They say I did something bad...

While she had normally found herself surrounded by her friends from Hogwarts who had always known the type of person she would become, Bella loved that she could talk about all the gory bits with Dahlia. Though she might not have joined the fight herself, she at least lended an ear for when the witch wanted to rant and rave about her personal success. “Thank you,” She grinned, a true grin for her, as she settled herself into her favorite loveseat. “It’s just so unfortunate he didn’t get to catch my face, know exactly who had done it all to him, but I know if he knew it was me I would’ve been arrested almost immediately.” No one trusted her to begin with but especially not after the Hallow’s eve ball and that innocent arrest. “Jae? I think he’d be the perfect accomplice in torturing some unsuspecting souls,” She nodded, a night causing havoic with Dahlia and Jae seemed like it would be quite an evening, definitely a sign of terror for the rest of the world. “I think he’d enjoy a bit of time with us. Quite evenly matched with us in ruthlessness if you ask me.”

-

“Of course he would enjoy spending time with us. Name two prettier girls who are as ruthless as they are attractive. I would say that you couldn’t. We’re simply irresistible as a team really.” She found the brunette rather irresistible all on her own if Dahlia was honest. She adored nearly everything about Bella though she lacked a touch of the warmth that Dahlia found in Narcissa. It was what made the blonde sister so enrapturing to Dahlia after all. Her own perfect angel. “I’m sure you’re at least on the list of suspects for him if it makes you feel any better my darling. Just enjoy watching him having to live in such a miserable state. At least you have friends who know of your wonderful victory against him.” She had no ill will for the man personally but he was the fool who fought for the wrong side. It couldn’t be helped. “Shall you write to Jae and tell him to meet with us? I hate having to ask for things and you demanding things from others is so beautiful to watch.”

At this point, it had been several days since the fight and people were slowly being released from St. Mungo’s. Since Bastien’s injuries were easy to heal, he’d been released sooner. And of course, back to work he went immediately. He couldn’t let his stint in the hospital affect his number one spot and his chances at becoming his own man. His face lit up as Dahlia came into his vision and he allowed her to drag him away. He always had time to spare for his friends. 

“Oh, you know me too well, I cannot turn down pretty things.” He gestured to one of his co-workers that he’d be leaving and followed her out the door, ready for a break and some fun. Besides, he did so love being pampered, and was never one to say no to it.

“I’m afraid that we share the same weaknesses for pretty things my love.” She sighed as if it was a hardship but in reality she loved to spend her time surrounded by anything that was beautiful. “Tell me how you’ve been. Have you gotten up to any mischief?” She doubted that he had but she still liked to tease him anyway. 

“Where shall we go first? I need some new dresses and you could do with some new outfits as well. There’s this necklace I’ve been eyeing for awhile. It’s a ruby solitaire but it’s quite wonderful to look at. You know red is my color.” She found she could chatter away at him without having to watch her words too often. They could speak of the latest fashions for hours without any pauses. 

—-

If she was honest there were probably people other than Dahlia that Walburga should be spending time with todaay. Whilst she hadn’t exactly minded how her ball had ended, it wasn’t really going to look too good for her reputation. So, she was going to make sure it looked like she was doing good things to help. Such as sending flowers, and generally looking like she was doing a helpful thing. That would be good for her reputation. But Dahlia was a good friend, and she wasnt going to mind talking to her.

“Ahh lovely. Glad to know there’s some of us still around with perfection…” She murmured with a little smile. Walburga thought she knew Dahlia pretty decently, and so she undertood exactly what she had meant by the statement. “Fixing my reputation…..” She mused with a little shrug. “I’m buying some flowers for the poor souls at St. Mungos.” And making herself look better, which was the ulterior motive after all.

-

Dahlia could appreciate the way that Walburga took such care in her reputation. She herself had spent many years cultivating a reputation to be proud of. They were of the same mind and that was something that Dahlia could lean on. Out of all of her friends she truly saw Walburga as an equal someone she could confide in without worry. “Flowers would be a lovely thing to send them. Obviously you aren’t at fault for the horrible things that happened at your lovely party but the thought that you’re putting in for those poor souls in simply wonderful my darling.”

