You're Part of the Machine

[carneliancselwyn]

aleiadolohov​:

…

A man of importance, Carnelian was someone whom she hoped to get on her good side. Of course, her luck would put her in her office late, but he seemed to truly not mind, and Aleia felt relief flood through her at not having to explain. After all, they weren’t here to talk Death Eater business, and for once she was thankful to have a good interview on the books. One that would not only interest the public, but that would gain her an important relationship. A raise of her brow followed his words, but she quickly was learning that Carnelian said what was on his mind. “Mm, yes, I suppose you’re right,” she said, tilting her head. “Maybe I’ll have to think about giving him some more responsibility. Although, if he can’t even get my tea right…”

Aleia smiled, hoping that he would take that part as a joke, before taking the seat that he offered ( to her, in her own office ). She tried not to let the moment bother her, although she couldn’t help but roll her shoulders back before settling down. Quickly, she flicked her wrist and a notepad appeared, a quill at the ready, and she nodded her head at her guest. “I wanted to start with the big questions, of course,” she said, tilting her head. “How you started your empire; what inspired you to start your work with brooms; how your family sees the company going forward. Readers love to learn more about the personality behind the company.”

Aleia leaned back in her seat, watching as her quill hovered above the paper, having written a few headlines for their conversation. “But of course, I’d also like to learn more about the brooms themselves. Your favorites; maybe a story or two about creating it. Really, we can start wherever you’d like and I’ll ask questions as they arise.” Aleia shrugged. “I like these to feel more like a conversation than just a you speak and I ask, anyways.”

...

Carnelian thought about her question for a moment, folding his hands and resting them on his chest. So she wanted to know about the start of it all, was that it? He could answer that. “Well, it’s interesting you ask. The company was actually started by my father in law, but of course, I played a large role in helping lift it off of the ground. His name may be on the company, but my face is what people see when they walk through the door,” he answered charmingly, leaning forward a bit. “That’s the trick to making business work, Ms Dolohov. The brains behind the operation are only as good as their appearance to the masses.” Sure, Shafiq Industries was in his father in laws name, but Carnelian was the one running the show. What message did that send, really?

As for what inspired him to take on such an interesting project, well, it was simple. “Let me answer that question with one of my own. Aside from a wand, can you think of any other tool more useful to a wizard? Quality brooms are not only a want, no. They are a need.” Of course, there were plenty of wix who preferred to apparate or use floo networks, but what happens when you’ve splinched yourself because you haven’t mastered apparation, or when the ministry shuts down the floo networks? Brooms were essential to many, particularly those who use them for their careers. “Highly marketable, and dependable. What more could a business man ask for?”

“The company as it stands is blossoming better than we could have envisioned, though I do have several plans in the works to market more toward independent businesses that require new features in theirs. Of course, I cannot tell you everything here,” he smiled politely. 

[carneliancselwyn]

freyasavery​:

…

It was sweet watching Carnelian with his kids.  While she wouldn’t pretend to know him well, she had spent a moderate amount of time with him in recent weeks; and this was as relaxed as she had seen him, if this even counted as relaxed.  It was interested how different people acted around children.  She didn’t know very many kids, but she thought she would mostly be the same.

She nodded in agreement to whatever he was sprouting off about.  If it were an obligation she would have ran the other way and perhaps taken a turn on something a bit more grown up.  The only reason she was volunteering to do something nice was because she didn’t have too – and, she supposed, to continue to build a relationship with Mr. Selwyn.  Freya grinned, holding out her hand.  “What do you say, love?  Shall we give it a go?”

...

Carnelian found it surprisingly sweet of Freya to offer to take his daughter on the ride, especially since it was a side of her he didn’t know she had. Then again, most people probably wouldn’t have believed that he had a soft spot for his own kids either, if they were basing their assumptions off of the cold exterior he tended to have. To him, however, that was a neutral position to exist in. This warmer happier side was a dial up, and he certainly did dial down when needed. Given that it was valentine’s day, though, and the carnival was meant to be fun, he was really trying to keep up the warm persona. 

Cillian excitedly jumped up and down at the chance to go on the ride. “Let’s go!” she cheered eagerly, reaching for the woman’s hand. Carnelian gave her a gentle push in the direction, nodding with approval. “We won’t be far. Come meet us directly after, alright?” he wanted to make his directions clear, so that Freya understood he was serious, but it wasn’t a threat, by any means. He just wanted to know his daughter was safe.

