the man who laughed in the face of death

[ video ]

[Welcome, citizens of the City, to yet another of the Weasley twins' home videos. Today's segment is brought to you by the color green, because at the moment, that's all that's really to be seen: fast moving expanses of green. It takes a moment to focus and clear, but eventually the green can be recognized as the leaves of trees, though what exactly has them moving by so quickly isn't entirely clear until the ground comes into view and Fred turns the camera to himself.]

Evening, mates. Georgie and I've a special treat for you lot today, though particularly for our dearly beloved baby sister. Pay close attention, now.

[There's really no need for close attention though, because as he starts filming his progression through the forest (this time by foot), a wide clearing comes into view. It wasn't made by natural means, and there are three long posts at either end that raise up quite a ways before ending in hoops. Fred gets a good faraway shot of it before turning the camera to his brother, who oddly enough, has a broom in hand, as well as a fair sized ball under the other arm.]

Thank you, Fred. Now I am aware that a great deal of you are woefully ignorant on the subject, so here we go. Say hello to Quiddich, City. The best bloody sport known to wizard kind. The main objective of the game is so get these, [He holds up one of the bright red balls.] through there. [He then points to the large lollipop-like hoops several hundred feet in the air. ] There are bludgers and snitches and other things to worry about, but that’s the main idea. Which is where the brooms come in handy.

[Chuckling a bit, Fred turns the view back to himself as he starts walking again.]

Not bad work for just under a month, eh? But we're not here to bore you with the details of construction and gameplay, brilliant though it may be. We're here to recruit, and before you can ask what for, we've decided to show you.

[A neat swish can be heard, and then the camera begins the move again, but rather than the jerky movements of Fred walking, it's moving smoothly - and filming Fred walking before it to join his brother's side, both with their own broom in hand. You can see him turn to him and grin, a quiet "Ready?" passing between them. They mount their brooms at the same time, and then they're off, zipping about the miniature pitch with Fred following close on George's tail. They make a show of spinning about the hoops and doing tricks across the field before Fred knocks into George and takes the ball - a Quaffle, as it were - and rushes off to the goalposts in an attempt to throw it through the highest of the three hoops. George intercepts and takes the ball back, heading to the other posts to throw it through lazily. It's enough of a demonstrations for them, and they fly past each other in the center of the field with a high five before making their way back to the device. Fred lands neatly and takes it back in hand to film George again.]

All there is to it! How many of you think you could handle that?

And allergic to sports or not, you'll not be getting out of this one, Hermione!

[Fred's grinning for it, but it sounds an awful lot like a subtle threat. Quidditch is very serious business, you know. There's laughter, another high five of victory and accomplishment, and then the feed shuts off.]



[ooc; The twins made a Quidditch pitch! They know Ginny's been itching for a game and they have everything else - brooms and enchanted balls (teehee) - so this was really all there was left to do. I know Gin's already been giving flying lessons, but anyone else that wants in is more than welcome. They need at least 14 people to play a proper game, but they can make do with what they get. Both George and Fred will be replying!]

[ video || open action ]

[The faces of the passerby's to the device's lens seem to be reflecting a range from distinct lack of interest to mild amusement to extreme confusion. They also appear to be shielding their heads from something, but from the device's position, it isn't quite clear what.

That is, until the throng clears enough for the device to get a good shot of the fountain - and what appears to be an aquatic apparition thrashing about in the center of it all. Wrapped in one of its many tendrils can be seen a man in slightly tattered clothes, though his most distinct feature is the flaming red hair that might be somewhat familiar to select residents of the City. He is also screaming and flailing against the monster theatrically.]

No! No! Somebody, stop this beast! This is no way for a man to go! No!

[As the creature lifts him to its mouth(?), he confines himself to his fate and shouts to whatever observers have stuck around to watch the events unfold.]

Tell my family - I love them!

[But it's too late for him. The monster slips him into its translucent mouth and he can be seen sliding through the watery entrails - and then sliding right back out through the stomach, depositing him just close enough to get a better view of him. His concentration broken, the monster collapses back to its original position in the fountain, thoroughly soaking the man and the other observers in the process. They look annoyed. He looks...disappointed.]

Bugger. Another flop. [He turns to the device with something of a smile, putting his abundant freckles and soft brown eyes into view.] The stomach's supposed to be more akin to jelly, see? The idea was suspension, not lubrication.

[He sighs and gets to his feet, brushing himself off despite his dripping wet state.]

All in due time. Let's go it again. Come on, Georgie.

[He addresses another, though he is quite noticeably alone, and it's only in this that his voice takes a slightly less chipper tone. All that can be seen is his back and the strange, ethereal movement of the water as he walks back over to the fountain and the device shuts off.]

[ /video ]

( ooc; )