𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 / 𝐊𝐄𝐏𝐓 ,

Nodding at her words, he opened his mouth to add, “Of course.” Keeping her options open. He couldn’t fault her for that. Ultimately, it was her choice. And he had been aware of that about her when he first met her. He surely didn’t expect things to change just because he had appeared in the picture. And things haven’t been so easy, nor smooth between them, considering the nature of their previous encounters.

“Only if you want to.”, he replied, a cheeky smile spreading across the corners of his lips. The pureblood society was rather an exclusive one, and he believed news got around fast. “That is good to hear.”, Fitz commented. He had never noticed anything specific about the character of Ariadne’s late husband. He had never cared to get to know him. They hadn’t shared a lot in common, except for their mutual connection to Ariadne. Fitz had liked to ignore Luca’s existence on several occasions. “I don’t doubt he takes a lot after you too. With you for a mother, he will grow up to be an exceptional wizard.” It was a genuine compliment, he meant it. “They believe it will be beneficial. For the cause.”, he didn’t dare to go into any more details, they were in a public place, after all. You could never know who was listening.

ariadne.

“   I might look into you yet,   so long as you promise to keep things interesting.   ”   Of course she can’t help the fact that she likes to know things   -   or that she has the tendency to hear about them whether she’s looking or not.   “   That’s kind of you to say,   ”   she replies,   never one to shy away from flattery despite her humble reply.   Eyes scan his face for any ounce of understanding,   though Fitz would have little reason to suspect anything out of sorts.   Even if at times she was sure she could see his eyes staring back when she glanced at Blaise.

“   It certainly helps that he has Augustus to guide him.   And Alessia does her part.   He may take after me,   but he loves them beyond a shadow of a doubt.   ”   The words settle and she idly draws her finger around the rim of her glass.   She could have guessed it was the powers that be behind his newfound interest in muggle relations.   She pauses,   smirking slightly as she leans forward.   “   I think you’d be far more beneficial in a different position.   ”   The words float for a moment,   their double meaning is clear.   The flirtation is easy on her tongue,   though it could be plausibly denied.   “   In the ministry,   of course.   Though I'm sure they have their reasons for this specific placement.   ”

“Well, why not?” he asked right back. “I’ve never seen you back out of one. Don’t tell me you’re getting tired of them.” He didn’t miss the slight hint of irritation in her voice. Barty knew that Ariadne saw him as just one of the many people she uses. But what she’s forgetting was that this was a two-way transaction. Sure, she’s very valuable to the Dark Lord at the moment. But Barty knew that the higher she was, the steeper her fall will be. He wasn’t going to rule that from the possibilities just yet.

His eyes followed her as she moved across the room. He drank the last of the wine in his glass before following her suit. She talked before he could reply so he just let her drone on. When she finally finished, he simply hummed in reply. Barty just wasn’t a person to appreciate and be satisfied with what he has. Especially since his father was still in the picture. With Barty Snr still around, the younger Crouch had nothing. Barty didn’t really feel like expounding so he just plucked out a single stick. After inserting it in his lips, he lit it with his wand.

“I know it’s what I’m fighting for.” For Barty, that mostly meant getting rid of his father. In the worst way imaginable. Was he only with the Death Eaters because they had the best chance of helping him make his desires come to fruition? He’d swear no. He would swear that he joined because he was loyal to the Dark Lord. And he has done nothing to prove otherwise. “Aren’t you?”

ariadne.

“   You know how routine bores me.   ”   Nevertheless she isn’t dismissing him just yet.   After he selects one,   she clicks the pack closed,   taking a long drag of her own as if in thought.   At least he wasn’t too posh for that,   these days.   Ariadne’s eyes flick up at his question,   though she isn’t quick to reply.   When she does,   there isn’t an ounce of humor in her voice.   Talk of the cause had a way of robbing conversations of humor,   replacing any lightness with a consciousness of one’s words   -   especially when there was a lack of trust.   Say the wrong thing and your words could easily be twisted,   used against you.   Luckily,   everything she says is practiced,   purposeful.   “   There is not a thing in this world that I wouldn’t do for Blaise’s future,   ”   she settles finally on that.   Was he questioning her loyalty,   or simply her motivation?   “   Make no mistake about that.   ”