Dahlia would never have thought to do it herself. She was less worried about making amends with people than her friend but she liked that Walburga cared for it. “Shall I come along? I need some new flowers for my parlor anyway.” And perhaps she would send some to a certain blonde.

Bella gave the blonde a small smile as she learned that her desertion of Dahlia didn’t result in the entire evening being ruined, “Good, I’m glad the chaos didn’t hinder any enjoyment for the evening.” She wasn’t surprised, honestly she would’ve been more surprised if Dahlia hadn’t found something or someone to spend her time with, she always seemed like the woman who made opportunities happen. Taking a sip of her wine, she couldn’t help the wide grin that spread across her face, “Oh absolutely.” She gushed, taking a seat in her favorite armchair while gesturing for the vampire to make herself comfortable. “My favorit memory was of the infamous Auror himself, Alastor Moody { @alastxrmoody​ }, losing a leg in a battle with me,” She mused, she was quite proud of herself for that one. Such a big hit at Dumbledore and his Order, definitely the best way to show the Dark Lord how dedicated and powerful she was. As if he even needed the reminder anyway.

-

Dahlia took her usual seat a glass of red wine in her hand as she listened to Bella gush about the fun she had. She enjoyed seeing the girl so happy. She was a fan of destruction. She had glimpsed the auror that Bella spoke of and though she found him a handsome man his morals made her feel slightly ill at the thought of him. Such a waste of talent he would have been such an asset had he chosen the right side. “I am glad you enjoyed yourself my darling dove. You always look so adorable when you’re bloodthirsty. It is truly one of your best qualities.” She could watch Bella fight anyone and feel happy to do so. She was graceful and fierce in a fight. “That man will know for next time to not mess with you.” She took a sip of her wine before sighing. “Do you know Bella that I’ve been rather bored lately? I think we should go on an adventure. What do you think of Jae Mulciber? Would he be any fun to take along with us? We don’t want anyone too messy of course. I just want to torture some unsuspecting souls.”

Jae’s brow went up the minute he saw Dahlia. He didn’t know her well enough to constitute a more excited reaction, but knew her enough that it would be a interesting time to be around her. “You were thinking of me?” He allowed her to take his arm and happily wrapped it around hers. “Thank you, you look beautiful as always. I was just heading to the pub, hadn’t been able to eat properly since work has been busy to say the least,” he knew of Marlene’s situation and knew of a few others who had gotten caught at the ball. Randoms that weren’t actually part of the battle who wanted Jae’s help. “And what were you doing princess? Other than thinking about me.” Jae watched their surroundings on the off chance that Dahlia brought up something that wasn’t good for the general public to hear.

-

Dahlia found that gentlemen were few and far between but from what she saw of Jae she considered him to be a gentleman. She enjoyed speaking with him and watching him in a fight was quite delightful. There was a darkness in him that matched her own. It was why she loved Bella so much. Dark minds always needed the company of other dark minds. “Of course.” She answered as if her thinking about him was obvious. It disappointed her that he was on his way to eat his lunch. She supposed mortals had to take sustenance regularly but it still left her feeling bored watching them do so. She would much rather drag him away on a fun adventure. Make use of his wizarding skills to whisk her away somewhere far away from her normal surroundings. That was why she spoke to most of her magical friends after all. “I was just looking for some fun. I’ve been rather bored shopping at all the usual shops so consider yourself fortunate in having my attention. I shall accompany you to your lunch.” She needed no invitation Dahlia would so as she wished and those she graced with her presence would be grateful as they should be. “Tell me what you think of pets my darling. My maid keeps asking if we can have a cat but I have never been one to allow pets in my home. Do you have any?”

Where: Bella’s place Who: @dahliablackwood​

Part of her felt bad for leaving her date to all but fend for herself when the fighting broke out at the ball. Bella easily could have found Dahlia and helped her somehow stay back from the spells being cast, but she didn’t because in that moment the cause was more important than anything to her. So she extended an invitiation to the vampire for a few drinks at her place, check in on her and ensure she still had an enjoyable night anyway. “Sorry for last night,” The brunette spoke, pouring two glasses of wine before handing one over to the blonde. “I just can’t resist a good fight, hope you found some entertainment for the rest of the evening.”

