dream / walker

Mulciber hoped she couldn’t notice the fact that the idea of bringing her to Venezuela actually made him happy. It was like going on a trip with one’s best friend: showing them where you grew up, going to all your old haunts, surfing the waves. Of course, for him it couldn’t be romantic. It wouldn’t be. Orion would be back here, and Alessia was his best friend. He couldn’t see her that way, although he was not upset at the prospect of marrying her. If only Orion could see this situation was the best possible case scenario for them all. This way they’d be safe. “I think you’d quite like their, hm, how should I put it?” he said, raising a brow. “Clubbing scene. Or the more… risqué clubs, anyways. We’ve got some pretty incredible dancers. I could even teach you how to do the Joropo.” The thought made him smile, because he knew she would look much better doing it than he would, even if he’d been doing it his whole bloody life.

One of the things that Alessia admired most about Douglas was how much he loved his home country. He talked about it so much, she felt like she had vacationed there, but only had pictures in her mind from the stories he told. She didn’t want to impose or steal those memories from him. They were sacred. They were his. It was home. She would go with him in a heartbeat if he asked, but she knew she wasn’t the person he really wanted by his side. She wasn’t the person he wanted to share home with. “I do like risqué,” she replied, laughing under her breath at his careful choice of words. “-But I do spend all my time at the club. A change of scenery might be nice for once.” She raised an eyebrow playfully. “You teaching me how to do any type of dance is hilarious- seriously, funniest thing I’ve ever heard.”

It was the perfect thing to say to get Sofia to crack a smile, and her expression softened considerably. “You would,” she teased, shooting a glance at Alessia. Sofia hadn’t been fishing for compliments - not that she was above doing so, because she absolutely was not - but she should’ve known she could count on her friend to make her feel better about herself nonetheless. No matter how much time had passed, every time someone went near the scar, she tensed on reflex. Sometimes the memories of that night were buried deep down, sometimes they lingered just below the surface; either way, they could spring to mind at the drop of a hat. While a light touch to the jagged skin didn’t send her into a panic anymore, there was always the lingering fear that it might. Biting her lip, Sofia focused her gaze on her hands as they worked her muscles. “It’s not. But I guess I have enough beautiful features to balance it out.” Her work on one leg done and her expression under control, she looked up at Alessia and smirked. This was one of her favorite parts of work - the calm afterward, the soothing camaraderie as she got a chance to unwind with her friends. “High bar there,” she said, arching an eyebrow playfully. “Now that my makeup’s off? Guess it’s a night in for me. I’ll have to make up for it tomorrow.”

“Yes. I would and I do,” she agreed with a smile. Though she did have pureblood ideals ingrained in her from the a young age, she didn’t have any prejudices against witches that were what society deemed ‘monsters.’ Sofia wasn’t born a werewolf, and she didn’t choose to be one either. Alessia didn’t think that should be held against her and she would fight anyone that gave Sofia shit for it. Concealing the scar was for Sofia’s own safety, but if Alessia had her way, she would encourage her friend to show it off proudly. It was a part of who she was, and she meant it when she said it was beautiful. “It is,” she argued, corners of her lips tugging down. “It’s part of what makes you so beautifully you.” Sofia was a bombshell, with or without a scar. She was hot. “That’s fair, but you don’t need makeup to have a good time.”

Augustus couldn’t help but grin at that. “You’re right, I think we’ve proved we can protect each other from anything at this point.” Pride in his bloodline and his family was as much a part of him as his own name, it always had been. Besides, he was right - they’d all made it abundantly clear that there wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do for each other. Who better to keep something they all shared an interest in secure? The spark of pride was enough to get his head to clear some, and he reached to grab some more candy from the bag with purpose. “Fair point, but you were thinking it, don’t lie.” Augustus narrowed his eyes at her teasingly, but somehow he still couldn’t keep his expressions from falling a bit flat. Why did he care so much? Why was he so exhausted in a way sleep couldn’t hope to touch? All these questions and not a damned answer; all that was left to do was to try and drown it all out the best he could. Alessia had always been one of the best people in the world for that. “I hope I can handle it,” he joked, lips quirking up. “If that trouble involves alcohol, I’m in. I could use a stiff drink or four.” After a brief pause, he continued. “If it doesn’t involve alcohol, I’m still in, just wanted to make my preference clear if you’re dragging such a feeble old man out.”

