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Post by Eirene Seyrrou on May 1, 2011 3:47:35 GMT -5
Never would she expect herself to set a foot inside Hogwarts again. And never would she ever dream that her own student would receive such power especially with the school career he had.
She would not be here if she did not gain in the process. Her daughter, who was somewhere close by, had been looking for her for so long. Tracing her every step until she finally found her enjoying the finest wines of Italy with an old friend. Eirene had abandoned her own manor, unable to deal with the rebellious nature of her daughter. Of course, without Lucretia’s knowledge, she would sneak back home to indulge in some of the greatest nights with her husband, but unlike him she would not submit to her daughters growing power in the business industry. Instead, she took to staying in their summer home in Milan away from her daughter’s somewhat growing influence and away from a home she grew bored of.
Raising a fist; she gave the door a good knock patiently waiting for a reply. Her face was serious; it was obvious by her features that she meant business.
For years, she had been trying to convince her daughter to marry a noble and powerful man. Whose name was known amongst the higher circles. Never would she allow her daughter to settle for anything below their own name, which didn’t give her daughter much choices, but the Firebrand name was up there.
Eirene had no idea of her daughter searching for her; to be sought out for advice… it had come as a shock. Eirene knew very well that Caius was not the type of man to throw his daughter around, he felt that such affairs were to be dealt with by women and the only job he had was to bring young men to light at breakfast the next morning to his wife. Surly, Caius could have been here himself, but he did not know of the relationship between Lucretia and Chase, nor did he know anything about the former slytherin bad-boy.
Reading the prophet’s gossip had been a guilty pleasure of her own. When her daughters name began cropping up, it became more intriguing and what was peculiar was it was cropping up with the same name. Even after leaving Hogwarts, Eirene did not stop reading it. She had heard about the engagement, read the rumors about his supposed other woman, and yet she was still accepting of her daughter’s decision… within reason. Eirene knew that if this were to work, she could have her life back.
Before getting ahead of herself, she raised a fist, waiting to knock again in case he did not respond. She couldn't be too sure that he was in there, but with exams nearing, she had assumed his workload would have increased and his time would mostly be spent in his office. |
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Jun 29, 2011 21:22:41 GMT -5
Chase had been standing at the windows, staring out over the grounds when that first knock sounded. Hands clasped loosely behind his back, his gaze had traveled from the students trickling out of the castle in clusters to those creeping along the edge of the Black Lake, certain that they were invisible. Somehow during his time at Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest had gone out of style.
At the second knock, he stirred himself, giving his wand a flick to open the door. He didn't like this feeling of being disconnected. It made him feel old, and he was far too young for that, but he'd grown out of teenage drama.
He turned, and for a moment he was still. Ironic, he thought, that he should be faced with one of few people in the United Kingdom who could remind him what it felt like to have someone to answer to. His former Head of House, a woman who had tested him simply for the pleasure of it, had appeared unannounced. But he was in power now. He had taken her position and more, and this was his school.
Chase's lips curved as the mantle of power settled around him again, and his eyes flickered crimson sparks. "Come in, Mrs. Seyrrou. What an unexpected pleasure."
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Post by Eirene Seyrrou on Jul 5, 2011 23:09:59 GMT -5
Her gentle footsteps echoed down the hall as she made her way in. She could have waited for him to do so, but decided to carefully close the door with a silent wave of her wand. Hands clasped in front of her, a sweet smile graced her lips. "Well haven't you grown into quite the handsome man Chase Firebrand."
It may not have been that long ago, but even the way he held himself was different. He was no longer boyish, but she could look and talk to him like a proper adult, not like an elder. Still, she was older and more experienced, she would not allow a young man have the upper hand, no matter his power. He may have become the headmaster, but she was not apart of the school for that to influence her. "I assume you are aware to the reason behind my little visit?" he was smart, but it never failed to amuse her, questioning the obvious.
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Jul 6, 2011 17:18:12 GMT -5
"I have hopes, of course," Chase replied. He was in a position to compliment her, to say anything he wished, but he held his tongue, a skill which came far easier now. His lips curved slightly, and for once, he allowed himself the pleasure of looking over the older woman standing before him. Storm's mother, he reminded himself. She was a beautiful woman, and he could be assured that Storm would age gracefully.
