Kimiko couldn’t help but grin a little at Mei’s words. Her sticky hands were often something she kept for herself ( as it made it easier to steal when not many people branded you a thief ), but to share it and get some kind of recognition was pleasing, especially coming from someone like Mei Xing Po. “Thank you. It really is just a hobby at the moment — though I want it to be more, someday.” That was as far as she let herself dream; the idea that she could maybe, one day, fend for herself by exploiting the side of her that was good at all this and lose herself in another underground world — not one of werewolves, but one of criminals. Fuck redemption, fuck self-betterment. All she wanted was to do something that was just for her, nothing more. “He does, though not nearly enough for my liking. I’ve learned most tricks myself.”
“Well, I’m not entirely surprised to hear that.” Mei replied evenly, taking a sea on one of the stools at the bar and motioning for a drink to be brought her way. “Such a hobby requires----how shall we put it---a delicate touch? And your father is known for many things, but subtlety isn’t one of them.” One of her seconds touched her shoulder, leaned down to whisper something, and Mei stood up, smoothing down her outfit. “I’m afraid business calls, Kimiko, but----if you ever find yourself wanting to refine your skills---I’m always in the market for another pair of eyes and ears up in Scotland. I believe we could help one another.” Yes, Mei could help someone like Kimiko Greyback---help free her of Fenrir’s grip and allow her to shine---in exchange for loyalty and service, of course. But she wasn’t a monster like Fenrir; it was purely business.
“Of course you do.” A polite smile graced her lips still — being Fenrir Greyback’s daughter had a lot of downsides, but at least people knew of him. Better than having some nobody for a dad, she figured. ( Not that she knew any other way. ) “But no, I’m not here for him. I was just enjoying my freedom –” Relative freedom. “– and now I’m waiting out the lockdown, too.” Rummaging in her pockets, she pulled out pearly bracelet and a too-sparkly coin purse. “And I’m using the chaos to my benefit. This is my work.”
“Interesting. May I?” She gestured before taking the bracelet in hand, examining it. “You have a good eye, Kimiko Greyback, I’ll give you that. And everyone has to start somewhere.” She made eye contact with one of her subordinate across the room, inclining her head; her earlier meeting could wait a few minutes, until she was done with this surprisingly interesting conversation. “IS this a.... hobby that your father encourages?” How satisfying would it be, she wondered, to steal one of Fenrir Greyback’s wolves out from underneath him?
The lockdown was a nasty thing, but panicked crowds did make things easier for Kimiko and her sticky hands. Besides, chaos wasn’t an unfamiliar thing to her, nor was panic, nor was the threat of war ( she had tried to figure out how she felt about this death, about these changes in the war, and found absolutely nothing in her head besides apathy ). And so her response had been to move through the crowds in wizarding London, hands slipping in and out of pockets and bags.
Even a hardworking teen needed a break, though, and that came in the form of entering the White Wyvern, ordering a drink and letting her eyes travel over her surroundings. The world was filled with opportunity — much more opportunity than Hogwarts offered, at least. And then there was Mei Xing Po, and Kimiko – a bit high on her success of the day – moved over after inhaling her drink, a polite smile ( or her version of one ) on her lips. She respected very little people, but Mei Xing Po was one of them. Kimiko knew she didn’t know all there was to know about the woman, but she knew enough. “We don’t – I had no idea I would be here today, after all. I just —” Her smile widened, then faltered. Kimiko extended her hand and wished she was better at social grace for a moment. “Kimiko Greyback. Great fan of your work.”
A vaguely amused smile lit up Mei’s face, and she took the younger girl’s hand in stride. “Mei Xing Po. I find myself----unfamiliar with your work, I’m afraid. Of course, I know of your... father,” Mei gave that word as little weight as she could; Fenrir Greyback was a necessary evil in some of her dealings, but she would never like the man (if you could call him that)---and if the opportunity presented itself, wouldn’t hesitate to rid the world of him. “Did he send you here for something, Kimiko? Or are you just waiting out the lockdown like everyone else?”
where: the white wyvern
when: january 1, 2024, 3:00pm
who: open
This lockdown was more than a little inconvenient, but never let it be said Mei allowed inconveniences to keep her from her work. And it wasn’t bad for business----as she left the one of the private parlors that adjoined the main bar of the Wyvern, she took note that it was much busier than a typical weekday at 3pm. She didn’t often frequent the public areas of the Wyvern, but the occasional glimpse of her allowed people to remember who was in charge.
She approached the bar when suddenly one of the wixen at her side----a bodyguard in all but name---stepped in front of her. She wasn’t sure if the person they’d blocked from her view had meant to approach her, or had simply had the misfortune to not know any better than to walk in her way, but she waved the guard back anyway, curious. “Did we have an appointment?”
“Fight every battle, everywhere, in your mind. Everyone is your enemy. Everyone is your friend. Every possible series of events is happening all at once.”
