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Post by Emilian Sota on Sept 21, 2015 17:09:00 GMT -5
It was a slow day, just like most of them. How he managed to stay in business even Emilian couldn't guess, except for the fact that a few choice patrons were easy with their money and enjoyed spending far too much gold on the rare stones he imported. Some of those stones were spread out in front of him, naturally covered with a protective charm that would allow only him to touch them. Although it was probably safer to do so in the back where no one could see, he had no employees save a wrinkled old bat who was best used taking stock and cleaning, and he preferred to keep an eye on his shop while he worked. History had proven most were not to be trusted alone in his shop.
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Post by Lucretia 'Storm' Seyrrou on Sept 21, 2015 19:02:08 GMT -5
With her newfound freedom Storm had stayed in her manor digging through paperwork and her parents' belonging. It was a long and tiresome process. Storm needed to go somewhere and as she turned in the spot to apparate one place came to mind.
Storm was standing in the streets of Hogsmeade the looming figure of Hogwarts sent a chill down her spine. The last time she had been there it wasn't pleasant. Storm continued on past the buildings so many had different owners, but as she stopped in front of one she knew Emilian was inside. Her eyes looked in the window and she could see the silhouette of his figure. Walking to the door she pushed it open and as her eyes scanned the store they rested on a familiar yet very changed person.
"It's good to see you old friend," how long had it been? Too long and judging by how different he looked much had happened since.
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Post by Emilian Sota on Sept 21, 2015 19:06:18 GMT -5
At first, Emilian didn't look up. His ungloved, scarred hand lifted briefly to tuck long hair behind one ear, then scratched absently at a day's worth of stubble before the voice clicked in his head. Both hands stopped what they were doing and for just a moment he froze in place, then he slowly looked up. "Storm? I don't think anyone calls me old friend anymore." He reached for his glove and slid it into place, the dark material hiding scar tissue that had faded in color while retaining the mottled texture. It also hid a ring on that ring finger that had only a second to glint in the light. He didn't want to know what Storm would say at the sight of a wedding band.
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Post by Lucretia 'Storm' Seyrrou on Sept 21, 2015 19:26:46 GMT -5
As she looked on her eyes caught the movement of his hand and a brow rose for a brief second, but it was gone just as fast as it had come. Her eyes caught the glint of a ring, but she couldn't be sure what finger it was on so she wouldn't make any assumptions. Still, with the way things were going everyone was in some sort of relationship. As she crossed towards him her eyes scanned the jewels around before finally returning to him. "I haven't been saying it much either," as she was close enough to see him here eyes scanned his face. Emilian was always a good looking guy, but it was like he aged so drastically she could see the stress life had inflicted on his features. Despite being able to see the answer in his face she still asked, "How have you been?"
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Post by Emilian Sota on Sept 21, 2015 19:34:42 GMT -5
"Is that a serious question?" Emilian asked before he could stop himself, then he turned his gaze back to the counter and the scattered stones. "I mean I've...been living. Or...existing." Social contact with little more than a hooker, cashiers, and customers barely counted as living. "I heard about your mother, my condolences." He knew the words to say, at least.
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Post by Lucretia 'Storm' Seyrrou on Sept 21, 2015 19:46:30 GMT -5
"It's more of a courtesy," her eyes followed his gaze to the stones, there were so many and she could see that a single one costed more than an average wizard or witch could afford. His words made her pause and bite her lower lip. Sometimes she didn't want to think about her deceased mother, but she knew he had to say those words it's how they were raised. "Thank you," the words were another regurgitation of what she had been taught as a child.
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Post by Emilian Sota on Sept 21, 2015 19:54:03 GMT -5
One corner of Emilian's mouth quirked up, causing the faded scar on that side of his face to distort. They both knew what they were supposed to do, and she was much better at falling into it than he was. "So, does this mean you're back in the area for now? Not many familiar faces in Hogsmeade anymore." He couldn't even remember the last time he'd seen Michael as more than a passing glance, though every so often a letter made it through.
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Post by Lucretia 'Storm' Seyrrou on Sept 21, 2015 20:27:04 GMT -5
Storm wasn't sure if she wanted to be back so close to Hogwarts, but she had reason's not to be in the area. "I have no use of running, or hiding anymore," she already had plans of returning to society, but there were things she needed to do first. "Maybe now I can actually start living," or she hoped so at least. "I'm surprised you're still here. I expected you to be at the top of our beloved hierarchy. Not still here." She would be lying if she said she expected to see him here, but it was nice to see more familiar figures. It distracted her after all that had recently transpired.
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Post by Emilian Sota on Sept 21, 2015 20:29:45 GMT -5
A bark of laughter escaped at that. "When's the last time you were here? Because you have missed a bloody lot of s~," he said. "I've been disowned, at least twice over. It would be harder for me to get back into the same circle of Society than it would be for Arthur Weasley." And that was saying a lot, considering the lack of wealth and the blood traitor status of the Weasley family.
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Post by Lucretia 'Storm' Seyrrou on Sept 21, 2015 20:42:51 GMT -5
Storm shrugged, "The last time I saw you. Hiding from your murderous father and never staying in one place for too long keep you out of the loop." her finger's rested on the glass below sparkling jewels and metals stared up at her and while she could afford them, she couldn't see the appeal of jewellery. "Would you return? If you had the opportunity?"
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Post by Emilian Sota on Sept 21, 2015 20:48:33 GMT -5
Emilian thought on that. On one hand, being back in the limelight surrounded by people he could so easily win over would be absolutely wonderful. On the other, he would have to work so hard to get rid of his past, and it would likely just bring back old urges he'd fought so hard to avoid. "No, I wouldn't." He considered simply being quiet and avoiding her eyes, but instead looked up. "I've dragged my own name through the mud, done things I can never be forgiven for. Trying to worm my way back into Society would do no one any good. My life is s~, but at least I'm only hurting myself."
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Post by Lucretia 'Storm' Seyrrou on Sept 21, 2015 20:59:44 GMT -5
Storm understood, but very recently Michael had opened her eyes to the fact that there were so many possibilities and hearing it come from Emilian she could almost hear how she sounded to Michael. "So what? You're just going to continue on this store owner lifestyle for the rest of your life? An old man stroking his precious jewels while the kids of Hogwarts taunt old Mr. Sota?" he changed so much. Whatever fire Emilian had, it burned out and she wondered what took place for that to happen.
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Post by Emilian Sota on Sept 21, 2015 21:25:16 GMT -5
"Don't tempt me, Storm," Emilian said, turning his focus back to the stones in front of him, sorted out in a system no one else could probably understand. "I've worked hard to get where I am. I may not enjoy it, but it's better than what I used to be. I had my chance to be better, and I blew it. I then continued to blow it until there was nothing to do but accept this life." Because if he tried, if he let himself do the things he wanted to, then who knew who else he would hurt?
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Post by Lucretia 'Storm' Seyrrou on Sept 21, 2015 21:37:29 GMT -5
"You used to be someone who could reach out and take whatever the hell he wanted. What made you change?" Her tone incredulous. This was a very different person than the one she knew. Life had beaten him down and he wasn't going to try getting up anymore.
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Post by Emilian Sota on Sept 21, 2015 21:45:39 GMT -5
Emilian resisted the urge to slam a fist down onto the counter, which would result only in a disruption of his work and a painful hand, and instead clenched his teeth and closed his eyes while he forced himself to back off mentally. "Reaching out and taking what I wanted made me an abuser. A rapist, a cheater, a beater. I don't want to be any of these things anymore, Storm." He'd figured out how to keep himself from going off, and he refused to risk it again.
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