Here he comes like Don Juan

Count Lestrange, the elder. Rodolphus to you, my dear. Don't mind the head on the stake outside the gates.

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

As much as I like wands...

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

[Or to - unnecessarily - make everyone aware of their arrival.] Your assumption is correct. [She didn’t want to enlighten him; she wasn’t even sure of what to say. What else was good for her wellbeing, but that grumpy old cat of theirs? It was dubious if the cat actually even was all that great.] One would assume a husband would know what is and what isn’t good for their wife’s wellbeing. You, my dearest, are a perfect example of how wrong that assumption is. I don’t see why I should enlighten you about things you are supposed to already know.

[countrodolphuslestrange]

One would assume a husband makes sure there's food on the table and coffers the size of a national treasury for his wife to dip into whenever she wants. I've done my duty, dark belladonna, and it ends there. Where does yours begin? Let's say humouring me when I ask something I'm presumed to know the answer to.

[yourvictoriabelcourt-blog]

Well...isn't this a tragic excuse for a district

[felixaurelius]

[Felix noted Victoria inching away and kept a wary eye on her, but mostly focused on Lestrange. His grip on Lestrange’s collar tightened.] The blood on your robes said enough. Because that is not pig’s blood. Now, answer the godsdamned question.

[itsvictoriabelcourt-blog]

[Victoria smirked a little as she watched them. Part of her felt bad for what she was about to do, but she had to think about herself. Her father would really not like it if she got captured here] Sorry Rodolphus… [She murmured, before apparating away]

[countrodolphuslestrange]

[Rodolphus would have waved. Courtesy dictated as much. Courtesy was a pansy in a frilly dress shirt and doubloons that was about to be hung and quartered by self-preservation. Self-preservation wore brass knuckles and casually carried a jousting lance to intimidate anyone it passed. Aware of the inadvisability of entering into a contest of pure physical strength with Edmund Belcourt, he focused on himself. He tugged his collar with a hard wrench out of... Aurelius's grasp and stepped backwards. The violence of the gesture was immediately offset by the typical roguish smile he reserved for beautiful women, his wife, and people who drove him up the wall. These categories were not mutually exclusive.] Minister, I don't know if I should be flattered or embarrassed by your naïveté. What if - and here is a brand new and radical thought... the blood is mine?

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

As much as I like wands...

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

Ever heard of jewellery, accessories, husband dearest? [Her gaze flickered to his, then followed it down to her own hands, which she slowly dropped to her sides. She wondered what he was seeing, if he could see what she really felt, the things she no longer wanted to admit to. If he was seeing the truth, or the illusion she was so careful to hold up. The mirage that it was all just duty, a wife’s duty to her husband. A duty she failed to fulfil, and would never succeed to fulfil, ever. That it didn’t mean more than that, it never did.] Oh yes, you are very wrong.

[countrodolphuslestrange]

I assume you're referring to the trinkets women use to weigh themselves down so that they clank like a ring of keys every time they walk? [His eyes narrowed in cool delight, the corner of his mouth turning upwards. He radiated "Amuse me," but the last thing he liked being was wrong.] Enlighten me, then. How so?

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

As much as I like wands...

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

Slytherin’s colours, you fool. Green and silver. [She didn’t so much as lift an eyebrow at the fact that she called him a fool. Was he really being that much of an idiot, or was he playing with her? Bella was unsure. With her other hand, she absently ran her fingers over the spot his lips had just caressed, only half-aware of the action.] Really? Only that cat?

[countrodolphuslestrange]

Your loyalty to our former House seems a little lacking… if you were to be wearing the green, how would you supply the silver? Love, you're as pale as moonlight, but unless you sparkled in it too, the "silver" part seems a little dubious. [His gaze trailed the movement of her hand. The involuntary reactions we betray. Better than nothing. Desire didn't erase their problems. The illusion of her caring, that sex meant something, made those problems just slightly easier to bear.] Am I wrong, then?

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

As much as I like wands...

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

Neither of us like the colour red. [Red reminded her of pain, and then the feeling… The sense of there being nothing at all to feel any more, that moment she realized she’d prefer pure and horrendous torture for the rest of her life over the feeling of utter… nothing.] I prefer green. [A tiny smile formed around her lips at the feeling of his lips against her finger, and she tilted her head just slightly as she studied him] It’s merely a small cut, nothing particularly dangerous for my well-being.

[countrodolphuslestrange]

Green... the colour of trees, jealousy and youths who'll get cut down like twigs if they go into battle against our enemies? Interesting, I had no idea you were a nature-lover. [He released her hand with only the most carefully measured reluctance, and stepped back.] If you were to be believed, Severus the cat is the only thing good for your well-being.

[maysilee-d-deactivated20131227]

[Maysilee noticed the intentional dismissing of her question, but she didn’t press. She didn’t even know the man, so it wasn’t her place to ask. And she learned that to question in the Capitol was never a good thing, because you never know who you are talking. With what was happening now a days, you couldn’t just trust anybody] Exactly correct. Those militia women are all crazy.[She grinned once again] So what’s your name? Or is that something else you would rather now share?

[countrodolphuslestrange]

Crazy women who are armed to the hilt. [He gave a theatrical shudder.] I certainly hope they're on our side, then. [His eyebrows rose faintly at the presumption that he needed to be introducing himself, instead of having his presence announced, but he smiled archly and dipped into the shallowest bow as was possible.] I am Count Lestrange, Miss Donner. [He lifted her fingers to his lips.] What else did you want me to share?