[carneliancselwyn]

freyasavery​:​

…

Coming alone to the carnival was absolutely the right choice.  There were no real commitments she needed to fulfill.  A visit with some family members, a few games to play, a sprinkling of chaos to start, a blood traitor to confront when the time was right – her interests were plentiful, and attending the carnival alone gave her the opportunity to invest time in all of them.

She hadn’t been following Mr. Selwyn, although she couldn’t deny that was a tactic she was perfectly willing to take if the situation called for it.  Really, she had been wondering about, looking for something to entertain herself with.  But when she saw him she couldn’t stop herself from approaching, smiling as he talked to his daughter – she was adorable and her dad was quite attractive.  Good genetics, she supposed.

“Excuse me,” she interrupted with a polite smile.  “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear, and I must say that the teacups are my favorite ride in this whole entire carnival,” she grinned at the little girl.  It wasn’t true, she preferred something with a bit more speed.  That wasn’t the best way to move forward here.  She wasn’t a parent, but she felt fairly sure that the path to endearing herself to stoic Carnelian might be in making his daughter smile.  “I’d be happy to take her if you need to rest your stomach for a moment.”

...

Cassian might have been the more like Cordelia out of the pair, but Carnelian had a soft spot for their daughter. It didn’t change the fact that Cass got his way most of the time, however. If it had been any other ride, he would have told the boy he needed to wait, but it really was Nel’s least favorite. He’d always gotten a bit queasy on rides that spun around in circular motion like that. Upside down and fast he was fine with, but round and round was different. 

Truthfully Nel hadn’t even noticed anyone else was listening in, which was unlike him. However, he was pleasantly surprised to see that it was Freya. “Miss Avery. To what do we owe the pleasure?” He hadn’t known what Freya was doing there so close to them, but she had showed up just when Cillian had been asking for someone to take her on the ride. It just so happened, it seemed, that Freya was willing to take her. Though he did have some reservations, he trusted Freya enough to not seriously injure his daughter. “I’m sure she would love that.”

“I just want to be clear, you understand that it’s not an obligation. I don’t want her thinking she can just snap her fingers and someone will come play with her all the time,” Carnelian warned. He looked down at his daughter, who looked both excited, but upon seeing her dad’s face, seemed to understand and change her expression to polite but neutral.

[carneliancselwyn]

Though originally Carnelian and his wife had discussed taking one child each during the carnival, it was a bit unfair to the twins to be separated when they tended to have more fun together. The solution they had come with was a compromise: Nel would be mainly in charge of their daughter, and Cordelia their son. In order to give the twins time together, they would also take shifts in which both parents were responsible for the two children. That way if one of them wanted to slip away to speak to friends or sneak away for a moment, the other would watch them. Carnelian didn’t mind this all that much, especially considering he had felt as of lately that he wasn’t spending enough time with them. Despite his own upbringing, he wanted to treat his children far better than he was treated, and what better way to do so than let them have fun with their father at a carnival?

The only downside, it seemed, to having both children with one parent, was that if they both wanted to do separate things, Nel had to take them both. Cillian was very insistent that she wanted to go on the tea cup ride which spun around recklessly, and Cassian wanted to play one of the carnival games to win a stuffed dragon. “Lili, daddy doesn’t want to go on the tea cup ride. You’ll just have to wait for mum to get back and she can take you,” he explained to his daughter, Cassian dragging him toward the games. Lili, however, was not pleased with this answer, and began to tug on his pants. “But please? Daddy, please!” Sighing, Carnelian stooped down to her level, and ruffled her hair. “I’m sorry, but Daddy is only one person, and he’ll get sick if he goes on that ride.”

@freyasavery​

[carneliancselwyn]

What was a carnival good for if not family bonding time? Carnelian didn’t really know how he would exactly describe his relationship with his brother in law, but he definitely didn’t hate the guy, and that said a lot. Despite Kit being slightly older, the pair had met back in school after Nel had learned that the man was in Ravenclaw, and saw him as a valuable asset to his personal studies. Of course, their families had been familiar with one another as being part of the Sacred 28, but that meant nothing if you didn’t actually spend time getting to know them outside of those ridiculous events. Through all of the strangeness of it, however, it lead them to being closer as family.

Truth be told, Carnelian quite enjoyed the other man’s company. He didn’t pester him about things, yet also gave impeccable advice when needed. The kids loved him too, which was why he had stolen the man away to spend some time with the twins. Cordelia had gone off to chat with a few friends, and as Nel wasn’t the overly social type, he hung back. Walking through the carnival, Nel carried Cillian on his shoulders, Cassian walking between him and Kit. “Have you considered signing up for the auction later?” It was a bit of an out of the blue question, sure, but Carnelian was genuinely curious.