An invitation to Bella’s after their interrupted date the other night hadn’t been a surprise to the blonde. The brunette hadn’t needed to apologize of course but it amused Dahlia to see her do so. “Thank you my love.” Her hand grasped the wine glass before taking a sip. It was no match for the taste of blood but it would do while in mixed company she supposed. “I did happen to find some entertainment.” Though she didn’t elaborate. It wasn’t that she cared if Bella knew of her dalliances with her sister she simply didn’t feel the need to inform her of them. “Did you enjoy your fight? Tell me how much havoc you caused.”

      the sunrise brings with it pain,   an insurmountable ache fanning out across her arms  &  upper torso.   peeling back the silken bed covers,   her typically unblemished,   fair skin is scattered with murky shades of red,   purple and green.   a spectrum of suffering,   causing narcissa’s eyes to roll in resentment at what had come to pass.   it’s in laying back,   propped up against the headboard that her gaze falls upon the blonde beside her…   a contented sigh passing through pink lips.   it’d likely been a mistake to have brought dahlia to brideswater,   but in the aftermath of all that had happened at the ball the previous evening,   another tryst with the vampire felt inconsequential in comparison.   narcissa needed the comfort,   she hadn’t wanted to be alone.   ❛   you’re  lucky  i  don’t  care  as  much  about  how  i  look  around  you,   you  know?   ❜   the black muses,   light humour in her words though her features are otherwise solemn.   a hand reaching to play with dahlia’s hair whilst she hoped her own was covering the black eye she now sported.   battle wounds certainly weren’t something narcissa wanted to become a regular occurrence.   dahlia however?    well,   that was one that could stay.   ❛   i  look  as  though  i’ve  been  run  over  by  a  car  and  you  still  came  to  bed  with  me.   ❜

      closed   starter   for  dahlia   blackwood   /   @dahliablackwood​

-

How odd to be the date of one Black sister and yet find herself in the bed of the other Black sister the next morning. She had no complaints though. Where Bella was a beauty the girl was more of a friend. Narcissa though, she was an angel. An angel Dahlia was only too happy to fall into bed with again and again. She held affection for her and if the time ever permitted perhaps something that could become an echo of love. Though such thoughts were for another life. A smile came to her lips all the same as her gaze took in all the bruises that covered the other girl. Still she was perfection. Narcissa wasn’t just a pretty thing to sit in the shadows the girl could fight. 

“Hmm is that because you’re comfortable with me or is it because my opinion on how you look doesn’t matter to you? That’s the real question my darling.” She found her hand was moving over one of the larger bruises on the blonde’s thigh as if touching her was as natural as breathing. “You look breathtaking as always. You could be run over by ten cars and still I would fall into bed with you. Tell me we can have a lazy morning. I’m not ready to relinquish you to the world yet.” 

Who: @lycanthropicdancer

Was it fair to keep summoning to the poor girl to her home? Perhaps not but she felt she could be sure of her presence if Dahlia called for her to come. Selena was precious to her. Somewhere between a daughter and a sister Dahlia couldn’t let the girl out of her sight for too long. She had to be sure the girl was okay at all times. She cherished her though the feeling left her at odds within herself. She had always kept everyone at arms length and yet here she was caring for a girl she had no business caring for. 

“Selena love come into the main parlour.” She called out as she heard the maid speaking to her at the door. She had already ordered for the tea to be poured and the treats laid out. Thought she never touched any of it it was normally set out in case anyone called on her in the afternoon. After all some appearances had to be maintained. “Are you quite well love?” She asked with a smile as she waved her into her usual seat. “You’re an absolute vision as always.”

Who: @fairsebastien

Time was meaningless to a vampire. It went on and on and it was never ending. She had learned over and over again though that to a mortal time was important and so she tried to respect that when it came to her relationships with them. She could go decades without seeing Coraline and it would feel like nothing to her but her mortal companions were more in need of her attention. She hadn’t seen Sebastien in quite some time and so when she spotted him across the floor at the club she simply had to drag him away. 

“My most darling love how are you? I feel I’ve neglected you lately and to apologize I feel that I should buy you some pretty things. Say that you’ll come shopping with me.” 

