All roads lead to Rome ((Mary, Pyro))

[kris]

Kris bowed lower over the neck of the pitch-black stallion. He was a proud animal - mostly Arabian but he had a drop of other blood in him, giving the horse more endurance. He looked like an Arabian though – curvy neck, long legs, slim body - Winddancer was Kris’s absolute favorite horse. Besides the sensation of riding quick horse over fields with rain beating down on you was amazing. Turning his hand slightly Kris looked at the time and started to turn the horse slowly. It was getting closer to the time to go back to his manor. Mary’s portal key should be arriving fairly soon. Glancing at the two dogs – a Siberian huskie and an Alaskan malamute running next to the horse Kris saw that they were hot too despite the rain. Kris understood it – both dogs preferred cold, but Kris liked them. They were completely obedient to him but were rather angry dogs. Chasing the house-elves seemed to be Devil’s special hobby.

Rushing through the trees Kris let the horse’s head free as the stallion galloped up the slight mountain-ledge. The castle was old – even though Kris had let all modern comforts put in – but Kris liked it. It was royal, elegant with it’s white towers next to the mountain-peaks in the middle of dark-green forest. And most importantly it had belonged to his family for centuries. Yes, Kris adored his home. This was also the only place where he always wore his family-heirloom ring stating his status. These surroundings were exactly the one thing that fit Kris.

The dogs started growling just a moment before Winddancer stormed in through the front gate. Throwing his leg over the horses back Kris was on his feet and moving forward even before the stallion had completely stopped.
“Devil, Shadow, silent,” Kris barked a rough order smiling brightly at Mary and sweeping her off her feet twirled her around in air, “Mary, you look better than ever and that’s almost impossible, as you always look wonderous.” Kris finally put Mary back onto her feet and smiled at her almost boyishly, being rather sure that the girl wasn’t going to appreciate getting wet in the pouring rain. The rain should end soon though – thunderstorms never lasted long. As if to agree with the words thunder rolled across the sky and a lightning bolt flashed. "Pyro, good to see you," Kris added a greeting nod to Pyro as well.

“Boyd, take care of Winddacer, tell Mague and Coln to make sure my guests things are safely in the rooms they choose,” Kris ordered the old stable-man and two house-elves sharply before starting to walk towards the house with one of his hands positioned on Mary’s shoulder, “Come on in, you can dry there pick your rooms, dine. Everything is ready.”
Kris stepped in from the front door that was already opened to greet them and shook his head, not caring if cold droplets of water from his hair flew everywhere, “Feel yourself like at home you two."

[Mary Evans]

Mary paced up and down the front hall waiting. Five minutes to go. Four minutes to go. Three minutes to go. Two minutes to go. One minute to go. It was excruciating but Mary finally picked up her bag with everything and slung it over her shoulder. “Ready?” She asked Pyro before reaching out to touch the old key that had been turned into a portkey to bring the pair to the Graas castle in Italy. Suddenly she felt herself being pulled and held fast to her bag with the hand not attached to the key as colours swirled around them. Suddenly she landed with a jolt and allowed her hand to drop suddenly free from the object. The moment her senses returned she realised she was getting drenched and was rather glad she had thought to get the houseelves to put a waterproof charm on her bag as they shrunk all her things to pack.

She beamed at the adorable dogs as they came up barking at her but knew they would be locked away if they didn’t stop soon. She looked up to Kris though as he swept from his horse and chastised the dogs who obeyed instantly. “Well thank you Krissy Bear. It is wonderful to finally be here. Let me tell you I was this close to murdering Jeremy.” She said letting him go from a gigantic hug as he placed her on the ground.

“Tell them to restore all my things to their regular size and put them away as well.” Mary chimed in after Kris had given his servant orders. She allowed Kris to lead her into the house and dropped her bag when they got in the entrance hall. “Put me somewhere in the highest tower – someplace with a view” She addressed the houseelves once more before waiting to see what Kris would do with them next.

[Pyro Blackfire S5]

Pyro tied the last knot, securing the tight bandage to his right arm. The bandage ran from his fingers up his fore-arm and ended near the elbow. Pyro had gotten lucky, Mary's family was indifferent to underage wizardry, so he was able to practice the spells in the book that Dixie had gotten for him. The practice had been going well. Until just yesterday, he had attempted one of the more difficult spells and the spell ended up backfiring. Pyro had ended up burning his arm, but after a few healing spells and a bandage around it, it would heal back to normal in no time. Pyro looked down at the bandage and clenched his hand into a fist, unclenched, clenched, unclenched. It would work. He grabbed a red overcoat that he threw on over a black vest. His trunk was already all packed and sitting waiting for him.