Blaise went down hours ago.   Ariadne is making her rounds,   a routine that brings some comfort.   Silk robe light against her skin,   steps equally soundless,   muffled by luxe slippers   -   it's the breeze coming from down the hall that piques her interest.   Suddenly she can’t help but feel...   off.   Wand drawn,   she approaches her sons room,   breathing almost ceasing as she sees a figure there.   She stands tall,   wand pointed at the cloaked form over Blaise’s crib.   

“   Don’t make a move,   ”   steely words are spoken with an unsettling calmness   -   every syllable heavy with warning.   “   What do you want?   ”   It isn’t a negotiation.   She’d just like to know before she renders them incapable of saying so.

Barty tilted his head. “I never said I was the only one,” he reeled back. Of course. Getting her to admit that she might need him was impossible. “But maybe someday, you’ll see that I can help you when none of your other friends can.” Barty left it at that and decided to back off for now. He’ll love to prove himself useful to her someday. Make her realize that disaster was inevitable without him. 

He mused over her insight with a sip of his white wine. Barty hummed. “Perhaps.” Was he a better man for bearing the same name as his father? Barty didn’t think so. In fact, he was positive that his father turned him into the unfeeling monster that he was. The hypotheticals of possibly being better and the concept of ‘better’ itself eluded him. All while Barty kept a straight face. “That sounds awfully like settling,” he mused. “Our lives could always be better.”

ariadne.

“   Must our interactions always carry such challenge with them?   ”   It's clear that they both enjoy it.   Still,   there is something of exasperation in her tone,   and her head lolls to the side as she looks at him.   She recognized he had his own specific talents.   Uses?   Benefits?   As did many of the people she surrounded herself with. 

Rising from her spot on the sofa if just for something to do and nothing else,   Ariadne moves across the room in search of her cigarettes.   “   Care to join?   ”   She’s already selecting one,   placing the slim between her lips,   interrupting his reply in offering.   “   Hardly settling.   Simply appreciation for what we’ve been graced with,    where others have not.   Life is a game of chance in that way.   ”    A pause,    she mulls over his last statement.    “   You make an excellent point.   One might suggest that’s what we’re fighting for already.    ”

It was a rare day of getting to just be a mother for once. Melaina had a day off from work and her father and step-mother had gone away for the week, leaving her and the house-elf, Nixie, to take care of Theodore. Others would have been surprised to find Melaina sat on the playmat in the middle of the living room, indulging the toddler in all his playing whims. “Meh,” he said and she smiled, glad he still hadn’t conquered ‘el’ sounds. She wasn’t ready for him to start calling her something closer to Mel or Melaina or Laina instead of a sound that she could almost pretend was meant to be Ma. “Wet,” he told her.

She had just got him onto the changing table when she heard the knock at the door. “Nixie,” she called and the house-elf appeared with a pop. “Change Theodore. I will answer the door.” Better the visitor be greeted by her at the door than walk into her changing a nappy. The prim and proper facade dropped into genuine happiness on seeing Ariadne and Blaise. “Oh, this is a lovely surprise,” she said, stepping backwards to let them through the door. “You would never be an intrusion. We missed you, too.”

Already back on the playmat, no doubt thanks to house-elf magic, Theo was now ordering Nixie where to put all his blocks. “Thank-you, Nixie,” Melaina said in a soft but firm voice and the house-elf disappeared out of the room. “Look who came to visit, Theo.”

“Baise!”

ariadne.

“   Never an intrusion but always a surprise,   ”   she teases as she follows behind,   reflecting momentarily on her poor habit of dropping in without notice.   She made visits on whims,   most frequently.   But that was unlikely to change.   From her spot in the doorway,   Ariadne watches as Melaina orders the elf out.   She’d never been fond of allowing Blaise to play with them,   herself.