Though her siblings’ presence at the club were few and far between, people knew who they were. They were a team, the three of them. They were a force to be reckoned with, and there were very few patrons that dared to cross a family as powerful as the Rookwoods. If anything, security at Merlin Rouge was for show, or to take care of the minor inconveniences. Alessia took care of a lot of the more difficult clients herself, or with the help of her brother and sister. She sighed, giving her big brother her best puppy dog eyes. “Me? I would never.” But the smirk was already curling on her lips as she let out a small chuckle. “Proud of you, Auggie. You’ve finally tapped into that twintuition power Ariadne and I share, it’s almost like you can read my mind.” She didn’t think her brother wasn’t fun. Quite the opposite, actually. Ariadne and Augustus were two of her favourite people in the whole world. She knew they could always find some kind of trouble to get into, whether it was just a pair of them or the whole trio. “Isn’t there always drinks?” she asked, one eyebrow quirked.

“I’m sure you would find some,” he replied with a small grin, as he shut the door behind her. He shook a head at her question, “Nah, I couldn’t sleep.” Orion hadn’t been getting much sleep lately, at least none without seeming to drink himself to it but his sleeping schedule was usually messed up even when he wasn’t continuously thinking about how everything was falling apart. “It’s nice to see you,” he said as he led her towards the living room. Orion meant it too; perhaps later, when her and Doug were married, he would resent her but he was all too aware that neither of them had a choice in the matter and she was still his friend. Orion was nothing if not loyal. “Do you want a drink? Dinner? Both?” 

“You’re right I could,” she replied with a wistful little sigh before chuckling. The Rookwoods, separately and all together, got themselves in - and out of- plenty of trouble all the time. Her features fell and she smashed her lips to the side. “That’s the worst,” she replied, making a mental note to circle back to his sleeping habits later. She didn’t want to make him talk about anything if he didn’t want to, but she did want him to know that she was a great listener. She had a sneaking suspicion she knew what it was about anyway. Eyes danced around the room as she followed him to the living room. She offered a small smile. “Always nice to see you, Orion,” she agreed. He was a good friend, probably one of the best people she knew. She studied him for a moment before answering. “Both? I would settle for just a drink but I haven’t eaten since breakfast,” she admitted.

“Moonlit strolls are more second date material, you know?” he replied with a small grin. Tarquin wasn’t exactly a romantic. Didn’t really know how to be even if he had ever wanted to but then when he had been with Amelia, some things had seemed to fall perfectly into place and after her, Tarquin had all but swore off any sort of serious relationships. He grinned down at her, his arm wrapping around her waist and he pulled her closer. Tarquin leaned down, his lips inches from her before he pulled back slightly to speak again, a smirk on his lips, “So would you like a drink or anything? I wouldn’t want to be rude.” 

Eyebrows rose in amusement as a grin spread over dark lips. “Second date, huh? Let’s see how the first date goes first,” she joked, enjoying their playful little banter. It was refreshing in a world where she was constantly surrounded by a bunch of pureblood elitists that didn’t know how to have fun. Sure, they had fun at the club but this was different. When he leaned in closer, she looked up at him through her lashes. She wasn’t exactly short but he still had a good half a foot on her. “Usually I would insist that you buy me dinner, being the first date and all, but I could settle for a drink.” She leaned in just a little bit closer. “Good call though. Rude won’t get that second date.”

