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Post by Miss Wings on Jul 30, 2012 5:43:15 GMT -5
I walked towards the house and into the dining room where I'm sure she's be right now. Just my luck, she was there and with another man. I wonder who this one is? No matter, I have some news for her and he may be able to give some comfort anyway. "Aunty dearest. I'm going to be very blunt here . I have some news about Brayden. You remember the War that Maxwell started? Well it seems as if Brayden was involved in a battle at the Forbidden Forest of Hogwarts". Maybe if I let her think that he's injured for now and she asks how badly I can then tell her the truth?
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 5:46:42 GMT -5
"I'll have a grilled cheese, fries, a chocolate shake, and a small salad." Cassalina said, after thinking for a moment.
"I'll have the Harry Potter special." Maxwell said evenly. "Without nuts, please." He set down the menu and stared impassively at Johnny.
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 5:54:56 GMT -5
"I'll take the tea and a fruit salad with a pesto sandwich," said Alice with an even smile.
"Sounds good," said Johnny, eying Maxwell curiously and nervously. "I got it all down, should be here in a few seconds. So, are you seeing anyone at the moment Alice?"
"No, not really," said Alice, surprised at his topic switch.
"Johnny!" called out a voice.
"Damn! I'll be back with the meals and a solution for your problem," said Johnny with a flirty wink before dashing away.
"What problem?" asked Alice aloud, her brow furrowed.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 6:03:03 GMT -5
And just like that, the positive atmosphere withered away.
"Maxwell?" Daniel questioned. "Is that the man from London you told me about?"
"Yes." Olivia said, as an icy anger took her over. "He has this insipid hatred for magical creatures - he loathes them to the point of plotting for their eradication." She felt her heart harden at the mention of Brayden being harmed. "How bad off is he? Is he up for visitors?"
((Daniel is Olivia's husband, but don't change your post - they're probably open to a bunch of different lovers))
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Post by Miss Wings on Jul 30, 2012 6:05:20 GMT -5
"Aunty, I'm afraid that Brayden will never be up for visitors" I said as I moved to kneal in front of her and took her hands in mine. "Aunty, Brayden's dead."
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 6:15:31 GMT -5
At once, Olivia felt her hopes shatter. Though she had abandoned Brayden to Maxwell, she had come to regret her decision over the years. But every time she tried to re-enter his life, she backed away in fear of rejection. Maxwell would undoubtedly poison him against her, so what was the point. Still, she'd held out hope that there would be a chance someday...
But now, it was gone.
"I-I see." she whispered. "Thank you for telling me." She looked to Daniel, who offered her a sympathetic glance. "Do you think we could stay with your friend in England? I want to be at the funeral."
"Consider it done, mon amour." Daniel said gravely, and turned to their guest. "Why don't you stay for lunch?"
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Post by Miss Wings on Jul 30, 2012 6:18:17 GMT -5
"I'm afraid that I must decline, thank you for the offer though. I need to get back to Scotlland" I said to the man. God why must I have been the one to tell her? Maybe Mum should have done it, after all they were firends in school.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 6:32:31 GMT -5
Maxwell ground his teeth. The audacity of the man! How dare he imply that being single was a problem? Plenty of men and women were single all the time, and that didn't hinder them from enjoying their lives! He couldn't let someone like him get involved with Alice - it would ruin their cause for sure! And he couldn't have that, not at all.
"I have no idea." he said coolly. "Sometimes, boys say the strangest things."
Cassalina chuckled and gave him a knowing glance. Maxwell groaned inwardly. Great. Now she was going to get the wrong idea!
----
"Have a safe trip, my boy." Olivia murmured. "And tell your mother I said hello."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 6:41:34 GMT -5
Alice nodded at Maxwell's explanation. She looked curiously at the chuckling Cassie, and wondered just what was so funny.
"He's always been a bit odd," said Alice in agreement, "So what are the rest of the day's plans?"
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 6:48:30 GMT -5
"Well, I suppose I'll have to go into the Ministry and see how everything is going." Maxwell stated, gauging Cassalina's reaction. He knew she'd try to make him stay at his mansion.
"No, you're not." she told him, her smile dropping. "Not after yesterday. You're going to take the day off from your duties to enjoy yourself as much as possible! And I don't want to hear any buts, Maxwell Daran Rosenbane!"
Maxwell sighed. "Fine then. What should we do then?"