Who: @jaemulciber

There weren’t many that Dahlia enjoyed the company of. Bella of course. Cissa was a pretty angel. A few others she supposed but most of them she would happily watch burn to the ground. She hadn’t yet decided about Jae. He was pretty enough she supposed and on the right side as far as she was concerned at the moment. He enjoyed doing some real damage to people as well and she liked that darkness in him. She supposed she wasn’t sure about him though because she had reached her quota of people to care for already. A girl could only like so many people after all. 

Her thoughts carried her down the street and brought the man in question into view. A grin came to her lips as she called for him to wait a moment. Her steps never picking up pace as she expected him to wait for her arrival. Her hand reaching out to take his arm as she reached him. “My darling. I was just thinking about you. You’re looking quite pretty today. Where are you off to? If you say something boring I shall be very disappointed in you.”

Where: Diagon Alley,

When: Morning, 22nd July

Who: Walburga and @dahliablackwood​

A morning stroll along Diagon Alley, how else was a lovely host supposed to spend the day after her ball. To anyone else the ball had ended terribly. But it was exactly how Walburga had wanted it to go. Maybe not with Amelia’s death. That was just a sad thing that had happened. Of course, Walburga didn’t really approve of so many of the pureblood girls getting hurt. But again, that was just a minor inconvineance. They’d get over it.

Part of her reason for going into Diagon Alley though, was that she was going to arrange for flowers to be sent to everyone at St. Mungos that had been injured in the ball. Mostly, it was to make face, but there were a few that had been injured that she did care about.

She nearly made it to the particuarly shop, when she spotted a familar face. “Ah… Dahlia dear” The matriach smiled as she recognised. “It’s good to see you weren’t hurt in the horrendous ending of my other what lovely ball”

Spells flying everywhere around her had never been Dahlia’s idea of an ideal night. She enjoyed a good fight as much as the rest of them but the damage that one could endure from a well aimed spell had her spending her time in the background when the fight had broken out. Though they couldn’t kill her she didn’t find the thought of any disfiguring spells a comforting though. After all her beauty was too stunning to be marred by magic. 

She hadn’t had many people to visit after the fight. Those she cared for for the most part had been swept up with the death eaters though the thought of a pretty redhead laid up in the hospital had her attention if only for a moment. 

“Walburga you look lovely. Yes, thankfully the perfection that is me got away unmarked.” She spoke in a way that might have sounded like a joke to anyone who didn’t know her but the woman before her would know she meant the statement. “What brings you out today?”

Where: East India House, Grand Ballroom Who: @dahliablackwood​

Having decided against an offical date, Bella was happy to show up tonight with Dahlia, it gave her enough of a distraction to just start a yelling match with her mother. Friends and alcohol, both of the things that would be her true saving grace tonight. “You know, I should really make this into a drinking game,” She mused, turning to her friend with an eye roll. “Every time that woman decided to point out the ‘perfect husband’ I should take a shot.” At least Narcissa and her hunt for the proper partner had turned their mother away from her eldest daughter for a little while. “I’d apologize for my ranting but its the only thing I’ve got when I’ve given my family my word to be extra civil tonight.”

-

Dahlia had no desire to attend the party that night besides the chance to listen to all the younger witches get told to hurry up and settle down. She had never been a fan of marriage. A fan of monogamy. They were just such old fashioned concepts. She would much prefer a pretty girl for each day of the week. Perhaps if a man was pretty enough she would be fine with that too but to commit to one person would never be something she would see herself doing. Marriage had not been kind to her as a human and as a vampire it was impossible. She couldn’t possibly stay with someone for the rest of eternity. She was attending the ball with Bella and the girl was pretty to look at. Her company was tolerable. Perhaps the blonde sister might have ended the night in more fun but Bella was more than welcome company. “I’ve never been an advocate for civility my darling but if we must be civil then I suppose you should have your fun. You look stunning by the way. All the boys will be trying to get your attention.”

Who: Open!! After an hour or so of nodding at people he knew and silent judgment regarding outfits, Evan decided he had more than deserved a break, and had settled on one of the outdoor staircases near the entrance to sit down and pull out a cigarette.  He was interrupted from his movement towards a lighter when he noticed a presence take a seat next to him. Not yet turning his head towards the individual, he spoke up, a rather monotone sound to his voice. “All the pretty pastel colours are driving me absolutely crazy. Dress code palettes are idiotic.”

