Intrusions and Introductions

[Katia Medina]

It had taken a lot of nerve for Katia to come back to Eros's shop after the last time had ended on the note that it had. In the end, the retribution from not showcasing her ability to make friends reigned higher priority than her pride. She had told Reina to meet her here in approximately ten minutes, so she would have a chance to clear the way with Eros and beg off his cooperation.

Katia straightened her dress, making sure that everything she was wearing was appropriately up to society standard for skin showing, length, level of accessories. She sighed to herself feeling plain in comparison to her normal large earrings and flowing necklaces that enhance risque tops. A quick hand rose up to make sure her hair was still in the loosely piled tendrils that conveyed more structure than her loose waves did.

Well, she thought to herself, she could stand out here forever or she could extract the bandages, facing the fears and reprisals that might come, because Eros was nothing in the face of losing her position here at Hogwarts.

She stepped into the shop, the bell tinkling, but no Eros in sight. Her eyes searched for the house elf that was usually somewhere close. When she spotted him, she gestured to him. "Would you please inform Mr. d'Avonderre that Miss Medina wishes a moment of his time."

[Eros d'Avonderre]

The house-elf nodded even as it squeaked a greeting and scampered off—to see if the Master was available. He was, of course, but he was greatly reluctant to see the woman who had given him such grief the last time they'd spoken. He took his time responding, took his time setting aside the paperwork he'd been going through and standing, and took his time making his way down the stairs which connected his flat to the shop below. God, he hated the candy shop.

"How may I assist you, Miss Medina?" Eros asked, defaulting to polite distance and thereby allowing himself a buffer against his temper. "Was your order not satisfactory?" If only it were that simple, but Eros had the unfortunate feeling that the woman was here to discuss their previous discussion. It wouldn't be the first time she'd done so.

[Katia Medina]

Katia made sure to affect her most endearing court face when Eros descended a set of stairs. "No, Mr. d'Avonderre, the order met with expectations superbly." No, rather the task at hand, and the question to follow was her fault not his. In trying to outcome or be someone that she hadn't been born to do, she'd alienated a man whose mind intrigued her. That, and she had told her childhood friend that they were much closer than they factually were.

She inclined her head, "rather the fault lays with myself." Formal words, formal pose, formal everything, she reminded herself. "It seems, that despite my uncouth behavior previously, I must beg a favor from you." And beg it was, she would quite literally do anything to make sure nothing uncouth returned to the Spanish court by way of Reina.

[Eros d'Avonderre]

Eros's face retained its customary look of fashionable boredom, but inside he wanted to narrow his eyes at Katia. "And why, praytell, would I be interested in performing some unknown task for your benefit?" he asked. They were cold words, despite the polite tone in which they had been spoken, but he had no real desire to correct himself. He had no interest in forming connections with the uncouth, as she had so politely described her brash behavior.

[Katia Medina]

Katia bit her lip mentally, telling herself not to get frustrated, that she had made her bed quiet well, and now must pay the consequences. "I would be in your debt Mr. d'Avonderre." She did not want to tell him until she had recieved assurances that he would play along, but she doubted very much that he would let her off without squirming first. "I find myself with company from Spain." She allowed her face to to show nothing of her inner turmoil, rather only allowing a soft practiced look on her face. A look designed to hide her intelligence, and showcase her court worthy assets in a respectable way.

[Eros d'Avonderre]

Eros's eyes very nearly narrowed at Katia's implicit request, but that look of distant politeness remained. "So you wish me to put you into a favorable light for some Spanish connection?" he asked, clarifying. "I'm afraid I haven't any use for a Spanish nurse in my debt." Where had this sudden politesse come from? The woman had been a shrew the last time they'd met, and now that she wanted something from him she would behave? He didn't see any reason to assist her. He wasn't nearly that philanthropic.

[Katia Medina]

A repeated childhood litany cycled through her head, something that allowed her to remain calm, not to let the panicking cracks filter through. "Perhaps you would have the use for a Spanish potions teacher in your debt." Potions were more than useful, but right now she would not imply that she was a Master potion maker, the point of the game was the encourage her male counterpart, and downplay herself. "My Spanish connection, knows my father." If that did not imply how serious this was she was not sure what would. As it stood, should she need to, she might prostrate herself at his feet. Reina could not know what had happened before she had arrived, or how much liberties Katia had taken.

