E X I T I U M

selwyn d'alessi • prime • magistrate official

[selwyndalessi]

CLOSED STARTER FOR: @emilianopavone​

LOCATION: emiliano’s home

Hesitation had never been a weakness she could afford. Because hesitation meant time — time and opportunity for doubts and fears to slip through the cracks of her armor, the same one that kept the nightmares at bay and prevented her fist from swinging into mirrors at the sight of the eyes that stared back at her every morning. 

Yet as she stood on Emiliano Pavone’s doorstep at a time too late for propriety, her hand paused at the doorbell for a single heartbeat. Not even a second in time, but enough for Selwyn to question what exactly she was doing there, why she had decided to accept his invitation. Nothing good could come out of this, not really. Something beautiful and destructive, perhaps. But a terrible kind of beauty. 

And maybe it was what she wanted. 

Maybe it was what she deserved. Because even as Selwyn knew it wasn’t completely her fault that Teddy had gotten shot and Dom injured in the fight at Voodoo, there would still be a part of her that felt responsible. She had been the one in charge of Teddy. She had been the one fighting side by side with Dom. As she pressed the bell and heard it echo from within the house, Selwyn couldn’t help but hear the toll of church bells instead, a ring as she sought to seek penance. 

[acecroft]

NIKITA | 3x06 Sideswipe

[dvoyd]

we’re all killers. we’ve all killed parts of ourselves to survive. we’ve all got blood on our hands. something somewhere had to die so we could stay alive.

if memories could bleed, if dreams could scream | m.a.w (via dvoyd)

[selwyndalessi]

closed starter for @parasympathic​

Really, frustrated didn’t even begin to cover how she felt in that moment, walking through the halls of Sacred Hope hospital after she’d received Theodore Clairmont’s telepathic message. The situation had been quickly understood. Though really, it hadn’t. Did Teddy and Balian think they were stuck in some kind of soap opera? Why hadn’t they both just dodged the bullet? Was Teddy pushing Balian out of the way but staying in the line of fire really necessary? 

But ultimately, it didn’t matter, because the agent under her supervision was bleeding out in a car reportedly not heading to the hospital. 

Outside the morgue, Selwyn took a breath, the only indication of the stress she felt underneath, while her expression remained placid. Montgomery was likely the best choice for aid, due to his medical knowledge, and well, specific skill set. Because there was still a chance that Teddy would not be breathing when they got to Balian’s house, and Monty would be the most helpful in that instance, too. 

She knew that the situation likely called for more urgency, but she knocked on the door anyway, a humorless smile playing on her lips.

@baliansafavi​

[selwyndalessi]

text → Emiliano Pavone

Emil: The Macallan was memorable. Seemed best enjoyed with the right company, so I’ve set it aside for now.

Emil: Interested in another glass?

Selwyn: Where?

[selwyndalessi]

dom-dupont​:

The fact that Dom heard the news about Teddy fucking getting shot from whispers that filtered down the Endine gossip chain only made his anger burn all the more brightly. He did not spare a moment to even think - because that way lay worry, regret, and all the unspoken, conflicting feelings he had regarding his self-proclaimed ‘best friend.’ He simply pulled aside the Endine member who dared spread rumours right within his earshot and demanded tersely that he tell him everything he knew. 

Which had been disappointingly, Dom’s expression soured even more as he attempted to recall his  fumbling words, painfully nothing. 

The reason by which he ended up in Voodoo, nursing a drink and the beginnings of a headache, his scowl enough to send potential interlopers fleeing at the very sight of it. His frustration at being kept out of the loop regarding Teddy’s condition was only compounded by the fact that he stubbornly refused to call the damn fool and ask for an update, a scrap of information, anything. The only other people he could ask were Selwyn and/or Balian, and goddamit why did he have such complicated relationships with all these Magistrate lackeys it was like they were all out to get him.

Dom, on a good day, would never be described as calm, but his usually short fuse was already fraying at its ends by his third drink. So when he overheard that walking deadman actually brag to his guffawing audience of neanderthals that he’d successfully gotten away with shooting a damn Wolf like he deserves - Dom couldn’t be held responsible for the way he violently pulled his chair out from underneath him, his painful smack of his ass against the floor of Voodoo not satisfying enough. 

