Veilson Cemetery

[kumainpink]

Olivia did her best to speak with those who might be interested in hearing her message, but never left the side of her husband or her godson. There were a few who were genuinely interested - like the Lovegoods, for instance. They had invited her to their residence in order to hear more from her. She didn't care that most of the looks she gotten were negative. It felt good, actually. She had no respect for this culture, or the people in it.

[Chameleon]

Jamie nodded and glanced toward Olivia, as Henry mentioned it. She then turned the attention to Octavius Yaxley, so he hated werewolves... He already sounded like a good guy in her ears. Be polite, she reminded herself on.

"Okay," she answered, and nodded. Be polite...

[kumainpink]

Octavius walked around the area, watching Olivia like a hawk. He did not want that bitch anywhere near his friends, and would beat her to a bloody pulp if she tried. Using this funeral was the lowest, sickest thing she could have ever done.

[G. Novella]

"Let's go," he said, moving slowly.

They shifted to the crowd. Henry smiled and nodded cheerfully to a few of his colleagues and acquaintances.

"Octavius!" he called out.

Veronica nodded to Cassie, holding her as they spoke quietly. "I hope Maxwell finds something good in life," said Veronica, "He doesn't deserve this."

[kumainpink]

"She's not getting away with this. I'm going to send her a letter laced with my finest Burning Venom." she whispered to Veronica coolly. Normally, she wasn't this ill-willed, but after today's disaster, she was willing to enact a little justice.

"Ah, Henry!" Octavius called out, walking to meet him and plastering on his best smile. "It's been a while! How have you been?"

[G. Novella]

"Just give me a few minutes with her in an alley, a dark alley," muttered Veronica, "Then you won't have to dirty your pretty hands."

"How are you Octavius? I don't see Maxwell around anywhere," said Henry politely, "May I introduce you to my colleague Jamie?"

Alice moved slowly away from the group until she was near a tree. She could see Olivia nearby, and chose to ignore her. She didn't want anything to do with her. She was simply here to be supportive.

[kumainpink]

Olivia decided to wander off for a bit, needing some time away from Daniel and Ewen. For now, she wanted to talk with people by herself, and get a feel for anyone who might be sympathetic to her cause. Eventually, she came across a young woman who had shown up by herself. She was wearing some sort of charm bracelet, but couldn't see what was on it from where she was standing.

Smiling, she sauntered over. "Hello, miss." she said in her most gracious tone. "My name is Olivia Barlow."

[Chameleon]

Jamie looked at Octavius with friendly smile. "Hello," she said. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Yaxley."

[G. Novella]

Alice turned in surprise to find herself facing Olivia. She suddenky felt her throat dry up and her eyes go big. This was not the person she should be taking to. She stared at Olivia for a few minutes, trying to figure out what to say.

"I saw your speech," she said finally, "My name is Alice Boot."

She felt herself freeze in place, she had no idea where to run.

[kumainpink]

"How about we do both?" Cassalina said frostily. "I don't mind, truthfully."

Unfortunately, their banter was interrupted by a very unwelcome person. "Hello, ladies!" Garrison called out, a little too cheerfully. "I didn't see either of you at the gate!" Cassalina's eyes narrowed. If there was one thing she loathed, it was lowly perverts like him.

"Maxwell is around here somewhere." Octavius said grimly. "But knowing him, he doesn't want to be bothered right now. The best thing to do is let him cool off and deal with things his own way." He looked to Jamie. "It is a pleasure to meet you, miss."

[G. Novella]

"Garrison," said Veronica tight-lipped. She'd been avoiding him all week after getting together with Cassie, "Pleasure. How did you get in? I thought the guards were only accepting those with out a symbol."

"Yes," said Henry, "I taught the boy, it's such a shame to lose a good student like him. I hope Maxwell recovers ebentually. A prominent man like him needs to be strong."

[kumainpink]

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Boot." Olivia said politely. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something gleam in the sunlight. She looked at it closely, and saw the two charms of the charm bracelet. "Might I ask where you got those symbols from? Neither of them suit someone of your stature" she discretely flashed her own ring, which bore the Rosebane crest.

[Chameleon]

Jamie glanced between the two men, before her attention went to Mr. Yaxley. "Poor man to lose his son on such early age," she murmured. "It's never easy to bury a son."

[G. Novella]

Alice stared at the crest on Olivia's hand for a brief moment, feeling that familiar anger bubbling. Before she knew it, she was saying something.

"The same place as you got yours," she responded coolly, "But I know how to respect the man who gave it to me better."

[kumainpink]

"Considering my position, and who I'm friends with, it wasn't too hard to get in." he told them lightly. "The two of you are looking lovely today, in spite of the tragedy that is being mourned. Do either of you need a shoulder to cry on?"

Cassalina frowned. "No, we can manage on our own, Garrison. Thank you, though."


"Well, it'll take time, but he'll be alright. Maxwell is a tough man - it'll take more than this to knock him down for too long."

[G. Novella]

Veronica could feel her temper bubbling. Why did Garrison choose today of all days to be an ass?

"That's so kind of you Garrison," she said with a tight smile, "But I think we're fine on our own. Have you offered condolences to the extended family yet?"

"I hope so," said Henry, "He has a lot of responsability, some of which Jamie is interested in, aren't you?"