"Are you here after a job?" he asked, arching his brows lightly. "I'm afraid the position is filled. Or perhaps you left something in your office when you left. Without notice. After the attack on a certain Ravenclaw girl." As little as he'd cared who was replacing him, he did read the Prophet, and he had talked to that bastard Blackwood kid who'd caused him so much trouble with Dru. But that was water under the bridge now. The bastard was Head Boy and Dru was his.
Chase tilted his head slightly, as though interested. "Unless you have other family matters to discuss." Oh yes, he was interested in Storm, but Mrs. Seyrrou needed to understand what she was here for. He wasn't some lust-driven teenager to be toyed with in a game of cat-and-mouse. He was a man in his own right, and he was more aware of things than anyone knew. In giving Storm to him, she wouldn't simply be pleasing her daughter. She would be gaining power that he himself was spreading across an ocean. Or she would be pissing him off and gaining an enemy.
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Post by Eirene Seyrrou on Jul 7, 2011 0:07:36 GMT -5
Eirene silently shook her head. She was not here for a position nor left anything behind. Crossing her arms she surveyed the young man once again. "I left Mr. Firebrand because it was time I were to indulge in other pleasures, teaching was not right for me". The only reason she took on the job was to get closer to her daughter and had managed to convince her husband into following her lead.
Eirene would choose her words wisely, he knew exactly why she was here, not for herself, but for the daughter she had been dying to have married off. "Never would I have imagined my daughter request my assistance. And yet this once I think she may have made the right decision in who she wants as a mate." Eirene would have never agreed if it wasn't for the name the power and the wealth the Firebrands had, but that was how their society worked, it was no shame to see it as such. "But of course, I have questions of vital importance to this situation. I'm sure you know well what I speak of?" Chase was already engaged, which meant it would be harder to make work, but Eirene wanted to make sure that she was not wasting time. |
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Jul 7, 2011 0:36:32 GMT -5
"I do," Chase said, nodding his head slightly. "Please, Mrs. Seyrrou, have a seat." He gestured toward the armchairs facing his desk, which were attractive, if not especially comfortable. He preferred for most of his visitors to be kept squirming. They tended to give him less trouble when they were distracted with the desire to leave.
He waited for her before seating himself, and leaning back comfortably in his own seat, a lion at rest. He waited another moment for her to compose herself before speaking.
"I can not in good conscience break the contract which I have signed, which she and our fathers have signed. It would soil her reputation, and I will not be responsible for that." No matter that she'd already soiled it herself. He wanted better than his parents had, if he could get it, but there was no point ruining a woman nearly too old to marry and gaining new adversaries. Her family was still far better connected in Europe than his, and India as well. He would keep on their good side if at all possible.
"If the lady wished to withdraw, however... well, as long as it was through no fault of my own, I would certainly honor her wishes." If only her damned alleged cousin wasn't still enjoying flitting from bed to bed!
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Post by Eirene Seyrrou on Jul 7, 2011 22:56:49 GMT -5
Eirene sat herself on the armchair, back straight and legs crossed at the ankles. He was quite the gentleman, waiting before he himself sat, quite the catch she admitted to herself.
Never would she expect the next few words from the young Firebrand, he was chivalrous in a sense that he did not want to ruin this womans reputation, and yet if he didn't want to be out he would not have turned to her own daughter. "Chase you are young and at the perfect age for marriage, only a foolish woman would want to withdraw," she paused surveying the young man once more. And yet because of his youth most women would wait until his reputation was as powerful as his predecessor- his father.
"The only way to go about it without the blame falling on your head would be if there is a greater catch. Do you follow?" Eirene knew quite a few young men with great perks, the only issue was that almost all wore wedding and engagement bands on their fingers. "Unless of course you allow yourself to become unwanted, which does not seem likely am I correct?"
Her power was limited, as much as she hated to admit it, but even Lucretia had become more powerful, her name was starting to spread in the UK and in some parts of Europe. Last she heard her daughter was involved in some business with members of the Ashikaga in Japan wanting to spread her influence in Eastern Asia.
