Application for Brendan from The Secret of Kells

[stbrendan.livejournal.com]

Years, perhaps too many, had passed since Brendan had fled the Northmen at Kells, following Brother Aiden. The Book had been at last completed, and Aiden departed to the next world, leaving the Book, and the faithful cat Pangur Bahn, in Brendan's care.

He knew it was time to return to Kells, the abbey, and the forest beyond. Perhaps only to overgrown ruins, but...

Well, the Book had taught him many things, hope principal among them. He packed up his meager belongings, the Book, and Pangur, then set off inland, away from the far south coasts and towards the first and only true home he had known.

He must have gotten turned around, deep in the moorlands. Mist everywhere, and when he turned, suddenly...

A room? Where was this place? Brendan surely knew a little about the magic of this land; he'd experienced it firsthand in his youth, but this surely wasn't Aisling's work. She'd never come indoors on her own.

But, unlike with Crom Chruah, this place didn't feel threatening. Pangur Bahn, on the other hand, had a rather different idea, her white fur sticking out in all directions as she clung with all claws to his shoulder.

"Hush, Pangur, we're in no danger here," he soothed, hoping he wasn't making a liar of himself. He stepped cautiously into the room. The desk and quill, for all that it was standing up, was familiar enough. A quill pen he could handle.



State your full name.
Brother Brendan, he wrote, the words almost coming alive from the pen. Of Kells.

1. What is your favorite cheese? Why is it your favorite?

He thought about that a moment, head tilting to one side. Pangur, reading over his shoulder, made a confused noise. "Not much to do with cheese, are we," he said, scratching the cat under the chin. He jumped in surprise when the quill began to write down the answer without his hand's input, even continuing to do so when he drew his hand away.

Pangur growled and clawed at the quill, but Brendan pulled her back, soothing her fur. "Only a little magic, Pangur. You remember, don't you?" Just the same, he set his hand on the pack that held the book a bit more protectively than before.

2. Who would you kill first, Barney or Carrottop?
"I'm afraid I wouldn't kill anyone," he said softly, a bit put off by the question. "I have taken a vow of peace."

3. What time is it where you are?
Interesting question. The mist had been so thick, and come so early in the dawn, it was nearly impossible to remember the time. Next to his ear, Pangur's stomach growled. "Ah-hah," he smiled. "I suspect about lunchtime."

4. If you were Albus Dumbledore returned from the dead, which member of the Order of the Phoenix would you sexually harass? How would you harass them? If you are Albus Dumbledore, please answer as if you were Sirius Black.
Brendan coughed. "Another question I feel I'm rather unqualified to answer."

5. If you are pushing to be in:

A. Slytherin - please state the clever, witty name of the bar in which you bartend, in the dark.
"I'm afraid I don't know much about bars either," he said, realizing that he was being apologetic towards a quill and a piece of paper. But, when in the realm of magic, it was best to be polite, he'd found.

B. Gryffindor – Debate whether Harry should ultimately end up married to Fred or George. Use examples from a variety of world mythologies to bolster your argument.
Brendan scratched at his beard. "The Book tells us many things on that account, I think perhaps it is worse for a person to deny the feelings they have in their heart." He smiled a little. "If the laws of a place are not to be taken into account, at least. In that respect, I cannot say."

C. Ravenclaw – You guys are supposed to be smart. Explain why my desk is inundated with paperwork at all times, even though I’m constantly disposing of it.
"I work with paper all the time," he said, patting the Book. "I can't think of a time I've never wanted to."

D. Hufflepuff – Prove you are not useless.
He blinked. He'd never been asked in words to prove his own worth, and didn't generally go on about himself as a rule. "I suppose that is due to how much worth one places in artistic talent," he said after a moment. Then he pulled out the book, running his hands over the worn cover before opening reverentially to the Chi Rho page he had gone through so much effort to create. The ink glowed under his fingers, the patterns of color and light swirling along the page. "One can not be so worthless, when involved in the creation of something like this."

6. Offer a bribe to the members of this community so that they will not squib you. Items used in bribery do not necessarily have to belong to the person offering the bribe. Do not threaten us rather than offering a bribe. A threat indicates you either don't really want to be here, or don't have enough sense to answer the question properly. The hat will automatically squib you, regardless of other votes, if you do.

"Oh I..." he looked at the book, then clutched it to his chest. It was all he had, but for a few extra pages of vellum, his stretching frame, ink, and quills wrapped up protectively in waterproof cloth. Then there was the crystal, the Eye of Crom Chruach, but that, like the book, was too great a treasure to just give.