He picked it up and slung it over his shoulder and left the room that had been given to him and made his way to the front hall. Mary was already there pacing counting down the time. Pyro leaned against the wall and watched until she finally turned to him and asked if he was ready. Nodding Pyro stepped up and touched the key. Suddenly Pyro had the sensation of being pulled into a tunnel and being stretched to his limits. His hand would not let go off the key. The ride wasn't long and soon enough they were standing out in the rain. Pyro frowned. "Interesting landing zone." He remarked a bit dryly as he stared at the dogs that were growling at them.

Kris soon showed and made the dogs silent. Pyro watched as Kris swept Mary up in his arm, hoping their greeting wouldn't take to long. Standing in the rain wasn't his idea of fun. Kris put Mary down and gave a greeting nod to Pyro. Pyro nodded back. "Yea, great to see ya too." They finally began to move and were soon inside the house. Pyro placed his trunk on the ground. "I suppose a room with a nice view would be nice, but put me in a room that won't require me to walk that far to places." He said to the house elfs before turning to Kris and Mary again.

[kris]

Kris’s eye-brow arched towards one house-elf who bowed: “Mary, this is Madie. She’ll be yours to order during your stay and if you want a human servant just tell Madie or Boyd.” The house-elf finally straightened from her bow, took Mary’s things and looked at Kris expectingly.
“Somewhere in a tower,” Kris let the rooms in tower slip through his mind before nodding, “Take her things to the Rapunzel room for now, Madie.” That room should suit Mary. It had a private bathroom, dressing room/closet – it was big enough to be looked upon as both and the room had great view. And it was furnished – paintings, light wood furnish with carvings, dominating colours were cream, white and green to give colour. It might work.
His eyes returning to Mary, Kris smirked: “Yes, I named a room after a fairy-tale character. But I would actually like to see a girl who had strong enough hair for them to be killed upon with and still looking good too with their length. But you beeter make sure knights won’t be storming the castle to get to you.”

“Where you don’t have to move much? Pyro, this is a magical manor – things require a lot of walking here if you don’t know the short-cuts and secret passages. I don’t keep 6 house-elves and human-servants to keep this place in shape for nothing,” Kris answered with a sarcastic eyebrow, “But I’ll put you halfway between the training hall and the dining room then. If you need anything, holler for Coln. Coln, take Pyro’s things to Bluechip room.” The room was on first floor, with cherry-wood and blue dominating. It was much more modest than the room Mary had gotten, but Kris figured that it wouldn’t matter to Pyro, but nothing bad could be said about that room either.

The said house-elf bowed and disappeared with Pyro’s trunk while Kris moved forward from the entrance hall: “Dining hall and training hall – feel free to se it whenever you wish, Pyro – on first floor, library on the attic at Knights hall, stables are out, dogs won’t do anything to do you. Anything else you need – just travel the castle. TV and modern technique room on third floor. I have a special agreement with the local Ministry so inside the castle you can use magic, on the lands around here you can’t. Now as guests – you get to decide what you want to do in what order. As I said – feel yourselves at home.”

[Mary Evans]

Taking off her long dark blue cloak Mary listened to Kris chat about their rooms and things to herself and Pyro. She dropped it in the general vicinity of Madie knowing she, being Kris’ servant, would be bright enough to know she was to catch it before it hit the ground. Sure enough the houseelf caught it and added it to the growing pile of Mary’s things to be brought up to the “Rapunzel room”. She began walking around the hall looking around and touching this and that as Kris talked to Pyro about his room. When Kris asked what they wanted to do Mary turned back to the pair, “I think I will go supervise the unpacking of my things and then get ready to go sightseeing if that is ok with the two of you.” Mary said with a sweet little smile. “Madie, take me to my room.” She called and the houseelf appeared once more. She bowed low before muttering “Right this way Madam” and began up the stairs. Mary left without another word to the boys and followed all the way up to what was to be her bedroom for the next two weeks.

Kris had made a good selection it suited her quite nicely. She found her things had appeared where she would have placed them while Kris was talking so now Madie just needed to finish up. Mary sat on the large bed and glanced out the window vaguely aware of the houseelf buzzing about. Mary watched the storm clouds continue to empty themselves on the vast grounds which were obviously normally filled with colour. The sky right now was grey though and that dulled the look of the plants in the gardens far below.

Her relaxation was interrupted by a timid voice. “Umm Madam, your room is ready. Is there anything else Madie can do to assist Madam?” Mary walked over to the vanity without answering the elf until she had sat and gotten comfortable. “Yes, the trip seems to have wreaked havoc with my hair. Fix it and then you may leave.” Mary said plainly and began fixing her makeup as the small creature restored Mary’s hair to how it had been after her own elf at home had done it.

[Pyro Blackfire S5]

Pyro listened to the conversation. Mary soon left to go see her room. Pyro turned to Kris. "I think I will go and look at my room also." He ran a bandaged hand through his air and grinned. "And also check out this training hall I've heard so much about." Pyro turned and called for Coln who soon appeared. "Show where my room is." Pyro said to the elf who bowed and began to lead Pyro down the hall. The elf held the door open and Pyro stepped in and examined his room. All his stuff had already been put away. Pyro looked and noticed the room had a definite blue theme. Not that he minded to much, at least it was a dark shade of blue, nothing extremely bright. Pyro could get very comfortable in this room.

