18th Winter turned in the direction and raised his bow to aim, arm slack with the arrow but prepared to fire at a moments notice, huffing, taking a few steps back as he was spooked by the noise. Marida too was spooked, a small neighing sound escaping under her breath. Doing her best to keep it hidden however she was sure it traveled further then she would like. This was not something she had expected to happen, there were patrols, everyone had made it and came back, had it just been wandering the moors until now?

This was not something she liked and her body betrayed it as she kept moving her feet about, not staying still in spot until she calmed her huffs down. She had taken out one werewolf, she can do another. Even as a couple, they had speed on their side. If not the element of surprise. The two of them could work with this, and if anything it would be cause for more celebration right? As long as the 18th didn't die and her what humans call a birthday, wouldn't become a memorial for a potential future courter.

"The others arrived back safe. I came back to watch the body." She said in a quieter and weaker voice, she quickly cleared her throat with a cough. "The others won't come. They will keep everyone as close as they can to defend, wait it out until sunrise now." She twirled her knife and drew a second to prepare herself. She wasn't sure what the humans could do, they weren't really combat worthy, or atleast by her judging. They're fragile, small, slow. They didn't want to kill so what could they do to hold down a rampaging werewolf.

"We can deal with us. Despite what humans may think, this is our land. Besides you're against killing, so what are you exactly able to do?" She huffed, doing her best to act strong and superior despite the doubt worming its way into her tone, neither her or the 18th were veterans, they've only fought one and that was with a more experienced hunter. But the humans don't fight like Centaurs, they don't fight with honour, they use magic and probably can't even take a kick. They would just get in the way surely. Her eyes scanned the area ahead, centaurs are strong, they are strong, she is strong, she doesn't have any weapons with reach, that is fine, its not fine, it means she can get clawed, but whats a mild mauling...as long as her leg doesn't break.

She watched the woman go to get whoever was in charge, their workplace was...cluttered. The room seemed cramped to her anyway, but then all the rooms did. Messing up the floor was just odd to her considering how small the place was, but as much as she didn't like them, she supposed it wasn't unreasonable to assume that the humans had never prepared for a centaur to actually visit, so of course the room wasn't built to her proportion. Didn't explain why anyone would want to work in a dingy place underground with such a small ceiling and cramped conditions.

The WCU atleast would go about, being the ones to bring in werewolves...or mark their corpses. As she waited for the women, who was peeking into the office instead of entering, she gave a glare to the other two staring at her, a small huff of annoyance left her. "Not even interested in the muscle?" She said with some sort of annoyance, she assumed it was because of the fact of her appearance, it boggled her mind that they would prefer lumps of fat over the muscle proving she was a strong partner. What an odd way of breeding, not even going for the strongest.

The group left soon however, and the leader walked out...

"You got fat." She says bluntly as she inspects him, she remembered him, they had met before and she hadn't met many others from the WCU, she remembered one being able to spook despite their job. "Or maybe its just age affecting you." She said with a mocking smirk.

He had aged, or she swore he had, maybe a few grey hairs. She didn't know how often they had to combat werewolves, but at the very least he had encountered a few, he was alive still and hadn't been turned into a werewolf. She respected that aspect, he must be fairly strong and skilled to have managed this long with the frailties of a human body. He deserved to retire she reckoned, although she wouldn't wish it on anyone, perhaps as those older to her said she was too young and hotheaded to understand peace. But that didn't matter at the moment.

Her tail swished as she took a few steps forwards. "I've come looking to join the Werewolf Capture Unit."

The 18th Winter quickly drew their bow ready to fire at a words notice, and Marida prepared herself also, quickly her hands moved to a dagger, both of them startled by the sudden shooting of the red light into the sky, the fact it did not leave left both of them on edge now. Sorcery was dangerous, the fact it was lingering was not a good sign, she was somewhat knowledgeable of human spells, enough to know that they can have effects that last a long time or activate on a moments notice, the red lights in the sky could come down and attack the two. Hiding it as something innocent until both were dead, far too slow to do anything about it. Even with that so, she did not want to relent, her lips parted into a snarl.

"And do what? Have them tell us to part more land to those who hide in monstrosities? Who are they going to protect? The ones you fear, that stinking corpse you believe isn't doomed? Or us. Clearly by the way you refer to us they won't care." Beast Division it was an ugly name, and something that did no justice to the beauty of a centaur. They are not on the same level as a niffler, or a dog. They are mighty. "We are not beasts, if anything you are with that creature." She pointed the blade towards the body to try amplifying her message, it was not more of a person then a Centaur, to her it was lesser as it would turn into a drooling beast that only desires to kill. How are they less beastly then her?

Slowly she closed her eyes and breathed, first long and slow, then returning to a normal pace as the snarl left her and her features turned calm again. She let herself actually get angry from them, she would not let it happen again, she did not want it to happen again, she had to show she was prouder and mightier or they will never respect her and the herd. And if that happened they would cede more land to the humans, leaving her and her family to be forgotten to the ages. All of their moments, lost in time, like tears in the rain.

