starry eyed

all hail the queen of heck you have stardust in your veins, darling that’s why, sometimes, it hurts  to breathe

[shewolfie]

      a fugitive well and truly, corin was ducking through streets, in and out of back alleys, all while pulling her hood close. the world was searching for her... yet as far as she was aware, they still hadn't a name nor any photograph to identify her by. being a "muggle" in a foreign world of magic to which she scarcely felt she belonged had never been easy, it was a trial by fire in the beginning but it appeared, at long last, as though the obscurity of her existence was coming to finally be useful. with only descriptions of "the wolf" to go by, it afforded corin more time to explore her options. and with what she'd learnt from the crime scene photographer, the she-wolf had far more to go off of than before. in rounding an alley corner at breakneck pace, not wanting to be spotted, corin goes hurtling into another's body, ❛   fuck! ❜ she yelps, keen reflexes keeping her from hitting the ground and whilst she desperately wants to run, anxious of the attention their collision might have brought, the brunette is quick in ignoring her better judgement in order to offer the head of dark curls a helping hand, ❛   i didn't break you, did i? ❜ lighthearted, breathless words are said, perhaps, in poor taste... but after almost killing several civilians just nights beforehand, it's safe to say that corin was more than a little wary of the damage she could inflict. even when the form she took on was that of a mere human.

closed starter for marlene mckinnon / @marlsxene

[marlsxene]

It felt heavy. Weighed underneath emotions fighting to express themselves underneath her typically masked smile, internally Marlene didn't know if she wanted to scream or cry. Tired of feeling helpless to do anything but watch people around her get hurt, she'd been searching for distractions from her own mind before it unraveled. Gathering general things she needed along with a bottle of fire whiskey to convince Sirius or Peter into chaos later, the witch had been on her way home until someone had bumped into her unexpectedly. While Marlene's typical reaction skills both from ballet and quidditch had left her nibble, her heels betrayed her on the cobbled path with the impact sending her falling hard down on her arse with the bottle rolling out her hand and smashing at her side.

"Fucks sake-" The witch cursed with a wince and scrunched nose. Bruised ego, arse and a cut hand; perfect. That was until the voice pulled her out of her thoughts, about to curse at them until the words caught her off guard. "Break me?" The witch questioned with a quirk of an eye brow as she looked up at the other that had caused her fall. Interesting choice of words, she noted before shaking it off with little to no thought as she assured: "I'm not porcelain don't worry. Believe me it takes alot more than a fall to 'break me'. Nothing broken but my echo and whiskey- damn it.." Marlene muttered as she held her hand up to help the bleeding as she pushed herself up off he ground with a wince. "Careful of the glass- hurts like a bitch." Marlene paused, moving to get her wand from her thigh with her spare had, uttering a soft spell under her lips and watching the glass turn to dust.

[roaringlilyevans]

Lily groaned from her place on Marlene’s bed, making a face at her best friend. “This is why I avoid coming over, you know,” she replied lightheartedly, knowing that Marls would know she was joking. It probably was good for them to get out and have some fun, but Lily had been uninterested in doing just that, considering how south things had gone the last time they were all out. At least there was no Ministry-sanctioned event tonight — that seemed to be the kiss of death these days. She begrudgingly took the dress Marlene handed her and stood up, starting to strip off her work robes and put the dress on instead. Looking in the mirror, Lily frowned. “You might have a point about the frown lines.”

Lily scoffed. “I don’t much mind the thought of being a lonely spinster with nothing but cats for company — especially if you’re one with me, how could I ever get lonely?” The thought of juggling a dating relationship with everything else that was going on in the world just sounded exhausting. She’d had a couple of romances during her Hogwarts days, but Lily had never found anyone that really made her heart skip a beat in the way she idealized. Well, maybe there was someone out there who could evoke that response in her, but she wasn’t anywhere near ready to admit it. “I think I can handle my love life on my own, thank you.” There was a hint of teasing sass in her voice, but she did mean it. The last thing she wanted was her friends trying to match make for her. “So where are you dragging me tonight?”