@kit-shafiq​

[cordelianselwyn]

when: jan 29, 1983 just after dawn where: selwyn home who: @carneliancselwyn

She never slept on the nights of the full moon, as she was sure he didn’t. In some ways it was her guilt, the penance she paid for having forced him away from her so cruelly that first night. For keeping him from being there for the birth of his children - Cordelia felt the rawness of that guilt every time he left for one of these nights. The twins were with her parents, sometimes with Kit. She wasn’t sure if they’d caught on by now, they were quite clever for five year olds. Honestly, Cordelia didn’t know how to tell them.

She spent the night pacing, watching the hours tick away on the click atop the mantle. Nothing she would do or read could hold her attention for longer than a few hours, but she would not let herself rest. With the first rays of the sun streaming through the window, Cordelia relocated her vigil to the front hallway. In some ways, the day after the moon was her favorite however cruel that may be. It was the softest they ever allowed themselves to be with each other and she cherished this time.

The front door creaked. Cordelia looked up from where she sat on the bottom step, standing quickly to see if it was him.

“Love? Is that you?”

[carneliancselwyn]

Carnelian never hung around his own home on the nights of the full moon. He always made sure that their children were sent elsewhere and that he gave enough distance to protect Cordelia. Even if he had more control of his own thoughts and actions than the average werewolf, nothing was worth risking when it came to transformation days. Being alone was a small price to pay to ensure the safety of the only people he cared about. The next day was always difficult, as it was incredibly draining to undergo such. When the morning rose after each full moon, Carnelian would come sauntering home, stumbling a bit as he leaned against the door frame until regaining his balance to push it open. 

Naturally, he was stubborn, and never enjoyed letting himself be seen vulnerable, even in the moments that it was genuine. Taking a moment to collect himself each time before opening the front door was important to him, slowly turning the handle and stepping forward into their home. When he heard Cordelia’s voice call out to him, he closed the door and hummed. 

“What would you do if it wasn’t? I should hope you weren’t expecting someone else,” he spoke low and slowly, turning the corner to find her.

[aleiadolohov]

who: @carneliancselwyn where: carnelian’s home. when: january 3rd, 1983. 

Heels clicked against the marble floors as Aleia made her way back to her office. She was flying through the halls, knowing that she was running late for an appointment with Carnelian. Luckily for her, she was writing an article about his brooms. It felt strange to be doing something that was so up Percy’s alley, but the local news section needed something this month, and with the Selwyn’s newest broom, Aleia felt as though it were the perfect addition. 

Still, as she pushed past her door and into her office, Aleia offered him a smile. “Apologies for my timeliness,” she offered, with a nod. Normally, she wouldn’t apologize, but for the most part Carnelian was someone who she didn’t want to piss off. Besides, they were on the same side in the end. Why would she want to be making enemies with people who she might end up forming an alliance with down the road?

“I hope you haven’t had to wait too long,” she said. “I told my assistant to make tea but it seems as though they’ve forgotten…” Aleia sighed, before quickly flicking her wrist and watching as the tea kettle filled with water. “Sometimes I wonder why I even have an assistant.” The statement was genuine ( her assistant seemed to be absolutely useless ), although for his sake she pretended to be teasing. 

[carneliancselwyn]

...

Nel was used to people wanting to speak with him about the business. While it may have been technically his father in law’s, he was the one who was currently in charge of business matters and attending to meetings such as this. What made him an excellent businessman was his diligence and persistent attitude. Oddly enough, despite his disposition, he knew how to do business with people. An important part of business was also punctuality, though truth be told, Carnelian hadn’t even realized how late the woman had been. He was used to people walking on eggshells around him, but as Aleia seemed to hurry into the office and immediately apologize, it became obvious that she was worried she might have upset him. 

“Never mind that, I hardly noticed,” he shrugged it off. Really, he’d been rather preoccupied with studying her office. It was a decent room, clean, very professional, he thought. “Well, some would argue an assistant is only as good as their opportunities. If they’re always on tea duty, they may not take you very seriously,” he casually commented, giving a smalls shrug. “Then again, it is hard to find people with decent skills and motivation, these days. It’s more likely that reason.”