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

As much as I like wands...

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

Is there? [A small frown creased her forehead as the blade dissolved with much more theatrical spectacle than necessary. Paper confetti, by the gods…] That blade happened to be rather liked by me, Rodolphus.

[countrodolphuslestrange]

Yes, well, I like a lot of other things, too, the colour red, not being one of them. [Red. It reminded him not of blood, but the walls, the floor, the ashen pallor of her skin and the terrible, breaking realisation that he'd lost his family.] Ah, careful of your hand there, love. [He took her hand in his own gloved one, and lifted it to his lips. He sucked at the cut lightly and the blood vanished. Magic was a more permanent medical solution, but sometimes indulgences were... worth it.]

[maysilee-d-deactivated20131227]

I could be doing both. [She grinned, starting to stretch] And what brings you out at this time of day? 

[countrodolphuslestrange]

[He averted his gaze heavenward out of sheer politeness, rather than anything else and deflected the question.] Ah, so you're a defector from the women's militia and they retaliated by setting the wolves on your trail? Not the most effective method, since you've outrun them all, but I'll certainly give them points for creativity.

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

As much as I like wands...

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

I fear you know me far too well for it to be save for me any longer, whatever shall I do about that? Oh, I know. [The tip of her finger slid over the sharp edge of the blade, a bit blood welling up which she licked off her finger with the tip of her tongue, before she balanced the sword on her hands, and gazed at him.]

[Suddenly, in a movement so quick it was hard to follow, she grabbed the sword by the handle and whirled it around; the tip of the blade pressing against his Adam’s apple.] …I must say I do prefer wands over swords.

[countrodolphuslestrange]

[He tipped back his head, haughtily watching her down the bridge of his nose. He was aware the movement exposed his jugular to her, but it was a different game altogether to throw himself at her mercy and know they'd both come out of it alive anyway.]

There's a good reason for that, my dark belladonna. [His wand was in his grasp, and he flicked it almost lazily. The blade dissolved into crushed paper confetti, and another flick of his wand produced a gust of wind that blew it away.] You were saying?

[maysilee-d-deactivated20131227]

[Maysilee jogged at a good pace, the sun barely up. She enjoyed early morning jogs, mostly because it tended to be quiet at this time and no one was there to bother her. After a few good miles, she stopped to catch her breath. When she looked up, she was surprised to see someone else] Well, hello. 

[countrodolphuslestrange]

Indeed. Slowing down from the breakneck pace? Judging by the amount of light, you must either be on the run from a pack of wolves or training to be in shape for a women's militia. 

[lady-bella-lestrange-blog-blog]

As much as I like wands...

There is something about swords which gives me a sense of immense physical power… I rather like it.

[countrodolphuslestrange]

[To say nothing of the immense physical... rush it gave him to see her like that.] I dare say you, love. Whatever spills the most blood is the most beloved choice, isn't it?

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

I feel suffocated.

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

Oh, no, I would rather Apparate. Did you want to have the honor, or shall I?

[countrodolphuslestrange]

"Ladies first" seems so chauvinistic, and yet, "gentlemen ahead" seems just plain rude. [He offered her a gallant hand.] Would 'simultaneously' do?

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

I feel suffocated.

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

I see your point. 

Yes! Going there sounds absolutely lovely.

[countrodolphuslestrange]

Shall we Apparate, or did you... prefer the scenic route?

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

I feel suffocated.

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

Terrorize him? Ah, sounds as if you two have that perfect brotherly bond then. 

A few times, yes. Quite a beautiful place. 

[countrodolphuslestrange]

I am the elder. It was my duty to cream him into a mince meat pie.

Is Four where you wish me to escort you then, Your Grace?

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

I feel suffocated.

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

I often read. Trips can be such a bore at times, I usually bring a few good books along with me on the way.

Shopping? That doesn’t sound much like an adventure. Beaches would be more suitable, if you were to ask me.

[countrodolphuslestrange]

Ah, reading. The fabled indulgence. I assume you get along well with my brother on that account. Books, in my childhood, were mostly projectiles to terrorise him with.

Then the beach it is. Naturally you have your wand, so Apparition will be easy. Have you been there before, Your Grace?

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

I feel suffocated.

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

This puts a fun little twist into our adventure then, for whenever I travel, I usually just sit in a carriage. Not much knowledge of direction comes from that. 

But I’m sure it can’t be that hard to travel around the districts.

[countrodolphuslestrange]

Surely even carriages have windows. There must be something to see, or do, rather than annoy one's siblings. I've had years of practice with my brother, of course, so not everyone can be quite so... accomplished.

The Districts have depressingly porous borders. They have so little security against us - or better yet, the Peacekeepers - that it's ludicrous. If you wish to visit one of those, we could go, er, shopping in Eight or down to the beach in Four.

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

I feel suffocated.

[orianabelcourt-deactivated20140]

[She smiled politely, accepting his arm.]

Where are we off to first?

[countrodolphuslestrange]

I yield entirely to the wishes of my lady. Besides, my navigation skills of the outside world were to be trusted, I only know my way to the Capitol's Quidditch stadium and back.