[Eros d'Avonderre]

"I am quite adept at potions myself, Miss Medina," Eros stated, "and I have no real need to forge a connection to your father through either you or your connection. I'm afraid you'll have to do far better than proving how useful my assistance might be for you." He didn't particularly care if Katia found herself in dire straits for her own misbehavior. If there was no benefit to him, he saw no reason to risk his own reputation by protecting her.

[Katia Medina]

Do not show fear, Katia thought, although she could not help a hint of it seeping into the brown of her eyes. "Your assistance to me would be invaluable the debt I would owe you..." Katia took a deep breath, "I admit to having no knowledge of what you need or desire, but am willing to broker any deal." A devil's deal she thought to herself. But if that is what it took to separate Hogwarts from home, then that is what she was willing to do. Her reputation from hence forth must be spotless befitting the daughter of nobility.

[Eros d'Avonderre]

Any deal, Eros mused. Part of him thought that having the shrew always in his debt could prove rather diverting, but the rest wanted to have Orenda show her the door. "Why, Miss Medina, am I so fortunate as to be singled out amongst all your acquaintances for the honor of bailing you out of trouble?" he asked. "Certainly you have some other eligible males who would be willing to fawn over you for an hour or two?"

[Katia Medina]

A refrain from rolling her eyes and pointing out that this was exactly the behavior or the aristocratic male wanting porcelain dolls to be perfect all the time for everyone that she loathed so much. However, she knew that she had not played the game, and it had chaffed him, so much that he was now toying with her. Instead Katia closed her eyes for a moment to compose herself, before looking Eros in the eyes again. "While I am sure the pre-pubescent half bloods at the school would volunteer themselves, the Milan's require society contacts."

She hated to make the commitment on part of her father, especially after d'Avonderre had so blithely insulted her padre. Katia reminded herself that she did not have an option, she would deal with the consequences later. "My father recently brought it to my attention that a very rare artwork by renowned spanish artist Edgar Torne would be going to auction soon." Torne was responsible for several famous paintings of leading historical figures of their time. He had been a bit mote than acquainted with muggle artist Pablo Picasso, who was known through Spanish purebloods, despite his lack of wizarding blood. It felt like swallowing bitters to give him this, especially when father would ask why.

Her father dealt with antiquities and art of the wizarding world, and beyond the knowledge he would have the ins to keeping such things...off the market one would say. "He might be able to broker an agreement with the auctioneer," she tilted her head, "if you were willing to help me." Rather her father she supposed, as if Reina could take back, even in off-handed remarks what was occurring here then her leash would be much shorter than she liked.

[Eros d'Avonderre]

Ah, at last she'd discovered something of interest to him. Eros didn't follow the offer with an immediate argument this time, but gave the offer great thought. He knew of the artist, knew that the man tended to focus on drawing, and to obtain a painting would be somewhat of a coup. Advance purchase of auction items wasn't strictly legal, but was quite common and unlikely to result in any repercussions which he could not quite easily come out of unscathed.

"I will have my solicitor appraise the item and bid appropriately," he said at last. His lips curved into an urbane smile. "How may I assist you, Miss Medina?" The words were spoken with grace and a touch of genuine-sounding pleasure this time. He was still annoyed with the woman, but was willing to set aside his firm displeasure for a time. He understood the value of the trade.

[Katia Medina]

Katia smoothed her dress out, returning Eros's smile with one of her own, genuine or not he was at least playing the game. Even though she wanted to close her eyes to compose herself, to not feel the hurt the game always seemed to bring, she did not allow herself too. "My dear childhood friend, Reina, has come for employment through Hogwarts. She asked that I introduce her to my friends. I just, ask that you act as though we are friends. My reputation in Spain is everything, and now, Spain has come here." No longer a refuge to act as a free entity she could see the death of everything she idealized drawing near.

[Eros d'Avonderre]

"Ah," Eros said, that one syllable infused with understanding. "And so the freebird must submit to the gilded cage for survival. Am I to assume, then, that this arrangement will be ongoing?" Depending on the aesthetic appeal of the painting he'd claimed sight-unseen, he could be content for some time, but he wanted assurance of her understanding that there may be future conditions.

[Katia Medina]

What an astute metaphor, she thought to herself. The gilded cage full of baubles and trinkets meant to appease. The illusion of fulfillment just vivid enough to appeal to most and offer an excuse for the rest. It felt like she was latching the key behind herself.

"As long as Miss Milan is intent upon staying in Hogwarts, and seeing my friends. However, the gilded cage is more than generous towards its occupant." Not entirely true, but the practiced lie society liked to hear.