Theo!   Blaise replies,   his enthusiasm evident as he makes his way to his friend.   Ariadne hadn’t been lying   -   Blaise had been talking about Theo for days.   Turning her attention away from the children who had begun chattering excitedly,   she glances over at her friend.   It was nice to have someone who understood   -   she never liked to be a bore,   and so having another young mother   (   even if she wasn’t openly so   )   with which to relate kept her feeling sane.   “   How have you been?   Is Theo keeping up on lessons?   Tell me everything.   ”

Her words caught his attention. “More?”, he repeated, his brow arching. The ideas that were going through his head might be completely different than what she was actually implying. He was willing to volunteer for that more, but didn’t feel like it was the time, nor the place to be making such advances. Especially considering that it’s over between them. There was no going back. “You can pick up some new hobby or another activity to fit in your schedule.”, Fitz commented, refusing to even hint at anything inappropriate between them. Or anything inappropriate between her and someone else. “I joined the Muggle Relations Department of the Ministry. Did you hear?”, he inquired. “How is Blaise though? Aside from the nap troubles. I didn’t ask you about him.”

ariadne.

“   More.   ”   She states in affirmation,   repeating his question with a surety in her own tone.   Eyes linger on him.   They had always been so good at toeing the line between propriety and more illicit activities   -   though they may not have practiced the latter anymore.   “   I’d be open to suggestions,   ”   she muses,   “   though I’m hesitant to make any strong commitments at the moment   -   you never know what might come up.   ”   Ariadne has a habit at speaking with a duality to her words,   she had a feeling Fitz knew that well enough.

“   Should I be keeping tabs on you?   ”   Needless to say,   she had heard.   And as the topic switches once again to Blaise,   Ariadne maintains her practiced nonchalance,   though she is never fond of lingering on him long where Fitz is concerned.   “   Blaise is a brilliant boy.   Advancing in all of his lessons,   coming into his own...   He has begun showing a small few of his father’s traits   -   though he is undoubtedly a Rookwood first.   ”    A demure smile,   a light clearing of the throat.   “   Muggle relations then?   What drove you there?   ”

It was all very subtle, the steps he would undertake in their interactions were delicate and cautious. It hadn’t been easy maintaining a friendly relationship with someone like Ariadne. There was no other woman quite like her. And that was what had attracted him to her the first time he met her. However, he had never wished to take her freedom away from her and had silently accepted her decision to end the private moments they once shared. No hard feelings, no questions asked. But he couldn’t completely stay away from her, could he? “No need to apologize.”, he addressed her words, leaning forward for her greeting. “Well, I know what you like.”, he added, a cheeky grin gracing his face. “How have you been? I feel like you get more and more beautiful every time I see you.” There was nothing strange to that comment, everyone, who knew Fitz was familiar with his habit of complimenting the women around him.

ariadne.

She’s spent so much time pretending there was nothing between them that she’s nearly convinced herself its true.   And then she sees him again,   and a part of her wonders if he ever thinks about the past.   If he remembers as vividly as she does   (   when she allows herself to.   )   Worse   -   if he suspects anything at all.   “   You’ve always had a knack for that.   ”   It’s an easy tease to lob back,   considering the way that his own words are delivered.   She inspects a plate of appetizers before plucking one up and settling back into her seat,   further examining it as she replies.   “   I’ve been bored.   You know how I can be.   Blaise provides plenty of excitement,   and of course I’m busy enough between the foundation and the family business.   But there’s always room for more.   ”   Ariadne pops the food into her mouth,   chewing as he speaks.   Eyes flick upward at his compliment,   which is met with a ready smile.   Genuine.   “   You hardly look bad yourself,   though that’s not a surprise.   How have you been occupying yourself of late?   ”   

She shouldn’t be surprised to see Ariadne here. After all, this is the Rookwood’s establishment and her sister works as a dancer. But there’s something that strikes her every time she sees the woman, like a bolt of lightning racing up her spine. “Hope we’re living up to your expectations,” she says with a small chuckle, stepping away from the rack. “Maybe I would, but I can’t keep a beat for the world. I’m sure they look great on you too, though.”

ariadne.