It may have been her office, but Carnelian never was the one to wait for others to start the conversation. He had no issues making himself at home, even gesturing for the woman to sit so they could talk. “So, Ms Dolohov, what did you have in mind for this interview?”

[carneliancselwyn]

mmeartemis​:

“Older, you mean?” she asked with a slight frown, because she was turned and the event was still vivid in her memory. “I know plenty who have found their place with us perfectly well.” There was a hint of dubiousness in her voice, however, mind on Félix who had struggled so much to understand the way of her pack and feel comfortable in it. It wasn’t something she really had an answer for but then she didn’t see it as her place to make their decisions for them. Her pack were just trying to live a peaceful life. Was it really their fight?

“As mine did the day I was bitten,” she returned. “But that is why they are no longer my real family and my pack have taken that place. It doesn’t have to mean blood.” It seemed to her that blood was the biggest issue in the war and that too much importance was placed on it. Her pack comprised of everybody from purebloods and half-bloods cast out from their families and muggles and muggleborns whose families had been wonderful in every way except for their inability to understand and care for a lycanthrope. Blood meant shit all. She relaxed a little as he continued. Maybe he did understand what she was saying after all. “Right! Exactly. A pack takes time to understand each other and looks after each other.”

Artemis had figured there were many more than just the Order who feared werewolves but human politics had never been a strong point so she couldn’t be sure — perhaps the Order was a wider term than she had originally thought, even though that didn’t explain why other people seemed to talk about them like just one side of the war. Either way, there was a part of his pitch that didn’t add up to her, even though there was a chance it was her ignorance topic which caused the confusion. “I’m sorry but I’m not sure I understand,” she admitted. “How would going against them help them see there’s nothing to fear?”

...

Carnelian knew it might be a losing battle, but if he could plant the seed in her mind, then maybe, just maybe, she would do more of the thinking on her own and come to see where he was going with this. Werewolves could never truly live free of magical interference. “With you on our side, there might not be a need for bloodshed. A war is much more than just ruthless killing. Some of the most successful victors of wars can persuade others to follow along and agree with their views without having to harm anyone,” he explained. Of course, there was an element of truth stretching at play, but she didn’t need to know that right now. “The Order will continue to oppress people like us, unless we make the effort to show them that we are not the monsters they paint us as.”

He wasn’t asking for her pack to fight. They didn’t need to get their paws wrapped up in this. He wanted their support. “If we had people like us doing the talking, then perhaps, no violence would be needed at all. You don’t have to hurt anyone, that’s not what we’re asking. You would simply be poster children for change.” Pausing, Carnelian folded his hands together in silence. “Think about it, won’t you? I don’t need an answer today, but remember, a war is just as much about politics as it is about asserting one’s views or dominance. The latter is a last resort.”

[carneliancselwyn]

dolohovant​:

..

Antonin wasn’t sure what the other man thought of him besides that he trusted him enough. Enough for now and definitely not the most. But what did that really matter? Selwyn had reached out to Antonin and that was enough for him for the time being. Antonin wasn’t sure he should be commenting on moods - good or bad. He certainly wasn’t an expert on those. He was always moody and never in a very good one. 

The wink didn’t go unnoticed, but Antonin would resolve to let it go unmentioned. He was used to these kinds of things slipping under the shadows. In fact, a lot of what he enjoyed the most was done in secret both pertaining to his work and his personal life. He enjoyed it that way most of the time, though sometimes he wished he could be uninhibited. Completely and totally himself. The Dark Lord seemed to agree with him on one side of that. Antonin shrugged. “Of course. Wouldn’t have shown up if I wasn’t intrigued.” He nodded. He knew Carnelian well enough that there was still a hint of sarcasm in his tone, but he also knew when to be respectful. “I do. What about it? A question for you, I guess.”

...

While Carnelian certainly wasn’t known for being the most patient man, he did understand that patience was necessary in some aspects of life, particularly when you were trying to get others to trust you. He didn’t need Antonin to trust him, but things would go a lot more smoothly if he did. It was more important that Antonin proved he could trustworthy, himself. As Carnelian was already in the process of piecing his plans together, he needed to know for sure that Antonin wouldn’t be the reason they cracked. 

“Excellent. Well, as we know, Isaac Buchannan was found, very much still alive. Thankfully for our organization, I should say, as the Dark Lord would have likely not been pleased. I suspect, however,” Nel spoke softly and calmly, eyes looking around just in case anyone seemed to be eavesdropping. “That there are people on our side, that are playing the field.”

