InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I have many skills"

1981_npc (1981_npc) wrote in mcmlxxxi,
@ 2009-03-06 23:33:00

Entry tags:

character: edgar bones, character: gideon prewett, npc

WHO: Edgar Bones, Gideon Prewett, and NPC Eric Bell
WHAT: Some very serious questions
WHERE: Hogshead Pub
WHEN: Friday, March 13. Late night.
RATING / STATUS: Considerable. Language and some violence likely.

Eric Bell hadn't been sober in about two weeks. He was back at his normal barstool at the Hogshead, ignoring the people around him and ordering another drink. He knew what he was doing when he did it, but he didn't know he'd take it so hard. And, of course, he didn't realize it would go down like it did. Not exactly.

The station went dark for a day after it happened. He'd been given a new show on Monday, Marlene's old time slot, but like everyone else at the station he'd been doing a rather lackluster job. No one realized he'd had different reasons for it.

So there he sat, midway through another pint, waiting until he was drunk enough to stumble back home and pass out, then start all over again the next day.

(Post a new comment)

eones
2009-03-07 10:53 pm UTC (link)

Edgar was typically a very patient man; so patient, perhaps, that it often infuriated the more impetuous individuals among his current circle of friends. Tonight, Edgar was not patient, nor was he particularly rational. He longed for justice and vengeance in the name of the dead, and the new laws passed by the Ministry would ensure him of the chance to acquire that. Ever since the death of the McKinnons, Edgar found himself filled with a hatred he'd never quite experienced, a blood-stirring passion that he'd only felt in those tense-filled Quidditch matches at school, and he felt a flushing at the collar of his robes as the hatred, the anger and the remorselessness coursed through his body. The last several days had not been easy on Edgar, nor had they been easy on anyone in his immediate vicinity. Friends, family and co-workers all alike had been subjected to an unnatural surliness to his temperament, and, even in the case of his twin sons, a loss of his usually cool temper. Where others wept, Edgar Bones gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and endured.

Now Edgar stalked into the pub, sure of his purpose--sure of everything. He'd memorized the face of the man who betrayed Marlene and brought about these unnecessary deaths. He'd get his answers. It was easy to identify the fellow, wallowing in his pint as if it had been his friends, his own flesh and blood, who perished. It infuriated Edgar even more, and he wanted to hit the man, to make him bleed and make him hurt, to beg for his sad, pathetic little excuse of a life. Edgar released the tension in his muscles, the hand that clenched too tightly by his side, waiting so impatiently for the chance to swing. No. He leaned against the bar, not too far away from Bell.

"Two pints," he murmured to the bartender who wiped the counter-top with a yellowed wash towel. "Your strongest brew."

As Edgar waited for the beers, he observed Bell casually; the anger was no longer in his eyes, but those who knew him well would be able to discern the petulant tugging at the right corner of his lip, as well as the agitation that hid behind that disarming dimple. Edgar clenched his hand again but the rational side of him, however minuscle at this moment, knew he had to wait.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

gidprew
2009-03-10 09:10 pm UTC (link)

Gideon was waiting at the other end of the bar until Edgar walked in. He was keeping an eye on Bell from a distance and in the meantime, having a drink for himself. He needed one to cool his head. When he spotted Edgar, he knocked back his drink, finishing it before standing. He gave him a nod in acknowledgement before walking over.

He stood on the other side of Bell with the appearance of nonchalance.

"Bones," he said, with a casual air.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

eones
2009-03-10 11:09 pm UTC (link)

Though Gideon's approach snapped him from his thoughtful reverie, Edgar displayed no outward signs of his being startled. Auror training had taught him better reflexes, to mask himself, to blend in, to remain as unnoticed as possible. Now, however, was the time to strike. Edgar leaned toward Gideon--and Bell--as he nodded his head in Gideon's direction and raised his glass in greeting.

"'Lo, Prewett. Strange meeting you here." Edgar brought the pint to his lips and took a large gulp.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

gidprew
2009-03-11 02:43 pm UTC (link)

Gideon grinned in a way that didn't let it reach his eyes. He was sure that for now Bell was unsuspecting.

"Speaking of strange, I heard this rather interesting story. You know that broadcast on the WWN, you know the one I'm talking about, with the radio show host and her family, the producer too--it's such a shame," Gideon grinded his teeth, the lightness in his tone disappearing.