Dahlia detested the theme for the evening. She looked better in the deep blood red tones and the blacks that she normally wore on a regular basis. The light pastels that flitted through the room were too sweet for her taste. She would have forgone the event altogether but she had come to spend the evening with the pretty Bellatrix on her arm. Her date was surely flitting about the ball somewhere but Dahlia found herself needing a break from the constant chatter. 

Evan caught her attention as she left the main room and a smile came to her lips as she took a seat beside him. He was pretty thing and she didn’t mind his company. He wasn’t as pretty as her own date of course but he would do for some company. “They are quite annoying. They could have at least chosen a darker palette. It’s quite irritating. How is your night going besides that love? I’ve conned the lovely Bella into being my date for the evening. Have you brought someone?”

James raised a brow in surprise. “My apologies but my neck is completely off limits, belongs to someone else,” he winked swirling his drink a bit before sipping realizing soon enough he could question her without letting her know. “Take it you’re more into wine? I know a really good one,” James motioned to the seat beside him as he sat into his own seat. “Probably better than what I would taste like,” he chuckled at his own dumb joke, knowing if he were to ask her anything he’d have to make her comfortable. Vampires didn’t scare him, just like werewolves he knew they were still people regardless of their afflictions. Remus being the catalyst of that thought, if he could convince others of that too he would be a happy man.

-

“Such a shame. It is such a pretty neck after all.” She would find her fun in someone else but it was a shame that she would have to stick with one of her usual sources for the evening. She was happy enough with them of course. They were willing and the drink was sweet but still the urge to taste of someone new was always in her. She wanted the new taste on her lips with almost every encounter she had. “I doubt a wine could compare with the exquisite taste of you but by all means I would love to see what kind of taste you have. Wine is the only thing that takes some of the urge away.” She was always open to a new wine choice as long as it was coming from the higher shelves. “What brings you in tonight? I don’t think you’re a regular around here.”

.

The overall importance of Dahlia’s involvement with her plan had just been to get Regina home as Georgine and herself patiently waited. Bella saw no reason to allow either vampire to be around when she spoke to the newly shifted witch, just as much as both women knew a thing or too about darkness, they would want to cage the chaos that Regina would want to case. The brunette on the other hand wanted to revel in the chaos, she needed that fear of a creature attacking someone who vocally supported their rights to shift the opinions in the world. But since it had all happened, she had yet to see Dahlia again though she wasn’t sure if that was because the world hadn’t crossed their paths again or because Dahlia was avoiding her for whatever reason. Personally she figured they’d have to speak about it all at some point but she didn’t realize today would be that day.

The pounding on her door was met with confusion as she had been enjoying her peace and quiet but as a house elf went to answer the door, Bella heard the voice on the other side. Dismissing the elf towards the kitchen for tea, the brunette rolled her eyes at the dramatics of her friend but moved to open the door herself. “If we are going to talk, you’re going to have to tone it down,” She greeted calmly as she opened her front door, maybe she should be happy that Dahlia couldn’t practice magic with the vampire blood or she was sure spells would have already been casted. “Now are you going to be civilized about this enough to sit in the parlour or shall we move to another part of the house so you won’t start throwing and breaking my belongings?”

“If I deem it necessary to start throwing your belongings then you will know I am quite displeased with you Bella. We shall go to the parlour then.” She saw no reason to wait to be invited in. She simply stepped past her friend and made her way through the house to the familiar room. she had been in the home enough to know her way around and she didn’t feel like waiting to be shown in. She was irritated. All the work she had put in to get vampires a seat at the table and Bella would have no problem messing it all up for her for the sake of a show. Regina was a liability to Dahlia’s long game and that could not be tolerated. She should never have trusted a witch when it came to vampire business. 

As she entered the parlour she took a seat on in her favorite chair and waited for Bella to sit as well. A sigh left her lips as she stared her friend down allowing the witch to experience her displeasure. “I am sure you know what I’m upset about dearest. How could you allow Regina to wreck havoc on the streets in such a messy manner? She’s going to cause problems for the vampires and problems for the vampires means problems for me. Now my darling I am sure you would never mean to cause problems for me but something must be done about the girl.”