JING TIAN? No, that’s actually MEI XING PO. Only TWENTY-EIGHT years old, this DURMSTRANG alumni works as the OWNER OF THE WHITE WYVERN and is sided with THE NEUTRALS. SHE identifies as CIS-FEMALE and is a HALFBLOOD who is known to be RUTHLESS, MANIPULATIVE, and IMMORAL but also CHARMING, CALCULATING, and METICULOUS. { ARIELLE, TWENTY-EIGHT, PST, SHE/HER }
( AT A GLANCE )
mei xing po. twenty-eight. capricorn. durmstrang alum. intj. neutral evil. vice: greed. virtue: diligence. wand: yew, acromantula web, 10 inches, unyielding. a calculated gaze and icy veins. stiff collars, pressed to perfection. sharp edges. gin and tonic. monogrammed handkerchiefs. elegant nonchalance that belies a shrewd mind. quick with a dagger but quicker with a wand.
“Fight every battle, everywhere, in your mind. Everyone is your enemy. Everyone is your friend. Every possible series of events is happening all at once.”
JING TIAN? No, that’s actually MEI XING PO. Only TWENTY-EIGHT years old, this DURMSTRANG alumni works as the OWNER OF THE WHITE WYVERN and is sided with THE NEUTRALS. SHE identifies as CIS-FEMALE and is a HALFBLOOD who is known to be RUTHLESS, MANIPULATIVE, and IMMORAL but also CHARMING, CALCULATING, and METICULOUS. { ARIELLE, TWENTY-EIGHT, PST, SHE/HER }
( AT A GLANCE )
mei xing po. twenty-eight. capricorn. durmstrang alum. intj. neutral evil. vice: greed. virtue: diligence. wand: yew, acromantula web, 10 inches, unyielding. a calculated gaze and icy veins. stiff collars, pressed to perfection. sharp edges. gin and tonic. monogrammed handkerchiefs. elegant nonchalance that belies a shrewd mind. quick with a dagger but quicker with a wand.
I. HISTORY & BACKGROUND
Mei Xing Po was born on January 2nd, 1995, but her story really begins with the rise of her family as one of the premiere criminal organizations in the wizarding world. The Po family has been in the game for so long that few remember a time when they didn’t have their hands in nearly every profitable facet of wizarding Britain, but the Po family remembers their beginnings well. A family that began as poor pick-pockets and common grifters soon grew to more, thanks to the aspirations of one Zhang Min Po. A woman as ambitious and charming as she was clever, Zhang Min built an empire from the ground up through hard work and a shrewd sense of intuition; and from there, the Po criminal dynasty was born, expanding through time and generations until they were an unseen force to be reckoned with in the wizarding world; infamous in all the right circles. And Mei, the firstborn daughter in a family that, in tradition with their founding, trained their women for positions of leadership, was raised with the knowledge that one day, it would be her job to manage the empire; and when such responsibility is inevitable, it’s no surprise that the majority of her childhood built towards the moment when she would assume leadership.
Though the Po family was centered in the UK, Mei was sent to Durmstrang for her education. The purpose was twofold; not only was Durmstrangs curriculum seen as more beneficial to someone who would someday lead a criminal empire, but the anonymity and mystery Mei would benefit from upon her return would keep potential allies (and enemies) from ever knowing too much about her; it’s hard to be run a tight ship when people might remembering your most embarrassing moments as a child. Mei excelled in her classes because her family would allow nothing less; she was raised to be cool, sometimes cruel when the situation called for it, but to always keep a level head. To run an organization that relied so heavily on loyalty, Mei was taught to be everything at once: a savior, a leader, a nightmare. Mei would have to wear many faces, and with so much at stake, there was no room for error.
II. THE FAMILY BUSINESS & CURRENTLY
Every criminal empire needs a front, and the Po family chose real estate for theirs; over time they’ve collected parcels of land in nearly all major wizarding hubs----Diagon and Knockturn Alley, Hogsmeade, even wizarding towns and villages. Some of these locations are r ented out to places that re above board---so long as there’s a profit, a few legitimate businesses keep prying eyes from looking too closely----the others often a front for the many illicit activities the organization dabbles in----smuggling, trading, money laundering, gambling. While they may not have the same notoriety as the Potters or Shacklebolts to the wizarding world at large, those who deal in the shadier parts of society know the Po family is responsible for keeping the wheels of wizarding society’s criminal underbelly greased and moving.
Mei has taken over most of the empire at this point; her mother choosing to unofficially retire to Ibiza; and Mei has chosen the White Wyvern as her base of operations. It’s as sentimental a choice as she could ever make; the White Wyvern was the first property she purchased on her own. And if the Po family gets a cut of any deal that goes down at the tavern? All the better. But the real jewel of the Wyvern---the real moneymaker, the true influence---is what lies beneath. An secret club officially known as the Wyvern’s Nest (the Nest, when amongst those not in the know)----a place where are all welcome and assured safe passage, no matter their beliefs. Mei knows profit is available to her on both sides, and she’s provided intel or weapons to both sides more than once---but at the Nest, deals can be struck, but blood can never be shed; the consequences for breaking this rule are fatal and unforgiving. The Nest is a haven, of sorts----a hotspot for criminals to make deals, or simply enjoy a few hours of guaranteed safety. New members find out about the nest through word of mouth, carefully given----but there’s always a price for admittance, whether it’s gold, contraband, or a favor to the family. The Po family gives away nothing for free.