There was the option of speaking to his parents, but it was beneath their society to question the choices a family makes about marriage, it would put the Seyrrou name to shame, and that was one thing she would not do. It was also inappropriate to offer your child to a person already bound to another. |
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Jul 7, 2011 23:45:09 GMT -5
Chase inclined his head in agreement. "My decision to remain at Hogwarts caused only a minor distress, easily soothed." He wasn't about to ruin himself to lose Carolynn. She was, by all accounts, perfect. She was a porcelain doll, exquisitely beautiful, and well versed at making him appear even better in public. She was, however, a shrew, and once married and impregnated, he would gladly leave her to her own devices. Unfortunately, his subtly worked acceptance of employment at the school rather than an acceptance of a Ministry position had caused hardly a ripple for her.
"If I might speak plainly," Chase said, setting aside formalitites in the interest of furthering the conversation, "My fianceé is well aware of the benefits of my suit and the fact that she has no other prospects to fall back on. This is due to no defect on her part. As a matter of fact, there is a man with whom she shares quite a comfortable friendship, who I believe she'd prefer, but he isn't yet seeking marriage." Mano Berwyn, who had been publicly linked to her and shamed him at the very start of their betrothal. She was now, however, residing with his house-elf, and though Society had notoriously long memories, they had been engaged now long enough to throw suspicion off him as the defective party.
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Post by Eirene Seyrrou on Jul 8, 2011 0:17:57 GMT -5
Eirene knew very well who his future bride was. She saw the name in the prophet and while the last name was common in India, there was only a small handful of them who were wizards. It did not take long for Eirene to recognize the family for she knew her husband had met them at one of the pureblood banquets held.
Eirene listened carefully, this man whom Chase speaks of seems like a good angle, but his lack of interest in being tied down was an issue. "And yet Mr. Firebrand, most young men and women are forcefully pushed into marriage by their parents, surely he must be feeling the pressure? Or perhaps there can be a way in which his family might need him to be married off as soon as possible, what do you know of this friend, his family and their name?" If the family were to be put in a desperate situation, they would put their foot down and demand he find a bride immediately, it would be a push factor for the future Mrs. Firebrand to want out.
Thinking back to the gossip column; she tried recalling the name perhaps it cropped up in an article about Chase's engagement, but she came up blank. Who was this friend? |
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Jul 8, 2011 1:08:48 GMT -5
"Mr. Berwyn," Chase began, setting out the name as a subtle reminder of that which had appeared in the paper, "to all accounts is. Working the café in Diagon Alley as a hobby, one which several in his social group have also done. Michael Hardt—excuse me, Blackwood-Hardt, and Eros d'Avonderre have both relinquished those hobbies in favor of remaining at Hogwarts. He and Emilian Sota," he went on, just the name bringing a spark of displeasure to his eyes, "are still enjoying their lives as shopkeepers."
He had revealed far more than the words themselves said. Mano was Carolynn's friend, and this was the questionable society they kept, one he would gladly be free of. One had been disowned by his father, and another had lost his place in Society with an act of rape and pure stupidity in breaking his own engagement with a stunning German girl who might as well have been royalty for all her father's money, status, and power. Emilian was now all but disowned himself.
Chase gave a short, practiced sigh. "I would imagine his parents were dying to marry him off. He was engaged for years to a girl far younger than him, and there was some scandal when her family disappeared from Society, but he has survived on his own labors. I would hate to imply any impropriety, but he was, for a time, acting as Miss Singh's chaperone." An unmarried male friend as chaperone. And she'd claimed he was her cousin, which was worse still, because it said quite clearly that she had been hiding something. Sadly, the situation had only made his father smile, and he'd been on his own to find a solution. If only he could have used it to stop this madness!
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Post by Eirene Seyrrou on Jul 8, 2011 1:43:45 GMT -5
Disowned by his father, it only made this whole situation less likely and Eirene was willing to shake her head and apologize to Chase. Yet, as cruel as it may be, she wondered what would happen if Mr.Berwyn lost his shop? He would have no choice but to return home and comply with his family wishes. "The only way would be if this Mr.Berwyn were to be separated from his shop, or if there is competition, but I can do neither. The only power I posses is that of my wands, my husband and daughter are better suited for business." But she had no will in taking such measures for her daughters wishes to be fulfilled, Eirene could be cruel, but there were somethings she did not feel the need to do unless it was requested by someone. Or if she was to directly benefit from it. And while in this case she would, she could easily set her daughter up with another. The only reason she agreed to this was because this was her daughter would not put up a fight.