"Well, I say we leave it up to Alice." she said after a moment. "I chose our activity, you chose where we ate, so now Alice gets to chose." She gave her an expectant look. "So what shall it be? You're in charge now! Do we go home, or find some other form of entertainment? Is there somewhere you've always wanted to go, but never had the chance to?"
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 7:06:47 GMT -5
Alice considered the options, when a place came to her head. It made her blsuh slightly thinking of her childhood fantasy. Why was she thinking of it now? Was it because she had finally found a place she belonged? She couldn't quite understand, but she deeply wanted to go there.
"Th-There's a garden, near my ch-childhood home. It has a fa-fair ground sort of feel, and I lo-loved it as a child. Mostly just families and couples tour the area, and y-youngsters, but I loved it there when I was younger. We hardly went since my parents worked hard. Could we go there?" she asked with big eyes, her lower lip trembling in excitement
Before they could respond, Johnny returned with the meals.
"Here's everything you ordered, Potter special, milkshake and paraphernalia, tea and meal," said Johnny cheerfully, setting the meal down. "So, interested in that solution?"
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 7:14:19 GMT -5
"She doesn't have a problem for you to solve, Johnny. But your concern is admirable." Maxwell said coolly. Then he glanced at Alice. "Of course we can." he added kindly, feeling something in his heart soften at her expression. "I do need to get out more, anyway."
"Sounds like fun!" Cassalina added brightly, before digging into her meal.
Maxwell took a bite of his Potter Special and frowned. The raspberry was good, but he'd specifically asked for no nuts! Was the fool just incompetent, or had he forgotten on purpose? Either way, he decided not to complain.
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 7:19:24 GMT -5
Alice was beaming brightly at the two. Johnny had left after giving Maxwell a nasty glare. She couldn't care less as she sipped the tea. The garden had been her favorite place to go. She couldn't wait to go now.
"It's near the outskirts of London, right by a pond. We'd probably pass my old home," said Alice, remembering the burnt ruins. "I can't wait to show the garden to you. It's called Brighton Gardens."
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 7:26:22 GMT -5
Maxwell ate another bite of his ice cream, annoyed that the chocolate had been forgotten as well. It seemed that he wouldn't be leaving a tip, or coming back to this place anytime soon! He and Cassalina winced at the mention of her old home.
((timeskip))
"Why don't you ladies go ahead to the limo. I'll go ahead and pay for the food." Maxwell said brightly. He didn't want Alice to see him forget to leave a tip.
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 7:32:10 GMT -5
"Alright," said Alice, and she and Cassalina headed to the limo.
By the counter, Johnny was talking to his buddy.
"So you didn't get her number?" asked his friend.
"Nah, she was never the dating kind anyways. It's a pity, I needed a chick for Tuesdays ever since that married chick ran out. And Alice was wearing some pretty fancy clothes, she'd have been a good number for me. It helps that she was cute," said Johnny lazily in response.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 7:36:29 GMT -5
"With sterling manners like that, It's a wonder anyone would ever run out on you." Maxwell drawled, once he'd made his way to the counter. He'd heard everything Johnny said, and it took every fiber of his being not to lash out and make a scene.
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 7:42:58 GMT -5
"S-sir!" cried Johnny out in horror, "I-I'm s-so sor-ry, I-let me er, w-wave that pr-price."
And so Johnny fumbled to make up for his error, all while profusely apologizing.
"Have you ever been to a garden before?" asked Alice conversationally in the limo.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 7:52:32 GMT -5
Maxwell smirked, pleased to know that the boy wasn't foolish enough to irk him further. "Very good. And next time, be sure to pay more attention to what someone is ordering, and not who they're accompanied with."
He walked out of the wretched place, deciding that they'd never eat there again. And, of course, he'd be sure to let his associates know that Hogan's Sweet Shoppe was the better place to eat.
---
"My mother used to take to visit them. Mrs. Rosebane would join us as well, and drag Maxwell along." She said fondly. "Maxwell and Octavius would run around and make trouble for everyone." she chuckled at the memory. "Back in the day, they caused their fair share of mayhem. Even when my mother died, Ms. Rosebane made sure that we would go, so that we wouldn't spend all of our time moping."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 7:56:02 GMT -5
"That sounds wonderful! I've never had any brothers or males in my childhood. In fact, I really don't know how to be around boys. Was it fun growing up with two brothers?" asked Alice, settling in comfortably as the door to the limo opened again.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 10:27:34 GMT -5
"It was a lot of fun." she said, as Maxwell started to make his way toward the limo. "Troublesome, though. They used to pull pranks on me. But Maxwell would always come to me afterwords and apologize. One time, he even took a prank for me, when he felt it went to far." She looked out the window. "We've always looked out for each other."
