I USED TO KNOW THE TRUTH BUT ALL THE LIES ERASED IT

[curseburdened]

carinacarinae​:

“Oh! You’re the, uh, reporter from the Daily Prophet.” While Carina mostly stayed away from that specific newspaper these days, she was familiar with Mx.Skeeter’s works. “My mother is a big fan of your column. She thinks you’re the only one that ‘tells it how it is.’ I’m not quite sure what she means by that, but I think it’s supposed to be a compliment.”

“I am.” they replied warmly, their smile only growing as they looked at Carina.  Most people recognized their name once they said it, even they couldn’t place it to them directly. The pros and cons of being in the public eye. But didn’t they always say all press was good press? “I appreciate the compliment, I always try to make sure my information is as accurate as it can be, though in times like these, sometimes everything is a little murky.”

[lestrangerod]

status: closed

location: great hall, hogwarts

@curseburdened​

seeing as his significant other was out of town, rodolphus had found himself accompanying none other than rita skeeter to the charity ball. she had been an obvious first choice. between his status among the members of pur societatis and her scandalous reputation in the side columns of the daily prophet, the two suited each other well.  they stood together, having just finished speaking with relatives of the lestrange family when rod stated, “i’ll admit, i am impressed. this does give my mother’s party-planning reputation a run for her money.”

[curseburdened]

the instant that rita had received news of the ball, she’d known she was going to attend, and whenever rodolphus had asked her to attend, she’d known she was going to say yes. it was a natural pairing, the two of them. besides, he was an excellent company, and rita was never going to complain about having an excuse to spend an evening by his side, even with small talk with extended family members. “it’s nicer than i ever would have imagined it being. i never thought hogwarts to clean up so nicely. i was really questioning their choice in venue before i saw it.” the witch admitted as she hung off the arm of the lestrange, looking around the great hall. “makes for a pretty picture.”

[curseburdened]

carinacarinae​:

“Oh.” She blinked, as if she were processing the witch’s words. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you.” She was genuine this time, unsure why she felt a tad wary about the person. Carina dismissed the train of thought. It wasn’t right to have such a snap decision about a person she didn’t know. She held out her free hand for the other to shake. “I’m Carina. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Don’t mention it, thank you for the information. It was very interesting.” the reporter replied with a warmer smile. While babble was rarely anything of interest, the passion behind the words was intriguing, refreshing, especially from the doom and gloom of their everyday life. Taking the hand offered, and shaking her hand gingerly, the witch responded in kind “Rita Skeeter, it’s a pleasure.”

[solemnlyarchive]

closed starter for @curseburdened​ 

“It’s a shame this invite was opened to the masses, it’s excruciating seeing some of the outfits people throw together and consider nice. There’s an art to fashion. Fortunately, for my eyes, you look stunning as usual, Miss. Skeeter, we do need to have some hope for this crumbling world.” He spoke quieter than usual as he eyed the woman, looking her up and down as he admired every detail of her wardrobe. Unlike most, who’d allowed their eyes to linger a little too long on any exposed skin. 

[curseburdened]

Ever since they were a child, Rita was taught to look and listen, and it was a tool that served her well. Observing was half the battle, and in gossip, it was vital. So looking out at the crowd that had gathered in the great hall, and the clothing choices they’d made was entirely natural to them by now. “You do immaculate work, Nico, unfortunately for some of the attendees, they weren’t as fortunate with their designers.” the witch replied, chuckling gently as she looked at their favorite fashion connoisseur. “You look phenomenal, though I’m sure you already knew that.”

[selwynpersephone]

curseburdened said: ❝ Wow, you look different ❞

“oi, don’t look so surprised. just because i take down dangerous criminals for a living doesn’t mean i can’t put on a nice dress for a good time.” the dress had been her mother’s choice, of course but it fit her like a glove nonetheless. persephone took a rather large gulp of her beverage before continuing to speak. “you look lovely as ever, rita. i’m surprised your date can keep their hands off you. have they left you to your own devices so early in the evening?”

[curseburdened]

it’d been a lie to say that rita wasn’t paying an excessive amount of attention to detail at the party, memorizing as much as she could for the article she would be writing in the aftermath of it all. so, when she noticed a familiar face in a glove that fit her so well, well, she couldn’t help but comment. “you clean up nicely, persephone, what can i say. i’m starstruck.” rita chuckled, smiling as the witch returned her compliments. “thank you, thank you, nico does fantastic work. i just wear it well.” slightly more humble than usual, she wouldn’t hesitate to offer the designer a compliment. “rodolphus is around here somewhere, shouldn’t take too long before i find him again.”

[curseburdened]

eleonora-charles​:

Elle had to resist rolling her eyes, already knowing that the girl currently sitting there was probably not going to come back. Honestly she didn’t particularly care, the shop got decent business despite her attitude due to its location. That and the few people on her staff generally handled customers a lot better then she did. “Any allergies? Wouldn’t want to accidentally kill you.” She said, a fake pleasantness on her face. 

While Rita had gone to the restaurant for a quick bite, she wasn’t entirely opposed to the banter. It was a refreshing change of pace, and she wouldn’t totally protest it. “None actually. Sorry to disappoint,” she replied, offering back the same fake pleasantries she was offered by the witch. “So feel free to go wild.”

[curseburdened]

solemnlyiswear​:

“I’m not big on the whole listening, but no, she didn’t, it’s hard to give someone advice from the grave,” Charlie admitted with a bitter snicker, a small smirk lingering behind. “Didn’t yours ever tell you it’s rude to assume everyone has one?” 