"They say there was no sign of forced entry into the station, which means someone let them in. And word has it, that there was really only one other person that would've been in the station during that time," Gideon studied the back of Bell's head carefully.

He lowered his voice so that only Edgar and Bell could hear now, "And what makes it even more--ironic is that the one who let those filthy bastards in, he has her old time slot."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

1981_npc
2009-03-11 05:05 pm UTC (link)

When the two men on either side of Eric began to talk to one another, he did his best to ignore it. He didn't much care what either of them had to say, but wished they could find somewhere else to say it. The pub wasn't exactly overcrowded.

He grew more and more annoyed as they kept talking, but as soon as the one mentioned Marlene, his veins turned to ice. He tried to play casual, finishing his pint so he could hide his face. After a moment, though, it became crystal clear that not only did they know who he was, they knew what he had done. His body went rigid and he looked fearfully at the more talkative man for a split second before pushing away from the bar and trying to run. He didn't know where he was going or if he could even get anywhere, but he sure as hell wasn't staying caught between these two.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

eones
2009-03-13 11:11 pm UTC (link)

"Oy!" The bartender bellowed as Bell tried to flee, but Edgar did not hear him. His thoughts were consumed with stopping the man who all but killed Marlene. No, Bell was not the one whose wand expelled the Killing Curse, but he had signed Marlene's death warrant single-handedly. The bastard. He threw all of his weight into lunging after Eric Bell and, almost by chance, caught hold of his collar. He brought Bell tumbling to the floor and, with his wand hand now steady, Edgar crouched down in front of Bell. He chose to ignore the murmurings of the few people in the bar, nor did he listen to the protests of the bartender, who seemed to dislike this sudden disturbance in his bar.

"Listen to me, you rotten bastard," Edgar hissed in Bell's face, very nearly nose-to-nose with the man. "We're going to take a walk. And you're going to tell me every damn thing about what happened that night, or--Merlin help me--I'll give you to the sodding Dementors!" Edgar clenched his fist tight, nearly choking Bell by the collar, and dragged him bodily from the bar, where there weren't quite so many spectators--or witnesses.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

1981_npc
2009-03-13 11:33 pm UTC (link)

Eric struggled and fought against the man's grip; being dragged out of a pub like this was humiliating. Not to mention, of course, he had no idea what he should be expecting outside.

It wasn't long until they were outside, however, in the cool and quiet night air. "Hey let me go, asshole, I'll walk. I'll walk!" he yelled and, for the moment, stopped struggling. "I'll go! I swear. Just let go of me, for fuck's sake."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

gidprew
2009-03-14 12:17 am UTC (link)

As Edgar manhandled Bell out of the bar, Gideon gave the barkeep a wink and paid their tabs tipping a little extra before following them.

"Go back to your drinks, people," he announced, shutting the door behind him with a snap.

Once out in the air however, his friendly demeanor melted away. The hand that gripped his wand tightened as he trained it on Bell, catching up with them down the street. He had been far more patient than he was known to be so far and Bell's comment was enough to flare a little of his temper. Forgetting his wand, he cracked Bell on the side of head with a quick jab.

"You keep your trap shut," Gideon snapped.

They reached an alley far enough away from the busier, shop-lined area of the town, pushing him against the brick wall, harder then they probably should have.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

eones
2009-03-14 12:33 am UTC (link)

Edgar released Bell and nodded at Gideon. Now was the time. Keeping his wand raised and focused on Eric Bell at all times, Edgar began his questioning. He was determined to get answers. "Listen up. If you don't tell us everything regarding your involvement in the death of the McKinnons, things could go very badly for you." He paused dramatically, to make Bell sweat. First, he wanted to see if Bell would tell them the truth. "The night the McKinnons were killed, what part did you play in their demise? We know you let the Death Eaters in. Did You-Know-Who's followers contact you? Or did you suss them out yourself?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

1981_npc
2009-03-14 12:43 am UTC (link)

"No, I didn't 'suss them out,' Merlin," Eric insisted, annoyed. His head hurt, his body hurt, and he wanted to go back to the pub. "I didn't! Now will you get that thing out of my face?" he asked, motioning toward Edgar's wand. He looked back and forth between the two men, and didn't see any sympathy in their eyes. "Look, you know how it is. They tell you to do something, ask for your help and you don't say no. I'm not about to put my arse out on the line by refusing them."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	gidprew 2009-03-14 07:39 pm UTC (link)
	"So you put someone else on the line? Her ten year old son? Her parents? You trade in four people in exchange for your sorry life, do you? You worthless--" Gideon jabbed his wand into Bell's cheek. He grit his teeth. "Who are 'they?' These wands are staying right where they are until you answer." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

