Veilson Cemetery

[Chameleon]

She nodded, although a bit confused. But it seemed unheard that a girl would have some influence on the Rosebane, she supposed. She tried to remember if they had mentioned the girl's last name, but no, she hadn't heard it.

"Okay, I'll keep it quiet," she nodded. There was no one to tell it to anyway. Not that she would tell, but still..

[G. Novella]

"Let's head home," he said quietly. "Things are winding down here, and we can use the apartment Floo to meet the rest. I'll properly introduce you there."

Henry kept puzzling over the name Alice as he said this. Who was she?

[kumainpink]

"I'm pretty sure they went this way." He said, walking the way he had seen Marigold go. "I think we should follow her."

"Good idea." Cassalina said, her tone still angry. "We don't need yet another disaster."

"I admit that the questioning was a little much, but that is because I don't make friends easily." Maxwell told her seriously. "Outside of Cassalina, Veronica and Octavius, I find it hard to trust people very well." he sighed. "When I said love itself is selfish, I wasn't lying. Any kind of love or concern is, no matter how selfless it appears to be. But, it isn't a bad kind of selfish."

He skipped a rock across the lake. "I find that when you care for someone, no matter what form it takes, you only want what is best for them. You want for them to be happy, and sometimes, that is selfish. After all, it is what you want, not necessarily what they want."

[Chameleon]

She agreed. She wanted to see which people who had been to this funeral were members of this group. As far she knew it was Octavius, Veronica, Cassie and of course Maxwell and Henry. She noticed Henry seemed slightly distracted, as she lead the way out, where they could apparate to the Moor apartment.

[G. Novella]

Alice nodded in understanding.

"I want to be your friend someday, Maxwell," she said, "If that's not asking too much. And I've never felt so selfish in my feelings for someone else before. I don't think I've ever had a chance. So I really don't know what to say or do. I really am sorry for my actions, it was rude of me to treat you the way I did, but I only thought I was doing it for the best. I wasn't sure what I'm allowed to be for you, and I don't know where the lines lay anymore."

As she said this she fumbled to skip a stone, it simply plunked into the water. She sighed.

"Even if it gives me an opportunity to tear Olivia to shreds?" teased Veronica as they stumbled after Octavius.

[kumainpink]

"For now, I suggest that we just take the time to get to know each other." he told her, skipping another stone across the lake. It skipped six times before going into the water. "And try to avoid asking questions that we feel are too personal. As we get to know each other, those feelings will change, I think. And if you ever feel like things are going too fast, we can talk about it. "I won't pressure you, or get too personal. All I ask is that you do the same. How does that sound?"

Marigold watched them in contempt. How was it that he could be so easy-going and free with Boot, when she hardly ever gained that kind of reaction from him? It was maddening, and a bit hurtful. What did Boot have that she didn't?

"Especially if it gives you the chance." Octavius teased back. "Nothing like watching a domineering bitch strut her stuff!" He let out a bark of a laugh, before darting ahead.

[G. Novella]

Alice nodded in relieved agreement. She watched him skip the stone as hers once again landed flat in the water.

"I can handle that, as long as you can do one thing," she said, regaining the lighter atmosphere, "Teach me to skip the stones, please?"

Veronica laughed as they saw Marigold.

"I see her! Come on!"

[kumainpink]

Cassalina nearly tripped over her robes, as they came across Marigold, hiding behind a tree. Note to self: Funeral robes are not made to be run in! Octavius nearly tripped as well, earning a small chuckle from her.

"I hate these freaking robes!" he growled. "I'll be glad when I can take them off!" This only made Cassalina chuckle more, much to his obvious ire.

"Be quiet!" Marigold hissed, as the others arrived. "You don't want them to catch us watching, do you?"

Maxwell beamed. "Sure, no problem." He grasped a stone in his hand. "Watch me, first." With a finesse that spoke of practice, Maxwell flicked the stone across the lake. Five times, before it landed. "It's all in the wrist."

[G. Novella]

Veronica watched the two with an air of incredulity, what the hell where they doing?

"Are they serious?" she hissed. After causing a scene, they were playing like children!