[marlsxene]

"Oh please- you couldn't stay away even if you wanted. You're far too fond of me for that." The witch chimed with a smirk on her face. Knowing the same could be said for her with the tab;es turned. Whether Lily liked it or not, she was stuck with Marlene for life till 'death do them part' as Mar would frequently say. "While as delightful as your company is darling - and know I say this with love -; but you just might need to get fucked more than I do." Marlene spoke, pausing momentarily to add. "And that's saying something.

"No truly, as lovely as it would be to grow old with you Lil in a spinster commune, if someone isn't grabbing my ass as the ship sinks it would be such a waste. Especially in this dress." Marlene mused with a smile as she admired herself in. "I know I know-.. Sue a girl for trying. But still you didn't answer my question. Anyone on the horizon I should know about?" The witch queried with a quirk of her eye brow at her best friend in the reflection before she carefully started to apply her red lipstick, as if she were skillfully painting one of her canvases. "Well eternal has a drinks offer on, plus they have cute bartenders, which is always a plus. Thought we could hit that first then go bother the lads at Leaky? What do you think?"

[ofcarrowisms]

Where: Diagon Alley, around 7pm

When: 23rd April 1986

Who: Alexandra and Marlene ( @marlsxene )

Alexandra liked when things were hectic. When it was hectic, and when she was busy, she could almost forget all the tragedy that was going on in her life. Of course she could never truly forget. Her entire adult life had been shaped by that night when she'd walked to find her home surrounded by aurors. She supposed her childhood had too. She'd been 15, still a child, when her father had been murdered. Alezandra had had to grow up fast, and it had forever changed her.

Things had been pretty hectic since the solstice. She normally would not have cared, but the alleys were still full of law enforcement. She disliked that, and the sooner they were gone the better. It wasn't as if they could do their jobs properly anyway.

The brunette was walking down Diagon Alley, ready to get home and find herself a large glass of wine. She rolled her eyes as she stepped around a large group that were blocking the path, and in doing so, she stepped into the path of Marlene McKinnon. Most people would have apologised, but Andra was not most people.

"If only people had some spatial awareness to realise when they were blocking the path"

[marlsxene]

Wondering through the streets of Diagon Alley felt like it had an almost unease to it now after the events that had transpired. It wasn't as easy as it once had been to disassociate from the pain when there was still blood stained lingering in the gobbled streets that hall marked terror. Still, she clung to the bunch of red tulips in her arms and bag of broom wax and paints in the tote bag on her shoulder and she dodged through the crowds on her way home. Normal some would say, if it weren't for the cold hue in the air.

That was until her path got obstructed by a witch. Familiar, though she couldn't place her, Marlene could have sworn she'd seen her lingering with Pure-Blood types like Black, Malfoy and Bulstrode. "My words exactly-" The witch mused, a small frown pulling onto the edge of her features as she looked up at the witch, clearly displeased having been cut off by her. "Most would say, excuse me or even apologize when cutting someone off, if only they had the spacial awareness to realize when they're being rude."

[claudettetremblay]

When: April

Where: Gladrags Wizardwear

Who: Claudette + Open

After the way spring solstice unfolded, Claudette had taken herself off to France for a couple of weeks to destress. Something which seemed like a good idea at the start; enjoying glasses of wine in the evening sun, chatting with her friends from home and eating food that she couldn’t get in England. The reality was quiet different. As excited as she had been to see her siblings - or some of them anyway she seemed to have forgotten she would have to see her parents too. While her mother had warmed after Claudette gave in and married Alexander, Claude still couldn’t forgive her for it. She disliked her more than ever before, especially because all she ever did was remind her of how small and powerless she could be. Because of the necessary time spent with her mother, Claudette’s mood wasn’t improved all that much when she returned.

Still, when almost ran into someone as she was walking into the shop she smiled politely and apologetically. “Oh I’m sorry, I just needed to hurry out of that rain.”

[marlsxene]

"Claudette-" Marlene mused as she stepped back to see who she'd collided with. If anyone were to understand the fall out of the solstice it was her. But of course, Marlene couldn't have even begun to imagine the situation that Claudette had been put into. It was one thing being framed for using an imperious curse, it was a whole different situation being framed for the murder of Amelia Bones. Marlene knew the glances that she got weren't at all pleasant on the best of times, the cursed woman with the kiss of death to Booker Bagnold and cursed Rosaline Davis? She was used to being spoken of. However Marlene couldn't even begin to imagine on the scale that Claudette had been over the past few years.