“What the fuck did you say?” He snarled, stalking across the room.

✧

The laughter abruptly stopped. The only warning was a low growl as the criminal shot up, glaring at younger man, who he assumed to be the same one that had pulled the chair out from under him. His friends stared at the scene in puzzlement, though there was the undeniable clenching of jaws that signaled they were gearing up for a fight. 

“I said, he deserved it,” the criminal spat, matching Dom’s tone with one of equal malice. He turned to his friends. “What is it with this town and these pretty boys thinking they can play at the adult table?” He reached under his jacket, and the cold glint of metal shone even in the dim lighting of the bar.

Well, shit. 

It was rare for Selwyn to use profanity, though this situation seemed to more than warrant it, as she watched the perpetrator and his friends squaring up against Dom through the mind of an onlooker. Dom, because of course it would be Dominic Dupont who would ruin her plans of keeping the entire encounter away from the public with his quick temper. She abandoned her post altogether, rushing inside the bar and snatching the first piece of silverware she found, throwing it with stunning accuracy to knock the knife out of the hand of the perpetrator. A knife that he had every intention of brandishing against Dom. 

The clink of metal against metal marked the eruption of chaos, the criminal and his friends springing into action all at once, synchronized from their years fighting together, while the other patrons of the bar scrambled outside as Selwyn sent out an illusion to everyone except the involved parties and the bartender — the sound of a fire alarm. She wove against the tide of the crowd, ending up at Dom’s side. “My childhood nickname for you proves to hold even against the test of time,” she leveled, “Dom Dom.” 

@emilianopavone​

[magicwithcolors]

[selwyndalessi]

ft. @baliansafavi & @theodoreclairmont

[selwyndalessi]

selwyn d'alessi • prime • magistrate official

secrets ♡ arcana ♡ tea ♡ hh

[selwyndalessi]

blacklxtus​:

Ironically enough, his first thought was that his tie’s going to be all kinds of messed up now; he even let out a low growl at the thought, being well aware that it could be mistaken for something else, like maybe him enjoying the situation? Raphael wasn’t sure if that was necessarily a thing he wanted to happen - but not getting drop kicked immediately caught him a bit off guard, maybe even a bit more than he’d like to admit. 

Ironically enough, he didn’t really mind that kiss happening; he didn’t hesitate to return it either, at the same time pulling the woman closer to himself, fingers digging into her waist probably over the same place he did that earlier. If he was lucky, she’d have a reminder of their unfortunate meeting today even a few days later; not like he wanted her to remember that, or that he wanted to remember it himself, already knowing that he’ll wash his mouth and mind out with vodka at the first suitable occasion, but… Even considering all that, it wasn’t the absolutely worst kiss he had. A solid 4/10, maybe.

For second he even forgot about the little girl, who unfortunately had to remind him of her presence with the wildest of screeches; a suffering animal could’ve made that sound as well, he thought to himself, before actually remembering what was happening. Maybe taking a sip out of that wine earlier was a mistake? Wouldn’t be the first one he made this day…. And with this thought he pulled away finally, curiously arching a brow at his companion, unaware of the absentminded motion of him licking his lips. That certainly was… interesting. “So… Did we get rid of the little hellspawn? All that screaming was giving me a headache.”

Selwyn rarely lost herself in anything. Maybe it was the nature of her Gifts, or maybe it had simply been ingrained in her from her earliest childhood memories — her mother’s serpentine eyes watching every step she took, measuring. And never quite satisfied. It was why, even as he kissed her, she was already planning her next steps, already calculating the efficacy of their encounter. Because without reason, all would be lost. She would be lost. 

When he pulled away, she merely smiled, green eyes burning with what could be mistaken as desire driven by lust, but when studied more carefully, resembled another emotion altogether. 