“   The cleaners might be pulling an extra shift soon,   ”   she states flatly.   But there’s an allure to Emma Vanity that Ariadne hasn’t yet tired of.   “   You by far exceed them,   as usual.   ”   She moves towards the other,   though she proceeds just past her before stopping in front of the costumes herself.   Lace,   feathers,   tassles,   all with the absolute minimum amount of fabric to keep them together.   Eyes alight,   she plucks the number in question straight off the rack,   turning to look at herself in the mirror.   “   It's certainly an idea worth exploring.   ”  

“Allies like me, you mean, who makes sure that no ill happens to you.” He felt no surprise that Ariadne felt comfortable in her position while those around her took care of her. Nothing new amongst those from pureblood houses. Not to say that the woman can’t carry her own weight. But why would a woman carry her own weight when she has others doing it for her. Their history together would already tell her that Barty wouldn’t mind doing the same. 

“Emotions are for poets and children,” he countered. Aside from anger and resentment, other sentiments were rare for Barty. “As for me, I would rather skip metaphors and similes. And I was barely even a child in the first place.” It was a dry joke, Barty had to admit. He wasn’t expecting Ariadne to laugh at all. If she has any inkling of what it felt like growing up in the Crouch household, she’d realize that what Barty was barely a joke at all. ”Is it not believable if I simply said that I wanted company?” 

ariadne.

“   Don’t get too ahead of yourself,   Barty.   You’re far from my only friend in high places.   ”   She is comfortable in her new seat,   but she has done all of her own dirty work to get there.   The reminder is spoken under the guise of humor,   but it is true nonetheless.   “   Hardly any of us were.   ”   It isn’t wrong to be honest.   She has no qualms speaking plainly about the lives they all know they’ve led.   “   Perhaps we are the better for it.   ”   And she truly believes that.   She might not have had the same childhood as an heir,   let alone a son,   but her youth was far from sweet.   She would not have been where she is today if she was coddled.   “   Better here,   ”   she gestures around the lavishly decorated sitting room,   “   then making a pittance at some pub,   wondering where our next meals will be.   ” 

It had been a few weeks since the disaster at the manor, and Narcissa had finally felt comfortable coming home on her own. Although, it was nice to have someone around. While Narcissa knew, logically, that it wouldn’t help if the Order were to show up on her doorstep, she felt safer having someone else sitting beside her. Ariadne’s boy was playing with Draco in front of them, and Narcissa couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Happiness was a rare emotion these days, but they almost always revolved around Draco. “Oh don’t even get me started,” Narcissa laughed. “Sometimes I wonder if Lucius is feeding him little bits of information as some kind of joke. Truly, he’s already learning simple spells.” The brag was actually humble, because around people like Ariadne she wasn’t trying to impress; only having conversation. “And Blaise? Is he keeping up with his studies?” 

ariadne.

“   Blaise is a Rookwood at heart,   I suppose I can’t be surprised by that.   ”   she muses with a shake of her head.   A demure smile masks the true pleasure that accompanies her statement.   There was nothing of Luca in Blaise.   It never failed to bring her joy.   “   That’s fantastic.   Blaise has been doing wonderful work mastering his control   -   he hasn’t broken any vases recently at least.   ”   A chuckle.   He was quite advanced as far as she was concerned.   “   He enjoys his studies.   Though I think that’s because he gets to spend time with Augustus.   He wants so badly to impress him.   ”   It might surprise people to know how soft she is for the boy   -   but she doesn’t mind sharing that with Narcissa,   knowing she is a kindred spirit in that regard.