She laced her fingers together, leaning forward a bit. "My dear Chase, I am limited and the only option you leave me with is one I cannot fulfill, if this Mr.Berwyn is content with living the way he is then tempting him back to the life of luxury would be a hard task." And yet when one is born with a golden spoon in their mouth, it's hard to turn away. It is why most kids refuse to disobey their parents. And yet the young Berwyn did it. |
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Jul 8, 2011 2:46:08 GMT -5
Chase was silent for some moments, thinking deeply about things. Yes, he knew that Mano was a dead end unless he chose to be otherwise, and he wasn't any more willing than Mrs. Seyrrou to attempt something as drastic as personal threats or arson. Not that the thoughts hadn't occurred to him.
"May I ask you a personal question?" Chase said shortly. He was still in thought, but had found Mrs. Seyrrou good for working his ideas out so far, and she did have the benefit of both a female viewpoint, and one who had traveled through British Society far longer than he. "Hypothetically, if some scandal arose, might a woman withdraw to save her pride? Or if, for example—hypothetically, of course—another woman found herself in a delicate condition, would she be more likely to seek revenge?"
It was terribly risky simply suggesting such a thing, and Chase knew he was walking a dangerous line. He had just implied a willingness to impregnate the woman's daughter in an attempt to press his suit. He had considered doing something quite similar in the past, but had been unwilling to try it and risk everything. But here he had a woman with easily as much of an angry streak as his Carolynn, and as much a grasp of Society as his father, one more independent than his own mother, and one who wished to marry off her daughter to, as Chase supposed it, the only man whom Storm was willing to settle for.
He knew enough about her, and had hinted as such earlier, that she couldn't use the suggestion against him. He was young enough to be forgiven the radical idea, no matter that he knew better. If there was anyone, and any time, to ask, it was her, and now. What could he do to convince Carolynn to withdraw without hurting himself? He already had a reputation as a womanizer, and though he'd moved on years ago, it clung stubbornly. It seemed the safest thing to use.
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Post by Eirene Seyrrou on Jul 8, 2011 9:40:38 GMT -5
Eirene had already mentally marked the Berwyn as being a lost cause. She too lapsed into silence, eyes focused on the young Firebrand. Nothing came to mind except for the extremes and she was not sure if Chase would comply.
As he broke the silence she hadn't expected him to bring up such a thing. Despite his vague description she immediately knew what he referred to. "A risky scandal would have most women turn away because society would think the women is incapable of keeping her man away from such… temptations." She sighed, if he was asking what she thought, she was in no position to accept. "Usually, the woman in such a delicate situation would have shamed her family and the male in questions family as well, unless an agreement was made." Was that his plan? Eirene wasn't fond of it, but if it played out the way he invisioned it then the result would hide the damage.
"Something like that would have to be discussed with my daughter for it is all ultimately her decision." And as much as Eirene preferred it to go a different way, if it meant her daughter out of the way… then it may be worth it in the end.
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Post by Chase Firebrand on Jul 8, 2011 14:48:38 GMT -5
"If you have any better ideas, Mrs. Seyrrou, I would be delighted to hear them," Chase said, his eyes darkening as he looked at her. So far, her visit had done nothing for him but verify that Storm's parents were useless. He'd revealed things to her which were public information, for the most part, but she had given him back nothing worth any value. This did not please him.
"Otherwise," he went on, "give your daughter my greetings and assurance that she'll receive an invitation to my wedding, for herself and a guest, whenever my fianceé chooses a date." It would be Mrs. Seyrrou who would bear the brunt of Storm's temper if she did nothing. After all, Storm had chosen to send her mother to him, and must have expected some kind of results.
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Post by Eirene Seyrrou on Jul 9, 2011 13:56:19 GMT -5
Her hands were tied, once a family has decided on a proper mate, only in extreme situations can it be undone. “Chase, perhaps you are looking at it all in the wrong way. The best way to end a contract is if the parents come to believe that another would be better suited for their heirs. But, with the way you describe this young woman, which would mean the other woman must have a perk the current woman lacks.” Eirene may not see eye to eye with her daughter, but as a mother she believed she had the best, a child success reflected the parents and while Eirene had nothing to do with her daughter’s current rising star, it did not mean she was not somewhat impressed with it.
“I will pass alone the message.” she made a move to stand. |
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