But it wasn’t an opportunity she allowed, because in the next moment, she swiftly stepped forward, extending her leg to act as a fulcrum, grabbing his sleeve and forcing it in the direction of her bent knee. At the same time, her other hand, which had still been resting on the knot of his tie, grasped his entire collar and pulled it upwards. 

And down went Sir Dumbo, rotating over her bent knee and landing on the ground with satisfying flop. It was a Judo move, done in less than half a second, as elegant as it was efficient, and thus one of her favorites. 

Selwyn stared down at him, her expression inscrutable. “Yes,” she answered his earlier question. “Both hellspawns, actually.” 

And then she turned and walked away, happy to have at least accomplished something during the Solstice celebration, even if it came in the form of petty revenge. Because really, it was still just as sweet. 

[selwyndalessi]

maximilian-tirmizi​:

Glad to hear his name voiced to him, Max continued smiling. They hadn’t talked, but the fact that she had taken the time to recall his name - though he figured it was for the same reasons as he remembered the names of others. After all, it was important to remember those who might prove useful at any other time. He had yet to figure out where Selwyn would fit in his ploys, but he would find a good place for her, he would find some way to make her useful. “Glad to hear that,” he said kindly, as if surprised and impressed that he had been enough for her to remember. 

He found in him a rare chuckle, something the regulars of Asphodel would never hear from him, not as genuine as this one however. Because he truly couldn’t imagine himself in a wine aisle where the best wine they had was twenty dollar and give the year and brand, far too over priced. “Oh, I gave up on the first day trying to find anything decent to drink here. I ordered some online, which… was an incredible feet that I never thought I would participate it,” he expressed. “So if you are looking for the finer things, though a frank request, I have four bottles at home.” Was it perhaps too much, Max didn’t care. He didn’t think he was overstepping, he didn’t mean much by it, someone would know if he meant something else by it. 

✧

She knew that she had a tendency to be too suspicious of those around her — evidenced by how close she came to trying to knock out Baz for bringing her cookies in her first few days in town. Sometimes, cookies were just cookies. 

But a move was never just a move, especially when it was a move from British high society to Asphodel, and she couldn’t help but study the man in front of her with her with a keen interest. Tirmizi. It wasn’t a family name that rang a bell, which was revealing in itself. The 1% were a tight knit group, especially in Europe, where families often held connections dating back many centuries. The negative attitude towards new money ensured that few were able to easily enter their ranks. 

Which meant that he had attended the events through marriage or trickery. Or both. 

Selwyn merely raised a brow at his offer. She wasn’t one to go out of her way for fine wine, but she was one to thoroughly investigate unknown variables. “I may have to take one off your generous hands,” she replied, “but wine is best enjoyed in company.” 

A grin as she echoed his words, “Though a frank request.”

[gilmoresgifs]

[selwyndalessi]

ft. @nitasamsaradavid

[inkhcart]

“when you can barely bear the weight of yourself, you must wonder; how does the earth not crumble beneath our feet? and how does Atlas bear it? does he still feel the ache? or has he simply become it?”

— (x)

[selwyndalessi]

closed starter for @dom-dupont​

Selwyn d’Alessi didn’t often get angry. Or even frustrated. And surprised? Even rarer. 

Yet, she felt the beginnings of her temper unravel as she stalked along the streets of Asphodel, her mind flipping through the thoughts of the residents inside its buildings. It wasn’t very often that she used her gifts for tracking — telepathy was her secondary gift, after all, and it simply took much too energy when technology could do as good of a job. 

But this was different. Different, because Teddy had been shot, with no eyewitnesses nor street cameras nearby. The only image they had to go off of was the brief glance at the perpetrator that he had gotten, which he had given to her telepathically. She knew it was no different than searching for a needle in a haystack, trying to match his memory with a face seen by the minds around her, but she had to at least try. Because despite her general annoyance with all things Theodore Clairmont, he was an agent under her supervision, and she looked after her own. 