[carneliancselwyn]

mmeartemis​:

Artemis raised an eyebrow at the older werewolf, sceptical about his words. “You might have let them control you. Some of us have been perfectly fine not considering ourselves part of their world.” They utilised it, of course, for money and goods and sometimes their knowledge, but Artemis didn’t see them as in control by any means. They lived parallel but ultimately separate lives. She had never seen the pack as acting in any particular way just because of the Ministry. As far as she was concerned, they simply let each other be as long as one never tried to encroach on the other’s territory.

“A pack is a family,” she replied. “But more so in the sense that they are chosen by you and you know you can trust them.” She had never thought of them as having any sort of goals as a pack before. They were just living and his description of having something to achieve was strange to her from that point of view but she could see how they didn’t have to be made exclusively of werewolves. In the same way she was growing to trust Frank and Alice. “What’s your view of a better version of the world, then?” It shouldn’t have been her first question and she knew it but she couldn’t help being a little curious.

...

“And for those who were turned? What place do they have in either world? Never feeling quite comfortable in either...” Carnelian feigned a tragic sigh as though that were not his exact predicament. He had been perfectly fine as a wizard, but then he’d gotten bit five years ago. Of course, only a very few select people were aware of that, and he wasn’t going to blast it publicly. “Forced to live lives in worlds that don’t truly accept them.” In the wizarding world, by law, magical creatures had to be registered, and thus laid the groundwork for complications later on, such as employment and other necessities. “I’m sure you know that the magical law has been corrupt for centuries. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do something about it?”

Carnelian laughed, shaking his head. “My own family cast me out as soon as I was old enough to speak. They couldn’t stand to look at me at times, let alone trust me.” He was bending the truth here, but he needed the woman to know that he was on her side. If he could just accomplish that, he would feel successful. “But I’ve found my own family, people who understand me. And I want to understand others, you included. I may not have a pack, but does that mean that we cannot still look out for one another?” As he spoke, his expressions softened, looking far more concerned and apathetic than before. “One that doesn’t limit the natural power of others, where magic of all kinds can be protected and trusted. Not feared and pushed aside. They fear us, the Order. So I humbly ask for you to join against them, or at least, consider it as an option.”

[carneliancselwyn]

dolohovant​:

..

Antonin was realistic about his place in the Death Eaters. He knew he wasn’t the most high up in the organisation. He knew that he received his information from a trickle down effect. But he also knew he had friends in high places. Friends who trusted him and knew he was loyal. Even if he wasn’t connected to the Dark Lord himself, Antonin knew that those who were knew Antonin Dolohov was not a double crosser. And especially lately, that was quite a valuable role to hold. Antonin was patient. He wasn’t in a rush to rise in the organisation, but he’d do whatever it took to keep his name clean and ensure he didn’t fall.

“You’re in a good mood,” he said with a grin. He was almost wondering if he had misread the message and this wasn’t about business after all. It didn’t matter to him either way. He was around for anything the other man would throw at him. Antonin nodded. He was no stranger to the kind of things men did in alleys, but the other man was right that they’d be safer inside. “No, you’re right.” He held open the back door. “After you.”

...

In the midst of war, Carnelian knew how important it was to be a man of many tactics. Having only one trick up ones sleeve was never the smartest idea, and when dealing with life and death, well... the price of gambling increased significantly there. If this was what Antonin called a good mood, Nel wanted to know what his idea of a bad mood looked like. Though, the man had a point. Carnelian wasn’t always this casual and welcoming. Soon that would be explained, however, as he had some important information to discuss with the man. It wouldn’t serve him well to come off harsh and cold.

Giving a casual wink, Carnelian slipped inside, thanking him under his breath as they made their way through the hall and slipped into a booth. Being in the presence of muggles had never been all that comfortable to Carnelian, even more so since he’d been bitten. He couldn’t help feel like there was less patience with them in him now. However, as he’d mentioned, they wouldn’t know what the men were talking about while discussing business which made it all the better mask. “I’m sure you’re dying to know why I’d sent such an urgent letter in the first place, hm? Well, let me start by asking you a question... do you remember our conversation on the night of the Halloween masquerade?”

[carneliancselwyn]

freyasavery​:

…

There was something exciting about the prospect of learning something new from a competent, more experienced teacher.  It felt like being back in Hogwarts, sneaking into the forest to practice dark spells and dark magic with Liza.  But this time she supposed she was taking her teacher with her, and she was far less likely to get caught, not that she ever got caught, considering they were ducking into Carnelian’s land.  “Good evening, Mr. Selwyn,” she smiled brightly at him, holding out a carefully wrapped plate of brownies.  “I brought these for you.”