Raising an eyebrow at the others commentary to their question, Rita was happy to play along. “As you so eloquently put it, it’s hard to give someone advice from the grave.” they replied with a smirk, pulling their drink up to their lips to take a sip. “Though, it’s not like I would have listened anyway.”

[curseburdened]

carinacarinae·:

 Her lips twitched upwards into a convincing grin. She knew that tone all too well. It was the same one her family took whenever she spoke of other types of the wixen population without contempt. Though, even if she wanted to say something about it, she did not. Instead, she chose to check the price tag. “Only 12 sickles. I could pay for them, if you’d like?”

The grin the other wore was convincing enough, but there was something there behind her eyes. Whether it was positive, or something more nefarious, Rita couldn't quite tell, but she kept a smile on her face through it all. “No no, I insist.” the witch replied as they reached inside their coin purse, pulling out the required funds. "And you can keep them."

[curseburdened]

rita skeeter’s charity ball look

[curseburdened]

eleonora-charles​:

Elle shrugged, “Most people would’ve ordered a drink at least by now.” She retorted. The main reason why the woman had bought her own place was for this very reason, she could say whatever the fuck she wanted and not get fired. “You can do that but you won’t find another pizza place within a forty-five minutes from here.” 

“I wanted to make it easier and order all at once, but I sincerely apologize if that forethought was not up to your standards.” Rita replied, though there was more than a hint of venom in them. “You know what, just surprise me. I’m sure everything is as heartwarming as your attitude.”  

[curseburdened]

rodolphus: dearest rita, i'm writing you to inquire about the status of your date for the upcoming charity ball. if you still find yourself without company it would be my pleasure to ask you to come as my date.

rita: darling rodolphus, i'm happy to reply that i'd be delighted to accompany you to the charity ball. in fact, i can't think of anyone who would be better company.

[curseburdened]

carinacarinae·:

She hummed. “I believe the muggles started it, and then muggleborns carried it over to us.” Her muggleborn governess had taught the subject to her when she was a child, after all.  Carina bobbed her head in agreement. “That they are. These are anemones, if you didn’t know. They can mean anything from anticipation to love, but mostly they just look nice in a vase.”

“How ... quant.” the witch mumbled about the origin of the love language they had only just learned about courtesy of the bubble witch in front of them. Looking over the bouquet more closely, careful to listen to the witch, they nodded in agreement. As much as the topic of love made her heartache, she couldn’t help but cling to the idea it might not always be that way. “They are stunning... how much are they?”

[curseburdened]

acciopericulum·:

“I…” Evie let out a sigh, her gaze falling from the other for a moment. “I don’t know if we will ever be truly all right again.” She admitted quietly, the thought honestly scaring her. It seemed like the awkwardness between them now wasn’t going anywhere. She missed Rita with all her heart, but at the time it was what she thought needed done. “This is a start though,” Her gaze returned to Rita, forcing a small smile if only to keep herself from getting any sort of emotional, but it quickly faltered. “I’m sorry- for what I did, but I had to get out of there, and-“ she shook her head. “I never wanted to hurt you, Rita.”

Maybe Rita expected more of an answer from the Rowle, an answer that would make her feel like the pain she had gone through was necessary, either way, she found none as the witch dropped her gaze. The pain in her chest was only exasperated by her ex-fiance’s admission, as the conversation became uncomfortable at best. There was a time where she’d thought that would be impossible, that there would never be a time that things between them would never be anything but effortless. She tried to keep her composure, a nod here and there as she tried to be civil, but that all ended with her last admission. “Never wanted to -” she found herself sputtering as she tried to process it. “You left me. You didn’t break up with me, you left me. We weren’t just a fling or a one night stand... we were going to get married, and you just left like none of that mattered. I don’t know what you thought that was going to do to me, but it sure as hell hurt, Evie.”

[selwynpersephone]

closed starter: @curseburdened​

location: unnamed coffee shop

while as of late persephone had been frequenting work, her second favorite spot had become the small shop located just beyond the entrance to the ministry. it was there she had found herself in a corner booth reading the most recent edition of the daily prophet while enjoying a cup of tea and biscuits. her attention only faltered when she noticed a familiar face make their way into the establishment. holding up the newspaper she called out, “could i get your autograph on my copy, mx. skeeter? i’m sure if i hold onto it for a decade it’ll rack up quite the value.”

[curseburdened]

after a series of interviews, rita skeeter was more than ready to indulge in some pastries and tea. as she entered the shop, her quick quotes quil still bobbed beside her head, waiting to be recalled, a task the witch had put off until after she had satisfied her sweet tooth. that was the plan at least, until a voice spoke up and grabbed their attention. “of course.” they offered with a smile, turning on their heels to head over to the witch, their sweet tooth put on hold for the moment. their quick quotes quill  finally whizzing by her ear to take it’s place in her hand as she got within feet of the selwyn. “always happy to help a fan, especially one like you, persephone.”

[eleonora-charles]

Eleonora walked over to the table, crossing her arms with a sigh. “If you’re not going to order anything then you’re loitering. And as the sign says, there’s no loitering allowed.” 

[curseburdened]

“I was looking over the menu, it’s my first time here, oh so sorry if that’s inconvenient to you.” the witch replied, rolling her eyes as they turned toward the other. “If it’s so bothersome, I’ll take my business elsewhere.”

[curseburdened]

@solemnlyiswear​ reacted for a random starter

“Didn’t Mummy ever tell you it was rude to eavesdrop?” 

[curseburdened]

@acciopericulum​ reacted for a starter 

 “ I thought we’d be all right, you know, after you’d figured that out. ”