Now calmer she opened both eyes and took a step forwards, then started to approach, although still holding her weapon she deemed it fair, she had a knife on her and they had wands, they should feel on even grounds as her form towered over them at her approach, they could take her out just as easily as she could to them, why wouldn't they feel calm if she approached? But she did, making sure they knew each step, not through noise but how she made her walk as elegant and graceful as possible.

Spectre? No, she did not care for him. That was not who she wanted to see either, she knew someone was running the WCU, she knew that there was two leaders, who was leading who though she did not know, one was the head of the capture unit, the other was head of the werewolf wing and was a werewolf. She knew that the Werewolf wing was the higher ranking position, but she couldn't be bothered to know who either were. Kurby sounded like a name for either male or female to her.

She gave another look about at the people in the office before looking at those infront of herself. Two males were struggling to even look at her, sounding like they were unable to even breathe. Were both really in shock at seeing a centaur? Or was this what she was told about, that people find it..what did they call it, unnerving? Disturbing? Shocking? Arousing? To go without those restricting things on herself, were they really unused to seeing such things?

Atleast the other one with them wasn't breaking down at the sight of her. That was something for sure, and apparently was something that should be respected if the other two are any indications. Even if she gave the wrong answer it was certainly better to have someone who could reply to her. Conversations were useful to get information from people.

"What is wrong with them?" She asked gesturing to the other two with her head, she didn't really notice the kicks to them, only that they seemed to be able to somewhat recover from the shock of a centaur walking into the office. Perhaps they didn't believe the rumours, although the fact they were rumours were slightly annoying to her as its not as if she was easy to hide in the underground labyrinth.

"And no, I'm looking for the head of the capture unit." A hoof clopped down onto the ground as if to mark her point, although really she thought that slamming her hoof down onto the ground would be loud enough to summon who was in charge of the unit, as any person should be able to hear her, but then she always forgets that humans are used to loud places and as such zone out in them. The idea of it was still beyond her comprehension though. The very idea of being in a city was beyond her comprehension. They were not natural and stank and everyone stared at her like some sort of freak. They were the ones living in horrible conditions after all.

"Go and tell them that that I wish to join."

Marida was frustrated, in more ways then one. She wasn't sure where to start, she supposed thinking back to the reason she is here. She had come to the ministry awhile ago now, she wants to save her herd, but the problem was, how. The only things she knows of their danger is the shrinking population and human interference in their lands. So she swallowed her pride and risked being seen as not a centaur to go to the Ministry. But then what can she do while there? She's spent the entire time meeting other herds. Which led to her other frustration, she wasn't getting anywhere, she felt that Centaurs were more a nuisance for the ministry then they should be respected as the superior species. And meeting the other herds has made her miss home more, but she can't leave, she was set on what she needed to do.

Another frustration, she had nothing to do in the ministry other then considered as a liason, but to consider her an expert on the other herds was insulting, she was from Dartmoor and was not accustomed to the others. But to prove that Dartmoor was worth helping, giving more space and freedom. She would make herself useful in the Ministry properly. And what better way then her skills as a hunter?

Marida pushed opens the door to the Werewolf Capture Unit and marched inside. She was only wanting to do what she knew, not pretending to be a diplomat. She knew how to hunt, to fight, and to take down monsters. To that end she would join the group that can legally hunt the dogs. Things she could do and was trained to do, even if she wasn't allowed to finish them she could prove her worth, and unlike the others. She wasn't at risk of being made into a werewolf, with her strength she can match one in combat, why wouldn't they want her?

Her appearance was somewhat different then she had been since arriving, she took that insult from the werewolf of Hogwarts very deep, she was going to prove her worth, she was a Centaur, a proud and mighty species, she would not be constricted like before, and she would not try to be diplomatic like how she had to before. Another frustration but would be gone was the constriction of what the humans called clothing, it was horrid and limited her movement, how they fought in it was to anyones guess. Along with her having to act polite and pander to the humans.

She stopped once inside and looked about. "Where is the leader?" She asked, her voice keeping its usual gentle and soft manner, but having a new stern tone in it. She stood high and with an air of superiority, she was superior, she could outfight, outrun and was stronger then the humans. Despite the thoughts at the back of her head asking why is her people dying out while humans flourish. But she huffed to clear her mind, her front right hoof slammed down onto the floor as a sign of challenge and for attention. Though ultimately it would be difficult to ignore a centaur standing in the middle of a room, or atleast she usually got stared at wherever she went.