As he led her across the house she looked around.  “This is beautiful.”  She had never felt any sort of desire to live in a large house.  Maybe it was the way she raised, she wasn’t sure, but she much preferred something small and cozy.  “You all have a nice taste for decor.”

“I’m perfectly happy to follow your lead. If you think we should get started early then lets do it.”  She stepped outside and turned to look at the house from the middle of the yard.  It really was lovely.  “How far do you want to go?”

...

Carnelian should have expected nothing less. Even though he hadn’t required a form of payment for training her in the dark arts, he should have known that she would continue to bring him plates of baked goods. It seemed that they never met these days without her doing so. “Bribery?” he asked, jokingly as his brow quirked upward. Of course, though, he took the plate. 

Accepting compliments was never his strong suit, though he didn’t want to seem rude or dismissive. “Thank you, my wife picked most of it out, but I had the final say for most of it.” Cordelia did often get what she wanted, but Carnelian knew how to put his foot down if he truly disagreed with something. He wasn’t afraid to stand up to her, which was what made them work. 

“Early to start means more time to correct errors. That, or we’ll finish early.” Once they were far enough from the house, Carnelian looked around, nodding slowly. “This should be far enough.” Without explaining, he took his wand out and set up a protective barrier around them that would drown any noise from outsiders. It was better these days to be more cautious than not, and Carnelian didn’t feel like being risky today. “Right. Now, have you been practicing  Legilimency on your own since the last time?”

[dolohovant]

Closed for @carneliancselwyn​

Antonin got a fair bit of letters - mostly ones he ignored. But he always got them from the same people. From his uncle or Aleia  or Liza or Celeste. Sure, sometimes he got a letter concerning other business, but it usually never came from this sender: Carnelian Selwyn. The two men had corresponded concerning other matters, but never about this.

He felt like it had to be important enough if Selwyn was reaching out to him and now. The details were sparse, a meeting point and time. This was a letter he couldn’t ignore. He apparated to the place, a back alley amongst a lot of muggle shops. He almost felt like they’d draw more attention to themselves amongst all these muggles, but he wasn’t about to argue with the information he had been given. He heard the familiar pop behind him and turned around. “Evening.”

[carneliancselwyn]

...

Carnelian wasn’t a fool. He knew that in order for the Death Eaters to win this war, that they would need many more allies to assure a faultless victory. It was pointless to underestimate the order, especially when it seemed more and more each day that the number of blood traitors was rising. Some of their own kind had even started to betray and double cross them. He needed to seek out those on his side that were loyal, undoubtedly so. When he’d spoken to Antonin at the Halloween ball, it was merely a conversation to size the man up, see where he stood in this battle. To know for sure, they needed to meet again, away from the action. 

It was a pleasant surprise when he had arrived at the agreed meeting point between the men that the other was already there. One thing that Carnelian had little patience for was needing patience. He was a very get to the point kind of man, and didn’t like to be kept waiting. “A wonderful evening, I might add. Thank you for responding to my owl with such urgency. Would you like to maybe get a drink?” He understood that it was an odd place to meet, but he didn’t want to risk any order members lurking about and listening in to their conversations. Plus, he had a trick up his sleeve to assure that they wouldn’t be overheard by muggles. “Course, we could always stay here, but it might look less conspicuous if we moved inside.”

[freyasavery]

@carneliancselwyn​

It was a beautiful day to learn something new.  Carnelian Selwyn was both brilliant and difficult to read, and it was that combination that kept bringing her back, eager to learn something new and to unravel his mystery.  

Meeting at his home was certainly different, and although she didn’t feel as though she knew him any better, this felt like a step in the right direction.  Although she had been there once before, it had been a sort of emergency, and she had been far less intrigued by the man at that point.  werewolves were cool, but they weren’t special.  

So she kept coming back to Carnelian – not because he was a wealth of knowledge, although her certainly was that.  Not because he was attractive and dangerous, although those things were also undeniable.  But she had a hard time staying away because of the mystery.  She had never been good at letting go of the things she didn’t fully understand. And maybe she’d learn something new along the way.

The sun was just dipping below the horizon as she knocked on the door, ready to see what the night would bring.

[carneliancselwyn]

...