“A little birdie, of course.” Augustus gave both of his sisters a pointed look. Separate, the girls were trouble; together, they could rule the world if they wanted to, and he loved them infinitely for it in the way only an older brother could. Even when he ended up the subject of their interrogations, the target of whatever gossip one or the other had heard somewhere from someone, the smile on his lips was unfailingly fond. “You know, you could be talking about either Dolohov.” He arched an eyebrow. Sure, maybe he was dodging the question - he knew just what the girls were talking about - but, well, he wasn’t wrong. A fight in the halls of St. Mungo’s was probably more newsworthy than a very platonic, strictly friendly night of drinking. And a sleepover. Fuck. He hoped his face wouldn’t give him away, but he also knew they could read him better than anyone, and that they’d never let him dodge the subject that easily. “Even if I wanted to,” he emphasized pointedly, “I could never steal Kat away from you. Half the time she can’t even stand to be in the same room as me.” @rookswood​

ariadne.

It could almost be frightening,   the way she and Alessia were bonded   -   not twins,   no,   but if the pair of them were any proof,   choice could be much more powerful a tool than chance.   “   Don’t play the fool with me,   Auggie.   Duels make me yawn.   ”   Her brother must have been a saint in another life,   the patience and love that he reserved for the pair was so unconditional.   And it was patience that he would need,   with two sisters like the ones he’d got.   While they may have been lacking in that department though,   the love at least was returned tenfold.

She finds herself shooting him a challenging look at his words,   clearly demonstrating that he won’t get out of it nearly this easy.   “   I’m only saying,   one could never dream of a better match…   ”   Of course she’s relishing in this.   On the one hand,   it was always fun to watch her brother squirm.   But she really did want hear it straight from the mouth of the culprit,   and the thought of two people she loved most dabbling in the affairs of the heart felt very much like her business.   “   Honestly,   it’s only the three of us here.   You know your secret is safe with us.   ”   Sanctimoniously,   as if in oath,   manicured finger moves to draw an ‘x’ over her chest,   and she glances to Alessia with a devilish smirk.   “   Cross my heart.   ”   @merlinrouged​

Alessia had heard all about Augustus’ little scuffle with Antonin in the halls of St. Mungo’s, and while that was curious it wasn’t nearly as remarkable as whatever was - or was not - going on between Augustus and Katerina. “You’re not wrong, she can’t,” she said, but her voice was teasing. It was always amusing, the banter between her brother and her best friend. Katerina had been around the girls their whole lives, and the Rookwood siblings had always been inseparable, even with years spanning between Augustus and the girls. They were a packaged deal, the three of them. “She’s our soulmate. The love of our lives. Et cetera, et cetera. -What did you do to anyway? Steal her favourite quill?” she joked, smirk curling on the edges of her lips. She glanced her sister’s way again, nodding along with Ariadne’s words. “She’s right, you know. Katerina’s’ already family, might as well make it official.” Were they even teasing anymore? She smirked back at her sister, drawing the same ‘X’ shape over her heart as her gaze moved to Augustus. “Brother dearest, what is going on in that pretty little head of yours?” @ofthedcrkness​

This was exactly what Tarquin was looking for. He knew enough about Alessia to know that she would leave even before he did. He just needed something that was uncomplicated, that he didn’t have to sort through, that didn’t make him fight against his own self. Something that was fun. That he could lose himself in for a while until reality came crashing back down. 

Alessia was just so captivating he couldn’t help but smirk back even as his eyes ran over her figure. He figured he had deserved it when she removed his hand though there was something about the anticipation of it all that he enjoyed. He extended his hand, “Don’t think I could have the patience for walking,” he replied with a small smirk. “Apparating is faster.” 