Alice watched Maxwell's skilled toss, and then picked up her own stone. Mimicking his movements, she tossed it. It skipped once before falling in.

"What did I do wrong?" she asked, bewildered.

[kumainpink]

"Okay, now I've seen everything." Octavius deadpanned. "No, seriously. What the hell is this?"

"I think it's kind of sweet." Cassalina said brightly. "I know that we can't be sure of Alice right now, but after what just happened, he does need time to relax. And if Alice provides that, then I'm happy." She felt a bit of ease, watching them skip rocks. Maxwell hardly ever let himself relax and enjoy himself, after all.

"I'm glad he's happy, but geez, this girl is too much!" Marigold muttered, annoyed. "On second thought, I think I'm going to drop in..." And with that, she charged forward. "Maxwell! There you are!" she called out, waving at him.

Maxwell sighed, as Marigold rushed down to meet him. "I think our lessons are going to have to wait, Alice. It seems that we have company." It was a pity, really. He would rather not face everyone right now.

[G. Novella]

"She's really got no sense of tact or subtlety, does she?" asked Veronica with an eye-roll.

She carefully avoided talking about Alice. Cassie seemed to like her already.

Alice turned to see Marigold approaching. She felt her insides run cold again, but she wiped the feeling away.

"As long as you promise to teach me some other time," she said pleasantly. "Hello Marigold."

[kumainpink]

Marigold ignored Alice and hugged Maxwell. She was too caught up in herself to notice the exasperated look on his face. "Hello, Marigold." came his melodic voice. "Is everything alright?"

Marigold smiled. She loved it when he said her name. "I'm doing just fine, Maxwell, now that I know you're alright." She sniffed, enjoying the smell of his musky cologne.

"Thank you for your concern, but it isn't needed. I'm perfectly fine now." She reluctantly released him, hearing the slight hint of irritation in his voice. It wasn't long before Cassalina and the others joined them.

"Maxwell, are you going to be alright? You gave us quite the scare."

"I'm fine, Cassalina." he said, smiling at them. "Just a bit worn out. Today was quite the adventure, wasn't it?" There was something about his tone that worried Marigold, even if he said he was fine - he had a tired look to him, as though he were ready to pass out at any moment. "I think I would like to head back home." he added wearily. "I could use a nice, long rest."

[G. Novella]

As the conversation flowed, Alice couldn't help but look across the lake. Her parents were buried in this cemetary. She hadn't seen their graves since their funeral. After all the recent changes, it seemed odd to be here. She looked to Maxwell and Marigold, and then back to the graveyard.

"I'll catch up with you two," she said quickly, avoiding eye contact. This visit wasn't really a secret, she just didn't think they'd understand. "I have something I need to do first."

[kumainpink]

"You're not going by yourself." Cassalina told Alice firmly. "I don't mean to boss you around, but after the problems we just faced, I want to be sure that nobody is going to randomly jump out at you. Okay?" In truth, Cassalina was feeling very paranoid. The Olivia incident left her concerned that something bad would happen to Alice if someone wasn't around to protect her.

[G. Novella]

Veronica's expression soured, but she knew that she had work tomorrow, and if she didn't leave and go to sleep, then things would go bad. Sighing, she ket the argument drop. Cassie was a big girl and could handle herself.

"Ah, are you sure?" asked Alice. While she wanted to argue, it was getting late, and she knew better than to argue. "Alright, let's head off then."

[kumainpink]

(( General Perspective, because hell, I'm lazy right now ))

And so, Maxwell and the others bid Cassalina and Alice farewell. At least for now. Cassalina followed Alice, feeling bad for trailing along. And yet, she wouldn't fault in her duty as protector. If worst came to worst, she would defend her charge from harm.

[G. Novella]

Alice walked unsteadily along the path. Her own feelings muddled as they got closer to her parents graves. She began pretending Cassie wasn't there, until they finally reached the grave. It was a rather tall head-stone, with the names Miranda and Logan Boot plastered across. Both had died at the all-too young age of 45, just last year. Alice stared at the joint headstone for a few minutes.