It was outside the Voodoo that the face registered — a man in his 30s, with dark hair and blue eyes. He was good at keeping a low profile, wearing plain clothes and drinking the beer on tap, very much the quintessential small town resident. He was only noticed by the bartender’s mind, and only taken at a professional interest. But it was the same face that had aimed a gun at two Magistrate agents, and Selwyn was all too happy to wait outside in the alley adjacent to the bar, hearing the man’s intent to meet his friends at that location. 

[selwyndalessi]

nitasamsaradavid​:

Nita could recognize a name worth remembering, and she suspected that if things really did get messy again, she’d find herself talking to Selwyn, not Teddy. It was a threat she put on the table without hesitation, one that Nita didn’t bat an eye at but certainly didn’t ignore either.

So as she sipped her own beer, she listened without interruption, just barely managing to avoid scoffing at the claim that she’d failed to attack Montgomery, as if the black and blues she’d left him with didn’t count as a victory in itself. That would require Selwyn to understand what she wanted from the encounter though, and she made it clear that she didn’t. Like everyone else, she found her presence in this town a contradictory mystery, and Nita intended to keep it that way.

But if she thought she had some advantage over the woman, it was gone in the next minute, a mocking tone resonating in her mind and she instantly went rigid, hand gripped too tight around her bottle. Her expression was pulled tight between visceral rage and fear, something absolutely instinctive and feral at the slightest touch of her mind, and it had her pulling the bottle back the next moment, aiming to throw it directly at the retreating official’s head. 

A hand gripped her wrist in the next moment, the insufferable Italian bastard giving a knowing tilt of his head. “I wouldn’t,” he warned, but had the good sense of self-preservation to release it in the next moment, putting his hands up in some bid for innocence in the entire exchange. In the time it took to reconsider, Selwyn was out the door and Nita was just left staring at it.

A beat later she threw the bottle with full force, letting it shatter against the door. Somewhere behind the bar, a long suffering bartender sighed.

♦

end thread.

[maximilian-tirmizi]

Location:  @selwyndalessi

It was a rare feet for Max to find this many familiar faces in a single unfamiliar place, albeit he had never been the one to graze a town with his presence for more than a few occasions. Asphodel had to deal with him daily, and he probably most disliked the familiarity he was starting to feel towards the town as a whole. At least in the company of the rich and famous, he could sit back and enjoy the idea of others making his breakfast. Now he regularly did his own grocery shopping, and it was hell. Worse than hell. 

At least today there was something to catch his attention instead of having it spiral into the deep pits of boredom. He generated a smile and joined the woman in the wine aisle. He had only bought cheese, bread, and pesto so far. “Selwyn wasn’t it. Selwyn d’Alessi?” He had kept a distance from other Gifted individuals while on his great adventure around the world, but it hadn’t always been possible. So long as others understood his loyalties were to nobody but himself. Houses and Magistrate be damned, all of them would have to earn his loyalty. Possibly the fact that his ability allowed him to solely see the future of a single individual - and only if he knew what to focus on - did help with never wanting to see a bigger picture. 

“It might be that you don’t recognise me, we’ve met a while ago, I would say a good couple of years,” he stated. Though, face like his, how could anyone forget?

[selwyndalessi]

Two months in Asphodel and Selwyn still wasn’t completely acclimated to small town life. Specifically, the grocery shopping and cooking part. She was accustomed to simply buying take out or eating over dinner meetings every night, but weeks of greasy diner food from Lou’s and she decided that maybe it was time to start learning how to boil some pasta. It was why her shopping cart was filled to the brim with a bit of everything — crackers, tomatoes, strawberries, cake icing, and ravioli. Items that seemed promising, but when added together, equated to nothing that resembled a dinner. 

She reluctantly tore her eyes away from the rows of wine bottles (the one thing she actually knew how to buy) when she heard her name being called. 

“Maximilian Tirmizi.” The name came to her easily, courtesy of an upbringing that called for spotless manners. Knowledge of the man that the name belonged to, however, was more of a challenge. Although they had attended some of the same events in England, she didn’t think they had ever engaged in a meaningful conversation. At least, not that she could recall. 