Carnelian had never been one to rely on others, and had always done things on his own. However, when he had first met Miss Freya Avery, it was a night that he discovered something about her that he would come to require. A certain skill that she had developed, that would save him a lot of explaining and hassle in the long run. 

Though he’d hardly say he was taking her under his wing, Nel understood that her gifts in working with the mind were special, and thus he longed to see what potential she had with her work. That was why he had offered to help her hone the skills, in exchange for a favor when he required it. Their relationship was mutually beneficial, as he explained it. They each had knowledge and skill that the other desired, which made for an interesting combination. 

Given the spell they were working on was not the most friendly, Carnelian had invited her to his home where they had plenty of land to work without being seen. She arrived just on time, he noted, by the knock on the door. Luckily the children were occupied elsewhere and they would have the complete privacy they needed to work on the spell. “Miss Avery. I hope you’ve come prepared, both mentally and physically,” Carnelian greeted her, opening the door and letting her in. Wasting no time, he led her to the back door that would lead out to the yard, finding it easier to go straight through the house. “Shall we get an early start?”

[carneliancselwyn]

cordelianselwyn​:

She loved his laugh, she loved his smile. Fuck, Cordelia loved him. They didn’t say it much, if ever. Feelings were so gauche. Be she knew, and he knew – at least she hoped he did – and for them, that would be enough. She sighed softly with contentment, an almost unfamiliar feeling. She wasn’t one to crave soft and quite moments, attention – absolutely, but this simple domesticity was rare. And, if she were being honest, wonderful.

Cordelia laughed into his kiss at the sound of their children in the doorway. It was strange how similar the twins were to her and how much they were tiny versions of Carnelian. She couldn’t recall ever seeing her own parents be so openly affectionate, or even warm with each other. Mother favored Kit, and Father doted on Cordelia but expected the very best from her brother. She didn’t like to really reflect on the messier parts of her childhood, the half-forgotten maybe dreams of curses and fear in Kit’s eyes, hatred in her mother’s. But sometimes she couldn’t help it when her own little family stood in such stark contrast to them. She brushed away these thoughts, burying her face in Nel’s neck to hide her amusement as he scolded their children.

“Yes, but imagine how boring it would be around here if they weren’t?” She shivered slightly with want as his hands slipped down to her hips. Cordelia leaned forward and pressed her forehead to his, softly closing her eyes for the briefest of time. She pulled back with a peculiar look on her face and held his gaze for almost a moment too long before speaking.

“Ok, promise to be honest, no bullshit. And please don’t read anything into this, it’s literally just a conversation, I would tell you if it was anything more,” she spoke quickly and then looped her arms around his neck. “Do you want more children?” With this, her eyes fell, something like guilt gracing her features, “I mean, you weren’t there, and I know that’s my fault. And if you wanted more, wanted to be there, we can.”

...

Carnelian had never really imagined himself as a father. Then again, before Cordelia, the thought of marriage at all had never crossed his mind. Their relationship, for all that it was worth, was perhaps one of the most complex and intricate that he’d ever heard of. Though they didn’t use words to describe their feelings often, they were able to tell that they each had a deep love for one another. That same deep love that ran coursing through his veins for Cordelia also sailed for the twins. Despite everything, Carnelian knew that if anything were ever to happen to them, a part of him would be destroyed. No matter how meddlesome they were. “I suppose it would be a rather unamusing life.

It was moments like this, where the two of them were alone, silent, and uninterrupted, that Carnelian felt most connected to her. As Cordelia rested her head against his, he breathed slowly and reminded himself of his place, and purpose. Of course, he always did this privately, never spoke of it to anyone. When they pulled away and he saw the strange look on her face, he couldn’t help but pursue her thoughts. “I cannot entirely promise that, but I can promise to try,” he nodded with a raised brow. 

Whenever anything was just a conversation, Nel felt as though there was a second meaning. Despite her telling him not to read into it, when it came to the topic of choice, he wasn’t sure how he could resist. He hadn’t necessarily wanted the twins, before they were born, but he knew that saying it that way would only sound upsetting. “I don’t think that would be the best idea,” he shook his head, after a few moments of silence. “Something could go wrong.”

[carneliancselwyn]

mmeartemis​:

So this was what it was. A pitch. The fact that he was married to a witch was interesting, and something she filed away to consider after the transformation was over. She didn’t believe that a select few good ones would be enough to persuade the pack. She knew people who cared about her despite being a werewolf, as well. Frank and his family, her boss and a couple of people at work she was closer with. There were others who had rejected her for the same reason. Many more.