Her tone became wistful and soft. "Whenever other kids picked on me, Octavius would beat them to a bloody pulp, while Maxwell would shoot curses at them - before escorting me to safety. To this day, he's still that way." She looked at Alice out of the corner of her eye. "But why am I telling you that? You've experienced it for yourself."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 10:32:00 GMT -5
"He's like a knight in shining armor," said Alice softly, mostly to herself.
Her thoughts swirled around as she watched him. All she could think of was how quickly he'd saved her from everything. From her debts, loneliness, tears, and even death. What on earth could she ever do to repay that kindness?
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 10:40:13 GMT -5
Maxwell entered the limo on Alice's side, sitting beside her but not close enough to crowd her completely. He closed the door. "To Brighton Gardens, please." he said pleasantly.
"Yes sir." Jenkins said, sounding his usual, chipper self.
"So, did I miss anything?" he asked them.
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 10:44:43 GMT -5
"We were just discussing your childhood. Ms. Cassie was telling me all about how you and Octavius teased and protected her. How about you? Was everything okay with paying the bill?" said Alice cheerfully.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 10:52:36 GMT -5
Maxwell groaned. "Cassalina...you didn't!" Cassalina responded by snickering at him. He rolled his eyes at her. Honestly! Why did she feel the need to talk about him to Alice? Was she trying to make him look soft?
Speaking of Alice... He considered not telling her about Johnny, but decided that it wasn't right to keep this from her. What if he met up with her again and tried to get her? Maxwell knew Johnny's type. Hell, he was the same way, generally speaking. They both knew how to charm women and make them do things they'd never do otherwise - Maxwell was just more skilled at it.
"I'd be leery of that friend of yours. He was talking about another woman who walked out on him, and how he wanted you to replace her. Just thought you should know."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 10:59:08 GMT -5
"Johnny's been like that as far as I remember," said Alice, and then she picked up on the second part of Maxwell's warning. Immediately her face went a hot red.
"A-are y-you s-sure he was ta-talking of me?" she stammered in shock, "H-he's al-always been f-fond of the pr-pretty a-and ri-rich girls!"
It wasn't possible. Maxwell must have heard Johnny wrong. Johnny liked the pretty, popular, rich girls. It was probably something else. Yes, that's it. It was someone else, not her. Maxwell just heard it wrong.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 11:03:53 GMT -5
"No, I'm not mistaken. He mentioned your clothes, and pretty much assumed that you would be ripe for his picking." He stared seriously at her. "Now that you're with us, you're going to be experiencing this sort of thing more often. Be on your guard."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 11:06:53 GMT -5
Alice stared at Maxwell, and swallowed as she nodded. Never had she expected to be confronted like this so quickly. Her face still felt hot from the embarassment.
"I won't be too badly off since Ms. Cassie gave me the wooden symbol, right? I mean, they'll be nervous to approach me, won't they?" asked Alice.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 11:20:23 GMT -5
Maxwell gave Cassalina a wary glance. "You gave her the symbol already?"
"I figured now was as good of a time as any." Cassalina said, surprised. "Should I have waited?"
"No, I suppose it would have happened anyway. I just wish you had told me sooner, so I could have given her my own." Cassalina looked away sheepishly.
Maxwell used a Duplicate Spell on the small rose he always wears with his clothes and charmed it as a bracelet for her to wear. He gently put it in her hand. "This will have to do for now. It'll fade in seven hours, but it serves our purposes."
When Alice didn't seem to understand, he explained further. "There are only two Yaxleys remaining, and both are siblings. If you go around in public with only their symbol, it'll cause rumors to spread about you and why you're now a member of their house hold. By wearing the rose - my family's symbol - it'll show that you're under our protection."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 30, 2012 11:23:52 GMT -5
"Thank you," she said softly, placing the bracelet on her wrist. "I think I'll string them into a charm bracelet, if that's alright? I promise I'll do my best to keep myself out of trouble and away from the front-lines. What do I tell people when they ask me why I'm under your protection?"
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 30, 2012 11:28:09 GMT -5
"That you are our formal ally." was his simple reply. "Many pure-bloods do this sort of thing once in a while. When the need arises to bring in new blood, or a new political ally, two or more families will gather to usher them in. For all intents and purposes, that is what your story needs to be." He frowned at the wording, realizing how demanding that sounded. "I apologize at how rude that sounds."
"And don't worry about letting us down. I know that you will do just fine."
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