Still, she granted him with one of her practiced smiles, polite but bright enough to be considered friendly. “I remember you,” she replied, “though I never thought we’d meet again in a wine aisle that doesn’t carry the Cheval Blanc.” It was said breezily, displaying none of the curiosity and bit of suspicion beneath. 

[selwyndalessi]

blacklxtus​:

He almost cracked up at that nickname she gave him; this one was genuinely funny ( and a lot better than the ‘motherfucker’ she treated him at their first meeting ), but the last thing he wanted to give her was the satisfaction of actually getting to him - so he only barked out a half-assed laugh that sounded more like a bark than an actual laugh. 

He almost was in the mood to actually bark at the little girl tho; he was close to telling her to stop the bullshit now and just fucking go home, but then again… There was something awfully hilarious in the whole situation and how he felt his oh-so-lovely companion stiffen up under his hand. She probably was caught a lot more off guard by the little girl’s request than Raphael was - although if asked, he’d never elaborate on why it didn’t actually shock him. Not like he was really in the mood to just… kiss strangers, but for a split second, when he looked at the little girl, he felt bad for her. No, not because she was almost crying, because she kind of deserved that for making him suffer like that? But then again, she was like what, six years old? And that cold gaze of his companion’s could’ve easily frozen a grown ass man on the spot, not speaking of a little child. 

“Now you’re just being outright cruel, sweetheart.” Well, if he could choke on his own words, probably that would be the perfect moment for that; instead he just brought her closer, holding her tight enough that she wouldn’t be able to get away without using pure force to do so - and before he could think that through properly, he was already in her personal space, pressing his mouth to hers in a quick, not-so-affectionate kiss, earning a headache-inducing screech from the little girl who most likely wasn’t about to cry anymore. And him? Well, he was prepared for getting fucking drop kicked in the next… maybe seventeen seconds.

She usually wasn’t one to be petty. Or vengeful. 

Patience was a virtue, and in her line of work, often meant the difference between and death (though usually not her life). But she was tired from the endless hours that had been spent attempting to track an invisible menace, cross that her efforts hadn’t yielded anything even close to results, and starting to develop a headache from the high pitched shrieks that were being emitted from the tiny human every couple of minutes. 

It was time to have fun. 

If not fun, then at least, success, because she may have failed at finding the supposed enemy lurking in the shadows, but currently, there was an enemy right in front of her, pressing lips against hers. And she thought that putting him down could surely be just as satisfying. 

So when he started to pull away, she didn’t. Instead, she grabbed his tie and brought him back for another kiss, a proper one this time, passionate — except it was passionate in the same way an engineer was passionate about crossing wires as he crafted his bomb, passionate in the way a lightning bolt meets a hurricane, spilling out her frustrations like a storm. Faintly, she heard the wild screech of the little girl, who ran away to seek her older sister, lugging her new stuffed animal with her. 

[leoxvandoren]

“I’ve gotta say,” Leo glanced around at the bar’s surroundings, keen eyes catching most every movement before returning to Selwyn, “I’m half expecting someone with guns blazing to come bursting through that door any second now.” Trouble seemed to follow her around and despite the shock of seeing her in town, and the irony she didn’t know about surrounding how they met, he couldn’t help his observation. “Please don’t tell me I should’ve broken out the kevlar.” After all, he’d been shot when they first met, though it was partially his fault, even if she didn’t know that.

@selwyndalessi​

[selwyndalessi]

She turned at the sound of the voice, familiar yet barely known, as if she’d heard it before in a dream. Except the figure standing in the dim glow of the bar was not from a dream, but a distant memory — one that seemed at odds with their surroundings, with the sleepy town that was Asphodel and its home-baked goods and friendly neighbors. 

“Simba,” the nickname rolled her tongue easily, betraying none of her surprise. She merely grinned at his statement, shrugging as she studied him. While she hadn’t exactly pegged him as harmless (merely normal civilian), he looked different now. More king of the jungle than his lion cub namesake. Though she supposed anyone would look more predatory when not bleeding out from a magical bullet. 

Her gaze intentionally flickered to the door before returning to meet his. “That can still be arranged. Though I do hope that this time, you would be better at dodging.”