Lips quirked into amusement. “Peace and fighting back. Interesting.” The two were mutually exclusive, she felt. There would be no peace as long as there was still fighting. “And this group… You actually believe that when it’s all over, we’ll get what we want? Wizards don’t do that. They’ll fight amongst each other over rights for one group but you’re right. Some of them would try and get rid of us if given the chance and I can guarantee you can find those people amongst Death Eaters and Order of the Phoenix alike.” She frowned, shaking her head. No, she was fairly sure he couldn’t be talking about any wix, despite starting off by talking about wix who cared about them. “Is this a pack who are doing this?”

...

Carnelian knew that it might be a tough sell, but he had to try. The Dark Lord’s instructions were to try and gather as many alliance members as possible, and with werewolves on their side, well, they would have a drastic advantage. He knew that it sounded crazy, maybe a bit too good to be true. The fact that he had lived most of his life as a wizard before turning made him aware that many wix did see them as menaces, but not all. “Wizards and Witches will always find things to fight about, you’re right on that part. But that is because we have let them be in control for far too long. Wouldn’t it be nice, to have more diversity and say in the magical world?”

He was all too aware that her loyalty would be first and foremost to her pack above anything else, and as Carnelian was a lone wolf in this sense, he needed to make himself sound more convincing than ever. “That depends; What is a pack to you? To me, a pack means a group of like minded people who want the same things. Perhaps our individual goals are different, but deep down, there is a bigger thing that we are trying to achieve. I believe a pack doesn’t translate directly to wolves, but it could be used to describe any species of creatures. That, is who I represent. A group of people who are seeking help from various creatures alike to create a better version of this world.”

[carneliancselwyn]

cordelianselwyn​:

His laughter, cruel and biting, caught her off guard. The words that followed even more so. For a moment, Cordelia forgot she was supposed to be furious with him, forgot the taunting and anger and armor, and let the shock and pain slip through her mask. What did he possibly mean by that? She was her father’s favorite, everyone knew that was the reason her mother resented her and nothing else. Her heart rate shot up marginally with panic, perhaps he was just being cruel as she was, throwing off wild accusations to see what would cause her the most pain. Or – did he know something she did not?

“What the fuck does that mean?” Cordelia had been aiming for aloof and dismissive, but her pain and desperation were clear. “I don’t have daddy issues, I’m the favorite, everyone knows this.”

She ignored his retort, it was essentially what he’d already said before. They both had a deep stubborn streak, hers perhaps from always getting her way and his from never really having to consider others. Cordelia’s hand only just ghosted over his, an olive branch maybe, cloaked in poisonous barbs and frustration. Carnelian froze. She didn’t move her hand and opened her mouth to reply when he suddenly shifted, grabbing her wrist and turning to face her. The flinch was unintentional, her breath coming in shaky gasps. When Carnelian pulled out his wand again, Cordelia squeezed her eyes tightly shut and turned her face from his, waiting for the inevitable spell that meant she’d utterly misjudged him. It was bound to happen, eventually, Cordelia was too arrogant for her own good and could never resist poking the bear.

A briefest flash – some repressed memory from more than fifteen years ago. Another man from whom she’d tried so hard to win his attention holding a wand to her face. The same shock and fear and sickening realization that she’d put her trust and devotion in the wrong hands. No – it wasn’t real, just a nightmare.

Carnelian let go of her wrist and the memory vanished, pushed from her mind with self-preservation. The door was open and her lover gone, herself seemingly unharmed. Cordelia stepped back, clutching the counter for support and biting down on her bottom lip to keep from crying.

“I’m sorry.”

Carnelian shook his head, his smile wicked, and cold. He couldn’t tell her now, but there were things that he knew, things that she was unaware of. She may have been the favorite, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t damaged. “You’ll learn soon enough.”

And then she flinched. She had flinched when he grabbed her wrist, which in any other circumstance might have caused a sliver of concern. In that moment, however, he could only look at her with curiosity. Did she really believe that perhaps he would turn his wand on her? That maybe he was capable to do something so cruel to her as he had done in the past to another family member? 

“There are tears in your eyes,” he pointed out, bluntly. “Why?” Why should she have been the one upset, when she had brought someone into his house, unannounced, unwelcome? Carnelian had every right to be furious with her, as she was clearly doing this to spite him, when in reality, the only reason he’d acted out with anger was because she brought up a personal issue. He couldn’t have cared less if she was sleeping around, their relationship had always been pretty open. What he despised was when she lied to him about it.