Marida took a few steps forwards, more so to watch what the human was doing, it certainly seemed that they didn't expect to see the Centaurs here, but this was their territory. The group may of been forced to be nomads, due to the Ministry, they were forced to be nomads. But the Moors were theirs to command, it was their home. The fact that the Ministry favored humans over the rightful owners of the land, for what? Cause they could sleep with them? These ministry workers should of known that the Centaurs would be here, they're the ones who had restricted their birthright.

Her hands tensed, she was so close to those that were responsible for her people to be dying out, but no, she wouldn't kill them, there was no purpose and no honour in doing so.

Was there a use to the body? No, she had no further use. The skinning was ultimately pointless for what they would deem practical, but to the others in the herd it was proof that they had killed a Werewolf. Sure they would of believed them, they achieved nothing but putting themselves at risk of attack if they lied, but it was of course better to have proof they put down the dog.

"No, we have no further use of the mutt. there is very little meat. Of course we could combine it with farmed crops but..oh wait we can't have land to do that as filthy...what are they called, muggles? Mudbloods? Roam our land and we're expected to just allow it and hide like you." Her tone corrupted by anger, it was to try getting a rise, none of it was wrong, they lost their land because of what another species told them to do, because of what cowards told them to do. But she also wanted to vent the thoughts in her head.

"If it helps you can have its rotting skin back, try identifying its face when it transforms back." She removed the pelt again, with one arm she tossed it like someone casually throwing their coat onto their bed, aiming at the sick looking member of the ministry raiding party. Hoping that it finally makes them throw up, as if it was some sort of challenge that humans would throw up more easily then a majestic centaur.

It clicked inside of her head, these weren't just a travelling company of fools. Or companions of the dog. What was the word someone had used to describe them before? She remembered a Wix mentioning some sort of people that were in charge of making sure the mutts didn't go free. Obviously they hadn't done that good a job though considering the corpse laying not that far from them. Animal Control? It sounded similar.

The 18th Winter tried to take aim upon the leader approaching but Marida shot him a look to make him lower. If anything the humans coming closer made them easier to kill as they had less time to wave their dainty weapons around. They were cowed anyway and trying conversation, almost as if hoping they survived this encounter.

Their lives were in her hands, the thought was empowering, the idea was sweet upon her lips. They were trying to plead for their lives while not making it obvious. All that stood in the way was a gesture to her companion.

Ah yes the fur coat. She delicately removed her new blanket from her shoulders, to display like a trophy. "It has kept me warm over the night, it is what do you call it..." She took a short break, she knew the word but she was enjoying this, she had all the power in this exchange and she could see the dread in their eyes. "A birthday gift?"

She placed it back onto her shoulders, it was nice and warm, although Centaurs did not wear clothes, there was nothing against blankets or cloaks, especially given the time of year where the nights were longer and colder, it was foolish to say no to something to keep you warm.

"I'm glad that I have helped you, we made sure to kill cleanly, didn't want to ruin the pelt. Although saying that I cannot guarantee it was painless. We put it down like the sick mutt it was." She said in an attempt to get a rise out of the sentimentality of the humans, her body relaxing from its tensed stature to try asserting dominance, if they see she's tense they'd may think she wasn't in control here.

Like the coward he was, he skulked away behind safe walls. She would remember him for his wrongdoings to her, its not like he could threaten her now he was away but he had wounded her pride and this wasn't something she would forget easily. She'll find a way to hurt him in return even if it took months or years. She was as centaur as any of the others regardless of what a quivering dog would say.

"We will meet again. Filthy mutt." She spat onto the ground with venom tainting her otherwise delicate and gentle tone. Despite how much she wanted to, she had work to do. She was still allowed to the other centaurs. This was good.

With a huff she started heading into the forest, she had no real idea where they would be, but she was used to forests and tracking was not a weak point of hers. she had faith and the skill to be able to find the centaurs that lived in the forest.

Even though she wished to enter the grounds and hunt him down, she would keep to her job. And for now atleast, they wouldn't meet again. But the future was uncertain and many strands were unread, as the tapestry is yet to be written. So neither could know if they would cross twine again.

End

He had lowered his wand. As much as she wanted to strike him, she could not. He had attacked her honour, her very being as a Centaur. She would not prove him right by doing something so dishonorable as attacking when his guard is down. Or when someone surrenders. Even if he was just another dog that deserved to be put down like the sickened beast he is. She could not just kill in cold blood.

She started to lower her weapons, she had honour. She did expect mongrels to have the same however. So she was hestitent to show her back. He figured his pack was in danger. Why she would go after pups? She didn't need another coat so she didn't need the pelt. Besides she never went out of her way to hunt down a Werewolf.

"We are going to meet again. So you can prepare yourself. And if at any point you decide it is too much. Just send an owl. I'll make it quick, and beautiful." There is a sadistic tone in her voice upon ending it. But she took a few steps back, trying to show it as a good grace for him so he has time to get behind the gate and to safety. Although she was untrusting of him and so would not look away, he could still attack her when her own guard is down, it would be just the excuse she needed.