[kumainpink]

Olivia frowned. So this girl was one of his latchers-on? Or maybe she was just a sad, deluded fangirl. Goodness knows he has plenty of those. "Miss Boot, trust me when I say that he isn't worthy of your respect. He'll string you along and use you, just like he does everyone else." She glanced around to make sure that nobody was watching them and then whispered to her, "If he is hurting you, I can get you out. I know people you can hide with. You don't have to put up with him any more."

[Chameleon]

She nodded. "Henry is right. I'm very interested," she said straight. "But Mr. Yaxley, isn't burying a child the hardest thing a parent can come for?" She winced slightly, as she wondered if she had stepped out of line.

[kumainpink]

Octavius sighed, feeling rather uncomfortable with this whole thing. "Look, not to be rude, but it would be best just to tell me what you want. I'm actually looking out for someone right now." And then, to answer her question, he said. "Yes, but he has also buried his parents at the age of seventeen. He's no stranger to loss."

[G. Novella]

Alice couldn't believe her ears! What on earth was this woman saying!? Was she trying to imply that Mr. Rosebane was some kind of monster!?

"How can you even say that? Especially today of all days!" she snapped back, "He saved my life! And he had absolutely no reason to! He raised your son! He's done nothing but been an upstanding member of society, and you're just ready to accuse him of being some kind of monster! Who do you think you are to show up here and act like that!"

More of Alice's anger bubbled out, as she continued, "Parents are supposed to be there for their children, supposed to respect that child. Not show up and turn their funerals into some kind of mockery or chance for revenge!"

[kumainpink]

"My condolences, ladies." he said, hardly sounding sorry at all. "I know that this must be very hard for you. And yes, I've spoken with most of the extended family. I was just worried about the two of you - beautiful women such as yourselves shouldn't be wandering alone in your state. A man with no morals might make you do something you regret. Shall I stay and look after you?"

Cassalina gaped at Garrison. What in the name of Merlin was this man's problem?

[G. Novella]

Veronica felt her temoer bubbling up again.

"Trust me Garrison when I assure you that we are skilled in the art of defense. We'll be alright, I saw some rather fancy community members around, maybe you could talk to them?"

It was taking all her control not to scream at him.

[Miss Wings]

"I think you'd best leave these ladies alone had'nt you?" I snapped at this Garrison fellow as I was wondering around.

[kumainpink]

Olivia regarded Alice with contempt and pity. Poor, deluded girl. "He's an evil man, even if you don't realize it. He charms you with promises of love and devotion, but isn't anything other than a born monster. He twisted and tainted Brayden to believe in his sick morals, and uses the dark arts to accomplish his goals. He gets away with things that he shouldn't - thanks to his connections and immense fortune." She sighed. "Look, I regret never being around my son, but I couldn't have approached Maxwell. I had my life to worry about as well." Well okay, maybe that was laying it on a little thick, but it was close enough to the truth.

[Chameleon]

She frowned at Octavius. "Sure," she nodded as she glanced around the area, and noticed that Olivia was standing with a young woman. There seemed to be trouble brewing there. "I want to join your little group," she said and raised her eyebrow. "Henry has told me a few things about your group."

[kumainpink]

To her immense delight, Cassalina saw Garrison look a bit ashamed of himself. "Perhaps I have." he mumbled. He bowed his head to them. "Good day, ladies." And just like that, he was off.

"Thank you." Cassalina said politely. She still wasn't fond of him, though. The knowledge of his status as a half-breed still bothered her greatly.

[kumainpink]

Octavius nodded. He figured it might be something like this. "In that case, you are welcome to, so long as you're ready to deal with shady business and have a desire to wipe out magical creatures. This also means you must live at least a semi-Purist lifestyle. Maxwell will not tolerate anyone in his group that doesn't abide by that. If you need help, I'll have my sister give you a list of things to do."

[Miss Wings]

"Your welcome, I just couldn't stand him, he sounded a little sleezy if you know what I mean?"

[kumainpink]

Maxwell watched everyone with contempt. As usual, Garrison was making an arse out of himself, and Henry seemed to be recruiting someone new - big surprise there. All in all, it was what he expected it to be, though perhaps a bit more problematic than anticipated. While he was watching, he caught Olivia talking with Alice out of the corner of his eye.

Irate, he got up and walked over to them. If Olivia so much as harmed one hair on her head, there would be hell to pay!

[G. Novella]

Alicr felt sick hearing this slander to Maxwell's name. After everything he'd done for her, to hear this. She felt tears in her eyes.

"Never has he tried to act like a lover with me," she said slowly and firmly, " He has always treated me with respect and kindness. He's brave, heroic, and a wonderful man. He's lonely, you can see it in his eyes, and I want to help him but I can't, because I'm selfish and don't know where to draw boundaries, where I'm allowed to go. He never flashes his fortune in front of me unless he's using it to make my life easier. He saved me from a certain death, or worse. And no matter how much I care for him, I never had the chance to make him happy like you did.

Nobody tells a parent to stay away. Today, I saw him as a father, and you as some politician. Everything you said, it sounds more like your personality than his. Maxwell is-is- he is the most wonderful man that deserves the world. He put Brayden's life, and mine before his own. I can't help but admire him from afar, because I'm not worthy to be close to him at all since I'm the selfish one, not him."