They were friends before they were anything more,   and Ariadne would never see a reason to cease that.   Her own pride as the motivator,   she would never dream to show her hands to anyone   -   let alone someone she’d actually felt a vulnerability towards.   It’s why they still meet with a regularity that would,   for anyone else,   be difficult to maintain.   “   Apologies for my lateness,   Blaise is getting more and more adament that he doesn't need his afternoon naps,   ”   and as she leans down to plant a kiss to his cheek,   it is as if she is greeting nothing more than a friend.   To anyone else,   that’s all Fitz would ever be.   “   Though I see you’ve ordered without me.   ”   Eyes skim approvingly over the table,   littered with delicacies,   before she takes a seat across from him.   “   All the better,   I’m starved.   ”

Draco!   Blaise shouts the name before she even sees the boy in question.   Her relationship with the Malfoys has long had potential to bloom into something beyond that of mere play-dates,   but the boys certainly were a catalyst that spurred on most of their meetings.   Unplanned or otherwise.   A smile blooms across the mother’s face a the sight of them,   and before he has the chance to toddle over himself   (   he insists on walking everywhere they go these days,   )   Ariadne is reaching down to grab his hand.   

“   Lucius,   ”   smile still unwavering,   she approaches from across the cobbled street,   nearly dragged along by the small boy who walks beside her.   “   So nice to see you.   Blaise and I were just treating ourselves to some ice-cream   -   say hello darling,   ”   a pause as she gives her son's hand a light squeeze,   prompting a polite,   if quick,   hello.   “   You're welcome to join us if time allows.   ”   

open @ merlin rouge

Emma could hear the thudding music through the door. Even if she was on break, Merlin rouge was never quiet, but that was for Victor to deal with. It’s not like it would be much quieter outside and, if she were outside, it would be harder to resist the urge to smoke. It was a habit that she badly need to kick as evidenced by the last time she was on a broom. Even then, she was still itching for one. Getting up from the couch she was relaxing on (which she doubted was clean but those were doubts she was ignoring), she approached a rack of costumes on display, looking through them with mild interest. She wouldn’t wear anything like them but they did look cute on the dancers. She reached up to scratch her tin, head shooting up when she heard the door open. “You need something?”

ariadne.

Ariadne was not an unknown face to the staff at Merlin Rouge.   Her family owned the establishment,   and Alessia was here so often that she was not opposed to the occasional visit.   It was a decadent atmosphere as far as she was concerned,   the luxurious furnishings and gorgeous people mingling with the unapologetic absence of morality,   the always lingering aroma of cigarette smoke and lust.   It was precisely the sort of place Ariadne enjoyed.   Not to mention she’d taken a particular interest in a...   particular bouncer of late.   

When she decides to peruse the back end,   she doesn’t expect anyone to be there.   But she did like to keep an eye out,   maintain an essence of control over the presentation of the family's business.   “   Just some quality control,   ”   she muses dismissively.   Eyes linger on the woman before her before flicking in acknowledgement to the rack of costumes.   “   Seeking out a new venture?   You’d look divine in feathers.   ”   

“   Oh,   sit down,   ”   She’s not sure if he even heard her enter,   but the eye roll that accompanies her words demonstrates that she has been watching him for at least a few moments.   He’s perfectly capable of taking care of the injury himself,   but he can’t show up in this state without expecting her to butt in.   “   I know it’s the fashionable choice these days,   but I won’t be the one responsible for making my sister a young widow,   ”   a wildly extreme statement,   considering that the injury in question is a somewhat minimal gash above his eyebrow.   Still,   the bruise that threatens to blossom just below his eye suggests there is more to the story.   There’s a hint of humor when she brings up the topic of their betrothal,   like it’s some grand inside joke.   But it’s in her nature to tease,   she means nothing by it   -   usually.

Ariadne values her son’s development above all else   -   and part of that is interaction with children his own age.   Not to mention that she's fond of spending time with Melaina as well.   She doesn’t think to owl before apparating to their destination.   In fact,   the thought only just crosses her mind as she knocks on the door,   cooing to the toddler on her hip all the while.

Occupying the both of them while they wait,   Ariadne doesn’t even notice that it has swung open,   her back turned to get a better view of the bird that Blaise has become enamored with.   Whirling around when she realizes,   a smile blossoms on painted lips.   “   I hope we aren’t intruding   -   ”   a pause as she glances from her son to her friend as if in explanation.   “   It’s been a while.   We've missed Theo terribly.   ”