1981_npc
2009-03-15 11:20 am UTC (link)

Bell's eyes showed his growing fear. "No way. I tell you that and I'm a dead man." He eyed the wands, trying to figure out his odds. These men probably wouldn't kill him; the Death Eaters undoubtedly would. "Look, I didn't know about the kid. I didn't know they do anything to him but they did and it sucks, but I'm not going to die for it. They'll kill me, no hesitation."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

eones
2009-03-16 10:25 pm UTC (link)

"You fool," Edgar gasped. "You have no idea, do you?" Edgar leaned forward and lowered his voice, whispering so quietly that only Bell could hear. "You are going to wish they had kill you." He pulled away, the anger so very apparent in his eyes and in the way his hand tightened upon his wand.

"Crucio!"

He directed his wand on Eric Bell as he said the incantation to the formerly illegal Unforgivable curse. He might regret it later on, but now all he could think of was the crumpled bodies of his friends, and his son's agonized face as he heard his friend being murdered. By whatever force of strength, He only held his wand on the man for a few seconds before pulling off. Then he bellowed in the man's face, very nearly spitting at him: "Now tell me about the Death Eaters!"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

gidprew
2009-03-18 01:18 am UTC (link)

"Oi!" Gideon instinctively dove in between Bell and Edgar, grabbing his wand arm and pushing it away. "That's enough, Bones!"

He tried his best to keep his hand stead, to keep it from shaking as he pulled Edgar away. His mouth had gone dry. He felt like a part of his brain had malfunctioned and hallucinated what just happened. This is what they did, not the Order. The Order was supposed to be different; they were supposed to maintain a shred of humanity, of compassion which meant staying away from Unforgiveables. Up till this point, Gideon had thought that everyone in the Order shared his view on the matter, an assumption, he realized, he took for granted.

He looked back at Bell's crumpled, shivering form and grit his teeth.

"Just tell us what we want to know," Gideon's voice was just above a whisper, anger simmering in his chest, not at Bell, but at Edgar.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

1981_npc
2009-03-18 08:30 pm UTC (link)

Eric didn't speak right away; he couldn't. If he'd known what to call it, he would have realized he was going into shock as he lay on the ground, shivering, his eyes wide and wild. "Fffuck," he managed to murmer. He tried to push himself up into a sitting position, but it hurt to move. He needed to make sure that never happened to him again.

He struggled to speak, but managed to say what he needed to say. "I saw two of them. One was big, maybe 6'5". The other one was in charge though. I think the big one called him Travis."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	gidprew 2009-03-18 09:56 pm UTC (link)
	"Fine," Gideon spit out. He raised his wand and pointed straight between Bell's eyes. "Obliviate." He watched Bell's eyes go blank. Gideon helped him to his feet and pointed him toward the street. "Go on, then." When Bell was out of earshot, he turned and faced Edgar. He struggled to keep his voice even. "What the hell was that about?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

eones
2009-03-27 08:39 pm UTC (link)

Edgar could not explain--he would not--explain. As an Auror, he now had every right to do what he did. He understood Gideon's hesitations and his rage, but Edgar also understood his own anger, in spite of any internal confusions or struggle on his part. And they had something to show for it: names, descriptions. They were successful, for all that was sacrificed. Once Bell scampered off, Edgar pocketed his wand within the deep pocket of his black coat, a Muggle costume donned specifically for the occasion. He glanced at Gideon Prewett, who was obviously trying very hard to keep himself under control.

"Justice."

The word was all Edgar could manage, but he said it without malice and without any sense of pride in his actions. He longed to leave this dirty alley and go home; his wife and children were there and, even though his children slept, he knew June would be waiting up, waiting in earnest for him to return home. He wanted to kiss his kids, because Marlene couldn't kiss her son anymore; he wanted to fall asleep next to his wife, because there were others just like him who couldn't any longer. As a sudden wave of fatigue washed over his entire body, Edgar decided he didn't want to explain himself, and he certainly did not want to face what had just been sacrificed. He sighed and dropped his gaze, a sign of temporary defeat. "Let's just go."

(Reply to this) (Parent)