"I suppose, if work can be considered a bribe, I can illuminate a few pages, for whoever asks." He hoped that was a good enough bribe... he'd never been skilled with such things.

"I have read the hogwarts_hocus faq, and understand it is a crazy, cracktastic sorting community and RPG. ______Brendan______
I have read the hogwarts_hocus rules and agree to abide by each and every one of them. _____Brendan______.
I agree to be a good sport and not get my knickers in a bunch. _____Brendan______.
One day, marmalade will rule the world. ______Brendan_______"

Comments

[woocha.livejournal.com]

Cat! But book! But cat! But book!

The book won.

Can I see the book, can I?

[stbrendan.livejournal.com]

Pangur answered first, yowling and jumping from Brendan's shoulder to cling to a tapestry, then climb up near the rafters. Brendan laughed. "Come now, Pangur, no dog that ever wanted to see a book should be treated so." He knelt, leaning over and putting a hand to the side of his mouth. "She's very jumpy around new folk, but she's really quite nice after a moment to calm down." Then he leaned back, smiling down at the dog. Talking animals weren't so frightening, after all.

He opened the book over his knees, turning it around so the dog could see, the Latin and illustration laden pages reflecting light and color into the stone room. "It is the Book of Kells, and the Book of Iona," he explained. "I am on my way back to the Abbey of Kells, to show any who may still be there that the work has been completed."

[woocha.livejournal.com]

Wishbone's tail wagged. It looks so neat! he said.

[pixie-jenks.livejournal.com]

A small pixie wearing festively bright clothing and a little gold and red scarf around his neck zipped into the room, leaving a trail of shimmering dust in his wake. Jenks headed to the application before stopping to hover in front of Brendan and his furry companion.

"Another cat. Turn me," he grumbled. "Take a swipe at me, furball and I'll pix you into next week."

He paced the length of the application before taking flight again. "How do you illuminate pages without a light?"

[stbrendan.livejournal.com]

Ah, a pixie? He'd remembered so many stories. "I'm sure she'll be on her best behavior, won't you, Pangur?" He tapped the pink nose, and Pangur Bahn, who had looked just ready to pounce, mewled at him and settled on his shoulder, sulkily.

"Ah, there is a method," he said to the pixie, gently setting the application aside on the desk and opening his bag. Carefully, he pulled out the Eye of Crom Cruach, holding it between his thumb and forefinger so his companion could see. "A crystal and a candle is all I need to see the pages, a feather quill and ink to bring them to light. I can show you, if you like?"

[pixie-jenks.livejournal.com]

Jenks hovered closer, giving the cat another mistrustful look before turning his attention to the crystal. He could smell the magic in it.. it was ancient, but familiar. Something about it echoed in his bones. It didn’t smell like earth magic, but it he knew the smell of it, how it felt. “All right. Let’s see what ya got.”

[timelady-susan.livejournal.com]

"You do illuminations?" Susan asked delightedly. "Oh, how wonderful! That'd be, oh, ninth century AD, more or less? What I've seen of it is beautiful. I don't suppose you'd mind if I took a look?"

[stbrendan.livejournal.com]

It took him a moment to recover from the shock of seeing a woman in such strange attire, but he managed to shake himself out of it. He smiled politely, and handed her the leather-bound tome. "It is free for all to see," he said, delighted in her interest.

[timelady-susan.livejournal.com]

"Oh, thank you," Susan said earnestly, looking through the book as delicately as possible; there was no way she would risk damaging it. "When are you from, exactly?" she asked him curiously.

[ducklesspond.livejournal.com]

Interesting. There were a lot of unusual people at Hogwarts, interesting even by Amy's standards, but 'gentle and artistic' was a rarity.

...Kells. Religious guy, talking about art, holding a massive book. The Doctor was going to love this.

"Can I have a look?"

[stbrendan.livejournal.com]

That accent... "Of course you may," he answered, handing her the book. "If I may ask, your accent...?"

[ducklesspond.livejournal.com]

"I'm not the one with the accent," she sniffed, then laughed. "Only it's true, I'm the local here."

[junkyard-hunter.livejournal.com]

Now that both of his boys were back at Hogwarts, Bobby had been feeling pretty damn good. He even paused at the Sorting Room and stuck his head inside. The mention of books, especially expertly illuminated ones was more than enough to get his attention. His house back at the salvage yard was a treasure trove of ancient books and lore.