She'd wanted to stay in touch more, to offer help a friendly hand when she imagined all she'd been receiving were punches. Especially as her cousin's best friend, it felt like she had an obligation all most to check in on her for Gabriel. Still, there was no better time to make up for missed moments and regrets than the present. "How have you been? I'm sorry- I've been meaning to send you an Owl life has just been- well, life. But I hear a congradulations is in order since I last saw you? So how is married life?"

[letoiledechue]

The bike was an excellent way of keeping him distracted, with the day’s work having been more of an excuse to do something with his hands than anything else. “I would call it a tune-up”  He chuckled before tossing a glance in her direction. “But I replaced the wheels so that’s a little much compared to my usual.” A clear giveaway to feeling a little stressed out if he was being honest, but the bike had always counted as a safe alternative to cope with his thoughts.

“Not much for today, alarmingly,” He admitted and shook his head, not bothering to disguise the smirk that wanted to make its way over his lips. “It’s going to need a test run now that the wheels got switched and you arrived just in time. Down to double checking fluid levels and adjusting the seat, then we can go if you’re up to it?”

[marlsxene]

From what he was describing it was more than a tune up, far more. Marlene knew better than to ask how he was, because she could only imagine it was similar to how she felt. Aggravated that it happened, worried for Remus, the agitated need to act but with so little information being helpless to do so. So here they were, working on bikes, smoking pretending that everything was fine and that they hadn't just lived through another shitshow.

"And here I thought I was going to have to chain us together to get you to take me, guess I'll just have to save it for another wix in need." The witch smirked before shrugged lightly as she took another drag of her cigarette. "Have you forgotten who you're talking to Black? Just move your arse and hurry up will you. We have places to go, chaos to cause, stars to catch." The witch hummed as she hopped off the bench and shrugged on her leather jacket. "Where to first hmm?"

[pottyprongs]

James was exhausted. Between work with the Ministry and his work for the Order, he was running on very little fumes these days. With more attacks and terror throughout the community, he was being pulled at from all sides to be at is best. And despite how tired he might have been, James always rallied and showed up with all he had to give. So despite a very long day at work, he now came into the Order Headquarters, getting ready to do his shift watching over the place for the night.

"Hey," he greeted with a smile, as he walked into the room Marlene was in. "Go ahead," he nodded as he sat down, waiting to here what she wanted to know. "Something like what?" he asked curiously. It wasn't that he necessarily disagreed, just that a lot felt out of place these days. "Nothing all that useful," he sighed, shaking his head. "They're trying to get us to prove it was just an accidental werewolf attack, someone who wasn't careful enough and too close to town when they turned."

[marlsxene]

"It just doesn't make any sense-" Marlene frowned, brows furrowed as she set the pen down to flick through the clipping scattered in front of her. Clippings from the Daily, Quibbler, past and present all referring to werewolf attacks. Piecing together language from past attacks and present, every one had similar aspects but this one wasn't as clear cut as the others had been. "Just think about it- if you were a werewolf, you knew what was coming, if you couldn't afford to take wolfsbane, you'd make sure you were further out of town." "The attacks were-... frantic. It's like it was angry some how- it was out of control." The witch mused as her eyes flickered over the moving photographs from the Prophet before frowning and turning it over with a puff of her cheeks. "No one saw it come into Diagon Alley, if they had the alarms would have been sound. It's like it came up from underneath, like it come out of thin air-" The witch mused as she rested her head in her hands. "Where was the first place it attacked- Outside of Grave Affair right? Then it just- vanished.. and we didn't see it again until where?" Marlene asked with a quirked eye brow, trying to find the news paper clipping with the answer. "It's almost like there had to be some kind of underground network that it used to come up from if no one saw it coming in-

[unravellingannabeth]

Who: @marlsxene

Where: Annabeth's Flat

Annabeth had written to her future sister in law asking her to come over to spend some time together. She had stopped at the shops after work and picked up several sweets and different snacks for them to try before returning home. Dougal was out for the night and Annabeth desperately needed some time to just relax with her friend without being out in the crowded streets. She much preferred to spend her time at home.