This was not how Alessia planned on ending her night, but she was definitely not complaining about the interesting turn of events. This guy checked off a lot of her boxes. He was the tall, handsome, curious type and she wanted to unwrap the mystery that was Tarquin McTavish. One perfectly manicured eyebrow lifted as she eyed his hand. “Aww...Not the moonlit stroll type?” she teased, devilish smirk curling on dark lips as she slipped her hand into his. “Me neither.” That wasn’t entirely true, but it wasn’t exactly false either. She enjoyed moonlit walks... by herself. Not so much with other people. Too Romantic, something she was not. “Your move, McTavish,” she challenged, glancing down at their hands and back up again.

Mi amor. The words felt strange coming from her mouth, but Mulciber supposed he should get used to it in person. Of course, he didn’t show his discomfort, even if it settled in his bones like a weight. Today marked the first day that he would have to start using the term around her, as well. Alessia was beautiful, witty; a perfect woman, really, and if his heart hadn’t already been stolen months prior by a certain Selwyn, he’d probably have been less upset about the arrangement in general. Of course, Orion held his entire heart; he would only be pennies and dimes for Alessia. He almost asked her if she’d ever thought of living on the ocean that she, correctly, knew called to him. But that felt wrong without Orion there. “Well, I suppose you’ll get to see why,” he said, taking a deep breath. “My father would like the wedding to be in Venezuela. My abuela would like to be there and it’s very hard for her to apparate these days.” 

Though he could be annoyingly charming at times, and there were times growing up where she didn’t like Douglas Mulciber at all, this arranged marriage was probably the best thing that could have happened to either one of them, all things considered. The obvious plus was that he was Augustus’ best friend, so it was like he was already a part of the family... but not in a weird way where Alessia felt like she was going to marry a brother. Over the years, he had become a good friend to her too. If she had to marry a man that her father picked out, then Douglas was her best option. She knew she was a lucky girl, and knew he was a damn lucky man, but it still felt... wrong, even though it felt kind of right for their situation. She didn’t have to pretend to enjoy his company, and that was what would really make this betrothal work. “Maybe we can take a trip there, just the two of us. You can show me all of your real favourite places, and I can pretend to be surprised when we arrive for the wedding.”

It must’ve been a Rookwood gene, their sweet tooth; Augustus had never been able to turn down sugar. Smiling fondly at her, gaze finally focusing even if most of his attention remained elsewhere, he held out his hand for one. “Candy tax,” he reasoned, not mentioning that he’d already subtracted that tax and then some. “I didn’t get any for myself, guess I have to take yours.” Really, he wasn’t sure why he’d asked, but her answer had finally drawn his full attention. Although he’d bought the club the moment she accepted a job there - yes, yes, how overbearing, how overprotective, whatever; he had the money and he could do what he wanted with it - there was only so much he could do to shield her from unsavory clientele. “Maybe I should hire more security,” he grumbled, his general charm and lighthearted air only ever dropping around a trusted few or after a particularly rough day, and this conversation fit both. “You’re right, I’m ancient. No fun at all. Really, I should be in bed by now.” Instead, he’d barely managed to shower off the dust and debris from the day’s events, and, really, he could use something a little more interesting. “Fine. What kind of fun did you have in mind? Should I be worried?”

Alessia’s eyes could not have rolled further back in her head. “Better security than you, Ariadne and myself?” she challenged, eyebrows raising like a brat. Of course they had security on the books too, but honestly the Rookwoods could scare away any unsavory characters if they wanted. They just chose to tone down the drama, not wanting to cause any waves considering who their best clientele was - purebloods, sacred men (and women) - looking for a good time. They had it under control, and if anyone stepped out of line... they took care of it. With or without paid security. “Ancient, yes, that’s the word I was looking for,” she teased, biting the head off another jelly slug. “I didn’t say you were no fun, but hey, your words not mine,” she joked, chuckle escaping her lips. She could tell someone was off about her brother, but didn’t press. He’d tell her when he was ready so she focused on the conversation instead. “Oh, I’m sure we can find some kind of trouble to get into. And yes, you should be worried, grandpa. Might keep you out past your bedtime.”