"They ain't gonna take nothin you don't want to part with," he said, nodding at the way Brendan seemed to clutch the book close.

[stbrendan.livejournal.com]

"Ah," Brendan sagged a little in relief. He'd hate to have to part with the book, even for a short time. "I couldn't bear to part with this, at least. Quill and inks and paper, those can be found and made again. But this," he patted the worn leather gently, surprisingly unworried in the presence of this gruff man. He reminded Brendan of the people who had fled to Kells: rough, good folk.

"It is a treasure I have protected with my life, to share with the people. To just give it away... would be a terrible loss."

[junkyard-hunter.livejournal.com]

A fellow book lover. He quirked a grin. "I don't think half of 'em would know a literary find like that even if you knocked them over the head with it. That's the real thing, is it? Mind if I take a look?"

[i-shot-a-dick.livejournal.com]

Dean was still getting the hang of this place and actually found the room with Brendan on accident on his way to the kitchen of all places. He'd had a a craving for pie and hadn't been able to find Sammy so he was on his own with getting it this time.

The always moving stairs decided Dean wasn't as hungry as his stomach told him and instead he found himself standing out side the door and listening to Brendan talk to himself. As he offered his bribe Dean snorted from the door way.


"Not much backbone kid or just easy?"

[stbrendan.livejournal.com]

Brendan smiled, used to insults. He'd never paid them any mind; after all, no one really ever went after a monk. The white gaffe was protection as well as comfort. Besides, young and impetuous didn't necessarily mean dangerous, even if they were close to the same age.

"I assure you, " he said with a laugh, "Illuminating manuscripts is no easy task. My entire life I've spent working to complete this book alone, and I hope to complete many more before I die."

[i-shot-a-dick.livejournal.com]

"So you're just a nerd? Great, as if this school ain't crawlin' with enough of those." Dean walked over and looked down at Brendan's application, before he took a step back and crossed his arms over his chest to look the other over.

"You're gonna have to give them somethin' better than that, pretty sure the library in this place is packed or some crap."

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

"This books seems kinda all powerful," Kuronue said, hoping up onto the table and crouching on it, looking down at the application and then up to the monk. "What's it actually do?"

[stbrendan.livejournal.com]

Brendan jumped, and had to resist the very strong urge to snatch up the book and run, Pangur was hissing and growling from... somewhere, he wasn't quite sure where she'd run to.

He really couldn't blame her, considering this newest apparition. It - he - didn't strike bone-deep terror in him the way Crom Cruach had, but the potential for danger was just so obvious that it froze him to the spot.

"It," he coughed, getting his voice back. "Erm, it is supposed to turn darkness to light," he said meekly.

[prettypendulum.livejournal.com]

The reaction was something he was far more used to, though he'd gotten rather used to people being accepting of the fact that he was a demon. This guy looked a little, well, religious. What was it with the religious people lately? The hissing cat got a brief, confused look as he tried to find her.

"Really?" he said, eyebrows rising. He leaned forward a little, moving like a boneless creature as he did, placing his hands on the table between his legs to keep his balance. "Can I have a look?"

If he had a tail, it'd be waging.

[ugly-old-hat.livejournal.com]

"I could use a good illumination of my magnificent self!" The Hat was truly magnificent, blinged out for the holiday season as opposed to blinged out for bling's sake, like it was much of the rest of the year.

[stbrendan.livejournal.com]

Aha, the hat. Brendan had bee... well, for lack of a better word, warned about the Hat, but surely, if it ruled over a place as fascinating as Hogwarts, it couldn't be all bad.

Could it?


... could it?

Well, he could cope. He'd dealt with worse, he was sure.

"You look very festive," he said politely, taking the paper and inks from his pack. "I haven't seen anyone wear so much red and green at once, I might have to make more ink." Which was a problem... with all the illuminating he'd done for the various people he'd met, the green especially was running quite low.

[ugly-old-hat.livejournal.com]

"Of course I'm festive! I am prepared for every eventuality, and the life of every party. Now, which would look better. Heroic--" It struck a pose, straps approximating arms. "Pensive--" another pose. "Or vogue?" The last looked as if it belonged in an 80s music video, but the Hat did well despite its lack of back-up dancers.

Hufflepuff!

[ugly-old-hat.livejournal.com]

Your bribe has been accepted!

Welcome to Hufflepuff!