Willow followed along after Annabeth as she went through the house gathering everything they might need to pass the time. The dog was a calming presence that Annabeth appreciated. When she heard a knock on the door they made their way back through the house to open it. "Hey Marlene! Are you ready for a night of fun and relaxation? Willow was missing her auntie. You'll have to give her pets half the night to make her happy." Annabeth ushered the other girl inside before closing the door. "Your brother is out for the evening so we have the place to ourselves."

[marlsxene]

"You're telling me I have my favourite soon to be sister in law all to myself for a whole evening?" Marlene fawned a fake gasp before a warm smile pulling onto the edge of her lips, only to then step forward and wrap the other girl in an embrace. "Dougal needs to learn he can't leave you alone with me because I will steal you until the end of time. And that is a promise I intend to keep." Marlene could barely remember a time without Annabeth. She'd been apart of their lives for so long that it felt like they were never apart to begin with. A significant, key piece to their family, Annabeth belonged even before Dougal and her started dating. She was her sister long before and would remain so until the end. "Do you even need to ask?" Marlene laughed lightly as she paused picking the dog up as she made her way inside. "So what do you have planned for our relaxing evening? Do I need to sit down to prepare myself?"

[starryeyxdmckinnon]

Oh, look at her, she got the power, so don’t fuck with my freedom, I came up to get me some, I’m nasty I’m evil

I do my makeup in somebody else’s car, we order different drinks at the same bars. I know about what you did and I wanna scream the truth, she thinks you love the beach, you’re such a damn liar. Those great whites, they have big teeth; hope they bite you thought you said that you would always be in love but you’re not in love no more. Did it frighten you how we kissed when we danced on the light up floor? On the light up floor. But I hear sounds in my mind, brand new sounds in my mind, but honey I’ll be seein’ you ‘ever I go, but honey I’ll be seein’ you down every road…I’m waiting for it, that green light, I want it’. Cause honey I’ll come get my things, but I can’t let go, I’m waiting for it, that green light, I want it. Oh, I wish I could get my things and just let go. I’m waiting for it, that green light, I want it. Sometimes I wake up in a different bedroom, I whisper things, the city sings 'em back to you

✯ MARLENE MIONETTE MCKINNON -18th April 1960 ✯

[larkin-mulciber]

who: open when: the day after the attack where: Flourish and Blotts

When he'd come into the bookshop, he was certainly not expecting to hear that. "Congratulations, you're broken the record for the stupidest thing ever uttered in this building."

[marlsxene]

Marlene rolled her eyes at the comment. About to throw a sarcastic comment at the other, the witch paused for a moment to see who the unwelcome commentary was from until her eyes landed on him. Features sharpening, her lips pursed as her fist tightened. "Congratulations, you've broken the record of being the most unwelcome person in existence. Why don't you crawl back into your cave heathen, instead of listening to conversations you're clearly not privy to. That is before I make you. And I'd rather not ruin my manicure today; but for you I'll happily make an exception."

[lestrangerthings]

Rodolphus & Open The White Wyvern - April 2, 1986

Bored didn't begin to sum up how Rodolphus was feeling. Work had insisted on his taking time off to recuperate, and he had more time on his hands than he was used to. After all, work practically consumed his time. A dedicated work ethic and simply thriving on focusing on anything but himself kept him happy to take on extra assignments.

Being at a standstill, however, left him willingly visiting the bar. His hair was conveniently at a length of being styled to cover the majority of the scar on the right side of his face, met with the frustration of shifting his head ever so slightly causing the whole mark to become visible. He wasn't overly vain, but there was still a level of self-consciousness that accompanied knowing there was a particularly nasty-looking scratch along his cheek and chin.

"If I wanted company, I would have invited you." He grimaced when the stool beside him was claimed, not ready to make small talk.

