Hermione Jean Granger (hermionejean) wrote in arcana_clone, @ 2006-10-03 00:25:00 |
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Had it not been a matter of such importance, Bellatrix would have likely demanded that the servants answer the door. As it stood, she was far too eager to effect revenge upon the foolish man, intent on ensuring that his dying breaths were spent apologizing for the pain he'd caused her sister. Thus, Bellatrix opened the door almost immediately, abandoning formal clothing in favor of a long, non-descript black dress, clearly suited for a covert mission. "Lucius," She acknowledged cordially, turning on her heel and stepping into the confines of her home, trusting that he would follow in the path toward the sitting room.
"Bellatrix." He stepped into the foyer, closed the door carefully behind him. "I apologise for arriving on such short notice, but I imagine you are as ready as I to begin upon the business we have discussed."
"You imagine correctly," She remarked merrily, perching upon the edge of the lounge and spreading an array of perilously sharp instruments over the sofa table. A deceptively sweet smile resided on her lips as she gazed up at him, seemingly oblivious to the eerie connotations that came with owning a collection of torture implements. "Clearly, the first priority is to ensure that Narcissa's mission is completed. I genuinely doubt that Mr. Belby will hold out for very long under my ministrations."
Lucius' expression did not waver, though as always Bellatrix's eccentricities made him a bit wary. He preferred the old standard Crucio, himself, along with a few other nasty spells to break up the monotony. But if she had cause to use such things, and achieved her aims, who was he to argue? "Likely not. He is an overgrown boy playing the games of men. What aid shall I lend? Restraint? Interrogation?"
Competition did not breed friendship, but in this goal Lucius and Bellatrix were united. They shared a deep concern for the welfare of one Narcissa Black Malfoy, whose honor was not to be impugned by lecherous men. With this in mind, she leaned back against the sofa and looked up at him apparaisingly. "Yes. I suspect you will be a smidgen more calm that I am when the blood begins to flow, so it would be best if you handled interrogation." A pause and a thoughtful look. "If you permit me to cause him great pain and suffering, I will not object to your striking the killing blow. You are her husband, after all."
He smiled, a faint cold smile. "I think that is a suitable arrangement. When, then, and where shall we strike? I'd like to make an example of him, if we can."
"I suspect he keeps a copy of his notes at home," She commented nonchalantly, as though she were not planning a gruesome torture and murder. "It would perhaps be advantageous to assault him there, lest we alert unnecessary bystanders." Dark eyes sparkled dangerously. "That said, I am not at all opposed to disposing of what remains of his body in a public venue, if it is an example you seek."
"Yes. We wouldn't want to have things cut short, or our time with Mr. Belby interrupted."
Delicious laughter bubbled forth from her lips at the mention of things being cut short. Dark eyes roamed appreciatively over a special knife set upon the table, the only hint of explanation for her delighted outburst. "Indeed," She managed, valiantly attempting to stifle her laughter. "As for time - why, nightfall seems quite appropriate, don't you think?"
"In the interests of an early start, absolutely." Lucius might have edged a step further away at her laughter, or he might have only shifted his weight--either way, it was subtly done. "Shall we arrange a place to apparate, so as not to draw his attention before we desire it? There are hedges down the lane a bit, I believe I saw, having been so unlucky as to visit him on business once."
Bellatrix was less concerned about the place of apparition than the morbid fate of their mark, waving a hand dismissively. "Certainly, certainly. Hedges would be wise." She was suddenly restless, the presence of the knives only reminding her of how torturous the hours between now and nightfall would be, so great was her anticipation. In an effort to sate her desires, she procured the paring knife. "I take it, then, that you are to some degree aware of the layout of his home?" She asked innocuously, running her thumb along the razor edge of the blade.
"Only in the vaguest of ways. I made it a point not to stay longer than necessary at the time." Lucius did his best not to watch her play with the knife--it would only make him nervous.
"Understandable," She remarked idly, sparing the knife a wistful gaze in fond recall of the last time she'd utilized it, before reluctantly setting it down atop her lap. "But your knowledge still exceeds mine. Tell me - what do you know of Mr. Belby? Is he married? Is he wrinkled and shrivelled?"
"Not married, no, and not much older than I. Though his face always puts me in mind of a fish.... He keeps to himself with his affairs and finances, though he is not an antisocial creature."
"Clearly," She remarked bitterly, recalling just how social he had been with her precious sister. The only comfort was the weapon on her lap and a glance at the clock, willing the time to pass by more swiftly. "I want to make him bleed, Lucius," Her voice had grown cold with rage, eyes fixed firmly upon the clock even as she spoke the words. "I want to see the light die out of his eyes at our hands." Few things could possess her so, but to see her sister so distraught.
"Never fear," he answered, his eyes similarly unforgiving as he thought upon the evening's task. "I'm sure we will have ample opportunity to indulge those wishes." He glanced at the clock, too, calculating the time between now and then. "I think I will leave you for a short time, in order to dress myself more appropriately for such a mission. Shall we meet again at the aforementioned hedges?"
Upon agreement with her wishes, she spared Lucius a momentary glance, her eyes a mixture of fire and ice. She trusted that he would understand that he was not the target of her fury. "We shall," She stated with a calmness she did not feel.
He gave her a very slight bow, and a faint, mirthless smile. "I will see myself out. Until this evening, Bellatrix."
"Until this evening," Bella echoed, only faintly processing the sound of the door shutting behind him.