Weather had not been kind to it. The stone was worn looking, and icy grew along it. A few wilting flowers law at the base. Alice couldn't help but stare at them. So someone did leave them flowers.

"Hey mum, dad," she whispered softly.

[kumainpink]

Cassalina looked away and stared at the horizon, giving Alice her much needed space. She didn't want to intrude on what was supposed to be a private moment.

[G. Novella]

"So, it's been almost a year now. Life really hasn't been easy. I paid back the american guy and Jordan, but they were small compared to the debts you owed Vladmir. I was really angry with you when I found out. There hadn't been any reason to hurt those creatures. You only did it for a sick longing for information. And the humans? I could only remember the diagrams. How many did you kill?

It made me angry. I shut myself away for a few months. I avoided all contact with people. But I had no choice. Vladmir wanted his money. I was working for so long, trying so hard to pay thm off. I almost died. If Maxwell hadn't saved me, we'd have met sooner. I really hated you guys then. You lied to me our entire lives.

I forgive you now I guess. I don't have a choice, do I? All I think of is the journals. They were all gone. The break-throughs you could have made still amazes me. I miss you guys, but I'm happy now. I found some nice people. They're my friends, they care for me. I got a job in healing. I'm getting there, but thanks for the information. I'll do my best. I miss you," she finished.

Her voice was calm and controlled as tears slipped down her cheeks.

[kumainpink]

Cassalina listened to her talk, and felt a pang of sadness for the poor girl. It sounds like she's had a very hard life. she thought, feeling too sad to even cry. Today had just been one bad thing after another. She wanted to say something, but didn't have any idea what it should be. You will go places, Alice. I know you will. So just hang on and ride out the storms.

[Nahara46]

Odin had stood back for the whole service, his eyes on the prize. When Cassalina left, following another girl, Odin followed- careful to stay far behind the two girls. He didn't want to be spotted. He watched as the girl stopped at two graves. Odin couldn't hear her, so he didn't pay attention. The werewolf stood there. waiting to either be noticed for for his chance to cut in.

[G. Novella]

"Cassie!" she called out, turning after furiously wiping her eyes, "I'm done now! We can head back."

As stepped away from the grave, she waved her wand to conjure a fake flower. Once she left it at the grave, she walked towards Cassie.

[kumainpink]

But she didn't hear her. Cassalina felt an odd chill going down her spine, like she was being watched or something. Frowning, she surveyed her surroundings better, and came across a person she had never met before. "Excuse me, may I help you?" she asked coolly. After today, she wasn't too fond of extra people right now.

[Nahara46]

Odin approached the two girls, his eyes calculating and cold. He bowed his head in apology for interrupting (Purely a motion, he honestly couldn't care less.) "Hello, Ladies. My name is Odin Gosforth, are you Cassalina Yaxley?"

[kumainpink]

Cassalina got out her wand, purely on instinct. Her eyes narrowed in distrust. "Why yes, I am, Mr. Gosforth. May I ask how you know my name?"

[G. Novella]

Alice felt a chill go up her spine when she saw the man's wolf pendant. It frightened her. The man was obviously a werewolf, she could tell the signs. She fumbled for her wand as she stood by Ms. Cassie, wondering what was going on.

[Nahara46]

"I know you because I have heard tell that you are a master at the art of Potions, Correct?" Odin glanced at the girl beside Cassalina, he did not recognize her. The werewolves eyes hardened as he noticed that the girls brown eyes and hair matched his mothers. He turned back to Cassalina for an answer.

[kumainpink]

"Yes, I am." She too had seen the pendant, and understood exactly what that meant. "Do you need something from me?"

[G. Novella]

While Alice had no idea what was going on, she resolvec to help Cassie should the need arise. She kept a firm grip on her wand, though she couldn't help but feel a bit frightened when she thought Mr. Gosforth had glared at her.

[Nahara46]

He contemplated his answer for a moment, trying to find the best way to put it. Odin didn't want to be attacked today. "I have a need for a Potions Master to brew me Wolfs Bane. I can pay whatever price you want, but I need the potion."