[marlsxene]

Marlene was searching for a change of pace. Eyes, curious eyes, followed anyone that dared venture down diagon alley. But under the cloak of night fall with time to spare, it was knockturn alley that despite it's unwelcoming inhabitants made her feel comfort in its anonymity. Besides, she might finally find pieces of the puzzle she was trying to grasp.

Taking a pew waiting for the bartender, the witch was about to order a drink when the unwelcoming voice spoke to her. A frown pulling onto her lips, Marlene quirked a brow of 'seriously' at him as she crossed her arms in front of herself and rested them on the bar. Her leather jacket crinkling as she did so. "With a such joyful attitude, i'm sure it's difficult for anyone to resist wanting to spend time in your company. But lucky for me, I didn't hear myself asking did you?" She spoke, pausing before adding. "A seat is a seat. I was planning to leave, but considering how welcoming your reception is I just might have to settle in for the night. Is everyone here as charming as you or am I just lucky?" Marlene spoke words laced heavily with sarcasm as she flagged down the bartender.

[rosalinedavis]

Location: Knockturn Alley Date: March 28, 1986, Afternoon Open Starter

Rosaline was quite certain that her mother would throw a fit if she knew that she had left her flat to go to Knockturn Alley, to the place where it had all happened. She had been released from St. Mungo's with strict instructions to return immediately should she feel ill or develop any signs of infection. The healers kept saying that she was lucky that it had only scratched her arm, and she supposed that compared to Valeria and Rodolphus she was lucky. Val's face was probably ruined forever. If she had been scratched on the face...would Harrison still be with her? And would...would it have been the worst thing in the world? It felt incredibly insensitive to have those thoughts considering it all, but she couldn't stop herself.

Standing in the exact spot that she had been standing in when she was attacked, she stared down at the ground. They hadn't managed to clean the blood up completely yet, and it made her stomach churn seeing it. That was her blood. Hers. Mixed with Andressa and Val's, she was shocked that they didn't have this part of the street blocked off. Had they been in the direct aftermath? She could ask Harrison, she supposed, but she had no idea how he would react to her being there. Rosaline didn't know what she was hoping to find here, but she found herself somehow feeling worse than she had before she got there.

A shuffling noise behind her startled her, and she nearly screamed, barely managing to hold it back as she whipped around. "I--I'm sorry, you startled me."

[marlsxene]

Marlene had been useless when it had come to the equinox. Wallowing in her own emotions, too captivated by words to fully comprehend the situation she'd been frozen. Useless to help others and stuck to the shadows. She felt now the least she could do was try to help clear up the aftermath. Wand gracefully held in her grasp, she'd been casting soft spells under her breath slotting loose pieces of glass and shops back in to place. Repair the broken, even if she knew nothing would be able to repair the wounds bound to that night.

She'd been casting another spell with her back facing the other when the voice startled her. Familiar, it sounded- scared almost. As she turned her head to look at Rosaline, a small frown pulled onto the edge of her features. Not from displeasure, more sorrow and regret. There was alot she felt she needed to say to the witch, with the heaviness resting on her chest. But now wasn't the time. "Rosaline-" Marlene uttered as she carefully put her wand back away at her thigh. Hoping it would be of some assurance to her, the last thing she imagined she'd want was standing with Marlene wand in hand again. "I'm sorry for what happened to you-.. are you- are you sure you should be out so soon? The medi-winx gave it the clear I hope?"

[surprisebitch]

[marlsxene]

Who: @arthurweaslcys Where: Muggle curiosity shop

Marlene needed a break. Something fun. Something different. And when she thought of different, well one of the people that always came to mind was one Arthur Weasley. A fellow Order member, it was no surprise to Marlene when she'd suggested to him they went to the shop he'd bubbled with enthusiasm. And truthfully, maybe an afternoon just listening to him talk and speculate over muggle objects as baffling as they came could be a distraction that they both needed. She could only assume with the beautiful family he had, the worry he felt would have been ten fold.

Running her hands over the lava lamp wall, the witch's eyes glowed in the reflection of the light as the bubbles floated in different colours. But before she could ask a muggle object related question, she couldn't help but let slip the quite words: "Do you think they know something's coming? The muggles I mean.."