After excepting his room Pyro turned to the elf with a grin on his face. "Show me where the training hall is." The elf bowed again and led Pyro out of the room. It wasn't to far of a walk and the elf held the door open for Pyro again. Pyro stepped inside and nearly lost his breath at the beauty within. In one corner of the room sat weights for lifting and other strength training equipment. Near the door sat a Cd player, the speakers were strung out all around the hall so music could be heard clear and strong from anywhere in the hall. Pyro looked at a few of the Cd's sitting there, mostly muggle music, but good music none the less.

There was also a indoor obstacle course. The thing that caught Pyro's eyes though was right in the center of the room. Before Pyro even knew he was walking he was standing at its edge. A large fighting ring with wrestling mats sat in the middle of the room. The barrier around it came to Pyro's waist. Pyro took off his shoes and hopped over the barrier and landed on the mats. A human sized doll stood in the center of the ring and Pyro approached it. He looked at it for a moment, he took a guess at its function. Pyro threw a punch at it and grinned in satisfaction as his guess was confirmed. The doll had moved and blocked the punch.

Still standing in that position Pyro thought to himself. How do I get it to attack? Before he knew it the doll began a simple attack routine that Pyro managed to block and dodge. He took a few steps back and grinned. Apparently the doll knew when its user wanted to train in defense. offense, or both. Grinning Pyro hopped back out of the ring and the doll returned to its position in the center. Pyro put his shoes back on, telling himself he will be enjoying his stay here. He would have to remember to ask Kris if he happened to have a spare pair of mat shoes, if not Pyro could also go barefoot. Pyro approached the house elf who was waiting for him. "You may go now, I will call you if I need you." With that the elf disappeared and Pyro headed back to where he had left Kris.

[kris]

Mary left with Madie and Pyro hollered for Coln as they both moved to their rooms probably. Figuring that they would always ask the house-elves or human servants if they needed something, Kris turned. Swiftly and quickly moving down the hallways to his own room, Kris showered and exchanged his clothes quickly. The rain had already slowed to a light drizzle and Kris was sure that even that would stop in a minute or two. Besides dry clothes were most definetaly more comfortable.

Exiting his room Kris smiled as Devil and Shadow stood and retook their places. Shadow on his left, Devil on his right as the dogs followed on his heels. They were pretty dogs and very protective of Kris. Both dogs obeyed him completely, yet towards others they didn’t show any hospitality. Even Dana didn’t go petting this two dogs despite the amount of time she spent at Italy.
Reaching down Kris stroke the heads of both dogs for a moment before going up to his library. He still had a book on Dark Arts to finish and that book about dragons. Besides he would be easy to find in the library should either Mary of Pyro need him.

Telling a passing maid that he wanted a coffee Kris moved to the library. Opening the large oak door Kris entered and grinned seeing a steaming mug already there. Obviously the maid had managed to get to the kitchen with his order and one of the house-elves had transported the coffee here. Picking up one of the books Kris dropped himself into one of the armchairs and took a sip of his coffee before opening the book at the right page and starting to read.

[Mary Evans]

As soon as Madie had finished with Mary's hair she popped seemingly out of existence and Mary contemplated her options. After once final sweep of the room Mary decided some exploration of the castle was in order. She pocketed her wand and walked down the hallway Madie had led her up - peeking into rooms every now and again. When she reached the staircase she took out her wand and gave the railing a small tap. Suddenly the steps began to descend and Mary stepped briskly onto the top one. She stood there looking at all she could see from there - occasionally getting off to explore a random floor but all in all she kept to the steps until they brought her back into the entrance hall where she had left the boys. Smirking she noticed Kris was no longer there but Pyro still was - or was back - either way it didn't matter. Walking up she wrapped an arm around his neck and moved in front of him before dropping her arm back down to her side. "Hey Doll. What are you up to?" She asked tartly.

[Pyro Blackfire S5]

Pyro stepped back to where he had been when the walked in. He found that Kris had already moved on. That was perfectly fine. It was Kris's house, he could move freely about it at his leisure. Although Kris had given Mary and Pyro that same leisure. Pyro stopped and thought for a moment. Should he go look for Kris, or explore the castle on his own and find his own devices to keep him occupied.

Before he had managed to decide Pyro heard someone behind him. He felt a arm drape around his neck and than Mary moved into view. Pyro's eyes followed her as she stepped in front of him. She asked him what he was up to. He shrugged. "Not much. Just checked out my room. Found the training hall." He said with a grin. "Came back here and now I'm trying to decide what else to do. How about you? Go on any fun and daring adventures yet?"