[marlsxene]

Who: @roaringlilyevans Where: Marlene's apartment

"We- are going out. And no I will not stand for your objections or anything of it-" Marlene spoke adamantly as she pointed at Lily grabbing something from her closet and handing it to her friend before pulling another dress for herself. "We'll both end up with permanent frown lines from worry if we don't have some kind of break." Marlene knew Lily. Knew that her best friend would have been just as she was, trying to find some kind of answer for everything that had happened. To Marlene it felt all consuming. Forgetting to breathe from the over whelming notion of actively doing something than idealing wasting time waiting for someone to do something.

"Besides that, we need to get you a date before the whole world burns into fire around us and we end as lonely spinsters with cats for company." The witch spoke sarcastically with a light smirk on her face. While granted it was true, with the state of the world a love life was far from a priority. Yet still wasn't it life that they were all wanting to protect? "So-.. anyone you have your eye on? Or do I need to pull out my very highly qualified wing woman status once more? Just ask, Sirius he can verify."

[marlsxene]

Who: @pottyprongs Where: Order head quarters

Assigned watch with James over the head quarters for the night, Marlene couldn't help but shake that something didn't seem right from everything that happened. If Marlene had learnt anything from the last three years it was that everything had a catch. A piece of a puzzle that never truly fit in the place where they wanted it to and now was no different. Sat at the table at the back flicking the pen between her fingers as she looked over at the newspaper clippings she'd gathered a frown pulled onto the edge of her features. That was until James came in and she raised her head to meet him. "Hey-.. can I ask you something? I can't get out or my head the feeling that there has to be something else to this.. something that we're missing. Has the ministry found anything yet?"

[nancyxrichmond]

Visitors at Peter’s work were always welcome. Especially when it was in the form of Marlene McKinnon, one of his closest friends.  Their conversation at the Spring Festival had been interrupted by one of their friends, drunkenly pulling the pair to dance to the harmonious melodies of street-performers hired for the festival.  But since that night, Peter had been seeking to have a conversation with Marlene.  To give her a little reassurance. 

Slinging a towel over his shoulder, Peter rolled her eyes as Marlene poured herself a shot. “Aye- but you didn’t think to pour that bartender one did you? Some of us have had to work an exhausting shift.” Peter tutted, clicking his tongue as he approached the bar. “I didn’t take you to be inconsiderate of my feelings, Lennie.”  Teasingly using a nickname which he had never called her, just to be a wind-up merchant.  “That sounds like a good bargain- Pete is a fan of the Whisbourne Wasps - questionable taste but at least it’ll be easy to get the tickets.” 

[marlsxene]

"Well if you come here and open up ill pour you one-" The switch spoke a smirk on her face as she quirked an eye brow and raised the fire whiskey in hand for him. That was until she grimaced at the name with a scrunched nose in disapproval. "Lennie- what am I an 80 year old man? Try again Petti." She mused, hopping up and sitting on top of the bar. Pouring a bit of fire whiskey into mouth before setting it back down and wiping the edge of her red lips to catch a drip that fell. "Petti and Lennie, sounds like one of those terrible muggle murder mystery duos; we could solve crimes. What would our first investigation be um?"

[marlsxene]

Where: Rental storage unit Who: @letoiledechue

The stench of oil hit her nose the second she entered the place. At first petrol, mechanics and well - everything - that had come with Sirius working on the bike had made her nose scrunch. Now? It was so familiar it was almost comforting. It just smelt like him now. "Don't tell me you've broken it again-" The witch hummed, as she hopped onto the work bench, crossed her legs as she watched with a quirked eye brow and amused grin. "Which tree did you fly into this time?" Marlene accused with a teasing smirk dancing on her face as she lit a muggle cigarette with a snap of her fingers. Pausing to take a drag, she tilted her head ever so slightly away from him as she blew the curls of smoke from her red lips. It was no surprise to find him here really, it seemed they were all trying to find comfort ever since the spring equinox. Something familiar to keep minds from wondering to places they shouldn't. While she would play it off as wanting to check up on him, really that day the distraction she really wanted was just her friend's company. The familiarity of him and the stupidity of the jokes he could make was all she really needed. "So- what's it going to take for you to finally give me a ride of this thing?"